A Life Less Ordinary: Chapter 7
By Sulia Serafine
[This is a Protector of the Small fanfic, all credit goes to Tamora Pierce. I'm broke, so you can't sue me.
**And guys, I finally decided something. I know I haven't had the chance to read Page yet because I am not able to get my sorry self to the bookstore. But you see, this is a fanfic. And the number one rule of fanfics: you can do WHATEVER you want. So, how about we compromise? I've been getting a lot of feedback about Page, and I've found that I should pay some attention to that story line despite the fact that I haven't read it. Basically, whatever characters and/or plots which are present in Page will be distorted so that they can flow naturally into my story. Please be patient. I know you guys can be. Thanks for reading!
Oh, one more thing: BAD LANGUAGE ( i.e. cursing, swearing…) You have been warned!]
"Where will you go?" Egavar asked the two as they fed their horses. He leaned against the side of his cottage and folded his arms. "You'll need a guide."
Joren brushed himself off and stood face to face with the Nodestrum. For a few moments, he examined him. He finally said, "You want to come with us?"
Keladry lifted one eyebrow questioningly. "Egavar? Come with us?"
"Why, not? He knows the land-- wait, you do know the land, don't you?"
"Of course. I leave the woods a few times a year to meet with my order. If anything, they could help you more than I could."
He grinned. "Then it's settled. Egavar can lead us to his fellow Nodesters--"
"Nodestrums," he corrected.
"Yeah, Nodestrums. And they can help us find another purple furball…" Here Egavar looked at him reproachfully. "And Keladry and I go home. End of story."
"It will be harder than that," the older man said. "The Mira Empire is waging war around the whole entire world. The meeting of my order has been canceled this year so that the Kodestrums may gather their powers and help the human armies." He scratched his chin. "Leaving Lon Falas for Carthan won't be too hard, I suppose."
"Carthan? Is that where you meet?" Keladry asked.
"Yeah. It's the city in which there is an estate owned by the Grand Nodestrum. He will most definitely be able to help you."
"Then it's settled!" Joren exclaimed. "Egavar, will you come with us?"
"Yes. You two children need looking after and I don't trust your 'people skills'." He looked sharply at Joren, who only grinned wider. Keladry rolled her eyes.
"Then what are we waiting for? Egavar, do you know where you can get a horse?"
"Yes, the village nearby should have some. I'll purchase one and we can take some of my stock here for food." He sighed and gazed at his home. "I'm going to miss it, but I'm sure that helping you is worth it. And besides, I might actually get to see a labafret." His expression became happier, as if a ray of light shined down especially on him. "A labafret! That would be the greatest day of my life!"
"Funny. It was the worst day of ours," Joren grumbled.
They packed supplies from Egavar's cottage. There was enough food, clothing, and blankets for all of them. The horses were in good health. The three companions were set to travel. The Nodestrum stood in front of his cottage, now boarded up, whispering a prayer to his chief god.
"I feel somewhat bad that you're coming with us," Keladry confessed as they set out. "We've just met you last night."
"But, everything you say-- I know it's true. By Nodh, I can feel it. Hey! The mere chance of seeing a labafret is good enough for me," Egavar reassured. "What's wrong with your brother?"
"Br-brother?" Keladry looked at Joren, who was a few feet in front of them. His head was bowed and seemed to be brooding about something. "I don't know. What did you talk about when you went to get breakfast?"
"Nothing really," he lied.
"Oh. Okay. So, how long will it take for us to get to that place you mentioned?"
"You mean, Carthan?"
"Yeah." Keladry glanced at Joren again, before turning to continue talking with Egavar. "The Grand Nodestrum's estate is there, like you said before. I worry about our safety. The Mirans have already been enough trouble to Joren and me since we got here."
"A couple of days' ride to the nearest port town."
"Er…" Keladry thought of the Mirans and where they had lodged. "I don't think we can pass that way." When he gave her a questioning look, she said, "Mirans."
"Oh. Well, then we can pass by land. It will take a week longer getting to the tip of the West Peninsula. That's where Carthan is."
"Sounds good," she nodded and glanced back at Joren. He seemed to slump lower in his saddle. She frowned.
~~
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"…Are we there," long pause," now?"
"No." A little bit more irritated.
"I hate traveling. So uncomfortable. Are you sure we're not there yet?"
"Argh! You know what, Egavar?! I don't know! I'm not the guide! You are! I thought you knew where we're going!" Joren yelled.
"Oh yeah." He smiled sheepishly.
Keladry rolled her eyes.
~~
"You're staring."
"I am not."
"Yes, you are. I wouldn't blame you. That serving girl is pretty."
