by J. R. Castle
Fajer started another rant about Warton and demon dogs. “Old Dormont’s brother is a Wizard. He’s too ashamed and fearful of who’ll learn his dirty little secret. That’s why he is careful about who he allows into his precious town. Blasted….” Fajer’s words faded as he moved around to the front of the wagon. The sound of a lock clicking told Darnel he was rummaging in the side compartment where he kept things neither of them were allowed to touch.
Anwynn turned to face Darnel. “What is this Elderad thing you are so frightened of, anyway?”
“I’m not frightened of him. I do not care to engage with him at this time. That’s all you need to know, Elf.” Darnel yanked a thin branch off the trunk and used it to swat at a squirrel sitting a few feet above his head. It gave a startled squeak and hopped to a higher branch out of his reach.
“Leave him,” Anwynn scolded. “He’s not hurting you, and they are useful when one needs to know what’s going on around the woods. You’re such a….” Her green eyes narrowed, and she snapped her mouth shut.
Darnel’s brows rose. “A what?”
“Bully. Bullies are usually big cowards if you look close enough.”
Heat rose up over his neck as he took a step toward her, ready to use the switch on her back for that mouth of hers. Always sassing and arguing.
“Hush, both of you,” Fajer said, returning to his stool beside the fire. “Everything I need to know, I can find in this.” He pulled a cloth off a glass globe.
Anwynn let out a little gasp. Darnel moved in closer, taking the spot between the elf and Fajer. He pushed down the desire to reach out and snatch the Curian made orb and run away with it as fast as he could. Deep down, he knew he’d not make it very far.
His gaze went from the all-seeing globe to Fajer, then back to the globe that now filled with a grayish smoke. Flashing yellow and blue lights began to spin between Fajer’s hands as he concentrated on what he wished to know.
An unfamiliar town began to form from the smoke, yet it did seem somewhat familiar. A mill came into view. That place he definitely knew. The Sano’s home. Or it used to be. Now her family owned the largest building, next to the Tavern. Fajer chewed on his thumbnail as he watched the scene unfold. His gaze darkened, causing his face to redden until they nearly matched his markings. “Where did they get that…new tree?”
Darnel swallowed hard but said nothing. He’d not considered that she would actually plant the last seed he’d brought forth from the dying White Tree. All he’d been thinking at the time was how the fruit had turned sour in his stomach and that he wasn’t supposed to throw away a seed from the Healing fruit.
Blast it all! That was a rule from his old life, not this one. He should have tossed it into the fire soon as he had the chance.
If Fajer found out, he’d beat him to a bloody pulp and leave him to die a slow death, despite their agreement.
“It’s weak,” Darnel leaned closer to the globe. “It’ll not survive for long.” At least so long as the people didn’t care about trying to live by the King’s harsh rules and strict standards.
Fajer stood and began pacing, leaving the orb on its perch, the view of the town still intact. Anwynn reached forward to touch it. Fajer brought his staff down on her hand.
A loud crack sounded before she wailed in pain. “My hand,” she wailed. “It hurts.”
Falling back onto the ground, she hugged her broken hand to her chest, writhing as tears spilled from her eyes.
Darnel almost moved to help her, but stopped himself, knowing it would only make things worse. If Fajer was going to be cruel to her, why had he agreed to take her on?
For a moment, Fajer almost looked regretful, but he hardened his gaze, glaring down at the injured elfin girl and threw his rage at her. “Stupid elf. You do not touch what doesn’t belong to you. Get up and stop that noise!”
Gasping, she scooted away several feet until she came to a tree to lean against. Her pink lips snapped shut, but the tears continued along with her whimpers.
Turning to Darnel, Fajer said, “We cannot allow him to enter the township. That Regent must be stopped. If he can turn the people living there back to the Kingdom, as he did in Tarest, I’ve lost my town and my Sano!” His boot arched toward where Darnel was sitting, but anticipating the move, he managed to hop out of the way.
