The Bard of Xalir (Complete!)/The Archer of Adelbern (Complete)/Book 3 (Coming Soon)

As we walked through the city, I couldn't help but notice all the worried stares and angry looks. No doubt the rumor mill was already in full swing. Valna was taking on a lot by welcoming us into her home, more than ever before. It was our fault that the government was in shambles, the city taken over by Trafford and those in his pockets.

Valna welcomed us back into her mansion with open arms. I'd spent so long in the sewers and the dungeon, I hadn't seen her since the failed pardoning ritual. Any injuries she'd sustained during the event were mostly healed. The same could be said for Richard, who stood guard outside the manor.

He kept his eyes forward as we walked past him.

"I'm so glad you're alright," said Valna, enveloping me in a hug.

"For now," I replied, patting her back. "But we're still in danger."

"You'll win," said Zadona, sitting down on the closest chair she could find. She stretched her legs. "I know it."

I stepped away from Valna and sighed. "Under normal circumstances, I would agree with you. But without my mandolin…"

I watched as Greenspring was led up to the bedrooms by Nia. Hearing his father's name after so many years had stunned him. Whatever happened the last time they met had affected him greatly. Which was a shame, as he might've known a way to get to the sacred grove and ask for another mandolin.

Beth hugged me from behind. "You don't need it."

"Yes, well, I know I don't need it," I replied. "But it would help a lot. Especially for countering his songs."

Zadona looked toward the door. "We won't be able to find another one."

"Maybe Trafford will let you borrow one," said Valna.

"He'd be a fool if he did," I said, shaking my head.

Thunder God's Mimic, my song of strength, and the few healing spells I knew were my best tools to use against Trafford. Even though they didn't require an instrument to use, it did make using them easier. Casting spells requires an immense amount of focus and willpower. If I don't believe that the spell will succeed, it won't. My mandolin was the source of my confidence.

But that didn't mean all hope was lost. If I learned anything from these past few years, it was that I needed to be resourceful. If I couldn't get an instrument in time, then I would need to find another way. After all, what good is a bard with only one trick?

"Zadona, do you remember those wands Piopus gave you for your birthday?"

"Yes," said Zadona, staring solemnly at the floor. "But…"

"Wands?" asked Valna.

"Master Piopus gave Zadona some magic wands as a going away gift," I answered. "If I remember correctly, they should be able to cast different types of elemental magic."

"They can," said Zadona.

I clasped my hands together. "Great! Can I borrow them?"

"Yes, well, normally I would say yes, but… I made them into arrows."

"How?" I asked.

"I made the wands into the shaft of the arrow. For the arrowheads, I made them out of pewter. A magician once told me pewter could attract magic toward it. So I thought it would help to enhance the power of the wands. I was right," said Zadona, smirking. "Everything else is standard. As long as I activate the wands before I release the arrow, the spell will go off on contact."

"I don't remember Piopus giving you a lot of wands," said Beth. "Did you buy more?"

"Wands are hardier than most arrow shafts," answered Zadona. "I've only had one break on me so far."

"Do you think I could borrow what you have left?" I asked.

"Of course."

"And a bow?"

"You can have mine," said Beth. "Not like I'll be doing much with it going forward."

"Thanks, dear," I said, kissing her cheek.

"Do you know how to use a bow?" asked Zadona, crossing her arms.

I smiled at her. "I've watched you, how hard can it be?"

Unconvinced. Zadona ran to go grab her things from upstairs. While I was wandering through the sewers, and in the royal dungeon, Zadona had moved into Valna's mansion. I thanked the gods everyday that Valna was a fan of mine. Without her, we would have never come as far as we have.

While Zadona was gone, I turned toward Valna. "I'm not familiar with the details of your religion, but your ceremonial outfit is magical, yes?"

She nodded. "Yes, it has a few magical properties, but only to true followers of the goddess."

"Ah, I see," I said, unable to hide my disappointment. "The power of a goddess would have been very useful to have on my side."

