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

by Thomas Rath

  Thane looked at Resdin’s grinning face and for an instant felt a familiarity about the man. “What is it?”

  Resdin shrugged. “Just some harmless herbs and such. It will help your wounds to heal more quickly.”

  Thane took the mug timidly and looked down at the black liquid inside. Waving it under his nose, he took a quick sniff before jerking it back away from him. His stomach tightened and his head suddenly pounded. The MarGua part of his Tane was reacting to the liquid, warning him away from it. As with all MarGua, he could detect poisonous or harmful fluids.

  His eyes narrowed at the obvious attempt Resdin had made at poisoning him. But, before he could react, another person burst into the room.

  “What is this!” an old man screeched.

  Thane dropped the mug and stepped back, returning to a defensive stance.

  “You blundering fool,” he yelled, slapping Resdin in the back of the head. “Are you trying to poison our guest?”

  Resdin gave the old man a dumbfounded look.

  Turning back to Thane, the old man reached out a gnarled hand, his beardless face covered in concern. “I am sorry dear friend. You must forgive my son here,” he said pointing a gnarled finger at Resdin. “I told him to bring you an elixir to help you recover from your wounds, but he’s somewhat of a dolt at times.” The old man knocked a fist lightly against his gray covered head. “Got kicked by a mule when he was but a lad, you know. It’s a good thing I got here in time to stop you from drinking that rat poison. I hope you can forgive him.” Turning to Resdin, the old man scowled. “Go on you fool. What do you say to our guest?”

  Thane wasn’t sure, but Resdin’s face seemed to flash dark rage before he turned sorrowful eyes on him and dropped to his knees. “Please forgive me,” he said lowering his head. “I had no idea.” Looking up at the old man, he continued. “Master, I hope you will punish me for my mistake.”

  Thane watched the display and suddenly felt pity for Resdin, who obviously meant no harm. “Wait.” he burst out. “That’s not necessary. I mean…there was no harm done. It was an accident.”

  The old man glared at Resdin and then turned back to Thane. “You are most kind young, sir. But I am afraid that Resdin must learn to be more careful.”

  “Please,” Thane begged taking a step towards the old man in supplication. “I couldn’t bear the thought of him being punished on my account. Nothing happened. Can’t we just forget about it?”

  The old man hesitated, straightening his gray robes, which hung loosely over his wiry frame. “Well, since you are our guest, and nothing happened, I guess we can let it slide just this once.” Turning back to his son, the old man barked. “By Seless’ sacred doors boy, get on your feet. You heard what he said.”

  Resdin shot to his feet. “Thank you, master.”

  “Don’t thank me you idiot. It was him who saved your hide,” he said pointing to Thane. “Thank him.”

  Resdin bowed stiffly almost as if he had to force himself. “Thank you.”

  Before Thane could answer, the old man grabbed Resdin by the arm and yanked him towards the door. “That’s enough. Let’s go and give this boy some time to rest.”

  “Wait,” Thane said reaching for the old man’s robe. “I have to get out of here. My friends will be worried. I must find them. They need my help.”

  The old man waved him off pushing Resdin through the door. “Not today lad. You need your rest. You need to recover. Your friends, I’m sure, can take care of themselves. When you are better then, if you choose, you will leave.” The old man turned and started closing the door.

  “Wait,” Thane said stopping him. “I don’t even know your name.”

  The old man poked his head back through the partially opened door and smiled. “I’m sorry. I am Lord Bedler. And you are?”

  Thane smiled back. “I’m Thane.”

  Lord Bedler grabbed Thane’s hand. “Well Thane, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Now, you lie down and get some more rest and we’ll talk later over dinner.”

  Thane started to object but was cut off by the closing door. Sighing heavily and shaking his head he threw his arms into the air and returned to the ocean sized bed to lie down. Reminded of the ache in his back, he thought better of it and dropped to the carpeted floor. “I guess I am still feeling a little weak,” he said to himself while stifling a yawn. Lying back, he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.

