A Soldier's Life - 358 - A Proper Souvenir Bag (edited 3-13-25, +250 words)

Chapter 358: A Proper Souvenir Bag

The skies were overcast, and there was a heavy threat of rain. The ground was soggy underfoot, suggesting that it had rained earlier in the day. Hizzash bent over and coughed. His deep aether well had completed the final leg of the journey, but his eyes were sunken after three large expenditures of aether over two days. After his coughing fit subsided, he stood and offered a smile, “I welcome you to Gramney, travelers.” He looked around, “Well, close enough to see it anyway.” He raised his arm tiredly and pointed.

We were on a hill overlooking the wide river, and on the distant shore, maybe two miles upstream, numerous lines of chimney smoke poured from within the city walls. There were a number of fishing villages along the shore, so all we needed to do was find a ferry in one of them and walk to the city.

The four of us walked down the hill to the nearest cluster of fishing boats. I ended up assisting Hizzash as he was stumbling slightly and slipping on the muddy ground. As I helped him descend to the village, I asked, “How did you set an anchor in Gramney?”

He smirked. “Ah, I didn’t. I mostly guessed. I used a foresight spell, and I reset our destination if the spell didn’t have a future. It took five alterations before I actually had a future where I was not killed or injured,” he said cheekily.

“Just you? What about us?” I asked as a cold chill moved through me. We had been much closer to catastrophe than I had guessed.

“Yes. Yes. You too. It is a much more reliable way to teleport great distances than a farseeing spell. With farseeing spells, something in the area could have changed by the time you withdraw your sight. For instance, a dragon could have landed where you planned to arrive,” he said dismissively with a crooked smile.

“I think we will stick with established portals and city anchors in the future,” I announced to my companions. Konstantin was twenty yards to the left and hadn’t heard the displacement mage’s confession. Although Gilda had overheard, she didn’t seem fazed. Although I had not experienced a teleporting mishap, I had read some gruesome stories.

It only took four large coppers to ferry us across the wide river. The fisherman was glad for the coin and happy to relay recent local gossip. The weather had been slightly colder, and the fish were not running normally this year. He suspected it had something to do with all the fighting last year far to the west. As far as the old fisherman knew, the fighting had tapered off, and all the Empires still existed, but truthfully, he didn’t really care either way as long as the war was far to the west.

The fisherman was not going to waste his energy paddling us two miles upstream to the city's docks. We stepped off the fishing boat and onto the muddy shore, making our way up the banks to the compacted earthen road. The paved trade road leading out of the city was on the other side of the walls. Konstantin couldn’t hide his grin, being so close to returning. Our success was monumental—a sense of accomplishment akin to freeing Maveith’s sister and bringing the goliaths home.

Farmers were headed to and from the city as we walked the road to the gates. Being a free-trade city, it didn’t take much to get us past the guards, but we were given the standard warning and paid the minimal entry fee. Hizzash was off to find an interested party heading back the way we had come to double his earnings for the trip. I wished him well and turned to find Gilda had already disappeared into the city. Konstantin was waiting patiently for me. I knew he wanted to be there when we presented Castile with the essence harvest. It should get her extremely close, even if it didn’t completely heal her aether channels.

As rain began to fall, I walked with Konstantin toward the upper side trade district and Adrian’s Rest. I slowed my pace, taking in the sights, mainly to annoy Konstantin, who was always a step ahead, trying to drag me along. The dreary day didn’t dampen my happy mood. We could have turned onto a street and checked in on how Ignis was doing, but I felt I had already tormented Konstantin enough.

Upon arriving at the inn, we both stood frozen in shock. Planks had been nailed over the door and windows, and a crude sign read, “Temporarily Closed.”

Konstantin peered through the window, seeing no one inside. One of the local bakers I had been friendly with was walking by. I don’t think he recognized me but stopped when I stepped in front of him, “What happened? Why is the inn closed?”

The baker relaxed some, and some familiarity came to his eyes. “A little more than a month back, a big bloody fight inside. They took out four bodies after. It's a terrible thing; I really liked Lirkin.”

Konstantin hardened, “Lirkin is dead? Who were the others?” Konstantin stepped toward the man, who retreated in fear at his aggressive posture. I grabbed Konstantin’s shoulder, but my own confusion and rage were bubbling as well.

This didn’t seem real. “Is Castile alive? The woman who lived at the inn?” I pressed anxiously.

“I…I don’t know,” the baker said, stuttering, backing away. “There were only dead men I recall.” He turned and rushed down the street.

Konstantin and I rushed to the stables at the back of the inn, where the owners’ small house was situated. Lirkin and Castile stayed here. The door was locked, and no one responded when we pounded on it. Konstantin attempted to open the door with his spell form but quickly became frustrated and shouldered it open, breaking the lock. “Castile! Benito! Mateo! Blaze!” he shouted, announcing himself as he entered. His voice sounded like a command for them to appear immediately.

