Protector's Curse

by Keith Walsh

  “Oh, absolutely not,” said Gallant standing straight. “You talk to them all you want Princess. They seem to like you very much.” Her little eyes lit up and her smile showed her perfect white teeth. “They do, don’t they?” she agreed, bobbing her head excitedly, basking in Gallant’s approval. “I love you Mr Giant,” she added, throwing herself at him for another hug. “And I you,” said Gallant, leaning down and kissing the top of her hair. She snuggled into him even more upon his admission, squeezing him with all her might.

  “Matias is making something for us to eat,” said Gallant, pulling away enough for Amber to look up at him but not fully breaking the embrace. “Would you like to go and see what?”

  “Oh yay. He is a nice man.” Gallant allowed himself a smile, and although he had warmed a little towards the old man, he still didn’t trust him around Amber. “I know you think that Princess,” he said. “But he is still a stranger so please stay close to me and keep your distance from him, okay?” He looked at her sternly but with a thin smile so she would know him serious but not angry with her. “Okay Mr Giant,” she replied, pulling away from him but taking his hand in the process, as was their usual stance whenever they went anywhere together. “Good girl.”

  Remembering earlier the door Matias had stood at when he first offered them food and drink, Gallant led the way to where he guessed the old man would most likely be.

  Chapter 24

  Callis awoke with an aching head. His vision swam and panic tried to take him when he realised his arms and legs were bound but he fought against it. He did not yet know his predicament but he realised that losing control would be a mistake. He tried to focus but something stung his left eye and he closed it. His right did not sting, but his vision was blurred and after some time and effort it began to clear and finally he saw a man standing in front of him with his back to him.

  He took a moment to look around and could see that he was in his cabin, his legs and arms bound to a chair. His tunic was soaked, his leggings too, but there was something else. Blood, lots of blood mixed with the wet. He licked his lips and felt the salty taste of it on his tongue. Between the sight and the taste of it, his resolve failed and he sighed. Fear had him. “Ah, so you have decided to come back to the world of the living to continue our chat,” sounded a familiar voice.

  Callis focussed and saw the words had come from Jasper. His spirits lifted a little until his mind put the words he had just heard into context. Jasper would not be his saviour – he was the assailant. Anger replaced fear. “What the hell are you doing Jasper?” said Callis, before spitting blood. He instantly regretted his tone as a fist smashed into his already aching face, snapping his head back. “You fucking bastard,” he shouted when he regained his senses. Another fist. Callis cursed to himself.

  “We will put some manners on you yet,” said Jasper. But the only part of the statement Callis paid heed to was the word ‘we.’

  “Who’s we?” said Callis smirking, unable to control himself. Jasper moved in and grabbed him by the chin, pulling his face to his and locking his malevolent eyes to Callis’ good one. The young man tried to resist but his abductor proved too strong. “Just some friends of mine who are more than willing to help with that oaf of a companion you seem so fond of lately. That is, when you tell us where he is?” Callis gave a spluttering laugh and said, “You should pray you don’t find him.” Jasper pushed his captors face back and struck it a vicious backhand before grabbing it roughly again. “He is the one who should pray. You embarrassed me you little shit, standing up to me and having me bound like some animal. Well now it is you who is bound. How does it feel?”

  Callis resisted the urge to get smart, the pain proving too much to bear. “That’s good, you’re learning. You see boys,” said Jasper straightening a little but keeping his grip firm. “I said we would put manners on him, didn’t I?” No reply came, giving Callis the impression that whoever else was involved may also be known to him and did not want their identity revealed by a vocal response. Jasper leaned in again. “That oversized pig you travel with embarrassed me too. All I did was try to apologise and he attempts to break my jaw in return.”

  “Actually he tried not to break it,” retorted Callis, fully expecting to be swiftly punished for it. “Ha, my strength and toughness is what prevented it. And to think I actually feared the giant at one time. But now I have taken his best and he will sample ours.” Callis raised an eyebrow at him. “He must have hit you harder than I thought, Jasper, for you have clearly lost your mind,” he said and this time he did receive punishment for his words, taking several fist blows to his already badly beaten face. His head sagged in its aftermath.

