Night Calls the Raven (Book 2 of The Master of the Tane)

by Thomas Rath

  “The trip would kill her, Dor. What I said about her escaping was true, but the greatest reason for you to stay is that she wouldn’t survive the trip even if you could keep her tied up.”

  The blood drained from Dor’s face. “What are you saying?”

  Kat finally spoke, the hatred and jealousy she’d shown toward Tam completely gone. There was nothing in her voice now but sympathy. “What he is saying, Dor,” she said softly, “is that Tam only has days, a week at best.” She moved to his side and took his hand into her own, cradling it gently as if it might break. “I’m sorry, Dor.” Leaning up, she kissed his cheek and then turned away.

  Dor stared after her, her words ice to his soul. Days?

  Bren breathed out his own apology and then followed after Kat giving some excuse about others he had to see. Dor stood alone staring at their backs until they turned a corner and were gone. Days.

  * * *

  Jack burst into the small, dark room and then turned about and grabbed a lit candle from a nearby desk before entering again. Dor sat at Tam’s bed, his head resting on her hand he had cupped in his. Lifting his head, he stared up at Jack with red, puffy eyes and tried to force a smile but was unable. Tam lay motionless on the bed, her breathing shallow and labored.

  “I came as fast as I could,” Jack said softly, the concern obvious on his face. “Is there nothing…”

  Dor was able to get the smile out this time though weak as it was. He shook his head. “I’ve already been down all of those paths but they all end the same.” Dor had confronted death numerous times and had always felt serene and calm in its face but never had he come this close to the death of someone he loved. Not like this. Thane’s passing still left a tiny flame of hope but Tam had none of that. She would pass and he would watch and there was nothing he could do to stop it; nothing he could say to make it feel like it would be all right.

  Jack grabbed his shoulder and squeezed it. “I know that nothing I say can ease your grief, Dor, but know that I too know the grief you face and though the days ahead will reek of bitter loss and sting more than steel torn flesh, they will, in some future day, brighten again and the burden will not seem so heavy. The light will shine again.”

  “Does it shine for you with your son?” Dor asked, sorry for the flash of pain that crossed Jack’s face.

  “Sometimes,” he managed to answer.

  Dor’s voice was flat. “In times when your blade sinks deep into the belly of a troll?”

  Jack regarded him for a short moment, his face now void of emotion. Then he smiled weakly. “At precisely those times. It doesn’t cure the ache mind you, but it certainly dulls the pain some.”

  Dor looked down at Tam. “I would know that solace,” he said softly. “I would feel that light shine on my frozen heart.” Then his demeanor quickly changed. “How go the defenses?” he asked, his voice strong once more.

  Jack shrugged. “The wall at the pass is almost complete. Once that is done we will turn our whole efforts to the city.”

  “Does the Colonel still hold his own people captive?”

  Jack sighed. “He will not go against his orders from the king.”

  Dor turned his red eyes back to Jack. “He must get these people out of here or they will die. I know what it is to fight against rock trolls. This is not a mere band bent on gaining a couple of fingers for around their necks. If they get past that wall, they will overrun us here and anywhere else we go.”

  Jack’s face darkened. “I also know something of trolls, my boy, you have no need to lecture me. But, Seless love him, Braxton will not go against the king no matter how inept the boy is.”

  Dor just nodded. He knew he was pushing too far. He and Jack had been over it with Braxton many times but he would not go contrary to his orders and his duty. No matter how he hated it, he would not do it. The Mother take your king. Looking back at Tam, he sighed. He was anxious to try Jack’s remedy for pain, but nothing could drag him away from her now.

  “I want to help, Jack, but I need to stay here with Tam until…” He couldn’t say it. The tears started welling up again and it was all he could do to fight them back.

  Jack’s meaty hand squeezed his shoulder. “I understand, son,” he said, his voice sounding a bit husky. Both sat in silence for a long moment before Jack’s voice broke through. “Have you thought about taking her out of here? Somewhere a bit safer?”

