Enowene exhaled. “It is a gift, dear. Try to think of it as such and not complain.”
Gondrial rubbed his hands together urgently. “We need to speed this along and prepare for travel. A few ancient trinkets are fine, but we still need to vacate this village.”
“Trinkets!” Esperdahl puffed up in anger.
“I’m sure he meant nothing by it,” Enowene said while giving Gondrial the evil eye. “Well, thank you for the gifts, Esperdahl, we will be sure to have the clerics and smiths in the Vale of Morgoran look them over when we return,” Enowene said.
Kaxen caught the sarcasm in her voice although he did not understand her tone.
“I am embarrassed that I do not have more gifts to bestow,” Esperdahl said. “If you see anything that fits your needs, you are free to take it.” He looked at Seancey while he spoke.
“What you have given is enough, your grace,” Lady Shey said.
Esperdahl bowed to Asrion. “Thank you for my freedom, young cleric. I shall begin work on removing the curse at once.”
Asrion blushed. “I was only doing my duty as a cleric of Loracia.”
“All right, we’re all happy. Now, if you could show us to the tunnel?” Gondrial said impatiently.
Esperdahl gave him a sour gaze. “Manners have somewhat changed in my absence from the world I see.” He reached for a magically preserved wooden staff. “This way, follow me.”
Chapter 6
Kaxen understood why Gondrial had decided again not to use the travel spell to get back to the Vale quickly. If the Enforcers had reinforcements in the area, they would be attracted to their whereabouts, and they might not accept the fate of their companions as the truth. The spell was also somewhat unstable, or at least his wielder companions didn’t fully grasp its concepts. Kaxen was not sure he wanted them playing around with something that even they didn’t fully understand. He put his arm around Aurelie’s waist, and she awkwardly moved in closer to him with a clink of her armor. “I wish I could take this breastplate off; it is terribly uncomfortable in the chest area,” she whispered.
“If Rennon still has a bit of twine I could carry it on my back,” Kaxen offered. Aurelie stopped and lowered her pack.
“Hold up a moment, Kerad, while Aurelie removes her breastplate,” Kaxen shouted ahead. “Rennon, do you still have some of that twine you were carrying?”
“Aye,” Rennon answered, removing his pack and rummaging through it. “Ah, here it is.”
Kaxen took the twine from Rennon and tied it through the arm outlets of the breastplate, after Aurelie had freed herself of it, and swung it over his pack, securing it to his pack straps.
“Is it too heavy for you?” Aurelie asked.
“Aye, but I will manage it. The Vale can’t be all that far away.”
Seancey stepped beside Kaxen. “Here, let me take it. It will not encumber me.”
Kaxen nodded and swung the armor down from his shoulder, and Seancey easily swung it onto his back.
“Thank you, Seancey,” Aurelie said.
Seancey grinned at Aurelie and signaled for Kerad to lead on. Kaxen put his arm around Aurelie, and she snuggled in close. “That’s better,” she said.
The morning sun was blinding as the party caught first sight of the trees surrounding the Vale of Morgoran in the distance.
“I think I will sleep for a week,” Rennon said.
“Aye, as soon as I get some breakfast in my belly I will as well,” Asrion said.
Kerad rubbed the back of his neck. “Only another hour or so to the Vale. I think we all deserve a rest and some breakfast. I can almost smell the bacon frying now.”
“I want to soak in a nice, hot tub before I turn in,” Enowene said. “This robe has collected a fair amount of dust hanging in that dank armory for so long.”
“I can’t believe we almost missed these hanging in the armory. Maybe we should have dusted them off better before putting them on.” Lady Shey said as she patted dust off her arm.
“What are they made from again?” Aurelie asked.
“They are woven from elven silk. It cannot be burned or torn, and time will not wear it down as long as its magic holds,” Enowene said.
As the day wore on and the party came closer to the Vale of Morgoran, Kaxen felt uneasiness begin to well up inside of him, a heaviness of heart, apprehension like a child scolded for something he knew he did but did not want to admit. The large oak trees surrounding the Vale seemed to bend and scowl at him somehow. A cold, chilling breeze began to rustle the branches around him. Aurelie noticed him shiver. “What is it, Kaxen?”
