The shape of the town replicated a blacksmith's anvil, buildings hugged the interior wall where those opposite ran parallel until the center, where they branched off south towards the farms and their pastures.
"'Tis the place where everything from the farmlands is brought to be stored, sold or sent to the capital, be it the wood from Tripple, the iron ore of Nellore, even the fish from Porthos."
"Why don't we head there tonight? It’s well within reach, is there a danger there?"
"There's some shady characters to be sure, but nothing for us to worry about. Jema’s presence will bring much attention in town, something he wishes to do without. We will head there come morning and when we do stay close to me. We need to acquire some supplies before continuing our trek to Arwendel."
Landau scouted behind him to inspect if anybody was within earshot of him and Clancey.
"I find it hard to talk to Jema. Feel like I've disappointed him, or that he's bothered by me coming here."
Clancey placed a consoling hand on Landau's shoulder.
"Listening to Jema I regard a man who has endured much, perhaps seldom though in company as young as yourself. Do not be disheartened by it lad, it was his idea to bring you with him after all, he simply might not know what to say to you, but I wager your endearment will win him over yet," Clancey smiled. "You were always the brightest boy in Porthos lad, very mature for your age, he'll see that eventually."
After a fitting meal the guards discharged to their duties, and Jema with Clancey retired atop the tower while the boys acquainted themselves downstairs. Under the starry sky Jema fondled his pockets to share some darkleaf with Clancey.
"You smoke yes?" he muttered.
Clancey revealed his silver pipe, subtly he inhaled the exotic aroma of Jema's leaves before releasing his tobacco into his own charred bowl, the smell alone delivered a tease of euphoria.
"Pollus hailed you as a hero. What warrants such a title in his eyes?" asked Jema.
"I think you'll find it was spoken in jest. Pollus and I once fought in the Moors of Alduain, not that I was a soldier, I simply had a specialty for discovering treasures. He explained that the wars ravaging the Moors revolved around such an artifact, so I was hired of sorts. It was not my place to be charging into battle, but the countless deaths that grieved the town over this treasure made me reconsider, in the hope the war would end. I have had adventures since, but that image of violence and death is a distant memory, yet one that plagues me still, only to be reminded of such evil most recently."
He turned to Jema in hesitance to ask a question. "I understand plenty in this world that would confuse many, but this Ash-Spawn business baffles me. What do you make of it?"
Jema took a long pause to inhale his darkleaf before releasing it in a sigh.
"I know some of the evil that roam these lands, but my life has always revolved around war, where the villain has always been man. My concerns lie in the east, this war in Corcadia will decide many things toward our future and indeed the Empire's. This evil of Ash-spawn has me baffled I must admit. It is nature of some kind I am hardly versed in. It worries me that so much interest leans towards Corcadia when there is much of this province I am yet to understand. The elves and el'saar of our land are still foreign to me, as are the amazons, yet this devilry of Ash-Spawn frustrates me plenty, like a thief in the night it has snuck under all other worries and incurred a great blow."
"You only need to look at a map to survey the mystery of our land," said Clancey. "Such creatures are too foul for one man to withstand, yet men’s strength has always been in its numbers. A dwarf once told me that men are hardly powerful, only plentiful. As strong as a tree stands in the ground even the strongest wind can force it to collapse."
"I suppose in the end I am unsure of what to make of it, but my purpose is not to unravel such riddles, only guarantee the safety of my people."
"Are you involved in the war yourself?"
"Not exactly, I spent many years fighting war in Astiroth, and my orders have made many widows, of whose despair will always weigh on me, and I don't intend to bring that suffering upon these lands. These days I merely offer my suggestion if you will, there are many incidents throughout Ruun that avoid the attention of the armies. The Warriors guild in Arwendel alleviates much of the problems these days, still there is much to keep me busy. Thieves and bandits still burden travellers, spies from Corcadia have become numerous across our borders, and I'm not too fond of mercenaries either. There will always be crime, even in places such as here in the south. Even Merchant's Wall is not the haven it once was."
