Book of Remembrance: The Forgotten Gods: Book One

by Tania Johansson

  I had not seen Brant approach, but I managed not to jump when he suddenly spoke behind me. “Kadin, how will you ever cope without your group of lackeys following you about telling you how amazing you are?” He snorted with derision and walked off before I could respond.

  Jench looked at his retreating back. “Well, he will be a bundle of fun on the road north.” I gave a wry laugh.

  Jamber stared after Brant. His brows pulled together in a deep frown and his eyes were looking daggers at him. So, they were not friends. Moma and Lilana came over to say goodbye as well. Lilana cried even though she tried to look brave. It was always more difficult to say goodbye when you did not know when you would meet next. Finally, everything was ready and we mounted. I said one final goodbye and we set off.

  We rode in silence for some way following the winding path of the North pass through Drean Forest. It was no less than what was expected. I had never had a friendly conversation with Brant, which meant starting with small talk then was near to impossible. The only talking was the occasional snide remark from him. With the sun reaching towards the horizon we found a suitable campsite, although the first few I suggested had not been good enough for him; too rocky, the ground was too uneven, too many trees, not enough trees. In the end, I simply decided it was not worth arguing over and I let him choose a place.

  We set the horses to graze and Brant silently started collecting firewood. I was relieved. The silence had started growing awkward. As he moved away, I walked in the opposite direction and found some privacy to practise the Shea-Rin.

  I could hear the trickle of a stream not far away and went to wash. I hurriedly collected an armful of firewood to try to avoid any questions over where I had been. Luck was with me when I spotted a rabbit.

  Quietly, I took my sling from my pocket and loaded it with a stone. The stone hit the rabbit in the head killing it instantly. I strapped it to my belt and headed back to camp. Brant was striking his flint and rock together to get the tinder alight. I dropped my wood next to his.

  Taking out some dried meat from my bag, I was surprised to hear him speak. “Do you even know what we are doing out here?”

  I looked around. He had not lifted his eyes from his work. “I know what I am doing. I am not so certain why you had to come along. Do you know?”

  His eyes flicked up to mine and darted back down. He was adding some kindling to the growing fire. “Of course I know. I made certain that they had a compelling reason for me to travel with you.” His voice held a sneer.

  Silence fell again between us, so thick that you could slice it with a knife. Apart from not being allowed to tell him about my Seeking, I did not trust him. I did not want to reveal anything of my plans to him that I did not have to and I was guessing that he felt the same way.

  The fire was going well and Brant sat back down, but still did not take his eyes from the fire. “If you know what is good for you, you will not get in my way.” He looked up at me, his face set in determined lines.

  I kept my voice level as I replied. “Then we are in agreement. You stay out of my way and I will stay out of yours.” He looked at me a moment longer before turning his attention back to prodding at the fire. I set about skinning and gutting the rabbit. Soon the smell of roasting meat filled the air and made my mouth water. I shared the rabbit with him. I did not want to set a precedent for selfishness with our supplies. He accepted what I offered with less grace than a dog.

  I arranged my bedding and called for Markai. She padded up behind me. It was becoming more difficult to be separated from her and I felt rush of relief when she appeared. I could feel it was mutual from her. I unbuckled Sunder and lay down on my back. She curled up against my side.

  I kept my sword next to me and rested my hand on the hilt. Only then did I realise that it was a full moon. Master Boryka said he would test me with the next full moon. I lay thinking about how I was supposed to find him again, but before long was fast asleep.

  I woke up with the feeling of eyes crawling over me. Brant seemed to be asleep still. I tried to look around without alerting anyone that might be out there that I was awake. From the corner of my eye, I caught movement between the trees. For a couple of minutes there was nothing. I decided that there could not be more than one person out there, or possibly, that it was only my imagination. I stood up as quietly as possible and with Sunder in hand walked around. I did not see anything so turned to walk back to camp. Markai was awake and sitting up, but she had not moved.

