The Marenon Chronicles Collection

Chapter Five





Julian had awoken early before the sun had risen, but the Royal Guard, along with their leader, Robin, had been ready and awaiting their journey long before the king had made his way to his horse. Julian preferred to ride his sarian Eden, but that would leave him unprotected and vulnerable because the guards wouldn’t be able to travel with him, and Robin would have none of that. Julian had been out on surveys outside of the city on several occasions, and Robin insisted that at least some of the Royal Guard accompany him each time. This time was no exception. Gone were the days of Julian being able to do as he pleased or ride where he wished. Robin had insisted that Julian’s recent ascent to the throne after the death of his brother, Morgan, made the potential of hostile threats more likely.

Julian doubted anyone he encountered along the way would want to kill him unless he came across a war party of Stühocs. Regardless, the Royal Guard followed intently. There were fifty in all, not including Robin, each with his own horse. They also boasted the claim of being the best-trained fighters in Marenon. Julian felt protected, sure, but he also felt the group attracted more attention than he would ever want. He wasn’t used to it, but it came with the territory, he supposed.

Julian also hated riding a horse.

Sarians were much faster and would even help in a fight. The horse was useless. It just made it easier to be surrounded by the Royal Guard. Julian would take flying high in the air over guarded protection any day, but the large bird remained in the stables just outside the castle walls. Sure Eden could fly as she wanted, but she missed her master and Julian longed for the freedom of flight. As the long line of soldiers moved along slowly on their horses, Julian felt for the whistle that hung around his neck. If he ever needed his sarian, all he had to do was blow it and she would be there. Letting go of the whistle, his fingers brushed the golden key that lay next to it on a separate chain around his neck.

He had not told Robin about where they were going exactly. He told them he was headed for a village called Homestead, which Robin had heard of before. Robin said there were prisons near it that kept some of the worst criminals. It was all right though. Robin had no place to question Julian and they both knew it. Julian did not have to explain to him where they were going or why unless it posed a specific threat to the king’s well being.

Robin had just been happy to have a king to protect again. Morgan Hobbes had never left the castle; therefore Robin and his men were never needed. It had been almost three years since Robin and the Guard had seen any sort of action and they were more than happy to provide support.

Robin was a short, stocky man who kept his hair cheek-length and his beard thick. He had been handpicked by Julian’s father, Ruben. As soon as he became king, Julian made it a point to talk to Robin about the circumstances surrounding the death of Ruben. Julian had been busy with the duties of the Dunarian Order at the time, and never had the chance to ask Robin about it.

“To my greatest regret it was one of those times that your father insisted that I not go with him,” Robin said. “I insisted that he take at least some of the Guard with him. He didn’t always like our company, and he said over and over that it was just a survey mission. We went out looking for him and the rest of the party after too much time had passed. It was obviously Stühoc work. We could see that they came down from the ridge and took them out from the flank.”

Julian had listened in intense silence, but knew Robin was not to blame for Ruben’s death. The only people to blame were Spencer and Julian’s foolish brother.

Julian had known Robin for a long time. He had even been the one to first teach Julian to use a sword and the little bit of magic he knew. Julian had been about thirteen years old and he loved every session they had together. King Ruben eventually began working outside of the kingdom, however, and Julian started seeing Robin less and less as the captain accompanied the king in his travels. The thought had never occurred to Julian that he could possibly be king someday and that Robin would be there to try to protect him from harm. It was good to be with an old friend again. But being old friends didn’t mean he had to tell Robin what he was up to. It wasn’t Robin’s business. It was only Julian’s.

He had told Robin that it was a diplomatic mission in an attempt to show the smaller villages that they were just as important to their king as were the larger cities. Robin nodded and smiled, no doubt thinking the mission was pointless, but of course, he held his tongue.

Julian had dressed himself in his dark hunting cloak, which he felt was considerably more comfortable that the usual ‘kingly’ garb he wore during his working hours. Where he was going he wanted to lay low, and he wasn’t sure how he would accomplish this with all the soldiers riding behind him in the red royal armor. At some point he was going to order them to stay behind. Robin would have a fit, but he would ultimately have to listen to the king wouldn’t he?

They traveled mostly in silence, passing by several villages and towns along the way. In each place they passed, people would stare as they paraded by. Julian couldn’t help but smile as a group of children marched side-by-side with the Guard, pretending to be grand soldiers until their mothers called them back. Some villagers seemed honored and stood at attention as the travelers on horseback passed. Others waved cheerfully, and some barely looked up before getting back to their duties.

By the early afternoon they had come to the outskirts of Homestead. As Julian stopped his horse, Robin raised his fist as an order for the others to do likewise. Robin gave Julian a puzzled look and asked him if anything was wrong.

Julian tapped his finger on his thigh, thinking of what he would say. For some reason he felt nervous, like he would get in trouble if he asked to go in alone. It was stupid, he knew, but he had never been in this situation before. He decided that asking would not be the way to go about it. He was the king. He would order it.

