Angst Box Set 1

by David Pedersen

“Please bring it back to me,” she said.

  She gave him a long hug before leaning back and kissing him quickly on the lips. Alloria smiled mischievously, as though she’d gotten away with something, then ran off, her bare feet pattering down the empty castle corridor.

  Angst held one hand to his lips and the other to the ruby ring now dangling around his neck. He stood there for a moment, like a deer dumbly eating an apple and staring off at something he just couldn’t understand.

  “Wow. What do I do with all of that?” he whispered to himself before dizzily turning around to find his friends.

  16

  “Are you sure you aren’t angry?” Angst asked, still stunned by Heather’s quick acceptance of his upcoming journey.

  “Not at all, Angst. Not if this is what it takes to save your life,” she said sincerely, though the small wrinkles at the corner of her eyes were pinched with worry. “Not to mention Rose. Poor thing.”

  Heather seemed to be the only one not upset to the point of fury. Hector, Tarness, and Dallow all seemed put out. Angst couldn’t decide if they were angry that he’d asked them to leave the room before consulting with Victoria, or if it was simply the prospect of another mission so soon after returning.

  Tori probably wouldn’t speak to him again. When he’d told her she couldn’t come, she’d been so angry it was like she was channeling Rose.

  Rose...

  He was so worried about her his stomach cramped every time she crossed his mind. Angst felt responsible and he couldn’t stop wondering about the unpredictable dangers she was facing. He was clueless about how to help her, especially without a foci, and was desperate to find one. Angst would bond with any foci if it meant he could find her and keep her from further harm. He hoped the trip to Melkier would quickly lead him to Dulgirgraut. It would be nice if just one thing would be easy.

  He’d told Heather everything...well, everything except the long cheek-to-cheek embrace with Victoria while she’d tried to see his future. And the kiss from Alloria, which was flattering and confusing and made him blush when he tried not to think about it. So, he’d told Heather almost everything.

  “Is it warm in here?” Angst asked, thinking on these things. There was no fire in the fireplace.

  “I’m always warm these days,” Heather replied, resting her hand on her pregnant tummy.

  Angst smiled and couldn’t help but rub her belly. Above all else, this made him not want to leave. He was far more excited about being a father than he was about wielding another foci. Heather’s changes throughout her pregnancy were amazing, and he couldn’t stop wondering if the baby were a boy or girl.

  “I was thinking about names—” Angst started.

  “I thought we’d decided already, Angst,” Heather said in exasperation.

  “Yes. If it’s a girl we name it after your mother and if it’s a boy your father, it’s just—”

  “Quit saying it,” Heather said firmly. “You can say baby or he or she but it?”

  “Sorry,” Angst replied quietly.

  “Both family names are strong, but it’s too early to decide.” Heather sighed in frustration. “We can’t really know what our baby’s name will be.”

  “What do you mean?” Angst asked.

  “We’ll know our baby’s name when the time comes.” Heather patted her belly.

  “You mean we’ll know when he’s born?” he teased.

  “Yes, when she’s born we’ll know her name,” Heather replied with a full-lipped smile.

  Despite the smile, Heather looked tired, and not from their banter. He pulled her close, embracing her as though he was leaving soon, or she was pregnant.

  “I’ve asked the queen if she would send Rook and Janda to stay with you. Rook’s still capable, but he could use some down time after his injuries,” Angst said. “And I’m pretty sure Janda can keep you safe from just about anything.”

  “They’re a couple now?” Heather asked, her mouth open wide with surprise. “I thought he was wary of magic, especially after what happened to his leg.”

  “He is, very much so, but she’s pretty and I think that makes it an easy decision,” Angst said with a wink.

  “So you’re leaving your pregnant wife with a pretty woman, an injured man, and a sick dog?” Heather teased, giving him the furrowed brow “wife look” which made him laugh and shy away at the same time.

  “Um, yeah,” Angst said with a broad cocky smile. “I’d hate for you to be bored.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “The company will be nice, Rook is cute, and Scar’s in no condition to travel.”

