Outcasts of Velrune (10 page)

“Where were you going? What is so important about that box?”

Mr. Penna shook his head. “I do not know what lies inside the box. I had never seen it before that day. As to our destination, Hedgewood, originally. The night after we left the dead lands, bandits jumped us. We managed to escape, but they wounded Peter in the process. We changed our plans, heading for Pike to the southwest. When we were within sight of the town, Peter became reluctant to enter. He said the town was too close, that we had to go farther. I tried to convince him to stop, that he needed the immediate aid of a healer, but he would have none of it. Instead, he swung around the outside of town, heading down a narrow, poorly maintained road that led even farther off to the southwest. My hands already full with Max, I had little choice but to follow. Thankfully, just when I thought I was going to lose Peter, we came within sight of the small village of Swiftwater. The village’s healer, a gifted woman, saved Peter, although he walked with a limp thereafter.”

“Peter liked Swiftwater. He felt safe; we all did. Welcomed by the villagers with open arms, we decided to stay. For two years we enjoyed life to the fullest, then, late one night while I was camping outside of town, bandits attacked the town. By the time I returned, they were gone, and Peter was dead.”

“One of the villagers told me the bandits had ransacked Peter’s house before leaving, but took nothing with them. I asked of Maxwell and was told they did not find him in the house. The village started searching for him. We had little luck until the owner of the local café, Mrs. Tassi, noticed her daughter also missing.” Mr. Penna winked at Eve. “She was a mischievous little girl whom Maxwell often played with.”

Eve blushed and bowed her head as Mr. Penna continued. “Mrs. Tassi struck out for her daughter’s favorite hiding places. She soon found the girl standing guard outside of a cabinet in the cafe’s kitchen, Maxwell tucked inside, safe and sound.”

“After that, I took on the responsibility of rearing Maxwell. Unsure of what we had run from and fearing another attack by the bandits, I did my best to keep our identity a secret from travelers. It appears, though, my time of secrecy has ended.”

Melody spoke slowly, deep in thought. “So, that is what happened so many years ago. You have kept the truth hidden well, Mr. Penna, but,” Melody nodded in Tyco’s direction, “I imagine I’m not the only one from Moenia who knows that Maxwell is alive.”

“No, I am sure you are not, my dear. That is why I have come along, even if I am too old to be of much aid anymore.”

Eve jumped up. “That’s ok Mr. Penna, I’m here. Right, Maxy?”

Max buried his head in his hands, saying nothing. A tiny laugh slipped out of Melody.

“That story does explain the surprise I had at the river earlier tonight.”

Mr. Penna gave Melody a questioning look. “Oh, what surprise would that be?”

Max leaned forward with concern. “Yeah, what happened? I knew I should have checked on Eve.”

Eve sat down, “I was fine, I don’t know what she’s talking about.”

Melody turned to Max with amusement in her eyes. “Most people take comfort in the fact that the lacarna are terrified of the water, Maxwell, and wouldn’t dream of helping them learn to swim. The last thing I expected to see in this wasteland was a lacarna willingly wading into a river.”

Max filled with pride. “You waded in by yourself, Eve? Wait, Melody, why would people not want the lacarna to swim?”

Melody sighed. “Very few places are like Swiftwater, Maxwell.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s too late to explain centuries of history tonight, besides, you’ll see for yourself soon enough. Just do me a favor, Maxwell, make your own decisions on what you feel is right, not what everyone else tries to tell you. You have an invaluable friendship; don’t let anyone else change that. Now, how about dinner?”

Max’s stomach growled. “Dinner sounds great. I‘ll help get things ready.”

Eve stood up to help Max. “Me too. Out you go, Spook.”

Spook peeked her head out of Eve‘s pocket, startling Melody.

“I had forgotten all about Spook. What’s her story Eve?”

Eve lifted Spook out, sitting her on the ground. “I found her in the storeroom in the back of our café. I was supposed to get rid of her, but I couldn’t, not after she helped me scare Max.” Eve giggled. “That’s why I named her Spook.”

