Beyond The Night - Bronze

XVIII. Rowan

   As he walked the earthen road that was thick with cedar trees on both sides, Rowan had only one thing in his mind: dinner. But he lost his appetite when he saw the coyote waiting in front of the wooden hut.
  The coyote stepped aside, making way for Rowan to open the door.
   "This better be important. I was about to have dinner," Rowan said as he stepped inside the hut. After putting the bucket of fish on the table, he lit the oil lamp hanging from the wall.
   The coyote was standing on his hind legs when Rowan turned around. He started shifting into a human slowly and spoke after clearing his throat. "Sorry, Rowan. But it's something you will want to know."
   "Talk," Rowan said as he sat down on the chair next to the table.
   "Do you remember the auction the Brimtzen family was going to hold?"
   "They were having a ball, also. Didn't that pass already?"
   Owen nodded. "It did. It was two days ago."
   "Right. What about it?"
   "A sword was stolen from the auction."
   "By who?"
   "We're not sure. Felix Brimtzen's men are searching Sphellend and it's surroundings."
   "Right. What's any of this has to do with me, Owen? Get to the point," Rowan said in a tired manner.
   "Clive's ship arrived this morning. Caleb and Rufus said they saw someone weird in Sphellend while they were in town. Someone with antlers."
   "Vidyac," Rowan said, his eyes narrowing.
   Owen nodded solemnly. "I thought he would go to Riverend and sell the sword in no time, if it was him. But there's no word from our men there. We would know if Alvis went there. So I thought, if he's not going there, maybe he's coming here.
   "Vidyac's coming back." Rowan couldn't stop his smile.
   "Rowan. I came here to warn you."
   "I didn't think he would be back this soon. I thought he would stay away for at least a year."
   "Rowan," Owen said cautiously. "The last time-"
   "I remember really well what happened last time," Rowan said standing up. "We'll be ready this time."
   "You're talking about Alvis Vidyac," Owen said in a desperate voice. "You'll never be ready enough." Then he turned around and reached for the door handle. The already cold hut drowned under the cold September air. Winter came early to hillside. "Act wisely, Rowan," Owen said without turning back. "Because this time I won't be here to watch you get yourself killed." He left without waiting for Rowan's answers.
   For a couple of minutes, Rowan stood where he was. Then he couldn't stand the cold anymore and started loading the fireplace. After lightning the fire, he took off his coat and started preparing dinner. After placing the fishes he stabbed with a metal rod on top of the fireplace, he washed his hands. Bringing his chair closer to the fire, he warmed his hands that were numb from the cold water as he waited for his dinner to be ready. He was successful in keeping his mind off of Alvis until that moment. But sitting in front of the fire, he couldn't help but think about the things Owen said. Two days ago Alvis was in Sphellend. And right now it was possible that he was on his way to Centhepha. After their encounter in April, Rowan thought he had at least a year. It hadn't even been six months, yet Alvis was returning. That couldn't be a good omen. It was also highly unusual that he was bringing something stolen with him. True, Alvis was unpredictable. But Rowan knew Alvis. He knew him better than he ever wanted to know him. That's why he was sure, Alvis was up to something. But maybe he was wrong. Maybe Alvis just decided to sell the sword in Centhepha, instead of Riwelter. Or maybe he was on his way back to Bonehill. Or maybe the person Caleb and Rufus saw wasn't even Alvis at all. Rowan wanted to believe any one of these possibilities. He wished to be mistaken. But he knew he was right like usual.
   As he ate, he swore to himself. This time I won't let him get away. This time, he will regret stepping foot to Centhepha. Even if it was for a second, he believed himself. But he couldn't sleep that night. Even in his dreams, Alvis didn't leave him alone, didn't let him rest.
   The dazzling sunlight seeped through the window as Rowan straightened in his bed. He pushed the quilt to the side. No matter what Owen says, he wasn't going to lose this time. He wasn't going to let Alvis win anymore. He stood up after scrubbing his face. He opened the door and sticked his head out. Just like he predicted, Caleb was waiting for him at the start of the rocky path. He stood up straighter when he noticed Rowan.
   "Morning."
   "Boss. Did you talk to Owen?"
   "I did. Did you bring what I asked?"
   "Yes. We took it to the shack in the forest last night. Rufus is waiting there."
   "Good." Rowan asked as he tried to ignore the uneasy feeling in his gut, "Where's Owen?"
   Caleb shuffled uncomfortably in his place. "Apparently, he left for Kashua last night. He didn't tell anyone."
   Rowan held up a hand. "He told me. I just wanted to know if he left already." Before Rowan went back inside he said, "You go and wait with Rufus. I'll join you after noon," and he closed the door.
   The fire in the heart went out in the night and the September cold invaded the hut once more. After setting fire to the last of the wood, he added the fish from last night to the soup he was making. While having breakfast he was calculating how many days it would take Alvis to reach Centhepha. But Owen was right. No matter how many days he had, Rowan knew it wasn’t enough. Even though, he had to try. It would be pathetic for someone as used to holding grudges as Rowan to give up without even trying. Maybe even as pathetic as Alvis. But not more pathetic than what he became. Because nothing was more pathetic than that.