  The slightest rustle of leaves behind me gave me warning and I spun around, swinging Sunder in a tight arc. Steel connected with steel. My attacker took a step back. I sighed with relief. It was Master Boryka. “You scared….” I did not have a chance to finish what I was saying, because he was launching another attack.

  I defended furiously. Without having to think about it, my body moved between the forms of the Shea-Rin. I moved from defensive to offensive stances. I did not even get a chance to wonder why he had attacked me in such a way. I needed all of my focus, all of my strength to stay one step ahead of him.

  I flowed into Navitas. The sword became part of me. He managed to push me back by a step occasionally, but I was driving him back three for each of my one. I was only dimly aware of the sweat trickling down my spine and the blue mist swirling about my sword.

  Suddenly he twirled and sliced towards me from the right. I managed to block him, just, but he pushed me off balance. Immediately he attacked again. It was all I could do to jump back. The tip of his sword brushed against my stomach. It was only a light touch, but I could feel warm blood trickling down my front.

  I redoubled my efforts. I was sure now that I was fighting for my life. I looked for any opportunity, the slightest hesitation from him to find a way in. It was not easy. I was somewhat heartened to see the sweat dripping from his brow. He, however, was not bleeding.

  I realised that if I did not do something, he would eventually triumph. My strength was leaching out. I feigned right, but instead of going left, I crouched low and spun, kicking his feet from under him. As he stumbled and fell, I hit his sword with all my might and my Navitas focused on the swing of my sword. It connected solidly sending a judder up my arm and through my shoulder. His sword spun from his hand, landing several feet away.

  Stepping on his arm, I lay my sword against his neck, the blue mist swirling thickly around the tip of the blade. Abruptly, I was aware of Markai next to me. She told me to stop. It was done. I stepped back from him, but did not sheathe my sword.

  He got up slowly with his hands held up in surrender. Bowing, he smiled broadly at me. “Congratulations. You surpassed my expectations. You were truly destined for this.” He straightened from his bow.

  Slowly, I sheathed Sunder and bowed to him as well. “I thought you were going to kill me.”

  He laughed. “That was the idea. Only when one’s life is threatened do you see the true skill.”

  I lifted my shirt, pointedly showing him my wound. “This does not look like pretend blood to me. If I had jumped an instant later, you would have gutted me.”

  His smile broadened. “I did not say anything about pretending. You could have died today, but so could I. This is why it is a worthy test. If you could not defeat me, it would have been highly likely that you would not have got very far on your journey.”

  I shook my head disbelievingly. “I guess I am lucky to have passed then.”

  He nodded. “You have come far in a short time. Today, you must be marked according to what you now are, a LemMestari, Master of the Blade. There have only been a small number of people ever to attain this rank. Training to the required standard usually takes several years. The most talented in history, until now that is, was the great Master Jeuch. He became a LemMestari after a mere six months of training. What you have done is unprecedented. It has never been seen before.”

  I was taken aback by this. Not really knowing what else to say I responded, “I am honoured.” After a brief pause I aske
d, “What do you mean I need to be marked?”

  His face was resolute. “It must be done. All LemMestari are marked. It is an honour.”

  He gestured to a flat stone next to me. “Take your shirt off and sit.” I obeyed, but I still kept a wary eye on him. He looked me in the eye, his face grave. “This will hurt.”

  He started rubbing his hands together while chanting soft incoherent words and walking around me. After the third round, he stopped in front of me and placed his hands on my waist just above my hips. His voice took on an intense note and started rising.

  Heat started creeping from his hands into my body and spreading. It was mild at first, almost pleasant. Rapidly, however, the heat grew and became first uncomfortable and then excruciating.

  Wildly, I started pulling at his hands trying to get them off me, but try as I might, I could not even touch him. It seemed as though a thin layer of some transparent material covered him...I tried to turn my attention to Markai. Silently, I begged her to do something, anything. Attack him, kill him, just get him off me! She did not move. All I had from her was sympathy and encouragement.

