“Oh, I see. When should I return?”
“First light, but you still better get permission from him, because the epidemic claimed a few more mares yesterday.”
“Thanks, I’ll do just that. Have a good night, young Tay.”
Norice’s eyes narrowed as he turned and walked toward the door. He needed to leave tonight, and there was no way he was going to let a child stand in his way. He exited the barn and hid off to the side. After the boy started working again, he snuck back inside and hid in an empty stall. His original idea was to wait until the boy left before stealing a horse, but his plans took a turn when the mare in the next stall became restless, drawing Tay’s attention.
“Who’s there?” the boy called.
Norice drew his blade, intending to scare the boy, if need be.
Tay nervously gripped his pitchfork with his trembling hands. “Norice?” he called again. When no one responded, he walked toward the entrance of the barn. Norice watched him as he walked past and stopped in front of the stall next to his.
“Raven, what’s wrong, boy?” Tay asked the mare as if the mighty stallion could actually answer. The horse snorted in response and moved around. Tay placed the pitchfork against the stall. “It’s okay, boy,” he said and took out an apple from a nearby bag.
He was about to feed it to the horse when he noticed the unlatched stall door beside Raven. Immediately, he knew something was wrong, because he always secured them. Tay dropped the apple and started backing away, then realized he didn’t grab the pitchfork.
“Who’s in the…”
Before he could finish, Norice ran at him, intending to seize the boy, but instead tripped and accidentally stabbed him in the chest. Tay’s eyes widened in shock and his legs buckled. Horrified, Norice let go of the weapon and backed away. Tay thrashed about, coughing up blood until he died seconds later. Norice gazed at the boy’s lifeless eyes. This innocent boy, no older than his eldest son, was robbed of life, and he was to blame. He stared at the boy for what seemed like an eternity, and was only brought back to reality when he heard people speaking outside.
Norice quickly removed the jutting knife from the boy’s chest, grabbed a saddle, and entered Raven’s stall. The mare was restless by the sudden entry, but calmed after Norice placed the saddle onto his back and buckled the cinch. Fear and despair welled up inside of Norice, and he knew that if the guards discovered what he had done, they would either throw him in prison, or worse, kill him on the spot. With one last look at the boy’s lifeless body, he galloped out of the barn and into the night.
Chief Weis was woken from his deep slumber when a loud knock reverberated on his front door. At first, he didn’t react, thinking that the noise was part of his dream, but when the knocking came again, he rose and walked down, telling whoever was knocking to wait. He opened the door to see Norice’s wife Tiana. She was dressed in her sleeping gown and crying hysterically.
“What is it, girl?” Weis asked.
“My husband…He’s…” she paused.
“What’s happened? Is he drunk again?”
She began crying and lunged into his arms. “He’s gone.”
“What do you mean gone?”
“He just got up and left.”
Chief Weis knew she was a bit of a worrier. He pulled her away from his chest and tried his best to calm her. “He’s probably gone for a walk to clear his head.”
“Not this time. He’s been having nightmares and left the house in a panic. I’m afraid he’s never coming back.”
“Do you want me to look for him?”
She shook her head.
“Okay, wait over there,” he said, pointing to one of the chairs in the adjacent room, then walked upstairs to dress.
He returned a few minutes later, dressed in brown leggings, leather boots, a green hemp shirt, and a short sword sheathed to his right side.
“I’ll have my men look for him,” he said as he reached into his closet and put on a waist-length, sheepskin jerkin. “I think you should go back home and watch the children.”
Chief Weis left his house and approached a few of his men walking their patrol route. “Have you seen Norice?”
“He’s probably drunk and sleeping it off,” one of the men said.
“We need to find him. His wife is worried sick and thinks something will happen to him. Rhanh, you’re with me.”
About an hour later, a soldier named Timol came running up to the chief. “Sir?”
“What is it?”
“You better come to the barn.”
The chief was escorted into the barn and over to where Tay’s body was found.
Chief Weis knelt down. “Did you see anything?” he asked his men.
“We came for you as soon as we found him,” Timol said.
Chief Weis studied the knife wound. “Did you see Norice?”
“No? Do you think he did this?”
“I’m not sure. Look around for clues, but don’t touch anything without telling me.” The guard left. “Norice, if you did this, I will personally make you pay,” he whispered as he stared at the boy’s body.
After they finished their investigation, Weis addressed his men.
“Given the fact that Norice is missing, along with one of our horses, he is our top suspect. Go find that lazy tracker, and tell him he is going to help us.”
“What if he refuses?”
“You tell Tranter that if he doesn’t help me, then I am going to lock him up. And tell him I mean it this time.”
The guard turned to leave.
“Make sure he’s sober before he looks at the evidence,” Weis added.
Before leaving the barn, Chief Weis told the other men he wanted at least a dozen guards ready to leave in the morning, and not to remove the boy’s body or touch anything until Tranter had a chance to look around.
