I will complete the contract, I simply have to think carefully about my next move.
Casimir left only one more statement and didn't even bother to wait for a response:
You either get to her before she opens the book or you pay the price.
With that, Casimir tossed the parchment into the fire once more. Once there was nothing but ash left, he left the room to find Azemar. He had only to open the door to his chamber to find that the adviser himself stood in the corridor ready to enter.
Azemar appeared startled that Casimir came out just as he was about to enter. “My Lord, what are you doing?”
Casimir didn't give him the opportunity to speak again. “Gather your things, Azemar. We're going to Eldercliff.”
“Eldercliff? What in the world for?”
Casimir stared at him. “Last I checked you answer to the crown without question. Either you do as I say or I will have you punished.”
Azemar wasn't intimidated. “What I was going to say, My Lord, is that I know of a faster way to get to Eldercliff without all that traveling nonsense. I presume this is about the Haventhorn girl? I thought she was found?”
Casimir was already packing his belongings as he said, “Let's just say it's come to my attention that she has not only escaped from her 'rescuers,' but she has also made it through the Black Forest alive and has somehow harnessed the ability to use magic practically overnight. She's on her way to Eldercliff as we speak.”
Azemar knew better than to question how he knew about Kaina, but when he didn't speak at all, Casimir turned to see that his expression went white.
“She can use magic?” Azemar muttered. “How is that possible? Even the brightest wizards have to study for years before casting their first spell...unless...”
Azemar paced the floor, barely paying any mind to Casimir's glares. “It's the book. It has to be...”
“What are you going on about?” Casimir asked.
Azemar stopped and met the prince's gaze. “That book is said to contain the essence of the wizard who formed the library, so it's possible that her constant exposure to the book has given her some magical abilities simply by willing it.”
Azemar stroked his chin. “A girl with a mind like Kaina's is dangerous enough, but a girl who wields magic could be...problematic.”
Casimir diverted his attention back to his adviser and said, “Which is why we need to get to Eldercliff. If she finds Melchior and brings him that book...”
“Like I said before,” Azemar said, “I know a shortcut. You can bring supplies if you like, but I don't suspect we will need much. Come with me and I will show you the way.”
The old man turned and left the room, leaving Casimir to weigh his options carefully. It didn't take him long, however, to reach the conclusion that he had nothing to lose by seeing what the old man had in store.
The soothing warmth from the midmorning sun awoke Kaina from her slumber. She soon noticed Tristan stirring as well, and he soon began to moan and rub the sunlight out of his eyes.
Tristan leaned forward as Kaina fought back the urge to fall asleep again. The former pulled himself to his feet, stretched out his arms, and said, “We'll need to get moving soon if we want to make it to Eldercliff by sundown.”
Kaina fought to keep her eyes open, but the only thing that managed to break her hypnotic state was her growing hunger. She parted her dry, cracked lips and said, “We need food and drink before we can even think of going to Eldercliff.”
Tristan scanned the area, then met her gaze and said, “If my memory serves me correctly, there should be a small village along the path to the city. It shouldn't take more than an hour to get there on foot. The only problem, however, is that we don't have any money.”
Kaina forced herself to stand, ignoring the screaming aches of her joints, and said, “You don't have anything left?”
“No,” he said glumly, “the goblins took my money when they took the rest of my gear.”
Kaina's stomach howled at the thought of going hungry, but she soon remembered something that gave her a small shred of hope. She reached behind her neck, unfastened the clasp of her necklace, and held it out for Tristan to see.
As his eyes locked onto the necklace, Kaina smiled and said, “This should fetch a nice sum in one of the shops, certainly enough to cover the costs of everything we need.”
Tristan grazed his fingers over the gold, the ruby in the center, and the tiny diamonds forming a perfectly round frame around it. The sheer beauty of the piece gave him cause to whistle and say, “I'd say we would get more than enough. Let's go.”
