Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  “You may go, Torgus,” Ariella replies.

  “Thank you, Captain,” Torgus says as he exits, leaving the three ladies alone.

  “So who is this young lady?” Fidelma asks as she looks at Annalee.

  Ariella replies, “Fidelma, this is Annalee. Annalee, this is Fidelma McMurphy.”

  “A pleasure to meet you,” Fidelma says.

  “Likewise,” Annalee replies.

  “Now then,” Ariella says, “I assume you haven't tracked me down just to pay me a visit.”

  “Right you are,” Fidelma replies. “I am here to make you a deal.”

  “What kind of deal?” Ariella asks as she stands face to face with Fidelma.

  “I heard you were looking for someone,” Fidelma replies. “Someone by the name of Fernando Greythorn?”

  Ariella grabs Fidelma's coat by the collar with both hands and yells, “I swear to the gods, that if you have something to do with him—“

  “Relax,” Fidelma says calmly. “I have never met the man.”

  “Then how did you know I was looking for him?” Ariella asks, still gripping her coat.

  “The Makon told me,” Fidelma answers. “I was there looking for work and he told me that you had just added more gold to his reward.” Fidelma places a wanted poster on the table. It has a portrait of Fernando on it and says 'Wanted alive 600 Gold or dead 500 Gold.'

  “You are a bounty hunter?” asks Annalee.

  “Yes,” Fidelma replies. “The best in all of Runefell. Fernando Greythorn's bounty will be enough to pay off my new ship.”

  “And you want me to help you?” Ariella asks.

  “You don't need to,” Fidelma laughs. “I already know where he is. I am here to help you.”

  “Really?” Ariella questions.

  Fidelma smiles and says, “You seem surprised. Is it because you don't believe I know where he is? Or is it because you know I still have every reason to resent you.”

  “Both,” Ariella answers.

  Fidelma laughs and says, “Well, I can tell you that he is in Sheathelm, but I think you already knew that. As for our past...” Fidelma looks at Annalee with a smile. She looks back at Ariella and says, “Can I tell her? I do love to tell a good story.”

  Ariella pulls out a chair and sits down and replies with a sigh, “If you must.”

  Fidelma turns back to Annalee who doesn't know quite what to make of all this. Fidelma says, “When I was a young girl, my father worked for hers. Ariella would sneak me aboard and I would hide in her cabin. I had the ability to cast magic, and I wanted to go to Dicean, but my parents did not make enough money to send me. So Ariella would teach me about magic. Over the years we became best friends. I was even there for her the day that Chance Na'Moon broke her heart. After that, how do you think Ariella repaid me?”

  Annalee doesn't respond. She looks over at Ariella who says, “You make it sound as if I did it intentionally.”

  “Intentional or not,” Fidelma replies, “it doesn't really matter.” She looks back at Annalee and says, “The night before I was to take my vows with the love of my life, Ariella slept with my fiancé.”

  “Do you feel better now?” Ariella asks. “That is not the whole story and you know it.” Ariella looks at Annalee who looks uncomfortable and says, “I had just arrived the night before to attend the ceremony when I met a man at the local inn. I had no idea who it was.” Ariella looks at Fidelma and says, “Besides, at least you got to know what kind of man he was before you married him.”

  Fidelma glares at Ariella. Angry, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She exhales slowly as a smile returns to her face. She says, “Either way, it was a long time ago. I am here to find out what it is you need Fernando Greythorn for. The Makon did not know why you were looking for him.”

  “Why should I tell you?” Ariella asks.

  Fidelma shrugs her shoulders and replies, “You don't have to tell me anything, but let me assure you that I can capture Fernando far before you ever reach Sheathelm. Not only do I know where he is staying in Sheathelm, but I have two of my former crew keeping a close watch on him as we speak. The Makon told me that only you wanted him alive. Five hundred gold is far more than I need for my ship. I don't care if I take him in dead or alive. In fact it is usually much easier if they are dead. So if you don't want to tell me...”

  “Fine,” Ariella says as she stands up. “He has some information that I need.”

