The Bloodwood Curse: An Epic Fantasy Adventure of Swords, Magic and Romance. (The Rosethorn Chronicles Book 1)

by Peter Summersby

  “You run away like children.” The sound of its voice echoing and resonating across the ship.

  “Do you seek an honourable death by combat?” Hiwot returned.

  “I seek blood and fire.”

  “Blood and fire are not present here for you.”

  The warrior turned to face his challenger. He raised his arm at her and pointed with his axe in hand. “You defy me!”

  “I defy anyone who comes aboard my ship without my permission, I am the captain of this ship, I am its protector.” A cheer went up from the sailors. Another bolt flew out from the quarter-deck and punched through the chainmail under the warrior’s arm. A grinding splintering sound echoed across the ship, silencing the crew. A loud ring followed as the bolt impacted with the shoulder plate on the other side of the arm. The warrior dropped his weapon and with both arms now crippled, he went down to his knees and lowered his head in submission.

  “You have been felled, warrior.” Hiwot stepped down on to the main deck. She stood before the warrior and with her foot pushed the warrior back. The extra weight brought him to the ground. She stepped over him and yanked off his helmet.

  Underneath a green wart-covered face confronted her, and a mouth with two small tusks protruding from it. The eyes, a hollow yellow, stared back at her. The creature had two black teeth protruding from the front of his mouth, preventing him from closing it properly. Without cringing, Hiwot looked down at the ugly tortured soul, and felt pity rise in her throat.

  “You, orc, have fought valiantly; I give you death by sword, your reward.”

  “Thank you.” The orc wept. “I go to Plith and the final resting place with honour.”

  Hiwot raised her sword and aimed it above his exposed throat.

  “I send this soul to the land of fire and blood. I grant him passage to the final resting place of his kind.” She thrust the sword into his mouth and out the back of its head, embedding it into the wood. The orcs death was swift; the sailors came down onto the main deck and dispatched the remaining pirates. Hiwot left her sword standing in the deck.

  A sailor presented his sword to her.

  “Now, men, let us go and free those slaves!” she shouted.

  The men gave a cheer and ran across the planks into the pirate ship, Hiwot leading the charge.

  Chapter 3 Fort Northern Wiles

  13th day 6th month 579th year of the 8th era

  Akuchi woke to a soft knock on his door. He opened his eyes and tried to move. The warmth of Hiwot intertwined with him caused him to smile. He lifted his head from the soft feather pillow that lay under his head and surveyed the situation.

  The soft scratch at the door came again. Akuchi stretched out his hand and braced it against the wall. He then extracted the rest of his naked body from that of the Captain’s. Placing a bare foot on the floor, he slipped the pillow into her arms. She murmured and settled. He padded over to the concealed door and opened it. Behind the door was the young serving maid. She had a tray in her hands.

  She looked up at him and smiled. Akuchi stood to the side letting her in. She entered and quietly placed the silver tray on the table. She set the table for two and then blushed at Akuchi as she left.

  Akuchi stepped up and lifted the cover. The smell of fried meat and eggs wafted into the room. Hiwot stretched and groaned. She stood and bunched her hair behind her head.

  Akuchi turned and looked at her. Her soft skin and supple form were striking in the morning light, diffusing through the timbers and reflecting off the polish. She smiled back at him as she looked at him. He motioned for her to take a seat. She glided over to the table. Akuchi smiled as she walked, drinking in her swaying hips. A familiar warmth stirred in his loins. She reached her seat and sat in it. Akuchi leaned down and planted a kiss on her pale pink lips. Her hands went up and wrapped around his neck, pulling him deeper into an embrace. He leaned into the kiss exploring her mouth, one hand caressing her breasts the other bracing himself on the chair.

  A quick knock on the door broke the kiss as they both turned and looked at it.

  Hiwot sighed. “Yes?”

  The door opened as Akuchi stood upright and in walked the tall bald butler. He bowed to them both before speaking. “Mr Tendai wishes to inform you that land has been sighted, and we have reached our destination.”

