“The thing about truth is it may not bring clarity. It actually may be vague.“
“Truth has always had a bad name, it falls to the textbooks of religions and courts, telling it almost always carries a negative impact to your life, at least that is the general perception. But look beyond what is part of the popular consciousness to discover the difference between perception and actuality. That is where you’ll discover what truth really is”?
Jerad completed his time in Skulian without any other incidents. His mule loaded up with everything on both his and Kristynas list. Plus, extra items he had decided to pick up while he was there. He mounted up Princess Ali with the mule in tow and off they went back down the road towards the hunter’s camp. Once there, he could load the boat and return to Kristyna and their injured guest.
It wasn’t long before he had traveled down the road far enough where long shadows crossed it. The tall trees in this area grew on either side of the road. Even up to the transition line where the mountain began to have more rock than soil.
These tall trees blocked away the sunlight this late in the day. The shadows became deeper. He continued to travel back down towards the lower elevations. He heightened his senses of his surroundings as he traveled within the shadows. This was to prevent surprises from coming on him undetected.
He glanced up at the sky to appreciate the beginning of what was to become a beautiful sunset. The clouds were high in the sky and sprayed across the sphere. They painted the sky in thin layers, many colors were bleeding through them.
There was a scattering of purples, blues and reds laying across the clouds. They formed a pattern that appeared as if someone threw buckets of paint up into the sky. It appeared as if left to drop and fall wherever they might want to.
He used the scene that played out before him to relax his stiff muscles. He needed it after his brief unexpected exercise with the bounty hunters. He knew he had to vanish for a while after that confrontation. He was sure the stories would begin again about his feats of warfare. He began to think over the last week and how his life had changed once again.
What was it that she had told him so long ago? Yes, it sounded something like this. “A single event can change the course of life that troubles civilizations or saves a world.” He thought she had also said, “But it can be the first stone of a bridge that takes a nobody and creates an empress.”
He pondered a bit more thinking there was something else. Oh yeah; “I foresee such events in your future. Be careful of the choices you make. There are unforeseen futures of great harm or lasting peace flowing like a fountain from you. Where each drop of water falls, great harm or good can happen.”
He remembered her also saying. “Your type makes choices with such disregard for how it might impact others of your kind. It is a display of the arrogance of your race. Jerad thought to himself, “There’s a lot to digest here, now, in this time this begins to matter more. I now begin to wonder what good or harm finding and helping this injured girl will do.”
He had been here before. But it had not been since the border wars, when the enemy and friend a like whispered of the nick names given to him. They were names like the weapons’ master, mist walker, and shadow warrior. They were all names given to him by others who both respected and feared him.
Legends were born out of the tall tales told of his battles during those times. Those that fought during that period. Would have heard or seen what happened to those who sought to come against him on the battlefield.
There were stories layered over each other from those times. They were about the warrior whose name put fear into the Lian. But cheers into those defending against their invasion of their lands. Many of these of course were because of the Lianons own reputation. They were well regarded as legendary fighters themselves.
They endured long days of extreme training. This practice forced those that became part of the enforcers to understand discipline. They were the elite forces of their army and acted in the role of law giver’s during times of peace.
Jerad thought to himself, “There is something odd though about these Lian. They are acting more like bounty hunters than law enforcers or warriors. It’s not as if they had authority to enforce Lian law in the free territories. This far north was even a stretch for the imperial legions from Tyamaria.” The legion consisted of small squads with a platoon responsible for each province.
He picked up his contemplation again, “So, what is behind this? Is it possible this is a breakaway faction? I guess it’s possible based on history. Lian has its own history of problems within the isles where they came from. They have had tens of thousands of years to practice their political craft.”
They brought a new measure to what political intrigue meant. He was nearing the hunter’s camp, but then he stopped before arriving. He sensed a deep silence, there was a tint of something dead in the air, something was not right here at all.
He pulled his horse and mule off to the woods and spoke to Princess Ali telling her to stay put. He checked his weapons and pulled out a short staff strapped to the horse’s side. The staff he used if he thought the odds might be a little unbalanced.
Plus, using this staff he had the advantage of capturing someone for question. One end had a rounded ball designed for knocking people out vs. killing them. The other though was a curved blade with serration on one side made for tearing into armor. The other side of the blade was sharp enough to cut through anything like butter.
This was not a normal blade, but one made by his friend up in the mountains where he had gotten Princess Ali. They made it together with some of his own handy work that made this one a very special blade indeed. He made his way down to a rise that overlooked the camp. There was nothing moving. He could only smell the dead; he was already assuming this was the work of the Lian enforcers.
He knew their work and they could be merciless. It made him angry to think of all those innocent lives snuffed out by a bunch of Lian enforcers. They had out matched anyone in that camp when it came to fighting skills.
He figured if they were waiting in hiding, he might as well extend an invitation at this point. He needed to end this threat before unloading his supplies onto the boat. He could not head back to the main camp where the girls were waiting with them on the hunt.
He made his way back to the road, determined to make it look like a visit from anyone traveling to the camp. It was quite common for travelers to stop at these camps to rest. They would often buy or trade for material and goods needed. This was especially the case if their inventories were running low.
As he approached the camp, he used his staff as a walking stick. He made sure to bury the sharp edge deep into the ground each step. This way no one observing would see anything other than the rounded end of it. He edged into the center with the sun behind him. He was counting on a confrontation first. That they would not try and assassinate him from the shadows. They would want to learn what they could.
He noticed the dead hunters, all except for Gerald, he did not see the giant of a man anywhere here. Jerad thought, “I wonder, hmm…” His eyes and hearing picked up the movement. This happened at the same time as a ring of Lian enforcers slipped from the shadows to surround him.
He ignored them and checked the bodies of each of the hunters as if they weren’t even there. He thought, “No mercy shown here, it did not look like they had much of a chance. This was a slaughter, both men and women all dead.”
He waited to see what would happen next and stood up. Another figure slipped from the shadows. He came up to Jerad and spoke. “My name is Alonar, this site is under investigation for crimes against the Lian autocracy.” Jerad responded, “Where’s the investigation? Everyone’s dead at this point, can’t question those that are dead, can you?”
Alonar responded with acid biting his tongue. “Watch your impertinence or you may find yourself bleeding out alongside of them.” Jerad didn’t flinch at all, “What are you investigating and what right do you have to kill all these people? Some of them were my friends.” Alonar then changed the subject, “Have you seen this girl?” He held out a copy of the poster he had seen back in Skulian.
Jerad responded, “Nope, I have traveled down from Skulian. I was delivering my goods to various shops there.” Alonar asked, “Where’s your horse and mule then, I don’t see them?” Jerad responded and pointed out the other way. Alonar barked orders to one of his men and they slipped away up the road to check out his story. It took only minutes for him to return and nod in confirmation he was telling the truth.
