Daxton - Episode 31
The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [1,327 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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Yet again, the steamship was faced with the treacherous waters of the Sea of Swirling Stones. But it was not the first time he’s journeyed this way and he got them through it as safely as he has many times before.
Once they reached land, Ansel noticed something neither of them considered. “Your first stop ought to be getting rid of those clothes. When walking around Gaspar you may command respect, but around these parts the people much prefer the look of a pirate over that of the royal army.”
They all looked down at what they were wearing, having forgotten all about their attire since they ran from the king’s castle only a day ago. Daxton also decided to do away with carrying the King’s Bow on an ornate cushion and wear the bow as he would his own. He quickly realized he had no arrows to shoot with it and made a mental note to look for a place to steal some on the way to their destination.
“Thank you, friend, for the lift yet again. You have always come to my aid when I have needed it. I only hope to be of service to you some day.” Nelle shook his hand before leaving him alone on his Steamship.
“Where to?” Barton asked. “And can we see about food on the way? I feel like I haven’t eaten in days.”
Nelle knew the area as well as any other, having grown up here for most of her life, and led them towards the back alley where it happened to be bustling with the sounds of merchants peddling their wares. After passing several stands with smells of steaming hot food which made Barton’s stomach growl and mouth water with hunger, she stopped at stand surrounded by second hand clothing.
“Grab something you think might fit and be quick about it. This Merchant is nearsighted and will never notice what we’ve taken.” Barton and Daxton each picked out roughly the same thing, a pair of trousers which fit around the waist but were a bit long and a mostly clean top. They both looked over at Nelle with raised eyebrows as she held up a long flowing dress in front of herself, admiring the color of the fabric.
“Uhm, Nelle, I think a man walking around with a dress on is likely to bring us more unwanted attention than our royal uniform.”
She quickly put the dress back, realizing her mistake and tried to hide her flushed face as she grabbed a pair of trousers and a shirt.
As she started to lead them away from the market, Barton stopped in his tracks. “But, what about food?”
“If you want to risk inciting a riot dressed in that just to get some food we couldn’t yet pay for, go ahead. I’d rather change first.” Nelle continued on, putting distance between herself and the market with each step. Daxton looked at her moving faster and faster away from them and back at Barton. He shrugged his shoulders and decided to follow her, jogging to catch up. Barton licked his lips, took a deep breath, hoping the smell would hold him over until they could return to partake of the food being served there, and jogged to catch up.
They rounded a corner and found themselves in a rather decrepit part of the village. The streets were covered in garbage and the smell that hung thick in the air removed all thought of hunger from Barton’s mind as he pinched his nose.
“What is that smell?”
“Welcome to Reapers Walk. This is where most men come when they have nothing left to live for,” Nelle answered, looking down as she walked, careful not to step on anything that hazardous. “Watch your step, talk to no one, and do not wander off.”
“You have no fear of us doing that,” Daxton replied, pinching his nose same as his friend who nodded his agreement.
“So, are you saying that smell is—.”
“Dead bodies, yes. No one’s ever bothered to come here and bury the dead because no one cares about those who die here. They are all without hope, without family, without dreams.” As she spoke these words a man who was all skin and bones came stumbling out of one of the shacks, held up only by the barely stable building next to it. When he saw them, still in their royal army uniform he smiled and showed he had no teeth whatever. Nelle lifted her leg and shoved the man in the chest with her boot, sending him crashing to the floor several feet from where they stood. She walked past him quickly and pushed open the door of the building nearby, never bothering to look back at the man as he lay on the ground crying, but no sound escaped his gaping maw.
As Nelle ushered them inside, they found it was much worse with stench than outside and both boys found it difficult to hold back their gag reflexes. The smell of urine mixed with what could only be described as feces and vomit topped off by a hint of several corpses piled on top of each other at the center of the room was enough to make both Daxton and Barton turn away in horror. Nelle placed her clothes over her shoulder and grabbed each of their hands as she carefully led them past the gruesome mess of rotted bodies into the next room. It was far cleaner although the smell from the other room wafted through the gaps in the swinging door.
“You may open your eyes now, there is nothing in here but an empty kitchen.”
Daxton and Barton opened their eyes and were happy to see the emptiness of the room. There was still dirt on the floors and counters, probably brought in by those who passed through, but it was better than what was in the other room. A sight they both knew would take a very long time to leave their memory. Without waiting for them, Nelle began to undress and change into the clothes she carried. Taking a moment to compose themselves and let their noses adjust to the odor, they eventually did the same.
When they were finished, both boys looked towards the door they were brought through with dread at what might be on the other side.
“Do not look so sick, we will leave through the back door this time.” Both turned and looked at her in disbelief.
“Why did you not take us around back in the first place? Subjecting us to such a sight!” Barton grew angrier as his hunger began to return.
“If you follow me, I will show you why we had to come the way we did.” She pushed open the back door with her hip as it was completely covered in vines and leaves from hardly ever being used. Through the back door was a garden that was completely dead. Not a living plant or tree in sight but the smell hit them stronger than before. She took several steps from the door and pointed them towards the right at what looked like a stream nestled right beside the house. Neither of them could understand what the problem was, they’d walked through water before and would’ve preferred it to what they were subjected to inside the house.
However, as they drew near, they saw floating at the top of the water hundreds of dead fish and other animals that were so deformed they could not and would not dare to identify.
“This is where the men come to relieve themselves,” she said, slapping them both on the back and taking a deep breath, seemingly uninhibited by the smell or the surroundings. They both gave a look of disgust. “Now, let’s find some food, shall we?” They both held their stomachs again and suppressed their gag reflexes at the thought.