“What were they talking about?” Arik whispered to Tedi when he returned from delivering the coffee.
“I don’t know,” Tedi softly replied. “They stopped talking as soon as I approached them.” After a few moments Tedi continued. “You know, Arik, I’ve been a fool for three years. It took an old merchant to show me what was in front of my face the whole time. I’ve been so selfish and feeling sorry for myself over my mother’s disappearance that I couldn’t see how much he was hurting. At first, I thought my mother’s disappearance was just an excuse for him to start drinking and after a while I just mentally belittled him for not being able to control himself. The old man made me realize that I’m part of the reason that he still drinks. I shut him out of my life and made his loss twice as bad and my own, as well.”
Arik looked across the campfire and saw the tears welling up in Tedi’s eyes. “You really ought to tell him that, Tedi. I can keep my father busy for a while.” Arik stood up and called across the clearing. “Dad, I need you for a moment.”
Master Clava stared at the two boys near the campfire wondering what was so urgent that Tedi couldn’t help Arik with. He saw Tedi hesitantly start to walk over to where he and Alan sat and decided to find out. By the time he got to the campfire, he looked back to see Tedi kneeling next to his father. “What is it, son?” he asked Arik.
Arik walked over and hugged his father. “I just want to thank you for being here for me,” he choked. He smiled when he looked past his father and saw Tedi and Master Markel doing the same.
“I’ll always be there for you, son,” Konic replied. “As I know you will always be there for me.” Konic turned to see what Arik was staring at and sighed softly. “Now that is a sight I have longed to see, Arik. Whatever trouble this witch has brought, she has brought some good, too.”
Breaking the embrace and tending to the boiling pot, Arik asked, “What are we going to do about her, Dad? What is it she wants?”
Konic poured himself another cup of coffee and sat on a log staring into the fire. “I don’t know, son. I asked around about her and determined that she did find out where we live. I didn’t get much of an idea why she is so interested in us, though. I did have many people offer their sympathies about my boy running away up North, though,” he chuckled.
“It seemed to be the best way of getting rid of her,” admitted Arik. “I hope it works. It looks like you brought enough stuff to stay out here a month.”
“Always be prepared, son,” Konic smiled, “always be prepared. I’ll check in with Master Tern later tonight and first thing in the morning. We’ll know if she takes the bait.”
Konic lapsed into silence and Arik tried to pick up traces of Tedi’s conversation. The only things that Arik could out pick between the cricket chirps and the wind fluttering the leaves was the word necklace and an admonishment for Tedi to promise something.
Eventually, the weak soup was ready and Tedi and his father came over to the campfire. Master Markel looked steadier and more determined than anytime that Arik could remember. There wasn’t much talk around the campfire, but Arik noticed the two Markels sitting closer and more comfortably than he would have imagined before tonight.
After a while, Konic Clava rose and walked silently out of the campground. He returned about an hour later wearing a smile. “She already left,” he declared. “Master Tern said she was in such a hurry that she didn’t even ask for a refund for the room she had already paid for.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Master Markel sighed. “Konic, I would like to go fishing with you for a few days if you will have me, starting tomorrow.”
Konic smiled at his old friend as he eased himself to a seat by the fire. “You are always welcome in my boat, Alan. I have a new spot I would like to try.”
“It is good to have such a friend,” Alan said warmly. “That will give Tedi enough time to earn what we need to fix my boat properly so I may begin getting my life back together.”
Tedi touched the necklace around his neck and his father shook his head slowly. “No, Tedi, you will go with Arik hunting. When we have enough money, we will rebuild our boat together.”
Tedi beamed as his father put his shaking arm around his son and hugged him. Master Markel’s brown eyes shone with a determination that had been absent for too long. Tedi knew the next few days would be very hard on his father and being out at sea with Master Clava was just what his father needed.
Everyone sat around the campfire in silence, lost in his own thoughts. The sounds of the waves lapping steadily at the shore and the crickets’ melody in the woods were peaceful and calming.