In an effort to put her aching feet and sore muscles out of her mind, Kaina soon began to think about the book. She didn't think Tristan would believe her if she told him about the voice. She wondered about possible explanations for it, but the pain in her belly far outmatched her normally unyielding imagination.
“It shouldn't be much farther,” Tristan suddenly said, “just over that hill.”
Upon detecting the strain in his voice, Kaina suspected his assurance was primarily for his own peace of mind. He was correct, however, as she soon discovered when they made it to the top of the hill.
A small village, barely a dot on the green landscape of Ilesia, nested in the area surrounding a crossroad just a short walk from the bottom of the hill. A cloud of smoke coming from the chimney of one of the larger buildings made Kaina imagine a roaring fire with a pot of soup hanging hearth. She soon imagined a pile of bread rolls, followed by fresh potatoes, carrots, and beef all cooked together in a rich, homemade stew. Her empty stomach growled in protest of being taunted by the prospect of a hot meal, so she halted her thoughts and marched forward to make them a reality.
Once Kaina and Tristan reached the borders of the village, they could see that the sweet aroma that drew them in from the plains was in fact the village inn. The inn, along with every other shop in the village, dotted the immediate area around the crossroad with the inn being directly on the corner. Upon reaching the crossroad, a sign perched on the same corner as the inn pointed in either direction. On one end, pointing back the way they came, the sign read “EBONCREST,” a westward facing sign read “SUNHAVEN,” and a northern facing sign read, “ELDERCLIFF.”
The first shop they passed was an apothecary shop, as was indicated by the sign hanging above the door that bore a painting of a mortar and pestle. The next was an armory, and Kaina could see the rising smoke of a smith's forge above the roof. On the opposite end of the path stood a general store, followed by a bakery, and then a stable. Once Kaina spotted the sign on the general store's window that read, “Trades Welcome,” she gave Tristan a nudge and gestured for him to follow. Upon entering, the first thing Kaina saw was the shopkeeper sweeping with his back turned to the door.
“Ah, welcome,” the shopkeeper said. He turned around and as he did so, he said, “I have everything you need for every day-”
The shopkeeper's eyes, pale and worn, fell upon the customers and he immediately froze in place like a cornered rat. His thin, meatless limbs trembled and what little color was left on his patchy face drained until his skin was the same color as his white, balding hair.
The shopkeeper raised his bony, twig-like arms, dropping the broom on the withered wooden floor, and said, “Whoa there...I don't want any trouble.”
Kaina and Tristan exchanged a glance, but the former soon realized that with their torn, tattered appearance, they no doubt could have passed for beggars or even robbers to some people. Kaina thought quickly and replied, “Forgive us, Sir, but we were attacked by bandits on the road. I managed to save one of my valuables, and I would like to sell it so we can get to Eldercliff.”
The shopkeeper eyed them curiously, as if he were trying to decide whether or not he believed her story. Kaina didn't think he was satisfied, but he still said, “Very well, let's see what you've got.”
The shopkeeper edged behind the counter without taking his eyes off of them for even a moment.
Kaina and Tristan approached the counter, and the former noticed how the shopkeeper shrunk back as they drew closer, as though he were expecting them to pull out a knife and demand his coin at any moment. She didn't bring it up, however, and simply waited for him to speak.
“Well,” he finally said, “what do you have?”
Kaina reached into her pocket, ignored the fact that the shopkeeper flinched as she did so, and pulled out her necklace. The pendant rested face up in her palm and the chain dangled from the side of her hand, and the moment the shopkeeper's eyes landed on it, his jaw dropped.
Kaina smiled and said, “I would like to sell this necklace.”
The shopkeeper stared in awe at the piece and Kaina half-expected him to reach out and snatch it. However, he simply gulped and stammered, “W-well, I will have to test its authenticity before I decide to purchase it.”
He watched Kaina for any sign that she took offense, but instead she replied, “I understand. Go ahead and test it.”
