28)
He could see in the distance a large expanse of woodland behind the townage; even in the half light, they looked oppressive.
“Haywreath was once a thriving townage.” Onyx explained, “Though it’s hard now to see it.” The streets were dirt tracks, worn by the horse and carts but there were no walkways or paths. The townage itself stood haunted against the encroaching misty dusk; a collection of weak and warped huts and buildings; weather beaten with misshapen timbers, scratched glass and chipped daub. They looked as if they were falling down; huddling together for security and protection.
“Don’t let appearances deceive you, Creator. Look again.” Onyx explained, in a whispered tone. “Haywreath has stood for many decades and will continue to. The buildings were built this way to create the wrong impression – they look fragile but their foundations run deep and have stood against much.” Alex looked again and tried to leave his earlier preconceptions aside. There was solidity in their design that he had not seen before; the timbers were warped but sturdy, they were not rotten in any way. It was the ultimate sleight-of-hand; no raiders would invade a falling down village, Alex marveled at the ingenuity of it.
“Haywreath became the stronghold at the heart of Bellkipeg at one time.” Onyx said, and nodded. “Here travellers from all over would convene and share information about the Baecons from the North; the Nashfarr from the South and the Plaensmen from the East.”
“What about the West? What came from the West?” Alex asked
“The Presence.” Onyx explained, “But not initially. The Presence came later. Bellkipeg was united – all tribes were one tribe, all woods were just the one wood. Then things shifted, and then continued shifting.” Onyx paused and pondered before continuing. “No one really knows what is meant by the shifting, but where once harmony reigned; reports started coming in of discord and tension amongst certain of the tribes. Communications ceased between townage and walls were built where there were none before, to keep out intruders. Intruders!” He laughed bitterly. “That word would not even have been considered at one stage – there was never any concept of the stranger. But now it seems we are all strangers to each other.” He sighed as they neared the tavern.
“Aye,” Interrupted Anjinn, “And do not forget that’s exactly what we wish to be, strangers. We do not need to attract any more attention to ourselves. Allura and myself are well known here, you are not.” Anjinn motioned to Alex. “The first thing we need to do is gather information.”
“The first thing I need to do,” Alex interjected, “is have something to eat, I’m starving.” He had just caught the smell of roasting meats on the breeze reminding him just how hungry he really was; he couldn’t actually remember when he had last eaten.
“Can you not think of anyone else except yourself?” Allura snapped.
“It is a valid point though, Allura” Onyx said, siding with Alex. “Neither myself or Alex have eaten in a long while. We are not as ‘spiritually committed’ to this task as you..”
“So be it.” Allura conceded. “Make your way to a table.” She said motioning inside the tavern. “Anjinn will secure you both a room upstairs where you will be able to rest and eat. We will join you once we have secured you both a change of clothes, and gathered the information we need.”
29)
The crowded tavern smelt of beer, wood smoke, large groups of swarthy men and, most importantly, food. All the tables were crowded and Alex could feel himself getting claustrophobic and paranoid. He suddenly felt extremely vulnerable as if all eyes were upon him and that every person in there was a potential Skin Crawler. How would he be able to tell the difference, after all? Allura sensed this and guided them to a shadowed booth along the back wall.
“We’ll wait here whilst Anjinn arranges a room for us, and some food.” Allura explained, her tone a little softer. Alex tried to focus on what was happening around him: all around groups of people were talking; shouting; jostling for information or simply staring uneasily at one another. But amongst this commotion there was an undercurrent that he was only just becoming conscious of.
Everyone was aware; even though the groups kept themselves to themselves they were all constantly checking where the other groups were and what they were doing. There was a faint air of paranoia that hung around everything. As he looked around the room he sensed that Allura had been staring at him. She took a brief look into Alex’s eyes as she spoke and he felt her gently brush against his mind.
