Diago burst into the door with a clamor most unfitting to the time of night. Sulien was just shutting the door to one of the rooms and he quickly shot a look at Diago and shushed him. Diago, however, was too distracted to notice much and rushed forward.
“I have to tell you what I just saw!”
Sulien calmly looked down at Diago, “I hope what you are about to say is, ‘a very grateful noblewoman who is glad to have her money back’”
Diago was all confusion for a moment, “What?!…oh right. Yes, I gave the money back, but-“
“Good, I’m glad you did that. Making wrongs is a constant in life, so making up for them and righting them must also be a constant practice. I’m proud of you Diago”
Diago was surprised by the compliment, “but I-”
“Didn’t go very willingly, yes I know, but you went and did what I asked. I trust you’ll get better at doing whats right with a better attitude in time, but for now I’m thankful for the baby steps” Sulien said, patting Diago on the head.
Diago blushed, uncertain as to wether he had just been jabbed at or complimented...or both. Then he then remembered why he had rushed in.
“Sul, I just saw something on my way home! It was crazy. I was on the dune lake and the sand got warm and there was this misty woman that appeared out of nowhere! She was floating right in front of me and then she looked at me and smiled!”
A pause followed, where both participants in the conversation were quite unsure as to how to follow up after that confusing declaration.
Sulien looked at him with an odd glance. Then he said, “Hult gave you cold cream cider didn’t he?”
“What? NO! Well..yes, but that’s not-“
“You know how you get with that stuff, Diago”
“Yes I know, but that’s not what happened. I really saw something!”
Sulien examined his urgency again and said, “did this something say anything to you?”
Diago thought that was an odd question and it was his turn to look curious, he replied, “it said only one word and it was a really weird word too”
Sulien looked at him blankly, “…and?”
“It was…umm…how did she say it…Ariochmar…or something like that”
Sulien’s knowing grey eye took on a whole new appearance. He quickly transitioned from amused curiosity to concern and worry. His gaze of iron gripped Diago entirely as if searching through him to see if there was any joke at all in what he just said.
“You’re sure that it said ‘Ariochmar’”
Diago raised an eyebrow, “absolutely…what is it?”
Sulien’s gaze drifted and wandered out of focus.
“Sul? Tunaan to Sulien?! Hello? What’s wrong?”
Sulien did not immediately reply, but when he did he fixed his eyes on Diago firmly.
“Did it say anything else?”
Diago was unsure if he should reply, but at last he did, “she said ‘seek it out’”
Diago immediately regretted that he had said it as Sulien’s gaze became one of dismay, but then quickly hardened into resolution.
“Diago, I need you to listen to me. You are not to listen to this imaginary woman. You were just seeing things is all. This is the last I want to hear about this, do you understand?”
Diago was unsatisfied and knew he could not comply, “Sul, you should have felt the words…I can’t ignore them!”
“You can and you will! You must!”
“But I-”
“Enough. Get to bed”
“But-”
“Now Diago” Sulien sounded forceful and earnest, but was much harsher than he meant to be, so at the very last he added in a nicer tone, “please trust me and act like this is just tricks of the night and cider. Thank you again for going to return the money. I hope you sleep well.”
Sulien added a touch of finality to the end of his words, even though he made them kinder. Diago was left with no other option then to go to his bed and lay awake wondering what on earth had rattled his father so much. He determined that he would find out about the Ariochmar. How can he not? That misty woman seemed to shape his will with her charge. As she said it, it became his own all consuming desire. He would find out more tomorrow.
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“Hey Hult how’s business?”
Diago had just walked into the Merchant’s Lot, carrying with a him a single goal. Hult knew more than most, being so well acquainted with just about everyone in Rant. This, along with his trust of the innkeeper, convinced Diago that he was the best place to start on his quest for information.
Hult looked up with a smile, “a good pace if I do say so myself. I see Sulien didn’t kill you for being late yesterday, that’s good. Your death would weigh on my conscience for…I’d say about an hour at least.”
Hult motioned for Diago to come sit at a stool in front of the bar.
“Hult!” Yelled a man at the far end of the tavern, “more cider over here!”
“Pay for the last bit and I’ll think about it!” Hult turned around to wipe a mug when a few coins hit him in the head and landed on the counter in front of Diago. Hult slowly turned around and looked from the coins to the rowdy man who threw them. The man was currently distracted by his many friends and the waitresses surrounding him.
“I hate it when he shows up” Hult said to Diago
“Who is he?”
