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

by Thomas Rath

  Thane braced himself for the short sprint that would determine so much of his future. It was only a few feet but it may as well have been twenty miles. He was sure that someone would see him, but he had no choice. This was his only hope. Taking a deep breath, he looked straight ahead, trying to block out the group of noisy men that would have a clear shot of him when he passed into the light. Putting his head down, he shot into the open. The light crashed into him bathing him in its brilliance bringing him into full few of any whose eyes might be turned in his direction. The dark alleyway stretched out before him seeming to become longer and farther away with every pump of his legs and arms as he reached out desperately in an effort to obtain it. Then, like a jolt, he found himself swallowed in darkness and before his eyes had the chance to adjust, he tripped headlong into the pile of garbage that lay rotting in the pub’s back alley.

  Wonderful, he thought, but remained still, listening for any evidence that he’d been seen. A loud voice suddenly broke into his immediate vicinity and then a light pressed up against the pub’s back wall.

  “I’ll check back here,” a guard yelled as he walked around the corner.

  Thane froze. His face was covered by a piece of rotting lettuce, so he could not see whether his body was completely hidden or not. He would not be able to tell if the guard found him until it was too late. To move was certain disclosure so his only choice was to remain completely still and try not to vomit from the stench that assaulted his nostrils.

  The guard slowed as if to make a thorough investigation of the area. Thane waited in silence knowing he was sure to be found at any moment. He had to react before he was reacted upon. I have to surprise him. It’s the only way I’m going to get out of this. Just as he completed his last thought, the trash on his leg moved. It’s too late, he thought, I’m caught. He tensed his muscles ready to leap up when the guard suddenly cursed.

  “Rats! Why can’t that stupid innkeeper get rid of his trash? I should make the swine eat it!” Thane heard the rodent’s dying squeal and then a heavy thump hit the garbage pile next to his leg.

  The light from the torch quickly faded and Thane heard the man’s voice cry out as he passed back around the corner, “Nothing back here but dead rats.” He didn’t wait. Casting the putrid smelling filth from his body, he reached up for the window that was still cracked slightly open. Maybe it’s better I don’t have a window after all, he thought as he pulled himself up from the pile below. In no time he was through the empty room and back in the hallway that led to his door. One more obstacle and he'd be safe.

  Peeking around the corner, he carefully checked the pub for any signs of life but was relieved to find it empty. Everyone had gone outside to find out what all the noise was about. Dashing past and down the hall, he breathed a sigh of relief as he opened his door and quickly stepped in.

  “Out for a midnight stroll?” Thane jumped at the voice that boomed in his ears directly behind him. Turning quickly he crouched to defend himself, but came face to face with the tip of a sword leveled ominously at his head. Following the long steel to its end, he found Jack’s scowling face with a look of rage he had never seen before in the man.

  “What, in all the hells of Dren did you think you were doing?” he hissed not lowering the sword. Thane felt a touch of fear suddenly unsure of his friend and what he might do. “Do you have a death wish boy? Is that it? Are you so filled with guilt about your friends that you think it best your life were ended?”

  Thane swallowed hard, surprised at the same feelings of guilt and pain he had known when his father scolded him.

  “If that’s what you want,” Jack said, lowering his sword, “fine. But don’t go dragging me into it with you. I’ve still got things to do with my life. Do you know what would have happened to me if you had been caught?”

  He hadn’t thought of that. Jack would have been held accountable for his actions had he been caught. His heart sank at the thought. Once again, he had disappointed one of his friends.

  Jack stared at him for a moment and then, without another word, brushed past towards the door.

  Thane stood motionless, unsure of what to say. The door opened behind him and he waited for it to close. When it didn’t, he turned around slowly finding Jack standing in the doorway staring at him, a sad expression covering his face.

  “And take a bath,” he said softly flashing a weak smile. “You smell like garbage.”

