The Spirit of Malquia (In the Absence of Kings Book 2)

by Lee LaCroix

  Novas continued on his way past the vendors and the tavern to passed the border of the town where he found his father at the front of a sizable group of villagers arranged in training formation. Novas looked over the crowd. There must have been a few shy of thirty following his father’s tutelage. While the majority of the crowd appeared to be youths or aged men, there were also two young women and one older one. Garreth excluded none from his lessons.

  Novas was humoured to see their selection of arms. While there were some men who wielded blades of metal, often unpolished and chipped, there were many using sabres of carved wood. That would please him, Novas thought. There was an enthusiasm to learn the necessary skills in this dangerous time, it seemed to him. Novas spotted Ilsa not too far off, conversing with some other women. Their attention fixed on the martial display, and most often, Garreth. She caught sight of Novas’ inspection and gave him a curt smile and a friendly wave. Novas smiled, nodded, and continued over to his father at the front of the formation.

  “Ah, my boy. You have finally arisen. And I see you have found the food we have left for you,” Garreth welcomed as Novas finished off the rest of his bread and cheese.

  Garreth tussled his son’s hair, and Novas swatted his hand away.

  “Yes, I did. Thanks,” Novas replied with his mouth half full.

  “When you’re done eating, there are a few volunteers looking for some practice over yonder,” Garreth informed as he pointed across the Great North Road to a clumping of trees where four villagers stood with their bows. “I asked Greggor to make some targets for you this morning. They should be ready by now. You’ll just have to fetch them.”

  “Alright. I suppose I can do that,” Novas replied before he turned back to town.

  Shortly after, Novas was lugging four wooden targets from the stables. With two on each shoulder, they weren’t exactly light. The targets were circular and fashioned from the width of a tree. They were thin enough to carry but thick enough as not to splinter under repeated blows. Greggor had fashioned some notches and had weaved some knotted string into them, and Novas carried the rope on his shoulders. The four archers came to his attention as he paced over to their position nearest to the tree.

  “Hi. Hi there,” Novas offered as he placed the targets against the tree.

  Novas hung the four targets upon three nearby trees and ensured that the rope and notches were secure. He waved the four students over to him a suitable length from the target. There were two men, one young man, and one young woman, and they introduced themselves as Rolf, Sal, Yerwin, and Wendi respectively. They all shook his hand and thanked him for his help yesterday in disposing of the Blackwoods, and the lesson began amicably. Novas began by having them to shoot the target so he could inspect their methods. Rolf and Sal seemed to be the most experienced. Novas pegged them for hunters because they shot fairly straight and missed the target infrequently. Yerwin was a bit less skilled, and Novas recognized tenseness in his form as he prepared to fire.

  “Your posture is fine, but something’s not right about your execution. Something that always helps me is to control my breathing. Draw your breath in as you draw the string back and release it as you fire as if you are pushing the arrow away,” Novas explained as he approached the youth.

  Yerwin nodded and picked another arrow up off the ground. He straightened his back, sucked in his gut, and withdrew the string. As the arrow released, the young man exhaled, and the arrow flew much straighter. Although the arrow was a little off center, it hit the target regardless. Novas slapped him on the shoulder and nodded with a smile. Novas continued over to Wendi, who seemed to be shooting astray to the left and right of the target. She stopped as she noticed Novas coming over.

  “Please, continue,” Novas encouraged.

  With a nod, Wendi picked up an arrow from the ground and slid it into her bow. She stood aloof and fired the arrow, and the arrow spiralled off course.

  “Ah, I see. Nock another arrow, please,” Novas requested as he ventured to her side.

  Wendi withdrew another arrow and fit it in the bow. Novas took her hand in his and pulled at the arrow to bring the bowstring to a suitable tension. Novas moved behind her and drew her shoulders upwards, straightening her back. Wendi blushed at his closeness, but after the arrow flew straight into the target, she did a small leap and returned to his gaze with a smile and gave him a short curtsy as thanks.

  “Those are some awfully fancy arrows there, Novas,” Sal boasted, pointing to Novas’ quiver.

