The Broken Key (02) - Hunter of the Horde

by Brian S. Pratt

  The man paused in the midst of another kick and glanced toward Bart. “This ain’t none of your concern,” he said.

  “You just kicked a friend of mine when he was unable to defend himself,” Bart said.

  He glanced over to Riyan then back to the man. “I’m making this my concern.” Riyan reached Bart’s side just as the man pointed to Chad and said, “He dishonored my wife.”

  Bart raised his eyebrows at that. If such was the case, then he could very well see Riyan refusing to interfere. He would have viewed it as Chad getting what he deserved.

  Glancing down to his friend on the ground, he heard him groan. “I think he’s learned his lesson,” Bart said.

  “Apologize Chad,” Riyan said.

  The eye on the side of the head with the large knot was partially closed as he looked up at Riyan and Bart. “I didn’t do anything!” he shouted back, flecks of bloody spittle went flying from where his lip was bleeding. Groaning, he sat up and raised a hand to inspect the bump. He winced from pain when his fingers touched it.

  About ready to kick Chad again, the man was stopped by Bart placing a hand on his arm. “He’s had enough,” Bart cautioned. Something in his eyes told the man it might not be a good idea to follow through with the blow.

  “I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding,” Bart said to the man.

  “He made my wife out to be a harlot looking to make some coins!” the man exclaimed. “I demand satisfaction.”

  Turning to Riyan, Bart looked at him questioningly.

  “He didn’t realize she was married,” Riyan told him. “I’m not sure what he said, but she took offense and then this man struck him across the head with a bottle.” Bart nodded. He could well believe Chad doing something like that. Turning to where he still sat on the ground, Bart said, “Apologize right now or I’ll beat the living tar out of you myself.”

  Chad hesitated a moment as he gazed up at the intensity in Bart’s eyes. For a moment, Bart thought he was going to balk. But then he turned to the man and said, “I am sorry for any comment I may have said which offended you and your wife.”

  “Alright then,” the man said. Apparently all he really wanted was an apology. A woman came from the ring of onlookers and took his arm. A comely woman though no great beauty, this had to be the wife in question.

  “Come dear,” she said and began pulling him away. “The man’s apologized for his rude behavior. I’m sure he’ll think twice before acting in such an ungentlemanly manner again.”

  After giving Chad one last glare that said he would have liked to have seen him dead, he and his lady walked away. The crowd parted and many of the onlookers began calling to him as he passed with words of congratulations on a great fight.

  As the crowd began dispersing, Bart turned his attention on the badly beaten Chad.

  Standing there with hands on hips, he gave him a most disapproving glare. “With all that’s going on you’d think you would have a little more sense,” he said.

  “But I didn’t do anything,” he once again declared his innocence. Holding out a hand to Bart for help in getting to his feet, he waited several seconds in vain for him to take it.

  Finally Riyan moved forward and grasped his hand. Even with Riyan’s help, he was still a bit unsteady rising to his feet.

  “That’s quite a knot you have there,” Seth said.

  “Yeah man,” agreed Soth. “A real goose egg.”

  “I would have thought an Armsmen fresh out of the Guild would have accorded himself better,” Bart stated.

  “Well,” replied Chad, “if he hadn’t of rattled my brains when he broke that bottle over my head, things would have been much different.” Bart nodded and said sarcastically, “Right.”

  “Seriously,” Chad asserted.

  Shaking his head, Bart turned to Riyan. “Did you find a way to the island yet?” he asked.

  Riyan nodded. “I think so,” he replied. “Chyfe and I found a trader who is about to set sail for Tervik. That’s a city on the eastern shore of the lake. We were discussing the possibility of transport when…” he gestured to Chad, “all this started.” He glanced around at the onlookers and didn’t see the captain. “I think he must still be inside.”

