Daxton - Episode 18
The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [1,603 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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It was the sound of Fang’s yelp, coupled with the growls from the boar, which Daxton thought he had struck with his arrow, that was terrifying.
The boar had Fang by the throat and was biting down so hard blood was dripping to the ground. His arrow only managed to get lodged in the boar’s leg, agitating it but nothing more. Daxton had no other weapon beside his bow and arrow that he knew would break if he tried to hit the boar with them. His only thought was to kick the boar as hard as he could till it released Fang. It took several hard kicks but finally the boar opened its mouth and let Fang fall to the ground. Suddenly, Barton remembered a small dagger he carried with him in his boot. He removed it and stabbed it hard into the boar’s side. It squealed and ran off, Barton’s dagger still protruding from the boar.
Daxton fell to his knees, a pool of blood forming a halo around Fang’s head. For a long time, there wasn’t a sound to be heard except Fang’s slow and labored breathing, until it stopped. Daxton let out scream he had been holding ever since he saw what was happening to his dog. Tears stung his eyes as they streamed down his face. Fang was dead.
Barton knew what to do as he had a dog once who was trampled by horses one night. He was young and it was his first experience with death. His father helped him dig a hole in their back garden and buried him there. Now Barton would do the same for his friend.
“We should take him home before other animals smell him and come looking for food,” Barton said, placing a hand on Daxton’s shoulder.
“NO! I won’t let them eat him!” Daxton’s eyes were red and raw from crying. He looked at Barton and knew he was only trying to help. Taking a deep breath and wiping the tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his tunic as best he could he nodded and held his arm out for Barton to help him get to his feet.
They both stood over Fang in silence.
“Do you want me to carry him for you?”
“No, he’s my dog. I’ll carry him,” Daxton said, bending down and running his hands through Fang’s coat of fur. It was strange touching his lifeless body and he thought he would cry again, or worse yet, be sick.
“Wait, use this to wrap him in.” Barton took off his coat and passed it to Daxton.
“That’s your favorite coat. It will get soiled.”
“I know. I want Fang to have it. He was a loyal dog. Go on, take it.”
Daxton smiled as he took the coat, laying it over Fang’s head. It was long enough to cover Fang’s upper half. Together they lifted him carefully and Barton helped him get a good hold of Fang in both arms before they started to walk home.
Barton couldn’t think of anything to say besides change the subject as they walked to get Daxton’s mind on something else.
“I’ve heard my father talking with my mother about the king,” Barton said as he walked beside Daxton, hoping to get a response. Nothing. “The king intends to wage an all-out war on that pirate. My father is trying to convince the king to let him lead. And force me to join alongside him if you can believe it.”
Daxton stopped walking just then which Barton did not notice and found he was several paces ahead of him before he turned around. Perhaps his good intentions were far too casual of a conversation.
“How can he expect you to fight as well as he did? He must’ve fought alongside the royal army when he was far younger than you are now. He’s a master swordsman. And then he went on to be a general. Does he really expect you to do that as well?” Under different circumstances Barton would’ve been hurt by his best friend’s words but he knew he was in pain and probably lashing out.
“I know you’re right. And if my father doesn’t see that I’m not cut out to be a swordsman like he was then he’s been drinking far more than I imagined. I’ll just be happy if he’s given his title back. That would mean he’ll be sent on a long mission that will keep him away from me for a while.”
“Why couldn’t my father have been a fighter like yours. There is honor in fighting. Fang taught me that. What honor is there in feeding strangers and growing vegetables on a farm?”
“Cheer up, Dax. It could be worse. You could be going to war with my father.”
“How could that be worse? Getting to travel…”
“Ah, but where would you be traveling? Remember, the pirate never leaves her bloody Shadow.”
“I had a dream last night where I thought I heard my mother calling for help. I ran and fell in water. I think it was ocean water. I think I drowned.”
They were nearing the edge of the backwoods and could see the straw roof of Daxton’s home in the distance. “That doesn’t sound like a dream, it sounds like a nightmare. You never told me you dream about drowning.”
“I don’t remember them when I wake up. But I’ve heard my parent’s talking about them like they know something but aren’t telling me.”
“So, you have drowned before?”
“I just know I’ve had nightmares before. Only this one I remember clearly.”
“You should ask them. They don’t seem like secretive people. Not like my da, anyway. I’m sure they talk about it in secret because they care.”
They crossed the small garden nestled behind his home, walking past all sorts of vegetables they grow to sell at a local tavern his parents used to own. But when they had Daxton, they decided a tavern was not the best environment to raise a child in and sold it away, as long as the new owner promised to only ever buy their meat and vegetables. Daxton would’ve preferred they kept the tavern if he were given a vote. He laid Fang down on freshly tilled dirt and wiped a bit of sweat from his brow.
“We should work quickly. This sun will not be forgiving to the work that must be done,” Daxton said. He walked around the side of the house and came back with two well-worn shovels. He handed one to Barton and the two of them began to dig.
After about the fourth grunt Mirum emerged from the back door to see what was going on. She raised her hand to her mouth and suppressed a scream when she saw Fang laying still, partly wrapped in Barton’s vest. She wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words. Watching her son dig a hole to bury his dearest friend was too much to bear and she crept back into the house silently.
“I think this is deep enough,” Barton said, leaning his shovel against the house. He was sweating so much he didn’t even bother to wipe any of it away.
“I suppose you’re right,” Daxton set his shovel aside and took hold of Fang’s head, waiting for Barton to take the other end. Together they lifted him and placed him down into the hole that fit his size perfectly.
In complete silence they resumed their work, each taking up a shovel and slowly placing dirt over Fang. Barton glanced up at his friend every now and then to see fresh tears glistening on his cheeks. It could have been from the heat, but he doubted it.
When they were done and there was nothing remaining but a mound of dirt where Fang was now buried, Daxton asked, “what will you do now? Father will be expecting me to help him in town.”
Barton's family was wealthier, therefore he never had to work the way Daxton had to.
“I thought I'd visit the docks. See if any of the boats require help. Maybe you should join me if you can get away? We can look for a fair maiden in need of help.”
Barton was kidding, but the look on Daxton’s face at the idea of going near the docks made him turn green.
They settled on Daxton joining Barton at the docks after he finished helping his father. When they walked through the back-door Daxton was surprised to find his mother in there. He wondered if she heard them outside and what he would say if she asked what they were up to? What if she asked them why they returned empty handed? Daxton wasn’t the best hunter, but he always managed to return home with something.
“Daxton, dear, I see your father’s attempt at breakfast this morning has left you hunting on an empty stomach. No wonder you weren’t successful. I have remedied this. Why don’t you boys sit and eat before you go off into town.”
Their stomachs made a sound of hunger at the aroma of her cooking as they both obeyed her orders and sat at the table. Daxton was relieved that she did not mention Fang. Perhaps she wanted to wait till his father was home to discuss it? If there were true it didn’t make him feel any better. And he fought back tears, forcing a smile on his face as she placed a plate of eggs and bacon, just the way he liked it, in front of him.