“If you can take care of the other chiefs, when Kaiden returns he and I can make the trip to Haven Keep.” Von said. There had to be something there to tip the balance in their favor. Baiden seemed to think so, but he gave no clue to what it might be.
“What is it we will find?” Von asked.
“I think you will know what to do with what is there,” Baiden answered. “There are secrets there I don’t quite understand. I believe I have a general understanding, but I’ve never attempted to use what I know. By tradition it has always been kept secret. And keeping it secret has kept it out of the hands of those who would abuse it.”
That was not the kind of thing Von wanted to hear. He wanted straight forward answers.
“You are a master blacksmith, near enough at any rate, I think that you will understand it more than I.” Baiden cocked his head as if in thought. “I believe what has been kept safe in the north has already been partially passed to you already. What you find in Haven Keep might answer the question to a puzzle I think you’ve been working on. You should spend enough time there that your questions are answered. Meditate. Learn what you can. I regret never going back. I know I could have learned more. There are still secrets to be discovered.
“Don’t fear to make the trip. What we need is there. You and Kaiden will retrieve it and you will learn the use of if. You must. That is where our hope lies.”
Hope? Von didn’t want to place too much hope in Haven Keep if Baiden didn’t quite understand what secrets it held. How could he learn them in just one visit?
“Baiden?” Von asked. “What is there, and why can’t you just tell me? What is it you think I already know?”
“Some things are kept secret to keep them out of the hands of our enemies. Many of the secrets are passed on subtly, through training in certain crafts. Others you must learn on your own. They can’t be taught. Don’t you think I have watched you, observed you over these last few years? All master blacksmiths get to a point where they think they are on the verge of discovering something we lost a long time ago. You just arrived there earlier than most. Berkler is not the only one who has taken notice of your progress. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you find at Haven Keep. I don’t think it is what you would suspect. I know Berkler doesn’t. It took me years to puzzle out what I do know, but with your skill I think you will catch on quicker than I.”
Von nodded, sure Baiden had revealed yet another layer to himself, as well as hinting at more secrets. What other surprises did this man hold? The feeling of awe Von held for the man continued to grow.
“I will do what I can here,” Baiden continued. “You must trust me and do what you are able to at Haven Keep. You will understand when you get there.”
“I will trust you,” responded Von. “And I will follow your lead.” Von hoped Baiden was right. Whatever was at Haven Keep could be the key to victory. He fingered his new dagger, wondering. Baiden was the only one alive who’d made the journey to Haven keep. He must know what he was talking about.
“I will begin preparations for the journey,” Von said. There was one thing in particular he wanted to do before he left.
“Do so quickly, Kaiden should be home soon. I think the two of you should leave as soon as possible.”
Von left Baiden’s quarters as quietly as he’d come. He moved faster through the Hallway on his way out than coming in. Some of the rooms were now lit, but at this early hour most were still dark. It would not remain that way for long and Von didn’t wish to be seen at the moment. He hurried along the hallway, slipped out the back door and down the steep steps. He went to the place he had always gone when he wanted some privacy.
Von’s room in the servants quarters was empty. Even the blankets were gone from his bed.
“Where are my things?” Von wondered out loud. He never did have much to speak of in the way of furnishings, but seeing his room in this condition made it feel bleak. And cold. The dust was more apparent now his few possessions were gone. I suppose I should have cleaned in here more often.
Von ventured outside and made his way back to the Hall. He slipped in the back door and strode quickly to his newly assigned quarters. He struck a flint to light one of the lamps. This room was much larger, furnished much better than the one he was accustomed to. He noticed a neat bundle on the large oak chest at the foot of the bed.
“There’s my stuff.” Von was relieved, though he more than half expected to find his belongings here. Von searched around the room. It was the first time he’d payed such close attention to it. Everything in the room made him feel small. Von opened the large wardrobe. Most of his clothes were hanging neatly inside, and there were a few extra as well. The only items missing were the grubbiest. A new cloak hung in the corner of the wardrobe. Von removed it from the hook, turning it over in his hands admiring it. The cloak was thick, dark green, almost black, wool. Finely spun and woven tightly. A cloak like this could easily keep out the elements. It had probably cost someone a small fortune. Baiden. It must have been.
The bed, like everything else in the room, was large. The quilts were cotton and linen. He’d always slept with wool blankets. He sat on the bed and sunk down a few inches.
“I could get used to this,” he told himself. He’d forgotten how nice it was to be pampered. He needed to be careful he didn’t get soft.
Von noticed a piece of parchment on one of the pillows. He leaned across the bed and snatched it up. It was addressed with his name, written in a flowing hand. There was no seal, it was just folded over. He opened the envelope and a long lock of golden hair, twisted into a thin, intricate braid dropped onto the pillow. Von read the note.
I took the liberty of having your things moved. With the council of chiefs coming up I did not want anyone to take your room from you. After all it is yours so you might as well use it. You will find a few additions in your wardrobe. You might think of getting rid of a few more of the slightly thread bare items. I hope you like the cloak. I made it myself.
