by T. K. Chapin
Amon grabbed a black diamond out of his bag and handed it to her. She looked at him with a bit of curiosity to the bag of black diamonds. “Where’d you get those black diamonds son?” She asked.
“We got them from a black diamond cavern. You can use that one instead of one of your own.”
“Where’s the cavern?” Ada asked. Amon smiled. “Ahh… it was worth a shot to see if you’d answer me.” Ada instantly drained the diamond and asked for more. Amon gave her five and then she drained another two before she began to cast again. Swirling purple energy between her hands formed into a small cloud. She backed up and expanded the cloud to be large enough for all of them. “Go ahead, step on,” Ada chuckled.
Katlynn rose a foot to place on the cloud and felt the sole of her boot press onto the squishy cloud surface. “What kind of magic is this?” Katlynn asked.
“Special,” Ada said with a grin. With everyone on the platform, Ada raised her hand, and with it the cloud took them all up to the tree branches, dropping the cloud down on a platform of wood. Ada was about to leave when she turned around and looked at Amon and Katlynn. “You’re going to Eken, eh?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Amon said.
“How do you think you will convince the Elders to go against the king?” Ada asked with a raised eyebrow.
Amon pulled out his stone and showed it to Ada. “Oh my…” Ada rubbed her pointy chin as she thought. “That’s a very nice gift, but is it enough to sway their desire to make the king happy?” Ada asked.
“It’s our only hope,” Katlynn said softly. “If it doesn’t work… I don’t know what we will do.”
“Interesting, no plan if that does not work?” Ada asked laughing. “You should always have a multiple routes to the same destination. Pinning all your hopes on the silly Elders of Eken can come back to bite you. However, I wish you the best.” Ada’s cloud had since dissipated. “How about a few more of those black diamonds?” Ada asked Amon smiling.
Amon held open the bag for her to take as many as she wanted. Ada pulled about 40 or so diamonds out and shrunk them down in size, dropping them into her pocket. “You are a wise priest,” Ada said smiling at Amon. “I don’t care if Nejik thinks you are a bit of a fool.”
“You know I hate it when you read my thoughts…” Nejik said smacking Ada playfully in the shoulder.
“You were the one who asked for the druid spells, I didn’t know it was going to allow me to see your thoughts. Sorry!” Ada said with a smile. “I best get to Jor and get her the pendent.” Ada ran over to the tree’s edge and leaped onto the curve to slide down.
“She has magic I have never seen before,” Amon said looking towards where she jumped. “It’s so powerful… So precise and quick.”
“Ada is not just any witch, she’s a great witch. She’s spent years studying both the Curo and Runic magic. She has spells that I don’t think exist anywhere outside of her grimoire.” Nejik went over to the table and picked up a flask, taking a quick swig, his eye makeup vanished and his clothing changed into a pair of light brown leather leggings and a green vestment.
“How does that work?” Katlynn asked. Nejik pointed to a group of flasks on the shelf near the table.
“I have a few different outfits I can switch into by drinking any of these flasks. Ada made them for me. She wishes I would take them out with me as I am traveling, but I find it annoying when they clank together in my pouch. I’d be spotted rather quickly with glass flasks banging around in my pouch.”
“That’s neat,” Katlynn said as she looked at the flasks on the shelf.
“How long until you think we are safe from the Kobolds and can leave?” Amon asked.
“I’d wait for day break, it’s already getting late and the Elders wouldn’t see you tonight anyways. Do you want me to join you on the way to Eken?”
“No, we will be fine,” Amon said quickly. Katlynn bumped Amon’s arm and looked at him.
“I think we should bring him…” Katlynn said whispering.
“Please excuse us,” Amon said smiling at Nejik. Turning away from him, Katlynn and Amon looked at each other. “Why should we bring him?” Amon asked in a whisper.
“We were being hunted by someone in the Ironwood Forest; they could have followed us here! Plus the guards are hunting us and those Kobolds… It just seems wise to bring him along, not to mention he’s my brother!” Katlynn could tell there was some tension between her love Amon and her brother Nejik. She suspected it had to do with the bad first impression of her brother choking him.
“Okay my love… If you insist,” Amon said. “You make a strong argument for it.” Amon and Katlynn turned back around to Nejik. “We want you to come along,” Amon said smiling.
“Great!” Nejik said. “We will depart at daybreak!”
Chapter 16
Early the next morning, while Nejik was sharpening his arrows against a stone, Katlynn woke up to the sound. Lying on her side, she admired her brother’s growth since she saw him last. He seems like he’s really found himself out in these woods, Katlynn thought. Noticing her awake, Nejik set his arrow and stone down on the table and crouched down to her on the wood floor.
In a whisper so he didn’t wake Amon, he asked, “So you really think this guy is it?” His eyes were widened and a smile adorned his face.
“I really do… Amon’s wonderful to me and he’s the love of my life Nejik,” Katlynn said with a smile. Holding up her hand, she said, “He’s serious about us and he promises to protect me.”
Nejik smiled, “Like when you had to save his life from that spider?”
