Dhampir Knight

Chapter 2 - A Quaint Place

"Theo, wait!"

Of course, he was far too late for her to pretend to have heard him. Young Theora was already running out of the door and onto the street to go and see who and what had come to their remote village. Her shoes barely touched the dirt and grass as she ran downhill, her cheeks flushed and her unmistakable blonde curls floating behind her. Their house was one of the farthest, and uphill, so she had to run for a little while to even get away from their isolated three-story house and back to one of the main alleys, with all the shops and other, bigger houses.

"Theora, no running on the main street!" the shoemaker shouted from his workshop's window as she flashed past.

She gave him a naughty wink and sped up. She liked the small man with his leather apron and funny mustache; he often let her take the scrap from his shop to make her inventions since she'd fixed his cutting press, and Theora was the only child in the village allowed to roam around the workshop. No way he would actually scold her.

"Theora!" a petite woman selling milk on a stall called her. "Where are you off to?"

"To see who's arrived!" Theora replied, finally slowing down. "Where's Romie?"

"I don't know, dear," Romie's mom sighed, putting new bottles of milk on her stall. "She might be looking for the cat, or with the cows. Anyway, if you see her, tell her she'd better be on time for dinner!"

"I will!"

"And clean your face! How did you get it so dirty already? Ann's going to scold you!"

Theora ignored that bit, and resumed running, albeit slightly slower, looking around for her friends or any new activity around their village. The locals around all greeted Theo, commenting on her dirty face, her darkening bruise, or asking about her parents. She knew every single street, every single house, every shop, every stall. She knew all the pathways, the bigger ones, and the rough ones, the climbing routes up the mountains, and the ones that led to secret caves. She knew all the fields, the farmlands, the orchards, the forest around and its best fruit bushes, the little lakes, the animals' favorite hiding spots, and every single tree that had ever stood in the area, as far as her eyes could see. She knew the mountains and hills surrounding them, the ways that were easily blocked by the snow and ice, or those which became too dangerous to use when damp, and the only way in and out of their village. There was a route, a single one, that led strangers up there through a long journey from the other side of one of the mountains that only men, and horses could venture on. She knew that, somewhere on the other side of her mountain, far below, there were roads large enough for carriages, cars, and even a train track that could take their visitors to every other corner of the Kingdom, including this remote one, and most importantly, to the Capital. But Theo had never been to the Solar Kingdom's Capital, and she'd never even set foot on the other side of the mountain her family lived on. She had grown up here her whole life, and this peaceful, quaint valley was her whole world.

She had explored everything that there was to see in her valley already, and if there was anything new, she'd notice right away. It was a remote, picturesque village, with not two houses the same, hidden uphill in a little valley between mountains. It was a beautiful place, full of tall and green pine trees, with a small river that was regularly filled by the rain or the snow melting from the mountain tops, and running all the way to the sea at the edge. The sea couldn't be seen from the village, but all the children knew where and how high to climb to finally see a corner of the blue waves, shimmering under the sun. Theo even had her own favorite spot, from which she could see both the endless sea and her village. She couldn't see anything past the mountains, however; everything Theo knew beyond those mountains were maps and tales others had told her. There was only one way up to this village, and one way down, through the pass between two mountains, on a hard road she'd never gone beyond. This was why, anytime anything or anyone new arrived, she and most of the other kids could hardly resist the excitement.

She quickly made it to the main street that led to their only plaza. The traveling merchants! Her expression brightened as she quickly recognized the familiar faces of the merchants that regularly came back to their village, usually once per season. There were half a dozen people, and twice as many horses to carry all their goods. The other children had been faster than her and were already gathered in a half-circle around the adults, at a safe distance from the horses to watch, in awe, the newcomers.

"Yanhein!" Theora called out, trying to squeeze herself past the rows of kids shyer than her.

She managed to step out of the little crowd, and ran towards the merchants, although she took a good detour around the horses; for some reason, she was always a bit afraid of those. When she spotted the tall man in his bright blue and foreign-looking outfit, a smile expanded on her face.

"Ya-"

"You."

Before she could react, her feet suddenly flew off the ground, and she was lifted in the air, held by her collar. Theo struggled and groaned in protest until a familiar face came into sight.

"Theora. What did I say about running amok in the village."

"Let me go!" Theo protested with an annoyed frown. "I have business with Yanhein! Let me go, Quil!"

