At his side stood the man from the battlefield who had conveyed his distrust of the strangers. Without his mask, the imposing man seemed even larger than he had before. A full head taller than even Skanks, his tangled mop of wavy brown hair brushed the ceiling of the cavern when he stood to his full height. His shoulders were wide and strong, and his chest was as broad as a bear’s. He stood solidly on steady feet, an immovable force of bulk and strength. His shaven face, wan and drawn like his brethren, showed the strain of one who had long suffered beneath the ruinous shadow. Though his features were more rugged by age and toil, and his face was twisted into what seemed a permanent scowl, it was clear he shared the same blood as the young captain.
“You risk us all by bringing them here,” the brawny man said to the leader.
“And only through risk do we have any chance to gain,” the man snapped impatiently. “In any case,” he continued with more composure, “they are honored guests, and shall be treated as such.” Turning back to Kazen, he smiled apologetically. “You must forgive my cousin Kane’s bad manners. He seeks only to protect what is left of our people, but his ways are often rash and ill-mannered. And before you think me equally as bad-mannered, I shall introduce myself. I am Avin Rohh, Commander of the Watch, Protector of King and Country, captain of the last army of Halifex, and I am at your service.” He bowed gracefully.
Believing that the captain had chosen him as leader of their group, Kazen stood and bowed in response as ceremoniously as he could manage. “It is an honor to be in your presence, sir. We are a simple company, and do not have titles as grand as yours, of which I am sure you were given most deservingly. But I will make our introductions, such as they are, and pray that you find them fitting for your hospitality.”
Avin smiled with amusement and nodded approvingly. Kazen went on to announce his friends with great enthusiasm, all of whom were greeted most graciously by the young captain, especially E’enna, who captured his gaze the longest.
“Lastly,” Kazen continued. “I am Kazen.”
“Kazen!” Avin gasped. “Kazen, the wizard of the white city of Graffis?”
Ilagon immediately sprang in front of Kazen. “You know of him?”
“A small part of me suspected it, I must admit.” Avin stared at Kazen in amazement. “But never did my heart dare to think it true!”
“Please,” Ilagon begged. “You must tell us how it is you have come to hear this name.”
“Only by whisper of a few dragons,” Avin admitted as he sat back down upon his crate. “My men are able fighters, and even more able spies. I send them out often to spy on the mercenary camps, so we can better plan our tactics. On several occasion they have come across small gatherings of black dragons. It is from their treacherous tongues that my men have brought back mention of the name, Kazen.”
Ilagon put an urgent hand on the captain’s arm. “Captain, I must know all that you have heard.”
At that moment, three men entered the small chamber, carrying armfuls of plates and vessels, which they set neatly on the table. Salted meat and shriveled fruit were piled high, and the cups were filled to the brim with drink. Kazen’s stomach rumbled at the very sight of food, and it was all he could do to keep himself from trembling.
“Do not trouble yourself with needless courtesy,” Avin insisted. “Eat to your hearts’ content. I will tell you all that I know as we dine.”
Kazen needed no further invitation. He began cramming food into his mouth as fast as his hands could shovel it into his overstuffed cheeks. The cheese was old and dry, and much of the meat was tough as leather, but all that hardly mattered, being that it was mostly being swallowed whole without ever touching tongue or teeth. Red wine, which had been watered down by at least three parts, tasted as sweet as nectar and soothed his parched throat.
Only Ilagon retained any dignity at all in the quenching of his thirst and hunger. He snacked fastidiously on reasonable bites of food, and sipped gingerly at his wine, like a man who could scarcely be bothered.
“I was first brought mention of Kazen’s name some weeks ago,” Avin said. “It was spoken between two black dragons resting their fat bellies near one of the ruins of a burned-down village. Much of what they said was lost to my men, for they spoke in dragon-tongue. But my men were very clear that the dragons spoke with fear in their voices.”
E’enna slumped against the wall, despair in her eyes. “Then our hopes of secrecy are dashed! We are found out already. Gregore will be more closely guarded than ever.”
“Perhaps not,” Shanks said. “There is a chance his name stirs only amongst the underlings.”
“Possibly,” Avin agreed. “Though I do not know your quest—save for my own guess at it—you should not give it up. Had I been any other man I would not have suspected your identity, for there are few men left this side of the mountain, other than myself, who would know a wizard if they saw one. But your white locks, your uniforms, they are familiar to me. I have seen them before and recognized their origin. You see, I have not always resided in the woodlands of Halifex. I lived in a humble dwelling overlooking a swift stream and called Fierra Del my home in my tender years. I looked out on green hills and open plains.”
Shanks gulped down his last swallow of wine and wiped his chin on his sleeve. “I know that name now!” he said with a grin. “Rohh! Eligh Rohh! He was your father! Why, I should have guessed it! You’re the spitting image of him! When time allows it, I shall tell you tales of your father, for I knew him and called him friend.”
“Your father was at Graffis?” Kazen gasped.
Avin nodded proudly. “Though only a tower guard, my father served the Order of Silver Dragons with great pride and heart. When Gregore’s army had moved within a few days’ march of the white tower, my mother and I were sent away to Halifex to stay with my uncle.
