The Axe of Sundering

by M. L. Forman

  “We could hardly avoid that,” Whalen said unhappily.

  “No one will know. It won’t speak of this meeting to anyone.”

  “Do you think you can trust such a creature?”

  “Yes, I do,” Alex said, thinking about what the sea serpent had told him.

  “And I trust you. Perhaps this story will not reach Jabez and we will still be safe.”

  “The serpent will keep its word. Not just because it said it would, but because of what it said out loud.”

  “It spoke out loud?” Whalen asked in surprise. “I’ve only heard a few stories where sea serpents actually spoke out loud.”

  “It spoke in the language of the dragons. I should have expected it, because it looks so much like a dragon.”

  “Yes, I suppose it did. What did it say?” Whalen asked with interest.

  “It told me to be careful because the wizard at Conmar has a dragon as a servant,” Alex said, looking out over the water. “I got the feeling that there was at least one dragon at Conmar, maybe more.”

  “That will make things more difficult. I’m sure Jabez will use the dragon to guard his most prized possession—the Axe of Sundering.”

  “I’m sure you are right, but that’s not what troubles me.”

  “What could trouble you more than having to fight a dragon to get the Axe?”

  “What troubles me is why. Why would a dragon serve a dark wizard? I know not all dragons are good. Some—all right, most —are evil, but even if an evil dragon did what Jabez wanted, there would still have to be some payment in return. And I doubt any dragon would do everything Jabez wants, although . . .”

  “Yes? What is it?”

  “It was the way the serpent said it,” Alex began, thinking hard to remember the exact words. “The way he used the word servant , it made it sound like the dragon must do whatever Jabez commands. It was closer to slave than servant , and that troubles me, because I don’t see how that can be.”

  “Wouldn’t most dragons do as you command?”

  “They might, but I wouldn’t count on it,” Alex said with a laugh. “Dragons are independent, and they love their freedom. I don’t see a dragon giving up that freedom for any reason.”

  “Well, you would know more about that than I do,” Whalen said, turning to look out across the water as well. “I’m glad you were able to drive the monster away without revealing who or what you really are to the captain or the crew.”

  “And I’m glad it went,” Alex said. “I just wish I understood what it meant about the dragon. As unlikely as it would be for a dragon to be a servant, it’s impossible for me to imagine a dragon as a slave. I would think you’d have to kill a dragon before you could make it a slave.”

  “One more thing to think about and hopefully deal with in the future.”

  “Well, as long as it’s just the one,” Alex said with a wry smile.

  To Alex’s relief, the rest of the voyage to Hafnar was uneventful. The weather remained clear and the wind fair, and the ship moved easily across the open water. Joshua was the most popular person on board, though Alex could tell that all the attention was beginning to bother him.

  It was late afternoon on their ninth day at sea when they sailed into the port at Hafnar. The captain called the crew around to announce that the ship would be unloaded the next morning. Before Alex, Whalen, and Joshua could leave and find a place to spend the night, the captain asked them to wait for a moment. With a great deal of cheering from the crew, he presented Joshua with two fair-sized bags of silver coins and a smaller bag full of gold.

  “This is a small price to pay for my life, the lives of my crew, and my ship,” the captain said. “And I will say again: If ever you need a ship, we are at your service.”

  “You are most kind,” Joshua said, bowing to the captain and crew. “I will not forget your kindness to me.”

  “A good deed well rewarded,” Whalen commented, leading the way up the dock. “I suppose I should also reward you, as you’ve saved both my nephew and myself. You’ve also saved our goods by bringing us safely to port.”

  “No, no,” Joshua said. “Between friends, there is no need for rewards.”

  “Then we shall count ourselves lucky to be called your friends,” Whalen replied. “Now, I believe there’s a very good inn just up here on the right.”

  The next morning, Joshua and Alex said their goodbyes early. Joshua was keen to be on his way, mostly because he was nervous about Jabez’s soldiers finding him in the city.

