Only his own. "No."
"Is this your first kill?"
Luther thought back. "Yes."
"Get a taste for the blood. Stick your finger in the arrow hole, get some blood on it, and lick it clean."
Ewwww... "No."
"You have to! It's your first kill."
Luther thought for a moment. Did he even like this Jason fellow? There were no other kids around, but compared to an idiot or a bully, or both, he wasn't a bad friend. Luther pulled the arrow free, stuck his finger in the hole in the rabbit and licked it clean. The blood had a salty and metallic taste at the same time.
Jason pointed at Luther's chest. "You could get a disease doing that."
"What?!"
"Yes, you shouldn't drink raw blood. You'll get sick and die."
Luther glared at his companion. "You told me to do it."
"I didn't think you'd actually do it. Everybody knows raw meats and blood and stuff, and you can die from it."
Luther balled his fist into a ram, and hit Jason on the chest, on the right side, hard.
Jason rubbed at the spot. "I likely deserved that."
"Am I going to get sick?"
"You're going to die for sure. All men die someday. Far as the blood goes, it's an old hunter's joke."
Luther shook his head.
Jason stuck his finger in the hole in the rabbit and licked it clean.
"Let's head back to the wagons," Jason said. "I think they slaughtered a pig and are roasting it. I can smell it."
The boys ran back. Luther held up the rabbit to his mom.
"You've got to clean it," Mom said. "Use my knife."
Clean it? She handed him the knife. "Cut it open and remove the guts. Then the skin should all come off at once."
Ewww, he would rather drink the blood again.
Mom said, "It's time you learned it."
Luther did as he was told. Juxta, Luther, and Mom ate the rabbit and had a little of the roast pig.
At dawn, the troop from Lynken, now seventeen wagons strong, with pigs and chickens in cages, plus many barrels of seed, and a cow behind each cart, headed off to the east towards Lynken.
Luther's family headed into the city to Kirl's house. Kirl opened the door to a great room filled with books. He leaned down close to Luther. "This is my private library. It'll keep you busy while Juxta copies the scroll."
Books lined the walls. Many of them were in languages Luther didn't know, but many were in common. None were in the language of the priesthood. Luther drooled just a bit and started reading the titles printed on the books' spines.
Chapter Twelve
Kirl let out a little chuckle. "Most of these are spell books, but if we move deeper into the room, you'll find books of fantasy, humor, history, and mathematics."
Mathematics, just what Luther was interested in. Not.
"History books would be best," Juxta said.
"I agree," Mom said.
Kirl pointed out three separate shelves. "These are all accounts of war and kings, dating back almost three thousand years."
"How do you afford all of these books?" Mom asked.
"Most of them are cheap copies, but I rule the High Council, and every tax paid in Weslan, the High Council gets its grubby paws upon."
Luther stared at the history books. One stood out, the Green War. He grabbed it. The adults left him alone. Mom appeared hours later with a sandwich and a cup of water. "You're just like your father. He can read for weeks."
"This book details a war between the Druids and armies of the Southern Badlands. The Druids had to rebuild millions of acres stricken with blight by the retreating armies."
"Eat." Mom nodded. "I've read the Green War. Druids abhor murder, but when invaded, or threatened, they're tenacious fighters."
Luther ate the sandwich and drank the water. "How long are we staying here?"
"One week, and I expect you to spend some of your time outside!"
"That was never a rule before."
"Juxta and I have spoken, and we're in agreement," Mom said. "Church life's no life for a boy. When we get back to Lynken, you'll train to be a Ranger. Simon agreed to help."
"Jason's dad?"
"Do you like Jason?"
Compared to other kids he'd met, Jason was a good kid. "Yes."
"Good, because you're going to be training with him."
"For the trials?"
Mom let out a little sigh. "We want you to have a childhood not solely driven by books and prophecies and study. We want you to have friends."