"You don't have to tell me," Clancey stood to survey the flickering outline of Anvil below. "Before we leave town tomorrow there's a man I wish to see, he might know a great deal about these gemstones, at least more than anybody I can think of. I'll warn you though he's not exactly a law abiding man."
Jema became noticeably uncomfortable. "Relax he's not a murderer, more an adulterer and occasional thief. He won't take kindly to you I imagine, still I'd rather you accompany me."
"Is he a man to be feared?" said Jema, not particularly troubled.
"On the contrary, he's frightened of authority, with you beside me he'll give a more honest answer, preferably for free too. These kind of men don't sell information for nothing you know."
Jema nodded, the cold chill of night seeped through his breast-plate and gave him a small shudder, over yonder dark clouds impressed themselves, even across the night sky.
"Samson can look after Landau until then, it's good for his training to take responsibility, something he lacks of late."
"Do not falsely evaluate little Landau though. There is a brightness in him like no other, treat him with respect and he will gain your favor."
"My concern is for the safety of the child, I have no time to dwell on his feelings. I brought you here to see to his troubles, for there are other matters that require my attention, matters that brought me to Merchant's Wall in the first place."
"Nothing too serious I hope," Clancey wondered, for Jema had not yet indicated as much on their journey.
"There is someone else I must see to before we leave."
The wind sent the waft of darkleaf below to where Landau attempted to converse with Samson. With a bucket beside him the squire brushed the dirt from his master’s boots, detailing to Landau some of the customs he would need to adhere to in the palace.
"When inside, it's always polite to acknowledge your superiors."
Landau clenched his fist and placed it on his chest, replicating how Clancey acknowledged Pollus in Porthos. "No - no," Samson laughed. "That's how soldiers salute each other, as a gesture of respect; nobles who live in the palace, but who aren't warriors, bow their head ever so slightly."
"Like this?" Landau looked Samson in the eye before he nodded his head quickly, comparable to someone shaking off a spider.
"Slower," he explained. "Gently, eyes looking towards their feet," demonstrating for Landau.
"Do people do that for you?"
"No, not yet. I'm just a knight in training, a squire under Jema. Like an apprentice of sorts, we learn from them and in the meantime do their menial tasks," Samson raised Jema's boots to reinforce his point.
"How will I know a superior when I see one?"
"There's a good chance that if someone is dressed in heavy armor or very fine clothing they are to be respected, it's an old custom."
"What if I forget to do it, will I get in trouble?" the look in Landau's face was genuine, nervous he could fail to blend in with the nobles.
"I doubt it, it's considered rude if you don't, though there aren't many kids your age wandering around the palace, so I'm sure you'll be fine. Don't be too concerned," Samson said, drying Jema's shoes before he lugged over his own boots to begin brushing.
"So does the Queen have kids?"
"She's too intimidating a woman for that, a great leader, but we rarely see her in the kingdom anymore, she keeps to herself mostly,
converses mainly through her steward."
"Clancey told me the Queen has been ruling for over two-hundred years, I can’t imagine she’s that old."
"Nearly three-hundred years old I think, perhaps older, you'd have some courage to ask her that question," the image of the Queen became more and more confronting in Landau's mind.
"Is that why she hides from the public…because she's so old?"
Samson laughed, abruptly to disturb the guards, enamored by Landau's naivety.
"You're a curious kid aren't you. Well you can see for yourself if you meet her. She's a sorceress, not that she wields magic around the palace or anything, but the stories I hear about her in older times are pretty impressive. To see what she’s done with Arwendel is amazing, it’s one of the greatest cities in the world I think, definitely in Ruun. The centenary is soon, and the city will be busy in the coming weeks."
"What’s the centenary for?"
