Lingering Fate (Silver Ones Curse Book 1)

by B. W. Catt

  The sun was high in the sky as they arrived in the small village. The village had spears aimed outwards surrounding it and three watch towers.

  Woldiniar stopped them. “Before we continue, we should cover your pegasus. We do not need them to know what you have.”

  Woldiniar removed a blanket from one of the bags and covered Xerlesis.

  “This place seems very secure Woldiniar. It doesn’t look dangerous around here so why do they do this?” Sebial asked.

  “Ahh that is to keep out the creatures that come from the mountains. They attack and feed on the people who live here. No one knows what sort of creatures attack, so it could be bandits for all we know. But they are always watching, prepared to save what little they have.” Woldiniar responded while looking ahead.

  “Little? If they have little then why would we even go here?” Sebial questioned him.

  “Oh you will see. Once we go through the gates you will see.”

  They approached the gate to the village. A guard standing at the top of a tower yelled down to them.

  “WHAT IS IT YOU SEEK TRAVELERS?”

  “WE SEEK SUPPLIES FOR OUR LONG TRAVEL INTO THE MOUNTAINS! WE NEED THREE MORE HORSES AS WELL!” Woldiniar yelled to the guard.

  The guard nodded and waved his hand, the gate quickly opened allowing the five of them to enter. The villager’s gazes made Sebial step closer to Xerlesis.

  “Why are they looking at us like that Woldiniar?” Sebial quietly asked, while clutching her hand to the blanket draped over Xerlesis.

  “They do not get many travelers, so they are always weary.” Woldiniar responded.

  As they walked towards the center of town they passed a few of the villagers cabins; their eyes directly on every move they made. The center of town was much different. The stalls were filled with many goods, the people running them more than delighted to see new faces.

  “Wow, they have more stalls than cabins Master. And why do these people seem happier compared to the others?”

  “Yes, they do have more stalls. They depend on travelers like us who are crazy enough to enter the mountains. It’s a long journey so they will happily sell anything we could possibly need.”

  Elin walked up to a stall filled with bows. “These appear to be of decent make.” He stated as he grabbed one of the bows off a hook.

  “They are better than decent make!” A young man standing next to the stall stated. “I make the best bows in the land.”

  Elin places the bow back on the hook. “Of how many lands do you speak?”

  The man tilts his head in confusion of what Elin just asked him. “What do you mean ‘of how many’? There is only one and that is this land we stand upon traveler.”

  “So you are saying your village is the only land?”

  “Of course, are you that dehydrated from traveling that you have forgotten this is the only place for us?”

  Elin stepped back from the stall. “I guess you are right. I shall go get water from the well.”

  Elin quickly walked to gather the others from buying things. Once he had them reunited he informed them of what had just taken place at the bow stall.

  “Hmm, I know it has been many moons since I have been here but nothing appears too different from my memories.” Woldiniar stated while rubbing his chin.

  “How many moons has it been Woldiniar?” Elin asked concerned.

  Woldiniar stared up at the evening sky; calculating the time. “Well, it was before my time with Sebial at least. Maybe it was... hmm. I would have to say it was when I was delivering a message for the Sebial the 7th.”

  Sebial gasped. “That long!? Woldiniar, has anything changed here at all since then?”

  Woldiniar looked around at the village. He let out a nervous laugh. “I guess not. Even the old blind lady sitting there selling flowers was there when I came through back when.”

  Denias gave Elin a concerned look while placing his hand on his shoulder. Elin stepped closer to Woldiniar.

  Elin lowered his voice. “Did you ever pass here before then as well Woldiniar?”

  “Yes, a few times... and.” He thought to himself for a moment. “It was different those times.”

  “We need to leave Woldiniar. This place is cursed.” Elin continued whispering. “We do not know what caused these people such issues. Maybe they betrayed the flame?”

  “Woldiniar, I think Elin is right. We should go.” Sebial spoke up. “They haven’t stopped watching us and their gazes seem... off.”

  Woldiniar glanced around again. “We need supplies though. We will not survive the mountains without them. So let us purchase what we need before the sun is gone. I do not wish to sleep in a place where time has stopped.”

  “Ex..excuse me?” a voice came from behind Sebial.

  They jumped to look. A young lady was standing there holding bread in a basket.

  “I was... told by the village leader to give these to you. He said it was a gift since he was too busy to meet you at the gates.” She continued. “I... baked them fresh myself. So please have some!”

  She held the basket out further.

  “They smell delicious.” Sebial exclaimed. She reached to grab a loaf out of the basket.

  Elin grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He gave her a quick glare before smiling. “I know you are hungry but are you so hungry you forgot you cannot eat bread?”

  Sebial looked at him confused.

  “That’s right! My dear student can't have bread. But here I will take two! One for me and one for her!” Woldiniar happily reached into the basket.

  He cautiously looked at the loaves in his hands before quickly eating them. Elin smiled.

  “But, Elin.” Sebial whispered to him.

  He reached his arm around her and turned her towards Denias and Sanu.

  “Stay with them.” Elin whispered before turning back to the lady.

  “Here I will take three. I will give those two with her their share. Thank you for giving us such a gracious gift.” Elin smiled while reaching into the basket.

  “Your, your welcome. I will tell the leader how much you enjoyed the gifts. And I will make something you can eat as well!” The lady called out to Sebial.

  “Oh! Thank you. You are very kind.” Sebial responded unsure.

  The lady turned away and disappeared to the back of the village. Everyone turned to look at Woldiniar.

