Night had come and gone. The morning had dawned a brilliant tapestry of reds and oranges. Elyar had slept well until a nightmare tore him from his sleep. It faded just as fast as it had come. But the feeling of dreade and helplessness stayed. Quietly panting as he sat in bed Elyar decided he wasn’t going to be able to go back to sleep. He wiped some sweat off his brow and just as quietly stood up. His brothers were soundly asleep. He didn’t want to wake them.
As he dressed he looked out into the morning through the window. Some clouds dotted the sky, but besides their puffy red, orange, and white hues he couldn’t see anything else. When he was finished he stepped through their door, closed it again, and headed down the stairs towards the main door.
Even with how early it was the downstairs was alive with servants. There weren’t a lot in the hall, but those that were there scurried about giving him no heed. Elyar was slightly impressed with how fast they walked. Especially at this time of day. He decided to skip breakfast and weaved his way through the room and out the fortress.
Taking in a deep breath the cool air helped wake him up. It was crisp and reminded him of home. A twang of homesickness hit him as he thought about his new journey ahead. He wasn’t sure how long it would be until he saw home again and that thought made him a little sad. He pushed the thought aside and headed toward where the market would be. But first he wanted to drop by and see how his baker friends were doing.
To accomplish that goal Elyar walked down the road he walked the first day. As he walked he looked at the hussle and bussle passing him by. People were out and preparing for their day. Shops were opening, newsp aper boys were yelling the news.
“War! War is coming to Korax!” One young lad was shouting.
How do they already know about the war council? He thought to himself. The annoucnement had only been made the night before.
Someone must have tipped the papers.
“What you need to know to not be enslaved!” Another boy was shou ting while holding up a paper with a picture of a person in chains.
Elyar chuckled at the rediculous claims. He actually had never read a newspaper, but his tutors and parents had told him about them. Curiosity got the better and he asked one passing boy for a copy. The lad told him how much and after he paid the price of five coppers (he had remembered his money this time) he began flipping through the pages.
Standing in the middle of the road reading a page about the mining
industry in Val Elyar heard someone yell, “move boy before you get hit!”
He looked up and jumped out of the way as a man with a cart rushed by. He decided that was enough reading for now and tucked the paper under his arm. As he started walking toward the bakery he noticed the morning colors dance across the stone buildings. The colorful roofs added their voice to the symphony of sights. Their reds, yellows, greens, and blues mixed well with the rays cast down by the sun.
He did not walk long before he saw the bakery and smelled the delicious pasturies. When he opened the door he was once again struck by
the delicious smell. That is when he realized how hungry he was. His sto mach made a sound that agreed with his mind. It was time for breakfast.
Once inside he saw the siblings hard at work. They cheerfully greeted him and once he told them he was ready for his first free treat they loaded him up with goodies. He didn’t recognize most of the things they gave him, but they looked and smelled great. He wanted to stay longer, but they said they were rushing to get to their booth at the market. They could talk then. Loaded up they pushed him out the door with smiles and that was that. He was now in the street again holding a platter of food.
As he walked toward the marketplace Elyar slowly ate some type of tarte. It tasted like strawberries and something else, but he couldn’t place his finger on it. He decided to go down a side street to see more of the town when he heard the sound of clashing steel. Intrigued, he headed toward the sound. It slowly got louder until he rounded a corner and saw a large training ground. It was nearly three times the size of his training area and had there were things he did not recognize.
In the center of the field stood a batallion of men wearing full Koraxian armor holding spears and making a shield wall. A man stood at the center of the mass shouting orders.
“Thrust!” He yelled and the men up front thrust their spears. “Drop and thrust!” He ordered and the first row dropped to their knees as the second row thrust their spears. “Arrows!” This time the entire unit raised their shields into a dome. They looked like an upside down bowl made up of shields.
Elyar was impressed with their speed and uniformity. As he watched another group caught his eye. A group of young men were dueling on the other side of the field. He decided to watch for a minute so he walked closer and sat down. There were a few other spectators scattered around the field. Mostly men who had stopped on their way to whatever job they were doing. But no one paid them any mind.
The first man Elyar noticed carried the traditional sword and shield. He would remain safe behind his rectangular shield and only strike when he felt confident. It was a slow victory, but it worked most of the time. All Koraxian soldiers learned it because of that. The second fighter chose a bolder approach. He carried an axe and short sword. They both wore light leather armor and the usual training frock under neath.
