Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  The others now gather closely and watch as Chance pulls back the hood of his cloak. His ears protrude through his hair. The young women seem to be taken a bit by surprise.

  “An elf!” Gelana exclaims. “Well now, isn't that a surprise.”

  “I claim him,” Yentroc states boldly.

  “I beg your pardon,” Gelana says to Yentroc, “but he is mine.” Gelana gets up out of the chair and stands face to face with Yentroc.

  “I claimed him first,” Yentroc replies.

  “Ladies, this isn't necessary,” Chance says as he tries to stand up.

  Gelana, ignoring him, pushes Chance back into his chair and says to Yentroc, “I challenge your claim.” Gelana unties the leather string of a beaded necklace she is wearing and removes a small white bead from it. She places the bead on the table in front of them.

  “Please,” Chance protests. He again tries to stand up, but this time Yentroc pushes him back.

  “Very well,” Yentroc says to Gelana. She pulls her long dark hair to the side so that she can take off a similar necklace. After untying it, she slides off one of the white beads and says, “I cannot believe you would challenge my first claim, but if you insist.” She then places it on the table next to Gelana's bead and says, “There, now that we both have our honor on the line, I hope you are happy.”

  “Are you two serious?” Ja'noa asks. Even with a disgruntled tone Ja'noa's voice comes across as pleasant and cheerful. “There are other elves out there you know.”

  “But we are traveling north,” Kel'ana replies. “We aren't likely to find any up there. It could be a long time before we find any men.”

  “Are you challenging Yentroc too?” Ja'noa asks.

  “No,” Kel'ana answers, “I just want to see them fight.”

  “Don't encourage them,” Evelena says.

  Chance tries again to reason with them. This time he does not try to stand as he says, “Ladies, there is no need to fight.”

  Gelana looks at Chance for a moment. With a grin she looks at Yentroc and says, “He is right, there is no code that says we can't both have him.”

  Yentroc smiles back and says, “Well, we wouldn't earn any claim honor, but I am alright with that.”

  Chance, now blushing, says, “That is not what I meant.”

  Lyra, interrupting the conversation, asks, “Aren't you two are forgetting something?”

  Yentroc and Gelana look at each other, puzzled. They turn to Lyra who points to her right ear and asks, “Are there any markings?”

  “Oh, right,” Yentroc says, “I forgot.”

  “I'll check,” says Gelana. She grabs Chance by the hair and turns his head.

  “Hey!” Chance yells. “Careful.” He turns his head allowing Gelana to check the back of his right ear.

  “There is a mark of Dri'el, and,” Gelana pauses, “I don't believe it,” she says releasing Chance's hair.

  “What is it?” Yentroc asks.

  “The first male elf I come across on our Rite of Passage, and I am related to him,” Gelana says sounding frustrated. She grabs her bead from the table.

  Kel'ana laughs and says, “Gelana, you just tried to sleep with your brother.”

  “He is not my brother,” Gelana snaps. “At least, I don't think he is.”

  “He is La'harn?” Rehma asks. “I don't believe it.” She walks over and grabs Chance's hair. She turns his head again to look for herself.

  “Ow!” Chance yells out. “Really, ladies, you could just ask.”

  Evelena, with her hand over her face, shakes her head in disbelief.

  Rehma looks at the back of his right ear and says, “Dri'el and La'harn. He is both.” She releases Chance, who is now looking annoyed.

  “I am so sorry about this, “Evelena says. “We don't travel much.”

  “I can tell,” Chances replies.

  Lyra says, “Two houses? That is rare. I don't get to meet many others from two houses.”

  “Well, there are no marks of Ree on him, so I guess he is all mine,” Yentroc says with a smile at Gelana who still looks angry.

  “Look,” Chance says, trying one final time to be heard, “I am sorry, but I am not here for—”

  Before he can finish, Yentroc announces, “I claim this male as mine! Evelena, Kel'ana, only the two of you can challenge my claim.”

  Evelena sighs and says, “I have no interest in challenging your claim.” She looks at Chance who seems to have given up in trying to speak.

