Bound by Fire

by Ronald Craft

Chapter 7

  Chaerok, his strength restored, walked ahead of Kane. The sun had come and gone twice already, and still they plodded along in silence. Memories of Kane's long time friend dying in front of him, eyes filled with darkness and the screams of the guardsmen weighed on his conscience.

  After extinguishing the lives of Josef and his guardsmen, Chaerok had collapsed. He remained unconscious for the better part of a day before awakening. When Chaerok awoke he'd returned to his previous self; however, he bore no memories of his actions.

  Kane hadn't spoke to him since.

  Abruptly, Chaerok stopped and turned to face Kane. His eyes were fixed to the ground as he spoke. “Kane, I'm sorry. I don't know—” Kane backhanded Chaerok and he fell backwards with a yelp.

  Kane shook his head. “You're sorry? Sorry? You killed my friend.” He jabbed the air with his finger. “No amount of apology will bring him back.”

  Chaerok rubbed his jaw. “You know I wasn't myself. I—I don't know what happened. One moment I was dying and the next..” He shrugged. “It's as you saw. Whatever that was, it wasn't me.”

  “Wasn't you? You don't even know who you really are.” Kane took a deep breath. It was taking all of his will power to keep from running his sword through Chaerok.

  Not that it'd do him much good.

  Chaerok closed his eyes. “I am truly sorry, Kane. But, if I hadn't taken their lives we'd both be dead right now. Is that what you'd prefer?” He opened his eyes and met Kane's gaze.

  He stared back at Chaerok and ground his teeth.

  Kane sighed. “I never wanted anyone innocent to die. If lives must be sacrificed so that I may live, then yes, I would rather be dead.” He shook his head. “I cannot bear this burden.”

  “I can't promise anything, Kane.” Chaerok rested his hand on Kane's shoulder. “I'm sorry.”

  He shook Chaerok's hand from his shoulder and pounded his fist against a tree. “There has got to be something—some way to prevent that from happening again.”

  “There may be; however, there are too many factors that we don't understand. Come, we must continue. We can do nothing but move forward for now.” Chaerok turned and headed deeper into the forest.

  Kane stood there for a moment and rubbed his sore fist. As much as he hated to admit it, Chaerok was right. Neither of them knew enough about his transformation at this point. Dwelling on it would do neither of them any good for the time being. He purged the thought from his mind and followed behind Chaerok.

  They walked for several more hours before arriving at the town of Waterford. Cold stares and angry whispers greeted them as they entered the center of the town. Several buildings looked to have burnt down quite recently. The clanking of armor grew louder as several guardsmen approached them. They stopped several paces away, hands on the hilts of their swords. Kane looked from one face to another in bewilderment.

  Normally, Waterford was a friendly place. The charred buildings and the hostility of the people meant only one thing to him.

  Karena had been here. She had always been like a great storm, leaving death and destruction in her path.

  “What is your business in Waterford?” A man bearing the insignia of a captain hobbled forward. His foot looked to be freshly bandaged. An image of Kane's friend Josef flashed in his mind and was gone. Josef had bore the same rank before his life was drained out of him.

  “We're doing a bit of traveling.” Kane glanced to Chaerok. No sign of his earlier persona shown through. “We were just hoping to procure some supplies before being on our way.”

  The captain narrowed his eyes. “Traveling, eh? At this time of year? You must have important business to risk going so far North.” He glanced between them.

  Kane smiled, hoping to ease the tension a bit. “Oh, yes. Got a fine deal in Dalenor. It'll be the last shipment of ore for the season.” Best not to tarry too long on this subject, lest the captain catch him at his lie. Kane gestured towards the burnt buildings. “It's a shame about the fire. I hope nobody was hurt.”

  Some of the tension left the captain. “Aye, we were victim to arson. We lost a good bit of our winter stores. It has the townsfolk on edge. We're not sure if we'll have enough to see us through the season now.”

  Chaerok rubbed his neck. “Arson? Who would do such a thing?”

  It was definitely her. This is a new low, even for you, Karena.

  One of the other guardsmen stepped forward. “Captain Haring, do you really trust these outsiders? After what that woman did, I wouldn't—”

  Captain Haring held up his hand. “Enough, Richter. We can't cut down every stranger that comes our way on a whim.” He faced Kane. “Please forgive my men. Everyone is scared now after...” he trailed off.

  “After what?” Chaerok leaned forward.

  Kane crossed his arms. He had a good idea what happened, but it'd be better if he let the captain say it himself.

  Captain Haring gripped his sword. “Two nights ago, a woman and a boy came through here. They set the food stores on fire. And, it's because of her that my foot is in this sorry state.” He lifted his foot and grimaced.

  Kane took a step forward. “What happened to them?”

  Captain Haring cocked his head. “You know of them?”

  He was stuck now. Did he lie to the captain or did he tell the truth? Kane was sure Captain Haring would be gauging him, looking for the lie. It would probably be best to just tell him the truth. Or, at least, as much of the truth he dared tell.