Konic was the first to stir as he went to the long duffel bag and pulled out some blankets. He handed one to each of the group and rolled his into a pillow. “Not much sense going back to town tonight,” he announced. “It’s been a while since I camped out, but the night is fair and I am tired. First up should put on a pot of coffee.” With that he stretched out on the ground and went to sleep. Everyone soon followed.
Arik awoke to the smell of coffee and oatmeal. He sat up and looked around. It took a while for him to get his bearings and realize where he was. The two men were quietly cleaning up the campground. The only things not packed in the duffel bag were two cups and bowls and the oatmeal and coffee pots that were on the fire as well as the two blankets that he and Tedi were using. Arik leaned over and shook Tedi, who groggily awoke.
Konic looked over at the two sleepy-eyed boys. “Morning comes early and the fish won’t wait,” he chuckled. “You boys clean up and store the gear somewhere safe before you go off hunting. I think we will spend a few more days camping out if that is not objectionable to anyone.” Master Markel was whistling a tune gaily as the two men headed towards the boat.
Arik got himself some coffee and filled a cup for Tedi. “Your father seems in a good mood this morning,” he remarked. “What did you say to him last night?”
Tedi rubbed his eyes and reached for the cup. “Just something the merchant made me realize,” he answered softly. “I think your father had already softened him up by the time I spoke to him, though. Whatever the cause, it sure makes me feel good. I’m not going to be getting into any more trouble.”
The boys cleaned up the camp and stowed the bag before taking off in search of game. They hunted for a couple of hours and finally decided to head back to town. Arik had caught five rabbits and Tedi three. “I said we could be partners and split the take,” Arik began, “and I meant it.”
Tedi shook his head and laughed. “No way, fisherboy,” he chuckled. “You may have out-hunted me today, but tomorrow it will be my turn.”
The boys laughed all of the way to the Fisherman’s Inn. Master Tern was in a good mood this morning as well, although it was already later than when Arik usually showed up and customers were already eating breakfast.
“So, we have two hunters now, eh?” quipped Esta Tern. “Show me what you’ve brought for my guests. That bag doesn’t look big enough to hold a deer.”
While Arik dumped the contents of the bag and talked with Master Tern, Tedi strode over to the doorway to the common room. He began gazing at the strange and different costumes the travelers wore, wondering where they were coming from and where they were going. So little was known about the outside world and most travelers were not the talkative type. His eyes settled on a dark figure in the dimly lit corner of the common room. Tedi focused his eyes at the dark warrior image hiding in the shadows. The stern, cold face had icy blue eyes that seemed to be constantly scanning every person in the room without seeming to move. He was dressed entirely in black and his outfit appeared to have pouches sewn into it everywhere. The man could probably carry the contents of a campsite in those pouches and not even need a pack on his back. His long hair was jet black and bound into a tail that was draped over one shoulder. The black hilt of a massive sword strapped to his back protruded over the other shoulder. Across his midsection was a wide black belt with many loops for implements, bu
t only a lone black knife was present now. His eyes turned on Tedi and stopped in recognition. Tedi turned and ran out of the kitchen without stopping.
Arik looked up from his conversation with Master Tern as Tedi flew through the kitchen and out the door. The innkeeper looked shocked at Arik and then quickly pressed some coins into his hand. “You need to tame that boy down, Arik,” the innkeeper stated. Arik nodded and took off after his friend.
When Arik reached the alley, Tedi was nowhere in sight. He ran alongside the inn to the street and saw Tedi just disappearing into the woods where the merchant had been the night before. Arik took off running for the woods and started calling Tedi’s name when he entered the forest, but he could find no sign of his friend. After half an hour, Arik decided to give up and return to town. As he walked along an animal path he heard a large sound and froze, an arrow fitted to his bow without thinking. Arik lowered himself to a crouch, eyes following the sound, which seemed to be coming nearer. After a few seconds, which seemed an eternity to Arik, Tedi walked onto the path.
