Amanda Applewood and the Return of the False King: An Everworld Book

by Raymond Williamson

  Everett turned and knelt beside the boy.

  “Take me with you,” he pleaded. Grabbing Everett’s coat and pulling him close with more strength that the wizard would have predicted.

  He reassured Percy with a gentle gesture and turned back to Knoor. “What happened here?” Everett asked.

  “Please forgive us,” begged the chieftain. He then recounted the tale of the previous evening. Pausing often out of hesitation and fear of reprisal.

  After he was finished his tale there was a long silence. Not one of the g’nolls so much as breathed as they awaited the judgement of the wizard. “When did men start taking your children?” asked Everett.

  After a sign of relief, Knoor responded. “Before the last harvest.” he said. When the wizard said nothing, he continued to explain. “At first, they came looking for workers, offering wages from the mines in Halla.”

  “But you said no, didn’t you?”

  “I’ve heard terrible things about Halla, the dangerous working conditions, the poor food, the exploitation. Our numbers were decimated fighting for the Queen in her war against the rebels. Our only desire is to stay on the lands she rewarded us with to renew our society. Then the men came with their nets and started kidnapping our young.”

  “Did you ask the Queen for help?”

  “We sent envoys but they all returned with the same answer. The Queen will deal with it.”

  Everett wondered as he heard the explanation. It was not like Windy to dismiss the needs of her people. He would need to

  investigate to see if the entries actually reached her ears. “Perhaps,” he wondered, “there was a broader conspiracy at hand.”

  Knoor continued. “We persisted and were rewarded with a visit from some soldiers who told us to stop sending requests. This time, when we saw the guardsman, we were afraid and we made a mistake.”

  “How was Amanda?”

  “The girl? She is as gracious as a queen. She understood and forgave us even though we wounded her companion. She fought bravely to protect us. When I pledged our loyalty to her, she said that the only thing she wanted from us was to care for the boy and return him to the Capital. In the end, all I could do for her was to send my most trusted with her, Igoss. He will act as a guide and protector.”

  “Wizard,” croaked Percy.

  He looked over towards the boy and bent down to kneel beside him. He placed his hand on the Percy’s forehead and frowned. Everett removed the book from his bag seeking advice from the Grim. He quickly suppressed the surprised look on his face from what he saw. He turned the page. Trevor looked at him, cocking his head to one side.

  He muttered an incantation that translated to –

  “Brave protector, rest and be healed.”

  After a yawn, Percy fell into a deep sleep.

  “We should get moving, we have a lot of ground to make up,” said Everett. He climbed up onto Trevor’s back and they rode off in the direction of the girl and the g’noll.

  They had not gone far when Trevor slowed to a walk. “What did the book show you?” he asked.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t try to hide things from me. We wolves are masters of non-verbal communication. We can recount the glory and triumph of a great hunt with a single shared glance. The

  expression on your face when you saw what the Grimoire revealed was a tale of epic proportions. So, give it up. What did you see?”

  “It was nothing.”

  Trevor stopped.

  “We go no further until you tell me. I became destined to serve the Guardians of the Gate on the day the God Tiberius placed Romulus and Remus beside me to suckle at my Mothers breast and I will continue to serve long after your descendants have turned to dust. Listen to me carefully, you will not keep secrets from me.”

  After a moment to consider he spoke. “Percy and Amanda, together.” said Everett begrudgingly.

  “Together, together?”

  “Don’t be gross! Just together walking, holding hands,” said Everett.

  Trevor laughed so hard that Everett fell off his back and landed in an undignified heap.

  “And you think that a little magic spell is going to keep them apart?”

  “I asked Knoor to make sure he gets to the Capital,” replied Everett.

  “You’re an idiot if you think that boy won’t be on his horse and on our trail as soon as he’s awake.”

  “I’ll deal with that when it happens. Can we go now?”

  He climbed back on Trevor’s back and the wolf ran on; pausing occasionally to collect himself when his laughter overtook him.

