The Harrowing Path

by Cleave Bourbon

  “Aye, I have not forgotten, Shey.”

  “Very well, I will not presume to debate you on what you choose to tell her, but let us not fill Kelle’s mind with too much to contemplate too soon.”

  “You are right, Lady Shey, very well.”

  “I don’t mind,” Kelle interjected, hoping to hear more.

  “Aye, but we do,” Lady Shey said, pouring the scented water on her back with a bathing ladle. “You will know all in time, I am sure.”

  Kelle opened her mouth as if to say something, but Lady Shey frowned, so she disappointedly closed it again.

  Chapter 5: Symbor

  Devyn roused to a gentle knock on his door. He rubbed his eyes and rose out of bed. Not yet fully awake, he stumbled across the room and opened the door to find Kelle standing there.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead,” she said gleefully. “I thought you might want to get some breakfast with me this morning. Rennon, Trendan, and Rodraq are already hitching up the team and getting the wagon loaded, so we will have to hurry.”

  “You’re in a good mood. Does this mean you’re not mad anymore?”

  “Try not to ruin it. Get up.”

  Devyn yawned and rubbed his eyes again. “Symbor is only half a day’s journey from here. I thought we would leave later in the day.”

  “Well, Lady Shey says she needs for us to press on so that she may conduct her business as soon as possible.”

  “Is her business in Symbor urgent?” Devyn asked. “I never got the impression it was all that pressing.”

  “If you are referring to her persistence that we stay here, she insisted we not travel in the dark last night due to the danger Rodraq reported.”

  “I realize that, but I still didn’t get a feeling of urgency.”

  “Well, for some reason she woke up everyone but you.” Kelle flung open the curtains to let the warm morning sunshine fill the room. “The rest have eaten breakfast already, but I waited so I could eat with you.”

  Devyn cringed at the brightness of the sun and shielded his eyes for a moment. “Which is my point exactly; if she is in a hurry, why did she let me sleep in?”

  Kelle shrugged her shoulders.

  “Let me get dressed, and I will meet you in the common room,” Devyn said yawning.

  “Meet me out on the river walk instead,” she said.

  Devyn smiled. “I will be there shortly.”

  “Good,” Kelle exclaimed giddily and kissed him softly on the lips.

  Devyn quickly got dressed, walked out to greet his friends, and put away his things on the wagon. Rennon was already inspecting the horses when Devyn arrived.

  Rennon greeted Devyn. “There you are. Kelle just passed by and asked me to tell you she will have breakfast brought out onto the dock shortly.

  “Did you want to take the reins again today?” Devyn asked.

  “It’s not often that an apothecary’s apprentice gets to handle a team, much less travel,” Rennon replied. “Aye, I do.”

  “You seem to be in good spirits this morning,” Devyn said.

  “Just don’t you hold us up too long or I will leave you here,” he said sharply.

  Devyn laughed and shook his head. “I won’t be long, and besides, I have all the money, remember?”

  Rennon huffed and waved Devyn on.

  As Devyn made his way to the dining area on the riverwalk, he passed a unique shop and stopped to peer into the window. The building was nestled between the inn and another shop. Its trim, painted deep maroon, sparkled strangely in the morning sun. In the window were polished stones, but not jewels, of all shapes and sizes. The small sign above the door read Precious Stones and Knickknacks. Devyn impulsively decided to get Kelle a gift, so he entered the shop. Rows and rows of stones of blue, green, and red lined the shelves. Behind the wooden counter, which was covered with still more stones and crystals, stood a tall, thin man of considerable age.

  “Welcome to Precious Stones and Knickknacks, young master.” He extended his arms out in welcome to Devyn. “How may I be of assistance?”

  “I’m looking for a gift.” He considered his words carefully. “A romantic gift.”

  The old man’s eyes brightened. “A romantic gift, why certainly. I’m sure we can find something romantic.” He winked at Devyn. “What is the young lass’s favorite color?” he inquired, leaning his elbow on the wooden counter.

  “Green,” Devyn answered.

  The old shopkeeper sprang up from behind the counter and snapped his fingers. “Green I can do, my boy.” He put his hand under his chin and surveyed his shelves. “I have stones and crystals and small figurines. Which one would your lass prefer?”

