Tahn

by L. A. Kelly

  “No!”

  The voice rang out loud and clear over the heads of all the people. Netta Trilett, at the balcony of the church tower. The baron stood stunned. She dares to show her face—now?

  Just as he was about to speak, there was movement behind her, and the words stuck fast in his throat. Bennamin. The noble Trilett lord, suddenly at his daughter’s side.

  “He is innocent!” Netta shouted. “Tahn Dorn saved my life! Let him go!”

  There was a roar in the crowd, and the baron could not discern it. The people were happy to see living Triletts? Well enough, but now he knew where they were, and they would not escape the church alive. He signaled his soldiers to bring Tahn forward. This must not change things. He had waited long enough. Tahn Dorn must die. Surely the people would see it to be so.

  “You are mistaken, good lady!” he yelled to her. “He has deceived you. You know not the terror he caused while you were hidden away. He is a known killer, and he must bear the price.”

  Some of the soldiers shouted their agreement, but there was a strange silence among the vast crowd as they looked from the one side to the other.

  Bennamin Trilett was lifting his hand, and all eyes turned to him. “He will not bear the price for the crimes of another!” his clear voice rang out. “I fault him for nothing against my family. He is innocent before our God.”

  This is too much, the baron thought. This will soon be out of hand. But there are only two Triletts and a priest? I have the strength of my soldiers! I will have my way by that strength alone. “This villain must die!” he shouted to the people, and then he called to his captain. “Go to the church!” he commanded. “Bring them out!”

  Soldiers were dragging Tahn onto the platform toward the waiting rope, as other soldiers ran for the church doors.

  “Let him go!” Netta shouted again. The silence that had fallen over the crowd was shattered. Blood-angry for the sake of the Triletts, they now turned in defense of them. The church doors were blocked, and the soldiers were beaten back.

  Other soldiers drew their swords and attempted to hold back the press of the crowd toward the platform, but they found themselves faced with stones, bottles, staffs, and anything else the angry mob could get their hands on. So many, swarming at them. It was a tide impossible to stop.

  “Keep them back from me!” the baron screamed.

  “Don’t kill him!” Bennamin shouted, but his voice was lost in the din of the crowd.

  The baron looked around him. His own men strove with the people, but where were those accursed mercenaries who were supposed to be so skilled? He could see they had abandoned him when they saw the turn of the crowd.

  Some of his men brought horses. “Keep the people back!” he cried again. Tahn lay unconscious on the platform, abandoned now by the soldiers fighting back the mob. The baron knew there would be no time for a hanging now. He yelled to his closest man with drawn sword and pointed his long finger at the Dorn. “Kill him!” he shouted, and then he ran for the nearest mount, leaving his men behind him to face the crowd alone.

  As the baron’s soldier turned to Tahn with his sword upraised, the strong hand of the craftsman grasped his arm and pulled him back. Vari pushed his way through the crowd from the church wall where he’d waited till the Triletts revealed themselves. Finally, he reached the platform, leaped onto it, and rushed to Tahn’s side. Thank God he’s still breathing. But he looked so still.

  The craftsman still struggled against the soldier’s sword, so with his fists together, Vari struck the soldier in the back of the head. The swordsman slumped to the ground, and the crowd broke forward over the platform. Some of the soldiers fought on, but most were fleeing now. Stuva and Doogan drove their borrowed wagon toward the frenzy at the platform, and Vari and the craftsman together carried Tahn to meet it.

  When they had him safe in the rough wagon, the tall craftsman jumped in with them.

  “Tahn?” Vari called out but got no response. He shook his head. “He’s hurt bad. Let’s get to the church.”

  Stuva drove the wagon around to the back of the building as the bells started ringing again. Then Bennamin Trilett began to address the people, and the roaring din was soon stilled so his voice could be heard.

  “Teacher won’t die, will he?” Doogan asked.

  Vari looked up at him and swallowed hard. “Where’s Tam?” he asked suddenly.

