Rojuun (23 page)

Liselle’s mouth opened in shock for a
moment. Then she giggled as Vevin and Sir Danth burst into
laughter. “Very well, Cousin. I just don’t like the idea of things
like freak shows.”

The party ate their dinner and talked
awhile, musing over the Rojuun who had played the song. They
discussed his robes, the grace with which he moved and the music
that he played. Afterwards, Hulda escorted them to their rooms. Sir
Danth went with them to see where the rooms were before going back
down to the common room. Vevin followed Liselle to her room and
instantly curled up on the carpet. It bothered Tathan that the
dragon was so enamored of his cousin. He didn’t know what could be
done about it though and Liselle seemed rather determined to make
her own decisions.

Tathan sat on his bed after taking a bath.
He listened to the sounds of the city outside his window. It was
good to be back in a city. It felt like home more than the valley
ever had and certainly more than the Druid’s forest.

After things became quiet, Tathan went to
the window. He studied the buildings across the street as well as
the street itself. There wasn’t anyone watching the inn. He didn’t
have any reason to think there would be, but always liked to make
sure. When he was positive no one would see, Tathan jumped out of
his second floor window to the street below. A quick tumble and he
was on his feet, quietly walking up the street to explore the
city.

Chapter
20

A gentle mountain breeze brushed against
Tathan’s cheeks in the clear night air. Most large cities he had
lived in reeked of unwashed people, trash and other such odors, but
Puujan was clean with no trash in the streets.

Streetlights with a blue-tinted magical glow
made it easy for him to see. Villages were often lit by torch, as
were the slums of larger cities. The richest had magical lights
lining the streets. Most extraordinary of all was Dralin, a city of
magicians and business where the lights were multicolored and
chaotic.

Tathan looked at the buildings as he walked
up the street. Shutters were occasionally open and nowhere did he
see bars protecting the windows to keep thieves out. It bothered
him more than if there
had
been bars. There were different
ways to deal with thieves in a city. If there were no bars in the
windows, it meant there would be a way to deal with thieves that
would deter them from even wanting to enter a window.

The street led to a large, well-lit plaza
with an ornate fountain in the middle. A few people moved about
their business. He stood at the corner of the street to study them
awhile. Siahray was large in the sky and a Rojuun woman was sitting
at an easel by the fountain, painting it. A group of young men and
women walked through the place on their way to begin a night out on
the town. Others looked to be on their way home from whatever jobs
they had. One man had flowers and an eager look on his face, most
likely going to meet his sweetheart.

The one thing Tathan
didn’t
see was
anyone else watching the plaza. It was a prime spot for a rogue to
find targets, yet he could see no one lurking in the few shadows
that existed. There also didn’t appear to be any guards about.
Nothing about Puujan was right to Tathan. Tathan decided to head
toward the mountain side of the city. Perhaps there would be
something there.

Halfway down the next street Tathan tumbled
to the side, coming up with sword in hand. He swung at the air
around him twice, not hitting anything. A cold sweat broke out over
his body. Nothing was there. He lashed out at the air in anger.
Illumination from streetlights was hungrily sucked into the dark
blade.

He swung his sword through the air a few
more times to punish it for being empty. Someday the air might get
cranky at him for the abuse, but he didn’t care. After sliding the
sword back into its sheath, Tathan continued up the street.

A moment later, he saw one of the Rojuun
gliding in his direction. It moved much like the one in the inn and
wore a colorful robe of swirled blue and yellow. Tathan stayed to
his side of the street, watching the creature out of the corner of
his eye.

The Rojuun angled to approach him. “You will
assist me human.” It gestured at Tathan’s sword. “You wear a weapon
at your side and you walk in the ways of the stalstalkuur which
hunts deep caves looking for prey.”

This Rojuun, like the one from the inn,
spoke with two voices at once. Tathan looked closely at the throat
and noticed that it was especially thick. He wondered if perhaps
there was more than one windpipe in their necks. “Yes, I wear a
sword, though I’ve never heard of a stalstalkuur.”

