“Heric...”
Heric stopped her before she could object.
“My father is ill,” he said. “He’s been putting on a good face for the public, but the doctors do not know what is wrong with him. He’s in constant pain.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “The rumors are true?”
“Yes. It comes and goes, but it has been getting worse lately. Before we left, was the worst I had ever seen him. He couldn’t get out of bed.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I think I’m going to have to take the power away from him.”
“You can’t talk like that,” said Abigail. Her head darted back and forth as if someone could be listening.
“There is nobody here that knows what we are talking about.”
“Still...”
“Still, it’s inevitable. I’m going to inherit the throne eventually. What does it matter if I jump ahead with it?”
“Because he is the Emperor, not you, not yet. I’ve met your father. He will not give up his power so easily. You can’t just jump ahead like that.”
“We don’t know how long he is going to be like this. His pain could cause him to make rash decisions.”
“That’s not what this is about,” argued Abigail.
“The sooner I become Emperor the sooner we can be together,” Heric whispered. It was the first time he admitted that to himself.
Abigail grabbed his hand. She held it tightly to her heart.
“I’ll wait for you for as long as I can, but please do not go to war with your father.”
“I hope it will not come down to that. If he’s smart, he’ll relinquish his power. It’s the best solution there is. Do you believe in me?”
“Yes, I do.”
The crowd in the bar had doubled since Nikali came around. He had bought them their first round. Then their second. Then their third. Drunk men from all around the city surrounded Nikali. They told him stories from their lives. Each one that Nikali liked, he would toss them a coin. Eventually the crowd erupted into a shouting match, each man trying to out talk the next and top the other’s story.
Nikali noticed his bag of coins was getting significantly lighter as time went on. He did not worry about it. The attention he was getting was worth it.
“One last round of this awful drink,” Nikali yelled. He chugged the last of what was in his mug. Then he tossed the entire bag of coins at the bartender. “It’s unfortunate that this is the best you’ve got, but I’ve suffered through worse, and you are all wonderful people.”
The crowd cheered at the end of his little speech. They all clamored for more drinks. As the bartender passed out another round of mugs, he specifically gave Nikali a much bigger cup.
“This will make you feel stronger, my friend,” he told Nikali.
Nikali took the cup with gracious hands. He put it up to his face. It smelled of wood and torch fluid. His nose burned over the drink’s fumes.
“Alright,” Nikali shouted. He immediately tossed back the drink. The crowd cheered as he finished it in just a few gulps. Nikali’s entire body shook in retaliation. He could feel it coursing through his veins. For the first time since the other night, he felt like there was a little arcan in him again.
“Somebody, try and punch me,” Nikali ordered.
There were more than enough men to oblige him. The one that managed to step up was twice the size of Nikali. He was more fat than muscular, but still an imposing figure. Nikali shook off his nerves and readied himself.
“Swing as hard as you can. You can’t touch me,” Nikali said.
The fat man swung his arm back. Then he shot it forward. Nikali watched it charge towards him. He stepped right into the punch. It hit him square in the chest. Nikali did not budge. The crowd roared with approval.
“The strongest drink there is,” Nikali yelled in approval.
His victory was short lived. A pair of Louson guards walked into the bar. They were followed by their commander, Prince Randall Arraw. As the crowd noticed the new arrival they split apart allowing a path.
As the two guards looked around, off-duty soldiers drinking with Nikali lowered their heads. They knew they were going to have to answer to their superior officers later.
Randall Arraw walked straight over to Nikali. The Prince scoffed at Nikali, who could barely stand. They stood face to face. Nikali wavered on his feet. He turned his head as if to examine the Prince. Slowly, his head twisted more and more until he had twisted his entire upper body and he was now looking at the Prince upside down. Randall did not know what to make of it.
“I think you may be a little overdressed for this occasion,” said Nikali. He tugged on Randall’s uniform. “We’re a simpler people around here.” His eyes gestured to the crowd around them. They were all peasants, merchants, and off-duty soldiers. Nobody was wearing a uniform.
“You’re the unconscious one,” said Randall.
Nikali was taken aback. He straightened up to mock Randall. “And, what wonderful dreams I had. I recommend it for everybody.”
“I take it you’re feeling better?”
“Of course, why is everybody asking me that? Go ahead, punch me. That guy did,” Nikali mused. He pointed over to the fat man, who smiled back.
“That is enough, Nikali,” ordered Randall.
“Who are you? You seem to know so much about me,” Nikali asked. He looked over Randall’s uniform one more time as if to get a clue about the man’s identity.
“I am Prince Randall Arraw. I happen to be the reason you are alive.”
“Oooooh,” said Nikali. “I wondered what happened there. Not enough to ask about it, but it’s good to know.”
“What are you doing here?” Randall asked.
“I’m having a drink. You have a wonderful city. Thank you by the way, for the coin. This day would not have been possible without it.”
“Where did you get that money?”
“It’s a simple matter of bargaining, and borrowing. Alexus has a little here and there. He won’t miss it. I’m going to pay him back.”
