by J. R. Castle
The voice came from the figure. Kardia backed away, whimpering. “What do you…who are you? Where’s Jael?”
The voice came out lower, edged with irritation. “The faun will return shortly. We haven’t much time. Remember what I told you? Nobody can take what you are not willing to give. Nor can they stop you from doing what you wholeheartedly wish to do. Are you ready to leave? I heard that you wished to meet King Shaydon.”
Kardia’s throat clamped shut. She knew that voice. “Riyah?” Her head started to shake. This was impossible. He guarded the regent. She dared another look around. Had he come… no, why would he? She was nothing. Not important at all.
This must be a dream, perhaps brought on by the faerie’s warning. Maybe she’d even dreamed that, too.
The figure stood, clutching the staff in both of his hands. “Not a dream, Daughter. I never lie. Nor will I ever stoop to trickery. It is not Shaydon’s way. I’ve come because the King knows you desire to meet him. But we noticed that you’d lost your way. So, I was sent to help you return to the right path. Would you like to leave with me now?”
Before she could answer, Jael rushed into camp, wielding a spear with a deadly sharp tip. He pointed it right at the figure’s throat. “The human girl isn’t going anywhere. How dare you enter my camp without permission, Bogart!”
A slight glow shone through the openings of his cloak. Riyah’s tone leveled. “I’m no Bogart, faun! You’ll release this girl, and the faerie you’ve entrapped. How dare you deal in such trade, you know the laws!”
Jael’s hooves clomped as he took a step backward. “Not a Bogart, huh? Still, you have no right.” He glanced down at Kardia. “You all right there, Little Bit? We have to be careful around here. I warned you of the baddies. Probably some kind of shifter. You stay behind me and I’ll-”
Kardia scrambled to her feet. “Jael, you promised not to tie me up again!”
“Did no such thing. I—”
“You lied. I’m not staying here. I’m leaving with Riyah. Now turn me loose this instant.”
“Ri-huh?” Jael asked, slowly lowering the spear, his bearded face a mask of perplexity.
“And I’m taking the faerie you have locked in a cage with me.”
His mouth dropped open as he pointed an accusing finger at her. “You did snoop. I knew it. Ol’ Jael wanted to give the human the benefit of the doubt but—”
“You have no room to talk, Faun!” Kardia shouted at him, stomping her foot. “Take this off me.”
Jael shook his head. Several leaves and flecks of dust showered down over his bare shoulders. “No. You owe me. I’ve taken care of you. Shared my food. And I traded a perfectly good…” his voice faltered as he turned to the cloaked figure. “Who are you? And what are you doing disrupting my—”
Riyah reached up and pushed back his hood. When he did a brilliant light shone all around, bouncing off the trees and nearly blinding Kardia.
The spear clattered onto the ground. Jael cowered, hiding his face and crying out in pain. “Make it stop. Make it stop. I can’t see!”
Riyah stepped forward, towering over the huddled creature. “If you only come out of this blind, you’ll consider yourself lucky. What will Emmalyn think about what you’ve done? Should I send a messenger bird and let her know your antics? Trading live goods is forbidden, Jael Azazel! Especially humans.”
Kardia wondered who Riyah spoke of, but from Jael’s terrified whimper, she assumed the Emmalyn was someone of great importance.
Jael beat his fists on the ground. He didn’t even raise his head to look at the Elderad as he spoke. “I’m only trying to make a living, I am. I have nowhere else to go and my family…they need me! Trading is all I know. I tried to only trade goods and plants, but folks began asking for…other things. I didn’t ask why. The payment….”
Kardia stepped between them. “Don’t hurt him, Riyah. He has been kind to me, even if he did tie me up. Twice!” She wanted to give him a kick but refrained. “Even if I was fooled into thinking he was a friend. Please don’t hurt him.”
Crouching beside the faun, Riyah ordered him to sit up. Jael complied, wiping his hairy arm across his damp cheeks.
Riyah spoke in a gentler tone. “I should banish you from these woods, Jael Azazel. You’ve broken the law and there is no excuse for your behavior.”
