Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor (3 page)

TAV AND TWITCH

Unlike many cities in Arrethtrae, Burkfield was a place of peace, comfort, and prosperity. Nestled among beautiful low hills, it had grown from village to town to city in short order. The shops were quaint, the streets clean, and the people friendly and hospitable.

The bell tower, set upon a rise near the city center, served as a daily reminder to all who lived there that life was good for the citizens of Burkfield. All civic activities took place in the buildings surrounding the bell tower, and the square nearby was the prime location for citywide celebrations and festivities.

The city leaders prided themselves on their progressive spirit. All orders and guilds that supported the city statutes and promoted its excellent reputation were welcome, and all who loved peace were universally accepted.

Accordingly, the Knights of the Prince had encountered little resistance in establishing a thriving haven in Burkfield. The haven leaders found it reasonably easy to recruit men and women into its ranks, for without threat of persecution they could promote the cause of the Prince openly. Young people were especially eager to join and learn the art of the sword. Much of the haven’s resources went toward training camps for the young knights who would eventually be commissioned to embark on their own missions into the kingdom for the Prince.

“Twitch, why don’t you train the recruits in the sword today?” Tav said with a smile. He swiped his hand back through his wavy brown hair, revealing the confident blue-eyed gaze of a sturdy young man.

“I don’t think so, Tav,” his friend replied. “They deserve someone who really knows what he’s doing.”

“Look, the best way to get better at something is to teach it.” Tav put a strong hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You can do this.” He swung his sword in a powerful arc and deftly brought its tip to the top of his scabbard, then smartly snapped it in place. “Besides,” he said as he pointed to a nearby group of young men and women, “I’ve already told them you’d be their instructor, and they’re waiting for you.”

“Gee, thanks,” Twitch muttered. A muscle in Twitch’s right cheek jerked involuntarily, and he reached up to massage it with his right hand. His auburn hair framed a tender face that was in the final process of losing its boyish look.

“All right,” he finally said. “I’ll give it a try. But you’d better be ready to jump in if I need you.”

Tav slapped Twitch on the back. “I’m there for you, chum.”

Twitch was a year younger and a full two inches shorter than his sturdy companion, but that didn’t matter—Tav and Twitch were the best of friends. Like salt and pepper, they were rarely seen apart.

They had been close even before the tragic death of Twitch’s parents nine years earlier, an event that strengthened the bond of brotherhood between them. Tav’s parents had taken Twitch into their home and raised him as their own, for he had no living relatives to help him. Because of his slight stature and his facial tic, Twitch proved an easy target for bullying, but Tav made sure it never happened, at least not while he was around.

At fourteen and fifteen, the two boys had joined the Knights of the Prince and begun their training together. Though Tav found it much easier to master the necessary skills, Twitch kept trying, and Tav helped him. Now at nineteen and twenty, both were on the verge of being commissioned.

Twitch walked over to the new recruits and introduced himself.
After a few stammered words, he paired up the recruits and began a series of drills. Despite his apprehension, the training session went reasonably well. The recruits were so new and inexperienced that he was able to stick to the basics of sword fighting for the whole session.

“You did well, Twitch,” Tav said as they walked to the stables to retrieve their horses, Valiant and Kobalt.

“Thanks.” Twitch sheathed his sword and shot Tav a smirk. “But if you’re going to do that to me again, give me a little advance warning, will you?”

Tav laughed. “If I did, you’d never agree to it.”

Twitch shrugged. “I suppose you’re right.”

“And I’m right about this too,” Tav said with his trademark grin. “It’s time to head for the lake.”

The haven of Burkfield lay on the northeast edge of the city, next to the river that flowed south to Daydelon. Due west stood the Emerald Hills, a submountainous region that was a picture of absolute beauty, especially in the morning when the first rays of sunlight broke upon their eastern faces. Mount Resolute, the crown of the region, seemed to bask in the adoration of the lesser hills. Jewel Lake, nestled near the mountain’s base, was a favorite destination for Tav and Twitch. They often enjoyed hunting and fishing there after training at the haven.

Although they hadn’t planned on fishing today, the bright blue sky and the cool breeze offered an invitation they couldn’t refuse. Before an hour had passed, they were casting their lines into the sparkling water, hoping to catch some of the delicious brown trout that populated the lake.

“Are you going to see Mirya again tonight?” Twitch reached for a worm.

“I guess I’m looking for an excuse to go see her,” Tav replied. “Hey, she’s got a younger sister. Why don’t you come along?”

“Ah, I don’t think so. That’s just not something—”

“Why didn’t I think of that earlier? You’d have a great time.”

“No,
you’d
have a great time.
I’d
have a lousy time.” Twitch’s right cheek had begun to convulse as the conversation progressed.

“I insist, chum,” Tav pressed. “Come for just a while. You can leave whenever you like.”

Twitch hesitated.

“It’s settled, then.” Tav smiled. “We’ll take our catch home, clean up, and make a visit.”

