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

by Thomas Rath

  This is it, Dor thought miserably.

  “State your names and business,” the guard closest to Dor barked.

  “Ease up Smithers,” the other guard said casually. Turning to Jack, he winked and spoke quietly so only Jack could hear. “He’s in training. Indulge us for a moment would you?”

  Jack smiled and nodded slightly.

  “Now, Smithers, haven’t you ever heard that it’s easier to shoe a horse with a gentle touch than it is to try and shoe it by wrestling it to the ground?”

  Smithers straighten up visibly. “Yes sir, Lieutenant Weston, sir.”

  “Good. Now, try it again.”

  Smithers glanced at the lieutenant quickly. “Uh, good evening, um, fine sirs. May I ask your names...and, um, what your business might be in our fine city?”

  Jack kept his smile down. “My name is Jack and this is…well, we just call him, Dor. As you can well see, he is Tjal-Dihn and it would take until sunrise to repeat his full name.”

  Smithers’ eyes bulged slightly at the mention of Tjal-Dihn and he unconsciously took a step back.

  The lieutenant stifled back a grin. “Smithers? Carry on.”

  Smithers looked at the lieutenant with a gapping jaw and then, remembering himself, shut it with a loud clomp. “Yes sir, Lieutenant Weston, sir.” Glancing quickly at Dor he turned to Jack. “And may we know the reason for your stay here, sir?”

  Jack was enjoying this interplay between Smithers and Weston and himself and under normal circumstances would have delighted in taking the conversation full circle but reluctantly, time and urgency did not allow such luxuries. Jack turned his attention to the lieutenant at his side. “Begging your pardon lieutenant, but we have important information that we must deliver to Colonel Braxton at once. We’ll be staying only until morning before pushing on again.”

  The lieutenant stared at Jack for a long moment as if in deep contemplation before he finally replied. “I’ll take you to him myself then.”

  Jack smiled and nodded. “Thank you, sir that would be most gracious of you.”

  “I see you’ve already disarmed the Tjal-Dihn,” the lieutenant said gesturing towards Dor. “You can keep your weapons but your horses must remain at the stables just inside the gate.”

  Jack only nodded, well aware of the protocol.

  Smithers had returned to his gaping examination of Dor, to the Chufa boy’s discomfort, and had to be called twice by his superior before he answered.

  “Smithers, rally the others and close the gates. I’ll be back with the night orders when I’m finished.”

  Straightening to attention Smithers saluted crisply. “Yes sir, lieutenant, sir.”

  Weston turned back to Jack. “Now, if you’ll please dismount and follow me, we’ll get your horses taken care of and you to see the colonel.”

  At Jack’s signal, Dor dismounted and followed him through the gates and onto the cobblestone streets of Haykon. Dor forced himself not to run to the walls and try to escape as the gates were closed and boarded behind them followed by the lowering of a large, iron portcullis. The lieutenant took them to the left were a large stable housed their mounts. A young boy raced out to receive them as if he’d been expecting their arrival. In short order, Jack and Dor were given their gear and relieved of their horses before they were turned about and led away by Lieutenant Weston.

  “Your animals will be well cared for,” the lieutenant reassured as they departed the stables and headed into town. “The price is also more than fair, I’m sure you’ll agree when you return to retrieve them.”

  Jack just nodded, anxious to reach their destination. Dor stayed glued to his side.

  There were people everywhere. Dor could not suppress the claustrophobic feeling that crushed him from being surrounded by so many HuMans in their odd dress and strange manner. Those feelings only intensified when they entered a street closed in by buildings on either side. To the left the shops had been built right next to one another as if connected into one large whole while to the right groups of small wagons and booth sellers had set up against the side walls of other buildings facing east and west down side streets. Most of the shops had two stories. The lower level contained the shop itself while the second housed the owners and their families. Small balconies were crowded with drying laundry jutting out from the second level of many buildings and colorful signs in flowery script crowded the first floor shops crying for the passerby’s attention. These were not to drown out the din of callers though from the open-air market that competed for attention on the opposite side of the street. The cry for this or that rang out as the hordes of people passed drawing many away from the signs and well kept shops.