I moved in after him, and the place was abandoned as we searched every room and the cellar. Only a thin layer of dust remained. Completely deflated, I suggested, “We should go find Selena, Ignis, or Viridia. Castile may be with them.” I was already assuming the other three male bodies were Blaze, Mateo, and Benito. Whoever had killed them was going to meet a very painful end, and I knew Konstantin agreed. Had they taken Castile, then? To what end?

“I know where Viridia’s villa is,” Konstantin said, rage in his eyes. He stormed out, and I trailed him through the city. We had made a commotion, and I assumed the guards would be coming to the inn soon anyway.

People could sense our purposeful march and moved aside as we headed down the streets toward the upper district and wealthier inhabitants. I thought the city guards might intercept us on our march, but we arrived unmolested to find two guards at the steps leading up to the residence.

“Does Viridia Janus still reside in this villa?” Konstantin challenged the pair, rage still echoing in his words. Both men’s hands went to their swords. The shorter one started to draw his blade while the older, seasoned guard answered Konstantin more calmly.

“She does. What business do you have with her?” He rotated his shield to a ready position.

Relief washed over Konstantin, and his anger subsided somewhat. “I want to speak with her. Tell her Konstantin Silvanus has returned after fourteen months and seeks her counsel.” The older guard gestured to the younger one, who hurried into the villa.

Moments later, the door flung open, and Benito stood at the top of the stairs. “Eryk!” He flung himself down the steps and embraced me in a greeting, ignoring Konstantin.

“Where are the others?” Konstantin said, interrupting the reunion.

Benito stepped back, his voice heavy. “Lirkin is dead.”

“We know already,” Konstantin barked impatiently. “What of the others?”

“Everyone is inside,” he pointed at the villa and seemed to reconsider. “Actually, I think Mateo is with the kids, but he should be back soon.”

“What happened?” I asked, not holding back a grin at seeing him well. Losing Lirkin was painful, but I now knew the others lived. Now, it was time to reunite and then consider acts of vengeance.

Blaze appeared in the doorway, smiling at the sight of us. However, his tone was serious. “It was Firth. The cutthroat became a Hound and was sent to eliminate Castile for the Emperor.”

“Firth,” Konstantin cursed the name. “They let that bottom feeder into the Hounds?”

Blaze nodded, “So he claimed. Five weeks ago, he and five Hounds arrived in Gramney. Three fled with their tails between their legs, and three are buried in the city’s refuse pit.”

Guilt welled up in me. I immediately thought this was my fault. If I had been here, I could have prevented this, and Lirkin would still be alive.

“Come inside. We’ve closed the inn and have been enjoying Viridia’s hospitality. They are having lunch in the gardens.” Blaze must have already grieved for Lirkin because for some reason, he wore a mischievous smile.

The villa was lovely and filled with the scent of lavender and sage as we walked through the polished stone halls. The furnishings and wall adornments were simple yet tasteful. The back courtyard featured young flowering trees favoring whites and yellows, and a gazebo. Marius, Viridia’s teenage son, was practicing sword forms nearby. By Blaze’s attire, I gathered that he had been teaching instructing him when we arrived. Castile sat on a stone bench holding a baby in the shade of the gazebo. Viridia sat beside her, and both women greeted us with warm smiles as we approached.

The child had to be less than a year old, and I assumed it was Castile’s since she was holding it. “You have a beautiful baby, Castile. I am happy for you,” I said, smiling as we approached.

Castile laughed lightly, “Oh, it’s not my child. This little monster belongs with his mother. I was just giving her a rest.” She turned and handed the bundle to Viridia, and the child immediately began to wail. Konstantin suddenly stopped walking. The joy faded from his expression as he focused on the babe—no, he was focused on Viridia.

“Congratulations, Viridia. As Eryk said, it is a beautiful babe. I am glad you have found happiness.” Konstantin said dissonantly.

Castile couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Viridia, don’t torture the man. Tell him.”

Viridia’s emerald eyes danced happily, “The child is yours as well.”

Konstantin looked confused. “H…h-o-w?” he stuttered in an un-konstantin-like manner.

Viridia smiled merrily at his consternation, “Well when a man and a woman fornicate, there is always the possibility a child may result. It appears my partner was virile enough for me to come with a healthy child. A troublesome child, but one I cherish nonetheless.” She smiled and silenced the babe by feeding him.

“That would shut me up, too,” Benito muttered behind me. His comment was ignored.

“But…we…only…it was…” Konstantin seemed to be still at a loss for words.

“Congratulations, old man!” I patted the bewildered veteran on the back, genuinely happy for him. Maybe a child would soften him up—but probably not.

“Did Maveith and his sister return to their people safely?” Castile asked, changing the subject as Konstantin sorted out his feelings—feelings he apparently didn’t know how to deal with.

“They did. We even brought you a small gift from our travels!” A black manticore pouch appeared in my hand. “Maveith made this for you.” I stepped forward and handed Castle the supple sack. She took it graciously.

Konstantin found his tongue, “We all chipped in on the contents.” Konstantin’s eyes were studying the baby in Viridia’s lap but would take at least some shared credit for the essences within.

Castile’s hand reached into the sack, and we both watched expectantly as she pulled out the glossy black sphere…

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