The Tales of Neroman: The Silver Savior

by Tom Burton

  As Aaron and Daniel approach the box, they are stopped by a guard just outside the box.

  “Is Lord Fuller here?” Aaron asks the guard.

  “Who’s asking?” the guard asks sternly.

  “I’m Aaron, and this is Daniel,” replies Aaron, pointing at himself and Daniel.

  The guard says nothing, but his expression clearly says that he doesn’t care one bit about who Aaron and Daniel might be. Before Aaron can think of a way to break the intimidating silence from the guard, a man in the box approaches. With a curious look, the man then leans across the wooden railing surrounding the box.

  “You’re looking for our Lord of the West?” The man asks Aaron and Daniel. The boys nod their heads in relief, leaning to see around the burly guard.

  “Well, you’ve found him,” the man answers. “What can I do for you?”

  Aaron and Daniel smile gratefully, and Aaron clears his throat. “We wish to be granted access to the Crown Lands.” The crowd then suddenly erupts in loud cheering. The man and the guard both turn toward the arena to see what has caused the mad cheering. Aaron and Daniel also look down, and they see one of the warriors drop the still body of the other gladiator, whose head tilts at a grotesque angle. The victorious gladiator struts around the arena in celebration. The Lord turns back to the young men. The noise of the crowd is too much to overcome, so he points outside, signaling to meet him outside of the arena. Aaron and Daniel nod, and they make their way down another stairway and outside.

  Once outside, Aaron and Daniel wait on the Lord of the West. Two guards accompany Lord Fuller as he exits the arena. They approach the village farmers intently, making Aaron and Daniel rather nervous.

  With a curt gesture as he walks by them, Lord Fuller says, “Follow me. We’ll go to my home.” Daniel and Aaron fall in beside the nobleman.

  Lord Fuller sets a pace through Volgate that makes conversation impossible, so Aaron and Daniel focus on dodging the townspeople while keeping up with Lord Fuller. One guard leads the way, creating a path through the narrow streets. Another guard follows closely behind.

  The group approaches an ornate two-story building that is set apart in its own small plaza, near the center of Volgate. While one guard takes up position at the front door, the other follows Lord Fuller and his guests to the second level of the house. Lord Fuller enters a chamber lined with bookshelves and furnished by an ancient wooden desk and several plush chairs. As Lord Fuller steps behind the desk, Aaron and Daniel stand opposite him. After eyeing the boys briefly, Lord Fuller turns to a side table and retrieves a decanter of red wine and three cups. He pours the wine and offers a cup to both Aaron and Daniel, which they graciously accept.

  After raising his glass in a silent toast and taking a sip, Lord Fuller says, “We have never had an official request to go into the Crown Lands through the bridge, despite the official law passing a few months ago.” Aaron and Daniel look at each other, confused.

  “So, people from the West have no reason to enter the Crown Lands?” Aaron asks.

  “They do, but they have no intent of informing the officials about it, so they sneak across,” Lord Fuller replies.

  “Why?” Daniel asks incredulously.

  “Because the one and only reason anyone in the West would want to cross into the Crown Lands is so they can dismantle it. They are part of a Western rebellion,” Lord Fuller answers. Aaron and Daniel both look at Lord Fuller in surprise.

  “So the rumors are true,” Aaron whispers.

  Lord Fuller eyes Aaron sharply. “Regrettably they are. Hundreds have made the unlawful decision to create further divide between the West and the Crown. Rumor has it that they are camped in the burnt city of Meldom.” Lord Fuller sips at his wine. “It’s a good place to stay, considering the surrounding woodland,” muses Lord Fuller.

  “So you have no affiliation with this rebellion?” Daniel asks.

  Raising his eyebrows in a show of innocence, the nobleman replies, “Of course not! I want no bloodshed. I believe our people deserve to live in a free and independent manner, and I believe we can do that peacefully.”

  There is a brief silence as Aaron and Daniel take in what they have been told.