  Dor was suddenly drowned in the wonderful scents that wafted through the air as they past bakeries filled with fresh baked breads and cakes and inns preparing the evening meal for their many guests. A rumble passed through his stomach reminding him of the hour and the fact that he hadn’t had a descent meal since leaving his home in the Ardath Forest.

  The street suddenly turned into a large square hosting a singular building right in the center that was twice the size of those surrounding it. It was fashioned unlike the wood buildings found throughout the town. This one was built of stone, mimicking the walls that cradled the city. Dor was instantly reminded of the prison at Hell’s End.

  Sensing his discomfort by the iron grip that suddenly crushed his arm, Jack turned to Dor with a quick word of reassurance. “It’s fine, Dor. This isn’t a prison. It’s built this way to be defensible against attack should the walls be breached.”

  Dor released his grip somewhat but didn’t feel completely pacified.

  “If you want, you can wait out here.”

  Dor looked around at all the HuMans who were eyeing him suspiciously as they passed by. “No,” he said slightly shaking his head. “I’ll stay with you.”

  Two large, oak doors stood open revealing a great, empty courtyard just inside the block building. As the lieutenant ushered them forward, a sentry for each door came to attention, eyes firmly fixed straight ahead. One broke his statuesque stance and moved to block their way. After saluting the lieutenant he said in a uniform voice, “Your weapons please.” The lieutenant quickly passed over his sword while Jack gathered up his own and then relieved Dor of his dagger.

  Once inside, the empty courtyard turned out to be just that. What Dor had originally thought to be a large building was actually nothing more than another set of stonewalls surrounding a small rock building about half the size of those found without. They were lead straight to this smaller building and were taken in under another portcullis that was left raised and allowed entrance into a small foyer. To either side were closed doors while facing them was yet another open portcullis revealing what appeared to be a large hole dug right into the floor with a hatch that was left open. On the far side, yet another portcullis was raised giving entrance to what Dor could only guess was another room. It certainly felt like a dungeon to him.

  Lieutenant Weston turned them to the left and knocked softly on the door. “Colonel, sir, there is an elderly man named Jack and his young Tjal-Dihn companion they call Dor, with a message for you.”

  The door suddenly popped open and a gray-headed man with dark brown eyes poked his head out. “Jack? Why you old troll,” the man shouted bounding over to him and pulling Jack into a big bear hug. “What brings you out so far from your cozy mountain retreat?”

  Jack returned the man’s affections heartily before pulling back, a flash of fire in his eyes. “Heard you were having some problems with trolls and thought I best come down and save you all.”

  The colonel’s expression dropped. “You’re a day late.”

  Jack didn’t answer.

  Turning back to the lieutenant, Colonel Braxton dismissed him and then ushered Jack and Dor into his office, closing the door behind them. The colonel’s office was small and dark. There was only one small, barred window close to the ceiling on the back wall that scarcely
let in any light. A free standing sconce holding six tallow candles made up where the window had failed casting a misplaced warm glow in the unfriendly enclosure. The only furniture in the room was a small desk facing the door covered with maps and dispatches, a shelf on the left wall filled with the same and a chair behind the colonel’s desk where he plopped himself down with a loud sigh. “So, I guess this is no pleasure trip then to buy ale for old friends.”

  Jack wasted no time. “I know what happened here last night, Myles. We’ve been tracking that band for quite some time now.”

  The colonel arched an eyebrow and then nodded to Dor. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

  Jack’s face clouded. “What?”

  “Your friend. It’s not everyday a man meets a Tjal-Dihn and lives to tell about it.”

  Jack turned towards Dor who was hanging back by the door just in case. “Oh, that’s Dor. He doesn’t speak common.”

