“You sure do a lot of insisting, don't you? Besides don't you need it?”
“I have my cloak with me here,” he said, handing Constance a blanket.
“Thank you.”
“See you bright and early.”
With that Drinian went over beside the campfire, and lie down on his mat while Constance snuggled deep into her fine fur blanket and fell fast asleep.
Copper
Constance awoke early the next morning, admiring the stillness and the beauty of nature about her. She watched the sun slowly rise higher and higher in the sky. Since everyone was still asleep, Constance stepped outside and started walking to the east. As she walked, the woods grew thicker, with thorns snagging her dress, and branches whipping against her face. Why Constance kept walking and did not turn back, is not understood. Maybe the peacefulness kept drawing her, or perhaps it was her sense of adventure. As Constance walked deeper into the woods, an eerie feeling overtook her- like something was stalking her! Constance quickly glanced over her shoulder to discover a cat-like animal only a few feet behind her. Constance stood frozen with terror! Maybe it was like the caracal in her mother’s story
“Hello, big kitty,” Constance said bravely.
The caracal hissed, growled and inched closer. As it took a leap toward Constance a man vaulted in front of her. The caracal pounced on him biting and clawing, until the man struggled free and chased it deep into the woods.
Constance was still shaking as she stammered, “Are you alright?”
The young man arose painfully with an obvious limp and turned to face Constance. He looked to be in his early twenties, was tall with blond curly hair and had green eyes
“I am quite alright,” he replied.
“Thank you, for rescuing me Mr....?”
“Copper, just Copper. It isn't every day that I rescue such a pretty young lady. So who might you be an angel?”
Constance, blushing at the compliment replied, “If I were an angel, I think I would be rescuing you. My name is Constance Jones.”
“It is my pleasure to meet you,” Copper said, bowing. “May I ask what a beautiful young lady like you is doing in a dangerous forest?”
“I was taking a walk,” Constance replied.
“This early in the morning?”
“Yes, no one else was up yet, so I decided to take a walk. What are you doing up this early?”
“Well...That's not important, at least not to you. Are you camping around here Miss Jones?”
“Actually, yes.”
“Well, let me escort you back to your camp,” Copper offered.
“I would appreciate that very much.”
“Do you know the way back?” Copper asked.
“Yes, it's only a little ways.”
They continued walking in silence until Copper asked, “Where are you traveling to Miss Jones?”
“To see a man named Moolow,” Constance replied, looking up at him.
“Are you going with family?” Copper asked looking directly into her eyes. Constance squirmed uncomfortably, for Copper was definitely a charmer.
“No, I'm traveling with my friends Drinian and Woodphere.”
Coppers eyes grew wide as he replied, “As in Prince Drinian?”
“Yes, do you know him?” Constance asked as she noticed the strange look in his eye.
“Miss Jones, I must warn you, that you should not go back and travel with Prince Drinian!” Copper said, stopping as his face grew stern.
“Why not?”
“Prince Drinian is very dangerous; you should not go back to him! Please come with me.”
A fearful thought struck Constance. Was this man she was talking with a Molter?
“Are....you a Molter?” Constance asked her voice shaky.
Copper laughed
“Miss Jones, how absurd! Please sit down and I will explain everything,” Copper said, pointing at two stumps. Constance sat down uncomfortably on the hard stump.
“May I call you Constance?”
“Of course.”
“Has Prince Drinian told you anything about his childhood?”
“What do you mean?”
“Has he said anything about how his father killed King Taybayeere?”
“Yes, and it is terrible how Drinian's father was killed.”
“He can really tell nasty lies,” Copper sighed.
Constance looked at Copper in confusion.
“Prince Drinian is not even a true Prince!”
“What?”
“Let me tell you the real story, Constance dear. King Taybayeere was the rightful king of this whole country, but his step-brother Simian claimed that he should be king, for he was the oldest. But Simian wasn't actual blood to the throne; he was taken in by the king and queen when he was a chap of three. When Simian was six, Taybayeere was born.”
“So you’re saying that Simian and Taybayeere were not really brothers?” Constance asked, because it was the opposite of what Drinian had told her.
“Yes, that’s right, and when they grew older, Simian and Taybayeere became worst of enemies. Taybayeere was always treated better by the king and queen, because he was their own flesh in blood. Simian even tried to kill him several different times!
“How dreadful! But this sounds nothing like Drinian's father.”
“Drinian tells people that his father was good, only to get their sympathy. Well back to the story…It soon came time when the old king died and one of his sons had to become king, but which one? Simian and Taybayeere fought while the councilmen tried to decide who would be king, but they could not decide. So they did the only logical thing they could think of, they divided the kingdom so both could be a king. So Simian ruled Avonea, and Taybayeere ruled Moltavia. As years passed, rumors spread that Taybayeere deserved to be the king of the entire nation. Once Simian heard this, he immediately planned a secret attack on King Taybayeere's castle! While King Taybayeere was sleeping unaware, Simian sneaked into his bed chamber and lopped off his head with his sword.
Constance put her hand up to her throat and turned pale.