  Thane nodded slightly and then Jack closed the door. A strong sense of selfish guilt washed over him mixed with strong feelings of inadequacy. He had wanted so badly to help Dor that he had not thought of what reciprocity might have occurred because of his actions. Was Jack right? Did he really have a death wish? Unwanted thoughts of how he had been treated all of his life and the disappointments of having a father who didn’t love or care about him assailed him. And then there was Dor. His only real friend had abandoned him in his hour of greatest need. But I won’t do the same. He has to be released.

  Thane tried to examine and justify what had happened and his reasoning for doing it but Jack’s words kept cutting into his thoughts filling him with doubt. I did do it for Dor. Didn’t I? It wasn’t for me it was for Dor. Or was it?

  Jack paced back and forth unable to sleep. He knew that what Thane had done was wrong and that, once again, they had come close to losing their freedom, and possibly their lives. “Why is that boy so stubborn? We can’t help his friend; we have to reach Haykon before it’s too late. People are counting on us.”

  Jack suddenly stopped his pacing and slumped down in a chair. He knew that one more man at Haykon was not going to make a difference on whether or not the stronghold fell. He had to get there strictly for selfish reasons. He knew he was justified in getting upset at Thane for what he had done, but he couldn’t stop from feeling guilty. “If I had been more willing to help, this might not have happened.” He rubbed his bearded face and then pulled at the end suddenly overcome with sorrow. He didn’t want to admit it, but Thane, in such a very short time, had become like his own son. “My own son,” he whispered softly. “My own son.”

  The next day a knock came early at Thane’s door. He was awake not having slept at all. “Who is it?” he asked holding the handle and listening through the wood.

  “It’s me, Thane,” Jack’s voice said from the other side. “Let me in.”

  Thane opened the door quickly and Jack popped inside closing the door behind him. “Aren’t you dressed yet?” he bellowed grabbing Thane’s clothes from the bed and tossing them at him.

  Thane looked at his old friend and the guilt of the night before returned.

  “Come on,” he growled. “We’ve got a busy day. The sooner we get your friend, the sooner we’ll be on our way to Haykon so I can put my sword into a few of those stinking trolls.”

  Thane’s mouth dropped open. “Get my friend?”

  “Yeah, what’s his name again?”

  “Dor.”

  “Right, Dor.” Jack shook his head. “Strange name that.”

  Thane still hadn’t moved.

  “Well,” Jack growled turning for the door, “are you coming or is it going to be just Dor and me?”

  Thane looked down at his half naked body and the clothes in his hand before realizing that he still looked like a Chufa. In a whirl of arms and legs, he quickly donned his clothing and then joined Jack outside the door.

  “Ready?”

  Thane stopped, grabbing his friend’s arm. “Jack.”

  “I know,” he said cutting him off. “Me too.”

  Leaving the pub, they were greeted by a dark, cloudy sky threatening a spring downpour and the sullen faces of many guards who had lost a night’s sleep because of the believed threat of an attack on the station. Thane dared not look into any of their faces, afraid he might be recognized, while still feeling guilty for all of the commotion he had caused. Luckily, they didn’t have to go far. Since he had command over the station, Wess had a small, private room in the barracks r
ight next to the pub. It was probably the size of Thane’s room, but it was certainly better than the small cot and a spot of floor that the other men got.

  As they entered the barracks, the first thing that struck them was the smell that tended to permeate a building full of so many dirty bodies. It was a large building about a half size bigger than the pub but every inch of space was used. It was full of cots and small chests neatly arranged in such a manner as to use every available space to its fullest potential. Thane was impressed by the neatness, though it still didn’t seem to be enough to negate the stench. With the numbers and type of men that lived here, he thought the barracks would have been a mass of chaos. Bodies lay haphazardly all throughout the building, the rumble of snoring men filling the air. These where the men who were lucky enough to be on night duty when the alarm had been called and, unlike the men outside, wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.

  Jack knocked softly on Wess’ door that was just to the left of the barracks entrance. He was immediately answered with an invitation to enter. Opening the door, they were met by Wess’ back as he finished with shaving and were given the order to sit. Jack and Thane looked at the one chair in the room and then at each other and both decided to stand.

