Shadows

by Michael Duncan

  “I can’t give you those answers; it will come from others you have yet to meet. All I can do is start your journey and weave my portion of your tapestry. Don’t try to view the full picture; let the tapestry come together, and you will begin to understand the path that is yours to take.” Kaylan stood from the table with a sigh of resignation. “This home will be open to you when needed. I trust that you will find the path that will lead you to the truth.” He turned and walked down the hall and disappeared beyond the view of the two men.

  Aaron stared into his drink as he contemplated all their host had said. The fire crackled and sparked in the hearth beside them and the gentle whisper of a slight breeze rustled through the trees. Seconds passed like hours, as if time stood frozen in a single moment of indecision. He remained motionless.

  “Sir,” Rayn broke the silence. “You don’t believe what that old man had to say? He speaks of the emperor with nothing but hostility and malice. We ought to send a squad to this house and take that old man into custody!”

  “Private,” Aaron said, “one old man’s rant of ancient rhetoric is no threat to the empire. There is no basis for truth in what he said; it is all fanciful myth, nothing more.” Aaron sighed, as his unvoiced thoughts argued with his words. He wished the empire was as Kaylan had described: a realm of peace and not the continual disputes and strife that incessantly plagued the land.

  His mind rushed back to his childhood when he imagined himself as a great warrior who led the nation in a mighty contest against overwhelming odds and brought peace to the land. He chuckled at the thought of how far his dreams had fallen, how he had risen so fast in the ranks of the Royal Guard only to discover that at each level he was little more than a tool in the emperor’s hand. After years of service, he resigned himself to the fact that he was a mere soldier, trained and positioned to squelch any squabble the emperor deemed a threat to his rule. The story Kaylan told stirred old, childhood fantasies that slept in the recesses of his mind, thoughts that had slumbered for years.

  Aaron turned to Rayn and looked squarely at the young private. Then he tried to speak with resolution. “I will not give myself to believe these myths. We’ve had some strange encounters, and experiences I can’t explain, but it does not validate what Kaylan said. What I’ve seen tells me that we need to find Morryn and the book he stole. Beyond that, I will decide later. Now, back to our business…you’ve readied the horses so let’s get our gear and go.” Aaron finished the last of his coffee, stood, and walked up the stairs to his room. Rayn followed and both men retrieved their gear, their saddlebags and packs, and went back downstairs to leave.

  Kaylan was nowhere to be seen; so without any farewell, the two men left the house.

  The day was bright and cold. Aaron’s conversation with Kaylan had spent the morning hours and now the sun had risen to almost midday. The brilliant yellow sphere illuminated the world. No clouds broke up the blue sky, and the snow which had fallen two nights before sparkled like crystals scattered across the earth. The horses were tied to the rail on the front deck and waited for their riders. They looked good, well groomed and fed. They pawed at the ground, eager to be on the move.

  Aaron thought about their direction and the quickest way to the Shattered Hills. “We will have to go north,” he said, “take to the road again, and turn east through the woods when the trees thin out a bit. The Shattered Hills are not far, and we may make it through the forest before nightfall.”

  “Sir, if you believe that the book is with Morryn, why not let him take it back to the emperor himself?”

  “Because I don’t believe that the lieutenant intends to. He stole the book and is riding toward the Shattered Hills, not toward the capital.” Aaron stared into the distance as he spoke. “No, we need to catch up with him and recover the book ourselves.”

  “Then, Captain, why don’t I ride to the emperor and inform him of what we’ve discovered? Surely he needs to know. I can ride south and you can pursue the lieutenant in the north.”

  “No,” Aaron said. “We will stay together.”

  “But, Captain—”

  “Private,” Aaron said with deep authority. “We ride together.”

  “Yes, sir,” Rayn said with reluctance as he mounted his steed, a chestnut mare, strong and sturdy.

  Aaron mounted up and spurred his horse to motion.

  Under the bright noon sun, the men rode north in silence. The most recent snowfall hindered their horses with its deep, frozen drifts. Tracks of various creatures, some deer and rabbits, dotted the path. Aaron even noticed the large prints of some hound. Yet, their journey was undisturbed, except by a gentle breeze that drifted through the boughs and brushed snow off the trees.

