The Heartfelt Saga

by Dustin De Felice

  Chapter 6

  April 1st, 770; Hearttowne and the River Inn

  Talon was a full day ahead of schedule as he trotted past the castle entrance and headed over the Teal River towards Hearttowne. He knew the other side of the bridge well, having spent so much time in Hearttowne back before the war. The bridge was the largest of its kind in the kingdom, the pride of King Heartfelt.

  Talon was alone on the bridge this morning, but the river was full of traffic. Of course, only a small number of boats were heading north in bold defiance of the boycott.

  The rest were loaded to the till and heading to Redderin. The war revitalization had created a booming industry for the merchants in both townes and even two years later the volume was still being moved. Talon was happy to see things returning to a more normal state than the last time he had been around.

  He wondered how far along the relations had grown between the castle and Redderin. He knew the increased trade between the townes must have lessened the differences and closed the gap that had existed since the early days. With Redderin a full Vassal now, Talon was glad to see that that part of Valerica’s history was no longer a hot spot.

  Talon trotted onto the Hearttowne side of the bridge and the path branched off in various directions, so he broke off of the main path that went into the center of the towne. He trotted along the waterfront and went past the handling docks for the Teal River. Watching the merchants load their boats, Talon spotted his destination ahead of him right in front of the Northern handling docks.

  The River Inn was run by a friend of Talon’s grandfather and was where Talon preferred to spend his time when he was in towne. The inn had a number of rooms, but was mostly known for its front restaurant and bar. The sign hanging from off the front porch was a carving of an owl that had been the proprietor’s friend for years. That old owl died just before the start of the War of Occupation.

  The River Inn’s owner, Minty Stevens, was an old family friend who had grown up with Talon’s grandfather. When both men became of age, Minty inherited the Inn, while Grandfather Bastian took the vow to become a Guardsmen. Rumor had it that Minty knew Grandfather Bastian well, although no matter how hard Talon tried, he could never get a story out of him.

  Barlow once told Talon that when both their grandfather and Minty were younger they courted the same young woman from Redderin. It seems it was a fierce competition between the two and the lady wasn’t ready to make a choice. Both men went back and forth in their efforts to court her, but Grandfather Bastian was called away to the Northern Border to aid with the defense of Valerica. Upon his return months later, he found her married to Minty. Grandfather didn’t know how to handle it, so he stopped seeing them both. A few years later the lady passed away and for some unknown reason Grandfather Bastian didn’t show up at the funeral.

  Years later, the men would reunite for most of their adult life, until they would split apart for good. Barlow had told him that the details were even sketchier, but it seems Minty wanted grandfather to use his influence to make some changes with the relations between the Redderins. Grandfather tried his best, but wound up isolating himself from the inner circles of the crown. During a heated argument between the men, they just walked away from each other. It would be many years before they would see each other again and time didn’t allow them the luxury of reconciliation, for Grandfather Bastian passed away shortly after the brief reunion. Minty never spoke of his grandfather with Talon, though he would often try and coax a story out of him.

  As Talon grew closer he could see that the inn looked closed. It sat facing the Northern loading docks and most of those were bare. Talon knew it was early in the morning, but he thought it used to be open for breakfast. He brought his horse up to the front of the inn and dismounted.

  Up close, the place looked no more open than from the path, but after taking care of his horse, he walked up to the door and found that it was open. He stepped inside and saw there was very little light leaking in from the closed shutters.

  “Hello! Minty! Hey, Minty!” Talon waited for a response. “Is anybody home?”

  Silence.

  Talon headed towards the back of the bar where Minty used to live. As he headed that way, he noticed that the bar looked clean and there were mugs and large baskets across the counter and behind the bar. Talon walked passed the bar and found the door he was looking for in the darkness. It was in the back of the dining area behind the main area of the bar, but this door was locked. Talon knocked and was rewarded with silence. His imagination kicked in and fearing the worst, he turned the knob and pushed hard on the door. Much to his surprise, the door fell inward with a loud crack.

  Startling him, Talon cursed out loud and lost his balance, almost falling to the floor with the door as it tumbled to the ground. With the door now open, he looked down the hallway. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and found there was a door directly to his left and two doors at the end of the hallway. The door to his left had a sliver of light under it.

  Talon made his way over the fallen door and stood next to the door on his left. He listened intently for any sound. At first, there didn’t appear to be any sound, but Talon thought he could hear shallow breathing on the other side, almost as if someone was trying to disguise their presence. He wasn’t sure what to do until he heard a shutter lock into place. He watched the bottom of the door as the line of light disappeared.

