Hand of Fire: Book 1 of the Master of the Tane

by Thomas Rath

  “I slowly descended the hollow tree trying not to disturb the bugs that covered me and exited to discover I had entered a nest of large, hairy tree roaches. I jumped all around shaking and trying to knock them off as they scurried all over me some flying away and others trying to find shelter in my shirt and pants. It was then that I heard what I thought were the orcs returning in search of their lost meal; mainly me. So without anymore thought then just getting away, I headed away from the berry bushes and deeper into the forest.

  “I ran all day long and into the night not aware of much that was around me just trying to get away and hopefully out of the Underwoods. I finally collapsed from exhaustion and laid face down on the forest floor trying to stay awake but unable to withstand the darkness. I fell into a deep sleep believing I would never wake up and, at that time, not really caring anymore. “As I slept I had strange dreams of the trees reaching down and covering me with their branches keeping me warm and protected. When I finally did wake up at first I thought I had died and was in some sort of paradise. The forest around me was beautiful. The trees were like none I had ever seen in my life. They were tall and majestic not all knotted and bent like the ones of the Underwood. Their leaves were multicolored in hues of the sharpest kind. They were spaced out enough to allow the sun to shine down onto grass and flowers that grew all around them. There were birds, singing beautiful songs, on the branches and a sense of peace and well being filled the area.

  “I got up and looked around still thinking I had joined the ancestors on some distant plane but soon discovered that I was still in the Underwoods. My eyes could see that not far in any direction the beautiful trees ended and beyond, the darkness of the Underwoods again choked the earth. Somehow, this gorgeous group of trees lived in the Underwoods Forest but was separated from it.

  “I went to a tree for a closer examination and reached out to feel its bark. When I did so it felt warm to my touch and seemed to pulsate with life. Not life in the sense of a tree, but more like you and I are alive. It felt like, if it wanted to, it could uproot itself from where it was and move to a different spot.”

  Twee stared off again as if escaping back to the forest he was describing; trying to relive the moment again, but Teek quickly grew anxious. “Well?”

  Twee looked down at the boy as if not realizing he had been there the whole time. “What? Oh, of course, lad. Well, I stayed for the rest of the day thinking I would need the rest but feeling incredibly refreshed already. I wasn’t sure how long I had been there but knew I had to get to Willow Wood with all speed, so the next morning I got my bearings from the rising sun as it came through the trees around me and then forced myself to leave heading south; knowing I would either hit the road again or come out of the Underwoods Forest all together.

  “In another couple of days I exited the Underwoods onto the road not far from Willow Wood and was able to complete my business there. One thing I won’t ever forget though is those trees.”

  “Did you ever go back?”

  Twee smiled at the boy and chuckled. “No, I never did. I figured the risk of getting lost in the Underwoods out weighed any desires I’ve had to return. Plus, after my business in Willow Wood I returned to Calandra, the longer, safer way, to find the king had disappeared. So I decided I had no more obligations to another king and I had had enough of humans and their lives so I returned to the swamps and haven’t left since.”

  Teek looked at Twee perplexed. “Why would you want to come back here where life is so boring?”

  “Boring? There are plenty of exciting things going on around here, boy. Just look around you.”

  “Here?” Teek couldn’t believe it. “What is so exciting around here? Nothing ever happens around the swamps.”

  “My boy there is plenty of adventure in the swamps to keep anyone busy.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like what? Well, everyday life. Like having families, repairing huts, trapping your day’s meal, now those are adventures.”

  Teek couldn’t believe his ears. Twee, the man of a million stories filled with excitement and daring thought that everyday boredom in the swamps was adventure. Maybe he was as daft as everyone claimed. “You mean you would rather sit here and catch fish than be out in the world with all of its thrills and action?”

  “That’s right my boy. I’ve seen all I care to. It’s much safer and more comfortable here with my pipe. Now, I think it’s time you had an adventure of your own.”

  Teek looked up with excitement. Was he actually going to send him on some important errand away from the swamps? This was too much! “Really, Father Twee? What is it? I’ll go and do anything you ask.”

  Twee grinned. “Good. Now go and check your family’s traps so they’ll have something to eat tonight.”

  “What?” Teek’s face sagged in disappointment.

  “You heard me. That’s the best adventure of them all, having food for dinner. Now go on, boy. I’m sure your mother is anxious for you. What an adventure you must be to her.” Twee laughed at his own joke while Teek got up disappointed and moped to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Teek. This time you can tell me about the adventures you have today.” Teek left while the old man continued to cackled thinking himself so funny.

  It had started to rain while Teek was inside and by now his canoe had a good six inches of water in it. He bailed what he could with his hands but knew it was no use since the rain kept refilling it. “Some adventure,” he said to himself as he moved away from the tree heading back to his own hut and the chores that waited for him there. “An attack by a swamp snake, now that might be a little exciting,” he continued to reason, “not pulling up dinner in the rain.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Dor sat motionless, still trying to fully comprehend what had happened to bring him to this point of sorrow and loss. His body felt numb from the cold and from the realization that his friend from birth was lost to him forever. “It’s my fault,” he mumbled, “all my fault.”

