Angst Box Set 1

by David Pedersen

  What the queen said made sense; it was very logical and struck hard enough to crack Angst’s stained glass window. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything at that moment for fear his voice might also crack. He couldn’t bear to look over at Victoria, so Angst merely nodded in acknowledgement of what she was saying and sank a bit in his seat.

  “Knighthood, Angst, cannot be won. It must be earned.” As though this were an unrehearsed performance, the queen nodded at the Captain Guard, indicating his entrance cue.

  “Angst,” Tyrell began. “We would like you to undertake a mission, on behalf of Unsel.”

  Angst remained low in his seat. He wanted to be a knight, and the prospect of doing the queen and Tyrell some favor without that reward made this entire meeting feel like a waste of time. “What did you have in mind?” he asked warily.

  “The gamlin have been wreaking havoc along our borders, and we believe they’re blocking major trade routes.”

  “You’re kidding?” asked Angst, no longer in the mood for formality. “Those little things?”

  “Nobody else can seem to kill ‘those little things.’ Neither the Kingdom of Melkier nor Unsel have received a shipment or communication from Rohjek or Fulk’han in months.” Tyrell handed the claw back to one of the servers, who returned it to Angst.

  Angst held it up, and looked at the Captain Guard in disbelief. It sounded like a bad joke. “No offense, Tyrell, but I have a hard time believing those creatures are the cause.”

  “Which is why we need you to investigate. You can obviously handle yourself around them. In two weeks, you can make it to Rohjek. Another week to Fulk’han, if necessary, then come straight home.”

  “By myself?” Angst asked, not quite believing the simplicity of the mission.

  “No.” Tyrell was smiling as though getting away with selling a bag of horse manure. “You need to put together a team, a group you can trust. We’ll provide mounts, provisions, and traveling expenses, and you will all be rewarded handsomely for your efforts.”

  Angst looked around the table. Tyrell and the queen were smiling and nodding in unison, as though they hoped Angst would feel obliged to join in. He looked at the princess, this time not bothering to sneak a quick glance or steal a smile. Instead he spent a moment just looking at her. Victoria was staring at her knees, her face shrouded with concern. She looked up at Angst, concern still on her face, and slowly, reluctantly, nodded yes.

  He turned to face Tyrell once more. “I can bring anyone?”

  “We will have final say, but I can’t foresee any restrictions.” Tyrell’s smile had grown even more. “I would recommend bringing more people who can do...some of the things...you can do.”

  “You do realize,” Angst asked, sitting up a bit, “that would mean the use of magic, openly?”

  The queen covered a harrumph with a cough then strained her way through a commitment. “We have an official document you can travel with, decreeing that your party may openly use magic.”

  “Thank you.” Angst sat up in his seat, and for the first time felt breakfast may have been worth it, after all.

  “Was that all?” the queen asked with raised eyebrow.

  “How will anyone know that I represent Unsel? As I’m riding through the countryside fighting monsters, I won’t always have the opportunity to present decrees to citizens of Unsel, or friends in Rohjek or Fulk’han.”

  Isabelle actually smirked, as though Angst’s desire to negotiate pleased her. “The armor worn by our knights bears the seal of Unsel. We will commission armor for you that will also carry the seal. Everyone will recognize you as a knight, Angst, though any title you earn will be solely based on the success of your quest.”

  Angst couldn’t help but chuckle at her unwillingness to commit; it stunk of bureaucracy. “Your Majesty, Captain Guard, I would be honored to undertake this mission,” Angst replied. “How soon should I plan to depart with my team?”

  “It is of the upmost importance that this issue be resolved quickly. We expect you to be on your way in three days, by any means necessary.” The queen seemed pleased at this notion. “Princess Victoria is planning a gathering for you and your team, in recognition of you wielding the sword and to send you off properly on your...quest.”

  Angst was surprised by this, and wondered about the queen’s underlying motivation. “That’s very kind, Your Majesty.”

