A Choice of Blades: The Blade Remnant, Book One

by D. N. Woodward

  “Leon, on my honor, these truths will not leave this room.” Dimples looked him in the eye as he spoke, “Still, the news of the invaders weighs heavy on my heart. I see no path for a coalition of Tribes to stand against those hordes of giants, should they take the pass.

  "I know my people. They will never stoop to fight alongside the Northern Fang. Their honor will not allow it. The Vin too, due to the powers they possess, do not believe they can be beaten. They will scoff at the coming armies and will return to the Quiet Forest to await anyone foolish enough to set foot within their sacred glades.” Dimples sure knew how to kill a moment.

  “Still, I need to get the news out to the Otterkin counsel,” Sved hollered out the back of the tent, getting up.

  A minute later, the serving girl popped her head in through the flap.

  “Ah, yes, there you are! Caddie, please, be so kind as to go wake up Madam Hazzel. Tell her I have urgent news and will be along directly to inform her of the details.” The girl looked absolutely horrified at the prospect of waking her clan leader in the middle of the night, but to her credit, she dipped her head and turned to leave.

  Sved called out again before she could disappear, and she whipped around, hopeful the order would be rescinded, “How could I be so forgetful Caddie, please make sure you get Ferschall up too, he’ll want to hear all of this as well, yes?” The girl sputtered at the prospect of the added impropriety. She fled the room before Sved could pile on another request.

  “Ferschall’s here!? How come you didn’t say so in the beginning? What about Shana? Is she here too?” Leon cried. Kyra perked up as well, taking a sudden interest in Sved’s response.

  “Sorry, Leon. Ferschall is here, but he arrived alone. He wasn’t able to find anyone in the chaos the night the Vin attacked. You can ask him about it in the morning, yes? For now, why don’t the two of you follow me, we have a few spare beds in the back where you can sleep. Your fur and feather entourage can stay here if you promise to keep them from bringing the place down on all of us.” He gave the giant snoring bear a critical glare before turning back to Leon, “You look exhausted, and tomorrow may prove to be another very eventful day, no?”

  Sved led them each to a room of their own. Merle and Ahab both refused to be left alone in the big room and followed behind Leon into the room Sved indicated was his. Opulent didn’t begin to describe the furnishings, but it could have just as well been a barn's loft, and he wouldn't have cared, as worn out as he was in his current state. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was out.

  # # #

  The next day brought some much-needed peace and quiet, allowing everyone to sleep late.

  Later that morning, an old man with a tangle of white hair burst into Leon's room with a shout. Merle and Ahab nearly attacked before Leon was able to awaken enough to call them both off, but the old man didn't seem to give his near brush with death much thought as even his whiskers trembled with joy at the sight of Leon.

  Before Leon could even extricate himself from his sheets, the old man scooped him up out of bed, blankets and all. Wrapping him in a bear hug, he proclaimed, "Leon! I have found you and you have grown!" Then, "What have you done to your hair?"

  He didn't give Leon a chance to respond. Straining to maintain the embrace, Ferschall dropped him back down onto the bed and appraised him with a curious look, "At least two seasons in two months, and more besides, yes? You are always full of surprises! Dress first, then come and break your fast with me, we have much to discuss!"

  He turned once more and stopped as if actually noticing Leon's four-legged guards for the first time. "Your War Hound has matured into a fine-looking beast!" He cocked his head as he studied Ahab, then swung back around to stare at Leon, a sly expression on his face, "A young silver feathered griffin from the Southern Islands? You do know his kind have never been successfully tamed, don't you? Sure, merchants sometimes manage to hatch an egg here or there, and the cubs are often sold as a novelty of the rich, but no one ever keeps them once they learn to hunt!"

  "I don't know about all that. He's pretty well-behaved, just needs lots of meat," Leon defended.

  "Yes, and he'll need more as he grows. Just make sure he sticks with a four-legged diet and doesn't go experimenting with any two-legged variety, yes? His kind don't normally grow as big as their mountain cousins, but they make up for it in aggression and athleticism!"

