A Plague of Ruin: Book One: Son of Two Bloods

by Daniel Hylton

  “By doing so,” Brenyn continued, “I will help to defend your borders and allow you to seek peace with your neighbors. Would this not be better?”

  Taumus studied him and then indicated Captain Murlet.

  “And your friends?” He wondered. “To protect them from the darkings, will you also go away from them?”

  Brenyn glanced at Murlet and met that sharp, solemn gaze for a moment. Then, he nodded and gave his answer. “Should the darkings come now and hunt me, as I believe will happen; then I must travel – and dwell – alone.”

  Prince Taumus continued to watch him in silence for a long moment and then he inclined his head. “It appears that you have found your destiny. As I told you once, I think it a finer destiny than has come to any man. Should you succeed in that which you intend, you will alter the very course of the world.”

  The prince turned his mount away toward the center of his army, but then he paused and looked back. “You will ever find me a friend, Brenyn Vagus. If ever I may be of assistance to you, in any way, you need only ask.”

  Brenyn inclined his head. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  Taumus then looked over at Murlet. “My legate will come by shortly to render payment for your services, captain.”

  Murlet bowed his head. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  When the prince rode away, Murlet stared at Brenyn for a long moment and then spoke. “Bring Brenyn’s mount.”

  Jed came through the line of horsemen, leading Noris. When Brenyn had mounted up, he found Murlet’s gaze yet fixed on him.

  “Let us go home,” Murlet said, “and then, afterward, we will talk, eh, Brenyn?”

  Brenyn nodded. “As you wish.”

  The army encamped a few miles from Marius that night and then reached the city late in the next afternoon. Prince Taumus’ legate, Alin Teset, had tendered the one thousand gold to Captain Murlet on the previous evening, so the mercenary company did not hesitate at Marius but took the road to the west, heading for home.

  Two days after reaching the valley, Murlet found Brenyn at breakfast in the public house and sat down opposite him.

  “Can we talk?” He asked.

  “I think we must,” agreed Brenyn.

  Murlet looked around and then shook his head. “Not here. In an hour, perhaps, up at the thinking rock?”

  Brenyn nodded. “I will be there.”

  Murlet rose then and went to find his own breakfast. A few minutes later, Sergeant Kristo eased his bulk into the booth. “Can we talk, Brenyn?” He asked.

  “We can,” Brenyn agreed. “What is on your mind, sergeant?”

  Kristo glanced around. “Not here,” he said. “Later, maybe – at your room? Would that be alright?”

  “I must speak with Captain Murlet first,” Brenyn told him. “He has made a claim upon my time, but afterward, certainly.”

  Kristo frowned. “What does he want, do you know?”

  Brenyn shook his head. “I do not.”

  Kristo studied the table for a long moment before looking up again. “Because I want to talk to you about him, Brenyn – but don’t tell him that, please.”

  “I will not,” Brenyn promised.

  Kristo rapped the table with his meaty fist. “Right; thanks, Brenyn. See you later, then.”

  After the big sergeant left, Brenyn finished his breakfast and then made his way up the slope and into the forest behind the town. Murlet was already there, seated upon the rocky knoll, gazing out over the valley. He looked over and greeted Brenyn.

  “Beautiful morning, eh?”

  Brenyn sat down and looked down over the wooded hillside toward the valley, green and vibrant in the morning sun. “It is,” he agreed.

  Silence fell between them then and lengthened. No sound intruded other than birds singing in the trees and small mammals scuttling about the forest floor. At last, Brenyn looked over.

  “What is on your mind, Johan?”

  Murlet kept his attention fixed upon the distant valley as he gave his reply. “That was an astonishing thing, Brenyn – the killing of those darkings.” He shook his head in wonder. “I will never forget it. It was as if the brightness of the sun exploded out from you and drove the blackness away and back into those creatures.” He looked over. “Whatever it is that is in you, it is powerful. And I agree with Prince Taumus – you may very well alter the course of the world.”

