The Spirit of Malquia (In the Absence of Kings Book 2)

by Lee LaCroix

  “Barkeep, some ales if you’ll be so kind!” Cern shouted out with a wave of his hand.

  They sat and were welcomed. Before long, Tummas had arrived with a tray and set the drinks down upon the table.

  “So, where is Tamil tonight. I’d thought for sure she’d like to sup with us,” Cern asked.

  “At home with the man and the chi’dlings, I’d suppose. She’s very concerned with her family and what not. Says they’re the reason she continues to fight,” Behn announced.

  Cern pursed his lips and shrugged before nodding, for he was content with this explanation.

  “Have you seen that lass who helps sell the cheese in the Trade District? The one at the stand right outside the Upper Quarter gate? I’d like to dance with her if you get my drift,” Cern said with a wink.

  The men laughed deep at Cern’s youthful jibe, and Kayten scowled and tried to hide her smile. They continued to jest at the bawdy and ribald topics of conversation like the drinking were prone to do. Before long, Berault entered the tavern and was waved over to the long table.

  “I’d thought I’d find you layabouts boozing in here. So much for rest and relaxation!” Berault shouted as he put a hand on Behn’s shoulder and pushed him around.

  “Have a seat, old man, and have a brew before you hurt yourself,” Behn spoke as he withdrew Berault’s hand from his shoulder and motioned to an empty seat at the long table.

  Soon, Tummas was over with another round and conversation swayed from battles of the past, to old warriors dead and gone, and to the days of the King. Noticing her reluctance to speak or her inability to comment on the conversations at hand, Berault shifted his attention to Kayten.

  “You know, lady smith, that this great defensive would not have been possible without your tireless persistence and unrivaled work ethic. Never in all my years have I seen a woman temper a red hot blade with as much skill as you. I can see why Mose has little reason to complain about you. Many of the weapons that rest in the hands of the recruits tomorrow have been repaired by your hand, and I’m confident every single one will guide them to victory,” Berault boasted and raised his glass to her.

  The rest of the men raised their glasses and cheered aloud, and Kayten blushed and bowed her head with a smile.

  “And those swords! Those brilliant swords. I could not believe my eyes when I saw them alight in the courtyard. Like thunder and lightning they are!” Cern exclaimed, clearly impressed.

  “You don’t know the half of it! You did not see Garreth and Novas fight the Vandari outside Bouldershade. At the front of the line they were, standing between our force and the cunning horde. With each blow they would land, a flash would go out, and the Vandarian front would buckle and waver as if stunned. If they wandered too close in their daze, Behn was sure to rake them over with that massive blade,” Domminal explained with a laugh, and the table joined him.

  “They may tell tales about the valor of us three, but our men and women of the Crown Aegis are always there at our side, fearless and stalwart. None of us would be able to resist as we did without their support. I’m sure if we had only a handful more that we would have pushed those buggers all the way out of town and to the Rauros before we were finished,” Behn gloated and was followed by a chorus of nods around the table.

  “Have no fear then, Cern and I have spent our dear time putting these recruits into practice while you have all been off gallivanting. I can tell you that many are not green with the blade, and some may even be peers or equals in skill even if we may fail to admit it,” Eyrn explained.

  “Well, this is all good news. Let us drink and set aside our worries for at least one night. Cheers!” Berault ordered as he raised his mug again.

  The comrades raised their glasses, and with a clink, met in the center before withdrawing them and supping deep. The group continued to talk of inconsequential things, and some called out above the twangy music while others were lost in its spell. Garreth was one of the latter, for he was taking Berault’s command to heart and trying to clear his mind of all the worries of both past and present. Tummas kept a close eye on the level of their ales and refilled them as needed; draining their mugs was not a hard task for any of the party. Garreth caught a look at his son, who sat across the table from him with Kayten. His vision seemed to be fixed on the stained panes of glass at the front of the tavern and the many coloured lights that passed through them. Garreth stared towards the coloured windows as well, but a different sight drew his attention away.

