6.17.2014
A small update. My summer vacation is still going on but there are new chapters in the making :D
Just finished chapter 12 and it's one of my favorites this far! But you'll have to wait. There are some stuff I wan't to edit in some of the latest chapters. I'll tell you when that happens.
I just wanted to say this so you wont be sad and think I'm not doing anything. Have a nice summer and see you in autumn! (These kinds of updates might occur during summer.)
5.19.2014
There has been way to much going on these past couple of months, I haven't found the time or energy to write and I'm sorry for that. So now Birdsong is officially on Summer Vacation. But when autumn comes I promise there will be new chapters!
I also think about editing the old chapters as well. The story I imagine has started spinning in two different directions so I've got some stuff to figure out. But I will tell you if changes comes. Hopefully you've liked what you've read this far :)
Isis
5/19/2014
3/26/2014
Birdsong - Chapter 11
"...old friend of mine, treasure hunter Matthew Monasson."
Matt looked up, ignoring the pain in his stomach. Friend? Sure. The last time I was here you tried to chop my head off. High Lord Matthew looked at him with those grey eyes. He hadn't changed much over the last ten years. A few more lines in his face was all.
"All of you know of the draught in the South", the High Lord continued, "and the seers have told us disturbing things. It will spread north."
The High Lord looked around at the men at the table. Some had the look of concern, others that of disbelief. A few even seemed to think it was some sort of joke. His eyes lingered at the only woman present. Her face didn't show any emotions and she met his eyes without hesitation. Matt wondered who she was.
"Nicolas."
Nicolas? Of Sundale?
The old man came forth once again, this time carrying pile of scrolls. He laid them on the table, picked one and opened it. It was a map over the Eastern Shore and half of the Mainland. He put weights on the corners to keep it flat and then opened a second. This showed the rest of the Mainland and then in the West a great forest and the beginning of a mountain range. When this map also was under weights the old man, Nicolas, stepped back again.
The High Lord looked at the maps for a moment. Then he begun to speak again.
"As you can see, there are a lot of smaller towns and farmlands in the south of the Mainland, and when the draught takes their land they will move. And they will go north. This brings two major issues. First, tens of thousands of people will be coming to the larger cities, without jobs or homes. Of course many will die. Some will manage to create a new life within the city. But the rest? They will become criminals. And as the draught draws north the people will move again and again. Our own cities will become home to millions of refugees.
"This brings me to the second problem, food. If we take it on us we might have to feed these millions. This will ruin our cities. And as the fields and farms are abandoned the food supply will vanish. Our world will fall."
They all stayed silent for a few second, and then everybody started talking at once. Matt felt uncomfortable.
Why am I here? What could I possibly do about a drought?
He felt some one watching him. He looked around. The woman met his eyes. She seemed oblivious to the arguments and speculations going on around her. Who are you? He was the first to break their eye contact.
The High Lord was whispering to Nicolas. The old man nodded and gave a short answer. Then he listened again with a flick of the High Lord's finger he stepped back and walked back in to the shadows. Matt followed him with his eyes and saw him disappear trough a second door in the room.
I want to know what's going on! Nervous and irritated crossed his arms. Everyone here is a noble and not one of them seems to understand what I'm doing here. What is Matthew planning? He's powerful enough to make decisions for himself. That means this has to be big. Something that will have consequences beyond the borders of the Eastern Shore... Well, the drought of course will. But if he just wanted to tell these men about that, why bring me? There is to much I don't know. What...
Matt's thoughts were interrupted as Nicolas re-entered the room and put down an old book in front of the High Lord. Everybody went silent. Carefully the old man opened it and turned page after page. When he finally found the page he was searching for he looked at the High Lord and received a nod back. He looked up at all the men (and the woman) in the room and spoke.
"There is a solution to this threat." His voice was soft and old but there was an undertone of strength in it. "All of you have heard the stories of the elves, living in the West. Their forests have always been green and growing. Long we thought the elves themselves did this with their magic, but for quite some time now we've been looking into this. And it was as we suspected. Their magic alone couldn't possibly take care of their vast forest.
"We searched long for the other source, and we've found it. This book tales stories told by the first men, and one of them is our answer. Of course we have more sources and been investigating this trough and trough so there is no need for doubt, but this is where it started."
Nicolas looked down at the text in the book.
"With the words of Jonatan Seafarer; 'And the bird sung, its song visible as threads of light. We all stood still and watched. The song wasn't of this world. And as it reached the grass, the flowers, the bushes and trees, everything came to life.' And that is the answer to our problem."
Nicolas stepped back and the High Lord spoke. "And this is why we need our guest." His smile at Matt was cold. "You have to find this bird and bring it to us."
Matt looked at him as if he was crazy, then realized what he did and shook his head.
"I'm a treasure hunter, I don't find animals."
"Oh, don't think of it as an animal. It's a treasure that can move on its own, that's all."
Matt felt uncomfortable. I don't have a choice. I'm as good as dead if I don't take it. He sighed.
"Very well. I'll do it."
The High Lord smiled. "You'll be richly rewarded." Then he nodded to the guards and Matt heard them leave their post at the entrance. One laid a hand on his shoulder and Matt stood up.
"I thank you, my Lord", he said and bowed.
As the door slammed shut behind him he heard the discussion continue. I hate this.
Matt looked up, ignoring the pain in his stomach. Friend? Sure. The last time I was here you tried to chop my head off. High Lord Matthew looked at him with those grey eyes. He hadn't changed much over the last ten years. A few more lines in his face was all.
"All of you know of the draught in the South", the High Lord continued, "and the seers have told us disturbing things. It will spread north."
The High Lord looked around at the men at the table. Some had the look of concern, others that of disbelief. A few even seemed to think it was some sort of joke. His eyes lingered at the only woman present. Her face didn't show any emotions and she met his eyes without hesitation. Matt wondered who she was.
"Nicolas."
Nicolas? Of Sundale?
The old man came forth once again, this time carrying pile of scrolls. He laid them on the table, picked one and opened it. It was a map over the Eastern Shore and half of the Mainland. He put weights on the corners to keep it flat and then opened a second. This showed the rest of the Mainland and then in the West a great forest and the beginning of a mountain range. When this map also was under weights the old man, Nicolas, stepped back again.