"I bet I could sweet-talk her."
"Ha! You're too young, boy. I have way more experience."
"Yeah, and besides the fact that your Old Magic keeps you from appearing the real 44 years that you are."
"Damn. I should never have told you my age," Egavar muttered under his breath.
"Hey, guys, we're supposed to be looking for the local scribe and mapmaker-- not gaping at some girl," Keladry lectured as she came up behind them. Egavar and Joren whirled around with red faces.
~~
They camped under a pitch-black sky. The stars were hidden from the mortal eye. Dark storm clouds threatened to break and pour near the dawn. Despite all this, the three remained out in nature where they preferred. Two of them met quietly at the edge of their small camp and plotted.
"The nuisance must be eliminated."
"Yes. I cannot stand it anymore. It must end tonight."
The speaker cast a weary eye upon the remaining slumbering form. "I say we do it slowly--slowly and painfully. There must be suffering for what we've endured through this journey."
"Yes. Let me do it. I deserve my revenge."
"I think I deserve it more. Let me."
"I'll get the head. You get the feet. Be quiet. There might have been suspicion from that awful thing before we feigned sleep."
"I will." There was a scuffle of feet. Silently, one of them crept over the third companion, holding something high in their fists. The other crawled around to the legs, preparing to hold the person down lest they struggle.
Joren yawned. He had a strange feeling that someone was watching him, so he opened his eyes. "Keladry?!"
"Ah!" She put the gag in his mouth as Egavar pinned down the squire's legs and arms. Joren struggled for a moment, fearing for his life, when finally they had his hands tied behind his back and his ankles bound as well. Keladry and Egavar sat back. They shook hands in congratulations of each other. Joren glared at them.
"Hey," Egavar shrugged as he leaned toward Joren. "That's what you get for snoring."
~~
Carthan was a city of trade and business. Merchants lined the streets, selling their wares. Customers flocked from one booth to another, trying to find the best deal. And three travelers trudged exhaustedly down the stone paved street.
"We're here," Egavar announced with a deep breath.
"Finally! Which way to this Grand Nodestrum of yours?" Joren demanded.
"At the far end of the city. You won't be able to miss it. It's very pleasant looking."
"Then let's hurry. The faster we get there, then the faster we can get an audience with the Grand Nodestrum and plead our case."
They traveled down the main street of Carthan, making their way through the crowds. Keladry and Joren were careful because of pick-pockets, but Egavar didn't seem bothered at all. Eventually, they came to the estate. It was a great old building. Large stones were set in place and covered by years growth of moss and vines. The three went down a long paved walkway from the street to the door. The large oak door looked as heavy as the stones. Casually, Egavar knocked on the door. His knuckles made a slightly dampened hollow sound.
"Who goes there?" A voice called out from nowhere.
"Brother Egavar, Dark Forest, of Lon Falas and two travelers, Keladry and Joren, of whom I take responsibility for. We seek the counsel of his Grand Keeper of Old Magic," he said in a loud clear voice. There was a moment of silence before the doors swung open. Keladry looked past the Nodestrum and saw no one.
"Who opened the door?"
"Shhhh," Egavar calmed her and stepped inside. They followed him. As soon as they did, the doors slammed shut. Joren reached for his knife, but once again, Egavar stopped him. "We are safe here."
They walked down a long hall lit by torches in sconces on the wall. Their shadows stretched out behind them. At the end of the hall, they entered a large room with but one window of stained blue glass in the shape of a four pointed star. Egavar signaled for them to bow.
"Bow to what?" Joren whispered.
"To me. Over here. The old man in the shadows," a scratchy voice laughed. It wasn't scary as most would think, but comforting. Egavar bowed low and was full of respect. Joren and Keladry, still unsure of the voice, bowed awkwardly and looked to their companion for guidance.
Presently, a silhouette appeared in front of the light cast down from the window. "Greetings, my children. What is it that you ask?"
"Oh, Grand One," Egavar began. "These two children before you have been transported from their home by a labafret. They seek a way home. I can only hope that you deem them worthy of your aide."
"Yes, yes, enough of all that flowered, fancy talk," the old man said. He came toward the two younger travelers. "So, you have been sent to this realm by a labafret?"
"Yes, Sir," Keladry answered.
"Interesting. I haven't seen one of those rascals in a while."
If Egavar seemed surprised at the Grand Nodestrum's conversational tone, he didn't show it. "Grand One, perhaps it would be possible for you to tell us where to find one?"
"In this realm, now?" the old man laughed. "No, no, I'm sorry. At the moment, they're all on a different plane of existence, being elusive as ever. It might be a while before you run into one of them again."
