"Wizard, I am as ready to become a father as my master was to be a woman. I am trained for combat and service, not&diaper changing."
Keeth returned to his hammering. Given a cycle, the Argo would once more be ready for flight. He was quite aware of the fact that the young man beside him was frightened out of his mind. Then again, so was any new father.
"Jatel, sometimes life just&happens." The wizard paused, and then said, "Ka-Ron loves you. I have seen it in her eyes when she thinks nobody is looking. I realize that the two of you have been placed in a hell I could never understand, nor could anyone else if he were going through the same thing. But, son, cherish the love that has been built from this. Love is a precious and beautiful commodity - quite rare in the universe. Indeed, it's more powerful than any curse or spell cast by wizard or witch."
"And all that ends when my master is turned back to normal."
"Then, by all that's right and true, cherish it while you still can!" Keeth put his hammer away and rose to stand eye-level with the squire. "If you refuse yourself this, then you will regret it the rest of your life."
"But, I have sworn&"
"Do you know why most of us become wizards?" Keeth interrupted, frustration clearly ringing in his voice. "So that we can try to create that one moment of total clarity, while hoping above hope to know what you have already been given. I beg you...do not ignore it!"
Both men could hear Ka-Ron moving above, on deck, and decided to call their repairs off for the sun. Jatel shook his head in agreement with what the wizard had said, but his eyes and inner self seemed to betray the sage's advice. Keeth was well aware of the fact that Jatel still refused to give up his personal blame in this matter. The wizard chalked up the emotion connected with the foolishness and folly of being a young man.
Upon reaching the ship's deck, both men were soon greeted by a terribly worried Ka-Ron. Her gaze was concentrated on the nearby village. A village that still remained silent and quite alienated from their sudden and unexpected landing. There appeared to be no fires, no traffic, and no noise coming from Cibola.
That above everything else worried the knight.
"Ah, Ka-Ron, we were just discussing you." Keeth stated, brushing off his robes. "How are you faring?"
"I'm swelling up like a wine sack." Ka-Ron's hands rubbed her belly, which appeared well into its seventh luna.
Jatel took up the rope benches and remaining lines. The squire noticed his master's hard stare at the town.
"What bothers you, sire?"
"The town," Ka-Ron stated, leaning against the ship's railings. "Why have we not been visited? Surely a knight appointed to insure the safety of the people would have made inquires by now."
"Perhaps they are a calm, private people."
"Jatel, even I would have made inquires should this vessel had landed outside of Teal."
Jatel shook his head in agreement. Ka-Ron would have.
"Could this be a plague village?" Jatel asked Keeth.
The wizard shook his head and pointed towards a nearby field. "Not possible. See the flock of cattle nearby? If there had been a plague, they would have been the first to fall. Sickness works that way. First, it attacks the lower forms of life, and then works itself up to elf, dwarf, and man."
"Then why the silence?"
"Are there Xows nearby?" Keeth inquired.
Both Jatel and Ka-Ron shook their heads.
"This is not their territory," Ka-Ron answered.
"No," the squire agreed. "Xows do not travel this far north. They favor southern weather."
"Curious&" The wizard's eyes narrowed. He peered out toward the main gates of the city.
"Something?" Ka-Ron asked.
"Perhaps, brave knight," the wizard retorted. He took from his robes a spyglass, and peered through it. Both soon noticed that the wizard's hands were shaking.
"Keeth, something is there, is it not?" Ka-Ron's face reflected the wizard's worry.
Keeth slowly retracted his device and placed it back in his pocket. "It appears that we have guests."
From the dank levels of the fog, which still appeared to envelop the village and all that lay around it, there appeared two mysterious figures. One was taller than the other, but the other's short statue did not lessen the impression of both power and confidence. Both were dressed as forest folk. Both appeared to be heading toward the Argo.
"Well, well, well&" Keeth stated excitedly.
"What?" Jatel and Ka-Ron had asked, almost in unison.
"An Elf with a Dwarf. Quite rare."
"Why is that?" Ka-Ron asked.
"Dwarfs have sworn a blood oath against the Elf Kingdoms, sire."
