Halfstone: A Tale of the Narathlands

by Daniel White

  “Was it there?” he asked nervously.

  They turned to him.

  “Yes, it was,” replied Kaal, looking rather daunted. “It’s dead.”

  He felt relief sweep through him. He nodded. “Good.”

  Braem and Phelvara continued to stare at him, their faces both pale. Something was wrong.

  “What?” he asked anxiously.

  “Aldrick,” Braem began. “I don’t believe the ka-zchen was here by chance… it had been branded with the sign of a master on its chest.”

  His heart leapt. “It… had a master? What was the sign?”

  “A blue butterfly.”

  “A blue butterfly,” he repeated. “Blue? But brands aren’t coloured. Do you mean it was inked on?”

  “No, it had been branded… with magic.”

  2

  SUN AND RAIN

  When Aldrick opened his eyes in the morning it was as if he had woken into a dream. Usually his first thoughts were of the long day of work that lay ahead of him, either helping Braem on the farm or hunting in the forest. Today though, he found his mind occupied by giant beasts, magic and unsolved mysteries. Excitement brimmed within him. There was a dull ache in his shoulder but it would not impede him. He had to get up and go to where the ka-zchen lay. He had to see it—confirm the world in which he lived really was one of fantasy, that all those childhood stories were true. He sprang upright, threw on some worn trousers and a cotton shirt, then made his way through the house whilst still buttoning it. At the door he jumped into his boots, socks absent, and ran outside, oblivious to his slapdash appearance.

  It was a fine day. The view was stunning but presently he had little interest in sightseeing. He made straight for the base of the cliff. Dew had settled over the farm in the night and his trousers were dampened to the thighs as he made his way through the fields. It didn’t bother him. He scrambled over one last wooden fence and up a small rise from where he could look down upon the stream.

  There it was—a black mound upon the rocks. Kaal stood by it. Aldrick made his way down to him and stopped at his side. Neither of them spoke a word, only staring in awe. Up close, the ka-zchen was even more terrifying than he remembered. It was huge. Though now limp and lifeless, razor-sharp claws remained fully extended from its padded feet. Its head lay on one side, the rocks around it stained by black blood. He had at first likened the beast’s sleek body to that of a cat, but now saw that the head shared similarities with a wolf’s. It was elongated with flared nostrils at its snout. Its mouth hung open on a slant revealing huge, jagged fangs rooted in strong jaws. Its ears were stiff and pointed at the tips. Below them, wide eyes hid behind tufts of black hair. Their orange flare had faded and they were now a vacant grey. It smelt foul—like an aged, damp dog, only twice as potent.

  After some time Kaal broke their silence. “It’s… big,” he murmured.

  Aldrick nodded, not taking his eyes off it.

  Throughout their lives, he and Kaal had done much together. They were very close. But surviving the ka-zchen was something Aldrick had achieved on his own. Although his mind was unspoken, Aldrick knew Kaal was impressed by this. He in turn was quietly thankful. This moment they shared together now, awestruck by the deathly sight before them.

  There was more than the appearance of the ka-zchen on Aldrick’s mind, however. He wanted answers to lingering questions—who had sent it and why? Braem and Phelvara had acted oddly last night, blindly refusing to offer any insight beyond the magical nature of the brand… the brand! Suddenly remembering this, Aldrick stepped closer to look for it. It wasn’t hard to find. Near the centre of the beast’s chest was a small area where its hair was shaven. On the exposed skin was a dark blue butterfly outlined in gold. Magic had made this! It was unlike any marking Aldrick had seen before. It appeared as a coloured tattoo, only the colouring was uncanny; it was brilliantly rich and glinted ever so slightly, almost like the powder on the wings of a real butterfly. It was as if the brand had appeared there without the craft of any tool. Could it really be that a wizard wished him dead? The thought was crazy.

  Kaal’s eyes were on him. “You know, last night that brand was the first thing Father looked for when we came here. He didn’t even stop to make sure the beast was dead, just went straight to that, like he expected it to have a master.” Kaal hesitated briefly, then continued. “And he said something to me, Aldrick… he said they have found you.”