  “Very good. Inform him that we will be right out,” Hiwot dismissed. The bald man bowed low at the waist again and left, closing the door behind him. The maid opened the concealed door and came in with their clothing.

  They arrived on the quarter deck dressed and ready on the top of the ship, Hiwot in her naval uniform and

  Akuchi dressed in a white shirt and a pair of brown trousers, his own clothes washed and neatly pressed.

  “I wish you would take some of my grandfather’s clothes,” Hiwot offered. “They are much more presentable then what you have.”

  “Thank you for your generosity.” Akuchi smiled. “I couldn’t possibly take away from the memory of your grandfather.”

  A ships boy handed Hiwot and Akuchi their swords before returning to his other duties. Akuchi buckled his sword onto his trousers, smiling at Hiwot who frowned at him.

  “I would like you to take something of me to remember me.”

  “I couldn’t possibly, because I couldn’t leave anything in return. It would be unfair.”

  “Fine, at least we will have those days together. I can scarcely forget them.”

  Akuchi felt his heart flutter. Flashes of the last several days flashed through his mind. He smiled back at her.

  Mr Tendai saluted the captain. She returned the salute and turned to look at the fast-approaching coast.

  “You were the only volunteer this time around, Akuchi?” Kwane asked.

  “Yeah, this is not a sought-after posting, but it is the shortest,” Akuchi explained.

  “You didn’t want to be in the army for very long?”

  “Not really. I am more of a farmer, and this was the best way to raise enough money to buy a farm.”

  The two men chatted as they drew near to the fort, an imposing bulwark that was Fort Northern Wiles. The fortress was made up of a large fifty-meter wall that connected the impassable teeth of the world to the great ocean. To the north a grassland as far as the eye could see, to the south a large thick forest, the famous Bloodwood Forest. The fortress rose, standing between the four forces of nature, its imposing whitewashed walls reflecting the sun. Drawing closer, the fortress took on detail, facing the sea, were three towers two standing at eighty meters flanking another that stood out into the water. It was dark grey in colour and different in architecture. This middle tower was the light-house that guided the ships into the safe harbour. Just below the lighthouse sat two well-constructed wharves.

  Behind the lighthouse and between the towers, three buildings stood made from the same stone as the lighthouse.

  As the fort came into view Akuchi stared at it. Kwane bellowed orders as sails reefed, and lines secured. He slowed the ship down for arrival into the dock. The midshipman at the helm expertly nudged the ship into the dock and the crew scrambled to tie it off with large rough ropes. A ladder was thrown over the side ready for Akuchi to descend to the dock. Akuchi thanked Kwane and bid his farewell. He turned to Hiwot who looked at him, her eyes misting. He stepped up to her and gave her a quick hug which she returned, leaning into it.

  He descended the rope ladder and jumped off the ship landing on the wharf. He turned and headed into the fort.

  Two men stood at the end of the peer, talking over some large papers spread out on a simple wooden table. One was short, coming only to the others shoulder; the taller man was explaining a concept to the shorter with patience. The shorter man wore dark brown leather armour his body was thick with muscles. The other man was tall and wiry his head was shaved bald devoid of hair except for big thick bushy eyebrows he wore black leather armour and sported two long pointed dirks on either side of his hips.

  “Private Aku
chi Rosethorn reporting for duty,” Akuchi declared.

  The short man looked him up and down. “Are you all there is?”

  “Yes sir,” Akuchi replied.

  “Well that’s a pity. I am Sergeant Salvadore and this is Iwamoto.”

  “Thank you, sir,” returned Akuchi.

  “Go head on over to the mustering yard. They are about to start some training.”

  “Through the buildings, sir?”

  “Yeah,” responded Salvadore, “go on through and report to Oghenekaro Nsia, he is the fort commander.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Akuchi saluted. He walked past Salvadore and Iwamoto and spotted a path of cobblestone leading between two buildings. He followed the path and past two large buildings made from stone on his right. While walking past the second building another smaller builder came up on his left, also made from the stone. He saw that this building contained several large furnaces and large piles of wood, steel, and charcoal. Metal bashed on metal followed by the sound of water boiling and steaming. As the building on his right came to an end, he came to a large open space. Across the space was a large pole on it fluttered the flag of Cere in the gentle wind, a red background with a golden pyramid in the centre and a silver sword in the top left.

