The Ruins on Stone Hill

by F. P. Spirit

  Aksel’s hand went to his chin. “So you think these orc bandits were attacking the wagon trains somewhere between the town of Bendenwood and the eastern edge of the forest and that, somehow, they managed to make each caravan disappear.”

  Gelpas appeared impressed with his quick appraisal of the situation. “That is what we believe. If you can find their hideout, take care of any remaining bandits, and possibly recover any of the goods they have stolen, it would be a great service to Ravenford.”

  “We’ll do our best, Captain.” A solemn look crossed Lloyd’s face.

  Gelpas nodded approvingly. “Good. Now, will you need any weapons or supplies? I have been instructed to give you access to our armory.”

  Seth cleared his throat. “And how much will we be getting paid for this job?”

  The captain shifted his gaze toward the halfling. He was about to answer when a voice called out from behind them.

  “Wait, wait!” It was Pheldan. Xelda accompanied him.

  “Hail, Pheldan. Hail Xelda,” Glo pronounced formally. Then he spoke in elvish, “Elen sila lumenn omentilmo.” That roughly translated to a star shall shine on the hour of our meeting.

  Both grandfather and granddaughter gave him a warm smile. Xelda replied in kind, “Cormamin lindua ele lle.” It was another formal elven greeting that meant my heart sings to see thee.

  Glo felt his face flush slightly. Xelda’s eyes danced with amusement. She appeared quite satisfied with the effect her reply had on him.

  “We just talked it over with the baron and the other merchants and I will be funding this mission. All except Haltan that is. He wouldn’t part with a copper piece if his life depended on it.” Pheldan paused to cackle at his own joke. “Anyway, they are ruining our businesses and must be stopped. Five thousand gold once you’ve routed the bandits. Also, please stop by my shop before you head out. I will supply you with whatever you need. The other merchants said the same. Anyway, don’t forget.” With that the old half-elf bid them farewell.

  “Goodbye, Glolindir,” Xelda said, her eyes alight as she strolled past him.

  Glo wore a bemused expression as Pheldan and Xelda walked away arm in arm. Xelda intrigued him. Her elvish had improved since the last time they talked. It was now nearly flawless, yet her choice of greeting, while formal, could be taken quite personally as well. Did she realize what she had said, along with the implications?

  Gelpas interrupted his train of thought. “You seem to have made quite a number of friends in your short time in our town.”

  “We’re just friendly people,” Seth responded innocently.

  A thin smile spread across the captain’s lips. “Umm, yes. Anyway, I trust that answers your question about payment, Master Seth?”

  “Yep.”

  Glo glanced at Aksel. The gnome just shook his head.

  Luckily, the captain did not appear to mind. “Well then, now that that’s settled, the armory is this way.”

  Troubled Hearts

  No one is that smart

  The four companions gathered back at the Charging Minotaur. News of their meeting with the baron and baroness must have traveled all over town. When they entered the common room of the inn, the patrons were all abuzz with talk of it. When Kailay saw Lloyd, instead of running over to them, the young woman’s face screwed up and she began to cry. She brought her apron up to her face, then turned and ran into the kitchen.

  Lloyd was mortified by what had just happened. “What’d I do?”

  Glo put his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “As we have already seen, news spreads quickly around this town. I’d wager that Kailay found out you are nobility, my friend.”

  “So?” Lloyd said, clearly not realizing the implications.

  “You’re too good for her now, your highness.” Seth smirked.

  Lloyd’s face flushed with anger. “I am not!”

  Aksel grasped the young man’s arm. “Whoa. Easy there, Lloyd.”

  Lloyd, his face flushed, stared at the little cleric for a few moments. He took a deep breath, visibly calming down. “This is one of the reasons I didn’t want anyone knowing who I was. It just…complicates things.”

  Glo truly empathized with him. There were times that he wished he could just forget who he was and who his family was. Lucky for him it made little difference out here on the east coast. Lloyd did not have that luxury. He spoke to him in a soft voice, “Believe me, Lloyd, I understand.”

  Lloyd turned to look at Glo. A variety of emotions played across his face, until finally a slim smile appeared on his lips. “I guess that you would.”

  “Look, Lloyd, who you are doesn’t really change anything between us. Right, guys?” Glo glanced at Aksel and Seth.

  Aksel nodded. “Not to me.”

  “Is your family wealthy?” Seth asked.

  Lloyd gazed at the halfling with a puzzled expression. He paused a moment then replied, “All of my family’s money is tied up in rebuilding Penwick. So no, we are not really wealthy.”

  Seth’s face twisted into a half smirk. “Then nothing has changed between us.”

  A smile slowly spread across Lloyd’s face. The smile then turned into chuckling. Glo and Aksel both found themselves joining in. Leave it to Seth to make light of a sticky situation. When the laughter died down, Glo reached out and grasped Lloyd’s shoulder once more.

  “Seriously, it is not your fault. She’s the one who believes your lineage puts a wedge between you two. If you just leave her be, I’m sure she’ll be fine in a few days.”

  Lloyd gazed over at the kitchen door, then shrugged. “I guess you’re right.”

