I will want to have my property back when the means presents itself. In addition, I do remember my sallet that graced my brow.”
I pause to think of what Amari just said for several moments. I watch Gareth stand and go to the mouth of the cave and look out into the darkness. “I do not know of such a helmet? It may be lost to history. Maiden, with all my readings I have never heard of a Roamer Dragon. From whence does one come?”
“Of all the dragons in the land, this was the only one of its kind. I have seen others, like the Wind Dragon, the Midguard Serpent, and many more which no longer exist. What manor or serpent abode here?”
I go on to regale the tales of this Dragon’s Grave. “The legend is centuries old. After Sire Goglas of Tinswood vanquished the dragon, the knight fell into a great cavern wounded and near death. He never emerged. It is said that his spirit still roams those caverns and caves looking for a way out. No one knows who chronicled these events. The manuscript carries no mark of author. Many think it is just a story to amuse.
Sire Goglas carried the legendary Greatsword, so named Dragon’s Breath because the hilt is wrapped in the leather of other dragons slain by the sword. The Greatsword is no ordinary weapon as is it said to wield great magic like the Maiden’s Saber.”
I stop talking and look to the woman sitting there. She slumps against the rocks visibly exhausted. The Maiden rests her head against the stone and looks to her new found allies.
“I must rest now. Even though my enchanted saber is restoring my body and mind, I fatigue easily. It is draining trying to bring back visions of my life before the Half-sleep of Death.”
Gareth helps her to lie down upon the ground; He places a pack beneath her head and covers her with his cloak. “Rest then brave one. We will keep guard and stay whatever evil lurking about seeking your blood.”
The Maiden does not answer. She closes her eyes and relaxes her body. She seems confident to lower her guard knowing Gareth, and I am watching over her.
My brother in arms stands next to me as we watch the woman slumber.
“Natsha, it has been a goodly amount of time since we came to this place. I will patrol the perimeter of our encampment again.”
“Very well,” Natsha responds. I will stay near the cave entrance with notched arrow. Do call out when you are near. I do not wish to mistake you for a foe!”
“Rest assured; I will not risk your bow even in jest.” I smile at her as she looks at me. She has that same concern in her eyes when we must be apart for a time.
I would want no other to stand with sword raised against a common enemy. We always anticipate each other’s actions. I take another glance at the sleeping Maiden and make my way out of the Dragon's Grave.
Staying close to the stone wall of the mountain, I pass through the edge of the surrounding wood. The grass is high here, and my footsteps disturb insects and ground-nesting birds. Above me, in the dark sky is the screech of bats circling. Everything seems normal for the land at night.
Always walking to the right, I make a circuit completely around the small mountain—quiet as I can be for someone with large feet and frame. It takes several turns of an hourglass of time to traverse the hillock; I pray my sister is not worried that I am taking too long to return.
I am almost to the cave entrance from the opposite side, when a slight sound ahead causes me to halt and listen. I was so sure, we were alone, but my heart sank at the whispering which brought me straight back to reality. I could hear low distinct voices of several men skulking near the entrance.
I start to grab for my crossbow, but decide to use a short sword and knife. It will be much faster to slash and stab then loading a bow. Now I am aware that we are being watched, I creep closer without making a sound. At the next turn, I come upon four men crouching there and peering into the dimly lit cavern.
Quiet as a great cat stalking its prey, I stop just behind the last man. I look over his shoulder and into the cave. I can see Natsha standing there looking out to the front. She does not suspect an attack from the side. Knowing my sister, she may not see anyone out there in the dark, but her posture is one of alertness. She senses something, and it is not just me.
I can just barely make out the end of the blanket covering the Maiden’s form.
The four men to my front do not think to look at their hind as I spy on them. Their garb is not of soldiers or mercenaries. I identify the painted armor of the Thieves’ Guild. As I hear them quietly talking to each other. I recognize two of them. It is Merek and Terrin, brothers from the Thieves Den. “Why are they here prowling about; how did they know we are within?”
Natsha is straining to see out into the darkness. “Where is that big ox? He is taking too long.” She tries squinting her eyes in hopes of seeing something—anything. I can barely see the outline of the trees across the open field.
Then on the wind comes the smell of unclean men. I quickly notch a bolt and place another in my teeth ready for a speedy reload. Sniffing again, I can tell whoever is out in the night is to my left. Those who attempt to sneak about are somewhere around the bend of the hill. It is not only Gareth, as I know all the scents his body can produce.
Not wanting to let whoever is there that I knew of their presence, I continue to look forward, but my side gaze continues to watch my flank.
There is a rush of feet as men step from around the bend. “Natsha, drop your bow…you are outnumbered.”
I watch as Natsha swings to her left and drop to one knee aiming her bow at the men. She points from one to the other deciding which one to pierce first.
She recognizes the one speaking. “Two of you will die before I do Merek.”
Merek knows she speaks the truth. No one in the land who uses a crossbow can fire, reset and send another arrow to her intended target before the first has struck.
