Brian S. Pratt's Worlds of Fantasy Box Set

  James woke to find Perrilin gone. He laid there for some time watching the sun rise and the sky turn blue. Thoughts of the last few days played across his mind; narrow escapes, flight, and magic. Life in this new world certainly wasn’t going to be mundane and boring. He couldn’t make up his mind whether or not that was a good thing. Edging toward a good thing, he got Miko up and made for travel.

  Miko took a sizeable bite of an apple then said a moment later, “He sure left early.”

  “I guess he was in a hurry to make Cardri this evening. And don’t talk with your mouth full. I can hardly understand you.”

  “Sorry,” Miko said, swallowing. “Hope we can make it there tonight, too.”

  “I don’t think we’ll make it before tomorrow at the earliest. Maybe if we had another horse we might, but not by foot.”

  James took the reins as they exited the copse of trees. They made their way back onto the road, and headed south.

  Miko wasn’t very happy at the prospect of walking for another two days, but had little choice. The day was nice, the weather had been cooperating, and their spirits were high. It seemed Miko had been correct about their pursuers’ unwillingness to stray too far from Bearn; pursuit was not forthcoming.

  As the morning progressed, the sun steadily climbed higher into the sky. The temperature rose quickly, forecasting a very hot summer day. A breeze blew out of the southwest and allayed the worst of the summer heat. James was delighted.

  Throughout the morning they made good time, pressing onward with only one short rest break. The road was rather deserted. The only other souls they encountered were one lone traveler who drove a wagon drawn by a pair of mules, passing by on his way north; and a couple of fast riders who overtook them on their way south.

  The skyline of another fair-sized town on the opposite side of the river appeared on the horizon a little after noon. An aged bridge spanned the river allowing traffic to reach the town. They asked a traveler who had just crossed over the bridge and learned the city was named Collington. Since they had no money left after their flight from Bearn, they continued past.

  Evening found them still on the road with no inn in sight. There were few sizeable copses of trees in which to shelter. They found a spot near the river and made camp. Being exposed to those passing by made James slightly uncomfortable. Whenever a rider rode past, James thought Lord Colerain’s men had found them; but each time it was merely someone going about their business.

  While Miko readied the fire, James searched for a stick suitable for fishing. One tree boasted a fairly straight length of limb. Once sharpened, he carried it into the river. Twice he entered the river and twice he emerged with a fair sized fish impaled upon the stick’s end.

  As day gave way to night, another campfire sprung to life some two hundred feet further north on their side of the river. A short time later, another appeared across the water, fifty feet or so to the south.

  “Must be common to make camp along the river.”

  He strained to see who was on their side of the river. The deepening dusk proved too dark to make them out.

  Miko nodded. “Even near Bearn. Some would rather avoid paying for inns.”

  “Not me.” James turned back to his young companion. “I would have to be pretty desperate, or short on coins, to give up the comfort of a bed.”

  Miko laughed “I wouldn’t trade a bed for the ground if given the choice either.”

  James chuckled and returned to the fire. He and Miko spent time getting to know one another better. “What was it like growing up on the streets?”

  Miko’s face lost much of its joviality as painful memories surfaced. “It wasn’t easy. Always being hungry, the older boys would take what you had and leave you with nothing. After a while you knew who your friends were, who you could count on to watch your back.” He then grew quiet, as he stared into the fire for several seconds. “You also knew who to avoid.”

  “Like those boys who chased us into the sewer?”

  “Yeah. If you got on the bad side of the wrong people, you wound up dead.” He grabbed an end of a small stick, and poked at the coals. “What about you? What’s it like where you come from?”

  “Like here for the most part.” What can I tell him that he would believe? “People are people no matter where you go. Some good, some bad.”

  “I suppose so.”

  They traded tales as the night wore on. James had grown to like this lad from the streets of Bearn. As he related tidbits from his past, James spoke of his parents, grandparents, Haveston, and school. Talking of home didn’t elicit feelings of homesickness as it had before. Rather, they comforted him and brought him peace. When the fire burned to coals, they settled in for sleep.

