Tides of Blood and Steel

by Christian Warren Freed

  “Your words offer little encouragement, wizard,” Boen added from his seat a few meters away.

  Anienam offered a sorrowful look. “Why should they? We are trapped in desperate times. I had hoped to beat the Dae’shan here, but I was too late.”

  “What are they after? Why Delranan?” Argis asked.

  A shrug. “Their only real purpose is to open the gateway between worlds to free the dark gods. How they plan on doing so remains hidden from me. There were only three nexuses on Malweir. Two are destroyed and the third is heavily guarded, or so I believe. Without one, the dark gods can’t return.”

  Dorl winced and wiped his eyes. “You think that’s what this is all about? The war, Harnin, all of it?”

  “It makes sense. Look at how much the north has changed in such a short period of time,” Anienam suggested and offered Bahr a knowing look.

  Sitting across from them, Bahr reluctantly accepted the situation. He’d lived long enough to recognize when a battle needed to be postponed. Harnin could wait. Everything Bahr knew and loved was on the brink of destruction. He was confused, his sense of faith wounded. The orange glow darkened. Bahr closed his eyes and tried convincing himself that it was just a boat.

  “You don’t think the crew was on board, do you?” Maleela asked.

  Rekka cast a stern gaze on her for asking such an insensitive question. “No. I overheard Harnin say they’d been forced into a labor camp for the army. They may be mistreated, but they’re safe enough.”

  For a time. Her knowledge of northern customs was handicapped by their utter foreignness. So unlike were her people and these gruff northerners that she felt out of place. Rekka was groomed to be a fine warrior and strategist, but even that meant little when faced by the blunt force the northern warriors chose to employ. She used finesse and grace, almost a mockery of Dorl’s style. Yet the sell sword attracted her in ways she failed to understand. Confused, she sat back and brooded.

  The conversation was too much for Argis. Already a traitor, he felt much worse. Bahr and his companions were involved in affairs that went far beyond Argis’s own actions. His misgivings would only grow as time went by. Whatever Bahr planned on doing, Argis made up his mind to stay embedded in the underground. Delranan had to come before the needs of any one man. He’d made his bed the moment he agreed to conspire with Prince Aurec of Rogscroft and let him sneak into Chadra Keep. How wrong everything went after that. Killing Badron’s son wasn’t part of the plan, but then again, nothing that happened that night was. What a fool I’ve been.

  “There is nothing for it,” Bahr finally said. “They were a good crew but, like Harnin, they too must wait until we’re in a position that will allow us to help.”

  “What is our next move then?” Boen asked. He was glad to move on. There was no point on dwelling on affairs they were powerless to change. Gaimosians lacked the sense of place inherent in most others. Boen had already been stagnant for too long and, without a proper enemy to fight, felt restricted. The desire to move on and find new adventure in warmer climes beckoned.

  Bahr drank deeply from one of the canteens they’d confiscated. The water was good, but it was not food. Argis promised them food, water, and enough mounts to see them about their task as soon as they linked up with the underground.

  Anienam smiled darkly and answered before Bahr could. “We must find the Blud Hamr.”

  “The what?” Bahr asked.

  “The Blood Hammer. It is an ancient weapon that will destroy the Dae’shan and end this rising tide of darkness.”

  The Sea Wolf didn’t know whether to laugh or shake his head in futility. “That’s nice, but where are we supposed to find this hammer of yours? I doubt they sell one in the Merchant’s Circle.”

  “We never got to that part,” Dorl added from the opposite side of the fire.

  Anienam sighed. The smallness of some minds was exceedingly frustrating. He never understood why some people refused to accept concepts that did not originate through them. The world was filled with magical beings and instruments. Malweir was an ancient world and held many secrets, most of which would never be seen.

  He leveled his gaze back on the group. “Delranan was once an important land. The king of Averon once used this very port to launch a raid on distant shores. Then came the horrors of the Mage wars and all that was civilized fell into chaos. There was once a large temple in the center of Chadra. This temple held the knowledge of most of the northern magic. It is here that we will find reference to the hammer.”

  “There is only one small problem,” Bahr said dryly. “Chadra has no standing temples.”

  “True, but it is not the actual temple that we need. The majority of knowledge was stored underground in massive vaults.”

  His hopes slipped with the sudden possibility that it might all be gone. The wealth of the old days was destroyed forever. Until this point, Anienam had been so sure of himself. The winds had blown him into Delranan for reasons he hadn’t understood. Raw power was gathering beneath the frozen northern kingdom in unprecedented quantities. He might have laughed if the tides were not shifting against them.

  “There are tunnels that run beneath Fareth’s Mill,” Skuld offered. “That’s close to the center of town.”

  The wizard smiled. “Have you been in them?”

  Skuld was more than happy to finally be of worth to this group. “That’s where I’d go if people, uh…chased me.”

  Anienam turned to Bahr. “We must go there.”

  The Sea Wolf scratched the stubble of his beard. “We should split our forces. I’ll take Boen, Rekka, and Ionascu, and head to my estate. We need money and supplies and I have them. You take the others and find this temple. You have until dawn, after that it won’t be safe for any of us. We must escape before Harnin has the chance to mobilize his forces against us.”

  Argis looked around. They are all crazy. And now I am one of them. He was left with little choice. It was too late to go back, despite the grim dawn of the future. Argis saw but one way.

  “I will lead your people to the mill. Good luck to you all.”

