The Small Village

“This really isn’t a bad way of travelling,” Elian said, leaning back into the soft sacks behind his back, stretching his legs in front of him.

“I thought horses were supposed to be fast,” Kaia sniffed. “I can run faster than this. For a full day.”

“But I can’t. And neither can Brinja.”

She looked up from the feather she was cutting into pieces for new arrows.

“I know. Some rest is welcome. I just wish wool had a more… pleasant smell.”

“At least it’s comfortable. Like travelling on a pile of pillows. And it’s made for excellent beds.” He patted the sack next to him, demonstrating how soft and bouncy it was. “Is the small really that bad?” he asked, more serious.

“I’ll live.” She smiled, wrinkling her nose.

“You could always move to the other cart…” He looked behind them, at the small, open wagon loaded with barrels. It was pulled by four black goats, and Blackbeard was trotting along next to them. Brinja, who was sitting on the box seat next to an elderly dwarf, noticed him looking and gave a little wave.

“The smell of fire-scotch isn’t much of an improvement," Kaia pointed out. "Besides, I'd rather stay with you.”

She sighed, looking around at the light forest they were travelling through. The leaves had started changing color, and the crowns were splotched with yellow and orange among the green. Putting her tools down, she moved to sit next to him, leaning into the soft sacks. Her ears drooped slightly.

“I wonder how things are back home. If what people in Tarrin said is true, humans are already moving out. Do you really think the human military will believe it’s us and not the bugs attacking farmsteads?”

“I would like to say no. The bugs have been our enemies for so long it should be obvious.” He sighed too, trying to remember what other soldiers used to say about the Lykar. “But there are still some holding grudges against your people.”

“That’s stupid. The wars were decades ago. And the humans started them.”

“Of course it’s stupid. There’s plenty of stupidity going around,” he paused. “But there are many good humans too. They won’t rush into attacking. And now your people have someone who can interpret when they meet. That should help.”

“True. And both Kaer and Mehrrin-leader are wise. They won’t easily get provoked.” Her tail whipped, and her canines showed briefly.

“I promise I won’t tell your brother you called him wise and patient.”

She smiled at that. “I know I shouldn’t worry, but it’s hard not to.”

“It is. I worry too. About the tribe. About what will happen if we fail.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and she blinked, then placed her other hand on top of his. “But we will do what we can and trust that they’ll do the same.”

“You’re right. We need to prepare, not worry.” She pulled her hands back and immediately got busy waxing her spare bowstrings. Ears alert and hands steady.

“Can I help?” he asked. Riding a cart was comfortable, but it also got boring. “I’d try sharpening my sword, but it’s already sharp, and I’m sure Brinja would set Blackbeard on me if I messed it up somehow.”

“She would. Here.” She handed him a couple of strings and placed the small jar with wax between them.

They rode in silence for a couple of hours, watching the forests turn into fields. It looked so peaceful, it was easy to believe nothing was wrong in the world. It was early afternoon when they arrived at a major crossroad, and they stopped.

“So, this is it. As far south as we’ll go,” one of the wool merchants said. “Are you sure you don’t want to come to the east with us? We’d appreciate the company.”

They had in fact been overjoyed to welcome armed passengers.

“Sorry. We need to get to Azinth as soon as we can.”

“We understand. Good luck in your travels.”

Brinja’s cart pulled up as well, and she waved them over.

“Grimmer here says that there’s a cart-town not far from here. If it’s well-populated, we might get lucky,” she said, pointing to the west road.

“A cart-town?” Elian blinked. "Never heard about those."

“It’s basically a gathering of travelling dwarves. Some of them remain in one place for years, with people coming and going.”

“Okay… so we might find another ride there?”

“That’s what I’m hoping. The City of Alenia is home to many of our people, so I’m sure someone will be heading there.”

“Perhaps they have news about the human military situation too?” Elian said, glancing at Kaia. “And the Lykar…”

“Maybe, but unlikely,” she pursed her lips as old Grimmer shook his head.

“There’s a human village just an hour’s walk that way,” he said, pointing to a smaller road leading across the fields. “If you want human news, that’s a better bet.”

“Thank you, we’ll do that.”