While the men are occupied with Natsha, I come up behind them. I crack Jarin's skull with the flat of my blade. As he drops to the ground, I step over his body and wrap my arm around Terrin's neck. With a knife edge pressed against his throat, the point of my sword is pricking the backside of Lief. “Go ahead and shoot Merek Natsha, these three are mine.”
Merek turns to see he is the only one still armed. Both Terrin and Lief have dropped their weapons, and Jarin is lying on the ground.
“Well played Gareth!” The leader drops his sword and stands there unarmed and defeated.
Natsha motions with her crossbow still pointed at Merek’s head. “Drop the rest of your weapons and come inside into the light.”
Terrin and Lief pick up the limp body of Jarin and carry him inside the cave.
“He is only knocked asleep,” Gareth says. “He will wake with a pounding headache I am sure.”
The three men sit near the fire at Natsha's urging. Jarin comes to and sits up from where the others dropped him.
Gareth follows, gathering all the discarded weapons. He piles them in a corner far from the men. He places several large stones only he can lift, on top of the pile to make the thieves trying for them an impossible feat.
The thieves look to the woman lying there, now awake watching the newcomers.
“Who be this woman?” Merek asks.
“She is of no concern to you Merek.”
Merek looks hard at the other woman and then says to Natsha. “This is the one Gareth carried from the stone monument. She did not arrive with the soldiers…we would have seen her. She must have been entombed there. This has to be the witch that has survived the darkness since that place was sealed.”
Natsha gives Merek a puzzling look.
“Yes Natsha, I know of the legend, but not the location until now.” He sees the sword lying near her hand. “The marking on the hilt and the runes running the length of the blade are all too plain; drilled into our memories as youths so it is not forgotten.
You have found the treasured Maiden's Saber. Why does she still live? She is the Maiden Witch that killed many of our kin a half century past. Her blade belo
ngs to the Guild. Kill her and take what is ours.”
All the thieves jump to their feet.
Gareth and I stand between her and them. My bow in one hand aimed at Merek and my battle sword in my other fist. Gareth's raised sword and bulk are poised to strike swiftly.
“Stand down rogues! Know this, as we live and hold metal, she is not to be harmed!” Natsha says through clenched teeth.
“You would defend this one?” Jarin asks. “She murdered my grandfather and several of our clan.”
“It was your clan Jarin that fell under her sword…not mine! She never took notice of my family or waged war against us. Yes, my kin and I were of the Thieves Guild, but of a clan only stole from the king’s table, whereas yours did not care if you took a peasant family’s last potato. That is why she set her eyes upon you and your kind as another evil that needed ending.”
“You were part of our clan Natsha, did you forget that?”
“No, but as my own father and brother were killed after your failed attempt of robbing the King's Storehouse, I put the clan behind me. I do not fault what you tried to do or that my own kin followed you, but that it was ill-conceived and rashly carried out.
Your plan was weak and not well thought. I could see the foolishness and tried to tell my father. His hand across my cheek silenced my urgings. If this Maiden was alive when our kin united, then I would not be here now defending her.”
Merek leans closer, but keeps his eyes on Gareth. “Natsha, it does not matter what you think. My clan took a vow ages ago. Whoever came upon the Maiden would run her through. Her sword taken and smashed; the jewels pried from the hilt and sold.”
“You are a fool to follow such an oath Merek. That vow was during the time of our fathers. Our kin, made oaths and promises with a tankard of ale in their hands.”
By now, the Maiden has come to her feet. Albeit shaky, she stood tall. “I do not have to answer dealings of why and where I dealt with your kin. Alas, I have no remembrance of the deed you tell. I dare say it may be falsehoods, made by cowards and cynics who cared not for what I stood for. I do know that if I had indeed slain your kinsmen, it was justly deserved. I put no man or woman to the sword if they were not worthy of its edge.”
“You witch,” Merek yells and he rushes toward her and us.
The Maiden uses her sword to part Gareth and me. She steps between us. The brightness of the glowing blade stops Merek in his steps.
“If thou wish to join your ancestors, step forward.”
Merek moves back, unable to take his eyes from the blade. His men grabbing his arms, least he rushes into a mad death against her steel.
The Maiden lowers her sword until the tip touches the ground. “This one time I will answer for my actions as it is plain you were not told the truth. Mind you, parts of my memory are still withdrawn from me. From what I do remember, your ancient kin, before your father’s time was in league with the Druids. The same evil beings who also wanted me sent to the underworld.
As those priests of the shade spoke like a snake with two tongues, your clansmen were to believe that I was a slayer of the innocent and several of your kin. When it fact, it was the Druids who were the takers of souls.
They schemed against me by making your people and other clans their pawns by spreading untruths. Yes, as I think hard on it I did slay several from the Thieves Guild. I did this only in defense as they thought to overpower me. It is fuzzy in my mind, but I did try to appeal to their reasoning. In truth, as I cannot lie, ‘twas the evil Druids who caused the deaths of your kinfolk.
I did not raise Katana until they attacked me with arrow and sword. I saw in their eyes a bewitching. No amount of talk or pleading was going to sway your kin from a blood thirst. Where I could…I used the flat of my blade to wound and not kill.