  Talon knew the element of surprise was against him, since there was no way he wasn’t heard yelling his way through the bar, unless the person on the other side of the door was deaf. Admittedly, breaking down the door hadn’t helped either. Without many options left to him, and already one door in the hole, he pivoted on his left leg and kicked the door in with his full strength, while at the same time freeing his sword from his sheath. He prayed his attacker wasn’t skilled in knife throwing or worse, carrying a crossbow.

  He pushed aside those pleasant thoughts and was surprised as the door, barely half-open, struck something solid. Talon heard a dull thud followed by a metallic sound. With the door fully opened, he moved forward into the room and slowly made his way towards the center of the room. He wasn’t quite past the door when a voice broke the silence.

  “Stay right where you are and don’t move either!”

  Talon quickly adjusted to the light and glanced in the direction of the voice. As far as he could tell, he was alone with his guest.

  Talon immediately recognized the voice and tried to answer, but he heard a footstep behind him. He started to turn around, but didn’t make it around fast enough to miss the bottle being thrown at his face. Thanks to the Bastian family luck, he did turn around fast enough to catch a glimpse of the bottle as it smashed into his temple.

  The force of the blow sent him reeling into the nearest wall, but he didn’t quite make it that far before he tripped over a side table and fell to the floor headfirst. He heard a woman and the shuffling of a body, before he blacked out.

  Talon came to sometime later with a splitting headache. He shifted his position on the floor and, almost immediately, he felt the metal point of a sword against his chin. He followed the length of the blade to his assailant, but the window was directly behind his attacker and the light blocked his view, though the silhouette was definitely one of a woman.

  “Marilyn, let me get a look at him. And be careful with that godforsaken sword.”

  “Uncle, are you hurt? Why are you limping?”

  “Now don’t concern yourself with me. Let’s get to the business at hand.” He turned and moved in closer to Talon. “Who are you and what do you want, stranger?”

  “Minty! Is that really you, Minty?” Talon didn’t think he was talking that loud, but it was making his already pounding head ring. He strained to see if he could make out any features on the woman. “It’s me, Talon. Michael Talon Bastian.”

  “Michael Talon Bastian! Mich…well, what the hell are you doi
ng breaking into my house? Wait a minute, how do I know it’s you? I haven’t seen you in a long time and I sometimes wondered if you were dead. Well, not you, but Michael Talon, well you know what I mean!” Minty stepped closer to get a better look.

  “It hasn’t been that long, besides what is time between old friends? To be honest, I’m not sure what I can do to convince you.” Talon said as he tried to adjust his position on the floor. Marilyn wasn’t happy with that and pushed the sword deeper into his chin.

  “Open the shutters, Marilyn.” Minty watched as Marilyn reluctantly moved over to the shutters with the sword still in hand and still pointing at Talon. Once she opened the shutters light poured in. “Let the stranger stand.”

  It took Talon a little longer to stand up than he wanted to admit to.

  “Good, now you stand into the light, Michael Talon.”

  Talon thought he was in the light, but he moved into the supposedly lighter spot and waited for the verdict.

  Minty squinted and looked him over at least three times before he spoke. “My eyes aren’t half what they used to be, but I knew your grandfather and your father, Talon. Welcome back.” Minty walked over and embraced Talon. Time melted away between the two.

  “Minty, you used to be open around the clock. What’s going on? Is anything wrong?” Talon said as he rubbed his temple and felt the knot that was likely to grow bigger. He took a moment to look around and surmised his was in Minty’s den.

  “A long time you have been gone, too long. This damn boycott has been hurting my business, but let’s sit down in the front room. Marilyn, see that it is presentable.” Minty pointed to the door and indicated that Talon follow him.

  Talon took his first good luck at Minty and surprised at how old he looked. His once black hair was almost replaced by gray hairs and his face was starting to show his age. As Minty started walking to the door, Talon noticed him leaning very hard on a walking stick.

  After one more glance around the room, Talon followed Minty down the hallway. He glanced up at the staircase leading to the few upstairs rooms in the inn and was saddened to see they were boarded up. It might have been the poor lighting, but Talon wasn’t sure the staircase even made it to the top. Those rooms brought back many memories, since Talon had spent many a night in those rooms, mostly working off a hangover before returning to the castle the next morning.

  Talon was brought out of his reverie as he heard Minty grunt as he tried to maneuver around the door that was lying on the floor. Minty mumbled something, but Talon couldn’t hear him. Minty was having trouble as Marilyn ran up to move the door, but wound up helping Minty finish walking over it.

  “Never occurred to knock, Talon?” Minty said as he stepped over the last of the door.

