by D. M. Almond
Elise was lit up by the early morning light, giving her silhouette a radiant glow, as if Baetylus were trying to wrap his warmth around her. She stood in front of the massive city gates that led to the wildlands, promising Corbin she would stay safe while he was away.
“Please tell Lady Penelope I appreciated her generosity,” Corbin said, referring to the supplies that had been sent down with Elise to see him off. Lady Penelope had provided a fur-lined jacket that covered his body down to the knees and would keep him warm in the wildlands, which Lady Cassandra advised were much colder than the New Fal climate he was accustomed to. He buckled it tightly around the waist, ensuring he could still unclasp the voulge strapped to his back with ease and reach the folding compound short bow on his belt. Confident he had all the equipment needed to survive for a good month in the wilds, he moved to be with Elise.
“But what if a month comes and goes and you’re still out there?” Elise said, continuing a conversation they were having before he stopped to check over the supplies.
“I swear upon the light of Baetylus, it will not come to that,” Corbin said.
“But what if you get lost?” Elise said. She could not imagine a life without him.
“No matter what, I will come back for you, my love. You have believed in me all my life. Don’t stop now when I need that confidence more than ever.”
Elise crumpled into his arms, quietly sobbing against his chest.
As far back as Corbin could remember, he had known her. Elise had been a part of his days and nights, even sneaking into his dreams. They shared so many visions of their future together, having children, building a home, and all the other things that came with everlasting happiness. When he was down, she was always there to pick him up, and he returned the favor. They balanced each other out. No one could ask for a better life than he had already spent with her, and he would not see anyone take away her happiness.
Magistrate Fafnir had come out to watch his departure. Stepping out of his sleek black carriage, he strode over to the embracing couple. The Pale Gates were not allowed to be opened unless in the presence of either the magistrate or a member of the Council of Twelve.
“I see we are saying our farewells,” he said, looking at the crying maiden. He slyly moved to console her as the couple broke to greet him properly. “Madame Elise, you must not fret so. This whole affair will all be over before you know it, becoming just another story to tell around the dinner table.”
“Good day, Magistrate Fafnir,” Corbin said.
“Good day, Corbin. I hope we have not kept you waiting too long, lad.” Fafnir directed his focus to the gates, as if Corbin were an afterthought.
“Would that we had more time to cling to, milord. I’m afraid this still seems rather surreal to us,” Corbin said.
“Now, lad, have some faith.” The magistrate clapped Corbin’s shoulder, turning to beckon his footman to bring forth a small parcel. “In the short time I have known your person, you have represented yourself to be possessed of true honor and deep integrity,” he explained, turning his back to open the parcel’s hinged lid.
“That is too kind, good sir.” Corbin was surprised by the man’s high opinion of him after Lady Cassandra’s warnings just hours before that the magistrate was not to be trusted.
“It is not so much a kindness as the truth,” Fafnir said. “Lady Elise, do not be filled with sorrow, you waste these tears. Our hero of Riverbell will surely fulfill his task.” He gave a nod to Elise then turned to face Corbin, producing a fine pair of hand-tailored black leather gauntlets. “And with your successful return, we will secure the safety of your village, as well as quell these nasty rumors, proving Riverbell’s true allegiance to the kingdom. Just to be sure, here is a little gift to help get you back in one piece.” He offered the gauntlets to Corbin.
“Oh my,” Elise exclaimed, covering her mouth. “Magistrate Fafnir, you truly are an amazing man.”
Corbin bowed to the magistrate before pulling the tight gloves over his fingers and buckling the connected gauntlets, which were thickly padded, around his wrists. He guessed the magistrate had these made just for him, as they fit perfectly. He admired how the man could set his prejudices aside. The magistrate undoubtedly hated his brother, fully believing he was a murderer, but seemed to hold no ill will toward Corbin.
“Now press tight against the palm,” Fafnir said, pointing at his own hand for reference and eagerly watching as Corbin did the same.
He could feel a pressurized button inside the leather lining, which gave a light pop, releasing a two-inch steel blade from a slit in the padding that slid over the top of his hand.
“They look to be functioning excellently,” Fafnir said. “Fits like a glove, as they say, eh?”
The group laughed awkwardly for a moment, forgetting the path that lay ahead.
Fafnir abruptly cut off the merriment, beckoning his men to open the gates. Behind them, the massive stone doors grated against the ground, slowly moving outward to reveal the wildlands. Corbin and Elise were lost in a trance as the portal opened, their minds elsewhere, brooding on the dangers awaiting him.
Once the gates came to a halt, fully opened, Corbin grasped Elise’s hands in his and pulled her close once more. They shared a long kiss before he whispered in her ear. “Trust no one. Be the strong woman I have come to love.”
With bright eyes she pulled back to stare at him in astonishment. “I will.”
“By the Crystal, I swear I will be back before a month is through,” Corbin promised, firm in his resolve to leave with his head held high, though every instinct in his body screamed to run back to Riverbell with her.
“I know you will,” Elise said, “because if you don’t, I’ll come right out there into the wilds and drag you back here by the ear!” She squared her shoulders, trying to sound foreboding while desperately holding back her tears.
“Now, that’s the Elise I know,” Corbin said. He gave a curt nod to Fafnir and headed out through the Pale Gates.
The magistrate moved to stand beside Elise, and they watched Corbin leave the capitol together. He walked with firm determination and made no attempt to look back. Fafnir understood he did not want to upset his fiancée any further than she already was, putting on a brave front in the face of his hopeless journey.
“He has much honor, Madame Elise. I can only hope this tragedy ends in us seeing him come back through these gates,” Fafnir consoled the future leader of Riverbell.
Too scared to speak for fear of breaking down, Elise could only stand there with a quivering lower lip as tears streamed down her face.
Fafnir coolly smiled behind her and shouted for his men to secure the city.
“Close the gates!”