“Great,” Brinja said, clapping her hands together. “I’ll talk to the dwarfs, then we can meet here again… well before sundown.”

*

The village was easy to find, but they weren’t the only visitors.

“Wait, there are soldiers there,” Kaia exclaimed, pulling Elian down behind a low stone wall.

“What? What are they doing here?” 

Was there an ongoing attack? Buggers?

They crept closer, making sure to remain hidden behind trees and bushes as they moved closer. The small group of soldiers, two of them heavily decorated with bands and medals, left their horses and cart at the edge of the village square and proceeded by foot. Two and two, marching in sync, fists held against their chest. People were filling up the square, at the front was a line of families. Mothers and fathers holding their children’s hands tightly, their faces strangely expressionless.

Elian’s heart sank.

“Some sort of human ceremony?” Kaia asked as the soldiers fanned out.

“In a way.” There were five small children in the front row, five right hands were held up for inspection. It was quick, the marks would be impossible to miss. The eldest soldier, a man with a huge gray moustache, finished in a moment, pointing to two of them.

“You have been blessed by the gods and are to come with us. You are not allowed to bring anything, everything will be provided for you.”

The chosen two took a step forward, a boy with a mop of blonde hair and a girl with a short reddish ponytail, both with hesitant but proud smiles as they turned to their parents.

“You have a few minutes to say your goodbyes. We’ll be your family from now on.”

"They're stealing cubs?” Kaia’s shock and disgust were clear even in a whisper,

“Not stealing. Recruiting.” The answer came immediately, but the certainty of it faltered as he looked at the face of the parents. 

His mother had cried that day, hugging him tight, smiling through the tears. Then, he’d been sure she was crying from happiness. Proud that he was a chosen one. One of those protecting the kingdom. Now, looking at the scene in front of him, he was suddenly not so sure.

The kids were so tiny. He must have been too, even if it didn’t feel like it back then. He was the only one chosen from his village, the only one led away to be taken to the garrison. To his new life. He remembered feeling elated more than sad when he’d turned to wave to his friends, to his mother who stood there, waving back with one hand, tears falling down her cheeks. Her smile never faltering, her other hand resting on her belly, round with the sibling he never got to meet.

“What do you mean? They don’t want to give away their cubs. Even I can see that.”

“They have magic,” Elian explained, his left hand covering his right. “When humans reach their fifth year, some develop magic, shown by a mark on their hand. That means they are chosen to protect everyone else.  They're taken away for training so they can fight the bugs and keep the world safe.” He still knew the speech by heart. 

“That’s what happened to you, isn’t it? You have magic. You can create fire.” She gently touched the hand he was trying to hide. “That’s why the fire in the barn didn't hurt you, right?”

“Yes, on both accounts.” There was no point in denying it now that she’d guessed his secret. Besides, she deserved to know who she was travelling with. What she was travelling with. He slowly removed the glove on his right hand, showing the mark. Bracing himself for her reaction.

He’d expected fear, followed by rejection. But to his surprise, she didn’t seem disgusted, nor afraid, just curious, ears pricking forward as she sniffed the air above his hand.

“I don’t sense anything strange." She frowned as she looked over at the officers, waiting for the children to get ready. "So, you keep it hidden so humans will not see it and wonder why you’re not with the people who stole you?”

“Something like that, yes. Let’s just say it would raise unwanted questions if someone noticed it. Everyone knows what the mark means, and that mages never leave the military.”

He put the glove back on, relieved to have it out of sight again, yet strangely glad he had confided in her. Roahr had been right, after all. He looked at Kaia again, still finding it hard to believe how relaxed she was after what she’d found out. He had to ask.

“Now that you know that I’m a mage… That I can make fire… You’re not afraid?”

“Of you?” Sharp canines flashed in a big grin. “Never. You’re a kind man, even if you’re a bit clumsy.” Her eyes sparkled as her tail twitched. “Besides,” her grin grew wider, “fireproof or not, I’m both faster and stronger than you…”

He couldn’t help but laugh at that, the last tension draining from him as they left the village, making sure they weren’t seen. They could ask questions at their next stop instead. 

“Let’s head back to the dwarf," he said. "Hopefully she’s got good news. And a new comfortable ride too.”