  “Spoils half the fun, don’t you agree?” Talon hoped Minty saw the humor in it.

  “Marilyn, I warn you, stay away from this one. Nothing but trouble.” Minty took him over to a table overlooking the road. “Sit down Talon. Something to drink maybe?” Minty maneuvered himself into a chair.

  “Just some water, thank you.” Talon sat down across from Minty.

  “Marilyn, could you get that water and then join us. So, what brings one of the last of the Bastian’s back to Hearttowne?” Minty’s voice was laced with deep concern.

  “Some old friends came for a visit recently. They asked me for a favor.”

  “You picked the wrong time to pay us a visit. Not even I thought north would pick up where Redderin left off. This boycott has my business in a slump, as you can tell. I am too old to be around for another war.” Minty sank deeper into his chair. “Wait a minute; I have saved something for you. Excuse me while I get it.”

  Minty stood up and headed to the back of the inn. Moments after Minty had disappeared into the inn; Marilyn walked out of the kitchen and raised her eyebrows in alarm when she noticed Minty was gone.

  Talon gave her the once over and noticed she was a very pretty girl, being at least a few years younger than Talon. She was slightly shorter than Talon with a beautiful set of brown eyes. Her hair fell past her shoulders and was a deep brown color.

  Talon felt uncomfortable as she hesitated. placing the tray on the table. She was biting her lower lip and appeared to be genuinely nervous as she placed a mug in front of Talon. She glanced around the room and looked like she wanted to say something.

  “Is anything wrong, Marilyn? That is your name right?” Talon said this with his best smile.

  “Yes, my name is Marilyn. Um, where did my Uncle go?” Marilyn’s eyes searched the bar area.

  “He’s your Uncle, uh, I mean I guess I heard you say that, but I just thought, uh, something else, I guess.” Talon stuttered out.

  “Um, my Uncle. Where is he?” Marilyn said this with alarm creeping into her voice.

  Talon felt the sting of her voice with that comment, but could hardly blame her. Less than five minutes ago, he was caught breaking into her home. Talon wished he could have given her a different first impression.

  “Your Uncle said he had something for me and walked towards the back of the bar.” Talon stood up and offered her a chair.

  “Oh.” Marilyn said without being convinced in the least.

  “Uh, my name is Talon, Michael Talon Bastian, but most people call me Talon. Your Uncle and I go a long way back.” Talon motioned to the chair again and extended his hand to Marilyn. She reached out to Talon, but he could see he had not earned her trust and things weren’t helping that Minty hadn’t returned yet. Marilyn sat down across the table from Talon and was as far from him as possible. She poured Talon’s water and then began to pour a lumpy deep greenish brown liquid into one of the mugs. Talon winced as he watched chunks drop into the mug. He could only imagine what it was, but decided to ask anyway. “What, uh, is that exactly?”

  “My Uncle is a very sick man. This is for his health, whether he likes it or not.” Marilyn finished pouring the concoction into the mug.

  “And I will have you know I don’t like it at all and I bet you couldn’t find another man who does, Marilyn.” Minty was coming through the broken door as he said that. He was able to maneuver around the door this time. He came up to the table and laid a dagger down in front of Talon. The dagger was old and the sheath looked like it had seen better days.

  Minty sat heavily into his chair. “Not as young as I used to be, Talon.” Having settled into his chair he continued, “This dagger belonged to your grandfather. Years ago, when he walked out of Heartfelt, he left this on the bar. I remember visiting him years later on the farm. He was so pissed about that dagger. I told him he could come and get it anytime. Laughed in my face he did. I thought I lost it years ago, but a couple of month’s back the old shed was destroyed. Tree branch crashed right through the roof. Worse lightning storm I’ve seen in awhile. Anyway, one of the many artifacts I found was this dagger. Almost didn’t recognize it, but once I took it out I knew it was your grandfather’s.”

  “I barely knew my grandfather, Minty. He didn’t live long after I was five or six years old.” Talon said as he reached for the dagger.

  “Your grandfather was quite the character. I miss him to this day. Never got the chance to really know your father, though there wasn’t much chance, since I never saw your father leave that damn farm. I only met him on a few occasions in the Farmer’s Region and I could tell he was too much like his old man to ever come to Heartfelt. I honestly don’t know if he ever stepped foot into the castle or this towne.” Minty finished as he looked at his drink.

  “My father did step foot into Heartfelt, though only once. Back when Barlow graduated from the Royal Guard and was given control of the Redderin Guard. My father made the trip, because I guess he thought the Redderin would finally receive a fair shake from the crown, but it wasn’t long after that when he was transferred back to Heartfelt.”

