ã€ŠThe Exile&#x27;s Returnã€‹


 Prologue: The Canu Chronicles

    ¡°I am Canu Aybury, son of Anselm Aybury. My life began when I was 12 years old. I do not remember a second before that. My earliest memory is awakening to dreadful sores all along my body from the slave chains that chafe my wrists and ankles. I spent a couple years like this, and although I look back on those years with dread and child-like fear¡ªit was those years that I learned how to survive. Under the slavery of a Terragar desert lord I met my best friend¡ªwho is with me to this day¡ª Emonu.

    We escaped on a chilly, winter night when the guards were frozen to their stations with their hoods drawn down so far over their faces that they did not see me grab their keys from their belt, nor could they hear the clanging of the keys over the loud wailing of the wind. I freed Emonu too, and from there we began our lives as free men in Terragar.

    What you should know about Terragar (and all regions south of the land bridge) is that there is no order. There are no laws. There are no morals. Nor are there formal marriages or organized kingdoms, or even a class system. We are all bandits. We are all thieves. Everybody whores. Killing is more commonplace than prayer. The soil is infertile. Food is stolen off traders and merchants. This is the land I found myself in¡ªand I always deep within me that I was not meant to be like everyone else. I sought to be different, for I was one who knew what it means to be a slave and to suffer at the bidding of a fat lord with wealth unimaginable.

    And thus, I started my own tribe. My own band of warriors. Emonu remained my friend, but he was not interested in adventures and killing and thievery, so he did not join. But I would free others from their bondage, and then as repayment I offered them a place with my tribe. We became a brotherhood, and soon I had a group of men that would go anywhere with me. I established rules and order and a way of doing things. We stuck together¡ªfor the land of Terragar was full of wicked men, and our neighbors in Bargetar were much worse and they would come to our lands often to prey on our women and to steal from wealthy men.

    I avenged these bad men. I had a warrior¡¯s build and a strong hatred for these bad men, and so I used this anger to fuel my work. I would steal and plunder these wicked men, and then give up what I did not need to those who were suffering. I developed a reputation, and soon people weaker than I would come to me with tasks and pleas to exact vengeance for them. And that is how I satisfied my thirst for blood. I still had much anger about my enslavement¡ªand much unresolved emotion at not knowing where I came from or who my family was.

    Eventually I became feared, and no one dared to mess with Canu of Rulzan¡ªfor Rulzan was the town I had settled myself in and built a property for my men to dwell within. Years passed by and eventually I was into my early 20s. It was at this time that strange things began to happen. I had never believed in magic, nor had I ever encountered odd men whose tricks were real. Odd stories and even queerer men began to emerge from farther south. Farther south entailed an odd region called Mekdah. The fact that I am even writing the name of that land sends the hairs on the back of my neck straight up. That is where the inventor of wickedness and evil things dwells¡ªchained into the Abyss by a legend who came long before us.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    We ignored the coming and goings of these odd men of magic, but when they were referenced, we called them sorcerers, for what else could they be? Eventually, through time, they became commonplace, and they were trickier to deal with than the average powerful man. They had begun to use a more corrupt form of something we called Chamra, which is found in nature and is good for many things like medicine and nutrients. But this altered form we called Ansik, which was a bad type of Chamra.

    The influence of this dark sorcery touched the south and we became fiercer. I would not let it touch my town of Rulzan, and I refused to mesh with that foul thing called Ansik. Even the more wicked of men in the busiest towns of Bargetar didn¡¯t dare get involved, for it caused nasty side-effects and gruesome decay to its users. But dark things lurked in these lands continually, and I soon became a slayer of these dark things.

    I soon begin my new journey and my next chapter. A man of high standing approached me, dressed in rags with less fingers than I, and claiming to be my father. Whether I believed him is not known by anyone by myself, but he did send a clear message that I did believe. I must go north to discover myself. The unknown epiphany of my past has eaten at me enough, that I must go and find out who my family is and what is on the other side of the Cyrian Sea. There are tales of course, but not many have ever ventured that side of the land bridge and made a return. There are castles, and knights, and magic, and powerful rulers, and giants.

    I believe my time here has prepared me for this journey, and my loyal tribesman desire greatly to inherit land and soil that can yield crop. For no land here in the south is a man¡¯s own, but it is said that in the north a man can own a large plot of land and be lord over the land and its people. I might even have the rights to one of these lands, and I intend to find out.

    But first, I must acquire this woman who is a special breed of woman. She is a Floweress, which are renowned for their use of Chamra and their healing abilities. She was taken from her home in the north, so we share that same mission. Something tells me that she will be a key to my journey, as she has already saved the life of myself and my dear friend, Emonu. So off I shall go, with not a clue what is in store for me.

    All that I do know is that there are things bigger than myself waiting ahead, and it shall be by the grace of Ulda¡¯s first man, Kavinar, that I am safely delivered to the place which I do not remember, and it is called home.

 Chapter 1: The Tavern

    The square, thatch-roofed tavern sat at the outskirts of town along the path. Sounds of the tavern drifted through its chimney and out into the open air. It was bitterly cold. Terragar would have such nights¡ªwhenever the sun descended below the horizon it would inevitably drop twenty degrees. The sun would arrive in the morning, eager to pour out its rays onto the orange sands of the infertile Terragar wasteland.

    The air was thick inside the dirt-floored tavern. Candlelight and torches kept the room alight. Serving ladies tended to the needs of talkative men, a flurry of activity which left little room to maneuver around the floor. A serving lady dodged the flailing arms of a thick, dark-haired man. She sloshed ale across a table which soaked into the oakwood table. The men at the table took no notice, tossing small charms across the table as though they were dice and reacting noisily to every toss.

    Canu sat closest the bartender, huddled over a large tankard of dark ale. His arms were swaddled in the thick arms of his overcoat. The insides of the sleeves were made of animal fur. A man sat beside him leaned in toward Canu, eager for Canu to hear his every word over the loud chatter. Canu sat carelessly, unbothered whether he could hear his friend. Instead, his eyes continually flickered towards a woman at the back of the tavern who had not paid him so much as a glance the entire night. Canu pulled his black, leather jerkin tight about his shoulders, shrugging off his friend who was growing more frustrated by the moment.

    ¡°How could you not be interested in this, Canu? You ask me constantly about this man and now that I have a report on him the only thing you worry about is who will get into your pants after this tavern closes.¡±

    Canu sighed heavily, bringing the tankard to his mouth. He sloshed and missed his mouth when his friend tugged at his arm again. Canu put the tankard back on the table and shook his head. His black hair seemed lighter than usual due to the angle of the tavern¡¯s lighting on his head.

    ¡°You¡¯re repeating yourself, Emonu,¡± said Canu. ¡°How many times must you tell me that his name is Maziq which means magic in their tongue which is ironic given the circumstances. I¡¯ve heard of this Maziq far too often, you give me old news.¡±

    Emonu shifted in his wooden stool. He lurched in front of Canu to get his attention, both arms leaning over the counter in front of Canu¡¯s tankard. The bartender gave an irritated glance as he filled up another cup of ale for a new patron. Emonu was a stocky man. His legs did not come close to reaching the ground from where he was seated. Canu¡¯s toes comfortably poked the ground from inside his black boots.

    ¡°Old news?¡± replied Emonu, astounded. ¡°That¡¯s not the point, Canu. Maziq is not a person, he is one of the gods of the pagans.¡±

    ¡°Supposedly,¡± replied Canu, maintaining his gaze straight ahead at the slaughtered animals which hung upon the wall overhead the bartender.

    ¡°No, we know this.¡± Emonu got closer now, his face blocking the route of Canu¡¯s drink to his mouth.

    ¡°Would you move over?¡± said Canu, irritated more so than before.

    ¡°You¡¯re not understanding¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªno, you¡¯re not understanding. Any man can claim to be Maziq. These men have no more ability than an ordinary man such as me. It¡¯s foolishness.¡± Canu waved the bartender over for more ale. His head swiveled back towards the woman again. She had blonde hair down to her shoulders and a finely jeweled fur coat. She had a man on either side who seemed disinterested in the woman besides the occasional arm upon her back as they conversated with the guests seated across from them.

    ¡°Stop looking at them,¡± accused Emonu. ¡°She¡¯s not worth your time. Canu, you must listen. This ale is distracting you.¡± Emonu snatched the tankard of ale from Canu¡¯s hands. ¡°Maziq is not some far-fetched tale anymore. Whoever he is, men have been committing abominable acts in his name throughout Bargetar. It is only a matter of time before he makes it here¡ªto Terragar.¡±

    The music of three musicians filled the tavern. The music changed from a melancholy droning tune into a more passionate anthem. Patrons began to take note and listen intently. One large bear of a man tossed a few coins into a hat at the sound of their song.

    ¡°Men don¡¯t come to Terragar from Bargetar. Everything they need is there¡ªin Bargetar. This is not of my concern,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°It will be your concern when Hyltir or one of the wealthy townsfolk comes to you with a hefty coin for the capture of one of these men,¡± replied Emonu. His furry eyebrows had gone straight up at Canu¡¯s lack of interest. He was leaning into Canu¡¯s personal space again and Canu pushed him away.

    ¡°Hyltir hasn¡¯t contacted me in months. He¡¯s moved on,¡± said Canu. His head started to turn again and Emonu yanked it toward him so that Canu finally had to look Emonu in the eyes for the first time that night.

    ¡°What is your problem, Canu? People will come asking for you. Your men will expect to fight for you. To plunder for you. To thieve for you. This man called Maziq¡ªhe is not like the other men we have heard of. The stories of this man go back to the beginnings of time itself.¡± Emonu¡¯s eyes had grown so wide that Canu allowed a chuckle.

    ¡°I love tall tales. This tavern is where fables come from. At the end of the day, Maziq is just another man like you and I that has a talent for using words. Men are fools,¡± said Canu. His dark eyes locked with Emonu, before returning to his ale which, to his dismay, was already half gone.

    ¡°Do you wish to hear what Maziq¡¯s men have done?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d love to,¡± said Canu, gently tapping his boots to the tune of the music.

    Emonu pretended not to be distracted by Canu¡¯s lack of interest. ¡°They made the City of Sins look like a city for saints. They ransacked the town of Masgurd and hung the heads of each household on a spear outside their home. They flayed¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªThey flayed the women and placed the children on skiffs in chains so that they will drift out to sea¡ªlikely swallowed by the mighty current of the Arrabin Sea and never to be heard of again. The only problem with that fable is that Bargetar is nowhere near the sea.¡±

    A man had interjected and placed himself on a stool beside Emonu. He had long waves of curly blonde hair and a toothy grin that revealed rotted teeth and a missing chunk of cartilage from his snarling nose. He introduced himself, holding out a hand to Emonu, ¡°Murith of Heurad.¡±

    ¡°We know who you are,¡± replied Canu. ¡°Not open for business at the moment.¡±

    ¡°You speak of Maziq¡¯s men. I could hear you two speaking over the music from over there.¡± Murith nodded his head vaguely which could have included the entire left side of the tavern.

    ¡°That was my friend here. It was not meant as an invitation,¡± said Canu, coldly.

    Murith disregarded Emonu, directing his stare at Canu. ¡°I have an offer for you, Canu, great slayer of traitors and thieves.¡±

    ¡°Did you not hear me?¡± asked Canu. A few heads began turning. ¡°Men know not to approach me with an ale in my hand. I don¡¯t do business here.¡±

    ¡°This cannot wait, my friend,¡± said Murith. His teeth were slimed over with green ooze. Emonu felt his own tongue wander over his teeth, disgusted. Murith¡¯s mint green coat had silver buttons that gleamed in the candlelight of the tavern. The quality of his coat gave away his thievery. It was rare a man of Terragar owned possessions that weren¡¯t stolen from another. Thievery ran rampant in these parts, being on the outskirts of the wealthy city of Heurad.

    Canu allowed him to continue. His jaw was set, and his fists clenched tightly under the counter. Murith did not seem bothered by Canu¡¯s apprehension. A vein ran through the side of Canu¡¯s yellow skin from his clenched jaw.

    ¡°It is Ahod¡¯s men,¡± said Murith. The whole tavern went quiet at the mention of Ahod. Despite speaking in a lowered voice, even the men playing instruments had stopped. The three men put down their instruments and moved toward the door. A couple of patrons walked out. Others pretended to continue in hushed discussion. The woman with shoulder-length blonde hair looked at Canu for the first time that evening.

    ¡°What of them?¡± asked Canu. His eyes were black as pitch. Murith delighted in Canu¡¯s intrigue.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to like this,¡± teased Murith.

    ¡°Oh, shut up with that,¡± said Canu in a whiny voice. He downed a gulp of ale and slammed the tankard down on the counter. Even Emonu appeared unsettled now at the mention of Ahod. ¡°Tell me and be done with it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple, Canu,¡± replied Murith.

    ¡°Why? Ahod is not a simple man, obviously. What did he do? Steal your horses? Piss in your stable?¡± Canu was sputtering drunkenly.

    Murith¡¯s lips formed a shushing shape, holding his hand out to quiet Canu. ¡°Shhh, Canu, please.¡±

    ¡°What? What did Ahod do?¡± demanded Canu, bellowing loudly now.

    Emonu tugged at Canu¡¯s arm. Canu obliged, lowering his voice for fear of the tavern overhearing their entire conversation. The bartender was nowhere to be seen. A few more had since left. A couple unknowing locals wandered inside the tavern¡ªfreezing just inside the door. They eyed the tavern wearily, sensing the tension in the air. Canu watched them take a seat nearby where the blonde woman with hair to her shoulders sat. Canu¡¯s eyes met her own and then shifted casually across the room.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ¡°You must understand, Canu...you are the justice of the people here, in this town. Am I wrong?¡± asked Murith.

    Canu motioned for Murith to continue, choosing not to use words.

    ¡°You repay thievery with thievery. Killing with killing.¡±

    ¡°Get on with it, Murith,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°And you work for Hyltir Hasamon¡ªthe One-Eye,¡± said Murith, eyeing Canu very intently now.

    ¡°Yes, I do¡­¡±

    ¡°Well¡­you work for Ahod now,¡± said Murith, standing from his stool. Canu turned to face Murith, nearly falling from his stool.

    ¡°What do you mean? I swore a blood oath to Hyltir. I can¡¯t work for Ahod.¡±

    ¡°Hyltir is dead,¡± said Murith, calmly at first. ¡°The pirate is dead. Hyltir¡­is dead!¡± shouted Murith for all the tavern to hear.

    Emonu was incredulous. He looked around for someone to share in his disbelief. Canu shook his head.

    ¡°It is not possible. How did you hear of this?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°I did not hear it, I saw it with my own eyes,¡± said Murith.

    The bartender came back from behind the bar with the innkeeper, whose face gave away that his slumber had been interrupted. The innkeeper was quickly approaching the three men now. Canu and Murith paused their conversation, seeing the innkeeper come towards them. To their surprise, he scuffled past them and made his way to the front of the tavern to where the four men sat around the blonde-haired woman. The innkeeper pulled up a chair and whispered to the blonde-haired woman and the man beside her who had his arm around her.

    There were patrons seated between Canu and the innkeeper, making it hard for him to spot the interaction but they were certainly talking about him. The blonde woman nodded her head continually, staring at Canu as the innkeeper spoke to her. Suddenly, the four men hurried the woman up out of her chair. Dressing her in an oversized dark green cloak, they escorted her out of the tavern. Her green eyes followed Canu the whole way out. Canu stood from his chair.

    ¡°What are you doing? You don¡¯t know her, and this clearly reeks of trouble, Canu.¡± Emonu had his arm wrapped around Canu. Murith pulled his other arm down to stop him from leaving. Canu ripped his arm away from Murith.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me, foreigner. You¡¯re not from Heurad,¡± said Canu. His attention was still diverted to the creaky tavern door which had slammed shut behind the blonde woman.

    ¡°What? Don¡¯t you see my necklace? It is only sold in Heurad¡ª¡± Murith was cut off but a hand to the throat. Canu¡¯s arm swept an ale glass of the counter. It shattered noisily onto the floor.

    ¡°¡ªyou¡¯re not from Heurad. What do you want from me? Ahod sent you to mess with me, didn¡¯t he?¡±

    Murith croacked from the pressure of Canu¡¯s grip on his neck.

    ¡°Speak,¡± demanded Canu.

    Murith tapped Canu¡¯s arm, desperate for him to remove his grip. Emonu grabbed Canu¡¯s arm, loosening Canu¡¯s grip on Murith¡¯s neck. Canu knew that Hyltir was not dead. He also knew that Ahod had a reputation for gaining favors by screwing others. Canu released his grip on Murith¡¯s throat, throwing him to the ground. Murith gasped for air, slowly finding his feet.

    The innkeeper had tried to sneak by the scene going unnoticed. He slid by and made his way into the commons that were hidden down a couple stairs and behind a curtain. Canu reeled out of his stool and made a break for the curtain. He grabbed the innkeeper by the shoulder and yanked him back. The innkeeper was breathing nervously and had sweat trickling down his forehead.

    ¡°Who are you? And I don¡¯t mean names,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°What do you want? I¡¯m just the innkeeper,¡± he replied. Canu tightened his grip on the innkeeper¡¯s collar.

    ¡°You were talking about me. You shepherded those customers out the door. You told them, didn¡¯t you?¡± enquired Canu. ¡°Didn¡¯t you!¡± Canu was shouting now, spittle flying out of his mouth.

    ¡°Tell them what?¡± asked the innkeeper ignorantly. His false ignorance showed through, angering Canu even further.

    ¡°That I¡¯m looking for a woman. A woman in her early thirties. A woman with shoulder length, blonde hair in the company of men who work for Ahod. A woman who has been stolen from her father and held for ransom. That¡¯s who,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± replied the innkeeper.

    ¡°I wish you hadn¡¯t said that¡± said Canu. He landed a harsh hooked punch to the innkeeper¡¯s jaw. Canu reached into the innkeeper¡¯s leather vest and grabbed a small dirk. ¡°Is this really all you have?¡± Canu asked to an unconscious innkeeper. Canu left the body at the bottom of the stairs on the other side of the curtain. Canu heard loud crashes and yelling coming from the other side of the curtain. Canu pulled the leave of the innkeeper¡¯s left arm up to find the marking of Ahod¡¯s men on his wrist. Canu gave a humph of frustration.

    Canu returned to the tavern floor to find the scene had drastically changed. Tables were overturned and splintered planks of wood left the ground a torn battlefield. Dirk in hand, he scanned the room. Five men, all armed with daggers, were scattered throughout the tavern. All patrons had left, leaving the room all but deserted except for the two men he had been drinking with.

    Murith was armed with a dagger and was digging through a satchel that had been left behind which contained coin and jewels. Emonu¡¯s body lay unconscious across a table. His clothes had been stripped from him and a gag within his mouth. Murith wandered over to the body of Emonu at the sight of his companion, Canu. Emonu coughed a sickly cough. He spluttered out a black liquid that turned to foam as it oozed out of him.

    Canu grimaced, clenching his teeth. ¡°You gave him poison. Coward.¡±

    ¡°Are you upset, Canu? I know he was your friend. He¡¯s not dead yet. We can give him a bigger dose if you think that¡¯d be more painless.¡± Murith gave a toothy grin of rotted teeth. Canu despised Murith smiley face. His features appeared shrinken in the middle of his big head. His hair was stringy and greasy. His men continued beating in walls and flipping tables, ransacking the tavern.

    Canu felt the grip of his dirk in his hand. His sleeve concealed the blade. ¡°Emonu did nothing to you. Why would you poison my friend? Only a fool would provoke me,¡± said Canu. He began edging his way around the outside of the tavern. He knocked a candle to the ground with his free hand. The flames licked hungrily at the floor where spilled liquor had made a fine catalyst for the starving flames. ¡°I¡¯m getting the girl. I know who she is.¡±

    ¡°I think she¡¯s in good hands for now. Ahod would prefer that you leave her be. That¡¯s why he sent us. He knew you¡¯d be here tonight, Canu.¡± Murith¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of the flame which was steadily growing bigger.

    ¡°Leave Emonu, and I will spare you and your men this night,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Oh, so we¡¯re bartering now. I told you already, you work for Ahod now. And since that¡¯s true, you work for me. This is a different conversation than earlier, Canu.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll work for Ahod if you spare Emonu,¡± Canu said. His pupils were the same color as his eyes, making them black, piercing circles. He slowly approached Murith. His men began to enclose on Canu, hoods raised over their heads to conceal their identities.

    ¡°And what if I don¡¯t spare your friend here? He¡¯s already dying out. He¡¯ll need a sorcerer to rid him of the poison in his blood,¡± said Murith.

    ¡°I know a sorcerer,¡± replied Canu. ¡°Move away from Emonu.¡±

    ¡°Just one thing, Canu,¡± Murith feinted another question, before driving his dagger through Emonu¡¯s chest.

    The dirk flew from Canu¡¯s sleeved hand at a blinding speed. The dirk spun through the air making a crisp whizzing noise. The tip of the blade embed itself in Murith¡¯s forehead. The man nearest to Canu trembled. He took a step back, tripping over a table he had torn apart himself. The flames caught onto a curtain that hung from the walls of the tavern. Canu shoved one of the hooded men from his stance. He clattered into one of the other hooded men. Canu snatched the dagger from Murith¡¯s dead grip and slammed the blade into the clumsy man¡¯s wrist just as he caught himself. The dagger pinned his wrist against the dulled wood of the table. He shrieked a cry of agony.

    Canu landed harsh blows to the fifth man who approached him. His strikes feinted at his head but struck the man in his ribs, cracking the ribs so that it was audible. Noiseless pain sent the man reeling to the ground. Canu withdrew rope, tying three men together at the ankles after landed hard blows to their gut with his boot. Tying them to the tables, the flames began to quickly approach. The tavern was cackling with fire, hot as a furnace. Sweat rolled down Canu¡¯s face busily. He threw Emonu¡¯s body over his shoulder, sprinting to the door before the flames could block his path¡ªbarely in the nick of time.

    His boot busted down the door. He untethered a horse, slinging Emonu¡¯s body across the back. He saddled in and slammed on the reins. They neighed anxiously, desperate to be away from the fire that blazed behind them. The remote inn along the path became a ball of flame and eventually a distant blur behind them as Canu took them east along the yellow dirt path. Canu led his horse along the path until it branched off into a thickly wooded forest. The horse hurdled over fallen logs and branches until twigs and branches had hashed at Canu¡¯s body enough to tatter his clothes.

    The horse whinnied as Canu slowed it, guiding it into a clearing just beyond the forest. The night stars lit the up the midnight air. Four stars shone brightly in a diamond overhead. Canu lowered his hood and dismounted from his mare. Emonu¡¯s body was limp, and his eyes glazed over. He was dead.

    Up ahead, a remote hut sat within the nook of a large outcropping of boulders. The hut was easy to miss, disguised by the surrounding rock formation. Light was showing through the gaps in the hut¡¯s door and walls. Smoke emanated through the gaps in the roof, drifting up into the night sky¡ªthe only sign besides the light that suggested someone lived inside.

    Canu knocked on the door with his fist. Blood trickled down his arm from branches that snapped at him as he rode through the forest. A man answered the door. His face was gaunt and thin. He had a bald head, hairless all over his face except for his eyebrows. He had large bags under his eyes and a baggy cloak which was a few sizes too large for him. He saw Emonu and waved Canu inside. Canu ducked his head to enter. He laid Emonu¡¯s body down on a table.

    ¡°Mota, can you heal him?¡± asked Canu. His voice sounded brave, but his face betrayed him. Mota got to work studying Emonu¡¯s body. He yanked the blade from Emonu¡¯s chest. Laying a finger on the inside of Emonu¡¯s cheek, he withdrew his finger and examined the ink-like poison.

    ¡°It will be difficult. This poison requires the work of a Floweress. This is beyond my expertise,¡± sighed Mota, dismayed. Canu searched the room. There was countless shelves of poisons, ointments, potions, and herbs. The hut was only one room, small enough to be a bedroom. A small layout of blankets and linen sheets were laid out in a corner as a bed.

    ¡°There is nothing here for him, Mota? You must have something.¡±

    ¡°I can use Floqseed in the meantime, which will keep him alive. But to survive longer than a fortnight, he will need the hands of Floweress which can heal better than anything I have here.¡±

    Canu pressed a finger to his lips, thinking. His mind flickered back to the tavern. The blonde-haired woman.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t destroy another brothel, did you?¡± asked a concerned Mota. His weathered eyes looked to Canu with great dismay.

    ¡°Not a brothel. An inn. A tavern, really.¡± Canu dropped a hand to his side. He stared at his dying friend. He was dead. Mota dipped his hand in a jar and spread Floqseed over Emonu¡¯s body.

    ¡°What trouble did you find at the tavern? This man used a dark recipe of poison. I have not seen this poison in this region for a very long time, Canu,¡± said Mota.

    ¡°A man who claims Hyltir Hasamon is dead. He claimed to work for Ahod. He wanted me to pledge my services to Ahod, thinking I¡¯d believe that Hyltir is dead,¡± said Canu. He seated himself on the ground against a wall. A cauldron of fire kept the room warm and alight. ¡°I killed him.¡±

    ¡°There have been whispers of Hyltir¡¯s death. I hear that he is rather mourning and in hiding over the disappearance of someone he holds dear to him.

