The Legend of Alundi - Journey to the Emerald Skull

by Russell Claridge

  ~~~~

  4

  Market Day

  Market day in Four Points was only one week away. Knorrest intended to make a good amount of coin on the blades Alundi had made with Alundi receiving half of the coin. To keep up with demand Alundi travelled to the base of the Harana Mountains again, this time with a carriage and a shivering Conner to pick up a number of different stones for grinding. Knorrest also instructed Alundi to make an additional twelve large knives similar to the ones he had already made and a few single-handed swords. Knorrest was taking a greater interest in the way Alundi worked and it was more the case of Alundi showing Knorrest not Conner how to do things. The forge was becoming a joyful place to be. Some evenings when Conner, Alundi and even Knorrest worked, many people of the village would come out from the Inn to watch them work. Little Annabel was normally the first to enter. For the rest of the week Knorrest was going to devote all the time he had to forging blades. His healthy competition with Foru notwithstanding, Alundi also believed that Knorrest could see the coin to be made. The weather had turned bitter and sharp. It took almost an hour past high sun to rid the ground and buildings of frost. The ground itself was getting harder and the winds from the mountains were getting stronger. Winter would soon consume Mountain Rise, a curse and blessing all in one. It could prevent Assard from arriving any time soon but on the other hand it also could hinder anyone else who may come looking for Little Annabel. The Annabels were going to Four Points and Alundi would have no chance in trying to convince them otherwise, so he did not try. However he was able to convince Annabel that he was to accompany Little Annabel all the time she was there. It took a great deal more work to convince Little Annabel, but eventually she conceded defeat. Alundi had talked with Assard. His journey was difficult but he was making better time than he thought he would. There was however, no chance that he would be there before Market Day. 

  Alundi was eating with the Annabels every other day and sometimes Meredith would join them. Alundi had worked off what he owed Meredith fixing seven candle fittings and making some more. Repairing one of her large frying pans and rebuilding her log burning stove, which did take him the better part of the day, as he did not have a clue what he was doing. Tonight Alundi was going straight to the Annabels after he finished in the forge. Like always Little Annabel was standing at the door’s entrance as he walked up. Letting him in, he followed her into the kitchen. Alundi had helped Annabel with the Sampa seeds and her wall was now covered in small bowls full of the lavender furry pulp. Alundi had also given Annabel some coin so she could purchase more bowls from Lara, Mountain Rise’s potter. She had tried to refuse but Alundi was insistent, stressing that her coin would have to be spent on more important things. These things Alundi was here to talk about. As normal they ate first, each sharing stories of what they had done in the past. This time Alundi insisted that Little Annabel stay while they started planning for the inevitable journey they would have to take. 

  ‘A tent is the major purchase we will need to make. If we have to leave in the winter, and I hope we do not, then simply building a fire will not be enough to keep us warm. I still have a good amount of coin and Assard whom will arrive soon, also carries a healthy supply to supplement any of yours we may need.’ Annabel seemed anxious. Alundi in no way could blame her. Her and Little Annabel’s safety was paramount but the lives of all the other Mountain Rise citizens were also in danger. 

  ‘What provisions will we need?’ Annabel asked. 

  Alundi almost laughed aloud in disbelief. 

  ‘Why are you asking me, you’re the best cook I know of?’ 

  Annabel blushed again which had been well covered. 

  ‘I will leave you to consider the food provisions, what I will say is that not every night will we be able to light a fire, so something that keeps and can be eaten cold would be required.’ 

  Annabel nodded and picked up a small piece of parchment and jotted a few notes. Little Annabel had been quiet all evening. She was young and even though smart she did not entirely understand what was going on. Alundi was going to address her concern but he was putting it off. There was still a chance, though slim, that they would have a lot of time. Alundi was running out of excuses to tell her but still he could not bring himself to do it this day.

  ‘Won’t it be a bit obvious that we are leaving if we purchase a tent?’ Little Annabel muttered quietly. Annabel seemed shocked she would ask such a question but Alundi found it amusing. 

  ‘She is right. I will purchase the tent. Some in Four Points know I am a traveller. It will not look out of place. Most will know that I am a friend of yours, likely due to what happened with the highwaymen and I would doubt they would suspect you to be leaving. But like I said we may have many months but we will need to prepare now. Just in case.’ 

