Shadow Soul

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Shadow Soul Page 5

by R. Michael Card


  “I… don’t know what to make of all this. It’s a lot to take in.”

  She put a tentative hand on his leg. “I would very much like you to meet the rest of my group. Perhaps we can talk, tomorrow, during the day?”

  He gave a short laugh. “That’s usually when I sleep. I’ve lived my life at night for so long now… in the dark…”

  “If you’re not comfortable with it, that’s fine. Perhaps I could come back tomorrow night?”

  No. He needed answers now.

  “I’ll come with you now. I’ll meet the others.”

  There was something comforting in that thought… others like him. He wasn’t alone in this world, not strange anymore.

  He smiled. “I am glad you found me Caerwyn.”

  She smiled as well, standing again. “As am I.”

  A thought, perhaps more of a distant feeling or question from the bottom of that black chasm in his mind bubbled up to him. It had been there, all his life, but he’d ignored it because of its constancy. He’d felt it keenly as a child but had grown so used to it he didn’t think of it at all these days. Yet having felt her drawing near — knowing what the sensation was now… perhaps…

  “Do you feel the other one?” he asked.

  “The other one… of us? My friend in town?”

  He shook his head. “No. There is another far away to the north. Do you feel it?”

  She looked away for a moment, perhaps trying to concentrate and find her own senses. After a long moment, her eyes went wide. “I do, but it’s unlike anything I’ve felt before.”

  Volf hesitated to say it, but he’d heard a rumor once, a long time ago. “I think I might know what it is.”

  8

  Gosse had made his way into Cold River, following his prey. He hadn’t known the name of the town at the time. He’d never been to this part of the North before. But he knew how to ask around and glean what information he needed. The town’s name had come easily, but what he’d actually been seeking had taken a lot more work, most of the night.

  He knew where his prey was. He could attack them now. Perhaps they were sleeping, perhaps he’d be able to kill both the drahksani before either woke, but he wasn’t a man who liked ‘perhaps.’ He liked certainty.

  His attack on the road had been carefully planned. It had been a test. He knew his one prey, the girl, but the other was new to him. He needed to know what sort of abilities he was up against. It had turned out the boy was a warrior, like Caerwyn. That he could handle… with the right planning and preparation. He’d never meant to defeat them that day and had been surprised how well he’d done. He was certain he could take the two of them… but it would require the right plan.

  And for this plan, he’d need help.

  That was how he’d ended up in a dimly lit tavern across the river from the main part of town. He’d heard there was a mercenary crew which frequented this place, a crew that specialized in darker deeds, the darker the better.

  There were three other man around a small table, huddled together, drinking and talking quietly. It was quite late for anyone to be up. Perhaps these were the ones he sought. He shrugged. Might as well try.

  He could take them if it came to a fight. He’d had another parrying dagger with his mount, several actually. He’d been fighting people with powers all his life; a few humans shouldn’t trouble him much.

  He did brush his hand by his side as he rose. The girl had cut him, but not deeply. He’d bandaged it, and it would heal just fine soon enough. It shouldn’t hinder him tonight.

  He approached the men with a hand on the pommel of his sword.

  “I’m looking for Dathgar’s crew,” he said loud enough for them to hear, staying a couple steps back from their table.

  “Who’s askin’?” one of the men asked, his voice a rumbling, rough sound.

  Gosse tossed a heavy coin purse onto their table. It was a gamble, but again he was certain he could get it back from them if they weren’t the ones he wanted. “Someone with money.”

  One of the men laughed. “That’ll do.”

  The three rose, each getting to their feet in the way of hardened warriors ready for a fight, slow and steady. They were big men, well two of them were, beefy and thick with muscle. The third was leaner and taller. The first had a sword, a big heavy-bladed thing. The tall one had a sword at his hip and a bow unstrung nearby. The last carried two axes and had a few smaller throwing axes on him as well.

  “I’m Dathgar,” the one with the axes and deep gravelly voice said. “What’s the job?” They were all watching him closely. He didn’t flinch or shrink under their stares.