    ¡°That was all? What did he want with you?¡± asked Mota.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. There was a woman in there that I was tracking. She was captured by bad men, and I think they may have been Ahod¡¯s men as well. They snuck out before I could get to them.¡±

    ¡°Blonde hair? And what of the eyes?¡± asked Mota.

    ¡°You know whom I speak of?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°Yes, that really is quite ironic, actually,¡± said Mota.

    ¡°Why ironic? Who is she?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s the missing Floweress. Hytlir Hasamon¡¯s Floweress.¡± Mota had stopped rubbing Floqseed on Emonu. His chest slowly began to rise and fall. Mota closed Emonu¡¯s eyelids.

    ¡°His what? His Floweress?¡± said Canu, incredulously.

    ¡°Do you still work for Hyltir?¡± asked Mota. Canu was already gathering his things and making for the door.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I hadn¡¯t heard from him for weeks. I still have my men. We leave in the morning to find this Floweress. She can heal Emonu and then I will take her to Hyltir.¡±

    Mota seemed to have known this would happen. He gave a smug smile, nodding his head knowingly. ¡°Bring her to me when you find her. But be warned, she can be used for powerful things. Ahod¡¯s men will not give her up easy. Once they take her to Ahod¡¯s lair, it will not be easy to extract her.¡±

    Canu gave a curt nod, and then left without another word. He must heal Emonu. He¡¯d seen too many men close to him die. His horse trotted across the landscape until sunrise. Canu would not sleep this night. He arrived at the two-story home of his company of men. The door was slammed open. Crisp, winter air was shoved through the door by the night wind. Men jarred from their sleep.

    Canu¡¯s dark eyes scanned the room. A few men didn¡¯t stir from their positions. Those who did wake stared confusedly at Canu. His breathing was heavy and loud enough to startle someone across the room.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Canu?¡± asked a bleary-eyed man who was closest to Canu. Another emerged from upstairs with an unkept black beard and ambitious eyes.

    ¡°Wake up!¡± shouted Canu. ¡°I said everybody up!¡±

    Everyone was awake now. Four men followed slowly behind the man with the beard and ambitious eyes.

    ¡°Emonu is dying,¡± said Canu.

    Men stared, still half-asleep. The man with the beard ran a hand through his jet-black hair.

    ¡°Emonu is dying. Gather your things, we¡¯re going to save him.¡±

 Chapter 2: The Lair of Ahod

    A rock outcropping served as a natural perimeter for Ahod¡¯s lair, where Canu¡¯s men had been given instruction by a tavern boy as to where to find it. Canu had paid good coin, since the boy had been reluctant to give him the information. His anger had been kindled when he learned that Canu was responsible for the tavern fire the night previously. The boy¡¯s uncle had been the innkeeper that night. Canu thought back to that night. He had tied Ahod¡¯s men to the tables before lighting the tavern with torch and letting it burn down. The innkeeper himself had been branded by Ahod. Canu had seen it on his wrist.

    Now they waited. Ahod had the girl¡ªthe Floweress. He had been on a personal hunt for the Floweress for months. Yesterday at the tavern was the first time Canu had seen her in person. He hadn¡¯t even told Emonu of her, leading to his confusion when Canu could not take his eyes off her. Canu had wondered himself why he sought her so greatly. He did not have an immediate need of magical herbs or plants. He did not seek to court the Floweress¡ªwomen had only proved to be a distraction from his work. Besides, his line of work would take a special kind of woman to remain by his side¡ªand he had found that woman before and yet it always ended horribly. Canu shifted his thoughts, looking behind him to find his clan of thirteen men huddled behind him from his lookout spot. Ahod¡¯s guards stood watch casually outside the crudely built fortress. It was two stories tall, made of timber and thatch. There was a wall of sharpened stakes enforcing a border around the perimeter, but it could easily be jumped. It was night and Canu¡¯s men were no stranger to stealth.

    The clans of Terragar had formed after a bloody era of war had left the nation a mess of family feuds, murders, betrayals, and spilled blood. Countless plains of orange sands turned to red from the blood spilled, but now nearly a century had passed and there was still no formalized leadership in place. Powerful lords owned plots of land, but their rule was over their localized region, and they had no formal power.

    The mission at hand was one that Canu would treat with greater care than others. Ahod was no ordinary lord, but one of the odd sorcerers that had been becoming increasingly common in these southern regions. Their ways were dark and mysterious, and Canu had finally grown sick of throwing caution to the wind. He would claim the Floweress back at all costs. If he could get a hold of Ahod while he was at it, he certainly would. There was information that Ahod could give him that would be of value. Perhaps he could tell of his ties to the Chained One. The inventor of the dark magic called Ansik who was growing his network by the days through sorcerous servants like Ahod.

    Canu¡¯s men were huddled together behind an array of gray boulders which sat in a clump in one of the rare areas that grass was growing. The arid, desert-like climate of Terragar rarely allowed for vegetation. Their trade with neighboring southerners was their means for obtaining quantities of food. Canu spoke in hushed tones with Sigeric, the man who had jet black hair and a black bush for a beard. A light wind fluttered their gray cloaks out from behind them. The night air was chilling, but there were some traces of warmth that were carried by the wind. Winter was near, but there were still a few weeks of cool weather before the sandstorms would ravage the desert plains.

    ¡°You¡¯re lack of discipline may cost us one day,¡± said Sigeric. He watched Ahod¡¯s guards from his spot alongside Canu. The guards would soon become tired and wearisome, they hoped.

    ¡°Lack of discipline? I¡¯d say it¡¯s quite the opposite, friend,¡± replied Canu. He ran a hand through his long brown hair, pushing rough strands out of his face.

    ¡°We keep getting involved in these situations because of your ambition. This has no benefit to any of these men, and you know it, Canu.¡± Sigeric¡¯s tone showed his irritation. Canu was breaking the unspoken agreement. Don¡¯t involve the entire clan in a personal matter. Their endeavors were meant to be done within the scope of the benefit to the entire clan.

    ¡°It is for Emonu,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°He is your friend, not ours,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°Are you not curious about this Floweress, Sigeric? She was Hyltir¡¯s for years and no one could even lay an eye upon on her. Hyltir owned her, some have said.¡±

    Sigeric nodded his head before pursing his lips. ¡°Hyltir is still missing, is he?¡±

    ¡°He is. Some have said he went towards Mekdah, towards damnation,¡± said Canu. Sigeric shivered, not wanting to imagine the horrors of Mekdah. He thought of the great mountain range that divided these lands from Mekdah. No man journeyed to Mekdah in their right mind. There were great horrors there.

    ¡°Hyltir lost his mind then, surely,¡± said Sigeric, ¡°And no wonder he couldn¡¯t even force his Floweress to accompany him.¡±

    ¡°Well now Ahod has her,¡± said Canu. His eyes followed a new guard who stumbled out of Ahod¡¯s fortress, likely drunk. He muttered some words to the two guards that were already outside. Their words were inaudible but the drunken man¡¯s laughter filled the night air.

    Canu glanced back at his men. Bored faces. Indifferent expressions. They didn¡¯t ask too many questions before. They knew this was Canu¡¯s mission and not their own. They had little interest in the Floweress, knowing that if she was obtained that Canu would not let any man have a second¡¯s time with her. Canu was returning his gaze to Ahod¡¯s lair when a light came on upstairs. There was a candle burning through the window.

    ¡°Aye! Caroman!¡± Canu lifted a whispered hush towards the row of men who lay against the boulders in front of them. Caroman¡¯s silhouette worked his way up towards Canu. He was squatted down, careful not to be spotted by Ahod¡¯s guards.

    ¡°Find out how many men are in there and where Ahod is hiding. See If you can get a look at the Floweress, too.¡± Canu gave Caroman a pat on the back as he shuffled back towards the pack of men. He clambered atop the rocks and disappeared into the night. Caroman was near-impossible to hear when he didn¡¯t want to be seen. Canu had already lost sight of him as he disappeared over the outcropping of chipped rock and boulder towards the back of Ahod¡¯s fortress. The small fortress had its back to a rugged hillside, preventing anyone from approaching from that side unless they worked their way down the steep hillside. That was exactly what Caroman setting out to do.

    ¡°This Floweress was a northerner, then?¡± asked Sigeric, changing topics. Seeing Canu¡¯s look he continued, ¡°A northerner¡ªfrom the other side of the land bridge. Is the Floweress from the northern kingdoms across the sea?¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes, I believe she is. I spoke to a man who claims that she abandoned her master in the north and journeyed here in search of freedom. Floweress¡¯s in those northern lands are used manipulated heavily because of their abilities, apparently,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Magic is a funny thing. I don¡¯t suppose it exists anymore. Only in stories,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°Depends how you define magic,¡± said Canu, defensively. ¡°Magic is a funny term. Ansik is the dark sorcerous stuff that these odd men such as Ahod seem to be getting into.¡±

    Sigeric gave him a stiff-armed shove, knocking Canu into plain sight of the guards.

    ¡°What was that?¡± demanded Canu. His face grew firm.

    ¡°That was magic,¡± chuckled Sigeric. ¡°You see what I did? I used magic to shove the immovable Canu of Rulzan. Only a strength spurred by magic can move the immovable Canu.¡±

    ¡°You make a mockery of things you don¡¯t understand,¡± replied Canu. ¡°This Floweress may know things that can change our fortunes.¡±

    ¡°Change our fortunes? We don¡¯t need more fortunes. We¡¯re rich. Soon we¡¯ll be throwing away extra gold because it is too heavy. We don¡¯t even touch our silver.¡±

    ¡°So give it away,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°Give it away? We¡¯re not about charity. We worked for that coin, I don¡¯t care if its bronze or silver,¡± said Sigeric.

    A shout escaped from inside Ahod¡¯s camp. Sigeric and Canu stiffened at the sound. Several shouts were raised. Was Caroman caught? Surely not, he was never seen. Unless¡­

    Ramblings of laughter replaced all worries. ¡°They¡¯re drunk,¡± said Sigeric. ¡°Their defenses are down, let¡¯s go¡ªnow! Come on Canu, we mustn¡¯t always be so cautious.¡± Sigeric withdrew his shortsword. The silver of his blade glinted in the moon light. Another of Canu¡¯s men unsheathed his blade, grinning toothily. Canu motioned for him to sheath his weapon.

    ¡°We are not going in there on a whim. Caroman will be back soon,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°We don¡¯t need Caroman to give us a number and a detailed sighting of the Floweress. She¡¯s in there Canu, I guarantee it. What else would all the guards and defenses be for? Ahod doesn¡¯t have plunder enough to sit back like this,¡± said Sigeric. He stared at Canu, waiting for a response. Canu was looking at Ahod¡¯s lair with a focused look.

    ¡°They¡¯re drunk, Canu. Come on,¡± Sigeric began to rise from his place.

    ¡°No,¡± said Canu sternly. Sigeric did not listen.

    ¡°Come on, boys,¡± said Sigeric. He did not whisper, but his voice somehow did not carry to the guards who were less than a hundred feet away.

    Canu gripped Sigeric¡¯s wrist, hard. Sigeric reeled away, gritting his teeth. His sword was still unsheathed, and he pointed its tip at Canu¡¯s chest. Disputes were common among these men, but now was a poor time to start one.

    ¡°We go. Now.¡± Sigeric¡¯s eyes had a dangerous glint to them. Silent as a cat, Caroman returned from along the rocks. He slithered down over the boulders and landed with impressive silence. His boots were leather and made no noise when he walked.

    ¡°Twenty men. Armed but drunk. Ahod is upstairs where that light is. From what I could see, he has the Floweress chained to his bed post and guards inside the room and outside. I cannot be sure it was the Floweress but she was blonde with hair to her shoulders¡ªmatching your description, Canu.¡±

    ¡°Very well,¡± said Canu. He took a deep breath through his nose, giving a final stare at Ahod¡¯s lair.

    ¡°We go, right now Canu. It¡¯s now or I¡¯m turning back,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°There will be plunder, Sigeric. The Floweress is not the only thing we¡¯re after.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± replied a frustrated Sigeric. He was a strong man, whose sword skills were unmatched. He had an aggressive style, much different to Canu.

    ¡°Sigeric, take your men through the front. You¡¯ll take ten men. I¡¯ll take Caroman and Blivth, we climb and enter in through the upstairs. I want to catch them from both sides. You¡¯ll work to secure the downstairs and we¡¯ll take Ahod upstairs. I want to ask Ahod some questions before we kill him.¡±

    ¡°Are we leaving anyone alive?¡± asked the young man called Blivth.

    ¡°Just Ahod. I don¡¯t care about the rest. These are bad men.¡± Canu gave a final nod to Sigeric, who signaled for the nine men to follow him towards the front gate. ¡°Sigeric!¡± shouted Canu in a loud whisper.

    Sigeric paused, ¡°what?¡±

    ¡°Smart,¡± said Canu. Sigeric nodded, before leading his men slyly away from their hidden vantage point atop the rocks.

    Canu knew of Ahod¡¯s mysterious aura as of late. Whispers in the nearby towns and taverns had been of Ahod¡¯s men growing in continually strange behavior. Ahod had been an insignificant plunderer, often being punished by his victim before anyone else could get to him. Yet now the number of men who served him had grown and no one ever saw Ahod¡ªonly his men could be seen in the town¡¯s streets.

    Canu led Caroman and Blivth to the right, whereas Sigeric led the larger group of men to the left to where the front of Ahod¡¯s fortress sat guarded by shrewdly planted stakes and a couple of lazy guards. Canu signaled for Caroman to lead the way. He was the expert in secrecy, and Canu had learned much from Caroman. He was also insightful, his obversations went beyond anything than Canu had ever noticed. It was the type of man that any clan leader would be envious of.

    The outline of the three men prancing underneath the moonlight was hardly noticeable against the looming rock that surrounded the stone fortress. It was one big building that sat in the mouth of the rocky mountainside. The inside of the lair went far back into the mountain like a cave. A chiseled lion roaring with its fangs was carved into posts on either side of the door frame. Canu wondered how long that had been there. Ahod did not seem the type to employ artisans for that sort of work.

    There were multiple things that enticed Canu to siege Ahod¡¯s fortress. The first was that he wanted the Floweress. He knew their price to be worth a fortune, and only wealthy lords and powerful men had ever acquired one. But now his need was desperate. Emonu was nearly dead, if not already. He knew of a Floweress¡¯s healing capabilities, which had made them a commodity for men who lived high risk lives. Living in Terragar was a risk itself. Being one of the warring clans of Terragar meant the possibility of death or injury on any given day. Canu wanted a Floweress for himself, and now was the perfect time.

    Caroman led the three men to where he had snuck off to already. He led them atop the roof of the stone building where the walls blended into rock and the building began to go underneath the mountainside and into the cave. They crouched behind a boulder, peering out atop the boulder. Two guards sat in conversation on the rocky part of the roof. They had swords in scabbards and their shields were sitting ten feet away, collecting dust. Their helmets sat on the roof as well. Their voices were muffled just enough by a slight wind that Canu, Caroman, and Blivth could not hear them. Caroman nodded his head towards the guards and lifted three fingers. Canu knit his eyebrows. He only saw two. Caroman gestured for him to look again, and then Canu saw it.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    A third guard sat alone at the far end of the roof. He sharpened the edge of his dagger on flint. His helmet sat loosely on his head, with thick armor wrapped tightly over his broad shoulders. He was a bulky man, but somehow appeared for foolish for being fully dressed in armor as if prepared for a battle. The guards must have gone night after night without so much as a sighting of wolves. Canu chuckled to himself¡ªAhod must have stuck the imbeciles on the roof. Or, perhaps, all his men are imbeciles.

    Canu wondered if Sigeric had approached the front yet. He had not heard any noise and he figured he would. Sigeric was not one for sneaky attacks and cute manueveurs. He would drive in with his sword raised and his face a mix of horror and rage. His scream could pierce an ear until it no longer worked. Canu had faced this bravado of Sigeric many times in private. Slamming wooden swords at each other until they could no longer raise their arms. Canu did not suspect Sigeric needed as many men with him as he had. He may have only needed himself unless the guards had archers. However, if the men on the roof were not armed with bow and arrow, Canu suspected none of them were. Bow and arrow was a northern invention, and the south made a point to stick to blades.

    Canu felt his heart rate increase to a pulsating rhythm. He was sweating. His large bear fur that hung over his shoulders suddenly felt burdensome and hot. He had been tracking this Floweress called Eshna for weeks. The night in the tavern had been the night that he thought he¡¯d finally gotten her. He could not believe his luck. After weeks of tracking Ahod and his men, he had not seen a glance of her. He had heard word from plenty of men about the places that they saw Eshna Fashud¡ªthe coveted Floweress. And here he finally was, just outside Ahod¡¯s fortress. The location of Ahod¡¯s fortress itself had not been an easy task. Caroman had gathered intel from one of his connections and sniffed their way to the location. Caroman seemed to know his way around any area as if it was his homeland. He was an asset to the clan, and Canu had always sought to protect him at all costs. He was no warrior, and so Canu kept him from the skirmishes as often as possible.

    Caroman gave Canu the nod to advance. Canu looked to Blivth, whose face was pale with nerves and his knuckles white from the grip on his short sword. That was all he ever used. He was a short, skinny boy¡ªno older than twenty. He had a jumpy way of fighting, using jabs and pokes rather than strokes. Canu liked him. He chuckled to himself at the sight of Blivth. His jitters would serve him well.

    They attacked. There was no yelling nor screaming. And then Sigeric attacked. They must have coincidentally timed their attacks to perfection. Canu swiped a harsh blow to fumbling guard, who had no time to snag his blade before Canu¡¯s sword tip sliced his throat wide open to reveal a rich gushing of crimson blood down his chest. The man who had been chatting with the slain guard was frozen in fear. He turned to run down the thatched roof and off the edge of the building, but he paused, seeing Sigeric and his men cutting down guards in the front. They had burst throat the stakes in the ground with ease and now their noise was drawing attention. More men were bursting out of the building now like ants out of an ant hill.

    Good, thought Canu. Let them focus their attention to Sigeric.

    The guard who pondered a great leap from the roof found himself yanked by the foot. Blivth had snatched the guards¡¯ feet out from under him and dragged him back so that no men could see him. They did not want it known that they were approaching from the roof. Blivth jammed his short sword into the guard¡¯s hamstring. Caroman was quick to cover a hand over his mouth and stuff cloth into it so that his screams were not heard down below or from inside. Canu glided across the rocky part of the roof towards the bulky guard who stood up in his battle-ready armor. He cocked back his sword to land a blow on Canu but he was far too slow. Canu wanted to laugh. He withdrew his dagger from his hip and sliced so quickly at the guard¡¯s armpit that his hand dropped the sword that he was about to swing. The gash was deep, and it had found a gap in the armor. Canu kicked the heel of his boot at the bulky man¡¯s face, bashing his helmet into face. The guard fell on his back. Canu knocked him cold with the butt of his dagger. Canu considered swiftly ending his life, but a part of him felt guilty. He made sure the guard was knocked cold and added another blow to the head with his boot just to be sure. Th guard would be groggy in the morning, but as least he would live.

    Caroman gave a quiet whistle for the men to follow. There was a secret opening that Caroman had found earlier when he had wandered this way. Canu and Blivth scurried after Caroman. At the top of the of the roof where the chiseled rock that made up half of the roof met the mountain side, there was a piece of loose rock that could be wedged. Caroman looked to Canu, knowing his size and strength would be the best way to go about moving it. Canu gave a grunt as he lifted the rock. The rock was rolled away, and a narrow, chimney-like hole seemed to lead into Ahod¡¯s lair. Peering down the hole, it seemed pitch black. Canu knew that meant there would be no light down there when they lowered into the building. Or at least he hoped. Canu gave one last listen to the sounds of swords dancing and blades scraping. He could hear Sigeric¡¯s battle cries still. Canu wondered how many men Sigeric had slayed already.

    ¡°You go first,¡± said Canu. He was looking at Blivth, who seemed surprised.

    ¡°Why me?¡± asked Blivth. His face had regained some color finally but now it went flush again at Canu¡¯s suggestion.

    ¡°You¡¯re thin as a pencil. Just slide down, it¡¯s not hard,¡± said Canu. Blivth peered down, hesitating. Caroman nudged Blivth aside. Caroman gave one quick glance and then glided down the hole, feet first. The hole went down nearly ten feet. When Caroman landed on his feet at the bottom there was a moment of silence. Canu and Blivth stared intently, unable to see.

    ¡°Come,¡± said Caroman. Blivth heaved a sigh of relief. Canu laughed, and then shoved Blivth towards the hole.

    Blivth did not hesitate this time, sliding down with as much ease as Caroman. Canu forced his way down, but he was wider than the other two, so he had to push his way down with his cramped arms. He nearly got stuck twice¡ªbut both times he wiggled just enough to get himself down the hole a little farther until his feet found ground beneath him.

    The lair was exactly what Canu had imagined when he pictured a hermit in hiding inside of a dank lair tucked away into the side of a mountain. It smelled odd and there was rats everywhere. The floor they had landed on was deserted. Broken pieces of wood and furniture littered the floor. Rats and small rodents munched on food that had been left out. A carcass sat against a wall. Its skeleton smiled back at them as they walked by it. Blivth shivered. The eyeholes of the skeleton seemed to be watching him as he walked by.

    ¡°So¡­what now?¡± asked Canu. He couldn¡¯t find any more doors anywhere. It was abandoned. The walls were made of earth and dirt that had been packed in tightly. Tree roots and worms squirmed out of the walls. Canu watched a cluster of worms get tangled and then drop to the ground a wall beside him. He didn¡¯t flinch. Critters never bothered him. Blivth was green in the face. He gagged.

    Caroman was wiggling his sword at the walls, trying to find a hidden door. Canu sighed, wanting to tell Caroman that they had entered the wrong building. There was nothing here. Just as he finished that thought, Caroman had pried open a door that had been carved into the wall on the far side of the room. The door fell apart into a pile of dirt and sticks as soon as Caroman had finished prying it open. Light was streaming through the room now from the opening.

    Caroman signaled Canu and Blivth to come have a look. Canu shoulder Blivth out of the way, drawing his sword as he approached the opening. The opening overlooked a five-foot drop. Below them was a labyrinth of tunnels with torches that littered the walls with light. There was an unnecessary number of torches that hung on the walls, oddly. Before them were three paths which all split off in different directions.

    The sound of voices approaching from the middle tunnel brought the three intruders down on their stomachs to remain out of sight. Two of Ahod¡¯s men came trotting into sight at the juncture where the three paths met into a small clearing.

    ¡°¡­and lord Ahod just told us to return to him with the report,¡± said one man.

    The other was about to reply when he saw the giant hole in the wall up above.

    ¡°Do you see that¡ª¡± the man was interrupted by a knife the size of a finger that embedded itself into his forehead. He was screaming, yanking the knife from his head. He became dizzy, stumbling over the other man who was in a daze himself.

    Canu jumped down to the ground in front of the two men.

    ¡°Don¡¯t yell. I¡¯ll spare both of you¡­if he survives,¡± said Canu. The man¡¯s head was gushing blood and he had finally lost consciousness, lying flat on the dirt. The ceiling overhead shook tremendously causing dust and dirt to rain down on their heads. Blivth and Caroman cautiously lowered themselves from the room they had entered in and came behind Canu.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± asked the man, his dying friend lying in his arms.

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask the questions, thank you. Where¡¯s your master?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°What master? It is just us here,¡± the man replied hurriedly.

    ¡°Good one. I just killed two of your men and the rest of my clan is slaughtering Ahod¡¯s men outside as we speak. I assume that is the report you and your friend were speaking of just now as I stopped you,¡± said Canu. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°My name? Its, erm¡­¡±

    ¡°Your name, fool! Friend, I¡¯m here for Ahod, not you. I¡¯m Canu, this is Caroman and Blivth,¡± Canu gestured to the men standing behind him. ¡°Let go of your dying friend and answer me.¡±

    ¡°My name is Azmeth, sir.¡± Azmeth¡¯s lip quivered. His brows were furrowed, and his bronze skin revealed the marking of Ahod on the flat of his hand.

    ¡°Very well, Azmeth. If you lead me to Ahod, I will see to it that you are spared. I will also have the Floweress heal your friend once she is in my possession.¡±

    Azmeth¡¯s demeanor changed. He started to laugh. Slowly at first and then all at once. Canu grit his teeth.

    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Canu took another step towards Azmeth who didn¡¯t seem to notice.

    ¡°You want the blonde woman? The Floweress?¡± Azmeth managed to ask between laughing. ¡°Good luck with that, sir.¡±

    ¡°Just take me to your master, and I will spare you,¡± said Canu. Blivth bared his steel and stepped closer to Azmeth. His laughter had finally slowed.

    ¡°You really want me to take you to Ahod? He is in bad shape these days. Not a good man to barter with, I assure you, sir.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with far worse. Off we go,¡± said Canu.

