Post by aaron on Mar 2, 2016 16:13:36 GMT -9
so this is the Raw un-edited version of the story so far ....
SplinterWood Chronicles
In keeping with my commission from his majesty Santego Vail Hessen the 4th, and though I am now aware that his son now sits on the throne Vans Vail Hessen the 1rst, I am chronicling all that I can in these last few hours before Anna and I depart from Estal, with all probability that we shall never return to the shores that we know and love so well. I remember now Emperor Vans when we were boys together and it is my fondest hope that he has grown out of his mischievous ways. Though I would have liked to return to my home land of Kelthose and embraced him one last time as we did on the fields of Binsel and gone fishing with my father at Sorrick Lake one last time
I know now that I cannot without putting many lives at risk.
I am now in my late sixties though to look at me I would seem only as a man of early twenty. Anna looks as she did the day I met her when we were but nineteen though I know her to be at least as old as I am. Her true age I do not know as is the way of her people, and if I did know, being a true gentlemen I would never divulge. The reason for our youth and longevity makes up only one small part of our truly remarkable journey.
In all my travels I have seen many strange and marvelous things, and still it is only a small fraction of what there is to see.
I begin this tome 40 years after leaving the safety of the wall of Edross, may it stand as the capital of Kelthose for many years.
First I should give you a brief history of myself and how I came to be known as Romtadore the sage.
It was on the day that High emperor Santego Vail Hessen the 4th rode to war with the last of the Incorus his highly trained special forces that I was born.
Some of the older people in the city may still remember the old tales of The Battle of lathum field.
It became legendary when the high lord Aduas of what was the Elgonan Empire of the south, knocked the emperor from his horse and before he could strike the final blow Eduice ,my father and captain of the Incorus, launched himself from his steed to take the blow. Mortally wounded my father pulled the spear from his own side and began to battle with Aduas. In the final moments of the battle my father cut Adaus's head from his shoulders and thus ended the Elgonan campaign. What was left of the Elgonan forces fled into the wilds and were not heard from again in this age. The Kelthose Empire spread to the south liberating the peoples who lived there and abolishing the slavery that held that nation for so long. I can imagine there is still some bad blood in southern Ketlthose but its old blood and soon it will fade and Kelthose will be a unified people (this is my hope at any rate)
Of course the story gets more grand with each telling as it was Eduice , my father, who ,Mortally wounded by a hundred arrows with the spear still sticking out of him, carried the unconscious body of the emperor 20 miles to his encampment and through the grace of the gods they recovered. The Emperor returned to bolster the kingdom and Eduice went home to meet me, his son Eric Kes who had been born earlier that day. My father told me though that the battle was greatly exaggerated and though he did protect the emperor as was his duty and Aduas did cut him with his spear it was far from what the stories said as both he and the emperor rode back to the encampment on the horses fully conscious. My father told me that the emperor even remarked about how beautiful the day was and how tragic that it was spoiled by so much bloodshed… hardly the story of legends, but with the right embellishment any story can become epic. I will try not to embellish in this tome as the events that surrounded me are more fantastic than any epic I may have wished to fabricate on my own.
One thing about my father he was very proud of me, he wasted no time in telling me how much he loved me. It is important for me to say that here because some time ago I was able to return to Kelthose for a short time. I made no fanfare for my coming and passed thought the city as a ghost. It was to me a great surprise that in the main square there is a giant statue of a stern looking warrior with a scowl on his face and a raised sword pointed to the south. I was surprised, to say the least and enquired to a passerby who that fellow might be, as he’s taking up prime real estate in the country market? I was even more surprised to learn that it was the mighty Eduice the savior of Kelthose and in three days’ time it would be Eduice day (day of warriors) where much feasting, jousting and general rough housing would commence in the name of the Mighty Eduice. I looked up at this stature of a man I didn’t recognize. Though my father was a warrior and head of his order, and yes he saved the emperor this was only a small part of him. He was mostly a family man. He loved my mother, and good stories. I could recall many nights when we would sit by the hearth with a warm fire burning and my mother would read to us of dragons and deserts far away and of magical cities where the buildings came to you. One of my father’s favorites was of an ancient city that was nearly sunken beneath the sea. I must have herd that tale a dozen times. Each time my mother finished my father would say “We best hope that doesn’t happen to us I don’t think I can swim that well” My mother and I would pretend it was funny or mostly I would pretend to be asleep so I didn’t have to fake laugh, I was no good at it.
When my father wasn’t performing his duties to the emperor, my father spent time growing things in his garden and would complain loudly that he could never get his tomatoes to grow just right. “Look at these” he would say and hold up something resembling a tomato.
“These aren’t tomatoes their embarrassed apples!” we would laugh and he would say
“Get your pole boy lets go catch some fish for supper!” He like to fish and sing though he was good at fishing his singing left much to be desired, we would tease him that if he didn’t stop sinning the fish would all be dead before we got to the lake! He was a quiet, even man and he loved me.
I walked thought the now unfamiliar market as a stranger. I watched people pass by like I didn’t exist until I heard a voice say, “He was eight feet tall I knew him well!” I looked over and saw an old man pointing at my father’s statue and speaking about him like they were old friends and in the past tense. I couldn’t help but feel angry that some strange man was telling lies about my father. So I called out to him.
“You there!” and the old man spun around as our eyes made contact we both squinted with the look of, wait I think I know you, and in a flash I saw before me Mr. Tulls our next door neighbor and my father’s right hand man! At the same moment he recognized me and a wry smile came across his face. He opened his mouth to call me by name but I held a finger to my lips and he stopped. But it didn’t stop him from stomping across the courtyard and wrapping his old arms around me as he often did when I would come over to get his son Thaious to go and play by the river.
“Look at you!” he said looking me up and down
“You used to be a lot smaller! By the Gods you look like your father! Though I’ve always said you have your mother’s hair.”
I was delighted to see him and had many questions but so little time.
“Mr. Tulls I can’t stay long and I dare not visit my parents least I bring doom down upon this Kingdome.”
His look suddenly got very grave
“got yourself into a spot of trouble did you? Where’s that bonny sprig of a girl you married fanna fanny was her name?”
“Anna and she waits outside the city with a company of our, um, friends. I need a trusted friend to take this letter to the emperor, can you do that for me? Santego will need to know this information and time is of the essence.”
Mr. Tulls took the letter from my hand and looked at the ground
“A lot has changed since you’ve been gone. Vail now sits on the thrown in his father’s stead.”
I admit that I was taken back by this as I had left and always pictured the capital city as I had left it now here it was some 43 years later and all grown up into a different city, that I didn’t know with people who only knew me by another name.
