Fred pulled the two sticks from his waist, but forced them to remain as sticks. The leather was still worn, and the sticks were still grimy and broken. "My staff? How is it so special?" he wondered.
"I believe I told you the staff you hold belonged to an old friend of mine. That friend was Cedric Osgood. He told me he stole it from his homeland to keep it from Canavar's hands," Ned explained. "He would never tell me why the staff was important, only that Canavar fused his magic with an older magic to create the staff. Cedric thought the power was too dangerous for Canavar to hold, so he stole the staff and left Palavar. I met him in Tramadore not long after he escaped from the southern region." The memories brought a small smile to Ned's lips. "He was a novice castor, but already I could see his potential."
Fred frowned and grasped the stick in his hand. It transformed into the staff and the stone at the top glowed softly in the dark of the night. The light illuminated the worried lines on Fred's face, and Ned was struck by how his young apprentice had changed. He was older and less innocent, and Fred grimaced when he reached up and rubbed his neck. A small, bitter smile spread across his lips.
"Sometimes I swear I can still feel Canavar's fingers around my throat, tightening their grip as he opens that box," Fred commented. He turned to Ned and his face didn't show the fear Ned expected. "Ever since I came with you on this journey I've been afraid. Afraid I would fail, or be killed, or be left alone, but facing someone like that and watching them use that power against my friends made me realize I couldn't be afraid anymore. My friends needed me, and I wouldn't be able to help them until I stopped being afraid." Fred grasped the front of his cloak and ground his teeth together. "And now he has a part of my soul. That was how he was able to control me," he stated rather than asked.
"Yes," Ned answered.
"Can he control me again?" Fred asked him.
Ned furrowed his brow and stroked his beard. "He must have been quite a distance away to have his minion fetch you and not merely order you to himself. If that is true then he exerted a great deal of power and concentration, so we needn't fear he will control you again in the near future."
Fred tightened his grip on the staff and looked up at the twinkling stars. His eyes were firm, unwavering, and angry. "I will get it back. I swear it. Even if I have to fight Canavar myself," he promised himself.
Ned smiled and placed a hand on Fred's shoulder. "You won't be alone. Your friends will help you," he told him.
Fred looked to him and grinned. "I know," he replied.
Ned chuckled and rose from the bench. "If we are to help anyone we are doing a poor job of it by depriving ourselves of sleep. I hear my bed beckon to me, and yours also calling," he commented. Fred stood and placed his staff back in his waistband. Ned moved toward the castle, but noticed his apprentice continued to look at the stars. "Is something amiss?" Ned wondered.
"Do you believe we can defeat him? Canavar, I mean?" Fred asked him.
Ned stepped over to Fred and smiled at the young lad. "Perhaps with some of your incredibly foolish luck we may yet make it out of this adventure alive," he replied.
Fred's face drooped and he turned to Ned with a glare. "That isn't comforting," he commented.
Ned chuckled, placed his hand on Fred's back and led him toward the castle. "Master your staff and trust in your friends, and that will lead you to the path of victory," he encouraged him.
On that high note the pair returned to the castle to their beds, but they met Theowin in the entrance hall. He smiled at the pair. "You two are conspiring to feast on the food in the kitchen?" he teased.
"Only if it has not been packed for the trip," Ned returned.
Theowin chuckled. "It has indeed, and I am sure even your dwarf companion will find no fault in the quantity and quality of what has been packed for you. However, I did not wish to discuss merely your coming meals. I have something I wish to speak with you, Edwin." His eyes flickered to Fred. "It is a most private matter."
Ned raised an eyebrow and turned to Fred. "If you would excuse us," he pleaded.
"Sure," Fred reluctantly replied. He went up to his room while Theowin led Ned outside into the courtyard.
When they were out of hearing range of the castle Theowin stepped in front of Ned and turned to face him. His expression was serious and he scrutinized Ned's curious face. "Edwin, you mentioned your soul had been much stressed. What over these last sixteen years has caused such a change in you?" Theowin asked him.
Ned raised an eyebrow. "Surely you aren't curious to learn what has occupied my time over these years. It is rather a boring tale of keeping myself hidden until Pat came of age," he revealed.
"Hidden why? From whom?" Theowin persisted.
Ned sighed. "From Canavar," he admitted.
"Why did you fear him the most out of all the enemies you have made these years, and how would a boring existence lead to such castoring ability?" the king wondered.
"Because I did not wish to face him. We-we met each other after Cedric's death, and it was not a pleasant experience for myself," Ned told him.
Theowin stepped forward and placed a hand on Ned's shoulder. The old elf's face was a mixture of pain and disappointment. "Edwin, I fear you are not being entirely truthful with me. Not once have you mentioned how you learned of Canavar's interest in souls, nor what induced your soul to strengthen itself."