  Alundi spent every other evening with the Annabels helping with the preparation of Annabel’s medicines and helping to teach Meredith something about them so when the time came at least Mountain Rise would have someone left behind who could administer medicines. Alundi also learnt how to better prepare meals from Annabel. Cooking was an art in which Alundi already knew that he was no more than a novice. He also started teaching Little Annabel a few ways to channel her magic. The problem was that all magic-wielders could lose control of their magic. This mostly happens at the point of death, Alundi explained. The death of a magic-wielder could turn everything within ten feet into an inferno. However if the magic was used up by duelling then this would not happen. He also walked through the arts of tracking with the both of them. He would tread on a leaf of a plant and explain how he would be able to tell what animal or being had trod on it. Alundi found the evenings very enjoyable. He also was beginning to enjoy Knorrest and Conner's company a lot more. Knorrest, after one took the time to chip away the mean looking arrogant outer shell, was a decent, honourable and very funny Man. Alundi had received the short story from Conner about Knorrest's past, not when he was there thankfully. Knorrest’s wife Brenda died in childbirth. The child whom Knorrest named Telkin after his grandfather died that very same winter. Conner explained that was also the same winter his and Samuel’s parents were killed. Knorrest, unable to care for the two of them asked Brisclim to care for Samuel. He did without a moment hesitation. From then on Knorrest had raised Conner. Their bond Alundi believed, was stronger than father and son, that is if any bond could be stronger. Their love was obvious but there was also an unspoken underlying measure of gratitude between them. Knorrest lost one son and gained a different son. Conner had lost a father and gained a different father. Their relationship mirrored Alundi’s and Assard’s. Assard now being a fully grown Man meant little to Alundi, as he would always be forever older than Assard. Naming and raising Assard was the most joy Alundi had ever felt in his long life. 

  Assard had told him that the ones whom tried to follow him were of no consequence as they lost his trail shortly after he entered the almost impossible to navigate Paladin Fields. Assard stated he would travel as fast as he can, Alundi had chuckled at that as he knew all to well Assard hated cold weather.

  Alundi walked into the forge in the morning before Market Day after eating a double serving of some lamb stew which was fantastic, to find Knorrest and Conner stacking a number of different items onto a carriage waiting where the horses are shod, Alundi quickly began to help. With his help Conner was able to completely clear the forge. They found items that they thought lost and also discovered a number of blades that Knorrest was given to repair long before Conner was even alive. Most, if not all, was not wanted or needed and so needed to go. During the past month Alundi had earned over one hundred coins from the sales of his blades to the people of Mountain Rise. There was now another fifteen long knives and seven one handed swords to be sold at Four Points. Not to mention the now functional swords from the highwaymen. Also Alundi had forged two double-handed broadswords to sell at the market remembering a number of men there on his last visit who were tall and
broad. By the time high sun was upon them the carriage was fully laden. Knorrest told Conner to get some food to give him some time with Alundi.

  ‘What we make at the market tomorrow on your blades is yours Alundi.’ 

  ‘We had an agreement Knorrest you provided the means, you deserve a share of the profits.’ Alundi said, concerned. 

  ‘You’re right but I will no longer take half. Twenty percent will cover the costs. That is what I will take. You have already paid more than was ever needed. Now I have a son who is a sword-smith our futures are secure, Alundi. That should be your payment in full but I see you will not settle for that, will you?’ Knorrest did not wait for an answer.

  ‘We will be leaving in a few hours. When will you go?’

  ‘I will travel with the Annabels later on today. Knorrest…’ Alundi began to get his full attention.

  ‘…make sure that everyone who is travelling has someone with them who can handle a sword or bow. I only scared the highwaymen off last time. They may return.’ 

  Knorrest grinned broadly. 

  ‘I have already done so.’ 

  Alundi grinned broadly. If he did not know better he would have thought that Knorrest was a military Man. His posture was right, along with his physique. His ability to assess was also to that standard but mainly it was his knowledge, or it could just be he cared for everyone he knew and took it upon himself to protect them. 

  Alundi left for the Inn. He changed his clothes, packed his bag with a fresh full tunic knowing that he was going to be spending the night in Four Points, and a rather sizeable coin bag. He kept a percentage on his belt. 

