Entry #264908, added on 07-05-04 @ 7:56 pm EDT
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The nearest town was still a half day’s walk ahead of them. As Rugo and his friends finally approached the outer walls, they relished in the thought of a meal and of being able to sit. Landon would be able to get his wounds dressed and his clothes mended as well.
Rugo thought it quite odd that there were no guards about patrolling the walls, especially with the barbarian attacks lately. Guards never abandoned their posts unless there was an urgent reason for doing so. He assumed that they were in between the changing of the guard, or that they were off on a mission.
Something nagged at him, annoying him and making feel more and more edgy the closer they got to town. His ears strained for any sound. His mind wondered what it was that could be wrong.
Cerine looked up at Rugo, a smile of relief on her face.
Rugo tried to return it and glanced again at the vacant wall. That was when he heard his father’s voice ring out in his head. “During raiding season,” the voice rumbled, “do not let the guard fall even for a moment.”
Rugo straightened and scanned the area with more alertness.
And then, he noticed something else. The town was silent. As Rugo passed through the town gate, which stood ajar, he realized why the town was so silent. No one was about, in the streets carousing or doing their daily activities on their property. The houses that lined the roads had doors closed and windows boarded, as if their occupants feared something on the outside.
“Why is this town so deserted?” Landon asked, looking around at the empty yards.
Rugo hummed. “I don’t know, but I fear something isn’t right here. Maybe we should find someone who can help us.”
“How about there?” Cerine pointed to her left at the nearest building.
A cylindrical building that resembled a ruined signal tower from older times stood near the main gate. Rugo immediately knew from the tower that this town was Amarest. His father had told him stories of the battles fought here, and how the town had been built over the old battlefield. The remains of the tower had apparently been rebuilt and turned into the town hall.
Rugo walked along the cobblestone path leading up to the town hall door and admired the finely landscaped gardens that lined each side. The door, wrought of thick dark iron, seemed out of place for a ruined tower, much less a town hall. Rugo took another look around again at the still empty town and back to the out-of-place door. He sighed, staring at the door thoughtfully.
Cerine and Landon looked up at him expectantly. With a shrug, he took hold of the ring hinged to the center, and knocked it against the door three times, hearing the clang of metal echo on the other side.
“Half a moment!” was the call from within. So there was someone in this town after all! Rugo turned to his friends and saw their smiles of relief on their faces. He knew how they felt, he was just as glad.
After a short pause, the door was opened inward, and a short man appeared. He stood at only three feet tall and could have easily been mistaken for a beardless dwarf. Dressed in a faded red surcoat and matching trousers, the man, Rugo guessed, was an authority figure despite his size. He had an air about him that invoked confidence and demanded compliance. He looked up at Rugo questioningly. “What do you want?”
“I’m looking for a man named Lamnos.”
A look of horror flushed over the man’s pudgy, almost pig-like face, the rosy color of his cheeks draining as they became wan. He pulled Rugo inside before slamming the door shut.
“My friends are still outside,” Rugo protested.
The man frowned and opened the door again, long enough to let Cerine and Landon inside. As soon as Landon’s heels passed through the threshold, the man closed and locked it securely. “Don’t mention that name around here! It’s a good thing no one heard you, or you may have been locked up.”
“Who was to hear?” Rugo snorted.
“What does all this mean?” Cerine asked, her hand drifting to the handle of her dagger as she scanned the room. “Who are you?”
“Pardon me for not introducing myself,” the man said as he took a seat in a wicker chair near the door. “I am Taan, historian for the town of Amarest. The master is out, but he left me to tend for him in his stead.”
Landon and Cerine sat down in two other chairs across the room from Taan, while Rugo walked about the room to look around. He wouldn’t have guessed from the interior that it was an old signal tower. The walls were lined with shelves, portraits and other paintings, and a few tapestries as well.
Rugo took interest in one painting, of a warrior on horseback. The warrior had long black hair and carried a massive sword, which he pointed ahead of him as if he were giving the order to rush into battle. Seeing it reminded him of his father and what he wanted to become himself.
“What’s this Lamnos business?” Rugo asked, breaking from his reverie to turn to face Taan.
