by Owen Black
“I don’t think Urso likes you very much father,” Thane said, quickly changing the subject.
Avryn took a slow slip from a mug. “No, I don’t suppose he does.”
“Why not?”
“Your mother taught you to ask lots of questions. I will have to thank her for that.”
“Do you like him?” Thane asked.
“I do actually. I respect him very much.” Avryn’s eyes darted toward the doorway that led to the kitchen. “Our food should be here soon.”
“So if you like him why does he not like you?”
Avryn, clearly agitated, replied in a whispered voice, “When he came to join our people a few years back, I did not allow it at first. I was thinking in the best interest of the village of course.”
“Why? Because he is a bear?”
“Yes, because he is a bear.” Avryn peeked around the tavern then continued, “They are very, well, volatile by nature and we have had problems with them in the past.” He noticed the confused expression on his son and added, “Bears are commonly thought of as natural omnivores. You know that term, right?”
Thane rolled his eyes and said, “Yes father. They eat meat and plants.”
“That’s right, but they are also known for their aggression towards others and are generally looked at, sadly I suppose, as outcasts by most mixed villages like ours because they have trouble getting along with others.”
“So why is he still here?”
Avryn thought a moment. “Well, he was stubborn, like you actually and would not go away. Not to mention the fact that he is the best trainer I have ever met. It’s a long tale boy but in the end I agreed to let him join us.”
Just in time to rescue Avryn from further questioning, an obese round-faced man arrived with two plates.
“Excellent!” Avryn proclaimed. “Now eat up. I want to show you around a bit more after lunch.”
***
Following lunch, Thane walked out of the tavern and into the courtyard of the arena, sticking closely to the heels of his father. His ears were filled with the sounds of clashing metal and occasional yells from the participants. Several groups of villagers were scattered about the arena practicing fighting with an assortment of weapons and techniques.
Two guards he knew, Semu and Dugan, were talking near the arena entrance. Thane waved but failed to capture their attention.
“Come on,” Avryn said as he tugged Thane by the arm. “I want to introduce you to some friends.”
They walked to the blacksmith’s building adjacent to the tavern and Avryn pushed the door open. Thane stood outside fidgeting while his father poked his head in. “Guderian? I think my sword needs some work friend.”
From inside, a female voice replied. “Get in here Avryn! We want to get a look at that son of yours.”
A light gray smoke escaped when Avryn pushed the door open and guided Thane into the building. From the inside, the shop seemed much smaller, likely due to the clutter and the thick haze that hung in the air. Two fires raged on opposite sides of the building causing Thane to sweat immediately from the heat.
Seated on a stool in front of the fire to his right was a tall pleasant-looking man with shoulder-length blonde hair. He was covered in soot and in dire need of a bath. Across from him was an equally tall, attractive woman with long black hair tied behind her head. She was holding what appeared to be an unstrung bow.
“Thane this is Joli,” Avryn said, motioning toward the woman. “She is a fine crafter and one of our best archers. Oh and I should mention that she is also one of our fastest sprinters. You two should get along just fine.”
The woman winked at Thane. “I recall meeting you when you were just a little thing. You have grown up well Master Thane.”
Avryn smiled and turned to the man. “And this dirty fellow is, amazingly enough, her husband, Guderian. He is a blacksmith and a fine one at that.”
“Welcome to our shop young man,” the blacksmith said in a deep but warm voice. He then offered a dirty hand to Thane. “Pardon the mess.”
Thane shook his hand shyly while his eyes wandered around the shop walls where an assorted collection of weaponry hung, many that he could not identify. There was a long pole with a sharp blade attached at one end and next to it was another with a blade at each end. Hanging on another wall was an impressive collection of maces and hammers as well a few variations he had not seen before that had chains attached.
“Feel free to dig around young man,” Guderian suggested. “If you want something, consider it yours.”
Avryn chuckled. “I think not. Perhaps someday.”
Joli stood up from her stool and walked over to a shelf in a corner of the shop. Thane looked her way when the woman pulled out an oddly shaped bow-like device.
“Avryn, I forgot to show you my latest piece the last time you were here,” she said, quite excited.
The two men and Thane moved over to get a closer look. Avryn moaned in awe as he looked the unique weapon over. “Well, what have we here?” he asked.
“It’s a modified crossbow,” Joli explained proudly. “I added a second bow, see here.” She tilted it to the side, revealing another bow underneath the top then pointed to the opening in the base of the crossbow. “I cut this groove down the base to hold the second bolt and string.”
“Yep, I will need to work hard to top that one,” Guderian proclaimed.
“Take these and try it out,” Joli said, handing the crossbow to Avryn. She then handed him a pair of small arrow-like bolts and pointed to a target on the far wall.
Avryn handled the weapon carefully. He pulled the lower bowstring back and fumbled with the triggers until he found the one that controlled the proper bow. He locked it into place and then repeated with the top bow.
“Any metal parts?” Avryn asked.
“Not a one,” Joli said with a smile.
He then loaded the bolts slowly. They were shorter and thicker than normal arrows and had four tiny fins protruding from the base of each.
