Dragon King- A Circle of Steel Novel

chapters 3 and 4

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Chapter 4************************************************************************
Chapter 3
Solan was the first to rise; he wiped the sleep from his eyes. The only light remaining in their underground hide-a-way came from the red glowing embers of what remained from the fire he had made last night. At best he guessed it was morning but there was no way he could be sure, being underground and all. He looked over at his companion who was still fast a sleep. He watched her sleep, becoming completely engrossed with her beauty, not noticing that her eyes were now open.
“Good morning”, she smiled
“Good morning to you to”, Solan replied, his cheeks beginning to warm, “I’m sorry, you looked so peaceful I couldn’t help but watch you sleep”, he explained.
Solan stood beginning to neatly fold the furs he had slept on during the night, returning them to the wooden box on the far side of the cave. Nora followed his lead, afterwards stretching her slim body, trying to wake her stiff body from its slumbering state.
“If we leave now we should be able to make it for breakfast”, Solan said enthusiastically. “If its still morning”.
They crawled back through the small entrance and were blinded by the sunlight. Morning dew still clung to the grass, indicating that it was still fairly early in the morning. Nora pulled her cloak back over her head, and then both walked as quickly as they could, Solan matching his pace with hers so as not to leave her behind. They walked in silence, neither feeling comfortable out in the open.
They walked for about half an hour when they came to the top of a hill and for the first time Nora seen Solan’s home. Two small cottages, a horse barn and a chicken coop, He did not lie when he had told her that he lived a secluded life.
The urge came upon Solan to run to his home, where he knew he would be safe in the confines of his guardian’s home. But he suppressed the urge and continued his way down the hill with Nora at his side. Smoke streamed gently out of the chimney of both cottages, so the night must have been colder than Solan had thought and was happy for the refuge they had taken in his burrow. His stomach growled in anticipation for his morning meal.
Solan wondered if Kalob and Xander knew of the danger that had been so close to their home. The thought had not occurred to him during the night that his guardians might be in danger as well. Now with that thought crossing his mind his heart ached with worry. What if he had brought this danger to his home and to his loved ones, he would never be able to forgive himself if he had put them in danger.
Solan’s pace quickened as panic set in and no sooner had he realized that he stood in front of Xander’s cottage door. He took a deep breath and opened the door, Xander and Kalob both sat at the table in the kitchen, arms crossed over their chests and a look of concern on their faces.
“Well are you going to stand there in the doorway and let all the cold air in”, Xander asked sternly. “Or are you going to come in and welcome your guest in”.
Solan stood shocked for a moment, how had Xander known of his companion. Had someone been outside waiting for his return, he knew very well that Xander’s cottage had no windows facing their direction. Solan finally found his tongue and manners, stepped through the threshold and waved Nora to enter.
“This is Nora”, he indicated to the cloaked figure standing in the doorway. “Nora, these are my guardians, Kalob and Xander”.
Nora removed the hood of her cloak and gave the older men a quick smile, stepping further into the room, closing the door behind her.
“Now that pleasantries are taken care of, sit”, Xander ordered, waiting for both Solan and Nora to be seated, all the while glaring at Solan. “Have you any idea what kind of danger you have been in”, Xander scolded.
Before Solan had a chance to open his mouth Xander cut him off, “Obviously not”, he growled switching his glare to Nora.
“Instead of being safe indoors you were out frolicking around”, Xander’s stern glare softened as he shook his head. “I thought we had taught you better”.
“Do you have any idea what sort of beasts were out last night”, Xander asked, the edge coming out of his voice. “Anyway, your safe and that’s all that matters at the moment”, Xander said as he turned away. “You two must be hungry; I’ll get you something to eat”.
“You had us scared for your life”, Kalob said softly. “Where were you all night”?
“We were in my secret shelter”, Solan answered. “We were safe”.
“Very dangerous men and beasts were out last night”, Kalob replied. “I don’t know what brought them to this area but it can’t be good”.
