by Vinn Winters
“Don’t worry,” Eygodon said with a sly grin. “I have a plan that will fool any Kae-koon.”
~
“Vyra…
“Hey, Vyra”
Vyra winced and grabbed her head before she opened her eyes.
When she opened them, she noticed from the significantly comfier bed that came with actual furniture and even a bookshelf with a few books in it; that she was in a bed in the barracks. Lord Aldrean was sitting at the edge, looking over her. He was wearing a buttoned, silk green shirt, stretched tight against his broad chest. She had not seen him without any form of armor since she watched him as a servant in the High Priestess’s gardens.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Like I had a full meal of Sister Clevora’s cooking,” Vyra replied, her face scrunched.
“I would imagine the priestess is quite a poor cook,” Aldrean said with a chuckle.
“The worst,” Vyra replied. “If the goblins knew about her cooking, they’d invade a different kingdom.”
“Well, I best stay on her good side, lest she decides to make me dinner,” Aldrean joked. “Is there anything I can get you?”
“Some water would be great,” Vyra answered.
Aldrean leaned over to the table next to her and grabbed the cup of water sitting on it. He leaned in, handing the cup to her.
“A good warrior is always prepared,” Aldrean said with a grin.
“Thank you,” Vyra said, taking the cup from his hands and drinking deeply.
“How long have I been sleeping?” Vyra inquired after draining the cup.
“Days, I stopped keeping track, to be honest,” Aldrean replied. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“And you’ve been here—” Vyra began.
“Every moment that I was not performing my duties; with the exception, of course, when a female cleric came in to tend to you. They always try to make conversation with me, which… I’ll have you know, hasn’t stopped being terrifying,” Aldrean said with a faint smile and a shrug.
“You stayed here all that time, for me?” Vyra asked softly.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” Aldrean replied warmly. “You’ve been through a lot. And I don’t blame you for beating Maefus the way you did. After the things he said—”
“It goes deeper than that,” Vyra replied hollowly, staring at the blankets wrapped around her.
“I’m sure it does,” Aldrean said comfortingly. “I just wanted to say that… I think you were incredible out there.”
“Thank you,” Vyra said, looking up at him with a smile. “That means a lot to me. So… Maefus?”
“You beat him up pretty badly,” Aldrean said. “He’ll recover, but even with the magical aid of the priestesses, there will probably be some scarring.”
“He deserves every mark,” Vyra said, lying back down in the bed.
“Perhaps so,” Aldrean said, looking at her with concern.
“Do you think Salderon told the king?” Vyra asked.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. A coward like him could never fight his own battles,” Aldrean said. “If I may ask, what happened to you? You showed up to your duel like you had just returned from a battle.”
“I would have preferred an actual battle,” Vyra said. She opened her mouth to speak further, but a jolt of pain made her wince and touch her head instead.
“That doesn’t matter right now,” Aldrean continued, sensing her pain. “What matters now is your wellness. You should get some rest. You’re still recovering. A warrior needs their rest to regain their strength.”
“Rest… sounds nice. I think I will lay here a while longer, if that’s alright,” Vyra said, shutting her eyes.
“Take as long as you need,” Aldrean said, too softly. He gently rested his hand against her cheek, then quietly stood up and exited the room.
~
Aldrean had only been standing outside of her room for a few minutes before she saw a skinny boy approach.
“You’re the one who keeps coming by here,” Aldrean said.
“What about it?” Maek replied.
“You’re also the boy who brought her into the barracks the day of her duel.”
“I’m not a boy, but what’s your point?” Maek said.
“She was pretty injured when she came into the barracks,” Aldrean said, his eyes narrowed.
“Yeah, she was,” Maek agreed, glaring at the paladin.
What is this boy’s problem? Aldrean thought warily. He looks like a problem.
“If I find out,” Aldrean said, “that you had something to do with that—”
“You think that just because you’re some high and mighty paladin, that you can just go around accusing people?” Maek snapped. “I’ve known Vyra longer than you have. In fact, I’ve known her all of my life, and I would never try to bring any harm to her.”
