The Bonding (The Song and the Rhythm) (18 page)

Late that night, Vaun lay in the dark staring at the ceiling, seeing over and over again the slaying of four living men. The music in his head provided a harsh, though somewhat fitting accompaniment to the battle, and the tingling feeling disappeared completely into that peculiar rhythm. Each time he watched the fight from a distance, as if someone else had done it, but he knew it had been him. Most of all, he didn’t want to admit to himself or his friends how much he’d liked the sensations he’d felt, particularly when he’d stabbed that last attacker.

*
*
*

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” Merdel said as he and Drath wound their way through the streets in the direction of the Baron’s estate. “I saw a few images flash by, but they made no sense. There was also some kind of strange music. Then I had trouble keeping contact, as if something fought my search. I never got the chance to see anything definite.” The wizard hesitated, thoughtfully scratching his chin. “And I saw the depth of Vaun’s uncertainty.”

Drath looked over at his friend. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

The bearded mage refused to meet Drath’s eyes. “You may be doing less good than you think.” He almost choked on the words. “I may have been wrong in my assessment of him. I did see his low self-esteem during my observations, but I thought it was due to his age and inexperience in a world that still refused to call him a true adult. Maybe my search wasn’t guided by the Great God, although Vaun still seems very special. I’ve never had trouble reading another’s mind.”

Drath smiled but knew it wouldn’t help matters to gloat over his victory. He rarely won an argument with the wizard, and this one was bittersweet. He’d hoped he’d cured some of Vaun’s self-esteem problems with all his conversations with him. He didn’t like the idea of someone else knowing just how deep Vaun’s self-doubt ran, but he knew he couldn’t help it now. And maybe Merdel could aid in the building of Vaun’s spirit.

The wizard went back to worrying his bearded chin. “I’m not willing to give him up completely, though, so keep up your talks with him. I may try to read him later to get a better idea.”

“I think you’re too hard on him, Merdel.” Drath eyed the wizard strongly. “We all have to give Vaun a chance to mature. I admit it’s tough at times, but we have to have hope for something good.” He chuckled. “I don’t always have that, but you’ve said before I’m too skeptical. I just don’t want his internal difficulties to distract us from our task. Speaking of which, we won’t get anywhere if we don’t solve our current problem.”

Since they were now before the gates, Merdel said nothing further on the subject. The gates stood open, with a pike-armed guard on either side. They wore chain mail and helmets, as did all the town guards, with no facial features visible. They regarded the two men closely but said nothing.

The walls marking the boundaries of the estate rose a little over six feet high, higher even than the town walls, and the gates were the same. Drath could see the garden-lined dirt path leading up to the three-story mansion inside the walls. Taking a deep breath, he confronted the two guards, Merdel behind him.

“I need to speak with the Baron.” Drath tried to put authority into his voice, which was difficult when he couldn’t remember the Baron’s name.

The guards laughed, unmoved by Drath’s attempt at formality. “No one sees the Baron without an appointment,” the one on Drath’s right said. “And no one gets an appointment without a long wait. Whatever you need, I’m sure we can be of service.”

“You don’t understand,” Drath insisted. “I need to speak with him now. I have information he might want.”

“Information about what?”

“Information about the five men who were killed last night.” He and Merdel had heard talk in the streets of the finding of the bodies, and Drath had decided to go ahead and see the Baron since the gates had subsequently been locked.

The guard cocked his head to one side, as if looking for deception from the tall man. “Did you kill them?”

“No, but I know who did.”

The guardsman seemed to consider this for a moment, then decided the matter was over his head. He turned to his comrade. “Fetch the captain.” Wordlessly, the other man left.

After several minutes he returned with another larger man. Nearly Drath’s height, the captain was much older, evident by the white streaking his dark hair. He had a confident walk, his back proudly erect. He, too, wore chain mail, but no helmet, and he carried a scimitar at his left hip. “What’s this?” His left hand rested casually on his sword hilt.

“Sir,” the first guard responded, “these men say they have information about who killed the five we found last night. They have insisted on seeing the Baron.”