  The lab pup’s ears perked up but his head remained on the floor. He wagged his tail once before giving up. Scar looked pathetic and he sighed miserably.

  “Rook’s cute?” Angst asked in surprise.

  Scar made a lame attempt to rise, yipping hoarsely before settling back onto the floor.

  “I think your friends are here,” Heather said, coyly changing the subject.

  Angst looked at her wryly as he got up to open the door but she merely batted her eyelashes innocently in response. His friends remained on their mounts, looking bedraggled and irritable. This “life of adventure” was not one they craved—they were here solely to save his and Rose’s lives. Hector, Dallow, and Tarness appeared so weary at the idea of travel that he wasn’t sure they even cared about the danger threatening Unsel.

  Heather peered over Angst’s shoulder and noticed immediately. She left the warm house and walked into the cold, approaching them. When she stood beside Hector’s panther, she held her arms out for a concerned hug. “Please take care of my husband and save Rose,” she said. “I’m so worried.”

  It took only one glance at the overly-concerned pregnant woman for the three to dismount and take turns embracing her. Their icy moods broke, her hugs a gentle reminder of how important their mission was.

  “I’m sure we’ll return him healthy, if not happy, within a week,” Hector tried to promise.

  “Then I’ll see you in a month,” Heather replied knowingly.

  Heather turned to Angst and held him for as long as she could. The embrace contained everything she wanted to say. She was sorry they continued to argue, she wanted him and needed him, she loved him and wanted him to hurry home safe. He replied with an equally meaningful embrace, a kiss, and a nod before summoning his own swifen, which was becoming more of a mismatched patchwork each day.

  “Please come home safe, Angst,” Heather asked as they rode off.

  “If we push the swifen we should arrive in Melkier by tomorrow night,” Hector stated stoically, avoiding eye contact with Angst.

  “That’s not a good idea,” Dallow replied. “With Angst’s condition, we should pace ourselves.”

  “My condition?” Angst asked in denial.

  Everyone turned to stare at him with deadpan expressions that told him quite clearly it was time for him to stop talking. He held up his hand to fend off the dirty looks.

  “It’s for your own good, Angst. We need you healthy when we find Dulgirgraut, and the foci will help us locate Rose,” Dallow said without emotion, trying to fight off his concerns with more planning.

  “It’s nothing,” Angst said dismissively, patting his hobbled ram. “This is for Rose. We should push on until I can’t.”

  “Um, Angst, have you seen your swifen?” Tarness asked, his thick eyebrows raised high.

  “I’ll be fine,” Angst argued. His nose itched, the coppery smell of blood already filled his nostrils, and he breathed in deeply to ensure no blood dripped out. “Don’t you think we should push a little, just to test?”

  “Let’s ride awhile and we’ll see how you feel by the end of the day.” Dallow patted his shoulder encouragingly. “We can push tomorrow if you’re feeling better.”

  Angst disagreed, but felt it best to acquiesce. It wasn’t the ideal time to argue—even though his friends were trying to help, he could tell they were frustrated with him. Mayb
e a few hours of casual travel would help smooth over any resentment his friends harbored toward him or their journey.

  The clouds were dark and low and appeared ready to slush at any given moment. His friends trudged along, with their heads tucked in against the malicious wind, and the tension seemed to grow with every step. Now would’ve been the perfect time for Hector to break out in story, ease things up with some manly levity, and Angst desperately sifted through memories to find that one anecdote that would trigger some great prose or minor jest.

  “Does anyone remember Izzy?” Angst said in attempt to get things started. “The pretty girl who followed me around before the Wizard’s Retreat burned down for the last time? She—”

  “We’re being followed.” Hector drew a short sword.

  “I’m pretty sure we aren’t in any danger on the open road like this.” Angst stopped his swifen and looked back down the path. “From here it looks like a messenger. See the red cloak and cowl?”

  “Don’t tell me you’re getting another love note from your girlfriend.” Dallow rolled his eyes.