Nora stood and removed her cloak, shaking her golden locks of hair out of her face. “They were looking for me”, Nora answered bluntly. “I am sorry that I brought this danger upon you, and I am truly sorry that you had to worry for Solan all night long, He was helping me hide from those men and beast”, she went on to explain.
“Why does a dragon rider need the help of a young man like our Solan”, Kalob asked.
Solan was shocked once again and by Nora’s expression she was as well. How would Kalob know who or what she was?
“By the look upon your faces I have shocked you both”, Kalob laughed. “I know a dragon rider when I see one, and your clothing gives you away”.
Solan for the first time took a look at Nora’s clothing. She wore all leather, darkly tanned and very tight fitting. The tight leather accentuated her curves and Solan found he had to look away before he began to blush once again.
“The beast as you call it”, Nora replied, straightening her back. “Was my dragon, the men that were with her, hold her captive and under their control”, she explained. “They have stolen her eggs and hold them so they can control her”.
“What’s this”, Xander roared, slamming bread, cheese and milk down onto the table, “Someone has dared to steal and now abuse a queen and her eggs. How is this possible”, Xander questioned, looking over at Nora. “Why were your queens eggs unprotected”?
“They were protected”, Nora answered, her voice rising in defence. “I found the guards slaughtered along with their wives and children”.
“Why was there no wizard watching over them”, Xander questioned, anger flashing in his eyes.
“Wizards”, Nora shouted. “Wizards are the cause of all dragons and there riders problems”.
“If it were not for wizards”, Xander snarled. “There would still be war amongst humans and dragons”.
“And now they abandon us and our dragons”, Nora stated. “All the wizards for each dragon hold have left”.
“Never”, Xander protested. “Wizards never abandon their duty unless there is a greater need to have them elsewhere”.
With tears streaming down her face Nora looked Xander in the eye, showing no shame for breaking down. “They left in the night, without a word, without a reason and without being seen. I don’t know who you are old man”, Nora said softly. “But I have lived with my dragon’s pain and my own”, she cried. “There is not one other dragon rider I have known or heard of that has held on to hope as long as I have”.
“I am truly sorry my dear”, Xander replied as he crossed the room and gathered Nora into his arms and just held her as she wept. “I am sorry for you and your dragon my child”, Xander said soothingly. “You should never have had to go through such an ordeal. Now hush, I will not upset you anymore my child”, he whispered. “You have endured enough pain”.
“Who was your wizard”, Kalob asked gently.
“His name is Maloran”, Nora answered as she sat back in her seat.
“Maloran you say”, Xander laughed. “He is a mage at best and far from being capable of protecting even a small fly from danger. Why would the council even have the thought of placing such a sacred duty upon his sorry carcass”, Xander went on in anger. “It’s bad enough even apprenticing a dolt like Maloran, but putting the trust of dragon eggs in his care is ridiculous”.
“Who are you exactly”, Nora asked, staring at him curiously. “And how do you know so much about the council and Wizard Maloran”.
“Never use wizard in the same breath as that spineless twit when you speak with me”, Xander answered coldly. “I just won’t have it”.
“What is exactly going on here”, Solan asked, confused at all he was hearing.
He had sat quietly in his chair, trying to take all this in and finally had, had enough? It was as if he were in a house with strangers instead of the people he knew and loved.
“I am more than what I seem to be”, Xander said. “But no more important than an ordinary man.Anything I was in the past does not matter now”, he went on cryptically. “I was once a very powerful man who was betrayed by his students and brother’s because they believed differently than I”.
“Now why have your fellow dragon riders abandoned one of their own”, Xander questioned.
“Nala, my dragon has asked them to stay back”, Nora answered. “She warned them of a danger which they won‘t speak of”.
“Can you still feel her”, Kalob asked with a look of concern.
“I feel her emotions and pain”, Nora replied, trying to remain calm. “But for some reason she hides where she is and who has her.There have been times when I could feel her in so much pain”, Nora continued, “that I have collapsed from the severity of it”.
