Hinrik was speechless. But Keneith was probably right.
Raykim was frowning too.
"Is there no way to earn Humans' love or respect?" he asked, voicing Hinrik's doubts.
"If there is, I haven't found it yet," Keneith answered with a shrug.
"I think Ken is a little cynical," Bellinda said, thoughtful.
Keneith scoffed. "Bel, you didn't have it as hard as we did," he said sourly. "Your parents stayed together. They were respected both in the Genn and in the Human community. And your healing power is not threatening. But us? I can burn things and people. Hinrik could drown them or freeze them. And Raykim isn't Human at all. We're freaks and condemned to be feared and avoided at all costs."
Hinrik felt a lump in his throat and gulped. "So we'll never find our place in the world?" he asked with a shaky voice.
"It depends on what you want, Hinrik," Keneith answered. "Do you really want to be part of the Human society? Personally, I couldn't care less. That's why I'm always on the move and don't stay for more than ten years in the same place. Usually a lot less, actually, but when I met the Genn, I spent a lot of time with them."
"I hear they hide in underground cities in the central massif and under Mount Flora," Raykim said.
"Or in the forest of Appleyard, where their kingdom used to be," Bellinda added. "Have you tried them or did you just stay around here?"
"I admit I was a little fearful at the thought of traveling on my own. I tried to follow Sila, but they always chased me away. So I stayed here, mostly. I'm very grateful that you allowed me to go with you."
"You're welcome, little cousin." Keneith ruffled his blue hair and smiled.
Hinrik understood Keneith wasn't as heartless as he pretended to be and had spoken because he cared for them all. Being so much older and having seen so much more of the northern kingdoms, he probably knew what he was talking about. He had said something about being an outcast, aware of his skills that didn't allow him to be part of society.
Hinrik pursed his lips. Maybe he could become an outcast too. He wasn't sure he wanted to be like everybody else. He had tried, by joining the Salamar army and fighting for its king, but he had always felt out of place – until he'd met the other half-bloods.
"We could be a small family," he said. "Not blood family, but because we choose to live together, wherever that be."
"Would that make me the mom?" Bellinda asked with an impish smile.
"How about all siblings?" he replied.
She might be older than him, but he didn't see her as a mother. Maybe a sister. Maybe. He wasn't sure. Now that he'd been traveling with her for three months, he started to see her in a different light.
"Well, I always wished I had an older brother who could introduce me to his friends so I could have a boyfriend, but Ken doesn't have any friends, so that's a failure," she said. "As for younger siblings... I have two, and it's enough."
"Yes, who needs a family when one has friends and traveling companions?" Keneith added. "I'm surprised you're not sick of our company yet, since you're a single parent's only child."
"You're actually very nice company," Hinrik replied, smiling fondly at him. "Dad," he added teasingly.
Keneith glared at him, and then he smiled. "Don't try my patience, Son..."
Bellinda chuckled. "You're both cute when you play like that!"
"I have siblings, but they ignore me," Raykim said. "You three are the first people to actually talk to me."
"Welcome to the family," Hinrik said. "Can we figure out a way of putting up a show that is non-threatening for our audience? I'd say to leave the local schools of magic alone..."
"Why do we need to put up a show?" Raykim asked. "Can't we just keep going?"
"You've obviously never dealt with so-called civilization, little cousin," Keneith said. "In towns like this one, you need to pay for a lot of things. Therefore you need money. I'm guessing you lived off the land until now and didn't have to deal with merchants or innkeepers."
"Oh. No." Raykim looked disappointed. "So how does one get the money?"
"By working or by entertaining people, like Hinrik suggested. Or by winning in gladiator rings after a rainy day." Keneith smiled fondly at Hinrik who smiled back but shook his head.
"I don't want to fight anymore," he said. "That much is sure. So I need to find an alternative to earn a living."
"Barter?" Raykim suggested, puzzled.
"Doesn't work everywhere," Keneith replied. "We should get you some clothes, you'd look less... wild in shirt and breeches."
