The Troven (Kingdom of Denall Book 1) (30 page)

Chapter 30

In the morning, Trae tied his pack horse to the small horse-drawn cart before the group headed north together. The previous night’s conversation had been friendly enough, but after realizing he was sharing a fire with at least three seekers, Trae was on alert for any clue they might give about their plans after the tournament, or the real reason for their gathering. He also felt scrutiny behind Edgar’s questions or sidelong glances, making him choose his words very carefully. He wanted to be away from the seekers, and especially Edgar who might eventually recognize him, but he also understood that the best way to know what they were doing and where they were going was to travel with them.

The group stayed together through the next days as they plodded along toward Lexingar. During their final day of being together, three more companions joined their traveling group: one couple who lived two days’ travel south of Lexingar, and who would be selling their pottery under the great, green tent Melna was bringing into Lexingar packed on her large, horse-drawn wagon next to several large barrels of what Trae had guessed was some sort of liquor, and another lone traveler who was going as a spectator. Trae watched Edgar interrogate the man about magical items while Wilbur and Melna waited for the man to respond, then silenced Edgar and made the man feel more at ease. They worked together so well that Trae would have never have suspected them to be working together if he didn’t already know to look for the tell-tale sign of obsession with magical items. He also noticed that they never questioned the potters, which gave him some clues about the green tent.

After eight days of traveling, a distance that should have taken six, they arrived at Lexingar. They said goodbye, wished each other luck, and Edgar gave a final reminder to visit the green tent if they ever found any unique magical trinkets, jewelry, or stones. When everyone had parted to go their separate ways, Trae silently moved to a side street to think things through.

It was difficult to find a place to stop with his two horses in the crowded streets. The tournament was starting the next day, and already the population had swelled. When he found a place to stop, Trae watched the crowd for someone who looked local. After a few moments, he was able to pick out an elderly man who was not following any of the knights or running in and out of the shops. He guessed this man was not from out of town. “Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me how to get to…Smyth Street?”

“Well lad, there is no Smyth Street that I know of, but there is a Blacksmyth, Goldsmyth, and Rosesmyth. Not sure how that last one got its name. It’s an odd name for a road, Rosesmyth. But all the same, where are you headed?”

“Goldsmyth, that was the name.”

“You’ll continue down this road to the end, then take a right. In three blocks, you’ll find Goldsmyth. It’s a long road, what kind of shop are you looking for?”

“Nothing in particular, just heard it was a good street to do some shopping.”

“Aye, it’s a great street for that sort of thing. You’ll probably want to stable those horses before going down that way, it’s very crowded. There’s a stable on Rosesmyth Street that has some space. That’s down there, second road to the left. Odd name for a street – Rosesmyth. Don’t you think?”

“Yes it is rather odd.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling Maybell all these years. Why did we move to a city that would up and name a road Rosesmyth?”

“Thank you very much!” Trae said when the man took a breath. He was beginning to think this man might not be the most reliable source for getting directions. “I appreciate the help. Enjoy the tournament.”

“Oh yes, the tournament. I’ll probably lock myself in my blacksmith shop while my wife sells some of our wares. Have you ever seen a piece of wrought iron turned into a rose?”

“I don’t think I ever have,” Trae responded. “Thanks again for the help.”

“Well if you ever want to see one, go down this road, and take your second left. We live above the shop, so we’re always home.”

“Okay, thank you again.” Trae led his horses behind him as he moved down the road. The man waved kindly. Trae determined to avoid talking to anyone as long as he could. He walked down to the end of the small side street and turned right onto Goldsmyth Street. Despite the man’s warnings, it was not overly crowded, and Trae continued walking, keeping a watch out for magic shops.

Trae looked at each building as he passed down the street. There was a mix of houses, inns, and shops. After several blocks he was beginning to think he should turn around and try the other direction. He had already seen three jewelry shops and two armorers. Trae tugged on the reins and led his horses down the road, deciding whether to keep walking or to return the way he came, he heard a familiar whistle. He perked his head up and looked for the source of the sound. He heard it again, and headed to the empty alley between two buildings. Once out of the main street and in the shadows, he heard the whistle again from farther in the darkness. Trae reached up to his saddle and retrieved his mace while he cautiously proceeded down the alley.

The whistle came again, and Trae knew that it was Dune making the sound, but he didn’t understand why he was not showing himself or why was he luring Trae down this alley.

“I’m here,” Trae called. “Come on out into the light.” In response, he heard a faint whisper that he could not make out. “What was that?”

This time, slightly louder, he heard his friend, “Get back here and keep quiet.”

Trae looked behind himself to see if he had attracted any attention, then he walked farther into the alley, following the sound of his friend’s voice. Without any warning, Trae felt air compress around his body, stopping him from being able to move or speak. Dune stepped out of the shadows and quickly waved his arms in spiraling patterns as he walked beside the horses. After walking the full length of the horses on both sides, he repeated the hand movements around Trae, and then he nodded.

“It appears that you are safe.” With this pronouncement, Trae found himself released from the air.

“What was all of that?” he demanded, throwing his arms up in the air in frustration.

“I was checking for any curses, or spells, but like I said, you’re safe. Come with me.” Dune turned and walked down the alley and sat down on a small crate. “So, what did you learn from our seeker friends?”

“Wait just one minute,” Trae said, holding his hand up. “How did you know about them?”

Dune looked at his friend innocently. “I’ve been following you for a couple of days. I acquired what I needed as quickly as could have been hoped,” he held up a small, green bottle of liquid, “and then caught up with you well before you reached Lexingar.” Trae’s mouth dropped open in surprise and annoyance. “So what did you learn from them?” Dune asked before Trae could have another outburst.

