by Jenn Nixon
He told her of the siege of Hentor while Himloc’s predecessor, Grettil was in power. “The neighboring province of Ullibro tried to extend their land borders. Their Province Keeper and his men attacked and slaughtered thousands of our people. Grettil, considered a great strategist, set a trap for the army on the outskirts of Buali. When the Ullibros arrived, Grettil’s army emerged from every tree, rock, and patch of dirt, ultimately defeating their aggressors, and securing their lands. Quite glorious.”
Always enjoying a story of old, Tiva inadvertently gave Solun all her attention, which tore her from the mission. She struggled to control and balance everything, and the more they ventured into the populace of the town, the harder she strained to absorb everything. Tiva continued listening, but forcefully split her attention, keeping alert to the goings on around her.
Weary after a long stretch of walking, listening to Solun, and trying to keep her eyes and senses on all else near, Tiva leaned against the wall of a garment shop and paused.
“Tiva?” Solun stopped short as her arm slipped from his.
“Perhaps we did not rest long enough? I still feel drawn from the chase,” she said and immediately forced herself to focus. She reached for his arm and smiled slightly. “Another drink would be nice.”
“Forgive me, Tiva, my tongue has run off with the wind. I have claimed your ear and attention through evening meal!” he confessed apologetically. “One cannot expect such a lovely lady to bear the tired tales of a long ago past and not stop for comfort.”
“Your recount of history has struck a chord with me, Solun. I do not think I could ever tire of hearing you speak.” As the words came out of her mouth, in the back of her mind they rang true. Dal’s words filled her thoughts as well, they believe in what it is they fight for. Exactly what that was, she needed to find out for herself.
“Now you flatter me.” He grinned, the markings on his forehead lightening to a soft purplish-pink. “Accompany me, and we will feast on the finest food Hentor has to offer.”
The invitation was enthralling on many levels, but there was still so much to see in the town. Should she risk spending more time with Solun and miss the chance to meet others? If he continued his tales, would she learn more but become charmed with his natural qualities? Either choice held answers beyond her sight.
“I would be most honored,” she said.
“I will take you to the finest establishment in Buali.” Solun smiled and led her through the middle of town to the first alley near the gate. On the corner was a bright golden brick and cerulean stained glass shop. The doorframe, made of silver wood, crowned by a sign: ‘Etham’s Eatery’, swung open when they approached. They entered to a boisterous gathering of people. Several legionnaires, not on assignment with her mission, and province guardsmen, drank and ate together in the middle of the room. Townspeople and families filled out the remaining tables.
Solun found them an empty table and called for a server. He ordered for them both, and Tiva used the extra time to survey the room. Keeping her movements guarded, she allowed her senses to open fully. Nothing struck her as odd, yet, she remained as observant as she could while in Solun’s company.
Again, he spun tales of the province as they enjoyed their food. Then slowly they melded with a story from his past. His father, a guardsman for Himloc was involved in the fight with the king’s agents, the same fight that brought her father back to this province after Ispek’s death.
Solun spoke of his father’s near capture and exile into the mountains of Hentor with perfect recollection. “The Royal Guardians came to Hentor ready to defeat Himloc’s army. They succeeded, but my father was one of the lucky. He was deceived by Himloc, who was betrayed himself, and though Himloc is paying the price for his defiance on the Lost Island, my father walks the peaks of the mountains a free, but wanted man.” Solun gritted his teeth and balled his hand into a fist. Tiva reacted immediately, though unexpectedly, and rested her hand on his. He gazed into her eyes and smiled. “He is safe. He is not a shell of his former self, rotting in captivity, nor has he gone to the Eternal Lands, so I am grateful.”
“Who deceived your father and the Province Keeper?”
Solun shrugged. “We do not know. It is a riddle yet to be unraveled, though I will see it done, eventually.”
