by Bob Blink
“So you loaded up the things you had found, and headed for Kellmore?” Daria asked.
“We traveled most of the way across Lopal, when Jurde broke off from the caravan to continue on alone. Many of those among the Wanderers hadn’t been comfortable with hauling what might be possible objects charged with ancient magic, and wished to continue on their normal journey. The small group of ten Wanderer wagons carrying the recovered treasures and led by your father continued on toward Kellmore.”
“They never made it,” Daria said softly. “What happened?” she asked.
“No one knows for certain. Just over a day’s travel from the village of Fontin, the wagons were attacked and everyone was killed. The wagons were stripped and burned. There were no survivors.”
Daria’s eyes darkened dangerously as Nadine explained what had been found. She had personally gone to the site of the ambush with others among the Wanderers and had seen what was there.
“The signs were clear,” Nadine said. “It was not a spontaneous ambush implemented by bandits who happened to spy the small group of wagons. This was something that had been carefully planned. They knew the wagons were coming, and that they carried something of value.”
“How could they know?” Daria asked.
“How indeed,” Nadine replied. “My own belief points toward the village of Fontin. There is a Wanderer’s friend there. He has long been a friend to the People. I have no proof, but I wonder if your father visited him while he was passing through and forwarded a message to you here in Kellmore. Because of your friends, he might have hoped that one of your wizard friends might meet the caravan using one of the magic portals that allow them to move so quickly. Even the Wanderers are aware of the attacks upon the southern border and that the wizards are seeking answers to magic they can’t control. Perhaps your father believed the artifacts might provide some clues and was anxious to get them delivered as soon as possible.”
“I never received a message,” Daria said. The Wanderer network was surprisingly fast and was one of the most reliable means of passing messages known before the wizards. She had used the network frequently during her active days as the KalaBhoot.
Nadine nodded. “I know that, otherwise you would not have still been here, nor as surprised to see me. You see, I learned that the Wanderer’s friend in Fontin is old, and very sick. His son has taken over his responsibilities. I do not like the look of the son.”
“You think he learned what my father was transporting, passed the word to someone, and never forwarded my father’s message to me?” Daria asked. She knew from the past that Nadine was an astute judge of character.
“I have no proof of anything,” Nadine said. “However, it seems a reasonable possibility. Wanderers are seldom attacked simply because they carry little of real value beyond their skills and news, yet someone carefully prepared a trap for them. Wanderers don’t share secrets with anyone outside our community. Somehow someone learned what was in the wagons. That someone must have a connection to a person whom your father believed could be trusted.”
“You believe I can find out, don’t you?”
“Someone must pay for what has been done,” Nadine said. Her old eyes flashed her anger as she spoke.
“Don’t worry. Someone will,” Daria said so softly Nadine could barely hear her. “Most definitely those responsible will pay for what they have done.”
“I know of no one better suited to seeing justice done than the KalaBhoot,” Nadine said finally. “You would have done as much for any of the Wanderers in the past, and this time it’s your family who needs to be avenged. Besides, there is more. The bodies were carefully counted as the remains were buried. Three are missing. Three young women who traveled with your family.”
Nadine spoke the names, only one of which meant anything to Daria. Bella, Daria recalled, had been a vivacious blond teenager the last time she had seen her at one of the Gatherings. The three women were seventeen and eighteen year olds. There could be no doubt why they were taken. It was obvious that Nadine hoped that they might still be rescued.
Daria hissed and looked up at Kaler who had come in during the telling of the story. “You had better tell Nyll. It looks like we will be leaving again shortly.”