  The night passed uneventfully. Both woke a little stiff from sleeping on the ground but well-rested. James got up and walked around, trying to work the kinks out of his back. They weren’t nearly as bad as those during his first two nights in this world. He fervently hoped that come this evening he would be in a bed. Sleeping on the ground would never be something he enjoyed. Every time when he thought he found a comfortable position, a new rock would make itself known, forcing him to change position yet again.

  Miko got the horse ready while James went to the river and refilled the water bottle. He glanced around as he waited for the bottle to fill. Several people stood in the water a hundred feet upriver. By the looks of it, they were doing their morning business. Revulsion overcame him as he looked at the river flowing past those people, toward him and into his water bottle. Visions of dysentery ran through his mind. Disgusted, he stood up and poured out the water.

  Across the river and another group filled earthen jugs with the river’s water. He knew it was water that could very well be carrying bacteria and waste products from the people and animals further up the river. He then realized that any and all water, all things drinkable, could originate in the same unsanitary and parasitic-infested place.

  He remembered a special he saw on the Discovery Channel about parasites and how they got into your system and took up housekeeping. Disgusted, he decided he had to do something.

  Miko walked to James and asked, “Are you ready?”

  “Ready for what? Diarrhea?”

  “Diarrhea? What are you talking about? No, are you ready to get going?”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I can figure out how to get some clean water.”

  Miko examined the water flowing past. “Looks clean; you can see all the way to the rocks on the bottom.” In truth, the water did flow smoothly and the riverbed was clearly visible beneath.

  James directed the lad’s attention to the people getting out of the water. “They just fouled it.” Then he pointed toward the people filling water bottles and jugs downstream. “Those people down there are unaware of the contamination that may be making its way into their drinking water.”

  “Contamination? What do you mean?” His expression clearly showed his confusion.

  “It’s hard to explain. Let’s just say that contamination is something that can make you sick.”

  “If you say so,” Miko said uncertainly.

  James once again filled the bottle, then found a spot several feet away from the water’s edge. He sat and placed the water bottle on the ground before him. Miko sat opposite him and waited quietly to see what he was up to.

  A minute or so went by before James began to cast a spell. He concentrated on the purity of the water; and had the impurities collect on the sand beside the bottle. Miko watched and was astonished when a wet spot formed on the ground. An almost miniscule lump of brownish goop formed on the wet spot. It gave off an unpleasant odor. When James finished the spell, he brought the bottle to his nose and sniffed. Satisfied, he took a sip and a smile crossed his face. He handed the bottle to Miko who hesitantly brought it to his mouth. His eyes widened. “Never tasted water like that before.” He took another drink. “Best I ever had!”

  “I doubt if anyone here has h
ad water like this. That’s the way water tastes like where I come from, most of the time anyway.”

  James took a small stick and poked the brown goop. “This is what was in the water, the stuff that makes you sick. There are several ways to do this without magic but we don’t have the time or facilities to do it properly.” He took the water from Miko, emptying it with a long drink.

  James filled the bottle once more, then sat down and purified it with his spell. Miko watched in wonder as the brown goop formed once more on the ground. Finished, he packed the bottle away and returned to the road. They headed south once more.

  As the day progressed, the road became ever more crowded. Long convoy-like caravans, riders, walkers, and farmers going about their daily routines. Few gave them more than a passing glance.

  Hours later, Miko sniffed the air and looked sidelong at James. “What’s that smell?”

  “It’s the sea.”

  The salty smell had grown stronger over the last hour though they still were unable to see it. Hills had grown from the flatlands and for the last several miles James had expected to see the sea whenever they crested a hill.

  Close to midday they topped a rise and Cardri appeared before them. Beyond the city stretched a great expanse of ocean that extended to the horizon. Cardri was by far the largest city that James had seen since he came to this world. It stretched a mile or two on both sides of the river.

  On a hill a little inland from the harbor, but still within the city proper, arose a great castle. Shining white in the morning sun, it was an imposing sight. It had many towers and a great keep surrounded by a high formidable wall. Atop the highest spire of the tallest tower a flag bore the crest of the Cardri line. It fluttered in the breeze.