  “Speaking of Barlow, he left something here for you.
Let me get it.” Minty got up once again and headed out, leaving Marilyn and Talon alone. The silence grew to uncomfortable levels as it dragged onward.

  Marilyn finally broke the silence. “Would you care for something more to drink?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Talon tried his smile again.

  “I knew your brother, Talon.” Marilyn said matter-of-factly.

  “You knew Barlow?” Talon couldn’t keep the surprise out of his voice.

  “I am originally from Redderin. My mother was a seamstress with the local guard and I sometimes would help out with the deliveries. The first time I met Barlow was a few months before the war during one of my deliveries. I made the deliveries for my mother with a small pull cart.” Marilyn finished pouring his drink as she continued. “On my way to the grounds, I was stopped by four men with less than honorable intentions. I was only sixteen years old at the time and I was petrified. In the distance, I could see Vassal-grounds, but I was too afraid to run. Before I could react, one of them grabbed the cart from my hands, while another lifted me onto his shoulders. I really thought all was lost, but then this voice came out of nowhere, yet everywhere at the same time, and yelled for them to stop. This stranger told them to let me down and go about their business. I was scared, really scared, but I was just curious enough to want to see who this stranger was.

  It was your brother. He was standing there in full Royal armor and he seemed at that moment to be larger than life. It might seem absurd, but the four men looked like children compared to your brother. Unfortunately, there was one in the group who wanted to prove something, so he pulled out a rusty knife and lunged at Barlow. At the same time the man who was carrying me threw me to the side of the road and took off after Barlow. I watched as your brother dodged the knife and then hit the man so I hard I am sure he broke the man’s wrist. The knifeman fell to the ground in pain as the other man met with a similar fate once your brother threw him. This seemed to quell any further action against Barlow, and me for that matter. Two of the men helped with the fallen one, while the fourth was already running down the road.

  Your brother saved my life that day, and at the very least he saved my dignity. He escorted me the rest of the way and saw to it that I was taken back home with protection. Every time after that someone was sent to meet me if your brother wasn’t able to make it. Don’t think for a second that I didn’t realize what that meant. Most people from Heartfelt wouldn’t have given the time of day to someone from Redderin and especially someone who was from the Royal Guard. Barlow was bigger than his job and I was very sorry to hear of his death. If you don’t mind me asking, how did Barlow die?” Marilyn sat back as she poured herself a drink.

  Talon told her the story of his brother’s death. “I am glad I was able to talk to you. I have missed my brother these past few years. Once he left for the Royal Guard I would only get to see him on occasion and the last time we spoke face to face was at this very table with Minty serving us drinks.”

  He remembered that day like it was yesterday

  “My Uncle told me many stories about the Bastian family and I believe them from meeting your brother all those years ago. What brings you to Heartfelt?” Marilyn said as she took a drink of the water.

  “I was summoned by Prince Christopher. I am scheduled to see him today. That is my plan for the immediate future, but the rest is being decided for me.” Talon said he took another drink of the water. It tasted good and was slightly sweetened with strawberries.

  “That doesn’t bother you, Talon?”

  “I heard the gossip out in the Farmer’s Region about the Northerns and I am too curious to let it go. Besides, what else is there to do? I can’t spend the rest of my life on the farm.” Talon said with more confidence than he felt.

  “Ah, you are definitely a Bastian family member. Would you care for something else to drink?”

  “No, I really don’t have too much more time.” Talon watched the road as a few people walked by the inn.

  “I wonder what is taking Uncle so long. The backrooms are only so big. I hope he is all right.” Marilyn looked beyond the door lying on the floor. Her Uncle’s whereabouts were answered a few moments later.

  With a crash and a curse, Minty appeared in the doorway. He was carrying a bundle of papers and a small case was in his right hand. Marilyn rose to help him out with his load. With Marilyn’s help, he laid down the bundle of papers and the case in front of Talon. Marilyn took the opportunity to disappear into the kitchen as Minty sat down in front of his drink.

  Talon wanted to give him a hard time about his drink, but his curiosity kept his words in check. Before Talon could ask about the papers, he watched Minty pour his drink through the floorboards. He left about a quarter of it in his cup and grabbed the other picture and filled the rest of his cup up with the scented water. With that being done, he winked at Talon and took a long drink. Talon did his best to not start laughing.

  “Minty, uh, I suppose I could keep quiet about that for a small price. I especially think Marilyn will pay quite a bit for knowing what you just did!” Talon joked and could barely keep from laughing.

