Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Your feedback has been great, but I realize that I need to elaborate a little bit more on a few things, namely the setting of the story.
The story doesn't take place in the middle-ages per se, but rather a fantasy AU, like Middle Earth or Narnia. In this universe, the world is divided into Nine Realms, which is ruled by nine magistrates, and a King that oversees them all. Magicians are usually found in the nobility, and are therefore among the most revered by the masses, along with priests and the aristocracy. In this world, women are on equal grounds with men. They can own land, pursue non-feminine roles, and even become knights. There are a few groups who still see them as subordinate to men, but they are the exception to the rule.
I don't want to give out more information right now out of fear of spoiling too much, but more about the world will be revealed. Thank you again for reading and let me know if you have any other questions or comments!
-3-
Liinken was running, fear gripping his heart. He had to get away. That. . . thing . . . was still chasing him. He watched it helplessly as it destroyed his home and devoured his parents. He could still hear their screams as they told him to run for his life. He wanted to help them. He wanted to do anything to help them, but there was nothing he could do. He only just made it out in time as the fire began to consume the house.
He stopped to hide behind a large tree, gasping as he tried to catch his breath. Surely he was safe now. There was no way that thing could survive the fire. But even as he thought so, he heard the heavy footsteps, the unholy sound of bone scraping against bone, the guttural growl that chilled him to his very core. That thing had survived the fire.
It was searching for him.
"Someone help me," he whispered, tears streaming down his eyes. "Please, someone help me! Help me! HELP ME!"
"Liinken!"
The boy awoke at the sound of his name, drenched in a cold sweat and breathing heavily. He surveyed his surroundings, and reality began to sink into his fearful mind. He was back in his room at the McCloud House. The noonday sun was streaming through the window. He began to feel his breathing slow, and realized he wasn't alone. Leniera was sitting at the foot of his bed, concern etched on her beautiful face.
"Are ye well, Liinken?" She asked. "Ye were yelling in thine sleep."
"Aye," said Liinken, uneasily. He pulled his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them, trying unsuccessfully to conceal his trembling. "Twas but a nightmare."
"Do ye wish to speak of it?" Asked Leniera gently.
"Nay," said Liinken, turning away. Leniera was undeterred.
"Ye are as white as a sheet," she said, placing a hand on his forehead. "Thine fever has dwindled, but ye are still unwell."
"I will heal," said Liinken. "Forgive me if I disturbed thee, my lady."
"Nay, ye did not," she said. "I simply wished to see if you have improved, as well as give thee this." She reached over and picked up a neatly folded pile of clothes next to her and placed them in front of Liinken. He looked at the pile, confused.
"What is this?" He asked.
"I cannot allow thee to dishonor thyself with such a wardrobe as ye are accustomed to," said Leneira. "It is the very least I can do for the way ye came to my rescue."
Liinken looked at the garments before him. They were not new, but still of fine quality. A white, flowing bastian shirt, an orange tweed vest, tan breeches (without a single patch in them), black knee-high boots, and a dark green hooded cloak. Liinken handled the garments almost reverently. Clothes were the most difficult item to come by for a poor wanderer. Due to their cumbersome nature, they were rather difficult to lift from a store. Most of the time, he was forced to knick unguarded clothes that were hanging to dry on a laundry line, which is why he rarely found any that matched, let alone fit him adequately. To many, these garments were simply functional, but plain, attire. But to Liinken, they were magnificent.
"I thank thee," Liinken whispered, clearing his throat to keep it from breaking. "I am overwhelmed by your kindness."
"I am pleased!" Said Lenniera excitedly. "I have prepared thee a bath downstairs. Once ye have washed, please, try them on!" She stood and helped him out of bed, guiding him down the stairs. They walked through the tavern and down towards the end of a hallway, where she led him into a small room with a large wooden tub. "I will give thee privacy," she said, and immediately left.
Liinken stripped himself of his remaining clothes and sank into the tub. The warm water was soothing against his skin. He could not remember the last time he had bathed in warm water. Most of the time, he was required to make due with a river, a stream, or even rainwater. He lathered with soap and rinsed himself, feeling cleaner than he had been in weeks. Climbing out the tub once finished, Liinken immediately put on his new garments. He expected them to be firm and coarse against his skin, but he felt as if he was wearing the very clouds themselves, and they fit him perfectly. Liinken stepped outside of the washroom, seeing that Leniera was waiting for him. She beamed at him as he closed the door and made his way towards her.
"How handsome ye look, young lord!" She exclaimed. "I knew orange tweed would suit thee best." Liinken turned away slightly, blushing. Lenniera reached forward and took his hand, leading him down the hallway and into the den. She sat him down and brought him a large plate of food: eggs, sausage, bacon, fried tomatoes, potato skins, and a flagon of mead. Liinken felt his stomach growling and mouth watering at the feast.
