Daxton - Episode 27
The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [2,212 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 next morning Jynx woke before sunrise and the familiar sound of drums, poking Daxton incessantly.
“Cut it out.”
“Who is that?” Jynx asked, pointing at Barton who was curled up in a ball at the feet of Daxton.
“Oh, him, that is my best friend Barton. If I were you, I’d be really nice to him,” Daxton said, making his voice sound secretive.
“Why?” Jynx asked, excited for the answer.
“He’s the general’s son that is why.” Jynx’ jaw dropped in disbelief.
“No, he isn’t. you are pulling my leg.” He leaned over towards Barton and shoved him in the shoulder, much more daring than Daxton gave him credit for. If someone had told him the son of the general was sleeping in their tent and he did not already know him, the last thing he would do is wake him up. But continue to shove him, till he woke him, was exactly what Jynx did. “Is it true you are the general’s son?”
Barton yawned and scratched himself in an unseemly place, further making Daxton’s claim that this was the general’s son seem less likely. “I am. What’s it to you?”
“I do not believe it. I mean, you are not even that much bigger than I am.” Jynx moved closer to him, inspecting him in such a way that was making Barton feel very exposed and uncomfortable.
“Stop it already. I told you who I am now leave it be. Doesn’t change the fact that my father is a coward and a betrayer.”
The drums began to beat outside, and Daxton was actually glad of it. He could tell Jynx wanted to say something in defense of the general which would have started a war he did not want the responsibility of putting a stop to.
As the three of them exited the tent they could not help but feel the eyes of everyone around solely on them. It was obvious that something happened during the night that brought an extra person amongst them and they all eyed them with curiosity as to who this new person was. Some from the village already knew him to be the general’s son and whispered as much to those who did not know.
Jynx caught some of these murmurings and before the general, who approached the men looking as if he got little sleep last night, could speak he was usurped. “You really are the general’s son?!”
General Corwinn flinched as did Barton at hearing this fact announced so loudly throughout the camp. From that moment forwards, everyone would try to steer as clear away from Barton as possible, everyone except for Jynx who thought he could get in the general’s good graces by befriending his son. He couldn’t be more wrong and learned that the hard way as their training truly began.
The general needed to make himself look like he was not playing favorites or looking out for his son in any way so he constantly pit him against the largest and the strongest of fighters in the group, which only served to make his son hate him more and more with each passing day.
Meanwhile, Daxton excelled, naturally, in every task he was given. Whether it was swordsmanship, which he adamantly argued against using, or archery, he was the best even amongst those who readily volunteered. The general saw his potential and began to take Daxton under his wing, which made Barton grow envious and jealous even though he still hated his father.
After a full week of training and evening arguing between Daxton and Barton, Jynx decided he needed some air, so he went for a walk around the castle grounds. He found himself near the stables where he heard the horses inside. He looked around and after realizing there were no guards he snuck inside. He walked through all the stalls, patting each horse. At the seventh stall he found the hag who shouted at him a week ago. She was seated in the corner, as if expecting him.
“You! What are you going here?” He started to back out of the stall, but he bumped right into someone who was only slightly larger, with a rather large belly, standing behind him. He looked back to see an old man who wrapped one arm around his stomach and the other around his mouth, preventing Jynx from screaming as he squirmed, trying to break free.
“Be quick about it, woman, I am afraid I am losing my grip. Be still you fool,” Griggs tried to reason with Jynx, but he wouldn’t listen. As the hag stood up and drew nearer to him his eyes grew wide and he squirmed even more.
“I am sorry Jynx, but I need to borrow your body. Only for a little while. I promise I will give it back in the condition that it is in now… Hopefully…” She pulled out a dagger from under her cloak and dragged it across the palm of her hand, drawing blood. She did the same to Jynx’ hand and quickly pressed them together, their blood mixing. With just a few words spoken from her, she collapsed to the ground.
Griggs let go of Jynx as the boy finished speaking the spell started by Nelle who was now on the ground.
“Nelle, hurry, help me tie him up before he wakes.” Nelle, who was now in Jynx’ body, moved swiftly. He grabbed the rope and helped Griggs tie them around her ankles and arms.
“Thank you, Griggs. I’ll be back before the next moon rises.”
Nelle ran, not used to having the use of such a young body before, and nearly tripped into the tent, where she found Daxton and Barton in a heated argument.
“I am sorry you are not as good as I am, Barton. You’ll get better with practice.”
“do not try to make me feel better. Just because you no longer have a father doesn’t mean you have to steal mine.”
“Seriously? You still think that is what I am doing? I am just trying to survive till we hear from Nelle and she tells us the plan. you are not even the least bit concerned that it is been a week and we still haven’t heard from her? I thought we wanted the same thing. I thought you wanted to help me?”
“Guys…” Neither of them paid Jynx any attention.
“I only help my friends and you are not my friend anymore.”