"If you'd like, I could give you a blessing?"

I perked up. "A blessing?"

Valna straightened up as she posed confidently. "I'm the head of the Lawmaker's Assembly. The goddess' will flows through me. I can ask for a blessing on your behalf."

"What kind of blessing can you give?" I asked as Zadona returned with her wands.

Zadona set her quiver onto a nearby chair and sorted through the various arrows inside. Each of the arrows she had made out of the wands had colored bands marking what kind of elemental magic they could use. Separating them from the normal arrows, she left them inside the quiver and pulled out the rest. Then she handed the quiver to me.

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"I can't bless any weapons," said Valna, her eyes following the quiver. "But I can give you some protection. Hopefully it will be enough."

"I know it will."

Magic arrows, a bow, a goddess' protection, and my own magic. As far as I knew, all Trafford had on his side were his own bardic skills. But was it enough? I didn't just need to win, I needed Trafford to lose in a satisfying way. Satisfying to him, of course, and to the crowd.

"I'm going to see if Nia needs help," I said, giving the quiver back to Zadona.

Beth opened her mouth like she was going to say something, then closed it. She turned toward Zadona. "Can you help me get my bow ready for Norman?"

"That's really something he should do," said Zadona.

Beth rolled her eyes and grabbed Zadona's hand. "Come on. He's got enough on his plate as it is."

As Beth led her upstairs, Valna asked, "Shall I ask the cooks to prepare something special for dinner?"

I waved my hand dismissively. "No, unless you want to. Perhaps after I win?"

She smiled. "Can I ask a favor?"

"Go for it," I replied.

"If you—when you win, can you perform in my church?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I already promise that?"

Valna lightly smacked her forehead. "Right, I forgot. It seems so much has happened since then."

I grinned. "Then I'll repeat myself. I will perform for you, and your church. That's a promise on my honor as a bard."

"Thank you," she said with a bow.

I cleared my throat and started to walk upstairs. Being thanked was nothing new to me, but having someone ask me to perform and then thank me for it gave me a weird feeling. Like they should have been asking someone else. I was good enough, I knew that, but somehow it felt wrong. The feeling passed as quickly as it came, but I knew it would come back as soon as it was time to perform.

Nia's room was empty, which meant that she took Greenspring up to his room. That was obvious, but it didn't hurt to check. The door was shut, so I knocked and waited outside. Once I heard Nia call me in, I entered and shut the door behind me. Greenspring was laying in bed, looking out the window.

"I can't get him to talk," said Nia.

I pulled a chair up to the bed. "Is he wearing his totem?"

"Don't see why he wouldn't be."

"Did you check?"

"No," said Nia.

I rolled my eyes and stepped toward Greenspring. He glanced at me, then looked back at the window. A warm breeze was blowing in from outside. The curtains waved lazily, disrupting a spider constructing its web. It worked quickly to repair the damage, only to have to start all over again.

"Greenspring, are you okay?" I asked.

He didn't answer.

"I'm going to check your totem, okay?"

When he didn't answer for a second time, I shrugged and pulled down his shirt. The wooden wolf shaped totem hung from his neck by a thread made of dry grass. Blank eyes stared forward at the ceiling. I breathed a sigh of relief and let go of Greenspring's shirt. His eyes were now focused on me, a hint of fear behind them.

"Greenspring, I'm going to fight Trafford," I said, meeting his eyes. "I've been asking for help from all our friends. I would like yours as well. Zadona gave me her magic arrows, Beth her bow, and Valna a blessing. I know this is a lot to ask, but I would like to borrow your pendant as well."

He grabbed my arm, squeezing harder than I expected he was capable of. His body shook. "You can not," he said in a breathless whisper. "I must… protect… The power, Norman, the power, it is too much."

"It could be the key to defeating Trafford."

Greenspring shook his head. "There are… others who desire it."