  Kane scratched his head. “Yes, I know of them. The boy with the woman is my son. He was taken from me by the woman five days ago.” He nodded towards Chaerok. “Chaerok saved me, and we've been pursuing them since.”

  The guardsmen around them tensed as he spoke.

  Kane raised his hands. “I assure you, Ilian had nothing to do with the burnings. He is as much a victim as you are.”

  Captain Haring stepped forward until he was a mere hands-breadth from Kane's face. His eyes bore into Kane's own. “And, what you say is the truth?”

  Kane nodded. “It is.” The smell of ale on the captain's breath assaulted his nose.

  I'd probably be drinking too if I was him.

  A moment passed and the captain took a step back. “Then we have a common enemy. But, they may not even be alive. My men have been scouring the woods, but we've found no signs of them.”

  Kane's brow furrowed. “No signs of them? What happened?”

  The captain pointed towards the bridge. “The boy was unconscious when the woman jumped into the river with him. At this time of year, I wouldn't bet much on them surviving the rapids.” Captain Haring shook his head. “I seem to have nothing but grim news of late.”

  “They're still alive.” Kane said flatly.

  Captain Haring rubbed his chin. “Really? How would you know that? My men aren't amateurs; they live in these woods.”

  Kane looked away. “One with her skills won't die so easily.”

  “I was witness to the results of those skills of hers myself,” Chaerok blurted out.

  All heads swung towards Chaerok. By the expressions on their faces, it looked as if most had forgotten he was there.

  Myself included, Kane thought. I hope his other persona doesn't come out here. These people have already suffered enough at the hands of Karena.

  He met each of their gazes in turn. “It is as I say. I think Kane could tell you more, though.”

  Kane sighed. He had been dreading this moment. “Aye, I know everything about her. At least, I thought I did, until five days ago.”

  “Maybe we should talk about this in private.” Captain Haring indicated the group of townspeople standing near them, whispering amongst themselves.

  “Good idea. They won't want to hear what I'm about to tell you.” Kane followed Captain Haring into a small house. A fire crackled in the fireplace and the distinct smell of pine drifted through the room. A small table stood in the c
enter room, surrounded by four chairs.

  “It's not much, but make yourselves at home.” The captain motioned for them to sit. “Now, continue your story. I'm interested in hearing of the woman that caused so much destruction in my town.” He limped over to the table and took a seat at the head.

  Kane pulled a pipe and tobacco from his pocket. “Many years ago, I ran a smithy at a small town in the Sylvatya Islands. I had been employed by a certain group of people to do some work there.”

  Haring offered him a light, which he gratefully accepted. After several puffs, he continued. “Well, it was there that I met Karena. She was still in training at that time.”

  “Training?” Chaerok and Haring said simultaneously. They both shared a puzzled look.

  Kane nodded. “Assassin training. They bring children out to the island and teach them techniques involving stealth, killing and, of course, they teach them how to survive. Which is why I know that she is far from dead.” He took a long draw on his pipe. The sweet taste of cherry tickled his tongue, filled his nostrils and settled in his lungs. It seemed like ages since he had last enjoyed a good smoke.

  He swallowed. This next part would be the most difficult for him. He had never said it out loud before.

  Kane cleared his throat. “Several years later, when they left Ilian in my care, it was her that brought him to me.”

  Captain Haring rubbed his head. “The boy isn't of your own blood?”

  “Aye. I had moved onto Lochden by then, so I wasn't privy to the details, but something had happened on the island. I'd promised my brother that I would look after his family should anything happen to him.” Kane took another puff from his pipe. “Ilian was all that was left of his family when Karena showed up at my door that day.”

  Haring and Chaerok shared a look. He knew they'd have many questions for him. Kane shook his head. “Sorry, but that's all I know. Karena never shared anything other than that she would return for him after he came of age. She was only in her thirteenth winter then. Imagine, a girl that young, looking that serious. I hardly believed her at the time.” He rubbed his shoulder. There was no pain, but he still knew exactly where the daggers had pierced him. “But, as you saw, she made good on her promise.”

  Chaerok sighed. “We have many questions, but few answers.”

  Kane nodded. “There is one more thing that bothers me.”

  Zephryos.

  “And what would that be?” Haring leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.

  He was weighing him again, looking for any inconsistency in Kane's story. “When I last encountered her, she wielded a weapon she shouldn't have—no, shouldn't have been able to wield it at all.”

  “I was wondering about that.” Chaerok chimed in. “I was wondering, what sort of weapon could cut y—the guardsmen down as easily as that.”

  The captain shifted his gaze to Chaerok.

  Fool. Watch your words around this man.

  Kane continued before Haring could chime in. “There are certain weapons that some have been able to forge over time. Long ago, weapons made of the elements were born into this world by the hands of blacksmiths'. It is an art which has been lost to all but a few.”

  The awe in Captain Haring's voice was apparent. “Blood weapons... she had one of these?”

  Chaerok frowned. “What are these blood weapons you speak of?”

  “Well,” Kane set his pipe down. “They're forged using a sort of spell. It's hard to explain, but it requires a great sacrifice. The finished product is bound to the user by blood. Blood is the key to awakening the power in the blade. And once bound, it can never be used by another.” His eyes drifted towards the table. “At least, that was what I thought until I saw Karena wielding Zephryos.”

