《Finding Magic》


 Chapter One

    The knight dropped his weapon on the lush plains of the field. He stood in the middle of battle as dusk approached. He glanced from his fallen sword to the fire-breathing dragon. Raising his hand, he tried to cast a spell, however nothing left his palm. There was no thrum of magic flowing through him. He lowered his hand and sighed. The red dragon opened its mouth, preparing to incinerate him


    Moments ago he was fearing for his life, about to cast an ice spell from the tip of his blade against his enemy. But instead his mind wandered off and he wondered: why do dragons breathe fire? They were just fat, enchanted lizards. Magic made little sense sometimes.


    Especially now, when his magic left him and he didn¡¯t care. The knight thought of his what he would eat tonight. When the dragon¡¯s flames rapidly scorched the Earth in it¡¯s path towards him, the knight realised he didn¡¯t care much for his dinner either. He had no magic, no appetite, and soon: no life.


    ¡°God has forsaken me. Huh,¡± he said aloud to no-one.


    ¡°Renato! Get out the way!¡±


    Somebody charged at the knight, shoving Renato to safety before the flames reached him. The somebody was Pepi, Renato¡¯s twenty-one year old squire. Pepi¡¯s unkempt beard and frizzy hair made him look like he¡¯d been away from civillation for years. He¡¯d been much too busy helping Renato and the townsfolk these past few months to take care of his appearance. Upon seeing the knight dodge the attack, it paced and snarled, roaring so loudly it shook the ground.


    Pepi¡¯s eyes looked back and forth between the dragon and Renato, who he lugged along while running away. Night was approaching quickly and stars peppered the sky above. The dragon turned its attention to the town¡¯s defense walls, beginning to climb.


    ¡°What the hell were you- nevermind. How do we get rid of this dragon? It¡¯s trying to get inside the walls and eat the cattle!¡±


    ¡°Tell it to go home,¡± Renato suggested.


    Pepi rolled his eyes. The situation was hopeless. None of the knights had come out to help Renato due to their incurable illness. It was just the two of them on the field. Renato was the only one who knew how to fight but now, for whatever reason, he couldn¡¯t. There was no time to ask why. Pepi stood up and jogged towards the dragon. He waved his arms to get its attention. The dragon coiled its tail and narrowed its eyes at the human with a clear death wish.


    ¡°Please!¡± Pepi shouted. ¡°Leave us alone! Our cattle are underfed, you wouldn¡¯t want them! They¡¯re walking skeletons!¡±


    The dragon¡¯s entire body froze, no longer attempting to climb over the wall. Then it wandered closer and closer to the human and blew flames through it¡¯s nostrils, burning the grass in front of Pepi. Its bright yellow eyes looked directly into Pepi¡¯s hazel ones, with its thin pupils dilating into ovals. The dragon raised its neck and unfolded its great wings, blocking out half the sky and the stars. With a huge gust of wind the beast propelled itself into the air. Was it going to fly into the town? Everyone would be doomed.


    But the dragon flew away. Pepi lowered his arms from his face after the wind of its wings faded, placing a hand over his pounding heart. The dragon flew far into the distance and into the night.


    Pepi returned to the rock where Renato sat.


    ¡°Is it gone?¡± Renato asked. ¡°That was quick.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I suddenly developed the ability to talk to dragons. Or maybe the dragon left because the temperature dropped. Lizards hate the cold no matter how big and fiery they are.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why they¡¯re in Etral. This country isn¡¯t the warmest place for anyone, let alone big lizards.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go speak to the posh folk and tell them the dragon¡¯s gone.¡± Pepi began to guide Renato by the shoulders towards the Lord¡¯s manor.


    A couple of Farmer Dunn¡¯s sheep stared at them as they drew closer to Llantry¡¯s South Gate. Renato and Pepi were let inside by a guard and reached the main path, leading to the town center.


    ¡°What were you doing back there, standing there doing bugger all?!¡± Pepi yelled.


    Renato trudged along absent-mindedly. ¡°Thinking ¡®bout lizards, food, magic, God. Quite a few things,¡± he mumbled. ¡°I have a lot of thoughts in me head.¡±


    Pepi shoved Renato, grabbing fistfuls of his own frizzy hair. ¡°For someone with a load of thoughts, you haven¡¯t got any damn sense! We could¡¯ve died!¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± Renato said.


    ¡°Listen, I¡¯d say sorry for overstepping boundaries but you hired me to keep your butt out of danger.¡±


    ¡°I can''t¡­¡± Renato whispered as though he couldn¡¯t physically speak any louder. ¡°I can¡¯t use me magic. It¡¯s gone.¡±


    Pepi turned to Renato; his fury fell away as he kneaded his forehead with worn fingers, letting out a hard sigh.


    ¡°First the townsfolk and the knights, now you. I swear there¡¯s a curse on this town. It also doesn¡¯t help that you¡¯re the only experienced magic healer too- hold your horses, how come you look different? You sound different too.¡±


    Usually, Renato had wavy gold hair, a dazzling smile, and a chiselled jaw befitting the hero people knew him to be. At present, Renato had short brown hair, large buckteeth, and acne riddled cheeks. Renato¡¯s speech had become heavy with an accent similar to the townsfolk.


    ¡°I use glamour spells every day. S¡¯pose they aren¡¯t working either. It was fun being handsome while it lasted.¡±


    ¡°What a waste of spells. We¡¯ll have a chat about vanity and misusing magic later.¡±


    The two of them walked by the temple, a quiet haven for meditation and rituals. Townsfolk went there often these days. But sitting in silence for hours on end hadn¡¯t done anything to cure their magic loss.


    Three people stood by the entrance looking as if they¡¯d just buried somebody in the temple¡¯s cemetry. None of them noticed Renato and Pepi. Across the street, the stone-mason Anier wept by the statue of Lidion - god of protection - begging for forgiveness. You knew things were becoming desperate when the town¡¯s most stoic citizen had tears and snot on his face. They took a right and walked through Crystalcoin Borough where the gentry lived.


    ¡°Don¡¯t suppose you¡¯ve suddenly regained your magic, have you?¡±


    ¡°No I don¡¯t think so.¡± Renato searched for the pulse of magic in his arm and found none. ¡°Ah, I don¡¯t want to see the Lord. I want to go see if me mam¡¯s made any pie.¡± His stomach grumbled as if comedic timing was the only magic he had left.


    ¡°Pie? That¡¯s the last thing you should be worrying about.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried, it¡¯s just that she makes a nice apple pie. I haven¡¯t seen her in months. I¡¯ve been so busy since I was chosen by Lidion at the beginning of this year. But then again, if I saw her, she would be disappointed that I lost me magic.¡± Renato¡¯s face showed no emotion.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Listen pal,¡± Pepi sighed. ¡°We have to speak to Lord Paule and tell him his so called Chosen Protector of Llantry isn¡¯t much of a protector anymore. You can¡¯t protect them from illness when you¡¯re like this. Even when we asked healers to come to town, you had over four-hundred people to tend to.¡± He shook his head with dismay. ¡°When they¡¯re gone you¡¯re left with a thousand patients at night. You also can¡¯t protect the townsfolk from creatures outside the walls that need more than a metal stick to defeat them.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I want to keep them safe.¡± Renato stated in a flat voice. ¡°They don¡¯t deserve to suffer. Lord Paule hasn¡¯t been much help thus far, so I don¡¯t think he knows what to do.¡±


    ¡°Right, but we¡¯ll talk to him anyway.¡±


    At the end of the street, the walled manor was guarded on top of the gatehouse by a single knight. He hadn¡¯t been much of a knight lately as the illness had taken its toll on him. Pepi frowned. The knight looked at nothing and half-heartedly changed posture when he noticed the pair.