“I need humans good with weapons. There will
be danger and pay. You will get more humans with weapons and come
to my house for your assignment,” it demanded pleasantly.

“Oh . . . umm . . . where exactly is your
house?” It took all of Tathan’s effort not to rebel against being
told what to do.

“I am Jarrrn Garrrn and my house is in a
place.” The Rojuun rolled the r sound in his names with both
voices.

“Uhh . . . alright. My friends are good with
weapons, but they’re asleep. Do you need me to wake them and come
now?” Tathan asked.

“Yes. The danger is urgent and human
warriors are needed now.” With that, Jarrrn Garrrn turned around
and glided back the way he came.

Tathan stood there stupidly for a moment
before following. It was easy as Jarrrn never looked back to see if
anyone was behind him.

Before long, they were in the Rojuun
District at the base of the mountains. The houses were a riot of
colors. Their yards had grass with trees manicured in various
shapes. Tathan paused for a moment to take it all in. It was as
though someone had given a child a rainbow and chisel and then let
him loose upon the city.

He turned to search for Jarrrn Garrrn who
was far down the street. Tathan hurried to keep up. In a moment, he
was within range of the Rojuun who turned right onto another street
heading closer to the mountain. Tathan saw him walking past a few
houses before entering a gate.

It was a dark blue house with yellow and
green highlights. Odd shaped bushes filled the yard. Night flowers,
which worshipped moonlight, were blooming while flowers needing
sunlight remained closed for the night. The wings on the house were
predominately yellow with green tingeing the outer edges.

Tathan headed back to the inn. Now that he
had found the house, he would be able to return here anytime.
Tathan had a perfect memory for anywhere he had ever been. Even in
the city of Dralin he had been able to retrace his steps though
wizards had a habit of casting spells to confuse people who passed
by their towers.

It didn’t take long to get back to the White
Tree Inn. He thought about climbing back into his window, but chose
to walk in the front door instead. A quick scan of the room showed
that Hulda was gone and a different bartender was cleaning up.

Sir Danth was sitting at their original
table with his back still against the wall. He looked at Tathan,
then at the stairs to the rooms and then back again. Tathan grinned
and jerked his head for the knight to follow him. They went up the
stairs to Liselle’s room and knocked on the door. Vevin opened it,
smiling and bobbing. He stood aside to let them in.

Liselle was sitting up on the edge of the
bed, wiping the sleep out of her eyes. Her hair was mostly dry
after the bath she had taken before bed. It glistened in the purple
ball of light Vevin had cast near the ceiling.

Tathan took a seat on the one simple chair
in the room. Sir Danth stood just inside of the door while Liselle
remained sitting on the bed in her night robe. Vevin, incapable of
standing still, shuffled from side to side.

“While walking along a street, one of the
Rojuun came up to me. His name was Jarrrn Garrrn.” Tathan did his
best to repeat the name, but his tongue didn’t roll as easily.
“That’s not exactly how it sounded, but it’s as close as I can get
with only one voice.”

“What did he want?” Sir Danth asked.

“He ordered me to get more people with
weapons and come to his house for an assignment,” Tathan told
them.

“Ordered you, Cousin?” Liselle asked with a
raised eyebrow. “I can’t imagine that went over well.”

He chuckled in response. “I didn’t like it,
but wasn’t about to cause problems. They give orders in a nice
tone, but they’re definitely orders. I’m not sure what would happen
if I refused or didn’t respond.”

“We are looking for work here with the
Rojuun,” Sir Danth said. “It would make sense to accept, especially
if they want people with weapons.” He touched the hilt of his sword
over his shoulder. “I believe you to be capable with a sword while
Master Vevin is a dragon. But regardless of how capable either of
you are, I can handle any danger that comes our way. There is
little that can stand against me short of an army. Or a dragon,” he
admitted with a glance at Vevin.

Vevin did a little spin and grinned at Sir
Danth.

“I’m sure the three of us can handle any
danger we may be asked to face,” Tathan said.

“Well then, you won’t need me, will you?”
Liselle said in a dangerous tone. Her jaw was set and her cheeks
were flushed with anger.