  Chaerok's eyes widened. “That name is familiar; I've heard it before.”

  Kane looked at Chaerok. What did this man know of blood weapons? Another mystery to tack onto the already mysterious. “Many have. It's said to be the greatest Wind weapon to ever have been forged. The problem lies with the fact that she is able to wield them, though. You see, the person those blades were originally forged for is dead.”

  Haring's attention was focused on Kane once more. “Dead, you say? How is she able to tap into the power of a weapon that's not bound to her?”

  “I wish I knew, Captain. When she showed up in Lochden she had them on her person. I never really got the chance to question her.” Kane shook his head. “No, it should be impossible. And yet...”

  Chaerok rapped his knuckles on the table, drawing his gaze. “If the daggers don't belong to her, then who's were they?”

  “I was wondering the same thing.” Captain Haring tilted his head, staring intently at Kane.

  Kane let out a long sigh. Many memories he'd hoped would remain forever in the back of his mind were being drudged up on this day. “They—Zephryos—belonged to my wife.”

  Chaerok lurched forward and sent a cup clattering onto the floor. Both the men in front of Kane stared at him as if they were seeing him for the first time.

  Haring was the first to speak. “Your wife? What was your wife doing with something like that?”

  Kane sighed again. He seemed to be doing a lot of that today. “She was the same as Karena. An assassin.”

  “What? How could that be? I thought they were forbidden to marry.” Haring stood and began to pace around the room.

  Kane nodded. “We married in secret. I went to the island at the beckoning of my brother, who offered me work. He was one of the high smiths there.”

  “So, you, your brother and your wife were all gathered at an island with a group of assassins. That's about as fishy a story as I've ever heard,” Haring said, his voice full of suspicion.

  Kane dumped the ashes out of his pipe and slipped it back into his pocket. “Agreed. When I was first brought there I had no idea what I was in for. But, once there, I saw it was like most every other place I had gone. Just because they're assassins doesn't mean they don't need tools, food or water. They live, breath and eat like every other human being. There's just a few more rules than most people are accustomed to.”

  “So, how did your wife come by these daggers, Kane?” Chaerok tapped his fingers against the table and fidgeted with his robe.

  “They were gifted to her by the head of the order for obtaining the highest rank an assassin can achieve. My brother had a hand in crafting them.” Kane steeled his resolve. “I haven't seen her in many years. She would write now and then, but we could never really be together so long as she was in the order.”

  “Then, I got one last letter from her. It was cryptic and said little more than that she had to deal with something.” He took a deep breath. “That was the last time I heard from her. I had some hope that she might yet still be alive; until Karena showed up in Lochden with Zephryos. I still don't understand why she has the blades or how she got them. It makes no sense.”

  “Are you sure it's the same blades?” Chaerok asked.

  I made them. Of course I'd know my own craftsmanship. But, he didn't tell them that.

  “Because,” Kane began, “I'm a blacksmith. A bloody good one.”

  Chaerok nodded. “You have a point.”

  Haring clasped his shoulder. “Thank you for telling me your tale. It must have been painful.”

  Chaerok slid his chair back. “Kane, we should stock up on what we can and be on our way. Even now, they move further away from us.” The fire reflected in Chaerok's pale eyes.

  Kane stood. “You're right. We've idled here too long.” He shook Haring's hand. “Thank you, Captain. But, we need to be on our way.” Chaerok followed behind him as he made for the door.

  “Just a minute,” Haring called out as he limped after them.

  He stopped and turned around. “Is there something else you need, Captain?”

  Haring puffed out his chest. “I'm going with you.”

  Kane's mouth opened in di
sbelief. “You must be mad. Look at your foot. You'll hardly make it through a day of travel in your condition.”

  The captain smiled. “It'll be healed soon enough, and I have some reliable horses in the stable. I'll not hold you back, I promise you that.”

  Horses. That could come in handy; they'd make up for the time they lost.

  Kane glanced to Chaerok. He still didn't trust him around other people.

  Chaerok frowned. “What about your people? Don't they need you here with the town in this state?”

  Haring's smile faded and he pressed his lips together. “There's nothing more I can do here. I can't make their food come back.” He closed his eyes. “They look to me for support, but I have nothing more to give.”

  “So be it,” Kane said. “But you'd better not slow us down. We'll leave you behind if you can't keep up.”

  “Deal.” Haring's smile returned.

  They left the warmth of the house and followed the captain towards the stables. Haring barked orders at his men along the way, and they scurried off in different directions like a nest of ants.

  “So, which way are we going?” Haring asked.

  “Probably—”

  Chaerok cut him off. “That way.” He pointed off in the distance.

  Their eyes followed the direction of his finger.

  Haring's jaw hung open for a moment before snapping shut. He twisted his head and looked at Chaerok. “The mountains? You're going to the damned Crystal Mountains on the verge of winter?”

  Kane shrugged. “Seems so. Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay behind?”

  Haring shook his head and smiled. “Not a chance.”