by M. Gregg Roe
“I thought I might have broken it, but I wasn’t sure.” It was nice to hear that she had done something useful.
“You did,” he reiterated. “I checked after observing you fight. It was clear to me that you had been trained in unarmed combat. You performed well.”
He carefully stepped over a large rock in his path and said, “The first time I fought wolves I fared very poorly. They would knock me down, and then when I managed to stand up, they would knock me down again. It was very frustrating. And embarrassing.”
“Thank you, Gabriel. That does make me feel better. I’m sure I can improve, but it’s going to take some time and a lot more training.”
He nodded. “That is so. Grasapa is an excellent teacher, and very skilled. I do not think that there is anyone in the Witch’s City who could stand against her in single combat.”
“Really?” she asked. It was hard to believe.
“Yes. She is both skilled and experienced.”
“In that case, I will definitely continue to try to learn from her. And I think I really will come back here in the Spring. Who is this Morton, anyway?”
“He is a Priest of Yalk, the god of death. He possesses powerful magic and is also skilled in unarmed combat. He is a very evil man who has, unfortunately, previously escaped us twice. I look forward to finally vanquishing him.”
“Now I’m having second thoughts,” she confessed.
“You will do fine, Audrey.”
♦ ♦ ♦
There was a brief stop in Merryton the next day, but she didn’t even get out of the wagon. The weather had turned for the worse. Cold rain became freezing rain, and then sleet and snow. Everyone was kept busy keeping the wagon wheels clean of ice and snow build-up. Audrey soon ran out of energy, went inside, and curled up in her blanket. She really did need to work on her endurance.
All four of them ended up sleeping inside overnight. It was warm that way, but cramped and uncomfortable. In the morning, it took almost two hours to remove enough ice and snow for the wagon to move. Audrey was surprised that the huge lizard that pulled the wagon didn’t seem to be bothered. It simply shook off the ice and snow on it, and its claws were quite effective even in the treacherous conditions.
She again spent much of her time in the back. The weather improved as they went farther south, and the temperature climbed to above freezing as they made their next stop. She was absolutely delighted to see a group of a dozen or so dwarves waiting for them. They were hard to tell apart—all wearing scaled armor, carrying large axes, and with long beards. Gabriel told her that the dwarves lived in an underground dwelling called Hard Rock City somewhere to the west. After some brief trading, the dwarves departed in that direction.
When they arrived at Rohoville, it was already dark and the weather was worsening again. It was pelting sleet as they made their way to the docks. Hankin quickly arranged their passage on the next Novox ship to the Witch’s City. They ate dinner in the small galley before going to their cabins. Audrey and Saxloc had been assigned a cabin with two stacked bunks and a single glow-cube to light it. She climbed into the top bunk and waited as he removed his sword belt and armor.
“Do you want the blanket out of your backpack?” he asked. “It’s pretty cold in here.”
“Yes. Thank you.” She was warm enough now, but it would be getting colder overnight.
He handed up her blanket, and she quickly unrolled it and put it on top of the blanket the bunk had come with. She heard him climb into the lower bunk.
“Well this trip certainly hasn’t gone as expected,” he commented sarcastically.
“You mean the weather?” she asked.
He laughed quietly. “No. It is Winter, after all. I mean you and your surprises.”
“Oh. So what were you expecting?”
“I had expected that we would escort you to Farmerton and that you would remain there while we continued on to the temple.”
“And?” she asked, making it sound like a threat.
“And then we would return and escort you back to the Witch’s City. Which brings me to yet another apology I need to make: I’m sorry for what I said when my mother asked me to take you along.”
“I accept your apology, but it wouldn’t have been necessary if your mother had let me ask you nicely instead of ordering you to do it. I should also point out that if you had tried to strand me in Farmerton, I would simply have taken a caravan back. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Saxloc laughed. “You’re right. And now I no longer want to be rid of you. What about you? What if things had gone as you expected and I insisted you move out?”
“I would have taken the only job I found that would allow me to continue my Shorinken training.”
“What job?” he asked.
“Do you remember suggesting that I be sent away to work with Cinda at Desires?”
He groaned. “Yes. I apologize for that as well.”
“Okay, but that’s actually what I’m talking about. Cinda got the idea from me. I interviewed at Desires first, and I still have an open employment offer.”
“Really?” He sounded astonished.
“Yes. I can show you the offer papers if you like.”
“No. I believe you. And there you go with another surprise.”
“That’s true,” she laughed.
They lay in silence for a while before he said, “Audrey, if we’re going to be a couple, we need to discuss some things. Are you still planning to see Erwin?”
He was definitely jealous. That wasn’t good. “I don’t have any plans to at the moment. Do you want us to be exclusive?”
He sighed before saying, “That is the real question. I’m just not sure. This is all new and I haven’t really dated.”
“The closest thing we had to a real date was that dinner,” she pointed out.
“True.”
Audrey was now certain that they had taken things too fast. And it was really her fault. She considered what to say. If she decided to return, that would be in about two months. She still had mixed feelings about Erwin, but he basically lived in Rohoville now.
