Heed My Warnings and Survive (Second Draft)

Chapter Two

TWO MONTHS LATER…..

I had been non-stop traveling for two months, I was tired, and both me, and my horse needed a rest. Luckily we were just coming up on a small village. I let out a huge sigh of relief.

“We get to stop soon,” I said, patting the horse on the neck as we rode into town. I hopped off my horse, and we walked into the bustling crowd, in search of a place to sleep. It only took a few minutes to find somewhere that had a stable.

I dropped my horse off there, then went inside. It was more empty then I thought it would be, but I didn’t mind, people weren’t my strong suit. I walked over to the counter.

“Hello, could I rent a room?” I asked, addressing the woman behind it. She nodded,

“How long?” she asked, with a thick accent. Where am I? I thought to myself.

“I’ll plan on two nights.” she nodded.

“Ten silver pieces.” I sighed. Thank goodness Zander was well off. I handed her the money, and she showed me to my room.

“Thank you ma’am,” I said. She grunted,

“Yeah yeah.” She waved her hand, as if to ward off my thanks, then she went back to the dining area. I shrugged, and entered my room. It was small, with a fireplace on one wall, a bed on the other, with a small wash stand, and a bedside cabinet. I set my bag down, and flopped on the bed. I sighed, as I sunk into the bed which overall wasn’t the most comfortable, but it was much better then the forest floor. I fell asleep quickly, boots and all.

I woke up to a loud ruckus happening in the dining area. I groaned, I didn’t want to get up, but I

knew with that noise down the hall I wouldn’t get anymore sleep tonight.

I rolled over, and looked out the window.

“The moon is still out gentlemen,” I said tiredly to whoever was yelling at the bar. I sat up, “Well I’m not gonna be able to sleep now.” I got up, and slowly walked out. There was a fight going on, and tables being thrown, the surrounding people were cheering and betting. I walked over to the bar. “What’s going on?” I asked the woman.

“I’m not fully sure, I think the shorter one cheated the one with the mustache out of his coin” She said, she looked a bit nervous, and for some reason I felt compelled to help. I nodded, then stood on the counter. And bellowed over the noise.

“EXCUSE ME KIND GENTLEMEN!” I yelled over the sound of the fighting. The two who were fighting looked at me. “Let me buy you two a drink,” I said, squatting to get a little closer, as they walked up to me.

“Stay out of this you insignificant piece of Platum” the short one said.

“Wow nothing quite like being insulted by a child” I said condescendingly. The short man snarled, while the mustache man burst out laughing. “Are you laughing?” I questioned. “I can’t hear you behind the mass of hair on your lip,” I stated nonchalantly. The short one took a swing at my legs. I jumped, dodging his attack, and impressing myself, I wasn’t very physically strong, so at this point I knew I should probably run. I hopped off the counter, and ran out the door, the two men following me out

“GET BACK HERE YOU RAT!!” One of them yelled, but I didn’t care enough to look back.

“YOU LOOK MORE LIKE A RAT THEN I DO!!” I yelled back. I wasn’t worried they’d catch me, I knew I was much faster than them, but they probably knew the town better, so I blindly entered the first public building I saw. I got inside quickly, and barred the door. It was a smithy, there was a large pit of hot coals in the center of the room, making it quite hot, and everywhere you turned there were weapons on display.

“Oi we’re closed,” The man behind the counter barked. I jumped, I hadn’t noticed him standing there.

“Sorry,” I said, composing myself

I don’t care how sorry you are. Get out,”

“Please just a few minutes,” I pleaded.

“If you don’t get out now boy, I’ll pound you with one of my clubs,” He said. I gulped. If I could find a way out, I could outrun him too, but the nearest window meant going right past him, and he was already reaching under the counter.

“Look I know you could pound the daylights out of me,” I said quickly, “but right now you seem much kinder than the men who are chasing me, and I would owe you a great debt if you let me stay for only a few moments,” I slowly inched as far away from him as possible. He paused.