Friends would be cool, but kind of a new thing. Luther turned his eyes to the history books. One caught his eye with a red title. The Seventeenth Orc War. He grabbed it. A man from Lynken wrote it two thousand years ago. Orcs were dumb creatures no more than knee-high, but smart enough to use a club on a man's groin. A few orcs were never a problem, but they would pile on a man and beat him to death with rocks and branches. They had pig's noses and black, thick fur all over their bodies. Two arms, two legs, and a head to each one.
The sun set. Luther had no choice but to stop reading. He went looking for a kitchen. Kirl, Juxta, and Mom were there, and a teenager Luther had not met. Kirl pointed at the kid. "This is Brian. He's my apprentice."
Brian held his hand palm up, whispered some word, and a fireball appeared over his fingers. He blew into it like a whistle, and it drifted off to ash and smoke.
"Don't show off," Kirl said with a glare.
Brian shrugged. "Every other day you say practice, practice, practice."
"One little fireball is not practicing. I expect you to throw fireballs as big as houses that will melt iron."
"Melt iron?"
"I've done it," Juxta said. "Swords and armor, steel."
"Shit. Oh sorry, I forgot there was a kid present," Brian said.
"I know plenty of cuss words," Luther said. "Hell, the priest makes us study whole books just on how to curse."
"They do not," Mom said.
"Kirl, do you have any candles? There are none in the library."
"You're not going to read after dark. Get some rest, or go for a run."
"A run sounds nice," Juxta said.
"It's dark, we'll trip," Luther said.
"Magelight."
"I haven't even had dinner."
"You were supposed to hunt another rabbit," Juxta said. "Earn your keep."
Luther looked at his mom. She nodded. "No rabbit, no dinner."
"I'm eight years old!" Luther said. "You guys have to feed me."
"We've been waiting for you, anyhow," Kirl said. He put on a mitten and pulled a pan with two roasted chickens in it out of some kind of contraption. Well, it was a firepit at the bottom, but what looked like an iron box on top. Kirl set the birds on a table in a big room and then went for potatoes and green beans. They drank milk with everything.
Everyone ate greedily, and there wasn't much left over. Juxta said, "We should stay at an inn."
Kirl grabbed a green bean and took a bite. "Nonsense. I love having guests, and Brian is the most boring dinner companion ever."
"Piss off," Brian said.
"See what I mean?"
Juxta caught Luther's eyes. "Come on, boy, let's go for a run."
Mom smiled.
Luther followed Juxta outside. A white sphere of light danced out of Juxta's amethyst staff, and he led the way. They didn't run very fast, but Luther was tired by the time they made it home.
Days passed this way, with Juxta copying the scroll and Luther reading of wars. Luther suspected Mom was visiting the local priesthood and helping out. After a week, they set out for Lynken. The fresh scroll was securely tucked away in a case. Kirl gifted a book to Luther, of the founding of Lynken, for the journey home.
Chapter Thirteen
The book talked about setting up roads and convincing feudal lords to swear allegiance. One instance that stood out to Luther was highly detailed.
William, the new king, wearing his great crow
n and sword, went before the Lord Drakkar. This lord was outnumbered easily ten to one, but he also knew William was bent on being fair and just. The two men met on horseback, in between the two armies. The Drakkar lord stated his name was Ben Drakkar, from a long line of warriors. William said, "I have beaten everyone's best, will you issue a challenge?"
Ben laughed loud and bright. "We're not going to fight with blades."
"Then you'll swear fealty to my house!"
The Drakkar whistled high. A wagon separated from his men and came forward.
"What is this trickery?" William asked.
"In the wagon is a keg of the finest whiskey this side of Weslan. If you can out-drink me, you'll have my allegiance."
"I'd rather arm wrestle."
"Whiskey or war, your choice."
"Do I even get a water chaser? Or ale on the side?"
Ben tilted his head crooked.
William turned back to his troop. "Bring ale!"
A wagon separated from William's troop.
Both lords pulled cups out and filled them. Whiskey in their right hands, ale in their left.
The two men drank and talked until sunset.
