by Aaron Thomas
“I guess I did not say they couldn’t be bargained for. Why is it you want one of these hats so badly?”
This time Ty spoke without checking with Andrew, “We like the way they look. Besides, my pa said that if you are to ride with a commander, you should dress like him. He says that if the commander is wearing clothing not like the others the enemy will pick him out and attack him directly. He said that it would cause chaos amongst the ranks. He said also that we should take every opportunity to get close to our superiors to gain their favor for a quick rise in rank.” Bowie took a moment to take in everything that Ty had said. They were things he hadn’t thought about. If he was to lead troops to fight, his hat would give them a target for sure. Then the idea hit him.
“I tell you what I will do. After the bodies are cleared off the field meet me and Corporal Curtain out on the archery range, and bring your bows. I will give you the opportunity to win your hats. No promises, but you will receive a chance.” Smiles lit their faces as they went to work more excitedly than they had been at first about clearing out the drunks. Bowie fetched Charger and hitched him to the wagon and pulled him around the back side of the barracks. The barracks attendant said he would see to his belongings and Bowie told him to take a bottle of wine for his efforts. He too worked more excitedly than Bowie had ever seen him before.
Bowie picked up all four hats and walked back to the range. Already the drunks were starting to disappear. The statue like John was sitting on a stool near the far corner of the range. He had taken to sitting in that spot when Bowie was attending the recruits. It gave him a clear view of the range, and put him in hearing of Bowie’s coaching. “Well shall we get to it then John?”
“We can, Master Crescent. How would you like to do this contest? I named the terms of the last, you can name your terms now.”
“Why don’t we take turns firing shots and the closest at the end wins the wager.” John nodded his head on a thick neck and went to the farthest spot from the targets. Bowie followed, eager to see what John could do after his teaching. Three shots were fired by both men, and then they walked to the target to inspect the results. Bowie had won again by a small margin. John’s shoulders and pride seemed to sag when he approached the target and saw the results.
“Let us try something else. I know that you are battle trained and I am not. I shoot targets, whether it is an animal or a ring of straw. I want to try you in your area of expertise. Let us go back to the mark and fire three shots as fast as we can.” John nodded and his face took on a mask of determination. Again, they took their places on the back line and both men knocked an arrow into their bows. “On three then, John. As fast as you can mind you. One, two, three!!” The arrows flew through the air and all six arrows hit their mark. This time when they approached the target John was the clear winner. “You see there John, when it comes to targets I am slightly better. When it comes to battle ability and quick fighting you are the better shot. I will reward you a hat. I hope that you will wear it with pride.” Bowie moved to his cart and brought out one of the hats and handed it to John. He felt its weight in his hands and turned it to examine it. He then carefully placed it on his head and stood slightly taller when his hands left the brim.
“Well, how do I look?” he smiled as he turned his head back and forth, waiting on a reply from Bowie.
“Not as good as me, but maybe you could grow your hair out.” They both laughed, “Well work on that John. I have a couple of people I need you to meet.” As if being summoned by magic Tyler and Andrew came around the corner with their bows in hand.
“All finished, Master Crescent. Is there another job to be completed?” They looked from Bowie to John and clearly noticed the hat he was wearing. They lowered their eyes a small amount and waited for Bowie to answer.
“There is. It’s not a job but a test.” Bowie tried to bring every ounce of intimidating authority to his voice. It was something he wasn’t practiced at. “I want you to string your bows, then take aim at the targets down of the far side of the range.” The two boys strung their bows by bending them with their feet and placed the string into each end. Both drew an arrow and knocked it, then they raised their bows in unison and took aim at the targets. “I want you to shoot three arrows each at those targets as fast as you can. If you manage to hit the target all three times I will award you with a one of those hats you hunger for so much.” The two smiled at each other with bows still drawn then focused back on their targets closing one eye. Six arrows were let loose. Ty fired fast and landed two of the three. The third sheared the edge and passed through the target. Andrew landed all three of his arrows, but was just a bit behind Ty. Bowie turned to John who stood with his arms crossed, but nodded his head. Bowie held up a hand for the two boys to wait where they were. He then walked a out of earshot with John to talk.
“I’m thinking that we could use some help with the number of recruits that we have to teach. I don’t have time to attend class, and I can’t depend on you to teach them all. How would you like to bring these two on as an extra set of eyes? Not to train mind you, but to help you see the flaws in the recruits’ form. Tell me what you think, John.”
John scratched the stubble on his chin and took a moment to think it over. He lowered his head, which hid his eyes from under the brim of the newly acquired hat. “Actually, I have something to confess. My orders are to keep you from attending classes and use your expertise here on this range.”
“WHAT! Why?” Fury was starting to build in Bowie’s throat, and he knew that his face was turning red while waiting for an answer.
“Captain Lorusk gave me the orders. It is to prevent you from receiving the proper training to keep the rank of sergeant or any other superior rank.” John removed the hat from his head and lifted his eyes to smile the same wicked smile he had the first time he challenged Bowie. “Although you are a superior officer and if you were to bring them on without asking me there would be nothing I could do.” He replaced the hat on his head and walked back to the two boys, still waiting for their next assignment.