    ¡°Halt. Who goes there?¡± The knight called, aiming a crossbow towards Pepi. The pointed end of the arrow was facing the knight¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Careful Dumpster, you might shoot yourself with that thing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Sir Dempster, not Dumpster. State your business Squire.¡±


    ¡°Well, we live here so that should be reason enough to let us in.¡± Pepi rolled his eyes. ¡°But right now we need to speak to Lord Paule. Your head knight¡¯s magic buggered off.¡± Pepi knocked on Renato¡¯s armour. Renato jolted like he¡¯d just been awakened, then went back to looking dazed, and thinking of apple pie.


    ¡°I see. That¡¯s not good at all. The town is now in a state of emergency.¡± Dempster pulled a lever and opened the drawbridge for them.


    The knights hadn¡¯t been fun to tease from the moment Pepi stepped into this town. The illness began spreading since the end of last year, according to Renato. Possibly the only excitement they¡¯d had this year was two months ago when Pepi arrived as a merchant while travelling South.


    During his travels, someone gave him a job hiring poster. They told him a knight needed his help, and a picture of him was shown below the text, which described the job duties. Next thing he knew: Pepi arrived in Llantry with only vague memories of how he got there. The town had no life when Pepi arrived. Animals in the fields greeted him with silence. The gate¡¯s guard let him inside the gate without a glance. Buildings loomed over empty streets.


    Wanting to find the knight, or anyone for that matter, Pepi sang a catchy song; an advertisement of his candies. Eventually, people poked their head through doors or looked out of windows. Children were his first customers as they raced outside, trying to sing along to a song they didn¡¯t know. When the crowd was at its largest, he saw the knight from the poster. He walked with four other knights, heading for the gate across town, opposite the one Pepi went through.


    ¡°Hey, mister knight!¡± he called out, but the crowd was too loud for the knight to hear. ¡°Alright folks, that¡¯s enough for today, got to be on my way now!¡± Pepi bellowed, swerving his cart around the crowd, towards the knight. ¡°Wait!¡±


    The knight stopped, turning around to find the source of the shout. ¡°Oh hello, did you need something?¡± The knight said with a softness that matched his sky blue eyes, but contrasted his well-built face and body. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve met. I¡¯m Renato.¡± He smiled, showing a perfect set of white teeth, and held out his hand.


    Pepi shook his hand, letting go of the cart. ¡°I¡¯m Pepi, I just arrived in town.¡± He showed the poster to Renato. ¡°This is you, right?¡±


    One of the other knights said ¡°Renato, we haven¡¯t got all day. That hoard of trolls won¡¯t wait forever before they break down the gate again.¡±


    Renato read the poster, growing more confused the further he read and furrowing his brow. ¡°Where did you find this? I¡¯ve never made posters asking for a squire. I think you have the wrong person.¡±


    ¡°It has your face on it! And the name of the town! Are you sure you don¡¯t need help? I wouldn¡¯t have travelled this far South if it wasn¡¯t for something important.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ I do need help, these two are barely on their feet. But,¡± Renato shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t have the time to train you. I¡¯m sorry.¡± His eyes lowered, he seemed to be truly sorry that he didn¡¯t know what Pepi was talking about. He handed the poster back to Pepi and walked away.


    Pepi noticed writing on the back and he read it aloud; ¡°By the saving grace of Lidion, we ask for protection; from disease, famine, and war. We know that death is nigh, but let us live a long and happy life, and we will become people worth protecting.¡± He scratched his head. ¡°That sounds cheerful yet dark at the same time.¡±


    Hearing footsteps, Pepi jumped when he looked up and saw Renato standing over him, who grabbed Pepi by the shoulders.


    ¡°Lidion sent you! He must have!¡± Renato hugged Pepi, twirling him around, and began laughing. ¡°It all makes sense! He spoke to me through a reflection of myself in the river, though I¡¯ve heard of gods taking the form of humans.¡±


    Squishing Pepi¡¯s cheeks together, Renato beamed. ¡°I wonder why he didn¡¯t just introduce us, but who knows what great plans go through Lidion¡¯s head. Come on now! We have trolls to scare away!¡± Renato dragged Pepi away from his cart, which was looted bare by the time they reached the South Gate.


    What he lacked in strength, Pepi made up for in quick ideas and even quicker feet. Renato relied on his help more as the remainder of the knights fell ill. Thoughts of home crossed Pepi¡¯s mind when the days were too long to bare. Even so, he stayed. Because he knew it would be beyond unbearable for Renato, who desperately needed help from someone with good health, who never complained, despite his magic fading.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired.¡± Renato droned.


    The knight never complained. Until today, that is.


    Pepi and Renato walked through the gate then the courtyard, heading to the dining hall. The manor didn¡¯t look as noble as it once had, given the fall in tax collections and lack of servants willing to maintain the building. Old tapestries lined the walls showing scenes of knights fighting creatures that had tried to attack the town.


    In the dining hall Lord Paule wasn¡¯t in his usual seat at the head of the table. Instead, he was a few seats down. At the table were Lords of neighboring towns, the Baron, the Count, and various other noblemen who constantly fought over who had the higher rank. They wore ridiculous clashes of colours, showing off the expensives dyes they could afford. Visitors were rare enough as it was, but high ranking visitors were unheard of. At the head of the table sat the Duchess, who was the only person speaking.


    ¡°Lord Paule, if you are not able to provide a sufficient number of knights with magic who can go into war when the King requests it, you will have to pay more taxes to cover your lack of support.¡± Her voice gentle but firm.


    ¡°Your Grace. With all due respect. The vast majority of my people are unable to work. They are sick with something. But it¡¯s not something a doctor or magic healer can cure. The healers said they can only cure the ill effects of magic, not a loss of magic itself.¡± Lord Paule leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.


    ¡°We know magic can falter due to lack of rest. However after resting, they said they were still tired,¡± he explained. ¡°The number of spells people were able to do in a day got smaller until it reached zero. People can¡¯t get rid of sewage waste without magic, so they live in filth. Without magic, they can¡¯t disinfect water to drink or cook with. However, those without magic seem to have this illness as well.¡±


    Lord Paule stared at his untouched wine glass with vacant eyes. His hair was matted and his clothes had stains all over. Judging by the noblemen next to him who covered their noses with their sleeves: Lord Paule really needed a bath.