  Queen Isabelle stood. “Thank you, Angst. I’m certain you have much to attend to. Now, unless there is something else?” she asked with firm finality, her tone making it obvious she considered the meeting over.

  Angst smiled broadly and stood. “Actually, if I’m to leave in just three days, there is one more thing.”

  11

  Angst pushed through the double doors of the breakfast room to find Hector waiting outside. He was holding a piece of parchment, a look of surprise and a broad grin on his rugged face, as though he’d just won something and couldn’t wait to tell a friend.

  “What did you do?” Hector asked almost accusingly as he walked in step with Angst down the hallway.

  “Everything I could think of,” Angst replied, a bit mischievously.

  Hector shook his head in disbelief. “I just got a promotion, a raise, and if I read this correct, we’re going on an adventure? To Rohjek?”

  “The queen has requested that we run a little errand. A quick trip to Rohjek, maybe Fulk’han, nothing we can’t handle. I’m going to spend the day putting the team together.” Angst spoke quicky, unable to retain his excitement. Hector didn’t seem reluctant to go at all, and he was hopeful everyone would feel this way.

  Hector ran his fingers through the short gray hair that stuck up from his head, and his dark eyebrows furrowed over his intense blue-gray eyes. “That’s why I rushed down here. We stick to the highways, we should be safe, in spite of the rumors. We shouldn’t need more than four of us.”

  “Exactly what I was thinking,” Angst replied. “A group large enough to defend ourselves, if needed, but small enough to get around quickly.”

  “Then we agree. I’ll let Rook and Hanson know,” Hector offered, making a huge leap in logic. “They’re good men, both respect you, and they have a lot of experience in small group missions.”

  Angst stopped walking. “Wait. Why them?”

  Hector stopped before turning to face Angst. “I assumed you’d want to travel with people who knew what they were doing.”

  “Look, I’m sure they’d be fine under normal circumstances, but they aren’t who I had in mind,” Angst replied.

  “If you don’t like them, I guess I can come up with a couple other names,” Hector said, sounding surprised.

  “I don’t think you understand, Hector. I’m bringing Tarness and Dallow.”

  “Angst, no, we can’t do that.” Hector shook his head in disagreement, completely dismissing the notion. “I’m sure they’d appreciate being invited, but it’s dangerous out there.” He smiled politely. “We’ll take Rook and Hanson. They know what they’re doing.”

  “They know what they’re doing against what? The gamlin?” Angst said in a louder tone. He didn’t want to sound defensive, but not only did he have to get through to his stubborn friend, he was now arguing with a ranked officer who assumed he was the chain of command. “What are they going to be, human shields?”

  Now Hector raised his voice. “They are veterans. They’ve been in battles. I trained them myself, I’ve been out there with them, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have cover our backs.”

  “Under normal circumstances, yes, but they can’t do anything against these creatures.”

  “Angst, if you think the gamlin are the only problem out there, you’re a fool.” Hector was yelling now, obviously frustrated by Angst’s stubborn refusal to listen to reason.

  “I’m not that stupid, thank you.” Angst’s pale cheeks flushed with anger. “It’s exactly why we need Dallow and Tarness. It took magic to kill those creatures. And since Dallow and Tar
ness can wield magic, at least with them, we would have a fighting chance.”

  “Look, they’re my friends too, but this isn’t one of our camping trips. This is going to be dangerous, and we need people who know how to fight.” Hector was now glowering so hard it looked like he was going to start growling.

  “Last time Rook fought these things, he ended up face down in the dirt. No, we aren’t bringing either of them.”

  “So are you planning on bringing Rose too? How about Heather and the princess? Why don’t you just take the ladies out?” Hector’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Don’t you see what a mistake you’re making? Make this easy. Rook and Hanson are the right choice.”

  “Rose isn’t going. She has some sort of magic so she can fight them, I’ve seen it, but it’s not safe,” Angst said, considering this notion. “You, me, Tarness, and Dallow. My decision is final.”

  “Your decision? Who do you think’s going to be in charge?” Hector asked, and Angst began to understand what was really bothering his friend.

