“Where is my fire, Mule?” he asked, stabbing at her already fragile feelings.
“I’m trying, my king,” she said, almost crying. “I’m trying.”
“Maybe I need to get General Tutower over here to give you a bit of a whipping?” Hayden prodded. “Would that help you get that fire lit any faster?”
“My king, please, I am trying!” she cried, “I am so tired.” Her sobs grew stronger and louder, she shook with each sob so bad she could hardly concentrate on lighting the fire. Suddenly, unexpectedly, a spark flew from the flint and caught some of the brush and tinder and a fire began to smolder. Between sobs, she blew on the small flame and it grew into a flame and then into a respectable fire.
“Very good, Mule,” Hayden said with a scowl, “we will save your beatings for another day. Now get something to eat and stop that whimpering.”
“Yes… my king,” she said trying to hold back her sobs.
Muzi did as instructed, getting something to eat and drink. She stayed away from the bryne, leaving that for Hayden, instead just drinking water and eating some dry bread, and small bits of dried meat. When finished, she didn’t wait to be told to lay out Hayden’s bedroll. She didn’t wait around for other instruction; she went straight to a slightly secluded spot nearby and laid herself down. There, in the cold away from a fire, she cried herself to sleep.
The Karn army, Hayden in his cart and Muzi following behind fully loaded, moved out in the early morning hours with the intention of reaching the edge of the Valley of Death that day. That would put them at less than a day from the Ocheebee Pass, and the Karn Keep.
The going was rough through the wasteland that was the Valley of Death. Muzi had it the worst, and more than once she stumbled and fell. Hayden would shout out some threats of whippings or beatings and she would pull herself and her encumbrance back up and rush to catch up with the group. Her knees were bleeding from landing on the sharp stones and rocks that littered the ground on which she walked.
By the end of the second day they had reached the edge of the Valley of death. Hayden called for the army to make camp again, but he never called for Muzi to put down her packs and make him a fire. Instead, he left her standing there, holding everything and trembling, called for one of the Karn warriors to fetch him something to eat and drink.
Sometime, in the middle of the night after Hayden had fallen asleep, Muzi collapsed under her own weight, and the weight of her load.
Just before dawn, a Karn warrior came by and tapped her on the back. She awoke with a start. She looked up at the warrior who made motions for her to be quiet and stand up. She looked at Hayden and took joy in the fact that he was still asleep. She rose quickly to her feet; the warrior helped her with her load, and she stood there waiting for Hayden to wake up.
Hayden first stirred to the sounds his Karn army getting ready to move west. Looking over at Muzi, he was pleased that she was still standing there with the gear.
“Are you tired, my girl?” he asked.
“Yes, my king,” she said with sadness in her voice.
“Then come, put the gear here in my cart,” he said point to his personal cart.
“Thank you, my king,” Muzi said with a smile.
As the warriors organized for their departure, Hayden pulled one of the two warriors off the front of his cart.
“Mule, this warrior’s feet hurt from pulling this cart. Take his place,” he said, motioning for the warrior to sit on the back of the cart.
Muzi hesitated.
“Was I not clear?” Hayden said, showing his agitation.
“Very clear, my king,” Muzi said, moving to grab the handle at the front of the cart. She and the Karn next to her began pulling and the cart started to move into the caravan of carts headed for the Ocheebee Pass.
The trip across the Great Plains was moderately easy going for the Karn army. For Muzi, it was only a minor improvement over bearing the full weight of Hayden’s packs on her back. Her soft leather boots were wearing thin, and though she hadn’t had a chance to look at her feet since they left the Karn Palace, she was certain they were bleeding.
By early evening they had reached the edge of the Ocheebee Pass. Looking down, Hayden could see the remains of the span of Karn Keep.
“The Blackhorn did this?” Hayden asked General Tutower.
“They did,” he replied.
“How did they manage that?” asked Hayden.