The captain turned toward Drath. “How’d you hear about it?”

“Well, we knew about it last night but waited until today to come tell you what we knew. Besides, it’s all over the streets.”

“So tell me. There’s no need to bother the Baron.”

Merdel peeked from behind Drath’s shoulder. “There’s more here than the slaying of five men, Captain. It is who these men were that may concern the Baron.”

Drath showed the captain a ring he’d taken from his pouch. “And who we are.”

The captain’s eyes widened at sight of the ring. “Very well. I am Hansard. I’ll see if His Grace will talk with you.” He gestured to Drath. “Come with me. Your friend stays, and he can hold your sword.” Saying this, he turned and marched toward the mansion behind him.

Drath hurriedly unbuckled his sword belt and handed his weapon to Merdel, who took it and moved to lean against the wall.

*
*
*

Thorne tried for what seemed the hundredth time to arouse Vaun’s interest in what they’d discussed the previous day. He wanted to hear more about the history of Vaun’s world, finding it quite interesting how closely his own resembled the ancient history of the other. But the youth didn’t respond or even acknowledge the dwarf’s presence. He just followed Thorne wordlessly and did as he was told, barely noticing the crowd he walked through. His only sign of life came when he bought another belt to hold his other daggers and his pants in place. Oddly, he paid what the seller asked without bargaining for a lower price. The merchant had stared at the youth when he just gave him the money, then looked to Thorne for an explanation, answering the dwarf’s shrug of incomprehension with one of his own.

Ever since the fight last night, Thorne hadn’t gotten a word out of Vaun. He himself had returned to normal after the ale had dulled his headache, but Vaun seemed to withdraw even further into himself. Frustrated, the dwarf gave up and led his mute companion through the streets, wondering why the gods had cursed the youth with a conscience.

*
*
*

Dart spied Merdel leaning against the walls of the Baron’s estate and turned to elbow his cousin beside him. The blond elf turned to him, and Dart nodded in Merdel’s direction. Rush looked to where his cousin nodded, then turned back to him and nodded as well, and they hurried to where the mage stood.

Merdel stood with his staff leaning against his left shoulder, his arm draped casually around it. Drath’s sword leaned against the wall to his right, and he regarded the two elves curiously as they approached him.

The mage smiled wryly when the elves stopped in front of him. “And to what do I owe this wonderful visitation?”

Rush grinned. “We just thought we’d come see you.”

“Aye.” Dart nodded in agreement.

Merdel lifted a brow, obviously believing the cousins had a much stronger motive.

The two elves hesitated, nervously shuffling their feet. Merdel usually prompted them more than this. It made them wonder if the bearded mage cared what they wanted to tell him.

Finally, Rush swallowed his uncertainty. Talking with Merdel was like picking a complicated lock. You never knew if the next twist would release the lock or break your pick. “We have something to tell you.”

“I figured that.”

“From what we’ve been able to gather, those five men arrived about a day before we did, and in quite a hurry. They had galloped up to the gate and nearly trampled five or six people. Needless to say, the guards weren’t happy. But a quick and fairly large bribe kept them from reporting it. Those two survivors from before were not with them. So we’re safe. At least for now.”

“And where did you find this wellspring of knowledge?” Merdel seemed surprised at how much the elf knew.

“Someone sees everything, and that someone always wants to talk about it. All you have to do is find him and act interested.” The blond elf seemed pleased with himself, as did his cousin.

“Well, that certainly is a comfort. Anything else?”

“No, nothing of interest. What’re you doing here?”

Merdel gestured toward the wall behind him. “I’m waiting for Drath. He entered the mansion almost an hour ago and hasn’t returned. Either he’s dead, in prison, or he’s talking to the Baron. As to which is true, I’m sure we’ll find out shortly. Have you purchased all we’ll need?”

“Aye, we just finished.”

“Good. We bought our last horse, and I’m sure Thorne will be through today as well. If Drath does his job right with the Baron, we’ll be leaving tomorrow. Now…” The wizard stopped as Drath exited the gates and came over to where his three companions stood waiting.