  “I’ll be taking lead on this trip, Hector,” Angst stated, a bit more quietly than before.

  Hector’s gray eyes became cold and he sliced at the air with his hand. “What? You’ve never been in charge of anything. That big hunk of steel on your back doesn’t make you a leader.”

  “Actually, it does. If you don’t believe me, take it up with Tyrell, or the queen, or whoever you want, but work it out. You are coming with, I’m leading, just as the queen has commanded,” Angst said, pointing at a parchment in his hand. “But I’m not going to spend the next month arguing with you about every decision I make.” Angst sighed deeply and fought to regain composure. “I need to go find Dallow and Tarness. To tell them what’s going on.”

  Hector looked as though he’d been slapped in the face. Twice. By his mother. His gruff voice seemed somewhat hollow. “Dallow won’t be at the library until later, but Tarness is at Wizard’s Revenge.”

  “Why is Tarness at the bar so early?” Angst asked.

  “He was fired this morning. Something about a dead horse and a stable wall?” Hector answered, still sounding dejected. “It’s a bad situation.”

  “The princess is planning a reception of sorts, two nights from now. Please be there. The following morning we’ll meet at sunrise out by the training grounds before heading out.” Angst looked his old friend in the eye for several moments, and it began to sink in just how the rest of this day would unfold.

  Graloon greeted Angst at the door, smelling of soap and greasy cooking. His eyes flicked up to Chryslaenor’s hilt looming over Angst’s shoulder while he spoke. “You’re never here this early. Did you get fired too?”

  Angst shook Graloon’s hand to find it wet and oily. “No, I came to speak with Tarness.” He looked around the room, which was smaller than he was used to seeing. Its dimensions had adjusted automatically to accommodate the few people scattered amongst the tables.

  A frown grew on Graloon’s face. “He’s been here an hour, not in good shape either. I’ve been slow to deliver him drinks, but I can’t tell him no. He’s too big to argue with. Over there.” He thumbed in the direction of a dark corner table.

  Tarness was slouched over a tankard of mead, his large back facing away from the front door. Angst thanked Graloon, and made his way over. The big man sighed deeply and stared into his empty mug. Even seated, he was as tall as Angst.

  “Hi, Angst,” he said, not even bothering to look up. His deep voice was full of defeat and disappointment.

  “Bad day?” Angst asked, seating himself on the stool next to his friend.

  “The worst.” Tarness rested his face in his hand. He had yet to make eye contact.

  He didn’t sound drunk—it took a lot of alcohol for him to get even near that state—but he did sound somewhere between more than a few drinks and really upset. Tarness was a walking contradiction of scary large muscle and passive kindness. If you were to find him in a dark alley, you’d piss yourself and slip in the puddle trying to run away. But Tarness would be the first to pick you up and then offer you his shirt to dry off. He had dark black skin and bristly hair that was receding from his large forehead. Tarness’s eyes were close to his nose, and his caterpillar eyebrows made him look like he was in a constant state of rage, when he was actually nothing more than concerned and worried.

  “I hated that horse, Angst, but I never meant to hurt it.” Tarness seemed on the verge of tears. “The boss came over and started yelling at me about something. He hates me because of what we can do. There was this stallion, a big gray beast, and I was cleaning out his stable.” Angst had to wonder how huge the horse was if Tarness called it big. “The boss kept yelling, threatening my job, calling me names, and I was getting upset. I think the horse knew because he was shuffling around the stall, all nervous like.”

  Angst listened attentively, nodding for his friend to continue.

  “Finally, it kicked me right in my chest. There was this awful cracking sound, and the horse fell. His rear legs broke when they hit me. I was really angry at being kicked, Angst.” He stopped and looked up at Angst, shifting uncomfortably.

  “Go ahead, Tarness, it’s all right.” Angst prompted his friend.

  Tarness reluctantly continued. “I lost my temper, so...I picked up the horse, and threw it.”