Tiva bowed her head slight and drank from her glass. The more he spoke, the more it convinced her he held the knowledge she sought. Solun would be her focal point. She could still be aware of all around her, but everything she felt pushed her to him. Solun finished his stories with the bequeathing of his father’s knife. Understanding the importance of heirlooms, she became captivated as he remembered the moment in perfect clarity. As he recounted his feelings, Tiva realized they were very much alike in certain ways. The sudden thought made her shiver. If indeed they were alike, what madness could drive him to an underground faction who defied the king?
The troublesome thoughts distracted her, but she recovered before Solun noticed. When he spoke no more, he finished his ale and smiled at her.
“Thank you for the company, meal, and fine stories. I should like to meet again with you, sometime.” She smiled back.
“My business still carries me into town every day, and I am free for mid-day meal…” Solun began.
“Only if you allow me to take you somewhere.”
“I will be at your mercy, wherever you wish to go, I shall follow,” he said and helped her from the chair. “May I escort you to your hover?”
“I came by foot, but if you wish to see me to the gates…”
“Say no more, it is done.”
As they walked, Solun asked Tiva of her province. She recalled a few well-known stories of Whettland that she learned from legionnaires. Nothing spectacular, but far from bland, she offered him a nice blend of struggle and prosperity of the province. She weaved in one story of her childhood, a gathering of her father’s Remembrance. She offered no names, only fun accounts of games and celebration. Solun seemed satisfied when they reached the gate, and gently kissed her wrist before she departed.
The town glowed behind her as she walked the road away. She gathered enough information to fill another report. Sifting through the different stories Solun told, and everything else she observed, she became lost in thought.
Something struck her from behind and knocked her over.
Pushing up to her knees, she spun around to see two large men towering above. She lowered her hand slowly and seamlessly pulled up the cuff of her pants.
“Look at this little lady walking among our road alone…” one said.
“On such a moonless night,” the other said.
“Speak of what you want!” She raised her voice.
“Feisty, you are.” The first moved closer. “We shall rid you of all your goods, so your travels may seem lighter.”
The second roared with laughter and pulled out a knife. Both men were dressed in tattered clothing, but she was unsure of who they were and what training they possessed. She gripped the handle of her father’s dagger and in a swift motion rose to her feet and disarmed the knife wielder.
“Oh, a bit of skill she has?” the first chortled, drawing a short sword. “Don’t make us harm you, little lady, would be a shame to put a scar upon you.”
Tiva stepped back, flipping the dagger in her hand. The two men closed in and as she was about to attack, she felt another presence near. It was familiar, but clouded. Without taking any chances, she dove between the two men, tucked into a roll, and jumped to her feet before they moved. They turned and growled, obviously miffed.
“Graceful and swift as a bird, but do you have the strength? I think not!” The second lunged at her.
She sloppily, but purposefully, dodged. Ducking to the left as the first man attacked from her side, she allowed the second to strike her arm in the pretense of a block.
“Halt!” Solun’s voice resonated through the trees. The men stopped and turned. “If you wish to die, stay and fight, but you
are outnumbered.”
Her assailants fled before Solun finished his words. Tiva rose to her feet. Behind Solun were his two friends and three others all carrying knives and daggers. Still holding her weapon, she dropped it, grabbed her arm, and slumped against a tree. She cringed in pain, though it did sting, her actions created more urgency than warranted.
“She is hurt!” Unil said.
“No, no,” she sluggishly pulled herself up, “I am just scratched.”
“Here, permit me to help.” Solun appeared at her side and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Thank you.”
“I am sorry, Tiva. I should not have allowed you to leave unattended. Thieves live in these woods and occasionally prey upon people who wander the road.”
“Don’t blame yourself, Solun, I knew the risk. I was careless and not paying attention.”
“We must get you to a healer, the wound is shallow, but you require a dressing. Then I will take you home.”