  * * *

  Bedler’s eyes burned white with fury as he glared up at Resdin, his gnarled, white hands clutching his throat. “What did you think you were doing?” he hissed. “I told you not to try and give him the Dranlok. He possesses the MarGua Tane. Any child with the MarGua would know not to drink it.” Bedler’s grasp tightened turning Resdin’s face red as he gasped for air. “You mess this up, and I will personally peal the skin from your worthless hide and feed you to Craklor!”

  * * *

  A knock at the door brought Thane fully awake as Resdin poked his head in. “Thane?”

  Thane rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stifled a yawn. “Right here.”

  Resdin’s eyes shifted to the sound of Thane’s voice and his eyebrows rose questioningly. “What are you doing on the floor?”

  Thane smiled weakly. “It’s my back,” he stated, rising to his feet and stretching. “The bed’s too soft.”

  Resdin shrugged. “Whatever. It’s time to eat. Do you feel up to it?”

  Thane bound to the door. “Yes, of course. I’m as good as new.”

  Resdin eyed him with a slightly narrow look. “Yes, I’m sure you are.” Turning abruptly, he motioned with his hand. “Follow me.”

  Thane suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. He couldn’t help but remember what had occurred earlier with the poison. Resdin acted kind enough on the outside, but his sideways looks and the small hints of emotion that seemed to play across his face for the briefest instant made Thane feel that he needed to be more cautious. After all, he had no idea where he was, how he had gotten there or who his hosts were. He needed to get back to Dor and Jack and help them rescue Tam.

  Rubbing his shoulder, he remembered the scaring wounds. By their timetable, it would not be a shock if he had been there a month already. Jack and Dor probably had Tam at that moment and were comfortably sitting around a fire, having given him up for dead. He smiled. After another day or two, he would leave and find them and they would all be together again. He focused on those thoughts not allowing the alternative to slip through. He knew they were all right—they had to be.

  He rushed to catch up to Resdin as he disappeared through the bedroom door and sauntered down the hall. Very few torches or candles were lit along their path giving the hallway a somewhat cold feeling. Their feet fell softly on red, carpeted floors leaving only the smallest hush to mark their passage. Many doors passed on either side as they continued along the hallway until an intersection led them to the left and then another took them right. Thane tried to keep track of where they were going but was soon lost in the myriad of twists and turns that seemed to shout to him that they were in a maze. On more than one occasion he felt they were passing down the same hall as they had previously been three or four turns back, but all the hallways were so similar, it was hard to tell.

  Finally, they reached a large stairway on which they descended three levels before it ended at what appeared to be a grand foyer. Resdin led them off to the left and down another hallway that was distinctly different from the others they had previously passed through. This one was at least twice as wide and lit up quite a bit more than the others. Thane was fascinated by the tapestries that graced the walls depicting anything from scenes of bloodshed and war to courtship and love. So entranced was he by their intricate designs and beauty, that he unknowingly passed Resdin who had turned abruptly to the right and disappeared through an archway.

  Quickly finding his companion missing, Resdin returned to the hall and pulled Thane away from an enormous wall-hanging that traced the history of what could
only be a prince and his doomed love for a common girl. Tearing his eyes from the masterful work, Thane took in the room into which Resdin had pulled him. As with everything else he was finding, this room was no different in its immense size and grandeur. It stretched out to his left extending at least three times longer than it was wide and ended at a giant fireplace, which blazed warm and bright. To his immediate right another fireplace replicated the other in shape and heat as if reflected in a mirror. Along the walls at equal intervals, candles the size of his thigh lit up the room almost completely. He looked up and felt his breath sucked away as he stared in awe at the artistically painted dome ceiling above. As if in competition with the hall without, the ceiling was masterfully done in bright hues and soft textures depicting scenes from the lives of countless people as if attempting to retell the history of all who had ever entered.

