He fitted the description alright.
One of the men on horseback spoke.
“Are you the one called Taragon Stein?” He spoke with authority in his voice.
“And what if I am?” I replied.
My mind raced. Why were the Governor’s soldiers asking for me? Could it be that incident with that noble’s daughter in Cappras? No, surely not, that was over ten days travel on horseback to the west, and I made sure when I left that no one knew in which direction I travelled. Then there was that money that I had taken from Olaf, or should that be Olaf Ironfist, a vile man who liked hitting things while wearing a spiked mailed gauntlet, mainly those that had riled him in one way or another. But this was not Olaf’s style; he would typically send out his goon squad to rough you up before he introduced you to the fist. Besides he would not be one to go to the local law since he was probably on the Governors ‘to do’ list anyway.
“Then by order of Governor Arron, I must ask you to accompany us to the Governor’s residence where he awaits with an urgent request.”
“A request?” I mused, “and what if I were to refuse?”
The soldier shifted uneasily in his saddle.
“Then I would have to insist on it.”
“I see.”
“It just so happens that I have finished a job here, and was on my way to the town of Turon to claim my reward. If I follow you now what of my coin?”
“We have just come from Turon, that is how we found you. Did you locate the beast?”
“I did; it’s back there.” I motioned with my head in the direction of the tunnel behind me.
The apparent leader of the group nodded, and then signalled to one of the other soldiers who dutifully responded by dismounting and walking to where I now stood. Moving aside I allowed the young soldier to enter the tunnel. He was gone only momentarily before returning in a hurried fashion.
“Captain Salford, it’s…. it’s a Fangore in there.” He said in surprised tones.
Captain Salford-raised an eyebrow upon hearing the news “You killed this beast?”
“I did.”
The Captain said nothing, but nodded slightly in admiration for such a deed.
“How much was your reward?”
“Twelve gold pieces,” I announced.
It sounded much better than the fifty silver pieces, the equivalent of five gold pieces that I would have got at Turon. I was careful not to ask for too much, even though saving a town from a nearby Fangore should have been at least five times that price.
“Lord Governor Arron will reimburse you your losses. You have my word”.
“Then I shall accept his invitation.” The Captain looked relieved by this.
I knew they would only have got me there one way or another, and besides, twelve gold pieces! And it sounded like a job.
I made a mental note to visit Turon, and have a few words with Verell after my business at the Governors had been concluded.
I found Storm busily chewing the soft grass at the base of the tree where I had tied him. I had named him after the night we had met. Not the fastest of horses, but he could carry a weight and did not scare easily either.
He lifted his head at my approach. Stroking his glossy black mane, I stowed the Glowball staff in one of my many saddle pouches, took hold of the reins and mounted.
Captain Salford and his men had followed me to the tree. I guess that they were worried that I might have suddenly changed my mind; but they had no need to be, I was quite intrigued by the request of this Governor Arron.
Once mounted we set off north-west along one of Southern Kantaria’s many roads. The roads in the south were generally of good quality, and our progress was swift. We passed few people on our journey. Those that we did pass on the road were either farmers on their way to the next town to sell their hard earned crops or travellers and pilgrims on journeys of their own. At one point we came upon a group of travelling musicians that stopped playing their songs at our approach. Moving to one side of the road, they watched as our party passed before them. I guess to them I must have looked like a condemned criminal on my way for sentencing for some ghastly deed or other. But all the same, I gave them a smile and a cheery wave before continuing on.
As we rode, I tried to remember what I could about Governor Arron. I knew that the King had appointed the four Governors to rule over various areas of southern Kantaria. Governor Talak ruled the troubled north, and held a reputation of being tough and battle hardened. Governor Serberian watched over the wooded valleys, and lush farmlands of the south-west, while Governor Kalgan kept order in the great merchant trading city of Nashmere to the south, as well as presiding over many of the small fishing villages that dotted the coast. However, Governor Arron’s district covered an area to the south-east of Kantaria, which was commonly referred to as the Crone’s Nose, mainly because of its geological shape. There were many small towns such as Turon that had arisen in this area. A lot of the other hamlets to be found here were full of lawless vagabonds, thieves and outlaws. Also, the rumours of gold being discovered in the mines on the tip of the Crones Nose had enticed many undesirables, and would-be treasure hunter to the district, myself included! Arron was kept a busy man, but he had always had a reputation for being fair and just, but nonetheless merciless to the guilty. Little else did I know. I just hoped I was not one of the guilty!
It was night when we finally arrived. The journey itself had taken just under a day’s ride. A small side road led up to the home of Arron, which more resembled a small fort than a place of residence. As guards wielding flaming torches welcomed the captain at our approach, we passed beneath a heavy iron portcullis that took us through the main gate. However, upon hearing the portcullis clang shut several seconds later, it made me feel like the rabbit just after the trap’ had been sprung!
Passing many low wooden buildings to our left and right, I paid particular interest to one of them with sounds of laughter and singing coming from within. Soft light shone through the windows illuminating the path outside, whilst shadows danced merrily on the opposite side of the cloudy glass. It sounded as if many people were enjoying themselves inside.
