Aiden's Quest

by Dane Bagley

“Where to?” the dragon worshiper asked. His companions continued to walk closer, encircling Terrence and Tira. “You are dressed very strangely for an evening stroll. See, no one is about except perhaps an occasional person, here or there. I suppose those who can afford an evening stroll are being served at the grand banquet tonight.”

  The six men encircled them completely. Tira moved close to Terrence.

  “But why are you not there? Are you not the friends of the betrothed? Surely you were invited? And this hood you wear, m’ lady—what strange apparel for a woman of your stature. I do believe that something is amiss tonight.”

  All of the men began to laugh along with their leader and spokesman. There was a pause as he glared at Terrence.

  “I told you that I would watch you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out brass knuckles.

  As he began to put them on his hand Terrence yelled to Tira, “Run!”

  She started to but did not get far. A man from behind grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth. She proceeded to kick at his shins and bite his finger. He screeched in pain, let her go and then swung his arm backwards hitting Tira in the face hard with the back of his hand. She fell to the ground and two others took hold of her making sure that she could not use her arms, legs, or teeth against them.

  “Let her go, it’s me you want,” said Terrence tensing up with anger. “Why do you bother us? We have left you alone and have not caused you any trouble. You seem to know who we are. Do you not understand the power of our friends and family? You cannot think you can get away with any of this.”

  “Friends? Family?” said the tattooed man. “Perhaps it is you who misjudges your position. Are you not on your way out of our great city tonight? See how you are dressed. See how you are packed. You are leaving us. Do those who you call your friends know of this departure?”

  He paused staring Terrence in the eye.

  “Your silence betrays you. You leave those, whom you have now just invoked, in the hour of their celebration, to steal away in the night from them. And for how long? An hour? No. A day? A month? No, you leave them forever!”

  The bitten man made his way to Tira who was still being held tightly by the two men. He punched her in the stomach and she doubled to the degree she could.

  Terrence reached behind his back and pulled out his sword, it having been concealed underneath his shirt. Some of the men moved with the revelation but their leader stood fast.

  “If she is harmed I’ll run each of you through! And if any escape I’ll ensure that they are imprisoned for this treachery!”

  “If you make a move she will be harmed. Of that I can assure you. You speak of treachery, but I speak of treason. You speak of prison, yes, that is where those who would defect to Agedon are put. That is what you are attempting, isn’t it? You intend to leave and join forces with those fools and our enemies. You, who speak of treachery, prison, justice for those who would do wrong. Yes, you who are caught in the very act of treason should speak of such things. What of your friends, now? Will they defend one who commits treason against those who are loyal—fiercely loyal to Cardsten. Will a great leader of our Cardsten military, and those who hold such economic power—those who have the ears of our political leaders and control the purse strings, choose to side with those who would defect and empower our enemy. You think on their loyalty to you, as you cowardly depart from them in silence.”

  Terrence held his sword, moving his head around and watching for signs of movement. Tira was in pain, he wondered if she was hurt badly. He eyed each man and searched out their weakness.

  “You make no argument against what I have said. You see the truth with which I speak. You are caught and found out. Falling from grace socially is the least of your concerns. You are now enemies of the state, of the city of Cardsten. I see no hope for you, young man. You are lost. You should never have come here. But for the lady, I see a different story. She is of us. You’ve blinded her, it’s true, with your lies and deceits. But she will see the light. And when she, as a witness, describes all you’ve planned to do this night, she will be given mercy, I am sure. How easy it is to fool a young woman when she is attracted by your looks, your strength, your experience in the world. You can even make her leave her friends and country and turn her into a traitor. This is wrong of her, but it may be forgivable; especially when she is brought to an understanding of her actions, and to an understanding of how diabolical you are. But you, we will have no mercy upon you. It is your carcass that will be brought to the rulers. You, who have pulled a weapon upon us—a weapon forbidden in the city by those not of the military. You have threatened each of us with death. You, who would attempt to bring all of Cardsten down by your traitorous acts. Everyone will rejoice that for your crimes you will have already paid the price. And she, to save her life, will tell all about you and all you have done. Do not be a fool. All you have the power to do now is to ensure pain and harm for this foolish girl, whom you claim to love!”

  He and two of the men stepped forward towards Terrence. The men held clubs that he had not yet seen. Terrence held his position but did not act. With the first swing of a club Terrence blocked it with his sword and kicked the man in the gut. He doubled and went down. The other raised his club above his head but before dropping it found steel in his chest, puncturing his heart. There was not even time to make a sound such was the speed of Terrence’s sword.”

