Treachery in Tarnstead

by Robyn Wideman

  “They aren’t warriors. Rayan is. He’s also mean. I want to be mean.”

  Kiana’s brow furrowed. “You think Rayan is mean? He is always nice to me. I’ve never seen him be mean to anyone.”

  “He’s nice to us, but he’s the type of fighter who’d be mean and vicious in battle. He’s someone you wouldn’t want to see across the battlefield.”

  “I can’t see it.”

  “Ava does,” said Rose softly.

  That caught Kiana off guard. While it was easy to discount the idea of Rayan being mean if it was possibly just Rose’s imagination. It was another thing if Ava sensed it. Who knew what someone from the spirit world could tell that she couldn’t? “Perhaps you are right.”

  The girls reached the courtyard outside of the mountain castle. Rose led Kiana to the middle of the courtyard to the fountain. As soon as she spotted the magical fountain Kiana knew what Rose was talking about. The spray from the fountain was magically enhanced to look like a couple dancing, dancing around and around, just like the clue from their list. “Good thinking, Rose. Let’s see if they used a rune to make the fountain.” Kiana then used the reveal magic spell and sure enough, on the stones at the base of the fountain was a glowing rune, carved right into the stone.

  “Yes. I knew it,” said Rose, throwing her arm into the air in a victory salute.

  Kiana smiled. Rose’s enthusiasm was contagious. “Good job, Rose, hopefully tomorrow we can figure out what the rest of the runes on the list are.”

  “Maybe, but I didn’t see anything that wasn’t confusing garbly gook.”

  “You never know what a good night’s sleep will bring. Sometimes I end up dreaming about things and wake up with an answer I never imagined the previous day.”

  “Good, maybe you’ll figure the rest out,” said Rose with a smile. “Come on, let’s go see what is for supper. I’m starving.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” said Kiana as she followed Rose into the castle. The castle always impressed Kiana every time she saw it. It wasn’t a fancy building, but it truly was a testament to the power of Nathan’s magical powers and creativity. By building the castle right into the side of the mountain they created an incredibly secure building. There was only one way in to the castle, through the canyon valley, because of how steep the mountains were here it was impossible for an attacking force to get over the mountain. A single warrior, or a small group of warriors could gain entry by climbing the rock face, but the same could be said of any building. If a person wanted in they would find a way. Kiana herself was an expert in sneaking into places she didn’t belong.

  Aside from the strategic value of the location of the castle, the way it was built was amazing. By using his earth magic to cut large blocks of stone out of the mountain, Nathan had created the huge stone blocks used to build the outer walls that protected the entire canyon valley. In just over six months they’d built a kingdom. The kingdom wasn’t complete by any means. Even Nathan’s castle was still a work in progress, and the magic school would take years to finish, but everyone who’d came from Balta had a place to call their own. The canyon was secured and fortified. It was an accomplishment all Balta could be proud of. It certainly was something Kiana was proud of. She’d moved more than her fair share of the giant stones from one end of the canyon to the other. And she had an entire assortment of spells she was working on with her mother for the lunar festival. Perhaps she would incorporate some of the new runes she was learning this week into her plans. The more she thought about it, the lesson on runes was perfectly timed, perhaps too perfectly to be a coincidence. Had her mother arranged the timing of the lessons? It was exactly the sort of thing she would do, or Rose’s Aunt Avera would do, she was sneaky like that too.

  9

  Nathan wiped his brow as he stood with Camille waiting for the village elders. They were in Layton, the village closest to the badlands, and it was unlike anything he’d ever seen in Solotine.

  Lush vegetation surrounded the village like a cloak. Camille had explained to him they believed thermal vents from the nearby volcanoes of the badlands created the humidity that helped make the lands so lush and green. It reminded Nathan of the jungles south of Balta.

  The village itself was simple. Only a few hundred people lived in Layton, making it the equivalent of Birchone, the trading village south of New Balta and Elderwood. The buildings were slightly different than what Nathan was used to seeing. They used a wood that grew like swamp reeds except much thicker and bigger. The village also had wooden walking bridges everywhere. The bridges were beautiful, works of art that were functional.