“The range is less than half of a normal bow but the bolts do have a bit more power when in range and can be loaded quite fast,” Joli added, pausing when Avryn aimed at the target. “You can shoot either bolt first, whichever you prefer, or both.”
Avryn pressed one of the triggers, sending the top bolt hurling through the air. He then pressed the second trigger, sending the second bolt whistling across the room right behind. The two bolts pierced the target nears its center, the second directly below the first.
Thane clapped. “Wow!”
“Wow indeed!” Avryn declared, eyeing the weapon. “Once again, you amaze me Joli.”
Guderian peered at the sword at Avryn’s side, “Would you give up that blade for it my friend?”
“It is tempting but no, my aim with a bow has never been that great,” Avryn replied before he handed Joli back the crossbow. “However, this is incredible work. It will make a great weapon.”
“How about me?” Thane pleaded with an impish grin.
Joli laughed and accepted the crossbow from Avryn. “Perhaps someday young Thane,” she said. “When you are ready and if you so choose, it shall be yours.”
Thane smiled but inside he was disappointed. He felt like he was ready to begin his training already. The day at the arena had awoken a dormant craving, a thirst for combat that he desperately longed to satisfy.
“So when can I begin my training?” Thane asked.
“When you turn sixteen as is our tradition,” Avryn replied. He then raised a hand to silence any protest. “I don’t want to argue about this Thane.” He then turned his attention to Joli and Guderian. “Well friends, we need to get going, I don’t want to keep you. I need to get this one home before his mother comes for my head. Thank you again.”
Avryn then motioned to Thane and they turned to leave the shop.
“Come back soon Thane,” Joli called out.
Guderian followed them out the door. “I forgot to ask,” he began, paus
ing briefly to look at Thane. “I heard someone saw a vulture.”
“Maybe,” Avryn replied. “The girl that spotted it was quite young. We haven’t confirmed the sighting yet.”
“Well, keep us posted,” Guderian said. “By the way, how is the new sword?”
Avryn patted the hilt at his side and chuckled. “Great when not stuck in its sheath.”
***
During the walk home that afternoon, Thane felt closer to his father than ever before. He had been permitted to take part in a whole new experience and he loved it.
A question suddenly popped into his mind. “What kind of animal is Joli?”
“I wondered when you would ask that. She is a gazelle. Marvelous runner. She and your mother are good friends actually.”
“Is Guderian a gazelle too?”
“Actually, no but close. He is an elk. We grew up together and I have known him for quite some time. His village was close to ours.” A solemn look then appeared on Avryn’s face. “He is a good but troubled man. He lost his twin sister a few years back and has never been the same.”
Thane stopped in his tracks. “What happened?”
Avryn tugged at Thane’s shirt and pulled him along. “It’s a long story, one for another time. Now come along, we need to get you home.”
Chapter 3
Lady Trussil stood in the doorway that led into the classroom while she waited for her students to arrive. One by one they passed her as they entered, greeting their teacher with an assortment of smiles and hugs along with an occasional piece of fruit or artwork to add to her collection.
Her attention was captured by the restlessness spilling forth from a neatly huddled group of boys that approached. She grinned when she spotted Thane, tucked neatly behind Javan’s large frame.
“I see you Thane,” she said, fighting back a laugh.
The two boys stopped in the entryway in front of her. A look of astonishment blanketed Javan’s innocent face as if some masterful scheme had been foiled.
“Um, good morning m’lady,” Thane said bashfully as he peered out from behind his cover.
“Good morning to you as well, Master Thane. Are you feeling better today?” Her sarcasm was obvious.
Thane hesitated as he pondered his reply. He then flashed his best smile her way. “Yes, yes I am. Much better thank you.” He urged Javan along with a solid push in the back and the boys continued into the classroom.
“That is wonderful news,” Trussil said as she watched the boys pull away. “I heard you had quite a day yesterday.”
An assortment of giggles rolled around the classroom while Thane took his seat. Javan continued to his spot near the front of the classroom near the rest of the newer students.
“Did you really get to go see them fighting?” Castor whispered, leaning over from his seat next to Thane.
Thane peered over his shoulder and noticed that another student has just arrived and was talking to Lady Trussil. He then turned to Castor and replied softly, “I did. It was really great!”
“That is so unfair,” Castor snorted.
“What do you mean?”
“They let you go because of your father. The rest of us don’t get to—”
Castor was instantly silenced when Lady Trussil touched his shoulder on her way to the front of the classroom.
Thane scowled at Castor and then turned his attention to the teacher. He did not like to be singled out because of the status of his father but he was well aware of the advantages he had. He was not special. His father had always enforced that upon him. They were commoners, despite what others might think or how they might be looked up to. Thane knew that his father had other reasons for taking him to the arena, despite what he had said. He was becoming a man and it was time for him to become something more. No longer just a boy, he felt the need growing inside him, a hunger fed by his dreams and fueled by his nightmares. Something was coming. He needed to be ready.
