by B. W. Catt
Sebial and Elin quickly turned around to see who yelled out.
Mathious fell to a knee. "Forgive me, your highness. I should not imply such things."
"No, you should not. Return to your post. it seems you are not ready to discuss the things I called you here for."
"Yes, your highness." Mathious stood up. He bowed before turning to face Denias. "We can catch up at dinner tonight, friend."
Denias nodded. "I look forward to it."
Mathious ignored Sebial and Elin.
“I am sorry for his behavior. He has been different recently. I am King Carthin. Welcome to Delandero.”
“I am Sebial. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your highness.”
Elin stepped forward. He bowed, “I am Elin, a guard of the elven realms. It is an honor.”
King Carthin laughed. They looked at him, confused. “You do not need to address me so highly. I am friends with Denias and Woldiniar. If it wasn’t for them, my people would still be under the former king. Besides, Woldiniar is rough around the edges, and I expect you two have to be the same since you travel with him.”
They laughed. “That is true, Carthin. These two are nothing compared to Woldiniar, but after them being gone for so long, they seem to be taking after his antics.” Denias said while looking over his shoulder towards the front of the castle.
Carthin nodded. “I see. Woldiniar had to make an important stop along the way. Shall we go to the garden? I will have them put another place setting so you may all join me. I can only imagine what it is you both have had to eat over the last year.”
Elin and Sebial looked at each other with a smile. “Not too much, your highness. We would love a good meal.” Elin smirked.
Nine
Woldiniar sat in the pub, looking around at the other patrons. He knew he would be here. He sent a letter to Olaris weeks back and had heard he had arrived in town about a week ago.
A man covering his face with a cape approached Woldiniar. “Last time we met, you destroyed a pub. You do not plan on doing the same to this one, do you?”
Woldiniar laughed. “I happen to like this one, and not for the intel. There are a few women here who have piqued my interests. Now sit Raqee. We have much to discuss.”
“Let me start, your letter was interesting. You managed to get your student’s bracelet back but then lost her. Is she still missing? And you lied to me. You said she was a concubine.”
He choked on his ale. He wiped what spilled off of his face. “I did say that. It was only to help my image when it that place. She is safe now. She is visiting the new king of Delandero. This place, though, seems to be tied with the trades in Olaris. I have not seen women being enslaved, but there have been trades leaving an old escape tunnel at the castle. I do not think the existing king knows of it. Have you been watching the port like I asked?”
Raqee leaned in. “We have received numerous crated and barrels from this city. They are all heavily guarded by masked soldiers in all black. They do not look like the soldiers I have seen in this city so far. They seem more elite.”
Woldiniar tapped his glass. “Elite.” He mumbled. “Mathious.”
“Who?”
“Just a high-ranking official working for the king. If he doesn’t know anything, it is to be expected that these soldiers are someone else’s. Good work Raqee, let us meet later. I must go and explore this tunnel now. With Sebial here, I fear those running things will shift their focus.”
“But she is just your student. What could they possibly want with some girl?”
“She is a woman, and her bracelet is cursed. It wields intense power beyond what even I can fathom.”
“Why don’t you just take it from her?”
“I wish for her to live, and I do not wish to die. It controls her magic. Without she dies. It kills those whom it doesn’t belong to.”
A group of men sitting behind them began to yell. Woldiniar and Raqee looked over to the table.
“Repulsive creatures,” Woldiniar mumbled.
“Why? Because they are obnoxious like you?”
“No, because they are half breeds.”
“Half breeds? They look like normal men to me.”
Woldiniar laughed and chugged his ale. “They are half-dwarf. Look at their size. They are stouter than the average man. Their hair is courser and longer. And most are shorter than you, and you are pretty short.”
“Why are their dwarves here? Are they not extinct?”
“There are a few roaming the lands, but I never thought I would see a group of half breeds.” Woldiniar watched them intently. He noticed the men looked like brothers. He stood up and walked over.
“Excuse me, uhm, men, where do you come from?”
They stopped laughing and looked at him. “What does it matter to you?”
Woldiniar sighed and scratched his head. He sat down in the open seat at their table. “I was asking because I noticed you three look like brothers, and you also appear to be half breeds.”
The man on the other side of the table slammed his hand down on the table. He stood up and leaned across the table. His red beard nearly touching the glasses. “Do not call us half breeds. You wreak of magic. We don’t deal with your kind. Your kind brings us nothing but trouble. I suggest you leave us.”
Woldiniar smiled. He leaned in closer. “it seems we can agree on two things. One, you are a half-breed. Two, my kind brings trouble. Which tells me I am speaking to the right group. Now, if you could move your beard out of my way. I cant grab the pitcher and fill my glass.”
The man sat down. “My name is Ralon. The one on my left is Dalon, and the one on my right is Balon. We are brothers, just not in the traditional sense. We were just raised together.”
Raqee pulled up a chair between Ralon and Balon. “How, when you all look the same?”
Ralon glared over at Raqee. “Why must we have two join us? One of magic and one human. This day is just getting better.”
“I am Woldiniar. That one over there is Raqee. He works for me.”
