The Ranger: Apollo's Story (Tales of Welkinia Book 2)

by J. M. Ivie

  During the four months, I worked with the blacksmith in the town, making coinage for my efforts. It wasn’t much, but it was something. I found that the leather jacket which Zahra and Nora had given me was growing gradually tighter. I supposed it made sense, with all I was doing, it would be rather ridiculous if I didn’t put on more muscle. Still, I didn’t wish to burst out of my dearly loved jacket.

  ___

  I ate my breakfast, bid farewell to Duranne and the children, and headed to town to work. The day was beautiful; hardly a cloud drifted in the beautiful autumn sky. The forest trees bent over the path, reaching out over the calm river just off the right of the road. The reds of the maples were peppered between the brown and orange of the sycamore trees. I breathed in a long, deep breath of the crisp air. Perhaps it was because I was born in the autumn it was my favorite season, or perhaps it was the delightful atmosphere that arose during this time.

  Despite the Woodlands being three miles from the cottage, it always seemed like a quick walk. Every day brought a new and exciting sight. Finally, the dirt road ended and my feet landed on the gravel-lined path that lead up to the Woodlands walls. The glistening marble arches stood like sentinels, standing watch over the drawbridge which slumped down and provided a way over the river into the city. I crossed, smiling as I passed the people. Rows upon rows of tables peppered the marketplace, covered over by white awnings. Fresh produce filled baskets, some spilling over in their abundance. Pumpkins, zucchini, onions, tomatoes, and shiny peppers decorated the front of many a farmer’s booth, while paintings, pies, fresh baked goods adorned many others.

  “Good morning, mister Apollo sir!” a farmer shouted as he tossed me a fresh-picked purple apple. “I hear it’s a special day for you!”

  I laughed, catching the apple in my left hand. “I hear this as well!”

  “Happy birthday, sir! Hope it’s a fine one! Say hello to the family for me, would ya?”

  Placing the apple in my pack, I nodded. “I will, thank you.” A customer came and spoke to the man, allowing me to continue on my trek down the road. Winding through the streets and establishments, I soon arrived at the smithy where I worked. The blacksmith smiled at me through his sweat-drenched lips, nodding his red head toward the carriage that arrived. More iron. They weighed more than a hundred pounds per bundle, and there were at least twenty stacked in the cart. I unloaded the bundles, placing them neatly in the storehouse behind the livery. When I came back, I crafted the new horseshoes ordered by the farmers preparing for the harvest. The day passed by quickly. Though the cool air had settled over, I still found myself drenched in sweat by the afternoon.

  With my lunch pail in hand, I walked out to the front of the smithy and inspected the contents. The purple apple added a nice aspect to the meal. It was the same every day, not that I complained. A small portion of bread, dried fish, and some cheese. The creek bubbled below the bridge where I sat, feet dangling off the edge. It was peaceful. The sweet apple turned sour in my mouth. Zahra. She resurfaced in my mind like a specter, daring me to never forget her. I had spent the past months wishing to find her…

  “Apollo!”

  My head snapped to the side, seeing Laramie walking my direction with a basket in her hand. “Afternoon, Laramie.” I muttered through a slight grin, trying to swallow the bit of the apple in my mouth.

  “Ah, I see you’ve already eaten…” her lips turned upside down into a frown as she scooted toward me. “And you smell horrid.”

  “I didn’t invite you to come smell me.” I winked at her, patting the spot beside me. She inched closer, placing the basket between us. “I brought you a lunch, though, now it seems to be useless.”

  “Nonsense. I’m still starved. What did you bring?”

  “How does dried fish sound?” Laramie giggled, touching the top of the cloth.

  “Oh, please… no more dried fish, Laramie. Use it as bait instead and maybe we could catch a fresh one.”

  She laughed harder, pulling the cloth off and revealing a fresh pie. “It has pheasant, chopped carrots, gravy, peas, bits of potato—”

  “You’re an angel,” I muttered as she was speaking, unintentionally cutting her short.

  She pressed her lips tightly together as she suppressed a laugh, cutting into the pie. “Then you want a slice?”