The second man was jabbing and slicing trying to make an opening, but the first man was not allowing it. After a few hits the axe was able to hook onto the shield and make an opening, but the man was not fast enough to use it. The first man took a sidestep and made a series of blows and ended the fight. It was not a very interesting fight and Elyar was in the process of standing up when one of the men shouted at him. “Hey! Care to spare some of that food?”
“This cost me my morning wage! What are you going to give me?” Elyar said back. He smirked thinking he might get some of his coin back. It was a white lie, but he was ok with that.
“Got no coin, but I’ll fight you for it.” The man joked back. His buddy smacked his back congratulating him on the comment. If there was a joke there Elyar missed it.
“Are you sure? I would take a couple of coppers instead.” Elyar replied. He hadn’t been much in the mood for swordplay since the night they were attacked.
“Yeah. Now I’m definitely sure.” The man said. He had been eyeing Elyar and a weird grin had spread over his face. “You were at the feast last night weren’t you?”
“Yes I was there.”
“You ran off with that pretty thing.” “Yes.” Elyar felt weird about this guy.
“She would look nice sitting next to me.” He joked and his buddies made more motions of approval.
Heat poured into Elyar’s stomach and face. He didn’t know why he felt like he had to defend Kristiana, but he did. “Yes…let us dual.” He said through clenched teeth.
The other man grinned and stepped into the fighting circle. Elyar set down his platter and walked over to the arming rack nearby and grabbed a hand-and-a-half sword. He walked back and entered the circle a gleam of hate in his eyes. The other man had a smirk on his face and Elyar wan ted to wipe it off.
“The name is Joob.” Joob arrogantly said.
“Elyar.” Elyar replied before he swung.
Joob quickly blocked with his shield and then followed up with a short swing toward Elyar’s exposed side. But he was too slow. He was actually kind of slow in general. Elyar quickly side stepped the swing. Then brought his sword back toward Joob. This time aiming for his opponent’s right shoulder. Joob tried bringing his sword up. But Elyar was faster. A solid thunk resounded as Elyar’s blow made contact. The armor protected him, but he could see Joob’s pained face.
Without hesitation, Elyar followed his swing by pushing Joob’s shield with the hilt of his sword. The boy stumbled back. He nearly lost his footing, but was about to regain it. That is when Elyar jumped. He dove with an overhead strike. Joob twisted to shield himself. But he slipped. His sword went flying and his shield barely blocked Elyar’s attack.
“OOF!” Came Joob as he hit the ground. Elyar stood over him with his sword pointing at his throat. Both men were panting. Sweat glistened on their foreheads. Silence filled the arena.
Elyar looked at Joob and then at his friends. Their faces were stunned. He heard a short portly boy near the age of maturity whisper,
“no one has beaten Joob.”
Elyar could not believe that to be true. This slow, clumsy man?
Thought Elyar.
“You! There!” A man shouted behind him.
Elyar turned around to see who it was and saw the leader of the century walking toward him. He swallowed a large amount of saliva as the man approached. As he grew nearer Elyar could see the determination in his eyes. His mouth became a little dry but he also had to swallow.
“Tell me you name, son!” The captain shouted.
“E…E…Elyar, sir.” He stammered.
The look that Elyar thought was anger melted into a look of inquisitiveness. “Where di you learn to fight like that? I have seen Joob fight a hundred times in this arena and no one could defeat him. Here
you arrive and beat him in less than a minute.”
Now Elyar was confused. “My name is Elyar son of Lord Edaam of Fisc Feud. As to where I learned my fighting style that would be my mentor Master Pyke the greatest swordsman in the northern fiscs.” By the end Elyar had puffed up his chest a little. He was feeling proud of his home.
“You are the son of Lord Edaam?” Joob asked.
“Yes. Why?” He responded.
“My father, Lord Hunn, says your father made a deal with a forest
diety when he went to war. That is why his hall is so influential.”
The captain looked at Joob with a mix of anger and fear. “You will say no such things in public young lord. You may be my superior, but I
will not have another lord slandered in my presence.”
