Siege of Draestl

by Randall Seeley

  “What’s happening?” Wayd asked Gauden, who was also shaking his head.

  “The insults before,” Gauden said. “Were always just normal barbs between Draebek. But this last challenge? To admit that they were wrong to another clan chief? It practically throws away any dignity of your clan. If Braeth does this, then the Black Bears are admitting they are the weaker clan.”

  Wayd understood now why the Black Bear clan looked so upset. But he also saw that the Dragons were also upset. “What about the other clan?”

  “Though Braeth is the focus right now because of his challenge, Denthar Drat and the Dragons are equally involved,” Gauden continued. “Since they shared the assignment, and equally failed, their fates are tied together. This is not good.”

  Wayd didn’t need to be reminded. He glanced at Braeth, who seemed younger each time Wayd regarded him. He stood bravely, but fear filled his eyes and he shifted his feet nervously as he registered the consequences of his actions. Denthar Drat looked just as nervous, though he stayed knelt. The two clan chiefs were visibly upset, and the clans behind them mirrored their feelings.

  “Will you admit your failure, child?” Thraegar repeated, practically spitting out the last word.

  Another round of gasps spread through the crowd.

  Korin stepped forward and whispered something to Thraegar. Thraegar looked at Korin for a moment then shook his head. When his eyes rested back on Braeth, they were just as cold. He’s actually going to fight him.

  Suddenly the crowd parted to make way for three newcomers. Wayd recognized them as Shaman, as they wore the unique heavy gowns that had symbols of the moon, stars, and sun embroidered into them. At their head was Shadmay Silverclaw. She was tall for a Draebek, probably close to five and a half feet, and had a similar build as the rest of the Draebek—wide shoulders that seemed to be the same width down to her feet. But the body shape was where the similarities ended. Shadmay wasn’t just regal, but breathtaking. She had removed the headdress Wayd had seen her wearing earlier and instead he saw long gray hair that fell past her shoulders. It was braided in several braids, each having similar figures and shapes woven within the braids. She was closer in age to Korin, but despite her age she was beautiful. She had an aura of command, respect, and wisdom. Though Wayd had seen her briefly at the funeral bier earlier that day, he hadn’t felt her power then. Now, he understood why so many obeyed and deferred to her.

  Wayd was surprised how Thraegar’s demeanor had also changed as the Shaman approached. Whereas before Thraegar’s face was calm but certain, now doubt was very apparent. Wayd noticed how Thraegar kept shifting his focus from Shadmay back to Braeth, unsure of how to proceed.

  “What is happening?” Shadmay asked as she moved closer to Thraegar.

  As she approached, Wayd saw that she had a similar effect on Braethrin and Delthezar. Each clan chief lowered their gaze with looks of shame. Even Braeth looked doubtful, though he didn’t lower his axe. But there was one thing for sure, all of them were equally wary about Shadmay Silverclaw and were worried they had disappointed her.

  “Well?” she asked again. Her voice was calm, yet direct. There was no doubt her repeated question this time was a command.

  Silence followed for a brief moment until she raised an impatient eyebrow. Braethrin Bor was the first to break.

  “Thraegar is punishing my son because of an error he made on the field. There is no doubt that a mistake was made, but he’s exacting extreme punishments!” Braethrin exclaimed.

  “Father,” Braeth tried to interject, obviously annoyed that his father had interceded on his behalf. But before he could say anything further, Thraegar spoke.

  “The law is clear. Failure is not permitted,” Thraegar began. “I was reminding them of that Draebek law. When in battle, other Draebek depend on you to execute your assignments flawlessly. Sometimes, something unforeseen happens and plans change. But if the battle goes precisely as planned, and the only reason the enemy escapes is because of error, there is no other explanation than failure. I’ve done nothing more than ask for them to admit to the error of their ways, to admit to me that they have failed, and to seek the proper punishment.”

  Wayd started to understand how insulting Thraegar’s ask was when he saw Shadmay flinch. Draebek and their pride!

  “And yet now this child stands to attack me. Look at him,” Thraegar said as he pointed at Braeth derisively.

  “Thraegar,” Shadmay said softly, but her voice was powerful and clear. “Think of what you are doing. Are your actions worth it?”