“Have you felt anything else when you have felt her being tortured”, Kalob asked.
“The last time I felt that much pain through her, there seemed to be a feeling of magic surrounding her”, Nora explained. “Like whoever is behind this is trying to mask her screams for help when they torture her”.
“Why would anyone want to do this”, Solan asked. “I mean why torture such an animal”.
“It’s been done before”, Kalob replied. “Many years ago and it put a huge rift between man and dragon”.
“More accurately, between wizards and dragons”, Xander corrected, “Man got put in the middle”.
“It took a long time for those wounds to heal”, Kalob added. “Some will never heal”.
Kalob stood and walked out the door, everyone had seen the unmistakable pain in his eyes as he left the cottage. Solan stood to follow and try to possibly comfort his old friend, but was stopped when Xander motioned for him to sit back down.
“There is nothing you could say or do to comfort the pain in his heart”, Xander explained. “Kalob’s pain is deep and possibly beyond repair”.
“Why is your friend so profoundly affected by my problem”, Nora asked.
“You have not caused this pain Nora”, Xander replied. “You are not the first to have your dragon torn from you life.
“Long ago Kalob was once a dragon rider”, Xander informed. “Most believe that he had perished long ago and I believe that’s the way he wanted it. You see, a lot like you his dragon had come under the power of a treacherous wizard, not only had he betrayed the dragon but had also betrayed the rider.
“This young wizard did unspeakable things to Kalob’s dragon”, Xander went on. “He performed magic on the innocent beast along with torture. In the end the wizard did accomplish the task he had embarked on and a new breed of dragon was born”
“I know this story”, Nora interrupted. “It is a tale told to all young dragons and riders alike”.
“Yes it is”, Xander replied.
“But the dragon rider you spoke of is not your Kalob”, Nora protested. “The dragon rider in the story we are told is Marcus and his dragon was Locarth”.
“Very true”, Xander answered with a wry smile. “I was getting to that my dear girl. Any way”, Xander continued. “Marcus/Kalob went through the same pain that you are going through. All dragons along with their riders went on a rampage. They destroyed everything they came upon, all in search of Locarth”.
“The council of wizards decided to take action”, Xander continued. “It was known by than that a wizard had been involved. Xander paused; a look of sadness falling over the old mans face. “I am leaving some details out, but they are of no concern.
“The council had formed an alliance with the dragons in search of their lost member; Marcus had long since left in search of his dragon on his own”. Xander paused; his painful recollection of the past seemed to make him look much older. “He found his dragon, near death and chained to the ground left to starve. Locarth was bound to the earth by magical bonds that slowly cut into the poor creature.
“Every dragon had heard Kalob’s cries for help, and I believe every dragon rider and wizard responded. The skies above Kalob turned black as night as dragons appeared in the skies above, blocking out the sun. They were all desperate to help one of their fallen, in the end however it had been nothing more than a futile attempt. You see the chains had been spelled with black magic, not one of the wizards could break the bonds that slowly cut into her, eventually taking her life.
“The only thing that could be done for her was ease her pain, letting her die in peace”, Xander paused yet again and exhaled deeply as his emotions threatened his control, he continued. “We were unprepared for what happened next, dragons and riders began falling from the dark skies above, dragons breath could be seen high above as a battle for the skies erupted between a new enemy and our dragon riders. Hundreds of a new species of dragon, the like the world had never seen began an attack on the gathering dragons and riders who had come to Kalob’s aid.
“Red dragons with sharp horns covering their bodies like armour, conjured to life by a power hungry wizard who wished to have all the white robed wizards and their dragon allies slaughtered so that he could rule the realms without any interference. A great many men, dragons and wizards perished that god awful day”, Xander stated, tears of sorrow rolling down his wrinkled cheeks. “But in the end the battle was won, the dark wizard at fault was bled dry of his black magic and left to die.
“The surviving reds as they are referred to now were hunted down and disposed of by dragons and their riders”, Xander finished with a great sigh.
