Daxton - Episode 29

The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [3,330 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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“So, you are telling us Nelle, who came here in your body last night, is now walking around as Krieger?” Daxton asked, the three of them reunited in their tent for the night. Jynx had been caught up on all that happened while he remained comatose in Nelle’s body back in the stable. And now he was telling Daxton and Barton what they missed. Barton just sat in the furthest corner of the tent, away from Daxton who would not even acknowledge his presence.

“I have also been told the two of you had a bit of a fight earlier today that you will get to finish tomorrow in front of the king and all of the nobility? How excited are you both for that opportunity?” They both shot dagger eyes at Jynx who got the hint and did not mention anything about it again. “Goodnight then.”

Night came quickly over the kingdom of Gaspar. Everyone slept soundly as everyone knew tomorrow would be a big day. Everyone, that is, except Daxton. He tossed and turned for most of the night, finally his body gave in to exhaustion as he started to dream again about that woman calling out to him in a foggy night.

This time he did not run towards her voice. Instead he tried to ignore it, pretend he could not hear it. The more he tried to ignore it in his dream, the louder her screams for help became. Barton heard him and stirred awake. His friend was having that same nightmare he’d told him about, the one he’s only ever had once a year but now appears to have had several times since his eighteenth birthday. Daxton started to shout for the screaming to stop and Barton rushed over to wake him before he woke the entire camp.

Daxton grabbed Barton by the arms as he woke, leaving sweat stains on his shirt sleeves. “Get away from me.” He pushed Barton away from him. He glared at Barton as he watched him go back to his corner of the tent, then he spat on the ground between them, before turning back over and pretending to fall back to sleep as tears fell from his eyes.

In the morning, instead of the usual drum beat to wake them they heard a trumpet sound. It was the royal trumpeter waking them all. As the men exited their tents, they found fresh clothing that bore the insignia of the royal army on them. Complete with the green shirt and matching cape. They also found swords unlike the ones they practiced with. These were swords identical to what the royal army carried. Many of the men were thrilled to see the uniform and rushed to put theirs on, while Daxton and Barton grumbled at them. Jynx, not surprisingly, was down to his underwear before the two former friends entered carrying their uniforms in their hands.

“Slow down there Jynx, before you tear a hole,” Barton said to him. Daxton gave him a glaring look as if to say, ‘he was my friend first leave him be,’ so he remained quiet as they finished dressing.

Again, the trumpets sounded and the men, all fully dressed now in their royal army attire, were instructed to assist in dismantling all the tents in preparation of the afternoon’s exhibition. Barton walked to the far side of the tents and helped the men over there to stay as far away from Daxton as possible.

“You should really give him a break. You know he did not mean what he said.”

“You are a child, Jynx. You have no friends therefore you have no idea what it is like to have one betray your trust the way he did. He had no right to say those things for everyone to hear.”

The tents were promptly taken down and removed from the grounds as a stage was built of wood and stone and the king’s throne was brought outside for the occasion. A much larger tent with just the roof was erected over where the king was expected to sit and beside his throne a small stool was placed. Krieger looked on eagerly as he knew that would be where the King’s Bow would be put when the king arrived. He started to walk around the perimeter of the area where the king and his private court would be seated, trying to see if there was a possible way to steal the Bow without being seen. He began to worry when he could see none.

“Krieger, what are you doing here? You should be attending to the king he asked for you personally.” Krieger eyed General Corwinn with surprise in his face, lucky for Nelle, that was the look the general expected to see. “I told him of the important role you played in the men’s training. He seeks to reward you by putting you in charge of protecting his bow.” Hearing this nearly made Nelle jump for joy, but she had to remember whose body she was in and remained as stoic as possible under the miracle of circumstances. “Now get out of here before I regret having given the king such a report.”

Not waiting for further coaxing, Krieger turn on his heels and marched straight for the castle, stopping only once to look over his shoulder at Daxton who was watching closely. Krieger winked at him but noticed Daxton did not appear to pick up on the signal he was given. Nelle had to think fast and then she saw Jynx standing idly under the shade. “You, get over here this second,” she shouted so no one would be wise to what she was really up to. Jynx saw who it was and ran over immediately. “I need you to get a message to Daxton.”

“Do not bother. He’s not listening to me and especially not to Barton. Your plan appears to be working all too well. They will fight later, but I am afraid it will be more real than you’d hoped.” She could tell by the way Daxton was looking over at Barton just now that what Jynx spoke of was true. Perhaps Daxton was still too young and immature and not ready to learn the truth about his mother if he could not handle his friend doing what was necessary at the time? She shook that thought from her mind and carried on. It was not her place to prevent the natural course of events no matter how much she wanted to. He needed to know but he would need to find it out on his own, in his own time, and his own way.

