“Hello there! I didn’t expect to see you again. What in the world happened?” Sergeant Soam asked. Tathan wondered if the same group of guards was at the gate all the time. He had never seen anyone else.
Once again, Tathan changed his mannerisms and tone of voice to portray a different image. The rest of the party was content to fade into the background and let him do all the talking. “Them stupid Druids!” Tathan exclaimed, spitting out the words in anger. It caused the guards to jump. Sir Danth muttered something incomprehensible and shook his head while Vevin acted mad. Liselle followed their cues, folding her arms and glaring at the dirt in front of her feet.
“They let us get deep into the forest when the path suddenly disappeared.” Tathan waved his arms around in the air angrily and stomped back and forth. “The next thing we know they’re shooting arrows at us and rabid animals are coming out of the trees to harass us.”
“No! Those bastards!” Sergeant Soam yelled. The other guards shook their heads in disgust, instantly buying the story.
“Aye! We were able to escape the attack with our lives, but couldn’t see them to fight back,” Tathan continued. “The path behind us was still open, so we ran. The trees closed behind us, refusing to let us go anywhere but back here.”
“They do that,” one of the guards interrupted. “The first time Druids attack, they don’t hit you. From what I hear, they like to chase people down and hunt them for sport.” The other guards nodded.
While the statement irritated Tathan, who knew the Druids helped people who wished to leave, he showed nothing of his feelings. “Aye, I’ve heard the same,” he said with a nod. “We decided not to kill them, being as we didn’t want to fight the entire forest, but we’ve wasted almost two weeks in that overgrown garden.”
Sergeant Soam put a thick, friendly hand on Tathan’s shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up over it, friend.”
“I don’t know what we’ll do now,” Tathan said with his head hung. “I didn’t want to do any more work for the Rojuun, but it looks like I’ll need to get through the caverns to the other side if I want to leave.” He waved toward the mountains. “It’s either the forest or the mountains. The Caaldith Range is even more dangerous and impassible than the Willden.”
“Aye, no one would survive that journey,” the sergeant agreed. “There’s a road through the caverns you can travel from Puujan to . . . I forgot the name of the city on the other side. It’s a long journey, but better than trying to climb over the mountains.”
Tathan frowned and folded his arms. “If I come across the Rojuun, won’t they want me to work for them some more?” he asked. “They won’t just let me walk through.”
“From what I understand, it’s all explored tunnels, guarded by Rojuun,” the sergeant reassured him. “As far as getting stopped by Rojuun, you probably will be. I don’t know what to tell you about that.”
“Perhaps no one will bother us,” Tathan said with a half-hearted shrug. “Do you know how long it takes to get from one end to the other?”
“No idea,” the sergeant replied. “Me and the boys were teleported from a city at the edge of the Iynath Empire. We never even traveled the tunnels, which is fine by me.”
Tathan found that information interesting. “I don’t like being teleported much more than I like trudging through caves,” Tathan said with disgust. Actually he found it fascinating, but that wasn’t important. “I think I’ll take my chances in the tunnels.”
Sergeant Soam laughed at that. “Aye, it’s an uncomfortable feeling if you ask me.” The other guards nodded in agreement.
“Thanks again, Sergeant. You’ve been a lot of help,” Tathan said with a hand on the sergeant’s shoulder.
“May your journeys fare better in the future,” Sergeant Soam responded, returning the gesture.
With that, the companions walked through the postern gate into the city of Puujan once more. The last daylight was disappearing from the sky, while the aroma of evening meals wafted through the air. The wings of the city were tranquil and glowing in the light of the two partial moons. Tathan absent-mindedly observed that a baby’s cry sounded through the hum of city life.
A short while later they were at the White Tree Inn where Hulda greeted them enthusiastically. She brought them a meal with drinks in short order then sat down. Tathan told her the same story he told the guards at the gate.
“Well, that sounds like a dreadful experience,” Hulda said sympathetically. “I can’t believe the Druids treated you like that. They didn’t bother us at all when we came through the forest to Puujan. I thought for certain they’d let you back through.” The heavyset innkeeper took another drink of her ale.
“We did too,” Tathan said. They had finished their meals and sat around the table, relaxing. Their bellies were full . . . except for Sir Danth who remained stubbornly hollow. Tathan stretched his legs in hopes that some of the weight from his belly would settle to his toes. “Now we need to head through the tunnels in the other direction. Sergeant Soam told us there was a way underneath the mountains. Have you heard of it?” he asked.
“Aye, I’ve heard of it. Not many people go from one end to the other though,” the innkeeper told them. “You’ll notice Puujan isn’t fully inhabited. Perhaps someday it will be, but there just hasn’t been much need for people here.”
“Why are people here at all?” Liselle asked with genuine curiosity.
“The Druids allow some foraging from the forest and there’s a couple of mining villages nearby, but the main profession around here is crafting,” Hulda explained. “Several marble crafters work from a small quarry in the mountains. A lot of jewelry is made from metals and gems the Rojuun supply as well.”
“I saw some the one day I was in the market,” Liselle said, remembering. “It seemed very well made.” She hadn’t seen much jewelry in her life, having lived in the sheltered valley. “I thought such nice things were only for princesses and such.”
Tathan raised an eyebrow in admiration of his cousin’s deft mention of a princess. He looked toward Hulda to see if she would take the bait.
She did. “Say, that reminds me. Have you heard that the Princess of Mayncal was kidnapped?” Hulda asked, leaning forward in her seat.
“No. Really?” Liselle asked, also leaning forward. She slid an elbow on the table and propped her chin in her hand.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve heard about the kingdoms of Mayncal and Brindlyn and how they’ve been fighting for centuries . . .”
