Questing Sucks (Book 1) (9 page)

Chapter 9: Koringrath

 

“Sehn, Sehn, wake up!” Nero shouted.

Sehn grumbled as the first sight that filled his eyes was that of the little Elf jumping up and down. He looked around him. The stars were still out in full force, painting the sky with their wondrous celestial patterns while the smooth grass rustled from the light breeze. Off into the distance, night-predators stalked prey while small winged insects trailed close behind, hopeful for scraps.

“Nero, it’s not morning for another two hours. What in the Gods has you all riled up?” Nero was jumping and spinning, going through all of his childish routines and motions.

“I can’t wait any longer. I want to go to Koringrath
now
. We’re so close, Sehn. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

Damn children
, Sehn thought bitterly.

“Nero, go away. The Great Sehn requires more slumber. Be gone this instant.”

Sehn knew that his words were falling on deaf ears. Once the little Elf got going, there were no words that would make him stop. Sehn could yell, scream, beg, and even cry—of course, Sehn would never do any of these things—but nothing he could do or say would stand any chance of quieting the noisy Elf.

“Please, Sehn. Pretty please with a Moon-crackers on top.”

Sehn growled under the covers of his sleeping pallet. To even attempt to return to his slumber would be futile. Nero wouldn’t quit until he got what he wanted, the thought of which caused Sehn to smile; Nero was a true disciple.

“And if I say no, Nero? What will you do then?”

Nero stood up straighter and sucked air into his puffy cheeks. He flexed his tiny arms. “Then I shall personally see to your execution, Sehn!”

Sehn wondered for a moment if Nero was learning too fast. After all, Nero was Cah’lia’s little brother, and the last thing Sehn wanted was to one day have to compete with Nero over who got to rule the world.

“Very well, I suppose we’ll start early today. I’ll go wake up Cah’lia.”

Sehn walked over to Cah’lia. She seemed to be in a deep sleep, her head tilted back and her breathing slow. He placed on arm on her shoulder. “Cah’lia, get up, we’re going to—”

In a quick motion, Cah’lia shot up, grabbing Sehn’s arm with both hands and throwing him over her side, to come landing on his face next to her with a thud.

“Gah! What in the realm of fuckery was that for, Cah’lia?”

Cah’lia blinked as if unsure of her surroundings. She wiped her eyes and looked around. “Sehn? Is that you? I was sleeping, sorry. What’s the matter? Why are you lying face down in the dirt?”

So, it was just her ridiculous sleep reflexes
.

Sehn struggled back to his feet and laughed. “I am merely practicing belly flops, fool. It is said that they may be useful in battle. But anyway, I have decided that we will set out early today. Wake everyone up so that we can get a move on and finally be gone from this insect-ridden stretch of grassy-rot.”

Cah’lia shrugged and went around waking up the Humans while Nero beamed with excitement. Sehn looked on in confusion as the boy literally jumped forward and landed roughly on his face.

“The hell are you doing, Nero?”

“Practicing belly flops! It is said that they’re useful in battle. I remember hearing it somewhere.”

Sehn nodded. “Good, but you must lean in more with your face. We shall practice later, Nero. But in the meantime pack up and get ready to leave.”

Within fifteen minutes all six of them were mounted and riding. They carefully made their way through the darkness. The three Humans had agreed to the early start without issue. In fact, it seemed to Sehn that they were relieved to speed up their travels. There had been an air of rushed impatience surrounding Patrick and the other two Humans ever since they’d left Elvar. But Sehn could understand—after all, who wouldn’t want to race to fortune and glory?

As the morning sunrise brought color into the Harrow-Plains, the land lit up with a tremendous glamour. Each time their horses put one foot in front of the other, Nero’s face brightened with growing anticipation as they came ever closer to arriving at their first in a long series of destinations.

“Sehn,” Cah’lia said, riding up to him. “What’s going on with you?”

Sehn had no idea what the foolish woman was on about, so he ignored her—or tried to. Cah’lia was persistent. With a kick, she pulled up her horse in front of his, a sudden maneuver that caused Sehn’s animal to rear, almost making him again fall off his Elven high horse. He’d fallen off the thing more times on this journey than he cared to recall.

“By the Gods. What is it now, Cah’lia?”

Sehn had trouble looking at her. She was dressed in her tight fitting hide-pants, and this morning her long dark hair was tied into a ponytail, fading away behind her pert Elven ears. Sehn’s heart beat faster at the sight of her, but only because he was practicing his heart-beating exercises and not at all because he liked her or anything so ridiculous.

I am NOT attracted to her! I am not!

“Sehn, why haven’t you been eating anything? I thought it was because you were absorbed in that ridiculous book, but even since you’ve stopped writing it, nothing has changed. I’ve barely seen you eat a thing these last four days, except for when I have to shove it down your throat. What’s going on?”

