CHAPTER THIRTY

  FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES AND A MYSTERY SOLVED

  The work day was in full swing for Melita at The Sleepy Kettle and Yard Inn. The orders were backing up, and if she wasn’t getting flustered with Mawmoo, who was becoming overwhelmed in the kitchen, the beautiful elven barmaid was fighting her own battle against some of the more grabby customers, who had already had too much ale and mead. Still, even during this time her mind was on one thing, and had been for days.

  “Garrick Landow, where are you? If you have gone back to Shepherds Bend to see her before me, you will be sorry,” whispered Melita to herself. Then she heard the door to the inn swing open. Within seconds, her slim hope died when the mercenary she cared about did not walk in.

  After pulling her long blonde hair away from her pointy ears and into a ponytail, Melita walked slowly over to two men that stood waiting for service during the busiest time of the day. She could easily see that they were an old cleric and young knight, but they seemed different somehow.

  When Melita was almost to them, she noticed a beautiful ring on the cleric’s finger, and that the knight’s armor was not only cleaner than most, but more presentable in a way she could not quite figure out. Whatever the case, she could tell that there was more to these two, if only by the air they exuded.

  “That is her for sure. I agree with him. She is a beautiful elf. There is no doubt of that,” said the knight to the cleric, as the barmaid walked toward them from the other side of the large room.

  “Yes indeed. Let us hope the other two are here as well,” whispered the old cleric up to the much younger knight, as they both watched the blonde elf walk toward them.

  When Melita reached the two visitors, the old cleric spoke. “Are the owners of the inn available?”

  After slapping a loud dwarf in the back at the table behind her in order to hear the knight and cleric better, Melita placed the now empty serving tray she was carrying under her arm and nodded.

  “They are. I mean no disrespect, but it is quite busy right now for us,” apologized Melita, after looking over her shoulder at the full tables. “Are you sure you can not come back later? Possibly in a few hours. I will tell them to expect you.”

  After looking over the raucous room full of lively dwarves, elves and fellow humans, the knight motioned the flustered bar maid closer. “It is in regards to a mercenary friend of theirs. And if the description I was given of a lovely elf that works here as well is correct, then I believe he is also a friend of yours.” Then the smiling knight and cleric watched as Melita’s eyes opened wider in surprise.

  “Please. Please. Sit here,” exclaimed Melita, as she began to pick up the dirty plates and half drunken mugs of strong drink at the table next to her.

  “Hey. Hey! Melita! We are not finished you contemptuous elf!” yelled the dwarf whom she had just walloped only seconds before.

  “I need this table now, Vurlock! You and your friends can take your drinks to go,” replied Melita angrily. And after Vurlock and his two other dwarven companions saw the mad look in her eyes, they grumbled to each other, but slowly got up.

  Once all three dwarves were on their feet, Vurlock opened his mouth, but Melita cut in before he could utter a sound. “No, you do not have to pay. It is on the house.”

  With that, the dwarves nodded thankfully at the beautiful blonde bar maid and grabbed their mugs. When Melita opened her mouth to speak again, It was the dwarf’s turn to cut the elf off.

  “Do not worry, my pretty pointy eared maiden. We will bring the mugs back tomorrow,” stated Vurlock with a wink. Then after smiling back at Vurlock, Melita motioned to the knight and cleric to be seated. As soon as the two men sat down, she ran back to the kitchen.

  A moment later, the knight and cleric heard what sounded like a crash of pots and pans. Then they both grinned as they watched a short, stocky old woman run out from the kitchen.

  “The Big Mawmoo indeed,” chuckled the knight. “Just as he described.”

  As Mawmoo reached the table, the cleric saw an old man with a well used staff come in view next. He was walking slowly along with Melita until he motioned for her to go ahead to the table.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “Please sirs. What of Garrick? What news do you have?!” asked Mawmoo in a raised voice, in order to be heard over the commotion going on around them. After finally noticing the true importance of the two men by their raiment, Mawmoo tried her best to compose herself, but once Melita took a seat beside her at the table, she quickly scolded the elf.

  “Melita this is no ordinary knight and cleric!” exclaimed Mawmoo, pointing to the gold trimmed white cape attached to the knight’s armor and the ring on the cleric’s finger.

  Hurt and confused, Melita looked from Mawmoo to Pawps. Then she felt the old woman kiss her cheek and caress her ear before whispering an apology.

  “Forgive me for my appearance, Brethren. I keep the animals out back. If we had known you would visit us, we and our inn would be more presentable for you and the Knight of Providence you travel with,” stated Pawps, with a polite bow before finally sitting down.

