“Is Woo coming with us?”
“Yes. He said he’ll meet us at the inn of the Slaughtered Fawn around supper time.”
It was around dusk when Jacko and Sun entered the crowded tavern. Jacko saw Tonles, Thessor, and surprisingly Breen, sitting in the back. Her long blonde hair was tied in a ponytail, and she was wearing leather armor on her upper torso, looking the part of a warrior. Jacko led them to the table, introduced Sun to the others and then sat down.
“Where’s Konafar?” Jacko asked after he was seated.
“He’s at the healers getting fixed up.” Tonles said.
“Is he hurt badly?” Breen asked.
“Unless he’s six feet under it’s never that bad, so he’ll be along shortly.” Tonles chuckled.
“Where’s everyone else?” Jacko asked.
“Erantel, Lud, and Fleck decided to stay in town for a few more days before returning to our Order. They’ll need to inform them about what befell our brothers and notify their next of kin. Are you still traveling to Mirkin?”
“Yes. Do you want to come along?”
The big man rubbed his beard. “I’m thinking about it. I need to speak with Konafar first.
Thessor how about you?”
“Sorry Jackosss, I needsss to returnsss to my peoplesss.”
Jacko glanced at Breen and realized how pretty she was with her face cleaned up, also thinking she looked sexy dressed up as a warrior. “Breen you look like you’re ready for a fight.” He said, trying to hide his thoughts behind his smile.
“I’m ready for one now that Tonles gave me the coin for my gear. It feels good to be armed again. I swear…” she paused and looked away.
Sun noticed a tear trickling down her left cheek and felt for her. “Are you okay?”
“Those bastards; I’ll never allow anyone to take me prisoner again. I’d rather die first.” Her tone had anger behind it.
“Don’t worry it will never happen again as long as I’m around. I promise.” Tonles said trying to make her feel better.
“Thanks, it means a lot.”
“Do you want to come with us?” Jacko asked.
“I think so.”
“Breen do you have any formal training?” Sun asked.
“No. My father taught me everything because I wasn’t allowed to join the Order in my town.”
“He must have been very good with a blade. Sun I’ve seen her fight and she can handle a weapon.” Jacko said.
“I agree, but you lack experience.” Tonles added.
“Any time you want a lesson, let me know.” Breen said to him, grinning.
“Sun why don’t tell us about yourself and what skills you possess?" Tonles asked him.
While Sun was talking, Jacko began looking around for Aurora. When he didn’t see her working, he excused himself and walked toward the innkeeper behind the bar.
“What’s he doing?” Tonles asked Sun.
“I’m not sure. Maybe getting us drinks.”
The elderly innkeeper was in the middle of pouring a tankard of ale when Jacko approached.
“Excuse me.” Jacko said, catching the old man’s attention. “Do you know where Aurora is?”
The innkeeper finished pouring the ale. “You just missed her. She finished her shift, and I think she said she was stopping at the market on her way home.”
“Thanks. If I miss her tell her Jacko was looking for her.”
Jacko returned to the table and said that he needed to go to the market to see a friend. Sun wanted to go, but Jacko waved him off and left.
“Why is he going to the market at this time of night?" Tonles asked Sun once Jacko was out the door.
“I think he might be looking for his friend Aurora.”
“Is it his girlfriend?” Breen asked smiling, because she loved hearing about people in love.
“I believe he has feelings for her.” Sun replied.
Jacko navigated his way through the streets with haste until he arrived at the market. Through the semi-crowded streets, he saw Aurora right away. She was wearing a blue dress and looking very pretty with her long, curly black hair draped over her shoulders. He strolled over and touched her slender arm. She turned around and her eyes widened in surprise, then she gave him a big hug.
“Where have you been? You were supposed to have dinner with me a couple of days ago.”
“I’m sorry about that. My Master needed me to do something. Can we talk privately?”
“Sure, let me pay for this first.”
After she completed the sale, Jacko led her down one of the streets and stopped when he knew no one would hear them.
“Aurora, can you leave town for a few weeks?” He suddenly said.
“Why?” She looked confused by his question.
Jacko told her what had happened in Redden and his thoughts about the days ahead. Aurora had a newfound respect for him, especially after hearing how brave he was and what he did for the prisoners. She also thought it was really sweet how much he cared about her well-being.
“Where will I go?” She asked.
“Anywhere but Redden.”
His look of concern touched her heart all over again.
“I can't?” Her eyes welled up.
“Why?”
“What will happen to my family if I do?”
Jacko didn't think of that.
“Where are you going?” She looked at him apprehensively.
“I have to go to Mirkin and take care of more pressing issues.”
“My mother can’t travel.”
“Please listen to me. I've seen what they’ll do if they take the town, and it's not pretty.” Jacko spared her the gory details.
“Do you believe they’ll attack us?”
“I don't know. My Master is staying behind and will talk to the other Orders to decide which course of action is best if they do.” He paused looking into her eyes. “Come with me, it's safer.”
She shook her head in protest and reiterated that she didn’t want to leave her family.