  They continued all day remarking often at the destruction that they passed. The sun was the thinnest sliver of light above the horizon when Everett dismounted to look towards the mountains. Amanda’s trail had crossed a stream and Trevor had lost her scent. He complained that the river smelled like a gas station tasted even worse. After a moment of indecision, he again looked towards the mountain where Elkor resided and the two of

  them set off again in that direction hoping, no praying, that they would encounter Amanda on the way.

  “The river and the highway cross not from here. It would be a logical place to us to stop for the night. She’ll have to pass by and I’m sure we’re gaining on her,” advised the wolf.

  They were making their way down the hillside when the earth moved. The shifting ground beneath them slid like water down a chute carrying the pair like kids on a waterslide. Trevor bounded easily to rest as they reached the bottom landing with the grace of a trick skateboarder. Everett on the other hand landed with the grace of a middle-aged man trying to skateboard for the first time.

  “Ooof!” he grunted as he landed hard on the ground.

  A moment later, his phone chimed.

  There were a series of messages.

  “07-07-2019 6:07PM I hope you had a good hike in the woods. When you get back into range send me a message. Love E.”

  “07-07-2019 9:25PM You guys must be having a great time but I miss the girls and I’m feeling a bit guilty. Can you let me know you’re ok? PLS E.”

  “08-07-2019 6:40AM Everett, I tried the house last night. And your phone again this morning. Please message me back and tell me that my children aren’t dead. E”

  “08-07-2019 7:07 AM, Everett, there was an earthquake here last night. It terrified me. Please text me when you get this. Need to know everything is OK. E”

  “08-07-2019 11:14AM Everett, if you’re mad at me for dumping the girls just say so. Don’t ignore me. E.”

  “08-07-2019 2:09PM Ok, the silent treatment is working. And I’ve left messages on your phone. I’m going to call the police if you don’t get back to me. E.”

  “Damn!” said Everett.

  “08-07-2019 5:30PM - Hi Sis, Very funny. No, the girls

  aren’t dead. Amanda is out with Sarah and I’m on my way to get them. We’re not at the farm right now and the internet here is a bit spotty. I’ll call when I get a better signal. Love Ev.”

  The Grand Bard Merrick

  Amanda and Igoss reached the road just as the sun reached its apex and their shadows disappeared beneath them.

  “But Igoss can’t we walk along the road for just a little while. This damn skirt gets caught on every bush and it’s taking us forever to get anywhere.”

  After some thought, Igoss reluctantly relented.

  “We need be careful. Roads not safe,” he said.

  They walked along under the blue sky, Igoss paused occasionally to sniff at the air and inspect their back trail. They had not travelled far when the cacophony of sounds that comes from a large group on the move could be heard from far in the distance. Igoss pulled Amanda off the road to wait.

  Flies buzzed around them and Amanda felt the urge to swat them away but Igoss gently held his paw to her mouth and motioned her to be still. The sounds came closer and soon they could hear the chattering and grunting of beasts. A group of k’bolts, perhaps as many as a hu
ndred, appeared over the horizon. Many of them armed as though for war, they walked along the road guiding laden wagons that were being pulled by strange oxen sized beasts with lizard skin and great curled horns on their heads. The caravan took several minutes to reach them and several more to pass by. As soon as it had passed, Amanda started to rise, but Igoss pulled her back down into cover. He pointed. A trio of armed k’bolts, spears at their shoulders, were wandering down the center of the road towards them, scouring the roadway as they marched.

  The k’bolts stopped to prod a bush with their spears only to flush out a rabbit that was quickly dispatched by a stone from a sling. Laughing in their guttural way, they made their way towards Amanda and Igoss. Amanda held her breath; not wanting to make a sound. Igoss silently drew a rude knife from the leather sheath in his rope belt. The k’bolts studied the bushes where they were hidden. The sling bearer loaded his weapon as though preparing to attack, Igoss tensed.

