Thursday, November 27, 2003
Chapter Three
It was raining and the fire warmed the hall; people crowded in seeking comfort and the lulling story narrated by one woman holding the audience in rapt attention. Elias sat back, hard wood supporting his head and watched like all others as Janna raised a hand to emphasize an action.
Earlier in the evening he was the one in the center, pushed and persuaded to play an old ditty to this folk, whom he was told knew almost nothing about the songs of other countries. It was something beyond him, this concept of ignorance and he was about to say so when he caught Janna’s expression, half anger, half something else Elias could not read and then he was pushed and he began to strike chords he was familiar with in his youth.
It was an extraordinary experience akin to the days he played for the family when he was a child but surpassing it by far; then he was a tolerated child but here in this place they listened intently, drinking up the words and the rhythm it was almost frightening if it weren’t so exhilarating; except he didn’t quite know how to end thankfully Janna swoop to his rescue all jokes and glittery words.
“That was quite the performance,” She said, holding him like a cherished friend and gently pushing from the center until he was dislodged to the place he now stood. “Since we have heard the music stylistics of Yrdle, how about the old tale from his home country?” There were murmurs of approval and Janna forged on; Elias leaned back and listened to another story he knew since boyhood.
(Here was the collective groan Elias was accustomed hearing from women and a few of the experienced men. Janna paused and gave her amused smile, the groaning faded.)
Word count: 8,559
It was raining and the fire warmed the hall; people crowded in seeking comfort and the lulling story narrated by one woman holding the audience in rapt attention. Elias sat back, hard wood supporting his head and watched like all others as Janna raised a hand to emphasize an action.
Earlier in the evening he was the one in the center, pushed and persuaded to play an old ditty to this folk, whom he was told knew almost nothing about the songs of other countries. It was something beyond him, this concept of ignorance and he was about to say so when he caught Janna’s expression, half anger, half something else Elias could not read and then he was pushed and he began to strike chords he was familiar with in his youth.
It was an extraordinary experience akin to the days he played for the family when he was a child but surpassing it by far; then he was a tolerated child but here in this place they listened intently, drinking up the words and the rhythm it was almost frightening if it weren’t so exhilarating; except he didn’t quite know how to end thankfully Janna swoop to his rescue all jokes and glittery words.
“That was quite the performance,” She said, holding him like a cherished friend and gently pushing from the center until he was dislodged to the place he now stood. “Since we have heard the music stylistics of Yrdle, how about the old tale from his home country?” There were murmurs of approval and Janna forged on; Elias leaned back and listened to another story he knew since boyhood.
It is told in the old days when the elditas (an Yrdlian term for elves) were new to this world, beautiful and wise and powerful and were worshipped as gods. Among the elditas was Macarag, daughter of Manaman and Ditas, she was beautiful even among her kind. Macarag was loved not only for her beauty but her carefree spirit and kindness.
One day Macarag was bathing under the falls, when Haluke, a mortal man saw
her and he immediately was in thrall of her beauty. So entranced was Haluke that he disregarded all laws and ventured into eldita territory and requested the hand of the maiden Macarag. Angered Manaman asked what right did a simple mortal have in claiming Macarag as wife. Haluke revealed witnessing Macarag bathing and professed his love of Macarag’s beauty and his devotion as token.
Macarag stood and said that she was not averse in marrying a mortal but asked Haluke if it was only her beauty he loved. Trapped in the violets of Macarag’s eyes he answered without thinking and said: ‘Yes’.
(Here was the collective groan Elias was accustomed hearing from women and a few of the experienced men. Janna paused and gave her amused smile, the groaning faded.)
In the blink of an eye Haluke found himself far from eldita lands and in his own humble woodshed home. Haluke railed on fates and wept sorrowing for the loss of Macarag’s beauty, he stayed home for months until his kin found him and forced him to resume his lost life.
In the months after his old life was resumed but never again with the same fervor as before. He told no one of his great fortune and misfortune and only at nights dreamt of Macarag’s wondrous face. Until one day Haluke struck upon an idea: He would prove to Macarag he loved her by performing deeds of great renown and so he sent forth to fulfill his mission leaving a note saying he was to seek his fortune.
And soon he won acclaim after acclaim until he became the best warrior known
in the land. Sure of his worthiness he sent forth a note and a tribute but the gifts were returned with a note from Macarag. ‘Doest thou think love only of beauty and acclaim?’
Haluke stared at the note and came to a decision: He would be the richest man in the land. After months of hard work Haluke finally found himself richer than kings, he sent forth another note and a tribute far richer than the last but like the other it was returned to him, unopened and with another note with the same words: ‘Doest thou think love only of beauty and acclaim?’
Frustrated Haluke threw the note and spent his days in solitude until another
thought set in his mind. Perhaps Macarag would love him only if he were equal
to her. Setting his great fortune to his task he consulted with the greatest scholars and mages, students of the elditas themselves and was told in order to achieve his dreams he must go forth on a journey of pilgrimage.
Haluke agreed and left his fortune to a friend until he returned and he set forth with only his sandaled feet, the way he began long years ago. In his accumulation of fortune he acquired a servant out of measure of pity. She was a poor girl, wandering and with a certain charm, if only she were not so terrible to look upon. Haluke never treated her anything else but a servant she was and on the morning he was to leave he found the lowly servant was already by the gates with the horses. Haluke was surprised for he thought this was one journey she would not follow but follow she did and Haluke this did allow.
The journeys were punctuated with long distances and so Haluke turned to the young servant for conversation and was surprised to find wit under the terrible scarred looks. Throughout the quest Haluke came to depend heavily on the young servant for friendship and found her a truer friend than any he had had since his quest for fortune. As Haluke grew powerful so did his perception and philosophies he traveled wide and far and long months until he realized he did not mind, nor did he even see his companion’s ugliness.
Finally he acquired the power he sought and so he returned to his fortunes and was welcomed with feasts. He demonstrated his power and his friends were awed, he had become of almost equal strength as the elditas, then one of his friends said the he might now win the hand of his beloved. At that Haluke was struck dumb for all the wanderings and quest he had forgotten about Macarag, truly his memory of her was now but a faded memory of splendor and its place like a chord was only the voice and the wit of the servant, his friend. Haluke dismissed his fancy for truly did he not love Macarag, whose beauty was renowned even among her kind? So he sent forth another tribute made of his own magic, a gift of intricate nature, an offer of marriage and this time no note.
He sent the gift away with a heart heavier and without spirit; this time the gift was not returned and a note was in its place, with shaking hands Haluke read it and was amazed. It read: ‘I accept’.
There was a flurry and a procession but Haluke was not moved and only thought to seek his friend, the faithful servant. He was troubled when it was known the servant could not be found. It was too late to back down, especially if he wished to court the ire of the powerful elditas. He resumed the procession and finally on the day of the meeting he once again saw Macarag and her beauty recalled his old memories of her and he fell on his knees staring at the maiden for a long time.
‘Lady,’ he said and spoke no more.
‘You have taken great pains to prove yourself more than your worth,’ she said, ‘would you now care to answer my query?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you love me for my beauty.’
Once again Haluke was trapped in the violets of her eyes and answered. ‘No.’
‘What then do you love me for?’
Haluke bowed his head. ‘I loved you all these long years as an ideal I aspired to, to a dream I wished come true. I have fought in wars and distinguished myself, I have amassed fortunes but I had never sought to find peace and knowledge.’
‘Now that you have your dreams almost within your grasp?’
‘I wish for it no longer.’
The great hall came alive in outraged shouts and shocked gasps, no one had ever dared turn away from an eldita. Only Macarag was silent. Manaman and Ditas were the loudest of voices.
‘You love another.’
Haluke raised his eyes, stared fixedly on the pale face. ‘I do.’ The admission caused another uproar, which Macarag silenced with an upraised hand, when silence finally descended Haluke continued: ‘My quest for magic brought not only power but with it wisdom. I realized that though you are my ideal, I am not yours. It is unfair to treat it as such. And in that journey I also discovered a true friend, a person of great wit, strength and kindness. I deserved not her loyalty and faith but I found in myself the strength to continue not for my own sake but for her own.’ His voice grew quieter and more solemn. ‘She is not of great beauty such as you have only her strength in spirit and for that I love her.’
Macarag studied him. ‘I will marry you.’
‘But, my lady!’
‘Only a great man can see beyond the face and see the true person within. I will marry you.’ And before his eyes Macarag transformed from great beauty to the disfigured but familiar form of the loyal servant and Haluke was transfixed. ‘You have risen to the occasion well.’
Astonished beyond belief Haluke stood and stared until understanding flooded in and he knelt once again, catching the servant’s—Macarag’s hand and placing it on his cheek and pledged his undying love and obedience. And when he looked again Macarag’s violet gaze was settled on him and they were married at the same day. It is never known after what became of the eldita and her mate only that they lived solitary in a mountain and lived peacefully other than that it is speculation and conjecture and
fairy stories.
Word count: 8,559
Sunday, November 23, 2003
chapter 2 cont'd
The inn was cozy and a far better comfort than hard ground and insect bites the happy shouts and buzz of talk wrapped around him like comfort and for a few moments homesickness overcame him Elias had to hold on to something to keep from falling.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“It would be no hardship then, if you remove your hand from my arm?” Elias stared in horror at his hand and immediately as if stung recoiled. An attempt of apology was immediately rebuffed and she became movement incarnate striding in the bar and greeting the patrons with familiarity.
There were sounds of laughter, not at all salacious but good natured jibes of her travels Elias entered cautiously and was treated to a rare sight of a joking, raucous woman totally alien to the woman who was his companion for days.
Har, the innkeeper approached him, gave him a mug of ale for which Elias wordlessly but gratefully took. “Wonderful woman, your mistress.”
The cool liquid refreshment almost sprayed from his mouth but ended up gagging him instead. A hand thumped his back Elias coughed and wheezed before he said. “I’m not--” The pounding continued until he was sure bruises bloomed between his shoulder blades and sidestepped Har’s hand and crashed on a pillar of wood, wheezing.
“I’m not—“ He began, saw Har’s approach and straightened. “I’m alright!”
The innkeeper looked at him dubiously. “Are you sure? Your mistress says you’re a delicate thing.”
