The Heart of Trelyssia

by Lisa Chitty

  ‘Zaria knew who we were instantly. Shouldn’t you have too, considering that you appear to be her right hand man?’ Randall rebuked him.

  Sasket went even redder but before he could say anything further Abi interrupted. ‘Randall, leave it! He’s apologised and that should be enough for you. What more do you want? Blood?’

  Randall considered this, then replied. ‘Well, now you come to mention it …’

  Abi turned and glared at him and getting the point, Randall shut up.

  Apart from her initial protest, Zaria had remained silent throughout. Now she decided to speak up. ‘I don’t care Randall, if you do think that he is good enough to come with you, I will not allow him to go. I need him here. You can take someone else to guide you, I won’t have Sasket risked!’

  They all turned to look at her, shocked by her refusal. But Sasket wasn’t going to let her dictate to him. He turned to her, defiance on his face. ‘You can’t stop me Zaria. Abi has requested that I join them, and the others have agreed. Theldon also approved! Besides which, I know something that should assist them in their search.’

  ‘But you can’t go. It’s far too dangerous. It will be stupidity if you go, you could get killed!’

  ‘I could get killed every time that I leave these caves and go on raids, but that doesn’t seem to bother you!’

  ‘This is different. We now know that we’re on the brink of war, and going about with these four is going to make you a prime target.’ Zaria was on the verge of tears as she tried to prevent Sasket from his course of action.

  Sasket stepped close to her and held her by the arms. ‘It’ll be alright. Brougan can do just as well in my place. I promise that I’ll be careful but I have to go. I can help these people, I know that I can!’ He then leaned forward and kissed Zaria gently on the cheek. ‘Now I have to go and pack some items for us all before we leave in the morning.’ He let Zaria go and walked slowly from the room. Zaria stood there looking after him, and two tears ran down her cheeks.

  Abi went up to Zaria and placed her hand on Zaria’s arm. ‘He’ll come back, we all will.’ Abi told her softly.

  Zaria gave Abi a shaky smile before replying. ‘Yes, I’m sure you’re right. I have to believe that, don’t I?’ Before Abi could answer she walked from the Great Hall, to the small door that led to her private chambers.

  * * *

  That night was spent quietly. The foursome had all been given rooms with a central area for them to sit in. They talked quietly amongst themselves about what lay ahead of them and tried to ignore the sense of danger that seemed to loom over them. They didn’t talk for long before deciding to retire for the night. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts.

  They all rose early the next day, not because they were eager to be out and about, but because they were all nervous. Sasket and Zaria had woken early too, and Sasket was ready when they were to leave. Everyone else seemed to still be asleep as they hoisted the packs that Sasket had prepared the previous night onto their shoulders and said their goodbyes to Zaria. They then left the cave system and went out into the forest, which at this early hour was still shrouded in mist.

  Sasket took them through the forest for some time, leading a pack horse laden with supplies. None of them was paying much attention to where he was taking them until James decided to ask Sasket. ‘Where are we going exactly?’

  The others surfaced from their thoughts and regarded Sasket. They were all curious as to his answer. ‘We’re going to a local village, where the armourer that I spoke of lives. If we keep at the pace we have been going we should be there before nightfall. We’ll sleep in the local tavern and then speak with the armourer in the morning.’

  ‘We’ve got to walk all day before we reach this village?’ Randall looked disgusted.

  Abi couldn’t help giggling, and as she patted him on the arm she teased him lightly. ‘Well if you’re really lucky Sasket might let you stop for lunch.’

  ‘We’d better be stopping for lunch!’ James exclaimed. ‘There’s no way I’m going walking all day without stopping for food.’

  Smiling Sasket replied. ‘I do intend to stop for lunch about midday. However, as that’s sometime away, I suggest we carry on for now.’ Sasket turned and carried on walking, then called back over his shoulder. ‘However James, if you do get a bit hungry before then, look in the belt pouch that you’re wearing and you’ll find a few snacks to keep you going.’

