Questing Sucks (Book 1) (6 page)

“Yes.”

Suhn narrowed his eyes and snarl. He held this look of contempt a mere second before tilting back his head and roaring with laughter. “Oh, Sehn, you have never changed, not since you were but a small boy. An odd one you’ve always been, but nevertheless the pride of my life.”

Sehn felt as if he’d been punched, his eyes widening. “What did you say to me, father? You dare speak that way to—”

Suhn held up a hand, and Sehn backed off. He was not in the mood to start another fight with his father. He had lost the last forty-seven battles, but only because each time he wasn’t ready and-or extremely unlucky.

Suhn looked over to Patrick, and again, Sehn thought he saw a sign of recognition, as if the two knew each other. More so, for a brief moment Patrick had nodded. Sehn blocked the thoughts from his mind. He must’ve been imagining things.

Suhn put a strong grip on Sehn’s shoulders. “Sehn, I know you wish to go soon. So I will make this quick, boy, and you will listen.” Sehn grunted but decided to let the fool speak.

“I have always known what you are—stop nodding your head in approval; it’s not what you’re thinking. You may not wish to admit it to me or, for that matter, even yourself, but I have always been proud of you. For years I allowed others to think differently to spare your odd, twisted feelings, but just for this one moment I will not. I have always known of the things you have done, the ridiculous lengths that you have gone to hide them, and furthermore, what lies in here.” Suhn pounded his fist against his heart.

“Father, what lies in my heart is nothing more than a cold thirst for power and glory!”

Suhn breathed a sigh and shook his head. “Very well, you are different from all other Elves, and so you act like this. It is your choice as you are who you are. But nevertheless, there are still things a father wishes to say to his son. I know that somewhere these words will reach you—and stop shaking your head no.”

“Sehn, there are things out in the world you’re not ready for—silence! I have not finished speaking. You are not yet twenty-one seasoned, and while you may be strong, you are not the strongest.”

Sehn struggled under his father’s grip, but he couldn’t budge. This was the weirdest behavior he’d ever seen his father display.

“What I really want to say to you, Sehn, what I hope you will take with you always, is that if we never meet again, know that I have, and always will love you. Stop squirming, Sehn. I need you to hear this for my sake if not for your own.”

“Father, why are you making such a big deal of this?” Sehn grumbled. “It’s just a treasure hunt. I’ll be back in time to have my statue built.”

Suhn laughed. “As hard as it may be to believe, your mother had your exact personality, Sehn. Do you know when I first met her she tried to capture me and sell me as a slave? I wish you could’ve met her. You two would have spent hours fighting. There would be no place in the entire city that yelling would not have been heard. She was a special woman, Sehn, and meant as much to me as you do. Wherever you go, wherever fate takes you, know this, my son. I will always love you, and hope you return home again.”

Sehn couldn’t take it anymore. He kneed his father in the gut and pulled away. Suhn laughed, furthering Sehn’s anger.

“Father, when I return home with my treasure, you will feel so foolish for this unmanly display of affection. I shall personally
fuc
—”

“Sehn!” his father roared, stopping Sehn in his tracks. “You know better than to use that Human tongue you’ve developed in front of me. Now, off with you. The gates cannot remain open all day. Remember what I have said, and be safe. May the Goddess Helena protect you.”

Sehn had no idea what’d happened, and he wasn’t sure what the appropriate emotion was, so he turned to his three companions and improvised.

“Everything you have just seen was an illusion that I created using magic. It is a secret spell, thus if I hear any of you three speak of this ever again, I will execute you. Now, let us be gone from this dump.”

Chapter 6: Sehn Hates Plants, Horses, and Heat

As Sehn and his four servants trotted along the narrow road, the trees became increasingly sparser. Within the first quarter day of their journey, no more trees could be seen, truly putting Elvar behind them.

The Harrow-Plains were just North of Elvar, a stretch of land so vast that they ran all the way to Koringrath. It was here that the four of them had done most of their hunting together as many wild and exotic creatures inhabited the plains, including the much-feared Cockalith.

The narrow road that led toward Koringrath was almost unnecessary. Horses had no problem navigating the smooth, shallow grass that made up the land. It was a bright sunny day, and nature was in full force. Birds of prey attacked smaller creatures while faster ones scurried away from larger predators.