  Devyn looked around the room, uncertain of what to choose.

  Seeing Devyn’s indecision, the shopkeeper smiled. “I have just the thing.” He walked to a shelf and chose a small jade figurine. “Ah, here we go. ‘Tis a figure of an elf maiden, bold and beautiful.”

  Devyn liked the figure, but it was not exactly what he had in mind for Kelle. “It is beautiful but I—”

  “Here, hold it,” the old man said as he thrust the figure into Devyn’s hands.

  Devyn froze as a peculiar sensation came over him. He turned the figure over in his hands as he felt its power. “What is it?” he asked.

  The old man’s eyes glittered with delight. “It is an ancient thing called a Nolminae Alaenore.” The man paused but no sign of recognition came to Devyn’s face. The old man frowned. “That is elven for jewel of essence.”

  Realizing that what he held was magic, Devyn became increasingly uncomfortable. “Thank you, sir, but I can’t take this.”

  “Nonsense, and I will even do you one better.” The old man chose three violet stones from another shelf. “I will give you these three stones. They are rune stones. They will not harm you, but they will aid in your decisions.”

  “What decisions?” Devyn asked suspiciously.

  The old man wrinkled his forehead. “All decisions worth deciding, boy.”

  Devyn examined the stones; each one had a different rune etched into it. “What do I owe you, sir?” Devyn asked. He had decided not to argue with the old man, and he now felt an irresistible urge to cut his losses and leave.

  “Two silver is all I ask,” the old man replied.

  Devyn thought for a moment. “Surely not, these stones and the figure are far more valuable than two silver.”

  The old man’s face contorted anxiously. “You wish to pay more?”

  “A fair price,” Devyn said, suddenly realizing he was about to make a mistake. He handed the old man the silver and thanked him. A strange sensation came over him as he took the stones into his hand. Devyn turned them over in his palm.

  “Is there something the matter?” the old man asked.

  Devyn regained his senses. “Oh no. It’s just I was wondering how you came to sell these things in a land where they have been outlawed. Are you not afraid of the Enforcers finding out and coming to your shop?”

  “Don’t you worry about me, young master; I have made special arrangements with the Enforcers. Besides, no one has said anything about magic here as far as I can remember.” He winked at Devyn. “Now go on and meet your lass.”

  As Devyn exited and walked away from the shop, he thought he could hear the old man laughing. He felt as if a fog had lifted from his senses somehow.

  Devyn found Kelle sitting at a table nearest the river. The Euflaire Aquane was not a particularly swift river, at least not while it wound its way through Cedar Falls proper. It did have a few rapids, but they were farther downstream near the falls that gave the village its name. As he neared Kelle, the river actually gave off a pleasant scent, as if the villagers had filled it with the same flower scented oils they used in the bathhouses. Kelle smiled excitedly as Devyn sat down at the table. “Isn’t the river beautiful, Devyn?”

  “Aye, it is. I had never noticed it before. We never actually stopped here on previous trips to Symbor.”

 
“Each time I would travel through Cedar Falls I would look at this river and hope that someday I would get to enjoy a stay beside it.”

  “I am sorry we have to leave so soon then,” Devyn said.

  Kelle smiled and took his hand.

  A few moments later, a portly man came out of the inn carrying a tray with bacon, scrambled eggs, biscuits, and fresh fruit on it. “Enjoy!” he said, bowing and backing away.

  Devyn put his hand into his pant pocket and took hold of the little statuette, but he released it, deciding he would give it to her after breakfast. Kelle made them both a plate of food from the tray while the innkeeper brought out two goblets of spring wine. Devyn took a gulp from his goblet and the bubbles tickled his nose. After eating and light conversation, Kelle finished her goblet of spring wine and started to get up from the table. “No, wait, Kell, I have something I want to give you.” Kelle sat back down excitedly. Devyn fumbled for the figurine and pulled it from his pant pocket. “Here, I found this in a small shop on the way. Sorry, I didn’t have time to wrap it properly, but I hope you like it.”

  “Oh, Devyn, it is lovely, but I have nothing to give in return.”