  “Murder. Two people. They’re tough, both warriors. I could probably take them myself, but I want to be certain they die — ideally without me getting hurt in the process.”

  Dathgar nodded. “Only two?”

  Gosse shrugged. The human who’d been traveling with the two should be dead. Few could survive an arrow through the gut. Just to be safe he added, “There may be a third with them. I don’t care if he dies.”

  Dathgar sniffed. His eyes flicked away from Gosse to the money on the table. “How much is in there?”

  “It’s hard to gauge exactly. Most of it is gems. I’d say it’s roughly equivalent to a couple thousand gold pieces.”

  Dathgar’s eyes went wide, and he gripped the haft of one of his axes a little tighter.

  Gosse could almost see the thoughts behind those eyes. Should Dathgar just kill this man and take his money?

  Gosse should dissuade that thought.

  There was a faint ringing, nothing more, and Gosse had his sword at Dathgar’s throat. His dagger was drawn and ready in his off hand.

  “In case you think me some easy mark you can steal from… don’t. I’m no one to be trifled with.” He withdrew his blade as quickly as he’d drawn it, keeping it in his hand, but at his side. “As, I’m sure, none of you are to be trifled with. So, do we have a deal?”

  Dathgar glared at him for a long moment before breaking out into a smile and laughing. “You haven’t even asked our price?” That with another glance at the money-bag.

  Gosse shrugged. “I’m assuming that’s enough. Am I wrong?”

  Dathgar shook his head. “No. It’s enough. You’ll get me and my whole little band, all five of us.”

  “Five?” Everything he’d learned about Dathgar and his men had suggested there were only the three of them.

  “Yes five,” this from a soft, sibilant voice to his left.

  Gosse started as two more men seemed to step out of the shadows in the dark room. He immediately reassessed his chances of taking these men… and didn’t like them.

  These two new ones were… dangerous, that was clear. Not in the way that Dathgar and the other two were. The first three were killers clear enough, they were dangerous, but in a predictable way. These two beside him. They were darker, more sinister and there was something else about them. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

  The first was big and burly, a muscled lump of a man. He was built like Dathgar, but on a larger frame, as tall as the archer, which made him huge by anyone’s standards. He probably outweighed the group leader by a couple hundred pounds. He didn’t look smart, but there was a certain something, perhaps cunning in his eyes. Like he knew just how to kill Gosse in the most painful ways and was looking forward to it.

  The second one, if possible, seemed even more dangerous. He was the one with the soft sibilant voice. He was reed thin and as tall as the archer or his burly companion. He had no weapons on him, holding only a staff. Gosse was always wary of those with no weapons. In a world like this, anyone who could survive without weapons, was either crazy or incredibly skilled in some other way… or both. But what was this man’s skill set? It was the mystery that bothered Gosse. And there was a slightly different look in his eyes. It wasn’t some expectation of painful death like his companion, but like he knew things, like he could control Gosse with a whisper of just
the right word. It sent a shiver down Gosse’s spine.

  “Who are you, now?” Gosse said to the new couple, hoping he hadn’t given away his apprehension. He was getting over his surprise, but still didn’t like this situation.

  The taller one spoke, hissing out his words. “I am Tyark.” He placed a long-fingered hand on his chest. Then he moved the same hand to pat the other man on the shoulder. “This is my companion Gerhardt.”

  Dathgar laughed. “I think you’re spooking our employer, Ty.” Then, turning an affable grin to Gosse, he added. “These two are new to our team. We had some men… leave… a couple month back. These two seemed to fit well. Just as savage as the rest of us with a host of unique skills. Don’t you worry, we’ll make sure whoever you desire is dead.” Dathgar winked.

  Gosse wondered what ‘unique skills’ these two men possessed. They made him want to run away or run them through, he couldn’t figure out which.

  He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me who we use, I just want to be there when it happens. I might even join you.”

  “Up to you.” Dathgar seemed to ease a little now. “Who are the targets?”