Kaxen pulled her tighter to his side. “Something is different. Something is wrong,” he whispered.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“It’s the Vale; something does not sit right with it.” He analyzed the trees swaying in the wind. A branch, blown in an abrupt gust of wind, snapped and tumbled to earth before them with a crack. Dark ominous clouds began to roll in, and the wind picked up, growing stronger.
Kerad pulled his cloak around him. “Hurry now, a storm is blowing in.”
The party rushed into the clearing where the tower of Morgoran rose above the main stone buildings. Rain began to fall in sheets as they passed the guard towers.
Seancey motioned to the guards. “Secure the main gate from the storm, men.” The guards pulled the iron gates shut behind the party after they entered and bolted them down. A priest of Loracia met them at the entrance to the main hall and bowed before Kerad. “Thank Loracia you have returned, Brother Kerad. Morgoran has taken ill. Neither prayer nor any healing I understand has eased his suffering. He needs your expertise.”
“You will pardon my haste, dear friends?” Kerad said, dropping his pack in the main entrance hall.
“Of course, Kerad, see to the master,” Enowene replied. Kerad followed the priest up the side stairs to the tower.
“I will help Brother Kerad if I can,” Asrion said, excusing himself.
“Lady Shey, come with me, and we will see if we can be of use,” Enowene said as she deposited her pack where Kerad had left his. Lady Shey lowered her pack and sighed. Kaxen felt as if Lady Shey actually dreaded to follow Enowene, and as he watched her, he noticed her wrinkle her nose at Sylvalora before she finally followed Enowene up the stairway. Sylvalora nodded and lagged behind the rest. Kaxen noticed the elf maiden did not seem particularly interested in following Lady Shey or Enowene; instead, she meandered out of the hall and out of sight. Kaxen heard Seancey mutter something about the storm just before the ranger excused himself to the courtyard.
Servants cleared away the rest of the packs and equipment. After a change into dry clothes, Kaxen was happy to see a servant come to the living quarters and announce their meal was ready. Aurelie and Rennon followed Kaxen and Gondrial down the hallways to the table at the dining room center. It was a long table constructed of heavy wood with carved, high back chairs. It appeared to be quite old. Kaxen seated himself next to Aurelie, and Gondrial assumed the head of the table. Rennon sat opposite of Kaxen and Aurelie to Gondrial’s left.
“I hope the cook’s in a good mood,” Gondrial began, “because I am as hungry as an ox.”
“Me too,” Aurelie said.
Kaxen shivered as he peered out of the window at the head-end of the dining hall. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled. Rain poured down, tossed and blown by the wind, which, in turn, howled through the shutters. A servant hurried to the window and pulled the shutters closed, fastening them tightly against the storm.
The cook served brisket sandwiches and ale. Kaxen’s hunger was strong, but he could not seem to stomach the food. He forced himself to eat anyway.
Seancey entered the dining hall in a rush. “You best finish your meal, Gondrial. Word has it that more Enforcers are on their way. You will need to prepare for them.”
“How could they possibly be sending more men?” Gondrial asked.
Seancey pondered the question for a moment. “I suppos
e they were to meet up with their companions here, or perhaps they were to rendezvous and Captain Praf never showed.”
Gondrial slammed his mug of ale onto the table. “Once we complete our task at hand, Seancey, remind me to raise an army and do away with those annoying Enforcers once and for all.” Seancey smiled and nodded at Gondrial’s jest. “How far away are they?”
“Difficult to say. The scout believes a day, maybe less,” Seancey answered.
“The rest of you, eat up and gather your things. We will leave again as soon as I make some preparations and the rain breaks. A day or less doesn’t give us a very good head start.” Gondrial shook his head, gulped his ale in one breath, and then stomped out of the dining hall. Seancey followed him.
Kaxen’s head began to swim. He felt dizzy.
“What is it, Kaxen?” Rennon asked. Aurelie put her hand on Kaxen’s forehead to check for fever.
“Something is wrong. I know we told Asrion we would stay, but I have an overwhelming feeling we should leave.”
