The Lords of Valdeon

by C. R. Richards

  "Oh, Edmund," his mother cried to the empty sky. "Where are you? Why did you abandon me to this life? Why did you abandon your son?"

  Edmund? He'd been given the same name as his dead father in accordance with islander tradition. No. There had been no such person. His mother's agonized face was testament to the lie.

  She closed her eyes tightly and threw her head back, shaking with angry sobs. Seth stood frozen, regarding the woman he thought he knew struggle to regain control. Her face relaxed at last, and when she turned back toward him, her eyes were hard with determination.

  "How much money have you and Riley saved for your adventure to the mainland? Don’t look so surprised. You could never keep things from me. Come, now, how much?"

  "About two hundred credits."

  Riley Logan had been his best friend since their mothers had put them on the same baby blanket. They'd grown up together, kept each other's secrets, and explored every inch of Haven Bay as an inseparable team. He didn't know how he would break the news to Riley they wouldn't be traveling to the mainland together after all. Things had changed. His mother had changed.

  "That won’t be enough. We’ll have to borrow the rest. I want you to get the money from Riley and hurry home to help me pack. Our time is short. We leave for the mainland tonight."

  "Leaving?" Seth shook his head. "I don’t understand, Mother. Tell me what’s happened!"

  "Everything will be all right once we reach our friends. They’ll know what to do. Hurry, Seth! Race to the Logan Farm. No dawdling."

  Seth stared after her as she ran through the trees toward the carriage, his body frozen in place by the chaos of her words. Then he turned away, heading for the safety and solitude of the trees. The golden leaves were growing thin as winter grew nearer. He came to the tree where he'd tied Nan. Moving around the trunk, he expected to see her munching on the last of the wild grass. Instead, he found broken branches and overturned earth. The little isle pony was gone, and she had taken the branch with her.

  "Nan?" Mr. Morgan would box his ears if she’d wandered off into the far fields. Seth leapt toward the nearest overhanging branch. His fingers gripped the rough bark. Pulling his body up, he wrapped his arms about the trunk and looked out over the surrounding fields. Hoof prints and drag marks pointed Seth in the direction Nan had gone. She was headed back home to the stables. Perfect. Mr. Morgan was already upset Seth had been late getting Nan back yesterday. If the pony returned without him, well, there would be no hearing the end of it. His trip to the Logan Farm would have to wait. He had to find Nan.

  Sunset crept across the fields, sending its shadows over the hills. Gone was the comfort of the familiar as imaginary phantoms haunted the darkness. Seth stayed within the sun's fading rays, ignoring the images from his troubled thoughts.

  Edmund.

  Crying a child's tears many nights under the headmaster's roof, he'd prayed for his real father to rescue him. Life with his uncle forced Seth to face the truth. The man who had sired him was long since dead. If he was to escape his uncle, then it must be under his own power. Today the truth he had reluctantly accepted was proven to be a lie. Was the real truth about Edmund any better?

  Know your father. Know yourself.

  It was a saying that guided the Grey Cliff Islanders. They held firm to its simple wisdom to define futures and keep their way of life. Seth tugged his cloak tighter about him. His seventeenth birthday was a few months away. Soon he'd take his first steps into manhood. He wasn't prepared to enter his future as a bastard.

  A cream-white tail whipped against the backdrop of dying meadow grass. Seth ran to catch the broken limb trailing behind Nan. She turned her head at the tug from her fallen reins. Blades of grass hung from her mouth as she casually chomped.

  "Great gulls. Must you always stuff your stomach?"

  His fingers, chilled by the cold mists, couldn't manage the knot. He growled down at the branch. A great pop filled the empty field as it broke apart in his hands. Splinters of wood showered down upon his boots. Nan tried to bolt at his unexpected show of temper, but he held her reins tightly. Jumping into her saddle, he hurried them back toward town.

  The road took his pony a little closer to the southern cliffs. Distant waves crashed against rock. Seabirds circled over his head as they sailed upon the wind. Strange. Darkness was a danger to the birds. The winds dashed them against the cliffs well enough during the daylight hours.

  Putting them out of his mind, he concentrated on his own worries. Seth took a deep breath and held it before lifting his hands from the reins. Tilting them under the fading sun, he found no bloody scratches or bruised skin.

