Soul Gem Collector Chapter 6

“Zayre,” Janel’s voice woke me from my slumber, and I forgot the dream I had as soon as I blinked my eyes. “Zayre, you need to wake up. You and Aylara need to leave early for the castle.” She padded across the room in her silk shoes to sit on the bed next to me.

“I feel like we just went to bed,” I grumbled, and my eyelids were like sandpaper as I blinked. “Can’t I sleep just a little while longer?” I pleaded as I tugged on the sleeve of her sky blue robes.

“No, my husband,” she purred before she leaned down to give me a quick kiss. “You need to be in line early so you can beat the crowds.” She ran her delicate fingers down the side of my face, and giggled when I brought her hand to my mouth to kiss each of her knuckles.

“Alright,” I said after I pressed my lips to the palm of her hand. “Hopefully Noura has some very strong beanbrew.”

“She does,” the elvenborn said as she stood. “She’s made us a new type of concentrated beanbrew. And she added steamed milk, vanilla, and chocolate curls. It’s delicious.”

“It does sound good,” I mumbled through a yawn while I threw the satin comforter back.

“And she made some of the sausage rolls like your father makes,” Janel grinned.

“It sounds perfect,” I said. “Do I have time for a shower?” I followed the black haired elvenborn from the master bedroom into the front room, the others were already awake, and much more alive than I was at the moment.

“Good morning,” Aylara squeaked. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” I answered. “I just wish it was longer.”

“Once we’re done with all of this you can sleep for days,” Tas smirked as she looked up from her book.

“I will hold you to that,” I laughed. “And hold you while I sleep.”

“I could be persuaded to that,” the vixen winked at me.

“Here’s your beanbrew,” Noura said as she handed me a mug of steaming, creamy liquid with chocolate curls spread across its surface. “I made something different today.”

“Janel told me it’s stronger?” I asked before I took the first sip.

It was still hot, the dark beanbrew mixed with the vanilla and cream on my tongue, and the chocolate curls brought out the sweetness in the bitter drink. The cream coated my tongue, and as the beanbrew slid down my throat, energy began to race through my veins.

“This,” I said as I closed my eyes to savor the delicious treat. “Noura, you have outdone yourself. This is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted.”

“Wait until you taste the mustard sauce for the sausage rolls,” Aylara said from the pink couch that she shared with Janel. “It’s like the stuff she got us when we first met.”

“That was amazing,” I nodded as I walked over to the djinn’s dark red chaise lounge, and then sat on the edge of the cushion so that I could reach the plates of food.

“I’m so happy you enjoy my food,” Noura smiled as she sat in the corner, her long legs stretched out, and a cup of purple tea in her hands.

“Every time,” I winked at her, and then let my eyes roam over her hungrily.

She blushed, rolled her coal dark eyes, and took a sip of her drink as she purposely looked away from me.

I stacked my plate high with sausage rolls, eggs, and buttery rolls before I poured some of the yellow mustard into a small bowl. The sauce was delicious, the tartness of the vinegar mixed perfectly with the bite of the mustard, and it was just as good as I remembered.

“So,” I said after I had polished off my breakfast, and my beanbrew. “How are we going to make these disguises?”

“I’ve already burned some paper,” Taslyn answered as she snapped her book shut. “I have the ashes on my work table. We’re going to put them in your hair so that you look like you’ve grayed.”

“And I have some makeup that I’m going to use to paint wrinkles on your face,” Janel added. “I did it before in a performance. It should hold up to scrutiny even up close… as long as you don’t wipe it off.”

“I promise I won’t touch my face,” I vowed. “What about our clothes?”

“Oh, we already have those,” Aylara said as she reached over the side of the couch and held up a paper bag. “They were dropped off this morning. Compliments of Akinda.”

“Where did she get them?” I asked.

“No idea,” the mouse-girl responded. “But the guy who brought them was an older man that had a cart full of vegetables.”

“How did she find them so fast?” my vixen girlfriend narrowed her eyes at the bag.