    ¡°Everyone has severe shifts in mood; from apathy to despair, from paranoia to rage. Not many want to eat, so they¡¯re not motivated to farm the fields or tend to livestock. Those who do eat have several meals at once; they start fights with the farmers who won¡¯t harvest more food and steal from others. People move slowly, talk slowly, like they¡¯re in a dream. We¡¯re not able to support the King until we can support ourselves. Even if someone else took my place, they would have the same issues.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± the Duchess replied.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Lord Paule noticed Renato. ¡°The chosen protector of Llantry. I wasn¡¯t expecting to see you until tomorrow morning. And uh, you look a little different. I thought you had blonde hair..? Ahem. I take it you¡¯re here to announce your defeat of the dragon destroying the countryside.¡±


    Pepi¡¯s lips tightened. Perhaps he should¡¯ve waited until the noblemen and Duchess were gone so he didn¡¯t embarrass the Lord. But then again, maybe if he sounded desperate enough they¡¯d actually help Llantry.


    ¡°My Lord, I¡¯m afraid Renato is out of commission. That means nobody in town has magic.¡± Everyone stared at Pepi and sweat formed on his forehead.


    ¡°Sorry for dropping in so suddenly, Lord Paule. And nice to meet you, uh, Miss Graceness. I don¡¯t know what they call posh folks like you.¡± His eyes darted around the room as he planned an escape route. ¡°Bet you live in a castle nicer than this dump. Aye, I¡¯d sure love it if I could stay the night at your place.¡±


    Pepi hadn¡¯t met any nobles as high ranking as the Duchess before and prayed he hadn¡¯t made a bad first impression in his awkward moment of timidness. The Duchess glared at him. Ah, his prayer was unheard. Lidion sure seemed to pick and choose who he protected.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± she said, standing up. ¡°What is a lewd peasant like you doing next to the chosen knight of Llantry? Leave this room unless you have something substansive to say!¡±


    Pepi jumped as she began to march towards him. He blurted out a sentence he would soon wish he¡¯d never said; ¡°I know someone who can cure the townsfolk.¡±

 Chapter Two

    That night, Renato had a dream. In the fields surrounding the town of Llantry he saw a rocky hill. On that hill stood a crumbling tower that wasn''t attached to any castle. The sky was dark and overcast, with rumbles of thunder banging on the clouds. A brisk wind pushed Renato in the direction of the tower. He noticed someone sitting at the top, on the edge of the battlement merlons, swinging their legs with no fear of the great height. Renato walked to the tower. Rocks stabbed him through his leather shoes and grazed his hands with its sharp edges when he pulled himself up the hill.


    The tower''s entrance was a large wooden door with ornate decorations. It was wide open and Renato walked through. There was no room, only a stone staircase; it spiralled within the tower and he couldn''t see where it led. Slime from the walls covered his hands when he touched it.


    "Aw gross!" Renato wiped his hands on his shirt and continued walking. Eventually he saw the malevolent light of sky, then he was at the top of the tower. The figure turned out to be Pepi. Pepi turned round to face him.


    "Why are you wearing a crown?"


    "I- I am?" Renato felt atop his head and there sat a golden crown which he took off and examined. Carved onto it was an image of a knight fighting a dragon, and next to it, a healer touching the forehead of a person who knelt before them. "I think it has pictures of me. That''s odd, it''s showing me face without the glamour spells."


    The crown became heavier and Renato buckled under its weight, nearly dropping it. Pepi jumped down from the ledge and rushed over.


    "Are you alright? Let me help-"


    At the same moment Pepi touched the crown, lightning struck the tower. The building blew up in flames and the floor shook beneath them. They lost their footing and tumbled off the edge. Renato braced himself for the face-first drop onto the rocky hill. But he landed back on the top of the tower.


    "What?! Why am I- I was just falling, how¡­" Renato looked around to see the tower was no longer worn and crumbling. It was as if it had somehow restored to a brand new building.


    Above them the sky turned blue, which continued without end. Renato saw Pepi again - who now wore a red cloak - he didn''t seem to remember falling seconds before. With one hand he held a globe, in the other hand, two long branches. Pepi and Renato gazed upon the scenery. It was no longer Llantry''s fields, but a lush meadow next to a massive lake and mountains with snowy peaks. A smile reached Pepi''s lips. He glanced at Renato, bekoning him to come over, then handed one of the branches to him.


    "Look down there." Pepi pointed at the bank of the lake below.


    An angel with large crimson wings wore a long white robe that reached their feet, one foot was in the water, the other on the grassy bank. They poured water from a goblet into another goblet. Raising their hands, they held up the goblets as if making a toast. The goblets disappeared and the angel flew up, somehow still floating even when their wings vanished. Renato quickly averted his eyes when their robe morphed into a scarf of liliac fabric. The angel flew towards them, taking the branches out their hands.


    "Watch this, I''m going to do something amazing." The angel hit them on the head with the branches.


    "Ow!" Renato rubbed his head. "What was that for?!"


    "Are you wanting to fight, huh? Square go!" Pepi threw the globe at the angel.


    Dodging the globe, the angel apologized. "Sorry, oh gosh, I''m so sorry. I forgot to change them."


    The branches shrunk and transformed into two white drumsticks. "It''s my first time delivering a dream, please don''t tell my boss." The angel tapped them on the head with the sticks.


    Renato woke up. He sat up in bed, peering into the darkness. Across the room, Pepi slept in his chair, guarding the bedchamber door as usual.


    Renato lay down again. "What was I dreaming about? I can''t remember. That''s so annoying." He drifted off to sleep.


    At dawn, Pepi woke Renato as he tidied something up. Then Pepi left the bedchamber for an hour, saying that he had something to do. Renato didn''t really care. His bed was warm. He didn''t want to move. Pepi''s stupid face irritated him. He didn''t know why, and not knowing why made him even more irritable.


    When Pepi returned, he helped Renato get dressed (despite the knight complaining like a child not wanting to take a bath). Later in the morning, Pepi gathered the knights in the manor''s courtyard and informed them of Renato''s magic loss. A few knights began fidgeting and adjusting their armour, failing to mask their panic.


    "I know of a man who can help him. In fact, this person can help everyone in Llantry. His name is Danov and he lives on the Isle of Adhar, where I''m from. It''s off the North-West coast of Costia. But it''s a long journey. Two or three weeks, even if you go by horse. Though I''d suggest taking a wagon, since you don''t know if Renato could start feeling worse and become unable to ride."


    Ladwef, a knight with a nasal voice and who constantly looked like he was sneering, cleared his throat. "Ahem, you know of him? Have you actually met this healer? He''s not a myth is he?"


    "Uh no, my relatives know him." Pepi combed fingers through his hair. "They''ve met him personally. It''ll be fine. But I can''t go. Someone else will have to take Renato to Adhar-"


    "What?" Ladwef squawked. "That doesn''t make sense. You''re the only one who knows of this healer so you should be the one to track him down."


    Pepi spoke through gritted teeth. "I would be a liability. I might not seem like it, but I''m not doing too well either. And before you ask, I''m not sharing those issues. Now. Does anyone know how to read a map?"


    Another knight called out. "Don''t be daft! You travelled down here so you know the way back. And if your family are the ones who know him, I don''t reckon they''d be friendly to one of us."


    "Hey, my family is full of nice, friendly people! Although Tammy''s a different story, she''d make you pay a large sum. But the rest of them would always help someone in need," Pepi insisted, and surveyed the knights. His shoulders slumped. He crossed his arms, looking down at his feet with a grimace. "I''m the only one who can travel with Renato, huh..? I barely even remember how I got here."