“That’s Wrayden, a jynx racer and a cocky one to boot”
Diago turned to see the man, just as the crowd split enough for him to get a good look. He was a short man with a short style haircut. He had the dark skin of a native and the usual dark eyes that were common to the people of tunaan. He was clean shaven and had a look like he thought himself to be taller than he was. Diago could guess why he thought so much of himself. Jynx are among the most dangerous animals in tunaan. They live in the great red spires primarily and this is because the prefer to hunt from above. Jynx are not very large animals, being about half the size of a horse, and they have four arms and two legs. One set of arms are equal match to the legs, while the other arms are twice the length. The longer set of arms rest higher on the animals torso and have a webbing that connects to the legs which allow the predator to glide through the air when hunting. The shorter arms are used for ground running and for grabbing pray while the jynx is airborne. All of the limbs are equipped with sharp talons that work to grab prey as well as rock and stone when climbing. Jynx can run up a wall about as fast as they run on land. It’s maw, placed on a short head on a short neck, is covered in sharp fangs made for ripping and tearing at a meal. For safety, the jynx that are used in the races are always defanged. Even so, they are formidable creatures. Tunaan learned to tame jynx ages ago, but the process is incredibly difficult and can only work if you manage to find an unguarded jynx egg before it hatches, otherwise you are not likely to live through the encounter. Racing a jynx is probably the most dangerous past time anyone could have, hence Wrayden’s peacock-like attitude.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Where is my cider, Hult!?” Cried Wrayden, looking annoyed
Hult rolled his eyes, “I’ll be right back Diago”
“Hult!”
“I’m coming!” Then in a softer tone, “You loud mouthed pipsqueak”
“What was that?!”
“I said, hope you enjoy the cold cream”
Wrayden grunted, annoyed. Hult went to work on the beverages. This left Diago to examine the crowd in the tavern. All was as it should be. Nothing particularly special about today, save for one exception. The stranger from the night before was lurking in the corner, speaking to no one, still and quiet as pond water on a windless day. The stranger was still covered from head to toe, clearly wanting to conceal himself as much as possible, though he wasn’t wearing the leather armor over his outer covering today. There was something wrong about him, something that left Diago feeling jittery. It didn’t make the jitters better when the stranger looked up and a pair of clear sky blue eyes seemed to tear into his whole being. Diago looked away quickly, heart beating.
He chanced a look back, but the stranger was no longer looking at him. Diago breathed out in relief, not sure why he felt so anxious.
“You alright there Diago?”
Diago looked up, realizing that he hadn’t even noticed Hult, who had returned from delivering drinks and was standing right in front of him. Diago shook himself.
“I’m fine, thanks”, he shook himself and then continued, “Hey Hult I was wondering if you’d help me with something”
Hult sighed deep, picked up a mug that he began cleaning with a rag and said,
“How much do you need?”
“Huh? No, no, it’s not money. I just have a question is all”
“Oh…that’s refreshing, usually people want money. Well in that case, ask away”
Diago shifted in his seat in anticipation and said in a low tone so that only hult could hear, “I wanted to know about something called the Ariochmar”
Hult stopped cleaning the mug and stood motionless before slowly looking up at Diago.
“What did you just say?”
Diago was nervous to answer, but he did.
“I said I want to know about the Ariochmar”
Hult shook his head, “ask for money instead”
“Why!?”
Hult leaned in, very nervous and serious, “because-”
Hult didn’t finish. Instead, he looked up with a concerned expression. Diago turned around and his gut sank. The stranger was close behind him, looking at him with intensity. Diago, although startled, got the chance to see the stranger up close. It surprised Diago just how small the intimidating figure was. He seemed to be about Diago’s height. Maybe it was the outfit, or the fear of the unknown, or they way he carried himself, or whatever it was, Diago couldn’t imagine anyone happy to fight a guy like this, even if he seemed almost…petite. The stranger motioned with his
hands the same way he had before. Hult took up the role of translator.
“He says ‘come with me’” Hult said, nervously
Diago, not taking his eyes off of the stranger, said, “why should I?”
Faster than a breath, a knife point was suddenly directed at Diago.
“HEY NOW!” Hult said defensively, but he stopped when the stranger shot him a fiery look. The stranger signed again.
Hult, still on edge, seemed only a little relieved when the stranger finished. He translated, “He says that he doesn’t want to hurt you and won’t if you follow him. He says it is a matter of upmost importance”
Diago looked from Hult back to the stranger and a spark of realization became the flame of curiosity, “is-..is this about the Ariochmar?” He said in a whisper.
The stranger nodded and then turned to walk out the door. Clearly certain that now Diago would follow. He was right, there was no way Diago would pass up the opportunity to learn more. He rose from his chair to follow behind the stranger when Hult stopped him by grabbing at his wrist.
“Diago, listen to me, the Ariochmar is not a something you want to be messing with. There is a ban on the subject. If the honor guard catch you talking about it, there’ll be trouble. Believe me, poking around it can only bring hurt, okay? Promise me you’ll drop it.”
Diago was surprised at Hult’s earnestness. Why was this thing such a hot topic? Why hadn’t he heard of it before? Diago didn’t get the chance to reply. The stranger, now waiting at the door, clapped his hands to get Diago’s attention and started running. Diago chased after him.
