The Beast of the North

by Alaric Longward

  ‘Life is cheap, Lord. We are no better, then,’ I said, my mouth sour. ‘No better. We will see Crec on the throne, and there is no justice in that. And we will hang people who have not been judged.’

  He squinted his eyes at me. ‘Are you saying I am like Morag Danegell? Evil?’

  I stood there and did not know what to say. ‘I do not know. But Crec is. And Gal. And—’

  ‘You will be head of one of the Nine Houses. You will have great power. You will be the Lord of the Harbor and master of merchants, and you will oversee executions. You can show your mettle then, and I hope you keep your innocence, boy.’

  He was right, I had not thought of that. ‘I—’

  ‘Doubts are healthy, Maskan, for any man,’ he told me. ‘I will deal with this Gal’s situation now. It will be difficult. Risky even. I am not sure if it will ruin everything, what they just did, and what I must do now. But I won’t let him take my head after the king is gone. I’ll act. And it will be well. Trust me.’ He got up. ‘Now, I will have the house locked up. Stay inside this night. There is something afoot later.‘

  ‘I’m always inside here, Lord,’ I told him.

  ‘Be so this night especially,’ he told me grimly.

  ‘Yes, Lord’ I said. He had another plan. Gal and Crec had made a mistake.

  He got up and nodded at me sagely. ‘Here, to our future, boy.’ He poured me red wine. ‘One week, Maskan. Be ready,’ he said and walked up the stairs. ‘Kill the bitch.’

  ‘Your mercenaries in place?’ I asked him.

  He hesitated. ‘They are. They cost me a great deal,’ he said. ‘But it will all be repaid.’

  ‘How many are there?’

  He shrugged. ‘Some two thousand? Half are already in the city. Disguised and hidden. You know where.’ He walked off, calling for a guard to lock the doors as he pulled his keys and handed them to him.

  I drank down my wine and brooded in the dark.

  The Butler Gray appeared and looked troubled.

  ‘Yes?’ I asked him as he stood there, his eyes glinting in the simmering light of the fire pit.

  ‘Lord Taram. And your Lord Sand,’ he said softly.

  ‘What of them?’

  ‘They are gone,’ he told me.

  CHAPTER 12

  ‘What happened?’ I asked him as we walked into the room.

  ‘Lord Sand. I saw him speaking with old lady Illastria.’ His voice was very disapproving. ‘Few speak to the lady. It’s forbidden, even. And after this? He left the hall. He sneaked after some men heading for the beach entrance, and he did not come back. They said he ran past them, and they let him go, for they were not sure if he was allowed to leave. I know he is your friend, Lord, and I was wondering if you know where he went?’

  I shook my head. ‘Did he have anything with him?’

  ‘Odd, Lord, but he had a shovel,’ Gray informed me. ‘They are renovating in one of the wings, and he grabbed a tool from there.’

  ‘A shovel?’ I asked and then cursed. He was going to bury our family.

  ‘And Lord Taram,’ the Butler said, even more distressed. ‘Was reading a letter in your room.’

  The letter. I had left it on the bed.

  I rushed to the second floor, dashed into our room, and saw it was empty. I saw the letter, now stained, and crumbled in the corner. I rushed to it and picked it up. Then I read it. It was an official letter and in it, Balan listed all the terms of our deal. The coup of Seventh House, Shaduril. And what we were doing with whom. ‘I’ve risked all. Even Shaduril.’

  The butler grunted. ‘I have known her all my life,’ he said sadly. ‘Lady Lith? I disdain of her. And what she did to you, just now, Lord. You will suffer for it. But sir, you must find your friend. Lord Taram looked furious. And he knows Sand left. He will want to hurt you. To punish you. And your friend is out there alone. I will tell Lord Balan, but perhaps you should find him?’

  ‘Taram would risk his father’s plans?’ I asked, terrified.

  ‘He … like the family, all obey Lord Balan. But occasionally, when Lord Balan is not present, they do not. I cannot explain it.’ He looked supremely bothered, his loyalty stretched.

  ‘Why are you helping me?’

  ‘Shaduril,’ he said. ‘She is like a child to me,’ he told me. ‘I’ve known her for forty years.’

  ‘I have to leave,’ I said, my mind whirling.