“How was he able to go on without his dragon”, Nora asked. “I don’t know if I can go on if Nola were to be murdered”.
“He had lots of help”, Xander stated. “And he found something else to care for and train”, he said looking at Solan. “Kalob found Solan on the very day he lost his beloved Locarth, in a basinet off in the corner in the dark wizards keep”, Xander explained. “We searched for his parents or of anyone who might know of any relations to the child, none were ever found so it was decided that we should keep the little whelp”.
“Is he the wizard’s son”, Nora asked, looking over at Solan”.
“There was no way to find out”, Xander exclaimed. “The wizard was not able to answer any questions”.
“You never told me how you found me before”, Solan remarked. “Why tell me now?”
“I had no intentions of hiding your past”, Xander explained. “The day we found you was a horrific tale to tell anyone and we just could not bear to put into words the events of that day. I fear we will part ways for a while”, Xander stated.
“Why must we part?” Solan asked perplexed at Xander’s statement.
“Remember your promise to this young woman”, Xander asked with a smile. “She needs your help, not just yours but Kalob and I will help as well”.
“How”, Solan questioned.
“For old men we have our ways”, was all the cryptic old man said. “You leave tonight; Kalob will help you with your supplies. I have my own preparations to make”, Xander stated turning away from Nora and Solan. “Eat, and then go find Kalob”.
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Xander left them to finish up their breakfast and for Nora to fill Solan in on her intentions. This was something that required a lot more preparation than what they were prepared for, and Solan never having dealt with anything remotely dangerous such as this chilled him to the bone. They ate in silence through the whole meal, not really looking at one another and neither wanting to break the silence. The silence was broken when Solan had a thought that become a nagging question he had to ask.
“You said you could feel your dragon?” Solan finally asked, waiting for her to answer, which was a nod of her head. “Have you ever tried to concentrate on which direction the feeling or connection became stronger?”
“What do you mean?” Nora asked a little confused. “I don’t’ think our connection works that way.
“I don’t’ know a lot about dragons or their riders”, Solan said stating the obvious. “But when you and Nala are together does she seem louder or does your connection with her seem stronger?”
Nora sat quietly thinking about the question, she had never thought about it before. If Solan’s idea worked it would at least eliminate one problem and give them a course to pursue. She sat their and concentrated on her connection with her dragon, not just feel it but try and become absorbed by it. Which direction was the connection strongest, trying to let the pain pull her in the right direction, she felt it, the pull was so strong. Now where did it want to pull her, her hope being strengthened as Nora concentrated harder, blocking everything out of her mind. Clearing every ounce of pain and all her worries and focused just on Nala.
The connection between Nala and herself grew stronger and the pull of that connection became more persistent, she finally found her way. Nora opened her eyes, tears threatening to escape her eyelids she smiled over at Solan. “It worked”, Nora cried out with a little more enthusiasm than she had wanted. “We need to travel to the Northwest”.
“Well that’s one problem solved”, Solan replied. “Now it’s just finding and saving her”.
“We need to get ready and leave as soon as possible”, Nora replied. “At least now I’ll know when she’s on the move”.
“It’s very possible that she is still helping you”, Solan said, thinking out loud. “I mean think about it, no one knew how their bond with their dragon actually worked before, or they would have taught you all of this when you were younger, right?”
“True”, Nora answered.
“Well now we’ll know when and where we can expect them to attack”, Solan replied with a grin.
“But wouldn’t she know where to find us as well?” Nora asked her hope slowly slipping away.
“True cause the connection works both ways, but if I’m right and she is trying to help you stay one step ahead of them than all we need to do is stay that one step ahead”, Solan replied. “And I believe she will help us do that”.
“And if she isn’t trying to help then what?” Nora asked, getting frustrated.
“We’ll only find that out when the time comes”, Solan stated. “But I don’t think she would betray you”, he reassured her. “And if Nala had tried to get to you she would have by now”, Solan continued. “Just think about it, how long have you been running, and if these bonds the two of you share works like I’m guessing, she would have had you a long time ago”.
