by Nikolas Rex
“Really no trouble at all to get a room,” The bartender tried again.
The patron shook his head.
The bartender shrugged, “Wouldn’t blame you, ever since those things started terrorizing the surrounding area, business has been bad. Mayor set quite a bounty on ‘em, but not a single merc succeeded in slaying either of ‘em yet.”
The patron nodded their head, pretending to listen.
“If you have any traveling companions, tell them that Terga is still open for business, we have not closed down—yet.”
The patron turned and began to walk towards the exit.
He did not have any more time to waste here. He had to make it to his next destination.
He opened the door and let it shut behind him. The wind whipped at the man’s cloak and hood as he descended the path, leaving the tavern and the small town of Terga behind.
He had barely registered what the bartender had said.
Marcus’s death was on his mind.
Chapter Nineteen
Fateful Meeting
He lay in bed, staring upwards, unblinking.
If not for his shallow breathing he appeared to be dead.
It was Ranasa.
Puck sat on a wooden stool near the bed, his hands on the barely ruffled blanket underneath his friend’s mostly inert body.
A tray of food sat next to the bed which had been made up for Ranasa. The food was half eaten, and only because Puck had nibbled at it.
He felt heavily weighed down. A lot of things had happened in such a short period of time. The attack in the alley had happened not more than seven days ago. Puck and Ranasa had helped Marad drag the unconscious Alborcan to their house, where they had left him bound and locked inside. Then they had moved quickly to Ranasa’s home, where they had found his mother, dead. Ranasa had collapsed at the sight and frozen. Puck had helped his father bring Ranasa back to their house, only to find the Alborcan had escaped. Marad had Puck watch over Ranasa while he spent several days scouring the entire town and surrounding area for the man and any others in his company, but to no avail. Marad was torn between staying with his son and his friend and protecting them from any attacks, and going out to find his wife and daughter. Finally, early in the morning Marad had decided he would trust Puck to protect himself and Ranasa while he went out on a search for Lilis and Aliyana.
Then, just as Marad was making final preparations to depart, Drake had shown up with both of them in his care.
The young man was exhausted and had almost collapsed on the floor. That was one day ago. He had slept that entire rest of the day, the night, and was still sleeping.
Lilis and Aliyana described Drake’s impressive heroics. The young man had slain more than thirty armed men to save them, and went several days without sleep, taking watch every night, and letting the two women have the majority of the food they found and water, to bring them back home quickly and safely.
Puck thought it was more than impressive, it was nigh impossible for someone so young, without magical aid. He was sure the young man was a sorcerer of some kind. Not that he thought of that in a negative way, far from it, being able to wield magic himself. It intrigued him.
In the morning, the young man still asleep, his father had called them all together for a family council.
Puck took in a deep breath and let it out again, recalling the events of the night before.
***
“I thought this day would never come,” Marad said, “I thought it finished, never to find me again. I, and your mother, have kept quiet about it all these cycles to protect you, to let you live your childhood free from fear. But you are no longer children, and we cannot keep quiet after what has happened. Aliyana, Puck, there is something we need to tell you. We wish Tristen were here to listen as well, but we will tell him when next we visit the Monastery.”
Marad glanced at his wife, she smiled through her tiredness to give him support.
“I and your mother are not from here, from Biarlin, as we have always led you to believe. Your mother is Terragurion.”
Aliyana gasped, Puck sat straight up in surprise.
Marad raised his hands to quiet them.
“Yes,” He said, “I grew up in Ironwald as a servant blacksmith to the Krynn of the Keep there. My father had grown up in Ironwald, and his father before him, and his father before him, in fact our ancient ancestors helped forge the iron that built the city there. But they were not there by choice, they were wrongfully enslaved to serve the Krynn for as long as the Krynn desired. My mother died giving birth to me and I was a single child with only my father to watch over me. Your mother arrived from Greendell, then only a small town, at a young age, betrothed to wed the Krynn when she grew older. She spent her days in the Keep courtyard tending to the aldoms, as it was an interest she took in her youth.”
Lilis looked at Marad with a smile, “Yes,” she said, “And would you know it that a very handsome young man worked in the smithshop that opened into the very same courtyard that I spent so much time.”
Marad kissed his wife and winked.
“It would seem that the metal on the aldom’s saddles, or the metal on the gates around their pen was always needing fixing, and I was always the one doing the work,” Marad continued with a smile that faded as the story continued to unfold, “We were in love, but I knew she was to be espoused to the Krynn and that I could never be with her. As the cycles passed every day her wedding drew nearer, and everyday her and I grew closer and closer. We wished never to be apart. So we began to make plans, slowly at first, without any real conviction to go through with it, but after a time we began to discuss things genuinely, and we began to make serious arrangements, all without either of our families, or friends, knowing. Finally the time came when it was only a fortnight away that we would be separated forever if she were to stay in Ironwald. Everything went as we planned, and we fled the city.”
Lilis sat down and hugged her husband, a look of sadness on her face.