This time Elias refrained from reacting lest he undergo another round of Har’s ‘aid’. Delicate? Elias thought placing more distance between them and taking care not to spill the ale. Your mistress? Lord Akmesh, do they think I’m her servant?
“Any new stories, Janna?” The question pulled Elias’ attention to the center of the drinking hall, where Janna at the center glowing with mirth held court.
“Too early for a story, Master Carpenter.”
“You’d be telling then?” Another voice asked, this time from a woman. Janna smiled at her in seeming conspiracy.
“As long as they’ll be food flowing, the hearth burning and currencies a brimming!” There was an amused chortle. “Now, if all you fine members of the community excuse me, I must bide my leave lest I ruin my ‘mystique’.”
Another round of laughter and Janna strode away and toward the general vicinity of where Elias stood. Har intercepted before Elias could speak to her. “Your usual room, Janna?”
“My usual, Har.” There was a smile in her voice.
“And your servant?” Elias jerked and waited for Janna’s denial but none came, instead she said in a reasonable and amused voice.
“Surely not in my room!”
Har chuckled. “Surely not.”
“How about the room next to my own?”
“Taken, I’m afraid.”
“Taken?” This time Elias saw the line of her lips, pursed in thought. “The room after then.”
“Alright.” Unexpectedly Har rounded on him a big grin emphasized his buckteeth and thumped him once before pushing past him leaving him a clear view of Janna, the smile she sent his way banished momentarily the thought of inquiries. Elias shook his head, still dazed but doggedly determined to continue, but before he could even ask an abstraction of attention occurred, her attention sliding past him and again in a movement of energetic abandon pushed forward and was gone.
Elias stood in the quiet bar feeling bereft and catching a glimpse of her ebony hair decided to follow, unaware that he looked much like a lost servant landed in an unknown city. And just as he was about to round the corner he collided with a body he suffered a few moments of disorientation then looked down.
“You never look where you’re going do you?” Janna said dryly.
“I’m sorry.”
She looked at him a glimmer of amusement tingeing her dark eyes. “You say that a lot.”
“I keep colliding with you a lot.” He offered then stepped back. “I’m sorry, I’m still disoriented and fatigued.”
The amusement vanished and in turn an analytical gleam entered, Elias felt the discordant naked feeling of examination. “A little food would fix that. You should have listened to me and not to Sita.”
“I rather your company.” The words were out before he could register them and was suddenly looking at her in horror realizing the mistaken implication of those words but she took it in stride and guided him to a table, sat him and ordered a meal.
The moment the waitress left she looked him over and shook her head, resigned. “What shall I do with you?”
His mouth opened slightly and he closed it with a snap. ‘Oh, Elias, what shall we do with you?’ was the single unifying theme of his childhood and its strains followed clearly to his adulthood. The echo of it sent a sliver of irritation and finally decided to give voice to it. “You’ve apparently decided.”
She looked at him blankly. “Surely, you’re not playing the aggrieved card?”
Embarrassment reared its head but he was tired and his control was slipping. “I only ask you not spread that I am your servant.”
“You did not ask and besides which, I did not say you were my servant.”
“You did not deny it either.”
A long stare followed and finally Elias’ nerve mellowed the temper. She said. “You’re right, I didn’t.” And then more improbable. “I’m sorry.”
word count:6,888
The inn was cozy and a far better comfort than hard ground and insect bites the happy shouts and buzz of talk wrapped around him like comfort and for a few moments homesickness overcame him Elias had to hold on to something to keep from falling.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“It would be no hardship then, if you remove your hand from my arm?” Elias stared in horror at his hand and immediately as if stung recoiled. An attempt of apology was immediately rebuffed and she became movement incarnate striding in the bar and greeting the patrons with familiarity.
There were sounds of laughter, not at all salacious but good natured jibes of her travels Elias entered cautiously and was treated to a rare sight of a joking, raucous woman totally alien to the woman who was his companion for days.
Har, the innkeeper approached him, gave him a mug of ale for which Elias wordlessly but gratefully took. “Wonderful woman, your mistress.”
The cool liquid refreshment almost sprayed from his mouth but ended up gagging him instead. A hand thumped his back Elias coughed and wheezed before he said. “I’m not--” The pounding continued until he was sure bruises bloomed between his shoulder blades and sidestepped Har’s hand and crashed on a pillar of wood, wheezing.
“I’m not—“ He began, saw Har’s approach and straightened. “I’m alright!”
The innkeeper looked at him dubiously. “Are you sure? Your mistress says you’re a delicate thing.”
This time Elias refrained from reacting lest he undergo another round of Har’s ‘aid’. Delicate? Elias thought placing more distance between them and taking care not to spill the ale. Your mistress? Lord Akmesh, do they think I’m her servant?
“Any new stories, Janna?” The question pulled Elias’ attention to the center of the drinking hall, where Janna at the center glowing with mirth held court.
“Too early for a story, Master Carpenter.”
“You’d be telling then?” Another voice asked, this time from a woman. Janna smiled at her in seeming conspiracy.
“As long as they’ll be food flowing, the hearth burning and currencies a brimming!” There was an amused chortle. “Now, if all you fine members of the community excuse me, I must bide my leave lest I ruin my ‘mystique’.”
Another round of laughter and Janna strode away and toward the general vicinity of where Elias stood. Har intercepted before Elias could speak to her. “Your usual room, Janna?”
“My usual, Har.” There was a smile in her voice.
“And your servant?” Elias jerked and waited for Janna’s denial but none came, instead she said in a reasonable and amused voice.
“Surely not in my room!”
Har chuckled. “Surely not.”
“How about the room next to my own?”
“Taken, I’m afraid.”
“Taken?” This time Elias saw the line of her lips, pursed in thought. “The room after then.”
“Alright.” Unexpectedly Har rounded on him a big grin emphasized his buckteeth and thumped him once before pushing past him leaving him a clear view of Janna, the smile she sent his way banished momentarily the thought of inquiries. Elias shook his head, still dazed but doggedly determined to continue, but before he could even ask an abstraction of attention occurred, her attention sliding past him and again in a movement of energetic abandon pushed forward and was gone.
Elias stood in the quiet bar feeling bereft and catching a glimpse of her ebony hair decided to follow, unaware that he looked much like a lost servant landed in an unknown city. And just as he was about to round the corner he collided with a body he suffered a few moments of disorientation then looked down.
“You never look where you’re going do you?” Janna said dryly.
“I’m sorry.”
She looked at him a glimmer of amusement tingeing her dark eyes. “You say that a lot.”
“I keep colliding with you a lot.” He offered then stepped back. “I’m sorry, I’m still disoriented and fatigued.”
The amusement vanished and in turn an analytical gleam entered, Elias felt the discordant naked feeling of examination. “A little food would fix that. You should have listened to me and not to Sita.”
“I rather your company.” The words were out before he could register them and was suddenly looking at her in horror realizing the mistaken implication of those words but she took it in stride and guided him to a table, sat him and ordered a meal.
The moment the waitress left she looked him over and shook her head, resigned. “What shall I do with you?”
His mouth opened slightly and he closed it with a snap. ‘Oh, Elias, what shall we do with you?’ was the single unifying theme of his childhood and its strains followed clearly to his adulthood. The echo of it sent a sliver of irritation and finally decided to give voice to it. “You’ve apparently decided.”
She looked at him blankly. “Surely, you’re not playing the aggrieved card?”
Embarrassment reared its head but he was tired and his control was slipping. “I only ask you not spread that I am your servant.”
“You did not ask and besides which, I did not say you were my servant.”
“You did not deny it either.”
A long stare followed and finally Elias’ nerve mellowed the temper. She said. “You’re right, I didn’t.” And then more improbable. “I’m sorry.”
word count:6,888
Monday, November 17, 2003
Nightfall came and finally Janna took pity on the poor sap, trailing her heroically through the least horse friendly trails. It was the least she could do to invite him to the fire and food she prepared, apparently the prince new nothing of the woodland and got stung with bees collecting wood for his fire.
“Thank you.” He said abashed. His words sounded as if his mouth was filled with cotton and rocks.
Janna poked the fire. “Are you still persisting in accompanying me?”
“Yes.”
“You do realize your bag of silver was taken and so were the maps?”
A look of anger and defeat fired into his eyes but was soon replaced by resigned acceptance. “It’s alright.” She sighed and threw a bottle at him he caught it and looked down on it, puzzled.
“An ointment, trust me, you are in need of one.” He looked both gratified and embarrassed. He also looked in the firelight, grotesque his face was bloated and so was his arm, it was amazing he even moved at all. The prince had a thicker hide after all. She watched as he applied the ointment he winced each time he moved Janna was almost compelled to help him but thought otherwise.
The beef jerky was tough but it was enough to stave off her hunger, the prince moved and took an envelope from his person and began to chew on his jerky, provided by Sita Janna guessed.
It was a balmy night enough to soothe a body from the day’s heat Janna unfurled her bedding and spread it against the flattest ground she could find. The prince followed her lead and struggled to lay his cloak on the ground but all Janna could hear was his breathing and the constant snap of sticks under his boots.
Elias was too intent on his task and failed to see the movement until it was too late the cloak was snatched from his hands he stepped back his hand drifted instantly to his sword his movement and was shocked into amazement. The lady—Janna laid his cloak on the ground with crisp efficiency and placed his saddlebag next to it then without speaking further she returned to his horse and tended it. Shame and gratitude whirled around him more and more he was becoming a burden. He looked down at his bedding then at Janna tending his horse a duty rightfully his Elias stepped forward and was stopped.
“You’re in no condition to work not with those bee stings not with the Roamers herbs still in your blood.” She said, still tending his horse not even glancing his way. “Get some rest.”
The stubborn Yrdle blood in him refused and she seemed to guess his next action because she raised her dark eyes to him, it was a glare Elias was familiar with and often received from his exasperated guards and parents and that reminder, that severe glare brought Elias to the bedding and forced sleep in him.
The hard saddle as his pillow he said. “Thank you.”
She didn’t answer.
“That addled headed, idiotic boy!” David growled pushing his horse to greater speed. “I’ll strangle him and bring him back home in chains his father should have never allowed this idiotic quest!”
