by Tony Johnson
I'm having so much fun, Kari thought. Now that we aren't running from monsters and fighting for our lives, it's much less stressful. We can sit back and relax and get to know each other like a normal couple.
For the next few hours, they sat, continuing to talk, telling each other their most favorite and awkward stories from growing up in Celestial. Steve shared stories of him, Ty, and Darren, stories of Boot Camp and Warrior Training, and the most exciting things that he had to deal with in his first two years of being a warrior. Kari talked about the animals she’d hunted and her dreams of places she wanted to visit. She also asked Steve to give her insight into the Warriors' Tournaments and how he felt advancing so far into the Tournaments. She explained to him how her father would take her when she was younger and how that was one of her favorite memories.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about your father,” Steve used the mention of Quintis to broach the uncomfortable subject, “but I also wanted to give you time to process everything Uncle Zeke told you back in Serendale.”
“I’ve been thinking about it. A lot,” Kari admitted. “I keep replaying everything he told us as well as what Mr. Sep told us back at Hunter's Den.”
“Do you think it's true? Do you think your father is Malorek from Grizz's vision? Could he actually be the Hooded Phantom?”
“I'm still not sure.”
“Well, let's go over what we know,” Steve offered, trying to help ease her mind by sorting out the details that overwhelmed her. “Princess Kyra eloped with a warrior against the wishes of her parents, King Zoran and Queen Evalyn. We know this warrior was Malorek because he’s Silas’s father. After a falling out, Kyra moved back into the castle, but was murdered along with her mother.”
“Right,” Kari picked the story up from there, “and we know that King Zoran sent warriors to track down Malorek, who was believed to be the murderer. That was the night I was told my father was killed. I’ve been thinking maybe my father was one of the warriors sent after Malorek, but your Uncle Zeke said it was my father who the warriors were after. They found my dad’s arrows in the bodies of the warriors sent by Zoran.”
Kari sighed. “It’s hard to believe my father could’ve led a double life as Malorek, cheating on my mom with the princess.”
“Think about the vision showing Malorek killing his orphanage parents when he was a young adult. Did that look like your dad?”
“I don't know. That's what I've been trying to think about as well, but I was only four years old when he died. I have very few memories of him. When I try to think of his face, I can't picture it in detail. I barely remember what he looked like. It doesn’t help that my aunt and uncle hated him. They destroyed what few portraits there were of him. I do know, in being a Halfling, that I get my Elven side from my mother and my Human side from my father,” she said, clutching at the locket around her neck. “Plus, I’ve done the math and realized my father would have been the same age as Malorek was in Grizz’s vision.”
All this is pretty incriminating, Steve thought, but didn’t want to say it and make Kari feel bad. Instead, he more politely put, “You can't deny the evidence and coincidences that your father and Malorek share.”
“You’re right. I can't. If he is still alive, there's a good chance he is the Phantom. I just want to know the truth!” Kari clenched her fists. “All I have that remains of him is this bow,” Kari nudged the blue weapon with her foot. “Someone found it and gave it to my mom, who wanted nothing to do with it. So I took it. I wish he would’ve left me more. Some clue or answers to what really happened.”
“We can stop thinking about it now if you want,” Steve proposed. “It's enough to drive a person crazy trying to figure it out.”
“Yeah,” Kari agreed. “So many details and such little clarity. But enough about me. I want to talk more about you. How are all your injuries? You're looking a little better, but you still have a lot of bruising and scabs over your cuts. There's bound to be some scars left over.”
“That's okay. I've been collecting scars since the first year I was born,” Steve said, pulling down his armor to remind her of the mysterious scar on his neck that Kari had noticed back in the Evergreen Forest. “The scars and injuries I got from the siege are just more stories I'll be able to tell my kids someday when they ask where I got them from. But, honestly, I'm feeling better than I was, although I'm still pretty sore. My shoulder is still healing, but it’s not as stiff. That was by far the worst of it. I can’t complain though. I shouldn’t even be alive considering everything I went through.”