  “Kill her!” shouted the leader.

  The bitten man lifted a club and prepared to crush Tira’s skull. Terrence moved swiftly and this time punctured a heart through the back. The two men holding Tira let her go.

  Tira screamed violently.

  Terrence moved towards the two men who’d been holding Tira, as they got to their feet.

  “Get up, man!” said the leader to the man who’d been kicked. He arose, club in hand. Terrence turned and faced him again. This time the man held his position and did not strike. “Get him!” he yelled to the other two. They looked at each other and then ran off, leaving Terrence and Tira with just the leader and one man with a club. Tira sat where she was left, petrified, in agony.

  “To go with all else you are a murderer!” yelled the leader roughly. “Your acts will be known by all soon enough. See, they are gone. If you place down your sword I will be merciful to you. If not, I will kill you or you will be hunted down and killed by your friend—the general! There is no hope for you, now. You cannot kill the citizens of Cardsten on your way out of the city to join with Agedon and think that you will get away. It is death that awaits you and nothing more!”

  The man with the club held his position until Terrence stepped towards him and then he stepped back. Terrence stepped again and the leader made his way towards Tira. Terrence moved to get between them and the man with the club swung. With agility Terrence made him miss and continued to move towards Tira. The man swung again and this time it was blocked with the sword. The leader picked up a loose cobble stone and threw it at Terrence hitting him in the upper lip. It stung badly and forced him to drop his sword down, though he still held onto it. The club came at Terrence again but he blocked it and this time, with the man out of position, Terrence ran him through. Only the leader of this pack of dragon worshipers remained. Blood ran down Terrence’s lip and a stream ran down his neck. His lip swelled and felt hot and three times its normal size. Terrence’s blood boiled towards this man.

  “Fools!” yelled the man looking around him.

  Terrence stepped towards him, ensuring that Tira was behind him.

  “You know not what you do! Are you going to kill me now, in cold blood? I am unarmed. Will you just run me through? Leave, take your victim with you. You will be found, but if you hurry you may get away for a time.”

  Terrence felt a rage inside. To him, this man was Dromreign, or one of the wolves that killed Marcus. They were all the same. Their eyes were the identical: bitter and evil. He knew that he had to leave, and leave quickly. They would be pursued. Only, this ma
n was dangerous—to them yes, but perhaps even more so to his friends. He could not let him go.

  “No, I shall not run you through, you vial creature. You do not deserve such kindness. You will pay—slow enough to think on all you’ve done.”

  “No Terrence,” yelled Tira. “Leave him, let’s go.”

  Terrence did not look around to acknowledge her. Instead he kept his gaze upon the short stocky man with the shaved head and the dragon tattoo. He continued to move forward towards him.

  “I give up,” said the man. “You have bested me this day. Let me go, and I’ll buy you some time for escape. If you kill me, you will bring down more wrath than you know. I swear, you do not want to do this thing.”

  “Terrence, he speaks the truth; do not harm him!”

  Terrence swung his sword towards his neck and sliced through his right carotid artery. The man fell to his knees grabbing his neck with blood spilling through his hands. He looked up at Terrence with a pleading expression, hoping to be killed quickly. Terrence stood, watching him. In a matter of moments, the man’s face became paler with the loss of blood, bringing on severe weakness. When Terrence was convinced of his ultimate demise he headed towards Tira.

  Tira sobbed uncontrollably.

  “Tira, my love. We must leave now, if we are going. Otherwise we will be taken.”

  “Why didn’t you listen?” she pleaded. “You do not know all, Terrence. You should not have killed him. You don’t understand what you do!”

  “Tira, we must go.”

  Tira got to her feet. She was nauseous and felt each step and each breath she took. Terrence put his sword in his hidden sheath and then put his arm around Tira. They made their way to the gate leaving four bleeding bodies in the street. Darkness encompassed them as soon as they were without the walls. Only the stars would light their path that night. Some distance from the city gate they began to hear noises from within the city. They had not traveled as far as he had hoped yet. They moved too slowly, but Tira could not go faster. Her choked sobs tore at his heart. Whether physical, mental, or emotional her pain, she was hurting deeply. Her words echoed in his mind. He had cooled to some degree. The images of bodies run through by his own sword tortured him. He had killed many a beast before, but never a human. Even in self-defense the act tortured him.