"Quite true, young squire." The Wizard was surprised. "You appear to know more than I give you credit for, son. I congratulate you!"
Jatel, not really knowing if the wizard was giving him a compliment, silently nodded. Ka-Ron, realizing Jatel's uneasiness, gently kissed him on the shoulder, hoping that her action bolstered his confidence.
"We appear to be the target of their inquiry," Keeth added.
The Elf and Dwarf got closer to the Argo, momentarily stopped by a flock of mountain horses that were running nearby. From the deck of their ship, the crew noticed the Dwarf pointing up towards them. The Elf, slow and cautious, as all Elfin folk were, nodded in agreement.
Both visitors took out weapons for protection. The dwarf had a simple ax; the Elf produced a device resembling a sling.
"Hold!" the Wizard commanded his hand up in warning. "What be your business with us?"
Both Elf and Dwarf turned, gazing into their partner's eyes, as if searching for the correct way to start up a conversation. The Dwarf passed the honor to his taller friend.
"Are you, sir, a citizen of this village?" the Elf's voice was quite enchanting. Not the voice of one who appreciates command.
"We are not." Keeth was curt.
"Have you word of a team of dwarfs coming this way in the past few phases of the suns?" The dwarf's voice shook with panic.
"No. We just arrived."
There was an awkward pause between the two parties.
"Perhaps you have seen a small troop of Elves nearby?" the Elf finally spoke, worry in his voice as well.
The wizard stepped back a little, soon realizing that these new arrivals were not here to start a fight, or bring trouble with their presence. They had among them the plain look of disaster.
"What has happened to thee?" Keeth finally had to ask.
Both Dwarf and Elf exhaled a sigh of relief.
"Allow us to become acquainted with you, kind wizard." The Elf bowed. "My name is Rohan, and my companion on this mission is known as Dorian. We are mountain folk looking for kin that have become missing while traveling through these parts."
"We have seen no one while landing upon this spot." Ka-Ron leaned over the railing.
"Thank you, dear lady." Dorian shouted back at the knight. Both he and Rohan gazed at the Argo, not really knowing how to take it.
"Is this a ship?" Rohan asked, trying his best to hold back a smile. "For if it is, the ocean is quite far away"
"This vessel is indeed a ship, and we have no need for water at this time."
"Hmmm. Curious," the elf stated.
"I seem to remember a custom of these parts, which states that food and drink should be given to travelers on their quests." Keeth said.
"True!" Dorian shouted up, rubbing his long beard with anticipation.
"Then come aboard!"
A rope ladder was dropped from the ship, allowing the Argo to receive her guests.
Both Rohan and Dorian proved to be as evasive as they were curious. Upon boarding, both were greeted handsomely by their hosts. Both ate well, for both had been without food and water for several suns.
While sharing their meal, the crew of the Argo learned much of their guests.
Rohan was on an imperial quest from the Weedwoods, quite concerned with a troop of missing elves, last seen approaching Cib
ola. Upon reaching the nearby village, they sent word back home, never to be heard from again. It was not even known if the elves had made it to their destination.
"Were the missing of your kinsmen known for their dedication?" Keeth asked.
"Some were among the best warriors in our armies," Rohan added, biting into the drumstick of a griffin.
If there was an accurate word to describe Rohan it was thin. For an elf, he was quite thin, almost awkwardly so. He stood higher that Keeth or Jatel, and appeared quite able to protect himself. His dress was simple, consisting of black-and-green tanned leather. He carried several small knives and a bow. A sling upon his back showed several arrows. Like all elves, Rohan was kind of a neat freak. Several times he unconsciously cleaned up after himself and his dwarf partner.
"A fine table you set, wizard!" Dorian hailed, gulping down the last of his wine.
Dorian stood almost half the size of Rohan. The top of his armored head barely tapped off at the elf's belt. However, what the dwarf did not have in size, he carried in bulk. He had massive muscles and a keen eye meant for combat. His huge ax, which was almost as tall as he was, lay by his side, ever ready for the attack. Dorian claimed to be a gatherer of shine stones and an expert at all forms of mining. His quest consisted of discovering the whereabouts of his kin, who had sent word of distress, only to fade from memory once they entered the neighboring village. There was evil business in Cibola, and he was the only member of his tribe free enough to inquire.