Alonar then said, “I could let you go, but then I suspect you know more than you’re letting on.” Jerad responded, “Your choice but know this. Every decision in life has a set of possible outcomes, some are good, and some are very bad.” Alonar smiled a crooked smile and spoke. “I don’t like what you implied, who do you think you are anyway?” Jerad paused and then said, “The real question is what will you do when you find out?” Jerad then added, “Of course, that only matters if anyone’s left who can ask.”
Alonar began to send some signal to his troops by shifting his stance and looking down. Jerad saw his opportunity. At that point with fluid grace and speed. Jerad swung his club up and brought the rounded end to knock Alonar out cold. It was so fast that his troops hardly had time to reach their swords. Let alone pull them out when Jerad pivoted his feet bringing up the sharp edge of the staff and began to spin in a circle.
At the same time, he bought up the cutting end of his staff. Within a few brief seconds. Every one of the Lian guard with Alonar was bleeding out from a cut across their mid sections. It cut exactly below where their cuirass ended and the belts for their pants began.
They all fell to the ground with surprised looks on their faces. Their life force began to ebb away onto the surrounding ground. Jerad stood up and walked to where Alonar had fallen. He dragged the unconscious Alonar to a pole used for hanging meat to dry and tied him to it. He went about his business of preparing the site to give these hunters a decent resting place.
He went back and got his horse and mule and used the pit used for drying meats from the hunt and placed them all in there. Afterwards, he covered it up and built a burial cairn on top. Around it he placed the weapons and armor of all the Lian he had slain. It was a tribute to the hunters and huntresses and a message to others.
Alonar, who was still tied up. Finally began to wake up to find himself in an uncomfortable position. Jerad walked over to him and waited. Finally, Alonar spoke, “Who are you anyway and where are my men?” Jerad pointed over to the burial site he put together where Alonar could see the armor and weapons of his six men. The armor and weapons of his men appeared to be setup as sentinels. They were standing guard around the burial site of the hunters and huntress.
Alonar spoke, “That’s not possible, they are some of the bests there were, I handpicked each of them myself, who are you?” Jerad responded, “First, I have a few questions. Depending on how you answer them, it will make a difference on whether I allow you to live or die.
Of course, if you chose death, I would let you join your squad over there. You could be with them in the ever after forever paying your respect in silence to the hunters you killed. Especially since its purpose was for entirely no reason at all.”
Alonar swallowed hard, now knowing his fate hung by a thread. Jerad asked, “What is it about this girl that brings a special Lian enforcer squad this far north?” Alonar stated, “She’s a political prisoner. We were hunting to bring her back to the prison where she was being held.”
Jerad responded, “A whole Lian squad to find one young girl who escaped from a prison of yours?” “There’s more to it, out with it before I lose my original thought there was value in keeping you alive.” Alonar said, “She killed every guard and Lian back at the prison. Then she took out the Lian at the embassy attached alongside it. She is dangerous, don’t get fooled by her gentle demeanor.”
Jerad responded, “This gave you no right to kill these people, as I said, some of them were my friends. They have paid up now, a debt for a debt.” Jerad had pointed to the grave site and ghosts of his men standing guard there now. Alonar listened.
Jerad asked, “What is her name?” Alonar said, “Elyana” Jerad took the rounded end of his staff and jammed it down on Alonar foot. Alonar felt that and darkness almost overcame him again, but he held his place and gritted his teeth in pain.
Jerad asked again, “Elyana who, what’s the rest of her name?” Alonar responded after recovering from the initial pain in his foot. “Elyana d’Abernon of Dunstead.”
Jerad then said, “I remember the stories about that family. There was a father accused of being a trader to the Lian autocracy. What I recall, you paraded him through the streets and then left to die. Of course, that was after you had a public spectacle with him in your capital city.
Although, there’s a story put out by your rumor network. I recall it communicated he got transported to the southern prison. Most assumed he had met his final fate there. We know that’s not the truth though don’t we.” Jerad paused then continued. “Your level of arrogance is beyond anything I have tolerance for.” He then stated, “I also remember a mother and young daughter who disappeared. They were never heard from again.”
“So, you’re saying this girl you’re looking for is that young girl now grown up?” “Tell me, how did a young girl take out all the prison guard and the embassy employees too?” Alonar responded, “Her father trained her from the time she was old enough to hold a long knife.” Jerad then said, “OK, he must have been some warrior to take it upon himself to train his daughter like that. He also must have been in fear for his family, why is that?”
Alonar did not respond. Jerad took the serrated side of his blade on the staff and slid it across the calf of the man’s left leg. It cut through his britches with ease and tore the surface level of his calf skin.” Alonar held his screams not wanting to show Jerad any weakness. Jerad then said, “We can play this game until morning. At which time I have other places to be.
Of course, there might not be much of you left by then. You decide your fate.” Alonar then responded, “The Lian high counsel has had it out for him since the battle of the three.” Jerad paused, he remembered that. “It was a turning point. The Lian who had outnumbered their opponents were completely routed. It was her father who held the post of commander at that time of the free rangers. His battle tactics and troops were legendary for their ability. His name alone would make armies falter in fear.”
Jerad responded, “Okay, that’s making more sense now, but I do need to decide on what I will do with you.” “I’ll let you figure your way out of this rather than end your life here. Your fate will be your own. You’ll have to get out of this before the wolves or some bear comes along looking for an easy meal and decides why not you?” Alonar then asked, “You never told me who you were.” Jerad responded, “Your fireside stories are full of my tales.
During the border wars it was a name both feared and respected even by the Lian.” Alonar gasped, “But we thought you were dead, no one has heard anything since the border wars about you.” Jerad smiled, “Yea, my demise is a bit overrated. Don’t you think?”
Alonar eyes lit up with new respect for this man and then said, “The weapons master, and you’re going to let me live?” Jerad responded, “I need you to take a message back to the counsel although I doubt if they will hear it.” “Let them know what happened here and let them know you now have my attention.”
If I find anymore of you in this land, I won’t hesitate the next time to exact payment.” “Let them know if they decide to continue with hunting down this girl wherever she might be. That I may come for them.” Alonar steered at Jerad. He said nothing for a moment, “I’ll make sure they hear the message.”
With that Jerad unloaded his mule and horse, took off the saddle and placed everything in the boat. He then whispered in Princess Ali’s ear, and she went off with the mule following close behind.” Before pushing off he looked back at Alonar, “I have shown you grace today, count yourself lucky. If I see you again in this area, I won’t hesitate to ensure you join your buddies over there in the ever after.”
With that Jerad went to the boat to begin his journey back to the camp. He jumped into the boat. Untethered it from the mooring line. Raised the sail and took the rudder to point it away from the landing. The boat picked up speed and in time disappeared into the fog. It was rolling in from the cooling air and warm waters of the morning.