The shopkeeper reached under the counter and produced a loupe and a scale. He held out his hand, which Kaina carefully placed the necklace into, and then he placed it onto the scale. After the shopkeeper checked the weight of the piece, he picked it up by the pendant, placed the loupe over his right eye, and examined it further. A moment later, the shopkeeper set the loupe down on the counter, then he twirled the necklace between his fingers and said, “It's authentic, all right. Frankly I'm astounded that anyone could manage to find such a piece.”
Kaina ignored the accusing tone in his voice and said, “What can you give me for it?”
The shopkeeper pursed his lips and held it up as though he were double-checking it, and he said, “Well, being a humble merchant from a small village, I wouldn't be able to find a buyer quite so easily as someone in Eldercliff. However, I would be more than willing to offer you a generous sum of say...ten gold pieces.”
“Ten gold pieces?” Tristan barked as he snatched the necklace from the merchant's hand. “That's a ridiculous offer.”
The shopkeeper lowered his hand and said, “Young man, I don't have the funds to spend on such lavish pieces of jewelry, at least not when the sellers are in as desperate need of coin as you are.”
Kaina scowled at the swindler, then turned her gaze to Tristan and said, “Let's go. I'm sure that the town smith would give us a better offer.”
The shopkeeper chuckled and said, “That oaf doesn't have any more coin than I do. Besides, what would a smith have any use for jewelry?”
“The gold,” Tristan replied. “You verified yourself that it's real, and most smiths pay top coin for gold to use in their finer weapons.”
Kaina smiled, took the necklace from Tristan, dangled it in front of the shopkeeper, and said, “And how about the encrusted ruby? A gem that size is sure to attract a wealthy buyer.”
The shopkeeper chewed his lip, staring at the necklace the entire time. Kaina and Tristan exchanged glances, and they both could tell that the other was thinking the exact same thing.
Tristan turned back to the shopkeeper and said, “Surely the smith, in his infinite wisdom and business prowess, would recognize such an impassable opportunity when he sees it? Maybe we should just go and ask him?”
“Fine,” the shopkeeper said, “I can go as high as forty. I'm afraid I don't have much coin for buying, since I don't get many traders out here.”
Kaina and Tristan exchanged a glance again, and the former said, “You know, I think I saw one of those merchant wagons coming down the road from Eldercliff. Maybe we should see if they have more coin to offer?”
“Sixty,” the shopkeeper blurted out. He paused to regain his composure, then said, “sixty is all I have.”
Tristan took the necklace from Kaina and said, “Hold on, are those diamonds surrounding the ruby? Why, there are jewelers who would pay ten gold pieces for just one little-”
“Eighty!” the shopkeeper barked. “And I swear, that is all I have!”
Kaina and Tristan stood in silence, and the shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his brow. His eyes darted between them for several seconds, waiting and watching as they made up their minds. Kaina kept her expression as neutral and indifferent as possible, and made certain to keep the necklace in the shopkeeper's direct line of sight.
After several agonizing minutes, the shopkeeper cleared his throat and said, “Perhaps...I could also throw in a few supplies for good measure...as well as a tunic for your friend here.”
Kaina and Tristan exchanged one last glance, nodded to each other, and then they both turned back to the shopkeeper and said, “Deal.”
The shopkeeper eagerly reached under the counter and produced a bag of coins. As he counted them out in front of Kaina, Tristan took his pick of the tunics that hung on the side of the room until he found one that fit. After pulling it over his head, he picked out other supplies, including new satchels, canteens, cloaks, and a map. By the time he had finished gathering supplies, the shopkeeper had finished counting up the coins. Kaina, who had counted along with him, took the coins and stored them inside her new satchel and placed it over her shoulder.
With everything settled, Kaina handed the necklace to the shopkeeper. He in turn snatched it up before she would have a chance to change her mind, and said, “Pleasure doing business with you.”
After leaving the general store, Kaina and Tristan headed straight for the smith's shop. The smith's wife ran the counter in the store while he worked the forge out back. The wife fitted Tristan for a new leather jerkin and pair of bracers to go over his new tunic, and he also chose a long sword. Kaina instead opted for a simple dagger, since she preferred light weaponry. With new equipment and a bit of coin left, they then headed to the other stores.
