Sapphire of the Fairies, Book 1 of Sword of Heavens Page 3

  “I know,” Arik grimaced, “but I was looking at her face when it happened. She was more surprised than we were. Someone used magic on her like she was using on us. She may even think it was one of us. One thing I know for certain. I am not going to be anywhere where she can get a hold of us again. That woman would kill us as soon as talk to us again.”

  “But you gave her our real names,” Tedi objected. “Even if we can stay safely hidden, what about our fathers? She’ll have no trouble finding out where the Clava and Markel homes are.”

  Arik pondered for a while as his breathing simmered down and his heart started beating regularly again. He reached into his pouch and extracted some coins and pressed them into Tedi’s hand. “Get to your father as quickly as you can. Tell him that the innkeeper at one of the inns owes you a favor and he can drink for free all day if he hurries. Pick any inn but the Fisherman’s Inn. Give the coins to the innkeeper. It should be enough to cover his drink and a room for the night. I’m sure your father will need the room before he’s done.”

  “You know I don’t like him drinking,” spat Tedi.

  “I know, Tedi, but you won’t like him any better dead. Let him drink today. Tomorrow we can come up with a better plan. That woman will be soaked and she’ll have to return to the Fisherman’s Inn to get changed, so we don’t have much time. When you get done, meet me back here.”

  “Okay,” Tedi agreed, “but what about your father?”

  “I’m going to send a message out to him by one of the old fishermen who repair nets now. I’ll have my father bring his boat in down here away from the docks.”

  “What if he ignores the message?” asked Tedi.

  “He won’t,” stated Arik. “After my mother was taken, I was pretty upset and frightened about the bandits coming back. I refused to acknowledge that she was really gone and my father had some harsh words for me about lying. Then I was afraid they would come back for my father or me and that my father wouldn’t believe me if I told him I was in trouble. He promised me that if I ever swore on my mother’s life that I was in trouble, he would believe me without question. If anything can be said of Konic Clava, it is that he is a man of his word.”

  The boys split up to see to their fathers and returned an hour later. Tedi was frowning when he arrived. “The green witch is on the prowl again,” Tedi scowled. “I heard her asking Master Tern about our fathers and mothers and where they lived. He asked her if she had a problem with either of us and when she didn’t answer he told her to get out and let him get his work done. That put her in a right nasty mood as if she wasn’t in one already. Incidentally, she’s wearing a blue dress now. Then she started going down the street towards the quay and stopped in each building. I didn’t see any smiles crossing her face, so I guess nobody was willing to talk to a stranger.”

  “Sooner or later somebody will answer her,” Arik sighed. “Who is she and what does she want with us?”

  “I don’t know, but I suspect that she won’t leave town until we answer her questions,” mused Tedi.

  Arik sat drawing pictures in the dirt with a stick and finally jumped to his feet. “I’ve got it!” he exclaimed. “Let me sneak back into town and tell everybody that we’ve decided to go seek our fortune up north somewhere and left town. Whatever she wants, she’ll have to head north to find us.”

  “That sounds good,” admitted Tedi, “but why north?”

  “The bandits you saw in the forest,” beamed Arik. “With any luck at all, they’ll take her captive before she gets to the next town.”

  “I like it,” Tedi readily agreed. “I’ll tell everybody down by the quay. You get yourself up to the Fisherman’s Inn and tell Master Tern. He likes you for some reason and the witch has to end up back there sometime.”

  Arik dashed up alleys and slid between buildings until he was behind the Fisherman’s Inn. It was approaching late afternoon and fairly soon the dinner hour would be upon him, making Master Tern unavailable without entering the common room. He still hadn’t figured out a way to get Master Tern to believe his story. Arik quickly slipped in the back door to the kitchen and caught Master Tern entering from the door to the common room. The kitchen help didn’t even blink as Master Tern strode across the room and swept Arik out the back door.

  “What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into?” demanded the innkeeper. “You should know by now that the Markel boy is nothing but trouble.”

