Quests Volume One Read online

  Keneith signaled the maid and ordered a jug of water and some snacks for the three of them. They'd dine when Talullah went home. As soon as everything was on their table, Talullah began.

  "I was captured by a sorcerer on the slopes of the central massif. Rodech wanted to use me to get in touch with Manusia, mistaking me for a demon. You've heard of the King of Demons, haven't you?"

  All three nodded, including Hinrik. Belfi's twin was confined to the demons kingdom, and often silly Humans hoped to take some power from him. Keneith's scoff showed what he thought of those sorcerers.

  "He cut my wings and tortured me until his apprentice, Myckim, freed me and killed his master. We tried vainly to re-attach my wings, it was too late. Not even the Genn hiding underground could help me, and they were full-blooded healers."

  She looked at Bellinda who nodded, thoughtful.

  "So we went as far away as we could from the sorcerer's lab and ended up here, on the northern coast... Myckim gave up sorcery, of course, so now he is a blacksmith. If you came on horseback, you might want to see him before you leave town. We were married in the main temple and now have two children, neither of them with wings. Once a year, Myckim accompanies me out of town for dankotago and camps away from the city with the children as if they were on a family outing until Winged Ashras brings me back."

  "And you work at Juliasam's shop and provide her with maps," Bellinda said. "Were you a mapmaker too?"

  "No, I was a singer," Talullah answered. "That's why I often sing at the temple or during public ceremonies. My singing skills paid for the trip to Inex where Myckim was apprenticed to the old blacksmith and inherited his shop upon his death."

  "I assume singing and map-making are the Sila art forms?" Hinrik asked. "Because you don't have an alphabet?"

  "Yes, we have music and poetry, oral tradition only. And unlike Genn and Waiora, we don't build anything."

  "Much like Fajrulo who dwell in natural caves." Keneith chuckled.

  "The Waiora are also great glass-makers," Talullah said. "I've seen some of their glass sculptures in Appleyard."

  "I've never been to a Waiora town," Bellinda said, glancing at Hinrik. "Maybe one day..."

  "There is so much to learn about the Magical Races," Hinrik whispered, obviously awed.

  "Who is your Fajrulo mother?" Talullah asked Keneith.

  "From her Human name, the Genn told me she's Bluestar, the last daughter of Bloodfire," Keneith answered. "Do you think the Sila know where her lair is?"

  "Fajrulo move around, although they do so every few centuries. Skywise came back from Maadre a few years ago, she spent a century there and gave birth to the first queen, Amazonia... who is still reigning, by the way... I think you can meet her full-blooded daughter Starblazer on the mountains down east. She had her with Runedemon, who is..."

  "Bluestar's brother," Keneith finished. "I wonder if the full-blooded offspring can find their parents."

  "I doubt it, Ken," Bellinda said. "You know how Fajrulo are. They like Humans but they stay away from each other except for the very rare mating flights."

  "And that's why there's so few of them," Talullah said. "Especially after all the dragon hunting of the past centuries. They obviously hide now. In fact Skywise brought Starblazer along to Maadre where she knew they weren't organized enough to be a threat to her baby who couldn't shift shape yet."

  She looked at Hinrik. "So you're not only ignorant of your own blood, you ignore much of the others as well?"

  "I was raised in Salamar where there are no Magical Races that I know of," Hinrik answered, blushing.

  "There are some Genn every now and then," Bellinda said. "Fajrulo are dragons in their true form, but they can take Human form."

  "Oh, I see." Hinrik stared at the table, ears still red.

  "Don't worry, I can't shift shape." Keneith elbowed him. "I concentrated on other gifts and powers, so shape-shifting is not among my spells."

  Hinrik gasped and stared at him, aghast.

  "Yes, you have chosen a dangerous traveling companion," Talullah teased. "Never trust Fajrulo, full-blooded or half."

  "Aw, Hinrik, don't listen to them. You are perfectly safe with me and Ken," Bellinda said. "Please, Talullah, don't add to his discomfort!"

  "I'm sorry!" Talullah laughed and leaned forward to take Hinrik's hand. "I didn't mean to upset you. You're young, you will learn."

  "How old are you?" he dared to ask.