  James looked to Miko and chuckled. Miko stood with mouth open, in obvious awe of the place. He reached over and closed Miko’s mouth which snapped him back to the here and now. He looked at James and smiled, a little embarrassed.

  “Pretty impressive, eh?” They headed down the hill.

  “I’d say. I always heard it was big, but had no idea. I always thought Bearn was big, but this makes Bearn look like a farming village.”

  “It’s the capital. I’m sure it’s also a major center of trade for the entire region. It would have to be big.” Moored in the harbor were dozens of ships of varying sizes, many buzzing with activity as sailors and porters loaded and unloaded cargo.

  The outlying buildings began a good two hundred yards from the outer wall. Cardri had three defensive walls that divided sections of the city. One encircled the castle proper and several large buildings which comprised the Castle Area. The second encompassed a much larger area and protected the homes and businesses of many merchants and wealthy individuals. The third was the outer wall and the primary defense for the city. Almost two miles in circumference, it boasted towers spaced at regular intervals; half held siege equipment such as catapults.

  Despite the awe inspiring length of the outer wall, it still wasn’t large enough to encompass Cardri in its entirety. Originally it may have been, but over the years, buildings sprung up along the outside. Primarily comprised of poorer dwellings, many were obviously taverns and inns that catered to those in need of accommodations. The poor and slovenly outward appearance of most would have kept James away unless he was very desperate.

  The gate through which the road passed held two portals. One that was large enough to accommodate wagons and merchants; and a smaller gate for those on foot or horse. James and Miko moved to the line at the gate for people.

  Beggars lined the road, most missing limbs, eyes, or inflicted with some other deformity. James was saddened and felt bad that he had to reject their pleadings for help.

  As the line drew closer to the gate, James noticed that unlike Bearn, the guards here were not asking questions of travelers. This allowed the line to advance quickly. They took notice of everyone however, but beyond that scrutiny allowed all to enter unchallenged. The wall itself was about fifteen feet thick. As he passed through, he discovered murder holes in the ceiling where defenders could drop rocks or oil on attackers caught inside.

  Once through to the city proper, the state of the buildings improved over those outside, though in James’ opinion they were still on the poor side. That made sense since closer to the castle meant a higher social standing.

  Miko visibly relaxed in these surroundings. As a city boy, he had been out of his element on the road. But now that he was once more within a city, he felt at home. As he walked down the street, he felt the heartbeat of the city, the ebb and flow of its life.

  As they made their way through the crowded and noisy streets, James observed that the majority of the buildings in the outer ring were businesses with attached living areas. Inns and taverns were most in greatest abundance closer to the gate; some were still scattered about here and there as they moved deeper into Cardri.

  They continued to follow the main street until James found what he was looking for. It was a two story building with a sign hanging beside the door that had three stacks of coins sitting on a table. He recognized the symbol as identical to the one hanging outside Alexander’s shop in Trendle.

  He went to the building and secured the horse to the post. “I’ve got business here,” he said. “You better stay here and keep an eye on our stuff till I’m done.”

  “Okay,” he said, then took a seat on the steps.

  James went to the door and entered. A bell announced his arrival. The interior was remarkably similar to that of Alexander’s. Four guards turned their attention his way. Not seeing him as a threat, they went back to being disinterested, though they remained aware of his actions.

  A man poked his head out of the window in the far wall and gave a welcoming grin. The man was the spitting image of Alexander.

  “Good afternoon, my good sir. My name is Thelonius. How may I help you today?”

  James took out his letter of account from Alexander and approached the window. Are you the brother of Alexander who lives in Trendle?”

  His face brightened. “Why, yes I am. Do you know him?”

  “I did have the pleasure of meeting him on two occasions.” He handed Thelonius the letter of account. “When he gave me that letter he asked me to tell you that ‘all is well’.”

  “Ah, that is kind of you to deliver his message.” He scanned the letter. “I assume that you are here to open an account?”

  James nodded. “I also would like some coins as my trip down took all I had.”

  “Have you decided how much you will require?”

  “I was thinking perhaps fifty golds,” James replied. “Say, with five broken into lesser currency.”

  “Very good. I shall be right back with your coins and the papers for you to sign to set up your account.” He then ducked his head back into the room, and returned a short time later with a sack of coins and several papers.