  After another sip of his wine, Lord Fuller asks, “Why do you wish to be granted access to the Crown Lands?” His question is met with silence, as Aaron and Daniel turn to one another and struggle to answer.

  Aaron composes himself and says, “We have no personal quarrel against the Crown Lands or the king. We simply want to explore Neroman, and maybe go to the Capital itself for research purposes.”

  Lord Fuller is clearly unconvinced. “Research purposes?” Lord Fuller asks rhetorically. He looks to the guard in the room and says, “Search them.” The guard carefully sets his spear and shield against the wall and searches Daniel and Aaron. The guard then carefully empties their bags, arranging the contents on the floor. Apparently satisfied that they have no weapons, the guard shakes his head at Lord Fuller.

  After a few moments of consideration, Lord Fuller opens a drawer in his desk and takes out a fresh piece of parchment. As he writes on the parchment, he says, “I will grant you access across the bridge. However, if you decide the join the rebellion, you will receive no support from any officials of the West, and I expect you be punished to the full extent of the king’s law, should you be caught.” Lord Fuller pauses to see if they understand his warning. Aaron and Daniel nod in fearful understanding.

  “Your full names?” Lord Fuller asks sternly.

  “I am Aaron Silver, and this is Daniel Rane,” Aaron answers quietly. When he is finished writing their names, Lord Fuller pours a bit of wax from the candle on his desk and presses the ring on his right hand into the molten glob. He carefully rolls the parchment into a scroll and ties it with a black ribbon. Once the scroll is tied, he holds it across the desk toward Aaron.

  “Give this to the guards at the bridge gate, and they will let you through,” Lord Fuller advises them. Aaron and Daniel smile to each other this.

  “Thank you, my Lord.” Aaron says gratefully.

  Lord Fuller nods in response and then stands. “I will see you out.” As the nobleman leads them back through the house, he removes a small bag from his belt. As they walk outside, they see that the sun is setting.

  Lord Fuller turns to the young men. “You should stay the night, then set off for the bridge first thing in the morning,” Lord Fuller advises. Aaron nods his head in agreement. Lord Fuller then holds the small bag out to Aaron. The nobleman bounces the bag gently, and the boys hear the clink of coins. “This should cover the costs for tonight, and for many more nights to come,” Lord Fuller says.

  Aaron accepts the bag gratefully. “Thank you, my Lord.” Lord Fuller turns on his heel and walks back into the building, his guard quickly following behind. Stunned by the gift and the abrupt departure, Aaron and Daniel slowly walk away from the building.

  As Lord Fuller returns to his office, he pours wine to the brim of his cup. He falls heavily into his chair, closing his eyes while he drains his cup in three big gulps. After a moment, the guard asks, “Are the rumors true? Is there a rebellion?”

  Lord Fuller eventually opens his eyes and looks toward the guard. “I don’t know, but if there is, and the king is provoked, we could be looking at an all-out civil war,” Lord Fuller replies with worry, he then looks to his table, seeing all of the unsanswered letters he has received, “I’ve been in office for nine years now, the people of the West continue to show their support, and keep me here. But I have not seen such conflict in my time, and I fear I cannot stop it.” The guard looks on in concern, but Lord Arthur raises his hand to the Guard, who then returns to his post outside the doors of the office.

  Aaron and Daniel wander through Volgate again, searching for an inn or a tavern with a look that doesn’t make them nervous. They eventually enter a tavern that is filled to c
apacity. The room is full of shouting and laughing patrons, and the atmosphere is warm and cheerful. The two young men squeeze through the crowd to the bar, gently pushing through the mass of people. When they get to the bar, they flag down a bartender. When she comes to them, they find themselves face to face with a beautiful blonde woman in a snug dress.

  “What can I get you boys?” She asks, but she is met with stunned silence. Aaron looks at Daniel, expecting him to speak, but he sees that his normally easygoing friend is stunned for the first time into silence.

  Aaron stutters as he asks, “A room for two for the night please, and two ales?”

  She smiles at Aaron and says, “Let me check the ledger.”