“Vail is a scamp surely he’s not ready to be emperor! Remember the time he , Thaius and I stole all the fruit from Mr. Kricks cart and gave it to the imperial horses! Even Vail was grounded after that. And it was the first time I ever felt the emperor’s wrath. And it was the one of the few times I ever say my father look like, well like that” I said pointing to the statue.
We both laughed for a moment and then I asked
“What does my father think of this, thing?” I pointed again to the statue.
Mr. Tulls Sighed
“He hated it. He marched into the imperial palace and demanded the emperor tear it down.”
We both laughed again but I had to finally ask the question that was stabbing at my heart.
“You keep taking of him in the past. Why is that?”
Mr. Tulls didn’t say anything he just looked at me and the tears he had been avoiding came welling up and I knew. Without a word we both just stood looking at the horrid statue with tears in our eyes.
“When did it happen” I asked wiping my eyes.
“About four years ago now. It was a rough winter and he was getting up there in age, hell, we all are. Anyway he took to his bed with a fever one night and your mother never left his side. The next morning he was gone.”
“How’s my mother been since…” I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“She was never the same after he, well, after that night. She was sickly as well, and we all knew that it was only a matter of time.”
“When?” I asked the pain washing fresh.
“About two years ago just after your father. It was like she was here one minute then gone the next. My Elli passed on a few months later.”
I clapped Mr. Tulls on the shoulder as you would to a brother in arms, and recited a warriors prayer.
“Then let us honor those who have gone on before us let them light the way for are safe coming.”
Mr. Tulls cried unabashed before me something I would never have expected in all my years.
“It’s damn good to see you again boy.” He said wiping his eyes.
“I’ll get this letter to the emperor don’t you worry Thaius is his royal keeper and right hand man I can get into his chambers easy enough and no one will know the letter has come and I will never tell who gave it to me.”
“Thank you Mr. Tulls it was good that I ran into you.”
I slipped from the city like smoke meting up with Anna on the outskirts along with the Elven escort that got us across the plains. Though this is a story I will recant at a later time.
I told her of my parents and we cried together for a time. When she asked me if I was ready to leave I said
“Not yet, there’s one last thing I need to do.” That night I slipped into the city and while the night cast dark shadows over the market square I came to the foot of my father’s statue. It didn’t take much for me to climb it and I pulled out my trusty dagger that had saved my life so many times, knowing I would only have one chance I placed it in the corner of his scowling mouth and with a swift blow from a small elven war hammer a small chip of stone flipped away and into the night.
I dropped to the ground and slid into the shadows as a guard came with his torch into the yard to check the disturbance. He never looked up to see the stern hero Eduice now had a crooked lazy smile that made him look like he had just told a joke and was waiting for you to get it. It made me smile. After the guard left I stole one last time to the base of the statue and at his feet I laid a small bamboo fishing pole and some not so ripe tomatoes. I’m sure where ever he is, he got the joke. The smile on his face seemed even more appropriate. After one last look at my handiwork I put my back to Kelthose and never returned.
It’s only fair to say that because my father was the head of the Incorus he raised me to be a warrior. Right away I showed some skill with fighting and it was decided by the emperor that I would take on my father’s position as soon as I was old enough and so my training began early and often. My mother however being the chief scribe and record keeper under the emperor had different ideas and infused me with a love of the written word. When I wasn’t training in the arena I had my nose in a book dreaming of faraway places like the ones your about to read of
Soon I was a young man and being large in stature like my father but sharp and articulate like my mother I was known as the warrior poet and was in line to become the new head of the Incorus.
I was seventeen when it happened, when Anna Kestnellus happened. I was set in my path and everything was going my way until one day a wandering band of bards came to the Kelthose empirical capital city to sing and dance their trade.
As happens so often when a young man thinks he’s got a good bead on life a woman enters into it and he is forever lost on the winding path of love and when I met Anna there could be no denying that I was lost to her forever.
She was Lothen a nomadic peoples that traveled up and down the length and breadth of Kelthose to tell their stories and put on their shows. Anna was and still is one of the best I have ever seen. I watched her dance completely mesmerized as if she was dancing only for me.
Years later she told me she was, but I have my suspicions that was only to abate my pride as I have heard many people say that about her.
I had it in my mind that after the show I would approach and win her hart with my obvious charm. After all many young ladies sought my affection. Being young and full of myself, the head of the imperial Special Forces and very well spoken I approached her with confidence. She was putting something in a chest of costumes and I remembered clearing my throat to get her attention and when her perfect green eyes fell on me I couldn’t remember anything I wanted to say except I love you marry me! Of course I couldn’t say that! And I had to say something so I blurted out
“Shoes!”
She looked at me like I was completely mad (not for the last time I can assure you)
“I’m sorry, what was that?” she asked with a strange smile you give to a child.
“You have nice shoes” I heard myself saying. There was another voice in the back of my mind screaming wake up you idiot you sound like a moron!
“Thanks” she said and pushed passed me with “if you’ll excuse me I have some things to take care of”
You’re losing her you fool wake up! And suddenly I found my voice.
“Eric.” I said “may name is Eric” with a slight bow. “It would be my greatest pleasure in life if I could accompany you in the caring of your things.” She turned back and looked at me only this time I was ready for those penetrating eyes, she smiled and it was like the sun came out, I blushed and look at the ground only to see she was bare foot.
Why did I have to say shoes! Stupid, stupid, stupid!
But something of my mother took hold of my mind and I heard myself say
“Are you ready?”
Her smile never wavered but her eyes narrowed slightly
“For what?” she asked
“For the nice shoes I promised you just a moment ago, I can see your one to miss certain details”
As if by magic her smile broadened even wider and she scooped up my arm.
“Very well Mr. Kes soon to be captain of the Incorus, Son of the legendary Captain Eduice and Dane Moll’s the royal chronicler, you can help me with my things, and yes I would like some nice shoes. I thought you would never ask, so was that detailed enough for you.” She finished with a wink.
“Well you didn’t tell my mother’s favorite flower but I suppose it will do for now.” She laughed at me and I have never heard a sound that has brought more joy to my heart.
“And what should I call you?”
Her smile faded a bit as I can only assume the lack of title stuck out in my world like a sore thumb.
“Anna.” She said and resumed her smile.
“What a beautiful and refreshing name. Come with me Lady Anna” I said pulling Anna into the market to find her some nice shoes and things.
Lady Anna seemed to sit well with her as I have heard her introduce herself this way many times since.
Torn between my duty to state, Love of my family and desire to be with the Anna, I found myself at my favorite pub spending what little money I had on drinks and solace.
The crowd hushed for a moment when Eduice (the now national hero, to which there is an annual holiday) walked in and quietly sat next to me. After the usual people coming up to shake his hand and the usual asking for the story and the polite refusal with maybe another time, things finally settled down.