  Angst’s eyes widened, and he shuddered at the thought of a man picking up a horse and throwing it. And through a wall, no less. Tarness was incredibly strong on any given day, but get him riled up and he was virtually unstoppable. “Wow. So, um, did you throw it at the stable boss?”

  Tarness shook his head and snuffled a bit. “I wanted to, but at the last minute I turned and threw it through the brick stable wall.” Tarness was on the verge of tears. “I didn’t really mean to kill the horse, Angst, it was an accident. And now they fired me. I think they even wanted to arrest me but were afraid.”

  Angst reached out and gently patted the part of Tarness’s shoulder he could reach.

  After several moments, Tarness looked up. “Angst, I’ve got no wife, no kids, no job. I have nothing.”

  “I’m sorry, old friend. What if I have an opportunity for you?” He cringed at using the word, but it fit.

  “I thought you hated opportunities,” Tarness said, before loudly blowing his nose in a napkin.

  Angst smiled and offered his big friend another one. “Well, what if I had a new job for you? Something fun, with friends, a bit of adventure?”

  “The last time we had fun like that I ended up in jail and lost my girlfriend.” Tarness looked at Angst suspiciously.

  Apparently, he wasn’t selling this very well He decided to change his approach and handed Tarness a copy of the queen’s decree stating that his team was free to use magic. “I promise; this time is different.”

  Tarness looked over the parchment and sat up a bit. His voice lost some of its upset and became serious. “Angst, what is this? What’s going on?”

  “It’s a job. We’re going to Rohjek. You, me, Hector, and Dallow. We head out in two days. Ride there, ride back, get paid. That’s it,” Angst said enthusiastically, hoping Tarness would get caught up in the moment.

  Concern showed on Tarness’s dark face. “Are you crazy? It’s dangerous out there. I don’t have one of those things.” He gestured toward Chryslaenor. “It’s not like I can throw a horse at everything that attacks us.”

  “Tarness, you just said you don’t have a job, you don’t have anything here. What could possibly keep you from going on a trip with old friends?”

  “I’m not crazy, is what. Just because I’m upset doesn’t mean I’m looking to die.” Tarness sighed deeply. “Angst, thank you, but no thank you.”

  It was Angst’s turn to sigh. Eyes closed, he reached into the breast pocket of his jacket. “Tarness, by the queen’s command, you are joining me on this mission. In two nights, we have a reception at the castle, and the following day, we leave.” He handed Tarness a parchment.

 
“What’s this?” Tarness asked, looking over the document. “I don’t understand. You mean I have to go?”

  “Look, Tarness, it’s better than going to jail for killing a horse,” Angst said then immediately regretted it when Tarness took a deep sobbing breath.

  “You may not see it now, but it really is the best thing for you,” Angst suggested. “A few days away with friends, that’s all this is. And we get paid for it.”

  “I’m not stupid, Angst. This is dangerous, but I won’t refuse the queen’s command. If she wants me to go, for whatever reason, I will.” Tarness looked even more defeated than when Angst had first arrived.

  He felt like he’d stolen a toy from a child. “That’s great, Tarness. You won’t be disappointed. Do you still have your guard armor?”

  “I doubt it fits, but I’ve got it.” Tarness nodded.

  “Bring it to Teedle’s shop tomorrow morning, first thing.”

  “Okay, Angst.” Tarness looked up at him. “I don’t know what you’ve got us into, I think it’s a mistake, but thanks for the job.”

  “Sure, Tarness, anything for a friend.” The fact that Tarness showed gratitude made Angst feel worse. He patted his friend on the shoulder once more then found Graloon and gave him enough coin to cover Tarness’s tab.

  Dallow sat in front of a pile of books with his eyes shut and moving rapidly beneath the lids as though he were in a deep sleep. A gentle white aura surrounded his hands where they rested on two separate books. Angst hated visiting him at the library. He always felt like he was interrupting. Dallow opened his eyes slowly as Angst arrived, his irises opaque and glowing like his hands. Angst waited for them to go back to green.