Sehn’s temper flared at Cah’lia’s caring words. How dare someone show concern for the Great Sehn? His body did not require food. It was the other way around, actually. Food required
his
body. Sehn was beginning to lose his patience with the woman. She never obeyed him, never did anything he said, and she was constantly trying to undermine his decisions.

It was getting even worse as of late. Over the last few days, Sehn had noticed that the men were beginning to obey
her
orders over his. It was sacrament! Cah’lia would be burned in a lava-pit when this was all over. She was lucky Sehn did not summon lightning at this very moment for her criminal behavior.

Sehn crossed his arms. “I haven’t been hungry, and it’s none of your concern. I have been merciful to you these last few days, Cah’lia. Do not make me humiliate you in front everyone. Now, obey my orders and go ride somewhere else.”

Cah’lia didn’t respond. She even seemed to ignore the remark. No one ignores Sehn! What was worse was that the three Humans were watching his humiliation—things had gone too far.

Cah’lia reached into her travel bag and pulled out a few small pieces of fruit. Sehn turned his head away from her.

“Sehn, eat it or I make you eat it. Either way, you can’t simply eat nothing. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but at least eat this much.”

Sehn tried to swerve his horse around hers, but she was quick to once again intercept him. So, Cah’lia dared challenge the Great Sehn to a horse fight, did she? Sehn tried to go around her, but she maneuvered her horse with near perfect timing and cut him off. Daniel and Patrick rode to both sides of Sehn, their faces covered with concern, furthering Sehn’s anguish.

“He is not eating?” Patrick asked of Cah’lia.

Sehn forced himself not to throw a fireball at Patrick. “Do not address me as a third person!”

“Sehn,” Cah’lia began. She spoke slowly, putting great emphasis on each word. “Eat. The damned. Fruit.”

Sehn yanked the fruit out of her hands. He didn’t have time for this nonsense. “Whatever! I’ll eat the damn fruit if it will get you off my back.” He forced himself to devour it and almost started a fight when he spit the seeds in Daniel’s face, then demanded that Daniel thank him for the scraps.

“You’re paying for that later,” Daniel said, wiping the half-eaten fruit off his face. “I can promise you that.”

“Pay for my foot in your ass,” Sehn grumbled under his breath.

“I heard that, Pineapple-Sehn.” Daniel rode away, laughing. He would pay dearly later for those indiscretions.

Before the sun had reached its noon position, the first signs of Koringrath could just be made out in the distance. It was nowhere near the beauty and size of Elvar, though to someone like Nero, who had never ventured beyond Elvar, it must’ve been a world of adventure and excitement. Sehn watched as the boy’s ears wobbled in harmony with each nearing step.

Koringrath, above all else, was a trading hub. Though the largest percentage of its citizens were of Human descent, it was only by a slight majority. Many races and people from across the world owned homes in Koringrath and made their living buying and selling on what was one of the world’s largest markets. Sehn wasn’t sure, but he was reasonably certain that the city fell under the jurisdiction of Man-Dar, or whatever it was the Humans called their nation.

The city was light in color as nearly all homes were made of white-painted brick and owned by rich merchants. Water fountains and statues of most of the Gods and Goddesses served to add a decorative feel that was found in few other places. There were no dirt roads in Koringrath; all streets were paved and made the same grayish-white found in the other structures. From a distance, Koringrath had an almost angelic look, which caused Nero’s eyes to water.

Many homes were the size of small palaces, with large swimming areas and gardens filled with colorful plants out front. As Sehn’s party—not Cah’lia’s, damn it!—came closer to its massive gates, they could begin to make out the Southern end of city; this was where the trading was done. There was a sea of people so vast that it amazed Sehn they could breathe while standing so close to one another. The vast majority, Sehn knew, didn’t reside in Koringrath, for only the rich and powerful took up residence. On any given day, most of people in the city were there on either business or simply buying items for pleasure.

Sehn pulled up to the massive gates, Cah’lia and Nero following closely behind; Patrick and Rillith helped Daniel oversee the wagon. There were three Human men in loose-fitting armor standing guard. They held ceremonial swords and looked as if they had never seen a day of combat in their lives.

“Greetings, fellow travelers, welcome to Koringrath,” the leader said. “Kindly identify yourselves that I may register you and mark your passing.”

Sehn dismounted from his horse and walked toward the gates. A look of at first confusion, followed by alarm spread across the lead-guard’s face as Sehn strolled by without so much as a word.

“Halt! Forgive me if my words have confused you, my good Elf. It is law that all travelers identify themselves upon entering our city. This is done for your protection as it enables us to better track criminal activity and keep it to a minimum. May I have your name, please, my good Elf?”

Sehn looked at the man. “You don’t know who I am? Silly Human. I am your maker, lord of all that is and ever shall be. I am Sehn, the Almighty! For not knowing this, you shall select one of your men at complete random and have him hung.”

The guard blinked. “I’ve never heard an Elf speak this way. Is this some sort of joke or welcoming ritual?”