The inn was a cacophonous mixture of repulsive smells and obnoxious noises. Hult was far too busy to have any time to visit with them at present, so they ordered three tankards of cold cream cider and waited. Thatch reclined by the back wall facing the doorway. Aylah had purchased a cloak on the outskirts of town so that she could remain well hidden. Diago did likewise. After all, the shadow of Tunaan was dead and though not many people knew who he was, or that he was the mysterious rider, he didn’t want to risk being recognized and causing a stir. Saama remained outside of the town waiting for any sign of Diago. Diago knew that if anything happened Saama would waste no time in coming to their aid.
Both Aylah and Diago had their backs to the doorway, trusting Thatch to keep a weather eye out. Diago fidgeted with the knots on his kurigan, which was currently fitted with a bludgoner. Aylah’s hands twitched every time a new stranger walked by them and Diago was quite certain that Aylah could unfold her bow, notch an arrow, and stick just about anyone in the inn in a matter of seconds. However, the various tensions that had been built up over the last three days were loosening under the effect of the cider. Even Thatch, who had just sent away his daughter, seemed to be brightening in spirits the more he drank. Needless to say, they did not order just one tankard.
Finally, when he had finished with a rather large crowd of travelers, Hult made his way toward the three.
“You all are a thirsty bunch. Another round?” He said cheerfully while gathering their drinks.
Diago lifted his head, which he hadn’t done yet since he had arrived, “Actually Hult there is something we need to ask”
Hult’s expression shifted in an instant, the facade of the good host fell and the true gaze of friend brightened, “DIAGO!?”
Diago shushed him, but he also smiled, “good to see you too”
Hult’s exclamation turned some heads. While Diago spoke with the innkeeper, Aylah and Thatch kept their eyes peeled for any who might be taking greater interest than mere curiosity.
Hult, acutely aware of when customers did not want to be lifted on the proverbial pedestal, pressed in and quietly spoke, “Aren’t you supposed to be dead? And what was all that nonsense about ‘The Shadow of Tunaan’? Ridiculous name by the way.”
Aylah rolled her eyes and Diago smiled, “Believe me there were better options. I came up with-”
“Diago, we should stay on track” interrupted Thatch.
Aylah nodded, knowing where Diago was about to derail the conversation and wanting firmly not to hear any of his ‘clever’ nicknames. Diago shook himself,
“Right. Hult, I need to ask you something and it’s important”
Hult frowned, deepening the creases of his ever-present furrowed brow, “This isn’t about-” he cleared his throat and glanced around before saying in a lower tone, “What you mentioned before?”
Diago, “No…not exactly. We are looking for someone”
.Hult squinted, “and who is we?”
“Umm…That’s not important?”
Hult took a long look at the three of them. His eyes fell on Aylah, who was still trying not to be conspicuous. Hult jerked his hands up and made a quick sign.
Aylah recognized the sign and knew the reply…well, like the back of her hand.
Reflexes moved her hands before she could stop herself. Hult’s eyes widened.
“So you are the stranger! Diago, I told you not to be messing around with-” he looked around again, “with that subject. You promised!”
“Technically, I never actually promised”
Hult began to back away, but Diago grabbed his arm before he could, “Hult, we are not asking you about the armor. That I do promise.”
Hult glared at Diago, but Diago’s eyes would not falter. The longer he looked at Diago the more Hult’s expression softened, “Alright…I believe you. What do you need answered?”
Aylah and Thatch relaxed the tensions on their shoulders. Diago smiled, “Thank you. Have you seen Trigg?”
Hult started and began to look nervous, “No. Haven’t seen him. Hope that’s not all you are after, 'cause I can help you with lots of other things, but I can’t help there.”
Diago looked behind himself and made eye contact with Thatch who nodded. Diago turned back to the innkeeper and smiled, “That’s alright, I just had a question for him too. What I really wanted to ask was if you know the Honor Guard’s creed?”
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Hult, visibly relieved, nodded, “Of course I do. Don’t you? I would figure Sulien taught it to you long ago.”
Diago shook his head, “I forgot. Could you recite it for me? It’s important.”
Diago figured that so long as he stopped pressing about Trigg, Hult would do anything. He was right. Hult shrugged and then righted himself. He placed the tips of his fingers on their opposite shoulders, forming a cross on his portly chest.
“To uphold the rights of all men and fight for the liberty and glory of Tunaan. To stand firm in the face of any and every evil. To better oneself and help..others… do the same…”
Hult’s voice trailed off and his face went slack. Diago glanced again at Thatch who had his eyes closed. Diago and Aylah gave each other a nod and kept watch. Diago pretended to keep talking to Hult so that no one would grow suspicious of his motionless figure.
