Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls

by Chris Ward

  The two friends walked slowly back through the centre of the town and found their progress impeded by a market square full of stalls and jostling people. They browsed amongst the wares and raucous crowd for a time before a huge cry suddenly went up around them, and it took Rema some time to understand the cause. Finally they discovered that in the main roadway to the square a huge and angry looking soldier had caught a youth, wearing a simple sword at his belt in the way which sits well with some belligerence. He had knocked the boy to the ground, and now seemed to be taunting him with the aim that he would use his sword to strike. All in the crowd knew what would happen then, and they were angry but feared to intervene.

  Rema and Serenna stood helplessly as the grown man with obvious long years in the king’s service, with who knew how many violent deaths at his hand, goaded the poor boy who was clearly terrified.

  ‘Come on then, you want to be a soldier. You wear a sword. You know that this is prohibited, yet you disobey the king. I will let you strike first. Get up boy and be the man you pretend to be!’The soldier had one hand on his sword but it remained sheathed, for he had no fear of the boy he was tormenting. With fear in his wild eyes the youth slowly stood, but unsteadily, and wiped a hand across the bloody welt which the soldier’s gloved hand had dealt him across one cheek.

  ‘I do not wish to fight you sira!’ He spoke truly, but the soldier was having none of it.

  ‘But you will lad, you will most certainly will, and any who tries to stop us be warned!’ He turned a full circle and scowled at the crowed which stepped back as one for he was a dangerous brute and not to be crossed.

  ‘The desperate boy was not without courage and saw his chance; with a flash of his small sword as the soldier turned away, he struck a blow which did no more than glance harmlessly off a the big man’s shoulder, for he had been ready for it, and his turn just part of an enticement for the boy to step into the battle. He let out an angry but triumphant cry.

  ‘Ah you strike at the king. You carry a sword. You will die you insolent pup!’

  And in a flash he held his own huge sword which was presented in all its terrifying might to the boy who stepped back in wide-eyed horror. The crowd let out another cry and froze in anticipation... all expect for Rema who reacted without a further thought, for he had seen this evil intent once before upon Gymble’s barge, and he was not about to let any child be cut down despite his great desire to not be noticed.

  ‘Flee Serenna!’ he hissed. ‘To the inn, I will join you there. You must not been seen...remember your hair.’ The look he gave her could not be denied, and with a quick reply she obeyed.

  ‘Take care Rema,’ she whispered and was gone with a pounding heart and a growing fear deep within.

  Rema had an arrow to his string in an instant, and with a single quick action drew and sighted without falter. It was an easy shot for the distance was no more than twenty paces. The crowd around him stepped back with a gasp for they suddenly saw what was about to happen. In an instant every eye in the square was upon him, and the huge soldier froze with a snarl upon his lips which immediately turned to a cold fear as a puzzled looked flashed across his face and he seemed to be trying to understand how he came to be in such a fatal position.

  Who dared to draw a bow against him, a king’s man?

  He had no opportunity for further thought. Rema released his arrow; it hit him in the upper leg, half way between the hip and the knee. The sharp crack of shattering bone could be heard all over the square, and he fell with a howl of agony. Immediately his blood stained the ground around him, for it was a deadly wound. For a moment no one moved, and then Rema was shocked for the crowd suddenly descended upon the injured man and quickly beat him senseless and then to death. The boy disappeared in a flash and Rema knew instinctively that other soldiers would be close by if not already in the square. As some of the stunned crowd began to flee, he pulled his cloak around him and hurried down the nearest street which led away towards the inn and safety.

  The action in the square had not gone unobserved however, for by chance a very tall man with a soldierly bearing happened to be there and witnessed it all from the shadows of a large doorway. He did not take part in the vengeful acts of the crowd, but stood impassively like a statue, watching. His large frame was shrouded by an unimpressive cloak and hood, but his intelligent close-set eyes saw all that happened, and as soon as Rema disappeared, he moved with a speed and grace which spoke of a great and powerful body.

