The Chronicles of Nir

6 | Mutual Connections

Tallon and Eri rejoined Maisie at the wagon, restraining her briefly to prevent her from 'marching straight to the city and draggin' the little eejit back by 'is ear.' Though usually a force to be reckoned with, Eri's medicines made her a tempest of chaotic energy.

Shortly thereafter, she fell asleep, and Tallon grimly steered the wagon towards the bridge while Eri sprinted back to his house to gather some essentials and extinguish the cauldron fires.

Tallon almost hoped he would not return, but Eri soon reappeared, breathless and drenched in sweat. He carried two loaded quivers, an extra bow for Tallon, and a satchel of who-in-the-seven-realms-knew-what.

Scamp alighted on Tallon's shoulder while Sprout squeaked in agitation, searching for Ben.

Noting Tallon's suspicion as he climbed aboard, Eri tossed the bag to him. "Look, if you want," he gasped, "Just don't... touch the... little spiky balls. Those are... smoke bombs."

Rolling his eyes, Tallon cautiously placed the satchel in the cargo bed beside Maisie. Between Eri's surgical skills and her own nascent magic, the skin on her brow had healed already.

Once he caught his breath, Eri spoke.

"I know you wish to drive straight for the city, but I fear this will not be wise. I advise we call upon Lothrel Tremesian. His vineyards are on the way, and he may have valuable information."

When Tallon clenched his jaw, Eri softened his voice and sighed.

"Your party came to harm on my watch," he said. "This concerns me as much as you. I cannot speak for the wolf, but your bonded is not in immediate danger. I do not know where they are taken, or what ultimately becomes of them, but rare beings—people and lesser creatures alike—are worth more alive and in good condition. If these poachers have half a brain between them, they will know not to harm Ben."

But not Fann. To the bandits, he was only valuable for his fur.

Focus on what you can control. Tallon had heard those words from his mother and Uncle Richie many times over the years.

He exhaled slowly. "Very well. Let us make haste. Just know that if Ben or Fann come to harm, I shall hold you personally responsible."

Eri wiped the sweat from his brow with a square cloth. "Fann is no ordinary beast. Let us pray his captors have the wits to see this."

Neither man had more to say, and the party rolled on in silence. Sprout nested in Tallon's hair, while Scamp flew overhead. Even Starlight seemed aware of the need for speed, and pulled the wagon with steady determination.

~*~

As the sun set, they left the forestlands and emerged on the fertile plain. Rolling hills stood in long rows to the west and east, marching shoulder to shoulder and in rising ranks, with a broad, level valley stretching between. North of the center stood a high, lonely hill on which the ancient Ardenians had built their capital of Ardensfall.

The city was a wonder to behold. A magnificent palace with high walls and many towering spires occupied the top, while the rest of the city fell away like the sloping folds of a royal bride's skirts. The best and largest houses sat nearest the top, while the lower parts blended with the humble farmlands of the plain.

The rough track they'd been following joined with a well-maintained road, and Starlight's head hung low with weary relief as the wheels rolled easily over well-worn stone. Dusk descended; frogs sang from the ponds and streams that crisscrossed the plain, bats swooped low against a darkening sky, and a soft breeze stirred the dry grass growing tall in the fallow fields. It would be pleasant, if not for the swarms of biting gnats and the urgent mission on their minds.