Chapter 15
Nadine was still sleeping in one of the many rooms in the main house. One thing they were never short of was space for guests, planned or otherwise. Daria would have to wake her soon, but she could tell how exhausted the woman was and wanted to let her sleep as long as possible. Daria hadn’t slept much herself, but she was young enough to miss a night or two. Kaler had seen to Nadine’s wagon and team last night, putting the tired workhorses into the corral after seeing they had plenty to eat and drink. There was fresh green grass they could access if they wished, and they would have the company of several dozen other animals to make them feel comfortable. He had risen with Daria and was off talking to Nyll at the moment, explaining he and Daria had urgent business that would keep them away for a time. Nyll wouldn’t be surprised. He had become used to the frequent disappearance of the pair, and by now he was more the overseer of the facility than they were. He was happy here, and the children found him a pleasant and widely learned teacher.
Daria opened the back of the special closet where she hid her supply of knives. Her hands shook slightly and her eyes were red. That would pass once they began the task ahead of them she knew, but for the moment she couldn’t help but succumb to the feelings that the dreadful news had triggered. She had begun her life as the KalaBhoot because her family had been murdered and she was the only means of revenge, and now, unexpectedly here she was again. This time it was her replacement father that needed to be avenged. She couldn’t know if Nadine’s suspicions were correct, but whoever had been responsible for the death of her stepfather and the other Wanderers would soon learn how badly they had miscalculated. Daria could think of nothing that would prevent her from watching each and every one of them die under her blades.
She reached out and withdrew one of the harnesses she used to conceal her weapons while keeping them readily at hand. Each position already contained one of the special knives she had built especially for her needs. She withdrew the knife from position six. It was one of two that had a thin but comfortable handle. Many of the knives were made for throwing, but this was one of the two custom knives she carried for close in work. One of these knives would be in her hand when she slit the throat of those who were responsible for Jurde’s death. She would look into the eyes of the animal that had done the deed, and watch as they felt their life draining away.
She took a deep breath, and returned the blade to the harness. She set the assembly off to one side, and withdrew one of the leather bags that contained spare knives. One never knew how many might be lost, and since they would be bringing Nadine’s wagon, there was little reason not to be fully prepared. She chose one of the special knives, the ones wrapped carefully in special paper. She substituted this knife for one of the throwing knives. Satisfied, she set the harness back down. After a final look in the special compartment, she closed the front panel, and replaced the clothes she had moved to get at the hiding spot. Each time she put the knives away, she hoped it might be the last time. Each time, something came to pass that forced her back to the weapons.
Her bow lay on the bed with two quivers filled with arrows. Nadine had explained the ambush had taken place in the woods, suggesting at least some of the potential encounters they might have could be in similar terrain. Kaler would carry his crossbow rather than the two-handed sword that he seldom used anymore. Daria decided everything she needed was laid out, except for some appropriate clothing. She would want to acquire the style of clothes one of the Wanderers would wear for both herself and Kaler. Those garments would be needed to complete her disguise and would be easily acquired when they met up with Torusk and the Wanderer caravan in Lopal. The special clothing that had carefully prepared access slits that she would need when she transitioned b
ack into being the KalaBhoot was already packed.
“Nyll will see to everything,” Kaler said when he returned to the room. His own gear was already packed, and he set the heavy crossbow on the bed next to Daria’s longbow. Hers was tiny compared to the massive assembly he carried, but his had advantages as did hers. “Are you certain you don’t want to ask Rigo to help. His magic would make this much simpler.”
“It’s a blood debt,” Daria said simply. “They will pay by my hand and none other. Besides, too often he is too visible and obvious. He might get some of those responsible, but others might flee. All who did this will pay.”
Kaler nodded. He had come to understand Daria’s sense of justice, even though he would have been satisfied to simply know those responsible had paid the price. She wished it this way, and he would stand by her side and ensure she had every chance to deal with the bastards as she wished.
They could have carried a lot more gear. Nadine’s wagon had plenty of room, and they would be bringing it with them. They had learned to travel relatively light, and until they knew what would be needed and what the approach plan would be, there was no need for more. Daria had once again cut her hair back to the length she preferred when anticipating a fight.
“Is she still asleep?” Kaler asked.
“I thought I heard her moving around. I’ll go check. It’s already past breakfast in eastern Lopal, and we need to get moving.”