  “I see,” Fidelma says with a grin. “How about this then. I will help you obtain that information. In exchange, once you have it, I get Fernando for his reward. In addition to that I'll let you keep your gold, and you let me use Corthag's book.”

  “Corthag's book?” Ariella asks. “What do you want with that?”

  Fidelma laughs and says, “Well, it's obvious isn't it? I want it for the same reason you do. I want to add a few years to my life. Look at you now. You look almost as young as me. All I want is the same opportunity.”

  Ariella asks, “And just who will you take these years from?”

  Fidelma grins and answers, “My dear Ariella, I am a bounty hunter. Many of the people I catch are going to be executed anyway. I find many people who are unworthy of the years they have. Finding someone would be easy.”

  Ariella looks down in deep thought. She looks up and says, “So, you will help me get my answers in exchange for use of the book?”

  “And,” Fidelma adds, “Fernando to turn in for the reward. I will even give you part of it.”

  “I am not concerned with his reward,” Ariella says, “or what happens to Fernando once I get my answers. You can do whatever you like with him.”

  A smile comes across Fidelma's face. “So we have a deal then?” she asks as she holds out her hand.

  “We have a deal,” Ariella answers. The two shake hands. “How did you get in here anyway?”

  Fidelma walks to the back door surrounded by the stained glass windows that leads out to a balcony at the stern of the ship. “You really should keep this door locked,” she says as she opens it. She walks out onto the balcony and whistles. Ariella joins her on the balcony as a rope falls from above. Fidelma says, “We will leave tomorrow morning on my ship, you can bring one other person.”

  Fidelma grabs the rope and whistles again. Ariella looks up, and from out of the darkness of the night sky the wooden keel of a small ship suddenly appears high above them in the air. “A flying ship?” Ariella asks in amazement.

  “Yes, Captain,” Fidelma replies. “It's the Sea Griffin.”

  Drake suddenly bursts though the door of the lounge and says, “Captain! A ship just appeared above us out of nowhere!”

  “Sorry to have startled your crew, Ariella,” Fidelma says as the rope begins to lift her upward to the ship. “We needed to stay invisible and out of sight. We had no idea how you would have greeted us.”

  Ariella watches as Fidelma is lifted up. She says, “I'll see you in the morning, McMurphy.”

  “Goodnight, Ariella,” Fidelma replies as she reaches the side of her ship.

  On the docks of Sheathelm, Fernando, Allen, and Marie are led by the goblins to a nearby building. The goblins enter and the others follow them inside. Once in they can see many goblins working as they carry crates around the large room.

  “Come this way,” says the goblin who has been doing all the talking thus far. He leads them to a dimly lit room. Behind a desk a short figure sits wearing the hood of his cloak over his head. A goblin is sitting next to him.

  “Greetings, Mr. Greythorn,” the goblin sitting down says. “My name is Riktog. Please sit down.”

  The goblin who brought them leaves as Fernando, Allen, and Marie find a few chairs against the wall and sit. “Thank you,” Fernando says.

  The one in the cloak leans over and whispers something to Riktog. “The boss would like to know why you did not come alone.” Riktog says.

  “Well,” Fernando replies with a smile, “one can never be too careful, wouldn't you
agree?”

  “Indeed,” Riktog replies. “Do you have Captain Stormrage's locket?”

  “Yes,” Fernando answers.

  Marie nervously clings to Allen's arm. Riktog says impatiently, “Well, where is it?”

  Fernando slowly pulls out the small bag containing the locket and places it on the table. Riktog picks up the bag and pulls out the locket. He studies it for a moment before handing it to the one in the cloak.

  “Now that I have completed my end of the deal,” Fernando says, sounding a little nervous, “I believe you have something for me.”

  The hooded figure does not respond. Instead he reaches down and picks up a small wooden chest at his feet and places it on the table in front of him. Then he opens Ariella's locket and looks very closely inside. Fernando watches as he then does something to the front of the chest that he and the others cannot see. Allen looks at Fernando urgently but Fernando motions for him to remain calm. Finally the chest opens and the dark hooded one reaches inside and pulls out a sheathed sword.