  After an hour, the two men left the main road and entered into the forest as they made their way east toward the Shattered Hills. At the point where they entered, the forest had thinned and provided the best possibility of passage. Despite the sparse growth, however, the journey through the woods was bogged down by heavy drifts that piled up between the trees.

  Aaron’s thoughts drifted to Morryn. What drove the lieutenant to abandon his position and turn against his command? He recalled the night before they left, how Morryn talked with two strange men. Aaron didn’t recognize them and believed they were involved in Morryn’s decision. Perhaps, Morryn was given orders contrary to my own, and was just following some new directive? He quickly dismissed that thought as foolishness. Whatever the reason, Aaron was determined to find him.

  “Captain, what will we do when we find the lieutenant?” Rayn broke the silence after they had traveled for several miles. “He’s said to be one of the best swordsmen in the country and…well…I’m concerned that we might be put to it, if you know what I mean.”

  “Yes, I do know what you mean.” The very same concern had touched Aaron’s thoughts, and he did not relish a confrontation with such a formidable adversary. “We’ll do what we must, Rayn. The sword is no foreigner to my hand as well. Besides, if he’s alone and decides to put up a fight, then it’s two against one.”

  The sun had settled against the western horizon when Aaron stopped under a large bundle of trees which had twisted and grown together. Gnarled branches wove themselves like a thatch roof in the circle and formed a natural shelter. The ground beneath the braches was free of snow and littered with pine needles. Aaron was glad to have a dry, if not warm, location to rest. Rayn tied their horses to a nearby branch and kicked away the snow to give their mounts a chance at the grass beneath. Afterward, they settled down for a cold, hearty meal.

  Aaron, reluctant to waste more daylight than necessary, ate his meal with haste. “Rayn,” he said, “let’s try to make the eastern edge of these woods before nightfall.”

  The two soldiers again set out to follow what appeared to be a trail that led northeast through the pine forest. It was an easy path, likely made by other travelers and various animals as a road through the forest. Far to the west, the sun hovered over the mountains and cast long shadows that mingled with shafts of light through the trees. A gentle breeze picked up, and the air grew colder as the light failed. Aaron signaled it was time to set up camp. Their northeast journey kept them in the forest longer than he anticipated.

  The cold deepened and shadows lengthened in the fading light. They noticed what appeared to be a clearing in the distance, where Aaron saw a flicker of light, like the gleam of the sun reflected off some object in the midst of the glen. The distinctive ring of metal on metal echoed through the still twilight air, and Aaron grew cautious, unsure what lay before them. “Rayn,” he whispered for fear of discovery. “Let’s dismount. Tie the horses here, and we’ll walk to that clearing. Be as quiet as you can. I thought I saw movement, and we must not draw any attention to ourselves.”

  They crept toward the open field. The rapid clang of metal resonated through the cold air, as if two hammers struck each other in synchronous rhythm—or two swords. Now, closer, Aaron noticed movement within the glade. A larg
e figure like a man moved about with another, smaller figure. Aaron crouched down and crawled closer, hidden in the underbrush that surrounded the field. Behind him, Rayn kept close. Aaron stayed low and hoped the undergrowth was sufficient to hide their approach.

  Slow and cautious, Aaron crawled toward the clearing, anxious and unsure what he might discover. He drew nearer and it was obvious to Aaron who battled in the field—the beast from the mountain cottage and a valiant man, dwarfed by his adversary. Aaron watched in horror. The two were locked in combat and fought with the ferocity of two timber wolves in a death match. They wielded their weapons with expert skill until the man was thrown down. The creature raised its tremendous black sword and in one swift stroke, crushed his opponent.

  Aaron stifled a gasp as they witnessed the incredible scene. Then the creature began to search the snow-covered field. It turned over the body of the dead man and brushed his great claws through the snow. The monster’s head darted back and forth, until it found an object that lay near the fallen man—a book! The creature picked it up and sent a roar into the air that punctured Aaron’s heart. The reverberations caused a shower of snow all through the forest as even the trees seemed to quiver at the fierceness of the beast.

