หัวขโมยแห่งบารามอส 2 คทาแห่งพลัง (แปลอังกฤษ) English Version

ลำดับตอนที่ #21 : Chapter 21: Nothing is Free in This World (บทที่ 21:-ของฟรีไม่มีในโลก)

Chapter twenty-one

Nothing is Free in This World

The Sun was sinking low, and Felin’s heart pounded with mounting discomfort with every moment that passed.

It seemed the Sun was travelling faster than usual today. Time itself went by so swiftly Felin felt like screaming. He glared irritably at Rowen, who was going through the formalities, retrieving the wand from Debel.

What with the dilly-dallying!? Didn’t he know they’re in a midst of lunatics ready to turn into cannibals the second night falls?

“Felin,”

Kalo spoke up finally, having watched the lad spring up now and then restlessly for a while. Felin met his eyes and slumped down beside him once more.

“It won’t be much longer. You should practice keeping your cool sometimes.”

“I can’t. That’s why I’m called ‘Felin’ and not ‘Kalo’.”

Felin retorted and pouted. Noticing Princess Vivien conversing with the townspeople who had come to send them off, he couldn’t help but pity her. But maybe it’s better to keep her void of the truth forever.

“My best wishes to Lemothy.” Said Debel at long last.

Felin sighed softly, bolted up and made for the main gates.

“Let’s go!” He shouted.

But it’s still not so easy to depart.

“Perhaps you should stay on.” Said Lucifin, though he himself had told them to leave as soon as possible. “It’s getting dark.”

“Exactly. Vivien thinks…” Princess Vivien agreed, but Felin cut her short.

“No!”

Rowen smiled at him. The villagers, on the other hand, were on the verge of tears.

“Sister, you’re so mean! They’re probably very sad.”

“I bet they are.” Felin hurriedly pushed her into the wagon, called for Kil and Kalo then clambered in swiftly.

“Vivien have never met better people anywhere. Vivien wonder if Vivien's people in Venol love Vivien as much as these villagers do.”

Felin sighed again and met her eyes.

“Princess, there’s nothing free in this world. Sometimes it’s better not to be given anything. Believe me, your highness; don’t accept their love. Leave it all behind.”

He said willfully, then pushed aside the cloth and shouted out when the others were still stalling.

“No matter how long we put it off we’ll all have to say goodbye someday. Master Rowen. Master Arthur. If we don’t leave now it’ll be nightfall before we’re out of the valley. And we’ll know trouble when we meet it.”

The villagers sensed the inkling in Felin’s words and fell silent. Rowen and Arthur jumped aboard.

“You have decided solely on departing. Are you sure you haven’t forgotten anything?” Asked Lucifin.

“Yes.” Felin insisted.

“Are you sure you’re leaving?” He kept asking.

“Of course. Cut it out, will you?”

“You won’t regret it?”

Felin heaved a great sigh and yelled.

“No!”

Lucifin sighed then bowed.

“Then, we people of Skull Valley wish Your Majesties the best.”

Rowen picked up the reins, but before he could move the horses, the mayor continued.

“That you have asked the other day about the test of Skull Valley. Our valley tests your conscience, Your Majesty.”

Then the wagon slowly departed from the prosperous valley.

The second they were clear of the enormous gates, dark storm clouds gathered above and the sky darkened. Distant rumbles were succeeded by claps of lightning and finally by a torrential downpour. The gusting wind became a dangerous gale, yanking large trees clean out of the ground. Then a thunderbolt came charging down, setting some foliage on fire. The horses panicked, terrified with the noise and the damage, and their masters halted in dismay.

“We can’t make it through this.”

Rowen turned to Arthur, who frowned and narrowed his eyes.

“Something’s not right.”

Then the curtain was pushed aside and Felin appeared. He handed the two drivers coats to keep them from the rain.

“Why stop? We’re not out of Skull Valley yet.”

“The heavens are against us.” Arthur responded. But Felin wasn’t feeling quite jolly.

“Leave the gods be and skit, senior! Before those dwarves thought better and caught up with us! I can’t stand the horror!”

The conspicuous fear in those words had the two older men smiling at each other.

“What horror, Felin? You stumbled on something?”

Felin pouted at Rowen’s query.

“Senior, you don’t know nothing! Those dwarves. They’re…”

“For heaven’s sake! Do you have to poke your nose into everything? Can’t you just stay where we put you for once?” Arthur burst out irritably. “What have you done this time? Been to the slaughterhouse, haven’t you?”

“C’mon, you don’t know nothing! They…”

“The dwarves of Skull Valley are meat-eaters. Humans are their eminent favorite. It’s only a few days, and I don’t want you guys to be scared, so I kept it quiet.” Rowen interrupted in a way that had Felin gaping and swearing inappropriately. “Don’t you worry, Felin. These dwarves kept very strictly by their pact with Evides. So long as we depart before the deadline and brought none of their things, then all will be well.”

