Free The Merchant and the Menace by Daniel F McHugh

hollow in the
forest.
    “Your home lies almost due north of Luxlor,
approximately there,” pointed the queen.
    “You know my village?” asked Kael.
    “The happenings in Kelky are always of an interest
to us,” replied the queen.
    “Why do you care about our little trading town?”
asked the boy.
    “Kael, you will learn that all towns down to the
smallest hamlet, including every person in that hamlet, affect the overall.
Everything contributes to the whole, and without that tiny addition the whole
changes dramatically.”
    “Even someone like me?” said Kael.
    “Especially someone like you,” laughed the queen.
    “Your majesty?” came a distant call from below in
the stairwell.
    “Lord Teeg searches for me ... or perhaps you,”
said the queen. “We must go.”
    She leaned over and kissed Kael’s cheek. He blushed
furiously as Eirtwin led him down the stairwell. Teeg and Ader stood at the bottom
of the observatory tower.
    “I was looking for Kael and came across Lord Ader
here,” stated Teeg. “He informed me that both of you were up above.”
    “Eavesdropping is not one of your duties is it,
Lord Ader?” said the queen arching a brow at the old trader. “Fear not, your
wishes are being followed.”
    “My lady does me an injustice,” replied Ader. “I
merely searched for the boy. He leaves with Manfir and I in one hour. We will
escort him to his brother and then home to his father in Kelky.”
    “I packed a horse with the goods he sought and
other things which may interest his father,” said Teeg.
    Kael hastily pulled a pouch from around his neck
and untied its drawstring.
    “I carry only enough money for a few vials of almar
chinchur and some lengths of rope,” said Kael.
    “The goods are a gift from the queen,” said Teeg
putting a hand on Kael to stop him.
    “You were a guest traveling to our lands and were
treated poorly at my son’s hands. Please accept my gifts, Kael,” added Eirtwin.
    “My mother always said ‘Never take something for
nothing, you will lose more than you get.’” said Kael and he handed the pouch
to Teeg.
    “Your mother taught you well. I approve,” said
Eirtwin. “Farewell, Kael Brelgson.”
    Queen Eirtwin turned and gracefully moved down the
passageway out of sight. Kael’s spirits dropped upon her departure.
    “She is a woman of great presence,” said Ader
sensing Kael’s mood. “When she enters a room it becomes filled with light. Her
spirit is strong.”
    “Indeed,” concurred Teeg and he waved to the boy.
“Kael, follow me.”
    Teeg led Kael and Ader through the corridors of the
palace to a large wooden door. The doorway led to a courtyard. On the other
side of this courtyard stood the stables. Manfir walked out leading three
horses.
     
    The first of these horses was a large black
stallion. The powerfully built horse wore battle armor across its head, chest
and flanks. The silver armor was polished to a brilliant shine. Kael was struck
by the animal’s ability to inspire both beauty and fear. Ader left Kael with
Teeg and went to speak to Manfir. Kael noticed one of the horses carrying
burdens.
    “Are we going to ride to Kelky?” asked Kael.
    “Of course,” answered Teeg.
    “I ... I don’t carry enough money to pay for a
horse,” broke in Kael nervously.
    “No sense in arguing. The pouch you gave me was to
pay for the gifts from the queen, and the mare is one of them,” said Teeg.
    “I didn’t think her gifts included a horse. I can’t
accept such a gift. My father would be furious,” said Kael.
    “Tell him a bit of gold goes a long way in Luxlor,”
laughed Teeg. “I’m sure he’ll understand Elven generosity.”
    Kael frowned and realized his arguments were
useless. He shook his head and changed the subject.
    “Is that beautiful stallion Ader’s mount?” asked
Kael.
    “No,” replied Teeg. “That is Manfir’s warhorse.”
    “Oh. Makes sense I suppose. It takes a young man to
handle a horse like that,” said