Zachania (6 page)

“There is no
future in the arena Talon. You must trust me on this, and one day
you shall discover for yourself that I speak the truth.”

“But you and
Grandfather both fought in the arena father, if it’s not my destiny
to follow in your footsteps then why have I been skilled in this
way?”

“You have been
skilled in the ways of battle because life can be full of dangers
my son. whatever now comes your way I know you have been prepared,
and yes it is true that I and your Grandfather fought in the arena
but we fought so that my son’s would not have to. I fought and
killed to feed my family and gain respect so that the life’s of my
sons would not be one of poverty.”

“I would gain
respect in the arena father.” Talon interrupted.

“NO!” His
father replied now feeling angered at his sons plea.

“Respect is not
what a gladiator lives on ... He lives on the scraps thrown to him
by affluent Lords and merchants. He risks his life as he solicits
himself to the highest bidder, day by day his wife tends his
wounds… his hands get cut, his face becomes scarred and his body is
beaten and slashed. The heart of a gladiator becomes broke a
hundred times as he uses his blood to earn great riches for evil
men who wage on life only to be thrown a scrap of their hoard, NO
my son this is not what I want for my sons, I will not allow it!, I
took the gashes, I took the breaks and I took many a good man’s
life…. so that my sons could live a more rewarding life than me.
Talon, look at your father!” Tallonus said as he held out his
scarred arms and hands “Look at me!” He shouted.

Talon looked at
his father as his father tried to look sincere, Talon focused on
his father’s scars, his left ear with part of it missing, the scar
on his father’s brow which stretched to his lip, Talon then looked
at his father’s hand which had one finger missing as it was raised
to his battled face.

“But what
struck Talon the most was his father’s blue eyes, for they seemed
not to shine, they looked empty and tired.

“Is this what
you want my son?”

“This will not
be your life ......... Yours will be a life full of reward for I
have earned it with my blood!” Tallonus added.

“I understand
Father.” Talon replied as the reality of his father’s conviction
left him no other choice.

Tallonus
allowed himself a slight smile as he proceeded to read out the
scroll.

On the 42nd day of the
Imperial year 2195 it is hereby made official that Talon, son of
Tallonus of Tallasian. Be given the right of free passage to the
Imperial city of Kallick Town, whence he shall be sworn into the
Imperial Royal Guard to serve in the duty of the Emperor TASH VON
KALLICK`

This honour is granted
from the deeds and duty that the Father Tallonus of Tallasian has
shown in the service of the Empire and the Emperor.

Signed General
Chow.

Once Tallonus
had finished reading he rolled the scroll back up and handed it to
his son. “It is signed by General Chow in Kallick Town himself.”
Tallonus proudly added.

“What must I do
now father?”

“I have given
my word that you will leave at dawn tomorrow.”

“So soon
Father.”

“It is eleven
days journey by horse to Kallick Town; I did not think it good
manners to delay.”

“I understand
father.” Talon regretfully replied as he turned away feeling let
down by him. He did not want this for himself, but once he knew
that his father had given his word to the Empire, then he was left
no other option but to honour it.

Dawn arrived
very quickly for Talon; he had spent the night in a sorry state,
barely able to sleep. All through the night he could hear his
father drinking with his friend’s as they celebrated Talon’s
future.

When the time
came for Talon to leave he joined his family in the schools
courtyard. He saw his mother trying to hide her upset and put on a
proud face and he heard both of his brothers pleading with him not
to leave. Talon looked around the schools surroundings, he was
drawn to an old fence that he had built with his Grandfather when
he was a boy, he gazed upon the small fighting ring where many
hours and days of his young life had been spent practising with the
sword. The roof upon his house that he had spent so much of his
youth climbing up; even the smell of his mother’s flower bed seemed
more intense. He began to realise sadly that it could be years
before he returns home. He hugged his mother and kissed her cheek
with a warmth that surprised her, it was like an unconscious
message to tell her that he did not blame her, next he knelt down
and hugged his two younger brothers but was interrupted by the
sound his drunken father swinging open the kitchen door.

