The Black Sword Trilogy: The Four Nations

by VanMeter, Jeffery

  They quickly parted and Kenner marched through the open doors.

  Before he got to her, Kayla spun around and gave him a furious look.

  “You owe my friend an apology.” He said to her in a growl almost like Shela’s.

  “How dare you come into my Sanctuary and tell me what to do!” She spat at him. “Who do you think you are? I am the Lady of the Woods! I rule here, not you!”

  She continued to scream and yell at him, but Kenner was distracted. He saw a bright, white light come from behind the deep, red curtain; so bright it almost looked as if the space behind it were on fire. The sight frightened him enough that he took a couple of steps backward from it. Kayla sensed his fear and turned to look to what he had seen. She spun around again and with terror in her own voice, she told him, “Turn around!”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Don’t argue with me!” She said in a panic. “Turn your back and shut your eyes. No matter what you hear, keep your eyes shut!”

  Kenner quickly did as she said and just as he turned away, he heard a sound like ripping fabric coming from the curtain. A loud, booming voice then came from behind the veil.

  “Kayla of the Blackwoods!” The voice boomed. It sounded like a woman and a man at the same time. For a moment, there was no answer or no sound. Although he didn’t see, he could feel the intense light coming from the veil.

  “To whom does this Sanctuary belong?” The voice commanded.

  “It belongs to you.” Kayla answered meekly.

  “Whom does it serve?”

  Kayla did not answer.

  “Whom does it serve?” It asked even louder.

  “It serves you.” Kayla answered again.

  After several moments, Kenner felt the intense light die down and the air cooled around him. He was curious and wanted to see what was happening, but remembered Kayla telling him not to open his eyes, “No matter what you hear…”

  He stayed like this for what seemed a long time.

  “Do not be afraid,” He heard the voice of Shadow tell him.

  “What’s happening?” He asked.

  “Nothing bad, I assure you, but do not open your eyes.”

  “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

  “Relax. The right thing is happening. You can rely on that.”

  Many moments later, he felt a soft touch on his shoulder.

  “It’s alright now.” Kayla said softly to him. “Everything’s going to be alright.”

  He opened his eyes and saw the entire Sanctuary transformed. The walls were now covered in fresh, green vines with white flowers growing all over them. The air was filled with a fresh fragrance and where there had only been a bare wooden floor was now a carpet of lush, green grass. He turned towards Kayla and saw her sweet smile had returned. There also appeared to be an apology in her eyes that looked as if she had been crying.

  She walked gracefully by him and as she went out the Sanctuary doors, he saw that the two guards were kneeling with their heads bowed low. She touched them both on the shoulder and they rose. Kenner followed her out and saw her descend the steps to Terri, who was still lying on the ground.

  The backs of Terri’s legs felt as if they had been ripped open and she also felt piercing pain in her ears. She could also feel blood leaking from her ears and trickling down her face and neck. She wanted to cry and tears streamed down her face. She reminded herself that she was no longer a little girl and to cry would show weakness. She had learned early that to show weakness was to be taken advantage of and she would never allow that again. Still she hurt like she’d never hurt before and strained to keep from crying out.

  She saw Kayla come to her with tears in her eyes. She tried to raise herself, but her legs hurt too much to move. She saw Kayla reach into the bucket filled with the water from the well. She went to Terri, knelt beside her and placed her wet hands over Terri’s ears. The stabbing pain instantly went away. Kayla then embraced her and held her like cradling a child.

  “I’m so sorry.” She whispered to Terri. The pain in her legs disappeared and Terri buried her head in Kayla’s shoulder and allowed herself to weep.

  Later that day, Kenner and Terri were sitting in the garden. Terri felt numb inside. Every emotion she’d kept inside for many years had come out in a flood and now she felt empty. The ale she drank seemed to fill the void that was left. Kenner also felt numb, but in a different way. He felt tired, as if he could sleep for days. Every muscle in his body felt limp and parts of him trembled.

  He’d known this feeling before as it had followed every fight and the battles he’d fought two years before. He still saw the archers dying and still heard the cries of terror. He felt angry and sick at the same time. But more than anything else, he simply felt exhausted.

  From out of the corner of his eye, he saw the hulking form of Saab come beside him. His hairy arm reached out and held out a flagon.

  “I’m not in the mood for ale.” Kenner told him quietly.

  “It’s not ale.” Saab said gently.

  Kenner looked down and saw a golden liquid inside the cup.

  “Is this going to make me sleep for three days?” Kenner asked.

  “No,” Saab answered. “But I doubt you’ll need any potion to sleep tonight.”

  Saab then offered a similar flagon to Terri.

  Kenner drank from the cup and he felt a rush of warmth and soothing energy wash through him.

  “What is this?” Kenner asked.

  “Just another secret of the Blackwoods.” Saab answered.

  Kenner and Terri drank the rest, each swallow bringing the same sensation. Neither spoke for a while; not knowing what to say or ask.

  “What was that thing?” Kenner finally asked.

  “It doesn’t really have a name,” Saab answered, “Not one that you would understand anyway.”

  “That’s really helpful.” Terri quipped.