My saber is possessed with white magic so it protected me. Some of your kin could not escape its wrath. I do not remember how many died. Nor was I one like a cutthroat that needed a bragging count for their sword belt. Nevertheless, I wept for each of those wasted lives. I have no knowledge of what transpired after that time.”
Merek’s eyes fill with rage as he fights against his men holding him back. “It is easy for you to mouth what you say is the truth. We have no kin who lived through that battle that would side with you.
What our ancestors heard tell from the women who tended to the dead on the field; said none lived. All those that you said were given a minor wound also had a death slash to their necks. You slaughter without mercy or compassion!”
Gareth interrupts. “Tell us Merek, did those old ones of your tribe describe the condition of the wounds they found back then? Was there blood dripping from the cuts?”
“Yes, but only from those with the neck slashes.”
The big man rubs a furrowed brow and continues. “Before coming here, did you see the condition of those soldiers at the monument this past day? How were they killed?”
Merek looks to his men and answers. “We went inside and saw that they were dismembered. Their wounds fused closed as if burned with fire. Why?”
Pleased with his own reasoning Gareth goes on. “The Maiden's Saber melds the wound when it strikes flesh. No matter whether a stab, slash, or cut, the wounds are bloodless. It is plain to see that some of your kinsmen were slain after the Maiden left the field. I am willing to part with the last of the pearls in my purse that either Druids or their minions did the final deed. It would have been their way.”
Merek's shoulders drop in submission. “I hear your words Gareth, and you always speak the truth. Throughout the land, your word is your bond and none will dispute it. I may not believe the witch, but if you and Natsha say the Maiden is a warrior true, then we do as well.”
Natsha looks over her bow still aimed at his head. “We have your word Merek that you and your men will not attack the Maiden or us?”
Merek pulls a small knife from his waistband and slashes his palm with a shallow cut. Blood oozes from the wound.
“So much for dropping all your weapons,” Natsha says.
Seeing this action, Gareth does the same by slicing his own palm. Merek and Gareth clasp bloody hands together.
The thief leader says. “Know all who stand witness here. We hold a bond and pact of no aggression against Gareth, Natsha and the Maiden.
Likewise, know that any who came up against these three; we will neither defend them nor join the attackers. We would be only observers to the conflict.”
I lower my bow and clasp Merek and the others forearm in the old Thieves’ Guild greeting. I know what Merek vows will not be broken. We may be thieves, but we honor our pacts and promises.
I motion for them to join us inside the cave. “There is not much, but you and the others are welcome to what is left of our meal.”
“We thank you for the fire and the promise of food, but we have traveling bread and dried meat.”
“Very well my old friend. You may retrieve your weapons. I am sure you feel naked without steel at your side?”
All the while, the Maiden has been watching the scene unfold before her. As she lowers her sword, the glow of magic surrounding it diminishes and disappears. She sits back down and nods to all those that pay her a look.
Merek still a little unsure of her keeps a wary distance.
They sit about the fire as Gareth adds another handful of wood to its flames.
Natsha pokes at the coals. It is plain to see she is mulling over something. “Merek I am curious? While looking at the monument we now know it to be a crypt for the Maiden. I walked about the four sides and touched the markings there. I did see several scratches in the stone made by another.”
Merek speaks for his companions. “You think you were the only ones to steal from the old structures. My brother Terrin, Lief, Jarin and I have been watching and trying for two cycles of the sun, to find the entrance. You found it in minutes!”
“So it was your marks in the stone as if someone was trying to open it. It was a misfor
tune you selected a false door.”
“We did not know that as we were about to select another sealed door. We tried tapping on the stones to see if the sound was different. Lief was our watch and he alerted us to the soldier's patrol returning. We fled to the high hill and waited for them to pass. We started to head back to the monument when we saw you two creeping around near the edge of the forest.
We decided to wait and watch, as you made for the old stone structure. The others agreed that in all the land, you Natsha are the best at reading the runes and understand their meaning. Why beat our hands against the unforgiving rock—you could do it for us?
We spied upon your position, and watched you go about unlocking the stone door. Although, having this big oaf use a battle axe to cave in the portal was brilliant. It was remarkable to watch how quickly you found the entrance, and how Gareth reduced the stone to rubble.
We wanted to accord you ample time to find the treasure, so we waited for a space, and then started down the hill to take what you found. As we neared the stone structure, we had to leap into cover as the soldiers were returning. When they saw the monument with the broken door open…they advanced toward the entrance with spears lowered. We crept back over the hill and into hiding.
Gareth interrupts Merek. “It would have been honorable if you gave us some kind of alarm that we were about to be attacked.”
“Yes big man; we could have yelled something like—soldiers at the door! It would have been foolish for us to announce our presence. It was enough they had you two trapped inside. I need to ask…what was the blinding blue light we saw shining through the entrance?”
“What light?”
“Do not try to tangle my words woman. We know what we saw. Right after the flashes of light, Gareth came carrying this one,” as he points to Amari. You exited the monument a few moments later; loaded down with weapons. You made great haste to leave the structure in your wake.”
Maiden's Saber Page 4