"It's Marshall to you, young lady!"

Theora grimaced. Marshall Quil was an impressive woman with a square chin, a fierce expression, and gorgeous long brown hair held in a high ponytail. As the village's Marshall, she seldom wore anything other than comfortable leather pants, a linen shirt, and various parts of armor on her shoulders and limbs. She was different from most women in the village, but she impressively managed to be both very feminine and strong enough to lift a nine-year-old with a single hand, liked and respected by everyone. She also happened to be Theo's mom's cousin, although there was no visible resemblance between them.

"Here's my favorite customer!" Yanhein laughed with a big smile. "How are you, Miss Theora? As rambunctious as ever, eh!"

After another glare towards Quil, Theo turned to Yanhein. He was the leader of the caravan, and quite the colorful character, with his light blue clothes, beads and coins in his hair, and tanned skin. Theora also quite liked Yanhein because of his unusual eyes; while both were mostly brown, his left eye had about a third of his iris blue. She liked that there was someone else with uncommonly colored eyes, although Yanhein's weren't purple.

"Yanhein, do you have my order?" Theo asked, still suspended by her collar.

"I sure do! I-"

"What happened to your face?" Quil interrupted.

She put Theo down, but just as forcibly made the little girl look up, her fingers under Theo's chin.

"Nothing!" Theo protested, trying to push Quil's arm away with annoyance. "Yanhein, my order, please?"

"I've got it, Miss Theora, I've got it! Marshall, would you be so kind as to allow me to give my customer her order for a minute?"

Quil reluctantly let her go, and Yanheim treated her to a smile. He walked up to his horse, rummaging through his bag.

"You always have the most interesting orders, Miss Theora," he commented. "I had to place an order at the Guild of Blacksmiths, and trust me, they were curious about your intent for this. Naturally, my professionalism forbids me from giving information about my customers..."

His eyes drifted to Quil, who had put a hand on the pommel of her sword by her side.

"...Especially such a precious customer as you," he whispered, pulling an object from his bag.

Theora didn't notice the interaction between the two, for her eyes were already shining with excitement at the object Yanheim took out.

"What's that, Theo?" Quil frowned.

Theo eagerly took the piece of metal handed by Yanheim. To Quil, it only looked like a long piece of metal with holes at each end, but Theora was holding it as if it were extremely precious.

"Is that steel?" Quil crossed her arms.

"Titanium," Yanheim announced. "Or a close enough alloy of it. The blacksmiths were quite impressed with your schematics and precise request, Miss Theora."

"Titanium?" Quil exclaimed. "Do you even have money to pay for that?"

"She already paid!" Yanheim said. "A full p*****t for the order, a season ago during my previous visit. I have to say, Miss Theora, the prices rose up in the Capital, but do not worry, I used my cut of this order to pay the Blacksmiths' Guild the difference. My bad for not predicting the right price."

"You got it wrong?" Theo frowned, finally turning her eyes away from her order. "You're never wrong about the prices!"

"I appreciate the compliment," Yanheim smiled. "But there's been... Quite a lot going on in the Capital. A change of sovereign usually induces quite a lot of turmoil..."

His eyes naturally went back to Quil, who had stiffened.

"A change of Sovereign?" she repeated, astounded. "Don't tell me..."

"I'm afraid it is," Yanheim sighed. "You'll probably hear the news from more official sources soon. I was one of the first ones out of the Capital, but it won't take long before the news reaches all ends of the Kingdom, even here. Thankfully, there was no unrest in the Capital. We have a new King."

"...What did you just say?"

Ann had just arrived and heard that last bit. Theora turned her eyes to her mom, expecting her to have questions about her order or something, but much to her surprise, Ann didn't even look at her daughter or the piece of metal. Instead, Ann looked paler than she had ever seen. Even more shocking to Theora, her mother looked speechless. She'd never seen her mom look speechless, or this pale. She looked almost... afraid.

"Yanheim," she insisted, stepping forward. "What did you just say? What happened in the Capital?"

"They will claim it was an accident, I reckon," Yanheim said. "Rumors have it that might not be true."

"Of course, it's not true," Quil hissed. "As if young, healthy rulers died by accident this easily..."

"Who's King?" Ann insisted, a tone of emergency and panic in her voice.

"...King Lucius," Yanheim said.