  The room itself was empty save for a large cherry wood table that stretched from one end to the other and was surrounded by empty chairs. At the far end, Thane could make out the figure of a man seated at the table’s head shrouded in shadow and outlined with light from the fire behind. He motioned to them and as they approached and it became obvious that Lord Bedler was the man behind the darkness.

  “Thane, my boy, welcome, welcome,” his scratchy voice resounded. “It’s good to see you up and around.”

  Thane smiled and took the seat Resdin offered at Lord Bedler’s right. “Thank you. I have to say I’m feeling almost as good as I ever have.”

  Bedler smiled back. “That’s just splendid.”

  “Yes,” Thane continued, “in fact, I think that in another day or two I’ll be ready to leave and go in search of my friends.”

  Resdin took the seat on the other side of Lord Bedler as the old man patted Thane’s hand gently. “Let’s not rush things now my boy. You’ll have plenty of time to find your friends. After all, you only just got here.”

  Thane raised an eyebrow. “Is that true? I mean, how long have I been here and, if you don’t mind me asking, where am I and how did I get here?”

  Bedler leaned back in his chair and chuckled. “Oh, the naiveté of youth. You’re always in such a hurry. You have to learn to slow down and enjoy the sweetness of each moment, my boy. Rushing into things, or out of things, brings nothing but missed opportunities and certain disappointment.”

  Thane looked across the table at Resdin whose smile looked more like a smirk. A dark feeling started creeping over him and he suddenly wondered if he were not a prisoner instead of a guest.

  Bedler laughed. “Easy my boy. There is no need to fear. You have the look of death itself upon your face.”

  Thane swallowed hard and then forced a smile.

  “I only meant,” Bedler continued, “that I am famished to the bone and if I wait another minute on casual conversation I am liable to drop dead from lack of food.” Lifting a silver bell that rested at his elbow he rang it twice. “After we eat, all of your questions will be answered and all of your concerns put to rest, I assure you.”

  A large, sickening looking creature, the likes Thane had never seen, suddenly entered the room from an archway directly behind Resdin. It stood at least a head shorter than Thane and bulged all over with rolls of fat. The only clothing it wore was a large cloth gird about its loins and a towel that hung from one arm. Its body was covered with dark, black hair excepting for its head and face, which were completely bald and had a greenish brown hue. Thane notice pointed ears and large black eyes that lacked any hint of great intelligence. Leaning down in front of Bedler, the creature placed a covered tray and then gurgled something unintelligible. Bedler nodded and smiled. “Splendid!” Turning to Thane he made as if to say more but stopped abruptly. Glancing back at the creature, a look of understanding washed over Bedler’s face.

  “My apologies, Thane. You have not yet met our house staff.”

  Thane continued to stare, fighting with the urge to get as far away from the hideous beast as possible.

  “This is Whar, the house cook.” Leaning closer to Thane, he whispered. “He makes the finest charanese you have ever tasted and the things he can do with meats are incredible.”

  “What is he?” was all Thane could manage to choke out.

  Bedler placed his napkin in his lap and waved off the question as if it were unimportant. “Why he’s a goblin, of course. Now let’s eat this before it gets cold.”

  Thane followed Whar’s path as he disappeared back through the archway from which he’d emerged. A goblin?

  The shock of seeing Whar quickly wore off as the aroma of dinner wafted across his face like a slap. His belly rumbled with joy reminding him how hungry he really was. At this point there was no telling how long it had been since he’d eaten. It smelled so good he felt he could eat his own helping and everyone else’s along with it. It reminded him of a favorite dish his mother prepared back home. Hers was a mix of just about anything and everything that could be found to put in a pot. Thane’s father always balked when she made it, but Thane loved the mixture of flavors so his mother prepared it special for him.

  He felt himself crash at the memory of his mother and home. His heart ached to see her face again and feel her arms wrapped about him. Though he was a man in his people’s eyes, he still was boy enough to crave the warmth of his mother’s love.

  “Thane, what is wrong?”

  He looked up in surprise. “What?”

  “You look as if the whole world has just fallen to pieces around you,” the old man said, the look of concern evident on his ancient face. “What is the matter?”

