Book 2: Chapter 15: The Gauntlet

Book 2: Chapter 15: The Gauntlet

Surety forces the mind down into ever narrower channels. Learn to challenge and question everything you have learned.

- A Quassian Aphorism.

The human mind can grow used to the strangest of things. What was once exotic and interesting can grow dull and mundane. Ignoring the outlandish sights - the alien culture and alien creatures through my little window to the world, and having seen enough of the city for a lifetime, I shut both the shutters.

Suddenly, our wagon stopped, which woke up my large companion who sprung into a wary half crouch. We moved near the entrance of the wagon and put our boots on, being careful not to dirty any of the thick carpets. My heart beat rose as I gripped my weapon tightly. I guessed that we had made it to the city gates. Had the guards discovered that it was I who had murdered one of their number?

Part of me welcomed the thought of being discovered - the part of me that looked forward to another release of savagery. Urging myself to be calm, I placed my helm on my head and, picking up my teardrop shield, I girded myself for a possible battle. However, the violence did not come to pass. I strained my ears and heard a terse exchange before the wagons began slowly moving again. Laes and company must be, of course, well-known to the guards of the city, I concluded to myself.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I removed my helm and settled down.

“It was a poor thing that Elwin did. Very sudden,” I said, seeing an opportunity to cover for my poor handling of the Elwin situation, now that our new charge was asleep. In truth, however, I had probably just wanted to gripe about something.

“Warmlanders are an ungrateful and dishonorable lot. How they survive the first touch of winter in each other's company, I know not. I would trust them with nothing. Only promises of gold and silver have weight with them. Honor and bond-debt has little meaning to the lands that have known no test. Elwin Tucker’s path is not the way of honor for men. Though you said for him to go in peace, I wish for him to know none,” commented the wildman. Elwin’s departure must have shaken him a little, as he was positively loquacious.

It was a naive way of thinking, that his own culture was pure and full of honor. Having thought about his tale, I could only conclude that he had been a victim of his own elder’s vicious manipulations. Oh, Kidu, dishonor, manipulation, and betrayal could take many forms. First Durhit had betrayed me somewhere in the mines, and now Elwin had abandoned me. Abandonment and betrayal, these were my lot.

“What do you think of our new bundle?” I asked, pointing to the resting girl and steering the conversation down a new path. Talk of Elwin had done nothing but raise the levels of my anxiety.

“First time I have met eyes with one of the First, in a friendly setting, of course. Brings me memories of my sister Aruru. They had a similar way with the weaving of words. She too, was a Windspeaker. Not strong in the Way...”

“The Way?” I interrupted, thirsty for any knowledge of the arcane.

“You warm landers would call it magic, or witchery. To us it is simply the Way,” he answered succinctly, in his curt manner, before continuing, “But skilled, little Aru could read the path of air and tell us of storms long before their passing. She had the weight of great honor, and many of the Tribe, with the guidance of her gift, have seen many winter’s ends and new springs,” he finished proudly, a spark of something other than the anger that forever haunted him.

We were headed to new climes, and a bud of optimism grew, despite the poor soil of our situation. Whatever dangers I would face, I would face with Kidu’s spear by my side.

A dark moment came when I remembered Elwin leaving us and I swiftly forced myself towards a more positive line of thought.

“Tell me more of life in the North...” I asked, a childish curiosity from a different time entering my voice.

*

"I don't see any rocks around here..." she stated flatly.

"I'm sure we can find something suitable. Let's take a stroll around the camp and see what we can find," I suggested cheerfully, then turned to Kidu, "Kidu, would you mind guarding our wagon? I'll accompany the little one to scout out the camp!"

"Take care, Gilgamesh of Uruk. Don't trust too readily. Rest assured, though, my spear will remain here, unsleeping. But it is best you not take too long," he responded, a rare smile gracing his face as he looked at the half-elf.

I walked off with the girl amidst the bustling activity, taking care to match my pace with hers. Occasionally, I'd nod in apology when either Larynda or I inadvertently obstructed a worker. In our search, we roamed around the camp over the course of about half an hour.

Near one of the wagons, bathed in a circle of blue light, a group of children, free from their chores, blended play with martial training. Two boys, likely between the ages of ten and twelve, were laughing as they swung wooden staves at each other, exhibiting minimal skill but much enthusiasm. Their sporadic shouts of pain and laughter punctuated the scene. We both watched their duel, waiting to see who would ultimately triumph.

However, after a minute or two, my patience wore thin. They possessed something I wanted, and so I decided to intervene in their practice.

"Hello there," I began, gracing them with a small smile and focused my attention on the larger boy, his hair cropped short and his skin rendered a spectral blue by the crystal’s light.

The pair of boys scrutinized us warily, and noticing my warlike appearance, they instinctively took a step back. Perfect, I thought to myself. A good starting point, rooted in strength.

"Bravo! That was an impressive duel,” I exclaimed, giving them my most winning smile.

“Who are you sir...” one of them began before I cut him off, his voice quavering with incredulity.

“I'll get straight to the point - I'd like to purchase those staves from you," I said, adopting my friendliest tone.

"Sorry, sir, but we need these for our practice," replied the smaller boy, a slight, inconspicuous figure of little significance.

"Name your price, and I'll pay it. And you would do well to remember that I am a friend of Laes," I said firmly.

The two boys began to confer among themselves.

"A bronze each would be fair. These practice staves are made of fine wood from..." began the larger boy. I thought I could see his excitement growing at the potential profit to be made at my expense.

I silenced him by raising my hand, removed one of my gloves, and counted out two bronze coins. I handed a coin to each of the boys, who in turn handed me their practice weapons, their faces etched with disbelief. While I was essentially paying for sticks, I found that I didn't mind too much if I could get this interaction over and done with swiftly. Talking to a few minor characters was testing the limits of my patience for this little side quest. Also, much to my chagrin and despite my focused effort, this exchange did nothing to improve my Charisma.

“Come Larynda, we had best return to our wagon,” I suggested to the girl, hiding my annoyance at the rigamarole of doing side activities to build up some favor with a new character.

She perked up a little at the mention of her name before her shoulders settled down. I could not help but notice her look back at the boys, who were now chasing each other around the wagon, a flash of envy in her eyes as we made our way back to Kidu.