The Grim Wanderer

by James Wolf

  The sun began to set in the dark mid-winter sky. Taem shuddered as he huddled his arms around his brothers and sister. The light was failing. He felt his siblings trembling with the freezing wind, but he could not let them return to the village. Elena hugged his arm, and he could feel her shaking in the bitter cold. The shelter protected them from the heavy snow but not the seeping winter chill. As much as Macen had begged him, Taem would not let them light a fire. He knew whatever was out there would be drawn to fire. His younger siblings had been spared the sight of the Krun raiders, but Taem had spied on them from his hidey-hole. Taem had seen how they had tortured everyone. He knew he had to be strong if they were going to survive. Taem wrapped his jacket around Edar. The child was quaking with fear. His big, round eyes questioned why Taem made them stay out in the wintry woods. Taem could not tell him. All he could do was gather Edar up in his arms and hold him tight.

  Darkness surrounded them. Taem jumped as something rustled in the undergrowth. His brother and sister clutched his hands as they felt him tense up in terror. The touch of their shivering hands was so cold. Taem had made them stay all night in the freezing woods, huddled together, until they could endure no more. But he knew that was what they had to do, if they were to survive at all. Macen stumbled as they crept through the black woods, pulling Elena and Edar into the chilling snow. The bite of its cold seared their numbed skin. Edar began to cry. Elena tried to hush her little brother. Taem gazed through the menacing trees, towards the glowing embers of their ravaged village.

  Taem forced them to wait. They cowered in the hollow on the edge of the wood, trembling with the icy night. Taem saw in his siblings’ eyes they did not understand why he was keeping them away from the warmth of the burning ruins, but he had to make sure the Krun were gone. So they waited out in the cold. Frozen and close to death. Just a few minutes more, just to make sure.

  The brothers and sister scrabbled over the pastures. They ran between hulking mounds of shadows lying still on the snowy ground. Taem touched one and felt the coarse wool, felt the freezing wetness seeping from its side. He hurried his siblings on into the village.

  Taem shielded his brothers’ eyes as he led them to old uncle Nunas’s tool shed, where they found blankets and some solace from the bitter night. Taem made Elena promise to stay there and look after the younger brothers, as he searched amongst the village, sobbing as he slunk through the shadows. He had not taken his siblings to their house – that was where he headed now, alone. Was there something following him, he wondered? He scrambled over a hedge, quaking with panic and dread. The sharp leaves raked his skin, but the cold of the snow numbed the pain as he dived for cover.

  It was nothing, he realised. His imagination. He rolled over… and came face to face with Lucile’s pretty features. Taem sprang back in shock. Horror convulsed in him as he saw why her eyes were so blank. He wanted to scream but clamped his hand over his mouth. Fresh tears streamed down his face. He leant over and kissed her forehead, saying goodbye for the last time, before he scurried off into the darkness.

  Taem tried to avoid the other lifeless bodies as he crept down the familiar street. He had already seen enough death for a whole lifetime this bleak night. The cold air whipped into his petrified skin. His heart leapt in fear as another blackened timber crashed down. Everything he had once thought safe and secure now lay around him in ruin. Their old cottage still smouldered as he crept into the garden, and… no! Taem gagged his bawling as he saw the despoiled corpses…

  Taem shot bolt upright, tears in his eyes. The campfire had dimmed to glowing embers, and it was still the darkness of the middle of the night.

  ‘You could not sleep?’ Hirandar was in the shadows on the other side of the campfire. ‘The nightmare again,’ Taem murmured, wiping his eyes. He hated for people to see him cry.

  ‘You must try and let the past go, Taem,’ Hirandar sat up in her blankets. ‘There is nothing you could’ve done.’

  ‘I know,’ Taem sniffed, ‘but the hurt is deep inside me, and I can never forget.’ His eyes glistened as the sadness seared into him.

  ‘A terrible trauma has happened in your life,’ Hirandar walked over to Taem, and swept her hand over his brow, ‘but you must move on. Some things come to pass without reason. No one deserves a bad thing to happen to them. You have to take the sunshine with the rain in all things, in all of life.’

  Taem felt his head tingle with a calming warmth.

  ‘Now sleep,’ Hirandar smiled, as her magic induced Taem into a peaceful rest.