Nora agreed and Solan beamed with pride at figuring out something so complicated and unimaginable to him.
“I think we need to find your friend and get ready to leave”, Nora advised.
They both left the table and were making their way towards the door of the cottage when the door opened and Kalob stood in the doorway.
“You two ready?” was all Kalob asked, then turned on his heel and walked away.
Nora and Solan both followed, staying a few feet behind, not knowing what kind of mood the former dragon rider was in. Kalob led them to his small cottage, opening the door than ushered them through the threshold.
“Wait right here”, Kalob ordered, then leaving the room and into another section of the cottage.
Whatever Kalob went to get he made an extreme amount of noise doing it. There came a thud after thud, the noise indicating something being dropped onto the floor. Nora inspected the walls of the room in which they stood, not a large room but than he was a single man. Different types of antlers and horns hung on the walls as well as a few animal pelts. A bear’s hide hung on the far side of the room the black fur shining in the dim lighting.
It looked like a woodsman or a hunters home, but cozy and comfortable. Nora looked over at the small fire place in the right corner of the cabin and was amazed at the artwork painted on the brick; it was a painting of a beautiful blue dragon.
This must be Locarth, Nora thought to herself. What a wonderful tribute this rider had done for his fallen friend. The dragon looked as if it were still flying amongst the clouds; the detail in which this man had put into this painting must have taken him a long time to finish. Her admiration of the portrait was interrupted when Kalob returned, arms loaded with all kinds of weapons, clothing and what seemed to be armour.
He dropped everything onto the table and grinned over at the two of them. “You’ll need these”, he said, then began to sort through the pile.
He put knives into one pile, which consisted of throwing knives, hunting knives, and a couple few long daggers. In another pile on the floor he threw shin guards, boots, leather gauntlets, chain mail, wrist guards and a leather breastplate.
“Are we going to war”, Solan asked jokingly. “You have enough here for a small army”.
“This is war”, Kalob replied grimly. “Expect nothing less. The road you are about to embark on is dangerous and if you take this task to lightly you will die”.
“I don’t take it lightly”, Solan responded more seriously. “But how do you expect us to carry all of this?”
“On your body”, Kalob answered wryly. “And what you can not carry you will have on your horse. You do remember how to use the weapons that I’ve taught you to use?” Kalob asked, looking over at his young apprentice.
“I practice everyday”, Solan answered.
“Good”, Kalob barked. “Here strap this on”, and threw a wide leather belt over to Solan.
Solan caught the belt, quickly looked it over and then strapped it over his left shoulder and let it hang over his right hip. The belt consisted of finely worked leather with some decorative carvings on the border and ten small sleeves with small but very deadly throwing knives tucked within, very accessible when needed.
“Make sure when you use them you intend to kill”, Kalob warned. “I mean it; you pull a weapon you better intend to use it”.
“It’s a lot to take in”, Nora interrupted resting a hand on Solan’s shoulder for reassurance. “The thought of taking another human’s life is a revolting one but sometimes it is necessary”.
“My life or theirs”, Solan replied. “I understand”.
“Never think twice when being attacked”, Kalob instructed. “If a man or woman comes at you with the intention to do you harm or Nora, all the training I have given you was in preparation for this, if you fail, she fails”, Kalob warned. “I have some gear in the back especially for you Nora. It will fit better than any of the gear I brought out and you’ll have the privacy you need”.
Nora thanked him and left to change while Kalob and Solan prepared themselves. She left the room in the direction Kalob had entered and found the garments he had placed for her gently and carefully folded on top of a bed, most likely Kalob’s. The clothing was black, every single piece of clothing, and leather. As she stripped her travel worn garments off and began to pull the pants on she realized that they had been made for a woman roughly her size.
