By The Sword - Homepage

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Sarin was lively as I trudged up the street.

Afternoon sunlight draped over the town. It glinted in my eye. It warmed the cobblestone beneath my feet. And it gave light to the busy square still filled to the brim with people buying and selling their wares. It was just as lively as it always was in the mid-afternoon.

But still, I wasn’t feeling any of it. No matter how many cheerful voices echoed around me or how many alluring smells drifted to my nose, I didn’t care. I couldn’t care. I didn’t have the energy to. All I could do was drag my sore body through the street, rolling my situation over and over again in my mind.

After Galen had fantastically healed me, I’d immediately been thrown back in. There hadn’t been a single waking moment of rest. Because as soon as I’d woken, Tan had told me that Arathorn wanted to see me. The town’s fanciful lord and professional charmer. For some reason, he wanted to see me.

On the face of it, it wasn’t that unusual. But I’d only spoken with Arathorn once, and I was far from a well-known figure. The fact that he had a task ready and wanted to give it to the newest ranger in town felt… off. It felt suspicious. Doubtful. Worrying. Like a manifestation of all the distrust I’d faced during my first few weeks in Sarin.

And the more I thought about it, the worse it got. The more convincing the worry became as it gained ground in my gut. The first time I’d met Arathorn, he’d watched me spar with Jason. And even though our interaction had been brief, I’d seen something. Something in his eyes that wasn’t right. Something that he was hiding. And it was directed at me. Each time he’d looked at me, he’d seemed oddly interested. More so than anyone else I’d come across in my new mundane body.

It was completely possible that all Arathorn wanted to do was talk with me about a simple opportunity. About something small that he was giving to me just because I had nothing on my plate. Though, that explanation didn’t satisfy. All I could think about instead was the unnatural hunger I’d seen in his eyes before. It made me sick.

I scowled, clutching my chest and trying to steady my breaths. The film of dread in my gut stirred. I swallowed, trying to keep the worry away. It wasn’t very effective. Back in Credon, as a knight, I hadn’t ever much to worry about. Not after I’d established myself, anyway. Things had been simple. Straightforward. I’d been able to handle everything that had been thrown my way.

But on a new continent, I wasn’t as sure. With so many things I knew nothing about, I couldn’t even say for sure what I was worried about. It was a kind of ignorant anxiety, and it grated on me. No matter what though, it didn’t change my duty. Arathorn wanted to talk to me, and I would talk despite whatever complaints my worries had to offer.

An apple flew in front of my face.

I blinked, stepping back. Only a pace ahead of me, a green apple struck into my vision and then out. For a moment, I assumed the apple would land in the street. But right after it, a child barreled through and caught it, dashing away after she did.

“Sorry!” she called to me and continued running through the square. Wind slapped me in the face as I turned, and before I knew it, I chuckled. The warmth of the sun felt nicer on my face.

Flicking my eyes around, I could only smile. All in all, Sarin was a great town. Even if I hadn’t spent much time in it—even with my head spinning with worries, it had a way of making me feel better. It had a way of making me feel welcome, even when I’d only just arrived.

Another blast of wind ruffled my hair. I turned, shielding my eyes with a hand before the form of the town hall came into view. Slowly, my hand dropped. It curled around the grip of the sword on my waist. I took a deep breath, letting the large, raised wooden building loom over me for a second. Then I walked up.

Pushing out of the autumn sun, the town hall’s front door creaked as I entered. Instantly, one type of warmth was traded for another as the crackling fire bathed the room in a soft orange light. After the doorway, the town hall opened up into a wide meeting and lounging area with chairs, tables, and a small podium at the head. Off to the right, the stone-lined fireplace burned the last of its fuel. And with the light chatter of the few townsfolk waiting in the hall, it was a nice break from the lively town square.

The dread acted up again. Doubts rose up and I thought about backing out, but I didn’t. My brain scoffed at the ridiculous emotions.

Darting my eyes to Arathorn’s office, a guard in light armor stood to its left. Squinting, the average man’s face registered in my head. I’d seen him before. He’d been with Arathorn the first time I’d met him.

So, swallowing my illogical fear and walking up to the guard, I smiled. “I’m here to meet with Arathorn.”

The guard raised an eyebrow at me. “Name?” He stared at me, his face blank. As though he’d never seen me in my life. I curled my lip, frustrated by the formality for the first time in my life. I knew he was just doing his job, but it didn’t feel right for him not to even remember who I was.

“Agil Novan,” I responded, keeping up the fake smile. My fingers tightened on the hilt of my sword.

“Very well,” he said, cocking his head and moving out of the way. “You may walk in.” Then, he stepped in front of me again. “But do not disrespect Lord Gairen.”

I nodded and bit back the quips that rose to my lips. I’d been spending too much time with Kye, I realized as my lips tweaked upward. Because truly, I had no intention of disrespecting Arathorn. He was still my lord, regardless of whatever ghost I’d thought had been in his eyes.

Another second of silence was all it took before I’d crossed through the door.

