"The Revolt in Ashdale" Chapter 5: In the Land to the East - Elyndor

The ship made good speed. The waves were only small choppy crests that didn’t cause anyone to get seasick.

The captain had called Anna and Paul in for lunch and asked them what they were going to do in Elyndor. Paul mentioned the flour that needed to be delivered. The captain had inquired about Anna, and Paul simply said that they were childhood friends traveling together to enjoy the time. The captain had shaken his head and said they seemed to be more than childhood friends. Anna blushed, and Paul shifted nervously in his seat. They looked at each other and smiled. Perhaps there was more between them?

The ship arrived in Valithar, the capital of Elyndor, in the late afternoon. A little later, the wagon and horses were unloaded, and Anna and Paul bid farewell to the captain.

With solid ground beneath their feet, it was now time to find the trading house where the flour was to be delivered. It was called "The House of the Swallow Shield," an old and venerable company with many warehouses for grain and flour near the harbor.

It didn’t take Paul long to get directions from a passerby on the quay about where to take the load.

They were warmly received, and the employee at the trading house paid for the goods and advised Anna and Paul to dine at "The Golden Flame." He thought they could likely get a room there for the night.

The ship wouldn’t sail back to Sailsbury for two days, so they had to find a place to stay.

This suited Anna well, as it gave her more time to ask around about whether anyone knew anything about the dragon and the curse. However, she didn’t know how to approach the right people to ask about this.

They found the inn and were welcomed inside. It was good to finally sit down to a well-cooked meal and enjoy each other’s company.

Paul had travel money from the miller, so staying at the inn should be affordable. However, he did worry whether the money would stretch, as it was only meant for one person. They might have to settle for just one room for the night.

"Anna, I only have enough money to cover one room for the night, but what about you?" he asked.

"Oh, it’ll be fine. We can share a bed, after all, we’ve known each other our whole lives!" Anna replied with a slightly romantic smile on her lips.

"Alright, we’ll do that," Paul replied, a bit embarrassed.

"I need to find the privy. Can I leave you for a moment?" he asked.

"Of course," Anna answered.

Paul went to the host and was directed to the yard behind the inn, so he went out.

Anna looked around. She had to take advantage of being alone. She needed to ask some of the other guests if they knew anything about the dragon Tharnak.

She approached an older couple, thinking the younger ones probably didn’t know the stories as well as the older ones.

"Excuse me, but may I ask if you know any stories about the dragon Tharnak?" she asked.

The older man put down his fork. The woman he was with turned pale and dropped her spoon.

"The dragon is dangerous. You don't go near it, and if you do, you get burned by its fire-breathing mouth and won’t survive!" was the man's response.

Several guests overheard and a murmur spread through the tables.

"Young one," said another very old woman who was eating a fried fish alone, "You bring misfortune if you seek that dragon, why would you want to do that?" she nearly shouted and grabbed Anna's hand.

As she grabbed it, Anna's bracelet slipped down, and the old woman immediately noticed it.

"Your Grace, forgive me for my boldness earlier. I will gladly try to answer your questions."

Now it was Anna who was confused. She pulled her sleeve down so the bracelet was hidden again.

However, many other guests had witnessed the event and were now standing up from their chairs, bowing and curtseying.

"We’re not used to such fine guests here at The Golden Flame. How can we help you?" asked the other guests.

Anna asked the old woman: "Is there anyone here in town who can answer my questions about Tharnak?"

"Yes," said the old woman, "There is. You need to find the witch Ellevi. She lives a bit north of town in an old cottage near Lake Lillavand. Greet her from Conary, and she will receive you immediately."

"Thank you, I’ll do that first thing tomorrow."

Paul came in from his trip outside. He looked puzzled at the standing people around Anna and the old woman. The women were now curtseying to Anna as she returned to the table where Paul was sitting again.

"Tell me, Anna, what on earth is going on?"

Anna thought for a moment. It was probably time to tell Paul what Lady Elara had told her about her grandmother.

"Paul, I didn’t know this myself until last night. My grandmother is the daughter of the king here in Elyndor, but she refused to become the queen of a neighboring country and ran away with my grandfather, who was a farmer in the Sunflowervalley. She refused to make a deal with the dragon Tharnak for power, as her sister Althea did, and she became our queen in Valmorun. The king here in Elyndor, a very old man with elf blood in his veins, is therefore my great-grandfather. The bracelet my grandmother gave me has magical powers and is only given to children of the king. The old woman over there noticed it and understood its significance when she saw it on my arm. They’re treating me like a princess; I don’t know what to do."

Paul sat with his mouth open, his jaw practically on his chest. He had known her all his life, and there had never been anything regal about Anna. She had always been upright and honest, so he had no reason to doubt her now. But this was more than he could handle.

"Relax, Paul, I’m still the Anna you know. I can’t be anyone other than who I am!"

He knew that. But it made him quite nervous, for what was going to happen next?

The host came over to them. "Your Grace," he said, "Will you accept our best room for the night? We would be deeply honored, and your friend and driver will of course have a room next to yours at no charge."

"Yes, thank you," Anna replied, and with that, the problem of sharing a bed was solved. Her innocence would remain intact that night!

"Tomorrow, we’re going on a trip to Lake Lillavand," Anna told Paul. "It’s a lake a bit north of the city. We’re going to visit an old woman who may know something about the curse and how to break it."

Anna thought it best not to tell Paul that it was a witch. He had received enough shocking news for one day.

They went up to their rooms. Anna wrapped her arms around Paul and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, my friend," she said. Paul blushed. Then they went their separate ways, and Anna slept in the softest bed she had ever slept in!

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If you missed the Prologue and the first chapters, you can read them here: