by Thomas Rath
Thane smiled. “So I see you’ve been practicing a bit. At least you didn’t tell him to stay with his mother.” Thane laughed while Jack only made a grunting noise before turning away and leading them to the horses. Dor was still in shock and had to be gently prodded along by Thane.
Dor’s reaction to the horses was not as dramatic as Thane’s had been, the evening’s other revelations making riding such a beast seem a simple thing in comparison. Thane quickly showed him how to climb up and how to use the reigns and then they were all mounted and racing north and west. No one spoke. The only sounds were that of the beating rain and the rattling gear bouncing on the horses’ flanks. The sounds mixed together soon became an orchestra that lulled the mind towards numbness.
Matching the gloomy darkness that surrounded them, everyone fell into their own brooding thoughts while miles and hours passed in the drenching torrent. Dor struggled against the hammering thoughts that plagued him overcoming his joy at finding Thane safe. He still fought the guilt of deserting him in the village holding to the fact the he was alive and well like a branch to a drowning man. It would be too easy to turn his back again having found his friend in the company of the enemy. But Thane had insisted they could be trusted. But how? All Dor knew to this point was the ugliness and cruelty that marked the race of HuMans just as his mother had taught him. How could Thane see different? All that he had known before, all that he had been taught as a child had been stripped and made bare in front of him bringing the truth of his very existence and that of his people into question. Every instinct told him to run and be away but having found Thane, having been rescued by him, after all they had been through together was the anchor he fiercely held to for now. He had to trust his friend.
Wrapping himself tighter in the cloak Jack had given him, he looked over at Thane riding silently next to him and his pondering thoughts took another course. He wondered if they would ever be the same again. They had only been away from each other for a relatively short time, but with all that had happened, it seemed like years. How was he going to gain Thane’s trust again after what he had done? He noticed that the childish features that had before been so obvious on his friend’s face were no longer as prevalent. They had been replaced with premature age as if experience had robbed him of his smooth, boyish looks. He thought of all the things that had happened to him and then wondered if he had not been changed as well.
Looking ahead to Jack’s cloak covered back, he still felt unsure and uneasy about the HuMan. He realized that Jack had helped save his life, but he couldn’t understand, especially after his own experiences, why a HuMan would do such a thing. After what they had done to him, Dor had been certain that the old stories must all be true. Yet, there was Jack. After helping him escape, he was walking towards a mass of trolls to help them save Tam. It didn’t make sense. Was Thane right about all HuMans not being bad?
His head started to ache but his mind continued to race after understanding and a firm grasp of this new reality. He tried to concentrate on finding and saving Tam and press all other concerns away until he saw her safe again. He could watch Jack and Erl closely and come to a better decision about them later.
Thane’s voice broke through the drizzle that had become a constant buzzing in their ears and brought Dor out of his own disturbing thoughts. “So, what of your story Dor? What brings you to this side of the mountains?”
Dor felt a deep sorrow suddenly overtake him as he turned to his friend who had taken on a timid look as if waiting to be stung by an angry hand. “Actually, Thane, I’m here because of you.”
Thane chuckled mirthlessly. “I did’t mean why you are here, with us, now.”
“I know,” Dor answered.
Thane examined his friends face, his own pushed into a wrinkled mass of confusion. “Me?”
Dor’s face suddenly betrayed his pain and he quickly looked away so the tears that had gathered would not show. “I...” He stammered and then paused waiting to regain control. “I’m sorry, Thane,” he finally whispered barely loud enough to penetrate through the droning rain. “I...I never should have turned from you as I did. I betrayed you as a friend and I can never forgive myself for it.”
Thane didn’t know what to say. Was he really talking about what he thought he was? It was almost too much to hope for.
“I came by your hut the next morning looking for you. I felt terrible for what I had done and…and I wanted to apologize, but you weren’t there. At first I thought you might have already left the hut at your father’s bidding but then I noticed your bow was still inside. I knew you would never leave that behind so I started searching.”