“Nice to see I’m so popular that I have a welcoming committee.” He bent and picked up his sword, asking the reason for the elves’ visit while he buckled it on.

Merdel told him, then asked if he was successful with the Baron.

“Oh, aye. Baron Hugo was quite pleased to learn that the five men were some of Elak’s mercenaries. He even thanked me and gave me a reward that he insisted I give to Thorne and Vaun. All in all, I’d say it went pretty well.”

“Did you have any trouble getting to see him?” Merdel led the way as they headed back into the streets.

“No more than usual,” Drath explained. “Even with the signet, they questioned me thoroughly before admitting me to the Baron. I guess Hugo’s still paranoid after that last attempt on his life.”

“Aye. You would be, too, if one of your own aides tried to kill you. And he does run the town that sells the world’s best horses.”

Drath nodded, then turned to the cousins. “Have either of you seen Thorne and Vaun today?”

“Aye, briefly.” Rush nodded. “We saw them as we finished storing the last of the provisions we bought. Vaun looked much like he did this morning.”

“Fire and water, what is wrong with him? I wish he weren’t so sensitive. He should know better than to let this bother him. I barely got a word out of him last night, and he said nothing to me at all today. I know he’s dealing with difficult things, but he’s much more mature than that. He should be able to handle it. He could be a hindrance if he stays like this.”

Merdel bobbed his head. “Aye, but I doubt he will. I foresee a change in the youth’s spirit, and I think it will solve this crisis he faces.” He said that to encourage Drath, but he still harbored doubts it might be true.

*
*
*

When Drath and Merdel walked into The Prancing Horse with their two elven companions, they saw that Thorne and Vaun were already seated. The four moved through the crowded tavern and seated themselves across from the other two. Thorne sat holding his head up with his fist, and sighed heavily when his friends sat, not hiding his boredom or frustration.

“At last. I finally get to talk to someone.” He lifted his head and glanced sidelong at Vaun, hoping his comment would arouse his interest. It didn’t.

Merdel smiled. “I see you two decided to avoid trouble this night and get here early.”

Thorne laughed and agreed, but Vaun only sat as he had for the last hour and a half, his head down and his eyes staring into his tankard, unseeing.

Merdel squinted over at him. “What’s troubling you, Vaun Tarsus?” He hoped he could help the young man overcome whatever bothered him. The wizard knew Drath could never hope to conquer the young man’s low self-esteem alone.

The youth shrugged slightly but said nothing. The wizard turned toward Thorne, his eyes reasking his question.

“I’ve no idea,” Thorne admitted. “He’s been like that ever since the fight last night. The only sign of life I’ve seen in him was when he spent over an hour cleanin’ and inspectin’ his sword, and that was after he’d already done it once. Never seen anyone pay more attention to a sword than his companions. He barely offered to help me walk with a sore head, either.”

Merdel nodded but said nothing as the serving girl brought them their dinner. Thorne and Vaun had politely waited for the others before eating. Vaun ate mechanically, just as he had the night before. The wizard was glad his companion hadn’t lost his appetite and found it only mildly comforting that he wasn’t trying to eat out of an empty bowl this time.

Impatience overtaking him, Merdel stopped eating and prepared his mind for a spell. He concentrated, picturing Vaun’s face in his head. Praying silently for guidance, he then incanted softly, pulling forth the magic from inside, and reached out with his awareness toward his companion seated across from him. This time, he planned to probe deeper into Vaun’s thoughts, hoping to find some clue as to what bothered the youth. He still retained a faint hope that fate had led him to this young man.

He entered Vaun’s mind, and immediately a loud noise assaulted him. It so surprised him he nearly lost contact, but he quickly overcame the shock and tried to define what he heard. Concentrating harder, he realized that he heard music, not just noise, and it was very similar to what he’d heard before. It was beautiful, yet it had a stronger, harder edge to it and was extremely loud, much more so than last time. What he found even more strange was that he could almost
feel
it.

Curious, he probed deeper, but once he did something slammed into him and ejected him from the youth’s thoughts. The contact broke so severely that he winced and rubbed at his temples, his mind aching.