As the next week went on the landscape started to change into hills. The barren ground started to give to saplings and vegetation life. The closer we drew to Stoneroot the more trees came. Their green canopy gave shelter from the sun we were so used to. The air seemed fresher and everything a little more vivid.
I had heard tales from Zoran and Heather about Stoneroot but I could have never imagined a forest. For after all my seven years I had been in the town of scribes. Outside of town were lands of meager rocks. Dust had hung in the air and I never imagined that such a place like this wonderful forest existed.
“Why again is it named Stoneroot?” I asked mystified by my surroundings.
“Now Zen it’s named Stoneroot so that it wards off all travelers. Mystical isn’t it?” Zoran was looking around with a child like joy. “Shino watch out for that web ahead of you.”
No sooner had she said it Shino let out a line of profanities. Snell let out his rough laugh which was caught by all but Shino.
Heather handed a coin to Snell. “Told you Shino would be first. He still has much to learn.” Snell said almost mockingly.
“Well it just means his teacher isn’t as wise as he lets on.” Heather winked at me. “To think that pride is already biting him.” Snell let out an obvious attention seeking sigh.
We continued on for a little while longer. The trees were growing denser and the path had narrowed down to a single file. The trees almost seemed like a wall of sort. Then noise very faint started to flow in our direction.
“Okay Snell you and I first. Heather can come with but you know the identification required.” Zoran glanced back at Shino and I. “Trackers that live here prefer if we kept our company to ourselves. Snell though has befriended most so we normally don’t have any problems.”
Snell and Zoran both headed forward. It took them about five minutes to return but when they did three other people wearing large cloaks and hoods arrived with them. They all nodded towards Heather.
“Welcome back Heather, daughter of Snell, wife of Zoran. As always you are granted permanent reprieve and roam allowance. Please be mindful of other occupants. Lastly if you are ready for citizenship please inquire with the towns magistrate.” The guy in the middle removed his hood. “I’d be happy to lead you as a friend. Zoran really wants you here.”
“You know I can’t officially take residence here. But I might just have to accept this time. It does mean retiring though.” Heather pulled out a little handbook. “Warriors and shield bearers must not take residence until date of retirement. Harbinger is the home until further notice is received from the council.” She gently shut the book and pushed it back into her sack.
“We have figured out all the loop holes Heather. Follow me and we will get you taken care of.” He winked at Heather and Zoran nudged her along to follow.
“Shino of the town of scribes, step forward and present your artifact.” The guy on the left had stepped forward. Shino handed him his quill. “Easy enough Snell as one of your trainees here are his papers. He can go along with you or Zoran, but must be in company with either of you.” He handed Shino back Silvey he took three paces back.
“Zen of the town of scribes, step forward and present your artifact.” I handed the hidden blade to the guy. He uncapped the pen and gave a huff. “We need the magistrate now.” The hooded man took a single pace backward as his companion rushed off.
“Zen is that a pen or is it a blade?” Snell glanced at me.
“The priest said it was both Snell.” I was befuddled.
“Snell why didn’t you check before we got this far.” Zoran was almost glaring daggers at Snell.
“Zoran he comes from the town of scribes they all pick the pen. Now it’s just like your first time Zoran.” Snell didn’t seem to worried.
“Snell how did he even know that there was a blade?” I was just getting more and more lost.
“This is a town of trackers Zen. They can find a trail for anything. They are more cautious now though. After the warriors took us as a threat and destroyed our last village we now live here. The name Stoneroot has saved the town a lot of heartache.” Snell seemed satisfied with the heritage of the town.
After a few minutes of silence the companion arrived back. He appeared to be alone. Not alone. No there was definitely a shadow to his left. Almost invisible in the wall of trees.
“Sir someone followed you back. I don’t know why they are hiding but there is someone on your left.” I pointed to the left of the guy. Right as the person stepped out of the shadow. It was a guy of about twenty. He was as tall as Zoran but as husky as Snell. How did he blend in so well?
“Ah this must be the boy of the hidden blade. Zen I believe it was. If you continue like that you will make for a fine tracker. But sometimes silence is the all you need to answer. I’m the magistrate but you can call me Mel.” Mel stepped forward. “Ruined a perfectly good surprise for these two you did. That boy there was smart. Noticed me but didn’t say anything.”
“Ah Mel they made you the magistrate at last!” Snell clapped him on the back. “Another fine student of mine. In fact he and Zoran both trained at the same time. Sort of until Zoran ran off to get hitched.”
“Okay I need to see this blade. I hope it’s not a warriors blade.” Mel took the hidden blade and uncapped the pen again. The he pulled on the pen and it slid all the way out of the blade. Since when could it do that? He gave the handle a twist and unsheathed the knife hidden within.
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“Snell this is more than just an artifact you know. It’s significance of being here today has landed Zen here a town of madmen to help him. Why you remember my artifact research I’ve been doing right?” He glanced at all of us.
“Mel now is not the time to go through all of that. We just need our papers for a proper rest. We can talk about that nonsense research later.” Snell was seeming to get a bit flustered at how long everything was taking.
“Snell, Zoran. I need both of you at the meeting hall. Here you are Zen.” He handed me back the hidden blade. “Take them to Zoran’s house. Heather should be there by now. I need to talk to these two and fill out Zen’s papers personally.”
“What is all of this about Mel? This isn’t like you. Has being magistrate went to your head?” Snell was almost huffing now.
“You go call those Three to the hall too. Snell trust me here for tomorrow there will be new tidings for old friends.” Mell started to hurry off along with the hooded guy who had come with him. Snell huffed once more as he and Zoran began to follow.
