“In my world there is a book in which the author vividly describes the adventures of a man he simply called Cliff. The book says Cliff lived in a fantastical world and fought battles and saved people and solved mysteries. I haven't finished it yet, so I don't know how the author ended it, but I do know that your Cliff and that Cliff must be the same. And he must have survived those wars, because who else could have written his books? I think he must've changed his name when he got back to earth though.”
It was now Helix's turn to be silent in thought, though James was not made overly uncomfortable this time since he still had many thoughts of his own.
They walked on in silence together, passing with blind eye the sweet meadows and shady forests on either side of their road. It was nearing mid-afternoon and all was very quiet, resting in that sleepy kind of torpor which marks many warm and sunny afternoons. The birds that sang so joyfully at the break of day were silent now, though once in a while, some extravagant peepling would burst out, if only for a few seconds. A snake lay basking in the sun's friendly rays and a turtle plugged his way across their path. Large birds of prey soared high in the vast blueness of the sky and a deer sheltering in the trees watched them warily. But all the wildlife went unnoticed by either of the two travelers wrapped in their own thoughts. Helix was deep in the old story of Cliff and the wars, but it must be said that James' mind had wandered. He was not thinking about Cliff anymore, and he was not thinking about anything even remotely related to Cliff either. He was staring at a black speck on the horizon and wondering if it were his eyes playing tricks or if it were something real. He darted his eyes over to the right to see if this speck appeared anywhere he looked. Where his gaze landed the speck seemed to follow. He adjusted his spectacles and wondered nervously if he had been over-straining his eyes. He turned his gaze again to another place on the horizon and to his great relief, saw no speck. He resumed his former train of thought, wondering if he would be well received in this small town they were headed towards, but where he chose to fix his eyes while thinking happened to be the same place where he had noticed the speck the first time. It was still there, and when he looked over to his right, the second speck was there too, only bigger. It was only at that moment that it occurred to James that the specks might be people or creatures, and with this realization must come a break in the long held silence.
“Helix,” he said nervously as he tapped the elf’s arm, “What are those?” and he pointed to the two specks.
“Probably travelers like us. Or animals. No need to be worried.” Helix smiled as he saw the concern in James' face, “This is a safe road. It’s not as if we are in danger of getting mugged.” which showed how much he knew of supposedly 'safe' roads.
James said nothing but just watched the approaching spots. The one directly ahead of them on the road and coming towards them proved to be a horseman riding along at a steady pace. The rider smiled and nodded at the two fellow travelers as he passed but didn't say anything. Probably a messenger with a job to do.
The other speck turned out to be a man on foot coming across the land towards them and the road. He was a stout sturdy man with a broad-brimmed hat that hid most of his scruffy face and a hefty walking stick. That was all James noticed about him anyway. When he reached the road, he walked along it towards them until they finally crossed paths, at which point he stopped and raised his hat, saying in a deep guttural voice—
“Hello strangers. I see we all think today a lovely day for our travels.”
“Yes sir, that it is.” Helix cheerfully agreed, “And where might you be going on such a fine day?”
“I'm bound for my home. Though to be completely honest, I saw you travelers from my temporary holdings and came down for a bit of a chat. It was getting a mite lonely up there.” with a poke of his stick in the direction of a wooded hill to their right.
James squinted suspiciously, “Why were you living out there?”
The ruddy man removed his hat again and wiped his hand across his sweating forehead, “I don't live out there, I was just spending the night. I'm not in trouble with the law, mind you,” he said noticing James' less than cordial expression, “just a bit out of place here. I live a good piece north of here, and not being a wealthy man, I travel light and sleep cheap. Nature being so generous as not to ask board, I dine on whatever she sends my way and sleep anywhere that she's kept dry.”
James wondered if the man really thought mother nature would ask board, wondered if anyone was really that crazy.
“What brought you down so far south?” Helix asked.
The stranger straightened himself and placed one of his brown hands on his broad chest. James had the feeling he was about to start singing the national anthem and so put his own hand on his heart so that he could join. But, of course, the stranger knew nothing of that song and wasn't about to sing it and thought it rather strange when this elderly gentleman looked at him as if waiting for a cue, his own hand over his heart.
“I was going to say,” the rough man continued, “that being a loyal citizen of Gailli, I naturally went to attend the prince’s celebration. The sole representative of my humble town.”
James’ hand dropped slowly, as if hoping no one would notice it had ever been up.
“Ah yes, and did all go well?” Helix asked with mild interest, “I would've gone myself but that I had some business I had to attend to up north.”
“I’d say it went well. Such an extravagant and illustrious occasion. However,” said the man with a flourish of his cudgel, “our prince is not cut of the same piece of material his father is. He is so quiet and reserved and seemed quite ill at ease when he had to go up and say a few words, though I must admit, it was an exceptionally fine speech and he delivered it marvelously. I do wonder what kind of king he will make. The king was very well though, jolly and generous as usual. Such a good king we have. And the queen looked well too. The prince is planning on a great journey now, far out west they say, to the Jagged Mountains and beyond. But you know, I hear tell things are a bit tense in the countries beyond the mountains.”