  It would be hours before Tira spoke. She walked along mechanically, not questioning the way that Terrence led. There were times when Terrence thought that they were being followed. At other times, he felt that they were very alone. If they had left Cardsten cleanly he would have stopped for the night sooner, but he felt no safety in stopping yet.

  “Terrence, must we walk all night?” Tira said after some time. There was a pleading in her voice that tore at Terrence.

  “Are you hurting?”

  “Yes,” she said softly.

  “We haven’t made it to the road to Agedon. It may be safer to stop now, before we get to the road.”

  The ground was stony and had been for some time. Even sitting would have been uncomfortable for any length of time. They carried on for another quarter of an hour before Terrence felt that the ground would provide at least a minimum of comfort. Terrence made ready a makeshift bed for Tira out of clothes and baggage. As Tira lay she looked up at Terrence.

  “I’m afraid.”

  Terrence nodded. “Try to sleep. I’ll keep watch.”

  “You must rest, too.”

  “I will, but for now I’ll keep watch. In the morning when you awake I may rest some.”

  Tira had never slept upon the ground. Her body felt as though she slept upon the most jagged of stones. Were it not for the extreme fatigue that she felt, she could not have slept. In the earliest moments of dawn, she awoke. Her abdomen ached. Between needing to urinate, sleeping on a rocky ground, and the blow that she had taken there the night before, it was no wonder that it ached. Before opening her eyes, she considered which seemed to be the cause. Getting up and urinating would be her only immediate solution.

  “You seemed sound as you slept.” Terrence said in a calm demeanor.

  “Good morning, Terrence. Did you sleep at all?”

  “No, my love. I’ve watched you sleep. You are more dear to me now even than before. So sweet your face is as you sleep. I’ve always loved your eyes. It is what I love the most about you. And yet, as I watched you sleep, with your eyes closed, I felt as though I got to know you better.”

  As she moved to a sitting position she betrayed her discomfort with a groan, putting her hand over her belly.

  “You’re hurting,” he said with concern.

  “Yes, the ground was so hard and I must relieve myself.”

  “You were struck there also. You might be injured.”

  Tira said nothing but got to her feet with more pain. She knew that something was wrong, then. She eyed the terrain. It was flat without a tree or a boulder in sight.

  “I could turn my back or we could walk until we find a suitable location. I’m afraid that I don’t know how long that may be.”

  “Turn please.”

  It was at this moment that the reality of how much she had given up, how much she had left behind, really hit her. Tira had never known anything other than sleeping in the most comfortable bed, bathing comfortably, a luxurious toilet, and food at her side. Here, she was hurting, hungry, dirty, tired, and squatting upon the ground in a barren open area. Her condescension was unbearable. She removed a pretty scarf to clean herself and then realized that she must not toss it, but rather, she would need to use it again, later. Brave as she had been the night before, she felt she was nothing but a fool. After doing herself up she looked at Terrence, his back towards her. Even with his clothes on she could see the muscular form that he had. He appeared to be staring off into the distance but his slight slouch gave away the overwhelming fatigue that he felt. He had saved her life—both of their lives, against a foe she had thought unconquerable. He was powerful and strong and held deep convictions. She loved him and he was worthy of her love. She walked slowly toward him and placed her hand upon his shoulder.

  He turned and smiled slightly towards her, even the little movement of his bloodstained lips brought discomfort to him.

  “Any better?”

  She smiled and nodded.

  “Good.”

  In reality, she did not feel much relief at all.

  “Your lip is very swollen. Did they club you to the face? Will you rest now?”

  “It is nothing and we are in a bad place. We could be seen for miles, there is no water or food. We must try and reach the road this morning. If we find a place of shelter or water, we will stop.”

  “But you must rest.”

  “Yes, but I don’t think that I could. If I lay down my heart would race and I would only feel worse.”

  They walked until mid-morning. Tira felt somewhat better once she had walked for some time. The blood flow seemed to help. She felt tenderer towards Terrence at that time than she had the night before. She put her hand around his upper arm and at times leaned in towards him. Terrence spoke softly about his adventures in the dark forest. This talk had been forbidden in Cardsten and he had been careful. At this point his stories were the least of his concern. Tira listened with much interest. The time passed more quickly and it helped to take her mind off of her discomfort.

  After telling of Marcus’ death Terrence became quiet. Tira did not know if she should speak. Terrence was either in deep contemplation or his fatigue had bested him. Off in the distance they saw a team of horses riding southeast, towards Cardsten.

  “This must be the road. Lie down.”