Arik lowered his bow and stood, scaring Tedi into producing a quiet gulp. “Okay, Arik, so you are quieter than me in the woods,” Tedi sighed with relief. “I promise I’ll let you teach me if you don’t scare me like that again.”
“Actually, you were pretty quiet, Tedi,” remarked Arik. “I was only alerted by that one sound. If I hadn’t heard that one crack, I would never have picked you up and I can detect anyone in the woods within one hundred paces.”
The two boys sat on the path and talked.
“Why did you run from the Fisherman’s Inn,” Arik inquired.
Tedi breathed deeply and replied. “I saw the bandit in the common room. The one who tried to kill me with that black sunburst thing and he saw me. He recognized me, too. I could tell as soon as his eyes set on me.”
“What is he doing in town?” questioned Arik. “We had hoped the witch in the blue dress would stumble into them when she left thinking she would follow us north. Now she may come back when she finds out we didn’t leave town.”
“I don’t know,” pondered Tedi. “I just got frightened and took off. Still, I think I’d rather face some bandit killer than that witch with her magic and questions about our age.”
“Maybe we should just go spend the day at our campsite until our fathers return,” suggested Arik.
“I think that is a good idea,” responded Tedi. “I don’t want that bandit to know anything about us. He might even start asking questions like the witch did.”
The two boys rose to continue along the path, oblivious to the man dressed in black that had been squatting not ten paces away.
The boys crossed over the coastal highway and reentered the woods to make their way to their campsite. Once along the way, they heard rabbits and managed to bag two of them for dinner. Arik laughed. “See, when you are quiet enough, even the animals don’t know that you are there. Maybe we can spend the afternoon by me teaching you some of the tricks I learned from Trapper Grein.”
The man in black smiled slightly as Tedi agreed to the lessons and the boys continued down the path. It took longer getting to the campsite through the woods, but the boys felt safer keeping out of sight of anyone in the town who might be looking for them. When they reached the campsite Arik retrieved the hidden duffel bag and started a fire. The man in black crept off as Arik started teaching Tedi his tricks of quietness.
When the men returned from fishing, the boys had a dinner of rabbit stew waiting for them. Master Markel walked over to the pot and inhaled deeply. “That smells mighty good, boys,” he remarked. “Master Clava and I have kept some of today’s catch for dinner, but what you have smells a bit more appetizing.”
“I think we can have the stew and the fish,” added Konic. “It’s not right to waste good food. Did you have a good day hunting?”
Arik and Tedi had agreed to be honest with their fathers and explained about running into the bandit at the inn. Tedi went on to explain how he had run into the bandits’ camp two nights ago and the bandit had hurled the deadly little star at him. The boys continued talking over dinner and their fathers seemed content to listen. Tedi had expected his father to be furious, but Alan’s facial expression was one of concern.
After dinner, Alan and Konic sat talking quietly while the boys cleaned the dishes and pots. Tedi thought his father looked happier than he had at anytime in the last three years. When the boys were all done with their chores, Alan spoke. “We are going to post a guard tonight and every night until things quiet down in Lorgo,” he announced. “Tedi, give that star weapon to Master Clava. Arik, you are going to have the last watch, so you should get to sleep right away. Tedi will wake you when it is your turn. Everyone is to be awakened if you even think there may be a problem. I will take first watch.”
Tedi handed the star to Konic. Alan indicated that Tedi should sit next to him so they could talk without disturbing Arik. Konic stuck the weapon in his pouch and started walking towards town. “Where is Master Clava going?” Tedi inquired.
“He is going to talk with your bandit,” Alan said quietly.
Arik shivered as he watched his father walk away from the campsite.