  Novas withdrew four arrows and passed them around to each of his students. The four inspected them with some curiosity because the etched steel arrowhead indicated that they were arrows of a higher quality.

  “These were made specifically by a smith in the capital. You can see the heavier head. They’re made especially for piercing plate mail armour,” Novas explained as he touched at the shiny tip.

  “These arrows are yours now. Study their design and try to recreate your own someday,” Novas offered.

  The rest of the team thanked him, and Rolf nocked the arrow and fired it at the target.

  “Wow, those really fly. I bet that’d take down a wild boar in a single shot!” he exclaimed.

  Novas chuckled and continued to watch over their practice. The four were just showing off at this point, for their form and execution had seemed to be corrected quite swiftly. Novas sat upon a field boulder and watched as his father continued to tutor the swordsmen and women.

  A clattering began to emerge from south of where the training was taking place. Heavy feet stomping in rhythm resounded from beyond the bend. The swordsmanship tutorial continued until the pupils could not focus any longer, for they and their teacher were drawn to the sound that rose to meet them on the road. Two horses appeared firstly. There was a man in a steel suit of armour astride one and a weatherworn ranger on the other. As the two horsemen came into view completely, a group of soldiers came into view that was arranged tight in a five by five formation. Twenty-five soldiers in garments of clouded, glossy chainmail, leather gauntlets and boots, and a blood red tabard over top appeared in rank behind the two on horseback. At the border of the town where Garreth stood with his sword in one hand slung across his shoulder, the precise and uniform marching stopped. The visor of the plate metal helmet rose to reveal a meaty and bristly face.

  “Hullo there, Captain!” Behn shouted as he raised a stiff salute to his head.

  Behind him, the men yelled “Captain!” in unison. Domminal nodded to Garreth and dismounted his horse. People began to trickle into the area from the center of the town, and a crowd formed around the southern border before long.

  “Behn, it’s good to see you. I can only assume if you’re here that our city fares as well as it can,” Garreth stated.

  “Aye, Captain, the city is in good hands. People have been showing up from all over the land, old and new members of the Crown Aegis turning up daily. Berault has enough support to send us to outlying cities to rid them of their Blackwoods influence, whether it be in the buildings, the forests, the beaches, or the seas. Everything looks to be in order here, I see!” Behn boomed as he raised his gauntlet towards the sword-bearing crowd then clenched it in a fist and cheered.

  The crowd raised their weapons and cheered in response, and Behn dismounted his horse.

  “Come with us. Tell us everything,” Garreth asserted as he handed off the reins of the horse.

  Behn nodded and turned back to his troops.

  “You know what to do. Get to it!” Behn ordered and then turned back to Garreth’s side.

  The soldiers pushed past, made their way into the town’s center, and were met by cheering and clapping citizens who rejoiced at the return of the Crown Aegis. The group divided into squads and split up, taking a handful of men and women down each of the streets leading from the town center. Behn and Domminal followed Garreth and Novas into the Rusty Pickaxe, who were followed by Ilsa. The four men had a seat at the corner booth, and Ilsa broug
ht over some brews from the barkeep and pulled up a chair herself.

  “And who is this pretty lass, Garreth?” Behn inquired.

  “This is Ilsa Vemsdower. Her family owns the mine outside of town that employs a good manner of folk in this town. She helped us rally the people to push the Blackwoods out of town yesterday. Her family was also taken by the Blackwoods, and I’ve promised to help her,” Garreth explained as he looked into her dark hazel eyes.

  “Is that all? Well, welcome to the rebellion, miss. We could use every set of hands against the Blackwoods,” Behn replied as he gave her a look over.

  Ilsa smiled and nodded in response.

  “But Behn, tell us of the city. What has transpired in our absence? If you have been allowed leave from there, things must be changing for the better,” Garreth demanded.