"Ye must eat!" She said, passing him a knife and fork. "I fear that ye will wither away." Liinken didn't need telling twice. He immediately tucked into his breakfast like a dog with a bone. Lenniera was both surprised and delighted at how readily he ate the food she prepared for him. Out of the family, their father was the one who unusually handled the meals, but every now and again one of the children would have to shoulder the burden. Lenniera would often volunteer, but would be gently shot down, as she was not the best of cooks out of her siblings. But this boy didn't seem to mind. In fact, the way he ate, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy her cooking, and that brought joy to her heart.
He must have noticed her staring at him, and immediately felt embarrassed at his lack of manners. "Forgive me," said Liinken. "I do not often get meals of this caliber."
Lenniera grew concerned at that comment. When Lorrea had brought him back to the inn after he collapsed, they had to strip him of his clothes in search of any other injuries. Thankfully, there were none, save the small gash in his hand, which was bandaged quickly. The family did take notice that the boy looked very malnourished and haggard. Liselle theorized that it was this and overuse of his magical abilities that led to the progression of his fever. The sight of it broke Lenniera's heart to see any child suffering such a thing, especially for one who had used his magic in an already weakened state to come to her aid.
"May I ask ye something, my lord?" She asked. Liinken looked a little wary at the question, but nodded. "Why did ye save me?"
Liinken didn't answer right away, chewing on his breakfast thoughtfully for a moment. The truth was, he didn't have any intention of getting involved at first. But he didn't expect the brute to strike her as he did. He remembered how he felt his blood boil when he saw this. The man was easily twice her size, and he could have killed her had he been inclined to do so, and Liinken did not want to take that chance. "Ye seemed frightened," he said simply. "I know how it feels to be frightened by someone stronger than me."
Lenniera pondered the lad a moment, her heart swelling at his words. At the same time, she was concerned. From what Lorrea told her, the poor boy was all alone in the world. Even though he was a powerful magician, it pained her to see a child his age without a family. For him to grow so strong at such a young age, she could scarcely imagine the horrors he had to face while wandering the realms. She was shaken from her thoughts as she heard footsteps descending the stairs above them. She looked up to see they belonged to Lorrea, who was already working through her morning chores.
"Oh, good, ye are awake!" She said brightly upon seeing Liinken. "Did ye sleep well?"
"Aye," said Liinken. Lenniera frowned, but remained silent about his nightmare. Liinken stood after finishing his meal. "I thank thee for the kindness thine house has given me. But I'm afraid I must away."
"Ye can't leave!" Said Lenniera suddenly, surprising them both. She cleared her throat. "That is, ye are still weakened from thine fever."
"I concur," came a voice from beside him. Liinken jumped as he looked down to see the small apothecary, Liselle, holding his hand and checking his pulse. "Ye require three more treatments of my elixir, otherwise, the fever will return. T'will only be three days till ye make a full recovery.
"Three days?! But I must reach the Capital," said Liinken. "If I wait any longer, I will not make it by the full moon."
"Why do ye need to go to the Capital?" Came another voice beside him. He jumped again as he saw the dark sister, Lucielle, standing on his other side. He wondered if the fever had affected him more than he thought, as he didn't hear either of them coming.
"Tis the year of the Census," said Liinken.
"What is that?" Asked Lenniera.
"Tis a gathering of Magical Users!" Said Liselle excitedly. She then began to explain that because of the sheer destructive power magical users possessed, the King of the Nine Realms required every magical user to travel to the Capital every five years for a Census. This kept tabs on all the magical users in the world, as well as the registration of children when their magical powers manifested. If a magical user was caught by the Hammer Guard, and it was discovered that they had not attended a Census or registered their abilities, then the punishment dealt to them was severe. Liselle also explained how the Census had eventually become a festival of sorts, where farmers, traders, alchemists, and many others came to trade wares and explore new discoveries.
"It has been my dream to attend!" Said Liselle, stars in her eyes.
"Ye are traveling to the Census?" Came the voice of Lynne the Younger from the stairs. She abandoned the stairs completely and bounded over the railing, jumping from the second floor and landing with grace. She immediately ran up to Liinken, grasping his hands in excitement.
"The Census is at the King's castle!" She said. "The Knights of the Hammer Guard recruit the best warriors from there! Ye have to take me with thee!"
Liinken was beginning to feel overwhelmed as the girls began to swarm him, talking excitedly in unison. "Girls, girls!" Their mother had just entered the room, carrying Lillian in one arm and the washing in another. "Leave the poor boy be," she said. "He has enough troubles to be burdened with tending to thee at the Capital. Besides, ye are needed here."
"Lynne the Younger is a warrior, not a burden!" Said Lynne indignantly.
"Be reasonable, mother," said Liselle. "I could sell many of my elixirs at the festival, and it would bring in much-needed coin for our family."
