NightStars

Dark Steel: Part II

September 16, 2009 at 4:45 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

 “Oh, no, oh, no.” Kevin stared into the city. Every wall and telephone pole was covered in posters with a picture of Kevin on every one.

WANTED! DANGEROUS CRIMINAL! GOES BY KEVIN proudfoot. WANTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER. IF SEEN, CONTACT the lord tirel of darketash OR GEORGE Proudfoot. REWARD: $5000

“Liar! Liar, liar, LIAR!” growled Kevin.

“Well, nobody knows he’s lying except for us, so that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the second we step into the city, fifty men are going to jump us. Here, let me carry you.”

“What?” Kevin asked incredulously.

“Come on, just do it!”

Reluctantly, Kevin let Cliff pick him up.

“Now, put your face into my arm and look sick,” Cliff instructed. Kevin did as he was told. It wasn’t hard to look sick, as he was quite sweaty, was actually feeling not so good, and was all bandaged up.

Cliff walked into the city, trying to look panicked. He must have done a good job, because pretty soon, two men, most likely father and son, and a woman came up to them.

“Having trouble, boy?” The older man asked kindly.

“Y-yes, sir. You see, my servant, Jacob, and I are traveling to Dargomet, but we had to fight off two wildcats, and Jacob here got quite injured, and he’s been running a fever ever since.” Cliff bit his lip, trying to look troubled.

“Come, come, my boy, Genna here will fix him up right.” The woman smiled at them, not looking at all hostile or suspicious.

Cliff brightened a bit. “Oh, would you? You’re much too kind.” They led them back to their cottage, which happened to be on the outskirts of town. The younger man stayed outside to work, and the older couple led Cliff inside.

“Here, let me take him,” said the man. Cliff let him take Kevin. “Jacob” let his head loll, and he let out a little groan.

“Oo-ee, he’s burning up! Genna, you’d best get to work.” He laid Kevin on the low cot. “What’s your name, boy?”

“I’m Cliff Silvermitt, sir,” said Cliff.

“Cliff, eh? I’m Dahn, and you know Genna, My boy out there is Jordin.” Cliff nodded. “I’m out. Genna, it’s my turn to get water, I’m going,” said Dahn.

“Cliff, you’d best stay here while I get my things,” said Jilsa. Cliff nodded again.

As soon as she was gone, Kevin sat up. “Jacob?”

“Oh, come on it was the first thing I could think of!”

“You’re a right fool, you know that? We want out of this city, not to stay in it! What are you thinking?”

“Look, this is better. If they recognize you, they’ll either understand, or we’ll run. Plus, this way, I can get supplies while Genna fixes you up- you really are burning hot, you know that?”

“Yeah,” Kevin muttered. “I guess it’s okay, if I get better.” He flopped back down on the cot and closed his eyes.

Genna walked back into the room and shooed Cliff away. He walked back to town in hopes of finding a stable and general store.

He walked into what was indeed a general store and browsed through the shelves. He bought two bags and a whole bunch of other stuff for five silvers. He then walked across the road to a stable. He found he could not only buy two good horses for ten golds each, he could also buy a donkey for another two and feed for seven coppers. He paid for the animals, then, as it was growing dark, led them back to Don’s house and tied them to the wooden bar out back.

When he walked inside, Kevin was already looking better. He was half sitting with a bowl of chicken soup in his hands, clean bandages on him and a clean shirt at his side.

“So,” he said, “whadidja get?”

“Food, water, bags, clothes, two horses and a donkey. Oh, and feed,” Cliff told him. Kevin nodded in approval.

“Cliff, come get your dinner, boy,” called Dahn from the other side of the house. Cliff followed the voice to the kitchen, where a plate of meat and potatoes waited for him.

“Good grief, this is the best meal I’ve had in days!” exclaimed Cliff, trying to still have good manners while eating quickly. Genna laughed.

“Well, I’ve had girls come out here for my strawberry jelly, and boys for my rice cakes,” she chuckled.

“I believe it,” replied Cliff. “How’s K-Jacob?”

“Oh, he’s wonderful. He’s quite a healer, if I do say so myself. Wouldn’t be surprised if he were up and working tomorrow,” she told him. Cliff grinned.

Kevin set his bowl down beside him and lay back. He needed to sleep.

“Kevin!” someone hissed, awakening him from his doze.

“Cliff?” he mumbled.

“Hush, I don’t have much time!”

Kevin looked to his left and saw a beautiful brunette next to him.

“AAAHH!!!” She covered his mouth with her hand. Raising the other hand, she placed her palm on his forehead. Cool purple flames enveloped him, and suddenly he was eerily calm. She removed her hands, and Kevin watched her warily. Her palm was up again, but there were no flames this time. A green spark appeared in her hand. It flew to Kevin and landed on his chest, sending out strings of green magic. Kevin had the most peculiar sensation that there was a bumblebee inside him that was buzzing his whole body.

Then it disappeared. The girl placed a hand on his face.

“How do you feel?” she whispered.

“Perfect,” he replied. “All but the fact that I am suddenly extremely tired.”

She laughed quietly and let her hand run down his chest. Then she smiled and disappeared. He stared up at the ceiling and drifted off to sleep with a feeling that he would see the girl again soon.