  "Listen, just because—"

  "And yet here he is, yes? Sitting politely next to an alpha War Hound and hanging on your every word!" Ferschall shook a bent knuckled forefinger his direction and ginned his snaggle-toothed grin, before reiterating his prior observation, "Always full of surprises, Leon, always!"

  Minutes later they were both seated in the big room where fresh fruit, smoked eggs, delicate meat cakes, and cool drinks stood ready nearby. The smells coming off the trays were exotic and sumptuous. Leon licked his chops when his belly rumbled. It was like every meal at the Haberkorn Market was discount night at the Golden Corral!

  They tore into their meal with silent relish for several minutes before Leon came up for air and asked the obvious question, "Ferschall, what happened that night on the Murk River?"

  Ferschall finished chewing and wiped his hands on his pants before he gave an answer, "It was a Vindarri attack. They killed all in their path, but did not seem to care for the Otterkin, only Ben and his men."

  "Did they get Ben?"

  Ferschall shrugged, "Hard to say. I was a bit busy at the time, yes? But I don't think so. Not that first night at least. They hadn't returned before dawn, and I took off north on the eastern trail. Sadly, I could not wait, I had a higher duty to attend.

  "I had a few small run-ins with bandits, but still managed to make it here a little over a month ago. My story is rather plain and boring when compared to yours though. Sved shared a little of what happened to you last night, but I would hear the story from you, yes?" Ferschall wriggled his eyebrows with enthusiasm.

  Leon shared the full story of his journey through the Wild Forest and of his meeting and subsequent travels with Kyra. After a little more time, he also showed him the medallion from Gus. Ferschall’s eyes went wide when he studied the map on the front side of the medallion. He squinted as he tried to cipher the small writing on the backside. Leon had hoped the knowledgeable old man might understand the writing, but Ferschall couldn’t make heads or tails of it either. He did make a copy of some of the writing for further study.

  However, it wasn't until Leon proudly showed his old friend the bag of pottery he had hauled with him across the better part of two kingdoms that Ferschall actually yelled loud enough to wake Kyra. He was still celebrating in his typical overtly loud and obnoxious manner when she came stepping out into the big room.

  Ferschall dramatically sank to one knee when he met her. He quickly jumped up and drew her into a hug when she told him there wasn't any such need. Then he excused himself from their breakfast, proclaiming he was off to bring back a reward suitable for a job. "So, extraordinarily well done."

  A few hours later, Kyra and Leon were sitting down once again to have lunch with Dimples when Sved came busting into the main tent.

  “Quick, we have to go. Word of the possibility for war has reached slaver’s port. Most auctions have submitted notice that they will proceed immediately. I’ve got us a bidder’s box at the appropriate time slot for the spring caravan of the Crimson Hatchets! We don’t have long!”

  As much as his animals had become a safety blanket for him, Leon knew he would have to leave them all behind to attend the auction.

  “Don’t worry, Leon, Caddie will take good care of all your creatures! CADDIE!”

  “I’m right behind you, Sved!” Caddie still carried a touch of agitation in her tone after his insensitive demands the night before.

  “Oh, right you are! I have a new task for you Caddie, please take care of all my friend’s animals while we are gone…I’m pretty sure they all eat meat, so give them lots to ea
t and you should be fine, yes?” Sved turned to Leon before Caddie could protest. “There, problem solved. Let’s go!”

  Leon looked at Caddie. She was momentarily apoplectic, sputtering to find the words to refute Sved’s latest request, all to no avail. The little man was already scrambling through the front door, barking orders with his signature sarcasm to whoever awaited them outside.

  Leon touched the pommel on his Blade and sent out silent instructions for all their creatures to remain put and behave themselves for the young woman. He sent a picture of juicy piles of meat coming their way if they treated her right. Then he, too, grabbed a slice of bread and a hunk of mystery meat and followed the others out the door.

  # # #

  The crowds at slaver’s port spilled over. Every slimy-looking character in Hollinger appeared to be out and about that afternoon. Sved and a cadre of Otterkin guards, despite their size, were surprisingly skilled at plowing a path through the masses.

