by Randy Nargi
Bryn Eresthar explained that the healers cautioned against moving Bander and Silbra Dal too far. Wegg suggested that they recuperate here at this cabin. Darrick, the owner, was happy to accept a few coins and leave them alone for a day or two—especially when he heard the news that Gredarl Kar was dead.
Bander struggled to get out of the cot.
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Bryn Eresthar asked.
“I want to be on my feet when I salute the rest of the team.”
“Me as well,” Silbra Dal said.
“Let me call them in then.”
Hirbo Thrang helped Silbra Dal from her cot as Bander got to his feet. He was a little unsteady, but it felt good to be standing up.
The door opened and Dusk entered, followed by Wegg, Faramir Boldfist, Jaden on crutches, Niam, Etthar Calain, and someone he had never seen before: a tall, strikingly-beautiful woman. She had dark hair and deep green eyes.
“Who are you?” he asked.
Etthar Calain said, “Excuse my friend’s rudeness, My Lady. He’s been through quite an ordeal.”
“Quite all right,” the woman said in a confident voice.
“Lady Ardara, may I present Bander of Rundlun, Red Shoulder Captain, and former Imperial Investigator.”
“Pleased to meet you, Captain.”
Silbra Dal’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “Did you say your name was Ardara?” she asked.
“Do I know you, Mistress?”
Etthar Calain interjected. “May I present Silbra Dal of the White.”
“Formerly…” Silbra Dal said distractedly. “Formerly of the White.” Bander could see that she was perturbed by Ardara’s presence.
Silbra Dal moved closer to the woman. “Ahania…?”
The woman’s eyes flashed. “I haven’t gone by that name for a very, very long time.”
“Tell me—”
Ardara said, “There will be plenty of time to get to know one another.” She looked at each of them. “I look forward to hearing all of your stories.”
“I’m afraid that I don’t understand, My Lady,” Bryn Eresthar said.
“The world has always been a dangerous place. You all know that,” she said. “But recently the danger has escalated. I’m not talking about Morin of Thect, either—although his defeat was a major victory that I commend you all for. The true enemy is more insidious than a dark mage.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Hirbo Thrang said.
“The true enemies are those who strike the Empire from within. Asryn has been destroyed, but Lord Governors Sarlin Wenn and Waleran Aym still scheme and plot. As do plutocrats like Nechal Tolormy and other merchant-kings looking to be enthroned. Make no mistake, the seeds of unrest have been sown.”
“But what does that have to do with us?” Jaden asked.
“This danger to our world, it must be opposed by remarkable individuals. In another time, you would be lauded as Heroes of the Realm, but now your efforts must be undertaken in secret. With me.”
Bander looked at Etthar Calain questioningly.
The former Imperial Magister said, “I can vouch for Lady Ardara. She has aided my cause many times over the years—behind the scenes, of course. Now she wants to step from the shadows, so to speak, and form a league to defend the Empire. And she has the resources to do so.”
“Well said, Etthar Calain. And I would be honored if each of you would considering joining our cause,” Ardara said. “There is much to do, including recovering the stolen artifacts.”
Everyone was quiet as they considered what Ardara was proposing. Then Bryn Eresthar said, “I, for one, am intrigued.”
“I, too,” said Silbra Dal.
“Splendid. I invite you all to my palace in Lhawster. There I will share everything I know about the storm that is brewing. Etthar Calain will facilitate your passage there. I hope to see you all in the morn.”
With that, Ardara tilted her head in the most subtle of bows and left the cabin.
“What was that all about?” Dusk asked.
“That was perhaps the most powerful woman in the Empire, if not the world,” Etthar Calain said.
“Begging your pardon, Magister,” Faramir Boldfist said. “If she’s so powerful, how come none of us have heard of her?”
“Her anonymity is evidence of her power. You haven’t heard of her precisely because she doesn’t desire you to.”
“I suppose it can’t hurt to listen to what she has to say,” Hirbo Thrang said.