  "The branch must have rotted through, Nan. How else could you have broken away so easily?"

  It was a reasonable explanation. And when the headmaster had insulted his father in front of his friends, a tremendous gust of wind had helped him flip over a wagon. Many such strange things had happened over the past year. All of them had been coincidental. Seth frowned down at his unscathed hands. Lies would not still his troubled heart. Something was happening to his body. The changes were growing stronger each day. Soon he would be unable to hide it from his family.

  Sighing, he looked out across the empty fields in the dying light. Herds of woolies normally roamed here, feeding upon the tasty meadow grass. The sheep farmers had taken their herds closer to the barns for the fast approaching winter season. Seth shivered at the silence the absence of their soft bleating left. It was lonely on this stretch of road.

  The reassuring flames of the Lookout danced in the swirling winds. Their movements flickered shadows upon the stone structure. Small figures of the Haven Bay Militia walked lazily up the steps toward the stone platform. Facing out into the open waters, they stood watch for Amity Island raiders. It was an unfortunate islander who met raiders alone at night. The villains were vicious men from a nearby island who made their living robbing their neighbors. Isolated with limited protection, little Marianna was their favorite target.

  "Easy, Nan. We’ll be home soon."

  Seth patted the pony's neck to calm her. Cutting across the fields might get them to the stable master’s barn before his impatience grew to anger. Taking the lantern from its tie upon his saddle, Seth ignited the comforting flame. He spurred Nan off the Main Row and into the fields, heading toward town. The orange of sunset had left Marianna behind. Stars speckled the sky around a bright half-moon. He rested the lantern's base upon his thigh as the darkness engulfed them. It was peaceful in these empty fields. No lies or secrets chased him here, only the hidden mysteries of the darkness.

  Something stirred in the grass ahead. He reined Nan in and lifted the lantern. Sweeping the light back and forth, he almost missed a silent figure waiting feet away from him. Seth kept the pony's head steady, soothing her with his voice until Nan stopped trying to bolt. Raising the lantern a little higher, he shifted the light until it struck the stranger. A face, completely covered with a tight black mask, stared back at him. The image of a white dagger ran down the very center of his featureless countenance.

  Seth gulped in a shallow breath and held it. Tales of islander boys snatched by smugglers were often told in the common room at Paddy’s Inn. Enslaved and forced to work aboard smuggler ships, they were never heard from again. He made ready to spur the pony into a gallop.

  "Identify yourself. I warn you. I'm expected at home. Any delay and the constabulary will come looking for me."

  "We both know you tell a half-truth."

  His harsh accent marked the stranger as a Tslavian from the mainland. A deep hood encased the stranger’s head in rich midnight. His cloak swept from his shoulders to his black boots. Dark leather gloves held the fabric firmly closed, hiding secrets in the shadow of the garment. Quick hands grabbed Nan's reins, ruining Seth’s chance for an easy escape.

  "What is it you want?" Seth yanked at the reins, but the stranger's grip stayed firm.

  "How strange you must seem to these bumpkins."

&n
bsp; He shook his hooded head, moving a little closer. The smell of rotting flower petals and sweat emanated from the dark man’s body. Seth slowly forced his feet from the stirrups. A hard kick might loosen his grip upon the reins. Then he'd show this stranger the meaning of haste as he hurried to warn the militia.

  "You may adorn yourself with sheep dung and farmer’s boots, but nothing can hide the amber fire of your eyes. How they burn with your anger! In another setting that fiery look may have frozen my heart still, but here upon this speck in the ocean, I can only laugh."

  "You've confused me with someone else. My deepest pity goes to the young man you seek."

  "Have pity for yourself first. He is here. Hurry!"

  Two Amity Island Raiders rose slowly out of the grass behind their leader. Their shaved heads were painted black with red markings swirled in angry circles. Dark brown tunics covered their bodies, from the shoulder to below their knees. Mud-colored cloaks served to hide them in the night. The Amity Raiders stood fast in the tall meadow grass, clearly not frightened of the dagger-faced man.

  A girl struggled between them. Her honey blonde hair whipped wildly against her captors. Seth recognized her. It was Alice! Her home was one of the neighboring farms to the north. How had the raiders reached so far inland without the militia spotting them?

