Shades of Truth: Path of the Wielders 2

by Cleave Bourbon

  “What city is this?” Kaxen asked him.

  The crewmember looked up. “That be Port Arovan. I s’pect we’ll be stopping there.”

  “We’re putting into port then?”

  “Aye, I just told you so. We always sail into Port Arovan and exchange cargos. We’ll be here a day or two.”

  “Thank you,” Kaxen said to the sailor.

  Kaxen went to talk to Rennon as he wound his fishing line. “I suppose the fishing will have to wait.”

  “What city is this?” Rennon asked.

  “Port Arovan, I am told.”

  “Still part of Adracoria?”

  “As far as I know, it is. The maps I have seen put part of the Great Sythian Forest in the upper western corner of Adracoria.”

  “Ah, this must be the last port before the forest then.”

  Kaxen nodded, “before we depart at Crystalmill, just outside the forest, according to Asterial.”

  Gondrial met with the two boys on deck. “The crew tells me we will be in Port Arovan until at least tomorrow, maybe longer. What say we go to Yew’s Tavern and sample the ales? Yew’s has ales imported from all over the world. I have tried several of them but I have yet to try them all.” He reflected for a moment. “In fact, in all the years I have visited this port. I have only sampled maybe half.”

  “I am up for some time off ship,” Rennon was excited to say.

  “I’d wager Asrion would be up for it too. Solid ground will do him good,” Kaxen said.

  “I told him we were putting into dock, and he said he would be on deck shortly,” Gondrial told them.

  “And here I am,” Asrion said as he joined the others.

  “How are you feeling now?” Rennon asked.

  “Better than yesterday. I would very much like to get off this ship for a time,” he said, and then he addressed Gondrial, “although I don’t feel much like having an ale, sorry my friend.”

  Gondrial patted him on the back and laughed. “I understand, Asrion, but you will come with us, won’t you?”

  “Of course I will.” Asrion grinned.

  The Sea Goddess slowly entered a berth, and Kaxen could feel the anticipation of standing on solid ground grow within him. As soon as the mooring ropes were secure, the three boys and Gondrial departed, only stopping long enough to tell Asterial they would be back sometime after dark.

  As the boys left Asterial’s sight, Enowene scowled at him disapprovingly. “Are you going to let them go carousing with Gondrial like that, Master Asterial?”

  “What choice do I have, Enowene? The boys are becoming men, and I believe they should enjoy themselves while they still can. The times ahead will afford them no such luxuries.” He sighed and took Enowene by the hand. “How about a nice home cooked supper at the inn, eh?”

  “I thought you would never ask,” Enowene stated with a smile.

  Asterial held his arm out and she took it, and they both walked off the ship onto the dock. Enowene abruptly stopped. “We should bring along Aurelie and Lady Shey as well.”

  “Aye, I think we should go fetch them.”

  Enowene and Asterial walked rapidly back onto the ship for Aurelie and Lady Shey. They found Aurelie in her cabin with Bren. The two of them were talking while polishing their dragon scale armor. Enowene’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “There you are, Aurelie. Asterial and I are going to the inn for supper. Would you and Bren like to join us?”

  “Thank you for your invitation, but Bren and I have made plans.” She blushed slightly and Enowene lifted an eyebrow.

  “Uh-huh, I see. Come along, Aurelie, I think you had better join me tonight.” Aurelie hesitated. “Now, my dear,” Enowene said sternly.

  “As you wish, my lady,” Aurelie obeyed.

  “I mean no harm to the young lady, er- my lady,” Bren said.

  “No, of course not,” Enowene said. “Nevertheless, I will take Aurelie along with me anyway. I am sure you understand, broodlord.”

  “Of course, my lady,” Bren said, standing and bowing respectfully.

  “Come along, Aurelie,” Enowene commanded, and Aurelie obeyed. “We will look for Lady Shey.” Aurelie stumbled, and the small green statuette Kaxen had given her in Cedar Falls tumbled to the deck with a thud.

  “Oh no,” Aurelie said, scooping up the statuette. “I hope it didn’t break.” She examined it carefully.

  “It appears to be unharmed,” Bren said.

  Enowene looked at the statue in Aurelie’s hand. “Where did you say you got that?”

