Forbidden Bond: A Velthorn Tale

Mikhail awoke to the early morning sounds of roosters crowing. He laid in the soft, warm bed for a time reflecting upon the events of the night before. His uncle had been questioning him about what he was going to do with Anora since it was not looked favorably upon young ones on their pilgrimage to have companions so early on. He remembered that they had settled on a man that needed the help of a goblin in the town and would see if he was willing to take Anora in and give her a place to stay. It didn;t sit very well with him for some reason but he knew that tradition dictated certain things while he was on his pilgrimage. After all he had done a good deed by rescuing her and bringing her to Arendale. What more was expected of him. As he laid in the silence of the growing morning light, the roosters crowing the only thing breaking it, his thoughts returned to Anora.

He had been strangely taken aback when she had emerged from the washroom with Morga in tow. He hadn’t understood the feelings that he had experienced when he laid his eyes upon her. Now clean she presented a strikingly beautiful figure. He reflected upon her coming to sit beside him as him and his uncle continued to speak. For some reason he had felt uncomfortable sitting beside her. More nervous than anything. He had dismissed it as being tired. His uncle had kept a narrow eye on Anora which Mikhail knew had made her uncomfortable. Perhaps more uncomfortable than he had been.

Mikhail took a deep breath and sat up. He pulled the blankets off of him and grabbed his trousers from off of the end of the bed. As he slid them on he wondered how Anora had fared this night sleeping with the other goblins. Mikhail's uncle had forbidden her to share the room with him. Anora was then led down the hallway by Morga, once again with a worried look upon her face. “I will speak to you more in the morning, nephew.” His uncle had told him. Mikhail clasped the leather belt around his waist and then grabbed his boots, sliding them on. He reached forward for the candle that had been provided for him, grabbing a match and striking it. The orange flame producing a small but bright light. The candle now began to burn, lighting up the small room just enough to see vague shapes. Mikhail turned to leave the room. He planned to go to the stables and tend to Bakule before saddling him up to continue on his journey.

He turned, taking a step towards the door but instead he found that something soft caught his foot. Nearly falling he stumbled forward cursing to himself to be more careful. Figuring he had caught his foot on the rug that occupied the floor just before the bed he turned and shone the light of the candle down onto the floor. The wick, now burning hot and putting out more light. To his surprise he found Anora laying on the rug, her orange eyes looking up at him. When had she come in here? Why had she come in here?

“Anora. Why are you here?” He asked her.

The goblin sat up and rubbed her eyes. She looked at him with an obvious expression. “Right.” Mikhail said. He noticed that now she had an extra article of clothing. The gray cloak which now seemed cleaner was draped over her shoulders, covering what exposed skin there had been. He reached out his hand to help her up. She took it and soon was on her feet. “My uncle isn’t going to like this.” Mikhail said more to himself than her. Sunlight was now starting to filter through the window, slowly lighting up the room.

Mikhail raised the candle up to shine the light upon Anora’s face. Looking into her beautiful orange orbs he told her. “Listen, i’m gonna leave the room.” He pointed at the door. “You wait a few minutes then you leave the room okay.”

Anora stared at him blankly. He hoped she had understood. He turned, walking over to the door. Opening the door he looked into the hallway quickly then glanced back at Anora. Smiling at her he left the room and pulled the door behind him, leaving it cracked open a bit.

He made his way to the end of the hallway and then out another door that opened up to a small area that he knew to be the backyard. A low stone wall stretched around it in a square shape ending on one side at a small stable. Mikhail had hoped that Bakule was alright through the night. After all he had been preoccupied with Anora and his Uncle and had forgotten to take the Red elk to the stable. But just before retiring for the night his uncle had told him that the same male goblin that had brought them their mugs of ale had put him away so he need not worry. Mikhail still did. Bakule was a good friend and animal to have.

