“You’ll have to tell me all about it.” Kenner pried.
Terri leaned back and Kenner heard her bones cracking.
“Aren’t you a bit young to be popping like that?” He asked her.
“It’s been a hard life.”
Terri followed Kenner to a small, wooden house on the far end of the village. The cats followed and then all jumped over a fence and into an area just behind the house.
“I see they know where home is.” Terri joked.
“Yes, they’re very well behaved.”
“Are they hard to care for?”
“Not at all. Shela goes out hunting every now and then and keeps her babies fed. From time to time she deposits half a deer or boar on my doorstep.”
The two entered the small cabin and Terri almost fell into the chair in front of the hearth.
“That’s supposed to be my chair.” Kenner told her.
“Not today it isn’t.”
“So how the hell did you find me?” Kenner pressed Terri.
Terri found a pipe next to the hearth and began filling it with tobacco from a pouch on her waste.
“That’s my pipe, too.”
“Not today it isn’t.”
Kenner closed his eyes and chuckled.
“As you were about to tell me, though…” He said leading Terri.
“Oh yes, how the hell I found you. Would you believe me if I told you the trees told me?”
“Actually that wouldn’t surprise me at all.”
“Really?”
“The sword talks to me all the time.”
“I thought as much.”
“Well, it doesn’t really ‘talk’ to me. I get impressions and feelings, sometimes I see things…”
“It’s the same way with me and the Bow.”
“That was an excellent shot, by the way.” Kenner told her.
“I’ve made harder.”
“Do you hunt with that thing?”
“Good heavens no!”
“Why not?”
Terri lit the pipe and took a thoughtful draw.
“I’m not sure I can explain it. For some reason or another, it just doesn’t feel as if it would be right.”
“How goes the war?” Kenner asked.
Terri looked far off and sighed.
“Where do I begin?”
“Try the twenty five words or less version.”
“Well,” Terri began. “It was going fairly well. We’ve won all the major battles, so far and there haven’t been large casualties.”
“You said ‘was’ as in past tense. What seems to have happened?”
Terri took another thoughtful draw.
“His Majesty King Melkur; that’s what happened.”
“Is he not the brilliant military strategist his father was?”
“He’s an absolute idiot.”
“Careful,” Kenner teased. “You could be flogged for saying that.”
“Actually, the King has raised that penalty to having one’s tongue cut out.”
“Ouch!”
“His Majesty had one of his ministers punished that way. He had the entire city of Kallesh come out to witness. Everyone was required to attend and no one was allowed to leave until His Majesty had finished his four hour speech.”
“That sounds consistent with the Melkur I met. How has he screwed up the war?”
Terri closed her eyes and shook her head.
“He’s made an absolute mockery of it. He’s constantly interfering with military policy and overriding strategy decisions made by the Generals. Instead of pursuing enemy forces and driving them out of Walechia, he has the Grand Army wait until enemy forces threaten a village or city. We then march to wherever the enemy are, fight, win, people die and then the King calls us back to Kallesh. That means that over the last two years, our infantry has marched hundreds of miles they shouldn’t have had to and they’re almost at the point of exhaustion. He won’t let our Generals pursue when reliable sources send messages of enemy movements. All too often, he’s waited to send the Army until it’s too late. Small towns and villages have been burned and civilians murdered. It’s ridiculous. He’s a moron!”
Kenner then poured two cups full of ale for himself and Terri.
“It’s about bloody time,” Terri teased him as he gave her a cup.
“So, is that why you’re here?” He asked her. “Did you desert?”
“No, believe it or not, I’m on a diplomatic mission.”
Kenner lowered his head and glared at her.
“You’re not asking me to join in this madness are you?”
“Great Lady, no!”
“Good. Because the answer includes language I prefer not to use in the presence of a lady.”
Terri looked at him, smiled and winked.
“I haven’t been called that in a while.”
At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Kenner rose and opened the door to see the pretty, red haired school teacher standing in front of him. Terri then saw a side of him she hadn’t seen before. In an instant, his whole demeanor changed. He stepped backwards awkwardly. He stood up straight, almost as if standing at attention. And yet, he shifted nervously a little. He put his hands behind his back and began rubbing them.
“Oh, hello Lenor.” He said to the woman at the door. His voice sounded higher and had lost its depth. “H…How are you?” Kenner stuttered. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Kenner.” Lenor said to him sweetly. “And you?”
“I’m fine…yes…I’m fine.”
Kenner then heard Terri chuckling behind him.
“Um…” the young lady said in an anxious voice. “Is your friend still here?”
“Uh…yeah…she is.”
The two then stood staring at each other at the door for a few seconds.
“May I come in?” Lenor finally asked.
“Oh yes…of course.”
The beautiful girl with the red hair approached Terri slowly holding some sort of basket in her hands. She was almost the same height as Terri, but thinner with soft curves. Her red hair was shoulder length, framing an almost child-like face with round, deep blue eyes. Her soft, sweet manner reminded Terri of Kayla and she smiled.
