The Awakening (The Stones of Revenge) (4 page)

‘The horse will not make it through the night. Best to end it now,’ a dark voice said.

‘Agreed, but that only leaves us with three horses for the four of us. We must get to the castle tomorrow by sundown if we are to complete our mission,’
another said. ‘The Sovereign will only be vulnerable for thirty minutes and we have to be in the capitol before he is.”

“Another man chimed in, ‘How are we to kill the Sovereign with only three horses? We will never get there in time, and Reginald will kill us instead.’

‘We will ride at dawn. Arthur and I will ride ahead, while you two take the third horse. The plan only requires two anyway. You are simply our cover.’

“Y
our father understood the Realm was in grave danger. He had to warn the Sovereign. Jediael waited for the strangers to finally sleep, then quietly awoke one of his farmhands. Knowing the assassins would inquire of him in the morning he gave orders to inform them that he had grave business to attend to in Ellington and wished them a speedy journey. He told your mother to serve them breakfast and assist them in all ways. At their peril he instructed them not to reveal knowledge of the assassination attempt. Then, he walked his horse to the edge of the farm keeping noise at a premium. Once he was safely away from earshot, he mounted his horse and rode hard toward the capitol. The next morning the servants and Catherine did their best to act casual and sent the strangers on their way.

S
ince Jediael had ridden ahead, the Sovereign was alerted, and by the time the assassins arrived, they were taken into custody. The next day the four of them were hanged for their conspiracy, though their leader Reginald was never found. For his courageous act, the Sovereign called your father into his throne room to reward him.”

“What reward did he receive?” Landon
said leaning forward as close as he could to hear Godfrey’s every word.

Refusing to answer the question Godfrey began another story.

“I knew your father quite well, actually. He and I had a long friendship dating back to before your aunt’s death. Do you remember the night we first met?” Godfrey inquired.

“How could I forget? I had never seen Uncle Mordecai so angry.” Landon
said still wanting an answer to his question.

“He had good reason to be, at least, he thinks so. It was soon after your Aunt Calliope’s death t
hat everything began to change.

The three of us had been as close as friends could be. After the accident, your uncle disappeared for many years. No one knew where. Your mother wanted to find him, but she couldn’t leave her parents who were still grieving from their loss.  Eventually, we gave him up as dead too. A few years went by and your father married your mother, and your father assumed control of the farm in your uncle’s stead.”

“You still have not told me how the Sovereign rewarded my father?” Landon interrupted.

“Have patience. I am telling a story, so you must wait,” Godfrey
said calmly. Landon leaned back in his chair annoyed at the suspense the smith was building in him.

“Now, where was I?  Oh yes . . . your mother was a strong influence on your father. He was intending to work for the church, but she convinced him otherwise. She convinced him that his life would be better suited raising a family and having a son to carry on his legacy. A year later they became pregnant, and your uncle retu
rned from wherever he had been.

‘He seemed changed somehow. He wasn’t as talkative as he used to be, and he had much more muscle on him than when he left. He did not like the fact that your father had married your mother. There was something about him that Mordecai did not like. Personally, I think he began to resent him for taking Catherine’s attention away from him. Anyway, after two years of marriage your father discovered that he was having a son.”

“You mean me.” Landon clarified by interrupting again.

“Yes, now hush . . . Anyway, once your father knew he was going to have you, he knew he wanted to give you a gift.” Becoming intrigued once more, Landon sat up straighter. Having never known his parents, he had always longed for some tangible piece of them. Now Godfrey had
revealed that very possibility.

“Do you know what he wanted to give me?”

“This,” Godfrey said. “This is the very reward the Sovereign gave your father.” And as he spoke he pulled out from underneath him a piece of folded cloth. “Open it.”

Landon took the cloth in his hands and immediately he could feel the weight of the object. He set it on the ground and slowly began to peel away the layers of sackcloth. First the left side, then the right side, finally he unfolded it towards the top, and sitting there before him on the floor in Godfrey’s dusty home was a ring
of purest silver with the boldest, fiery, crimson stone inlaid into the top.

“This is your inheritance.”

Chapter Four

Deals in Da
rkness

Mordecai pushed open the door to
Archer’s store. The door gave a long loud creek from too many long winters of keeping out snow. A strong musty fragrance emanated from the room. It was the smell of leather, steel, and dirt. Mordecai took a deep breath filling his lungs with the store’s atmosphere. He took a few steps inside and looked about him. The store looked different from the last time he had been there. That time, he had been able to trade some potato crop for a leather harness for Octavius. He knew this time would not be so easy. Mordecai would have to use his rainy-day fund to buy the harness, and Archer might make him pay extra due to the drought.

The store had noticeably fewer items for sale than before. Shelves that were once stocked full were now collecting dust.
The walls which once proudly boasted a collection of assorted goods from across the Realm now claimed a meager variety. Mordecai could see the toll the drought was taking on the area. Thankfully, the weather had been showing signs that rain was on its way.

