"I was just surprised that's all."
"I understand. Well, another hour then we stop for the night. If you don't mind I'll end the story here; my throat is getting scratchy. Would you like some mulled wine?"
"I've never had it." He took the bag from Brevin and took a long pull. Brevin watched him closely. Davan coughed and spit out most the wine. "I don't like the taste."
"Ha! I couldn't tell for sure. I hate it myself."
"Then why did you give it to me?" asked Davan indignantly.
"I didn't know you wouldn't like it. I was going to throw it out. Have you tried brandy?" Brevin pulled a dusty bottle out of a box under the seat.
"Once when my parents weren't around. Our customers don't drink it but Father had a bottle hidden under the counter. I didn't mind that."
"Here have a sip of this," said Brevin. "It has a nice flavor in my opinion."
Davan took a sip while watching Brevin who feigned innocence.
"Oh, I feel it burning. My chest is warming up."
"Keeps you warm on a chilly night. And it feels like the wind is picking up. There's nothing on this plain to block the wind except us. The wind will cut through the wagon and us if it finds skin. Pull your blankets tight tonight."
The last part of the day's journey was smoother and Davan enjoyed the ride finally although the scenery was less interesting. The land was brown and flat for many miles. He saw a herd of animals off to the south but they were too far away to identify.
After a hot meal they sat down in the back of the wagon where Brevin had made room. The thin wood panels and canvas roof rattled in the breeze. Davan pulled his blankets up and his hat down. He did not feel the bite of the wind anymore.
"Brevin, do you know why my mother had supply packs ready? I mean, there was no warning that I would be taking this trip with you."
"It was sudden I agree."
"Have my parents always known they might have to leave home suddenly? Have they carried this fear with them all my life?"
The trader sighed.
"I can't speak with any certainty but if the Talos Company wanted me to keep an eye on them, then there was unfinished business elsewhere or at least a chance of trouble turning up. Me, I did not know any more about your parents' involvement with the Celaeri War than you did. However, I knew Loric visited your family and knew there was a connection. I just kept my eyes open and listened but there was little to indicate more than Loric was merely befriending long lost relatives."
"Do you know much about the Celaeri?"
"I know some, but I am not sure what is legend and what is fact. The Celaeri once ruled the area we call Cresida on Amloth. A race similar to Daerlan in their stature, strength and speed however their coloring was much different. Loric looks very close to the descriptions I have heard but he is perhaps a paler shade of blue than full blood Celaeri. When Men migrated across the channel from Anavar to Amloth the Celaeri allowed them to share the land with them. This lasted many generations of Men until Jerue Adan became king of the Celaeri. He was determined to expand the influence of the Celaeri. The Men they once coexisted with became slaves for the warlike Celaeri. The kingdom of Calendia led an army from Anavar to free the Men of Cresida. There were many great warriors in the battle and only the great number of soldiers from Anavar turned the tide. The Celaeri soldier was no match for one or two Men with a sword, but this time the Celaeri were outnumbered twenty to one. At last they were defeated and gave up their weapons. In defeat, Jerue Adan led his people north to a wild area called the Black Health. There they remained for generations until the year before your brother Aravan was born. The Celaeri began to creep out of the dark places again."
"You make them sound otherworldly," said Davan.
"They are now. Some of them entered a shadow world; another plane of existence. It is somehow connected with the Vlakan."
"What are the Vlakan? Is that what my father is turning into?"
Brevin looked across in the darkness at the young man who now sounded very young and afraid. Brevin knew this would not be an easy trial for Davan and the direction of the rest of his life depended on how he dealt with the path ahead. Davan's path might lead him to creatures and dangers most boys only dreamt about. Those same boys would wilt in the face of those dangers. Would Davan?
"I don't know much about the Vlakan. They are related to Celaeri or are Celaeri transformed by what, I don't know. I think the fear your mother feels is that the blood of Celaeri your father carries has the taint of the Vlakan in it. It was said Dacu Belderag, the former Lord of Gornst changed into a Vlakan, but I don't know the truth of that because he was Men to my knowledge."
