by Dave Skinner
“As I said, Micka loved Nailmoe,” Sinty told him. “I felt her pain when Nailmoe was killed. I thought it had broken her spirit. She quit being Andoo’s apprentice. I assumed she had given up on magic, but you are proof I was mistaken.”
Brayson’s gift for reading how people felt had been working well for the last few days. He put that down to being close to Sinty. He hardly needed his gift to tell that Nails was still upset. The talk around the fire continued, but Nails said little. Any smiles elicited from him were weak and short-lived. Brayson tried engaging him on a different topic.
“Nails,” he said. He had to wait a bit for his friend to acknowledge him. “There is a party of gnomes leaving tomorrow for Gore. They would like it if we travelled with them.”
“Fine with me,” was his curt answer.
Chapter 17
“We will pass the miner’s village tomorrow,” Barat, a middle aged gnome who preferred large brimmed hats, told them as they sat by the fire. “I understand there was trouble there on your way north. Would you prefer to bypass them without their knowledge?”
Brayson thought it would be a good idea, but before he could say anything, Nails spoke.
“We should visit them,” he said. “They were going to force us to work in the mine. I don’t think they were going to pay us, so it would have been slavery. I have seen how Ran and Sinty reacted to the knowledge that slavery is happening. They didn’t like it, and neither do I. We should visit the village and tell them to stop.”
“It is a noble undertaking,” Barat said, “but having us there would undermine your authority. Big-people do not respect us. We will wait for you outside the village someplace we cannot be seen.”
“Do you think this visit is wise?” Brayson asked Nails. “We hurt their men last time.”
“Sinty told me I have a responsibility to do good with the gifts I have been given,” Nails said. “This is something good. Do you want someone else to suffer slavery like we did?”
“Of course not, but your control of magic is questionable.”
“I want to see if I can control it,” Nails admitted. “Sinty taught me things, and I have been exercising like Ran showed me. I believe I can control my excitement and keep my magic in check.”
“And if you cannot?”
“It is better to find out now instead of later.” Brayson could not argue with that.
They saw the village and the mine about mid-morning the next day. Barat pointed to the wood on the other side and told them they would wait there. The gnomes walked behind a large jack pine, and disappearing into The Quiet. Brayson and Nails walked out along the path across the meadow that passed below the village. A second path separated from it and angled towards the houses.
“Are you feeling all right?” Brayson asked.
“I’m excited. I can feel it in my stomach, but so far there is no tingling or sparks in my hands.”
Five armed men came running out from the village but stopped when they saw Nails and Brayson headed towards them. Brayson could see a look of surprise and then smiles on their faces. As they drew closer, he recognized one of the men in the group. He was the one Nails had hit in the face. His nose was flattened, and he was missing teeth. The man must have recognized them at the same time and said something to the others as he drew his sword. One other man followed his lead.
“There is no need for swords,” Nails called to them. He held his hands out to show he remained unarmed. Brayson rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, he was not sure this was going to happen as Nails hoped it would. “We only want to talk,” Nails called.
The man at the front, who appeared to be the leader, put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. Five more men came trotting out to join the group, but Nails kept on walking.
“We would like to speak to the village’s headman,” Nails said as they reached the men and stopped.
“You can talk to me,” the leader replied.
“Do you speak for the whole village?” Nails asked. Brayson noticed that his friend was smiling and seemed to be relaxed.
“I do, as far as you are concerned. Say your piece.”
“First,” Nails said. “Tell your men to stop moving. We don’t trust you enough to allow you to encircle us, and you don’t want problems like last time.” Nails looked pointedly at the man with the busted face, and Brayson noticed a spark jump across Nails’ fingertips. The leader gave a small twitch of his head and his men stopped moving. “Thank you,” Nails continued. “The last time we were here, we didn’t have time to discuss this practice of forcing men to work in your mine.”
“How we get our miners is no concern of yours.”
“No, you’re right. It isn’t our concern, but the problem is that my friend and I were slaves once. We don’t like to see it happen to others. You must stop doing it.”
“We must, must we?”
“Yes, you must,” Nails told him. The leader looked around at his men. He had seemingly used a signal that Brayson missed because the men tensed as they got ready to move.
Here we go, Brayson thought, taking a tighter grip on his sword hilt.
“I have a different idea,” the leader said. “Why don’t we have you two join our volunteer workforce?”
“Now wait a moment,” Nails said. He lifted his hands, palms towards the men, and fingers spread. “We don’t want any trouble.” As he said it, he swayed to the side, back and forth, stomping his feet on the ground three times.
Nails’ stomping must have puzzled the leader because he said nothing more for a few moments.
“Get them!” he finally barked.