    Azmeth led them down the middle passage that he had come from. It was not a long hall. Soon, they were led into a dingy room that was a crude representation of a throne room. Seated upon a throne seat with stolen plunder, gold, and coin stacked up to the ceiling behind him was Ahod. He sat with a chain that was cuffed to his arm, the other end leading to a figure that was hunched up by the corner. Blonde hair was tied in a messy braid along the back of her neck and stained, light blue robes were her attire.

    There was only one-man standing guard beside Ahod, which Canu found odd. The three men entered the room and paused behind Azmeth, who bowed before Ahod and presented the three men. Ahod stared through black, beady eyes. He had a long beard that was black and twisty and ran down to his chest. His face gaunt and narrow. Bronze skin was stretched tight over a weathered face. A white, square hat sat over his bald head. Bags sat under his black eyes.

    Canu gave a half-hearted bow. ¡°Lord Ahod, the honor is mine.¡±

    Ahod¡¯s face twisted into an angry scowl. His guard kneeled and whispered into Ahod¡¯s ear. Ahod sucked his teeth and then weakly rose from his throne seat.

    ¡°You break into my home and murder my men. And yet, you have the courtesy to bow? A mocking gesture, no doubt. Whatever you are here for it is clear you will kill innocent people for it. You must be sick,¡± said Ahod.

    ¡°Perhaps we should skip pleasantries then and get to the reason why I am here,¡± replied Canu. His jaw was clenched. Blivth noted a vein down the side of Canu¡¯s head that was only there when he was angry. Ahod had not taken long to anger him.

    ¡°I would agree with you if I didn¡¯t already know why you are here,¡± said Ahod.

    ¡°And why am I here?¡± asked Canu.

    Ahod¡¯s servant cupped a hand to Ahod¡¯s ear again and whispered. He maintained one eye on the visitors as he did so. His hair was stringy and full of oil. Canu noted his pale skin and sickly complexion. He did not strike Canu as a local. He was not from here.

    ¡°You have been pursuing my prized possession for weeks now. And since you cannot buy it with honor, you would rather kill to have it. You are like me, but I have since changed,¡± said Ahod. His words were slurred, and he seemed close to falling asleep. His eye lids seemed heavy but somehow, he kept them open.

    ¡°It is not merely the girl I want. I want you too, Ahod,¡± said Canu. He withdrew his sword from its scabbard. Blivth and Caroman followed suit.

    ¡°Put the blades away, boys,¡± said Ahod, smirking. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±

    Canu did not listen. He began to walk down the aisle. To either side were chairs, trestles and stools that had been trashed or littered with gold and jewels. Azmeth shook his head, watching Canu and his men advance on Ahod. Ahod did not arise from his throne. Eshna remained huddled in the corner, but Ahod¡¯s slimy servant moved over to a small pedestal that stood beside the throne chair. There was a glass case covering an item wrapped in cloth. Ahod¡¯s servant licked his teeth at the sight of his hands removing the glass covering. Ahod held out a hand abruptly, stopping him from removing the cloth.

    ¡°Do you know what this is, Canu?¡± asked Ahod. Canu did not know that Ahod knew his name.

    ¡°What? Him?¡± he pointed at Ahod¡¯s servant.

    ¡°That is my assistant. He brought me a great gift. A gift that your master is in search of even now. Hyltir, isn¡¯t it? Your master?¡± Ahod¡¯s voice had more life to it now. He sat up in his chair after being slouched.

    ¡°How do you know my master?¡±

    ¡°I know many things, Canu. It is because of this man, here,¡± Ahod pointed to his servant. ¡°His name is Maziq.¡±

    Canu¡¯s blood froze. He had heard bone-chilling descriptions of the sort of work Maziq was involved with.

    ¡°You are in league with a bad man, Ahod. Let us slay him now. No man who emerges from Mekdah is a friend of God. Unless you, yourself, are no friend of God.¡±

    ¡°I have no friends, Canu. Only servants or enemies. Which are you?¡± asked Ahod. His black eyes were beginning to twinkle.

    ¡°I will spare you If you give me the Floweress. I could have your head sold for a high cost, Ahod. And his, too,¡± Canu pointed the tip of his blade at the pasty white man called Maziq. Maziq glinted his narrow eyes in an overly concerned fashion. He removed the glass covering. His fingers held the cloth tauntingly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± he said.

    ¡°Give me the Floweress,¡± repeated Canu, approaching Ahod. He stood before Ahod now. Caroman and Blivth held their blades threateningly at Maziq.

    ¡°You know what people say about my name?¡± hissed Maziq. Canu glared firmly at Maziq. His blade was quivering in the air as it sat inches from Ahod¡¯s face. ¡°It sounds a lot like¡­magic.¡± Maziq flung the purple cloth off the small pedestal.

    Canu stared confused at Maziq and then at the item that sat on the pedestal. It was a snake made of stone. Canu¡¯s eyes widened in fear suddenly. He lowered his pointed sword. Ahod began laughing. Maziq¡¯s body began to melt into a pile of black liquid on the floor. His clothes evaporated around him. The black ooze began to seep up the white pedestal and wrap itself around the snake made of stone. Blivth and Caroman stepped back. The snack came to life, creeping down the pedestal and hissing at Canu. Canu pointed his sword at the snake, backing off.

    The snake slithered away, disappearing through a crack in the wall. Ahod continued to laugh. ¡°Isn¡¯t he great?¡± asked Ahod, clapping. Azmeth stood straight-faced, as if he saw nothing. Ahod laughed so hard that Canu thought the skin that strewn tightly over his skull was going to fall off. He shivered at the thought, having just seen it happen with Maziq.

    The sound of men clambering, and shouting filled the room. Suddenly, Sigeric and the rest of the men charged into the room with swords raised. Sigeric led the way. He was in one of those enraged bouts. Ahod chuckled still, leaning back in his throne seat.

    ¡°You piece of scum,¡± said Sigeric. He strolled straight up to Ahod.

    ¡°Wait, Sigeric,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°No,¡± Sigeric pushed Canu¡¯s hand away. ¡°He¡¯s a sick man. They¡¯re all sick, Canu. There¡¯s something dark here. I say we put it to the torch. All of it.¡± Sigeric flipped over a trestle with tons of gold plates all over it.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t like the looks on the faces of my servants?¡± asked Ahod.

    ¡°No, and I don¡¯t like yours either, puppet lord,¡± said Sigeric. He grasped Ahod while he sat on his throne and yanked him down to the ground. Ahod¡¯s long white robes fluttered behind him as he toppled to the ground clumsily.

    ¡°Look at him Canu, he¡¯s gone mad. Don¡¯t you see?¡±

    Canu had no words. His mind was still reeling in horror at what he had just witnessed. The way Maziq¡¯s body had simply seemed to melt away in a black goo and then crawl up the white pedestal post. He had never seen a thing like it.

    ¡°The snake¡­he was just here¡­¡± began Canu.

    ¡°Snake? Canu, Ahod is useless to us. Kill him,¡± said Sigeric. Sigeric had his sword pointed at Ahod¡¯s throat from his place on the ground. ¡°Let us kill him and take the Floweress. We don¡¯t need this worthless pile of dung following us around.¡±

    ¡°He has information, Sigeric,¡± said Canu calmly and quietly.

    ¡°Information of what? We have the Floweress,¡± Sigeric shouted.

    ¡°You are a servant, Sigeric. Canu is your master, you must listen,¡± said Ahod.

    ¡°Shut up, you live in a dirt hole with a pile of worms as your slaves,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t kill me, you are a craven, Sigeric. A craven!¡±

    ¡°I am not¡ª¡±

    ¡°A craven!¡± shouted Ahod. Spittle flew from his mouth. His eyes were crazed.

    ¡°Sigeric, don¡¯t!¡± shouted Canu. Caroman tried to stop him but couldn¡¯t.

    Sigeric thrust his blade through Ahod¡¯s stomach. The blade got caught, but Sigeric thrust it further until the hilt of his blade was touching Ahod¡¯s stomach. Sigeric¡¯s face was just before Ahod¡¯s.

    ¡°Am I still craven, lord Ahod?¡±

 Chapter 3: The Floweress

    Sigeric¡¯s footsteps shuffled into the doorway behind Canu. He sat in a chair in the middle of a dimly lit room, staring at the Floweress. She was still in chains. She was bound at the wrist and the chain was tied to a bar that jutted out from the wall. There wasn¡¯t much else in the dark room besides a dirt floor and Canu¡¯s Floweress. They were in one of the remote moves of the clan¡¯s meeting house. They did not store plunder here, knowing it would be a foolish move to keep plunder where they sleep. Men could thieve easily that way.

    ¡°Did she heal him?¡± asked Sigeric, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame.

    ¡°No,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°So did Emonu die, then?¡± asked Sigeric.

    ¡°Not yet,¡± said Canu. His voice was distant and uninterested. He leaned forward in his chair, dropping his head into his hands. The Floweress sat against the wall with her knees to her chest. Her blue robes were muddled with dirt and filth. She had not spoken a word to Canu since he had taken her from Ahod.

    ¡°Do you need me to take care of this, Canu?¡± asked Sigeric.

    ¡°Stay out of it,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°If it¡¯s her life or Emonu¡¯s, I¡¯ll take Emonu¡¯s. He¡¯s your friend. She is not.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m keeping her alive. Killing the Floweress won¡¯t help Emonu,¡± said Canu. He voice had become sterner. He did not need Sigeric getting involved. Sigeric always aired on the side of violence. It was the way he had always been. Sigeric¡¯s dark beard and short hair made his complexion seem darker than it was. Sigeric dropped into a crouching position just inside the room, leaving the door open for torchlight to flood the room. It smelled of body odor and dung inside the room¡ªleaving Sigeric to cover his nose at the poignant smell.

    ¡°How are you sitting in here?¡± asked Sigeric. ¡°It smells like horse dung and rotten fish.¡±

    ¡°You may leave, Sigeric. Your presence is not needed,¡± said Canu. He had no patience for Sigeric. He had killed Ahod¡ªsomeone Canu had planned on keeping prisoner to gain valuable information on. He would have known more about Maziq and that terribly awful snake he had turned into. The images still haunted Canu. The way that Maziq had willfully melted into a pile of black ooze and then slithered up the pedestal and morphed into that snake statue. Something about it had put Canu on edge ever since¡ªand, of course, Sigeric had not been there to see that part yet.

    ¡°Are you still thinking of that sorcerer you told me about?¡± asked Sigeric.

    ¡°I am,¡± replied Canu.

    Sigeric pursed his lips, nodding. The two sat in awkward silence for a moment.

    ¡°There had been whispers of that matter recently. It was a matter of time before we witnessed it ourselves,¡± said Sigeric. He was gazing up at the ceiling as he spoke. Canu was still turned away, staring blankly at the Floweress. ¡°Something isn¡¯t right with the realm. That sort of dark arts is only coming out of one place, and you and I both know that.¡±

    ¡°The realm is fine. It was a trick¡ªa mirage,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°That¡¯s not what Caroman and Blivth said. It seems to have taken a toll on you more than them. I would¡¯ve guessed you went brain dead with the way you¡¯ve been acting. Completely incompetent,¡± said Sigeric. A smirk was spread across his face. ¡°Perhaps, I am more fit to lead than you are at the moment.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± replied Canu, standing from his chair. He turned to face Sigeric now. ¡°I am the clan leader. The only thing that changes that is by flasduel.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough, Canu. The day is not far off that I will take you up on that. I want to end you.¡± Sigeric remained serious only for a moment, before bursting into laughter. Canu did not smile. ¡°Flasduel? And who did you flasduel to take charge of our clan?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s dead now. It¡¯s no matter,¡± said Canu.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Dead? A flasduel isn¡¯t to the death though, as I understand it,¡± said Sigeric, brows raised.

    ¡°It¡¯s not. I killed him anyways,¡± said Canu.

    Sigeric was long gone when Caroman emerged into the room that the Floweress and Canu sat in. Caroman gestured for two other men named Judd and Elric to bring forward two large dishes of food. Judd handed Canu the dish which included old bread and freshly cooked lamb. Elric shoved a plate along the ground towards the Floweress as if she were a contagious mutant. Eshna grabbed the plate and began eating ravenously. The four men watched in awe, before Eshna slowly lifted her gaze from her lamb. The men quickly busied themselves, embarrassed by their bluntness.

    Caroman kneeled beside Canu. ¡°I¡¯ve discovered much and more of the Floweress through men in the taverns and on the streets,¡± said Caroman.

    He had been missing for the three days since the siege on Ahod¡¯s fortress. He was Canu¡¯s inside man. Caroman had a way about him that invited secrecy. It was a gift. A gift that Canu could not quite grasp but nonetheless caused him to view Caroman as his most valuable man.

    ¡°What have you found?¡± asked Canu, engaged.

    ¡°I spoke to a travelling tradesman in the town. He claims to have seen Hyltir Hasamon sell her for auction for a mighty price a few months back. What Hyltir wanted to do with the coin, it is unknown¡ªalthough there is speculation.¡±

    ¡°Hyltir, our master, selling the Floweress? That was just before he disappeared¡­¡± Canu¡¯s voice trailed off.

    ¡°Precisely. Some are saying that Hyltir left everything behind in a hurry and sold the Floweress the same day. Wherever he was going, he wanted to waste no time. He has not been heard of since,¡± said Caroman.

    ¡°Do we know which direction he went?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°I cannot be sure, but one man said he claimed Hyltir went south.¡±

    ¡°South? We¡¯re already south. You cannot travel more south unless¡­¡± Canu¡¯s brows furrowed. He stared at his chopped lamb as if he¡¯d find his answers there.

    ¡°Unless he was making way for Mekdah. An abominable decision, no doubt. He is not the only one who has been lured there as of late,¡± said Caroman.

    ¡°What is there to be lured into?¡± asked Canu. ¡°Everyone knows that is a death wish¡ªa hell that is reserved for those chained in the Abyss. Have they been freed from their chains? What do the scrolls of Ena say about those times in our history?¡± Canu spoke quickly, which would overwhelm any normal man. But Caroman was sharp and witty, matching his every question and thought.

    ¡°There is lure because of the magic that has been discovered there. Sorcerers are no longer extinct. The one we saw with Ahod was only one example. There will be more like Maziq that continue to align themselves with lords and clans of power. As for those chained in the Great Abyss,¡± Caroman paused, feeling sick at the mention of the Abyss. ¡°The scrolls of Ena are not accessible to people in our land. To know the sayings of the scrolls, one must journey north to the other side of the land bridge.¡±

    ¡°I will never go to the north. Everyone is a slave but those who rule. I could never live in a land without freedom. Never,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°I must agree with you, Canu.¡± Caroman gave a bowing nod, clasping his palms together. Caroman had trained his mind in the way of the Yukiwe¡ªan ancient meditative art that was followed by nearly all Ulda in past times. Now it was only used by few¡ªCaroman was one of them. Canu did not mind his Yukiwe tendencies. If it made him a better spy than what was their to complain of? Caroman was not often a man of violence, although Canu knew well that there were very few that could ever challenge Caroman in a rare instance of combat. Caroman usually could use his intellect and wittiness to escape any situation without need of violence. A stark contrast to Sigeric.

    Caroman looked to Eshna the Floweress, whose plate was empty. She was licking her fingers viciously. Canu gave his plate to Caroman. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. Give it to her,¡± said Canu, pointing to Eshna. Judd took the plate from Caroman and slid it across the floor to her.

    ¡°Has she spoken yet?¡± asked Caroman.

    ¡°No. She will not speak. Emonu¡¯s life still hangs in the balance,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Hmmm,¡± said Caroman. ¡°I request that you give me time with her alone in this room. I may know how to get through to her.¡±

    Canu chuckled softly. ¡°Be my guest. I need to check on our men anyways. I figure half of them haven¡¯t seen me in three days. If you can¡¯t get through to her, I¡¯m done with the peaceful methods,¡± said Canu. He was tabbing his scabbard which hung at his hip. Caroman gave a curtious smile, although he did not find Canu¡¯s jokes amusing. Caroman could not remember the last time he truly laughed. Perhaps in his childhood.

    Canu waved for Judd and Elric to follow him out. Judd was still a boy of seventeen and Elric was a burly man who have migrated from the northern nation of Fol when he was Judd¡¯s age. Now he was nearly forty and the longest serving member of the clan.

    The door closed behind them and then it was just Caroman and Eshna in the room. Caroman pushed the chair away, sitting with his legs crossed in the middle of the room. Eshna slowly lowered her plate, staring confusedly at Caroman. Caroman¡¯s robes were long and wide. His hands clasped together beneath the cloth of his robes, and he closed his eyes. He sat so still that one could have mistaken him for a statue.

    Caroman sat in the same position for nearly three hours. He had not opened his eyes, nor had he budged from his position. Finally, the first words were spoken. And it was not Caroman¡¯s voice who spoke.

 Chapter 4: The Door Flung Open

    A wind swept through the outskirts of town with strong gusts. It was the type of wind that kept everyone inside, leaving the streets an empty shell of its former self. Canu¡¯s clan of men gathered inside the clan¡¯s house. It was a community living space purchased and furinsihed by Canu. Judd, Elric, and Blivth had just finished pushing tables and chairs together inside the clan¡¯s shared house. It was dark out, for it was night. A fire roared in the fireplace of the home, keeping the home stuffy. Elric worked a thick sweat underneath his wools and furs. He was a brute with little care for small inconveniences. He had lived a hard life, never achieving his life¡¯s course the easy way. Judd and Blivth had already thrown off many layers as they crammed two tables together. Blivth yanked his hand with a yelp when one of his fingers got caught between the tables. Elric gave a deep-bellied laugh. Sigeric was seated at the head of the table, awaiting the rest of the men to arrive.

    Although the house was the meeting place, most of the men in the clan had their separate homes where they stored their plunder. This home was to be always guarded by no less than eight men to guard their stash of wealth and plunder. A man called Radax was their treasurer. He appeared from around a corner and immediately took a seat at the long, rectangular table. He motioned for Judd to finish sweeping off the tabletop. He had a piece of parchment and a quill. His spectacles sat on the end of his nose. He was a man of few words and he smiled rarely. Judd hurriedly cleaned off the space for Radax, who set about scribbling on the parchment with his quill.

    ¡°Four days later and you still haven¡¯t accounted for all of the plunder we took from Ahod¡¯s fortress, eh?¡± said Sigeric.

    Radax slowly lifted his head from his parchment. His face seemed like it was in a permanent scowl, although no one had ever seen it look any different.

    ¡°Nearly there,¡± Radax replied swiftly. He returned to scribbling on his parchment. He dropped a bag of noisy coins on the table and then emptied the contents, counting them one by one. Radax was one of the few literate men of the clan. Caroman was the only other one.

    There were twelve men seated at the table once Canu finally arrived. Men greeted him warmly, receiving a cold nod in return from Canu.

    ¡°Sigeric, we will speak,¡± said Canu as he left the room. Sigeric arose from his chair with an arrogant smile over his lips.

    ¡°Only one of us will return,¡± whispered Sigeric in jest as he passed by Blivth. Blivth returned a fearful smile before turning to Judd who pretended that he had heard the interaction.

    Canu closed the door. ¡°Why am I hearing a report from Elric that you¡¯ve been telling the townsfolk of the Floweress presence in our clan? That was a secret, Sigeric! Now we¡¯ll have every rivaling tribe and clan in Terragar at our doorstep. You fool!¡± Canu exclaimed. He was angry, and his posture grew firm as he loomed over Sigeric. He was an inch taller, but his strong frame made him feel much larger than he was. Sigeric didn¡¯t back down. He smiled at Canu.

    ¡°Brother, we don¡¯t plan to take in this Floweress as your bed maid, do we? Because if not, I intend to make good coin on her sale. There are lords wealthier than your greatest dreams who will pay,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°I never gave you permission to go shouting from the rooftops that we acquired the Floweress,¡± said Canu grumpily. He turned and slammed a palm against the wall. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot, Sigeric. An idiot!¡±

    ¡°Since when did I need permission from you to talk to townsfolk? You¡¯re the clan leader, not my father,¡± said Sigeric. There was menace in his words now. Canu brought his face closer to Sigeric¡¯s, gritting his teeth.

    ¡°My point is that the Floweress wil draw trouble and unwanted attention to us. There are only four of them in this realm and we have one right here. Do you really want wicked men from Bargetar coming here?¡±

    ¡°I fear no man from Bargetar,¡± growled Sigeric.

    ¡°Mekdah, even.¡± At the mention of Mekdah, Sigeric grew distant. He pulled away from Canu¡ªa lost look in his eye. ¡°Sigeric, what are you doing?¡±

    Sigeric stared blankly at the ground.

    Canu continued, ¡°Eshna was in the company of that sorcerer, Maziq. The sort of magic he employed could only be from Mekdah. Do not act as if that notion is far off to you.¡±Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Sigeric snapped out of his daze, acting oblivious. ¡°Huh? Oh yes, great Canu of Terragar.¡± Sigeric mockingly bowed to Canu, spitting at his feet once he was leaned over.

    ¡°Your disrespect disgusts me. Perhaps it is time you find your own way soon, Sigeric.¡± Canu¡¯s words took Sigeric aback.

    ¡°Surely you are only speaking in jest,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°I speak as a friend,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°You are no friend to me,¡± spat Sigeric as he turned to exit the room. ¡°I¡¯m selling the Floweress at the next slave auction.¡± Sigeric slammed the door behind him as he walked out into the cold darkness.

    When Canu returned to the main room all chatter died down. Men noted Sigeric¡¯s absence, but no one dared ask. Judd and Blivth kept their heads down. Elric appeared nonplussed, twiddling his giant Follian thumbs. Radax finished his third stack of coins and then placed his spectacles neatly on the table in front of him. The stacks of coins were perfectly balanced and even.

    Other men scooted in their chairs as Canu took a seat at the table. It was not unusual to have clan meetings, but men were particularly interested given the recent acquisition of the Floweress. Would Canu sell her at the slave auction? Would he keep her for their own sake? Most of the men knew their innermost desire to see her sold. Even splitting the cost of her sale, they would each become even richer than they already were¡ªeven beyond imagination.

    ¡°There¡¯s been word of northern lords travelling from across the land bridge to attend the slave auction. The representatives of our neighbors Kungar are also expected if the latest talk is to be believed.¡± A man named Morcant had spoken. He had a skinny head and pointy ears. He was thinning on his head but had a strong tuft of red hair jutting from his chin.

    ¡°Thank you, Morcant. That will be all. I am not looking to sell,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°What of Sigeric, then? He was eager to sell the Floweress. We would be rich,¡± said Elric. He was innocuous and na?ve, so Canu swallowed his initial anger.

    ¡°Sigeric does not have a say in mattes. I am the clan leader. Who does not understand that?¡± Canu asked accusingly.

    No man dared speak. Judd and Blivth kept their heads down, looking only at the table. Elric pursed his lips, returning a neutral look to Canu.

    Canu got up from his seat, pacing. He often did so when he was thinking.

    ¡°Why would Hyltir leave the Floweress behind? He did not need the wealth of the sale. She was his prized possession,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Perhaps his relationship with the woman went stale,¡± said a man called Elunu. His hair was gray although he wasn¡¯t older than forty. He was missing a part of his ear.

    ¡°No, it must have been more than that. Some say he journeyed towards Mekdah after releasing the Floweress,¡± said Canu. Men shivered at the mention.

    ¡°No man goes there expecting to be the same when they return,¡± said Elunu. ¡°And what happened to all of Hyltir¡¯s men, anyways?¡±

    ¡°Look at us. We are Hyltir¡¯s men,¡± said Elric. He spoke slow and fumbled over his words.

    ¡°We were allegiant to him. But we were not his main force,¡± replied Elunu. ¡°Did you not hear of Hyltir¡¯s band of mercenaries that make a good coin off massacring thieving tribes along the tradesroad?¡±

    ¡°His forces are not of importance to us,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°It is a worthy question to look into¡ªHyltir¡¯s disappearance,¡± chimed Blivth. Men looked at him crossly. It was not expected of one so young to contribute to these meetings. Blivth went pale in the face and dropped his head.

    Canu ignored him. ¡°If it has to do with the Floweress, there is a trend. When she was with Hyltir, he went to Mekdah. When she was with Ahod, he lingered in the company of the sorcerer Maziq that was under the influence of something dark, likely from Mekdah.¡±

    Multiple men leaned forward in their seats, interested by this observation.

    ¡°I hear word of ancient powers and alliances making a return. It is all conjecture of course, but apparently an ancient magic is beginning to resurface,¡± said Morcant. ¡°And it is spreading like a plague, this ancient magic.¡± Morcant was the ears of the clan, spending all his time in taverns and inns, speaking to strangers, and eavesdropping on conversations.

    Canu nodded thoughtfully.

    ¡°I would advise caution when dwelling in her company then,¡± said Radax.

    Canu nodded. He was always appreciative of words from Radax.

    ¡°I will heed your caution, although I must say I haven¡¯t been able to get a word out of her yet. Caroman is with her now,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Have the chains of the Great Abyss set by our ancestors been released? It could be a possible explanation of the recent increase in odd dealings within our region. It may explain Hyltir¡¯s intrigue. He was always fascinated with magic. That¡¯s why he loved the Floweress so much,¡± said Elunu.