"You know" he began as the bartender handed him a complimentary pitch of ail. "Thank you but it's not necessary" he said but the bartender wouldn't be refused. Thank you he said and suddenly we were just two people sitting in a tavern.
" you know," he started again " your grandfather really didn't like my poems and songs."
I just looked at him with wide eyes" you don't' sing?" I said
"not anymore" he said sipping on the ail and nodding his head with a pleasant smile. "This stuff's not so bad" he said.
"That’s why I come here" I shot back
" well when I was your age," he continued " it was expected that I would become the mightiest warrior in the Kingdome, and I suppose in some small way I have? "
"You have your own holiday, it doesn't get much better than that."
" to bad a tax break doesn't come with that," he chuckled sipping his ail again. “I never wanted that. Not any of it. I wanted to be a bard and travel the Kingdome singing and telling stories."
what could I say I was dumbfounded. My father the great warrior, the Hero of Kelthose didn't even like the idea he wanted to be a traveling minstrel? Suddenly I thought of dying fish and his awful singing and the thought made me laugh out loud !
" even my own son!" my father said with a feigned look of hurt.
"So why didn't you I asked?" genuinely curious about my father's past more than I have even been in one of his (when I was a Kid ) lectures.
"Because I was so worried about what everyone else wanted, I didn't want to let anyone down, but I did, I did let someone down."
"Who? You’re a hero to the whole Kingdome?"
"Me, I let myself down. Every day I live with the gnawing pain of what could have been. Sure I met you mom, and yes I love you and my family, but there's still that part of me that wonders what could have been. Let me tell you something boy, when you’re old like me and looking back over your life you don't regret the things you did."
"What are you trying to say dad?"
"I'm saying Anna's a beautiful girl, and she seems to genuinely care about you, and it's not hard to see that you love her, that's a rare thing in this world no matter who you are."
"But if I marry Anna then I will have to make her give up her whole life? Everything she knows and loves, I can't do that? "
“then go with her."
"Just like that?!! Give up my commission and travel the world with Anna? "
"Well not exactly ... the Emperor and I have come up with something, I think it will suite you very nicely"
"Mom put you up to this didn't she?"
"Of course she did, you know she's the only human I've ever been afraid of."
We both laughed and finished our ail then left to stand before the royal court.
The Emperor granted my request to resign my commission but refused to relinquish my citizenship.
His words are recorded in the 27th lexicanum des voterirum “the world I think is a much bigger place than any of us suppose. I now commission you on this pathos day in the 402 year of the 3rd empire to go forth as my imperial emissary and bring the good will of the Kelthose to all you meet and send regular word of what you find in your travels so that the Kelthosain empire will know better how to treat with its friends and how to deal with its enemies and to know the difference between the two.
The wedding took place two weeks later. It was the strangest two weeks of my life. The night I proposed under the stars, the passionate kiss the vibrant yes that hung like sweet perfume around my head, then everything else was a blur of stand here, hold this, say this, ware this, and don’t look away! My academy training never prepared me for the state of endurance that I had to undergo just to get married!
Once I gave her the ring the first person she showed it too was my mother and then it was like I didn’t exist? Somehow they had become fast friends in the few weeks that Anna and I had been dating, I think they planned the whole thing and somehow I was just the dupe! But every time I saw Anna smile our heard her laugh I would be a dupe a hundred times over.
On the day before the wedding during an exhausting time of spending hours looking at flowers and finding out what fruit was in season and if it would match the dresses My father showed up in the center of it all like an eye in the wedding storm!
“Excuse me ladies, I need to barrow my son for the rest of the evening.”
My mother cocked her head to the side with that look of your up to something and I’m not so sure I like it.
“Don’t worry” he said pulling me away “I’ll have him to the alter in time, hopefully.”
As we turned the corner I saw all the men of the Incorus and standing at the front of the group was
Thaius Tulls and Prince Vans (my two best men) behind them was a cart of ail and minstrils who began playing loudly as a mighty cheer went up with my arivial. I was unceimoniusly thrown into the ail wagon and off we went to the great hall where we celebrated with singing, cake and all manor of games and though I would like to tell you all that happened in detail I can’t recall past my 9th stein of ail which came on rather quickly.
Though I can remember quite vividly waking up to a horrible booming in my head, and the world was very dark. My back was bent up and my feet were sticking into the air. After a few minutes of the Booming in my head my hung over mind began to register that the booming wasn’t inside my head but all around me in the darkness. I heard a slurred voice that was very formilliar but I couldn’t place it.
“come on,” it said “get up your gonna be late”
The Booming continued and I couldn’t figure out why my feet were in the air and I was having a hard time getting up.
The booming stopped and the voice said
“come on boy! I made your mother a promise and she’s gonna kill me!”
I knew I know that voice it was my father.
“dad!” I said “dad? Where are you it’s all dark ! I can’t see, I think I’m blind!!” suddenly in the air between my feet my father’s face appeared.
“ of course it’s dark in there, you don’t lite a fire in an ail barrel now get up?”
“why , why am I in an ail barrel ?” it seemed so important at the time.
“because …” my father looked perplexed like an unfathumal puzzle of the universe was just out of his grasp and if he just thought a little longer he would have it… then he said.
“ I don’t know, but your getting married in about an hour so we have to go!”
“I’m getting married? By the GODS!” suddenly very sober
“Dad! I’m getting married!”
“not in this barrel your not! Your mom’s been planning this her whole life and if we screw this up were both dead men so get up !”
And with that he gave the barrel a little push and it flipped on it’s side and began to roll. Now the slant of the building we were in was not in my favor and the barrel began to pick up speed. The world was spinning faster and faster out of control and I heard my father shout
“Don’t let him hit the door!”
Another drunken voice said “I got it!’ and the barrel and I were suddenly thrust into daylight.
All I could see was the sun circling and circling like the days were flying by faster than I could watch and I think it was then that I threw up the festivities of the night before.
Suddenly and with a jarring wrench the Barrel smashed apart around me and I was flung prone into the street just as a giant black horse rained up infront of me one hoof kicking me squarly in the face.
Flung to my back I head my fathers voice again,
“Sorry ! Sorry everyone, it was just a , um , yes Mr. Oakens we’ll pay for the barrel and Mr. Stotter I’ll see to it your horse has new shoes.”
With that my father yanked my from the street and started brushing me off.
“By the God’s your mother will kill me!”
“What is it?”
“well it’s …. This”
He pulled up the polished metal tine of the now broken barrel and showed me my face.
My hair was sticking strait up stiff full of ail and vomit and I had the biggest balck eye and fat lip I have ever had.
