Winter's Rising

by Mark Tufo

  We were seconds from getting into a fight we had no hope of winning. Haden was not going to back down and it did not appear that the scout would either, especially since he had fifty men to his rear.

  “Come, come!” The flap to the tent opened up in front of us. One of the largest men I had ever seen in my life stepped through. Not large in stature but rather in girth. I could not for the life of me imagine in what world he would have access to enough food to make him that fat. “It is a formality, Haden. I abhor weapons and would rather they did not stain the sanctity of my home away from home.” Mennot watched us remove our small arsenal of knives and swords. When we were done, he spoke again. “Jaelfin–let them pass. Come, Haden. Bring your people and follow me; we will discuss matters that concern us both.”

  Haden shoved past Jaelfin, striking his shoulder with his own. If I thought Serrot could level a steely gaze, I was wholly unprepared for the one Jaelfin gave Haden. Mennot may have abhorred weapons, but only those that his foes held. Guards holding spears encircled the entire inside of the mighty tent. There had to be nearly thirty of them.

  Mennot had already retired back to an over-sized chair. The labor of walking back and forth seemed to tax him as a sheen of sweat stood upon his brow, his breathing heavy. I did not like the way his eyes lingered over my form as he licked his lips and then his fingers; a heavy coating of grease slicked them. He pulled a haunch of something from a large plate and he watched us as he tore into it. Ribbons of meat trailed from his hands to his mouth and yet he kept his gaze on us. I had the feeling it would be dangerous to look away no matter how disgusting I thought he was.

  When he spoke it was with a mouthful of food and his words were garbled. “Before we discuss business, I would like to talk pleasantries. Who are these important people that you have brought with you?”

  Haden spoke evenly. He clapped Serrot’s shoulder. “This is my second in command, Serrot; the leader of my guides, Gregor; and the man you captured, Dyton. The rest are our armed escort.”

  “Come, come! You are going to tell me that the vision to your left is merely an armed escort? I would have assumed possibly your concubine or war-whore.”

  I reached for a sword I did not have.

  Mennot’s eyes crinkled. “Have I upset your delicate sensibilities, my dear?”

  “I am no one’s whore,” I told him.

  “Of course not! It was merely a jest. But then, who are you? Armed escorts do not usually speak at parlays.”

  He had bated me into a mistake.

  “I am Winter...” I was about to continue when Haden interjected.

  “She is my Master-at-Arms.”

  “Ho, ho! That is a good one!” Mennot clapped. “This waif is your Weapons Master? Surely you could come up with something better than that.”

  “A demonstration, perhaps?” Haden asked.

  “What are you doing?” I turned to Haden.

  “Mennot the Mighty does not believe what I have said. He has insulted me and he has insulted you. He is now under obligation to apologize or let us prove we are as we implied.”

  “Oh, this is turning out fantastic! It had been such a boring day.” Mennot was practically dancing in his seat.

  “I take it an apology isn’t forthcoming?” Cedar asked.

  “Jaelfin!” Mennot yelled. The large guard came rushing through the tent flap, hand on hilt.

  “Yes sir?” He asked when he realized there was no threat.

  “Please retrieve the girl’s sword. It appears that I have insulted our guests and there is need for you to restore their honor by participating in a small demonstration with Haden’s Mistress-at-Arms.” Mennot looked amused as he pointed towards me.

  Jaelfin eyed me before turning. He said, “With pleasure.”

  When I had my sword in hand, Mennot once again spoke. “First blood, perhaps?”

  “My sword is indeed thirsty,” Jaelfin said as he charged. He lowered his shoulder into my midsection, sending me sprawling. He was laughing.

  “Is it not customary among the Hillians to announce when sparring is about to begin?” Haden was red with anger.

  “My apologies,” Jaelfin said. “I got ahead of myself.” He offered a helping hand, but I turned and pushed myself up.

  “Can we begin now, your majesty?” Jaelfin asked Haden.

  “Are you alright?” Haden asked me.

  “Fine,” I said, brushing some of the dirt off.

