Dark Times

by Brian Murray

  Rayth hid his smile and reached forward for the axe. With a low grunt, he freed the blade and held it a finger’s width from Zane’s throat. Looking into the young man’s stormy-grey eyes, Rayth spoke softly, his voice chilling. “You do wrong by my child and you’ll face my wrath, king or no king. You’ll need your entire army to stop me. You hear me, boy?”

  “If I wrong Aurillia, I will not be living, as I will kill myself,” Zane replied steadfastly.

  Rayth ambled around the table and towered over Zane, a full head taller than the young king. Roaring at the top of his voice, he crashed his axe through the table, splintering it into pieces, and rammed the blade into the wooden floor. Zane jumped and took a step back as he stared into the man’s blazing eyes. The anger faded and Rayth smiled. Reaching out and pulling Zane into a hug, he whispered into his ear, “You have my permission to marry my daughter, but remember . . . don’t wrong her. Now call her in, I think I have ripped some stitches.”

  Rayth laughed at the younger man’s discomfort and Zane called for Aurillia. She entered the room and studied the two men—her two men. Turning towards the young woman, Zane knelt down on one knee.

  “I have asked your father and he has given me permission to ask you.”

  He took a deep breath realising that Dax, Thade, and Tanas were crowded in the doorway. Looking into Aurillia’s violet eyes, he continued, “It would be my greatest honour if you would take my hand in marriage and be my queen.”

  Tears rolled down Aurillia’s cheeks and she glanced up at her father, who just nodded. Aurillia reached down and helped Zane to his feet. “I will answer you, my love.” She kissed Zane on the lips and he held the young woman in his embrace. “My lips do not lie, I will be yours forever and beyond.”

  Zane hugged his love, close to tears.

  “Enough of that,” roared Rayth. “Wait until you are married,” he said, reaching for his axe. Aurillia peered over Zane’s shoulder and cursed her father, seeing fresh blood oozing through and staining his shirt.

  “You’ve popped some stitches, you silly old goat. Now put that damn axe down,” she commanded.

  Rayth literally dropped the axe, trying to look innocently at her. “And don’t give me those puppy eyes, they don’t work on me,” she added sternly.

  “I think it’s time for drinks all around,” said Rayth, trying to change the conversation.

  “Sit yourself down, Father,” said Zane. “I will pour the drinks.”

  Moving around the bar, Zane found some goblets. “There are two bottles of twenty-year-old Daardin under the counter, for a special occasion. This is definitely one,” said Rayth proudly.

  Rayth suddenly realised that Zane had called him ‘Father’. “I’m not your father yet,” he retorted sharply. Then the innkeeper’s voice mellowed. “But I will be proud to be called such.”

  Zane poured the fiery fluid into the goblets and handed them out to the group. He raised his glass. “My friends, I would like to present, my queen, Queen Aurillia of the Rhaurns.”

  “Aurillia!” they all shouted.

  With misted eyes, Rayth raised his goblet and drank the contents in one gulp. He coughed as the Daardin warmed his throat, but it did not change the broad smile on his face. Aurillia walked into his embrace. His life felt complete.

  “Now let’s get those stitches looked at, Father,” she said softly.

  “Aye, child,” said the burly innkeeper softly, sitting down.

  Later that evening after many drinks, Zane helped Rayth to his room, where Rayth stretched out rather stiffly on his bed. He smiled when the older man’s eyes opened and looked up at him.

  “Come sit down here, son,” said Rayth, slurring his words. Zane pulled the chair up close to the bed.

  “That girl is my life and I treasure her very essence. You do right by her.”

  “I promise, Rayth. She will always be happy and I will love her to my dying breath and beyond.”

  “Good,” said Rayth, smiling goofily. “You’re a good boy. Remember now, don’t change, no matter how much people try to make you or want you to, don’t change.”

  “I won’t,” said Zane quietly, as he became aware that Rayth was already asleep, and snoring peacefully.

  Rising, the young man tucked in the blankets and silently left the room. Walking down to the kitchen he met Dax, who smiled at his young king.