  “Names don’t matter. They’re at an inn on the other side of town. I can lead you to them.” He considered for a moment. He wanted to get this done as soon as possible, but he would never rush things. “It’s already late, might be dawn soon. I’ll return tomorrow evening, and we can go in then.”

  Dathgar shrugged. “Up to you, boss.”

  Gosse nodded to them all and headed for the door.

  He couldn’t help but look back as he reached the portal. Tyark was looking at him intensely, still with that same gaze, as if he owned Gosse’s soul. Gerhardt still looked like he wanted to twist the life out of him, wringing him like a wet cloth.

  He left and only then allowed himself a shudder.

  Never before had he met anyone who made him question what he had gotten himself into… until now.

  9

  It was near dawn.

  Caerwyn was growing tired. Her drahksan nature meant she could often go for a couple days without sleep and function fairly well, but this past day had had its fair share of trials and she was hoping for a soft bed. Even just a short nap would help.

  She didn’t want to stick around here long. Better not to stay in one place for too long when you were being pursued by a dragon hunter. And now she had a direction to go.

  North.

  Toward… something.

  The feeling wasn’t like sensing other drahksan at all. It was a deeper, more primal thing. If sensing a drahksan could be compared to listening to someone speak and getting a better and clearer sense as you drew closer, then this was more like the beat of a drum. It wasn’t distinct like a voice, but it seemed to beat within her at some primitive level.

  She hadn’t sensed it before because of its difference, but now that she had, she was certain it was calling to her. There was something up north and she would find out what it was.

  Volf was with her as she made her way through the Setting Sun Inn to the room with Jais and Barami. She wondered if the healer had stayed around to tend them, but that seemed unlikely. Though… Elria hadn’t asked for any payment, so perhaps.

  As Caerwyn drew near, she heard voices through the door, Jais’ and… the healer’s. Apparently, the woman had stayed. That would make things more complicated. She’d have to get rid of the woman before they could talk freely.

  Caerwyn knocked on the door then entered. Better to give warning than surprise them. The chamber was small, with a bed on either side of the room, and just enough space at the foot of each bed for two thick chests. There was a small window in the far wall. The shutters were open to let in the cooler night air, but the gauzy shades were drawn for privacy. Barami was sleeping and looked well healed, Jais and the healer woman Elria were talking, both sitting on his bed.

  Jais looked over at her and smiled. It was the freest and happiest he’d looked since he’d lost his family and friends not that long ago.

  “Caer, did you know that Elria was like us?”

  That made Caerwyn stop for a moment. She blinked, trying to figure out what to say. Had Jais told the woman they were drahksani? That did not seem wise, but if he had, the woman didn’t seem to be running screaming either.

  “What do you mean? Did you tell her about…?” She didn’t know how to end that sentence without sounding too suspicious but realized that just trailing off also sounded suspicious.

  “She’s a true healer, like my aunt and myself. She’s been showing me how to use my abilities and telling me about hers.”

  “But she’s not…” Again, Caerwyn didn’t say the word and knew it sounded odd.

  “No, I don’t think so. She says…” He turned to Elria. “How did you come by your abilities?”

  Elria looked a little put-on-the-spot. “Ah, it be not something we can talk about, but I can tell you that… I was touched by a sacred being and gifted these abilities.” Though there was something in how she said it, as if Elria had already said too much.

  So, the girl had secrets too.

  Interesting.

  Elria was looking back and forth between Caerwyn and Jais. She addressed Caerwyn. “Be you a healer as well?” Then she seemed to realize what she’d asked. “No, you couldn’t be, or you wouldn’t need me. Do you have other abilities?” The woman cocked her head to one side, obviously curious. Yet her curiosity didn’t seem to be about whether Caerwyn had abilities, but of what sort they might be. Did Elria know of others with abilities? Could that be what Caerwyn was sensing?

  …Yet, she didn’t sense anything from Elria herself, so she couldn’t be certain of what the woman was. And the woman’s question was straying into dangerous territory.