  After packing his bag Alundi headed for the Annabels’. For what must be the first time he was not greeted by Little Annabel at the door. As he approached he half expected her to run and open the door from wherever she was within the house. She did not. He struck the door twice and the thunderous noise of running feet was glorious. Little Annabel opened the door. She was dressed for a blizzard. Alundi struggled and eventually failed to stop himself from bursting out laughing. She scowled at him and quickly turned around obviously in a huff. She could have slammed the door on him but did not. Alundi entered to find Little Annabel pulling off her sheep wool coat and the coat she wore underneath. 

  ‘Where is young Annabel?’ Alundi asked glancing in the sitting room. 

  ‘Mother is up at Garaff’s securing a carriage. He is not going until tomorrow morning.’ Alundi nodded.

  ‘I will take Excalibur. Hopefully I won’t need the great sword.’ 

  ‘Then why take it?’ Little Annabel asked almost offended. 

  ‘I would rather have Excalibur on my belt and not need it than need it and not have it, besides Excalibur likes being out-and-about.’ Little Annabel grinned broadly understanding exactly. Alundi climbed the stairs towards Excalibur. As he entered the room the warm and soothing feeling enveloped him. Alundi could not help smiling. 

  ‘I’ve missed you too old friend.’ He muttered. Alundi always found it joyful to grasp Excalibur and tie it to his belt. Like before, Alundi covered the handle to prevent any from seeing Excalibur. As he walked out the front door Annabel pulled up. Two old stallions were tethered to a large flat carriage. Alundi helped Annabel down and for the next hour helped them carry their things to the carriage which included clippings of their Sampa bush potted with instructions on how to make it useful. It had taken Annabel, Meredith and Alundi almost a full two weeks to write out the instructions, plus a good amount of coin Annabel had spent purchasing so many of the small bowls from Lara the potter. 

  With the carriage full and many in the village already leaving for the market, Annabel climbed on and took the reins. Alundi lifted Little Annabel up to the seat and then climbed on himself. The trek was steady. Within half an hour Little Annabel had moved to the right of Alundi and had nodded off and was resting against Alundi’s rather large right arm. Annabel found it rather amusing but kept the horse at the same pace not wanting to disturb her daughter. Alundi wondered what sort of woman would have the guts and fortitude to raise a daughter by herself. Knorrest was slightly different, losing a son would have been heartbreaking and a way to mend that heart would be to raise Conner. Annabel could have married so she could have had help raising Little Annabel but she did not. Was she still waiting for this Ciro to return or was it something else? 

  ‘Annabel is it OK if I ask you a rather personal question?’ She nodded not taking her eyes from the road ahead. 

  ‘This, Ciro…’ Alundi started slowly, knowing that where he was treading was very slippery. Her reaction was instant. Alundi could see the barriers going up, the fortifications of her defences, the concentration on the truths or lies. She gripped the reins tighter her knuckles going white. 

  ‘…did he, force y…’ Alundi did not have to finish what he was saying as a tear ran down Annabel’s right cheek. Alundi silently cursed himself for asking but in truth he needed to know. He wrapped his left arm around her and pulled her close. She did not stop him. 

  ‘Young Annabel, I have been in wars, with thousands on either side. I have seen a single Man stand up to a battalion of a hundred. But the courage I see in you is the strongest I have ever seen. I give you my word that as long as I live something like that will never, ever happen to you again.’ A serge of magic flowed through Alundi and into Annabel. Little Annabel stirred at this moment but did not wake. The tears were flowing freely from Annabel’s eyes but there was no sound. Alundi took the reins from her with no struggle. For the next two hours they travelled as they were now. Little Annabel asleep leaning on Alundi's right leg now, Alundi holding the reins with his right hand and with his left arm cradling Annabel who had finally stopped crying. She was still awake however and shortly before the evening was about to take hold she whispered.

  ‘Thank you both.’ The magic that entered her came from Excalibur. 

  Alundi grinned and continued on. Annabel fell asleep a league or two away from Four Points. The traffic was shocking. No wonder people would leave the day before to get there. Alundi was amazed that people did not arrive a number of days earlier. A small column of carriages was moving at a slow pace into Bason Street. The closer they got the noisier it became and eventually Annabel and Little Annabel awoke. A steady stream of mounted horseman walked past the carriages. An even larger number of people were on foot. Alundi arrived on Market Day last month at high sun but he never really took note of just how many people arrive here each month. This being the last market before winter may be why it was so busy but Alundi suspected that the numbers, if they were higher, cannot have been by much. It took another hour to pull up their carriage where they would be selling tomorrow. The town's Marshal known as Burton always hired extra hands and guaranteed everyone’s belongings overnight. He took a charge of three coins from each vendor and it was a small price to pay. Alundi had learned last time he was here that for the past three years nothing had been stolen from the carriages the night before the market. Policing the Market Day was something completely different however. 

