by S C Gowland
‘Welcome back.’ he said with a smile, crunching sand and stones underfoot.
‘Find much?’ he asked cheerfully. ‘What’s that panthera doing with you?’ he nodded towards May.
‘Carrying a something for Duke Lomman.’ answered Kubrean quickly.
‘A very precious cargo.’ explained Dalon. ‘I’ll take care of it; you get off to bed.’ he reassured the young Walker.
Lauden took the explanation and nodded. ‘Need any help let me know.’ he called as he turned and wandered back to the house.
‘Thank you.‘ said Kubrean to Dalon.
‘I meant it.’ said the big man. ‘I’ll take care of everything.’ He dismounted and walked over to May who knelt down in front of the house. He picked up the shroud in his arms and took her inside.
‘Shouldn’t we tell Duke Lomman tonight?’ asked Zalen.
Kubrean shook his head.
‘No.’ he said definitely. ‘Let him sleep, nothing will change between now and the morning. Besides, he will need to be fully rested for the news and the issues to be discussed tomorrow. Another night of not knowing will not hurt him. Speaking of tomorrow, Kaoldan I want you to come with me, the others can stay here.’ he concluded
‘Good night gentlemen.’ he said, without waiting for a reply he turned and moved towards the door; a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Kaoldan slept fitfully that night, he found himself replaying the death of Yasmina in his head again and again. The shock on her face was the thing he kept coming back to; a face filled with disbelieve and shock.
He gave up attempting to sleep an hour or two before dawn and dressed in loose fitting black clothes and thick spongy slippers. This was one of those rare occasions that Kaoldan needed to do something he rarely did these days, run.
Dref silently followed his master downstairs to the kitchen. They both slipped out of the house into the dark, cool morning.
The deep hue of the sky showed a gradient of blue across the skyline. Deeper velvet blue with stars still visible towards the coast and docklands which overlooked the Grohm Sea, the east was a paler ice blue the approaching sunshine giving it an orange tinge against the two moons which hung directly overhead. He decided to head towards the dark side and set off towards the docks.
The truth of it was Kaoldan had become lazy over the last 12 months, he began at a slow pace, as Dref charged on ahead.
‘Thanks…’ he said dryly to the dog as he disappeared into the distance with effortless abandon.
Once he had got going Kaoldan remembered why he hated running so much, it wasn’t really the exercise that he despised, it was the boredom. Left with nothing but his own thoughts the activity was monotonous and quickly became tedious.
Not today however, his head brimmed with thoughts, feelings and fears.
The surrounding streets were mainly cobbled, with high houses on either side, it felt like they enveloped him. The sound of feet muffled by the thick comfort of his shoes, the friction of the shoes on the ground along with his own breathing were the only sounds around and Kaoldan began to relax. Almost enjoying the solitude and the pumping of blood around his body. He got lost in the surrounding images, Thura was a busy seaport and the appeal of the docks and its waters spurred him on.
He picked up pace, turning one corner after another, almost losing his way, but the smell of the salt and the fisheries was getting stronger. He looked on ahead and outside a shadowy shop Dref was stood waiting for him, he bounced with excitement as he saw Kaoldan approach. The two began running side by side.
Kaoldan had to dodge out of the way of a slow shambling drunk dressed in dark ragged clothes who stumbled out of an alleyway to his left. The black dog’s large pink tongue lolloping at the side of this mouth as he ran. A pale light at the end of the street invited them on. They both sprinted for the finish, Dref bounded ahead. Four legs must make you quicker than just having two thought Kaoldan.
The sight that greeted him as he burst out of the terraced street into the docks was beautiful. He stopped and bent over breathing heavily, resting his hands on his knees. Legs and chest burning.
He saw Dref standing by the quayside play-bowing ready for the next race. Kaoldan waved the idea away with a weary hand. He stood up straight to remove the pinching pain in his stomach and to slow the pounding of his heart. He slowly stretched out, enjoying the pain within his muscles and the fizzing in his head.
