by Keith Walsh
Durok knew his wife was upset and felt terrible for having been the cause but he had offered his help to Grott and he would not go back on that. He considered for a moment going to her side to comfort her but he knew her to be a proud woman and that she would not want others to see her cry, so he let it be. Magnus returned to the table. The exchange between Durok and his wife had taken the wind out of his rabble-rousing speech. Grott looked at him then both men regarded Durok but no one said anything, a silent understanding passing between the three. The silence eventually broke with the sound of vomiting and they all turned to see the stranger emptying his stomach onto the floor.
“Oh for the Gods’ sake,” yelled Grott. “Can someone please see this idiot to his room?” Durok grabbed the stranger by the scruff and heaved him to his feet. “I’ve got him,” he said. The stranger smiled at him, a few chunks of vomit still stuck to the side of his mouth and Durok gulped, fighting back the nausea that threatened to overwhelm him. He knelt slightly, allowing the strangers body to fall over his shoulder before catching and holding his legs. Then he rose and headed for the stairs. “First door on the left,” said Grott as Durok passed him. “It should be open,” he added, before looking to Magnus. “Can you help me lock up?”
“Of course,” replied Magnus, pushing away from the table he rested against to stand tall. “Thank you,” said Grott, gesturing for Magnus to help him up. “I think it best if we all stay here tonight. Free of charge of course,” he added, smiling. Magnus smiled back while helping him to his feet. “Are you and Durok okay to stay?” Grott asked Lucy. She didn’t turn around but nodded her response. “Okay, good,” said Grott, and with the help of Magnus they ambled towards the bar to get the keys.
Durok arrived at the door to the stranger’s room and just as Grott had predicted it was open. Entering, he eyed the bed and swinging his body in a downward motion tossed the stranger onto it. “Thank you Sir,” said a slurred voice. “You’re welcome,” replied Durok, positioning the drunken cripple so he lay on his side. Happy the stranger was safely in bed he made to exit, but before leaving he paused. “May I ask your name?” he said, preparing to close the door.
“Dallious,” the stranger managed to reply before drifting off.
Chapter 11
Gallant awoke to Amber’s little hands shaking his massive frame. “Mr Giant, wake up,” she said, pushing against his shoulder with all her strength. His senses restored now, Gallant noted the urgency with which she pushed. “I’m awake Princess, what’s wrong?” he asked rising purposefully. He didn’t have to wait for an answer from her.
Standing now he saw a circle of fur surrounding where Amber had slept. “I crept over them,” said Amber, looking up at her protector with a worried face. “Them?” frowned Gallant, looking down at her and keeping his voice low. Before any answer could come he looked to the fur again and fear gripped him as he realised it was sleeping wolves. He counted six, their bodies slowly rising up and down as they slept peacefully. “What’s all the commotion,” came a voice from behind him and Gallant recognised it as Callis.
“Quiet,” said Gallant, trying his best to keep his voice low while also emphasising seriousness. Callis noted Gallant’s tone and recalling the giant explaining to him the night before about being pursued, he thought the worst and scrambled to his feet, eyeing the trees. Within moments he too spotted the wolves and moved swiftly but silently to Gallant’s side. “I’ve never seen them behave like this,” he whispered, standing beside Gallant and Amber. “Nor I,” replied Gallant. “The fire should have kept them away.”
Both men looked to the fire and saw it still had glowing embers, which meant they had judged the correct amount of fuel to see them through the night. Callis suddenly noticed the blanket within the circle of sleeping wolves, he had missed it up until now and his eyes locked on Amber. Gallant followed the young man’s line of sight and seeing Amber looking at him he smiled down at her, trying to feign what both men where now really thinking – the strange behaviour of the wolves had something to do with her. “What should we do Mr Giant?” asked Amber, taking hold of Gallant’s fingers and tugging at them.