"Pain, old friend. Pain induced my soul to strengthen itself, and as to how I learned of Canavar's interests, that also arises from pain," Ned replied. He turned away and leaned heavily on his staff. "But I would rather not remember the past. It is too painful."
"Physically, or emotionally?" Theowin asked him.
"Both, and it would do no good to dwell on my pain. It won't help us achieve our ends now," Ned insisted.
Theowin pursed his lips, but bowed his head. "Very well, Edwin, I will agree to your request, but the next you come I will demand an explanation," he told him.
Ned smiled and bowed his head in return. "I will accept that demand, and retire for the night."
Early the next morning found the travelers rested and their saddlebags packed with all the delights the elves could offer in the quantities that could sustain even the hungriest dwarf. Sins sat atop his horse with his midsection a fine example of mummification to keep his wound from being jostled about on the trip.
Brother Birch was among the group with his horse at the ready and his face a picture of relief and impatience. "Can we not hurry faster?" he pleaded with the companions. The Brother paused and counted the group. "And where is one of your number? Was there not a young man in your group."
"He will not be joining us for any further adventurers," Ned replied.
"Hold yer horse and be quiet. We're not done here yet," Canto growled at the priest. He turned back to the others who stood before Theowin and Telana. Behind them was Tolen and the stables. The city was not yet awake, and a soft mist arose from the moat outside the city walls and covered the entrance courtyard with its soft blanket.
"I would wish you a safe journey and for you to return whenever you may, but we are glad to be rid of you," Theowin teased them.
Telana frowned at her playful father, and glanced at each of the faces of her friends. "I will miss you very much. Please visit again very soon," she pleaded.
Ned stood at the front of the party, and he smiled and bowed his head. "We cannot make a promise we cannot ensure as our path is still fraught with danger, but after that is past I am sure many of us will return," he promised.
Tolen glanced over the shoulders of his royalty and at Pat. "And you must tell me the story behind the sword," he requested.
Pat bowed her head. "I will as soon as I learn it myself," she swore.
"All right, that's enough of the goodbyes. All this weeping stuff doesn't make the journey any easier," Canto spoke up.
"No indeed, so we shall not say farewell, but until next time," Ned agreed.
"Until next time," the others spoke in unison
.
The companions led their steads down the terraces and to the main courtyard. There they mounted and Brother Birch eagerly guided them across the bridge and onto the southern road toward their next adventure.
GLOSSARY
Anduvis: a hawk belonging to the princess of the elves. It was formerly the pet of her brother who disappeared many years before.
Bullfalo: bull-buffalo creature of unknown description located to the north of the region of Dirth. They have large horns that can be used as instruments.
Canavar: a powerful dark castor who is using the Region Stones to create chaos and destruction throughout the world. Why he does this and who he is is unknown.
Cantankus: a hairless dog-beast that was used as steed-of-war by humans. They proved difficult to breed, so humans replaced them with horses. Dwarves still use the cantankus for their mounted divisions. Like dogs, they are extremely loyal and will die for their master, but abuse will lead them to abandon their owner. Riders communicate with their cantankus via a set of collars around their neck and their cantankus' neck that allows them to feel each others' commands and became as one in the mind.
Canto: an old dwarf and cantankus trainer who resided in Galaron after his banishment from the city of Dirth. He follows the companions for the adventure and fights with an ax.
Caston (region): the region to the southeast of Kite.
Castor: people who are capable of harnessing the natural magic in the world for their own uses. Current castors use staffs to focus their powers, but ancient castors used stones to connect with the natural world.
Deadly Sins: an assassin-for-hire who is employed by Percy as a bodyguard. He uses a unique dagger in battle, and can appear and disappear at will.
Diluvian bees: originated in the north where they had to be hearty against the giant bears. Their honey is very sticky and traps any thief in their giant combs where they are stung to death.
Dirth (city): the capital city of the region of the same name. It is located in the center of the region in a sunken hole to the east of a wide swath of marshland. The streets and the castle are a labyrinthine mess built up over several generations of poor planning.
Dirth (region): a region in the northwest of the continent and located to the north of the Sterning region. It is inhabited by dwarves and ruled by royalty. The south of the region is a rocky mountain range while the interior is primarily a stinking marshland infamous for its smells.
Dirth beetle: a large beetle from the Dirth region. It is capable of releasing large amounts of stinking fumes that leave a grown human incapacitated.
Dirth worms: delicacy of the Dirth region. Eaten like spaghetti when they aren't trying to wriggle off one's plate.
Dueling Grounds: the area in the city of Crutchen where disputes of honor are settled among the elves.
Feora Library: the ancient library of the elves in which all their wisdom is stored. The Library lies in the city of Crutchen.