  The two lay and watched in the distance. It appeared as though the riders had stopped and were resting. Terrence and Tira continued to lie upon the ground, watching and waiting. They were too far away for whispers to be heard and so Terrence began to talk with Tira.

  “It has been bothering me since last night what you said about the man who attacked us. You said that I should
not kill him; that I knew not everything and that I should not do this. I knew that there was much to be frightful for after all that occurred. But, my killing him seemed to distress you the most. What is it that I do not know?”

  “Oh, Terrence. Let us go to Agedon. We’ll marry and be happy. We will fight for the right cause. We will live as people should live and be able to hold our head up high. We will not have to be deceptive and two-faced. You were never made for Cardsten. You are blessed to see the world so clearly, as that which is good and that which is evil. You see all as black or white. In Cardsten, perhaps more than all else, you despised the subtleties. You saw the good and you saw the evil but you could never see how they intermingled and worked in a sort of harmony. Cardsten is not a world of black and white, put rather a world of every shade of gray. When, in a world such as Cardsten, you try and define all as black or white you are hated. Cardsten was never meant for you. Let us turn our back to the world of shaded grays and let us go to Agedon where they are not fools, but they see the world as you, and now I, as black and white, good and evil. We have no need to delve into the subtleties of Cardsten.”

  Terrence pondered for a time. His sleepless mind, however, did not have the faculties of comprehension.

  “You have lost me, my dear. I still do not understand about this man who has attacked us. Why should his death, in particular, concern you?”

  “It is in the past, my dear Terrence. Cardsten, and all its foolishness is in our past. Let us get to Agedon. Everything will be clear in Agedon. Do not make me speak of Cardsten, of its subtleties, and of our past.”

  “Tira,” he said pleadingly. “I am stubborn. I must know, and then I will not bother you again.”

  Tira placed her hand on her stomach and winced. Her lying position did not help the pain.

  “We can speak on it later. You are hurting and my mind is so tired.”

  “Yes, but you must know and so I will explain. Then, when I have spoken, let us leave this subject for good.”

  The men on horses began to mount and continued their ride southeast towards Cardsten. Terrence and Tira continued to lay while they spoke and while the horsemen were still in sight.

  “You know of the military in Cardsten,” Tira began.

  “Yes.”

  “We brag on them and their might and power. We speak of them and their awesome strength—in numbers, arms, understanding, and conditioning. And it may be that the military of Cardsten is the most powerful in the world. And yet, they are not powerful in Cardsten. They have no authority whatsoever. They wear their cute uniforms and parade with their swords. But they are of no use unless Cardsten and Agedon do truly battle. They are under complete control of the politicians. The government controls the military. They are a pet, a puppet, a show for the people. Cardsten loves to feel safe and secure. They desire to believe that they are beyond any danger. So, we have a great wall to protect us from the dragon. We have a great military to protect us from all other peoples of the world. We have an economic engine to protect us from any wants. Cardsten thinks that it is untouchable from the world. Perhaps we don’t truly think this. Perhaps we do all of this because of our fears and insecurities. But, outwardly this is what we portray.”

  “I still don’t understand about the dragon worshipers?”

  “Patients, my dear. I will explain all, at least so far as I have come to understand it myself.”

  “Go on.”

  “The government is supposed to be the supreme authority of Cardsten. This is how it is spoken of by all. Everyone speaks of it as such; it could not be spoken of differently. Yet, no one believes it, for it is not true. Beyond the power of the government are those who control the economy of Cardsten, Mr. Cards and those like him. The government is, and does, as is dictated by those who control the business and economy of Cardsten. The government and the military are financed by the wealthy. If the money were removed the government and military would be impotent. The people are employed by the businessmen and the life and comforts that they enjoy are brought to them by the businesses of Cardsten. The government gives them nothing other than the farce of freedom. They elect the political leaders and therefore they are free, you see. And the political leaders are powerless themselves, so they are flattered into believing that they are now something. They carry great titles and are given wealth. They live in great places and give great speeches. Those who are in power applaud, and bow, and provide feasts for them, and butter them up. If some foolish politician begins to act as though he has real power and authority—that he is autonomous and supreme, then he is quickly put out of power. When the businessmen turn their backs on a politician and remove all of their resources, and slander him, then the people see him as rouge, or useless, or dangerous and he is quickly put out. This rarely happens and normalcy is soon restored. The military is at the bidding of the politicians who are at the bidding and mercy of the economic powers of Cardsten. The powerful leaders that are paraded in front of the people are nothing more than a front. There is no substance behind them. The people are not ignorant of this, yet no one speaks of it. It is understood, accepted, and even appreciated by the people of Cardsten. We like our front, we like the image that we portray of ourselves to each other and to the world. It is pleasing to the eyes to have a powerful military and a powerful government that is at the bidding of the people who elect them. But we all know who holds the cards. It is the Cards.”

