Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

  Von nodded his thanks and left, pulling his cloak tight around his body before opening the door again.

  Outside the wind was noticeably stronger and the temperature dropping fast. Snow blew down hard, whipping around the courtyard between the stables and the Hall. Von headed toward his quarters, beyond the stables at the opposite end of the yard. Gusts of icy wind bit his exposed skin, his cloak flapped about wildly. He trotted forward, re-wrapping himself in the thread bare garment, hoping to get out of this storm as quickly as possible.

  Von headed straight to the servant’s quarters, hurrying past the stables. The horses neighed nervously. This night would be restless for more than just him.

  A strange feeling came over him. He spun, not knowing what he was looking for. Was someone following him? He searched the corners of the yard. It was dark, empty, but anyone could be hiding in all this snow. He couldn’t shake the feeling something was amiss in the night.

  Von shook his head, knowing he was letting his imagination run wild. He shivered, pulled at his cloak, and leaned into the wind. As if seeing his attempt to keep warm, the wind blew harder. Von’s hair plastered across his face, his cloak flapped uncontrollably. What strange weather for this time of year. Winters in Azmark were long and harsh, but storms like this usually didn’t arrive for another two months.

  Von reached his quarters and pushed open the door. He shook the snow from his cloak, not caring that it would melt on his uneven floorboards. His few possessions lay on two narrow shelves and in a large trunk in one corner of the room. A pair of small doors led to other servant’s quarters. The north door led to Reece’s room which he shared with Mo and Wendle. The door on the south was Dell’s and Timm’s. Timm was likely out in the fields and pastures, helping Gam and others tend the herds. It must be freezing out there tonight.

  Von lit the small oil lamp that hung on the wall, illuminating the room with eerie light, casting shadows on the rough wooden walls and in the corners. He quickly kindled a fire in his cast iron stove.

  The wind howled outside his narrow window and the storm increased in ferocity. Von peered through the gray curtains. Nothing was visible through the blizzard. Von hoped there weren’t any ships caught out on the fjords. It would be difficult if not impossible to navigate in this storm. Many ships had been lost to the cliffs that surrounded the Emerald Fjord and this night might add to their number.

  Von’s room warmed quickly and it did not take long for him to undress and jump into bed. He wrapped his blankets tight around himself, shivering until the cold linen warmed from the heat of his body. The wind continued to shriek outside the window. He tried to block it out and he drifted into a restless sleep.

  Awareness left him and a voice whispered softly to his subconscious. “Come... Come to me...”

  Von awoke with a start, fearing he’d slept in. His head felt fuzzy, a lingering dream still plagued his mind. One he couldn’t quite remember. Yet a single detail remained vivid. A dark rider on a shadowy horse. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts of cobwebs. He hadn’t dreamed of that rider in years. He hoped the nightmares weren’t returning.

  He shuddered then arose to stoke the fire. The wind finally died leaving the room in complete silence. A quick look through his ice covered window revealed the yard was blanketed in a thick white covering. The crystalline snow glowed faintly in the light of the moon, which was fast dipping below the horizon.

  Von dressed quickly. Dawn would come soon and he didn’t want to be late, the day would be miserable enough without that. He pulled on his soft fur lined boots, wrapped himself in his cloak, then stepped outside.

  The first breath of air was ice in his lungs. No matter how many years he spent in the north, the cold was still a shock. Winter had definitely come early. He trudged towards the smithy through the knee deep snow. Nothing else stirred in the yard.

  Berkler’s shop was dark and empty. Von fumbled in the darkness until he found a lamp. He nearly burned his fingers lighting it then began work on the forge fire. The bellows moved up and down rhythmically. The fire was soon red hot and the frozen temperatures became a faint memory.

  “Old Berk should be coming soon,” he told himself.

  Von didn’t want to wait any longer and began working on a hunting knife. Just a simple blade, something to keep him occupied. He really wanted to get back to the daggers and the strange metal from the cave, but didn’t want to risk Berkler finding out about the alloy. For now it would stay safely hidden in Baiden’s shop.