  Aldrick stared at him.

  “They?” he repeated to himself. “This is crazy. What would anyone want with me? I’m kind of, well, ordinary and boring, aren’t I?”

  “I thought so,” replied Kaal jokingly, then his tone became serious once more. “I was thinking—maybe it has something to do with your past, with your parents or something.”

  “My parents?” Aldrick was taken aback. “My parents are here.” He knew well that Braem and Phelvara had taken him in as an infant, but this was fairly common in these parts. People were kind and supportive and very few orphaned children remained so for long. He rarely mused on his lineage. Ever since he could remember he had been a son to the Fletchers.

  “Yes, I know—we are your family,” said Kaal politely. “But it’s worth considering, right? I mean, can you think of a better explanation for why something like this,” he gestured toward the ka-zchen, “would find itself at our doorstep?”

  Aldrick couldn’t. They were a simple, good-faring family who lived away from the busyness and troubles of the surrounding world. If what Kaal suggested was true, he found no sense in it.

  “Surely my real parents were also ordinary and boring. Why would someone who had a quarrel with them want me dead all these years later?” Though sceptical, he couldn’t deny that some part of him was warming to the idea that his origin story might bear some unspoken significance. He had no desire to be hunted, but the thought that he was somehow entwined with a world where magic existed was enticing.

  Kaal shrugged.

  “Time will tell us all,” he said. “Perhaps Father was wrong and it was simply a stray and you happened to meet it up there.” He peered up the cliff. “Hell, that’s a long fall.”

  “Most likely,” Aldrick said, also looking up. “Even if it did have a master, it wasn’t necessarily under orders when I came across it, right? It probably came at me because I made it mad—shooting at it… looks like I managed to completely miss.”

  Kaal frowned. “Still, I wonder who its master is. We should ask Father today. Hopefully he’ll be more eager to talk than he was last night.”

  Aldrick nodded. “We’ll get the whole story. There has to be some half-reasonable explanation for all this.”

  “There always is.”

  They left the ka-zchen’s rocky grave. No longer in a hurry, Aldrick took time to acknowledge the beauty the morning had brought to the land. Everything looked fresh and awake. The air smelt of damp earth and grass. In the heights of the forest, moss birds sang their gentle songs in union. A few wisps of mist lingered in the sky but did not block the sun’s light from greeting the lower coastal land. Every field, brush and knoll between them and the ocean flaunted the tepid colours of autumn. The ocean itself was a restful turquoise. Behind the house Phelvara was throwing breadcrumbs to enthusiastic sparrows, and out the front Bree rode around on a pretend pony that Braem had fashioned for her from a lancewood stick and an old straw pillow. Braem was probably down in a lower field herding sheep to fresh pasture. Everything was as it should be, save for the creature’s corpse behind them. It remained out of place in some ineffably strange and ominous way. Perhaps it was the magic it bore with it. Aldrick considered this until Kaal interrupted his thoughts.

  “Do you want to come with me to Rain today?” he asked. “I’m taking the cart. We need to sell some things at the market. You could just relax and enjoy the ride. I’m sure you are fit for it.”

  “I’ll come along,” said Aldrick. A trip to the village would be nice. He feared that if he stayed Phelvara would insist
he remain indoors under her over-nurturing watch. Suddenly he remembered something and stopped walking. “When do you plan on leaving?”

  “Soon, I want to be there by noon.”

  “All right, but first let me fetch some things I dropped in the forest yesterday. As you might imagine, I was in quite a hurry.”

  Kaal chuckled. “I’m sure you were,” he said. “I’ll ready the horses and see you back here soon.” He continued on.

  “See you.” Aldrick changed his course and made his way across the bridge and up into the forest. He found it to be once more its calm, peaceful self. Only moss birds and the odd few little mammals lingered within the trees. His possessions were easily retrievable. The ka-zchen had kindly made a clear pathway through the undergrowth while chasing him and he could now follow it back toward the clearing and pick them up as he went. For a moment he considered that they may be able to track where the ka-zchen had come from, but concluded that it would be a foolish endeavour. Its prints would undoubtedly lead far beyond the forest and eventually fade from the earth. He still sought answers, though. Who was its master and why had it been sent here? He would ask Braem all of this in the evening after returning from Rain. Bothering Phelvara about it now would not be wise.