“Agreed,” Wegg said.
“As long as she’s willing to pay,” Dusk added.
Faramir Boldfist said, “Right. If you hold my feet to the fire, I’ll admit that I’m a mercenary as much as I am a patriot.”
"More so," Wegg said.
“Then we are agreed? We will hear the details of what Lady Ardara proposes regarding this League of hers?” Bryn Eresthar asked.
“Not I,” Bander said.
“What?”
"As soon as I am rested, I will return to the road. This has been a good adventure and I am proud to have fought alongside each of you, but the life of a hero is not for me. Not anymore. I'm too old. Besides, the road beckons me."
“The same for me,” Jaden said, hobbling over to a bench and eased himself down. “These new battles are for younger men. I plan to live out my remaining days in the company of strong drink and even stronger women.”
Bryn Eresthar said, “I cannot speak for the bounty hunter here, but I know you, Bander. And I know you are not one to shy away from a fight.”
“We’ll see about that.”
BANDER AND HIS TEAM ALL RETURNED TO THE STEADING FOR ONE LAST MEAL TOGETHER. Back at the cooperage, they had a fine dinner of smoked fish, duck, fresh-caught eels from the Aedre, a saffron carrot pottage, and a lavish spread of cheeses, berries, and other fruit. And of course, there was wine. A lot of wine.
Niam departed early, explaining that he had promised the lad Medgal that he would bring him back to Dunbeck. He pledged to be back by morning so he could accompany the group to Lhawster.
The rest of the team discussed the attack on Gredarl Kar's fortress, recounted their various adventures and battles, and Etthar Calain filled them in on what Meomannan Quill had learned from Tarist about the Tree Heart. Apparently, the artifact was sentient and much more powerful than anyone had thought. Once it had been deprived of its nourishment in the form of gold, it began to go on the offensive.
“So the illusions and blood and the spores, that was all the Tree Heart?” Bryn Eresthar asked.
“Yes,” Etthar Calain said.
“But it’s gone now? Morin said that he destroyed it.” Hirbo Thrang said.
“He was lying. The Guild has commandeered the fortress and is monitoring the Tree Heart as we speak.”
“I hope they are feeding it,” Jaden said
Towards the end of the evening, Bander asked Silbra Dal to accompany him outside and they strolled towards the river.
“Mistress, tell me, do you still intend to topple the Guild?”
She smiled in the moonlight. “Why do you ask, Captain? Does your offer of help still stand?”
“Actually, yes.”
“Well, it’s good to know that you remain a man of your word. But, no, I have been doing a lot of thinking about this. While I still believe that the Guild is a vile institution, I can see that the alternative would likely be worse.”
Bander nodded but didn’t say anything.
“Besides,” Silbra Dal said. “I am intrigued by this Lady Ardara. We have some sort of connection. Though to be honest, I cannot explain how or why. I also have much to learn about my powers and how to control myself.”
“You are still very young.”
“Not that young.”
They paused at the river’s shore and watched the nightdancers skim the surface of the water, catching insects and then flying up into nearby trees to eat them.
Finally, Bander said, "If there is anything you ever need, I
will be there for you."
“Thank you, Captain.”
She absent-mindedly fingered her necklace and seemed distracted. But Bander didn't want to ask why. Instead, he smiled at her.
“You, more than anyone else, know how to find me.”
He thought back to the beginning of this adventure, back in Matham Wood where Silbra Dal had tracked down one of his caches and left a scrying crystal there.
“That is true.” She smiled back.
They embraced and then walked back to the cooperage in silence.
The next morning, while the others were sleeping off the wine and the heavy meal, Bander left early. He took only a small sack of provisions.
At the junction of the Imperial highway, he considered his route. Usually, he circled the Empire from east to west at this time of year. He could continue that habit and journey south to Vale, or even southwest to Palkel Bridge and then west to Rundlun. Or he could head in the opposite direction to points north. Three Rivers, Laketon, even Lhawster.
