Fortress Val opened up before Elyar. One grand tower nearly one hundred feet soared at the center of a circle nearly fifty feet in diameter. The tower had windows every twenty feet, but they looked narrow. Elyar didn’t think they would let in much light. The space between the tower and the wall was full of life and activity. To his left Elyar saw a stable full of e-steeds. He saw the usual hubbub that surrounded stables. Hay, stable boys, and the sounds of horses. He got a peek into one stall as a boy opened it up to slip in. A giant steel animal stood proudly quietly eating some hay. It’s metallic silver coat was mixed with brown. On the other side of the circle there was a training ground with training dummies and archery targets. He didn’t see any colored circles on the ground.
“Welcome to Val!” Shouted a voice from above Elyar. “It has been far too long!” Elyar spotted the speaker. It was a tall man wearing black robes with fur lining the color. He strolled up to Edaam with a gigantic smile under his whitening beard and both men embraced each other.
Elyar figured this was the lord of Val.
“Cane, it has been too long!” Edaam said after their bear hug. “I do not remember seeing you at last years Spring Market.”
“Aye, we had a terrible wind blow from mi desert. It covered the land covering buiding and flock alik.” Elyar looked at his brothers as the man spoke. Everyone else seemed to understand him, but Elyar could barely understand the large man before him. “But enuff of de past, who are th ese fin lads before mi eyes?” Cane looked at Elyar and his two brothers.
“You should remember my two eldest sons, Yonn and Pitre.” Edaam
said pointing to them as they gave a slight head nod.”
“Ah, yes! They have matured since last I seen em. But this yungen I don’t seem to remember.” Cane’s eyes fell on Elyar and his brow raised.
“No, this one you have never met my good lord. This is my youngest. He has only just passed the Triad a few days ago and he has already fought his first battle.” Edaam said pulling Elyar close and positioning him in front of Cane.
“Already? How did ye far lad?” Cane looked at Elyar with dark brown eyes. Eyes that bore hate and a desire to kill him. Firelight glinted in the depths of his eyes. Elyar shook his head. The brown eyes sat above a smiling face. His question had not been answered. Elyar blinked a few times, looked up at Lord Cane, and replied, “I fought off one of the bandits.” He felt small between his father and Cane. But, Elyar wasn’t sure if that was the only reason he felt that way. He glanced back up and the tint of firelight was still absent from Cane’s eyes.
Why did I see that? Elyar thought.
“Come! Ye must be tired my weary travelers. The pass is tirng enuff as is, but engaging briggns makes the go worse. Come! Wash up. Some of the uter lords are her lready.” Some of the servants began grabbing their stuff as Lord Cane led Lord Edaam and the family up the steps into his keep.
Elyar looked to see if anyone was watching him. His brothers were behind their father and the servants were busy working on their lugedge. He saw his chance and quietly exited the keep through the gate. The gua rds ignored him this time. They didn’t care about someone leaving.
Hopefully I can get back in.
Now Elyar could give Val his undivided attention. He felt small again, but this time it felt good. No one would know who he was and that felt nice. He started strolling down the main road that had led them to the keep. Now it led him away. Large houses stood on either side. Houses and shops larger than any in Erast. There were signs on some of them. One sign had a loaf of bread with the delicious smell waffing up. Another had a mug with the words “Traveler’s Weary” under it. Elyar wasn’t sure what that meant. Cheerful yells coming from within. He took a step toward the door, but hesitated. There was a lot more of Val and he wanted to see it. As his eyes wandered down the lane he saw building after building. His heart sped up just a little and a smile embraced his face. Before he knew it, he was well away from the Traveler’s Weary.
There were people everywhere. Some were shopping, others were selling, and still others looked like they were eyeing the crowd. Elyar passed another sweet-smelling shop and heard a little growl come from his stomach. He realized he hadn’t eaten all day and he was now hungry. He made a beeline for the door walking around a few groups standing and talking around the building. He reached the door which was a pleasant yellow while the building was a faded green. The door was easy to open. It swung inward and the best smell met him once he was halfway through. He tried to enjoy as much of the smell as he could.
“Ello son.” Came a sweet feminine voice from within. “Can I elp you with somtin? My name is Tuga by the way.” Elyar looked at the woman speaking to him. She was a short, plump woman with rosy, red cheeks. She had blond hair that had been tied in a bun, but now large strands flew in any direction. She looked at Elyar with a large smile that made her eyes twinkle a little.
“Ah,” Elyar began. He closed the door and began again. “I was walking down the street and smelled the most delicious smell. I realized it came from within here and had to find out who made such a delicious aroma possible.”
If it was possible, Tuga’s cheeks turned a little redder. “Oh, you sweet boy, you. I would love to git you whatevr yur heart desires. What will ye have?”
Elyar pocked around his pocket looking for a few coins. He suddenly realized that he didn’t have any. “I…I don’t seem to have any coins on me.” Elyar turned a little red himself and began heading out the door.
“I am sorry to waste your…”
“Oh, come in, son. There are mutliple ways to pay for a treat. What can you do?” Tuga said laughing.
