Nester finished his meal, then whistled at a serving wench to take the empty dishes away. He gave the shapely woman a small pat on her rear, and she giggled. He winked back at her.
Kaijin paused midbite. “Really, Nester?”
The brownie grinned. “Ah, I love comin’ to this place. Th’ women ’ere think I’m cute, y’know? Well, they speak th’ truth. Th’ innkeeper could learn a thing or two from ’em, y’know.”
“Cute? They think you’re cute?”
“Aye! I’m a regular ladies’ man, y’know.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
Nester laughed. “Well, believe it.” He scrutinized Kaijin. “You sound like you’ve ’ad a good plenty of women yourself.”
Kaijin quickly resumed eating.
Nester gaped. “Wha—? You mean you ain’t ’ad a woman before?”
“Of course I have. I just ... don’t like to talk about it.” Kaijin felt his face warm. He didn’t have to look up to know that Nester was most likely smirking at him.
“If I ain’t ’eard th’ biggest crock o’shite this side of Faywald ...”
Exasperated, Kaijin let go of his spoon. It clanked loudly against the edge of his bowl. “Can we talk about something else, please?” He glared at Nester.
“Aye, aye. Of course.” Nester waved him off. “It ain’t bad that you ain’t ‘ad a woman before—well, not so bad, anyway.”
Kaijin sighed and slowly took a bite, changing the subject, himself. “I suppose I should thank you for providing me with accommodations and a meal. I will find a way to repay you.”
“You can start by ’elpin’ me.” Nester rummaged into one of his belt pouches and pulled out a tiny, folded piece of parchment. He began opening it up slowly, piece by piece. It took several minutes, but by the time he finished, almost the entire table accommodated a large, crude map of Aransiya, forcing Kaijin to move his meal. “See there?” Nester pointed to a particular spot. “A few blokes I was chewin’ gums with said th’ ruins lie somewhere in ’Oundstooth Marsh.”
Kaijin finished eating and then scrutinized the map. The writings and etchings were in a language unfamiliar to him, but he could still discern where certain places were. He noticed some scribbles around Easthaven, but a big ‘X’ crossed through the entire area.
He scanned the northern lands, tracing the mountains and the sea. He recalled only a handful of times he had ever seen a cartographic overview of his home country. Nester’s map didn’t detail Ghaeldorund or the Citadel, which lay north on a small island in the Azulene Sea. The southern portion of the map was rather bare—perhaps unexplored—but a familiar symbol in the southeastern mountain region caught Kaijin’s attention. The flame resembled the very one he wore around his neck. He blinked and clutched his charm through his robe. “What’s that fire symbol over there?”
Nester dismissively waved his hand. “Oh, that? That’s some strange place. Accidentally stumbled across it, I did. It was ’igh in th’ mountains. I was looking for a place to stay when I saw that ... that ... castle-lookin’ place from miles away! It’s an aurorium, I think. Th’ warders there seemed to really like fire. I mean, they’re soddin’ obsessed with it! Everywhere you look, there’s fire burnin’ somethin’. Even th’ warders were dressed all fire-y. They didn’t let me in, unfortunately. Said I was ‘walkin’ on ’oly grounds.’ Really, how can anythin’ be ‘’oly’ there? Everything’s all burnt up! Anyway, ah .... Why do y’ask?”
Kaijin pulled his necklace out of his robe, revealing the fiery charm.
Nester’s eyes widened in awe. “Wow! It’s even shinier than before! You sure you don’t wanna sell it? Don’t you realize ’ow much coin we could get for that, mate?”
Kaijin glowered at him. “It is not for sale.”
Nester sighed and rolled his eyes. “Oh, all right. If it means that much to you, then .... Say, now I remember where I’ve seen that symbol before! One of the warders wore somethin’ similar. A real fire-lovin’ bloke, ’e was! He shooed me off before I could ask ’im anything about it, though.” He cocked his head to the side. “You like fire, too, Kaijin?”
At the unexpected question, Kaijin found himself glancing around at the other patrons, hoping none were eavesdropping on their conversation. “I ... well ...” His gaze shifted to Nester, and he leaned over, lowering his voice. “Look, it’s not easy, you know? People think I’m ... strange.”
