Ethan Wright and the Curse of Silence (2 page)

“So I suppose you two are entered in the youth sword competition tomorrow,” said Vincent as he handed Auren his change. “I would think you two have a good chance to win this year, even with that pesky boy from Whitehaven. What was his name?”

“Marcus Grenwise,” grated Auren while clenching his fists. “Man, that kid ticks me off!”

“Well at least you’ll be there to teach him whose town is best, won’t you now?” said Vincent sharply.

“No, actually,” answered Auren.

“What do you mean
no
?” grilled Vincent, who now seemed highly irritated.

“Well, father says I am too big this year, and he doesn’t want to risk me ‘killing’ one of the other kids. I think it’s Mum getting on his case about it — he was all about me entering last year,” said Auren with a chuckle.

“But aren’t you thirteen now? This is the last year you can enter. Besides, I am closing my store just so I can go and watch you kick the tar out of those fellas!” exclaimed Vincent. “Well, what about you, Ethan? Surely
you
will enter this year.”

“Well … no, I was never very good with a sword,” replied Ethan.

“What? Your father was quite a good swordsman — hard to believe that some of his skill didn’t rub off on you, eh?”

“Father always told Isaac and me that we would have to use our natural ability in the youth contests. He said it would be a better learning experience,” answered Ethan, who was now staring at the floor.

“Natural ability, eh? Sounds like your father all right! Well then, say hello to Odin for me, and Auren, tell your father to reconsider. If anyone can defeat Marcus — well, I think you have a good shot.”

The two boys said their goodbyes and headed out of the store with their licorice root in hand. As they walked, Ethan thought about the last time he fought in the youth sword competition. He had entered three years ago with his brother Isaac. Ethan had barely made it to the second round of the competition, and then lost immediately. Isaac, however, made it to the final match and then lost to Marcus Grenwise. That was the last night Ethan had ever seen his brother. He had always wondered if the competition was the reason Isaac left.

Auren took a piece of licorice root and snapped it in half, handing the other half to Ethan. Auren started kicking a small rock; he would kick it up about ten paces and then kick it again while trying not to lose his pace. He kicked it again and it went to the left, in front of Ethan. Ethan was just about to continue the game when he overheard a familiar voice around the corner. It was Odin. He shot Auren a look, and they silently agreed to be sneaky and listen in.

“In my opinion, the General is a disgrace and in no way should he be leading their armies, let alone help run that disorganized place they call a city,” said an unknown voice sternly.

“Well, you could be right. At any rate, we should investigate what he is up to before any action is taken,” said Odin calmly. Odin had his cloak on and his hands tucked in front. He walked through town in no other way, and Ethan knew it was because one of his hands was partially crippled.

“I know I’m right, I have been watching him for years. He is no better than that father of his; always going on about his investments, or how much wealth their family has accumulated, or how no other is more successful than he and his precious son,” rambled the strange man. He looked somewhat annoyed that Odin did not seem as perturbed as he was.

“Yes, indeed,” smiled Odin. “I am more concerned that he may have a new friend that takes an interest in alchemy, much like our own Wegnel on the east side of town — most curious,” said Odin with a raised brow.

“Wegnel? I would not go within a hundred feet of that lunatic.”

Odin smiled gracefully. “Odd? Yes … but Wegnel is as harmless as you or I.”

“That is
exactly
what I am afraid of,” smirked the stranger.

He bowed slightly and put his hand atop Odin’s covered hands, turned and departed. The boys began to duck behind the building, but it was too late; they had been spotted.

“Ahh, boys,” smiled Odin. “And what are we up to on this fine morning?”

“Oh … nothing …” lied Ethan, “just bringing back Auren’s shop list for his father.”

“Yes sir, just picking some stuff up for my … er … father,” repeated Auren.

“Ahh,” smiled Odin, “carry on then, young masters.”

“What do you think he meant by a loony alchemist on the east side?” asked Auren quietly, fearing Odin was still listening even from so great a distance.

“I don’t know,” said Ethan. “I’ve never heard of him speak of any kind of loony
man, especially not a witch.”