  “Do not fret on our account. We will not stay long,” replied the Brethren in a soft tone. After a brief gaze across the table he continued. “Please relax. We know who you all are. However, you do not know who we are. Let me introduce myself. I am Aldon,” replied the old man. Then he motioned to the Knight of Providence. “And this is Stephen, Vice…excuse me, my boy. Old habits.” Then the old Brethren patted his companion’s back. “Current captain of The Knights of Providence.”

  “How do you know Garrick?” asked Pawps, looking from Aldon to Stephen.

  “I met Garrick Landow just outside of the hill tunnel that leads to The Holy City,” replied Stephen. “I and other Knights of Providence came to dispatch some trolls that were attacking travelers there on their way to celebrate the Festival of Kaminess. My captain, Elias, finished the job. However Garrick and Onyx had all but taken care of monsters when we arrived.

  Aldon shook his head and waved his hand after the look of concern he saw on the three faces in front of him. “Do not worry. They are fine.” Then the old Brethren smiled. “Both Garrick and his mystic wolf arrived in The Holy City with barely a scratch.”

  As Mawmoo, Pawps, and Melita became more at ease, Stephen continued. “Before Garrick, Onyx, Elias and I rode back to The Holy City to see the High Priest, Garrick told us how he came to acquire an ancient scroll given to him from a dying Brethren. The story you know as well, I believe,” nodded the knight. Then he continued. “What you do not know, though, is that Braelind, the Brethren he buried outside The Crossroads, the Brethren that gave him the scroll and his ring, was my uncle.”

  Mawmoo reached her hand across the table and patted Stephen’s hand. “I am sorry young man.” When she opened her mouth to console him further, Stephen stopped her.

  “It is because of that kindness. The kindness Garrick Landow showed to my uncle, that I agreed to come here at his behest, without the High Priest’s knowledge. True, the High Priest did not tell me ‘not’ to come to you, but I did not ask him for permission either,” said Stephen with a look of mixed emotion.

  “My friends, what has transpired since Garrick delivered the scroll is shrouded in much secrecy,” added Aldon. “However, when Stephen asked me if it would be all right to meet with you before our urgent business at The Crossroads temple, I did not hesitate in my assurance and agreement. I am one of the two direct advisors to High Priest Liam Jarstinian, after all.” Then Aldon smiled back at the new captain of The Knights of Providence. “Stephen is just fortunate the High Priest sent him here with me instead of to Aubrelon, or you might not have received the news till much later.”

  “Well, I know that I can speak for all of us when I say thank you both, for this impromptu visit and wonderful news of our dear friend's safety,” replied Pawps, nodding graciously, his face still filled with relief.

  After Stephen nodded in recognition, Aldon continued, “Whereas Stephen met Garrick outside The Holy City and was told of his meetings with Braelind and you fine folks, I saw your Garrick Landow in the Great Hall, questioned by the High Priest.” Then the old Brethren began to rub his chin. “Garrick is quite an exceptional fellow, and I agreed with the High Priest that your mercenary friend was the right man for the job.”

  “Job? So he is not returning anytime soon?” lamented Melita, biting her lip.

  “No, not for awhile I am afraid, my dear.” said Aldon. Then he looked over at Pawps and Mawmoo. “I think you know why.”

  Though the sounds of revelry were ever louder, the table was silent for a moment.

  “Your grandfather was right Mawmoo,” smiled Aldon. “The High Priest had one of the Holy Stones.”

  Mawmoo clutched Pawps’ hand tightly, as she looked excitedly at the Brethren before her.

  “He is going after the Sword...” whispered Pawps, squeezing Mawmoo’s hand in return.

  The noise grew even louder at The Sleepy Kettle and Yard. Even so, Stephen could read the old man’s lips.

  “Yes Pawps. The High Priest has sent Garrick to acquire the long lost Scepter Sword of the King Priest. But do not worry, he does not go alone. He is in good hands. My captain, who is like a brother to me and a son to Aldon, goes with him and...”

  “And more will join him. Let us not say more than that,” interrupted Aldon, as he placed his left hand onto Stephen's arm.

  “Please, Brethren, noble knight. Is that all you can tell us?” asked Melita, hoping for any additional news of the man she cared deeply about.

  “I am sorry beautiful one. We have said enough already,” replied Aldon. Then he looked at the old couple sitting across from him. “But we know we can trust you.” Then Aldon stood up from the table. Seeing the cue, Stephen joined him.

  “The news will not leave this table,” assured Pawps with a firm face and oath. “To you and to Elion, I swear it.”

  “Is there anything we can do?” asked Mawmoo who, along with Pawps and Melita, had now risen from the table.

  For a moment Aldon was silent. Then the old Brethren spoke as he turned to leave with the knight. “Oh there is always something you can do.

  “What is that?” asked Pawps, as he held his walking staff tightly.

  Aldon stopped and looked over his shoulder. Then he smiled and said just one word.

  “Pray.”