Off to the left, Sehn spotted a humongous silver creature with four horns and seven legs. It kicked up dirt as it bolted after a smaller rodent-thing. The creature trampled it, flipping it up into the air off its horns, and then opened its mouth as the small rodent landed inside, the crunch of bone audible to Sehn’s ears. The silver creature then turned and disappeared back into thicker grass.

Due to the lack of trees, the powerful summer sun bore down on the backs of the men, causing profuse sweating among the four of them. Well, the three of them. The Great Sehn did not sweat—he merely secreted excess victory.

The horses were sweating profusely. Despite their slowed pace, they frequently had to stop to water the animals and allow them to graze. It would be a five-day trip across the Harrow-Plains, and Sehn didn’t want the stupid beasts dying on him before they made it halfway.

With a kick, Sehn’s horse sped up to ride alongside Patrick.

“How are we on time?” Sehn asked.

Patrick looked off into the distance. “We had a good start. By my estimation, we are on as fast a track as possible. But Sehn, we do need to discuss something.”

“And that is?”

“I know you don’t want to hear this but you need to. Believe me, Sehn, you really do. You’ve never traveled beyond Koringrath, and you don’t know what people are like beyond the lands you know as home.”

Patrick sighed. “The world is not the place you think you know. There is unspeakable cruelty in this world, much of it I don’t know if you’re ready to handle, and stop glaring at me, Sehn. It’s imperative you understand what’s out there. It’s not just people, but monsters as well. Once on my travels, I'd even spotted a five-headed cobra. And let me tell you, the problem with beheading a five-headed cobra is that there are five heads to behead.”

Sehn laughed. “There is nothing to worry about, Patrick. I am here.” Sehn’s horse continued to breathe heavy and pant. “Hmm, I think it’s time to rest the horses again. This creature is sweating so much that I’m surprised it’s still sweating at all.”

Patrick nodded. “Very well, I suppose we can give them a few minutes rest.” He raised his voice. “Daniel, Rillith, halt the wagon. Grab our supplies and let’s stop for a mid-day meal.”

The wagon slowed. When the mid-sized wagon came to a halt, Daniel, in one swift motion, hopped off his mount while the horse was still walking. Patrick laughed and raised himself into the air upside-down in a double handstand and then pushed off, landing elegantly on the ground. Rillith, too, did a similar maneuver, but this time using only one hand.

They dare challenge the Great Sehn!

Sehn stood directly atop his horse on both feet, frightening the animal. He leapt backward into the air, flipping multiple times and spinning. He spun once, twice, thrice—only to come crashing head first into the grass, causing a trickle of blood to slide down his forehead.

With an explosion of pain (pleasure), Sehn jumped to his feet and eyed the three with tremendous fury. “That, my friends, is how to do an intentional face-dismount. It is a secret that only I know, so don’t bother asking me to teach you.”

Daniel shrugged and walked to the back of the wagon. He emerged with two brown skins of water, which the horses greedily emptied.

Sehn took a seat on the ground and moaned. As much as he wanted to be rich and have servants, only now, on the very first leg of his journey, had it dawned on him how long all this would take. Rillith took out a cloth and offered it to Sehn for the small gash on his face, but quickly put it away after Sehn challenged him to a fight to the death.

They ate a small lunch of dried fruit and cheese before packing up their belongings and preparing to continue. Sehn finished first and went towards the wagon to pack his uneaten food. He wasn’t as hungry as usual, but he wasn’t about to waste perfectly good cheese, either.

“Sehn, wait!” Daniel shouted as Sehn lifted his left leg to climb into the wagon.

“What now, Daniel?”

“I don’t think you should go in there. Let me put the food away for you.”

“You think I need your ‘assistance’, Daniel? Hah! The Great Sehn requires no help from anyone.”

Daniel seemed agitated, and Sehn thought for a moment he was sweating a bit more than anyone else was. “Sehn, didn’t you say I was your slave? Think about how dishonoring it is for you to go into the wagon and do the work yourself.”

Sehn’s ears twitched. “You do make quite the good point.”

Daniel approached him. “Here, give me the food. I’ll do it for you.”