  I looked down at his hands again. Terror crept up my throat as I saw searing red lines running from his hands and up my chest. I screamed as I had never screamed before. I howled until the very last breath of air left my lungs then desperately sucked in another lung full and screamed again.

  I was sure that I was going to die. I was burning up from the inside out. I was sure my blood must have been boiling. I could even smell my own flesh burning. Through it all, his deep voice rumbled on with the chant.

  Like a cornered animal, I fought for survival. I tried to scratch at his face, hands and arms, kicking at him and spitting at him when I could not reach to bite. Nothing had an effect though. Infuriatingly, I could not touch him. That invisible force protected him from anything that I tried.

  How long had this been going on? It could have been hours, it could have been minutes, I could not tell. Slowly the intensity of the heat lessened. It seeped away and took with it my remaining strength. I stopped fighting, not because I had given up, not because I did not want to fight, but I could not. I felt drained. I could hardly keep my eyes open, my lids felt too heavy. My chest and stomach burned fiercely.

  I looked up at him pleadingly. He placed one hand on my forehead and instantly everything went black.

  Slowly I became aware of day breaking. I opened my eyes and it felt as though I had a handful of sand in each one. I blinked to try to clear my vision. I could see where Brant was still sleeping. I started sitting up, but immediately fell back down with a groan. My stomach and chest felt as though… I had been branded. My night with Master Boryka came rushing back.

  I cringed. Gingerly I lifted my shirt. There were two swords on me. Each hilt started where his hands had been and curved blades ran up my chest with their tips nearly meeting at the top of my chest. In between the blades, was a large flame. How apt, I thought grimly.

  I noticed a small wooden pot next to my bedroll. I removed the lid. It contained a grey coloured cream. It had only a faint smell, almost of cut grass. Markai strolled up to me. For the burns. I was a bit startled; this was the first time she actually communicated to me in words. Previously, it had been less like talking and more like understanding what she meant.

  I spread the cream over the burns. It felt cool on my skin and took a bit of the sting away. If I had been travelling alone, I would have left my shirt off as even thinking about a shirt rubbing over my body made me shiver. I would however, have endured a lot worse to avoid having to explain it to Brant.

  I noticed him stirring so I got up and pulled a shirt over my head, gritting my teeth against the wave of pain that went through me. Nausea rolled over me and I had to stand still with my eyes closed for a few moments to stop the world spinning around me.

  I looked up and saw Brant looking at me curiously. I plastered a sly smile on my face. “Morning.” He grunted before turning away. Methodically I started packing my things away, trying to conceal the fact that every movement sent shooting pains through my chest. I saddled Balder and while holding my breath, and clenching my teeth, climbed on.

  I could hear curses coming from Brant. Teeka, his mare had wandered quite a way off and was acting very skittish as he was attempting to saddle her. Markai was watching with great amusement. Balder had clearly gotten used to having her around, but poor Teeka not so much. Brant looked at me furiously as if daring me to mock him. He eventually managed to calm her enough to saddle and mount. Without a word or a glance back, he set off north once more. I followed.

  Halfway through the day, the silence was growing tedious. Markai was now coming and going of her own accord and she had gone a while ago. I racked my brain for some topic to open up a conversation with him. It was not easy; we had very little in common.

  Before I could find anything to say though, he spoke. “What was your denouement gift?” Not one to talk of small things, then.

  I did not want to tell him, but then I was not sure anyway. “I am not entirely sure.” I answered honestly. “Some sort of disc. Looks like it may be an antique of some description. I do not know the purpose of it, but the Cha told me I would find it useful.” Honest enough, without revealing anything of import.

  He snorted derisively. “Probably he meant you would be able to sell it once you are removed from the village entirely.” He laughed roughly. I did not need to ask him what he had received, as the whole village knew.