Before they had entered town, Thatch had explained to Diago that mundane or familiar tasks and phrases are like opening the door to a mind weaver and inviting him in. They agreed that if Hult resisted the information, then they would resort to plan B. They remained in this position for an uncomfortable amount of time. Well, uncomfortable for Diago at any rate. He wondered how many phantom jokes he could laugh at before he tipped everyone off. Aylah was finding Diago’s efforts amusing and was content to watch him make a fool of himself. Suddenly, Hult began to speak again, “…To live well and die better. This is the station, duty, and right of the Honor Guard.”
Diago looked to Thatch, he nodded firmly. Diago turned to Hult again,
“Thank you, I remember now”
Hult was too relieved that the questions about Trig had stopped to notice any suspicious behavior in Diago. He nodded and walked away at a brisk pace. Diago waited until he was far enough away before asking,
“Well?”
Aylah leaned in as well.
Thatch looked around, making sure no one was listening in, and then he spoke,
“It wasn’t perfectly clear. Memories are hard. You know how there are times when certain elements of days are like cristal and others are mirky and vague?”
“Like not remembering what you ate on a particular day?” Asked Diago.
“Yes, exactly. Well, most of his memories of the last few days were a blur. Thankfully, he did speak to Trig and it was significant enough that I could understand it pretty well. You were right Diago, Trig did pay off his debts, but it was not all in money. If it had been, the memory might not have been as significant. Hult was running out of tarrin stone for the cider and apparently on the same day that Trig was last seen he came into the inn with half of what he owed and two crates. Trig asked if he could pay one half in coin and the other in tarrin stone.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Tarrin stone is out of season. All the tarrin mines are closed and kept under heavy guard,” Diago pointed out.
“What if he found a mine that wasn’t?” Asked Aylah.
“huh… that would explain why he got so nervous. He has unregistered tarrin stone in supply” Thatch mused, then continued, “Whatever the case may be, Trig paid it off and then left mentioning something about paying off some other debts”
“That must be when he went to the canyon” Aylay surmised
Thatch nodded, “the last thing I could gather is that Hult thought he saw Trig later that day in a hurry. He was riding a talard.”
“…That’s it? That’s hardly more than we had to start with” Diago complained.
Aylah then asked, “Is there anything else? Anything at all?”
Thatch sat back, “No…well there was a questioning thought that seemed important to Hult at least, but it didn’t make any sense”
“What was it?” Diago asked
“Does the name Demon Tree mean anything?”
Diago went pale. The other two noticed and questioned him, but they received no reply. Demon Tree was a significant landmark to the people of Rant. The giant black elm tree was located near the capital city of Tunaan, Sulaaris. It was a symbol of death. By day it was a gathering place for all sorts of wild beasts, the worst Tunaan had to offer. By night it was said to be haunted. Now and again a new story of disappearances would surface and would cause a stir around Rant. Connected to the story would be wild descriptions of strange sounds and ghostly figures.
The road to the capital city was crafted in such a way as to avoid even laying eyes on the tree. If a traveler wished, he could take the Darkened Road which leads straight past the Demon Tree, but they would have to be truly desperate and willing to never reach their destination as few who took that road ever did. All this and more history raced through Diago’s mind when Thatch mentioned the infamous tree. Finally, just when the other two were giving up hope that Diago could be shaken from his frightened stupor, he spoke,
“Thatch…why was that name in Hult’s head?” Diago was sure that he knew already, but he wanted to be certain.
Thatch thought for a moment, trying to recall how the threads connected in Hult’s mind, “I believe it had something to do with the direction Trigg went.”
Diago nodded. That is what he most expected and most feared to hear. There was a lone path away from Rant toward the capital of Sulaaris that led directly to the Darkened path. It has always been obvious when someone was taking that desperate path.
“What is it Sunburn?” Aylah inquired. It was the first time she’d ever used that nickname without it sounding like an insult.
Diago described to the two of them the significance of the Demon Tree as well as why Hult would make particular note of it. Though neither could understand the full weight of the danger, they understood that this meant trouble.
“But what other choice do we have?” Asked Thatch
“None right? If what Diago says is true then Trigg would have reached the tree by now” Added Aylah
“And is likely dead,” Diago stated with grim finality.
“Whatever state he might be in, this is our only clue as to what to do next,” said
Thatch, more as a statement of direction.
They all concluded that this was the next step to take. Trying not to seem too much in a hurry, the three of them rose and went to pay Hult. As they reached the counter the bustle and noise of the inn completely fell. Aylah heard a few neigh inaudible gasps. Thatch felt the tension in the room spike, though he was not connected to anyone at present, he had a general sense of the room. Diago saw Hult’s eyes darken with both fear and hate. They all three turned.
In the doorway, with a fire in his eyes and a hand gripping a drawn sword, was Saarsken.