"I had clothes on my back when I left the Nest," Raykim said with a shrug. "But I outgrew them. I stole a towel to make my loincloth for practical reasons."
"Yes, you don't want to fly around with the family jewels out." Bellinda chuckled.
"Exactly," Raykim said. "I guess I need to find a way to get new ones... you're telling me I need money, how can I get some?"
"I guess you could scare travelers into giving you their money, but that would make you a bandit and an outlaw." Keneith chuckled.
"He already stole a towel to cover himself," Bellinda replied. "Maybe one of you could lend him your spare breeches!"
"You can give him yours, since you now travel on a wagon," Keneith retorted. "He's so skinny that yours would fit perfectly!"
"I have spare breeches," Hinrik said. "Aren't you cold, especially during winter?"
"No, the air around me is always warm," Raykim answered.
"The Sila cover their bodies out of modesty, not necessity," Bellinda commented.
"In fact the Waiora show much more skin!" Keneith added, amused. "Anyway, I'll buy my little cousin new clothes in Kelvia, where I know a dressmaker who won't fuss about his appearance."
"Oh, thank you, Keneith!" Raykim beamed. "Who is it?"
"My stepmother. She knows who my real mother is, even though she never saw Bluestar in her true form."
"But she knew her in Human form?" Hinrik asked, curious.
Keneith nodded. "Like Lenore and your mother. Bluestar called herself Cynnamon the Ginger-headed Poet, like a previous generation Fajrulo called Starblazer who died before she was born. But she had heard so much about the female who had passed herself off as a goddess for Humans that she used some of Starblazer's Human names for herself."
"So she looked like a redhead?" Bellinda asked. "And she wrote poetry?"
"Yes. And Lura made her clothes and she secretly loved Darhon, my father, who was totally smitten by the Ginger-headed Poet... and you can guess where this is headed. When Cynnamon vanished, Lura offered herself to fill the empty spot in the house. She's a very sweet woman, but soon I was old enough to leave my father's house and try to find my Fajrulo mother."
"This first Starblazer must have impressed a lot of females," Raykim mused. "Skywise called her daughter Starblazer and went to Maadre to be a Goddess... Are Humans still so credulous that a Fajrulo can be seen as a god by them?"
"Let's stay that if a man suddenly turns into a dragon, they're going to be impressed," Keneith answered. "Who wouldn't? Do you remember your Fajrulo parent in his true form?"
"No." Raykim admitted. "I grew up with my mother. Until she couldn't stand my looks anymore and the Sila sent me away from the Nest."
"I haven't asked your half-sister Starblazer to show me her true form, but I'm sure it's impressive," Keneith continued. "She earns her living among Humans playing the witch. Fajrulo are greedy, and they probably have treasures in their lairs. Except of course, you better not touch that wealth if you want to live."
"And what happens to those hidden treasures when they die?" Hinrik asked. "Do you think you could find one abandoned by its owner?"
"Dragon lairs are not easy to find," Keneith answered. "But I do have flair for finding them. If I feel there is one in the vicinity, I'll let you know."
"There are none in these mountains," Raykim said. "Only a couple of Sila nests on the highest peaks."
"There are more mountains in t
he south. I'm sure you can find those lairs as easily as I can, little cousin. Don't worry, I'll lend you some money until we find a dragon lair..."
"And then you could move to a Genn community, you'll be welcome, probably," Bellinda said. "The rock-shapers could carve you your own lair, and you could start accumulating riches by taking it from travelers who are bold enough to get close to your lair!"
"We'll see," Raykim replied with a smile. "I look forward to seeing more of the world!"
***
The sun was up and they were ready to leave Aludin when a group of people surrounded them. Three elders with tunics that had stars or runes embroidered at the hems and a dozen students with tunics of different colors, probably the uniform of the school they belonged to.
Bellinda raised her eyebrows at the sight of the wizards and their apprentices. The paladin must have been really scared or too drunk to keep last night's prodigy to himself and word had reached the schools of magic.
