Rojuun

by John H. Carroll

  Chapter 20

  A gentle mountain breeze brushed against Tathan’s cheeks in the clear night air. Most large cities he had lived in reeked of unwashed people, trash and other such odors, but Puujan was clean with no trash in the streets.

  Streetlights with a blue-tinted magical glow made it easy for him to see. Villages were often lit by torch, as were the slums of larger cities. The richest had magical lights lining the streets. Most extraordinary of all was Dralin, a city of magicians and business where the lights were multicolored and chaotic.

  Tathan looked at the buildings as he walked up the street. Shutters were occasionally open and nowhere did he see bars protecting the windows to keep thieves out. It bothered him more than if there had been bars. There were different ways to deal with thieves in a city. If there were no bars in the windows, it meant there would be a way to deal with thieves that would deter them from wanting to enter a window.

  The street led to a large, well-lit plaza with an ornate fountain in the middle. A few people moved about their business. He stood at the corner of the street to study them awhile. Siahray was large in the sky and a Rojuun woman was sitting at an easel by the fountain, painting it. A group of young men and women walked through the place on their way to begin a night out on the town. Others looked to be on their way home from whatever jobs they had. One man had flowers and an eager look on his face, most likely going to meet his sweetheart.

  The one thing Tathan didn’t see was anyone else watching the plaza. It was a prime spot for a rogue to find targets, yet no one lurked in the few shadows that existed. There also didn’t appear to be any guards about. Nothing about Puujan was right to Tathan. Tathan decided to head toward the mountain side of the city. Perhaps there would be something there.

  Halfway down the next street Tathan tumbled to the side, coming up with sword in hand. He swung at the air around him twice, not hitting anything. A cold sweat broke out over his body. Nothing was there. He lashed out at the air in anger. Illumination from streetlights was hungrily sucked into the dark blade.

  He swung his sword through the air a few more times to punish it for being empty. Someday the air might get cranky at him for the abuse, but he didn’t care. After sliding the sword back into its sheath, Tathan continued up the street.

  A moment later, he saw one of the Rojuun gliding in his direction. It moved much like the one in the inn and wore a colorful robe of swirled blue and yellow. Tathan stayed to his side of the street, watching the creature out of the corner of his eye.

  The Rojuun angled to approach him. “You will assist me human.” It gestured at Tathan’s sword. “You wear a weapon at your side and you walk in the ways of the stalstalkuur which hunts deep caves looking for prey.”

  This Rojuun, like the one from the inn, spoke with two voices at once. Tathan looked closely at the throat and noticed that it was especially thick. He wondered if perhaps there was more than one windpipe in their necks. “Yes, I wear a sword, though I’ve never heard of a stalstalkuur.”

  “I need humans good with weapons. There will be danger and pay. You will now retrieve more humans with weapons and come to my house for your assignment,” it demanded pleasantly.

  “Oh . . . umm . . . where exactly is your house?” It took all of Tathan’s effort not to rebel against being told what to do.

  “I am Jarrrn Garrrn and my house is in a place.” The Rojuun rolled the r sound in his names with both voices.

  “Uhh . . . all right. My friends are good with weapons, but they’re asleep. Do you need me to wake them and come now?”

  “Yes. The danger is urgent and human warriors are needed now.” With that, Jarrrn Garrrn turned around and glided back the way he came.

  Tathan stood there stupidly for a moment before following. It was easy as Jarrrn never looked back to see if anyone was behind him.

  Before long, they were in the Rojuun District at the base of the mountains. The houses were a riot of colors. Their yards had grass with trees manicured in various shapes. Tathan paused for a moment to take it all in. It was as though someone had given a child a rainbow and chisel and then let him loose upon the city.

  He turned to search for Jarrrn Garrrn who was far down the street. Tathan hurried to keep up. In a moment, he was within range of the Rojuun who turned right onto another street heading closer to the mountain. Tathan saw him walking past a few houses before entering a gate.

  It was a dark blue house with yellow and green highlights. Odd shaped bushes filled the yard. Night flowers, which worshipped moonlight, were blooming while flowers needing sunlight remained closed for the night. The wings on the house were predominately yellow with green tinting the outer edges.

  Tathan headed back to the inn. Now that he had found the house, he would be able to return here anytime. Tathan had a perfect memory for anywhere he had ever been. Even in the city of Dralin he had been able to retrace his steps though wizards had a habit of casting spells to confuse people who passed by their towers.

  It didn’t take long to get back to the White Tree Inn. He thought about climbing back into his window, but chose to walk in the front door instead. A quick scan of the room showed that Hulda was gone and a different bartender was cleaning up.

  Sir Danth was sitting at their original table with his back still against the wall. He looked at Tathan, then at the stairs to the rooms and then back again. Tathan grinned and jerked his head for the knight to follow him. They went up the stairs to Liselle’s room and knocked on the door. Vevin opened it, smiling and bobbing. He stood aside to let them in.

  Liselle was sitting up on the edge of the bed, wiping the sleep out of her eyes. Her hair was mostly dry after the bath she had taken before bed. It glistened in the purple ball of light Vevin had cast near the ceiling.

  Tathan took a seat on the one simple chair in the room. Sir Danth stood just inside of the door while Liselle remained sitting on the bed in her night robe. Vevin, incapable of standing still, shuffled from side to side.

  “While walking along a street, one of the Rojuun came up to me. His name was Jarrrn Garrrn.” Tathan did his best to repeat the name, but his tongue didn’t roll as easily. “That’s not exactly how it sounded, but it’s as close as I can get with only one voice.”

  “What did he want?” Sir Danth asked.

  “He ordered me to get more people with weapons and come to his house for an assignment.”