“Good morning class,” Trussil said before her eyes found Thane. “It is nice to see everyone here this morning. I thought today we might do something a bit special. We don’t get to do this kind of thing often, and arranging the escort was no easy task mind you, but….” she paused to silence a number of whispered conversations then continued, “Who would like to take a trip to the river today?”
A roar of cheers erupted from the students.
***
It was a splendid day for an outing. The sky was clear and a cool breeze danced around them, causing the wheat crops to bend and sway in flowing golden waves. Although winter was just a few months away it was still warm enough to enjoy a soak in the river. Such outings were quite rare and never possible without a great deal of convincing. Trussil hated keeping her students cooped up in the village and the possible sighting of a vulture a few days prior wasn’t about to scare her away. There had not been any confirmed sightings of predators in the area for quite some time but as the open fields gave way and the dark forest crept closer so did the danger.
Dugan, known for his fondness of Trussil, had tried to talk her out of this particular trip. In fact, he always opposed unnecessary trips into the wild. His motivation was caution but he was not generally thought of as a particularly brave man. For two days he had stared into the forest from atop the village walls, hoping to spot the vulture. Despite his efforts, he never saw anything out of the ordinary. The girl must have been mistaken.
Along with Dugan, Trussil had been forced to take Semu, the hulking Guard Captain, as well as two other guards. Together the four men led the teacher and her caravan of students down a makeshift path that sliced through the fields, stopping frequently while Semu surveyed the surroundings.
Dugan strolled alongside Trussil as they walked. His company was welcome but she knew his intentions. They were quite obvious.
“You are a stubborn one you know,” Dugan said.
“Yes, I know,” she replied with a smile.
“We should have brought more guards.”
“They make the children nervous. It’s bad enough you had to drag Semu along.”
She blushed when Semu, who was walking several feet in front of them, turned his head slightly. His ears were better than she had thought.
“Well, you remember what happened last year?” Dugan argued. “If he had been with us that day, we might not—”
Trussil quickly raised her hand to his mouth and touched his lips. “Quiet down. It will be fine.”
Dugan paused and then grasped her hand with his and lowered it back to her side. An awkward silence followed and Trussil quickly changed the topic.
“At least enjoy the morning!” she demanded. “It is a marvelous day for a trip. You must admit that at least.”
“Very true,” Dugan replied. He then looked around nervously before leaning in and whispering, “I don’t suppose you have thought any more about my offer, have you?”
Trussil walked in silence for a moment as she collected her thoughts.
“Dugan you are sweet, but you know my heart is spoken for.”
“I know, I know but even you admit that you have no idea where he is. It’s been what…five…six years since you last saw him?” He thought a moment then continued, “You even once said that you two could never be together. For what reason…I just don’t know but I just hope that if you do decide to move on you would consider me.”
Trussil felt sorry for Dugan. He was a very nice man but he was extremely tall and awkward and was one of the few of his kind in the village. She was appreciative of his feelings but had done her best to explain to him that she would not love again. That part of her life was behind her.
“Oh Dugan, you know I think you are a wonderful man. I suppose I should move on but I just don’t think I can love another. I just wish things could have been different.”
“So why didn’t he come with us? What kind of fool would let you go?” He hesitated and then added, “You are so beautiful. How could he leave you?”
Trussil
stopped and looked down at her feet and then at Dugan. “I left him,” she replied abruptly. She then pulled ahead and added over her shoulder, “Please, I have this conversation enough in my own head. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
Dejected, he called after her. “I’m sorry. Just, well, you know where I stand.”
Semu suddenly raised his right arm, halting the procession behind him. He glanced from side to side with his head slightly tilted upward. Something was wrong.
Dugan sprinted to Semu’s side while Trussil worked to quiet the young voices that had begun to chatter.
Just up ahead was the impending darkness of the Bluemist Forrest and, not far beyond the tree line, the river waited. Unlike Dugan, Semu was anything but timid. He was from the jungle and knew the natural sounds of trees and leaves better than anyone.
“What is it?” Dugan whispered to Semu. “Did you spot something?”
The massive dark-skinned guard grunted angrily.
Dugan bit his lip as a worried look covered his face.
“Do you smell that?” Semu asked.
Dugan inhaled deeply through his nose. “No. I don’t smell anything. Should I?”
“There was something here. Not long ago.”
Semu then turned and motioned for Trussil to come forward. When she approached she was ready to argue.
“I’m not canceling the trip without good cause,” she declared.
“Semu smelled something,” Dugan replied. “It might be for the best.”
“Well, I don’t smell anything,” Trussil argued. “This is ridiculous. You go tell those children we’re going back. I won’t do it.”
Semu scowled. “I never said we needed to head back. What I need you to do is scout the trees ahead and look for movement.”
Trussil was relieved. “Well why didn’t you just say so?” She then turned to her students. “I will be back in a moment. You behave while I am gone.”
Without another word Trussil then looked toward the tree line and in a quick fluid motion transformed into a brown and tan owl. Upon long majestic wings she climbed deftly into the air, feeling the wind flow over her body and her feathers ruffle as she pushed against the current and began surveying the land below.