  “You’ve made an old man extremely happy and his daughter will fill your life with joy. Congratulations,” said the warrior, holding out his hand.

  Zane took the hand and shook it. “Why do I feel that this is a goodbye?”

  “I have to complete something for a friend.”

  “Gammel?” asked Zane, already knowing the answer.

  “Aye, I need to hunt down that man of evil and deal with him.”

  “When do you leave?”

  “We’ll leave after the girls set sail for Kal-Pharina. But we will be back, so hold the merrymaking.”

  “That I promise, my friend. Thank you for everything, Dax. I say that as your friend and as your king. You’re the best of men and I am honoured that we’re friends.”

  “Stay as you are and you will do fine, my friend . . . my king.”

  Zane stepped in close and hugged the older man, like he wanted to hug his father. He had not hugged his father since he was a child and would never hug him again. Stepping back, Zane walked through to the common room where he found Aurillia talking with the blind warrior Tanas. He also saw his mother, his sister Sasha, Megan, and Kammi, the Flying Vessel cook, were there enjoying drinks. He sat at the table and Thade handed him a goblet.

  The group drank happily throughout the evening until close to dawn.

  ***

  The next few days were happy ones for the friends, but all too soon it was time for them to say farewell, and, for the time being, to go their separate ways. With Rayth regaining his strength, Dax wanted to journey after the Dark Brethren’s general and seek revenge. Ireen and Megan had to journey back to Kal-Pharina to see Rowet, but that meant both Thade and Tanas were undecided about where they should go. They wanted to be with their women, but felt driven by the need to go with Dax and seek vengeance for their friend.

  On a stormy evening, the group had a cosy dinner together at the palace. This would be their last meal together for a long time. They intended it to be a joyful affair, but there were those already mourning loneliness. Only Zane felt totally happy; he had his queen-to-be sitting next to him and gathered all around him were his true friends.

  At the end of the meal, Thade left the dining hall with Ireen, whilst Tanas went for a walk in the rain with Megan. Dax left them and strolled with Rayth back to his tavern. Gordonia and Brooks joined them and the four men spent the evening drinking and swapping tales.

  ***

  “I don’t want to leave, but I must return,” said Ireen glumly. “You could come with me and speak with my father.”

  Thade gazed into Ireen’s emerald green eyes and his stomach tightened.

  “I will come to Kal-Pharina, but you know I must travel with Dax and finish Gammel’s mission. Friends are important in my life and Dax is like my father. And right now, he needs me.”

  “But you’ll be in danger,” replied Ireen quietly, with tears threatening.

  “I’ll be with you again as soon as this mission is completed. Then I’ll come to Kal-Pharina and ask your father for your hand in marriage.”

  Ireen walked into Thade’s embrace as tears rolled from her eyes. He hugged her close to stop tears streaming from his own eyes. They spent the rest of the night in Teldor, arm in arm.

  ***

  “You’ll come for me?” asked Megan, watching Tanas’s expression.

  “Of course I will come for you. That I promise, nothing will keep me from you,” replied Tanas.

  “That’s good to hear. And don’t be too long.”

  Tanas cocked his head to one side and smiled. “I will be with you before you know it. I have to travel w
ith Dax. Do you understand?”

  “Aye, I understand, but don’t want any harm to come to you.”

  “Relax, Megan, what I cannot see cannot hurt me.”

  Megan chuckled at the blind warrior’s joke and hugged him deeply. “Let’s get inside before we catch a chill.”

  “Aye,” said Tanas quietly.

  Crackling lightning suddenly ripped through the clouds and thunder growled. A fierce storm raged all through the night.

  ***

  The following morning was bright and clear and the air fresh after the storm. Moored at the docks, the Gliding Falcon prepared for its journey back to Phadrine. Admiral Rendel would personally escort the princess and General Gordonia to their home. On the docks, Thade and Tanas said tearful farewells to Ireen and Megan. Zane was also there to see them set sail safely and he passed them gifts of thanks to take to his friend the Chosen, along with letters of friendship; confirming the peace and the new trade treaties agreed with his father.