  Aaron’s attention was fixed on the man who lay dead on the ground. Blood pooled around the body and mixed with the snow to form a crimson slush. Even from Aaron’s vantage point, he clearly saw the gold insignia on the fallen man’s cloak—a man of the Royal Guard. He was sure the man was Morryn.

  In a flash of awareness, Aaron remembered his terrible dream. It returned in a flood of memories like a waking nightmare. The realization filled him with dread and chilled him more than the icy snow he knelt in. The scene unfolded, and panic filled Aaron's thoughts, along with a desperate desire to flee. The creature lifted its head and fixed its gaze toward them. Its eyes blazed with red fire. Aaron felt his heart melt in fear from the presence of the vile creature. Rayn clutched at Aaron’s arm, and he could feel the young soldier tremble. He gave a quick glance back and witnessed the terror in Rayn’s eyes.

  Step after step the creature stalked toward them. Steam rose from every footfall and left a bare patch where snow had lain. Aaron listened as the beast voiced a low, guttural growl that rumbled across the glen. Behind Aaron a branch snapped, and he glanced back to watch their horses bolt in a mad dash to flee from the monster. In moments the beast would be upon them. Aaron feared that his nightmare had come true.

  He slipped his sword from its scabbard, careful and silent, desperate not to make any noise. Rayn followed suit and took his sword from its sheath. Aaron turned and motioned to Rayn to follow his lead and not make any sudden move. He waited like a spring, holding his coil until the last possible moment. He was a soldier and refused to let fear decide his actions.

  The creature stepped closer. Aaron heard its low, deep breaths as it approached. In every place where the beast stepped, the snow melted in the monster’s heat. Red eyes burned under heavy brows. Aaron prepared to strike first and strike fast. Surprise, he thought, is our only chance. With Rayn behind him, waiting on his signal, Aaron bided his time. His heart raced and the tension in his muscles ached as he waited for the creature.

  One step…two steps. Aaron leapt from his crouched position, Rayn close on his heels. Both men flashed their swords in the diminished sunlight and shouted a battle cry as they charged at the monster. In that moment the creature stopped, looked around to the north and unfolded its massive, leathery wings. With a strength and agility that amazed Aaron, the creature leaped into the air and flew over the two soldiers. They both stood, dumbfounded, as they watched the malevolent creature vanish from their view.

  “Now,” said Rayn, trembling and out of breath, “I hope you’re as relieved as I am. I couldn’t believe that you decided to attack that thing!”

  “If I thought there was another option,” replied Aaron, breathless, “I would have welcomed the suggestion.” He paused as he looked back at Rayn. “I didn’t think we had the speed to outrun it, even in these woods, and I doubt that the beast would have accepted our surrender.” Aaron paused as he looked over toward the body. “We had the advantage, two against one. But I don’t think our fate would have been much better,” he said and pointed to the man who lay dead.

  “Well, we’ve been fortunate twice with that thing. I hope that we don’t have to be fortunate like that again.” Rayn sheathed his sword. Aaron, as well, returned his sword to its scabbard and went to the fallen soldier.

  Morryn’s body lay broken and crushed; his chest was caved in and blood still dripped from a massive wound. Within one crawl, the lieutenant’s sword lay notched and broken, useless now to its former owner. Aaron shook his head as he looked with sorrow upon the body. He had too many questions and no answers. He had no idea what might have driven the lieutenant to this end, and now the book that he sought rested in the claws of the beast. All Aaron could do was watch it fly into the darkness of night.

  As Aaron hovered around the body of his slain comrade, a noise rustled from the woods, as if a herd of creatures traveled through the undergrowth. He dismissed the sound as the breeze. He was more intent on Morryn and searching for clues than the woods around him.

  But when an eerie sense of being watched grabbed Aaron’s perception, he looked up. Dozens of small, bearded men walked toward them, stout and fierce. The diminutive warriors wielded spears and battle-axes and surrounded them so Aaron and Rayn had no escape. Rayn remained transfixed on Morryn’s body but when Aaron tapped him on the shoulder he looked up, and his eyes widened as he took in the scene.