  Dawn arrived and Von continued to work. He lost himself in the ring of hammer on anvil and in thoughts of his father and home. The work and forge fire warmed him to the point he stripped off his shirt and donned the thick leather blacksmith apron.

  Morning wore on and still there was no sign of Berkler. The hours slipped by and he finished the knife. Its balance was exceptional. The blade gleamed in the light of the forge. It was a nice piece, but not his best work, seeing how thoughts of home distracted him a bit.

  Old Berk finally appeared. “Where have you been?” the blacksmith demanded.

  Von was stunned. “I’ve been right here where you asked me to be,” he stammered. Von knew Berkler to be strange, but couldn’t think of anything to explain this behavior.

  “Always full of excuses,” Berkler snapped. “Why are you so daft? Have you not heard? Hal’s son Kenn has disappeared in the night. Everyone has been searching for him while you sit in here idle. He still hasn’t been found. If he were caught in that storm last night he could be dead.”

  “I hadn’t known,” Von began. Kenn was about Von’s age and wasn’t one to wander off or to get into any kind of trouble. “You’re the first person...”

  Berkler interrupted, “I know, I know. You have been hiding in here. Avoiding the cold and any responsibility. I don’t know why any one praises you. You have proven worthless again.” He glared at Von and there was a rage in his eyes that had never been there before. “Kaiden wants to see you.”

  Von knew it was a dismissal. He grabbed his shirt and cloak and stepped outside. Where had Kenn gotten off to? he wondered. Probably somewhere better than here. The air bit into his skin and his sweat froze to his body. His desire to leave as quickly as possible made him forget how cold it was outside. He pulled his shirt over his head, shivered, then lumbered through the snow, wrapping his cloak around his shoulders as he went.

  His stomach grumbled, reminding him it was about lunch time. Maybe he could find Kaiden near the kitchen. Von moved quickly, nearly tripping in the deep snow. He almost forgot how cold winters in Azmark were after the short reprieve of the warm summer months. He gritted his teeth and reminded himself this was pretty mild compared to what was to come.

  Inside the kitchen wasn’t quite as warm as the forge, but much warmer than outside. Von hung his cloak in the mud room and walked over to Reece and Redd. Redd was a short plump man of middle years, with a jolly face and thinning, curly red locks.

  “Must be lunch time,” Von observed.

  Redd turned to face him. “Von, good ta see ya, me boy. Have ya heard any news of Kenn? Have they found him?”

  “Not that I know of sir,” replied Von. He liked Redd. The man was always comfortable to be around.

  “Aye, well, he’ll be turnin’ up soon. Da whole place been in an uproar. Was some unnatural storm last night. I be sure Kenn has ‘nough sense not to have gone traipsin’ out in it.”

  “I’m sure he does,” Von offered. “Do you know where I can find Kaiden? I hear he is looking for me.”

  “I’m right here,” came a voice from the doorway.

  The three turned to see Kaiden and Flenn enter from the cold. It was good to see the two together. In the past they were almost inseparable, but now Flenn was the newest councilor to the Lord of Azmark and no longer had as much time for his friend.

  Kaiden was tall, possessing much of his father in his features. His eyes were striking blue and his rugged looks made more than one girl sigh w
hen they saw him. His yellow hair he tied back in braids, keeping it out of his square cut face.

  Kaiden didn’t much like Flenn’s appointment as councilor to Baiden, and never tried to hide his feelings on the matter. In a way it was a blessing to Von. Kaiden often looked to Von for companionship when his father claimed too much of Flenn’s time.

  “I have been looking for you Von,” Kaiden announced with a smile. “You’ve heard of the animal that has been attacking the herds and flocks?”

  Kaiden sounded excited, pausing just long enough for Von to nod. “Well, Flenn and I are organizing a small hunting party. He said he mentioned it to you.”

  Von nodded. With the mysterious steel from the cave and having to deal with Berkler most of the week he’d almost forgotten about the hunt.

  “We want you to come, though with this news of Kenn it’s going to be harder to convince my father to let you go.”

