The Broken Bow

by C D Beaudin

  “Dearheart, this may not be Aradon and Eldowyn.”

  Awyn looks down, knowing her sister is right. But then a spark fills her heart, and realization floods her. She looks happily at Adriel.

  “No, it’s not Aradon and Eldowyn.”

  Adriel’s eyebrow rises, clearly confused at why Awyn could be happy about this.

  Awyn lets go of a daring, hopeful breath. “It’s Saine and Kepp.”

  Adriel’s eyes widen, her brow furrowing. “How do you know that?” She’s obviously skeptical.

  Awyn nods her head, now knowing.

  “Over the years, even when I was younger, I’ve had…intuitions. When my mother Adara tried to kill herself, I remember knowing that she was in immediate danger. It doesn’t happen often, only when something terrible or important is happening.” She grasps Adriel’s hands, and looks intently into her violet eyes. “But I know that Saine and Kepp are coming. You can trust me.”

  Adriel breathes a sigh of relief. “We need to keep this from Revera. If she knows of your gift, she will keep you here forever.”

  “But won’t she kill me—”

  “No. You can be a weapon, Revera could find a way to enhance or even harness your ability.” She tilts her head. “Besides, Saine and Kepp are coming. We’ll be fine.”

  They both softly smile, their eyes alight with hope. It isn’t comfortable for her, hoping. But if it can get her through the night, it’s enough. Awyn is in disbelief that there is something that makes her special—not just special—but useful. And maybe it isn’t foresight. Maybe it isn’t elf hearing or Besged strength. But it’s something. And right now, something is all she needs.

  “Are we getting any closer?” Kepp complains, his lips chapped and white, his throat raw and blood in his mouth.

  Saine isn’t any better, both slick with sweat. They stumble and flail as they walk through the desert, their bodies limp and growing heavier by the minute it seems.

  “I-I think so.” Saine points lazily. “The peak of the tower is closer to the sun than it was a few hours ago.”

  Kepp stops, his eyes starting to twitch. “The whole blasted desert is close to the sun, Saine!” the elf explodes, his face becoming even redder with anger. It’s a mixture of exhaustion, thirst, hunger, and hatred for their destructive world.

  Saine turns to look at him.

  Kepp feels like his eyes are about to pop out of his head as he continues on his downward spiral. “We are getting nowhere. We are going to die in this stupid desert!”

  Saine marches over to him and grabs his arms tightly. “We are not going to die, Kepp. We are going to march to Nethess, grab Awyn, get the heck out of this cursed desert, and travel to the nearest tavern and drink until we don’t remember any of this. Got it?”

  Kepp wonders if Saine knows he’s shaking him, and to be sure, he punches him straight in the jaw. “Don’t shake me.”

  Saine stumbles back, rubbing his jaw and wincing at the pain. In a fit of anger, he retaliates, clocking Kepp in the cheek.

  Kepp looks at his friend with exhausted rage, and lunges at him, knocking him to the ground. They wrestle violently, each fighting to be the one with the last word, the one who gets to pass the blame. Kepp paws at Saine’s throat, and Saine fights to keep his arms and legs down.

  “Don’t punch me!” Saine yells, getting to his feet.

  Kepp growls. “Stop leading us to our deaths.”

  “This was your genius idea.” Saine lands a good punch, but Kepp in a fury throws him to the ground, Saine landing roughly on his back. Kepp scrambles, and he gets on top of Saine before he has the chance to stand.

  “Well stop listening to me!” Kepp yells through gritted teeth as he connects his fist to Saine’s jaw, then to his chest, blowing the breath out of his friend.

  Saine gasps for air, his eyes wide, shock and pain and not-being-able-to-breathe written on his face.

  Kepp furrows his brow, and he stumbles off Saine, swallowing nervously.

  Did I seriously injure him? I couldn’t have, right? But what if I did? Feeling anxious, Kepp scrambles back over to Saine, who lies on the ground, his eyes staring at the cloudless sky above, his hand to his chest. His breathing is heavy, and quite strained. Kepp’s eyes dart over him, not sure what to do, so he just lies beside him, looking up at the blue infinity with him.