The High Lord looked at the maps for a moment. Then he begun to speak again.
"As you can see, there are a lot of smaller towns and farmlands in the south of the Mainland, and when the draught takes their land they will move. And they will go north. This brings two major issues. First, tens of thousands of people will be coming to the larger cities, without jobs or homes. Of course many will die. Some will manage to create a new life within the city. But the rest? They will become criminals. And as the draught draws north the people will move again and again. Our own cities will become home to millions of refugees.
"This brings me to the second problem, food. If we take it on us we might have to feed these millions. This will ruin our cities. And as the fields and farms are abandoned the food supply will vanish. Our world will fall."
They all stayed silent for a few second, and then everybody started talking at once. Matt felt uncomfortable.
Why am I here? What could I possibly do about a drought?
He felt some one watching him. He looked around. The woman met his eyes. She seemed oblivious to the arguments and speculations going on around her. Who are you? He was the first to break their eye contact.
The High Lord was whispering to Nicolas. The old man nodded and gave a short answer. Then he listened again with a flick of the High Lord's finger he stepped back and walked back in to the shadows. Matt followed him with his eyes and saw him disappear trough a second door in the room.
I want to know what's going on! Nervous and irritated crossed his arms. Everyone here is a noble and not one of them seems to understand what I'm doing here. What is Matthew planning? He's powerful enough to make decisions for himself. That means this has to be big. Something that will have consequences beyond the borders of the Eastern Shore... Well, the drought of course will. But if he just wanted to tell these men about that, why bring me? There is to much I don't know. What...
Matt's thoughts were interrupted as Nicolas re-entered the room and put down an old book in front of the High Lord. Everybody went silent. Carefully the old man opened it and turned page after page. When he finally found the page he was searching for he looked at the High Lord and received a nod back. He looked up at all the men (and the woman) in the room and spoke.
"There is a solution to this threat." His voice was soft and old but there was an undertone of strength in it. "All of you have heard the stories of the elves, living in the West. Their forests have always been green and growing. Long we thought the elves themselves did this with their magic, but for quite some time now we've been looking into this. And it was as we suspected. Their magic alone couldn't possibly take care of their vast forest.
"We searched long for the other source, and we've found it. This book tales stories told by the first men, and one of them is our answer. Of course we have more sources and been investigating this trough and trough so there is no need for doubt, but this is where it started."
Nicolas looked down at the text in the book.
"With the words of Jonatan Seafarer; 'And the bird sung, its song visible as threads of light. We all stood still and watched. The song wasn't of this world. And as it reached the grass, the flowers, the bushes and trees, everything came to life.' And that is the answer to our problem."
Nicolas stepped back and the High Lord spoke. "And this is why we need our guest." His smile at Matt was cold. "You have to find this bird and bring it to us."
Matt looked at him as if he was crazy, then realized what he did and shook his head.
"I'm a treasure hunter, I don't find animals."
"Oh, don't think of it as an animal. It's a treasure that can move on its own, that's all."
Matt felt uncomfortable. I don't have a choice. I'm as good as dead if I don't take it. He sighed.
"Very well. I'll do it."
The High Lord smiled. "You'll be richly rewarded." Then he nodded to the guards and Matt heard them leave their post at the entrance. One laid a hand on his shoulder and Matt stood up.
"I thank you, my Lord", he said and bowed.
As the door slammed shut behind him he heard the discussion continue. I hate this.
3/19/2014
Birdsong - Chapter 10
Julia wandered around in the castle. The afternoon sun was shining in trough the windows.
Did the spell work? I did everything... She thought back to two nights ago. Yes, I did everything right. I'm sure of it. But why is there no change? I should feel it already, shouldn't I? There are to many questions. Could the legends be wrong? No, we've researched them for to long not to be certain of the truth they tell.
The spell, I called all the seven powers. I did my sacrifice. Her fingers touched the unhealed wound on her hand. She sighed. There were nothing she could do at the moment. If there has been no change in two weeks I'll try again. My powers should be fully back by then.
Feeling pleased with the decision Julia looked around. She realized she was in the West Tower. She walked up the stairs to the tower room and from there out on the balcony. The view was stunning. Thu sun was setting, painting the whole world in warm colors. Before her the city beyond the castle walls spread out in all directions. She saw people walking along the streets, lights in windows where families had gathered. Dow below her she saw the guards changing shifts on the courtyard.
Slowly she started to walk along the railing. To the south fields and farms were visible. She continued walking. She saw the city harbor and then to the east she saw the sea. The blue waters spread out to the horizon on the other side of the castle. Between the castle and the sea were the gardens. They would stay green all year, thanks to High Lord Matthew's court magicians. Paths led trough the gardens to the castle pier, where Swan Ships and Sunday Boats lay. It was cold on this side of the tower. She walked out of the shadow and looked north.
The North. Somewhere beyond those fields and forests her homeland lay. The land of wolves and snow, midnight sun in summer and burning skies in winter. The wild and the civilization lived in harmony and it was a land where she could trust people and be herself without judgement. It was her home.
For many minutes Julia stood there, looking north, as the sun set lower. When the last light disappeared she finally moved. She walked back to the door, and felt something. There was power near by. What's here? She looked over the city one last time and went in. Back inside the tower the feeling begun to fade. What was that? And that amount of power... She hurried down the stairs and when she reached the last few steps the feeling was gone. A bit confused she made her way back to her room.
Ella was waiting for her when she stepped trough the door.
"My lady, I've been searching for you for almost an hour! You've got to hurry! The mystery guest has arrived and there will be a meeting any minute now. As the only representative of the North here at the moment you've been asked to participate."
"What?"
"Hurry now, they're gathering in the second meeting chamber."
"Okay, show the way."
What is this? It must be important. I've been here for over a month already and not once been asked to attend a meeting. Why now? Who is this mystery guest?
Not long after they'd left her room she was seated at a table, the only woman among twenty men. She recognized every single one of them. There were the highest nobles of the city, representatives of the three main cities in the South and of the five in the Main Land. The High Lord's chair was
empty but all of his advisers were there. She felt the magical aura from two men at the far en of the table and saw a purple glow in their eyes. People whispered questions and theories to each other about this meeting's topic. Doesn't anybody know what's going on?
