The Four Swords

Chapter 109: Meeting at the Arch

The next morning I somehow rose before most of the party. Besides Sir John, Sir Gavin seemed to be the only one preparing for the day's events. I wonder if being a model soldier was taught to him or just something that came a little too naturally.

I walked over to Sir John, who had a steaming cup in his hands. "How long has he been up?" I motioned to Sir Perfect.

"About an hour. He's made a decent breakfast for everyone out of military rations he brought. He also made this. Try it." Sir John spoke almost in awe before handing me the cup in his hands.

I took a sip. The tea was sweet and strong. My eyes suddenly shrugged off the sleep that was beckoning me to return. I could get used to this concoction, even if I could not fully stomach its maker.

"The kid has some talent! This is good!" I responded in spite of myself.

"Kid? He can't be that far from your age, can he? Lord Holden, aren't you in your twenties?" Sir John chided me with a smile.

Although he was right, I could not help but feel the gap between me and my counterparts was much deeper than this single digit age gap. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, thinking that would only prove Sir John's point. Maybe I was a brat too.

"Some of us have to grow up much faster than others," was my only reply. It sobered John's smile instantly. He knew my father.

My father died suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart condition. He was with us one day and gone the next. All while I was putting everything in order for my mother, my clan voted me into the Swordsmanship. My life got more complicated after that.

"I suppose you're right," Sir John admitted. "I'll wake the rest of them."

Before long, the camp was fully broken down and everyone was fed. It only took Sir Balor two waking moments before complaints started. I think the man does not know that you can remain quiet. It is physically possible. I promise.

We mounted our horses and continued to the border. The archway came into view. Morning dew settled near the bottom of it, reflecting light in a way that unsettled me.

I remembered a tale of a traveler going through the arch and never returning to our land. Of course this was just a campfire ghost story. A man could easily travel into the land of gnomes and never return. I physically shook my head, trying to shake off the eerie emotion.

I motioned for the company to stop and dismount. We were as close to the haunting landmark as I wished to go. We could certainly see the gnomish company that would meet us from here.

I wish I had asked more questions of Queen Valerie. I did not know how many gnomes we were supposed to meet or if they would have an army of protection with them. It seemed foolish now to be here so blind to what we might see.

My thoughts were interrupted as Cali approached me with a disquieting look. "Lord Holden, should we investigate that noise?"

I stilled. Becoming acutely aware of every sound, I listened. Nothing. No birds. No insects. Even the morning breeze passed by without a calming sound. I could hear nothing past the swish of a tail or the chomp of grass from the horses of our party.

My hand went to my sword. This silence seemed off. It was strange that Cali indicated a single noise when I could hear nothing.

"What do you hear?" I inquired.

Cali squirmed for a moment, as if worried she might sound crazy. "It's almost like whispers. In the direction of the arch."

"Maybe you are hearing our gnomish friends arrive," I offered. I generally had a pretty good ear, and I heard nothing.

"I suppose you're right. I will try to set my mind free from nonsensical imaginings," Cali offered with a weak smile. She was holding back something. That problem would have to wait.

Three figures appeared from across the border, slowly approaching us. The man leading the pack was clearly Duke Hugo. Princess Alina's former tutor was highly recognizable. The other two gnomes were strangers to me. Neither the pale man to his left, nor the vibrant woman to his right were in the party that visited the castle for Alina's birthday.

The pale man looked as though he had not seen the sun for a long time. His ashen complexion and tiny spectacles tried to distract from the man's squared off shoulders and almost royal bearing. He carried himself like a monarch.

I looked toward the female companion. My heart skipped a beat. She was one of the most beautiful creatures I had ever seen. Her auburn hair and rosy cheeks complemented her green eyes. Those emerald jewels caught me staring and I quickly looked away, only to return to my gawking a moment later.

She was like a fire shining in the dead of night and I was simply a moth drawn to her beauty. She smiled at me and my heart fluttered. Surely this was some type of magic from the gnomes.

Our companies met at the border with both sides bowing. Duke Hugo took control of the meeting by starting off introductions.

"Thank you all for meeting us so far from the capital. For those of you who have not met me, I am Duke Hugo. These are my companions," Hugo motioned toward the man, before he was cut off.

"Call me Ash," the man with the monarch bearing proclaimed before Hugo could say anything. The woman in their company laughed loudly without restraint, to the pale man's frustration.

It seemed off that this gnomish woman would be allowed to so easily defy a man publicly. From all that I had heard of gnomes, women had very little standing in society. Not that I minded. The woman's laugh was as enchanting as her smile.

Her male counterpart glared at her. He did not particularly enjoy being the punchline to the woman's internal monologue.

"Sibling!" The vibrant woman retorted. "I did not know we were picking new names. Call me Ember since I came before the Ash," her voice lilted playfully. At this declaration, I took a deeper look. The two strangers did indeed have the same nose. The teasing was most definitely familial.

Hugo sighed. "Please excuse these two. They don't get out much."

That was a pity. I would like to see more of these two. Even if they did like sowing discord between themselves.