“I want you and the rest of the men to stay here until I get back,” Julian said not taking his eyes away from Homestead. He wanted to look nonchalant about it, as though it were a simple order that would be taken easily, but he knew he just didn’t want to face the unbelieving stare of Robin.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but that’s out of the question,” Robin said with a bit of hesitation. “Homestead isn’t the most reputable place in Marenon. I would not be doing my job if I let you go in there alone.”

“You wouldn’t be doing your job if you didn’t follow my orders.” Julian bit his lip as he said the words, knowing he should not have let them pass his lips. He was coming across as rude and authoritative to a man that had known him since he was a child. His words reminded him of Morgan and he hated it.

Robin sat on the horse without speaking, clearly put in his place. Julian tore his eyes from the small town and looked at the man apologetically.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said. He pulled his horse in front of Robin’s so he could face him directly. In a low voice, almost a whisper, he spoke. “I didn’t exactly tell you the truth about my reason for coming here,” he explained.

Robin said nothing.

“I’m looking for someone, a man named Wilkes. He’s got information about something that I need to figure out, and I can’t go marching in there with fifty soldiers. I have to be more discreet than that.”

“I’ve already lost one king by heeding that command,” Robin said. “I request that you will be willing to at least let me go with you. Surely I would not be putting your mission at risk by being near you, my lord.”

Julian considered his words for a moment. Having Robin next to him would be undoubtedly beneficial should things not work as planned. What if Spencer was sending Julian to a trap and Wilkes was a hired thug to kill Julian when he came calling? Spencer would have known that Julian would come asking questions wouldn’t he? The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of Robin coming. He still didn’t want the whole Royal Guard to follow him, but one other sword would prove helpful indeed.

“Your colors,” Julian said as he raised his eyebrows in appraisal of his friend. “Do you have anything less…red?”

A faint hint of a grin formed at the corner of Robin’s mouth as he crawled off his horse and dug into his saddlebag for supplies. “They’ll never know men of Farlaweer ever came into their midst as far as I’m concerned,” Robin said.

After changing his armor and ordering the rest of the troops to make camp far from viewing range of the town, Robin got back in his saddle and the two made their way to Homestead.

The village was small, but not so small that it didn’t carry some measure of defense. To the east and south of the town was an open field of grass that seemed to have no end. The north and west part of the town was covered by wooded terrain. Encircling the village stood a thick wooden wall with each post sharpened to a point. It was by no means Farlaweer Castle or even Jekyll Rock for that matter, but it could hold its own.

The two of them finally reached the gate where two guards stood at the entrance carrying a couple of axes, large enough to cut through a horse. From the looks of them, Julian wondered if they weren’t so much as guards as they were merely two men who were on watch as part of their weekly duty. One of them held up an arm as they approached.

“Ho there!”

Julian lifted a hand in acceptance. “How goes it?” Julian called back.

The man walked closer as the horses came to a stop. Both of them were untidy, almost dirty, and very stocky with thick bulging arms. Judging by their blackened hands and soot-covered hair, Julian figured they might be the town’s blacksmiths, which would mean they probably made the axes themselves.

“What brings you to Homestead, friends?”

They weren’t hostile, their words were friendly, but the axes in their hands were warning signs telling troublemakers not to mess with them. Julian liked them instantly.

“I’m traveling from Farlaweer on my way to Berato,” Julian said. “I was hoping one of you fine gentlemen could show us to the nearest pub where we can settle down for the evening.”

“Still got a few hours till dark don’t ya?” asked the one on the right.

Julian nodded. “I get thirsty real early if you know what I mean,” he grinned mischievously, hoping one of them would bite.

The two guards looked at each other and the one on the left nodded. “I’ll show you where it is.”

“Great!” Julian said as he and Robin dismounted their horses. The guard from the left walked next to them as they entered the city, still holding his axe firm and ready. Julian assumed this was merely standard procedure, and not a threatening gesture.

“Sorry about the hesitation,” the guard said. “It’s not often we get outsiders and when we do, we like to be careful. We’ve heard the Stühocs have been on the move. We know you ain’t Stühocs, but you can never be too careful, you know?”

“Oh, I know,” Julian said.

“The name’s Charlie,” he said, extending a hand. Julian and Robin both shook it as they continued to walk. “The other guard you saw was my brother Travis. He’s only been in Marenon about four months. Got shot in the war.”

Julian raised an eyebrow. “War?”

Charlie nodded. “Yep. Big one. Travis said it’s Earth’s biggest yet. I don’t guess it matters here so much.”

The three walked together down the streets of Homestead. It was not a crowded bustling city like Farlaweer or Canor, but more spread out and spacious while still teeming with life. People seemed generally happy. Some small children played with each other as their mothers watched. Some worked diligently at their jobs and all went about their day, not even noticing the Human king of Marenon and his royal guard. This is good, Julian thought.

After a few minutes, Charlie pointed to a small pub to his left, and showed them where they could tie up their horses. Julian offered to pay him for his assistance, but Charlie refused. “Today it’s my job to defend and help,” he said. With a wave, he turned and walked back to his post at the end of the town.

