Chapter one- Part Three
Arithal
To read Part Two: topic57168.html
I left the sword strapped to my side as I went back to the main hall for dinner.
As I went down the stairs I regretted not leaving my cloak on, as a few of the men whistled. I went and found a seat next to a young man, maybe only a few years older than me. As he turned his head I realized, not a man, but an elf.
He smiled at me, “Welcome to the Fox and Hound inn.” He said, “And your name is?”
“Fisae,” I said quickly, for waiting too long would make it appear a lie, “Fisae Light Whisper.”
He smiled again, his short blonde hair shined in the light. “Fisae, very pretty name, might I add. It is very nice to meet you; I am Tather, Fox Sky.”
I looked at him, “And what brings you here, might I ask?” He laughed, loud and clear, and answered in a whis-per.
“I am on important business from the kingdom of Gyssarnith. I am to deliver a package here, and then return home. What brings a pretty lass like you here to this town?” He said.
“This is a stop on our way to Gyssmitor, where we are going as well.” I realized my mistake, I had spoken to quickly.
“Well well, why don’t I accompany you there, you shouldn’t be traveling alone. You could get hurt. But, just for my own knowledge, why are you going to Gyssmitor when you wear the cloths of Gyssarnith?” he knew, he could tell, and I knew he would take me right now, kill me in a flash. I would die for wearing the cloths of the enemy, I froze.
“Do not be afraid, I will not harm you. Actually, I do what I do against my will, working for the tyrant king, please tell me your tale, the truth. If I was going to hurt you, I would have done so by now.”
I don’t know why, but I trusted his soft, blue eyes. “Follow me.” I said. I lead him to an empty room in the inn. I took a deep breath, and said, “My true name is Silver Blade, Arithal, and I am a warriors companion to the war-rior Simketh. We are on a mission to kill Dark Hunter, of your kingdom.” I sighed again.
He found a way to laugh, “It appears we both have lied, for my name is truly Rhyas, Jade Bow, for my skills with the bow and arrow.” I laughed as well, and then my face froze as Simketh stepped out of the shadows.
“You of all people, I would expect more.” He said to me, “Telling the enemy our secrets, you disgust me. But since he knows now, he will have to come with us so we could watch him. I swear Arithal, if it wouldn’t draw atten-tion to us; I would have run him through with a sword.”
I looked at him for a long moment, then said, “You judge him, simply by what he was, what he appears to be. A per-son can change not their past, but there future can be for-ever altered.”
He stormed out of the room.
“He is the great warrior?” Rhyas questioned.
“Yes,” I said, “Well good night to you, I must retire to my bed.” I climbed up the stairs to my bed, and closed my eyes, sleep overtook me instantly.
Rhyas already had a strong horse, so we set out in early morning. I had on a blue cloak and another white dress. I rode on the side, with Rhyas right beside me. I made my horse do a side step so I was closer to him, so we could hear each other better when we talked.
“Why do your people feel the need to wear silk al-ways?” Rhyas inquired of me, one of his many questions.
“I don’t know, it’s a tendency, for silkworms are plentiful.” I replied after thinking it over.
“Your sword, is it the elves blade?’ he asked slowly.
“Yes, it is.” I said, unsheathing it.
“Remind me not to get into a quarrel with you, my lady.” He replied, always the perfect gentleman.
Then, how it happened, I don’t know, but my horse missed a footing, and as I was thrown to the ground I felt something warm on the back of my head, and then nothing.
I opened my eyes to sunshine in a warm little room. I was on white sheets, and there was a sharp pain in the back of my head. I went to sit up, but a gentle, but firm hand stopped me, “You best get your rest.” A voice said.
I lay back down and turned in the direction of the voice, and saw Rhyas was sitting on the edge of my bed.
“Rhyas,” I mumbled.
“There’s a good girl.” He said.
A servant came in, “Finally awake?” she asked, “Well good, I was getting worried.” She set a bowl of something on my bed, I identified it as porridge.
I reached over to get it, but Rhyas beat me there. He picked up the spoon with some porridge, and was be-ginning to try to feed it to me, but I took some effort to stand up, and say:
“Your treating me like such a youngling, give me the bowl.” With involuntarily shaking hands I took the bowl and proceeded to eat some of the simple porridge.
“Well, I am glad you’re getting your strength back.” He said, “If this keeps up we will be able to leave by the end of the week.”
I was suddenly curious, “Wait, how long have I been out, what happened?”
He said, “You’ve been out almost a week, it is Sep-tember 15th, by the humans calendar. After your horse threw you off we saw the blood and raced the horses back to Arkenia. We brought you back to another inn, so as not to arouse suspicion. And, well, I have mostly been here, and Simketh has been around town who-knows-where.”
“You stayed?” I asked.
“Of course, sometimes even a warrior needs protection.’” He said.
I protested, “You call me a warrior, but I am not.”
“You might as well be.” He said, “You have skill beyond others.” He reached down to lightly brush my cheek. Of course; Simketh would choose to come in that very moment. Rhyas pulled back immediately, but Simketh was already beyond infuriated.
“First you reveal our secrets, and now you court him!” Simketh raged. Rhyas began to say something, but Simketh interrupted, “Don’t bother, don’t say a word.” Simketh pushed Rhyas off the bed, then came up to me, “You would do this to us, Arithal, now it’s time for you to choose, Gyssmitor or him.”
I simply stared. Rhyas pulled Simketh out of the room. By nightfall, I was so well that I could walk and run, even wield a sword, with this in mind, I packed to leave. I brought only my saddlebag and its contents. I put on a black robe, and crept out of the inn. I snuck over, and spent fifteen minutes and many spells undoing the lock spell on the horses reins. After finally turning the lock into a dove, I got on the horse and galloped, fast as the horse would go, deep into the forest of light. I didn’t stop until daylight, and I was deep into the forest by then. I stopped by a small creek to water the horse, and I rested on a rock. I remembered the note I left Rhyas,
Rhyas,
I am sorry, but I had to leave. Don’t come looking, you won’t find me. I will miss you, don’t forget me.
Silver Blade