Too bad Anwynn hadn’t been quicker, too. But she’d eventually learn to never let her guard down around the sorcerer.
“What should we do, Fajer? I cannot allow Riyah to find me. He’ll—”
“Yes, I know you are practically useless to me in the matter. However, if you travel quick and use your cloaking skills, you can get to the Miller. Warn him that if my contract is not fulfilled, it’ll cost him his whole family and everything he’s worked for since we last met. He’ll lose everything!” Fajer shouted. “Go now and tell him. I’ll deal with the elf. And then she and I will do something about that Regent.”
While Darnel went to saddle one of the horses, Fajer added, “And don’t forget my friend, I’ll be watching everything you do.”
* * * *
The Regent had agreed to share the evening meal in the Common with all the townspeople. Kardia breathed in the scent of roasting pig. Torches had been lit as the sun sank behind the trees surrounding the village. Everyone was dressed in their finest.
Kardia smiled as she watched the starting festivities from the Hall’s large front windows. She still hadn’t actually met the Regent, but from afar, he seemed like a kind man. Even Dadda liked him and was pleased over the gifts he’d brought to share with the town.
If only Mother wasn’t keeping her so busy with things to do in preparation…. Well, soon the welcoming celebration would begin. They’d dine under the stars, and she’d play music while Miltie shared stories by the fledgling White Tree.
If only the leaves weren’t drooping so. While nobody had been looking, she’d tried sending a little of her healing energy into it. However, she feared it wasn’t near enough to help it thrive but merely hang on to what little life flowed through it at the moment.
“Kardia, there you are.” Dadda huffed as he hurried to her side, his face an ashen gray as sweat poured down his neck and forehead. “I…I must speak with you a moment. Come upstairs.”
“Oh, but I was about to join the other musicians. I think they are ready to start.”
Mother appeared behind him. Her coloring matched his, but her glowering expression made her look more like a harshly chiseled statue. Imposing and determined. “Do what your father says.” She turned and headed toward the upper level.
Dadda gently grasped Kardia by her arm, and they followed Mother who didn’t stop until they reached the top floor.
“Put her in here, Wilhelm. I’ll have the servants bring her meal to her later.”
Father’s hand trembled. “I’m sorry, Kardia my precious, but we have to protect what we’ve done. You need to be a good girl and stay in your room while the Regent is here.”
Kardia’s heart plummeted with disappointment. Were they locking her up? “But why? Isn’t this what we’ve—”
“Hush child!” Mother ordered, grabbing her other arm. She shoved Kardia into her bedroom. “We are your parents. You’ll obey and do as we say. If you make a fuss, I’ll lock you in the stone cell by the river where we keep lawbreakers. Do you understand?”
Shaking her head, Kardia’s voice wobbled. “No, I don’t understand at—” The door slammed closed. The lock turned. Mother and Dadda’s footsteps grew faint along with their harsh whispers.
She grasped the handle and almost pounded her fists on the thick wood, before remembering Mother’s threat. What had happened? Why was she being locked up?
Kardia went to the window, but unfortunately, it faced the woods, not the common area. Below, a lone figure stood, a bit of glow from the festivities illuminating his face. A very familiar face with dark, wavy hair and fair features. The traveler was back, it seemed.
Her hand absently wen
t to the mark on her shoulder. She glanced at her reflection in the wall mirror, her bottom lashes damp with tears, her blond hair fallen loose from the braid she’d woven it into. Holding her breath, she took hold of the dress at her shoulder and slowly lowered the neckline down over her arm to reveal the marked shoulder.
The Sorcerer’s star and circle were darker than she’d ever seen it and slowly turning red around the edges.
He must be close.
* * * *
“You told me not to speak to you while I was here.” Leon joked until the hard expression on Riyah’s face caused his chuckle to die on his lips. “What’s wrong.”
“There is an evilness here. It covers everything like falling ash from a savage fire. I’m not sure what is happening. I would go off to seek counsel, but fear to leave you, my friend.”