Balon straightened his back and laughed while looking at Raqee. “You are a very small man. I am double your size, yet you chose to sit by me and not our smaller brother Dalon.”
Raqee glanced around the table at them. He adjusted his posture and uncovered his face. “Your size means nothing in a battle against me. You only wish you could be more agile like me.”
The brothers laughed. “You both are interesting. Most avoid us because of our size. We are not tall, we stand just taller than the average human female, but we are intimidating with our girth.”
“I have met many dwarves in my lifetime, and he has lived in shadier places. We are unfazed by your words.” Woldiniar chugged his ale. “Now, the reason I am sitting here is I need to know where you three came from. What is Delandero? Or somewhere else?”
They looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
“It seems that tunnel will hold my answers, Raqee.” Woldiniar stood up. “Your reaction tells me you are from this kingdom. And given your appearances, I would say you three are at least sixty if not eighty years old.”
Raqee laughed. “They look younger than me. There is no way they are older.”
Dalon grit his teeth. He leaned across the table and whispered. “I do not know what you seek, Woldiniar, but that tunnel is nothing but misfortune. Go there if you wish. We will not be helping you.”
Raqee backed away as he felt the tension at the table grow. Woldiniar began to laugh hysterically. He stood up. Placing his hands on the table, he leaned in close to Dalon. “I see our futures intertwining in the future. I know where your kind resides these days. Do you?”
Dalon’s eyes widened. He thought of Woldiniar’s words. He sat down and looked up at him. “You mention fairy tales for half breeds like us. May our paths stay safe with The Flames love.”
Woldiniar scoffed. He looked unpleased at Dalon. “Let us go, Raqee. This bar smells like moldy earth, and it is souring my
mood.”
Ten
Sebial followed a handmaid down the corridors of the castle. Her eyes shifting from left to right, trying to take in all of the tapestries that lined the wall. The maid continued walking ahead without giving notice to Sebial falling behind.
This place is magnificent, with the pillars holding up the arches. The beautiful tapestries and golden adorned sculptures. Yet, I would never fit into this world. I may have been born a princess, but that is no longer who I am.
Sebial ran into a man. She looked up to meet his eyes, a sparkling blue. His hair is dark and wavy. It was Mathious. He smiled. “We meet again, Sebial. I never thought you would miss me so much as to run straight into me, though.”
Sebial backed up. “It's not what you think. I was just following the maid to my quarters.”
Mathious looked around. “I see no maid, and these are not the guest quarters. These are ones for the soldiers. You have wandered far from that side of the castle. Do you always daydream while wandering?”
He smiled and stepped closer.
Sebial turned away. “I am sorry, I will head back. I shouldn’t be here.”
Mathious grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Their chests touched. Sebial looked up at him, her face pale.
He leaned in closer. “I have been thinking about you since we met earlier today. About your beautiful hair. It is quite rare, and I only know-“
“Mathious, unhand her.” Denias quickly approached. “She is not one of your-“
“Ahem, Denias, I was just holding onto Woldiniar’s daydreaming student. She wandered here, and I didn’t want her to wander away from me as I should her back to her quarters.”
He released her wrist. She rubbed it for a moment while watching the two men glare at each other. Sebial slowly backed away.
Mathious smiled. “It seems you wish for me to stay away from her as well. She is unique, so I can see why you and your group have taken such a liking to her. Is that what she is to you all, just a student? Or is there something more, alluring?”
“Sebial, let us leave. This is no place for a female. Only the men sleep here on this site and on this floor, it is for the palace soldiers.”
Sebial nodded. She walked closely to Denias, refusing to look back at Mathious, who was waving.
“What is with him? He is repulsive. He pushes himself on me.” Sebial clenched her teeth. “Can he not tell I do not appreciate men like him?!”
Denias sighed. “He is used to woman throwing themselves at him. You didn’t give him a second glance. He probably wants a good chase. And it is probably due to a certain elf. Your eyes have already found the one.”
Sebial’s face flushed, she cleared her throat. “That is incorrect. I do not feel anything for Elin.”
Denias stopped walking to look at her. He placed a hand on her cheek. “Sebial, your eyes are glowing, your cheeks feel hot. All I said was elf. You gave that elf a name and reacted as such.” He started walking again. “Do not fret, my lady, yours and Elin’s secret will stay safe with me. I wouldn’t want to watch him die over love.”
Sebial smiled and then continued walking. She had no need to listen to his words. She thought to herself about everything she's gone through these past few months, well over a year, considering she and Elin have been locked away.
To think it was it was over a year ago since all of this began.
“How much more time will continue,” she said Denias.
He nodded. “this is just the beginning.”
“Do you think I will ever rid my curse?”
Denias smiled. “who knows. This place might hold some answers. It reeks of forbidden magic.”
“Reeks?”
“Yes, I am sensitive to magic. This place was used for more than just Nalenero’s curse on stopping time. He did other things. Woldiniar is working with an acquaintance to get- never mind, I am saying too much.”
Sebial glanced over at Denias. “He is doing what?”
