Truth: Makilien Trilogy - Book 1 Page 4

  Glad to be indoors again, Makilien pulled off her wet cloak and laid it over a chair. Wearily, she sat in the other and stared out the rain-pelted window as daylight diminished, watching the few people braving the elements pass by.

  She dug into her pack for her supper a short time later. Now that she could replenish her food supply, she ate until her stomach was contentedly full. Afterward, she grew sleepy and crawled into bed. It wasn’t as comfortable as her bed at home, but it was a bed and not the ground. Wondering what the next few days would bring, Makilien drifted off to sleep listening to the rain, the echoing thunder, and the hum of voices still coming from the common room.

  Chapter Five

  Friend or Foe?

  When Makilien woke the next morning, memories of the last two days were slow in coming, and it was not until her eyes took in the small bedroom of the inn that she remembered clearly where she was. Itching from the unpleasant straw mattress, she sat up and slipped on her mud-caked shoes. As she buckled her belt around her waist, her stomach growled. She had become tired of cold food by now and hoped she could get a warm meal here at the inn.

  Leaving her room, Makilien walked down the hall and into the common room. It wasn’t nearly as full as the night before, but several men still occupied the tables. Now, without her cloak and the darkness of evening, it was easy for them to see she was a woman. Apprehension grew inside her when she caught some of the men staring at her. Attempting to ignore them, she walked up to the counter and the grouchy old innkeeper.

  “Can I get some food?” she asked.

  “All I got made up right now is some soup,” he told her shortly.

  “As long as it’s warm I’ll take it.”

  The innkeeper ladled the thick soup into a wooden bowl and handed it to her along with a spoon. Makilien thanked him, to which he only grunted, and she turned around to look for somewhere to sit. An empty table sat in one corner farthest from anyone else. She hurried over to it and took a seat.

  Makilien was cautious in taking her first bite of the soup, leery over how it might taste. To her surprise, she found it quite delicious after what she’d been eating on her journey here. In a short time her bowl was emptied.

  Now what? Makilien wondered. She needed to decide her next move. Reylaun was much too close for her to feel comfortable staying in the village for long. She would have to move on, but to where? I should try to find a map. Then at least I’ll know what is out there.

  Makilien stood, intending to do just that. She headed toward the door, but her way was blocked by two burly men. Stopping abruptly, Makilien looked up at their harsh faces. She swallowed hard. Their eyes settled on the pouch of money she still had hanging from her belt. Alarm gripped her. How could you be foolish enough to leave it there for all to see?

  Trying not to panic, she took a step backward, but they came after her. Dashing forward, Makilien barely slipped past them and bolted for her room, but the men trailed not far behind. Makilien flew around the corner into the hall and sprinted toward her room.

  Without warning, a door opened, and a strong hand caught her by the arm. In spite of her momentum, she was easily pulled into the room, and the door closed before she could react. Her scream was cut off by a hand covering her mouth. The greatest fear and panic she had ever experienced filled her with desperation. She struggled mightily to break free of the iron-like arm pinning her arms to her sides, but her captor was just too strong. It was impossible to escape.

  “It’s all right,” a man’s deep voice whispered in her ear, “I’m just trying to help you.”

  The words penetrated her terror, and Makilien stopped struggling but stood stiff with fright, breathing hard as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. For a moment, nothing happened, but then pounding footsteps stopped outside the door.

  “Which room is hers?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Silence followed for a long moment.

  “I’ll wait for her in the common room and you can watch the back door,” the first man instructed.

  Once their footsteps had died away, Makilien’s captor released her. Fearing for her life, she pulled out her dagger and spun around to face the man. When her eyes settled on him, she realized only a dagger for defense would do little good if this man intended to harm her. He was tall, like her father, with dark hair that came to his shoulders and a dark beard. His clothing was worn and suited for travel, but Makilien’s gaze lingered for a long moment on the sword hanging from his belt. Swallowing hard, she looked up to his face and found that, despite his rough appearance, kindness warmed his gray-green eyes.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” the man said in a gentle voice, keeping his distance so he wouldn’t frighten her further, “but you do have to be careful. Andin is notorious for thieves and murderers.”

