Narteb went up the steps that led to the porch, and knocked on the front door. Hopefully, Pip was home. Narteb wanted to say goodbye to him before he left.
The door opened and out came Pip, still in his pyjamas, munching on a slice of cake. Pip took one look at how Narteb was dressed and said, "Whoa! Where are you going?"
"To find a cure for my mum," said Narteb.
"And you're taking Paddles with you?" said Pip.
"No," said Narteb, "That's why I'm here. Can you look after him for me until I get back?"
Pip looked at Paddles for a moment and then shook his head solemnly. He said, "I'm sorry, Narteb, but I will not be able to look after your dog."
Narteb could not believe what he had just heard. He had been certain Pip would say yes.
Then Pip smiled and continued. "The reason I will not be able to look after your dog, is because I will be going with you. My parents can look after Paddles."
Narteb sighed with relief, but then said, "No, definitely not. I have no idea where I am going. It could be dangerous. You have stuff to do, you shouldn't be wasting time helping me do this."
"Your stuff is my stuff," said Pip, "And besides, do I look like I'm asking for your permission? I'm coming with you. Now let me grab Paddles and break the news to my mum."
Narteb knew there was no way he could change Pip's mind, and to be honest, he really was very happy his friend was coming with him. The big, wide, unknown world is not half as scary when you have your best friend with you.
Before he handed Paddles over to Pip, Narteb looked his little dog in the eyes and said, "Stay here for a while. I will come back."
Like always, Narteb really felt that his dog knew what he had said, or at least gotten the intent from the way he said it. Narteb handed Paddles over to Pip, who took him and vanished inside.
Narteb stood on the porch and waited patiently. He looked around at the surrounds--the tall, slender trees of the forest--their leaves blowing gently in the wind. He had seen this view countless times, but now it all looked different. His stomach was buzzing. It was because he knew, very soon, he would be venturing outside Manangatang village for the very first time in his life. The prospect was daunting and exciting at the same time.
Someone came to the door. It wasn't Pip this time, but Pip's mother. She did have a name, but to Narteb, she was simply Pip's mum, and one of his favourite people in the world. She was wearing a flour covered apron and indeed looked like she had been in the middle of baking.
She said nothing, but just gave Narteb a warm, tender hug. It immediately made Narteb feel better. When she finally let him go, she handed him a small cloth bundle, tied up securely with string.
"These are some oat slices I've just made," she said, "It'll give you boys some sustenance on your journey."
Narteb thanked her and placed them carefully into his backpack.
It was then that Pip reappeared at the front door; Narteb got quite a shock when he saw him!
"You look cool!" said Narteb.
"My new clothes," said Pip, "First time I've worn them!"
He was wearing some tan coloured leggings and a dark, leaf-green tunic. He had on the obligatory adventuring backpack and also a long hunting knife attached to his belt. And most importantly, in his hand, he was holding his clay ocarina!
"We'll have music for the journey," Pip chuckled.
Pip's mum gave her son a hug, and said, "Can you wait until your father gets home at least? He will want to say goodbye."
"Narteb has to go now, mum," said Pip, "Tell the old man I'll be back as soon as I can."
Pip's mum looked like she was going to start crying any second now. "Promise me that you boys will stay safe," she said, "And that you will try not to get in any danger."
"Safe?" said Pip, "Narteb has never heard of that word."
Tears started to well up in her eyes now.
"I'll look after him," said Narteb.
"Thank you," said Pip's mum.
"We better get going, Narteb," said Pip, "Or my mum's going to start crying on us."
Pip's mum smiled through the tears and waved goodbye as the two boys left.
Narteb and Pip left the house and followed the path until it led them right out the northern end of the village. Very soon they were travelling on the road they had always known simply as 'North road'.
"Where are we going?" said Pip.
"I keep getting this feeling we should go to the Crossroads," said Narteb, "So that's where we will go first. There's a lot of people there. Maybe someone can help us."
Pip's face lit up. "The Crossroads! I've always wanted to go there. You know, they say it's a bustling hive of thieves, thugs and rascals. The whole place is trouble!"
"I know!" said Narteb.
They were both very happy about that.
Although a large part of Narteb's mind was still dwelling on what had happened to his mum, having Pip around was cheering him up. After they had walked a while, they finally came upon a large wooden sign post.
"I've never been this far before," said Pip, "Look at that."
On the sign post were two arrows. One arrow--pointing to the south, the way they had just come--said 'To Manangatang Village'. The other arrow, which pointed to the north, read 'Southern Marsh Highway'.
According to the boys' knowledge, if they followed this road all the way north, it would eventually lead them to the Crossroads. They began walking again, and Pip decided it was time to pull out the ocarina. He started playing an uplifing, adventurous sounding tune, called 'Knight on the noble steed'. All morning, Narteb had been feeling mixed emotions; shock and sadness at what had happened to his mother, fear about whether or not he was up to the challenge ahead, and also the underlying buzz he couldn't help but feel as he ventured outside his village for the first time. As Pip played his melody, all these heavy emotions inside Narteb, became like mist and the breeze carried them away--leaving only one, very simple emotion behind.
