Brian Anderson - The Sword of Truth

The few towns along the way were easy enough to avoid. Gewey marveled at the endurance of their mounts; even after a hard ride, they acted as though they were ready to run some more. It was little wonder the people of the steppes guarded their animals jealously, as just one would be worth a dozen of any other horse he had ever seen. He promised himself to return to Sharpstone with one. The whole village would be envious, and he smiled at the thought. When they were ten miles from the city, Lee told them to make camp. He and Kaylia would scout ahead in case there were any surprises. Gewey told him he wanted to join them, but Lee stubbornly refused.

“I’ll not have you captured or killed just before we reach our destination,” said Lee. “Besides, I need you to guard the horses.” He was careful not to say that he also needed Gewey to protect Dina. He wasn’t in the mood for that argument again.

To Gewey and Dina’s delight, Lee decided it would be all right to risk a small fire.

“At least we won’t be sitting here in the dark while they’re off having fun,” Dina said, after Lee and Kaylia had left.

“I was getting a bit tired of sitting in the dark, too,” he admitted.

Dina got some dried meat and flat bread from her pack and split it with Gewey.

“I have a surprise,” she said impishly, then pulled a small flask from inside her saddlebag. When she opened it, the smell of plum brandy filled the air. “Broin gave it to me just before we left.” She took a sip, then passed it to Gewey.

Gewey hadn’t really been a big fan of plum brandy, but he took it anyway. The far-too-sweet taste made it hard to swallow. “Thanks,” he said, forcing a smile.

Dina laughed. “I see how much you enjoy plum brandy,” she teased. “Still, I refuse to drink alone.” She grabbed the flask and took a sizable mouthful. “I’ve noticed you and Kaylia have become rather…close.”

“What do you mean?” Gewey asked, suddenly embarrassed. “We’re friends.”

“Is that how you feel about her?” she replied with a slight grin.

Gewey became painfully aware of Dina’s eyes on him and noticed that she had moved closer. “Of…of course,” he stuttered. “What else would I feel?”

“That’s not for me to say,” she said, handing him the flask again. “But I see how she looks at you.”

“How’s that?” Gewey asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.

“Like one who is in love.” Her eyes twinkled in the firelight and her voice was playful. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. I’ve seen the way you look at her, too.”

“I…I didn’t mean to…I wasn’t-” He couldn’t find the words. His heart was beating so fast he felt like it would burst from his chest.

Dina draped her arm around his shoulders and met his eyes. “It seems you are in quite a dilemma, wouldn’t you say?” Suddenly she jumped up, spun around on her toes, and danced around the fire. “Don’t worry; these things have a way of sorting themselves out.”

Gewey wasn’t sure if the whole thing was just a cruel joke or not.

For the next few hours, he tried to avoid conversation, but Dina kept at him until he finally stormed off and pretended to check his horse.

When Lee returned with Kaylia, Gewey could barely look up at her. He was afraid she would see him blushing, and he’d had quite enough embarrassment for one night.

“Everything looks fine all the way to the gate,” Lee told them, as he retrieved his blanket from his saddlebag. He sniffed the air. “Is that plum brandy I smell?”

“It is indeed,” Dina answered cheerfully as she threw him the flask. “I saved you some.” Lee nodded gratefully and took a sip.

Kaylia noticed Gewey was out of sorts. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Gewey lied. “I’m fine. I’m just tired.”

“We should try to get a good night’s sleep,” Lee said. “Tomorrow should be a telling day.”

They all rolled out their blankets and laid down. Gewey tried to place himself as far from Dina and Kaylia as he could, but he ended up between them in spite of his efforts. Sleep did not come easily, even after a larger than normal swallow of jawas tea.

Gewey couldn’t help but be excited as they approached the gates of Althetas. From more than a mile away, he could see the buildings rising above the city wall. Some looked to be over five stories tall.

“Is the whole city like that?” Gewey asked.

Lee laughed lightheartedly. “A good portion of it. Althetas is the largest city on the Western Abyss. All the cities and towns for hundreds of miles come here for trade.”

“How far are we from the Abyss?”

“Not far,” Lee replied. “Less than thirty miles, I should say.”

“Why not build it on the shore? Wouldn’t it be easier for shipping?”

“Long ago, Althetas was on the shore,” Lee explained. “But a great storm nearly destroyed it, so they moved it here. Most towns along the shore now are small ports and fishing villages. The storms of the Western Abyss are enormous. They don’t hit often, but when they do, everything is destroyed.”

Gewey nodded, wondering what it would be like to see such a storm up close.

The walls of the city were twenty feet high and ten feet thick, made from gigantic blocks of black granite. As they approached, the guards waved them to a halt.

“State your business,” called the guard, seemingly bored.

“Trade,” Lee replied.

“How long will you be staying?”

“Three days.”

The guard gave their party a quick once over. “If your stay lasts longer than one week, you’ll have to register at the clerk’s office. Welcome to Althetas.” He waved them on without enthusiasm, and then went back to his post, where a chair and a jug of ale awaited him.

As they passed the gates, Gewey stared at the sights of the city, unable to believe his eyes. The streets were jammed shoulder to shoulder with people-some selling wares, other trading, and even some who stood on boxes shouting scripture at the crowds. Most of the taller buildings had balconies on each floor, where people ate and drank far above the hustle and bustle. Gewey stared, wishing he could see the city from their vantage point.

Lee noticed Gewey staring at the balconies. “Impressive, isn’t it? Millet loves Althetas. He and I once stayed here for six months. There used to be a great sword master that lived here, and his home was in one of the taller buildings. While we’re here, I’ll see if I can arrange for us to visit one. On the north end of the city there used to be some taverns on the top floors; I’m sure some of them are still there.”

Gewey beamed with excitement. “Do you think Lord Ganflin’s house is anything like this?”

Lee laughed. “Certainly not. From the directions he gave me, his manor is in the southern garden district, where they prefer traditional, two-floor houses. The aristocrats consider the rest of the city to be somewhat tacky.”

Gewey looked at Lee in amazement. He couldn't imagine thinking such wondrous buildings to be tacky. “The lords here must be a bunch of idiots.”

“I’ll tell Ganflin you said so,” Lee teased. “I’m sure he’ll agree.”

“Maybe that’s not such a good idea,” Gewey said with a smile. “Considering we’re staying at his house.”

Just then, Gewey noticed something he didn’t expect: an elf. He was standing in front of the door to an inn, talking to a short human. Kaylia noticed too.

“I know they told us that elves walked freely in the city,” said Kaylia, “but to actually see it…”

“You should remove your hood,” Gewey suggested.

Kaylia paused for a moment, and then did just that. Her auburn hair flowed free, and she closed her eyes, letting the sun shine on her face. Gewey thought she looked beautiful, her bronze skin glowing the in sunlight. He scanned the crowd to see if anyone had noticed. A few people cast a quick glance in their direction, but for the most part, they were ignored.