Iron of the Innocent: Mistress of Agony (Vol 2)

Chapter 2: The Fighter

274 I.C.
Sacren
Solorn Kingdom
Solorn Province
City of Clendon

The young soldier, Dreydan Ruin, kept all his gear and belongings stowed and packed on Hands, his horse. He did not have much, so the strong warhorse's burden of weight was light. Dreydan ran a hand over the horse's light brown, shiny coat as he spoke kind words to the animal. The sounds of the horse munching away on the extra oats he had given the gelding echoed in the small barn, and a gentle breeze passed through the open door rustling the hay. Twilight had fallen, and the fullness of night would soon embrace the city.

Dreydan sighed as he glanced down at the letter in his hand. He was already getting off to the estate later than he wanted, as he had to take care of some chores his father asked him to do. Despite being late, he decided it was time to read the letter from the folks who delivered him to Vaxtin Outpost. Breaking the seal, he pulled the small folded parchment out and opened it.

Flipping the parchment over and then back, Dreydan looked puzzled. There was only one line written in a beautiful, flowing script. It said, "Inn of Clendon, basement. Meet me. – Bethahna."

Dreydan took a deep breath, "Okay," he said to himself. As soon as Hands finished his oats and drank some water, the soldier put on the horse's halter and led the way out of the barn. The stars began to appear as the last rays of sun disappeared. The soldier mounted the horse with ease and goaded him forward after securing the barn door.

The illuminated windows of his parent's house glowed with light from lamps or candles, but he did not see anyone through the windows as he passed by. He saw his father earlier in the day but not his mother or Tabitha. He did not mention the attack from the previous night nor the mandatory medical leave. He was tired of talking and just wanted to get away quietly.

The neighborhood was quiet, and he turned his attention to getting to his destination. When Hands reached the street, Dreydan looked back at the house for a moment. There was someone at one of the front windows, but he could not tell who it was. The lamp light backlit the figure and all he could see was a silhouette. He raised a hand in farewell but there was no response.

* * * * *

Embers of glowing fire twirled upward as the innkeeper, Geldrick, dropped two heavy logs in the hearth. The fireplace was constructed from rough stone mortared together, and the opening was like a gaping maw with tongues of fire licking at the chimney. The burning logs crackled and groaned under the weight of the new ones, but they did not break, being thick and strong. The fire kept the inn's common room warm and cozy.

Geldrick was old, but he still had a spring in his step. He moved across the common room to the bar without so much as a wobble. No one knew how old he was, but some whispered about him being over a hundred. Some even speculated he had dwarf, elf, or some other long lived creature mixed into him. His business, The Inn of Clendon, was the oldest and most respected inn within miles. However, Geldrick did not let that go to his head to wash him in complacency. He kept the prices low and the quality high. That was the reason so many people called Geldrick's home.

The man was thin and wiry, but his appearance was misleading. He could lift a tray of food quicker than any of the younger lads or lasses who looked much stronger. Many even joked that a stiff wind would snap Geldrick right in half if he were careless. He was quite tall with white bushy eyebrows, moustache, and beard. His eyes were clear and piercing. Those who came to stir up trouble would get 'Geldrick's look' and the end of Geldrick's vicious club pointed at them. They would head for the door just as quickly as they came.

The inn was located in the northwest side of the city of Clendon within the walls on the main road north to Solorn Castle. It had not always been there, but Geldrick rebuilt there after a fire burned all of the central part of the city two decades before. Moreover, Geldrick liked the unobstructed view of the mountains much better.