Haven Keep (Book 1) (7 page)

“You’ll scare the boy,” Jordy said.  “Wait until he leaves.”

“Never mind Von’s ears,” instructed Baiden.  “This is not a secret war council and he is old enough not to be afraid of the wind.  What we decide here will soon be known by all.”  Baiden was still poking at the fire.  He turned to Von, “Maybe you could get this fire going again.”  He dropped the poker and returned to his seat at the table.

Von placed the tray on the table and went over to the fire.  Two massive dark  shapes walked over to him from the corner of the room.

Baiden’s laugh was low and rumbling.  “I swear those two mongrels think they belong to you,” he chuckled.  “Why don’t you brush their coats while you are here?”  Turning to his councilors he continued, “There is no reason why this discussion can’t proceed during dinner.  Recent events seem to have increased my appetite.”

Von threw a couple of logs on the fire and turned his attention to the dogs.  Isk and Jen were two of the largest wolfhounds Von had ever laid eyes on and they were definitely not mongrels.  Wolfhounds were prized for their obedience, loyalty, and hunting skill.  These two had exceptional abilities.  Von was privileged to help train them from the time they were weaned and had grown attached to them.  Most of the hounds were kept in the kennels, but Isk and Jen were given the run of Baiden’s apartments.  They stood watch over their master like sentinels.  Von sat down on a stool and began to brush out Jen’s thick dark coat while Isk waited patiently for his turn.

“A hunting party,” Flenn offered.  “That was what we planned before.  I don’t see why anything should change now, except maybe an earlier start is needed.”

“Yes, but who should we send?”  Baiden asked.  “If Kenn hadn’t have gotten himself killed, things would be much calmer in Azmark.  I think I shall need you here Flenn.  Kaiden will still be going.  He can lead the party.”  Baiden paused his gaze resting on Von.  “I want grown
men.  This hunt is not for fun.”

Von’s shoulders sank.  He was stunned.  What Timm said must be true.  Kenn had been killed by the bear.  Hopes of going along vanished.  There was little chance before Kenn had died.  Now there was none. 
Poor Kenn.  What happened to him?

“They should leave in the morning,” advised Jordy.  “The sooner this beast is killed the better.”

Beast.  What beast?  Not an icebear and probably not a snowcat.  Something far more dangerous.  Only Von could think of nothing that was.

“Flenn,” Baiden spoke with authority, his decision made.  “You and Kaiden go and organize this party.  I don’t want Hal to go.  Keep the party small.  Woodsmen and dog handlers.  No fools.  Best remember I said grown men.  Have them ready to leave at dawn.”

Flenn stood and left, probably not wanting to wait to carry out Baiden’s orders.  Jordy and Roren finished their meals and were soon also on their way out.  Roren paused at the door to offer one last comment to Baiden.  “When Wellen returns we shall know if we made the correct choice.”  His eyes flickered almost unnoticeably towards Von.  “I shall see you in the morning, unless you require me sooner.”

Von was left alone with Baiden.  He wondered what the clan cleric, Wellen, had to do with this business or why Roren had given him that look.  Von felt  he should also leave.  Baiden probably wanted to be alone.

“Sir,” he said.  “If you don’t need me, I think I  will also go.”

“No, Von,” Baiden answered.  “Sit down with me for awhile.  Have you eaten yet?”

Von sat at the table.  “No, I haven’t.”

“Well, then help yourself.  There is more than enough for a growing boy like you.  I hope it is still warm.”

Von rarely sat at the same table with Baiden.  On occasion Baiden would eat dinner up here when he desired to avoid the crowds.  At those times he would offer Von a portion of his dinner, but Von usually sat by the fire to eat it.  He could tell there was something besides the death of Kenn that occupied Baiden’s thoughts tonight.

“Von,” Baiden began.  “I know you wanted to go tomorrow.  I was planning to let you until we found out about Kenn.  It seems this beast is more dangerous than we thought.  I still think it is just an icebear that has wandered down from the mountains, but there are other opinions.”  He paused, seeming to collect his thoughts.  “Other opinions are what trouble me more than you will ever know, and I don’t mean about icebears.”

Von was not sure he understood.  He never knew Baiden to care what others thought of his decisions.

“You were young when you came to us.  Our clan rarely buys from the slave ships.  I certainly never thought to. One look at you changed all that...”

The pause was long and awkward, long enough for Von to begin to suspect Baiden knew more about him than he ever believed possible.  The stretched out silence was uncomfortable and Von wondered if Baiden was waiting for him to respond.  He couldn’t bring himself to speak and Baiden finally went on.

“Ever since then you have had a part of my heart, but I have not been allowed to treat you as I have felt I should.”