  A breeze. A beautiful, flowing breeze washes through. Their sore, tired, beaten bodies limply lie, not moving a muscle as they breathe in the air. Right now, all they can focus on is the light wind. It whips through their soaked hair and brushes against their slick skin. It’s not much. It may be their imaginations. But it feels really good.

  Saine lets out a deep, steady breath.

  And Kepp closes his eyes in relief.

  “I didn’t mean to hit you so hard,” Kepp says quietly.

  “I know.” Saine’s words are nearly a whisper. “I’m just so tired. I don’t want to continue. I can’t.” A tear streams down his face, cutting through the dirt that cakes his cheeks. He’s obviously too tired to be embarrassed. “I don’t think I can do this anymore.”

  Kepp feels for his hand and grasps it.

  “We have to, right? What about Awyn? She could be being tortured as we speak.” When his words end, they stay quiet and just bathe in the silence. Closing his eyes, Kepp can remember when Mortal—when Asgoreth, when Radian—was a beautiful place. When it was his home.

  Men had been scattered around the tavern. It hadn’t been a busy day, but the building wasn’t empty, so the owner Joab had been satisfied. Kepp had known him personally, of course, since this was a frequent stop for him on his way back to Radian. Joab walked over to his table and dropped a sack of coins in front of him and Kepp had smiled.

  “Now that’s music to my ears,” Kepp had said as he ruffled the bag, the coins clinking together.

  Joab had smiled, his tongue showing through his three missing teeth.

  “Glad to see those card games are payin’ off. You come here most weeks, always leave with a sack of coin,” Joab’s gruff voice had said.

  Kepp had snickered. “Yeah, well, it isn’t always a fair match, if I’m being honest.” His brow had risen, and Joab had laughed.

  “Hey, whatever gets more drinks paid for, I don’t care.”

  Kepp had smiled. “Not sure if that’s a solid business plan, Joab, but I’ll take it.”

  Joab had returned the smile and slung his dirty rag over his broad shoulders as his plump self walked back behind the counter.

  Kepp had shaken his head, feeling the smugness on his face. He’d taken a sip of his drink, glancing over to the corner. That man has been staring at me since I got in here, he’d thought. The man in the corner had a red cloak on, the hood draped over his head, casting a black shadow over his face. His black boots were perched up on the table, and he’d leaned back in his chair. A sheath of arrows sat by his feet, and a bow was slung around his shoulder.

  Then the door had swung open, and five men with swords and maces had walked in, a violent, hungry look on their dirty, fat faces. Kepp had sunk lower in his seat, realizing those heavily muscled, angry men, were those Kepp had cheated money from.

  Oh, damnation, he’d thought. At that moment, he’d wished he was that man in the corner, having a hood he could flip over his face, so they wouldn’t recognize him. Unfortunately, he wasn’t that smart. If he was, he would never have cheated those men.

  He stood up, trying to casually and swiftly walk behind the counter, but it was too late.

  “Hey!” the thundering voice had boomed behind him, and Kepp had awkwardly turned, a nervous grin on his face.

  He had faked surprise in a pitiful effort to try and make the situation less…deadly. “Hey, Bruno! Is that a new mace? I see you shined it really well...”

  Bruno had walked up to him and peered down his nose at Kepp. Elves are naturally tall, but the man was a giant and loomed over him.

  “Uh...” Not quite sure what to do, Kepp had made a r
un for the door, but the four other men stepped in front of him.

  “No one cheats Bruno.” The large man lunged at him, but Kepp, being much smaller, ducked out of the way.

  “Now-now, we can talk about this, can’t we?” Kepp had quipped as he dodged blows and kicks. The whole tavern had watched and stared, none of the men wanting to make enemies with Bruno Hardfist. The man in the corner hadn’t flinched or moved.

  “You stole from me.” He’d lunged once again, this time knocking Kepp to the ground.

  Kepp had scrambled, desperately trying to gain his stance, but he was thrown up against a wall, hard.

  “Now you die!”

  “W-w-w-wait. Isn’t there a moral obligation not to beat on the guy who just took all your money?” Kepp had smiled, a nervous gesture.

  Bruno, being the idiot he was, actually took the time to think about this.

  “No, I think you got that mixed up with somethin’ else.”

  “Then what about killing elves? There’s gotta be a law against that.”