    ¡°No. The chains will never be released. Those beings are prisoner to suffering for the rest of their days. The scrolls of Ena once said so,¡± replied a defiant man named Bulig. His mustache was so bushy that his mouth could not be seen. His voice had sounded defensive. The idea of Mekdah¡¯s darkest powers traversing the realm was too haunting a picture for Bulig to entertain¡ªand many others around the table as well.

    ¡°We are speaking of things that we shan¡¯t worry about. Once the Floweress heals Emonu, then we will speak more of what is to become of her. Until then, steer clear of her when possible. We don¡¯t know of the influence she possesses,¡± said Canu.

    Just then, the door was flung wide open allowing a gust of wind to snap at the men¡¯s faces briefly. It was Caroman, the Floweress standing at his side with her hood covering most of her face. She was wearing new green robes with neat designs of gold swirling all over it.

    ¡°I will heal your friend,¡± said Eshna.

 Chapter 5: The Poison

    Canu had mounted and rode off with Eshna before any of the men had had a chance to speak a single word. Caroman rode closely behind, struggling to keep up. Mota¡¯s hut was a five-minute ride away. The rest of the clan slowly mounted and hurried to keep up. Emonu was not a clan member, but the those who were in the clan knew him well as an established townsman. He was often found at local taverns or in the streets conducting shady business despite his cheerful demeanor and kind posture. It was not Emonu that had brough the clan to Mota¡¯s hut, though. It was the intrigue of the Floweress. No man would want to miss it, if she truly had the abilities to heal Emonu of the black poison.

    It was a nasty poison, not often seen due to its high price and extremely deadliness. It was more of a poison seen in the north, but Ahod¡¯s men must have had dealings with travelers from the north. Men from the north did not want to be known when the visited. The hatred stores up for them from southerners was mighty. The north stayed on the north side of the land bridge and the southerners stayed on the south side of the land bridge. That was how things were.

    By the time the rest of the clan arrived at the hut, Eshna was already leaned over Emonu muttering in a tongue that none of the men had heard before. She closed her eyes, running a finger lightly over Emonu¡¯s throat which had blackened from the poison. She had a glove over her other hand, which pinched a small amount of Floqseed¡ªswishing it in her mouth.

    There was a silent awe within the hut. Mota watched distractedly at the Floweress, mesmorized by the presence of such a woman. A Floweress had all the ability that a mere man of Mota¡¯s ability could never conjure. Mota steadied himself with his cane, handing Eshna more Floqseed. She continued whispering mutterings that somehow sounded elegant despite having no meaning to the men who watched on.

    Eshna spit onto her fingers. The floqseed had turned from its gray seed-like appearance to a black swirling mist in her fingers. She blew on it, willing it to land on Emonu¡¯s neck where she had been rubbing. The black began to clear away from his throat. His color returned to his cheeks. His eyes slowly fluttered open and he looked as if he had never been sick. Twelve men stared back at him.

    ¡°What¡¯d I miss?¡± asked Emonu, chuckling. His eyes moved to Eshna who stood over him. His mouth formed an ¡°O¡±. His breathing increased and he furrowed his brows, confused. ¡°Are you¡­a¡­¡± his voice trailed off, seeing Canu nod his head.

    Eshna turned to Caroman now. ¡°I am free now. I did as you said.¡± She had an accent that made her sound northern. She had grown up at Herbwood where all Floweress¡¯ learn to do the things they are made to do.

    Caroman gave a nod to her, turning to Canu. Canu allowed a grin to come over his face.

    ¡°Free from Caroman¡¯s care. Not mine,¡± said Canu. ¡°You¡¯re with me now.¡±

    ¡°No. I was promised freedom. I demand it,¡± replied Eshna. She pulled her hood back revealing a very pleasant face. Her features were small and kind. Her eyes were a blue so light that they were almost white.

    Elric blocked the door of the crammed hut. ¡°No escape,¡± he said.

    ¡°We¡¯re selling her at the slave auction!¡± shouted Judd, prematurely. Blivth elbowed Judd in the ribs.

    Eshna made for the door, yanking a small knife from a shelf in Mota¡¯s hut. Canu¡¯s held stretched out like lightening. He snatched the blade, grabbing Eshna¡¯s arms and yanking them behind her back. She kicked back, striking him in the groin. Canu grunted but didn¡¯t release his grip. Elric approached Eshna and flung her over his shoulder. Canu held her arms and Bulig held her legs down. Mota administered sleep potion as she flailed and thrashed.

    ¡°I am sick of being traded like coin! Give me my life back. Give me my¡­¡± her voice trailed off as Mota injected Eshna with the sleep potion. Her body went limp almost immediately.

    ¡°She will wake in twelve hours,¡± said Mota. ¡°She¡¯d be a real asset to you, Canu. Although, she is worth more than any jewel or gem you can find in all of Terragar.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll take coin,¡± said Bulig with his bushy mustache, chuckling.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m still deciding,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°Canu, come on. We have Mota, we don¡¯t need the Floweress,¡± said Elunu. His gray hair was tussled and messy from the wind.

    ¡°Are we forgetting that she just saved my life? I think we ought to keep her,¡± said Emonu. He was still laying on the wooden table in the middle of the hut. Mota raised his eyebrows and pretended to be busy with his potions.

    ¡°You¡¯re not one of us,¡± said Elric coldly.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± agreed Bulig. The two big men loomed over Emonu menacingly. They could be obedient to Canu when needed, but they were thieves and pirates at heart. Violence was in their nature. Emonu shied away, throwing his hands up dismissively.

    ¡°Let us sell her at the slave auction and we will all be wealthy for the rest of our lives! We will never have to assassinate another thief ever again. We can move to the north where the land is fertile and the ladies are fine,¡± said a man called Richar. Men snuffed at his mention of the north.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take the coin, but I will never go north. This side of the land bridge is home for me,¡± said Elunu snobbily.

    ¡°Sell her,¡± said Elric slowly, staring down Canu with an angry look. Canu did not seem bothered.

    ¡°She is mine and I will do with her as I please. I am the one who tracked her for nearly three weeks, paying off spies to track her down,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°We have a shared wealth, Canu. It¡¯s the way of this clan to make shared decisions even if it is a private matter. Your capture of the Floweress could prove life-changing for all of us,¡± said Radax. His eyebrows were finely done so that they were extremely thin. His spectacles hung loosely on his nose.

    ¡°What do you want with her? Sex?¡± asked Elunu, bluntly.

    Canu pinned Elunu against the wall, shaking the hut and causing multiple flasks and glasses to shatter on the floor. ¡°I will do with her as I wish,¡± said Canu through bared teeth.

    When all were asleep, Canu went to be alone. He sat along a small valley, overlooking the swooping sands below him. Nothing but sweeping dunes sat before him, illuminated by a starry night sky.

    ¡°The potion only works half as well on a Floweress.¡±

    Canu jumped, baring his sword. His breathing came raggedly. How had he not heard her coming?

    ¡°What¡¯re you doing here? Who let you go?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°You can put your sword away. If I wanted to be gone, you would never see me again,¡± said Eshna.

    Canu sheathed his weapon which hung in a scabbard along his hip with a short sword and another dagger on the other side. His warm furs hung along his shoulders atop his leather.

    Canu slowly walked towards the Floweress, oddly entranced. Why had she returned?

    ¡°How did you find me?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°Your master did the same thing,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°Hyltir,¡± said Canu contemplatively. ¡°Come, sit.¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    Eshna tentatively followed Canu to where he was sitting.

    ¡°Your men want to sell me. But you want to keep me,¡± she said.

    ¡°Yes. I do,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°I will not serve you. You are not like Hyltir. You are not like others,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°You¡¯re weak. You are too kind. That is why you could never lead like Hyltir,¡± said Eshna.

    Canu grew defensive at that. ¡°You don¡¯t know me.¡±

    ¡°You can tell a lot about a man by the way that he treats a woman,¡± she replied. Eshna leaned back in the sand, resting on her elbows. Her green gown was magnificent, leaving Canu to wonder how she had gotten her hands on it. Caroman must have given it to her.

    ¡°What did Caroman say to you?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°It is between him and I,¡± said Eshna. Her blonde hair blew gently in the night breeze.

    ¡°You say I treat people too kindly. I can get a whole lot worse,¡± said Canu as he bore his dagger. He pointed the blade at Eshna¡¯s throat slowly.

    ¡°You won¡¯t do a thing with that dagger. Don¡¯t make a fool of yourself. I will lose what fear I had left of you,¡± said Eshna.

    Canu lowered the dagger, his jaw hanging in disbelief mixed with amusement. ¡°You are bold, Floweress. I bargained against all my men to keep you. You ought to be thankful,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be trapped with you. I want to go home,¡± said Eshna. ¡°Although, you are not so bad as Hyltir. Time will tell. Men change quickly.¡± Eshna blew a strand of her from her lips.

    ¡°Where is home?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°North.¡±

    ¡°North is a big area.¡±

    ¡°I know. And unless you mean to take me there, I will not tell you anything more,¡± replied a defiant Eshna.

    ¡°Why? I will not hurt you,¡± Canu replied. He paused, seeing Eshna disbelief. She was smirking. Canu had not seen her smile before¡ªeven if just a small smirk.

    ¡°I have been told that before. I have had many masters since I was taken from my home,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°When did that happen, if you don¡¯t mind me asking Floweress?¡±

    ¡°A long time ago. I was a girl. I had just gotten my assignment from the Herbwood. I was serving a lord. He was a good lord and a good man. I did not serve him more than a year before it all happened,¡± said Eshna. She was downcast at the mention. Canu did not want to pry more, but he was curious.

    Canu had not remembered anything about his childhood since washing up at the shores of the south, by the southern coast of the land bridge. His earliest memory was awaking in a strange place, surrounded by curious faces of men without teeth and mangy hair. He was a boy of twelve at the time. He considered mentioning as much, but he contained himself. He had already spoken more with the Floweress than he had ever thought.

    ¡°I wanted to keep you, Floweress. We can make a home for you here,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Why? Why do you want me to stay so bad? So, I can heal you every time you or your men suffer a fatal wound? I am sick of that if that is what you intended.¡± Eshna had a scowl across her face and her arms crossed. It hadn¡¯t taken much to changer her mood. Canu noted her inconsistency.

    ¡°Do not be cynical of me and my men. I will hold you against your will. But, if you choose to go, it must be at the slave auction. Your price is too high for my men to let you go. I would be hunted and killed by my own men if I let you go. You know this,¡± said Canu despairingly. ¡°I feel for you because I can see your tragic tale unfolding. You have my word; you will be your own person as a part of my clan. It will not be like my master, Hyltir Hasamon.¡±

    Eshna didn¡¯t respond. She was hugging her knees to her chest, overlooking the sweeping dunes ahead of them. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

    ¡°Hyltir was troubled. He struggled with things. With power, plunder, coin. But it was also more than that,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°More than that? What more is there than that besides women and land?¡± asked Canu.

    Eshna chuckled. ¡°You know nothing, Canu.¡± She had never said his name before.

    ¡°I know nothing,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Yes,¡± replied Eshna. ¡°Hyltir was dealing with darker powers than you know exist. Powers that come from Mekdah.¡±

    Canu shivered. Why must she pronounce the name of Mekdah so bodly and without fear? It could summon someone¡­or something. Or so the tale goes.

    ¡°Who was Hyltir in league with from that¡­land¡­¡±

    ¡°Mekdah?¡± Eshna finished. Canu cringed.

    ¡°Yes, that land.¡±

    ¡°It is beyond your comprehension. Some things are better left unknown,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°No,¡± shouted Canu. He rose to a crouch before Eshna¡¯s face. ¡°I must know. I want to know what is out there. You were wish Ahod when that sorcerer was with him. Who was he?¡± Canu demanded an answer. Eshna could sense his angst.

    ¡°What will you do in return for me if I tell you?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± replied Canu, ¡°tell me or I¡¯ll have you in bonds and chains every night that you ever sleep. Beside my bed. By my feet. I swear by it.¡±

    ¡°Do you think that bothers me, na?ve man? I have slept with diseased men on a floor made of soot and corpses, feeding Hyltir with my free hand until he sleeps from gluttony and torn up stomach. Do you think a quiet night¡¯s rest at the foot of your bed troubles me?¡±

    Canu realized the foolishness of his bargain. ¡°Why must everything be bargained for? Let us speak freely.¡±

    ¡°Promise me one thing, regardless of what I tell you,¡± Said Eshna.

    ¡°Tell me what it is before I promise it. A good man never swears an oath of unknown conditions,¡± said Canu.

    Eshna just laughed. ¡°It is not an oath. You¡¯re a nomad freeman, not a lord of a castle. A promise is different than an oath you na?ve fool.¡±

    ¡°Stop calling me that,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°Calling you what?¡±

    ¡°That word that you keep saying.¡±

    ¡°Na?ve,¡± questioned Eshna, amused.

    ¡°What is it that I must promise?¡± asked Canu.

    Eshna paused, a serious look coming over her face. ¡°You will not sell me for coin.¡±

    ¡°For coin¡­¡± Canu pondered the request. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yes, you can,¡± interrupted Eshna. ¡°I will not be traded like some impersonal object. I will fall into hands much worse than your own. You are soft and gentle, like a leaf blowing in the wind,¡± said Eshna. She could tell it was evoking a reaction from Canu. His face was contorted into frustration.

    ¡°I am no leaf. Leaves don¡¯t free Floweress¡¯ from the hands of bad men and sorcerers.¡±

    ¡°That is fair. You¡¯re still na?ve, though,¡± said Eshna.

    Canu waved his hands dismissively. ¡°Okay, anyways, Floweress¡­I will not trade you for coin. You have my word. Now, tell me of this sorcerer that was in Ahod¡¯s company. And of Hyltir, who was he in league with?¡±

    Eshna¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Many men will not believe it. The effect of time is that old tales and stories become fable. Men forget what has happened since the beginning of time.¡±

    ¡°Who can know what happened since the beginning of time? No one knows what happened yesterday¡± said Canu. Eshna shushed him with a finger to her lips.

    ¡°I am not done,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°Sorry, Floweress,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°It¡¯s Eshna, not Floweress.¡±

    Canu gestured for her to continue.

    ¡°They are from Mekdah. The sorcerers. The Blacksoul servants. They serve the chained lord who was bound to the Abyss long ago. Hyltir fell into league with a manipulative man from Mekdah. He was like Maziq, but much more powerful. His words were cunning and somehow mesmerizing. I became entranced by him, much like Hyltir. It is bad news that these Blacksoul servants are appearing in the south. We are closest to Mekdah, so the northern kingdoms will know of the Abyss¡¯ weakening hold on the chained lord and his servants.¡±

    Canu¡¯s brows were furrowed. Deep creases in his face showed his confusion.

    ¡°What are you speaking of? The chained lord?¡±

    ¡°See,¡± said Eshna. ¡°Not even you know of the most dangerous darkness in this world. Too much time has elapsed. I know these things because of Hyltir. The Blacksoul servant lured him back to Mekdah, promising him a place at the right hand of the chained lord. Hyltir sold his life to the chained lord. I do not know if we shall ever see him again. I hope not, for if he returns to this land, he will be much more powerful than we have ever known him,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°You believe that?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°I do. I saw this myself. Did you already forget the snake sorcerer Maziq?¡±

    ¡°No, I remember¡­¡± said Canu. His mind was distant.

    ¡°Hyltir was infatuated with me for many years. It was until he encountered the Blacksoul servant that he was manipulated into leaving behind everything he had to go to Mekdah. Many men look for his holding now to try and take his wealth. There is violence in Bargetar,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°You know much. I have heard of the violence in the land of our neighbors. I have not been to Bargetar in a while,¡± said Canu. ¡°So, this chained lord¡­¡±

    ¡°Have you not heard the stories when we were children?¡± asked Eshna.

    ¡°I do not remember my childhood. It is blank in my mind,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Oh,¡± replied Eshna, ¡°I am sorry.¡±

    ¡°It is fine, go on,¡± urged Canu.

    ¡°It is the story of Ravnus and Kavinar. The two brothers¡ªthey were the first men to walk the land of Ulda. Kavinar was the first born, so he was given all Ulda as his gift. Ravnus was the second-born and expected to serve Kavinar as a loyal and faithful brother. And you can imagine what happened from there,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°Ravnus overthrew his brother?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°More than that. Killed him¡ªif it can be believed. Many do not believe the tale anymore. Although, long ago, all Ulda believed in it. The chained lord has been locked in the Abyss for far too long,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°That is enough for tonight. What you mean by all of that is that Hyltir is not returning, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you could take it that way if you please,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°It is getting late, let us return,¡± said Canu. He rose to his feet and then pulled Eshna to her feet.

    They began the walk back. But they did not head to the clan¡¯s house, Canu led her to his private home which was hidden in a wooded area. Men stood guard all around his home. They straightened their posture at the sight of Canu.

    ¡°Your men?¡± asked Eshna.

    ¡°Yes. I pay them good coin to watch over my place. This is my home.¡±

    ¡°I am invited to your home?¡± asked Eshna. A wry smile was spread over her face.

    ¡°Come inside,¡± Canu led her by the hand to his bedroom.

    ¡°Must I sleep at your feet as you had insisted earlier?¡± asked Eshna in jest.

    ¡°I will make an exception this one night. Tonight¡¯s sleep is an invitation to my clan. You are not my servant, but rather my equal. You can sleep in a bed and eat at my table. That is something I can promise,¡± said Canu.

    Eshna slid into his bed, pulling thick furs and animal drapes over her green gown.

    ¡°Well? Does the great Canu of Terragar never sleep?¡± asked Eshna.

    Canu only chuckled, walking to the doorframe.

    ¡°I will sleep out here. I have more thinking to do. Sleep well, Floweress,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Eshna,¡± she corrected him.

    ¡°Eshna,¡± said Canu, closing the door.

 Chapter 6: The Flasduel

    It had been multiple days before Sigeric had gathered the resolve to appear before Canu again. His public apology to the clan had been an embarrassment, leaving Sigeric to sulk in hatred by himself late at night. His only solace had come from Elunu, who often shared in Sigeric¡¯s cynicism.

    The two rode their horses back from a slaughtering. Sigeric had received a request from a peasant of Terragar asking for vegenace on his behalf. A group of amateur bandits had raided his land, tearing up what little vegetation grew and plundering the house. The man¡¯s wife had received unspeakable acts committed against her and it had happened before the husband¡¯s eyes as he was tied up. The men had laughed arrogantly in his face, leaving the man with nothing to do but to watch in horror. He had ridden immediately to the town of Rulzan, knowing of the reputation of Canu¡¯s men for taking vengeance on other behalf. Sigeric had been the man available when he knocked on the house of their clan. Elunu had elected to go with him.

    The day was beginning to get late, and the two men were an hour from their homes. The sky was beginning to turn from pink and orange into a darker hue.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know whose head I took off. The peasant¡¯s face was priceless when I tossed it to him, anyways,¡± said Sigeric laughing.

    ¡°Do we know his name, the peasant?¡± asked Elunu. His tufts of gray wispy hair blew in the light wind.

    ¡°Don¡¯t care,¡± replied Sigeric. ¡°They¡¯re lucky they received as much mercy as they did. If it were up to me, they wouldn¡¯t have died until they were begging me for it. But the peasant farmer wanted them dead without all the fun stuff.¡±

    ¡°Bad men deserve bad deaths,¡± said Elunu.

    ¡°That is why all men must die,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant by that. We are not bad men,¡± said Elunu. Sigeric had a knack for frustrating others. He liked it that way.

    ¡°We aren¡¯t bad men?¡± Sigeric resisted. ¡°We are good men? We just killed four men and detached their heads. That peasant has one of the heads as a trophy now.¡±

    ¡°And that is justice,¡± replied Elunu.

    ¡°It is not our place to exact justice,¡± said Sigeric. ¡°But it is our place to earn our wages, by whatever means possible.¡±

    Elunu kept his hands on the reins of his horse, but his mouth shut. He would not entertain Sigeric¡¯s odd opinions. Elunu had been content to assume the notion that they weren¡¯t bad men, knowing inwardly their actions were malicious. Sigeric would never agree to something unless he had first suggested it.

    Sigeric¡¯s horse neighed wildly and reared backward, rearing its front hooves. Sigeric gave a panicked shout, his horse thrashing wildly. There was nothing around for miles besides orange sand and shrubbery. Elunu reined his horse away from Sigeric¡¯s nervously. He did not see anything that would be causing such a disruption.

    The horse finally calmed, cantering over to stand beside Elunu¡¯s horse.

    ¡°What is it girl?¡± asked Sigeric, patting her mane gently. ¡°Be calm, it¡¯s okay,¡± he whispered.

    ¡°There,¡± Elunu pointed to the dirt, ¡°a snake. Do you see it?¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes. ¡®Tis nothing to fear. On we go,¡± said Sigeric. A voice stopped him.

    ¡°Not merely a snake, but much more than that I assure you.¡± The snake had spoken. Its voice was smug and mischievous.

    Sigeric dismounted, withdrawing his bloody sword in a flash. ¡°A talking snake. That sounds like trouble from Mekdah. I should slice you in half right now you piece of slithery scum.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t remember? It was less than a week ago that I bewildered your dear friend, whom you oddly despise. Your current anger stems from him,¡± said the snake.

    ¡°Remember you? I can¡¯t say I have had a conversation with a snake before.¡± Sigeric looked to Elunu, who appeared just as confused. Elunu shook his head.

    ¡°Maziq. The sorcerer. Your head is filled with sand I suppose. Although, if I do recall, you weren¡¯t with your friend when I melted onto the floor before his very eyes. Shocking¡ªif you haven¡¯t seen it before,¡± said Maziq. His voice was eerily smooth for a snake.

    ¡°You speak of my leader, Canu?¡± questioned Sigeric.

    ¡°Your jaw hardens at the thought of him. What qualifies him as leader? I saw much weakness in him, but I only see strength and authority when I encounter you,¡± said Maziq. His tongue slithered out of his mouth. His scales were shiny and polished. He was not a big snake but spanned nearly two feet.

    ¡°You know nothing of me. You are a pathetic little reptile, aren¡¯t you? I should step on you as I mount. Perhaps my boot would squash you and your illusions,¡± said Sigeric.

    Elunu spoke now, growing in courage at his friend¡¯s boldness. ¡°You served Ahod. We killed him, and nearly killed you as well.¡±

    Maziq only laughed. ¡°You cannot kill me the way you kill any ordinary man. The body you saw was merely Ahod¡¯s servant. He was his right-hand servant, and it was the only body I could inherit out of convenience. Who is your friend here, Sigeric? Perhaps he could use my assistance?¡±

    ¡°Stay away,¡± warned Elunu. He drew his sword and held it out defensively. The snake made no effort to threaten him, laughing again.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Well¡­I shall not waste your time, good men. But I do want to offer you something if I may do so¡ª¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t want your assistance slithery bastard,¡± replied Sigeric. His face was muddled into an angry expression. He despised offers to help. It made him feel weak and insufficient.

    ¡°Wait¡ª¡± tried Elunu.

    ¡°No,¡± interjected Sigeric. ¡°I can plunder and kill just fine as I am. I don¡¯t need a curse-ridden snake sorcerer to slither at my feet while I do so. Get lost, pet.¡± Sigeric spit the words spitefully. Maziq the snake was unbothered.

    ¡°Canu can be bested. All you have to do is ask,¡± said Maziq.

    ¡°I already can best him. Don¡¯t need help with that,¡± replied Sigeric.

    ¡°Then why is he still leader?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t demanded a flasduel. Combat without weapons. To the death if I throw down my sword instead of my dagger.¡±

    ¡°I can give you much, much more than just clan leader, Sigeric. Oh, the things you could do pains me to see go to waste.¡±

    Sigeric narrowed his eyes at the snake now. ¡°Yeah? And what¡¯s in it for you?¡±

    ¡°A pleasing aroma that will fill the senses of my master. He has plans for you and I was sent to advance those plans. Do you see now?¡± Maziq slithered his slippery tongue in and out of his mouth. His venomous fangs were impressive for his small size.

    Sigeric paused at that. ¡°What master? What plans?¡±

    ¡°Come on Sigeric, I don¡¯t like this. It will be dark soon,¡± said Elunu. He ran a hand through a thinning head of gray hair.

    ¡°Turn away then, old man. Turn your missing ear to the snake and you won¡¯t have to listen then,¡± spat Sigeric. ¡°What plans, Maziq?¡±

    ¡°My master is from far away, and he is in chains now. But the chains are weakening, and his strength is increasing. His power and his plans mustn¡¯t be spoken of unless you wish to take my offer.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious, slithery scum.¡± Sigeric stared off into the distance where the horizon line held a sagging orange sun. The sky was getting dark now.

    ¡°The offer stands. I can give you Canu. I can give you power. I can give you¡­all of this. All Terragar. And more if you serve faithfully. I am a mere messenger. But the master sends his messengers with power to advance his cause.¡±

    ¡°Must I decide now?¡± asked Sigeric. Elunu had his head in his hands. Nervous beads of sweat lined his forehead.