Kristyna saw the boat coming in from across the lake as it appeared coming out of the edges of the fog. She grabbed her bow in case she needed it. Jerad had been gone a while now. She was not taking any chances now that the girl was showing real promise on her recovery.
She slipped off to a clump of trees, waited for the boat to approach closer and then noticed no one was sailing it. In fact, it looked like it was moving in on its own accord. She thought to herself. “What matter of magic was this?” She saw the grouping of goods in the center of the boat. Part of the supplies were covered with a tarp. She kept stored in the boat for rainy weather to help keep herself dry if caught in it while out on the lake.
The boat slid onto shore and hit the dock then stopped. She pulled her bow to its full draw and waited to see what would happen next. Minutes later, nothing, there was nothing moving. She started to let the tension off on her bow. She then moved out of the clump of trees to inspect the boat. With silence and speed, she felt herself pulled back from behind. She saw a long knife appear at her throat in short order.
Jerad whispered to her, “Kristyna, are you the only one here?” Kristyna unsettled by this spoke, “What are you doing?” “It’s me, what happened out there?” Jerad released his grip and the knife disappeared from her throat. He responded, “Had some problems back at the hunter’s camp and in town related to our girl.” “I had to be sure, you were alone.”
She went over to sit down on the stump near where the girl was resting, “You need to tell me what’s going on. How are my friends at the hunter’s camp?” Jerad paused, reached out and touched her hand, “I’m sorry, but they’re all dead.” This stunned her, and she got up from the tree stump she was using as a chair and walked away facing the mountains.
Jerad got up and walked over to her. He placed his right hand on her shoulder then said, “I know it won’t bring them back, but the Lian who did this are all dead now. I allowed one to survive, though wounded, he was left there to send a message back to the high council that it ends here and now.”
She then turned around with tears streaming down her cheeks. She whimpered, “Thank you Jerad. I’ll need to go back and give them a proper burial; I can’t leave them there for the crows.” Jerad then said, “I’ve already taken care of it. I would never leave someone that was our friend, left without a burial.” She stared at him and then leaned into him sobbing.
He held her while she worked it all out of her system. They both stood there with the first morning rays of the sun beginning to warm the land around them. Kristyna held onto Jerad a bit longer to help give her the strength she would need to make it through this day. It was then they both heard, in a soft raspy voice, “Hello, is anyone there? I need something to drink.”
They both turned in surprise and went back to find the girl was propping herself up on her side. She still looked pale to Jerad, but she was alert and speaking. Kristyna reached over for the water-skin and lifted it up to her to drink from. She said, “Drink now, sips only, no extended drinks yet.” Jerad who was now sitting on one of the stumps looking at her to gauge her recovery. There was color coming back in her checks which made her freckles more pronounced now.
She noticed him at that point and asked, “Who are you, and what happened?” Kristyna and Jerad both responded by introducing themselves. Then Kristyna said, “I saw the fight along the ridge. You were fending yourself from those bandits. I was the one who chased them off with my arrows.”
She responded, “Thank you, I am not sure I would have made it without both of your help.” She spoke to Kristyna, but her eyes stayed locked on Jerad. She asked, “Who are you and why are you here?” as she looked at Jerad as if searching for something she should know. Kristyna spoke first, “I needed help once you fell from the ledge.” “Jerad came along at the right time and carried you all the way back to the boat. He’s been here protecting us both since then.”
The injured girl paused, “Thank you both, but I am tired and need to sleep some more.” She felt safe having heard both of their stories and laid back down, asleep within minutes.” Kristyna then turned to Jerad. “This is a good sign; she should start to gain her strength back over the next four or five days. I need a favor tomorrow.”
Jerad responded, “What can I do for you?” I want to go back tomorrow, give my respect to my friends and travel into Riverlynn to pick up her cuirass.” “With her being able to speak now you’ll be able to tend to her.” She paused but then said, “See what else you can learn about her.” Jerad paused and then said, “We’ll need to take shifts tonight so I can get rested. With everything that has taken place, we both need to be alert and recovered.”
She agreed immediately, and then asked, “Would you tell me a bit more about who you are?” “There’s few that can sneak up on me like you did and have a knife to my throat before I could even react.” Jerad grinned, “I hoped that there would not be a reason for me to come out of retirement as it were.”
Jerad paused, then continued, “What do you know about the border wars?” She thought briefly, “My father when I was younger used to tell me stories of those wars, the battles, skirmishes and…” She trailed off for a moment in thought. “There were those stories. When I heard them, they almost sounded like something made of tall tales. You know passed down from fireside talks and the like.”
Jerad asked, “What stories?” She responded, “My father spoke of them with reverence and respect, of the mist walker he called him.” Kristyna continued, “he said when he showed up at a battle. He could cut through a whole platoon is less than five minutes. ” She paused in thought then continued. “They, the other side never realized what hit them. It was as if he appeared out of thin air and moved with speed so fast that the eye couldn’t track him.”
Kristyna thought and said, “it’s said by others. He was a vengeful spirit who was taking his revenge on the enemy for some past deed.” She paused again, “He was a legend in those days, but no one has heard a thing since peace arrived and the wars were over.”
She paused and then continued, “Everyone talked as if he found peace at last and was finally allowed to rest.” My father though, was not so sure about that. He thought he was hiding somewhere. Jerad spoke then, “I knew there was no peace. That it was just a matter of time before someone else would get the dumb idea to begin something all over again.”
She said wait a minute, “You said you knew, not he knew.” “Yes, Kristyna, I am called by many names. The Lian call me the weapons master, the common people the mist walker, and there are many others beyond that.” Kristyna then said, “If I hadn’t experienced want happened to me a bit ago, I would not have believed you. I always thought they made up stories to keep us kids in line.” She then asked, how many Lian were there, was it the complete group of them?” He said, “seven including the one I let live.”
Kristyna asked, “Was that the one who identified himself as Alonar?” Jerad said, “Yes!” She went silent for a minute and then asked how, how’d you take out that many well-trained enforcers?” Jerad smiled, “Sorry, trade secrets. But in less than a minute after I started, they all laid dead before they even hit the ground. Well, except for Alonar of course.”
Kristyna had to ask, “I’ve seen you capable of such compassion though. How can you reconcile the two, you know, compassion for others while dealing out death as if you were a god?” Jerad thought a moment and then told her, “There is a long story about how this all began but so much of it is of legend now.” Jerad continued, “When you speak of the gods, you are closer to the truth than you might think. or believe.”
Kristyna asked, “What do you mean?” Jerad responded, “I mean I am the first and last of my kind.” She paused a moment in deep thought. But then said, “Your him, you’re the one whose life that dragon saved. It’s said that she gave you her own blood to save your life. That is, you?” Jerad said, “Yes, a blessing and a curse all in one.”
