Read The Sword and The Seven Stones: Diamond Page 5

  Chapter 5

  Gavin knew that there were two other towns in the kingdom but he never had never been to either. Riding into town, they made their way over to the stables. When he heard the horses, the man at the furnace looked at the seven men approaching. He knew by the crest, they were the Kings men. Putting the cold set hammer down, he walked over to the entrance. “How can I help you men?” he asked. Alman looked at the blacksmith and knew this man was the one he would need to speak with. Alman got down and walked up to the man. Gavin was about to get off his horse but Alman told him to stay where he was. Alman walked up to the man. “Where can we speak?” The man turned and swept his arm aside to allow Alman into the blacksmith’s quarters. Alman took a seat at the table as the old man took a seat across from him. Alman looked at this old man in the eyes. They were crystal blue and he had seen them once before. “You said I have only till the new moon to bring back the sapling or people will die. Who will die, old man? Who will die?” Ishma got up and walked over to the fireplace and threw another log on the fire. Turning around, he looked at the young man who sat there in front of him. “Life closest to you will peril if you do not complete this.” Alman ran his hand through his hair out of frustration. He looked up and the old man was gone. Alman walked out of the blacksmith’s home. The men were still there. Alman walked up to Gavin. “We will stay here tonight and then leave in the morning,” he told him. Gavin didn’t know what happened in that shack but the boy he witnessed going in was not the person who exited.

  They found two strong horses that would be suitable for the distance they needed to go. Alman left the money in the shack and a note with them. He knew the man he spoke to was not the real blacksmith, but he would not cheat the real one. He noticed the inn across the street. Alman went over to inquire about rooms for the night while the others tended to the horses. The bar keep recognized him as he walked in. Alman walked up to the bar, “Barkeep, are there rooms to rent for the night?” the barkeep knew that no one would believe that the Prince of Maramar stayed in his inn. “Yes Sire, I have rooms for you and your men. “ Alman paid him with some gold coins that would cover the rooms plus drinks and food. He walked back over to the blacksmith’s and told Gavin the plan. “Let’s sit down over some food and think about our next step.” Gavin agreed and they all went into the pub and got a cup of beer while the barkeeper’s wife scrambled to freshen the rooms for the young Prince and his men. They finished their beer and a table full of food when the woman came back into the bar in a rush and whispered into her husband’s ear. Alman looked over and smiled at her. She blushed and smiled back. The barkeep went over to the table. “Sire, your rooms are ready for you. There is also fresh water for you all if you want to wash up. Alman thanked the man and got up. He walked up the stairs and opened the door to his room. It was simple, a double bed against the wall and a chair by the window. There was the stand that held the water pitcher and the bowl. Alman washed up the best he could, thinking about everything that had gone on so far on this trip. He bent his head over and ran water through his hair. Taking the cloth that was on the side of the stand, he dried off and then sat down on his bed. The forest and the cave, the cats and the monster in the river. Sitting on his bed, he realized that he didn’t even know that this town existed. How was he supposed to be King if he didn’t know what he was to rule? Going over to the window, he looked down at this town that seemed to survive out in the middle of nowhere. Growing up, he wasn’t interested in learning about the kingdom. He had many friends and they did whatever they wanted. The palace also had many beautiful young ladies that would catch his eye. He never had to care about anything. He knew his father was frustrated with him because he would rather get into cups and cards instead of learning about what would be his one day. He remembered how it was after his mother died, his father basically forgot he had a son. He would walk right by him and not even know that he was there. His father grieved so hard for the woman he had loved all his life. It was only in the last year his father told him that he would need to attend the meetings of the councillors but he brushed them off. He walked into a village today that he didn’t even know the name to. A knock at the door and he turned to see Harry walk in. “You ready to go downstairs to have something to eat?” He smiled at his friend and nodded. “Good, I’m starving.” Alman patted his friend on the back and smiled. “You, my friend, are always starving.”

