The Sword and the Flame: The Forging

Chapter 12

Mern paused long enough to let his lecture be absorbed. When he was certain it had, he continued by handing over a scroll case with thirty scrolls in it. Viola's eyes widened, then turned to her master. In answer, Mern nodded. "These are yours; they are all in the range of your abilities. Copy them into your spell book without altering them. It will take you a month, most likely two, to master all of these. Once you do, you will be tested. Understood? Good. That's all for this evening. You've done well so far, child. I trust you won't disappoint me."

Without seeing or witnessing a word or motion, Viola found herself back in the hallway, her arms full with the scroll set given to her. "Thank you, Master, you won't be disappointed." Excited, she made her way down the hall to her room. Wanting to get started with her studies, she barely remembered Janessa and their agreement. If there was a treasure to be found, she couldn't back out now, despite her feelings.

Viola put the scrolls in her room and was sure to seal them in an enchanted trunk she used to store her magical items. Thus far, her collection was lacking but it was growing, thanks to her master's contribution. Thinking it strange that she hadn't heard from Janessa for so many hours, she paused at the door after making sure everything was secure. She was concerned, but it wasn't the first time her friend went her own way when she had an interest in a man. Viola wasn't sure if she'd ever understand the Halfling. Living life so free was something she could never see herself doing. Viola had an idea where to look for her. Stang was a stable boy, after all.

*****

Grateful the other stable boys had their fair share of the work to do, Janessa closed the door to the stable boy's quarters and made her way through the hallway, finishing the adjustments to her shirt. Not a bad day, she thought. She had been intent on asserting herself and being more aggressive towards Stang, since being coy was her strong point. Janessa couldn't stop smiling; she'd gotten everything she wanted out of him. A creature enslaved to her passions, Janessa learned long ago to yield to them.

Now, she had business to complete. She was certain where the emergency entrance to the caves would be found, and as much as she appreciated her time with a man, the promise of gold proved to be far more alluring. If that handsome fighter hadn't lied, then they'd all be able to retire. If he tried to betray them, well, she hadn't planned for that. He seemed honest enough, and if the rumors about the various beasts and guardians charged with protecting the treasure were true, then he and his friend would be needed and welcomed. She had to admit that she doubted anything but vermin were in the tunnels after all those years. People made up the most interesting stories when they didn't want something searched.

Janessa wondered if Viola had heard those same stories when she turned a corner and ran into her — literally. The collision knocked both to the floor, causing both to offer their apologies to one another. Once they recognized each other's voice, they burst into laughter.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Viola was the first to speak. "I was looking for you."

Janessa held her sides against the pain of her laughter. "Looks like you found me." The two began laughing again, and that time, it lasted for several minutes. The laughter had a cleansing effect on them both, and for a time, all worries were forgotten and any fears as to what they would find in the tunnels disappeared.

Once their laughter faded, both friends got to their feet, each helping the other. Now in a more dignified position, Viola brushed out her robe as best she could. "How'd it go with Stang?"

Janessa flushed; she'd almost forgotten about him in the turmoil. "Good," she said, nodding with a shrug, "couldn't have gone any better." Seeing Viola's expression go from one of interest to shock, Janessa changed the topic. She often forgot how easily the young mage was embarrassed. "I think I found the entrance to the tunnels. Everyone I've talked to believes it's in the northeast corner, in the old Peasant's View."

Peasant's View was one of the oldest and least desirable sections of Hope. Long before the walls were built, the city of Hope existed as a small section of the kingdom of Gilmore. The ruler of the land, Baron Vlas, had a large, fortified tower built in what became the center of the city, where he lived comfortably on the backs of his people. Always one to overestimate his own wealth, he entertained his visitors on the large balcony near the top of the tower. From there, they could look down on the forty or so peasants working in the fields, leading to it eventually becoming known as Peasant's View.

Loathing their lord, but helpless to do anything, the people continued to work under the supervision of the baron's men. For nearly two decades, they had worked and suffered under his heavy hand, and some say his belt, until King Gilmore died in his sleep at a hundred years old. With the passing of the King, the region destabilized and the lords of the various lands fought among themselves for the right to take the throne. Gilmore never took a wife, leaving the land without any heirs and causing chaos to erupt throughout the countryside.

During that time, when the lords were at their most vulnerable, Baron Vlas' people rose against him. Led by a charismatic young leader named Beren Fleush, the peasants took the guard's weapons and attacked the tower. After a two week siege, the doors of the tower were broken in and the tower was burned to the ground. Baron Vlas was captured and hung from a tree in the center of Peasant's View. Under the guidance of Beren Fleush, the people began working on the wall to protect them from the other lords. During that time, another nobleman seeking a peaceful end to the constant warring, approached them. He had already quelled several parts of the former kingdom of Gilmore, and offered them the opportunity to govern themselves, provided they flew his standard and came when he called. Long weeks of discussion ended with Fleush and the villagers agreeing to the terms given them by the nobleman.

Once more, they had a lord in Prince Duncan, but unlike his predecessor, he allowed them to grow and gave them protection with mild taxes. By the time the Reign of Duncan came to an end and another power struggle began, the city of Hope sat secure behind a wall with a large garrison and could sustain itself. It remained one of the few survivors from the Dark Times; how it had never been razed to the ground is still in question. Many believe the spirit of Baron Vlas remains in Peasant's View and that he does in death what he couldn't do in life — protect what was his.

The story made its way through Viola's mind when Janessa mentioned the name. "Peasant's View? Are you sure?"

Janessa smiled. "That's what everyone says." She leaned in close, her smile changed to one of mischief. "You're not scared of ghosts, are you?"

Viola flushed, but her embarrassment changed to one of anger, though it wasn't genuine. "No, not at all. Besides, it's only a story."

After watching her for a moment, Janessa didn't believe her. "Uh huh. Then why is it abandoned and always cold? What better place to hide the entrance?" Her logic seemed sound; perception was far more important than truth in most cases. People believed what they wanted to, plain and simple.

Viola's anger turned real, but only to a point. She hated being scared, and Janessa knew it. Serve her right if I turn her into a frog, Viola thought. The idea, however brief, did have some merit to it. "If it's there. Have you checked to make sure?"

That time Janessa's expression changed while she chewed her lip. "No, but that doesn't mean anything."

Viola smiled. She took a small victory in the exchange. "You'll be happy to know I've mastered a locator spell." She shrugged. "So when you're wrong, I'll find it."

"What do you mean, 'when I'm wrong?' I have as much chance of being right as that spell of yours." Janessa glared at her.

Not wanting to get pulled into one of her friend's bets, Viola shrugged, turning on her heel. "We'll see."

Janessa followed her towards the stairs. "We will. Now, hurry up or we'll be late in meeting them."

Viola's smile broadened. She loved her friend dearly, but oh, it would feel so good to prove her wrong.