Archer and the Anvil

'The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished.'

This riddle is the reason they are running for their lives. Why Roland is covered in blood and why Tomaz now has blood on his hands.

All because they solved that ‘stupid’ riddle.

Tomaz, washed the red from his hands hours ago, yet the stain remains. His bow lay beside him, he wonders if he can ever pick it up again. Staring at the figures under the Glova tree, watching the Druid work on saving the young mans life. How did they get here. Tomaz closes his eyes and replays the events in his mind.

“The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished.” Cried the Herald. “Solve this riddle for the reward of title and land.”

Roland shielded his eyes, from the setting sun. “That‘s stupid.”

”What’s that?” Inquired Tomaz.

Roland explained. “It’s a stupid riddle, rivers don’t run backwards they flow in one direction.”

Suddenly Tomaz’s face lit up. Grabbing Rolands arm, shouting. “You’re brilliant.” Laughing as he ran. “Come my friend, we’re off to the library and then to the castle to collect our reward.”

”Library? I thought we were going to the pub.”

8 Days Later:

Instead of the prize, the boys received an all expense paid trip for two into custody, courtesy of the court. For over a week they were confined without any outside contact, other than food being delivered by a mute. Finally, a frustrated Tomaz and Roland were escorted to the great hall in the palace, prepared to explain how they solved the riddle to First Minister Garrick, the one who set forth the challenge. The doors swung wide, revealing the largest room either boy had seen in their life. It stretched longer than the pitch in Bakers Hill, empty except for five young men, all elegantly dressed. Clearly son’s of the wealthy families who really ruled the land. Not even trying to hide their scorn, they stared at the two young men who walked in, looking like children on their first day of school,

A voice from behind shocked them.

“Don’t be intimidated by those frauds, they’re scared and refuse to acknowledge you.”

Tomaz and Roland both jumped. Next to them was a handsome man around their age, with a slim muscular build similar to Tomaz, although he had dark curly hair compared to Tomaz’s long wavy blonde.

“Sorry, what’s that?” Asked Tomaz.

“Those are the others who…..submitted an answer.” Holding out his hand he continued. ”I’m Dallin, yet another contestant. You must be Tomaz, and your burly friend must be Roland.”

The three shook hands. “You must understand, they are the son’s of the lesser Houses, so far down the inheritance list the chances of them receiving any wealth or property is slim to none. This contest is the only way they will be able to own land. And you two are in their way.”

“And where does your family fit?” Asked Roland.

Instead of answering, Dallin pointed to an older man with an oily bald head, who entered. “That man is Senator Ahnoid. He is Minister Garrick’s right-hand man. For your sake do not answer him until the Druid arrives.”

“The Druid?”

At the far end of the room another door banged open, and the First minister enters, flanked, by black armored guards known as the Scythes. Unlike the regular soldiers who take an oath to protect the kingdom, their oath is only to the Ward of the land, First Minister Garrick. Walking next to him was one of the most beautiful woman, either boy had ever seen.

“Who is that?” Whispers Roland.

“That my friend is the Oracle, the First minister’s Seer.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“And deadly.” Added Dallin, then whispered. “I must leave you for now.”

“Evening Senator, you’re looking a little annoyed tonight.” Laughed Dallin in a loud voice, as he walked away.

Ignoring pun, Ahnoid strode directly to the two boys, with no pleasantries or greeting he stated. “So, you two were the first to solve the riddle.”

Tomaz quickly responded. “We cannot say if we were first or not, as we were placed in a cell immediately after submitting our answer.”

The Senator scoffed. “It can hardly be called a cell.”

It was true, their ‘cell’ encompassed the entire upper floor of the north tower. Probably a holding area meant for the high class who found themselves on the wrong side of the law. But the spell that was placed on the exit doors prevented them from leaving, as Roland found out one night, his arm still tingles.

Nodding to the other contestants Tomaz asks. “Were they offered similar accommodations?”

“Don’t be fools, they are high born. The question is, how a farmers son could have answered the riddle so quickly.”

Roland growled. “We don’t answer to you.”

Ahnoid smirked. “Ah, the blacksmith’s apprentice has a tongue”

Before Tomaz could say anything, the First ministers party approached them. First Minister Garrick was a tall striking man, with salt, and pepper hair, and greying beard. Through a forced smile he suddenly spoke.

“So, you are the blacksmith and the huntsmen that has the court talking?”

The two stood in silence, Tomaz wondered how he knew about his skills as a hunter, then the nasally voice of Ahnoid broke in. “Speak up.”

Tomaz, glanced at his friend who wasn’t blinking, and realized it would be him who did the talking. “Yes, sir.”

Stepping in front of Tomaz, the Oracle smiled. ”Perhaps you would like to share with us how you arrived at the answer so quickly, while some of the brightest minds failed.”

“Ma’am?”

The Oracles eyes flashed anger but regained the serene look almost immediately. “You may refer to me as Oracle.”

Tomaz’s heart was pounding like a fish in a bucket, trying to escape. “My apologies’ ma….Oracle. May I ask why?”