    ¡°I will give you time. I will appear to you once again, very soon. But you must not speak of this to anyone, or I will enter your body and that will be the death of your mind, of your soul. Do not speak to anyone of this unless you wish for this death.¡±

    ¡°You have my word. I do not think I would wish to speak of my bargains with a snake. You have no need to worry about that much,¡± said Sigeric. He mounted his horse and Elunu followed suit.

    ¡°You have not asked much. I am surprised,¡± said Maziq.

    ¡°What more is there to ask?¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°You did not ask how. Do you not wonder how I can make this possible for you?¡±

    ¡°How is that?¡± asked Sigeric.

    The snake chuckled. ¡°It is not so direct as that. You must ask what you want to know, and I can be more specific.¡±

    Sigeric paused a moment. Elunu was urging him to spur his horse into motion, but he shooed Elunu¡¯s protests.

    ¡°How does that power work, which you spoke of? I thought magic was an ancient thing¡ªlong forgotten and no longer available,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°The power comes from me. You cannot obtain it without me as your guide. I will show you wear it comes from,¡± said Maziq. His body began to grow and grow until he was fattened and lengthened into a snake longer than their horses. Elunu¡¯s horse went wild and Elunu had seen enough. He spurred his horse into motion, charging through the desert plains as fast as his horse would allow.

    Maziq bared his fangs, showing two mightily fearsome fangs that put Sigeric and his horse on edge. Maziq shrank back down to his smaller size after demonstrating the strength of his jaw and his fangs.

    ¡°So, what, that¡¯s it?¡± asked Sigeric.

    ¡°One bite of my fangs, and the venom courses through your body faster than the strike of lightening. Your strongest features are enhanced.¡±

    ¡°My strongest features¡­¡± pondered Sigeric.

    ¡°Yes, Sigeric. Your strength, your brutality¡­your aggression¡­your anger,¡± Maziq placed a special emphasis on his anger.

    ¡°How do you know all of this about me?¡± asked Sigeric defensively.

    ¡°I am no ordinary creature. I am invention of the lord Ravnus, created with special genius. I know things that no other being should know. I know everything about you, Sigeric. I know what you want¡­¡± his words had come out of his body quite seductively, seeking to seduce Sigeric into succumbing.

    ¡°What do I want?¡± he asked nervously.

    ¡°Power. Recognition. It is in your nature. And you can start tomorrow. With Canu.¡±

    ¡°With Canu¡­with a flasduel?¡± asked Sigeric.

    ¡°Yes. Do it,¡± said Maziq.

    ¡°I must go,¡± replied Sigeric, grown weary of the snake¡¯s seductive intentions.

    ¡°If you accept my offer, you will gain much, much more than your dominance of Canu. I will take you north, where the greatest instruments of magic have been hidden for years. Where my master will go to create his dwelling once he has broken the spellbound chains of the Great Abyss.¡± Maziq had grown excited, speaking increasingly aggressively.

    ¡°I see,¡± said Sigeric. ¡°I am tired of Canu. He treats me as an outcast. He always has, Maziq. He always has!¡± he shouted.

    ¡°Then you must take him out. Kill him if you must.¡±

    ¡°No, not kill him. I am no evil man. But I deserve clan leader. I am the strongest man.¡±

    ¡°Then duel him, Sigeric. And with my venom, with my strength, you will no doubt defeat him with ease.¡±

    ¡°I want Canu. I will fight him. I demand a flasduel!¡± Sigeric¡¯s voice echoed loudly through the desert sands. Elunu¡¯s figure had already dissolved off into the distance.

    ¡°Then accept my offer. Remember, there is no turning back. You must obey my every order. My every command.¡±

    ¡°Anything¡­to defeat Canu. I will humiliate him, and the Floweress will be mine. She should have been mine from the start.¡±

    ¡°Then accept my offer,¡± said the snake.

    ¡°I do,¡± replied Sigeric.

    ¡°Good,¡± replied Maziq.

    The sands flung everywhere as though a sudden sandstorm had occurred. Maziq grew taller than the horse and wider than it. Sigeric was thrown from his horse by a strong wind. Maziq grew tall until he towered over Sigeric. He bared his fangs, hissing so loud that Sigeric¡¯s ears bled.

    The snake lunged. Fangs pierced Sigeric¡¯s chest. He gasped. The sands his calmed and the wind had stopped. Sigeric¡¯s skin turned darker until it became black. He screamed but no sound came. He was gasping for air but found none. He shook and convulsed. Finally, it stopped.

    He rose from the ground. His skin had returned to normal, and he appeared as though nothing had happened. He felt his arms and his chest with his hands tentatively. Maziq was a small snake again, peering up at him.

    ¡°What now? I feel no different,¡± said Sigeric.

    ¡°Now, we ride to your home. You duel Canu soon.¡±

    ¡°I feel the same. What did you do to me, you slithery piece of scum?¡±

    Maziq laughed, slithering up the horse¡¯s leg and sliding into Sigeric¡¯s satchel which sat attached to the horses rear with a pack of food.

    ¡°You are not the same, and you never will be. You will feel different once the time is right. You just aren¡¯t angry enough yet.¡±

    ¡°Angry enough?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± encouraged Maziq from inside the satchel, ¡°you will see. Now let us ride, Elunu is far ahead.¡±

    Sigeric pursed his lips, thinking to himself. All Terragar, mine. Please, let it be true. But first, I will end that bastard, Canu.

    ¡°Yes, you will,¡± replied Maziq, reading his mind.

    Sigeric arrived in the town of Rulzan after dark. He banged on the door to the clan¡¯s house. The door opened. It was Canu.

    ¡°Welcome back, Sigeric. How was it?¡±

    A dark grin was spread over Sigeric¡¯s face. ¡°I slaughtered them.¡±

 Chapter 7: The Old Traveler

    Canu received angered looks upon his arrival into the tavern. Many of the new patrons here had been forced to find a new tavern after Canu had put the other tavern in Rulzan to the torch. Now the only inn in town was overcrowded and filled with unsatisfied men and women who missed their favorite spot¡ªand Canu was to blame.

    He sat in the shadows with the hood of a silvery cloak covering most of his face. A pipe hung form his mouth and clouds of smoke puffed out from his hood every so often. Emonu sat before him at the table with a jug of ale sat before him. It was nearly his third, and so his mouth had begun to speak and chatter from the buzz of the alcohol. Canu¡¯s first beer sat untouched on the table. Emonu eyed it enviously.

    The sun had only just begun to set, and so orange light filled the tavern. It was a cozy light and it seemed to loosen the atmosphere. The winter solstice had only been a few weeks prior, and so the sun had decided to begin taking its leave an hour earlier than usual. With the onset of the winter solstice, the day of Aumenfal was soon to arrive. The sun would set suddenly, and complete darkness would swallow the land. After nearly an hour, the light would begin to trickle back in¡ªreminding the people of the light¡¯s victory over darkness many years ago. And, as the tale is told, the fallen brother of the first man, Ravnus, was finally chained and thrown into the Great Abyss until the chains broke. Time had begun its disintegrating effect on the realm so that people slowly stopped telling the tale until it became disjointed and unbelieved.

    Only now had discussion of the battle of the first men begun to resurface, now that the yearly celebration of Aumenfal had arrived again. The hour of darkness was expected sometime tomorrow, although no one knew exactly when. Canu could hear men and women speaking anxiously over beer and ale about the day¡¯s festivities. Canu could hear one man in particular speaking to a shady looking man with a trimmed red beard.

    ¡°Men from all over the Tradesroad will be coming tomorrow, and I mean to be there. I¡¯ve saved all my coin for five long years. I hear there will be a Floweress for auction,¡± he said with a toothy grin. Canu watched the man with the thin red beard lean back in his chair, pondering the man¡¯s words.

    Emonu had been waving his hands in front of Canu¡¯s face.

    ¡°Is anyone there inside that head of yours? Can you hear me? Canu?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± snapped Canu. He always hated it when people forced him out of trance. He was thinking. He thought of Eshna. He had left her back at the house where Elric and Bulig stood watch for tonight. Judd and Blivth had been excused to go do what young men did on the night of a festival. They would surely be at the bars and the brothels, looking for a woman to please them. Spending far too steep of coin for the simplest of woman. They were just boys, na?ve to the important aspects of life in Terragar. Canu had his ears, Morcant, slipping around the streets of town and inside brothels to hear what he could. There was a variety of men from all over Ulda attending the auction tomorrow.

    Emonu chuckled uneasily at Canu¡¯s temper. ¡°Um¡­it¡¯s just¡­¡±

    ¡°What?¡± repeated Canu. He inhaled from his pipe before setting it on the table.

    ¡°Were you going to tell me what Elunu informed you of? You had told me you would¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Sigeric,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°What about him?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s been in bad company,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°There¡¯s plenty of bad company in Terragar. What¡¯s the trouble then?¡± asked Emonu.

    Canu pushed back his hood, leaning forward in his stool so that no one else would hear him. ¡°It sounds like the sorcerer that got hold of Ahod.¡± Canu nodded with his eyebrows lifted high. Emonu tilted his head skeptically.

    ¡°Yes,¡± continued Canu. ¡°The man who calls himself Maziq.¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes. The sorcerer who melted on to the floor and slithered away as a snake?¡±

    ¡°Yes, that one,¡± affirmed Canu.

    The sounds of a pleasant melody began as musicians took their place in a corner of the inn. People flicked their coins and their tokens into a bucket that had been laid out for tips. Canu was too far to offer coin unless he walked over there. He did not like the music anyways.

    After explaining all that Elunu had said, Emonu sat thoughtfully.

    ¡°That man is trouble. He has an anger inside of him that could get you and your men killed. Being in league with that sorcerer¡­it¡¯s like binding your clan¡¯s reputation to Mekdah.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Emonu, enough. Do not speak so freely of that. There are always ears in a place like this,¡± said Canu. Even as he said so, a man sitting near the middle of the inn turned in his seat and stared blatantly at Emonu and Canu. Emonu raised a middle finger to him. The man tapped his sword belt gently before turning back around slowly.

    ¡°I am not leaving without your protection,¡± said Emonu.

    ¡°Of course, you aren¡¯t,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°As I said, Sigeric is trouble. What if he brings that dark magic into your clan? His lust for coin and reputation exceeds his loyalty to your clan,¡± said Emonu. ¡°He does not respect our mission.¡±

    ¡°Our mission? You are not a part of the clan. You are merely my friend,¡± said Canu. A middle-aged woman tripped over the leg of a stool and stumbled noisly to the ground. The music stopped for a second. The silence was filled with obnoxious laughter as the woman clumsily returning to her feet whilst lifting her mug of ale to show she hadn¡¯t spilled.

    ¡°Imagine that wizard Maziq gives him special powers,¡± said Emonu.

    ¡°Why do you say it like that?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°Say what? I am asking because¡ª¡±

    ¡°Special powers. You make me wince, Emonu,¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t get a word out today without you¡ª¡±

    Easy, Emonu. I am only jesting. As for Sigeric and his new friend, I will keep an eye on it. He is not far from being banished. His recent raids and plunders have not gone unnoticed,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°I should hope not. Whispers around Rulzan are that Sigeric has lost his mind,¡± said Emonu.

    ¡°More like he found his mind. He has always had that streak in him. He is finally rejecting my help. His mind suffers under the manipulation of his friend. You can see it in his eyes,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°So, you know more than you let on,¡± said Emonu. ¡°You¡¯ve heard the stories, though?¡±

    ¡°Some, yes.¡±

    ¡°Did you hear of the one from yesterday?¡±

    ¡°What of it?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°Broke into a family¡¯s hidden gold underneath the floorboards. Tore apart the house getting to it. Ended up maiming the father. Took both his hands.¡±

    Canu scrunched his face, startled. ¡°For whom did he commit these acts?¡±

    The request came in from the desert lord If the word be believed,¡± said Emonu.

    ¡°The desert lord?¡± said Canu, incredulously. ¡°We agreed never to deal with him. His requests are often abominations. We aren¡¯t butchers, Emonu. We are the Rulzan¡¯s justice.¡±

    Emonu nodded in agreement before downing the rest of his ale. He took Canu¡¯s in his hand and drink while Canu spoke again.

    ¡°What would the desert lord want with a family in the town of Rulzan?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I know Sigeric has gone rogue. He¡¯s not reporting his earning to Radax,¡± said Emonu.

    ¡°How do you know this? You¡¯re not in my clan and I don¡¯t even know this,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°I spoke to Morcant yesterday. Saw him at the market. He was being your eyes and ears, as always.¡±

    Canu pursed his lips and gave a slight shake of the head. Sigeric had been missing quite often the past few days. It had been nearly a week since Elunu had ridden into town in a panic with word of what he had witnessed.

    ¡°People fear Sigeric. They say his rage is worse than ever. Once he starts slashing that sword, there is no stopping him,¡± said Emonu.

    Canu propped his boots up on the chair across from him. The last of the orange light sifting through the windows was dwindling, and the air grew chilly as the night air moved through.

    The door opened with the jingling of a bell. The whole inn grew quiet for a second, before resuming their conversations at the sight of a familiar face. It was Morcant.

    ¡°Emonu. Canu,¡± Morcant greeted. He took a sat beside Emonu. His scruffy red fuzz framed his chin and his jaw, although not quite connecting to his hair.

    ¡°I¡¯ve come to find you with news, Canu,¡± said Morcant. He was breathing heavily and rubbing his hands from the cold. He wore a brown jerkin jacket with sheep fleece lining the inside.

    ¡°News of what? A man cannot relax for even one evening around here,¡± said Canu. Being clan leader was tiresome. Ever since their duties and jurisdiction had gone beyond the town Rulzan, their reputation had earned them many new contracts and requests. Some had gone as far as to label them mercenaries, but they were nowhere near an army. Thirteen of them may have been considered a guild in Canu¡¯s mind, but nothing more.

    ¡°This news is a bit unique, as it has to do with our clan. I heard it from an external source,¡± said Morcant.

    ¡°Well? What¡¯s the news and who is the source?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°It was a servant of the desert lord passing through. He was telling someone of his encounter with Sigeric.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± asked Canu. His silvery cloak twinkled in the lighting of a candle.

    ¡°Sigeric means to take you on¡­in a flasduel.¡±

    Canu laughed. ¡°He cannot be serious,¡± said Canu. ¡°Why does he talk with the desert lord and his servants? He¡¯s working with a self-proclaimed lord who is the owner of a remote desert land where he has no subjects and there is no produce. Besides, that desert lord is a piece of scum.¡± Canu had worked himself up by the end of his stammer. He snatched his ale back out of Emonu¡¯s hands.

    ¡°Did you hear the part about the flasduel, Canu?¡± asked Morcant.

    ¡°Yes, I did. I have a plan.¡±

    ¡°What kind of plan?¡± asked Emonu, enviously staring at the ale in Canu¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t even finished cementing it in my own head and you think I¡¯m going to share it with you now?¡± Canu chuckled, patting Emonu on the back and sipping more ale.

    Morcant continued, ¡°Although the desert lord is harmless, it is a signal of intent, I do believe. You must be cautious, Canu. He does have that sorcerer on his side now.¡±

    ¡°He does not scare me,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Very well,¡± said Morcant as he scooted his seat in and prepared to leave. ¡°That is all I heard. Wanted to pass it along.¡±

    ¡°Here,¡± said Canu. He tossed a pouch of coins to Morcant. ¡°And tell Radax he owes you a golden tablet for your troubles.¡±

    ¡°Aye, thank you, Canu.¡± Morcant had just reached the door when he paused. He glanced back at Canu with his mouth open, and then decided against shouting so he returned to the table. He nearly tripped over the leg of a burly patron with a massive axe leaned up against the wall. He eyed Morcant coldly, who winced as he stretched his legs to squeeze between the burly man and the wall.

    ¡°I almost forgot, Canu. There is one more thing,¡± said Morcant.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    ¡°Aye, and what is that? Tell me you¡¯ve got news that won¡¯t bitter the taste of my ale.¡±

    Morcant chuckled nervously.

    ¡°Why are you so uneasy?¡± asked Canu, furrowing his brow. The atmosphere had just grown louder inside the inn and so Morcant leaded in closer to talk into Canu¡¯s ear. Emonu tried to lean in to hear but it was no use.

    ¡°There is a man who is asking of your whereabouts,¡± said Morcant.

    ¡°What kind of man? Every man is asking about my whereabouts, Morcant. I do work for many men,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°A sickly man. A quite deformed looking man. He knows your name and everything, despite being a foreigner.¡±

    ¡°A foreigner? From the north¡ªacross the land bridge?¡± asked Canu curiously. A waiter came by, but Canu waved him away impatiently.

    ¡°It was hard to tell. But his skin was full of sores and infection. He was missing a hand and one of his eyes appeared blind. Clothes were torn up and he smelled of some of the worst smells I¡¯d ever smelled. Cleared out the market as soon as he walked up to it. No man could stand his stench. He walked with a limp and a cane as well.¡±

    Canu pursed his lips a while. He could not say that he knew of such a man. But it was not unusual for those in poverty to come to Canu in hopes of exacting revenge on the men who handicapped them. But a foreigner¡­who knows my name¡­

    ¡°Canu¡­Canu!¡± shouted Emonu.

    ¡°Would you shut up? I¡¯m thinking,¡± replied Canu. ¡°Morcant, where did you see him?¡±

    ¡°Just inside Rulzan. He was making his way from market to market, from inn to inn. He was searching desperately for a man named Canu Aybury,¡± said Morcant.

    ¡°Where did he get that last name?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, although I could try to find out tonight if you wish,¡± said Morcant.

    ¡°Actually, bring him to me, Morcant. Take Elric and Bulig with you if you must. Meet me at the Forked River. That name just sparked a memory I didn¡¯t know I had.¡± Canu had his hand resting over his lips thoughtfully. Morcant arose from his chair and departed in search of the man.

    ¡°Morcant!¡± shouted Canu once he got to the door.

    ¡°Yes, Canu?¡±

    ¡°What was his name?¡± Canu shouted over the noise.

    ¡°Anselm¡ª¡±

    ¡°What?¡± shouted Canu.

    ¡°Anselm Aybury!¡± shouted Morcant. Canu gave a nod and Morcant left.

    Emonu soon followed Canu out of the inn. Canu saddled his horse and mounted, leaving without a word. Emonu stumbled over himself trying to get in his horse and catch up to Canu.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to the Forked River?¡± asked Emonu as they rode.

    ¡°That is what I said, is it not?¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°It is indeed what you said. Why there?¡±

    ¡°It is a remote place. I do not want to be seen speaking to a leper and a blind man. Bad for my reputation.¡±

    The two rode for a short while before arriving at the side of a river that split into three different directions up ahead. Giant rock formations towered along either side of the river up ahead where it split off into different directions. The moonlight glistened along the surface of the water.

    ¡°Now what?¡± asked Emonu. He stood beside his horse. He was a stocky man was short legs and a long torso. An oversized fur coat draped down to his shins.

    ¡°We wait.¡±

    Emonu stayed quiet for a time. Canu did not seem to mind the quiet nor the cold. Emonu shivered beneath his fur coat. A cold wind was sweeping through the winter air. He hated the solstice. With it always came cold gusts of wind that chilled right down to the bone no matter how many layers one wore. The desert would still become warm during the day as the sun shone, but as soon as night arrived the coldness would return.

    Canu was grateful for Emonu, and they had bonded through a shared life. Canu did not remember anything of his life from before he was taken in by Emonu¡¯s family. They had found him as a mere boy of twelve, floating along the Forked River. Emonu¡¯s family took him in and cared for him like their own. Emonu was only two years younger and so the two developed a friendship.

    ¡°I know you miss them,¡± said Canu. He looked to Emonu, who was staring at the water of the Forked River. He often stared off distantly when he was deep in thought. Canu noticed when it happened because of how rare it was to see him keeping his words to himself.

    ¡°It will have been four years tomorrow. The festival of Aumenfal.¡±

    ¡°I am sorry,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°We both are without parents. Some will have theirs until they are forty or fifty. For us, much earlier,¡± replied Emonu.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even remember my parents,¡± said Canu. He kneeled beside the riverbank and began running a stick through the mud of the bank.

    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine. Sometimes I wish I couldn¡¯t remember mine. Save me some of the hurt,¡± said Emonu.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that friend. Not knowing my parents doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t miss them. I long to know my family, but instead I have this.¡± Canu motioned with his arms, encapsulating all of the landscape that surrounded them. ¡°Rulzan. Terragar. The South¡­it is all I know. But I do wonder, is it all I have known? Perhaps I did grow up in the north as the son to a great lord. Or, perhaps, I was a peasant boy who fell into the seas by some sort of accident. Hit my head. Forgot it all.¡±

    ¡°Your life would have been drastically different in the north,¡± said Emonu. ¡°It is not the same Ulda that we know here.¡±

    ¡°Is that the wise Emonu of Terragar speaking? To whom do I owe this great honor?¡± Canu mockingly bowed before Emonu, who gave Canu a great shove and knocked him to the ground. Canu was shaking with laughter.

    ¡°It is true, Canu. It is known! The north has laws and civilized trade. For murder, there is punishment. For raiding and plundering, they will have you lashed or hung. At least, it is what I am told.¡±

    ¡°How miserable.¡± Canu had finally finished convulsing with laughter. Emonu had pretended not to notice to discourage it.

    Their conversation was broken up by the sound of hooves clacking along rock overlain with a thin layer of orange sand. The hooves echoed through the night sky. Canu saw two riders emerging towards him. Then three. And then four.

    It was Morcant¡ªwho had brought Elric and Bulig along as Canu had suggested. The two brutes wore permanent scowls and deep-hooded cloaks as they lowered the mysterious man off his horse. Canu stared at the old man. His gray hair was long and sloppy, and it was strung in all sorts of directions across his face. He appeared crazed and his face bore many scars and opens sores.

    ¡°What should cause one¡¯s face to be uglier than his ass, old man?¡±

    Bulig and Elric each had one of his arms as they trudged him to Canu. They threw him down at Canu¡¯s feet. The old man landed on his knees with his hands in his lap and his head bowed low.

    ¡°Do you not speak?¡± asked Canu. ¡°Bulig, Elric¡­your job is done. He¡¯s not hurting anyone unless he touches you with his diseased hand.¡±

    The old man slowly lifted his head. One of his eyes was a milky white. His face had more wrinkles than Canu knew possible.

    ¡°Who are you? You asked for me, and now you¡¯ve got my attention,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°I was told you¡¯d never have time for an old man like me. I heard of your ability with a sword,¡± said the old man. His voice sounded gruff and raspy. ¡°A sword that can kill and maim and protect.¡±

    Canu unsheathed his weapon. ¡°Tell me your name. I am not a patient man right now.¡±

    ¡°Anselm. Anselm Aybury.¡±

    ¡°Interesting timing for you to show up on the eve of Aumenfal,¡± said Canu. ¡°What¡¯re you¡ªa beggar? I¡¯ll give you coin for passage but don¡¯t expect charity from me.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is tomorrow Aumenfal? I¡¯m out of touch with the ways of Ulda tradition these days,¡± replied Anselm. He rubbed the stump of his left hand thoughtfully. ¡°But I do not come seeking coin or plunder. That is child¡¯s play.¡±

    ¡°Child¡¯s play?¡± laughed Canu. He looked at Elric who seemed to have missed the humor. His face was stern as he studied Anselm. His tattered cloak looked moth-eaten and old.

    Anselm straightened up and suddenly a bit of life came to his good eye. ¡°You look good Canu. It has been too long since I have last seen you. I passed through many perils to get to you, eh?¡±

    Canu¡¯s hand went to his hilt. ¡°Where are your men? Have you come to start a feud?¡± Canu signaled to Elric and Bulig to search the area for other men.

    ¡°There is no one here but me. Your own men brought me here,¡± chuckled Anselm. His cackle was like a croak. He smiled, revealing ancient, rotted teeth. ¡°You seem to have adapted well to life in the southern Ulda, Canu. It is an honor to see you are so strong and confident. You have followers of men, it would appear. Meeting you here was not without a hefty price. I¡¯m afraid I am out of coin now!¡± Anselm croaked in laughter again, keeling over. He clutched his stomach in pain that the laughter had caused. He broke out into a coughing fit.

    ¡°Who are you,¡± said Canu tentatively. He had the tip of sword pointed out at Anselm, but he backed away slightly. Something about this man¡¯s presence put him off. He had an aura about him¡ªbut he could not place it. ¡°How do you know me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve known of you as long as you¡¯ve lived, you just don¡¯t remember,¡± replied Anselm. He could see the youth in Canu¡¯s eyes. He smiled to himself. Canu seemed to think he had seen much in his life but in truth it was shallow compared to the horrors that awaited the realm. Anselm had been too familiar with such horrors in recent days. It was a welcome sight to journey through the lawless land of the south.

    ¡°You knew of me as a child? What of my parents?¡± asked Canu. His sword was slowly lowered.

    ¡°Oh, they are still alive. I assure you! That is something I meant to tell you upon my arrival here. I can send you to them if you¡¯d just follow my instructions.¡±

    Canu hesitated. ¡°Go on, frizzled man. If you¡¯re another sorcerer, then I¡¯ll split you with my blade from head to toe.¡± Elric and Bulig had completed a search and found no one.