  Yet, just as their group turned into a large open-air warehouse off the dockside road, Leon caught a glimpse of long wavy dark hair. He paused to take a closer look and the head swiveled just enough to see a face. It was only a sliver, but the profile was suspiciously familiar. Then it hit him.

  Shana? She’s here!

  “SHANA! SHANA!” he called, but there was no way she could hear him over the buzzing of the crowd.

  Kyra tugged at his sleeve and shouted to him, “What's going on? Come on, we have to go!”

  He shook his head. “It’s Shana, she’s here. I have to try and help her!”

  Kyra, was torn. He could see it in her eyes. “Kyra, go, I’ll be right back. Save some spots. I’ll find you in the booth.” She gave an uncertain nod and slipped away to follow Sved before she was completely left behind.

  Leon took off racing after his friend. He was taller than most people between them, and he could just see her dark locks bobbing between booths and around merchants. She walked with two other hooded companions. When she turned a corner, he raced to catch up, accidentally knocking a man into a meat cart in the process. There were shouts and angry taunts from behind, but he paid them no mind.

  When he turned off on the same corner, he saw her entering a small booth a good forty yards ahead. He yelled her name again.

  Just before she disappeared into the booth, she turned to look at him. He saw a flash of recognition, then a simmering look of loathing flashed within her eyes.

  “Get out of here!” She motioned him off with a flippant wave of her hand, like shooing away a stray dog.

  He just stood there watching her as she turned and ducked down through the entrance. At first, he was too stunned to think straight, then he caught the familiar stench of his old friends fear and anger as they reared their ugly heads and caused his pulse to quicken.

  The only reason she could be acting like that is if she’s in some horrible trouble!

  Against his better judgment, he marched right up to the dark entrance, cracking his knuckles, and straightening his hat as he drew even with the door. He drew his Blade and parted the flap before allowing himself time to reconsider.

  What he saw inside was not what he expected. Shana and Cooper were lounging together on a cushioned floor. Cooper had been whispering something and Shana was folded over, holding her side, laughing. Cooper’s arm hung in a familiar embrace around her shoulders.

  Nearby, two long-haired Vin were pushing back their hoods and flopping down into chairs, next to a third of their ilk. They appeared to be preparing to play some type of card game. All three men stopped what they were doing as soon as they noticed him. Everyone froze.

  “Leon, you shouldn’t have come here,” was all Cooper managed to say before the Vin on the side of the table closest to him moved. Out of the direct sunlight in the confines of the tent structure, Leon knew better than to let the man get close enough to touch him.

  He flipped his Blade around the way Sved had taught him. With a flick of his wrist, the Blade sailed gracefully through the air. Its landing, however, was somewhat anticlimactic considering what he had in mind when he sent it flying. The hilt smashed into the man's head. Leon cringed. It definitely wasn't the heart-shot he had envisioned, but it scored a knock-out when the man was so startled, he stumbled back and hit his noggin once more on the corner of the card table. Leon felt only partially vindicated, but it was a start.

  Without waiting to watch the body hit the floor he scooped up a bench lying near the door and siphoning some of his bear-skinner heritage, swung it over his head at the other two. They fell back under its weight, and Leon lunged forward to snatch his Blade from the ground.

  “Quick, Coop, Shana, get out of here! Wait for me outside!”

  They didn’t move. In fact, when he glanced at them, they were just staring up at him, looks of surprise and bewildered alarm were etched across their faces. He didn’t have time to ask questions. The two downed Vin came screeching up from under the bench. Eyes red, hair white, hands extended out, fully ready to inflict pain with their deadly touch.

  Through clenched teeth, one of his two opponents spoke, "You would dare attack an emissary of the Vindarri Council?"

  “You wanna dance, Goldilocks, or are you waiting on an invitation?”

  Leon was still congratulating himself on a decent one-liner when the first one lunged at him from across the room. His momentary distraction nearly ended the fight before it even started. Still, he managed to move in time, pivoting in the sharp manner his time with Kyra had taught him as he sliced upward.

  Three fingers fell to the floor. The Vin screamed again, this time in agony, and doubled over to cradle his hand. Leon reared back and kicked him in the face, like punting a football. The Vin went up before he went down. Then he hit the ground flat on his back, frozen in that stiff way a boxer is apt to clinch up when he's been knocked out cold.

