Brian S. Pratt
Quest's end
Chapter One
The Kingdom of Byrdlon was gripped in winter’s icy fist. Snow covering the ground was blown into a flurry by an icy wind. Those few souls who were forced to brave its fury were hardly recognizable as people. Bundled up as they were with layers of clothing and coated by the new fallen snow swept off the ground by the wind, they looked more like ghosts in their passing.
Above, the sun tried in vain to break through the snow blown haziness. All that was visible, should one have bothered to look up, was a disc of dim brightness. Cold. Only the foolish or desperate would brave such conditions. Most sensible people remained indoors with fires burning brightly.
One individual was unable to remain inside. A promise given was a promise kept. Though, if he had known today was going to be like it was, he never would have agreed to the meeting he was heading toward.
Wrapped in layers of clothing, the man leaned against the blowing wind as he passed through the empty streets of Gilbeth. The lower half of his sword’s scabbard poked out from beneath the bottoms of two jackets, one of which had been borrowed from a friend.
Not much further, he thought to himself. On either side of him, the lights coming from windows promised warmth that he direly wished he could partake. Instead, he continued putting one foot in front of the other and pressed ever onward. When he came to the next intersection, he was struck by a gust of wind blowing from out of the side street and was almost knocked over. Gritting his teeth, he turned into the full force of the wind and made his way along the side street.
Behind him, the footprints he left in the snow covering the street were quickly filled or removed by the wind. Not much further, he said to himself yet again. And it wasn’t. Squinting his eyes against the blowing snow, he looked ahead and saw the townhouse that was his destination.
A face peered through one of the ground floor windows. The child was seven years old, with golden locks that were uncommon in this area, though not completely unheard of. Her breath condensed on the cold of the glass window and she would be forced to wipe it clear from time to time as she looked out. When she saw the man coming down the street she quickly left the window only to return a moment later with an auburn haired girl who had to be her sister. The sister saw the man coming and grew excited.
He saw her wave to him. A smile appeared on his face as he waved back. Maybe this was worth it, he said to himself. Trudging onward, he reached the bottom of the steps to the townhouse just as the front door opened.
“You made it!” the older sister exclaimed excitedly.
“I said I would come,” Chad replied as he ascended the steps. The warmth from within came through the door and enveloped him as he neared the top. Alicia, the older of the two sisters, and the one for whom he had braved the fury of the storm, stepped aside as he entered.
“Is this him?” the younger sister asked.
“Yes,” Alicia replied as she helped Chad off with his outer garments.
“How can you tell under all that?” she asked.
Alicia gave her sister a look that said go away but the little girl remained with them in the foyer.
“Go tell father that Chad’s here please,” Alicia finally said. When her sister looked like she was about ready to balk at Alicia’s request, she said, “Go!”
“Alright,” her sister said. “But you know you’re not supposed to kiss him.”
Turning red, Alicia made to move toward her sister, but her sister scampered away. “Sorry about Erin,” Alicia said. “You know how little sisters are.”
Chad nodded. His own younger brother Eryl could be the same way at times. “Oh yes,” he replied with a grin.
“I really didn’t think you would make it,” she said. Hanging up his jackets, she turned back to him and gave him a smile. She cast a quick glance further into the house. When she didn’t see either of her parents, she gave him a quick hug.
“Papa!” Erin hollered from where she was peering around the corner. “They’re hugging and you told her that she couldn’t do that until she was married!”
Then from around the corner appeared the girls’ mother. With a smile on her face, she shooed away the little pest and came forward. “Welcome to our home,” she greeted Chad.
“Thank you ma’am,” replied Chad. “It’s quite lovely.”
She beamed at the praise. “We’re so glad you could make it,” she said. “Alicia was worried that the storm would be too much for you.”
Chad absentmindedly put an arm around Alicia’s waist. When he saw Alicia’s mother’s eyes narrow ever so slightly at the familiarity with which he was treating her daughter, he came to his senses and quickly removed his arm. “Oh, it’s not so bad,” he lied.
“Dinner will be ready shortly,” she told them. Then turning to her daughter she said, “Your father is in the library.” About that time, Erin reappeared again and was ready to say something when her mother grabbed her by the arm. “You need to help me in the kitchen young lady.”
“But mama!” she cried. “I want to see Alicia’s boyfriend.”
“None of that,” her mother said. Then with a tight grip on her daughter’s arm, she dragged her to the kitchen.
He glanced to Alicia and could see that her face was still a little red with embarrassment. “Come on,” she said as she looped one arm around his. Then arm in arm, they proceeded into the house.
Chad and Alicia had known each other since before the trip to Catha. In the weeks since returning, they’ve grown to know each other better. Last week it had been decided that it was time for him to meet her family. Always dreading that part of any relationship, he had agreed to come this evening to dinner.
Her family was part of a trading concern here in Gilbeth. She said that her father, her older brother who is now married and living elsewhere, and an uncle ran caravans from one end of the kingdom to the other. Her father had even gone to The Marketplace to trade with the goblins as well as down south into the Moran Tribes. Now that winter was full on, the caravan was wintering here in Gilbeth until the roads were once again passable. Few traders braved the wintry conditions. Most do as her father does and ceases their trading during the darkest part of the year.
They passed through the front living area where guests were entertained, and into the hallway leading further into the house. The smell of pipe smoke was evident, and when they passed from the hallway into the library, Chad saw her father sitting by the fireplace. With a book in one hand and a pipe in the other, he looked up as they entered.
Still gripping his arm, Alicia said, “Papa, this is Chad.” Then as her father came to his feet, she said, “Chad, this is my father.”
Chad came forward and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you sir,” he said.
Her father put his pipe between his teeth and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you too Chad,” he said. “Alicia’s told us all about you.”
“Good things I hope,” he said with some levity.
“You wouldn’t be here if they had been otherwise,” he stated in all sincerity. Turning his attention to Alicia, he said, “Why don’t you go help your mother while Chad and I get better acquainted.” It wasn’t a request.
Alicia’s face fell slightly at being sent from the room. Giving her father a slight nod of her head, she said, “Yes papa.” Then with a final squeeze to Chad’s arm, she turned and left the room.
“Won’t you have a seat?” her father offered, gesturing to another chair next to him.
Chad was thankful the chair sat in close proximity to the fire burning in the fireplace. The chill from outside still maintained a presence within him. Once seated, Chad silently enjoyed the fire’s warmth while her father gazed at him. The fact that her father didn’t say anything slightly unnerved him. When the silence grew too overwhelming,