Chief Weis dreaded what he had to do. He needed to tell the boy’s parents that their child was murdered, then inform a wife that her husband was accused of it. He’d known Tiana since she was a child, and Norice for several years. Frankly, he liked them both, but justice needed to be served and telling someone their husband was accused of killing a boy wasn’t going to be easy.
The couple’s house loomed in the distance, and the lantern burned brightly inside, indicating Tiana was still awake. He was only ten feet from the door when it swung open and Tiana stood there, eyes red, and cheeks stained with tears.
“What happened?” she asked after seeing his face and the message his eyes told. “Did you find him?” she pressed.
“Are the kids asleep?” Chief Weis asked.
She nodded.
“Good. Can I come in?”
“Where’s Norice?”
“Tiana,” he paused, “there’s been a murder in the barn tonight, and young Tay was killed.”
Her heart sank, and she was afraid to speak.
“We haven’t found Norice yet, so we don’t know if he was involved.”
“He wouldn’t do that. He has children of his own,” she whispered and began crying anew.
“I’m not saying he did. We’ll go looking for him in the morning. And the one who did kill the boy.” Weis took her in his arms.
A few seconds later, a voice came from atop the stairs. “Mommy, where’s Daddy?”
“Go back to bed,” Tiana told him.
The child didn’t move. Chief Weis shook his head in sadness.
“I have to leave. If Norice returns, have him see one of my guards right away.”
She nodded. He left, and she closed the door.
Chief Weis walked toward Lord Wellington’s house to report the news, then he’d have to inform Tay’s parents.
The inn still had a few patrons left when Officer Rhanh entered. He looked around and saw Tranter sitting toward the back of the room with his head slumped over the table. Rhanh walked over and called his name sternly. When the tracker didn’t answer, he called his name again, louder. Tranter stirred and looked up, sq
uinting at the officer, as if trying to recognize him.
“We need you,” Rhanh said. The tracker placed his head back down on the table, obviously ready to pass out again. “Tranter, get up.”
“Leave me be, boy.”
“Look, you drunk, Chief Weis needs your help.”
“Ha. Tell him no.”
“He said to tell you if you don’t come, then I have the authority to lock your sorry ass up and throw away the key.”
The tracker grumbled in disgust and stood up, swaying back and forth. “What’s in it for me?”
“You’ll have to ask him yourself.”
Tranter grinned, took another swig of ale, then slammed the tankard down on the table. He stumbled over to the barkeep.
“What are you doing?” Rhanh asked.
“I need supplies if I am going to help him,” the tracker slurred and laughed loudly, then ordered several wineskins.
They left the inn and made a stop at Tranter’s house, where he was allowed to sleep off his inebriated condition until daybreak.
In the early morning hours, Chief Weis was instructing his men when Tranter and Rhanh approached. The tracker swayed slightly to the left, then to the right, causing the chief to roll his eyes in disgust and say, “Do you think you could be sober for at least one day?”
Tranter stopped directly in front of him, pulled out one of his wineskins, and took a long swig. “If I see it correctly, you need me more than I need you.”
“Try and sober up before we go,” Chief Weis said and started walking away.
“What did you find so far?” Tranter asked.
Weis paused. “Granit will show you the crime scene. I have other things to take care of.”
“Come on, I’ll show you. It’s in the barn,” Granit said and led him toward the barn.
On their way, they passed a few guards. One of them looked over. “Look at him, how’s he going to track anything? What a drunk. He should climb back inside of a bottle and die.” The statement was loud enough for Tranter to overhear.
The tracker stopped and walked over. “I know you weren’t talking about me?”
The guard looked at him. “Do you see any other drunks standing around here?”
In the next instance, Tranter had a blade out and pressed against the man’s throat, sliding the blade with just enough force against his skin to draw a trickle of blood.
“Now, my friend, you were saying?”
The guard gulped in fear. “I’m sor…sor…sorry,” he stuttered.
“Let him go.” Granit said.
Tranter glared with deadly eyes at the terrified guard and held the blade there long enough to make a lasting impression, then he pushed him to the ground.
“If you ever address me in a negative manner again, I will kill you,” said Tranter, “and that goes for the rest of you as well.”
After entering the barn, Tranter and Granit walked over to Tay’s body.
“His name is Tay. Norice is the suspect. Now prove your worth and figure out what happened,” Granit said and left.
After Tranter finished his investigation, he sought out Chief Weis.
“I don’t think Norice killed him intentionally.” Tranter said.
“Impossible,” Weis responded.
“I’m telling you, that wasn’t his original intention. He was most likely trying to take a horse, and the boy was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Nonsense, he killed him in cold blood,” Chief Weis firmly stated.
“And I am telling you that’s not what really happened.”
“Show me your findings.” Chief Weis stormed off toward the barn with the tracker and a handful of guards in tow.
Tranter led them to the stall at the far end. “The boy was most likely working in this stall when Norice entered the barn and…”
“First off, how do you know that?” Weis interrupted.
“Well, because it’s the only one that was cleaned out. Can I continue, or are you going to stop me every time I make a point?”
Weis nodded.
