by Shawnna Lea
"No, Avic. I don't want to hear it." He gestured after Whisper. "Who is that? And don't try to sell me that merchant crap because I never believed it to begin with." Avic stared at his father, trying to come up with some story to get out of this. But his father was right. All this was his fault, the danger to his mother and sister, the sky falling, this journey his father was now forced into... If he hadn't spared Whisper maybe NONE of it would be happening. He was still shocked that Whisper would arrange such a thing for his family.
"He's an assassin." He watched his father's face darken again, but he said nothing, waiting for more. Avic shifted uncomfortably. He might as well come clean about it all. "I saved his life from the city guards one night when I snuck out. I don't know why I did, but he's been helping Traz and I uncover this secret power Traz has been investigating for a while. Kind of a treasure hunt... anyway it's turned out to be an evil power. Traz got hold of it and left us to die. Whisper got me out. Saved my life then and broke me out of the Keep after that." He tried to judge how his father was taking this but he was stone faced. "I never meant to do any harm, didn't even know this was possible! But now we have to find Traz. Convince him to stop this madness!"
"I'm sure you and your murdering friend are perfect for the job." His father turned away from him staring out at the passing fields. Avic turned to the other window cursing Whisper and Traz and anyone else he thought might have had any influence on his current situation.
Chapter 9
It was almost dark before they stopped. The horses were exhausted as the driver pulled off the road into a likely camping spot. Avic climbed out of the carriage, stretching. If he was right, they were heading back toward that mine shaft. He glanced up at Whisper who leaned against a few bags on the luggage rack. He was watching the driver unhitch the horses while he stroked a small crossbow.
"Where's Sylvia?" Whisper glanced down the road. There was a small speck coming up the road Avic guessed was Sylvia and her family. He sighed, looking back into the carriage. His father hadn't moved, aside from a deepening scowl. The driver began to lead the horses toward a stream through the trees, and Whisper's sharp whistle split the quiet.
"They're exhausted and beyond thirsty!" Whisper shook his head, motioning for the man to tie them to a tree. Grumbling he complied.
"We should build a fire..." Whisper smiled pleasantly at Avic who rolled his eyes and began to look for wood. In all their adventuring with Traz, Whisper never once helped make camp. He had the feeling this was going to be the same. The driver--Avic couldn't remember his name--began to break twigs and build a small fire ring. Avic dumped an armload next to him and began arranging the sticks.
"I'm sorry, I really had no idea that he would go this far." The driver shrugged.
"He's an unpleasant fellow, but at least he isn't going to turn me into a mosquito like that woman."
"Sylvia? She's a healer... why would she do that?" The driver paused looking him in the eye.
"You really think you can stop the sky from falling?"
"Yes. As soon as we find Traz. I know he's behind this. He's just not in his right mind. I'm sure we can talk some sense into him." The driver went back to moving the sticks around.
"If he's gone crazier than you and your merchant friend I doubt you'll have much luck. Kidnapping a nobleman like your father is a high offense, you know." Avic scowled at him, feeling his temper rising.
"If Father had just listened to me this wouldn't have been necessary." The driver shrugged.
"Not my place to argue with you. I just hope you can do what you say." Avic walked away leaving the fire building to him. Truth was he was wondering if this was such a good idea. From Whisper's story, Traz sounded quite a bit different than normal. What if they couldn't stop him? His father's angry voice cut through his thoughts.
"I REFUSE TO GO ONE STEP FURTHER!" Avic couldn't hear Whisper's response, but from his body language, his father was probably in mortal peril. He raced over to try to settle things before Whisper pulled the trigger on that crossbow.
"Avic, this has gone far enough! I REFUSE to be a captive any longer!"
"Then, why don't you help us? If you would just listen-"
"I'm NOT going to listen to you or him or... or... or them!" It was that time Sylvia's husband drove their cart into camp, parking it next to the carriage. They looked tired as the kids scrambled down and started hopping around as kids do. Sylvia came over while her husband started unhitching their two horses.