Fluffy: an abandoned cantankus who is befriended by Fred. He becomes the boy's loyal steed and they are aided in their riding by the magical collars created by Canto.
Fred: a former serf and current castor who was dragged from his former life through Ned's meddling. He now learns the art of castoring from Ned and uses an enchanted staff to perform his magic. He owns a cantankus by the name of Fluffy, and has a close affection for Pat.
Galaron: an ancient city ruled over by the royal family of the same name. It lies in a valley with hills to the north, east, and west. To the northeast lies the Valley of the King where a great battle occurred between Galaron and its enemies. It resides in the region of Sterning, and the city is located in the south of that area. The city of Tramadore to the east is its closest neighbor and ally.
History Book: a legendary tome said to contain all the history of the elves. It lies in the Feora Library in the city of Crutchen.
John Birch: brother from the Temple of Phaeton and one of the men who helped raise Pat. His superior is High Priest Josiah Hathorne.
Josiah Hathorne: High Priest of Phaeton at the Temple of Phaeton and one of the men who helped raise Pat. He is the superior to Brother John Birch.
Lapita Duel: translates from the Elvish to mean Danger Duel. Contrary to the common bloodless duels between friends and acquaintances, the Lapita Duel is finished not when a combatant is struck but when a combatant gives up. Thus the aim is to harm and disarm the opponent until they acquiesce.
Ned: an old castor with a long history of traveling the world. He was once known as Edwin. At one time he traveled with a young man by the name of Cedric Osgood.
Patricia (Pat): a young girl who's real name is Elsa Lamikan. She is a knight of the Priests of Phaeton, and was prophesied to take control of the army of Galaron and marry a dead man. With the city destroyed, she now follows Ned to avenge Galaron against Canavar. She avoids the topic of marrying a dead man.
Percival Clavier: known as Percy. He is the son of the traitor of the city of Tramadore, Lord Sturgeon, and wishes to make amends by traveling with the companions. He uses a sword in battle.
Peter Lee: a sea captain known for his superior sailing abilities. He is a regular seller of goods in the port of the elven city of Crutchen.
Priests of Phaeton (dark): those priests who follow the teachings of the destructive powers of Phaeton, the god of fire and reigning religion on the continent. They are known to perform human sacrifices and ritual cannibalism.
Priests of Phaeton (light): those priests who follow the teachings of the healing powers of Phaeton, the god of fire and reigning religion on the continent. The priests fostered Pat and protected her until Ned took her to Galaron for her coronation as leader of the Galaron army.
Ralcott: a region in the south central of the continent with its capital located at Tramadore. The region is long and narrow, and is abutted by the Sterning region to the northwest and the Caston region to the northeast. It is inhabited by humans.
Ransan Hawain: close cousin to Telana and Theowin Hawain, and master of the port of Crutchen. He dislikes anyone who is not an elf.
Region Stones: boulder-sized stones placed in each region on the continent by ancient castors. Over time they have absorbed the essence of the people and environment of that region. Lord Canavar uses them for his own dark purposes and unleashes the negative forces of the regions on their inhabitants. It is unknown how the stones are activated, or what purpose Canavar intends for them.
Ruth: a female gargoyle and daughter of the leader of the gargoyle clan, Sampson. Their clan hid themselves beneath Galaron for fifty years to avoid the genocidal intentions from the royal family of Galaron. She owes a life-debt to Pat and Fred for their saving her life.
Salaron: the name of both the plains and bridge that divide the regions of Ralcott and Sterning, the former to the southeast and the latter to the north. The bridge crosses over the Greater Conchero River. The Lesser Conchero River is a small creek that runs from the city of Tramadore westward to join the Greater Conchero just above Salaron Bridge.
Sterning: a region ruled over by the royal family of the city of Galaron. The region is located in the western part of the continent and is northwest of the city of Tramadore. The region abuts the Tramadore region to its southeast, and the Dirth region to its north. It is inhabited by humans.
Telana Hawain: princess of the city of Elven city of Crutchen and daughter to King Theowin Hawain. She owns a hawk by the name of Anduvis. Her cousin is Ransan Hawain.
Theowin Hawain: king of the Elven city of Crutchen, and father to Telana. He is several thousand years old and rules the city with a gentle hold. His cousin is Ransan Hawain.
Tramadore (city): a large city in the western central of the Ralcott region ruled by the family of the same name. The family refer to themselves as lords rather than kings, and rule by popular majority. The castle and defensive walls were hewn from a stone mountain by the ancestors of the inhabitants. The city is famous for its Uncomfortable Chair and the prophecy attached
to it.
Valum snake: a creature of extreme lethargy who's body contains a chemical capable of rendering a human unconscious for up to 4 hours.
The Unwilling Accomplice (Book 5) Page 17