  Rema moved easily and without any regret for his deadly action, although he was still somewhat stunned by the crowd’s violent response, for it had been completely unexpected. He could have killed the man himself but had chosen to spare him for it was the boy’s life he had hoped to save; there was no need to kill the soldier despite his evil intent.

  Who knew what the outcome of such violence would be?

  As he travelled he was soon aware that he was being followed, for other footsteps echoed loudly off the walls which closed about him. With the instinct of a hunter he deliberately turned the next corner, took a dozen paces, and then in one fluid motion and with an arrow to his bow full drawn before his pursuer had come upon him, he waited. His pursuer almost ran into his arrow as he rounded the corner and Rema almost let it fly, but in an instant he knew this man was no threat.

  ‘Steady man, why do you chase me so, you almost took an arrow for your temper,’ he cried as he lowered his weapon. The man was thin and wiry and of average height. He clearly carried no weapon, and was distressed for his face was wet with tears. He stood transfixed to the spot gasping for breath, his terrified eyes fixed upon Rema’s deadly weapon.

  ‘I just wished to thank you sira for you have just now saved my son.’ His words were full of emotion and Rema understood immediately. He smiled at the man.

  ‘Your thanks are well received my friend,’ he replied warmly, ‘Your son perhaps needs to learn more wisdom, for the king’s men these days seem in need of little provocation to find cause to use the blade.’ The grateful man nodded vigorously in agreement.

  ‘You are right of course sira. I have warned him over and over but he is headstrong and wants to be a man, and a warrior.’ The man swallowed and then extended his hand. ‘I am called Freiers,’ he said, ‘Freiers Blomberg, and I am in your debt sira.’

  ‘And I am Rema Bowman, but I would prefer that the name remains with you alone.’

  Rema spoke seriously as he took the man’s hand and they shook with some passion for what had come to pass was no small thing.

  ‘I notice that you are a visitor to our town.’ Freiers continued when their introductions were over. ‘Is there anything I can do to assist you in your stay, for you may well be in need of it after what has passed?’ He smiled wanly and Rema shrugged.

  ‘I will not be staying long and there is nothing I seek from you my friend. I am best away now. I think that to stay on the streets is not wise for surely there will be many soldiers looking for revenge.’ He was keen to quickly put more distance between himself and the town square, and was about to hasten away when on a whim he paused, and asked a question.

  ‘Freiers, I am in need of some information, and I have tried all this day with no success to seek it out. I need to speak with someone who can advise me about how best to seek out the Edenwhood. It is a strange request I know, but as you have offered some assistance perhaps you might be able to do so in this regard.’

  Rema did not expect anything other than a polite shake of the head, and an honest no. Instead Freiers’ face broke into a smile.

  ‘Your request is indeed a surprise sira, but you have stumbled by chance upon the right man, for I can direct you well enough, and for reasons which will seem hard to believe. I would be only too happy to help you, for I am in your great debt. Perhaps we should speak somewhere more privately.’

  Rema could hardly believe what he heard, and a great relief came upon his weary body.

  ‘Indeed we should. Please come with me my friend
for my business can stand no further delay. I would be most grateful if you could accompany me to my lodgings, and there we can discuss these matters.’ The man seemed deeply gratified at this unexpected turn of events.

  ‘You have just saved my son sira, how can I refuse such a simple request. I have no wish to do other than assist you as best I am able.’

  ‘This way then Freiers.’ Rema started off immediately in better spirits, and with the grateful Freiers following quickly behind, they disappeared into the now darkening streets.

  Unknown to either man, a tall stranger in a hooded cloak had heard every word of their conversation. He had been standing around the corner out of sight, and now with footsteps the like of which a prowling sabrecat might use to hunt its prey, he silently followed them both into the night.