He decided to go north.
Chapter Forty-Five
FOUR DAYS LATER, SOMEWHERE SOUTH OF THREE RIVERS, BANDER CAME ACROSS AN OLD TRAPPER’S CABIN. He had left the Northway that morning and ventured east to forage for food, then spent the day following a game trail which ran parallel to the Imperial highway.
It was late afternoon when Bander saw the cabin nestled in a small grove of trees on a rise above a half-dry creek. The cabin looked like it had stood on that spot for a century or more. Thick moss grew on the roof and vines climbed the exterior walls. There were no windows—just a narrow chimney on one side of the structure that looked like it was made of stacked river rock. The front of the cabin had a small covered porch. Rusted traps hung from wooden pegs on either side of the door. And judging by the webs that draped over the entrance, no one had inhabited this cabin for quite some time.
Bander had to stoop to enter the cabin. Inside there was not much more than a cot and a fireplace. Whoever had last stayed here had removed any cooking pots and utensils. The only things remaining were four half-burned candles left on the hearth and a makeshift broom that was a carved tree limb with a handful of straw lashed to one end.
He didn’t mind. Back in Langbost he had purchased a bedroll, a knife, a water flask, a tinderbox, and a small iron cooking pan. He didn’t need much more than that.
All in all, this place would make a fine overnight resting place. He did his best to sweep out the dust and webs and then spent a half hour gathering firewood. Then he made a fire and began to prepare his rabbit stew. By the time night fell, his belly was full and his body was tired and ready for sleep.
Bander lit one of the candles and took it outside with him and walked around the cabin, just to make sure nothing was out of the ordinary.
Then he returned inside and stretched out on the cot and closed his eyes. Four minutes later, he was asleep.
Sometime later his eyes snapped open and he was fully awake.
The fire had died down to embers and the cabin was cold. But that wasn’t it. He held his breath, didn’t move a muscle. Just listened.
Then the door to the cabin creaked open.
Bander sat up and reached for his knife as a tall figure peered inside.
“Bander?”
It was a voice he knew well, but it was impossible that he was hearing it now. Absolutely impossible.
“You awake? Don’t kill me, all right?”
She stepped into the room, hands held up.
Bander could not believe who he was seeing. He couldn’t speak.
She said, “I’m just going to sit here by the fireplace—let you wake up a little. I know this is a shock. But I assure you, I’m not a ghost.”
Her silver hair caught the dim light, and he glimpsed her crooked smile.
It was Vala. She was alive.
He left the cot and walked over to her, still clutching his knife.
“This can’t be,” he said. “You were dead…the Witches…”
“They brought me back, healed me. It took a long time.”
He touched her face. It was her. No illusion. No dream. No ghost.
“You’re a tough person to find. Why did you leave the Northway?”
“I was hungry,” he said quietly. “I still don’t understand how this can be. The Witches told Hirbo Thrang that you couldn’t be saved.”
Vala shrugged. “They lied. I guess they wanted me for themselves.”
“And what about you? What do you want?”
“Right now. I just want you.” She leaned over and they kissed. Kissed for a long time. It was much better than talking. Then Vala stripped out of her clothes and they wrapped themselves around each other. Not just for warmth. Not in the least.
They didn’t talk again until dawn.
While he was lighting the fire, Vala told him that she had to return to the Witches.
“It’s what we agreed to.”
The news hit him like a punch. “I don’t understand.”
“They didn’t want me to see you, but I insisted. But they only let me out for one night. Kind of like a furlough.”
He couldn’t accept what he was hearing. “What if I talked to them?”
She smiled, but it was a sad smile. “I don’t think that would do much good.” She pulled on her clothes and kissed him again, long and hard.
Then at the door she said, “Thank you, Bander. Thank you for avenging me.”
He nodded but didn't say anything.
