The Weapon Bearer (Book 1) (28 page)

Leroy was still examining his hand by opening and closing it, checking to see if the skin would break where the pin had pushed through. Kilen was stuck in his own thoughts when he heard a familiar voice call up to him from behind.

“Kilen, Leroy, wait up. I’m glad to see you guys. Isn’t this town great?” Bowie’s jacket was undone revealing a plain wool shirt underneath. He was still wearing the yellow accented clothes that he had been when in front of the king. The clothes were a dead giveaway that he hadn’t slept all night. Kilen checked his stamina and refreshed his friend. Then he slipped his rings on to keep himself from feeling tired.

“Kilen just got me out of the castle so that we could explore, but after that herb shop I’m not sure I’ll want to be visiting many more places here in town.” Leroy rubbed his hand, but Bowie paid him no mind as he put his arms around them. He already reeked of the drink and Kilen was sure that since his energy was restored he would search out some more.

“Hey, I already found a store that has two bows that are better quality than mine. I had them put aside so that I could purchase them this morning. You gents care to come along and see a bit of the town?”

Kilen knew that he didn’t have anything else that he would rather be doing, so he nodded yes and they walked down the street. Leroy told Bowie about the herbalist that had stabbed him only moments ago. He wondered if Leroy would ever look at a woman’s chest again without seeing danger in her cleavage. Kilen thought that it served him right for not treating women with more respect than he did. Something in his head told him that Max and Joahna agreed. Leroy’s young age made him susceptible to ogling beautiful woman, but if he was to encounter many more women like Izabel he would probably come to age quicker.

Bowie led the way down the street and around the corner to a fletcher’s shop where he bought the two bows and an extra quiver. “Kilen, I know how you shoot the bow and I’m not sure you will be able to pass your class. I thought I might help you a little before the training starts so that you’re at least ahead in that area.”

“That’s a great Idea, I couldn’t ask for a better teacher in archery. Just don’t get any ideas about holding me close to you the way you taught Keri at home.” Both of them laughed so Kilen added, “I won’t be paying you with kisses either if that’s your intention.” The three walked down the streets ignoring their surroundings as Bowie led them into an Inn.

“Well maybe after you get a couple pints in you, you’ll loosen up,” Bowie said, knowing Kilen wouldn’t drink. His father had always told him it put a man’s guard down. Bowie drank while Leroy ogled the barmaids and the minstrel played joyous music. Kilen had a bowl of stew that the innkeeper called his specialty. He didn’t think there was anything special about it. The meat water tasted heavily of salt until Leroy put in a few herbs to spice it up. Pretty soon three large men in soldier’s uniforms much like Kilen’s walked into the room. They pointed at Bowie, who had his mug raised and was cheering on Leroy learning to dance.

“That’s him, he shot the arrow at us,” one large one said as they crossed the room. All three had bearded faces and carried a long knife in their belts. They all had matching leather quivers at their hips, bristling with arrows. They stood over the table glaring at Bowie, “Hey recruit, you’re supposed to stand when we enter a room. Didn’t they teach you that?”

Bowie finally set his mug down in recognition of the three men. “Oh, you have my arrow. Did you come to return it?”

Kilen thought he would interject, as his uniform marking him as at least the same rank as them might calm the situation. “Please sit, gentlemen and we will talk this over a pint.”

“Shut it boy. We know you aren’t a full weapon bearer so don’t try and order us around. You might get the privilege of a full soldier, but I don’t see any officers around to tell us apart. Besides, our business is with the lordling here.”

“Oh I’m no lord, I just have a better sense of fashion then some. You might start taking my advice if you knew how far it would get you with the ladies. What can I do for you, gentlemen?” Bowie took another big drink of his ale.

“My friends here think that the shot you made was aimed at the target. I say that the shot was meant for them. So I want to see you shoot that bow again. I’ll even let you use the same arrow as before.” He took the arrow in his hand near the head and slammed it into the table so that it stood sticking straight up. The noise startled the minstrel and everyone in the room went.

