"The Kidnapping" by Dusty Glassford (2nd Place in the T.H.A.G.S. Fall Contest 2022)

The Kidnapping

by Dusty Glassford

~~~

Tobias looked out at the water grateful for a few minutes of peace. Sailing on a boat wasn’t very fun, especially after a storm. He gazed at a school of fish that he could just barely see in the dark water.

“What are you looking at?” Elin, his sister, asked.

“Nothing,” he replied.

Tobias Lewek looked at his sister, amazed that she was the Queen of Anniera. Only a year ago their father had been king but a strange illness took him. Tobias knew his sister was scared to be Queen. She was only twenty-seven, but she had a responsibility and she took it with poise and grace.

Tobias, being three years older, was the Throne Warden–something he definitely didn’t want to be. He wasn’t brave or good in social situations. He preferred to read his books in his bedroom or in the garden. Their younger sister Gracilia, the Song Maiden, was back at Castle Rysen taking care of the people in her sister’s stead. Tobias knew that, most likely, Gracilia was playing her whistleharp and entertaining the whole island. Everyone loved the Song Maiden’s music; Tobias wished he was there listening instead of being here.

“We’re almost there,” Elin said, looking at her brother.

“Why did we have to be invited?”

“Because, Thorn the Torr wants guests for the unveiling of his palace and I’m the Queen of Anniera. He is our biggest help in trade,” she said, pausing for a few minutes. “I heard that the palace is oddly shaped.”

“I…I just want to be back home,” he sighed, feeling worn out and tired.

“Don’t worry. It won't take long.”

An hour later, they were standing next to the Mighty River Blapp with Miller’s Bridge behind them. Out west they could see the great city of Torrboro.

“It’s a couple days’ walk to the city,” Tobias said. “If we start now we'll get there in time for the unveiling.” They started walking west, unaware of something watching them from the forest.

The sky above was clear. No clouds could be seen. Tobias noticed a group of fendrils flying south toward Glipwood Forest.

Suddenly a loud noise broke the silence. Twenty large shapes ran straight for them! Elin screamed and ran behind a tree. Before Tobias could follow her, he was knocked to the ground by the stampede. He could barely make out what they were.

“Toothy cows!” he yelled. The cows blocked the road to his sister.

Tobias heard her scream, then felt a searing pain on his head and blacked out.

When he awoke, he found his hands and feet tied to a log. He looked around and saw ten people around a campfire twenty feet away to his left. On his right he saw the Mighty River Blapp rushing away eastward. The person closest to him saw that he was awake and came towards him. Tobias saw that this person was filthy–very filthy. So filthy, it was beyond description.

“So, the Throne Warden’s awake,” the guy sneered at him. “Now the so-called Queen can see the death of her so-called protector.” He laughed a wicked, twisted laugh. Tobias knew at once who these men were. They were Stranders. Ruthless, cruel people.

Everything in him wanted to scream and cry, but he knew that would only make things worse.

“Where’s my sister?” he asked, not very politely.

“Right here.” The other nine men walked forward. Two of them held onto Elin. She was bound with a gag in her mouth. Even now she held her head high and wore a queenly look on her face. The leader of the Stranders took the gag out of her mouth and asked her,

“Do you have any last words for your brother before he drowns in the Blapp?” Elin looked at Tobias. He could see the love and care for him in her eyes.

“Tobias, remember all things happen according to the Maker’s design. I love you.”

“Elin…” Tobias said, but before he could finish two Stranders pushed him into the river.

He couldn’t see. His arms and legs were still tied to the log and water was everywhere.

He could barely breathe and all his thoughts were fixed on his sister; he said a prayer to the Maker for his sister’s safety.

Then his head hit a rock, and he thought it was the end.

Tobias awoke to something wet on his nose. He sat up and saw a dog in front of him. It was sitting next to him, tail wagging and tongue panting. The dog was medium-sized and a mixture of black and brown colors.

“Hi boy,” Tobias said, unsure of where he was or what happened after he hit the water. The dog woofed gently and put his head on Tobias’ lap. “You're sweet. I wonder where you came from.”

He paused, looking around him. He could hear the river to his left and the sun was in front of him, setting in the west–which meant that he was on the same side of the river that the Stranders were.

He stood up and started walking west. The dog followed him and walked by his side. “If you're going to follow me, you need a name. How about Jari? That was my uncle’s name. He also was a Throne Warden.” The dog jumped up and licked Tobias on his face. “I'll take that as a yes,” he said laughing.

They walked all night towards where Tobias suspected he last saw Elin. He didn’t know what he would do when he found her, but the Maker’s purpose for him was protecting. It was as simple as that. Protecting. Even if he died tonight, he would go to the ends of Aerwiar to protect his sister. Maker help him, he wouldn't give up.

After a few hours of walking, Jari stopped and raised his head, listening. His ears perked up and he turned to the right.

“What is it, boy?” Tobias asked. Jari growled, lunged forward, and ran into the trees. Tobias ran after him, expecting Jari to be chasing a squirrel. It came as a surprise to him to find himself on the edge of a Strander camp. He dove behind some bushes and pulled Jari with him before anyone saw them.

Tobias could see and hear the Strander quite clearly. He quickly noticed that these were the same Stranders who kidnapped Elin. She wasn’t in sight, but he could see a house-like shadow behind the campfire. Jari looked at Tobias awaiting directions. Tobias was about to charge into the camp, when the Strander leader spoke: “Oy, Jix! Bring her over here!”

