BlackThorn

by DeWayne Kunkel

  “You slew ten men?” Casius asked looking at Connell.

  “More,” Connell replied. “It was a dark day Casius, one which I try not to remember.”

  “A heroic feat all the same Connell,” Bal’Zar said. “It made you a legend.”

  “And a wanted man as well, Bal’Zar.”

  “Aye, as are we all who were with you that day.” Bal’Zar stood and stretched. “Dawn fast approaches friends,” He said through a yawn. “I’m off to bed ere the sun catches me dawdling about the fire.”

  They retired to the rooms that Bal’Zar had provided them. Casius was exhausted and fell to sleep within minutes his new sword propped against the wall at his bedside.

  Two hours later Connell stepped out of the shadows around Bal’Zar’s house. He moved silently a shade within the predawn mists that blanketed the streets.

  He came to the palisade; the gates were locked and guarded by two men. Above them on the wall stood seven more their eyes turned outward searching the grasslands.

  Connell climbed the ladder to the narrow allure upon which the watch stood. Looking to where they were staring intently he could see nothing but mist swirling in the darkness a few feet beyond the wall.

  “What is it?” he whispered to the man closest to him.

  “I’m not sure,” the man whispered back. “An animal perhaps.”

  “I know of no animal with eyes the likes of those, they burned as if afire.” another man added.

  The hairs on Connell’s neck stood on end. “Where is it now?”

  “The beast drew close and froze watching us for awhile before retreating back into the mists.” The guard pointed to the left. “I think it may be kin of the one your companion slew last night.”

  I should hope not,” Connell said staring off into the dark. “Do you have any heavy crossbows?”

  “Aye down in the guard shack below.”

  “Fetch them and iron tipped bolts as well.” Connell suggested.

  “Iron tips on an animal?” the man nearest him asked.

  “When we encountered the beast my sword bounced from its hide hardly damaging it. An iron tipped bolt may fare better.”

  The guard nodded and descended the ladder.

  The captain of the watch placed a small brass horn to his lips and blew three sharp notes into the darkness. After several moments a whistle sounded from the gloom. “Two of our best trackers went out in search of the beast. I’ve just recalled them,” he said for Connell’s benefit.

  A short while later two men emerged from the darkness. They ran quietly with short bows in hand.

  Once through the gate, they joined the men on the wall.

  “Did you see it Cheval?” the captain asked.

  “I do not know what it is,” Cheval answered. “It moves as if it were an animal and at times as if it were a man. Sneaky thing, here one moment gone the next, I never got very close to it. It is akin to chasing a whiff of smoke, damn peculiar.”

  “Do you think it’s dangerous?” one of the men asked visibly shaken by what he had seen.

  Cheval rubbed his neck. “It could have attacked me easily at any time. It is searching for something or someone and fortunately I was not it. To answer your question I would say yes, it is probably the most dangerous creature I have ever encountered in my life. That thing out there is a hunter and damned good at it.”

  The captain looked at Connell. “Perhaps this thing tracks you and your companion. After all you first encountered one on the plain.”

  “I am of the same mind,” Connell agreed.

  “You are safe enough here the wall is well watched and nothing can enter Haven without the guard seeing it. But I fear for you should you leave Haven.”

  “When we leave we will have the river between us, that alone may prevent it from following. Once on horse we will move quickly, a difficult catch for something that slinks about in the dark.”

  Connell remained on the wall throughout the night but the creature did not show itself again.

  The sunrise was a splendid display of reds and deep yellows. As light returned the trackers went out once more but they returned a short while later having found no sign of the visitor. this was what Connell expected and he did not bother to take part in the search. He left the wall and returned to Bal’Zar’s home.

  As he approached he could see Casius practicing the sword patterns he had shown him. Connell stopped beneath an ancient willow; from within its shadows he watched the young man practice.

  He stood there for the better part of an hour watching. Casius impressed him with the ease that he mastered the patterns. He had been gifted with a natural sense of balance and coordination that most swordsmen would spend a lifetime to achieve. Casius finally tired and sheathed the blade, taking a long drink from a bucket near the well he poured the remaining water over his head.

  Connell left the sheltering shadows of the tree and entered the yard. “I am surprised to see you up so soon,” he said in greeting.

  “I would say the same had you slept last night.”

  “I was at the gate, it appears our attacker was not alone. It spent the evening trying to find a way past the guard.”

  Casius felt a chill run up his spine. “Why?”

  Connell shrugged, “It may be tracking us, or it is a coincidence. We must assume it is us it pursues. I don’t want to be caught unawares on the trail.” Connell looked up at the clear sky overhead. “It is a good day for travel, we will cover as much ground as possible today.”

  Casius pointed to the packs on the houses porch. “Bal’Zar had those prepared for us.”

  “Go ready the horses, I will take my leave of Bal’Zar.”

  Casius walked to the livery shouldering the heavy packs. He saddled his mount with no problems but Connell’s black was less than enthusiastic on leaving the comfortable stall.

