~Thorben~
They made their way down for the foothill caverns on a road that was little more than two strips of packed dirt bereft of plant life. As they neared the flat plateau that made up the raised plains leading across the river and eventually to the village of Ingwood, the reddish rock and scraggly tufts of grass gave way to a sea of waist high grass. Thorben was sure that the river had a name but everyone simply called it ‘the river’ being as it was the only one on the grasslands that made up their country of Ossirus. It amazed him how the wind caused waves to ripple across the horizon, broken only by the clusters of trees that resembled paint splatters on the canvas of land.
It was a two-day journey by wagon to Ingwood. The plan was for the wagon to travel sunup to sundown, stop at a way station for the night, and then continue on through the following day. Thorben and Tanrin sat atop the driver’s box with Ted Foster, the wagoner. Ted was a lively and experienced driver who made his living transporting trade goods between their hometown of Steelmond on the western side of the Langwin Highlands and his home city of Ingwood.
Ingwood was the closest settlement to Steelmond, and a constant source of trade. The group had spent a good portion of the day with small talk, getting to know each other. Ted claimed he enjoyed the dependable route. “Gives me stability, ya know? Home every couple of days, take a day off, take a day to load up again, rinse and repeat.” Laughed Ted. “The missus misses me just the right amount, if ya catch my drift.”
“Seeing the same sights doesn’t get boring?” Tanrin asked.
“Na, seen my share of the world back in my younger days. I find a bit o’ comfort in the predictability. I’ve gotten to know a few of the recluses in the area, and try to check in on ’em from time to time.”
“I didn’t realize people lived between Steelmond and Ingwood, Mr. Foster. Seems like an awful lonely place to call home.” Thorben said.
“Now don’t go gettin’ up to that Mister Foster nonsense. That was my pap. We’ve been through this.” He had been quick to disabuse them of the idea that they needed to call him Mr. Foster as a sign of respect, but Thorben was having a hard time with it. “Ye be right, it is lonely, but sometimes it’s what a man needs to get himself right,”
Thorben could see the wisdom in this, and sat in silence for a while; flitting between pondering Ted’s words and enjoying the views that passed.
Is that how I get right? Could that be how I discover how to manage this rage? Is that how I figure out where I belong? Even though I love my family, I will never be a dwarf. I know the customs and the traditions, but have never felt them resonate in my soul. I respect them, but are they really mine? Or I theirs? Who am I?
Ted noticed Thorben’s contemplative demeanor. “Deep thoughts, my boy? The road brings them to the surface. Sometimes all it takes is to voice them, and the road answers.”
More time than Thorben realized must have passed, because as he glanced over at Tanrin, he saw his brother’s head was bobbing around in slumber. Even as a kid, he’d could sleep in any situation, but this was impressive. The sun was fading over the horizon, casting the grasslands in beautiful hues of orange and red. “Just thinking about who I am? And what my purpose is?” Thorben admitted.
A chuckle emerged from his throat. “Ahh, so the light stuff,” Ted said, “You must have an interesting story, growing up amongst dwarfs.”
“You could say that,” said Thorben. “I have a great family. They have done their best to raise me and ensure our lives were comfortable. They taught me everything I know. I love them.”
“But…,” Ted prompted.
“But I’m no dwarf.” Thorben said. His voice was a soft breeze.
Ted was silent for a moment, as if contemplating what to say. Thorben let him think, unsure how to handle this conversation with his brother next to him. Ted began softly, “When you are young, it feels like all eyes are on you, and in some ways, they are. You think everyone is keeping a running tally of all your deficiencies. As you get older, you realize the big secret: everyone thinks this, and no one is. You cast aside your worry about what other people think and truly embrace living life to its fullest.”
“Well, we got exiled, albeit temporarily.” Thorben said in answer.
“Aye ya did. Politics did that. I’ve known your pa for many years. Transported countless of his commissions. All that time he talked about you boys, and how proud he was of you. He always treated me fairly and worked hard to do right by others. People like your pa are rare, even more so in politics. Those who crave power, or harbor hate, oppose people like your pa. They view them as a threat. Your shenanigans were an influence but not a deciding factor.” Ted said.
Thorben was a bit surprised to hear that his dad had spoken like this to Ted. “Maybe so, but exile is exile,”
“We can’t control everything that happens in this life, but we can control how we react to everything that happens in this life. Embrace this experience, and grow from it. That’s enough harping from an old man for one day. See that cluster of trees over yonder?” Ted asked.
“Yeah, seems like we will reach it shortly,” Thorben said.
“Should be another quarter hour. Get ready to pick out your bed,” Ted said.
Thorben shook Tanrin awake. “Tanrin, you hear that! We get beds!”