  Thraegar didn’t appear to be listening. “Look at him,” he repeated again with a condescending laugh. “No wonder he failed. He keeps looking to his father.” Then Thraegar raised his voice. “Now I’m beginning to understand. He didn’t fail because he didn’t know what to do. He failed because his father wasn’t there to help him. Perhaps it was my fault believing that a Black Bear was ready to be set free from the leash of his father!”

  The Black Bears howled in anger.

  “Thraegar,” Shadmay repeated. She stepped forward, but as Thraegar turned toward her, his eyes were filled with hatred. Wayd watched as Korin tried to intercede and say something, but Thraegar held up his hand, forcing his companion to stop.

  “I will not be patronized, Shadmay,” he said commandingly. “This boy failed. And has threatened me. The law is clear. He can either follow through with his challenge, or leave the army for good.”

  “You goaded him!” Braethrin argued. “You’re treating him unfairly!”

  “If I have offended him,” Thraegar rebutted, “then have him fight me to prove otherwise!”

  “Thraegar, swallow your pride and unite! You knew this wouldn’t be easy, but it would be worth it. But the only way for this to succeed is if you set your pride aside!” Shadmay said.

  The way she spoke was still in a soft voice, but the power behind her voice was mesmerizing. Wayd wondered if she was using magic. Then he registered the words she had said. She had publicly scolded Thraegar. Wayd glanced to Thraegar, hoping that he hadn’t heard a rebuke, but the way his jaw set firmly and his eyes filled with hatred, Wayd could tell he was past reason. He felt a shiver go down his spine as he saw that gaze. It reminded him of when Gauden had invoked Grindhold law. Or when they were trapped in the pass and Thraegar had realized he was defeated. He thought to the stories that Korin had shared about Thraegar becoming obsessed. Being blinded by his own desire.

  Shadmay must have perceived the same thing, as she tried to calm him by stepping forward, but Thraegar held up a hand. Then with words laced with anger, he said, “I command you to stop, Shaman.”

  Another gasp went through the crowd.

  “Shaman are neutral, they don’t answer to anyone,” Gauden explained, answering the question Wayd had before he asked it. “Commanding her to stop is basically an act of treason.”

  That explained why Shadmay looked so surprised. “Thraegar,” she began again. Her voice was pleading. She’s trying to drive reason to what is happening.

  Wayd looked at Thraegar, and for a brief moment, it appeared Thraegar might relax. But then Thraegar looked at him—as if he knew Wayd was watching him—and their eyes locked. Wayd felt shivers run up and down his spine. Thraegar’s eyes were cold. Determined. Angry. Self-centered. Entitled. They seemed to grow angrier as they locked eyes, and that anger propelled him forward.

  “I am the unifier of the Draebek!” he yelled. “The rightful heir to Grind Thornclaw himself! And as such, not only will I unify us, but I will demand respect!”

  “Thraegar,” Shadmay pleaded again.

  Korin tried to do something to get Thraegar’s attention, but Thraegar gave him no heed. Instead, Thraegar was enraptured by the aura he was emanating throughout the crowd, and the Draebek stared at him intently.

  “You!” he yelled as he stopped and pointed his gauntlet hand at Denthar. “Have failed. But you have the presence not to challenge me. As such, if you admit your wrongdoin
g, I will set you free.”

  Denthar bristled under the command. But then he stood up, gazed quickly to his father—who nodded regretfully—and then lowered his head. “I admit,” he finally said. It was as if the words were forced out of him with torture. There were gasps in the crowd, Denthar’s pride forever broken.

  “Go to your father,” Thraegar said softly. But there was no hiding the mockery in his voice. Thraegar talked to him as you would a toddler.

  Then Thraegar regarded the crowd. “You see? I can grant mercy when mercy is justified! Denthar Drat, the son of our noble Dragon clan, will be free to live another day!”

  Wayd wondered if Thraegar was expecting cheers from his declaration, but only silence followed. The Dragons appeared personally affronted. The Black Bears were angry.

  Then Thraegar turned to Braeth. “You, on the other hand,” Thraegar continued as he pointed his outstretched finger at Braeth. Carefully, he took the Thornclaw axe from over his shoulder and brought it forward. “You have challenged me. Are you now too afraid to do so?”

  Braeth was bristling with anger, but Wayd could also sense fear. Braethrin stepped forward. “Thraegar, please,” he interceded.

