“Could you please take Commander General Blaize to the city barracks? He needs rest,” Traven said.
“Yes, sir,” the general responded.
He quickly dispatched several of his men to take Blaize to the barracks. Traven watched as his sleeping friend was led away. Hopefully, by the time he woke up, most of his soreness would be gone. Being without his mount, Darian climbed up and seated himself behind Giselle. Now that Blaize was safe and the city seemed to be secure, Traven had other matters that he needed to attend to.
“Is there a central command location in the city?” he asked.
“Yes,” the general began, “they are using the first floor of the palace. It is located in the center of the city. It is the largest building off the grand square and impossible to miss.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I will go there. Who is in charge in the commander general’s absence?”
“The Vice Baron Gavin,” the general stated. “I think you will find him there. He has been regularly passing back and forth between the command center and the frontlines.”
“Keep an eye on the horde. If the galdak wielder or the horde approaches, send for me immediately.”
The general saluted and assured him that he would be the first to know. Traven nodded to the general and continued on into the city with only Giselle and Darian accompanying him. He knew exactly which building the general had spoken of. He remembered the palace from his first visit to Kavar less than a year before. He had also seen it when he had sent the message to Kalista. The inn she was staying in was only a block away from it.
He would stop by her inn first to ensure that she was safe and then proceed to the palace. It was most likely too late for him to visit with the princess, but he could check on her. If she happened to be awake, he might even get a glimpse of her. Hopefully in the morning he would have the opportunity to speak with Kalista. He had thought long and hard on the subject both while undergoing the King’s Trial and on the journey back from Morian Haven. It was important that he expressed his feelings to her as soon as possible.
* * * * *
Kalista watched from her window as the last of the commoners left the inn and returned to their tents. Luckily, the majority of the tents had been untouched by the galdaks. A group of the city guard had arrived earlier to inform them that the galdaks had retreated and it was safe for people to return to their tents. Some of the commoners had been hesitant to leave the safety of the inn, but most were thankful to leave the crowded building and return to their tents for some much needed sleep. The city guard had left twenty soldiers to patrol the area in order to placate those who were afraid the galdaks might return. The presence of more guards was welcomed by Kalista. If the galdaks had managed to breech the city once, they could do so again.
It had surprised her to hear that the galdak horde had retreated. She had wondered if it was some kind of a trick, but then reports had come that a wielder had shown up and forced the horde away. Traven was not supposed to arrive until the following day, but it seemed plausible that he could have arrived early. If he was already in the city, everyone should be safe enough.
She had been tempted to leave the inn and seek him out but had decided against it. It certainly was not proper for the Princess of Kalia to be out in the middle of the night looking for someone. She should be in bed, but the excitement of the recent attack and the anticipation of seeing Traven would make it hard for her to fall asleep anytime soon. She sighed as she stared out the window. It was still going to be a long night, but she felt a huge sense of relief knowing that Traven had arrived safely.
Out of the corner of her eye, Kalista saw a group of soldiers come into view. She perked up excitedly, wondering if it was Traven. She leaned back down on her elbows with another sigh when she saw it was not the young wielder. It was only Gavin with several of his guards.
She shook her head and mentally chided herself for her thoughts. She should be happy to see her fiancé safe and sound, but she had to admit that she had not even thought of him since he had wished her a good night at the end of the day. She glanced down at the engagement ring on her finger and grimaced. Whether or not Traven had any feelings for her, she would not feel comfortable marrying Gavin if she could not overcome her current apathy towards him.
Gavin approached the inn and entered through the front door. It was apparent he was on his way to see her. She left the window and straightened herself up in the mirror. She then left her bedroom and walked over to an armchair in the antechamber. A knock sounded at her door as she sat down. She waved for one of her chamber maids to answer it.
The door opened and Gavin was admitted into the room. Kalista smiled to him in greeting but did not get up from her chair. Despite the thoughts racing in her mind, she was physically very tired. Gavin remained standing, just inside the door.
“I did not expect to find you still awake,” Gavin said. “You should be sleeping.”
“I know,” she responded. “However, after the attack, I find it hard to relax and go to sleep.”
“Yes, I heard that a group of galdaks attacked this inn. I have sent for twenty more soldiers to be stationed here. Forgive me for not appointing you with greater protection sooner.”
“It is not your fault,” she replied. “The city guards had been stationed to protect us if any galdaks somehow breeched the city.”
“They were meant to protect the city, its citizens, and the rest of the commoners,” Gavin continued. “There should have been more guards assigned specifically to protect you. The oversight has been corrected. Please forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” Kalista said with a shrug of her shoulders. “Thankfully, we had the means to defeat the group of galdaks that managed to penetrate so deeply into the city. My guards defended the inn valiantly.”
“And now you shall have twenty more,” he stated. “Please try and get some rest. No doubt you have heard that the galdaks retreated back to their camp. If we have any luck, they will not return tonight.”
Kalista wanted to ask him if he had seen Traven but knew better. It would only upset him. Gavin was right. She needed to get some sleep. The next day and night should prove eventful.
“Thank you,” she said. “I will try and sleep.”
Gavin bowed to her and left the room. She bit her cheek as the door closed. She should have stood and welcomed him. She should have expressed her relief that he was safe. She should have held him close. What was wrong with her? She stifled a large yawn. Maybe it was just a lack of sleep. She pushed herself up from the armchair and returned to her room. Her window was still wide open, and she watched as Gavin left the inn and disappeared around a building.
She then grabbed the shutters to close them. They were only half way shut when she stopped. Someone on horseback had just appeared from a side street a ways down the road. The person was still far away and it was too dark for her to make out his features, but she knew instantly from his posture that it was Traven. Two people rode on a horse behind him. Other than that, the young wielder was alone.