“Sure, no problem. I was going to shoot some tomorrow anyways,” Bowie barely got the words out before the man spoke again.

“I’ve been looking for you since yesterday, you’re going to show us right now. I bet them two silver crowns that you wouldn’t even hit the target at that distance,” he stood up chuckling with his friends with his fists now on his hips.

“Ok, even though it’s a little unfair,” Bowie smiled at Kilen. “If it’s a bet I might be able to fatten the pot if you would let me.”

The man rubbed the scruff on his face before answering, “Go ahead then, what’s your wager?”

“I’ll wager two gold crowns that I can out shoot you and your two friends the best arrow of three shots each.” Bowie took another long drink of his ale while the men thought it over. Leroy had come to stand behind Bowie. Kilen saw him stealthily checking the blades tucked away in his clothes.

“We will each bet a week’s pay, but we can’t match your two gold crowns. As you can see, we’re just soldiers. If you will take the bet, we’ll gladly accept your two gold, but if you’re as good as you think you are it shouldn’t be a bet at all.” The man crossed his arms and smiled behind his furry mask.

Bowie tapped the now empty mug on the tabletop, “You’re right, I should have never asked such poor men to change their fashions. I’ll still bet the two gold, but not against your week’s pay. I want the archery range all to myself, for one hour each day before the regular training starts. Can you arrange that?” The men looked at each other and the big man smiled and placed both hands on the table looming over Bowie.

“Boy, I’m John Curtain and I’m one of the instructors for the range. I’ll give you one range for two hours a day if you can beat all three of us. Let’s just see what you can do, my lord.” The three men turned and walked away. Bowie smiled at Leroy and Kilen, plopped on his fancy hat, and started after them.

On the way back to the training grounds, John’s lackeys talked about how they were going to spend the money that they normally wouldn’t earn in a year. Bowie said nothing but followed confidently behind them, sometimes tripping on the cobblestones as he walked. Leroy and Kilen watched as Bowie fell onto his face.

“BLOODY shadow walkers! My jacket and pants are all covered in muck.” Bowie tried his best to wipe the dirt and manure from his pants as Kilen and Leroy helped him up. Kilen was overcome by a strange feeling as if someone was watching him. He turned around and saw a brown cloak disappear behind the corner of the alleyway. He continued to look at the windows and at doorways lining the streets and found no one. Kilen thought the mention of the shadow walkers might have flared his imagination into feeling something that wasn’t there.

No, I felt it too.
Kilen was even more spooked to hear Max actually speak to him directly. If these voices got much worse he would have to seek out help.
Use the water magic. He’s still there.
Kilen was reluctant, but used the water vision as Bowie and Leroy started to continue on down the street. Kilen had made his first mistake. He had forgotten he didn’t have Brent to help him watch with the water vision. He had let his guard down.

They continued down the street and Kilen took glancing looks back. He didn’t see anyone following him but still felt someone. Maybe it was the voices in his head he had felt. He would not make the mistake of not using the water vision again and now he pushed it to his limits.

They continued on past the main castle gates and around to the side gate to the training grounds. John’s two buddies made sure to mention the contest as they passed by. Men went scurrying to the guard house. A commotion was started and several men from the guard house went to other guard houses. Coins were exchanged and Kilen knew that side bets were being made. Men ran from barracks to barracks and soldiers came out, putting on jackets and getting coins. Apparently, this was not the first time that John had been challenged. The feeling of being watched followed even as they arrived deep into the grounds at the archery range. Kilen looked around as Leroy steadied Bowie for the contest. Bowie took an extra long time stringing his bow,. He flexed it and checked the tension on the string. The three other men did the same as Bowie approached the farthest shooting line from the target.

“Who would you like to shoot first Master Curtain?” Bowie was sure to be respectful now that he knew this man was a superior officer.