"Excuse me, sir, but how are we sure that we will run into one of them at all?"
"Because," the old man said with a serious tone, "Once a person has seen a labafret, they are cursed to meet that same one again before their lives are done. It's a strange thing, but true. I can look it up in all my old dusty scrolls and books for you, but I wouldn't want to waste my strength."
Joren clenched his fists. "So, that's it? We're stuck here?"
"I'm afraid so. I'd suggest trying to find your own place in this world," the Grand Nodestrum suggested. His shadowy form moved back toward the window. "Until you meet that little furball again." He chuckled. "I like the nickname you've picked. It suits them well."
"You read my mind?" Joren said after a long pause.
"Yes. Now, that reminds me. I think I may be able to help you after all."
"How?" Keladry asked.
"You're bound to meet the furball again. But who is to say it will do as you want and send you home? Most likely, it will laugh in your face and insult your shoes." He laughed at his own corny joke.
"What do you suggest they do?" Egavar spoke up with concern in his eyes.
"Seek the Truth Stone. Labafrets obey the Truth and anyone who holds it. Once you meet it again, you will be able to force your way home." With that, the doors opened again-- pulled open by invisible hands. Keladry shook her head.
"But sir, what does this Truth Stone look like?"
"It's a jewel."
"A jewel? What sort of jewel?" Joren demanded.
"No one knows. It's just a jewel that shines like no other, and causes its holder to speak the Truth."
Before the three could respond to that, the ground shook. A rock shattered through the blue stained window. They all threw up their arms over themselves to protect their bodies from the shards of glass.
"What's going on?" Keladry shouted.
"It's the Miran army!" Egavar exclaimed, rushing over to the window. "Quick! We must flee!" He went to the Grand Nodestrum's side. "I will help my Grand One out of here-- you two go ahead without us."
"We can't!" Keladry protested, but Joren had already grabbed her hand and pulled her after him.
The world was complete chaos. The walls around them shook. The Miran canons destroyed the city of Carthan. Flames licked the sky that rose from burning houses. The citizens screamed in terror as the soldiers of the Mira Empire destroyed one thing after another. They carried off loot and people for slaves. There was clashing of swords as the peace keepers of Carthan battled valiantly with those of the Mira.
"Keep going!" Joren yelled as he shoved Keladry in front of them. They escaped from the Grand Nodestrum's estate and dodged the attacks of soldiers. The city fell apart around them.
"We have to fight!" Keladry shouted back to him, although she continued to run. They were almost at the end of the long paved walkway to the street.
"Carthan is already dead; we cannot help them," Joren said angrily as they mounted their horses and rode to the far side of the city.
Keladry did not know where he was leading them. "What are you thinking, Joren? We're heading to the sea from here!"
"It's too late to go back the way we came! The armies are gathered there!" he shouted back. "Don't stop! Keep going toward the ships. Do you see them?! The ships are right there! They're fleeing, too!"
Their hearts were racing as they rode toward the hastily launching ships. Joren leapt off his horse and ran toward a line of men quickly loading one of the ships. Keladry dismounted her horse, catching her breath. She watched Joren point to himself, than to her. He seemed to be begging for a place on the ship. Finally, he waved to her.
"They'll let us go with them! Come on!"
Keladry looked back at Carthan. It was just like Raven's Keep-- obviously, a place of beauty and prestige, but gone before she had a chance to know it. "But, Egavar--"
"He's fine. He probably made it out. A few did," Joren insisted as he yanked her along.
Before long, they set sail. Keladry and Joren huddled in blankets at the stern of the ship. It was night time then. They were far away from the burning Carthan and the destructive armies of Mira.
"Damn it! This is all wrong!" Joren cursed. "We can't be stuck here. This world is on the verge of nothing, and we must find a shiny jewel that can make the purple furballs send us home."
Keladry kept a stone-like face, watching the water so dark to her eyes. A single light shone from a lamp held by the watch. She blinked. "What did you say?"
Joren rolled his eyes. "Nothing. Just the worse predicament in the history of man."
She narrowed her eyes. "Hey, you're not the only one suffering. Stop it."
"Hmph." He turned away from her and muttered something to himself. Keladry sighed.
"Joren, let's just call a truce. We're stuck. There's no changing that. Let's at least try to live our lives."
He turned back to her. His sky blue eyes were exceptionally bright to her at that moment. "Oh yes. Try to live our lives. I'd love to. Really, I would."
"Don't be sarcastic," she snapped.
He continued. "No, no, no! You misunderstand! I want to have a life less ordinary! Nothing could be greater!"
"Argh…"