“Please leave, you are causing a scene,” said Randall.
“That is ridiculous,” said Nikali. “There is nobody here that would argue about what I am doing. I do not wish to leave, and neither do my new friends. We’re having a grand time.”
“As a guest to our Kingdom, may I offer you another establishment to drink at?”
“That is very kind of you, Randall, but unfortunately I have spent all of my money here.”
“What?”
“It was top notch service.”
“You admit you stole money, and now you’ve spent it all here?”
“Nonsense, I merely borrowed the money. I plan on giving it all back. Which reminds me, please point me in the direction of a betting house.”
“I suggest you return to the tower where you will be staying for the rest of your trip.”
“I’ll take that under advisement.”
“Leave.”
“Tell you what, instead of yelling at me like the over-privileged child you are, just go ahead and punch me. Let it all out.”
Randall held back. He could feel his fists tightening, but he wasn’t going to let Nikali get the best of him like he had the crowd. They were cheering for Randall to strike him.
Nikali leaned in to talk to Randall. “Don’t worry. I’m untouchable anywhere I go.”
Randall turned to look Nikali in the face. He smiled.
“Maybe just in certain circles.”
Randall put up his hand and signaled for one of the guards. The guard did not hesitate. He struck Nikali across the jaw. Unprepared for the attack, Nikali dropped to the ground.
His head was spinning from all the drinking and the punch. He never saw the kick to his stomach coming.
Randall knelt down to address Nikali. “There is a punishment for stealing. It’s unfortunate you got away with it. Mostly.”
Randall brought out a bag of coi
ns from one of his pockets. He dumped it all over Nikali, making it obvious for the crowd in the bar to see. The coins jingled as they landed on the ground.
Everybody in the bar immediately put all their attention on the money. It was unprotected and just an arm’s reach away.
Randall walked off with his guards. He did not bother to look back at the crowd. He knew what was about to happen.
The crowd swarmed the injured Nikali and the money surrounding him. The mob quickly turned into a brawl as the money passed through hands and began to disappear. Nikali found himself at the center of it all, taking kicks, stomps, and punches from greedy men he would have called friends.
Chapter 17
Nikali was now lying in bed across from Alexus. After his beating from the bar crowd, he had managed to find his way back to the medical quarters. He had shrugged off all of the Louson people that tried to help him. He went directly to Alexus. He was the only person Nikali could trust.
Alexus was reluctant at first to help. He did not want to get out of bed. His foot was still suspended in the air from a pulley system. Nikali was a bloody mess. He screamed at the caretakers that followed him into the room. Eventually, Alexus managed to convince Nikali to lie down in the bed nearby. He then ordered one of the aides to go through his bag and get some things. From there the aide followed Alexus’ orders and got Nikali cleaned up, bandaged, and put to sleep.
It was hours later when Nikali woke up. He was surrounded by the rest of his Eluan group. Most of them looked relieved when he opened his eyes. Heric on the other hand had a look of disappointment on his face.
“You don’t need to be here,” said Nikali.
“You’ve been unconscious more often than you’ve been awake since we’ve arrived in Louson. What is wrong with you?” Heric asked. He stood up to peer over Nikali.
“It was a little fight. It happens.”
“We weren’t even supposed to notice that you were here. Do you remember that? You cannot act like this, Nikali.”
“So, I got in a little over my head. That’s nothing new. You don’t need to watch over me. You’re not Uncle Cyrus. I just pissed off the wrong guy. It’s fine. It’s over.”
“Who was it?” asked Forman. “We’ll get the King involved, or Prince Randall. He would want to know this was going on.”
“I don’t know who it was,” Nikali said, grinding his teeth. Telling them it was Prince Randall that caused the fight was not going to help matters. It was his word against Prince Randall’s. Nobody would win the aftermath of that dispute.
“Just be more careful next time,” said Forman. “You might not be so lucky.”
“There won’t be a next time,” said Heric. “You’re staying with somebody from now on, Nikali. You’ve become a liability.”
“I don’t need a caretaker. I’ll be fine. I won’t get into anymore trouble.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“The full moon falls. Ants carry a log,” mumbled Nikali.
Alexus spoke up because of that. “No more of that, Nikali. The proverb tongue is associated with arcan. They hate arcan here.”
“How would they possibly know the two are connected, Alexus?” Nikali argued.
“I’ve traded books with them. They are studying the Eluan Empire just as we are studying them. Somebody will pick up on it.”
Heric cut back in. “This is why you are not being left on your own anymore. I’m sorry, Nikali, maybe your coming along was not such a good idea.”
“I’m sorry, too. You’re better than this,” said Alexus.
“Just get out of here, all of you,” Nikali growled. “Alexus can watch me for the time being. I don’t feel like walking around at the moment. Does that make you happy?”
“None of this makes me happy,” said Heric. “Get some rest.”
Heric left after that. He was closely followed by Abigail. Forman said good-bye after an awkward silence. That left Nikali and Alexus alone again.
“I just won’t speak from now on,” said Nikali. “That should solve all the problems.”