The two men stood in silence for a moment.
“… not like I could anyway, she’d knock me to the ground faster than I’d be able to draw a sword,” Maek mumbled.
“I’m sorry,” Aldrean replied. “I’m just trying to look out for her.”
“Then you should have been there for her when really she needed it. When Maefus and his scummy friends were trying to kill her!” Maek yelled, his fists clenched.
“I didn’t know,” Aldrean replied softly.
“You mean, she didn’t tell you?” Maek asked.
Aldrean shook his head.
“I guess that makes sense, because she’s trying to impress you,” Maek said angrily. “She’s hiding her pain to show you that she can be strong. She tries so hard to gain your approval! I—”
Maek fell silent and stared at the floor.
“You… what?” Aldrean asked.
“I wish she cared about me the same way she cared about you,” Maek said quietly.
“She must have cared about you a great deal, to ask your help over mine,” Aldrean replied, awkwardly trying to be supportive.
“She didn’t ask for my help, I showed up,” Maek said, scrunching his face. “How — how is she?”
“Doing better, she finally woke up,” Aldrean said with a smile. “I’m sorry for accusing you. If Vyra leaned on you for help, then you must be someone of considerable importance to her.”
“Thanks…” Maek said, clearly not sure how to process the compliment.
“She’s resting now, but if you wanted to come see her later—”
“You’re not her gatekeeper; I’ll go see her now. If she wants me to leave, I’ll respect her wishes and go,” Maek said sharply.
“She needs her rest,” Aldrean said, his tone firm.
“You don’t get to decide that,” Maek argued.
“You have forgotten your place,” Aldrean growled, stepping towards Maek.
“I was wondering how long it would take before you decided to flaunt your presumed superiority,” Maek retorted.
“If you think you can do what I can, I’ll happily position you on the front lines against The Gruharr,” Aldrean growled.
“That’s funny, I’m pretty sure you lost that battle,” Maek shot back.
“You arrogant little—” Aldrean said.
“Enough! You are both very pretty and have mighty long swords!” a voice shouted, following by the clanking of full-plate armor.
Aldrean stepped back and took a deep breath.
“So she’s finally awake?” Orbit interrupted as he approached.
“Yeah, I think she’s going to be just fine,” Aldrean said, forcing an awkward smile.
“I was just going in to see her,” Maek explained.
“Not right now you’re not,” Orbit said.
“Yes, I am,” Maek protested.
“Are you crossing Orbit the Omnipotent?” Orbit asked. “Do you believe Orbit would deny you without good reason?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Maek replied obediently, and turned to leave.
“Thanks for that,” Aldrean said, once Maek
had left. “I was trying to seek a peaceful resolution, but that boy—”
“Orbit does not think you should celebrate just yet,” the gnome said solemnly.
“And why is that?” Aldrean asked, raising an eyebrow.
“The king has summoned you,” Orbit replied.
“I expected as much, I will see him right after checking on Vyra one more time,” Aldrean said.
“No, Aldrean,” Orbit said with a deep sigh. “The king has summoned you both.”
Chapter 5
Edmund gripped his spear tightly.
He sighed loudly, looking up at the night sky.
“What?” Frankfurt asked.
“What do you mean, what?” Edmund replied.
“You got that look on your face again,” Frankfurt said, his hound-dog eyes narrowing at the other city guard.
“What look?” Edmund asked, scratching his short, blond hair.
“The look like yer ‘bout to complain ‘bout somethin’ again,” Frankfurt said pointedly.
Edmund huffed.
“Wha’ it too cold for you again?” Frankfurt asked. “Captain Radek rotated us to a whole new city, and you still don’ look happy.”
“Now it’s too wet,” Edmund complained.
“Eygodon’s piss! We’re by a damn lake. Wha’d you expect?” Frankfurt asked.
“I hear the air gets so wet here, that ink never dries on parchment,” Edmund answered.
