by Aaron Thomas
She spurred her horse forward and headed down the road towards the city.
Bowie shrugged his shoulders at Ria who nodded back.
Charger quickly caught up to Auburn who seemed to be running from the Dark Army itself. Bowie had to yell to get her to slow down. When she did slow, her horse was panting and trying to step off the road. She urged it back onto the path and kept riding.
“The lessons are that bad?” Bowie said trying to make conversation.
“The lessons are not bad at all, they just remind me that I wasn’t given them by my mother. My mother ran off with another man when I was a toddler. She left me and my father alone and I grew up helping him run the store. I didn’t get fancy dresses or get taught to dance. I spent most of my days trying to keep my fathers supplies full. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the work and I love my father. I just didn’t get the chance to be a girl,” She said.
Bowie didn’t know what to say so he said nothing at all. They rode on for a little ways and she fussed over the lace at her wrists and neck.
“Now that I have some fancy clothes, I’m not sure I like wearing them. You seem to prefer wearing the uncomfortable fancy things,” She said still scratching around her chin.
Bowie sat up and tugged at at this jacket, straightening it. “I prefer to be treated with respect when people meet me. I don’t think I would be taken seriously as a businessman if I was so young and didn’t wear decent clothes. Besides, you look beautiful.”
As soon as the words left his mouth he wished he had them back.
Auburn’s cheeks turned red at the compliment. He meant to help her feel better, instead he embarrassed them both. He looked down the leather armguard feeling the lump of imbuement against his skin and cursed.
Instead of ignoring the statement and riding the rest of the way in silence, she changed the subject, “Will you tell me about the Water Realm? I have not been out of my town much and always wanted to see what the other realms looked like.”
Bowie was happy to be talking about something else, “The Water Realm isn't that special. The land is flat, some places there are swamps, but I haven’t been anywhere near it. I grew up near Heathmos Pass. The land there is grassland. Lake Leviathan is so large that you cannot see the other side when standing on its banks. Our trees are smaller than the ones here. Trees where I’m from don’t grow much taller than houses and offer little shade. Sunrises there are a lot better, since there aren’t trees blocking the view in every direction. When the sun sets, the sky changes the most wonderful colors. Kilen, Kara and I use to sit and watch them until we had to go home and finish our chores.”
“Who are Kilen and Kara? Siblings?”
Bowie laughed, “No, although I think we were as close as siblings can become. Kilen is my best friend and Kara his sister. Kilen is a Weapon Bearer now and is on a mission to convince the Elder Wizards to come help us in battle.”
“Wow, he must be very strong,” She said patting her horse’s neck.
Bowie rode for a bit before answering. “I’m not sure who he is anymore. This last Springfest he was supposed to leave town to become a scribe. The next thing I know, Kara is saying she is going after him to stop him from killing a man that took his father’s sword. I agreed to help her catch up to him and when we did, he was fighting the man in the street. The man is now named the King’s Champion. He is a bit of a bully from our town. Just as Kilen was starting to win the fight, Kara awakened as a fire wizard. She started throwing balls of fire and caught a building aflame.”
“What did you do?”
“I did nothing, I couldn’t. A water wizard came around the corner and put the building and Kara out. He told us to go to an inn. On the way, I found out Kara would have to be trained and we needed to pay for that training unless we wanted her to starve. So Kilen and I enlisted so we could pay for her training.”
Auburn seemed to be following the story well enough. So he continued. “When we arrived in Deuterium, Kilen became very distant. He trained with one of the king’s scouts, some wizards, and a Kapal man. He made friends in secret and ended up almost getting tried for murder. I don’t know who Kilen has become, but I hope my friend is still in there somewhere,” Bowie realized he was slowing Chargers walk and gave him a nudge to speed back up.
“Where is this Kara, now? Did she finish her training as a wizard?”