As he entered the stable he could hear the red elk bugle then stamp his hooves against the wood siding of the stable. “Easy there, big guy.” Mikhail said soothingly as he walked up to the animal. Bakule shook its large head, swinging its antlers back and forth almost in dissatisfaction of being left alone for a long period of time. “Sorry boy. I got a bit distracted.” Mikhail told Bakule as he reached out to pet the beast. Its fur was soft and warm. “Are you ready to get going again?” Mikhail asked the elk. “Maybe do some running?” Bakule snorted and raised his head looking Mikhail in the eye. He could see the eagerness in the young buck. Mikhail chuckled. “Soon my friend, soon.”

Mikhail proceeded to look for a brush and his saddle which wasn’t hard to find. The saddle and the blanket for it had been placed on a tabletop nearby. He grabbed a feeder bag, filled it with some oats then placed it around his muzzle. As Bakule ate Mikhail grabbed the saddle blanket, placed it on the elks back then did the same with the saddle. Just like the morning before Anora appeared beside him watching him work. Mikhail smiled and before he knew it he was explaining the different parts of the saddle and what they did to her. Anora watched intently and with great curiosity. Mikhail could only hope that she understood all that he was saying. After a half hour he had finished, noticing his uncle who stood at the entrance of the stable leaning against the wooden frame. “Come nephew. Breakfast is ready. Bring the goblin woman with you.” he said gruffly.

Mikhail took a breath and looked at Anora, motioning for her to follow. He knew what would transpire and for some reason it filled him with unease. The two of them followed his uncle back into the house, through the hallway and then to a separate room across from the big sitting room. Here was a moderately sized table with various foods laid upon it. Small rounds of bread in a basket, butter on a platter and what looked to be sausage. Mikhail sat down as did his uncle. Anora made to sit in one of the chairs but before she could hop into it Mikhail’s uncle spoke up.

“Nephew!” he boomed. “Goblin’s do not sit at my table.”

Mikhail looked beside him to see Anora frowning. Staring at his uncle. She clearly understood. “I’m sorry Anora.” he told her. “Please sit over there.” Mikhail pointed to where the other goblins sat quietly to themselves. He felt embarrassed and a bit ashamed as her orange eyes flicked to him. Her expression, one of indignation. After a tense moment she relented and moved over to the smaller table with the other goblins who looked at her nearly the same way that their master had.

“I spoke with Amdol this morning.” Mikhail’s uncle began, ignoring the chattering of the goblins as he tore into a sausage. “He is willing to buy the goblin woman from you.”

Mikhail looked back at him. “Buy?” Mikhail asked.

“Yes boy. Buy. But he will not pay more than ten gold pieces.”

Mikhail bit into a sausage, glanced over to Anora, then back at his Uncle. “Ten gold isn’t bad,” he answered. Feeling a bit odd as he said it. ‘Sell her’ he thought to himself, I don't own her though.

“No boy, that's not a bad price for an untrained goblin. Especially one that was caught wild.” His uncle replied. Taking a drink from his mug. Mikhail chewed on the sausage and buttered bread for a while. The only sounds filling the room were those of forks hitting the wooden plates and the goblins chattering under their breath. He could occasionally catch a few words like “half breed” or “light skin” even some words that were spoken in the goblin’s tongue that based upon Anora’s demeanor seemed to be worse.

“After we are done eating we will take that goblin woman to Amdol.” Nikolas said.

“Anora.” Mikhail replied. A bit annoyed that he wouldn’t call her by her name. His uncle stopped chewing and glared at him for a moment.

“Right. The goblin woman.” His uncle reiterated. “Anyhow boy. After you sell that goblin to Amdol you should head out to a place called Rivertown. I have a contact there that will help you get started with your pilgrimage. I’ve known her since my pilgrimage. A good woman she is.”

“What’s her name?” Mikhail asked.

“Pengrier.” His uncle answered.

“Where is Rivertown?” Mikhail inquired trying to take his mind off of Anora and her impending sale.

“It’s a few leagues to the south. Built atop the Silvrun river. Great place for a young lad to get his start in the world. I’ll be sure to give you a map.” His uncle drank some more from his mug. “You do know how to read a map don’t ya boy?”

“Yes sir.” Mikhail answered.