Ben set his cups down. "I'm not giving up, but I'm beginning to think my plan is flawed."
"It's a terrible plan. You shouldn't be allowed to make plans."
"I have war plans. Detailed plans for soldiers to fight. My men are highly trained. It will be a slaughter if blood is drawn."
William waved at his men. They were lounging around, sitting at fires, roasting ducks, rabbits, and boars. "My men are not weak."
"Look around you in a circle. It's not my men or your men anymore, it's our men."
William's eyes were blurry, but his army stretched full circle around them, and other than banners, the troops were supping together and sharing fires.
"Still," William said. "I'm king. You're a vassal."
"You need my allegiance more than I need to send you taxes."
"We have to come to a solution. We could drink all night."
"Arm wrestle it is!"
They had no suitable table, and after drinking all day, they discovered the ground was quite comfortable. Facing each other, they extended their right hands. According to the book, they struggled for days, but Luther knew it was a lie. William won in the end.
Then they both passed out. Once the Drakkar were part of it, other fiefdoms and minor lords quickly helped unite Lynken under one banner.
On the way to Lynken, Juxta, Mom, and Luther stopped at farm houses or temples to the One True God, for food. They didn't hunt. Juxta seemed to have an unlimited coin purse, but most farmers fed them for a copper piece. Juxta bought ten chickens from farmers and grain, plus a full barrel of oats.
About two days over the border into Lynken, Juxta turned onto a road heading north.
"What is this road?" Luther asked.
"I think we should pay a surprise visit to my apprentice," Juxta replied.
They passed mile markers counting down from 50. Just after the three-mile marker, they came upon a town. A fort or castle grew up from the center of the village. Juxta steered the wagon in that direction. Somebody in one of the towers must have seen their approach, because a great horn blew. Riders met them part way to the castle gate.
A young man on horseback, no more than 18, shouted, "Hail, Juxta!" He wore Ranger's leathers and a sword in a scabbard, but he also carried a staff in his right hand.
"Timothy!" Juxta said.
Timothy rode right up to their wagon. "Lisa. And who is the boy?"
"Our son, Luther."
"He looks a little malnourished. What do you feed him?"
Lisa laughed. "He has been at a temple to the One True God for all his years."
"Men, have a feast prepared. We have guests," Timothy said.
The other men shouted, "Aye," and rode back into the castle.
Luther looked again at the structure. The walls were nearly thirty feet tall and more than a hundred feet wide. Each tower stretched up to eighty feet. Three grain silos reached almost as high as the towers. Luther needed to know. "Is this a fort or a castle?"
Timothy grinned. "Castle."
Lisa patted the boy on the knee. "It's a fort compared to the main Drakkar castle."
"Castle."
Luther pointed at the young man dressed in leather armor. "You're a Drakkar?"
"By definition, it is a castle," Timothy said. "If it was a fort, it'd be inside a bigger castle. Yes, I'm a Drakkar."
"Heir to the throne," Juxta said.
"We don't call it a throne. The throne is for Lynken's King. It's easier this way."
They rode into the castle proper. All the horses were stabled. The feast was held in the town center. Three pigs were set up to roast. A young maiden thrust a cup into Luther's hand. He took a sip. A stout ale. He liked it. Lisa gave him a mean look. "You may have two cups of that and no more."
But Lisa had a cup of her own, and she seemed hugely thirsty. They set up big pans with potatoes and butter. Baskets full of fresh yeast rolls were passed around. The entire town feasted and drank. The pork was good, with a bit of maple. A different girl poured dark ale into Luther's mug.
Musicians started to play a fast tune on drums, flutes, and harps. Luther danced with a girl for what seemed like hours. Nothing bad came of it.
The next day his head hurt, and Juxta told him to drink a lot of water until the headache went away. Luther chugged cup after cup. Within a day, they were on the road.
They made their way back to Juxta's house in the city.