Elyar turned around confused. “Pardon? I don’t know what you mean?”
“I mean,” laughed Tuga, “that you can do a quick chore or trick for a treat. So, what can you do?
Elyar thought for a moment. He realized that he could do one thing that might help the little lady. “I am a calligromancer. I can make your knives sharp forever.”
She looked at him in disbelief. She crossed her arms and her smile slowly turned into a frown. “Don’t be lying to me, son. If ye are going to
decieve a merchant doing ye a kindness ye better just leave.”
“I promise I am not lying. All I need is a sharp object and one knife. Give me your dullest one.” Elyar said taking a step forward. He didn’t like being called a liar and he was going to show her that he was telling the truth.
She took a moment to think. Without a word she turned around and went behind a wall that Elyar hadn’t noticed before. After a few minutes she emerged with a knife and what looked like a small chisel like object. She also brought a man with her. Elyar assumed it was her husband. “This young lad claims he can do calligromancy. He is going to sharpen our knives.” She said pointing at Elyar.
“And ye believe the chump!” Exclaimed the man with eyes darting between her and Elyar.
“No, not really. But this is a dump of a knife anyway. If he breaks it than we lose nothing and he looks more the fool.” Tuga smiled at the two. “You ready…what was your name?”
Elyar looked at the woman and then at the man. “My name is Elyar.” He then walked up, grabbed the knife and chisel like object and began working. It only took a few minutes for him to mark the correct marks while opening up his being. They stood watching him. Tuga had a smile on her face while the man still looked confused.
After a minute or two the knife shimmered. A grin spread over Elyar’s face as he set down his tools. “Give me a large loaf of bread please.”
Tuga walked in the back again then reemerged holding a large loaf. She handed it to Elyar. When he grabbed it his hand dropped a little. It was harder and heavier than he expected. He looked at her and their eyes met. She had a little defiance in them. She was testing Elyar. He didn’t know why, but he had obviously prodded the beast. But soon she would see.
Elyar grabbed the knife, held it up to the loaf, and slowly, dramatically, cut the piece of bread in half. As he effortlessly sliced, their faces went from disbelief to joy. “Luga! Get the knives! Elyar is about to earn himself a lifetime of sweets!”
Elyar smiled and a little warmth spread through his body. He had never seen someone become so happy by an action of his. He could get used to this.
Soon a small pile of various knives lay before him. One by one, Elyar carved and Luga and Tuga watched. Within thirty minutes all of their knives were permanently sharp. After the last knife, Tuga embraced
Elyar and gave him a kiss on his cheek. It was wet, but he didn’t mind.
“Luga, brother, we will never have to sharpen another knife! Do you know what this means?!” She exclaimed grabbing her brother’s arm.
Elyar quickly wiped the residu left from the kiss.
“Not really.” Luga replied. Obviously still confused.
“We never have to pay the blacksmith again!”
As they looked at the knives and cut random loafs up in their excitement, Elyar decided that it was time for him to leave. He would get something later. He wanted to see more of the city. Quietly, Elyar
crept toward the door, opened it just a crack, and slipped out. A crisp breeze met him. He hadn’t realized how hot he had gotten in their bakery.
Sweet siblings. Weird, but sweet.
After an hour or two of walking Elyar decided it was time to head back to the keep. The sun was beginning to set, and he needed to make sure he could get back in before it got too late. He had nearly made it to the edge of Val, but Elyar didn’t think it would take as long to get back. He had slowly meandered through town. If he walked quickly and strai ght to the gate, it should only take him twenty minutes max.
Walking back toward the keep was almost magical. The sun was setting behind the tower. Purple, red, and a hint of gold flared across the clouds and the upper section. The granite was painted in a mirage of colors that kept Elyar’s attention. Slowly, as he walked onward, the sun set and Elyar’s world was cast in shades of grey except for the patches of redyellow cascading across the street from the digilamps. They had sprung on right before the sun disappeared. Elyar expected that, but what he didn’t expect was how fast the streets would clear. He had never been out in Erast at night, so he wasn’t prepared for the exodus of street walkers.
As he walked away from the tower the streets had been crowded and full of talking and laughter. Now it was silent. Only a few bodies could be seen hurriedly walking. Their heads were down and they looked like they didn’t want to be out there. Elyar curiously looked at one man as he passed. He thought about asking if everything was alright. But thought better of it. This wasn’t his town.
After about ten minutes of walking, Elyar new that he was almost to the gate. The wall was getting bigger and the houses were turning back to the colorful mansions that he had first passed. Before he passed the first house he heard a yelp. Stopping, Elyar looked over to see what loo ked like a kid being pushed around by an older kid.
“Help!” The small kid yelled as the older one punched him in the stomach. Elyar broke into a run moving quickly down the alley.
He soon reached the boys and yelled, “Stop that! Why are you hurt ing him?”
But before Elyar knew what happened the younger boy darted behind his legs while the older boy pushed Elyar’s chest. He tried catching himself, but the younger boy stopped his legs and Elyar found himself falling hard into the cobbled alley. Stars quickly popped into his eyesight and then just as quickly faded.