  “If you would, please!” I exclaimed, perhaps too excitedly. I watched as she placed a slice of the pie on a plate, then handed it over. I ate it as soon as it was in my hand, savoring every bite.

  “Doesn’t Duranne cook this?” Laramie watched as I consumed the meal in absolute bliss.

  “No. But, Duncan did say he didn’t marry her for her cooking skills. I’m just hoping we will get better dinners once her garden is ready to be picked.”

  Laramie laughed, amused at my state it seemed. “Well, hopefully you’ll eat something pleasant tonight.”

  “It’ll probably be Tuna Stew again. We had it yesterday, and she muttered something about leftovers.” I wiped my mouth as I placed the plate, now clean of any remains, back in her basket.

  “Sounds delightful.”

  “Oh yes. Three times a week we have Tuna Stew. I sometimes miss the gruel we had back at Siege Veil,” I said, soaking in the afternoon breeze.

  “Well, I should be leaving. Happy birthday, Apollo.” Laramie placed her hand atop of mine, smiling warmly. “I’d give you a birthday kiss on the cheek, but you’re far too sweaty and smelly for that.”

  “Ouch, you hurt my feelings.” I shot her a sour look, trying the best I could to look offended.

  “Sure…” Laramie stood up, shaking her head back and forth as she grinned. “When are we to expect Duncan and Barak to return?”

  “No clue. Could be months, could be days. Ever since Tesla quit to become a teacher it’s been a cozier group.”

  Laramie nodded, “Do you miss it? The fighting?”

  I rolled my shoulder, “Somewhat. But, I need to be here. Your father said it wouldn’t be too long before there’s word of Zahra.”

  “I suppose so. You seem happy, Apollo.”

  “I am…” I looked up at her, squinting as the sun shone through the leaves behind her head. “It really feels as if everything is beginning to go right.”

  F I F T Y

  THE INTENSE NUMBNESS WAS something I had grown accustomed to, yet, today was something all its own. This was the day I proposed to Zahra. Her birthday would be tomorrow, which I would miss. My stomach tightened as I thought it over. Is she even all right?

  The rains rolled in over the green countryside, causing the already morbid day to appear even more bleak and horrible. I sat outside the main gate and watched as lightning slashed the sky and listened to the thunder roar in the distance. I could just leave. I could search for her on my own. I didn’t need to wait around for Elric to make headway. Everyone assured me it was best that Elric made the inquiries, but I was growing anxious.

  Out in the distance of the rolling plane, just outside the thick, oak forest, the figures of two men became visible.

  I stood, narrowing my eyes to get a better look at them. My heart skipped a beat. It had been so long since I seen either one, and I ran to greet them.

  “Apollo!” Barak smirked. He looked strained… and thin. There were new lines around his eyes and along his forehead I hadn’t seen before.

  My stomach tightened. “Where’s Crimsyn and Niall?”

  Duncan waved away my concern, “They were getting along great without us and wanted to stay behind a bit. We needed to get back here. At least, I did. I needed to see my family.”

  I accepted this as his explanation and turned to Barak, “Anything?”

  “No word. And your friend Zane seems to have vanished with the sweeping north wind.” He gave me a smile that lasted a half second before disappearing behind a frown. “Are you well?”

  “I’m good. Though, I will say, I feel like I’m feeling a little rusty combat-wise.”

  “We have work to do then,” B
arak muttered, looking at Duncan who stood beside him. “Though, this is where we say goodbye to our comrade. He needs to find his wife and his children.”

  “Do you want us to accompany you?” I raised my brow.

  “No, sir. I will do fine on my own.” Duncan winked. “How’s the wee owl doing?”

  “Great! I believe he’s ready to begin the training you mentioned.”

  “Wonderful!” Duncan rubbed his palms together, grinning, “You’ll soon discover the magic of the birds, Apollo. It’s quite a beautiful sight.”

  I really couldn’t wait for it. I had been dreaming of this moment since he became of age. Duncan said wait for him, and I did my best to not jump the arrow without him. It was hard, but I held out this long. “Tomorrow then, Duncan? Could we begin tomorrow?”