  The three of them entered the Cross Road Inn and to say it was busy was a dramatic understatement. Heaving would be a more appropriate description. The owner ran over and hugged Annabel then took a knee and hugged Little Annabel. As he stood he was a bit taken aback to see the large frame of Alundi standing behind them. A slight recognition grazed the Inn owner's face. 

  ‘The name is Alundi.’ Alundi said outstretching his hand. The Inn owner took it cautiously.

  ‘I am afraid I have no room for you Alundi. I always reserve one for these lovely ladies but all the others have been taken.’ 

  ‘Not to worry um…’ Alundi started raising his eyebrows. 

  ‘Alan’ the Inn owner said. 

  ‘… Alan, I will sleep wi…’ Alundi was interrupted by Annabel.

  ‘With us, on the floor, would you have another set of bedding?’ She asked. Alan seemed shocked but nodded quickly and returned to the bar
. Annabel looked over to Alundi, a small smile on her face. Now he knew that Annabel had finally accepted him. As a lover Alundi would have to say not, as a loving and trusting friend also no. She saw him as an older brother. He liked it. They climbed the stairs and stowed their bags. Alundi left Excalibur on his belt as they descended back down the stairs to the bar. There Alan had opened up a small room to the left of the bar with a small number of tables. Only a few people were in there, Alundi assumed Four Point folk did not want to mingle with the travellers. Everyone there looked up and greeted the Annabels warmly and nodded at Alundi. There was fear in some of their eyes but there was also a measure of respect. It was now obvious that news of his dealings with the highwaymen had travelled back to Four Points. He doubted the highwaymen themselves would have told anyone about their altercation or the lack of it so Alundi had to assume that Foru had something to do with it. They all sat and were immediately served by Alan who spread a variety of dishes in front of them. Alundi took his pick, as did Annabel and Little Annabel. He returned a few times just to check everything was in order but otherwise left them to eat their meals in peace. 

  ‘Do you two always get treated as such?’ Alundi asked in a hushed voice. 

  ‘No, only since Alan’s wife Mary has been pregnant. Alan does not have a lot of coin for our services so he promised to treat us whenever we arrived. We both gave up trying to make him stop. It was tiring and a complete waste of time.’ Annabel said shaking her head.

  ‘Have you found any problems with the baby?’ Alundi asked Little Annabel. She simply shook her head as her mouth was housing a rather large roast potato, “Good” Alundi thought. He had no reason to doubt Little Annabel’s healing ability. He had the training to heal with magic and there was a lot that he could teach Little Annabel, but the truth was that instinct was the strongest trainer that any magic-wielder could have. As the last of their respective meals was finished off, Alundi eating over twice that of the two Annabels, Mary entered. She greeted Annabel warmly and hugged Little Annabel. Introducing himself Alundi noticed a small amount of shock hiding behind her face but he also noted anger in the face of Alan who was watching from the bar. 

  A rather large thud then came from the wall separating the bar to where they were eating. A few gasps and yells of shock were drowned out by loud shouts and chants of anger. Alundi stood instantly and walked into the bar. Two men were tussling against the very same wall. Alan was also involved trying to separate the two but he was not getting anywhere. Alundi moved forward, grabbed one Man where the shoulder met the neck. He pulled him away from his adversary, pain shooting across his face. The other Man swung but Alundi, with amazing speed, caught his wrist and twisted it around his back. Both men could not move. Alundi’s strength notwithstanding, if any held these men in this way they would be able to do nothing. The shouts from those around had ceased the moment Alundi had intervened. Other than a few long exhausted breaths from his new captured friends the Bar was completely silent. The door swung open and a gust of wind swept through bringing with it a few gold and brown leaves. A Man entered who Alundi recognised as Burton. He gave Alundi the slightest of nods and stood in front of the two fighting men. 

  ‘You two need to GROW UP! Grant will hear about this, as will your wives. Release them.’ Burton said to Alundi. He did. 

  ‘Get out.’ Burton seethed.