Talon rose to
his feet to stand before his father and waited to be called,
Tallonus held out his arms and the two men embraced.

“Make us proud
son.” his father remarked.

Talon could not
believe his father’s eagerness for him to leave and it made him
realise just how important this was to him. It sent a chill down
Talon’s back to see his father so happy to see him leaving; Talon
wondered whether his father’s happiness was for him or himself.

Talon swallowed
hard and mounted his waiting horse then kicked his heels in deeply
as the horse turned to leave, as Talon rode out of the courtyard he
could hear the words of his father bragging to his friends that his
son was a soldier in the Imperial guard. When Talon reached the
courtyard gates he turned his head to look back at his family, he
saw his father already returning back into the house with his
drunken friends congratulating him. Talons mother Shirose remained
with Talon’s two younger brothers, all three were waving.

Talon jumped
off his horse and ran back to his mother where he fell into her
arms, Talon’s father was already back in the house pouring more ale
no doubt.

“Keep yourself
well my eldest son, I shall think of you every day.” she cried into
his ear

“And I you
mother.” he replied emotionally before kneeling down to his
brothers to hug them both,

“Quickly Talon
if your father sees you have not left, he will be cross.” his
mother sighed,

Talon rose
slowly to his feet ignoring her comment and gave her another
hug.

“If my father
ever feels regret explain to him that I understand.” Talon
whispered

“Quickly Talon
he will punish us if he sees you.” Talon kissed his mother’s cheek
one last time as walked away back to his horse. As he rode out of
the yard he paused at the place where he last saw his Grandfather
“I wish you was here Grandfather, I need you more than ever now.”
he silently whispered.

Talon’s first
task of his journey was to report to the Imperial guard garrison in
the heart of Tallasian. Where he was to receive his travel passes
so he could journey north without hindrance or delay through the
many outpost and towns that he would encounter on his long and
arduous journey.

Talon was given
his passes along with a sketched map and a pouch of twenty Krasos
so he could buy himself supplies along the way.

He then headed
out of the town of Tallasian north towards the foothills of the
Tallasian Mountains.

As he rode he
began to think of his father, he thought of his father’s pride and
how the last vision of him was witnessing his friends patting him
on the back drunken and merry, suddenly Talon’s thought turned to
anger against his father, he felt betrayed by him, joining the
royal guard was not what he wanted, but never the less it was now
the future he was sworn to.

Once Talon left
the civilization of Tallasian he was directed north through the
Imperial Mountain pass of the Tallasian Mountains. He rode through
valleys of immense beauty and he found himself admiring the
landscape. And how the green pastures ran into gentle hillsides
covered with pines. Once Talon reached the foothills he soon became
tiresome of his terrain as he had to weave his way around twists
and turns where on occasions he had to hold his horse tight against
the hillsides to avoid the steep drops that were on many parts of
the pass.

It took him
five days to cross the mountain’s, where finally in the distance he
saw the town of Tavaliso.

Tavaliso was a
small village which lay half a day’s march from the Northern
foothills of the mountains; its sole existence was to cater for
merchants and travellers who were travelling to or from the
inhospitable mountains.

Talon’s own
supplies were now beginning to run low, so the village of Tavaliso
came as a welcome respite.

He dismounted
his horse and tied it outside the nearest tavern, then ventured
inside and walked over to the busy bar where he was met by the
landlord.

“Good sir I am
travelling to Kallick Town and I am in need of supplies to reach
Gansaw.”

“You have come
to the right place friend ........ I can supply you with all you
need and you’ll find no cheaper wares in town.”

Replied a
rather merry landLord.

“Splendid!”
said Talon “But firstly I would like a cool jug of ale.” he
added.

The landlord
filled Talon a large jug of his finest ale and looked impressed
when Talon took a few large gulps.

“Arr., I see
someone who drinks like a man.”