  The dark hair of the young Vemsdower swayed back and forth as she peered around the bar, searching for something. Garreth raised a hand, waved, and soon caught Ilsa’s attention, and a smile broke out between them as she strided over. Garreth gave Cern a nudge to move over, and Ilsa found a seat between them, and Garreth signaled for another brew.

  “Come Ilsa, sit, drink, speak with us. Put aside your sorrows for one night,” Garreth insisted with a brief slur to his voice.

  “I was told this was the haunt of you brawling degenerates, but never before have I seen so many scoundrels in one place, let alone one table,” Ilsa teased.

  Her affability put the crowd at ease, and soon conversation and leisure had resumed.

  “You must forgive me, dear lady, for the loss of your beloved home and hometown. Boulderstone was home to many true patriots and workers as hard as the slate they mined. We were unprepared for an assault of that magnitude entirely,” Berault apologized.

  “You must not fret then, master Berault. I know there was no way to safeguard my fair home without putting the lives of good citizens and soldiers at risk? Garreth, Novas, and Domminal were only gone for a score of hours, and yet the Blackwoods moved against them. What would you have done, move your soldiers through the cold and bleak of darkness? Especially these three good men who spent the night before rescuing my dear family from their prison? No, do not fret. You all have done enough, and we all move to make things right again,” Ilsa explained.

  A chorus of affirmation arose from around the table, and no more grief was uttered there that night. Round after round was served, and no one denied a serving until they could no longer sit properly.

  Kayten’s intuition, either excited or dulled by the indulgence of alcohol, found the presence of this mining maiden to be quite curious. The way that Ilsa was close to Garreth, the way that she placed her hands on top of his, the way they conversed and laughed together, and the way that they looked each other in the eye; it was obvious to Kayten that there was some exchange between them beyond the shared vengeance of the Blackwoods. Her suspicions were validated when Ilsa and Garreth rose and left the tavern together a while later. As Novas only nodded and waved at their goodbye, she had assumed that he was privy to some information of their relationship but decided not to press him at that moment.

  Soon, Cern mumbled a goodbye and excused himself to wander home, bouncing off the tavern door and stumbling into the night. The heaviest of the drinkers, Behn, Berault, and Eyrn, continued to put away their pints, but Novas had relented. He refused to sup further when he could hardly sit up straight but enjoyed the coarse conversation of the grizzled soldiers.

  “Would you like to retire now, Novas? Some bread and cheese would do well to soak those sweet spirits,” Kayten suggested at the first sign of a Novas unleashing a stretching yawn.

  Novas agreed with a nod, and the two wished their remaining comrades a good night before heading up the stairs to their apartment. When they were inside, Novas had his regular seat in the common room, nearest to the window, and Kayten walked around lighting a set of candles. A knife clicked in a steady rhythm against a wooden plate as Kayten began to cut slices of bread and cheese from their respective hunks. The night sky was clear, and Novas was enjoying looking at the myriad of stars that seemed to pop out of the sky and dance in front of his eyes.

  “So, this Ilsa Vemsdower woman… have you two known her long?” Kayten inquired as she finished dicing the meal.

  She brought t
he platter over to Novas and pulled up her chair.

  “Well, we met her in Bouldershade, and she actually saved us from a Blackwoods ambush. She’s quite handy with a pair of blades, and she had these blacks made for us. It was her voice that helped convince the people of Boulderstone to trust us, so we could plan the original revolt. I had a feeling that we were headed up to Deepshine, but I have to assume that the plan to rescue the Vemsdower’s were hers alone, and she convinced Garreth somehow that this was what to do. I see the way they act together. My father has never been like that before as far as I know. I’ve been with him my entire life, and I’ve never seen him with another woman. I never knew my mother, and he never wants to talk about it. I’m happy for him, I suppose, because they both seem happier now,” Novas explained before taking a piece of bread and cheese and devouring it.

  Kayten nodded but remained silent.