  “Michael Talon Bastian!” Minty said with as much authority as he could muster. “What Marilyn doesn’t know won’t hurt her and the only price I will give you is a big fat lip. Although I have to admit it was much easier to do with you around. Normally, I have to do a lot more acting to keep Marilyn from finding out.” Minty took a hefty drink of the now diluted concoction.

  As if on cue, Marilyn walked in from the kitchen. She had overheard the last few words that Minty had just said. “What am I not suppose to find out about, Uncle?” Marilyn said with genuine concern.

  Talon could hardly keep from bursting into a fit of laughter and he couldn’t resist egging Minty on. “You know Minty, I am curious too, what do you not want her to find out about?”

  “I might have some years on this body, but I will still take you over my knee and teach you some respect, Talon.” Minty had a cross look on his face and directed an even more sinister look at Talon. “Although seriously Marilyn, I was telling Talon that my leg has been hurting me a little more than usual.” With a quick wink at Talon, Minty steered the conversation in a different direction without Marilyn being any wiser. Minty stood up and shuffled over to Talon. “Those papers were left in your brother’s room during his last visit. I don’t know what they are about, but your brother was called away during the night and left in quite a hurry. The last thing he said to me was that he left some things in the room and he gave me that case as collateral. I wouldn’t accept it, but your brother was as stubborn as your grandfather was. When I cleared his room in the morning I found the case on the bed with a note telling me it was the collateral we discussed for my troubles. Your brother, stubborn to the end. I stored his things and forgot about them until a messenger appeared with the news of his death. I was sorry to hear it. How have you fared since?”

  “It wasn’t what I expected and I went through some bad times. At the same time my father passed away on the farm.” Talon related the story to Minty.

  “I’m sorry, especially that I’m only now finding out about it. I haven’t been able to make any trips to the Farmer’s Region since the war. My leg just won’t last through that long of a horse ride. I would have heard about it from the farmers, since everyone knew your father. He was one of the best farmers they had.” Minty sat back down. “Your grandfather made a good choice by settling over there.”

  “I don’t think he knew how much my father had a green thumb until that first year on the farm. Did Barlow leave anything else?”

  “No, just those papers and that case. I have been waiting awhile for you to come back. I wanted you to have those.” Minty watched Talon look over the items.

  Talon glanced at the bundle of papers, but picked up the small box. He opened it and discovered he was looking at Barlow’s field pin.
Talon had only seen this pin once before. He answered Minty’s unspoken question about what was in the box. “When Barlow was in the general army he had received this pin after a disastrous field exercise. The exercise involved the Redderin Guard and the Royal Guard. Barlow was in a company of sixty men and altogether there were about five hundred troops present. Of course this was back before the war. The basic idea of the exercise was to advance without being seen to achieve victory. There were two major units and through a series of mishaps Barlow was left to lead the last group of men to victory in spite of overwhelming odds. The remaining men that Barlow led to victory held a private ceremony and gave him that pin. He called it his field pin and held it in very high regards.” Talon smiled at Minty and was glad to have possession of it.

  “This show of gratitude to your brother doesn’t surprise me. He was a fine man and an even better soldier.”

  Marilyn took the box and examined the pin more closely. “It is very beautiful, Talon.”

  “I never thought I would see that pin again. It was something Barlow wouldn’t admit to, but I heard that story from a friend of his who was there. My brother never stopped amazing me.” Talon’s attention drifted to the bundle of papers.

  “How long can you stay, Talon?”

  Minty, I’m glad you brought that up. I am supposed to meet the Prince at mid day tomorrow, but I am early. I thought I would get a head start on whatever mission I have been chosen for. I think I should get going, but thank you for, well, for everything. I will try and get back before I am sent off on whatever mission Prince Christopher has for me.”

  “Talon, it has made me happy to see you again and I will hold you to your word. Any chance you get, I expect to see you back here.”

  Everyone rose with Minty’s comment and Talon placed the box inside the bundle of papers while heading for the exit. Once outside Talon placed the bundle into one of his carrying bags and addressed Marilyn. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Marilyn. Please take care of Minty for me!” They shook hands and Marilyn headed back into the inn.

  “She is a fine niece to have. She is trying to get me to move to Redderin and everyday it seems like a better idea, but I just don’t know if I could ever give up Hearttowne.” Minty reflectively glanced at the surrounding area.

  “I bid you farewell Minty and I will do my best to come back a little sooner than the last time.” With that Talon mounted his horse and headed onto the main path. He glanced back at the pack mule and rubbed his horse. “Almost there, girl. You probably need a rest after all this horsing around. Most riding we’ve done in a long time.” Talon quietly laughed at his joke as he wondered what awaited him at the castle.