David was fairly certain that Elias slipped away the night before, even fooling King Erlan! Thankfully the King was only amused by Elias’s stunt otherwise it would have been a great diplomatic incident. He attached a few more curses to the boy’s name remembering the marks he saw earlier, there certainly was a struggle and from what David gathered the boy was overpowered, the boy must have foolishly ‘rescued’ someone from the roamers annual toll and quite possibly got the person in trouble with the roamers (“Might be Horton’s band, sir,” Jamis, King Erlan’s loaned guard told him) and got chained to a tree.
This is what he meant by naïveté the boy knew nothing of the cultures of the places he planned to visit, the roamers were no menace, nor were they thieves of the rabble sort. They were fair and in some parts well respected. Something the boy didn’t know and was drugged but fortunately or unfortunately Elias was not long tied to the tree from the looks of it the chained person freed the boy. He wished the mysterious rescuer left the boy tied it would save David the trouble of doing it.
“It’s too dark, Cap’n.” Ardmir said riding as close as he could. “The horses need to be resting soon.”
David let out a frustrated breath and was about to answer when he saw a light not far off. “Jamis, what is that?”
Jamis sped at his side. “Sita’s cabin sir, an old wise woman.”
David did a quick recall and found none that he knew. “I don’t know her.
“She’s been here ten years, sir.”
Ah. He had stopped his wanderings at that time. “We will stop at Wise Woman Sita’s home and beg hospitality of the night. It’s possible our erstwhile prince was brought here.”
His men murmured and they resumed their riding. They reached the house and found the old woman standing serenely by the door David came to her and said his words she welcomed them generously and in return they need only water her plants and cook their own fare.
Her next words surprised and alarmed David. “The young master left earlier this morning, sirrah.”
“Young master.” It didn’t come out as a question more of an irritated statement David amended it. “He was here earlier?”
Sita nodded and smiled. “Brought in all a daze with that herb, must have annoyed Horton much, that lad. “
“He has that affect.”
She led his group into the warmth of home. “He is a sweet child.”
“And naïve.”
A callused and old hand touched his arm that caused him pause. “Willful and strong of heart he will be safe.”
David stared at the old wizened face, at her calm serenity and knowing eyes and sighed, the men were gathering round softly murmuring and laughing. He was pushing too much. “I’m worried.”
Again that smile, she lifted her hand to his face. “He will be safe.”
“I pray to Akmesh it is so.”
The next days progressed in silence and even Janna’s questions ceased Elias did not know what to make of it, his injury certainly did not do well in Janna’s esteem but thankfully the ointment reduced the swelling of his bloated face and arm. He looked less a bloated head and arm and more of a diminished round fruit.
Ino, his horse (he finally decided on a name) trudged behind him peacefully, Elias was still certain that Janna despite and because of her silence was still trying to discourage him, what with the foot paths she chose it certainly did not bode well for Ino.
It was in mid-afternoon when the town came to view, the walls rock solid appeared to have grown from the ground and the thatched roofs of red and brown filled Elias with such love for it, he could have a bed finally, after nights on rough ground and occasional stone.
“That’s Traska, it’s a small village.”
It was the first time Janna spoke since the night she ordered him to sleep; her voice was as husky and as layered as he remembered her voice to be.
“What’s your task in Traska?”
“My job.” Perfunctory. His duty was done he supposed was done, perhaps he could ask for a map his scrolls were stolen by the ruffians and so was his bag of silver. The impulse to ram his sword into something ran rampant but was defeated by exhaustion.
The wooden gates were opened and he was welcomed to the sight of people selling, walking buying and eating. Children were on their knees playing an unknown game. Janna stopped at an old inn and looked at him, really looked.
It was a startling sensation her examination of him that steady dark gaze under the silky brash of raven hair. “How do you propose to pay for lodging?”
That question had actually been raging in his mind ever since he saw the village the prospect of another night in the hard ground was not something he welcomed but the reality of his situation brought the necessity of it too clearly. He had no money to pay for lodgings and he would rather be rammed in the wells of infinity than let Janna pay for him.
“I would volunteer service to the Innkeeper.”
Janna nodded. “What service would you give? Do you know how to cook? Mend broken chairs? Brew Ale?”
The answer to all was no. “Wash dishes?”
“He has servants for that.”
The cold ground and the decreasing beef jerky seemed more his fare tonight after all. Depressing.
“Do you play an instrument?”
“Anything with strings.”
“Good.” She said and entered the inn leaving him confused. The door swung open and closed and suddenly her dark head appeared. “Are you coming?”
When he didn’t move her hand snatched him from the steps. “The horse—“
“The stable boy will handle your horse,” Janna said and pushed him to a stringy looking man. “Here is the harpist I promised when I return, Har.”
“I never doubted, Janna.” Har said grinning at him in a kindly way. It would seem he would have a warm bed after all.
word count: 5,948 and looky it's Nov. 17th (my bro's bday) and I still need to reach 50,000! Woe!
“Thank you.” He said abashed. His words sounded as if his mouth was filled with cotton and rocks.
Janna poked the fire. “Are you still persisting in accompanying me?”
“Yes.”
“You do realize your bag of silver was taken and so were the maps?”
A look of anger and defeat fired into his eyes but was soon replaced by resigned acceptance. “It’s alright.” She sighed and threw a bottle at him he caught it and looked down on it, puzzled.
“An ointment, trust me, you are in need of one.” He looked both gratified and embarrassed. He also looked in the firelight, grotesque his face was bloated and so was his arm, it was amazing he even moved at all. The prince had a thicker hide after all. She watched as he applied the ointment he winced each time he moved Janna was almost compelled to help him but thought otherwise.
The beef jerky was tough but it was enough to stave off her hunger, the prince moved and took an envelope from his person and began to chew on his jerky, provided by Sita Janna guessed.
It was a balmy night enough to soothe a body from the day’s heat Janna unfurled her bedding and spread it against the flattest ground she could find. The prince followed her lead and struggled to lay his cloak on the ground but all Janna could hear was his breathing and the constant snap of sticks under his boots.
Elias was too intent on his task and failed to see the movement until it was too late the cloak was snatched from his hands he stepped back his hand drifted instantly to his sword his movement and was shocked into amazement. The lady—Janna laid his cloak on the ground with crisp efficiency and placed his saddlebag next to it then without speaking further she returned to his horse and tended it. Shame and gratitude whirled around him more and more he was becoming a burden. He looked down at his bedding then at Janna tending his horse a duty rightfully his Elias stepped forward and was stopped.
“You’re in no condition to work not with those bee stings not with the Roamers herbs still in your blood.” She said, still tending his horse not even glancing his way. “Get some rest.”
The stubborn Yrdle blood in him refused and she seemed to guess his next action because she raised her dark eyes to him, it was a glare Elias was familiar with and often received from his exasperated guards and parents and that reminder, that severe glare brought Elias to the bedding and forced sleep in him.
The hard saddle as his pillow he said. “Thank you.”
She didn’t answer.
“That addled headed, idiotic boy!” David growled pushing his horse to greater speed. “I’ll strangle him and bring him back home in chains his father should have never allowed this idiotic quest!”
David was fairly certain that Elias slipped away the night before, even fooling King Erlan! Thankfully the King was only amused by Elias’s stunt otherwise it would have been a great diplomatic incident. He attached a few more curses to the boy’s name remembering the marks he saw earlier, there certainly was a struggle and from what David gathered the boy was overpowered, the boy must have foolishly ‘rescued’ someone from the roamers annual toll and quite possibly got the person in trouble with the roamers (“Might be Horton’s band, sir,” Jamis, King Erlan’s loaned guard told him) and got chained to a tree.
This is what he meant by naïveté the boy knew nothing of the cultures of the places he planned to visit, the roamers were no menace, nor were they thieves of the rabble sort. They were fair and in some parts well respected. Something the boy didn’t know and was drugged but fortunately or unfortunately Elias was not long tied to the tree from the looks of it the chained person freed the boy. He wished the mysterious rescuer left the boy tied it would save David the trouble of doing it.
“It’s too dark, Cap’n.” Ardmir said riding as close as he could. “The horses need to be resting soon.”
David let out a frustrated breath and was about to answer when he saw a light not far off. “Jamis, what is that?”
Jamis sped at his side. “Sita’s cabin sir, an old wise woman.”
David did a quick recall and found none that he knew. “I don’t know her.
“She’s been here ten years, sir.”
Ah. He had stopped his wanderings at that time. “We will stop at Wise Woman Sita’s home and beg hospitality of the night. It’s possible our erstwhile prince was brought here.”
His men murmured and they resumed their riding. They reached the house and found the old woman standing serenely by the door David came to her and said his words she welcomed them generously and in return they need only water her plants and cook their own fare.
Her next words surprised and alarmed David. “The young master left earlier this morning, sirrah.”
“Young master.” It didn’t come out as a question more of an irritated statement David amended it. “He was here earlier?”
Sita nodded and smiled. “Brought in all a daze with that herb, must have annoyed Horton much, that lad. “
“He has that affect.”
She led his group into the warmth of home. “He is a sweet child.”
“And naïve.”
A callused and old hand touched his arm that caused him pause. “Willful and strong of heart he will be safe.”
David stared at the old wizened face, at her calm serenity and knowing eyes and sighed, the men were gathering round softly murmuring and laughing. He was pushing too much. “I’m worried.”
Again that smile, she lifted her hand to his face. “He will be safe.”
“I pray to Akmesh it is so.”
The next days progressed in silence and even Janna’s questions ceased Elias did not know what to make of it, his injury certainly did not do well in Janna’s esteem but thankfully the ointment reduced the swelling of his bloated face and arm. He looked less a bloated head and arm and more of a diminished round fruit.
Ino, his horse (he finally decided on a name) trudged behind him peacefully, Elias was still certain that Janna despite and because of her silence was still trying to discourage him, what with the foot paths she chose it certainly did not bode well for Ino.
It was in mid-afternoon when the town came to view, the walls rock solid appeared to have grown from the ground and the thatched roofs of red and brown filled Elias with such love for it, he could have a bed finally, after nights on rough ground and occasional stone.
“That’s Traska, it’s a small village.”
It was the first time Janna spoke since the night she ordered him to sleep; her voice was as husky and as layered as he remembered her voice to be.
“What’s your task in Traska?”