  Myles smiled and nodded but got nothing but a blank stare in return. Turning back to Jack he dismissed his concern with a wave of his hand. “I know you have a frustrating and strange fascination with trolls, Jack, but there is nothing to do about them.” Leaning forward in his chair, he continued. “I tell you Jack, it was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. A huge mass of trolls came up from the east, from out your way. We’d received reports they were coming but you know trolls. They don’t do well with each other, or anyone else for that matter. I figured it was just some new recruit getting overly excited about his first fight and the whole thing was exaggerated. Well, I’m here to tell you it was no exaggeration.”

  “I know,” Jack cut in. “The whole Dren loving lot of them seems to be on the march.”

  “Exactly,” Myles picked up. “But that’s not even the strangest thing about it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They didn’t even attack. Not so much as a hurled stone touched our walls. We sent out a patrol to intercept them, of course, and they were more than willing to kill a few of our men, but that was it. I had the whole city ready to turn tail out of here, but they never attacked.”

  “So, it’s true then,” Jack whispered pulling at his beard. “They’re in the pass?”

  “Every last one of them. I’ve got the pass sealed now with a detachment.”

  Jack looked up to the ceiling as if calling for holy inspiration, his hand still holding tight to his whiskers. “Can you give me a detachment of men to ride with me into the pass?”

  “What!” The colonel jumped to his feet. “What madness is this?”

  Jack dropped his head and looked into the colonel’s dark eyes. “I’m planning to follow them into the mountains.”

  Colonel Braxton suddenly broke into peels of laughter. “Jack, enough of this obsession. Let the goblins have them. You know these mountains are crawling with them. I told you, I have the pass sealed. They’ve trapped themselves.”

  Jack finally released his hold on his beard. “You don’t understand Myles. I’ve got to catch up to them.”

  The colonel looked his friend over as if trying to determine his sanity. “What could possibly be so important, Jack, that you would throw away your life like this?”

  Jack turned about suddenly and grabbed Dor’s arm. “Don’t worry,” he whispered as he pulled him up to the desk. “I’m getting us help.” Then to the colonel he said, “Did any of your men catch sight of a Tjal girl traveling with the trolls?”

  “A Tjal girl? What are you talking about?”

  “Dor’s sister was caught by a group of trolls not a month ago. If they’re all on the move, and I think they are, then she should be with them.”

  “Jack...”

  “I have blood debt Myles. I have to find this girl.”

  Myles stared back at his friend. The sudden silence was almost deafening. Myles finally broke the gaze and looked down to shuffle a few papers on his desk. “I’m sorry, Jack...”

  “Come on Myles,” Jack interrupted, “I need this. You owe me.”

  “My hands are tied. You know I’d like to help, by Dren’s fire, I’d go with you, but you know I can’t move until I get word from Calandra.”

  Jack was desperate. “How long?”

  “What?”

  “How long until you get word?”

  “I don’t know,” he shrugged. “Probably a week. If you want to stay until...”

  Jack shook his head. “It’s too long. I can’t wait that long. She could be dead by then.”

  Myles came around the desk and placed a comforting hand on Jack’s shoulder and then lowered his voice shooting a quick look at Dor. “Jack, she may already be dead. Why don’t you wait?”

  Jack breathed out a sigh of frustration. “I can’t.”

  Myles withdrew his hand and returned to his chair. “I’m sorry, my friend. I really would like to help, but I can’t. Is there anything else I can do?”

  Jack grabbed his beard again. “Fresh supplies and trade me for some fresh horses. Ours belong to Calandra anyway; we got them at Hell’s End.”

  Colonel Braxton smiled and took out a fresh piece of paper to write the order. “That I can do.”

  “Oh, and one more thing, tell your men to let us through the pass.”

  The colonel stopped writing and jerked his head up.

  Before he could say a word Jack cut in. “Myles, please.”