Thane sat silently, trying to hold back his own tears as his friend continued on with his story of how he and Tam had come looking for him all the time fearing the worst. He explained about getting caught in the cave by trolls and his eventual escape. He choked a bit again when he explained why he had to leave Tam behind and then finished quickly with his capture by the HuMans, not willing to speak much of it.
“I thought I was dead for sure this time,” he chuckled trying to relieve the gloom he felt. “Too many times I have escaped death’s icy hand to have thought luck would save me once more. Then you came and I almost broke your neck.” He paused before finally adding, “I can’t tell you how good it is to know you are alive, Thane. I have to admit that I had given up hope.” He turned to his friend, his eyes pleading. “Will you forgive me for deserting you?”
Thane couldn’t control the stream of tears that now mingled with the falling rain that drenched his face. He smiled brightly. “All is forgotten my friend. It is I who should apologize to you for doubting your friendship.”
“Never,” was all Dor could manage while smiling back.
Thane felt as if a giant weight had been shed from his shoulders and left on the trail. He had to confess that he had feared releasing Dor because of the risk of another rejection and he didn’t think he could handle that pain again. He should have known he could trust Dor.
As if reading his thoughts, Dor brought that trust into question immediately when he suddenly asked, “So how did you know about Tam?”
Thane panicked. After telling himself he could trust his friend his first thought was to take the easy way out and lie. He was finding out quickly, though, that the so-called “easy way” was no longer such a simple path to follow. He tried to remember what he had told Jack but quickly cast it aside since Dor knew Tam’s Tane did not allow her to speak on the wind. Reminding himself of what he had just told Dor about their friendship, he briefly wondered if the truth wouldn’t be, in all actuality, the best thing. But I can’t. Not yet. I can’t put Dor on the spot like that. I can’t make him feel like he must choose again about our friendship after all that has happened and especially not after what he just said to me.
Thane felt himself a coward, but saw no other way. He could not risk it again. Not yet. “Actually,” he started, making sure his voice was low enough so Jack wouldn’t hear, “we found out from the HuMans that captured you. They had somebody scout out the trolls and he noticed another Chufa with them.”
“But how did you know it was Tam?”
This was getting more difficult than he thought and he knew that sooner or later he was going to slip and get caught in his lies. “Well, I, uh...well it was simple really. He described her and I knew it must have been Tam. It was more a guess than anything.”
“Good guess,” Dor said, but his look betrayed his thoughts as if he expected there was more to it.
Thane just smiled weakly and then quickly changed the subject. “Why do you think the trolls are massing? Did you find anything out while you were with them? It must have been terrible.”
“Not as terrible as being caged by the HuMans,” he retorted, the anger he still harbored clearly evident. Those wounds would be a long time healing. “But to answer your first question, I have no idea and no, I didn’t find anything out. I was concentrating more on getting away than the wh
y and the where of what they were doing.”
“I guess so,” Thane said. “It’s just so strange that they would gather like this. I didn’t even know they existed in such a large number.”
“You wouldn’t believe it,” Dor said, suddenly fully interested in their discussion. “They were everywhere. Every night we stopped at a larger cave than the one before and it still filled to overflowing with trolls. They just kept coming and coming. It was almost too much to see. Can you imagine if they had gathered like that to strike our village?”
Thane looked at his friend, having been down this path of thought already, finding comfort only in the realization that the trolls were moving away from their home. Before he could answer, Jack stopped his horse and turned around.
“This is as good a place to rest as any. Take advantage of it because we’ll be leaving again at first light.”
Thane quickly translated for his friend and then helped him down off the horse. Dor thanked him and then cursed the horse for ever having been born when the pain in his legs and rear came in a great, cramping surge. Jack tethered the horses close by and Thane helped him remove the gear and place it under a tree where Dor now rested. They ate a meager meal in muted silence each pondering their situation and what the future might bring.