  "I'm fifty," she answered. "But I know I look younger. In fact my husband is younger than me, but since he ages faster, soon he'll look much older..."

  CHAPTER TEN

  Hinrik dreamed of the rape again. The bearded Varian soldiers attacked him after he saw Winged Talullah losing her raven wings to the evil sorcerer. It had been two and a half months since that dreadful day and the nightmares had almost vanished – until now.

  He woke up alone and his heart still beat faster than usual. Hearing Talullah's story had obviously reminded him why he was on the road. He wanted to go back beyond the Ondan and look up the men who had hurt him.

  He didn't put on his armor and went downstairs for breakfast, and then went to the stables. Shytur welcomed his touch and he noticed the gelding needed new horseshoes. Therefore he better take him to the blacksmith – Talullah's husband.

  He checked the other horses as well. Keneith and Bellinda obviously weren't that used to riding. Snorting at himself for having been so short-sighted, he went back to the inn. His travel companions were in the main room now.

  "The horses are badly in need of horseshoes," he announced. "We'll have to find Myckim's shop soon."

  "We will take them there today," Bellinda said. "Why are you so grumpy this morning? Talullah's story bothered you?"

  "Yes. No. I'm just..." He snorted and sat down, but his stomach was clenched shut. "I had nightmares again."

  "Finding them and killing them won't help," Keneith said, serious. "Trust me. I took my revenge and found it useless. Moving on is the only way."

  Hinrik glared at him but nodded. "Let's go take care of the horses," he muttered.

  His mood improved as he kept his mind busy with normal chores, like taking care of Shytur and the other animals. Myckim was a tall, bulky man with a tanned and clean-shaven face and a gentle smile. His blacksmith shop was under his home, so Hinrik saw Talullah again and met their children, which also helped improve his mood.

  Watching the family of four interact made him feel out of place again, but he wasn't the only one. Bellinda was as serious and thoughtful as him, as if she were studying them but didn't really want to be like them.

  Hinrik was confused again. If he only had to think about how to survive and what to do next, he was fine. If he tried to figure out his future, he got lost. He couldn't see himself doing anything useful or enjoyable.

  Maybe he should really go visit his Waiora family, or dive in the oceans and see the underwater cities at the bottom of the sea. He was almost certain that there weren't cities in the Ondan or in freshwater lakes, but surely the ocean was something else.

  "Why don't we go to the beach while Myckim works on the horses?" Keneith suggested. "Watching him work is boring."

  Hinrik nodded. Luckily the forge was on the sea side of the town and the beach was only a short walk away.

  There were fishing boats and small wooden piers on the first stretch of gravelly sand, but they walked down the sea shore, leaving the town behind.

  The pebbles rustled under their feet. Bellinda started collecting nice round stones and empty shells, but Hinrik's eyes stayed on the waves. He could feel the ocean breathe. He wanted to dive in there and lose himself.

  "You know it won't kill you, don't you?" Bellinda said as he stopped and stared. "But you could try its healing powers. It might help you to overcome the bad mood."

  "The water is cold," Keneith said. "I wouldn't bathe in it."

  "You're not half-Waiora, are you?" she replied with a smile.

  Hinrik hesitated, the
n decided Bellinda was right. The ocean would heal him. He took off his boots and his sword-belt, then his tunic and breeches. He kept his underwear for modesty, but he could have dived naked if it weren't for Bellinda's presence.

  He ran towards the highest wave and let it wrap him and take him down. He lost track of how long he spent between waves and currents, but the sun was much lower on the horizon when he finally emerged and walked back to the beach.

  Bellinda had brought his cloak and a towel, so he was able to dry himself before dressing. Keneith was gone, probably bored by the wait.

  The tide was gone too, and the pebble expanse was doubled. Near the town, the boats were now on dry land, leaning on their sides like after a shipwreck.

  "Feeling better?" she asked.

  "I'm hungry," he admitted.

  "Let's go back to the inn, then. The horses are all set, tomorrow we can resume our journey..."

  ***

  A few more days along the coast, then the forest ended completely and the slopes of the mountains almost reached the sea. The pebbled beach gave way to cliffs and small stretches of sand. Cows and horses were substituted with sheep and goats.