  “Can we get this over with? I have things I need to attend to,” Jaelfin sneered.

  I got my feet into a proper stance and calmed my anger down. Jaelfin was once again getting ready to pounce. He was all brawn and no finesse; an easy weakness to exploit. I felt the familiar tug as time sped for a heartbeat and then slowed. He was already on the move. This time he did lead with his sword. The tip caught the edge of my shirt, ripping through the fabric as I danced to the side.

  “We are done here. She bleeds,” Jaelfin said, getting ready to put his sword away.

  I spun and smacked his ass hard with the flat of my blade, sending him hot footing away. I splayed the tear in the fabric to show everyone he had not drawn blood.

  Mennot was laughing heartily now. “Very good! She showed you, Jaelfin.” He was clapping again.

  “Ignorant bitch.” Jaelfin spun. His nostrils flared from his angry breathing. He charged again. This was not the attack of someone seeking to break skin; this was someone seeking revenge for being made a fool of in front of his leader.

  Even with my advantage, he was incredibly fast. I was barely able to get my blade up in time to block what would have been a lethal blow. My sword vibrated hard from the clash.

  “This is sparring!” Haden spat, “not a duel!”

  Mennot and Jaelfin were certainly not listening. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Serrot reaching for his blade. What he would have done with it had he had it was a mystery.

  I staggered from the blow as my own blade deflected Jaelfin’s and struck the side of my head. Jaelfin leapt in again, his sword pulled over his head, attempting to hammer me into the ground with it. I was able to find my footing and move slightly to the right as his blade whistled past my face. Triumph went to dismay a muscle movement at a time. When his blade struck dirt I was able to bring mine up, the tip solidly against his Adam’s apple. He froze, dropping his blade where it clattered to the ground. I gently scraped my point against his skin, a drop of blood no bigger than the tip of my finger welling up and fell, landing on his discarded sword.

  “Incredible, just incredible!” Mennot stood with great difficulty and was clapping. “I have never seen Jaelfin bested at the sword. That alone was worthy of having you in my presence.”

  I still had Jaelfin at the tip of my sword. “Are we done?” I asked, pressing my blade. I may have won the demonstration, but he didn’t look like the conflict was over.

  “We...are...done.” His teeth were clenched so tight I thought he was in danger of shattering them. “May I?” he asked, pointing to his sword.

  “I think that can wait,” I told him. “Move away, slowly.” My dilation was pulling away. I’d gone from zeroing in on the sweat dropping from his forehead to the astonished faces of all those present.

  “Jaelfin, get some refreshments for our esteemed guests,” Mennot said, once again lowering his immeasurable bulk back down. I, for one, would not be partaking from anything he brought.

  “Impressive. Winter, did you say?”

  “I did.” I was taking in measured breaths so as not to appear winded.

  “A fair-haired female Master-at-Arms from the Klondike clan…these are truly strange times. I’ve heard rumors that the Ferals had received more than they could handle from the lowly Dystance clan. Something about a beautiful female warrior who could not die.”

  “I heard that as well.” I would not rise to any more bait. It was clear that Mennot had not gained his present position through his skills as a warrior but rather as a tactician. He knew more than he let o
n.

  “What of it?” Mennot asked.

  “It makes no difference to me if they wipe each other out. Seems it would be less for my clan leader to be concerned about.”

  “This is true. Did you know that the Dystancians have a propensity for fair haired people such as yourself?”

  “My blade does not distinguish the color of one’s hair.”

  “Serrot, I can see you have something to say. Is this not the time to do so?” Mennot now focused on the man.

  Serrot looked from me to Haden. “I’m just surprised it took Winter so long to finish Jaelfin off.”

  “Hmmm. Yes, indeed. I’m surprised you came, Haden. I have heard many reports of you and your arrogance, which is only surpassed by your pride.”

  “Did you invite me here to insult me?”

  Mennot laughed then in an instant turned serious. “I will do as I please. You have brought me a great gift.”

  “How so?” Haden asked.