“A debt huh?” He asked skeptically. I nodded, slowly. “And you swear you would repay that debt no matter what?” Again I nodded. The man had the club in his hand now, so I really didn’t have any choice but to agree. “Alright. I need you to retrieve something for me,” He said. I sighed, and agreed, perhaps this man was forgiving, and would give me an easy task “It’s a sword I made many years ago. It’s at the bottom of Lake Mitono.” Oh great, the lake full of monsters, so much for forgiving. I thought, clearing my throat.

“Mitono?,” I said. Confirming I heard his right. He nodded “I can do that.” I laughed nervously. The man looked surprised.

“Really?” He let out a little chuckle with his words. I nodded again. He laughed heartily. “Alright then lad. Come over here, I’ll give you details.” The man gave me a long description of the sword, and where it was. He then pulled a small silver band, with a dragon on it out of his pocket. “Now if I am to believe you, you must promise me this. That you will not take this ring off until you have retrieved my sword, and no one else can either, and as long as you are wearing this ring, you must be searching for it,” he said. Slipping the ring on my index finger. I was a little weirded out by the whole ring thing, but I shrugged it off, maybe it was normal here.

“I promise,” I said, and I only sorta meant it.

“Splendid. Well I believe those men have passed by here, and my shop is closed, so it’s probably better that you leave,” He said.

“Oh right, of course. Thank you.” I slipped out one of the opened windows, since that was the closest exit.

The window led into a small alley where I heard sniffling. I looked over, and saw two fiery red braids, the words of Aria ran through my head, ‘beware red hair in messy braids,’ I thought for a moment, then decided to put her warning aside, perhaps it was coincidence. I tapped the girl’s shoulder. “Are you alright?” I asked. She whipped around quickly, her teary green eyes were filled with anger, another warning, ‘green eyes with tears.’ I stumbled back. Two coincidences are too much to ignore. “I’m so Sorry. But Aria said no,” I called, asI ran away. I knew the girl must have been confused, but that’s better than one of us getting hurt. I went back to the inn I had been staying at, and had a nice bowl of stew.

“Thanks for getting those men out of here. They were driving my customers away,” The innkeeper said.

“Of course, it was no problem at all,” I replied.

“The rest of your stay will be nice, and comfortable,” She said. I thanked her, and went to my room.

I sat on my bed, and examined the ring on my finger.

“I wonder why he gave me this,” I muttered to myself. It was a small silver band, with a sleeping dragon resting on the top. I tried to take it off, but it didn’t budge, and when I attempted other means of getting it off, the little dragon opened its ruby eyes, and bit me. “FROOSHTA!” I exclaimed, letting my annoyance, and pain out with a curse. “What in the!!” It had really stung, and what was worse, the sting didn’t go away. I gritted my teeth. “Fine I won’t take it off then.” The pain immediately left my finger, and the dragon curled up, and was part of the ring again. I was surprised at this, but I didn’t try to take it off again.

A few hours had passed since I had my run in with the big burly men downstairs, and I was getting tired of sitting in my room alone, so I decided to walk around the small town I was living in for the time being. I went down to the dining hall, and as I was about to exit the building the woman from the alleyway burst in, I guessed she was around my age, from her rosy youthful face, her long red hair had tumbled out of its braids, her green eyes were vacant of tears, and were now full of an anger that could make the most terrifying monsters hide behind their mothers knee.

“Excuse me!!” she said loudly. She easily commanded the attention of the room. Her voice was soft, but stern, and had the slightest hint of an accent. “I’m looking for something.” Her voice was shaking, but I couldn’t tell if it was frome anger, or something else. “It’s a small ring, with a dragon on it. Has anyone here seen it?” She looked around the room, searching the peoples faces. “It was stolen, and has great meaning to me,” I looked down at the ring on my finger. I swore under my breath.

When no one said they had seen it, she sighed, and sat hard at a vacant table, placing her head in her hands. Once the attention of the room no longer focused on her, and I decided she was safe to approach, I went to her table.