“Not a
witch —
an alchemist. They’re into metals and herbal stuff. My father has spoken of alchemists, but I have never seen one,” said Auren.

“Well, whatever he is — we should go check him out,” Ethan said with a devious smile.

“Are you
mad
?” exclaimed Auren. “Why would we go and do that? That’s all I need is for my father to find out I’m up to no good again — just got off the hook for that toad incident.” He was speaking of when they had collected forty-two toads and set them free in Margret Tanbe’s house.

“Well you can stay here if you want, but I’m going,” said Ethan defiantly.

“Fine, I’ll go, but let’s at least wait until nightfall. It would be bad enough if we got caught, but sneaking around in the daytime is just
stupid
,” replied Auren.

“Well then, I will meet you behind the store at nightfall,” said Ethan.

Chapter 2
Alchemy’s Plump Cat

As night drew near, Ethan made his way out of the house. He skipped down the staircase and headed for the back of Vincent’s store. The sun was now setting, and it was quiet throughout the neighborhood. He did not see any townsfolk out for a stroll, any kids playing with wooden swords in preparation for tomorrow’s match, or any nosy neighbors poking their noses out of the softly lit windows. No, there was no sneaking involved. Ethan more or less had a casual walk down the dirt path that led to the old store and waited near some empty barrels for Auren. Soon enough, Auren came with a seemingly discouraged attitude.

“I still think this is a bad idea,” said Auren insistently. This was not the first thing Ethan wanted to hear out of Auren’s mouth. He thought about all the bad ideas Auren had come up with in the past, and how they would generally rush in without thought or care of the consequences. He thought that Auren may be reluctant to endure a possible scolding from his father, or worse, from his Mum.

“It’s nice to see you too, Auren,” said Ethan smartly.

“Ok then, can we just get this over with?”

They made their way through the night to the east side of town. As they walked, a fog started to settle in and a chill had worked its way down Ethan’s spine.

“It feels strange over here,” whispered Auren.

“What do you mean — you’re not
scared
are you?” asked Ethan sarcastically.

“
No
, but something’s not right — feels odd, is all.”

The air seemed to get thick and Ethan’s chest grew heavy. He started to realize what Auren was feeling. He wondered what they would do if someone jumped out and attacked them. At length, they came to a small wooded area covered in heavy fog that encased a small hut. Ethan could not believe that in such a small village, he had not discovered this place until now.

Suddenly, a loud howl came from the distance. Ethan could feel the hair on the back of his neck standing up. He quickly knelt down next to Auren, who had his finger over his lips.

“Shhh, did you hear that?” whispered Auren, looking from one side to the other, trying to determine the origin of the howl.

“What was it?” Ethan was slightly relieved that he was not hearing things but grew more alarmed at the thought of some creature getting closer to them.

“Shh!” prompted Auren. “It sounds like a wild boar.”

A snorting sound was coming from the brush by the dwelling. The boys crept closer to the hut. It sat on short stilts which made it appear to float in the dense fog. The roof was thatched with leaves and brush.

“Gnnuhhhh!” The noise appeared to be getting louder. “Gnnuuhhh … gnnwuaa …”

The boys reared up, and were given a start as the noise came from directly behind them. Auren fell forward on his face, and Ethan gave a slight gasp.

A chubby cat ambled its way through the brush; it leered at them and snorted. As it waddled toward them, Ethan could hear it gasping as if walking toward them was an exhausting effort.

“Gave you a bit of a scare?” snickered Auren.

“And I suppose you fell down looking for licorice root?” Ethan retorted.

The fat cat gave them a filthy look, and started to walk by. Suddenly it stopped with one front paw still in the air and looked just past them.

“WHO IS THERE?” came a shrieking voice. “I say, whoever is there, I warn you, I have a most ferocious animal here that will rip you to
shreds
!” The fat cat started rolling around in the dirt and continued snorting.

“
Gnnuhhhh
.”

Ethan realized the shrieking voice was referring to the chubby cat and he couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. Just then a short old man approached the two boys who were on the ground. He was quite silly-looking in appearance; he was balding a bit with tufts of grey hair sticking out here and there. His clothes were tattered and worn. His face seemed aged like a prune. And at the moment, he appeared exceedingly irritated.