“That sounds like a blessing,” Frankfurt replied, lifting his head.
“How is wet parchment a blessing?” Edmund asked.
“Less people to read,” Frankfurt answered.
“What’s wrong with read’n?” Edmund asked, tilting his head.
“You know who reads? Witches,” Frankfurt spat.
“That’s absurd! Witches don’t know how to read,” Edmund said, raising his hands.
“’Course they do. How else do they use their spell books?” Frankfurt responded, raising his hands. “Witches are the only ones who read.”
“Not true… Sam reads!” Edmund countered.
“No he don’t!” Frankfurt retorted, shaking his head.
“Yes he do! Ask him yer’self!”
“Maybe I will… where is he, anyways?”
“Off taking a leak,” Bran, a chubby, bald guard interjected.
“Again? I swear that man goes through water faster than a raging river!” Frankfurt snapped.
“I heard drink’n water is healthy,” Bran explained.
“I heard drink’n ale is healthier,” Frankfurt countered.
“Makes sense to me,” Edmund nodded in agreement.
The sound of approaching footsteps caught the guards’ attention.
A man covered in a dark blue robe emerged from the darkness; his hood covered his eyes and ears.
“Halt!” Edmund said to the cloaked man. “It’s past sunset, traveler. What business do you have here?”
“Hail, honorable soldier!” the robed figure replied. “I am Nodogye, a simple wandering scholar. I merely travel with my family; we seek shelter and supplies from your fine town before continuing on our journey.”
“It’s dangerous to be out at night,” Edmund warned. “There are goblins wandering these lands.”
“Oh dear! Goblins you say?” Nodogye replied. “Well, we must certainly take shelter until sunrise then. Encountering a goblin would be a most frightful experience.”
“Yeah, prob’ly would kill you too,” Edmund said, and then pointed to the wrapped cloth on the traveler’s back. “What’r you carrying?”
“That’s my child on my back, she is deep asleep. Please keep your voices quiet lest you wake her and we all have a crying baby on our hands,” Nodogye said, raising a finger to his lips.
“Oh, I hate cry’n babies… their voices screech like sword against steel,” Bran whispered.
“Alright then what is tha’?” Frankfurt said, pointing at the tinier figure walking beside Nodogye; it too wore a robe that covered even more of its face.
“Oh, that is my cat, Satchel,” Nodogye said casually.
“That’s your… cat?” Frankfurt’s face turned red with anger. “Do you think us drunk, outsider? Or are you the drunken one?”
“I assure you, my good foot soldiers. I am not intoxicated in any manner,” Nodogye replied civilly. “And neither is Satchel, if you were wondering.”
“Intoxi… what?” Frankfurt asked. “Why would anyone wonder if your cat drinks?”
“Look,” Nodogye whispered as he stepped forward and put his hand up as if to prevent the tiny robed figure from hearing the conversation. “Satchel has really packed on the weight in recent years. I just try to give him a loving, judge-free home. But too much warm milk, not enough exercise, it can turn the mightiest of felines into a pudgy loaf. You know what I mean?”
“I can see his feet!” Frankfurt shouted. “They’re green!”
“Shhh!” Nodogye hissed, putting his finger over Frankfurt’s lips. “He’ll hear you! They’re paws, and he is so very self-conscious about his appearance. I would appreciate it if you didn’t point it out so outright.”
“That’s not very polite of you, Frankfurt,” Bran said.
“That is no cat!” Frankfurt yelled.
“Shhhh,” Bran interrupted. “You’ll wake the baby.”
“We don’t even know if he has a baby!” Frankfurt yelled.
“Do you treat all your citizens with this level of cruelty?” Nodogye said, raising an eyebrow. “I must say I heard splendid things about this city, Tramameel, but this encounter is setting my experience off to a very disappointing start.”
“It’s Trael,” Frankfurt said, squinting at the traveler.
“Calm down, Frankfurt,” Edmund lectured, staring the older guard down. “Just ‘cause you’re the eldest don’t mean you can go ‘round just being mean to people and their cats.”