  The vast tent seemed to shrink as a feeling of dread cloaked over me.

  “What would happen to the great Klondike clan if they were stripped of their leader, second in command, Master-at-Arms and lead scout? I would think they would fall over themselves in an attempt to make an alliance with me. Of course, by then I would use them as chattel, sending them first into every battle. And once they finished destroying my opponents, I would raze them.”

  “I will not stand here while you disregard the rules of a parlay...”

  “Hang the rules!” Mennot roared. “What I say is law!”

  Jaelfin had returned, with not a tray, but rather a dozen armed men. I ran across the span of the tent. Mennot shrunk back as well as he could as I leaped upon his dais. His guards, even with their spears, were two steps too far to help their leader.

  “You move any closer and I will slice his belly wide open!” My blade was pressed against his girth.

  “You will pay for this with your life,” Mennot hissed.

  “Have you not already forsaken that?” I asked him. “What more can I lose at this point? I see your word is in direct contrast to your bulk.”

  Mennot looked like he had just sucked on a particularly sour lemon. “What will you do now, little girl? You cannot use me as a hostage. I dare say I could not walk more than a mile and none of you look up to the task of carrying me.” He was laughing again.

  “I could just kill you here and take my chances with them.” His belly stopped jiggling when he heard the seriousness with which I had delivered those words. “Have them drop their swords.”

  “I will not.”

  I pressed my blade harder against his stomach. It went in nearly four inches before he spoke.

  “Drop them,” he whispered, loud enough. I think I could have gone another four before I actually bled him.

  “Mennot, we can take them!” Jaelfin said hotly.

  “Not before she skewers me like a lamb. It is me she is attempting to split open this time, Jaelfin. Drop them now before I am pierced. You know I despise the sight of my own blood!”

  Jaelfin dropped his blade for the second time; his men followed suit.

  “Out!” I shouted over my shoulder. They withdrew, although not far.

  Serrot ran to the collection of metal and grabbed enough blades to arm everyone.

  “Now what?” Serrot asked Haden. “We are in an unenviable position. By now Jaelfin has alerted this entire camp to what is happening. Even with her we will not be able to fight our way out.”

  “You are not of the Klondike, are you?” Mennot taunted. “I see the way Serrot looks at you. He does not trust you–what would he possibly have to fear from his own Master-at-Arms?”

  “Don’t you have something you could eat? Maybe then we could think without you interrupting us,” Cedar said, approaching.

  “You must be Cedar. Surprised? You shouldn’t be, I know about all of my enemies, even the lowly Dystancians. It is unwise to underestimate one’s opponent, especially now. Is that not true, Winter? The Ferals underestimated you and look how that worked out for them.”

  “How?” Serrot asked.

  “Nothing happens out here that I do not know about. NOTHING!”

  “So were you expecting this?” I asked, twisting the blade and making him wince.

  “Well, not quite this. It was poor planning on my part to allow you steel. I did so want to see you wield your weapon, though. My spies overheard the Ferals talking. They call you the Ghost, a fair haired, fair skinned demon. ‘Death incarnate’ were their exact words, I believe.”

  “So this was a trap all along?” Haden asked.

  “Of course. The moment you aligned yourself with this rabble you abandoned any chance of joining forces with me. Although, as I gaze upon her, I can understand how some of your baser desires won out over making a logical choice.”

  “She could be a stooped over hunch-back with warts for a nose and she would still be more desirable an ally than you.”

  “Thank you, I think,” I told him.

  “Haden, they’re not going to wait forever out there.” Serrot was peeking through the flap.

  “And what of you, Serrot? Do you support this new development?” Haden asked.

  “Olands’ actions were of his own accord–he did not receive direction from me. I expressed my displeasure with our alliance but I certainly would not advocate treason. We have many years between us, Haden, and although we have not always agreed, we have always remained friends, and I have always remained loyal to you.”

  “I believe him,” Cedar said aloud.

  Haden was looking intently at his second in command. “Winter?”

  “I did not think it back on the path, but now I believe him as well.”