Like all dwarfs, Dorian was unaware of his bad table manners. He held in his beard more food than he was readily consuming. His long beard dangled near his ankles, tied off at the end by a decorative bow. This last, said the dwarf, was so that his beard would not block his view while in battle.
Both were good company.
Ka-Ron soon noticed that Rohan was looking at her quite earnestly. The knight found that she could not eat. Ka-Ron had always hated being stared at while she ate.
The uneasiness did not pass the attention of Rohan.
"Forgive the curiosity, my lady." Rohan bowed. "Do you not notice my bow?"
All stared at the elf's bow. It was glowing a bright red.
"Rather&nice." Ka-Ron said, drinking a little of her rose melon juice.
"It is an enchanted bow."
Dorian rolled his eyes, tired. "Again, with the enchanted bow!"
Rohan gave his friend a silent glance.
"The bow glows red when faced with powerful magic."
Ka-Ron, Jatel, and Keeth looked at each other, uneasily.
"At first, I considered the presence of the wizard, here," Rohan stated, bowing with respect towards Keeth. "However, upon encountering the magi, the bow continued to glow."
"Fascinating, elf!" Dorian huffed, pouring himself another cup of wine. He rolled his eyes, playfully winking at Ka-Ron.
Rohan studied Ka-Ron.
"I believe, dear lady, that you are the cause of my bow's proclamations."
Ka-Ron sat uneasy, her eyes lowered to her lap.
"I meant no disrespect," Rohan said.
"None is perceived." Keeth raised his hands, hoping to calm all at the table. "My friends, our lady here is the victim of a Wicca Master's powerful spell."
"Wicca Master!" Dorian yelled, fear being extinguished by a loud burp blasting from the dwarf's mouth.
"Ka-Ron, here, used to be a man."
Both elf and dwarf gawked at Ka-Ron with fascination.
"You are a&man?" Dorian asked, his bottom lip dropping. The dwarf squinted, as if studying a rare diamond. "Lass, you are the most fetching man I have ever laid these tired eyes on. This cannot be!"
"Oh, I fear they are telling the truth, my friend." Rohan stared at Ka-Ron with sad eyes, as if the elf was able to share in the knight's inner struggles and pain. "This is indeed quite real. I meant no ill will to you, Ka-Ron."
"None has been taken, Rohan."
"Then, I am quite relieved, and ask your forgiveness."
Dorian rolled his eyes, continuing with his eating. "Hmmm! Elves."
There came a curious moment that all at the table saw. All except Rohan, who slowly started to eat his meal. A meal that was as simple as Rohan was mysterious. A meal of white meat, oats, and just a little wine.
For the longest moment, Dorian appeared to be staring at Rohan in a rather provocative manner. Not an ordinary stare, but one consisting of isolation and, curiously enough, hunger.
At first, Jatel and Ka-Ron did not know how to take the Dwarf's staring and considered the act humorous. Keeth, upon noticing his friend's reaction, diplomatically pleaded with them to control their comical urges. He, on the other hand, stared on. If this was what he thought it was, they were all extremely lucky.
All ate the remainder of their meals in silence.
"When is the baby due?" Dorian finally asked.
Ka-Ron dropped her spoon and gave the curious Dwarf a stern look.
"Dorian!" Rohan snapped, his eyes narrowing with anger.
"What?" the Dwarf protested. "What did I say?"
Ka-Ron tried her best to get up, but was stopped by the bulk of her growing stomach, which looked close to full term. It ripped a hole in the front of her dress, exposing her navel. Embarrassed, the knight broke out in tears. Finding her strength, she rose from the table.
"Ka-Ron..." Jatel tried to say, rising to meet her.
"Shut up!" she cried, rubbing her belly. "Just shut up."
The woman didn't feel like being the center of attention. Waddling, she headed back to her quarters.
Rohan turned to the wizard, clearly embarrassed.
"My dwarf companion meant no harm. He is just curious."