“You can’t banish… what about my family? What about—?”
“However,” Riyah continued. “If you wish to continue trading, you can seek buyers of legal goods within the province. A proclamation has gone out encouraging towns to allow your kind to come in and set up homes and run businesses.”
“Just words. Always—”
Riyah stood and tossed back the sides of his cloak, revealing more of himself and the glowing medallion resting on his chest. “I mean what I say. There are no falsehoods in my words. Now, stand up. Let us part on good terms. Do not force me to follow through on my warnings. Kardia does not wish to see you harmed, despite all you’ve done.”
Jael sniffed and turned sorrowful eyes upon her. “Because she foolishly considers me a friend. Not a title I deserve. Very well, servant of the Light King. I’ll not be foolish like my little bit friend. I’ll not go against anyone who stands for Shaydon. Take what you will. Promise you’ll not tell Emmalyn? I dare not disappoint her. She has…she has helped me too many times, I daresay.”
Riyah brought his staff down on the silver rope, smashing it to bits. “Go, Kardia. Gather your belongings. And then free the faerie.” He turned to the faun. “Do you have any other creatures entrapped that I should know about?”
Jael let out a saddened moan but said nothing of the loss. “I was going to trade the imp back to her own kind in return for having a dress made for Little Bit.” He hung his head. “I wasn’t going to trade the girl to someone wretched, like those thieving wizards. There is a hidden Elfin refuge near the mountains. I was going to take her there. They often welcome in wandering humans. As servants, mostly, but she would have been treated decently.”
Riyah’s white brow rose. “Good to know. I will be traveling through Rodonal and will keep a watch on you, Jael Azazel. Do not disappoint me. Understand?”
Jael folded his arms across his chest, but gave a nod of agreement, despite his scowl.
Kardia hurried to the cart and with Riyah’s help, got the doors open. He freed the faerie, along with a pixie and some kind of strange little tree sprite that instantly flew away. The faerie, however, swooped around Jael’s head blasting him with a series of furious chirps and indignant whistles. Once Kardia had stuffed her blanket into her bag, she started to follow Riyah, then stopped.
Turning to the faun she said, “Thank you for taking care of me. I hope if we ever meet again, I’ll not be disappointed. You have a kind heart, Jael. And you made me laugh which is something I almost forgot how to do. During those times, I forgot all I’ve lost. For that, at least, I’m very grateful to have met you.”
“You mean that, don’t you, Little Bit?” He asked from where he sat dejectedly on a log.
She nodded.
He wiped at his eye and smiled. “If we meet again, will you still consider me a friend?”
“I hope so. I really do. Though you’ll have to work hard to ever regain my trust.” With that, she turned and followed Riyah. The faerie settled on her shoulder and nestled in Kardia’s tangled hair. Oh, but there was so much she had yet to learn about. Trickster fauns. Faeries. Elves, even. And a glowing guardian leading her toward what she hoped would finally take her to meet the good King. Hopefully, Shaydon truly was as eager to meet her as she was to meet him.
Chapter Seven
Leon rubbed his thumb and forefinger against his tired eyes, then returned to the petition before him. He’d read through so many requests to open new establishments in the growing capital city that they’d all become a blur to his frazzled mind.
He glanced at the map spread across the walnut desk beneath the stacks of yellowed papers awaiting h
is attention. The Capital city of Rodon grew in size each season, requiring more room for residences and more buildings constructed. What was once a simple town at the foot of the Augazo Mountains was now a city built up and over the surrounding hillsides.
He wished some of the people flocking into the capital would disperse to the smaller towns in the province. But fear of the Brethren Order encroaching on the outlying hamlets and villages caused families to seek the safety of the larger establishments.
“Well, we can’t all live here.” He pushed the last letter aside, deciding to deal with it later when he wasn’t seeing double.
Tapping his quill in a rapid beat didn’t ease his frustration. It only splattered ink all over the papers crowding his desk.