  Thane looked down at his plate of food. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

  Bedler glanced quickly at Resdin, the slightest smile playing along his thin lips. “Come now,” he returned to Thane. “We are your friends. Surely we can share what is bothering you so and possibly help make it better.” Bedler rested his hand on top of Thane’s. “Come now, out with it. Is it the food? If you don’t like it, we’ll have Whar fix something more suited to your liking.”

  Thane shook his head and smiled weakly. “No, it’s not that. Well, not exactly.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s delicious really. It just reminded me of home. My mother used to make me something very similar to this and it just made me think of her. I...I haven’t seen her for quite some time.”

  Bedler frowned, his eyes dropping sadly. “You know, it’s funny that you should mention that. My mother also made such a dish for me. It was my favorite. That is why I have taught Whar how to prepare it.” Bedler smiled. “And he’s just about gotten it right.”

  Thane just nodded.

  Tightening his grip around his hand, Bedler continued. “Now, now my boy, you mustn’t get all torn up because of it. My mother has long since gone to the pyre, and Seless knows I miss her. That is what is so wonderful about this meal. It’s a fond memory of her I can carry with me to warm my heart. Sure, I could let it make me sad, but why? She lived a good life and I am privileged to have known her.” Reaching over, Bedler clasped Thane’s chin in his hand. “Be thankful you had a good mother and that you can return to see her again someday.”

  Thane smiled back at the old man suddenly feeling much better. “You’re right,” he said a bit more cheerfully. “I should be glad of the memories and that I will see her again.”

  Bedler laughed. “That’s the spirit boy. You know, you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. I’m thinking that you are going to prove to be someone special.”

  Thane glanced quickly at Resdin who seemed to cover a grimace with a quick smile. Turning his attention back to Bedler, he said softly with a shy smile, “That’s what my mother always said.”

  Bedler beamed. “Is that so? Well, she must be a very astute woman indeed.”

  The rest of the meal passed without much conversation. Whar returned twice, filling goblets with wine and serving up crumb cakes for dessert. Thane felt his stomach would burst from all he ate. He also felt himself relaxing more with Lord Bedler. He was a kind
ly old man, always quick to smile and always ready to laugh. Resdin seemed to warm ever so slightly as well, and Thane couldn’t help but feel strangely at home with the both of them.

  After the meal, he was escorted out by his hosts into a room half the size of the dining hall that was filled from ceiling to floor with books. A round table sat in the middle surrounded by four large, cushiony chairs that were covered in some type of woolly fur. A small fireplace burned brightly next to the entrance giving off heat and, with the help of a few well-placed candles, enough light to read by.

  Thane took one of the chairs offered him, refusing another goblet of wine, and settled back trying unsuccessfully to get comfortable. He was never going to be able to figure out why HuMans tortured themselves so in such softness.

  Lord Bedler’s voice tore his attention from the chair as he and Resdin sat down. “Now that we have filled ourselves and I no longer feel on the edge of fainting, why don’t we answer all of your questions so you can sleep easy tonight, shall we?”

  Thane smiled thankfully and nodded. “I’m sorry if I did not sound grateful at first.”

  Lord Bedler waved him off. “Of course not, my boy. You had every right to want to know your situation after waking up in a strange bed, surrounded by strange people. And after what you have been through.”

  Thane curled up his brow. “That is one of the things I would like to ask you, Lord Bedler. What is it exactly that I went through? The last thing I recall is riding with my friends and then suddenly being ripped from my saddle by something enormous and black that had extremely sharp claws.” He reached up and rubbed his shoulder.

  Lord Bedler lit up a pipe, nodding his head. “Yes, yes. A dragon.”

  Thane’s face showed his confusion. “A dragon?”

  “Yes, nasty things they are I’m here to tell you. Not many around, but those that are wreak havoc among the honest folk. In fact, it’s lucky Resdin here happened along when he did.”

  Thane turned a surprised look on the other man.