The Grim Wanderer

by James Wolf

  ‘Will your people go deeper into the forest?’ Taem said.

  ‘We cannot,’ Gerandel shook his head. ‘This is our home. We will defend it. The elderly and the children will be evacuated to other villages in the west – but the rest will stay and fight.’

  ‘How many soldiers do you have?’ Taem asked.

  ‘There’s a hundred soldiers of the Forest Guard stationed here,’ Gerandel gestured to Aborle men and women putting on armour and picking up spears, ‘then we have two score warders like Baek, and maybe a hundred and fifty Aborle of the village who are of age to fight.’

  Taem’s heart sank. Logan had made him study the art of war from a young age, and he was certain that was too small a force.

  ‘That’s not enough to defeat five hundred Krun,’ Taem said softly.

  ‘But stay we must,’ Gerandel said. ‘The Kruns could be mere hours away. Even if the whole village left now, the children and the old can only travel slowly. The Krun would catch us on the move. We can fight them better here, head on. Let the children and the old get away. We’ll build our defences, let them come to us. It is the only way.’

  ‘I have seen what the Krun do to innocent villagers,’ Taem said darkly. ‘They are brutal, they are cruel, and they are evil.’

  ‘Well then you have seen too much already,’ Gerandel touched Taem on the shoulder. ‘You are free to leave whenever you choose. But you look so tired. At least let me get you something to eat, and a bed for the night. The Krun may attack this village, but not tonight. You and your horse need rest, or you will soon collapse. She is exhausted, I have grooms caring for her in the stables.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Taem said wearily, ‘I am so very tired.’

  ‘Then follow me,’ Gerandel showed Taem up some stairs, far off the ground, into a treehouse built around the trunk. Taem was amazed to see almost no straight lines in the treehouse. Every beam was curved, and there were no sharp edges in the ornate construction. Gerandel led him inside to a large circular room, exposed to the huge tree trunk. There was a place already set at a table, and Taem’s stomach groaned as he saw the spread of meat and vegetables that was laid out for him. Gerandel left him to eat, and soon after Taem was happy to climb into the soft sheets of the bed adjacent, and fall into a deep sleep.

  Chapter 6 – The Village of Lights

  Taem woke and stretched out his body. Daylight streamed in through circular windows. Taem looked up from his bed, and marvelled how every beam of the framework was carved into a curve. Taem pulled his clothes on and strapped his sword to his back. He paused to listen, and could hear birdsong in the forest along with the banging of construction, and Aborle calling to each other.

  Taem stepped outside the treehouse, onto an elevated wooden platform, far above the forest floor. He walked towards the edge and rested his hands on the thick wooden handrail. The trees were magnificent. And there were many dwellings amongst their massive boughs. The forest was brimming with life, and felt peaceful, calm. Two walkways led off in different directions, joining the platform Taem stood on to dwellings in other trees. Taem looked down over the edge and could see a similar level below him. Gazing up he could see there was at least one other level above, and flowing stairs spiralled round the great trunk to join the different levels. The workmanship was spectacular, every timber crafted to appear as part of the living trees. But it was in the trees themselves that Taem was most taken aback, their majestic size was truly something to behold. He had barely imagined a place as wondrous as this.

  ‘Amazing, are they not?’ Baek sat on a chair further round the platform, with his feet up on the handrail.

  ‘Incredible,’ Taem looked out over the village below him. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’

  Baek smiled with pride. ‘The Aborle love the trees,’ Baek gestured to the mighty oaks. ‘We feel safe living in their boughs.’

  ‘I can see why,’ Taem murmured, still in awe. ‘How far off are the Krun?’

  ‘Not far,’ Baek said, ‘the warders watch them. The enemy know where the village is, and they prepare to attack.’

  ‘Today?’

  ‘We don’t know,’ Baek shook his head. ‘Who can predict how they think?’

  ‘Well,’ Taem said warmly, ‘it is good to see you alive and well, friend.’

  ‘If it had not been for you,’ Baek dipped his head, ‘I would not be here.’