"He's not going to cooperate and is more trouble than he's worth. Tie him to the tree." Avic scowled at Whisper as Lord Braddock started to shout again. He rubbed his forehead, and Sylvia patted his arm, moving him back from the two combatants. She clapped her hands to get their attention.
"That is enough of that! Now, Lord Braddock, if you would please go sit by the fire while Whisper gets the food from my wagon." Whisper opened his mouth, but she cut him off. "It's right in the front side behind the driver, that's a good man. Avic, would you mind helping Warren with the horses?" She turned, urging Whisper to move who was taking tiny steps, obviously considering ignoring her. Avic opened his mouth, wanting to apologize to his father, but he spun away, stomping toward the fire. Warren came up behind him, chuckling.
"I never argue with her either." Warren led him over to grab the other two horses, and they headed toward the sound of water. Avic glanced back, seeing Sylvia piling pots and bags in Whisper's arms. He looked rather flustered.
"Warren, is it?" Sylvia's husband nodded dropping the reigns by the trickle of a stream. "Did Sylvia tell you everything?" He nodded, stroking the tired animals.
"Everything that Kantro didn't. Well, Whisper, I guess. Funny I always thought I was a good judge of character. If I'd known he was an assassin, and especially THAT one, I never would have let my wife leave with him. Luckily, everything has turned out alright. Sylvia thinks she can trace Traz from his last known place, and then you can figure it out from there." Avic sighed, sitting on a rock and watching the horses. For some reason Sylvia's horses didn't seem as tired as theirs.
"I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't a foolish plan. What if Traz won't listen to reason? Or can't." Warren sat beside him.
"You'll figure it out. The world is counting on you. And you've got Whisper. He has a sharp mind. He's just scared right now." Avic looked over at Warren incredulously.
"Scared? Whisper? How do you figure that?" Warren shook his head, smiling.
"Because he's Katrin, and he's involved in magic issues. I don't think anyone could miss his distrust of magic users." Avic groaned.
"But WHY?"
Warren shrugged.
"I don't know much about it. Sylvia would. We've never had a reason for the discussion." He slapped his knees, standing. "Let's get back there. Hoping dinner's about done." Avic followed him with their horses tying them in the trees by the carriage. Everything seemed normal in camp. A small tent had been set up, and the kids ran in and out of it while everyone else sat around the fire listening to Sylvia rambling on about something. He noticed Whisper was as far from Sylvia as he had ever kept from Traz. Avic sat by his father as Sylvia handed him a bowl of soup. Lord Braddock ignored him while the driver gave him a look that said, 'use caution.' He decided silence was the best option. It wasn't long before Sylvia handed Whisper the used bowls, and without a word, he left toward the stream. Avic watched him go in wonder then stared at Sylvia.
"How did you accomplish that? "
"I just asked him to clean up afterward." She was acting too nonchalant. Avic got up, following Whisper down to the stream. He paused, seeing Whisper looked tense but knelt by the water with him to help scrub the pan anyway.
"How did she convince you to help? I might want to use it later." He chuckled, hoping Whisper would join in, but if anything, his scowl had deepened. Avic quieted. After a few minutes Whisper sighed sitting back. Avic paused hoping he was going to say something and not just leave the dishes to him.
"I won'
t lie, Avic. I hate this."
"Well, I don't know many who actually ENJOY dishes." Whisper didn't laugh, and Avic uncomfortably continued to scrub the pan.
"We'll reach Nikton by midmorning. We can get horses there, and your father can head home."
"I suppose that'd be best. Hopefully your friends haven't gotten overanxious and killed my family." He didn't look at Whisper. He didn't want to hear any of his excuses. Avic's temper rose as Whisper's airy laughter began then disappeared as he laughed harder. He spun around. "IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Whisper shook his head, his smile showing all his straight white teeth-sharp and not.
"You believed that? Avic! I would never waste my time like that. Not when the threat does the exact same thing. Your father would never risk them. I can't believe you actually believed that!" He continued to laugh as Avic stared at him.
"You mean they were never... Whisper! I can't believe you!"
"Most of the time not."
Avic grabbed the pan from the creek, lifting it to splash Whisper but he was already down the path.