-Anora
Von blinked and reread the note. Anora. She was a puzzle to be worked out at another time. She could be his. Baiden would never deny him anything. He had given his oath, but Von would not take her unwillingly. Not that he thought needed to. Still he would probably make her a widow with what lay ahead in the next year or two. If he lasted that long. Roll the bones the wrong way and he could end up on the tip of a pike within weeks. Days for that matter.
Von twisted the braid in his hand. Anora’s for sure. Something a little more intimate than Von expected from her. He would keep it to remind him of her. To remind him to stay alive so he could return to her. He turned it over slowly in his hands one last time before tucking it gently in his pocket. His hand felt paper. The letter from Baiden. Von pulled it out and flipped it over.
With everything that had gone on he had neglected to read it. The wax on the parchment bore the Keeper in the North’s seal, not Baiden’s personal one. Von broke the seal hastily. The lines were darker and more blocky than Anora’s yet the letters were still regal. It was more of a note than a letter.
I knew your father. We must talk.
It wasn’t signed. Baiden had always been a man of few words. Von wasn’t sure what kind of answers he wanted from Baiden. This note surely didn’t provide any. He knew as much already. Maybe he’d received all the answers he was going to get for a while. Patience was something he’d learned these past few years. He could wait a little longer.
What he couldn’t wait for was to get back to the forge. He’d found an answer to one mystery. His dagger had saved his life, and Baiden’s as well. He still possessed enough alloy for one more project. A project that needed a great deal of preparation and planning if it was going to succeed. It would be an ambitious undertaking, with no room for error, but he was confident in his abilities.
Von left with a spring in his step that he didn’t realize was there.
Chapter Eleven
Kaiden stared into the dark
ness, struggling to move. His body was wrapped tightly in something he couldn’t see. A glimmer of light flickered in the corner of his eye. Exerting all his effort he attempted to move towards the wavering glow. Where was he? His mind went backward. The hunt. The storm. The beast. Too much snow. He was buried in it. No, he was too warm. He was breathing too easily. He tried to move again, but still felt tangled in something. His body ached, felt bent in half. He tried to call for help. It came out a groan.
“I think our young friend is finally awake.” It was a strange voice Kaiden did not recognize. A low voice, and whoever it was spoke fast, with a strange accent. “Let’s see if he can choke down any of this foul concoction you call soup.”
“Be careful,” came another voice in the same style of speech. “He may try to bite your hand off the way that dog did.”
“The dog warmed up to me fast enough, his master shouldn’t be too different.”
Kaiden tried to move again. This time he succeeded in rolling over. It was night, that much he could tell. How long had he been unconscious? The light he could see he now realized was a fire. From what he could tell he was in some kind of make shift shelter, wrapped tightly in furs and blankets. A large shadowy figure walked towards him from the direction of the fire. Whoever it was, he had likely saved Kaiden’s life and it was doubtful the man had done so just to kill him now. Kaiden hoped the dog the voices spoke of was Bo. Kaiden didn’t remember much after the wall of snow hit. There was not much hope anyone else survived. It was a miracle he was here.
Kaiden’s eyes tried to focus on the man that was now crouching over him. He was an older man with mostly grey hair, his grisly beard peppered with flecks of black. He appeared even larger up close. “How do you feel?”
Kaiden noticed Bo at the man’s side. At least there was some good news he thought, feeling a stab of guilt for the loss of the others. “Been better.” It came out a rough whisper.
“Yes you have,” the man answered. “Foolish what you did.” Kaiden did not like that, no matter how right this man was. “Chasing after that thing in the dark. Lucky for you we have been watching you these past few days.”
“Impossible,” Kaiden protested, “we would have seen you.” Kaiden’s voice was slowly returning. The man just smiled at him, gave him a level look like he expected this kind of reaction and found it comical.
Kaiden cleared his throat. “We are not farm boys, we would have seen you.” This man saved his life, but Kaiden wasn’t sure he liked him. “And what thing are you talking about?”
“You know what thing. We lost two men before we realized we were in danger.” There was a hint of disappointment in the man’s voice. “I was hoping you would be a little more forth coming.”
Kaiden tried to sit up. Bo moved next to his side, nuzzling in close. At least the dog hadn’t totally deserted him.
The man continued. “Judging by your response I don’t really think you know what it was you were after either.” The man’s eyes held a lingering question. Kaiden could tell he wanted information and not just about the beast.
Kaiden still had no idea who this man was and where he and his companions came from. He wasn’t about to tell this man more than he needed to, but under the steady gaze of those eyes Kaiden felt maybe he should. The man watched him, waiting. Just when Kaiden was about to blurt out everything the man spoke.
“I am Oded.” He smiled wide and Kaiden noticed he was missing some teeth in the back of his mouth. “Lucky for you we came along.”
“Came along or followed us?” As soon as the words were out of his mouth Kaiden knew it had been the wrong thing to say, especially when Oded tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.
“I am sorry Oded. That was not polite. I am Kaiden.”
Oded nodded giving no indication he recognized the name. That was good. Kaiden wished he hadn’t used his real name. If Oded harbored ill will toward the Kailfen it would be best if he didn’t know he held Baiden’s son essentially a prisoner.
“Did you find any others besides me?”