Von could not believe what he was hearing.  He opened his mouth only to have Baiden wave it shut, it seemed Von’s opportunity to speak was gone.

“Traditions as strong as law rule our nation as well as our clan.  I am no southern king whose word is law.  I am often bound as strongly as others by the laws our people share.”  Baiden’s voice grew quiet. “You are still an outsider, a foreigner.  You have less rights than a true bond servant.  You are in your youth, but through your skills your name is known already throughout the seven clans.  I fear your coming to Azmark is an omen our way of life is coming to an end, but at the same time I feel you came to save us, to save me.  I think Wellen knew you would be coming, he dreamt it, I think. He told me you would be on that ship. ”

Von didn’t know how to respond, or even if he was expected to. 
What was Baiden trying to say and how did Wellen fit in to this?  Did Baiden know more than he was letting on?  Did he know what Von had tried for all these years to forget? A secret he kept at first through fear and now because he knew no reason to reveal it.

“I don’t know what you expect of me,” Von said. “I’m not sure I understand what you are trying to say.” 

“The world is in turmoil.  I fear our land will soon be pulled into these affairs.  If we are not united they may be our ruin.”

Von still felt he should hold his cards close.  “I don’t see how that involves me.”

“It involves all of us. Your former home.  Your former land.  You are not from here.  Many may soon see you as the enemy.”

“I am no one’s enemy,” Von protested. “I have been nothing but a bond servant since coming here.”

“True, but I have had a mind to free you when you came of age.  That would go against many traditions, but no laws.  It would also make it more difficult to protect you.”

“I don’t understand what you are trying to say,” Von stammered, as far as Baiden knew, Von would not be of legal age for another two summers.  “Protect me from what?  You have been more than good to me. I....”

“You are eighteen summers, are you not?”  Von was stunned.  He was eighteen.  He’d lied about his age in hopes of not being sold as a slave to the mines.  Boys younger than ten were rarely purchased for that kind of work.  The life expectancy of the mine slaves was short and there was next to no chance of escape. 
How had Baiden known?
   Again Von found himself questioning what else his master knew.

“Do not be alarmed.  I have known from the first day.  If a ten year old boy wants to go around calling himself eight, why not let him.  Everyone seems to think you may grow another span, but you and I know you are nearly grown.  Kaiden’s fears that you will pass him in height
are unfounded.”

There was a twinkle in Baiden’s eye.  It was only there for a second.  The weight of his many burdens returned to his weathered face.  He was more weary than Von had ever seen him.  He bowed his head and began to speak in a soft tone.

“The news came late.”  Baiden looked up and Von saw his eyes glistening with unshed tears.  “Your homeland was overrun before we could marshal our forces.  It was not easy to convince the six other chiefs to finally assemble our armies.”

Why was Baiden telling him this?  And why now?

“The ships set sail,” Baiden continued.  “Less than half returned.  A fierce storm sent them limping back to us, then winter set in, a harsh winter.  Like none I have ever known, like this one will be.”  Baiden stood and walked back over to the fire, placing another small log and stoking it with the iron poker. “The high plains fell quickly to the southern invaders, and fear gripped the North.  We knew we were next, but the invasion never came.  It is coming though, and soon.  Most here seem to have forgotten the threat, I have not.”  He returned again to his seat at the table.

Von noticed Baiden’s food had hardly been touched.

“Nor,” Baiden continued, “have I forgotten my oath I swore when I became clan chief and Keeper in the North.  I failed that oath when I failed your homeland.  I failed you.  I wanted to die... until you came here.  I thought maybe if I kept you alive Evenfelle would also remain alive, possibly even return, rise from the ashes.”  His hands went to his face.  “Evenfelle, fabled Evenfelle, city and nation, gone now.  So is the alliance.  The Gothen Isle has fallen, the Black Horde will soon turn to us.”

Von never knew Baiden to show so much emotion.  He was always a rock.  Hard and impenetrable. 
What kind of pain did he feel from the loss of the empire?

“I know you don’t understand now, but you soon will.  I had not made up my mind until today.  Flenn’s desire to act quickly to destroy this beast has shown me my need for haste as well.  If I act now what is done may be forgotten by the time war comes.  I will not wait and sacrifice you to the whims of these so called city-states to the south or the fools who may see you and your kind as the enemy.  Go find Kaiden and bring him to the Hall.  I will be waiting for you there.”