  He hands it to Riktog, and Fernando notices that the hands of the one in the cloak are not green like the goblins. “You're not a goblin,” he says. “Who are you?”

  The goblin holds out the sword to Fernando and says, “That is not important to you. Here is your sword. Now take it and leave.”

  Fernando stands up and takes the sword as Allen also stands up and asks Fernando, “What about the captain's treasure? What about her locket?”

  Before Fernando can answer, the hooded one slams his fists on the table. With a thick dwarven accent he snaps, “Boy, you are still alive because I allow you to be, but do not mistake my kindness for weakness!”

  Fernando, Marie and Allen all look at each other confused. “I only know one other person who says that,” Fernando says, “and that person is Ariella Stormrage. Tell me, just how do you know Ariella?”

  “Know her?” The man replies as he stands up. “I more than just know her, Fernando, I am her father.” He pulls back his hood and standing before them is a dwarf with the unmistakable red beard and hair of the former pirate and captain of the Red Dawn, Red Beard.

  *****

  The cell phone of Kelik rings, bringing Josh, Haley, and Laura back to reality in their apartment. The surprise of it actually makes them jump. Kelik stops and reads the message as the others laugh at each other. “I am sorry,” Kelik says. “I have to get going.”

  “Aw,” Haley whines. “I want to know what happens next.”

  “Me too,” Josh adds. “Red Beard is alive?”

  Laura laughs and says, “I hate to admit it but I am really hooked on this story too.”

  “Well, it is late anyway,” Kel'ana says, “and you all should be going to bed.”

  “If you want to hear more about the story,” Kelik says as he reaches into his pocket, “go down to the library and visit your Aunt Nica. Tell her you want to read about the Third Orcnea War in the Runefell Chronicles.” He pulls out a business card. Kelik writes something on the back as he says, Kelik hands the card to Laura and adds, “Give her this.”

  “Wait!” Laura says as she takes the card from Kelik, “You mean these stories that you have been telling us for years are from books? Why didn't you tell us?”

  “Not all the stories we told you are in the books,” Kel'ana answers.

  Kelik adds, “You also were too young for the books. I have been modifying the story a bit so it was more appropriate for you.”

  Laura looks at the business card. On the front it simply reads, Kyle Silsby, and has a phone number below the name. She reads the writing on the back aloud and says, “'Nica, call me if you have any questions, Kyle'.” She looks at Kelik and asks, “Just give her this?”

  “Yes,” he replies. “Nica should be able to help you.”

  “Alright everyone,” Kel'ana says. “Off to bed.” She looks at Kelik and says, “I'll be right back.”

  The kids go down the halls and to their rooms as Kelik reads the text again.

  Kel'ana turns off the lights in Josh's room and says, “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Aunt Danielle,” Josh replies.

  Kel'ana turns off the light in Haley's room as Haley says, “Danielle?”

  “What is it?” she asks as she walks into Haley's room. Haley doesn't answer and as Kel'ana sits on the edge of her bed she sits up and brushes Kel'ana’s hair back. “What are you doing?” Kel'ana asks.

  “Just checking,” Haley says with a smile.

  “Checking for what?” She asks.

  “I was just checking your ears,” Haley answers with a smile. “To see if you are an elf.”

  Kel'ana laughs and as she stands up she says, “May your dreams guide you safely to the new day.”

  “May your dreams guide you safely, too,” Haley says with a yawn.

  Kel’ana then walks by Laura's room and says, “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” Laura replies as she looks again at the back of the card. “Danielle, there is something else written on the back of this card.”

  “There is?” Kel'ana questions as she comes into Laura's room.

  “I didn't notice it at first,” Laura replies, as she hands Kel'ana the card, “but now it looks like glow in the dark ink, but it's in some other language and I can't read it. Do you know what it says?”

  Underneath the message to Nica, Kel'ana reads a secret message written in magic. Only a person with an innate magical ability is able to see it. The message is written in elven so even though Laura can see it, she cannot read it. Kel'ana reads it to herself and it reads, “Lyra, We need to talk soon, Kelik.”