  In complete contrast to the night before, Taem thought the Aborle was gleaming with health. Baek carried a longbow, a full six-foot in length, made from flexible Silver Yew. It had a brown leather grip wound tightly round its centre, and the ends – where the bowstring was notched – were capped with steel. Strapped to Baek’s back, underneath his forest cloak, was a polished leather quiver, packed with arrows topped with white flights. A broadsword was hanging from Baek’s side, held within a tanned brown-leather scabbard. The hilt was bound with the same rustic leather, and the sword had a spherical metal pommel.

  ‘Your healer must be skilled in the magical arts,’ Taem gestured to Baek’s side, where the arrow had been.

  ‘That she is,’ Baek smiled, as he placed his hand where the wound had been.

  ‘Does she know battle spells?’

  Baek shook his head, ‘She is a healer only.’

  ‘We could be in trouble then,’ Taem looked out over the forest floor.

  ‘I can have a new saddle put on your horse,’ Baek said, ‘and you can be gone before the Krun attack.’

  Taem could head north through the forest, try and get around the Krun horde. He could still make for Dolam. Taem knew how not to be seen, and he would probably make it. But he was watching some of the forest men and women removing an access ramp. He saw them struggling with pulleys and ropes, and shouting and helping each other. Taem knew Gerandel was right. These were gentle people, who were just trying to defend their home. Taem asked himself what it meant to be Sodan. What did it mean to live your life by The Code?

  ‘I don’t feel like running today,’ Taem murmured to Baek.

  ‘You will stay and help us?’ Baek beamed.

  ‘I’ll do what I can.’

  ‘I’ve already seen what you can do,’ Baek looked at Taem’s sword. ‘Maybe the Light has sent you to help us.’

  Taem did not believe that, but he was not going to challenge the Aborle’s beliefs. He could not accept the Krun invading was in the Light’s plan. What part of the Light’s plan would involve the slaughter of his entire village?

  ‘Who are the Aborle?’ Taem asked. ‘How did you come to live in this place?’

  ‘We are the people of the forest,’ Baek spread his arms wide. ‘Many centuries ago, our forebears retreated from the outside world – for it was cruel and harsh and bloody. And the Aborle have lived here amongst the trees, in relative peace, ever since.’

  ‘Do the Krun often raid this way?’ Taem asked.

  ‘This is the first time since I’ve been a Warder,’ Baek said. ‘I have hunted them in the eastern woods, but I’ve never known them to cross the Mountain Way. It was fortunate you came along when you did,’ Baek looked out amongst the trees, thinking of his slain friends. ‘How did you come to be in the forest?’

  Taem felt a stab of guilt, and a rush of worry, when he remembered leaving Logan and Hirandar at Stheeman’s Hill. He hoped against hope they were out there somewhere, heading to meet him in Dolam. Taem knew if anyone could survive that night it was his two guardians. And he knew he had no choice but to flee that night – but that did not make him feel good about it.

  ‘I’m heading for Dolam,’ Taem said. ‘My companions wait for me there.’

  Baek nodded, that was enough of an explanation for him.

  ‘Come,’ Baek gestured for Taem to follow him, let’s get you some breakfast.’

  After fruit, porridge and tea, Baek showed Taem the village. They passed fletchers making hundreds of arrows, soldiers checking armour and weapons, the builders removing other access ramps, and other Aborle stockpiling f
ood. Taem watched Aborle of all ages practising their archery against targets, just outside the village.

  Taem realised some of those forest men and women had not picked up a bow in a long time. Some could not even hit a target twenty yards away – how were they going to manage if the Krun were coming screaming at them?

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Baek said, reading the concern in Taem’s eyes. ‘Archery is second nature to the Aborle. With a little practice, all will be ready for battle.’

  Nevertheless, Taem was fearful for these peaceful people. War was coming.

  Baek showed Taem through landscaped gardens – with a bewildering array of exotic flowers and shrubs – and cultivated vegetable patches, bordered with beds of spices and herbs. Streams trickled through the forest’s gardens, flowing over waterfalls, and linking the deep pools to form a network of waterways that weaved through the woodland.

  The companions crossed a carved white stone bridge, over a stream full of red, silver and gold fish, and walked through an orchard.

  ‘How can all these plants survive?’ Taem asked Baek, as they walked amongst fruit-bearing trees. ‘They must get no light at all under your giant trees?’

