All Things New: Chapter Twenty-Two

We have a bit of a longer chapter today. And I hope you like it! We are in Glipwood now and there is some trauma

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: GLIPWOOD PAINS

They left Yorsha only a day or two later and headed across the Dark Sea. To Glipwood. Artham was not looking forward to this.

The travel was simple enough, but the arrival to Fort Lamendron sent Artham into a million different frames of mind. He was sad, and even more so when they arrived in the actual town of Glipwood.

“We’ll stay at the Only Inn,” Darian said decidedly, walking with a quicker step. Artham followed but kept his head low. He did not want anyone to recognize him.

But upon entering the Shoosters Inn, that was impossible. Addie recognized him the moment he stepped foot inside. She seized his hand, and drew him into a hug, and then kissed him.

“Oh, Artham! Is it really you? After all these years?”

Artham swallowed the lump in his throat, and he nodded.

“Oh, when you left with your uncle that day, I thought I’d never see you again!”

Artham smiled. “I never thought I’d see you again either, Addie.”

“You and your friends can stay as long as you like, got it?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Artham then introduced Darian and Donovan, whom Addie treated kindly, and then she called Joe. When Joe came down, greeted Artham, and seated the new guests, Addie went into the kitchen to prepare some food for her charges.

It was scarfed down by the three hungry men, who had not been feasting on the best of food as of late. Joe ate with them.

“I suppose you heard, Artham,” Joe said soberly.

“Heard what?”

“About the passing of Edd and Yamsa?”

Artham froze, and a crippling grief filled his heart. “A-Are you sure?”

It was a stupid question to ask, he knew that, but his doubt mingled with his sense. And it caused a jumbled mess in his brain. His heart was once again scarred, and for once he was happy Esben was not with him. He doubted Emerald would care that much, since she had been acting so strangely lately.

“I’m sorry to have to tell you, lad,” Joe said, feeling a might bit guilty for telling Artham so bluntly.

Artham wiped his eyes. “No, I’m glad I heard it from you instead of some random stranger.”

Joe nodded sympathetically. An awkward silence filled the room, since Darian and Donovan had no idea who these ‘Helmers’ were.

After lunch, Joe took Artham to where they were buried, and Artham was sure to place a flower over both of those good people’s graves.

The next day, after a somewhat refreshing sleep, Artham found himself riding a horse into Glipwood Forest. He knew it was dangerous, even if there were Rangers. Speaking of which, he met one Ranger, an older man, who seemed nice enough. His name was Jayden.

“Alright, lad. Donovan would go with you, but I need him with me today, son. So, I hope you won’t mind going with Jayden alone,” Darian said with a smile.

Artham nodded. “It will be nice to get my mind off of things.”

Darian nodded back, somewhat solemnly. “Be careful.”

“Always,” Artham replied grimly, and he got on the saddled horse Jayden had ready for him.

The forest was bright and green. It was very refreshing to Artham. It helped his mind get off of the grief.

“So, lad, you know much about the creatures that live here?” Jayden asked.

“A little. My brother knows more about this kind of things than I do.”

“Hmm. Your brother like books?”

“Only if four legged creatures are in them.”

Jayden laughed. “Your brother sounds like my kinda guy.”

Artham was amazed by the many creatures, even if the encounter with the fazzle-dove was kind of…smelly. He was most fascinated by the close encounter with the toothy cow and the horned hound.

“Well, that seems to be the last of our trip. These are the big trees towards the exit of the forest,” Jayden said.

Artham smiled. “It’s beautiful over here.”

“Aye. That it is.”

“The tree right there would be perfect for building a treehouse,” he said, a boyish sparkle in his eyes.

Jayden smiled. “If a man could manage that, he’d be a genius.”

“Thank you for going through and telling me all of these survival things.”

“My pleasure.”

In the township, Artham wanted to spend the rest of his afternoon alone. Donovan stayed in the Inn, but eventually Darian dragged him outside to practice some sword fighting.

Artham met a colorful character named Shaggy, and Artham enjoyed his company. He bumped into Mayor Blaggus, and he had a hard time keeping his composure with that man. After all, he did brag about the wonderful Skreean government, and Artham knew for a fact that government system had failed many times.

But finally, he noticed an old book store, and couldn’t help but wander in.

He wandered around the large store, not seeing anyone around the shop. He let his finger brush across all the beautiful bindings. He grabbed one book off the shelf, and flipped through it, smelling the beautiful brittle pages.

“Ahh, I see I have found another book expert. In the words of Ramshacy bon Viggins, ‘How do the pages smell?’”

Artham turned around and saw a rather plump and friendly looking man.

“Um, rather good, I suppose,” Artham said with a chuckle.

“Wonderful! My name is Oskar Noss Reteep, appreciator of the strange, the neat, and/or the yummy!”

“Artham. Nice to meet you, sir.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

“It’s a lovely book store you have here.”

“Thank you, though it’s hardly finished.”

“Well, you have all the books I could ever think of a collection needing.”

“Oh, I thank you. In the words of Inger Smalls, ‘I am truly flattered.’”

“Your shop is truly very nice in comparison to some of the ones back in Anniera, where I’m from.”

Oskar’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“That is what my collection lacks. A good Annieran book.”

“If you would provide me with some type of address, I can send you a few.”

Oskar’s eyes lit up again. “Oh, of course Artham!”

This conversation went on for several more minutes, and then Artham was getting prepared to leave.

“How much for this book, here?”

“Ahhh. ‘In the words of Anidr Plonksam, “Your conversation is payment enough.’”

“Oh, no, I cannot possibly accept— “

“Pah! Do, do! In fact, I must recommend another few by that author, and I insist you take them free of charge.”

Artham smiled. “That would be appreciated, since I have a long way to go.”

“Of course, lad.”

Artham did miss Oskar as the little wagon pulled out of town and up towards Dugtown. But he soon started his book and tried to forget the pain and pleasure Glipwood had given him.

“You doin’ alright Artham?” Donovan asked.

“Oh yeah. I am just…a bit distracted I suppose.”

Donovan placed a hand on Artham’s shoulder. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

Artham smiled. “Likewise, my friend.”

“It would be nice to have a brother on this trip,” Donovan said, grinning.

“Aye,” Artham said, his voice growing distance and dreamy, “it would.”

From there, his thoughts drifted to Esben.

I have a trend. Oskar must appear in all of my fan-fictions in some way. Here is his cameo. I hope you liked it. Also poor Artham 😭