“Well, that was a freak accident…” Katlynn said letting her voice trail off.
“A freak accident that forced you to give up your Runic family magic…” Nejik said with annoyance. “It’s your life sister. If a dragon is born down the line, after our parents pass onto the next life, it’s both our faults, but I’ll blame you mostly.”
Katlynn laughed pushing him in the shoulder, “I’ll take the credit IF that day comes.”
Amon turned over and woke up. “Is it time to go?” Amon asked looking off the platform at the beaming sunrise.
“Just about, Let me finish sharpening these arrows and get us some food.”
**
Sliding down the tree to the base; Katlynn, Amon and Nejik set foot into the Darkwood Forest heading southwest towards Eken. A few hours into their journey, they stopped at a small brook to get a drink from the stream and rest. A pack of wild horses were nearby drinking from the same water. Nejik stood up and began to sneak. Placing her hand on his shoulder, Katlynn said, “Don’t kill a horse, it’s senseless.”
“I’m not going to kill a horse! I’m going to charm three of them so we can ride them to Eken. Otherwise, it’ll be a rather long journey.”
“Can I help?” Katlynn asked anxiously.
“Do you have any songs that can stop them from scattering when I begin to charm one?” Nejik asked.
“Yes. I have a Song of Discord that will confuse them and cause them to trot around in circles.” Nejik smiled at Katlynn and patted her on the shoulder.
“Good thinking sister,” Nejik said. “Get up in that tree near them so you can project the song downwards over the heard.” Katlynn with her mandolin on her back scaled the nearby tree and worked her way onto the branch above the horses. Lightly, she began to play the Song of Discord from memory.
Red notes softly traveled from her mandolin and began to circle around the horses and confusion began to set in. As the final note played, the gold infused red note finalized their confused state. Glancing back at Nejik, she gave him a nod to begin the charm spell.
Nejik with no need to sneak walked up to the confused horses and got into position to charm. Pulling a small wooden twisted twig from his pocket, he began to move it about as he chanted an unrecognizable phrase. The confused horse had been charmed and broke the confusion as he trotted up to Nejik and pushed its muzzle against his arm. Petting the horse’s
forehead, Nejik said, “One down,” looking up at Katlynn.
Taming the next two, Nejik brought the horses back down stream to where Amon was standing. Katlynn climbed down from the tree and joined them by the stream as she watched the other horses come out of the confusion.
“The trip will be rather rough as we ride bareback, but it’ll be worth the pain,” Nejik said as he pulled from his pouch and handed Amon and Katlynn braided horse reigns.
“Umm… I haven’t ever had to put reins on a horse before,” Katlynn said embarrassed as Nejik handed her the reins. Amon on the other hand knew exactly what to do.
“That’s a luxury you royals have,” Amon said as he fitted the reins onto his horse. Nejik helped Katlynn put the reins on and helped her onto the horse. Leading the way, Nejik led them in a gallop through the Darkwood Forest in pursuit of Eken.
**
Pulling back on the reins as they approached the Crystalline Coast, they slowly came out of the Darkwood Forest. The beach was littered with crabs, turtles and shiny stones.
“What are those stones sticking out from the sand?” Katlynn asked as the horses trotted into the sand.
“Crystalline shards, they are used in making the windows you see in towns,” Nejik said. Stopping his horse, he continued, “Do you hear that?” Amon and Katlynn stopped their horses and listened. There was nothing but the sound of a few birds flying over head.
“No… What do you hear?” Amon asked.
“Shh….” Nejik whispered drawing his bow slowly from his back and drew an arrow from his quiver. Drawing an arrow he quickly turned and shot back into the Darkwood Forest into a tree. A body dropped from the tree, landing with a loud thump as it hit the ground. Turning their horses they came up to the body. Nejik jumped from his horse and rushed to the body.
As he inspected the black leathered individual, Katlynn thought she saw the ring of Esyma’s on the culprit’s finger. Wanting to confirm it, Katlynn leapt from her horse but fell on the way down. “Ouch…” Katlynn said as she picked herself up and made her way to Nejik.
She bent down and inspected the ring to make sure it was Esyma’s, it was. “Who was this person?” She asked slipping the ring off and putting it on her right index finger. Amon dismounted his horse and joined them.
“Someone with an order,” Nejik said handing her a parchment he found on the body.
Writ of Execution
Esyma Koltson – Queen of the Curo
Brithol Koltson – King of the Curo
Katlynn Durandel daughter of King Gungar Durandel III
Ordered by Council of Vul
“What is this list?” Katlynn said throwing it down and jumping up trembling in fear. Amon picked up the parchment and looked over the list.
“Who’s Vul?” Amon asked looking at Nejik.
“I have no idea,” Nejik said standing up from the corpse. “There’s nothing else on him to identify him any further.” Nejik looked back into the Darkwood Forest. “Someone is hunting you Katlynn. We must get you to Eken before whoever Vul is, sends more assassins to kill you.” Nejik climbed onto his horse.
