The Oath Breaker: A Novel of Germania and Rome (Hraban Chronicles Book 1)

by Alaric Longward

  I nodded angrily. 'Koun? I will happily fight him. Until he dies.'

  'You will not kill anyone unless I give you such orders,' he told me stiffly. He saw I was not convinced. He smiled. 'I am not too old, Hraban. I can have other sons, if you both fail me. You will learn to obey your father, and never again betray like you did with Bero.'

  'The sword?' I asked him sullenly.

  He patted the blade, grim-faced. 'Gods saw it fit to return it to me,' he told me. 'It was a good thing, too, since Bero dreads the blade. It was not really needed, but I enjoyed his look of terror when he faced it. Maino died of it, and it is famous.'

  'Did Ansigar fetch it for you? He wanted to find a way to please you.'

  Maroboodus laughed hugely. 'You are not stupid, Hraban. I see we will have a hard time getting along. I like my lords less intelligent. Brave, yes, but not with deep thoughts.'

  'Gunhild goes to Isfried, now?' I asked. 'She does not wish to.'

  'Why would she? He is a grisly boar. But it seems inevitable,' he grinned mysteriously. 'Do not worry about your aunt. She is safe.'

  I stopped him with my hand. 'It is likely that I will never like you, Father. But I will serve you well, if you promise me Balderich will die one day, and so will Vago, and that you give me my place, no matter how little you like me.'

  He nodded tiredly, yet happy as he had won. 'I promise. I told men there, today, that any man who brings me Vago's head will get his heart's desire. They cheered. Now, tomorrow, we will see many things. And Hraban? While you half betrayed me, it is not hopeless. As long as you are my spear, never again aimed at me, we have a chance to like each other one day. In addition, I did not mean what I said about Sigilind. I said those things to set you in a proper mindset to betray me. I did love her. Tomorrow, join me for a feast. We will have important visitors. But you shall not get your spear and shield now. You will earn them with pain, humility, and service, and pay back your duplicity.' He left, and I saw Gernot's eyes on me, his new shield and sharp spear on his side. I would have to worry about my brother now, who was a man, and I beneath him.

  I mulled over Father's words, cursing him. If he had not meant the things he said about Sigilind, if he had only used me to gain victory over the vile, traitor Bero, I could hardly hate him. Yet, I had killed men and even women, and I felt filthy and unhappy as I sat there.

  Listlessly, I looked at the happy men and women revel. Many Marcomanni men came to the feast and some not of the tribe, Koun included, were guarded by some fierce looking Marcomanni I did not know, men Father had recruited while in the war. My friends were not there, though, and I missed them terribly. I saw Gunhild stop her elegant dance when she saw Koun looking at her, and her eyes sought his. They stared at each other for the longest time, and when she finally turned away, she blushed deeply. I smiled at that, but did not enjoy the evening, twirling the club of Hercules between my hands, cursing Woden for my twisted road. In the deep night, I heard a man scream in horrid pain. Perhaps it was Bero, my great uncle who was a plaything to my enemies, or some other poor bastard at the wrong end of Nihta's sword.

  Life had changed, and my wyrd was strange.

  PART III: THE OATH BREAKER

  'I am not in favor of my father, and the prophecy is a heavy burden.'

  (Hraban to Ermendrud.)

  CHAPTER XI

  When the morning arrived, heralded by the chirping song of the birds and slivers of light piercing the tardy night clouds, there were many chiefs lying drunk at the tables and the cold grass outside the Red Hall. I had slept out all night, not able to face my grandfather.

  The rulership of Hard Hill had changed. It was evident. Down in the harbors, the gates were gone. Merchants had been mercilessly slaughtered; some lucky ships had escaped though Nihta had managed to overtake one, now capsized on some sharp rocks. Maroboodus had entered Bero's hall, and had heaped out all the intricate ornaments, expensive clothes, and the assorted Roman finery; all he could find. Bero's unlucky wife had died, but none knew how. Many people were missing, dead or lost. I briefly wondered about Ermendrud. Her father had been one of the men who died when Catualda pulled the guards off the Meadows, but I decided I was too tired to care.

  Finally, I decided I had to speak to Balderich, and tried to get inside the Red Hall to confront him over his treason, but Leuthard was there, and he pushed me out. 'You have a sorry hut, down there. Near your father's new hall, what used to belong to Bero. You will serve and slave, and be quiet, traitor.'