“Are you well?” Copper asked.
Constance nodded her head, “Please continue.”
“At this point Woodphere wanted to take Drinian into hiding. However, young Drinian clung to his father and wanted to stand by his side and kill all King Taybayeere's army! Finally, one of Taybayeere's soldiers seeking revenge crept up on Simian at night while he was standing in his garden and drove a knife through his back. Drinian has been in hiding ever since, and now I've heard that he’s planning to wipe out the entire country of Moltavia!”
“Copper, are you sure you’re telling the truth?”
“I am the most honest person in all Avonea.”
“It's hard for me to believe that Drinian lied to me, for he seemed so honest.”
“I know, he sure knows how impress young women, and you are one of his victims.”
“I am not one of his victims, Copper! How do I know that you’re not the one who's lying to me?
“How sad it is, that you are defending the enemy. He certainly has turned your head.”
“Copper, you are a Molter! I know it and you cannot convince me otherwise!”
“Constance, how many times do I have to tell you, I am not a Molter! I do not even look like a Molter and if I were, would you still be standing here?”
“Probably not,” Constance replied.
“Besides, that man you’re defending is really a Molter, the leader in fact!”
“Drinian, is not a Molter; he's trying to hide from them! Now, I'm going back to my camp to find Drinian and Woodphere. And you’d better not follow me!”
“Go, if you wish, that shows how much you listen to me! I could surely get you to Moolow faster than Drinian and Woodphere.”
“Of course you would have to decide who to follow.”
“Can you really get me to Moolow faster?”
“I can get you to Moolow within two days,” Copper r
eplied, crossing his arms,
“Two days,” Constance murmured to herself. “How can you get me to Moolow so fast? Woodphere said that it’s at least a six day trip?”
“I know a shorter way, that nobody knows- not even Woodphere.”
“Why doesn’t he, for Woodphere knows these woods like the back of his hand?” Constance replied.
Copper was silent for a moment, and then suddenly blurted, “Has anyone ever told you that behind your beauty, you are the most inquisitive young lady in Avonea?”
“I am not! As my mother used to say, if you ask a person a question and they reply back with a question, they’re trying to avoid the question being asked.”
“Has anyone told you that you are very intelligent for your age?”
“You are not answering my question! And besides what of my age?”
“You tell me,” Copper replied, crossing his arms.
“It's none of your business!”
Copper rolled his eyes.
“Now answer my question, why doesn’t Woodphere know about this route?”
“The reason Woodphere does not know about the shorter path, is because I blazed it myself and no one knows but me. Now, who are you going to travel with?”
“I don't believe half the things you are telling me Copper. But if what you say is true, and you do have a shorter path, I will travel with you. First, I must go tell Drinian and Woodphere.”
“Oh, you wouldn't want to do that! For if you do tell them, they’ll ask who you are traveling with, and they'll want to come along and discover my path!”
“But won't they be worried if I leave and don’t tell them where I am going?”
“Worried, I do not even think Drinian knows the meaning of that word.”
“Copper, I think it is best to return and tell Drinian that I have found another person to travel with.”
“No, you cannot do that! He'll turn your head again.”
With that Constance turned around and started walking back to camp.
“No, please wait! I am sorry I said those mean things, I do not want you to get hurt,” Copper pleaded.
“Constance!” a familiar voice came from the west.
“Drinian!” Constance replied turning toward him. “I was coming to find you.”
“Constance, what are you doing here, with him?” Drinian replied as he caught sight of the young man.
“Oh this is Copper, he says he’s found a much easier path to take to Moolow. I’m thinking I will travel on with him since it will be faster.”
“The only path he's going to take you on is a path that leads right to a prison cell!”
“Oh, such a pretty thing as her? No, I would never be that cruel to put such a lovely face behind bars.”
“Constance! Go now!” Drinian yelled.
“Now I can say I was the one that finished off the family of King Simian!” With that Copper plucked his sword from his sheath and lunged at Drinian who quickly pulled out his sword, and clanged it against Copper's.
“Woodphere!” Constance screamed as loud as she could over the clanging of the swords.
Constance watched as the two men fought, for what felt like hours, and Woodphere had still not come!
Drinian being a much better swordsman than Copper, had the upper hand but suddenly Copper with a burst of energy slashed his sword into Drinian's right arm! Drinian let out a painful cry.
“Drinian!” Constance screamed.
Constance had never felt so helpless in her life; as she could only watch the duel before her. Drinian grasped his arm for a moment, then lunged forward. Copper laughed as Drinian missed, kicking him in the stomach as he fell to the ground.
“This is what I've been waiting for!” yelled Copper, getting ready to plunge his sword into Drinian’s back.
“Your Majesty, watch out!” Woodphere yelled, riding up on his horse and leaping on top of Copper!
Constance sprinted over to Drinian, “Are you alright?” Constance asked as Drinian slowly rose to his feet clutching his wound.
“I think I’ll live” Drinian replied with a grimace.
Meanwhile, Woodphere had finally subdued Copper, and forced his hands into a crude lock.