“Karn were stupid with Bryne,” Tutower said. “Celebrating too long after Blackhorn victory.”
“We won’t make that mistake,” Hayden said sternly.
“Yes, Haydennnnn,” General Tutower agreed.
“General, is there a way down into this side of the Keep like there is, I am told, on the other side?” Hayden asked.
“I am told there is, but none here know where it is,” Tutower said.
“Then let us spread out and find it. We must not waste any time.”
“Yes, Hayden,” the General answered. The order was given to have everyone spread and find the entrance quickly. It took over an hour for the answer to come back that it had been found, then even longer to round everyone up again.
All the carts and supplies were brought to the opening that was discovered some distance east of the Ocheebee Pass, but almost perfectly in line with the Karn Keep. Hayden sent several warriors down the passage that descended into the dark earth. Carrying lanterns, they slowly found their way down the stairs until it leveled off. From there it went horizontally until it came to what was once the span of the Keep. Stairs down into the canyon below were there as well. One of the Karn warriors went back up to inform Hayden of the findings.
Once he was informed, Hayden ordered most of his army down into the Keep, then into the canyon floor. Some would take the carts over to the canyons rim and lower supplies and materials down to the canyon floor by rope.
One by one they entered the opening. Close to the end, Hayden started down, Muzi close behind. He did not burden her with carrying the packs as he didn’t want her to fall and take out half his army on the stairs. Muzi was greatly relieved by that decision.
As they neared the bottom, Hayden could detect a smell that was nothing short of nauseous. It was the smell of rotting, burned flesh, wafting over from the west side of the Keep.
“From the story I had been told by kDira and her friends,” Hayden offered anyone who would listen, “they burned alive a lot of Karn warriors that day.”
“Blackhorn must pay for their treachery,” General Tutower interjected.
“Pay, they will, my Karn friend.” Hayden said. “Now let’s get down to the canyon floor so that we may start building the scaffolding. “
Once down below, the supplies were lowered down and spread out and prepared for the assembly of the scaffolding. Some of them set up camp on the canyon floor and others went hunting for rock-goats in hopes of fresh meat for a meal that evening.
The army spread out within the canyon, and fires were lit. The wood from the cat-pult used by the Blackhorn against the Karn Keep was salvaged and was to be used to build the scaffold to get into the other side of the keep.
The hunters came back with numerous rock-goats and several large lizards for the evening’s meals. The canyon was still very cold as winter had yet to fully give over to spring, and the snow was still whistling from the walls above. With fires blazing, everyone was eager to get warm. Once they could get into the west side of the keep, there were rooms that would keep out the chill, so they had heard. Here, there was no stopping the chilling winds.
Everyone had their fill of rock-goat and lizard, and there was still enough bryne to satisfy everyone. The sun began to set and many of the Karn laid side by side to keep warm around any of the many fires blazing in the canyon. Some of the warriors slept on the steps and in the short passages above, but most laid down outside under their heavy blankets.
To Muzi’s surprise, Hayden called her over to sleep next to him. Tonight being the coldest
night they’d seen since they left Karn City, sharing body heat seemed to be a necessity. Hayden fell asleep immediately. Muzi, Hayden’s arm draped over her, felt more trapped than ever. She fell asleep, only to dream of slitting his throat one day.
cHAPTER 23
The building of the scaffolding went slowly, as none of the Karn were experienced in construction. Hayden knew what needed to be done, but explaining it to the warlike humans proved to be more difficult that he expected. More than once, the base of the construction came down, often injuring someone below.
Finally, after several tries the scaffolding went up one layer at a time. Ladders on each side assisted the warriors in climbing up each level. Four levels would be needed to reach the foul-smelling opening of the west side of the Keep. They still had two more layers to go.
The wood that made up the scaffold had been brought in from Karn City, but some of the added supports came from the cat-pult that the Blackhorn had left under the span of the Karn Keep when it collapsed.