Mordecai may not have been good at many things but he was exceptional as a farmer. He could track the weather better than anyone. His weather journals had been legend
ary ten years prior when the last drought hit. That one hadn’t lasted long, but when people were getting desperate, Mordecai promised rain was coming. Amidst scoffs and doubts, the rain did indeed come and Mordecai was hailed as a prophet. Not wanting the spotlight, he directed people to his journals which proved he was more adept than prophetic.

Mordecai walked past two rows of bare shelves while approaching the sales counter. The owner di
d not seem to be present, but Mordecai was certain he was around. As he walked, the floorboards groaned under his weight matching the creek the door had made earlier. He looked back at the door wondering if Landon was getting himself into trouble. When he turned around, his toe snagged on an unknown object on the floor and Mordecai stumbled forward. He reached for a stack of saddles to keep his balance. However, the stack was not sturdy enough, and he and they tumbled to the ground. Mordecai swore to himself and bent over to raise himself off the ground. When he stood up, his nose was inches away from the point of an arrow shaft strung on a solid yew bow. “Mordecai?” the bowman asked.

“Yes, Archer
, it is me. Sorry about the mess.”

Putting away his bow and arrow, Archer said, “I almost put an arrow through your skull! I didn’t hear you come in, and we’ve had a lot of bandits these days,” he said directing his attention towards his weapon. He reached his arm out
, grasped Mordecai’s forearm, and helped Mordecai to his feet.

“I didn’t mean to frighten you; I just came to buy a harness for Octavius.”

“A harness? Are you doing a little plowing? Has your magic journal told you when this drought might end?”

“Archer, it’s not magic. I’ve been trying to explain it to everyone for years. I
’m just tracking patterns. They indicate rain within this week.”

“That is good news indeed to sore ears. Told anyone else?”

“No. After last time, I’ve decided to keep a low profile. I have too many people trying to make money from my journals. To the last person who tried, I threatened to cut off his ear if he ever bothered me again. That was a year ago.”

“Well, I do hope you’re right. It would be nice to see this town happy again.” He looked around his store slowly as if a memory of some joyful past filled his mind. A smile and a
peace washed over him. Then, in an instant it was gone. “In any regard, you said you were looking for a harness, eh? What happened to the last one I sold you?”

“Octavius snapped it
, again. I think the drought is to blame.”

“
Perhaps. Though, this has been a recurring issue.” He paused to think; the lines on his brow furrowed. “I must say,” he continued with a smile. “This issue is keeping me in business.”

“I’m glad I can be of service,” Mordecai said with obvious sarcasm.
“Do you have any more that I may be able to buy?”

“I
’m sure I have some around here,” he said looking around the store. Archer left him standing there and ducked through the doorway behind the counter. Mordecai could hear him banging around. Then, after a few moments, he reappeared with a very thick, and very long belt. He handed it to Mordecai who surveyed it with a long eye. He turned it over in his hands and pulled on the leather to check its durability.

“This appears to be acceptable. How much?”

Archer looked about his store before answering. “Hmm . . . I’d say five crowns.”

“Five crowns?
! The last I bought was three crowns?”

“True, but as you can see, I’ve had a slow turn of business.”

“Very well, here it is.” Mordecai said exasperatedly as he handed over the money.

“Thank you for your business, as always Mordecai. Enjoy your stay in town, and do, I say, be careful. There are strangers about.”

“What exactly do you mean?”

Archer’s eyes darted back and forth and behind as though he was checking for eavesdroppers in the deserted store. “A number of weeks ago, I had a chance encounter with a traveler in Rowan’s Tavern. It had been a tough day and I just wanted to forget it with an ale,” Archer said responding to Mordecai’s look of disapproval. “Anyway, when she stumbled into the bar and planted herself down at an empty table in the corner trying to remain inconspicuous, I couldn’t help but pay attention. She looked dirty as though she had slept in mud for many days. She seemed in trouble, always looking behind her, so I didn’t ask. However, oddly she didn’t order anything; she just sat there. I watched her for a few moments before returning to my ale.

‘A few minutes later I heard a few men jeering at her. They mocked the vagabond about her atrocious odor in front of the entire bar. When the woman didn’t respond, the tall one in the middle attempted to force her out of her seat. Deciding I had had enough, I drained my glass and rose to confront the imbeciles. From across the tavern I rebuked them. The two smaller guys wheeled around to face me, but the big one was too preoccupied with the wanderer. They approached me. The first moved to slam his fist into my gut, but I side-stepped him and planted his face into the stool I was sitting on. He dropped to the ground unconscious. The other man anticipated this and gave me a good clean shot in the back of my ribs. I stretched backwards in pain and the man angled for another punch towards my head.

‘However, the leader of the three noticed the commotion and called his lackey to stop. The man hesitated and the leader claimed he wanted me.
The man who had hit me took three steps backwards and waited for his leader. I did too. I waited for him to get close enough to smell his breath. He leaned in close to me and told me that I could either leave on my feet or on my back. I told him I would leave peacefully but as I started to walk towards the door, the tall man kicked me in the back of the leg. Falling to the ground, I knocked over a glass sending shards everywhere.  The man turned to kick me again, but before he could I caught his foot and pulled him to the ground with me. We struggled a bit. Then, without thinking, I grabbed one of the shards from the broken glass and stabbed him up under the rib cage.

