Haven Keep (Book 1) (19 page)

Kaiden’s eyes tried to focus on the man that was now crouching over him.  He was an older man with mostly grey hair, his grisly beard peppered with flecks of black.  He appeared even larger up close.  “How do you feel?”

Kaiden noticed Bo at the man’s side. 
At least there was some good news
he thought, feeling a stab of guilt for the loss of the others.  “Been better.”  It came out a rough whisper.

“Yes you have,” the man answered.  “Foolish what you did.”   Kaiden did not like that, no matter how right this man was.  “Chasing after that thing in the dark.  Lucky for you we have been watching you these past few days.”

“Impossible,” Kaiden protested, “we would have seen you.”  Kaiden’s voice was slowly returning.  The man just smiled at him, gave him a level look like he expected this kind of reaction and found it comical.

Kaiden cleared his throat.  “We are not farm boys, we would have seen you.”  This man saved his life, but Kaiden wasn’t sure he liked him.  “And what
thing
are you talking about?”

“You know what thing.  We lost two men before we realized we were in danger.”  There was a hint of disappointment in the man’s voice.  “I was hoping you would be a little more forth coming.”

Kaiden tried to sit up.  Bo moved next to his side, nuzzling in close.  At least the dog hadn’t totally deserted him.

The man continued. “Judging by your response I don’t really think you know what it was you were after either.”  The man’s eyes held a lingering question.  Kaiden could tell he wanted information and not just about the beast.

Kaiden still had no idea who this man was and where he and his companions came from.  He wasn’t about to tell this man more than he needed to, but under the steady gaze of those eyes Kaiden felt maybe he should.  The man watched him, waiting.  Just when Kaiden was about to blurt out everything the man spoke.

“I am Oded.”  He smiled wide and Kaiden noticed he was missing some teeth in the back of his mouth.  “Lucky for you we came along.”

“Came along or followed us?”  As soon as the words were out of his mouth Kaiden knew it had been the wrong thing to say, especially when Oded tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.

“I am sorry Oded.  That was not polite.  I am Kaiden.”

Oded nodded giving no indication he recognized the name.  That was good.   Kaiden wished he hadn’t used his real name.   If Oded harbored ill will toward the Kailfen it would be best if he didn’t know he held Baiden’s son essentially a prisoner.

“Did you find any others besides me?”

“We are still digging,” Oded replied.  “In a couple of hours I’m afraid there won’t be much hope in finding any of your friends alive.”  He looked saddened by that possibility.

The possibility saddened Kaiden too.  What a disaster. 
How could he face his father?  Would anyone even believe his story?

“There was another survivor,” Oded said.  A faint glimmer of hope began to resonate within Kaiden.  “Three more if you count the two dogs with him.  He was in a frenzy.  Continued up the mountain even after that avalanche nearly killed the rest of you.”

“Who was it?”  Kaiden asked.

“How should I know?” Oded replied.  “I’m not exactly from around here if you haven’t noticed.”

“Yes, but if you’ve been tracking us you could describe him to me.”

Oded flashed a big grin and let out a bellowing laugh.  “The older man,” Oded said.  “The one with the scars and the bear skin shirt.”

Soren.  A small relief.  These men really had been following the hunting party.  Kaiden’s embarrassment drowned out most of his relief.  He never noticed them.  Worse yet, Soren hadn’t noticed them.  Kaiden took note of Oded mentioning the bear skin.  Oded was at least somewhat familiar with the ways of the north.  Kaiden felt he could trust him, but was not sure if he should.

“Don’t feel bad that you didn’t notice us,” Oded offered.

Kaiden thought Oded could see right through him.

“You were not looking for us and we did not want to be seen.”  Oded sniffed as if he were thinking about something else.  “I’ve been hiding and running for the better part of a decade.  You might say that is what has brought us up north to your part of the world.”

“You have been hiding?” Kaiden asked.  “From what?”

“War, my boy, war.”  Oded looked tired.  “I know you are not so sheltered up here that you have not heard of the war to the south.”