Half a glass later everything was ready. Nadine had finished a filling breakfast, there was always plenty of food to be had here, while Kaler hitched up the team. As Nadine climbed up into the front seat next to Daria, she asked where their wizard was.
“We won’t need one,” Daria said.
“Time might be important,” Nadine cautioned. “It took me long enough to get here. I assumed you would be able to get us back quickly.”
Daria smiled, then winked at Kaler as she made the Bypass. She muttered the triggering words softly enough that Nadine’s older ears didn’t pick up on them. Nadine had told her where the Wanderers were camping, and having been there before during the days she traveled with the People, she could make a portal to the place. The glowing arch opened a short distance in front of the wagon.
Nadine looked at her in surprise. “You’re a wizard? I never knew.”
Daria laughed. It was the first laugh she’d had since Nadine had come here. “It’s something else. We have learned that some of us without the gift can do magic, if we are able to learn the complex phrases required. It’s called Casting. I have recently learned this one, very useful skill.”
“And this will take us to Lopal?”
“It will unless I fumbled the spell,” Daria said as Kaler snapped the reins to get the horses moving. Moments later they passed through the arch and exited in far off Lopal at the edge of the Wanderer camp. Over a hundred colorful wagons were parked at random angles in the open meadow. Kaler expertly guided the wagon over to an open spot, and then disembarked and walked toward the center of camp where they would find Torusk.
Torusk greeted Daria in the traditional Wanderer fashion reserved for one who had suffered a great loss. “Jurde was one of the best of us,” he said finally as he released Daria from the enveloping hug.
Daria pulled away, determined not to let the feelings being here and speaking of her stepfather threatened to unleash show.
“It was not yet his time,” Daria said softly. “Those who caused this do not realize what they have brought upon themselves.”
Torusk nodded knowingly. He was one of those who had brought Daria into the fold when she first arrived, and was one of the few who knew she was the legendary KalaBhoot. “You will want to see where it happened,” he said solemnly. He looked at Daria and then to Kaler, who he had met in the past.
“That is why we came,” Daria said. “Nadine has told me that there is no trail to be followed. Therefore we will go to Fontin afterwards and see what can be learned.”
Nadine had told Torusk of Daria’s new ability with the portals, and so it wasn’t long afterwards that the four of them stood in the forest where the remains of the wagons sat forlornly in the clearing. It had been a number of weeks since the attack, and most of the useful signs were long gone. The burned husks still showed occasional signs of color where the wood had not burned as thoroughly as the bandits had hoped. Dust and blown leaves had settled on the remains of the wagons that had been left in place. The bodies had been removed and buried by some of the locals. Word had been sent down the wanderer network after the attack. Torusk had assumed it had been Jon, but it must have been the son. Even if he was involved, it would have made sense for him to do so. To not have passed the alert, he would have become immediately suspect. Even so, it had been nearly three weeks before Torusk and those who came with him had arrived.
They walked slowly along beside the remains of the wagons. It was apparent that Jurde and the others had tried to group together, but the many large boulders had made maneuvering impossible. They had been caught in a spot where defense was difficult. Daria stopped and ran her hands along the sides of her stepfather’s wagon. She had spent many happy days inside this vehicle.
The wagons wouldn’t tell them much. Torusk explained where the bodies had been found. He explained what he had learned from those who had buried the dead. All but the three young women had been accounted for. Finally he showed Daria the locations where the ambushers had waited. Ambushes were not unfamiliar to Daria, and she carefully examined each site, then scanned the areas between to see if any had been missed.
“It’s difficult to tell exactly how many there were,” she said finally. “It’s been too long.”
“I am guessing at least twenty,” Torusk said. “I cannot believe they could have killed everyone with fewer than that.”
Daria was already shaking her head. “Not nearly so many,” she said. “Ten. Twelve at most. They knew what they were doing and planned it carefully. They have done this kind of thing before.”