  Thelonius emptied the coins onto the counter and together they counted them, making sure the total equaled fifty golds. Once counted and both satisfied with the count, James signed the papers.

  Taking the papers, Thelonius asked, “Is there anything else I may assist you with?”

  “As a matter of fact there is. Could you perhaps direct me to the Inn of the Silver Bells?”

  “The Silver Bells, eh?” Thelonius responded. “You can find it further toward the castle, past the second wall on Long Street. However, you may wish to stay elsewhere. It is quite expensive. It caters mainly to visiting nobles and the wealthy.”

  “Could you recommend one that would be nice but not too dear?”

  Thelonius gestured to the right, “There is one down the street called The Dancing Squirrel. It is well kept and the rooms are fairly priced.”

  James extended his hand. “Thank you.”

  He took the hand, and shook it warmly. “You are welcome. Should you ever need my assistance in the future, please call again.”

  James tucked the sack of coins inside his shi
rt and exited. Miko sat on the steps, idling away the time watching people passing on the street.

  He turned as he heard the door open and came to his feet when James appeared.

  “There’s an inn down the street the fellow inside said would be a good place for us to stay.” Untying the horse, he led them down the street to the right. They didn’t have very far to walk before James spied the inn that bore a sign with a dancing squirrel.

  Miko waited outside with the horse while James went inside to get a room. The door opened onto the common room, and off to the side sat a long bar. To James’ surprise and amusement, he found a rather large, fat man who stood on top of the bar, trying to coax a yellow cat out of the rafters.

  “Come on kitty, kitty,” the man said to the cat. He had a bowl in his right hand and passed it under the cat to entice it down for a treat.

  “Ahem,” James cleared his throat to make his presence known.

  Startled, the fat man dropped the bowl. It hit the edge of the counter and fell to the floor. The sound of shattering pottery told its fate. The man turned with face red in embarrassment. He gave the cat a last look of exasperation; then climbed down off the bar.

  “How may I help you today?” he asked as he approached.

  James looked up at the cat. “I was about to ask you that same question.”

  “Oh, that damn cat. She always gets up there and then expects me to get her back down. Sometimes I think she does it just to annoy me.”

  “Cats are that way I understand,” James replied, slightly amused.

  “Yes, well, I’ll deal with her later. How can I help you?”

  “I was hoping you might have a room available for me and my companion. Thelonius down the street said this would be a good place to stay.”

  “He did, did he? I do have several rooms available. How long will you be staying?”

  “Perhaps a couple days, maybe longer. I also need a stall for my horse.”

  “It’ll be two silvers a night for a room on the ground floor and an additional two coppers if you would prefer to be on the second floor. For your horse, another three coppers a day and that includes food and exercise.”

  The price seemed a bit exorbitant, but then he was in the capital city so what else could he do? “I’ll take the one on the second floor.” He handed over seven silvers. “I’ll take the room for three days and let you know if I need to stay longer.”

  The man took the money and walked with James to the bar where he opened a cupboard. Inside were rows of hooks with room keys. He removed one and handed it to James, “You are in seventeen, top of the stairs and fourth on the left.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You are welcomed, young man. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  As he headed to the door, he glanced back to find the man climbing back up onto the bar to coax his cat down from the rafters.

  Chuckling, he went outside and told Miko they would stay here for a few days. They untied the horse, and headed around back to the stables.

  A large, muscular man was back by the stable shoeing a horse. When he saw them he said, “Just a minute.” He took another nail, hammered it into the hoof, and secured the shoe in place. The man put down the hammer and inspected the shoe, making sure it was secure and even. Nodding, he let go of the hoof and turned toward James and Miko.

  “Yeah?” he asked in a surly tone. “Something I can help you with?”

  James showed him the room key. “Just need a stall for my horse.”

  “Got one,” he said as he gestured over his shoulder, “second from the front.” As if that ended the conversation, he turned back to the horse he had been shoeing. He took the other fore hoof and a file from off a nearby work table and began to even out the rough edges.