  “I saw you peering at them tonight. I’m sure they could tell as well, but they were polite about it. Do I detect a hint of jealousy towards Miss Vemsdower?” Novas inquired with a smirk.

  Kayten blushed but kept her composure.

  “No, no. I’m happy for Garreth and for her, I suppose. I can see why she fancies him. Your father is a strong fighter, deathly skilled in both the bow and the sword. He is wise, honed from years of service and conflict. And he is a brave man, willing to put his trust in others and his strength and his wisdom behind his blade to solve his problems. He reminds me of my father, so determined and hardworking but also caring. I’m happy to have him in my life for these reasons,” Kayten explained.

  “To be absolutely honest, I’ve had feelings for another for a time now, but I did not want to show them. I did not want to hurt anyone. You both have done so much for me, and I did not know your father’s intentions, as virtuous as they appeared to be,” Kayten continued.

  “Another?” Novas queried with the rise of his eyebrow. “Let me guess, Lord Cross? All wealth and wisdom. Or your new apprentice? Energy and passion… Partners in trade.”

  “Not those men,” Kayten replied as she gazed into Novas’ eyes, moved off her chair towards him, and fell upon him as they locked lips.

  Novas put his arms around her and held her close. As they separated their heads, they continued to glare into each other’s eyes. Novas cracked a large grin, and Kayten blushed and smiled.

  “I remember when we met at Southbriar when you stepped in to save me even though you did not know me. I was shocked when Garreth told me that you had never left the forest before, and that you acted out of the strength of your heart,” Kayten explained as she put a hand flat on his chest.

  “I knew you were watching over me when we fought the Blackwoods in the courtyard. When I saw the arrows fall around me I was not afraid, and I looked back and saw you keeping me safe. And I knew it was you who found the way through those dark and musty tunnels to deliver me to freedom after the Blackwoods took me. You strive to defend every one of the helpless and the innocent. I know I want to do the same, so we will defend them together. I cannot thank you enough, so I will the only way I know how,” Kayten continued before pecking him on the lips.

  “I’m glad you were finally able tell me. I’m sure it was difficult to keep that inside as long as you did. I remember a look that Ilsa and Garreth shared, something in their eyes and in their faces. I recalled it from the past, but it has come to visit me again. Your face, this face. I saw that look once at the festival and now here. I wasn’t envious, but now I’m ecstatic, and I couldn’t be happier. Your spirit that has safeguarded the innocent and the downtrodden and has avenged your father and the victims of this terrible time inspires me to the fullest capacity to protect the ones I care about most, including you. Your determination, the strength to put that hammer to anvil day in and day out, reminds me that there who strive alongside me to right these wrongs, and in this fight, I am never alone,” Novas stated, uttering those heated words as she breathed against him.

  “You will never be alone again, Novas. Not if I can help it,” Kayten replied as she rose up off of him, keeping his hand in hers.

  She pulled him up out of the chair and blew out all of the lights before leading Novas out of the common room, through the hall, and into her room. What followed was a time of pure elation and contentment, echoed in sound by the rustling of sheets and the subtle laughter from the finally entwined couple.

  Act Four

  Chapter Sixteen

  Novas woke the next morning when the stripes of sunlight finally rested upon his eyes and ended his rest from the nearby window. He was in no hurry to rise, for Berault had declared today to be a day of rest, and he did not wish to disturb the pleasant scene that had formed within the bed. Kayten managed to avoid the shine of the light by tucking her face under Novas’ arm and resting her head upon his shoulder. Novas could feel the rhythm of Kayten’s warm breath upon his side, and he wished not to disturb her rest. He had closed his eyes and tried to return to sleep without avail; once he had begun to think, to ponder, there was no returning to the realm of dream that morn.