  Two days later, Hirandar and Taem had climbed high into the mountains. Taem had noticed the plants had changed as they climbed, becoming more hardy and sparse. The air was fresher and colder, and filled the back of the throat with blasts of coolness. Taem thought the ragged landscape of rock and stone had become harsh and overwhelming, as they climbed higher above the world. But he saw there was also beauty in the vastness, in the emptiness. Today the sky was thick with heavy cloud, making the grey landscape more dramatic, more oppressive. Taem looked back down the mountains, taking in the breathtaking view that lay before him. Beyond the lower mountains, mile upon mile of wooded and open country was laid out for as far as the eye could see.

  ‘What a view,’ Taem said in awe.

  ‘You’d be able to see further still on a clearer day,’ Hirandar rested on her gnarled staff, out of breath from the climb. ‘Come on, it’s not far now.’

  In the early afternoon the companions came across a small valley. It was hidden from view, until they were almost on top of it. Taem thought it strange how – in contrast to the sparse, grey mountainous terrain around it – the valley was green and lush. Great forest trees grew down there, the like of which the companions had not seen in days.

  ‘This is unusual,’ Taem murmured.

  ‘Not normal indeed,’ Hirandar said, with an indifference that Taem thought was out of character.

  Taem followed the Wizard down the steep slope into the valley, this surreal oasis of trees and greenery surrounded by a desert of rock. He found it strange walking through the forested vale. Taem could hear the calls of the forest birds, and the rustle of leaves in the wind. He even glimpsed deer through the undergrowth. It was similar to every other wood that Taem had been to, but yet high up in the mountains it was extraordinary.

  Taem caught the flash of gold some way off through the trees.

  ‘Hirandar!’ Taem held up a hand and stood still. ‘Don’t move!’

  ‘What is it?’ Hirandar brought up her staff, ready to unleash a fireball spell.

  ‘I saw gold in the trees – it must be the Mountain Men!’

  ‘Oh,’ Hirandar relaxed, lowering her staff. ‘The Rhungars are no threat to us –’

  ‘They will kill us! Get down!’ Taem hauled the Wizard behind a tree stump.

  ‘Trust me, my boy,’ Hirandar gave Taem one of her knowing smiles. ‘They guard this place… but they’ll allow us to enter. They’ll be most disappointed to find you even glimpsed them. Now, let’s be moving,’ the Wizard strode off through the trees, leaving a bewildered Taem to chase after her heels.

  After a few minutes the companions reached the centre of the wooded valley, where there was a cave entrance.

  ‘This is our destination,’ Hirandar unstrapped a wooden torch from Taem’s backpack, and lit it with a swirl of her hand. The sky was overcast, and the shaded woodland was brightened by the torchlight.

  For the first few moments of light, Taem saw they were encircled by glittering gold faraway amongst the trees, until the figures retreated deeper into the shadows.

  ‘Pay them no heed, my boy.’ Hirandar tapped Taem on the shoulder. ‘They’re old friends. And they’re just curious – as would you be, if you’d been guarding this place as long as they. Follow me,’ the Wizard stepped into the cave, flaming torch in one hand, staff in the other.

  Taem trailed close behind Hirandar. His senses sharpened in the gloom. His ears caught the drip of water and the slap of boots
on wet stone. His eyes flashed into the dark depths of the cave, and his nose absorbed the stale chill of the underground. Despite the cave’s natural appearance from the outside, a few feet from the entrance Taem saw steps carved into the rock, leading down into the darkness.

  ‘Watch your footing,’ Hirandar descended the stone stairway. ‘These steps may be slippery.’

  Hirandar’s torch illuminated the tunnel, shining off its rough walls. Taem brushed his hands against the tunnel walls, and felt how the rock was damp and cold. Taem tiptoed behind the Wizard, casting his gaze back up to the dim gleam of natural light. He tried not to look into Hirandar’s torch, in an effort to retain his dark vision – as Logan had taught him. After forty steps the passage levelled out. Further down the tunnel, Taem could see it opened out into a room where an eerie blue light shone.

  ‘What’s that?’ Taem strained his eyes, trying to see anything more than blue light.

  ‘Why don’t you go and find out?’ Hirandar whispered. ‘I’ll be on your shoulder.’