  “Then lets go and get this done before he has a change of heart,” urged Bart. After giving Chad a meaningful glare to behave himself, he followed Riyan back inside the tavern. There they found Chyfe had already returned and was talking to a middle aged captain.

  “I don’t know that I like this,” the captain was saying to Chyfe as the others approached.

  “This way you don’t even have to approach the island,” argued Chyfe. When he looked up at Riyan’s approach, he gave him a slight shrug of his shoulders indicating he wasn’t sure how it was going with the captain.

  The captain noticed his look and turned in time to see Riyan and the others just as they reached the table. “Your friend okay?” the captain asked with a grin.

  “He’ll live,” Riyan assured him.

  Chuckling, the captain turned back to Chyfe.

  Riyan took a seat in the chair next to the captain while Bart took the remaining one between Chyfe and Riyan. “So,” Riyan began, “are we all set?”

  “No, we are not,” the captain replied. “I still haven’t been convinced that taking my ship in close proximity to that cursed place is worthwhile.” Bart nodded. He could see a hook coming a mile away. “How much would it take to make it worth your while?” he asked the captain.

  “Ten golds at least,” he said. “And that would only get me within half a mile. The rest of the way you’ll have to manage on your own.”

  “I can’t swim half a mile,” commented Seth behind him.

  Chyfe turned his attention to Bart and said, “I already suggested a plan that would work in everyone’s best interest.”

  “And what would that be?” asked Bart.

  Gesturing to the captain, Chyfe replied, “The captain tells me that he has a smaller boat on deck he uses for various needs. I suggested that we borrow it to cross the remaining distance to the island. Then on his way back we could meet him and he’d get his boat back.”

  “Sounds like a workable solution,” Riyan said. Turning his gaze to the captain, he gave him a questioning look.

  “But what am I to do if I need it?” the captain argued.

  “We could compensate you for the use of your boat,” Bart told him.

  The captain looked at him and snorted. “Most likely my boat will remain on the island along with your rotting corpses,” he replied.

  “How about this then,” countered Seth. Everyone at the table turned their gaze in his direction. “We give you another ten golds for the boat. That will more then compensate you should we fail to meet you on your return. But if we meet you at the appointed time, we get six back while you keep the remaining four for your troubles.” A calculating look came over him as he considered it. “You’ll need to be on the island at least two days,” he said. “It’ll take me that long to return, maybe longer.” Riyan glanced to Bart. “That should be enough time, don’t you think?” Bart nodded. “It should.”

  “Then is it a deal?” Chyfe asked. Extending his hand, he waited for the captain to take it which would seal the contract.

  “I think you are out of your minds to wish to go to that cursed place,” the captain said as he glanced at all of them. Then he reached out his hand and shook on it. “We leave in an hour. My ship’s name is Water Dancer.”

  “We’ll be there,” Riyan said.

  “If you’re smart,” the captain said as he stood up, “you won’t be.” Giving them a nod in farewell, the captain turned and headed for the door.

  “An hour,” Riyan said, “that should give us just enough time to make arrangements for our horses to remain at the inn until our return.”

  “And to get some supplies,” Kevik said.

  Riyan nodded. “I’ll take Chad with me and make the arrangements back at the inn,” he said. “T
he rest of you get what supplies we’ll need for a couple of days on the island.” Riyan was about to depart with Chad when he came to a stop and turned to Bart. “Did you find out anything from the old man?” he asked.

  “Yes,” he replied. “I’ll tell you when we’re on the ship.” Riyan locked eyes with his friend and could see that whatever it was, wasn’t going to be well received. “Very well,” he said. Then with Chad in tow, they headed back to the inn.

  An hour later, the companions met on the dock near the place where Water Dancer was moored. Riyan and Chad had made arrangements through Aryn for their horses to be boarded for a week. Riyan was sure to mention the lack of feed and poor conditions of the stable. Aryn assured him that she would personally see to the welfare of their horses.

  Bart and the others were carrying additional packs which were stuffed full of foodstuffs and other items they may require.