  He looked away once more as an expression of regret made its way onto his face. “But I am sad to see you go.” He looked back. “Could you not hunt the creatures from here? – keep this as your home? I will aid you in any way that I can, as will all the band.”

  Brenyn shook his head. “The prince is right when he states that the darkings will be drawn to me now.”

  He shook his head again. “And that will bring them here. Should they come in strength, they may overwhelm me, and then they would destroy this valley and slay everyone in it. I cannot risk such a possibility.”

  Murlet grimaced and nodded. “So, you will go, then.”

  “I must,” Brenyn affirmed. Looking over at Murlet, he spoke earnestly. “Prince Taumus is trying to bring peace – and sanity – to one small corner of the world. I can aid him in that by journeying through all the lands that lie about Merkland and slaying darkings wherever they may be found. If I am ever on the move, then the creatures will be drawn only to me – and not to any one location. This valley, then, will remain safe from their attention.”

  Murlet looked away and sighed. “Alright, my friend. I have spoken to the council and they agree with me that it was you that earned the one thousand gold from Prince Taumus. Therefore, it will go with you when you leave us.”

  Brenyn smiled. “Nay, Johan; I will have no need of such an amount of gold. I will take my portion, no more.”

  “And if you should find yourself destitute?”

  “Then I will return and beg a loan,” Brenyn answered, with his smile still in place.

  “I will miss you, Brenyn.”

  Brenyn nodded. “And I, you, my friend. But it pleases me to know that my quest for vengeance will benefit those for whom I care.”

  “You will always have friends – and a home – here,” Murlet said.

  “I know. Thank you.”

  After that, they talked for a time of mundane things and then the sun found the top of the sky and it was time for mid-day repast.

  Brenyn ate in the public house and then made his way to his room, to keep the appointment with Kristo. While he waited, he wondered what the big sergeant would say of the captain.

  Would Kristo also try to persuade Brenyn to stay on with the band and lend his strength to their efforts?

  He did not wait long. Less than an hour had passed when a rap came at his door and Kristo entered. Brenyn sat on the bed and indicated the lone chair. Kristo hesitated, studying the chair.

  “Will it hold me?” He wondered.

  Brenyn looked at the big man and then at the chair and got up and sat down in the chair, grinning as he indicated the bed.

  Kristo sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the floor for a time in silence while Brenyn waited for him to speak. At last the big man looked up. His eyes were filled with moisture as he gazed at Brenyn. “Johan Murlet is the best of men,” he said. “He ever has been so.”

  Brenyn nodded. “I doubt it not.”

  Kristo leaned forward. “I will not waste your time with pointless words, Brenyn, but will say what I came to say. You slew two darkings – and drove away an army of five thousand. There is power in you, great power; we all witnessed it. Can you not use that power to restore Johan to his rightful place in the world?”

  Brenyn frowned. “What do you want that I should do?”

  “Johan told you that he would be happy to remain in this valley for the rest of his life, did he not?” Kristo asked.

  Brenyn nodded. “He did.”

  Kristo shook his massive head. “Nay, Brenyn, believe it not. I have spent my life with the man;
I watched over him in his youth, and I can tell you this – he grieves for his people – our people.” He spread his hands. “Johan declares that he will be content to live his life as a mercenary because there was never any real hope that he could return to Magnus and claim his rightful place on the throne.”

  He pointed a meaty finger at Brenyn. “But you are here now – and you can make it happen. With your help, Johan can return to Magnus and claim his birthright.”

  “What of the band?” Brenyn wondered.

  “Many of us – most, in fact – would go with him,” Kristo said.

  “And the others?”

  “With the money that Prince Taumus gave us,” the sergeant answered, “Beran Hile and the folks that remain here will be fine. They can make a life free of fighting. And should we – and you – go away, the darkings will be drawn away from them.”