  ‘I would say that is accurate. You have to get your friend.’ He looked anxious, which was very unusual for the man.

  ‘Should I trust any one of them? Balan?’ I asked him. ‘He might be able to help with Taram.’

  He hesitated and said nothing. I nodded, and he looked visibly relieved as he did not have to betray his master. ‘I can tell you the doors are all locked,’ he reminded me.

  I cursed. I could take Balan’s face, perhaps, but dared not. ‘Who has the keys?’

  ‘Lord Balan,’ he said softly. ‘They are with him, and he is outside, dealing with the people who would leave. He has spares in his room.’

  ‘You cannot—’

  ‘No sir,’ he said, regretfully. ‘I will tell him everything later, but you have to—’

  ‘Stay here for thirty minutes.’

  ‘Why, sir?’ he asked me.

  ‘Do you have the keys to Balan’s work and bedchamber?’ I asked him. ‘For Shaduril. I am asking for her.’

  He shuddered and shook his head. ‘The door is open. But there is a something ... worked into the heavy bar … ’ he began and went quiet. ‘Only a Blacktower can …’

  I nodded at him, thinking. ‘I’ll be careful. Sit down while I tie you up. Just to make it look good. Is there a guard there?’

  He nodded and gave a small smile. ‘There is one. And sir. You need not worry about him. The guard. His life does not matter. Ask him to lift that bar.’

  ‘No good?’ I asked, surprised by his lack of compassion.

  ‘He is beyond redemption. A thief and a murderer,’ Gray said, and I accepted it. Sacrifices, as Balan said, had to be made.

  ‘I’ll tie you up now. Undress,’ I said.

  In a few minutes time, I walked out. I wore the butler’s leather shirt and woolen pants. And his face. I walked up the steps, stiff, arrogant as if I belonged there. My hand was bandaged, and I held it up, awkwardly. I went up the stairs and heard a clamor on the yard from the window. The guests were leaving. I walked up the steps and past the guard, a young man who was sniffling with cold. He nodded at me, his halberd dark in the shadows above him. The man’s eyes were glittering as he followed me. Let him be truly beyond redemption, I thought.

  I got to Balan’s door and hesitated. It was indeed barred. There was the thick wooden bar blocking it, and I sensed not all was right with it. I held my hand awkwardly and hesitated. ‘You there.’

  The guard nodded at me. ‘Yes, Gray?’

  ‘Can you help me with the door and the bar? My hand, you see,’ I indicated the heavy door. I looked and sounded bothered as if unused to asking for help.

  ‘Lord Balan does not like anyone in his rooms when he is not around, Gray,’ he said suspiciously, shifting from one leg to another.

  ‘I am not a thief, fool,’ I told him impatiently. ‘He waits in the yard, don’t you see? I am to fetch him a paper.’

  ‘But—’

  I hissed in anger and turned to leave. My steps were clicking on the tiles, and I walked toward the staircase. ‘I’ll go ask him to fetch it himself, then.’

  ‘Wait, I’ll do it,’ the man said, his voice nervous. ‘Yea, I’ll do it!’ he added as I did not show any signs of stopping. I sighed, turned, and waved for the door.

  ‘The bar, if you please. I’ll take the responsibility,’ I told him and felt terribly sad for him.

  He nodded, set his halberd aside, and walked to the door, his armor clanking. I watched him reach for the bar. ‘Better not get into trouble for this, Gray.’

  ‘We’ll see,’ I said, and he arched an eyebrow at me as he li
fted the bar. ‘The little lord of ours makes it look so easy. Says only Blacktowers should do it, but this is not so heavy, is it? Í–’

  There was no flash. No explosion. Nothing you might expect from a magical trap. I was not sure what kind of magic was placed on the wood, but it was deadly enough.

  The guard shuddered. Then he fell on his back. He was still clutching the bar, but his armor was smoking, and I smelled burned flesh. I looked around to see if anyone had seen the commotion, but none had. I felt terribly sorry for the man and hesitated. I swallowed. ‘Murderer and a thief,’ I whispered to myself, hardening my soul. I stepped in and grabbed the handle to the room. I shuddered with fear, as I had not asked if there were other traps in there, but the handle felt very normal, and the door opened up.

