The Elf King (49 page)

With warm smiles and
handshakes, the family greeted them. Small bits of information were
passed along in the exchange, mostly names and the admittance that
they were lost and Aless had found them. Personal information was
kept secret, along with the purpose of their mission. Corwon
relieved the group of their weapons, taking the swords and daggers
away to be concealed, telling Kamen and the others that weapons
were of no use. Qenn and Kandish urged Kamen and Prevost to submit,
and they did so reluctantly. The whole process lasted a few
minutes, and when it was finished, Corwon invited them back to have
breakfast.

“
Come, friends, let your
new family feed you! May the new chosen hear their
call!”

Kandish moved in close to
Qenn’s ear, without making it look suspicious. “Some sort of a
cult?”

“
They seem friendly
enough.” Qenn whispered back, his face showing nothing of his
concern. He watched the large family turn and disperse. “I could
eat something.”

Prevost agreed, thinking
something through. “I have a feeling that these people had nothing
to do with Wix’s death.”

“
I don’t trust them,” Kamen
spit. “Don’t tell them anything.”

Corwon led the way, his
family following, leaving their guests to trail behind. They were
heading towards a long tarp tent nestled in the center of their
huts. Corwon held the flap doors open, and the group entered in a
single file. Corwon’s smile never lessened. His eyes never left the
newcomers.

“
It’s always good to have
new faces,” Corwon said as Qenn and Kandish arrived, walking a step
in front of Prevost and Kamen.

Qenn smiled in return,
remaining quiet, entering in behind Kandish. As Kamen Ode reached
the door, Corwon stopped him. He stared into Kamen’s eyes for a
second before speaking, making the other feel
uncomfortable.

“
You carry a great burden,
friend.” Corwon said softly.

“
I’m fine,” grunted Kamen
in return.

Prevost stepped in between
them, whispering to Corwon. “Excuse him. His mother just passed. We
are all still grieving.”

Corwon looked sad. He
motioned for them to enter the tent. “Please, join us for breakfast
and put all grievances behind. Only life exists here.”

Prevost accepted the
invitation, leading Kamen Ode inside.

Within the tent, there was
a stone and brick fireplace with burning wood and cooking
implements lined up, a long picnic table at its center, and the
family was seating themselves on both sides, filling the length.
Kandish, Qenn, Prevost, and Kamen were offered to sit near the
middle of the table next to Aless, who out of them all seemed
genuinely happy. Women began to pass out plates of fruits and
vegetables as Corwon took his seat at the far end of the table,
where a large plate of food was already prepared. No one ate or
drank until Corwon let them.

“
Let’s give thanks.” Corwon
bowed his head and closed his eyes. The others did the same,
holding hands.

Kandish looked at Qenn with
raised eyebrows. She whispered, “I was right.”

“
We thank
you for the meal we are about to receive. To the health that we all
have. And to the One who gives us life, of which we cannot live
without. May the
Waters
bless our minds and actions.”

Corwon opened his eyes, and
with a bright smile concluded, “Let us eat.”

As one, the family began to
eat. Conversations were light, all eyes seemingly focused on the
newcomers, who ate with uncertainty. Aless looked up to Kandish and
smiled. Kandish returned the greeting, and then found herself doing
the same to everyone.

“
So, newcomers,” Corwon
began, staring down the length of the table to Qenn and Kandish,
“tell us about yourselves. What brings you out into the abyss of
the Pikes?”

“
Our friend was killed last
night. We thought that maybe you would know why.” Kamen’s voice was
challenging.

“
Sorry to
hear that. Seems death is following you everywhere. Everywhere but
here.” Kamen’s look made Corwon restate himself. “No, we would not
have anything to do with your friend’s death. That’s absurd. But
death is out there, my friends. You cannot escape it. Only in
the
LifeWaters
can you be safe. Only here.”

“
We won’t be staying,” Qenn
said quietly, not wishing to offend anyone.

“
Where are you from?” a man
called out from the far end of the table.

“
The south.” Kamen replied
quickly.

“
What brings you—” another
asked just as quick.

Kamen cut off the question
even quicker. “Passing through.”

“
To where?” someone else
asked instantly.

“
On a perilous journey,
perhaps?” Corwon excited the already curious group. His smile
flashing brilliantly. “Running from something. Evil, perhaps?
Death, even?”

Kamen Ode this time did not
have an instant reply. And the gap in their response allowed Corwon
to continue.

“
Oh come now. We have no
secrets here. Not with family. Surely the staff the elf carries is
of some power. He is far too young, too able to be in need of
walking assistance. And the look, the burden, you all carry on your
faces—”

“
What we are doing is of no
importance to you,” Kamen growled, only silencing them
momentarily.

“
Of course.” Corwon replied
happily. “No need to pry. Silly me. Where are my manners? You’re
guests! Eat. Drink!”

Aless looked up to Kandish.
Her voice was soft and low. “There’s nothing to hide. You can tell
us.”

Questions rose from the
family in a steady swarm of curious eyes and permanent grins. They
all wanted to know if Corwon was right. If Qenn’s staff was
magical. If they were in danger. Their faces were flush with
excitement. Their questions were more than the group wanted to
acknowledge.

“
Settle down, settle down.
Let them breathe!” Corwon laughed.

The family stopped their
direct questions, but talked to each other about the newcomers.
Their questions did not stop, they were simply redirected. Kamen
and Prevost picked at their food, not enjoying the spotlight at
all. Qenn ate his fill regardless of all the prying eyes. And
Kandish politely finished her plate, with Aless watching her every
bite.

“
Your eyes are very
pretty,” Aless said to Kandish, who blushed.

“
Thank you, Aless. So are
yours.”