  Makilien didn’t know what to say. Could she trust him? She eyed him warily, the boldness she’d possessed when first meeting Torick nowhere to be found. Finally, she stammered, “Wh-who are you?”

  “I was about to ask you the same question. You are not from around here, are you?”

  “No, I’m not and . . . I don’t know who I can trust,” Makilien spoke truthfully.

  At the uncertainty in her voice, the man gave her a reassuring smile. “My name is Halandor. I am from Eldor.”

  Makilien hesitated. With no knowledge of what Eldor was, the information was of no help. Finally, she thought to ask, “Are you for or against Zirtan?”

  “Against,” Halandor answered with a confidence that gave Makilien little doubt he spoke the truth.

  Feeling a bit more sure he truly didn’t intend her harm, she said, “My name is Makilien.”

  “Makilien,” Halandor repeated, an unexpected sadness tingeing his voice.

  She nodded, wondering at his tone, but it was gone when he asked, “Where do you come from, Makilien?”

  “Reylaun.”

  Now surprise entered Halandor’s eyes. “You came here from Reylaun?”

  “Yes, I left two days ago.”

  “Not many people leave Reylaun or villages like it, and those who try rarely succeed.”

  “I know. There are guards looking for me. I’ve been trying to avoid them.” Makilien glanced nervously out the window. “Do they come here?”

  “They could.”

  Makilien’s fear grew again.

  Knowing she was ill-prepared to be on her own, Halandor asked, “Where are you headed?”

  “I don’t know,” Makilien admitted, suddenly feeling a little hopeless. “I don’t know where I am, and I know nothing about Dolennar outside of Reylaun.”

  With compassion in his voice, Halandor explained, “Well, to begin with, we are in the village of Andin. It is one of the only villages this far to the north that is not directly controlled by Zirtan. I am traveling south to my home country of Eldor. It is a country most opposed to Zirtan’s rule. If you’d like, you are welcome to come along with me.” He didn’t want her to wander around on her own. She surely would never make it without help.

  Makilien thought long and hard before answering. She needed help if she was going to survive and would eventually have to trust someone. She couldn’t know for sure if Halandor was telling her the truth, but something told her he was.

  “All right, I would like to go with you,” she decided.

  “Good. I’ll do all I can to get you there safely,” he told her.

  Makilien’s hope returned. “Thank you.”

  Halandor smiled and then looked at her money pouch. “If you will trust me with it, I think it would be safer for me to carry your money.”

  Makilien took the pouch from her belt and weighed it in her hand. It was all she had, but she gave it to him. He bent down to pick up his pack from the floor. Putting her money into it, he lifted the pack over his shoulder.

  “Do you have anything in your room?”

  Makilien nodded, and Halandor opened the door. After she retrieved her own pack, Makilien followed him
back to the common room.

  Knowing the other men would be waiting for Makilien, Halandor said, “Just stay close to me.”

  Makilien did as instructed. When they entered the common room, she immediately spotted one of the two men who had been after her. He sat at a table where he could easily watch the door. Halandor saw him too and gave him a warning look. To Makilien’s great relief, the man didn’t make any move to come after her again. He only glowered at her, disappointed she was no longer alone, and she was increasingly glad she had agreed to go with Halandor.

  Walking up to the bar, the innkeeper scowled at them.

  “Is this girl a friend of yours, Halandor?” he asked unpleasantly.

  “Yes, Rindal, she is.”

  “Then next time she wants to stay here, you be here with her. I don’t like givin’ out rooms to just anyone, ‘specially troublemakers.”

  Rindal looked hard at Makilien, and she couldn’t believe he blamed her for the trouble with the other men.