Elyar waved him down and then stepped up to Joob who had stood back up. “Would you like to go another round?” He was face to face with the lad. Though face to neck might be more appropriate as Elyar looked up at the man. He was taller than Elyar and had moppy black hair and a somewhat handsome face. Even with their size difference Elyar was sure he could beat him in a wrestling match.
“Lords desist. Lord Elyar, I think you better be on your way. The market is about to start and I am sure your fisc will need your help.” The captain said while stepping between the two. Elyar stepped back, straightened his clothes, and then walked to retrieve his pasteries. Once he had his belongings he looked back and saw them gathering their things and talking. What a weird moment.
As he walked Elyar chuckled to himself. He was thinking how rediculous the scene looked like when the captain stepped between them.
Elyar knew he wasn’t the tallest Koraxian noble, but he was still taller than most Koraxians. The captain was a head shorter than Elyar who was a head shorter than Joob. The thought made him laugh.
He finished his breakfast by the time he reached the outskirts of the market. As he rounded the bend and beheld the scene he was met by utter chaos. There were people everywhere. Serfs with carts, nobles with carts, lolligagers, jugglers, singers, and every other kind of person he could and couldn’t think of. Every was at the market. How am I going to find Father?
Elyar took a deep breath and waded into the sea of people. He saw booths selling seeds, sprouted plants, tools, nails, pasturies, crafted and uncrafted leather, and and a blacksmith with weapons and armor. That one enticed Elyar and he decided to make a quick stop.
He was an exquisite bastard sword with what looked like dragon scales tracing down the handle. The hilt looked like eagle talons. It was a beautiful sword.
“Shopping or looking?” Came a gruff but not unkind voice.
He turned to see a middle aged bear of a man. He had to be near his father’s height with arms the size of Elyar’s torso. He smiled at him and pointed toward the sword.
“Beautiful ain’t she?”
Regaining his senses, Elyar replied, “yes, very beautiful. Did you make it?”
“No, not that one. I bought her off an old soldier in the south
somewhere. The place escapes me memory. Would you like to hold her?”
“If I’m able. Yes.”
“Of course. You look like a good lad. Either way, I think I’m safe.” He patted his massive gauntlets and laughed. Elyar saw runes etched on the sides and saw that they were protected by weaving. The man took
down the sword and handed it to Elyar. “The names Gritt by the way.”
“Elyar.” He replied as he took the sword. He inspected the designs which were even more beautiful now that he held the blade. Then he inspected its weight and balance. He gave it a good twirl and felt a satisfied spin. members in the crowd moved a little further as some got nervous. A few people stopped to watch him wield the blade. “I am sorry Gritt. I am not looking to purchase a blade right now. She is beautiful as you say, but I shouldn’t have had you remove her.”
He waved Elyar’s comment away as he put the sword back. “No need to apologize. Ye just advertised my wears to a few dozen people. Elyar looked around and at least one person who had been watching was now inspecting some of the items in Gritt’s shop.
Elyar nodded and started moving on as Gritt began talking to his new customers. After walking for awhile Elyar finally saw some faces he knew. The bakery siblings were busily selling sweats and other goodies to a throng of people. He didn’t want to bother them so he quietly placed the tray they lent him on a pile of others and kept walking. He thought maybe he would have tim to talk to them later.
Finally a voice broke from the crowd, “Elyar! Over here!”
He looked to find the voice. After a few passes he saw Yonn waving at him. He weaved through the crowd and found Yonn, Pitre, Edaam and their serfs loading their carts with items.
“Where have you been?” Pushed Pitre after he loaded up a bag of seeds. “You left early, but you are very late.”
“Sorry, I was on my way here when I was distracted by a punk and his sword.” Elyar stated.
“A punk and his sword?”
“Long story, but the short of it, a boy named Joob challenged me to fight and I did. Then I beat him soundly.” Elyar was beaming as he sta ted the last part.
“Joob? As in Lord Hunn’s son?”
“The very one.”
“Is not he a skilled swordsman?”
“That is what I have heard.” Elyar said as he hoisted another bag of seed into the cart. “But I took him out in only a few strokes. Only his pride was hurt though.” Pitre laughed at the lack of sympothy in Elyar’s voice.
“Spoken like a true dualist. Father will be proud.”
“Maybe.”