Bowie was able to point out smoke through the trees ahead on the path. They were getting close to town.“No, she’s not finished yet. The last time I heard about her, she was in the dungeons of Deuterium. The king puts all untrained fire wizards in the dungeon to protect the city until they can control their emotions. I am in this army to help her.”
Bowie and Auburn rode on for a ways and passed a few houses with overgrown moss and vines covering their walls. The farther away from Deuterium they rode, the larger the trees had become. Most were now larger around than a small house. Small bushes and grass had grown on the forest floor and hid a vast amount of animals.
He found himself watching Auburn looking at the houses and the trees and couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. He had chosen to come along on this adventure, but she was forced. Forced to follow troops into battle without the skills to use the weapons that she made. He told himself he would do his best to teach her how to use the bow. “Auburn, thanks for taking the lessons.”
She smiled, “I probably would have taken them anyway. She would’ve continued to punish me until I agreed.” She turned in her saddle to face Bowie, “She tripped me with a root out of the ground! I’m sure there is a better use of her magic than tripping people.”
Bowie laughed, “She did the same thing to me.”
They continued to talk about the best way to get back at Ria if things got any worse. Each scenario ended in disaster, so they decided they better just do what they could to improve the situation.
The outskirts of the town came into view and Bowie immediately started looking for the first inn he could find. People in the street seemed normal enough; going into stores and carrying out their normal daily tasks. The town seemed to have a larger amount of women than a normal town. Bowie had only seen a few men in the street, but for every man there were three women.
The inn had music drifting out of its main room and into the street. The moss and vines grew up the side of the stone walls around the building. The whole town smelled like an old musty cellar. They tied their horses up and went inside.
A man with a patchy beard was wiping out mugs behind the counter. Tables were being used by a few patrons but one man caught Bowie’s eye: a man sitting in the corner writing on a scroll, wearing an outfit much like the one he had seen Mary wearing. The leather straps went across his chest and held a curved knife in a sheath. His hair was cut short and he was writing slowly on the scrolls. Bowie walked over to the man’s table and sat down next to him. Auburn followed and pulled out a seat for herself.
Bowie waved for a barmaid to come over. “Can we have a couple plates of whatever you are cooking in the back?”
She nodded and looked at the man who also nodded to her.
Bowie removed his hat and placed it on the back of the chair. “The king will be here in a couple weeks and is sweeping in all the soldiers, workers, and wizards he can find. Are you planning to join the king in battle?”
The man rolled up his scrolls and glanced between his two new dinner guests. He seemed as if he didn’t know what to say to them. He took a long drink from his mug and placed it back on the table. “I am a loyal man to the king,” He finally said.
Bowie smiled, “Good to hear. If you would like, I have a troop of archers just north of town on the road. We always welcome wielders with a place to rest and eat when we are camped. You are welcome to join us, but it will be at least a week maybe two until the king arrives.”
The man nodded and stood to leave, “Thank you for the information. I have some things to arrange before the king arrives here.”
Bowie stood as the man
walked out of the room and upstairs. He began to wonder if he had given the man to much information, but ignored the notion and sat back down. The barmaid brought two plates of stew and a couple of rolls. Bowie started to eat, but Auburn was still watching the stairs.
“He was a bit strange don’t you think? We didn’t even get his name.”
Bowie was already too far into his stew to think about the wielder that left. “Perhaps we will see him in the morning.”
Auburn, still looking at the stairs, finally looked around the rest of the room and saw everyone staring at them. She looked down at her plate and started to eat. “Perhaps,” She said pushing a chunk of meat around her bowl.
They ate their stew as the innkeeper moved through the room, whispering into various patrons ear’s. Each person left their drink or food and departed the inn as soon as he finished talking to them. Soon, Bowie and Auburn were the only two left in the inn.
Bowie left his plate and went to talk to the man. “Excuse me. Is there a blacksmith in town?”
“There is. He has been pretty short on supplies lately but you can ask him yourself. He is near the other end of town. Mr. Kershaw is his name, but he doesn’t make weapons or armor. He deals mostly in horseshoes and tools and does pretty shoddy work.”