“My job.” Perfunctory. His duty was done he supposed was done, perhaps he could ask for a map his scrolls were stolen by the ruffians and so was his bag of silver. The impulse to ram his sword into something ran rampant but was defeated by exhaustion.
The wooden gates were opened and he was welcomed to the sight of people selling, walking buying and eating. Children were on their knees playing an unknown game. Janna stopped at an old inn and looked at him, really looked.
It was a startling sensation her examination of him that steady dark gaze under the silky brash of raven hair. “How do you propose to pay for lodging?”
That question had actually been raging in his mind ever since he saw the village the prospect of another night in the hard ground was not something he welcomed but the reality of his situation brought the necessity of it too clearly. He had no money to pay for lodgings and he would rather be rammed in the wells of infinity than let Janna pay for him.
“I would volunteer service to the Innkeeper.”
Janna nodded. “What service would you give? Do you know how to cook? Mend broken chairs? Brew Ale?”
The answer to all was no. “Wash dishes?”
“He has servants for that.”
The cold ground and the decreasing beef jerky seemed more his fare tonight after all. Depressing.
“Do you play an instrument?”
“Anything with strings.”
“Good.” She said and entered the inn leaving him confused. The door swung open and closed and suddenly her dark head appeared. “Are you coming?”
When he didn’t move her hand snatched him from the steps. “The horse—“
“The stable boy will handle your horse,” Janna said and pushed him to a stringy looking man. “Here is the harpist I promised when I return, Har.”
“I never doubted, Janna.” Har said grinning at him in a kindly way. It would seem he would have a warm bed after all.
word count: 5,948 and looky it's Nov. 17th (my bro's bday) and I still need to reach 50,000! Woe!
Nightfall came and finally Janna took pity on the poor sap, trailing her heroically through the least horse friendly trails. It was the least she could do to invite him to the fire and food she prepared, apparently the prince new nothing of the woodland and got stung with bees collecting wood for his fire.
“Thank you.” He said abashed. His words sounded as if his mouth was filled with cotton and rocks.
Janna poked the fire. “Are you still persisting in accompanying me?”
“Yes.”
“You do realize your bag of silver was taken and so were the maps?”
A look of anger and defeat fired into his eyes but was soon replaced by resigned acceptance. “It’s alright.” She sighed and threw a bottle at him he caught it and looked down on it, puzzled.
“An ointment, trust me, you are in need of one.” He looked both gratified and embarrassed. He also looked in the firelight, grotesque his face was bloated and so was his arm, it was amazing he even moved at all. The prince had a thicker hide after all. She watched as he applied the ointment he winced each time he moved Janna was almost compelled to help him but thought otherwise.
The beef jerky was tough but it was enough to stave off her hunger, the prince moved and took an envelope from his person and began to chew on his jerky, provided by Sita Janna guessed.
It was a balmy night enough to soothe a body from the day’s heat Janna unfurled her bedding and spread it against the flattest ground she could find. The prince followed her lead and struggled to lay his cloak on the ground but all Janna could hear was his breathing and the constant snap of sticks under his boots.
Elias was too intent on his task and failed to see the movement until it was too late the cloak was snatched from his hands he stepped back his hand drifted instantly to his sword his movement and was shocked into amazement. The lady—Janna laid his cloak on the ground with crisp efficiency and placed his saddlebag next to it then without speaking further she returned to his horse and tended it. Shame and gratitude whirled around him more and more he was becoming a burden. He looked down at his bedding then at Janna tending his horse a duty rightfully his Elias stepped forward and was stopped.
“You’re in no condition to work not with those bee stings not with the Roamers herbs still in your blood.” She said, still tending his horse not even glancing his way. “Get some rest.”
The stubborn Yrdle blood in him refused and she seemed to guess his next action because she raised her dark eyes to him, it was a glare Elias was familiar with and often received from his exasperated guards and parents and that reminder, that severe glare brought Elias to the bedding and forced sleep in him.
The hard saddle as his pillow he said. “Thank you.”
She didn’t answer.
“That addled headed, idiotic boy!” David growled pushing his horse to greater speed. “I’ll strangle him and bring him back home in chains his father should have never allowed this idiotic quest!”
David was fairly certain that Elias slipped away the night before, even fooling King Erlan! Thankfully the King was only amused by Elias’s stunt otherwise it would have been a great diplomatic incident. He attached a few more curses to the boy’s name remembering the marks he saw earlier, there certainly was a struggle and from what David gathered the boy was overpowered, the boy must have foolishly ‘rescued’ someone from the roamers annual toll and quite possibly got the person in trouble with the roamers (“Might be Horton’s band, sir,” Jamis, King Erlan’s loaned guard told him) and got chained to a tree.
This is what he meant by naïveté the boy knew nothing of the cultures of the places he planned to visit, the roamers were no menace, nor were they thieves of the rabble sort. They were fair and in some parts well respected. Something the boy didn’t know and was drugged but fortunately or unfortunately Elias was not long tied to the tree from the looks of it the chained person freed the boy. He wished the mysterious rescuer left the boy tied it would save David the trouble of doing it.
“It’s too dark, Cap’n.” Ardmir said riding as close as he could. “The horses need to be resting soon.”
David let out a frustrated breath and was about to answer when he saw a light not far off. “Jamis, what is that?”
Jamis sped at his side. “Sita’s cabin sir, an old wise woman.”
David did a quick recall and found none that he knew. “I don’t know her.
“She’s been here ten years, sir.”
Ah. He had stopped his wanderings at that time. “We will stop at Wise Woman Sita’s home and beg hospitality of the night. It’s possible our erstwhile prince was brought here.”
His men murmured and they resumed their riding. They reached the house and found the old woman standing serenely by the door David came to her and said his words she welcomed them generously and in return they need only water her plants and cook their own fare.
Her next words surprised and alarmed David. “The young master left earlier this morning, sirrah.”
“Young master.” It didn’t come out as a question more of an irritated statement David amended it. “He was here earlier?”
Sita nodded and smiled. “Brought in all a daze with that herb, must have annoyed Horton much, that lad. “
“He has that affect.”
She led his group into the warmth of home. “He is a sweet child.”
“And naïve.”
A callused and old hand touched his arm that caused him pause. “Willful and strong of heart he will be safe.”
David stared at the old wizened face, at her calm serenity and knowing eyes and sighed, the men were gathering round softly murmuring and laughing. He was pushing too much. “I’m worried.”
Again that smile, she lifted her hand to his face. “He will be safe.”
“I pray to Akmesh it is so.”
The next days progressed in silence and even Janna’s questions ceased Elias did not know what to make of it, his injury certainly did not do well in Janna’s esteem but thankfully the ointment reduced the swelling of his bloated face and arm. He looked less a bloated head and arm and more of a diminished round fruit.
Ino, his horse (he finally decided on a name) trudged behind him peacefully, Elias was still certain that Janna despite and because of her silence was still trying to discourage him, what with the foot paths she chose it certainly did not bode well for Ino.
It was in mid-afternoon when the town came to view, the walls rock solid appeared to have grown from the ground and the thatched roofs of red and brown filled Elias with such love for it, he could have a bed finally, after nights on rough ground and occasional stone.
“That’s Traska, it’s a small village.”
It was the first time Janna spoke since the night she ordered him to sleep; her voice was as husky and as layered as he remembered her voice to be.
“What’s your task in Traska?”
“My job.” Perfunctory. His duty was done he supposed was done, perhaps he could ask for a map his scrolls were stolen by the ruffians and so was his bag of silver. The impulse to ram his sword into something ran rampant but was defeated by exhaustion.
The wooden gates were opened and he was welcomed to the sight of people selling, walking buying and eating. Children were on their knees playing an unknown game. Janna stopped at an old inn and looked at him, really looked.
It was a startling sensation her examination of him that steady dark gaze under the silky brash of raven hair. “How do you propose to pay for lodging?”
That question had actually been raging in his mind ever since he saw the village the prospect of another night in the hard ground was not something he welcomed but the reality of his situation brought the necessity of it too clearly. He had no money to pay for lodgings and he would rather be rammed in the wells of infinity than let Janna pay for him.
“I would volunteer service to the Innkeeper.”
Janna nodded. “What service would you give? Do you know how to cook? Mend broken chairs? Brew Ale?”
The answer to all was no. “Wash dishes?”
“He has servants for that.”
The cold ground and the decreasing beef jerky seemed more his fare tonight after all. Depressing.
“Do you play an instrument?”
“Anything with strings.”
“Good.” She said and entered the inn leaving him confused. The door swung open and closed and suddenly her dark head appeared. “Are you coming?”
When he didn’t move her hand snatched him from the steps. “The horse—“
“The stable boy will handle your horse,” Janna said and pushed him to a stringy looking man. “Here is the harpist I promised when I return, Har.”
“I never doubted, Janna.” Har said grinning at him in a kindly way. It would seem he would have a warm bed after all.
word count:
“Thank you.” He said abashed. His words sounded as if his mouth was filled with cotton and rocks.
Janna poked the fire. “Are you still persisting in accompanying me?”
“Yes.”
“You do realize your bag of silver was taken and so were the maps?”
A look of anger and defeat fired into his eyes but was soon replaced by resigned acceptance. “It’s alright.” She sighed and threw a bottle at him he caught it and looked down on it, puzzled.
“An ointment, trust me, you are in need of one.” He looked both gratified and embarrassed. He also looked in the firelight, grotesque his face was bloated and so was his arm, it was amazing he even moved at all. The prince had a thicker hide after all. She watched as he applied the ointment he winced each time he moved Janna was almost compelled to help him but thought otherwise.
The beef jerky was tough but it was enough to stave off her hunger, the prince moved and took an envelope from his person and began to chew on his jerky, provided by Sita Janna guessed.
It was a balmy night enough to soothe a body from the day’s heat Janna unfurled her bedding and spread it against the flattest ground she could find. The prince followed her lead and struggled to lay his cloak on the ground but all Janna could hear was his breathing and the constant snap of sticks under his boots.
Elias was too intent on his task and failed to see the movement until it was too late the cloak was snatched from his hands he stepped back his hand drifted instantly to his sword his movement and was shocked into amazement. The lady—Janna laid his cloak on the ground with crisp efficiency and placed his saddlebag next to it then without speaking further she returned to his horse and tended it. Shame and gratitude whirled around him more and more he was becoming a burden. He looked down at his bedding then at Janna tending his horse a duty rightfully his Elias stepped forward and was stopped.