A short distance further and we arrived at the stables. As we dismounted, two young stable hands ran out from the light to take in our mounts. Storm seemed eager to follow, probably spurred on by the smell of fresh hay and mares no doubt.
Motioning with his hand, Captain Salford showed me the way he intended for us to go. Looking behind I noticed the three other men who had accompanied us had dismounted and were heading back in the direction of the noisy building we had just passed. I had to wonder if I was heading in the right direction.
It did not take long before we arrived at a lantern-lined stonework path that led towards a large, white, square building with two floors. The stonework on the outside appeared to be smooth. Flowers grew in colourful clumps in front of the house, and the roof itself appeared to be constructed from stone square tiles, not wood or thatch. This I found to be most peculiar.
Luxurious curtains hung in the windows and I am sure that I saw one of them move at our approach.
The Captain continued to the door and proceeded to pull on a piece of cord that hung to one side, shortly after bells could be heard ringing from within. Several seconds later the door creaked open, a tall, thin, pale looking man dressed in black stood in its light.
“I have Taragon Stein to see Governor Arron at his request.” Announced the Captain.
“You have been expected,” snapped the man. “Rooms have been prepared. This way please.”
As we followed the man up a large wooden staircase, I noticed my weapons were receiving his particular interest.
“You may make me an offer if you wish,” I jested with a smile, “and if it’s good enough I may decide to sell you something?”
He regarded me with cold eyes and wore an expression to match. “You won’t need those here,” he barked.
Upon arriving at the second, I
was abruptly halted in front of one of the many doors.
“You will find washing items in your room. If you please, leave your weapons inside. They will be quite safe.” At this last request, I glanced over to the Captain.
“They will be safe, you have my word,” he promised.
I did not know why, but there was something about this Captain Salford that made me trust him. A tall, proud man with hard chiselled features, he wore a small thick brown moustache that drew attention to it every time you looked at his face. But the look in his eyes was one of decency. He seemed one of those honourable types that you could trust. You know the ones that would foolishly hold their ground against hordes of enemies in the name of honour, besides I had always seen myself as a fairly good judge of character.
I nodded as I entered the room that was shown to me.
“Dinner will be shortly,” announced the sullen servant before closing the door and continuing along the hallway with the Captain.
The room beyond was not very spacious at all, barely ten paces long by seven paces wide. Polished wooden panels decorated the walls, but stopped either side of a large curtain-drawn window that showed nothing but the darkness from outside. A wooden chest rested beneath this window, and on top of this sat a large bowl, soap, a jug filled with water, with clean towel and washcloth also provided. There was a small blazing fire set into the wall to my left, and a large bed that dominated the room was pushed against the wall to my right. A wooden chair sat at the base of this bed, which looked as if someone had placed it in afterthought. Everything looked expertly cleaned and tidied. I was hardly used to such comforts.
Someone must have thought a change of clothes would also be required, as a set of outlandish looking garments lay upon the bed. They consisted of boots, dark purple, nearly black silken breeches, a white shirt with an undesirable pattern, and fancy cotton woven over-jacket. I eyed the clothes with distaste. However, I did briefly pull on the boots, until I discovered they were about a size too small!
With nothing else to do, I stripped off to the waist, and washed and cleaned myself the best I could. Then taking the now damp cleaning cloth to hand, I proceeded to scrub what mud and Fangore blood I could from my soiled armour. After I had finished, I inspected my handiwork, not bad, apart from a particularly stubborn stain on the right shoulder, it had all come up pretty clean. Which is more than could be said for the cloth!
Leaving the clothes where they lay, I redressed myself in my armour.
Now sitting on the edge of the bed, I had time enough to examine my buckler shield more carefully. It was perfectly round, dull silver in colour, with a bright blue thin line running around its outer edge. In its centre, the blue runic symbol seemed to shine with a light of its own accord. I ran my finger over the marking feeling it warm to the touch. Smiling happily to myself for my hard earned find, there came a knock at the door.
Quickly hiding sword and shield under the bed, I slid my hand crossbow under the pillow before opening the door.
The man in black stood in the doorway.
“Don’t tell me; you’ve come to buy the sword?” I smiled.
“Dinner is served,” he replied with a scowl, his eyes then went to the armour I still wore.
Giving him another grin, I followed him back down the stairs and through a hallway to a set of double wooden doors. Pushing them open the man in black bade me enter. With a final passing nod in his direction, I entered the room, and the doors closed behind me.
The room beyond was the dining room. Long in length, it had the same wooden panelling that decorated my room. Three large red-curtained windows sat on the wall opposite, and a much more substantial stone crafted fireplace heated the room at one end. Fine-looking woven tapestries, depicting majestic battle scenes hung on the wall to my left, and the floor was of polished wood that captured the light from the two magnificent chandeliers that hung over the room’s centre. But by far the most impressive feature of the room was the huge dinner table that almost ran its entire length! Obviously, the room had been intended to entertain much grander guests than I.
