Daxton - Episode 42

The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [1,332 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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Barton, ever the clumsy one, attempted to follow Nelle and Daxton who were well out of the shop. In his haste he bumped into a nearby barrel holding several swords. They clanged into each other and he knew the sound was too loud not to be heard. Traix doubled back to find Barton trying to pick them up.

“You! But you should be dead!” Traix looked to his daughter who was fast on her father’s heels and came to a stop, trying to escape his glare. “Adelaide! Why is he here? I thought you told me you killed him?”

“Papa, I couldn’t kill him. You were wrong about him and his friend the way you have been wrong before.”

Her father’s eyes grew wide as it hit him what his daughter was saying. “Do you mean to tell me you have killed no one? All those spies. You let them go?”

“They were not spies, papa. You only thought they were. The king does not care to find you. He would not waste his men to track you for this long.” The hurt he showed in his eyes stopped her from speaking. Barton could tell from experience this was a long-standing fight he did not wish to be a part of and tried to leave unnoticed by either of them.

“you have disappointed me greatly, Adelaide.” He turned away from her and noticed the nail where the compass once hung was empty as well. He chuckled to himself and shook his head, amazed that he could be so trusting of her for so long.

“But Papa…”

“I am not your papa! Now, get out of here!” The words stung her deeply as tears filled her eyes. With her sword in hand she ran outside, pushing past Barton, who nearly toppled over as he tried to maintain his balance on swords still on the ground. “You better leave too, before I finish what my daughter failed to do.”

Suddenly, a loud scream erupted from outside and yet again Barton found himself at the receiving end of a shove, this time from Traix. He found his balance again and grabbed one of the swords from the ground as he followed close behind.

Both Barton and Traix stopped in the middle of the square to find it had been emptied, save for Adelaide who was right now in the arms of General Corwinn. “Son?” he asked, not expecting to see him there.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal son,” the Paragon said, smiling jovially.

Nelle and Daxton heard the screams from Adelaide as well and doubled back to rescue her, only to find her in the arms of General Corwinn who brought several of his men with him.

“Let her go!” Barton shouted at his father, brandishing his sword at him. He’d fought his father many times before and was never able to best him, but he was not about to let the odds prevent him from coming to someone’s defense.

The Paragon laughed at the suggestion of such a demand. “do not you want to know how we found you so quickly?” He nodded to a group of soldiers huddled together to one side. They walked forwards and dropped at his knees, Wendynn. He was beaten and bloodied but was able to stand on his own two feet. “In exchange for his life he informed me you were in the act of stealing a compass. I would have that compass.” The Paragon held his hand out towards Barton. “Wait, a fool such as you could never be trusted with something so valuable. No, I would wager, you have it.” He turned to Daxton, still holding his hand out.

“What compass? I do not have—.” Before Daxton could finish his sentence, the Paragon walked over to General Corwinn and took possession of Adelaide, by the hair, yanking her to the ground. She screamed out in pain as she hit the floor. Wendynn clenched his fists, ready to attack.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I have all that I need now, peasant. I suggest you leave with the life I promised you, for I will not make the same deal twice.” Wendynn did not even bother to look at the faces of anyone standing around watching him as he ran off into the woods. “Now, the compass, or she dies.”

The Paragon raised his free hand before him, palm up, and brought forth a bright orange flame, his eyes glowed the same color.

“Wait, here it is.” Daxton pulled out the compass he stole from the blacksmith’s shop. He turned to look at him to offer some sort of apology for having stolen it when he realized he was not standing next to Barton anymore. In the blink of an eye Traix had moved over to where his daughter had dropped the sword she held when running out of his shop. He picked it up and brandished it on General Corwinn.

“You!” General Corwinn did not recognize this crazed man but he unsheathed his sword in defense. The two men struck swords as the general bested Traix easily, sending his crashing to the ground, the Adelaide sword still in hand.

“I do not know you, fool. Stop this instant or I will be forced to take your life.” Traix had the look of a madman who was not about to stop his pursuit of Corwinn. Ever since that day eighteen years ago when he told him of what happened when the king’s ship went up against an unbeatable Captain Silverblade, he’s blamed Corwinn for all that he’s been forced to endure.

“You do not remember me? The man whose life you stole not twenty years ago!” Traix got to his feet quickly and went straight for Corwinn again. “The only reason Corwinn the Coward is a general is because he stole my story. Do you still not remember? You thief!” Traix almost plunged his sword into Corwinn’s side but was blocked just in time. It was then Corwinn remembered this man and he chuckled a little to himself as he easily pushed Traix away from him.

“I cannot believe you still blame me for the life you now lead. I did you a favor old man. Be grateful you are not in my shoes.”

The two men continued to clash swords, making the Paragon become frustrated by it all. Fed up by their feud he decided it needed to come to an end.

“Humans,” the Paragon said as he waved his hand ever so slightly. Adelaide looked on in horror, still held down by her hair, as the sword Traix held steady, wavered. Corwinn lunged forward, expecting Traix to block him yet again, only this time it did not happen. Instead, his sword entered Traix’s body, all the way to the hilt. He held him up around the back by his other arm and looked deep into his victim’s eyes.

“NO!” General Corwinn screamed, lowering Traix’s body to the ground. As a tear fell from his eye, he pulled his sword from his body.

The Paragon found he could not hold onto Adelaide any longer. He loosened his grip just enough for her to run to her father’s side. He clutched her sword, once wielded by her real father, close to his heart as she cradled his head in her arms.

“Adelaide…”

“Shh now, father, do not speak. I am here now.” She rocked him in her arms. The blood was seeping from his body too quickly and she knew his time on this earth was fleeting.

Droplets appeared on his forehead and she wiped them away, never realizing they were her own tears. “do not run away like your father, Adelaide. Take this sword and be smarter than we ever were. do not fight someone else’s battles. Always fight for yourself.”

“Yes, father, I’ll do as you ask. Just do not…” She watched him take his last breath. “…leave me.”

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