  “And your men?” Haden asked.

  “We are with you, my liege. Olands was always hotheaded and took things too far,” Yent, Serrot’s other man spoke; I had been introduced to him before we left camp that morning.

  “Oh, this is touching and all, but now what?” Cedar asked. “Fat boy’s right. We can’t take him with us and if we kill him they’ll attack immediately.”

  “This is the head of the Hillian snake; if he falls, they all will. I’m willing to make that sacrifice,” I pressed my blade deeper.

  “Wait, wait! I am not quite that eager to be offered up to the gods just yet,” Mennot beseeched. “What if you had my word?”

  “Your word is about as trustworthy as your ability to forgo a meal,” Cedar stated.

  Serrot bent over, he was laughing so hard at Cedar’s words.

  Mennot looked mad enough to spit.

  “We could put him in a cart. I saw one when we were coming in that they were using to deliver food,” Dyton said.

  “I will not be paraded around like a prized pig!”

  “I’m not sure how much say you have in the matter anymore, Mennot,” Haden said.

  “My word is law. If I say no harm shall befall you then that is the truth.”

  Mennot was starting to squirm. I’m sure a fair amount had to do with my blade trying to part his flesh but also he would lose his stranglehold on his perceived power if we were to march out of his own headquarters with him as a hostage. There was a very distinct chance we would still be attacked if his life was to become forfeit to his own people.

  “This is a Mexican stand-off,” Cedar said. “I never really thought I’d be in one.”

  “Could you please elaborate for those of us that have no idea what you’re saying?” Haden asked.

  “Umm…it’s a situation where no clear winner may emerge.”

  Haden nodded his head. “Sounds about right.”

  “I’m all for killing…what’d you call him, Cedar?” Serrot asked.

  “Fatboy.”

  “Yeah, I’m all for killing Fatboy, Haden, but Mennot is correct; if everyone in this tent dies with him we will have left our tribe vulnerable.”

  “Damn you, Mennot. I wish you had just ambushed us along the path,” Haden growled. />
  “I had considered it; I did so want to meet the Ghost however. Let us strike a bargain. I will let you all go if I can keep her as my pet.”

  “I think not!” I said, rather too loudly. Blood was beginning to well up from Fatboy’s puncture point.

  “No one is thinking that,” Haden said.

  “It’s not a horrible idea,” Serrot said. I looked to him angrily. “Just a thought...sorry.” He put his hands up.

  A deep horn blatted; our our next course of action needed deciding now.

  Jaelfin stuck his head into the tent. “We are under attack.”

  “This is of your doing?” Mennot asked Haden.

  “I wish.”

  “What do you propose we do, Your Greatness?” Jaelfin asked Mennot.

  “Repel it, of course! Must I hold your hand for everything?”

  “And our guests?” Jaelfin spat.

  “They will be leaving soon. Unmolested,” he added before Jaelfin quickly departed. “I will hold up my end of the agreement, if only so that when all of this is over I can drag each and every one of you before me. You will all grovel for me to spare your lives–then you will beg for me to end your worthless existences.”

  I leaned in towards his blubberous face, pressing the tip of my sword just enough to pierce his first, thick layer. “I look forward to the day we once again meet.” I stood tall and withdrew my sword from his belly.

  Relief flooded Mennot’s features; I thought he was going to cry. I stepped off his small platform; he reached over and grabbed a large hammock of meat, presumably to comfort himself. His eyes glazed over for a moment as he savored the greasy meal. “You are all dead!” He was shaking the meat at us, food orts flying from his mouth. “I will have your naked bodies dragged through brambles! You will scream for my mercy and none will be forthcoming!” He took another large bite and then another. “I am through with you all, leave!” He pointed with the oily joint then returned it to his mouth.

  “Beware, Mennot.” I said. “Do not betray us. While my sword was in your gut, I poisoned that platter of meat. If you waylay us, I will not be able to mix the correct proportions of herbs together to stop the flow of the toxin that is even now entering your blood stream.”