“Well it’s time for us to leave you now,” said Miranda, as started to rise from the table.
“I have to make sure some little lady is put in her bed.” Her eyes went to Elizabeth.
“But mummy, I haven’t finished yet,” protested the girl.
“The idea is for you to EAT your food, and not just push it around on your plate, and besides the sun went down long ago, it’s way past your bed time young lady. Now if you please.” Miranda placed her arms on her hips and waited.
With this, Elizabeth slowly rose from her chair, and with head hung low walked across the floor where a kiss was planted on Arron’s cheek.
“Now be a good girl my princess,” said Arron. “and off to bed with you.”
“I will,” assured Elizabeth.
As she walked, she glanced over in the direction where I was seated.
“Who is that with the Captain mummy?” I heard her ask as they were leaving the room. But the answer I did not hear, as the door closed behind them…
“Once again, I thank you for your gracious hospitality.” I nodded to the Governor.
“But I am sure you didn’t get the good Captain here to travel all the way to Turon, just so you could feed me such a meal and give me a bed for the night?”
“No, I did not,” replied the Governor. He rose from his chair and walked slowly over to where a large battle tapestry hung. Cupping his hands behind his back, he admired the scene for brief moments before turning to face me.
“To business then,” he said with a voice of authority.
“You have been summoned here on a most urgent request from King Branagan, Ether, Silverstone the Third.” His demeanour had changed from that of a proud father to a serious upholder of the realm.
“King Silverstone,” I said aloud to no one in particular. I found myself opened mouthed and deep in thought.
“Why me?” I asked.
“It seems that your reputation as a finder of items has caught the King’s ear.” said Salford.
“Indeed,” agreed Arron.
“You are hence requested to travel to the Capital City of Ranak-Lore at best speed. Once there, you will meet with the King and parley with him in his royal chambers.”
Now I was completely dumbfounded! The Governor now a King in the space of one day!
“By the Gods!” was all I could find to say at that point, and stood in amazement.
“So let me get this straight,” I began. “King Silverstone has requested ME to travel to the Capital so that we can talk about something that he requires finding?”
“Yes, that’s about it,” nodded the Governor. “I have the King’s seal on these documents here requesting it so.” With that a rolled piece of parchment was passed to my hands for my own gratification.
“We had heard of a stranger staying around Turon from the local traders that pass through here,” informed the Governor. “Turon was the third place Salford had to visit before he found you, and it’s only through luck that he did.”
There before me in scrolled letters stood the King’s request that one Taragon Stein should report immediately to the Capital City of Ranak-Lore. The King’s seal in blood red wax was stamped at the bottom of the parchment; it looked authentic enough.
Handing back the documentation to the Governor I half expected some almighty jest to be suddenly revealed.
“What needs to be found?” I enquired.
“That I do not know,” said Arron hunching his shoulders. “It is for the King to say, and no other.”
“Your fame as a hunter of artefacts must be widely known in those parts,” stated the Captain.
I could not think why! I hardly went to the Capital anymore. It was far too busy for my liking, and I had not had any recent jobs in central Kantaria for a long time. Indeed, the last time I was at the Capital was over three years ago.
“Indeed,” I grinned in return.
I turned to Arron. “You have no idea then of what he seeks then?”
“I have not,” came the reply, “but all I can say is that it must be mighty important if the King seeks it.”
I thought for a moment. I saw Arron glance at the Captain as if in anticipation of my acceptance. King Silverstone wanted something found, and he wanted me to find it. A couple of questions popped into my mind. How did the King hear of my name? Was I really that famous? Sure, I have found lots of items for lots of people, but never for a King before.
It was far too an intriguing opportunity to pass up.
“Well, since it's on my way North anyway,” I replied, “and if the King wants to parley with me along the way, who am I to deny him,” I announced with a smile.
“Splendid, splendid!” beamed the Governor.
“That’s settled then. You shall leave for Ranak-Lore in the morning. The good Captain here shall accompany you.”
“I am in no need of a guide,” I interjected, “ for I am well versed in the way.”
“Nonsense!” snorted Arron, “the roads are full of murdering bandits. Well only yesterday we hanged two of the scoundrels, and as for the wandering beasts you may encounter. Why you’ll never know what may decide to make a meal of you!”
“That is an occupational hazard of mine that I try best to avoid,” I replied.
The Governor glanced at the Captain for support.
“Even so,” began the Captain, “the Governor is correct, we have seen much activity of late in the south. It seems that more and more people are travelling here from the north, and more people means more trouble. We’ve had to double our patrols on the road of late, and if anything should happen to you...” added Salford whilst motioning across to the Governor.
“I see,” I replied. “Well then, if the Captain agrees, I shall graciously accept your invitation for an escort.”
“Splendid!” cried Arron.
“And then when I parley with the King,” I added slyly, “ I may say how concerned you were for my safety.”
Upon hearing this, the Governor grinned and called for a toast. Finding the flagon of wine emptied, he rang the small silver bell and ordered another. Once our goblets had been refilled, Governor Arron raised his cup high.