His men did not move forward. They tried to, and three of them fell down, one knocking another over as he dropped to the ground. The others were still struggling. It was then that Brayson saw the grasses that had entwined themselves around the men’s feet and ankles. The man with the busted nose had pulled his sword earlier and now slashed it at the plants. He managed to get one foot free, but the vegetation was up to his knee on the other leg by then making it impossible for him to stab at it. He dropped his sword and pulled his knife, then tried to insert the blade between his knee and the grasses to cut them away, but the plants were growing so quickly that they ensnared the knife and his hand before he could do it. That was when the screaming started. The four men who had fallen were almost covered in plants and their faces were turning blue. Their bones cracked loudly as they began to break, and one of the men on the ground suddenly stopped screaming as grasses grew into his mouth and then his nose. Brayson heard Nails stamping his foot. His friend looked as shocked as Brayson felt.
“Nails, stop it,” Brayson called.
“I’m trying to,” he answered. The excitement was obvious in his voice. Brayson saw sparks flaring around Nails hands. “Get behind me,” Nails shouted, and Brayson jumped. Thunder cracked. He threw his hand up over his ears and ducked his head. Everything was silent. After a moment, Brayson lifted his head and looked around. All the men were on the ground, and he could tell that some were still screaming, although he heard no sounds. The four that had fallen first were mounds of grass now; he figured it wasn’t long before the others would be too. Close by, houses had collapsed into rubble, and others, farther away, had walls and roofs blown off. Sound began to come back.
“What have I done? What have I done?” Nails was on his knees.
Brayson could barely hear the words. What he could hear was a clanging sound coming from up by the mine entrance. Looking over, he saw someone banging on a metal shape. Brayson shook his head, trying to clear his ears. As he focused on the mine again, three men came running out. The three and the man who had sounded the alarm pulled swords and ran towards the village.
“Nails. NAILS!” Brasyson called. Nails looked up. “Four men with swords are coming.” Nails looked where Brayson pointed and then climbed to his feet. With a quick glance at his hands, he pulled his sword. Brayson pulled his too. The men slowed
and travelled the last distance cautiously.
“Where are our friends?” one asked.
“Dead and buried,” Brayson said while gesturing towards the mounds. “We were asking them to stop using slaves to do their work, but they chose to fight instead. Are you willing to stop enslaving people, or should we kill you also?” He hoped that his bravado would cause them to turn away.
It stopped three of them, but one, with anguish written all over his face, charged at Nails. Nails blocked his stroke in an off-hand manner, and the tip of his sword flicked across the man’s throat. The other three looked as if they meant to join the charge until the man fell to the ground with blood pouring from between his hands as he tried to cover the open wound. Brayson thought they would turn away, but he was mistaken. They charged and died.
“We should check the houses that fell and make sure people are not trapped inside,” Brayson said afterwards.
They searched the rubble and then the other houses but found no bodies. As they moved farther into the village, they realized that all the houses were empty of people. Eventually, they arrived at a large block-like structure with sturdy doors. Nails pulled on the handles, but they were locked. Brayson pulled a thin blade from a sheath in his boot and picked the lock. Inside, they found a group of old women and young children cowered in the dark. One by one, Nails and Bryson led them out into the sunshine.
“Thank you,” one of the women said. “Are the others safe?” Before Brayson could answer someone else called out.
“Look! There they are.” They turned around to see people walking out from the mine entrance. “You saved us. Oh thank you, thank you,” another woman said as the old women began to shuffle up the hill accompanied by the children. When they met the others coming down, there were happy cries of reunion and relief. Brayson smiled, but as he glanced at Nails, he was saddened by the look of pain and confusion he saw on his face.
Chapter 18
After the incident at the mining village, the gnomes joined them to help the people they had saved and, to Brayson’s surprise, when they were ready to leave a few days later, the little-people had told Brayson and Nails that they would stay at the village to help rebuild.
“Are you sure?” Brayson had asked.
“We are positive, friend Brayson. They are good people who need our help. Please tell friend Ran we will be along in a few moons.”
Nails and Brayson left a few days later. They worked their way slowly down the mountain and through the foothills. One day, after more than a moon of travel, Brayson could see the smoke from Gore. He figured they had a little over half a day of travelling left, but they would do it tomorrow. Dusk was already deepening the shadows under the trees. It was time to stop for the night. He wanted to talk with Nails anyway. His friend had been withdrawn and sullen since they left the small mining village. Brayson had told him repeatedly that freeing the villagers from the outlaws who had taken over had been a good thing.
“I killed those people,” Nails had said. “I can’t control this thing inside of me. I will never use my magic again. It is too dangerous.”
Brayson could understand. His memory of the men being crushed as the grasses grew over them gave him shudders if he dwelt on it. To have caused it was enough to make anyone, even a trained wizard, reconsider the use of magic. Brayson had given it a lot of thought during the last part of their journey, and he was sure he had the answer. All he had to do was make Nails realize it. He would mention it tonight, as it was the last time they would be alone for a while.
They found a nice site beside a stream and made camp. Brayson picked some mushrooms and then flipped a couple of fish out of the stream and cooked them up. Now, with their stomachs full and the coals glowing softly, he figured his time had come.
“Nails, I have a suggestion I want you to consider.”
“I’m listening,” Nails said.
“Whenever we have talked to someone about controlling your magic, one suggestion has always been made.”