  Kristo’s voice assumed an undertone of pleading. “I beg you, Brenyn – to at least consider it. With the aid of your powers, Johan could go back home and be what he is meant to be – the prince of his people.”

  Brenyn watched him in silence for a moment, then; “Where is the land of Magnus?” He asked.

  “It lies nearly a hundred leagues to the east, beyond the land of Morilund,” Kristo answered, “east of the land of Fralun, upon the far side of the Metallum Mountains.”

  “Will his people remember him?”

  Kristo nodded. “Many will, especially those that are older.”

  “How many of the band will go with him?” Brenyn asked.

  “There are yet forty-two of us that were with him when he left Magnus and came here,” Kristo replied. “Since that time, our people, the people of Magnus, have lived under the oppression of Shammed, the pawn of the darkings. Should Johan return, and the people be made to witness your power over the darkings, there are many that would rise up with him against Shammed.”

  His features contorted with the strength of his passion, the sergeant continued, “Please, Brenyn, help us. Like Prince Taumus, a man I know you admire, Johan would return peace and prosperity to his people – and yet another land would then be made free of the tyranny of the darkings. Please, help me do this.”

  Brenyn went silent for a while, gazing down upon the floor, considering. Then, after several moments, he looked up. “I intend to go east, anyway,” he admitted, “and then turn toward the south and then back to the west, below Merkland, seeking darkings.” He nodded. “Tell Johan that I will go with you and do what I can to help him regain his throne.”

  Kristo hesitated, grimacing. “In truth, Brenyn, I was hoping that you would tell him what we intend. He will not agree unless you convince him that you do this willingly.”

  Brenyn watched him for a long moment and then smiled. “Where is Johan?”

  Kristo breathed his relief. “He and Riana, along with Aron and Glora, were at lunch with Jed and Evonne at their home. They are likely there yet.”

  Brenyn shook his head. “I will not interrupt that gathering but will await him at the tavern. Will he return there, you think?”

  Kristo nodded. “I told him that I wished to meet him there later today.”

  Brenyn smiled again. “But I will go in your stead?”

  “Please.”

  Brenyn nodded. “Alright.”

  Kristo stood and extended his hand, wincing when Brenyn shook it. “Thank you, Brenyn.”

  The two men quit Brenyn’s room and made their way to the tavern, where Kristo promptly disappeared, gathering several men to him and going back out again, leaving Brenyn to solicit a drink from Clef Echols at the bar and then wait for Murlet.

  After perhaps an hour, Murlet and Riana entered the tavern. Riana went upstairs to their quarters while Murlet remained and scanned the room for sight of Kristo. Spying Brenyn seated alone in a booth along the side, he came over.

  “Have you seen Sergeant Kristo?” Murlet asked.

  Brenyn nodded. “I have.”

  Murlet frowned and glanced around. “He asked to meet me. Where did he go?”

  Brenyn indicated the far side of the booth. “He sent me.”

  “Sent you?” Murlet frowned in confusion. “What about?”

  “I need your help, Johan,” Brenyn answered.

  Murlet slid into the booth and looked across. “With what?”

  “I need a guide.”

  Murlet’s frown deepened. “To where?”

  “East,” Brenyn replied. “I mean to go east, seeking darkings. I intend to go through Morilund and thence eastward for some way before turning south and then back toward the west.”

  He watched Murlet closely while he continued. “As I go, I mean to rid Magnus of Shammed and restore the rightful prince to the throne of that land.”

  Murlet went very still, with his gaze fixed on Brenyn’s face. “Kristo asked you to do this?”

  Brenyn shook his head. “Marta, ere she passed, asked me – and I am honor bound to do it.”

  Murlet shook his head. “I told you, Brenyn, you need not feel bound by my mother’s words.”

  “And yet I am bound by her words,” Brenyn answered. “It was an honorable request, and I am honor-bound to see it done.”