  “I don’t know, Master Tern,” Arik quickly offered. “We didn’t do anything, but that witch means us harm. I can feel it.”

  “This has to do with this morning and her window, doesn’t it?” Esta scolded.

  “I don’t think so, Master Tern,” confided Arik. “Tedi was up on the roof this morning, but she seems more interested in me and it doesn’t have anything to do with her window. She’s been stalking us all day and finally trapped us on one of the docks. She threatened us and demanded to know about our ages and our families and where we lived.”

  “I figured that Tedi would be the one on the roof this morning,” growled Master Tern. “She probably knows it was a young boy but not what he looks like and she is picking on you because you look older. It is a very serious thing to be pushing women into the sea, young man, and I expect to be talking to your father about this matter.”

  “We didn’t push her,” pleaded Arik. “We couldn’t push her. We couldn’t even run away, Master Tern. She had us frozen from the neck down with magic. Somebody else tossed her into the water and they had to have used magic, too, because there was nobody else in sight.”

  “Arik,” sighed the innkeeper, “I am very disappointed in you. Ever since I watched you and Tedi for weeks while your fathers went hunting for your mothers, I’ve had the feeling that you were a very good lad and I’ve grown to like you, but I will not accept such rubbish from your mouth. Now, you will march inside and sit in the common room until the woman comes back and we will get to the bottom of what you have done to her. I’ll send someone down to the docks to wait for your father.”

  Esta grabbed Arik by the shoulders and started pushing him into the inn.

  “No, Master Tern,” Arik almost shouted. “By my mother’s life, I swear that I’m telling the truth. The woman is a witch and she means me harm. I really don’t know why, but I know it well enough to have sent a note to my father to meet me in the woods and for him not to go home.”

  Master Tern stopped abruptly. “I was present when your father made you that promise, Arik, and I will act as I know your father would. I will tell you, though, I don’t put much store in stories of magic and you would be the first to admit that your story seems rather unbelievable.”

  “I do understand, Master Tern,” Arik sighed with relief. “I wouldn’t believe it myself except that I felt it. I couldn’t move anything but my head and she stood toe-to-toe with me and demanded to know all about me, and her breath reeked of onions. I was looking right into her eyes when she was tossed into the sea and she was very surprised. As soon as she hit the water, it was as if someone untied me. Tedi and I took off running.”

  “Well, there is no doubt about her breath,” chuckled Esta. “That woman eats more onions than are good for a person. I’ll let you go meet with your father, but I want to know what is going on.”

  “Master Tern,” Arik began, “the reason that I came to you is to lead her away from us before she can do any harm. We know that she has been asking everyone in town where we live and she seems determined to get her questions answered. Tedi and I plan to spread the word that we left town to the north to seek adventure. We hope that she will try to follow us and leave Lorgo.”

  “You’re still a bit this side of a man to be adventuring off,” scolded the innkeeper.

  “We don’t plan on really leaving, Master Tern,” Arik added quickly. “We’ve had enough adventure already. We just want to get rid of the witch before she captures us or our fathers in that spell again.”

  “That cuts pretty close to a lie,�
�� admonished Esta.

  “It is a lie,” admitted Arik. “I also lied to her about my age. I told her I was fourteen. I don’t know why, but I get the feeling of just wanting to be rid of her. Master Tern, I really don’t know what to do about her. I know she means me harm and I’ve never done anything to her. I’m hoping that my father can help me when he arrives.”

  “I’m not sure why, Arik,” responded Master Tern, “but I believe you think what you’re saying is true. I won’t lie for you, though. The woman started questioning me and I refused to answer her. I will do that again. You run along and meet with your father and tell him that I want to know what is really going on.”

  “Certainly, Master Tern,” replied Arik. “You could honestly tell her that I said we were leaving town. If she is not really after me, she won’t follow. I will go to my father and he will let you know what is going on.”