  “She can’t travel. And even if she could, where would we go?”

  Jack sighed. “Right,” he said and then paused as if deciding whether to say what was next coming to his mind. “And should the wall fail?”

  Dor sat rigid for a moment and then shrugged, gently brushing a stray hair out of Tam’s face. “If she still lives, I will be here. And I will not give her last breaths over to trolls.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Teek brushed the shavings from his lap and then pulled his cloak tighter about his shoulders in an attempt to block out the wind. The fire looked inviting, promising added warmth, but he had chosen the solitude of a nearby tree to sit and work on the blowgun he’d started carving out days before. After his experience at Bedler’s Keep, he realized that he had become a liability and danger to his dwarf friends. If he was going to be of any use, he needed to learn to better defend himself. Bardolf and Helgar had agreed to teach him but were quickly sent away when Rangor insisted that ‘there’d be no proper learning unless taught by a true master.’ Since then, every night when they camped, Rangor put him through a vigorous workout that left Teek exhausted. His ability with the axe Bardolf gave him was slow in coming. He didn’t have the strength necessary to control his swings making him very dangerous on the practice field. He had improved some with the dagger though.

  Their days were long, spent walking the road to Calandra that had now become a muddy soup from the constant drizzle that had started three days before and had yet to let up. With the foul weather came fouler moods so talk amongst the group had all but stopped. Teek found himself turning inward, the sorrow of loss choking him with greater force as they marched on through the mud and rain. Nights were especially difficult. After they were finished with his short training sessions his thoughts always drifted home and the nothingness that was now there and in his heart. He needed something to keep his mind occupied lest the despair overtake him. Making a new blowgun was not the answer he’d been looking for but it did keep him busy enough to ease some of the pain. And, after all, what was a Waseeni without a blowgun?

  He sighed and looked into the dark, starless sky. He missed Tchee. She had flown off two days before while he slept and he hadn’t seen her since. The dwarfs were as kind as dwarfs can be but he missed the Roc’s mothering. Though nothing would replace his own mother, being able to snuggle down into Tchee’s soft under feathers at night gave him a touch of much needed comfort. He hoped she was not hurt.

  Brak’s hideous face suddenly entered his thoughts bringing with him a picture of Tchee tied down and being sold at market to the highest bidder. Teek shuddered at the thought trying to push it away. He didn’t think he could go on should he lose Tchee as well.

  * * *

  Thane’s eyes blinked for a moment before he shot to his feet slightly startling Jne who had sat a vigilant watch over his body. “What is it?” she exclaimed, half pulling her swords from their scabbards.

  “How far to Haykon?” he shot, his voice agitated.

  “Four days if we push,” she answered, pushing her swords back down. “What is wrong?”

  He brushed past her, heading for Chtey. “They’ve got her tied up,” he said over his shoulder. “We have to get there as quickly as possible.”

  Jne moved to his side as Thane nuzzled Chtey’s nose looking into the horse’s eyes. “But why would they do such a thing?”

  He didn’t answer immediately, instead concentrating on his horse, reaching for its soul, using his TehChao Tane to connect with it. It came quickly and he communicated his need to Chtey who whinnied softly hi
s understanding and willingness to help.

  “We have a difficult history,” Thane finally answered, breaking the bond with his horse. He turned to Jne. “The HuMans once tried to slaughter my people. I don’t know why and don’t have the time to explain more right now, but they captured another friend of mine not long ago. We have to get to Haykon and save Tam. Can your horse make speed for an extended period?”

  Jne grinned slightly. “As long and as fast as you require.”

  Thane jumped up onto Chtey’s back, now prancing about, anxious to be on their way. Jne did the same and they broke into a dead run chasing the sun as it passed overhead.