    Renato raised his hand. "I don''t want to go."


    "Hush, oh brave knight." Pepi pulled Renato''s hand down. "We need you to get your magic back as quick as possible. And to represent the people. Show the healer how serious this is. He can examine you or whatever."Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "You shut up." Reanto huffed. "This healer¡­ he''s not going to slice me up to do that examining is he?"


    "Only when you die on the way there, I promise." Pepi patted Renato''s shoulder. "That¡¯s why I¡¯m bringing the wagon. I suppose we best start packing."


    In Renato''s bedchamber, Pepi organised items and put them into bags like he was arranging puzzle pieces. Renato had opted to gaze at his reflection in his pocket mirror, poking at his acne. There was some sort of burning itch of irritation he couldn''t shake off. If he opened his mouth he''d start a fight with Pepi.


    But when Pepi held a white sphere the size of a child''s fist that lifted off his hand, and started to fly around his shoulders, Renato blurted "What''s that?"


    "Oh, this?" Pepi rubbed the sphere with his index finger. It leaned (or flew?) into his touch. "It''s a floating dragon egg. Just joking, it''s a crystal ball made of Calcite. I got this from the diviner who lives right outside South Gate. She says it can detect animosity and danger."


    The ball flew towards Renato then began pulsing with red light. It quickly flew back behind Pepi, looking over his shoulder. "Well. Since you''re the danger, I suppose I''ll have to defeat you." Pepi held a dagger like a sword and aimed it at Renato.


    Renato crossed his arms. "Stop it. if you go anywhere near me with that daggar I''ll stab you with it.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you today? Yesterday you couldn¡¯t care less about being killed by a dragon and now you¡¯re being mean to me,¡± Pepi pouted.


    ¡°I don''t know why I''m mad. It¡¯s the illness,¡± Renato sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Anyway, why did you see the diviner? She doesn''t use real magic, she''s a con. She told me I¡¯d ¡°meet the spirits of water¡± then I fell in a puddle the next day."


    Pausing, Pepi glanced at the white ball. "I had a weird dream last night. One of the knights is her nephew, he told me about her a while back. She was helpful, I think. A bit vague though. I would''ve been much more stubborn about going on this journey if I hadn''t seen her."


    "Why? What did she say?"


    "Stuff about symbolism. She told me the things I dreamt of represented new beginnings, a partnership, travelling, maintaining balance, broadening my horizons, and finding peace."


    "Yeah, crap like that means nothing," Renato scoffed. "She asks questions so she can pretend-"


    "She didn''t ask me anything. Apart from how the dream made me feel. It made me feel peaceful, it did. You were there, y''know. And it was a vivid dream. Maybe seeing you was a representation of God in my head, since you talk about Lidion a lot. Or it could''ve been a message from him. Did you have any dreams last night?"


    "No. I don''t remember anything." A spark of envy tickled Renato''s stomach.


    Surely Lidion hadn''t¡­ really unchosen him. There was no way he''d replace Renato with Pepi, right? Lidion had chosen Renato to be his father''s successor as head knight, and it couldn''t be revoked just like that. Right?


    "That''s too bad," Pepi replied. "If you''re not going to help me pack, go outside and get the wagon ready."


    "Ugh, fine! Anything to get away from your stupid face!" Renato stormed out the bedchamber.


    Renato made his way to his mother''s house to say goodbye, kicking the ground with his foot the entire way. He didn''t get to see her often since he''d moved into the manor. Renato defended the town during the day and have healing sessions in the evening. If there was nothing to fight, he''d spend more time healing. If there was no-one to heal or fight, he''d be improving the town''s defences or giving speeches at the temple. But now he couldn''t do either of those. And because of that he wouldn''t get to see her for yet another month.


    His mother never had anymore children. She earned a living from making and mending clothes, even though she lived amoungst the gentry, and refused to have servants. His father had been head knight, but he¡¯d died last year. Renato worried about his mother, given she had known his father better than he did and lost the man she loved, but she never lost that spark of hope in her eyes.


    "Mam? I''m ho- Uh, I came to see you." Renato opened her door, scanning the room. An empty laundry basket sat in the corner. He nearly left to check outside, but then he saw her on the bed. "Are you sleeping?"


    She stared at the ceiling. Her eyes, full of despair, slowly drifted over Renato''s face. "It''s been a whole season since I saw your face. Or anyone''s face. No-one talks these days, not even to themselves."


    Her voice trembled and tears fell down her cheeks. "No-one wants me to make their clothes. There''s no-one to buy food from. I really wish your dad was here. He''d bring their souls back to these people just by saying a few words."


    Renato''s previous irritation faded. "I''m sorry mam, everyone''s just¡­ not feeling themselves lately. That''s why I''m here, I wanted to tell you I''m leaving Llantry to find a cure," He told her, leaving out the fact that he was as ill as everyone else.


    "Pepi knows someone who can help. You remember him, the man who sang at the top of his lungs to promote his sweets when he came into town, and gave all the kids a sugar rush." He held her hand. "And while we''re gone I need you to stay strong. You''d make dad proud."


    Her eyes remained misty but she smiled. "Thank you, darling. Come home soon. I''ll be waiting for you with that apple pie you love so much, even if I have to loot ingredients from the Lord''s pantry."


    Renato kissed her cheek and said goodbye. He marched back to the wagon waiting by the North gate, seething with fury. How dare this illness make his mother feel so lonely. How dare she and all these people be forced to suffer. Renato passed by Dempster, the knight from Lord Paule''s gatehouse.


    "In my bedchamber, inside the desk drawers, you''ll find three defense spells held in bottles," Renato told him. "Smash them on the ground, but only use them when things get dire. They''ll last an hour each. For the rest of the time," He placed his hands on Dempster''s shoulders, staring into his eyes.


    "I''m counting on you and the other knights to prevent anything getting inside these walls, magic or no magic." Without waiting for a reply, Renato climbed into the back of the wagon and shoved the bags aside.


    A man, held back by knights, shouted at Renato from the crowd, "Why weren''t you making your healing rounds last night? I¡¯ve got a sore stomach, I had diarrhea all night!" A few others joined in, complaining about their illnesses and the lack of healers.


    "We''ll be back before you know it," Pepi called out from the jockey box. "Complain to the noblemen in the meantime, though. Renato can''t help you yet, I''m sorry."


    Renato stared at the crowd through the wagon¡¯s rear. Lidion, why didn¡¯t you protect us from this illness? He thought. Nobody answered his prayer.


    The gates opened and they rode out of Llantry. Renato had never left Llantry; this would be the furthest he''d ever travelled. He watched as the town''s walls grew smaller the further they travelled, until it was replaced by grasslands.


    At this point, Pepi started a conversation with the crystal ball that flew around him. The ball pulsed a faint yellow light.


    "Can I give you a name?" In front of Pepi''s face, the ball dipped up and down, which seemed to mean "yes".


    "Can I call you Kezia?" The ball flew left to right, "no". "Russell?" Another no.


    "Ok, I''m not the best at giving names. Try again. Uh¡­ how about Finlay? It means "white warrior"."


    The ball slowly floated in a figure eight, then motioned "yes".


