Part 3
Parting Gifts, also entitled, Of Taking Leave
*~*
Minutes later I arrive at the stables. As I'd been planning to run away tonight, I have all of my things packed in a small bundle. It takes me a few moments to grab it from the servant's quarters and retrieving it, I ran through the courtyard in the confusion and chaos that exploded within the castle. The pack contains only one change of clothes along with my best riding boots and a few of the prince's cloaks, some food I had managed to snag from the pantry and a few coins I had stolen from the gracious Lord's pocket while he had been sleeping.
The only other item I bring with me is the one of the greatest value. I had hidden it in the floorboards underneath my pillow. It's an ancient-looking medallion I had owned since I was small. I don't really know where it came from, only that it's very valuable and that as a lowly servant maid, it should not belong to me. For these reasons I keep it hidden and never let anyone else lay eyes on it, in fear the guards will label me a bigger thief than I already am. I steal only what I need, or whatever will not be immediately noticed. The medallion is made of a strange gray metal and inlaid with three dark blue jewels in a triangular formation. There is a frame of alien writing engraved around the edge; it in truth is a very beautiful and an exquisite piece of work. And it is mine, not some rich snob's. It gives me a great feeling of satisfaction.
With my pack slung haphazardly across my back, I enter the stables. The building, as usual, smells strongly of hay and horses, a scent much more comfortable than the stench of sweat and hopelessness I have to put up with in the servant's quarters. I find Heneric waiting for me in front of Blackhurricane's stall.
"Could you not wait for midnight dear child?" he asks sighing heavily, his arms folded across his chest.
"It seems that news of my misadventure have reached inquisitive ears already." I tease. He frowns. "Heneric, I am only taking leave scant hours before I was planning too. What difference should it make?" I remember to speak politely to Heneric. Friends, after all should treat each other with respect. Heneric is old, nearing his sixtieth year, but in excellent form. He still wakes every morning with the dawn and does all the chores handed off to him by the Lord. As the years pass, his hair lightens more and more. Fading from its original black, to gray and now turning to a magnificent pure white.
"Articana, would it have been too much to hope for a quiet send-off? The guards will be here within the hour!"
"Heneric, dear friend, do not fret. They will search everywhere other than here, you know how I have fended my infamous fear of horses." He smiles and together we take Blackhurricane out of his stall and proceed to put the reins on him. It's indeed a lucky thing for me that the Lord insists so vehemently on having genuine horses on hand. Horses are Mundane creatures and are not common throughout Xanth. In fact, I have come to believe that Arcturo is the only actual owner of any Mundane animals. It's yet another fault I'd noticed in the Lord Arcturo and tonight I am going to use his own hobby against his royal pain-in-the-ass.
Loser.
"You are right, as per usual, Articana. I only wish that I could come with you on your journey." There is a wistful look in his eyes and I smile sadly.
"I wish you could come also, but I fear, my friend, that this is something that I must do myself. Also, what would an old man do on such a dangerous journey?"
Heneric laughs ruffling my hair, "Keep you out of trouble my dear, but you are right once again, I could not make such a journey on these old legs of mine."
Together we share a moment of silence.
"I will miss you." I say finally, breaking the stillness that lie over us like a blanket. He pauses in the middle of loading another pack, and instead looks at me proudly.
"You will succeed in you Quest, and then you will come back here with your magical talent and show the Lord where to go." I laugh.
"He won't like it very much, but it'll make up for all the years of sleeping on a cold and dirty floor."
"Come here Articana, I have something for you."
He walks over to Blackhurricane's stall and roots around in the hay.
"Aha, here it is!"
I glance over to see him pull a lumpy package from the corner.
"Heneric? What is it?" He smiles broadly and carries the package to over to me, placing it in my hands gently.
"A gift," he replies simply. I look at the parcel. It's long and lumpy, wrapped in a rough wool cloth. Curious, I unwrap the cloth, the cloth falls away…
And I hold a sword in my hands.
"Heneric, it is beautiful!" I exclaim. And it is, it is lightweight and crafted beautifully. The hilt bound in black leather, as is the scabbard that came with the weapon. The blade itself - magnificent, it is a pure silver color and etchings of leaves and branches decorate its otherwise flawless surface. I swing it in a mock parry and thrust it at an invisible enemy, who looks startlingly like Lord Arcturo, and grin happily.