The quayside stretched out as far as the eye could see. A perfect horseshoe shape surrounded by three and four-storey houses with shops at the bottom, grey in the early morning. The entrance to the harbour was about half a mile away and topped with a huge red stone arch which was the supporting structure for a large bridge which stretched out about 200 metres linking both side together like a stone rainbow. Below in the bowl of the harbour were a dozen or so wharfs with row after row of masts, standing to attention slowly bobbing and rocking in the swell of the water. In the distance he could see torches lighting up figures busily preparing the boats of the most enthusiastic, or perhaps the most desperate crews.
Kaoldan wandered along the quayside for a while lost in his own thoughts, ignoring the unfriendly glances aimed at him by fishermen and women preparing their boats for another voyage. When the sunshine had hit the top of the stone bridge, he decided it was time to head back. The journey back seemed to take no time at all.
The world was waking up and businesses began to prepare for the day ahead, brightly coloured merchants and traders appeared in increasing numbers as Kaoldan wound his way back through the lightening streets following Dref back to the chapter house. If the dog had not been with him, it could have taken him days, trying to navigate the labyrinthine layout of the streets. Terraced and tightly packed houses began to thin out and were replaced by smaller more colourful buildings; red, blue, yellow, cream, pink, all manner of colours sprinkled throughout the streets with their terracotta roofs.
The sight of the chapter house wall was a welcome one as Kaoldan walked back through the main gates passing under the tower of the main entrance manned by a watching guard.
He turned and nodded to the young Walker who nodded back politely, before he turned and continued his duties.
After a quick wash, he changed into his Walker uniform and armour. Pausing to take in the clothing that represented his life and his life’s work.
A base layer of tunic and trousers made from black leather and dark grey moleskin. Covered by a thick black armoured breastplate made of hardened jet lignite. Cold to the touch yet light, but dark as rock, able to withstand a blow from a sword or arrow, but not seemingly a spear to the back.
Kaoldan felt a lump growing in his throat, he swallowed it back down.
He buffed the silver pauldron used to cover his none Walkerblade carrying shoulder and upper arm. Glossed black vambraces of jet to cover each forearm, laced to the arm by leather string; curved and fitted. The same material was used for the two tasset at each side of his hips and as part of the cuisse covering his legs firstly from hip to knee with separate attachment to the front of his boots forming semi greaves from knee to foot.
The final item of clothing was his burgundy cloak, a symbol of his position within the Walker Order as a Red Augur, midrange within the hierarchy. Upon completion of their studies all new Walkers worked to earned their first green cloak making them a Guardian. Next came Blue or Protectors, then red or Augurs then Grey Masters and finally the one black Paragon Master.
Dalon, Zalen, Kryst and Kaoldan were all red Walkers and Kubrean, Tokel and Nova all grey Walkers. Yasmina had been a green Walker he remembered biting his lip. He placed his hand on the cold black breastplate, which showed another Kaoldan doing the same, they both slowly breathed out and then turned to get dressed.
He was undisturbed at breakfast, Dref didn’t care too much for fruit and milked oats so he left his master to it, going in search of easier and more suitable food. The creak of a door made Kaoldan raise his head. Kubrea
n stood at the door grim faced.
‘Time to deliver some bad news...’ he said.
Chapter 8 - Secrets
The entrance to the Royal palace was quiet, barring the usual guards at the gates. Trees fluttered in the wind and birds chattered announcing the arrival of another day.
The courtyard was square, and each yellow stone wall rose up around thirty metres, hemming out the sunlight, all that was visible as Kaoldan gazed upwards was a square of blue sapphire sky. Stood within the courtyard looking the very definition of irritation and impatience was Nova.
His cane tapping as he paced forward. The old man looked even more nervous than usual, a white tunic overlaid by a blue hooded robe, thick brown leather belt around his belt, pouches and small bottles attached here and there. His grey hair unkempt and sticking out at every angle, it looked like he had not slept for days.
‘About time you got here.’ he snapped. ‘Follow me...’ he said turning towards a blue wooden side door muttering to himself as he went.