Melody laughed. “She scared you with a mouse, Maxwell?”

Max looked indignant. “She didn‘t scare me. She told me she had eaten it, I…thought it was disgusting. I didn’t know she’d held it in her tail the whole time.”

Eve doubled with laughter. “I don’t know which I found funnier; the look you gave me when you thought I had eaten her or the one you gave me when you found out I hadn’t.”

Everyone joined Eve in her laughter, eventually even Max.

After dinner, the two groups separated; Max, Eve and Mr. Penna going back to their own spot with Tyco, who had already fallen asleep. Mr. Penna and Max soon fell fast asleep as well. Eve lingered a bit, her thoughts taking her back to the night of Peter’s death.

Is there someone out there that wants Max dead? Will I be able to stay with Max to protect him?

Eve lay down knowing, despite her troubled mind, she needed to get her rest. As she closed her eyes she saw that Melody and the diggers were still talking energetically among themselves.

“Maxwell! Wake up!”

Max slowly opened his eyes to find Tyco looming over him.

“Come on Maxwell. We need to leave. Now!”

Max sat up. “What’s going on?”

“We need to get moving, that’s what is going on. Now get your stuff packed. Don’t bother with breakfast, we don’t have time.”

Grumbling, Max got up to pack. Eve, yawning, came over to help.

“Do you know what’s going on, Eve?”

Eve shook her head. “Nope, but Tyco’s even got Mr. Penna annoyed.”

Max paused to find Mr. Penna. He stood next to his mare stuffing his bedroll into the travel sack. Frowning, he addressed Tyco.

“What is your rush, Tyco? The sun will not rise for another hour. The next camp will not take that long to reach.”

Tyco sneered at Mr. Penna. “Your friends from yesterday have already left. We need to catch up to them.”

Eve spread her arms wide as she let out a big yawn. “Yeah, they left about three hours ago.”

Tyco stepped quickly over to Eve, grabbing her by the elbow. “Why didn’t you wake me and tell me they were leaving?”

Eve twisted her elbow from Tyco’s grasp. “Because, it was none of our business when they left.”

Tyco’s gaze bore into Eve. “If you had stayed away from them it would not have been our business. That isn’t the case now.” Tyco went back to his horse. “Come on, let’s get going.”

Max haphazardly finished packing and mounted Starlight. Tyco led them out of camp where he spurred Teak to a run. They moved at nothing less than a trot for the next two hours before stopping for a break. Tyco slid off Teak.

“You’ve got fifteen minutes to water the horses and eat something.”

Everyone followed suit, leading the horses to the river. While Starlight drank, Max dug out some jerky, handing it to Eve. She swayed uneasily as she took it. Max grabbed her shoulder to steady her.

“Are you going to be okay?”

Eve nodded. “Yep, I just need to get something in my stomach then get a few stretches in.”

“Are you sure? Maybe you should ride with me on Starlight.”

“No, I don’t want to make it harder for Starlight. I’ll be fine, really. Keep some of that jerky out for me though. I’ll need extra food if we keep moving at this pace.”

With time running short, Max gave up the argument so they could eat. All too soon, Tyco shouted at them to get back on the horses and move out. Five hours later they reached the next camp. Quickly scanning the camp, Tyco spotted Melody and the diggers’ horses tied at a railing next to the guardhouse. He made for the door.

Meanwhile, Max and Mr. Penna led their horses to a trough to let them drink, then joined Eve who was quenching her own thirst from a water barrel. They were back with the horses when Tyco returned from the guardhouse. He got their attention before filling them in on what he had learned from the guards.

“The acolyte, along with the diggers, arrived here a little over two hours ago. They paid the guards to trade horses with them before making for the next camp. I have talked the guards into letting us do the same. We need to move our stuff over to the other horses immediately if we hope to catch up to them.”

Max stood stunned as Tyco began unfastening his packs from Teak. “Tyco, we need at least a half hour to eat. Eve won’t make it much farther without some decent food, and I’m not leaving Starlight in the middle of the dead lands.”

