Daxton - Episode 28

The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [2,353 words]

Daxton is the first book in the 6-book series, The 5th Compass, which takes place in Stonehaven. Released in serial form, two episodes each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The audio version is coming in the future for paid subscribers only. Visit the table of contents for a list of previously published and upcoming episodes.

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The sound of beating drums woke Nell, but Barton and Daxton were already up, still not speaking to each other. Today was the day they had to put on a show for everyone, specifically General Corwinn, to see.

“Cheer up, the two of you look as if you are both about to be hung this afternoon.” All three of them exited the tent and joined the rest of the men who were already taking swords from a pile to pair up for the morning practice.

As Nelle saw General Corwinn approach out the corner of her eye she nudged Barton so he would notice as well and cocked her head towards Daxton who was searching for a weapon.

“Does the general’s pet not see a sword worthy of his abilities?” Barton said as loud as he could so his father heard him as he got closer.

“What?”

“Everyone knows your father turned you in so you’re trying to replace him with mine. How pathetic. What’s even more pathetic is the man who you call father, the man who rather turn you in than have you dishonor his name isn’t even your real father.” He started shouting now and could not control himself. He spread his arms wide and, in a flare, looked up the sky and proclaimed, “Daxton the Bastard.”

Not knowing what he was doing he was in such a rage; Daxton grabbed a sword from the pile and twirling it backwards he drove the hilt into the back of Barton’s head. He stood over his best friend as he watched him go down; out cold. Everyone stopped fighting and no one said a word as they watched Daxton drop the sword from his hand, his chest heaving with anger as tears burned his eyes.

“Daxton…” He heard General Corwinn’s voice standing right night to him and flinched away when he felt his hand fall hard on his shoulder, as if to comfort him. Daxton blinked and tears fell. Embarrassed, he ran to his tent as General Corwinn looked over to a window in the castle overlooking the courtyard where someone’s brooch was catching the sunlight. It was the Paragon, standing there watching the whole altercation unfold. “Someone wake him up.” General Corwinn wanted to tend to his son and check on Daxton but with the eyes of the Paragon on him he knew he could do neither, so he just stood there and continued to give orders as he always has.

Nelle on the other hand was nearly giddy with excitement and hid it by defeating every opponent she was paired up against. The general noticed this and thought it odd since he could not recall Jynx ever being so skilled with a sword before. He also found it unusual the way he called most of the men he sparred again, dearie. It almost reminded him of someone he knew but could not remember who.

“What do you intend to do about the boy?” General Corwinn flinched slightly at the sound of the Paragon’s voice over his shoulder.

“What boy?”

“You know who it is I speak of. You said they would be no trouble and yet here they are acting like children when you are supposed to be training them to be men. How do you expect us to wage a war if you cannot handle the simplest of tasks?”

“I am handling the situation and I wish you would not attempt to question my methods. The men will all be ready tomorrow.”

“I thought you’d say as much, that is why I informed the king of the tremendous skill you managed to draw out of your son.” At the mention of his son the general whipped his head to face the Paragon. “He is as eager as I am to face your equally as skilled fighter tomorrow.”

“But that would be—.”

“Is that going to be a problem?” the Paragon asked. General Corwinn knew he could say nothing or risk giving away that he was secretly trying to help his son. The one who just, for reasons he couldn’t understand, behaved in a rather cruel way towards his best friend. Suddenly, a thought came time mind and he smiled widely, making even the Paragon suspicious. What if his son’s attack on Daxton was premeditated and not real at all?

“No, not a problem at all.” The Paragon appeared a bit defeated as he expected the news of General Corwinn’s weak son having to battle Daxton, the best fighter they have, would’ve been devastated. Instead, it seemed not to bother the general at all and the Paragon wanted to know why? He stalked off back into the castle, this long black cape flowing behind him, catching the wind. “Krieger! Get Daxton out here immediately, he’s sulked long enough.”

By this time Barton was awake and joining the others in their morning sparring, but he lowered his sword when he watched as Krieger dragged Daxton from the tent. His eyes were red and bloodshot from tears he did not want the others to see.

“Are you done?” Daxton looked over at his friend with hatred in his eyes and Barton wondered if he was putting on an act or if his look was real. Over in a far corner, ready to escape back to the stables when no one was watching, Nelle wondered the same.

“Yes, general!”

“Good, because I have an announcement to make to all of you men. Tomorrow will be a big day for all of you. Tomorrow you all become a part of the largest army in the southern hemisphere. We grow in numbers because of your loyalty, your commitment, to the king. We have the honor of welcoming the king who has been watching,” at this General Corwinn pointed up towards the castle behind him, “and is eager to see all of you put to the test. Tomorrow you will show him what you have learned here. And we’ll start by having Barton pair off with Daxton.”

Both continued to look at each other and seeing the way Daxton looked at him Barton secretly wished he could take back what he said. He did not believe for once second that Daxton’s look was anything but real. Barton looked around for Nelle, but she was nowhere to be found. How was he supposed to calm Daxton down later when they returned to his tent? He was hoping Nelle would reason with him, explain that what Barton said was only to benefit his father and all those watching. He did not mean what he said and yet he knew, deep down in his heart, no matter what anyone said to Daxton he would not hear them. All he would hear is Barton’s words and that would be all the motivation he’d need to fight tomorrow.