  “May fortune follow your path,” Alex said as they parted outside the inn.

  “May we meet again in happier times,” Joshua answered before turning away.

  Though Alex had only known Joshua for two weeks, he knew he would miss his friend. He hoped that Joshua would be able to make his way home safely and someday fulfill the promise that Alex knew was waiting for him. Alex stood and watched as Joshua walked down the main road. He hoped that Joshua would be able to avoid any trouble, and most of all he hoped that his friend could avoid falling into Jabez’s hands. Alex remained looking down the road long after he’d lost sight of Joshua.

  “May fortune follow your path,” Alex repeated in a whisper.

  Whalen was waiting for Alex in the common room of the inn, and once Alex arrived, he was all business. The Dawn Star was to be unloaded that morning, and the cloth and hides that Whalen had bought in Eastland as part of their disguise as merchants would be loaded into wagons. Once their goods were ready, they would meet with the leader of the caravan that Whalen wanted to join. With any luck, the two wizards would be part of the caravan before nightfall and on their way once more.

  “The caravans are mostly traveling groups of traders and merchants,” Whalen explained. “They travel from city to city and from land to land. The one we’re trying to join will travel to the north and west. It will take us at least a month or two, probably longer, to get to the western edge of Midland this way, but I think it will be time well spent.”

  Alex didn’t comment. He wanted to move faster and confront Jabez sooner. He was worried about what Jabez would be doing while he and Whalen traveled around Midland. Jabez was already causing trouble in Westland, and Alex didn’t think it would be too long before that trouble got worse.

  “Trust me, I’d like to get to Conmar as soon as we can, but this will be the safest way,” Whalen said, as if reading Alex’s mind. “Jabez will have spies everywhere, and not just spies looking for travelers. If we go racing across Midland and into Westland, we’ll be spotted easily.”

  “Spies that can sense magic?” Alex asked.

  “Perhaps,” answered Whalen, “but I think it more likely that he’ll be looking for anyone who doesn’t fit in.”

  “But we don’t fit in, do we?” Alex said with a half-smile.

  “No, but that’s exactly why he’ll miss us.”

  “I don’t understand,” Alex said.

  “We’ll be traveling with a caravan,” Whalen answered. “Caravans are full of people who don’t fit in for one reason or another. Yes, they are mostly merchants, but even then they don’t really fit in when it comes to cities and towns. They prefer the open road to staying in one place. Some caravans even have a few magical people with them as well.”

  “Won’t that be dangerous for us? I mean, won’t these magical people start to question what they feel and see when you and I are around them?”

  “No, I don’t think so. When it comes to the caravan and its members, they act much like a family. Each man’s business is his own, but if someone from outside the caravan causes trouble, the caravan is united against the outsider.”

  “I see,” Alex said, thinking things over. “Then I suppose a caravan is the safest place for us to be, even if it takes longer to reach Westland.”

  “If we can join one. I’ve sent a letter to the leader of the caravan we’re trying to join, but as yet nothing is decided. I suspect they’ll want to have a look at us before making a decision. I
believe they will accept us, but there is a chance we’ll be turned down.”

  “And then what would we do?”

  “Let’s see what the caravan leader says before we make any other plans,” Whalen said, dodging the difficult question.

  Together they headed for the docks. When they arrived, they saw that their goods were already off the ship and loaded into three wagons. Alex wondered why Whalen had bought so much, and how the two of them would be able to drive three wagons. His second question was soon answered as three men approached. Whalen explained that he had hired the men to help drive the wagons, and that all three were members of the caravan they hoped to join.

  “And if we are not accepted into the caravan?”

  “Then I will pay them for today’s work, and that will be the end of it. Now, come along, I have to meet with the leader of the caravan, and it would be best to complete the meeting before the midday meal.”

