Chapter 3: The Departure and a town called Baltia
*Crack*
Xerion appeared in front of his wife's grave, he squatted down and started to speak.
"My dear wife, today I found what we have been longing for a long time. I found a child who will be our successor and I swear by you no harm shall ever befall this child for as long as I live. This child will be my only purpose for living, for I Xerion Crow, son of Aquila Crow and husband to Cyra ,vow to make him the strongest under the heavens. I named thee Abel Crow!"
He spoke while lifting the child up, he stood up and paid his tribute to his wife and said, "watch over us from the heavens and give us the guidance, strength, love, and courage to live on, see you soon Cyra". He bid his wife farewell and turned back, unbeknownst to him a light appeared from the grave and entered the baby's pendant. Not only that, but he went to a small cabin near the entrance of the forest where he lived for six seasons, his beautiful jet black horse of demon beast species grazing, ground tied around the cabin. Furthermore, he packed all his belongings and lit the cabin on fire, he watched it burn to dust.
Fweet! He blew a whistle and the black horse came trotting. He held Abel with one hand and mounted in one smooth movement.
Let's go, Alastor! He galloped the horse without looking back and departed.
From the forest to the nearest town is a three-day journey on horse and six days on foot (About 75miles (120.7 km)).
*Clip!clop!*
The only sound was the muffled sound of hooves in the grass, striking the earth. The place was an alpine tundra filled with smaller plants filled with mountains whose tops are crinkled.
The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene.
Nyah! Abel started crying, surrounding him was a protective barrier cast by Xerion protecting Abel from cold and insects. Xerion tried to calm him by cuddling, shushing, and everything possible, but Abel is still crying nonstop. Alastor nudged him with her nose, that was when Xerion realized that Abel was hungry.
"What am I supposed to do?" ? Xerion murmured to himself,
"Oh… yes…!" He suddenly remembered.
Xerion put his hand inside his dimensional bag and brought out a mysterious flower looking like a crossbreed of a cactus and sunflower (like Brahma Kamal) but is not, called the Heifer of ilmarinen flower,
He chanted a spell on the flower "ekchýlisma!".
A milky liquid is extracted while the flower wilts, he transfers the liquid to a perforated water skin. He fed it to Abel, and he suddenly stopped crying. He mounted Alastor again and continued to gallop again at an astonishing speed. Passing through hills and valleys, battling bandits and demonic beasts, Xerion arrived at a town called Baltia. The slowly setting sun painted the yellow walls with a faint brush of orange, meaning he reached the town in a day only. There were 10 guards all of them were Tâk users with two black wolves at the front of a giant gate of the town, all of them were equipped in a brown coloured heavy plated armor with a golden lion insignia on it. There were four archers on top of two archery towers, two on each, ready to shoot.
Clip Clop! Hooves clattering loudly approached them, which alerted the guards to be on guard.
Xerion slowed down as he approached the gate.
"Hey! Stop!" A guard at the gate front said, walking forwards to question Xerion.
Xerion alighted from Alastor and approached them, holding Abel and Alastor following him.
"My name is Xerion and this is my son Abel, we are heading inside the town as it's getting darker!" Xerion explained while showing him a black badge with a dragon emblem on it, it is created from a black orichalcum.
" If you are the Sword King then I must be the King Ethal", the king of Ahmar the guard said sarcastically.
"Where did you steal that child from? Where is his mother? Ha! I'm asking you, cat got your tongue?". The guard asked in a vexing manner. Xerion was pissed off by what the guard said as he was about to release his Tâk,
Thwack! A guard wearing black armor rushed and smacked the guard's head .
[Are you stupid!!!…are your eyes for decoration only…how dare you talk to his Eminence like that…do you want to die… Hah!] The chief guard shouted at him and turned to Xerion kneeling while dragging the guard down with his head down.
[Your Eminence please forgive this insolent fool…it's my fault for being incompetent, if you wish you can't take my head off…it's my fault for not teaching him common sense] The chief guard pleaded while his bowing together with the guard.
[Forgive me!.. Your Eminence… I'm a foolish imbecile for disrespecting your Eminence, please take my head to appease your anger] The guard spoked in a frightened voice.
Haiz! Xerion sighed.
[Its okay raise your head but never try this on anyone again…well, it's partly my fault for using an old badge gotten from a long time ago] Xerion replied while scratching his head
[Thank you for your mercy, your Eminence!] They said it together.
The guards opened the gate, and Xerion excused himself.
Ouch! The guard screamed of pain as he was pulled by ear by the chief guard.
[You dumbass do you know who you've messed with?, …that badge with a dragon emblem is only given to people who achieved legendary feats by the king Ethal! Heroes like the Sword King, Magic king and the other four kings of Ahmar, that's who we are talking about here, and you almost got us killed you fool!!!] The chief guard rants
[King Ethal!..Sword King!!!..I am so..dum..] He fainted without finishing his words due to shock.