  Terrence smiled and Tira planted a kiss on him. Terrence winced in pain and Tira apologized.

  “You still haven’t told me about the man I killed.”

  Tira smiled.

  “Ideals are powerful things, my dear. The Cards family and others like him carry with them a most powerful ideal of how the world should be. They have such a strong sense of the world and they have the resources to move forward with their ideals. It has many benefits to the rest of society that they have been most successful in carrying it out. They have built Cardsten, both the structure itself, but most especially the function. When a man such as Mr. Cards speaks of it, it makes so much sense that it would seem as though a city such as Cardsten could be made with such ideals and a willingness of those in power to carry them forth. The success of Cardsten would seem a testimony to that. And yet, as you have seen, there is a darker side to Cardsten, one in which the ideals of Mr. Cards do not address. It is there, its presence is ever felt, and yet it would seem to have no place.

  “Within human nature there is a love of the ideal and a love of the counter to the ideal. It is my opinion that if Cardsten had forced the natural evolution of the counter ideal out from its presence, then it would have fallen under the weight of the ideal itself. But whether in their wisdom, foolishness, ignorance, or weakness, the economic power players of Cardsten did not squash those who were of the darker ideal out of existence, but rather allowed them to grow alongside such that they have allowed ideal Cardsten to carry its full front, while the darkness of Cardsten thrives in the background, in the nooks, the cracks, the empty places of the ideal. Where the ideal does not fill space a vacuum is created. The ideal of Cardsten is not so powerful as to withstand the pressures of the vacuum. So, darkness and the counter ideals fill the voids. The voids being filled, now the pressure is released and the ideal can stand up, put on its full front and portray its strength and glory to all the world; all the while being held up and supported by darkness and the counter ideals. This Terrence, you saw, whether or not you understood it, and it was revolting to you. Whatever the appearance, goodness held up and supported by evil, is no longer goodness. When what appears is so entirely different from what it really is, then one lives in deception. It does not bring internal peace. This along with material comforts does not bring true happiness and joy. Appearance and pleasure, while not bad in and of themselves, when not combined with goodness and joy, are very unsatisfying indeed.”

  “I think that I agree with you, but I still don’t think that I understand.”

  “I warned you,
you know.”

  Terrence smiled and winced again. The horses were nearly out of sight, but Terrence was in no hurry to move positions. His bodily fatigue was about to overtake him and he still hadn’t had his questions answered.

  “Among the voids left by Mr. Cards and his ancestors’ ideals, was worship. Though the need may vary from individual to individual, a large society has many among them that desire worship. The legend of Dromreign and its acts have been known for generations. These legends propelled the building of the walls which allowed for greater protection. But they also provided a fuel for dragon worship. I suspect that it simply evolved slowly until it was accepted as part of the society of Cardsten. Most in Cardsten do not worship this beast, not in any meaningful way. Yet, they accept its worship, its image, its likeness, and its name invoked in reference to Cardsten. We built the walls to keep it out, yet we have let it in entirely. Dromreign is everywhere in Cardsten. Even the capital building hoists a great green banner with the image of the fierce black beast breathing out its fiery destruction. No, the walls have not keep Dromreign out of Cardsten.

  “Now, the government controls the military, at least in so far as I have explained. But the government has no means of policing the people. Cardsten, as you may have observed is not filled with crime. On the surface, this is explained by the powerful ideals on which it was built. The people are self-reliant, they work hard, they have the means to better themselves. Crime has no place in such a society. Yet, crime is a part of society. The ideal does not provide for everyone’s satisfaction, as I’ve already said. People are not so happy and internally peaceful as they try and appear. There is plenty of impendence for criminal activity. But the economic leaders, the employers, the idealists, do not want a military marching forth upon the common people. This could lead to revolution, to revolt, to greater dissatisfaction among the people to their circumstances and inequalities. So, these things are taken care of quietly. The man you killed leads the dragon worshipers, as you call them. They have no name among us, they are simply a part of the fabric of Cardsten, the dark side of the fabric. I don’t know how much they truly worship the beast, though it is tattooed upon their heads, but it is at least their pious front. What they really do is discipline the ‘criminal element’ in the name of the dragon. Those who break the laws, whether written or not, are in opposition to the omnipotent beast. Those who stand against the societal ideals are the enemies of Dromreign and therefore must be punished.