“I have heard,” Kaiden replied, “but why run up here?  Why now?”

“You might say that I,...I should say we, are tired of running.  The war is coming to you.  You might say that we came to help.”

“You came to help?”  Kaiden didn’t even try to hide the scepticism in his voice.

Oded was smiling that wry smile again.  It reminded him a bit of his father.
 
“Maybe to get help would be a more accurate statement.  Or maybe it’s a little of both.”

For some reason Kaiden believed him.  Or at least wanted to.  Kaiden knew nothing about these men.  Only they had saved his life.  He owed them something for that. 
Yet why the hiding?  Why follow them for days?

“At any rate,” Oded continued, “I’ve brought you some soup. You need to eat to regain some strength.  Not that a strong lad like yourself will need much time to recover.”  Oded smiled at him.  It put Kaiden at ease.  Maybe too at ease.  “We checked your bones.  Nothing appears broken.  I would advise against going back to sleep in case of a head injury”

Kaiden sat up.  “I might as well get up then.”  Kaiden could feel the knots in his muscles, but he thought Oded was right.  Nothing felt broken.  “My horse?  What about my horse?”

“Seeing how you left your horses at camp, they’re all fine.”  Oded paused. “If you are feeling up to it we should get going.  It will be light soon.”

“How long have I been unconscious?” Kaiden asked.

“About five hours,” Oded answered.  “If you desire we can stay here for one more day, but that would be another night without sleep.  Sleep is when the beast will take your mind from you.”  Oded sounded like he wanted to be far from this mountain.  Far from the beast.

“I must follow Soren.”  Kaiden was determined.

“Your man?  Soren is it?  I thought you might feel that way.”  Oded looked a little disappointed, but understanding.  Over the last few minutes he’d dropped his guard considerably. 
Was he to be trusted?

“I must still go.  I cannot abandon him.”

“A fool’s errand, but if you must go, we will go with you.  When will you be ready to leave?”

“I’m not asking you to go with me.”  Kaiden was not sure if he wanted them along. 
What was this man up to?  What were his motives?  If it was a fool’s errand why did he want to come?

“You can’t do it alone,” Oded protested.  “I didn’t pull you out of the snow to send you off to die.”

Kaiden knew he wasn’t going to be able to get rid of Oded and his party even if he wanted to.  They would be a welcome help, but he would have to watch his back for sure.

“Well if you’re coming with me we can leave now.  As soon as the horses are ready. I want to find Soren while there is something left of him to find.”

“It’s settled then.” Oded offered Kaiden his hand to help him up.  Kaiden took it.

Oded’s voice boomed. “Pack up.”  He handed Kaiden a bowl of something hot.  “Here, eat this.”

“You spoke of sleep and the beast.”  Kaiden needed to know what he was up against.  “What do you know of it?”

“I was hoping you could tell me,” replied Oded.  “I know what I have observed, what I have read, mostly stories. Stories I only half believed until now.”

“Stories, what kind of stories.”

“Oh, the same ones you have heard I am sure.”  Oded looked a little amused.  “You are from here, you ought to know a little more than I..”

“I don’t know.”  Kaiden didn’t like not knowing.  Much less admitting it.  “A scourge, a vyr, some demon.”  Oded nodded as Kaiden spoke.  “Whatever it is, I will kill it.”

The soup was foul, but it warmed Kaiden’s stiff body.  Eased his hunger a bit too. 

“Whatever it is, it needs killed,” Oded said. “Let’s be off.”   He bent down and picked up a familiar bundle.  “These are yours,” he said and tossed Kaiden’s boots and cloak at Kaiden’s feet.  He turned and walked away.

Kaiden was standing now.  It felt good to stretch a bit.  His legs felt more stable than he thought they would.  Kaiden slipped on his boots and cloak and did his best to keep up with Oded.  Once he got his boots on he was easily matching Oded stride for stride.  Oded didn’t seem so large to Kaiden now that he was walking next to him.  Kaiden was actually an inch or so taller.  Still Oded was large and broad, barrel chested.   He walked with what Kaiden could only describe as a leisurely strut.  The age on Oded’s face did not show in his posture.