  Bruno had scoffed, his grin toothy. “Nah, not that one either.” He’d taken out his knife, the curved blade pushing up against Kepp’s neck, and he could feel his heart quicken as the crude blade cut into his skin.

  “Oh, okay. Knife.” Kepp had put his hands up in surrender, but Bruno clearly wasn’t having any of it. “We, uh, we’re getting into dangerous territory here, Bruno. Why not just put the knife down, and I’ll give you the money back? Hmm?” Kepp had put on the most charming, innocent smile he could muster.

  “Well, I would, but then you’ll run away from me. Nah, I’m gonna kill you, take my money, and leave this cursed little town for good!” The words were spat out, and his vile breath made Kepp gag. Bruno had raised his knife, but just as Kepp thought this was the end, a hand had grabbed Bruno’s wrist, twisting it up behind his back. Bruno had yelped in pain and was kicked to the ground.

  When Kepp refocused, he could see the sight in front of him clearly.

  The man in the corner had his hood swung back, exposing his short, blond hair. Now his elbow was pulled back as he aimed an arrow at the man’s forehead. Bruno cowered, and the man silently let him go. The five men scurried off, the thundering of their horses’ hooves on the dirt path outside.

  The man had turned to Kepp, his brown eyes sharp and focused.

  “Next time, don’t cheat a poor loser. And don’t make me have to rescue you a second time.” He’d shaken his head, a slight, nearly absent shrug to his shoulder. “I don’t do seconds.” The red cloaked man had walked out, his feet silent against the hardwood floor.

  The whole room had stared at Kepp, and he’d walked bitterly up to Joab at the counter.

  He’d leaned in to whisper, “So, uh, maybe no more cards,” he’d suggested.

  Joab slowly nodded, and Kepp had raced out the door.

  He’d seen the man watering his horse. “Thanks,” Kepp had said.

  The man had turned around. “I’m not one to be thanking. I didn’t really care if you died, I just prefer a fair fight, and you were unarmed and wasted.” He’d turned back to his horse, huffing. “Never thought I’d see the day an elf wasn’t sober. Never mind the fact you aren’t in Radian.”

  “Yeah, well, let’s just say I’m nontraditional.”

  The man had turned back to him, an eyebrow raised. “Why are you speaking to me? You realize I’ve killed more people than your entire city.”

  “No, I did not realize that. But it’s quite an interesting fact to tell a stranger.”

  The man’s face had been puzzled, making Kepp laugh inside.

  His eyes narrow, slightly disturbed. “You’re strange, elf.” He’d mounted his horse, his red cloak snapping in the wind.

  “It’s Kepp.”

  The man had nodded. “Saine. Maybe we’ll cross paths again.” And he’d ridden off.

  That was the first time Kepp had met Saine. It was a strange encounter, under the most unflattering circumstances, but they’d managed to meet again and become unlikely friends.

  “Ever wonder what happened to Bruno?” Kepp says, turning his head to look at Saine.

  His friend’s eyes flutter open. “That guy I had to pull off you in that tavern in Mera twenty years ago?”

  “Yup, that’s the one.”

  Saine sighs. “Not really. He’s probably in a dungeon somewhere…or dead.”

  Kepp smiles. “Yup, that’s about right.” They sigh, and Kepp looks back at the sky.

  They’re silent for a few moments, then Saine breaks it. “Can we uh…let our hands go now?”

  “Yeah, I thought it was getting a bit awkward. Just didn’t want to be rude.”

  “Kepp?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Let go of my hand.”

  He scrambles and untangles his fingers from Saine’s. “Right, right, sorry.”

  Another few moments of silence pass. The sky is barren, his throat is dry, the circumstances are utterly dismal… Kepp sighs. “Are we really doing this?”

  “We owe it to—” He’s cut off by the peal of an eagle.

  Kepp looks up at the bird soaring above. He knows exactly what Saine is thinking. They’ve already seen an eagle over the tower. Now again. Saine’s going to interpret it as a sign. But before Kepp can stop him—reason with him—Saine is already running toward the tower, the sky darkening behind him. Kepp can hear one word leave his lips.

  “Adriel.”