  But Thraegar ignored him. “Shadmay Silverclaw, High Shaman, and Korin Blackthorn, my trusted advisor!” He began to circle Braeth and he let his axe lower to the ground. It hummed as it slowly arced through the air as he moved around Braeth. A circle was formed. An arena for the ensuing duel.

  “You act as witnesses this day. Braeth has failed his duty, and rather than admit his wrongdoing, he has challenged me, the rightful ruler of all Draebek!”

  Thraegar stopped his circling and pointed the Thornclaw axe at Braeth. “Do you have anything to say?”

  Braeth looked confused, and frightened. The vigor and determination from earlier were gone. Thraegar had taken his pride, the respect of nearly everyone other than his father, and soon his life. He opened his mouth several times to try to answer, but eventually shut it. His axe swayed in uncertain hands.

  “Silence is a sign of weakness, or guilt,” Thraegar said. Then he turned to the crowd. “Let it be known what will happen to any who fail or try to oppose me.” He said it so calmly that the words felt like ice.

  Then Thraegar turned back to Braeth. He began raising his axe slowly into the air. When it was chest height, he wrapped both hands tightly around the tile, then thrust it above his head.

  Wayd felt his sword nearly fling from his scabbard, and watched in awe as Braeth’s axe was pulled from his hand. It shot toward Thraegar before falling harmlessly to the ground beside him.

  Thraegar smiled, stepped forward, and then brought his axe down.

  Braeth’s head fell to the ground.

  There was a gasp throughout the crowd. Shock that Thraegar had actually followed through with it. Shock at seeing the Thornclaw axe in real life.

  There were rumblings from the Black Bears, and Thraegar turned to them. “Does anyone else from your clan dare oppose me? With the Thornclaw axe I can defeat you all!”

  The Black Bears’ murmuring turned to silence.

  “As I supposed. Let this be a warning,” Thraegar declared. “Unity will not come easily. But unity will be expected. Now go. The communal feast is cancelled for tonight,” Thraegar said. There was no emotion in his voice. Wayd could tell from his demeanor, and the way that Thraegar regarded the crowd, that as his emotions were settling, he was finally realizing what he had just done. “Get rest, for tomorrow we lay siege on Draestl. We will show them the full power of our might. We will cut them down, one by one, to set an example to the unworthy humans of what happens when they oppose the Draebek.”

  Then Thraegar turned around and stormed into his tent.

  Wayd tried to process what he had just witnessed. It had happened so fast that he wasn’t sure he believed everything that he thought he saw. But as he replayed the events in his mind, one kept coming to the forefront. Braeth’s axe being torn from his hands and flying toward Thraegar before he even had a chance to use it. He looked at Braeth’s body and shuddered. The power of the Thornclaw axe is real!

  He regarded the other Draebek. They stood in a state of stupor and no one really moved. Korin and Shadmay were discussing something privately, both of them with grave faces of concern. Wayd tried to overhear what they were saying, but their hushed conversation was inaudible.

  The other clans began to disperse. Denthar looked relieved, but as he rejoined his father and the Dragons, Wayd noticed how his clan regarded him. Several obviously tried to avoid him. He thought back to what Gauden had explained about public acknowledgement of failure. Admitting failure in public cast shame on the individual, and Wayd wondered what would happen to Denthar. He turned to Gauden.

  “Will he ever save face?” he asked.

  Gauden shrugged. “Perhaps. But honestly, Wayd, I’m not sure. From what I understand, this situation should have never happened. It was their first assignment, and so this should not have been considered a failure. As a result, they shouldn’t have needed to apologize. The fact that Thraegar forced it upon them is unsettling.”

  I wonder what consequences this will have, Wayd wondered.

  He watched as the Black Bears began to leave. He had thought they would gather Braeth’s body, but they avoided him like it was some kind of disease. Only his father regarded the corpse. But rather than seeing sadness on Braethrin’s face, Wayd saw disappointment, and anger.

  “Why are they avoiding Braeth’s body? Because of his perceived failure?” he asked.

  Gauden nodded. “Thraegar not only took away his pride, but he insulted it deeply. Braeth Bor will never be spoken of again. The Shaman will take care of his body because he has no honor, so other Draebek won’t even acknowledge him. The Shaman will administer the same mystical potion that our dead receive so that Braeth’s body will be forever destroyed. That will ensure Braeth will never have the opportunity of reincarnation.”

