Riley

We reached a town finally. The boy and I had traveled for a whole night. We had finally found a town. Before that I of course removed his chains and healed him up as much as I could. I even took off his slave mark. We couldn’t have that lying around, could we? That would just be trouble in the making.

The boy was pretty battered up. He had cuts and scraps all over his body. Bruises and old wounds riddled his body. He was treated really badly. His spine was cracked at several spots. I tried to fix them, but I couldn’t without a few essential herbs. Plus, I needed to make a few potions myself. The herbs I got from master's chamber were rare herbs. I needed common ones. Master never kept those around. Those could all be easily found in towns.

“So, what’s your name?” I asked the boy as we approached the town gate.

“Name?” he said confused.

“You know, what people call you?” I said.

“Oh, they call me yo kid, yo scum and yo idiot” he answered.

I raised my eyebrows. "Oh" I said. "They never gave you a name then.” Those bastards couldn't they have at least given him a name?

“No, that’s what they call me. I guess those are my names.” He said giving me his most flattering smile.

“No those are not your names.” I said holding my head. This was not good. We can’t have him being called by those names. It would end very badly.

“Okay, we will pick a name for you. What kind of name would you like?” I asked him.

“Ummm. I always liked to be called All Mighty” he answered.

“No! That is not a good name. How about Riley” I suggested. All mighty? What kind of name was that? I guess he was still very young. Kids can have very vivid imaginations.

"I guess. But… I still like All Mighty better. It sounds awesome.” he said.

“No, Riley will do. From now on your name is Riley” I said. “So, Riley how old are you? Seven, eight, or maybe nine” I asked looking at his miniscule body. I opened a bottle and started drinking water, it was hot today.

“No, this year will be my eighteenth year of life" he answered grinning up at me.

I spat out the water that was in my mouth. “Are… are you sure? You don’t look eighteen at all. At most you look Nine, perhaps ten.” I said not believing the boy. How was it possible for him to be eighteen? There was no way!

“No, I’m eighteen I’m sure of that. How old are you sir?” He asked.

I coughed, the water left in my throat was suffocating me. “Well, I’m older than you. I’m... I’m… twenty” I answered trying to sound up right and authoritative. If the kid was really eighteen, we would only be two years apart. How was this possible?

“Oh, you’re older than me by 2 years. That’s not that much. That’s good. Can I know your name sir?” he asked.

“Call me Logan.” I said, coughing the last of the water out, finally clearing my throat.

"You really don’t look like you are eighteen. Do you know how to count? Maybe you counted wrong?" I insisted, still not believing his age.

"It's very possible for him to be eighteen. His Phoenix blood can slow his growth" said Carter. I jumped. Why was he always popping out when I least expect him?

“What?” I said glaring at Carter. He was laying on my shoulders once again.

“I’m sorry Logan sir. I can’t help it if my body doesn’t grow. I find it weird to.” Riley said pouting.

“I wasn’t talking to you Riley” I said, patting him over the head.

“Then who?" he asked, looking left, then right.

“Never you mind” I told him, stroking the top of his head.

Riley stopped talking.

“So, how does that work?” I asked Carter. He had one eye open while his other eye laid buried under his front limbs. His body was curled up in a very comfy sleeping position.

“Phoenix blood can keep people from aging. So, once his blood awakens he can’t grow until his first rebirth” Carter said opening up his mouth wide into a yawn.

“His first, what?” I shouted. Riley jumped next to me. He was looking more confused then I was.

"Sorry Riley, don’t mind me." I stroked his head. “Rebirth?” I craned my neck to look at Carter.

“Yes, his rebirth. Phoenixes are creatures of the cycle. They grow by being reborn over and over again. Rebirth works by having their entire body and soul destroyed and restructured by phoenix fire. It’s really a simple process, but also very complicated. Some Phoenix can only perform rebirth once in their life and others can do it endless times. This kid only has a faint trace of Phoenix blood in him. He probably can only do rebirth once.” He yawned.