  “I think it is just a watermark of the printing company,” Kel’ana says as she hands back the card. “I am sure it is nothing. I'll ask Kyle though if he knows. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” Laura replies as Danielle turns off her light.

  Kel'ana walks out to the living room and Kelik is putting on his coat. “I'll walk you out,” she says to him.

  “Good,” Kelik replies, “because I still have to talk with you about something.”

  Kelik and Kel'ana walk out of the apartment and into the hall. She looks around and says, “I am sorry about all that, I know you came to tell me something important.”

  “It's not a big deal,” Kelik replies. “It is good to see the kids are doing well.”

  “Well, I know you didn't come all this way to tell stories,” Kel'ana says. “What's going on?”

  “I got a message from Yentroc,” Kelik explains. “She wasn't sure, but she says she has found something that we will want to see firsthand.”

  “Do you think she found a way back to Runefell?” Kel'ana asks quietly.

  “Possibly,” he answers, “I am leaving in the morning to find out what it is.”

  “She didn't tell you what it was?” Kel'ana asks.

  “No,” he says as he looks around. “You know we can't text or talk about anything to do with gates or magic over the phone.”

  “Right,” Kel'ana replies. “So, is she still down in the Bermuda Triangle?”

  “Yes,” Kelik answers, “on the company ship.”

  “I want to go!” Kel'ana says excitedly.

  “I was just going to go myself,” Kelik replies, “but if you want to go, I suppose I could activate the gate at The Daily Scoop.”

  “Thank you,” Kel'ana says as she jumps with excitement. “What time do you want to leave?”

  “We would have to leave by 10:30 in the morning,” Kelik says.

  “I'll be there,” Kel'ana replies. “I can't believe that all this time a gate has been out in the open like that in plain sight,” she says with a laugh.

  Kelik laughs and says, “Well, it is not like someone can accidentally open a gate. Only a magic user who knows what they are doing can use it. You are right though, it is funny that an old brick archway in the wall of some ice cream shop is really a magic portal.”

  “Oh!” Kel'ana says standing in the doorway. “I almost forgot
to tell you, Laura saw the magic writing on the back of the card. She couldn't read it, but she could see it.”

  “She did?” Kelik asks, sounding amazed.

  “Yes, and you know that that means?” Kel'ana says happily. “Laura has the ability to use magic.”

  “That is incredible,” Kelik says. “I thought it was lost from their bloodline two generations ago.”

  “Apparently not,” Kel'ana says. “I don't know about Josh or Haley though.”

  “We have to tell the others,” Kelik says.

  Kel'ana, still standing in the doorway asks, “When do we tell the kids the truth?”

  Kelik looks down and gives the question some thought. “I suppose if Yentroc has found a clue as to how to return to Runefell, then we will have to tell them sooner then we planned.”

  “Yes,” Kel'ana replies. “Well, can't wait until tomorrow. I miss the warm weather. May your dreams guide you safely, Kelik.”

  “And may your dreams guide you safely, Kel'ana,” Kelik says with a smile.

  Kel'ana closes the door as a flash of lightning lights up the hallway. Then in the blink of an eye, Kelik disappears as the pop of his teleportation spell is masked by the echoing thunder.

  ###

  Thank you for taking the time to read this book. I hope you found it as enjoyable to read as I did to write. If so, I hope you will take a moment to review it at your favorite retailer.

  Thanks!

  Shawn Sodman

  About the Author

  As long as I can remember I have always been a daydreamer. In fourth grade it became more of a distraction than normal. My grades were marginal, and at the end of the year I was informed that if I were to continue on to the fifth grade I may find it too difficult. Ultimately, my parents and the school left the choice up to me. While it was a hard decision, it was not one that I regret. I repeated the fourth grade with my best friend at the time who was also struggling. One silver lining was that I was going to be able to hear my teacher, Mr. Sheathelm, read from The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis for a second time. Out of all of books that he read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was my favorite. Despite having to repeat the grade, Mr. Sheathelm became my favorite teacher.