“As I was saying, Tay was working when Norice entered the barn. I’m pretty sure the boy wouldn’t allow him to take a horse given the time of night, so I think Norice hid in the stable over there,” he pointed, “when Tay wasn’t looking.” He walked to the stall, across from where the boy’s body still lay. “I also believe his intentions were to wait for him to leave and not kill him. I think Tay must’ve heard him and came over to investigate, and when that happened, Norice had no choice but to kill him.”
“How can you be so sure? The boy could have protected himself,” one of the guards said.
“Look at him.” Tranter waited a few seconds before continuing. “He has one wound to his chest. His hands and arms are free of injuries, so that tells me he was surprised and wasn’t ready for the attack. Furthermore, look at the way he is slumped against the stall door.”
“So then, what are his motives besides going for a midnight ride?” Chief Weis asked.
“That can only be answered by Norice. We should get going before he gets too far ahead.”
****
Norice rode on through the night at a breakneck pace. He was so focused on his escaping that he almost lost his grip on the horse’s reins when Raven slipped on the snow. Blinded by darkness, he could only think about the weapon and stopping the demon who haunted his dreams every time he slept.
It was nearing daybreak when he came upon a small, broken-down wagon. An elderly man, dressed in brown robes and boots, was working on the broken wheel, while a woman dressed in traveling clothes assisted. A teenage girl and two young boys played nearby in the snow. Upon hearing his horse, the woman turned and tried waving him down for assistance, but Norice ignored her gestures and galloped past them for several hundred yards before turning around and riding back.
“He’s coming back,” the woman said to the elderly man, who stopped what he was doing and stood up.
Norice stopped his horse several yards away.
“Hey there, stranger. Thanks for coming back,” the old man said.
Norice looked around before speaking. “Are you having trouble?”
“Yes. This damn wheel finally gave way, and we’ve been having a hard time repairing it.”
Norice dismounted and walked over.
“My name is Rollen. This here is my daughter Girn and over there are her children.”
Norice looked over at the children playing in the snow.
“Glad to meet you, my name is Tral. Can I take a look?” Norice asked.
The old man stepped back, welcoming the help.
“My father could fix anything, and he passed his knowledge down to me,” Norice said and bent down to check the wheel.
Rollen poked his head beside Norice to show what he found. They continued looking at the axle for several minutes as Norice started plotting his next course of action. He knew that the guards would come looking for him today, and if they encountered this family, they would tell the guards that he’d passed. He couldn’t allow them to do that, so he placed his hands on his heart and acted like there was something suddenly wrong with his chest.
“Mister, are you okay?” Rollen asked.
“I’ll be fine,” Norice said and looked up, then gripped his chest again.
“Tral, please lie down and let my daughter have a look at you. She’s a healer,” Rollen insisted.
Norice looked up at the old man, while reaching behind his back. “Can you help me up?”
Rollen stood up, while extending his hand to help him to his feet. Norice grasped his hand with his right, then plunged his dagger into Rollen’s throat. The old man coughed, choked on his blood, and fell backward. The look in his eyes disturbed Norice, but he knew that he had to kill him.
Girn screamed after seeing what Norice did. He quickly ran over, knocking her to the ground, and stabbed her repeatedly. Her children stopped playing and stared in shock as this person continued to stab their mother.
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“I’m sorry, kids, but I had to kill them. Don’t worry, you’ll be with them again. I promise,” Norice yelled over and stood up, covered in blood.
The eldest child told her siblings to run, and then she charged after the murderer with hateful eyes. Meanwhile, the children heeded her advice, while listening to the sound of their sister’s dying screams. Once she was dead, Norice gave chase.
****
A few hours later, Chief Weis and the others came upon the wagon and stopped.
“What happened here?” one of the guards said to the chief.
“I’m not sure,” he replied in disbelief, then ordered the men to dismount and investigate.
Tranter pieced the clues together rather quickly and approached Weis.
“It appears our friend might have passed this way and killed the family.”
“Are you sure it was him?”
“Pretty sure.”
“What do you think happened?” Weis asked.
Tranter walked over to the wagon. “It looks like the wagon was already broken down, and the family was trying to fix it when Norice passed by.”
“How do you know that?” Rhanh asked, interrupting the tracker.
“Do I need to explain everything I say?” Tranter’s gaze was enough to show he was agitated.
“Rhanh, hold your tongue until he’s through. Go on, Tranter,” Weis said, and Tranter bent down near the wagon.
“As I was saying, it appears the family hailed the rider down, and he passed them, but then he circled back. The hoof prints are exactly the same ones that passed. The rider dismounted over there,” he pointed, “and walked over to the wheel, where he knelt down to surprise and kill the old man with his knife. He killed the woman next and then the children.”
“I can’t believe he did this. I’ve known him for a long time and never thought of him a killer,” Weis said.
“He’s a monster who kills innocent children. We need to find and stop him before he kills again,” Tranter added.
“Bury the bodies,” Weis ordered his men.
“Chief Weis, we need to catch him now.” Weis looked at Tranter. “He can wait. We need to bury these bodies before the animals get to them.”
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 28
