Instructor Jomur and Professor Bumbershoot looked at each other with uncertainty. Professor Argent did not show any interest in the conversation.
‘My lady,’ Flain began, ‘They will not be ready. There is not enough time between Yule and spring time, and they need much more training, otherwise some of them will certainly die. And danger still lurks–’
‘Then train them harder from now until then,’ she replied icily. ‘These squires signed up willingly for the Knighthood, knowing the dangers involved. Spring is when the hobs will stir from their hibernation, and this matter cannot wait any longer, unless you want them pillaging our countryside and farms. So I will ask you again. Will they be ready by spring?’
‘Yes, my lady,’ Flain answered in a measured tone.
Chapter Eight
Yule
The celebration of Yule traditionally involves decorating yule trees with lights, treats, and small runestones to entice Thelos, the god of the earth and stone, to awaken from his slumber and warm his forge for the coming spring. Therefore, we imitate this by burning a yule log. In the past century, however, this celebration has become a holiday of feasts, mead, and debauchery – with some gift-giving in between.
‘Dwarven Traditions: Vol. III’, Lysandofer Galatius
I
t was winter of 964 A.C., the first day of Yule.
The first day of the squires’ winter holiday marked Althea’s fifteenth birthday. A snowstorm had swept through the previous night and whited out the landscape. The leafless trees stuck out of the snow, looking like darkened skeletons in the bleakness of white and grey. The cold whitened Althea’s skin and reddened her cheeks, as she and Kairos traversed the grounds of Valour Keep.
In the barracks, many of the squires were packing to travel home for a week. Instructor Jomur checked on them periodically, reminding them to study their theories during the holiday, to which one squire muttered that he’d rather plunge into the icy waters of Lake Turquoise and freeze to death. Eventually Jomur decided it was too cold to trek back and forth in the snow to the barracks and shut himself in his study, much to everyone’s relief. Sir Flain paid them one last visit and stated that the training would recommence in a week. The squires noted that his yelling seemed more subdued than usual.
Althea was thankful for the holiday. At least it was a break from the intense routine. She wanted to spend time with Stella, her father, and especially some alone moments with Kairos. They rarely had any time alone during days filled with training and classwork. Yet, she and Kairos did not walk three paces from the barracks when they encountered Flain and another knight waiting for them.
‘This is Sir Hugo, a Wolf Knight,’ Flain explained. ‘Given the recent attack on you, I’m not taking any chances on your safety. He will escort you to Vadost and stand watch.’
Sir Hugo saluted and stood at attention. Althea and Kairos returned the salute half-heartedly. Althea did not want the knight around, but she could not argue with Sir Flain’s reasoning.
‘Show him your utmost respect,’ Flain growled upon seeing the lack of enthusiasm. ‘If you need something over the holiday, send word to me immediately.’
Flain departed, and Sir Hugo offered to help carry Althea’s belongings, which was a rucksack full of her clothes. Squires were not yet permitted to carry weapons home.
‘I can carry my things,’ Althea snapped. ‘I’m not helpless, you know.’
‘Forgive me, my lady,’ Sir Hugo said with a bow. ‘I’m only trying to assist.’
They neared the gate entrance of Valour Keep when they ran into Stephon, who was pulling a sled burdened with linens and wool.
The elf smiled, and waved. ‘Greetings, Althea! Greetings, Sir Hugo. Oh my, that armour looks fabulous on you!’ He looked Sir Hugo up and down, then glanced at Kairos and frowned. ‘Oh, you’re here, too. At least you’re better dressed than when I first saw you.’
‘Hello, Stephon!’ Althea said, placing a restraining hand on Kairos’s arm. ‘Why are you working? It’s a holiday!’
‘For you squires, perhaps,’ he said with a longing sigh, ‘but I have extra work. You squires and knights are always ruining uniforms, so I’m either repairing old ones or making new ones, and there’s many of you and only one of me. So I won’t have much free time, I’m afraid. Otherwise, I would invite you, and especially Sir Hugo there, for a glass of wine. Unfortunately, I cannot… What about you, darling?’