“Akinda is annoyingly good at this kind of stuff,” the platinum blonde huffed. “I’ll deny it if you ever tell her… but she’s even better at finding unusual items than me.”

“I know she’s your sister,” my wife said. “But I don’t know if I trust her.” She gave Aylara an apologetic smile, and then distracted herself with the blueberries on the table.

“Oh, you definitely shouldn’t,” my business partner responded. “I know she’s upset about the Iron Dwarves, and she’s been paid pretty well to help us, but if the Korlems offer her enough money then she’ll turn us over without a second thought.”

“Even if that means that the Iron Dwarves will destroy the kingdom?” Noura gasped.

“Yep,” the mouse-girl shrugged a petite shoulder. “She doesn’t have my moral compass. And the only thing she really loves is money. She’d even sell out our own mother for the right price.”

“Such a lovely family,” Tas muttered with a frown.

“Hey,” Aylara defended. “It was hard growing up. Lots of mouths to feed and not enough money.”

“We’ll be careful,” I said as I stood up. “Should we go get changed?” I held out my hand to my business partner, and then tugged her up after she put her petite hand in mine.

I led her back into the bedroom, took the bag from her, and dumped its contents onto the bed. The clothes smelled slightly of manure, dirt, and sweat but it looked like it would fit so I tugged off my shirt and pants, and then replaced them with the borrowed outfit.

“These smell terrible,” Aylara whined after she sniffed the baggy dress that her sister had provided.

“It’ll make sure no one gets too close,” I said. “And they’ll add to the old farm couple look we’re going for.”

I tried to breathe through my mouth instead of my nose, but there was no escape from the stench. Once I had all of it on, I took deep, slow breaths through my nose until I was at least somewhat used to the smell. I was glad that Taslyn wouldn't have to endure it, and I hoped that Aylara could ignore it like I could.

“Okay,” the platinum haired woman said after she had put on the dress and raggedy leather shoes. “If I breathe through my nose it’s not too bad. Thankfully, years of working in bars has taught me how to ignore questionable smells.” She grinned up at me, and she looked completely out of place in the too large clothing that swallowed her frame.

“Good,” I said. “I was hoping you’d be able to handle it. Though hopefully we won’t be there more than a few hours.”

“Then we’ll need to hurry up,” the mouse-girl squeaked before she led me out to the main room.

“Alright,” Janel clapped her hands together when we rejoined her and the others. “Go ahead and sit down in these chairs. Tas and Noura will help with your hair while I work on your makeup.”

“Those clothes stink,” my vixen girlfriend said as she walked over with a large bowl of ash in her hands. She sniffed the air, and then grimaced at the stench of the farm. “I don’t miss being near farm animals.”

There were three wooden stools facing each other on a large sheet, Janel sat on the middle one with a small round paint holder that was filled with makeup, and she motioned for us to take the other seats.

“How long will this take?” I asked as I glanced out of the front windows to see the early light of morning.

“Not long,” my wife grinned. “I used to paint several people a night. It’s pretty fast once you get the hang of it.”

“And we’re just going to rub the ash into your hair and scalp,” Noura added. “I’ll take Aylara’s hair.” She scooped up a handful of the white and gray mixture then dumped it onto the mouse-girl’s platinum blonde curls.

“Oh no,” Aylara said, and then immediately sneezed as the dust wafted down around her, she shook her head, and then sat perfectly still as Noura began to rub the ash into her hair.

“I’m going to take care of Aylara’s makeup first,” Janel said as she spun around to face the mouse-girl. “It takes a little bit longer to get it right on a woman.”

“Sounds good to me,” I said as I sat in the other stool so that Tas could make my hair gray.

I waited patiently as my elvenborn wife painted my face. It didn’t take her nearly as long as it did with Aylara, though when I was done I looked like I had aged well into my later years. Between the ash and the makeup I could fool someone to believe that I was an elder, and the clothes would deter anyone with a strong nose from being too close.