Tyco whipped around. “We can come back for the horses later, Max. They’ll be fine here.” Tyco suddenly smiled oddly. “Better yet, Mr. Penna and Eve can stay here with Starlight and Teak to get their rest, then meet us later in Moenia.”

Mr. Penna spoke in a calm voice. “What has you so upset, Tyco? Why are you so intent on catching up with Melody and the others?”

Tyco returned to working on removing the packs. “It is not so much as catching them as it is getting to Moenia before they do.”

“Why? What is the danger?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but I know they’re up to something. Children of the Immortals, or diggers for that matter, are simply not to be trusted.”

Eve crossed her arms in disbelief. “What? That’s crazy.”

Max nodded. “Yeah, they seemed perfectly nice.”

Tyco swung the packs off Teak “You have a lot to learn, Maxwell. It’s a good thing I’m getting you to the Protectors when I am.”

Mr. Penna let out a grunt. “That is up for debate, but I see you are determined to go. We will do as you suggest and follow tomorrow. Keep in mind; however, that Maxwell must join us at the city gate when we arrive. Evangeline will not be allowed to enter without her owner.”

Max’s jaw dropped. “What?”

Tyco ignored Max. “I can assure you when we receive word of your arrival I’ll send Maxwell to the gate.”

Mr. Penna studied Tyco’s face. “I hope so, Tyco.”

Eve nodded. “I’m okay with that; if it’s for Max’s safety.”

Max balled his fists up in frustration. He did not like the others deciding what he was to do. “Wait a minute, I can’t leave Eve behind! And what is this about her owner?”

Tyco spoke over his shoulder as he moved towards the guards’ horses. “Not now, Maxwell. Hurry up and get your stuff off of Starlight and onto one of these other horses.”

Max stood firm. “But?”

Mr. Penna crossed his arms and stood with his legs apart, a stance Max had seen often. “Just do it, Maxwell. Do not worry; we will catch up soon enough.”

Max hung his head. “Yes, sir.”

Max removed his things from Starlight, putting them on one of the fresh horses while Tyco rode to the west side of the camp. Finished, he mounted the horse, but Mr. Penna stopped him before he could join Tyco. Eve leaned against Mr. Penna, her head down.

“Maxwell, do you remember that bundle of biscuits that Mrs. Tassi gave you before we left Swiftwater?”

Max nodded.

“Good, in there you will find a piece of paper declaring you the owner of Evangeline. Whatever happens, do not lose it. Do you understand?”

Max stared blankly at Mr. Penna. Mr. Penna grabbed Max’s knee, his voice stern.

“Do you understand, Maxwell? Do not lose that paper.”

Max blinked, then nodded. “I…I won’t lose them. But, I don’t understand what you mean by...”

Mr. Penna’s voice softened as he relaxed his grip. “I am sorry Maxwell, but you are about to learn a lot of things that are not very pleasant. The story I told you of the lacarna and the Protectors was only the start. Just remember, your own experiences with Evangeline. Most importantly, be sure to be at the eastern gate in Moenia three days from now to meet us.”

Mr. Penna let go of Max and slapped the backside of the horse causing it to rear up. It dropped back on all fours then broke into a dead run for the opening in the camp wall. As he exited the camp he glanced behind him. Eve waved pitifully at him, her face bearing the same worry and uncertainty that he felt. He saw something else too, something he couldn’t identify. Noticing his stare, she stopped waving, turning to Mr. Penna with her head lowered.

CHAPTER TEN

Two hours of hard riding had begun to wear on both Max and his horse. Even though he had already fallen several lengths behind Tyco, he slowed the horse to a walk. Ahead of him, Tyco turned his horse as quickly as he could and trotted back in his direction. Max’s shoulders sagged.

Now I’ve made him mad.

Looking intently at the ground, Tyco stopped his horse 20 yards short of Max. When Max reached them he bent over to see what had captured Tyco’s interest. In the dust he saw a confused mess of hoof prints all around the trail. Farther out, he spotted a large number of prints leading away towards the north.