The Quorin Saga: WattALegend 2021

Scydelle

Darkness had settled over my new location in Scydelle. A cool night breeze blew by, carrying the fruity scent of the nearby vineyards. I slid out of my contraption and glanced around my surroundings. I was in the middle of an open field and close by was a large house with a strip of woods spanning behind it. I began to push my contraption towards the forest, hoping to hide it within the brush.

My tired limbs could barely keep up, but I managed to slowly roll it across the ground. I shivered in my damp clothes and stopped to take a breath. My eyes wanted to rest, but I couldn't sleep until I was completely safe.

A harsh breeze howled by and goosebumps erupted across my arms. In the silence of the night, I heard the swell of a deep breath and I whirled around.

Someone was here.

The wind continued to blow past, spreading the scent of pine and grapes around me. I heard the sound again and continued to squint into the darkness. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I heard, "Clover." My heart started to beat inside my ears, drowning out the sound of the wind. I couldn't hear anything but the voice continuing to whisper, "Clover, Clover, Clover."

"You, boy!" I flinched, swiveling my head and searching for the source of sound, "Boy, what do you think you're doing out this late?" I froze. Approaching me was a man holding a lantern out in front of him. His eyes were narrowed and staring directly at me.

"I just arrived, " I called back with a slightly shaky voice, "I'm a traveler."

"A traveler, eh? Well, that makes a lot more sense," he made a waving motion with his arm, "Come, come, we'll go inside."

Cautiously, I began to follow him. He seemed nice enough, but looks could be deceiving and I wanted to stay on the safe side of this city. We walked towards the large house where a few of the windows were lit with candles. "This is where me and my wife live, along with our seven children. They're all asleep at the moment, so they shouldn't be too much trouble."

"Thank you, sir," I responded with a nod. He opened the front door and motioned for me to step inside. Immediately I felt like I had been smothered in a soft blanket and handed a mug of something warm and sweet. Almost everything was made of wood and lit with a homey glow provided by lanterns. The smell of spiced baked goods drifted through the air and I exhaled, letting my tension go. I was safe here.

A woman dressed in a nightgown and robe descended down the stairs with a confused look on her face "Is this the intruder?" She asked, looking me up and down. I was probably quite a sight. Not only was I damp and dirty from swimming, I was also a islander. I was deeply tanned with thin cotton clothes that certainly weren't fit for the weather.

"Yes it is, Mindy. He said he's a traveler who just arrived," He sighed, "I didn't want him outside, especially with all of those rumors. I thought it would be best to bring him in."

"Of course, of course!" She agreed and began to bustle around the kitchen area, carefully placing a pot over the crackling wood fireplace, "I'll make him something warm to drink in no time."

I felt as if I was disturbing the silence of the house, but I asked, "What rumors?"

"Well," He started, pulling out a chair from the kitchen table, "recently there's been a few rumors regarding a certain magical dagger. It...calls out to people, especially children. No one's wandered far enough to find it, but the town's implemented a rule where no teenagers can be outside past sunset. It's too dangerous."

A shiver crawled up my spine as he described the situation. So it hadn't just been my imagination; there really was something out there.

Mindy placed a steaming mug in front of me, "Here you go, child. I'm sorry to say that we don't have any spare rooms, but feel free to make yourself comfortable anywhere you'd like." After that, the three of us talked for a while. I shared the story of my journey with them and why I was in Scydelle in the first place.

"Ah, the Captain, eh? He came through here not too long ago," the man, who had introduced himself as Collin, said, "He touched the shore then seemed to leave immediately. I'm fairly sure he wouldn't have lost his item here. In the morning I can take you down to the docks at the end of the forest and take a look, though."

Eventually, the couple retreated to their room, but not after making sure I had a blanket and a change of clothes. I made myself comfortable in a soft cotton set of brown pants and a loose white shirt when, in the silence of the night, I heard a whisper.

"Clover."

I sat up from my place on the floor, suddenly on high alert. The voice, the dagger, spoke again, "Clover, come to me. We must talk." I fisted the blanket pooled at my waist with an iron grip. Going to find the dagger would be crazy, downright insane. It was at that moment I felt a tug in my chest. It wasn't physical, but I could tell that something wanted me to move.

And I knew it was the dagger.

Careful not to creak any boards, I stood and walked towards the door. All the while, my heart beat picked up, throbbing through my whole body. The cold night enveloped me and the sound of crickets was all that could be heard. When I had stepped out of the house, the pull in my chest got stronger, more aggressive, so I let it guide me wherever it wanted. I was fully aware how dangerous that was, but I couldn't resist. Besides, if this dagger was causing issues for the townsfolk, maybe I would be able to help by exploring.

I could feel the air get colder when I walked below the trees and branches scraped at my ankles as I traveled. The ground went from grassy to rocky within minutes. The further I walked, the harder the tug became, almost to the point of being painful. I scanned the dark woods and chastised myself for not grabbing a lantern. It was the middle of the night and I was in the center of a forest; of course it would be dark. What I could see ahead of me was a clearing with the smallest bit of silver moonlight trailing beneath the branches, and, hilt-deep in the dirt was a dagger.

It was crafted from a dark metal that shone in the darkness. As I drew closer, I could see deep red jewels embedded in the hilt with silver strands wrapping around the handle and coiling to an end at the cross-guard.

I reached out a tentative hand to touch it, but before I could make contact, the voice spoke up, "Clover."

"Yes, that's me," I responded, feeling slightly stupid talking to an innanimate object.

"I'm glad you've come," the gravelly voice spoke, "We have much to discuss." It paused and it's deep breath echoed through my head. "I've spoken to many, but you are the first to answer my call. Very brave, boy, very...reckless. I require a wielder with those qualities. Brave, reckless, young. What say you, boy?"

I could feel my face contort in confusion, "Wielder? You would be my weapon?"

"Yes, and I, your guardian," Another echoing, rattling breath, "Listen, boy. My power comes with an unnamed price. Are you willing to accept?"

Against my better judgement, I begin to heavily consider saying yes. I didn't have a weapon to begin with, and a magical one may just give me the boost I needed to continue my journey successfully. There may be a time where I actually needed to fight the monsters I came across. "Yes," I stated confidently.

I reached forward and yanked the dagger out of the dirt. As soon as my fingertips made contact, an intense feeling of pins and needles raced up my arm and into my chest. I gasped as the tingling turned cold and dissipated altogether. In awe, I examined the beautifully crafted weapon in my palm.

"Good choice, boy," The raspy voice faded away, leaving me to walk back to the ranch in stunned silence.

The next morning, Collin and I rolled my flier to the dock. We searched along the shore and around the fishing shops, but came up empty handed.

"Well, it was nice getting to know you, son," Collin said, watching me prepare my flier, "Safe travels!"

"Thank you, sir," I responded. I gave the air pendant a tap and flew off, waving at Collin as I rose into the sky.

Word count- 1,499