‘I’ll be going home, of course,’ Althea said. ‘If my father is there, we’re going to celebrate with a big Yule feast. I’ll be inviting Kairos along, because he said he never celebrated Yule before, so this will be his first–’
‘Althea!’ Kairos said, glaring at the elf. ‘Let’s go.’
‘Kairos, please!’ Althea said with exasperation. Then she turned to Stephon. ‘I’m sorry for his lack of manners. He means no harm.’
‘Of course not.’ The elf bowed to Althea. ‘I’m not bothered by barbarians. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to take care of this order. Enjoy Yule.’ He grabbed the cart and began pulling the sled through the snow. Sir Hugo appeared relieved at his departure, but said nothing.
Once the elf was out of earshot, Althea sighed. ‘Honestly, what is your problem with Stephon? I think you offended him. Are you still holding a grudge because he made some comments about your clothing?’
‘It’s not that.’ Kairos looked down in thought. ‘Forget about him. Do you think your father will be home for Yule?’
The mention of her father made Althea feel hollow. She had not seen very much of him during the past year, and with each day, she felt as if he were becoming a stranger. He had been around much more when she was younger. Ever since he became a Dragon Knight, he rarely had any time for her. She wondered if he would make it home for this year’s Yule celebration. She didn’t receive many letters at the Academy, but maybe Stella had got some news.
Althea was destined to disappointment.
They arrived at the Avenal Manor in the late afternoon, but only Stella greeted them at the door. Galen had sent word to her that he would be in Ordon, the capital of the Kingdom of Ordonia, which was almost on the other side of the kingdom. Apparently he was meeting with the king and the other Dragon Knights for something important. His letter was short, concise, and overly formal. Althea sighed again.
However, she was glad to step through the front door of her home. Stella hugged her so tightly that her back made popping sounds.
‘My, how you’ve grown, lass!’ the dwarf exclaimed.
‘Stella, you’re going to break my back!’
The homecoming raised everyone’s spirits, including Stella’s – she actually invited Kairos and Sir Hugo inside.
Althea’s burning frustrations with the Academy drifted away like ashes on the wind when she settled down at the dinner table. Stella took to pampering her like old times, and had cooked a large meal. Even though she still regarded Kairos with the occasional suspicion, she served him and Sir Hugo dinner, which was a large slab of beef, gravy, mashed fire potatoes, candied carrots, and star-apple pie. The Wolf Knight initially denied the offer, but after Stella’s insistence (which was more of a demand), he graciously accepted the invitation as if he wanted nothing more in life. Kairos happily cleaned his plate and wanted more.
Stella dominated the conversation at the table, asking many questions about the Academy. She said very little to Kairos during the meal, except that he could stay overnight, but had to be off to Mr. Dubose’s workshop in the morning.
Althea felt a wave of nostalgia as she looked around her home. Even though half a year had passed, it was the same as she left it before the Academy. Nothing had changed. She looked by the doorway, and noticed that her father’s helmet was still missing. The dwarf still fussed over her as if she had never left at all.
Althea spoke of the Academy, though most of it concerned how awful a human being Flain was, and elaborated on her daily classroom activities. Kairos didn’t say much, only ate and l
istened. Stella moved on to talk about the latest gossip in the city, the problems of taking care of the manor, and the new restaurant in the city: Milliways. The dwarf made a point of not bringing up Galen, however, much to Althea’s relief. The absence of her father made her sad, but she vowed not to dwell on matters that she could not help and decided to enjoy her holiday.
After dinner, Althea helped Stella with the dishes. When the dwarf wasn’t looking, she gathered the plates on the table and whispered to Kairos, ‘Shall we sneak out into the city tonight for the Yule Festival?’ She grinned at him mischievously.
‘Yule Festival?’ he asked.
‘Yes!’ Althea looked over her shoulder as if expecting the dwarf to come swooping into the room at any moment. ‘There’s dancing and singing, and–’
‘Won’t Stella get angry?’ Kairos cast an uneasy glance towards the kitchen. ‘Remember how she was last time.’