“Then tell Barton he must not fight until I speak with him. If theirs is to be a real one, then the least I can do to repay him for his sacrifice is give him a fighting chance.”

“How do you propose to do that?”

“You let me worry about that. For now, just do as I say and be quick about it. I must hurry now to the king.”

“The king?” Before Jynx could get more information out of her, Nelle was out of sight within the castle walls. He found Barton milling about with some other men at the other end of the courtyard, keeping his distance from Daxton as he has done since yesterday’s altercation. “Excuse me gentlemen, but I need to borrow Barton the Fearless here for a second.” The men laughed at Jynx’s joke as he grabbed Barton by the arm and dragged him out of their earshot. “Nelle says not to fight until you have seen her first. I think she plans on putting a spell on you to make you fight better or something.”

“What makes you think that?”

“She feels responsible for this feud between the two of you and hopes to make it a fair fight.”

“Does she think I cannot do it on my own? I am not as weak as you all seem to believe. He was only able to knock me out because I had my back turned. Just wait till he’s facing me, then we’ll see who is better.”

“Barton!” His head snapped to the side, as did Daxton’s, to see General Corwinn was the one who called for his son. Squaring his shoulders and showing no outward fear he marched towards his father.

“Yes, general.”

His father lowered his voice to just above a whisper once his son was close enough to hear him, not wanting those around him to hear. “Let me help you, son. You do not have to do this. The boy acting out of an impulsive anger. He will soon see the error of his ways and regret his actions as I am sure you already regret yours.”

“Why do you care? He’s your favorite. I am the son you wish you never had. I bet you told all this to your friend and that is why I am fighting Daxton. He knows of our plans, doesn’t he?”

“It pains me to hear you say this. Do you really think your father would betray the trust of my son? That I would purposely put you in harm’s way? What have I ever done to you that would make you think this of me? I have done a lot of stupid things in my life Barton; you know that better than anyone. Trust me, son.”

Barton wanted to hug his father and feel his father’s strong arms around him. Just like when he was younger, and he was scared the first time Corwinn took him out on a boat. It nearly capsized and he had to hold his son in his lap the entire time they would out on the water. Barton remembered that man fondly, but as he stood there looking the man before him, he hardly recognized him anymore.

“it is too late father. You cannot protect me anymore. I am a man now and I must do this on my own. If you ever loved me, do nothing to interfere with this fight.” Barton did not wait for his father to dismiss him, he simply turned and walked away. As Corwinn watched his son turn his back on him he knew he was lost to him forever.

Trumpets sounded once more as the main gates were opened and villagers started to enter on foot. Amongst them were fancier carriages being pulled by regal horses. In them were the nobility who received special invitations by the king only the night before to attend. It was short notice, but none were allowed to ever refuse him. Within hours the courtyard was teeming with people from all around the kingdom of Gaspar, all here to see their friends, their family, their neighbors, dressed in their royal army best and paraded around in a show of strength.

After a reasonable amount of time had passed the king was ready to make his grand entrance. He decided it would not be acceptable for him to walk from the entrance of his castle on foot and around back to the courtyard where his throne awaited. He took every opportunity he had to ride on one of his horses.

As the trumpets started to play his special procession music the people all ooh’d and aah’d as they saw the king astride his horse. Beside his was Krieger carrying the King’s Bow on a large purple cushion with gold fringe and tassels on each corner. As Daxton and Barton saw this both of their jaws dropped in shock.

The music continued until the horses arrived at the king’s stage where he was able to easily step onto it and take a few more steps to sit on his throne. Krieger followed close by and placed the cushion on top of the stool placed between him and the king. His job, as the king explained it, was a simple one but probably the most important of any in the entire court. He was never to take his eyes off the Bow and if anyone were to come near it, he was to guard it with his life. And if he did not, the penalty was beheading.

The king stood up and walked to the edge of the stage so that the people furthest in the crowd could catch a glimpse of him and hear him as he had prepared a speech. Krieger was lucky enough to have been subjected to it earlier and therefore knew its length would be just enough time needed to sneak away. Although he was in full view of everyone, he knew no one who watched him would dear interrupt the king just to say he’d stepped away from his post. So, no sooner did the king start to speak, did Nelle rise from her seat and disappear off to the side near where she saw Barton pacing.

“Take this,” she whispered, handing him the sword she stole from the shack several days ago with Barton’s aid.

He stopped pacing and looked at the sword she held out to him. “No, isn’t that his sword? He already hates me. Can you imagine what he’d do to me if he saw me fighting with it? He’d probably kill me.”