  James led his horse into the stable and found the stall, second from the front. It was clean and roomy with shelves that lined the rear wall. Once the horse had been properly cared for, they grabbed their things and exited the stable, making for the inn. The man was still shoeing the horse and paid them no mind whatsoever.

  They entered the inn and went upstairs where they found room seventeen. They were pleased to discover two beds, which brought a smile to Miko’s face.

  “No floor tonight,” he said as he placed the bags on the room’s small table. He then crossed over and reclined on the bed closest to the door. “I could get to like this.”

  James took the bed closer to the window. He placed his backpack in the corner, and when he laid back on the bed, literally sank three inches into downy softness. “You’re right. I could definitely get to like this. It’s far superior to any bed I’ve slept in for quite a while.”

  Before he became too comfortable to get out of bed, he got up and went to the window. They had a good view of the inner city and castle’s spires. The castle was very majestic, and reminded James of those he had read about. He seriously doubted if there were any tours of this castle he could take.

  Judging by the position of the sun, he figured they had close to two more hours until dark. He turned to Miko. “I’m going to explore before dinner. Want to go?” But Miko had already fallen asleep. Leaving him to sleep, he headed off on his own.

  Down in the common room, the innkeeper sat at a table with the cat in his lap, stroking its back. “Finally got her down I see.”

  “She does task my patience from time to time,” he said, continuing to pet the cat. “But I don’t know what I’d do without her. She was my wife’s you know, before she died. She’s all I have left to remind me of her.”

  “My name is James.”

  “I am Inius, and this is Furball.”

  “I’m going to see some of the city before dinner. If my friend Miko should wake before I return, could you tell him where I’ve gone?”

  “If I see him, I’ll let him know.”

  “Thank you.”

  Outside, the street remained fairly crowded with people scurrying about their business. One direction being as good as another, he took off to the right. He gazed at the sights and perused goods offered by the various merchants.

  The shops that lined the street had wares displayed on tables out front in the hopes of enticing people to buy. Most had a very loud hawker, shouting the merits of whatever it was they were selling.

  One such place was a seller of amulets. The man assured anyone who walked by that his amulets held powerful magic. Some would ward off evil, others to cure warts, and even ones to entice the charms of the one you love.

  James slowed as his gaze lingered over several of the more interesting amulets on display. He soon realized his mistake as the man, seeing him exhibiting even the slightest interest in his amulets, came over and attached himself like a giant leech.

  “Sir, you’ve come to the right place.”

  He moved into such a position that James was forced to stop or run into him. Holding up a small, well-worn amulet he said, “This amulet was charmed by an ancient wizard, and it will keep evil spirits from causing you harm.”

  “No?” he said when he saw that James was not interested in that one. He held up another in the shape of a heart. “This charm will make any lady you desire fall madly in love with you.”

  James looked closely at the amulet, thinking he could make out teeth marks indenting one edge of the heart. “No, thank you.” As the man extolled the virtues of yet another of his amulets, James held up his hand. The man ceased extolling its wondrous and miraculous virtues.

  James reached into his shirt and pulled out the medallion the creature gave him back in Trendle. “Do you have one with a design like this?”

  The man took a close look at the medallion and shook his head. “No sir, I do not.” Then he grabbed another one of his amulets that he said would bring great wealth to whoever wore it.

  Disappointed, he put the medallion back inside his shirt. As the hawker began regaling him with the virtues of yet another, James realized he was not likely to get away wi
thout buying one. He pointed to an amulet at random. It was a plain circular one of metal, bearing three dots which formed the points of a triangle with connecting lines.

  Seeing the amulet that James had pointed to, the merchant said, “That one is indeed precious. It comes from very far away and is said to have been the property of a powerful sorceress,” he said with conviction as he held it up for a better view. “It was said that this amulet protected her from harm for as long as she wore it.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “Her lover tricked her into taking it off and then killed her,” he explained. “Only two silvers, good sir, and you too will be protected as she had been.”

  “Five coppers,” James countered, “and I’m just buying it to get away from you.”

  “Sir,” the merchant exclaimed tragically, “you would ruin me, starve my wife and children. Surely an amulet as powerful as this must be worth a silver and twelve coppers.”