  Casius managed to get the saddle on the mount but he was unnerved when he looked into the brute’s hard eyes. “Lets hope he doesn’t take too long,” he said to the stallion.

  The horse snorted loudly in response, stomping its thick hoof in the dust.

  Connell joined him within a few minutes; together they led the horses out the gate and down to the riverbank.

  It took some doing but they eventually got the horses onto the large raft that served as a ferry. The crossing was quick and uneventful. The ferryman and his sons were familiar with the ways of the river and guided their craft expertly to the opposite shore. The horses were eager to be free of the craft and once it had entered the shallows they leapt onto the bank.

  They rode hard and fast throughout the day moving north through the trackless fields of waving grass. They walked the horses often after nightfall preserving their strength. Something drove them onward a feeling of being pursued, although no signs of pursuit was evident.

  Two days they traveled in this fashion. Sleeping little even when they had stopped for the night. Connell kept a wary eye on the horizon behind them, expecting to see riders in the distance.

  The grasslands gave way to gently rolling hills that grew larger the father north they traveled. Scattered copses of trees and rills of clear water filled the landscape.

  On the third day they entered a wood and traveled within the shade of the trees. Deer were plentiful as well as other creatures. Small furtive animals that darted for cover as the men approached. Their feelings of being pursued faded and for the time being they actually felt safe.

  On the fourth day the wood ended on the crown of a rock strewn hill. Stretched out before them lay a large body of water, its placid surface reflecting the colors of the sky above. The waters stretched out as far as the eye could see.

  “The ocean?” Casius asked even though he had never seen the great waters lying so calm.

  “Lake Nall,” Connell replied leading his horse down the slope. “The largest lake in Lakarra its waters cover hundreds of miles. We will follow the shore north, the town of Bent Oak lies but a few hours away. It is there
that we will rejoin the road.”

  Casius was relieved; the days of crossing open country were wearing thin on him. “Won’t that be dangerous? The Senatum may discover us.”

  “They may not watch the roads this far north. We’re outlaws and I have often found the best hiding place is out in the open. Besides we are entering dangerous country, there are worse things than the Senatum out here. These lands are thick with outlaws and two men provide an easy mark.”

  “Outlaws and Senatum,” Casius said in disgust. “Will there ever be a time when people can safely travel the countryside?”

  “When justice returns to these lands once again.” Connell answered sadly.

  It was dark when they came to the road. The thin sliver of the moon above shed little light, hidden away behind a thin blanket of clouds.

  Ahead of them through the gloom burned the lamps of the town of bent oak. It was large, sprawling along the shore of the lake. The stone buildings crowded close together behind a stout wall of stone.

  “Are we stopping for the night?” Casius asked hopefully.

  “Remember the Messenger,” Connell reminded him. “There is a large garrison here and I’d rather not draw their attention.”

  “A bit out of the way for a Garrison isn’t it?”

  “The people of this land have a history, they are proud and resent being under the King’s rule. Only his firm hand keeps them quiet.”

  The darkness covered them as they stayed within the deepest shadows along the trees that bordered the road. Moving slowly on foot they passed by the walled town and disappeared into the hills beyond.

  Leaving the town far behind they rode until well past midnight. The road wound its way higher into wooded hills shrouded in mist. Fires burned in the distance, a merchant train had made its camp near the hilltop, the wagons and animals blocking the narrow way ahead.

  Connell dismounted and with Casius following they walked into the light cast by the nearest of the fires.

  Five men sat about the fire, they were supposedly keeping watch but the chill of the fog had brought them to the fire. They jumped, startled to find two trail weary strangers emerging from the dark to stand among them.

  “We seek only to share your fire.” Connell said calmly holding his hands away from his sword to put them at ease.

  One of the men eyed them warily; the size of Connell’s horse clearly bothered him. Only warriors rode beasts of such breeding. “A bit late to be out riding,” he said skeptically. “There are more than twenty men in this caravan, it would be unwise to do anything foolish.”

  “Brigands and raiders don’t often announce themselves before attacking.” Connell secured the horses reins to a low hanging bough.

  “And honest men don’t go about slinking in the dark.”

  “Lets just say we do not want to draw the authorities attention to ourselves.” Connell said with a grin.

  “No sane man would,” the gruff driver replied nodding to the fire.

  They seated themselves close to the fire, its warmth driving off the chill that seemed to have settled in their bones.

  Connell could tell these men had come down from the north by the way the heavily laden wagons were pointed. “What news from the road ahead?”

  The driver shrugged, “The road is the road.” He replied dismissing the many rumors he had heard in his travels. “Though the nights are growing colder which is unusual for this time of year.”

  “Its much the same to the south, there are strange things moving on the plains these days. It would be wise to keep a sharp watch.”

  “If your business is with the Senatum I would turn away from the north. The road is watched and travelers are being searched. If you carry contraband I would lose it before reaching Deepwell.”