As soon as I’d entered, I furrowed my brows. Dragging my eyes across the room, I almost thought I was in the wrong place. The office that sprawled out in front of me was not the one I’d expected. It was obviously an office, but it was quite… messy. In the dimly lit room, the ground was cluttered with objects. Boxes, books, stray papers. The scattered nature of it all contradicted everything I thought of Arathorn.

The office wasn’t large by any means. Certainly not as large as I’d imagined it, at least. And it didn’t have any windows except for a single one high up on the back wall. But even the only source of natural light in the room was barred off. Below it, Arathorn worked diligently, apparently not bothered by the low light. On his large, polished, and actually organized desk, his pen streamed across a piece of paper. Next to where his hand was moving like lightning, multiple neat stacks of other papers sat idly.

As I stepped forward, making sure to avoid a book on the ground, I nodded. The desk was what I’d expected.

The flood creaked under me, betraying my presence. Arathorn’s hand froze and his brows furrowed before he glanced up. As soon as he saw me, he smiled.

“Ah. Agil, hello!” He laid his pen down, his smile deepening. “I was expecting you, as you probably know.” His hand motioned to the empty chair on the other side of the desk and I walked toward it. “But you’re a little later than I anticipated. Did you have difficulty getting here?”

I smiled, trying to pass it off as genuine. Which was becoming easier and easier by the second because of Arathorn’s infectious charm. “Not particularly. Though, I was asleep when you called for me.”

Arathorn’s smile dropped. He tilted his head. “Asleep? At this time? What reason did you have for being asleep?” Questions came out quickly, as if strung together to confuse my mind.

I blinked, nearly stumbling over a stack of books on the floor as his speed caught me off guard. “Nothing special. I had been shot with an arrow in training, and I was getting healed.”

The Lord of Sarin relaxed at that. His shoulders slumped ever so slightly and his smile rushed back. “That makes perfect sense, then. I’m glad you could make it.” Looking down at the paper in front of him, he picked up his pen again and wrote one last thing. “Your lateness worked out well, too. It allowed me to finish up the last of my work before we got to talking.” He placed the paper on a small stack to my left. “I didn’t want to distract myself from this conversation. It is quite important.”

I narrowed my eyes, keeping my guard up. “Right. What exactly is this conversation about?” Arathorn raised an eyebrow. “I was told you had a task for me?”

For a moment, he stared at me. Without blinking, his eyes studied my face. Then, just as I started to shift, he raised his head. “This is about an opportunity I have for you.”

“Oh,” I said. Weight slipped off my shoulders and I sighed, composing myself. I pushed the worries away again. It was nothing suspicious. A simple opportunity, just as I’d guessed. “That sounds good for me.”

Arathorn chuckled. I eyed him. I couldn’t tell whether he was laughing to himself or at me. “Yes,” he said, his lips splitting wide. “I think so too. It is a task as you’ve been told, and it is one very close to me.” His gaze hardened. “It needs to be handled with care, you see?” I nodded slowly, my fingers tightening. Arathorn sniffed the air and smiled. “But I think you are the correct person for it.”

I raised one of my eyebrows and squared my shoulders. “What kind of opportunity?”

Arathorn sniffed the air again, staring me directly in the eye. “An opportunity for you to prove yourself, as well as visit a town very close to Sarin.” He tilted his head, grinning. “I need someone to retrieve a package for me. It is extremely important, and I am tied down here in Sarin. So, naturally, I need somebody else to do it.”

Squinting, I stared Arathorn in the eyes. Glittering blue stared back at me, perfectly covered in his mask of charisma. I still didn’t trust it. “Why do you want me?”

Arathorn kept our eyes locked. “Do you remember the first time we spoke?” he asked.

I nodded. “You came to the lodge while I was sparring.”

“Yes!” Arathorn exclaimed. “I watched your fight then. And I remember being impressed by your skill. It has amazing potential, you know.” I nodded, locking my teeth. I knew all about my own potential. “Then I learned of you becoming a ranger.” His nose twitched. “A welcome addition, if you ask me. So with your progress since then, you are easily a viable candidate.”

I nodded, recognizing the flattery. It was true that I’d progressed since becoming a ranger—the training session I’d had with Kye was proof enough of that—but there was more to this. There was more to what Arathorn wanted. There was a question I couldn’t quite understand. So, straightening up, I asked it myself.

“Why me, though? Why not any of the other veteran rangers? I’m sure they’re more experienced than I am.”

Arathorn’s smile wavered. He leaned back, doubt reaching into his gaze. “You think you aren’t up to the simple task?”

My eyebrows dropped. “That isn’t what I’m saying. I’m perfectly capable of taking advantage of the opportunity.” My lips curled upward. The years spent in a royal court still had their uses in this life.

“Good,” Arathorn said, raising his hands. “I wouldn’t offer it to someone who wasn’t capable. And if I am correct, you have no other pressing matters at the moment.” Reluctantly, I nodded at that. Arathorn sniffed the air. A look of assurance settled on his face. “You will have the chance to take a more experienced ranger, but I think you are a great candidate.”

