by Chuck Black
“Gee, thanks,” Twitch muttered. A muscle in Twitch’s right cheek jerked involuntarily, and he reached up to massage it with his right hand. His auburn hair framed a tender face that was in the final process of losing its boyish look.
“All right,” he finally said. “I’ll give it a try. But you’d better be ready to jump in if I need you.”
Tav slapped Twitch on the back. “I’m there for you, chum.”
Twitch was a year younger and a full two inches shorter than his sturdy companion, but that didn’t matter—Tav and Twitch were the best of friends. Like salt and pepper, they were rarely seen apart.
They had been close even before the tragic death of Twitch’s parents nine years earlier, an event that strengthened the bond of brotherhood between them. Tav’s parents had taken Twitch into their home and raised him as their own, for he had no living relatives to help him. Because of his slight stature and his facial tic, Twitch proved an easy target for bullying, but Tav made sure it never happened, at least not while he was around.
At fourteen and fifteen, the two boys had joined the Knights of the Prince and begun their training together. Though Tav found it much easier to master the necessary skills, Twitch kept trying, and Tav helped him. Now at nineteen and twenty, both were on the verge of being commissioned.
Twitch walked over to the new recruits and introduced himself. After a few stammered words, he paired up the recruits and began a series of drills. Despite his apprehension, the training session went reasonably well. The recruits were so new and inexperienced that he was able to stick to the basics of sword fighting for the whole session.
“You did well, Twitch,” Tav said as they walked to the stables to retrieve their horses, Valiant and Kobalt.
“Thanks.” Twitch sheathed his sword and shot Tav a smirk. “But if you’re going to do that to me again, give me a little advance warning, will you?”
Tav laughed. “If I did, you’d never agree to it.”
Twitch shrugged. “I suppose you’re right.”
“And I’m right about this too,” Tav said with his trademark grin. “It’s time to head for the lake.”
The haven of Burkfield lay on the northeast edge of the city, next to the river that flowed south to Daydelon. Due west stood the Emerald Hills, a submountainous region that was a picture of absolute beauty, especially in the morning when the first rays of sunlight broke upon their eastern faces. Mount Resolute, the crown of the region, seemed to bask in the adoration of the lesser hills. Jewel Lake, nestled near the mountain’s base, was a favorite destination for Tav and Twitch. They often enjoyed hunting and fishing there after training at the haven.
Although they hadn’t planned on fishing today, the bright blue sky and the cool breeze offered an invitation they couldn’t refuse. Before an hour had passed, they were casting their lines into the sparkling water, hoping to catch some of the delicious brown trout that populated the lake.
“Are you going to see Mirya again tonight?” Twitch reached for a worm.
“I guess I’m looking for an excuse to go see her,” Tav replied. “Hey, she’s got a younger sister. Why don’t you come along?”
“Ah, I don’t think so. That’s just not something—”
“Why didn’t I think of that earlier? You’d have a great time.”
“No, you’d have a great time. I’d have a lousy time.” Twitch’s right cheek had begun to convulse as the conversation progressed.
“I insist, chum,” Tav pressed. “Come for just a while. You can leave whenever you like.”
Twitch hesitated.
“It’s settled, then.” Tav smiled. “We’ll take our catch home, clean up, and make a visit.”
“Why do I let you talk me into such things?” Twitch shook his head and recast his line.
“Because if I didn’t, you’d sit around like moss on a rock.” Tav jabbed Twitch’s shoulder.
“I really don’t like you. I hope you know that,” Twitch grumped.
“Yep.” Tav flashed a grin. “I know it.”
“Tav, have you decided what you’re going to do once you’re commissioned. I mean, are you set on staying in Burkfield?”
Tav looked across the lake, gazing at the rippling reflection of Mount Resolute. “I’m not sure yet.”
“You’re one of the best that’s ever been through training,” Twitch said.
Tav shook his head, trying to refuse the compliment.