  “Which girlfriend? I can’t help but be amazing like that,” Angst replied, desperately flippant. “Anyway, the last time we got a message it turned out well.” It had been delivered by Rose, and she’d joined them on the road. “Maybe it will be good news.”

  “I miss Rose, but at least with no women here to distract us, we’ll get this done faster,” Tarness said in his deep voice, trying his best to sound convincing. “What could possibly go wrong?”

  “After we find out what the messenger wants, we’ll push our swifen until dark,” Angst said. “I’m feeling pretty good at the moment.”

  “Oh no.” Hector’s back suddenly stiffened, and he sheathed his sword. “We should ride now. As fast as we can.”

  The messenger’s cloak was red, identical to the one Angst wore, the cowl lifted to cover the courier’s head. At a distance, the small rider appeared to be a young man on a white filly. The horse stopped a hundred feet from the group. There was no message in the dainty hand that reached for the cowl and pulled it back. The long, curly blond locks that fell out revealed the rider’s identity instantly.

  Angst’s breath caught while everyone else sighed with frustrated annoyance.

  “Hi Angst,” Victoria said with wide, excited eyes and a broad smile on her lips.

  Everything that could go wrong, just had.

  17

  “No!” Hector said loud enough to startle the birds from nearby trees. “No. No. No!”

  Much to everyone’s surprise, he dismounted his swifen and grabbed the reins of Victoria’s horse.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Victoria asked incredulously.

  Hector didn’t answer, he just tugged and pulled on the horse’s bit until it faced Unsel. He walked behind the horse and swatted its rear, evidently hoping it would head home. It didn’t move. He smacked it several more times in vain and yelled something that only succeeded in making everyone else jump. The horse did not move.

  Much to Hector’s dismay, Victoria dismounted and approached him. He was easily a head taller than the young princess, which didn’t seem to bother her.

  “I’ve had this horse since I was a child. It won’t move for anyone but me,” she said, staring up at Hector. “Not even for grouchy old men.”

  “You are still a child,” Hector snapped, ignoring her insult, “which is why you’re going straight home.”

  Victoria crossed her arms stubbornly, narrowed her eyes and lifted one thin eyebrow to challenge Hector’s own bushy furrowed brows. Their eyebrows dueled for several seconds as everyone else watched in amazement.

  “Get back on that horse right now, Your Highness,” Hector commanded, pointing in the direction of her horse and Unsel. “And I’ll show you how I can make it move!”

  “You mean like this?” Victoria asked. She pulled a strap on the horse’s back, releasing a small duffel which fell to the ground. She then whispered in the horse’s ear and it took off toward Unsel. “See, you don’t always need to beat things for them to obey. Not always.”

  Hector’s mouth gaped open as wide as his eyes. When he finally turned back to the others, he saw they all had the same look. All but Angst who didn’t bother to cover his smirk with his hand.

  “This is your problem, Angst.” Hector jerked his thumb toward the princess.

  Angst dismounted and walked over to his friend. He leaned his head to one side for a better glimpse of what she wore under the heavy winter riding cloak, making her blush. Her outfit was similar to the one she’d once given Rose—tight black leather riding pants, thigh high boots, and a very tight leather corset. He wanted to pull the cloak back for a better look, but knew he would never hear the end of it. Even though she knew every thought passing through his head, he couldn’t help but smile and gawk.

  “Tori, what do you think you’re doing?” Angst finally asked, as gently as he could.

  “I told you, I’m coming with,” she answered with wide eyes, silently pleading with him to keep her secret.

  Angst looked over his shoulder and nodded at his friends reassuringly. Hector wouldn’t make eye contact. Tarness rested his chin on the palm of his hand, apparently waiting for the inevitable. Dallow just shook his head in disapproval.

  “I know you want to come with, but it’s going to be dangerous,” Angst warned.

  “If I don’t come with, you’re going to die,” she whispered so quietly Angst could barely hear her.