  Chapter Five

  The black door taunts them. Kepp and Saine look at each other, their eyes shifting to travel up the giant tower, the black spire blocking out the sun, barely visible to them from the ground. A ledge—probably a balcony—is far above them. They look back at the door.

  “So…should we knock?” Kepp ponders nervously.

  Saine raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, let’s knock on the sorceress’ door. I’m sure she'll greet us with open arms.” Saine’s sarcasm is about as smoldering as the desert.

  Kepp nods slowly. “Right, right. So, do we open it?”

  A few minutes pass, and Saine’s silence starts to disturb Kepp. “Um…Saine?”

  “I’m thinking.” Saine goes to say something but stops. His lips tighten in thought. “Okay, if we just walk in, there’s a good chance we might trigger a trap.”

  “Good point. Do we wait to be seen?” Kepp looks to Saine for guidance here. He’s starting to wonder if they’ve jumped into a haphazard plan. Then he realizes…they did.

  “Right now would be a good time for one of your ideas, Kepp,” Saine says as he turns from the tower, looking out onto the night time desert.

  The flat ground connects with black sky seamlessly, expanding the infinity and the millions of stars. The moon above is full, casting its familiar silver glow upon the illuminated desert. The cracks in the ground seem like tiny rivers, streaming through the entire dead land. It’s amazing how night changes everything.

  Kepp looks at the tower. A peal sounds through the air again, and an idea does come to him. He glances over at Saine. He’s going to think this is crazy, but maybe that’s what we need.

  Kepp explains his plan and Saine is now reluctantly going along with it.

  “I’m not sure if this is a good idea,” Saine says as he waves a branch of dried berries in the air that he found only by chance. He flaps his arms around, dancing in a circle, trying to get the eagle’s attention above them. “I feel stupid, Kepp.”

  Kepp stifles a laugh as he watches. “Come on, I used to do this all the time when I was an elfling. All we have to do is lure the eagle down, jump on its back, and ride it to the balcony at the top of the tower. It’s simple.”

  Saine stops and glares at him, his eyes narrow. “Why can’t you do this part if it’s so easy,” he spits.

  “Uh…”

  “That’s what I thought.” Saine shoves the thorny branch into Kepp’s chest, making him wince. “Your turn.” He smiles mockingly.

  Kepp sighs and pries the branch out of his bare ch
est. He lazily starts flapping and dancing around, making Saine clap and cheer.

  “Yeah! Oh, you’re doing great, Kepp. Flap those arms.” He laughs.

  Kepp rolls his eyes as he continues to wave around the branch.

  It’s a long while before the eagle comes down. The night no longer seems so dark, the moon and stars above lighting it up. It could almost be day. Relief leaves Kepp’s lips when a loud peal comes from above, and Saine looks up, seeing the eagle stop above them. A mischievous smile appears on Saine’s face, and Kepp realizes the bird is heading straight for him. The eagle veers down toward Kepp and swoops at full speed. His eyes widen as he drops the branch and starts running toward the laughing Saine.

  Kepp regains his breath, seeing the reserve in Saine’s eyes as he looks at the eagle.

  “Now what?” Saine asks.

  Kepp glares up at him as he’s hunched over, breathing heavily. “Now, we get on.” Kepp walks over and runs his hand along the soft feathers, jumping onto its giant back. He motions for Saine to hurry, and his friend jumps on behind him, holding onto his shoulders.

  “Okay, now let’s go—” The bird takes off abruptly, and Kepp grabs hold of the thicker feathers at the neck. He steers the bird, not paying attention to the screaming, clearly terrified Saine behind him.

  The tower is higher than he thought as they continue to fly higher and higher. Saine has his arms now locked around Kepp’s waist and the way he’s nearly cutting off Kepp’s air, indicates he’s out of his mind with terror, which makes Kepp smile. Trying to focus on flying and not the fact that he can’t breathe due to his friend’s suffocating hold, Kepp looks up in relief as the balcony becomes larger as they get closer.

  Awyn and Adriel sit guarded in the Black Room. Calzack watches them intently, his barely intimidating figure crumpled onto a chair. From the floor, Awyn can see the Eye of Aiocille, the crystal surface glowing with an image that she can’t quite make out. Glancing at Adriel, she can hear her sister’s thoughts.

  “That’s my father’s. Revera isn’t worthy of it.”