Raven's Bane by Will Bly

Author:Will Bly [Bly, Will]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16: Luthbrook

For the first time in ages, Irulen entered a town without being challenged. There were no checkpoints, no guarded walls, and the people welcomed the group with open arms. Their closest experience, perhaps, had been the visit to Snowillow Pass, but then, of course, they had to pass the scrutiny of Thea’s father, Terrowin. I wonder if his name was supposed to be Terrorwin? Intense, fiery little fellow, but amenable enough once we got to know him.

No one in the party seemed comfortable with the warm welcome. Merek even looked around, where he usually just fixated on the ground while they walked. The townsfolk were all smiles and waves, doors and windows opened instead of shutting, and children played around the strangers instead of running from them.

As if reading Irulen’s own thoughts, Leofrick spoke through a smile, “These poor people, they have no idea what happens to towns like this one when we come thro—umph.”

Kay silenced the scoundrel with an elbow to the ribs.

“Not this time,” Farah said as she grabbed Merek’s hand and led him onward. She skipped forward, basking in the warmth of their reception. Irulen fought the urge to call her back. He wanted to believe in her kind of world, the kind of world she refused to give up on, but it seemed an impossible task. Her ongoing gullibility baffled him. Not like she hadn’t been through her share of trials and tribulations during their travels together. But she kept on with her smiles and optimism. Weakness… or strength? Avoiding or not caring? A bit of everything?

Kay laughed coolly. “That girl sees a lake in a desert.”

“I think she could make a lake out of a desert through sheer will of spirit,” emphasized Irulen. “Or maybe it’s just a form of stubbornness?” He wondered aloud.

Leofrick chimed in, “She is a lake in a desert, pretty girl like that.”

Kay rolled her eyes and groaned. “You are a shit poet.”

Leofrick brought a hand to his chest, feigning injury. “You wound me, lady!”

“Heads up,” Irulen said, noticing a pair of villagers coming to greet them. The couple looked similar; on the shorter side and with a touch of extra padding. They wore jovial smiles and dark-red clothes. Their appearance and the proximity between them told Irulen that, despite their generally-young appearance, about mid-twenties or so in age, they were likely married and had been for some time. Perhaps they were even older than they first appeared.

The female quickly confirmed Irulen’s suspicion, flashing a polished ring in a wave hello while calling out to the newcomers, “Greetings, travelers! I am Mirtha, and this is my husband, Bertrand.” The husband bowed slightly, and the wife continued, “Welcome to Luthbrook, are you the traveling troupe?”

“Excuse me?” Irulen asked.

“Traveling performers, are you the ones we are expecting?”

What would give them that impression? “No, we regretfully are not, although my friend Kay here is quite good at dancing.” Irulen smirked at the thought of Kay dancing. He’d never seen it, and he doubted he ever would.

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