    Anselm doubled over in laughter. ¡°A sorcerer? I sure wish that was all I had to worry of.¡± Anselm laughed again, repeating Canu¡¯s words, ¡°A sorcerer!¡±

    ¡°Enough of the laughter. I will not have my time wasted by an old man whose mind has gone,¡± said Canu.

    Anselm¡¯s face grew so serious that Canu felt his breath get caught in his chest. A sinister look came over Anselm. Canu sheathed his weapon slowly, sweat trickling down his face despite the cool temperatures.

    ¡°Do you know who you are, Canu?¡± asked Anselm.

    ¡°I¡­I am Canu of Terragar,¡± said Canu haphazardly.

    ¡°You shall find out more of who you are. Your family is across the land bridge and to the north. To the north you shall journey to discover who you are. There you shall also find your family. Your life is only just getting underway, young warlord.¡±

    Canu had not liked the term warlord. He had not viewed himself in that light.

    ¡°I will not go north off the word of some old man whose lost his mind. Those lands are not meant for a southerner like me. This is the land of the lawless. You would have me mindless journey to the lands of oppression and slavery. You know nothing of me or my past,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know anything either, I should point out,¡± said Anselm. ¡°You should know, I would not have travelled here all the way from the Ena Caves if it weren¡¯t for you. And, well, I do have some business to attend to beyond the mountains to the south,¡± said Anselm.

    ¡°The Ena Caves? Beyond the mountains? What does a man have to do in both Ena and Mekdah besides treacherousness and evil? I should strike you down now.¡± Canu bared his steel once again. A menacingly look had overcome him. Emonu had to step in front of him to prevent Anselm¡¯s head from being swept off his shoulders.

    ¡°Canu, please. This man seems to have an unusual aura about him. I trust him,¡± said Emonu.

    Canu looked to Elric and Bulig. They both shrugged, pretending not to know a thing. Although, inwardly, they both had a deep reverence for the old man in rags. He seemed to be more than he was letting on.

    ¡°I¡¯ll hear you out. But only because you speak of my family. And you¡¯d better explain yourself if you claim to have been to the Ena Caves. That is a most holy place¡ªif legend is believed correctly. A place only for the High King and his High Queen and their protectors.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, you should see it in person! It is more lovely than the tales they tell,¡± replied Anselm.

    Canu stared at him in disbelief. ¡°How did you find those caves, anyways? I thought it was hidden to all but certain men?¡±

    ¡°Certain men¡ªyou mean a Seer?¡± replied Anselm. ¡°Yes, of course. I had a Seer guide me to the bottom of the mountain. Beware the journey up the mountains to the caves. Littered with corpses and treacherous footing. Half my scars came from that trek. Took me many months to get to the caves. That was only half the challenge!¡± Anselm snorted in laughter which turned to a rattling cough. He leaned on a walking stick which had seemingly come out of nowhere.

    Elric stared at the walking stick, perplexed.

    ¡°Canu, you must listen. I haven¡¯t got much time to waste¡ª¡±

    ¡°Time to waste? What could you possibly be in a hurry for? You need to find a place to rest until your soul ascends to the heaven above. You look as if your last day is near,¡± said Canu. He spoke sincerely. His eyes scanned Anselm from head to toe. His face was so weathered that droopy skin almost covered his eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, son,¡± said Anselm. ¡°I¡¯ve got fewer years than you¡¯d believe. Time is different there you know¡ªin the Ena Caves. Since we¡¯ve started speaking, two years have passed in the court of the High King.¡±

    Canu stared at him skeptically, and then to Emonu.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a gift for you, my son,¡± said Anselm, holding out a hand that clasped over something.

    Canu held out a hand. Elric urged him not to.

    ¡°Step away, Elric. I will be fine,¡± said Canu.

    Anselm dropped a stone into Canu¡¯s hand. It appeared dull as like any other rock he¡¯d ever seen.

    Anselm¡¯s face had grown dark and serious. ¡°Do not take this gift lightly. If you are to find your way to your home in the north, you will need this. Let no one else hold it.¡±

    ¡°It is simply a rock,¡± said Canu. He held it higher in the air to examine all angles of it.

    ¡°To the simple eye, yes,¡± said Anselm. ¡°Sleep with it clutched nearby and your dreams will be of some use to you. When you dream from now on, with this in your possession, do not take them lightly,¡± said Anselm. He had paused a second as if considering if he should say the last part.

    ¡°What?¡± said Canu. ¡°You wanted to say more. Say it.¡± Canu¡¯s hand went instinctively to his hilt.

    ¡°If you see¡­if you see the creature of great power in your visions¡­do not engage it. Do not speak to it. As soon as you speak or make a sound¡­he will see you. There is no telling what his power has grown to. He may even control you or invade your mind,¡± said Anselm

    Canu dropped the rock. His chest grew tight.

    ¡°Creature of great power? I want no part in this. If you speak of Mekdah, I will not delve into dealings with the devil himself,¡± replied Canu.

    ¡°He is not the devil,¡± said Anselm. ¡°Take the dreamstone. Bring the Floweress, too. You will need her. Her home is also in the north.¡±

    ¡°And what are you doing in Mekdah? I should not trust a man who travels beyond the mountains. Only those wretched creatures in Drakadin wander those lands. That much is known.¡±

    Canu circled around Anselm, gazing at the Dreamstone now. He had picked it up and was now examining it. Elric and Bulig stood imposingly before Anselm. Emonu¡¯s heart raced, and his hand rested on the hilt of his lone dagger which hung from his belt.

    ¡°What I do now was ordered by the High King of Ena. You cannot impede me, nor can any man in these lands. I have a most Holy decree from their courts,¡± said Anselm. He withdrew a piece of parchment from within his robes.

    The condition of the parchment was vastly contrasted to his tattered brown robes. The parchment had a glowing golden font to it. The parchment let out a hissing noise as he held it out in the night air. He quickly placed it back inside his robes.

    ¡°I best be going now. I presume this may be the last time we encounter one another, Aitor Aybury of Stettenhal,¡± said Anselm¡ªaddressing Canu.

    ¡°Aitor¡­Stettenhal? What?¡± asked Canu, distressed.

    ¡°You will see. Go. Find your family, and much more will make sense. I suppose one day you will gain your memory back, Aitor¡­sorry, Canu. I forget that you never knew your true name,¡± said Anselm. He turned to leave. Canu walked toward Anselm, not satisfied with the explanations given to him.

    ¡°Wait! For what reason do you desire to see me find my home? This is a trap!¡± shouted Canu.

    Anselm turned to face Canu. As he did, a gust of sand came in a swirling whirlwind. It blinded the four men from Anselm. He smiled, turning to leave amidst the storm of orange sand and wind. When the winds died down, he was gone.

    Canu stood staring, mouth gaping wide open.

    ¡°Now what?¡± asked Emonu. ¡°Are you going to listen to that old cripple?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Emonu¡­I don¡¯t know¡­¡±

    Just then, two riders were fast approaching. The four men unsheathed their weapons and stood back-to-back. It was impossible to tell who it was in the dark of the night.

    ¡°Who is it?¡± called Emonu. It was useless. No one could hear his voice over the clattering of the hooves.

    ¡°It is our men,¡± said Canu.

    Elunu and Gariel came into view. Elunu pulled up first, still mounted upon his mare with a defiant expression upon his face.

    ¡°Sigeric has demanded a flasduel. Tomorrow. At first light. He sends his best wishes.¡± Elunu spat the words. His mare neighed wildly as he bucked his horse and then yanked the reins¡ªriding off into the night. Gariel had paused a moment, glaring at Canu with contempt.

    ¡°Sigeric will win,¡± was all Gairel said before spurring his horse.

    Canu heaved a sigh. It had been quite the night.

    ¡°Are you going to accept?¡± asked Elric in his blunt voice.

    ¡°What do you mean accept? A flasduel is not optional,¡± replied Canu.

 Chapter 8: The Perilous Duel

    The first light rose in the sky over a canvas of fire-red sands which formed the swaying dunes of the Terragar desert. In this part of Terragar, there were no huts or houses¡ªonly long sweeping dunes. Canu had long been woken up by Emonu. It was far before first light was due, but Emonu was anxious beyond measure. He was heaving and spitting from his anxiety, leaving Canu more irritated than nervous. He ushered Emonu outside to finish spewing his insides out which had been enough to wake Canu from his light sleep that he had gotten little of.

    The clan of men along the slanted slopes of a dune pit where the sands rose on all sides of the two men who stood face to face, hands at their sides. Mota had been asked to officiate the flasduel to avoid any bias, but Canu knew that deep inside Mota would be rooting for him. Mota chanted in an ancient tongue that originated in Terragar but was no longer spoken as the effects of time would tend to have on cultures. The original people of Terragar were few and far between, and Mota had taken it upon himself to learn their tongue since he was a scholar as much as he was a potions master.

    Mota signaled for the men to toss down their tokens to signal duel. Then their swords¡ªto signal that it was a fight to the death. Canu and Sigeric reached down to grab their swords from the sand. The snake Maziq slithered like a worm underneath the hot desert sands around the perimeter.

    ¡°Your friend will not be joining the fight today, will he?¡± asked Canu. Sweat was trickling down his back and drenching his tunic. Sigeric¡¯s dark features were shining under the blaze of the morning sun. Sweat dribbled down his face and dripped from his black beard. His beard almost seemed brown beneath the squelching sun.

    ¡°In the same way that your lover, Emonu, is not involved,¡± replied Sigeric. Emonu stood slightly behind the rest of the clan members to gain a leveraged view. Canu could see him nibbling at his fingernails. Eshna the Floweress was chained at the neck and ankles and bound to the authority of the brute Bulig. Elric stood nearby in case Bulig was outwitted.

    Canu refocused his attention after catching a glimpse of Eshna¡¯s stare. I must win. I promised her she would not be sold into slavery. That was my word. He looked at her again. Her face was stern, and her green eyes squinted under the blazing sun.

    Sigeric gripped his weapon by the jeweled hilt, twisting and turning it in his hand as if testing its weight. He let out a ferocious scream, seemingly possessed by the spirit of some warrior. He threw his tunic off, leaving him in thick brown breeches held up by a thick belt. He removed his short sword and his dagger from his belt. Canu followed suit, but he kept his baggy tunic on. The two circled each other cautiously. Canu was crouched as he circled, watching every slight movement of Sigeric. Sigeric walked bodly, sidestepping sometimes. Other times, he simply walked with a stare of contempt guided at Canu.

    Sigeric let out another scream. This time it was angled upward at the sky as if to condemn the sun¡¯s oppressive gaze. The sun obliged, momentarily hiding behind a small, gray rain cloud. Seconds later, the sun returned to its swelteringly hot stare.

    All the faces of his clan flashed through Canu¡¯s mind. His eyes swiveled through the crowd of his clan. Elric and Bulig stood with Eshna. Judd and Blivth stood with concerned faces beside them, whispering into each other¡¯s ear every few seconds. Radax the keeper of coin stood with his usual indignant expression. Gariel and Eberulf stood with Elunu, all of whom had a pleasant smirk upon their faces. Canu always doubted their allegiance. They would be hoping for a Sigeric victory. Sigeric¡¯s reign would allow for senseless killings and plundering. Canu had never permitted such things unless it was some sort of vegenance on behalf of another or if those who were being robbed were deemed worthy of such punishment. Richar stood by himself, expressionless but fidgeting his hands busily. Morcant was on his knees lifting prayers to the sky above them. He soon rose to his feet before his gaze met Canu. He began signaling busily to Canu, who was in a daze. Canu returned a confused look. What does he want?

    The first blow came. It knocked all the air from Canu¡¯s chest. His body was flung back into the sand. He felt the grainy sand and pebbles slice up his back and fill his tunic. He lurched to his feet. He had somehow kept his weapon in his hand. Sigeric¡¯s boot had landed a harsh blow, but Canu¡¯s adrenaline returned him to the fight.

    Sigeric had advanced already. A slash of the sword to the right. And then the left. He kicked out at Canu¡¯s calf from the side. Canu did all he could to avoid the attacks. He was much faster than he¡¯d ever known Sigeric to be. He even seemed taller. More imposing. His eyes met Sigeric¡¯s. There was a fire there. A hatred. It had always been there. But this time, the hatred blazed like a roaring fire. He could smell blood.

    Canu pursed his lips. He could feel his muscles tighten. He was poised to return the fire. He slashed at Sigeric¡¯s sword, daring him to meet each of his blows without giving ground. Sigeric did not move back one step, and Canu paid. Sigeric met each of Canu¡¯s three blows and then dodged his fourth. He lept to Canu¡¯s right side and came around the side of Canu with both hands on the hilt. His swing would have sliced Canu¡¯s torso if he hadn¡¯t rolled across the sand. The blade missed him by a fraction of a second.

    Canu flipped himself back onto his feet only in time to sprint across the enclosure to the other side of the dune pit. He was careful not to come to close to the very center where the sand of the pit could begin to sift downward like a sand pit. It seemed to hold fine for now, but there was no sense in risking it.

    Another stroke. Blocked. Two slashes. Parried. An overhead strike upon Canu¡¯s head. It was avoided by a quick spin. Two more advances, two more parries from Canu. Sigeric screamed, wasting energy on his emotional lure. The black snake Maziq squirmed through the sand underneath foot. Canu saw the snake crawl between his legs and his instinct was to jump. He slipped, falling to his back. Sigeric was on him in a flash.

    The blade struck sand and dirt. Sigeric had come down harshly and misjudged Canu¡¯s agility. Sigeric¡¯s blade got stuck in the dirt momentarily which gave Canu enough time to get to his feet and re-adjust his position. Sigeric yanked his blade free and slowly encroached towards Canu.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    The clan was slowly building the chant of the ancient Terragars. It was a rhythmic chant that sounded more like noises than words. The chants seemed afar off¡ªtheir chants were slowly dulling on and getting fainter as they began to watch with a paralyzing intrigue. Blivth had to look away. Judd yanked his shoulder, forcing him to watch. Every time Canu evaded a blow, Bulig yanked on the chains to Eshna¡¯s neck instinctively. She was keeled over in the sand choking and cursing Bulig. Her protests could not be heard over the chanting and grunting.

    Mota had his wrinkly eyelids closed over his milky eyes as he sang the song of the ancients with great pride. The fight went on and on. Sigeric advanced, Canu defended. It was unusual, but the snake beneath the sands would continue slithering through the sands¡ªreminding the men of Sigeric¡¯s dark bond he had entered with the sorcerer.

    Canu finally got a few attacks of his own. Sigeric¡¯s energy was dwindling. Canu had survived the initial burst of anger and desire.

    ¡°What happened, Sigeric? Your energy is waning. I¡¯m getting bored,¡± said Canu. ¡°Perhaps I should end it now, eh?¡±

    ¡°You are weak!¡± shouted Sigeric. Spittle flew from his mouth. He screamed as he advanced on Canu. His slashings resulted in more deflections and parries from a very well drilled Canu. His defensive skills were on full display. Judd and Blivth were yanking each other¡¯s sleeves at his graceful movements and unruly technique in blocking Sigeric¡¯s desperate blows.

    Until Canu took a wrong step.

    The slithery serpent had snuck up behind his back foot. Canu¡¯s heel jammed up against the shape below the sands. He wsa put off balance at the wrong time. Sigeric had a prime position as Canu fell. Canu¡¯s sword dropped into the sand. Sigeric laughed heartily, bringing the tip of his blade to Canu¡¯s neck.

    ¡°Your patience can only get you so far, Canu,¡± said Sigeric. He gritted his teeth, a menacing look causing a look of evil to appear in his eyes.

    Canu grimaced. He looked around. Desperate. Sigeric kicked his sword away. All except Elunu and Gariel had looked away. Quiet sobs from Blivth could be heard. The chanting had stopped.

    Sigeric¡¯s blade drew blood. It was poking Canu¡¯s throat. He began to push down to penetrate Canu¡¯s skin. Out of the corner of his eye, Canu saw the snake begin to creep toward him. He feigned his resignation. His eyes followed the snake. It was so close¡­if he could just grab it.

    The snake writhed crazily in Canu¡¯s fist. He yanked it out of the sands so fast that it caused Sigeric to jump back just enough to release his puncturing stabbing on Canu¡¯s neck. The snake, desperate to get its fangs on Canu, writhed around so wildly that it hardly looked like snake. In the blink of an eye, Canu sliced the snake¡¯s body on Sigeric¡¯s blade. The snake¡¯s body split in two, falling into the sand. A black liquid squirted like a gushing blood from Maziq the snake. Sigeric fell to his knees, dropping his sword. Both his hands had gone around his throat.

    ¡°He will die,¡± shouted Mota.

    ¡°Good, let him descend into hell!¡± replied Judd, who had run into the middle of the sand pit.

    ¡°No,¡± said Canu. ¡°Mota, you must save him.¡±

    ¡°It will require a miracle. I have Floqseed and Frostneedle but my hands are not skilled enough to combine their properties properly,¡± said Mota in a panic.

    Canu knelt by Sigeric¡¯s side, keeping his upper back upright with his hand. Sigeric¡¯s eyes were fully dilated, staring desperately into Canu¡¯s own eyes.

    ¡°Help¡­me¡­¡± croaked Sigeric. His hand grasped Canu¡¯s. A tear was running down Sigeric¡¯s face.

    The snake was still flinging itself around on the ground. Mota stared at the Frostneedle in his one and the Floqseed in the other. His eyes were darting back and forth.

    ¡°Make yourself useful for once, Mota!¡± shouted Elunu. Gariel shouted his support.

    Caroman, who had not been in attendance initially, had snuck in unnoticed. Canu looked up at his voice, unsuspecting of who it might be.

    ¡°We have a Floweress in our presence, do we not?¡±

    ¡°We do,¡± said Mota. He turned towards Eshna. She raised her wrists to show the chains that bound her.

    ¡°Just tell me what to do, we don¡¯t have time,¡± said Mota.

    ¡°Tell me, quick!¡± shouted Gariel.

    Eshna cleared her throat. The chains were still choking her.

    ¡°A pinch of Frostneedle is all. Put it on his tongue. The Floqseed goes under his nose and behind his ears. As much as you can,¡± said Eshna.

    ¡°Got it,¡± replied Mota.

    Canu watched a calmness return to Sigeric¡¯s eyes. It had worked.

    Mota looked to Eshna in amazement. ¡°I thought Frostneedle was only for external injuries?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Not for these kinds of things¡ªwith dark magic. A sorcerer¡¯s poison can be dealt with internally with Frostneedle. It is known among our kind.¡±

    Sigeric gathered himself to his feet. Canu stood to face him. Sigeric gestured for his sword. Elunu had his sword. He handed it to Sigeric after a pause. Sigeric began to act as though he were sheathing it.

    Canu sheathed his once he saw Sigeric do so. But Sigeric had only feigned it. He withdrew his blade and in the blink of an eye he stabbed his blade through Canu¡¯s chest. It embedded itself there, stuck. Canu¡¯s eyes went wide as they could. Blood pooled at his mouth.

    All noise left Canu¡¯s ears. Everything became blurry. He could not feel anything. This is dying, he thought.

    All had gone silent. Judd and Blivth were on their knees. Mota¡¯s hands were at his throat, clawing for breath. Morcant ran his hands through his hair.

    Only one man was smiling. It was Sigeric.

    He pushed his blade further. And further. Until the end of his blade was protruding from Canu¡¯s back. He withdrew his steel, kicking Canu¡¯s body off his sword. Canu¡¯s body fell lifelessly to the ground.

    All who stood around stared in disbelief. Blivth drew his sword. Judd tried to stop him, but Blvith pushed him away. It took Elric and Bulig to restrain him.

    ¡°It was to the death, was it not?¡± called Sigeric. He sheathed his sword and lifted his arms in triumph. A fierce look was upon his face, challenging any who should disagree.

    Eshna had somehow managed to snatch the keep from Bulig when he was not looking and unchained herself. She hurried to Canu¡¯s side.

    Sigeric stood in her way.

    ¡°You will not touch him. You¡¯re coming with me.¡± He grabbed her arm forcefully, yanking her to her feet. Eshna gave a yelp.

    ¡°No, Sigeric. As she healed you, you must let her try to save Canu. It is only fair,¡± said Mota in a faltering voice that gave away his shaky strength.

    ¡°He killed Maziq. I could have died.¡± Sigeric was furious. He began to grumble and charge toward Canu¡¯s dead body. Bulig and Elric sprinted to him and held his arms back. It eventually took four men to restrain him.

    ¡°I am your leader now,¡± shouted Sigeric. ¡°We shall kill and plunder as we please!¡±

    Elric, Bulig, Gariel, and Elunu led him away. All the clan left the scene besides Eshna, Mota, and Emonu. By oath, they were forced to follow Sigeric now, or face death.

    Sigeric was clawed away until he could no longer be seen through the distant haze of heat waves that simmered in the desert heat. Caroman had been the last to go, giving a sidelong glance of mourning to Emonu.

    ¡°Can you heal him?¡± asked Mota.

    Eshna heaved a deep sigh. She swirled her fingers together to form a mini whirlwind of sand that fit in her palm. ¡°I can try,¡± she said.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± asked Emonu.

    ¡°It will be a miracle if we can save him. And if he does live, he will never be the same.¡±

 Chapter 9: The Dreamstone

    Blurry shapes and fuzzy outlines. That was the only thing Canu could make out as he peered around. His body felt weightless, and indeed, it was. He tried to grab his arm, his leg, anything. He was like a ghost. He watched his fingers go through his arms like it was a spirit. I have died, he thought. But where is this place? Hell?

    His vision slowly cleared until he realized he was overlooking a mountain larger than he¡¯d ever seen. His body floated through the sky. He could not feel the air or the wind around him. Somehow, he knew he had become a part of the wind. A gust carried him along, viewing all angles of the mountain. Snowcaps covered the mountain peaks. The brown of dirt blended into chiseled knots of jagged, blue rock. One summit peak rose higher than the other mountain peaks along the range.

    The taller summit was notably taller. It twisted and spiraled and rose high into the clouds. Canu felt his body drift towards this mountain summit. The peak had become whimsical¡ªreaching and twisting into the sky like a tower. It was illuminated by some source of light, although Canu could not tell from where the light came. His spirit drifted closer and closer, until he could make out a shrewd pathway along the twisted sides of the mountain peak. He saw lumps of something laying along the pathway. As he got closer, he began to realize those lumps were bodies. Some were buried in snow. Some still bore flesh that was frozen over. Others were skeleton, with limps sticking up out of the snow as they lay.

    Many have sought this place, but none have found it, thought Canu. Wait, what am I doing here? Canu tried to twist his body, to fly somewhere else. He couldn¡¯t. He was not in control. Am I asleep, or am I dead? Is this the afterlife?

    Dozens of religions and tales he had heard ran through his head, but none had described some twisted tower of a mountain that was illuminated by some unnatural light.

    Canu was suddenly rushed toward the mountain top and shrieking noises filled his ears with agony. He felt the breath go from his lungs. He saw the great doors to the inside of the mountain tower. In large letters over the door, it read ENA.

    The Ena Caves¡­it can¡¯t be, thought Canu.

    The doors did not seem to fit the location. The side of the twisting tower seemed like a normal mountain landscape: all except for that one spot where two oak doors were embedded into the mountain side with those three letters carved in glowing letters above the door.

    He closed his eyes, bracing for impact as his spirit rushed towards the door.

    He opened his eyes.

    I am surely dead.

    All around, colors unknown to the eyes of men filled a magnificent throne room made of Jesper, ruby, and rainbow-colored emeralds. The colors seemed to meld together in a faded composite.

    There was a sudden sense of awe and authority that brought Canu to his knees, slowly. He had never felt so small before. A great throne was directly before him at the end of the throne room. It was a long hall, and all along the sides of the hall were other throne chairs that were smaller than the other directly ahead.

    Someone, or something, sat upon the throne straight ahead. The being was so bright and so white that Canu could not help but shield his eyes from its light. The sound of gongs beating in the distance mixed with calming chants that echoed succinctly from all sides of the throne hall. Rows of ambient and rainbow-colored spirits lined either side of the hall in ascending order up the walls. They sang a song in their tongue which chilled Canu to the core, although he did not know why.

    The floors were made of a pearl so pure that he could see the reflection of his feet where he stood. Swirling shapes of unknown colors began to move beneath the surface of the throne room floor. Canu felt the bottoms of his feet go numb. He tried to grasp his own arms again, but it was useless. He was a ghost.

    ¡°Am I dead?¡± Canu tried to shout it, but no sound came from him.

    There were ten men with crowns upon their heads along either side of the throne room, leading up to the bright white throne at the end of the hall. Canu looked to these men, shouting to them. None looked. None of them could hear him. They had their attention fixed on the being that radiated a great white light at the end of the hall.

    In one succinct movement, all the kings of the hall stood from their thrones, placing their crowns at their feet. They murmured a saying in unison to the great white being. Canu furrowed his brows, becoming anxious. What is this place?

    The kings of the hall took their seats. Three creatures emerged from the white being¡¯s throne. With the procession of the three creatures came two beings that appeared like humans, but their skin was glowing a bright white. They were escorting a woman with long locks of golden, silk hair. Her eyes shone a bright blue which illuminated the whole room with its light. The room had become the blue of her eyes. She bowed before the being of bright white light.