  “Well, as I was saying. Men and women have been showing up from around the region. Either they were put out of house and home or were looking to make things right in the land again and had a wish to join the Crown Aegis. We’re still drilling them just as hard as the first group from the courtyard. Cern and Tamil have taken up their own training regiments to take the load off of Eyrn’s ever-increasing class and have moved just south of the city gates to a cleared pavilion. You should see the arena. A cool, salty breeze comes up from the sea cliffs nearby and provides the most refreshing feeling. Most of the recruits that we trained originally have been assigned to mobile groups like the one I rode in with and have been sent on patrol to outlying towns and villages to gain information on Blackwoods and to rout them out if possible. Kayten is hard at work in the smithy still, working on new arms and armour to protect all of these new members. She’s even taken an apprentice to help her with the workload. She’s very busy, but she says she’s happy and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I can still see the fire in her eyes when she picks up that sword and shield and places her might against the steel in the training yard.

  “There have been some petty squabbles between the rich and the poor. Some desperate vagrants have robbed curious lords in the Lower Quarter, or foppish youths rough up the needy who beg for alms in the Upper Quarter. Jail time and fines, however, have been enough to calm the streets for now. The issue of consequences has everyone on their best behaviour. Berault has been working with Lord Cross to understand the plight of the citizens of the Upper Quarter and has tried to find monetary support without resorting to taxation, but it’s been tough. The old man sent me here with this battalion to protect this key location from assault by the Blackwoods or as an access route to moving forward against Deepshine,” Behn elaborated, taking his time between swigs of ale.

  “Is that all?” Garreth asked with a smirk.

  “Ah yes. And there’s a missive for you from Berault. More orders, I’d assume,” Behn said as he nodded over to Domminal, who fetched the message from inside his leathers.

  Domminal placed the letter on the table and pushed it over to Garreth, who picked it up and tore into the envelope. Garreth held the paper aloft and glanced upon the words on the page.

  Garreth,

  If you are alive and reading this, I’ll assume the occupation of Bouldershade has been successful. I have sent Behn forward to your location to oversee the town, so you can venture out once again. If what Dom says is true about the incoming ships to Deepshine, then we must have an idea about what we’re facing. Best before they show up at the doorstep of the capital. I’m giving you leave to head north to gather information on Vyse’s forces and his plots. Best of luck and be careful. There’s no telling what you may find there.

  - Berault

  Garreth nodded, folded the transmission, and placed it carefully in his pocket. The rest of the table had their eyes upon him, but Garreth only could only shrug and smile.

  “A secret mission, very hush hush,” Garreth explained with his hands together on the table.

  “I get to be a scout again then, father?” Novas asked.

  “Something of the sort,” Garreth murmured. “It would be best if we left town as inconspicuously as possible. Can you see to that, Behn?”

  “Aye, I think I see what you’re on about,” Behn replied.

  “Well, it’s time I got to work. Someone has to manage all these soldiers. There are many duties for me to oversee. Hum hum hum!” Behn announced as he stood up from the table.

  Everyone nodded, rose from the table after him, and followed Behn out the tavern door. Behn gave them a short wave as he walked away, and he rallied the few of the Aegis standing watch at the center of town for debriefing. Domminal, Ilsa, Garreth, and Novas wandered back to the Sundowner. With a wave to Yves, they continued up the stairs to collect their things. Domminal waited at the base of the stairs, and Novas hurried into his room as he had many things to refit into his pack. Ilsa snuck into Garreth’s room behind him and closed the door firmly.

  “So, what’s the word? Can you make good on your promise?” she pleaded.

  “All in good time. But yes, we are headed north. And I’m allowing you to venture with us. Someone with your skills would be more than welcome. I imagine the long trek will not be a problem for you?” Garreth questioned.

  “No, not at all, I’d imagine. But I have something for you, please wait here,” Ilsa explained.

  After Ilsa had left the room, Garreth could hear the door across the hall open. Moments later, she returned with a stack of black cloth.

  “I had the town’s weaver get to work on these last night. I couldn’t help but notice the condition of your traveling gear, and the shale-soaked dye of this cloth is bound to help given the covert nature of our mission,” Ilsa explained as she placed the bundle down and lifted up a shirt and pant in each hand.

  Garreth looked down at his clothes. The green and brown of his clothing had always reminded him of the woods he lived in for so many years. Because he had lived apart from people so long, the condition of his clothing had been the least of his worries. His current travelling gear was indeed weatherworn, faded, frayed, and moth-eaten. It was a wonder it all stayed together sometimes. He supposed her offer was one he could not refuse.