  Aksel suggested they sit down and discuss the details of the hunt for the orc bandits. The four companions adjourned to the booth they had used earlier in the day. They had only been seated a minute or so when the other barmaid, Morwen, came over to wait on them. Morwen was a few years older than Kailay, perhaps in her mid-twenties. She had long straight raven hair, dark brown eyes and a tan complexion. Her tight barmaid outfit over-accentuated her comely figure. She was very friendly, but not in the flirtatious way that Kailay could be sometimes.

  When she walked up to the booth, Lloyd asked her, “Where’s Kailay?”

  Morwen hesitated a moment before answering, “She…had to go home. She…wasn’t feeling well.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she feels better soon,” Lloyd replied. He did his best to be cheerful, but the pained expression on his face belied the attempt.

  Once Morwen took their orders, they went back to planning. They reasoned that the bandits must have a hideout in the area. The key was finding it. According to Pheldan, the next caravan was due in sometime later the next day. That gave Lloyd an idea based on his previous experience with bandits. He suggested catching them as they lay in wait for the next caravan. They would route the bandits but then let one escape. That way they could follow the bandit back to its hideout. They would need a tracker to follow the orc they let go. Despite Seth’s protests, Brundon was the most likely candidate. They would also get the chance to work with Titan again—a choice everyone could agree on.

  Lloyd spied Brundon and Titan sitting in their usual booth. He went over and brought the duo back with him. They slid into the booth and the six of them discussed the new job and their various parts in it. Brundon had experience with bandits as well. He agreed that their plan was the best approach to routing them all. Titan’s eyes gleamed at the chance to fight orcs.

  It was now late in the afternoon, and there were still preparations to be made before starting this journey. It was decided that they would leave first thing the next morning. Fees were agreed upon and coins changed hands, then the entire group headed to the shops to pick up provisions. Pheldan was as generous as he had promised. The companions and their mercenary friends were well-outfitt
ed for almost no cost.

  Glo ran into Xelda at the back of the shop. She spoke to him in elvish. Her speech was a bit slow, but her pronunciation was excellent. He gathered that this was the first time she had a conversation in a while and not just recited ritual greetings or farewells.

  “When do you…leave?”

  “First thing in the morning.”

  “How…long will you be…gone?”

  Glo chuckled softly. “That depends on our quarry.”

  “I wish you good…hunting.”

  “I thank you for your well wishes.”

  “Return…safely. I will be…waiting.”

  Glo raised an eyebrow. Once again, Xelda had said something which could be taken as personal. Her choice of words and inflection would typically be used between promised couples. Glo immediately dismissed the idea. She was still learning the language. Proper inflection took regular usage to perfect. There was no way Xelda really knew what she had said.

  Glo finished saying goodbye to Xelda and her grandfather, then moved on with his companions to the other shops. True to Pheldan’s word, the other merchants were equally supportive; stops at the local fletcher, the armorer, the cobbler, the smith, and the tailor rounded out their needs for supplies and repairs at quite low prices.

  The only surprise they received was at the tailor. When they walked in, Kailay stood behind the counter. As soon as she saw Lloyd, she turned and fled into the backroom. Glo could have kicked himself. Kailay had told them her mother was the town tailor. He should have remembered and sent Lloyd somewhere else. Lloyd was upset by the girl’s reaction, but there was nothing that could be done about it.

  A minute later, a woman wearing a seamstress apron came out of the backroom. Glo did a double take. She looked just like Kailay, with the same strawberry blonde hair, shapely figure, and a smile that could light up the room. However, this woman showed traces of age around the edges of the eyes and corners of the mouth. She introduced herself as Arwel, Kailay’s mother. Glo got another surprise when Gristla also stepped out of the backroom. Gristla was Arwel’s oldest daughter and Kailay’s sister. This was definitely a small town.

  Once everyone finished gearing up, they went their separate ways. Glo went to study the new spells that Maltar had given him. Aksel headed to the town temple to pray for some new spells of his own. Lloyd went to train at the back of the inn. Brundon and Titan went with him. Seth was enigmatic about where he was going. The others came to expect this of him. They knew he was going to study or train in secret.

  Later that evening, the six of them met for dinner. They were all tired after a long day, but were well-provisioned and better prepared for the upcoming journey. When they finally adjourned for the evening, Lloyd went straight to bed. Unfortunately, the young man did nothing but toss and turn. Glo sat on his own bed, quietly leafing through the new entries in his spellbook. He was a bit nervous about the coming mission, and wanted to be extra careful about what kind of magic he would have prepared the next day.

  A voice roused him from his studies. “Are you busy?”

  Glo looked up from his book. Lloyd sat up, a troubled expression on his face.

  Glo put his book down and closed it on his lap. “I can talk a bit. What’s on your mind?”

  Lloyd gave a deep sigh. “Women, I don’t really understand them.”

  A wry smile crossed Glo’s lips. “What makes you think I do?”

  “You’re really smart.”

  Glo chuckled. “No one is that smart.”

  “So you are telling me that even with your brains you don’t understand women?”