“Quick! Look fer his coins Gyung!” Whisper yelled one of the boys. Elyar’s head hurt and his eyes were closed. He felt hands probing his pockets and side.
“He ain’t got noting, Feng!” whispered yelled a different voice. He opened his eyes and saw the two boys hovering over him. Without thinking, Elyar threw his right arm up and punched the younger kid in the nose. Elyar heard a satisfying oof from the boy as he staggered back a few steps. The older boy, who Elyar now knew to be Feng, glanced at Gyung before aiming a kick at Elyar’s face. Elyar rolled out of the way, but wasn’t fast enough to completely dodge the blow. Instead of his head getting kicked, Elyar felt a boot hit his back. It launched him closer to Gyong. Elyar hit the ground, but was able to scramble up into a crouch before either boy recovered.
Elyar crouched with both boys glaring at him. Not only did he have no money, but now he had started a fight. They looked angry. Elyar was angry. The boys looked at each other and then Feng lunged at Elyar. He swung a clumsy right hook trying to catch Elyar in the jaw. His training kicked in and Elyar stepped to the side dodging the strike. He should have been faster, but his head hurt pretty bad. As he moved he felt the air from the swing. Elyar then quickly maneuvered into an uppercut into Feng’s side. Feng grunted and moved away clutching his side. Their eyes met and a glint of rage burned in his eyes. A gleam of red light bounced off his eyes enhancing the look of rage. The boy swung again. Elyar blocked, but before he could strike Feng jabbed. Elyar wasn’t expecting such a quick second attack. This one struck Elyar in the nose.
That is when Gyung jumped from behind. The younger boy started punching Elyar in the side knocking the wind out of Elyar while Feng began pounding Elyar’s head. Luckily he was able to get his arms up to protect his face and ears, but that exposed his ribs. Anger swelled in Elyar and without thinking he front kicked Feng as hard as he could. Feng had lowered his guard down completely and was lifted off the ground and flung a few feet by the kick. Gyung stopped punching which gave Elyar the opportunity to swing around, grab Gyung by the arm and body fling him over his shoulder. Gyung flew in the air and slammed into Feng. Both boys slowly stood up, looked at Elyar, and then fled down the alley. He watched them leave. Boiling rage faded into anger which slowly burned away into emptiness.
Slowly, Elyar limped out of the alley and back toward the keep. One hand rested on his bruised ribs while the other massaged his head. Two nights.
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!” Bellowed Edaam’s voice as Elyar entered the great door. He winced. A tingle ran down his hurt side as his hand twitched as his father yelled. Elyar looked up and saw his father standing under a large digiliar. He had clearly been talking to some servants about something serious. Probably about him, Elyar assumed. Yonn and Pitre were no where to be seen. Edaam walked up and grabbed Elyar with coals for eyes. “How could you leave without telling us! Do you know…” Elyar saw his father’s eyes notice his bruised head and clutc hed side. Anger turned into concern.
Trying to preempt the questions Elyar said, “I’m fine. I had a small tussle with some boys in an alley. They are worse than me.” He glanced up to see if his father would yell some more, but instead he saw a grin spread across his father’s face.
“Vanishing without notice, fighting thieves in alleys, coming back after dark? Here is proof you are my son if I ever needed some!” He clapped Elyar on the back and guided him toward some stairs that lead up
and deeper into the keep. “Tell me all about your fight, my son! Please, don’t leave out a thing!”
Elyar told his tale as they climbed the stairs. Upon reaching the third floor Elyar had finished. There was a moment of silence as they walked down a small corridor lit by digitorches. Elyar looked to see if they were like the ones back home. They were.
“This is your room. Well, yours and your brothers’ that is.” Edaam opened and strong wooden door that clearly had seen many years of use. Inside Elyar saw a big enough room with five beds and a chest at the base of each bed. Elyar noticed that three beds were on his left and two were on his right. Still no sign of his brothers, but the two on the right looked ruffled.
Elyar grunted in response. His voice was tired from his day and story. Actually, Elyar thought, he was tired from the last two days. It has been eventful, hasn’t it? He turned toward his father and before he could speak his father broke the silence.
“I am sorry for yelling, son. Your mother made me promise to keep an extra eye on you, being your first trip and all. I lost sight of you and became distracted with Lord Cane. I am sorry.” His father looked uncomfortable as he apologies. It was not an act Elyar had seen his father do often.
“I shouldn’t have left without speaking my intentions. For that I am sorry. I think Theos has given me my wage though.” Elyar responded with a chuckle at the end. Both he and his father laughed for a moment.
Edaam waited a beat before he concluded the day and said goodnight to Elyar. “Remember, we have a quiet morning. But the Feast of Fiscs is tomorrow evening. I need you to not run off again. Now that you are a man…” he paused and a bigger smile crept across his face. “It is time to find you a woman.”
Elyar’s eyes popped. He had forgotten that this was the very feast
Yonn and Pitre had been betrothed. He came back to the present as his
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father walked down the hall quietly laughing. At least one person finds this funny.