Her heart began beating faster as she watched him ride slowly towards the inn. Was he coming to see her? Sleep completely fled from her thoughts. She stepped away from the window and called her chamber maids into her room to make her presentable for a meeting. They seemed surprised by her request in the middle of the night but quickly freshened her up without any questions.
Kalista soon had her hair fixed, her dress straightened, and looked radiant despite the late hour. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror and went back out to the antechamber. She discreetly looked out the window. Traven had just exited the inn and was remounting his horse to leave. Why was he leaving? She quickly walked to her door and opened it. The guards on duty straightened.
“Go and inform the Wielder Traven that I am interested in speaking with him tonight. I would like a report on what he has done and how he intends to protect the city.”
The guard saluted and hurried away. Kalista closed her door and walked back into the center of her antechamber. She selected an armchair that was directly next to another and carefully sat down in it to wait. The guard should be able to catch Traven before he rode very far. She probably should have left Traven alone, but she was anxious to see him. She did not have to wait very long before a knock sounded at the door. One of her maids quickly opened it. The guard she had sent was standing in the hall.
“My Princess,” he began with a bow, “Master Wielder Traven is downstairs. Would you like me to bring him up?”
“Yes,” she responded.
The guard bowed again and left. Kalista smiled. The guard had accomplished his task quickly. She tried to calm the beating of her heart as she waited for Traven.
It was not long before she heard steps coming down the hall. The guard came into view and stepped to the side of the door while motioning his followers into the room. Traven entered first. He was covered in dust and had blood on his wrinkled and worn black clothes. It was apparent he had not taken the time to wash up but had come directly to see her. An intricate silver armband with a bright green stone set in it wound around his left bicep.
Despite the long journey and recent fighting, Traven somehow looked fresh and energized. His eyes shined brightly, and he walked lightly on his feet as he stepped into the room. He flashed a nervous smile at her and bowed deeply. She inclined her head in response.
Behind him, two cloaked figures stepped into the room and took up positions on either side of the door. She recognized the one as Traven’s bold servant but had never seen the other. As she studied the newcomer, she realized with a start that it was a woman. The lady was quite tall. The cloak hid most of her features, but what little Kalista could see hinted at a slender, graceful woman of beauty.
A pang of jealousy pierced her heart. The woman appeared to be a servant just like Traven’s other one. Kalista wondered where she had come from and how long she had been serving the young wielder. The thought of Traven having an attractive female servant somewhat bothered her.
“I have come as requested,” Traven said as he rose from his bow. “I am sorry about the late hour of my visit.”
“Do not worry about it,” Kalista replied as she turned her attention away from the lady servant. She motioned to the seat next to her. “Please sit down. I am excited to hear of your journey and to know what object you retrieved that will help save our land.”
Traven took the seat she had indicated, while she addressed the guard at the door.
“You may close the door,” she instructed.
The guard hesitated for a moment as he looked at Traven and the wielder’s two cloaked servants. He quickly closed the door when Kalista raised her eyebrows in question as to why her orders were not being obeyed immediately. As soon as the door was shut, she turned her full attention to Traven.
He was almost as close to her as they had been when sitting upon the stone bench in the gardens back at Candus. She felt a slight warming in her cheeks as she thought of how it had felt to hold his hand that day. She quickly looked away when she realized she was staring into his eyes.
“Is something wrong?” Traven asked with concern.
“No,” she replied. “I was just thinking of something.” She composed herself and looked back at him. “I thought you were not going to arrive until tomorrow. At least, that was the understanding I had from your message.”
“That was my original intention,” he replied. “I decided this morning to ride on ahead and arrive here as soon as possible. I had been watching the fighting and knew the army would have a hard time keeping the galdaks at bay tonight. I would have sent a message but was afraid of attracting the galdak wielder’s attention.”
“It was very fortunate you arrived early,” she stated. “The galdaks managed to breech the city tonight. If you had not shown up, I am afraid there would have been many citizens killed.”
“I’m glad I was able to help in the battle tonight,” Traven replied. “I am also glad to find you safe and in good health.”
He appeared as though he was about to say something else but stopped himself. Kalista wondered what he had been about to say. She assumed he had some specific reason for coming to her inn. If he was only worried about her safety, he could have simply screed her like he had done in the past. An uncomfortable silence fell over the room as Traven began fidgeting with his intricate silver armband.
Kalista wanted to say something about how much she had missed him but did not know if this was the right time or place for her to express any of her feelings for him. The young wielder would play an important role in the continuing battle, and she did not want to say or do anything that might distract him, especially since she had no way of knowing his feelings. She was not necessarily interested in small talk at the moment but decided it was better than sitting in silence.
“Your armband is a fine work of art,” she said. “Where did you get it?”
Traven looked confused for a moment before he shook his head and smiled.
“It’s not mine,” he replied. “This is the object I went in search of. It’s called the armband of endurance. It allows me to wield the ambience much longer than I would otherwise have the strength to.”
“Oh,” Kalista said with interest. “Where did you find it?”
Before answering her, Traven glanced over at his two servants. He then looked at her chamber maids. He appeared to be deciding if he wanted to answer the question in front of everyone present. He finally looked back at his two servants and shrugged his shoulders.
“I suppose it’s time,” he said to no one in particular. He then looked directly at her. “I didn’t find the armband anywhere. It was given to me by the king of the elves.”
She stared back at him with a smile, trying to decide why he was jesting. He smiled back at her but appeared serious. She continued looking at him skeptically. She had heard tales of elves, but did not understand why he was bringing up such fictitious stories as if they were real. For some reason, her disbelief made his smile grow larger. He turned to his two cloaked servants and nodded.