“I forget easily.” She said, “You are but a boy, really. I feel I may have been too judgmental in my earlier harshness. Anjinn is correct: you are just as much a victim of ‘circumstance’ as we are.” She looked at Onyx, “You were right as well, Old one, maybe there is more to us meeting than just by happenstance.”
Onyx nodded, “I suppose that’s the closest we’re going to get to an apology, young Alex.” He said, smiling just as Anjinn returned.
“The barkeep has allowed us to retire to one of the rooms above.” He explained. “Allura will show you the way whilst I arrange for the food to be brought up.” As they walked away from the table Alex felt all eyes turn and watch as they progressed up the stairs; he felt it was impossible for them to remain inconspicuous and he was relieved when they finally reached their room.
“I will bring you a change of clothes whilst Anjinn gets you some food.” Allura explained before they entered. “You will be able to wash and shave, should you wish to do so; although it might be an idea to change your appearance somehow.” She paused a second, looking around her to make sure no one was listening. “Lock the door behind you and let no one in unless they knock a specific way.” Allura tapped eight times on the door panel. “Should you hear another knock then do not answer the door; instead be wary and be ready to fight your way out. Once you shut the door behind you, check the room for secret panels and mark your escape routes.”
Unlocking the door, Allura motioned for them to go in before handing the key to Onyx. “We will be as quick as we can. Once we have procured food and clothes, Anjinn and myself will try and gather some information on our predicament.” Before she shut the door she said, “Remember, do not open the door to anyone but us.”
30)
The room was sparsely furnished: a bed stood crooked underneath the window at the far wall, coarse blankets covered a lumpy mattress and ineffective pillows; a small table occupied one corner of the room with a make-shift vanity mirror and a bowl with a jug of water; a tall screen stood in another corner. Two towels and a cake of soap sat on a chair next to the table.
“Looks like we can make ourselves more presentable, Creator; should we wish to.” Onyx said. It had been ages since Alex had last looked at himself in the mirror. He moved the towels off the chair to sat down at the table and stared at the warped reflection. He was surprised to see the face staring back at him was haggard and unshaven. He was instantly reminded of the reflection that he saw briefly in the Vaurac’s bathroom. At the time he thought that the gaunt; dirt streaked face looking back at him had been an hallucination but now it was anything but. Shocked by his appearance he took the soap and used it to wash the worst of the dirt off his face. He used the rest of the water to rinse his hair through.
“Do not worry, Creator, I will not be needing the water.” Onyx chuckled.
“Onyx, I’m sorry.” He replied, embarrassed by his thoughtlessness. He had been too preoccupied with his appearance to even think about Onyx.
“It is alright, Creator.” Onyx smiled benevolently. “I have also checked our room for secret panels and have made note of where the exits are.”
“Again; I’m sorry. I was too….” Alex couldn’t think of the words to explain why he had gone straight to the mirror. He was now really missing the comforts of home.
“I understand. It must be quite a shock to see yourself in such a state. Still, think yourself lucky.. I have had to endure such a sight for the last few days!” At this he laughed and Alex couldn’t help but smile.
“Do you think I should keep the beard?” He asked.
“I think so, Creator. It adds a certain mystery to you. As it grows bushier it will also obscure your facial outline a bit more and make it easier for you to remain unnoticed in a crowd.”
“True.” Alex agreed whilst drying his hair on one of the towels. “I feel better already for just washing my hair. Funny really.”
The sudden knock surprised him, but he was relieved when it was the right rhythm signalling their return. Onyx walked to the door and peered through the spy-hole before opening it to Anjinn, who carried two bundles of clothes. Allura walked in behind carrying a tray of food and a flagon of questionable liquid.
“Change into the clothes that Anjinn has brought and let me have your old ones.” Allura explained, placing the tray on the bed. “We will find a place to hide them, or even burn them later.”
