Wizard of Elements

by Calista Lambrechts

  The outside temperatures were nice and warm. Man, did it feel good! It almost felt like someone wanted me dead after that plant had gone right bonkers in the head and grabbed at me… Yet again, they do tell tales of the Shivering River’s quite exotic plant life…

  Yet again, I ask the question: WHY DOES EVERYONE WANT TO EAT ME NOWADAYS?

  A friendly woman approached me with a smile. She handed me a towel and I wrapped it around myself.

  “Thank you, Miss.”

  She nodded and replied with, “Sunko.”

  I wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but I got the idea.

  I returned to the cabin, revelling in the warm sun that caressed my bare skin. I entered the hut, stopping on the threshold.

  The man I had first met stood there with a woman by his side. She was beautiful.

  They both immediately postponed their conversation when they caught sight of me.

  He gave a chuckle.

  “Me Tremson. She Tai-Na.”

  The woman waved alongside a friendly smile. She had long, thick black and curly hair, her eyes a piercing green.

  “Nice names,” I said.

  “We help you get better,” Tremson said, smiling.

  “Uh, thanks?” Tremson walked toward a nearby oak dresser and patted at its surface.

  “New clothes. Only for you.” I stared at the pile of clothes heaped on the dresser and walked closer.

  “Gosh. Really?” He nodded. I took a good look at the clothes. They were pretty outstanding, I must admit. Not to mention, I was getting pretty sick of my current clothes. They were a constant reminder of the Sleeping Dragon’s Inn and that dang Olaf.

  I was starting to wonder though...

  Why are they so welcoming? Is there some kind of catch to this or something?

  The two left me to my own devices and I shut the door for more privacy. I put on the clothes and decided to take a good look in the mirror.

  They were just my size.

  “Cool adventurer clothes!” I exclaimed, checking myself out. I wore two lenghty dark brown boots along with some tight black pants. I wore a pale, rather long, green shirt with a normal brown tank top underneath.

  The green shirt’s collar was a bit low and ripped, but eh, it gave a nice effect and exposed the brown tank top beneath. A strip of black string wove in criss-crosses across what was left exposed of my brown shirt.

  One single iron shoulder blade sat snugly upon my right shoulder that was adjusted with a leather strap. It came together with a wide brown belt hugging my waist. The large buckle was made of iron and had the elven symbol engraved to it: A double circle with a giant leaf within. An elven bow and arrow were crossed over one another over the leaf.

  Not to mention the one single brown, fingerless glove I just pulled over my left hand and the one leather band I adjusted to my right wrist, working wonders on my attire

  I adjusted the scabbard to my belt and slid Cassius’ sword back into place with a single shing.

  I gave a smile of satisfaction and slowly nodded. It wasn’t long until the two villagers, Tremson and Tai-Na, entered the cabin again.

  “Sit.” Tremson crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe, curiously watching as Tai-Na tried her luck at persuading me to cut my hair. I was very reluctant.

  “Snip, snip?” Tai-Na asked happily. My eyes widened and I immediately knew where this was going.

  “No, I’m sorry. No one’s going to give me a haircut. I’m fine. I like it just the way it is.”

  Tai-Na’s expression turned livid.

  “SNIP, SNIP!” I yelped, sat in the chair and decided to rather stay quiet, not daring to say another word. I knew sitting was a bad idea. I should’ve run away when I got the chance.

  I have to admit that my eyes were tightly closed during the whole process. Who knows what horrors awaited me when she was done… “Done,” Tai-Na announced, leaving my heart to skip a beat.

  I slowly opened my eyes and found out that I was dead wrong. It wasn’t as bad as I had apprehended at first. She didn’t’ exactly do much, only fixed my tousled hair up a bit. I pursed my lips and nodded with arched eyebrows, quite impressed. It really wasn’t half bad!

  “Not too bad,” I nodded. “Not bad at all. Thanks!”

  Tai-Na proudly gave a bow and exited the cabin. She was really talented if you ask me. I knew now exactly where I would go if I were in need of another free haircut.