  “So what can I do...?” Wess started as he turned around and then suddenly stopped when he saw them. He glanced quickly at Thane and then gave Jack a questioning look as if to ask if the boy was going to behave himself this time.

  Jack smiled brightly and winked. Wess eyed him doubtfully before sitting down in the chair they had left vacant. “So, my friend,” Wess started, “I guess you must be here to say your good-byes and be on your way to Haykon. I don’t suppose I could convince you to stay here with us?”

  Jack shook his head. “Sadly, no. I have to make it to Haykon.”

  “Yes,” Wess answered staring at him blankly, “I suppose you do. Anyway, I don’t think your friend here would enjoy it too much if he had to stay.” Wess looked up at Thane who remained motionless and without expression. He knew he could not blow it this time and that he had to place complete trust in Jack to get Dor out. He reminded himself over and over to stay quiet and not to move, and so far he was doing quite well.

  Jack smiled. “Yes, well I think his fever has been washed out of him and you would certainly not have any trouble again.”

  Wess laughed. “Trouble? Actually, it would probably have been good for some of my boys to have gotten a chance to spar with your Tjal friend. Quite a few of them could use a good lesson or two. After fighting trolls for so long, many have come to think of themselves as something special with a sword.” Wess rubbed his chin. “Now that I think of it, we didn’t get to spar this time out either. I could have used the practice.”

  Jack smiled. “It is I who could have used the lessons from you.”

  Wess laughed. “Fine, my humble friend. So tell me, what is it I can do for you?”

  The smile playing across Jack’s face quickly faded as he let his countenance drop into a more serious look. “Wess, we have been friends for many years haven’t we? In fact, more years than I care to admit,” he chuckled weakly. “I have come to trust you like a brother and I think you can say the same of me.”

  Wess nodded, his face taking on a slightly confused look. “Is this going somewhere Jack or are you just getting melancholy on me?”

  “No, no,” Jack smiled. “I wouldn’t dare do that. I have a request of you and I’m afraid it might test the strength of our friendship.” Thane fidgeted behind him but forced himself to hold his tongue.

  Wess leaned forward a bit and chuckled nervously. “Come on, Jack. You know me better than that. What is it you need? Just tell me and you can have it and be on your way. Let me guess, you lost at dice last night and need a loan.”

  Jack shook his head only smiling slightly. “I’m afraid it’s a bit more complicated than that, my friend.”

  Wess’ face fell a bit as a streak of worry suddenly lined his brow. “What could be so serious?”

  A loud knock came at the door suddenly relieving a bit of the tension that had slowly built up. When Wess did not answer immediately, another knock followed the first and a muffled voice could be heard through the wood. “Commander, an urgent message for you, sir.”

  Wess raised his eyebrows at Jack who just shrugged his shoulders in response a look of relief dancing over his face. “Come,” Wess said rising to his feet.

  The door suddenly burst open almost knocking Thane over as a young man bolted into the small room, instantly making it overcrowded. “Begging your pardon, sir,” the boy began glancing about nervously, “but I have an urgent message from his Lordship the King.”

  “Well then let’s have it,” Wess said not one for formalities.

  The boy looked at Thane and Jack and then turned nervously back to Wess. “Sir?”

  Wess waved his hand in annoyance. “It’s all right boy, go ahead.”

  “Yes, sir.” The young messenger snapped to attention and began. “By order of his royal highness the King, Hell’s End Station is to quit the fort and return to Calandra immediately with all men, food stores, supplies and weapons as can be carried or hauled.”

  Wess and Jack stared at each other in shocked surprise. Abandon the fort? “What’s going on?” Wess demanded, still not believing his ears.

  “By Seless’ holy name,” Jack breathed, “do you think the trolls have turned for Calandra?”

  The messenger looked at Jack in confusion. “Trolls, sir? There have been no reports of trolls to Calandra.”

  “What?” Wess hissed looking back at Jack.

  “They haven’t reached there yet,” Jack said. “They don’t know.”