*****
Chatter
The town is bustling with noises of people from different races (like elves, spriggans, humans, dwarves) , horses and wagons. Merchants clearing their goods, unloading, uploading of merchandise are first things Xerion encounters the moment he enters past the entrance. The town is of ancient eastern architectural design, with the houses constructed from Adobe bricks, gypsum, lime plasters and mortars with red clay making the walls sturdier and firm, with medium-sized windows made with translucent stones while some are made from oiled animal skins. The galded stone roofs are placed on top of a wooden frame. The houses' colour differed by the street arrangement, some gray, some white etc. The big road extended from the entrance into the city was earthed with a graveled surface, stone paved and cambered for drainage. The surrounding air of the town is unique, filled with the smell of alcohol, plants and fresh air. Even though the town is old, the atmosphere feels warm and cozy, shining with hope and is pretty clean for a town filled with adventurers and merchants.
A cry from above heralded the passing of a wyvern ; a high-level adventurer, probably returning from a mission.
"Your Eminence!". A call from behind by an unfamiliar voice made Xerion turn back to see who it was.
A red haired young guard who was probably in his twenties, rushed towards him.
"Your Eminence, I was ordered by my boss to escort you to wherever you want to go so please permit me to guide you, Your Eminence". The young guard said while bowing his head towards Xerion.
Haiz! Xerion sighed
"What's your name kid?"Xerion asked.
My name is Theon, Your Eminence" the guard replied in a respectful manner.
"Alright then Theon , show the way, I need a proper Inn to stay for the night.
Theon took the lead while Xerion and Alastor followed him while Abel was asleep. They walk past different Streets some big , some narrow, with prostitutes on the streets offering their services. They took a shortcut through a small street which leads to the center of the town.
A big statue of a lion was conspicuous at the center of the place, with a large guild on the right side. Adventurers were busy in and out of the guild, some for submitting their missions while some to collect their rewards.
The headed north, on a larger Street made up of larger luxurious buildings; a place where high level adventurers and wealthy merchants lodge in. They stopped at an Inn with a white Swan sign.
A stableman rushed towards them, Theon whispered to him.
He greeted Xerion, and the guard commanded him to take Alastor to the stables and take good care of him.
They head inside the Inn,
*****
The Inn was luxurious (probably the most beautiful building in Baltia), decorated Tâk energy stones which illuminated it entirely, the walls are built from polished stone bricks with lime plasters, which was decorated with moonstones glittering, the floor made up polished marvel with some shining stones assembled with large windows made up mosaic glittering glasses. Well furnished tableware with a beautiful receptionist at the counter.
Tap! tap! tap! A sound of footsteps entering the Inn which made all the guests eating to turn
As they stepped into the doorway, all eyes turned to them, they ignored their looks and approached the counter.
"Please wait ,Your Eminence", Theon requested while bowing his head.
Xerion nodded his head showing his approval, Theon went forward to talk to the receptionist.
Few moments later, the receptionist rushed and called the manager, and the manager rushed to Xerion followed by the receptionist and Theon.
"Sorry for the wait Your Eminence!" The manager said in a respectful way while panting from running.
"Oh...ok" Xerion replied in a nonchalant manner.
"Allow me to guide you to your suit ,Your Eminence". The manager said as if he was waiting for Xerion's permission.
He nodded, a lobby boy collected his baggage and the manager led the way , they climbed a staircase to room number 7 and the manager proceeded to open the room. The room is spacious with a warm atmosphere which can easily make you fall asleep, with wide beds arranged parallel to each other.
A white quilt made from a white furry wolf's coat was spread over the soft beds, and aromatic incense with a pleasing aroma filled the room.
Xerion put Abel on the bed who is still sleeping, and turned to the manager, he brought out one gold Tâkil and gave it to the manager.
"No..Your Eminence! There is no need for that, actually it's my pleasure to be of service to you!" The manager politely declined the money while waving his hands.
"Then take it as a token of appreciation from me". Xerion insisted.
The manager thanked Xerion alot and accepted it, and asked
"What would you also be needing, Sir?"
"Actually I need fresh milk to feed my child and also bring me a basin of warm water with new baby clothes and wrap".
[Ok Sir..right away, pardon my leave, Your Eminence] the manager excused himself.
[I shall also take my leave, Your Eminence , pardon my leave Sir but I will come tomorrow] Theron left.
Xerion sat down and started meditating but not for too long as he was interrupted by a knocking sound.
"Come in" , Xerion said.
A two maids entered with the things he requested and took their leave.
He carried Abel who was awake and cleaned his poo and body and fed the warm milk to him until he was full. He changed his clothes, diaper and returned him to bed. He kept petting him until he fell asleep again.
Yawns! Xerion suddenly feels sleepy as his vision starts blurring, "how long has it been since last I slept" , he thought to himself.
****
Chirping of the crickets echoes in the silence of the night with a bright moon light.
Nyah! A baby crying in the middle of the night, Xerion woke up thinking " A crying baby from where?". He suddenly stood up as he remembered it was his child. "To the battlefield!" Xerion murmured.
To be continued...