“We meant no offense Milady. You may travel
with us, but we will need you to stay aside should danger
approach.” It was probably the worst thing Sir Danth could have
said.

“Of course I should. I will stand aside like
a weak little girl who is obviously not capable of doing anything
worthwhile due to the fact that she does not possess a sword.”
There was blue fire in Liselle’s eyes. Sir Danth noticed this and
took a step back, bumping into the door. The young woman was now
standing and projected an aura of menace worse than Tathan had seen
in the field of flowers. He was very glad there were no flowers in
the room.

“I sincerely apologize, Milady.” Sir Danth
was repentant. “Your ability is very calm most of the time. I did
not see the power within you.” The knight stood straighter and put
his fist to his chest. “For this, I apologize.”

Liselle stared at him and then turned her
attention to the other two, staring each of them down. “I don’t
like killing and will leave matters requiring violence to you.
But!” she said with a pointed finger in the air. “Do not make the
mistake of thinking that I will meekly stand aside and cower like a
little girl. When my abilities are needed, I will do my best to use
them.” She became unsure of herself, the fire dying from her eyes.
“I don’t fully understand them to be honest with you. I’m still
learning.”

“Of course, Milady. We will not restrict
you,” Sir Danth said reassuringly. “It is customary for companions
to know each other’s manner of battle. I suggest we discuss basic
tactics so that we may account for each other.”

“Good idea,” Tathan said.

Sir Danth folded his arms behind his back.
“To be honest, I have not fought a battle in centuries. I’ve kept
my skills sharp through drills though.”

“That’s wise,” Tathan said. “It would’ve
been easy to ignore them. I’d imagine you need a good amount of
room to swing that beast,” he said, pointing at the hilt above the
knight’s shoulder.

“Aye. It would be best to let me take a good
lead ahead of the group, say twenty paces or so. I can handle the
first hundred of anything that should try to attack us, but
sometimes things get through.”

They stared at the knight, realizing that he
wasn’t boasting. Tathan spoke up next. “I’m good at scouting ahead.
I’ll be able to let you know what’s coming and how many, then I can
drop back and handle anything that gets past Sir Danth.”

“Good plan,” Sir Danth agreed. “I like it. A
scout is always useful and can save lives.” He turned to Liselle.
“And you, Milady, what do you know that you are able to do?”

“I’m good with a bow, but it’s in the Druid
village. Besides that, I’m able to create blue fire and talk to
flowers. It doesn’t sound like much, but . . .” she trailed off,
not knowing how to quantify her abilities.

Tathan came to her defense. “I’ve seen the
fire. It’s substantial and capable of damage. My cousin has good
control over it as well.” He paused, unable to say that a field of
flowers had intimidated him. “I don’t know how things will work
with the flowers, but I feel that it’ll come in valuable at some
point.”

Liselle gave him a thankful smile for the
support. “I also have some healing abilities, so should anyone
receive injuries, which aren’t life threatening, I can help.

“Oh yes! You made my cheek feel much
better,” Vevin said.

“Excellent. That leaves you, Master Vevin,”
Sir Danth said. “I know you are a dragon in human form. How do you
fight when something attacks you?” Tathan was curious to know the
answer to that as well.

Vevin stopped dancing. There was a puzzled
look on his face. “I usually just eat them, or slash their throat
with a claw if I’m not hungry, or destroy them with lightning or
magic.” He ran a hand through his purple hair. “I haven’t been
attacked very often, being a dragon and all.”

“Are you able to cast the lightning and
magic in human form, Master Vevin?” Sir Danth asked.

Vevin breathed in, filling up his lungs.
When he exhaled, a purple mist came out of his mouth and spread
around his body. Small bolts of lightning ran through the fog. His
liquid-silver eyes swirled and his hair ruffled from the magical
wind only he could feel.

With one large inhale, the lightning charged
mist disappeared back into his mouth. Vevin stood with arms out
wide and head up in a grand gesture. And then he began a magic
dance with extra spins. They applauded him. Not only had the dragon
made it seem effortless, but he also had style.