“I don’t know where to start,” Trae began, scratching his head. “They are meeting in a green tent on the north side of the city. They’re posing as craftsmen selling their wares.”

“A green tent, that’s very interesting. Did they say how many would be there?” Dune asked, he pulled out a small notebook.

“No, but I think I was traveling with five.”

Dune raised his hand to cover his mouth, then lowered it to his chin, as if in contemplation. He then scribbled some notes on a piece of paper. “Five seekers in one place, that was risky for you. It’s a good thing you are in disguise.”

“What? Do you mean dressing up like a knight in all this armor?” Trae asked, pointing at the breastplate. “You never did explain how to take it off.”

“I was actually referring to your face, but the armor also had its purpose,” Dune replied, voice filled with amusement.

Trae stopped searching for the opening on his armor.

“My face?” Trae asked, touching his cheek, “What is wrong with my face?”

Dune looked down the alley and saw a small rain barrel. “This will be fun. Come on over here.” He stood beside the large, wooden barrel. “Take a look.”

Trae slowly leaned over the barrel, not knowing what to expect. In the reflection, he saw dark hair, green eyes, and a rather large, unshapely nose. He suppressed the urge to scream out and looked sternly at Dune. “Take it off.”

Dune raised his pointer finger and spoke as a teacher addressing a student. “Listen, Trevor, it was for your own protection.”

“Take it off!” Trae repeated more loudly.

Dune took a step backward. “Calm down. It’ll only last another week.”

“Another week!” Trae burst out. “I’m going to look like this for another week? Is there anything else you haven’t told me?”

Dune smiled broadly, “I suggest you continue to go by Trevor.”

“Gladly. I don’t want to taint my good name with this ugly mug.” Trae’s words came out in a flurry.

“And one more thing,” Dune added, as though he had just thought of it.

“Really? More? Did you make me have a pot belly and a furry chest under this armor?” Trae was getting restless and started pulling at his armor to get it off.

“Oh yeah, there’s a bit of a trick to that. You need to press up in here.” As he said this he reached up to the small of Trae’s back, and with a clicking sound the armor opened easily. Once free of the armor, Trae threw it to the ground and ran back to the barrel. Dune spoke from behind him while Trae scrubbed his face ferociously. “It’s actually about your stone.”

“What about my stone?” Trae asked, still annoyed at his friend.

“The seekers can see magical items. When you use a magical item, it is especially easy to spot.” Trae stood up, turned around and looked to his friend. “The armor covers your body, but more importantly, it covers the stone.”

“I haven’t used the stone in the last eight days. I haven’t needed to.”

“That’s good. Those stones are powerful, so if you had, they might have seen it even through your armor,” Dune replied.

Trae was still frustrated that his friend hadn’t told him about the disguise or the power of the seekers, but he was happy for the protection.

“How can they see magic?”

“Magicians can cast a simple spell to detect magical items, or see what magical items can do, but not even magicians can see magic like seekers.” Dune looked down the alley before continuing in a softer voice. “When they become seekers, they make a vow to seek the Stones of Power till they die. They drink an elixir that helps them see magic.”

Trae nodded. “That sounds pretty good. Do you have any of it?”

Dune shook his head in disgust. “It’s not that simple. The elixir changes them so that they crave magical items. In time, they become blind to everything else. The elixir is a poison.”

“So you’re saying that magical items are all they think about?” Trae asked, confusion showing on all his magically altered features.

“No, it’s much worse than that. In time, magical items are all that they can see. They literally give up their sight, and they also give up their sanity, though that takes a little longer.”

Trae scrunched his face in concentration for a moment. “How long does it take till they, you know, go blind and crazy?”

“That is a mystery,” Dune said with a shrug, “but they do slow down the process using another potion. Did you notice their bottles?” Dune asked, tapping his belt.

“Now that you mention it, they each had the same kinds of bottles in leather cords tied around their waists. They drank from the bottles every few hours or so. I just thought it was a different way to carry water.”

“That was no water,” Dune said in a dark tone. “Those bottles are what help them keep their sight and their grasp on reality.”

“Well, that makes our job pretty easy,” Trae jumped in. “All we need to do is get those bottles from them.”

Dune shook his head. “That’s easier said than done. They always keep the bottles with them, and they seem to have an inexhaustible supply of the stuff.”

“So, can we poison it?” Trae asked, and then Dune looked up at him with a broad smile. “If we know they’ll drink it and only give it to seekers, we could use that to our advantage,” Trae continued.

Dune had begun to nod excitedly, but suddenly brought his finger to his mouth, and peered down toward the alley’s entrance. “Put your armor back on, and wait here, we can’t have any of the seekers seeing us together. Whatever happens, you stay down.” Dune pulled out his staff and urged his horse forward.

Trae moved silently into the shadows and grabbed at his armor. As he carefully dressed in his armor, he watched his friend.

Taking full advantage of the intimidating prospect it should be to encounter a master magician, Dune threw back his cloak, showing off his long, dark robe and leapt atop his battle horse, his staff outstretched.

“What business brings you here?” He bellowed.

If the man approaching him felt any uneasiness, his steady pace masked it perfectly. He carried a large cudgel in his right hand. His face was deformed with scars and a crooked nose, which had obviously been broken more than once. He was wearing hard, studded leather armor, and Dune noticed that a small, familiar bottle hung from his belt. When he came closer, Dune could see that there was an animal by his side; a large, wolf-like dog. It growled loudly and crouched, ready to pounce. The gray and white hair on the animal’s back stood on end. The man continued to advance and did nothing to calm the animal.