  “He went with you. Didn’t he?”

  He shook his head. “Oh, Lord,” he said. “Please get Tam back here safe. The Dorn’ll be awful upset if he wakes up and one of us is gone.”

  They drove as close to the back door as they could, and two women rushed out to meet them. Vari looked at them and then at the tall craftsman, who was already lifting Tahn from the floor of the wagon. “You’ll take good care of him, won’t you? I’ve got to go find my little brother.”

  The craftsman gave him a reassuring smile. “You can trust us.”

  Vari glanced down at Tahn and then at Stuva and Doogan. “Stay with him,” he ordered. “Don’t leave him for nothing. He needs us right now.” Then he ran back toward the crowd.

  Baron Trent fled down the streets on horseback with some of his men. Accursed town! You were supposed to hail me! Accursed Triletts! You were all supposed to be dead! That is the mercenary’s fault. He has ruined me with his failure to complete an order. I told him he had to kill them all! He has made me a laughingstock!

  He looked around him. So few were following, compared to the numbers of that crowd. Most of the people, no doubt, would stay right there until it grew too dark to catch another glimpse of their beloved Triletts.

  They are so few now, the baron considered. When the people have all gone home and have forgotten to be watchful, I shall have another chance at them. But it will take quite a scheme to turn the public favor after this.

  Almost they had left Onath behind them when a horseman broke from behind a nearby building. The baron spurred his own horse faster, but the other rider’s arm flew out, and he could feel the sudden pain of a knife shaft sunk into his thigh. He screamed out curses and turned his face to his attacker. A boy! Just a scrawny little boy!

  “Get him!” he shouted at his men. But he sped on, even though only one of his men turned in obedience. He would not linger another moment at Onath, lest some other insane peasant throw a blade.

  It didn’t take Vari long to realize Tam had taken a horse. He mounted quickly and set out after the child.

  Only moments later, Tam’s horse came charging down the middle of the street with a young soldier in close pursuit. Vari turned his mount directly at them. Tam sped past, looking pale and angry.

  The soldier tried to turn his animal when Vari blocked his path, but Vari leaped at the soldier like a cat, and they fell together to the ground. Vari was on top quickly, and they fought in the dirt.

  “Give up!” Vari shouted. “Go home!”

  But the young soldier hit at him and struggled for the chance to draw his sword.

  “Kill him, Vari!” Tam was shouting.

  The streets were quiet. Everyone else was either racing toward the baron’s estate or in the churchyard listening to Benn Trilett.

  Vari looked down at the soldier. He looked to be maybe as old as Tahn. Maybe not. “Give up!” he shouted again. “I don’t want to hurt you. But I can’t let you hurt my brother.”

  The young soldier stopped his struggle for a moment and stared up at him. “You’re the Dorn’s kids, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah!” Tam shouted. “And we should kill you for what you did!”

  The soldier shoved at Vari, and they struggled again.

  “No!” Vari yelled at the man. “Just give up and get out of here before the crowd hears us!”

  But he wouldn’t, and Vari had to hit at him again. Finally he fell back, and Vari pulled the sword from the dazed soldier’s sheath and stood over him with it.

  “You can kill him, Vari,” Tam said again.

  “Get up,” Vari c
ommanded the young soldier, who obeyed him with angry eyes.

  “I know what it’s like,” Vari told him. “You got this job and maybe nothing else. But it’s not worth it. Just look at what happened. If you’ve got anywhere to go besides back to the baron, go there. Because his trouble with these people is not over.”

  The soldier stared at Vari for a moment in surprise. Then something in his eyes softened. “I’ve got kinfolk in Tamask,” he said.

  Vari breathed a sigh of relief. “Your horse is waiting.”

  The young man looked down at his sword, which was still in Vari’s grasp.

  But Vari shook his head. “I’m keeping this. You wouldn’t trust me, would you? Get out of here before the crowd spots you.”

  The soldier just nodded, turned to mount, and rode away.