  Inside, he felt a mixture of anger and pain, a toxic cocktail that lead to frustration. Tears began to well in his eyes. Callis had always lived his life in the best way possible – helping others, always smiling and trying to brighten up people’s day. He couldn’t understand what he had done to deserve the situation he now found himself in. “Where is he Callis? Do not make me ask you again. The night closes in and with it your time in this world. Answer me!” The night is closing in? How long have I been here? thought Callis, using those thoughts to help stem the tears that he knew now stained his cheeks.

  “How long have I been here?” he risked, raising his head to eye his captor. Jasper straightened and stepped back, seemingly surprised by the question. Perhaps he had hit Callis too hard. “You don’t remember?”

  “I wouldn’t be asking if I did.”

  “For most of the day you have been refusing to answer a simple question to protect a relative stranger. I admit you were out for quite a while on that last beating but I didn’t expect you to wake up with a lost mind.” Laughter rang out between his captors as Jasper threw them a mocking look. Callis wanted to move his head around to try to spot the others who were doing a very good job of staying out of view but he decided such an action would lead to another beating. He now had the new knowledge that he had been here most of the day. They have beaten my memory from me, he thought.

  “Still, he’s talking so he can’t have forgotten everything,” said Jasper, his laughter subsiding almost as though he had read Callis’ mind. “Let’s hope for your sake you haven’t forgotten where the giant is?” he added, moving in close again. Callis blinked. If what his tormentor said was true then he had held out to the best of his ability. He liked Gallant and loved Amber but he wasn’t ready to die for them. If his beatings had been so severe to the point some of his memory was missing then he must be close to death. Besides Gallant could handle these idiots, right? Somewhere through all his pain he remembered the giant’s words: “I will slaughter them.” Yes, Gallant will deal with them. You have proven loyal enough. Don’t die like this. Not like this.

  “Answer me!” The scream shook Callis from his thoughts, his fear and pain leading him to rationalisation and that robbing him of any further resistance. “All right!” he said. Jasper stood back, his eyes lighting up. “All right…” Callis continued. He is at Matias’ home.” No sooner did the words leave Callis’ lips and rationalisation or not, he felt shame wash over him. His head sagged and he sobbed. Coward, you fucking little coward, he thought as his whole body shook with the release of his emotion. All he received was mocking laughter and Jasper’s phlegm upon his face.

  “You stay here and watch him. If we don’t return or he tries anything… kill him,” he heard Jasper order. Then he heard his cabin door open and the footsteps of several men he presumed were leaving. The door closed and the room became plunged into silence, although he knew he was not alone. After some time had passed he found himself wondering about his abductors’ motives. Not about Jasper – he knew his reasons – but the others. He decided to voice his thoughts.

  “May I ask why you people have agreed to take part in my abduction, including you? What do you hope to achieve?” He felt a little more confident with making conversation now that Jasper had gone, although he made sure to keep his eyes closed. H
e figured at this stage it better he didn’t know who else was involved. “Coin, of course,” came the reply but Callis couldn’t place the voice. “Jasper told us the giant would get the reward for the bear. That is our coin. We hunted the animal and risked our lives, he doesn’t deserve it.” Callis searched his brain for memory of what he was being told but nothing came to him and so he could offer no contradiction. “Are you going to kill me?”

  “If Jasper returns, that will be up to him but I would not have high hopes for you.” Callis spluttered, tears threatening again but he fought them. “And if he doesn’t?”

  “No.”

  Callis sighed with relief. “Why?” he managed to ask while also berating himself for offering a challenge to his own life. No answer came at first but then, “You haven’t seen me. If Jasper fails to return then there is no-one to dispute my part in this.”

