Ecliptica Page 8

  “One of the benefits of knowing the local metal smith,” he said, pointing to the stove, “he was very good in his day before he started dealing with adventurers and their weapons. Do take a seat.”

  The water began to heat slowly as cups were found and a teapot filled with crushed, dried tea leaves. Drake took one of the three small wooden seats near the centre of the room.

  “Well then, I take it from your determination to find me, you are another foolish explorer looking to find fame and fortune. You know that no one I have ever aided has returned.”

  Drake took his time to answer, then with Zeek’s guidance he replied, “It may seem like I am just another foolish explorer, but I am not seeking fame or fortune. I am seeking answers; nothing more, nothing less.”

  “That’s a mighty fine line you have there, one I have heard a hundred times already. ‘I seek the artefact of this’, ‘the relic of that’ and ‘the cup of whoever’. I have heard every line, thought or theory you can come up with.” Marik sat down opposite Drake, “what makes you any different to the last pair who came through, or to the next fool who decides he will be the successful one? Don’t get me wrong, I will be happy to take your coin and send you on your way. I am just interested in the people who pass through.”

  Drake wanted to tell Marik about what he was seeking and with whom he was seeking those objects. Thinking, he realised he had told no one about his quest. A loneliness passed over him then as, for the first time in many months, he realised again that he had no one to tell.

  “Youngling, that was your old life. This new one will be filled with many friends whom we shall meet on our way. Life offers you many hands to help you through; often it is just a case of reaching out and clasping that hand.” Zeek offered these words as a comfort, but the feeling still lingered within him. “I sense that, to a degree, we may lay trust in Marik. Share what you wish with him, but mention not that you hold my core or my presence with you. It seems that someone already knows what you are seeking. Having an ally so close to the border may come in useful when we return.” The feeling of a smile followed from Zeek as Drake’s spirit lifted slightly. Knowing what it was like to be alone for a great length of time, he did not wish that on Drake for any longer than was necessary.

  “Thank you.”

  “What makes me different Marik, is exactly what I seek. You may see before you a young man hungry for riches; if I had been here five months ago I would have been one of those very men. Now however, I seek answers to one of our oldest questions..,” he paused; the water was boiling on the top of the stove, “hadn’t you better grab that?”, Drake could see that he had roused the man’s interest; his eyes were attentive.

  Marik got to his feet and, with a new found haste, poured the boiling water over the leaves, he mixed them with a spoon to entice all the flavour into the water, then filled the cups.

  “You were saying?” he asked as he handed a cup to Drake and returned to his chair.

  Drake inhaled the fragrant smell of the tea and then continued “…what happened to all the dragons?”

  This seemed to take Marik a little unawares. It seemed that, despite his claims to have heard every explorer’s venture, he had not heard this one.

  “That, my friend is a most honourable question to ask and a very difficult answer to seek.

  . . .

  Drake and Marik talked for many hours, to the point where the day had given way to the darkness of night. It seemed that no one had ever gone into the realm looking for answers about dragons; in fact it seemed that there had been almost no mention of dragons for almost a hundred years to Marik's knowledge. It was as though dragons had passed in to the realm of myth and legend for most ordinary folk, only scholars and elves seemed to believe their existence to have been a reality.

  Naturally Zeek was not pleased to hear this.

  “There was once a time youngling, when not a day went by when a dragon did not fly over the land. It seems now we have been too long gone from the world to be remembered.” Sadness caught in his thoughts as images of other dragons passed through his mind.

  “You’re still here Zeek and surely there are other Eclipticas in the world,” Drake tried to comfort his friend.

  “It may be possible. Yet, after all the time that has passed I find it difficult to imagine another Ecliptica or dragon egg being discovered,” Zeek seemed resigned to the idea of being the sole remaining member of his once abundant species.

  “Your quest is a most unusual one Drake. I like your idea of seeking out information about the last remaining dragons. After all, the Great Dragon himself was last seen in the Shadow realm, over mount Esdraksen. It stands to reason that there must be some information near that horrid mountain, or at least someone who can point in the direction of something worth investigating,” Marik seemed rather supportive of Drake’s hunt for information on the dragons. With that in mind and his interest being given several nudges, Drake pressed further.

  “Do you have an interest in the old kingdoms Marik?”

  “My father was a historian back in the Great Library of Gol. Most of my childhood was spent with him there, so I did the only thing I could to pass the time: read. My father always used to show me off to other scholars telling them how one day I would become the head of the library,” he scoffed, “I didn’t quite turn out the way he wanted me to, but being out here, away from all those people and buildings feels right to me. He respected that at least and he even comes to visit me now and then. By no means has my interest in the three old kingdoms ever dwindled however. I have various tomes dotted around here, as well as my own research and findings that keep me busy when explorers are in short supply. Dragons and dwarves are what I’m most interested in. My chances of ever meeting either are pretty slim since neither has been seen for at least six hundred years, more than a thousand if the history is true for dragons.”

  Drake could see the lively excitement crossing Marik’s face as he spoke.