Julian and Robin both walked into the pub and were instantly hit with a cloud of smoke and the strong smell of alcohol. Julian hadn’t expected it to be so busy so early in the day but it was crowded. Good. They found two seats at the bar and the bartender walked up to them. He was a small man, skin-and-bones and pale as a ghost, but he seemed friendly enough.

“New faces! Haven’t seen any new faces in while now. What drink are you having?”

“We’re looking for someone,” Julian said right out. “His name is Wilkes, do you know him?”

The man’s smile vanished quickly and was replaced by narrowing eyes and long scowl. “I’d prefer if the two of you just bought drinks and went on your way. Or you can skip the drinks and just leave now.”

Julian raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, is there something wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” the man said tapping his fingers on the bar. “I just need you to order a drink or leave.”

“You obviously know something about this man, now please, just tell us where we can find him.”

The bartender stood unfazed by Julian’s raised voice. Instead he looked over their shoulders and nodded to someone in the back corner. When Julian and Robin turned they were met by a very large man whose sleeves could not conceal the massive stone-like muscles underneath.

“They don’t seem interested in ordering anything,” the bartender told the man. “I thought I’d give them another chance to get a drink or leave. Then it’s up to you.” He looked back down at Julian and Robin. “Now, gentlemen, what are you having?”

Julian sat with his jaw clenched tight. Robin tapped him on the back. “I think we should probably go, Your Highness.”

Julian couldn’t help but wince at Robin’s words.

“Pshht… Your Highness?” the bartender mocked. “Who’s this guy, the king of Farlaweer?” A few men who had been listening in let out a small chuckle. “I really don’t like the strange type that come in here,” the man said. He reached down behind the bar and pulled out a long dagger and stabbed the blade into the wooden bar, leaving his fist wrapped around the handle. “In fact,” he continued, “when I see strange guys come in here, not even bothering to get a drink, asking about people they shouldn’t be asking about, I start to think they just might be one of the enemies.”

Robin instantly grabbed for his sword, but Julian held up a staying hand, not looking away from the bartender.

“Listen friend,” he said, lowering his voice below a whisper. “I’m not an enemy. I am the king at Farlaweer and I’m looking for a man named Wilkes. Tell me where I can find him.”

The bartender burst out in laughter and smacked his hand against the bar, causing Julian to jump unexpectedly. “Did you hear that boys? This guy’s the king! The real Human king, sitting in a pub in Homestead Village!”

This caused several to laugh out wildly, while most others just kept to themselves, not wanting to be bothered with anything. The bartender’s face suddenly became very serious as he looked up to the large man behind Julian and Robin, and motioned to the back door. Before either of them could draw a weapon, the man grabbed the two by their cloaks and pulled them off their seats. He dragged them through the back door where they came to a back ally, hidden from view of any passerby. Julian and Robin both yelled to be let go. The large man threw them to the dirt and stood ready, daring either of them to try and fight him. Of course, Robin instantly drew his sword, standing in front of his king to protect him.

“No!” Julian said, half to Robin, half to the oversized man. “We don’t want a fight. We just wanted to find out some information.” He desperately didn’t want a bloodbath. He was confident in his abilities with the sword and magic to eventually be able to defeat the man, but he didn’t want to fight. This man was a citizen of Marenon. It would not do well to have him killed or injured by the king, or the king’s bodyguard.

“If you let us go, we’ll be on our way,” Julian said.

The man just snarled more, not acknowledging that words had even been spoken to him. Julian wondered if the man even knew that he was talking. He reached under his cloak, feeling for his dagger, knowing he may have to fight if it came to it.

Behind the large man, the back door of the pub opened slowly and the small bartender came into view with a loaded crossbow in his hands, pointing it at Julian. Robin instantly put himself between the arrow and Julian.

“The only reason you’re not dead right now is because your little guard-dog here called you Your Highness,” the bartender said. “When somebody comes in asking for Wilkes, I ask them what they’re drinking and they tell me that a water with lemon will suffice. You said no such thing. So tell me, why shouldn’t I put this arrow between your eyes right now? I’m giving you one chance to answer, so you better make it count,” he said training his sight on Julian’s head.

Releasing his hold on the dagger underneath his cloak, Julian reached his hand to his neck and pulled out the chain holding the golden key underneath. “This is why.”

A look of recognition spread across the bartender’s face and he lowered the crossbow slightly. “Where did you get that?”

“I don’t know any secret words, I don’t know what this key opens. I just need to find a man named Wilkes. I’ve been told he can tell me what this is for.” Julian let out a breath, not able to even guess what the man would do next. “Please tell me where I can find him.”

The bartender looked at the ground for a moment then back up to Julian and let out a sigh. “I don’t know who gave you that key, and I don’t know who you are, but I can show you to him.”

“You can?” Julian said, relieved.

The bartender nodded. “Yeah, you’re looking at him.”