  I turned and grabbed the guard’s feet, careful not to disturb the bar and pulled the man as I went in. I entered the room, left the guard in the doorway, and pulled the door closed. I looked around, smelled the air, and it was musty. I walked around the room, wondering at the shadows and the books all the while keeping an eye on the famous book, which was still on the table. All the secrets of the past? I’d read it, should I have the time. I popped my head to Balan’s bedchamber. It was still as if frozen in time. Old flowers were hanging from a vase; remains of a dinner were forgotten on the table. The bed was dusty and the sheets stained. He did not sleep there.

  I walked to his desk and opened up the drawers. There was clutter. I saw simple silver coins, some small crystals, bits of iron, and some strange gummy substance. It was like a pocket of a child. Then I found the drawer, which clinked and clanked as I drew it open. There, keys. Lots and lots of keys. Old and new keys, Black and white, and … red. There was the key to the downstairs door; the route Sand had taken. I grabbed it, gathering determination. I noticed some of the Blacktower pendants at the end of the drawer, and took one, thanking the gods for small favors. Then I hesitated as I looked at the ancient book. I grabbed it, prayed to the gods again, and took it. No traps. I was alive, and I was a thief again. I dropped the thing in a leather bag set on the floor next to the table and walked out, calmly. I walked to my room, smiled at Gray, who did not ask questions and thanked him with a bow. ‘For your teaching and kindness, I thank you.’

  ‘I have a heart, no matter what you will think,’ he answered and went on his way after I let him go.

  I let my face change again, this time to Taram’s. I felt revulsion as I touched it, but it would have to do. I went to the downstairs door, smiled at the guards, walked down the dark stairway, and looked around. None challenged me. I opened the door and walked to the beach. I heard commotion and bustle as far above the party was leaving slowly. I ran down the beach and climbed our usual route of misery. I dodged from shadow to shadow, wondering what to do next. I needed a horse. I could not get one in the Crimson Apex. I saw the lights of the larger village, named Kintarra, of High Hold, near the Broken Crown Way, and ran that way. It took half an hour, and I was lathered with sweat as I got there. I looked around, saw the large tavern and a stable next to it. I gathered myself and lifted my chin, walked to the stables and noticed men who came out to meet me. One hesitated, his eyes grew large. He grabbed his felt hat and bowed deep. ‘My lord!’

  ‘Saddle a horse, boy,’ I told a mop-haired stable hand. ‘I will return it later.’

  ‘Lord, you passed this way not long ago. What happened to the other one?’ he asked and blanched, as I looked at him furiously. ‘Yes, my lord.’

  I waited while they made a horse ready and noticed there was a lot of commotion in the tavern. People were running inside; maids were asking for instructions. ‘What is going on in there?’ I asked them.

  ‘Ah! Lords Helstrom and Talin will stay in the tavern for the night. There is a storm brewing and the Maiden’s Moon is famous for good ale and entertainment. Lord Balan, your father, paid for the whole establishment.’ I grunted and fingered Larkgrin, which was in my pocket.

  ‘Storm brewing?’ I asked.

  ‘I do not know,’ said the felt hat. ‘That is what she told me. Your sister.’

  ‘Lith?’ I half wondered.

  ‘No,’ he answered, looking confused.

  So did I, no doubt, but I decided I had no time to think about it. I shook my head. ‘Hurry up.’ And they did. I was not an expert rider, but I doubted anyone would pay attention to me in the night. I mounted the horse, adjusted the stirrups, and whipped the beast. I dodged men at the village gates and did not look back.

  Damned idiot, I told myself repeatedly though I was unsure if I meant Sand or myself. I should have told him everything. But Shaduril and perhaps Balan’s promises had made me forget him. Sand had undoubtedly gone to bury our family. Perhaps he was on foot.

  I rode into the darkness and left Kintarra behind. The horse was uncertain of the way, but I saw a glimpse of someone riding the Broken Crown Way, which was not too far to the East, and I whipped the horse through the fields and small wooded hills to get there. I found it and took the way to the East. The Three Sisters were shining high in the sky, lighting the land enough to see the way. I dared not leave the road, rode through a smaller village, dodged some corrals full of startled poultry and the fox that had been slavering over them, passed a white façade of a local tavern where men were bustling and rode for the East without looking back. A road sign showed the direction of Dagnar, and I kept on the road and whipped the horse like crazy.