  Seth approached Riyan when the two groups came together and held out a sling. “I got a box of iron shot for you too,” he said as he handed over a rather heavy pack to him.

  “I remembered what you said during our run through Ki’ Gyrx.” Taking the sling and the pack, Riyan said, “Thanks.”

  “Never know if it’ll be needed,” Seth said with a grin.

  Riyan nodded. Then to Bart he said, “We better get aboard before the captain sets sail without us.”

  Bart returned his nod then headed toward the gangplank. At the bottom he stopped and looked up to the sailor standing on deck. “Permission to come aboard?” he hollered.

  The sailor turned his head toward the middle of the ship and said, “They’re here captain.” A second later the captain appeared at the top of the gangplank.

  “Really didn’t think you would show,” he said. “Permission granted.” Bart was first onto the gangplank with Riyan close behind. At the top, Bart handed the captain a heavy pouch containing twenty golds. After buying the supplies and arranging board for their horses, they didn’t have a whole lot left.

  The captain took the pouch and then pointed to the bow of the ship. “If you would please stay there until we reach the island,” he said to Bart, “you won’t be in the way.”

  “Not a problem,” he said then began making his way to the bow.

  “He put us in the coldest section of the boat,” Seth groaned.

  “Hey, just be glad someone was willing to take us,” Soth argued.

  Despite the sun breaking through the clouds above, it was cold. A slight breeze brought cold air off the lake, a taste of what was to come when the ship finally got underway.

  They settled in as best they could in the bow. It was pretty exposed to the elements, no protective cover with which to speak of. While they waited for the ship to get underway, they watched the crew make ready.

  The ship was a two masted trading vessel, one of several that had been tied to the docks. Bart had thought for sure that a ship of this size wouldn’t have bothered with taking them to the island, but perhaps things weren’t going well for the captain and he needed the coins. The smaller boat they would use on the last leg to the island was securely tied to the deck between the two masts.

  “What did the old man have to say?” Kevik asked.

  “Ready to raise anchor!” hollered the captain. Sailors scrambled to carryout out the order. Mooring lines were released from the dock pilings and tossed to sailors waiting on board.

  “I think he and his friends came across the entrance to where we need to go,” he said.

  Three sailors began turning the wheel around which the anchor chain was wound.

  With each revolution of the wheel, the anchor was drawn a little further from the depths.

  “He said they had discovered a place with three columns, and a fourth that looked like it had been smashed with a giant’s club,” he explained.

  “A giant’s club?” Seth asked.

  Bart nodded. “That’s what he said.”

  Once the anchor was drawn from the water and the wheel locked into place, one of the three sailors turned to the captain and hollered, “Anchor secured sir!”

  “Unfurl the sails!” the captain ordered. Men in the rigging began setting the sails free.

  As they dropped, the wind filled them and Water Dancer began moving away from the dock.

  All conversation stopped as the companions moved to the rail of the ship and watched as they moved to deeper water. For many of them, this was their first experience on board a ship. Riyan was exhilarated while Chad was turning a bit green from the rocking motion.

  The water was a bit choppy, the wind moving across the water created ripples through which the bow of the ship rode. When the first spray of icy water came over the bow, Riyan knew this wasn’t going to be an entirely pleasant trip. It was already cold, but the spray increased their discomfort level tenfold. The repeated drenching of the spray soon dampened their enthusiasm for the voyage and they returned to their conversation.

  “Did you see a place like that when you were on the island?” Riyan asked Chyfe.

  Chyfe shook his head. “Can’t say that I did,” he replied. “But my friends and I stayed mainly on the northern tip. The captain plans to anchor off the abandoned settlement on the western side of the island. From there we’ll take the boat ashore.”

  “Settlement?” asked Kevik.

  Nodding, Chyfe explained. “About a century ago, a dozen families or so planned to build a small fishing village there.”

  “What happened to it?” Seth asked.