‘Althea,’ called Stella, herself, from the kitchen. ‘Hurry it up, lass.’
‘Yes, Stella. I’m coming.’ Althea hurried back, but she stole one more glance at Kairos. ‘It’s also my birthday, in case you’ve forgotten.’
He gave a rare smile and nodded.
* * *
The two moons, Paollus and Vay, had climbed high into the night sky, causing the snowy landscape around Vadost to sparkle like glittering mounds of gold and silver. Stella had finished cleaning the dishes with Althea, and sat in the parlour to relax. She was exhausted, having spent many long hours preparing the welcoming home dinner for Althea. Her heart ached for the girl, considering her father would not be here, but Stella did what she could to make her happy. Althea and Galen were all the dwarf had.
Stella had come from a rural mining town in the mountain range called Yeti’s End, which was on the border of Ordonia and Salforia. One night a horde of minotaurs swarmed the town, setting fire to every building, cutting down the dwarves as they ran out to escape the flames. Stella’s husband, Thorok, was one of the first to die, shielding Stella as she ran out with a few of the surviving townsfolk. They scattered, some getting overtaken by their pursuers and dying gruesome deaths. Stella escaped and made her way into Ordonia where she eventually came to Vadost, with nothing but the clothes on her back and the loss of her entire family.
She met Galen, who listened to her story and immediately hired her as a nanny.
Althea’s mother had just passed, and the grief-stricken girl had locked herself in her room and wouldn’t come out to eat. Galen tried everything to coax her out – from gifts to sweets – but nothing worked. Then Stella came along and tried a different approach: she threatened to break down the door if Althea didn’t come out. Althea opened the door, and ever since, Stella had loved the girl like her own. They had both experienced the painful loss of a loved one and they found solace in each other’s company.
How much Althea had grown! It would only be a matter of time before she, too, would be gone. Despite Stella’s best intentions, Althea had already attached herself to that foreign boy who lived with Mr. Dubose. Stella had disliked him from the moment Galen brought him back to the manor. She knew he’d be trouble. Still, Althea could do worse, though Stella would rather drink elven wine than admit as much to the girl. Kairos was strong and driven – like a dwarf – and she knew he would risk his life to protect Althea from harm.
Stella closed the book the in her lap and set it on the table next to her. She wouldn’t get much reading done tonight. She was already thinking of what to cook Althea and Kairos for breakfast. Maybe she would go and ask Sir Hugo if he wanted anything to drink. She was rather surprised to see the knight escorting Kairos and Althea, but he showed her his orders from the Knighthood. She had meant to enquire more about his presence, but seeing Althea again after a long absence had distracted her. She would find out more in the morning when everyone was well rested.
It would be a long, busy week, consisting of chores, errands, and shopping, but Stella was pleased about the activity. Ever since Althea had left for the Academy, the dwarf had little to do to occupy her time, and the manor had been lonely. Lord Avenal had stopped in twice during Althea’s absence, but that was only for a night; he was off again the next morning. Everyone was always so busy! Even now, Stella knew that Althea and Kairos had slipped out the secret doorway in the back of the manor to enjoy the Yule Festival.
She thought of alerting Sir Hugo and going out to find them, but changed her mind. The poor knight was exhausted, working during the Yule holiday. Instead, Stella offered him a slice of star-apple pie and told him to make himself comfortable. The dwarf told herself that Kairos and Althea would return later that night. They were already in the Academy training for dangerous situations. She had to let that little girl act on her own someday, and now was as good a time as ever. Stella shook her head and sighed. Perhaps she was getting soft now. But the young pair did remind her of her youth.
She thought of Thorok. What would he have made of Kairos? But she knew the answer already. He would have liked him. Stella could almost hear her late husband saying, ‘He’s not bad for a human, and he can work a forge!’ She smiled at the thought, remembering the mischief she and Thorok got into so many years ago. Perhaps that was why Stella was so protective over Althea. She did not want the girl repeating her mistakes.