"Can you fight?" asked Nia.

"I… No," said Greenspring.

Nia placed her hand on my shoulder. "Well, Norman can. And if he can use your totem, then he may be able to win."

I nodded. "Just for the one fight. Then I'll give it right back."

Greenspring's eyes shifted between Nia and me. Fear and sadness washed across his face, before he closed his eyes and sighed. "When I became a druid, I received this pendant. Just as my parents received theirs, and their parents before them."

"My brother made his by himself," said Nia, pulling her otter pendant out of her shirt.

"Some do," said Greenspring. He took a deep breath. "But not my family. My father was blessed by the tiger spirit, my mother the swan spirit. Druids are told to protect their pendants with their life. That is not why I hesitate, my dear friend. No, my totem is different.

"I was a fool. In my youth, I bet my pendant against a magic potion. The potion was said to contain an elixir of eternal life. That was not the full truth. Though I tried to cheat, I lost my pendant. It was my father who got it back for me. He spilled the potion on my pendant, imbuing it with its magic. Now, just wearing it can heal any injury. Even death.

"Blackwater, my father, is dead. Yet he walks the lands of the living. He is searching the world for my pendant, as he wants to claim the power for himself. For many years, I have traveled the world hiding from him. Trying my best to do good wherever I go. That is how I met you two.

"I trust you, Norman. I really do, but if Trafford were to obtain my totem, or even my father, I fear for the world. You must promise me—no, swear it! Swear that you will win and return my totem."

I placed my hand over my heart. "Greenspring, I swear that I will defeat Trafford and return your totem to you."

He searched my eyes for any sign of doubt. Finding none, he let go of me and pulled his pendant over his head. With shaking hands, he pressed it into mine. I could feel heat from the wood, pulsating like a heartbeat. As soon as he let go of the totem, he took a deep breath and sunk into the bed.

"Win for the druids," he whispered. Closing his eyes, he quickly fell asleep.

Nia and I watched him for a few seconds longer. I was worried he had died. Slowly, I checked his pulse and confirmed that he was just sleeping. Then I placed the totem around my neck and waited for something to happen. Nothing did. If it was working, I wouldn't know unless I got hurt. A shame, as I would have loved to turn into a wolf.

"So," said Nia, placing her hands on her hips. "What do you want from me?"

I smiled at her. "This may seem like an odd request, but I'd like to borrow your axe."

She started to laugh. "You want to borrow my axe? I don't think you can even lift the thing."

"True," I said, nodding my head. "But with my song of strength I could—"

"Doesn't that have a time limit?" asked Nia.

"Yes, but if I win quickly…"

"Seems risky," she said, pursing her lips.

"All of this is risky."

"I have a better idea." She walked to the nearby cabinet and started to rummage through her things. I waited patiently as she threw clothes onto the floor behind her. Finally, she pulled out a long black leather case and set it onto the foot of the bed. The sleek design of the case was very fancy. I wondered where it had come from, as Nia hadn't brought it with us from Kent's Crossing.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Open it," she said, barely hiding her grin.

I pulled open the metal latch and opened the lid. Inside, encased in a red leather scabbard, was a longsword. As I pulled it from the case, I was a mess of emotions. It slid from the scabbard, the metal surface reflecting the sunlight into my eyes. Engraved with an array of musical notes, the sword was perfect in every way. Perfectly weighted, perfectly sharp, and perfectly beautiful.

"Surprise!" exclaimed Nia. "Tamara made it for you, on my request. She even did it for free. With all the training that we've been doing, I thought you'd like to have a proper weapon. Something better than your knife. I was hoping to give it to you under better circumstances, but…"

Tears welled in my eyes. "Thank you. I… I don't know what to say besides thank you."

"You may not have your fancy instrument, but you've got something from all of us," said Nia, giving me a stern look. "Please, Norman, avenge Voitto. It's all up to you."

I stared at my new weapon, feeling its weight in my hands. "I know."