“That is not a cat!” Frankfurt roared.
“You are relentless in your meaningless accusations,” the robed man replied, shaking his head. “Fine, we shall prove it to you then. Satchel, make a cute little meow for daddy.”
The tiny cloaked figure was silent.
“Come on Satchel. I know you’ve got it in you. Meow for Daddy Nodogye,” Nodogye continued, nudging the smaller figure.
The tiny cloaked figure was silent.
“Cats… you know how they are,” Nodogye said, glancing sheepishly at the guards with a shrug.
“Bastards, the lot of ‘em,” Bran agreed with a grunt.
“Our cats sneak into the home at night ‘n try to eat any food left out,” Edmund added. “Wha’ if I want a nighttime snack?”
“Yer both softer than a village lass,” Frankfurt scoffed.
“You don’t have cats?” Nodogye inquired.
“Hell no! A real man has hounds,” Frankfurt said.
“Yeah, you would say that,” Edmund shook his head.
“What does tha’ mean?” Frankfurt snapped.
“Come on, Satchel. Meow for Daddy...” Eygodon said as the guards bickered.
Tuq-tuq was silent.
“… or Daddy will leave you here with these nice men as your new owners,” Eygodon muttered only loudly enough for Tuq-tuq to hear.
Tuq-tuq opened his mouth and did his best imitation of a cat.
A soft, blood-curdling squeak brought the guards’ argument to a halt.
“Witch’s Blight! What the hell was that?” Frankfurt shouted as he looked around frantically with his weapon raised.
“Oh, that was Satchel’s meow,” Nodogye answered.
“That noise came from your cat?” Frankfurt asked, his eyes wide.
“He hasn’t been feeling very well,” Nodogye explained calmly.
“I rec’mend you cut the warm milk for a while. Just give it water and chicken scraps ‘till it feels better,” Edmund suggested helpfully.
“Good suggestion! I will consider that. Thank you,” Nodogye replied with a quick grateful b
ow.
“Are you mad? Cats do not sound like that!” Frankfurt roared, exasperated.
“The wail of a banshee,” Bran added with a grunt.
“How would you know what a cat sounds like? You don’t even have one,” Nodogye said to Frankfurt while crossing his arms.
“Good point. He got you there,” Bran added with a chuckle.
“From this interaction, it has become quite clear to me, that this man has a deep, burning hatred for cats; and he believes he is better than us because of it,” Nodogye said, gesturing towards Frankfurt.
“I said no such thing!” Frankfurt growled.
“But you do hate cats,” Bran added with a grunt.
“Yer the village idiot if you think that thing is a—” Frankfurt roared.
“Traveler, we’r sorry for the trouble Frankfurt has caused to you, yer child, and yer cat,” Edmund interrupted, gently putting his arm on Nodogye’s shoulder and guiding him into the village. “You just continue on yer way and forget this ever happened okay?”
“Thank you for your courtesy,” Nodogye replied with a faint smile. “I’ll do my best to put this troublesome encounter in the past.”
“Safe travels,” Edmund said. The guard turned away and started back to his post.
“Are we really staying in here until dawn?” Tuq-tuq whispered.
“Not a chance! I won’t linger in this Kae-koon sewer for a moment more than I have to,” Eygodon muttered. “We’re going straight through. Hopefully we’ll reach the base of The Fallen Mountains by daybreak.
“You got to be kidd’n me!” Frankfurt’s voice echoed at the gate behind them.
~
Eygodon and Tuq-tuq climbed the narrow path of Raven’s Ridge. Jagged rocks greedily reached for the sky around them. The path led to Uldraetheus, though you would not find this information on any map. The fae would not dare travel these lands; and any dwarf, elf, or Kae-koon foolish enough to try play cartographer to this region would not survive to tell the tale.
Uldraetheus was the first of the tall peaks of The Fallen Mountains. There were higher summits deeper into the mountain range, but not even Eygodon ventured that far; that was her territory.