Spirit Fire - Amos

Chapter 21 - Run and Go Seek

At early dawn, we were awoken abruptly to a loud whoosh and thump nearby. 

I scrambled to my feat and quickly drew my dagger, which proved useless when I saw Vitalli standing between me and Icarus, face cross.

"What were you thinking?" his face darkened.

"I . . . I guess I— "

"Wasn't, yes, I know!" he barked then trudged away to Icarus and ran his hand over his face then sat down on the ground. Icarus huffed deeply and stared at us with one large eye, a cloud of black smoke rolled out from his nostrils and into the air.

"I am dearly sorry for behaving like this, but I must find my father!"

Ready? I asked and Eldon agreed without moving.

"What do you— "

As quick as I could, I hopped up on to Eldon and he took off with one large movement, taking to the sky immediately. But for some strange reason, Vitalli stayed behind. Instead, he jabbed into my mind and immobilized me.

Eldon help! I cried, but there was no answer.

There was a voice, Vitalli's voice, that answered instead. If I couldn't stop you the first time, I wont even try the second time, so listen. Don't go out and make a fool of yourself, be careful. When talking to people, conceal your identity. That is all. I'll leave you with that. 

His mind exited mine and Eldon's soon joined shortly after.

What happened? I couldn't speak with you!

Nor you I, Eldon responded calmly. 

Let's just continue along and find out what happened to my father!

Later we doubled back and to the carriage to confirm that there was nothing left of the carriage. I saw a slight outline of a trap door in the floor and reachedover and fingered for a handle. When I felt one, I tuggedand the door budged open to reveal a sword. 

From what I saw, it was a hand-and-a-half sword the length of my arm and the crossguard was symmetrical and looked like the sides of a silver crown. The blade was covered by a wide, black, hardened leather sheath with metal on the tip and rim of the sheath. I pulled out the sword and gaped at its brilliance. The flawless, silver sword gleamed brightly in the sun. The double curved blade glowed like moonlight and the grains fanned outward to the edges.

"It's amazing!" I gasped. When I held it out to my side it felt like an extension of my arm and was surprisingly lighter than I thought it would be. Immediately I sheathed it and strapped it to my belt on my left. "Alright, let's go!"

Along our journey to finding Father, Eldon and I discussed how we could track him down, that is, if he is still alive. There were no signs of him being killed, just deep gouge marks in the ground and pieces ripped of the carriage. The first place we thought to go was a small town just a bit more up the road. Eldon landed and hid in the woods while I disguised myself with a hooded blue cape.

Now where could he have gone, I surveyed the area. Aha! The tavern. I ran but quickly slowed down because of the people watching. When I entered the tavern doors, the sound of the crowd within erupted and overwhelmed anything else. There were people sitting all around, chatting and laughing boisterously. I quickly tried to blend in and approached the counter and tavern keeper.

The shaggy man was polishing a mug and stared at me with one bloodshot eye and then went back to his polishing. He wore old clothes and a worn-out apron stained with brown and red stains.

"Can I help you?" he croaked without looking up.

"Y-yes, I need to know if you've seen someone passing through here about a day or two ago. He's a merchant and traveler. Goes by the name of Cedric. Have you seen him?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm a thinkin'" he tapped his head. "Maybe, but m'brain ain't workin' so well, y'know what I'm sayin'?"

He wants a bribe! "Alright . . . will this help?" I slapped down a copper and he snatched it up with one swift movement.

"Thank'ya very much. Yes, th' guy did come through here, he was quite in a rush and didn't talk much."

"Thank you. Is there anything else?"

He seemed confused this time, like he just forgot something. "Not that I'm aware of" he scratched his head. "But he did rest at the inn 'cross the road. Yeah, Monty's. Ask him about anything else 'cus I don't remember anymore, OK?"

"Yes, thank you again." The man winked at me and I left the tavern and crossed the road.

The inn was a bit nicer. Cleaner for sure. It was two stories and about four rooms wide on each side. In the main hall, the walls were red with gold tapestries and in the middle of two curved staircases was a desk, occupied by a richly clothed woman. She wore a red blouse and was reading with small glasses on her sour, plum-looking face and sipped wine tenderly; her small finger pointing up like a small flagpole. When I approached, she straightened her back and scowled.

"What?" she said sharply.

"I was wondering if I could talk to the owner of this inn. Could you tell me where I could find him? I really need to talk about something with him, it's really important."

"He's not in right now!" she barked in return.

"Well, when will he return?" I continued but she seemed to get even more frustrated.

"Fine, but just this time!" she tapped the desk vigorously. "Monty! Someone is here to speak with you!" she shouted behind her. Footsteps soon followed a minute later with a normally clothed man that walked out from behind her.

"Hello," he said kindly with a large grin. "You need to talk with me?"

"Yes, I need to know about the man that came through here a couple of days ago, his name was Cedric. He came through here in a rush I heard. Could you tell me anything about him?"

"What's it to you?" he spat. "I don't need to tell you anything."

"Whoa! I just asked if you knew anything, that's all." I back stepped a little.

"All I know is that he had something important to do and get there quickly." He threw his arms up.

"Could you tell me where?"

"I guess . . ." he sighed. "The man you're talking about, Cedric, as you said, was trying to get to the capital city and to the castle. He said he had important business to take care of with the king. His next stop is Gladden, then Nerona, the capital if you didn't know."

"Thank you very much, I appreciate it." And with that, I left quickly.

"Safe travels!" I heard behind me as a ran through the streets to the edge of the town where I soon met Eldon.

Hello again, he said cheerfully in my head as I hugged his neck. His shoulders were almost up to mine and his head craned over me.

I have a lead. He's going to the capital city but first he's making a stop at Gladden.

What's Gladden? He inclined his head.

It's not what, but where. Gladden is a small town north-east of here, near the edges of a forest. It's not too far but still a little lengthy. I smiled and looked up into Eldon's deep, glowing ruby coloured eyes. It almost looked as if there was fire behind the glistening red rings.

"Then let us begin!" he boomed. I hopped on and he took flight, climbing up and gaining altitude dramatically.