Helix laughed merrily, “Are those countries ever at peace? Try and remember a time when Thaxa and Falair weren't at odds, and you will see that it has always been so.”
The statement caught James’ fancy for the dangerous. Countries at war? Interesting. But what interested him even more was mention of the Jagged Mountains. Hadn’t Helix mentioned that those old elves lived there? He wondered how far they were. What if this prince let James travel with him to these mountains and countries? He could always ask, right?
“So,” he slowly started, “When is the prince taking off?”
“He already has, if all went well.” the man answered. I would tell you this stranger’s name but that it doesn't matter.
James had another question, “And if all did not go well and he is still at his castle, how long might it take me to get there?”
Both the man and Helix laughed merrily as if it were a joke.
“A week or more on foot. I’ve been going for near eight now, but I don’t stop until late and rise early.” the man pointed his stick at James, insinuating that James went to bed early and woke up late.
James was offended and was about to say something when Helix cut in.
“Did you hope to see his highness before he went on his grand journey?”
James shrugged. He wasn’t sure what he wanted. No, yes he did know. He wanted to have a purpose for being here, something to accomplish or do. He didn't want to just keep going from place to place doing nothing and getting malnourished and bone tired for nothing.
“Maybe.” he said as he looked up at Helix, “To be blunt, I don't think I want to go back with you. Cliff came here for a purpose it would seem. Surely I came here for a purpose too. I need to figure out what that might be and go on from there. I believe I’ll go see those elves, the really old ones. I don't think I'd mind traveling alone if that's what it comes to, but if this prince is headed
in the same general direction, then I'd like to see if he'd take me along with him.”
Both of the faces that looked back at him were more serious now. Helix's was a bit sad, concerned James would run into real trouble out on his own.
The stranger’s face was full of confusion. He looked strangely at James for a minute and then whispered to Helix, “What does the good man mean?”
Helix just put his hand lightly on the stranger's shoulder and said to James instead, “You do what you must, James, and if I can assist you in any way before you leave, do enlighten me.”
James felt an unfamiliar knot forming in his throat. He suddenly felt quite alone, “If you would just let me walk with you until we get to that town you spoke of, as I suppose our paths split after that.”
Helix nodded, “Of course, and in the mean time, I will prepare you for what you might meet out in the wilderness.” and he slapped James lightly on the back.
The gruff stranger cleared his throat so as to get their attention, “Ahem. I suppose your plans are your own and I can't say I particularly understand what seems to be common knowledge here, but I can tell you, sir,” as he turned to look at James, “if you wish to cross paths with his highness, I would suggest getting on the great westward road and staying on it until the prince's company comes along. I would caution you though, it's not likely the prince will let a stranger travel with him.”
“Thank you, fine sir. However unlikely, I think joining the prince is what I will try to do.” James very cordially shook the rough man's hand.
It was at this time that the two parted from the one and they all went their own ways. Helix and James were bound to walk for another day or so before they had to part in the town of Grest. They did not walk much more that day and made camp down in a small forest that night. The next day was a day of much learning for James. Helix taught him which of the common plants were edible and which were very much not. He showed him how to start a fire and how to put it out. He taught him how to make snares for small animals and then, how to prepare what he might catch. He even trained James in the basics of fighting off predators or enemies if all that he had at hand was a stick. He then informed James of the many possible dangers. Dangers from wild animals, evil men, drowning, freezing, overheating, or injury. In fact, Helix stuffed so much information in James' head that soon James could feel it all leaking back out as his brain reached its capacity to retain new information. By the end of the day, when they were within sight of the town of Grest, he was pretty sure his head would explode. He also really questioned whether or not some of the information was really as critical as Helix made it out to be. It seemed like a waste of good brain space to have to memorize the seven rules of preserving energy or four ways to tell an enemy from a friend. James was tired and just wanted a good meal and sleep.
Once in Grest, Helix quickly found a suitable inn and stationed James in a room while he went to buy supplies. James fell asleep the instant he flopped over the edge of the soft bed, but was waken by Helix a few hours later, encouraging him to eat a little. Helix had had the wisdom to buy meat and potatoes for them and had prepared them while James slept. They were just what James felt hungry for. James devoured all the meat and most of the potatoes in record time, only realizing when they were gone that Helix hadn't eaten anything.
“No fears, James. I ate while I was out. I don't care much for meat and potatoes, but I thought you'd like them.”
James was touched and valiantly devoured the last of the potatoes. Then, after a long draught of cold water, declining the offered wine, he flopped back in bed and dropped right off again.
Helix watched him with a thoughtful smile as he stood by the small fire. He wondered why such an innocent man should be sent to the wilds of a strange world, and what he was expected to do while here. He fervently hoped this unique individual would find whatever it was he was looking for and that he might be kept safe from any great harm.