“I think so,” Liselle replied, twisting her face in thought. “There always seems to be two countries that have been fighting for centuries. It’s so hard to keep track of them.”
Hulda laughed at that. “Very true, as you say. Anyway, the Princess of Mayncal and the Prince of Brindlyn were to marry and bring peace to their kingdoms.”
“I would imagine it’s hard for two people to get married if one is kidnapped,” Liselle said dryly.
“Good one!” Hulda said, clapping Liselle on the shoulder and nearly knocking her off the stool. The look of shock on his cousin’s face was priceless, causing Tathan to laugh. It was nice to see someone else get a taste of friendly abuse for a change.
Hulda continued the story. “Aye, it’s hard for a princess to get married if she’s kidnapped. And it’s hard for two countries to achieve peace if the marriage can’t happen.” The innkeeper looked around to make sure nobody was listening before leaning forward. The group leaned in as well.
“Rumor is that the princess is in a Rojuun city, being held securely,” Hulda said in a low voice. “The kingdom of Brindlyn thinks Mayncal is hiding her and the kingdom of Mayncal believes Brindlyn has kidnapped or killed her.” She leaned back again. “If something isn’t done, it’ll escalate into open violence.”
“They will definitely go to war,” Sir Danth said. “It is the way of kings and has been since kingdoms first began.”
“Why would the Rojuun kidnap a princess though?” Liselle asked innocently. “They don’t seem all that bad to me.”
“Honestly? I don’t know that they would.” Hulda leaned forward again as did the companions. “It sounds like something the Empire of Iynath would do. I’d bet a gold uun or two they kidnapped the princess and gave her to the Rojuun to keep safe. Nobody would be able to rescue her from their territory.”
“Ahh,” Liselle responded with a conspiratorial nod. “I’ve been in those caverns and it would be impossible for anyone to rescue her.”
“Most definitely,” Hulda agreed, leaning back again. The companions leaned back as well.
“You said she was in a Rojuun city?” Sir Danth asked. “How many cities are there?”
Hulda shrugged. “I don’t know. None of the Rojuun has ever said and no human has explored their caverns to my knowledge.”
Liselle leaned forward this time, followed by the others. “Where do you think they’re keeping the princess?” she asked in a hushed tone.
“Well, I don’t know where the princess would be,” the innkeeper said quietly. “Most of the rumors come out of Alluu, deep in Rojuun territory. It’s the primary city for humans to stay and live while in the caverns. She might be held there, but I couldn’t say for certain.” Hulda sat back and took another drink.
“I’ve heard of Alluu before, but just by name. What can you tell me of it?” Tathan asked.
The waitress brought them more drink. Hulda waved off payment from the companions. She was enjoying the conversation and they had tipped her well in the past. “From what they say, it’s an amazing city. The cave it’s in is enormous, housing tens of thousands of Rojuun and humans.” Hulda motioned with her arms expressively. “Travelers and merchants who have been there talk about Rojuun artists in the streets performing music, painting, or just being weird.”
“Just being weird?” Liselle asked.
“That’s what they say. Sometimes they stand on a stage, moving about in odd ways and call it art. Most humans call it being weird,” Hulda said with a laugh. “The buildings are all painted and surrounded by magnificent parks. You’ve seen the parks and gardens in the Rojuun District near the mountains,” she said gesturing in the general direction. The companions nodded. “The ones in Alluu are said to put those to shame. They say it’s worth seeing at some point in a person’s life.”
“Do you plan on going to visit?” Vevin asked, entranced by the story.
“Me? No. That’s too much of a journey and I have an inn to run.” Hilda set her empty mug on the table and stood, swaying a bit. “I’d better take care of the night’s business and get some sleep. Rest well and may tomorrow bring you new fortune.”
They stood with her. “Sleep well, Hulda. Thank you for the drinks and company,” Tathan said. The innkeeper turned and walked to the back room, swaying slightly.
They sat back down. “That gave us a few clues didn’t it?” Liselle asked hopefully.
He nodded. “It did. I don’t want to travel all the way to Alluu just on one person’s guess though,” Tathan said thoughtfully. “I’m going to ask around tomorrow to see if I can find anything else out.”
“I’ll ask around some too,” Sir Danth said. “I’ve become friendly with a few merchants and might be able to pick up a little information.”
“Good idea,” Tathan agreed. He turned to Liselle. “Perhaps you and Vevin could go shopping for some of that jewelry Hulda was talking about. While you’re there you could ask questions,” he suggested.
Liselle smiled widely. “Yes! I’d love to look at jewelry. That’s a wonderful idea, Tathan. I can use a little bit of the money you gave me to buy something, can’t I?”
“Of course,” he replied. In addition to the gems the Mother Tree had given them, Jarrrn Garrrn had paid them well for battling the sstejj and Tathan had made it a point to split most of it after coming back to Puujan. Some of it he kept for traveling expenses like room and board, but that still left plenty. “The money is yours to do with as you please. Try to spend it wisely and not pay too much for things though,” he cautioned her.
“I’ll do my best, Cousin.” The look on Liselle’s face was one of worry. “I’ve never bought anything before, so I don’t know how much is too much.”
“Vevin, do you know how to shop wisely?” Tathan asked.
“Oh yes! I haven’t been shopping much, but I love it and always get good deals,” he said with a toothsome grin. “People don’t argue when I smile at them.”
“Gee. I wonder why,” Sir Danth said dryly.
“Then it’s agreed,” Tathan declared, rising from his stool. “Let’s get some rest and relax tonight.” Vevin and Liselle followed him up to the rooms while Sir Danth sat in the common room for the night.