  After two hours of this, I saw the lights of the Dagger Hill, Dagnar’s many splendid towers, and walls, and then I saw the familiar game trails that led north. There was the usual way stop with spare horses as well. I began to find my way towards the Wooded Blight, tentatively, for I did not wish to get lost. Surely, I would get to the Green Hall before Sand. Unless he had stolen a horse.

  I found the remains of the Green Hall. It was a burnt down husk of past glories, the many-roomed cozy hall of a robber baron. It was our hideout, but only a memory now. With apprehension, I saw there was a lathered horse in the corner of the hall, tied to a burnt timber. I rode that way, cursing softly, calming my horse with gentle strokes, and I hoped it would not make a sound. I dismounted, left the beast there and rounded the corner carefully, holding Larkgrin in my palm.

  The tree was empty. There were ropes hanging down it. All had been cut.

  And Sand was on his knee before a large mound, sobbing.

  I approached and stepped on a twig, and he twirled around and pulled his scimitar. He saw me and stared at my face, and I cursed and took my own. He nodded carefully, still unsure if I was welcome, but I walked over anyway. We stared at the mound for a long time. A stench wafted up from it, rotten meat mixing with mud and grit. ‘Gods. He never smelled like roses,’ Sand whispered. ‘But this is just terrible.’

  I snorted, and he did as well. We chuckled and wiped our faces as we took steps back. I pushed him. ‘I am sorry.’

  ‘You should be sorry,’ he whispered. ‘You treated me like vermin.’

  ‘I should have told you about the deal I made with Balan. He did not trust you. But I should have. And I did. Sort of. I did not think. I failed.’

  ‘You have grown proud as shit,’ he told me. ‘They dangled this new life before your eyes, like a piece of fresh meat for a starving wolf, and you jumped.’

  ‘I jumped,’ I agreed. ‘I mainly jumped for Shaduril. I will jump still, to kill the king and to save her, as well as to keep our oath. But I won’t forget us. Not again. Nor will I abandon you. I don’t know what my future holds. But you are part of it.’

  ‘We won’t be thieving together again, not ever,’ he lamented. ‘I will miss that.’

  I shrugged. ‘I think nobles are far worse thieves than we ever were, Sand. And perhaps I shall be a thieving noble as they are. And maybe we can figure something out.’

  ‘Perhaps we can,’ he whispered. ‘He was buried, after all. They were.’

  ‘They were?’ I asked him.

  He shook his head, his face white
with a strange emotion. ‘Yes. Someone cut them down and put him to the ground though burning him would have been kind. Gods would have—’

  ‘It would have,’ I agreed.

  ‘We should leave,’ he said. I hesitated, and he saw it and shook his head.

  I went on. ‘Balan is making his plans, but he tells me not to worry, that he will deal with the issues, but I am not sure it will be that simple,’ I told him. ‘I will try this anyway. But I have an idea.’

  ‘It’s high time you start to think on your own,’ Sand growled. ‘We should go away. Listen–’

  I interrupted him and grabbed his arms. ‘I must go back. But I think you should not come back to the Crimson Apex,’ I told him.

  ‘I was going to tell you. I won’t,’ he said. ‘Look—’

  ‘I think you should disappear. Find Shakes. The Lamb. Until I call for you. Hold onto this.’ I thrust the book at him.

  He took it and stared at it with confusion. ‘What is it?’

  ‘A book. Famous book. I’ll explain it later, but it’s a collateral against Balan’s treachery.’

  ‘So I am basically out of the picture,’ he whispered. ‘I’d have to hide with this book. While you … No. You come with me.’

  ‘I don’t know exactly what is in that book, but it tells the history of Midgard. There is bound to be a hoard of delicate information that might hurt any of the high houses. It is a goldmine. Keep it. It has a lot of worth. It might even have enough information to punish Crec and Gal if Balan does not. If I die, figure out what to do with it. They cannot find you, not easily if Shakes helps you out of town. And they have to wonder, always wonder what might happen if I am betrayed. If I die. I will have to see this through. We made a pact to punish the bastards. We swore to avenge our family. I will try it, but I need you to hide for both of us.’

  He chuckled. ‘A beautiful plan. But it is far too late.’

  ‘Take this,’ I told him and pulled at my stolen pendant. ‘It will keep you safe from the king as well.’