“What if we agree to be exclusive until the return trip to the temple? Then we can reevaluate.” That gave them both an out if things didn’t work out between them.
He didn’t immediately reply, and she hoped that he was giving her suggestion serious thought. “All right,” he said finally. “Let’s give that a try. My parents are going to be surprised.”
“They certainly will be. To be honest, I might not go with you to kill Morton. I need to think about it. I might be better off just focusing on my training.”
“Even if you decide not to go on the mission, I think you should come with us. You can always just stay at the temple, soaking in the tub and drinking wine.”
That made her laugh. “That’s a wonderful suggestion. I think I may do just that.”
“Good. Now let’s try to get some sleep. We’re scheduled to arrive at dawn.”
“Okay. Good night, Saxloc.”
“Good night, Audrey.”
♦ ♦ ♦
It was snowing when the ship arrived at the Witch’s City the following morning. They walked part of the way with Gabriel and Hankin and then continued on to the mansion. They stopped in the entryway to remove their backpacks and hang up their cloaks. Audrey could smell that Almera was already cooking breakfast.
She turned to Saxloc and said, “Why don’t you go on upstairs and get out of your armor? I’ll go tell your mother that we’re back.”
“All right.”
He picked up his backpack. She grabbed hers and followed him through the parlor. He headed up the right-hand stairs and she dropped her backpack at the bottom of the left-hand stairs before continuing on to the kitchen. She entered and saw Almera in front of the stove scrambling some eggs. “We’re back!” she called out as she walked over.
She turned her head and smiled. “Welcome home. I’ll cook some more food while you t
wo get cleaned up.”
“Almera, I didn’t just reveal my Shorinken training to Saxloc. I also told him that we were no longer engaged.”
Almera used a potholder to move the pan aside. “I see. I didn’t know you were planning to do that.”
“Something had to be done. The engagement was never real, and I just couldn’t take it anymore. Saxloc was never going to figure it out on his own, so I dealt with it.”
Almera frowned, and Audrey could tell that she was angry. “Because I wouldn’t do anything?” she asked.
“Yes! Enough is enough.”
Almera sighed. “Very well. How did Saxloc react?”
Audrey smirked at her. “Not the way I expected. We’re now in a romantic relationship.”
“I wasn’t expecting that,” she said, clearly disconcerted. “Are you certain about this?”
“No. I kind of pushed him into it, and now I wish I hadn’t.”
“I see. It’s a welcome change no matter what happens between you two. Go ahead and get cleaned up. You can tell us all about your trip during breakfast.”
“Okay. I’ll be back down shortly.”
Audrey went back to her room. She quickly washed up and put on clean clothes. She went back down and helped Almera finish making breakfast. Draymund and Saxloc soon appeared and the four of them sat down and ate.
During breakfast, they told Draymund and Almera about their trip. Audrey was honest about her poor performance as an adventurer, but Saxloc insisted that she had done just fine for a beginner. They glossed over the details of what had happened between them romantically at the temple.
After they finished, Almera said, “Now you two can finally start having a normal relationship and decide if you really are right for one another. That’s a relief.”
Draymund nodded, looking serious for a change. “Yes, it’s about time. This has been a strain on all of us. Saxloc, it really should not have taken so long for you to realize that Audrey was not the girl you thought she was.”
Saxloc sighed. “Yes, I confess that I should have figured it out earlier. I absolutely hated the idea of being told that I had to marry Audrey, and it was only when she broke the engagement that I discovered just how wrong I had been about her.”
Draymund looked at his son approvingly. “Saxloc, I am very pleased with how you looked after Audrey during your trip. It sounds like your companions all watched out for her as well. That was well done.
“Audrey, you have to face the reality that you are well behind the others in terms of experience. They all spent years preparing and training before they first set out. I am not telling you to stop. I just want you to be realistic about your own capabilities and goals.”
“I understand,” she replied. “I’ve got a long way to go. The travel alone really wore me out. I’m just happy that I wasn’t seriously injured or killed.”
“Very good, Audrey,” said Draymund. “That is exactly the right attitude.”
♦ ♦ ♦
“It is time for lunch, peasant.”
Audrey opened her eyes and smiled at Cinda, who was standing at the foot of her bed and smiling primly. She had gone back to her room after breakfast, laid down, and promptly nodded off. She pushed aside the quilt, sat up, and rubbed her eyes.
“What are you doing here, rich girl?” she asked.
“I am no longer at liberty to visit most evenings. Instead, I now travel here for lunch before attending my class. I am now officially working as a courtesan,” she concluded proudly.
“Congratulations! Uh … how is it?”
Cinda’s face gave nothing away as she answered, “Enjoyable. And interesting. I may not reveal details.”
“I know, Cinda. I’m happy for you.”
“And I am most happy to hear of your success with Saxloc. Lady Almera told me of it while we were cooking.”
“You were cooking?” she asked in astonishment.
“Yes. I have been learning at Desires, and from Lady Almera.”
Audrey got out of bed and stretched briefly. “I am so glad to be back home with a real bed.”