The middle of the camp was bustling with the movement of men and horses.  Eight or nine men were moving around, packing up. No, closer to fifteen or so.  More men continued to appear. 
Who were these men?
  The men moved with efficiency and speed.  Kaiden felt he should be packing something.  He stood in a whirlwind.

Kaiden noticed a few faces that looked about his age. There were a couple even younger, but by far the majority of these men were older.  Most were, about ten years older than him, and those were the young ones.  Still whatever age they showed in their faces did not show anywhere else.   A few limped a little with what must be old injuries, injuries Kaiden would wager his sword on they’d gained fighting.  They were all battle hardened, even the youngest ones.  These men reminded him of Soren.   And Oded.  
Where was Oded?
 

In the commotion Kaiden lost him.  He turned around, looking in every direction. 
How had he lost him?
   He wanted to ask somebody, but who?  Everyone was paying him no mind.  They moved about their business with singleness of purpose.  Kaiden knew they were aware of him, but seemed not to care he was there.  Finally the whirlwind began to slow down.   The men lined up in a military formation.  He was finally able to get an accurate count, about thirty men, he thought, at least.

Kaiden was startled by a tap on his shoulder.  It was Oded.  He held Rove by the reins.

“I believe this one belongs to you,” he said with that same wry smile Kaiden was beginning to think never left his face.

“Stay close to me,” he continued, “Some of these boys don’t take well to strangers.”

Whoever these men were, Kaiden would never think of them as boys.  Not even those younger than him.

“Who are they?”  Kaiden asked.  What he really wanted to ask was,
“Who are you?”

“Refugees,” Oded answered .  “From the south.  Mostly those who refused to subject themselves to a tyrant.  Some who refused to quit fighting for what most consider a lost cause.”   Oded mounted his own horse.  A huge black beast the size of a draft horse.  “If you believe those who now rule in the south, we are outlaws.”

“Are you hiding or do you intend to bring the war here?”  Kaiden asked.  He wasn’t happy hearing any of this.   It was not good news for the north.

“Mostly running and hiding.” Oded’s words sounded like a confession, as if ashamed to admit he couldn’t take on the might of the Black Horde by himself.  “Are you coming?”

Kaiden realized he was the only one not in the saddle.  He climbed onto Rove.   His spear was tied across the pommel, his sword tucked under his saddle bags.  A cursory check of his gear showed nothing missing.  He would search closer latter, but doubted there was anything amiss.

Kaiden felt a real stab of embarrassment now.  Oded, or someone in this group had been watching his hunting party, and very closely for them to know which gear was his. 
How had they gotten so close without him knowing?
Without Soren knowing?

“What of the rest of my men?”  Kaiden asked.

“We’ve left a few men behind to continue digging.  If they find anything we will let you know.”

Kaiden forced himself to be content with that answer.  They’d already saved him, why would they lie about their attempt to save the others?  Kaiden again felt guilty not staying behind to help, but he needed to find Soren and the beast Soren was still tracking.

Kaiden studied the men in the column. They formed two straight lines in military fashion.  All wore armor, though mismatched and of varying quality.  Despite the divergent appearances and gear, the line was nothing but professional.   Kaiden took note of their numbers again. This many men could not hide for long up here.  Traveling in such a large group they would leave tracks. And other signs.  Kaiden realized he’d seen signs.  The lean-to he and his companions stayed at two nights before.  It must have been built by these men, yet Kaiden would never have guessed there were so many of them.

They were traveling down the mountain.  Opposite of where Kaiden wanted to be.

“Where are we going, Oded?”

“To find your man,” Oded answered.  “To find your man.”

Before Kaiden could protest a rider came into view from the opposite direction.  Oded didn’t stop and the man rode up along side him.  The newcomer looked Kaiden over, then bent to speak low in Oded’s ear.