by T. N. Hayden
“Ready?” Kaleb mounted. “We’ll head through the mountains to Darter first.”
“Do you think anyone will have information about the Sorceress or the rebels?” Brent paused. “I’m looking forward to seeing my family again.”
“I can’t believe your family’s just on the other side of these mountains, and you haven’t gone back home to see them in all these years.” Kaleb kicked his stallion to gallop.
“I’ve wanted to.” Brent paused. “I’m not sure why I haven’t gone yet.”
“Well I’m sure they’re going to be thrilled to see you.” Nate insisted.
Wind brushed Nate’s close-cropped hair as they moved through the mountains. Birds chirped and tweeted in song as the three friends rode. It was almost magical, and Nate closed his eyes as he breathed the fresh air. He was at peace in such a different way than he had been for the past six years. Nate was silent as they rode. Perhaps all three were afraid of breaking the fairylike feeling of the forest.
Kaleb’s voice broke through Nate’s reverie as they came to a steep and narrow mountain pass. “Looks like we’ll have to dismount and walk the horses.”
“We’ll follow you.” Brent answered. “It’s strange. I don’t remember the trip here when I joined the army. It must have been rather dull.”
Nate dismounted, rubbed his stallion’s neck with sweaty hands, and whispered softly to his beast. His horse didn’t like tight places. “We’re ready when you are, Kaleb.”
Kaleb nodded and led his friends through the mountain ridge, and he paused. “I wish it was wider here.”
“We’ll just go slow and steady and make it through no problem.” Nate encouraged his friend. His stallion was nervous about the heights and large drops on the side of the mountain’s cliffs as well.
Nate took a deep breath, and he followed his friends. Kaleb led the group through the cliffs on the mountain.
The rocky footing gave way, and Nate cried out as he lost his balance. He grabbed onto his stallion’s reigns, and his beast seemed to laugh at him.
“Nate!” Brent cried and knelt to offer a hand. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Nate allowed Brent and his stallion to pull him up. With crusted hands, he dusted his pants off. “I’m okay.”
“What happened?” Kaleb ran back.
“I just nearly fell to my death.” Nate shrugged. “Can we please get off these cliffs and into the wider part of the mountain?”
Kaleb nodded and went back to leading them through the sheer edges of the mountain.
“I didn’t know you’re afraid of heights.” Brent looked at Nate.
“Ever since I can remember.” Nate closed his eyes. “Let’s just get through this.”
Sir Brenton Kilton looked around Darter. He frowned; there was something different than he remembered about the small town. He’d grown up in this place, and he hoped to find his parents and sister. After being reunited with his family, he was sure the strange feeling would disappear.
“Where should we stay?” Kaleb looked at Brent.
The knight looked to his friend and future king. “Let’s see if we can find my family. I would love for them to meet you and Nate.”
Kaleb and Nate nodded, and Brent took his friends through the streets. He looked at the farmlands around him, remembering chasing mice and other vermin through the fields with his father. He nearly chuckled at the memory, and he walked down the wide main road.
Horse hooves thundered, and Faith fell, her eyes lifeless and unblinking. Brent cried out as he struggled…
Brent blinked and stood still as he stared at the spot on the wide street. What had happened there? He rushed toward the intersection, and Kaleb grabbed his elbow. “Don’t dash into the traffic.”
Brent nodded and shook his head. “Sorry. I was just remembering something that didn’t make sense to me.” He paused. He didn’t want his friends to think he was mad. “Never mind. Let’s get going.”
“Wait, what?” Kaleb looked at his friend, his emerald eyes worried. “What are you remembering?”
“I’m not really sure.” Brent shrugged and kept walking, hoping his friends would forget his insanity.
Nate and Kaleb followed Brent to the one-story thatched cottage his parents owned. His mother, Faith Kilton, was a midwife, and his father, Telford Kilton, was a rat-catcher for the farmers in Darter.
“Brenton?” Someone gasped.
He turned and recognized Madam Victoria, a seamstress who had lived close to his parents.