“We are still digging,” Oded replied. “In a couple of hours I’m afraid there won’t be much hope in finding any of your friends alive.” He looked saddened by that possibility.
The possibility saddened Kaiden too. What a disaster. How could he face his father? Would anyone even believe his story?
“There was another survivor,” Oded said. A faint glimmer of hope began to resonate within Kaiden. “Three more if you count the two dogs with him. He was in a frenzy. Continued up the mountain even after that avalanche nearly killed the rest of you.”
“Who was it?” Kaiden asked.
“How should I know?” Oded replied. “I’m not exactly from around here if you haven’t noticed.”
“Yes, but if you’ve been tracking us you could describe him to me.”
Oded flashed a big grin and let out a bellowing laugh. “The older man,” Oded said. “The one with the scars and the bear skin shirt.”
Soren. A small relief. These men really had been following the hunting party. Kaiden’s embarrassment drowned out most of his relief. He never noticed them. Worse yet, Soren hadn’t noticed them. Kaiden took note of Oded mentioning the bear skin. Oded was at least somewhat familiar with the ways of the north. Kaiden felt he could trust him, but was not sure if he should.
“Don’t feel bad that you didn’t notice us,” Oded offered.
Kaiden thought Oded could see right through him.
“You were not looking for us and we did not want to be seen.” Oded sniffed as if he were thinking about something else. “I’ve been hiding and running for the better part of a decade. You might say that is what has brought us up north to your part of the world.”
“You have been hiding?” Kaiden asked. “From what?”
“War, my boy, war.” Oded looked tired. “I know you are not so sheltered up here that you have not heard of the war to the south.”
“I have heard,” Kaiden replied, “but why run up here? Why now?”
“You might say that I,...I should say we, are tired of running. The war is coming to you. You might say that we came to help.”
“You came to help?” Kaiden didn’t even try to hide the scepticism in his voice.
Oded was smiling that wry smile again. It reminded him a bit of his father. “Maybe to get help would be a more accurate statement. Or maybe it’s a little of both.”
For some reason Kaiden believed him. Or at least wanted to. Kaiden knew nothing about these men. Only they had saved his life. He owed them something for that. Yet why the hiding? Why follow them for days?
“At any rate,” Oded continued, “I’ve brought you some soup. You need to eat to regain some strength. Not that a strong lad like yourself will need much time to recover.” Oded smiled at him. It put Kaiden at ease. Maybe too at ease. “We checked your bones. Nothing appears broken. I would advise against going back to sleep in case of a head injury”
Kaiden sat up. “I might as well get up then.” Kaiden could feel the knots in his muscles, but he thought Oded was right. Nothing felt broken. “My horse? What about my horse?”
“Seeing how you left your horses at camp, they’re all fine.” Oded paused. “If you are feeling up to it we should get going. It will be light soon.”
“How long have I been unconscious?” Kaiden asked.
“About five hours,” Oded answered. “If you desire we can stay here for one more day, but that would be another night without sleep. Sleep is when the beast will take your mind from you.” Oded sounded like he wanted to be far from this mountain. Far from the beast.
“I must follow Soren.” Kaiden was determined.
“Your man? Soren is it? I thought you might feel that way.” Oded looked a little disappointed, but understanding. Over the last few minutes he’d dropped his guard considerably. Was he to be trusted?
“I must still go. I cannot abandon him.”
“A fool’s errand, but if you must go, we will go with you. W
hen will you be ready to leave?”
“I’m not asking you to go with me.” Kaiden was not sure if he wanted them along. What was this man up to? What were his motives? If it was a fool’s errand why did he want to come?
“You can’t do it alone,” Oded protested. “I didn’t pull you out of the snow to send you off to die.”
Kaiden knew he wasn’t going to be able to get rid of Oded and his party even if he wanted to. They would be a welcome help, but he would have to watch his back for sure.
“Well if you’re coming with me we can leave now. As soon as the horses are ready. I want to find Soren while there is something left of him to find.”
“It’s settled then.” Oded offered Kaiden his hand to help him up. Kaiden took it.
Oded’s voice boomed. “Pack up.” He handed Kaiden a bowl of something hot. “Here, eat this.”
“You spoke of sleep and the beast.” Kaiden needed to know what he was up against. “What do you know of it?”
“I was hoping you could tell me,” replied Oded. “I know what I have observed, what I have read, mostly stories. Stories I only half believed until now.”
“Stories, what kind of stories.”
“Oh, the same ones you have heard I am sure.” Oded looked a little amused. “You are from here, you ought to know a little more than I..”
“I don’t know.” Kaiden didn’t like not knowing. Much less admitting it. “A scourge, a vyr, some demon.” Oded nodded as Kaiden spoke. “Whatever it is, I will kill it.”
The soup was foul, but it warmed Kaiden’s stiff body. Eased his hunger a bit too.
“Whatever it is, it needs killed,” Oded said. “Let’s be off.” He bent down and picked up a familiar bundle. “These are yours,” he said and tossed Kaiden’s boots and cloak at Kaiden’s feet. He turned and walked away.
Haven Keep (Book 1) Page 16