“Excuse me,” I said politely. “May I sit?” The girl looked up at me, and a look of recognition flashed across her face.

“You’re the boy from the alley aren’t you?” She asked skeptically. I nodded my head. “What do you want?” I put the hand on the table, showing her that her ring was on it.

“YO-” I covered her mouth, so she didn’t yell, and make a scene.

“Shhh I didn’t take it.” I said in a harsh whisper. I sat down across from her, and slowly removed my hand from her mouth. She looked at me incredulously, crossing her arms, and leaning back in her chair.

“How did you get it then?” She said, matching my harsh whisper.

“Someone gave it to me.” I explained, keeping the whisper, but expelling the harshness. “I’m not able to take it off, although I could not tell you why.” She must have been able to tell that I was being truthful. She sighed.

“It’s a ring of promises,” She explained. “You can’t take the ring off until your promise is fulfilled.” I furrowed my brow.

“How am I supposed to get it off then?”

“Unless the promise forbids it, anyone else can remove the ring from the wearer’s finger.” I put my hand out, and she tried to take the ring off, but once again the little dragon bit me. I pulled my hand away suddenly

“OW!!” I yelped.

“Shhhh.” She covered my mouth this time, and without thinking I instinctively bit her,

“Ow,” She exclaimed quieter then I had,

“Sorry!” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean to, I promise.” She looked at me in disbelief. “I swear it was nothing to do with you. It was pure instinct.” She scoffed. “It wasn’t even hard, see didn’t even leave a mark.” I grabbed her hand and pointed it out, and she jerked it away.

“Don’t you touch me,” She said menacingly. I sighed and hit my forehead.

“I really am sorry, it was an accident, and I’m sorry I grabbed you.” Ugh why am I getting so… flustered? I asked myself. I put my face in my hands, and apologized again.

“It’s fine. Just please don’t do it again.” I looked up at her. She was still glaring, but less harshly.

“Alright. Would you like to help me?” I said.

“With?” she asked as if she didn’t know.

“Fulfilling my promise so you can have this back.” She sat up straight, looking calm, and regal as she nodded. “Thank you,” I said, relieved. “ You better not scare easily, because we have to go to Lake Mitono.” She looked a little put off by that, but she didn’t shy away.

“Alright. When do we leave?” She asked, with a determined look

“Tomorrow?” I said, eyebrows raised in question. She nodded.

“I’ll get a room here, that way we don’t have to meet up somewhere.” I nodded in agreement.

“I’ll see you in the morning then,” I told her, getting up from my chair.

“Mhmm. My name is Kiara by the way,” she said, holding her hand out. I shook it as Introduced myself.

“I’m Draven.” And with that we parted for the night.

The next morning when I woke, I heard the sound of thunder outside. I groaned as I packed up all my things. I hated traveling in the rain.

I went to the main room of the inn, where I found Kiara waiting for me, with nothing but a small pack, and a bedroll slung over her shoulder.

“Hey. Did you wanna eat before we leave?” I asked her. She shook her head.

“No thank you.” I sighed. I kinda did, if only to prolong me getting soaked through.

“Alright let’s head off then.” We exited the building, and stood under the short outcropping on the roof, as we looked out into the dreary weather. I let out a groan of discomfort, and prepared myself for the soak I was about to get. Kiara looked out distastefully.

“It had to be raining didn’t it?” She mumbled.

“What? afraid of a little rain?” I said teasingly. Kiara frowned at me.

“No, it’s water, of course I’m not afraid, and you’re the one groaning.” I let out a small laugh.

“Well you’re gonna have to walk through it, We need my horse.” Kiara seemed to relax when she heard I had a horse. I handed her my traveling cloak. “Here you can shield yourself from the rain.” She accepted it, gratefully and we ran to the stable.