  “I would love to,” Von chimed in, hardly containing his excitement, yet deep down he knew that Baiden would be difficult to win over. Baiden still felt Von was too young to go anywhere without proper supervision. He was overprotective, treating Von like a fragile child. In a way that made Von fonder of his master, but other times it chafed. He wanted off the apron strings and thought it was about time they were cut.

  “Whatever animal is doing this is not acting like any predator I have ever encountered.” Kaiden said, still with that perpetual grin. “Sometimes the animal’s remains are found scattered. Other times the carcass is found high in the trees to protect the kill from scavengers. Claw marks are found on trees.” Kaiden motioned with his hands like a bear clawing at a tree. “Higher up than any bear could make. Most of the time there’s not even a trace of tracks, but Gam claims to have seen footprints nearly twice the size of the largest icebears.” Kaiden sounded like he was telling a campfire story. “Are you sure you want to come?”

  Von had heard these stories before. Everyone had been telling them for weeks. With each telling this strange beast became more menacing. The tales were beginning to sound like a scourge, the imaginary fiend from the Rift that walked in myths and legends. Some kind of wraith that wreaked its revenge on those who had committed wrongdoing or been unfaithful to their master. Von didn’t believe the stories and suspected Kaiden and Flenn didn’t either. This was just a bear down from the mountains trying to fatten up for winter. The cold, dark nights often made people’s imaginations grow wild. Stories sprouted up without needing much encouragement. Those stories couldn’t scare Von enough to keep him from his first real hunt.

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Von insisted.

  Flenn broke in. “Don’t hope too strongly. Baiden may still say no if we can’t find Kenn.”

  “Don’t worry,” Kaiden assured him. “My dad’s a pushover. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

  “That’s what Flenn said a week ago,” Von quipped.

  Kaiden laughed. “Either way, we want you to make us some broad tipped arrow heads. I’m running short. Maybe I’m superstitious, but I have seen your craftsmanship bring tremendous luck. And you’ll have to start getting packed.” He slapped Von on the back. “Now let’s sit, eat, and have a drink to our future master blacksmith.”

  Kaiden plopped down on a bench and with that familiar twinkle in his eye smiled at Von. “That is, if you’re agreed?”

  “Oh yes,” stammered Von. “I mean, yes about everything but the master blacksmith part.” He smiled weakly. “Yes, definitely.” This was too good to be true. The possibility of a real hunt, the better part of a week away from chores, away from Berkler. It was a dream. “I will help with whatever you need. I think I already have some arrowheads made. I can make a few more. There should be plenty.”

  Kaiden gave a cheer. “Well, that settles it. Here’s to the golden boy.” That was a crazy nickname Kaiden had given Von. Von hated it. It didn’t even fit, or make sense.

  Kaiden grabbed five mugs, poured some honey mead, and raised his mug in the air which was met by three others. Some of the mead spilled on the floor. Everyone laughed while Von sat quietly sipping at his drink.

  Redd smiled at Von and with a glimmer in his eye that nearly matched Kaiden’s, muttered something about a master blacksmith and drinking a toast to a bond servant. He dropped mutton on the table in front of everyone and wandered to the far end of the kitchen to continue his work. The rest settled down to eat. Von missed breakfast and meant to make up for it during lunch.

  “Do you think Kenn is all right?” Reece asked.

  “I hope,” Von said. “Has anyone checked the cave beneath the West Well?”

  “More than once,” Kaiden replied. “I’m sure he just wanted to get out of something his dad had him doing. I know I have done similar things in years past.”

  “Yea, maybe one or two years,” joked Flenn. “Probably not even that long ago.”

  That produced a few snickers. Kaiden laughed the hardest. Everyone knew it wasn’t far from the truth.

  “What is everyone laughing about?” interrupted a soft, almost musical voice from the direction of the Hall.

  Von turned and locked eyes with Anora, Kaiden’s younger sister. She was starting her seventeenth winter, and blossoming into a beautiful young maiden. Her light hair was the color of spun gold. Her pretty face and sparkling green eyes gave her an appearance nothing like her brother’s. Where Kaiden received his hard features from their father, Anora resembled their soft and caring mother, Alensa. She sat gracefully down opposite of Von. Von tried not to stare.

  “And what’s for lunch?”