Kaoldan and Kubrean exchanged a look, dismounted from Tren and Max. Kaoldan handing their reins to a stringy royal guard garbed in blue and grey, carrying a long pointed halberd - in effect a long spear with axe head.
‘Don’t worry, they won’t bite.’ said Kaoldan to the youth. ‘Behave.’ he said simply to Tren who sniffed indifferently, looked around, stretched and then settled down on the floor. Max did likewise.
‘Move.’ said the guard half hefting his halberd pulling on the reins.
‘I wouldn’t if I were you.’ advised Kaoldan
The guard hesitated, scratching his head.
‘Let them enjoy the sun. They’ll cause you no trouble.’ said Kaoldan gently. He turned to join Kubrean, who was waiting with a small grin on his face. They set off at pace, to catch Nova, who had already made considerable progress, despite his years, along the wood panel corridor, red carpet running the length of the stone floor. He stopped and turned.
‘In there.’ he pointed nodding in the direction of a doorway. His eyes twitched as he looked at the two big men.
“Come along, come along.’ he rattled. ‘We haven’t got all day.’ Cane now pointing the way.
Neither Kubrean nor Kaoldan said a word as they entered the room. the air dry and cool. The room was comfortable with only one leaded window, stone walls, armchairs at the side and a thick blue carpet underfoot. A table and four chairs sat waiting for them, a jug of water and four wooden cups sat on top.
At the table looking composed and calm, the very opposite of her husband sat Tokel. She looked up at the three men as they entered, a warm smile spread across her face. She rose, delicately placing her book upon the table. Kaoldan immediately felt better as Nova firmly closed the door behind him, then tapped his way across the room taking a seat and pouring himself some water.
‘My boys.’ said Tokel moving around the table before embracing the two Walkers. Completely unable to help himself Kaoldan grinned as he hugged her. She smelt warm and floral.
‘My boys...?’ said Kubrean with a frown.
‘Yes.’ she said simply. ‘You ARE my boys.’ she fixed a disarming gaze upon Kubrean.
‘You’re only a few years older than me.’ said Kubrean.
‘Minor details.’ she waved away the comment.
‘If you say so.’ said Kubrean taking a seat.
‘It’s a compliment.’ she explained. ‘Accept it’.
Kubrean continued to frown.
Nova moved a seat back for his wife and she smiled placing a hand on top of his. His face softened as he looked at her. The irritation melting away.
Kaoldan had never met a couple so completely and utterly in love with each other as Nova and Tokel. Their kindness to each other was a sight to behold.
So easy, so natural.
All you needed to know about them, and the relationship, was made clear by simply watching them together. It was a simple, constant lesson in love and above all else kindness.
Her face radiated warmth, a small nod and smile as she took her seat. Nova grinning back like a love-struck teenager seeing her for the first time.
Tokel was the same age as Nova, or so Kaoldan had guessed - quite rightly - never asking a woman her age. She appeared to be 20 years younger and the very opposite of her husband when you saw them together.
Nova; old, grumpy and grey.
Tokel; light, kind and blonde.
She wore a simple grey dress which she folded beneath her as she took her seat. Wavy, blonde hair heavily streaked with silver falling like a curtain to her shoulders.
Nova looked at her, took a long sip of water, paused taking a long deep breath. He turned towards the boys and exploded.
‘Why have you waited so long before coming here?’ he glared. ‘I know you arrived last night. Why wait until this morning to come and see us?’
‘How did you know?’ Kaoldan asked.
‘Oh please. Do you really think that we don’t know everything that is going on in this city?’ he asked spinning his cane in his hand.
‘We have people who report directly to us posted throughout the city. We know you arrived last night, my question is, why?’ he asked accusingly. He paused and took another breath.
‘Do we have a problem?’ asked Tokel, blue watery eyes searching their faces for answers.
‘Yes.’ said Kaoldan ‘Two considerable ones, actually.’
Nova’s eyes closed, and he lent on his cane. ‘Yasmina?’ he asked.