The joyous feeling you get when you are travelling somewhere with your best friend.
Chapter 5
Three and a half weeks later...
A lone figure, walked down the quiet backstreets of Firgenduke, the grand city which was the capital of Tuscan. This person was a stranger to town and had just arrived earlier in the evening, appearing not long after the sun had set. He wore a thick, warm hooded robe, that was the colour of blood. The hood was pulled far over his face and at this late hour, it was impossible to make out his face.
Whoever it was, it was obvious he was trying to be inconspicuous and stuck to the shadows as he made his way deliberately through the city. It was a quiet part of town, and there was hardly another soul on the streets. There was a fine mist of rain coming down; unlike most rain, this light drizzle was rather pleasant.
The stranger stopped when he encountered the fountain. It was in the middle of a large intersection. Exactly as he had remembered it. Locals called it the 'Guy on the Horse'. It was a large statue of a man on a horse that was reared up on its hind legs. The man looked like a warrior and had one hand on the reins, and the other holding his greatsword high up in the air.
The stranger just stood there and took everything in--the statue, the moonlight above and the faint trace of rain. It had been a long time since he had seen this statue. He had almost forgotten it. Seeing it now brought back many memories.
He sighed.
He had grown up in Firgenduke, and had not been back in over twenty years. Being here now, he felt a heavy weight on his chest. He realised he missed this city.
From a leather pouch at his waist, he pulled out a golden coin and threw it into the fountain. He closed his eyes and made a silent prayer. He did not need long to choose his wish--there was only one thing he wanted.
He took one last look at the statue, and then turned and continued his journey. He walked silently along the cobblestone road for a little while longer--even though it
was dark, he had no trouble knowing where to go--it seemed his feet remembered where to go, even if his mind had forgotten.
Finally, he came to a stop. He had reached his destination.
It was a large building, made of stone bricks. There was a big wooden door at the front and a sign above it, that read:
"The Encumbered Adventurer"
It had been so long since he had seen this building. It was like seeing an old friend again. From behind the door, he could hear the jolly sound of boisterous voices chatting away, and his nose picked up the delicious smell of food.
Without further ado, the hooded stranger pushed open the door, and entered the tavern.
Chapter 6
King Bastion, ruler of Tuscan, skipped up the stone spiral staircase, which led up to Maruska's room. She had been gone for months and he had missed her terribly. It was so good to have her back.
As he bounded up the stairs in a gay fashion, his foot stubbed one of the steps, and he nearly tripped. He managed to catch himself somehow, and it was lucky for him, because he was carrying a tray which had on it a steaming hot dinner, that he had spent the past few hours making. Since returning to the castle a few days ago, Maruska had barely left her room and according to the people serving her, had not eaten a single meal.
I shall rectify that! thought Bastion to himself, as he continued his exuberant ascent of the stairs.
Finally, he arrived at the top. At the end of a short corridor, which was illuminated by a few torches on the wall, was a simple wooden door. Two burly guards stood there. Initially they had looked bored, but they stood to attention when they saw who was coming.
"Evening, Your Highness!" said one of the guards.
"Is Lady Maruska in her room?" said King Bastion.
"Yes, she is, Your Highness," said the guard. He sniffed the air with his large bulbous nose, "I must say, that food you've brought smells really delicious!"
"Enough with the small talk," said King Bastion, "You two leave. I want to spend some time alone with Lady Maruska."
The two guards obediently left their post and went downstairs.
King Bastion cleared his throat and then knocked thrice upon the wooden door.
There was no reply.
After a few seconds, he got impatient, and knocked again, this time more firmly, and six times instead of three.
"Who is it?" came a voice from inside.
It was Maruska's voice; music to Bastion's ears.
''Tis I, Bastion," said the King, "I heard that you had not eaten, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I have cooked a meal for you. I will sit beside you as you eat it, if you like. It is a rather unique dish, if I do say so myself. You will not find another like it in all the seven kingdoms. I took an ingredient from each letter of your name, and combined them to invent a new meal. For 'M', I chose marshmallows. For 'A' I chose artichoke. For 'R' I chose radish. For 'U' I chose sea urchin. I know that starts with 'S', but I think it's close enough. For 'S' I chose salad. There is a side salad. For 'K' I chose carrot. I know carrot starts with C, but again I think it's close enough. For the final 'A', I chose apple. A juicy red delicious, as sweet as your kiss. Not that I know what your kiss is like... but if you'd like to show me..."
"I'm not hungry," came the voice from inside.
King Bastion felt deflated. He had spent the entire day fussing over this dish. He had even named it. 'Maruska's Delight'. A more apt name would have been 'Maruska's Undelight', he thought to himself now. He laid the tray of food down on the ground.
"Well, I've left it here on the ground for you," said the King, "You can eat it when you get hungry. If you do eat it, remember to tell me how it tastes, I'm curious to know. Did I mention it took me over two hours to make? I-"
"Excuse me, Your Highness."
King Bastion turned around.
Standing there at the end of the corridor was a stern looking man, with dark hair and a dark wispy goatee. He had a black eyepatch over his left eye. It was Javier, Captain of the Guards.