"What does a Vlakan look like?"
"I'm not sure and I'm tired. We have trading to do tomorrow and a long way to go yet."
"Where are we trading?"
"Paglo."
"Tuors? We are going to see Tuors?"
"Keep your wits about you lad. They may be small, but they don't suffer insults. Let me do the talking. Good night."
"Good night Brevin. Tuors," he said to himself.
Davan was still excited about the morrow's prospect when Brevin began to snore. Davan pulled his blanket tighter and rolled over listening to the rattle of the wind.
It was mid-afternoon when they reached Paglo. Two border guards waved them through and Davan tried his best not to stare at the small archers. Tuors were the height of a child of ten but perfectly formed individuals. Their features resembled Daerlans; pointed ears, fine features and long noses. Paglo was closed off from outsiders limiting what the outside world knew of them. Tuors distrusted the big people, especially Men who have hunted them for sport in darker days.
There were several towns in Paglo but outsiders could only go to one, provided the border guard allowed them in Paglo at all.
While Brevin was bargaining at the Meloa market Davan walked around the town. There were a few human style buildings to the Tuor scale but most dwellings were partially built into the hills surrounding the town. Many Tuor children watched Davan as he explored and he was aware of a single adult Tuor following him. The Tuor carried a bow and Davan realized the Tuor would kill him if he endangered the town. After a few more minutes Davan headed back to the wagon. Brevin was laughing as usual and several small shapes crawled over the wagon. Davan sat down on the back of the wagon and a small Tuor sat on his lap staring up at Davan's face. He smiled at the young Tuor who smiled back and settled in. Davan grinned and looked around at the adult Tuors nearby and they seemed relax slightly.
Davan watched the little one fall asleep and noticed the delicate features of the Tuor. The youngster was barely two feet long and wore breeches of earth tones and a brown cloak over the white tunic. He touched the pointy tip of the ear and brushed the shaggy light brown hair over the ears. The Tuors could pass for small Daerlan except for the ears and they were slightly broader in proportion than a Daerlan of equal height.
Music rose as evening approached. The daily tasks completed and mealtime approached. The Tuors loved poetry and music and ended each day in celebration. Davan watched the activity of the town and forgot his quest for a time.
Davan's little charge awoke and babbled at him. Davan hummed to the child who hugged him. The child's mother approached and Davan handed her child to her. She smiled and turned away. A heavy hand patted his shoulder.
"Good lad," said Brevin. "You helped mend Men-Tuor relations a bit. I think they were afraid you would eat the boy. Well, we will stay for a song or two then we must be going. I don't trust them enough to spend the night here. Not all Tuors are friendly.
"I like it here. It's peaceful."
"It can be but it has been a long time since a Man stayed safely in Paglo. Help me pack up the wagon."
When they finally camped for the night Davan fell asleep quickly and dreamt of tiny Tuors running with him in fields of long grass. Brevin sat up late watching the stars.
Chapter 11
The long history of t
he Arayr family is the history of Nantitet, Calendia and Anavar. The Arayr's rule of Nantitet is unbroken since the time of Weracht de Arayr's founding of the great city. The more interesting tale is that of the many scions of Arayr and their unique contributions to Landermass both savory and unsavory. Every family has its darker members and the Arayr's are no exception. Even the self-serving historian Gaiele Syr was a distant relative of the kings of Nantitet. The longer one looks at the picture of the Arayr the more the edges become visible.
From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.