    "Great! Hello Finlay, welcome to the team. So far we have me; a candy delivery boy, turned over-worked squire. And Renato; a helpless wee baby inside the body of a twenty-three year old man. We''re off to a great start."


    "Why are you talking to that ball? It doesn''t have ears." Renato grumbled. "I''m not a baby."


    "Oh, hello Grumpy! You were so quiet back there I thought I''d left you back in Llantry." Pepi chuckled. "Finlay moves when I speak. It moves up and down for yes, and side to side for no. Plus it changes colours depending on how I feel, so I reckon Finlay can hear me just fine. Isn''t that right?" Finlay motioned yes.


    Pepi continued to chat with Finlay. "I wasn''t born with magic. I couldn''t make my own candy like the rest of my family, so I got stuck being a delivery boy. Walking through all kinds of weather, having people yell that my prices were too high, or that it made their kid too energetic. It really sucked, I tell you!" Finlay rubbed against Pepi''s cheek as it pulsated a faint red light.


    Renato groaned and slumped against the wagon bed. This was going to be a long journey.


    "I do like the song my dad wrote to advertise the candy, that''s always my favourite part. I usually put my name in the song. It makes more sense that way. Do you want to hear it?" Pepi cleared his throat then began singing.


    "Ally, bally, ally bally bee ! Sitting on yer mammy¡¯s knee, greeting for a wee bawbee, to buy some Pepi¡¯s candy. Renato, sing with me!" Pepi called over his shoulder. "There was a wee lassie awfy thin, a bundle of bones wrapped up in skin, now she¡¯s getting a wee double chin, with eating Pepi¡¯s candy¡­"


    A very, long, arduous journey.

 Chapter Three

    It was early evening; approximately 8 hours after they''d left Llantry. By the afternoon Pepi persuaded an irritable Renato to converse (by talking until the other man grew annoyed enough to reply). While the knight hadn''t been enthusiastic at first, he did eventually talk. One could only stare at grass, trees, and dull skies for so long, after all.


    "Renato, we''re heading towards our first town!" Pepi pointed ahead of them. "We should stay at an inn there tonight."


    At each side of the wagon, fences surrounding fields sprung up, people walked from the fields to town, houses appeared with children playing outside them.


    "Where are we?"


    "Wakefield, according to the map," Pepi said, putting the map back into his pocket. Finlay went in there as well, no longer flashing colours. "This is one of the places that I went through on the way to Llantry. I don''t remember being here. Feels familiar though."


    Renato peered over Pepi''s shoulder. "They don''t have defense walls."


    "Is it that mind boggling to you? If so, you''re going to be in for a hell of a journey."


    They passed by a town hall which had the building''s name in gold lettering. The path grew narrower the further into town they drew and had more people. Flies buzzed around and the stench of cattle manure was overwhelming. An inn had a sign above the door saying "The Ugly Snail". Some drunk people, a mixture of Dwarves, Halflings, and Gnomes, gathered outside the doorway as they were kicked out by a Halfling woman with lucious purple hair that complimented her tawny skin.


    "C''mon you lot, your families is waiting for you at home. Come back after you''ve puked your guts out and slept off your hangover," she huffed, then glanced at the wagon.


    "Pepi!" she called out, her face brightening. "Where''ve you been? You said you''d be back within a few days!"


    Pulling on the reins, Pepi stopped the horse. "Have we met?" Finlay flew out Pepi''s pocket, hovering towards the woman and began pulsing yellow light as he flew back to Pepi.


    "Why''s these people so small? They can''t be taller than waist height." Renato whispered as he scanned the group. "Is everyone here short?" Pepi shushed him.


    "When you arrived you did seem a little out of it, you kept talking to yourself. You must''ve been really drunk," she laughed. "I''m Kater, you stayed at me inn a couple of months ago. I never forgot that lovely face of yours, even if it''s hidden under a bush now. Leave your wagon outside, come in!" She went inside.


    A drunk dwarf stumbled up to the wagon, jumping back in surprise when they saw the horse. "That''s not a horse! That''s two people in a costume!"


    Pepi leaped down from the jockey box, moving to stand beside the horse. "Be nice to our steed, she''s very tired." Pepi fed the horse some leftover candy.


    "Someone just stuck their hand out the mouth to grab that!"


    Pepi rolled his eyes. "You''re drunk. Go home."


    The dwarf''s equally drunk party dragged them away. Soon they returned to laughing with them, and stumbled home. Pepi explained the different races to Renato as he tied the horse to a nearby wooden post.


    "Don''t go about calling people short. To them, you''re weirdly tall."


    "I only ever read about different races," Renato said as he got out the wagon, holding their bags. "Never seen them in real life. There''s only humans in Llantry. Give me a nudge when I say something wrong, I don''t want to offend anyone."


    Finlay flew close to Pepi''s shoulder, returning to a neutral white. "Aye, we can''t afford the time to make enemies. When in doubt, smile and say yes. Let''s go talk to this Kater lady."


    Renato handed Pepi his bag, threw his own over his shoulders, and they walked inside. Multiple tables littered with beer mugs were placed around the inn. People of all shapes and sizes sat on chairs that were in the shape of snails; with a round shell forming the seating area and a snail''s face facing the back. A staircase led upstairs to the inn''s rooms. The lighting was dim, creating a warm atmosphere. Pepi had to lift his feet to move as his shoes stuck to the floor.


    Kater made drinks behind the order counter. "Last time you enjoyed me ale, said it was sweet. You haven''t lost your sweet tooth along with your memory, have you?" She chuckled, handing the two men drinks as they sat by the counter. Finlay landed on the counter and rolled itself around, inspecting the drinks then turned yellow. "Who''s your friend?"


    "Renato, a knight from Llantry," he introduced himself, hesitantly reaching out his hand.


    Kater shook it with vigor. "Never heard of the place! Pleased to meet you, Sir Renato. Is you the one who''s been keeping Pepi occupied these past few months?" She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.


    "Yes, he''s been helping me keep Llantry safe. The people there is sick," Renato sighed, taking a sip of ale. "We''re on our way to the Isle of Adhur to find someone who can help."


    "That''s terrible," Kater gasped. "What''s they sick with?"


    Pepi shrugged. "We don''t know. But if anyone can help, I''m sure it''s Danov. Heard of him?"


    Kater shook her head. "Not that I know of. We''re far from Adhur. You told me it took you two weeks to get here."


    "That''s right." Pepi took a sip of ale and hummed in pleasant surprise. "Though I honestly don''t remember you. My mind draws a blank when I think of what happened after leaving Basinmount. It''s like I sleepwalked from there to Llantry. You were right about this ale, it''s excellent." Pepi licked his lips and chugged back the drink.


    "Glad you like it. Still selling candy?"


    "Nah, only got two bags left. Sold the rest, so we''ll be able to afford a night''s stay here, if you''ll have us." Pepi paid for their drinks with copper coins.


    "There''s Tieflings here, Pepi!" Renato shook his shoulder. "I read there wasn''t many of them left after the war."


    "Keep your voice down. You''re being rude," Pepi scolded. He gave an apologetic wave to the small table of Tieflings frowning in their direction. "Kater, will you make sure Renato doesn''t cause any trouble while I freshen up?"