  “There is no legal jurisdiction for such behavior, for such an entity. Yet, it is not questioned. They do not threaten those who conform to the ideals of the city. They eat and drink, mix and mingle among them. They are not the economic force of the city but they are provided for somehow and this is not spoken of. They are not members of the government nor do they attempt to be, and they are not arms of the government. But they do the governments bidding. They fill the voids left by our ideal system and they make it work, at least they make it appear to work. The man you killed leads this force of darkness within Cardsten. He is at least as powerful as Mr. Cards, Aiden and the other generals, our governor and other political leaders. He may spend much of his time in the shadows, and may not be a part of the pretty front that Cardsten portrays, but he was a critical part of the fabric of Cardsten. You have created a void when you put him to death. That void will be, must be, filled. But, in the meantime it will create chaos and trouble within the city. Its infrastructure has been weakened by this act and there will be shifting and power struggles that must run their course. For us and our friends, those who were once our friends at least, I felt it better to leave him be. There is no certainty that whoever replaces him will be better than he. A greater suspicion and a greater watch will be upon those with whom we have loved and been acquainted. I had hoped that we would leave at a point that we had fallen to such little importance, that our absence would be largely forgotten. Now, I fear that our leaving Cardsten has put Cardsten in a horrible state.”

  Tira’s eyes again filled with tears and she wept silently. Terrence was also silent as he considered all this revelation entailed. In a quarter of an hour his eyes had fallen shut and he slept. Tira, afraid to arise still, put her arms around him and fell asleep, too. It was several hours past noon before they awoke.

  Terrence felt better and his mind was clearer. Tira’s condition had worsened. Staying put, however, meant death for sure. She moved on slowly, if not bravely. They worked their way to the place that the horses had stopped. Though they saw nothing to indicate water, food, or shelter from the distance, there was within them both a faint hope. They were not disappointed. Though it was only a small stream, well hidden from the distance, they were able to refresh themselves with water and wash their faces. The water and sleep strengthened both of them physically and emotionally. They rested in some shade for another hour and then set off. Terrence believed that they would be safer on the main road with darkness in the sky.

  The air was cool but not cold and their exertion kept them comfortable until a wind picked up. The late afternoon wind was loud and at times blew dirt into their eyes. It was becoming cold and they worried about a storm approaching, though the sky was clear. They did not have enough clothing to keep them warm in these conditions. Terrence kept his eye out for some type of shelter for the night. He was frustrated, among other things, that they had made such little progress on their journey that day. His focus was in front of him and the wind disguised the sound. But overtaking them quickly were the riders that they had seen earlier in the day.

  The riders were upon them and surrounding them before they were aware of their presence. Terrence put his hand back to retrieve his sword.

  “Hold there!” said a middle-aged dark bearded man riding directly to Terrence. Terrence froze.

  “What do we have here? I don’t recognize ye, now do I? No, well, I don’t know ye, do I?”

  The two remained silent. Tira recognized the accent as from Agedon.

  “Are ye spies of Cardsten, heh? Ye are coming from that a way, now aren’t ye?”

  “No,” said Terrence.

  “No? Well, ye are not of Agedon, but ye are heading that way, no?”

  “We are toward Agedon,” said Tira meekly. “And I am of Cardsten, though he is not.”

  “Then ye know that Cardsten and Agedon do not intermingle, do ye not? If I was of Cardsten and I met some travelers of Agedon, then I’d run them through forthright, would I not? What do ye say, fella’s, should we run ‘em through?”

  A cheer arose from the seven other riders. Terrence pulled out his sword.

  “Well, men, I think we’ve found the Cardsten army! But do ye think he knows how to use the blade?”

  The riders laughed mercilessly.

  “He can’t be the military, sir,” said a younger, beardless, freckled faced rider. “He’s not wearing red or black pajamas.” And they all enjoyed a hearty laugh. The bearded man pulled his own sword.

  “So, if we were taken by Cardsten and they would run us through. Should we not run ye through now?”

  “Sir,” said Tira, “we are defecting to Agedon.”

  “Ah, so ye say. But why would ye do that? Agedon does not have the comforts of Cardsten. We do not have a giant wall, a pajama-clad military, such soft beds, such sweet wine, nor such wild entertainment. Plus, everyone of Cardsten knows what fools we of Agedon are. Cardsten does not defect to Agedon.”