  Yentroc looks at Kel'ana and asks, “You weren't interested right?”

  “Let me think about it for a moment,” Kel'ana says with a smile. She brushes aside a long blonde curl from her face to get a better look at Chance. Chance, notices that the color of her eyes are as blue as his own, though neither of their eyes are as blue as Yentroc's. Kel'ana strokes the beads on her necklace for a moment making Yentroc wait. Then she finally says, “No, you can have him.”

  Yentroc smiles and sighs with relief. “Good,” she says as she turns to Chance and reaches for his hand.

  “I deny your claim,” Chance says as he stands up.

  Yentroc looks stunned as she says, “What?”

  Chance, no longer finding this situation amusing, says to Yentroc, “I am very sorry, I know that this will cause you to receive dishonor, but I must decline.” Chance looks at Evelena and says, “I wish you all the best of luck. I am sure you will have no problem finding a guide.”

  Gelana laughs and says to Yentroc, “You just got rejected.” She opens a small pouch from around her waist and pulls out a black bead.

  “Wait,” Yentroc says, “does that really count?”

  “Yes, it does,” Lyra answers.

  Yentroc angrily snatches the black bead from Gelana. She picks up her white bead from the table and begins to thread the beads onto her necklace.

  “I am sorry,” Chance repeats, “I tried to tell you.”

  “Wait a second,” Evelena says. Walking up to Chance she asks him, “How did you know that would cause her to earn dishonor?”

  “That is common knowledge,” Chance replies.

  “No, it isn't,” Evelena replies sounding suspicious. “People do know about our honor necklaces. In fact we are quite proud of them, but you are not likely to know something that specific unless you have spent some time with Amazons. Since Kyle isn't a common name for an elf, I have to ask, who are you really?”

  Fortunately for Chance, at that very moment the small crowd of the inn cheers as tall ruggedly handsome man enters the Pick Ax. He stands taller then everyone in the inn, and is covered from head to toe in thick furs. He has a short reddish blonde beard. His hair is the same color and hangs down to his broad shoulders. Chance recognizes him and quickly looks away as he pulls his cloak back over his head. This goes unnoticed by everyone except Evelena.

  With a heavy Slavic accent the man announces loudly to everyone, “Sven has returned. Everyone gets round of drinks on Sven!”

  *****

  “What is a Slavic accent?” Haley asks.

  “It's what a Russian accent sounds like,” Kyle explains.

  “Sven isn't a Russian name,” says Laura.

  Kyle nods his head and says, “You're right, it isn't, and Russians do not refer to themselves in a third person narrative. You have to remember that the cultures in Runefell are mixed. We well learn more about Sven later, but first...”

  *****

  The crowd cheers for Sven as Yentroc and Gelana look at each other with a grin. They shrug their shoulders, and start to make their way to the big northerner.

  While everyone’s attention is on Sven, Chance takes the opportunity to get away. As he passes Evelena he leans over to her and whispers, “This man can help you. Just don't say that I sent you.”

  Before Evelena can respond, Chance slips through the crowd and finds his way to the innkeeper. “Here,” Chance says, handing a gold coin to the dwarf behind the counter. “I want a private room.”

  “Sure thing,”
he says handing him a key. “Straight up the stairs the first door on the left.”

  “Thank you,” Chance says. He then moves through the crowd and then up the stairs to his room. He turns and looks down from the balcony watching as Evelena introduces herself to Sven.

  Chance enters his room as Sven says to Evelena, “So, what can Sven do for you lovely ladies?”

  Of the seven sisters, Yentroc and Rehma are the tallest. Yet as tall as they are, they still only comes up to this man's shoulders. Yentroc looks at Gelana and the two of them giggle as Evelena says, “My sisters and I are looking for a way to get across the mountains into the old orcnea territories. Would you be able to guide us?”

  Sven laughs and says, “Now why would such beautiful women want to go to such an ugly place?”

  “We have our reasons,” Evelena answers. “One of which is to see if the orcneas have truly returned.”