“Constance, hurry! Get me the rope that's hanging on Luke,” Woodphere said. Constance grabbed the rope and handed it to Woodphere.
“Thank you, now please remove the weapons in his satchel and sheath.”
She did as Woodphere requested, but couldn’t help noticing Copper glaring at her as she went about collecting his weapons.
“What are you going to do with me, leave me here to starve?” Copper asked, as Woodphere finished binding him securely to a nearby tree.
“Would you rather me kill you on the spot, or would you rather have a chance to live?”
Copper was silent as he glared at his captor.
“Besides, I do not believe in killing a man, so you’d better be glad,” Woodphere replied.
Drinian stood by painfully holding his arm.
“May I look at your arm?” Constance asked as Drinian shook his head.
“Please?” Constance asked, gazing into his eyes.
Drinian nodded tentatively and eased himself carefully onto a nearby log.
“Woodphere, do you happen to have any water in your canteen?”
“Yes, here” Woodphere replied, tossing the canteen to Constance.
Constance tore the flounce from her dress and poured cold water on it. She pulled Drinian's sleeve out of the way and inspected the deep and bleeding wound. She was not about to tell Drinian that she was squeamish of blood. She tenderly cleaned the gash as Drinian sat quietly with closed eyes and a scrunched up brow. Next she wrapped the remaining material around Drinian's arm, and bound it tight.
“Ah, I think you are cutting off my circulation,” Drinian said, rubbing his arm.
“Do you want me to loosen it?” Constance asked.
“No, it is fine.”
“I’m sorry about what happened,” Constance whispered.
“It is alright, it could be worse,” Drinian replied.
“No, I mean I'm sorry for believing Copper.”
Drinian put his head down.
“I should have prepared you, in case you met up with a Molter.”
“Your Majesty, are you alright?” Woodphere asked, walking up to them.
“Indeed, I am fine, it’s merely a little cut.”
“A little cut? It's more like the length of my hand!” Constance said, shaking her head, as Drinian rolled his eyes.
“Your Majesty, you may ride my horse, if you wish,” Woodphere offered.
“No Woodphere, I have two feet, I can walk.”
“Let us return to camp.”
Constance turned to see Copper looking very meek.
“Do you think someone will find him?”
“You can count on it, he will be found in a day or two's time. This will at least humble him, and maybe he will think of all the wrongs he has done,” Woodphere sighed.
“Do you always tie people to tree's, Woodphere?” Constance asked, smiling.
“Indeed he does, one night a group of Molters attacked us while we were asleep and Woodphere tied six of them to the trees!” Drinian laughed.
“Now that is enough, Your Majesty,” Woodphere chided.
******************
“You’re looking rather pale, do you feel weak?” Constance asked Drinian, once they had reached camp.
“I am a little tired, but I think it is from a lack of sleep,” Drinian replied.
“Maybe you should sit down; I'll have Woodphere look at your wound.”
“You have already bandaged it, I am fine.”
“Alright. What do you wish for breakfast?” Constance asked.
“Ask Woodphere, I shall eat whatever you fix.”
“If I burn it, will you eat it?”
“I will simply swallow, and drink a large amount of water.”
Ignoring his comment, Constanc
e turned and said, “Woodphere, what would you like for breakfast?”
“Whatever His Majesty wishes.”
“That won't work. Drinian wants you to decide.”
“Well … I do have an appetite for some hot bacon and fresh berries.”
“Enough said,” Constance replied, grabbing a skillet from the satchels hanging on the horses.
“While I am making breakfast, Woodphere, will you please look at Drinian’s cut, to make sure it is not infected?”
“Of course,” Woodphere replied, walking over to Drinian's side.
“How is it that you never listen to what I say? I told you Constance, that there was no further need to look at it.”
“If you know what is good for you, you will listen to what I say,” Constance replied.
Constance carefully spread the bacon in the skillet and had it sizzling while Woodphere looked again at Drinian's cut.
“Is it swollen?” She asked, after a few minutes.
“No, which is a good sign. Now, Your Majesty, keep it wrapped tight and make sure you tell us if it bothers you.”
“Like he'll actually do that,” Constance said, shaking her head.
After breakfast was finished, Constance spent the remainder of the morning, retelling her encounter with Copper in vivid detail.
The Disagreement
The sun was not quite over their heads when they packed camp and left for Moolow. As they rode, the trail became rougher and Constance could feel sweat running down her forehead and gnat’s flying in her face. When sweat bees began nipping at her neck, she thought she would go crazy.
“Woodphere, is there any way we can avoid going through the black swamps?” Drinian asked, wiping perspiration from his forehead.
“No, Your Majesty,” Woodphere replied.
“How hot does it get here?” “Right now it feels about two hundred degrees,” Constance complained.
“Right now, I figure that it is a hundred an five degrees, but it is usually only gets up to one hundred,” Drinian replied.
“One hundred and five degrees!”
“Great!” Constance murmured.
“Woodphere, I was positive that there was another route that went around the black swamps.”
“There is no different path that I know of, Your Majesty.”
A Path Toward Home (The Annals of Avonea) Page 4