“What are you talking about?” Nails asked after pushing himself up on an elbow. “I have sworn never to use magic again, so their suggestions don’t matter.”
“I know that, but are you sure you can do it? Your magic seems to sneak up on you.”
“I do Ran’s exercise every morning. It helps to keep me calm, and Sinty’s training was useful.”
“But...maybe you should talk with a wizard.” Nails just looked at him blankly, Brayson rushed on. “The Royal Wizard of New KaAn is supposed to be very knowledgeable...or perhaps Andoo Toran.” Nails flopped down onto his back. “Wait, Nails. I can sense your fear of Andoo Toran shutting me out. Try to listen to me. You say he wants you dead, but that makes no sense. I believe you have been misled. He is your best hope for understanding and controlling your magic. Do you not see that?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then what about the one at New KaAn? He might also answer your questions about your scales. Controlling your scales may help you to control your magic.” Nails got up on his elbow again.
“Why are we talking about this?”
“Because I believe it is important. You are my companion. I will stay with you no matter what you decide, but I have to tell you, my friend, what happened to those men at the village still disturbs my sleep, and I think it disturbs yours also. I would feel better if you understood it.”
“Can we talk about this tomorrow?”
“No. We have to decide now. I promised Remi I would accompany her to Thesia to meet my father when she was ready. If we are going somewhere else, I have to tell her. It would not be nice to keep her waiting,” Brayson explained.
“You should go with her. I can visit the wizard on my own.”
“No. I told you we stay together. Anyway, I have a feeling you would find a way to skip that visit.” Nails gave him a hurt look, but Brayson waited.
“Okay,” Nails snorted. “We will go to see another wizard.”
***
Nails was disappointed with the reception they received at Reese’s house. Ran and Manda made them welcome, and Remi showed pleasure at seeing Brayson again, but Reese was cool and reserved. It had taken longer to reach Gore than either he or Brayson expected. The path they followed sent them through an area that was being logged, so they had to detour around it and then find a way past a gorge. It was late afternoon before they knocked at Reese’s door. They were given their old room and were soon seated at the big table in the backyard for a delicious meal prepared by Ran. During dinner, they told them about their visit to Crosstown.
“Fairchild was always protective of Adel,” Ran explained.” I am not surprised he told you to leave, although the men with clubs are a surprise. That is not the man I remember.”
“Princess Leown seemed surprised by it also,” Brayson said.
“So the dampening spell Wizard Drafter used did nothing to help you, Nails?” Ran asked.
“It helped until we got to Crosstown, then I think the energy of the place was too much for it,” Nails admitted. “Brayson and I are going to visit the wizard at New KaAn. Maybe he can help.”
“When are you doing that?” Remi asked Brayson. “I leave in two seven-days for home. You said you would climb the Thesia stairs with me.”
“I will try to be back before you leave,” Brayson said.
After eating, they sat around the bonfire in the backyard, and Nails managed to snag a chair beside Reese. She had smiled when she first saw him, but it was short-lived and never repeated. He assumed she was still mad at him for being a pirate.
“How have you been, Reese?” he asked.
“Fine,” she said. “I am sorry to hear that Adel and Sinty could not help you, but it is nice to have you back...safely.”
“Thank you. I’m pleased to hear you say that.”
“Do not read anything into the statement. I said it as a friend.”
“I am glad to hear you call me friend.” This was going
much better than he could have hoped. “I would like to be your friend. I have four. You would be my fifth.”
“That is a small circle of friends. Why so few?”
“Is it? I didn’t know. Brayson has been my friend since we were slaves together. I think Sorrick and Farley are my friends and Susin. She was my first friend.”
“Susin? Was she a childhood friend?” Reese asked.
“In a way. She was older than me, but I was bigger. She taught me to count and to read. She liked to read stories to me.”
“She was your teacher?”
“Yes.”
“So, I would be your only girlfriend?”
“Well, Susin is a girl.”
Reese looked confused. “But she is an older woman.”
“She is older now. She was about seventeen when I knew her.”
“I am surprised someone so young would be employed as a teacher.”
“Teaching wasn’t her job,” Nails said with a laugh. “She was a pleasure girl. Each night, when she finished with her customers, I would sneak into her bed, and she would read to me and teach me things.” Nails could see that Reese was getting upset with what he was saying, but he didn’t understand why. He tried to explain further. “You remind me of her. She was very popular and pretty like you, but her body was smaller. She said she got cold easily and that I was good at keeping her warm.”
“I am going to bed,” Reese said suddenly, as she popped out of her chair.
“Oh!” Remi said with a questioning look at Nails. “I will go as well. Goodnight everyone.”
“Should we go?” Brayson asked.
“No,” Ran said. “I want to ask you something. It relates to the slavery you talked about.” Manda was part way out of her chair, but she sank back down. Ran continued, “I have done some checking, and talked with a few people. We all feel that it should be stopped immediately. I am going to Delvingford soon and wanted you and Nails to come with me so that Nails can point out the man who sold him. I will have a talk with him, and then I can take you to New KaAn to see the wizard.”