Taan said nothing, but continued to peruse a book that he had picked up from a nearby table. Rugo waited for an answer, but he knew that the little man was going to be stubborn. He would have to try a different tactic. “Answer me, Taan,” he demanded, trying to act tough.
“Why do you want to know, boy?” Taan looked up from his book to give Rugo a long, disapproving stare. “I know why it’s any of your business anyway.”
Cerine’s nostrils flared and she rose from her seat. “It is so his business! Lamnos is responsible for the death of Rugo’s father!”
Taan shifted in his chair and coughed. “In that case, Lamnos came here as a child,” he said reluctantly, “about twenty-five years ago. One of the families here adopted him and took him in. They owned a shop not too far from here, selling magical goods and the like. Though he was young, he was intelligent and powerful. I knew he was on his way to becoming a formidable mage.” He walked over to a shelf, fetched a water skin, and returned to his seat. After taking a sip of the water, he continued. “He lived here in Amarest for some time, but after a dispute with the authorities, he was declared an outlaw and banished to the Northern Wastelands.”
“What was the dispute?”
Taan took another sip. “I don’t even know, as no one ever said. But anyone in league with him, or even mentioning his name publicly could be thrown in jail.”
Suddenly a loud metallic clang resonated about the room as the ring knocked against the outside. Taan jumped up from his seat, his face turning pallid. He pointed toward a flight of spiral stairs that led up to the second floor. “Move the rug at the foot of the stairs,” he whispered. “The door underneath it leads to a secret cellar. Hide there.”
Rugo slid the rug and noticed the door underneath. He lifted open the door, and Cerine and Landon descended into the darkness below. Once Rugo had followed them, Taan closed the door and covered it with the rug. “Half a moment,” he replied his usual greeting as Rugo heard his footsteps approached the front door.
The voices of Taan and the newcomer carried through the thin stone floor, and Rugo listened carefully to the conversation that ensued between them.
“So, Taan, have you fixed those archives as I asked?” The man’s voice was thick and harsh, and very demanding. His father talked the same way with some of the soldiers. Rugo assumed he was the captain of the guard, or some similar position of authority.
“Yes I have, Felraic. The events you told me about have been removed, and replaced with the details of the trade with Wayhurst.”
“Good. We must not let those events be remembered and known by the future generations. We can’t let another traitor slip into our midst.”
“I assure you, sir, it will fade away into oblivion.”
“Nice choice of words, Taan. Oh, who are those kids I saw you talking to? Where did they go?”
“They were just some troublemakers. I sent them away.”
“I don’t quite believe you. Where are they?” A heavy set of footsteps stomped inside and crossed the room. They stopped on the wooden door at the foot of the steps. “I know they are here.” Rugo’s heartbeat quickened, and his hand involuntarily moved to the handle of his sword. After a few moments of dead silence, the man walked upstairs, as Rugo could tell by the diminishing steps and voices.
“Why are they after us?” Landon asked, turning to Rugo.
He shrugged. “They don’t seem to like outsiders, especially since Lamnos came to town.” Before continuing, he tuned his ears in to whatever was going on upstairs. While he couldn’t hear much, it sounded like the two men were returning down the stairs.
“If you do see them again, you had best inform me.” The man stepped across the door in the floor and stormed out.
Taan waited a few moments before letting the three come out. “That was Felraic, the head guardsman. He was the one who proclaimed Lamnos as an outlaw, but I know his secret.” He locked the door again.
“What secret?” Cerine looked from Rugo to Taan, perplexed.
The short man looked at Cerine pleadingly, almost frightened. “What you hear from me cannot leave these walls. It would mean our lives!”
Rugo nodded.
Taan continued. “The dispute between Felraic and Lamnos is not real. I found this out as I happened to be down in the secret cellar one night while they were here. They are in league with each other. Lamnos keeps our enemies at bay with his magic so we are victorious in battle, and Felraic grants him access to the Forbidden Pass.”
The Pass was rarely mentioned back in the village, as it truly was forbidden to those not on the southern side. As a child, Rugo and his friends often told make-believe stories about sneaking through the Pass and returning with treasure and becoming heroes. No one had really dared to venture that way, but Rugo figured that Lamnos had made his dwelling on the opposite side of the Pass. “Taan, you have to show me how to get there.”