  “My thanks friend,” Connell said. “We travel north seeking work nothing more.”

  The man smiled, he could see through Connell’s tale. “I’ve heard there’s more to be had in the south.”

  “We travel north nonetheless.”

  The driver laughed, he knew he would get no more information from the man. “Suit yourself,” he said with a shrug. “You have an honest look about you, stay ‘til morning if you’d like. We leave with the rising of the sun.”

  “We are most grateful,” Connell stretched out making himself as comfortable as one could on the rocky ground.

  Casius did likewise and fell fast asleep in moments.

  Connell smiled at his trusting companion, although he lay down he remained awake his hand resting lightly on his sword’s hilt.

  The camp stirred to life as the sun broke the horizon. Casius opened his eyes briefly. Shutting them he lay listening to the familiar sounds of men breaking camp, cursing while attempting to harness the uncooperative mules and oxen.

  He was about to drift off back to sleep when his feet where kicked softly. Casius opened his eyes and looked up at Connell’s face. The sky was the color of fire, the clouds blazing through the treetops.

  “Get up,” Connell said drawing his sword. “We will practice a bit before moving on.”

  Casius got to his feet groaning; his back was sore and stiff.

  Connell laughed at his discomfort. “Life on the road will make you old before your time.”

  Casius stretched and drew his sword.

  “This will loosen you up a bit,” Connell said swinging his blade towards Casius’s head.

  Reacting quickly Casius brought his blade up. The sound of metal striking metal echoed loudly as he deflected the blade up and away.

  Under the curious eyes of the workingmen they sparred for close to an hour. Connell always attacking while Casius strove to parry the blows. After Casius had received several bruises from the flat of Connell’s blade he sheathed his sword.

  “That’s it,” Casius gasped his arm burning from exertion. “I’m not worth a damn at this!” He said rubbing at the newest welt upon his shoulder.

  “You’re a worthy student Casius,” Connell said while sliding his blade into his own scabbard. “It has been only twenty days Casius. I have spent a lifetime learning my skills. I’ve held a blade since I could first walk.”

  “Who would give a weapon to a babe?” Casius scoffed.

  “A wooden one,” Connell corrected. “Fastened about my waist, I learned to walk with a scabbard at my side.

  “You do not have the time to learn as I, slow and steady with many teachers. Instead I am trying to make it so you can survive and you are learning far faster than I would have thought possible. Just practice what I have taught you, when you no longer have to think about where your sword is then you will have nothing more to learn from me. Until then nurse your pride and learn from your mistakes.”

  “What if we encounter the Senatum near Deepwell?”

  “Run,” Connell said jokingly. “That news is two weeks old at best. No messenger from Elk Run could have made it there so quickly. I doubt it has anything to do with us. By the time we reach Deepwell the Senatum would be long gone.”

  “Then we have nothing to fear.” Casius stated in relief.

  “On the contrary,” Connell replied. “We have much to concern ourselves about.”

  They mounted their horses and bid the drivers farewell. The hills ahead were losing the thin shroud of fog that hid them from view.

  Connell set a fast pace letting the mounts stretch their legs on the trail.

  Chapter Twelve

  They followed the road up into the rugged highlands that bordered the towering heights of the Weyre Mountains. The snow-clad shoulders of the mountains filled the northern sky, their peaks invisible, hidden within the heavy gray clouds that darkened the day.

  For two days the road had narrowed becoming a well-marked trail that bordered a racing river as it plunged from the lands above. The water rumbled as it descended in steep falls and narrow rapids. The water was frigid, carrying with it the cold from the snow pack above from which it sprang.

  As the ascended the trees grew sh
orter, becoming gnarled wind twisted mockeries of their taller brothers in the lower lands.

  A town of dreary gray stone buildings greeted them as they left the tree line. The buildings clung to the face of a steep ridge rising several hundred feet above them in four broad terraces.

  The buildings were low with thick walls and small lancets for windows. Many of them were roofed in copper that had turned green with age. On the lowest terrace a broad curtain wall protected the settlement. In places thick mats of moss all but obscured its large stones. Towers rose along its length, seemingly placed at random.

  The settlement was far from elegant; in fact it was depressing to look upon. There were no bright colors to be seen. It was built for strength; able to withstand the worst the mountains could throw against it, A bastion against the harsh winters and cold summer nights.

  As they neared the curtain wall the river veered eastward ending at the bottom of a low waterfall that pierced the rocks above. It is from this landmark that the town of Lowfalls had gotten its name.

  Casius looked to the open gate in the curtain wall a half-mile away. “A long way to haul water,” he commented.

  “You can’t build any closer,” Connell answered. “In spring there are flash floods as ice dams in the mountains break free. The walls of water are fierce and powerful. Anyone foolish enough to build in its path is swept away. Long ago a hidden aqua duct was cut into the rock, it provides all the water the town could possibly need.”

  The road to the gate climbed to the lower terrace in several steep switchbacks that were so narrow that the two men could not ride abreast.