Alex took the new clothes without even looking at them; he wanted to distance himself from the torn and muddied garments he’d been wearing- and walked behind the screen. Putting them on he was skeptical: he wouldn’t normally be seen dead wearing the brown-leathered trousers, holly green jerkin let alone the light brown tunic which came down to his thighs; however the black cape and leather boots he loved. Once he had put them on, however, he felt fantastic.
Walking out from behind the screen Onyx beamed, “A distinct improvement!” he said, and Allura smiled in agreement. Alex looked at himself in the vanity mirror and couldn’t stop grinning.
31)
“Recognise yourself, do you, creator?” Onyx asked.
“Yes, I do.” He replied. “This feels right. I can’t explain it.”
“Nor should you.” Onyx replied as Alex gave his old clothes to Allura. “Now, I think it is time for us to eat.” Alex looked at Allura as she walked towards the door. Anjinn had already exited.
“Are you not stopping for something to eat?” He asked.
“We will eat after we have gained the information we need.” She said. “Please, do not wait for us. Remember to listen for the knock.” When she shut the door Alex walked over and locked it. He was confused about Allura’s sudden change of attitude towards him.
“I don’t understand, Onyx.” He said. “Up until recently Allura has been completely inhospitable to me; not that I blame her.” Alex conceded, walking to the bed where the food had been placed. “But all of a sudden she’s now being.. nice to me. I can’t quite comprehend the change of attitude.”
“Allura is a driven woman, Creator.” Onyx explained, sitting on the bed. “She has been given an almost impossible task: to find the Mirror of Sfel, which has been lost for generations.” He picked up a squat bread roll and tore a piece off before continuing. “The fate of her tribe rests on finding this mirror, indeed so does the fate of Bellkipeg, which is why you are the only one that can find it.” He popped the piece of roll in his mouth and chewed it in cogitation.
“Why am I the only one that can find it?” Alex asked.
“You are the Lightbringer.” Onyx stated, matter-of-factly. “That is why you have been brought to Bellkipeg. You are the key to Allura’s salvation, if you will, and your paths are linked.” Alex pondered this and sat on the other side of the bed, picked up a roll and chewed on it.
“But that doesn’t explain her change of mood.” Alex stated.
“No, but think about this.” Onyx clarified. “Allura was told that she had to search for the Lightbringer, that he would be the one that would find the Mirror of Sfel…” Alex understood immediately….
“And then she saw me.” He sighed, and then smiled sheepishly. “I can’t imagine the crushing disappointment she had when I then tried to kill her.” Alex said, now feeling a little sorry for himself, and Onyx sighed heavily.
“That is not the point, Creator.” Onyx remarked, firmly. “Now is not the time for self-pity, rather for self-awareness. Do not recriminate yourself for the past, you have taken responsibility for it, you no longer have to drag that burden along with you. Let it alone!”
“What would you have me do instead?” Alex asked.
“In some ways Allura should have taken more precaution before trying to read your essence.” Onyx explained. “She allowed herself to be too open to the presence, which could have been fatal.” Onyx paused a little, chewing thoughtfully on another piece of roll he had torn off before continuing. He motioned Alex to do the same. “Allura is headstrong and her task far too important to allow such mistakes, and she is far too proud to admit when she is wrong and all the time you fought against her and objected to her attitude to you then she did not have to face up to her responsibility. However when you accepted what had happened and changed your manner then she had no choice but to face hers. When she 'saw' just how vulnerable you truly are, and that reflected back her own feelings of vulnerability.”
Alex found this hard to understand, Allura was the least vulnerable woman he had ever known; she seemed so capable and strong. “She will never let anyone see that side of her, mind.” Onyx replied to Alex’s silent question. “And she will never admit to seeing anything else in you - however she will now be more mindful of you, and will be less likely to see you as the enemy. But don’t act any differently towards her; she will not thank you for it.”
“I won’t…” Alex replied. “Thanks for telling me.” Onyx nodded, patiently.
“You have come a long way, Creator.” He said, putting a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I don’t think you fully realise, but you have.”
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