Keeth said nothing. He shook his head, acknowledging the elf, but could not bring himself to speak. He too realized that Ka-Ron's delivery was fast approaching.
Dorian rose from his meal.
"I was not trying to&"
Before the Dwarf could continue, all were stopped by the howl of a furious wolf. Its cry echoed throughout the vessel, causing the very timber to shake with fear.
"What was that?" Keeth asked.
"That, my friend," said Rohan, "was the cry of the vampire."
Both Jatel and Keeth paused, turning to look at the elf.
"Excuse me?" Jatel asked.
"The vampire." Rohan's face was stern and serious. "He is in control of these parts. The fog is of his doing."
"Ridiculous!" the Dwarf laughed. "Vampires? Foolish elf, those are creatures of myth. Told to children to frighten them. They only exist in nether tales, and such."
Rohan said nothing. It was hard to convince those who would never believe. Instead, the elf only stood, holding his glowing-red bow, staring out one of the Argo's open portholes.
Outside, the wolf continued its long and lonesome song.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Ka-Ron's heart raced as she ran into her quarters and slammed the door behind her. She was crying, but they were not the tears of frustration, nor were they from embarrassment as the elf might have thought. She was overjoyed to the point of crying. It was really going to happen!
She was going to have a baby.
The knight approached her dressing mirror and removed her clothes. This didn't bother her - she had no more dresses that could fit her, anyway.
Naked and pregnant, the knight rubbed her swollen belly, unable to stop the tears. She found herself laughing - responding to the sudden hard kicking she received from the tiny person inside of her. The fantastic feeling of euphoria was almost too much for her to take.
"In a hurry to come out?" Ka-Ron whispered to her baby. In the realization of her actions - talking to the unborn babe - Ka-Ron laughed even louder. There was something innocent in the moment. There was something beautiful. She wondered if all women felt this way at such a moment.
The knight hugged her stomach.
There was a small tapping at the door, which Ka-Ron in her moment did not hear.
"Hello, sire?"
It was Jatel.
Before both knew what they were doing, or gave the matter any thought, they stood holding each other. Ka-Ron continued to cry and dry her eyes on her squire's shoulder.
"Please, inform our guests that I was not offended."
"I do not think that will help," Jatel said, laughing dryly. He kissed the knight on the forehead. "The dwarf's practically eating his own lips."
"No, he's not." Ka-Ron could not keep from laughing.
Jatel wrapped his arms around his love.
"Jatel&"
"Yes?"
"Have you thought about our child's name?"
The words caused the squire pause. He pulled away and studied his master's face. She was serious! She was going through with this. There would be no wizardly intervention here. This was the real deal.
Jatel was going to become a father.
"Ka-Ron, we need to talk."
"What are we doing now?"
"Sire&"
There was a tone of shame echoing in Jatel's voice that did not sit well with Ka-Ron. Whether it was shock or curiosity, the woman pulled herself away from him and looked deeply into his eyes.
"What?" Ka-Ron finally asked.
"I feel shame when I see you in this way."
"Way?" Ka-Ron's anger started to rise.
For his own safety, the squire blocked his master's way to her sword.
"Jatel&" Ka-Ron's voice trembled. "What is wrong?"
Jatel's lips trembled. There was a taste of bile fighting its way up to the surface. He did all that he could not to look her in the eyes.
"I am not&" his voice trailed off to a soft whisper.
"Not what? Brave? You're the bravest man I have ever known."
"No, sire."
"Then&what?"
"I am not worthy enough to be the father of your child."
A frozen pause took hold of the knight as she tried to make her mouth work. Try as she might, the words would not come out. Tears started to well up and her hands made fists.
Jatel closed his eyes, waiting for the storm to strike.
Ka-Ron exhaled, softly.
"Why?" was all the knight could bring herself to say.
"My family is from a fallen house."
"Who cares!" Ka-Ron ironically giggled. "I'm a woman who used to be a man. You think that's going to give me any clout back in Teal? If we fail in this quest, I am a plain woman. There will be no parades or honor waiting for me."
The Misadventures of Ka-Ron the Knight Page 20