Tobias saw one of the Stranders bring someone out of the shadow. He couldn’t see who it was, but he was sure it was Elin. What do I do? He racked his brain, thinking over everything that Uncle Jari taught him. Suddenly, he heard a noise. Then he heard a moo. An unmistakable toothy cow moo. But not just one. There were at least 40 cows headed their way.

“Move out of the way!” someone yelled.

The Stranders were shocked and overcome by toothy cows running towards them. Jix let go of Elin and she ran up the nearest tree. Tobias, being on the other side of the campfire, couldn't reach her. By now the Stranders had fled and the fire was gone. Tobias saw someone on horseback galloping after the cows. Unknown to Tobias was the fact that this was Frieda Grimsby, the most cunning toothy cow herder west of Skree (also the only toothy cow herder, ever).

After a couple of minutes the cows were gone. The dust settled and Tobias finally breathed. He walked carefully towards the camp, Jari following him. “Elin,” he whispered. “Where are you?”

“I’m here,” she whispered back, the sound coming from above his head. “Thank the Maker you're alive. How’d you find me?” She jumped down from the tree and landed a few feet from Tobias.

Before he could answer, he heard a sickening voice.

“Did you think I was gonna let you go?” the Strander leader said from behind Elin. He grabbed her arms with one hand and put his dagger against her throat. Even in the fading light, Tobias could see the wounds on the leader. His arms were bleeding, his chest oddly indented, and his voice raspy.

Very few have survived a toothy cow stampede. The ones that do always have the scars to prove it.

Jari growled and lunged forward but Tobias put out his hand to stop him. Jari stopped moving, but kept on growling.

“Let her go,” Tobias said. “You're bleeding and weak. You can’t stand much longer. Let us help you.” He spoke with genuine kindness, which surprised the Strander very much. “What's your name?”

“My name? No one’s ever cared about my name. I'm the Strander leader. That's worth more than any name.”

“Is it? A title isn't worth more than a name. Names give you meaning. When you die, and another takes your place, how will anyone remember you?”

The Strander leader was silent for a moment. Then he dropped his dagger and let go of Elin’s arms. He stumbled over and fell against the tree. Tobias and Elin helped him sit on the ground.

“My name was…Annin,” he said, wheezing. “My mother…she told me…that it meant…freedom. I haven’t…seen her since…the day I left…to join…the Stranders. I wanted to…be free from…my father’s abuse. I thought that…any life…away from him…would be better, but…I’ve been miserable…these last…” He coughed.

“…fifty years.”

Tobias and Elin looked at each other in grief. Neither of them knew what to say. Jari walked up to Annin and put his head on his arm. Annin smiled as best as he could at Jari.

“I'm so sorry…your highness. We’d kidnapped you…in the hopes…of a ransom payment.”

“It’s okay. I forgive you,” Elin said, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Maker forgive me,” Annin cried as he breathed his last.

They sat together in silence. Jari whined and howled at the moon. Tobias buried his face in Jari’s fur, and Elin leaned against her brother, weeping.

But alas, the quiet moment didn't last. Elin felt a shooting pain in her right shoulder. She gasped and fell to the ground, a knife in her shoulder.

Tobias didn’t have time to move before Jari jumped up and bit the attacker’s arm. Tobias looked and saw that it was Jix. Jix threw Jari into the tree and rushed forward. Tobias moved out of his way, his eyes darting back and forth for a weapon of some kind. He found a broken tree branch and swung it at Jix. As the branch made contact with Jix’s skull, Tobias felt an odd feeling in his stomach. He looked and saw Jix’s dagger protruding from his stomach.

His legs gave way and he toppled to the ground just as a spear went sailing past his head.

Tobias closed his eyes and knew no more.

Tobias heard a soft noise. I wonder what that is? He opened his eyes slowly, aware of the bright sunlight.

“Thank the Maker he’s awake!” someone with a thick accent said. She stood next to him with a wet cloth in her hands.

“Where am I?”

“You're in Torrboro, sir. In the palace of Thorn the Torr. You're his guest of honor! Once you're up and about, that is.”

“Elin! Where's Elin?” Tobias tried to sit up, but his stomach burned with pain.

“Don't go moving yourself now. You're still not healed yet. Your sister’s in the next room. I'll go fetch her.”

A minute later, Tobias felt Elin’s arms around his neck. “I'm so happy you're awake!” Elin said. “For a while we thought we lost you.”

“What happened?”

“Frieda Grimsby’s what happened. After you got stabbed, the Strander came running back towards me, but he didn't make it. He got hit by a spear and fell down.”

“Who's Frieda Grimsby?” he asked feeling confused.

“She’s a toothy cow herder. And a shot with a spear! She helped us get to Torrboro. Thorn the Torr sent his best doctors. My shoulder only needed a few stitches, but they were mainly concerned about you.”

There was a scratching at the door and the nurse opened it. Jari bolted in and jumped on the chair next to Tobias’ bed.

“Jari!” Tobias exclaimed. “Hey buddy. How are you doing?” Jari licked Tobias’ face as he hugged him. Elin laughed, happy that they were finally safe. She didn't know where the dog came from, but she knew that he was coming with them back to Anniera.

“We missed the unveiling you know,” Tobias said with a smile.

“I know,” Elin laughed. “Once you're healed, we’ll head back home.”

“As long as it doesn’t include toothy cows or cutthroat Stranders, I'll be good,” Tobias said. He said a prayer, thanking the Maker for his protection. He realized now that being a Throne Warden was more than a responsibility. It was protecting those he loves. It was how he connected to the Maker: loving and protecting those in need.

He closed his and slept, dreaming of books. Oh, how he missed his books.