  'I? And your liege lord, Bero? Is he enjoying his dawn?' I asked.

  Guthbert guided me away before Leuthard could retaliate savagely. I noticed they had men unearthing Balderich's treasure, and I locked eyes with the old man from the doorway. He had tears in his eyes, and I scoffed in his direction. I showed him the fibula of Sigilind, shapeless as I had crushed it and threw it at his feet. He stared at it, and I spat at him, never heeding his tears as he bent down to pick it up. He shook his head in mute denial, but I did not care. I saw Leuthard take Aristovistus's spear and shield. They would hang in the hall of Maroboodus, fitting trophies for the new lord of the tribe. Finally, I trailed after the men as they went away and found my new home.

  It was a small one. It had but one dirty room, its timbers grayed with mold. In truth, it was a former storehouse, with mouse droppings and old straw on the floor. A boy, the boy I had seen leading Isfried and talking with Nihta, was on his knees by a sack full of my things. Clothes, mainly, for I did not own much. The fabulous drinking horn I had received the day I arrived was in his greedy hand, as well as the fancy amulet of Mercury I had stolen. I walked up to him and toed him painfully. His narrow face turned in surprise. Then I booted him across the room.

  'Wait!' he squeaked, but I did not care. I picked him up by his rich hair, punched him in the thin belly, and saw him out. Gernot was there at the doorway, and had to dodge the flailing missile while Catualda was not so lucky, and they landed in a heap.

  Gernot walked in, unwisely. 'Clean this hut. A man commands you, and you shall jump to it.'

  'You? A man? Gods’ laugh!' I told him as I turned from him.

  I heard his intake of breath, indignant, and his sibilant voice soon followed. 'I will even marry first, I hear.' I glanced his way, and he grinned at me, his shield prominently on his side, framea hovering on his shoulder.

  'Marry?' I sneered. 'Who would marry a witless fool like you? The village idiot?'

  He spat and pointed the spear at me. 'A princess. You will see tonight. I shall be elevated so far above you that your nose is in my ass no matter how high you reach. Now, clean up here, then you will clean Bero's shithole.'

  I grimaced at Gernot. 'You are so afraid I will clamber over you again. You are a coward and a weak fool. Gods, how you fear that, don't you?'

  He trembled in anger, nervous, and I knew I had hit the mark. 'You will …'

  I spat at him, out of patience. 'Out of here.'

  He sneered back at me. 'Or what?'

  I left Gernot in my hut, his nose nearly broken by a heavy fall. I remember I sat on him and stuffed mouse shit in his gaping, screaming mouth as I cleaned up the hut with him. In the end, I remember beating him with his framea spear so hard it broke on his back. I stepped on his shield, breaking the frame, and walked out. Felix was gingerly picking himself up and bowed to me, grinning and dripping blood. 'Your father does indeed wish you to serve Gernot, but I am to serve you. Hard to find a lower creature than I am.'

  'A dead creature is lower, remember that,' I told him with a growl. He grinned like an idiot, and I did not trust him.

  'Your friends are here, Lord, and the great Quadi,' he told me, making the word ‘lord’ sound like a joke. 'Riding into the village as we speak.' I nodded. Seeing them would be hard. I had made such a mess of my life, and I could imagine Ansbor's sarcasm when he heard of the happenings. Nonetheless, I started up the hill to see them, glancing savagely at Catualda, who could have spared me much grief, had he told me the truth,
but no, they had planned I would betray Father and succeeded in manipulating me back and forth. I had nothing to say to him. He understood this and smiled gently, nodding, willing to leave me alone. Felix took after me, running as I strode on. 'Wait! I am to serve you,' he was panting.

  'By stealing my belongings? I saw you at the dark harbor, when Isfried found the scroll,' I told him warningly.

  He looked delighted. 'You did! Really? I thought we were alone. It was pretty good work, no? Do not tell your father. He would hate to know I failed to keep it a secret.’

  ‘He knows,’ I laughed.

  ‘Shit,’ he cursed and then shrugged. ‘So that is why I am serving you. It’s not fair. I was instrumental in tearing the mask off Bero's face! Your father promised me freedom and some wealth for my help after Catualda found me and introduced me to that Nihta. Few knew about that scroll, so they should reward me. Now I have to clean your vomit,' he spoke a bit too loudly and then hushed as some men stared at him. Most men had a terrible, head-breaking hangover.