  * * *

  Jack stood on the wall watching as another wagon from the frontier entered the city bringing with it a farmer and his young family. His wife looked nervous as if this were her first time within the gates, while their two small children, a boy and a girl no older than six, looked about with large, excited eyes trying to take in everything at once. Jack sighed. More fodder in the trough, he thought. Myles had called to all outlying farmers to bring in their families and all the supplies they could carry. Jack knew that it was the only thing they could do, given the circumstances. They couldn’t leave them out to be washed over by the gathering horde now amassed over the Mogolth Mountains. But he also knew that should there be an attack, the city would fall if the wall didn’t hold, and his gut told him that the wall was not going to do much more than slow them slightly.

  He turned his head southeast looking over the city toward Calandra. Word had just arrived from the king this morning that they were to hold the fort until a diplomatic peacekeeping group could be sent out to negotiate. Jack spat on the stone under his feet. Diplomatic peacekeepers, right. They’ll be nothing left to keep peace over by the time they get here. Not like they would do any good to begin with. Just more meat for the cook fires.

  Should the full force come, the city would fall and all would be slaughtered. He knew it and he knew Myles knew it too. Though he still was not fully convinced by the numbers Jack had reported to him, he knew Myles well enough to see the hopelessness in his face. It was hopeless. But, they would fight like badgers to protect their home and people.

  Jack was not afraid of death. But, the idea of giving his life in the face of stupidity made his stomach turn. There still was some hope in saving the innocents when the city was breached but it wasn’t enough to his liking. Too many were going to lose their lives because the king was too arrogant and too comfortable in his gilded palace to care about his people.

  He took a deep breath, trying to release the anger that was building in him like it always did when he thought of the king and what he was allowing to happen without need. Suddenly, a familiar voice drew his attention back inside the walls. “Excuse me, sir.”

  He looked down. It was Domis, the stable boy who had helped him when he showed up at the gates with Dor and Tam—both half dead. Seeing the boy, he was washed over with melancholy knowing the future was grim, at best, for the lad. “What is it, Domis?”

  Domis’ face was flushed as if he’d been running and his voice took on the same attributes as he huffed his way through his message. “Sorry to bother you, sir, but the Colonel has asked that you be summoned right away to his offices.”

  Jack leaned forward, his first thoughts being that Tam had gotten worse. He knew from discussions with the healers that she would not live much longer. He felt for Dor, knowing what it was like to lose someone beloved. These days had turned dark indeed. “What is it?”

  “He didn’t say, sir. But a group of strangers arrived at the east gates only moments before I was sent to find you.”

  Jack pondered the information for a brief moment, relieved that the message did not involve Tam after all. But who, other than the local peasants would be coming to Haykon now—surely not the king. He turned about and walked quickly to the nearest narrow stairway and rushed down to meet the boy. Domis smiled weakly at him and then lead him through the crowded streets back to the center of the town and the unassuming building that was the fort’s headquarters. The city was bulging with people now that those on the outskirts had been called in and on more than one occasion he lost sight of the boy in the crowds. Finally reaching the center Domis delivered his charge at the door and then rushed back into the mass of people milling about as he sprinted away on what was most likely another errand.

  Jack half ignored the two sentries standing guard as he pushed through the doors on his way to Myles’ office. He was slightly miffed at being called in for a “meeting” when he knew he could put his talents to better use elsewhere than sitting around with some newcomer and discussing the day’s weather. On the other hand, no one was coming in through the east gates. Only the outlying farmers to the north and west had been called in. Those to the south and east had a good head start when the city fell and were told to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice but to stay where they were. There was no need to call them in. The people would be leaving through those gates soon enough. There had been a few families who had it in their minds that the walls of Haykon would afford them greater protection than their southeastern locale, but they were quickly barred entranced and told to return home. Still, one family had to be threatened upon penalty of treason and death should they return after having tried three times at the east gate and once at the west.

  Pushing through the door into Myles’ office Jack came to an abrupt halt. Three sets of eyes turned to see who had caused the intrusion, one of the occupants having pulled his sword half out off its scabbard. Jack ignored the person closest to him, the one holding the sword, and instead locked eyes with the man sitting at the far side of the tiny room. Nothing could have shocked him more.