“it’s ok,” my father was muttering
“it’s going to be ok, a soldier keeps calm in crisses situation.”
“Dad I can’t get married looking like this!”
“Don’t worry son we got this!”
Just then prince Vans wonderd into the street where people were now gathering and starting to point and look afraid.
“it’s a good thing I got the door, now you can keep your security deposit”
“you were supposed to stop the barrel idot!”
“the Barrel? But the barrel wouldn’t get your deposit back, oh Hi Eric, wow you look like the nine hells? And you don’t smell so good either”
With that Prince Vanse pulled heavily on a bottle he produced from his jacket and passed out.
“This is alright,” my father said leading me back into the building.
“ a good soldier always has a backup plan! This is why I booked a night at an inn.”
As we walked into the now dark tavern of the Inn my father shouted.
“in Keeper Plan B!
I’m not sure how many favors and old debts my father had to cash in but in less than an hour I was scrubbed, hair shining, in my best suit and standing at the alter with my father as the best man and the worst black and busted lip I have ever had. Struggling with a vicious hang over suddenly the Pipe organ Boomed to life and everyone stood up! I looked back to the grate doors of the temple and saw Anna in all her glory like an angle she floated down the isle to my side with her face vailed as was her peoples custom. My mother holding her dress train came in on the side of Anna so I couldn’t quite see her, but I could have sworn she was limping.
My mother sidled up next to Anna and her perfect smile dropped like a stone when she saw my face, look to my father with that look. The one that says you had one Job Eddy ONE JOB!! My father just shrugged his shoulders and smirked like at least he’s here in once piece , mostly.
We didn’t have long to exchange glances because the high priest came up and motioned me to lift the vaile.
I pulled up Anna’s vail to see he gloryuos green eyes dulled and hung over with her hair matted to her forhead and a vishous cut on her left ckeek. She looked at my mom like you had one job mom One Job!” she just smirked and shrugged her shoulders like hey I got her here in once piece didn’t I , mostly.
The rest of the ceremony went off without a hitch and the party bagan a new only this time I drank water.
With a stipend of imperial gold and Anna at my side we made tearful goodbyes to my family with a promise to return soon. Though I did not return to Kelthose for nearly a lifetime
A few days after the wedding I imagined a life of freedom and the open road, the excitement that filled me could not be contained and when I kissed my mother and father goodbye I didn't even look back, thinking of my grand and heroic return, something perhaps I shall always regret.
As you know Edross faces north into the Ferric Gulf and so Anna and I went to the docks and chartered passage north to the Edio district. We spent the first night of are marriage on the calm waters of the Ferric. I have never seen the stars shine so bright as they did on that evening.
The next morning Anna delighted in watching the dolphins splashing about on the bow and stern of the ferry. Before mid-day we found ourselves coming into the port of Austerman. Anna had been here several times and laughed at me as I gawked at buildings like I had never before seen.
There were structures that had towers protruding from it in every direction as though some one had stuck to many swords into a fence post. Each building was packed so closely to the building next to it that it was hard to imagine getting around especially with Each tower puffing away filling the sky with a charcoal haze and everything smelled of smoked fish. Anna assured me the buildings would not fall over and that in the right places we would have the time of our lives.
Once in Austerman we disembarked and as we were making our way down from the ship a cloaked thief crashed into Anna stealing her coin purse and making for the warehouses threw the hazy air. My military training kicked in and I launched after the thief who led me on quite a marry chase dodging this way and that almost loosing me several times but he was sloppy.
The thief tore open a small panel in a building just under a window disappearing inside thinking I would be too small to get through but I grabbed the panel and jumped with all my force crashing through the window and landing directly on the thief.
We were both a bit stunned but I recovered faster and hauled him to his feet. Tearing back the hood I found that it was not a he, but instead a she, and a very young she at that, I had been chasing a little girl. Suddenly I felt very foolish that this little girl made me work so hard to catch her. In a few moments Anna was through the now open window and at my side. She seemed almost as surprised as I was at the gender and age of this child in my hands.
She looked terrified.
'Don't kill me.” She muttered and dropped Anna's coin purse on the ground.
“Take it I didn't mean no harm”.
Anna being the more nurturing of the two of us kicked the purse to me and scooped the young girl from my still clutching fists.
“Why were you stealing our money?” she asked the child gently in an almost motherly tone.
“ It weren't for me if that's what your thinkin” the girl said back with defiance, almost indignity.
Now my curiosity took hold and I started in on my military interrogation technique.
“if not for you then what could you possible need if for?” I said accusingly picking up the coins.
Anna shot me a look that I have since come to know as shut up and let me handle this. I have come to respect that look.
“ I believe you “ she cooed at the young girl. “ so tell me what does a brave young woman like you need with a bag of coins?”
I was amazed at how well the child took to the flattery and how quickly she opened up to Anna, she has a skill with people that I will never possess and it's gotten us out of some very dangerous situation.
“It’s for me sista, I have to buy her back.” the child said.
“Buy her back from who?” Anna asked as though she actually knew what this little girl meant.
“from the takers. Once they takes you then you get took to and island, Coppas I think it's called and they sell you.” the girl paused while Anna and I looked at each other like she was completely mad.
'I'm gonna buy 'er back from the takers and I have to gets moneys” the girls face wore experience far beyond her years.
“I don't haves enough monies so I tried to take yours.” though her face remained defiant tears began to stream down her dirty malnourished face.
Anna began wiping the girls face clean with her sleeve “what’s your name sweetheart?”
“Liza.” she almost whispered.
I stared at Lisa for a few moments in silence and she stared back almost daring me to look away and in that moment I saw in her face a look I had seen on the battlefield the determined look of a warrior.
It was in that moment I said something brave, the kind of something you say when you have no idea what it is your about to do.
“Don't worry Liza, we'll get your sister back.”
Anna shot me a look like what are you saying? You don't know who these “takers” are! You don't have any idea what you’re getting us into. Then I directed her eyes back to the desperate, defiant face of a little girl who despite all odds was trying to do what I just said, alone.
Anna knew in that moment there was no going back.
She didn't say anything, she just looked into Liza's eyes and nodded as if to say, let’s do this.
It was getting late and things were getting dark. The vendors were packing up their goods and the ins were locking up,
“We need to find a place to sleep.” I said looking at the other two and it was Liza who perked up, I know a quiet sewer where mostly nobody goes, mostly.”
Anna smiled “ I think we would rather stay at an inn preferably one with a tavern.”
Liza looked at the floor, “oh, o.k. Do you want me to meet you in the morning?”
Anna gave a soft laugh the kind that won my hart and still does whenever I hear it.
“no we want you to stay with us”
Liza looked confused.