  ‘You can sleep with your carriages tonight, for I will not protect them or you.’ For a brief moment the two combatants were united in their anger towards Burton. Burton held their hate filled stares with a fierce one of his own. 

  ‘MOVE!’ he boomed. They jumped as did a good many others and then left hastily. Burton let out a long breath of frustration before both noise and drinking started again. Alundi gave Burton another nod and returned to where he had been eating. Burton followed and leant on the bar that was within the room. 

  ‘Thank you my friend. Almost every month I have to stop those two. I would rather not let them trade here but they are the two largest fishing families of Stone Bay.’ Alundi understood the predicament. Alan served him a large drink which he downed quickly. Alundi noticed the wince of pain as Alan placed the drink down. Burton bid them farewell and mentioned that if either should return, to contact him immediately. Alundi stood as soon as Burton left the room. 

  ‘Alan…’ Alundi said quickly trying to stop him from moving to the bar on the other side. Alundi walked up and held out his hand. 

  ‘What?’ he asked. 

  Alundi rolled his eyes in frustration. 

  ‘Give me your right hand.’ Alan hesitated and then held it out. There was bruising and if Alundi’s eyes served him right his middle finger was broken. Alundi held his right hand over Alan’s. 

  ‘This will sting.’ He muttered. Alan gritted his teeth but no sound of pain escaped him. After a few seconds Alundi stepped away. Alan studied his hand and twiddled his fingers. 

  ‘You’re a healer.’ 

  ‘No I am a warrior but like young Little Annabel over there I am of magic. Be a bit more careful Alan. What could you do if you lost the ability to use your hands?’ Alundi did not wait for a response. He returned to his seat and continued his conversation with Annabel as Little Annabel stroked Mary’s stomach using her magic to study the child inside. Alundi noticed a smile spread across Little Annabel’s face. 

  ‘Can you tell the sex of the baby?’ Alundi asked. 

  ‘It’s a boy. Little Annabel told us when she first checked me.’ Mary answered. 

  He studied Little Annabel for a few minutes. The joy showed on her face but there was something deeper. It was more then enjoyment. A deep pleasure maybe, or maybe an underlining measure of satisfaction but Alundi would guess it was bliss. Alundi only wished that he felt similar when using magic. 

  ‘Have you talked with the baby?’

  ‘With?’ Mary said at once surprised. Alundi grinned broadly. 

  ‘If you wish young Little Annabel and I can be a bridge between your mind and the baby's mind. You can share your thoughts with him for a few moments.’  

  ‘Moments?’ Mary said again at once. 

  ‘Believe me moments will be all you need.’ Alundi said glancing at Alan as well as Mary. They were worried. 

  ‘It is a rare chance. I spoke to my mother in the same fashion when I was carried. Believe me there is nothing to worry about.’ Their excitement was obvious not just Mary’s and Alan’s but Little Annabel’s as well. 

  ‘It is late and all three of you are tired. If you wish to proceed we shall visit you tomorrow when it is less busy.’ Alundi said placing a hand on Little Annabel’s shoulder. 

  She looked at him with a similar look of excitement. Alan smiled, nodded and kissed Mary on the forehead and returned to the bar. Alundi had to admit he was just as tired as them all. Annabel must have noticed as she beckoned for Little Annabel to leave with her. Alundi followed. 

  Little Annabel jumped straight into bed and within no more than a few minutes she was sound asleep. Alundi faced away from Annabel as she undressed to her undergarments and pulled her blankets over her. Alundi, not looking at Annabel pulled off his tunic. There was a gasp from Annabel, which he should have expected but did not. He understood why. His back was littered with hundreds of scars. Two thick scars ran down the left side of his back. The rest were thin scars heading in many directions. 

  ‘What happened?’ Annabel asked wearily. 

  ‘I was Galahad, a Knight of Camelot young Annabel. We had many enemies.’ 

  ‘You were captured.’ She said more convincingly this time. 

  ‘And tortured then healed, and tortured.’ Alundi said no more. He fell to his knees with little noise, climbed under his blankets keeping two underneath him and turned away from Annabel. He had no need for sympathy. He did not want to appear weak. He knew that would be the last thing Annabel would think but it was what he would think. Annabel blew out the candle and the room was dark. Sleep was found quickly bu
t a small amount of unrest stirred within Alundi and Excalibur. Something or someone was amiss. It would reveal itself tomorrow, of that Alundi was certain and feeling relief that he had brought Excalibur with him was enough for him to fall asleep quickly. 