Sehn raised his hand to give Daniel the food but was startled by a noise from inside the wagon.

Achoo!

“What was that?” Sehn asked. “I thought I just heard something.”

Patrick and Rillith came to stand beside Daniel, and they too carried apprehensive looks. “Sehn, I think you’re just hearing things.”

“Nonsense! I heard something in there. Out of my way, fools.” Sehn pushed his way past the two Humans.

It was dark inside. There were no windows in the wagon. Sehn searched the tight space. There were water skins, wooden barrels containing food, clothing, and other personal items, but everything seemed to be in place. It didn’t appear as if any creature had taken up residence. Sehn turned to leave the wagon.

Achoo!

He whirled around again, certain he’d heard something this time. He bolted to the back of the wagon, towards one of the larger chests, and popped it open. Looking down at the two forms huddled together, Sehn howled in fury.
Why them?

“Yo, Sehn!” said the voice of a little Elf huddled inside the chest. “Is it lunch time yet?”

 

 

“You two are to return home immediately,” Sehn demanded. “This is a direct order from your God-King and lord of all that is in existence, Sehn the almighty!”

Nero and his older sister, Cah’lia, looked at each other before turning their gaze on the three Humans. Rillith was the first to step forward.

“Sehn, that little one was going to follow us no matter what we did. I found him sneaking into the wagon last night. He told me he’d follow us even if we didn’t let him stay, and that he’d only die if he went alone. And while I’m sure the Great Sehn could care less, I’d not want that on my conscience.”

Sehn felt the urge to strangle someone. These two would be nothing but a hindrance— especially Cah’lia!

“I don’t care,” Sehn said. “I shall not allow these two to accompany us. Neither of them will be of any use, and furthermore, have you forgotten what waits in the lands to come? Nero is my greatest disciple—not that his life means anything to me—but if he perishes on this journey, who will spread the word of my heroic deeds?”

Nero chuckled. “Don’t worry, Sehn. I won’t die. Nothing can kill the disciple of Sehn.”

Cah’lia grinned. “And Sehn, have you forgotten that I’m somewhat of a great blades-woman myself? Don’t think I can’t hold my own to any of these men here. You should know what I can do with my dagger. If things get messy, you’ll be glad I came along.”

Then why did you rely on me to go into those cursed woods?
Sehn thought.

Sehn had to admit that Cah’lia was both beautiful and strong, counted as one of the most desirable of Elves. She had soft, colorful cheeks and deep blue eyes. Her body, though slim, was lean, curvy, and muscular in all the right places. She was the same age as Sehn, twenty-seasons, yet she had a maturity about her that made her seem older.

“The only reason I came along is because my little brother made it clear that nothing in this world would stop him from following you. I couldn’t let him come by himself, so here’s the thing; you’re either going to accept both of us, or…well, you don’t have a choice, really.”

Sehn felt as if he would explode at any moment. “Of course I have a choice! The Great Sehn makes all choices. I shall have your ears for this, Nero. Now leave, or I shall drag you home myself.”

“Nope. No way, Sehn. You can’t leave your disciple behind. No way, no way, no way!”

“You little runt! I will
not
have you ruin this for me. What’s going to happen if we come to a fork in the road with a sign, and one way says, ‘To the treasure’, and the other one says, ‘To the swamp of never-ending sorrows’? I know which one you’d take, you little brat, and don’t even give me that look. What if we pass by a mountain called, ‘Mt. you’re fucked if you enter’? You’d surely cause me to fight yet another Gods-cursed abomination. Now beat it! I will be damned if I’m going to stop every leg of this journey just because you decided to run off and aggravate some fucking thirty-headed Dragon God.”

Nero grinned. Rather than back down, he reached into his brown tunic. “Sehn, who in this world is allowed to disobey ya?”

Sehn released a hearty laugh. “None. No one dares to disobey the Great Sehn.”

“Well then in that case, you gotta let my sister and I come along. You signed an official Sehn-Seal.”

Nero pulled the document from his pocket and displayed it to Sehn. Anger swelled up in him as he saw its authenticity. Where had Nero gotten an official Sehn-Seal? In truth, no one may disobey the Great Sehn, not even Sehn himself. It was a paradox, but…