  The remaining Vin tried to use the distraction to leap in close and touch his arm. Leon rolled back and away. He came up in a fighting stance, Blade held loosely out in front.

  Come on, Leon, you've got to start remembering to use the one-liners after the fighting part is over. Now focus!

  They circled each other slowly. The Vin pulled a wicked-looking sword from over his back. It was much longer than Leon’s Blade. He made a show of spinning it around in a large figure eight loops. Leon ignored the theatrics and watched the man's overall demeanor for the shift before the lunge, just like Kyra had taught him.

  When the man's sword came up, Leon was already moving. He side-stepped, before taking a quick step into the Vin’s guard. Using his taller height and greater reach, he blocked and parried an overhand blow with his Blade before it ever gained any downward momentum. Then, before the Vin could reach out with his free hand, Leon let loose with a left-handed upper cut that may or may not have been slightly strengthened by his Bear-skinner heritage. It was hard to tell. Either way, the man crumbled like he had a glass jaw and didn’t get up.

  Leon shook his hand out afterward. It had gone completely numb in the split second it connected with the Vin's face. He turned to Coop and Shana once more, ready to bask in their gratitude and adoration. What he found instead was stony silence. Shana looked about ready to punch him herself.

  “Leon, you idiot! Those three are Vin royalty! We’ve been negotiating with them ever since they found us at the Murk River. They were going to send us home!” Shana shook she was so angry.

  Found them? The Vin murdered a few dozen people that night!

  “I’m sorry, guys. I just thought…”

  Leon was cut off by Shana, “You thought what? That you would waltz in here and be the big hero? Save your high school crush?” Leon sputtered but she didn’t stop. “Oh, you think I didn’t know? Wanna know something funny? You might have had a chance with me, Leon, for a hot second, back when I was confused and desperate,” she sneered up at him, “but you were never man enough to take it. You could have followed me into the river, but you panicked, didn’t you? You froze
! You left me behind!”

  “Shana, no. I didn't—”

  “I SAW YOU!” Shouting now, tears were streaming down her cheeks. “I saw you standing on that ledge! Too afraid to take the plunge. Too afraid to help us! Then I saw you turn away.” She took a few deep breaths to steady herself, she was clearly losing control. When she finally got it together, she continued in a quiet voice, “I’m with Coop now Leon. We have a chance. Or at least we did. If there's even a remote possibility still left to us, we're leaving this Godforsaken world, so LEAVE US THE HELL ALONE!”

  Shana’s words struck him with more stopping power than a Vin’s touch, but slowly, he rose up from under them. He had been wrestling with those very fears for weeks and hearing them voiced like that by every person he worried he had wronged, helped him at last to see the truth of the matter.

  "Shana, I'm sorry I couldn't follow you that night. It ate at me, still does, but I couldn't leave Reed and Sved behind. I didn't leave you, Shana. We each had a choice to make. You made yours, same as me."

  "Liar!" she screamed. Though stricken with guilt and shame, Leon couldn't help but notice there was something intangibly off about her voice, her movements.

  He looked at Cooper for support. Cooper wouldn’t quite meet his eye, but he spoke up anyway. “Just go, Leon. You’re on your own now. Ben will figure something out. We have to make this right. You need to leave before he and the others return with Slade.”

  "Yeah, I’m leaving and, Shana…I’m sorry." Not wanting to stick around for another scathing retort, he pushed his way through the front flap, soon joining the foul-smelling streets once more.

  Leon could still hear Shana's scornful remarks as he stumbled back through the crowds, but he wasn't hurt by her words, just saddened. His heart ached for the loss of his childhood friend but his mind was already moving past her, thinking of the others he needed to find, others that needed him now instead.

  When at last he climbed the steps into to the slaver’s auction for the Crimson Hatchets, a pair of guards nearly threw him out. He nearly punched the one that grabbed him first. It wasn’t until one of Sved’s men came to his rescue and explained he was part of the Haberkorn party that he was allowed inside.