Jerad then said, “You must promise me though not to share that with anyone else.” “I am trusting you Kristyna as a good friend. Our fates became one path and were thrown together to help save this girl, the same one who we also need to talk about.
She asked, “what did you learn? “She is Elyana of Dunstead, the missing little girl that disappeared so long ago. Remember, her father got the bad end of a week political court. He also had faith the Lian would keep their word so gave up without a fight. He got sent to the court of the Lian and killed for treason.”
Kristyna said, “But how and what brought her here?” Jerad responded, “We’ll have to ask that question once she’s strong enough to talk about it.” Kristyna then said, “What have we gotten ourselves tangled up in?” Jerad replied, “All I can say is hang on because once she’s better we’re about to find out.” Kristyna said, “I’m going to get some sleep for a while. Wake me up in four hours and I’ll take the next shift.”
Jerad nodded; she went off to her tent to get some sleep. Her head had a hundred different thoughts swirling through her mind. Regardless, despite everything that had happened. It did not take long before she was sleeping. The evening was uneventful. Elyana slept through it as well, only waking for brief moments to get water. Sometimes she would want sips of the soup in the pot too. She appeared to be building up more strength. That was good.
Kristyna approaches on the last shift of the evening. Bent over to squeeze his hand and said, “Get some sleep, you’ll have a full day in a few hours helping to keep an eye on our girl.” With that he rose from the log he was resting on. He went over to the tent to get some sleep before the morning finally came. It seemed like he only laid his head down, when he sensed Kristyna touching him to announce it was time to get up.
He opened his eyes to allow the light of the morning to seep in and then he rose in a graceful move to a sitting position. Kristyna looked him in the eyes, then said, “Coffee’s ready, and breakfast too.” Get a little before our girl wakes up for the day. I will be heading out once I see you are up and about.
Kristyna then walked off to begin preparation for her trip that day. Jerad knew where she would stop first. He called out to her to come over to the fire. He then said, “Kristyna, Gerald was not among the dead at the hunter’s camp yesterday.” “I don’t know what that implies but be careful.” “I am not saying there’s anything to suspect. But until we know, any unsubstantiated possibility should get its due consideration.”
Kristyna responded back, “Gerald could be a loner and would often go off for a week or two on trips into remote places.” Jerad thought for a moment, “Do you like this Gerald, I mean more than a friend?” Kristyna looked at Jerad at that point, “He’s a friend, an occasional one because of him not being there all the time.” “I enjoy his company but he’s not my type.” Jerad asked, “Is there a type? What does that mean?”
Kristyna thought for a moment, “I don’t think he is someone that I could commit to for a long-term relationship.” “I need someone who’s more connected to the world around them. Someone who understands that sometimes, others may need their strength. That their support must be more then what they need for themselves.”
She chuckled a bit, “That would not be Gerald.” “He is very focused on who and what he is. He doesn’t often come out of that mold. The only exception of it is when he takes an interest in someone else.” Jerad responded, “A word of caution, he has feelings for you, can be jealous, and by his size alone, could be dangerous.” “I never sensed that in my immediate dealings with him.” “Yet, people can be good at hiding their true intentions.”
Kristyna nodded, “Agreed, I’ll be sure to be careful.” “Thanks Jerad, you know you’re showing that great capacity for compassion for others again.” Jerad smiled, “You know, it’s actually my preferred place.” “I am not the cold hard killer that some of the stories make me out to be.”
Kristyna responded, “There is more to you than what you allow yourself to show.” “I am a patient person and consider you to be a good friend, not only a casual friend.” “I hope we have the opportunity to learn more about each other before our journey together is over.”
Jerad responded back, “What makes you think our journey will ever end.” “My thoughts are that friends. Good friends are always in the same journey. Even though their paths may take them away for a time. They will meet up again over time and begin as if there was no separation of time and space at all.”
Kristyna smiled at that, and said, “Thanks, I do not think I will ever forget our time together.” Brought to each other through the unsuspecting circumstance of the need of another.” With that she looked over at Elyana and went over to check on her.
She looked over her injuries, and smiled, “She’s doing well with her healing. I’ve never seen such a rapid recovery considering her injuries. It’s as if the gods are intervening for some reason.” “Like there’s a destiny they have in mind for her to fulfill and they need her to get on with it.”
Jerad said, “Who knows, you may be right. There is something more to her than another royal caught up on the wrong side of their enemies.” Kristyna nodded in agreement. Got up and then went over the boat and cast the mooring lines off to prepare for her departure.
Jerad got up and walked over to grab her hand, “Be careful. Keep your sense about you today while out. Always look over your shoulder when you return and don’t assume you’re alone.” He said, “there are many bounty hunters out looking to get a quick reward on her. I ran into one such group while in Skulian.”
She paused then asked, “And are they still breathing?” “I gave them a warning. They got the message but to be sure they are opportunists. People like them wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of someone. Especially if something presented itself to them.”
“My experience with these types is that they have short memories. Don’t always remember the lessons life tries to teach them. Or the things that are most dangerous to their continued existence.” She nodded, then leaped across to the boat, raised the sail and then began to head out towards the hunter’s camp.
Behind him Jerad could hear Elyana shift in her bed beneath the lean-to created for her. He walked over and knocked on one of the support logs. You want breakfast? She responded from behind the fur put up to give her privacy and keep it warm during the cold nights. “Would you and can we talk?” Jerad responded, “Sure, let’s get some nourishment in you first.”
He went over and put together a bit of breakfast stew, and a piece of fresh bread. He had bought the bread while in town. He also poured a cup of hot steaming coffee. He took them over and set them down while he pulled the fur cover back and lifted it over the top to hold it up.
He handed her the bowl of stew and bread and set the cup of hot coffee next to her. She was sitting up in an old hunter’s outfit Kristyna must have given her.
Elyana took a bite or two of the stew, ate two bites of the bread and sipped the coffee a bit. After that she asked, “Where is she?” Jerad responded, “Oh, you mean Kristyna!” She responded, “So that’s her name?” Jerad said, “Yes!”
Elyana then asked, “Who are you and are you and her you know, together?” Jerad chuckled, “No, Kristyna and I are friends.” “My name is Jerad.” Elyana thought a moment, took another sip of her coffee, and asked. “I overheard you both talking about the border wars while I was slipping in and out of sleep.” “Did you know my father?”
Jerad paused and then spoke, “No, but I knew of him as he likely knew of me.” Elyana then asked, “I remember hearing something about dragons, blood, mystic walkers, and…” Jerad put his fingers to her lips to stop the question that might come next and spoke. “There are a lot of things we both need to learn about each other in the time ahead. We’ll have time for that later, for now tell me something about yourself?”