  “You feel better?” Tremson asked. He was truly one of the most kindest souls I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Questions?” I tapped my chin, staring at the ceiling as I paged my thoughts.

  “I guess I do have one. What happened to me?”

  He shrugged.

  “Don’t know. Found you near fallen tree after forest fire. Our watchers saw SOS sign up trees and come to see. Dying heartbeat. We thought you not make it. Brought you here and happy when you wake up.”

  “Forest fire you say? Hmm… that explains a lot… Tell me. Was there anyone else nearby?”

  Tremson took his time to think about it and then answered with, “No. No one there but you.”

  “You sure? No one short-tempered perhaps? Male. Dark hair. A head taller…?”

  “No one. Why? Someone you search?”

  “Oh, no, just asking.”

  Tremson pursed his lips. “Okay.”

  We went outside and into the open once again. I thanked him once more for all he did for me. I even asked him to send my regards to Tai-Na. I just had one more question to ask, “Which way to Suntaria?”

  Tremson pointed me into the right direction and we said our goodbyes. To be honest, I didn’t actually wanted to leave, but unfortunately I had little choice at the matter… If there was one place I would hope to find Terrowin, it would be at Suntaria… And let’s hope for his sake that he didn’t just leave me out there intentionally, or he will get what’s coming to him.

  I was on my way when I noticed a giant black shadow quickly speeding pass by overhead. It was so fast that I couldn’t really make out what it was.

  My guess: Tarauntis finally failing to resist the urge to fry everyone again. I sighed and mumbled, “I have to get out of here.”

  I quickly speed walked away, but soon ended up running through the forest towards my destination. I wasn’t about to take any chances with that fire-crazed-death-dragon.

  CHAPTER 24

  SUNTARIA DAILY NEWS:

  GIRL CAUSES TROUBLE AT

  LOCAL LIBRARY

  CARLAYLIN

  Exhausted, sweaty – check and check. I had run all the way from the Water Village toward Suntaria. Well, of course, not without some occasional breaks along the way.

  I dabbed at my sweaty forehead, wheezing from all the running, but at least I was out of fire range.

  Just a simple warning: I tend to get extra cranky when I’m exhausted so stay away if you wish to keep your pride.

  I exhaled happily with a sigh of relief as I slowly approached the massive city gates of honest to goodness stone.

  I once heard from the stories people tell at the Sleeping Dragon’s Inn, that Suntaria was once a magnificent dwarven city, actually built above ground. Makes you wonder why they always roam underground. Are they like the mole race? Too scared to face the light personally? Anyway, the place was quickly abandoned for some mysterious reason. Who knows why?

  People must’ve irritated them out of their homes, causing them to retreat below ground or something. No, seriously, I don’t know. I hadn’t the slightest clue to what happened, but I was anyway too beat to find out.

  As I closed in on the city of Suntaria, I was aware that those colossal stone double doors were closed shut, nice and properly. No problem. If the situation came to that point where someone had to try and persuade the guards, I was most definitely your girl! Just give me a mug and I might even be extra persuasive.

&nb
sp; As I stumbled closer, I noticed a dark figure leaning against a nearby wall, arms crossed and waiting.

  I narrowed my eyes as tried to make out who it was. I couldn’t see anything but a blurred silhouette... I admit, my vision wasn’t exactly the best...

  I picked up the pace and closed in on the stranger. The silhouette gave me a wave with its one arm as if to say hello. I clenched my fists and murmured, “Who the hell is that?”

  Frowning, I moved closer to what seemed like a man, narrowing my eyes in order to try and make out their full identity.

  As I approached the figure, I soon realized who it was. I froze in my tracks, both eyebrows raised. My mouth fell open and I slightly shook my head in disbelieve.

  “You sly fox.” I gave a smile and couldn’t help but laugh. “Terrowin, you idiot! You got me so worried. Where were you?”

  He was also just as happy to see me, or so it looked like anyway.