“I must apologize to you for this morning.” Lenor said to Terri.
“Apologize?” Terri asked. She felt a little nervous herself at the sight of this beauty.
“I didn’t show appreciation to you for saving my life. I am most sorry for that.”
“That’s alright.” Terri said to her.
“Are you the one called Terri?” Lenor asked. Her eyes seemed to grow even rounder and with a deeper blue.
“That would be me.” Terri answered.
She then held out the basket to Terri.
“That’s most kind of you.” Terri said softly and taking the basket.
When she opened it, she found bread, some dried meats, two bottles of ale and two cigars lying on top of the bread.
“I hope you like the cigars.” She said with a nervous smile. “Kenny…I mean…Kenner has told us many stories of you since coming back and we have all so wanted to meet you.”
“I am…” Terri then coughed, feeling almost like crying. “I am most honored.”
“Will you be joining us tonight? I know it’s a very solemn occasion…”
“I’d be delighted.”
“Good.” Lenor said, smiling sweetly. She then started back towards the door. “I’ll see you then.”
She then turned to Kenner and Terri saw a loving expression in her eyes to which Kenner was obviously oblivious.
“Will you be there tonight?”
“Uh…” Kenner stammered. “Yes…of course I will.”
Lenor’s smile brightened even further and then she said goodbye.
Kenner turned around and saw Terri beaming at him.
“What?” He said, the bass in his voice returning.
“Kenny?” Terri teased.
“The c
hildren call me that.” He said quickly.
“That was no child.”
“You keep your hands off of her.” Kenner said to Terri starting to laugh.
“Oh you don’t have to worry about that. Even if I wanted her, she’d never even let me near her.”
“That’s right.”
“I’m not the one she wants.”
Kenner then stepped back a little.
“What do you mean by that?” His voice sounded squeaky again.
“Are you blind?” Terri said, almost shocked.
“Yeah…she’s pretty.”
“That lady adores you.”
“No…not possible.”
“Did you not see the way she looked at you? She’s got it for you bad.”
Terri saw Kenner’s face turn bright red and for the first time, he was unable to look her in the eyes.
“You poor fool,” she told him. “You really need to get laid.”
Chapter Seven
Later that day, Kenner and Terri came out to the center of the village where the funerals were to take place. Several people approached to thank both Kenner and Terri and then Migran, the village chieftain approached.
“That was very generous of you to offer to help build the pyres, Kenner,” He said sarcastically.
Kenner stepped forward with his eyes seemingly on fire.
“I was equally impressed with how you ran and hid in the woods while three others were cut down and your own daughter almost had her throat cut.” Kenner growled.
“How dare you speak to me that way…” Migran started.
“And how dare you presume that you can continue to push me around. I’m not the same child I was after my father died and you took everything I had.”
“That was for the good of the village.”
“My father’s sword hanging over your fireplace is for the good of the village? You making me buy back my own house from you was for the good of the village?”
Migran took a step back and then directed his attention at Terri.
“And I suppose this is Terri, the wielder of the Blackwood Bow.”
Terri gave a short bow.
“At your service…”she began to say.
“You’re not welcome here Walechian. I suggest you…”
“If you finish that sentence,” Kenner interrupted “I will leave as well and never return. I’ll take my cats, that have provided food and protection from wild beasts with me, I’ll burn the cabin my father built with his own two hands to the ground so that you can’t have it and then just before I leave…” He then stood close enough to Migran to almost be touching him. “I will have my father’s sword back.”
“You always were a selfish brat.” Migran spat.
“And you’re a greedy old man who doesn’t give a damn about anyone but himself.”
Just then a woman stepped in between them.
“This is not the time or the place for this.” She said annoyed. “This time is supposed to be dedicated to those we lost, not old grudges.”
Kenner looked at her and bowed lower than Terri had ever seen.
“You’re right as always Trinna.” Kenner said respectfully.
“I still say the Walechian is not welcome.” Migran said.
“Shut up, Migran.” Trinna said angrily at him. “I won’t ask you two to shake hands, but you can at least be civil to each other for the rest of the night, can’t you?”
Migran grunted at Kenner and stormed away. After that, Trinna gave Kenner a stern look and walked away as well.
“What a lovely man,” Terri said. “Is he single?”
“Believe it or not, he’s married.” Kenner answered.
“I pity the woman that has to share a bed with him.”
As the sun went down, the fires were lit and the bodies of the fallen villagers were burned away so that their spirits could join the rest of the spirits of land, forest and sea. Tears fell, songs were sung and as the night wore on, stories were being told of the villagers and the lives they shared.
Kenner and Terri were talking of the events of the last two years.
“So the King’s in trouble?” Kenner asked.
“I’m afraid so. It seems both men and women have gone missing from the prisons in Kallesh. Rumors have spread that they’ve been used as some kind of vicious sport for the King’s guards. There have even been hints that the King himself may even be involved.”