  Camille noted Nathan examining the bridges. “Beautiful, aren’t they? Layton often gets heavy rains that flood the village. The bridges become the main transportation routes.”

  “Why build the village here then? Why not build somewhere that doesn’t get flooded?”

  Camille smiled and pointed to the fields at the south end of the village. “The floods help the crops. They grow gwuala here. It loves water and the floods are welcome.”

  Nathan had never seen gwuala before, but he had eaten gwuala bread. It was a favorite in Venecia. Soft with a slightly nutty flavor, Nathan had found it delicious.

  “Gwuala bread is the main food here. The bread is served with other vegetables or with meat and sauces. Gwuala gives you much energy and is very filling,” said Camille. “Gwuala seeds are great for traveling in the badlands.”

  “Does the gwuala in Venecia come from here?” asked Nathan.

  “Some. There are large gwuala farms outside Bompa that take most of Venecia’s trade. Most of Layton’s trade comes when the weather isn’t good in Bompa.”

  “Interesting. Do you think they would be interested in trade with Elderwood?”

  “Ask them yourself, here come the elders now,” said Camille.

  The elders were a trio, two men and one woman. All three were dressed in bright robes covering most of their bodies. The men had shaved heads, while the older woman had her hair up in an intricate braid that circled her head, almost like a crown. Camille bowed her head to the elders as they walked to them. “Greetings. This is Nathan Stoneblood of Elderwood.”

  The woman was standing between the two men. She smiled, nodding at Nathan. “A pleasure to meet you Nathan Stoneblood. I’m Itana, and this is Octavio and Galindo. Welcome to Layton.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. You have a lovely village. It’s very beautiful. The bridges are very impressive.”

  “Thank you. Tell me, Nathan Stoneblood, what brings you to Layton?”

  “Camille tells me you know of Elderwood?”

  “Yes, our traders have told us the stories they hear in Bompa and in Venecia. We were told Balta was attacked and the people fled to open lands to the east of here, between the badlands and the Kingdom of Tarnstead.”

  “This is true. And it is why I am here. I know my neighbors to the north, east, and to the south, but I know little of my western neighbors. That is why I’ve come to Layton.”

  Itana nodded. “A good policy but crossing the badlands can be very dangerous.”

  “Yes. I found that out,” said Nathan. “But it is well worth the danger. Going north is also very dangerous, but we’ve built good relations with Northern Solotine, and good trade.”

  “You think Elderwood and Layton should be trade partners?”

  Nathan shrugged. “I do not know, I think it is something to discuss. Gwuala is a good crop but it isn’t common in Eastern Solotine. There would be a market for it. Camille tells me you mostly trade in Bompa.”

  Itana nodded. “There and in Venecia. Sometimes it is best for us to trade directly with Venecia. Bompa already has plenty of gwuala. Sometimes traders from Birchone will come across the badlands but not very often.”

  “Depending on what you are looking for, I could arrange for trade between Elderwood and Layton. Elderberries are our main resource right now, but we are growing and diversifying. I can also bring grains and m
aterials from Tarnstead.”

  “Traversing the badlands is difficult. Even more challenging when trying to bring wagons or mules through. The terrain, as you have seen, is most difficult.”

  “Our mages could float containers across the badlands,” said Nathan.

  “Ah, so it is true. Elderwood is openly using magic,” said Octavio, speaking for the first time.

  “Yes. I intend for all of Solotine to see Elderwood as a magical kingdom.”

  “That could be very dangerous. Solotine has a very dark history when it comes to magic,” said Octavio.

  Nathan nodded. “I know well how magic is received in Solotine. It was why I had to leave Northern Solotine. Even as the king’s grandson I wasn’t safe there. However, I believe this is a situation that can be rectified. Elderwood is in a unique position where we can show Solotine magic without being a threat. They can see the beauty of magic, the usefulness of good magic in the right hands and realize it isn’t something to be feared.”

  “A courageous attitude, but one we can’t afford here,” said Octavio. “For hundreds of years our people were hunted. It was only when we came here that we gained safety from persecution.”