  Serenna was greatly relieved to see Rema return safely, although she herself had not long stepped anxiously out of the fading twilight into the warmth and relative safety of the Traveller’s Inn where they had found lodging. It was a simple Inn but the fire was welcoming enough, and the quiet company of several lone drinkers sat contemplating private thoughts. Scion and Ofeigr were alone by the fire and she joined them with an ale. Her obvious consternation for recent developments had little time for explanation before Rema joined them all with a somewhat excitable companion.

  ‘Freiers Blomberg, I would like you to meet my companions...’ the introductions were short but warm, and Serenna could not help but give Rema a warm embrace when they were done.

  ‘I have said little of what happened Rema, but I see you are safe for now. What was the end of it?’ She was clearly anxious and Scion too sat forward waiting for his account. Only Ofeigr seemed unmoved and sat impassively showing no concern whatever.

  Rema explained in the briefest manner what had happened but Freiers felt that he needed to interject excitedly in admiration at several points, and in the end Rema almost growled at him.

  ‘My friend we are amongst strangers here.’ He lowered his voice. ‘I think it best that this matter be put behind us; there is no benefit to any if this gets about. What I did, I did. Your son is safe; now help me out sira for I have need of what you know of the Edenwhood.’ Rema finished in a whisper for he did not want the others in the room to hear what might be revealed.

  Freiers Blomberg settled himself on a wooden chair by the fire and looked nervously around the small group. He then cast a quick glance back towards where the other drinkers sat before seeming satisfied that his audience was private enough.

  ‘Sira,’ he addressed Rema, ‘you requested some knowledge of the Edenwhood. Let me ask you a question without pertinence before I tell something of what I know.’

  ‘Please ask whatever you will,’ Rema replied. Freiers took a breath.

  ‘My boy whom you saved from certain death... how old would you say he is?’

  Rema frowned in frustration for this information seemed to be of little use to anyone present, but he considered it all the same. He remembered the youth and his rash actions, the manner in which he had struck out at the soldier, the fear on his face, the shock as he stared at the blood from his face upon his hand. He was tall as man but without the power.

  ‘I would say your boy is a fine lad of at least fifteen, perhaps sixteen summers,’ Rema finally replied, judging himself close to the mark and so was greatly surprised when Freiers replied.

  ‘My boy has seen only ten summers sira. He is tall and strong beyond his years, but his manner is that of a child.’ To the others this meant little but Rema was greatly surprised for he had not thought the boy so young.

  ‘I am perplexed Freiers, I would not have thought this possible for he challenged the soldier as though he was much older...’ Rema paused then went on, ‘but why is this important?’

  Freiers took a deep breath and told his remarkable story.

  ‘I grew up in the Plenty Mountains, although many would call them only hills for the Eastern Upthrust dwarfs them mightily. My people for long generations past have had some dealings with the Edenwhood, but this knowledge has passed into ever changing stories and none of my parents or their kin have had any contact. I was always fascinated by the stories I heard in my childhood and I grew up with a deep longing to see these strange folk. Some say they are not human but they are, just different.

  ‘How do you claim they are human,’ Serenna interrupted, ‘For I have only ever heard it tell that they are ghostlike and to be much feared...’ Freiers held up a hand.

  ‘I will tell you my lady how I know, just hear me out, for what I will reveal has never been heard before.’ He cast another somewhat furtive glance over his shoulder but the other company seemed to be ignoring the group by the fire.

  ‘As a young man I would often explore westward over the Plenty River to the very foot of the Upthrust. I would camp for days at a time in the forest there, and walk many leagues north and south looking for a way to climb up. I found many paths but none took me far. They always ended in a sheer drop or a shallow cave which led nowhere.’ He took a sip of his ale and stared into the fire, and all the company knew that he was remembering this time past.