  “Orcneas, yes,” Sven says with a sigh. “There have been a few small raids lately, but nothing too big.”

  “So would you like to show us the way?” Gelana asks with a smile.

  “Sven cannot say no to so many beautiful women,” he says with a grin. “Let us sit down and discuss what we will need to bring.”

  Chapter 15

  The Eighth Sister

  In his room Chance is preparing to go to sleep. He walks over to the bed and takes off his cloak. He unbuckles his breast plate and places it on a chair next to his bed. Just as he is about to take off his talisman there is a knock at his door. He tucks the powerful relic back in his shirt and cautiously walks to the door. Chance asks, “Can I help you?” He then listens for any sign of who may be on the other side.

  Another knock at the door almost startles him. He unlocks the door and opens it only to find no one there. He looks around and then steps out into the hall. The hall is empty so Chance returns to his room and once again locks the door. Then he stops suddenly realizing that he is not alone.

  He creates a small fireball in his hand then clinches his first extinguishing the flame. He then swipes his hand in front of him leaving a heavy trail of smoke. He takes a step back and watches as the smoke continues to dissipate before him. Then suddenly, as the smoke advances away from him, a shape begins to from. It is the shape of a person. In an instant Chance has his sword at the smoky figure's neck.

  “Reveal yourself,” Chance commands.

  “Very cleaver,” a female voice answers. Then an elven female appears as she pulls back a cloak from her head. She is as tall as Chance and has long red hair. On her right cheek are the markings of a fiery comet. On her left temple, arcing around her eye, is a silver crescent moon. She, much like all the other Amazons of the Silver Moon, is beautiful.

  “Who are you and why are you in my room?” Chance asks as he lowers his sword.

  The Amazon ignores Chances question and asks, “Why are you following my sisters?”

  “I am not following anyone,” Chance tries to explain. “I am merely—”

  “Do not lie to me,” she interrupts. “You may have them fooled, but I don't believe you, Kyle, if that is even your real name.”

  Chance smiles and says, “So, you were down stairs watching. Why don't you tell me your name? I can already tell you are from the house of Ree.”

  “You seem to know a lot about us,” she replies, “and you do look familiar. Have we met before?”

  Chance tries to remember if he has ever seen this woman before. “What is your name?” He asks.

  “My name is Kristieana,” she answers.

  Chance cannot remember anyone named Kristieana. “I am sorry I don't believe we have met.”

  “Very well,” Kristieana replies. “I am looking after my sisters and making sure they are safe. I have had my eye on you since you arrived here.”

  “Oh,” Chance replies. “Well, I am no threat to them, and as I already told your sisters, I am not interested in being anyone’s claim.” Chance then opens the door and says, “Now unless there is anything else...”

  She storms over to the door and slams it shut. “That is not what I am here for!” She says angrily. Then she looks at Chance with a grin and adds, “But for the record, if I chose to claim you for my own, I doubt you would deny me.”

  Chance calmly looks her in the eyes and says, “Well, if you are not here for pleasure then what?”

  She quickly grabs Chance by his shirt and pins him against the wall. She then warns, “If you are lying to me, Kyle, I will make you regret it.”

  “Bold words for someone who just had a sword at her neck,” Chance replies.

  She then reaches up with her left hand and turns Chance's head to the side and looks at the markings on the back of his ear. Chance sighs and does not resist. “So you are La'harn and Dri'el,” She says. “Impressive.”

  Chance grabs her hand and pulls it free from his head. Then with his other hand he takes Kristieana by her hair. He turns them around, and now he is the one pressing her against the wall.

  “So, there is fight in you after all,” Kristieana says with a smile.

  “Do they know you are following them?” Chance asks as he continues to hold her against the wall.

  “No,” she replies, “and if you tell them—”

  “Again with the threats,” Chance says with a small grin. “You are hardly in the position for that right now.”

  “So, what are you going to do with me?” She asks softly with a grin of her own.

  Chances doesn't say a word. He only holds her there against the wall in silence. He looks her in the eyes for only a moment before looking down. He releases his grip on her and as he turns and walks away from her she asks, “Where are you going?” When Chance does not answer her she continues, “You don't start something like that with me and just walk away.”