“Good.”

The rest of the breakfast continued in silence. Soon they rose from the table and the goblins began to clear the dishes from it. Mikhail with Anora in tow returned to Bakule with the promise to meet his uncle in the front of the house to follow him to Amdols place. He took the time to check over the straps on the Saddle again. Once satisfied he glanced at Anora who looked a bit crestfallen and reserved. Her demeanor did nothing to lift Mikhail's spirits. He didn’t understand why he felt the way he did about selling her to Amdol or to anyone for that matter as it was merely the way of things in this part of the world. He took a deep breath and steeled himself against his worries. “Come on Anora. We have found someone to look after you.” he told her.

She looked up at him then back to the ground, following Mikhail as he led the elk by the reins to the front of the house. By now the sun had risen high enough that everyone was out and about tending to their morning routines. Some men grabbed axes and headed off into the forest no doubt to chop trees down while others grabbed water buckets and feed bags. The women seeing them off from their porches. Children ran about screaming and shouting as children often did. After what felt like a considerable amount of time Mikhail, Anora, Uncle Nikolas and Bakule reached the half stone fence of Amdol.

The man leaned against the stone fence, puffing on a pipe. The sweet aroma of spiced tobacco filled the air around him. “Good morning to ya Amdol!” Mikhail's uncle bellowed. The man looked up, squinting. He was an old man who looked to be in his sixties or so. Mikhail realized that he hadn’t been leaning on the fence but had been more or less propping himself up. “Ahh.. What's good about it.” Amdol replied in a cantankerous fashion.

Mikhail watched as the man placed his hands on his back as he raised to his full height. He could tell that in his youth he had been a tall and muscular man but now it seemed that years of hard labor had begun taking a toll on him and the man had become bitter about it. “Is this the green little wench you told me about?” Amdol asked. Ignoring Mikhail.

His uncle chuckled a bit. “Indeed it is. And this is my Nephew. He caught her in the pass two days ago.”

Mikhail started to correct his uncle about the capture part but was cut off by Amdol asking him a question. “I hear you found this little nave and took her as your own. Now you want to sell her?”

Mikhail cleared his throat. “That’s half right mister Amdol. I found her in the pass but I hadn't planned to keep her as my own.”

“Oh and what did you plan to do with her?” Amdol asked.

“I planned to help her find a safe place to live.” Mikhail answered. Amdol scoffed.

“Well ain’t that noble of ya boy.” he looked at Nikolas. “Youngsters these days. They grow up hearing tales of warriors and knights and assume that is how things be. Am I right?”

Uncle Nikolas laughed along with Amdol. Mikhail stood indifferent, Anora tucking in behind him trying to hide herself. Mikhail didn’t mind. “Well boy you have found her a good home. I’ll give you ten gold pieces for her.” Amdol said. “It’ll be a big help on your pilgrimage I'm sure.”

Mikhail smiled but only out of courtesy. The odd feeling in his stomach had returned. “That it would.” Mikhail replied.

“Excellent. How's about you move so I can get a good look at her. My eyes aren’t what they used to be and I like to see what I am buying.”

Mikhail reluctantly moved to where Anora was more visible. A low whistle came from Amdol’s lips as looked her over. Mikhail could see the discomfort on her face as the old man's eyes scoured her from head to foot. “You have a good eye boy. She’s much better looking than the goblins that most of these folk have in this town.”

“Told ya.” Nikolas said to Amdol.

“That ya did.” he said as he reached into a pocket and pulled out a coin purse. He counted out ten gold coins. Mikhail watched him place each one on the stone fence, the gold shining in the sunlight. “Here ya lad. Ten gold pieces like I promised.” He said as he scooped up the coins and handed them to Mikhail. Mikhail stepped forward to grab them but hesitated for a moment. “What's wrong boy? Getting cold feet are ya?”

Mikhail looked the man in the eye and said. “No.” taking the small stack of coins.

“Good, Then hand over my goblin and be gone with ya.”