  “What about the others?” Callis asked. Dammit man, are you trying to talk this person into killing you? he thought, but he knew that wasn’t the case. He was actually trying to convince himself that the person speaking was telling the truth and he would not be killed. “If Jasper doesn’t return I would guess him most likely dead and I see no reason why the others wouldn’t be too. But even if that not the case, I could blame them as much as they could blame me. And you haven’t seen any of us other than Jasper. Not too smart that one…” Callis couldn’t help smiling at that last part.” Could I have some water please?” he asked.

  As before, no answer came right away but eventually, the voice said, “I will give you water but if you open your eyes I will kill yo—”

  “I won’t, I promise.”

  “Very well.”

  Callis heard the movement of the person who watched over him but stayed true to his word keeping his eyes shut. Footsteps came closer. “Here. Tilt your head back and open your mouth but remember: eyes closed.” Callis nodded before doing as he was told. When the water hit his busted mouth he coughed and spluttered but made sure to keep his eyes shut. “Again please,” Callis said. “This time try not to spray me with it,” came the reply. He nodded but chose not to apologise, instead drinking deeply as his body accepted the cool liquid this time without incident.

  With a lick of his lips he thanked his watcher, and the man grunted his response. “You know, I’m not quite sure coin is worth all this. I mean now that I am here,” said the watcher. The admission surprised Callis but another part of him saw it as an opportunity. “You could always let me go,” he said casually.

  He heard a sigh. “And have Jasper do to me what he has done to you? No.” Callis’ head sagged with despair upon hearing the response but more words came. “Times are hard and not all of us can live like Matias. He lives like a King while we all struggle around him,” the watcher said.

  “Matias has done much for this village,” Callis said.

  “Not with his coin.”

  “The rich would not be so if they gave their coin away now would they?” Callis pressed. There was a pause. “But a little, to a few,” said the watcher at last. Callis decided to argue his point, as it helped keep his mind off his predicament. “If the rich give a little too a few then it wouldn’t be long until the few became many. Where do those with wealth draw the line? When they too are poor? And would we give to them then?”

  “Bah, you only defend him because he is teaching you.” Callis could sense the man’s anger rising, the fact bringing him back to the reality of his situation. He decided to back off. “You’re right. I don’t know how hard it is. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to judge.” He heard another sigh. “No, there is truth in what you say. I have always liked you Callis. A part of me hopes Jasper will not return.”

  “Michael?” said Callis, the admission from the watcher awakening part of his memory and the name slipping before he could catch himself. Identifying his watcher surely meant death. He heard the sound of someone standing abruptly followed by what seemed like an eternity of silence. Eventually the voice spoke in a sad tone. “I really wish you hadn’t said that.” Callis heard footsteps approach and felt his bladder weaken, but he held it. He didn’t want to die but if this was his time, he would face it like a man. For the first time in his watcher’s company he opened his eyes. His left one still stung but he forced it to stay open and saw that his memory was correct. Michael approached him, dagger in hand.

  “I thought more of you,” he managed to say, choking back his fear and with defiance in his eyes. “I thought more of myself,” said Michael, unable to look Callis in the face. He placed the tip of his dagger on the young man’s chest, preparing to put his body weight behind the hilt. Callis used everything he had to hold strong. He wouldn’t go out like a coward, no matter how he had behaved earlier. “Goodbye Callis.”

  Suddenly the door to the cabin burst open, Michael jerking his attention to it. Callis felt a huge sigh of relief. Who had come to save him? But the door had been open by the wind whipping through, and Michael could see that no one stood there. “Just the breeze,” he said. “This storm is really kicking up. I’ll be back to deal with you in a moment.”

  As Michael moved off Callis’ resolve broke. He had been ready, mustered all his will to take his death like a man but this cruel world wouldn’t have it. It must break him first, rob him of what little dignity he had left. “Damn you,” he shouted at the ceiling, his anger rising. “That’s it,” said Michael, grabbing hold of the door to shut it, his head turning back to look upon Callis. “Curse God, right before you meet hi—”

  He never got to finish his sentence, cold metal plunging into the back of his head to pierce his brain. The sound of a body thumping to the floor caused Callis to stretch his neck just in time to see Cormac moving toward him, dripping blade in hand. “Thank God,” he said as all emotion drained from him. “Callis, are you okay? I’m sorry I didn’t act sooner, there was too many for me to handle.”