  Caerwyn smiled politely. “I think you understand very well that it is not always good to talk about such things openly. We all have our secrets. Shall we leave it at that?”

  Elria nodded.

  “How much do I owe you for your services?” Caerwyn asked, hoping that might lead to the woman leaving.

  Elria smiled. “I have had a very pleasant night speaking with Jais.” She smiled. “You owe me nothing.” She rose and turned to Jais. “Thank you. It was a pleasure to talk with you.” She turned and nodded to Caerwyn before stepping past her to the door. There she paused. “I would ask for nothing except…” She pursed her lips for a long moment, as if she didn’t want to say more, then finally nodded to herself. “Be you heading north?”

  Caerwyn froze. How could Elria know?

  No, the girl didn’t know… it was just a coincidence. Caerwyn saw that quickly enough, but it was still… odd.

  “Why?” Caerwyn asked.

  “I have family. My clan is far north from here. I have not seen them in some time and if that be the direction you were heading I might wish to travel with you?” It came out more as a question then a statement.

  Caerwyn breathed a bit of a sigh. She gave Volf a quick look to make sure he wouldn’t say anything. He was silent, keen blue eyes watching everything, taking it all in. “We are uncertain where we are heading next,” Caerwyn lied. “Once we know, if we’re going north, we’ll let you know.”

  Elria nodded and left.

  Caerwyn closed the door behind her and leaned on it for a moment. Under her breath she breathed a soft, “Well that could be a problem.”

  Jais’ keen ears must have picked up her whisper.

  “Why?” Jais looked to Volf. “And is this… who we were looking for?”

  Caerwyn nodded. “Jais meet Volf.” She turned to Volf and touched him lightly on the shoulder. He didn’t flinch away, but she could tell from his reaction that he wasn’t used to being touched. “Volf, this is Jais, my… friend and companion. He’s… like us.” Even with Elria out of the room, one couldn’t be too careful

  The two nodded to each other. She caught Jais sizing up Volf and nearly immediately rendering him as no threat. That seemed a bit premature since they didn
’t even know what the man could do, but she had to admit… she’d done the same thing when she’d first seen him.

  In truth, he looked unobtrusive. He was tall and wiry, long and lean. His features were sharp, but not to the point of severity. His face was slender, with a large aquiline nose, making her think of him as ‘hawkish.’ Clear and keen blue eyes peered out over well defined, if slightly bony, cheeks. A small mouth completed his look.

  She sat near Jais and lowered her voice. “As for why that girl might be a problem…” She looked up at Volf. “Well, we will be heading north, but we’ll also have a lot to talk about. But perhaps I should let Volf explain.” She looked up at the other man.

  Volf ran a slender hand through his blond hair. His hair, like Jais’ was shaggy and thick, unkempt, but generally cut short around the ears, not to the shoulders like Jais.

  Volf looked around and spotted the stool, then pulled it up close to the bed. He then glanced over his shoulder at Barami.

  “He’s fine,” Caerwyn said. “He’s not one of us, but he knows about us. He’s a dear friend of mine and has been for more than ten years. He can be trusted.”

  Volf nodded but kept his voice low all the same. His eyes darted between Caerwyn and Jais as he spoke, but mostly kept on Caerwyn. “It was long ago, when I was a child. I heard a rumor, but it was no more than that. There was a boy I knew who was the son of a merchant who traveled all over these lands. He said that when his father had been up north visiting the Dronnegir, he’d picked up a bit of their language, enough to suggest to him that somewhere even farther north than their home, high in the Thyrgran Mountains, there lived…” He looked around again. “…a dragon.”

  Caerwyn watched Jais’ face as he heard this. She smiled a little as he gaped. She’d done the same thing and wouldn’t have wanted him to take the news better than she had.

  “A true dragon?” Jais whispered.

  Volf shrugged. “I don’t know for certain. As I say, it was a rumor, overheard from a boy, overheard from his father, overheard from others.”

 

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