“You’re in no condition to work not with those bee stings not with the Roamers herbs still in your blood.” She said, still tending his horse not even glancing his way. “Get some rest.”
The stubborn Yrdle blood in him refused and she seemed to guess his next action because she raised her dark eyes to him, it was a glare Elias was familiar with and often received from his exasperated guards and parents and that reminder, that severe glare brought Elias to the bedding and forced sleep in him.
The hard saddle as his pillow he said. “Thank you.”
She didn’t answer.
“That addled headed, idiotic boy!” David growled pushing his horse to greater speed. “I’ll strangle him and bring him back home in chains his father should have never allowed this idiotic quest!”
David was fairly certain that Elias slipped away the night before, even fooling King Erlan! Thankfully the King was only amused by Elias’s stunt otherwise it would have been a great diplomatic incident. He attached a few more curses to the boy’s name remembering the marks he saw earlier, there certainly was a struggle and from what David gathered the boy was overpowered, the boy must have foolishly ‘rescued’ someone from the roamers annual toll and quite possibly got the person in trouble with the roamers (“Might be Horton’s band, sir,” Jamis, King Erlan’s loaned guard told him) and got chained to a tree.
This is what he meant by naïveté the boy knew nothing of the cultures of the places he planned to visit, the roamers were no menace, nor were they thieves of the rabble sort. They were fair and in some parts well respected. Something the boy didn’t know and was drugged but fortunately or unfortunately Elias was not long tied to the tree from the looks of it the chained person freed the boy. He wished the mysterious rescuer left the boy tied it would save David the trouble of doing it.
“It’s too dark, Cap’n.” Ardmir said riding as close as he could. “The horses need to be resting soon.”
David let out a frustrated breath and was about to answer when he saw a light not far off. “Jamis, what is that?”
Jamis sped at his side. “Sita’s cabin sir, an old wise woman.”
David did a quick recall and found none that he knew. “I don’t know her.
“She’s been here ten years, sir.”
Ah. He had stopped his wanderings at that time. “We will stop at Wise Woman Sita’s home and beg hospitality of the night. It’s possible our erstwhile prince was brought here.”
His men murmured and they resumed their riding. They reached the house and found the old woman standing serenely by the door David came to her and said his words she welcomed them generously and in return they need only water her plants and cook their own fare.
Her next words surprised and alarmed David. “The young master left earlier this morning, sirrah.”
“Young master.” It didn’t come out as a question more of an irritated statement David amended it. “He was here earlier?”
Sita nodded and smiled. “Brought in all a daze with that herb, must have annoyed Horton much, that lad. “
“He has that affect.”
She led his group into the warmth of home. “He is a sweet child.”
“And naïve.”
A callused and old hand touched his arm that caused him pause. “Willful and strong of heart he will be safe.”
David stared at the old wizened face, at her calm serenity and knowing eyes and sighed, the men were gathering round softly murmuring and laughing. He was pushing too much. “I’m worried.”
Again that smile, she lifted her hand to his face. “He will be safe.”
“I pray to Akmesh it is so.”
The next days progressed in silence and even Janna’s questions ceased Elias did not know what to make of it, his injury certainly did not do well in Janna’s esteem but thankfully the ointment reduced the swelling of his bloated face and arm. He looked less a bloated head and arm and more of a diminished round fruit.
Ino, his horse (he finally decided on a name) trudged behind him peacefully, Elias was still certain that Janna despite and because of her silence was still trying to discourage him, what with the foot paths she chose it certainly did not bode well for Ino.
It was in mid-afternoon when the town came to view, the walls rock solid appeared to have grown from the ground and the thatched roofs of red and brown filled Elias with such love for it, he could have a bed finally, after nights on rough ground and occasional stone.
“That’s Traska, it’s a small village.”
It was the first time Janna spoke since the night she ordered him to sleep; her voice was as husky and as layered as he remembered her voice to be.
“What’s your task in Traska?”
“My job.” Perfunctory. His duty was done he supposed was done, perhaps he could ask for a map his scrolls were stolen by the ruffians and so was his bag of silver. The impulse to ram his sword into something ran rampant but was defeated by exhaustion.
The wooden gates were opened and he was welcomed to the sight of people selling, walking buying and eating. Children were on their knees playing an unknown game. Janna stopped at an old inn and looked at him, really looked.
It was a startling sensation her examination of him that steady dark gaze under the silky brash of raven hair. “How do you propose to pay for lodging?”
That question had actually been raging in his mind ever since he saw the village the prospect of another night in the hard ground was not something he welcomed but the reality of his situation brought the necessity of it too clearly. He had no money to pay for lodgings and he would rather be rammed in the wells of infinity than let Janna pay for him.
“I would volunteer service to the Innkeeper.”
Janna nodded. “What service would you give? Do you know how to cook? Mend broken chairs? Brew Ale?”
The answer to all was no. “Wash dishes?”
“He has servants for that.”
The cold ground and the decreasing beef jerky seemed more his fare tonight after all. Depressing.
“Do you play an instrument?”
“Anything with strings.”
“Good.” She said and entered the inn leaving him confused. The door swung open and closed and suddenly her dark head appeared. “Are you coming?”
When he didn’t move her hand snatched him from the steps. “The horse—“
“The stable boy will handle your horse,” Janna said and pushed him to a stringy looking man. “Here is the harpist I promised when I return, Har.”
“I never doubted, Janna.” Har said grinning at him in a kindly way. It would seem he would have a warm bed after all.
word count:
Monday, November 10, 2003
Chapter Two
“Wake-up!”
Why was someone shouting at him? He wished they’d stop his head hurts.
“I said, wake-up!”
Elias screamed at the volume of the words and clutched his head, or at least he tried to. His arms won’t move he tried again only to feel biting pain in his arms. What? Elias opened his eyes and looked down on his arms, a rope ran across his chest and arms. He was tied to a tree!
“Finally!”
The voice was from a girl Elias squinted to see her in the dark. “Why am I here?”
Elias wasn’t sure but he felt like the girl was glaring at him. “Because you did not listen to me!”
“Listen? I don’t underst— Those blackguards!“ Elias ejaculated remembering the fight and the thieves. “I was surrounded, those miscreants out numbered me!”
“Yes, of course, whatever you say, do you mind kicking the key to me now?”
“What key?”
“The one on your foot!”
There indeed was a key on his right boot, it was a silver thing and smaller than most keys he was accustomed to seeing.
“Aim it towards me.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you took it yourself? As you can see I am quite tied at the moment.”
“If you would fail to note, I am chained to a branch!” The girl said, and jingled her up stretched arm.
“Those wretch!”
“Focus, please, sirrah!” She said, jingling the chain again, “Throw the key!”
The girl wasn’t far from him but the possibilities of failure were great. “If I missed?”
“Then pray you aim accurately, unless of course, you favor the prospect of staying the night tied to a tree until the king’s guards arrives?”
Alarm bells rang in Elias’ head conjuring an image of an irate Captain David Lightstone. From the faint moonlight he made out the figure of the girl and took careful aim, he heaved his foot and kicked, the key arced glinting briefly Elias heard a jingle and leaned forward until the rope’s bite stung.
He heard no sound after, anxious he asked. “Did you get it?”
There was a long moment of silence. “Yes, thank you.” The chain rattled to the ground and finally Elias saw the girl walk toward him. It was an awkward thing, tied to a tree, especially if one has acquired a dizzying headache and he was utterly grateful when the girl—Elias could not really determine her age—bent knee and started sawing through the ropes, with he supposed a knife she had concealed in her person.
“It is a lucky thing that you are who you are, Prince.”
“How did you--?”
“No one arrives in Entre with a welcoming entourage such as Lord William.”
“And the ruffians believed you?”
“The ruffians are a traveling band of thieves but they have a code among themselves, more I can say than some nobility.”
Elias frowned. The rope finally gives letting the blood rush in fast and instead of standing he falls ungainly on the grass. It’s cooler there and Elias thinks of staying. A hand, callused and gentle flies across his forehead.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I was just… I’m alright, thank you.”
He was pulled up, and found himself inappropriately leaning against the girl he tries to pull away but the girl holds him. “You’re strong.”
“They’ve must hit you rather hard.”
“Did they take my sword?”
“No. It’s still with you.” She paused and administers the bump at the back of his head. “There is no bleeding I see, but we must consult someone about this nonetheless.”
Suddenly an image of David and his guards brought him to action, this time the girl let him go. “ I must go.” Then he was struck with what he was about to do, leave a woman alone in a dark forest. “I cannot leave you alone unprotected.”
She stared at him as if he were mad. “Must I remind, you, I was not the one who foolishly sought to fight a band of thieves? I don’t need protecting.” Then she took hold of her arm and he was close enough to see her smile at him. “Perhaps, your injury caused more harm, I’ll assist you to the house not far from here.”
It really wasn’t proper, his leaning on the lady but he couldn’t seem to get his legs to move if only he could get to his horse, that is if he still owned a horse, he must have asked the question out loud because the girl told him that there was no horse taken. He was glad he liked the horse. It was getting darker, he should do something, move but all Elias could say was, “Lady, what is your name?”
Again her cool hand was on his face and before darkness could take him he heard her say. “Janna.”
Elias woke to a strange bed and murmuring voices, neither prospect he liked.
“Are you feeling a mite better, sirrah?” Elias turned his head to the sound of the voice an old lady sat by him.
“Yes, thank you. What happened?”
“Oh, Horton’s band gave you a rather strong concoction, the better you not follow them, I wager.” The old lady said, “Don’t you be worrying, young sirrah, I’m a healer of a sort.”
“Where is the young lady?”
“Janna? Oh, she is about.” The old lady grinned at him. “It is a lucky thing you met her.”
A door scraped open and Janna appeared her hair was thick raven hair tied allowing Elias the first clear sight of her elfin face. Her eyes—green – examined him. “Your awake, I see.”
“Yes, I must thank you for your rescue.”
Janna smiled. “Next time, I presume, you’ll listen to other people.” Before he could respond she turned away and started picking-up her pack. “Thank you for your hospitality, Sita but I must be going soon.”
Elias frowned sat-up. “I’m going with you.”
“No, your not.”