“their is safety in numbers” I said placing my hand on her shoulder for reassurance.
SplinterWood Chronicles
In keeping with my commission from his majesty Santego Vail Hessen the 4th, and though I am now aware that his son now sits on the throne Vans Vail Hessen the 1rst, I am chronicling all that I can in these last few hours before Anna and I depart from Estal, with all probability that we shall never return to the shores that we know and love so well. I remember now Emperor Vans when we were boys together and it is my fondest hope that he has grown out of his mischievous ways. Though I would have liked to return to my home land of Kelthose and embraced him one last time as we did on the fields of Binsel and gone fishing with my father at Sorrick Lake one last time
I know now that I cannot without putting many lives at risk.
I am now in my late sixties though to look at me I would seem only as a man of early twenty. Anna looks as she did the day I met her when we were but nineteen though I know her to be at least as old as I am. Her true age I do not know as is the way of her people, and if I did know, being a true gentlemen I would never divulge. The reason for our youth and longevity makes up only one small part of our truly remarkable journey.
In all my travels I have seen many strange and marvelous things, and still it is only a small fraction of what there is to see.
I begin this tome 40 years after leaving the safety of the wall of Edross, may it stand as the capital of Kelthose for many years.
First I should give you a brief history of myself and how I came to be known as Romtadore the sage.
It was on the day that High emperor Santego Vail Hessen the 4th rode to war with the last of the Incorus his highly trained special forces that I was born.
Some of the older people in the city may still remember the old tales of The Battle of lathum field.
It became legendary when the high lord Aduas of what was the Elgonan Empire of the south, knocked the emperor from his horse and before he could strike the final blow Eduice ,my father and captain of the Incorus, launched himself from his steed to take the blow. Mortally wounded my father pulled the spear from his own side and began to battle with Aduas. In the final moments of the battle my father cut Adaus's head from his shoulders and thus ended the Elgonan campaign. What was left of the Elgonan forces fled into the wilds and were not heard from again in this age. The Kelthose Empire spread to the south liberating the peoples who lived there and abolishing the slavery that held that nation for so long. I can imagine there is still some bad blood in southern Ketlthose but its old blood and soon it will fade and Kelthose will be a unified people (this is my hope at any rate)
Of course the story gets more grand with each telling as it was Eduice , my father, who ,Mortally wounded by a hundred arrows with the spear still sticking out of him, carried the unconscious body of the emperor 20 miles to his encampment and through the grace of the gods they recovered. The Emperor returned to bolster the kingdom and Eduice went home to meet me, his son Eric Kes who had been born earlier that day. My father told me though that the battle was greatly exaggerated and though he did protect the emperor as was his duty and Aduas did cut him with his spear it was far from what the stories said as both he and the emperor rode back to the encampment on the horses fully conscious. My father told me that the emperor even remarked about how beautiful the day was and how tragic that it was spoiled by so much bloodshed… hardly the story of legends, but with the right embellishment any story can become epic. I will try not to embellish in this tome as the events that surrounded me are more fantastic than any epic I may have wished to fabricate on my own.
One thing about my father he was very proud of me, he wasted no time in telling me how much he loved me. It is important for me to say that here because some time ago I was able to return to Kelthose for a short time. I made no fanfare for my coming and passed thought the city as a ghost. It was to me a great surprise that in the main square there is a giant statue of a stern looking warrior with a scowl on his face and a raised sword pointed to the south. I was surprised, to say the least and enquired to a passerby who that fellow might be, as he’s taking up prime real estate in the country market? I was even more surprised to learn that it was the mighty Eduice the savior of Kelthose and in three days’ time it would be Eduice day (day of warriors) where much feasting, jousting and general rough housing would commence in the name of the Mighty Eduice. I looked up at this stature of a man I didn’t recognize. Though my father was a warrior and head of his order, and yes he saved the emperor this was only a small part of him. He was mostly a family man. He loved my mother, and good stories. I could recall many nights when we would sit by the hearth with a warm fire burning and my mother would read to us of dragons and deserts far away and of magical cities where the buildings came to you. One of my father’s favorites was of an ancient city that was nearly sunken beneath the sea. I must have herd that tale a dozen times. Each time my mother finished my father would say “We best hope that doesn’t happen to us I don’t think I can swim that well” My mother and I would pretend it was funny or mostly I would pretend to be asleep so I didn’t have to fake laugh, I was no good at it.
When my father wasn’t performing his duties to the emperor, my father spent time growing things in his garden and would complain loudly that he could never get his tomatoes to grow just right. “Look at these” he would say and hold up something resembling a tomato.
“These aren’t tomatoes their embarrassed apples!” we would laugh and he would say
“Get your pole boy lets go catch some fish for supper!” He like to fish and sing though he was good at fishing his singing left much to be desired, we would tease him that if he didn’t stop sinning the fish would all be dead before we got to the lake! He was a quiet, even man and he loved me.
I walked thought the now unfamiliar market as a stranger. I watched people pass by like I didn’t exist until I heard a voice say, “He was eight feet tall I knew him well!” I looked over and saw an old man pointing at my father’s statue and speaking about him like they were old friends and in the past tense. I couldn’t help but feel angry that some strange man was telling lies about my father. So I called out to him.
“You there!” and the old man spun around as our eyes made contact we both squinted with the look of, wait I think I know you, and in a flash I saw before me Mr. Tulls our next door neighbor and my father’s right hand man! At the same moment he recognized me and a wry smile came across his face. He opened his mouth to call me by name but I held a finger to my lips and he stopped. But it didn’t stop him from stomping across the courtyard and wrapping his old arms around me as he often did when I would come over to get his son Thaious to go and play by the river.
“Look at you!” he said looking me up and down
“You used to be a lot smaller! By the Gods you look like your father! Though I’ve always said you have your mother’s hair.”
I was delighted to see him and had many questions but so little time.
“Mr. Tulls I can’t stay long and I dare not visit my parents least I bring doom down upon this Kingdome.”
His look suddenly got very grave
“got yourself into a spot of trouble did you? Where’s that bonny sprig of a girl you married fanna fanny was her name?”
“Anna and she waits outside the city with a company of our, um, friends. I need a trusted friend to take this letter to the emperor, can you do that for me? Santego will need to know this information and time is of the essence.”
Mr. Tulls took the letter from my hand and looked at the ground
“A lot has changed since you’ve been gone. Vail now sits on the thrown in his father’s stead.”
I admit that I was taken back by this as I had left and always pictured the capital city as I had left it now here it was some 43 years later and all grown up into a different city, that I didn’t know with people who only knew me by another name.