  Taem’s heart pounded as he advanced towards the blue light. He slid along the side of the passage, his back flat to one of the walls, melding his outline with the side of the tunnel. As he crept closer, he saw that the blue light was coming from a column of blue flame, burning at the end of a cave. Taem realised there were shadowy mounds scattered all over the chamber. He crept forward, feeling afraid. Taem froze, when he realised the mounds were skeletons. His heart missed a beat. The cave was littered with long dead skeletons! Most were still wearing rusted armour. The closest one was leering at Taem through its ancient helmet.

  ‘It’s a trap!’ Taem stood statue still, and held up a hand to stop Hirandar.

  ‘The fire killed all these men,’ Hirandar murmured, and Taem could hear her voice was full of dread.

  ‘We should get out!’ Taem stared at the blue flame, expecting it to reach out and burn him alive.

  Hirandar hesitated. For the past twenty years, she had been waiting for this moment. She had been certain Taem was the one to retrieve the sword. But now it came to it, the Wizard was no longer sure at all. Hirandar had thought it would be so easy. She would take Taem here, and Taem would just take the sword. But it was not that simple, was it? What if Taem was not the one? What if she had brought Taem here to die?

  ‘Hirandar?’ Taem whispered, ‘did you not hear me? We have to get out!’

  ‘Taem, my boy,’ Hirandar stopped staring at the blue fire, and put her hand on Taem’s shoulder. ‘Inside the blue flame, there lies a sword. A Sodan sword from a time of legends. It has lain here, bathed in blue flames, for a thousand years. Waiting for someone who is worthy to claim it,’ Hirandar nodded her head at Taem.

  Taem swallowed hard, ‘You think I should try to claim it?’

  Hirandar exhaled. She was no longer sure at all.

  ‘Many have tried before,’ Hirandar gestured at the long dead skeletons scattered all over the cave. ‘But all have been consumed by blue fire.’

  ‘Then why should I try?’ Taem shook his head at the Wizard. ‘What if I am burnt to death?’

  Hirandar felt her resolve faltering, as Taem looked at her with his innocent blue eyes. But Hirandar’s own research, the prophecy, her gut instinct – everything said Taem was the one.

  ‘This is very powerful magic,’ Hirandar said. ‘Deep magic that cannot be unwoven, except by one whom the sword deems worthy.’ The Wizard’s voice sounded far more composed than she felt. ‘Many have tried, Taem, and they have all been consumed by blue fire the instant they touched the flames. Only one who seeks truth, and comes with virtue in his heart, will quench the blue fire. Long have I thought about this, and not lightly would I bring you here. I cannot tell you to reach for the sword, only ask if you feel it is within you to try.’

  ‘Hirandar,’ Taem stared into the blue fire, ‘it cannot be me. I’m no great hero, and I’ve never done anything worthwhile in my entire life–’

  ‘You have more worth than you dare give yourself credit for,’ Hirandar remained calm, and tried not to show the sadness she felt when she heard Taem be so despondent.

  Taem dropped his head, ‘Logan is a great warrior, why not ask him to retrieve the sword?’

  ‘Logan is the greatest warrior in Hathlore,’ Hirandar looked Taem straight in the eyes, ‘but he’s humble enough to know the sword is not for him. All those who’ve tried and failed before were all great warriors, and they were all vainglorious fools.’

  ‘Hirandar,’ Taem murmured, ‘I’m not ready. Maybe in a few years, but not yet. I’m not good enough...’

  ‘Oh Taem, my boy,’ Hirandar smiled, ‘that’s why it must be you! Do you think all these mighty warriors that died here ever thought they were not good enough?’

  ‘No,’ Taem shrugged his shoulders, ‘of course not. That was why they were great warriors.’

  ‘No, Taem, you’re wrong. That was why they failed. Trust me,’ Hirandar squeezed Taem on the shoulders, ‘the flames will not harm you.’

  Taem looked into the Wizard’s bright blue eyes and saw what he had always seen, a rare kindness that could never cause harm to anyone.

  ‘You have helped me my whole life,’ Taem smiled at the Wizard. ‘I will trust you.’

  Taem started walking towards the blue flame, weaving through the skeletons. Hirandar felt a shadow fall on her heart. The Wizard was filled with fear and dread. What if she was wrong? She wanted to call Taem back. She felt guilty that she had brought the boy here to die, guilty she was using him to retrieve the sword. Hirandar opened her mouth to shout for Taem to stop. But no sound came out, and Taem walked on towards the blue flame.