Torusk was silent. He wasn’t about to argue with the KalaBhoot about something like this. He had never seen such an ambush before. If she said it was ten or twelve, then that was likely the truth of it.
There was no hope of finding a trail after so long. This wasn’t the busiest road in the area, but as one of the four main routes in and out of Fontin, it was used often enough that any sign was long erased. It didn’t help that the roadway was soft sand, and while it showed marks of use, there was no easy way to tell how old any marks were. If Torusk was right, the attackers would have traveled back along the trail the wagon had taken as they returned to the village or the area around it.
“I’ve seen enough,” Daria said finally.
They would learn nothing more here. The bodies were gone and buried, and there was no doubt that the antiques that had been in the wagons had been carried away before the wagons were burned. That suggested as much as anything that the ambushers had been prepared. Also, one set of wagon wheels looked very much like another, and Daria could see the telltale marks going in both directions. The wagons that carried away the goods could have gone either way. Find the stolen items, and she would have located those responsible.
The small group returned to camp. Fontin was two week’s ride from the temporary Wanderer camp, but that wasn’t a problem for Daria and Kaler. After changing into her special clothing and donning the special vest, Daria made a Doorway using Nadine’s memory that let her and Kaler out on the south edge of Fontin. They rode in to the edge of the village, where they found an inn where they could stay. It was a reasonably sized place, and two more travelers would not seem out of place. Then they went to work to see what they could learn about the shopkeeper who had long been a friend to the Wanderers and who her father might have contacted. Jon and his son Ferd were easy enough for Daria and Kaler to find. They made a point of staying away from the shop itself, and were able to learn enough without revealing themselves. Jon was older, and had fallen on ill health. He was no longe
r running the shop, but stayed home bedridden. The word was he wouldn’t last the summer, and his only son Ferd had taken over responsibility for the business, in addition to taking care of his dying parent.
All of that sounded promising enough, but it didn’t take much watching to establish that Ferd was a gambler and a drinker. He was an inexpert card player, and he became even less so as he drank, which he did with great gusto. As a result, he lost almost every hand, and it was easy to see that he must be in debt. Daria could see what must have happened. Jurde had passed through and sought out Jon, who had long established himself as trustworthy. He found instead the son Ferd, and expecting the same level of trust from a family member, had revealed what the wagons carried and left a note to be forwarded to Daria. That note had never been sent. Instead, the son must have revealed what he knew in exchange for forgiveness of part of his obligation. As yet there was no proof, but it was likely what had happened.
Daria and Kaler left the village, returning first to the orphanage and Kellmore’s nearby capital, and finally to the Wanderer camp with a large supply of valuable items that they were able to purchase to be used as bait. They borrowed a suitable wagon from Torusk, and changed into Wanderer clothing for a disguise. They filled the borrowed wagon with the fake antiques, some gold plated and valuable, and then returned to Fontin, this time exiting the Doorway headed toward the village coming from the east as her stepfather’s caravan would have done. They found an inn in a different part of the village, and then went to visit Ferd.
“You wish to have some items shipped?” Ferd asked, after Daria had explained they were members of the same family of Wanderers that had been ambushed. They had entered the shop and passed the recognition sign secret to the Wanderers and had asked for Jon. Ferd has explained he was taking over for his father who was dying.
Kaler nodded. “Our friends had already left when we discovered more of the strange artifacts. We loaded up our wagon and came after them, hoping to catch up, but we’ve had no end of difficulty. We were delayed, and as we approached Fontin we only just learned the horrible news that they were attacked and killed as they passed through. My wife is terribly distressed and uncertain what to do. Without Jurde, he headed the group you know, we don’t have anyone who knows the people the items were being taken to. It also appears the road must be too dangerous for us to travel alone. My wife would prefer to send the items, and return back to our caravan where there is safety in numbers.” It was difficult for a man Kaler’s size to appear timid, but somehow he managed to convey the intended level of distress.