  “Ordered you, Cousin?” Liselle raised an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine that went over well.”

  He chuckled in response. “I didn’t like it, but wasn’t about to cause problems. They give orders in a nice tone, but they’re definitely orders. I’m not sure what would happen if I refused or didn’t respond.”

  “We are looking for work here with the Rojuun,” Sir Danth said. “It would make sense to accept, especially if they want people with weapons.” He touched the hilt of his sword over his shoulder. “I believe you to be capable with a sword while Master Vevin is a dragon. But regardless of how capable either of you are, I can handle any danger that comes our way. There is little that can stand against me short of an army. Or a dragon,” he admitted with a glance at Vevin.

  Vevin did a little spin and grinned at Sir Danth.

  “I’m sure the three of us can handle any danger we may be asked to face,” Tathan said.

  “Well then, you won’t need me, will you?” Liselle’s jaw was set and her cheeks flushed with anger.

  “We meant no offense Milady. You may travel with us, but we will need you to stay aside should danger approach.” It was probably the worst thing Sir Danth could have said.

  “Of course I should. I will stand aside like a weak little girl who is obviously not capable of doing anything worthwhile due to the fact that she does not possess a sword.” She stood. Blue fire lit her eyes again.

  Sir Danth noticed this and took a step back, bumping into the door.

&n
bsp; The young woman projected an aura of menace worse than Tathan had seen in the field of flowers. He was thankful there were no flowers in the room.

  “I sincerely apologize, Milady.” Sir Danth was repentant. “Your ability is very calm most of the time. I did not see the power within you.” The knight stood straighter and put his fist to his chest. “For this, I apologize.”

  Liselle stared at him and then turned her attention to the other two, staring each of them down. “I don’t like killing and will leave matters requiring violence to you. But!” She pointed a finger in the air. “Do not make the mistake of thinking that I will meekly stand aside and cower like a little girl. When my abilities are needed, I will do my best to use them.” She became unsure of herself, the fire dying from her eyes. “I don’t fully understand them to be honest with you. I’m still learning.”

  “Of course, Milady. We will not restrict you,” Sir Danth said reassuringly. “It is customary for companions to know each other’s manner of battle. I suggest we discuss basic tactics so that we may account for each other.”

  “Good idea,” Tathan said.

  Sir Danth folded his arms behind his back. “To be honest, I have not fought a battle in centuries. I’ve kept my skills sharp through drills though.”

  “That’s wise,” Tathan said. “It would’ve been easy to ignore them. I’d imagine you need a good amount of room to swing that beast.” He pointed at the hilt above the knight’s shoulder.

  “Aye. It would be best to let me take a good lead ahead of the group, say twenty paces or so. I can handle the first hundred of anything that should try to attack us, but sometimes things get through.”

  They stared at the knight, realizing that he wasn’t boasting. Tathan spoke up next. “I’m good at scouting ahead. I’ll be able to let you know what’s coming and how many, then I can drop back and handle anything that gets past Sir Danth.”

  “Good plan,” Sir Danth agreed. “I like it. A scout is always useful and can save lives.” He turned to Liselle. “And you, Milady, what do you know that you are able to do?”

  “I’m good with a bow, but it’s in the Druid village. Besides that, I’m able to create blue fire and talk to flowers. It doesn’t sound like much, but . . .” she trailed off, not knowing how to quantify her abilities.

  Tathan came to her defense. “I’ve seen the fire. It’s substantial and capable of damage. My cousin has good control over it as well.” He paused, unable to say that a field of flowers had intimidated him. “I don’t know how things will work with the flowers, but I feel that it’ll come in valuable at some point.”

  Liselle gave him a thankful smile for the support. “I also have some healing abilities, so should anyone receive injuries, which aren’t life threatening, I can help.”

  “Oh yes! You made my cheek feel much better,” Vevin said.

  “Excellent. That leaves you, Master Vevin.” Sir Danth spread his arms. “I know you are a dragon in human form. How do you fight when something attacks you?”

  Tathan was curious to know the answer to that as well.

  Vevin stopped dancing. There was a puzzled look on his face. “I usually just eat them, or slash their throat with a claw if I’m not hungry, or destroy them with lightning or magic.” He ran a hand through his purple hair. “I haven’t been attacked very often, being a dragon and all.”

  “Are you able to cast the lightning and magic in human form, Master Vevin?” Sir Danth asked.

  Vevin inhaled, filling up his lungs. When he exhaled, a purple mist came out of his mouth and spread around his body. Small bolts of lightning ran through the fog. His liquid-silver eyes swirled and his hair ruffled from the magical wind affecting only him.

  With one large inhale, the lightning charged mist disappeared back into his mouth. Vevin stood with arms out wide and head up in a grand gesture. And then he began a magic dance with extra spins.

  They applauded him. Not only had the dragon made it seem effortless, but he also had style.

  Sir Danth put a hand up for attention. “I put forward this plan for battle should we find it. Master Tathan shall scout ahead, discovering numbers and details of the enemy.” The knight gestured toward Tathan, who nodded in agreement. “When it comes time to engage, I shall confront the main force and do maximum damage.” He put his hand upon his breastplate. “Master Vevin and Lady Liselle will provide magical support and protect the rear from surprise attacks while Master Tathan handles any enemies that try to get away.” He finished with a flourish.

  “That works for me,” Tathan agreed. “We can work out further details as we learn more about each other.”

  Liselle and Vevin nodded.

  “I say we go to see Jarrrn Garrrn then.”

  They gathered their things together and informed the bartender downstairs that they didn’t know if or when they would be back. Then they walked into the night air and headed toward the house of Jarrrn Garrrn.