“To God speed,” called Arron.
“To strength and courage,” returned the Captain.
“To fine women and a warm welcome,” I finished.
Our smiling trio gulped the wine then slammed the goblets back on the table, tavern style.
“One final question,” I asked respectfully.
“What of my coin?” I enquired.
The Governor seemed a bit taken back by my last remark and blinked blankly. He looked once to the Captain before returning to me.
“He is the King my man; no reward could be beyond his payment!”
“No, you misunderstand my intention,” I replied.
“Ah,” said the Captain enlightened. “Sir, the matter we discussed earlier, for the payment of the beast.”
“What? Ah yes, yes. Well of course!” The Governor’s expression changed to one of understanding.
“The ten gold pieces was it not?”
“Twelve.” I corrected
“Twelve was it? Very well then, it shall be in your room before you retire.”
For the last time that evening the same silver bell was rang, and for the last time that evening the same grim looking servant answered its call. After speaking softly to man for several moments, the Governor handed him a small silver key. This caused the man in black to scowl at me from over the Governor’s shoulder. Grinning back at him he left the room abruptly.
After a final goblet of wine and some more of the remaining meat, I said my farewells and headed for my room. As I struggled up the wooden staircase that would take me to my bed, I thought of the day’s activities. The battle with the Fangore, the Governor’s soldiers waiting for me, the meal I had just eaten, and the summons from the King himself. All in all, it had been quite an eventful day.
Upon opening my bedroom door, I di
scovered that a brown leather pouch had been placed upon the bed. Unfastening the purse strings, I quickly tallied the twelve golden coins that lay inside. Yes, all in all, it had been a very long … but profitable day.
With the wine taking hold I slumped on the bed. But no sooner had my head hit the pillow when a muffled twang followed by a thud, stirred me from my slumber. With eyes straining to open I noticed that a crossbow’s bolt had somehow managed to embed itself into the closed bedroom door. Looking at the bolt, I reached under the pillow and gently dropped my weapon to the floor.
That was lucky; I heard myself thinking, before drifting off into blissful sleep…
Chapter Two:
The sound of the cockerel pierced my dreams and woke me from my restful bed. Raising myself to a sitting position, I tried to shake the remainder of last night's sleep from a weary head. After rubbing my eyes, I noticed a crossbow’s bolt protruding from the wooden panelling of the door ahead. Frowning at it, I thought long and hard for a moment before recalling the previous night's memories. Standing up, I moved uneasily towards the washbowl; I poured what little water there was left into it, and proceeded to splash it all over my head.
Feeling somewhat revived I set about checking my equipment. Picking up my crossbow I looked under the bed, thankfully my short sword and shield were in the same place I had left them the night before. Securing my sword in its scabbard, I then grabbed the leather money pouch to double check on contents within. The gold was still there, twelve pieces in total, and along with the five silver I had hidden in my boot, it made a tidy sum.
Walking to the door, I decided to give the crossbow bolt a quick tug. It was stuck fast. I had spares in my saddlebags, but they were always hard to replace because of their smaller-than-normal size. Giving up on the bolt, I grabbed my buckler and opened the door. A tray of bread, milk and cheese greeted me just outside on the floor. Passing on breakfast, I headed downstairs for the door that would lead me outside. Upon opening the door, I was surprised to see Captain Salford approaching along the path.
“Morning to you,” he greeted in cheery tones.
“I have just come from the stables where Governor Arron is awaiting our departure.”
Nodding in return, I gave a loud belch and with him headed back down the path towards the stable.
“What was in that wine last night?” I asked whilst rubbing at my head. “My head feels as if there is a blacksmith at work with hammer and anvil!”
“Tis from the land of Ka-varn, across the sea to the South,” replied the Captain.
“The Governor has a merchant friend bring it from the trade city of Nashmere. It is a very potent Wine,” added the Captain.
“You can say that again,” I responded with another rub to the head.
Whilst a stable boy led Storm from the stables, Governor Arron greeted me warmly. Storm looked refreshed and well cared for, but my first duty was to check on my saddlebags subtly. I was never trustworthy of anywhere where I had not stayed before, and even a Governor’s mansion would not be the exception. But I felt foolishly relieved to find the contents as I had left them. My Glowball staff and my camping items were all as they should be.
Storm moved restlessly, eager for the road.
Reaching into my money pouch, I took hold of a silver coin and tossed it in the direction of the stable boy. The young lad reached up and caught the coin with one hand. “Thank you good Sir,” he beamed, before running back into the stables.
Once mounted, we said our goodbyes to the Governor who wished us well, then headed for the gate that would take me to a King.
Two more of the Captain’s men were waiting for us just outside the main gate.
“This is Lokain,” said the Captain as he gestured to the smaller of the two.
“And this is Hawshore.” He motioned to the larger other.
The first thing I noticed about Hawshore was the eye-patch he wore over his left eye. A large scar ran just under the eye patch and down his cheek. Long black straggly hair hung loosely from the side of his helmet. He acknowledged me with a nod as the Captain introduced him.