“It’s true,” Twitch continued before Tav could say anything. “I heard Sir Carter and Sir Urak talking. They have high hopes for you.”
“We joined the Knights of the Prince nearly five years ago.” Tav cast his line gently into the lake. “Now I look at the older knights who work at the haven, and I watch the knights on missions come and go, and I can’t help but wonder, is there something more to following the Prince than this? Do you ever wonder that, Twitch?”
Twitch opened his mouth to speak, but just then Tav’s line jerked, and soon he was occupied with bringing in a nice-sized brown trout. Then Twitch’s line jerked, and they became lost in the joy of a bountiful catch, never returning to finish their conversation about the Prince and their future with Him.
“I will never let you talk me into such a thing again,” Twitch complained that evening as they rode home from Mirya’s house.
“Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“I’d rather smash my thumb with a hammer,” Twitch replied sternly.
Tav shook his head. “All right, chum. I won’t force you again. When it comes to women, you are on your own.”
By now the sun was set and the street lanterns were lit. Tav and Twitch turned the corner off the main thoroughfare of the city and entered a merchant street that earlier had been full of people working and purchasing goods. Now the shops were dark and locked up … all but one. Its door was open, and yellow lantern light spilled onto the street. Inside they could hear the shopkeeper’s cheerful whistle.
As Tav and Twitch passed by, the merchant gave them a friendly wave. They saluted and carried on their way. Tav glanced back at the shop once more, then reined in Valiant.
“Twitch, look!” Tav pointed back at the merchant’s shop.
On the counter of the merchant’s shop stood the strangest little creature either of them had ever seen. The tall, bald-headed merchant stopped whistling long enough to speak softly to the animal, then put his hand on the counter next to it. It scampered up the merchant’s arm and onto his shoulder.
“You’re welcome to take a closer look,” the merchant called out.
Tav looked at Twitch and shrugged. They dismounted, sauntered into the shop, and approached the counter. As they came, the little animal began to make soothing, chortling sounds in its throat.
The closer they came, the more amazed they were at what they saw. The furry gray and black creature, about the size of a large hand, scurried back and forth from one shoulder of the merchant to the other. It was as quick as a tree squirrel and as nimble as a monkey, with large, captivating dark eyes, a kitten nose, and dexterous little paws that worked like hands. A furry tail two-thirds the length of its body swished from side to side, helping it keep its balance.
Tav and Twitch couldn’t help but smile as they watched the little animal. It lifted itself high on the merchant’s right shoulder to get a better look at the knights, then flitted back down the merchant’s arm to stand in front of them.
“What in the kingdom is it?” Tav asked.
The creature tilted its head to the side as Tav spoke, then made its throaty chortling noises as if to respond to his question. Tav laughed and put his hand out to the critter. It sniffed his finger, then rubbed the back of its head against his hand much as a purring kitten would do.
“This is the rare and exquisite paysonomus thapira, commonly known as a paytha,” the merchant said proudly. “There isn’t another merchant in all of Arrethtrae who can get his hands on one of these. You two are the first to see this little guy. I’m
sure it will be gone as soon as I open my door tomorrow morning.”
By now the furry little paytha had crawled up Tav’s arm and was flitting from shoulder to shoulder, seeming to enjoy its new perch. At one point it stopped near Tav’s neck and snuggled under his chin. Tav gently removed it and held it toward Twitch. Twitch stroked the back of its neck and it chortled warmly.
“I think the paytha likes you. These little guys are extremely intelligent,” the merchant continued. “You can train them to fetch just about anything you want, as long as they can carry it. And once they know what you like, they will remember it forever.”
“How big will he get?” Twitch asked.
The merchant nodded and smiled. “Good question, sir, good question. The answer is … as big as you want it.”
Both Tav and Twitch looked at the merchant quizzically.
“What?” Tav asked.
“These little critters can survive on almost nothing. A few kernels of corn a day would keep this little guy happy forever. But if you feed it more, it will never get fat—just bigger. You might want to train it to fetch your shoes or how to hunt—”
“Hunt?” Tav and Twitch asked simultaneously.