Leon looked around at the people filling the common area. General Gailid and his men stood around the perimeter, keeping watch at Riyah’s orders. But from the smiles and laughter coming from the townsfolk, he didn’t see the reason for being so guarded. There was a White Tree growing in the center of the commons. A small one, but it was there, all the same.
His earlier tour of the Meeting Hall was a pleasant one. The Prior and his wife were very hospitable, though they never offered him a room to stay in. Not that it mattered. Riyah had suggested he stay in his own tent and remain near his guards and wagons. The wagons were nearly empty of goods. He’d given most of them away to the Prior to disperse amongst his people. Far as Leon could tell, the town was doing fine.
Of course, he’d only been here a few hours.
And already, the Elderad was unsettled. Leon drew in a deep, calming breath. He’d need to figure out what was really going on here. Or try.
“Riyah, if you need to—”
“No.” His answer was firm, along with his hard stare at the Prior and his wife as they came from the Meeting Hall. “Where is their daughter, do you suppose?”
Leon had no idea what Riyah was talking about. He’d not been introduced to anyone inside the Meeting Hall and had assumed the couple was childless.
“What should I do?” Leon put on his vest and smoothed the wrinkles from his yellow shirt. The atmosphere seemed so lively and joyful, he’d wanted to wear something to reflect the mood. He knew the people were trying to figure out if he’d be aloof like his father, or would they finally have a caring Regent at last. He hoped to prove the latter.
Riyah patted his back. “Enjoy yourself. Get to know the people. Keep your eyes open and sharp. And Leon,” his grip on his shoulder tightened. “No matter what, do not wander off by yourself while you are here. The town is being watched, and the eyes are not friendly ones.”
* * * *
Darnel pushed down the feeling of longing to join in the merrymaking going on in the center of town. The people had changed drastically since his last visit. They were lively, happier, and much louder than before. Especially the group gathered around the ale barrels.
He glanced back at the Meeting Hall. The Miller and his wife exited by themselves, so they’d taken seriously his warning to keep the Sano out of sight. Good. He was done here, then.
A shadowed movement from an upstairs window caught his attention. He dared a look to find the fair-haired girl staring directly down at him.
A startled gasp escaped Darnel’s lips. He ducked beneath the cover of the trees, then turned and hurried for the river. Fajer had camped at the same spot he’d done before when making the deal for the girl. Had he set whatever plan he had to deal with the Regent in motion? As much as he wished to linger and not return to face the furious Sorcerer, he pushed his feet into motion, quickening his pace. The more distance he put between himself and the trusting girl, the better.
Most likely she now knew what a fool she’d been played for.
She’d probably never forgive him. Not that he needed her forgiveness. He needed nothing from her or anyone else.
What if… he somehow convinced her to leave with him? He could overtake Fajer, he had enough power to overthrow the Sorcerer. But not his clan. He’d throw Fajer’s body in the river, take the caravan and the girl and flee as far away from this part of Alburnium as possible.
Perhaps if she realized he wanted to save her, then she—
“You stop this right now!” he commanded himself, halting at the bridge over the river. The moon shone down on him, casting his dark cloak in a silvery light. “What is wrong with me?” His fingers dug into his thick hair and pulled until the pain drew moisture to his eyes. He shouted and fell to his knees. “Do not give in. Don’t do it. Don’t feel. Don’t think about what if’s. You gave all that up long ago!”
The palms of his hands scraped over the rough wood, cutting into his flesh. The more pain he could cause himself, the better off he was. The harder his resolve to not allow his stupid heart to get him into trouble. He wouldn’t care. Not about that silly Sano. Not about the foolish elfin girl that joined with the wrong Sorcerer. And certainly not about Fajer, partner or not.
Then he remembered and turned his hand over to reveal the scar running from his thumb to his pinkie. They’d made a blood pact, he couldn’t harm Fajer. Ever. Not by his own hands.
Slowly, Darnel stood and brushed the dirt from his pants. Tightening his jaw muscles, he began walking again, toward his horse waiting on the other side of the river.