  “I don’t know exactly,” replied Chyfe. “For whatever reason, the settlement was abandoned.”

  “Maybe the place is cursed?” Chad suggested.

  “I doubt it,” argued Kevik matter-of-factly.

  “Why do you say that?” Chyfe asked.

  “You and your friends survived your visits,” he replied. “A place that has an actual curse will affect anyone who goes there.”

  “I see your point,” Chyfe stated.

  The trip to their drop-off point was a couple hours away and they spent their time either watching the crew or the water. An hour into their voyage the dark image of the island broke the placid horizon. It took the captain another hour before he reached the drop-off point.

  As the island grew before them, they began to realize this was no small island. It could very well take them two days just to find the location of the three columns the old man had mentioned. Most of the island was covered in trees, except for the one area that had been cleared.

  Pointing to the cleared area, Chyfe said, “That’s where the settlement lies.” Then he pointed to the northern tip of the island. “Over there is where my friends and I spent our time.”

  “So you never actually went deep into the island?” Riyan asked.

  “We made it as far as the settlement once,” he explained. “But there wasn’t much left of it other than old, abandoned houses.”

  “Maybe we could use one of the houses for shelter while we’re here?” suggested Chad.

  “As good a spot as any,” Bart agreed. Standing at the rail beside Riyan, he watched the island grow larger. He had failed to mention everything that the old man had said, and he’s pretty sure that Riyan had picked up on that fact. Glancing to Chad and then to the twins, he could see the worry about what this place may hold written on their faces. There was no sense in unnecessarily increasing the worry and fear they already felt.

  “We’ll be dropping anchor in a few minutes,” the captain announced as he appeared behind them.

  “We appreciate your willingness to bring us here captain,” Riyan said.

  “I still think you’re all going to die,” he replied.

  “That’s encouraging,” Seth mumbled under his breath.

  Sailors were removing the ropes binding the small boat to the deck. “Look for me two days from now,” the captain reminded them. “I’ll moor here off the old settlement for three hours. If you don’t appear in that time, I’ll assume you’re dead.”


  “What if we don’t see you?” questioned Chad.

  The captain turned toward him and gave him an amused grin. “You better make sure that you do,” he replied.

  A sailor came up behind the captain and said, “We’re ready to lower the anchor.”

  “Go ahead,” the captain said.

  “Aye sir,” the sailor replied then turned to make it so.

  “Gather your equipment,” the captain told them. “You’ll be disembarking shortly.” With that, he turned and made his way over to the crew who had unsecured the small boat and were beginning to lower it over the side.

  Grabbing his pack that held the two key segments, Riyan began making his way to where the boat was being lowered. The others grabbed their packs and followed.

  “Easy there,” the captain was saying to the crew lowering the boat. Leaning over the side, he was watching the boat’s progress. Once the crew had it safely floating upon the water, a sailor lowered a rope ladder over the side. Turning to Riyan the captain said,

  “Remember, two days. If by the fourth you haven’t seen me, then you’ve missed me.” Riyan nodded. “I understand.” He held out his hand. “Thank you captain.” The captain took his hand and shook it. “You’re welcome,” he replied. Letting go of the hand, he said, “Good luck.”

  Riyan grinned then slipped over the side and began working his way down to the boat below. Once he was on his way and had cleared a sufficient distance, Bart followed.

  The small boat was just barely large enough for them, really only made for six men.

  As the others joined him in it, he realized how small it really was. Chad was the last of them to descend into the boat. They then untied the ropes from its bow and stern with which the sailors had lowered it to the water. In the bottom of the boat were two oars.

  Seth and Soth each took one, and once the ropes were removed, began rowing them away from the side of the merchantman.

  Riyan gave the captain and crew a wave as the anchor of the merchantman was raised from the water. Soon, the large ship began turning as it departed for Tervik. “Two days,” he said to the others. “That doesn’t give us much time.”