  “Perhaps, ten coppers,” James offered. “Hopefully it won’t turn my skin green or give me a rash.”

  “How can you possibly put a meager price on such wonderful protection?” the man protested vigorously. “A silver six coppers, and that will bring curses upon my head from my wife for having given it away.”

  “Seventeen coppers,” James said, “and I’m getting ready to walk.” As he began backing away, the hawker’s face turned frantic at the possible loss of a sale.

  “A silver, good sir,” he pleaded. He practically screeched as he stretched his hand holding the amulet toward him as if to keep him from leaving. “Surely the protection must be worth at least a silver!”

  He paused as if to think. “A silver it is then.” He reached into his pouch, tossed the man the coin.

  The merchant snatched it so fast that the eye had a hard time seeing the move. He handed the amulet to James. With a friendly grin, the man gave a slight bow. “Thank you good sir and may a thousand blessings be upon you.”

  James took the amulet and put it in his pocket. “You’re welcome.”

  He hadn’t taken two steps before the voice of the amulet seller once again joined the cacophony of his fellow merchants. Each tried to out-shout the others in the hopes of luring those who passed by to their stalls.

  From the amulet seller, he headed further into the city. Where those closest to the gate were noisy and boisterous, the ones farther in were calm and quiet. These were the businesses that the people of the city used on a more regular basis.

  There were chandlers, butchers, and shops for every need. These were well-established, long time businesses known by the locals. They did not need the noise to attract customers. James enjoyed the more peaceful environment, no longer worried that pausing before something of interest would cause someone to attach himself to him like what he experienced with the amulet merchant.

  One sign drew his attention. It was a large pie with steam radiating off it. Must be a bakery. Maybe they have tarts. The memory of those in Bearn prompted him to enter. His stomach growled as a mouthwatering aroma wafted through the open door.

  “Hello,” a young man said as he put down a broom and approached the counter. “What can I do for you this evening, good sir?”

  “Do you have any tarts?”

  “Yes, sir. My father makes the best tarts in Cardri. Our apple tarts are especially good.”

  “Okay, I’ll take six of those.” Wanting some variety he asked, “Would you have a specialty, something that you do better than anybody else?”

  “Yes we do, sir,” the young man replied as he took apple tarts from behind the counter and placed them into a bag. “We are especially proud of our crumb cakes. It is a secret recipe handed down from father to son that’s been in our family for generations. Would you like to try one?”

  “Sure,” agreed James. “How big is it?”

  “Wait a moment and I’ll show you.”

  He set the sack of tarts onto the counter and passed through a door into the back. The young man returned with a medium sized cake, very similar to a cinnamon swirl crumb cake that his grandmother made. “It is a silver for the cake and another six coppers for the tarts.”

  He handed over two silvers and the young man gave him his change. He was glad Miko wasn’t there to get on him about not haggling. He didn’t like doing it, unless it was with someone he didn’t care for. He hated to admit it, but haggling with the amulet merchant had been a little fun.

  While waiting for the cake to be put in a box, James looked at all the other delectables and then glanced outside. A carriage passed by, drawn by two identical white horses. Intrigued, he came closer to the window to get a better look.

  “Oh my god,” he whispered as a shiver ran up his spine. There was the same man who had yelled at them when they were being chased from Lord Colerain’s estate. Lord Colerain was here in Cardri!

  He ducked away from the window to not be seen. Once the carriage passed, he collected his baked goods and with a quick goodbye left the bakery.

  The light began to fade as the sun neared the horizon. The street was not nearly as crowded as before, though many were still out and about. He walked fast, but didn’t run. He did not want to draw attention. The Dancing Squirrel came into view ahead. He entered the common room, turned toward the stairs and raced to the second floor.

  He opened the door to find Miko lying on the bed, bound and gagged. He dropped his sack of tarts and rushed over to his young friend. He drew his knife to cut the bonds. Miko was trying desperately to say something through the gag.

  “Hang on, Miko. I’ll have you free in a second.”

  Just as he brought the knife close to cut Miko’s bonds, from directly behind him he heard the creak of a floorboard. Then a blow to the head and darkness took him.

  Chapter Eleven

  _______________________