  “Kaxen gave it to me when we traveled through Cedar Falls. Why do you ask?”

  “I remember Lady Shey having a statuette like that one when she was very young. Her mother had given it to her as I recall. May I hold it?”

  Aurelie handed the statuette to Enowene.

  “Ah, I do believe it is made from an essence stone, a Nolminae Alaenore.”

  “What is an essence stone?” Aurelie asked.

  “In days of old, essence stones were used to store power to draw on in areas where there was not sufficient essence to wield, such as the Sacred Land is now. It could also be used to house a person’s essence, but the ability to use it in this manner has been lost all but to a certain few.” She handed the statuette back to Aurelie. “It was common practice to sculpt the stones into objects more pleasing to the eye than a lump of stone or crystal.”

  “Do you have one, Enowene?” Aurelie asked.

  “Heavens no, they are extremely rare and expensive. In fact, I would wager that the person who sold that statuette to Kaxen had no idea what it was.”

  Aurelie put the statuette back into the front pocket of her dress, pleased that Kaxen had given her such a precious gift.

  Lady Shey was strolling out on deck when Enowene, Asterial, and Aurelie found her. She happily agreed to come to supper.

  The three women and Asterial left the ship.

  Enowene cocked an eyebrow. “Bren was about to make a dragon knight out of young Aurelie here. I suggested she come with us instead.” She told Lady Shey.

  “Really?” Lady Shey said inquiringly. “How was he to accomplish that aboard ship?”

  Enowene cleared her throat loudly.

  “Oh, I see. Is that…uh…is that how it is then?” Lady Shey stammered.

  “No, it was most certainly not that!” Aurelie interrupted. “I am not so foolish a girl as to not know what you two are implying. Bren was a complete gentleman the whole time. We talked of the armor and that is all.”

  “Okay, dear, just be sure and not talk of the armor with him anymore without supervision,” Enowene insisted.

  “I am not a helpless kitchen maid,” Aurelie said, frustrated with Enowene’s tone.

  “Of course not, my dear,” Enowene said.

  Asterial rolled his eyes and looked for the nearest inn, any inn he could find.

  Chapter 11

  Yew’s Tavern’s location put it not far from the docks, which meant it was a sailor’s tavern. Kaxen was a bit uneasy about being around such a rough crowd. His own experience with the crew of The Sea Goddess told him they were probably a friendly bunch prone to pranks and humorous endeavors. The captain of The Sea Goddess was a well-loved man that treated his crew more fairly than most, but some of the sailors did not have such a cheerful disposition.

  A tall, stout-looking woman with dirty blonde hair and a thick cigar in her mouth approached the table the four men had occupied. “What will it be gents?”

  “I think we will splurge this night and purchase four Lux Amarou Stout ales please.”

  The woman’s eyes lit up. “Coming up.”

  “What was that look she gave us for?” Kaxen asked Gondrial.

  “The men of Lux Amarou hold the record for the thickest, stoutest ale. The men there believe that if it is thick and disgusting enough, no one will want to drink it and therefore wean himself off the drink. The problem is that it is the most imported ale in the world, and it is extremely expensive because it is not brewed
in large amounts.”

  “Why don’t they make more of it and turn a tidy profit?” Rennon asked.

  “The men from Lux Amarou think that it would be contributing to the evil ways of man, dwarf, and elf if they turn a profit from it. In other words, they would consider it ill-gotten wealth. The actual reason is that there are not enough men left on the haunted island to produce anymore.”

  “Four Lux Amarou Stouts,” The blonde-haired woman said, putting pint-sized tankards in front of them.

  Kaxen picked up his tankard as Gondrial paid the woman. To Kaxen’s nose, it smelled like the grease the sailors used on The Sea Goddess. “Ack, this smells disgusting.”

  “Naturally. It is a stout ale, you know.” Gondrial turned his tankard up and drank the thick fluid down. “Ah, that’s the stuff.” Gondrial’s face contorted, and he closed one eye as he swallowed.

  Kaxen was surprised to see Asrion turn his tankard bottom up and even more shocked when Rennon drank his.

  “Not bad,” Asrion said to Rennon. “Not at all,” Rennon replied.