“Nikali, it’s not that you talk,” said Alexus. He did not finish his thought. Nikali simply stared at him with an exaggerated look of annoyance. His mouth was closed tight. Alexus knew it was futile to try and convince him of anything at the moment.
Heric took the rest of the day to visit the military compound near the medical quarters. Prince Randall met them in the training facility in the afternoon. The facility had many spacious rooms designed for training. Roped obstacle courses reached to the ceiling three stories high. While they were waiting, Heric and Forman looked over many of the soldiers walking by. They privately compared their armor to Eluan’s. There were benefits for each armor. The Louson armor protected more around the neck, but could be easily taken apart, while the Eluan armor was securely fastened to the body.
As they walked around the facility, Prince Randall explained the benefits of the Louson army. A training segment was underway, and the three of them stayed to watch.
The soldiers were fast. They struck low to the ground multiple times before setting their weapon back at the starting point. Their formation brought the soldiers into pairs. One soldier struck low while the other guarded from behind and above.
Heric enjoyed watching their strategies. He mused about incorporating them into the Eluan style. It would certainly throw off any opponent on his side of the canyon. He reminded himself to look into it later. It would take a bit of practice to learn the nuances of the style.
When the training exercise was over, Randall led them to the general that was in charge. He was shorter than the rest of his men- a head shorter at least. None of them looked down on him. They looked straight ahead as they saluted after he dismissed them.
When Randall went up to greet him, he did the same. They never made eye contact. Randall continually looked straight ahead as if he were talking to somebody his own height.
Heric and Forman looked at each other and shrugged. They tried to hide their confusion as they approached the general. As hard as they tried to keep their heads up, their eyes continually wandered down to see the face they were greeting.
“Heric Caning, Forman, this is General Rarian, the headless soldier,” Randall said.
“You’re the fellows from across the canyon,” said the general. “You’re all the talk around here. They say you took out a dozen of our fury arcks.”
“I wouldn’t say a dozen,” defended Heric. He overcompensated and looked directly at the ceiling.
“That’s quite a feat,” said Rarian. “I’m impressed.”
“I hate to impress you that way,” said Heric.
“My life before theirs. Don’t let the others get to you. You have to do what it takes to survive, even if that means slaying your own pet. If they look at you funny, just let me know. I’ll take care of it.”
“Not necessary. If I can’t get used to a few cold stares I shouldn’t be a soldier.”
“Or a Politian,” laughed Rarian.
“We were impressed with your training,” Forman stepped in changing the subject.
“Thank you. My men are very skilled.”
“Are you training to fight the fury arcks?” Heric asked.
“Good eye, Heric,” said Rarian. “We have more enemies than just ourselves. The beasts out beyond the tree-line threaten our way of life. We have to be ready for them.”
“I see,” said Forman.
“They do not move like people. We have to train differently because of that. Even a small degree of difference in fighting can lead to your death.”
“What kind of beasts are out there?” Heric asked.
“Avadons, Heric Caning, avadons.”
Chapter 18
Searing pain woke Nikali up. Pins and needles shot through the right side of his body. He rolled over to pin his arm and side down to the bed. It lessened the pain for a brief moment. His bed was covered in sweat. The entire room spun in his head. Closing his eyes was
all he could do to not throw up.
Nikali tried to cry out for help, but his voice cracked. He needed a drink of water. He needed something to take away the pain. As violently as he could, Nikali rustled around in his bed. He groaned in discomfort. His energy only lasted a few seconds. He was out of breath drenched in his own sweat. The night did not answer back. The room remained quiet.
He lay there writhing in pain for a half an hour, but it seemed like an eternity to Nikali. Finally, Nikali mustered up the strength to crawl out of bed. He had to move. Nothing was going to change if he did not do anything about it. Alexus was across the room. He could help him.
As he stood up, the pain shot through his entire body. Nikali bent over in agony. He walked forward a few steps bent over. Again he tried to stand up but the pain doubled. He was going to have to walk bent over. It was the only way to tolerate the pain.
He felt around for anything solid. The room continued to spin as he moved forward slowly. His breathing got deeper. Every bit of oxygen felt good in Nikali’s lungs.
The darkness was keeping Nikali from seeing too many details, but he knew he had finally reached Alexus’ bed. The satisfaction of making it across the room gave Nikali the strength to stand up.
“Alexus,” Nikali said. “Alexus, wake up. I need help.”
Nikali waited for a reply, but there came nothing.
“Alexus, please, I need help. I feel like I’m going through withdrawal again. It hurts.”
Again, there was no reply.
Nikali reached out. He needed Alexus to wake up. Then he fell into the bed. Where he thought Alexus was going to be, he wasn’t. Nikali’s entire body shifted and clumsily fell over. Alexus was not in his bed.
Nikali scrambled to sit up. He looked all around the dark room despite the futility of it all. Panic overcame any sense of pain he had.
Now, every sound was an intruder. The shadows danced in Nikali’s mind. Paranoid scenarios ran through his thoughts. He had not recalled a struggle, but the medication he had been given earlier knocked him out for most of the night.
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