Groggily, Tanrin looked around. “Huh, beds? I could use an ale first.”
“I’ll talk to the way station manager and see what they say.” Ted replied with a wink.
As the cluster of trees neared the boys, excitement grew, only to be dashed on the rocks when they finally arrived. “That was cruel,” Tanrin said as he glared at Thorben. Tanrin was struggling just as much as Thorben to set up their tents.
“Ted told me we got to choose our bed!” Thorben said in exasperation. “How was I supposed to know he was pulling our leg?”
They had arrived at a thicket of trees with a small clearing in the middle. The underbrush made it difficult to see inside from the road. As they approached, Thorben had hoped that they would find a small shack. He learned Ted had pulled a bit of a joke on them, and he felt disappointed.
Ted had long since put up his tent, and was building a fire to cook on, while periodically offering advice for the boys on how to pitch a tent. “You can’t begrudge on old man a little entertainment now and again,” he said with a chuckle. “To be fair, I let you pick your tent sites first, and if there was a way station manager, I would definitely ask about the ale,” he continued with a good-natured grin.
“Someone is buying me an ale as soon as we get to Ingwood,” mumbled Tanrin, as he finished securing his last guyline. He continued to mumble incoherently as he fiddled around inside the tent, getting his sleeping roll down and pack situated.
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He doesn’t like it when he is the target of a practical joke! Thorben thought with a snicker and finished laying out his bedroll. Thorben and Tanrin joined Ted around the fire as Ted prepared a hot meal.
“Nothing fancy on the menu tonight, boys. Some simple trail stew. The wife always sends me a packet of root vegetables and herbs, that I can boil in water for a quick meal. I snagged some sausage back in Steelmond as an extra treat. Should be ready in a few minutes.” Ted said. Continuously stirring the kettle.
“We are just happy that there is food,” Thorben replied.
“I think ma packed us some supplies. Should I grab them to add to the feast?” Asked Tanrin.
“This stew will be plenty. Better save those supplies for after we part ways.” Ted said.
“You mentioned seeing the world when you were younger. Were you in the militia?” Asked Thorben.
“Nothing so honorable as that, my boy. Never did have the stomach for violence.” Ted responded. “I was a sailor on a trading vessel. We did runs all around Baherune. Saw some amazing sights, I did. Saw the most amazing sight when I met my wife. We docked in Ingwood, and the captain granted shore leave. She was running errands for her ma. In my haste to find a pub, I nearly collided with her.”
“Let me guess, you helped her back to her home, and it was happily ever after.” Tanrin interjected, batting his eyelashes.
“Ha! Would have been easier that way! My lass is an independent spitfire. No, she dressed me up and down like she was my first mate, then went about on her way.” Reminisced Ted. “I was smitten, left the crew, and worked with the local thatcher. Took me darn near a full season for her to go on a date with me, but I won her over in the end.”
“Ah, look at me blabber on like a young lad. Finish up eating boys while I go check on animals, then we’ll hit the hay.” Ted said, and made his way to the wagon..
The boys sat in silence as they ate their stew. After a few moments, Tanrin dropped his spoon in his bowl, rubbed his stomach, and let out an enormous belch. “Hard to believe this is real,” Tanrin said.
“Yeah, we lucked out about being able to hitch a ride with Ted. Dad was really looking out for us there.” Thorben replied. “How you doing with everything?”
“Alright, I guess. No sense dwelling on the past. Though I could really go for one of mom’s slices of pie. What’s the plan?” Asked Tanrin.
“I miss them too, brother. We need to work out what we are going to do. Any suggestions? Maybe Ted could point us in a good direction in Ingwood.” Thorben offered.
“My thoughts exactly! He would know the lay of the land better than us.” Tanrin concurred.
“Speaking of what is taking him so long? The animals should have been good. A quick double check doesn’t take this long.” Said Thorben.
“Probably relieving himself. The man drove nearly all day without stopping! I would have exploded trying a stunt like that. Good thing we could just step to the back of the wagon and water the road!” Tanrin exclaimed.
“Your pee dance when he swerved the wagon was the highlight of my day!” Thorben laughed. “I think I will follow Ted’s lead before bed. Goodnight Tanrin.”
“Goodnight Thorben. See you on the morrow.” Tanrin said.
No matter what, we have each other. I wonder who created these way-stations? Hopefully, tomorrow is as smooth as today. Should we work as guards, sailors, or pick a trade? We know blacksmithing better than most. What would be best for us to spend the next year doing?
Thorben walked past the wagon and didn’t see Ted. There was a small worn path leading away.
Looks as good a place as any.
As he walked down the path, he heard whispers. “Listen, old man, you are going to cooperate one way or another.”