  “I understand,” said Nathan.

  “However, as much as we can’t share your open enthusiasm of magic, I do believe we could be trade partners. Elderberries and the wine are expensive in Bompa. We would do well in trade with Elderwood. We will consider your proposition.”

  “Thank you,” said Nathan.

  “Now, would you do the honor of joining us for dinner. We don’t often get visitors from the east, it would be good to get an update on the goings on from your side of the badlands,” said Galindo.

  “What Galindo means is come eat and tell us titillating tales. He’s an old gossip and loves to hear what is happening in other people’s lives,” said Itana. “Camille, why don’t you show Nathan around while we prepare the meal.”

  Camille bowed. “As you wish.”

  Nathan followed Camille’s lead and gave a small bow as the village elders turned and left them.

  “Come, I’ll introduce you to the village guardians,” said Camille.

  “Guardians?”

  Camille smiled. “You didn’t notice them? They will be pleased to hear that.” She then put her hands to her mouth and made a bird call.

  From the trees behind them dropped two men, another stepped out from behind a hut and another from inside one. All were armed with bows and looked fierce. The men were lean and chiseled and all had the look of seasoned warriors. As they walked up, the one who’d been inside the hut hugged Camille and gave her a big smile. “Cousin, it is good to see you. I see you’ve been hunting in the badlands again.”

  Camille grinned. “Two troll skins, and an easterner. A very good haul. It is good to see you as well, Feli.” She turned to the others. “Salvin, Calisto, Benet, this is Nathan Stoneblood.”

  “Stoneblood? We’ve heard of you,” said Feli. “You are the one Duke Evollan was hunting.”

  Nathan was surprised to hear the duke’s name being mention. It seemed they really did keep track of the goings-on in the east. “Yes. I am that Stoneblood. I’m surprised you heard about me.”

  Felix shrugged. “You shouldn’t be. The destruction of your village was a sad day. Some of the village traders knew your mother. Also, a horde of Baltans arriving in Venecia was big news. When it was declared they were heading north to the Kingdom of Elderwood we were somewhat surprised, considering the only Elderwood we knew was a ruined village. It was equally surprising Tarnstead would allow it.”

  “I’m not sure Tarnstead intended to allow it,” admitted Nathan. “Count Mavane made the decision for them. He used his rights to grant me the lands surrounding the village of Elderwood. He knew my family’s people were coming and he arranged it, so the old village would be a border. As long as the people of Balta went to the west of the old village they weren’t ever in the Kingdom of Tarnstead.”

  “I see,” said Feli. “A wise move on his part. Deflecting a potential problem while solidifying a powerful ally.”

  Nathan shrugged. “We shall see how wise it was, it has caused him some grief in the capital. The king wasn’t pleased to hear about it, but he has accepted it, for now.”

  “From what we know of King Parth, that could change at any moment. He is rather volatile,” said Feli.

  “Very true,” said Nathan. “However, King Parth has much bigger problems than Elderwood. The cities of Tarnstead are very unhappy and there are rumors of revolt.”

  “That is what we hear as well,” said Feli.

  Salvin stepped closer to Nathan and reached out to touch his chest. “Your armor, is that vraber skin?”

  Nathan nodded. Normally, he wore a light weight tunic over his armor, but in the humid heat of the badlands he’d taken it off, that and it was already partly shredded from his encounter with the troll. “Yes. It’s saved me more than a few times.”

  “It takes an accomplished warrior to kill vrabers. I didn’t even think their hide could be turned into armor,” said Salvin.

  Nathan chuckled. “An accomplished warrior or a very lucky one. I was traveling in the north with my uncle when we were attacked by a pack of vraber. We almost didn’t make it out of there. It was lucky we discovered their weak point is their mouths. I used a little magic to make the armor.”

  Feli grunted in amusement. “Two men against a pack of vraber? That takes more than luck. It seems my cousin has met someone worthy of her.”

  Nathan wasn’t sure what Feli meant by that and he looked to Camille for elaboration, but the girl blushed and looked away.