  “Well, Jack,” Myles said clearing his throat, “I’m glad to see Domis found you. I thought you might be interested in meeting our guests.”

  Jack looked dumbly at Myles who merely raised an eyebrow as if expecting something. Jack blinked for a moment and then finally regained his composure. “Ah, yes, of course. My apologies,” he said still half in shock and then went to one knee and bowed. “Your grace, it is an honor, and I must say a surprise, to welcome you to Haykon.”

  “Enough of that, Jack,” the man said pushing back his chair and rising while extending his hand. Jack took it and rose, a slight smile playing across his face. The man was of medium height and build and was young—somewhere in his early twenties. There was nothing spectacular about him to make anyone believe him more than just a traveler. He wore doe skinned leather pants tucked neatly into knee high black boots with a simple long sleeved green colored tunic left hanging just past his waist. He wore no visible weapon. His light brown hair was receding on top somewhat but dropped past his shoulders in the back. He was not overly handsome but was not plain either. His eyes were sharp, jumping between green and hazel, but had the ability to hold a person’s attention almost immediately. Although not magnificent in outward appearance, he held himself in such a manner to leave little doubt in any that they were in the presence of someone significant.

  “I have to say it is a great relief to see you here, Prince Ranse. We had all but given up hope in our current situation.” The man holding his sword finally returned it fully to its scabbard and moved back allowing the prince to shuffle past. It was then that Jack noticed the scars that had been intricately carved into the fingers of the other man’s hands. Very few boasted the flourishing rune markings that decorated his hands. He was marked as one of the royal guard, but more than that, those runes told anyone near that he was a master with his weapons and was not one to be tangled with. He was larger than the prince by a head and wore the same type of clothing, though added a sword and knife to his apparel. His head was full of auburn hair that was brushed back over his shoulders. A well-trimmed beard outlined his square jaw. Jack glanced briefly into his deep set, dark blue eyes seeing what he thought was a hard set warning to mind his manners with the prince or pay dearly for his folly. Jack shrugged off
the look.

  The prince shook his head. “I’m afraid that what you seek is not in my power to give.”

  Jack’s face turned dark. “You mean you’re not here to give us charge to quit the fort?”

  The prince shook his head. “I’m sorry, Jack,” he said sadly. “My father still lacks the ability to grasp reason even when it is a snake latched onto his leg. No, I have come without even his knowledge. Seless knows he would not have allowed it had I asked.”

  Jack tried to reign in his anger but it was quickly getting the best of him. “Does he not care for his people? I have seen the numbers we face. We will not hold this fort for long. They will breach the wall at the pass and then quickly run over us here. The people of Haykon will only serve to feed this horde a brief meal before it moves on.”

  “I have read the reports, Jack, as they have come in. I understand the situation, but you know I have no influence in court. I am but a prince in name only. Being the third in line for the throne does not afford me much power.” The prince shook his head and then smiled sardonically. “But it also keeps greater eyes from keeping me from doing what I want. I have come as a token for the people. I have come to show them that not everyone in court is aloof to their peril.”

  Jack grasped onto the prince’s words. “Did you bring more men then?”

  Prince Ranse turned away and walked back to his seat, shaking his head. “I’m afraid that all I could bring was myself and Jace here,” he whispered, the frustration evident in his voice. “We are but a token, I know, but I for one will not sit by in the palace and do nothing. My sword and that of my man are Haykon’s.”

  Jack sighed, running a hand through his long, white hair. He’d always liked Ranse. The youngest of the king’s sons, he was right in his estimation that he held little, if any, power in court. Yet, at the same time, he was the only one of the sons who was different from his opulent and lazy father. If the kingdom were to survive, it would have to be on the shoulders of this boy. He was the only one to show the least bit of interest toward the people his family ruled other than what service or pleasure they could provide him. It was a wonder at all that the monarchy had not decayed and collapsed from its own weight long ago. Jack felt a tinge of guilt at the thought.