  The grin that spread over Duncan’s warm and weathered features made me ecstatic. It was an answer without the need of words. “I’ll wake you up so early that you’ll hate me for it.”

  With that we parted ways.

  “We have work to do, Apollo.” Barak muttered, looking at me. “Laramie… I wish us to train her as much as we can.” He looked on after the man who had vanished within the gates. “Duncan will not be joining us again. Elric has requested he stay here in the Woodlands. Captain of his personal guard. This will enable him to be a father to his children and a husband to his wife from now on.”

  I nodded. “Do you feel up to a spar? None of the guards here are really up to training with me…”

  “Do you frighten them?” Barak pulled a dagger with a grin. He slashed the surrounding air, making me duck back.

  “What are you talking about?” I rolled my neck, pulling my dagger. “How would I manage to do that?”

  “Your humility amazes me.” He threw his knife my way, and with his foot he knocked me off my feet. His knee was on my chest in a second and the knife was to my throat.

  I breathed in a slow, steady breath. I knew Barak was skilled. It seemed I forgot how skilled he actually was. Perhaps I was too used to sparring with castle guards.

  He helped me to my feet, and we did the same routine again.

  “Have you gotten soft?” he teased, slipping the knife into its sheath and pulling out his knuckles. My throat tightened as I looked at the bladed weapon. Four sharp points along the knuckles, and two blades sticking out of the sides. “Use whatever you have around you to your advantage.”

  “You are the advantage,” I grumbled. “You’ve been doing this since you were my age.”

  A glimmer surfaced behind his ink-black eyes. “Are you calling me old?”

  “Yes. You’re old… and crusty,” I raised a brow. Without a second to react, he had me on the ground once again.

  “Your reflexes are slow.”

  “Not bad for an old man…” I groaned at the pain in my back from being so suddenly pushed down.

  Barak gripped my arm and helped me to my feet, “Again.”

  And again.

  And again.

  I lost every time.

  I became frustrated, and Barak remained as calm and collected as usual.

  “Good. I frustrate you. You have a clear emotion to conquer.” He grinned.

  I jumped at him, and he countered my attack with a sturdy strike to my ribs and a swipe of his foot. His cool behavior was unbearable. I grew more and more irritated by the second. I spit the blood from my mouth, trying to analyze his weakness.

  Barak crossed his arms and squared his shoulders. “You have forgotten… It is not all in your fists or strength—it is in your head. You need to make the best choices in that moment so you can continue making better choices.”

  I breathed in and out, steadier than before, “All right. But you making me upset isn’t helping.”

  “Do you think an enemy will care if they upset you or not?”

  I groaned, knowing he had made a clear point. “Fine. Then what am I supposed to do? Jensen trained me to assassinate in the dark…”

  Barak nodded. “Which is why you have relied only on your brute strength. Whatever you know was learned when you were a royal guard, sia?”

  I huffed a yes.

  “Well,” Barak tapped his knuckles together, “First rule: troi umeri.”

  “Really? Find humor… that’s your advice?”

  “Yes. Anything can be funny if you look at it correctly. Even a man flinging a weapon at you can be funny. Just think of the face he will make when he realizes he lost.”

  “Are you really always this confident?” I laughed. “All right. So, for example, I need to find something funny about you?”

  Barak nodded.

  “Okay. Well, you scrunch your nose when you go in for the kill strike.” I chuckled, recalling the lines around his nose. “It resembles something like a hare eating a carrot.”

  “Now, that is disturbing.” Barak scratched his neck, pinching the corner of his mouth between his teeth. “But if it works, it works.”

  I nodded. “Can we try it again?”

  Barak widened his stance, “We will keep trying until you are once again confident.”

  I ducked under his strike. His foot was barreling my direction, and I barely managed to escape the blow. Careening my body around, I threw my elbow into his shoulder. There was a sharp hiss of pain as he pulled back. I paused. “Sorry…” my stomach tightened.