“As I said”—the merchant nodded toward the paytha, which was now sniffing the air and looking off into the distance—“this animal is extremely intelligent. To do a task that you’d like it to do, simply feed it until it’s big enough to do it.”
“Mirya would love this little guy,” Tav said. “How much is he?”
“The paytha’s not for sale,” the merchant said.
Tav and Twitch looked straight at the merchant for the first time. His dark eyes and pleasant smile gave the impression you could tell him anything, just like a real friend.
“What do you mean?” Tav said, disappointed. “I thought you said the paytha would be gone first thing in the morning.”
“I did and it will, but it’s not for sale,” the merchant said. “My trade agreement with the supplier won’t allow a monetary exchange.” Then a broad smile crossed his lips. “But I can trade for it.”
Tav smiled back and reached for a pocket in his doublet, but the merchant held up a hand.
“Keep in mind, sir, this is a rare creature. Its worth is significant.”
Tav stopped, then reached for the gold necklace that hung about his neck. He removed it and held it out to the merchant, who examined it and handed it back.
“That looks like a fine piece, indeed, but I’m afraid I cannot accept it.” The merchant slowly shook his head and pointed toward the back wall of his tiny shop. “My specialty is armor and weaponry.”
Along the back wall hung a variety of highly polished pieces—breastplates, helmets, shields, vambraces, gauntlets, and swords.
“In this region of the kingdom, especially in Burkfield, there’s really not much of a market for the extra armor, so I export these pieces to other regions of the kingdom to those who truly need them. Now, if you were to have something along this line, we could talk. Otherwise”—the man yawned—“I am quickly tiring and must get some sleep soon.”
The merchant put his hand on the table and tapped. The paytha jumped from Tav’s palm and ran to the merchant’s hand, then scurried up his arm.
Tav pushed his hair back, thinking quickly. “I have my leather vambraces. Would they do?”
“I’m afraid not, sir. Tomorrow I am certain I’ll have a dozen offers for excellent shields, helmets, and even swords.”
The merchant reached for the shutters to close up the shop window. The paytha looked sadly at Tav, dropping its chin on the merchant’s shoulder much as a sad puppy would do.
“Wait.” Tav held up his hand. He took off his vambraces and set them on the table. “Consider this a down payment—and I’ll be here tomorrow morning with my shield.”
Twitch looked at Tav. Tav looked back at his friend. “I haven’t used it for months, not even in training.”
Twitch stayed silent.
“How do I know it isn’t some rusted-out chunk of iron?” The merchant picked up the vambraces and examined them.
“It isn’t. I’m a Knight of the Prince.”
The merchant stared at Tav and finally nodded. “Very well, then.” He held out his hand.
“How do we know this little guy won’t run away the first day he has him?” Twitch asked.
The merchant looked at Twitch with a sparkle in his eye. “Because I’ll guarantee the deal. I’ll keep the shield here in my shop on the back wall. If you aren’t completely satisfied with your critter for any reason, bring him back, and I’ll return your shield to you.”
Tav looked at Twitch and raised an eyebrow, then smiled at the merchant and shook his hand.
They left the merchant’s shop and mounted up to ride home, eager to return the next morning and finish the deal.
DISTY AND BLI
Tav had fully intended to give the cute little paytha to Mirya, but after two days with the animal, he just couldn’t give it up.
“What’s his name?” Twitch asked one evening as Tav tried to teach the paytha how to fetch a nail for him. They were in Tav’s father’s carpentry shop, putting tools away for the day. Tav tapped the shop bench, and the paytha scurried down his arm onto the hard surface. Tav held the nail in front of the little creature.
“I think I’ll call him Disty.”
Twitch laughed. “That’s a strange name, but it sure fits him.”
“Nail,” Tav said, and gave it to Disty. Disty held the nail in his little hands and sniffed it. He turned it over a couple of times, then set it down, looked up, and chortled as if to say, “I get it.”