  Callis didn’t even argue that the young man could have gone to get help. He just wanted desperately to be free. “You couldn’t have timed it better,” he said, with almost hysterical joy. Cormac frantically cut the ropes that bound Callis, his own emotions a mixture of excitement, dread and terror. He had never taken a person’s life before. He knew Michael, liked him even. He had slaughtered pigs, learning from his father, but this didn’t feel the same. What he had just done sickened him. He felt like his soul would be forever tainted.

  “I’ve never killed someone before,” he confessed to Callis as he cut the last of the loops of rope. “I don’t think it will sit well with me,” he added, fighting hard to hold back the tears that threatened to overwhelm him. Callis could see the pain in the man’s eyes and grabbing a hold of his face he looked into them intensely. “You listen to me Cormac. Anytime you feel dread by what you have done here, you remember you saved my life. Do you hear me?” Cormac’s eyes drifted to the lifeless body of Michael for a moment before he felt the tug of Callis’ hands causing him to refocus.

  “A life for a life,” said Callis, shaking the face in his hands. “A life for a life,” repeated Cormac, nodding but his eyes betrayed his show of strength. “Good man. Now please help me with these saddlebags. They belong to the giant and I have to get them to him,” Callis said, ruffling Cormac’s hair and pulling him to his feet, fighting his own emotions and pain. There would be time for all that later. Right now he needed desperately to make amends for what he considered to be a betrayal of the giant.

  Chapter 25

  Atheles urged his horse forward to pull alongside his master’s mount as the village came into view, eager to stay true to his vow and protect him if need be. They had travelled through the pouring rain all day, muddied water swirling around their horse’s lower legs, so bad had it become. It felt more like they traversed a stream then a forest. But now respite was at hand – a village with shelter and warm food and beds, he hoped.

  As the two men rode side by side further into the village it seemed abandoned until they saw at last a group of men moving pu
rposefully to an unknown destination. “Hello there,” boomed Atheles, directing his greeting at the group. They stopped in their tracks and turned, some of them drawing swords. “You don’t need those,” Atheles said, “We mean you no harm.” Don’t be so sure, thought Kalen, grinning. The prospect of a fight lifted his spirits. He hadn’t killed anyone in days, strange creature aside.

  “What do you want?” said one of the men stepping forward, signalling the others to lower their weapons. They were on a mission and getting into a fight here wouldn’t help. “Just some food and shelter for the night,” said Atheles, hands held wide. “I’m sorry, we don’t provide that here,” replied the man, and Atheles got the distinct feeling they wanted them to be elsewhere. “We can pay,” he added. The man licked his lips and it was only in the gesture that Atheles registered that none of these men wore cloaks. Torrential rain like this, all armed but not one of them properly adorned for such weather. “How much?” the man asked.

  “Perhaps we could see our accommodation before deciding on such a thing,” replied Atheles. “If they have coin, let’s just take it,” came a voice from the group and several of the men advanced, their weapons raised. Atheles noted that Kalen had slid from his saddle. “What is your name?” asked Atheles of the man he had been speaking with. “Jasper. What of it?” Atheles sighed. “Well Jasper, although I am a patient man, my master – who has just dismounted – is not known for sharing that quality.” Jasper sneered up at him, shielding his eyes from the rain. “And why should that concern me?”

  “Well actually, it concerns all of you,” Atheles said, speaking to the group. Four men lined up next to Jasper. Atheles didn’t move, and for now the armed men in front of him didn’t either. Kalen, however, walked nonchalantly to stand in front of them. He didn’t say a word but when Atheles made to speak Kalen silenced him with a wave of his hand. They remained like that for what felt like an age as the rain continued to fall. The tension rose, the five men looking at each other as if one of them wanted the other to be the first to take action but none of them actually having the courage to do it. Suddenly two horses rode past at speed and Jasper spun to see Callis and Cormac upon them.