With that they continued loading the carts until everything was full. Lord Edaam ordered the men to take them back to the stalls. They would leave in the morning. He and Pitre made sure there everything he would need for the return trip was purchased. After a few minutes of talking they nodded their heads and Pitre walked off with the men and carts. Yonn had already left stating he wanted to buy some trinkets for his family.
Elyar’s father turned toward him and smiled. “Good day my boy?” “Not bad so far. I won my first dual outside the Feud.” Elyar said.
“That’s my boy!” Edaam shouted. “Was it a fair fight?”
“No.” Elyar chuckled. “But if I’m fighting can it ever?”
With that Edaam clapped Elyar’s back and they began walking back toward the market’s entrance. After they walked for a few minutes, and after Edaam bought them a veggie stick, he cleared his throat and said,
“I have decided what you are to do.”
A shiver passed down Elyar’s back. He swallowed and said, “Yes,
Father?”
Edaam paused for another moment. Elyar could see he was struggling with what he was going to say. “I don’t need you to go with Pitre. Andru is going to stay home. He is better suited as my administer while I am away. Yonn is my second in command and Pitre is great at keeping our equipment running. And he enjoys doing that. You are the son I am worried about. But, duty comes before my wishes sometimes. Thus…I have decided for you to accompany a special group of soldiers picked by Lord Cane for a secret mission. A mission to…to go investigate the Soul Weaver.” By time Edaam said the last part he was practically whispering.
Elyar’s face went a little white. “You want me to go find out the… rumors of the north?” He said shackily.
“Yes. You will be protected by a full century. Each will be hand picked by Lord Cane. But I want someone I know I can trust with them. You will be my man. Plus, I trust your dualing skills will keep you safe from any harm.” Edaam smiled at his son while they started walking nor mally again.
Great! Now I have more to think about!
When they neared the exited Elyar heard the voice of an angel call out, “Elyar! Over here!”
He looked over and saw Kristiana. His heart skipped a beat. She was wearing a light green dress that wasn’t as elegant as the one she wore the other night, but she looked radiant to him. He said farewell to his father and ran over to her. Sheepishly he took her hand and they began walking back through the market. Elyar gave a quick glance back to his father and saw a large smile on his face.
The next few hours were a blur. There was walking. Elyar felt like he was going to walk his legs off. But every time he looked at Kristiana’s face his exhaustian vanished and he felt vigor return. Then there was the talking. Just like the night before they talked about everything. How she was an only child and thus her parents doted on her. How her father was a great man, though maybe not so good with him. Yet. They talked about him having five other siblings. How his oldest niece was only ten years younger than him (which Kristiana thought was quite funny). They talked and talked. Elyar couldn’t remember most of what they discussed. It turned into haze, but he would never forget the happiness he felt when he was with her.
Then there were the games. They played every type of carnival game they could. They tossed sacks into holls, and threw them at pegs. They saw fire eating men, and at least one dual. Though Elyar was not sure that was part of the market.
They ate more food. So much that he thought he was going to need one of his father’s carts to get him to bed. But eventually the fun was over. The market was beginning to close. Venders were packing up their tents and the golden rays of the sun was started to turn into the red and purple hues of evening.
They found themselves at where the had begun. Standing close toge ther still holding her hand Kristiana asked, “When will I see you again?”
He stood silent for a moment and then replied, “I am not sure. Father wants me to go on a mission. I can’t say much more since I beli-
eve he wants it quiet. But when I return I will come to you.” “Come to visit…or for my hand?” She asked quietly.
His heart beat increased and he felt like it skipped every beat at the same time. He knew they were betrothed, but having her mention it made his mouth dry, and his mind go blank. After a hard fight he pulled
himself together. “I will speak to my father. If he give me his blessing to
officially ask for your hand I will race to you.”
She looked up at him and he thought she was fighting not to smile. But she lost and she bore the largest smile. It stretched from ear to ear. “I would like that.” Then she leaned up and placed her velvet lips onto his. Now his heart stopped. He was dead. Her lips left and she turned and walked away. He opened his eyes and watched her go. He didn’t even know he had closed them. He stood watching her leave. Even after she was gone he stood there. He couldn’t get his legs to cooperate. Finally he began walking back to his room. His heart was light, and the world was perfect. He smiled. All worries were gone.