Kaina and Tristan stepped out of the bakery with fresh bread in their satchels and the former spotted something coming down the road from Eldercliff. As the object drew closer, she could see that it was a horse drawn carriage.
“Look, over there,” Kaina said, pointing to the carriage. “I wonder if it's a passenger carriage?”
Tristan shrugged and said, “Let's find out.”
The coach arrived just at the northern edge of the village just as Kaina and Tristan made it there. The driver, a middle-aged, bearded bear of a man stepped down from the drivers' seat and tended to the horse as they approached.
“Excuse me, Sir,” Kaina said once she was within earshot of the driver.
He turned around and eyed the two up and down, then said, “What can I do for you?”
Kaina gestured towards the empty coach and asked, “Do you carry passengers?”
“That I do, Miss,” the driver said. “Just came from Eldercliff with a fare, matter of fact.”
Kaina perked up. “How much would you charge to go back?”
“It's five coins per person,” the driver replied.
Kaina breathed again, knowing they had more than enough left to cover it. “When can you leave?”
“I was just going to grab a drink and a bite to eat at the inn,” the driver said. “Soon as I'm done with that, I can leave.”
“That sounds reasonable,” Kaina said. “We were just about to head in there anyway.”
They followed the driver to the inn and as soon as the door opened, the smell that initially drew them into town emerged. Kaina's hunger only grew as she detected the savory aroma of rich potato soup.
Once they stepped inside, the coach driver took a seat at the bar and after he ordered, the server took Kaina's and Tristan's order and then they took a table near the door as they waited for their food.
In order to take her mind off of her hunger, Kaina decided to survey her surroundings. The inn's rustic charm could have only been achieved by the sweat and toil of a hard day's work. Every piece of furniture, table and chair alike, had the signature of the carpenter who made it, and no doubt every meal was prepared with nothing but the recipient's satisfaction at heart.
A server soon arrived with two bowls of potato s
oup and two flagons of spiced cider. She placed the dishes on the table and barely had time to turn around before Kaina and Tristan were already digging right in. The first bite of potato soup was every bit as heavenly as Kaina had hoped, though she would have gladly eaten a rat after the ordeal she had been through. She became so entranced by the heavenly meal that she barely even noticed as the tavern door opened again, even with the sunlight pouring into the dimly lit room. It wasn't until she heard a familiar voice and say a flash of red hair that she realized who had walked in.
“Barkeep, three pints,” Nilas said as he approached the counter. “And make it quick.”
The color drained from Kaina's face and when Nilas and his two accomplices, both men she recognized as other members of the Disciples from the night of her escape, turned her way. All three men had traded their black robes for common travelers' gear, which she presumed was for blending in. Quickly, but discreetly, she drew her hood to avoid being recognized and shifted her gaze toward her bowl until they passed. To her dismay, the men opted for the table directly behind her.
When Kaina looked up towards Tristan, she was relieved to see that he had noticed her apprehension. He offered a confused look, and before he could say a word, she pressed her finger to her lips and gestured towards the men with her eyes. Thankfully he understood and remained silent, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword, but before she could come up with a way to explain what was going on, she heard the men speak. She kept quiet and gestured for Tristan to do the same as they both listened in on their conversation.
“How is our guest?” Nilas asked. A chill ran down Kaina's spine when she realized he was sitting directly behind her.
“Our men outside of Eboncrest say he hasn't said anything else since Azemar questioned him, but the boss insists that he already got everything he could out of him,” said another man.
As soon as Kaina heard the name, her eyes shot up to Tristan's, and by the look on his face, she could tell he caught it too. She soon remembered seeing Azemar outside of the manor just before the attack began, and she was ashamed to admit that she didn't realize until that moment that he was involved.
Kaina's Dawn (Kaina Saga Book 1) Page 16