She looked over the room once again. Nothing new. She had already noticed everything. The two magicians sat still, not talking to anybody, and when the door opened and everybody turned in their seats to see who came in, they didn't even react. Julia shuddered and turned to look at the man shown into the room.
He had brown hair and was dressed in well worn clothes. He wasn't especially tall, maybe just a little taller than her. The way he walked showed he'd been walking for a long time and wanted to rest. He also moved like a man in pain. Who is this man? For sure he's not a noble.
The man was shown to an empty seat where everybody could see him clearly. Then they all waited in silence. The minutes crept by. Then the door opened again and two servant boys, one carrying fruit and a vine carafe and the other a pillow and a mantle, stepped in. They went straight for the High Lords seat and the first boy put the fruit on the table and poured vine into a goblet. The second boy put the pillow on the seat and draped the mantel over its back. As they did that an older man stepped in.
"Please raise and show your respect, High Lord Matthew of the Eastern Shore."
Everybody rose from their seats and the man stepped aside. In came a tall, blond man in his forties. He was dressed like a knight and wore a long sword at his hip. He eyed the room with his grey eyes as he walked towards his seat. Julia felt a shiver going down her spine as his eyes swept over her. This was a man who knew that true power wasn't something you could inherit. He was the fifth High Lord of his family to rule the Eastern Shore, and by far the greatest and most feared.
He seated himself and after a few seconds the rest of the room followed his example. Nobody said anything. A few moments of silence went by as the High Lord watched everybody's face. He did a small movement with his finger and the old man who had presented him went to his side.
"Devan?" His voice was deep and calm.
"Nowhere to be found."
A nod and the old man took a step back. The High Lord looked over the room once again.
"You probably wonder why you're here." He smiled, but it wasn't friendly. "Let me introduce you to my guest. He's travelled far to make it here in time. He's an old friend of mine, treasure hunter Matthew Monasson."
The stranger looked up. His green eyes met the High Lord's grey ones.
Friends? That's pushing reality. But Matthew Monasson, I've heard that name before. And he's a treasure hunter? That means we've been right! The Eastern Shore has made plans, and I need to stop them.
Did the spell work? I did everything... She thought back to two nights ago. Yes, I did everything right. I'm sure of it. But why is there no change? I should feel it already, shouldn't I? There are to many questions. Could the legends be wrong? No, we've researched them for to long not to be certain of the truth they tell.
The spell, I called all the seven powers. I did my sacrifice. Her fingers touched the unhealed wound on her hand. She sighed. There were nothing she could do at the moment. If there has been no change in two weeks I'll try again. My powers should be fully back by then.
Feeling pleased with the decision Julia looked around. She realized she was in the West Tower. She walked up the stairs to the tower room and from there out on the balcony. The view was stunning. Thu sun was setting, painting the whole world in warm colors. Before her the city beyond the castle walls spread out in all directions. She saw people walking along the streets, lights in windows where families had gathered. Dow below her she saw the guards changing shifts on the courtyard.
Slowly she started to walk along the railing. To the south fields and farms were visible. She continued walking. She saw the city harbor and then to the east she saw the sea. The blue waters spread out to the horizon on the other side of the castle. Between the castle and the sea were the gardens. They would stay green all year, thanks to High Lord Matthew's court magicians. Paths led trough the gardens to the castle pier, where Swan Ships and Sunday Boats lay. It was cold on this side of the tower. She walked out of the shadow and looked north.
The North. Somewhere beyond those fields and forests her homeland lay. The land of wolves and snow, midnight sun in summer and burning skies in winter. The wild and the civilization lived in harmony and it was a land where she could trust people and be herself without judgement. It was her home.
For many minutes Julia stood there, looking north, as the sun set lower. When the last light disappeared she finally moved. She walked back to the door, and felt something. There was power near by. What's here? She looked over the city one last time and went in. Back inside the tower the feeling begun to fade. What was that? And that amount of power... She hurried down the stairs and when she reached the last few steps the feeling was gone. A bit confused she made her way back to her room.
Ella was waiting for her when she stepped trough the door.
"My lady, I've been searching for you for almost an hour! You've got to hurry! The mystery guest has arrived and there will be a meeting any minute now. As the only representative of the North here at the moment you've been asked to participate."
"What?"
"Hurry now, they're gathering in the second meeting chamber."
"Okay, show the way."
What is this? It must be important. I've been here for over a month already and not once been asked to attend a meeting. Why now? Who is this mystery guest?
Not long after they'd left her room she was seated at a table, the only woman among twenty men. She recognized every single one of them. There were the highest nobles of the city, representatives of the three main cities in the South and of the five in the Main Land. The High Lord's chair was
empty but all of his advisers were there. She felt the magical aura from two men at the far en of the table and saw a purple glow in their eyes. People whispered questions and theories to each other about this meeting's topic. Doesn't anybody know what's going on?
She looked over the room once again. Nothing new. She had already noticed everything. The two magicians sat still, not talking to anybody, and when the door opened and everybody turned in their seats to see who came in, they didn't even react. Julia shuddered and turned to look at the man shown into the room.
He had brown hair and was dressed in well worn clothes. He wasn't especially tall, maybe just a little taller than her. The way he walked showed he'd been walking for a long time and wanted to rest. He also moved like a man in pain. Who is this man? For sure he's not a noble.
The man was shown to an empty seat where everybody could see him clearly. Then they all waited in silence. The minutes crept by. Then the door opened again and two servant boys, one carrying fruit and a vine carafe and the other a pillow and a mantle, stepped in. They went straight for the High Lords seat and the first boy put the fruit on the table and poured vine into a goblet. The second boy put the pillow on the seat and draped the mantel over its back. As they did that an older man stepped in.
"Please raise and show your respect, High Lord Matthew of the Eastern Shore."
Everybody rose from their seats and the man stepped aside. In came a tall, blond man in his forties. He was dressed like a knight and wore a long sword at his hip. He eyed the room with his grey eyes as he walked towards his seat. Julia felt a shiver going down her spine as his eyes swept over her. This was a man who knew that true power wasn't something you could inherit. He was the fifth High Lord of his family to rule the Eastern Shore, and by far the greatest and most feared.
