Land of Shadows

by Jeff Gunzel

  Chapter 13

  The evening meal was a welcome sight for all that night. The day had been a trying ordeal for everyone. Between the unnerving images they had been forced to endure at the hands of Berkeni, to the legendary battle at Moxis that would probably be spoken of for years, everyone was simply exhausted.

  Ilirra and Azek sat at their usual table, away from everyone else. They appeared to be arguing, as they did so often. Ilirra’s two giant red bodyguards stood nearby as always, appearing virtually lifeless but ready to unleash a massacre without a moment’s pause. The trio of friends sat by themselves as well. Jade had not uttered a single word since they left the arena. It was understandable, given the events of the evening.

  Jacob and Eric continued to try and force uncomfortable small talk, complaining of anything they could think of, from how hot it had been throughout the day, down to the stuffed pheasant, which seemed a touch too cold. It was all just a way of distracting themselves from the reality of tomorrow.

  “You two scared?” Jacob asked in a rush as his eyes bounced back and forth between his two friends. He was simply asking the burning question on everyone’s mind.

  “Of course I am,” sniffed Eric, not even looking up from his plate as he pushed vegetables around in circles with his fork. “Even if we find these...crytons,” he said, shivering upon uttering the word, “what am I supposed to say to them? That they should just follow me because I told them to do so? That I’m here to make all their problems go away? That I’m—”

  “Maybe you need to stop thinking so much and listen to me for a minute,” Jacob said, cutting him off with a raised hand. “I’m scared too, believe me. But really, what is dwelling on it going to solve? Does it seem like I ever plan anything?”

  Eric and Jade both chuckled at the same time. As usual, Jacob had provided the relief they all needed from the tension that had built.

  “You see what I mean?” Jacob said mockingly with his arms spread out wide. “But things just seem to work out well for me. I didn’t plan to sneak into Averan’s house last week to surprise her like that. When her dad woke up, I hid behind the chair. I wasn’t depending on any plan, I just reacted!”

  Eric and Jade were holding their sides now, laughing through their tears. “When I jumped from the window in the other room, I got away, no problem. All of that started because I walked past her house and got a bright idea right at that moment. But I knew whatever came up, I would find some way to deal with it. I always do.”

  As lighthearted as all this was, the message was well accepted. The ear-to-ear smile Jacob was wearing began to fade as he looked at his friends with a more serious expression. Putting his hand on Eric’s shoulder, he said, “If you try to hammer out every single detail of the problem at hand, you’ll make yourself go insane. Sometimes you just need some blind faith—faith that things will work out.” His smile returned. “We’re going to the dead forest tomorrow. I don’t know what’s going to happen and neither does anyone else, but I know everything is going to work out fine. I’m going to be with you guys every step of the way. Just have a little faith,” he said as he placed his other hand on Jade’s shoulder, giving both his friends a light shake. “Besides, you guys wouldn’t survive a minute without me!” he blurted out, then tried desperately to dodge the sudden assault of flying peas.

  Ilirra showed up just in the nick of time to save Jacob from the vegetable attack. They all bent their heads low in embarrassment as Ilirra put her hands on Jade’s shoulders, taking the time to look each of the companions in the eye. But her lips, pressed tightly together, gave away her failing attempt not to laugh. As the Queen composed herself with great effort, she beckoned Jade to go for a walk.

  Jade didn’t bother asking why, just rose from her seat to join her. She enjoyed Ilirra’s company and liked spending time with her. She often found herself wondering if that was strange or inappropriate. After all, Ilirra was a queen, and who was she to consider a queen as a friend? Of the few friends Jade now had in her life, Ilirra was the first girl she had gotten close to. That seemed like the most probable reason.

  They only walked a short distance before stopping at one of the many doors in the hall.

  “Go on inside, child,” said Ilirra. “The guards inside have been instructed to take your commands as if they came directly from me. I’ll see you in the morning.” With that, Ilirra turned to walk away without a second glance.

  Jade watched her go, looking quite confused. Although she was sure Ilirra would never lead her to any harm, her instincts forced her to be wary. She slowly opened the door, revealing a sight she had somehow half expected. Morcel sat before her, leaning back in the fine wooden chair provided for him. He was not bound in any way, but five guards surrounded the warrior to make sure he didn’t get any ideas. An acceptable precaution, Jade thought to herself. After all, all they knew for sure about the man was that he was very deadly. They were all armed and awaiting her instruction.

  “Leave us,” Jade ordered with surprising authority. After hesitating a second, the guards filed out.

  The big man seemed content enough as he sat back in his chair, eyeing Jade with heavy eyelids. He had also been given a decent outfit he was no doubt grateful for. Black leather shoes with brown pants and a decent, white button-down shirt made him appear quite noble. “Well met, young lady,” the gladiator said as he leaned even further back into the chair, clasping his hands behind his head. “You’re quite brave to dismiss the guards like that. Although I’m grateful you freed me from that life in the arena, you ought to be a little more carefu—” His voice trailed off as his eyes grew wide with recognition. Those crystal-blue eyes. It can’t be!

  “Remember me now, do you?” Jade said with a tight grin as she approached the warrior with slow, deliberate steps.

  He found himself wishing the guards were still here, and looked anxiously around the room.

  Jade continued, “Yes, you are correct. I’m the one that requested the Queen try to buy out your contract.”

  “But why would you do that?” he asked as he folded his massive arms across his chest. “You could have just left me in there and it would have made no difference. I’m nothing but primitive entertainment now.” The warrior lowered his head as his pride fell with every word. “My only purpose now is to entertain a mob.”

  “Oh, I think you’re much more than that!” Jade shot back a little more sharply than she had intended. She cleared her throat and softened her tone before continuing, “You were a great warrior before that life was forced on you.” This time, Jade lowered her head. “Forced on you because of me,” she whispered, as if no longer talking to him, but speaking out loud the silent thoughts of her conscience.

  Together, they sat in silence for a while, each reliving that day in their own minds, the day when both of their lives changed forever.

  “I owe you your life back and I plan to repay that debt,” Jade finally said in a voice so soft it could hardly be heard.

  “Not from where I’m sitting,” Morcel boomed, his bright green eyes flashing at her. “What I did that day, I did because my heart wouldn’t have forgiven me if I hadn’t. What they were doing to that boy…”

  They both swallowed hard as the graphic memory flashed through both their minds.

  “Look, you pulled me from that life in the arena.” The big man leaned forward and put his face close to the girl’s. “The way I see it, that debt belongs to me, not you.”

  She stared at him a long while as she considered his words, her crystal-blue eyes flashing with contemplation. “Then let me make a proposal to you,” she said with a devilish grin. “What say you accompany us on a little adventure?”

  The look on his face was one of curiosity with a touch of regret.

  The two of them talked well into the night. Jade did her best not to overwhelm the warrior with minor details. The quest they were about to partake in would seem bewildering enough without trying to cover everything. Keeping the disc
ussion broad and open seemed like the best way to convince him the quest was honorable and worthy of his efforts—and to convince Morcel she was not crazy.

  To Jade’s great relief, it seemed the warrior was surprisingly well-versed in the prophesies of the ancient scrolls—a trait usually found among the more educated, or the few historians that roamed Tarmerria. Jade began to wonder more and more what Morcel’s formal background really was. Where had this deadly beast come from, and where had he studied the arts of reading, writing and general history? Questions for another time, she supposed. The important thing was that he had agreed to accompany them. An extra sword, as well as an honorable man who could be trusted, were always a welcome addition.