  James immediately opened the pouch at his waist and exclaimed happily at what he found in there. Extracting what looked like a pastry, he began munching it before walking on after Sasket. Still laughing and shaking her head Abi followed with Randall and Steve bringing up the rear.

  As they walked Sasket told them more about Trelyssia and the people who lived there, especially those who lived in the caves. ‘The ones who live there are the ones most at risk. The Baron has a list of people whom he calls traitors that is well circulated amongst his defensive forces. Any person on that list unlucky enough to run into his armies is instantly killed no questions asked. We know who’s on it and immediately offer those people residence in the caves. Most people take us up on the offer.’

  ‘What happens to those who don’t?’ asked Steve.

  Sasket paused before replying. ‘They are usually found dead a few days later.’ Seeing their sad faces Sasket went on. ‘But don’t worry so much. No one these days says no, so it hasn’t happened in a long time.’

  ‘But how come the caves are so safe? I know you protect the location of them, but surely some other people on the outside must know they exist. Or someone could just stumble upon them.’ James looked confused.

  ‘It is a risk we run.’ Sasket admitted. ‘There are people who support our cause who don’t live with us who know the location. However, if we feel there’s any risk of them being captured they join us at our base. As for someone stumbling across them, it’s highly unlikely. The caves are in the densest, darkest part of the forest where few venture. Due to the nature of the times we live in, only a fool would wander off the major routes through the Great Forest. Why do you think so far we haven’t come across anyone else?’

  None of them had even thought about it, but now that Sasket had mentioned it, the lack of other travellers was glaringly obvious. However, they were still in a very dense section of the forest and the path they were following was little more than a deer track.

  As the sun reached its zenith they stopped and settled down for lunch. It was just dry rations washed down with water in the skins that had been provided for them but it was better than nothing. They didn’t stop for long, and as Sasket led them on they realised that the trees were beginning to thin out. As the sky became clearer and easier to see, Sasket stopped them. ‘We’re nearly at one of the major routes through here. It will lead us to the village we’re going to, but it will also have more people on it, and almost certainly the Baron’s forces. Because of this we can no longer talk about the caves, the people in them, or what you are doing here. Is that clear?’

  They all nodded in agreement. ‘Good.’ Sasket went on. ‘Because your lives could depend on what you say. If an armed guard stops and talks to us, be respectful, don’t answer back and just try to answer their questions.’

  At this point they all turned and looked at Randall. ‘What?!’ he exclaimed. As everyone continued to look at him he subsided and with a deep sigh went on. ‘Fine! I’ll do my best to hold my tongue and not start any arguments. OK?’

  Sasket raised his eyebrows. ‘It’ll do I guess. Come on lets get going if want to get to the village before it gets dark.’

  Luckily for the group, there were very few people about and whilst for the first time they saw those who worked for the Baron none of them stopped the five of them and they arrived in the village just as the sun was setting. It was almost identical in style to the one where Theldon lived apart from the fact that it was bigger. There were many more houses and more streets as well. Unlike when they had arrived in The
ldon’s village they now blended in and attracted no attention.

  Sasket stopped outside a building on what appeared to be the main street. There was a badly drawn sign of a bunch of grapes hanging outside it and from the sounds and smells coming from inside it was fairly obvious that this was the local tavern.

  Sasket turned to look at Abi. ‘Before we go in there’s something you need to know. Women are only allowed in certain areas in here. You can’t come into the main bar, and after eating you will be expected to go up to the bedroom whilst we drink in the bar.’

  ‘What?!’ Abi exclaimed. ‘How backward is that? What if I want a drink?’

  ‘I really wouldn’t advise it, Abi. You’re going to have to behave as if all this is natural to you. After all, you don’t want to blow our cover do you?’ Sasket implored.

  Abi stood seething silently at the restrictions being placed upon her. ‘I don’t have much choice do I?’ she eventually said between gritted teeth. ‘But I warn you now, if you start treating me constantly like I’m inferior because I’m a woman, I swear you’ll regret it!’