  Alex didn’t ask any more questions as he walked with Whalen behind the wagons. Even though Whalen didn’t seem to be worried that they might not be accepted into the caravan, Alex didn’t know what they would do if they were not. Instead of asking questions, he looked at the buildings and houses of Hafnar as they went along. He was surprised when he noticed that the wagon drivers were leading them out of the city.

  “The caravan is camped outside the north gate,” said Whalen, noticing Alex’s glance. “Most caravans do not enter cities because there is never enough room inside a city for the entire caravan in one place.”

  “Just how large is this caravan?” Alex asked, remembering the size of the main square of Hafnar.

  “I believe there are four hundred wagons, and between five and seven hundred people,” said Whalen.

  “That many?”

  “Some merchants bring their families along,” said Whalen. “Some don’t even own homes in a city or town because the road is their life. Others own homes but only stay there from time to time when they wish to rest from traveling.”

  Alex nodded but didn’t say anything more. He thought back to what Joshua had said about the caravans, how they could be more than he would expect them to be. He hadn’t really thought about who would be in the caravan, however, and he decided that it made perfect sense for entire families to be included.

  The caravan’s camp was large but well organized. The wagons were arranged in an exact order, allowing all the merchants of the same kinds of goods to be close together. The wagons were set up so that a large area to sell goods was created in the center of their camp. It also meant that the caravan was protected from outside attacks. Being next to a city there was little need for protection, but Alex thought it was wise of the caravan to take precautions. There was one large opening that allowed people from the city to enter and exit, and Alex and Whalen headed straight for it.

  “Wait here with the wagons while I talk to the leader of the caravan,” Whalen said, looking around at the crowds of people. “It shouldn’t take long.”

  Alex simply nodded and walked a little closer to their wagons. He leaned against the side of one wagon and watched Whalen walk away. He was still troubled by what might happen if they were not allowed to join this caravan. Trying to find something else to think about, he looked around the camp, studying the people who belonged to the caravan.

  After several minutes of waiting and watching, Alex noticed a group of five young men walking towards him. He studied each of them as they came forward, noticing that they all carried swords and daggers, just as he did. When the five young men were only two or three yards away they stopped, spreading out in a slight half circle and looking at Alex.

  “He looks a bit small,” the largest of them said.

  “Everyone looks small to you,” another replied.

  “Don’t look like he has any magic,” a third said.

  “Few enough do,” the fourth said.

  “We were wondering what trade you are in,” the fifth young man said, addressing Alex for the first time.

  “My uncle and I are cloth and fur merchants,” Alex answered.

  “Ah, a tailor,” the young man said with a smile. “I should have guessed. He wears his sword as a tailor would.”

  The other young men laughed at this statement, and Alex smiled as well.

  “And what trade might you be in?” Alex asked, noting the good humor of the group.

  “My family trades in weapons and metals,” the young man answered proudly. “As you can plainly see, I carry my sword as a warrior would.”

  Alex glanced at the way the young man’s sword was attached to his belt, noting that it was exactly like his own sword. He smiled, remembering the first time he had ever worn a sword, and how his friends had taught him to attach the scabbard and the straps.

  “Yes, I can see you wear your sword in the correct fashion,” Alex said. “Though the way a man wears his sword has little to do with how he uses it.”

  “He speaks wisely,” one of the other young men said with a laugh.

  “Wisely perhaps,” the first one said, taking a step closer as he spoke. “Though what could a tailor know of swords? Or how to use them?”

  All of the young men laughed once more, and Alex had to laugh as well. He could see where this was leading, and he thought he would be more than a match for any of the group. His adventures had been an excellent training ground, and he had put in many hours practicing against magically conjured enemies as well. Even without his magic sword, Alex knew he could hold his own against almost anyone, and was a better swordsman than most men would ever be.

  “A tailor’s work is to cut and shape,” Alex said. “What more is there to swordplay?”

  “What indeed?” the young man said with a sly smile. “Perhaps you will show us how you cut and shape.”