“Wonderful.” He dropped the pen into the ink well, then scooped up the letters and set them on the edge of his desk. That action revealed the map of Rodonal in its entirety. Another problem he wasn’t sure how to deal with. “I hope Riyah returns soon.”
Though he liked his new advisers, speaking with Riyah was different. His advisers continually advised him to seek someone to join in union. Until he did this one silly thing, it seemed, he’d make no progress with the towns.
Mother had suggested a ball, of all things.
He’d walked away from her suggestion and had been avoiding her ever since. Those gala events were annoying, formal affairs he had little interest in. However, if she’d talked about holding a festival in the main square where all could attend, that might be different.
The celebrations he’d attended while on tour of the province towns had been enjoyable and a wonderful way to meet the common people face to face. Perhaps he should suggest a town festival. And if he met someone…wonderful. And if not, at least he could say he tried.
A knock on the study door drew Leon from his tumbling thoughts. “Come in.”
Samuel poked his freckled face in the opening. “A visitor, Sir.” His mischievous smile widened as if he held a tasty secret. “You won’t believe who has come crawling back, Regent. Can’t believe it myself. Why, from what I’ve heard, I’m surprised he’d show his—”
“What have I told you about gossip, lad?” Leon strolled around his desk, folding his arms over his chest. “Just tell me who is here and then begone with you.”
Samuel, undaunted, moved further into the room. “That old hawk-nosed Koloman, Sir. He insists on speaking with you and refuses to leave until he does. Should I have him kicked out on his—”
“Sam, enough.” Leon held up his hand. “Send him in, please. And I better not hear whispers about this when I pass the kitchen, understand me?”
Samuel gave a quick bow, yet looked unrepentant. “Yes, Regent. I’ll have someone send for him.”
“Where is he?” Leon headed toward the door wondering why his former adviser wasn’t waiting right outside.
“Left him on the front stoop, we did. He’s no longer employed and—”
“Samuel, this is not how we treat a guest to the Meeting Hall.” Leon’s fists perched on his hips as he scolded the lad, knowing his words would be better received by one of his pear trees. Waving the boy into the hall, Leon left his study, then started down the long hall toward the front entrance. Colorful tapestries hung along the narrow walkway between doorways into other rooms and suites. The weavings depicted scenes of fierce dragons, the King’s Healing Tree, the Academy, and other important buildings only found in Aloblase.
They reached a trefoil archway that led to the upper level of the three-story library. “Get on with you, scamp. I’m sure you have chores to take care of.”
“I serve you, Regent, Sir. I no longer have to chop wood or carry water.” The boy’s chest puffed out.
If only Leon had a means of deflating the boy’s pride before it got him into trouble. Well, they were all works in progress, he supposed. “You’re dismissed for the rest of the day. I’ll be speaking to Koloman in private. That should be the best way to keep tongues from wagging.” Patting the boy on the back, he added, “I’ll see you in the morning, Sam.”
“Good night, Sir.”
Leon took the stone steps down to the first level, while Samuel skipped off to his quarters in the north wing. As Samuel said, Koloman waited outside on the front steps like a beggar waiting for a handout.
“Koloman, please come in. You are just as welcome into the Hall as anyone else.” He greeted the elder man with a handshake and hearty pat on the shoulder.
The older man, wearing a gold colored jacket that extended past his knees, offered Leon a quick bow. “Thank you. That’s very gracious, considering how I abandoned you.”
There was that, but Leon decided to take the higher road. “I have been concerned about where you went after our last disagreement. Your sudden departure troubled me greatly.”
What troubled him most was his concern over Koloman starting trouble for him. But the man had simply disappeared like morning mist at midday, with no word or trace of his whereabouts.
“Will you allow me a few minutes of your time, Regent Leonard?” He kept his head bowed and his hands clasped behind his back. “At least enough for me to offer an explanation?”
“Of course. I’m honestly pleased to see you. Are you well?” Leon motioned him inside.