Bowie kicked a small stone at his feet a few feet and decided that no one should prevent his promotion if he earned it. He moved back to where John was standing, looking down on the two boys. “You two can have your hats, but you will have to do the job I spoke of earlier. Your job is to show up here each day and aid in training these other recruits in using the bow. Each of you will wear your hat wherever you go so that others know you are my men. Lastly, every week I will bring in a load of supplies. You will play the part of a shopkeeper and rid me of those supplies to arm this camp with proper equipment. If you agree to the job and the payment you may retrieve your hats and be off to bed.” They both smiled and quickly nodded in agreement at each other.
“We will take the job, Master Crescent.”
“Good, now off with you. Report to Corporal Curtain tomorrow just after breakfast.” Bowie tipped his hat to John and made for bed himself. He knew that he had to get some rest if he was to attend classes and teach recruits. He would have far less time to visit the pubs and taverns than he liked.
Kilen laid Mary at Twilix’s feet. He noticed that she didn’t even look down at Mary to check her condition. “Move her to her chamber please,” she commanded to some guards standing nearby. They saluted and gently carried Mary off as if she would erupt into flame at any moment. “Perhaps I did underestimate you, Kilen Everheart. It is still no excuse for manipulating my words the other day.” Twilix glared at Kilen before she turned sharply, following after Mary’s limp body. Kilen watched her stir up dust with every stomping step of her feet. Her long golden hair shook with every step. She was still angry at him and with just cause.
People started to congratulate Kilen and pat his shoulders. From stronger, more aggressive recruits the pats felt like they were trying to hurt him instead of congratulated him. Gortus came near and Kilen felt the full weight of his magic use. He collapsed but was able to hold on to his consciousness. He still did
n’t have a grasp on how to use the element’s own energy, so he had used his own. Gortus took two steps back and Kilen regained his footing as everyone helped him up. Gold exchanges were made and Kilen was given some pieces in thanks for winning their bets. Soon the crowd had dispersed and Kilen saw him. Master Harvel was walking slowly back to his kitchen and Kilen remembered what Master Harvel had almost accomplished. If he had succeeded in keeping Kilen from his normal regimen of food, Kilen might not have defeated Mary. He could be lying in a bed with his friends frantically trying to heal him. Harvel could have lost him his life.
Kilen was overcome with anger as he stalked after Harvel. He ignored those that congratulated him as he passed. Harvel turned his greasy head to look behind him and met Kilen’s eyes. His pace immediately quickened as he ran for his kitchen. Kilen was sure that if he had been close enough he would have heard the scrawny man squeal in fear. Kilen bounded twice to catch up to Harvel just outside the kitchen door. A silence came over the recruits and workers in the area and Kilen drew his blade and held it to Harvel’s neck. “STOP! STOP!,” he pleaded as Kilen refrained himself from crushing his throat. He ignored the people that were now staring at him and held onto Harvel as he spoke.
“You know what you did to me. Now tell me why you did it,” he growled between his teeth. Harvel couldn’t answer and was turning white as he tried to gasp for air. Kilen let him loose but held the blade at his throat as he slumped down the wall to the ground. “Tell me now,” he said in a demanding whisper.
“I wanted to win a bet!” was all Harvel could say between gasps to catch his breath.
He’s lying, Max chimed in from the back of his mind. Their emotions were one and were building in intensity off of each other. When Kilen heard his voice he began to calm himself. He finally became aware that not all of the anger was coming from his own emotions.
Kilen removed the blade from Harvel’s neck and pushed the point into his chest until he was sure that Harvel was feeling it. Kilen held onto his shoulder, leaned close to the cook and whispered in his ear. “You are lying to me. I want to know the truth. Why did you poison me? You will tell me now.” It was more a command than a question.
He whispered back his answer between chokes of air, “The king ordered me to do it.” He gasped a couple of times. Kilen was waiting for Max to tell him if he spoke the truth or not. He answered again without prompting. “He arranged for Leroy to be away so that he could not feed you. He then said I was took cook you a normal meal. Lord Kilen, I did not poison you. I simply made you a normal meal.”
Kilen snapped back at him, “You made me a meal that was as good as poison when you knew I was facing Mary. You knew the extent of what you did and that is what matters most.” Kilen could feel the agreement of the two men inside his head. “You will stay out of my way and you will see that Leroy isn’t bothered by anyone else for my meals to be hindered.” Kilen released the scrawny man and walked through the crowd of recruits and workers that had assembled to watch. He saw Jace sitting at a table and sat two seats down from him on the opposite side of the table. He didn’t look at him or acknowledge him in anyway.
“Meet at the front gate in an hour,” he heard Jace say under his breath. Kilen nodded in agreement, took a roll from the basket on the table, and waited for Leroy to return.
***
Kara sat on her bed, still a little embarrassed to be seen in her revealing leather outfit. She knew that it had withstood the heat and the flames so far, but it didn’t make her any more comfortable wearing it. The single candle gave her enough light to view the contents of the room, but it cast shadows in all the corners. She had earned a washstand and a straw mattress for her metal bunk. It lit fire in the night but the guards said that was normal and replaced it every day. Mary had given her a small crate of candles that she melted in two days trying to control her flames. The guards had since brought her a ration of three candles a day to give her more practice in control. Kara was feeling less angered everyday that she practiced.