We were soaked through by the time we got inside, I chuckled lightly as I remembered runs in the rain with Finley, and Zander, we used to get drenched often. Zander always insisted we go out in the rain, that was until he got married, Finley, and I saw him much less on our little adventures. I felt a pang of sadness as I remembered times with my friends. I glanced at Kiara as she walked to the corner, where a satchel, a bow, and a quiver of arrows lay. I looked back at my horse, untying it, and checking the saddlebags to make sure nothing had been stolen.

After checking, and rechecking, I turned back to Kiara, who was unlacing her dress. I turned away quickly,

“What are you doing?!” I exclaimed. She scoffed.

“Calm down, I’m wearing trousers,” She said, as if that should’ve been obvious. Sighing in relief I turned back to her. She now had on baggy trousers, an oversized shirt, a belt with a short sword on it, as well as the bow with the quiver of arrows on her back. I thought this look suited her much better then the dirty dress she had been previously wearing. She walked over to me, and held out my soaked cloak.

“Do you want a dry one?” I asked, as I stuffed the wet one into an empty bag,

“You have an extra?” She asked. I nodded and handed it to her. She accepted it with a grateful look on her face, that made me feel nice, and I was suddenly glad of the heavy load Neireida, and Zander had packed me.

“Thank you,” she said, her tone much warmer now than it had been thus far. I nodded.

After my horse was saddled, and readied myself to enter the rainy outdoors once again. I led her to the stable door. The rain had let up a bit, and I was a little less wet. I led my horse outside, and mounted her. Kiara came out after, and I held my hand out to help her mount behind me. She looked a little disappointed that we were sharing the horse, but she didn’t complain, as she climbed up onto it ignoring the hand I had offered, my stomach fluttered a bit, as she placed her arms around my waist, but I didn’t let it show. After she was situated, and comfortable, we headed off.

The rain didn’t stop until nightfall, when we stopped to rest. We were in a small clearing in the forest, it was damp, and cold, but I managed to find some dry sticks to make a fire, and after that, it was a bit better. Still damp, but we were a bit warmer. As I tied my horse to a nearby tree, I glanced at Kiara, who was polishing her gleaming sword.

“You’re not gonna stab me in my sleep are you?” I said as I approached her. She smiled a little.

“Not to worry, I never back out of a deal,” She responded. I sat by the fire opposite her with a small bit of cloth, and started sewing. Kiara tilted her head. “What are you making?” she asked. I showed her the small pattern I had started to embroider, it was a cluster of small roses. “Wow. That’s beautiful,” she said in aw. I smiled gratefully.

“Thank you. You can have it when it’s finished if you want.” Kiara’s eyes widened,

“Really? How much for it?” She asked. I chuckled,

“You don’t have to pay.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Why not? You could make a fortune selling those, every noble in Rava would be at your door offering you a job,” She made it sound so splendid, but I sighed.

“I’ve tried working for nobles before, It’s not all that great. They’re stuck up, rude, and think words don’t affect you because nothing bad has ever been said against them,” I said a little harsher than I should have, but I didn’t realize till after. “Then there’s the occasional nice noble who treats you well out of pity, which is something I’m not too fond of,” I said with a scoff. Kiara looked a bit ashamed. But I put the look aside and continued. “And the ones who pity you the most are the royal family, and the prince is just a snot. When he got married he and his wife went around the kingdom, and when he passed through my village, he kicked mud in my friends face, now granted it was more Finley’s fault, because he said something, but he should have been the bigger person,” I lost hold of my tongue as I ranted, and I immediately regretted what I said when I saw the look of meekness on Kiara’s face. “Sorry, my tongue got away from me.” Kiara shook her head.

“It’s fine,” She said quietly as she rolled out her bedroll, and laid down. “I’m gonna get some rest.” Her dismissal was final, and felt awful. I sighed heavily, and settled in, ears open, and eyes watching.

After a while of being on watch, my eyelids grew heavy, and my breathing started to slow, I was exhausted from the rain, and travel. I nudged Kiara with my toe. She stirred a little. “Come on Kiara, what are you a princess,” I said tiredly. At my words Kiara shot up.