He seated himself and after a few seconds the rest of the room followed his example. Nobody said anything. A few moments of silence went by as the High Lord watched everybody's face. He did a small movement with his finger and the old man who had presented him went to his side.
"Devan?" His voice was deep and calm.
"Nowhere to be found."
A nod and the old man took a step back. The High Lord looked over the room once again.
"You probably wonder why you're here." He smiled, but it wasn't friendly. "Let me introduce you to my guest. He's travelled far to make it here in time. He's an old friend of mine, treasure hunter Matthew Monasson."
The stranger looked up. His green eyes met the High Lord's grey ones.
Friends? That's pushing reality. But Matthew Monasson, I've heard that name before. And he's a treasure hunter? That means we've been right! The Eastern Shore has made plans, and I need to stop them.
3/12/2014
Birdsong - Chapter 9
They'd been running and climbing over rooftops for an hour when the girl finally stopped. Matt sat himself down. His heart was still beating fast and his stomach ached. The girl smiled at him.
"You look stronger than you are", she commented. "So tell me, why did he want to kill you? I hope your important, because you owe me your life." She winked at him.
Is this girl serious? Or is she just kidding around... "I'm not a fighter..."
"Hahaha! I could see that." She sat down opposite him and started to take care of her wounds. "I could take care of yours too if you like, but I don’t think it's needed. Anyhow, I wouldn’t do it until you told me your story."
She smiled at him again but there was steel in her eyes. One of her knives lay beside her.
What should I tell her? "As I said I'm not a fighter, I'm a treasure hunter." He paused. How would he continue?
"So you're on the search for or have already found something of value?"
"Yes."
"You're not much for giving answers, are you? You know that I could hand you over to the guards? So you better start talking, or I'll stop being nice." The smile never left her face. "First things first, you're a treasure hunter and you almost got killed for the knowledge of an item. Do you have this item?"
"No."
"Where is it?"
"You want me to tell you that? I almost got killed just so I wouldn't tell anybody!"
"Relax! Sorry for the question. What's your story with that item?"
"It was a job. Find it and deliver it."
"You mean find it, steal it and deliver it?"
"Yes." She's sharp! I have to be careful not with her until I know if I can trust her... She saved my life... Who IS she?
"So what are you doing now?"
"Traveling."
"Where to?"
"None of your business."
"Hahaha! If you want to make it to wherever you're going it is my business."
Matt frowned. He didn't like this. Velcan at least hadn't asked loads of questions. Velcan...Matt felt guilty. Where was that lost creature? Had the black clothed man reached him before he tried to kill Matt? After the meeting with High Lord Matthew I'll go search for him. He's probably wandering around and failing to steal food.
A hand waved before his eyes.
"Back now? I asked you where you're going."
He felt he didn't have much of a choice. "The castle."
He saw the girl's jaw drop. She hadn't expected that. Matt smiled inside, but when then her expression changed. She jumped up and laughed.
"This has to be my lucky day!"
This isn't good...
"I've always wanted to visit a castle, and now I've got a chance to visit the greatest one!" She danced around and suddenly grabbed Matts arms and pulled him up to dance with her. He tried to protest but she didn't listen.
When she let go of him she did it without notice and he almost tumbled of the roof.
"We can reach the castle tonight if we start now. Oh this is going to be amazing! I can be your bodyguard! Do treasure hunters have bodyguards? You might as well if you're good enough to be hired by some lord of the Eastern Shore. You'd have to pay me, of course, but..."
"Hold on a second! You're not coming with me. I can't take care of a chil..."
"Don't you dare call med 'child'! And you don't have to take care of me (you can't even take care of yourself). Anyway, you owe me."
Shit. "But if anyone askes, you're my apprentice."
"Okay! Let's go!"
~
The rest of the day they walked (on the ground). The girl talked continuously about everything. Sometimes she asked questions but mostly it was stories of this city. Gossip about people he'd never heard of, both common and noble. She told legends, history and prophecies. When evening was starting to get closer she told stories of the sea, stories seafarers brought with them of lands of wonder.
"...cities of men twice my size. They say even the tallest man feel like a dwarf there. But..."
"What's your name?"
"My name?" She hesitated for a moment. "You can call me Selma."
"Just Selma?"
"Just Selma."
Is she hiding something? They walked in silence for half an hour. The girl, Selma, kept her head down. Matt felt the pressure to say something. Anything. He opened his mouth but no words came out. Feeling lost and uncomfortable he shut it again.
"Who are you and what are you business at the castle?"
Matt looked and saw four guards blocking the way. They had reached the castle walls.
"I have a letter, from High Lord Matthew." Matt gave him the letter he'd received. The guard looked suspiciously at it and then gave it back. "How do I know it's not a fake?"
Matt sighed. The guard obviously couldn't read. "I'm awaited. If you won't let me seek audience with the Lord you'll be in serious trouble."
The guard mumbled something but stepped aside. Matt and Selma walked trough the gate. On the courtyard a servant came to meet them. He seemed to know who Matt was and, after a wondering look at Selma, led the way into the castle.
They walked down corridors and up many stairs. Finally they reached a door that led in to a bedchamber.
"Tonight is the 21st day of the fourth moon and I understand you've travelled far but before you rest I'm to ask you to wash and then you are to meet the High Lord."
Matt nodded. "I'll take this room. Please show my apprentice to her room."
"I'm sorry, but we didn't know you had company", the servant said, "we've only prepared one room."
Matt looked at him. The servant didn't meet his eyes and obviously didn’t know what to do.
"Then you better find her a room."
"Yes... my lord."
The servant disappeared trough the door with Selma following. She smiled at Matt one last time and before the door shut he heard her asking question after question about the castle. Finally alone he relaxed and looked around the room. It wasn't huge, but everything reeked of money. He put down his bag on the bed and found a bowl of water. He washed his face and most of the travel dust from his hair. Then he changed clothes to some a bit more clean, took the letter, sat down and waited. The minutes passed by. I hope Selma is okay.