  When he was gone, Vari threw the sword down and turned to Tam.

  “What got into you? We weren’t supposed to chase after them!”

  “I put my knife in the baron, Vari! In his leg!”

  “You could have got us killed!”

  “I had to! We can’t let them get away!” Tam was shaking, the tears suddenly bursting over him.

  Vari stepped toward him and put his hands on the younger boy’s shoulders. “We did our job. The rest is up to God and the people.”

  But Tam shoved Vari away. “You should have killed him! You saw what they did to the teacher!”

  Vari reached for the boy’s arm again, but Tam swung out at him with both fists.

  “You could have killed him, but you let him get away! You should have killed him, Vari!” His face was fiery red, but his eyes plainly showed his terror and pain.

  Vari grabbed him brusquely and held him close. “Listen to me! I had to fight him. But I’ll never kill unless I have to. Do you hear me? Neither will you! It’s not always going to be this way. We’re going to be safe, you hear me?”

  The little boy was still trembling with fists clenched. Finally, he buried his face in Vari’s shirt and cried in his arms. “What about the Dorn?” he choked out between sobs.

  “He’ll be okay, Tam. You’ll see.”

  “Are you sure? I—I thought he was dead.”

  “He’s not dead. Come on and I’ll prove it.”

  At the church, Netta waited as her father finished his words to the people and told them to return to their houses. They were not quick to go, though the sky was now darkening. Certain of the townsmen declared their intention of setting a watch outside the church in case the baron’s soldiers returned. Others wanted the nobleman’s favor for attacking the baron directly, in retribution for his misdeeds.

  Netta stood against the doorframe, listening to her father speak peace to the people. She wanted to rush down to Tahn and the boys, but Jarel prevented her until they could go down together. When the crowd finally began to depart, Benn Trilett leaned at the rail for a moment, watching. When he turned slowly around to Netta, she thought he looked older than she had ever seen him.

  “Love and hate,” Benn said. “They are so closely linked. I think I did not understand until today what power I have had for the baron to be jealous over.”

  “He is a fool,” Jarel declared. “He would kill us for something he could gain by goodness.”

  “I thank God his blood is not on my hands.”

  “Father?” Netta took his hand. “I am sure Mr. Dorn is hurt badly, but I want to see him. Would you meet him?”

  “Indeed, child. I would speak to him when he is able.”

  They went down together. The craftsman, Tobas, had already removed Tahn’s shackles and Vari and the younger boys were all safely clustered about.

  The priest and the devout women he had summoned were nearly finished bathing Tahn’s wounds. A man named Amos Lowe was with them, considering the best way to remove the arrow shafts, starting with the one in his back. Tahn gave a wrenching cry at the touch of it.

  “You youngsters may wish to be elsewhere a while,” Amos told them.

  But Stuva crossed his arms and sat tight. “We’re not going anywhere.”

  Netta walked up and put her arm around the boy just as Tahn cried out again.

  “Lady Trilett,” the healer said. “This may become unpleasant.”

  “Already it has been that.”

  Tahn moaned and tried to roll over.

  “Lay still,” the healer told him with a soft voice. “Don’t try to move.”

  Tahn opened his eyes and saw the strange man beside him.

  “He’s a friend, Tahn,” Vari hurriedly explained.

  “You’re in my church,” Netta added, hoping to put him at ease. She was not sure how he might react to strangers in a strange environment.

  Tahn turned his eyes toward her. Oh, his face! She wanted to cry. So cut, bruised, and now swollen. “I told you to let me go,” he said between gasping breaths.

  “You are not sorry that we couldn’t. Are you?”

  He shut his eyes for a moment. “Are you … all … all right?”

  She smiled and her eyes misted. Still the Dorn did not think of himself. “Yes,” she answered him. “We are all right.”

  “Vari … the little ones?”

  “They’re with the Wittleys, Tahn. We’re safe.” Vari touched Tahn’s arm. “I think the healer man will have to cut on you some. Can you make it?”