  ‘We need not the light of the sun,’ Baek smiled, as he gestured at the unlit Star Lanterns nestled in the great trees. ‘And the Earth Crystals,’ the Aborle scooped down and picked up one of the glowing green gems, which were scattered all over the rich soil, and passed it to Taem.

  Taem marvelled as the crystal pulsed in his hand, ‘This may sound strange, but it is not warm – but yet, I can feel the warmth of its growth. This is something else!’

  ‘It’s magic,’ Baek said calmly.

  ‘But how can this be?’ Taem murmured. ‘My teacher is a wizard, and she says magic is draining away from Hathlore. She calls it The Decline. But this whole place is seeped in magic.’

  ‘Magic comes easily to my people,’ Baek shrugged. ‘It is in our blood. Only the Light knows why. All I know is we are fortunate to be blessed so.’

  Taem saw how the Aborle lived in harmony with nature. Despite his harsh welcome last night, he could now see they were indeed gentle folk. He saw it in the soft way they spoke, the mildness of their touch and the grace of their movement. He saw this, and the fear in his heart grew. The Krun would find easy prey here. Those devils came with murder and pillage in mind, and they would tear the gentle Aborle asunder.

  ‘How much do these crystals cost?’ Taem held up the green crystal.

  ‘Cost?’ Baek’s forehead crinkled up in confusion.

  ‘You know, to buy?’

  ‘Buy? Baek’s eyes went wide. ‘Oh! You’re talking about money!’

  ‘Yes,’ Taem said, ‘surely you have money?’

  ‘No,’ Baek said merrily. ‘We don’t need it here.’

  ‘What?’ Taem’s mouth hung low. ‘How do you get new things? How do you get food from your farmers?’

  ‘We ask them,’ Baek grinned, ‘and they give it. What is so strange about that? Everyone needs to eat! I do my job protecting the borders, and the farmers grow me food to eat. That is how it works round here.’

  ‘Interesting,’ Taem said in amazement. ‘It’s not like that beyond this forest.’

  ‘That’s what father says,’ Baek said, ‘that’s why Hanrel challenged you, and that’s why we keep our ways secret. But I want to know, Taem. What’s it really like out there? Beyond the trees?’

  ‘I’ve not travelled far myself,’ Taem shrugged, ‘but like you said earlier, the outside is harsh, and cruel and bloody. This is paradise in comparison.’

  ‘Well perhaps you should stay here then,’ Baek grinned. ‘I have a sister, Shayel. She is a handful – and she has plenty of the village men chasing her – but she has a good heart. You could settle here and marry her!’

  Taem laughed, ‘It would probably be best if I met her first!’

  ‘I’m sure that can be arranged,’ Baek said, ‘after... whatever comes.’ Baek stared off into the forest. ‘We are going to survive this, aren’t we?’

  Taem looked into Baek’s eyes, and saw the fear in them.

  ‘Definitely,’ Taem said strongly. He felt an impostor for saying that with a certainty he did not feel. But Logan always said that men should be told exactly what they needed to hear before battle – regardless of the facts. A warrior with no fear of death was ferocious, but a warrior without hope was dead already.

  ‘Good,’ Baek stood taller and his shoulders relaxed. ‘The Aborle have tended these groves for hundreds of years, and will do for hundreds of years yet to come.’

  Baek led Taem through the village, and up to the Hall of Council on the top level. It was beginning to get dark, and Taem realised – with astonishment – that the lamps around the village were coming on of their own accord, glowing softly, bathing the village in glittering starlight.

  Baek smiled at his friend’s bewilderment, ‘They are magic Star Lanterns. As the evening wears on these lamps will get brighter, responding to how black the night is.’

  Taem shook his head in disbelief.

  ‘I do not understand how they work,’ Baek shrugged his shoulders with an honest smile, ‘but the Star Lanterns absorb the light from the sun during the day, and radiate it by night.’ Baek said, as they crossed the high bridge to the Hall of Council, at the top of the greatest tree in Leafholme.