"To commemorate the city's two-hundred-year anniversary since Anduniel was Queen. Many dignitaries will be attending, people as far as Alduain and Astiroth. There'll be tournaments and plays, and vendors from across the land, many townsfolk have saved quite a bit of coin to splash out in the markets."
Landau took the scrubbing brush from the squire, which he rinsed in a small pot of water. Samson pulled a rag from his pocket, and gave the boots a solid polish.
"Do you or Jema compete in the tournaments then?"
"I did once, we had a tourney, 'bout three years ago now, won this here dagger," he pulled from his waist, the handle was ivory and the blade was rounded. "It was in a bohort, back when I was a page. Similar to jousting, me and another guy sit on horses within a circle and have to force the other one out. It's considered one of the minor events, still I was well proud. It’s more ornamental than anything, my spear and buckler here are what I’ve been trained in."
Beside him rested a small shield, forged from steel with no elegant design, and in Landau’s eyes it looked similar to a dinner plate. His spear was simple, it looked more suited for hunters, and was hardly imposing, but its tip was sharp and designed to pierce the strongest armor.
His mind however could not stray from learning more about the Queen.
"My friend Melly always went on about wizards, never thought they were real any. Is she the wizard I've been hearing about?"
"No that's Vhalen, our court wizard. I say that like they're common, but I can't say I know of any other, many sailed the seas a long time ago. I had the fortune of meeting him once through Jema, though we never spoke. He's a very solitary person, more so than the Queen, lives in his own tower within the palace. You can't miss it, when we spot Arwendel on the horizon it'll be the first thing you see. Despite what Jema says, chances are you’ll see neither, I can’t think of many kids who warrant their attention."
Landau was disheartened by Sam's disclosure, it was strange to conceive people so powerful would find him of any importance. Samson finished wiping Jema's boots, then shook the dirt-covered blanket out the window
The knight soon descended below with Clancey. "We should get some early rest. A storm is approaching, we'll venture into town tomorrow once it subsides."
Throughout the early morning the rain had developed and made Landau restless, for the small claps of thunder sounded more threatening from up high. Startled he sat up, the noise of rain was pleasant, and faint were the raindrops that struck the ground. The fire still kindled, and everyone lay unperturbed by the weather, and the commotion fell on deaf ears. He had never witnessed Clancey sleep in a bed before, and how oddly he did at that, straight on his back with his arms folded atop his chest, like the deceased buried in a coffin.
Noticeably absent was Jema, his reserved bed remained empty and undisturbed. A cough from above alerted him to the stairs, where the door was ajar. Landau teetered from beneath his blankets and put on his jacket to peek up in curiosity. Another cough broke the silence, and he was hesitant to reveal himself further, a mild crack of thunder was enough to unnerve him. He discovered Jema in a large rain coat that concealed all but his face, with a pipe full of darkleaf in his hand he canvassed the darkness below. The knight turned his head to regard him, alarmed to see him awake so early in the late watches of night.
"It is late son, what troubles you?"
"Ah," he muttered, unsure if Jema was concerned or upset. "I was just wondering where you were. Is everything alright?"
Jema was taken aback one so young would ask a considerate question.
"Everything is fine son. I've never been one for much sleep. Is there something I can help you with?"
The endless drop of rain against the cool wind made Landau clench his jacket tightly.
"No I'm okay," he admitted. "I guess I'm still unsure why I'm here, with you guys I mean."
Jema waved away the smoke of his darkleaf and knelt before him, under his rain coat Landau noticed him still heavily armored.
"If you fear that you're in danger then fear not son. There are questions to be answered is all, alas I do not have them, my role is to safeguard you while I lead you to someone who can answer them."
"I told you most of what I know," unsure why he clarified it like that. "What other reason is there?"
Jema stood back up. "Come, let's get you away from the elements," and he escorted him downstairs to his bed, Landau idled by the fire to gather some warmth before joining him.
"You seem a little uneasy son, what is it you need clarifying?"