  The sun was still rising giving him what little warmth it could afford as the wind continued to top the mountain peak above and roll down across him in an avalanche of cold. His eyes began to hurt from staring at the sparkling snow when a shadow suddenly slipped over his back covering the ground in front of him. He reacted immediately moving to the side with a quickness that shot terrible pain through his shoulder and side. Trying desperately to ignore the throbbing he searched the area while tears pooled in his eyes blurring his vision. Nothing was there. The shadow continued to grow and then moved. Looking up, he finally realized that clouds had begun to form and were blocking out the only heat offered besides that from his blanket.

  I’ve got to find Thane’s body fast and get off this mountain, he thought as a darker shadow crossed his back. He smiled, not willing to be fooled again as he looked up just in time to see the rock troll and its club racing for his head. Instinct, and an instant rush of adrenaline, saved his life as he ducked under the swing and rolled to the side. Pain shot through his arm bringing with it small dots that popped in front of his eyes threatening unconsciousness. The troll advanced quickly confident in its kill.

  Dor dropped Thane’s bow and then desperately reached for his knife. He had laughed at death before and to him the joke still wasn’t finished yet. He struggled to his feet in the deep snow just as the troll swung his club again with force enough to crush every bone in his body. Dor jumped awkwardly through the trolls legs feeling the wind of the club as it passed by his ear throwing the troll into an off balanced spin. Dor landed lightly into the powder while slashing at the trolls left ankle. The knife barely connected, drawing a trickle of blood, but the troll jerked once and then fell backwards. Dor watched in amazement as it dropped landing safely behind him with Dor still crouched between its legs. He looked at his knife in awe, amazed that such a small cut could bring down a troll.

  Struggling to his feet, Dor stumbled toward it with the intent of finishing it off with a quick cut to its jugular.
When he reached its head he discovered what had really dispatched his enemy; an arrow had entered through its throat angling up into its brain. It was a Chufa arrow. Dor crouched. Looking around he expected to find PocMar or one of his cronies come to finish him off as well. Instead, his eyes focused in on the smiling face of someone who was almost as bad. It was Tam.

  “What in all of the holy Kinpa bones are you doing up here?” he demanded, a little irritated that his life had been saved by not only a girl, but by her.

  Tam’s smile instantly retracted into a scowl. “Well, I’d say it looks like I’m saving your hide DorMar, and I would think you could be a little more appreciative.”

  “Where did you learn to shoot like that?”

  “That is none of your concern. Your only concern right now is to thank me for keeping your fingers on your hands instead of on that thing’s necklace.”

  Dor looked like he wanted to strangle her. She had a lot of gall expecting him to wallow in her presence when he had things quite under control himself. The throbbing in his arm made him twinge causing a sudden blackness to circle his eyes. The next thing he knew, he was laying down in the snow with Tam looking down at him.

  “What were you thinking Dor, coming up here all by yourself?” she was saying as she placed snow on his collarbone to numb the pain.

  He watched her for a moment as the ache began to ease away into the cold snow. It was probably true, he conceded, that he might have died if she had not come when she had. But how did she learn to shoot so well? It was probably just a lucky shot, he thought. It was then that he got a good look at the bow she was using. “Hey, you sneaky little imp, that’s my bow. What are you doing with my bow?”

  Tam sighed loudly, “Oh Dor, do we have to go through this right now?”

  Her answer didn’t help his mood and it must have shown on his face.

  “Look,” Tam said placing her hand on his uninjured shoulder to keep him from getting up, “I saw you leave your hut, early this morning, without your bow. Since it was propped up next to your door, which, I might add, is a poor place for it anyway, I figured it was a good chance for me to get in some practice before you missed it. So, I grabbed it.”

  Dor’s face softened some from her reproach. “Well, I was injured yesterday. Someone must have...wait a minute,” his face quickly turned crimson. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. You tell me what you are doing up here and give me my bow.” He reached for it but she held it back while still holding him down.

  “Just wait one second will you,” she spat while maneuvering the bow to keep it from his reach. “If you’ll just settle down I’ll tell you everything.”

  Dor finally stopped and lay still but tried to bore holes into her with his eyes.

  “By the Mother’s blood you are impossible, DorMar,” she huffed, returning her own stare of icy darts. “Like I said, I saw you leave so I grabbed your bow and was on my way to practice when I began to wonder where you were going in such a hurry. So, I came back searching for you. When I couldn’t see you anymore I found your trail and tracked you.”

  “Tracked?” he almost shouted.

  “Shush!” she scolded. “Let me finish.”

  Dor went silent but had a slight smile on his face knowing that she must be telling him some type of story to try and make herself look good.

  “I tracked you,” she said emphasizing the words, “from Thane’s hut, knowing you would go there first, into the woods and then up the mountain side. I must confess I was a little unsure if I was actually on your trail because only an idiot would go up into the mountains,” she emphasized again glaring down at him. “But, then again, it was you I was tracking so I kept going. I could tell you were in a hurry for some reason but I had to make sure I kept to the trail or I would have been here sooner. But, no matter, I got here in time.” She stopped and smiled feeling extremely proud of herself and then suddenly frowned. “Where’s Thane?”