  Taem saw a sweeping pagoda roof overhung the hall, and its peak pierced through the highest leaves and soared into the twilight sky. From afar the grand building looked to be a single mesmerising piece of wood. But on closer inspection, Taem found the roof and the hall were made of innumerable spirals of intertwined wood. Taem saw White Oak, Silver Yew, Golden Cedar, and a multitude of other coloured woods he could not name – all inexplicably bound and wound around each other, corkscrewed thousands of times in perfect vertical spirals. Taem found it confused his eyes to look upon the hall. Sometimes the spirals looked still, other times they appeared to be cascading down like a glimmering waterfall. Enraptured, Taem reached out and touched one of the spirals, the wood was so smooth it had no texture at all.

  ‘Inconceivable…’ Taem murmured, as he traced his finger down a spiral of honed wood. It was as smooth as tempered steel! ‘How can this be made?’

  ‘You know how, Taem,’ Gerandel emerged from the shadows of the hall, his copper eyes gleaming in the twilight. ‘This is the craft of Aborle magic. It is the wonders of the bygone Golden Age. This Hall of Council is a centre of balance, all who enter will feel the calmness. It clarifies the thoughts. Now please, enter,’ Gerandel gestured for Taem to follow him.

  The dignified Aborle led Taem and Baek to a solid oak door, laced with curling patterns of black metal, and through into the mysterious hall. Gerandel took them around the central fire, to the far end of the hall, where half a dozen Aborle stood around a map table.

  The village Aborle were all listening to a tall Aborle warrior woman, wearing a decorated chainmail shirt. Taem saw there was a sharpness about this tall warrior, in the imperious way she held himself.

  ‘I am Shandor Traylark,’ the tall woman said, ‘captain of Leafholme’s Forest Guard.’

  Taem saw the dubious way the captain eyed his sword.

  ‘Taem Dratana,’ Taem dipped his head, but Shandor’s gaze had already moved on.

  ‘Baek,’ Shandor shook Baek’s hand. ‘Good to see you alive. I hear you’re lucky to be here. The Light must have been watching over you.’ Shandor shot a suspicious glance at Taem.

  ‘Thank you, captain,’ Baek bowed. ‘Already too much Aborle blood has been spilt.’

  ‘I mourn our fallen brothers and sisters,’ Shandor put her hand on her heart.

  Baek stared at the floor.

  ‘We will avenge them,’ the Captain said harshly. ‘And we will drive the Krun from our forest.’

  ‘Here here!’ Aborle around the table shouted.

  ‘What do you propose, Captain?’ Gerandel said.

  ‘My company has a hundred spears,
’ Shandor pointed at the map, ‘we still have three dozen Warders, and we’ve conscripted one hundred and forty two volunteers.’

  Taem felt his stomach drop. They were so few in number. The sensible thing to do would be to relinquish Leafholme and retreat deeper into Borleon. But Taem knew now the Aborle could not let the Krun destroy their sacred village. Looking around the table, Taem could see the determination in these Aborle to defend their homes, and he felt ashamed for ever doubting that these people had the courage for battle.

  ‘This is what we have come up with so far,’ Shandor indicated to the map on the table. ‘We will meet them here,’ she pointed to an open area, some way from the tree village. ‘We will bar the enemy from reaching Leafholme – the Krun will never taint our groves. The Forest Guard will take up the centre of the field of battle, with archers on both flanks,’ the Captain indicated to areas on the map.

  Gerandel nodded in agreement, as did the other Aborle around the table, relying on the captain’s experience.

  Taem looked at the map. He knew the Aborle were outnumbered. A full pitched battle was too risky, they had to resort to strategy.

  ‘May I say something?’ Taem said quietly.

  All the Aborle eyes around the table fell on Taem, which made him nervous. He could sense the scepticism of the captain, she was the most intimidating person he had ever met – aside from Logan of course, but he was family, so did not count.

  ‘By all means,’ Gerandel swept his arm wide, whilst some of the other Aborle round the table nodded in hesitant agreement, others looked affronted by this coutryman’s interruption.

  Taem could see Captain Traylark scowling at him now, and it was beginning to irritate him.

  ‘Our strength in numbers is our bowmen,’ Taem murmured. ‘For which we need to keep the enemy from getting close.’ Taem did not think it wise to say that the Aborle would be slaughtered if the Krun got on top of them.