  Arrayed in between Akuchi and the flag were a large group of people all in pairs training. The whole field was covered with people sparing with each other. Akuchi saw several more buildings to his left as he followed along the path. Another path ran to his right, ran around the compacted dirt, following the side of the building and then straight across to the other side and around to where the flagpole stood.

  Akuchi kept an eye on the sparring partners as he followed the path along towards the flagpole. He passed a lady wearing a pair of short shorts and a bandage strapping down her breasts as she twirled with two long swords in each hand. She leaped on to her partner’s shield and jumped over it. Before he could turn to face her. She stretched her sword out behind her and levelled against his shoulder.

  He lowered his shield and curved sword down as he turned to face her again. She smiled as they both took positions and resumed their fight. Akuchi kept walking. He passed two women both dressed in black trousers and a light white shirt, with two short swords in each hand. Their hair, matted with sweat, clung to their shoulders as they fought each other. Clashes of steel rose from them as they threw themselves at each other. They moved so fast that Akuchi was surprised to see they didn’t kill each other.

  Akuchi arrived at the flagpole and saw a small tent pitched on the other side made from brown canvas. Inside was a small table with a man sitting behind it, bent over the stacks of paper covering the desk. Akuchi walked up and saw the man was wearing brown leather armour that covered his legs but also kept his arms free.

  On his back was a long two-handed claymore. Its hilt was a standard issue leather grip. It was pockmarked with wear. Akuchi approached the desk and saluted. “Private Akuchi reporting for duty.”

  The man behind the desk didn’t look up from the paper he was looking at. He scratched something into it with his quill and then put it into the ink pot at the corner of the desk. He then looked up, clasping his hands and rested them on the desk and then rested his head on them. Akuchi stood in front of Oghenekaro Nsia waiting. Did I do something wrong? Finally, the commander spoke.

  “You have come alone,” Oghenekaro commented. “We need many more soldiers for this fort.”

  Akuchi was surprised; he had just passed a whole muster yard full of troops, why does he need more soldiers? Oghenekaro rose from his chair behind the desk and moved around to Akuchi.

  “Do you know why we are here?”

  Akuchi shook his head.

  Oghenekaro waited.

  “I have not been told, sir,” Akuchi said standing up straighter.

  “This fort stands as the guardian against the trolls to the north. The only orders I have is to hold this fort, to the last man if need be. No explanation, no rhyme no reason.”

  “How long has this fort been here for?” Akuchi asked.

  “No one knows. While here I expect your very best. Most soldiers stay on for a year and then leave. If you are good, I will ask you to stay. If for any reasons you become unable to fight or contribute in some way to the effort, I will send you away. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Akuchi snapped off a salute, fist to chest.

  “Normally in the Cere army, you would be given a squad to join, they would be your new family,” Oghenekaro explained, “they would train you to fight better. Here it’s slightly different. You are paired with one other person an experienced veteran, someone who can mould you to become the warrior we need here at Fort Northern Wiles. The basic training you received might be good enough for the army here it’s no longer enough.”

  Oghenekaro strode out of the tent and started walking along the northern side of the muster field. He didn’t look back, assuming Akuchi was following him. Akuchi hastened his steps to keep pace with Oghenekaro’s pace.

  “You are lucky we have someone spare to train you,” he concluded.

  “Yes, sir,” Akuchi agreed. He didn’t agree, squad training worked because there would always be someone in the squad you got along with. With this pair system you could never tell. Oghenekaro stopped at the end of a building. It was made from the same grey stone that all the interior buildings were made from. The walls had several windows and a plain wooden door was set into the middle of the building. Oghenekaro opened the door. Inside were rows of beds all made to perfection. A wooden chest sat at the end of each bunk. On a bunk a woman sat cross-legged meditating, facing them. She was dressed in a thong with a red loin cloth. Blonde hair hung down to her bare chest, her skin a deep olive brown.