“Do me a favor then,” he placed his hand gently on the side of her face and brushed aside her hair. “If they do attack, hide and stay out of sight until I return.”
“You’re scaring me. Please stay with me.”
As much as he wanted to, and saw the pleading look in her eyes, he knew that he couldn't. The Order always came first, so he told her the truth, hoping she would understand. “Remember my teacher who was killed?”
She nodded.
“His father is in grave danger and my Master needs me to warn him.”
“Can’t they send someone else?”
“No.”
Will you be okay?” She asked.
“Yes. Sun Chin is coming with me and a few other people.”
“You’d better be. You owe me a dinner.”
The way she looked at that moment told him all he needed to know about how she felt. He pulled her close and kissed her. To his surprise and delight, she responded even more passionately. When they finally separated, he confessed his feelings for her, and she kissed him again.
“I need to go back to the inn. Remember, stay out of sight and seek sanctuary in my Order if the town comes under attack.” He handed her a small trinket with the school emblem etched on it. “Take this charm and show it to the guards. Tell them you got it from me, and they’ll allow you inside.”
She nodded.
He kissed her once more and parted. She watched him walking away and her eyes welled up anew in sadness and fear that she would never see him again.
Jacko returned to the tavern and saw Woo and Konafar seated at the table. The mighty warrior smiled when he saw him walking over.
“Are you feeling better?” Jacko asked him.
“It’s going to take more than a couple of giants to stop me.” He flexed his wounded arm, and the bandage tightened. “Good as…” he abruptly coughed and his side hurt, “new.”
Tonles chuckled. “Maybe you’re not.”
> “Will you still come to Mirkin?”
“Yes and so is Tonles.” Konafar tossed him a pouch full of coins.
“What's this for?”
“It's your money; I decided to go for free.”
“Why?”
“Because of your bravery in Redden, plus I'm sure we'll find more of it along the way. There are always thieves to kill and monsters to slay.” Konafar laughed. “How’s Mao doing?”
“He’s still recovering and won’t be coming along.”
“Too bad, I liked him.”
“Well? How is she?” Sun suddenly asked Jacko.
“Who?” Jacko responded, knowing full well who he meant.
“You know who.” Sun's expression sort of embarrassed him.
“I asked her to come with me, but she can’t.”
“It's better that she doesn't.”
“And why not? I can protect her a lot better if she’s with me.” Jacko was clearly agitated.
“Because she doesn't have any fighting skills and might get hurt.”
Jacko knew he was right and let the matter drop.
“When do you want to leave?” Woo added.
“We’ll meet at the stables, first thing in the morning. I’m going to enjoy myself tonight because who knows when I’ll get another opportunity.” Tonles said.
They stayed in the inn for a few more hours before leaving. Jacko, Sun, and Woo went back to the Order to sleep and prepare for their trek. Thessor bid the others farewell, and Tonles, Konafar, and Breen went to their respective rooms.
Around dawn, snow was falling again as they met at the stables. Everyone was geared up and ready for their journey. Konafar was sporting tough hide leather leggings and boots, a thicker gambeson underneath a chainmail shirt, and sheathed across his back was Carnage. He wore a black cloth cape draped across his broad shoulders. Tonles wore similar garb and was carrying Ripper. The weapon looked even more menacing in the morning light, Jacko thought. Breen was dressed in her leather outfit underneath a green hooded cloak. She carried a small wooden shield, and sheathed on her side was a short sword. Her leather boots were lined with fur for added warmth.
Sun was wearing his traditional red and black traveling clothes, made of thick woolen cloth that was resistant to most sword slashes. The soft leather boots were insulated with fur. The studded leather gauntlets complemented his Iron Fist technique and would deliver extra damage if you ever got hit with them. Woo and Jacko wore the exact same outfits as Sun, except Woo’s clothes were yellow and brown and Jacko’s were green and black. They also wore dark cloaks and had small sacks slung over their shoulders, which held various items that they would need.
After paying the stable boy for the care of the horses, they left Wistful.
By midday, they entered a forest and found a place to rest. The horses were given water and oats while the others ate a light lunch of dried beef and berries. Around the seating area, they made small talk with Konafar and Tonles telling them about some of their most dangerous adventures. Whether their stories were real or not, they were still quite captivating and entertaining.
Breen mentioned that she was also a healer and proceeded to tell them about some of her own affairs. Her stories paled in comparison to them because she lacked the flair they had for telling tales of adventures. When she was finished, Konafar announced that she was a nice addition to the group and her skills, as a fighter and healer, would surely come in handy in the days ahead. Jacko wondered if he was being truthful or flirtatious. When they were finished resting, they left.
A couple of hours later, they came upon several large trees blocking their way. They were placed in a row and far too big to jump over them. Konafar knew they didn’t fall by accident. They were about to go around them, when a group of giants emerged from the surrounding foliage. Konafar and Tonles recognized them as Woodland Giants. They looked almost identical, standing over seven feet tall, weighing a few hundred pounds, with long red unkempt hair and beards to match. They wore furs from different animals and carried really lengthy spears. They were neutral in alignment, and for the most part, kept to themselves.