“He cannot kill you as long as you are holding this. Take it, please.” She shoved it in his hand, and he took it with little protest. He did not want to admit it, but he knew he would need all the help he could get, even if that help came in the form of magic.

“What did you do to it?”

“It’s too complicated to explain right now. Just trust me. Never let go of that sword no matter what and when you hear the signal follow me.” She smiled and winked at him as she heard a point in the king’s speech that meant he was nearing the end. She left quickly, back the way she came, and got back to her seat just as the king turned around to return to his. He eyed Krieger oddly as he noticed the man was breathing rather heavily for someone who was sitting the entire time.

The trumpets rang out once more as General Corwinn announced the names of Daxton and Barton, explaining that they would fight each other to demonstrate their newly learned abilities.

Both met in the middle, just a few feet away from the king, as the people stepped back, making a near-perfect circle around them.

“Begin!” General Corwinn shouted as he noticed out the corner of his eye, the Paragon, watched from a window high above in the castle.

Daxton and Barton spent several seconds circling each other, each passing their sword back and forth in their hands, trying to find an opening to strike. Daxton found it first, but Barton was able to duck out of the way easily. He watched Daxton’s feet closely as he avoided another swing. He seemed unwilling to use the sword he held and Nelle, practically sitting on the edge of her seat, wished he would.

Finally, Daxton thrust his sword towards Barton causing him to use his to strike from a sideways angle. As the swords collided Daxton heard a memory in his head of a time when he and Barton were younger and playing around in the woods. He stumbled back and shook his head trying to regain his footing. He did and attacked again. Again, Barton blocked his strike. This time the memory came much stronger, not just with voices but visually as well. The first time they went out into the woods to hunt. It was one of the best days of Daxton’s life and he smiled as the memory hit him. Just as quickly he was gone, and he saw Barton standing before him.

“Are you okay?” Barton tried to whisper.

Daxton came at him again, this time their swords locking for much longer as Daxton pushed his body into Barton’s. “Listen to me, I do not hate you. you are my brother. But we’ve got to make this look good. do not ask questions, just fight.” He pushed Barton hard causing him to fall backwards to the ground. How was it possible to be forgiven so easily? He looked down at the sword he held and then up at Krieger sitting next to the king who was looking bored.

Barton quickly got to his feet and together the two of them fought valiantly, even getting the king to join in the merriment had by the onlookers who were shouting their support for both of them. And just when it seemed like Daxton was going to best Barton, bringing an end to the fight, someone in the crowd screamed “FIRE!”

Daxton and Barton stopped fighting and looked to the sky where they saw smoke rising high above the castle, into the sky. The crowds of people all began to run around in mayhem causing massive confusion as the source of the fire was not yet known. Daxton and Barton got close together so as not to lose each other in the crowds of people moving about, some falling to the ground and being trampled on. They searched for Nelle and found the seat where she was sitting, empty, as was the stool that held the purple cushion with the Bow.

“Do you see her?” Barton shouted over the noise of the crowds that was beginning to thin out as they all rushed towards the main gate.

“No!”

Suddenly, Jynx appeared out of nowhere and grabbed both of their hands. “I saw where she went, follow me.” They had little time to debate or argue and decided to just follow his lead. It was difficult at first as they were running against the crowd but eventually, he led them towards the source of the fire. The stable was almost completely destroyed. The smoke was so dark and spread so thick they had to cover their mouths so they wouldn’t breathe it in. As they squinted in the darkness, they saw Nelle emerging on horseback from the smoke holding two more horses by their reigns.

What was most odd about it was not the fact that the horses were surprisingly calm considering there was a towering inferno behind them and all around them, but the King’s Bow was on her lap still on its pillow.

She handed the bow to Daxton, careful not to touch it. He then reached down and lifted Jynx to sit behind him.

Barton took the other horse and together they started to turn the horses in the direction of the main gate to leave in the confusion of the crowds.

“Son!” Barton looked back to see his father standing just a few feet away. He wanted to reach out his hand for his father to join them. Perhaps he had misjudged him, and his father could be the good man he always thought he was that day out in the boat in the middle of the ocean.

General Corwinn glanced upwards for a second and hidden behind the cloud of billowing smoke he saw the Paragon looking down upon him. He had no choice but to unsheathe his sword and point it at his son.

Yet again, Barton knew he could not trust his father. His loyalty was to the royal army, the king, not to his son. And it never would be. He clicked his heels and caught up to his friends who were already at the gate getting ready to leave, seemingly unnoticed by anyone as the tumult of people running out the main gate continued.

Daxton looked back one last time to find the king shouting at the top of his lungs, but no one could hear him. Daxton squinted and could just make out the words, “My bow. Where is my bow!” as they all made it past the gate.