“They seem to be sleeping soundly enough,” Callis said. “Perhaps we should simply leave? I wouldn’t be too concerned about retrieving Amber’s blanket,” he added with a smile. Gallant didn’t smile but nodded his agreement. He knelt down to look Amber in the eyes. “We’re going to sneak away Princess so I need you to be very quiet, okay?” Amber nodded, her beautiful brown eyes flashing their innocent trust in the giant. Gallant made to pick her up and she wrapped her tiny arms around his huge neck before being hoisted to his chest. She looked down at the still sleeping wolves as the two men slowly backed away towards their mounts.
Both Gallant and Callis’ horses were completely calm and it was only when they reached them that Callis made a comment about it. “Why are the horses so calm? Wolves are predators, I would expect them to be highly skittish,” he said. Gallant, busy putting Amber on his mount, didn’t offer a reply but turned his head to eye Callis and shrugged. Callis smiled at the response. None of this made any sense to him but if he was a gambling man, his coin would be on Amber having something to do with it.
With the child secure, Gallant untied his horse and vaulted onto its back. Callis followed suit and both men urged their respective mounts into a trot, eager to keep as quiet as possible until a good distance away. Just as they were about to disappear into the trees Gallant looked back and saw the wolves standing and watching them. Fear gripped him and he was about to shout out for Callis to kick his mount into a gallop when he realised the wolves didn’t pursue them. Instead they walked one by one back into the undergrowth in the opposite direction and out of sight. He let out a long exhale, which caught Callis’ attention.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking back over his shoulder then at Gallant. “Nothing,” came the reply. “Let’s just quicken the pace.” Callis nodded and when Gallant urged his horse into a canter he followed suit. They had a long day ahead of them and the giant wasn’t convinced the wolves where no longer a threat. If that proved to be the case they would need the horses at a gallop to stand any chance of outrunning the beasts and so he thought it best to conserve their energy for now.
Thanks to the chosen pace of their ride, conversation proved difficult. Amber clung to the neck of Gallant’s mount, bouncing around while he and Callis continued to focus on manoeuvring their respective horses through the forest. Eventually and after another brief look around, Gallant decided to slow his animal to a walk and shouted at Callis to do the same. “Are you okay Amber?” Callis asked, pulling alongside Gallant and staring at the child. She smiled and nodded excitedly at him before saying, “That was fun!”
Gallant lent over in his saddle slightly so he could see her better. “You liked that did you?” he asked. She smiled and nodded again. “Well, you know that’s not even the fastest these horses can go.” She looked at him quizzically. “Yes, actually I know that,” she said eventually. He raised an eyebrow at her. “My horse went much faster when the bad bear growled at us,” she said. “I think you mean roared,” chipped in Callis. “Ah, of course,” said Gallant, in response to Amber, realisation suddenly hitting him. “But that wasn’t fun?” he added. Amber shook her head. “No it wasn’t, that was scary,” she said.
“I’m sorry about that Princess,” said Gallant, remembering the scene and silently berating himself for losing sight of her during the fight. “It’s okay Mr Giant,” replied Amber, flashing him a smile. “It wasn’t your fault.” Callis sniggered. “A delightful child,” he said, eyeing Gallant. “Aye,” the giant agreed, nodding his head. “I had a dream about the bad bear last night,” said Amber, ignoring what had transpired between the two men. Gallant switched his attention back to her, as did Callis.
“I dreamt he wanted to eat me and you weren’t there to protect me Mr Giant, and then the wolves came and I was afraid they wanted to eat me too but they chased the bad bear a
way.” Gallant raised his eyebrows. “Really?” he said. “Yep, it was scary,” Amber confirmed. “Well, I’m glad no one ate you,” Gallant said, giving her a squeeze. Amber squealed and smiled back at him. The fact the child had dreamt of wolves and there had been wolves at the camp when they woke intrigued Gallant, and wanting to hear Callis’ thoughts on the matter he reined his horse in.
“Why are we stopping?” asked Callis. Gallant didn’t answer, instead he eased himself out of his saddle. “I just want to have a word with Callis for a moment, okay Princess?” he said. Amber nodded. “You just sit with the horses and mind them for me okay?” he added while handing his reins over to her and waving for Callis to follow him. “Okay Mr Giant,” said Amber, happily taking the reins from him and Callis, pleased at being given the responsibility.