    "Of course. Bathroom''s upstairs, first door to the right."


    Pepi thanked her, walking a few steps with Finlay following him, then looked back and mouthed to Renato "Stay. Put." He found the bathroom with ease, washing his hands and face of built up grime. Then he shaved off his unruly beard using the straight edge razor he''d packed. A while later, Pepi tidied up, and went back downstairs with Finlay floating by his side.


    Pepi overheard Renato talking to Kater. A human woman with glasses, ochre skin, and brown hair now stood behind the order counter beside her.


    "It''s possible he''s inside the manor, but I can''t go in there. The Elders wasn''t too happy when I tried to buy their beer mugs," Kater said. "They was shaped like boots, a fascinating design. Can''t believe I got banned just for asking if they''d sell them! The Elders'' dinner parties was great. But now Sabenn gives me dirty looks at the market."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "You need to stop collecting those mugs, you have enough as it as," the woman with glasses said. "Or you could make them instead, and stop giving me so many bowls."


    "Sweetheart, you said you loved my pottery!"


    Pepi interuppted the conversation. "Who''s inside the manor?"


    The trio turned to face him as he sat down by the counter.


    "We''re talking about me cat, Rizze. He''s gone missing. Helaine tried to find him but that rascal is hiding too well," Kater explained.


    "Sorry to hear that. In my experience, cats go wherever they want to. Nice to meet you Helaine, I''m Pepi." He waved. "Do you work here?"


    Helaine laughed. "I help around here often enough, I may as well get paid!" She nudged Kater. "But no. I''m Kater''s girlfriend. Haven''t we already met?"


    Kater explained his memory loss to Helaine. Meanwhile, Pepi turned to face Renato, who stared holes into him. When he met Pepi''s eyes, Renato took a sip of his ale and diverted his gaze.


    "This is your first time seeing me without my beard, isn''t it?" Pepi asked, rubbing his clean shaven chin.


    "Yes," Renato realized. "You look ten years younger. I forgot that you''re younger than me."


    "Only by two years."


    "Still," Renato muttered into his drink.


    "Kater," Pepi spoke to her. "Renato and I will find your cat."


    Renato spat out ale. "What?!"


    "Hey, come on!" Pepi patted his shoulder. "You''re a knight, you could pretend to be one of theirs. We''re familiar with the manor''s layout. Ooh, can I pretend to be a thief you''ve captured?"


    "I don''t think all manors have the same layout."


    "They''re bound to be similar!"


    Kater agreed. "If you found Rizze that would be great!"


    "Rizze hasn''t been home for a week, I bet he''s being fed there. He''ll never leave on his own," Helaine said.


    Renato bit his lip, fingers tightening on his mug. "What if we get caught?"


    "Then we run like mad!" Pepi laughed. "I''ve escaped so many sticky situations before. Trust me."


    Renato sighed, "Fine, I will."


    An hour later, Pepi and Renato arrived in front of the manor. Renato wore his armour with a helmet hiding his face and pushed Pepi forward. Pepi''s hands were tied together with rope and Finlay hid in his waistcoat pocket. When the gatehouse was in view, Pepi pretended to struggle.


    "Let me go you fiend, you''ll never take me alive!"


    "I have already taken you alive." Renato said with a flat voice. "You was a bad man. You stole bread from the baker. They is very sad about what you did."


    Pepi whispered to him, "Have you never been to a theatre in your life? Be more convincing!"


    "You will be thrown into the dungeon, which is where bad men like you go!" Renato spoke louder.


    The Dwarf knight guarding the gatehouse noticed them. "Who''s that with you? Don''t walk any further." He pointed a crossbow at them. The arrow sparkled with magic.


    "Fellow knight," Renato called up to him and stopped walking. "I caught this scoundrel stealing bread. He is quick on his feet. Let me take him to the dungeon, before he escapes!" He held both of Pepi''s shoulders, who continued to yell at Renato.


    "Release me! If you don''t untie me I''ll- I''ll headbutt you!"


    "Which baker did he steal from?" the guard asked.


    Renato paused, nearly looking to Pepi for help before catching himself, and cleared his throat. "The¡­ uh, the cheerful one. Next to the town hall."


    There was a pause. "That bastard¡­ Who does he think he is, stealing from a little old lady!" the knight shouted. "Mrs Haltot''s dog just died, and you''re stealing from her?! Lock him up before his heart makes close friends with me arrows!"


    "Right away, sir!" Renato stood up straight and saluted. His armour rattled.


    "Shut up Larry." The guard opened the gate. "You''re such a kiss-ass. Finn''s not giving you that bloody promotion!"


    Renato and Pepi walked into the courtyard. They scanned the grass for signs of Rizze. Kater said Rizze was ginger, he''d be easy to spot in the dark. They noticed the guard staring at them, and hurried into the manor.


    "Time to split up," Pepi said as Renato untied his hands. From his pocket he took out two Speaking Stones, which they''d brought from Llantry so they could speak while a short distance away, and handed one to Renato.


    "Remember, our code word is ''Rakefire'' if we get caught."


    "I liked ''Fopdoodle'' though."


    "Too late to change it now. You just want an excuse to insult me."


    "I do."


    "After my plan works, I''ll be the one calling you Fopdoodle- Wait," Finlay rolled around in Pepi''s pocket, alerting him of danger. "Someone''s coming!"


    Footsteps approached from around the corner. Pepi hid in a closet, leaving Renato out in the open. From inside he heard someone speak to Renato.


    "Oh, Larry¡­ We''re going to play Bone Crowns in the recreation room. You wouldn''t be interested in that, right?"


    "¡­Yes! Bone Crowns sounds fun! Lead the way."


    There was a pause, a sigh, then a shuffle of footsteps as they moved away. Pepi heard a voice from his Speaking Stone. "-for Rizze in the recreation room. Go look in the pantry."


    Creaking the door open, Pepi peered out, then left the closet when he didn''t see anyone. He knocked over a broomstick with a loud clatter. Darting down the hallway, Pepi called for Rizze and made tutting noises. He reached the pantry after four wrong turns, nearly bumping into servants, though they didn''t pay him any mind.


    Pepi looked under shelves and inside cupboards. The cat had clearly been here, judging by the half eaten fish on the ground. Finlay rolled around, more vigorously this time, nearly brusing Pepi''s side. There was a flood of light and he jumped, knocking utensils off a nearby counter.


    "Pepi? What the fuck are you doing here?"


    The voice belonged to his cousin, Rupert, who had moved out Adhur three years ago and never spoken to Pepi since. He held a light spell in his palm and wore an apron, seemingly a servant in the kitchen for this manor. His light taupe hair was similar to Pepi''s, though more flat compared to Pepi''s loose curls. Rupert was a head taller than Pepi and had a slight hunch to his posture, which Pepi knew was due to him leaning down when talking to those shorter than him.


    "Rupert! Glad to find a familiar face. How''ve you been? I''m looking for a ginger cat, you seen it?"


    Rupert glanced sideways then stared at him with intense hazel eyes. "How have I been? I- I can''t believe you!" he hissed. "After all the shit you and your sister put me through, you act like we''re friends?! I moved hundreds of miles from my hometown, left my family behind, just to get away from you two. Now you''re haunting me." His fingers reached towards a butcher''s knife on the countertop.