Mikhail turned to Anora who now kept her eyes on the ground. He kneeled down, she looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry but you can’t come with me. You will be safe here though.” his words felt hollow as they left his lips. He didn’t understand why he felt the way he did. Hell he had just met her and knew nothing of who she was. What did it matter if she was sold off to this old man or some other person in Arendale. By Aran he could have just left her under his uncle's care. He looked at the gold in his hand and it brought him no satisfaction but this much gold would be a great start to his seven year pilgrimage. He had been told stories that it had taken others nearly the entire pilgrimage just to make this much and he had done so with the selling of one lowly goblin female.

Anora’s eyes turned back to the ground and Mikhail stood up. “Come here goblin.” Amdol commanded. Mikhail’s uncle came up to him as Anora stepped forward. “That’s my lad.” He said as he came up to him and slapped him on the back. Mikhail looked at his uncle, not sure how to respond. The experience had left him with a bad taste in his mouth but before he could say anything his uncle said. “Up the road a ways is a store that sells provisions. Stop in there and put what you need on my tab. Also here is the map you’ll need.” He pulled a map from inside his shirt and opened it.

On the paper was a map of what looked to be the entire land of Velthorn. It showed many places including the some towns that he would have to go through on his way to Rivertown. His uncle explained to him the way and that he had marked where he should go. Mikhail thanked his uncle and after they said their goodbyes to each other he mounted Bakule and began to ride to the shop. It hadn’t taken long for him to reach the shop. Entering he had encountered a woman who looked to be in her mid thirties behind a counter. Mikhail told her who he was and that his uncle had sent him down here for some provisions. The woman was very helpful in procuring him some bread, dried meat and some cheese to add to what he had already eaten and shared with Anora.

After nearly an hour of getting his supplies he was back outside. Bakule snorted at the added weight but otherwise didn’t protest. Mikhail thought of Anora as he adjusted his spear in its holder. How he had used it to kill the bandits and had saved her. His thoughts then turned to how beautiful she had looked the night before after emerging from the bath. “Blast it.” he yelled. “Why can’t I stop thinking about her?” He shook his head and mounted Bakule. After getting in the saddle he pulled out the map and opened it up. The way out of the town would take him right past Amdols place. So be it. He sucked in a breath to calm his nerves and proceeded to leave the town.

A few minutes later as he passed the same buildings he had passed only an hour ago Amdol’s place came into view. He hoped as he passed that he would see Anora once again, just one last time. To convince himself that he had done the right thing. His hopes were dashed like one bashing the head of a chicken against a rock ro clean it for dinner. As Mikhail neared Amdol’s house he could see that the old man stood in his yard, a stick raised above his head. The stone wall would have blocked his view of what the man was swinging at if it hadn’t been for the fact that he was on Bakules back. Anger filled Mikhail’s breast as he could see Anora on the ground, her hands raised to block the blow. Mikhail acted quickly and leapt from Bakule’s back, clearing the low stone fence. He pumped his young legs and just in time stood in front of Amdol.

The thick stick landed squarely on Mikhail’s left shoulder. In his anger he barely felt the blow. He grabbed the stick, wrenching it from the old man's firm grip.

“Wh..what is the meaning of this boy!” Amdol bellowed.

“Is this how you treat those smaller than you?” Mikhail shouted.

“What business is it of yours boy? You sold that damnable creature to me. I’ll treat it anyway I wish.” The old man yelled. pointing at Mikhail.

Mikhail grabbed a coin purse from his belt and shoved it into the old man's chest. Nearly knocking him over. “Here! I just bought her back.”

The old man grabbed the pouch, bewilderment on his face as Mikhail reached out and offered his hand to Anora. The goblin looked at him with angry, tear filled eyes. She refused his hand and rose to her feet on her own. Mikhail blinked but shook away his shock. He supposed that he deserved that. Already Anora was walking through the wooden gate to stand beside Bakule. Mikhail joined her, grabbing his reins as the three of them headed toward the edge of the town and onto Rivertown. The old man Amdol shouting and cursing them as they left. Mikhail smiled to himself, feeling better that she was now back beside him.