Chapter 10
"THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I REFUSE TO GO ANOTHER STEP!"
Avic rubbed his forehead in frustration. They were all ready to go, but Lord Braddock refused to get in the carriage. Whisper's hair stood up like a raging tom cat, though his demeanor was calm, merely pointing to the carriage. Finally, his arm got tired, and he turned away, snagging Avic's sleeve and pulling him toward the carriage. Avic worriedly got in as Whisper bounced up beside the driver.
"We're leaving now, Father. You might as well come with." Lord Braddock didn't budge, glaring up at his driver. Avic could imagine the man's distress with Whisper's dagger probably jabbing him in the ribs. The carriage started moving slowly away, and he watched out the back window as his father became a small speck. He might have argued against leaving him if they weren't just sending the carriage back once they reached Nikton. He wouldn't be waiting long.
Soon, the carriage rolled into the small city of Nikton behind Sylvia's wagon. They pulled up to a livery stable, and Avic climbed out, Whisper dropping down beside him. The driver leaned over the side.
"I wish ya luck, boy. Hope ya find what ya want to." He sat up, rearranging the reigns and dropping the couple of small bags Avic assumed Whisper had packed. "I'll try to talk to yer father. Maybe he'll reconsider disowning ya with some time." Avic smiled and waved to the man as he drove off. He doubted he'd ever be able to go home.
Whisper disappeared inside the stables, and Avic waited outside with Sylvia's family as they watered their horses. His nerves were on edge. This was where he'd been found and arrested. Where Whisper had abandoned him. How they'd been found so fast was still a mystery to him, but it had to do with magic, he was sure. Whisper came out, leading three horses saddled and ready.
"Where did you get the money for those?"
"Traz is very generous when he's not around. He has quite the savings hidden throughout his little shop."
Avic scowled at him.
“You stole his money?”
“Borrowed. Besides, we're doing this for him, are we not? He should contribute a little." Avic took the reins of two of the horses while Whisper mounted the third. He didn't know how Whisper knew about horses considering his back-alley life but they seemed good trail horses though not the prettiest.
"Why don't you just ride in the wagon till we reach the foot of the mountain?" Whisper shook his head and guided his horse away as Warren slapped the reigns to get the wagon moving. Whisper disappeared around a corner, and Avic wondered if he were leaving them. They weren't stopped at the gate, and Avic kept his eyes down long afterward. The kids rolled around on the boxes and bags making their own games and Avic stayed quiet listening to the couple talk and laugh up front. Soon, the terrain became familiar, and he knew the wagon wouldn't go much farther. Warren pulled the horses to a stop in a fairly level area. Avic helped unload the tent and other equipment. Sylvia studied the mountain side, and he joined her, pointing up toward the mine opening, barely visible from their position.
"It's a long trek." She didn't sound too sure and Avic was sure she was wondering if her leg would make it.
"These are good trail horses. Better for the mountains than what we had before. I bet they'll make it all the way up without difficulty." Sylvia flashed him a smile then took his arm leading him back to the fire Warren was starting.
"We'll have lunch and by then maybe Whisper will have caught up."
Avic snorted.
"Don't count on it. I think he went home." Sylvia laughed, and Avic sat by Warren as she picked up her youngest. The other two wrestled in the tent, making it wobble and shake. He helped Warren make sandwiches and soon the kids were happily munching. Sylvia and Warren wandered off a little ways hand in hand. Avic could imagine what they were talking about. Probably him and his hare-brained idea. Now more than ever he was doubting the sanity of looking for Traz. He looked off toward Nikton, and his stomach did another somersault.
The sky had darkened and he stood, watching as it seemed to slide toward the ground. The glob descended and he imagined the people in its way scattering. He closed his eyes, trying to block his own imagination. The kids had quieted around him, and he felt a small hand slip into his. He looked down finding the oldest-maybe five or six-watching the sky fall. He looked scared and Avic knelt beside him rustling his hair.
"It's alright. It's far away." The boy still looked concerned.