    ¡°My respect is bestowed unto you, High King,¡± she said, in a language that Canu finally understood.

    The two shining humans stepped aside at either side of the white throne. The brightness of the being who sat on the throne finally dimmed down so that Canu could look without being blinded. The being was still too bright for Canu to look at directly. The kings lined along either side of the hall bowed deeply to the woman who had appeared.

    Her beauty stunned Canu. It was not the physical appearance which paralyzed him, but something much deeper within her. He felt safe, secure¡­joyous. There was an intangible joy that radiated from her. Her face looked free of worry or stress. He desired greatly for her to look his way, to see his face. He tried to step closer, but his body would not let him.

    The creatures that led the woman out from behind the throne were indescribable to Canu. He had no words for the appearance which they displayed. His eyes flickered from the creatures, who sat at either foot of the bright white being, who was called the High King, to the woman who had just emerged.

    ¡°Aryka, High Queen of the Ena Caves. Your presence moves me to great pleasure and contentment. Of what request do you bring to me this hour?¡±

    The voice of the High King boomed so loudly that Canu was blown backward. He fell onto his back but did not feel anything. The whole room trembled with thunder and quaking at his voice.

    Aryka the High Queen bowed once again to the High King. ¡°I feel that I have received a calling to dark affairs that plague the land of Ulda.¡±

    The High King¡¯s brightness was lowered once again so that Canu could make out more of the scene before him. Emeralds and Ruby composed much of the throne that he sat on. Emeralds of rainbow formed a border around his throne.

    ¡°I see all that happens there,¡± replied the High King. ¡°I am sure you have noticed the seal of the Great Abyss has weakened, as I willed it to.¡±

    Queen Aryka bowed her head again in acknowledgment. She lifted her face to the High King ever so slowly.

    ¡°Your son has become strong again. His anger festers, as does his power,¡± said Queen Aryka.

    A rumbling of thunder shook the room so greatly that Canu felt his own body tremble under the force of it. No one else seemed to notice in the room.

    ¡°And so, he has,¡± replied the High King. ¡°Ulda sits in quiet waiting of its own destruction. Everywhere you look, wickedness reigns. To the south, to the north¡­it is the same.¡±

    ¡°I have noticed, my king,¡± said Aryka. ¡°Your lost son Ravnus loosens his chains which held him for so long. He will inevitably be free. And as you have said, my king, he will have his time to reign in the land of Ulda before his destruction.¡±

    The floor shook and trembled. A bolt of lightning lit up the room within a dazzling display of white light.

    ¡°I made a promise in the first days. Ravnus will have his time. It appears the time may have come, but who can know? Who can know besides myself?¡± said the High King.

    ¡°None can know. You alone may know,¡± chanted all ten of the kings at once.

    The King stepped down from his throne seat. The bright white light surged across the throne room and straight through Canu. He gasped, feeling as though he¡¯d been struck in the gut by something.

    He looked up. He could see the High King more clearly now. His face still shone as a bright white light but the rest of his body he could make out. He wore a rainbow cloak that shined brightly. He stood face to face with the High Queen Aryka.

    ¡°Your promise will come to rest, my king,¡± said Aryka. ¡°I have seen the plans you¡¯ve laid out and they are spectacular. Did you receive these plans from above?¡±

    ¡°I most certainly did. The One Who is Above has blessed us with a magnificent foundation and ending for this land of Ulda. We will follow the will of the One,¡± replied the High King.

    ¡°I only ask¡­will the people suffer? The people of Ulda¡­¡± Aryka held the king¡¯s hands in her own. Canu stared at Queen Aryka¡¯s profile as she spoke. She was so elegant that it pained Canu to watch and not act. He wanted so badly to get closer¡ªto glimpse more of her inward beauty.

    Is this heaven? Surely not, they speak of the One Above¡­what is this then?

    ¡°The people will suffer, but only for a time. They can overthrow this monster, Ravnus,¡± said the High King.

    ¡°The monster who is your son¡ªlest you forget,¡± said Aryka.

    ¡°How could I?¡± replied the High King.

    Aryka smiled gently. ¡°They will need help, my king. I have seen it. The plans are not perfect, as you seem to think.¡±

    ¡°Not perfect? Are you doubting the One Above?¡± remarked the High King.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°We shall never doubt the One Above, for his ways are set in stone,¡± chanted the kings who sat upon their thrones. The beings behind the thrones of the kings continued chanting foreign songs and poems.

    ¡°I do not doubt the plan,¡± replied Aryka. ¡°But I have the plans, and I am in them.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡­¡± began the High King. Understanding dawned in his eyes. ¡°It is your time, isn¡¯t it?¡± Aryka stared into his face with her radiant blue eyes. Canu wondered if she could see his face. All he could see was a bright circle of white light.

    The High King stepped back and lifted his voice to speak to all who were gathered in the throne room. ¡°Queen Aryka will speak now of her time in Ulda that is to come!¡±

    Wait, do they know I¡¯m here?

    Queen Aryka turned slowly, scanning the throne room with her blinding blue eyes. Her eyes gave off a blue light that cast the whole room in sea of oceanic blue.

    ¡°I must go to Ulda. The One Above has tasked me. I must be made in the image of those humans who wander the land, so that I may not raise suspicion of my identity. The lost son, Ravnus, must not know of my presence. Elsewise, the plan is foiled.¡±

    The kings raised their voices, ¡°Her time has come. Her time has come. Her last days in Ena are here. Her time has come.¡± They chanted it two more times over before quieting their voices, giving way to more roars of thunder. The floor has turned clear as crystal.

    ¡°Will you require a guard, High Queen? A death for you within that land will result in your eternal demise¡ªthis you know¡ªas revealed to you by the One Above,¡± said the High King.

    Canu tried taking a step forward. Shouting. Screaming. Nothing happened. No one looked to him. Am I dreaming? This feels too real.

    ¡°I do not wish to receive a guard. Ravnus will know of identity. I will go alone,¡± said Aryka. ¡°Of my peril that you speak, do not fear. I am competent on my own.¡±

    ¡°Very well,¡± replied the High King. ¡°What may you tell us pertaining to your plan, my Queen? Or is it to remain for you alone, as told you by the One Above?¡±

    ¡°I cannot say much, for words live forever. And the words with which I speak, even here, may be heard by ears that we cannot see. Do not forget, Anselm completed his task and delivered the Dreamstone to his son. He may be listening now. We do not know.¡±

    ¡°To the land of Ulda, she will go,¡± chanted the kings.

    ¡°I require no weapon, nor escort,¡± said Aryka. ¡°I must find the son of Anselm. He alone can unite Ulda in its defense against the lost son, Ravnus.¡±

    ¡°Then you are ready to leave this place,¡± said the High King.

    ¡°I am.¡±

    The kings and the beings of light broke into a song that was so pleasant it brought great peace to Canu. He did not want to leave¡ªnot ever. This place was safe.

    ¡°Then you shall find this man, this son of Anselm, and do to him as you have been instructed in secret by the One Above,¡± said the High King.

    The High King grabbed a scepter from beside his throne and pointed its tip towards the head of Arkya. She stood facing the scepter, allowing its power to transform her into a less glorified body. Her eyes no longer shone bright. Her hair did not shine like fine silk, although it was still blonde. She was shorter and less elegant. Canu studied her intrigued.

    When will I wake up?

    A flash of memory ran through Canu¡¯s head. A sharp pain shot through his chest. He yelled out in agony. The pain was unbearable. He clutched at his chest, but his hands found nothing besides the ghostly figure of his body.

    Queen Aryka had begun walking down the hall of the throne room, towards him. Guards who stood at the great oak doors of the Ena Caves pulled open the doors. Aryka paused at the doors, looking back to the High King. He had taken his seat again upon the throne. His light shone brightly once again, blinding Canu.

    He was so close to Aryka that he could reach out and touch her. He reached his hand, but something kept his arm from extending enough to touch her.

    The High King spoke, ¡°May the protection of the One Above keep you and guide you, Aryka, Queen of Ena.¡±

    ¡°The Queen of Ena. The Queen of Ena!¡± echoed the kings, stooping to bow and taking their seats in their throne chairs.

    Aryka bowed to the High King, and then took her leave. She exited through the oak doors and the vision began to blur and fade. Canu felt like his body was falling¡ªand indeed it was. Or, at least, his spirit was.

    Canu¡¯s eyes flung open. He gasped for air.

    ¡°He¡¯s awake!¡± shouted Emonu, rushing to the tableside. Mota reeled away from his potions table, dropping a flask of something acidic and bubbly. The ground hissed noisily from the green chemicals.  Mota ignored it.

    ¡°Can you hear us? Canu¡­Canu!¡± shouted Emonu.

    ¡°Hush. You are nothing but a nusance at the moment,¡± replied Mota, his voice gruff and tense. Sharp indentations lined the sides of his face and his forehead.

    Canu tried opening his eyes, but sleep demanded his attention. He began to drift off again, but the pain would not let him. He grunted loudly. He could feel his body again. He gripped something that was in his hand.

    It was the Dreamstone. He felt the smoothness of the stone with his thumb.

    ¡°We¡¯ve given all we can give you for the pain, I¡¯m afraid,¡± said Mota. He wore swaying purple robes and an odd necklace made of gold.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think he can¡¯t hear you?¡± said Emonu. Mota shot him a harsh look and Emonu shied away apologetically.

    Canu slowly brought his right hand to his chest where the pain seemed to be radiating from.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­alive. How?¡± Canu¡¯s words came out in more of a groan than actual speech.

    ¡°We managed to keep Eshna the Floweress here long enough to heal you. It was a miracle, to be certain,¡± said Mota.

    ¡°You and me both,¡± said Emonu. ¡°We both owe her now. She¡¯s saved both of us.¡±

    Mota nodded his head, leaning over Canu with a concerned look.

    ¡°You may want to rest for a few weeks, perhaps even a month. Your body is going to need some time to heal from that, I suppose.¡± Mota had his face drawn tightly together.

    ¡°Do you know Canu? That¡¯s not gonna happen,¡± replied Emonu.

    Canu tried rolling onto his side, but the pain crippled him. He tried again, this time attempting to sit up at the edge of the table.

    ¡°Where¡¯d she go?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°Eshna?¡± asked Emonu.

    ¡°Yes, Eshna. Who else would I be speaking¡ª¡± Canu was cut off by his own cries of pain. His right hand covered the spot where Sigeric¡¯s blade had pierced him. He slowly moved his hand to examine the injury.

    ¡°Eshna was taken by Elric and Bulig an hour ago,¡± replied Mota. ¡°As for the wound, I should bandage that up. You don¡¯t want that getting infected.¡±

    ¡°Nope. No time. Come on Emonu, let¡¯s go,¡± said Canu. He tried lowering from the table but Emonu and Mota were both quick to hold him down.

    ¡°No. I must wrap this. Look at it,¡± said Mota defiantly.

    The wound was a wide array of purple, red, and orange along the outside of his pectoral. The center of the wound was black as pitch. Black liquid ooze from the edges of the hole in his chest.

    ¡°Eshna filled it as best she could with what she had,¡± said Mota. ¡°But it is only a temporary fix until you can see someone with greater power than her. She said she only knows of one Floweress with enough experience to heal something like that.¡±

    Canu pushed Emonu¡¯s hands away, signaling that he wouldn¡¯t try to get up. Emonu moved back tentatively, eyeing Canu like a mother would when her baby was sick.

    ¡°The slave auction¡­when is it? What day is it?¡± Canu got himself worked into a panic, forgetting his wound until a shock of pain sent him reeling into a groaning fit again.

    ¡°Relax, Canu. You will make it worse,¡± said Mota. He had set about finally cleaning the chemicals he had spilled on his floor. The hut was warm and full of interesting smells.

    ¡°It is tomorrow, but you will not have the strength to go. Besides, Canu, did you forget? The flasduel and all¡­¡± Emonu said the last words nervously.

    ¡°Yes, of course I remember, thank you Emonu,¡± replied Canu sarcastically.

    Scanning the room briefly, Canu tilted his head back and let out a heavy sigh.

    ¡°So, what of this wound? What did the Floweress say?¡± asked Canu.

    Mota pursed his lips, holding out his hands in resignation. ¡°She¡­well¡­erm.¡±

    ¡°Spit it out,¡± said Canu. He held a dark scowl.

    Emonu rubbed his hands along his thighs awkwardly, turning towards the window.

    Mota began, ¡°Well, unless you find that Floweress she spoke of, your life is significantly shortened. She thinks some of the venom from that sorcerer Maziq got into your word¡­¡± Mota broke off, studying Canu¡¯s face until he gestured for him to go on. ¡°It may have¡­affected you.¡±

    ¡°Affected me? How?¡± Canu was incredulous.

    ¡°She claimed she could not be sure, but those types of wounds usually cannot be healed. But when they are healed, they cannot hold forever. Maybe ten or so years at most. But after that, you could easily die from the most trivial of injuries.¡±

    Canu stared at Mota, disbelieving.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± said Mota.

    Canu thought back on the dream he had just had. Was that a vision or a dream? Visions are true and real. That felt quite real¡­

    His thoughts shifted back to Eshna.

    ¡°I must go to the slave auction tomorrow. I will buy back the Floweress and take her with me to her land to be healed.¡±

    ¡°You mean to go north?¡± asked Emonu.

    ¡°Yes, Emonu. Besides, were you not listening when that old man stopped us yesterday. He said I could find my family there¡ªacross the land bridge and to the south.¡±

    Emonu was shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s a death sentence¡ªtravelling south. To cross all that way past these lawless lands of Terragar and Bargetar, and then past the mountains of the giants, and then to furthermore cross the land bridge. And who knows what is waiting for you when you cross that bridge. I¡¯ll tell you this much, southerners do not welcome us uncivilized folk into their fertile lands. That much is known.¡±

    ¡°Then stay behind. I will go,¡± said Canu. ¡°I¡¯m taking the Floweress with me. I have long had a desire to find my true home. To find my real family.¡± He winced at the pain once more.

    Mota walked up to Canu with bandage and wrap to close the wound.

    ¡°Besides, what have I got to lose? I lost the clan to Sigeric. There is nothing here for me anymore,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Oh, come on, Canu. You could be dead and yet you are alive. That is a gift!¡± said Emonu. His stocky frame covered the door of the cluttered hut.

    ¡°I did die,¡± said Canu absent-mindedly. His stare was far-off. Emonu waved his hands, trying to snap him out of it.

    ¡°I died as well, but here I am,¡± said Emonu. ¡°Hey. Hey, Canu!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± snapped Canu. He sighed, then apologized. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Emonu. But I do mean to get out of here. I need to get the Floweress back, however. She¡¯s knows the way to the northern kingdoms. And she knows the one who can heal me permanently.¡±

    ¡°I suppose there is a way you can get her back without stealing her,¡± said Emonu.

    ¡°Hire a bounty hunter,¡± suggested Mota. Canu scoffed at that. Mota was not one to suggest such things. Emonu couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.

    ¡°Stick to your potions over there,¡± said Emonu.

    ¡°You do forget that I am from the land which you are seeking,¡± said Mota. ¡°I came here during the Five Years¡¯ war to escape the chaos.¡±

    ¡°I often forget,¡± said Canu. Emonu echoed agreement. ¡°You will come with me then?¡± asked Canu.

    ¡°No, no. My place is here. I am too old for adventure,¡± said Mota with a smile spread across his face. ¡°Here,¡± he gestured. ¡°Take this as you go. It is for the pain.¡±

    ¡°Thank you Mota,¡± said Canu. He grabbed a thick vine of green and purple weeds which were meant for the pain.

    ¡°I¡¯ll return home to rest tonight,¡± said Canu. He pushed his messy hair out of his face. It had grown tangled and wild in recent weeks. ¡°I suppose I already have a bit of a plan for tomorrow. And it does not involve rest, much to your annoyance I am sure, Mota.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. I better not find you back here again. And it better not be with another dead man. There are only so many people that the Floweress can revive before she will use all of her own life up,¡± said Mota. Canu nodded, doubting his words could be trusted. Mota could say things without truly knowing sometimes. This sounded like one of those made-up times.

    Emonu opened the door, letting a gust of fresh wind in through the hut. Canu slowly made his way hunched over to the door.

    Mota quickly put a staff in his hand as a walking stick. Canu straightened out slightly with the help of the stick. ¡°Thank you,¡± whispered Canu. Mota gave a curt nod. He watched the two men leave like a proud father.

    When the two arrived at Canu¡¯s home, Emonu started a roaring fire in the fireplace and busied himself roasting a squirrel over the fire that had been killed nearly a week ago. It reeked horribly but it was the only food on hand. Canu laid on his side by the fire, one hand over his chest where the sword had killed him.

    A panic ran through Canu, remembering the Dreamstone. Had he left it?

    His hand quickly found the calming feeling of the smooth stone under his thumb, tucked away in his cloak pocket. The cloak was brown and crusty, given to him by Mota. He turned the stone in his hand, examining it.

    ¡°Have you heard of the Ena Caves?¡± asked Canu as he eyed the Dreamstone wearily.

    ¡°Of course, I have. I mean, most likely fables I would imagine. But yes, who hasn¡¯t?¡± replied Emonu.

    ¡°I can assure you, that place is real.¡± Canu¡¯s voice had grown serious.

    ¡°What makes you so sure all of a sudden?¡± asked Emonu. He turned the squirrel in slow circles over the fire to make sure it was cooked on all sides.

    ¡°I was there. When I died.¡±

    Emonu chuckled. ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°They sent the High Queen. Here. For me.¡±

    ¡°They sent the High Queen¡­¡± Emonu repeated the words slowly, digesting each word with hesitation. ¡°She was sent for you? Where did you hear that?¡±

    ¡°I was there, Emonu. I saw it,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°How?¡±

    Canu withdrew the Dreamstone from under his cloak, holding it out in front of him so that it glimmered slightly in the fire¡¯s light.

    ¡°With this.¡±

 Chapter 10: The Auction

    It would seem that a gathering in a city known as the City of Sins would be a recipe for murder, crookedness, and vile deeds. And, in fact, it was. People from all corners of the southern side of the land bridge from Bargetar to Terragar to Kungar gathered to be a part of the biannual slave trade.

    Hundreds of tents and large canopies occupied plains of brown dirt. The scorching sun sat high in the afternoon sky beside tufts of white clouds. There was not a trace of wind to cool men and women down. The air inside tents were stuffy and smelled of various odors. It was the kind of heat that left one¡¯s mouth dry as cotton. Water had suddenly become a commody¡ªso much so that there had already been two incidents, one of which resulted in death, where men had fought over the last of the water supply.

    Emonu sat at a round table that was creaking under the weight of fists and elbows of excitedly, clamoring guests whose hurried discussion concerned the latest slave that was up for sale. A man with a mustache so bushy it covered it his lip was auctioning off a man with a muzzle over his mouth. His hair was cut crudely in a crooked line across his forehead. Emonu pretended to be interested, not allowing himself to glance over to Canu¡¯s table. The group at the table he was seated arrived in a party of six men. They spoke an odd tongue that mixed his own language in short bits with another language that contained more ¡°s¡± sounding words than he knew possible. It all sounded like hissing with normal words thrown in occasionally. One particular man in a green cloak seemed to lead the conversation amongst the group¡ªoften emitting loud bursts of laughter.

    He could not tell who the lead of the group was because they all spoke frequently and with equal interest at each other¡¯s words. They had not seemed like seasoned southerners until a man approached their table to challenge their bid. One of the more talkative men hurled an insult and the challenger made the fatal mistake of letting his hand go to his hilt. The man in the green cloak had the man¡¯s tongue within seconds. His men restrained the challenger and the cloaked man had drawn his dagger in a flash. They threw him to the ground, letting his screams fill the tent and temporarily halt proceedings from the scene it caused.

    Emonu made a mental note to keep his head down.

    One of the men said something to Emonu shortly later in his hissing language. Emonu returned a panicked stare, holding his hands up in surrender. The table laughed obnoxiously. The man who had cut the tongue from the other man reached into a pouch and tossed a generous Doblii coin to Emonu. Emonu motioned his thanks, overexaggerating his admiration of the coin. In truth, it would be pocket change for Canu¡ªwho had always deemed his own stash of coin to be as much Emonu¡¯s as his own.

    Emonu watched the final bids go back and forth between his own table and a man who the auctioneer was calling by the name Ruud. Everyone had seemed to know the man inside the tent, echoing jeers and comical protests at Ruud¡¯s refusal to back down. He would casually toss an offer one small coin above whatever the men at Emonu¡¯s table would offer. The man in the green cloak did not dare approach Ruud with the same tongue-tearing tactics. Ruud seemed to sit alone, however. Somehow that made Emonu more fearful of him.

    He had a way about him that demanded respect. His fearless disposition certainly helped. He leaned back in his chair lazily. He was a handsome man with olive skin and neatly trimmed facial hair. His hair blended nicely along the sides into a tousle of dark, curly hair on top.

    Finally, after an outrageous price had been offered for the man with a muzzle, the men at Emonu¡¯s table won the bid. They celebrated, cheering their drinks as the man in the green cloak walked up to the small podium to exchange coin and claim his new slave. The man who was giving him away was a skimpy man with boils along his nose and greasy hair. He looked hardly older than a boy.

    Around the plains of the slave trades, there were near a hundred other auctions going at the same time. Canu could be in any one of these tents, thought Emonu as he looked around. The muzzled man was ushered to their table with his hands bolted tightly in chains behind his back. His chains clanked at his ankles as well. He took a seat beside Emonu. He was bulky, with arms thicker than Emonu had seen from a slave. He was used to seeing thinly worn slaves who were poorly fed.

    There were always, of course, bounty hunters or vengeful men who were sold at a high price by their lord as a tool rather than as a slave. Some men did not mind being sold away. Men of the north with a high desire for killing were often shipped across the dividing sea from north to south to start anew as indentured servants in the south. That line of work was much more appreciated the further south one went. Bargetar was the murder capital of the realm, as known by all. The City of Sins, known simply as Bladgorn, was Bargetar¡¯s capital. A hustling and bustling city from slave trade to prostitution and whoring. Canu had made a point of staying clear of Bladgorn when possible.

    But today was different. Sigeric would be here today, no doubt in Canu¡¯s mind. And with him would be the Floweress, Eshna Fashud. Her price would be extremely steep, and Emonu wondered if Canu would be able to afford her. Even with his mountain of wealth and plunder, there were few things a man in the south could use than a healer¡ªsomeone to give them a second chance at life in a land where dying at the hands of murderer was more common than death by disease or old age.

    Emonu decided to hang a sidelong glance at the tent beside them. There seemed to be loud bartering taking place there. It was a bartering war, rather than a bidding one. There was a group of twelve able bodied men standing in front of their seller¡ªa man who people were calling Raba.

    ¡°Raba! Raba!¡± a million voices seemed to shout his name at once, desperate for him to gain their attention at the latest offer being thrown force. Emonu watched one man shove his wife and son forward like dogs with a dozen pouches of coin to go with them. Raba never saw it. The only thing the man received was a look of despair from his son and vengeful threat from his wife, whose slap to the face was prevented by the man¡¯s sideman¡ªwho grabbed her by the wrists to restrain her until her knee found his groin¡ªsending him to the ground in a heap.

    He was then trampled by a man whose height was nearly seven feet. It was quite the scene watching the seven-foot-tall man trip over the man whose groin had been smashed, bringing down the culprit herself with him. The wife tripped and hit her head on the chair of another table, bringing fresh blood to the ground. Her husband did not stir from the sight, nor did he care. Instead, he waved all the coin he had in the air to no avail.

    The sight that had drawn the attention of Raba came from the far side of the tent where a man with tan skin, but stunningly blue eyes competed with a man whose whole face was covered besides a slit for his nose and eyes. He was clearly a man of Kungar¡ªknown as one of the Arroquis. They were known for their odd religion of the self. Belief in the deity of their personal self had led to the concealing of their identity with facial covers and black clothing for reasons Emonu had never figured out.

    Emonu found himself sneakily slipping away from his current tent and into the one beside him where all the action was taking place. He slipped into a chair at a round table at the very back of the tent where no one would see him enter. He did not mean to be noticed.

    He could hear the conversations of a man and a woman at a table in front of him as they discussed the two men who bartered toward the front of the tent for the group of slaves.

    ¡°It¡¯s Han¡¯s eyes. They demand the attention of anyone he acknowledges. Plain and simple,¡± said the man.

    ¡°But his eyes did not get him to the place of wealth and prestige he has now,¡± replied the woman. ¡°He crossed the land bridge years ago after that bloody war in the north. To make a home in the south after spending so long in those lands is something of a mystery. Most who cross the land bridge never make it. Different worlds.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t disagree. I just think his eyes can hypnotize. Have you even spoken to him?¡± asked the man.

    The woman chuckled, turning to look the man in the face. ¡°What, you have? Did you offer to pull his pants down for him when he was pissing earlier? You don¡¯t know Han Paldeen. No one does.¡±

    The man shrugged, trying to pretend her comment had not bothered him. Emonu could tell by his face that it had.

    His attention was directed back to Han now, whose bartering had seemed to finally pay off¡ªearning an amused ovation from the onlookers who had not participated. The auction could take up to half a day. Some waited until the last hour for the auction that they had been waiting for.