  His gaze hardened. “I mean to go to war with the race of darkings, and their minions that sit upon the thrones of this world. I spoke the truth to Prince Taumus when I said that I would help defend his borders by removing that foul race from all the lands round about Merkland. I mean to keep my word – and I mean to see a friend sit the throne of Magnus as I do so. With you upon the throne of Magnus and Taumus in Merkland, will not those lands that lie between you, when free of the foul influence of darkings, be more inclined to peace?”

  Murlet watched him in silence for a moment. “Your vison has grown, Brenyn. You are going to lay hold of that finer destiny of which Taumus spoke, are you not?”

  Brenyn shook his head. “It is not about destiny. For me, it is – and always will be – about vengeance. I will avenge the loss of Emi upon those vile creatures until my last breath – or until they are no more. I know now that I can slay them, and so I will go forth and do so – and I want that my vengeance lends aid and hope to my own race.”

  “And you mean to free Magnus.”

  “I do,” Brenyn replied. “I mean to see my friend restored to his rightful place in the world.”

  Murlet’s sharp gaze narrowed. “It will be a difficult thing to depose Shammed. He has had years to consolidate power.”

  “Even so,” Brenyn replied, “I mean to see it done.”

  Murlet continued to study him. “I told you once, Brenyn, that I would rather see you exalted as king than my own throne restored. I mean it yet.”

  Brenyn smiled coldly and shook his head. “I will never be a king or a prince. I mean to hunt darkings to the ends of the earth – until I discover whence they arise – and I mean to slay them all. It will suffice for a life, should I succeed.”

  Murlet was silent for a moment and then he nodded. “When do you mean to go east?”

  “At once,” Brenyn replied, “as soon as may be.”

  Murlet went silent again for another moment, then; “So be it,” he said, “let us go to Magnus.”

  40.

  In the end, fifty-four members of the band decided to cast their lot with Captain Murlet and go east. Only those thirteen with families, along with Beran Hile, decided to stay and make a life in the valley. Water was plentiful; they all had gardens, and of the twelve hundred and thirty gold pieces in the “box”, Murlet and his companions would take two hundred, leaving the balance to meet the continuing needs of those that remained. Except for ten horses that the band would take with them to pack supplies, the balance of the extra stock would also remain, to be used or sold as needed.

  So it was that on a warm summer morning, the members of the band, the wives and children of those with families, and Beran Hile gathered in the street of the town, in front of the tavern. The men that would leave with Murlet, along with Riana,
Glora, and Aron, all mounted and ready to go, sat their horses at the edge of the gathering. Murlet moved his horse to the front and addressed them. His eyes shone with moisture as he addressed the small group that would remain in the valley. “My friends, we have made a good life here and we leave you in peace.” He glanced out over the sun-drenched valley. “I meant to live out my life here in this valley and would have been content to do so. But none can see the future and know what changes it will bring.”

  Here, he glanced over toward Brenyn, seated on Noris at the fringe of the mounted riders. “An opportunity has arisen to return to Magnus and claim my birthright – and I mean to take it. I believe – and hope – that you have all that is required to meet your needs for many years to come. Should fate allow, and peace return to this world, I will return and see how you have fared.”

  He raised his hand. “And now, my friends, farewell, and may heaven bless you always.”

  The company of comrades, having already said their private farewells to those that would stay behind, simply wiped their eyes, raised their hands one last time, and turned north and rode out of town.

  By the end of that day, as the sun sank behind the mountains to the west, the company came to the hamlet in the small clearing in the woodland and were met once more by the guards upon the road. Murlet raised his hand and brought the column to a halt.

  The bearded, hard-eyed Jag nodded his head to Murlet.

  “Business to the east, captain?”

  Murlet shook his head. “No, Jag; I am going home.”

  Jag’s squinty eyes widened. “Home?”

  Murlet nodded. “To Magnus.”

  A frown of disapproval found Jag’s broad face. “Helping Shammed in his troubles?”

  “Help Shammed? – no. What troubles?” Murlet wondered, frowning in turn, and surprised by the suggestion.