"Of course," Heneric mutters to himself, "Give the child a sword, as if she isn't violent enough unarmed…"
I laugh, "Heneric, don't worry, I will be careful with it."
"You haven't finished yet," he says, with a gesture at the cloth I still hold loosely in my hands.
I finish uncovering the gift and find a beautiful silver mirror.
I star blankly at it.
"Um, Heneric, dear devoted friend of mine, companion through thick and thin, one who helps solve all my woes- pray tell me why in all that is good in the world will I need a MIRROR on a journey to see this sorceress?"
"Neo-sorceress," Heneric automatically reminds me, as he done for the past year, give or take.
Can I help it if my memory is as bad as that of a sweat gnat?
"Neo-sorceress, of course, sorry. I do believe you are skirting the answer."
He sighs and bade me to look closer at the mirror I hold tight in my hands.
There's no reflection!
"It is not a mirror Articana, or not a mirror in the sense that you are used to. This looking glass will help to warn you if there are people who are looking for you. It will alert you if there are people following you or thinking bad thoughts about you or those in your company."
Oh. Well then.
"That sounds useful Heneric, how does it work?"
"It will start to sing."
"Sing?"
"Yes, Articana sing, music will start to play if it detects people thinking badly of you, you shall learn more about the mirror as your quest progresses."
"I am certain that it will prove invaluable, old friend, just as you have proven time and time again."
I look at the old man who had been more of a father figure to me than mine ever was.
"I will miss you old man."
"And I will miss you too, young one."
We share one last silent moment before the stillness is shattered by the cries of the honor guard and their fist pounding on the stable doors.
"You must go." Heneric says simply. I nod, the fateful time has finally arrived.
"Let's do it!" I cry and punch one gloved fist straight in the air, "Boo-yah!"
He looks at me strangely but helps me onto Blackhurricane's broad, strong back. I need no saddle, just a thick blanket to keep me from hurting him. All my supplies are slung either around my waist, over my back, or balance in twin bags perched upon the horse's back. Blackhurricane obeys my voice commands without reins; I only need them for reassurance. Despite what I ever have told Heneric about my phobia of horses, I'm still wary around the big powerful creatures – except Blackhurricane, to some extent.
Heneric passes me the sword and mirror. I strap the sword scabbard on my back, next to my kit, where I can get at it in case of confrontation. Though I'm not sure how I'll be able to bluff my way through a battle with a centaur warrior, should the need ever arise. I place the mirror gently in one of the pouches behind me, issuing a swift, 'I won't break it', to Heneric who watches me anxiously.
"You must go."
"Alright, alright I'm going." I reply holding my hands up in mock defiance. "Remember to call upon your talent, no telling what they'll do to you."
"What are you talking about?" He asks curiously. I check to see that Blackhurricane is unhitched from the cross-ties ensuring he is not restrained, I slowly back him towards the stable's rear wall.
"Articana!" Heneric moans, "don't…"
"Call upon your talent and throw open the door, otherwise I take it down with me!"
A sad, grin flitters across Heneric's face and he fades from my sight, I can no longer hear, see, smell or touch him. Such is the nature of his talent. And very useful too, I wish I had his Talent growing up. Suddenly the door is thrown open by what seems to be an invisible force. I pull upon the reins, readying Blackhurricane and myself.
"Who goes there?" a cowering guard calls out, put off by the fact that no one seems to be there.
"Send out the slave and your life will be spared!" another minion calls out.
"Ready Blackhurricane?" I whisper in the horse's ear, as if he understands, he stamps his hoof as an answer.
"Come out in the name of Lord-"
I didn't let him finish, I nudged Blackhurricane in the sides and we tore out of the stables.
That'll teach them to call ME a slave! Hah! The two unfortunate guardsmen haul out of there as fast as their legs can carry them. Out of spite I kick the closest one to me in the ass as I pass him. He yelps painfully and I laugh. Whooping happily, all caution gone to the winds now, I head to the gates, which fortunately for me, were still open due to the supplies still arriving for the royal supper the morrow's eve.
Deciding to leave with a bang, I jump the cart carrying the food and gallop full speed into the night, but not before leaving a special surprise for my oh so favorite power hungry Lord.
"AHH!!! Cherry Bombs!!"
Life is good.
To be continued…