Merie followed closely behind Raeind Arayr through the streets of Dael. They had squeezed into a doorway to hide from a squad of soldiers searching for Krysta. They did not know if Merie's disappearance had been discovered and wanted to avoid notice until they were out of the city. Merie's heart was pounding, she had never left her responsibilities behind before and the quickness of her decision startled her. She did not believe she had thought the decision through enough and trouble would come from it. In fact she could guarantee it. She knew her grandfather King Hal would be disappointed that she would leave without speaking with him and the only way to make it up to him would be to bring Krysta back home safely. But what could she do? She was not a fighter, nor schooled in military strategy; what use could she be to Raeind Arayr? She was relieved that his pace through the city while quick was not overtly fast and did not draw attention to them. She was also relieved and chagrined at the same time that no one recognized her as the Princess Merie of Eslenda.
The east gates were open although extra guards had been positioned to watch all those tried to leave the city. Raeind stopped and pulled Merie back out of sight of the gate.
"We cannot walk through the gate," said Raeind. "We will have to find another way. Maybe one of the other gates will be less guarded. I do not know the city well enough to know if there are any weak spots in the walls but we cannot risk going over the wall until well after dark."
"What about your wagon?" asked Merie.
"It was stolen and driven out of town to make it look like I kidnapped Princess Krysta. All my glass was thrown in the dirt and most of it is broken. It will take months to replenish my inventory. I do not know where the wagon is. We need help. James?"
The ghost appeared behind him in a faint mist.
"I am here." James' voice seemed fainter than before. Merie thought it sounded like he was talking to them from a great distance.
"Try to find an alternate exit for us or King Kalen's guards will soon find us."
James nodded and faded away. Raeind exhaled and leaned against the building shielding them. Merie stepped back to look at the man.
"You are an artist, how did you get involved in this?"
"I do not know. Princess Krysta spent many hours at my booth. Perhaps the kidnapper saw me as bait for the king's guard."
"Why didn't you talk to King Kalen?"
"Why would an artist get a private audience with the king? And even if I could, I was implicated in the Princesses' disappearance. I do not believe I would have the opportunity to tell my side of the story to anyone with the power to help me. They would have locked me up before I could see the king and I would rot in the dungeon while Krysta remained missing. No, I do not see any help in that direction."
They waited for three quarters of an hour for James to return but a patrol saw them first. Raeind tried to lead Merie away casually but the leader of the guards noticed them. He sent men in two different directions and the remainder stayed with him as he approached the lane where Raeind and Merie had been.
Raeind had a long dagger or a short sword in his hand, Merie couldn't see for sure what it was but the blade appeared razor sharp. She unsheathed her sword, knowing her skill was limited. They ran to the end of the lane, peeked in both directions and crossed into the opposite lane. Half way down Raeind stopped and opened a door, pushing Merie in ahead of him. They paused in the darkness, listening. Too soon to Merie's mind they heard footsteps running outside. She feared they had been seen.
They waited, hearing only their breath and the pounding of Merie's heart as it tried to escape from her chest. At least she heard the pounding, Raeind made no mention of it. She concentrated on her breathing, keeping it slow, calming her pulse. Raeind made no sound, standing motionless as the time passed slowly. Merie was sweating by the time Raeind touched her shoulder.
"Let's move," he whispered.
The gap between the buildings was narrow and Raeind had to move sideways to pass through. Merie was still thin enough to walk normally behind him. Behind the building was the crumbled section of the wall that James mentioned. It would be scalable. The problem would be picking their way through the debris filling the area.
Raeind boosted Merie up to the crumbled top and she pulled herself over and steeled herself for the drop. Raeind heard her grunt and jumped to grab the top of the wall. He looked over to see Merie limping slightly to the trees fifty yards from the wall. He jumped down and ran after her.
"Are you hurt?"
"Not much just landed awkward. It feels better already."
"Good. We need to go north of the city but I don't want to be any closer. Eventually we will have to cross the east road and I want to be far enough from the gates so the guards aren't curious."
Raeind and Merie walked to the northeast of the city and headed into the hills. Raeind walked with confidence but Merie could not see any path to follow. Again fear washed over her as she realized how far from safety she was in the company of a man she did not know. Why had she agreed to go with him? She should have screamed for the guards. She was not comfortable with this new self that had emerged as a risk taker. Sure she was a princess and may command others to do her bidding but she had left all the trappings of her position behind and was walking in the woods as a teenager with nothing to protect her from her companion or anything else they may encounter.