All Von could do was obey.  Confusion clouded his mind.
  What could Baiden not wait to do?
Freedom was another possibility that weighed on him.  Hope swelled in his breast, yet a spark of fear kindled within.  Never before had he heard Baiden speak this way.  Von’s mind was spinning. 
What did Baiden know?
He could not know the full truth, that would be impossible. Yet Baiden had spoken as if Von represented Evenfelle itself.  Maybe Von’s closest guarded secret was not such a secret after all.  No, there was no way for Baiden to know, and if he had known he would not have let Von remain a bond servant, a slave in all but name.

The Black Horde haunted Von’s dreams and brought back memories of his former life.  Memories of a life he had given up on, a home he never thought to see again.  An identity that could still prove too dangerous to reveal.  He thought to make this his home, to forget what and
who he once was.  Learn to be happy here.  Images of his mother dying came flooding back to his mind.  Images as vivid as the day they occurred.  He knew now he would never forget his former life.  Despite his efforts he couldn’t forget where he came from.  His heart would never heal if he ignored the past.  He knew he needed to try and get home.  His real home.

Never before in the years since coming here had he allowed himself such a strong hope for freedom.  Baiden stoked that fire within Von this night, just as he had stoked the coals in his hearth back to life.  The hope for freedom swelled within him as well as the beginnings of another emotion he also thought was buried deep within.  So deep he hoped to not feel it again, yet it rose to the surface anew, just like so many of his suppressed memories.  That emotion once consumed him, ate at him, until he bottled it inside himself, burying it safely away until he nearly forgot everything he used to be.   Forgetting so he could make a new life for himself in the north, unburdened by the anguish of his past.

The past was now catching up to him.  His bottled up emotions wanted to explode, and that single emotion he had fought so hard to bury deep within himself shot to the surface, ripping open old wounds along the way.  
Vengeance
.  His desire for it was as alive as the flames of a forge fire.  He wanted vengeance against the Dominion, the Black Horde, all those who betrayed his homeland.  Maybe Baiden would help him obtain it.

He left Baiden’s rooms quickly, his steps fueled by determination.  Kaiden should not be hard to find.   Isk and Jen followed him as he left.

Chapter Six

Kaiden was easy to find.  Isk and Jen led Von straight to Baiden’s forge.  Kaiden was casually at work sharpening his hunting spear.  The tip of the spear was nearly three hands long, a deadly weapon when used properly, and not unlike the design of the spearhead Von finished earlier that evening.  Flenn was in the forge as well.  The two of them were speaking with Lester, and from what Von could gather Kaiden and Flenn were recruiting Lester to join the hunting party.  So far the three men hadn’t noticed him.

He cleared his throat. “Kaiden, your father wishes you to come to the Great Hall.  He is waiting for us there.”

“Did he send you, or the dogs to come get me?”

“It must be important if he sent all three,” joked Flenn.  “Come on, I’ll go with you.  If he wants to talk with you in the Hall it isn’t private.”

Lester decided to tag along as well, and the four young men stepped out of the shop and back into the cold.  As the door of the forge shut behind them Von stopped.

“Wait,” he said and ran back inside.  The spearhead he’d been working on was exactly where he’d left it.  The weapon still needed an edge put on it, but Kaiden could do that himself, it would give him something to do while huddling around the fire at the hunting camp.  The spearhead was complete, or near complete as it was ever going to be.  Even a trained eye couldn’t see anything lacking.  Von couldn’t see it either.  He could feel it though.  He just wasn’t sure what it was, something missing, as if the spearhead was not yet whole.  That couldn’t be though, Von held the weapon in his hand and knew it looked complete, only he couldn’t shake the feeling it wasn’t.  If he’d only had a few more minutes before Reece walked in on him.  Von wasn’t even sure what those few moments could have given him, but the next chance he had, he was going to find out.  Soon he would have his answer.

When Von emerged from the shop he held the spearhead  in his outstretched hands.  “This is for you.”  Von offered  the weapon to Kaiden.

“What is this?” Kaiden asked in surprise, taking the spearhead carefully from Von.

“Something I’ve been working on.  I thought you could use it when you left tomorrow.”

Flenn crowded between them.  “Let me get a look at that,” he said and took hold of the spear.  “This is a master’s work.  It’s balance is perfect.  Flawless!”  He handed it back to Kaiden.  “When you file an edge on that I bet it would slice through sinews like butter.”

“Why?” Kaiden asked Von, taken a little back by the unexpected gift.

“Why not?” Von answered with a smirk and a shrug.  “I know I’m not going to accompany you, but at least maybe some of my work can.”

Kaiden stood silently for a moment.  “Thank you,” he finally said, still testing the weight of the spearhead.  He gave Von a slap on the back.