Each level took hours to erect and then secure. Hayden wanted it to be able to withstand the weight of every warrior that could fit on it as they made their way up to enter the keep.
By midafternoon the third level was erected and braced, and the fourth level begun. A rope system was constructed to haul lumber and braces up to the level as it was assembled piece by piece. Hayden was showing his boredom with the process and spent his time watching the tower grow and drinking bryne.
By the time the fourth level was erected it was starting to grow dark in the canyon. Hayden insisted that he be hoisted up to the fourth level. General Tutower personally tied Hayden to the rope and the warriors all hosted him upward. Muzi thought to herself how wonderful it would be if a rope would break, or the knot would slip and Hayden would plunge to his death. It was not to be. Hayden was hauled onto the platform on the fourth level and untied from the rope.
Hayden looked at the passage leading inside. The smell of burnt, rotting flesh was almost unbearable. Dead Karn littered the passageways; most were burned beyond recognition. Hayden hobbled over the bodies and ventured inside. More dead Karn were found, and it amazed him that so few Blackhorn could have accomplished this. These Karn did not die a pleasant death.
General Tutower had just finished the climb up to the Keep. Hayden greeted him as he stepped over the dead.
“General, see that these bodies are thrown out into the canyon and burned. Let’s see if we can salvage this place as a hold-over for this and future attacks.
“Yessss, Haydennnnn,” General Tutower hissed, and he set about to get a crew to clean up the dead.
Hayden went from room to room to see what might be salvaged. Occasionally he would find a room with one or more dead; the next one might have none. Some of the dead seemed to have no wounds at all, and Hayden reasoned they died from breathing the smoke of burning Karn.
He found a set of stairs that led upward and around a corner. He made his way upward, and when he reached the top he found a lone figure next to a Karn that did not look as though she belonged there. She had a single sword wound though her chest, and though her flesh was beginning to rot off her body, she had the unmistakable look of surprise on her face.
General Tutower found his way up the stairs behind Hayden and stopped next to him.
“That is a Blackhorn,” Hayden said. “Do not burn that one. I want to present that to the Blackhorn as a gift.”
“A gift?” the General asked.
“Maybe put it on a stake outside the camp right before we attack? Put fear into their hearts,” Hayden said.
“…Or make them mad.” the General offered.
“These aren’t Karn. They scare easily,” Hayden assured the General.
Hayden continued exploring until he found some quarters that suited his needs. It didn’t have the smell of dead Karn, and it had what looked to be an acceptably comfortable and clean bed. He sent for Muzi to bring his gear and to join him. While he waited, he went through the trunks that remained in the room. In one he found a robe with the Karn emblem on it. He stood up and tried it on, and was pleased that it fit him quite well. In the same chest, he found a wide belt, also with the Karn crest for a buckle, and a small dagger that had a rather ornate handle. Hayden set it on the bed and continued rummaging the second chest.
Muzi entered the room escorted by a Karn warrior. She sat the packs down.
“May I get you something to eat, my king?” she asked, sheepishly.
“That would be nice,” he answered, preoccupied by the contents of the chest. There were numerous other small trinkets and useless fodder the Hayden tossed aside.
Muzi presented him with a hand full of spicy dried meat, then set about to make the bed. She placed the dagger off to the side on a small table and turned back the blankets and fluffed the pillow.
General Tutower entered and announced that the keep had been cleared of dead bodies; the Blackhorn female was placed in the Armory.
“See that everyone eats and gets some rest.” Sylys Hayden said. “Tomorrow we move out to Blackhorn. Wake me up at dawn, have everyone up to the top when I get up there.”
“Yessss, Haydennnn.”
“Now come in here, I want to tell you my plan for the attack,” Hayden said, motioning him to enter the room.
The next morning Hayden donned his Karn cloak and belt, and fixed the short dagger to his side.
“Do you wish me to come with you, my king?” Muzi asked.
“No. Stay here and clean. Get the smell out of here if you can.”
“Yes, my king,” she said, not trying to show her relief. “I will work hard.”