“I'm glad you are though,” Kari said softly. Then, she asked in an equally sweet voice, “Would it be okay if I came closer to you?”
“I’ll come to you,” Steve obliged so she wouldn’t have to move, getting up and positioning himself on the small, wooden bench next to Kari. The Halfling let him put his arm around her as they both gazed out to the horizon.
“You know,” Steve shared, “despite all the gloom and despair with everything happening, the moments like this where it's just you and me have been the best parts of the past week. I liked talking to you in the Evergreen Forest a couple mornings ago and it was fun being with you up here today. I feel at peace when you're next to me.”
Kari nodded. “That’s exactly how I feel too. I'm glad we met each other.” She smiled causing the same expression to emerge on Steve’s face as well.
“Back in Warrior Training I made good friends, but after we all graduated they'd move to other cities or they'd get drafted into another watchtower and I’d hardly ever see them again. I don't want that with you. I don't want to go our separate ways once this is all over.”
“Me neither.”
“Good,” Steve stood, taking her hand in his own to pull her up. The two shared a tight hug, marking the end of their first date together.
“Let's do this again,” Steve recommended. “Hopefully sooner rather than later.”
“I would love to.” Kari could not have been happier.
The two heard growling below and looked over the edge of the crow's nest to see Haruto and Myoki playing with Copper. They were having a tug of war against the direfox, who was easily winning. Copper was bouncing around and his tail was wagging, clearly enjoying himself.
“Come on, let's head down and enjoy the fun,” Steve said excitedly, wanting in on the games. He continued holding Kari’s hand until he was sure she had a firm grasp on the ladder and then descended after her, with the empty lunch basket in one of his hands.
For the rest of the afternoon and night, Steve hung out with Kari and the rest of the crew. Ty eventually joined in as well, feeling much better. They played with Copper, fished off the side of the boat, and Jun-Lei even taught each of them how to steer the ship. But even in all the fun, the heroes’ minds were on Grizz, who didn't accompany them. The Dwarf had declined their invitations to join the various activities. He laid by himself, in his cot in the forecastle, trying to sleep so he wouldn't have to think about the deaths of his family which constantly plagued his mind.
The ship’s alcohol, which up to that point had been freely available in the kitchen, was locked up in Jun-Lei’s quarters after Kari shared her story of her uncomfortable encounter with him. The fact that Grizz had an elemental power behind his unchecked emotional and mental state made everyone uneasy. But despite feeling sad and sorry for their Dwarven friend, Steve, Ty, and Kari had their best day since escaping Celestial.
The Human and Halfling held hands as they called it a night and headed to their sleeping quarters. Ty walked behind them, also heading to bed. In the past, whenever Steve was developing a friendship with a girl, Ty would jeer him and make fun of him, but now Ty could only smile.
They're the perfect match, he thought as he watched them teasing each other in front of him. Kari seems like a stand-up girl. I can't imagine anyone better for my brother than her. I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at her. Their happiness mak
es me happy. I only hope someday I can find what they have.
“Goodnight guys,” Ty said, leaving the two alone outside the forecastle to talk amongst themselves while he headed in to sleep.
“I had a fun day with you,” Kari confessed. “I can't remember the last time I was as happy as I was today.”
Me too, Steve thought, before finding himself glancing at her lips. Every part of me wants to kiss her, but I don't want to move too quickly in this relationship and ruin anything.
“Well, we should get to bed,” Kari said. “Will you tuck me in and kiss me on the cheek like last night?” she asked, cutting through the tension of the moment where she too, was wondering if he would kiss her or not.
“Of course. That'll cap off this day the right way.”
“Goodnight,” Kari said minutes later, after Steve had tucked her in and kissed her.
“Goodnight,” he replied, “I hope tomorrow goes as well as today did.”
“Me too,” Kari said, before turning over and closing her eyes.
Unfortunately, what they hoped for would not come to pass. It would be another horrible day, just like the siege and the finding of Serendale had been.
