Wayne Batson - The Rise of the Wrym Lord

The bearded Glimpse stared. “Why, this is three months’ wages,” he said. “Even if I could save it. But, no, it is too rich a gift.”

“I want you to have it,” Antoinette said. “You have three little ones to feed.”

“That I do,” he said. “And they do eat something fierce.”

“I’d better go,” Antoinette said. “I was pursuing a soldier-a Paragor Knight. He and his men took the ferry.”

“They’ve gone to Edge, no doubt,” he said. “To join the others. A fair army came through here not three days ago, tramplin’ as they went. Never seen so many knights. You know your own business, but I’d steer clear a’ them if I was you.”

Antoinette smiled grimly. She knew he was right. She should stay away from Kearn and his armies. She knew she should fly immediately back to Yewland or to Acacia to meet up with the rest of the twelve.

“And, Lady Antoinette,” Da said, “be careful in Edge. It is a different sort that lives there. You will stand out in the town proper, and no mistake. Keep your hood up.” He looked down at his feet. “I wish there was something more I could do for you.”

“I’ll be all right,” she replied. “Tell the little ones I said good-bye. They are brave, and I owe them much more than I will ever repay.”

He nodded and smiled proudly. Antoinette pulled on the reins, and the dragon stretched its wings and leaped into the air. The ground fell away, and Antoinette looked west. She knew that was the way she should go, but she also knew that she wouldn’t.

A ntoinette steered Honk north and crossed the great river far from populated areas. The city of Edge appeared on the horizon, tall towers and grand castles. It was a stark contrast to the weather-beaten village to the south of the river. Antoinette brought the dragon down just outside of town. She found an old abandoned farmhouse in the hills that she thought would hide a white dragon with ease.

“Now, stay here!” Antoinette said. “Unless I need you!” She nuzzled her forehead against the cheek of her steed. “I’m not sure how you knew to come fish me out of the river, but I’m grateful. Just stay here. Stay hidden, okay?”

The dragon emitted a rumbling growl and honked twice. Antoinette left the farmhouse and clambered down a grass hill. Her side was still tender. She looked at the wound. It had healed amazingly fast, but it would leave another scar. Again with the side! I need to work on my defense, she thought. Antoinette quickly brushed off Lady Merewen’s cloak, which she had been wearing when she fell into the river. Now it looked rather dull and dirty.

From the farmhouse, it looked about a mile to the road leading into Edge, so Antoinette began to jog. As she ran, Antoinette wondered what she would do if she met Kearn there in the city. And what if the massive armies from Paragory were there with him? She remembered as well that Sir Gabriel thought Paragor himself was with his troops. What could she do against such forces? Antoinette hadn’t the first clue. She only knew she had to try.

She wondered also what Aidan was doing back in the world she had left behind. He better be trying to get Robby to believe! Antoinette thought. Wait until I tell Aidan what trouble he got me into. She laughed, but then she thought, No, I can’t blame anyone but myself for the choices I’ve made. And I certainly deserve the consequences. She felt the dull throb in her side. She had a strange feeling that her bruised jaw and a scar would not be the only consequences for abandoning the mission King Eliam had given her.

Antoinette pulled her hood and cinched it tightly to hide her flaming red hair. Since entering The Realm she had seen very few Glimpses with red hair, and she did not wish to risk drawing attention to herself. When she entered the town of Edge, she found it to be a bustling city of commerce. Everywhere she looked there were shops and stands where Glimpses were hawking everything from spiced muffins to magnificent coats of armor! She passed a small shop where gold rings of intricate design were displayed on burgundy velvet. A Glimpse craftsman withdrew a long pair of tongs from a nearby hearth and poured molten metal into an ivory mold. He set the mold down and stared up at Antoinette.

“Rarely have I seen such a dark-skinned beauty,” he said. “You are not Glimpse-kind-that I can see.” Antoinette felt very conspicuous, and she pulled her hood even tighter.

“No need to worry, m’lady,” said the craftsman. “We get all kinds here. But there is a problem.” Antoinette tensed. “Your lovely pink hand has no ring upon any of those remarkable slender fingers. I have just the thing.”

Before she could say a word, he was already sliding an exquisite ring onto her finger. It was gold and silver interlaced in a serpentine fashion. A single blue onyx was set upon it and glistened in the sunlight. “There, now!” he said. “A riddle ring, more to it than meets the eye, there is-like you, I’ll wager.”

“A riddle ring? Why, it’s beautiful,” Antoinette said, turning her hand, but remembering she had no gold. “But I… I’ll have to think about it. Did you make all of these?” She quickly changed the subject, slipping off the ring and handing it to him. “They are the finest I have ever seen.”

The Glimpse turned pink in the cheeks, and his eyes glinted green. “Why, thank you, m’lady. But I think, then, that you have not seen much of what Edge has to offer. I am considered one of lesser skill. That is why I’m so far from the center of town. The town masters only allow the truly gifted ones to work the town proper.”

“Well, I don’t care what they say,” Antoinette said. “Your work is marvelous.”

The craftsman smiled broadly and bowed. Antoinette thought for a minute and asked, “I was told that a great army of soldiers from Paragory had come here for provisions. Do you know if they are still in town?”

“They were here as recently as yesterday,” he replied. “But they do not spend much time on the Outskirts as they call us. Try the town proper.” He pointed far up the avenue. “See those flags? That is where the finest weapons in The Realm can be bought. There are other things there too for those who can afford them.”

“Thank you,” Antoinette replied with a brief curtsy. “Good luck with the rest of your business. With your talent, I’m sure you’ll make out well.”

The craftsman grinned, hurriedly stepped around his stand, and pressed something into Antoinette’s hand. She looked down and saw the gold-and-silver ring. “I couldn’t,” she protested.

“No, I insist,” the craftsman replied. “You had no need to say such kind words to me. Few ever have. I do not care if I sell another thing this day, for I have met a pretty lady!” And just like that, he hopped happily behind his stand and went back to work, whistling while he did.

Antoinette slipped the ring onto her finger and smiled at the craftsman. He did not look up again. Antoinette hurried up the road, ignoring calls from other shopkeeps to come and look at their wares. She had the information she needed and forged ahead toward the flags. As she neared the town proper, there were fewer shops. But those that were there were much larger and offered many precious things. Antoinette saw brilliant tapestries for sale and throne-sized chairs carved from rich dark wood. The streets became more and more crowded as well. And those who milled about shopping looked like royalty. Glimpse men with embroidered surcoats and leggings strolled along with tall Glimpse ladies in elegant long gowns.

But still, there was no sign of Kearn. No sign of the Paragor Knights. Finally, she came to the place where the flags were. It was a wide square, lined with more magnificent shops and jam-packed with Glimpses. She could hear cheering and loud conversation from the center of the square, but she could not see what was going on. As she pushed her way through the crowd, Glimpses stared at her. Antoinette thought she heard a bit of conversation as a princely looking fellow and his wife wandered by.