Landon’s eyes widened as he shot a fearful look at him. “We can’t go there! It’s forbidden for a reason!”
“We have no choice. The man that killed my father lies on the other side,” Rugo was determined to continue, even if he had to go on himself. “If you want, you can stay here while I go. What will you do, Cerine?”
Pausing for not even half a moment, Cerine made her choice. “I will follow you,” she replied, patting the dagger on her belt. Both pairs of eyes turned to Landon.
He said nothing but nodded. The trio was ready to make their move.
“I can’t go along with you to show you the way, but I can still help you.” Taan opened a chest and rummaged through the various items within, miscellaneous books, trinkets, and potions. “I came across this one day while tidying up.” He pulled out a scroll bound neatly in a leather strap. He looked up and gave Rugo a stern look as he handed it over to the young man. “It is a map through the Forbidden Pass. I think Felraic and Lamnos left it behind, or forgot about it.”
Rugo accepted the scroll with a grin and tucked into his belt. “Thank you for your help, Taan. I’ll try to find some way to rid Amarest of Felraic’s deception.” He patted the short man on the shoulder, getting a warm smile in return.
“Go now, before you are found.” Taan unlocked and opened the door, taking a look around outside to see that the path to the exit was clear. No one was about as far as he could see in all directions. Rugo and his friends rushed from the hall.
Their stomachs grumbled as they hadn’t eaten in over a day. Instead of leaving the town as Taan had suggested, they went next door to the inn. The dilapidated building had surely seen years of wear. The windows were boarded up and the broken shutters lay on the ground beneath them. A sign displaying a bed and an overflowing mug of ale hung faded over the door.
Despite the barren appearance, the inn itself was packed full with patrons like it was any normal day. Finding a table would be difficult. “I’ll get us some food and some new clothes for Landon. Remember what Taan told us.” Rugo lowered his voice to a whisper. “No mention of Lamnos.”
Landon and Cerine weaved through the maze of crowded tables, taking in the aromas of the food and the sounds of the patrons mingling, boasting and bartering. A lonely-looking man sat by himself at one of the smaller tables, shoving spoonfuls of soup into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in years. He stopped when he noticed the pair looking at him.
“What do you think you are looking at?” he snorted. “Can’t a fellow eat in peace?”
“I’m sorry. We were just looking for some information about La—” Landon squealed after Cerine elbowed him in the side. “About Felraic.”
The man leaned back in his chair. “No one likes the Lord much anymore. He hasn’t been the same for about eight years now.” He took a long gulp from his mug, belched, and continued. “He used to be a nice fellow, kind to everyone, but now if you cross his path...” He drew his hand across his neck and made a hissing sound.
Landon and Cerine had heard enough. They joined Rugo at the counter.
The innkeeper was a grimy, chubby man with a round face that looked angry even as he smiled. “I’ve never seen the likes of you here before. What brings you to Amarest?”
“I’m just passing through on my way east. I need some food for the road, and a new set of clothes as well.” Rugo could tell this man was nothing like Roddy, so he hoped that his lie would suffice.
“East, huh? Well, then I have something just for you. I like to call it my ‘adventurer’s pack.’ A backpack with a blanket and a set of clothes, not the best, mind you, but they cover the body. And we have some preserved meat for the warrior on the go.” He pointed at Rugo’s sword as he said the last part of his sales pitch. Rugo was quick to accept, and tossed some coins onto the counter. He wished he had been able to get some of the bandit’s treasure, so he could have bought some more provisions. What he got would have to do.
The innkeeper reached under the counter, rummaging around, and then handed Rugo the backpack and pouch containing the strips of the preserved meat. “Lemme give you some advice. Don’t go south.”
Rugo laughed. “Don’t worry, sir, I don’t plan on it.” He walked away from the counter to gather his friends so they could leave Amarest as quickly as possible. There would be no more stops in town. They ran to the main gate, oblivious to the eavesdropper hidden in one of the nearby clusters of bushes that lined the outer wall. |
© Copyright 2004 Mark C Bradley (UN: auric at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Mark C Bradley has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
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