“Strange? You?” Nester chortled.
“Shh!” Kaijin winced and scanned the room again. Nobody seemed to be listening, and Nester was the first person to scoff at the idea that Kaijin was odd. Maybe it wasn’t all that unusual to a brownie. “People think I’m strange because I like playing with fire. Now, keep your voice down about it, will you?”
Nester leaned in and whispered, “Well that is kinda strange, y’know. Playing with fire an’ all that. Doesn’t it ’urt?”
“No .... Not anymore, anyway.”
“Wha—? You mean, you can play with fire and not burn yourself?”
Kaijin nodded and smiled faintly. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not ashamed of my passion for fire, but it’s bad enough I’m a mage in this town. I’d rather keep all of this a secret.”
A wide grin stretched from ear to pointed ear. Nester nodded quickly, then he refolded his map into a neat, tiny square. “Oh, I get it. Well, don’t worry, mate. Your secret’s safe with me! I won’t be chewin’ gums with no one about your fiery fetishes.”
Kaijin cringed.
* * *
After breakfast, Kaijin and Nester shuffled through the city’s morning bustle, snaking their way toward the southern gates. Miele flew above them, concealed high in the sky. Passing the plaza, Kaijin spied colorful streamers draping across trees and between buildings. Large, colorful banners hung from the second and third story windows of some of the buildings. Men were pitching tents and hauling tables, crates, and sealed barrels, while others were painting signs.
“Oh!” Nester exclaimed, startling Kaijin behind him. “’Ow could I’ve forgotten ’bout th’ summer festival? It starts in three days. Let’s hurry to th’ ruins so we can be back in time for th’ festivities. I love me some good fun, I do!” He hastened his walk.
Kaijin made a sour face and took longer strides to keep up with the brownie. He heard children laughing nearby and slowed. Six small children huddled around what appeared to be a large rock. Several adults stood nearby, looking horrified.
A boy climbed atop the rock and sat, chortling at a little girl standing at the rock’s base.
“Me next, Big Brother!” She jumped up and down. “I wanna climb next!”
Kaijin halted and watched the children. He smiled at the boyhood memory of playing with his brother. What I wouldn’t give to see you again, Rorick. His smile slowly faded.
“’Ey! What gives, mate? We don’t ’ave all day y’know!” Nester called, retracing his steps to return to Kaijin’s side.
Kaijin blinked. “I, ah ... sorry. My mind was elsewhere.”
“I’ll say!” Nester huffed, crossing his arms.
“All right, come on. Let’s—” Wait ... Did that rock just move?
The boy atop the ‘rock’ laughed harder. He flailed his arms about as he began sliding backwards but was suddenly caught by another large mass that looked like an arm. The ‘rock’ shifted and became a massive, male human-like figure that slowly rose to his feet. He reached up and scooted the boy onto his broad shoulder. Barefoot and wearing only a pair of dark blue silken trousers and a grey silk sash, the towering stranger was built like a bull, with rippling muscles of his exposed chest and arms. His skin shimmered a silvery hue in the morning sun. His brown, silver-tipped hair was trimmed short, revealing the many piercings that adorned both ears. He smiled at the children, revealing a set of long, sharp canines.
Kaijin’s jaw dropped. “Will you look at that, Nester!” he whispered, pointing.
Nester rubbed his eyes twice in disbelief. “Tell me I’m dreamin’, mate.
Or is that the biggest bloke I’ve ever seen?”
“He’s hideous! And the children aren’t even afraid!”
“Now ain’t that somethin’. An’ ’ere you are, shunned from th’ world for bein’ a fire-lover and a fiddler.”
Kaijin frowned. “It doesn’t make sense. What makes him more special?”
“Hmm ... Maybe it’s ’cause ’e’s actin’ like a child, himself, aye? Look!”
The creature happily swayed the little boy back and forth in the air, laughing with the rest of the children. After setting the boy down, he picked up the next child and began again. Soon, one of the adults mustered enough courage to get the attention of one of the guards. The guard hustled over and separated the children from the hulking stranger. After sending the disappointed children back to their parents, the guard began scolding the stranger.
“We’ve told you before, Aidan. Leave the children alone. Their parents are wary of you.”