‘The man’s face held a look of shock, then slumped to his right side and fell to the ground without moving. The third man fled through the door. I picked myself up and looked toward the traveler’s table but she was gone. Rowan called out to banish me from his store because of the mess and assured me Lord Malchus would hear about it.

‘I ran out as fast as my feet could carry me. I blew through the door and was pelted by the fresh air outside. I had never killed a man before and knew only that I had to get away. I decided to walk briskly toward my home. I had only walked about two blocks when I thought I heard someone calling my name. I stopped to look around thinking it was someone from the tavern or a guard coming to arrest me but no one was there. I shook my head thinking I was hearing things, but before I could move again someone or something called my name again. This time it sounded as though it was coming from the alley on my left, so I decided to investigate.

‘The day had already been the worst of my life, so I couldn’t imagine how it could become any worse. I stepped into the alley, and the traveler
from the bar stepped out of the shadows. She thanked me for helping her then said she wanted to repay me. I thought to myself, what could this homeless woman possibly have? She ruffled through a knapsack and pulled out a short dagger in a scabbard. It was studded with many dark jewels. She claimed it had strange properties and that it would bring me good luck. Normally, I would have taken it and tried to sell it, but there was an evil aura about it. She insisted that I take it, and her eyes held a passion and an anger I didn’t want to deal with. So, I fled as fast as I could.

I kne
w not what happened to her, but I didn’t care to find out.”

“Why did you not flee to Linsford, the City of Refuge? You know it is your only salvation if Malchus comes to exact justice.”

“I know, but I could not simply abandon my family. It has taken us a number of days to make preparations.”

“
What about Rowan or Lord Malchus?” Mordecai asked.

“I haven’t heard from Rowan nor the castle since then, though I doubt I am in the clear.”

“More than naught, Rowan didn’t even report it.”

“All the same, I don’t know if I want to find out.”

“Where will you go?”

“
Most likely Linsford. I fear Malchus might pursue me further if I do not seek refuge. Either way, by the end of the week, this store will not exist any longer.”

“Is there no one to whom you can sell it?”

“Nay, the drought has hit everyone just as hard. No one has the collateral.”

Mordecai reached out his arm. “
I will be sad to see you leave. Best of luck Archer, and many thanks for yet another harness.” Archer returned the gesture and clasped his arm. They stood for a moment with a long look of friendship and appreciation between the two of them. Then, just as Mordecai turned to leave, the door to the store flung open and in walked Lord Malchus. Mordecai thought he caught a glint of something in Malchus’ eye. What it was or meant he couldn’t fathom, but it prompted a shiver to run down his spine.
What have I gotten myself into,
he thought.

“Gentlemen,” the slow melodic voice began. “Gentlemen, I have been meaning to speak with both of you.

Any hope Mordecai had of getting out of the building was thwarted with these words. He looked over to Archer and saw sweat running down the sides of his neck. Archer obviously expected death for his crime. Malchus moved into the room and slowly made his way up a row of shelves filled with dust and the occasional trinket to their location at the back of the store. His cape dragged along the ground creating a grating sound as he moved.   He did not say another word until he stood before the two men. They bowed low.

“Archer, it has come to my attention that a certain altercation has occurred in Mr. Rowan’s establishment. You know the law as it pertains to the death another person intentional or otherwise; therefore, I shall not expand upon it. I have a man outside waiting to take you into custody. I would prefer you to come quietly.”

Archer stood in his place with a stunned look on his face. He knew he should have left much sooner, but he had sincerely hoped that Malchus would find an empty store when he came to call. His choice was simple; he had to leave with his Lord. Otherwise, his family would receive the punishment that he deserved.

“Can you promise that my wife and children will be cared for?” he asked, his tone pleading for Malchus to forego the execution.

“I can,” Lord Malchus said smoothly.

“Then I submit to you,” Archer said sullenly. Malchus turned to lead Archer away. They only walked a few feet when Malchus stopped and spun around his eyes gleaming again.

“I find your reticence and your submission rather comforting. I have a proposal for you that may allow me to circumvent the law. It is nasty business, but if you accept, I will stay your execution.”

“What is it, my Lord?” Archer said grasping at anything to save his life.

“There is a man here in town who has been eluding my grasp. If you saw to his execution, I would consider your debt paid in full.”

“What is his name?”
Archer asked readily accepting the job.

“Daxis.”

“Daxis? Daxis is a child’s nightmare created by parents to entice their children to be obedient.”

“Be that as it may, that is your mission.  I will give you a week’s stay of execution. If you can bring him to justice, you will go free.”

Archer was stunned. He was given a ghost hunt as a mission. There was no possible way he could fulfill this mission. But feeling as though he had been deceived but left with no other option, he accepted. He then disappeared behind his counter with a dejected look in his gait. Lord Malchus turned his attention to Mordecai.

“Ah, Mordecai, I have a mission of interest for you as well.”