  The crescent-shaped bay was calm and the breeze light and fresh. The sunlight sparkled on the water, producing a sea of twinkling aquatic stars. At midday, the vessel set sail. Zane waited with the two warriors until the ship left the bay. In silence, they returned to the tavern, their mood glum.

  Dax ambled out of the tavern, with Rayth and Aurillia following to meet Zane and the two warriors. Aurillia walked up to Zane and the pair stood arm in arm.

  “Remember, Dax, I will delay our wedding day until my warlord returns from his little adventure,” announced Zane, smiling his distinctive smile.

  “We will return soon, that I promise.”

  “You’d better return soon. I want my daughter married!” added Rayth, grinning. The friends embraced each other and exchanged a few private words.

  Dax mounted his horse and smiled down at Zane.

  The three warriors waved goodbye and trotted their horses slowly along the cobblestone streets through the city. Soon they reached the outer gate, where Zorain and Conn were waiting to wave them off.

  “Just wanted to make sure those scoundrels left our city in one piece,” said Zorain to Conn jokingly.

  “We tried our best to destroy your city, Captain, but we failed this time. When we return it will be for Zane’s wedding and we will share a drink together. And maybe cause some more mischief,” announced Dax, smiling.

  “I will hold you to that and will keep my dungeons clean for you.”

  The men shook hands and the three warriors left Teldor behind them.

  Prodding their horses into a gallop, the men silently enjoyed racing over the green rolling hills. They had been cooped up in the city for far too long and needed some open space.

  The three friends headed north to fulfil their destiny. They journeyed towards the Grey Castle—to find a man: they had a general to kill.

  CHAPTER 4

  Dax, Thade, and Tanas decided to break up their journey to the Grey Castle. They would stop at Thade’s home, to ensure all was well with Cara, then when rested and supplies replenished, the arduous trek to the Grey Castle would continue. They would have to push hard, for heavy snows were due in the Great Mountains soon after the short thaw. The three comrades forced a quick pace, with little conversation.

  They travelled north before changing course to northeast. At night, they camped off the roads, deciding not to venture into any villages, wanting to enjoy the outdoors. Several days after leaving Teldor, the group crested a small hill. The three men stopped and gazed down at Thade’s home. Dax smiled when he saw Cara’s familiar figure walk out of the back door and cross the garden to the well. They waited until the woman to fill her bucket and return to the house before riding their horses down the slope.

  ***

  Gan-Goran had grown stronger, but still was not well enough to make the journey alone to either Teldor or Kal-Pharina. If honest with herself, Cara enjoyed his company. She had neighbours to visit but the old man was someone she could fuss over. Gan-Goran entered the kitchen and smiled. For the two weeks he had been at the house, he had shared the chores and impressed Cara with his cooking skills. Sitting down, Cara waited for the kettle to boil to make some tisane.

  “I think I should be going soon,” announced the magic-master quietly.

  “Are you sure you are fit enough to travel?”

  “I have to see what’s going on. I have been out for far too long and I don’t know what is happening. My knowledge and skills may prove the difference.”

  “Well, we’ll see if you are able to travel first.” Cara did not want the old man to leave. She had been alone in the house since the other men had departed months earlier.

  Just then, Cara heard horses approach and rose warily from the table. With a heavy sigh, she walked to the door and saw three men tethering their horses. Instantly recognising them, she raced out.

  “Oh my, bless the Divine One!” she cried.

  “If it’s not the woman with the tongue of a whip,” called Dax jokingly as he finished tethering his horse.

  “Well, for the first time I can truly say I am pleased to see you, you old goat,” said Cara, throwing her arms around the older warrior’s neck in a warm embrace. Giving him a kiss on the cheek, she said, “Thank you. You kept your promise.”

  “Aye, he’s back, but he has changed,” whispered Dax softly.

  “My boy will not change.” Cara turned to face Thade and smiled broadly.