  “I will,” Halandor assured him.

  “You’d better,” Rindal grumbled.

  Ignoring the innkeeper’s foul mood, Halandor asked, “How much do we owe you?”

  Rindal mumbled the amount, and Halandor paid for both rooms from his own money. As the innkeeper pocketed the coins, Halandor thanked him for his hospitality. Rindal’s scowl only deepened at this, and Halandor led Makilien out of the inn.

  Outside, she asked, “Is he always like that?”

  Halandor smiled at the question. “Yes. He’s easily put off by people, especially strangers.”

  “But he’s an innkeeper,” Makilien said, puzzled.

  Halandor only shrugged, but then looked around cautiously, becoming serious. “We must be careful to watch for the guards who are after you.”

  Makilien nodded, wondering what might happen if they did run into them.

  “We will need to buy supplies before we can leave here,” Halandor went on. “It’s a long journey to Eldor, and this is the last village on the road we’ll be traveling.”

  “How far is it?”

  “About a week on foot.”

  Makilien could hardly imagine it. Even just two days from Reylaun and she already felt a world away.

  Halandor led her familiarly down a few side streets, checking every so often to make sure she stayed close. He motioned for her to follow him into what seemed to be just a random building, but when Makilien walked in, she found it was in fact a shop. Inside were all manner of items and supplies anyone could need to begin a journey. A lovely woman with chestnut brown hair and pretty hazel eyes met them just inside the door.

  “Halandor,” she said in a sweet voice. “It’s been quite some time.”

  “Hello, Laena,” Halandor replied with a smile. “It has indeed.”

  “Are you here for supplies?”

  “Yes, we are.”

  Always interested in news and such, Laena asked, “Where are you headed?”

  “Back to Eldor.”

  “I hear there could be fighting there soon,” Laena said, echoing the rumors that had been circulating for weeks.

  “Unfortunately, that’s true. That’s why I need to get back as soon as possible.”

  “You know I have no love for Zirtan or any of his underlings so I hope you beat him, and beat him good,” Laena declared. It was then she noticed Makilien and smiled at her. “Who’s your friend?”

  “Her name is Makilien,” Halandor answered.

  For a reason unknown to Makilien, Laena’s expression was one of surprise. “Really? Well, what can I get the two of you?”

  “Food, mainly, but Makilien could use a few more supplies.” Halandor looked at Makilien. “I would suggest new clothing for the journey.”

  She looked down at her homespun farm dress. It wouldn’t last a long journey as it had already sustained quite a bit of wear on the journey from Reylaun alone.

  “You’re right, I do need something different.”

  “Find her whatever she needs, Laena,” Halandor instructed.

  “Right this way,” Laena told Makilien kindly.

  The other woman led Makilien into a crowded back room. Clothing lay everywhere.

  “These ought to fit you well enough,” the woman said as she chose several articles of clothing and handed them to Makilien. “Go on and change behind that curtain, and if they fit nicely, I’ll pack more for you.”

  Makilien stepped behind a long curtain in the corner and changed out of her dress. The clothing Laena provided was much different than what she was used to. There was a pair of dark, leather pants and the dress, made of strong, dusty blue linen, was constructed with a skirt that was split up the front and back and along the sides, clearly for ease of movement and riding horses. Over the top went a sleeveless overdress with a lace up front and sides. The long skirt was split just like the dress. This was made of dark brown leather. All constructed of sturdy material that would last months of heavy travel.

  She stepped out from behind the curtain feeling like a different person in the new clothing.

  “Everything fits well,” she told Laena.

  “Good,” Laena said with a pleased smile, and turned to pack a couple more pairs of the same kinds of clothing into a new, larger pack. Lastly, she picked up a pair of leather boots. “Try these on for size.”

  Makilien slipped her feet into the boots that came up to her knees. She took a few steps and nodded. “They fit too.”

  “Very good, now we just need a few more things.”