Seated at one end of the long cloth-covered table was Captain Salford. Opposite him sat a woman who was middle aged, and thin of face. Her black shoulder length hair glimmered softly in the strong light. She was dressed in a fine purple gown and was not displeasing to the eye, but she was no beauty either.
To the right of the woman sat a small chubby girl of about eight years of age. Wearing a white frilly dress with a pink bow, I did not have to look at her expression to tell me she was bored. The way she held her head in one hand, whilst moving a silver spoon around and around in playful circles on an empty plate with the other told me all I needed to know.
At the head of the table, to Captain Salford’s right was a man who I took to be Governor Arron. He was also chubby in appearance with a large round face, double-chinned, with bright rosy cheeks that resembled the girls. A large nose sat below two small eyes, and he was dressed in a pale red cotton tunic that looked as if it had seen better days, he also wore a circular hat to match. The girth of his stomach told me that the rest of his body mirrored the fullness to be found in his face. When I had entered the room, the Governor and the Captain had been deep in conversation leaning close to one another before separating after my arrival.
“Welcome, welcome Mr Stein” called Governor Arron as he rose from his chair.
“Please take a seat next to the Captain,” he motioned with his hand at my intended place.
Bowing my head with a slight nod, I headed for my chair. It never hurt to be polite around Governors, as I never knew if I would be in front of one of them for other reasons, sooner or later.
Governor Arron sat, while Captain Salford rose.
“Mr Stein,” said Salford. “Let me introduce to you Governor Arron of the southeastern district of southern Kantaria, his wife the Lady Miranda, and Elizabeth, their daughter.”
I rose and nodded to each of them in turn as required. Then smiling at Elizabeth, I took my seat once again next to Salford.
Governor Arron rang a small silver bell that sat next to him on the table, and after a couple of moments, a large round woman dressed in a big white apron waddled into the room from the far end from where I had entered.
“Yes sir?” puffed the woman.
“Ahh Belinda, there you are, we are ready for our dinner now.”
“Very good sir,” replied the woman, and turned to waddle off in the direction from which she had come.
“Well, well Mr Stein,” started the Governor. “Captain Salford here tells me that you killed a Fangore! Is this true my lad?”
“I’m afraid I cannot deny it,” I replied. “But in truth, had I known there to be a Fangore waiting for me I would never have entered its lair.”
“Mummy what’s a Fangore?” enquired Elizabeth.
Miranda stared at her husband.
“Really Arron, such things should not be discussed at the dinner table.”
“But Miri, a Fangore! And all by himself too!”
Miranda nodded, “Yes yes, quite an achievement Mr Stein I’m sure, but not at the table Arron.”
“But what is a Fangore?” enquired Elizabeth again, only this time louder.
“Nothing for you to worry about my dear,” assured Miranda whilst patting the little girl’s head.
Elizabeth sighed and turned discontentedly back to drawing circles upon her empty plate. The conversation bordered on small talk after that until Belinda assisted by the pale looking man returned carrying a host of serving platters piled high with a variety of sweetmeats and roasted vegetables. It was not until I saw the food arriving before my stomach had to reminded me with a low rumble of how hungry I was feeling.
“Eat up everyone,” called Arron, as he reached for a large leg of lamb, “we don’t stand on ceremony when hot food is on the table.”
Even though the sights and smells of the wonderful foods assaulted my nostrils and laid siege to my eyes, the Capt
ain and I still waited our turn until Miranda had chosen meats for herself and Elizabeth before filling our plates. Arron, it seemed who was not accustomed to waiting in line, had almost finished a quarter of his plate before mine had anything on it!
Deciding to give some of the unrecognisable vegetables a miss, I stuck mainly to the meat and potatoes. With succulent roasted boar delighting my pallet, a second ring of the Governor's bell summoned a flagon of wine. With the man in black proceeding around the table filling each of the goblets before us, I took my cup to hand and held it as so to be filled. But the quantity that was poured for me was meagre indeed. Placing my cup to my lips, I drank the contents within a single swallow.
Without giving him the opportunity to walk away, I cleared my throat with a succession of coughs and raised my cup once more.
“Kind sir,” I mocked, “The day has been long, and the weather warm, surely you wouldn’t deny me another cup?”
Upon hearing this, the man turned and glared at me disdainfully; he then looked at the Governor to resolve the matter.
The Governor looked up from his plate. “What? “Yes, yes, by all means my good fellow.”
Arron then glared angrily at the man in black. “Well don’t just stand there man, fill his cup!”
I swear I could almost see the servant shrink in size as he obediently returned to my side. Only when my cup was almost overflowing with the sweet tasting wine did I bade him stop.
“You may leave the wine,” I informed, and pointed at the table.
With this the man gave up, left the flagon of wine, and returned dejectedly to the kitchens. Satisfied that I had angered him enough for one evening, I set about finishing my meal.
“My compliments to your cook,” I told Arron upon finishing my meal.
“Yes, she is an exceptional cook,” he replied whilst wiping a large globule of juice from his tunic. “I’m sure I wouldn’t know what to do if I didn’t have Belinda’s cooking to see me through the day.”
Taragon Stein: The Search For The Soul Crystal Page 2