Hearing that, Felin gulped. He sensed something foreboding in what Rowen had said. He made a face, grinned meekly and steered away.

“But they’re as small as that. Say we don’t, what can they do?”

At that, the two seniors immediately turned and stared intensely. Felin looked away.

“Felin, hopefully you haven’t done anything?”

Arthur asked for sure while Rowen studied him with mysterious eyes. Felin smiled mirthlessly and shook his head side to side.

“Of course not. ‘Tis nothing. Let’s move on; I’m cold.”

He replied briefly and withdrew into the safety of the wagon, leaving the two outside to find the answer on their own. Rowen shrugged and jostled the reins, driving the horses further through the ominous weather.

More and more clouds gathered. The rain poured heavier and heavier. The icy wind clawed at his skin and he smiled in the darkness.

Stupid dwarves. Now they’d know better than to trifle with him.

He felt for the diamond hidden underneath his shirt and closed his eyes.

It’s not that he wanted it. He just can’t stand being offended, that’s all. Tell a thief not to steal? Anyone in their right mind wouldn’t!

Soon they’ll be free of this hideous valley. Oh, how he’d love to see their faces when they realize they’d been tricked! He might have to wait for a century for that.

Good Felin. Living the dream Dad had failed to triumph.

He thought of Dad and chuckled through the stress gnawing his mind.

Was that really Dad’s toe?

He’d asked Dad loads of times about his missing toe. Dad never replied.

But was it possible someone like Madus Debereaux could ever be that beaten? Especially when there’s nothing intimidating about those dwarves, apart from their appetite, that is.

Felin resigned himself from his thoughts and gazed at the other occupants. Kalo was sitting quietly with his blue eyes on Judgement. Its crystal had turned murky while the human patterns shone queerly. Kil was leaning against the wagon side, listening to the rain while he slept. He turned and met Felin’s eyes fleetingly before going back to sleep. Vivien was paler than usual today. Like Kalo, she sat silently with her woes.

What’s the fuss with life?

Quite unconcerned, Felin leaned back and threw the window open without apparent regard for the rain. However, he felt somehow troubled as he peered through the midst of pouring rain.

He felt he must do something. Something he did not know what.

Maybe he’d feel better once they were out of Skull Valley.

He whispered to himself and smiled when the milestone finally appeared. The wagon rumbled along on the laid path and bumped onto the dirt road signaling the stretch of the valley.

Clear.

Felin smiled once more. However, his triumphant grin was short-lived; a bright light suddenly shone from his chest. Then a searing pain surged through him and he cried loudly.

“Felin! What’s wrong!?”

Kalo was the first to reach him, his expression of immense concern as he watched his friend’s horrid spasms. Felin’s eyes were gaping wide as he bucked and screamed. One of his hands cling onto the windowframe for support as the other clutched at his chest in pure agony.

Without further ado, Kalo pulled Felin into his arms and yanked his shirt up. And what they saw took their breaths away.

Shining ever brightly was the pink diamond as it sank itself into Felin’s skin. Deeper and deeper it went as they gaped, horrified.

“Hellfire!”

Kalo swore. Vivien grew even paler.

“Not again!” Kil grimaced then frowned. “Get those two.”

He turned to Vivien who was nearest to the door. She did as she was told at once, poking her head out into the rain and thunder. Just then, the wagon screeched to an abrupt halt.

The horses neighed loudly, to be followed by Vivien’s scream. Kalo met eyes with Kil and they both frown woefully.

“Seems we have guests.” Kalo sighed softly and hugged Felin close. The thief had calmed though his complexion remained pallid.

“How're you feeling?”

Felin grabbed his arm.

“Not so painful, Kalo. But it’s burning. Get it out…”

Hearing that, Kil slumped down beside them and leaned in for a closer look.

“It’s deliberately embedded.” He ran his hand over the area and pouted. “We’ll have to slice you open, pal.”

Felin gulped, and thought better.

“Uh, then just leave it there. It’s quite a beauty…”

Kil chuckled. That’s what he likes about Felin: Laughter in the face of absolute doom.

“What’s it with your hands that you can’t keep them still? Why are you always finding us trouble!?”

Kalo began lecturing. Felin started and pushed him off. The pain had turned into numbness and heat.

“It’s a habit.” He said simply. “And who’d think they’d come up with such a trick? Nobody told me first that there’s glue under the gem.”

Felin averted to humor even though in truth he was feeling rather bad. Then jolted at the fierce bellow from outside.

“You idiots! Get out here this instant and help us with the guests!”

Guests!?

He didn’t feel like helping; they’ve brought the entire valley from the looks of it!

Felin gazed at the surreal events uneasily. Feeling his chest where the gem had sunk itself uniformly with his flesh, he felt rather spooked. Turning to his friends, Kalo shot him a reproachful glower while Kil sent him a hilarious wink.

The Dark Dwarves of Demos, each and every with a sharp axe rather too large for them and stoic expressions, surrounded their wagon and closed in without the slightest regard for the rainstorm or the thunder.