  Glo shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”

  Lloyd hung his head as if in defeat. He obviously needed some kind of encouragement, but Glo had no idea what to say to him. He finally decided the best thing to do was to share his own experiences. Maybe if he heard someone else’s troubles, he would not feel so alone.

  “Growing up in a noble elven household, I was privately tutored. The few girls I met were at social functions, and they were into superficial things. I never had anything in common with them.”

  Lloyd gazed up at him. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Thanks. So what about you?”

  “Most of my time was spent either on the family farm or studying to be a spiritblade. We were always too busy for parties or anything like that. I really didn’t know any girls back home, other than my sister’s friends.”

  So Lloyd is just like me, Glo realized. Neither of them had any real experience with women. That being the case, what could he possibly say to ease his friend’s mind? Glo finally decided to address what he thought was really bothering him.

  “You know, you never led Kailay on. She was the one who chased you. And honestly, if you gave in at all, I think she would have been hurt far worse when someone of your own station came along.”

  Lloyd’s face flushed. “What do you mean?”

  Glo couldn’t help smiling. “Let’s just say that a certain lady at court took quite an interest in you today.”

  The young man’s face reddened further. “You don’t mean the Lady Andrella?”

  Glo laughed. Lloyd positively wore his heart on his sleeve. “My good friend, the young woman could hardly take her eyes off you.”

  Lloyd grew so excited, he nearly jumped off the bed. “Really?”

  Glo nodded. “Absolutely. She was watching you whenever you weren’t looking.”

  Lloyd’s expression suddenly turned anxious. “So what do I do about it?”

  That is an excellent question. Unfortunately, Glo was the least likely person to give him the answer he sought. Still, he had to tell him something. Lloyd was far too distraught, and needed a clear head for the next few days. “The best I can tell you is to be yourself. She seems to like you already anyway. Maybe that is all you need to do.”

  Lloyd appeared skeptical. “You think so?”

  “Honestly, Lloyd, I hope so. Life is tough enough just being yourself. I can’t imagine how hard it would be trying to be someone else.”

  Lloyd gazed at him for a few moments, then finally smiled. “Thanks, Glo. You’re a true friend.” With that, the young man launched himself back into bed and was asleep in a matter of minutes.

  Glo sat up for a while, pondering the whole subject of male and female relationships. He was no expert on the matter, and he quite frankly doubted that one existed. His own mother and father had been married for nearly one hundred and thirty years, yet Amrod still did not seem to understand Aerandir. So what hope was there for someone like Lloyd or himself, neither of whom ever had been in a relationship? Well, at least Lloyd seems at peace for now.

  His mind wandered back to the coming mission. He believed that they were far better prepared than they had been on their trip to Stone Hill. Back then they had no idea what they were getting into; they merely reacted to situations as they arose. This time they knew exactly where they were going and who they were facing. There would be no surprises. With that thought, the young elf closed his eyes and drifted into a restful trance.

  Early the next morning, the small company gathered in front of the Charging Minotaur. It was fairly quiet outside the inn this time of day. Most townsfolk were either working their farms or out on the bay fishing. The six travelers were all busy packing their saddlebags. Every once and a while, Lloyd would glance over toward the inn, his expression pensive. Glo eventually realized that the young man was looking for Kailay.

  They had not seen the young barmaid during breakfast that morning. She had always been there before, with her bright smile and perky attitude, cheering them on. Glo sincerely hoped that she would return to work soon. He would hate to think that her embarrassment over a harmless flirtation would keep her away indefinitely.

  Glo finished securing his packs, then climbed up
onto his mount. He trotted over next to Lloyd and Titan, both of whom waited on their steeds.

  “Is everything okay?”

  Lloyd wore a wan smile. “I’m fine.”

  Titan shook her head and sighed. “Ah, he’s worried for no reason. I heard what happened with Kailay. Most of the town knows, which is really why she’s so embarrassed.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Trust me, I’ve known Kailay since we were kids. This is not her first crush. She used to have one on my older brother, Bret. That ended way worse.”

  Lloyd’s expression changed to one of concern. “Really? What happened?”

  “That is a long story. Let’s just say that Bret is not the gentleman that you are, Lloyd.”

  Lloyd’s face turned ashen. “I had no idea.”

  Titan threw up her hands. “Oh, no, no. It wasn’t that bad. My dad caught them before things got too far out of hand, and afterwards Bret couldn’t sit for a week!” That broke Lloyd out of his mood. He, Titan and Glo all laughed at her story. “And anyway, from what I’ve heard, you’ve got another young blonde to worry about.”

  Lloyd’s face reddened significantly.

  Glo glanced at Lloyd. “See, didn’t I tell you?”

  Titan leaned in close and lowered her voice once more. “I’ve known Andrella a long, long time. She’s been inundated with suitors since she was about twelve, and she hasn’t given any of them the time of day. You’re the first young man to have caught her eye.”

  A wide grin broke out across Lloyd’s face. “Thanks, Delara.”

  A second later, Aksel’s voice rang out, “Are we ready to go?” The little cleric sat astride his riding dog, glancing around at the gathered riders.

  “Yeah,” “Yes,” “Sure,” came the multiple replies.

  “Then let’s move out.”