“Well it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Kilton in these parts.” She pushed back her graying hair and embraced him. “Look at you, all grown and handsome.” She paused as she noticed the knights with him. “Hello gentleman. Are you all soldiers?”
“Hello Madam Victoria.” Brent smiled. “These are my friends, Kaleb and Nate. We’re on a quest, but we wished to spend the night with my family. You said you haven’t seen a Kilton in these parts for a long time?”
“Not since your mother was killed.”
“Mom’s dead?” Brent whispered. How could she have died without him knowing? He had been playing soldier, training, laughing and drinking with his friends, kissing women, and enjoying life, all while his mother was dead.
“Who killed her?” Kaleb demanded. “What about his father and sister?”
“Telford and Whitney left a long time ago.” Madam Victoria answered. Her grey eyes dashed between the three men, and she opened her mouth once more. “I heard they moved on, but I don’t know where they went. After Faith was killed, they couldn’t live here anymore. It was too painful, what with you taken and she killed.” She shook her head. “You have no idea how much they despise the—”
“It was rebels who killed her, wasn’t it?” Nate interjected. “Rebels, those Rapan scum.”
Madam Victoria’s grey eyes dashed to Nate, and they held each other’s gaze for a moment before she nodded. “Yes. I believe rebels were the ones who took her.”
“When did that happen?” Kaleb demanded.
“Five or so years ago.”
“It must have happened right after I came to the palace to train to be a knight.” Brent shook his head. “Those rebel cowards must have somehow known I was loyal to the king and decided to destroy my family.” He touched Madam Victoria’s shoulder. “Thank you, ma’am.”
She eyed Nate before she nodded. “You’re welcome. Good luck to you Brent. I sincerely hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“I as well.”
“We’ll look for your family on our trip.” Kaleb promised and placed a hand to Brent’s shoulder. “We will find your father and sister, and you will be reunited with them.”
“What if rebels killed them too?” Brent fumed, and his hatred of rebels flamed. He’d hated the rebellion for as long as he could remember, and he knew they were ruthless animals. He was going to enjoy finding the rebel Sorceress and killing her.
“We should find room and board somewhere.” Kaleb looked at his friend.
Brent nodded. “I know just the place.”
Kaleb couldn’t sleep as he stared at the wooden beams of the ceiling. Loud snoring made Kaleb wonder if a bear was staying in the next room. He sighed as he rolled over. Finally, the prince threw the sheets from him, pulled pants and a shirt on, and headed downstairs to the tavern. He wondered what people in the village did during the middle of the night.
The tavern was nearly empty, and the barkeep looked at the prince. “Can’t sleep?”
“Too much noise.”
“Where you from? Owlet?”
Kaleb glanced at the man.
“Doesn’t take a scholar to figure that out about you. Your shirt is worth more than most people make a year here.” The man explained. “Plus, Owlet doesn’t have all the sights, sounds, and noises of the rest of the kingdom.”
Kaleb nodded.
“You a soldier?”
“You ask a lot of questions.” Kaleb paused. “And didn’t
even ask me what I wanted to drink.”
The barkeep chuckled. “What will you have?”
“A whiskey.”
The man made the drink and slid the glass toward the prince. Kaleb caught it and took a long drink.
“Did you hear about those rebels in the woods?” Someone spoke in a loud voice from the other side of the nearly empty room. The man, rotund and middle-aged, stepped sideways as he walked back to the bar with an empty glass. He nearly slammed the glass against the wooden counter. “I wish the Sorceress was with them.”
“You wish she was?” Kaleb grimaced.
“She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” The rotund man seemed to collapse into a stool. “She’s so brave and bold.”
“I think it’s about time for you to go to sleep, Fred.” The barkeep’s dark eyes darted toward Kaleb.
“Beautiful, brave, and bold?” Kaleb nearly choked on the words. Was this man too drunk to know he was talking about a deadly, dangerous woman? Perhaps he was mad?
“The last time she and her companion were here, I saw her use her powers against some of the king’s soldiers. It was like a rainbow of lightning.”