  "Fools! I’ve paid you enough for the boy. You’ll draw attention to us."

  "We require additional payment." The shorter raider grinned at the girl as Seth’s mind raced to translate the ancient Islic language. "She’ll fetch a good price in the Azure Isles. Besides, I’ve been watching this boy. He fancies her. I don’t doubt these simple-minded dung farmers will believe the two of them ran off together."

  "Very well. Take her if you must, but make certain you dispose of the boy’s body before you leave. I don’t want any awkward questions."

  The masked man dropped Nan's reins and turned away as if Seth were no longer of any consequence. His hired men stepped back as he passed. The dislike upon their faces needed no translation.

  "You have the wrong person!" Seth called after him.

  "I have exactly the right person. I know who you are, Seth McCloud. It is regrettable you never shall know the truth about yourself."

  His laughter faded in the endless dark of the fields. Its grating tones drenched their group in harsh silence. Outnumbered and unarmed. Seth's options were few. One of the raiders spat into the emptiness where the man had disappeared. He turned back to Seth, giving him a rotting smile.

  Chapter Five

  "Get down off the pony, boy. Don't make me chase you." The shorter raider waved a hand toward Alice. "You can see we have valuable cargo to stow aboard ship."

  Struggling against the ropes binding her feet and hands, Alice screamed through the gag in her mouth. Her captor, a towering man with an ugly expression, wrapped his tree-trunk arm around Alice’s waist and squeezed. Crying out sharply, her eyes pressed shut and her body became still. Seth thought for a moment the brute had crushed her. Then Alice’s defeated green eyes found his face. Tears escaped through the lashes as they pleaded for help.

  These despicable villains had managed to travel inland past the militia without being noticed. They could just as easily disappear again. Alice would be taken and sold. He couldn’t leave her to such a fate.

  "You'll not be taking Alice anywhere. Let her go."

  "I'd worry for yourself first, boy." The short raider regarded Seth with the keen eyes of a greedy merchant. "You must be someone important. The Dagger paid us thrice our price for the gutting. He doesn't typically bother himself with common sheep farmers."

  Shaking his head, he shrugged and pulled his sword. Its blade was chipped and unpolished, probably a trophy from a recent burglary. The weapon looked sharp enough and its wielder well practiced in killing.

  "I think I have the right to know why he wants me dead."

  "They always ask why. You bore me now, boy." The short raider turned to his big companion. "Kill him quickly. We need to make the slave traders by morning to unload this tart."

  He threw Alice to the ground, kicking her out of his path. Tree-trunk legs stomped toward Seth as the big man thrust powerful hands before him. Scarred and rough, those hands appeared to have killed many times.

  "He may be big, Nan, but you’re bigger!"

  Seth spurred the Isle Pony to a run. Snorting and pounding her hooves, Nan toppled the big man. Rocking his body from side to side, the raider tried to get up. Seth wouldn't have a chance if the villain were able to stand. His enemy was much too strong to fight outright and a surprise move would only work once. The raider had to be put down permanently. Cold acceptance stilled his fear. He brought Nan around again. Spurring her forward, he charged his pony. Nan's agitated hooves stomped over limp flesh. He prodded her away when the brute fell silent and still upon the grass.

  Seth’s cloak pulled tight about his neck. The clasp held firm as he was yanked roughly from Nan’s retreating back. Escaping his grip, the lantern sailed across the night sky to finally break upon the ground. Oil drenched a clump of dried underbrush. Raging flames swept across the grass. The fire grew closer as the quick seconds passed. It wouldn't take long for the entire field to be consumed in flames.

  A form materialized out of the smoke to pounce upon him while his attention had been drawn to the fire. The short raider held his naked blade above Seth's body, ready to strike. Seth kicked his leg up and connected with the man’s exposed side. The raider rolled away and onto his feet. He pounce forward again, whisking his blade at Seth’s face. More swift strikes targeted his chest. Hot fire blazed along his upper torso as the blade slashed tender skin.

  "I’ll cut that grin off your face, boy!"

  "Come ahead, Raider!"