Solun held onto Tiva as the group walked back into town. They approached the field and entered the healing house on the edge of the north corner. The healers tended to her quickly as there were few other patients, and when through, she thanked Unil and the others for their help. Outside, she searched for Solun, but he had disappeared. His friends took their leave of the healing house, but before Bumo was from her sight, he turned back.
“Solun has gone to get his hover, he asks that you wait for him.”
“I will. Many thanks, Bumo.” She waved him off, sat on the stairs of the healing house to rest. She stayed to get answers. Why were Solun and his friends on the road? Had she not felt his presence, both thieves would be hurt or worse, and if Solun saw her tactics, she would have much to explain. Yet, she disliked feigning weakness, but she did as ordered—she hoped it was the correct choice.
A small hover exited a nearby alley and floated toward her. Solun jumped out after the vehicle stopped. He was excited about something. Tiva rose from the stairs as he approached, but paid little mind to his overwhelming happiness. He escorted her to the hover then secured himself on the driver’s side.
“Are you well, Tiva?”
“Yes, the healers dressed the wound. It aches some, but I am sure it will be fine after a night’s rest.” She smiled hoping to allay his concerns. He chuckled slightly. “Do you find something amusing?”
“Not amusing, just intriguing. I saw you with the dagger in your hand, you were ready to defend yourself till the end, no matter the cost.”
“True, though I was lucky to have you and your friends show. Were you traveling home as well?” she said, waiting for a false reply.
“No, no, Bumo and Unil saw the two hoodlums leaving the square and called the rest of us to follow. They were unaware you left earlier, but thankfully you were not harmed further.” He started the hover and piloted it though the main road to the entry gates. “You have some skill, have you thought of training further?”
“My father is helping me some, he believes everyone must know how to protect themselves, I am no exception in his eyes.”
“A good man. Perhaps I can help as well.”
“I will consider any help you offer, Solun.”
“We shall speak more when we meet on the morrow. Now, I must get you home to rest.”
Solun brought her to the end of the alley. She lied and said her family would be sleeping and she didn’t wish to wake them. Reluctantly he let her go, but promised to see her for midday meal. When the sound of his hover faded in the darkness, Tiva dashed through the alley back to the house. Kevler stood near the patched forest, and stirred when she inched closer.
“Greetings, dearest one. How did your day fare?” he said.
“Eventful,” she said and showed the healers dressing. “Two men attempted to rob me. It is only a mere scratch, because my contact, Solun, and his friends were near. I allowed them to rescue me.”
Kevler laughed and pulled her into his arms. “Lucky for them. You would have thrashed them, I am sure.” He kissed her forehead. “I am glad you are doing well on your mission. Would you like to give us your report before heading to sleep?”
“Yes, I believe Solun is the key to my attending a faction meeting.”
“So quickly?”
“No one else has approached me—he did—though for other reasons at first. I think his attention was divided, but with all that happened today, I have a good feeling.”
“Wonderful. Come and tell us all about it, and afterwards you must contact Mother, she wishes to speak with you.”
Tiva followed him into the control center. Dal, Defor, and the others were surveying maps and talking softly when they entered. Finding a seat, she waited for her father to interrupt the group. He whispered in Dal’s ear and the others took a seat. He motioned her to the table, and she again recounted what happened in town. Razzil and Terno seemed impressed with her story of the char-beast, but she continued on, telling of what she learned from Solun.
After finishing with the blundered attack, she concluded. “My feelings are directing me to keep with Solun. As I told my father earlier, no others have approached me, and the groups of young people from the field are friends of Solun, I think he is the best source. I am to meet with him tomorrow, and I will either get him to confess his true interests, or continue on and try and find another contact.”
“You have everything working perfectly,” Dal said. “Whether luck or pure skill, I think you’ve found the right path.”
“Agreed, we researched Solun and have found plenty of information about his father. He is still wanted by the king. So you must be cautious,” Razzil said.
“I understand. I will see where I am led, and take whatever action necessary,” Tiva said.