Theo's eyes turned back to her mom. Ann looked properly stunned, and shocked. Quil, too, let out a long sigh, crossing and uncrossing her arms twice nervously. Then, she turned her eyes to Ann, the two women exchanging a long, silent look.

"...Mom?" Theo finally dared to call, rendered nervous by both women's reactions.

But Ann ignored her, turning her eyes back to Yanheim.

"Is our deal still standing?" she asked seriously.

"Of course," Yanheim said, putting a hand on his heart. "My lady, I never go back on my word. Even if it wasn't for our deal, I have principles, and I will never do something that breaks the merchants' code. Even the Southern Pirates obey a moral code."

It was very brief, but, for a second, Yanheim's eyes went on Theora before going back to her mom.

"Ann," Quil muttered. "Are you sure it's not time to...? Things will be very different in the Capital."

"No," Ann replied coldly. "No, Quil. ...It doesn't matter who is King."

"But-"

"Things haven't changed," Ann retorted. "And they will never change."

"It would only take a letter," Quil insisted. "Just one letter, to let them know-"

"I said no!" Ann shouted, making Theo jump. "Did you forget what kind of world this is? A single letter? Do you know how much damage one bloody letter can do if it falls into the wrong hands? I don't care how much time has passed, Quil. I am not writing to anyone, and no one will know. Don't you dare go against me."

"You know I'd never!" Quil protested, almost looking hurt by the allegation. "I simply-"

"Good," Ann said. "Because it's the last time we're having that conversation. It doesn't matter who's King. Yanheim, you too. If you dare cross me and speak up, trust me, I'll make you pay."

If Yanheim felt threatened, he hid it perfectly, with a polite smile and a faint bow. But Theo, looking up from where she stood at the adults, did notice he seemed to be staring at her mom a couple of seconds longer than usual... Then, he turned back to his horse and his bags, and dug out a large bag, handing it to her mom.

"Your husband's order, my lady," he said calmly. "All accounted for, as usual."

Ann took it from his hands, without checking the contents like she usually would, and turned around, giving a glare to Quil. Theo was stunned, enough that she'd forgotten for a bit about her own new acquisition. She turned to Quil. How could her mom give orders to the village's Marshall? She felt it was unfair, especially as Quil was always on her mom's side.

"Sorry," Theo muttered to Quil. "Mommy's a bit upset today. I think it's because of my fight with Dandan..."

"No, Theo," Quil sighed, checking the pommel of her sword as if she didn't know what else to do with her hands. "Don't worry about that, it's all adult's business. ...And why did you fight with that brat again anyway?"

Theo shrugged and turned to Yanheim because she didn't really want to tell that story to Quil too.

"Thanks, Yanheim! See you later!"

"Always my pleasure, Miss Theora."

Before Quil could insist and interrogate her more, Theo made her way through the little crowd gathered around the visitors, soon enough running again through the streets. She was holding the little piece of metal, but the interactions between Quil, Yanheim, and her mom bothered her a little. She'd seen her mom upset often, but never to the point that she'd shout at Quil... She couldn't help but glance around, a bit nervous to cross paths with her mom again and yet, curious to see what her mom would be acting like after that. But Theo knew her mom had most likely gone back to their house to bring her dad the supplies he ordered from Yanheim; all of it were medical supplies her dad needed and that they had to get from far away. There was only so much they could source inside the village.

Theora's destination was different. Instead, she walked back up the main street, getting a bit excited over her stick of titanium again, and turned right after the bakery, then left after another house and a little field. Finally, she got to her friend's house, and ran up to the door.

"Danell!"

"Theo?"

She waited a bit impatiently, getting on her toes as her friend took a little while to come and open the door. When he did, a young, skinny boy her age appeared, looking a bit surprised behind his big glasses, his hair looking straight as a porcupine's and leaning heavily on a pair of crutches.

"I got it!" Theora exclaimed, showing him the piece of titanium.

"What's that?" he tilted his head.

"Your leg!" Theo jumped. "I finally got the last piece I needed to finish it!"

Danell looked down at his pants and the left side where the hem had been sewed up so as to not drag on the floor, under the knee, for there was nothing below two inches of his knee. He tilted his head.

"Yanheim is here, then? Did you already go?"

"Come on, I can finish your leg for real this time!" Theo ran past him.

She darted up to his bedroom and left behind, Danell let out a sigh, before carefully dragging his crutches behind her. He still wasn’t quite sure it would be ‘for real this time’...