  Chance stops and replies, “I don't know what you’re talking about.”

  “Is that so?” she asks as she walks up behind him. She reaches out and turns him to face her.

  The two of them stand there looking each other over for a moment. “Why are you still here?” Chance asks.

  “It's been a long time for me,” she answers. “I am deciding if I want to take you for the night or not.”

  Chance moves in closer to her. Now with their faces only inches apart he says, “I thought you said you weren't here for that.”

  “Who says I can't reconsider?” she answers. “I would have to break one of my own rules though, and I am trying to figure out if you are worth it or not.”

  “And what rule is that?” Chance asks.

  “I usually require a man tall enough that I have to look up,” Kristieana says with a smile.

  “I think it is time for you to leave,” Chance replies as he turns and walks back over to his bed.

  Kristieana follows him and continues to stay close as she softy asks, “What is wrong? Did I hurt your feelings?”

  Chance turns back to face her once more and replies, “I assure you that my feelings are fine.”

  “Do you not like women?” she asks.

  Chance can't help but laugh a bit at the question before answering her, “Of course I do.”

  “Alright,” she says thinking for a bit. Then she asks, “Are you capable of being with a woman?”

  “Trust me that is not a problem,” Chance answers, somewhat annoyed by the question.

  “You do not have a ring on your finger,” She says as she now slowly walks around him, “Do you belong to someone else?”

  Chance gives the question some thought. It has been over a decade since his wife had passed, though he still feels for her he has been ready to move on for some time. Then he thinks of Ariella, though he once loved her as much as anyone, so many years have passed. Then, of course, there is the kiss between Ariella and Fernando that he can't get out of his mind. All these thoughts go through his head.

  “There is someone else,” Kristieana says, “isn't there?”

  Chance caught up in his own thoughts almost doesn't
hear her. He finally looks up and answers, “No. There is no one else.”

  Kristieana abruptly stops circling Chance. Then with a look of confusion and frustration she asks, “So, what is it then? Is it just me?”

  “No,” Chance says trying to explain, “that is not it at all.”

  By this time Kristieana is visibly angry. She snaps at Chance, “I don't know what your problem is and I don't care.” She pushes Chance out of the way and starts to head for the door. “I seriously doubt you could have handled me anyway.”

  Suddenly she is stopped as Chance grabs her arm and pulls her back to him. He holds her tightly pinning her arms at her sides. They are face to face again and she struggles a bit to free herself, but he does not let go. She stops and says, “Let go of me.”

  “I don't think so,” Chance replies. “Not just yet.”

  “Hmm. So you do want me to stay?” Kristieana asks with a smile.

  “Who says I can't reconsider?” he asks mimicking her earlier statement. With his heart beating loud and fast, Chance cannot remember the last time he felt such exhilaration.

  “You are a clever one?” Kristieana replies. She demands again, “Let me go!” as she tries once again to break free.

  “Say please,” Chance says.

  Kristieana laughs and says, “I will do NO such thing.”

  “Well then,” Chance says still with a grin on his face, “I guess if you like it here so much in my arms you can stay.”

  Kristieana stops struggling. “I have been in worse places,” she says drawing her face in a little closer to Chance.

  Chance also moves closer, and says, “I am sure you have.”

  Then as their lips are just about to touch he stops. Moments go by that feel much longer. Chance loosens his hold a bit and brings his right hand up to her face. He lightly brushes her cheek and then runs his fingers through her hair. She closes her eyes and tries to move in the last bit to kiss him, but when his hand reaches the back of her head he grabs her long hair tightly and pulls her head back exposing her neck.

  Kristieana gasps and asks, “Why are you teasing me?” Chance does not answer her. Instead he inhales deeply taking in the scent of the Midnight Tear blossom, commonly applied by elven women to their necks due to its sweet aroma. She can feel his warm breath on her neck. She then says, “It's been a long time since a man really knew how to handle me. What other surprises do you have?”