  “It looks like the elders are ready for dinner,” said Calisto.

  “Good,” said Feli. “Perhaps the elders will get Nathan to tell us more of his trip to the north. I have a feeling this is a story I would like to hear.” Feli winked at Nathan. “The elders will use food and drink to pry details of the east out of you. Be prepared for a long night of you telling stories.”

  It didn’t bother Nathan to tell these people his stories. He liked what he saw in Layton. And he got the feeling this dinner was a test of sorts. If he lied or told stories that didn’t line up with what they already knew of Elderwood and Tarnstead he would likely find himself politely asked to leave, or worse. Feli and the other village guardians, as friendly as they were now, didn’t look like they would hesitate to kill him if they thought him a threat. While they had admired his vraber skin armor, Nathan had noticed all of them were wearing troll skin gauntlets, and he suspected they all had troll skin armor under their garments.

  Camille and the guardians led Nathan to the elder’s hut. It was large and unlike any Nathan had seen before. In the middle of the room was a large fire pit with metal grills across it, creating multiple cooking surfaces. There was also a portion of the fire pit that was covered in clay. It was like a baker’s oven and a fire pit combined into one central cooking area. Around the cooking area was a knee-high bench that went around the entire room about six feet from the cooking area in a square horseshoe shape.

  The elders were all inside the horseshoe, working on the meal. The smell of cooking meats and breads filled the room.

  “Have a seat” said Itana.

  Nathan looked around the room, he was unsure where Itana wanted him to sit.

  Camille pulled him to the middle of the horseshoe. “Honored guests sit here.” She sat on the ground cross-legged in front of the bench.

  Nathan sat on the ground beside Camille. The floor was a highly polished wood but when he sat it felt soft and cushiony. He glanced over at Camille in question.

  “Yes, the elder’s hut has some magical enhancements. They would’ve made the floor seem normal if you were someone who didn’t know about our magic use.”

  Nathan watched as Feli and the other guardians sat around the horseshoe. Feli sat to Nathan’s right while the others spread themselves around the horseshoe, casually flopping down to the ground and ma
king themselves comfortable. However, their eyes stayed on Nathan. Polite or not, the guardians had no intentions of risking their elders to a visit with a warrior they didn’t know. It was an attitude Nathan could respect. These were troubling times and as Nathan knew well an attack could come from anywhere.

  Octavio put plates on the bench in front of Nathan and the others. “This is klama.”

  Camille grinned. “My favorite. Spiced chicken and sausage baked right into gwuala bread.”

  “It’s damn hot,” said Feli. “but very tasty. The elders make it every time Camille comes to visit.”

  Nathan watched as Camille took a bite of the klama. He noticed the way she licked her lips before taking a bite, as if already savoring the flavor before even tasting it. Picking up his piece of klama, Nathan could smell the spices. It was a combination of peppers and herbs and the distinctive smell of the gwuala bread itself. He bit into the fresh baked delicacy. The klama was delicious. The soft bread seemed to melt in his mouth leaving the spicy meats to be chewed.

  Galindo put a goblet of wine in front of Nathan. “We make our klama a little extra spicy when Camille is here. The wine will help rinse away the heat.”

  At first Nathan thought they were exaggerating the hotness of the spices. They gave him a warm tingle, but certainly weren’t the hottest foods he’d ever eaten. But then after a couple bites his mouth got even hotter. The spicy heat was a slow starter but was now fully engaged.

  Grabbing the goblet of wine, Nathan took a healthy swig of the alcohol. The cool, wet drink eased the fire of the spicy klama down to a very enjoyable level. “It’s very tasty,” he said before taking another bite.

  “The trick is to take a small sip of the wine after every bite,” said Feli. “Heat, cool, heat, cool. That way you always can enjoy the flavors. Don’t eat it like Camille. She just goes hot, hot, and hotter. She’s a savage.”

  Camille just smiled and took another bite. Nathan noted she hadn’t touched her wine. She really did like the spicy heat.

  After the klama, Itana served Nathan another bread. “This one is buhana. Gwuala bread, sweetened with honey and then filled with fruit.”