  Sasket threw his arms up in defence. ‘Wouldn’t even dream of it,’ he reassured her. Beside him, Randall, James and Steve were trying to stifle their laughter and failing miserably.

  Abi turned to glare at them. ‘The same goes for you three as well!’

  They stopped laughing with some effort before James made a grandiose gesture to her. ‘After you,’ he said and held the door open, still grinning. Abi swept in with the all the superiority she could muster but soon stopped when she realised she wasn’t sure where she should go. Sasket quickly stepped in front of her and led the way, leaving the horse tied outside.

  The evening progressed much as Sasket had described. Abi ate with them all in a common room, a basic meal consisting of some roasted meat with a variety of vegetables. After that she went up to the room that Sasket had arranged and paid for whilst the others proceeded into the bar to sample the local ale. It was some hours later before they eventually came upstairs and went to bed too.

  Abi got her revenge the following morning. It turned out the local ale was quite potent and there were some very sore heads which she took full advantage of. She was bright, cheerful and loud which severely annoyed them and she would have continued if Randall hadn’t turned her threat of the previous night back on her if she didn’t shut up.

  Around mid morning Randall, James and Steve were just about capable of holding a normal conversation so Sasket revealed what they were going to do. ‘The armourer is a short distance from here down a side street. We’ll go in and hopefully be able to speak to whoever’s in charge. I don’t know who it is these days. We’re going to have to take a risk and reveal who we are, but I’m sure that it’s the right thing to do’

  ‘Is this armourer not on our side?’ Abi queried.

  Sasket shrugged. ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘We’re just going to have to hope he is. There is one other thing I need to say.’ Sasket looked uncomfortable and wouldn’t meet Abi’s gaze. ‘You’re going to have to stay here. A woman in an armourers is not allowed. If you go in you’ll attract the attention of everyone here.’

  Abi looked back at Sasket, barely containing her frustration. ‘You know, if we do succeed in our plans, there needs to be a few changes around here. Starting with how women are treated!’

  ‘Absolutely,’ Sasket quickly agreed. ‘But in the mean time, why don’t you go and pack our belongings and see to the horse, so that when we return, we’ll be all ready to leave.’

  Abi made a sound of disgust in the back of her throat but did as Sasket asked.

  Sasket watched her leave the room ‘I’m beginning to realise why she’s referred to in the legends as the Fiery Woman. I hope I never offend her!’ He turned back to the others. ‘Shall we go?’

  They all agreed and rose from the table that they had been sitting at. Sasket led them out of the tavern, back down the main road and then down a side street that had quite a few different shops along it. However, the armourers was obvious. It didn’t have a front like the other places, it opened directly onto the street and the armourers could be seen dressed in leather aprons working away. The sound of metal ringing against metal filled the air as did the smell of molten metal.

  Sasket drew himself up and crossed over the road. ‘I wish to see the proprietor of this establishment,’ he proclaimed. ‘I have an important commission for him.’

  One of the workers stopped what they were doing and came over. ‘That’ll be Caston that you’ll be wanting. That’s ‘im over there.’ The man pointed to a very large, well muscled man working at an anvil. ‘If I was you I’d wait ‘til he’s finished. He don’t like being interrupted!’

  Sasket gestured for James, Randall and Steve to join him, before settling down to wait. It wasn’t long before Caston finished with the sword that he was working on. Once he’d added it to the pile of others he had already done, he came over to where Sasket was waiting, ‘I heard you say that you had a commission for me? What is it?’

  Sasket started talking about a large order of armour and swords, but as he talked he raised his hand to his chest and then positioned himself in such a way so that only Caston would be able to see what he was doing. Sasket slowly revealed the amulet that he wore and as he did so Caston’s eyes widened. He stopped Sasket in mid flow. ‘It sounds like you have a large order, sir. Why don’t we step into my office to discuss it and you may bring your companions with you.’

  Caston led them all through to the back of the forge where a door led through to a spacious office. There was a large desk strewn with papers and various seating surrounding it. ‘Sit, please,’ Caston said as he took the seat behind the desk. Everyone sat down before Caston spoke again. ‘So the time has come at last has it?’ As Sasket nodded Caston spoke to him. ‘But you need to be careful who you show that medallion to. It could get you killed.’

