The Calm Before the Storm

  “So the king’s lying right, you catch that?”

  The capital of Dulciena was relatively untouched by the destruction that plagued the rest of the kingdom. 

  Buros led Rei and Maxwell to a quiet little cafe. The cafe had been empty except for the owners who both stood behind the counter. They greeted the trio when they first walked in and seated them at a table next to a window before taking their orders.

  It was after Buros had excused himself to use the restroom that Rei had asked Maxwell her question.

  “What?”

  “King Midas’s sob story about Elizabeth.”

  “You think he’s lying?”

  “Don’t you? A kidnapped princess whose body was stolen by a witch? Sounds like the kind of story you tell kids before bed. Though the part about them being twins is obviously true, he and Elizabeth look so much alike.”

  “True, I’m guessing that’s the only part of his story that’s true. The rest it sounded way too far fetched.”

  Rei chuckled. “You’re one to talk, mister hero from another world.”

  “Fair point.”

  “It’s obvious he doesn’t want the other kingdoms finding out about whatever’s going on here.”

  “You’re still unconvinced about the goblins?”

  “Maybe you really are from another world. Like I said earlier, goblins are one of the weakest creatures in Arion. All that death and destruction, theirs just no way goblins caused all that.”

  “If that’s true then what do you think did?”

  Rei was silent for a moment before letting out an exaggerated sigh. “No clue.”

  “That’s not very helpful.”

  “Well excuse me for not being some kind of creature expert. If it even was a creature, could have been…”

  “Could have been what?”

  Rei froze mid sentence. Buros had returned from the restroom without her noticing.

  “We were just discussing what kind of creatures we’re likely to encounter in the forest.”

  Buros looked at the two before sitting back down. “Shouldn’t be anything too difficult, especially not for the three of us. I forgot to ask Maximus but can your little companion handle herself in a fight?”

  “Why don’t you just ask me yourself?”

  “I could, but I trust Maximus a whole lot more than you. No offense, little lady.”

  “Why you…”

  “She can handle herself just fine Buros.”

  “I can handle myself better than the two of you combined” thought Rei.

  “So Buros, how long have you known about Elizabeth’s kidnapping?”

  Buros purposefully knocked over a glass of water and made a scene whipping it up.

  When he’d  finished he got close to Rei and whispered in her ear. “Watch your tongue.”

  His tone was threatening and for a moment Rei caught herself reaching for her blade.

  “My bad.”

  Buros may wear the face of a cheerful old hero but Rei could tell there was something hiding just beneath the surface. If Maxwell hadn’t been sitting across from her, how far would Buros have gone to silence her?

  “The incident happened on my watch. I’ve never been able to forgive myself.”

  Maxwell pushed a foaming mug of booze towards Buros. “You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Theirs no way you could have known what would happen.”

  “I should have Maximus. How can I call myself the “great” hero of Dulciena when you know who gets kidnapped on my watch.”

  “That was in the past, focus on what’s happening now. We’re here now, let’s put an end to these goblin attacks once and for all.”

  “You’re right Maximus. It’s so good to be working together again. I knew there was no way you were dead.”

  After the three finished their meal, Buros showed them more of the capital. 

  A barber cut hair outside while the smell of freshly baked bread wafted from a bakery. A young bard played a lute, earning him some coin from his small audience.

  The peaceful scene was in total contrast from the one they’d seen when they first arrived. These people didn’t seem the least concerned with all the havoc that was happening within their own kingdom.

  “Why are these people so cheerful? Don’t they know about the goblin attacks?”

  Buros fixed a stern gaze on Rei. It was the kind of gaze that told her to be silent. It was the kind of gaze she’d grown up with. It was the kind of gaze she hated.

  “The goblins haven’t been able to reach this far into the kingdom.”

  “How convenient.”

  They spent the day following Buros as he led them through shops and markets. 

  Everywhere they went at least one person wanted to shake Maxwell’s hand or offer him gifts. The taverns offered their finest booze, the baker his freshly baked bread, and even the blacksmith offered a sword crafted from the rarest of metals. 

  Despite claiming that he couldn’t possibly accept such gifts, Rei still found herself carrying all of them.

  “That was a great day, though I’m guessing the two of you are probably wanting to turn in for the night. The king invites the two of you to stay in the royal palace while you’re visiting. And tomorrow we shall begin our search for the goblin’s nest.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Rei, do you mind going ahead by yourself? I wanted to have one last drink with my old friend.”

  “Oh Maximus, you know me so well.”

  “Geez, get a room you two.”

  As Rei struggled to carry all of Maxwell’s gifts back to the royal palace she felt a chill in the air. It was a foreboding feeling, as if something horrible was about to happen and yet, no matter where she looked, she saw no danger.

  In the end, she decided that it must just be her mind playing tricks on her. If she had known of what events were about to occur that night, she would never have left the two of them alone.