  Suddenly, the sound of feathers erupted from behind them as a flock of birds burst from cover. At they passed overhead, the sling bearer released his stone and in the blink of an eye a great bird the size of a goose fell to the road and flapped about wildly trying to escape back into the air. Amanda could see that its wing was hurt as it desperately tried to dash to the safety of cover. The k’bolts were on the injured bird in a second and after a short flurry of barking and flapping the bird was held up to be admired.

  Satisfied with themselves, the k’bolts continued down the road and over the horizon. When they were certain that the way was clear, Amanda and Igoss emerged from the bushes and continued on their way this time staying closer to cover as they walked.

  They were at the bottom of a long downward slope when Igoss stopped. He tugged on Amanda’s sleeve.

  “Off road! Now!” he said.

  They dived off the road and lay low in a ditch hidden behind some wild juniper-like bushes. After a long wait, they heard the slow methodical clomp of hoofbeats accompanied by the gentle tinkle of bells. The sounds grew louder and louder and just when it was upon them and Amanda thought that it was about to pass.

  “Whoa!” said a man’s voice.

  Amanda held her breath and she was sure that Igoss did as well.

  “I can’t wait all day,” said the man. “I’ve been watching you plod along for quite away.”

  Amanda popped her head up.

  “There you are. Now come out here and say hello properly. No need to be afraid of me.”

  A wizened looking man in a light-brown coat sat high in the seat of a wooden caravan. Bright orange lettering on the side of the caravan formed words that Amanda didn’t recognize. Softly, the whale song whispered in her thoughts and suddenly she could read the flowing script.

  It said:

  “The Grand Merrick!

  Story Teller! Minstrel! Poet!

  Official Royal Bard!”

  Igoss appeared next to her and growled up at the old man.

  “My word! A pink little girl and a g’noll walking along the grand highway. With all the strange comings and goings, I can understand why you hid when I approached. For you to be about, alone out here, there has to be a story to tell. Please hop up. In exchange for your tale I’ll carry you as far as I’m going and feed you for as long as you stay.”

  Amanda recognized the man’s name and decided that a ride with a Royal Bard might be safer and faster than walking alone. “My friend, Percy Garamode says that you played at a function for him. Do you remember him?”

  “Ha, ha, ha. Of course. If you’re a friend of Lord Garamode’s youngest son, then I’m practically obligated to assist you. Now please, you and your pet climb up.”

  “Lord Garamode?” Amanda wondered. “Why would the son of a Lord be a common soldier?”

  “Thank you. But he’s not my pet he’s my friend,” she replied politely.

  “Of course, of course, no offense intended. Please accept my apology, Amanda’s friend.”

  Amanda climbed up, and Igoss scampered up next to her. He climbed over her lap and made himself comfortable between the old man and the young girl.

  “Giddup,” said the bard. His painted horse whinnied and started to pull.

  “Now tell me,” said Merrick. “How did you come to be here? And where are you headed.”

  “How we got here is a long story,” said Amanda. “But as for where we’re headed. Please take us a close to those mountains as you can.”

  “There’s nothing in those mountains but trouble, dragons, and more trouble,” he replied.

  “You’re more right that you probably realize. You see, Celestra’s has carried my little sister away and I’m on my way to rescue her.”

  “A pinkling girl and a g’noll on their way to slay a dragon. Have you perhaps recently fallen and hit your head?”

  “I sometimes think that,” said Amanda, frowning slightly at his use of the term pinkling. She told Merrick only as much of her story as she felt necessary including just enough detail to keep it from becoming a lie. He listened intently, not saying a word. As she listened to herself telling her story, Amanda wondered if he would believe her.

  They hadn’t gone far when Igoss started to sniff about. He climbed up on the seat started to scratch at a little hatch that opened into the large compartment behind them.

  “Stop that!” snapped Merrick.

  “No need to be so harsh!” said Amanda. “Igoss show some manners,” she scolded.

  “I apologize miss. The paint is new and I worry about your friend’s sharp claws.”

  Igoss snarled at the minstrel and when Amanda looked away, Merrick snarled back.