  Taem looked down at all the dead skeletons, as he stepped past and over them, and was terrified he was going to become one of them. He could make out a sword lying on a pedestal behind the wall of blue flame. He moved closer to the blue flame, and was disturbed to find the flames were silent.

  Please, by the Light, the Wizard prayed to herself, let no harm come to this innocent boy. Hirandar felt her hands shake with fear as she watched on. Her heart was in her mouth. It was beating so hard it felt as if it would burst through her chest. For one terrified moment Hirandar almost screamed for Taem to stop, but she knew this was the way it had to be.

  Taem stood next to the blue flame. His hands shook and there was a lump in his throat. He was so close the flames were baking his skin, and he had to squint his eyes. Taem could just see a sword lying amongst the blue flames. It was so hot that sweat was forming on his forehead. He edged his shaking hand towards the blue flame, and his fingers felt as if they were burning. He wanted to pull back. The heat was unbearable. But some small courage made his fingers reach out and touch the flame. Pain shot through his hand. Blue flame engulfed his hand and arm.

  ‘Aaargh!’ Taem screamed in terror, as the flames danced over his skin.

  ‘No!’ Hirandar yelled, running forwards.

  ‘It’s alright!’ Taem shouted, gesturing for Hirandar to stay back. He looked down at his flaming arm in wonder. The blue flames were roaring over his arm, but his flesh was not burning. The pain had gone.

  ‘The Light be praised!’ Hirandar gasped. She had never been more relieved than she felt in that moment.

  ‘I feel the flames touching my skin,’ Taem shouted, ‘but they’re not hurting!’

  ‘Get the sword!’ Hirandar said.

  Taem reached into the oval inset, grasped the scabbarded sword and withdrew it from the blue fire. The flames disappeared and the blue light of the cave winked out.

  Taem held the sword in his trembling hands and examined it with wonder. It had a simple black leather scabbard and a black leather hilt binding, but that was where the plainness ended. The crosspiece and hilt were made of the finest steel, inlaid with sparkling silver. There was a swirling pattern engraved into the silver crosspiece that seemed to have the illusion of never ending. Taem caught his breath. That shining metal was too bright! The crosspiece was not inlaid with silver, but with
zildar! Taem drew the blade from its scabbard and gasped with amazement. It was the finest blade he had ever seen. It was of a quality that surpassed exceptional craftsmanship; it was a thing of beauty. The sword had a curved single-edged blade, the elegant weapon of a Sodan. The simplicity of it only served to enhance its magnificence. As he held it up to the light of the torch, Taem saw the blade was not made of steel, but of a metal that had a blue shine to it. Taem ran his finger along the edge of the blade, and was surprised to see that it had drawn blood.

  ‘Careful!’ Hirandar rushed over to Taem, and put a hand on his arm. ‘This sword is as sharp as on the day of its creation. This blade will never dull, tarnish or break. Before the Great War against the Dark, it is said a meteor fell to earth from the constellation of Alarsium. The comet was made of a strange metal never before seen. The Starmetal from that meteor was used to create a great sword, forged by the greatest bladesmiths, and imbued with the magic of old. It is this very sword, Estellarum, the Starblade.’

  Taem deftly swung the sword in a figure of eight. He was in awe at how easy and natural the blade felt. Taem felt overwhelmed, a purpose of being surged through him. But he could not take his eyes off the incredible blade as he turned it in his hand, making the reflection of torch light dance along its surface.

  ‘This is a very powerful weapon,’ Hirandar nodded at Taem. ‘With this sword a man could do great service, using it to protect the good peoples of Hathlore.’

  Taem dropped his head in reverence, and touched his new blade to his forehead. ‘Honour, valour, virtue,’ Taem whispered the Sodan Code.

  ‘This sword will make you the hunted,’ Hirandar whispered. ‘When the Dark Servants discover the Starblade has been taken from the flames, they will stop at nothing. Nowhere will be safe. You will endanger anyone you meet, and any friend you have ever known.’

  Taem’s stomach churned like the sea in a storm, the thought of being hunted by Dark Servants filled him with dread.