I guess the confrontation is inevitable now, she thought with an internal sigh.
Raykim was already in the wagon and luckily the paladin didn't know about him, so they had an advantage there. Maybe the simple sight of the non-Human half-blood would scare away the mages and their acolytes.
Keneith scoffed and confronted them with his arms crossed over his chest. "Yes, gentlemen?"
"Are you the magic users who scared Emewor at the Hungry Snake last night?" asked the oldest of the lot, who had long white hair and a long white beard and wore a conical hat that actually made him look more funny than threatening.
"If he's a paladin who lingered at the tavern last night, yes, that's us," Keneith answered, undaunted.
"So you say you can do magic?" Another elder pointed a gnarled finger at them. He wore a turban over a probably bald head and had runes drawn all over his clothes.
"Can you?" Keneith smirked.
"Keneith, we decided we don't want a confrontation," Hinrik said. "It would scare the horses. Let's just get away from here."
Bellinda climbed onto the wagon and took the reins. Keneith shrugged and joined her. But the group of wizards actually closed in on them.
"You're not going anywhere," the third dean threatened. "Or I will throw a ball of fire at you."
"Please, do," Keneith said with a mock bow. "And be ready to get it back as fast as you throw it."
Bellinda couldn't see it, but she could feel Keneith's shield. Hinrik held Shytur still, but stared wide-eyed at Keneith.
The mage made a show of reciting an incomprehensible spell and a small ball of fire slowly formed in his hand. He threw it, but it bounced back off Keneith's shield, forcing them to jump backward to avoid being hit.
The turbaned one screamed a curse, which only made the shield visible for a moment, a glittering bubble that encompassed the wagon, the draft horse and Shytur and Hinrik who slowly smiled as he realized how far Keneith's shield reached.
"Are you sure we don't want a confrontation?" Keneith asked Bellinda.
"No, Ken, nobody will get hurt. Now let's go." She shook the reins and the horse started pulling the wagon.
"Can I come out?" Raykim called from inside. "I'd really like to see what's going on!"
"Not much, little cousin," Keneith replied. "A bunch of wannabe Human magic users."
"I want to see them!"
"Suit yourself!"
"Ken," Bellinda chided. "Raykim, no confrontation!" she said out loud, leaning towards the back of the wagon. She heard the door open and the little crowd gasp.
"Hello there," Raykim said. "So you can do magic? Show me! I'm curious about Human magic!"
The students ran away screaming first. The three deans soon followed suit with slightly more dignity.
"Did I scare them off?" Raykim asked with an innocent smile, flapping his wings.
"Get back in the wagon, we're out of here," Bellinda said, trying not to laugh out loud.
Raykim chuckled but obeyed. Hinrik was grinning. Keneith looked at her and shook his head.
"Healers," he muttered, trying not to smile.
She passed him the reins. "Shut up and drive, you bloody half-Fajrulo!"
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
For a few days they avoided populated places. They kept going along the coast at a leisurely pace, camping in the open and avoiding the small villages and lone farms on their way. Raykim was very cheerful and Keneith seemed grumpy, but Hinrik was starting to see through his rough exterior.
Raykim had brought the rain that had allowed Hinrik to win at the Flean gladiator ring. He'd been watching them with his keen Sila eyesight from the mountains and had decided to interfere by making the clouds pour rain over the ring. When he told Hinrik, his yellow eyes sparkled with mischief.
Bellinda had wider hips than Hinrik, thus he ended up lending Raykim his spare breeches – "only up to Kelvia" – and the young half-blood still had to use a belt to keep them up.
One day Shytur was having colic and they had to stop so Bellinda could help the poor horse to expel whatever was blocked. And then she had to rest and wait until her headache receded. Hinrik admired her more and more because she was sweet but strong and showed she could stand up for herself among three men.