Tav grabbed the nail, walked to the end of the bench, and put the nail into the proper bin. He came back, stood by Twitch, and commanded, “Disty, get the nail.”
Disty tilted his head to one side, chortled, and scurried down the bench. He hunted about for a few seconds, found the bin, grabbed the nail, and scurried back to Tav. He set the nail down, then scampered up Tav’s arm to sit on his shoulder.
Twitch’s mouth dropped open. “That’s impossible!”
Tav smiled broadly. He quickly set to work teaching Disty to fetch other tools, but the paytha was too small to carry most of them.
That night Tav fed Disty a delicious supper of corn cakes and carrot greens. The next morning, they were almost certain he was a little bigger. And within two weeks Disty had doubled in size. He was able to carry some of the heavier tools that he couldn’t carry before. And he proved every bit as intelligent as the merchant had said, and more so.
“That animal is scary smart,” Twitch said as he and Tav rode to the haven one day. Disty perched high on Tav’s shoulder enjoying the excursion. It had been a full week of work at the family carpentry shop where Tav and Twitch worked, and this was their first chance to resume their training.
“We should see if the merchant has any more paythas for trade,” Tav said. “You ought to get one, chum. As soon as this one gets a little bigger, I’m going to teach him how to hunt.”
Twitch laughed. “Teach him to fish … Then I’ll consider it.”
Tav raised an eyebrow. “Now that’s not a bad idea.”
Disty was a big hit at the haven. Some of the knights teased Tav at first—until he showed them how smart the animal was. Then training all but came to a halt, and Disty entertained the entire haven for most of the evening. When it came time for Tav to train some of the newer knights in sword, he commanded Disty to wait on a nearby fencepost, but Disty whimpered until Tav allowed him to perch on his shoulder. This hindered Tav’s swordsmanship to a degree, but the trainees didn’t mind. They were completely enamored with Disty. Each took turns petting the paytha and enjoying the creature’s antics.
By the middle of the next week, two other knights had paythas. When Sir Edmund, the haven leader, saw the animals were becoming a distraction, he restricted their presence at the haven. Tav and the other knights argued that the paythas could be useful and promised no
t to let them interrupt the training, but Sir Edmund did not yield.
One morning after the fourth week, Tav woke up to quite a surprise.
“Twitch, quick, come here!”
Twitch entered Tav’s room to see him kneeling on the floor beside Disty’s blanket. Right beside Disty was a thumb-sized paytha curled up in a little ball. Disty looked up proudly at Tav and Twitch, then turned and licked the little creature.
Twitch blinked and shook his head. “I thought Disty was a male.”
“So did I,” Tav said. “I think we need to pay a visit to that merchant.”
“I never said the paytha was either a male or a female,” the merchant said as he straightened a few items on a shelf. “The fact is, it’s both.”
“What?” Tav and Twitch said simultaneously. Both wore a look of disgust.
The merchant looked over his shoulder at them. “Paythas are both male and female—or neither, however you want to look at it.”
“So he … she … it was pregnant when you sold it to me?” Tav said.
“No, of course not.” The merchant came over and rested his elbows on the counter. “And I didn’t sell it to you.” He held up a finger. “I traded with you, and I never trade a pregnant paytha. That could be dangerous.”
Tav squinted at the man with a pained look. “Look, mister, I’ve only had the critter a little over four weeks. How can it reproduce that quickly?”
The merchant folded his hands and brought two fingers up to his lips, seemingly pondering the question. “That is quite remarkable, I must say, but not unheard of. You see, once paythas reach a certain size they can reproduce, especially if they sense other people are enjoying them too. Have you taken yours to be with other people?”
Tav and Twitch stared at each other.
“Look.” The merchant pointed to Tav’s shield on the wall. “There is your shield, just as I promised. You can exchange your paytha for the shield right now if you like. But the way I see it, you just doubled your investment.”