  “Mayu Kaori will be your instructor. Don’t be fooled she is a talented warrior.”

  Mayu opened her ruby-red eyes; when her name was mentioned, she unfolded her legs and arose from her bed. She gracefully moved down to the open door and smiled pleasantly at the two men.

  “Akuchi, a pleasure to meet you.” Akuchi extended his hand to Mayu.

  “Mayu. Nice to meet you, Akuchi,” Mayu returned, shaking Akuchi’s hand.

  “Mayu, Akuchi just arrived on the supply boat and he is in need of much training,” Oghenekaro informed her, his gaze wandering from her eyes.

  “Very well sir,” Mayu replied, not noticing Oghenekaro’s lustful stare. “I will get started right away.”

  Oghenekaro walked off, clenching and unclenching his fists.

  Mayu looked Akuchi up and down. The action sent a shiver down his spine.

  “First thing to do is get you equipped,” Mayu stated. “You can’t fight trolls like that.”

  Mayu turned and returned to the bunk she had been sitting upon. She opened the chest and pulled out a kopesh, a weapon with a gentle curve and a fine black handle. It was sheathed in a black leather scabbard. She tied it to her thong and then stepped into thick knee-high leather boots and pulled on matching gloves that came to her elbow. She then pulled out a simple leather strip and tied up her hair into a neat bun behind her head.

  “Oggy doesn’t like me wandering around the fort completely naked,” She giggled.

  “Why is that?” Akuchi asked, trying to keep a straight face, and his eyes off her breasts.

  “He says it’s distracting. Though from my point of view clothes are distracting.”

  “How do you mean?” Akuchi queried, his brow furrowing.

  “The time it takes to clean them and put them on,” she listed on her gloved fingers.

  She finished dressing, closed the door behind her, and then started off back towards the muster yard.

  Akuchi followed as she went past the practicing soldiers and then past the tent that Oghenekaro had set up. On the other side of the tent was a building, made from the same grey stone. The building was long and windowless. On the side facing the tent was an opening without a door. Akuchi followed Mayu into the opening and then they
stopped just inside the door. A small room barely big enough for the two of them, was enclosed by a long bench. Behind the bench were racks and racks of equipment; weapons of all sorts imaginable, armour everything from full plate down to padded vests, boots, camping equipment, and several types of tools.

  A lady stood in front of the racks. She wore a threadbare white shirt that hung off her stringy frame. Her golden hair was held back in a bun, her skin a pale white that was unmarked and flawless.

  “Taya, we need some equipment,” Mayu demanded, placing her hands on the bench

  with a loud slap.

  “What? Have you finally come looking for armour?” quipped Taya, putting down several sheets of paper.

  “Good heavens, no. New kid needs some.”

  “Hi,” Akuchi responded as Taya took notice of him.

  “New kid?” Taya questioned. “When did he come in?”

  “Arrived, today on the supply ship.”

  “What does he need in the way of supplies?”

  Mayu turned and faced Akuchi. “Did you want to keep using that longsword or would you like another weapon?”

  “I have only ever used this one,” Akuchi stated, placing his hand on the pommel of his sword.

  “Hmm, best to stay with it if you have been using it for many years.”

  “How long have you been using it?” Mayu asked.

  “I hadn’t picked up a weapon till I arrived at basic training,” said Akuchi. “About three months ago.”

  “Tareem,” swore Mayu. “He could at least give me someone that has actual training.”

  “This could take a while,” Taya said, lifting a segment of the bench. “You guys had better come in.”

  Mayu and Akuchi followed Taya as she led them through the racks through a small door and down a short flight of steps into a large room. Candles burned on the plain wooden table in the middle of the room Along the walls hung a various collection of weapons and armour. The centre of the room was well lit and covered in a training mat.

  “Here we will determine what weapon will suit you, and what if any armour you need,” Taya informed.