"Don't sneak up on me like that!" said King Bastion, "I nearly had a heart attack. What are you doing here?"
"I have urgent news for you," said Javier.
"Can't it wait?" said the King, "I'm kind of in the middle of something."
"I think you'll want to hear it, Your Highness," said Javier.
"Fine, what is it?"
Javier looked at the door to Maruska's room and shook his head slightly, then went back to the top of the spiral staircase, beckoning the King to follow.
Bastion went over to where Javier was standing and whispered, "What is this about?"
"He has returned," said Javier, "He has been spotted in Firgenduke today."
"Who?" said the King, "Who has been spotted?"
Javier turned to look back at the door to Maruska's room and said in a low voice, "Him."
The King looked at Maruska's door and then back at Javier, his brain suddenly registering who they were talking about.
"But he said he would never return..." said the King.
"I know," said Javier.
"After all these years..." said the King, his voice drifting off.
"What shall we do?" said Javier.
The King's face became stern. "I want him found. I want him captured. I want him put in the dungeon. In a cell all by himself. When you have captured him, call me."
"You mean to kill him?" said Javier.
"I need him silenced, one way or another," said the King, "Or I shall never be able to sleep in peace. Go now, Javier. And make sure it is low key. I want no one to know of this, except your most trusted men." The King glanced back at Maruska's door, and said in a hushed whisper, "She must never find out. Do you understand?"
Javier nodded and then bowed, before disappearing down the stairs.
King Bastion stood there for a long time, not moving.
"My own web of lies," he whispered, "Too sticky to get out of."
Chapter 7
Lena Straud sat behind the bar, eyes fixed on the stranger in the red hooded cloak. He was seated in a shadowy corner of the tavern, away from the warm amber of the fireplace and the room's flickering candlelight.
"Penelope," said Lena, to the buxom young waitress who was walking by, "That man in the red robes. Who is he?"
"Never seen him before, ma'am," said Penelope, "Seems nice enough, but very mysterious. His hood comes down so low, I couldn't make out his face. He has a bushy beard, but that's about all I can tell you."
Lena nodded, her eyes still boring into the stranger across the room.
"Did he order a meal?" said Lena.
"Roast boar," said the waitress.
"With mint sauce?" said Lena.
"Yes'm," said the waitress, "How did you know?"
Lena didn't answer. She seemed to be thinking about something.
Penelope looked down at her little notepad, and said, "He also ordered a tankard of-"
"Butterscotch mead," they both said together.
Penelope looked at Lena, "You know him?"
"My instincts tell me it is a man I knew long ago," said Lena, "One day he left, and never returned. Why he should return now, out of the blue, I do not know. Perhaps I am mistaken. Perhaps this is simply a stranger passing through Firgenduke. In any case, I will speak to him, to put my mind at ease."
Lena got up and made her way over to the dark corner where the man in the red robes was seated alone.
"Greetings, stranger," said Lena.
The man nodded his hooded head slightly in greeting, but made no sound.
"Do I know you?" she said, "You seem familiar."
There was a long pause.
"Yes," said the stranger.
"Who are you?" said Lena.
The stranger reached out his hand and clasped it firmly around her wrist, holding her in place. His grasp was incredibly strong, and Lena knew she was not going anywhere until he let her go. She m
ade not a sound; her heart began to beat fast.
The stranger brought his other hand up--with index finger pointed--to his mouth, indicating that Lena should not make a sound. Then he tilted his head up, his face coming into view.
Lena couldn't believe it. Even if he hadn't been holding her wrist, she was too stunned to move.
The piercing green eyes. The face--aged since she had last seen him--still ruggedly handsome, his beard longer and shaggier than she had remembered.
"Anton!" whispered Lena, "It's you!"
"Please, Lena," said Anton in a low voice, "I need your help. No one must know I am here."
Lena nodded, "Come with me. We can speak in private."
Anton stood up and followed her. The two of them weaved their way through the crowd, until they came upon a set of stone steps at the back of the tavern, which they descended. When they reached the bottom, Anton found himself in a small square room. Aside from a few big wooden kegs, there was not much else in the room. Even though there were four wall torches--one in each corner of the room--the light was very dim; Anton could barely make out Lena's face, and she was standing directly in front of him. But even though it was dark, he could tell that she was not happy with him.
"Why," said Lena, "After all these years, have you suddenly decided to return? And under such a shroud of secrecy."
"I cannot explain," said Anton.
"Then I have another question," said Lena, "Why did you leave in the first place? You just vanished! Without so much as a goodbye. Maruska was poisoned and on the brink of death. They found her alone in the forest. Did you know that?"
"Found alone in the forest?" said Anton, "Is that what they said?"
"Yes," said Lena, "Is it not true?"
Anton paused.
Eventually, he said, "Yes, it must be true then."
"Answer me, Anton," said Lena, "I want to hear it from your mouth. Saxon keeps defending you and says you must have had a good reason for disappearing. That you probably didn't even know Maruska had been poisoned. So now that you are here, I want to hear your side of the story."
"My side of the story," said Anton, "Is that I knew Maruska was poisoned and abandoned her."