The Last Outlaw: Part 3

She sensed his discerning presence. She had been expecting him for a while; yet was unsure about the time of his arrival. Estel hated that about Helmund, he had this knack for showing up at all the wrong times.

Now here he was again disturbing her peace, and this time he brought a small child with him. I remember the fist time he showed up, strong and beautiful. Now she was his personal item stash; or at least her shop was. How could he be so cruel, so torturous, only showing up to gather his things and then leaving again without any clues as to when he’d return.

“You’ll know when I’m in town” he’d always say.

It’s been 10 years since the last time I’ve seen him, but still I knew it was him the moment I felt it. He seemed more aged now, somewhat tired.

“It’s been a long time Helmund, I’d hate to think you’re in a rush. Come in and have some tea, we can catch up.” Estel had said whilst walking away, not waiting for an answer.

“I’m afraid we-” Helmund began.

“One or two sugar cubes?” Estel interrupted.

“Three please!” Basil exclaimed as he followed Estel to the back of the shop.

Helmund followed shortly after, only stopping for a minute to look around the shop that he had once called a home. Estel was one of the only people he’d me that didn’t know his name or face when they first met. It was refreshing being able to just talk to someone who wasn’t immediately frightened at the mere mention of him. But times have changed, Estel still greeted him with open arms; but it seemed more out of familiarity than wanting.

“We cannot stay long” Helmund explained.

He began to explain the trouble in the mainland, and about how the magic in the land was disappearing. Basil was surprised to hear Helmund tell a story without all the theatrics; he had never seen him so serious. Now that he thought about it, Basil had only seen Helmund serious one time, and that was the day they met. He had been going on about making it to the kingdom because of a prophecy, I had only went with him because he avenged my parents and saved me from capture. I knew basic skills to take care of myself, but in the face of danger I was hopeless.

“What’s your name young man?” Estel said, breaking Basil’s train of thought.

“The boy is called Basil” Helmund spoke up, “ He is the key to freeing the magic, I can feel it.”

Both Basil and Estel looked at him.

He continued, “As I told you, Norlaf has infiltrated the mainland and I believe it is he who is behind this mess.” Helmund paused to take a sip from his tea. “I know of no other being capable of this madness, even the boy’s homeland was left unprotected. Once hidden by magical borders, now left a ruin.”

Basil hadn’t put much thought into it, honestly he didn’t even know what Helmund was talking about. A magical border? That was foreign to Basil, he did live in a small village and they didn’t get many visitors, and the ones that did passby didn’t come very often. Was that because of the barrier that Helmund mentioned?

Estel seemed to not be phased by the news that she was receiving, it was as if this was a common occurrence between the two. Helmund with his terrible news, Estel with tea and an ear for listening.

“How much time do you have to get him to the palace?” Estel asked.

“We need be there in 30 days time, that’s when I suspect all will be lost.” Helmund gulped down the rest of his tea. “I came to collect my things, do you still have them?”

“Yes, they’ve been where you left them since the last time” Estel nodded her head towards a slightly discolored wall in the back of the kitchen.

“Do you mind?” Helmund asked before cutting out what seemed to be canvas from the back wall where the discoloration was.

“I don’t have much of a choice now do I?” Estel sighed

Helmund stuck his hand into the wall and began to pull things out. One by one weapons came out of the wall and onto the kitchen floor, first were some darts, then a couple knives, and then Basil knew exactly what Helmund was looking for, he pulled out a charcoal black sword from the wall, and it had an Ivory dagger, with veins of gold running through both blades, starting from the midnight dark handle.