  Dor looked away as tears began pooling in his eyes.

  Tam stared at him in horror, “Answer me you dung pile,” she said elevating her voice and shaking his arm. Dor grimaced at the returning pain and she stopped. “Where is he?” she asked more calmly, tears beginning to form on her lower lids.

  “I don’t know,” he whispered trying unsuccessfully to keep from crying in front of her. “I came up here looking for him but I’ve lost his trail.”

  Tam’s face paled. “What? What happened to him? Why would he be up here? I heard about what happened yesterday but why would he come to the mountains?”

  Dor felt his anger return along with the loathing he held for those he knew were directly responsible for what had happened to his friend. Tam was still spouting off questions when he finally shouted, “Shut up! By the five Tane and all that is holy, shut your trap for just one minute!”

  Tam glared at him but closed her mouth with a snap.

  “Now,” he said, running fingers through his hair and matching her glower with one of his own. “What I know is that last night Thane was beaten up and then brought up here where he was left for dead.” Tam gasped, opening her mouth like she was about to say something but Dor quickly raised his hand and silenced her. “I went to see Thane this morning,” he continued leaving out why, “but he was gone. Because of what his father had said to him, that didn’t worry me much until I found a puddle of blood on the ground just outside his hut while his bow still rested inside. I found some tracks leading away so I followed them here but they’ve disappeared.” Finished with what he was willing to tell her, he stood as quickly as he was able, gathered Thane’s bow and then busied himself by looking over the dead troll in hopes that Tam would not see him crying.

  Tam was frozen in place, dumbfounded. How could this be? How could something like this happen? “We have to find him,” she whispered still staring off into space. “We have to find him,” she repeated louder, tears streaming down her cheeks as she turned her attention back to Dor. “We have to find him!”

  Dor looked at her for a moment, his no longer able to keep back his own tears. “I’ve looked. There is nothing.”

  “Well, you just don’t disappear off the face of the world, there must be some clue. We have to try.” Tam began to search the area’s perimeter frantically looking for anything that might clue them in to their friend’s fate. Dor watched her numbly not finding anything useful from the troll. She was wasting her time. He had already looked and there was nothing. Tam’s search went out farther and farther until she disappeared around an outcropping of rocks.

  “Wait!” Dor called, “we shouldn’t get separated.” But she didn’t answer so he reluctantly followed after her. As he made it to the edge of the rock he heard her scream his name. He rushed around the corner expecting another troll but instead found her jumping up and down in the snow.

  “I’ve found him! I’ve found him!”

  Dor hurried through the deepening snow expecting to find a frozen corpse but instead his eyes were cast upon a trail heading deeper into the mountains. He was so overcome with joy he grabbed Tam with his good arm and pulled her into a bear hug. When it finally struck him as to what he was doing, he quickly let her go.

  “Uh, let’s have a look at these tracks,” he said awkwardly, not daring to look at her, hoping his face was not as red as it felt.

  Tam knelt down next to him, as if nothing had happened, trying to ignore her own embarrassment as they both looked over what at first they thought were Thane’s tracks.

  “These can’t be Thane’s,” Dor suddenly announced with a worried shake to his voice. “See, they’re too deep and too big. Whoever made these tracks was either extremely large or carrying a load.”

  “But who else would be in these mountains?” Tam asked still looking intently at the prints in the snow.

  “I don’t know. They don’t appear to be troll prints though.” Dor got up and followed the tracks a little further. “Look over here,” he called while kneeling down again.

  Tam was
by his side in an instant. “What is it?”

  “More tracks. See, they join these here,” he pointed.

  “They look like some kind of animal.”

  “That’s what I think, but I don’t understand? Could he have been taken by rock trolls?”

  “You said yourself that they weren’t troll tracks.”

  “I know but what else can they be?”

  “Well,” Tam said, wrapping her blanket more tightly around her shivering form, “we won’t find out by just standing here. Plus,” she continued, lifting her head to smell the wind, “it’s going to snow soon.”

  “Oh no,” Dor said standing up and shaking his head. “There is no we. There’s just me.”

  Tam glared at him with a look that was colder than the snow that was numbing his legs. “Now you listen to me DorMar,” she hissed, “if it hadn’t been for me there wouldn’t be anything left of you and your better-than-anyone attitude. I found the tracks and I saved your life. That should at least warrant my going along, if not put me in charge. And let’s not forget the fact that you are as helpless as a newborn pup with that injury of yours. Now, you either put away that ‘girls aren’t good enough’ attitude of yours and be nice to me or I’m going to leave you behind.”

  Dor couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Who did she think she was anyway? He could whip her with his good arm tied behind him if he wanted to. Leave him behind? Humph! He should leave her behind. Even though she did shoot his bow fairly well and, he had to admit, it would be nice to have someone to talk to, she was overstepping herself in thinking he needed her. He was about to tell her as much when he suddenly realized that he couldn’t send her back to the village. Her mouth ran off on its own so much that she would certainly blab to everyone about what had happened and then there would be men chasing him down to bring him back. Thane wouldn’t have a chance then. There was nothing for it.