  “It is the only thing the trees fear,” Saab continued, “The only thing against which they cannot defend.”

  “How many of those things are there?” Terri asked.

  “I don’t know. I thought we’d seen the last of them ages ago.”

  Kenner held out his cup.

  “Do you have any more of this stuff?” He asked.

  “Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend drinking any more of it.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it makes your piss feel like it’s full of needles.”

  A few moments later, Kayla came into the garden. She looked sad and weak. She tried to smile, but Terri could tell it was only a feeble effort.

  “Is everything alright?” Terri asked her.

  “No,” Kayla answered with her head bowed. She then forced another smile. “It soon will be, though.”

  They were all quiet for a few moments and Terri finished her flagon of ale.

  “I’m afraid you will have to leave in the morning.” Kayla said weakly.

  Kenner felt like saying something, but could only manage a mere nod. He rose and looked at Kayla, whose eyes still seemed to be apologizing to him.

  “I guess I’d better go back to my room and pack then.”

  That night, as Terri prepared to try and sleep, Kayla came to her room. As she entered, she held out two small boxes in her hands. Terri smiled and almost laughed as she saw them: two boxes of cigars.

  “You never did tell me where these come from.” She joked with Kayla.

  “I only know they come from Sheyron and they refuse to tell me their origin.”

  Terri took the boxes from her and thanked her.

  “I’ll try to smoke these slower this time.” She said, and then added sadly, “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

  Kayla lowered her head and crossed her arms.

  “I don’t know either.” She said. Then she looked at Terri with tears in her eyes.

  “Please tell me you will be back.” She said, her voice beginning to break. “I’m so sorry…”

  Terri s
topped her by taking her in her arms and embracing her. For the first time, she saw Kayla weak and small. She was trembling and she sobbed on her shoulder.

  “Of course, I’ll be back.” Terri said softly.

  The two held each on to each other, not wanting to let go.

  Kenner sat on the edge of his bed staring at the door. He was waiting for Shadow to come to him and thought she would come through that way. But then he felt her beside him and then saw her sitting next to him.

  “You were expecting me, weren’t you?” She asked.

  She looked at him with a teasing smile and her eyes sparkled.

  “There’s no turning back for me now, is there?” He asked her.

  “I wouldn’t say that,” She answered. “There will still be chances to go back. However, after the events of today, the word will spread throughout the world that the bearer of the Black Sword has returned. The world will be searching for you and both good and evil will want you on their side.”

  He then bowed his head and looked at the wooden floor.

  “I should have killed him.” He said sadly. “He was right there, close enough for me to hear him breathe.”

  “You mustn’t talk like that.” Shadow told him in a soothing voice.

  “I could have ended it all with one blow; the war, the battle with that…thing; I could have ended it all.”

  “Your father taught you better than that.” She reminded him.

  He looked up at her angrily, wanting to cry and yell at the same time.

  “My father would have sliced him in half.”

  “Your father wasn’t a murderer and neither are you.”

  He sighed and closed his eyes as if in pain.

  “He was unarmed,” She continued. “And such an act would have defiled the beauty of this place.”

  “But it would have been over after that. I could have ended it all…”

  “You don’t know that.” She interrupted him. “He’s only a symptom of the disease that is coming. And you know as well as I do that murder is never justified.”

  Kenner looked to the ground and nodded. Although he believed her when she said that there was still a way to go back to a life of blessed obscurity, he doubted that he could avoid choosing the path that others would later be called destiny.

  Chapter 19

  King Melkur felt cold and hot at the same time. He hurt all over and felt weak. His counselors and advisers stood silently watching the pathetic wretch rock back and forth in his chair. The only words that came out of him were the same over and over: “medicine…medicine.”

  The Doctor Leyews entered the King’s private chamber bearing the now familiar silver chalice in his hands. Seeing this, the King almost leapt out of his chair.

  “Where have you been?” He snapped at the Leyews. “Where’s my medicine? I need it!”

  “I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” The Doctor answered. “I’ve only just heard the news of General Krypt’s betrayal. I simply cannot believe that such a man would betray his king in such a way.”

  The King reached out his trembling hands with a look of desperation on his face. Leyews held the cup before him, but not yet in the King’s hands.

  “It is betrayal too, my Lord.” He said coolly. “It is an offense against you as King. It is an offense against this nation. It a crime against everything that every General before him has fought.”

  “Stay out of this matter, you snake!” One of the King’s counselors shouted at the Doctor.

  “Silence!” Melkur shouted back.

  The King leaned forward almost falling out of his chair. Leyews continued to hold the chalice just out of reach of the King.

  “He must be punished, My Lord.” He whispered. “You cannot allow disloyalty by your Generals.”

  The King lunged forward and grabbed the chalice in his hands. In so doing, he fell out of his chair and two of his attendants had to help him back in. Melkur drank deeply and greedily from the cup. Within seconds, color started to return to his pale skin and his breathing became less labored. His hands were still shaking, but he felt stronger and the fever seemed to be breaking. Once again, he thought the medicine had taken his sickness away.

  “And what do you think I should do about this disloyalty?” Melkur asked.