There was a knock on the door and the voice of the servant reached him.
"My lord. If you're done I'll show you to the meeting chambers."
Matt stood up. Now it was time to find out foR sure what it was High Lord Matthew wanted of him. The pentagram box and a travel to the far west. I wish I could decline...
"I'm ready."
"You look stronger than you are", she commented. "So tell me, why did he want to kill you? I hope your important, because you owe me your life." She winked at him.
Is this girl serious? Or is she just kidding around... "I'm not a fighter..."
"Hahaha! I could see that." She sat down opposite him and started to take care of her wounds. "I could take care of yours too if you like, but I don’t think it's needed. Anyhow, I wouldn’t do it until you told me your story."
She smiled at him again but there was steel in her eyes. One of her knives lay beside her.
What should I tell her? "As I said I'm not a fighter, I'm a treasure hunter." He paused. How would he continue?
"So you're on the search for or have already found something of value?"
"Yes."
"You're not much for giving answers, are you? You know that I could hand you over to the guards? So you better start talking, or I'll stop being nice." The smile never left her face. "First things first, you're a treasure hunter and you almost got killed for the knowledge of an item. Do you have this item?"
"No."
"Where is it?"
"You want me to tell you that? I almost got killed just so I wouldn't tell anybody!"
"Relax! Sorry for the question. What's your story with that item?"
"It was a job. Find it and deliver it."
"You mean find it, steal it and deliver it?"
"Yes." She's sharp! I have to be careful not with her until I know if I can trust her... She saved my life... Who IS she?
"So what are you doing now?"
"Traveling."
"Where to?"
"None of your business."
"Hahaha! If you want to make it to wherever you're going it is my business."
Matt frowned. He didn't like this. Velcan at least hadn't asked loads of questions. Velcan...Matt felt guilty. Where was that lost creature? Had the black clothed man reached him before he tried to kill Matt? After the meeting with High Lord Matthew I'll go search for him. He's probably wandering around and failing to steal food.
A hand waved before his eyes.
"Back now? I asked you where you're going."
He felt he didn't have much of a choice. "The castle."
He saw the girl's jaw drop. She hadn't expected that. Matt smiled inside, but when then her expression changed. She jumped up and laughed.
"This has to be my lucky day!"
This isn't good...
"I've always wanted to visit a castle, and now I've got a chance to visit the greatest one!" She danced around and suddenly grabbed Matts arms and pulled him up to dance with her. He tried to protest but she didn't listen.
When she let go of him she did it without notice and he almost tumbled of the roof.
"We can reach the castle tonight if we start now. Oh this is going to be amazing! I can be your bodyguard! Do treasure hunters have bodyguards? You might as well if you're good enough to be hired by some lord of the Eastern Shore. You'd have to pay me, of course, but..."
"Hold on a second! You're not coming with me. I can't take care of a chil..."
"Don't you dare call med 'child'! And you don't have to take care of me (you can't even take care of yourself). Anyway, you owe me."
Shit. "But if anyone askes, you're my apprentice."
"Okay! Let's go!"
~
The rest of the day they walked (on the ground). The girl talked continuously about everything. Sometimes she asked questions but mostly it was stories of this city. Gossip about people he'd never heard of, both common and noble. She told legends, history and prophecies. When evening was starting to get closer she told stories of the sea, stories seafarers brought with them of lands of wonder.
"...cities of men twice my size. They say even the tallest man feel like a dwarf there. But..."
"What's your name?"
"My name?" She hesitated for a moment. "You can call me Selma."
"Just Selma?"
"Just Selma."
Is she hiding something? They walked in silence for half an hour. The girl, Selma, kept her head down. Matt felt the pressure to say something. Anything. He opened his mouth but no words came out. Feeling lost and uncomfortable he shut it again.
"Who are you and what are you business at the castle?"
Matt looked and saw four guards blocking the way. They had reached the castle walls.
"I have a letter, from High Lord Matthew." Matt gave him the letter he'd received. The guard looked suspiciously at it and then gave it back. "How do I know it's not a fake?"
Matt sighed. The guard obviously couldn't read. "I'm awaited. If you won't let me seek audience with the Lord you'll be in serious trouble."
The guard mumbled something but stepped aside. Matt and Selma walked trough the gate. On the courtyard a servant came to meet them. He seemed to know who Matt was and, after a wondering look at Selma, led the way into the castle.
They walked down corridors and up many stairs. Finally they reached a door that led in to a bedchamber.
"Tonight is the 21st day of the fourth moon and I understand you've travelled far but before you rest I'm to ask you to wash and then you are to meet the High Lord."
Matt nodded. "I'll take this room. Please show my apprentice to her room."
"I'm sorry, but we didn't know you had company", the servant said, "we've only prepared one room."
Matt looked at him. The servant didn't meet his eyes and obviously didn’t know what to do.
"Then you better find her a room."
"Yes... my lord."
The servant disappeared trough the door with Selma following. She smiled at Matt one last time and before the door shut he heard her asking question after question about the castle. Finally alone he relaxed and looked around the room. It wasn't huge, but everything reeked of money. He put down his bag on the bed and found a bowl of water. He washed his face and most of the travel dust from his hair. Then he changed clothes to some a bit more clean, took the letter, sat down and waited. The minutes passed by. I hope Selma is okay.
There was a knock on the door and the voice of the servant reached him.
"My lord. If you're done I'll show you to the meeting chambers."
Matt stood up. Now it was time to find out foR sure what it was High Lord Matthew wanted of him. The pentagram box and a travel to the far west. I wish I could decline...
"I'm ready."
3/05/2014
Birdsong - Chapter 8
"Spirits of the North and South, East and West, hear my call! Spirits of the skies and you of the underworld, hear my call!"
Julia threw the powder up above her head. It hung there for a moment before it spread out in every direction and fell back onto the floor, forming a seven-pointed star, with her in the middle. Six of the points burned in purple flames. The seventh still waited for its call.
She drew her breath and then started to sing in a low voice. It was the ancient language of the north. It sounded hard and strong.
For minutes and minutes she stood there, singing. When the song finally neared its end she draw a knife. She closed her eyes, held her left hand out in front of her, the palm facing the ceiling. The song ended suddenly and the silence was complete.