“How was your visit to Farmerton?” inquired Cinda.
“My parents were annoying. Violet is pregnant, and I am trying to get her to move either to here or Rohoville.”
“That would be most welcome. I truly wish to meet her. I have news as well. I made use of the new edict to request an investigation of my sister Elsebeth’s arranged marriage. She is now living with our parents and her husband has been imprisoned.”
Audrey was very curious as to what the investigation had uncovered, but Cinda seemed to be finished talking about it. Something Cinda had said earlier finally got through to her.
“Cinda, please tell Grasapa that I’m back. I may rest up a few days before resuming my training.”
“But of course. Your journey must have been arduous. Shall we dine now?”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to sampling your cooking.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Audrey was in her sewing room repairing a torn shirt seam when she heard a knock followed by her door opening. She had decided to get to work on the backlog of mending work for Desires that had accumulated during her absence. She turned and saw Almera closing the door behind her and then taking a seat in one of the two upholstered chairs. She went and sat in the other one, and then looked at Almera expectantly.
“Thank you for giving us our son back,” began Almera. “It really does feel like that. He apologized to both of us for his behavior, and he is off apologizing to his grandfather even as we speak.”
“You’re welcome,” replied Audrey with a happy smile.
“Audrey, was it really necessary to break the engagement as soon as you arrived in Rohoville? If you had waited, he might have figured it out during your travels.”
Audrey’s anger was building as she narrowed her eyes. “Maybe, or maybe not. And besides, it was never a real engagement. Look, if you want me to move out, I will. I know I’m just an uninvited guest now.” But she didn’t know where she would go.
Almera closed her eyes with a look of exasperation. She opened them and said, “You foolish girl. You are not an uninvited guest. I was the one that invited you to stay here. Even if Saxloc had declared he had no interest in you, we would not have made you move out. I made a commitment to your mother to see that you were properly educated, and we are not through with that yet. Have you finished the book about Andoran?”
“No. I stopped reading it once I started preparing for the trip. I’ll start back on it today.”
“Good. If you ever do decide to move out, then please make sure to tell me well in advance. I like having someone help me with my gardening, and I will need time to find a suitable replacement.”
“Okay. I promise.” That wasn’t too much to ask.
“One more thing, Audrey.”
“Yes?”
“Draymund and I are going to tell Saxloc that we will no longer pay your tuition at Grasapa’s school. And that we are going to eventually make you pay rent to stay here.”
Audrey was suddenly worried. “Really?” she asked.
“Yes, but this is directed at Saxloc, not you. We want him to volunteer to pay your rent and tuition, but if he refuses, then we will still pay your tuition for as long as required. So don’t worry.”
“Okay. Thank you so much, Almera.”
“You are welcome.”
Almera left and Audrey closed the door and went back to her sewing. The woman was still trying to manipulate her son, and Audrey was not happy. And Almera still hadn’t confessed that the continued engagement was her idea, not Audrey’s. When Saxloc finally found out about it—and she was certain that he eventually would—it was going to be very ugly.
32
‡ Stories ‡
Over the months since Audrey had arrived, she had become accustomed to Saxloc eating his meals in near silence and then leaving the instant he was finished. Now he chatted amiably as they ate, and even helpe
d to clean up sometimes. And he was there for almost every meal. It was such a huge change that she actually found it disconcerting.
Even more disconcerting was that she could already see major problems developing in her relationship with him. The evening of their first day back, he came to her room and she had no doubt what was on his mind. She told him that she would prefer to wait until they were alone in the mansion. It still bothered her that they had been overheard in the temple, but at least none of those people lived anywhere close. But if Draymund and Almera were to hear them … That was unthinkable. He immediately became irate and began to argue, pointing out how immense the mansion was. She lost her temper and made use of her Shorinken skills to evict him from her room, something that she later regretted.
The next day, his parents went out to dinner and Audrey took the initiative. She wanted to go out too, but he just wanted to eat in and then get straight to business. She gave in, but it wasn’t all that enjoyable for her, and she refused to spend the night in his room. He wasn’t happy about that either.
♦ ♦ ♦
Audrey felt so guilty about neglecting her studies that she decided to delay restarting her Shorinken training. When she wasn’t helping Almera or working on her sewing backlog, she was reading the huge book about Andoran. She had finally reached the portion that took place within Andoran’s Realm itself, and that made it far more interesting to her.
It had been over a thousand years since the creation of Andoran’s Realm. Many of those trapped inside were angry and sought to pass through the Gray Forest or to rebel against Andoran. They soon discovered that entering the Gray Forest meant death and that Andoran would retaliate violently against any resistance to his rule.
There had been nine large cities when the Realm was first created, but now there were only two remaining: Zardis and the Witch’s City. Andoran razed the others, and he decimated dozens of small towns and villages. Horrible creatures known as devils began to appear, and many of them served Andoran. The region near Zardis was infested with devils, and Andoran placed a particularly powerful one in charge of the city. The people there were enslaved and forced to serve the will of the devils.