“Vail is a scamp surely he’s not ready to be emperor! Remember the time he , Thaius and I stole all the fruit from Mr. Kricks cart and gave it to the imperial horses! Even Vail was grounded after that. And it was the first time I ever felt the emperor’s wrath. And it was the one of the few times I ever say my father look like, well like that” I said pointing to the statue.
We both laughed for a moment and then I asked
“What does my father think of this, thing?” I pointed again to the statue.
Mr. Tulls Sighed
“He hated it. He marched into the imperial palace and demanded the emperor tear it down.”
We both laughed again but I had to finally ask the question that was stabbing at my heart.
“You keep taking of him in the past. Why is that?”
Mr. Tulls didn’t say anything he just looked at me and the tears he had been avoiding came welling up and I knew. Without a word we both just stood looking at the horrid statue with tears in our eyes.
“When did it happen” I asked wiping my eyes.
“About four years ago now. It was a rough winter and he was getting up there in age, hell, we all are. Anyway he took to his bed with a fever one night and your mother never left his side. The next morning he was gone.”
“How’s my mother been since…” I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“She was never the same after he, well, after that night. She was sickly as well, and we all knew that it was only a matter of time.”
“When?” I asked the pain washing fresh.
“About two years ago just after your father. It was like she was here one minute then gone the next. My Elli passed on a few months later.”
I clapped Mr. Tulls on the shoulder as you would to a brother in arms, and recited a warriors prayer.
“Then let us honor those who have gone on before us let them light the way for are safe coming.”
Mr. Tulls cried unabashed before me something I would never have expected in all my years.
“It’s damn good to see you again boy.” He said wiping his eyes.
“I’ll get this letter to the emperor don’t you worry Thaius is his royal keeper and right hand man I can get into his chambers easy enough and no one will know the letter has come and I will never tell who gave it to me.”
“Thank you Mr. Tulls it was good that I ran into you.”
I slipped from the city like smoke meting up with Anna on the outskirts along with the Elven escort that got us across the plains. Though this is a story I will recant at a later time.
I told her of my parents and we cried together for a time. When she asked me if I was ready to leave I said
“Not yet, there’s one last thing I need to do.” That night I slipped into the city and while the night cast dark shadows over the market square I came to the foot of my father’s statue. It didn’t take much for me to climb it and I pulled out my trusty dagger that had saved my life so many times, knowing I would only have one chance I placed it in the corner of his scowling mouth and with a swift blow from a small elven war hammer a small chip of stone flipped away and into the night.
I dropped to the ground and slid into the shadows as a guard came with his torch into the yard to check the disturbance. He never looked up to see the stern hero Eduice now had a crooked lazy smile that made him look like he had just told a joke and was waiting for you to get it. It made me smile. After the guard left I stole one last time to the base of the statue and at his feet I laid a small bamboo fishing pole and some not so ripe tomatoes. I’m sure where ever he is, he got the joke. The smile on his face seemed even more appropriate. After one last look at my handiwork I put my back to Kelthose and never returned.
It’s only fair to say that because my father was the head of the Incorus he raised me to be a warrior. Right away I showed some skill with fighting and it was decided by the emperor that I would take on my father’s position as soon as I was old enough and so my training began early and often. My mother however being the chief scribe and record keeper under the emperor had different ideas and infused me with a love of the written word. When I wasn’t training in the arena I had my nose in a book dreaming of faraway places like the ones your about to read of
Soon I was a young man and being large in stature like my father but sharp and articulate like my mother I was known as the warrior poet and was in line to become the new head of the Incorus.
I was seventeen when it happened, when Anna Kestnellus happened. I was set in my path and everything was going my way until one day a wandering band of bards came to the Kelthose empirical capital city to sing and dance their trade.
As happens so often when a young man thinks he’s got a good bead on life a woman enters into it and he is forever lost on the winding path of love and when I met Anna there could be no denying that I was lost to her forever.
She was Lothen a nomadic peoples that traveled up and down the length and breadth of Kelthose to tell their stories and put on their shows. Anna was and still is one of the best I have ever seen. I watched her dance completely mesmerized as if she was dancing only for me.
Years later she told me she was, but I have my suspicions that was only to abate my pride as I have heard many people say that about her.
I had it in my mind that after the show I would approach and win her hart with my obvious charm. After all many young ladies sought my affection. Being young and full of myself, the head of the imperial Special Forces and very well spoken I approached her with confidence. She was putting something in a chest of costumes and I remembered clearing my throat to get her attention and when her perfect green eyes fell on me I couldn’t remember anything I wanted to say except I love you marry me! Of course I couldn’t say that! And I had to say something so I blurted out
“Shoes!”
She looked at me like I was completely mad (not for the last time I can assure you)
“I’m sorry, what was that?” she asked with a strange smile you give to a child.
“You have nice shoes” I heard myself saying. There was another voice in the back of my mind screaming wake up you idiot you sound like a moron!
“Thanks” she said and pushed passed me with “if you’ll excuse me I have some things to take care of”
You’re losing her you fool wake up! And suddenly I found my voice.
“Eric.” I said “may name is Eric” with a slight bow. “It would be my greatest pleasure in life if I could accompany you in the caring of your things.” She turned back and looked at me only this time I was ready for those penetrating eyes, she smiled and it was like the sun came out, I blushed and look at the ground only to see she was bare foot.
Why did I have to say shoes! Stupid, stupid, stupid!
But something of my mother took hold of my mind and I heard myself say
“Are you ready?”
Her smile never wavered but her eyes narrowed slightly
“For what?” she asked
“For the nice shoes I promised you just a moment ago, I can see your one to miss certain details”
As if by magic her smile broadened even wider and she scooped up my arm.
“Very well Mr. Kes soon to be captain of the Incorus, Son of the legendary Captain Eduice and Dane Moll’s the royal chronicler, you can help me with my things, and yes I would like some nice shoes. I thought you would never ask, so was that detailed enough for you.” She finished with a wink.
“Well you didn’t tell my mother’s favorite flower but I suppose it will do for now.” She laughed at me and I have never heard a sound that has brought more joy to my heart.
“And what should I call you?”
Her smile faded a bit as I can only assume the lack of title stuck out in my world like a sore thumb.
“Anna.” She said and resumed her smile.
“What a beautiful and refreshing name. Come with me Lady Anna” I said pulling Anna into the market to find her some nice shoes and things.
Lady Anna seemed to sit well with her as I have heard her introduce herself this way many times since.
Torn between my duty to state, Love of my family and desire to be with the Anna, I found myself at my favorite pub spending what little money I had on drinks and solace.
The crowd hushed for a moment when Eduice (the now national hero, to which there is an annual holiday) walked in and quietly sat next to me. After the usual people coming up to shake his hand and the usual asking for the story and the polite refusal with maybe another time, things finally settled down.
