The Callindra Chronicles Book One - First Quest

by Benjamin Fisher-Merritt

  “Oh.” Donna gave her a direct, doubtful look, “That mean you don’t like men?”

  “What?” Callindra burst out laughing, “No, it just means that I don’t have to worry about anyone taking advantage of me, man woman or monster.”

  Callindra’s laughter was infectious and the maid laughed along with her, “Sounds lonely, I wouldn’t mind that knight with the hammer takin advantage of me.”

  “Knight? Oh you mean Tryst? He’s a priest, although I don’t know if his order is a chaste one or not.” Callindra shrugged, “He’s pretty enough if you like that sort of thing. I guess I never gave it much thought.”

  She stood and Donna gasped, “Gods; that wound!” She exclaimed, pointing at the newly healed gash across her thigh.

  “Yeah, it was a pretty nasty one.” Callindra said with a shrug, “It’s healing well though, mostly thanks to Tryst’s skills. This one hurt too.” She said pointing to a long shallow scar across her rib cage, “Without my armor it might have killed me.”

  “So many scars…” Donna’s voice trailed off as she saw the myriad of thin lines that crisscrossed her arms. “How you get em? How old are you anyway?”

  “I’m eighteen. Most of these are from training, many are ones I gave myself. Learning to wield a sword isn’t without its hazards.”

  “Eighteen? My younger sister’s eighteen, she’s been settled for near two years now. Has the sweetest pair of boys you ever seen.” Donna glanced over Callindra’s lean, muscled form and decided to stop talking about babies.

  “Donna I wonder if you could get a couple pairs of men’s breeches that would fit me? Maybe a shirt too. I could do with some extra clothes.”

  “Sure, no trouble.” Said Donna, “Well I best get to work. Good ta meet you Callindra, I’ll bring the clothes you wanted up when we get em. Should be with breakfast.”

  Callindra regretfully looked at the empty wine bottle, but knew she should stick to water lest her head get the better of her the next morning. She sighed, wrapped the robe Donna had left around herself, picked up Brightfang and made her way up to her room.

  -

  The next morning when Callindra woke she could hear the maids moving through the hallways. Opening the door she found her new clothes folded and sitting outside her door just as Donna had promised alongside a tray with three small grilled fish, a pitcher of milk and half a loaf of bread so fresh it was still warm to the touch.

  She dressed quickly and only paused to buckle Brightfang on over her tunic and grab the loaf of bread before heading out into the street, making her way back to The Dry House. It had been a long time since she had smelled the particular blend of tac that Glarian used to smoke, but yesterday the scent had been strong.

  When she arrived, Fredrick was just opening his shop. A pot of strong tea was brewing over a small coal stove just inside the door and a heavy loaf of bread similar to the one she had consumed on the way here sat next to it.

  “Ahhh… Callindra wasn’t it?” He said, looking up as she approached.

  “Fredrick, I am interested in that blend you were smoking yesterday.” She said, “I think it was an old friend’s favorite blend and the scent really brought back some pleasant memories.”

  “You’re here very early my dear. Why don’t you sit and have a cup of tea with me. You can tell me of your travels and then we can talk business.” He gestured to a pair of chairs outside the shop door with a steaming cup of tea.

  “Thanks.” She said, sitting across the door from him. “I’m not sure how much time I’ll actually have to chat though. I need to stretch and practice before my party awakens. I’m afraid we will be leaving today.”

  “Tell me about this friend of yours at least then.” He said, blowing on his tea to cool it, “It’s not just anyone who smokes Carilan Imperalus you know.”

  “He saved my life.” She sipped her tea and found it to be harsh and bitter, “I guess I don’t know much about him really. As sad as it seems, we lived together for years and I never took the time to ask about his life. I always thought there would be more time. I won’t make that mistake again.”

  Fredrick gave her a quizzical look over the rim of his teacup. “That particular blend is one favored by the Keld’Ima.” When she didn’t react he added, “The King’s personal bodyguards.”