  Gavin and the other men were already downstairs. The food was just being brought to the tables by some very pretty bar wenches. The red head smiled at Harry. Alman laughed, knowing that his friend would not be sleeping alone tonight. The blonde one grazed her breast against his shoulder and he looked up and winked at her. She smiled a saucy grin before going to get the other food. Gavin and the other men laughed at the two young men. As they ate, they discussed the best way to get to the west forest. Alman didn’t know why but he knew they were only a few days away from the forest. The barkeep told them that the quickest way would be to go over the mountains. They would have to be careful of the cats. They all knew now that the cats couldn’t get near them if they had a fire going. The cats won’t bother you if you can get to the bottom of the mountain.” Gavin looked at him puzzled. “Why would they stop following us?” The barkeeper wiped his hands on the cloth that hung from his belt. “Once you get to the bottom, you will be in the west forest. The cats won’t go in there.” “And how would you know that, barkeep?” Churil said as he sliced through the beef with his biggest blade. The barkeep looked around then leaned down so only they could hear him. “There is one guy that went in a few years ago and came back.” Nelvil, not looking at anyone in particular said, “Barkeep, I think it would be a good idea if you went to get this man.” His demeanour not giving the man a choice. He nodded and went into the back. A few minutes later, he walked a young man out the door. He came back to the table. “I have sent my eldest son to get Saunders for you.” Alman thanked him. As they waited, they ate more of the food the girls kept bringing out and drank a couple more beers. Gavin knew that the barkeep was right. They would have to go over the next mountain if they were to get there before the next new moon. Alman looked out the window and noticed people coming out of their homes and lighting candles. Now he knew why. Their host did the same, then went around to each window and locked each one up. “Barkeep,” Alman asked him, “How long ago did the cats attack this village?” The man walked over to their table. “Every night it storms, we get attacked. The candles won’t stay lit, so it doesn’t keep them away.” Innocent people died before but over the years, the people in the village learned and built stronger buildings. He finished with the windows then went on as if it was an ordinary evening. Alman looked over at Gavin. “Did you know about this village?” Gavin took a drink from his cup and then nodded. “We knew it was here and your father sent someone every year to see how they fared. The reports came back with no problems so your father never sent us out.” Alman remembered the one night a man came to the palace and told his father about the cats. He was mad now because he now knew that the men that were sent to check on these villages lied to the King. “When we get back we are going to find out why these people needed the King’s help and never received it. He talked to Harry about it later in his room. “Wow that is horrible. What do you want to do?” Harry sat down in the chair and tipped it back on the back legs. He knew by the look on Alman’s face that he would find a solution for this until he could come back with an army and destroy the cats. He hoped that the next few nights stayed clear for these people.

  Ishma watched the others put their candles to flame. He looked at the young man through the window across the street. They waited centuries for this one person and he could only hope that he would be able to complete this task. He turned and closed the door behind him knowing that if he did, it would be many years before they could try again.

  Alman got up the next morning to the blonde beauty leaving his room. He walked over to the wash stand and to
ok some water in his hands and washed his face. Taking the cloth off the rack, he wiped down and looked into the mirror. He looked like he aged overnight. His hands didn’t feel soft anymore. After just three days away from home, they were blistered and callouses were starting to form. Running his fingers through his hair to get it off his face, he looked around for his clothes. He needed to get down to the blacksmith’s to talk to him one more time.

  When Alman finally reached the table where the others were eating the breakfast that was put out for them, Alman took a seat beside Gavin. “I want to go to the smith’s shack before we leave.” As he reached for a piece of beef he told him what he had been thinking about last night before the blonde beauty showed up at his door. “I think I have found a way to help these people until we can come back and kill every one of those cats.” Gavin nodded and slapped him on his back. The force would have thrown the prince off the bench a few days ago but this time it didn’t even budge him. Gavin didn’t know what was going on but when he saw the prince come down the stairs, he didn’t look the same.

  Alman finished his breakfast and left the men to get ready to move out when he got back. He walked across the street to the blacksmith’s shack and knocked on the door that was left open. “Come in,” a younger voice said. “I will be right with you.” Alman looked around and it all seemed the same from the day before. He turned to see a man about his age or a little older walk around the corner. “Hello Sir. How can I help you?” Alman picked up a plate of steel. “You got the money for the horses that I got out of your stables?” The blacksmith nodded and thanked him. “Can you fashion anything from steel?” The young man puffed up his chest a bit more and took the steel from Alman’s hands. “I can do anything with this. What is it that you are looking for?” Alman took the quill and paper and showed the blacksmith a design.