"You know" he began as the bartender handed him a complimentary pitch of ail. "Thank you but it's not necessary" he said but the bartender wouldn't be refused. Thank you he said and suddenly we were just two people sitting in a tavern.
" you know," he started again " your grandfather really didn't like my poems and songs."
I just looked at him with wide eyes" you don't' sing?" I said
"not anymore" he said sipping on the ail and nodding his head with a pleasant smile. "This stuff's not so bad" he said.
"That’s why I come here" I shot back
" well when I was your age," he continued " it was expected that I would become the mightiest warrior in the Kingdome, and I suppose in some small way I have? "
"You have your own holiday, it doesn't get much better than that."
" to bad a tax break doesn't come with that," he chuckled sipping his ail again. “I never wanted that. Not any of it. I wanted to be a bard and travel the Kingdome singing and telling stories."
what could I say I was dumbfounded. My father the great warrior, the Hero of Kelthose didn't even like the idea he wanted to be a traveling minstrel? Suddenly I thought of dying fish and his awful singing and the thought made me laugh out loud !
" even my own son!" my father said with a feigned look of hurt.
"So why didn't you I asked?" genuinely curious about my father's past more than I have even been in one of his (when I was a Kid ) lectures.
"Because I was so worried about what everyone else wanted, I didn't want to let anyone down, but I did, I did let someone down."
"Who? You’re a hero to the whole Kingdome?"
"Me, I let myself down. Every day I live with the gnawing pain of what could have been. Sure I met you mom, and yes I love you and my family, but there's still that part of me that wonders what could have been. Let me tell you something boy, when you’re old like me and looking back over your life you don't regret the things you did."
"What are you trying to say dad?"
"I'm saying Anna's a beautiful girl, and she seems to genuinely care about you, and it's not hard to see that you love her, that's a rare thing in this world no matter who you are."
"But if I marry Anna then I will have to make her give up her whole life? Everything she knows and loves, I can't do that? "
“then go with her."
"Just like that?!! Give up my commission and travel the world with Anna? "
"Well not exactly ... the Emperor and I have come up with something, I think it will suite you very nicely"
"Mom put you up to this didn't she?"
"Of course she did, you know she's the only human I've ever been afraid of."
We both laughed and finished our ail then left to stand before the royal court.
The Emperor granted my request to resign my commission but refused to relinquish my citizenship.
His words are recorded in the 27th lexicanum des voterirum “the world I think is a much bigger place than any of us suppose. I now commission you on this pathos day in the 402 year of the 3rd empire to go forth as my imperial emissary and bring the good will of the Kelthose to all you meet and send regular word of what you find in your travels so that the Kelthosain empire will know better how to treat with its friends and how to deal with its enemies and to know the difference between the two.
The wedding took place two weeks later. It was the strangest two weeks of my life. The night I proposed under the stars, the passionate kiss the vibrant yes that hung like sweet perfume around my head, then everything else was a blur of stand here, hold this, say this, ware this, and don’t look away! My academy training never prepared me for the state of endurance that I had to undergo just to get married!
Once I gave her the ring the first person she showed it too was my mother and then it was like I didn’t exist? Somehow they had become fast friends in the few weeks that Anna and I had been dating, I think they planned the whole thing and somehow I was just the dupe! But every time I saw Anna smile our heard her laugh I would be a dupe a hundred times over.
On the day before the wedding during an exhausting time of spending hours looking at flowers and finding out what fruit was in season and if it would match the dresses My father showed up in the center of it all like an eye in the wedding storm!
“Excuse me ladies, I need to barrow my son for the rest of the evening.”
My mother cocked her head to the side with that look of your up to something and I’m not so sure I like it.
“Don’t worry” he said pulling me away “I’ll have him to the alter in time, hopefully.”
As we turned the corner I saw all the men of the Incorus and standing at the front of the group was
Thaius Tulls and Prince Vans (my two best men) behind them was a cart of ail and minstrils who began playing loudly as a mighty cheer went up with my arivial. I was unceimoniusly thrown into the ail wagon and off we went to the great hall where we celebrated with singing, cake and all manor of games and though I would like to tell you all that happened in detail I can’t recall past my 9th stein of ail which came on rather quickly.
Though I can remember quite vividly waking up to a horrible booming in my head, and the world was very dark. My back was bent up and my feet were sticking into the air. After a few minutes of the Booming in my head my hung over mind began to register that the booming wasn’t inside my head but all around me in the darkness. I heard a slurred voice that was very formilliar but I couldn’t place it.
“come on,” it said “get up your gonna be late”
The Booming continued and I couldn’t figure out why my feet were in the air and I was having a hard time getting up.
The booming stopped and the voice said
“come on boy! I made your mother a promise and she’s gonna kill me!”
I knew I know that voice it was my father.
“dad!” I said “dad? Where are you it’s all dark ! I can’t see, I think I’m blind!!” suddenly in the air between my feet my father’s face appeared.
“ of course it’s dark in there, you don’t lite a fire in an ail barrel now get up?”
“why , why am I in an ail barrel ?” it seemed so important at the time.
“because …” my father looked perplexed like an unfathumal puzzle of the universe was just out of his grasp and if he just thought a little longer he would have it… then he said.
“ I don’t know, but your getting married in about an hour so we have to go!”
“I’m getting married? By the GODS!” suddenly very sober
“Dad! I’m getting married!”
“not in this barrel your not! Your mom’s been planning this her whole life and if we screw this up were both dead men so get up !”
And with that he gave the barrel a little push and it flipped on it’s side and began to roll. Now the slant of the building we were in was not in my favor and the barrel began to pick up speed. The world was spinning faster and faster out of control and I heard my father shout
“Don’t let him hit the door!”
Another drunken voice said “I got it!’ and the barrel and I were suddenly thrust into daylight.
All I could see was the sun circling and circling like the days were flying by faster than I could watch and I think it was then that I threw up the festivities of the night before.
Suddenly and with a jarring wrench the Barrel smashed apart around me and I was flung prone into the street just as a giant black horse rained up infront of me one hoof kicking me squarly in the face.
Flung to my back I head my fathers voice again,
“Sorry ! Sorry everyone, it was just a , um , yes Mr. Oakens we’ll pay for the barrel and Mr. Stotter I’ll see to it your horse has new shoes.”
With that my father yanked my from the street and started brushing me off.
“By the God’s your mother will kill me!”
“What is it?”
“well it’s …. This”
He pulled up the polished metal tine of the now broken barrel and showed me my face.
My hair was sticking strait up stiff full of ail and vomit and I had the biggest balck eye and fat lip I have ever had.
“it’s ok,” my father was muttering
“it’s going to be ok, a soldier keeps calm in crisses situation.”