    Emonu watched Han leave the tent with his twelve slaves, whose chains were all bound together so that they had to walk as a unit. The man with the black cloth covering most of his face shouted an obscenity and then mounted a camel that was stationed just outside the tent. He left in a fury, leaving all his coin at his table amidst his anger. There was an inevitable leap at the table for claiming the coin. It was only three small sacks of coin, but men here were hungry for coin. Two men yanked at the same bag, spilling the coins all over the ground. A kid no older than ten emerged from nowhere to claim a single coin that had rolled to the edge of the tent. The man who had spilled the bag saw it and chased the kid a hundred yards out of the tent for that single coin. It was in vain, as Emonu watched the kid escape and disappear into the heat waves in the distant Bargetar desert plains.

    Six tents over from Emonu sat Canu wrapped in an oversized cloak. The hood of the cloak covered all but his mouth from which protruded a pipe. He puffed circular clouds of smoke with his legs crossed as he leaned back casually in his seat. He sat at the back of the tent, and the men in the tent paid him no mind. His scabbard on the table in front of him. He watched through veiled eyes at the scene around him. He had situated himself at the tent he knew Sigeric would come to.

    This time had been set for the wealthiest of men. Twenty-seven round tables fit inside the largest tent of the entire auction. Towards the middle, the fat desert lord needed three tables to fit his entire contingent. Canu knew he would be aware of Sigeric¡¯s sale. Sigeric had been performing duties for the desert lord against the oaths of their clan as of recent. Sigeric had surely promised the desert lord he could expect to find the Floweress up for auction at the slave trade.

    Canu eyed the desert lord from afar. He was not hard to find. He was so fat that he did not fit in the chairs provided. He sat in a wagon arrayed in jewels and pure gold. The wagon was untethered to the four horses needed to pull it. Nearly twelve men were seated around the desert lord with weapons at their side. The desert lord was known as Marus Oredor. He was known as the desert lord for his monopoly over a large chunk of the land in Terragar that proved to be more of an inconvenience to travelers than anything. Those who travelled through his land without paying the fare could expect an arrow in their neck at any moment. The fee was always outrageous, pointing towards the desert lord¡¯s greedy nature.

    He was loud and obnoxious, often demanding food and a fanning from his servants. The nervous servants scurried about to accommodate his requests. Canu could see a servant quickly move to the desert lord¡¯s feet. He removed his sandals, which had squeezed his feet and left imprints on them and went about massaging them. Another servant moved to the other foot.

    There was an interesting array of people about the tent. Some were expected regulars of the slave auction. Others had travelled from afar having heard word spreading of the appearance of the Floweress. A high price would be demanded¡ªa price which Canu had come ready to pay at any cost.

    Canu placed his pipe down on the table, a small cough escaping him. The dry desert air had made his throat dry. He called for one of the slave servants of the slave auction. He was a measly boy of twelve with scrawny arms and fear in his eyes.

    ¡°Water,¡± said Canu, signaling with his arms to show him what he meant. The boy could have spoken any of the western languages, so Canu did his best to signal what he wanted. The boy nodded and moved away quickly to find him water. He returned with a pitcher of water and a fancy glass. This glass would not be found in any other tent, thought Canu. This was the tent of the wealthy.

    A commotion from outside the tent interrupted the auction taking place up front. A procession of wild boar leading a wagon like sled dogs were approaching the tent. A woman stood on the wagon with whips in her hands. She was shooting obnoxiously at her boar in orders that were inaudible over the loud screeching of the wagon over the thin dirt underfoot. The sand here was thin and the ground was hard.

    Her boar pulled up at the back of the tent and the wagon screeched to a halt. The wagon stopped short of the tent¡¯s supporting pole by a few inches. The had an arrogant smirk on her face as she stood atop the wagon. All but the immobile desert lord had turned to look at the new arrival. She hoisted two massive sacks of coin from her wagon and brought them to Canu¡¯s table. The initial intrigue of the new guest died away and people returned their attention to the auction up front.

    ¡°Kathel Wynte,¡± said the woman. She held out a hand to Canu. He paused for a moment before shaking her hand to show his disinterest.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need new friends,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°Friendship is not what I offer,¡± she replied. Her hair was wild and frizzy. It ran down to her arms and stood tall on her head in tangled knots and waves. ¡°And you are¡­?¡±

    ¡°Canu,¡± he replied.

    ¡°Just Canu?¡± she inquired. ¡°Works for me. I already knew of you. Your reputation grows further south every day.¡±

    ¡°My reputation?¡± Canu questioned. ¡°You¡¯ve got the wrong man. I¡¯m a local. My clan stays near to the town of Rulzan. My reputation goes no further.¡±

    Kathel laughed at Canu¡¯s casual response. Their eyes were briefly diverted to the auction at the front of the tent where a dwarfed man with three eyes was sold off to a lanky, wizardly man with a long fanciful robe and crude features.

    ¡°You may think that¡± replied Kathel. ¡°They speak of you often now. Your reputation will soon spread to the southernmost regions. Perhaps, even Mekdah.¡± Kathel had gotten so close to Canu, who faced forward and away from her, that her words were whispered menacingly into his ear. Canu jerked his head away and dropped his hood.

    ¡°Do I know you? You are daringly close to a man who has no hesitation to maim if threatened.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an empty threat,¡± laughed Kathel. She sucked on her bottom lip, admiring Canu for a second. Canu furrowed his brow, uncomfortable. ¡°First off, you¡¯re hurt. I can tell by your posture. What¡¯re you guarding? Chest, is it?¡±

    Kathel was cut off by Canu. ¡°How do you know¡ª¡±

    ¡°Secondly, Canu, you don¡¯t like to kill unless judgment is deserved. I noticed you said ¡®maim¡¯ and not ¡®kill¡¯. At least you are honest.¡± Kathel stared into his eyes as if trying to decipher deep truths about him. Canu snarled in anger.

    ¡°Get away. Now.¡±

    ¡°So, you are just as they say in Drakadin,¡± said Kathel.

    ¡°Drakadin?¡± That had gotten Canu¡¯s attention. ¡°What business does a woman from Drakadin have here in Bargetar?¡±

    ¡°I came to find you,¡± said Kathel.

    Canu turned in his chair, withdrawing a dagger from inside his cloak. The dagger dropped to the ground. He clutched his chest, reeling away in agony.

    ¡°I thought so,¡± said Kathel. ¡°You have been wounded.¡±

    ¡°You want the Floweress, don¡¯t you? You¡¯ll have to bid for her just like everyone else. She¡¯s not in my possession anymore. Why don¡¯t you go find yourself a new table before I cut you?¡± Canu¡¯s grit his teeth, still clutching his chest through his cloak.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°I¡¯m not here for her. I¡¯m here for you, Canu Aybury.¡±

    Canu turned to face the woman. He scanned her head to toe, unsure of her business. ¡°Who speaks of me in such a way that you know who I am all the way in Drakadin?¡± asked Canu.

    Kathel moved her quiver of arrows from her bag and tossed them in her wagon. One of the boars whimpered and stared at Kathel, hoping for food.

    By the front of the tent, a new auctioneer had arrived. It took four men with ropes tied around the slave¡¯s limbs to keep him stable. The man was so tall that his head was pushed up against the roof of the tent. It was one of the fabled giants of the caves. It was rare to see a giant enslaved and for sale¡ªoften keeping to themselves in places where no man dared to hunt for one. They were deadly and resistant to humans. The giant had a cloth covering its parts and skin the color of pale rock. It lacked for hair and its eyes were black as pitch. It let out a shriek yell, revealing a set of jagged yellow teeth and a sharp tongue. Canu shuddered. He turned to Kathel, remembering he had asked a question. She, too, had been distracted by the giant.

    ¡°Hey, Kathel,¡± Canu gained her attention once more. ¡°Who speaks of me in Drakadin?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes, that¡­it is a whole religion, Canu. There was an old, frail man who passed through our lands weeks ago¡ª¡±

    ¡°An old man?¡± interjected Canu. ¡°With a tattered brown cloak and blind eyes?¡±

    ¡°Y-yes.,¡± stammered Kathel. ¡°How did you know that?¡±

    Canu leaned back in his seat, forgetting his chest pain momentarily. ¡°He came to me, not long ago. What did he say?¡±

    ¡°He spoke of the great emancipator. A man who would free the north of its legalistic bonds. A man who would unite Ulda, north and south, and end the separation. The people of the south will no longer be constrained to this orange dirt of infertile land,¡± Kathel paused before letting her eyes grow big. ¡°He said that you would do this. You would be the one to light the flame inside the slaves of the north. And one day, those lands will be free from the oppressive grip that it now sulks in.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense,¡± replied Canu. ¡°I seek my family, and that is all. I don¡¯t know If you should believe a word that man said. I would not trust him.¡±

    ¡°We believe him. He is a Seer,¡± said Kathel in a serious tone. Her face darkened. She leaned close to Canu. ¡°He has been to the Caves of Ena, Canu. The Caves of Ena!¡±

    ¡°That makes him a Seer, then?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Of course, it does,¡± replied Kathel. ¡°He has witnessed the face of the High King. No wonder he is blind. But the cost of his sight has not blinded him, for he is now a Seer!¡±

    Canu sneered at that. ¡°What good is a Seer?¡±

    ¡°You are far more stupid than I would have expected. They speak great things of you there, in Drakadin. It¡¯s a religion, Canu.¡±

    ¡°Well, you should return to them. They ought to know that what they hear is folly. I am not liberating or freeing anyone but my own mind. I go north to find my family. That is all,¡± said Canu.

    Kathel twirled the ends of one of her frizzy strands of hair.

    ¡°Can you stop staring at me?¡± asked Canu. He scooted his chair away from Kathel. She edged closer to him.

    ¡°Can I not stare at the face of my savior?¡± asked Kathel.

    Canu gave a dismayed look. Both of their attention was snapped back to the front of the tent. A winning bid had been placed on the giant. It gave a mighty roar. Its shriek drew the attention of all nearby tents. The sound pierced the arid desert air. It lifted its arms and flailed them, sending the men who held the ropes flying and slamming into tables at the adjacent tents. The original owner of the giant ran to the giant¡¯s side and jammed an injection of something into its leg. The giant became very calm and still. It swayed to the side, nearly falling before catching itself.

    ¡°You travel north then?¡± asked Kathel.

    ¡°Get away from me,¡± said Canu.

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°Go. Now.¡± Canu placed his hand on his scabbard, which sat on the table. ¡°There are things I must take care and it¡¯s not going to happen with you sitting here. Go minister to someone else about the religion of Canu.¡±

    Kathel grabbed her things quietly and slid over to another table. Her boars obediently dragged the wagon toward her. Two tables separated them now. Canu heaved a sigh of relief. He could still feel her eyes on him from where she sat.

    The auction runner announced the next person to sell their slave.

    ¡°Sigeric of Rulzan!¡± shouted the auction runner.

    People gathered in the tent leaned forward in their seats. Discussion and talk grew excitedly as the slave was brought forward.

    Eshna was bound at the hands by rope. A metal collar was around her neck, binding her chains to the wrist of Bulig, who brought her forth. Sigeric stood beside Bulig and Eshna with an arrogant smirk spread across his face.

    ¡°I present to you, Eshna Fashud¡ªFloweress of Herbwood in the north,¡± began Sigeric.  ¡°Former prized possession of Emperor Harys Rainblood and then Hyltir Hasamon of Terragar. I release her to one of you in exchange for your finest offers.¡±

    Sigeric¡¯s smug look brought an anger deep inside him that nearly stirred Canu to his feet. He saw movement out of his peripheral. It was Emonu. He ducked low as he entered the tent from the back. He ushered in a cart with a mule that had large sacks of coins in it.

    My entire fortune. Well, it wasn¡¯t going north with me anyways, thought Canu.

    Up at the front of the tent, Eshna had a grimaced look on her face. She yanked her arms away from Bulig, whose chunky hands were trying to tighten the bonds around her wrists. The crowd cackled and clapped in amusement at her feistiness.

    Canu pulled his hood over his head to conceal his identity. He did not need Sigeric seeing him until the last possible moment. For all he knew, Canu was a dead man.

    The words of Eshna began to echo in his head from before.

    ¡°Promise me you will not allow me to be sold for coin,¡± she had said.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know you worry, Floweress. I will not sell you. But I will certainly purchase you,¡± he whispered to himself.

    The sounds of cups clamoring, and intermingling voices slowly ebbed to a halt. Grim looks began to crawl down the faces of those gathered in the tent. Canu initially became confused as to the seemingly random quiet. But it was not random. Aumenfal had arrived. The hour of darkness had begun to descend upon the land.

    The sun had been blazing its scorching light upon the orange Terragar sands, but it now began to fade to a purple haze of the night sky. The hour of darkness had been expected¡ªit was a phenomenon that had occurred on this day every year since the first days of Ulda, when the first two men of the land had dueled over their differences¡ªor rather¡ªKavinar was slain. Kavinar had been killed by his brother, Ravnus. And so, the land remembered that hour of darkness since its inception and it was celebrated by the people for it was a landmark day to remember the incident that began the fall of man and started Ravnus¡¯ invention of dark things and evil beings.

    But this time felt different than past years. There was always a moment of silence that accompanied the hour of darkness. It was a remembrance and a reverence. Most men obeyed that reverent expectation, even vile men. But there were always some who looked to use that hour for their gain, especially in a city such as Bladgorn where its name (The City of Sins) lived up to its expectation. The guards around Eshna withdrew their swords from scabbard to maintain the integrity of the auction. Once the initial awe of the dark was taken in the auction would continue. But the dark continued to overcome even the light of the stars and the sky went from a milky purple to a pure black. Canu held his hand out in front of him and his fingers soon disappeared from before his eyes. Anxious whispers and murmurs filled the tents.

    Cries of ¡°stay calm!¡± and ¡°It will soon pass¡± filled the arid air which now turned brisk and windy. A cool chill drifted through the air and a light breeze picked up into a strong wind. The faintest of shrill cries could be heard drifting through the wind. Canu tilted his head as if to get a better angle to listen. Emonu did the same although the two could not see each other. The sounds of men hitting their legs on chairs and tables filled the tent but were quickly drowned out by the gushing sound of the busy winds. The flaps of the tent went about fluttering loudly like the wings of some giant bird.

    ¡°This feels different,¡± whispered Emonu.

    Canu could hear Kathel¡¯s voice not far off, trying to locate her hounds. Men who were stationed around the tent, who had been hired by the city to ensure the event remained civilized, tried desperately to light torches but the wind blew them out before they could light more than a second.

    A shriek rang out through the night air like a dying, suffering animal. Canu knew that it was not the sound of suffering, but rather the sound of something preying. And although he did not know how he knew, the odd mixture of the pitch darkness and the distant cries accompanying the wind alerted him that something was off. Aumenfal had never been so eerie as this.

    ¡°We must leave!¡± cried a voice.

    ¡°And to where? We cannot even see palms of our hands!¡± replied another, his voice nearly hysterical.

    The bone-chilling shriek cried out again, this time closer and high up in the air. The sound of flapping wings really did sound this time. Emonu¡¯s hopes that it had merely been the tent flaps were dashed. The horses whinnied and many broke free of their reins that were tied to tent posts. One of the tents a way off had erupted into chaos. The sounds of swords escaping their scabbards could be heard but there was rarely a sound of swordfight, for no one could see a thing. People crashing into tables filled the gaps of silence between the shrill cries of whatever it was that flew overhead.

    When the wind had finally died enough for a torch to stay lit, Canu elbowed a guard in the gut and kicked him down, snatching the torch for himself and grabbing up his things. His cart of wealth which Emonu had rolled in remained by his seat at the back of the tent. He disregarded it and withdrew his sword, holding it in his other hand. His horse had not managed to break free of the tent post, but it was neighing wildly and so Canu untied it and let it go. It would be no use trying to mount it for it would have bucked him off.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Canu said to Emonu. Others began to move in the vague light of the torches that were being lit by other guards. Random acts of foul play had begun to take place amidst the panic. Whatever it was that shrieked and cried in the pitch sky overhead seemed to have no intentions of going away. Emonu pushed by a table where a man was being stabbed for his satchel of coin before the assailant sprinted away into the desert night. He didn¡¯t make it very far. Two talons the size of the tent itself snatched him up like a doll and flapped its mighty wings up into the air. The propelling of its wings sent a shock of wind into the ground that sent numerous people stumbling back.

    ¡°Canu, did you see that?¡± Emonu turned to see if Canu was still following him. He wasn¡¯t. Scared and unsure, Emonu cowardly dove underneath a round table to cover himself. The giant bird, or whatever the horrible shrieking beast was, had shown Emonu enough to cause him debilitating fear.

    And then true chaos reigned. The roofs of the five nearest tent canopies were ripped off the poles and flung across the black sky. The winds had picked up again and all torch light was guttered out.

    Emonu found an arm yanking him by the shoulder from under the table.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go!¡± shouted the voice. It was Canu.

    The two ran. Where to, they did not know because they could not see. But they could not stay. The sound of screaming woman and mystified men filled the air was a thickness that could only be described by the word fear. It could in the air as if it were very content of the air itself, thick and drowning. Canu had been surrounded by criminals and theft and killing his whole life, but this was something different. The land had control over Aumenfal and its subsequent darkness. The beasts roaming the air had to have come from somewhere besides Bladgorn, for there were no giant birds or dragons in these parts.

    ¡°Where to now, Canu?¡± asked Emonu as he puffed out whisps of cold air.

    ¡°Just run,¡± came the reply. It was a while later that Emonu became aware of a distant light across the desert tundra from them. The light was miniscule and shining a dull white, different from the orange glare of a torch. The desert tundra they traversed now had turned to frost underfoot and the air had gone deathly cold. The shrieks grew more distant as they ran, but the winds continued to carry vague cries for help, their feet unable to help them escape that.

    There had been so many from the auction who ran this way that now they began to gather towards one another, as if drawn together by the innate desire to be close to others amidst the unruly fear that dwelled here. The white light had become a meeting place. They did not stop running, however. An occasional boulder would protrude from the ground in which some would smash into head-first. Those closer to the light had a higher chance of avoiding them, but it was incredibly hard for it was still nearly pitch black out.

    Canu soon became vaguely aware of two creatures running to his left, huffing and puffing they were with animal noises emitting from their snouts. It was Kathel.

    ¡°Hop in!¡± she shouted over the gushes of wind.

    ¡°We are going to the light,¡± replied Emonu. Canu ignored Emon. He angled his run so that he could leap from the desert dirt onto the cart which glided along the desert floor by long blades which ran along either side of the cart like a sled. Emonu soon followed, making a much clumsier mess of it as he did so, jarring the sled to the left as he plopped in.

    Canu ran a relieved hand through his hair. The air had become colder here and his lungs burned when he breathed in. Kathel took her hands off the reins for a second to wrap a fur-lined jacket around Canu¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered.

    Kathel did not respond. She had goggles around her eyes to protect from sand and cold wind. The hounds pressed on, unaffected by the darkness nor the cold.

    ¡°How do you know where we¡¯re going?¡± asked Emonu. Canu opted not to speak, too focused on preserving his warmth and breathing his air.

    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± she replied. ¡°But they do.¡± She pointed at her two hounds. ¡°They can smell the way ahead.¡±

    ¡°Ah,¡± replied Emonu. ¡°Lovely.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to get nearer that light and see what it is,¡± said Kathel, slowing her hounds so that the moving light would not get so far behind them. She maneuvered her hounds sideways across the wide desert tundra¡ªnow miles and miles outside where the slave auction had occurred.

    It proved to be a most miraculous decision, for the sight that they saw next had Canu convinced that he had surely dreamt of the whole situation. Perhaps his cup had been poisoned and the utter darkness was a result of his eyesight being lost and the hallucinations setting in. He pinched himself, hard. He drew blood but did not wake up.

    The light was a lantern attached to the front of a harness worn by the lead horse of a pack of six horses, all running in a pyramid formation with only one rider who sat atop the lead horse. Its coat of fur was so white that it shone along with the lantern as a guide in the darkness. The rider could not be deciphered due to the darkness that quickly wrapped itself around anything not cloaked in the brightest light. The other five horses could only be seen as outlines of shapes, feet slowly trotting onwards behind their lead horse. The horse neighed pleasantly, a welcome contrast to the horrible shrieking that had set them on edge back in the heart of the city of Bladgorn.

    Canu, figuring he was still in a dream, shouted out in desperate hope to gain the attention of the rider, whose outline was strong and magnificent in the weak light of the lantern. The lantern swung loosely from the horses¡¯ chest, battling against the swallowing cradle of the night¡¯s dark blanket.

    ¡°Name yourself!¡± shouted the voice. It was a woman¡¯s voice. Her voice brought Canu nearly to tears, for its beauty contrasted harshly against the hopelessness that the night hour of Aumenfal had brought.

    ¡°Canu Aybury of Terragar!¡± he shouted, not paying a second¡¯s heed to his father¡¯s words all those days ago when his father had told him of his birthright in the north.

    ¡°You are headed north then, I suppose?¡± she called back, still shouting over the wind and horse hooves. The ground crackled underneath each clattering hoof. The hounds¡¯ steps were without sound.

    Canu had no response, for he was stunned into silence. Emonu stared at Canu, bewildered by his friend¡¯s shock. Had the darkness taken a hold on him? Emonu wondered if he himself was too na?ve to absorb the significance of this darkness. Hadn¡¯t it been a yearly tradition? Although deep down he knew it was never supposed to be this dark and this ominous. He tried to push away thought of those terrible bird-beasts.

    ¡°I caught wind of your friends earlier. Do you wish for me to gather them?¡± asked the magnificent rider.

    Canu only stared. And even though he could not see it, the rider smiled. ¡°Do ride on, I will catch up to you soon. This hour is nearly over.¡±

    Kathel kept on at the reins, urging the hounds ever onward. They were well out of range of anyone from the slave auction now. No one else had been able to tame their horses in time to escape this far. Those who travelled by foot were surely miles and miles behind now.

    ¡°She is leaving!¡± shouted Canu, who had regressed into a child-like state. He suddenly clutched his chest in pain. Emonu turned to him in the sled, staring over him despite his lack of vision in the pure darkness.

    Canu knew what plagued him, but the words to speak had been ripped out of him. Black spidery veins ran all along his chest and down his arms. It was the infection of black-ink magic that had become a part of him. Sigeric had it too. And now its magnetism and attraction to the darkness had awoken and it strangled Canu, robbing him of his breath and his wits.

    ¡°The hour is almost done, stay strong Canu,¡± breathed Emonu into his ear.

    No sooner had the words left Emonu¡¯s mouth did the sled smash gravely into a large, unseen boulder that protruded from the ground. The hounds had been unable to see it nor smell the danger looming ahead. The sled smashed into the rock like a ship would a glacier. The wood of the sled splintered greatly and the bodies of the three were tossed into different directions. The hounds suffered the worst fate, dying of impalement by the splintered wood of the sled.

    Canu cried out for help, but Emonu groaned and rolled along the ground. Snow had piled and created a thin layer of dusting along the desert floor. His cheek brushed up against that layer now before his body went still and drifted into a deep sleep. Kathel had not stirred one bit since the collision. Her head had smashed part of the boulder when she was flung forward. Her breath still came to her, but her head bled slowly, covering the white snow in a crimson pool.

    The pain which plagued Canu soon subsided as the hour of darkness began to fade and sunlight began to creep out again like a gradual sunset of pink and purple mixings. It would not be long before the magnificent rider with the white light returned with her six horses.

    She came riding at the onset of the sun¡¯s warm radiant stare, its rays melting the newly added dusting of snow to the desert floor. Upon the five horses behind her were the bodies of five loyal members of Canu¡¯s tribe.

    The five lowered themselves from their horses. Their magnificent white rider remained in her saddle, looking on with a pleasant expression that did not portray any sense of worry despite the ill condition of those involved in the crash.

    Caroman knelt beside Canu, putting a hand to his neck. Blivth and Judd checked on Emonu, who was also still breathing, although it was shallow. Elric knelt next to Kathel Winte, giving a nod to Caroman to signify she still lived. Caroman turned in his crouch position, his eyes meeting Eshna¡¯s¡ªthe last of the five riders to dismount.

    ¡°They¡¯re alive, but they may need your expertise to carry on.¡± Caroman spoke in a humble tone, his eyes cast downward as they ever were.

    Eshna¡¯s face did not flicker. She only stared ahead to wear the blood of the hounds smeared the boulder in black splattering.

    ¡°We may need to move soon. I have a sense that we may have company soon if we do not get a move on,¡± said the white rider. Her hair was as white as the rays of a sun and yet they held a golden shimmer.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, milady, but¡­¡± began Caroman, ¡°What may we call you?¡±

    ¡°I am called the High Queen Aryka of Ena. You may call me Aryka¡ªif it please you, young Caroman.¡± Her voice was like the calming of a storm. Powerful and reassuring, it was.

    At the sound of her voice, Canu stirred. His eyes opened just a flicker.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen her before,¡± he managed to groan.

    And the faintest traces of a smile etched Aryka¡¯s face. ¡°And I have seen you as well, Canu Aybury.¡±