Once Gallant felt he and Callis were out of earshot he spoke. “What do you make of her dream?” Callis thought for a moment. “I’m not entirely sure,” he said. “I don’t think it’s anything really but Matias says our dreams are often linked to real events.” Gallant looked sceptical. “Okay…” he said, wanting Callis to continue. “Our dreams distort things since the mind is not fully conscious but if you take what happened to her with regards to the bear… well, from her perspective, when the animal attacked you weren’t there because her horse bolted.”
“Okay, but what of it?” Gallant urged. “Her horse ran right into my companions and I. And there were six of us.” Gallant rubbed his chin for a moment, Callis eyeing him. Eventually he said, “So you think the wolves represent you and your men?” Callis nodded. “It’s just a thought,” he added. Gallant took a deep breath. “So…” Callis hesitated and Gallant looked at him expectantly. “…the bear attacks. Amber’s horse bolts meaning you were no longer present. She runs into us, six wolves. We go back to the bear and you. The bear is dead by then so her mind sees the bear as chased away.” Gallant looked sceptical again. “But why would you be wolves?” he asked. Callis simply shrugged.
“She was terrified and Lalias grabbed hold of her. In her mind she wouldn’t remember us as a friendly presence.” Gallant pursed his lips. “It’s a reasonable theory,” he said, “but it doesn’t explain why six real wolves where at the camp when we woke,” he added, looking at Callis with a raised eyebrow. Callis threw his hands wide. “That’s the part I can’t explain,” he said. “But perhaps Matias could offer more insight. If Cormac has done as I asked and Matias agreed we should run into them a little after midday. I mean that’s provided that you intend to stay on this course?”
Gallant looked back at Amber for a moment. Could he risk meeting up with a group of men, one of whom had tried to take her from him the previous day? He trusted Callis. The man’s actions had convinced him that he was worthy of that trust. The others, however, that was a different question entirely. And this Matias character worried him. If Amber really was gifted, could this man of wisdom be a threat to her? He simply didn’t know but something inside him told him he should meet him, and so with the decision made he looked at Callis and spoke. “I’ll meet with your people Callis,” he said, fixing the young man with a fierce stare. “But make no mistake, should any of them attempt to harm Amber or myself I will slaughter every last one of them.”
Callis gulped again and his mouth suddenly felt very dry, so he simply nodded. “Okay,” Gallant said, noting the discomfort of the man and choosing to ease off a little. Callis instantly felt better, exhaled and smiled. Gallant smiled back and the two men made for Amber and their mounts. Once they were within earshot of her they could hear her chatting away, either to herself or the horses.
“Who were you chatting to Princess? asked Gallant moving to Amber’s side and gently taking the reins of both horses back from her. “I was telling God’s horse about the bad bear and how my horse got scared and ran away with me.” The giant looked confused. “God’s horse?” he said while holding out the reins for Callis. “I believe she means me,” said Callis, accepting the reins and casting a wry smile. Amber nodded her head excitedly, smiling.
Gallant frowned a little and Callis noted it. “I know what you’re thinking,” he said, “but no matter how many times I tell the child I am no God she will not believe me.” Gallant eyed the man for a moment before switching back to Amber. “Princess?” Amber looked at him. “I know you believe this man is God,” started Gallant waving his hand toward Callis. She nodded excitedly. “But it can be dangerous to say things like that out loud.” She looked at him quizzically. “I don’t understand,” she replied. “Wouldn’t people like to know that God is here?” Gallant sighed. He adored the innocence of the child but he needed to protect her and if she went around telling people she met God and explaining the story of why she believed that, it could be bad for everyone.
“Well, you see not everyone believes in God, and not everyone likes me,” chipped in Callis, understanding that Gallant was struggling to come up with a way of explaining things without hurting the child’s feelings. He took a hold of her hand as he spoke and she stared at him expectantly. Why do children always seem to look directly into your soul? thought Callis as he struggled with his desire to look away. Instead he smiled at her but when she didn’t return it he knew she wanted more of an explanation. “It is important you keep it a secret Princess,” said Gallant, eager to be moving and his patience thinning due to the delay to their journey.
