All Things New: Chapter Twenty-One

Hehe.....

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: THE WANDERER

The following days were spent in land travel to Yorsha Doon. It was hot. Very hot. But Artham was happy to be out of Symia, and to smell clean air again.

Yorsha Doon was nice enough. People milled about, shops flourished, children played in the streets. This seemed like a safe and pleasant place…mostly. Artham did notice the people who lurked in the shadows.

“I want you to see what a real Wanderer looks like. We go to the prisons first,” Darian said, a grave look on his face.

Artham felt uncertain about this meeting the whole way to the jail. Upon arriving, Artham felt a sensation of dread. It was dark. And cold. Oh, how he missed those warm, Annieran hearths.

“You here to see that…man?” the guard asked.

“Yes,” Darian answered, grimly.

The guard nodded and opened the door that led to the cell chamber. Artham, Donovan, and Darian went in single file. Artham could instantly smell the rot of the place.

“That one over there,” the guard said, pointing with the tip of his sword, “we just caught him. He was one convicted of…well, who knows what? He’s a Wanderer. That’s enough fer me.”

One look at him, and Artham shivered. His face was dark, and painted red. His eyes were dark, and chilling. But there was a sense of familiarity in his eyes. And when the Wanderer looked up at Artham, he looked shocked, and then quickly looked away.

“That’s a Wanderer. A dark, twisted man. Watch out for them, lads,” Darian said, his face solemn.

Artham heard dim footsteps behind him, but he was trying to place where he had seen this man before.

“Artham!” Donovan called, and Artham walked out.

“What is his name, if you know?” Artham asked the guard as they were escorted out.

“He goes by Ronin in the Woes.”

Artham’s face paled. That’s where he knew him. He clenched his hand into a fist, and anger filled his eyes. “Thank-you,” he shortly replied, and then he jogged up to catch up with his guides. But his blood was boiling.

“Those are the Killridge Mountains,” Donovan said, as he and Artham were watching the sunset at their small inn. Artham was quiet. “They’re beautiful,” he said absentmindedly.

“What’s wrong?” Donovan pressed.

“I’ve just heard and seen things that caught me off guard. And I just—miss my family.”

“Your parents?”

Artham cringed. He doesn’t know.

“No. My…siblings…grandmother…and my wife. She’s expecting.”

“You have a wife?”

“Yes. And I hate to leave her.” Artham looked away.

Donovan was quiet for a moment. “I’m here, if you want to talk,” he said quietly.

“Thank you, my friend,” Artham said, turning and facing him.

Artham still looked distant through the night. And Donovan only knew part of the reason. Another part of Artham’s pain was the fact that his brother was without him, the fact that he couldn’t be Throne Warden because of this.

Soon, I’ll be home. Soon.

Did anyone see him coming back as a character? 😏