“Fascinating" I said. I'd never heard of rebirth before. Legends did call the phoenix the undying bird. But I'd always thought that to be a myth.

We stopped by the city gate. “Stay close Riley" I instructed him. He nodded his little head. I smiled down at him. He was so innocent looking. Who would have thought he'd just recently escaped from a lifetime of torture and slavery?

We approached the city gate and joined the line. There was a lot of people wanting into the town.

“Did you hear about Sappon?” a lady ahead of us said to another lady standing next to her.

“No, what happened?” she asked curious.

“Awful business there. They say the entire city's been wiped clean off the map” She said, her tone sad and solemn.

“No way! How is that possible?” the other lady gasped, her hand clasped over her mouth.

“Yeah lady, how is that possible? I heard only half the town was burnt down.” I said before I could help myself. This was news I did not want to hear. This had to be a rumour. Sappon was already pretty battered when I left. This can't be true.

The lady turned and faced me. She shook her head and frowned. “That was old news. Just a week ago the city was completely destroyed. Not a single survivor.” She said her voice doleful.

“How?” I asked shocked. This can't be true. The people of Sappon had suffered enough already.

She looked left then right and waved for us to get closer. “Rumour has it, that the enemy mages from the South kingdom met up with the Armored and they got into a huge battle and boom! Sappon got wiped clean from the map. But, don’t spread that around. The official statement is that Sappon met with a natural disaster and got demolished." she whispered.

My jaw fell open. This is to much. How could Sappon be destroyed. I couldn’t believe it. All those lives. All those people. Then the face of Maria popped into my head. Did she leave Sappon in time? I felt a faint pain in my heart.

“Young man, are you okay?" asked the older lady.

“I’m okay.” I wiped a tear from the corner of my eyes. “I'd been there before." I said pausing to articulate my words. "The people there were nice people. I can’t believe such a thing happened.”

“I know. I'd visited Sappon several years before to. It’s really a disaster" she said dolefully. She moved up the line. It was her turn. The guard at the gate asked why she was here and registered her entrance and allowed her through.

“Next!" yelled the guard.

I stepped up pulling Riley with me. I composed myself. I couldn't allow it to affect me so much.

“State your business here in Banff?” the guard asked.

“Here to visit” I answered.

“Do you have anywhere to stay?” he asked scribbling on his clipboard.

“Not sure yet. We will have to find a place when we get inside.” I responded.

“Alright. I would recommend the Grand Pierce. Excellent hotel. Best in town.” He suggested.

The guard next to him chuckled. “Don’t believe him. His father owns the place. So, he advertises it every chance he gets” he laughed smacking the guard over the back.

“Hey! Stop interfering with my business." The first guard hollered, glaring at the other guard. "Don’t believe him. The Grand Pierce is the best in town, even if my old man owns it. I’m just telling you the truth here." he said handing me a business card.

I smiled and put the card away. “I’ll think about it when we get into town.” I amused him. I wasn't going to a hotel a guard who happens to be the owner's son recommends. That was plain stupid. Besides, I had lots of coins. I could go to any hotel in town.

“Alright, please state your names and we can let you on your way" he said turning back to his work.

“My name is Peter Parkside, and this here is my little brother James Parkside." I lied. We couldn't use our real names, could we?

“Peter Parkside and James Parkside.” He repeated, writing the names down on his clipboard. "Okay you’re both good to go. But, let me tell you. Your little brother needs some new clothes. Those don’t fit him anymore.” He suggested pointing at Riley.

“I know, but we’ve been travelling for so long that he grew out of them and this is the first town we’ve come across in a long while.” I said pretending to be exhausted. I had already washed and tried my best to patch up his clothes. But I couldn't make the clothes stretch, could I? Well, maybe. If I was more skilled in magic that could be possible. Unfortunately, I was not.

We walked into town and the first thing we came across was the aroma of tasty food.

Riley's stomach growled. So, did mine. He quickly covered it up. Seemingly afraid I would say something bad if I found out.