  Breakfast was a noisy affair. If at all possible even more people than last night were in the Inn. Alan was already rushed of his feet and yet he had found time to trot upstairs and serve all three of them in their room. Annabel said nothing about the previous night nor did Alundi. He sat cross-legged on the floor and ate in silence. There was a strike at the door and as soon as Annabel realised it was Garaff she left saying that she did not need either of their help on the carriage and they may as well go and enjoy themselves. Little Annabel did not need telling twice. She left shortly after her mother with Alundi struggling to keep up. Last time he was here Alundi was so preoccupied in locating Little Annabel he took little time to look around properly. He had the chance to do so this time thanks to Little Annabel. So many had arrived in the night and had set up immediately after arriving that Bason Street was already a mass of activity. This was most likely why he had found it so difficult in keeping track of Little Annabel. She was also quite cunning and fast. Alundi had to use magic a number of times to find where she had gone. Excalibur was also helping. This was certainly the place where he would have to wear the sword. He was not the only one wearing, mind. 

  Eventually Alundi gave up trying to keep up with Little Annabel. She darted from carriage to carriage talking with the vendors. Buying fruits and sweets with some of her coin she had earned. He walked through the criss-crossing buyers keeping an eye in the direction Little Annabel had gone. She would return every so often sometimes pulling Alundi to a carriage to show him something they were selling. She had found a small oil lamp no bigger than Alundi’s hand, which he purchased instantly forgetting for the first time not to haggle. Other things she found were not so useful although pretty. It was hard to stop her wanting to buy such things. She was young and wanted to enjoy her youth years and sadly Alundi knew that he would be robbing her of much of it. He did not prevent her buying anything she wanted. In truth he did not have any hold over her coin or her choices anyway. It was not his place and so he did not step into the role. Asking Excalibur to keep a magic connection with Little Annabel, Alundi started looking for the items needed for their eventual journey. As he passed a number of carriages selling fabrics Alundi could not stop himself looking. 

  ‘Something for the young lady sir or perhaps something for yourself.’ A small rat-like man said from above him. Alundi shook his head and walked away. He needed to purchase the tent but just as important he needed three sets of sheep-skins. There were other things that had to be purchased but he already knew who sold them. 

  ‘Alundi!’ someone had shouted from behind him. He turned to find Foru striding towards him. 

  ‘You piece of shit!’ Foru bellowed, his anger obviously overpowering his fear for the moment at least.

  ‘You made all the blades for Knorrest didn’t you?’ Alundi could not help grinning. Though he never intended to work with Foru it was actually Foru himself who suggested working with Knorrest as Foru had explained that his forge was his kingdom and he was the only one who deserved to forge in it.  

  ‘He’s sold almost all of them already!’ Foru boomed pulling the attention of many around them. 

  ‘Good. The majority of the coin goes to me. I should go and see him to collect it. And by the way Foru, if you employed me, that would be your coin and not Knorrest’s.’ He brushed past Foru just as another shouted Alundi’s name. Walking over he was greeted by a very happy Knorrest, who must have heard Foru, and the two very tired looking boys, Conner and Samuel. It was only in this moment that Alundi really noticed just how similar the two of them were. Conner’s blonde hair the only real difference between them.   

  ‘Alundi, for you.’ Knorrest handed him a large and full coin pouch, which must have had in it at least one hundred and fifty coins. Alundi accepted graciously and asked if there was anyone they knew of who sold tents here. Samuel knew of one and without hesitation led Alundi through the crowd to the person in question. 

  ‘Hello. My name is Danielle how may I serve you.’ It seemed blatantly obvious that this Danielle was related to the rat-like man Alundi had met earlier, most likely his mother going by the white hair and missing front teeth. 

  ‘I am looking for a tent that is easy to put up and can house six comfortably.’ 

  A large smile grew across her face. 

  ‘You have visited the right person today young sir. The tent over there is being rented off me. That is the largest I have. It would house eight comfortably and considerably more uncomfortably.’ Unlike the rat-man he liked this hag. 

  ‘How much?’ The glee was well hidden and the calculations were done swift. 

  ‘Forty coins?’ 

  Alundi smirked and turned to walk off. 

  ‘Thirty eight!’ she yelled. 