“We had done it, we had escaped and we could live out the rest of our lives in freedom.”
There was silence.
“What happened?” Puck finally mustered.
Marad continued, “Krynn Chelan, Dasero of Ironwald, was furious with our disappearance. He murdered my father, and your mother’s family.”
“We were young,” Lilis offered, choking down her tears and emotions to appear strong for her children, “We had been only thinking of ourselves. If we had known our actions would have such consequences, we would have returned,”
“We would never have done it in the first place had we known,” Marad added, “And I would have continued to love you forever and always,”
Lilis nodded, wiping away a tear.
Marad turned back to his son and daughter.
“With our families killed, we had no reason to return. Chelan sent Bloodcloaks to hunt us down. For many cycles they hounded us, forcing us to flee our homes on many occasions. We wanted to settle down, have children, have a life, but could not under the circumstances. Finally after we had traveled so far south into Biarlin we decided to find a place to live. Terragurion influence was weak and Chelan’s men were forced to operate much more quietly. That is when we had your brother Tristen. Then a cycle passed and we heard the news that Chelan had died. The search ended then, and we settled down here, in Essoril and had the rest of our family.”
“And then this,” Puck said, making a general sweeping gesture with his hand to suggest with a simple motion he could indicate all of what had happened in the last fortnight.
“Yes,” Marad nodded, “And then this. My youngest son and his friend are attacked here in our hometown, and my daughter and beloved wife are kidnapped on the road from the Shyden Monastery.”
“Well if Chelan is dead, then who is after us?” Puck asked, “After you,” he corrected.
His mother seemed hurt by the correction and he felt a pang of regret for having spoken it.
“I do not
know,” Marad replied, “But I intend to find out. It is late, and we have said many things that requires much of you, on top of all that has already happened, we all need some rest.”
No one argued.
Puck felt exhausted, but he did not sleep.
He sat by Ranasa’s bedside and thought.
***
Puck turned at the bedroom door opening, coming out of his thoughts.
It was his sister, Aliyana.
He was so glad to see her back safe, and his mother too.
“He is still the same?”
“He has only moved once to relieve himself, since the—” he didn’t finish, he didn’t want to. The image of Ranasa’s mother’s dead body on the floor, blood everywhere, flashed across his mind’s eye.
Aliyana nodded, she had been told already what had happened.
“Did he—?” Aliyana gestured to the food, wanting to know if Ranasa had eaten something.
Puck shook his head.
Aliyana nodded again.
“Drake has awoken, Father wants you out there to speak with him,” she said, “I will watch Ranasa.”
Puck nodded.
He stood up and gave his sister a hug, she returned it. He picked up the tray of uneaten food and took one more look at his friend on the bed before he left. He could not imagine what was going through Ranasa’s mind at the moment. If I had found my mother like that— he shuddered and discontinued that line of thought.
He walked down the short hall and opened a door into the main room of their house.
His mother was in the cooking room nearby, cleaning, and watching. His father was sitting opposite the young man named Drake.
“I cannot begin to thank you enough,” Marad was saying to Drake as Puck entered the room.
Puck came into the cooking room and gave the tray to his mother. She took it with a motherly smile of thanks.
“I too must extend my gratitude,” Puck said to Drake.
He approached Drake and stretched forth his hand.
Drake stood and took Puck’s forearm in a firm and quick grip, before letting go.
The young man sat again.
“I came upon the soldiers by mere happenstance. I watched them in hiding and learned of their intentions and their captives. I could not stay my hand from action on the matter for long. I waited for the most opportune moment to strike. And then your wife made an attempt to escape, and I had to help. Your daughter led them on quite the chase. I rescued her first,” He gestured to Lilis, “being in the greater danger, and after I had determined she was safe enough, I went after Aliyana.”
“You are quite capable for being so young,” Marad suggested.
Drake nodded but did not elaborate.
“I do not wish my curiosity to spoil my gratitude for what you have done, but I am very interested to know more about how you were able to accomplish it all, more than anyone normal your age could possibly do, to be sure,” Marad probed further.
Drake was silent, looking around the room.
“I—” he began, then fell silent again, “It is difficult to explain, mostly because I do not fully understand it myself.”
There was silence again.
“You do not have to speak if it discomforts you so,” Marad waved his hand.
“No,” Drake said, “It is alright. I—I cannot die.”
“Hmm?” Puck looked on quizzically, “what do you mean?”
“I have not aged a day for twenty cycles. Nothing troubles my health, not spoiled meat, nor poisoned drink. I can see even in the darkest of night, I can run faster and farther than any I have met and I need little sleep to do so.”
Drake finished with a sort of dismissive shrug.
They all sat motionless, impressed and a little confused.
“Are you a sorcerer?”
Drake did not answer immediately, shrugging again.
“I do not expect anyone to understand,” Drake finally said. He stood up suddenly, somewhat embarrassed, “I am sorry, It seems that I have said too much, I shall take my leave now,” He began to gather his things together hastily.