“Good thing for us we are looking for tools to be made. Thanks for the information. I also need two of your rooms.”
“The rooms here are full, as are all the rooms in town.” The innkeeper wiped his mugs clean doing his best not to look Bowie in the eye.
Bowie tapped the counter and looked back at Auburn, he knew something strange was going on. The town was not busy enough and everyone in the inn left when they arrived.
“You just happen to know that every inn in town is full?” Bowie didn’t expect and answer and he didn’t get one. The man just kept cleaning his mugs. “Perhaps there's someone that would let my lady stay in their extra room or barn?”
“There’s no place in town for you to stay. You had best just eat your meal and be on your way before it gets dark.” The inn keeper didn’t look up from his work.
Bowie tapped on the counter a couple more times. He couldn’t figure out what game the innkeeper was playing but it didn’t feel right.
“Perhaps you are right. We will finish our meal and get out of town.”
Finally the innkeeper looked up. “It probably is for the best.” He smiled at Bowie and then went back to cleaning his mug.
Bowie returned to his table and scooted his chair very close to Auburn. In hushed tones he whispered, “Something strange is going on. Eat your food quickly so we can get to the blacksmiths. I’m not sure it’s wise to be in town when the sun goes down.”
Auburn showed Bowie an empty plate and slid his pate in front of him. He grinned and took a couple more spoonfuls of the stew. He put the biscuit in his pocket and put his hat back on his head. Auburn led him from the the inn and he pointed her towards the blacksmith.
The streets that had townsfolk walking them earlier were now empty. The two stood alone amongst the wind and dust. Businesses had pulled their curtains and Bowie could hear some doors being locked. An eerie silence made the hair on the back of Bowie’s neck stand on end.
Auburn leaned in close to Bowie, “Take your bow?”
Bowie tightened his hand and nodded his head in agreement.
“Probably nothing, but I won’t take any chances.” He grabbed a handful of arrows and put them in the quiver at his hip. “Let’s go talk to the blacksmith and get out of this town. Next time we’ll bring a few men with us.”
Auburn put her arm through Bowie’s as they walked down the street to the blacksmith.
A man was just leaving when Bowie and Auburn walked up. Bowie recognized him as one of the patrons from the inn. Bowie tipped his hat to the man who nodded back and darted into the next house.
Bowie stepped inside the blacksmith’s shop, “Good afternoon. I am Sergeant Crescent of the army of the Earth Realm. I need a few things made while I camp outside the town for a week or so.”
The tall, muscular man stepped away from his furnace to face Bowie. “I’m no good with weapons or armor. You had best find yourself a different man.”
Bowie followed the man around the anvil and other forgery tools strewn about, “I don’t need any armor or weapons made-” Bowie was waving his hand as the blacksmith cut him off.
“I have very little to make horseshoes. I doubt I will be able to get you anything you can need in such a short time.”
Bowie took a moment to consider the man. A businessman would usually try and sell his service, even if he wasn’t sure it would be the quality the customer wanted. Work was work, and it kept food on the table.
Bowie reached into his money pouch and found three pieces of gold. He held the gold out for the blacksmith to see.
“It’s a shame to spend so much money on a simple set of carving tools, but the king said he wanted it.” Bowie put his leather bound kit of arrow making tools out on the table. “I know the king doesn’t get down here to this area of the kingdom very much, but he acquired a set of tools for wood carving and he wanted more to be made. I was told to have it ready by the time he got to this town. I would really appreciate it if you would take the king’s money and give me something that will at least let me keep my head until I get to war.”
Auburn squeezed Bowie’s arm, “I feel a bit scared here in your town with all the businesses closed so early. I didn’t see any of the king’s men here, is there a post for those stationed in this town?”