“
Are you special, like
Corwon says?” Her voice was almost a whisper, her eyes sparkling
with hope.

Kandish paused. She began
to stutter her response. “Everyone is special.”

Aless stared at her as
though she knew Kandish cheated her out of an answer. A man walked
into the tent then, tall and square, his black hair kept short and
wild, his face angered instantly by the new faces. Tension grew
immediately.

“
Newcomers?” the man asked
right away, sitting down across from them.

Corwon’s smile disappeared
altogether then. He had a general disdain for the other man that
was obvious to everyone. He did not bother to hide it. “Nice of you
to join us, Kev Wah.”

“
What are your names?” Kev
Wah paid no attention to Corwon. He was served a plate of fruit and
began eating as if he had nothing in his stomach.

“
They are—” Corwon began,
but was sternly interrupted.

“
Let them speak for
themselves.” Kev Wah still did not look in Corwon’s direction. His
eyes focused solely on the newcomers.

“
We are just passing
through,” Prevost said in a calm fashion. He attempted a friendly
smile towards Kev Wah, but none was returned.

“
Of course. But you still
have names. Don’t you?”

“
I’m Kandish, this is Qenn,
Prevost, and Kamen.” Kandish looked at the other man, seeing the
anger in his eyes, and feeling resentment from him.

“
You kill anyone last
night?” Kamen Ode asked Kev Wah.

“
What?” Kev Wah was
stunned. “How could I?”

“
A friend of theirs died on
their journey through the Pikes.” Corwon stated.

Kev Wah grinned. “Then he
was lucky.”

“
Don’t push your negativity
onto them, Kev Wah.” Corwon was upset.

“
Of course. We’re all one
happy family!” Kev Wah announced, heavily with sarcasm, turning
towards Corwon, who looked away. The room was quiet
then.

“
We’re not staying long,”
Kamen Ode said, nearly growling at Kev Wah.

“
Really?” Kev Wah began
laughing. “Is that a fact? That’s what we all-”

“
Alright then!” Corwon
stood and shouted, drowning out all other voices. “Our guests look
tired. Let them enjoy all the hospitality that we have to offer.
Aless, help them with what they require: clean clothes, food,
sleep.”

People stood and began to
leave the tent, others walking around talking in small groups, all
of them speaking of the newcomers, all of them watching. Kev Wah
rose from the table and walked over to speak with Corwon. The
conversation did not look friendly.

“
Looks like not everyone
here is smiling,” Prevost stated.

“
It’s the one smiling that
bothers me.” Kamen Ode grabbed a handful of grapes, staring down
the table to Corwon and Kev Wah.

Kandish was nudged in the
side by Qenn, who motioned for her to ask Aless. Kandish leaned
down to Aless and quietly spoke. “Why are those men so angry with
each other, Aless?”

“
Kev Wah is always angry.
They are both fighting for Head rights.” Aless whispered to
Kandish. “Have been for a while now. Nobody else cares to be in
control. There’s no point.”

“
What do you
mean?”

Aless smiled. “Neither can
change anything. Only Kev Wah won’t accept it. He wanted Corwon to
give a message to the
LifeWaters
once, but Corwon rejected him.”

Kandish nodded. There was
more to the story than what she was told, but she did not want to
get involved. Whatever their problem was, it would most likely not
be settled in the short time of their stay. Kamen was right. They
needed to get out of there as soon as possible, she thought. An
elderly woman appeared at her side then with a large pitcher of
water. She set it down between Kandish and Qenn, handing them each
a cup. She placed two more cups next to Prevost before walking
away.

“
Good. I’m thirsty for
fresh water.” Qenn said next to her. He picked up the water pitcher
and filled his cup.

Kandish lifted up her cup.
A small strip of cloth fell off the bottom of the cup on to her
plate. She saw writing on it, and at once covered her hand over it.
“Qenn.” She pulled on his hand, just as his cup was about to reach
his lips. She set his cup down and showed him the note.

Qenn looked over at her
hand. She lifted it up, revealing the strip of cloth. The words on
it read:
DONT DRINK THE
WATER
.

Kandish closed her fingers
over the cloth right away. She casually looked around the tent to
see if anyone had noticed, but it seemed they had not. They looked
over to Prevost and Kamen, both of them having a cup of water in
front of them. Qenn shook his head at Prevost, then whispered the
warning into his ear. Prevost did the same to Kamen, who stood
immediately.

“
We need to find what we
came for then get out of here.”

Kandish grabbed the cloth
as she stood, secretly removing it as to draw no further attention
to them. She announced to Aless that they would like someplace to
rest for a while.

Aless stood with a smile.
“Follow me.”

The young girl led them out
of the eating tent and across the village, passing by a few
gardens, flush with healthy vegetables and fruits, to a small hut,
where she entered at once. Her charges followed without question,
entering the hut to find a few beds and Aless quickly arranging two
more.

“
Aless,” Kandish began, “is
this where you live?”

Aless placed blankets onto
the newly made beds with a smile. “No.”

Kamen paced the room, his
face full of concern. Aless walked up to him when she was finished
and motioned for him to lie down.

“
You can think about things
while you’re sleeping.” She turned to them all, one by one, telling
them they need rest, offering them a bed. They did as they were
asked, and she smiled happily. “I’ll see you when you
wake.”

With each of them lying
down, Aless left the hut. When she was gone, the group began
speaking quietly.

“
Who do you think warned
us?” Qenn asked, sitting upright in his bed, looking at each of
them.

“
It could have been any of
them.” Prevost laid on his back with his eyes closed.

“
I can think of one man
that it wasn’t.” Kamen also sat up in his bed. “Their leader has
some issues. We need to keep an eye on him.”