  Arik hurried down the alleys and between buildings to return to the woods at the edge of town just as the sky was getting darker. It could hardly be called a sunset by a boy who had never seen the sun, but it was the time of day that the fisherman planned to be back in port. Hopefully, he would make it to the woods without running into the witch.

  Chapter 3

  Merchant

  Konic Clava was a large, square-shouldered man with heavily muscled arms and hard calluses from many years of plying his trade as a fisherman. His short brown hair and square jaw gave his face the hardened look of a frontier soldier. His well-proportioned frame gave the impression of someone who could handle himself in a brawl without working up a sweat. Yet, for all of his hard looks, Konic’s eyes spoke of a kind gentleness beneath his imposing figure. His gray tunic was accented at the waist by a broad leather belt with loops and notches designed to hold various implements of a fisherman. The only tool currently hanging from the belt was a long, sharp knife. When Konic spoke, his voice was low and gravely, yet his soft, sure tone was soothing and comforting.

  “You lads did right well under the circumstances,” Konic was saying to Arik and Tedi, “although I would prefer a solution that didn’t involve forcing drink on Master Markel. Still, your solution did keep him safely away from the witch.”

  “Then you believe us, Dad?” smiled Arik.

  Konic eased himself to the ground and leaned his back against a large tree. “Of course I believe you, son. If either one of you ever lied to me, you’d have to spend nights on your belly for a month. Arik, I told you once that if you ever used that oath I would believe you without question. I meant it and I know you did, too. Most of the villagers would probably believe that you were lying because nobody believes in magic anymore. Most of them have not been outside the town in their entire lives. When Alan and I were searching for your mothers, we saw and heard things that we would not have believed possible before. I believe you saw a witch and I don’t think she would risk exposing herself because somebody looked in her window.”

  Tedi winced at the implied insinuation in Master Clava’s remarks. “Master Clava, I was not trying to . . . “

  Konic waved the boy to silence. “Tedi, whatever the reason for your little journey up on the roof, it was not the reason the witch was questioning you. Arik, I want you boys to move down to the little clearing just south of here, the one we used to picnic in with your mother. Start a campfire but keep alert for bandits. I’m going into town to get Master Markel and we’ll meet you there.”

  “Master Clava,” Tedi interrupted, “are you sure it’s a good idea bringing my father out here? I mean with his drinking and all, he might . . .”

  “Tedi,” Konic began softly, “your father is a good man. Never forget that. He has had a problem coping with the loss of your mother and he is not the first man to try to drown his grief. I think his time for mourning is over now. I probably should have forced it to end sooner but, in a way, I could almost join him in a bottle. You know the man as your father and that is a pretty narrow scope of perception. I’ve known your father for over thirty years and there isn’t a finer person I’ve ever known. If there is going to be trouble, he is the one man I would call on to guard my back. You boys get going and we’ll meet you there soon.”

  “Be careful, Dad,” Arik called after the retreating figure.

  The boys moved to the clearing and gathered wood for a fire. “Do you believe those things your father said about my dad?” asked Tedi.

  Arik turned and looked at Tedi. “If my father says it, then it’s true,” Arik replied. “I don’t know what he can do for your father that hasn’t already been tried, but if anybody can help, he will.”

  Tedi nodded solemnly. “I guess what he said about my view being too narrow is probably true. I guess I’ve been more trouble than help to him. I just thought he didn’t care about me. You know, the times he beat me, I deserved to be beaten. I just don’t think he knew his own strength.”

  “Well, maybe everything will turn out for the better,” hoped Arik.

  “Yikes!” exclaimed Tedi. “I forgot about the merchant. We were supposed to eat with him tonight and find out the secrets of the outside world. If we don’t show, he’ll start looking for us and he may run into the witch.”

  “Forget him,” responded Arik. “The secrets of the Collapse can wait a while longer. We’ll talk to the next merchant to come to town.”

  “You don’t understand,” argued Tedi. “I told him our real ages and where we lived. If he goes looking and runs into the witch, she’ll know everything. I’ll run up and tell him that we have to leave town in a hurry and he’ll point the witch northward.”