  “Long story. Question is: Where were you?”

  He slowly approached me. I caught sight of his one eye. It was somewhat blue.

  “Got into another fight have we?”

  He didn’t replay, but gave a smile and rolled his eyes.

  I wanted to give him a hug, but decided against it when I saw a sling stretching from his shoulder to his arm, his arm in a satin cast.

  “What happened to your arm?”

  My eyes met his. He shook his head in order to avoid any explanation and looked down at his arm.

  “This? Oh, it’s nothing too serious.” I folded my arms and tapped my foot impatiently. I couldn’t help but purse my lips.

  “Explanations...”

  Terrowin heaved a heavy sigh, knowing that I wasn’t about to let him go that easily… Besides, I wanted to make sure if he didn’t just ditch me in the forest. He told me about the forest fire and the assassin pushing him off a steep hill.

  “And so I got knocked out by a falling tree, soon to regain consciousness. When I woke up, you were gone. I searched around, but you left no trace. I had no choice but to wander the forest in search of a path to Suntaria, hoping to find you here.”

  There was something a bit off about his explanation. He ended it quite bluntly, almost hastily, but I decided not to probe on the matter for too long.

  I dropped my gaze and kicked the ground, seeing nothing but a cloud of dust fly into the air.

  Terrowin gave me one of his famous mysterious grins.

  “You look different.” My eyes met his again. “I like it.”

  I chuckled.

  “Thanks. You don’t look too bad yourself despite the eye and the arm. Though I do doubt that a simple stroll through the forest would get you clothes like that...”

  “What happened to you?” I puffed my cheeks and blew, my gaze falling to the ground one last time, kind of wishing for him not to go and change the subject so suddenly...

  I had to think it through before answering.

  “Oh, nothing in particular. Villagers found me and brought me back to the Water Village. They helped me out and gave me a new look. Afterwards, they were kind enough as in to direct me in the way of Suntaria.”

  We both nodded and had a moment of silence.

  For some reason it felt strange to see him again. I sighed. Some time or another I knew that I would have to tell him about Tarauntis… But today is not yet that day…

  “Well then, I guess we will have to get going,” Terrowin started, “If we are to make it to the city of Morrowburg, we’ll have to pass directly through Suntaria.”

  I smiled and gestured at the gates.

  “Lead the way then.”

  He gave a nod and took the lead. I followed. Luckily, we didn’t have to go through the trouble in persuading any guards to let us through. They gladly accepted, but still followed us with an eye of suspicion.

  Quite a few people walked the stone streets today. Market stalls stood about for these who were in hope of making a profit. Suntaria was a beautiful city. In the far I could make out a waterfall falling down from above another construction. It fell down into a water canal that webbed off in various twists and turns throughout the whole city. There were quite a lot of small stone bridges built to cross the waters to another side.

  All buildings were built of strong stone and tile. Inns, taverns, workshops, houses, you name it! Flora grew widespread and adorned the city with a picturesque effect. There were also many trees that stood tall and proud, indicating that the city had stood here for thousands of years past.

  As we wandered through the extraordinary city, a thought suddenly occurred to me. This was kind of a big city, a popular one, open to the newest trades and the oldest secrets… It was bound to hold some knowledge I so desperately seeked… Sure, it was a bit of a delay, but eh, it’s not often I get to visit the Great City of Suntaria. I froze in my tracks.

  “Terrowin.”

  He stopped and turned around on his heel to face me.

  “I was wondering… Can we like, maybe, make a stop at the local library perhaps?”

  Terrowin raised an eyebrow.

  “Why so?”

  I stuffed both my hands in my pockets and rocked on the balls of my heels.

  “Oh, well… there are a few things I wish to know.”

  He pursed his lips into a thin line, taking his time to take my request into consideration. He looked very sceptic about the whole idea, but eventually gave in. What can I say? No one can resist my puppy eyes.

  “Okay, but we shouldn’t be too long. It’s still a long way to Morrowburg.”

  I smiled, gleefully took his side and patted him on the back.