  'I hate all my family, and do not care for any of their masks,' I growled. 'And you are to do what if you serve me?'

  'Why, suffer and spy on you!' he told me, and I could not help but chuckle at that.

  'Spy on, then, but if you end up hurting me, you will learn what my brother just learned.'

  'I run faster than he does,' he told me.

  I nodded, and stopped. Coming downhill for Bero's former hall were not only my friends, but also the mighty lords of the north. I spied Tudrus the Older and the Quadi in the fore and then followed father, chatting amicably with strange lords. Felix stopped me cold as they approached. I gazed at them, Wandal and Ansbor, hoisting new spears and round shields, fine young warriors, fresh from war. In addition, I saw Ansigar, who was talking animatedly with brooding Ishild. Soon, Wandal and Ansbor were grinning at me, Ishild smiling, relieved, and held a hand on her chest. I glowered at Ansigar and waited for him to come closer.

  Instead, he rode past, not looking at me. Father was nodding his head in our direction, and some of the men laughed.

  'Who are they?' I asked carefully, not bothering with greetings.

  'Hraban! We hear there were exciting times here, eh?' Wandal said and clapped my back so hard I fell forward. 'Where is your grandfather?'

  'Yes, many things changed here. Including my respect for my grandfather, who betrayed my family to the Vangiones, as did Bero, who's now gone. Considering you come from war, though, likely you have had adventures that are more exciting. Who is the fat slob with the brilliant iron shield?' Indeed, a lord of the north, a corpulent, hairy beast, his triple chin bulging over his chest was carrying a rare, sculptured, round Roman shield on his side.

  'We got made into men,' said Wandal carefully, forgetting my question. 'We fought in a strong, victorious shield wall though I am not sure if we helped.'

  Ansbor grunted, slapped Wandal on the back of his head and pointed at the fat man. 'That is a Cherusci. I don’t know his name. They joined us last night.'

  Felix huffed. 'Master, let the more intelligent ones help you out. That there is Segestes the Fat, a Cherusci lord of their Visurgis River gau, their westernmost one. A Roman minded fat ass that.' I smiled at that, and saw how Ansigar was dismounting.

  'What is going on with him?'

  Wandal looked down. 'He got a new master, eh? He was suddenly very much liked by Maroboodus, so he serves Gernot now. He tried to have Ishild marry him.' Wandal looked at me warily, apparently hoping to prove to me Ishild was trouble.

  'What?' I said, and Ansbor held me back resolutely. I breathed hard. I had slept with another girl, and I was not at all sure of Ishild as a prospective wife. But how dare he? He did not know I felt something for the girl.

  'He said you told him to go to Gernot, and he did. He is a man, and you a boy. You do not have a shield, do you? So do not touch him,' Ansbor said sternly.

  Felix pulled me around, trying to divert me. 'And that is Inguiomerus, brother of Segestes, lord of the Albis River gau. He is the gaunt, thin bastard with a functional, simple armor and a suspicious mind, and he hates the Langobardi and Semnone Suebi with unrivaled passion. They are ever at war over the river there. Great warrior though.' I nodded, my head spinning with murderous thoughts. Inguiomerus was famous indeed, though he looked like a carrion bird. Felix continued quickly, 'And those two,' he said, pointing at men emerging from a group of Cherusci warriors, 'are a father and a son, the elder the youngest brother of Inguiomerus and Segestes, Sigimer. Note his famous wolf axe.' Indeed, the slight, straight-nosed man with brown bushy beard had a magnificently carved axe on his belt. A famous weapon, I had heard poets sing songs of Fur Splitter.

  Then I saw your father, Thumelicus, my Lord.

  'His son, Sigimer's. A dandy bastard, but a keen one,' Felix introduced him. 'Armin.'

  Your father was taller than I was, with wide shoulders and a ruddy complexion. His blond beard was plaited in silver, and he carried a small but wide horn on his wide belt. A sword, long spatha, hung from his back as he regarded me, and his furs were rich, sable and dark in a kingly way. 'The Chatti are there, behind them,' said Felix. 'There is a meeting planned though the agenda has changed.' Felix laughed.

  'Hraban!' screamed Gernot, and everyone went quiet. Maroboodus turned to look at Gernot getting helped out of my hut by a grimacing Ansigar. 'Hraban! Father, he attacked me, I did not see him coming!'