  “Very well,” Garreth replied and began to unlatch his cloak and hood.

  Ilsa stood still as Garreth began to undress. Before he took his shirt off, he stopped and stared at her. She glanced at him, and he smiled and motioned towards the door.

  “Prude,” she remarked with a giggle before excusing herself from the room.

  Novas was waiting in the hall and gave Ilsa a curious look as she left his father’s room. Domminal was waiting beside them, and they had just finished a round of small talk.

  “Here Dom, Novas, these are for you. Garreth is changing now. I promise you in addition to being stylishly dark that they are also fleecy and warm,” Ilsa explained as she divided the remaining pile of clothes between them.

  They both thanked her and withdrew to separate rooms to change. Garreth was the first out of his room to meet Ilsa in the hallway. The dark fabric of the clothing and its buckles and strings were exactly the same make as Ilsa’s; their similarity made them look associated with each other, like the blood red tabards did for the Crown Aegis. She smiled as she tugged at his clothing.

  “They fit really well. Probably better than those old rags,” Garreth announced and stretched the fabric with some bounding movements.

  Ilsa smiled and put her hands together.

  “I had the ol’ bird size you all up yesterday. She’s pretty good at what she does,” Ilsa explained.

  Garreth nodded in response, and Novas and Domminal had joined them before long, shuffling and strutting around in their new wares.

  “I think we’re just about ready,” Garreth intoned as he flipped his hood over his head and descended the stairs.

  He ordered four loaves of bread from Yves, paid him promptly, and thanked him for the rooms. Yves thanked him for his help with the Blackwoods again, and the four were soon out the door and headed towards the center of town. Garreth was just a
bout at the game vendor when he found himself surrounded by four of the Crown Aegis and their outstretched swords.

  “Halt, in the name of the Crown Aegis! We have reason to believe you are Blackwoods, and you’ll have to come with us,” one of the guards announced.

  Garreth looked at the curious soldier and then down at his new attire. It was no fault of theirs that the mistake was made since the Blackwoods often shrouded themselves in the dark cloth. Garreth flipped down his hood, and Behn strolled off of a nearby street.

  “What’s this, what’s this!” Behn rumbled as he swayed in his plate armour.

  He gave Garreth and his crew a look over and scowled; he had a pretty good idea as to what they were getting up to.

  “This is Garreth and his stalwart crew. Don’t be daft, son!” Behn commanded as he shooed the guards back to their posts.

  Behn gave them a nod and went on his way.

  “So much for staying inconspicuous,” Garreth shrugged as he continued up to the vendor.

  They traded some tri for a hunk of dry ham that wrapped in a honey-waxed paper and several handfuls of deer jerky. When they had prepared their essentials for their journey, the four travelers said their silent goodbyes to Bouldershade, another town liberated, and made their way back onto the Great North Road from the north edge of town.

  Garreth walked side-by-side with Ilsa and Novas while Domminal occupied Vemsdower’s other side. Novas had wondered what had transpired between his father and the darkly-garbed lady, but he could assume. He had heard nothing of this promise to save her family in the daylight, and he assumed that the words must have been spoken in the quiet hours of the night. By the way that they looked at each other, Novas could tell. He had seen that look in another woman’s eyes, but the memory seemed so blurry and so far off. Novas dismissed the thought and traveled on.

  It was not long after noon that the travelers left Bouldershade and there was plenty of day left in the clear sky to light their path. The wind was sparse and gave a cool pattering to their faces. As they ventured north, the rocky terrain characteristic of the Bouldershade area began to fade away. On the horizon, mountains began to emerge paramount. The plains were covered in short blades of grass that seemed to stretch onwards into the horizon and were patchy in the most seldom of areas. The trend of leafy trees tended to taper off. Instead, the land was variegated with dark brown, pine-bearing woods that rose to the sky with evergreen and snowy-blue needles. If a tree was not a pine, its bark was completely bare for quite some length, almost the majority of the trunk, to where wide leaves were found jutting out of craggy and gnarled branches at its peak.