“Why do I let you talk me into such things?” Twitch shook his head and recast his line.

“Because if I didn’t, you’d sit around like moss on a rock.” Tav jabbed Twitch’s shoulder.

“I really don’t like you. I hope you know that,” Twitch grumped.

“Yep.” Tav flashed a grin. “I know it.”

“Tav, have you decided what you’re going to do once you’re commissioned. I mean, are you set on staying in Burkfield?”

Tav looked across the lake, gazing at the rippling reflection of Mount Resolute. “I’m not sure yet.”

“You’re one of the best that’s ever been through training,” Twitch said.

Tav shook his head, trying to refuse the compliment.

“It’s true,” Twitch continued before Tav could say anything. “I heard Sir Carter and Sir Urak talking. They have high hopes for you.”

“We joined the Knights of the Prince nearly five years ago.” Tav cast his line gently into the lake. “Now I look at the older knights who work at the haven, and I watch the knights on missions come and go, and I can’t help but wonder, is there something more to following the Prince than this? Do you ever wonder that, Twitch?”

Twitch opened his mouth to speak, but just then Tav’s line jerked, and soon he was occupied with bringing in a nice-sized brown trout. Then Twitch’s line jerked, and they became lost in the joy of a bountiful catch, never returning to finish their conversation about the Prince and their future with Him.

“I will never let you talk me into such a thing again,” Twitch complained that evening as they rode home from Mirya’s house.

“Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad, was it?”

“I’d rather smash my thumb with a hammer,” Twitch replied sternly.

Tav shook his head. “All right, chum. I won’t force you again. When it comes to women, you are on your own.”

By now the sun was set and the street lanterns were lit. Tav and Twitch turned the corner off the main thoroughfare of the city and entered a merchant street that earlier had been full of people working and purchasing goods. Now the shops were dark and locked up … all but one. Its door was open, and yellow lantern light spilled onto the street. Inside they could hear the shopkeeper’s cheerful whistle.

As Tav and Twitch passed by, the merchant gave them a friendly wave. They saluted and carried on their way. Tav glanced back at the shop once more, then reined in Valiant.

“Twitch, look!” Tav pointed back at the merchant’s shop.

On the counter of the merchant’s shop stood the strangest little creature either of them had ever seen. The tall, bald-headed merchant stopped whistling long enough to speak softly to the animal, then put his hand on the counter next to it. It scampered up the merchant’s arm and onto his shoulder.

“You’re welcome to take a closer look,” the merchant called out.

Tav looked at Twitch and shrugged. They dismounted, sauntered into the shop, and approached the counter. As they came, the little animal began to make soothing, chortling sounds in its throat.

The closer they came, the more amazed they were at what they saw. The furry gray and black creature, about the size of a large hand, scurried back and forth from one shoulder of the merchant to the other. It was as quick as a tree squirrel and as nimble as a monkey, with large, captivating dark eyes, a kitten nose, and dexterous little paws that worked
like hands. A furry tail two-thirds the length of its body swished from side to side, helping it keep its balance.

Tav and Twitch couldn’t help but smile as they watched the little animal. It lifted itself high on the merchant’s right shoulder to get a better look at the knights, then flitted back down the merchant’s arm to stand in front of them.

“What in the kingdom is it?” Tav asked.

The creature tilted its head to the side as Tav spoke, then made its throaty chortling noises as if to respond to his question. Tav laughed and put his hand out to the critter. It sniffed his finger, then rubbed the back of its head against his hand much as a purring kitten would do.

“This is the rare and exquisite paysonomus thapira, commonly known as a paytha,” the merchant said proudly. “There isn’t another merchant in all of Arrethtrae who can get his hands on one of these. You two are the first to see this little guy. I’m sure it will be gone as soon as I open my door tomorrow morning.”

By now the furry little paytha had crawled up Tav’s arm and was flitting from shoulder to shoulder, seeming to enjoy its new perch. At one point it stopped near Tav’s neck and snuggled under his chin. Tav gently removed it and held it toward Twitch. Twitch stroked the back of its neck and it chortled warmly.

“I think the paytha likes you. These little guys are extremely intelligent,” the merchant continued. “You can train them to fetch just about anything you want, as long as they can carry it. And once they know what you like, they will remember it forever.”

“How big will he get?” Twitch asked.

The merchant nodded and smiled. “Good question, sir, good question. The answer is … as big as you want it.”

Both Tav and Twitch looked at the merchant quizzically.

“What?” Tav asked.

“These little critters can survive on almost nothing. A few kernels of corn a day would keep this little guy happy forever. But if you feed it more, it will never get fat—just bigger. You might want to train it to fetch your shoes or how to hunt—”

“Hunt?” Tav and Twitch asked simultaneously.

“As I said”—the merchant nodded toward the paytha, which was now sniffing the air and looking off into the distance—“this animal is extremely intelligent. To do a task that you’d like it to do, simply feed it until it’s big enough to do it.”