  Tahn only looked up at Netta again. “Please—don’t watch this.”

  Vari turned to Stuva. “Take Tam and Doogan, will you, and go with the lady. Keep her company and get some rest.”

  The younger boys started to protest, and the healer stopped and looked at them.

  Tahn turned his head, struggling to see the boys. Every movement hurt him. “Go on,” he told them. “Do … what … you’re told.”

  “Yes, sir,” Stuva answered. “I’m glad we found you, sir.”

  “I’m … glad I … found you.”

  Netta could see the surprise in their faces. The Dorn had never said anything like that before. All three of the boys stood up.

  “Come with me,” she told them. “Father?”

  She had expected Bennamin to step out with her and meet the Dorn at some easier time. But he sat on the floor beside Vari.

  “I wish to stay,” he said. “You go on, Netta. Get them something to eat.”

  Tahn looked for the source of the strange voice.

  “It’s the lady’s father,” Vari told him.

  He could not help but smile. A Trilett. Alive. God be praised!

  “Don’t move now,” Amos told him. With his sharp blade, he started cutting around the arrow point. Tahn cried out again, and Vari took his hand. He squeezed it for a moment as Amos continued, but in his weakness, Tahn could not bear up under the pain. Vari saw him slip from consciousness, and it scared him. “He can’t die,” he told the healer. “The little ones could never take it.”

  “I don’t think he’ll die,” Amos said. “Seems like a strong one to me.”

  “How bad are the wounds?” Benn asked.

  “Enough to keep him down for a good while. Been beaten fiercely. And these arrows didn’t happen today. He’s a lucky one not to have it sore infected.” He gave a grunt as he pulled the arrow tip clear from Tahn’s back. “There’s the nasty thing.”

  “When will he wake up again?” Vari asked.

  “Can’t say, boy, but rest easy. Best thing is for him to go out as he did. Makes it easier for both of us.” He looked at one of the women. “Rema, take a cloth now and press on that like you’re holding him down to the floor.” As the woman obeyed, he glanced at Benn and then turned his attention to Tahn’s thigh. “Lord Trilett, I’m well thankful to find you alive,” he said. “And I’m honored to be of some service.”

  “I am honored to have your help,” Benn told him. “I would thank you to do everything you can for this man.”

  “Will you gather men against the baron?” Amos asked. “It would not be hard to find volunteers, and no one would doubt your justification.”


  “I just spent a sermon convincing the people that it would be wrong. There would be much spilled blood among them. I don’t want that.”

  “But if he comes back?”

  “He is a stubborn man. But I believe God that he will not.”

  “Did God talk to you?” Vari questioned.

  “Through his Word,” Benn told him. “He said he would bless those who bless us and curse those who curse us.”

  Vari considered that for a moment and shook his head. “It oughta be that easy. But things just don’t work fair. I know the Dorn’s killed on orders and all of that, but he’s been better than kin to me, sir, and he’s never had much of anything but curse. And look what happened to your family! It wasn’t right! So how do you know it’ll be all right now?”

  Benn sighed. “You trust,” he said quietly. “You pray to God, son, and then you have to trust him.”

  “I’m not very good at that sometimes.” Vari took a cloth and touched it to Tahn’s cheek where movement had renewed bleeding. “It’s not just the baron I’m concerned about,” he admitted. “It’s Samis. He won’t never stop. Not till we’re all dead.”

  “He would kill the younger children?”

  “In a minute. And he’d enjoy it too.”

  Amos held up the second arrow point.

  “Don’t any of you have family, boy?” Benn was asking.

  “Temas’s father was alive last she knew, but she’s never going back to him.”

  “The rest of you?”

  “Duncan’s got Stuva. I guess we all got the Dorn.”

  Bennamin looked down at Tahn. What sort of a man was he, to take on such a responsibility? And to win Netta’s trust?

  “Soon as he’s well enough to travel,” Vari continued, “we’ll go back for the little ones. The lady knows how to find us at the cave, if you ever need—”