  “We want none of those things,” said Terrence forcefully.

  “No, well, apparently not. For ye have none of those things now. Nor do ye look or smell as though ye’ve bathed in quite some time.” Again, a roaring laughter.

  “Now, this women ye have here with ye. It’s hard to say, so dirty and unkempt. But maybe with a bath, some fresh clothing, and perfume,” he pinched his nose and held it in the air to a chorus of laughter, “perhaps then she might be something. Let’s take her back and just run him through.”

  The chorus applauded cheerfully and shouted, “H
ere, here!”

  Terrence prepared himself. Tira began to speak.

  “Silence, ye wench!” said the bearded man forcefully, upon which Tira hushed up. “I said that if we were of Cardsten and ye were of Agedon, then we’d run ye through. But…” He paused for some time and the other men were silent. He stared Terrence down. “…we are not of Cardsten; we are of Agedon. And Agedon doesn’t just run people through!”

  He and all the other men laughed heartily. He dismounted his horse after sheathing his sword and began to walk towards Terrence who held his position strong.

  "Sheath ye sword, young man. We are not upon ye. I’m Daron Drake, King of Agedon,” and he held out his hand in a friendly manner. “Though I may not look so kingly in this shabby attire.” The men laughed, but more cautiously this time. Terrence looked at his hand for a moment before pressing it, sword still in his left hand.

  “We’ve been to look upon Cardsten today and see what the pajama military is up to. They’re up to something, we didn’t know what. Looked like they were hunting for a lost coin, all looking around the walls. They like their money there. I figure if ye lose a coin then everything stops and the hunt begins? They were probably looking for the defectors—ye here. They’ll not find ye, though. No, not how closely they hug their walls. I don’t think a man got a hundred yards away from the wall. They talk big, they do. They’ll come out and stop Agedon from taking on the dragon with their pretty pajama’s, but when the military is called to action they leave their precious walls, but only so far that they can dash back in, in a moment. I don’t think there is a general among them that isn’t afraid of his own shadow; that even knows how to wield a sword.”

  Terrence began to speak up but Tira grabbed and squeezed his hand. Terrence was silent again.

  “Ah, ye are defecting to Agedon, but ye carry with ye secrets from us. From me ye’re new king, if ye’ll have me. Well, keep ye ye’re secrets for now, we’ve only just met. I suspect that ye carry even more secrets from Cardsten. Come ye, ye must have names now?”

  Terrence looked at Tira. “I am Terrence,” he said looking back.

  “Pleasure to meet ye, Terrence. And this pretty one with ye, she must have a name, too.”

  They were both silent.

  “Come now, young lady. I was just teasing with ye earlier. Yes, we’ll get ye bathed, and dressed, and perfumed, but it’s not ye that stink. It’s the silly sap here next to ye!” They laughed again.

  “She is Tira,” said Terrence.

  “Ah, well ye parents must have liked the sound of that together, Terrence and Tira. She is ye sister, right?”

  “No, she is my…”

  “Yes?”

  “…she is my, betrothed.”

  An, “oooh,” sounded from the chorus.

  “Ye betrothed is she…ye’ve run off with ye betrothed.”

  “Did ye steal her from someone? Is that why ye are off on this crazy adventure? I noticed that ye blade is stained, and not from carving an animal. Ye have run a man through, haven’t ye? Was it this ladies father, or brother, or lover? Would I be taking defectors to Agedon who flee Cardsten because they are criminals, murderers?”

  “I have run a man through, even more than one. But they were not kin or friends to Tira. I am no murderer, for it was in self-defense and in her protection, though I may be considered a criminal if I returned to Cardsten.”

  “Well,” said Daron Drake, King of Agedon, “let me see this sword.”

  Terrence paused, but the King, as he called himself, stood with his sword sheathed next to him with a very congenial visage. Reluctantly, he handed over the sword. The king spent some time admiring both the sword and its handy work but also its apparent use.

  “Ye are the original owner of this sword? Or has it been purchased or perhaps stolen from the original owner? Did ye run the owner of this sword through and then take it as ye own?”

  Terrence reached to retrieve his sword but Daron feigned not seeing the gesture. “It was not mine originally but has been mine now for nearly two years. It had not been used much before I had it. It has seen much action since I have been the owner.

  The king tossed the sword to one of his men as Terrence looked on, aghast.