They continued to practice all morning and afternoon with General Corwinn making sure they two boys stayed away from each other, not wishing an early fight to happen. It was not until mid-day hit when General Corwinn noticed Jynx was missing. He called on Krieger again to find the boy who he feared may have found a means of escape and told him not to speak of this to anyone.

Krieger decided to search for the boy on his own. He’d been mistreated by General Corwinn long enough and needed someone to take it out on. When he found Jynx, and he had no doubt that he would, he intended on teaching him a lesson about trying to run away. And if Krieger were to be questioned as to why the boy was so badly beaten, he would explain he acted only in self-defense. He smiled to himself as he thought of his master plan and whistled as he walked the grounds.

He decided to check the stables first as he knew it was never guarded and if there were ever a good place to hide that would be the perfect spot. As he approached the door to the stables, he heard voices coming from inside. Two of them, both of them male. He opened the door slowly and crept inside. He crouched down as he walked but he did not have to go far. The two men were talking inside a stall not too far from where he was.

“You’re back early.”

“Yeah, well, it turns out Barton isn’t such an idiot after all. He managed to do exactly what I needed him to do even more perfectly than I could’ve come up with on my own.”

“Oh yeah, what did he do?” Griggs asked as he started to loosen the knots around Jynx’s body. He was still asleep, but he was kept tied up just in case.

“He called him, Daxton the Bastard.”

“that is bad. did not you say Barton told you he was good with a sword or something?”

“No, he told me Daxton could pick up and learn just about anything very quickly. Turns out he’s General Corwinn’s favorite.”

Krieger recognized one of the voices as Jynx and the other’s as belonging to Griggs. He pushed open the stall door, expecting to surprise them but found he was the one caught off guard when he saw a woman unconscious, bound and gagged on the ground between them.

“What is going on here?”

Griggs stopped untying Nelle’s body and turned to see one of the general’s men standing in the doorway. Before Krieger could unsheathe his sword Jynx did a spin kick that sent Krieger falling backwards, hitting the ground hard. Griggs quickly came over and kicked him in the side of his head knocking him out cold.

“Why did you do that?” Nelle asked, her hands on her hips.

“Me? You attacked him first. If you had waited a second longer, I would’ve had a reasonable explanation for what we were doing.”

“If you are reasonable explanation involved surrendering me back to the king’s mercy it would not have been a good one. Now help me with him. I think his finding us here may actually come in handy.”

Griggs helped Nelle carry the out cold body next to hers still unconscious on the ground. She then joined Jynx’s hand with her own and as their wounds touched, they were back into their original bodies again.

“What the…” Jynx said, looking at his surroundings disoriented. “What happened?”

“You do not remember anything?” Griggs asked.

“No, last thing I remember, she cut my hand,” he answered as he looked down at the cut that was still there and fresh. “Ouch! Why did you cut me anyway?”

“it is a long story. Now, come here and help me up,” Nelle said, holding both her hands out for each of them to grab a hold of a hoist her to her feet.

“Wait, what’s he doing here?” Jynx noticed Krieger slumped over on the ground and hid himself behind Griggs in case he should wake up.

“Not to worry Jynx, he won’t be waking any time soon. Besides, I intend to use him. He may end up helping us tomorrow.” Nelle unsheathes her dagger once more from her waist and wipes the blade along the sleeve of her shirt.

“What’s happening tomorrow? Why do I suddenly feel I have lost a lot of time?” He watched with curiosity as she knelt beside Krieger and took his hand in hers. She then cut into the palm of his hand with her blade. “What are you doing?” Jynx grabbed his stomach, ran to a far corner and vomited on the ground. The sight of blood always made him do that.

Nelle touched her open wound to Krieger’s and instantly they exchanged bodies. “Quick boy, come here and help me tie her up.” Jynx stopped throwing up long enough to see Griggs tying a knot around Nelle’s ankles.

“Why are you tying her up?”

“Because if he should wake up and find he’s trapped in the body of a hag who knows what he’ll do,” Krieger said, standing next to Jynx, who slowly started to back away, getting closer to the stall door. “Where do you think you are going? I need to take you back with me. I imagine General Corwinn discovered you were missing and sent me to find you. Yet, why I would search for you alone is a matter I will not dare to understand.”

“Okay, I’ll go along with whatever is happening here, but only if you promise to explain it all to me on the way?” Jynx was so young but Nelle knew he was smarter and more cunning than he looked, if he were only given a chance. She nodded agreement and Jynx proceeded to help Griggs finish tying up Nelle’s body.

“We should probably put my body in your wagon. After tomorrow I’ll need it back, but I am afraid we’ll be on the run at the time. I’ll change back at the docks. That is, as long as you get there before we do.”

“I’ll be there. do not you worry about me. You just be ready when you get the signal,” Griggs said, taking the hands of Krieger’s in his. Jynx looked on rather confused as these two men shared an intimate moment together.

“If you’re late we’ll have to leave you behind. And if we do—.”

“do not worry, I’ll keep her safe. How long do you have before the change becomes permanent?” Griggs asked as he grabbed Nelle under her arms. Jynx saw what he was doing and promptly grabbed her feet. Together they carried her body up onto the wagon where they then placed the hay left there on top of her.

“The longest I have ever done this was seven days, but that was back when I had my full powers. Now, I wouldn’t risk going beyond just three.”

“Well then, let’s not risk it. Be safe Nelle.” They shook hands and held firm to each other for several moments before letting go.

Griggs watched as Krieger left the stables with Jynx asking several questions in quick succession.

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