John laughed, “Well since this is my range and I shouldn’t have to prove myself. You shoot first then I’ll let these two out shoot you. If you’re arrow remains closer after them, I’ll have my chance. If they fire closer to the center then you get another try, until your three shots run out.”

Bowie thought it over and knew that if he fired first it gave him no room to play around. He would have to make his best shot in the beginning. He nodded to John and gave him a curt, “Yes sir.”

“At least he knows his place now.” The crowd started to laugh and that just encouraged Bowie to beat them that much faster. Ten arrows was all that needed to be loosed for him to win. Bowie very carefully on unsteady legs walked out farther from the target to where he was standing with Captain Lorusk the day before.

“You said you didn’t believe I made the shot, so I’ll start here if you don’t mind, Master Curtain?” Bowie stood awaiting the instructor’s orders. Finally he nodded and Bowie knocked an arrow. It took him three tries pulling the weight of the string before he was able to stable himself for the shot. When the arrow loosed there was the distinctive thwack of the string, and the arrow landed in the center circle close to the center. The crowd that had gathered became particularly quiet, Bowie said nothing but stood leaning on his bow to steady himself.

“Well, you louts get over there and take your shots,” Curtain ordered his two lackeys. The first shot taken from them grazed the edge of the target but failed to stay in. The others managed to hit the outside ring, and one lucky shot hit the ring next to the center circle. With each shot tension grew in the crowd that had assembled to bet and watch. Kilen had begun to scan the crowd for the source of the funny feeling that had followed him. He found several men wearing brown cloaks and all had their hoods up.

Max practically shouted inside Kilen’s head.
There, that’s the one that’s following us,
he said as Kilen’s eyes ran over a man near the back with his face hidden by the cloak’s hood. Kilen wondered how Max could be so confident in which man it was. As soon as the thought crossed his mind Max provided the answer. A picture, no a memory flashed into Kilen’s mind. A small tear in the corner of the cloak was identical to the one the man in the alleyway was wearing. Max had noticed the tear even though Kilen did not. He wondered how his mind could play such a trick on him, to provide false memories. He was growing scared at the voice’s ability to draw his attention. Kilen knew that he would have to ask Brent if any other magic users ever heard voices, but he would have to be subtle just in case. He needed to be there to support his sister. He didn’t want to sound like a lunatic. It was his responsibility, as her family.

John had taken two shots, landing both on the target but neither close to the center. Bowie still had two shots left. The crowd now was getting anxious, waiting for John to hit center, thinking that he was just playing with everyone’s emotions. John’s brow was now starting to sweat and his face was starting to turn red in frustration. The instructor pulled the string, taking careful aim and loosing his third and final arrow. The arrow struck the center ring inches closer to the target’s middle. The crowd cheered feeling now their money was safe taking a bet on the kingdom’s archery instructor. Bowie nodded and took careful aim of his second shot and landed it between his first arrow and John’s. The crowd cheered even more with Bowie only having one shot left. Bowie knocked the arrow for his final shot and let it loose with not so much as a pause. The arrow landed on the opposite side of Johns closer to the center. The crowd went into a frenzy of shouts as John tried to calm them. Bowie ignored them, leaning on his bow, smiling at the target. He turned to Kilen and said, “Looks like I’ve landed us a practice range for you.”

Kilen had other matters to attend to. The man who had followed him was now walking away at a steady pace. Kilen didn’t want to give the man another chance to catch him off guard. He pulled out his earth rings and placed the chain around his neck, tucking them into his shirt. Then he ran off in the direction that the man had gone. He found the man rounding the corner to a barracks. When he caught up to him in the back near the large wall to the grounds the man leaped up and over the wall. Kilen followed, but landed on the top. The man in the cloak now stood on a back road to the town with no one else in sight. The man had a short sword pulled free of its sheath. Kilen also pulled his blade free, as he landed on the street a little farther down.

“You’ve passed some tests, and others you have failed horribly.” The man pulled his hood back with his free hand. It was Jace.