She carefully lifted the knife and pressed it lightly against the palm of her outstretched hand. A few drops of blood became visible.
"Take this my sacrifice.
Blood to give you strength.
Dragons of old,
I give your souls fuel,
I give you my strength.
With this my sacrifice,
Come forth to give me strength!"
With the last word she cut open her hand. Blood welled forth but didn't fall to the floor. Instead it floated through the air towards the seventh of the star's points. The one without a flame. The point started to shine as the blood reached it. Julia opened her eyes.
The six purple fires burned brighter for each second. Their flames begun to spread out along lines of powder. The seventh peak shone brighter and brighter and then suddenly a black fire burst out. The seven peaks of the star now burnt. Julia's purple eyes shone not only with magic but with satisfaction. From her hand blood slowly dropped to the floor. Her dark hair floated like a dark halo around her head. If anyone had seen her at this moment they would have thought her the Queen of Demons.
From all of the fires smoke begun to move towards her. It surrounded her and lifted her into the air. A globe of purple and black smoke strings held her. It became heavy to breath. Smoke filled her nose and mouth.
I can't fail! I did everything right! Everything! I'm sure of it.
She went over the process of the spell again.
I can't fail. I can't...
When Julia woke up the hall was dark, but her eyes still shone of the magic. On the floor the black remnants of the star were visible.
I have to go back.
The exhaustion was overwhelming. Her legs shook as she stood up. Slowly she walked forward, concentrating on every step. After what felt like eternity she reached the stairs. There she took support of the wall, deciding not to rest. Up through the darkness she went. Step by step. Further and further. Minute after minute.
When she finally reached the entrance hall she collapsed. She let all of the magic go and her eyes stopped shining. Dawn hadn't come yet and everything was silent. After e while, when she felt she had gotten back some strength she continued her journey towards her sleeping chambers. Nowhere were there guards to be seen or heard. Thanks to the Goddess.
When she finally reached her bed she didn't even bother to change. Fully dressed in a shirt, cape, trousers and boots, all in black or grey, she fell asleep.
The sun was shining in trough the window the next time Julia opened her eyes. Still feeling tired she rose up.
"My Lady..." Ella stood in the doorway looking rather shocked.
Damn! How am I going to explain this?
"Ella, listen..." but she was interrupted.
"I'm so glad you're back! Everybody has been worrying sick about you. It isn't good manners to just be gone for two days without leaving a note. You should have heard what people were saying. Terrible things." And on she went.
I've been gone for two days? This is no good... I have to come up with a story. Julia looked around the room. Nothing had changed. Then she looked down on herself. I've got to get out of this! A lady of court is never dressed like a man.
"...the newest of the kitchen boys even suggested that you'd been thrown in the dungeons. Ridiculous if you ask m..."
"Ella", Julia interrupted, "would you please fetch me some bath water?"
"Oh, yes my Lady."
When she was gone Julia took off her clothes and locked them away in a chest under her bed. She swept a towel around her and waited. Outside she saw the knights' training field. Bowmen were shooting arrows, there were swordplay and horseback riding. She looked at them all and smiled. If they only had a leader worth following.
Ella soon came back, followed by four girls carrying water. The bathtub was brought forth and filled. Julia smiled and let herself sink down in the water. There she spent quite a few minutes, just relaxing, before she let Ella wash her hair. They small talked for a bit and then went silent.
"There will be a special guest today", Ella said while helping Julia dress. "No one seems sure if he'll be coming or not but everybody is preparing. The Lord Matthew has made it clear that he is special and have come a far way. Some say he's a lord of the west, others of the south. Some even believe he's of the common folk. That last one I don't believe. Why would someone like our Lord make such a fuss over someone common?"
"He might be an important common?" Julia smiled.
"Then why haven't we heard his name? If you ask me I think it is someone of the other High Lords. Someone with a daughter. Young Lord Devan should have married already. I would have liked to... no. Now I'm overstepping my boundaries."
"Haha! What were you going to say?"
"I... I would have liked to see him marry you..."
"What..?" Julia was shocked.
"I mean, you're a lady from the north, unmarried, beautiful, kind... I think you would have been a good wife and a great Lady of the East... I'm sorry. I shouldn't talk like this."
"It's okay. I asked. Don't be afraid to tell me what you think." What was that? Me and Devan? Never. Julia shook her head and turned to look in the mirror. The dress was beautiful in green colours and gold embroideries and her hair was masterly done. I want to go back. This life isn't for me.
Julia threw the powder up above her head. It hung there for a moment before it spread out in every direction and fell back onto the floor, forming a seven-pointed star, with her in the middle. Six of the points burned in purple flames. The seventh still waited for its call.
She drew her breath and then started to sing in a low voice. It was the ancient language of the north. It sounded hard and strong.
For minutes and minutes she stood there, singing. When the song finally neared its end she draw a knife. She closed her eyes, held her left hand out in front of her, the palm facing the ceiling. The song ended suddenly and the silence was complete.
She carefully lifted the knife and pressed it lightly against the palm of her outstretched hand. A few drops of blood became visible.
"Take this my sacrifice.
Blood to give you strength.
Dragons of old,
I give your souls fuel,
I give you my strength.
With this my sacrifice,
Come forth to give me strength!"
With the last word she cut open her hand. Blood welled forth but didn't fall to the floor. Instead it floated through the air towards the seventh of the star's points. The one without a flame. The point started to shine as the blood reached it. Julia opened her eyes.
The six purple fires burned brighter for each second. Their flames begun to spread out along lines of powder. The seventh peak shone brighter and brighter and then suddenly a black fire burst out. The seven peaks of the star now burnt. Julia's purple eyes shone not only with magic but with satisfaction. From her hand blood slowly dropped to the floor. Her dark hair floated like a dark halo around her head. If anyone had seen her at this moment they would have thought her the Queen of Demons.
From all of the fires smoke begun to move towards her. It surrounded her and lifted her into the air. A globe of purple and black smoke strings held her. It became heavy to breath. Smoke filled her nose and mouth.
I can't fail! I did everything right! Everything! I'm sure of it.
She went over the process of the spell again.