  “You have given me this fine breakfast.”

  Kelle hugged Devyn and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  “We had better get back to the wagon,” he said uncomfortably. He suddenly wished to avoid any awkwardness. “I don’t want to be left here.”

  Kelle beamed at Devyn and nodded.

  DEVYN LEFT KELLE AND walked grinning to meet Rennon on the wagon. His friend was looking at him like he had lost his mind when he pulled himself up to the driver’s seat.

  “Did you enjoy your breakfast?” Rennon asked Devyn as he snapped the reins.

  Devyn eyed his friend in a moment of contemplation. “Actually, I did. Why do you ask?”

  “No reason, I just saw you two walking hand in hand when not three days ago Kelle looked as if she would rather kiss a mule than you.”

  “Well, you know Kell; she can’t hold a grudge more than a few days.”

  “Lucky for you. So, you ironed out the problem then?”

  “Not exactly. I’m still not sure what the problem is, and every time I have tried to bring it up she manages to shut me down.”

  “I suppose she got over it enough to forgive you but not so much as to forget. Either that, or there was no reason other than she was emotional and wanted to be angry at you.”

  Devyn stifled a yawn. “I suppose either could be true. I’m just glad she is talking to me at all again, and I will not spoil that with silly questions.” Devyn was not sure, but he thought he heard a hint of jealousy in Rennon’s speech. “Why all of the questions?” Devyn asked.

  “No reason; I’m just making small talk to pass the time. If you want to talk about something else, feel free.”

  “What has been bothering you? You’ve been in a strange mood ever since we left Brookhaven.”

  “I have many things on my mind. If I’ve been short with you, I apologize.”

  “It isn’t that you have been short with me as much as you just seem different like you are preoccupied with your thoughts.”

  Rennon sighed. “I guess I have been preoccupied, especially since we started this trip.”

  “Why?” Devyn asked.

  “This trip feels strange to me.”

  “Strange how?”

  “It’s a feeling I have but can’t explain. I don’t trust Lady Shey; I’ll tell you that much.”

  “What’s wrong with Lady Shey?” Devyn knew the answer but asked anyway, out of curiosity of what his friend might say.

  Rennon glared at Devyn apprehensively. “Seriously? For one thing, she’s a dangerous wielder up to no good. We shouldn’t even be traveling with her. If the Enforcers find out, they will arrest us right along with her. How can you trust her?”

  “I never said I trusted her. I can’t see the harm in traveling with her though, wielder or not. Enforcers always come when someone is blatantly disrupting a village or stirring up trouble on a larger scale. I haven’t seen Lady Shey do either’ in fact, I haven’t seen her use much of her magic at all.”

  “Well, I still won’t trust a wielder,” Rennon stated adamantly.

  “In a few days we’ll be back in Brookhaven, and all this will be behind us. Lady Shey will probably leave not long after we get home, if not sooner.”

  “I suppose.” Rennon eyed the reins in his hand. “I guess I can tolerate a wielder long enough for us to get this trip over with.”

  “Good,” Devyn said.

  Just after midday, the small caravan sighted the port city of Symbor. Devyn was awestruck at the enormity of the city; he had been to Symbor before, but the sight never ceased to amaze him. Rows and rows of two-story houses were jumbled together on curved cobblestone streets. It was one of the oldest cities in the known world, built from an older interior city once known as Paladine, which had been built upon over time to expand out the town to its present size and renamed Symbor after the capital city lost in The Blight. The waterfront extended on as far as he could see, with sailing and merchant ships all moored together along the pier, and from this distance he could see the king’s palace. Devyn noticed that Kelle had climbed up onto the roof of the red, wooden merchant wagon to get a better view of the city. Lady Shey remained in the wagon, and he surmised she had seen more impressive cities than Symbor and was probably indifferent.

  “Do you have the shipping master’s dock number, Devyn?” Rennon asked.

  “I believe my father put the dock number in the coin pouch he gave me. We can go directly to the dock and drop off the wagon. Master Draper has stables for the team.”

  “We are leaving the wagon at the dock overnight?” Rennon asked.

