Voices of Legend: Ode to Logathara

Chapter 2: Meeting at the Mount (Part 2)

Broxin sat with his legs propped up on the bench at his table at The Sweet Maiden's Inn. A serving girl had just cleared his plates. He watched her hips swish as she carried his dishes toward the back.

"Ah, if she would give me a night," he jested to the other men at the table.

"I thought she gave you the other day," joked one of the men. His name was Phillipi, a light-hearted guy. Even when vexed, he held a smile on his face. His hair was dusty blonde and curled tight. His skin was pale, but his eyes were true Galandadian green. He was tall with broad shoulders but still on the slender side.

"You have to leave that poor girl alone," said Sebastian rolling his eyes and taking a drink from his mug.

Sebastian was fair and golden-haired like Galdon. However, his eyes were blue like his mother's. He and Galdon were first cousins, and he too could manipulate Colonderé. But unlike Galdon, he never received Logath's blessing.

When it was determined that Sebastian would not inherit the birth-rit, he was given two options. He could either join the armed forces or he could join the priesthood. Having trained in warfare as the first son of House Forre (pronounces Four-aye), predestined to be head of house, he chose to join the armed forces.

Not long after Galdon received his birth-rit, Sebastian was called home to be a member of his guard, forever bound to protect the future king of Galandad. The duty imposed on him was welcomed, however. He and Galdon were very close, almost like brothers. He's been saving Galdon's arse ever since.

"What is a day, when we could have a night under Assanya," Broxin sighed as the door to the kitchen swung closed behind the girl. "And you might well have chosen the hood."

Sebastian rolled his eyes again and took another gulp of ale. Phillipi nearly fell over with laughter.

Broxin was a burly man. Unlike the other two, his hair was dark brown. A fleecy beard covered her face that matched the fullness of his voice. His eyes were amber, knowing, but some would also say kind. He looked much older than he was, and the team used that to their advantage many times over.

Broxin was tall and stocky. It was rumored that he had once tackled a bull head-on when he was a child. It was also possible that he started the rumor himself. But Broxin was strong and notably stronger than anyone else on the King's Guard, so no one questioned its validity.

Slamming his fist on the table, Broxin pushed himself to his feet. "Well boys, it's time to head out.

Sebastian downed the last of his ale. He swung his legs from under the table and stood, stretching. "Alright."

Phillipi hopped up and slapped Sebastian on the back of the head. Laughing loudly, he stumbled across chairs and people as he tried to quickly retreat from a retaliatory hit. "Stay vigilant," he laughed, bumping into a serving girl.

The girl screeched in surprise. She reached her arm around to stabilize the tray in her hand while righting herself.

"Sorry, ma'lady. Let me get that for you," said Phillipi.

He lifted the tray from her arms with one hand and held it above his head. "Where are we headed," he asked her with a wink.

The serving girl wiped her hands on her apron. "I guess that is the least you can do," she said in amusement." Right over there." She pointed to a table where a few patrons were sitting, huddled in deep conversation.

"Alrighty!" Phillipi spun as he moved between tables and people towards the men. "Here we go."

With a flip of his hand, he placed the mugs of ale on the table, sliding them to each man. Then, he popped the bottom of the tray, causing the loaf of bread to fly into the air. Spinning the tray behind his back he used his other hand to catch the loaf and placed it on the middle of the table.

Leaning his head between two of the men, he looked at the one on the left. "What a lovely broach," he said sounding astonished, then winked at the guy.

The man grunted, shoving his shoulder into Phillipi's chin. "The hell outta here."

"My apologies, my deepest of apologies," Phillipi laughed, standing and rubbing his face. Bending to kiss the serving girl on her cheek, he handed back the tray. "And you! Oh, do forgive a poor man with no sense, no mother, and no woman to call his own."

She laughed as she grabbed the tray and pushed past him.

"Bring your arse, dimwit," Broxin called from the door. Sebastian had walked out before him.

Hopping over a chair, Phillipi made his way toward the door. When he reached it, he spun around.

"Adue Adue, but not to the loo!" Looking to the serving girl he'd just spoken to, "but to you, from this day forth, my heart be true."

The girl's face flushed as she giggled, waving him away.

Outside, Broxin and Sebastian were readying their mounts. Phillipi walked up to his horse patting him on the neck.

"Day six," he called.

"Day six," the others replied in unison.

Six days ago, they had accompanied Galdon to the base of Mount Sonsí. He had instructed them to return each morning to wait for him. If he hadn't arrived by nightfall they were to return to Allens Town for the night and then come again the next morning.

The three had taken up shop at The Sweet Maiden's Inn. The accommodations were comfortable at best. They were not sure how long they would be at the inn, but this trip was not a royal affair, so they were not interested in any finery or pomp.

This was the fifth trip they had taken down Logath's Path. The road was dusty but flat. It did not wear on the horse. The men packed enough food for the day and Galdon's horse carried the bags of water for them, as well as the other horses.

The three men mounted their horses and turned to head west.

"Am I the only one who thinks Galdon is dead and buried within the mountain," asks Sebastian.

"No one is interested in your humor today, Sebastian." Replied Broxin.

"I, for one," chimed in Phillipi," think this is a spectacular place to settle down until we are hunted, quartered, and killed for treason."

"No one is going to kill us for treason," Broxin responded with annoyance.

"I mean, it is likely," replied Sebastian. "Once others have realized we've gone, if not already, they will likely assume we stole or murdered the king."

"Your cousin," corrected Phillipi.

"Even worse," replied Sebastian.

"No one is going to assume we stole or killed anyone," said Broxin. "More likely they will assume someone murdered all of us."

"Different story. Same result," replied Sebastian. "The court will accuse my family. Massacres will ensue. Women will cry. Babies will die."

"Alright, alright," interrupted Phillipi. "I think this trip could use a jig."

Broxin grunted.

"One a tale a truth in two," began Phillipi.

"He not seen to come anew

So let be it oh needing One

Calm and Harm a deed was done"

Broxin and Sebastian joined in tune.

"Rest upon the dark and bare

Want peace or love feel ye down here

Tis She that gives the last of fear

Tis She that gives of life and tear"

The three men sang an ode as they continued down the path to Mount Sonsí.

***