  “So, ye are a criminal of Cardsten and have excited the entire military this day. Perhaps the military was looking for money; perhaps there is a ransom upon ye head. Me thinks, perhaps that ye are of much value to us. Ye’re ransom alone could bring me much wealth. We of Agedon are not so rich as is Cardsten. The money alone would do Agedon much good. But, even more, we do not hate or desire to fight Cardsten as they do us. There was once great trade amongst us. Perhaps I may be able to broker a treaty. Return an infamous criminal, even a murderer, in return for goodwill and a handsome sum of money. We want Cardsten to fight with us against Dromreign. But at least, we would have them not fight against us. I thought for a moment that ye, being young and strong, and good with a sword, that ye may be of value to Agedon. But, as I see how easy it is to remove ye sword from ye, that ye are not worth the sword ye carry. But as a reward ye may be worth much. I’ll just make up how hard it was to capture ye, the great escaped convict of Cardsten.” His men laughed again.

  Tira began to speak again. The king shot her a glance and she shushed.

  “Now, m’ lady, I have been rude to ye. Speak, I say. I think that I may learn much from ye.”

  “My King, I do not think that returning us to Cardsten will bring to you all that you desire or hope for. Perhaps, if they let you approach at all, they may give you some money in return for us, but I do not know. We are of little importance in Cardsten. We may have left with hardly anyone knowing, except for a villainous gang of dragon worshipers who put us in danger. Terrence defended us both and we made our way out. We were coming to defect before we were attacked. I see little more than harm coming to you or us if we return to Cardsten.”

  “But, ye were defecting and ye were attacked, this tells me that there is much more to the story than we have heard so far. Will ye tell me all, withhold no secrets from me, that I may trust ye? Will ye do that in exchange for us not returning ye to Cardsten.”

  “Yes,” said Tira with a tremble.

  “I do not want to discover more details over the coming days and weeks. I want to know all tonight.”

  Terrence and Tira agreed. The other men dismounted and though Terrence’s sword was not returned, the overall disposition of the company changed. A fire was built and food was placed thereon. Water was brought for the couple and bedding was laid out for all ten. They ate together and were treated hospitably. Yet, they were watched carefully and always surrounded, and their things were gone through leaving nothing that could be used as a weapon. After the time for rest and dinner Daron indicated that he was ready to hear all.

  Terrence told him the story of his life, primarily beginning with the arrival of Aiden and Jashion in Tengeer. Much interest was laid upon every detail of these past two years, in particular the time spent in the dark forest. When the story came to the time that he arrived in Cardsten the King asked Tira to tell her story up to this point. She did, explaining all about her family, friends, and connections in Cardsten. When the time came that they met, they both shared, interrupting each other throughout the telling. The king and other men laughed joyfully as they both corrected, and misinterpreted, and misunderstood the details of their short love affair. Still, he questioned both of them about the details of Aiden and Jashion, of Daxton, Tasha, and Mr. Cards. He spent much time gaining an understanding of exactly why the dragon gang was interested in them.

  When he was satisfied, he assigned the evenings guard shift and sent everyone to bed.

  “May I ask,” said Terrence, “does anyone here have healing knowledge? Tira is still hurting from her blow. I fear that she may be more seriously injured.”

  The king looked over at the lady preparing to lie down with her hand over her stomach. He nodded his head knowingly.

  “My man, these
men know how to wrap a wound, and other such things, but none know enough to treat that type of injury. They have been gone with me for several weeks. I fear that giving them the opportunity to inspect the young lady in such an intimate way would be opening her up to trouble. Let us get her to Agedon. On horseback, we should arrive in Agedon by tomorrow night. There we can turn her over to those who will know more and give her the assistance she requires. For now, sleep close to her and be her protector this night. She does not look as though it is bad enough that she will not make it. She may even feel better in the morning.”

  Terrence nodded and retired near Tira. She slept peacefully again and he nodded off, in and out, throughout the night. Terrence did not feel at peace. There was good reason. For two pairs of watchful eyes were upon he and Tira throughout the night. Two pairs of watchful eyes attached to shaved heads with the image of Dromreign tattooed upon them. Were it not for the guards of Agedon, Terrence’s and Tira’s throats would have been slit that night.

  Morning came and they breakfasted. They were given a horse to share as two of the smallest men, though they were not small, shared another horse. They rode with a horse in front of them, one on each side and the other four behind. They were not prisoners, perhaps, but neither were they fully trusted. Still, the King had been generous and had fulfilled his promises thus far. Whatever lay in front of them seemed more promising than what lay behind them in Cardsten.

  Chapter 17