Chapter 25
Mountainview, Realm of Eldridge
T he busy hum of the town set off a low, constant irritation in Rodric’s nerves. As a border town, it had a number of unusual shops catering to the tastes and inclinations of travelers from nearby Zamyra. Though nothing like the overcrowded coastal cities surrounding Eldridge’s capital, there was plenty of noise and commotion. With his tension curled into a tight fist edged with fury, even the minor irritant added to his stress.
Moving purposely but slowly enough not to garner attention, they made their way to the central court where numerous market stalls were set up. Thanks to Cass and Sev’s foresight, they had plenty of travel gear they’d kept from the mercenary group. Mainly, they were in need of food, clothing, and blankets.
“Remember, take your time. No one has any reason to be interested in you. Don’t give them a reason,” Cass reminded them before she and Sev separated to handle their assigned tasks.
The warrior had briefed them on the ride about hiding in plain sight, going over the basics of stealth operations. At its core, it wasn’t unlike the training he gave the newest of his hunters. Become part of the forest. Being out of sync causes you to get noticed. He made them practice for weeks until they could move through the forest without disturbing the wildlife. Only then were they granted weapons and allowed to hunt in his territory as apprentices. After a few years of proving their skills and their respect for the game and the forests, they were given the actual title of an Eldrin hunter and upheld to the accompanying standards. It seemed blending into a group of people was the same basic concept, just with a different focus.
Putting an arm around Celina, he pulled her close for a moment, pausing his beating heart and rattled nerves long enough to breathe her in. The warm, bright scent was like sunshine, filling him with a calm warmth the actual air lacked. The day had dawned sunless, with gray clouds and drizzling rain plaguing their journey to town.
Kissing her Eldrin-styled braids, he loosened his hold enough for them to continue walking. The sooner they gathered the supplies they needed, the sooner they could leave. He’d feel better watching the fortress for the remainder of the long day of waiting ahead.
Rodric paused as they passed a smith shop on the way to find clothing and blankets, feeling the need to arm himself as he mentally prepared for the coming battle. Tilting his head toward the shop, he placed his hand on the small of Celina’s back and ushered her inside.
Heat blasted them as they entered, a sickening change from cold outside. Various weapons were organized by size and purpose in a large, shelved area on the side and back walls, out of the way of the working equipment in the center and rear of the room. Guilt and grief pained him as he looked around. It was as nice a shop as the one his cousin ran on their estate.
An older man worked the forge, hands occupied by a piece of metal being shaped into a sword. Glancing up, the man made a brief assessment of them with stern eyes before turning back to his work. “Purchase or commission?”
“Purchase, if the quality is high enough,” Rodric said.
“Take a look around. Be with you in a bit.”
Wandering to the side wall, Rodric assessed the displayed knives. Picking up one at random, he turned it, inspecting the construction. It was balanced—a smooth, sharp edge. Impressive quality from a village smith. Returning it to its place, he moved to the back wall’s more unusual offerings. A particular hilt caught his eye, made of black stone. Lifting it, he found that the light seemed to disappear into the depth of black, as if swallowed into a moonless night. Something about it was familiar, but his memory refused to elaborate. Instinctively, he angled it toward the brightest area of the room, producing a barely discernible purple gleam to the stone.
“I didn’t know amorite stone could be shaped into a blade handle,” Rodric said.
“Must be a Zamyran secret. I’ve never seen one, just heard stories.” Celina ran a finger over the hilt in a caress.
It pleased him greatly that she wasn’t wary of weapons and had an eye for quality.
“You select the highest quality weapon in the shop, I approve,” the smith said as he appeared next to them. “Amorite doesn’t bond with just any metal. The blade is crafted out of specially mined Rokan ore and balanced to the weight of the hilt. The price isn’t what one would consider practical, but it’s rumored never to break. Designed by a Zamyran friend a few towns across the border.”
“It’s an ancient weapon, no longer in favor with the common warriors or hunters because of the extra care needed to maintain it. Most have forgotten, but it was once the stone of the original royal house, and very prevalent among nobles and warriors.” Celina tested the tip of the blade on her finger before glancing at Rodric, a markedly coy look in her eye as she met his gaze. “Some myths and legends are worth the extra work to keep them alive, though. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Soul-bonds are rare, Rodric. Her statement from this morning echoed in his mind.
A booming laugh came from the smith. “I like her, she’s a keeper. You should take the blade too.”
Shaking his head, Rodric tilted Celina’s head back and gave her a proprietary kiss, the aggressive hunter inside him still awake and alert from their earlier chase. When he pulled back, the smith was eyeing them with a knowing smile. Flipping the blade, Rodric offered it to him hilt first. “I agree with the lady.”
“A wise man.” Nodding, the smith took it and moved across the room to his record book, laughing lightly.
“You know, it matches my dagger.” Celina’s fingers brushed the royal hilt at her side.
“Mmm. Does it now?” He kissed her again, a sensuous dance of lips and tongue that heated his blood to match the blasting fire of the nearby furnace. “I guess I’ll be keeping you both then.”
“You better.” Smiling impishly, she winked and walked toward the front of the shop, leaving him to complete his purchase.
The smith smiled at him as he approached. “She’s a fiery one. My Josephina was the same. Always raring to fight, sometimes me if no one else was available. Bless her soul.”
Loving and losing someone was bad enough. Losing Celina? He couldn’t fathom the pain that would bring. “Sorry for your loss.”