Elyana looked a bit irritated that he stopped her mid-sentence. But she then relaxed and said, “How did you know my name, did I say it in my dreams, you know when I was in fever or something?” Jerad paused, “No, let’s say you have a bit more fame currently then you may care to have.” Elyana was ready to ask something, but Jerad placed his fingers on her lips again. He then said, “You’re a wanted person, ten thousand gold pieces dead, twenty thousand alive.”
“The Lian want you pretty bad to have the elder council post a reward that big.” “In fact, they want you more alive for some reason, care to share why?” Elyana shot back irritated, “I don’t have to tell you anything. I don’t even know you, why should I trust you, and who do you think you are?”
Jerad observed her cheeks had turned a rosy color which set her freckles on fire. He placed his hand on her shoulder as if to say to her relax, you are among friends here. Jerad then said, “First of all. Kristyna and I both have the right to ask that question considering we saved your life. You would be dead right now if not for Kristyna coming to your aid against those bandits. Second. she also had the good sense to flag me down to help after you fell.
So young lady. We do deserve to know a bit more about who you are. We also would like to know. Why you have every bandit, thug, opportunity seeker and the whole nation of Lian after you?” Elyana relaxed a bit, composed herself then said, “I am sorry, my practice in manners is lacking these days. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to care to use them.”
Jerad responded, “I understand that, but let us get started on the right foot by showing a little trust in each other. I promise to give you time, but you need to give me at least an idea or how else do you expect me to protect you.” Elyana looked into his eyes then. She saw the odd combination of color. Bright blue with swaths of yellow, orange, and green scattered across them. She thought, “I’ve never seen anyone with eyes like that.”
She answered Jerad. “I am Elyana of Dunstead, the daughter and only child of Arlyss Kedrick d’Abernon, the Count of Dunstead. Edris Odella d’Abernon, the Countess of Dunstead is my mother.” Jerad did not interrupt waiting for her to continue.
Elyana than said, “They killed my father and took me and my mother. They gave us over to some member of the high council to be his servants.” “We were then separated. I got taken to work on a farm somewhere on the isles of the Lian.” “I can’t …” Her eyes began to well up with tears, “I can’t talk about it much right now, what else do you want to know?”
Jerad thought and asked, “Where were you going when the bandits attacked you and what was the purpose?” He paused but a moment and said, “You must have some purpose behind being this far north.” He then said. “Sylanon and Rhiannon are not known for their large metropolitan areas. Or its civilized citizens.”
Elyana responded, “First of all, I didn’t ask for your help, but I do appreciate you saving me. I will thank Kristyna when she returns. She will be back, right?” Jerad responded. “Elyana, I know you did not ask for my help but consider it a gift, I am committed to protecting you until you reach your goal.”
Elyana chuckled, “What are you my guardian or something?” Jerad responded, “You can call me anything you want, as long as you try and get along and do what I tell you when I tell you.” “It may save both our lives and allow you to reach your goal.” Elyana looked down and asked, “Where’s my stuff, my cuirass, britches and boots?”
Jerad responded. “Your cuirass got damaged during the battle you had with those bounty hunters. Your britches and boots needed repair.” “I took them in to get fixed.” “Kristyna will return with them this evening.” “She looked a moment and then said, “That cuirass won’t get the proper repairs by some back water smithy. It needs someone who has schooling in how to handle special metals like those use to make it. Not someone who spends their day fixing horseshoes and farming tools.”
Jerad smiled, “This smithy was the creator of your cuirass you wore. Your mother and father contracted him to create it for you. So, I would watch your judgment and try to learn something about who you’re referring to. It would help you to understand who they are. Before having those types of opinions of the local citizens of this area.”
Elyana shut up for a bit at that point and Jerad stood up, looked over at her and said, “Finish your meal, get some rest. I plan to take you for a brief walk to help build up your strength again. Tomorrow, we’ll start your training. We need to check if those injuries have affected your ability to defend yourself.”
He then walked off to the shoreline and bent over to clean up the dishes using the cold clear waters of the lake. Elyana watched him a bit. She took some more bites of the food until satisfied, pushed the plate and empty cup away and laid back down to think. “What do I do, how much should I tell them, how far should I trust them?”
She then thought, “I may not have a lot of choice. But if I can get him or them to get me to Sirlianinon. I can meet up with Aqdas Nazar and find out what he might know about my mother.”
Once there, it will be easy enough for me to give them the slip. She then thought, “There’s something about this, about him though. There’s an attachment to him somehow, I’ve never felt this way before about anyone. This feeling is different what is it?”
With that she slipped off to sleep and then the dreams hit her. It was not the first time she had dreams like this but this one was more real. “She saw herself standing, overlooking a field and he was by her side. She and he both had armor on. He wore some type of odd battle outfit arrayed with weapons.” Then a voice came to her, “Daughter of the morning light and dawn. You who are to bring a new dawn, do not fear your new guardian, he is there to protect you and so much more.”
“You have a long and dangerous journey ahead. You must trust him for through him lies your future. Not only yours, but his too. For all nations will come to know you both and the one yet to come. I the goddess of light and dawn have so ordained it to be so.”
“Long has it been since you had a reason to trust. But in him, know that your destinies are the same. They cannot separate if you hope to get back your mother and to restore what’s been taken from you.” With that the dream faded and she fell into a deep restful sleep.
Jerad woke Elyana up around two hours later and whispered to her, “OK, sleepy head. You need to get up so we can start building up your strength a little. I have some tea for you along with some bread and cheese. Take some time to get to work on that and I will be right back.”
Elyana sat up and looked around to see Jerad stepping to the other side of the trees. She could hear him working on something, like he was sanding something down. She took the time to sip on the tea, “This was good” she thought to herself. What’s in it?”
She then began nibbling on the cheese and warm bread. “Where did he learn how to do this? I need to know more about him.” “Then she remembered the dream. My guardian, I was only joking before when I called him my guardian but that dream. I need to recall more of it later.”
Jerad walked back over and had two practice swords made from trees in his hand. She recognized them from all the training her father put her through when she was growing up. They would practice for hours. He used to change out with diverse types of swords, two and one-handed both. She was not sure she felt up to that kind of training yet but would give it a go. She knew she did need the exercise so she could begin to heal.
Jerad came over and extended his hand down to her, she looked at him for a moment and reached out to grab his hand. When their fingers touched there was a spark that lit up the space between them. She drew back, saying “Ouch, that hurt. what was that all about?” Jerad said, “let’s try again.”
She reached out again. This time there was no spark but there was a sensation of something very warm passing between them. Once standing, he motioned for her to follow, and they went to a clearing he had made for them to practice.
The clearing was near the shoreline. She loved being here listening to the waves as they swelled and retreated with the pulse of the lake. Jerad handed her one of the practice swords. She felt the balance and feel of it. It almost felt like a good sword made by a master blacksmith.