“How come they’re so quick?”

Muttered Felin. Glancing at the by now extremely pale Vivien, he saw she was shaking vigorously.

“Don’t get all worked up, princess. They’re just dwarves. One swipe of Master Arthur’s sword and they’ll all be smithereens.”

“No, Sister. They aren’t dwarves. They’re Deaths. They’re all walking skeletons!”

There was no other explanation;

Judgement.

Felin’s eyes flared as he forbid firmly.

“Don’t ever touch the wand again, princess.”

The dwarves drew nearer and nearer. Their number was terrifying. Soon there will be no alternative but violence to get everyone out of here in one piece.

“Rowen, get us out of here!” Felin cried. Seeing the prince rooted, he turned to Arthur. “Master Arthur, do something!”

“What have you taken from them, Felin?”

Arthur instead answered icily. His eyes flaring with flames of fury made him as intimidating as the dwarves, who were chanting in some incomprehensible language around them.

“WHAT HAVE YOU TAKEN!?”

He yelled and grabbed the front of Felin’s shirt. The teenager shook with fear.

“Give it back right this instant. You hear? NOW!”

The bellow made it obvious of his anger, but all Felin could do was whispering in denial.

“I can’t.”

“AND WHY THE HELL IS THAT!?” Arthur roared. “IDIOT! YOU’D RATHER DIE FOR THAT DANGED TREASURE!?”

“It…it sank into my skin.”

The travelers fell silent in the midst of the horrific atmosphere. All that could be heard was the pelting rain and the chanting of the dwarves.

“I hereby order you, as the leader of our group, to slice off your flesh and give the thing back to them.”

Felin gaped as his mouth fell open in shock. However, nothing sounded through his lips, as well as the others who were instantly lost for words. He felt his heart skipped a beat as his extremities went numb.

“Perhaps it’s time you learn that nothing is free in this world. Man clears up after what he has done. You won’t just slither out and kill us all with your idiocy, I hope?”

Arthur stated coldly without even the merest hint of the proffered affection or mercy. Felin took several deep breaths, gathering his courage and laughing to ease his stress.

“What’s the fuss with them dwarves?”

 He said and stretched a hand up to the skies.

“Earthsplitter!”

The large broadsword appeared in his grasp.

“I’ll clear the path for you.”

He swung the sword forward with all his might. But all remained silent. No shaking rumble. Not even the usual shaft of blinding light that could slice through anything. Arthur smiled mockingly, seeing the dwarves still intact and drawing nearer with every second.

“You underestimated the Dark Dwarves of Demos.” He said sarcastically.

“The most talented sorcerers in Demos are the Dark Dwarves of Skull Valley.” Rowen finally spoke up. “It is believed they may be even more powerful than the witches of Snowland. Their blood and their language were used to craft legendary swords and wands.”

The knowledge took his breath away as the usually non-existent stress and guilt skyrocketed. The heat from the diamond was nothing compared to the raging fire in his heart as he clenched his fists until his knuckles shone white.

His idiocy would lead everyone to their deaths.

“You can’t return it, right?”

Rowen asked slowly.

“No, it’s sunk into her chest.”

Vivien rebuffed. Rowen nodded as Arthur swore.

“Wand, sword or magic, nothing is of use with Dark Dwarves. All we have is our pure skills.”

Pure skills to get through more than two hundred armed dwarves!?

Silence fell once again and he could feel his heart beating weakly, in pain and weariness.

So this was why Dad had always said, that nothing is free in this world…

So this was why Dad had to leave his toe here, in this valley…

A smile formed again on the young features gleaming with raindrops.

“Well, if there’s no other way…”

Felin jumped down to the ground. Gazing back at those still on board, he met the blue eyes he felt he’d sorely miss and his resolve was nearly blown. Then he winked at his best friend and turned at last to the three royalties.

“If they really wanted it back then so what? I’ll just give it back.” He chuckled as he strode forward, smoothing the horses’ hinds cheerfully.

“Sister, stop joking.” Vivien scolded. Felin merely raised his eyebrow and gazed over at the dwarves, who stood still as though awaiting his decision.

“It’s all in stone; you clear up your own mess.”

Felin slapped hard onto the horses’ hind and they charged forward. The dwarves parted to make way as Princess Vivien’s scream rent through the silence. The wagon vanished from sight, and the time came for the troublemaker to finally face his fate. His brown eyes gleamed as he tightened his grip on his sword, smiling ruthlessly the way he had never done before.

“Payback time, now are we? Come on in, you bloodthirsty freaks!”

He charged forward into the midst of the murderous demons. The sound of clashing metal shook the air. Blood gushed with every blade he slashed onto the dwarves. Before long, he sensed a blade coming from behind and leaped sideways.

Too late.

Though it was a mere graze but scarlet blood was flowing from his spine, and the pain was such that he could no longer stand.

Perhaps this would be the farthest he would ever get.

Sinking to his knees, Felin steeled himself for the last blow ever to befall him...

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