  His gift was a beautiful dagger. The golden hilt had the inscription ‘Onward to Greatness’ which he took to be a personal prophecy for his future. He had made sure that the whole of Predaki knew of this so-called foretelling. He had carried the dagger at his side ever since receiving it. “We should reach Searille before dark if we keep a brisk pace.”

  His answer was in a tone of an adult speaking to a particularly slow child. “Funnily enough, we have been keeping this pace for just that reason.” I saw him shaking his head in annoyance. I again thought about how long this journey may turn out to be.

  We reached Searille just after dusk and I was relieved to hand Balder into the care of the eager looking stable boy at the Brown Water Inn. The short innkeeper met us with a gleaming smile as we entered.

  His small eyes flickered to the sword at my hip and the dagger at Brant’s, but he recovered quickly and made a small bow. “Gentleman, please feel at home. I am Prendil, the innkeeper here. Two rooms, will it be?”

  Whether it was because I was wearing the larger weapon, I did not know, but he was looking to me for the answer. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the scowl on Brant’s face. I nodded and could not help a small self-satisfied smile from creeping onto my lips.

  He gave another small bow. “Supper for you tonight? We have a wonderful pork stew with bread freshly baked by my dear Agrianna.” The smell of freshly baked bread was already swirling around my nose and making my mouth water. Again, he looked to me for the answer.

  I smiled. “That sounds most appetising.” Brant had already walked off. He sat down in the corner of the room, his back to the wall. I took a seat at another table. I had already had enough of his sullen face.

  The serving girl came over to my table as soon as I sat down. She had strikingly red hair, which she wore in tight curls. When she walked, her hips swayed wildly from side to side. She gave me a small smile with her full lips. She was looking at me in the most peculiar way. I nearly thought I must have something on my face.

  She placed her hands on the table and leaned down towards me. My eyes could not help but look at her over exposed bosom in front of my face. I whipped my eyes up to hers. My cheeks were burning.

  She laughed. Laughed! “You are the innocent one aren’t you? I could cure you of that… No? What will it be then? Ale or water?” She gave a harsh bark of laughter, which made me pull my face a bit further back from her.

  I cleared my throat. “Ale.” Her shoulders were still shaking from laught
er as she walked off to fetch my drink. I was sure everyone at the inn was looking at me after that exchange.

  Thankfully, a different serving girl brought my food and ale. She looked at me with some sympathy in her eyes. “Don’t you worry yourself over old Adnis.” I thought I heard her mumble under her breath, “Nasty old wench.” I did not want to show just how embarrassed I felt so I ate slowly and with as much dignity as I could muster.

  A man with a face telling a hundred stories, had started playing a mandolin and singing a beautiful song about a village’s joy when the men return from some long forgotten battle. His sonorous voice filled the room and carried you to that day; it let you share in the joy and relief of families being reunited.

  I glanced over to Brant’s table, but he had already left. A huge yawn escaped me. Going up the few stairs to my room felt like climbing a mountain. My bags had been brought up and were standing neatly against the wall. I took out the Book of Remembrance and the sentinel, the small wooden box that I got as my denouement gift. I put both next to me on the bed under the scratchy blanket. I pulled the blanket away from my still sensitive chest and pushed it down to my waist.

  The mattress was straw filled and lumpy. I had to shift and pound a bit at it to find a comfortable position. Finally I exhaled contentedly, closed my eyes and was instantly asleep.

  I woke up groggily. It was still dark and quiet outside. Gratefully I turned over to go back to sleep. I jumped when the window shutter slapped back onto the wall. A cool breeze was blowing in from the open window.

  With an irritated grunt, I stood up to close it. My foot snagged on something and I had to catch myself on the edge of the bed to keep from falling. I squinted through the darkness and sleep filled eyes to see what I had tripped over. My saddle bags were lying in the middle of the floor, their contents scattered across the room.