Chapter 4
Bandit
Konic Clava walked into the common room at the Fisherman’s Inn and looked around. It did not take him long to pick out the man in black seated by himself in the corner, nor did it surprise him that the man had already inspected the newcomer. Konic understood why the man was seated alone. No one who valued their life would voluntarily sit with a man whom so obviously reeked of death, at least not while there was another open seat in the common room. There were other open seats as the number of travelers to Lorgo had steadily decreased since the Collapse, as they had everywhere else. Still, Konic marched over and sat across the table from the mysterious killer. And a killer he surely was. Konic could see death in the man’s icy blue eyes. The man’s hands carried the calluses of both sword and bow, as well as some that Konic could not identify. The bandit sat, bowstring taut, ready to spring in any direction at a moment’s notice, yet he gave the casual appearance of relaxing with his drink. The man might not be a bandit at all, Konic pondered, more likely an assassin.
A young town girl came over to take his order. “Good evening, Master . . .”
“Just an ale, girl,” Konic interrupted. “And I’ll signal if I wish another.”
The girl left with a puzzled look and Konic turned his attention back to the mysterious man who was looking out towards the rest of the common room, though Konic was sure that the man was watching his every move.
“Can I get you a drink when the girl returns, stranger?” Konic asked.
“I am well cared for, fisherman,” the bandit smoothly replied.
The bandit’s accent was slight, but obviously not Sordoan. “You are not Sordoan, I see,” he remarked.
The bandit blinked at him before replying. “No one is Sordoan anymore,” he stated flatly. “And if I came from anywhere around your town, you would surely already know me. What is it you wish to ask me that comes so slowly to your tongue?”
The man was no fool, but Konic had already determined that. The problem would be getting any useful information from him. Konic was sure that the man could lie with as straight a face as if he were telling the truth. It was also clear from the man’s behavior that he did not consider Konic as a threat, only a distraction from watching the other people in the common room. “I am just curious what brings someone of your obvious skill to such a small town as Lorgo,” Konic finally asked.
The girl brought Konic’s mug of ale and gave him a puzzled look but did not say anything.
“I am just traveling through,” smiled the bandit. “Who can say what makes a man travel any particular road any more than what makes a soldier settle down and take up fishing?”
Konic was startled. Not many townspeople even knew that he had been in the Army when he was younger. Surely the sword calluses were long gone
and covered by years of fishing. How could this simple bandit know that? Then again, this was no simple bandit, Konic reminded himself. The man had all the poise of a person who had spent his whole life in the Army. Perhaps he is a forward scout for one of the many warring armies ravaging Sordoa. Then again, most of the bandits plaguing the world had been soldiers at one time or another. “We’ve had trouble with bandits invading the town before,” Konic finally said. “If that is your intention, I would like to dissuade you from the thought.”
“If that is your true purpose,” the bandit smiled, “you can leave now, satisfied that you have accomplished your mission. I have not seen much in your town that would interest a group of bandits.”
The bandit’s smile told Konic that the man had not bought his story, but surely he could not know why Konic was here. Even Konic was not sure exactly why he was here. He wanted the boys safe and he suspected that this man might be harmful to them, but why? What did the bandit want here? How could he find out? Finally he decided, as he did most other times, that the truth was usually the best course. “I lost my wife to bandits three years ago,” Konic declared bitterly, “and all I have left is my son. If you are here to harm him or his friend, I will kill you.”
When the bandit made no comment, Konic shakily continued. “I know you are a man of great skill and you think my threat idle and boastful, but I assure you that I will not rest until your bones are scattered to the vultures.” Konic took the star weapon out of his pouch and slammed it on the table. All eyes in the common room turned at the sound and the bandit swept the star up and out of sight before Konic could see the man’s hand move.
The bandit rose and gently touched Konic’s sleeve. “Let us walk,” he simply whispered and strode out the door of the inn. Konic rose unsteadily and followed. The man could easily kill him outside and be out of town before anyone even noticed, but Konic had a duty to his son that nobody would frighten him out of. When Master Clava had gone through the door, he saw the bandit leaning lazily against a post as if he had not a care in the world. He was holding the star weapon in his right hand.
Sapphire of the Fairies, Book 1 of Sword of Heavens Page 4