“It is nothing to be concerned with. You just relax and enjoy our stay in this lovely castle.” Denias looked up the hallway. He saw a frantic maid approaching. “Ah, this must be the one. I will leave you here. We will see each other at dinner. Don’t wander on your own again, please.” His voice filled with concern.
“I cannot promise such things.” Sebial walked towards the maid. “I will see you at dinner, Denias.”
Eleven
“Woldiniar, why did you decide we should leave?” Raqee asked while trying to keep pace.
“I despise dwarves. They will have a use but not right now. We need to investigate this tunnel and see what is happening beneath. I went there once already when I was disguised a guard transporting some goods.”
“What did you find?”
Woldiniar stopped walking and looked at the group ahead. His eyes scanned the people. Woldiniar took note of one covered in a black mist. He whispered. “Let us not continue. I wish not to fight right now. And there is one up there that has given himself to Nalenero.”
Raqee nodded and followed Woldiniar down a narrow path between the buildings. “Might I ask what it is you saw?”
“Undead. He has them planted throughout the city. To the people, they look normal, but they are spies for him. He must have taken recently departed corpses and, never mind. Let us go. The tunnel is on the other side of the castle, and I would like to get there by dusk so we can hide ourselves better.”
They weaved in-between houses and buildings, avoiding more undead trying to get to the tunnel. The sun was setting as they neared the tunnel. Its entrance looked like nothing more than an old dwarven cave. They watched from afar, timing how long the guards stood in a position before moving to another spot further away from the entrance.
Twenty seconds. I will have to help Raqee. He won't be able to move fast enough. We are over one hundred feet away.
“It is almost time, Woldiniar,” Raqee whispered to him. Shall we wait until it gets a little darker out?”
Woldiniar glanced above the guarded cave entrance. “No, they have torches ready to light this area. They have no problem showing it is guarded. And they are confident in their setup. That is why they walk out of view. They don’t expect anyone to make it in from the front. But we will.”
Raqee laid closer to the ground and began to scoot closer to the entrance. He looked back at Woldiniar. “I am going to get closer since I know we have less than five minutes. How long do we have to get past them?”
Woldiniar looked at the guards and then to Raqee, his face strained. “Twenty seconds, at most.”
Raqee cussed under his breath. He nodded and crawled forward.
“Damn it, you, why you creeping up already? It’s not time.”
He turned and looked back at Woldiniar. His eyes widened. “If we don’t go now, when will we go?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “In five minutes, maybe. I’m still counting. I already said it’s about twenty seconds. Could be longer. Could be less, but someone of your height will definitely not get that far in twenty seconds. Just wait till I give you the OK. Or has your time amongst all of those criminals ruined your brain?”
He scowled at Woldiniar. “I just know it will take me longer than twenty seconds to run through there.”
“No. It’ll take you less than that. I can use magic and give you a little boost. Unless you think you know what you’re doing?”
He rolled his eyes. “I know what I’m doing. I have lived for years, stalking my prey for information. I just need to get closer first. I will not make it there from this distance without being detected. “
“Fine, do it your way then. If you get captured, I will not save you. Remember that Raqee.”
He nodded and began to crawl forward.
“We have less than 3 minutes now. When I go, you go. Otherwise, I leave you.”
Raqee mumbled under his breath. “I can't believe him, this man is beyond repulsive, but I have no choice.”
They watched the men slowly w
alked out of the way.
Alright, it seems this is our time. If we don't go now will never go. The sun is nearly gone. They will be lighting the torches right before the sun vanishes over the horizon.
“One, two, three, four.” He stood up. “It is time, Raqee.”
They ran down the slope towards the cave, looking at the soldiers as they quickly approached. Woldiniar passed Raqee. He shook his head and whistled. A green mist circled around Raqee’s legs allowing him to run faster.
They entered the cave as the guards were starting to turn around. Raqee bent over, his hands on his knees as he gasped for air.
Woldiniar slammed his hand on Raqee’s back. “Good work there. I thought I would be traversing this cave alone.”
Raqee laughed between breaths. “If it wasn’t for your magic, you would be.” He stood up, taking a deep breath in, and sighed. “I will let you lead the way.”
Woldiniar smirked. “Yes, I will lead the way. I am the mighty Woldiniar, and you are just a former snitch.”
Twelve
Sebial walked into the courtyard. The sun setting cast a red hue over the sculptures and flowers. Her eyes stopped when she spotted Elin and King Carthin sitting at a table near a fountain. She smiled to herself and began to walk their way. Glancing down at the flowers as she went.
Elin took notice of Sebial approaching. He smiled, standing as she arrived at the table. Carthin looked back and nodded before returning his focus to his drink in hand.
Sebial blushed. He looks incredible. Elin looks like he belongs in this world. His long-sleeved loose white shirt, a dark green cape hanging off one shoulder. And those pants, they fit every part of him perfectly.
Sebial tried to make eye contact as she approached, but her eyes kept looking at his waist.
Carthin cleared his throat. Sebial startled and looked at him. “Elin is waiting for you to sit down, my dear, or do you wish to keep looking at the ground?”
Sebial laughed nervously. “My apologies.”