  Callindra laughed, a breeze swirling around her and playfully tickling the back of her neck, “I’m pretty sure he wasn’t a bodyguard. He lacks any real desire to take orders I think. Besides you don’t seem the type either but I certainly smelled it coming out of your pipe yesterday evening.”

  “True enough.” He said with a grin, “I acquired a taste for the Imperalus blends years ago. Strong yet subtle, just the right balance of aroma and body. I don’t know what the curing process is but it takes time and skill. Your friend, whoever he is, has good taste.”

  He rose and walked into the shop, refilling his teacup then making his way behind a counter to a wall set with a myriad of small doors from floor to ceiling. He opened one and slid a drawer out, selecting a sealed leather pouch before closing it firmly again.

  “Here you are, twenty silver for a packet of memories.”

  Callindra balked slightly, her room for the night had only cost half that. “Gods, I’ll need a pipe and flint as well at that price.”

  “Consider it done.” He took a long, narrow box from beneath the counter and took a slender pipe with a long stem from it. She could see delicate carvings of flowering vines all down the stem and around the bowl. “This should fit your character quite nicely.”

  She was about to protest until she saw the vines were climbing roses with thorns clearly defined. “I suppose it does at that. The next time I’m in town I will take the time to sit and share some stories of the road.”

  Fredrick smiled and gave her a small bow from the waist, “I look forward to it Callindra.”

  Chapter 16

  The City of Arkasia was much larger than Callindra thought possible. The wall was visible from miles away and there were quite a few carriages and wagons on the road as well as other horses and a multitude of foot traffic. In spite of all the travelers the traffic barely slowed at the gate. A system of checking wagons and processing visitors allowed efficient entry without impeding the majority of them.

  It only took a few minutes to give names, origin, destination and duration of stay. Tryst handled the majority of the questions and all the others had to give were their names. Inside the gate was a scene of chaos, throngs of people selling everything hungry, thirsty, tired travelers might want, sedan chairs being carried by well-muscled footmen, men and women in livery hurrying about on some errand or another for their House.

  The noise was deafening and had it not been for Tryst’s sure knowledge of his destination and single-minded determination to reach it they would surely have been swept into the crowd and separated. After the initial crush, the people thinned out and they were able to re-mount their horses. They wound their way through the streets at a trot and arrived at a towering cathedral built from huge basalt blocks.

  There was a large courtyard but no gate or fence. Tryst handed the reins of his horse to a waiting stable boy and walked straight through the open front door. “Tryst Te’Chern to see Biscop Mida.” He said to the first acolyte he came upon. The unfortunate boy stared at the mountain of chainmaile and gaped in open-mouthed awe.

  “Te’Chern? THE Te’Chern?”

  “The Biscop is engaged in a meeting with his advisors at the moment.” A man with greying hair, “You may wait for him in the antechamber.” He wore a simple robe but Tryst bowed in deference.

  “As you wish Sir. Do not trouble yourself, I know the way.”

  He led them down a long hallway and through a plain wooden door. A simple oak table had bread, fruit, salted pork and wine laid out for them to eat.

  “THE Te’Chern?” Cronos asked, raising an eyebrow at his brother.

  “I may have made a bit of a name for myself in the acade
my.” He replied with a hint of chagrin, “Think nothing of it.”

  Callindra sat at the table and poured herself a cup of wine. It was cool and soothing on the back of her throat. She loosened the straps on her armor and leaned back in her chair, looking around the room with idle curiosity.

  In spite of the size of the cathedral, this room wasn’t all that much larger than the ones she had seen in the much smaller church in Thornehold. The windows were tall, narrow slits with steel shutters that could be closed against weather or attack but still left ample room for an archer to fire from. What reason could anyone have to build such a defensible structure in the middle of a large city?

  “This was one of the first buildings to be completed when this area was first settled.” Tryst said, noticing her taking account of the militant construction of the room. “We are also an Order that strives to uphold justice and peace, defending the weak and protecting the defenseless so much of our training revolves around combat. The austere aspect of the building quickly winnows out those looking for a life of ease among the Priesthood.”