“A rainbow of lightning?”
“Without any gold at the end.” Fred chuckled. “Her power was unlike anything I had ever seen before, and she used it so wisely.”
“Magic is unpredictable and wild.”
“She has control over her power!” Fred stood, knocking the stool down. “What’s your problem man?”
“My problem?” Kaleb raised a brow. “You’re the one spreading lies about the Sorceress and making her seem good.”
“She is good.” Fred growled. “What do you think she is?”
“She’s destined to kill the king.”
“Death to the king.” Fred raised his empty glass in a toast.
Kaleb tackled the man, bringing the full weight of his body into his attack. Rage seemed to fuel his brain as his fist punched the man’s face with a will of its own. He slammed the man’s stool into his body, shattering the wooden object. Blood splattered as the barkeep and another man pulled Kaleb from Fred.
“Take Fred to his room and have him sleep it off.” The barkeep told the other man.
“He should die for his words.” Kaleb hissed.
“He’s drunk.” The barkeep answered. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying.”
Kaleb growled to himself as he pulled his stool closer to his drink and sat. The tavern seemed still, silent. After a few more drinks, Kaleb left to his room, ready to finally fall asleep.
~ Chapter 3 ~
Breakfast was simple as Kaleb chewed tasteless eggs and meat.
“Did you hear about the sighting?” A big man entered the inn with another. “Rebels in the woods.”
“We need to get to work before they storm this place again.” The other man shook his head.
Kaleb glanced at his friends. “Ready to go for a ride in the woods?”
They finished breakfast, gathered their belongings, and were mounted and riding within half an hour.
There was a chill in the air, and Kaleb pulled his jacket a little tighter. He wished for his fur-lined cape.
Something caught his eyes, and Kaleb kicked his stallion to gallop. Brent and Nate followed.
Kaleb jumped from his saddle, landing but slipping on ice as he did. He managed to keep on his feet.
The two rebels, hooded and with bandanas hiding the lower part of their faces, challenged the three with their swords drawn.
“I have a simple question for you two.” Kaleb stood his ground. “Where is your Sorceress? Tell me where she is, and we’ll let you live.”
The rebels spun, and Kaleb figured they noticed Brent and Nate.
“Never.” The closer rebel lunged at the prince.
Kaleb blocked, but his feet slipped on the ice. He fell hard, and the rebel’s sword pierced the ground beside Kaleb’s face. He used the surface to scoot to the side, swinging his legs around to kick the rebel’s feet out from under him.
The rebel fell hard, and Kaleb tried to get to his feet. His boots and gloves slid against the ice, and he managed to get closer to the rebel. Kaleb frowned as he noticed the small spikes on the rebel’s boots. The rebel hit Kaleb with a large stick, and Kaleb groaned.
The rebel found footing once more, and Kaleb kicked against a tree, propelling himself away from the rebel as the man smashed the large stick into the ground where the prince had been.
Kaleb shoved himself to his feet, finding dirt in the middle of the ice. He grabbed his dagger and threw it into the rebel’s shoulder. The man fell, and Nate and Brent rushed to the prince, nearly slipping as they did.
“This is a perfect place to ambush us.” Kaleb looked at his friends. “Are you guys alright?”
Nate nodded. “Brent killed the man.”
“This one’s still alive.” Kaleb grabbed the man’s wounded shoulder.
The rebel screamed.
“Where is she?” Kaleb growled. “Tell me where the Sorceress is.” He pulled his dagger free, so he could dig his fingers into the wound.
The man’s screams brought several birds to flight.
“Alright, alright.” The man panted. “Please stop.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s traveling in the forest.” The man whispered. “Please don’t hurt me anymore.”
“The forest is very large.” Kaleb’s fingers tapped the skin along the side of the man’s wound. “Where is she headed? Which city in the forest?”
“I don’t know.”
Kaleb smashed the hilt of his dagger into the man’s nose, and the rebel cried out. “Petrel! She’s headed to Petrel!”