  “You will come with us!” A gruff, harsh voice commanded. The stocky speaker stood no more than four and a half feet tall but brandished his axe with great confidence and skill. He was well dressed, with gold cord woven into his long, red beard. Upon his head he wore a circlet of gold, and his chest and arms were covered in a ringed, mail shirt.

  “And who are you?” demanded Aaron, though he immediately recognized the men from his vision—dwarves.

  “We are your captors. Come with us or die with your companion. The choice is yours.” The stout figure gave no quarter to Aaron and Rayn.

  “You may find us more than you can handle.” Rayn spoke with bravado as he unsheathed his sword.

  “Brave words, young one—but you will discover that a spear can be cast through your chest before you have a chance to prove your mettle.”

  Aaron gripped Rayn’s arm and held back the young private from any further discussion. “We’re surrounded, private. Now’s not the time for heroism.” Aaron fixed his eyes on the gruff commander. “We surrender,” he said, and yielded his sword. Rayn was not so eager to be taken captive but gave over his own weapon with a scowl.

  “You are now the prisoners of Lord Dunstan, ruler and sovereign of Brekken-Dahl.” The dwarf bound Aaron and Rayn’s hands and gave their weapons to two others. Then they forced Aaron and Rayn into the woods and moved with marked agility through the trees. They traveled north and left behind the fallen body of Morryn. Then night fell upon the world.

  Shadows: Book of Aleth Part One

  7

  The Road to Brekken-Dahl

  An hour passed, and the sun departed over the peaks of the Shadow Mountains. Darkness covered the world. A chill wind blew through forest and bit at Aaron’s skin. The dwarves moved undeterred by the darkness or cold as they continued with great speed through the woods, forcing Aaron and Rayn to try and keep pace. He marveled at the inexhaustible endurance of the dwarves. His amazement grew when, despite the darkness, the dwarves did not falter. Without torches or any other source of light, the brigade didn’t slow for a moment and navigated through the brush and trees as if it were daylight. Aaron struggled as he stumbled along and found it difficult to cope with the dwarves’ rapid pace. From the noise behind him, he knew Rayn struggled as well.

  As night deepened a crescent moon ascended over the tops of the trees to cast its pallid light down throug
h the branches stroked by the wind. The silver glow gave some slight help to the two soldiers as they labored to keep up with their captors. The air continued to grow colder as they marched. The frigid temperature froze extremities and shot pain up Aaron’s legs with every step. The leather straps which bound his hands dug deep into Aaron’s skin. Exhausted, he continued, swift and unseen, always north and always within the confines of the trees. Aaron had no notion where they were but imagined it was far from help.

  The hours passed with no indication the dwarves intended to stop. Although fatigued and hungry Aaron kept pace with his captors, but the stress of the forced march proved too much for Rayn, and he fell to the ground. With his hands tied, he crashed through the brush and struck his head against a fallen log. Rayn tried to rise but collapsed again in a heap.

  Aaron rushed to his side and bent down to care for him, but with his hands bound, he was powerless to help. Anger welled up in him, and he shouted at the nearest dwarf, “Get down here! He’s hurt!” In the faded moonlight, Aaron saw blood flowing from a gash on Rayn’s forehead.

  Two of the dwarf soldiers grumbled, but came over to gather him up and braced the private against a tree. Though alive, Rayn’s breathing was shallow and quick. He slipped in and out of consciousness and trembled in uncontrolled spasms. His cloak and shirt were torn and revealed long red welts and a host of abrasions on his arms and torso. Aaron sat next to him and tried to administer some aid despite his bound hands.

  One dwarf, older, with a long grey beard, came to Rayn with a leather bag slung around his shoulders. He pulled out several vials and some cloth then began to clean the wounds. The dwarf dabbed some liquid from a brown vial—its aroma nearly made Aaron gag—into the deepest gash on Rayn’s forehead. Rayn winced in pain from the pungent solution.