  The colonel gripped his writing stylus so hard it turned his knuckles white. “Jack, you keep the strangest company of anyone I know,” he said, his pen suddenly writing furiously again. “Are you still romping around with that wolg of yours?”

  “Erl? Why, of course.” he chuckled. “He’s probably out scaring your night patrols as we speak.”

  Myles smiled as he finished writing his orders and then handed the paper to Jack. Becoming very serious, he grabbed Jack’s hand before he could pull it away. “I wish you’d change your mind old friend. We’ve been through too much together to let it all end now, like this.”

  Jack nodded his head and sighed. Looking at a confused Dor, he said, “It’s blood debt my friend.”

  Myles stood, releasing Jack’s hand. “Well, I guess with a wolg and a Tjal-Dihn as friends, you should be well protected.”

  Jack held up the paper. “Thanks, Myles.”

  The colonel waved it off and then grabbed Jack’s arm and escorted them out of the office. “I’ve done enough damage here for the day, let me get you two a place to stay and then buy you some dinner. I believe I still owe you a tankard.”

  * * *

  Dor threw himself onto the mattress he had claimed as his own for the night. Staring up at the ceiling, he suddenly wondered how anyone could sleep on something so soft. The room he and Jack had gotten was upstairs from where they had just finished eating. His stomach fairly bulged from the dinner Colonel Braxton had treated them. The food was different from anything he had ever eaten or imagined, but it was surprisingly tasty. In no time, everything placed before him was devoured, right down to the spicy tasting sprig of garnish that added color to his plate. Jack had watched in amazement while the colonel merely laughed and ordered him a second plate, which found the same end.

  Their room was rather plush. The walls were covered in soft, blue velvet etched with gold designs depicting scenes from the life of a lowly, traveling priest that was a recurring theme throughout the building. Jack had briefly mentioned that it went along with the name of the inn, The Gilded Monk. There were two beds with side tables and a candle on either side of the window on the far wall. The window looked out on one of the large streets that passed the colonel’s office. In fact, the inn was situated just behind and to the right of the large rock building. A chest rested at the foot of each bed and contained a towel, washcloth, soap, and powder for use with the basins that sat on either side of the door just beyond the twin cloak racks. Dor found all the furnishing a bit senseless and over done but after where he had slept for the past moon, anything clean and quiet was welcome.

  Ja
ck closed and locked the door behind him and then set his things in order on the rack before shuffling through his chest and digging out all of its contents. “I’m sure that was rather boring for you, Dor, but I’m glad to see it didn’t affect your appetite.”

  Dor just laughed. “Well, I had to have something to do to keep my attention while you two carried on.”

  Jack just smiled filling his basin with cold water that miraculously ran from a pipe sticking out of the wall. “I guess you’re just going to have to learn a few words of common,” Jack retorted, soaping up his hands and then washing his face. “It would do you good to know what’s going on around you.”

  Dor only grunted. “So, what did you two talk about anyway? Are they going to help us?”

  While cleaning himself up, Jack went through the whole story starting at when they arrived and filled Dor in with all the necessary details. “It’s not what I had hoped for, but at least they’re going to let us through the pass.”

  “What are goblins?”

  Jack dried his face and hung the towel on the rack before sitting down on his own bed across from Dor. “They’re disgusting little creatures similar to trolls, I guess. They live all throughout the Mogolth Mountains.” Jack leaned back on his hands and sighed. “Since it’s just going to be the three of us, my guess is that you’ll get your fill of ‘em before we reach the other side.”

  Dor only shrugged and smiled. “If they’re anything like trolls, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  Jack didn’t comment on Dor’s bravado. His mind was elsewhere etching deep lines of concern along his face.

  Dor’s smile faded. “Are you thinking about Thane?”

  Jack looked up in surprise. “What? I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “You’re thinking about Thane, aren’t you?”

  Jack only nodded and then reached up to pull on his beard.