She moved it around a bit and took several swings and it whooshed as it passed through the air. She looked back at him, and he asked, ” Ready?” She responded, “Ready for what?” His attack was fast, and she almost didn’t meet it with a parry. They were two-handed practice swords. “How did he know that was her preference?”, she thought.
Jerad smiled and said, “You ready?” She smiled and said, “Bring it on!” He then made a series of swings with each one parried by her. He moved with sudden blinding speed. He had swung downward to hit her in the back of the upper leg. This had the effect of causing her to lose her balance. Then another series of attacks. He followed behind with each one tapping her. They didn’t hurt per say, but enough so where she knew she would have been dead if that was a real fight.
Jerad reached down and pulled her up and asked, “You, okay?” She responded, “How did you do that? Not even my father was that quick and he was good, the best I knew of at that time.” Jerad smiled, and asked, “Can you walk, okay?” She said yes.” He said to her, “Walk with me a bit, you need to build up to this.” She felt the sting still on the back of her leg and thought, “There’s going to be nasty bruise back there later.”
He walked her down to the water’s edge where he had built a bench out of logs. She sat down and took a deep breath. They both sat together looking out over the deep blues of the lake. It was reflecting the bright blues of the sky back at them.
The wind was blowing in light breezes and felt refreshing. She could smell the spring flowers. The breezes stirred the air around them. They mixed with all the scents of the plants that grew between the land and the shoreline of the lake. He finally broke the silence, “You did alright back there.” “I take it your dad trained you growing up?” She responded, “yes, he would train me for hours. We would use different types of training swords. Sometimes even practice long knives.” He would tell me, “Elyana, I may not always be here to protect your mother and you. You will need to grow up to protect yourself and your mother.”
Jerad said, “I never fought with your dad on the battlefield, but I did have a chance to meet him once. He had sought me out to help train some younger recruits during the border wars.” “He always talked about his young daughter who could put most of these young men to shame.” “He loved you so much, Elyana. He was a good man.”
Tears began to form in her eyes as she fought back against the memories of him. “I miss him so much, Jerad.” Jerad then turned towards her and took her hand and placed it on her heart. He then said, “He will always be here. Elyana, keep him alive and pay him your respect by never allowing yourself to forget what he did for you.” She looked up and then leaned her head against his shoulder as if to say thank you.
They sat that way a while longer and he finally got up and said, “Come on let us go back and let you rest some more. I will get you in a bit so we can review what happened back there. She got up and they walked back to the lean to. Before laying down, she turned and looked into his eyes and said, “I l had dreams about you.”
He listened and said, “And what happened?” Elyana said, “I was standing with you on a ridge. We were overlooking enemy positions on a battlefield. We were both dressed in battle gear and there was the feeling of something big about to happen.”
He said, “A premonition?” She responded, “Something more. There was a voice speaking to me and they said that you were my guardian, that you are here was not by chance.” She paused in thought a moment, “It said our destinies were the same, that they must not separate.” “That I need to put my trust in you. Yet, there was something more I sensed. An inference to something much bigger than trust.” “I am sorry, I need to lay down again, that took it out of me.” With that she laid down, pulled up the fur around her and closed her eyes.
Jerad bent down, kissed her on the head and whispered. “Trust is the first step toward understanding the truth of choice.” “Happy dreams to you Elyana.” She could feel him tucking her in and then heard him sitting down on the log close to the lean-to so he could watch over her.
He then began to think through what she had told him about her dream or premonition or whatever it was. He thought, “I’ve heard something similar before. It came from that elderly woman, what was it he thought, let’s see now.
“Two rings lost in time, their destines intertwined,
Two rings when welded together, bring forth the one
thought lost forever until now, the moment when
its truth unwinds”.
“Yes, that was the part that sounds so like her dream. We’ll have to talk about it when she wakes up.” He wondered. Who this mysterious elderly woman was who appeared and disappeared in and out of his life now. She was there to help her; it was because of her that we had the supplies we needed to nurse her back to health. One in the same. It’s possible considering everything that’s happened up to this point now.
He then relaxed and let his senses reach out to the area surrounding him. He did not detect anything being off, so he rested a bit since she seemed to be resting well. It was getting near late afternoon when he heard her stir and she opened her eyes.
He immediately got up to warm up some tea and when she had propped herself up, he handed her the warm cup. Jerad said, “Any more dreams?” Elyana responded, “No, nothing that I remember.” He then said, “When you’re against an opponent you need to expect not only the moves you want to make. But ones they will make.” “It can be the difference between life and death.”
He paused a moment; she said nothing and then he said. “Try and see what it is you want to do, how you will do it, and what you will do against the unexpected.” “It prepares your mind and body for possibilities. It will protect you from getting caught off guard by anything they may come at you with.”
She listened and then asked, “When will Kristyna return with my stuff?” He looked up at the sun’s position. Then said, “It shouldn’t be too much longer before we hear or see her coming across the lake in the boat.” “He said besides, it’s her turn to fix dinner and laughed.” She smiled at this and then asked, “What do you think it means, protector?” Jerad said, “Sit up, I have something to tell you that’s important. It fits in to what you heard in your dreams.
With that she sat up and said, “Okay, what is it?” Jerad began, “When we first got you. We needed supplies to help calm the fervor and to help you heal.” Kristyna knew of an elderly woman who lives across the lake. She lived in a small cabin at the foot of the mountain below the old watch tower. I traveled there as she was still having to treat and check on you hourly back then.”
“I got there without incident. Sure enough, she was there, surrounded by these beautiful herbal gardens and flowers. All kinds were growing there. There were buildings of all types, each one with a different array of colored glass in them. As if to filter the light into them to do something.
She was cooking soup in the kettle over a fire. ” Elyana said, “Then what happened?” He said, “She knew everything I needed before I even showed her the list Kristyna had made up to give her. She also handed me several bowls of some soup with instructions for your recovery.”
Elyana was attentive then and asked, “But then what?” Jerad began again, “She began to site a sort of poem or verse from some prophesy.” Elyana asked, “Do you remember it?” He said, “Would you like to hear it?” She nodded yes, He then repeated it back to her.
“Two rings made in separate places,
Neither one knowing, no one owning,
Discoveries yet to found, mysteries untangling with
each round,
Many trails ahead, a twisted road full of dead,
Two rings lost in time, their destines intertwined,
Two rings when welded together, bring forth the one
thought lost forever until now, the moment when
its truth unwinds.
Two rings once together illusions now broken, the truth
has spoken,
The harbinger of renewal revealed it speaks of a
legend no longer concealed,
One ring welded by bonds, A love found strong, two
rings fused together, unbroken for all eternity.”
When he got to the part about the two rings lost in time, their destinies intertwined, she gasped and spoke. “Jerad, I am scared, what does this mean? ” Jerad reached out to hold her hand then said, “I am not sure yet. But it is becoming clear we are on this journey together. So, we’ll have to learn as we go and see where it brings us.”