  The young messenger suddenly turned pale. “Trolls, sir? Trolls are heading for Calandra?”

  Wess turned back to the boy, regaining his composure. “What is going on? Why have we been ordered to Calandra?”

  “I don’t know, sir,” he said nervously. “All I was told was the message I gave you.”

  “Come now boy,” Wess growled, “you have to have heard something more.”

  The messenger boy swallowed hard shrinking back at the stares that Jack and Wess shot at him.

  “It’s all right, son,” Jack said softly. “Tell us what you’ve heard.”

  “Orcs sir. Orcs are massing in the Underwoods and are marching towards Calandra. All available areas are being called in to defend it.”

  “Orcs?” Wess breathed. “What about the trolls and Haykon? Have you heard no word from Haykon?”

  “No sir. Not before I left, but that was three days past.”

  “By Dren’s rancid halls Jack, the whole country is up in arms. What do you think could be causing all of this?”

  “I don’t know. I have not heard of anything like it in all my long days. It’s hard enough to imagine trolls massing together, but orcs too?”

  Wess tried to pace but the room was too crowded for much movement so he quickly dismissed the messenger boy sending him to get something to eat with an order to return later. The boy saluted and then left as if eager to be gone. Wess turned to Jack. “Will you still go to Haykon now? You know that chances are good you won’t make it before the trolls strike.”

  Jack yanked on his beard while shaking his head. “I know, but I have to try. I will return to Calandra when we have finished with the trolls.”

  Wess nodded slowly. “I guess we all have our own demons we must contend with. Once you return to Calandra, I’m certain I can get you your own command if you’ll have it.”

  “What’s this?” Jack asked with a touch of humor in his eyes. “Am I that bad that you would not want me?”

  Wess looked at him seriously. “Need I remind you of the time...?”

  “No,” Jack said instantly with a heavy sigh.

  Wess laughed loudly and then smiled. “Well my friend, it would appear as if the old times have caught up to us once again. I guess a shared tankard of mead and a warm fire to tell stories by will just h
ave to wait a while longer.”

  “I guess so,” Jack replied turning slowly for the door.

  Thane shot him a questioningly look.

  “Wait a minute,” Wess called out. “What was it you were going to ask me? With all that is going on, I almost forgot your reason for being here.”

  Jack turned around avoiding Thane’s eyes. “Oh yes, uh. Well, I was...uh...”

  “Come on Jack, what is it?”

  “I was wondering if you could give us three horses?”

  Wess and Thane both stared at him in shocked disbelief. “What? All this worry for three horses?”

  “Uh, yeah,” Jack said feeling Thane’s eyes boring uncomfortably into his back. “You know how I hate to ask for things.”

  Wess shook his head while Thane stood clenching his fists as if he meant to use them at any moment. What about Dor?

  “What do you need three horses for when there’s only two of you?” Wess asked.

  “Well, I have to carry my goods don’t I? If I’m going to reach Haykon before next spring I’ll need a pack horse.”

  “Hmm, I guess you’re right.” Wess rubbed his chin and curled his brow in deep thought. “Normally, I would say yes right away but with this order to leave, I don’t think I can spare an extra. I’ll see what I can do but I think two is the most I can let you have.”

  Jack nodded and then grasped Wess’ hand. “I’ll bring them back to you in Calandra along with a troll’s head.”

  In no time the whole compound had turned into a mass of orderly chaos. Men ran from building to building getting supplies, weapons and anything else they could carry with them or load onto one of the many carts that had been built almost instantly from the wood used for the two barracks, which now looked like the skeletons of rotting corpses. Thane watched in awe as the work continued on into late morning. Never before had he seen such an undertaking and was amazed at the quickness with which it was being carried out.

  After leaving Wess’ quarters, Thane forced himself into a quiet inferno reserving his anger for when they reached Jack’s room. But, before he had been able to say a word, Jack quickly revealed his reasoning behind what he had done, finally convincing Thane that it had been for the best. The extra horse had, in all actuality, been for Dor.