  Von decided her voice really was musical.

  “We’re just drinking to the future and reminiscing about the past,” answered Flenn. He was usually serious and straight to the point, and was much more so since being named councilor to Baiden. Maybe that’s what was keeping Kaiden out of mischief lately. “Lunch is left over mutton. Any news of Kenn?”

  “Nothing,” she said with a shrug. “I would hate to be in his shoes when he finally turns up.” She tilted her head and gave a condescending expression Von often witnessed her mother use. One that was useful after catching Kaiden pilfering pound cakes.

  A blast of cold air turned their heads to the open door at the back of the kitchen. Gam and Timm strode inside. Gam was a large somber man and Timm, his son a skinny adolescent. Gam didn’t even bother to shake off the snow or hang up his cloak.

  “Flenn,” Gam insisted, “you must take me to Baiden.”

  Kaiden stood. “What is it?” he asked.

  “This is for Baiden’s ears,” answered Gam. “Where is he?”

  “He should be upstairs,” Flenn answered. “Kaiden and I will take you to him.” He arose and the three men disappeared into the Great Hall, leaving the teenagers alone, wondering what news would cause Gam to act in such a way.

  Reece and Von exchanged glances. “What was that all about?” Wondered Reece out loud.

  “I shouldn’t say,” mumbled Timm.

  “You shouldn’t say what?” asked Von, voicing everyone’s thoughts. “If you know, it can’t be that big of a secret. Besides, aren’t you and Gam supposed to be watching the herds? Did you come down just to get warm?”

  “I wish that were it,” said Timm, shivering at the mention of the cold. By the look in his eyes, his thoughts were somewhere else.

  “Well, what is it?” Von asked. “Say something.”

  “I told you I shouldn’t,” Timm snapped. “You should remember your place Von. You’re a bond servant. Just because no one treats you like one doesn’t change a thing. You would do well to remember that.”

  “I don’t need a reminder and there is no reason to get agitated,” Von responded, annoyed Timm would speak to him in that way.

  “You are a bond servant also,” Anora countered, raising herself to her full height, seeming to stand, though remaining seated, “and you do belong to my father. I think you should answer our questions.” Her demeanor changed. She no longer seemed so young
as she did a few short months ago, even just a few moments ago. Before their eyes she instantly changed from a young maiden to a commanding presence, as noble as any queen. Von had seen her make that change before. She was doing it more often of late.

  “Your questions or his questions?” Timm queried gesturing with his thumb towards Von.

  “Both,” she replied. “As you have pointed out Von is more than just an ordinary bond servant.” She gave Von a wink, for an instant she was her old self again. Von wished that statement were true. Anora was as much like a sister to him as Kaiden was a brother. Von did enjoy some privileges, but he was just an orphan everyone had taken under their wing when he was a teary eyed boy. Baiden had shown compassion, rescued him from the slave ship, had taken care of him. That did not change the fact he was a bond servant, and worse, because he was a not a native Northman he would never have the right to buy his freedom.

  “You will tell us what you know,” she went on, “and what brings you down from your duties.” Despite her harsh tone she had a smile on her face. She was definitely proud of herself.

  “I...I....we...” he began.

  “Spit it out,” Reece demanded.

  “A body. Same as the others. There were no tracks. Nothing.”

  “What do you mean a body?” Von didn’t like the sound of Timm’s voice. Everyone else was silent. Von feared something awful had happened.

  “Just what I said,” Timm went on, nearly at a whisper. “I saw it in a tree. I thought it was another carcass. Then I noticed the clothing.” Timm began to cry.

  Tears filled Anora’s eyes too. “Oh no, poor Kenn,” she whispered.

  Reece and Von sat stunned. Kenn was here last night. How did he get all the way up to the pastures?

  “How did you know it was Kenn?” Timm questioned, obviously more than a little confused. “We could barely recognize him.”

  “He’s been missing,” answered Reece. “There’s been a search since this morning.”

  The door from the outside opened again. In walked Berkler. His eyes settled on Von, staring down that pointed nose of his. “Have you found Kaiden yet?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “It is time to get back to work.” That last part was directed to everyone.