Heed My Warnings And Survive

Chapter Two

A Fateful Meeting

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 the 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 Nelly 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 the woman behind it. She nodded,

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

“Only about 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 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, a small wash stand, and a bedside cabinet. I set my bag down, and flopped on the bed. I sighed.

“This is way better than a lumpy forest floor,” I muttered to myself, falling asleep almost immediately.

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 suns not even up yet,” 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 dressed, and walked out. There was a fight going on, and tables being thrown. I walked over to the bar. “What started it?” I asked the woman.

“The bald man stole the other one’s drink,” 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.

“HEY BALDY, SHORT STACK!!” 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.

“What did you just call me?” they said in unison. Just the reaction I was hoping for.

“Baldy, and Short stack,” I said shrugging. “I’m only being truthful,” I said nonchalantly. The bald one took a swing at my legs. I jumped, dodging his attack, I wasn’t very physically strong, but I could jump, that was a sure thing. I then jumped off the counter, and ran out of the inn.

“GET BACK HERE YOU RAT!!” the short guy yelled.

“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 than me, so I blindly entered the first public building I saw. I got inside quickly, and barred the door. It looked like a smithy.

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

“Sorry I was being chased, and the door was unlocked,” I said, composing myself.

“Well we’re closed, get out,” He said sternly.

“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.

“I’ll do anything,” I said quickly, “They’ll destroy me, they’re huge, and as you can see I am not.” I slowly inched as far away from him as possible. He paused.

“Anything huh?” He asked skeptically. I nodded, slowly. 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 nodded, again, very slowly. “It’s a sword I made many years ago. It’s at the bottom of Lake Mitono.” Oh great, the lake full of monsters. I thought, clearing my throat.

“Alright,” I said reluctantly. “I can do that.” The man looked surprised.

“Really?” I nodded once more. He laughed heartily. “Alright then kid. 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 dragon ring 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 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 looked up at me, with teary green eyes, another warning flashed through my mind, ‘green eyes with tears.’ I stumbled back. Two coincidences are too much to ignore. “Sorry Aria said no,” I called, and I 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 meal.

“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. How much for the meal?” I replied.

“Oh this ones on the house. I don’t like being indebted to people,” 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. “OW!” I exclaimed. “What in the world!!” It had really stung, and 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. I was surprised but didn’t question it.

A few hours later. I went out of my room to get a mid day meal. I ordered at the counter, and went to sit at a single table near the back of the room. A moment later the young woman I had seen in the alley came into the inn. Her hair had fallen out of its braids, and her stunning green eyes were no longer teary, in fact she looked quite angry, she stood in the middle of the room, and addressed everyone loudly.

“Excuse me!!” She commanded the attention of the room easily. Her voice was soft, but stern, and had the slightest hint of an accent. “I’m looking for something. It’s a small ring, with a dragon on it. Has anyone here seen it? 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. Once all the attention was off her, and I decided she was safe to approach, I went to her table.

“Excuse me. May I sit?” The girl looked up at me.

“Why?” She asked skeptically. I put the hand with the ring on the table. She looked at it wide eyed.

“YO-” I covered her mouth.

“Shhh I didn’t take it. Someone gave it to me.” I said in a harsh whisper. I sat down, and took my hand away from her mouth. She looked at me angrily, crossing her arms.

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

“I told you, someone gave it to me.” I explained, keeping the whisper, but expelling the harshness. “I can’t take it off. Not sure why though.” The girl sighed. She seemed to be able to tell I was being truthful. She sighed.

“It’s a ring of promises,” She told me. “You can’t take the ring off until your promise is fulfilled, but someone else can, so give me your hand,” She said. 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 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 adventure. 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, 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 ready I led her to the stable door. The rain had let up a bit, and I was a little less wet. I led Nelly 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. 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.

“Thanks. 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 bags.” 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 I didn’t- no I wouldn’t, 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. 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 was foggy but I started wriggling. I felt a pressure on my back, and realized the man had 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. 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.