Hayden made his way out of the room and guided by a Karn guard, headed to the long passage and stairs that headed west towards the surface.
The stairs were the most foul-smelling he’d experienced yet. The walls were charred, and the stairs were covered in a slimy film that most likely came from cooked, then rotted Karn bodies. Though his lame leg held him back, he had to force himself up the stairs before he retched.
Finally at the surface, he noticed that he wasn’t the only one disgusted by the smell, as more than one Karn was vomiting onto the ground. Hayden managed to keep the contents of his stomach in place, and he instructed the army to line up.
“Today we move towards Blackhorn,” he announced. “By morning I want that Blackhorn body on a steak outside their gate without them seeing it.”
Hayden walked to the south end of the army, and pointed his arm to mark an imaginary line, cutting off about one third of the army.
“I want all of you this way,” he said pointing to the southern one third, “to go double time south to the road that enters Kaiba Forest and be ready for the attack tomorrow morning. The rest of you,” he said pointing at the remaining two thirds, “will head straight west along the trail and be ready to attack the east wall of Blackhorn at first light.”
“General,” he went on, “send two warriors ahead to plant that Blackhorn warrior now.”
“Okay, let’s move out!” Hayden commanded.
With that, General Tutower repeated the order and the army of Karn warriors headed off in two directions, west and southwest. Some carried ladders, some carried supplies, all carried their favorite weapons. Hayden carrying nothing but a bota bag of bryne went with the group moving west.
Hayden, no longer having the luxury of a cart, walked with his crutch as though he had a renewed strength and vigor.
General Tutower stayed towards the front, but two Karn guards stayed with Hayden near the rear.
Hayden, at times, wondered if the guards were securing his safety, or his demise. He had to hope that they were there to protect him. His mission was to return with a breeder, coming back alive was optional as far as the Karn Council was concerned. Sylys knew that if he were to get a breeder too soon, the Karn warriors among him could kill him and take his prize. It had been a long shot from the beginning, and the stakes were getting higher with ever step closer
to Blackhorn.
They crossed the Urec Plains in a day and managed to find the westward path into the Kaiba Forest. The plains had been rather easy for Hayden, yet he still had to work hard to keep up with the advancing army.
The trail was rough, though not as bad as the Valley of Death, or even the streets of Karn City that Hayden had trekked months before on his own. This was a walk in the meadow compared to that. If he could keep up, he would be fine.
It wasn’t until the first light of the next morning that the sentry at the gate of Blackhorn noticed the scarecrow-like figure outside the main entrance of the village. She immediately called kDira and Agis up to the wall to take a look. From the top of the wall, they couldn’t quite make out what it was, but the sentry assured them it had not been there the night before.
kDira, Agis, and Ari went out the main gate to get a closer look. As they got closer they realized that it was, in fact, a corpse, but it was not until kDira got nearer that she realized that it was her friend Esenice who had died in the attack on Karn Keep. Her attire and the ornate sheath were certainly those of her friend. The sword was missing, but the evidence of the fatal wound though her belly of the tragic loss the felt that day.
“Take her down,” kDira said, holding back the choking sobs that threatened to debilitate her. “We must take her and put her to rest properly.”
“Why is it here?” Agis asked.
“Someone is trying to shake me up,” kDira said.
“I know, but why is it here? Now?” he asked again, emphasizing his words.
He had no more than said the words when they heard the rustling in the woods to the east. They looked through the brush and strained to see what might be out there.
“We need to get back inside the gate, now!” kDira said.
Agis grabbed Esenice’s decaying corpse and did his best to run to the gate, kDira and Ari ran ahead.
“Make ready, make ready!” kDira called up to the wall sentry. Agis, weighted down by the weight of his lost tribemate, was many paces behind kDira and Ari as they entered the safety of the village walls. Arrows fell to either side of him as he scrambled to make in inside in time.
The kDira's World Anthology Page 20