—————
The next day dawned overcast and threatened rain. Nevertheless, Helix was in a light mood, apparently ready to get back to his home. James was not so cheery. He knew that Helix would leave right after their breakfast and that he would start off on his own shortly after that. Going off on his own didn’t feel so brave and adventurous when it came to it. However, Helix had bought James a small pony yesterday, when he had hired his own horse. The pony was a small grey thing with a sweet temperament. Helix said that it was still quite young and nimble and that it was for James to keep. James was grateful to have something to ride, and even more, something to talk to. The next while would be a lonely one as he traveled down to the great westward road and waited there, hoping he wasn’t too late.
Soon the time came. Helix was cheerful and hopeful as he firmly shook James’ hand. James attempted to be brave, joking and laughing so that Helix wouldn’t feel sorry for him. Still, he couldn't help wondering what he was to do as he watched his only friend in this strange world ride down the road out of Grest.
He felt very alone and sad and decided to go make friends with his pony to distract him from his dreary thoughts. His pony was indeed a sweet thing and, as it was nameless, he took this time to decide upon a name. Cliff, came to mind first, but no, somehow he couldn't. Cloud, then? No, too basic. But should he give it a name fitting to this world or a name that originated from earth? The only names he could conjure that sounded like they could fit this world were, Hooks (because he saw some in the stable), Heiff (a mixture of Helix and Cliff), and TimTim (because he was sure no one on earth would name anyone that). But no. He would pick an earth-name, and all of a sudden it dawned on him that this grey horse looked very much like a Frederick. With a deep sigh, almost one of contentment, James patted his new companion.
“Frederick, I wonder why adventures we will have.”
James felt much better as he left the stable to wrap up his business in this town. He went back to the inn and asked the landlord very politely for some food he could take on his journey and he was rather embarrassed when the landlord said, rather curtly, that he could go out and buy his own food. So James went to find a marketplace and use the coins Helix had given him to buy some food and supplies.
After that, James returned to his room, collected his stuff, and went down to the stables to pack up Frederick. He had a stable boy teach him how to put on Frederick’s saddle and bridle, before noticing Helix had left some supplies for him in the saddlebag. There was some dry food, flint and steel, a dagger, a light blanket, a rope, and a cloak. And tied to the saddle was a sturdy walking stick, one that would double as a pretty dangerous club if the need arose. James thanked Helix in his heart and strapped his own pack to the back of the saddle. He then swung himself up (hoping he looked like a professional) and turned his pony down the cobblestone street south, feeling very strongly that his adventure had really only just begun.
8
Two Stories Merge for a Time
The prince’s company was about a score strong, twelve of the best knights in the country, eight servants to pack and unpack the supply horses, and Terragone. They had been on the road for a few days now and things were going fairly smoothly. They were making good progress though there were still weeks of travel ahead of them before they would even catch first sight of the great mountains.
The weather was bad on this particular day. In fact, the weather had been bad the last three days with torrential spring rains and dismal overcast skies. Tempers were getting short among some of the men. Terragone, being a prince, refrained from getting into the petty squabbles some of his more irritable knights got into, of which Sir Lavison was one. He had learned early on to merely ignore them and the rain whenever either became particularly inconvenient or uncomfortable. But today it reached a peak that was too serious to ignore and which demanded both his attention and interference.
It was about mid morning and both the rain and the fuss behind were getting worse. Terragone had zoned them both out because it was a stupid argument agai
n. Sir Lavison and two of his friends were blaming one of the servants for losing their supply of bacon. They had risen quite early that morning and in the confusion of packing up and moving on, the side of meat had been left behind. The servant strongly opposed that it was his fault and blamed the knight who had decided to wake them all up so early, while it was still dark. However, that knight put the blame fully, but in an undertone, on the prince, for it was by his command that they all get an early start on the day. This led to more argument because Sir Lavison didn't think Terragone had anything to do with this. A few of the knights thought it disrespectful and were on the brink of telling their sovereign. The servants, also thinking it disrespectful, began to badmouth the knight. This made all the other knights defensive of the one, and they began casting condescending slurs at the servants. Their voices were getting louder and louder and the land rang and echoed with the sounds of their feuding.
Terragone, riding ahead of them, didn't choose to notice any of this until he saw a herd of deer far in the distance, startle and flee. It was then that he registered the yell from behind, and noticed that it was now very quiet. He turned Stirling and waited for the mob to catch up. But the two groups had stopped at the edge of the dripping woods and were glaring menacingly at one another, a fallen man between them. Terragone quickly rode down into their midst and jumped off his horse. He looked at neither of the silent parties but went right over to the man sprawled on the ground.
“Who did this?” he asked without looking up and in a tone that demanded response.
“It was me, your majesty.” a knight answered gravely.
Terragone didn't say anything to him at this time but asked instead for water and something to stop the bleeding. The servant had struck his head when he fell, and though it didn’t seem to be serious, Terragone helped him sit up so he could examine the cut.
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