    The colour drained from Pepi''s face and he held up his hands. "I''m not here to cause problems. I really am looking for a cat, it belongs to the innkeeper of The Ugly Snail. I barely speak to Tammy these days. She¡­ wasn''t nice to me either."


    "You were always a coward around her. Both of you would bully me. You''d run back to me with your tail between your legs, when that wench turned her back, begging forgiveness. Then she''d start bullying you."


    Rupert opened his eyes wide, as though Pepi would try something the moment he blinked. "Understand that I am this close to punching you." He held up his index finger and thumb which nearly touched. Well, being punched was better than the sharp alternative. Finlay rolled about in his pocket again and Pepi patted the crystal ball.


    "You''re right." Tears welled up in Pepi''s eyes. "I was a coward. I''m so sorry." He bit his bottom lip.


    "I don''t believe you. And even if I did, saying ''sorry'' doesn''t erase everything you''ve done from my memory," his cousin sneered. Rupert inhaled sharply. "Hey chef, we''ve got an intruder!"


    "No!" Pepi gaped at Rupert then ran out the pantry. Shouts followed him. He held the Speaking Stone to his mouth. "Rakefire, Rakefire!"


    "I was about to call you, I found Rizze when I went to the bathroom. Head towards the back door."


    "I don''t know where that is!"


    "-probably behind the kitchen."


    "That''s where I got caught!"


    "-can''t go out the front, the guard''s there. From the bathroom window, I saw a section in the back garden with a low wall. -leads up a hill where we can escape. Take your own bloody advice and run like mad."


    Pepi whined in protest, but did as Renato said. Upon seeing Rupert talk to an elderly woman in the kitchen to his left, he hurried. They rushed out the kitchen and reached out to grab him, yelling when he slipped away from their grasp.


    "Oi! Get back here!" The chef cried, shaking a rolling pin in the air like a weapon.


    Finding a door, Pepi flung it open and sprinted through. Thankfully it led outside. Rupert and the chef were a few steps behind, with Rupert''s light spell casting a spotlight on him. He reached for his Speaking Stone, cursing when he dropped it. Pepi hit a different stone with his knees: it was the wall Renato told him about.


    Pepi heaved himself up. His leg was pulled down by his ankle, making him scrap his chest against the wall. He yelped and kicked, until finally he tumbled over the other side and continued running. The hill had no light. The inky sky hid Pepi yet also blinded him as he ran.


    "Renato!" he whispered loudly and hid behind what felt like a tree. "Where are-"


    His hand touched metal and he would''ve screamed if his mouth hadn''t been covered. Pepi felt fur brush against his arm and sighed as he heard Renato shushing him. Rupert and the chef were still on the other side of the wall.


    "He went onto the hill, we can catch him if we go out there!" Rupert insisted.


    A voice called from further away, asking them to begin prepping for the Elders'' supper. Rupert''s furious voice and light grew more and more distant. The door slammed shut.


    "By Lidion, we made it out alive," Renato wheezed. "You was an idiot for suggesting this. I''m never listening to you again, you absolute Fopdoodle."


    Pepi giggled into Renato''s palm, pressing it against his mouth when he laughed harder. They trudged back to the Inn and celebrated Rizze''s return with plenty of Kater''s sweet ale. Renato taught them all how to play Bone Crowns. That night, Pepi slept in a chair by Renato''s bedchamber door, and dreamt of Tammy.

 Chapter Four

    When Renato woke up the next morning, Pepi wasn''t sitting by the door. Renato drew the curtains open and looked out the window. People pitched coloured tents in the town center, they hung triangles on strings between buildings, some dunked their heads in basins of water to catch apples with their teeth, and children (or small people?) dressed in costumes of creatures he recognized from his folklore books. Someone knocked at the door.


    "Come in," Renato said, rubbing his eyes.


    Helaine walked in holding a hot drink that steamed. "Brought you a hangover cure. How are you feeling?"


    "Fine, surprisingly. I don''t even have a headache."


    Helaine rolled her eyes and tutted. "To be young¡­ Okay, in that case, this is a thank you for finding Rizze."


    "Thank you. Or you''re welcome? I would''ve brought him back even if you didn''t serve me beverages." He took the drink from her and blew over the top, the liquid rippled. "You''re ten years older than me, aren''t you? Thirty-three is still young."


    "A lot can change in ten years," she mused and sat on the bed. "For example, I travelled here from Bh¨¡rat as a merchant, selling my family''s spices. Fell in love with a beautiful girl. Found myself at home in this town. Had an argument with my family that spanned hundreds of letters when I told them I wouldn''t return. Opened a spice shop. Closed it. Re-opened and began selling flowers. Met a duo with outrageous ideas, who pulled them off without a hitch. Earned a headache after a night of celebration¡­" Helaine grimaced and took a sip from her cup.


    "What a wonderful way to spend ten years. Though last night was hardly without a hitch, we nearly got caught. Rizze kept scratching me on the way back too," Renato trailed off. "I think there''s something going on with Pepi. He was cheerful last night, but it felt forced. Normally he waits until I wake up to wander off, but¡­" He gestured to the empty chair. "I''m not sure if I should ask him about it. Pepi''s good at talking without saying much of anything at all."


    "Kater is similar, I know how you feel."


    "Don''t you find it frustrating? How can you get along with someone who''s like that? I feel like he''s lying to me by not telling me the whole truth."


    Taking another sip, Helaine was quiet as she thought. "It can be tiresome, having a relationship with someone who avoids issues when you''d rather confront them, get it over with. Kater gets so concerned about hurting my feelings."


    Helaine pushed up her glasses. "Sometimes she avoids problems because she''s indecisive, and would rather figure it out herself before giving me an answer. It''s about trust. Sharing secrets means there''s a chance the other person will learn the truth and never speak to them again. Or they''ll think differently of that person for the rest of time. It''s a vulnerable place to be. And it''s not an unfounded fear, as no-one can predict the future."


    "Try telling that to Pepi. He visited a diviner the other day."


    "Kater tries to read her palms. She''s convinced she''ll die young because her''health line is shorter than average,''" Helaine chuckled. "You''re a nice boy, I reckon Pepi trusts you but isn''t ready to take down his emotional barriers. It''s like a shield for him. He respects you too much and doesn''t want to bother you."


    Renato frowned. "Too much?"


    "He''s your squire, right?" Renato nodded. "That''s not quite equal to a knight, is it? Especially not one chosen by a god." She scrunched her nose. "What does that mean exactly? How are you different from regular magic users?"


    "Me spells are more powerful, and I''m able to use more magic than the average person. I can speak to Lidion if I stare long enough at some water. It''s not all that special. Gives me a lot more work to do though."


    "You''re doing a great job. No-one would think you''re ill," she remarked.


    Renato blinked in surprise. "Apart from you, somehow."


    "I like to pick up on the little things. They matter the most." Helaine smiled.


    Nodding, Renato turned to look out the window again. "What''s happening outside?"


    Helaine peered out the window. "It''s Spirit''s Eve already? Oh, Kater will be in a hurry to set up decorations today. She''s always leaving these things to the last minute."


    "What''s Spirit''s Eve?"