  There was still enough grass for the travelers' mounts and freshwater every now and then, but since the terrain was often rough, the horseshoes were quickly worn out. Luckily for the travelers and their horses there was the town of Mevy to replenish the food supplies and find a blacksmith.

  A very small town with stone walls and very few gates, it had been built on the ruins of a much older city. It had well-stocked merchants and lots of sculptures and the buildings were mostly made of stone taken from the nearby mountains.

  The nearest tavern was closed, but there was one not far away that had the stables they badly needed, including a blacksmith. Bellinda was really tired of having to care for her horse after spending the day in the saddle. She was really considering selling it and continuing on foot, or buying a closed wagon and new horses to reach Maxwetria.

  But Mevy didn't look big enough to have horse markets, therefore she'd have to keep going until the next town. The streets were full of stray dogs and Bellinda hoped some of the roasted meat sold in open-air stalls wasn't actually dog meat, since there were no forests around the town.

  The Rude Harpy Inn was large and decently clean. Of good quality, it had overpriced gut-rotting drinks and slightly overpriced rooms, both small and medium sized. Since most rooms were occupied, but the smaller ones were mostly free, they took three single rooms.

  The food smelled good enough and was fairly priced. The main room was crowded with many shady characters that occupied most of the dark corners. The noise level was quite loud, but almost all patrons were sober, many being busy playing dice for money.

  The innkeeper looked nervous and glared in their general direction as they entered. He wore expensive jewelry and looked more like a bandit than an innkeeper. But after they told him they wanted single rooms and accommodation for four horses, he became nicer at the sight of their money.

  They had a quick meal of fried seafood and vegetable soup, then headed out again to explore.

  "We really should buy a wagon, guys," Bellinda said. "I'm tired of the saddle."

  "We'd still need to look after the horses," Keneith replied. "Unless you'd rather buy an ox."

  "No, horses are better, but maybe we can deal with only two instead of four," she said, feeling frustrated.

  "I want to keep riding Shytur, but a wagon would be better if winter comes," Hinrik said. "Sleeping in a tent is fine, but with rougher weather a wagon offers more protection."

  "The winds are quite strong on the coast, and sometimes we've had trouble setting up the tent," Keneith admitted. "I'm sure we can exchange three riding horses for a draft horse and a small closed wagon. If not here, in Flean."

  "And Hinrik can keep Shytur, of course." She nodded, thoughtful. "So let's see if we can find a bargain."

  They were admiring some sculptures in the main square when someone stopped by them.

  "My, isn't this Hinrik Kalineson?"

  Startled, Hinrik turned around. Bellinda saw a pretty brunette of about her age who smiled openly at Hinrik.

  "Lenore?" he asked with a shaky voice. "You haven't changed at all..."

  "I'm impressed that you remember me," she said. "I thought you saw only Verena."

  "You were my mother's friend," Hinrik replied, glaring at her. "Why would I look at you?"

  Lenore burst out laughing. "True. I saw you grow up from scrawny boy to handsome teenager that promised to become a gorgeous young man, and then I left, because I was sick of watching you drool over Verena. Who, I'm sure, never saw you and married someone else."

  Hinrik blushed and muttered something under his breath that must have been acquiescence. Then he looked at her again. "How come you're exactly like the last time I saw you, probably ten years ago?"

  "I'm a witch, remember?" Lenore winked. "How is Kaline?"

  "She passed away five years ago."

  "And you're not a witch," Keneith said. "You're Starblazer."

  Surprised, she focused on him. "My oh my, I have a half-blood cousin! My aunt and my mother seem to enjoy Human lovers so much, I wonder if I should try them!"

  Keneith scoffed. "You mean you haven't yet?"

  "I'm not even one hundred and fifty, and I'm not sure I can keep Human form throughout the act, so no, I haven't tried them yet," Lenore retorted. Then she looked at Hinrik again. "Although I'd love to do it with Hinrik if he stopped being obsessed with that silly girl."

  "Uh, Lenore, you better leave Hinrik alone," Bellinda said, seeing Hinrik stiffen both in fear and surprise. "He's here because bad things happened in Salamar and I don't think a Fajrulo lover can help him at the moment. You might want to try someone else first."