  “Well-spoken young Te’Chern.” A deep voice spoke from the hallway as a short, thick man entered. He was barrel-chested and his arms were the size of Callindra’s waist. His robes were the same rough woven wool that every other priest she had seen wore; however he wore a richly embroidered alb around his shoulders.

  Tryst started, then turned and dropped to one knee. “Lord Biscop, may I please have your blessing?”

  The Biscop placed one hand on Tryst’s head and the other on the rim of his shield, “An arm to defend. A mind to discern. We offer Sanctuary of body and soul in a world of chaos. May your arm be swift and your mind strong.”

  He turned to the rest of them with a quizzical look on his face, “So these warriors have agreed to join you and complete the task I have set you to?”

  “We agreed to hear you out anyway.” Cronos said, looking up from where he slumped at the table. “Nobody’s said more than that yet.”

  “The news I share with you is grave indeed.” He turned to face Cronos, “We began feeling a disturbance some time ago. The Gods were restless, which is never a good thing and after a time we became aware that the followers of Gode had ceased to have their prayers answered by their God.”

  “What?” Tryst sprang to his feet from where he had been kneeling, “How is that possible? If the God of Creation is no more, then Onde can destroy everything!”

  “Calm yourself child, if Gode was indeed gone we would cease to be. This is not a problem that will end all of creation; it is merely a problem that faces us here in this realm.” He paused and shook his head gravely, “Although the further a stone begins rolling downhill the more difficult it is to stop. Tryst, you and your companions must find the remnants of the Lost Order. Only they have the knowledge needed to re-establish contact with Gode.”

  “Sounds interesting. What’s in it for me though?” Asked Vilhylm.

  “Your needs will be provided for along with suitable reward upon completion of your task.” The Biscop said, “We offer each of you the sum of one thousand pieces of gold for returning with the information we need.”

  Callindra gaped in disbelief, she could buy a farm or a business, she could live comfortably for years. More importantly she could finance her journey to find Glarian easily with that kind of money. “Done.” She said as soon as she recovered her composure.

  After a few moments the others also voiced their assent.

  “Excellent.” The Biscop said, “Now you will need to keep the horses lent from our Brothers in the south, we can ensure you have rations for the trail and coin for re-supplying. Do any of you require armor or armaments?”

  “I could use some greaves to complete my leather.” Callindra said, “But Brightfang is all the weapon I need.”

  “You don’t have anything I could use.” Vilhylm said, “Thank you for offering though.”

  “A brace of daggers wouldn’t hurt.” Cronos said, “I wouldn’t mind a chain shirt too if you can spare it.”

  “I will have someone show you to your rooms then and make sure that your requests are fulfilled before you leave in the morning.” The Biscop clapped his hands and a pair of figures wearing identical gray robes with the hoods pulled over their faces entered, beckoning them to follow. “Tryst will be along shortly, he and I have some Church business to attend to.”

  Callindra followed the robed figures to a room that could have been the exact same one she had slept in while in Thornehold other than the window looked out on a practice yard instead of a busy street. Dozens of figures drilled with hammers and shields under the watchful eyes of several armored men.

  There was a pitcher of chilled white wine and a plate of bread on the table in the common room and two separate sleeping quarters. Feeling tired from her long time on the road, Callindra found a bath, then a bed.

  -

  The next morning, Callindra awoke later than she had intended. She shuffled out of her room into the common room between her and the boys room in her underthings, feeling a little disoriented. Looking out the window, she saw that the courtyard below was empty of the practicing figures she had seen the day before.

  Pulling on rumpled breeches and wrapping her chest tightly, she looked blearily around the room. She found a plate of fruit and ate an apple, core and all while staring down at the practice yard.

  “Damn, I didn’t ask how to get there last night.” She muttered, helping herself to a glass of water from the pitcher on the table. “Well nothing for it but to jump.” She grinned, slung her sword belt over her back and leaped out of the window, the winds whipping around her body as she fell.