    Searching Renato''s eyes, Helaine scrunched her nose. "It''s a holiday, where we celebrate the lives of people who lived, and walk amongst beings and creatures from folklore."


    "It looks exciting. We don''t have holidays in Llantry."


    "You celebrate nothing? You don''t even have one day to share a feast? Or a day of rest?"


    As Renato shrugged and shook his head, Kater''s voice resounded through the Inn while she yelled.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    "I''m telling you, I''ve met no one of the sort! Get out of me establishment!"


    Pepi appeared at the door, poking his head through the crack. "I may have, uh, tipped off the folk at the manor about our location last night by accident. We should go."


    Kater screamed downstairs. A glass smashed.


    "Preferably now," Pepi added


    Helaine rushed out the room. Renato threw his blanket to the side of the bed. He got dressed, brushing Pepi off when he tried to help, and told him to find a way out instead. Pepi left with Finlay trailing behind him, pulsing black and red light.


    Renato stuffed his night clothes into his bag, taking out his pocket mirror for a moment to fix his hair. Pepi opened the door again.


    "There''s a patch of straw outside the hallway window," Pepi told Renato. "We have to jump, there''s no other way out."


    Wanting to protest, Renato opened his mouth, but closed it again when he realized he didn''t have time to argue. The sound of shouting spurred him on. He clutched his bag to his chest and followed Pepi to the window. When it was his turn to jump, he sent a short prayer to Lidion, hoped he wouldn''t break anything a healer couldn''t fix, and leapt onto the straw. He landed with a roll and limped to the wagon, peeking at the front entrance of the Inn where Kater kept the Wakefield knights occupied. A man wearing an apron turned at the sound of their horse neighing, which Pepi tried to calm down, and he pointed in their direction.


    "That''s them! Hurry, before they get away!"


    Renato tumbled into the back of the wagon, Pepi climbed into the jockey box and tugged at the reins.


    "Bye Kater, Helaine! Nice meeting you for the first time, again!" Pepi yelled. "We''ll come back someday. Save me some ale!"


    Renato also called out a goodbye, waving from the rear of the wagon, then ducked down when the Wakefield knights started bombing them with spells. The wagon swerved, Pepi tried to dodge the spells and the tents on the street.


    "Sorry!" Pepi shouted. "That turnip looked swell, carve another masterpiece, kid!"


    Renato watched as the knights found a wagon of their own. "Pepi, they''ll catch up soon, what do we do?"


    "I don''t know! You''re the hero, figure something out, I''m driving!"


    Searching for any tools, Renato noticed children hitting colourful horses with wooden sticks, which exploded with treats after being beaten. He grabbed the next one he found, snatching it off the string as children wailed. Ripping the horse apart, it revealed rock-solid cinnamon buns. Renato threw them at the knights chasing them.


    "Are these supposed to be edible?" he cried.


    They turned a sharp corner, and Renato lost his grip on the shredded treat filled horse, while Pepi struggled to steady the real horse. Renato watched the corner they passed, and a smile formed on his lips. They lost their chasers!


    That smile vanished when the knights also turned the corner, using magic to propel their wagon to go faster.


    "Stop cheating!" Renato made a face at the other wagon.


    "Wha- are you a child?!" A knight he recognized from the previous night, who''d invited him to play Bone Crowns, shouted at him. "Stop your vehicle this instant!"


    "I thought we were buddies!" Renato narrowly avoided being struck by another spell. "You said I was more fun than regular Larry, and I am! But I won''t be if you try to kill me!"


    "This isn''t a game, you dunce!"


    "It is so, now let me win!" Renato grabbed a flower basket, apologized to Helaine in his head, and threw it at the wagon. It hit a knight in the face. "Fifty points to me."


    For a second the knights faltered, but they grew faster, eventually overtaking them. The knights banged the wagon into the side of theirs, tearing at the cover with daggers. Renato yelped and tried to stay on the safe side. Then Pepi cried out, and Renato saw they caught him in a magic rope that tied itself around his wrist. Their cart veered out of control. Renato raced over to the jockey box, yanking at the rope, which flew from the apron man''s grasp. Unfortunately, that end of the rope tied itself around Renato''s wrist, tying the two of them together. He scrambled for the reins with one hand and screamed with every ounce of energy in his body.


    "LIDION, I NEED YOU! PLEASE!"


    With a great gust of wind, Lidion answered his prayer; the wind slowed the other wagon down to a halt; the wheels snapped in half, rendering the knights immobile. For the first time in months, Renato laughed. It became hysterical, and he clutched his stomach when he saw the knights still trying to shoot spells at them as they rode away.


    Then a ticking grenade landed inside the wagon and it wasn''t funny anymore.


    "Jump, Pepi!"


    "I have to unharness the horse!"


    "No time!" Renato pushed Pepi to the road.


    The horse screeched in fear, racing on ahead with no-one to guide it. Lying on the road, Pepi and Renato shielded their eyes as the wagon exploded. A sharp, loud buzzing filled their ears. Pepi looked like he was shouting, but Renato couldn''t hear his words. Looking back, he noticed the knights followed them on foot. He pulled Pepi up with the hand tied to him and ran past the wagon remains.


    Pepi tried to go back for the horse but Renato had a firm grip on his hand and heaved the other man away from the scene. Glancing back at the knights, he saw they''d stopped running, standing at the outskirts of town where a sign stood, thanking them for visiting. He blew a raspberry at Wakefield and continued dragging Pepi as fast and far as they could go.


    As Renato''s hearing returned to normal, he noticed both their panting and slowed to a halt, shoving off his bag, collapsing alongside Pepi onto the grass. How far had they ran from Wakefield? He didn''t know. It didn''t matter as long as they were safe. He couldn''t gather the strength to see where they lay. All he knew was: it was raining, the surrounding trees stood taller than any he''d ever seen, and Pepi''s hand was warm in his.


    "Pepi," he gasped. "Why didn''t we take a boat?"


    "¡­ Shit. Wait, no, I can justify this! Uh¡­ Do you know anyone who has a boat?" Finlay darted around Pepi, flashing a purple light.


    "Well, no," Renato replied.


    "Neither do I."


    "We could have asked someone who has a boat though," Renato noted. "I don''t think your reasoning covers up this plot hole or my wounded pride enough."


    "In that case," Pepi breathed. "They enchanted the water around Adhur. See, Adhur''s a low floating island. One too many ships bumped into it. So they cast a spell that meant no-one can sail near Adhur," Pepi explained. "Sailors get confused and go around it. The island has griffins that pick up people from the mainland."


    Renato sighed. "Could''ve got a boat somewhere close to Adhur though."


    "I get seasick?" Finlay began to turn orange. "Finlay stop giving me away, you''re supposed to catch other people''s lies not mine," Pepi whispered.


    "Okay, and I''m afraid of large bodies of water. So that''s why we couldn''t sail. That makes a logical argument. I can sleep soundly knowing the plot makes sense."


    "We could be sailors in another universe, another story." Pepi squeezed his hand.


    Renato laced their fingers. "In another universe I''d be Rizze, sleeping all day in a sunny spot of The Ugly Snail."


    Renato and Pepi wheezed with weak laughter, resting where they lay.