“News followed quickly of the Order’s defeat. For many months after, it seemed as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for Gregore’s plague to be released. Armies were prepared and defenses were mounted, but he never came. Rumors that he had died at Graffis were quick to spread, and his name was soon forgotten. But I didn’t forget, because my father died defending Graffis, and defending a little boy named Kazen, who would one day grow to be a champion of wizards.”
Kazen’s heart seemed to stop for a moment and he was overcome with guilt. “Then it is I who am at your service, Captain.” He fell awkwardly to one knee. “Though I can never hope to repay such a debt.”
“That will not be necessary.” Avin smiled. “Your being here has filled me with great joy. To see you alive and well has brought new meaning to my father’s sacrifice.” He put a firm arm around Kazen’s shoulder. “It seems we are bound, you and I, not in service, but in friendship. And it is I who will do whatever is in my power to help you.”
Kazen sighed thankfully and smiled back at the young captain. He was glad to have him for a friend, and was certain he would prove a valuable ally.
“We passed through the ruins of Delmora more than a week ago,” Shanks said. “We thought none survived the siege. How did you escape the city and come to be here?”
“It was not through cowardice, if that is your meaning,” Avin retorted, the sting of the implication flaring in his eyes.
“Forgive me, Captain.” Shanks bowed his head. “My words are clumsy. I meant no disrespect or insult.”
“It is a valid question. Not as many died as you may think, at least among the women and children, for they fled to the mountains a week before the dark army arrived. I don’t know their fate after that, though, because it’s a difficult pass over the mountain peaks, and we spared only a few strong men to guide them.
“The king was a brave man, more than any I had ever known. As the threat of shadow neared he did not send his men fleeing to the hills. Instead, he rallied them to his side and bid them to stay and fight, to show the world that men of Halifex did not fear the shadow, and that they would not falter before the tide of darkn
ess. So loved was the king that most every man in the kingdom, both young and old, answered his call. I don’t know how many there were by the end, but thousands responded.
“I desired, more than anything, to be at the king’s side for the final battle. But it would not be my part to play, for I was bid by my king to take two hundred of our best men and seek ways to hinder the enemy from behind his own lines. And, though our cities have been burned and our king is dead, we carry on our mission, and will do so until the last man has fallen.”
“A noble cause, indeed,” Ilagon said. “Have you had much success?”
Avin shook his head. “We have killed many small bands of mercenaries and hundreds of demons, but it has made little difference. It seems for every one we kill, ten more take their place. We are losing more than we are gaining. Already we are down to barely a hundred men, and today we lost some of our best swordsmen. Ordinarily, we would not have attacked such a large number of hounds, but a few of the beasts had been spotted sniffing dangerously close to our hideaway, so the entire pack needed to be destroyed lest they give away our position.”
“You and your men are very brave to have suffered this storm for so long, and to have still managed to keep yourselves hidden,” E’enna said. “How did you forge such an elaborate system of tunnels in so short a time?”
Avin’s face softened as he spoke to E’enna. “I am afraid I cannot take credit for the creation of these caverns. They existed long before I was ever born. There are many such places spread throughout the land of Halifex. Only those closest to the king’s confidence knew of the locations of these hideaways, and even then, we were each only given the location of a handful of them. These shelters have served us well, but I fear it is only a matter of time until the enemy stumbles on us. Also, our supplies are not limitless. We have enough for a few more weeks at best.
“So, you see, your coming here could not be more timely. Before the attack on Delmora, messengers were sent west to request aid from the kingdoms there. We have never received a response, nor have our messengers returned. Please, tell me, what preparations are being made beyond the mountains? When can we expect the armies of the west?”
Kazen’s heart broke for Avin. All this time fighting, thinking that help was on its way. Little did he know he had been alone all along.
Ilagon finally spoke after a long silence. “It is likely, Avin, that your messengers never reached their destination. Many dangers lurk in the mountains, especially for a lone traveler. The western kingdoms, for the most part, are oblivious to Gregore’s coming darkness, dismissing the rumors as gossip. They are blind and will not see the danger until it is on their doorstep. Those who have seen the signs have abandoned their lands and fled farther to the west.” Ilagon sighed heavily. “Gregore has concealed his treachery most cleverly. Your calls for help have been muffled by the choking shadow. You cannot hold to hope of aid from beyond the mountains, Avin. They are not coming.”
Avin shook his head furiously. “It cannot be true!” he shouted, banging his fist on the table. “How many men of Halifex have died? How much of our blood has been spilled? Who do we fight for when all the world has turned its back on us?”
“You fight for your lives,” Shanks said. “For your lost king, and for Halifex.”
“And do we fight for what lies beyond the mountains?” Avin demanded, his disheartened face showing more the boy in him than the captain. “Do we fight for docile sheep who meekly await their own slaughter? Will they not even take up arms to defend themselves?”
“They will fight when the time comes,” Ilagon said. “And they will lose. As the shadow spreads, so do the demons that dwell within it. There is no army of men that can hold back such a tide.”