  “He should be executed, of course.” Leyews answered. “Death is the only punishment that truly fits this offense.”

  Melkur fell back in his chair, his mental capacities returning and his thoughts more clear.

  “And what should I do after that?” Melkur asked the Doctor.

  “My Lord?” Leyews answered feeling a little confused.

  Already, Melkur was beginning to feel drowsy. He knew it would not be long before the medicine took full effect and he would be fast asleep. First, he had business to do, he thought. First he had to remind this miserable doctor and everyone else in the room who was King.

  “Whom should I replace him with?” He asked Leyews. “The Army must have a commander.”

  “General Fraust, of course,” Leyews answered smoothly.

  “Really? You think so?”

  “I believe he is next in line.”

  Melkur sat up as straight as he could and motioned Leyews to come closer.

  “General Fraust is an idiot!!” He shouted in Leyews’s ear. “He’s never commanded an Army in the field and so long as I am King, he never will!”

  “But my Lord,” Leyews pleaded.

  “Do yourself a favor, Doctor and stay out of military matters.”

  Leyews bowed low and humbly, but Melkur wasn’t done with him yet.

  “And don’t ever presume to tell me my business again! I am King here!”

  Looking around the room, he saw several of the King’s advisers smiling, two even laughing. Angry and humiliated, he left the room. His master would hear of this.

  Back in the King’s chamber, General Fraust cautiously stood before Melkur.

  “Your Majesty…” He started feebly. “What are we to do about Krypt? He…he has, after all disobeyed you.”

  The King yawned and looked toward the bed. The girl hiding under the covers looked inviting, but he was too tired tonight. Perhaps in the morning when he felt more rested, he could take what he needed from her.

  “Who says I have to do anything?” He answered Fraust.

  “My Lord?”

  “I’m the King. I can do or not do whatever I want.”

  “But he has…”

  “I know what he’s done.” The King yawned again. “And I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to bed and going to sleep. I shall decide Krypt’s fate in the morning.”

  It was a clear and crisp night in the Grand Army’s camp. General Krypt sat on a rise overlooking the encampment looking at the stars and watching steam escape from his mouth. He held a tin cup full of coffee and was listening to the relative silence of the late night. Down in the camp, most of his soldiers were sleeping while the night watch patrolled the perimeters. All was peaceful, but he wondered as he had every night before whether this would be the last such night for him.

  At virtually any moment, he expected a rider to come over the rise in the plain past the camp from the direction of the White City. He’d been moving the Army at a snail’s pace toward the city of Geedings; five miles a day and then two days of rest. Supplies were waiting for them there, but not safety. Surely, he believed the King knew of him disobeying his orders and surely a messenger was coming to bring him back to Kallesh for his execution. But it had been over a month since leaving Kallesh and still no messenger and he knew this King was not the forgiving sort.

  He heard heavy footsteps breaking the silence. He turned quickly to look in their direction and saw the familiar silhouette of Valon approaching him.

  “Sorry to disturb you, sir.” Valon told him.

  Krypt looked back toward the camp feeling relieved. It was no assassin this time.

  “Don’t you ever sleep?” He asked Valon.

  “Not when my
General is awake, sir.”

  Valon sat next to him with a fresh pot of coffee in his hand. He poured some of the steaming liquid into Krypt’s nearly empty cup.

  “What are you thinking about, sir?”

  Krypt took a thoughtful sip.

  “I’m thinking this is some of the worst coffee I’ve ever had.”

  Valon laughed.

  “I’m serious. This stuff is terrible. I’m thinking I should have the cook flogged.”

  “That’s one way to win the hearts and minds of the troops.” Valon joked.

  The two sat quietly for a moment while Krypt continued to look at the stars and the horizon.

  “If we push hard, we could make Geedings by tomorrow evening.” Valon said breaking the silence.

  “How far do you think it is?”

  “Not more than ten miles.”

  Krypt thought about it for a moment and nodded.

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

  Valon felt uncomfortable at his General’s silence. He’d served with him nearly his entire career, but had never seen him so worried. He wanted to ask him what was bothering him, but knew better of it. Krypt was never one to share his private thoughts, not even with those he trusted. He was surprised then at what Krypt told him next.

  “I’ve never been afraid to die.” Krypt said. “Not even when I was a young boy serving under General Thool; not even in my first battle. While other soldiers my age and older were wetting themselves at the sight of the enemy coming towards us, I was calm and relaxed. My thoughts were as clear as if nothing was happening and I thought it strange. I remember thinking that I was supposed to be afraid. I was supposed to want to run and hide, but I didn’t feel like that at all. I didn’t feel bloodthirsty or wild. I didn’t want to dive into the enemy and kill everything in sight. I just wanted to do my job and get it over. And that’s how I’ve felt going into every battle; whether it’s been against bands of raiders or against three thousand Wolfen. I just wanted to get it over with.”

  “But now, I keep looking at the horizon to the north, waiting for a rider to come and tell me my fate. Now I fear the wrath of a stupid and vain King and I’m afraid.”

  “Are you afraid of dying, sir?” Valon asked.