Chapter 17
Riding along the Crystalline Coastline, the three of them trotted at a soft pace as they came upon Eken. Seeing the island out in the sea, Katlynn smiled at Amon. “We are almost home!” She said excitedly reaching her hand across to meet his between their horses.
“Soon we will be safe and secure my love,” Amon said smiling back at her.
“Looks like the guards are already here…” Nejik said slowing his horse to a stop. The guards were but a speck on the beach up ahead near the bridge into Eken. Glancing towards the island that sat high up on rocks, Nejik looked back at Amon and Katlynn. “Are you two any good at climbing rocks?” He asked.
“Rock climbing? Not so much…” Katlynn sighed.
“I’ve never done it either…” Amon said quietly.
Katlynn stared at the island and wished to be on it. The giant blue energy field sat over the entire island protecting it. “Could we even get pass the dome spell?” Katlynn asked.
“Yeah, it’s a barrier to keep people safe inside; nobody can attack once inside the dome of protection. You also cannot be forced to move inside the dome. Essentially protects everyone inside from any danger whatsoever.”
Peering down the shoreline, Nejik said, “I have an idea… It’s a crazy idea but it might work.” Turning his horse to go back into the Darkwood Forest, Amon and Katlynn joined behind him. Following him into the woods, Nejik stopped and dismounted upon meeting a wild bear.
“What are you doing?” Katlynn asked. Looking over his shoulder he put his fingers to his lips as he pulled his twig out of his pocket. He began to charm the bear to follow them. Through the forest they traveled with Nejik as he charmed animal after animal Amon providing him with black diamonds to recharge as they went. Horses, bears, wolves, cows and even a few goats were in the mix.
“How many animals do we have following us now?” Amon laughed.
“I’ve charmed 84,” Nejik said confidently. Stopping their horses as they came back onto the shore, Nejik jumped off his horse and Amon and Katlynn joined him. “Okay, so what we are going to do is…” Nejik removed his reins from his horse and began cutting the rope apart, “get you into Eken.”
**
Katlynn joined Amon on the back side of his horse. “You think this will work?” Katlynn asked wrapping her arms around Amon’s waist.
“We don’t have much of an option my love,” Amon said. Amon guided the horse in the midst of all the other animals while Nejik commanded the animals from the back of the group.
“It’ll work… maybe,” Nejik laughed from behind them. That’s comforting, Katlynn thought as they moved through the Darkwood Forest to the path that led to the bridge of Eken. Stepping onto the path, Nejik said, “Okay, get into position.” Shutting her eyes, Katlynn squeezed onto Amon as he jerked back and forth on top of the horse. Then with a strong sway, they went over the side of the horse onto the underbelly. Hanging upside down under the horse, Katlynn opened her eyes.
Blood began rushing to her head causing her to become lightheaded. “We are ready! But my head is very uncomfortable…” Katlynn said.
“Okay,” Nejik said. Amon and Katlynn could hear Nejik chanting from the back of all the animals. Then suddenly the horse began to walk forward, picking up speed with each step.
“I’m scared,” Katlynn said holding onto Amon on the underside of the horse in the makeshift netting.
“Don’t be!” Amon said kissing her cheek as they held each other. As the animals picked up full speed, they began making noises as they engaged the guards at the gate. Guards began charging the animals and slicing them with their swords as the animals trampled the lines of guards protecting the bridge into Eken.
A guard sliced the horse Amon and Katlynn were strapped to underneath and cut through the rope dropping them onto the bridge. Scrambling to their feet, they began running for the protection wall with the same guard chasing them.
“The princess, the princess!” The guard yelled alerting the others. With all the guards chasing after them, they were about to the barrier when Katlynn tripped over a leg of a dead wolf.
“Katlynn!” Amon screamed stopping and going back for her. Sliding on the bridge and stopping at Katlynn, Amon began dragging her after he realized she had been knocked out when she fell. With the guards only a few paces away Amon began pulling Katlynn’s unconscious body closer towards the protection barrier. Inch by inch, Amon pulled her through the shield but a guard jumped and grabbed onto Katlynn’s leg trying to pull her back out. Amon on his back was being dragged out of the shield when a tall man stepped over him and used the butt of his staff to pop the guard in the face knocking him back. Looking up, Amon saw a bearded elderly man smiling down on him and Katlynn.
“Arise and follow me,” he said turning and walking the rest of the bridge into the city of Eken. Jumping to his feet, he lifted Katlynn up and
tapped her face.
“We are here love, we made it!” Amon said smiling as she opened her eyes. A hint of a smile came across her face as she came back from being unconscious.
**
Once they caught up to the man, they walked through the center of town. The path was made of cobblestone and the buildings were all made of a grayish washed stone.
“Look at the craftsmanship of that bird,” Amon said pointing to a spell shop that had a phoenix etched into the stone sign.
“Wow… It’s so intricate with the details on the feathers,” Katlynn said. Seeing the elderly man go up the stairs of a building that sat at the end of the road, they hurried and caught up to him before he opened the large dark richwood doors.