She stepped outside, and Bander followed her to the door. He felt like his insides were twisting up. All he could do was wave as she walked away. Then he caught a glimpse of another woman just on the edge of the trees. Vala walked over to her and then a portal shimmered into existence. A few seconds later, they were both gone.
Bander stood there for a long time. Then he gathered his few things, made sure that the fire was fully extinguished, and left the cabin.
He didn’t look back.
END
The Temple of Fate
People & Places
PEOPLE
Bander’s Friends & Foes
Ardara - a woman with a mysterious past who is now the Empress of Harion
Bryn Eresthar - former Lord Governor, now Imperial Viceroy, friend of Bander
Harnotis Kodd - an old mage in Lhawster
Hirbo Thrang - a rogue mage, friend of Bander
Keave - a locestra who works with Mortam Rowe
Mortam Rowe - a bounty hunter who works with Keave
Silbra Dal - a rogue mage, friend of Bander
The Merchants of Pritchard’s
Gaon Jeigh - Phaler Jeigh’s brother, works at Prichard’s in Whill
Gard Coverstone - Melanthris Jeigh’s steward
Melanthris Jeigh - runs Prichard’s in Gilweald, Phaler Jeigh’s sister
Phaler Jeigh - works at Prichard’s in Whill
Zarla Jeigh - Phaler Jeigh’s wife
In Irfals
Albech - the miller in Irfals
Eton Sward - mage stationed at the Temple of Dreams in Irfals, friend of Valthar
Frida Heffring - woman in Irfals lets out a room in her house
Langer - Mrs. Heffring’s hired hand
In Malverton
Chumbold - one of Talessa Kreed’s sailors
Dartminter Rigg - Talessa Kreed’s steward
Dunegan - a bookseller in Malverton
Fenrue - Talessa Kreed’s bodyguard
Larandar - Talessa Kreed’s first mate
Nyanel - one of Talessa Kreed’s sailors
Talessa Kreed - a riverboat guide and explorer supposedly related to the legendary explorer Arrington Kreed
PLACES
Delham University - the Guild-run college of mages
Gilweald - a small city upriver from Rundlun
Hamwick - the capital city of the province of Hamwick in the center of the Empire
Irfals - a village east of the Steading; site of the Temple of D
reams. Also known for its beer
The Malverton Trading Post - a very old trading post located in the Tengan Territories, approximately two hundred miles south of Vale
The Tengan Territories - the vast forested wilderness on the southern border of the Empire of Harion, also known as the Wilderlands
The West Way - the longest Imperial highway stretching east from Sulmos through Vale, Kreed’s Keep, Mynwal and then further east into the kingdom of Gadmark
Vale - the ancient capital city of the province of Vale in the heart of Harion’s cattle country
Whill - a small city east of Rundlun; the location of Delham University
Chapter One
The last day of the year 1715
Eighteen miles southeast of Gilweald
The exhausted horse kicked out, and Bander caught its leg with one meaty fist. The animal struggled halfheartedly, but Bander held firm.
“Easy, now.”
He guided the animal’s leg down, but not before he noticed the splash of black blood on the horse’s hoof and pastern.
If it hadn’t been ensnared in the tree, its reins wedged among the low branches, the steed would have been able to extend its leg fully and its kick would have had much more velocity and power. That would have been a much different story. A much more painful one. Deadly, most likely.
But Bander had been lucky.
And so had the horse.
Moving as quickly as he could, Bander worked the reins free, and led the horse out into a clearing.
The animal was magnificent. A Valer steed. The best of the best. It stood a good foot taller than a normal horse and was as smart as a hunting dog—and even more loyal. And even though its body was scored with fresh gashes and cuts and its face was covered in spittle and foam, the horse stood proud and glared at Bander defiantly.
Valer steeds were certainly a breed apart. While normal horses were prey animals who only attacked to escape a predator, Valer steeds had been bred as warhorses. They certainly wouldn’t shy away from a fight. And this one looked to be no exception.