Marad stood and lifted his hand towards a metal bowl on a small table nearby. There was a flash of light, the bowl quickly melted down to liquid and the blacksmith brought the now liquid through the air to his hand. Drake stopped what he was doing and watched, fascinated. The blacksmith manipulated the metal with his ability to form a drinking mug. It was quick and crude, but he finished and tossed the newly shaped object, to Drake.
The young man deftly caught the cup with his right hand. It had already cooled.
“You are not the only one who is set apart from others by their innate sense of magic,” Marad spoke, “Though yours seems to be of an extremely powerful kind.”
Drake looked at the cup, impressed.
“But my gifts come with a curse.”
Puck wanted to ask, what, but kept silent.
“I have these periods of darkness where I sleep in one place, and awake in completely different places, having no recollection of the happenings in-between.”
“It seems a small disadvantage to so many gifts.”
Drake shrugged. He was finished talking. He didn’t want to say anymore.
“Well,” Marad said finally, “You are welcome to stay with us as long as you like,” the blacksmith continued, “especially after what you have done for us, it is the least we can do to repay you.”
“No,” Drake replied immediately.
Marad and Lilis seemed offended, Puck only slightly so.
“I mean,” Drake said, realizing he had spoken quickly and sharply. He had said ‘no’ quickly because he did not want to endanger anyone else. Those who got near him, got hurt, “I cannot stay because I am on a mission,” he explained, “I have been having this dream, a vision, of this boy—”
Puck sat up straight in his chair, giving his full attention to Drake.
“—I do not know how to explain it precisely,” Drake continued, “but a power pulls at me, urging me to seek him out. I am drawn—”
“drawn to him,” Puck finished the other’s sentence, standing up himself, “He has green and brown eyes and messy dark brown hair?”
Drake nodded, surprised.
“How did you know?”
Puck looked to his father, he had told his father about his dream, most recently about the appearance of the boy in the workshop. At first he had thought it was his brother, Tristen, but then he realized it was the boy from his dream.
“How can it be?” Puck and his father exchanged glances.
“How did you know?” Drake asked again.
“I too have been having this same dream,” Puck answered.
Drake sat down in surprise.
Marad sat down as well, “There is a powerful magic at work here,” He said, seemingly to no-one.
“I did not think much of my dream until not too long ago he—”
“—appeared to you,” Puck finished again.
“Yes,” Drake replied, “I have not been pursuing this boy for very long. So far it has proven difficult. Some days I felt strongly the path I should take, but mostly I was wandering the forest, unsure of my way. That is when I came upon Lilis and Aliyana.”
“A powerful magic indeed,” Lilis echoed her husband.
“That is why I cannot stay,” Drake said, “I have rested well here, and I thank you, but I must continue on my journey now.”
“You must do as your instincts tell you, it is a noble choice,” Marad nodded.
“You would go so soon?”
Everyone turned at Aliyana’s presence in the frame of the hallway door.
Aliyana had grown to like her young rescuer and had imagined he would have been staying with them for a while at least.
“I fear I must,” Drake responded, “You are now safe here at home,”
He liked the young woman as well, but he did not want to come closer to her, nor her to him.
Laeyadin, the name came to hi
s mind in an instant. A powerful wave of emotions came over him, mostly sadness and grief. It showed on his face, he choked back his feelings and looked away.
“I must go now,” he said, turning to Marad.
Drake hooked his two katanas to his back and hefted his pack, now full with foodstuffs that Lilis had put there herself.
He headed for the door. He was happy to have helped, but he wanted to get out. He had to get away as fast as he could, before someone got hurt.
He opened the door.
“I will go with you,” Puck said suddenly, standing up.
“Absolutely not!” Lilis said from the cooking room.
“No,” Aliyana said.
Marad stood as well, putting his hand out, as if to block his son’s way.
“I must,” Puck replied.
“Our family has just been reunited in safety through a terrible trial,” Marad looked at his son, his face stern, “Ranasa has taken the hardest toll because of it,”
“I know full well,” Puck shook his head, trying to rid his memory of Ranasa’s mother sprawled across the wood floor of her own home, the blood. He shuddered, knowing it would be a long time, if ever, that he would forget the image.
“And it is because of that, that I must go. Think of it father,” Puck continued, looking at his parents, “You cannot go out in search of who has done this thing, you must stay here and protect mother and Aliyana if they come this way again. As well as keep the shop up, I could not provide for us all if you were to leave.”
Marad knew his son spoke truly. He nodded in agreement. Lilis would not agree, not after what she had been through, but she would respect his judgment on the matter.
“And who better to travel with than him,” Puck gestured to Drake.
“I cannot say I will follow you on your quest,” Drake said quickly.
Puck shook his head, “Nor do I ask it of you, I will travel with you as far as our paths follow each other. If I find I am in too much danger after we part ways, than I shall return home, I can promise that, father.”
Marad was nodding his head again.
“No,” Lilis said with all the motherly concern in the world.