  “But, if you were hurt—”

  “I know you’ll keep me safe,” Victoria said sweetly.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Hector mumbled as he kicked at a stone in frustration.

  Dallow and Tarness sighed loudly behind him, and his cheeks and ears warmed with flush. Victoria smirked ever so slightly. She was enjoying this. He was tempted to give in, but put on his best stern face.

  “This isn’t going to be just some trip to Melkier. We also have to find Rose, and save Unsel,” Angst said firmly. “It’s going to be dangerous,” he repeated.

  “You said that, Angst,” she said, her patience wearing thin.

  “Why did you send your horse home?” he asked.

  “I’m riding with you, silly,” she replied as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. She turned and addressed the others’ dumbfounded looks as though speaking to children. “My horse can’t ride as fast as your swifen.”

  “But how will you get home without your horse?” Angst asked in frustration.

  “On your swifen,” she answered. “When we’re done with our adventure!”

  “Tori, we don’t have time to go back to Unsel!” Angst’s voice rose along with his frustration. “We have to—”

  “Why would you go back to Unsel,” she shouted back, “when we are going to Melkier?”

  “No!” Hector barked from his swifen.

  “I’ll handle this,” Angst said back over his shoulder. He turned to Victoria and yelled, “No!”

  “Yes!” she shouted, stomping her foot with finality. “I order you!”

  “There is absolutely no way I’m letting you come with!” Angst said resolutely.

  The first two hours of riding with Victoria were frustrating on several levels. Angst wanted her to sit behind him, but she complained about his armor being cold, and that he couldn’t always hear her, which made her repeat herself. When she sat in front of him, he was distracted by the smell of strawberries, the way she settled back into him “for warmth,” and her hair that was always in his face. He finally gave in, and did his best to pay attention while riding with his arms around her.

  The ceiling of clouds was dark with storm, and seemed to press cold air down onto them. The tiniest pieces of snowflakes fell on occasion, threatening a greater storm. Hector rode far ahead of everyone, so angry Angst was certain he heard a non-stop verbal onslaught of ugly cursing trailing behind Hector.

  “You realize your mother is going to kill us,
” Angst said quietly. “And if she doesn’t kill you, she’s going to make you watch the rest of us die.”

  Victoria giggled.

  “I’m serious,” Angst tried again. “You’re going to feel really bad!”

  “Why aren’t we going faster?” Victoria asked, changing the subject.

  “I’m...not up to full strength after the Rose...Chryslaenor...thing,” he said, embarrassed.

  “Well, my being here will make you feel much better,” she said confidently.

  He didn’t want to say it out loud, but he hadn’t thought about the pain since she’d arrived. Victoria was a welcome distraction from the others’ bitterness. Having her with him lifted his spirits, despite his worry for her safety. He really did feel better.

  “See, it’s working already!” she said, commenting on his thoughts.

  “What?” he asked then whispered, “Are you going to do that the entire trip?”

  “Do what?” she replied innocently, looking around to make sure the others didn’t hear. “You know I wear the strawberry because you like it? Enjoy it while it lasts, I didn’t bring any with.”

  Angst couldn’t help but laugh.

  “So why’s Hector riding so far ahead of us?” Victoria said in a normal tone.

  “He gets upset when he doesn’t get his way,” Angst answered quietly. “He’s acting just like Ivan did.”

  “I can hear you,” Hector shouted over his shoulder. “Both of you.”

  Victoria turned to smile at Angst, and he realized she’d done that on purpose. After several minutes, Hector slowed to join the rest of the group.

  “I didn’t think it was supposed to thunder when it snowed,” Tori said.

  “It’s unusual,” replied Hector curtly, staring forward and not looking at the princess once.

  “Why does he hate me?” she whispered to Angst.

  “Actually, right now he hates me. You’re just getting the overflow,” Angst said loudly enough for Hector to hear. “I’m used to a bit of hate, so no need to let it bother you. All Hector needs is a draft of mead or a kick in the pants. Or both.”