  Maroboodus regarded his bloodied face and turned on me. 'Lords, excuse me.' He rode to Gernot, who was whispering and gesturing at me furiously.

  Three Chatti riders appeared, and the Cherusci stopped ogling at us. Felix, ignoring the developing confrontation between Gernot and myself, continued. 'The old, spear tattoo in his wrinkled forehead is Oldaric, their war king. The young adeling Adgandestrius you already know.' I nodded at the young prince, who thumbed in Gernot's direction while raising his eyebrows. I shrugged at him and spat to show my disgust at my brother. He grinned, and I liked him, despite our past. Maroboodus shot me a venomous look. Felix continued nervously. 'His father is Ebbe. Lord of Mattium, their capital and a large gau. They have been fighting Cherusci this year, so they are pretty much in war.'

  'Hraban!' yelled Maroboodus.

  'Father?' I said casually, not turning, looking at Armin who looked like a young god.

  'Did Gernot tell you to serve him?' he asked.

  'Yes, Father, he did. Then he ran into the doorframe, fell on his spear and shield, and passed out on mouse shit. I left him asleep.'

  The lords burst into raucous laughter, but Father was not smiling. 'Indeed. Well, I give you a choice, boy. You will take a proper whipping, or you will kiss his foot. Choose.'

  I spat.

  So they strapped me to a sturdy tree, stripped my back bare, and my father let Gernot use an iron studded belt on my hide. He enjoyed it, taking his time. Not a man said a word, and I bit my lip, forcing myself to be quiet. I smiled at the wild figure whispering to me, the godlike thing prompting me to violence. I felt his anger but stayed still and quiet. Father stopped Gernot at twenty-two. I bled but did not cry out, and for a second I think he was proud of my stubborn silence.

  Gernot scowled as Maroboodus came to cut me free. 'Just serve, Hraban, and do not fight wyrd all the time. I give you a chance; take it. Now you will serve Gernot at the dinner with the women, inside the hall. You will do so before the lords. Humility will do you good.' Horrified, I shook my head and swore to Woden I would never serve Gernot, especially with so many high lords looking on. I collapsed, finally allowed to show pain as the onlookers lost interest in me.

  My friends helped me sit, and Ishild came forward to address the wounds. I cursed as Ansigar smiled at her, and he looked at me curiously, emotionlessly, our friendship a thing of history. She eyed him with distaste. 'He will not get anywhere with me, Hraban. Trust me. I am true.' I blushed as I thought of Ermendrud. Gunhild came to kneel next to me.

  I glanced at her neutral face. 'I am sorry for Balde
rich, Aunt, even if he is a murdering traitor,' I told her as Ishild was not gentle with her ministrations.

  'He has erred, but we have your father now,' she said, hanging her head as Isfried rode up and stared at her, expecting a greeting. I glanced at the southern lord who had apparently sent his brothers south with Bark, and who now gazed at me carefully, his distrust of Maroboodus evident. Bark and the club he had witnessed. He must be thinking about them as his eyes lingered on Gunhild and me. She ignored him and muttered, 'Maroboodus will know what to do.'

  'Where are you staying, Wandal and Ansbor?' I asked, wincing at the pain.

  Wandal grinned. 'Euric has a smithy down in the harbor. Maroboodus gave it to him though it needs to be fixed properly. Apparently, there was a fire of sorts there.'

  'I'll help, if I survive the feast,' I told them, cursing Ishild who was applying something terribly stinging on the wounds.

  'Is he ready?' Gunhild asked Ishild. She nodded. Isfried turned away, his face clouded.

  Ishild turned my face toward hers. 'Meet me later? Please?'

  I nodded and forced a smile. I had many things on my mind, and did not think I would enjoy time with a woman, not now, perhaps not ever with a daughter of Tear, no matter if she cared for me. I got up and saw the lords of the north file into Bero's old hall, only to stop at the doorway to admire Maroboodus's men, standing by the walls in their war splendor.

  'Put this on,' Gunhild said, giving me a new, blue tunic. I looked at it and shook my head. 'Hraban! You must look decent, you are bleeding, dirty.'

  'I will stand out, certainly. And I do not have to obey you, Aunt.'

  She gave me the evil eye. 'Fine. Do not wear it. But you will go in, and do as you are told.'

  'No,' I said, sullenly, afraid and angry at the same time. 'By Woden, I’d rather be roasted and served in there, than be the one serving him!'