  As the sun began to set, they crested a high hill and a low wide stone bridge over a river appeared in the distance.

  “We’ll stop for the night, and cross that sometime tomorrow,” said the bard.

  They set up camp. The bard turned out to be a wonderful cook. The stew he prepared was thick and rich. Amanda’s stomach was growling by the time they sat down to eat on a set of folding chairs and a small folding table that the bard kept cleverly stored beneath the wagon.

  “If you set your bread on top of the stew for a bit, the steam will take away some of the stale,” he advised as he passed her a fat slice of black bread with a thick layer of real butter that he’d scooped from a jar he kept cool next to in a tin bucket of water under the front seat.

  Igoss sniffed at the meal and turned up his nose.

  When he thought the bard out of earshot, he leaned in to Amanda. “Igoss go hunt,” he informed her.

  “My word! A talking g’noll!” said the Merrick. The old man clearly had better hearing than his age would have indicated.

  “Most g’nolls talk. They’re just selective about who they talk to,” replied Amanda. She immediately regretted sharing that bit of information and blushed when Igoss stared at her.

  “Is that so? A talking g’noll would draw quite the audience. Would you consider a partnership?”

  “I have other plans, and I’m sure Igoss does too,” said Amanda.

  “Of course, of course, the dragon. I forget myself. Perhaps when you’ve completed your quest and are onto other things.”

  At the sound of his voice Amanda wasn’t quite certain if he was humoring her about her mission to save her sister.

  The minstrel passed Amanda a mug and she sipped.

  “This tastes like wine.”

  “That’s because it is,” he laughed.

  “I’m not old enough to drink. I’ll stick with water.”

  “It’s ok, no one will know.”

  Reluctant to seem immature, she sipped at the cup slowly cautious to avoid getting drunk. As they ate, the bard entertained and sang local songs; topping up their cups at every opportunity.

  After a particularly bawdy limerick that Amanda thought funny but a little inappropriate for an older man to be sharing with a girl of her age Amanda changed the subject.

  “My friend told me that one of his favorite tales is the


  Mouse that Stole the Cheese. Can you tell it to me?” asked Amanda.

  “Odd choice that was, coming from a Lord’s son. Got into a bit of trouble with his father over that one. He threatened to flog me if I ever told the tale in his presence again. But seeing as it’s just the two of us common folk, very well,” said the bard.

  The Mouse that Stole the Cheese

  Merrick settled himself upon his chair facing his audience of one. He began- Once upon a time in the town of Pule there was a master cheese maker whose name no one can remember. He appeared out of nowhere on a winter’s day riding his aging donkey. With a small bit of gold, he established the towns first and only fromagerie. His product was excellent and after a very short time, his cheese became so sought after that on the one day of the year that his cheeses went to market Kings and Queens, Dukes and Duchesses, and Lords and Ladies from all across the land and even from across the Great Sea of Tarsinia came for just a sniff of his famous cheese. I say a sniff because his cheese was the smelliest cheese to have ever been made since the making of cheese. It was so smelly that in order to taste it, it was advisable to hold your nose closed with special smelly cheese nose pins.

  He held up his nose and made a terrible face. Amanda laughed.

  “If it was so smelly, then why did people want to eat it?”

  “Smelly it was, but tasty it was too. It was said that if you had one tiny bit of Pule’s particularly aromatic cheese you would smile for a year.”

  Merrick continued – Every year, kings brought carts full of gold just to buy a single wheel of the precious cheese. So, it is said that in Pule, to protect the very valuable product that was the life’s blood of the town, everyone participated. The mayor had walls built so high that they blocked out the sun to large portions of the town. Many of the townsfolk crafted special cheese eating utensils and commemorations. The inns served special dishes that featured the famous cheese and charged fees that only a king could afford. It was a prosperous time for all.

  Unfortunately, as Cheesing Day approached, so did the

  danger of theft. The sheriff quadrupled his forces and commanded scores of guards who patrolled the town around the clock with large guard cats.