I smiled down at him “It’s okay. We are both hungry from this long journey. We will eat as soon as we get you some new clothes.” I said. Grabbing his hand and guiding him through the crowds of people.

Firstly, we needed to find a town map. I located it by the corner of the wall. I searched it and found the nearest clothing store. It was just a block away. It also so happened to be right next to a restaurant.

We traveled up the road and found the clothing store. We did not take long to find Riley new clothes. I bought him seven new sets of everything. I also bought several sets for myself. I threw them inside my ring.

We booth took showers and cleaned ourselves at the local bath house, which happened to be located right next to the clothing store. Riley washed up in a separate room from mine. I offered to help him, but he refused. After getting all cleaned up and dressed up, we came out of the bath house.

Riley cleaned and properly dress looked like a normal handsome boy. He gave me a glowing smile and I patted him over the head. He was eighteen but from looks and attitude he was no different from a small child. I couldn’t help it.

We walked into the restaurant. The lady at the counter sat us down and told us the specials for the day. I ordered them all. The table was so full by the time our food came, we had to switch to a larger table.

Riley tried to hold himself back, but I urged him on. His face lit up when I said he could eat till his hearts content.

He ate everything up really fast. Never in my life have I seen anyone eat so much, so fast. I only managed to eat a small portion of the food. It was like eating with a beast.

“This kid needs food to grow” said Carter appearing beside me.

I sighed. “Carter, are you back for good now? Or are you just appearing for fun?” I pointed at him with my fork.

“I’m back for good. This little Phoenix here needs a lot of energy before it can even begin to attempt rebirth. Plus, that seal needs to go. Why haven’t you unsealed it yet. It doesn’t look to complicated” Carter patronized me. He flew next to Riley.

Riley stopped eating and looked directly at Carter. Carter tilted his head and grinned at Riley. He held out his fronts claws and waved them in front of Riley's face.

“Little boy can you see me?” he asked.

Riley just stared blankly at Carter.

“Riley do you see something?” I asked him. Carter was supposed to be invisible to all beings except me. Could Riley see him?

“No, but something seems to be here.” He said running his hands through Carter.

Carter giggled and flew back to my side. "It tickles" he laughed.

Riley blinked. “It’s gone. It’s strange, but I think a spirit of some sort was here. I can’t see it, but I can feel it.” He shivered looking left and right. His eyes swaying.

“Really?” I said interested. So, Riley can feel spirits.

“Yes, but I know you wouldn’t believe me. Ever since I could remember, I can feel the presence of spirits if they are near me. It’s really scary.” He shivered.

“I believe you. Why wouldn’t I. I’m a mage, aren’t I?” I said smiling and patting him over the head.

He smiled. His croaked teeth showed but it was a pure smile. The boy was a good kid.

We finished off and payed for the meal. We walked pass a hotel. I looked up at the sign. It was the Grand Pierce. The hotel was worn, not very welcoming. I wondered who in their right minds would pick this place over the others in town

I started to walk away. But Riley did not follow me. I turned to see why he wasn't following along. He usually did exactly whatever I instructed.

Riley stood in front of the Grand Pierce and he started to shake. His eyes grew foggy and he fainted.

“What the?!” I yelled, catching him just in time. I checked his pulse. It was perfectly fine. Why did he faint? I checked his eyes, they were back to normal. What was wrong with him? His breathing was normal. He looked like he was just sleeping.

"Don't worry. He is starting his process of rebirth. But he won’t be able to truly start it with this magic sealed. You should just rest here.” Carter pointed at the Grand Pierce.

I eyed him. "This place?" I pointed at the Grand Pierce.

Carter nodded his head. "Why not, it looks perfectly fine. Plus, I think there is something here that is attracting Riley. Did you not see his foggy eyes before he fainted? That is a sign from his phoenix blood that something here can help in his rebirth" Carter explained.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Are you sure. This place!" I pointed once again at the Grand Pierce. "What could be here at this stingy old place?" I said sighing.

"I don't know. I'm not a phoenix" shrugged Carter.

I sighed and begrudgingly lifted Riley and walked into the hotel.