A Short Fantasy Novel About Good vs Evil (in 9 parts)

The Mistycs

Episode Two: Baruvia

The three companions now found themselves in the centre of a bustling citadel, full of many people of
all colours and creeds hustling and harrying around them. Dreamer was unsure of himself in large
crowds and had a fretful expression on his face as he stuttered,

"T-Too many people, all the hustle is confusing my thoughts. "
Wiseman put a gentle and comforting hand on his left shoulder and whispered,
"Then be calm and allow your brain to take things in more slowly. Time should be your ally not your

enemy. "

Dreamer took in a deep and steadying breath through his nostrils and replied,
"Thanks man. What is this place anyway? Where are we now? "
"This, I believe, is Baruvia, the free citadel, where people are free to be just people,"

answered Blossom, "or at least that is the illusion they are fed....." she trailed off in a more sombre
tone as she took in her new surroundings too.

"That's right Blossom. Baruvia. I have heard many tales of this place, " said Wiseman, "an enthralling

maelstrom of emotions can be found here. "

"Oh...." murmured Dreamer with suspicion, "is that a good or a bad thing? "

"I think, " answered Blossom, "the citadel errs more towards the darker emotions as for many years it

has been under the stewardship of an egocentric lord who often exploits his people for his own
financial gains and vices. "
"Nice, " came the sarcastic response from Dreamer. A more realistic reply came back from Wiseman,

"That is human nature Blossom I am afraid, people often only achieve financial success by exploiting

each other instead of working as a team. It is the way of things. That is why I have kept a pure
conscience and stayed dropped out of the race for many years. "

After giving these musings the briefest of thoughts, Blossom changed the subject back to their present,

"Hmm, yes, anyway, why did the mist bring us here then I wonder? "
"Who knows dear. The mist is a phenomenon of great impulse and mystery, moving on an organised

yet random whim of fate, " answered Wiseman.

"Surely that is a contradiction? Organised yet random whim? No sense there, " queried Blossom, as

steadfast and grounded as ever.

"No, no, no Blossom. No contradiction at all. Fate is the sum of organisation that comes about via

random chance. "

"You've always got an answer for everything! " laughed Dreamer at Wiseman’s little pearls of
anecdotal gibberish.
"Well, " smirked the strange druid, "I always aim to please. "
The three became more relaxed and began to laugh at this gay banter until Dreamer stopped and

pointed across the bustling central courtyard of Baruvia.

"Look! Over there. I see a drinking saloon. That might be a good place to meet people and pick up

clues don't you think? "

"Yes it is mate, " smiled Wiseman in reply, " and the perfect place to sample the local brew too. "
Wiseman gave his two friends a knowing wink and they ambled across the yard towards the swinging,

carved wooden doors of the hectic and noisy saloon bar. As they got to the entrance, Wiseman
stoppedand turned to the other two with a querulous expression on his face,

"Anyone got any coinage? I haven't I'm afraid being an opted out druid, " he gave another sly wink as

he said this.

"Nor me, answered Blossom, "I come from the simple and beautiful existence of the meadow nymphs,

sorry. We don’t need coin, just nature.  "

"Hold on guys, " Dreamer took his pack off his shoulders and rummaged around inside it and then

smiled as he pulled out a small leather pouch and announced to his friends,

"Yes, I have about 20 copper sovereigns. Should be enough for what we need. If not, we'll have to do

their washing up! "

"Good stuff! " beamed Wiseman, and he led the way into the noisy saloon that had a wild west kind of

atmosphere inside. They fought their way over to the wooden bar that was stained with many ages of
beer, liquor and food where they were greeted by a jovial, red-faced and rotund man with both his
strong and hairy arms outstretched to them in greeting,

"Hi there folks! Welcome to the 'Larger Than Life' Saloon Bar. Come in, sit down. You've picked the

right day to visit us because today for one day only we're holding our celebrated annual 'On The
House' day. All our drinks are free for one day, to keep all the hard-working and beleaguered citizens
of Baruvia happy. All courtesy of the best landlord in the city, me, Omah Shankyll. Now what can I get
you guys?"

"It looks like the mist picked the right place for us to drop out then! " remarked Wiseman to Dreamer.
"It would seem so mate. Shall we all relax and enjoy a drink? "
"Why of course! Which drink do you recommend Omah? "
Omah wobbled his generous jowls and rubbed his ample chin,
"Why, our homemade cider of course, 'Traditional Ripe'. But get it before we run out. "
"Can I just have a jasmine tea please? " asked Blossom, "I don't take alcohol, it poisons me. "
"Sure dear, " answered Wiseman, "two Traditional Ripe and a jasmine tea please sir. "
"Comin' right up! "
As the three took their drinks to the nearest vacant table, they surveyed the large single room of the

saloon. It was full of all types of characters that ranged from the deadbeat, surly drinker to card
players and farmers right through to more prosperous looking merchantmen. A veritable hive of odd
humanity that made Blossom a little nervous so they got themselves settled in a small quiet corner of
the saloon so that they could relax and try to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

As Dreamer sipped the refreshing cider he looked over at the nearest table to theirs where a wizened

little old man was hunched over his table alone.  He sported a black hooded cape that was draped
around his thin shoulders. He looked up at the newcomers with bleary eyes and said in a brusque
manner,

"Wha' you look at? Ish ya new in town?" he seemed a little inebriated.
"Sorry sir? " asked Dreamer.
"Wha ya staring at? "
"Sorry, I wasn't staring at you I was just looking around. We are all searchers sir. "
"Oh aye, plenty of them in Baruv. Wha ya search fa? "
"My lost partner Belle. "
"Ah, sorry never heard of her, good luck."
The little drunk then fell asleep on his forearms in a peaceful and drunken slumber. Wiseman laughed

and took a deep draught of his own cider,

"Charming little chap! Here's to the mist for bringing us to a place of deep relaxation and

togetherness! Cheers!! "

He raised his tankard to his two friends and they returned the salutation. They ended up sat in the

saloon all night until the two men were so relaxed by the good cider that they could not feel any
sensation in their legs or tongues, leaving the tea-refreshed Blossom to take charge of their
intoxicated carcasses. She used ten of Dreamer's copper sovereigns to pay for a small and basic
room for them all for the night and once they were all in it she helped her two companions down onto
their bunks to sleep off the brew and climbed into her own.

Her pure thoughts cascaded around her head as she stared at the dark ceiling. In hushed tones she

then began to chant what sounded like a prayer or a rhyme with the index and middle fingers of her
right hand pressed gently to her lips,

"I pray to thee

Oh Mist of wonder,

To bring us light

Instead of thunder.

To show us the way

And keep us afloat,

Please hear my prayer

And grant us a boat. "

She then removed her fingers from her lips, closed her eyes and drifted off into her own idyllic world of
pure and powerful dreams and as her two drunken friends snored and she slept a gentle, swirling grey
vapour started to seep around the room and envelope their bodies........

© Nathan Sandiford, UK 2018.