  Something primeval and ferocious had broken out of the cage in Seth’s heart. It radiated from his body like a savage animal. He felt powerful and wild. This new animal within him anticipated the raider's next move. It welcomed it with savage glee. He spun away as the raider's sword came for him. Missing his heart, the slice drew a bloody line along his right arm. Uncontrollable fury overpowered the last of Seth's fear.

  "Marianna!"

  Seth dove at the man and knocked him off balance. The raider's sword dropped into the grass. Seth kicked it into the hungry flames. His opponent growled a fierce battle cry and pounded his fist into Seth's stomach. His grip wrapped tightly upon Seth's arm. Then Erthe and sky exchanged places. Seth found himself flat on his back in the grass with the raider straddling his body. The stench of dung and sweat hung over them. He gagged at the smell. The raider had covered his tunic in Woolie droppings to avoid the militia dogs. Disgusting, but clever.

  "You're no farmer." The raider twisted Seth's face toward the light. "D’Antoiné. No wonder the Dagger wants you dead."

  He pushed away and hurried to his feet. Suspicious eyes remained fixed upon Seth as he back-stepped toward the unconscious raider. Shoving at his fallen friend with a rough boot, he cursed when the other man didn't move.

  "Your eyes do not lie. I’ll remember your name, boy. The Dagger isn’t the only one who’ll pay to know where you are." He abandoned his friend and hurried away toward the coast.

  Euphoria raced through Seth's blood like fire even after the raider disappeared into the darkness. He came to his feet, brushing absently at the bits of grass and filth. Something about Seth’s eyes had terrified the man. He knew well enough his eyes were unusual. Flecks of brilliant amber shone against the brown. This group of mad men had confused Seth with someone else, someone who shared similar looks. No. It didn't explain how the Dagger knew his name. Perhaps Seth looked like his absent father? Edmund seemed to have passionate enemies willing to go to great lengths to kill. But why go after a son this Edmund had never bothered to find?

  Muffled cries behind him brought Seth's mind back to the field. The flames had grown into a fiery mouth, devouring dried grass and any other tinder it could find. Alice was in its path. A sudden gust of w
ind stoked the flames. Thick smoke filled the space between them. He couldn't see her anymore.

  Running into the wall of smoke, Seth began to call for the girl. "Alice! Help me find you."

  Urgent thrashing guided him through the blinding smoke until he tripped over her bound legs. Seth's fingers tugged at the rope, but the knots held firm. They had to get out of the smoke before both of them were overcome. He lifted her over his shoulder. Staggering forward, he prayed he was headed out of the smoke and not into the flames.

  Fresh air struck them. His watering eyes made out the still form of the big raider. He kept well away from the man and lowered Alice to the ground. Disheveled hair fell over the rips in her dress. One of the sleeves had fallen in rolls at her bound wrists, its fabric smoldering as a stray spark from the grassfire found her arm. Seth ripped the burning sleeve from Alice’s arm and threw it toward the fire. He dropped down beside her and began to untie the bonds with trembling fingers. The ferocity Seth felt moments ago left him as he looked into her eyes. Shock swirled about in their depths. She stayed still, staring at him.

  He pulled at the cloth in her mouth and waved a hand slowly before her face. "Are you hurt?"

  The raider had clearly frightened Alice out of her senses. He turned from the disturbing intensity of her eyes. Trying desperately to focus on the tight rope at her ankles, he fumbled with the knot. It was a challenge keeping his fingers from accidently touching the ruined petticoat. Its tattered lace hung loose from under her dress. He did his best to avert his eyes until the knot finally worked free. Marianna's strict rules were clear about such things. A man did not see a woman's petticoat until his wedding night. Doing so would give the girl's father good reason to stick a musket in the impetuous young man's back.

  He stood and pulled Alice up with him. Her body swayed a bit as the blood rushed to her limbs. Seth awkwardly gripped Alice’s shoulders to steady her. She burst into sobs and threw her arms around his neck. Great gulls. The girls of Haven Bay hadn't paid Seth much attention with Riley's older brothers strutting about the markets. He wasn't quite sure what to do with Alice. Her body was soft and warm. He should be enjoying this chance — possibly his last — to hold her in his arms. Her strong embrace, however, was irritating the cut upon his chest. He managed to keep from howling when Alice pressed tighter against him.