The landlord
then invited Talon to take a seat and make himself comfortable
where he would fetch a list of his supplies over in a short moment.
Talon relaxed in the chair stretching out his legs, five days on
horseback had made his body ache and he felt thankful for the table
in front of him where he could rest his sore and aching limbs.

After a short
while Talon was approached by two men, the two strangers were
dressed in long flowing gowns which Talon immediately recognised as
garments worn for desert travel. One of the men was over six feet
tall and built like an ox “he should be in the arena.” Talon
immediately thought. While his companion was a lot slimmer and of
more feeble build where on his back he carried a huge crossbow.

“Stranger do
you mind if we sit at your table.” the smaller man asked.

“Not at all.”
Talon replied even though the men had sat down anyway.

“I am Bolzar
and this is Zephil.” said the slim man as his large companion
shouted loudly for the landlord.

“I am Talon of
Tallasian and I welcome you to my company.” Talon warmly
replied.

“Argh Tallasian
I have been there many times, the parlours at the docks are
legendary.” replied Bolzar smiling.

“What town are
you from sir?” asked Talon inquisitively.

“It’s been a
long time since I was from a town son.”

“You are
travelling merchants?”

“Travelling
salesman.” replied the big man slightly sarcastic.

“What do you
trade?” Talon then asked innocently just making conversation.

Bolzar suddenly
looked sternly at Talon while Zephils face looked on in surprise,
almost immediately Talon felt the atmosphere turn tense and he
noticed other men looking at him. Zephil sneered at one of them who
in turn quickly turned away. Talon’s intuition quickly told him
that he had made a mistake, it was now very obvious that these two
men were very well known and probably smugglers who dealt in stolen
or illegal items.

“Sir forgive me
if I have offended you, my question was one of conversation and not
inquiry, I am new to these parts and naive to many customs and
traditions in many parts of Kratos.”

The slim man
looked deep into Talon’s eyes as Talon held the gaze.

“We trade in
cattle!” He answered now with a little more respect though is
answer was obviously a lie.

“What of your
business stranger, why are you in this stinking town?” he added

“I am
travelling to Kallick Town where I am to be enlisted into the Royal
guard. ” Talon hesitantly replied.

The two men
gazed nervously at one another before they both gathered their
drinks and began to rise to their feet.

“Will you not
finish your drink with me?” Talon asked as he felt slightly
insulted at their sudden response.

“No we shall
decline!” Said Bolzar sternly.

“We don’t drink
with Imperialist scum!” The big man shouted as he leaned heavily
onto the table forcing it to tilt and spill Talon’s drink. Talon
jumped out of the way from his spilling drink and he became aware
that the other patrons in the tavern were beginning to laugh at
him.

The smaller man
then grabbed his friends arm and pulled him away from Talon and
towards the door. Talon stood motionless as the two men left the
tavern to the pleasure of the crowd. Suddenly he felt his
adrenaline start to rush and he soon became deeply offended and
angry when he overheard one of the patrons saying “he wants to be a
big soldier” which was obviously a mock.

Talon swiftly
gathered his bag as the crowd’s mocks and laughter became louder
and headed towards the door with determined look upon his face.
Once Talon was outside he urgently tried to see where the two men
who had insulted him had gone.

He saw the big
one about twenty paces from him “You sir!” He called out loudly,
enough for everyone to hear.

The big man
turned quickly only to laugh when he saw that it was Talon.

“You sir owe me
an apology and the price of a drink!” Talon demanded.

The big man
laughed out loudly,

“Or what?” he
said mockingly as he played to the crowd.

“Or I shall be
forced to beat you.” Talon calmly replied.

Zephil’s
laughter suddenly subdued and his body tensed as his persona
changed to anger, Talon noted his anger.

“There
Imperialist!” He shouted as he pointed to the middle of the muddy
road.

“Let’s see you
beat me then.” he added in a roar like shout. Patrons from the
tavern had now all filtered out into the road and waited eagerly
for Talon’s reply.