  Alundi turned back. 

  ‘Twenty five,’ he said quietly.

  ‘Thirty five,’ she threw back. 

  ‘Thirty.’ Alundi responded. 

  ‘Thirty three,’ she said quieter than before. 

  ‘Done.’ Her smile grew even larger. He fingered around in his coin pouch and pulled out another smaller pouch in which he always carried thirty coins. He tossed it over and handed her three other pieces. 

  ‘Will you take it now?’ he was about to say “No” when he realised that Samuel had not left him. He agreed and with Samuel's help they carried it back to Knorrest who promised to take it back to Mountain Rise for him. The tent was small enough for Alundi to carry but the poles to hold it up were not. He made a mental note that before he left he had to forge himself some decent pegs and a few interlocking poles. As he left Knorrest to continue selling their swords Little Annabel found him and took his arm. She was having a great time. They spent the next few hours walking round buying what he needed. Thankfully she did not leave his side. 

  Stretching to pay someone for two dried tomato and spinach loaves of bread a sting of magic struck him. For a moment he was puzzled but then realised where it had come from, Excalibur. 

  ‘What is it my friend?’ Alundi said to his trusted sword. 

  ‘I can feel a magic weapon. It is close.’ 

  ‘Help me feel it.’ Alundi asked. 

  Alundi could feel everything Excalibur could feel along with his own feelings. He searched. Forcing his magic out from them both looking for the one they were seeking. They would be easy to find as the only other magic-wielder here was Little Annabel and she was standing right next to him. 

  ‘There.’ Alundi and Excalibur said together. 

  Alundi spun round quickly and there it was, the magic sword hanging on a Man's belt. The Man was not looking their way. He could tell it was a Man. His hair was non-existent but in no way was he old. As he turned his head Alundi immediately knew of what he was. A small scar crowned his forehead in the shape of a star. He was an Elemamtel spy from Heeden. This did not bode well for them. 

  ‘Alundi.’ 

  He spun round to find Annabel standing behind him, her arms resting on Little Annabel’s shoulders.   

  ‘Young Little Annabel take off your coat.’ Although confused she did. 

  ‘Young Annabel walk over to Knorrest and stay there until I return.’ She seemed afraid but nodded quickly and walked away. After she made it to Knorrest, Alundi and Excalibur found the spy again. Alundi was almost certain that to the east the land fell gradually. He remembered because it would have been an easy way to attack Four Points giving the village little or no warning. That is where he had to go. Alundi followed the Man keeping a good distance between them both. A kid crashed into Alundi’s leg. He apologised but Alundi grasped the boy’s hand. Lifting it up Alundi pulled out his coin pouch from the boy’s hand. 

  ‘Instead of stealing coin do you want to earn some?’ the
small boy's eyes lit up. 

  The boy was skilled. He stalked the Man perfectly. The boy circled around without Alundi noticing. He walked forward in front of the spy. He noticed. The boy was wearing Little Annabel’s coat, had a similar coloured hair and skin and it looked like his device had work. Alundi turned and picked his way through the crowd. As he got out of sight of the busy shoppers Alundi broke into a run. He circled the village faster than any young horse. Just as Alundi had instructed, the boy was heading for the small farm building just down the hill from Four Points. The Man was following, not attempting to cover his intentions. Alundi jogged to the end of the road where the Man had noticed the boy. The nearest field to the farm buildings had over-long grass due to the fact that the farmer had not cultivated it this year. The boy entered the long grass and still the spy followed. Alundi walked briskly in pursuit. Using his skill with magic he dampened the sound of his steps and shielded the magic signature all wielders and magic swords carried. This spy had no idea he was being followed himself unless he turned around of course but Alundi was confident he would not. If he did, the outcome would be the same but it would be more public. Much more public than Alundi wanted. 

  The boy had vanished. The Elemamtel stopped. His eyes darting left and right searching for the boy. Alundi advanced. He found himself ten paces behind the spy, slightly elevated. He could kill him in an instant but did not. 

  ‘Elemamtel, what are you doing here?’ Alundi boomed. 

  The spy spun round quickly and grasped his sword but did not draw it. Fear and recollection clawed at his face. Alundi had to admit this one seemed familiar. 

  ‘You?’ he growled. With a roar of anger he drew his sword and attacked. Alundi could not help a smile. He was going to enjoy this.