“Dad I can’t get married looking like this!”
“Don’t worry son we got this!”
Just then prince Vans wonderd into the street where people were now gathering and starting to point and look afraid.
“it’s a good thing I got the door, now you can keep your security deposit”
“you were supposed to stop the barrel idot!”
“the Barrel? But the barrel wouldn’t get your deposit back, oh Hi Eric, wow you look like the nine hells? And you don’t smell so good either”
With that Prince Vanse pulled heavily on a bottle he produced from his jacket and passed out.
“This is alright,” my father said leading me back into the building.
“ a good soldier always has a backup plan! This is why I booked a night at an inn.”
As we walked into the now dark tavern of the Inn my father shouted.
“in Keeper Plan B!
I’m not sure how many favors and old debts my father had to cash in but in less than an hour I was scrubbed, hair shining, in my best suit and standing at the alter with my father as the best man and the worst black and busted lip I have ever had. Struggling with a vicious hang over suddenly the Pipe organ Boomed to life and everyone stood up! I looked back to the grate doors of the temple and saw Anna in all her glory like an angle she floated down the isle to my side with her face vailed as was her peoples custom. My mother holding her dress train came in on the side of Anna so I couldn’t quite see her, but I could have sworn she was limping.
My mother sidled up next to Anna and her perfect smile dropped like a stone when she saw my face, look to my father with that look. The one that says you had one Job Eddy ONE JOB!! My father just shrugged his shoulders and smirked like at least he’s here in once piece , mostly.
We didn’t have long to exchange glances because the high priest came up and motioned me to lift the vaile.
I pulled up Anna’s vail to see he gloryuos green eyes dulled and hung over with her hair matted to her forhead and a vishous cut on her left ckeek. She looked at my mom like you had one job mom One Job!” she just smirked and shrugged her shoulders like hey I got her here in once piece didn’t I , mostly.
The rest of the ceremony went off without a hitch and the party bagan a new only this time I drank water.
With a stipend of imperial gold and Anna at my side we made tearful goodbyes to my family with a promise to return soon. Though I did not return to Kelthose for nearly a lifetime
A few days after the wedding I imagined a life of freedom and the open road, the excitement that filled me could not be contained and when I kissed my mother and father goodbye I didn't even look back, thinking of my grand and heroic return, something perhaps I shall always regret.
As you know Edross faces north into the Ferric Gulf and so Anna and I went to the docks and chartered passage north to the Edio district. We spent the first night of are marriage on the calm waters of the Ferric. I have never seen the stars shine so bright as they did on that evening.
The next morning Anna delighted in watching the dolphins splashing about on the bow and stern of the ferry. Before mid-day we found ourselves coming into the port of Austerman. Anna had been here several times and laughed at me as I gawked at buildings like I had never before seen.
There were structures that had towers protruding from it in every direction as though some one had stuck to many swords into a fence post. Each building was packed so closely to the building next to it that it was hard to imagine getting around especially with Each tower puffing away filling the sky with a charcoal haze and everything smelled of smoked fish. Anna assured me the buildings would not fall over and that in the right places we would have the time of our lives.
Once in Austerman we disembarked and as we were making our way down from the ship a cloaked thief crashed into Anna stealing her coin purse and making for the warehouses threw the hazy air. My military training kicked in and I launched after the thief who led me on quite a marry chase dodging this way and that almost loosing me several times but he was sloppy.
The thief tore open a small panel in a building just under a window disappearing inside thinking I would be too small to get through but I grabbed the panel and jumped with all my force crashing through the window and landing directly on the thief.
We were both a bit stunned but I recovered faster and hauled him to his feet. Tearing back the hood I found that it was not a he, but instead a she, and a very young she at that, I had been chasing a little girl. Suddenly I felt very foolish that this little girl made me work so hard to catch her. In a few moments Anna was through the now open window and at my side. She seemed almost as surprised as I was at the gender and age of this child in my hands.
She looked terrified.
'Don't kill me.” She muttered and dropped Anna's coin purse on the ground.
“Take it I didn't mean no harm”.
Anna being the more nurturing of the two of us kicked the purse to me and scooped the young girl from my still clutching fists.
“Why were you stealing our money?” she asked the child gently in an almost motherly tone.
“ It weren't for me if that's what your thinkin” the girl said back with defiance, almost indignity.
Now my curiosity took hold and I started in on my military interrogation technique.
“if not for you then what could you possible need if for?” I said accusingly picking up the coins.
Anna shot me a look that I have since come to know as shut up and let me handle this. I have come to respect that look.
“ I believe you “ she cooed at the young girl. “ so tell me what does a brave young woman like you need with a bag of coins?”
I was amazed at how well the child took to the flattery and how quickly she opened up to Anna, she has a skill with people that I will never possess and it's gotten us out of some very dangerous situation.
“It’s for me sista, I have to buy her back.” the child said.
“Buy her back from who?” Anna asked as though she actually knew what this little girl meant.
“from the takers. Once they takes you then you get took to and island, Coppas I think it's called and they sell you.” the girl paused while Anna and I looked at each other like she was completely mad.
'I'm gonna buy 'er back from the takers and I have to gets moneys” the girls face wore experience far beyond her years.
“I don't haves enough monies so I tried to take yours.” though her face remained defiant tears began to stream down her dirty malnourished face.
Anna began wiping the girls face clean with her sleeve “what’s your name sweetheart?”
“Liza.” she almost whispered.
I stared at Lisa for a few moments in silence and she stared back almost daring me to look away and in that moment I saw in her face a look I had seen on the battlefield the determined look of a warrior.
It was in that moment I said something brave, the kind of something you say when you have no idea what it is your about to do.
“Don't worry Liza, we'll get your sister back.”
Anna shot me a look like what are you saying? You don't know who these “takers” are! You don't have any idea what you’re getting us into. Then I directed her eyes back to the desperate, defiant face of a little girl who despite all odds was trying to do what I just said, alone.
Anna knew in that moment there was no going back.
She didn't say anything, she just looked into Liza's eyes and nodded as if to say, let’s do this.
It was getting late and things were getting dark. The vendors were packing up their goods and the ins were locking up,
“We need to find a place to sleep.” I said looking at the other two and it was Liza who perked up, I know a quiet sewer where mostly nobody goes, mostly.”
Anna smiled “ I think we would rather stay at an inn preferably one with a tavern.”
Liza looked at the floor, “oh, o.k. Do you want me to meet you in the morning?”
Anna gave a soft laugh the kind that won my hart and still does whenever I hear it.
“no we want you to stay with us”
Liza looked confused.
“their is safety in numbers” I said placing my hand on her shoulder for reassurance.