“We should head out,” I said after I had finished with the inspection of my reflection. I had hoped to have a cane or a hood to hide my face and to lean on, but my disguise would work well enough without them, and I could always fake a limp.

“Be safe,” Janel told us as we walked towards the door.

“I’ll be listening,” Tas added.

“And I’ll have the carriage ready if we need to make a quick escape,” Noura finished.

“See you later,” I said with a reassuring smile to my girls and then took Aylara’s hand in mine. “Should we go see the king?” I did my best imitation of an older man as I used my free hand to make sure I had the amulet, the book, and the bag of soul gems.

“Of course, honey,” my petite partner said in the wobbly voice of an old woman. She laced her fingers through mine and then walked out into the street with me.

I waited until I heard the click of a lock behind me before I started to lead Aylara towards the castle that loomed out of the buildings. It was on a slight hill, and as we neared the gray stone gates, we had to walk through the crowds of vendors from the street market.

“Business in the castle?” a bulky elvenborn King’s Guard in a shiny suit of armor asked when we reached the outer gates.

“We’re here ta talk ta the king,” I said in an accented and aged voice.

“Oh really?” he chuckled as he ran his eyes over me and then Aylara. “About what?”

“That’s none of your business,” the mouse-girl said in her grandmotherly tone, and for a moment I wondered if she would threaten to take a wooden spoon to him.

“Whatever,” the man rolled his eyes. “The line’s already pretty long and there aren’t any chairs. You think you can handle it?”

“Son,” I said as I glowered at him. “I’ve been standing and working in fields since before you were even a twinkle in your old man’s eye. Now let us through.”

“You better let them in,” a bear beastborn with dark brown fur laughed as he motioned for us to enter underneath the opened portcullis.

“Thank you, dear,” Aylara smiled at the beastborn, and then reached over to pat him on his fur covered forearm. “At least someone was taught to respect their elders.” She shot a glare at the elvenborn before she led me into the courtyard.

There were hundreds of people already in line, even though the morning dew had barely settled on the grass of the courtyard. The expansive outdoor area was covered in bright green grass, carriages that sat in perfect lines, and to the left was a large stable with attendants that led the horses in and out. To the right of the courtyard was a guardhouse with soldiers out front, their morning training had already started, and a short, muscular human shouted orders at them.

“This is going to take forever,” I said as we took up our place behind a young elvenborn couple.

The woman had tanned skin like Janel, but her long hair was straw yellow, and her ears were decorated with silver. Her male companion had short black hair, pale skin, and bright blue eyes. They both wore simple black robes with no embroidery, and apart from the silver earrings, neither of them wore any jewelry.

“It’s worth it though, dear,” my business partner cooed as she stifled a yawn. “These old bones aren’t what they used to be. I’m ready for a nap, already.” She grinned at the couple in front of us as they glanced at us.

“Honey, you know very well you wouldn’t go to sleep even if you could,” I teased, though I kept my eyes on the guards that walked the line.

“Well that’s because there’s too much to do,” Aylara huffed. “And the kids are all off chasin’ their dreams. I gotta do it all myself. And you’ve gotta take care of the fields and all the animals.”

“We need to retire,” I winked at her, and then bobbed my head to the people who took up their spot behind us, though they made sure not to stand too close.

“Oh like you would,” the mouse-girl said. “I won’t even get you outta the fields when ya keel over.”

“You know you’ll drag me over to the pig pen,” I laughed, my eyes were glued on the woman beside me, but I watched our surroundings out of the corner of my eyes.

“It’ll be the best meal they ever get,” Aylara said with a look of affection. “Though I’m still hoping I go before you.”

“Oh no, young lady,” I wagged my finger at her, and forced a chuckle when one of the guards glanced at us before he moved on. “We agreed when we got married that you’d outlive me.”

“That was before I got used to you,” the mouse-girl giggled.

“I love you, too,” I told her with a wink.

“I didn’t say all that,” she teased.

“How long have you been married?” the elvenborn woman in front of us asked.