Von smiled.  There was a spring in his step.  He was receiving praise for his work more often of late.  It gave him back a confidence missing in his life for a lot of years.  The praise was
nice, especially from his friends.  Being around Kaiden calmed him, the raw edgy emotions resulting from his conversation with Baiden were already fading. He walked a little taller back to the Hall.

Baiden was in his seat.  Roren and Jordy were there as well, seated to one side of Baiden. Von didn’t expect to see them. The three seemed to be in some kind of disagreement, though they hadn’t given one clue what the disagreement entailed.

When Von and Kaiden walked through the door all three pairs of eyes turned to them.  Their gaze made Von feel a bit like a goose at market getting the once over from a housewife.

Von was disappointed to see Berkler in the Hall.  He hated even being in the same room as the man.  He did his best to avoid eye contact and hoped he wasn’t being obvious about it.

There were others in the Hall as well.  Stiv and Guyen were shooting dice in one corner.  Sem and Tyree were seated near Berkler enjoying their dinner.  The three master blacksmiths were all drinking something warm.  The later two nodded a hello.  Von nodded politely back and quickly looked away again before Berkler caught his eye.  Alensa, Baiden’s wife, was seated next to her husband .  She resembled a queen from an epoch poem, and would have been a queen if this were the south.  About a half dozen others occupied the Great Hall.  Most didn’t bother to look up.  A slim figure stood behind a tapestry on the far wall, pretending not to care what was being discussed, all the while listening intently.  Von’s breath caught.

Anora.

Lester took a seat next to Stiv.  He could sense this wasn’t something he wanted to involve himself in.  Von wished he could have done the same.

Kaiden didn’t stop until he reached the foot of the head table.  Von stayed a step back, feeling a bit like Lester looked.  Flenn continued around to the other side and took his place next to the other councilors.  He wore a puzzled look, this was obviously something Baiden had not discussed with Flenn, but from the look on the faces of his other two councilors Von could see they knew what was coming. Von wondered if it was common for Flenn not to be included in all the discussions.  He was the youngest councilor, and newly named at that.

Roren did not look happy at all.  His grey eyes stared intently at Von, a scowl creased his leathery face.  Jordy appeared concerned, but not openly unhappy.  Von got the feeling Baiden had listened to the advice of his two older councilors and decided against it.  He was sure this wasn’t the first time they’d discussed the matter either, which again begged the question, why did Flenn know nothing about it?

Baiden stood.  An oblong rod with knobs and two handles perpendicular to the main shaft lay on the table in front of him.  The Key of the North, the symbol of the oath made by the people of  Azmark to the kings of Evenfelle.  Held in the hands of the Keeper in the North as he was named Lord of Azmark and High Chief of all the Clans.  Each Clan Chief came here to be made Chief of their Clan and swore their oaths holding the Key of the North.  The Lord of Azmark administered those oaths.  This was only the second time Von had even seen the Key.

Many thought since Evenfelle was gone this ancient tradition would be gone with it, and should be gone for that matter.  Baiden seemed to hold onto a false of hope, that Evenfelle was not truly gone and would rise again.  Few shared his dream, though secretly Von did.  He once thought to abandon those dreams, but with the return of his nightmares and Baiden hinting at his possible freedom, Von again thought of Evenfelle, the empire and his homeland.

Baiden focused his eyes on Kaiden, but spoke to everyone.  “A man who cannot keep his word cannot be trusted.  A dishonest man brings dishonor to himself, to his family and to his clan.  I have sworn a sacred and solemn oath and renew it again today.”

How could he renew his oath.  It required an agent of the emperor of Evenfelle.  By law no one else could receive the oath.  If it was sworn to the agent of the emperor it was considered sworn to the emperor himself  and done in his presence.  The oath was just as binding at that point, but none here acted for the emperor.

Von in his childhood had seen such a ceremony.  Jored, named Defender of the South and Prince of the Eire swore his oath in the same way that The Lord of Azmark did.  Jored came to Evenfelle and took his oath directly from the Emperor.  He drew his sword, placed the blade at his throat, knelt, and placed the hilt in the hand of his ruler.  Von never forgot the day he watched Jored pledge his life and the lives of his countrymen to the Emperor of Evenfelle.  It was the way the Watcher in the East and the Watcher in the West swore.  They all swore to defend and protect Evenfelle.  They all failed.  Jored gave his life in an attempt to slow the Black Horde.  His armies were smashed almost before Evenfelle was aware of the invaders.  They came like a plague over the mountains.  The Horde drove northward, an unstoppable flood.  A distant memory to Von, that in recent days was no longer distant.  The Watcher in the east soon shared the fate of his former lord.  Aryn brought his armies westward, down from the high plains.  They were scattered like sand in a storm.  The Watcher in the West was now gone with the fall of the Gothen Isle.  Only the Keeper in the North remained.  Von was beginning to understand what troubled Baiden.  It was very likely that the Horde, or the Dominion, would soon turn north.  Baiden must fear for his homeland and anguish over what he considered to be a broken oath, a failure to protect what he swore with his life to defend. 