They headed to a rocky outcrop from a steep hill. Merie could see the cave and the figure standing in the entrance. The figure shouted and ran out into the light, her red hair glowing.
"Merie!"
"Krysta? How did you get here?" They embraced and walked toward the cave.
"Raeind brought me here. Someone tried to kidnap me."
"I'd say they did, and me too," said Merie.
"What do you mean?"
"Raeind kidnapped both of us," said Merie. "Here we are far from our guards with only Raeind's word for why we are here. I do not trust him."
"I told her you were kidnapped to convince her to come with me," said Raeind. "I didn't think I could get her out of the city any other way."
"You could have told me the truth," said Merie.
"You would have told your grandfather and I would have been arrested."
"You're probably right on that one. But how can you protect us any better than the King's guards? You are only one person; there were dozens of guards back at the castle. Why did we have to get out of the city? Grandfather is worried sick about me by now."
"I sent James to tell King Hal you were safe," said Raeind. "And that Krysta is safe."
"I was worried here alone," said Krysta. "It doesn't feel safe anymore. I've felt a shadow over me, as if someone was watching me. The whole area went quiet; no birds and the wind quieted. I went deep into the cave to wait. I could feel my heart pounding. Then the birds began again. Whatever it was passed through the area, but I don't think it has gone too far."
"Yes, I agree," said Raeind. "There is a feeling of watchfulness. We best go inside. The air smells of rain. I brought some extra food from town. We should have enough blankets to keep warm as long as the wind doesn't blow directly in the cave."
They smoothed out a space just beyond the view of anyone looking into the cave. Blankets were spread on the floor of the cave and they divided up the food into enough portions for three days, eating a little as they sorted. The cave was dry and musty. Merie started to feel a bit drowsy, leaning against Krysta, both wrapped in a blanke
t. Raeind watched them for several minutes and then drew a short sword, wiping it against his shirt. He felt the edges of the blade and then stood up and left the cave. Krysta watched him until he was out of sight. Such a strange man, she thought.
Merie started awake to find Krysta asleep and Raeind sitting a few paces away staring at the walls of the cave. His sword lay across his knees. He turned toward her movement.
"How was your nap?" asked Raeind.
"Fine, I guess. I feel better."
"Good. We will need our strength."
"Why? What has happened?" asked Merie.
"Krysta is right, there is something out there. I found a deer carcass. Some large animal killed it. Could have been a wolf or big cat, perhaps a bear? However, it was a healthy deer in an open space and I don't think a bear would have been fast enough. Whatever killed it hasn't left the area yet. The carcass is still there and uneaten. Plus the woods are too quiet."
Raeind raised his hand to silence Merie.
"It's still out there. Stay here." Raeind stepped out into the darkness. Merie heard the growl of a large animal and closed her eyes. Her hand gripped her sword tightly.
King Hal sat in the great hall alone. King Kalen had retired for the night. The two old Men felt their age and did not know if they could smile again. Hal knew it his mood unfair to Prince Jahnn because the teenager's twin was gone and the boy needed some comfort. But Hal felt hollow and unable to offer anything to Jahnn. He lost that inner peace decades ago when Elizabeth had died. And James had died fighting Tag Makk, the warlord of the Turucks. Hal had long since stopped replaying that battle in his mind but it came to him tonight. The giant Turuck shielded by the power of the Menaloch finally wore down James. Without magic James could have won. James was strong and fast, Hal never saw his like. Would have, could have, Hal found it unnerving that he could bring back the images so quickly so clearly. He should be going to bed. He was old and tired. He had been a good king and Jahnn was old enough to take the throne. Hal had given enough to Eslenda, or Eslenda had taken it, depending upon his melancholy at the moment. He sighed, closing his eyes.
The Vlakan King (Book 3) Page 10