“Guys…”
“I am sorry you feel that way. No wonder you are so bad. You quit the second something gets too hard or you actually have to work at something to get it right.”
“How dare you—.” Nelle slapped him in the back of his head. “Nelle, how many times…” He stopped when he realized it was not Nelle, but Jynx, who just slapped him.
“Good, now that I have your attention, I am ready to tell you both the plan.”
“Jynx, are you feeling okay? What plan?” Both Daxton and Barton stopped arguing as they wondering what was wrong with Jynx all of a sudden?
“I know who I look like and sound like, but it is me, Nelle.”
“He must be sick from being out in the sun. I have heard tales of grown men going mad after being in direct sunlight for many days.”
“do not insult me with such dribble, Barton, or shall I tell Daxton about your dreams?” Barton eyed Jynx inquisitively now. How could he know? “About Esther?”
“I have heard enough. that is Nelle.”
“Esther?” Daxton thought back in his mind to where he'd heard that name before. “Isn't that the cousin I met one summer?”
“Distant cousin! So, Nelle, what is this sorcery you have managed to do? I thought you did not have your full powers.” Barton managed to change the subject.
“There’s still a great many things I can do, but not without causing harm to my body.”
“Yes, where is Jynx? Don’t say he’s right now walking around looking like you?” Daxton slapped his knee and laughed out loud at the thought of such an absurd possibility. The stern look Nelle delivered meant that is exactly where Jynx was. He stopped laughing.
“He's tied up comfortably in the stable.” Barton nodded, knowing that was the safest and most secure place to be on the entire grounds. “Griggs will keep watch over him till I return to reclaim my body. I almost hate to give this one back, but to be a man all my life? Well, let's just say it brings me more excitement to manipulate than be manipulated.”
“I surely hope you have come with more than insults?” Daxton asked.
“Indeed. I have heard from Griggs; the king intends to see the work General Corwinn has done whipping all of you into strong fighting men. And as I predicted, he will do so in front of a large crowd where he will be present. The time has come to steal the Bow.”
Daxton had a concerned look on his face. He knew this day would come but he had hoped she'd realize to steal the Bow would be a fool’s errand and abandon the attempt.
“When is this to take place?” Barton asked. Daxton was surprised to hear his eagerness to help but thought it best not to say anything. Perhaps the unexpected appearance of Nelle was just the distraction they both needed to forget their petty arguing and get back to the mission at hand.
“Day after tomorrow as Griggs heard it. He says the king has already ordered this courtyard to be transformed into a sort of arena where a select few of the villagers along with the nobility will be invited to partake in the spectacle. And what a spectacle it will be when we get finished with it.” Nelle slapped her knee the way she always did whenever she told a joke no one found funny. But the boys had a look of confusion even she couldn’t place until she realized how funny it must seem to them to see Jynx behaving and speaking this way.
“Now that we know the when and the where, I worry about the how? With everyone here watching how do you expect us to just escape with the bow? It seems like a suicide mission.” Daxton, more than anyone, wanted to get the bow because he knew once they retrieved it, they would be on their way to meeting the compass maker who should know where he can find his mother. He only hoped it wouldn’t be too late.
“Do not worry about that. All I need the two of you to do is continue your arguing with each other, only Barton, try to be a bit meaner about it,” Nelle said, shoving him in the shoulder, nearly knocking him over right where he sat.
“Ouch watch it. Why should you want me to be meaner to him? I should think you want us to stop otherwise it can be an unnecessary distraction and might get in the way of our plan?”
“On the contrary, Barton. I am sure you have noticed the special attention Daxton has been receiving from your father. I am sorry to say but he sees a bit of himself in Daxton that I am sure he wishes he could see in you. We need to play on that. You need to be especially cruel to Daxton in front of your father. Make him want to teach you a lesson for treating his best student so poorly. And Daxton you need to stand there and take it.” She let the words hang in the air for a minute, letting it all sink in. Both of the boys were silent, neither looked at the other as they realized her plan and how, if they did it right, it could work. “do not fail me boys. This whole plan rests on it. Oh, and Barton,” she said, laying down one the ground for sleep, “you need to do this at first light. So, think of something really terrible to say or do because we do not have much time.”
In no time at all, as if it really was Jynx laying on the ground just now between them, Daxton and Barton watched and listened as loud breathing and snoring filled their tent.
“Got any ideas what you’ll say tomorrow?” Daxton asked his best friend. He swallowed hard, preparing himself for what Barton might say. He’s been no stranger to Barton’s harsh tongue in the past, so he was ready for his answer, but it never came.
“I think it is best if I do not say. That way your reaction of anger is much more believable. Just know I do not mean my words.”
They looked at each other silently for a time before each laying down to sleep. They’d been fighting these past few days over such childish things and yet the second they needed each other the reasons they fought just did not exist anymore. Daxton wondered if he could pull off pretending to be mad at his friend. Barton prayed his words would not cut as deeply as he knows they might.