“What’s wrong?” Aurelie asked with growing concern.
“I don’t know. I just know that we need to go.”
Rennon stood from the table. “That is more like it. I will go to the kitchen and see if I can get us some food for the trip. Brookhaven is not far away. We can be back in a day or two.”
Kaxen nodded. “Hurry, Rennon, we have to leave fast.”
“What about Asrion?” Aurelie asked.
Kaxen rubbed his temple with his left hand. “He will find his way. I don’t think we will persuade him to come with us.”
“Kaxen, we can’t just leave him. He is your best friend,” Aurelie reminded him.
“What would you have me do, Aurelie? He will find his way.” Kaxen stood. “We will have to go on foot. The stable master would be suspicious if we tried to saddle any horses, and he would question us.”
“We have to take the horses, Kaxen, or we would be caught within a few hours’ time on foot,” Aurelie said. “We need a diversion.” She thought for a moment. “I think I can come up with something. Meet me at the stables as soon as you collect your things.”
Rennon returned a few moments later with a basket of bread and cheese. “This is all I could find without the cook eyeing me. It will have to do.”
Kaxen patted him on the back. “It will do. We will be home soon enough, it isn’t that far.”
“I will gather my things. You coming, Kaxen?” Rennon asked.
“I will be there in a moment,” Kaxen replied. Rennon acknowledged him and left the dining hall.
As soon as Aurelie and Rennon left the room, Kaxen removed the black leather pouch containing the stones from Cedar Falls from his belt and loosened the drawstring. He turned it upside down and let the three purple stones fall into his hand. They glowed intently and gave off heat.
“These stones will aid me in decisions.” Kaxen squeezed them tightly in his fist. He could feel the power of the stone’s energy enter his body. “Am I doing the right thing?” The stones began to burn his hand, but he did not flinch. Instead, he dropped the stones back into the pouch, drew the string tight, and fastened it back on his belt.
The rain still fell as Kaxen made his way to the stables. Rennon was waiting at the side outer wall. Together they stalked to the side wall of the stables and waited for Aurelie, not sure what she might do. They did not have to wait long. A scream cut the air and a black mare bolted from the stables, followed by the stable master and his hands. Aurelie ran after them and then stopped, searching frantically.
“Here, Aurelie,” Kaxen said.
“Come on, there are four saddled horses. If we hurry we can make away with them.”
Kaxen and Rennon bolted for the stable door, and the three quickly mounted up. They rode out into the courtyard before Kaxen realized the gates were still closed. They were trapped in the Vale. “The gates!” Kaxen shouted. “They will be closed tight.”
“There has to be a side gate somewhere,” Rennon yelled back. They rounded and headed for the sidewall to the east where only one man guarded the gate they found there. Rennon drew a dagger and threw it forward. It cut the rope holding the counterweight in check, causing it to fall. The gate shot up on its pulley so fast, it broke off its frame. Rennon was shocked when he looked into his hand and saw that the dagger he had just thrown had returned to him. He sheathed it even though he was uneasy about the magic it possessed. The three rode off into the rain toward the woods. Once under the cover of the trees, the rain lessened, and Kaxen could see much better despite the darkness. He led them to a path that he had seen when they had returned from Signal Hill. They rode hard south on the trail for what seemed to be an hour until they emerged from the woods onto the road. From there they turned back east toward the Southern Road and Brookhaven.
The rain subsided, but the road was muddy, causing the horses to tire quickly, so Kaxen slowed them to a canter. He knew of a resting spot not far, and he thought maybe he could rest the horses there. Aurelie and Rennon were beginning to show signs of fatigue. They had not recovered from the trek from Signal Hill well enough to start another excursion. Kaxen began to wonder if the two would make it to Brookhaven. He, on the other hand, showed no signs of fatigue. Without warning, Kaxen felt essence surge through his body. Unable to control himself, he fell out of his saddle and onto the muddy road. His hair stood on end and his ears were ringing. When he opened his eyes, Gondrial stood above him. “Gondrial!” Kaxen said surprised. “But how did you…”
Gondrial held up the book with silver runes and pointed to it. “Magic travel spell. Remember?”