  ‘I know,’ Sasket replied. ‘But it was the only way I could think of to be able to speak to you in private. You know why we’re here?’

  ‘Yes, I do. I had hoped that it would be in my lifetime that the words of the legends would come to pass, but I was beginning to give up hope and was about to pass on the secrets to my son. But now that won’t be necessary.’ His eyes turned to Randall, James and Steve. ‘I see you’ve brought the Giant, the Rodent and the Strategist with you. Where’s the Fiery Woman?’

  ‘Back at the tavern. I didn’t dare bring her here. We can’t attract too much attention.’

  ‘No, you most certainly can’t. I would have liked to have met her though.’

  ‘Don’t be so sure,’ Randall told Caston. ‘She’s a bit upset at the moment at being left behind and is a bit of a handful at the moment. I’m sure we’re going to pay for this when we return to her.’

  Caston laughed. ‘She sound’s like she’s all the legends say she is then! Anyway, enough of this. You’ve come to find out about the armour and weapons that have been made for you and I can help you there. My family has been guarding the secret for some time and it is an honour to be the one to tell you where to go. They are hidden in the depths of the Great Forest …’

  ‘Not again!’ groaned Steve. ‘Is everything secret in the middle of the damn forest? Isn’t there anyone with enough imagination to think of somewhere else for a change?’

  Caston, startled at being interrupted, shrugged. ‘It is a good place. Everyone around here is afraid of going wandering through the trees, and believe me, where you’ve got to go, there’s not a chance anyone else will have been there or found what you’re looking for!’

  ‘You’ve been there?’ asked Steve. ‘Have you seen it all?’

  ‘I have been there, but I haven’t seen the items. I don’t know how to get to them but I guess that you’ll find a way.’ Seeing the confused looks Caston went on. ‘Let me explain. The pieces were made a long time ago by the greatest armourer of the time. He was called Kerfel and he was a distant ancestor of mine. A mag
ician came to him one night with the metal that was to be turned into armour and weapons and told him what was required. He then told Kerfel he had to take them into the forest and he would be met there. Kerfel complied and made what was requested. Once he was done, late one night he took them all into the forest to a clearing. In the middle of the clearing stood the same magician with three others, much like him. Kerfel was told to place all that he had brought with him in the centre of the clearing. Once he had, the four magicians formed a circle around them. They began chanting and before Kerfel’s eyes a tree began to grow around and above the pile. When it was finished there was a massive oak tree and the items where nowhere to be seen. It appeared that the tree grew over them. I have been out there myself and can see no sign of them.’

  ‘So we’re looking for buried treasure are we?’ Steve asked.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Caston replied. ‘I just know where you have to go. How you get to them is up to you.’ Caston rose then and went to a shelf behind his desk. He pulled a large book down and carefully opened it. From inside he withdrew a folded piece of parchment. He then spread it across his desk and revealed a map. ‘This map will show you where to go.’ He then pointed at it. ‘This is the clearing and here is the village. The forest that you will have to travel through is very dense and there aren’t really any paths. You’ll probably need to hack a path through.’ He then folded it back up and passed the map to Sasket.

  ‘Thank you,’ Sasket said. ‘You’ve been very helpful.’

  ‘It was my duty, and that of my family,’ Caston replied. He then turned to Randall, James and Steve and bowed to them. ‘I have completed the task that I was charged with. However, please feel free to call on me whenever you think that you might have need. Your cause is just and I will provide any additional help that you require of me.’ Caston then gestured towards the door. As he opened it to let them all out he started a different conversation. ‘I will draw up an estimate for what your order will cost you and see that you get it in the next few days. I hope that we will be doing business shortly.’ As they all filed past him on their way out he shook hands with them all. Randall was the last out and as Caston shook his hand he leaned towards him. ‘Give my regards to the Fiery Woman,’ he whispered. ‘Let her know that I was disappointed not to meet her.’