Avin finally cast his desperate eyes on Kazen. “Then we shall be for you, Kazen. If we cannot lead the charge into Rassadoth, then we shall fall into your ranks. Wherever your army rides from, we will respectfully take any position you see fit to grant us. I will personally vouch for the loyalty of every last man under my command. They are tired, but their swords and bows are ready.”
Kazen shot an uncomfortable glance at Ilagon before responding. “Regrettably, I am in command of no army. Our mission has been one of stealth and secrecy. Our hope was to slip unnoticed into Gregore’s stronghold, and destroy him before being discovered. It is our belief that once he has fallen, his dark empire will crumble without him, and the doorway to shadow will be shut.”
Sinking back into his chair, Avin’s head hung low. “It would seem both of our schemes are folly then. I am without an army to march with against Gregore, and your hopes lie in an impossible quest.”
“Perhaps it is folly,” Kazen agreed, “but my company and I shall press on to Rassadoth, nonetheless.”
Avin lifted his head and smiled sadly. “You are very brave. However, I have learned that bravery does not hold much sway beneath the shadows. Brave men die as often and as tragically as any other men.” The room fell coldly silent for a long while as Avin’s gaze drifted far away. “Forgive me,” he whispered, finally. “I should not be so quick to despair. So long as there is strength enough in my hands to wield a blade, the evil plague shall not rest without fear. I have promised to aid you in whatever manner I could, and that I shall. Your quest is my quest. My men and I will escort you and your party to Rassadoth.”
“It is a noble proposal,” Kazen said, “and I can confess I would feel safe under your archers’ watchful eyes, but we cannot accept. It is secrecy that drives our quest. Four can scarcely hope to cross this land undetected. One hundred would certainly be out of the question.”
“Not true! We pride ourselves on our ability to disappear into the terrain. An entire legion of Watchers could lose themselves in an instant, even in a land as naked as this one. You stand a better chance of staying out of sight with my men than on your own.”
Kazen looked at him with faintly disguised skepticism. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but we just cannot take such a chance. We are going in blind as it is. Adding additional men to our party would only increase the possibility of disaster.”
“We have been to the beaches of Rassadoth!” Avin yelled. “We have seen the stronghold that sits upon the rocky cliffs, high above the crashing waves. If you will not take my protection, at least take a handful of my men as guides.”
Kazen knitted his brow in contemplation. “That is an offer I should like to consider more carefully, but I could not make such a decision without first discussing it with my friends.”
“Of course.” Avin nodded. “You must be weary, as well. We can speak of this again in the morning. Our accommodations are modest at best, but I shall have Kane show you to a quiet corner where you may find rest.” He moved purposefully to E’enna’s side and bowed slightly as he spoke to her. “I would be honored to surrender my captain’s quarters to you, m’lady, that you might find some privacy there. It is cramped and unadorned, but the blankets are soft, and I would be at your call should you have any needs.”
“That won’t be necessary, thank you.” E’enna smiled politely. “I would rather stay with my friends.”
“As you wish. Then may you all sleep peacefully tonight, friends. Fear not the shadow, so long as the Watchers keep you under their guard.”
After thanking Avin for his hospitality, the company followed Kane down the corridor. The torches along the walls grew dimmer and farther between as they made their way through a labyrinth of twisting passages, which were cut deeper into the land and were more numerous than any in the company had imagined. Here and there they passed through crowds of men who stared warily at them, whispering secretly to one another.
At last they came to a quiet alcove lit by one small lamp near the entranceway. A few crates were stacked against the dirt walls, as well as bundles of dry timber and kindling, all amassed with great care. Tattered tapestries and flags, some worn down to their bare threads, hung on the walls. Many depicted fantastic moments in battle and others were s
imple coats of arms; each one was ancient and full of culture. Their once vibrant colors had long since faded to drab shades of gray and somber hues of pink and blue. The diminishing beauty of these treasured relics brought a certain sadness to the small room.
Kane dutifully escorted them into the alcove and immediately disappeared down the hallway without a word. He returned a few moments later carrying an armful of blankets, which he tossed into the room with little care. “My cousin has granted you sanctuary here, and so you shall have it,” he uttered curtly. “I will pass the word along to the men that you are under our guard.” Turning to leave the room, he stopped and glared over his shoulder. “However, I would not wander far from this room until you are summoned in the morning. Most of the men are not particularly fond of strangers.” He smiled unpleasantly and slipped away down the dark corridor.
E’enna glowered after him. “I’d like to wipe that smirk off his face.”
“I don’t know, I think he has a certain charm about him.” Shanks chuckled benignly.
“Certainly not as engaging as Avin,” Kazen blurted out. “Would you not say so, E’enna?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” E’enna asked, her face suddenly flush.
A twinge of unexpected anger fluttered in Kazen’s chest. “I suppose you did not notice the special interest he seemed to take in you?” The sarcasm in his voice surprised even him. “Perhaps you were too busy batting your eyes at him to notice.”
Scowling angrily at Kazen, E’enna turned with a toss of her hair and crossed her arms over her chest with a huff.
“Back to the matter at hand,” Ilagon interrupted with a sharp glare in Kazen’s direction. “What are everyone’s thoughts on Avin’s offer?”
The Flame Weaver Page 24