The rain continued on through the night making sleep hard to find and restless when it was finally caught. The next day was the same as they rode on through the woods pushing their mounts along as fast as they dared trying to reach the forest’s edge and hopefully faster riding. Jack had fallen deep within himself and barely spoke when Thane tried to make conversation. After repeated attempts were unsuccessful, he finally gave up. Dor, on the other hand, continued his vigilant watch on the brooding HuMan still not willing to give over his full trust. And while Erl had shown himself friendly enough, similar sharp teeth that had almost torn him to shreds when they were attacked in their village were still a clear enough memory to make him to avoid the wolg as best he could.
By the end of the second day, the rains finally ceased allowing the sun to web its way warmly through the trees sending up tiny pockets of steam as it dried the ground in the small patches. By nightfall, they finally reached the end of the Dedrik forest and set up their camp just within the tree line. Thankfully, Jack allowed them a fire, feeling they were far enough from Wess and his troops to not call unwanted attention upon themselves. Thane and Dor happily gathered wood while Jack tended to the horses. In no time, all sat comfortably around the warm blaze sipping hot, wild mushroom soup while drying themselves as best they could.
With the change in the weather, and a warm cup in his hands, Jack’s mood seemed to change from deep darkness to one of mirth and interest in his two foreign companions. At first he tried to speak in the Chufa tongue giving them all a good laugh until he gave it up and allowed Thane to translate.
Turning to Dor, he said, “Since you’ll be traveling with us now, and you know first hand how a Chufa caught in this country might be treated, we better start in on your lessons of common and sword play.” Winking at Thane he continued. “Thane’s pretty well got the common down, although his accent is a little harsh, but his sword arm could still use a bit more instruction.”
Thane translated but protested the last point. “Now, wait a minute there Jack. I have been doing quite well with the sword. I’ve been able to block most of your strikes.”
Jack laughed, sending his belly into great gyrations.
Thane objected. “What’s so funny?”
“Well, you are right about blocking my passes, but there is something I probably should tell you. I’ve been using my weak hand.”
“So.”
“So? Well it just so happens, my cocky friend, that I am right handed.”
Thane’s eyes widened slightly suddenly feeling a bit foolish at thinking himself such an expert with the long daggers. His face flushed.
Dor watched the interchange with interest but having no idea what was being said. The thought of having to learn such an ugly sounding tongue was not a pleasant one but he also realized the importance of it if he wanted to stay alive and out of a cage. He was still apprehensive of their traveling companions but knew that if he wanted to get Tam back, then this was their best chance. He nudged Thane asking what they were talking about but his friend just shrugged him off saying it was nothing. He started to insist, feeling left out, when Jack quickly cut in.
“In fact, while we have the time, we best practice some more of the moves I’ve shown you. If either of you expect to survive the attack at Haykon we’ve got a lot of work to do. Every night when we camp we’ll work at swords.”
Thane started to protest, feeling the soreness in his muscles already, but Jack held up his hand. “Now, now, it will work the soreness out of you from riding all day and most important, it will keep you alive. So, no more arguments. Get your swords and let’s begin. Dor has a bit of catching up to do.”
Dor squinted at Thane in confusion as he explained what they were going to do and then pulled out the two swords Jack made him take from Hell’s End. Dor couldn’t believe the size of the large daggers and tried unsuccessfully to push down the smirk that broke across his face. He knew there was no way a person could effectively use a dagger of such magnitude. But Thane only grinned at him and then handed him a sword before breaking into a surprise attack that almost caught Jack off guard.
Dor’s face suddenly changed to a look of amazement at the lethalness of such a weapon. Jack was thrust off balance for a mere second or two before reversing Thane’s attack into a vicious one of his own. Thane was quickly pressed into the defensive trying desperately to fend off Jack’s quick and precise cuts. In no time, Thane’s sword was stripped from his hands and he was forced to the ground with the sword point pressed dangerously against his throat.