“You better know that answer,” Aylara warned in a warm tone as she looked over at me.

“Of course I do,” I responded, then cast a glance around to see that the guards had all been given posters. “It’s uh...it’s been an entire lifetime.” I smiled at my companion as if in victory. I stole a look at the papers in a nearby guard’s hand and felt panic race through my veins when I saw my face, Janel, Taslyn, and Noura in her masculine disguise.

“Mmmhmm,” the mouse-girl muttered. “It sure has.” She looked the couple over, her bright red eyes focused, even though I saw them widen slightly when she saw the wanted posters. “So...what are you two doing here?”

The King’s Guards strolled up and down the line, their eyes scanned every face, and then compared them to the faces of the so-called rebels. They stopped to talk to a few people, but didn’t seem too concerned with a threat, though they probably didn’t think that we’d actually try to come in through the front gates.

“We’re here to get the king’s approval for our marriage,” the elvenborn woman said with a shy smile.

“Why do you need his say so?” I asked.

If I could keep the conversation going with the couple and Aylara, then the guards would be less likely to think we were the ones they searched for. I knew we had convinced the two elvenborns in front of us, but I doubted they were trained to look for fugitives that might be disguised.

“Oh,” the blonde elvenborn muttered.

“Our parents won’t approve our marriage,” the male elvenborn said. “But they said if we can convince the king that we’re a good match, then they’ll allow it.”

“That’s bullsit,” I huffed in my best angry old man interpretation.

“Why, I thought you elvenborns had that heart flame when ya fall in love,” Aylara gasped. “How could they deny that?”

“Well,” the blonde blushed as she reached over to take her companion’s hand.

“She’s already engaged to someone else,” the elvenborn man said in a tight voice. “And her parents don’t want to let the deal fall through. Even if that means their daughter would be injured in the process.”

“Horrible,” I grumbled, and then spit into the dirt, only some of my rage was fake. If it hadn’t been for the tournament I won, Janel’s parents may have refused, though they had softened to me when she told them her heart flame had been ignited.

“I’m sure it’ll work out,” the mouse-girl next to me said as she squeezed my hand. “True love always wins.”

“That it does,” I nodded with a warm smile. “When we first got married… nobody approved of us.”

“My parents didn’t want me to marry a human,” Aylara interjected as she shook her head. “Said he couldn’t take care of our little brood.”

“But we made due,” I said. “And we’ve had a lot of happy years together.”

“And a couple more to go,” she agreed. “And so many grandkids. Oh, they’re just the sweetest little things.” She patted her dress like she might have something to show them, but then sighed. “I left my sketchbook at the house.” She shook her head at herself. “But you trust me, they’re adorable.”

“I’m sure they are,” the elvenborn woman laughed. “What’s your secret to staying married for so long?”

“Work,” I teased and then winked at my business partner and lover. “I’m kidding. Sort of. It’s important for you both to have something to keep ya occupied. And remember to choose each other. Even when it’s hard.”

“No walking out,” Aylara nodded sagely as she agreed with me. “And no matter what… don’t feed him to the pigs until he’s dead.”

“Good morning, folks,” said a young elvenborn guard with brown hair pulled into a bun, a goatee, and lightweight leather armor. “How are you doing this fine morning?”

“Oh we’re just fine, young man,” I said as calmly as I could, though my heart raced in my chest, and I wondered if he would recognize me. “How are you this morning?” I had to act like nothing was wrong, I was just an old farmer with his wife, and we needed to talk to the king about something on our land.

“Getting warmer by the second,” he laughed as he motioned to the leather armor that clung to him. “At least I’m not in metal like the army.” He glanced towards the training soldiers, some of them had changed into their silver armor, while others still only wore cotton shirts.

“Those poor young men,” Aylara shook her head. “But I bet that leather doesn’t breathe much either.”

“No, ma’am,” he said with a shake of his head. “I’m sorry to bother you with this and interrupt your conversation… but have any of you seen these people?” He held up a poster that had Tas, Janel, Nour, and me replicated on the paper underneath information about a possible rebellion we might be involved in.