  As she walks away, Aaron and Daniel look at each other. Aaron asks, “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Daniel sweeps his hair to the side. “I will, just watch and learn,” Daniel says confidently.

  The bartender returns with a key in her hand and two ales in the other hand. “Here you go; the second room on the third floor, and two ales.” She places the drinks on the counter and holds out the key. Aaron looks toward Daniel, waiting for him to say something. Daniel simply stares back at her until the situation becomes awkward. After a few seconds, Aaron reaches for the key and thanks her. The bartender then walks away after giving Daniel an odd look.

  Trying to hold back his laughter, Aaron says, “I thought you were going to speak to her.”

  Daniel just grunts and then picks up the ales and walks off to find a table.

  They find a table in the far corner of the tavern, and they sit in silence, enjoying their ales and taking in the crowd around them. The shouting and laughter gets louder as the night goes on.

  “What do you think we will find once we get to the bridge?” Daniel asks eventually.

  “I honestly don’t know. The bridge, and the walls—my father tells me that it is a sign of what is to come in the future, the divide of a great country,” Aaron warns.

  “And if there comes a time where we are asked to fight, will you?” Daniel asks. Aaron does not respond to this. Instead, he takes out the parchment scroll and unties the ribbon.

  “What does it say then?” Daniel asks as Aaron carefully unrolls the parchment.

  “Lord Fuller wrote, ‘I hereby grant Aaron Silver and Daniel Rane passage from the West to the Crown Lands through the bridge.’ It is signed Lord Arthur Fuller, Lord of the West. It sounds so formal!” Aaron says, and Daniel smiles this exciting turn of adventure, meeting the Lord of the West.

  “Why do you want to go to the Crown Lands?” A rough voice asks over the boys’ shoulders. They jump in their seats and turn, but they do not answer. The man kicks the back of Aaron’s chair in frustration.

  “I asked you a question, boy!” says the man, raising his voice. Aaron slowly pulls out his chair and stands up, but Daniel remains seated.

  “We have no quarrel with the Crown Lands,” Aaron says reasonably, but the man only looks more agitated, and a few heads turn in their direction.

  “Royal scum,” the man mutters, and then he punches Aaron in the face, sending him straight to the floor. Daniel leaps up from the table and lands a blow to the man’s ear, because he was looking down at Aaron. The drunken man stumbles but keeps his feet. Before Daniel can throw another punch, he and the other man are grappled by other people in the tavern. Two men hold the drunken man, while Daniel is held by a woman. The common room has fallen silent except for the curses of a large bald man pushing through the crowd. The landlord steps into the small area cleared around Aaron’s prone form on the floor. He points at the men holding the drunken man who hit Aaron and shouts, “Get him out!” The men drag the man out of the tavern.

  “And you,” says the landlord, glaring at Daniel. “Take him upstairs and call it a night!” The landlord commands, gesturing at Aaron. The woman holding back Daniel lets him go and quickly snatches up the scroll, which had fallen to the floor next to Aaron. The woman reads the parchment while Aaron groans on the floor and struggles to sit up. Her face twists in disgust and she spits on the parchment. She glares at Daniel as she throws the parchment to the floor. As the woman storms off, Daniel picks up the parchment and rolls it up again. He takes Aaron’s arm and pulls his friend to his feet. Daniel then slowly leads Aaron toward the stairs to the rooms. The men and women in the tavern part to make space for them, looking down at them in disgust. Seeing this, Daniel is desperate to leave the bar.

  Aaron slowly comes to his senses, and he is able to walk on his own by the time they make to their room. Aaron’s right eye is already swelling shut. After retrieving a bucket of cold water, Daniel soaks a corner of his blanket and holds it on Aaron’s eye to keep it from swelling any further.

  “I knew people hated the Crown Lands, but not like this,” Daniel says.

  Aaron groans and says, “That’s why there is a rebellion brewing, and now, with the bridge and the walls, the divide is only going to get worse.”