  “How do you feel?” Elin asked.

  “I feel fine. I do not believe that bread was made with ill intent. I believe they are trapped and do not realize it.” Woldiniar responded.

  “I see.” Elin responded while looking at the loaves in his hand. He tossed a loaf to Sanu and Denias. “Here, it seems safe, eat.” Glancing at Sebial. “I am sorry, here you can have mine. He handed it to her.”

  Sebial reached out and took the bread. “Thank you for that. If we would have been wrong then who knows what would have happened.”

  “HEY! I ate two!” Woldiniar shouted. “If we would have been wrong it would have been I who paid the price!”

  Sebial ripped the bread in half and handed a piece to Elin. “She said she was making me something different, so here, share with me.”

  “Thank you.” Elin quickly ate his piece. “Woldiniar, you chose to be reckless. Not us. Besides, I highly doubt this place could knock someone older than I down.”

  “Older than you? But you are an elf. How can Woldiniar be older than you?” Sebial asked curiously.

  “Shut your mouth Elin. I am younger than you!” Woldiniar responded angrily.

  Elin laughed. “Of course you are. I must be mistaken due to my dehydration the bow stalls man said I had!”

  They laughed.

  “Shall we get shopping!?” Sebial smiled and looked at Woldiniar. “I need your bag! Pleeeaaase!”

  “Hmph, so needy, you are not taking my bag. But here, you can have a few silver. It will be more than enough to buy whatever it is you need.” Woldiniar stated while still begrudged by Elin’
s earlier comment.

  “We shall meet at the stables when we are done. So shop quickly. The sun is close to kissing the trees.” Elin said while walking away.

  Denias and Sanu walked off together to shop leaving Woldiniar and Sebial standing together.

  “Well Sebial, make it fast and don’t get lost. I need a refreshing drink before we head out.”

  Before Sebial could respond, Woldiniar was gone. Sebial stood there for a moment trying to figure out where to go. Out of the corner of her eyes she noticed something sparkling. She walked over to the stall. It was filled with trinkets but only one had caught her attention. She carefully picked it up.

  Four silver swirls stacked on top of each other facing east. Each swirl smaller than the one behind it. In the center was a blood red stone, glistening as if it were on fire. She turned the trinket over. On the back was writing she had never seen, it was faded and worn.

  It looks like whoever had this rubbed it often. I wonder if it was from someone special?

  She lifted the chain attached to the trinket. It’s finely braided chain made of silver and purple. Running her fingers along the chain she carefully went to place it around her neck.

  “Heh, if you want to wear something I’m selling then you need to ask for my permission!” a grumpy old man stood up and walked around the stall.

  “I’m sorry!” Sebial held the trinket out to him.

  “Oh it's that.” He looked up at her. “Why would you be interested in something like that?”

  “It’s pretty and unique and...”

  “Old. It's old. A beautiful lady like you wouldn’t want something which such sorrow tied to it.”

  The man went to snatch the trinket out of her hands. Before he could Sebial closed her hands.

  “Tell me, why is it a sorrow? For I do want it.”

  The man grumbled to himself. “Fine I'll tell you. It's an old folklore about the lands... it's just a sad story though so don’t go thinking this trinket will keep ya safe.”

  Sebial nodded.

  “The four swirls represent the main races who used to rule the lands. Dragons, being the largest swirl. Their power and knowledge used only to protect the weak. Elves, the second largest swirl. Their compassion to protect the land from drought and disease. Dwarves, the third swirl. Their strength and resolve, to hold the world in one piece. Warlocks the fourth swirl. Their magic, known to help all of the creatures in their time of weakness. Their gift was seen as precious to the magical creatures, they said the warlocks were the flames' own flesh. The red in the center represents the flame. The being that made us all.

  The chain on the trinket was forged by the four swirls. The dwarves gifted purple ore. The dragons brought silver. The elves and warlocks blessed the chain while it was carefully braided by humans... that is where they made their mistake.

  The writing on the back speaks of being betrayed by the weakest of all races. It says: ‘Greed of one can destroy them all.”

  Soon after many things began to change in the land. The magical creatures grew weak as the main four races went to war. But that’s a story for another time. Do you see now why I told ya, you don’t want something so sad?”

  Sebial shook her head. Gently tracing the words on the trinket she looked up at the man. “I do not see that story as sad. I see it as a beautiful lesson. I wish to see a land like this story told. With that being said. How much?”

  The man's eyes went wide. “You still want it!? You know only a fool would want something like that. Consider it paid since you had to listen to an old man's story.”

  “Thank you!” Sebial placed the trinket in her bag and walked away. She noticed Elin was at a food stall and headed his way.

  “ELIN!!” She went to call out but quickly realized he was flustered. She walked up to him. “Elin what’s wrong?”

  “He is short one silver coin!” the shopkeeper yells.

  “Oh that’s all? Here.” Sebial quickly handed a coin to the man.

  “You didn’t have to.” Elin stated to Sebial while grabbing the two large sacks from the man.

  “It’s fine. We will all be eating together anyways. Shall we head to the stalls?”

  As they walked to the stalls they noticed more of the villagers watching them. Sebial stepped closer to Elin.

  “Don’t pay mind to them, just keep walking.” Elin whispered.

  “Do you not think it’s strange there is so many of them in this one area though?”

  “We will just walk a little faster.”

  Right after Elin spoke, they were hit by a wave of magic; knocking them both unconscious.

  To be continued