Kenner remembered his cousins and the fate that befell them at the hands of, then Prince Melkur. He also remembered King Philas covering up the crime by sending the witnesses like himself and Captain Krall to the far reaches of Walechia.
“What could potentially happen to the King?” Kenner asked, not looking at her. He didn’t want her to see the pain he felt at the mention of those awful events.
“Well, potentially,” She began, “He could be deposed and the highest member of the Congress would be next in line as Melkur has no heir as of yet.”
“Sounds good to me.” Kenner added.
“The problem is,” Terri continued “that the witnesses all have a habit of either disappearing or being convicted of other crimes and executed. The King has suddenly taken a special interest in crime lately; taking time out of his busy schedule to stand judge for men and women accused of minor offenses. Anyone even remotely linked to the accusations have been tried; those who haven’t suddenly disappeared, that is.”
“What about Krall?” Kenner asked.
“He hasn’t been accused of anything yet and the King may be afraid to, based on Krall’s popularity. But he was summoned to Kallesh just a few months ago after a battle. General Krypt is in command of the Grand Army now.”
Just then, a child approached Terri with an arrow in his hand.
“Excuse me Terri,” He said tugging at her.
She looked down and smiled.
“Yes, what is it?” She said in a friendly voice.
“I found this in the woods. Is it yours?”
“Why yes, I believe it is,” She said taking the arrow from him. “Thank you very much. You’re very kind.”
He smiled brightly at her and then ran off to join other children.
“I thought these arrows could go through anything.” Kenner said to her.
“Usually yes,” Terri answered. “But they have a tendency to bounce off of things that aren’t actual targets; like trees, animals and such.”
“Didn’t you say that you shot an arrow all the way through one Kallesh’s walls?”
“Yes, it did; clean through. But I think the bow was sort of showing off at the time.”
“That fits.” Kenner said.
He took a thoughtful drink of ale while staring at the fires which were beginning to die.
“Why are you really here, Terri?” He asked her quietly.
“I figured you’d know this wasn’t just a social visit.” She sighed. She then took a step closer to him.
“General Krall has disappeared. He’s taken the Silver Axe with him.”
Kenner chuckled slightly.
“I wonder how long it took him to figure out that he was only one that could pull it from the floor.”
“I think everyone who was there that day knew, even the King. That’s probably why he wouldn’t let Krall anywhere near it.”
“How did he get to it?”
“Snuck into the throne room in the middle of the night. He put the two guards down with a sleeping gas.”
Kenner laughed a little louder.
“I can just see those two big thugs lying on the ground.” He said.
“The King was furious. He accused of them of helping him. He probably wanted to have them executed as well, but finding two half giants like them is extremely rare.”
“How did he get it out of the city?”
“There’s a secret aqueduct that leads underneath the city to the river.”
The two were quiet for a moment.
“About a hundred men have left the Army, pres
umably to join him. General Krypt has issued orders that anyone caught deserting will be hanged.”
“That’s pretty harsh.” Kenner added.
“Desperate measures, I’m afraid.”
Kenner took another thoughtful drink.
“So you’ve been sent by the King to find him?”
“Not the King.” Terri answered emphatically. “The King has sent one hundred assassins to find him, kill him and bring back the Silver Axe.”
“Has His Majesty not considered that one of these assassins might take the Axe for himself?”
“I don’t think it’s ever crossed his tiny little mind.”
“So who did send you?”
“General Krypt.” Terri answered.
“What kind of man is this Krypt?”
“He’s a stubborn, pig-headed asshole. You’d like him.”
The two both laughed.
“Let me guess,” Kenner continued a moment later. “You want me to go with you.”
“The thought had occurred to me.”
He then turned and looked at her seriously.
“You’re not asking me to get involved in this war or politics are you? Walechia’s problems are no longer something I care about.”
“I wouldn’t ask that.” She answered just as seriously.
“Then what are you asking me? Surely you’re not going to use the ‘damsel in distress’ argument?”
Terri smiled a little and then lowered her head.
“I have to be honest with you Kenner,” she said. “I’m pretty sure the King’s spies are following me and in addition to that, this may be a long journey and I’m not sure what’s out there. I’m not sure I can really do this alone.”
“Even with the Blackwood Bow in your hands?”
“I’m only one person with that bow and the King has sent a lot of people looking for any hint of Krall and that Axe.”
Kenner then took a step towards the fires and pointed in the direction of the villagers.
“See those people?” He asked her. “I’m supposed to be watching out for them. I’m supposed to be protecting them.”
Terri thought for a moment about the right words to say.
“This is important, Kenner. Walechia is tearing itself apart and millions of innocent lives are in danger.”
“I thought you weren’t going to ask me to get involved.”
“I’m not. But finding Krall and the Axe may be the key to holding Walechia together.”
The Black Sword Trilogy: The Four Nations Page 3