“Young master Zen this is all confusing right now I know, but I need you and master Shino to follow me please.” The hooded guy who had inspected the hidden blade started to walk away.
I was confused. And the look Shino was giving me made me feel guilty and I don’t know why. Had I done something wrong? What was happening? Was this where my journey ended before it began?
“Zen?” Shino was still giving me the look but not nearly as badly.
“I don’t know either Shino.” I kept glancing at him. “I knew it had the knife and the pen. But when did the pen actually come out?”
“Quiet!” The hooded figure picked up the pace. “First off you will miss the best part. Secondly Zoran’s house is the place to talk. The trees here have ears. Trackers could have just as easily been assassin’s.”
As we finally started to come out of the wall of trees I saw a sight that I had only seen in pictures of elven lore. Bridges and ladders hung from the trees. Each leading to a platform that contained a hollow. The town expanded up, not out. The only things on the ground were three huts and a fountain of choice. Each hut was placed exactly a third way around the fountain.
The hooded man walked up to them. "That far building there Is the prison. It goes deeper than the darkness could ever dare to reach. A soul will destroy itself in there. That second hut is the magistrates office. It’s where we all get our missions. It’s where I came from before this whole mess. And this third building right in front of us is the meeting building. No sound can penetrate in or get out. It’s for situations much like the one we have here.”
My mouth practically hung open. One glance at Shino and I knew I wasn’t the only one in awe of such a spectacular sight. I swear his eyes might just pop out. “Maybe you could borrow Zoran’s eye patch there Shino.”
As the hooded guy chuckled Shino and I collected ourselves. “Moving on young ones we come to the fifth ladder before the meeting building. Zoran and Snell are the only two homes here. Still a young tree she is. Now follow.”
We climbed along with the guy leading us. As he got onto the platform to Zoran’s house he uttered a phrase. I didn’t catch it although I could almost think it was the sound of a tree. More of a swishing than a phrase. “She welcomes the friends of Zoran and Snell. But she will only let you enter Zoran’s dwelling.”
He ushered us over to a hollow. The tree conformed to our size and allowed us to enter. It was almost a magic that time had forgotten. Shino went in first and as I entered I stopped just a little short and gave my thanks to the tree. As I entered the tree I noticed light came from the walls. The furniture grew from within, the tree itself. Curled into shelves, tables, chairs, and even the frames of hand drawn pictures on the walls.
Heather was seated by a fire that somehow only burned in the hearth. Shino was standing awkwardly beside her taking in the sight of such a magnificent dwelling.
“Just ask Nirvana to let you move a seat. These iron trees are all bark and no bite.” Heather glanced around the tree and gave a contented sigh. “Nirvana please let these boy have a seat by me. We have a lot to discuss.”
No sooner had she asked the whole tree gave a slight shiver and two of the chairs moved over by the hearth. I realized then that the tree was more conscious than even most people. It’s then that I realized what I had heard so long ago. All life is precious. Not just the life of a bug or a person. Not even just that of an animal but every little particle that makes up everything. It’s all precious and deserves a chance.
“Sit boys. I hear you had quiet the adventure.” Heather motioned to the chairs that had found their way beside her.
“What is wrong with Zen’s blade Heather?” Shino plopped down into the chair beside her. I wearily sat down on the edge of mine waiting for the worst possible news.
“Shino it complicated. There have only been three blood moon artifacts ever to be recorded. None of which have ever seen Stoneroot.” Heather seemed to already know about the hidden blade also.
“Heather? What is a blood moon artifact?” I glanced at her then Shino. It felt like impending doom was going to crash down upon me.
“Let me tell a tale Zen.” Heather glanced then to Shino. “This is a special occasion to be sure.”
“Zen what did you do? It has to be bad for all this commotion.” All the effort I had put in to try and be kind to Shino felt like it all disappeared. How could I get things back to that?
“Shino it’s okay. The golden king had a blood moon artifact. Then again only him and the twelve lords had an artifact.” Heather let out a slow sigh. “The tale of the sacred three.”
Heather went to a her pack and pulled out a book that I had seen many times on the self behind the master scribe. She flipped to the very end and began to read.
In history there is the tale of three.
Often times when a story ends one begins. The blood moon artifacts are no different. First came the golden king. Defeated so tragically by his own arrogance. He saved the lives of many and ran a prosperous kingdom. Then came the black night. He let strength be his own downfall. Believing that his muscle was mightier than his brain he fell into a trap that plunged the nation into darkness. Last came the enchantress. She helped the nation from the darkness but not without consequence. She gave her life and a seven year sacrifice to it for the towns of old. But alas all did what they could for others and wound up perishing. The nations of new are built by blood. The moon as the guide for a hero that somehow remains unsung. To end the worst of the dark errors of man the moon chooses a child pure of heart to bestow pain. So we end the tale of three until another young soul should rise to save the people.
Heather closed the book and glanced at me. Silence filled the room. I glanced at Shino sitting there thinking.
“There has to be more Zen. That’s just a story wrote in a book of fables.” Shino turned his head to look back at me. “I mean master scribe always told us that book was nonsense in class.”
“He always said that until he saw the hidden blade Shino. He would never let me read that last tale though.” I looked down at my hands. “I think it means that I must die to save everyone. That’s why the dark wanted me.”
“The artifacts and the demise of the three were real Zen. But they all lived long and prosperous lives. Or so says the history found about the three.” Heather glanced at us once more. “They are heroes Zen. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the same for you. All we know for sure is that they had blood moon artifacts.”
“I feel a bit tired. Nirvana may I sleep?” A I asked Nirvana opened a hole that climbed into. No sooner did I climb in Nirvana closed as I drifted off.