  “Could we not let someone else know about your existence Zeek? Marik might be even more willing to help if he knew about you.”

  “That could be true. However, it could also put him in danger if anyone ever found out we had spoken to him. I doubt very much that the Psimere would be so sparing of a mere keeper of animals.”

  Zeek had a good point, if the Psimere was tracking them and sending whispers to its masters, anyone that he spoke to could end up in even more danger.

  “Do you think you could help me with a good mount Marik? I will pay as much as I can and it goes without saying that when…”

  “If…”

  “…when I return. I will pass back through Isimere to return your pony. It would be my pleasure to discuss with you all that I find.” Drake played to the man’s interests now, hoping to soften the blow to his funds.

  Marik took a sip from his third cup of tea, reminding Drake that he also had one that he had yet to drink. The pair had talked with such interest for so much time, he had missed Marik pouring his current cup. The man took a long slow sip, looking through the swirling steam of the hot drink. Drake knew he was weighing up his options, working out a price to charge him and also whether he even trusted this latest customer. Drake had seen this expression many times before and knew the best approach was to look interested, but not to lean forward and make himself overly willing to make a deal.

  Lowering the mug from his lips ever so slightly, Marik spoke, his eyes still looking at Drake, reading him as he spoke. “I like you Drake. I’m not sure whether that is because of your odd proposition to Springwind or your interest in dragons. I will help you, but you must give me your word that upon your return, you will stop by here again and share what you find.”

  “I’m glad we are back to the when I return rather than if. You have my word. Who knows, you may see something I didn’t in what I find.”

  “Then we have the beginnings of a deal. One hundred levens and I will give you a strong and courageous mount to carry you where you ne
ed to go. On your return, I will return thirty to you, as a return of deposit. Think of it as ‘worst case cover’ if you will.”

  “A most generous man,” Zeek muttered in the back of Drake’s mind.

  “We have a deal,” Drake said as he offered his hand to Marik.

  “That we do young sir, that we do.” With that, the two shook and sealed the deal.

  ~ 13 ~

  Following a long six days travel; Rossa and Nethalie were within sight of Isimir. Nethalie knew nothing of the small settlement, save for what Rossa had told her. It was the last safe haven before crossing into the Shadow realm. Of course, there was no actual border that they would cross, all the maps were a bit vague when it came to the border, but Rossa said she would feel it when they crossed it. Their mounts were tired and would be as grateful for the rest as the riders were. The time had, however, given them the opportunity to get to know one another better and to also discuss what they knew of the golden eyed man. Nethalie, it turned out, thanks to her mother’s journals, had more specific knowledge than Rossa. It seemed that the Elves believed that a person with golden eyes would be the one to bring about some kind of magical event. The Elves, being as secretive as they were however, chose to give no clue as to what this might be or how said person would go about doing this task. Elfish text, it seems, is designed to be frustrating to anyone who is not an Elf.

  The ponies had been picked up in a small village a half day’s travel from the lake with the fire bugs at which they had spent their second night. The young man who had offered the mounts to the two travellers had seemed rather bashful around Rossa. Nethalie had not wanted to press the reason, even though Rossa had been all too willing to share.

  “There is more to life than just dig sites and good food,” she said, smiling broadly at the man, “a great deal more…” Glancing over to Nethalie she winked and then, beaming her usual cheeky smile, gave her pony a light tap to its flank and trotted off.

  Riding is supposed to be a skill that anyone can pick up, however Nethalie did not have the first clue how to ride. Luckily, her pony was all too keen to trot along after Rossa, so all she had to do was hang on and not fall off. Rossa found this rather a fun game to pass the time with and tried various speeds to see if Nethalie could hang on.

  “This is so not funny Rossa,” Nethalie called out as she clung on to the top of her saddle.

  “I don’t know, I’d say there is some amusement to it. Besides, you’re learning to ride much quicker this way.”

  The second day’s ride had been much better. Rossa had lost interest in trying to make Nethlie fall off and so they made steady progress towards Isimir. The Bluecap had been right to some extent, having to cling on in terror for most of the first day meant that Nethalie felt much more comfortable holding the reins and bobbing along in the saddle. It was the oddest sensation and, as the day wore on, the repetitive motion became quite soporific. Sleep that night came easily; the next morning however, brought aches and pains in places she didn’t know could hurt.

  The ride drew on that day and even Rossa’s usually cheery demeanour was lacking. There was one reward however; in the distance the mountains of the Shadow realm could now be seen. The heat haze of the day made them barely visible, but Rossa pointed with excitement when she spotted them. At first, Nethalie didn’t believe her, soon enough though, a break in haze let her sharp eyes see the great peaks in the distance.

  From that point on, the time seemed to pass quicker as the peaks grew ever bigger. Nethalie and Rossa began to make a plan of what to do once they reached Isimir. Besides both of them bathing to wash away the days of travelling from their skin, grabbing a hot meal and a warm bed was next. Fresh mounts would be needed for the following leg of their journey across the border as well as restocking their supplies.