Koloman smiled as he entered, waving his hands as if shooing away a fly. “Yes, I’m fine, I’m fine. I did not wander too far. I’ve spent the past couple of months in Osas with an old friend. It gave me time to put myself into a better perspective. I’ve come to humble myself before you, Regent Leonard. And to ask your forgiveness.”
Leon stood gaping at the man who just months before has been overflowing with arrogance and sharp words. “Of course, Koloman. It’s in the past. Today is a new day. Let’s take a stroll while we talk? It’s a pleasant evening out.”
Koloman offered a nod. This wasn’t the same man who left his service several months ago. Though his clothing was still impeccably neat, there was a haggardness to his long, frazzled beard along with deep circles beneath his eyes.
Leon guided them outside, then toward the pear groves, his favorite place to take a stroll. Perhaps a bit of fresh air would do them both some good. “Do you plan to remain here in Rodon? I had promised you a position—”
“I believe, my dear boy— uh, dear friend, that I’m ready to retire and simply enjoy what days I have left here. I was pleased to return to my home and find everything as I left it. There were several little projects I’ve always wished to take on, and perhaps I’ll still be able to do that now.”
Relief washed over Leon. He’d not have to find the old codger a place on his staff. He’d considered a managerial position over the Meeting Hall’s staff, or something similar to that. Leon was more than happy to accept his resignation.
The fine house Koloman had enjoyed went with his position, but Leon decided he’d not ask him to leave. The new advisers currently stayed in the guest rooms of the Meeting Hall. New homes could be built for them if they wished it. So far, his men seemed content to remain at the Hall.
“You are welcome to keep your house, Koloman. It’s yours for as long as you need it.” Leon watched his father’s confidant for a short while, wondering at his quietness and somber demeanor. This was not the dogmatic Koloman he was used to.
Koloman’s gaze continued to scan the garden they passed through. Despite the cool, evening breeze flowing down from the mountains, sweat beaded along his temples,
“You’re a good lad, Leon. A lot like your mother with your generous heart. I know I should vacate the house, and I appreciate you allowing me to stay. I want you to understand, that I know you no longer need my services, but there is one matter I had been… well, that I’d taken an interest in. I’m hoping you’ll indulge me in seeing the matter through. I did make a promise to your father.”
Leon’s steps slowed. “Promised to help with what?”
They’d reached the trail leading toward the orchard.
“Well, let me get to t
he point. As I said earlier, I’ve spent the past couple of months in Osas. I’ve sat in on their council meetings and have read the decrees you’ve sent.”
“Right. Decrees everyone seems to be ignoring.”
Koloman stopped and rounded on Leon. “Not that I wish to dredge up old bones, but the fact remains that you’ll not earn the respect of your people until you can prove you understand them.”
“But how can finding a wife do that? That is what I don’t understand.” Leon scoffed, kicking a rock to the side of the path.
“Nor will you understand until you have a wife of your own that you must provide for and protect. Until you have children of your own and struggle with their proper upbringing. A family changes a man.”
Leon stopped and examined the green fruits, searching for one with a blush of red. “I do not wish to unite with someone out of obligation. I do not wish to live as my parents did. Mother with her own set of rooms and father with his. They might have been united, but they were as distant as Radiance and Aloblase are from each other.”
Koloman chuckled. “So, it might have seemed that way, but they were good companions for each other. Your mother is a strong woman with a sharp mind. She complimented your father. Who, I might add, snored like a saw dragged across a rough stone. Your mother had to move to another room so she could get a decent night’s sleep.”
Leon had never realized. “But…” he shook his head, confused. “Father kept to himself. One rarely saw him outside of his suites. He even assigned others to handle township matters in his stead. And I know from what I’ve seen that he ignored the smaller towns.”
“I am not saying that Lonnel made no mistakes, my boy.” He cleared his throat as if realizing he’d fallen back into his condescending patterns. “However, nobody can deny that Rodonal is one of the most prosperous provinces around, compared to others, especially those in the far North.”
Leon chose to ignore the blunder. “Still, we must serve the whole province, not only those who are most productive and affluent. I want to make sure the smaller hamlets are taken care of and protected with as much attention as the larger towns.”