  All three sets of eyes were on Kaxen as he raised his tankard. He turned it up, letting the thick liquid slide down his throat without tasting it. The ale had a viscous quality. The alcohol burned slightly. The oily fluid washed down, leaving only a slightly bitter aftertaste.

  “Careful, Kaxen, that ale is called stout for a reason; it will hit you all at once,” Gondrial cautioned as he promptly ordered another round with a smile.

  “Make it five ales,” Bren said to the inn mistress as he pulled a chair from a nearby table and sat in it next to Kaxen. “Hello, lads. Mind if I invite myself to your outing?”

  “Not at all, broodlord,” Kaxen replied. Kaxen noticed that the dragon knight did not wear his armor but instead he was wearing a red and black leather tunic, breeches, and a tabard with a dragon inlay pull over. A medallion of a wounded drake being tended to by a man hung around his neck.

  “I thought dragon knights abstained from drinking and tavern going,” Gondrial said.

  “No, that is a myth, I am afraid. Dragon ale would make Lux Amarou Stout look like a pale amber.”

  “I thought it was against the wishes of the dragon masters you worship,” Asrion said.

  Bren sniffed loudly. “We do not worship our dragons. We revere them, serve them as beings of ancient power and respect. They are friends and mentors. Someday you will meet them, and then it will all become clear.”

  “Meet the dragons; I would not be so bold to think I will ever meet the dragons,” Rennon stated.

  “Be careful, young Rennon. Some dragons turn up where you least expect them.” Asrion chuckled.

  Rennon shook his head and tried to sip the rest of the ale from his empty tankard.

  “If you don’t worship dragons, why did you become a dragon knight?” Kaxen asked.

  Bren lifted his medallion and pointed to the man tending to the wounded dragon. “This medallion explains it all. It means a life for a life. The very first dragon knight dedicated his life to the dragon called Amadyre because she sacrificed her unborn drakeling in order to save his life. He declared that his life now belonged to her. A life for a life. Dragons only give birth about once every one hundred years or so. After a time, Amadyre gave the knight longer life and taught him the magic of the dragons. Soon many dragons recruited men, dwarves, elves, and even Scarovs.”

  “Then why are you here?” Rennon asked.

  “My dragon suggested it. Ah, here is our ale.”

  Bren paid for the ales and took the first drink. “Your question is difficult to answer, young Rennon, I certainly don’t have to be here. In truth, I am here in representation of the dragons, but any such designation would be informal and unofficial. I was told by a sailor that you had a female dragon knight in your company; naturally, I had to investigate since I have never heard of such a thing, but all I find is a young kitchen maiden with broodlord armor. When I questioned Aurelie as to where she acquired the armor, your Lady Shey convinced me that Aurelie is no dragon knight, so I am as perplexed as you. My quest is foretold by the dragon seers as a quest of great importance, and that I am to find a dragon knight like no other. But officially, I am just a traveler like you, seeking the truth.”

  “Did Aurelie tell you the story of Signal Hill?” Gondrial asked.

  “Aye, you all are very lucky to have gotten out of that forsaken place alive, very impressive indeed.”

  “I thought so. People tend to loosen their tongues around you freely, Sir Knight.”

  Kaxen watched as Rennon, his twitching nose, and searching eyes gave him away. Rennon did not believe the broodlord’s explanation.

  “Broodlord, I have always been led to believe that dragon knights were very secretive, yet you give us information generously, why?” Kaxen asked for Rennon’s sake more than for himself.

  Bren drank down his ale. “You know little of the ways of dragons. For this reason, and other reasons, I normally keep to myself. I am a dragon knight and a fellow passenger on this journey of life. Anything that interests my dragon friends also interests me. I have no reason to doubt your sincerity.”

  “Do the dragons have seers?” Asrion asked.

  “Of course they have seers,” he eyed Asrion, “and clerics of Loracia, you may be surprised to hear.”

  Asrion was surprised. “What god does your master worship?”

  “Enough questions for now, lads,” the broodlord said, “I would like to enjoy your company, but if I make you uncomfortable I will depart.”

  “No need for that,” Gondrial said. “The boys will stop badgering you.” He made a point to drive his message home.