“I am in your debt, I must go with you.”
This time Janna glared at him. “You owe me nothing, you’re free of your debt so stay until you recuperate.”
“I have already, I feel well.”
“Unlikely, anyway my path is different from yours.” Janna said and turned away again, this time she did not look back but marched on, pausing only for her walking stick. “Until my next journey, Sita.”
She was a few meters away when she heard the sound of horses furious she stopped and rounded at the stubborn man. “What are you doing? Were you purposefully not listening to a word I said?”
He grinned, his blue eyes glittering. “Madam Sita said I was strong enough to continue my journey.”
“Why do you persist in accompanying me?”
“I wish to be your guard.”
“Don’t you have other places to be?” Janna said through grinding teeth.
“Yes, but at the moment I have no clue as to where my quest lies,” He said and he grew serious. “I owe you a debt of my life, Men of Yrdle take those debts seriously.”
“You do realize, I even don’t know your name?”
Janna was satisfied to see the abashed expression on his face but her satisfaction vanished as he said. “I apologize, Lady Janna, I am Elias Intares, Prince of Yrdle, son of King Constan and Queen Sofia, brother to—“
“Elias would do.” She said coldly. “I do not need your family history.”
“I apologize.” His horse stamped its foot, signaling its impatience.
“Why don’t you just wait for your guards? I’m sure they’ll be happy to learn what happened to their prince.”
He reddened and he was unable to look at her. “I’m afraid they do not know where I am, I enlisted King Erlan’s aid in escaping my guards.”
“I guessed it,” Janna said and continued somewhat wearily. “Go wherever you wish, you don’t owe me your life and I don’t need protecting!”
“But—“
“Good day.” Janna ignored him and continued her walk, it would be a good three-day’s journey to her destination and hopefully it would be enough to lose this irritating prince.
word count 4,374 only! And I have to end at 50,000! I am so screwed!
“Wake-up!”
Why was someone shouting at him? He wished they’d stop his head hurts.
“I said, wake-up!”
Elias screamed at the volume of the words and clutched his head, or at least he tried to. His arms won’t move he tried again only to feel biting pain in his arms. What? Elias opened his eyes and looked down on his arms, a rope ran across his chest and arms. He was tied to a tree!
“Finally!”
The voice was from a girl Elias squinted to see her in the dark. “Why am I here?”
Elias wasn’t sure but he felt like the girl was glaring at him. “Because you did not listen to me!”
“Listen? I don’t underst— Those blackguards!“ Elias ejaculated remembering the fight and the thieves. “I was surrounded, those miscreants out numbered me!”
“Yes, of course, whatever you say, do you mind kicking the key to me now?”
“What key?”
“The one on your foot!”
There indeed was a key on his right boot, it was a silver thing and smaller than most keys he was accustomed to seeing.
“Aim it towards me.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you took it yourself? As you can see I am quite tied at the moment.”
“If you would fail to note, I am chained to a branch!” The girl said, and jingled her up stretched arm.
“Those wretch!”
“Focus, please, sirrah!” She said, jingling the chain again, “Throw the key!”
The girl wasn’t far from him but the possibilities of failure were great. “If I missed?”
“Then pray you aim accurately, unless of course, you favor the prospect of staying the night tied to a tree until the king’s guards arrives?”
Alarm bells rang in Elias’ head conjuring an image of an irate Captain David Lightstone. From the faint moonlight he made out the figure of the girl and took careful aim, he heaved his foot and kicked, the key arced glinting briefly Elias heard a jingle and leaned forward until the rope’s bite stung.
He heard no sound after, anxious he asked. “Did you get it?”
There was a long moment of silence. “Yes, thank you.” The chain rattled to the ground and finally Elias saw the girl walk toward him. It was an awkward thing, tied to a tree, especially if one has acquired a dizzying headache and he was utterly grateful when the girl—Elias could not really determine her age—bent knee and started sawing through the ropes, with he supposed a knife she had concealed in her person.
“It is a lucky thing that you are who you are, Prince.”
“How did you--?”
“No one arrives in Entre with a welcoming entourage such as Lord William.”
“And the ruffians believed you?”
“The ruffians are a traveling band of thieves but they have a code among themselves, more I can say than some nobility.”
Elias frowned. The rope finally gives letting the blood rush in fast and instead of standing he falls ungainly on the grass. It’s cooler there and Elias thinks of staying. A hand, callused and gentle flies across his forehead.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I was just… I’m alright, thank you.”
He was pulled up, and found himself inappropriately leaning against the girl he tries to pull away but the girl holds him. “You’re strong.”
“They’ve must hit you rather hard.”
“Did they take my sword?”
“No. It’s still with you.” She paused and administers the bump at the back of his head. “There is no bleeding I see, but we must consult someone about this nonetheless.”
Suddenly an image of David and his guards brought him to action, this time the girl let him go. “ I must go.” Then he was struck with what he was about to do, leave a woman alone in a dark forest. “I cannot leave you alone unprotected.”
She stared at him as if he were mad. “Must I remind, you, I was not the one who foolishly sought to fight a band of thieves? I don’t need protecting.” Then she took hold of her arm and he was close enough to see her smile at him. “Perhaps, your injury caused more harm, I’ll assist you to the house not far from here.”
It really wasn’t proper, his leaning on the lady but he couldn’t seem to get his legs to move if only he could get to his horse, that is if he still owned a horse, he must have asked the question out loud because the girl told him that there was no horse taken. He was glad he liked the horse. It was getting darker, he should do something, move but all Elias could say was, “Lady, what is your name?”
Again her cool hand was on his face and before darkness could take him he heard her say. “Janna.”
Elias woke to a strange bed and murmuring voices, neither prospect he liked.
“Are you feeling a mite better, sirrah?” Elias turned his head to the sound of the voice an old lady sat by him.
“Yes, thank you. What happened?”
“Oh, Horton’s band gave you a rather strong concoction, the better you not follow them, I wager.” The old lady said, “Don’t you be worrying, young sirrah, I’m a healer of a sort.”
“Where is the young lady?”
“Janna? Oh, she is about.” The old lady grinned at him. “It is a lucky thing you met her.”
A door scraped open and Janna appeared her hair was thick raven hair tied allowing Elias the first clear sight of her elfin face. Her eyes—green – examined him. “Your awake, I see.”
“Yes, I must thank you for your rescue.”
Janna smiled. “Next time, I presume, you’ll listen to other people.” Before he could respond she turned away and started picking-up her pack. “Thank you for your hospitality, Sita but I must be going soon.”
Elias frowned sat-up. “I’m going with you.”
“No, your not.”
“I am in your debt, I must go with you.”
This time Janna glared at him. “You owe me nothing, you’re free of your debt so stay until you recuperate.”
“I have already, I feel well.”
“Unlikely, anyway my path is different from yours.” Janna said and turned away again, this time she did not look back but marched on, pausing only for her walking stick. “Until my next journey, Sita.”
She was a few meters away when she heard the sound of horses furious she stopped and rounded at the stubborn man. “What are you doing? Were you purposefully not listening to a word I said?”
He grinned, his blue eyes glittering. “Madam Sita said I was strong enough to continue my journey.”
“Why do you persist in accompanying me?”
“I wish to be your guard.”
“Don’t you have other places to be?” Janna said through grinding teeth.
“Yes, but at the moment I have no clue as to where my quest lies,” He said and he grew serious. “I owe you a debt of my life, Men of Yrdle take those debts seriously.”
“You do realize, I even don’t know your name?”
Janna was satisfied to see the abashed expression on his face but her satisfaction vanished as he said. “I apologize, Lady Janna, I am Elias Intares, Prince of Yrdle, son of King Constan and Queen Sofia, brother to—“
“Elias would do.” She said coldly. “I do not need your family history.”
“I apologize.” His horse stamped its foot, signaling its impatience.
“Why don’t you just wait for your guards? I’m sure they’ll be happy to learn what happened to their prince.”
He reddened and he was unable to look at her. “I’m afraid they do not know where I am, I enlisted King Erlan’s aid in escaping my guards.”
“I guessed it,” Janna said and continued somewhat wearily. “Go wherever you wish, you don’t owe me your life and I don’t need protecting!”
“But—“
“Good day.” Janna ignored him and continued her walk, it would be a good three-day’s journey to her destination and hopefully it would be enough to lose this irritating prince.
word count 4,374 only! And I have to end at 50,000! I am so screwed!
Sunday, November 09, 2003
chapter 1 cont'd
It would be near sunset and a mile since he fled from Erlan’s keep, with blessings and change of clothes. It would be nightfall when David would realize that he had been hoodwinked. David would be surely sore a great reason why he sent the white bay flying down the paths Erlan told him to take.
Sweat lined his brow and Elias chanced to wipe it back handed and resumed his pace. The scent of wood and dried soil filled his senses, but sooner he heard a sound of voices, gruff and untutored.
He paused, reined the bay and listened there beyond a group cautiously he slid of the horse and crept nearer to judge if they were friend or foe. Friend he would reward with a meal, foe the steel of his sword. There he saw beyond the shadow of tree and bush three men of large stature, one held a brown sack as if offering. Elias peered further and gasped in outrage, they were thieves holding a girl— the young woman from the port Elias was sure, no woman he knew had that coloring that bearing—at dagger point.
Anger coursed in his veins before thought could provoke him to wiser action Elias rushed forward, releasing sword form sheathe, the three had yet to notice him for he ran gently—rash though he was, he knew something of tactics of surprise—the young woman however did notice him an alarmed expression overcame her. Frightened Elias supposed of the thieves.
He collided with the ugliest sending the man sprawling over; he took hold of the girl’s hand and pulled her behind him. “How dare you attack a lady!” he hissed, holding the second at sword point and the other with his gaze.
The two thieves looked at him in anger and confusion of a sudden he felt something pinched his arm, Elias checked his response not risking to sound weak. “I am not a thief, lady, I am here to rescue you.”
“I did not need rescue!” The girl said, the same husky, melodious tone he heard earlier in the day.
“Of a certain, you did. They were taking your things.”
“I was giving it to them!” She hissed, “It is much wiser thing to do than your foolishness!”
That startled him. “You would rather these buffoons have your belongings!”
Another pinch and this time he did react. “Would you stop pinching me, madam!”