Despite myself, I straightened up. Held my head high. Stiffened my shoulders. It felt good to have my lord recognize the progress I’d made. It was true, after all. And I had no doubt that retrieving whatever package he needed wouldn’t be an issue. As a knight, I’d traveled long enough distances before. “Thank you.”

Arathorn waved a hand in my direction, lowering his head. “Of course.”

The way he smirked, though, reminded me of my own doubt. Staring into his eyes, I focused on the sparkle. The confident glint in them that made him so friendly. I focused not only on it, but past it as well. And for a split second, I saw it again. The hunger—the awful desire hidden beneath waves of charismatic acting. My blood ran cold.

Before I knew it, I’d stepped back, my eyes widening. I broke eye contact with the Lord of Sarin and flicked my gaze around the room. All of the objects this time seemed tainted. Nothing was innocent; it was all bad. Whatever I’d seen in Arathorn’s eyes… something deep in my mind rejected it.

Shifting uncomfortably, my eyes roamed over the mundane items. Books, papers, containers, miniature statues. An array of knick-knacks that told the story of Arathorn as a successful lord to his town. In front of me, I could see him leaning forward and waving at me, but I didn’t pay attention. I couldn’t pay attention. Not as my eyes locked on one specific thing.

There, lying on the ground behind his desk, was a knife. I tilted my head, fighting the shiver that crept down my spine at the sight of it. It wasn’t just any knife. It was high-quality, sharpened, and the tip of it was covered in blood.

Why was it covered in blood?

I blinked, trying to wipe the anomaly from my vision. It didn’t work. Thousands of theories flew through my mind, hitting my skull and bouncing off, but I didn’t move my eyes. Each idea I had pulled at some irrational fear stemming deep in my mind. Something based on a memory I didn’t even recognize.

“Agil?” Arathorn asked. I froze, finally turning back to him. He watched me with furrowed brows, concern shining through his eyes. “Are you alright?”

I took a deep breath. Shook my head and cleared my thoughts of whatever fear had overcome me. “Yeah,” I said, trying to choose my words. “I’m fine… Just a little thrown, is all. Still… feeling my wound from earlier today, I guess.” I had to stop from cringing at my own lie.

“Oh.” He didn’t look convinced. “Maybe springing it on you was a bit sudden.”

I shook my head. “It’s fine, truly. I will do the job.” I got myself back on track, trusting in the years of discipline I remembered to carry me forward. “What will I have to do?”

Arathorn looked momentarily relieved before bringing his smile back. “Well, as I said, I need someone to pick up a package for me. The knight Lady Amelia has something for me in Norn. The gateway to the mountains. It is very important, and I don’t have the time to collect it.” New names swirled in my head. I noted them both, shoving them away to ask about later. “All I need is for you to get the package and come back. Travel to Norn, tell Lady Amelia I sent you, and all should be well.” The confident, friendly smile made it all seem so simple. “In fact, I’ll even give you my imprint for validity.” He reached into a wooden dish onto his desk and produced a small ring with elegant engravings on it. “If they ask, this should prove everything well. Just don’t lose it.”

Arathorn handed me the ring and I took it, slipping it on my finger without much of a second thought. Too many things were going on inside my head to think about some imprint ring. I’d dealt with royal seals before in Credon. It wasn’t a difficult concept to grasp. However, what I did need to ask about was my destination.

“I’m not familiar with Norn,” I said and tried to keep my tone level. Arathorn nodded slowly. “Is there a map I can use to get there?”

The Lord of Sarin scrunched his face, apparently confused by my question. He stared at me for multiple seconds in silence before regaining his composure enough to respond. “No. That won’t be necessary. If you don’t know where it is, then take someone who does. I will not prevent you from taking a companion on this trip.”

I smiled, bobbing my head. I leaned back on my heel and rolled the task over in my head. As far as I was concerned, it was simple enough. And with the allowance of bringing another ranger along, at least it wouldn’t be boring. Whatever package Arathorn wanted delivered was obviously important, but I could handle it. Yes, I could handle it. Leaving Sarin would be good anyway. Experience is what I’d wanted, after all.

“Great,” I said. “Is that all there is?”

Arathorn raised his chin, taking a long breath in through his nose. Then he smiled. “That is all I have for you. You can leave any time soon, but I’d like the package back here within a week.”

I nodded, burning the instructions into my mind. Before I’d been noticed by the Knights of Credon for my swordsmanship, I’d done odd-jobs around the city. I knew the style of being a second-rate postal service. And it would’ve been a lie to say I wasn’t interested in meeting other knights. Even though I enjoyed being a ranger, I was still a knight at heart.

Extending my arm and holding out my hand, I nodded at Arathorn one last time. “I’ll get it done.”

My lord beamed, holding out his own hand to shake mine. “Good. That is all this meeting was for, so if you need to leave, you may.”

A glint of something flashed in his eyes. I tore my hand away a little more abruptly than I’d intended, my lip curling in distaste. Swallowing dryly, I tried to mask the sudden disgust washing up from the back of my mind with a smile. I turned around, stepping around the mess on the floor on my way to the door.

And, pushing worries from my mind, I left the room with brand new purpose in my steps.