  Daniel’s face is full of worry. “Visions, gladiator fights, secret rebellions, civil war, and messages from the unknown…it’s been a funny few days hasn’t it?” Daniel says with a smile on his face, and Aaron laughs in reply.

  With a sigh, Daniel says, “That’s the best I can do for your eye for now. Hopefully that will settle in the morning.”

  “Thank you, Daniel. Let’s get some sleep. We could both do with some rest, and we should get out of here as early as we can.” Aaron suggests, and Daniel nods. They quickly unroll their blankets and turn in for the night.

  As the sun rises the next morning, so too do the shop owners, market traders, and blacksmiths, who prepare for another day. The quiet bustle of the dawn is shattered by a single piercing scream. The men and women look up briefly from their tasks, but quickly return to their duties.

  Aaron sits bolt upright, eyes wide in a sheer panic, sweat pouring down his face. Daniel leaps out of bed a moment later, looking wildly around the small room. Aaron’s chest heaves as he breathes heavily. He looks over to Daniel, who is staring at him with concern.

  “The visions?” Daniel asks, and Aaron slowly nods as he turns and looks at the wall opposite him.

  “That one was bad,” Aaron whispers, wiping sweat from his face.

  “What did you see?” Daniel asks as Aaron slowly gets out of bed.

  “More of the same, only less blurry. I can feel the heat of the fire that burns down the building with the terrified people. The screams of the women and children pierce my chest. I don’t know how much more of this I can take, Daniel,” Aaron says mournfully.

  “How’s the eye?” Daniel asks, changing the subject to distract Aaron.

  “It’s feeling better this morning, thanks,” replies Aaron, gingerly touching his eye and noting that the swelling has gone down dramatically. There is a moment’s pause between the two young men.

  “Let’s go, Aaron. We can get a full day’s walk to the bridge if we leave now,” Daniel suggests. Aaron agrees, and they quickly pack up their meager belongings and the scroll from Lord Fuller.

  They head down the stairs to the common room, where the innkeeper is serving another guest while and another person sweeps around the tables and chairs. When the innkeeper spots Aaron and Daniel, he addresses them sternly. “Are you leaving now?” Daniel nods, with Aaron looking sheepish behind him.

  “Probably for the best,” the bald man says, and he returns to the kitchen. The two quietly leave the tavern with their bags on their shoulders.

  The two travelers walk quickly through the streets of Volgate, seeing the town in a different light at this early morning hour. When they get to the gate, they see that it is already open, and farmers and traders are starting to enter with their goods. Aaron stops and turns around for one last look at Volgate. Daniel doesn’t notice and keeps walking. Aaron sees Lord Fuller standing on one of the street corners with his arms crossed, two gu
ards standing behind him. Daniel pauses and turns to see Aaron looking toward the nobleman. Aaron receives a nod of approval from the Lord of the West, who then smiles and turns away. Aaron hurries to catch up to Daniel, and they leave Volgate, taking the path toward the border.

  Near the end of another day of travel, Aaron and Daniel slowly walk up a steep hill. Near the top, Daniel stops as if to rest, though Aaron does not initially see this and keeps on walking. After a few moments, Aaron notices that Daniel has stopped.

  Seeing that his friend looks very sad, Aaron walks back down the hill toward Daniel and asks, “What’s wrong?”

  Daniel slowly looks up to Aaron and says, “My only memory of my family is a time when we walked up a hill similar to this.” As he resumes walking, Daniel continues, “I was very young. I held my mother’s hand, and I had a stick in my other hand. As we walked up the hill, she said, ‘What we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others becomes immortal.’ I have tried to live my life by those words.

  “When we got to the top of the hill, we could see for miles and miles ahead. We even saw some the coast. It was beautiful. That memory is all I have left of her,” Daniel explains quietly. His eyes well up, but no tears come. Aaron puts his hand on Daniel’s shoulder, and they continue to walk together.

  Cresting the hill, they can see far and wide ahead, similar to Daniel’s memory. The young travelers take in the view, miles of grasslands laid out below them, shining in the late afternoon sunlight. There is a dark smudge of a forest far in the distance.