  “Do not apologize.” Barak managed a weak smile, “I should have put my metal plate over the shoulder.”

  “I should’ve been paying more attention.”

  Barak stood, his face still somewhat wan. “You could have won.”

  “I can’t…” I stopped. “I don’t want to hurt you, Barak.”

  He smiled, “Let us hope there never comes a day when you must.”

  F I F T Y - O N E

  BARAK

  I DROPPED MY BAGS AND TOOK in a long breath before raising my hand to the door. Before my fist connected with the barrier it flung open. “Barak!” Mairead jumped into my arms, nearly choking me as she strengthened her grip on my neck. “I wasn’t expecting you back so soon!”

  “I did not wish to miss tomorrow…” I did my best to take in even breaths among the suffocation.

  Mairead dropped, smiling. “You remembered?” An orange flicker sparked in her eyes, one which would have gone unnoticed by others.

  I nodded, kneeling down and shuffling through my bag. Once I had found the object, I pulled it out. A crested case with gems encircling the mandala.

  “A book?” Mairead grinned, her brow lifting. When she opened the case, a small object gleamed inside. Her eyes widened as she plucked it up. “How!” she exclaimed. “But…” She turned it over in her hand.

  Knowing what I should get her for this special occasion was not difficult. She was twenty-three today, and I wished to mark this day with something that could not be replaced easily. “A dragon-eye pearl.” I pointed to the iridescent object that rested in the necklace’s center. “It will change hue depending on your—emati?”

  “Emotions?”

  I nodded, accepting the word which evaded me. It helped she knew Fiermontian fluently. “It is always accurate.”

  “Always?” Mairead smiled.

  “Always,” I said, pressing my finger to the gem. The item lit green at my touch, pulsing and radiating like a fiery blaze.

  “What are the colors and their meanings?”

  “Amber for when you are—agiasia.” I pulled out a note from my bag, handing it to her.

  “Amber for excited,” Mairead said.

  “Green for—happy. Purple for passion or love.”

  “Black for strained or upset.” She looked it over, “I think I’ve got the idea.” Her eyes settled into mine, drawing me into their deep, black waters.

  “And the book,” I said, averting her gaze. “The book comes from Arcadia in Arclend.” I watched as she clasped the necklace around her neck, looking at me. “The book, it is written in ancient Welkinian, but—” I stopped, noticing the pearl
turned vibrant shade of violet against her skin.

  “Barak…” Mairead met my eyes. “Thank you.”

  I bowed my head, unsure of what to think about the hue of the pearl. Her warm hands wrapped around my neck, thumbs running along my jaw.

  “I doubt it’s much of a secret anymore…” She bit her lip, brows furrowing. Her breath was like the calm air of Fiermontian summer against my skin. “I’ve said this before… but, I will say it again. You are special, Barak.” She withdrew her hand from my neck and pressed it against my chest. “You have the heart of a warrior and the gentle spirit of a fawn. You suppress that creature that lives within you. I’ve seen it.”

  With my hands on her waist, I pushed her back to look into her eyes, studying them for any form of deceit. Nothing but purity lingered there. All that I could find was the guile of innocence.

  Her laugh had wings, fluttering up into the night air like a bird. Her face grew as red as her hair, making her more beautiful than ever. “Can I take you somewhere?”

  I nodded and gestured for her to lead the way.

  ___

  We arrived just outside of the village where the trees overhung the pathway. The waning sunlight cast an orange glow on her pale skin, a goddess made of amber. Light lashes shaded her dark eyes as she looked my way.

  “This path is calming, don’t you agree?” She clasped her hands behind her back, still walking on my side.

  “Indeed.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her, unsure if I should tell her what was on my mind.

  “Sometimes, I walk this way to clear my head. To understand what I need and what I am looking for. I suppose I need to realign my mind sometimes.” Her lips rolled together as she let her arms hang at her sides.

  “Miss Mairead.” I looked away. “The walls of friendship have fallen between us. I am unsure whether we should continue to see each other.”

  Mairead halted in her steps, looking at me through eyes lit with fire. “You truly wish this?”