Of all people present, Von had the greatest right to be angry, but Baiden was much harder on himself.  Von had long ago forgiven his new master, the man who saved him from an existence of laboring as a slave in the mines.   A man who had taken him in, given him skills, a new life.  Von’s put his anger away  long since his arrival here.  He could still feel it below the surface, but the source was from events years in the past, events nearly half his lifetime ago.  Von knew Evenfelle was gone, his mother was gone, his father, his brother, his old life.  Yes recent events continually reminded him of the past, but Von did not want to dwell on that until he could do something about it.  Baiden on the other hand had never been able to forgive himself, and Von understood that now.  Understood that it weighed heavily on the conscious of the lord of the north.

Baiden continued speaking, “There is a danger that has come upon us.  Many of our animals have been taken.  Now there has been a death.  Many years have passed since icebears
and snowcats have come down from the mountains.  Winter has grown cold in the mountains and has come upon us early. The cold and snow have driven some predators out of the mountains.  We can’t allow these animals to stalk our children.  I am pressed with business here and cannot do what must be done.  Kaiden, it falls to you.  You will organize and lead a hunting party.  You will not come back until you are satisfied the threat is gone.  I trust that will be soon.”

Everyone already knew this.  Why was Baiden making such a public display of it?

“We will leave before dawn,” Kaiden replied with a puzzled voice.

Baiden was not finished speaking. “This is only the beginning of our troubles.  This new danger foreshadows an older.  The days ahead will be dark.  You must return to us soon.  We will need every sword...”  Baiden closed his eyes and let out a breath.  Tears began to well in Alensa’s deep blue eyes.  She seemed to know ahead of time what Baiden was going to say.

“...We will move quickly.” Kaiden bowed his head, thinking the audience must be over and turned to leave.

“My life may be in danger.”  Baiden practically blurted it out.  “If I am gone when you return the Key of the North will be waiting for you.  I entrust it now to my councilors.”  Baiden turned to Flenn and placed the Key in his hand.  Flenn was as surprised as Kaiden.  The Key of the North was not to be given to another until a new Keeper was to be chosen, and then only in preparation to make the journey to Haven Keep.

Kaiden shook his head.  His expression was one of confusion and surprise as well as discomfort.  “I cannot...”

“You will!” Baiden snapped at his son.  Kaiden’s face showed shock and hurt. “This is not a time to be weak.  I will speak with you now privately, but before we retire there is one more piece of business I wish to have done with.”

Roren was shaking his head, probably unaware he was even moving it.  So far, from what Von could see, Roren and Jordy had both been in agreement.  What they disagreed on was about to come.   Roren’s expression revealed he’d just lost an old argument.

The Hall was dead silent.  Von thought Anora left until he saw the tapestry trembling.  She must be in fear for her father, in fear of the future.  She obviously heard her father state his life was in danger, but in danger from what?  He wished he could go to her.  How would that look, a slave comforting a princess?  No matter what he’d once been, he was a slave now.

Baiden spoke now with a loud voice. “Von step forward.”

Von was stunned. 
What business had Baiden with him?
  Especially the kind that would pit Baiden against his own councilors.

“You have served me and mine well.  Better than could have been expected or hoped for.  As I daily watch you I am reminded of what loyalty is.  You are honest of heart.  I will return that kindness which you have shown to me, and I will show it now since there soon may not be any more chances.”

Von did not realize he was holding is breath. 
Why now?   Why in front of everyone?
  He waited in anticipation as well as fear. 
What would Baiden say?   What would he reveal?
Von was beginning to feel some of the secrets he’d kept to himself since coming to the north might not be as secret as he hoped, but if Baiden knew and kept it to himself for so long, why would he reveal it now in front of the whole Hall?

Baiden’s words carried easily through the Hall.  “When you come of age you are free.  This I swear.  When I am gone these words will be remembered by all.  I pray I will live to see a day when you are returned to your home land.”  Baiden’s words carried more meaning than what was apparent on the surface.  Von wasn’t sure he wanted to believe there was an underlying meaning.  He couldn’t believe he was hearing the words at all.

Von’s shock must be showing on his face.
Was this how Baiden thought to redeem himself?  Return me to my home land?

Baiden grinned through his greying beard.  Most of the faces in the Hall wore surprised looks. There were none as surprised as Von.