Aidan looked down to the guard, his silver, cat-like eyes full of disappointment. “Aidan meant no harm. Aidan went for walk in town and children started following. They asked Aidan to play with them.” His voice was deep and gruff, but sincere.
The guard shook his head. “I’m sorry, Aidan, but if this keeps happening, then we will have to ask you to leave Faywald.”
Aidan sighed. “Yes, Aidan understands....”
Nester exchanged glances with Kaijin. Finally, the brownie piped, “’E’s a big one, mate. ’E’ll be perfect!”
Kaijin winced at Nester’s shrill voice. “Perfect for what?”
“A big bloke like that could make our job even easier—and faster! ’E’ll be able to move ’eavy stuff and discover somethin’ we may overlook.”
“You can’t be serious, Nester! We don’t even know who—or what—he is!”
“Sure we do. ’Is name is Aidan, right? At least, that’s what ’e kept saying. As for what ’e is ... well, ’e looks like a ’uman to me.”
“He’s too tall to be a human. He’s probably as tall as two humans put together! And I’ve never seen a human that big with that many muscles....”
“Well, ’e can’t be all that bad, aye? I mean, they allowed ’im in th’ city, after all. An’ he was playin’ with children for soddin’ sake!” He paused and then frowned. “I just had a thought. ’E might be a little too soft for us after all....”
Kaijin’s initial fear of Aidan was turning to curiosity, and he no longer paid attention to Nester’s ramblings. Maybe I should ask him how he got accepted here.
“... So I’m thinkin’ it might not be a good idea to ask ’im to join us after all, ’cause ...” Nester trailed off as Kaijin passed him and cautiously approached the hulking creature.
As Kaijin drew closer, he took in every detail of Aidan’s strange features—from his slit-pupiled silver eyes to his clawed hands, which Aidan had begun rewrapping with a long, dirty strip of cloth. When Kaijin was but several steps away, he saw the creature briefly glance over his shoulder. After knotting the hand wraps securely, Aidan faced Kaijin, whose height barely reached above the middle of the creature’s chest.
Kaijin met his gaze and quickly averted his eyes. “Ah ... Excuse me, sir. I, ah ... couldn’t help but notice how well you, ah, handle children. Yes, that’s it.”
Aidan raised a thin dark brown eyebrow.
Nester suddenly said from behind Kaijin, “What Kaijin’s ... ah ... tryin’ to say is that ’e was wonderin’ ’ow such a big, scary bloke gets to walk freely around th’ city like this.” He smiled nervously. “Not that we think you’re scary-lookin’ or anythin’. Ah, p–please don’t ’urt us!”
Aidan’s gaze hardened, and he shook his head, waving his clawed hand dismissively. “Aidan does not like violence.”
Such a heavy accent and awkward speech. He’s definitely not local.... And now I know for certain he can’t be human.
“Oh! Neither do I!” Nester chirped, clutching a handful of Kaijin’s robe.
Frowning, Kaijin slapped Nester’s hand away. “Enough, Nester. If he wanted to hurt us, he would have done so already.”
Nester rubbed his hand. “Maybe you’re right. I guess some introductions are in order, aye?” The brownie’s unhappy expression quickly faded, and he held his hand out in greetings for Aidan. “Aidan, wasn’t it? I’m Nester. Also known as ‘Nimble’ Nester Two-Blades. This ’ere’s my mate, Kaijin. Did y’know ’e’s a fire-lovin’ fiddler?”
Kaijin reeled. He clapped his hand over Nester’s mouth while his eyes darted around the area for any passersby. “Must you tell the world I’m a mage?” he snapped in a low whisper. “You said you’d keep quiet about all this!”
Nester glared at Kaijin, grabbed his hand and pried it from his mouth. “’Ey, if someone like Aidan can walk around ’ere, why can’t you?”
“Maybe because he’s not a mage?” Kaijin eyed Aidan once more. “What say you? Are you adept with magic?”
Aidan scratched the side of his head thoughtfully. “Aidan does not think he knows magic.”
“Either you know magic or you don’t,” Kaijin said.
Aidan simply shrugged.
“Say, Aidan,” Nester broke in. “’Ow ’bout you join us on a little trip, aye? Could be fun. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fiddler or not. You’d still be useful enough to ... ah ... to keep us company! Aye, that’s it!”