Elyana then asked, “Promise me you’ll be there to be my guardian, I can’t…I can’t do this on my own. I am not strong enough to.” The tears began to roll down her cheeks. Jerad reached inside of his jacket and pulled out a soft silky cloth and began to dab her tears with it.
They sat there in silence a while and then they both heard the lap of a boat coming from the lake behind them. He immediately turned and rose to a standing position in one smooth move and told her to be quiet and still. He was going to pull the cover down over the lean-to and ensure there were no surprises coming in with that boat.
He saw her look and said, “Trust me, I’ll keep you safe.” She nodded while he slipped away into the trees. He positioned himself to watch the boat as it closed in on the shoreline. As the boat closed into the dock, Jerad noticed there were two figures in it. He first saw Kristyna, with a much larger figure behind her. He assumed it was Gerald since he had not seen him at the slaughter of the hunter’s camp.
He did not like this at all. Gerald had one hand on her shoulder and the other one stayed hidden behind her. Despite her moving around to bring the boat into the dock. He never left that position of being behind her. As the boat neared, Kristyna called out, “Jerad we are coming in. I found Gerald; he is coming in to visit with us. He has news he wants to rely to you.” The boat slipped into dock, she tied it up and they both stepped off onto the dock.
He now held a large bag behind him. Jerad assumed it was the cuirass, britches, and boots belonging to Elyana. He thought it most likely had supplies Kristyna meant to pick up while in Riverlynn today. He grabbed his staff that he had brought along from the camp earlier.
The last time he was at the hunter’s camp. He had also set free Princess Ali and the mule who were well trained, and he knew she would not let anyone else close to her. She would defend herself and the mule from anyone or anything with bad intentions.
He stepped out into the early evening sunlight. He positioned it behind him placing his face in shadow. He already knew something was wrong. He knew Kristyna would not expose the girl to any threat on her own. She’s protective over her charge. You could say, invested, considering the round-the-clock care. She had provided to nurse Elyana back to health.
They walked up to four feet of where Jerad was standing. Gerald stood at least a head and half taller than him. He was twice as wide as well. Jerad read the worry in Kristynas eyes as she neared. He also noticed the bruised face as she turned to where the light hit it while looking for Elyana.
She then spoke, “Is our girl sleeping still, I noticed the front’s pulled down over the lean-to.” Jerad responded, “Yes, she is resting although I had her up for a while earlier. I was working with her trying to build back some strength.” Kristyna then asked, “How did she do, she didn’t collapse did she?” Jerad said, “No, she did fine actually.” Gerald had not said a thing during this whole conversation. He appeared to be measuring something or considering what he was going to do.
Jerad had left the staff with the blade side up to announce he was not unarmed nor unprepared. Never-the-less, Jerad thought. “Gerald did not appear to be the brightest bulb when it came to common sense.” There was a sudden silence between the three parties.
Then Kristyna said, “I’ll check on her to see how she’s doing. Gerald began to move forward. Jerad changed his stance, made a loud thump in the dirt with the rounded end of his staff and said, “Only you Kristyna. Gerald, why don’t you and I go to make you comfortable at the fire and we’ll talk about why you’re here.”
Gerald’s eyes began to dart from side-to-side as if considering his options. This was not going to plan. Jerad then said, Kristyna goes ahead but at that moment Gerald shoved her with all his might forward. He charged at the same time at Jerad. Jerad was prepared though, caught Kristyna with the free hand and swung her around to land behind him.
He knew she was athletic and would keep her balance. In the same motion he brought his staff around. With the blunt end he caught Gerald in the knees with a blow that rang out a crack as it broke the left one on contact. Gerald began to tumble forward. With that Jerad moved out of the way and brought up the staff again to place a blow behind his neck to knock him out. Gerald hit with a thud, and never got up again.
Jerad went to Kristyna and asked, “Are you okay. I didn’t hurt you, did I?” She responded in tears, “No, you didn’t but we better get him tied up, he won’t stay out long. He has a thick skull.” Jerad nodded and said, “Yes, but he also has a shattered knee.” “He’s not going far anytime soon.”
Elyana poked her head out at this point to check on them both. She then said, “Let me get the rope, is it still where I remember seeing it hanging by the bench where we sat earlier?” Jerad nodded yes and she went off to get it while Jerad kept watch our Gerald.
When she returned, he handed the staff to her and said if he moves, do not hesitate to use it. You won’t get a second chance.” She nodded then watched over Gerald as Jerad pulled his arms behind him. Jerad tied them off and then did the same to his ankles.
He then got some strong green wood and created a stint to use on his broken leg. He took one of the furs and wrapped it. Secured it and then positioned it to lessen the pain he would begin to feel upon awakening.
Kristyna watched him and said, “I am not sure he deserves what you did to save his leg, but I understand it.” Jerad stood up, then with incredible strength he picked the large man up. He lifted him under his shoulders and moved him to another location on the island away from the camp site.
She could hear him hammering something into the ground. When he returned, he said, he is secure for now and won’t be moving anywhere anytime soon.” Now, he smiled and with courtly manners said, “ladies, let’s sit down so you can tell us both what this was all about.” “First of all, let me look at those facial injuries, Kristyna.”
Kristyna responded, “I’ll be fine”. Jerad responded, “It’s either me or Elyana. You choose” Jerad took a clean cloth from the supplies, poured some of the solution he had in one of bags on it. He then began to clean and rub the wound on her face with the medicine.
Kristyna asked, what is in that bottle? Jerad responded, “A special mixture of herbs and other things. It helps speed up the healing of these types of injuries. It should be better by morning.” He observed the wound for a minute. He thought, it looks like a ring mark on one cheek from his hand.” All right, that’s done, “Let’s hear it what it is that’s going on with Gerald?”
She then began to tell them both, “I returned to the site where you buried the hunters. Tears began to well up in her eyes and Elyana came over and sat down next to her. She held her for a moment. Elyana looked over at Jerad as if to say, you never told me any of this. Kristyna composed herself and then reached out to touch his hand. “First of all, thank you for what you did back there. You not only gave them a proper burial, but you honored them with the shrine you built for them.”
Elyana looked surprised when she heard this. The anger she had raised about his lack of clarity and detail about this had drained away. Kristyna then said, “I said my goodbyes to each of them. I then rode into town. I picked up Elyana cuirass, britches and boots from the smithy and clothing store. I went shopping for the things I thought we would need. When I returned to the hunter’s camp, Gerald was waiting.
I had no reason to suspect anything, but he walked over to me, and slapped me hard to the ground with the back of his hand. He grabbed me then. He started shaking me asking me where you were?” He thought that you had killed them all, not that the Lian had killed them first and then you killed the Lian.