“If you start having more care with your words!” She said. “I have no need of your rescue!”
Elias did not like the laughing contempt he saw on the thieves’ faces, he checked the fallen one and saw to relief he had hit his head on bark and stayed unconscious. “You’re foolishness brought your need for rescue! Now hush, for I will dispatch of these petty thieves.” Elias watched in grim amusement as the laughter faded from the thieves faces.
And with no more words Elias launched himself to the thieves, meaning to scare them with his sword, he heard the girl scream. “Foolish!”
Then the stockier of the thieves met him with a dagger Elias feinted to the left and to the right and met steel, he lifted startled eyes to a newcomer with a long sword similar to his only by structure Elias fought at him until he drove back the two fighters and, the two fighters was joined by another and another, until he realized he was overwhelmed in numbers and he paused. It was then he looked around him, on top of trees and beyond the trees.
The whole wood crawled with thieves, Elias wondered why the king allowed such thieves to thrive, but went no further than that thought as he felt a large, cool object strike his head and it was dark.
word count 2,628
It would be near sunset and a mile since he fled from Erlan’s keep, with blessings and change of clothes. It would be nightfall when David would realize that he had been hoodwinked. David would be surely sore a great reason why he sent the white bay flying down the paths Erlan told him to take.
Sweat lined his brow and Elias chanced to wipe it back handed and resumed his pace. The scent of wood and dried soil filled his senses, but sooner he heard a sound of voices, gruff and untutored.
He paused, reined the bay and listened there beyond a group cautiously he slid of the horse and crept nearer to judge if they were friend or foe. Friend he would reward with a meal, foe the steel of his sword. There he saw beyond the shadow of tree and bush three men of large stature, one held a brown sack as if offering. Elias peered further and gasped in outrage, they were thieves holding a girl— the young woman from the port Elias was sure, no woman he knew had that coloring that bearing—at dagger point.
Anger coursed in his veins before thought could provoke him to wiser action Elias rushed forward, releasing sword form sheathe, the three had yet to notice him for he ran gently—rash though he was, he knew something of tactics of surprise—the young woman however did notice him an alarmed expression overcame her. Frightened Elias supposed of the thieves.
He collided with the ugliest sending the man sprawling over; he took hold of the girl’s hand and pulled her behind him. “How dare you attack a lady!” he hissed, holding the second at sword point and the other with his gaze.
The two thieves looked at him in anger and confusion of a sudden he felt something pinched his arm, Elias checked his response not risking to sound weak. “I am not a thief, lady, I am here to rescue you.”
“I did not need rescue!” The girl said, the same husky, melodious tone he heard earlier in the day.
“Of a certain, you did. They were taking your things.”
“I was giving it to them!” She hissed, “It is much wiser thing to do than your foolishness!”
That startled him. “You would rather these buffoons have your belongings!”
Another pinch and this time he did react. “Would you stop pinching me, madam!”
“If you start having more care with your words!” She said. “I have no need of your rescue!”
Elias did not like the laughing contempt he saw on the thieves’ faces, he checked the fallen one and saw to relief he had hit his head on bark and stayed unconscious. “You’re foolishness brought your need for rescue! Now hush, for I will dispatch of these petty thieves.” Elias watched in grim amusement as the laughter faded from the thieves faces.
And with no more words Elias launched himself to the thieves, meaning to scare them with his sword, he heard the girl scream. “Foolish!”
Then the stockier of the thieves met him with a dagger Elias feinted to the left and to the right and met steel, he lifted startled eyes to a newcomer with a long sword similar to his only by structure Elias fought at him until he drove back the two fighters and, the two fighters was joined by another and another, until he realized he was overwhelmed in numbers and he paused. It was then he looked around him, on top of trees and beyond the trees.
The whole wood crawled with thieves, Elias wondered why the king allowed such thieves to thrive, but went no further than that thought as he felt a large, cool object strike his head and it was dark.
word count 2,628
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Chapter 1 cont'd
“Are we riding all the way to Mindara?” Elias asked.
“No, the King is in Entre for the summer.” Lord William answered and maneuvered his horse to the front of the entourage.
The morning sun shone bright dispelling the last of the mists much to Elias discomfort, summers in Ilrian are well known for its heat and humidity. Elias eyed the Ilrian beside him, Ilrian clothes were suited for the climate light and airy, the sleeves parted from the shoulder to the wrist holding the illusion of formality in their casual dress.
The road was hardly paved his horse frequently stumbled on a misplaced rock and root, Elias wondered at the state of disrepair, Ilrian was hardly Riadon in richness but it was rich enough to construct its own roads.
Finally after an hour’s travel the forest cleared and the castle rose before them, stone construct and dangerous sharp towers. It was not one would think a summer palace should be, it had more the look of a fort than anything.
Boys who looked younger than twelve rushed towards the entourage assisting them from the saddle, Elias handed his bridle to a young fair-haired boy, the boy smiled at him impishly then guided his horse to the stables.
When, suddenly, Lord William cried out. “My Lord Prince!”
Elias jumped, he looked to Lord William in puzzlement but the Earl of Brosi did not look to him instead Lord William strode to the stable boy to whom Elias gave his horse.
“What pray tell are you doing?”
“About to stable the horse, my Lord.”
Lord William scowled. “You are to do no such thing, my lord Prince,” he waved his arms and a much older stable boy claimed the horse. “You will accompany us to the court at the introduction of Prince Elias.”
“Why, Elias, age yourself younger and Prince Cristos could be you!” David said, grinning his infuriating grin.
“Mark my words, David, one of these days. You will wake-up covered in red paint.” Elias whispered.
“Words, my prince.”
Before Elias could reply they were before the court, the morning light was welcome to the court for light speared in through the large arched windows providing a refreshing change from the castle at home. It being morning most of the courtiers were absent. Elias scanned the murals of a past age still brightly colored, the interiors more than made up for the fortress like feel of the castle.
The others bowed and made obeisance to the king, Elias however bowed as conscripted for one royal to another, equals.
King Erlan rose and returned the bow. “Prince Elias, be welcome.”
“Thank you, your majesty.”
“And you, my stubborn son, what am I to do with you?” Erlan said, addressing his son who had the gal to step beside his father.
“Reward me with a pony?”
David nudged Elias’ ribs Elias stoutly ignored his brazen mentor.
“No. I shall allow your mother to handle your impishness.” Erlan looked stern but for the mischievous shine in his blue eyes. “Take him away.”
Instead of guards two old women descended on a horrified prince.
Erlan returned his attention to Elias. “And you, prince, shall I too send you to your mother?”
“I hardly think it, necessary, King Erlan, as I am here with her favor.”
Erlan laughed, and said. “That is a good answer, prince.” Then the king straightened and his gaze sharpened as if a call determined its time for duty. It was a thing Elias envied from his father and brother. “Leave us.”
Elias saw David and his guards hesitated, Elias signaled with his hands and David nodded and followed Lord William out of the hall.
“Come nearer so we might speak with confidence.” Said Erlan, his coat red colored vest glinted darkly in the light. Elias wished again for a material like the Ilrian’s in this heat, sweat collected at his back and his brow, he wiped it away and came forward. “What are you here for, Elias?”
“A pilgrim, my king.” It was the answer his mother told him to answer, a pilgrim was not an unusual thing to have. It was also far safer to say than a quest for the orb.
“A good answer, but far from the truth.”
At that Elias heart stilled for a second. “My Lord?”
“You’re here on a quest, not a simple quest I gather for David Lightstone is in your company.” Erlan said, watching him. “You’re therefore on the hunt for the orb of Yrdle.”
The cold certainly did not spring from the hall but from Erlan’s words. Was Erlan then his first obstacle? He dearly wished it not so. Elias started to speak but found no voice to utter words of excuse and bewilderment. He was trapped in his own lie and need for it to remain so.
“Be at ease,” Erlan said, finally sitting on his throne. “I am not here to harm you. If I had men to spare, or even myself I would have joined your venture, and in my instance I would search for the Lost Orb of Ilrian. I am here to advise you on the routes to take,” Erlan stretched his hand to the table next to him and took a map. “At all cost you must avoid the borders of Crastral, it is heavily guarded and perilous, the Albinion border however is friendly until the truce hold. I can provide you with fresh horses and some proviso needed for a long quest in return, I only ask that you search not only for the Orb of Yrdle but also for the lost orb of Ilrian.”
Elias looked at him, thunderstruck. “You wish me to search out for your orb? May I ask to what reason? Ilrian is not suffering from famine not like Yrdle.”
Erlan met his eyes, grim and shadowed. “I fear that the prosperity of Ilrian may wane, it may be an unfounded fear but it is a feeling that plagues me at night. I would not chance for Ilrian to fall into dark times such as there was during the Breaking. Will you take this quest too, Prince Elias?”
Common sense would be to decline King Erlan’s request but if he were such a person with such sense he would not be so far from home, in a foreign hall and a wise, grim king asking for his favor. So, Elias said. “Yes, I would take the quest as my own.”
It was as a burden was shorn from Erlan’s shoulders and he clapped his hands, across the hall servants burst forth. “We would have our breakfast here.”
The servants scattered to fulfill Erlan’s orders.
“We have still much to talk about, but first, is there a wish you need fulfilled? Clothes for these humid climes?”
Elias hesitated and answered. “I would like clothes from Ilrian, especially in this heat, however I would like one request filled.”
“Speak it and it shall be done.”
Elias breathed deep before saying. “I request escape from my guards, a quest of this delicacy must be handled alone, I know the perils of this quest but it would be better served if done alone.”
Word count 2,386
“Are we riding all the way to Mindara?” Elias asked.
“No, the King is in Entre for the summer.” Lord William answered and maneuvered his horse to the front of the entourage.
The morning sun shone bright dispelling the last of the mists much to Elias discomfort, summers in Ilrian are well known for its heat and humidity. Elias eyed the Ilrian beside him, Ilrian clothes were suited for the climate light and airy, the sleeves parted from the shoulder to the wrist holding the illusion of formality in their casual dress.
The road was hardly paved his horse frequently stumbled on a misplaced rock and root, Elias wondered at the state of disrepair, Ilrian was hardly Riadon in richness but it was rich enough to construct its own roads.