Only now that he proposed the question did Landau draw a blank on what to ask.
"I guess I fear for Melly and Jenny, and my dad, aren't they in any danger?" his voice trembled, Jema could not evaluate whether his emotion or the cold was to blame.
"I assume you mean the girls. Don't worry, there is ample protection in Tripple, Clancey tells me your dad is strong and can watch over the others."
"I worry about them is all."
"It can be hard leaving those you've spent your entire life with Landau, believe me I know. But they are never lost to us entirely."
"It's just everything has happened so fast, like I haven't had the time to take it all in, only to find myself away from everyone I've ever known, besides Clancey of course." Jema was enamored at his honesty.
"You're a thoughtful boy Landau. I promise you this venture will not be in vain, I will see its resolve when you stand in your father's presence once more. For now, trust in everything I say, and right now I would ask you to get some sleep."
"You're right, sorry to bother you, I guess I'll get used to it soon."
Landau climbed beneath his blanket and like a father Jema tucked him in soundly, never had he slept in a bed so big.
"I'll be here if you need me," he smiled, tapping the side of Landau's bed in his only show of affection, before coursing back up the stairs to the rain soaked night.
Gradually the rain subsided and the clouds moved east before noon, with their equipment gathered Jema led them north, and within the hour they arrived in the town square of Merchant's Wall. Even with the recent passing of rain business was already dominant throughout the street, sprawling with markets and roaring with villagers screaming their wares to passing travellers. Buildings were of stone, with additional floors made from wood, and rooftops all pointed in triangular arcs. It was a long town more than it was large, settled along a giant wall, imposing like a battlement, but simply a boundary to the farmlands, and in its center a huge gate crossed a small stream into the wilds of Ruun.
Landau observed the heavily armed guards on patrol, brandishing weapons for all to see, a far cry from those in the smaller villages. Jema stabled the horses here before they walked the stone path, where many stalls presented their wares; produce of all varieties were on display and the smell of seafood, spices and timber were all in a battle to overpower one another. Barrels and crates were numerous, stacked precariously wherever there was space, while carts were being loaded, and ready for transport.
The town comprised ma
inly of warehouses and stores, residents rarely entered their home from the street, most resided in households above their business below. Clancey and Landau wedged their way through the jungle of people, crowded around merchants who had a sweat on to keep up with the chorus of customers beneath them. Landau realized what Clancey implied by shady characters, for often they jumped before them to offer items, or proposition them with exclusive deals, but Clancey paid them no mind.
He discovered the presence Jema had, welcomed and praised when he paraded by, everywhere they walked people shouted his name and crowded his company. Jema was polite without being insensitive and wavered them away.
"All this hustling must beat the relaxing village life by the sea yeah?" Samson said towards the Porthos folk, Landau could barely hear him.
"Hardly," Clancey replied. "Places like this remind me why I escaped to the village in the first place."
Despite knowing many, Jema spoke to few and they soon arrived at the east end of town, to a marketplace that surrounded a large stone well. Buildings here were extravagant, generous in width and adornments, it was evident wealth permeated here, among them was the familiar cheer of the tavern. Jema occasionally turned to Clancey, as though he were guiding him, and only now in the city's end did Landau consider their purpose here.
The tavern was Jema's destination and they proceeded inside to the roar of its patrons, shoulder to shoulder they stood, the sound of clicking tankards, music and laughter all dominated the room.
"Wow there's so many people here," Landau wondered. "What's the occasion?"
"It's the afternoon," said Jema. "Men ‘round here don't need much of a reason to drink son, I'd wager this is a quiet day."
Across the tavern on a platform in the corner, a curious man stood with a number of instruments by his side. Adorned chiefly in brown there was much color about him, beside him were drums and pipes of varying lengths, however his mandolin held his audience to attention, and comfortably he chanted a song familiar to the men of the south.
The Secret of Azuron (The Sword Empire Book 1) Page 13