He was the Sorcerer’s partner and would act like it.
Even if it meant he fed that Sano girl to the pit demon himself.
* * * *
Leon watched a group of young men playing some sort of coin tossing game. They’d divided into two groups, each taking up a position at the ends of a long dining table with their mugs in front of them. The opposing team had to toss coins into their opponent’s ale, and if they succeeded, the losing team had to pick someone to drink down the contents in one gulp.
He grinned at the lively game, remembering some of the silly games his friends would play when they were attending Academy.
“Come on, Regent,” called out a young man with ginger-colored hair and matching freckles covering his face. “Come have a go, won’t you?”
Leon held up his hand and shook his head. “No thank you, I’m no longer a drinking man.” He had responsibilities. Such antics had been left behind with his boyhood days.
“Tisn’t strong, sire,” Urged another youngster that could have been Ginger’s brother from their matching freckles and trim build. “This Missus always makes Andres add water to the barrels to make the ale stretch out. Come on an’ join us.”
If Koloman were there, he’d have a heart attack to learn Leon even considered joining the game. As he was about to shake his head once more, one of the lads rushed over and dumped a few coins in his palm.
“Just a coupla tosses, sire. I can see it in your eyes you want a go. Bet you can sink every one, won’cha?”
“Doubtful, but very well, I’ll play one round, but that’s all friends. I must give a speech, and it’ll not go over well if I’m slurring my words, now will it?”
How long had it been since he’d been able to relax and enjoy being around people? When he returned home, he wanted to start new traditions of holding seasonal festivals within the city. Maybe at the Market Center, or somewhere that a lot of people could congregate.
For a moment he was able to shake off the worries and responsibilities resting on his shoulders. Wasn’t this what Riyah wanted? For him to get to know his people better? What harm could there be in playing a quick game?
He went over to the table and placed one of the coins onto the tips of his fingers. He studied the distance, took aim and brought up his hand when his eyes caught the flash of a star.
A star? That’s odd.
The coin tumbled through the air. He held his breath, wondering if he’d seen what he thought he’d seen. Glancing down at the remaining coins in his palm, he found all of them to have the tree emblem on them.
Maybe he had been seeing things.<
br />
The coin clanked on the table top and rolled off the edge. The man tossing against him caught the coin before it landed on the ground, and readied to send it back. His teammates shouted jeers and rude remarks in an attempt to distract the opposition.
His toss arched upward as the coin slowly flipped twice and landed with a plunk into Leon’s mug. Oh no…
Ginger pounded him on the back. “Drink up, Regent. That’s the rules.” All of them started laughing and chanting for him to drink.
“Very well,” he tipped the mug to his lips and let the ale flow down his throat. It tasted more like water than ale and left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. The coin brushed his lips, and he caught it between his teeth. Holding the mug above his head, he turned it upside down to show he’d downed all of it. Most taverns shared their finest brew at festivals, not their worst.
If this was the best that Andres fellow could do, Leon was surprised he’d not been driven out of town. But they’d said the Missus, whoever she was, insisted on it being diluted.
He took the coin from his mouth, then held it up to the light burning from the nearest torch. A star within a circle. The Brethren mark!
Grabbing Ginger’s jacket, Leon held the coin in front of his face. “Where did this come from?”
The boy’s pale brows furrowed. “You’ll need to ask Prior Wilhelm, Sire. He’s the one with all the coins. Ask him where he got all the loot, he’ll not tell any of us. He just started spending it to buy us seeds and livestock, so we could live again.”
“You never asked?” Leon directed the question to the other boys who all shook their ducked heads.
Ginger’s brother answered, “Who cares where it came from? It provided food and seed so we could start trading again.”
Leon relaxed his stance knowing it was pointless to grow angry with the lads. He patted Ginger on the back. “Enjoy your game, lads. I need to go get ready to address the town elders.” He left them, heading straight for Riyah who had remained nearby, but out of the way of people passing by.