Amber looked at him and pouted, and instantly he felt terrible but he quickly reminded himself that he was her protector, not her friend, and vaulted into the saddle behind her. “Just think how lucky you are to be trusted with such an important secret,” said Callis, seeing the wounded look on the child’s face and trying to make her feel better. “Call me Callis,” he added, reaching up and offering his hand for her to shake. She looked at it for a moment, obviously still disappointed but eventually she shook it.
“My name’s Amber,” she said, while shaking. “I thought you were Princess?” Callis said. “Mr Giant calls me Princess,” the child explained. “I see,” replied Callis, feeling a little hurt that he wasn’t considered part of the circle. “When I can call you God, you can call me Princess,” she added, pulling her hand from his and throwing her head back. Callis stood open mouthed and Gallant laughed. “It seems that sassiness is not age restricted,” he said, eyeing Callis and shaking his head.
Callis looked at him sarcastically. “It appears not,” he replied, a wry grin appearing. And with that he turned to his horse and mounted. Gallant coaxed his mount into a trot and Callis followed, their journey resumed once more.
Chapter 12
Matias’ back ached as he bounced up and down in the saddle of his mount on his way to meet Callis and the giant. He used to be a good rider but now he rarely bothered and although one never forgets, the body does age and his constantly reminded him of why he avoided the activity. They had set out at first light but he doubted they would arrive before darkness would force them to stop for the night.
He thought about the injury the giant had apparently sustained. A man of that size collapsing from blood loss suggested the wounds were very severe, and although Callis was a good student he did not yet possess a high level of medical skill. Matias had thought long and hard about leaving the village to help this giant and in truth he would not have agreed were it not for the mention of the young girl. He couldn’t explain why but her mention brought images to his mind and a feeling that he must meet her. His knowledge of what had become known as ‘gifted’ was substantial but his own ability proved limited.
He had been experimenting with plant life for years, attempting to make varying types of seeds grow by his touch alone and although he had some success, they would ultimately wither and die within a matter of hours. They rarely if ever bore flower or fruit within that time. Yesterday, however, had been a revelation. For the first time in all his years of trying he had sprouted a perfect plant from tomato seeds. He had just felt different, like he suddenly had more power than had ever flowed thr
ough him before.
The plant bore the ripest, juiciest and sweetest tomatoes he had ever tasted and it was still alive when he awoke that morning ready to set out on the journey. And now as the day drew on he could feel that same energy that he had used to create the plant growing ever stronger within him. Perhaps my years of dedication are finally bearing fruit, he thought, chuckling to himself. Or perhaps something else caused this new-found energy. The fact it grew stronger the closer they came to where they were due to meet Callis, the giant and the girl only added to his desire to know more.
***
Gallant raised his hand and clenched his fist in an abrupt fashion and Callis reined in his horse alongside him, recognising the silent gesture as a warning to stop. “What is it?” asked Callis, aware that they were being pursued. Gallant didn’t answer. His eyes focussed on the trees ahead and he strained his ears for any sound. “There,” he said, casting a glancing look at Callis. “Do you hear that?” Callis listened intently for a moment. “Sounds like horses,” he said at last. “It’s most likely people from my village,” he added, making a clicking sound that started his horse into motion. “Wait. What if it’s not?” said Gallant. Amber anxiously flicked her eyes between the two men but said nothing.
“People who follow you generally come from behind, not ahead, and since we are only half a day’s ride from my village and they would have set out this morning then it has to be them,” replied Callis over his shoulder. He clearly had no intention of stopping. Gallant didn’t move. “We’re due to meet in the middle. If you’re still unsure, wait for me here,” added Callis, seeing no movement from Gallant’s horse and realising the man was still hesitant. Callis’ reasoning made sense and finally Gallant urged his horse forward although he kept a little distance behind. He could feel Amber’s eyes upon him and he met them. Seeing her concern, he smiled at her and she smiled back. His reassurance seemed to have the desired effect and she looked away to focus on the trees ahead and any animals she could spot.