“Who are they?” I asked as I leaned over to get a closer look.

“You haven’t heard?” the blonde elvenborn in front of us said. “Oh it’s terrible. They killed a chief constable and word is that they’re coming for the king!”

“Want to start some kind of rebellion,” her boyfriend said as he rolled his eyes. “As if the king doesn’t take wonderful care of his people. He wouldn’t spend one day a week listening to all of us if he didn’t want us to be well.”

“A rebellion?” I said as I blinked, and looked a little closer at the pictures as if I didn’t know the faces like the back of my hand.

“It’s only a rumor,” the King’s guard said. “But they did murder a Chief Constable. They’re supposed to be students at Argent Astra.”

“Mages?” Aylara gasped and put a hand over her mouth. “Oh that’s just so terrifying.”

“They won’t come after us,” I reassured her as I put a hand on her back to comfort her. “What would they want with a couple of old farts?”

“You’re right,” the mouse-girl bobbed her head up and down as she sniffed away fake tears.

“So you haven’t seen them?” the young guard asked again.

“No, sir,” I said. “We don’t get many visitors out on the farm. Sometimes the kids’ll come by with the grandkids. And those darn teenagers have been harassing our cows.”

“Oh now, honey,” Aylara scolded as she swatted my arm. “You know full well you tipped cows when you were their age.”

“Yeah but those weren’t my own cows,” I huffed.

“Well,” the guard brought our attention back to him. “I should keep checking with people. I hope the king is able to help you with whatever your problem is.”

“Thank you, young man,” I said with a nod. “You make sure to drink lots of water. And take some breaks in the shade. Dehydration can kill, son.”

“Yes, sir,” the guard said with an indulgent smile as he moved down the line.

I moved forward as a group of people came out of the castle and the line surged closer to the grand stone steps that finally came into view. I glanced up at the towers above us, the windows that looked out, and then back down to the three double-door entryways that led into the interior. I expected there to be a large foyer with so many doors, but we still had a long way to go before I could see it.

Hours passed and the sun grew hotter as we waited until we were finally inside. The interior was gorgeous with blue and white tile floors to keep the heat down, staircases that curled up into the towers and upper levels, and intricate tapestries that depicted the battles the River Kingdoms had fought with the Iron Dwarves.

Aylara and I talked to the couple in front of us for a little while about absolutely nothing of importance, and I was amazed at how quickly my business partner came up with our long life together. Eventually, we all fell into a comfortable silence while we waited to see the king.

Finally, when my stomach started to growl with hunger, we were close enough that I could see the king. He was a middle-aged man with a distinguished nose, high cheekbones, and sweeping, pointed ears. He had the blonde hair of the royals I had seen in painted portraits, and he wore the uniform of his station, complete with a chestful of medals.

The room the line curved into was probably a ballroom, with polished wooden floors, and gilded fixtures. There was a massive crystal chandelier in the middle of the room, light shone on the individual pieces, and they cast pretty designs on the arched balcony doors that lined the right wall. In the front of the room was a raised dais where the king sat, his guards on either side of him, and more soldiers posted along the back wall.

I went over my plan in my mind, how I would approach the king, and what I would say to get him to take Aylara and I into a back room where I could show him the amulet. I figured we had at least another hour to go, we were still near the back of the giant ballroom, but we seemed to move faster as we got closer, or I was just so nervous that time flew by.

A door behind the king opened, seven men in purple and red robes came out, and the King’s Guard moved aside to let them pass so they could talk to the king. The monarch looked over at the men, I looked close at their sleeves, and gripped Aylara’s hand a little tighter as I realized it was the Council of the Illuminated Ones. They were the men who could, and would, kill me if they sensed the bags of soul gems I had in my pocket, and as I stared at them my vision started to shift as if to see through some kind of glamour that they had around them.

My heart thudded to a stop, not only were the most powerful mages in the kingdom in the same room with me, but two of them were dwarves, and they were looking right at me.