The old man’s wrinkles were bulging against his beady eyes as he approached the boys. “I say, are you laughing at my beast?” queried the odd-looking man.

“Well, he does look a bit silly,” said Auren with a grin on his face.

“
She
…” corrected the old man, “…is one of the most
ferocious
felines in the land, I will have you know, and you can take that as a fact, because I said it is so, and so it is what I said it is. There are evil creatures about, but they never bother me because brave Ivy is out here protecting my dwelling — doubt that would you? Such a small village and many strange faces coming through lately — here Ivy has caught you two, but you must not be strange folk since she has not
torn
you limb from limb!”

The two boys stared at each other blankly.

“You should feel very lucky just now I say,” continued the old man. “Now come, come inside boys, before other dangerous creatures appear from the night.”

He shooed them in the direction of the hut and they made their way inside. Ivy gave them a stare as the door closed, then the chubby feline continued to roll in the dirt and let out loud snorts.

The inside of the hut was cluttered with maps and strange glass containers — some of which appeared to be empty, and others that appeared to be full of partially congealing liquid. There were also some odd-looking mechanical devices sitting on a desk. They had a dull look to them and appeared to be half-way assembled, with parts and chunks of metal lying about.

“Cats … are one of the most powerful creatures around.” The old man continued his speech without intermission. “They watch all, are commanded by none, and guard those whom matter most, and
most
is where and when the time that guarding is needed.”

“You know,” challenged Auren with a grin on his face, “she looks kinda fat and lazy to me.”

“
Fat
?” argued the old man. “She eats what she kills, she does. You may think Ivy is
lazy
but mark my words,” he got very quiet and serious, “cats are protectors of man and you will learn that before too long.”

“Now then, my name is Wegnel the Alchemist and you may call me Wegnel the Alchemist. What is it that I can do for you?”

Ethan looked at Auren, and Auren back at Ethan. “Do for us, sir?” asked Ethan.

“Sir? Do you see a sir? You may address me as Wegnel the Alchemist.” Wegnel paused and then continued, “yes yes, what do you need, you do not mean to tell me that you show up unscathed at my door with no need of
healing
, or age-implementing potion, turning ore into gold, or some kind of mathematical equation for solving the mysteries of the
universe
?” He looked surprised and somewhat riled up. “Ahh, maybe you came for something
more
then, yes maybe you came to see another plane of existence, to seek the challenge of the other side, to discover what it is and is not to dwell upon, for those questions that linger inside your head when you sit in the dark at your home, in your sleep, or in your dreams….”

Ethan was disturbed and Auren was beginning to look rather bored. “Uh, no thanks,” said Ethan. “Actually, it’s best if we get going now or Auren’s father will certainly give us a reason to require healing.”

Auren looked up. “Not to worry, Ethan, we’re
fine
. Father said I can stay out
all night
,” he added with a smirk on his face.

Ethan knew Auren was exacting his revenge for being dragged out at his protest. Ethan shot him a look, and Auren continued to smile.

“What’s the matter? Are you a non-believer in alchemy, that the twists and twines of the universe are solely derived to suit your needs, that the Norse and the Mitan and the Humans all live in one giant miscollaborated coincidence?” asked Wegnel mischievously.

“Ahh, we
really
must get going,” said Ethan awkwardly.

He grabbed Auren and headed toward the door.

“Thanks for havin’ us in then,” said Ethan over his shoulder as they scurried out, past the fat cat and into the night.

“
Gnnnuuuuaaaa
,” snorted the cat as they disappeared into the fog.

The boys set off at a brisk pace in hopes of returning before Auren’s father noticed he was gone.

“Well, Odin was right about one thing — Sir Wegnel the Alchemist is a loony,” panted Ethan, partially out of breath.

“I thought he was brilliant,” said Auren sarcastically.

Ethan sneered at him.

“Hey,
you
were the one who dragged me out tonight,” shrugged Auren. “Now I’d better get running before my father finds out where we’ve been — gotta sneak back in the house.”