The man nodded, tapping his chest. “Leaves a hole, when part of your soul dies. Most don’t know the truth of that, but I think you two just might.” He raised an eyebrow slightly, making Rodric still at the veiled reference.
Bonds between mates were not magic precisely, but soul-bonds fell into the category that most people avoided discussing except in hushed whispers or in mythic stories. The smith eyed him with an unsettlingly direct, blunt gaze.
“I noticed you don’t have joining bracelets.”
Rodric shifted uncomfortably at the intensity of the man’s penetrating remarks. “Not yet, no.”
Pulling out a beautifully etched box from a locked cabinet, the man set it on the counter and gestured for Rodric to open it. Inside, wrapped in soft cloth, were two meticulously crafted bracelets. They were heirloom quality, stones shining as if they were kept polished. The braids were distinct, not frayed from age or poor care. These were different from the common variety, which were generally made of cheaper bindings that needed to be replaced over time, and nice but not precious stones or gems.
In contrast, these were made with the finest edge of amorite, providing the shape of the bracelet, instead of gold, silver, or pewter. The smaller bracelet had an amethyst stone in the center, with pale honey threads braided as tying bands. Hints of amorite glinted beneath the braids. It wasn’t as delicate as the bracelets typically worn by highborn nobles, having a thicker, heavier feel in his hand. The honey braid sparked something deep inside him, pulling his mind inward to view the hint of Celina’s golden magic curled protectively around the icy mist at his core.
“Why would you offer me these?”
The smith’s eyes had turned a sorrowful hue, their serious depths focused on the gold and amethyst bracelet in Rodric’s hand. They were obviously a family treasure, and if he had to guess, the man’s own bracelets with his Josephina.
“It was her wish. That they be passed on, not left to gather dust or sold uncaringly. She made me promise and swore I would know who they belonged with.” He laid a finger on the stone, caressing it with a ritual sincerity. “I think they belong with the two of you.” Breaking out of his reverie, the man’s eyes flicked to Celina, before meeting Rodric’s again.
Picking up the larger bracelet, he offered it for Rodric’s inspection. The slightly thicker amorite band supported deep violet braids, a subtle complement to its mate. A finely beveled piece of amorite sat center, gleaming an even more noticeable purple than the hilt of the dagger due to the colored braids on either side.
“These are Zamyran. Your Josephina…” Rodric took a leap, relying on the man’s forthright nature. “You had a soul-bond with her.” It was a statement, and yet, a question. The two opposing concepts refused to mesh in his mind—Zamyra was one of the most violent and oppressive realms.
The man’s left eye twitched in what might have been a wink. “Zamyra wasn’t always the way it is now. Ask your lady sometime, I believe she probably knows the legends and appreciates the complexity of the realm’s history.”
Meeting the smith’s gaze, Rodric nodded. “We’d be honored to give them new life.”
With an almost relieved sigh, the man re-wrapped the bracelets in the soft cloth and closed the box, setting it next to the Zamyran blade. “Now I can meet my Josephina again, having completed her last request. Thank you.”
“Rodric and Celina. You should at least know the names of the couple you’re entrusting this precious box to.”
“Merrick Donovan.” He dipped his head and placed a hand to his chest. “Thank you, Rodric. I hope you are able to pass these down one day, the way they are meant to be shared.”
“We will.” Rodric startled himself with the response, but his soul and his magic echoed in agreement. He would have a child to pass the heirloom to someday.
Celina approached then, placing a very small, sturdy hunting knife on the counter. Rodric didn’t have to examine it closely to see it was just as well-crafted as the other blades in the shop. It was lightweight, designed for a smaller hand, but Celina already had a dagger she loved, and had even begun to refer to as hers, rather than her mother’s.
“What’s this?”
“For Brenna.” Her gaze softened as she met his eyes. “Trust me. She’ll need it for her own peace of mind.”
“How did you know she could use one?”
Most Eldrin girls Brenna’s age wouldn’t have a clue how to use a knife outside the kitchen. Maybe Celina assumed because of the way women were raised in Calderre.
Celina touched his cheek and chuckled softly. “Rodric, her soul-guardian is a Preddari. I expect Brenna can use all manner of hunting weapons and is better on a horse than I am. Apparently, I’m easy to track, at least to a wolf. Maybe Brenna can teach me a thing or two.”
Laughing, Rodric pulled her to him and kissed the side of her head. The spark of their entwined magic at the contact gave him an idea.
“Celina, do you have your stone with you? From Barnabus.” He pulled his out of his pocket, where it had been keeping company with Brenna’s bracelet.
Giving him a curious look, she retrieved it and placed it in his palm.
Turning, he offered them to Merrick, following his instincts. “These stones were… imbued… by a beloved and insightful elder. I would offer them to you in honor of your gift—one set of personal treasures for another, though yours are far more precious.”
Merrick took the stones, eyes startling in surprise as he studied them. “A gift indeed. I accept.”
Joy and satisfaction wound through him. He had a feeling Barnabus would be quite happy with the final destination of the stones.
Keeping an arm around Celina, he introduced her to the smith and completed payment for the blades, slipping the carved box into the saddlebag without comment.
“What was that about?” Celina asked as they exited the shop, eyeing the bag curiously.
“Ask me again when this is all over.”
In the midst of havoc and devastation, he’d found an incredible gift, and he meant to keep her.