"And think of the prestige that would come to our Inn if thine daughter was a Knight of the Hammer Guard," Lynne said in earnest. "Lorrea, ye agree with us?" She added to her sister almost pleadingly. Lorrea was torn. She had always dreamed of visiting the Capital, but she knew better than to invite herself on a journey with a boy she just met. Additionally, they had many duties here at the Inn they could not just abandon.
At the same time, her heart felt for the boy before her. He was alone in the world, traveling through dangerous paths to the Capital. He had already been accosted on the road for coming to her sister's aid, and nearly lost his life to fever. Because of this, it was unlikely he would make it in time for the Census anyway –
That's when she got an idea.
"Mother," said Lorrea. "Pray, let us take the lad to the Capital."
"Lorrea!" Said Reitha, appalled.
"Please, mother, listen," said Lorrea. "The boy came to Lenniera's aid in her time of need, and risked his life to do so. And as Liselle said, he has yet to recover. If he is to make it to the capital in time, he will need a horse. We can take the caravan and see him to the Capital in four days."
"I cannot ask ey to do this," said Liinken quickly. "Ye have done so much for me already."
Lorrea placed her hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "It is the least we can do," said Lorrea.
"And who would take him?" Asked Reitha, considering the points her eldest daughter made.
"I will take him," said Lorrea.
"Alone?"
"I have traveled to the Capital unaccompanied before," Lorrea pointed out. "And Master Liinken is a powerful mage. I daresay no harm will come upon us."
Her mother considered her words. It was true, they often had to make trips to the Capital to sell wares and various other errands, but most of the time it was her husband that made the trip. When she became of age, Lorrea started making the trips in his stead, however. Reitha knew she was very capable, but it still worried her each time, and was sure to make an offering to the gods at the temple each time she left to ensure her safety.
"Very well," said Reitha. "You may take him."
"What about us?" Said Lynne indignantly.
"I wish to go too!" Said Lucielle immediately.
"What about us?!" Reitha turned to see the rest of her children descending the stairs. They were obviously listening in on the conversation from above. She sighed deeply, smiling despite herself.
"Nay," said Reitha. "We are fast approaching harvest time. There will be many travelers arriving in the next few days. With your sister away, I will need thine help here."
"But mother!" Lynne protested.
"Hush, child!" Reitha said firmly. "Now off with thee, ye have chores to do."
Lynne looked at Lorrea, who simply nodded in agreement. Lynne stomped and walked off in a huff, while the others trudged off begrudgingly. Liinken felt a pang of guilt as he watched them. This family had done so much for him and had asked for nothing in return. He had never known such kindness before, not since the passing of his parents. Lorrea sighed and shook her head wearily.
"Forgive me, Master Liinken," said Lorrea. "I did not wish to encroach upon thee."
"It is I who should beg forgiveness," said Liinken, bowing. "I never meant to be a burden."
"And ye are not," said Lorrea. She walked towards the bar and lifted a crate of mead bottles. "We will leave when ye are able. In the meantime, I must attend to my chores."
"If I may," said Liinken. "Please permit me." He lifted his hand, a studious look upon his face. Lorrea felt the crate grow lighter and suddenly drift out of her hands. She stared in amazement as the crate before her hung suspended in midair, and all the other crates she was going to carry were lifted as well. With a twist of his wrist, the crates stacked themselves gently in their destination in the kitchen. A chore that would have taken her several trips and several minutes was now done in seconds.
"I thank thee, sir Mage," said Lorrea, curtseying.
"I have not to pay thee for thine kindness," said Liinken. "But I can at least make myself useful whilst I am here."
"Are ye sure of this?"
A tall, hooded man stood in a small chamber, while another man was kneeling at his feet in respect. The room was dark, illuminated only through candlelight, but it was enough to reveal a large iron statue before them, depicting a giantess holding a spear in one hand and a snake in another. Giant, scaly black wings were adorned on the back of the statue.
"I saw 'im with me own eyes, me lord," said the man. "The lad's 'air was as white as snowfall, and 'e was able to conquer four men with 'is magics, but 'e was naught but a lad of 11."
The hooded man was silent as he pondered these words. "So, ye have finally shown thine hand," he whispered to himself. "And ye have increased in strength. That is good." He turned back to the man kneeling before him. "Ye have done well. Take thine reward and begone."
He tossed the man a bag of coins, who took them gratefully and excused himself. The hooded man turned back to the statue, folding his hands reverently before it. "I have found him, the Last One," he said, bowing his head. "Please, grant me thine favor, and I will finish what was started all those years ago. Help me Lady Draquonne. Grant me thine power."
The eyes of the statue began to glow a haunting greenish hue, and a beam of light erupted from the statue and was absorbed into the body of the hooded man. Fel energies began to swirl around him as he roared from the pain and ecstasy of the sheer power that coursed through his veins. Tonight, he would send the Horde, and the boy would finally be his.