“Why Petrel?” Nate demanded. “How do we know you’re telling us the truth?”
“They heard there are soldiers taking children from Petrel to train them in the king’s army.” The rebel gasped through his blood. “She is very against the king’s soldiers kidnapping children to train.”
“The king doesn’t need to kidnap children to add to his army!” Kaleb smacked the man, knocking a tooth loose.
“How do you think the army is so large?” The rebel sneered. “You’re loyal to the king, and yet you don’t know anything about him.”
How dare this man speak such lies? No wonder people were loyal to the rebellion. Kaleb thrust his knife into the man’s gut. The rebel gagged, and Kaleb pulled his bloody blade free.
He looked at his friends. “I suppose we know where we’re going now.”
Kaleb had always liked rain. It was comforting, and he enjoyed blankets and books while listening to the sounds of the droplets against the stone of the palace. But he didn’t like rain when he was traveling on horseback. The muddy forest was not shelter enough for him.
A flash of something caught his eye, and Kaleb held his arm up, stopping his friends.
There it was again, black and moving swiftly.
Kaleb kicked his mount to a gallop and rushed after the person. He ducked branches in the forest as he pursued his prey. Could it be another rebel? A hunter?
The arrow went through his bicep; Kaleb groaned as he grabbed the fletching and looked at the two rebels. One wore a black outfit, hiding shape and gender. The outfit was fitted with leather armor, gauntlets, tunic-chest plate, and shoulder coverings. The black leather was outlined with silver etchings, and a black hood and bandana covered most of the face. Kaleb could only see white eyes. He froze. Signs of magic, pure white eyes with no pupil. This had to be the rebel Sorceress.
Beside her stood a rebel who had to be a man. He looked muscular, and his brown outfit was like hers. His face only revealed dark eyes.
Brent and Nate pulled their horses to stop beside Kaleb.
“I take it you’re the rebel Sorceress.” Kaleb called out, ignoring the pain in his arm.
“You killed Evan.” The Sorceress stepped closer to the horses, but her companion grabbed her shoulder. “What do you want with me? Why have you
come to find me?”
“You are a rebel and a traitor to the king.” Kaleb unsheathed his blade. “You are to be executed.”
“And you’re my executioner?” The Sorceress demanded.
Kaleb glared. “I am.”
Her companion stepped in front of her. “I’m afraid you’ll have to go through me first sir.”
“Then I shall.” Kaleb kicked his stallion to a gallop.
She moved back, and her companion danced out of the way and grabbed Kaleb’s arm. He yanked the prince from his saddle, and Kaleb shoved the man. The companion smacked Kaleb’s wound. “How do you like it?”
“Kaleb!” Nate threw himself from his mount and tackled the rebel.
The rebel punched Nate and tossed him to the Sorceress. Her gloved hand shined with white magic as it connected with Nate’s side. Nate fell, and Kaleb screamed. “What did you do?”
“Why don’t you get close and find out?” The Sorceress taunted.
Brent, hooded and hidden, threw himself on her. She rolled, elbowing his throat.
The rebel companion thrust his sword, and Kaleb blocked. The men were equally matched, and Kaleb saw Brent fall out of the corner of his eye. The Sorceress stumbled forward, and her face turned toward her companion. Was she getting weaker?
The man knelt quickly and grabbed a handful of mud. He threw the mud in Kaleb’s face. The prince fell, his back hitting a tree. He clawed at the mud, and when he could see again, the Sorceress, her hand glowing white, chopped his side.
His body rejected its strength, and he fell. He tried to cry out, but he was unable to move.
“I’m sure we’ll meet again.” The Sorceress whispered through her covered lips. He wondered if she truly looked as she did in his dreams.
His eyelids still worked, but the rest of his body was frozen. He watched, helpless, as she and her companion rushed into the woods, disappearing as thunder crashed above them.
“Mom, tell me a story about magic.” Kaleb had been seven, and he looked at his mother, memorizing her sky-blue eyes as thunder seemed to shake his windows.