Finally after an hour’s travel the forest cleared and the castle rose before them, stone construct and dangerous sharp towers. It was not one would think a summer palace should be, it had more the look of a fort than anything.
Boys who looked younger than twelve rushed towards the entourage assisting them from the saddle, Elias handed his bridle to a young fair-haired boy, the boy smiled at him impishly then guided his horse to the stables.
When, suddenly, Lord William cried out. “My Lord Prince!”
Elias jumped, he looked to Lord William in puzzlement but the Earl of Brosi did not look to him instead Lord William strode to the stable boy to whom Elias gave his horse.
“What pray tell are you doing?”
“About to stable the horse, my Lord.”
Lord William scowled. “You are to do no such thing, my lord Prince,” he waved his arms and a much older stable boy claimed the horse. “You will accompany us to the court at the introduction of Prince Elias.”
“Why, Elias, age yourself younger and Prince Cristos could be you!” David said, grinning his infuriating grin.
“Mark my words, David, one of these days. You will wake-up covered in red paint.” Elias whispered.
“Words, my prince.”
Before Elias could reply they were before the court, the morning light was welcome to the court for light speared in through the large arched windows providing a refreshing change from the castle at home. It being morning most of the courtiers were absent. Elias scanned the murals of a past age still brightly colored, the interiors more than made up for the fortress like feel of the castle.
The others bowed and made obeisance to the king, Elias however bowed as conscripted for one royal to another, equals.
King Erlan rose and returned the bow. “Prince Elias, be welcome.”
“Thank you, your majesty.”
“And you, my stubborn son, what am I to do with you?” Erlan said, addressing his son who had the gal to step beside his father.
“Reward me with a pony?”
David nudged Elias’ ribs Elias stoutly ignored his brazen mentor.
“No. I shall allow your mother to handle your impishness.” Erlan looked stern but for the mischievous shine in his blue eyes. “Take him away.”
Instead of guards two old women descended on a horrified prince.
Erlan returned his attention to Elias. “And you, prince, shall I too send you to your mother?”
“I hardly think it, necessary, King Erlan, as I am here with her favor.”
Erlan laughed, and said. “That is a good answer, prince.” Then the king straightened and his gaze sharpened as if a call determined its time for duty. It was a thing Elias envied from his father and brother. “Leave us.”
Elias saw David and his guards hesitated, Elias signaled with his hands and David nodded and followed Lord William out of the hall.
“Come nearer so we might speak with confidence.” Said Erlan, his coat red colored vest glinted darkly in the light. Elias wished again for a material like the Ilrian’s in this heat, sweat collected at his back and his brow, he wiped it away and came forward. “What are you here for, Elias?”
“A pilgrim, my king.” It was the answer his mother told him to answer, a pilgrim was not an unusual thing to have. It was also far safer to say than a quest for the orb.
“A good answer, but far from the truth.”
At that Elias heart stilled for a second. “My Lord?”
“You’re here on a quest, not a simple quest I gather for David Lightstone is in your company.” Erlan said, watching him. “You’re therefore on the hunt for the orb of Yrdle.”
The cold certainly did not spring from the hall but from Erlan’s words. Was Erlan then his first obstacle? He dearly wished it not so. Elias started to speak but found no voice to utter words of excuse and bewilderment. He was trapped in his own lie and need for it to remain so.
“Be at ease,” Erlan said, finally sitting on his throne. “I am not here to harm you. If I had men to spare, or even myself I would have joined your venture, and in my instance I would search for the Lost Orb of Ilrian. I am here to advise you on the routes to take,” Erlan stretched his hand to the table next to him and took a map. “At all cost you must avoid the borders of Crastral, it is heavily guarded and perilous, the Albinion border however is friendly until the truce hold. I can provide you with fresh horses and some proviso needed for a long quest in return, I only ask that you search not only for the Orb of Yrdle but also for the lost orb of Ilrian.”
Elias looked at him, thunderstruck. “You wish me to search out for your orb? May I ask to what reason? Ilrian is not suffering from famine not like Yrdle.”
Erlan met his eyes, grim and shadowed. “I fear that the prosperity of Ilrian may wane, it may be an unfounded fear but it is a feeling that plagues me at night. I would not chance for Ilrian to fall into dark times such as there was during the Breaking. Will you take this quest too, Prince Elias?”
Common sense would be to decline King Erlan’s request but if he were such a person with such sense he would not be so far from home, in a foreign hall and a wise, grim king asking for his favor. So, Elias said. “Yes, I would take the quest as my own.”
It was as a burden was shorn from Erlan’s shoulders and he clapped his hands, across the hall servants burst forth. “We would have our breakfast here.”
The servants scattered to fulfill Erlan’s orders.
“We have still much to talk about, but first, is there a wish you need fulfilled? Clothes for these humid climes?”
Elias hesitated and answered. “I would like clothes from Ilrian, especially in this heat, however I would like one request filled.”
“Speak it and it shall be done.”
Elias breathed deep before saying. “I request escape from my guards, a quest of this delicacy must be handled alone, I know the perils of this quest but it would be better served if done alone.”
Word count 2,386
Monday, November 03, 2003
Chapter 1 cont'd...
Almost two weeks passed when the call sounded, Elias was in his cabin asleep, when he heard the gong sound, loud and strong. Elias climbed the steps and blinked at the activity before him reminding him of the day Sante Rela set sail for Ilryan.
“Land!” A voice bellowed, the call was repeated several times on the deck, the snap of sails and roped and feet on wood was never more vivid than on this day. The morning sun was just on the horizon but the fog has not yet cleared.
Elias saw it then, his first view of a port outside of Dera, it was a landscape of green, brown, and surf and ships and beyond Elias fancied he saw structures of stone and tops of towers. He felt giddy and anxious and happy.
A thought occurred and snuffed his general feeling of well being. “David, does the king of Ilryan know I’m arriving?”
“Of course. A courier was sent before your departure, the king knows of your arrival. It’s only proper.” David said leaning on the rail beside him.
“Since when were you concerned with proper?” Elias scowled.
“Since we’re in a foreign land and I’m not leaning on any royal favor.”
That was the last conversation they had, what came next was the hustle and bustle of a retinue and the special favors one gets as a son of a king. The wharf was bigger than Elias thought and the smell of rotting fish pervasive, something he never thought would be associated to such a country as Ilryan.
Elias was overwhelmed here he was on the edge of adventure, everything he’s ever dreamed of as a child. So entranced was he of the buildings, of the diverse set of people he failed to notice anything else until he an unfortunate collision.
“Oh! I’m sorry!” Elias stammered, a young woman of exotic dark coloring and long hair glared at him.
“Watch where you’re going!” She said, “Now look what you did!”
Elias did and was flabbergasted to see scrolls and books spilled around them, wet. “I’m terribly sorry!”
“I’m sure you are.” Her voice was chocolate smooth, and the sarcasm flowed but the twist of her lips erased the sting from her words. Elias opened his mouth to reply only to be thwarted by a troupe of soldiers apologizing, lecturing and forbidding.
“I’m sorry, it’s just… the lady’s things…” He said in obvious helplessness.
“The lady?” Said David and began hollering orders, the soldiers scrambled and began to pick-up the fallen items.
“You’re very noisy, aren’t you?” The girl said retrieving her papers and walking stick.
“No—“
“My Lord, what has happened?” It was Lord William of Brosi.
“We were just helping this lady—“ Elias turned to introduce the girl and found himself staring at a bewildered soldier. “Who has vanished.”
William of Brosi looked over his shoulder, shrugged and said. “Come, my lord, the King is expecting you.”
Elias turned about and stammered an answer there was no other choice, Elias sighed nothing was going according to his plan but of course hours later he shouldn’t be surprised to find himself tied to a tree.
word count: 530 words
Almost two weeks passed when the call sounded, Elias was in his cabin asleep, when he heard the gong sound, loud and strong. Elias climbed the steps and blinked at the activity before him reminding him of the day Sante Rela set sail for Ilryan.
“Land!” A voice bellowed, the call was repeated several times on the deck, the snap of sails and roped and feet on wood was never more vivid than on this day. The morning sun was just on the horizon but the fog has not yet cleared.
Elias saw it then, his first view of a port outside of Dera, it was a landscape of green, brown, and surf and ships and beyond Elias fancied he saw structures of stone and tops of towers. He felt giddy and anxious and happy.
A thought occurred and snuffed his general feeling of well being. “David, does the king of Ilryan know I’m arriving?”
“Of course. A courier was sent before your departure, the king knows of your arrival. It’s only proper.” David said leaning on the rail beside him.
“Since when were you concerned with proper?” Elias scowled.
“Since we’re in a foreign land and I’m not leaning on any royal favor.”
That was the last conversation they had, what came next was the hustle and bustle of a retinue and the special favors one gets as a son of a king. The wharf was bigger than Elias thought and the smell of rotting fish pervasive, something he never thought would be associated to such a country as Ilryan.
Elias was overwhelmed here he was on the edge of adventure, everything he’s ever dreamed of as a child. So entranced was he of the buildings, of the diverse set of people he failed to notice anything else until he an unfortunate collision.
“Oh! I’m sorry!” Elias stammered, a young woman of exotic dark coloring and long hair glared at him.
“Watch where you’re going!” She said, “Now look what you did!”
Elias did and was flabbergasted to see scrolls and books spilled around them, wet. “I’m terribly sorry!”
“I’m sure you are.” Her voice was chocolate smooth, and the sarcasm flowed but the twist of her lips erased the sting from her words. Elias opened his mouth to reply only to be thwarted by a troupe of soldiers apologizing, lecturing and forbidding.
“I’m sorry, it’s just… the lady’s things…” He said in obvious helplessness.
“The lady?” Said David and began hollering orders, the soldiers scrambled and began to pick-up the fallen items.
“You’re very noisy, aren’t you?” The girl said retrieving her papers and walking stick.
“No—“
“My Lord, what has happened?” It was Lord William of Brosi.
“We were just helping this lady—“ Elias turned to introduce the girl and found himself staring at a bewildered soldier. “Who has vanished.”
William of Brosi looked over his shoulder, shrugged and said. “Come, my lord, the King is expecting you.”
Elias turned about and stammered an answer there was no other choice, Elias sighed nothing was going according to his plan but of course hours later he shouldn’t be surprised to find himself tied to a tree.
word count: 530 words