They were a size smaller than her, but they fit and they were comfortable enough. She had never worn anything as tight and it made her blush a little. Nora grabbed the top from the bed, which was a leather button down vest. She quickly realized that the vest was also a little small, exposing more of her cleavage than she was comfortable with. She looked down on the floor at the leather boots that had been set out for her as well and hoped that they would be the right size.
Nora sat down on the edge of the bed, grabbed a boot and slowly pulled it on. She sighed in relief when she found that her foot had enough room. The fit was perfect; she quickly pulled the other boot on as well. It had been a long time since she was able to change her clothing and it made her feel a little better. The only thing that would have felt better would have been a hot bath, and her dragon back, but that would have to wait.
Kalob had also set some weapons out for her as well and to her satisfaction a clean black hooded cloak. She began to search through the assorted artillery and found all to be of a high quality make. Nothing was to flashy, plain and ordinary looking so as not to catch unwanted attention, she appreciated that the most.
Nora grabbed the short bladed sword, testing it for balance than lightly pressed her thumb to the blade to test its sharpness, she smiled in satisfaction. She sheathed the sword then buckled it about her waist and let it hang comfortably on her hip. Next she clipped a long dagger onto the same belt holding her sword, just on the opposite hip. She placed a throwing knife into each boot, finding sleeves in each to slide the blades securely in.
Meanwhile back in the main room Solan was busy changing his clothing as well. Gone were the old tunic and trousers which were replaced with black leather pants and leather vest, matching Nora’s clothing exactly. He had a long sword hanging from his left hip, a long hunting knife hanging on the right, next he covered his chest with the leather breast plate, and the emblem in its centre was that of a blue dragon. He strapped the belt of throwing knives over his left shoulder with knives strapped onto both his upper thighs.
“Where did you get all of this?” Solan asked as he grabbed a shin guard from the table.
“Some I bought, some I made and some I stole”, Kalob answered.
Solan’s jaw dropped at hearing those last words. Kalob had always taught him about the pride in working for what you have and had always been against stealing from others.
Kalob seeing the look of shock on his apprentices face felt he needed to explain. “A very long time ago, my darker days as I call them, I became a thief. After my dragon was killed Xander took care of you and I took the path of a thief, I am not proud of it”, Kalob went on. “But a bad choice I had chosen and lucky for me Xander pulled me through those dark times”.
Solan did not reply or ask and questions, this man had in his eyes paid for all his wrongs, he had raised a lost and abandoned baby, had taught that child the differences between right and wrong. Now that same boy stood before him ready to help a person whom neither of them knew, and Kalob’s eyes were filled with pride.
“Pull your sword”, Kalob ordered. “I know you have no experience with a blade but I want you to get the feel of it”.
Solan pulled the sword from its scabbard, listening to the ring of steel as it left his hip and was pulled free. He gripped the hilt, feeling the weight of it, smiled, liking the feelings it brought out in him. He raised the blade so the point faced upwards, otherwise a very plain sword except for the runes etched into the blade.
“What do these mean” Solan asked, running his fingers over the runes.
“I was told to give you the sword, Xander left it in my care and said that it was rightfully yours, and only when you are ready than you will be able to read the runes”, Kalob explained. “Now I place it in your care”.
“I will keep it safe”, Solan replied.
“No”, Kalob commanded. “You use that blade to keep Nora and yourself safe; it is but a tool for that very purpose. The road you’re taking is an honourable one but treacherous, everything I taught you has prepared you for this. I’m proud of you”, Kalob went on. “I’m also scared for you, but I trust that Xander and I have instilled upon you enough knowledge to protect and help you down your path. I no longer look upon a boy”, Kalob smiled, his face filled with pride. “I look upon a man and I will pray for your safe return”.
“I will return”, Solan stated. “I don’t know what to expect but I vow to return”.
Kalob slapped Solan on the back than drew away. “Finish up while I get your horses and the rest of your supplies ready”.
Both men embraced each other, knowing that this might very well be the last they seen one another. Solan smiled and gave Kalob a gentle pat on the back as his old friend made to leave. “I don’t exactly know what I’ve gotten myself into”, he turned and looked at Kalob before he left the cabin. “We will come back”, Solan reassured his friend one last time.