“Thanks again Hult”
“Diago! Promise!”
Diago kept running, knowing he couldn’t make that promise. He had to know what has going on and he knew he had to search for the Ariochmar, whatever it was.
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Diago had been running for what seemed like forever. He had already passed by two dune lakes and was about to head into another forest. The constant drum of his feet and the heaviness of his breathing made him dizzy. He wasn’t in terrible shape, but he was an absolute slug compared to the stranger. The guy didn’t seem to have a breaking point. Not only was he fast, but he also seemed to never need to stop for a breath. The only times he slowed was so that Diago could catch up. It was infuriating. Diago would chase after him and lose him, only to find him waiting for Diago. Diago thought he might get a rest too, but as he’d get closer, the stranger would pick up again. He was starting to hate the guy.
They cleared another forest line and one of the great red spires of Tunaan came into view. It was by no means the tallest of these rock bastions, but it still stood a couple hundred feet high. It was an intimidating sight, but what made it more daunting was that the stranger was headed straight for it.
“You have got to be kidding me” said Diago, guessing at the strangers intention, hoping he was wrong.
He wasn’t.
As soon as the stranger got to the base of the spire, he started climbing.
“Oh come on!”, cried Diago, racing after him.
Though Diago was annoyed with the stranger, he couldn’t help but have some enjoyment at all the excitement. After all, he loved to test what he could do. He planned to climb the spires one day, but he figured he should build up to something like that. It was a dangerous feat and as many that have tried to climb them, only a few were ever able to actually do it. Some who tried had to come down. Others fell. Thus Diago’s inherent desire to try. Only he thought it would be later.
After some time climbing, the ground began to shrink and trees started to look more like grass. He was enjoying the view, having never had a fear of heights, but the height started to seem less enjoyable when his hands began shaking. His forearms twitched and his legs shook and he felt like his calve was one over stretch away from a bad cramp. He looked up and the stranger seemed just the same as always. It was maddening.
“DO YOU EVER GET TIRED?” Diago yelled, annoyed and legitimately curious.
The stranger continued on and Diago had to follow suit. On one occasion during the climb, his grip gave and he began to fall. As he did, his mind seemed to flip into autopilot. He grabbed at his kurigan and blindly threw it at the cliff, grateful that he had left the hook on it’s end. The hook grabbed at a small tree that was growing out the rock. Though his grip was weak, he managed to hold onto the rope. He climbed the rope and was relieved to find that the tree was sturdy enough to sit on. He took a break to let his grip recover, before he continued on.
After too long a time, he managed to reach the top. He rolled on to the edge, panting. He was astounded that he had done it, as well he should be. This put him in a group of only and handful of people who had the guts and capacity to reach the top of one of these spires. The air felt a lot thinner up here and his breaths were short and labored. He felt a little dizzy as he got to his feet. He was tense from the climb, but when he turned around and saw the view of the landscape, he forgot about the soreness entirely. He could see for miles. He could see the great canyons and dune lakes. He could see how the regrowing forests wove their way through the harsh, dry land. He could see how the trees started to get fewer and fewer the farther out they went. He could see more of the red spires that were littered through Tunaan. He could even see giant’s garden, a famed place where the red spires reach so high that you can only just see the top. He was enthralled by the view, but remembered that he has on business and turned to the stranger.
When he turned, the stranger seemed to be sizing Diago up. Diago had all the experience of the last few hours rush through his mind and he became annoyed all over again. He took the sizing up as a challenge and stood up straighter. He might be on the verge of coughing up blood, but this stranger was going to think that Diago was just as ready to go as he was, if Diago had any say in the matter.
“Lovely place you got here”
Diago meant to say, but instead he simply coughed and wheezed. He almost threw up. In fact, he did a little. The stranger took a step forward to help, but Diago raised a hand to stop him. He swallowed.
“I’m good” he managed to say.
The stranger looked at him and stepped forward. The silence was a little uncomfortable. They were pretty close together. Those eyes peaking through the hood and clothed covered head and face were even more striking in the sunlight. The stranger then moved his hand to his mask and hood and took them off. As he did, Diago tensed, unsure what to expect. When the hood and mask were removed, Diago became entirely confused. Underneath the hood and mask was not a man at all. If he could have imagined a beautiful girl, she would have been made insecure by the one that now stood before Diago. This girl had a striking features. She stood up straight with poise. She looked to be about sixteen or so. Her sky blue eyes were well matched with her wavy rich auburn hair. Her skin was an oddity as it seemed to be two toned. It seemed that the base of her skin was quite well tanned, much like Diago’s but there were markings on her that seemed to be made of a different, lighter shade of skin. The markings almost looked like tattoos without ink. They did nothing to detract from her beauty though, in fact, they made her seem even more beautiful. She looked like a princess.
“Hello Diago, my name is Aylah”