  Before leaving for Rain, Aldrick had a hasty breakfast and dressed in some more presentable clothes—fine cloth pants and a tunic. He chose to wear sandals as he wasn’t wearing socks anyway. Kaal wore similar clothes but had chosen a dyed black leather vest. Aldrick had noticed his brother always wore black to the village and guessed this was because he thought it attracted the women folk. Admittedly, Kaal was always two steps ahead of him when it came to courting women. It must be his clothing.

  After Aldrick had successfully avoided Phelvara and said goodbye to Bree, the two of them set off down their road. It took a little time to reach the base of the mountains. The road wound its way back and forth down the slope to reduce its steepness, and there were half a dozen gates to be opened along the way. However, at level ground it met the coastal road between Farguard and Rain and they were free to be on their way. Aldrick sat on the back of the cart, accompanied by some sacks of grain, garden vegetables, and salted meats that were to be sold at the market. The journey felt brief. It was filled with hearty chatter and accompanied by a refreshing sea breeze.

  Shortly before noon, they found themselves at the entrance to Rain. It was a large village. Being the main port in the south meant that business prospered and many people from the province and neighbouring lands sought to earn their livings here. The streets were well kept and the people kept well. Democracy reigned and social progress was promoted. The appearance of the various dwellings reflected this with every one suggesting a fair income and many a door being left open wide and welcoming. Occasionally one would hear news of a tavern brawl or a petty theft, but this was generally caused by newcomers who were soon to learn that incivility was not lightly dismissed.

  At the centre of the village, a little way in from the docks, was a large market ground that was always busy on a fine day. He and Kaal made their way there through the crowded streets. They found the market to be particularly lively. Music and dance was abundant. People’s spirits were high. They were making the most of the last warm days of autumn.

  When they had found a free stand and unhitched the cart, Kaal led their horses to stables and left Aldrick to mind the produce. He was glad to do so. Being around people always raised him up. He often felt isolated on their farm and village trips were a welcome escape.

  When Kaal returned he decided that because Aldrick was in such a good mood, he could handle business himself and left again to join in the dancing, most likely in the hopes of meeting a fine young lady or two. Aldrick was a little jealous, but happy to exchange cheerful banter with customers as they made their market rounds. Trade flourished and in short time there was but one sack of Phelvara’s greenstone beans left to be sold. No one seemed to want them.

  Just as Aldrick was considering returning the beans to the cart, a hooded figure approached from within the milling crowd. It paused in front of the stand and stood staring down at it, face concealed.

  “Afternoon, can I help you?” he inquired politely. There was no response. “Only the beans left to buy I’m afraid,” he continued. “They are actually very nice… if you boil them for long enough.”

  Now the figure spoke. “Yes, I will have them.” It was a raspy female voice. She sounded northern, perhaps even from as far as the Greater Northern Provinces.

  “The beans it is, then. That will be three in bronze, thanks.”

  She handed him two silver coins from a leather pouch at her side.

  He grinned. “I’ll give you your change if I may see whom I serve. You’re not from around here, are you?”

  She hesitated for a moment then slowly, cautiously, removed her hood. A flood of hair fell to her waist as she lifted her head, smiling at him. He felt a flutter as his heart was stolen. He was gazing upon a young woman, no more than a year older than himself, who bore all the beauty and grace in the world upon her face. She was perfect, too much so to be real. Her skin was a fine ochre silk; her cheeks smooth and rounded, as impeccably curved as the contours of the moon. Her eyes were the lucid green of a rainforest, accentuated by those waterfalls of ebony locks. She was a beauty beyond words, beyond belief.

  “No. I am from Daraki’ Anya,” she replied.

  “Daraki’ Anya…” he repeated mindlessly. “That’s nice. Is it… nice there?”

  “It can be, though I have not been there in some time now.”

  “Well, I am glad you are here now to buy some beans,” he said, handing her change. “I’m Aldrick by the way.”