  “Hello Cara,” Thade said, strolling forward and opening his arms. She gently pushed Dax away and flung herself into his embrace. The two stood and hugged each other for an age, tears of joy silently flowing from Cara’s eyes.

  “Let me have a look at you,” Cara managed at last.

  Thade stepped back.

  Cara touched Thade’s cheek and frowned. Turning around to face Dax, she said, “I see signs of healed wounds here, Dax.”

  “Well, they’re healed, aren’t they?”

  “But it means he’s been injured, you sour old goat.”

  “Aye, but not bad,” countered Dax sheepishly.

  Cara answered Dax by snorting through her nose. That meant she would deal with him later. Seeing the blind warrior dismount, Cara walked over to him.

  “Tanas, good to see you. Are you well?” she asked.

  “Nice to hear your voice again, ma’am.”

  “Not ma’am, young man, just Cara.”

  “Sorry, I forgot, Cara,” replied Tanas. Before the warrior knew it, Cara threw her arms around him and planted a wet kiss on his lips.

  “That’s for coming back in one piece,” she announced.

  “Hold on,” called Thade. “How come I didn’t get a kiss?”

  Cara walked back to Thade and planted a huge wet kiss on his lips. Thade smiled. “Now that’s better,” he announced, looping an arm around her shoulders.

  “Come inside, I have some tisane on the boil, and a friend who will want to say hello. Then you can tell me of your adventures.”

  “Who’s inside?” asked Dax warily.

  “You have to come inside and see,” answered Cara, linking arms with Thade and Dax.

  They strolled towards the house as Gan-Goran, the master-magiker, appeared in the doorway.

  “Gan, good to see you! Have you completed your mission?”

  Gan-Goran frowned in bewilderment. “What mission, Thade?”

  Thade and Dax exchanged glances and the younger man shrugged his shoulders. “At Teldor, you said you were leaving on a ‘mission’.”

  “Thade, I think this may come as a shock to you, but I have not been to Teldor for quite a while.”

  “Nonsense, you were there with us,” said Dax, narrowing his eyes.

  “I think we had better sit down and I will explain everything. But I should say this, whatever has happened over the last few months, I don’t think it is over.”

  Dax glared at the master-magiker questioningly, but would hold his interrogation until he had heard what the old man had to say.

  ***

>   The three warriors and the master-magiker sat at the kitchen table while Cara waited for the tisane to brew.

  “So, Gan, what do you mean you were not at Teldor?” asked Dax, leaning forward on his elbows in an intimidating manner.

  “This will be hard to explain, my friend, but an explanation is in order.” The old man paused. “From what I can gather you left here over two months ago. Do you remember the night of the meal with the ales and wine?” The group nodded. “I believe I have been in a trance since that night, until a couple of weeks ago. The Darklord tricked me and kept me prisoner on the Paths of Time. He made it seem that I could get some clues along the Paths, but I was duped. My soul became lost in the vast mists of time, and darkness shrouded me. Only recently the darkness was pierced, enabling me to find my way back to our time and find my body. I think I had some help.”

  “I don’t know what you’re saying, Gan,” said Dax honestly. “You have been with us all the time.”

  “Dax, I have been in the woods south of the house since the evening of the meal. You have been travelling with an impostor. I have not been with you and don’t know where you have been or, what has been happening. It was not I. I have been in a trance and here all the time.”

  “That explains a few things,” commented Dax, nodding and kneading the back of his neck with his powerful, callused hand. “You did not seem to be the same Gan I know, and you did not use much magic to help us.”

  “As I have said, that’s because it was not I, my friend. You know me better than that. I would have done my best as part of the group.”

  “That I know and that I found most troublesome. You did seem, at times, not to bother.”

  “And you did not say anything?”

  “No, I did not, and maybe I should have, but you recounted the story of our first meeting.”

  “I repeat it was not I. Naats must have managed to read my thoughts when I travelled to the Paths to meet him.”

  All stared at the master-magiker blankly, except Dax, whose eyes narrowed.