  “The lesson may prove a hard one to learn,” Alex said, putting his left hand on his sword. “The last man I tried to teach did not learn well, and has given up trying . . . if you know what I mean.”

  “Oh, then I must be careful,” the young man said with a laugh. “Perhaps, if you are willing, we can find something less dangerous for you to teach with.”

  “A craftsman is only as good as his tools,” Alex said.

  “Truly said, but still, we don’t want anyone to give up trying,” the young man replied happily. “Here now, I have just the thing. Eric, do you still have those blunted swords you were carrying earlier? I would not wish to cut a craftsman—even by accident.”

  The largest of the five produced two swords that he had been carrying behind his back, and Alex had to laugh. It seemed the young men were ready for any reply he might have had, and would only be satisfied by trying his ability to use a sword.

  “A fair weapon,” Alex said, taking one of the swords and testing its balance. “And a good thing it’s blunt. I wouldn’t want to harm a warrior with a simple tailor’s tools.”

  The young men all laughed at Alex’s comment and moved back a little to give Alex and the other young man room. Alex removed his usual sword, hanging it on a hook on the side of the wagon. The young man who had been talking was pleased to see this, and took the time to remove his own sword as well. They were just preparing to duel when a girl’s angry voice broke in.

  “Lupo, what do you think you’re doing?” she said, her eyes blazing with anger.

  Alex looked at her as she hurried up to them, noticing how much she looked like the young man he was facing. She was younger than he was, but she had to be his sister.

  “The tailor is going to teach me his craft,” Lupo replied with a smile.

  “You know what Father said about dueling. He’ll break your sword if he catches you,” the girl said loudly.

  “I’m not using my sword,” Lupo answered, unconcerned. “We’ll be using the blunted training swords—as I do not wish to damage this young tailor.”

  “You can’t,” the young woman almost screamed. “He’s a tailor . What chance does he have against you?”

  “He’s acce
pted my offer, and he claims to have taught others,” Lupo said. “I won’t do any lasting damage, so where’s the trouble?”

  The girl gave up on Lupo and turned to Alex. She stepped forward, a troubled and urgent look on her face.

  “Please, sir, do not accept this challenge. My brother is one of the finest swordsmen in all of Midland, and he will make you look a fool.”

  “To look a fool to one of the finest swordsman in Midland . . . that’s not so bad,” Alex said. “To presume victory before the battle is fought—that is truly foolish.”

  “Well said,” one of the other young men said.

  “Please, stand aside,” Alex said to the girl. He bowed slightly to Lupo and lifted the blunted sword in salute. “We shall see who the greater fool is here, if only for the fun of it.”

  “For the fun of it,” Lupo replied with a laugh, raising his own sword in reply.

  Alex and Lupo approached one another slowly, and Alex noticed that several members of the caravan were gathering around them. They had obviously heard Lupo’s sister yelling and wanted to see their champion in action. Alex also thought that Lupo’s sister might have been trying to attract her father’s attention and put an end to this mock duel before it began.

  “When you get tired of teaching, please say so,” Lupo said, adjusting his grip.

  “And when you get tired of learning, please let me know,” Alex replied.

  Lupo attacked slowly, testing Alex’s ability to deflect his blows. Alex blocked the attacks easily, but he made it look more difficult than it really was. He had learned from his friends on his adventures that not revealing his skills too soon was one key to learning how skilled his opponent was.

  Lupo made several lunging attacks, all of which Alex deflected. He could see that Lupo was a good swordsman, but perhaps not as good as he thought he was. He was a little slow to recover from his attacks and he often left himself open for counters. Alex didn’t bother to counter just yet, but he watched as Lupo started to become frustrated. After several minutes of blocking Lupo’s attacks, Alex knew exactly how good Lupo was, and he knew how best to defeat him. On Lupo’s next attack Alex countered, gently tapping Lupo on his left arm. Lupo stepped back in surprise, unsure of how Alex had managed to land the blow.