  She landed in the courtyard lightly, whipping Brightfang from his sheath with a flourish. “Awesome, there are even practice dummies!”

  “Indeed. What is your name girl?” A low voice sounded behind her.

  She spun to face the man, moving her sword into a guard Stance.

  “Easy, you are the one intruding upon my practice grounds.” She had seen this man the day before, striding through the drilling acolytes with a severe look on his face. He was the only one who hadn’t been wearing armor, his only protection was a massive shield strapped to his back. The top was almost a foot above his head and the bottom nearly dragged on the ground.

  “My apologies sir.” She sheathed her sword with practiced ease. “I meant no offense, I was merely looking for a place to work my morning Korumn.”

  His eyebrows rose briefly, then his eyes narrowed slightly. “Show me then.”

  Unsure what to make of his scrutiny, she walked to the middle of the courtyard and sat with Brightfang across her knees. Her morning meditation came easily here in spite of the breezes that tickled her neck and played with the ragged ends of her hair.

  When the First Korumn was finished, she rose and began moving through the Stances, eyes almost closed, feeling the passage of the air over her body. Brightfang’s tip whistled through the air, as she moved, and she almost missed the slight sound to her right. She jerked him to a stop just before his razor sharp edge cut into her observer’s scalp.

  “What are you doing, moving into the line of a practicing sword fighter? Are you mad?” She could feel the energy that she had built in the first half of her practice quivering within her sword.

  “Just testing to see if you had any control.” He snorted, “You wouldn’t have had the chance to cut me.” She looked above him to see the bulk of his shield.

  “There’s no way you could move that monster fast enough to stop me. It’s on your back!” She said, “You took a serious risk you know, I’m still just an apprentice.”

  “Just because it’s on my back doesn’t mean it’s not still protecting me.” He shifted his weight forward and the shield slipped slightly to cover most of his head. With a practiced motion he swung it off his back to land between them with a resounding thud.

  “Those moves look pretty polished, but I know from experience that polis
h isn’t always a good thing. Makes you predictable, which is something you can’t afford to be in a real battle.”

  “Look, if you want to spout some lecture save it for your initiates or whatever you call them.” Callindra said, tossing her head irritably, “I just came here to practice. Without practice I get a little too unpredictable.”

  A stray wind whipped across the practice grounds, strong enough to set the dummies dancing on their ropes. “I’d rather not waste the morning away with idle chatter.” She said.

  He moved to a nearby bench, carrying his shield as though it wasn’t a six foot wall of steel. Instead of sitting, he set the shield down and leaned on it. Callindra gave him a level look, then rolled her eyes and resumed her Stances. The Korumn flowed easily and at the end she felt refreshed, ready for the day and more importantly as though she had managed to put somewhat of a leash on her fractious connection to the Weave.

  “Now that dance class is over, let’s spar.” She had forgotten the shield-toting instructor was there, he hadn’t even moved while she was practicing. He had a heavy wooden mallet in one hand and was lifting that monstrous shield with the other.

  “Dance class? Big talk for a man hiding behind a castle portcullis!” She stood lightly on the balls of her feet, Brightfang’s edge glittering like a gemstone. “I am Callindra Sol’Estin of Glarian Sol’Estin. I am two years old. The wind hones my edge and guides my steps. My enemies bend before me like reeds before a gale.”

  Now she was certain she saw his eyebrows raise, but she was too busy launching an all-out attack to give it any thought. Just as she had predicted, the sheer mass of his tower shield made it nearly impossible for her to reach him. She did manage to put a few notches around the edges and make it ring like a bell though.

  The blur of the mallet’s motion was too fast for her to even think about dodging. Her opponent used the bulk of his shield to mask his attack until the last second, the steel bound end of the mallet hit her shoulder like a charging bull, sending her sprawling on the ground. She rolled and came up smoothly to her feet, only to find she had to leap backward to avoid another blow.