"But Whisp's over there." Avic was confused for only a moment, remembering they'd left Whisper there. He squeezed the little shoulder, smiling at him. Somehow kids attached themselves to the surly assassin without him even trying.
"He'll be fine. He always is." The boy didn't look comforted.
"What about everyone else? They gonna live in a tent like us?" Avic laughed hugging the boy.
"Not everyone can live in a tent as good as you! I guess we'll just have to stop that sky from leaking all over." The boy hugged him back then slipped away to his siblings game as they piled little pebbles. He glanced back toward Nikton, hoping Whisper got out in time. It looked like that glob hit the city right in the middle of it. Sylvia interrupted his thoughts.
"Ready to go?"
Chapter 11
The mine opening was as dark as before. Avic didn't remember much after getting out. They'd been almost to Nikton before he'd woke up. Whisper had carried him all the way down to the horses and led them down the rest of the way by himself. He hadn't left him and Avic still wondered why. Whisper was continually surprising him. He dismounted glancing toward Nikton. The sky had stopped leaking, at least for now. Sylvia pulled out lamps from the bags Whisper had packed. He joined her smiling with--he hoped--confidence.
"It's not as bad once you get past the first few feet." She nodded looking at the opening unhappily.
"I never did like caves." Avic laughed as he climbed in. The destruction in the cavern hadn't touched this far and he hoped the way forward would be just as clear. Sylvia followed him commenting on everything. Maybe it made her feel less nervous to talk. She gasped when they finally reached the picture on the wall. Running her hands over it she seemed touched.
"This doesn't seem evil at all. The magic in this picture is just a hint at what's beyond but it doesn't feel evil." Avic sighed loosing a bit more confidence.
"Perhaps Whisper was right all along. Maybe I just couldn't see Traz for what he was." Sylvia took his arm leaning on him as they started off again.
"I wouldn't put too much confidence in Whisper's opinion. Otherwise you'll end up bleak and unhappy as he." Avic had to laugh at that.
"He's the only friend I have left though. And since I'm a criminal now he's kind of my only hope of staying out of the dungeon as well." Sylvia patted his arm compassionately.
"Things will work out. You'll see."
"I hope you're right. Whisper is an interesting friend but relying on him doesn't give me a lot of confidence." They came to the small opening into the cavern. "Wai
t here. I'll see if it's safe." He pushed the lantern through blocking her view with his body and looked around. The cavern lit up with the sparkling rainbows as before and he sat there a moment watching. He had to remind himself to move out of the way so Sylvia could join him. The moment she stuck her head in, her mouth fell open.
"Oh, Avic!" He smiled as he pulled her in. She stared wide eyed around the cavern, a few tears welling up in her eyes. "It's so beautiful! I've never seen anything like this!" Avic moved down the ledge letting her take it all in. Down below was a jumbled mess of boulders and gems that sparkled underfoot. He picked up a couple letting the light from his lamp bounce rainbows around his hand. He held a blue one up to see it more clearly but his eyes were drawn beyond his hand.
A dark crack ran down the wall with no crystals around it and he knew this had to be where the darkness had been. He climbed over to the crack looking inside. It was nothing more than a dark hole in the wall. Nothing was inside.
"This is where he vanished at." Sylvia stepped past him lighting the small room so he could see it better. Avic caught his breath. Dark streaks and hand prints were all over the floor, splatters up the wall. It looked like blood mixed with soot. Sylvia gave him a worried look. "Are you okay?" It felt like a rock had hit him in the stomach.
"He lied." She limped over to him taking his hand.
"Yes. He did. But I don't think he lied about the important things." She turned from him pacing the small room, raising her hands now and then as if touching something. "Traz left here in a blaze of magic. No one could miss it. Whisper probably chased him off."
"Chased him off? Tried to kill him you mean." Sylvia scowled at him.
"I think Traz tried to kill you just like Whisper said. I think he just didn't want to tell you more to upset and confuse you."
"What do you mean confuse me? It seems pretty obvious that Whisper attacked Traz. His bloody prints are all over!" A stone fell out in the cavern and they both froze. Nothing more fell and Sylvia broke the silence.