First minister jumps in. “Any who solves the riddle is asked this question.”

“Have they answered correctly?”

With a crooked smile he responded. ”Yes.” Then glanced at the other winners. “Although they were somewhat vague on how they arrived at it. I am interested to hear your answer.”

The room became quiet, while Tomaz was sure the others had been asked, he was also sure it was done in private. He noticed the guards had their hands upon their swords. The Oracle seemed to float towards the two boys. Placing her hands upon each of their faces she whispered. “Surely you handsome men have an answer.”

Her smile was disarming, Tomaz felt instantly drowsy, while Roland swayed slightly. Suddenly both boys felt a pain upon their cheek. Touching his face, he noticed blood upon his fingers, Roland too had a trickle of red running down. The Oracle quickly tucked two vials in her robe and returned to Garrick, who calmly said. ”We are waiting.”

Tomaz, was about to reply when a loud commotion came from behind. Turning around he watched a man, wrapped in a dark blue robe with a silver chain belt, and carrying a slender oak staff, stride in with confidence, straight towards the group. Dallin shadowed behind.

“Good day, Minister, Oracle. My sincere apologies for my late entry but somehow my assistant must have given me the wrong time to attend the event. I know you must have worried, wondering where I was. Thankfully, young master Dallin happened upon me in the hallway. Turning to the two boys he spoke.

“So, these are the two miracle men, who bested the courts finest.”

Dallin jumped in. “Tomaz, Roland, this is Gar-Tal.”

The two turned white, to them Gar-Tal was a legend, a myth, a master Druid who walked the lands. If the stories were true he was around when a King and Queen still ruled the land. He looked to be in his forties, somewhat grizzled, but not two hundred years old.

Gar-Tal noticed the tiny trail of blood on the boys faces but said nothing, except. “Now, that I am here let’s commence.”

If the Oracle and Garrick were flustered by the Druids appearance they recovered quickly.

“We are waiting young man. Do you need a refresher?” Piped in the First Minister.

The Oracle had a penetrating gaze as she recited. “The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished.'

Tomaz explained. ”The riddle does not state the river reversed it’s course, nor changed directions, it said it ran backwards. Roland was the one who gave me the idea, he said rivers don’t run backwards, they just run.”

“That is how you came up with the answer, that’s preposterous.” Spewed Ahnoid.

Unfazed Tomaz continued. “No, that is what made me remember something. The Ardnor river flows North to South, however a tributary branches off the river leading to the Kynro falls, and that flows South to North.”

Smiling, the Oracle asked. “And what of the vanishing Queen?”

“Two hundred and twelve years ago the royal ship the ‘Queen Shallain’ was heading South but got caught in the currents of the tributary and was dragged North, floating backwards towards the falls. The ship went over the edge and the Queen shallain vanished. Everyone perished…. including the Royal family who were onboard.”

Roland finally spoke up. “It is the reason we no longer have a monarchy, only a ward of the kingdom.” Referring to the First Minister.

After a long silence, the Minister and Oracle whispered amongst themselves. “Clever and correct.” Then, almost as an after thought he addressed the other contestants. “As have you all.”

Dallin, snorted.

The minister continued. “What I am about to say must stay within this group. On that ship was a book of great importance, we must retrieve this at all costs. The Oracle has stated that only the chosen one will find the book, all others will perish. Have any of you shared your answer with anyone else?”

The five high born suddenly turned white as ghosts, Dallin appeared unfazed, otherwise all remained silent.

“Good, tomorrow morning at first light you will set out to the falls, the person who retrieves the book shall be declared the winner and receive the reward. Now go rest, you’ll need it.” With that he and the Oracle left.

Soon the hall was empty, except for Tomaz, Roland and their two new acquaintances.

Roland fumed. “They thought we cheated.”

Gar-Tal interjected. ”Well, you two embarrassed the highborn crowd. Making them appear like idiots.”

“Their a bunch of fopdoodles if they think we cheated, the answer was as easy as a trollop on a Saturday night.”

Tomaz couldn’t help but smile, then said. “Something’s not right. How are we to find a book that has been buried under water, beneath the falls in a moving river for over two hundred years.”

Then looking directly at the Druid and Dallin he added. “And who exactly are you two?”

Gar-Tal interjected. “This isn’t the place to talk, let’s just say you were held in the tower so that I could not find you. The spell placed upon it was powerful, I suspect they may have a sorcerer working for them. If you return to the tower, I believe you may not survive the night.”

Roland stepped in. “All our items are there.”

“Dallin will retrieve your things.”

“Why should we trust you?”

The Wizards voice became soft. “This contest is not what it appears.”

Turning to Roland, Tomaz said. ”I think we should leave and return home.”

Shaking his head, Gar-Tal spoke. “You two, might not ever be able to return home.”

The two young men froze wondering if that was a threat or a truth.

Dallin looked to Gar-Tal and said with urgency. “We need to tell them.”

*********************************************

Thank you,

Jason

The story of the Archer and Anvil continues, the second part will be out shortly.