Blood would be shed on Andonia, and more than four people would meet their end.
Chapter 68
Grizz tossed and turned in his sleep, dreaming of the Python, goblins, and direboars rampaging through Serendale and killing everyone. He dreamt about his wife Juliana and his two sons, Liam and Nash, huddled together in the center of the schoolhouse as monsters boarded up the doors and windows. The smell of smoke made them cough as it slowly filled the room. Then, the flames grew hotter and closer with each passing second until everyone screamed as the fire burned them alive.
With a jolt, Grizz woke and hit his head on Ty’s cot above him. Sweating profusely, he wiped his forehead on his blanket and laid back down.
Waking or sleeping their deaths are all I can think about. I don't know what to do. I'm going crazy. Inebriation was the only thing that made me so out of it I couldn't remember what was real or where I was. At least then everything was numb, but the crew decided to lock it up the alcohol because they thought I was getting out of control. I'm so tired of not being able to sleep because of these nightmares.
Getting up, Grizz looked from Steve to Ty to Kari, all asleep in their cots. I can't talk to any of you because none of you know what I'm going through. None of you have ever been married or been parents only to have your family ripped away from you without warning.
Stepping over Copper who was curled up on the floor, the Dwarf headed outside and went up above the forecastle cabin to the forecastle deck. Even though it was raining heavily and the wind had picked up tenfold, he found it soothing. He stared over the railing at the bow of the boat, watching the swirling dark water beneath.
Part of me wants to jump into the sea and drown. The only reason I choose to stay alive is to kill the Python and every single goblin that attacked Serendale. Once I accomplish that, I’ll be content to take my life, and not even my element will be able to save me.
Hearing a slamming sound and a curse word uttered somewhere behind him on the main deck, Grizz walked to the opposite end of the forecastle deck to look down over the center of the ship. At nights, the crew lit sconces throughout the ship so the light of the flames would serve as a warning to other ships of their presence while also providing some illumination to anyone who needed to move around on Andonia. Because of the small, contained fires, Grizz saw a mysterious figure darting up from the kitchen, carrying food.
Who is that? he questioned, as the figure strategically ran from shadow to shadow, avoiding the sconces’ firelight as much as possible. Grizz hid behind the nearby mast as the person, who appeared to be a male adult, snuck up to the very deck he was on and crawled under a pile of cargo.
It appears we have a stowaway, Grizz realized, walking over to expose the person who he could tell wasn’t Steve, Ty, or Haruto. Whoever it is has made a makeshift home for themself up here. I don't know if this person is desperate enough to attack me or not, but we're about to find out.
Even though he wasn't wearing his armor or carrying his weapon, Grizz wasn't afraid to confront the man. Many times in his past, his hands and strength had been enough to subdue anyone who attacked him.
Picking up a heavy roll of cloth the stowaway was hiding under, Grizz tossed it to the side with a heave. Immediately, the Dwarf’s eyes burned with anger at who he had found. He knew the man who had taken refuge on Andonia. Instead of the stowaway attacking Grizz, it was Grizz who struck the stowaway.
“Krause!” Grizz bellowed, picking Serendale's Commander up by his collar and throwing him into a barrel filled with drinking water. Grizz immediately stood over the warrior leader and repeatedly punched and kicked him. “You abandoned Serendale, you coward! It was your duty to stay and protect, not run and hide.”
The commander reeled back and cowered on the ground in the fetal position. There was nothing he could do to stop the rage of the Dwarf.
“Don't kill me!” Krause cried, trembling. “You can't! I'm a commander! This is treason!”
“A commander?” Grizz questioned, pummeling Krause even harder as he yelled him. “A commander is the first to charge and the last to retreat, not the first one to run away! Do you even know what became of Serendale? It's destroyed! All of it! My wife and children are dead! Everyone's dead! And it's all your fault!”
Grizz gave Krause a powerful kick to the face, sending two of the commander's teeth scattering across the deck. Krause dizzily tried getting up and running away, but he collapsed to the deck, too injured to escape. He couldn't open one of his eyes, which was already puffing up. Blood was dripping down from a cut over his eyebrow, which washed down his face by the pounding rain.
Grizz, not yet wanting to be finished with his assault, but too exhausted to expend energy by continuing to beat up the commander, sat down on a nearby crate. “You were a horrible commander,” he said through winded lungs as he continued to berate the man he hated. “You had weak plans to combat monsters around Serendale. The direwolves and spiders were out of control and you should've done something when you heard the rumors of the goblins banding together in the north. And don’t even get me started on Sabertooth. You screwed that up by not listening to my advice. If you would've sent out a larger party of warriors, we would've been able to find and defeat that direcat faster and the lives of many men would’ve been spared. We all would've been back in Serendale when the Python attacked.”
Looking down while rubbing his bloodied knuckles, Grizz explained the thing that had been making him angry more than anything else for the past few days. “I may not have been able to save my family, but at least I could've died along with them. I blame you for that. I know you're never going to feel the amount of pain that I feel but I'm going to make sure I bring you as close as I possibly can.”
Now rested, Grizz was about to stand up and continue attacking Krause, but he stopped when the commander held up his hands in front of him, pleading for the Dwarf not to strike again.
Beginning to panic and cry at the same time, Krause lamented, “I never even wanted to be the commander. I never even wanted to be a warrior,” he said, spitting out blood from his mouth. “I’m scared of monsters, of fighting, of death. I wanted no part of the life my forefathers loved, but I felt forced into the profession because I didn’t want to disappoint them. I know I wasn’t naturally good at it like they were. It's not like I didn’t realize how many men died because of my bad strategies. But I couldn’t step down from my position. I would’ve ruined a long legacy of reveration of the Krause name.
“I know I'm a coward and it was wrong of me to leave Serendale, but please, let me live. I don't want cowardice to be my final act in life.”
“I can't honor that request,” Grizz defied, standing up and moving towards the commander who was now scooting away from him. “You need to pay for what you
've done. You have no right to be alive with the amount of blood on your hands.”
Knowing that he needed to knock out Krause so that he wouldn't scream and alert the crew when thrown overboard, Grizz stepped forward and powerfully kicked the commander in the skull, rendering him unconscious. Then, after checking to make sure he wasn't in the line of sight of Kyoko, who was on the other end of Andonia steering the ship, he picked up the limp body and carried it over to the edge of the ship to throw Krause into the depths of Lake Azure.
Hearing a thump on the forecastle deck above where he slept, followed by the sounds of arguing voices, Steve wrote it off as the waves splashing the sides of the ship. But when he closed his eyes again, he distinctly heard Grizz’s booming, deep voice.
Who could he be yelling at at this hour? Steve thought, knowing it was some time in the middle of the night. Neither Ty, Kari, nor Copper heard the noises. They're all still sleeping.
Before he headed out of the cabin, the warrior grabbed Brightflame from the storage chest and buckled its sheath around his waist. Staying in the cover of the shadows, Steve remained out of sight as he climbed the forecastle deck’s ladder to analyze the situation and figure out how to best deal with it.
Who is that? he wondered, peeking out from behind the deck's mast and seeing a man who was not a part of the crew. He watched Grizz kick the unarmored man in the head, and then pick up the lifeless body and move to throw it overboard.
“Grizz! Stop!” Steve called out, walking forward into the open space illuminated by a nearby sconce.
With his shoulder’s slumping, disappointed he’d been caught before he could carry out the murder, Grizz turned to confront Steve and dropped the body on the deck. “Stay out of this! It's none of your business.”
“I’m a warrior, Grizz. I took an oath to protect unarmed, innocent people. Back away from him!” Steve added forcefully.
“This is the commander of Serendale,” Grizz explained, clearly frustrated he had to waste his time justifying his actions. He squinted as he spoke, annoyed at the trickle of rain running into his eyes. “If you want to talk about oaths, then what about his oath? He promised to protect his people, but he abandoned them!”