I can't fail. I can't...
When Julia woke up the hall was dark, but her eyes still shone of the magic. On the floor the black remnants of the star were visible.
I have to go back.
The exhaustion was overwhelming. Her legs shook as she stood up. Slowly she walked forward, concentrating on every step. After what felt like eternity she reached the stairs. There she took support of the wall, deciding not to rest. Up through the darkness she went. Step by step. Further and further. Minute after minute.
When she finally reached the entrance hall she collapsed. She let all of the magic go and her eyes stopped shining. Dawn hadn't come yet and everything was silent. After e while, when she felt she had gotten back some strength she continued her journey towards her sleeping chambers. Nowhere were there guards to be seen or heard. Thanks to the Goddess.
When she finally reached her bed she didn't even bother to change. Fully dressed in a shirt, cape, trousers and boots, all in black or grey, she fell asleep.
The sun was shining in trough the window the next time Julia opened her eyes. Still feeling tired she rose up.
"My Lady..." Ella stood in the doorway looking rather shocked.
Damn! How am I going to explain this?
"Ella, listen..." but she was interrupted.
"I'm so glad you're back! Everybody has been worrying sick about you. It isn't good manners to just be gone for two days without leaving a note. You should have heard what people were saying. Terrible things." And on she went.
I've been gone for two days? This is no good... I have to come up with a story. Julia looked around the room. Nothing had changed. Then she looked down on herself. I've got to get out of this! A lady of court is never dressed like a man.
"...the newest of the kitchen boys even suggested that you'd been thrown in the dungeons. Ridiculous if you ask m..."
"Ella", Julia interrupted, "would you please fetch me some bath water?"
"Oh, yes my Lady."
When she was gone Julia took off her clothes and locked them away in a chest under her bed. She swept a towel around her and waited. Outside she saw the knights' training field. Bowmen were shooting arrows, there were swordplay and horseback riding. She looked at them all and smiled. If they only had a leader worth following.
Ella soon came back, followed by four girls carrying water. The bathtub was brought forth and filled. Julia smiled and let herself sink down in the water. There she spent quite a few minutes, just relaxing, before she let Ella wash her hair. They small talked for a bit and then went silent.
"There will be a special guest today", Ella said while helping Julia dress. "No one seems sure if he'll be coming or not but everybody is preparing. The Lord Matthew has made it clear that he is special and have come a far way. Some say he's a lord of the west, others of the south. Some even believe he's of the common folk. That last one I don't believe. Why would someone like our Lord make such a fuss over someone common?"
"He might be an important common?" Julia smiled.
"Then why haven't we heard his name? If you ask me I think it is someone of the other High Lords. Someone with a daughter. Young Lord Devan should have married already. I would have liked to... no. Now I'm overstepping my boundaries."
"Haha! What were you going to say?"
"I... I would have liked to see him marry you..."
"What..?" Julia was shocked.
"I mean, you're a lady from the north, unmarried, beautiful, kind... I think you would have been a good wife and a great Lady of the East... I'm sorry. I shouldn't talk like this."
"It's okay. I asked. Don't be afraid to tell me what you think." What was that? Me and Devan? Never. Julia shook her head and turned to look in the mirror. The dress was beautiful in green colours and gold embroideries and her hair was masterly done. I want to go back. This life isn't for me.
3/03/2014
Birdsong - Chapter 7
"Hiyaaaa!!"
Matt felt the knife scratch his throat and then heard how it fell to the ground. Somewhere behind him he heard the man swear. He tried to focus his eyes and saw blood on the ground.It's my blood. Someone laughed behind him. Matt turned.
At first he didn't understand what he was seeing. The tall man dressed in black was bleeding from several wounds and fighting with two long daggers. He swore each time he made a move towards his opponent. The opponent danced around him laughing, avoiding his knifes almost every time. As they fought and moved Matt suddenly caught a good glimpse of the person who had saved his life. He gasped. It was a girl.
She was short with a long white blond braid. She had e few cuts, no deep ones, but didn't seem to feel them. She spun around and jumped, blocked one of the tall man's daggers with one of her own, ducked under the other and slashed out at his legs. Once, twice she avoided his daggers and made cuts of her own. The third time she ducked Matt saw how a black clothed knee hit her hard in the face. She retreated a few steps and spit out some blood.
"That hurt", she said and gave the man a red smile. "And you," she turned to Matt, "you were pathetic. But..." She was abruptly cut off by the next attack. "Let's chat later."
Who is this girl? She can't be more than fifteen and with that amount of skill...
The fighting went on. However good the girl was she wasn't as strong or as experienced as the man. Before she had had the element of surprise on her side but now she was loosing her ground. Suddenly one of her daggers flew from her hand and she had fallen to the ground. The man was over her, pressing her to the ground. She desperately tried to make him incapable of using his knifes, but her struggle was doomed to fail.
She saved my life.
Matt saw how blood poured out from beneath his hands. Underneath him the man collapsed. The knife that had been against Matts throat has buried deep between the shoulder blades. Matt draw a deep breath. The sun warmed his neck. He heard voices but couldn't make out the words. One part of his brain was telling him to get away. The other, stronger part, didn't know what to do.
"I would love to be able to breath, so if you're not too busy doing nothing, get off."
Then Matt realized that the girl was under the dead man. He moved quickly and pushed the body away from her.
"Thanks", he said.
She was covered in blood, most of it not her own, but seemed to be in good shape.
"It was nothing. Any day. By the way, I think the guards are coming. Depending on their mood we could go to prison or be heroes of this part of town. I don't know about you but risking going to prison isn't something I can afford." She gave him a smile (which looked rather grotesque whit the blood covering half her face). "Run."
And then she was on her feet, leaving him behind. He looked around. The body lay in a pool of blood. One end of the alley they were in was blocked by people watching. He heard how someone asked what was going on and how somebody asked where the guards were. Nobody seemed to
want to interfere though. Thank god. Then he heard the sound of guards hurrying down the street. They would arrive any second and push through the crowd. Matt ran.
The girl had already disappeared down the alley. Then he came out on some backstreet and saw how she climbed up onto a roof a few houses to the left. He ran towards her and saw her disappear. Shouts from the guards echoed around him. They had found the body.