Aidan looked at the both of them and thought for a moment. “A trip? Aidan does enjoy nice walks. When Aidan was little boy, Master once told him that walking is nice time to relax and be one with nature.”
Nester’s face brightened. “So you’ll come with us?”
“Yes, why not? Aidan can use exercise.”
“Great! Let’s get going, then!” Nester strode off.
Kaijin watched the brownie depart, then waited for Aidan to follow before picking up the rear. Miele swooped down to rest on his shoulder.
Before long, the three of them left through the southern gates and traveled along a beaten path that snaked through the countryside. Kaijin maintained a modest distance from Aidan, keeping his head lowered as he walked along, but he caught a close glimpse of silvery skin, rippling muscles, and two small nubs protruding from the upper back.
IV
The first hour went by, silent and uneventful, as Aidan, Nester, and Kaijin followed the road to the southwest. With Nester leading the way, they kept a brisk pace. Aidan’s slow but long strides matched the brownie’s quick gait. Aidan took in his surroundings as he walked, admiring nature’s splendors.
It wasn’t until he noticed Kaijin out of the corner of his eye, staring at him intently, that Aidan finally acknowledged him. He glanced to the bat resting on Kaijin’s shoulder, her wings wrapped partially around her. She tucked her head in her body just enough to shield the light from her eyes. It seemed odd for such a creature to be domesticated, and Aidan wondered how Kaijin first obtained her. He’d not seen bats that close except in books.
Kaijin continued staring, and Aidan’s interest in the bat waned. “What? Is something on Aidan’s face?”
The red-haired man quickly turned his head, looking straight ahead. “Well ... ah ... no. I’ve just not seen someone so ... different as you before.”
Aidan scratched the side of his head. “‘Different’? What do you mean ‘different’?”
“Surely, you’re not human—you can’t possibly be. I mean, look at you—you’re huge! And look at your hands—or should I say, claws. And I’ve never seen a human with silver skin before....” He leaned closer to Aidan, studying his arm. “... Silver scaly skin, that is....” He stared at Aidan’s face. “And your eyes ... they look a lot like Sable’s.”
Aidan furrowed his brow. “Who is Sable?”
“She is a cat.”
“But Aidan is not cat.”
“No, you’re not. So what exactly are you?”
“It’s obvious what ’e is,” Nester interjected, not looking behind him. He walked several steps ahead of them, his
hands clasped behind his head, his pointed ears twitching. “’E’s a terrabeast!”
Kaijin blinked. “What!”
Aidan scratched his head. “Terrabeast?”
“Nasty gruesome things, they are.” Nester stopped walking and spun around. “My grandpa, Nepp, almost got eaten by one! They got an endless appetite, they do. That’s why they’re so soddin’ ’uge, y’know. Anyway, Grandpa Nepp, who was a great bard of ’is time, managed to sing th’ gruesome creature to sleep. Then, ’e fled out that cave faster than a scared deer, ’e did!”
Kaijin grimaced. “That sounds ... rather disturbing.”
“Oh, don’t worry, mate. Grandpa Nepp said terrabeasts are rare creatures that live deep, deep underground. They ’ate th’ sunlight more than vampires do.”
“Aidan likes sunlight,” Aidan said.
Nester rolled his eyes and sighed. “All right, all right. No need to get all technical. So you’re not a terrabeast, then—you’re a ’alf terrabeast!”
Kaijin crossed his arms. “He’s no terrabeast.”
“Oh no? Then what is ’e?” Nester mimicked the mage’s gesture.
Kaijin gazed at Aidan. “I don’t really know. Don’t you have a family, Aidan?”
Aidan deflated. He continued walking, brushing past the two, his gaze wandering off to the plush fields of the scenic countryside. “Master told Aidan story one day. Aidan’s home city was in civil war when Aidan was little boy. Master met strange woman who was trying to get Aidan to safety. She was about to become captured by officials, and Master tried to save her. But she told him to take Aidan instead, so he did. He fled city and brought him to White Lotus monastery. Master never knew what happened to her—whether she was alive or dead. He believes she might have been relative of Aidan’s—like mother ... or sister....”
Enflamed (Book 2) Page 4