  ‘I was twenty four when I met her. She suddenly appeared in my campsite, one morning as I cooked a fresh trout from the stream. I can remember the smell of that fish and the moment I first saw her. She was tall, at least a cubit taller than myself. She was limping and crying and just came and sat down by my fire. I stood up in alarm and looked all about but she was alone. When I inquired as to where she came from and why she was so upset she spoke in a strange and lilting manner which with difficulty I could understand. She told me that her name was Cygnia, and she had come down from the mountains. I realised then that she was one of those for whom I had longed to meet. She was of the Edenwhood. I asked her of course, and she just nodded, as though it was obvious. She was human and her story was simple. She had run away from her father who had promised her in marriage to another whom she did not love. She was only eighteen, but a woman no doubt.’

  Freiers stopped then and they waited for him to continue but he did not until Rema prompted him.

  ‘This is an interesting story indeed Freiers. What knowledge of these people did you learn from her?’ Freiers shook his head as though suddenly jolted from a distant place. He looked full at Rema in a startled fashion.

  ‘I am sorry; it was as though I was back there. It was eleven years ago, but I remember it so clearly.’

  Serenna had listened carefully and suddenly understood his story, for her woman’s intuition filled in the gaps which the others would take much longer to discover.

  ‘Your boy is her child too, part Edenwhood, is he not Freiers?’ She spoke gently, and he nodded with tears in his eyes.

  ‘That is the truth my lady. Cygnia and I were married soon after, for she would not then return to her people, and I of course was struck by her loveliness which was not so beautiful as we might measure it amongst our own, but she held a powerful spell over me. Her voice was like a soft breeze in the treetops, and her smile made the sun shine for me no matter the weather.’ He paused and took a deep breath before whispering, ‘and of course she was of the Edenwhood and all my life I had been obsessed with these people.’ He sighed a deep sigh at this point, and only Ofeigr seemed unmoved by the wonder of his tale.

  ‘Anders, my son, was born a year after and we lived for three summers with my parents on their farm. We were happy, but she was not well accepted, for people have strange ideas about the Edenwhood, and cannot easily be reasoned with.’ An angry tone crept into his voice and his jaw worked hard as though he was about to be overcome by deep emotions. Gradually he regained his composure and then continued in a most wistful manner.

  ‘They came for her then, the Edenwhood, and she went willingly enough. I think she found our ways too different and she missed her family. It broke my heart, but they left the boy with me, and he is my life. He is tall; for his people are far taller than what we know to be tall, and they are a warr
ior race, but strangely lovers of peace, as though they fear their own ability to make war. At least that is what Cygnia told me. That and many other things. I moved here to Waterman shortly after she left, and life has been hard but I have managed. I will not take up your time with anything further. That is enough for now.’

  Freiers sat and looked sadly into the fire, overcome with memories which none felt willing to interrupt or indeed inquire of, for they were deeply personal. After a long time Rema spoke.

  ‘I thank you for your story Freiers, it is most moving, indeed amazing. However, you seem to have crossed our path at the right time, for we have great need to visit the Edenwhood, and none else in this town have any useful knowledge of them. Did you ever learn how this might be accomplished?’ His question hung long in the air before Freiers replied.

  ‘Yes, my friends, I can show you how to do this if it is what you want, but be warned, they are a strange and inscrutable people and do not permit outsiders into their land.’

  Rema nodded. ‘This I have heard, but we must risk their wrath and appeal to their humanity, for if this they are, they will hopefully listen to our entreaties.’

  *

  Rema was first to the summit, where the path reached the top of the mountain on which they travelled. It was not a high mountain, but the four had travelled two hard days to arrive here since leaving Waterman following the careful directions which Freiers had written down upon a parchment accompanied by a simple map. Within a short time Serenna rode up with Scion. Ofeigr joined them shortly after and they all rested in their saddles and without a word, took in the view. They were at one of the highest points of the Plenty Mountains and all around them the gentle slopes of the range fell away like swells on an ocean, since the range was softly folded and well treed on its lower slopes. Farms and grassy fields were plentiful, for the land was rich and bountiful. For many generations it had been divided and walled and harvested, then divided again, father to son to daughter. Much forest remained but there was nothing unexplored or unknown in the full length of the range which ran four score leagues in a line almost north to south.