Soon he reached the place where the girl had climbed. He looked around. The guards hadn't come to this street yet. He started to climb. Damn. It's been too long since I've done this.When he finally came up onto the roof some of the tension in his body vanished.
"You made it. I almost thought your mind had shut down."
The girl stood before him, a bit higher up on the roof. She was still smiling.
"We're safer here on the rooftops but we're too close to the edge. No time to rest, stranger. I know a good place. Follow me."
She turned and started moving before he could answer. Who is that girl?
With a sigh he stood up and hurried after her. Behind him the guards was searching the streets and alleys for the victim and the mysterious saviour the people already were telling stories about.
~
The human's total ignorance of the danger Velcan had known was following them had made him moody. When they finally had reached the outskirts of The City of East Shore CastleVelcan had decided to leave the human and by himself try to find out who was following them.
He had turned and followed a group of people walking in the opposite direction. By walking back the way he and Matt had come he'd hoped to see something but he was disappointed. After e few hours his head had been spinning of seeing too many faces and too much thinking and being aware.
"I need to clear my mind..." he'd mumbled.
"I can help you with that."
Everything had gone black.
Now he was sitting on a rooftop in the city feeling miserable. I wonder if he's made it to the castle already. Somewhere north of him he heard guards shouting. He shivered. I might have lost him, but he will go to the castle and so must I, "there is one person you need to find. This human is to be found near the king himself".
He stood up. The sun was still shining warm but the winds of autumn were blowing. Even though he'd reached the city there were still at least half a days journey to the castle. Velcen turned east. The castle towered over the city and beyond the sea stretched out to the horizon.
I can't fail this mission.
Matt felt the knife scratch his throat and then heard how it fell to the ground. Somewhere behind him he heard the man swear. He tried to focus his eyes and saw blood on the ground.It's my blood. Someone laughed behind him. Matt turned.
At first he didn't understand what he was seeing. The tall man dressed in black was bleeding from several wounds and fighting with two long daggers. He swore each time he made a move towards his opponent. The opponent danced around him laughing, avoiding his knifes almost every time. As they fought and moved Matt suddenly caught a good glimpse of the person who had saved his life. He gasped. It was a girl.
She was short with a long white blond braid. She had e few cuts, no deep ones, but didn't seem to feel them. She spun around and jumped, blocked one of the tall man's daggers with one of her own, ducked under the other and slashed out at his legs. Once, twice she avoided his daggers and made cuts of her own. The third time she ducked Matt saw how a black clothed knee hit her hard in the face. She retreated a few steps and spit out some blood.
"That hurt", she said and gave the man a red smile. "And you," she turned to Matt, "you were pathetic. But..." She was abruptly cut off by the next attack. "Let's chat later."
Who is this girl? She can't be more than fifteen and with that amount of skill...
The fighting went on. However good the girl was she wasn't as strong or as experienced as the man. Before she had had the element of surprise on her side but now she was loosing her ground. Suddenly one of her daggers flew from her hand and she had fallen to the ground. The man was over her, pressing her to the ground. She desperately tried to make him incapable of using his knifes, but her struggle was doomed to fail.
She saved my life.
Matt saw how blood poured out from beneath his hands. Underneath him the man collapsed. The knife that had been against Matts throat has buried deep between the shoulder blades. Matt draw a deep breath. The sun warmed his neck. He heard voices but couldn't make out the words. One part of his brain was telling him to get away. The other, stronger part, didn't know what to do.
"I would love to be able to breath, so if you're not too busy doing nothing, get off."
Then Matt realized that the girl was under the dead man. He moved quickly and pushed the body away from her.
"Thanks", he said.
She was covered in blood, most of it not her own, but seemed to be in good shape.
"It was nothing. Any day. By the way, I think the guards are coming. Depending on their mood we could go to prison or be heroes of this part of town. I don't know about you but risking going to prison isn't something I can afford." She gave him a smile (which looked rather grotesque whit the blood covering half her face). "Run."
And then she was on her feet, leaving him behind. He looked around. The body lay in a pool of blood. One end of the alley they were in was blocked by people watching. He heard how someone asked what was going on and how somebody asked where the guards were. Nobody seemed to
want to interfere though. Thank god. Then he heard the sound of guards hurrying down the street. They would arrive any second and push through the crowd. Matt ran.
The girl had already disappeared down the alley. Then he came out on some backstreet and saw how she climbed up onto a roof a few houses to the left. He ran towards her and saw her disappear. Shouts from the guards echoed around him. They had found the body.
Soon he reached the place where the girl had climbed. He looked around. The guards hadn't come to this street yet. He started to climb. Damn. It's been too long since I've done this.When he finally came up onto the roof some of the tension in his body vanished.
"You made it. I almost thought your mind had shut down."
The girl stood before him, a bit higher up on the roof. She was still smiling.
"We're safer here on the rooftops but we're too close to the edge. No time to rest, stranger. I know a good place. Follow me."
She turned and started moving before he could answer. Who is that girl?
With a sigh he stood up and hurried after her. Behind him the guards was searching the streets and alleys for the victim and the mysterious saviour the people already were telling stories about.
~
The human's total ignorance of the danger Velcan had known was following them had made him moody. When they finally had reached the outskirts of The City of East Shore CastleVelcan had decided to leave the human and by himself try to find out who was following them.
He had turned and followed a group of people walking in the opposite direction. By walking back the way he and Matt had come he'd hoped to see something but he was disappointed. After e few hours his head had been spinning of seeing too many faces and too much thinking and being aware.
"I need to clear my mind..." he'd mumbled.
"I can help you with that."
Everything had gone black.
Now he was sitting on a rooftop in the city feeling miserable. I wonder if he's made it to the castle already. Somewhere north of him he heard guards shouting. He shivered. I might have lost him, but he will go to the castle and so must I, "there is one person you need to find. This human is to be found near the king himself".
He stood up. The sun was still shining warm but the winds of autumn were blowing. Even though he'd reached the city there were still at least half a days journey to the castle. Velcen turned east. The castle towered over the city and beyond the sea stretched out to the horizon.
I can't fail this mission.
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