  “Ah, thanks.”

  Suddenly, out of nowhere, I heard a whisper.

  “Psssst!” Rooted to the spot, I turned and studied my surroundings, but there was no sign of of any suspicious character that may or may not have called my attention.

  “Uh, you know what, I’ll meet you there in a sec. I’m going to take a look around first.”

  “As you wish, but don’t be long.”

  Terrowin slowly started taking the path ahead and made for the library.

  “Psssst!” someone called again. “I’m coming!” I whispered back with anger in my tone of voice, still left with no idea to who I was talking to. I identified the call to be coming from a nearby vendor’s cart. I glanced into the nearest alleyway between two buildings close by. I then noticed a man crouching in hiding, masked within the shadows.

  “Hey, Carly, over here!” the strange man gestured. I narrowed my eyes and cautiously moved closer. The man quickly came out of the alleyway and hid himself behind the vendor’s cart. I let go of the breath I had been holding.

  It was Donald, the Sleeping Dragon’s Inn’s personal chef. Donald. My age-old friend.

  “Donald, what are you doing all the way out here?” I moved in closer and knelt down beside him. Donald laughed softly, careful not to attract any unwanted attention.

  “It’s nice to see ya too, Carls. Long-time no see.”

  I returned a comforting smirk.

  “For the last time, I told you it’s Carlaylin, not Carly,” I teased.

  He simply waved it away.

  “Ah, whatever you say.”

  I bit down on my lower lip and stared at him.

  “You’re a long way from Thorodan, Donald. I ask again, what are you doing here?”

  Donald cautiously looked around to see if there was no one eavesdropping on the conversation. He then leaned in closer to whisper, “It’s Olaf.” I cocked my head.

  “My old stuck-up manager? Yes, what about him?”

  Donald clenched his fists.

  “Look, he hasn’t exactly been taking the idea that you quit very well... I’m here to warn you.” “Get to the point, Donald.”

  “What I’m trying to say here is that if you ever decide to return to Thorodan one day… then you’ll need to watch your back. Olaf has put a high bounty on your head
.”

  “What?! You can’t be serious!” He hushed me in alarm.

  “Lower your voice and yes I’m dead serious.” “Under what charges then? Just because there got some sense knocked into me and I quit?” “And for wrecking the inn, stealing a mug, insulting his very person and – his words not mine – disturbing three of his most significant customers in the middle of the night, causing them to leave. Aka, leading to him losing some coin.”

  I raised my hands and sat with my back against the cart.

  “This is farfetched! Can you believe this guy?! None of those charges are true. He’s completely making most of those up and definitely getting the wrong idea about the others.”

  “That’s why I have come here to warn you. Even the governor of Thorodan has sent bounty hunters on your trail. Olaf is pretty persuasive. They now see you as a dangerous criminal.” That’s right. Thorodan is under the leadership of a governor – a governor, which takes most of his orders from the high king himself. Same goes for Morrowburg, Krea and Doyelna.

  I now sat with my head buried between my knees, feeling rather despairing and a strong hatred for that innkeeper creeping into me.

  I slowly looked up, quite stressed as I was about to pluck out my own hairs “No, this can’t be happening… Damn you, Olaf!” I puffed my cheeks and blew. That man was way in over his head, exactly making a mountain out of a goblin heap.

  “No… any time but now…” I focused my gaze on Donald and rested a hand on his shoulder.

  “Thank, Donald. I appreciate you coming all this way just to warn me.”

  “Oh, no, Olaf sent me here to buy some fresh food for the kitchen, but since I saw you here I thought I could just drop by and warn you.” I smiled and rolled my eyes playfully.

  “Well, thanks anyway.” We both stood.

  “Now go before we draw any more suspicion. Oh and…” He dug into his pocket and got a small bag of gold into sight. He then turned around and gave it to the merchant, placing it firmly in his hands. “You didn’t hear anything.”

  The merchant nodded, still with widened eyes. I forgot that we’ve been hiding behind his cart all this time...