She also suggested he tried water manipulation every time they stopped and camped near a stream. The first ice figurines turned out quite ugly, but soon he got the hang of it. He could create a blade of ice, or even armor. Not that he needed an armor anymore and he still had his sword, but it was fun experimenting.
And then they reached Maxwetria, the bustling metropolis with walls of wood and stone with many gates, built around a harbor and at the estuary of a big river. It had both ancient and new beautiful architecture and lavish temples and it was famous for its courtesans and horse training.
Its economic base was trading – by land, river or sea – and the main trade was herd animals. The nearest tavern was a few blocks from the entrance, but Keneith led the wagon more towards the river shore.
The buildings were shoddily constructed and the streets were full of rats. Bad smells came from everywhere – rotten fish, animal and human shit, blood when nearing the slaughterhouse. Hinrik wrinkled his nose since the inhabitants didn't seem to bathe much.
There were public baths in the newer and nobler part of the town, but no place to park the wagon and the horses, so they were directed to a suburb that spread along the river shore and outside the town walls.
Bellinda frowned at the sight of the sickly looking inhabitants. After touching a few, she said there was a problem somewhere. Probably lack of hygiene or the rats were bringing the plague. It could spread quickly if that was the case.
Hinrik crouched on the river shore and stared at the water. It was muddy and smelled of decay. Dead algae floated on the almost still surface. That part of the river was narrow, since there was an islet covered with log houses and tied to the mainland with rickety wooden bridges.
"This water is stagnating," Keneith said, crouching near him. "Maybe they blocked something either down or upriver and now they have dirty water to drink."
Hinrik nodded, frowning at the ugly-looking liquid. It didn't even feel like water anymore.
"I can clear it, but if we don't find out why it's like this, it's useless," he said.
"Let's have a look." Keneith rose and he followed him.
They went upriver first, but the water was clean before the islet. They crossed to the other side and came back down slowly, keeping their eyes on the current. They took the last bridge back to the islet and at the edge of the houses on the other shore they found an open air sewer that had completely blocked the flow of the river.
"How do we get rid of all that shit?" Hinrik wondered. It was solid, not liquid.
"I think it's time you started feeling your Human blood," Keneith answered. "Human magic is based on Earth. Like you feel Water, you should be able to feel Earth. I will support you, but you must find a way to mix earth and water manipulation to take down that dam of
trash and allow the river to just follow its natural course."
Hinrik nodded, worried. He sat on his knees in the mud of the shore and put both hands down. He could feel both earth and water now. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Clear water. Flowing freely. Ground liquefaction came naturally next, moving rocks and boulders and other solid objects blocking the river.
His energy was fading quickly and he felt Keneith's hand on his shoulder. The warmth of the other half-blood's touch gave him strength, especially in the earth manipulation part.
"The dam is gone," Keneith said softly.
Hinrik exhaled. The mud had dried under his hands, he needed water. On all fours he moved to the river where the current was slowly picking up speed again.
"See you on the other shore," Keneith said. "Swim back to the wagon and you'll be fine. I'll tell Bel to wait for you."
Hinrik nodded before going underwater. He let his element envelop him and give him back his strength. When he emerged, he saw Bellinda seated on the shore, waiting.
"Do you need help?" she asked.
"No," he answered. "I'm fine. I will get my spare clothes and change in the wagon."
"Good. I'm going to sleep at an inn tonight, so see you tomorrow morning..."
***
Bellinda had taken a room near the public baths. It had been a hot day and seeing all those sickly people hadn't helped. She couldn't heal them all, but hopefully the fact that Hinrik had cleared their water might help them to recover their health.
She went to wash away the sweat and then went back to the room. She lay down for a moment, trying to dispel the uneasy feeling she'd had since they'd set foot in Maxwetria. The room smelled funny. It had only a very small window and it soon felt stuffy and too hot.
She opened the window, trying to get a breath of fresh air, but by now anguish had gripped her heart. She had trouble breathing and wanted to cry. Sometimes when she was tired she could easily burst into tears. But this looked like a full-fledged panic attack like she hadn't had in years.
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