Konafar dismounted. “Wait for my signal and then follow my lead.” He said and approached the giants.
They looked at Tonles. “Eyes forward and don't say another word.” He whispered.
Everyone did as they were told and watched Konafar approach the giants while speaking in their language. The giants gathered closer and conversed with him for a while. When he was finished, he walked back to the group.
“They require a fee to allow us to pass because they own this part of the forest. They are tired of allowing creatures to use it for free.”
“They own this grove by whose right?” Woo said.
“Do you want to tell them differently?”
When Woo didn't respond he continued.
“Anyway their fee is useful items like furs, food, ale, large weapons and stuff like that.”
“Maybe we should fight our way through.” Woo said.
“Woo, in life it's not about fighting everything you encounter, and besides, they look very formable don't you think?” Tonles said and looked directly at him.
“Let's vote.” Jacko said.
“Let's not.” Konafar replied.
During the discussion, Breen noticed one of the giants had a large wound that appeared to be infected.
“One of them looks hurt. Ask them if I mend his wound will they let us pass.” She said to Konafar.
“That might work.” Konafar said and walked over to the giants.
After a brief discussion, they agreed to her terms. Breen dismounted, grabbed her small bag, and approached the injured giant.
“I was right about her proving to be useful. I just didn't think it would be this soon.” Konafar said proudly while she was away.
Breen worked on his arm for a little more than an hour and when she was finished, the wound was stitched and bandaged. She gave them herbs and ointments and showed them how to use them. The grateful giants allowed them to pass.
Once they were clear of the forest, they couldn't help but turn their attention skywards and to the darkening skies ahead. They indicated a storm was on its way.
“I don’t see shelter anywhere. What should we do about the storm?” Woo asked.
“Well we can't go back if that’s what you mean.” Tonles replied.
“Why not? We just helped them.”
“Do you want to ask them if we can stay? I don't. Giants are unstable at best and can turn on you in an instant.”
“He's right,” Konafar added, “we should make our way over there and seek shelter.” He pointed toward a cluster of trees with a rock face behind it.
“Do you think there’s a cave in there or something?” Jacko asked.
“If not, the trees should be adequate enough.”
The plains opened up for several miles, and despite the group riding hard across the flats, they were met by the storm. The torrential downpour came upon them swiftly, and within minutes, they were soaked to the bone. The terrain also became a slippery mess and almost toppled a few of the horses.
By the time they reached the trees, the rainstorm intensified and was now a mix of sleet and ice. Despite the thick canopy of leaves, the storm fell through with little resistance and everyone knew that lighting a fire was a foregone conclusion. They dismounted from the horses, split up, and began searching for somewhere dry.
Woo was over near the rock face, spotted a cave set deep within the cliffs and told the others. Once inside of the cave, Tonles hid the horses near the entrance, while Sun Chin and Woo explored the deeper parts of the cavern. Konafar lit a roaring fire using scattered timber Breen had found inside of the cave.
After the Green Knight left Redden, he marched his army north after he received reports of fresh horse tracks leading that way. By the time the storm came upon them, they were only a few hours away from the forest that the group of Woodland Giants called home. After they
entered and were confronted by the giants, one of their cousins from the north ignored the Green Knight’s command for a peaceful resolution, and started a bloody fight. The Woodland Giants fought like a pack of wild animals and when the last of them fell, a good amount of his troops were killed.
Before moving on, the Green Knight killed the instigator, making an example of any who disobeyed his direct order.
****
Sun and Woo followed the sloping passageway downward into the darkness. The blackness was so dense that it threatened to eclipse the torch light and leave them in total darkness. After the ground leveled off and went straight ahead for an additional thirty feet, then came to a T-junction. Sun wanted to split up and take different directions, but after Woo objected adamantly, they agreed to go left.
After another forty feet or so, they found themselves at the entrance to a circular room. Across the way, they saw a medium-sized hole with blue-light emitting from within. Holding their torches aloft revealed a wooden treasure chest off to the right of the hole, with a skeleton lying on top.
“I wonder where the light is coming from.” Woo said.
“Not sure.”
“The skeleton on top of the chest is creepy.”
Sun nodded and entered with Woo following closely behind. They were at the chest when a blast of cold air, mixed with water, hit them square in their bodies.
“It appears to be coming from the hole.” Woo stated.
“I feel water in the air.” Sun said. “I wonder what's causing that.”
“I have no idea.”
They moved closer and by the time they were a few feet away from the chest, a powerful burst of wet, freezing air shot out of the hole and extinguished the torches, leaving the blue hue as their only light source. While they were trying to light the torches, they heard movement coming from inside of the hole. Glancing below, they saw something moving. The creature’s movements were fast enough to cause the light to flicker. Both men began backing up, and just as they were about to turn and run, a metal gate at the entrance to the room slammed down from the ceiling, trapping them inside to face whatever was coming.
“They should be back by now.” Jacko said, looking at the far end of the cave.
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 44