  “I’m Télia.”

  “It is nice to meet you, Télia.” He offered her his hand. She took it. Hers was warm and soft, like her gaze.

  “It is lovely to meet you too, Aldrick,” she said.

  A silence followed her words in which he couldn’t help but stare at her with what no doubt appeared a gawky grin on his face.

  “I think shaking hands is a strange tradition,” she continued, letting his hand go. “In Daraki we always greet strangers with a hug. You can tell a lot about a character from the way they hug.”

  “We can do that if you like,” he said hopefully.

  “Very well.”

  They met beside the stand and embraced one another. What was left of Aldrick’s heart melted. Télia’s body was warm. Her head reached only to his chin and her hair smelt like a meadow of blossoming wildflowers. He had no desire to ever let go, but eventually they parted. Another silence ensued. Before it became awkward he made to break it.

  “So what did that hug tell you about me?” he asked.

  “That you are a kind and tender person, Aldrick,” she said, looking deep into his eyes. “Did it tell you something about me?”

  He thought for a moment. “I think it did, but I’m not sure exactly what… perhaps that you are the same.”

  She shrugged. “Perhaps… or perhaps I am horrible.”

  He laughed. “I doubt that.”

  “You mustn’t judge strangers too hastily, Aldrick,” she advised. Her eyes flitted across the crowd. “I should go now, but I will be close, you know. You live nearby, I presume?” She returned her hood to her head.

  “Yes, I do—on a farm just a little way north of here against the Mountains Rain.”

  “Ahh.” She nodded thoughtfully. “Well, I am certain our paths shall cross again very soon. Farewell for now, Aldrick.” She turned on her heel and left, carrying the last basket of beans and all that was beautiful in the world away with her.

  “Farewell,” he said after her. He wanted her to stay. Never had such a brief encounter with a woman made him feel so giddy, so childlike. He had half a mind to go after her, but what would he say to her? The moment had passed. The only cloud in the sky drifted in front of the sun.

  Kaal returned. He had seen Télia leaving.

  “
Aldrick is in love with a mystery woman,” he teased, slapping him firmly on the back.

  “Whatever you say, Brother,” was all Aldrick found as a retort. He knew he wouldn’t be able to convincingly deny it.

  Kaal frowned in the direction Télia had left. “I wonder why she wears that hood… maybe she’s a thief, Aldrick. Maybe your coins are missing…”

  He didn’t bother checking. She was too fair to be such, and even if she was, he would let her steal from him as often as she pleased. His mind wandered.

  Kaal looked down at the empty stand. “Everything sold I see.”

  “Yes, all gone. It was a good day.”

  “Let’s head home then. I’ll fetch the horses.”

  After hitching the horses to the cart, they bought some chocolate muffins to eat and were on their way. Aldrick peered back as they left the bustling crowds, hoping to catch a glimpse of Télia. She was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps that had been the only time their paths would ever cross, and she had suggested otherwise out of sheer politeness. He hoped not. He thought of her outlandish beauty. How green her eyes were. Did many people from Daraki’ Anya share that feature, or was it hers alone? He liked to think it was the latter. He cared not for the thought of anyone else. Those short moments they had shared together, he was thankful for.

  The ride home was enjoyable. The sun had returned and drenched the countryside in golden light. Rabbits hopped about in the fields and birds chirped cheerfully within the blackberry vines that entangled fencing at either side of the road. Far to the north, the peaks of the Midland Ranges were visible, a soft blue in the distance. Aldrick and Kaal’s spirits soared and they shared stories and songs and spoke of travel and adventure, of their hopes and aspirations. Aldrick had always wanted to travel far away from here someday. Often he imagined what the rest of the Narathlands might be like. From the tales he had heard it sounded as though there were many places to be explored, many sights to be seen and many secrets to be discovered. Thinking of such things brought the events of last night back to the forefront of his mind. He remembered his plan to question Braem about the ka-zchen. Who was its magic-bearing master? Could it truly be that its appearance was linked to the faded truth that he had been an orphan? As they ascended their winding road these thoughts drowned out all else. Anticipation rose within. He wanted the truth.