Thorben could see Ted, tied to a tree, bloody and beaten. He couldn’t quite count how many voices he heard.
“Is the boy still with you?” A menacing voice whispered.
“Boy? Is that what you’re interested in? Bit of a taboo subject, ain’t it? I don’t do business with perverts.” Ted said, as he spit blood into the face of the man questioning him.
“Aaagghh. You dumb shit! I tire of your games.” The unknown man said as he drew a dagger glowing with a reddish light, and in one swift motion, drove it into Ted’s shoulder. “The next one goes in your heart. Answer my question.”
Ted’s scream echoed all around, breaking the night’s silence. The horses whinnied. The sound of twigs snapping filled the air, and it was a moment before Thorben realized he was moving.
The rage was there, and he embraced it. His heart was pounding in his ears. He registered the surrounding scene with barely a thought. A dozen humanoid figures dressed in black surrounded Ted. All armed with various small weaponry, and all looked like they knew how to use them. Thorben looked down to see his throwing axes in his hands.
When did I unsheathe these?
With a swift smooth motion, the two axes were hurtling through the air. The two closest to Ted never stood a chance. As they turned, an axe embedded itself in their throat directly above their collar bone. They went down in a bloody gurgling heap.
The initial fog of his rage dissipated, but it now fueled his actions with deadly intent.
The rest turned to look in the direction the axes came from, but Thorben was already moving as he drew his Katana.
His mother’s lessons reasserted themselves. The element of surprise is your greatest asset and also the shortest. Use it to its full effect. Don’t stop moving.
A third black-cloaked figure spun just in time to see the sword swing toward’s his neck, and may have survived long enough to witness the blood spurting like a geyser from his own neck as his head hit the ground. Thorben spun under a wild swing of a short sword and cleaved the man’s leg off at the knee.
Four down. Eight to go. If I survive this, mother is going to kill me for surrendering to my rage.
He rolled under another wild swing and ripped one of his axes out of a body as he passed. As he rose to confront his foe, he let the axe fly with a one handed throw. It buried the head into another warrior’s crotch, who went down screaming.
He should bleed out quickly. Five down, seven to go.
Thorben positioned himself between Ted and the remaining black clad warriors. “You like little boys? You sick fuck! Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m no child.” Thorben said calmly, looking at the apparent leader straight in his eyes.
There are no rules in battle. Everything is a weapon. Your sword, your words, the environment, everything. Use it to your advantage.
As he circled the leader, the other warriors quickly adjusted and charged. Thorben smiled as he feinted left, parried a sword blow with such ferocity that the sword went flying. He grabbed the man by the throat and slammed him into a tree, sending the remains of a snapped of branch through the man’s head. Knowing he had to keep moving, he rolled away again.
Six down, six to go.
As he rose from his roll, his luck ran out. A kick to his stomach sent him reeling, head smacking into a rock. His vision went blurry, and he was seeing double.
Shit! Keep moving.
He dove behind a tree as a sword buried itself in the trunk. Unsteady on his feet, he swung wildly, gashing his unarmed opponent across his chest. The man dove on him and they went down in a pile of flailing limbs. Abandoning his Katana, in lieu of close combat, Thorben picked one of the four eyes and jabbed his thumb through it until he could feel ooze leaking out. The man grabbed his own face, screaming in terror. Thorben took advantage of this, grabbed the man’s neck from behind, and twisted, easily snapping it because of years of working a forge.
Seven down, Five to go.
He scanned the area. He noticed Tanrin holding one at bay with his axe. Three more were down around him. Two with knives through their eyes, and one with a wound to the torso, guts hanging out.
That left one. Where is he?
“Looking for me, boy.” The leader said as he grabbed Thorben from behind, placing a blade to his throat, and pressing just hard enough to draw blood. “Don’t move, or I will open you up and watch you bleed out here and now.”
Tanrin was still busy. His opponent was skilled. Thorben was confident in his brother, but he would be no help right now.
Thorben panicked. This was bad. He knew it. He tried to push backwards, but the leader read his body language and easily maintained control.
“I warned you. Die scum.” The leader whispered.
Tanrin finished his opponent off and turned just in time to meet Thorben’s eyes.
“Nooooooo!” Screamed Tanrin, panic clear in his voice.
Love you brother. He thought as the surety of death settled in his mind.
Just as he was about to give in, his rage exploded. A bright white mist enveloped both the leader and himself. They screamed simultaneously as the blade clattered to the ground, and the leader’s body turned to dust.
Tanrin looked at his brother in horror.
Brother? What’s wrong? Is this the end?
As Thorben collapsed to the ground, he felt his grip on consciousness, and possibly even life, slipping away from him. Just before darknesses embrace, words flashed in his vision:
* Experience Gained
* Quest Discovered