From what I could see of Lokain, he did not appear to have any hair at all. His face was completely void of it! A strange pair I thought.
“They are two of my best men,” confirmed the Captain, as if in answer to any doubts I may have had. Nodding at the men, we started our journey upon the northern road and soon left the Governor’s mansion far behind us.
The morning’s summer sun shone softly over the land, noisy birds sang in trees that lined the road overhead, and now that there was a fresh breeze constantly blowing on my face, I soon started to feel much better, even the blacksmith had laid down his hammer, his work apparently completed.
The landscape continued to roll by, and we made good on our progress. After a couple of miles, the trees gave way to wider, flatter expanses of land. This part of the land was mainly populated by farmers who could make a good living by sowing their seeds in the rich fertile soil of the south. As our road continued, we passed over a small stone bridge that connected two of the farmlands together. Once over the bridge, we turned a sharp bend in the road and continued northwards for many a mile. By the time I saw the next town, the morning sun was already high in the sky. Sitting far in the distance it looked a stain upon the land. But as we neared, I saw it to be an assortment of hastily constructed houses rather than the fully functioning town I had first taken it for. The road continued through the town, as did we.
Small wooden houses, which looked as if they would collapse at the approach of our horses, lined either side of the road. A face appeared at the window of one of the makeshift dwellings only to disappear just as fast. In an open doorway of the next house, two women stopped their conversation to look gloomily on as we passed.
“Make way there!” yelled the Captain; I turned my head just in time to see an elderly man leap from our path. He just managed to make it to the other side of the street before our horses thundered by.
More of the makeshift houses rolled past. However the ones at this end of the street seemed to be made of sturdier construction than their previous counterparts, they almost resembled proper housing of sorts, there were even a couple of crude looking shops. One had pots and pans dangling noisily together outside in the breeze. The other sold vegetables. A man in a dirty white apron who had been busily stacking his produce in rows, paused from his work so that he could eye us suspiciously. But no sooner had we entered the town when we were leaving it.
“It has not got a name yet,” called the Captain as he rode alongside me, leaving Lokain and Hawshore bringing up the rear.
“The town only sprung up these two months past,” he announced. “More worried people from the north no doubt.”
This was slightly disconcerting to hear. Rumours have been circulating in all the last three towns I had visited. In Turon, it had been the general topic of conversation. There were rumours of great unrest to the North. “The King’s army has been mobilised,” said some. “The North has invaded,” screamed others.
But such tales never bothered me. The southern Kantarians were always worried about their northern cousins invading. Ever since Lord Silverstone, the first King of Kantaria united the south, and pushed back the warring north beyond the Great Divide had such rumours been heard.
The first King had even gone so far to ensuring the future safety of his people by ordering three fortified keeps to be built across the thinnest part of the Divide.
This seemed to suffice, as the second King of Kantaria, King Ragnold Silverstone the second, son and heir to the first King had enjoyed a relatively peaceful reign as King, right up to the point where he passed away some five years ago. This left the realm in the hands of the current King, King Branagan, Ether, Silverstone the third.
From the village, we passed through a small valley with outbreaks of trees here and there. Large rocks were also present, jutting out of the ground as if some giant had sown the land with them.
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“We should stop a mile further,” shouted the Captain above the rush of the wind, “it is a good place to rest and refresh the horses.”
Not long after we arrived at the designated spot. Slowing to a walking pace, we left the road and traversed a gently sloping verge to a field of fresh green grass. Upon entering the field, the familiar sound of running water reached my ears. Scanning the tree line that lay at the edge of the area revealed the source, a shimmering flow of light signalling a stream that lay just beyond the trees.
Once dismounted, Hawshore took hold of Storm by the reins and led him along with the other horses towards the stream. After we had rested and refreshed ourselves, we were ready to continue our journey once more.
“Do you believe in the rumours?” I asked the Captain as he prepared to mount his horse.
“There is always trouble in the north of one sort or another,” he replied, “and the north wouldn’t dare risk a full-scale invasion. They know the seas in the south to be perilous, what with the rocks and the shallows to our west, and the strong currents of the sea to the east, the only way they could get an army large enough to take the south is by way of the Divide, and we have that route well guarded.”
“How many men guard the Divide?” I enquired with casual interest.
“Tis no secret,” responded the Captain “We have over five hundred men stationed at each of the forts, and if any one fort should come under siege, it could always call on support from the remaining two. I am hoping to be stationed there myself soon,” he added with an air of pride.
Salford glanced across to me with a puzzled expression upon his face.
“Why? You are not worried about an invasion are you?” he asked.
“No,” I replied, “just seeing if you had other words than the rumours I hear.”
“Mark my words, it will never happen.” He assured.
“The north are just petty warring bands anyway. They have no leadership, no King to call their own. They spend so much time infighting in their own small territorial disputes to be concerned about the south of the land.”
Taragon Stein: The Search For The Soul Crystal Page 3