Gerald told me he came upon the site and found the leader struggling to get out of the ropes you had tied him up with. He asked what had happened and that guy what was his name? Oh yes, Alonar. He told him this tall tale about how you had come into camp and with cold precision began killing all the hunters.
He also told him that the Lian had come across them as it was taking place. He then told Gerald that you had killed them as well and tied him for the wolves to feed on.” She continued, “Gerald was so mad, he wouldn’t listen to reason at all. He forced me to bring him back here and you know the rest.” “I appreciate the fact that you didn’t kill him out right.
But what are we going to do about him? “He knows too much, if he returns before convincing him of the truth that could be bad for all.” “Especially with Alonar freed now and spreading that made-up story.” Jerad thought a moment. We may have to leave him where I took him and keep him alive while were working on Elyana and her recovery. Once we are ready to continue from here. I can send both of you ahead to a designated place. I’ll stay here to give you the time and then free him up and leave to catch up to you.
Once you are both gone from the camp, I can completely erase my tracks. Does not matter how good he thinks he is; he’ll never find them.” He looked at both the girls and asked, “Are you both okay with that? Do you have some other alternative you would like to discuss?” They responded at the same time, “No, that may be the best we have. At least he wasn’t hunting us down for the reward.”
Jerad then said, “You two need to get some rest. Elyana you’re still recovering, and you’ll have some more training tomorrow.” “Kristyna, you need to give yourself some extra time to sleep tonight. That way it will heal a bit more before morning. ” He said I’ll take the watch. You can take over in the morning.” He then rose, took a bowl of food and a canteen with him, and walked over towards the direction he had taken Gerald.
The night passed without incident. Jerad made sure that it was quiet until morning so they all could rest. He kept the campfire burning strong to help heat up the area during the coldest part of the evening. He knew where he would have them go already for the meetup. He had drafted instructions for them to use to ensure only he could find them again. Once they left this island location.
He was working on breakfast for everyone and decided to check on Gerald and see what he could do to reason with the man. He used the ladle to pour a large amount of the breakfast stew into a bowl and grabbed a fresh canteen of water. He headed out once the sun was high enough, he could see no activity anywhere on the island or the lake.
He came into the clearing between the trees and the rocky wall where he had brought Gerald. Gerald sat there tied to the tree. Jerad walked up to him and said, “You hungry? I brought you some fresh breakfast stew and water if you are hungry.”
Gerald stared at him for a moment and then nodded yes. Jerad said, “I am going to trust you will not try anything stupid, you need to eat, I need to talk, and you need to listen.” Jerad untied his hands. He told him to rub his wrist for a minute before trying to eat to stimulate the circulation.
Gerald did so, and then asked, “Why didn’t you kill me when you had the chance? I was planning on killing you for what you did to my friends.” Jerad told him to eat and drink and listen to his side of what had happened. Gerald picked up the bowl, smelled it and started to eat from it. Took some bites and a couple of long drinks from the canteen and then looked over to listen.
Jerad began, “When I came into camp from a trip up to Skulian the slaughter was already done. I had a run in with a group of bounty hunters in Skulian who were looking for the girl. You know, our wounded guest.” The reward posted in town is from the high council of the Lian. Alonar, the captain of that local group that you ran into back at the camp. He was behind the slaughter at the hunter’s camp.”
He paused a moment and then continued, “If you had taken the time to observe. You might have noticed that I placed a shrine around their burial site. It was I and not them that gave them the burial. I built the shrine as a testament of respect to them for all the help they had given me.”
Gerald then asked, “but why was this Alonar left to live?” Jerad responded, “I needed him to deliver a message back to the high council.” “It won’t make a difference, but it was a warning, that I was now involved.” That they will have to pay a high price to get at the girl at this point. Now the question would be, how many lives would they be willing to sacrifice for that goal?”
Gerald asked, “So did they try to attack you at the site of the slaughter?” Jerad said, “Yes, they surrounded me thinking because of who they were. You know, Lian enforcers, that I wouldn’t stand a chance.” “They were not counting on who I am.” “In fact, most did not recognize the danger until their last dying breath was leaving their lungs. They crumpled to the ground around me as they realized too late their mistake.”
Gerald then said, “Who are you, I know of no man alive that could have managed that?” Jerad smiled, “I am who’ve I’ve always been. My death was a rumor that grew from my absence from the land after the border wars were over.” Gerald then looked at him in surprise, “Your… your… The Weapons Master?” Jerad responded, “Or the many other names that have described me.” Gerald paused, “I guess I am lucky to be alive.” “What do you plan on doing with me?” “This isn’t my last meal, is it?”
Jerad chuckled, “No, the fact that you are sitting here speaking with me is testament that I did not intend to kill you.” “Yet, you’re not getting off easy either. Your stuck here until we pick up camp and the ladies are away.” “At that point, I will free you but know this. If you try and track us. If I see you again under bad circumstances, I will not hesitate to speed your journey to meet the gods.”
Gerald paused, nodded, and then said, “Thank you… I mean that.” Gerald then asked, “I know Kristyna will never forgive me for what I did to her. I am not sure that I can ever forgive myself for that.” “Can you be honest with me and tell me is there something between you two?”
Jerad thought for a moment, “We are very good friends. Thrown together to protect and help a girl who has experienced the worst of this world.” “My destiny lies elsewhere. Kristyna is a beautiful girl with a heart big enough for all the world, but we are not meant to be together.”
Gerald asked, “How do you know, how can you be so sure?” Jerad said, “Sometimes, there are things set in motion that none of us can control. They will change the future outcomes and the lives of many. Sometimes we must trust in the gods, and hope they know what they’re doing.”
Gerald nodded and went quiet. Jerad stepped over to him and lifted a vile from his belt. He tapped the vile hard several times to mix the liquid up. He then removed the cork from the top of it and held it up to the sun to check the color. He then sipped it and asked Gerald to open his mouth.
He told Gerald, “This is a medicine that will both heal and reduce the pain I know you’re in from the broken knee I gave you.” Gerald looked at him for a moment and asked, “Why are you doing this, I mean trying to make me better?”
Jerad paused a moment and then said, ” I am showing you grace so that you might have a chance to reconsider your life. Decide what you might do with it from this moment forward.” Gerald responded, “You have given me a lot to think about, I will take advantage of that and try not to disappoint you.”
Jerad then asked him to put his arms behind him. He tied him up again, then stepped over to his pack and pulled out a fur to cover him with. This should help you to stay warm and get a few hours of sleep. I’ll be back in the evening to bring you some breakfast.” Jerad paused a moment and then said, “Consider this the end of one life and the beginning of another. Kind of like a butterfly. Whose life begins as a grub, turns into a caterpillar and then sleeps for a long time before waking up as a butterfly.”
Gerald nodded but did not say anything more. With that Jerad grabbed his bag. He went back to the campsite to begin talking over plans for their departure from here.