  "Is that so?" Lenore stared at Hinrik, but he refused to meet her gaze.

  "Starblazer, do you know where my mother is?" Keneith asked, a little bluntly.

  "No, I don't. I don't even know where my parents are for that matter." She shrugged. "Where are you staying and for how long?"

  "Not long," Bellinda answered. "We need too refurbish our supplies and get new horseshoes on our mounts, then we're out of here. Do you know a place where we could find a wagon and a draft horse?"

  Lenore stared at them, thoughtful. "I can't really ride horses, they're afraid of me, so I have a wagon to carry around my Human things... If I want to pass off as Human, I need to look like a peddler or a nomad of some sort..."

  "You mean you didn't just vanish from Salamar to reappear here?" Keneith asked.

  "You're funny, cousin. No, I didn't resume my real shape when I left Salamar, although I do resume it quite too often for my own good. So I hired a wagon with a driver and told him I would stay in the wagon and he shouldn't disturb me ever – then vanished like you say and flew forward to wait for him."

  "That's a smart way of traveling." Bellinda chuckled.

  "Pity the stupid driver was killed by bandits who also preyed on my things." Lenore shrugged. "I retrieved everything, of course, except the horse and the driver... and brought everything here by night."

  "So do you still need your wagon? We may find a draft horse in town..."

  "Not in this rat-hole, no. Get to Flean and you can buy a horse and wagon and trade yours and make a good deal."

  Bellinda sighed. "Fine, thanks..."

  "Will you have dinner at my house tonight?" Lenore asked, brightening again. "I'd be delighted to have you."

  "We have rooms at the Rude Harpy," Keneith said.

  "Oh, I cook better than that wretched Lydia! Come and try my roasted boar with baked potatoes!"

  "Where will you get a boar?" Hinrik wondered.

  "Up in the mountains there's plenty. It will be ready by sunset."

  "How will you go to the mountains, hunt and cook by sunset?"

  She caressed his cheek. "Honey, I'm Fajrulo," she whispered. "I'm not Human."

  "Dragon," Bellinda ad
ded, making him gasp. "Her true form is dragon."

  Lenore chuckled and nodded. She told them where her house was and repeated the invitation before waving them good-bye.

  "Now it's up to you two," Bellinda said, grabbing both men's arms. "Ken, do you want to dine with your cousin? Hinrik, do you want to hear more about your mother's friend?"

  She waited, but neither seemed too keen on answering, so she led them away from the busy main square so they could think in peace.

  ***

  Hinrik was upset again. Seeing his mother's friend unchanged and so far away from home, and learning she wasn't Human was not a good surprise. Running away from Salamar and trying to leave the past behind wasn't really working either.

  He frowned, trying to decide if he should go to Lenore's house or not. He also waited for Keneith to speak, since the magic user was older. He should probably make up his own mind, but for now he was still prone to following others, be it his captain or his travel companions.

  Keneith sighed as they reached the harbor of Mevy. They sat on a deserted wooden pier, away from prying ears with their feet dangling over the water. Hinrik stared at the waves lapping at the logs of the pier and wished he could jump in and come back the morning after, when dinner time was long past.

  "I guess we might as well see where she lives," Keneith said at last. "She won't help in my quest, but she's a relative, and at least my Human side is curious about her."

  "I think I met her father," Bellinda said, thoughtful. "He calls himself Aedwyr the Minstrel and often showed up to sing and tell stories at the Varian court."

  "Looking always the same?" Keneith asked, amused. "How often?"

  "I don't think anyone noticed. You know how charming Fajrulo can be when they want to entertain. I was told in previous centuries he posed as a court wizard instead."

  "Mm, yes, the wizard of Ker Eziel, the father of the King Sorcerer Kariel Bonecrusher, must have been all before Starblazer's birth."

  "How do you know all these stories?" Hinrik asked, still uncomfortable at the thought of such long-lived beings that could shift shape.

  "I must thank the Genn still hiding in the forest of Appleyard." Keneith grinned. "They told me a lot about my mother's race and helped me understand my own nature."