She stood up, looking for something to do. She would not be able to sleep knowing that Althea was out in the city, so she decided to pour herself some mead and sit out on the veranda. It was Yule, after all.
It was cold outside, even for the dwarf who was used to the much colder temperatures of Yeti’s End. But she enjoyed the pleasant view of the city below. The hundreds of colourful street lamps illuminated the throngs of people parading through the streets, the lights reflecting on the surface of Lake Turquoise. The sounds of cheering and laughter carried up the hillside to where the dwarf sat, and the smell of roasted meat and baked pastries was strong. She sipped the sweet mead and relaxed, enjoying the sights and smells from the festival. Compared to the jubilation below, it was very quiet around the Avenal Manor.
So quiet that Stella heard the distinct sound of something crashing inside.
She quickly stood up. The dwarf always tidied up to the point where things simply didn’t ‘crash’ on their own. She stood still and listened, but there was no further sound.
‘Sir Hugo?’ she called. ‘Do you need something?’
No answer. A feeling of unease settled on Stella like an ominous shadow.
She slowly peered around, looking into the surrounding darkness. Her dwarven night vision could distinguish shapes in the darkness much better than a human’s, but she had been staring at the radiant festivities in the city below and her eyes needed time to adjust. She crept quietly to the door and listened. She heard nothing, and everything appeared normal. But surely Sir Hugo would have awakened with such a racket.
She quickly grabbed a kitchen knife from nearby.
‘Sir Hugo?’ she called again. Maybe Althea and Kairos had come back sooner than expected, and one of them clumsily bumped into something. Stella felt foolish to be so nervous.
She went into the next room and saw that the front door was ajar. Althea would have slammed it shut. The hair on Stella’s neck bristled, and she gripped the knife’s handle tightly, her knuckles becoming white.
Then she saw the inert form of Sir Hugo. His body was contorted in an unnatural position, blood covering his clothing and forming a puddle around him. A broken plate – the source of the crash – lay in pieces nearby.
Movement in the corner of her vision made Stella turn, and she let out a loud gasp of surprise.
Another dwarf began to approach her slowly from the parlour. He looked very rough and said nothing, only brandished an axe and smiled.
Stella backed away, but a voice from behind made her spin around.
‘Where’s the boy?’ It was another dwarf blocking the path to the front door, Stella’s escape. The bandage around his head hinted that he had seen bet
ter days, but the dark shadowed eyes, along with his drawn sword, exuded a malevolence of what was to come. He bared his yellow teeth in anger. ‘Or better yet, where’s the girl?’ He pointed to his bandaged head and edged closer. ‘She did this to me, you know. It’s time I repay the favour.’
Stella shuddered, and raised her knife.
Her hopes sank when a third dwarf emerged from the hallway leading to the bedrooms. ‘The boy and girl are not here,’ he called.
Stella was painfully aware that she was trapped, but she faced the fearsome dwarf with the bandaged head and stared him in the eyes.
He levelled his sword at her. ‘Tell us where they are,’ he said, ‘and we’ll let you live.’
Stella spat at him. ‘I’d rather die.’
The dwarf with the bandaged head sneered. ‘So be it. We’ll have some fun with you.’
Despite her fear, Stella smiled, an inner smile at her fate – she would finally join Thorok soon.
But first, she wasn’t going down without a fight.
* * *
Kairos and Althea made their way through the crowd in front of Lazio Fountain.
They did not feel cold. They walked close together, hands intertwined. The mass of people around them sang and danced to the various musicians performing in the city square. Kairos found a bench on the outskirts of the fountain plaza where they sat apart from the crowd, watching the fireworks and festivities in companionable silence.
‘Are you sure you shouldn’t pay Mr. Dubose a visit?’ Althea asked.
‘I’ll go tomorrow.’ Kairos grinned. ‘I fear if I visit him first, he would burden me with so much work that I would not have time to enjoy the festival.’
‘This is the first time we’ve been truly alone since the Hammerfall Festival, isn’t it?’ Althea asked.
They sat close together, not quite touching, but close enough that the other’s physical presence was a constant distraction.
Cursed Knight Page 23