Kevler dismissed her, and she happily returned to her room. Once cleaned, dressed, and comfortable in her bed, she took out her PCD and contacted her mother. It was wonderful to hear her voice. Only two days had passed, but Tiva missed her family. She kept the conversation short, so not to worry her mother, and eventually fell asleep.
*
Dreams came to her in the night. The char-beast, larger and more ferocious, chased her. This time, however, she caught the animal bare handed and released it in the mountains far from people. When she woke, sadness filled her. Unnecessary taking of life, regardless of the type, brought heaviness to her heart. Not exactly a wanted trait for a guardian, but she could not change the way she felt. Even a wild creature of the mountains deserved the chance to survive. She wished Solun had not killed the char-beast, but it did little good to dwell on what had happened.
She rose from the comfort of the sleep couch, and wasted no time getting ready. Before a sound stirred in the house, Tiva made her way back into town.
The second sun peeked over the horizon when she sauntered past the town gates. Wandering the grounds and watching people fill in one by one, she longed for her home. She missed her siblings and friends. Determined to gain access to the meeting and learn what she could, kept her spirits high. She would succeed and return home.
Strolling around the statue of Hentor, she noticed children gathering in the playing field. If the groups were forming already, Solun was most likely near, if her suspicions were correct. She kept a casual pace and walked the edge of the field. Approaching the healing house, she heard her name called from behind, when she turned—by spirits will, perhaps—Solun was striding toward her.
“Blessed morning, lovely Tiva.”
“Spirited greetings, Solun.” She smiled. “I did not expect to see you this early.”
“Business brings me here.” He paused as if to think and offered his arm. “Would you care to join me?”
“I don’t wish to interfere.”
“Nonsense, you are most welcome.”
“Then maybe I can offer my assistance. Are you selling wares?”
“Oh, no, no, I am meeting with the others. You will see, come.”
Graciously, she followed him into the field.
As they neared, several of the young children fell in step behind him. Curious, but only observing, Tiva kept the questions in her mind, and silently walked with the others. They reached the far end of the field and in the distance; she spotted a small structure hidden in a plot of tall brush. She slowed her step, and Solun nudged her with a grin.
The dark-burgundy door of the structure opened and Bumo stepped out to greet them. Young children rushed in and vanished from sight. Tiva entered to find a steep set of stairs leading deep underground. Carefully, she trekked down, her eyes and senses sharp, but guarded. When the stairs ended, she waited for Solun and he escorted her through a murky corridor and finally into a small, dimly lit room full of children of all ages. Bumo offered her a seat, which she gladly accepted and used the few moments to familiarize herself with the surroundings.
She marveled at how alike the control center and this hidden room were. Though the décor was different, maps, writings, plans, and other information related to the cause adorned the room. She barely noticed Solun slip through the crowd and step up on a platform.
“A new day is here,” he bellowed. Everyone turned to him and she was no exception. “New friends we have made and hopefully new allies. Many of you know Tiva from the chase with the char-beast.” Heads bobbed with acknowledgment. “I have invited her here to meet all of you. Her noble move to keep the beast from harming us is worthy of our cause, for we are all here to help others.”
Several turned and smiled at her, a few glanced at her, their expressions neutral. Unil and Bumo grinned pleasingly. The beating of her heart grew rapid, this was her purpose, this was her reason for being here, and it was all coming together. Solun jumped from the platform and paced the room.
“The time is upon us to gather our strength and begin training. All of you here have been selected to represent your families’ names in the eyes of Pethor and help keep alive his vision for the future,” Solun said proudly and the group cheered. “Everyday you will meet here after lessons and train. Bumo, Unil and I will be your instructors. We ask only that you come with an open heart, mind, and a willingness to learn. I know many of you have questions, but I have promised our new friend, Tiva, to join her for midday meal.” A few giggles cut through the room. “So, I leave you all in the hands of your captains.” He motioned to his two friends and the others clapped. Solun circled the group. Tiva stood up as he neared. “Have you decided where we are going?”