“What!” she said. I sighed.

“Nothing, I just need you to keep watch for a bit, I can’t keep my eyes open.” Kiara heaved a deep sigh, and nodded. I laid out my bedroll, and fell asleep immediately.

I woke the next day as the sun rose, the heat beating down through the clearing in the trees. I sat up slowly and groaned, two nights in a regular bed, and my body was greatly protesting being back on the lumpy forest floor. I looked over to Kiara who was snoozing peacefully. I sighed. We were lucky no one attacked us in the night.

“Kiara,” I said, she stirred and looked at me,

“Hmm?” she said tiredly.

“You were supposed to keep watch,” I said, yawning. Kiara furrowed her brow, catching my yawn.

“I’m sorry, rainy day traveling doesn’t agree with me.” I sighed. I couldn’t really get mad since nothing had happened.

“Ok well try not to doze off next time.” She nodded.

I began packing up our small camp. Kiara didn’t move to help me, all she did was stand off her bedroll, and look at me expectantly. “I’m not taking care of that for you,” I said, raising an eyebrow at her. She jolted,

“Oh of course, I’m sorry.” She started messily putting away her bedroll, and when she had finished it was a messy heep of blanket and thin mat. I sighed.

“Set it down, I’ll get it.” She smiled sheepishly at me.

“Sorry, I don’t travel often.” I nodded.

“It’s fine.” I said folding her bedroll properly. I handed it to her, and she strapped it to her pack.

The next few days of travel were long, and hot, we had run out of food that morning, and our water was almost gone. The last few hours of sun were going by quickly, and we needed to find a place to rest. I could tell Kiara wasn’t used to this ruff travel, seeing as she was falling asleep on the horse, she must have been really exhausted to fall asleep on the tiny one person saddle we were sharing. I prodded her.

“Hey, come on, we’ll rest here.” She nodded. I slipped off the horse, then helped her off, and eased her onto the lumpy ground. I unrolled her bedroll, and she crawled into it. I sat next to her feet fighting the urge to close my eyes, I was unsuccessful in this endeavor, and drifted off.

My peaceful snoozing was interrupted by a rustling to my right. I looked over, head still full of sleep, but I could make out a figure rummaging through my saddle bags.

“Hey,” I called, my voice sounding raspy. The man turned to me.

“Hello there young lad,” he said, crouching next to me, a grotesque smile plastered on his face. He reeked of liquor, but I looked him dead in the eye,

“That’s my bag you have there, I’d appreciate it greatly if you returned it to its place in the saddle.” The man barked out a laugh, and I stood. “I ask you again. Please return my items to my saddle bags,” I said a bit harsher this time. The man chuckled again, and straightened. He was quite a bit taller than me, so I had to look up at him. I cursed inwardly. I hadn’t realized how huge this guy was, but there was no way I was going back down. I slipped a small knife out of the sheath in my leather bracer. I breathed evenly, then lunged. I stabbed his thigh, and he shrieked. The sound startled Kiara awake.

“Run!” I called to her, as I dodged around the man’s arms. She shot up and bolted. I was too focused on her escape to pay attention to the man trying to get me, which was definitely a mistake. He grabbed my arms, twisted them behind my back, and slammed me chest first into the ground. I grunted thankful for the soft moss as my head collided with the forest floor. My head felt foggy but I started wriggling. I felt a pressure on my back, as the man put his knee there.

“Keep squirming boy, and I’ll crush you like a bug. I stopped, and lifted my head. The bit of hope that Kiara would escape left me as I saw her being held by the arms by two men.

“Let go of me!” She yelled. Anger rose in my chest, and my blood boiled. I began squirming again. I knew there was no chance of escape. I wasn’t big, and the little arm and leg muscles I had, would not be enough to escape, but I wriggled all the same. The more I struggled the heavier the man’s weight on my back became, until the air in my lungs left, and wouldn’t return. I wheezed, and my lungs screamed. My head got light, and foggy and then nothing blank, empty, nothing.