  Regardless of the peace that Novas found himself in, it was not difficult for him to brood on conflict again. Although he had fought bravely beside Behn and his father, he knew that there were many more Vandari to take the place of the ones that had fallen, and he knew he understood an inkling of the terror that those war machines could possess even in their repose. Although he tried not to imagine terrible things, when he thought of the Blackwoods being further reinforced from the sea, he cast the thought away entirely. As his vision fell to the fiery lass upon his side, body dotted with freckles of brown and red hue, Novas knew that he had more reason to see this conflict ended— to see her safe. He also knew he could not disway her from joining the battle. He promised that he would stand beside her as her ally and protector just as she had done when she had forged for him that brilliant sword. Despite his best efforts, Novas still feared that he would lose this most important of gifts, for this coming battle would definitely put his true strength to the test. As resolved as he felt by this dedication, Novas had ruined his rest by brooding, and he decided to rise. He swept his legs out of the bed and returned the covers to around Kayten’s side, and she mumbled as she dug her face deeper into the pillows and away from the sun’s peering eye.

  Novas slipped into his clothes and walked into the common room where he had a seat upon his chair. Hungered from his rest, he nibbled at a slice of bread but found it hard and unappetizing and decided to wait till later for a meal because the cheese did not look a shade better. He continued to stare down upon the street way and watched some fisher folk make their way down to the harbour, a pair of Aegis making their way around on patrol, and the usual influx of denizens, most homely and few affluent, going either which way. The window panes were still wet with dew, and the rooftops glistened in the reflection of the newly risen sun as well. A brief but sudden chill made Novas yearn to be back in that warm and comfortable bed with Kayten, but he wished not to wake her from her rest with his intrusion or his sudden coolness. Only a little while later, Kayten awoke from her slumber, and Novas heard her shuffling around down the hallway. She appeared in a brown dress with a thick leather belt around the middle and her hair pulled back in a loose tail.

  “Hi,” Kayten spoke as she entered the common room, and an easy smile rested upon her face.

  “Good morning,” Novas welcomed as he stood up and walked over to meet her.

  “I’m going to fetch some breakfast. Is there anything you’d like in particular?” She asked, looking into his eyes.

  “Not particularly. I trust your judgment. Would you like me to see you there?” Novas replied.

  “No no no, leave this to me. I’ll only be gone a little while. You must be pretty tired after last night, I’d imagine,” Kayten said with a wink and then kissed him on his cheek.

  Novas shrugged, Kayten turned about and made her way out the door, and then he closed it behind her. He walked back to the window and wa
tched Kayten as she left the Salty Dog, and she turned around, looked up into the window, and then gave Novas a wave before making her way down the street. Novas returned the gesture and watched her fade out of his sight, and then he sat down in the chair wondering how he had gotten so lucky.

  Kayten returned less than an hour later with a wrapped cloth in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. They both had a seat in the common room where Novas turned on the stove for some heat and opened the cloth, revealing a spread of wildland berries and freshly baked pastries, and Kayten gouged at the corked wine with a knife.

  “A little early to be supping at draughts, don’t you imagine?” Novas teased.

  “Oh please. This is the shallowest of fruit wines. You would need many a bottle to turn us around like last night,” Kayten replied with a smirk.

  Regardless, they enjoyed their flavourful drink, which was crisp and sweet as the fruit itself, and indulged in the flaky and warm pastries. They sat near the window as they finished their meal, continued to watch the sun rise to its noonday peak, and savoured their meal and company to the fullest, often sitting hand in hand as they gazed in each other’s eyes.

  When their meal was done, the two dressed. Kayten donned some thicker boots and a pair of fine gloves, and Novas wore a leather jerkin under his tabard and equipped Dawnbringer to his side as well. When they left the Salty Dog hand in hand, the dew had evaporated. Another clear day with a crisp wind appeared before them. They had reached the intersection of the Lower Quarter and found it to be even busier than when Kayten had passed a while ago. They wandered south to the source of the activity and found themselves at the outer training yard after ambling through the gathering crowds. The newly constructed rings were a sight of much interest to the people of Amatharsus that day because the rumours of invasion and war had spurred their worries and fears. At least a little, the martial display helped put those feelings to rest.