  Two days had slipped by when they finally met another traveller on the dusty road. He was travelling on foot and carried a large pack slung across his shoulders. As he drew nearer they could see he was unshaved, with a long knotted braid of unkempt hair down his back and a single glove to his pair of hands.

  “Excuse me sir, could you tell us how much further down this road lies Isimir?”, Nethalie asked as they drew level.

  “Such a young pair greets Besky. Questions they ask of him. Younger and younger they get,” he muttered, “you don’t want to be heading there young things.”

  “We are looking for a ‘friend’; we were told he was heading there too. Maybe about two days ahead of us.”

  “Besky can tell you what you seek,” the odd little man said from behind his bushy brown beard. “You seek Isimir, a half day’s ride it would be, in that direction,” he raised an arm and pointed…the wrong way.

  “He’s a bit of a loony this one,” Rossa whispered to Nethalie, “can I take over?

  “By all means,” she whispered back.

  “Oh great Besky, we beseech your wisdom. We are but humble travellers, many days ride from our homes. We seek our friend, perhaps you have met him. He stands tall and sees the world through golden eyes,” Rossa spoke with a tone that would have been fitting for one of the plays of Stillspella at The Grand Stage of Gol.

  “Mockery. A mock of Besky the short one does make. Besky is only trying to be helpful to the two young travellers,” he seemed to be genuinely upset by Rossa’s tone. Nethalie quickly took over again.

  “My friend is tired and has ridden long Besky. Please can you tell us, have you seen our friend?”

  “Kindness is rewarded by kindness,” Besky replied, “Besky has seen the friend you seek. Not two days ago in the Sundown Inn. A most strange stranger to Besky’s eyes and many strangers have these eyes seen,” Besky seemed pleased with himself.

  “Thank you for your help,” Nethalie smiled down to the man. She clutched up the reins in her hands and gently tapped the pony onwards.

  “Besky always helps where he can. Hope you find your friend,” he smiled. “Onwards Besky, onwards.” He tapped his thigh and started walking on again.

  Rossa drew alongside as they made their way towards Isimir once more.

  “Well...that was different. I’ve never met anyone who refers to themselves by name before.” Rossa giggled and then urged her pony into a trot.

  “Rossa thinks we be close to a bed and a bathe. This makes Rossa a happy Bluecap.”

  Nethalie urged her pony into a trot to keep up. “Nethalie thinks that Rossa would be asking for another dunking in a lake!”

  . . .

  Sinking into a soft bed at the Sundown Inn could not have been a more welcoming thought to Rossa. Even though she had an energetic energy, her body ached from travelling so far and so hard. Getting off of their mounts had been a difficult enough task, let alone getting into the inn and climbing the stairs to the rooms. As they greeted the innkeeper they could only imagine how strange they must have looked as they walked to the serving hatches. Her legs felt as though they might never return to their usual shape, instead she would have to spend the rest of her life with a rather odd, wide spread stance (the ‘saddle step’ she decided to call it). Of course, it had been her own fault to some extent. She spent the best part of the first day seeing if she could make Nethalie fall off her pony and then they rode long days to try and catch up with the thief. After they had secured two rooms for the night, they set about getting straight up to the rooms and drawing hot baths, mixed with some salts from Port Gol obviously. Neither unpacked anything or took any care about where clothes were thrown. Six days of travel and the two young women were more than a little eager to soak and relax.

  It was some time before either decided to leave the soothing warm water. It was only the grumbles of an empty stomach that persuaded Nethalie to go and find Rossa and find food. Rummaging through her pack, she pulled out a fresh set of clothes, dressed, and then put some fresh hot water and soap in the tub to wash out her clothes. Satisfied with the soaking clothes, and urged on by her stomach, she made her way to Rossa’s room next door.

  Kno
cking she took a moment to listen. The inn seemed rather quiet, but this was not a huge surprise considering where it was located.

  “Rossa. Are you ready to head down for food yet?”

  “Come on in Neth,” Rossa called back through the door.

  She pulled the handle, opened the door and walked inside. Rossa stood with her back to the door in the middle of the room, she was just finishing putting her clothes on. Nethalie closed the door behind her, but could not help noticing the delicate scar that was mixed in with the freckles on her friend’s back.

  “You couldn’t finish dressing before you called me in?” Nethalie joked, trying not to draw any attention to what she might have seen.

  “I don’t like to be rushed, particularly after a nice long soak,” Rossa tugged her hair from under her top and pulled it back into a ponytail.

  “I see, the usual can’t-keep-still Rossa I’ve come to know is having some time off is she?” Nethalie teased her friend. As she thought about it, Rossa really had become her friend. Spending so much time together and having attitudes that worked well together, they had become quite a pair. They could happily tease each other but also be serious when they needed to be.

  “Right, come on then, food calls.” Rossa began as she headed towards the door, “you can ask about it you know.”

  “Ask about what?” Nethalie tried to hide the lie in her voice.

  “I know you saw the scar on my back Neth, it’s not like it’s easy to miss. I mean, I know I have a lovely seductive back, but the mark kind of stands out a bit.”