Kalob nodded than left the cabin, closing the door behind him. Solan knelt down to bind the shin guards in place all the while thinking how lonely he would feel without his mentors to guide him. It was quite the situation he had gotten himself into and more likely an impossible one to complete. He had always craved for adventure, but now that it was thrust upon him he wished that it was just a dream which he could wake from.
Just as Solan finished strapping on the last of the wristbands Nora returned to the room, Solan’s eyes travelled from her feet up to her beautiful face, causing Nora to blush. He could not believe the transformation she had undergone. She had been beautiful before but now he could not even fathom the right words to describe her beauty.
“Are you ready?” Nora asked, struggling with the words.
“Umm, yeah, I mean yes”, Solan stammered, his eyes focused on her exposed cleavage.
He turned and grabbed the cloak from the table and threw it over his shoulder. Solan grabbed the deer skin hide which Kalob had brought for him and quickly rolled the remaining supplies into a bundle and tied it with two leather straps. Solan placed the bundle under his arm and walked to the door to leave the cottage for the last time when Nora grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.
“I just want to say thanks”, Nora smiled. “This is not your fight and if you feel you can’t do this I understand”.
“We’ll get through this”, Solan answered. “Together, as I promised”.
“Then let’s go”. Nora smiled than walked by him and out the door.
Both walked to the barn where Kalob stood holding the reins of three of their finest horses. Kalob had them saddled and loaded with supplies. The two that were saddled were black with white socks and the third was brown with a white mane.
“Such beautiful creatures”, Nora smiled and gently scratched behind the ear of the first horse she came too. The horse seemed to stand straighter and more proudly, clearly enjoying the attention. Nora gently stroked the mare’s neck talking quietly, letting her get used to her voice.
“Your all set”, Kalob asked.
“It looks like we are”, Solan answered going over to the stallion he would be riding. He gave the proud beast a couple of soothing pat’s upon its neck than tied the bundle he carried to the saddle. Solan walked back towards Kalob running his hand along the stallion as he went. “I just want to give my farewells to Xander than we’ll leave”.
“Xander has already left”, Kalob answered. “He said he would be in touch and he wished you the best of luck”.
“Why would he leave without saying anything or even a good-bye”, Solan asked, saddened at his guardian’s departure.
“He wants you to know that his hopes and prayers are with you and he apologizes for leaving so mysteriously”, Kalob interjected, “He explained to me that it was vital for him to leave and wishes me to catch up to him as soon as possible”.
“It was necessary Solan”, Kalob replied. “We both know how Xander is; he comes and goes unnoticed especially when it’s something important”.
Solan nodded but said nothing more about it. Xander had done this on many occasions, for an old man he was quite spontaneous and unpredictable. There had been many times when he had no idea where his guardian was for weeks and sometimes months at a time.
Upon the old man’s return Solan would question him on his where abouts. Xander would simply say he had an important errand to complete or something had interested him in the market place in one city or another.
“When you meet up with him”, Solan replied, “Tell that old man to take care”.
“Will do”, Kalob promised. “This is for your travels”, Kalob said, throwing a big pouch over to Solan. “It will be more than enough”.
Solan heard the sound of coins when he caught the pouch; he pulled the string which was tied tightly to keep any money from spilling out. Upon opening it Solan could not believe his eyes. He had never in his life seen so much gold and silver coins. He decided instantly that he would not ask how they came to such a small fortune, but instead thanked his old friend and gave him one last embrace to say a final good-bye.
Solan threw the bag of coins into his saddle bag, hooked his foot into the stirrup and threw himself into the saddle.The moment had come, no more good-bye’s, no more second guessing, just time for parting ways. The direction was set, now all that remained was the quest.
“Stay safe”, Kalob replied, looking at both Nora and Solan.
“Stay well my friend”, Solan answered, “and farewell”.