“I thought the use of that would alert the Enforcers, or anyone else, to our whereabouts?”
“Brilliant, Kaxen, it will, but what choice did you leave me? Get back on your horse. We have to get to Cedar Falls by nightfall.” Kaxen did not move.
“We are going back to Brookhaven,” Rennon said.
Gondrial clinched his teeth, pulled Rennon off his horse by the lapels of his cloak, and thrust him onto the ground. He pointed his index finger three inches from Rennon’s face. “You are a fool, Rennon. Have you not learned anything? Brookhaven is being watched. If you return, you will not only forfeit your life, but you may very well get Brookhaven destroyed in the process.” Gondrial took the reins of Kaxen’s horse. “Now mount up. Lady Shey and Enowene are meeting us in Cedar Falls. We must travel to Symbor and catch a ship bound for Adracoria if the Enforcers don’t catch up with us first.”
Rennon pushed himself out of the mud and met Gondrial face to face. Kaxen watched with trepidation as Gondrial fell to his knees under Rennon’s intense stare. Gondrial’s eyes rolled up into his head and blood began to flow from his nose.
“Rennon, stop it!” Kaxen said, rushing to him and pulling him away from Gondrial by his shoulder. Gondrial fell to the ground unconscious.
“What did he do?” Aurelie asked.
Kaxen chose to ignore the question. “What do we do with him now? We can’t leave him here.”
Rennon looked at Aurelie and then lowered his head shamefully. “We have the fourth horse. Distribute the provisions and we will slump him over the saddle.”
After they managed to get Gondrial up onto the extra horse, they continued on to Brookhaven. They were in sight of Watch Hill when they were met by a party of men on horseback traveling the opposite way. They wore Enforcer cloaks.
“Hail travelers.” The lead man said.
Kaxen reined in his horse. “Hail.”
“Trouble on the road?” The man asked, indicating Gondrial slumped over his horse.
“No, no trouble--- He’s drunk.”
“Aye, he’s always drunk!” Rennon added.
The lead man eyed Kaxen. “Where you headed?”
“Brookhaven,” Kaxen said. “My father owns an inn there.” He mentally kicked himself for blurting that out.
“Oh, which inn?”
“The Grinning Goose.” he lied.
The lead man
put both his hands on his saddle horn and leaned forward. “The Grinning Goose Inn. Your father owns the Grinning Goose?”
Kaxen could sense something was wrong. Then he remembered that the Grinning Goose was owned by two sisters. “Did I say father? I meant my aunt.”
The man drew his sword as did the two other riders. “Why don’t you get down from your horse young fellow. I think we need to have a talk.”
“No thanks,” Kaxen said. “I think we will be going.”
“To the Grinning Goose to meet your aunt.”
“Aye, that’s right,” Kaxen said.
“The sisters that own the Grinning Goose happen to be my sisters and I don’t remember ever having a nephew.”
“One small oversight!” Kaxen said as he spurred his horse into a dead run. “Ride!” he yelled back to Rennon and Aurelie.
Chapter 7
As soon as Kaxen set his horse to full gallop, he could feel the Enforcers drawing essence. He grabbed a hold of his saddle horn to steady himself, but he felt the sleep come across him in waves and his bid to remain on his horse failed. The ground came to him fast as he fell hard onto it.
Kaxen opened his eyes to bright white. There was no definition or color, only a vast, white lit, emptiness. Then, slowly at first, an image began to appear and then it was there all at once. A blonde headed girl of about sixteen or so years stood before him dressed in all white. She smiled at him sweetly.
“Am I dreaming?” Kaxen asked.
“Aye, you can call it that.” Her young voice was melodic and pleasing to the ear.
“I think I fell off my horse.”
“Aye, you did. I believe you have hit your head as well. But don’t worry, Gondrial was already waking when you rode away from the Enforcers and they didn’t know to put him to sleep as well. He will rescue you. Also, his companions are not far behind his travel spell.”
“You know a lot about what just happened. Who are you?”
“I was sent to you at this moment, in this dream, to offer you a new sense of purpose.” She said.
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