‘Gone.’ replied Kubrean.
Nova’s face wrinkled up as he heard the words, bowing his head.
‘She is with us.’ said Kubrean softly.
‘It was bad luck, not her fault.’ lied Kaoldan.
‘Bad luck.’ echoed Kubrean, he looked at Kaoldan straight faced, their eyes met, and the lie was complete. ‘I thought it best to wait until morning before saying anything.’ he continued. ‘No point waking people in the middle of the night. We have much to discuss besides her.’
Nova slowly opened his eyes.
‘Such as?’ Tokel asked.
‘Grihr is gone.’ said Kaoldan simply.
‘Gone?’ exclaimed Nova.
‘Everyone, everything; dead.’
Nova looked aghast, Tokel looked towards Nova, her face serious, then she turned to Kubrean, who nodded.
‘We were lucky to make it out ourselves. Krund forces caught us as we were investigating. We dealt with them, but lost Yasmina.’ said Kubrean. ‘We were able to interrogate one of the Krund, he said ‘Reng is returning.’
‘Reng?’ Nova snorted. ‘I hope that you were able to bring this Krund back for more questioning. A few days with some of my more talented staff will soon have him talking.’
‘He died.’ said Kubrean coolly. ‘His injuries were severe and there was nothing we could do.’
‘Shame.’ pondered Nova, his face now less twitchy. ‘Right, we’d better pass on the news. I will tell Duke Lomman.’
‘No.’ said Kubrean firmly. ‘We will tell him.’
Tokel looked at him then towards Kaoldan, her eyes questioning.
‘Are you sure?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’ replied Kubrean.
Kaoldan nodded in agreement. ‘It’s better coming from us.’
‘Speaking of which.’ said Kubrean rising from his chair. ‘It’s time we spoke with the Duke and his wife.’ he straightened his uniform and turned towards the doorway.
Kaoldan nodded solemnly looking towards Tokel. Nerves gnawing at his stomach. Nothing more needed to be said.
‘Follow me.’ said Nova followed Kubrean’s lead and walked towards the door.
Kaoldan paused at the door, glancing back at Tokel. They nodded silently towards each other. Her face said everything, a look of reluctant acceptance.
It had to be done, and now. Delays only made this already horrible task worse. Kaoldan attempted a weak smile then turned and exited the room.
They three men walked in silence along several wooden pane
lled corridors twisting this way and that until they finally reached a large arched doorway with two Royal Guards stood to attention with pikes by their sides, they stiffened as Nova approached.
Kaoldan felt hot, uncomfortable, his guts like water.
Kubrean looked pale.
Nova hesitated. Took a breath then pushed at the right-hand door, hinges squeaking as he did so, the two Walkers followed him inside.
***
The room was large, the walls made of stone. To the right stood a stout stone fireplace, the fire busy at work licking around the ample logs carefully placed within, the crackle the only noise within the room. Two arched windows faced them as they entered, heavily leaded in a diamond pattern containing yellow and blue pieces; in no discernible pattern, just scattered and mixed in with the clear glass, long purple velvet curtains hung by each window.
To their left was a large circular table surrounded by eight high back chairs. Sat like a statue looking the very picture of royal sophistication was Duke Lomman’s wife.
She stirred a large glass cup of steaming tea with a long thin spoon, her eyes slowly rose to meet the three men.
‘Please’ she said in a thick, rich voice, ‘take a seat.’ offering seats to the slightly confused men.
Nova was the first to react. He tapped his away across the room and took a seat with a slight grunt.
Kaoldan and Kubrean followed suit.
‘Tea?’ she asked looking around the table at her guests.
They all nodded, and she began pouring the green translucent liquid into four smaller glass cups.
‘Honey?’ she offered ‘I would advise it. This blend is rather potent.’
Again, the three men silently nodded, and she delicately added a small teaspoon of honey to each cup from a jar to her left. The golden liquid dissolving instantly as she stirred. She slid the glasses across the table, each man reaching across before cradling the drink in his hands.