Short outbursts in the morning were usually toned down within a couple hours after she remembered to focus her anger. She hoped that Kilen was not injured after his training with Mary. She didn’t quite know how Mary could call it training when she was attacking him with flames. She took a couple deep breaths to calm down. She did that now to calm herself before she became enraged.
A knock at the door let her know that her lunch was outside the door. She knew that she had to answer calmly to get them to enter the room and drop off her new mattress and three candles along with something to eat. Now that she was able to control her emotions better, her guards were becoming more patient. “Just a moment and I will be ready for you,” she said still trying to breathe deeply.
“If it helps, your brother won the match again without hurting her.” Silence rang out in the small room while she took time to contemplate what the guard had told her.
“Thank you very much. It does.” She took a couple more deep breaths and sat down on her metal bed. “You may enter now. I will not harm you.” She heard the key in the lock and felt her emotions rise in her throat. It reminded her that she was a captive here and that angered her. She closed her eyes and breathed in her mouth and out through her nostrils. The men seemed to notice this as they cracked the door open and saw her sitting there, breathing heavily. They waited for her to calm herself. “It’s ok, I’m fine.” She told them after a couple moments. The first one in always had a shield at the ready as they entered. They hid behind it as they worked. The second man in the room laid the fresh straw and candles on the ground then went back into the hallway to retrieve her meal. He always seemed to announce it as it was placed on the washstand.
“Chicken and potatoes again m’lady. I managed to put two rolls on it for ya today though.”
She answered back to the man everyday with a thank you, but today she felt in more control. “Thank you, kind sir. May I ask if you two would join me while I ate? I haven’t had a conversation with anyone in quite some time.” The two looked at each other and furrowed their brows in disbelief or in confusion. She was sure they thought she was lying to her, and her anger started to swell. She breathed deeply, “I’m sorry.” Breathing between sentences so that they wouldn’t leave, “I don’t mean you any harm. You can hold your shield up if you feel it would be safer.”
The two men whispered behind the shield and the one holding the shield said, “I can hold it.” The second man went into the hallway and brought back two stools for them to sit on. They sat in silence and waited. Kyra slowly moved to the stand and retrieved her meal, then sat back down across the room on her metal bed. The two men still sat in silence behind their massive shield.
“My name is Kara, can I ask what yours are?” She took a bite of food to set their minds at ease.
“My name is Chris and behind me is Ben.” The silence filled the room again. She wanted them to talk instead of being afraid of her. The anger started to creep up on her again. She breathed deeply while chewing her food. It seemed to help the process because she recovered herself quicker. She took a bite of a roll and tried to think of the next question she wanted to ask. She knew that it would have to be something more complicated, something that would require some explaining.
“Did you see Mary fight with my brother?” She immediately had to start calming herself after asking the question. Hopefully it would do the trick, trying to control herself and carry the conversation seemed to be the extent of her current capabilities.
Ben spoke up from behind the shield. She was kind of irritated that she couldn’t see his face. “I saw it mi’lady. Your brother won me a handful of gold. The feats that he are able to do is amazing. I can only hope that I can control magic that well someday.” She was starting to calm down and relax while she ate. She nodded her head hoping that he could see her so that he would keep talking. Ben recounted the story, talking about the creatures that Kilen formed and how he made them seem so life-like. He pointed out that Ki
len could move while having an elemental formed, and how that was a great ability. When Ben started talking about Mary using inferno fire on Kilen, she stopped eating and became confused. Ben realized what he had said didn’t make sense to her by the look on his face. Soon Kara noticed that Chris had lowered the shield and she could see the fullness of both their faces. She smiled at them to reassure them, and they nodded in return.
Ben began to talk about what inferno fire was and what it looked like, but before he could finish Kara became angry. She held up one hand to stop him from talking and Chris raised his shield. She took no offense to it this time. She really didn’t want to hurt either of them. They were not the one trying to hurt her brother. Taking a moment to herself, she relaxed and the said to them, “I’m sorry, please continue.” Ben made the rest of the explanation quickly, as not to upset her again. When she next looked down she saw that her plate was clean. Her stomach was full and she had barely noticed the meal in trying to control herself. It felt good to have a full stomach. She normally burned her food before she could consume it all. She smiled again at the two men, “Thank you so much for sitting with me. I think it helped me to control myself in a way. Do you think you could join me tomorrow for lunch?”
Chris finally spoke up, “It would be a pleasure to join you for every meal. Working this assignment is almost as lonely as being in one of these cells. It’s refreshing to see someone in control enough to sit with. The rest of the wizards in the hallway try to kill us every day.” Kara became excited when she found out that she wasn’t the only other fire wizard in the cells. She wasn’t alone in her struggle to control the anger.
“How many other wizards are there in rooms like mine?” The two men stood to leave and Chris lowered his shield a slight amount so that she could see his face.