  Before Arik could protest, Tedi leaped over a small bush and disappeared into the forest. Tedi ran as fast as his legs would carry him. The sense of urgency in arriving at the merchant’s wagon before the witch was the only thought on his mind. When he arrived at the wagon, neither the merchant nor his niece was visible. Tedi ran around to the rear of the wagon and leaned in to peer into the darkness. Roughly, two hands seized his neck from behind and hurled him to the ground.

  “We don’t give our goods away, ruffian,” snarled a voice.

  Tedi rolled over onto his back and gazed up to see the old merchant standing over him. “Master Khatama,” he groaned, “ I was not trying take any goods. I was just coming to talk with you and thought you might be in the wagon.”

  The young girl came towards the wagon and lowered a torch so that Tedi’s face was illuminated. “It’s one of the young bucks that was coming for dinner,” she announced.

  “So it is,” growled the merchant while extending a hand to the boy. “Sorry about the toss, lad, but I don’t take kindly to townspeople rummaging through my wagon.”

  Tedi was amazed at how firm the old man’s hands had felt. When he reached up to rub his neck, he realized that his necklace was missing. He started looking around frantically when the merchant moved to him.

  “No need to be looking for your gold, lad,” he whispered. “I’ve got it here. Must have got stuck on my ring. I’m afraid the clasp is broken, though, but I can fix that right up. You wait here and I’ll be right back.”

  Before Tedi could respond, the merchant had climbed into the wagon and was lighting a candle. Tedi watched him gently lay the necklace on a table and smooth out the two unconnected ends.

  “There’s some dinner left,” offered Tanya, “if you truly came to eat.”

  Tedi turned towards the girl. “Actually, Arik and I got ourselves in a bit of a fix and I was coming to tell you that we weren’t going to make it.”

  “Why am I not surprised,” she quipped. “You two looked like trouble since I first laid eyes on you this morning.”

  “We are not trouble,” Tedi retorted angrily. His tone softened as he delivered the message he had come to say. “We do have to leave town, though. Arik and I are going north at first light to seek our fortunes.”

  “You may find a different fate than fortune if you plan on traveling alone,” the merchant said from behind Tedi. Tedi twirled and the old m
an was standing there grinning and holding out the repaired necklace. “The clasp is fine now, lad. As good as it was new. I see that you had broken the clasp once before and it hadn’t been properly mended. No matter, though, no one could tell it was ever broken now. It is a beautiful piece. Where did you get it?”

  Tedi reached out and took the necklace. Refastening it around his neck he answered the merchant. “I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you mean. It was my mother’s and the only thing I have to remind me of her.”

  The merchant gently patted Tedi’s shoulder. “Is that true, son? I don’t mean the part about you stealing it. I mean about the only thing she left you. It seems to me from our earlier conversation, that she left you something she loved a whole lot more than that necklace. It also seems that both you and your father have forgotten that. Taking care of his pain is your job now and yours, his. Talk to him before you run away, lad.”

  Tedi gazed at the merchant’s glistening eyes and nodded. “I will, Master Khatama, I will.” Tedi turned and ran back to the clearing getting there just moments before his father and Master Clava arrived. His father was walking unsteadily and mostly supported by Arik’s father. Master Clava also had a long duffel bag slung over his shoulder by a strap. The bag was stuffed solid and he rolled it off his shoulder and onto the ground.

  “Tedi,” Master Clava ordered, “there is a pot and some coffee in there. Get some water from the stream and make a pot of it. Arik, forage through those provisions and round up something to eat for the four of us.”

  Arik’s father eased Master Markel to a sitting position with his back against a tree. Konic sat next to him and talked quietly. Arik could not quite hear what was being said, but Tedi’s father stiffened and his eyes opened wide and he started nodding his head. The only word Arik thought he heard was Empress and it made no sense to him. Tedi finished with the coffee and took two cups over to the men. Konic sat his on the ground and held the other to Alan’s lips.