  Laena gathered a cloak, a new wool blanket, and anything else she thought Makilien might need. Finally, they returned to Halandor, and Laena provided their food supplies.

  “How much do I owe you?” Halandor asked when she finished.

  “That will be twenty for the food and one-hundred for the clothes and other things.”

  Halandor started counting out his money.

  “I want to pay for my things or at least some of it,” Makilien said. “I’m not sure I have enough.”

  Halandor gave Makilien her money and she counted it.

  “I only have seventy-eight,” she said regretfully.

  “I can pay the rest,” Halandor offered.

  But Laena shook her head. “I’ll take the seventy-eight.”

  “Thank you very much,” Makilien said gratefully.

  Now, with all the supplies they would need to take them to Eldor, Makilien and Halandor said goodbye and turned for the door.

  “Wait,” Laena stopped them. “I just thought of something I’d like to give you before you go.”

  Makilien and Halandor turned back as she disappeared into the back room again. They heard some rummaging around and then Laena’s muffled voice.

  “Ah, here we are.”

  She returned carrying a long object wrapped in cloth and handed it to Makilien. Curiously, Makilien unwrapped the heavy item. The cloth fell back to reveal the hilt of a sword. Surprised, Makilien pulled the cloth completely off, realizing the sword wasn’t as large as Halandor’s. It was just the right size for her. She studied the two handed hilt, admiring the simple design wrapped with black leather and topped off with a round pommel. The silver cross-guard was straight and rounded at the ends.

  “I’ve had that laying around forever now,” Laena said. “Someone traded it to me a few years back. It’s too small for the men who come to buy weapons so I’ve never known what to do with it, but something tells me you could put it to use.”

  “But I don’t have any more money.”

  “I’m giving it to you," Laena said gently. “No need to pay me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Certainly.”

  Makilien could hardly believe the woman’s kindness. “Thank you.”

  Laena smiled. Halandor thanked her again as well before he and Makilien left the shop.

  Chapter Six

  On the Road

  Just outside the shop, they paused so Makilien could fasten the sword to her belt. Befo
re they moved on, Halandor handed her a folded piece of parchment. Glancing at him questioningly, she unfolded it and found it was a map of Dolennar, something she’d only ever dreamed of seeing.

  “This is Andin, here.” Halandor pointed to a village in the northwestern portion of Dolennar. “We are going to follow the road southeast, through the forest of Eldinorieth, and here, on the other side of this river, is Elimar, our destination.”

  “Is Elimar a city?” Makilien asked.

  “Yes, an Elven city.”

  “Elven!” Makilien looked at Halandor, her eyes widening in alarm.

  Halandor nodded slowly, but his eyes showed understanding. “You’ve heard stories of Elves being evil, haven’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “None of those stories are true. Elves are not evil. In fact, they are the only race who does not have any of their people actually in league with Zirtan.”

  “Why is that?”

  Halandor smiled a little. “They are much wiser than most Humans.”

  Makilien found it all very interesting and turned her eyes back to the map, fascinated. At last, she refolded it and held it out to Halandor, but he told her to keep it, which pleased her enormously.

  With everything in order, they followed the streets to the village’s southern gate. From there they traveled the dirt road leading into open country as far as Makilien could see. She’d never seen anything like it before. Only tall grass blowing in the wind with occasional clumps of trees spread far apart.

  All day Makilien and Halandor walked, and she was able to ask all the questions she wanted. Halandor told her much about Eldor, a country shared by Elves and Humans. It was ruled by a Human king named Darand who Halandor spoke of with high esteem. Minarald was the capital city. Elimar, the Elven city, which was their destination, was ruled separately by an Elven-lord named Elnauhir.

  Once most of Makilien’s immediate questions were satisfied, Halandor was curious to know more about her so she told of her life back in Reylaun. When she came to the arrival of Torick, she was surprised to learn Halandor knew him well and they had traveled north together. She could see his deep concern when she told him of Torick’s capture.