The large man eyed the gold pieces but answered Auburn, “There hasn’t been any of the king’s men in this town for a long time. We have requested men sent out here a few times but even paying our town’s taxes we get no help.”
Bowie tossed the three pieces of gold onto the table and pulled out two more and they joined the pile. “I hope that helps replace the town’s taxes. Perhaps while I’m here I can see to doing some good for the town. I could bring more men in and put them to work. Maybe a few men hunting for food would help as well?”
The blacksmith wiped his soot-covered hands on his leather vest and cleared his throat. “I don’t think the people would take to having the army stay here. I will make another set of your tools here if you give me a couple days. I don’t think the mayor would dislike me taking the king’s gold for an honest day’s work, but just in case, I think we should keep this between us.”
Bowie nodded his head and pulled Auburn to the door.
“We will be on our way then.”
Bowie hurried down the street with Auburn being towed on his arm. He helped her get on her horse and took one last look around the at the buildings. Bowie’s eye caught someone riding down one of the side streets of the town. He thought it was the man in the leather outfit but was unsure so he said nothing.
Auburn pulled at the dress trying to get her feet in the stirrups. “This dress does not help when in a hurry.”
Bowie nodded in agreement and pulled himself into the saddle as Auburn spurred her horse forward. With everyone in the small town acting so strange, he was glad to be leaving.
**********
Whenever Chit was summoned by the king it was always to do some dirty work. Sometimes Chit enjoyed the work he was doing, but most of the time it was nothing more than parading around behind the king to add to his intimidation. He was sure that today was no different. Chit waited outside until Captain Lorusk was brought out of his tent to present Chit. The captain was a handler of sorts for Chit. He kept him on his best behavior, or at least from stepping too far out of line that he would have to be hung for insubordination.
Lorusk came around a tent into Chit’s view. He was always dressed in his polished battle armor. Chit had been given a set for himself but he chose not to wear it most days. He thought it was uncomfortable and he didn’t need metal plates to intimidate people. The captain did not offer a greeting and walked past Chit without giving a command. He knew Chit would follo
w him, and that made Chit angry.
“My lord, reporting as ordered.” Chit offered a greeting and bowed at the waist with his fist on his chest.
The king looked up from the scrolls and plates of food on his table to look at the captain and his Champion. “Everyone out. Gortus, you will stay.”
Lorusk and Chit stood their ground as a wave of wizards and scribes left the large tent. Chit saw in the shadows near the back of the tent sitting on a chair the Kapal that trained Kilen in Deuterium. The Kapal was dressed in his black spiked armor up to his neck. Pure white hair flowed down his back to contrast his dark gray skin. He made no move to get up, he was content in eating his plate full of meat.
The king rounded the table and handed the captain a scroll.
“Chit, I have been wanting to talk to you alone for some time now.” The king passed Captain Lorusk to stand close to Chit. He looked in Chit’s eyes and waited for a response that did not come. “You have failed me in your task to defeat Kilen. Now he is at the heart of the Elder Wizards camp becoming stronger. You see, they have taken him in as their own.”
The king started to pace back and forth, and Lorusk handed Chit the scroll. Chit’s lips moved as he slowly read the words, trying to make out the meaning of the message. Finally, the captain snatched it out of his hands.
“It says that Alexander was an Elder Wizard all along. Kilen was taken in as a weapon bearer before he left Deuterium.” When Chit still didn’t understand what was going on the captain kept talking, “He reports to the Elder Wizards now.”
“Thank you, Captain.” Lorusk nodded to the king and stepped to the side. “You see Chit, when you failed me you also gave rise to a new problem. Kilen already has two elemental marks on his blade. If he gets a third he will be able to be a king. The small farm boy from Humbridge will be a king of either the Wind or Water Realm.”
“What would you like me to do?” Chit was not understanding how he could help.
The king laughed, “Train. All I want you to do is train. You will train every moment of every day to kill weapon bearers. You will become an assassin of wizards and weapon bearers to wield at my command.”