Luther slept in his own room in his father's house for the first time, and he didn't dream. Mom cooked up some eggs and oats for breakfast. A great banging echoed on the door.
"Now who could that be?" Juxta asked.
They went together and opened the door. Outside stood Simon. Jason was on a horse. Prince William was on a second horse, and there were two other horses.
Simon said, "Today we ride."
Mom pushed Luther forward. Simon stepped towards one of the riderless horses and leaped up on it. Juxta said, "Go on." And Luther knew he was the target of that command.
Luther ran at the last horse, jumped in the air, and his chest bounced off the animal. He landed on his butt.
Jason and William laughed. Simon said, "Hush! You did no better your first time."
Simon climbed down and picked Luther up out of the dirt. "You must jump upwards for sure, but in mid-flight, you've got to plant your foot in the stirrup and push up. Then you raise your other leg high and over the horse."
Luther looked off into the distance. "Right." Sounds easy.
"Try it again."
Luther took three steps towards the horse, jumped, planted his foot in the stirrup, and smashed his genitalia into the saddle. He cried out and fell. Possibly it was the worst pain he ever felt. The other boys and men didn't laugh or chuckle.
"I have a small stepladder in the barn," Juxta said as he left.
Luther clutched at himself and stayed curled in a ball on the ground.
Juxta returned with a ladder, and Luther decided he could stand. He climbed up to the horse. Juxta said, "To get him going, kick your heels into the rump. Use the rope to turn him left or right, pull back to stop."
"Yeah," Luther said with very little conviction.
Simon shouted, "We race!"
The three others took off, and Luther didn't know what to do. His horse, though, was smart enough to chase after the others. He almost fell, but some kind of instinct told him to grip the horse with his legs to hold on. They raced across roads and through trees.
When they stopped to water the horses, Luther's heart was raging, and his hands shook. He had a bigger smile on his face than he had previously in his life. The speed was the kind of thing that raged in the books he read.
Chapter Fourteen
The others hopped off their horses. Luther hesitated, how would he get back up?
"Hop down," Simo
n said. "I'll lift you back up."
Luther eased his right leg up and over the animal, then brought it down to the ground. "Perfect." He didn't fall or trip.
"I have to start at the beginning, since we've got a new man," Simon said.
William and Jason groaned. "Boo!" They said in unison.
"The important thing about horses is you can run them into the ground, and a dead horse is pretty useless."
"Unless you're starving," Jason said.
"A horse needs water, food, rest, just like a man. If the animal doesn't get what it needs, it'll fail you. Maybe even throw you."
"Will I be able to tell what the horse needs by paying attention to signs?" Luther said.
"If the beast is truly yours." Simon nodded. "But what the horse needs is the same as a man, so if you're thirsty, or hungry, chances are the horse is, too."
"It can't be that simple."
"It really is."
One of the horses neighed. "They want to have a race," Simon said.
Jason smiled. "Of course they do."
Simon grabbed Luther by the midsection and put him on the horse. The other men mounted the horses on their own power. They walked the horses to the field by the castle. Two other youngsters and an adult were waiting. Simon said, "Lieutenant."
The other adult said, "Captain."
Simon pointed at the new man. "This is Garther. He's under my command."
Garther pointed at the older boy. "This is Jim. The other one is Marc."
"I'm Luther," the smallest boy in the pack said.
Horses echoed from behind Luther: three more boys and another adult. The adults could have almost been twins, with leather armor and long swords at their sides, but Simon was the only one not marked with a cut on his face. The new man had a scar on his right cheek easily two inches long, and Garther sported a cut over his left eye that was maybe an eighth of an inch wide.
The new man saluted by raising a stiff hand up to his forehead. "Captain. Lieutenant."
Simon and Garther returned the salute.
One of the new boys said, "You have a new man. Where did he come from?"
The adult reached over and smacked the boy on the side of the head. "From his mother's womb, dolt."
"Sergeant, this is Luther. He's Juxta's boy," Simon said.
Luther, Magi: Blood of Lynken II Page 4