  “We will not trade until tomorrow. Don’t worry, Rennon; the wagon will be safe.”

  “Where do we go after we drop them off then?”

  “Father has a line of credit in Symbor at the Dragon’s Eye Inn; we’ll get lodging there.”

  “Good, it’ll probably take that long to shop for the dry goods your father needs anyway,” Kelle added, moving to a small perch just behind the driver’s seat.

  “Did you just leap down here from the roof of the wagon?” Devyn asked.

  “Aye, I did. Why? Are you worried about me?”

  Devyn shook his head.

  As the small caravan neared the city gates, Devyn readied his merchant papers for the guards. After showing the documents and a quick inspection of the wagon, the party entered the city gates of Symbor, capital, and largest city of the kingdom of Symboria.

  Since it was about midday, people rushed around the cobblestone streets at a frantic pace, largely ignoring anyone and anything around them. Shops of all kinds lined the main street, and a few shop owners tried to haggle with passersby. It was well into the day as the party finally crossed the city to the docks and located the dock number they needed. It was near dusk by the time they reached the Dragon’s Eye Inn not far from the docks and only a short distance from the eastern gate. Devyn had no trouble securing rooms at the Inn, and soon they had all sat down in the common room to eat the evening meal. They took up two large dining tables in all, but the common room was less than full, so no one cared. Devyn could not help to compare the structure to the Tiger’s Head Inn. It was spacious but not quite as luxurious, and it felt less lived in with décor that was much more plain.

  The sound of crashing kitchenware directed their attention to the table of one man who appeared to be intoxicated. He wore fine clothing for someone of his dubious appearance. His maroon tunic with gold embroidery complimented his black trousers and polished boots, and his hair was a bit unkempt. His intoxication was apparent by his constant fumbling while trying to pat the female servant’s backside each time she walked within range. He wore a black goatee, and his black hair had silvered at his temples. Devyn noticed that Lady Shey eyed the man suspiciously; she and Sylvalora looked at each other, rolled their eye
s, and shook their heads in dissatisfaction.

  “Shameful display,” Devyn heard Lady Shey whisper to Sylvalora.

  “Indeed,” Sylvalora whispered back.

  “Should we invite him over?” Lady Shey inquired.

  “Absolutely,” Sylvalora grinned back.

  Devyn was appalled; he did not want the drunkard at his table. He squinted and suddenly recognized the man. “Is that Gondrial?”

  Lady Shey nodded to Devyn before making a motion with her hand to the drunken man. He smiled, grabbed his tankard of ale and stumbled toward their table, sloshing it onto the floor and almost tripping over a chair.

  “What is he doing here?” Devyn whispered urgently to Lady Shey, but she ignored him.

  The man reached Lady Shey and kissed the top of her hand awkwardly. “My Lady Shey,” he slurred, “so nice to see you again.”

  “I wish I could say the same, Gondrial, but once again you have pickled your brain in ale. It is not very becoming, you know.”

  Gondrial looked hurt at first, but then he perked up. “Is it not? I never would have guessed being drunk could be as damaging to one so virulent as I. Thank you so much, my lady, for pointing it out. I will sober up at once.” He sloshed out more ale. “Well, after five or six more tankards, I promise it’s the straight and narrow.”

  “Oh, be silent, Gondrial, and sit down before you fall down,” Lady Shey said with a half-cocked smile.

  He noticed Devyn. “Why, Devyn Adair, my how you have grown.”

  “Hello Gondrial, is there an inn around here you haven’t been drunk in?”

  “Oh, snarky lad. How is the Tiger’s Head Inn? I haven’t been there since—”

  “Since you were thrown out.” Devyn reminded him. “I waited for you to return. I was just a boy.”

  “I will make it up to you,” he garbled his words.”

  Rodraq pulled up a stray chair and placed it under Gondrial as he was half-sitting and half-falling. Gondrial plopped down on the seat, surprised his backside had found solid backing.

  “How long have you been in Symbor, Gondrial?” Lady Shey asked.

  “I arrived this morning.” He looked around at the persons sitting at the table as if he had only just noticed them. “Who are all of these other people? I thought you were coming with Rodraq and a couple of guards.”