Dor reacted. Believing his friend was in real danger, he dropped his sword and threw himself into Jack, knocking the large man over. Erl watched passively, feeling that the large human was in no actual peril but alert enough to pounce if the need should arise. Thane yelled for him to stop but Jack told him not to interfere figuring he had to win the boys trust one way or another. Rolling naturally with the impact, Jack also released his sword, whirling quickly to the side and back to his feet. Thane watched in awe, not thinking the older man could move with such agility. Dor also rolled and came back to his feet pulling the dagger Thane gave him the night he escaped. Jack eyes scanned his opponent, sizing him up, before pulling his own dagger. Thane again tried to interfere but was silenced immediately by Jack.
“He’s got to learn that I’m not going to hurt either of you. Even if that means I have to cut his throat to do it!”
Dor lunged with lightning speed bringing his dagger straight in at Jack’s chest and then slicing up suddenly trying to catch him in the throat. He only cut air as Jack deftly sidestepped the attack twisting around and bringing his own blade down in a move designed to hamstring his opponent. Dor dropped to the ground into a roll catching Jack’s blade in a loud clang while kicking the older man in the stomach. Jack stepped back at the blow giving Dor enough time to regain his feet. Both stood eyeing each other, having a little more respect for one another’s abilities. This time Jack came in with a myriad of strikes at a speed to make his blade a flashing blur of deadly steel. Loud clanging sounds filled the area as Dor deflected each slash and then added some strikes of his own.
For a long time, Thane watched as the two matched each other in speed and skill. He could see the sweat coming off of Dor’s forehead now as he worked to find an opening that would end this fight and Jack’s life. At first, he had worried for Jack knowing how skilled Dor was with a dagger, but his fears were soon abated and he now watched with renewed interest at the almost beautiful dance of blades the two performed.
Jack showed amazing stamina for someone his size and age, which ultimately ended up being Dor’s downfall. Having been locked in a cage for so long and suffering from malnutrition, the
young, Chufa boy was tiring quickly. Jack recognized this fact and turned his vicious attacks into guarded assaults designed to protect himself and wear on his opponent more than actually score a hit. Dor kept to his normal routine of a quick strike designed to kill or incapacitate but only managed to make himself more fatigued.
Soon, his strikes came with less speed and power and that is when Jack struck. Standing back for a second, he faced the boy who was now gasping for air before he thrust in like an arrow shot reaching for Dor’s mid section. Dor brought his blade down to meet Jack’s while throwing his body back, which forced his head forward. A large fist suddenly broke through his line of vision and he knew that impact was imminent. A loud ringing filled his ears as his head was knocked to the side throwing his balance with it. He tried to compensate with a quick turn of his body but found his feet tangled as Jack swept his legs from underneath him. Dor crashed to the ground and tried to roll to the side but was instantly met with resistance as Jack’s knee rested on his chest, briefly robbing him of breath as the cold touch of steel pressed against the skin on his neck.
Dor stared calmly into Jack’s eyes still struggling for breath but remaining completely still as he waited for his life to end. Jack smiled down at the boy pausing for a short moment before he called out to Thane. “I want you to translate this so there is no misunderstanding.”
Thane appeared at his side and looked down at his friend who didn’t take his eyes off of Jack.
“Now,” Jack started, “before we go any further, you have to come to trust me and Erl.”
Thane repeated the words in the Chufa tongue.
“You’ve got a lot of good moves and I’m sure if you had not been treated so badly by my ignorant friends the outcome of our little interlude may have been different. But that doesn’t matter right now.” Jack paused while Thane caught up before he continued on. “If I wanted you dead I could end it right now. If I had wanted Thane dead, I could have left him in the snow. Now, if we are expected to travel together and live through what will be waiting for us at Haykon, it’s time we started trusting one another, don’t you think?”