  Wayd whistled. He didn’t quite understand their religion, but had learned enough to know reincarnation was critical to it. Taking away the ability to be reincarnated must be the ultimate punishment.

  “What Thraegar did isn’t only divisive, it may have been irreversible. He may have lost the Black Bears forever,” Gauden said with distaste.

  “You sound disappointed?” Wayd asked wonderingly.

  Gauden shrugged. “I know Thraegar appears to be overzealous, and perhaps right now he is. But I know Korin and Shadmay,” Gauden explained. “They have good intentions. And deep down Thraegar wants what is best for his people. What Thraegar has proven is that someone can unite the Draebek. If it’s not Thraegar? Then who else? There are many other clans that aren’t as reasonable as he.”

  Wayd listened with disbelief. Reasonable? Thraegar seemed like a ruthless tyrant to him, but he decided to keep his thoughts to himself. He turned back to the corpse and watched as two Shaman approached it. They took a vial from within their cloaks and dropped it on the dead body. It vanished in an instant.

  Wayd looked at Braethrin Bor to see if it changed his demeanor, but the Black Bear clan chief stood just as firm. Anger emanated from him. After a moment, he turned, and the Black Bears followed after him.

  “Gauden, Wayd,” a voice called from the side.

  Wayd nearly gave a start at hearing his name from someone other than Gauden, and for a moment he feared for his life before the voice registered. He turned and saw Korin.

  The Draebek gave a weak smile in what Wayd thought was an attempt to calm them. But from the look on his face, Korin was the one that needed calming. There were lines across his face, and in-between each intake his breath shuddered. He was obviously distraught.

  “I am to accompany you to your quarters,” Korin said softly, obviously distracted.

  Korin stood there for a moment staring off at nothing, so Gauden cleared his throat. “After you, Korin,” he said politely.

  Korin coughed. “Ah, yes,” he stammered. Then he started to tak
e a step forward but stopped when his name was called.

  “Korin, please wait and introduce me,” a melodious voice commanded.

  Wayd turned and saw Shadmay Silverclaw approaching. As she drew near, he realized that she was even more regal and majestic this close. It was odd how Wayd found her striking. It wasn’t that she was necessarily attractive, but the prowess of her wisdom gave her a commanding air that was appealing. And he saw in her an attribute he didn’t think existed in the Draebek: kindness.

  “Shadmay,” Gauden greeted with a bow.

  “Oh, stop it, Gauden,” Shadmay said as she stepped forward. She took Gauden’s hand and pulled him until he stood up. It was a striking contrast. Gauden and his giant frame next to a Draebek. After Gauden stood up, Shadmay embraced him. “It is good to see you, Gauden.”

  “You as well,” Gauden said with just as much affection. Wayd recognized that Gauden had the same regard for Shadmay as he did toward Korin. How long was Gauden with the Draebek?

  “I trust you are well? I was hoping to see you under different circumstances,” Shadmay said.

  “As much as I can be given these circumstances,” Gauden said reluctantly. “The only reason I’m alive is because Korin granted Grindhold law.”

  “I heard,” Shadmay said softly. She glanced at Korin questioningly, then back to Gauden. “But you deserve it. For what you did for our people.”

  “Set the stage for this to happen?” Gauden asked as he inferred the impending battle.

  “We all knew that fulfilling prophecy would require sacrifices, Gauden. You of all people should know that.”

  Gauden winced at the words. Wayd regarded him. Something was bothering him that he was keeping to himself. Wayd wondered if there was more to the story than Gauden had shared.

  “And speaking of prophecy,” Shadmay continued as she turned toward Wayd, “I have yet to meet a prince of Ardonor. Waydsyn Scot,” she said as they locked eyes. “I am Shadmay Silverclaw, Shaman of the Draebek.”

  Wayd was paralyzed from her gaze. It had the same effect as the first time he had locked eyes with Thraegar Thornclaw, but this experience was strikingly different. Shadmay was filled with gentleness, kindness, and meekness. But from her humility grew intense power. He felt himself paralyzed by her, and persuaded to do whatever she asked just by being in her presence.