  Kaxen took another gulp of his ale, and the room began to spin around him; a sharp pain ensued at his temples. He looked up, saw the laughing faces of his friends, and realized they perceived nothing wrong. Kaxen tried to speak, but no words came from his mouth. In his mind’s eye, he saw a snake in a nest with young chicks. He tried to reach and help the young birds by grabbing the snake, but when he reached out, fire leaped from his hand, burning the nest to cinders. The snake burst into flames, and then the tree caught fire, and finally, the forest was ablaze. Kaxen was trying to put out the flames, but something was pulling him away. Am I dreaming? he thought.

  “Open your eyes, lad!” Bren was fanning his face with his huge hands. Kaxen lethargically opened his eyes to see he was on the floor. Bren began shaking him vigorously. “Ah, there we go. No more ale for you tonight, I think,” he said, helping Kaxen to his feet.

  “Something is wrong,” Kaxen said as he sat back in his chair.

  “Aye, Something is wrong! You’re drunk! Rennon said laughing. “And you fell out of your chair!”

  “No, something else is wrong. The ship is sailing. We are being left here.” He gasped as he had an epiphany. He looked down at Dranmalin at his side. The sword seemed to be speaking to his mind somehow. “Not everyone is who they seem to be.”

  “I think we need to get back to the ship and put you to bed, Kaxen,” Gondrial said. “I have never seen an innkeeper’s son that could not hold his ale before.” Gondrial downed his ale and then stood up. “Let’s get him back to the ship.”

  “Wait a moment, let me see if he is ill,” Asrion said as he put his hand on Kaxen’s forehead. Asrion mumbled a prayer and then opened his eyes wide. “What is happening to you, Kaxen?” he mumbled.

  “I don’t know. Get to the ship!” Kaxen put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

  Bren looked down and noticed Dranmalin for the first time. “By the gods, that’s the dragon hammer. The boy is having a Lora Den, a dragon dream in your tongue. I will check on the ship.” Bren sprinted out of the tavern with unimaginable speed. A few moments later, he rejoined them. “The ship is safely moored at the dock. There is no sign of any disturbances. Are you certain you are all right, Kaxen?”

  “No, I’m clearly not all right.”

  Rennon put his hand on Kaxen’s forehead. “It feels like you may ha
ve a fever.” He pulled a piece of Asber Bark from his pouch. “Here, chew this.”

  Kaxen took the bark and began chewing it.

  “We need to find Asterial as soon as we get back to the ship. He will know what is happening,” Gondrial said.

  Kaxen found it increasingly difficult to walk and talk the closer they came to the ship, and Bren had to carry him the rest of the way. Asrion began mumbling his healing prayers, and Gondrial went to find Asterial.

  Kaxen tried to hold on to what he was seeing and feeling, but other images were clouding his mind. “What is happening?”

  As soon as they got Kaxen into bed aboard ship, Rennon had Bren fetch some water from the galley. Asrion went to find more blankets.

  “What is happening to me? Rennon?”

  “Bren has gone to fetch you some water, Kaxen,” Rennon said. “Lie still and try not to talk.”

  “What in the name of Ashonda is going on here?” Asterial asked as he entered the room. Asterial’s face was ashen, and sweat beaded up on his brow.

  “I think he will be fine, Asterial; it must have been all that ale,” Rennon said.

  “Ale? How many did he have?”

  “Three Lux Amarou Stout ales, I think,” said Gondrial.

  “Aye, I believe that is the correct amount,” Bren said as he returned with a tankard of water.

  “Lux Amarou ale! I am surprised he can still walk,” Asterial said.

  “Actually, I carried him,” Bren said.

  “I see, well, I don’t think there is anything nefarious going on here; just a case of someone who cannot handle his ale.” Asterial patted Kaxen on the head. “Get some sleep now, boy, if you can.”

  Asrion and Rennon stayed in the cabin with Kaxen while Bren took Gondrial and Asterial aside. “You may want to speak to the captain, Master Asterial.”

  “Oh, why is that?” Asterial inquired.

  “After I carried Kaxen to his cabin, I went to fetch him some water. I found the captain had been preparing to leave. He had pulled the moorings but had not retracted the gangplank yet. I believe our sudden return from the tavern might have caught him off guard. The boy’s vision of the ship leaving may not have been far off the mark.”