The City of Caeldig

Elswyth stared into the young man’s brilliant blue eyes. His face freckled and sunburnt, perhaps from standing for hours guarding the gates. His face remained passive, his lips slightly parted. He didn’t seem afraid of the strangers hidden and armed in the wagon.

Then she felt Roukan move. She quickly grabbed his wrist and shot him a warning look. Roukan’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Even she was surprised by her own actions. Her eyes went back to the boy who remained calm.

“Nothing here,” he said as he turned around and jumped off. As soon as they felt his weight off the wagon, they started moving. Both she and Roukan gasped for air, realizing they were both holding their breath.

“Don’t you worry now, girl” Anwar said patting his horse. “We’re almost there. Calm down.”

A few more turns and they finally arrived at Anwar’s home. He parked in the stables and told them to wait for twilight before they sneak in. “Wait until it’s dark,” he whispered. “Enter the house through the window on your right,” he whispered before he left.

When they heard Anwar’s door close, Roukan spoke.

“What was that?” he growled at her. “He saw us.”

“I know,” Elswyth looked him straight in the eyes. “But I think we did the right thing,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“We could’ve killed him, but I know it’s not his time.” She doesn’t know why these words are coming out of her lips, but she knew it was the truth. Roukan surprisingly simply accepted what she said.

They didn’t wait too long for the night to set in. They made their way to the window crouched and slid through the open window. Inside, a young woman with a babe in her arms greeted them.

Her brown eyes were gentle and calm. She was wearing a faded yellow dress, with holes on the skirt and sleeve that was fitted too loose as if they we’re for someone else. The babe was wearing linen cloth around his waist. He was snuggled in an emerald wrap, sound asleep.

Anwar entered the room, wearing a fresh set of clothes and clean face.

“Ah, you made it,” he said smiling. “This my daughter, Ailana. And that boy is Lior.”

“It is an honor to serve the Guardian,” Ailana said blushing. “I’d greet you properly if I could, only I—” she cocked her head towards her baby.

“It’s alright,” Elswyth smiled. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Set him down, girl. He’s asleep.”

Alaina did as her father said. Anwar sat beside the sleeping baby while she prepared for dinner. She cut and cleaned the deer’s carcass Anwar brought home and added them on a boiling water. She added onions, potatoes, and carrots. She picked a few herbs in their garden and milk from their goat.

“The boy saw us,” Roukan said to Anwar. “We’ll take care of him. Don’t worry.”

“Edward?” Anwar shook his head and waved his hand dismissingly. “Don’t worry about it. He’s a good lad,” he said.

“He’s a little prick,” Ailana argued. “Just last week, he took one of father’s hunt and said it was his toll payment.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Doesn’t seem like a kind man to me,” Roukan said.

“He’s desperate to keep his job. He’ll do anything to act like one of them.”

“What do you mean?” Roukan asked.

“City guards control the rations,” he explained. “They take as much as they want and distribute the rest.”

“Leaving everyone else hungry,” Roukan spat.

“If it means providing for your family,” he said sadly. “Some are willing to throw away their soul if they are desperate. And as you can see, we’re pathetic enough as it is.”

“How can we make sure he’ll keep his mouth shut?” Roukan said.

“He’ll come here with a demand” Anwar looked at his broken door. “Blackmail is an art he mastered.”

Elswyth looked at Anwar, guilty of the dangerous situation she had put him in. She looked at Roukan who slightly nodded at her, understanding what needs to be done to resolve their little problem.

“I can take care of him,” Anwar reassured him. “Go on and wash your hands. Dinner will be ready soon.”

“You really don’t have to—” she said.

“I insist,” he said smiling. “How rare to have the Guardian in my humble home.”

She happily did as he told her and dragged Roukan along. The smell of stew filled the room, and she heard her stomach growl. It’s been a while since she had any warm food. Ailana set the table and served them with a bowl of stew and stale bread.

“It’s not much, but it’ll keep you warm and your belly full,” said Ailana.

“The key is,” Anwar whispered to Elswyth. “You cut the bread into small pieces and drop them into the stew.

She couldn’t help but smile at him. Ever since she left Faeldic, the people she met are brute and cold. They are mistrusting and often do not take too kindly to strangers.

“This is delicious, Ailana. Thank you,” she said as she started to eat more and more of the stew. Ailana only had a few bites of the stew when Lior woke up and started crying.

“Always on cue,” she sighed as she got up. “Right when I’m about to eat, he starts crying.”

Elswyth looked at Lior and unlike his mother who has brown hair, his hair is black.

“Does he look like his father?” she asked.

Ailana stopped rocking the baby for a second. She looked down on the child and smiled. “Yes. Come to think of it, he does,” she said meekly.

“He’s not our kin,” Anwar explained. He took another swig of his old ale and continued. “He was our neighbor’s, Keiran and Jo. A month ago, they died of sickness. They were coughing blood and there weren’t enough medicines to go around, little Ha—”

“Father,” Ailana begged him to stop.

“It’s okay to talk about it, dear,” he said sadly. “My granddaughter, Hana, died of the same sickness. She was only two.”

He sighed and smiled down. “If there was a way for me to give my own life for hers, I would. But Death came for her first before this old man.”

Then the sadness in his eyes changed. He glared down at his drink. “The guards said there wasn’t enough medicine to go around, but we knew there was. They’ve been hiding it, stashing it away from the people. Only those who can do their dirty bidding are provided.”

“Poor Keiran went to them every day, and every day he returned empty handed. He died on the streets and Jo—young Jo knocked on our door begging for us to take their child. Soon the sickness took Hana’s life too. And Ailana’s husband Einar died for a vain cause”

Ailana looked away, wiping a tear that escaped her brown eyes.

“He could’ve let it go,” Anwar sighed. “His daughter was gone and now so is he, leaving you, my dear daughter, alone in the world. He made a vow to always protect you. How was he supposed to do that six feet underground?”

“We can’t even give him a proper burial,” Ailana cried.

“These young men fighting, letting their emotions run their bodies like it’s out of their control. He went there with a rake in his hand against fully armored men. Ha! He’s strong but his brain don’t work that well. As if an old farm tool can kill a shadow.”

“Father please, not so loud. Your words might fall on the wrong ears,” Ailana cautiously checked the windows and shut it close.

Anwar sighed. “You’re right.” he drank his ale. “I’m all talk, aren’t I? At least he had the courage to fight.”

He then looked at Elswyth, his face red from alcohol yet his eyes are full of determination. “Are you afraid to face them Shadows, Guardian?”

The question took her by surprise. She smiled at him and nodded. “Yes,” she breathed.

Anwar smiled back. “Good. You need a little bit of fear to fight. It makes you smart, cautious. But don’t let it stay your hands. Swing your sword and swing it true. And free us from this wretchedness.”

Three more gulps then Anwar got up and headed for his bedroom. “I trust you don’t need my help for the rest of your plan?” he said as he opened the door.

“No Sir,” Ellie answered.

“Good,” he smiled looking back. “I expect my city free in the morning.”