  Bahr fought his reservations and gave a brisk nod. It was time to move, lest the enemy gain on them. Argis waited for the others to rise before leading his group back to the city. The moment left Bahr with an uneasy feeling. A day ago, Argis had been one of Badron’s most trusted advisors. Now he was more than willing to betray a lifetime of trust. Part of that didn’t sit well with Bahr. Still, so long as Argis didn’t cross them. Bahr let the thought fade. There was no point in searching for hidden conspiracies.

  His thoughts turned towards his own task. It was entirely possible that his estate had fallen under Harnin’s thumb as much as his beloved Bane had. Material possessions never mattered much to him, none except for the Bane. He focused on salvaging what goods he could. Winter was right around the corner and they were going to need as much cold weather equipment as they could lay their hands on. Besides, he had a sinking feeling that this was the last time he was ever going to return to his home.

  Nothol Coll looked back over his shoulder and said, “We’ll wait for you at Sundin Pond.”

  Bahr gave him a halfhearted salute. “Sundin Pond.”

  The plan wasn’t much but it was the best they could come up with on such short notice. The orange glow on the horizon stole his attention back. It called to him. Bahr grunted frustrations and tried to put it from his mind. Revenge was a hard thing to postpone when your life was all but destroyed.

  “Captain, are you all right?” Rekka asked gently.

  “Would you be?” he countered.

  She chose not to reply. Her fears had long haunted her. She’d seen destruction on a massive scale before and prayed she never had to again. Fate would not be so kind to her. This was by far the most volatile situation she’d ever found herself in. Not even the wars in her home jungle of Brodein matched what was coming here. Rekka maintained her suspicions of the northlands. These were a violent people who took gr
eat pride in their warlike prowess. The Dae’shan had chosen well.

  Taking her silence for consent, Bahr marched to his horse. Time was against them. The dawn charged fast. He regretted sending Maleela with the wizard. She’d been through so much already it almost seemed unfair that he had asked her to endure more. Still, Anienam Keiss was about the best protection he could offer.

  “A fire that big and no one is investigating it? This is not right,” Boen whispered. His right hand rested on his sword. The Gaimosian was ready for a fight.

  Bahr agreed. “Harnin must have begun a curfew. The people have been frightened into their homes. Our path is more dangerous than we thought.”

  “Nothing a strong sword arm can’t handle.”

  Bahr shot him a cautious glance. “I can never tell when you are serious or not.”

  Boen smiled and shrugged. “It’s not hurting my feelings any.”

  “How far are we from your estate?” Rekka asked.

  “Not far. A few hundred meters.”

  Rekka rolled her almond eyes. “I suggest you both stop giving away our position then. The enemy might have pickets in the tree line awaiting us.”

  The Gaimosian drew his great broadsword. “Let them come. I am tired of hiding in the shadows like a common thief.”

  “That old wizard has something up his sleeves,” Bahr added. “I think we are going to be knee deep in battle much sooner than any of us want. Even you, Boen.”

  They rode on. Only Ionascu remained closed. He had become a shell of his former self. Watching his men being slaughtered on the docks had driven him to the brink of insanity. The brutality of his torture in the dungeons had ruined his body and fractured his mind. He was Harnin’s spy no longer. The betrayal ate away at him. Foul memories tormented him every time he closed his eyes. Ionascu drowned in an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

  “Hsst, we are here,” Bahr whispered.

  The Sea Wolf slipped to the ground and drew his sword. It was time to find out just how thorough Harnin was. The others closed in around him. All but Ionascu were prepared for battle.

  “Boen, swing around the right side. The main entrance is directly opposite of us. I don’t suppose I need to tell you to kill anyone who gets in the way.”

  The Gaimosian shook his head with a rueful smile. He knew his role well enough and was one of the best at it. It was a gift of his bloodline. The only friendlies around were standing beside him. Everyone else was fair game. The dungeon beatings flashed, driving his battle rage higher. Vengeance Knight. The title was much more than a simple name designed to inspire terror in the unbelievers. Boen fully intended to live up to the name before the first rays of light kissed the frost-covered land. Boen rolled his shoulder muscles and stalked off into the night like some dangerous beast from legend.

  Bahr snatched Ionascu by the collar. “You stay here with the horses and watch our backs. Got it?”

  The broken man barely nodded. His eyes remained unfocused, staring off into the snow-covered fields.

  Oddly satisfied by the lack of reaction, Bahr said, “Rekka come with me. We secure the perimeter and the barn, get what we need, and get out before they know we are here.”

  The first break of dawn breached the horizon. Time was almost up. Boen made first contact with a pair of enemy pickets guarding the front door. A feral grin lit his face. He attacked with impossible speed and grace. Neither guard had a chance. The fight was over before it really began. Boen punched his sword through the first man’s stomach and spun to take the second’s head before either had a chance to draw their blades. Boen dropped into a crouch in search of more targets. Old sensations combined with the sudden rush of adrenaline gave him strength, enhanced his reactions. Born a warrior, he lived every day for the prospect of joining battle with worthy opponents. This was almost too easy. He wasn’t disappointed when he caught the column of torches coming down the main avenue. Right on time.

  Bahr and Rekka moved just as quickly on securing the barn. Rekka struck hard; ruthless in her assault. Two guards, almost bored with their assignment, lounged against the snow and ice-covered door. Bahr frowned, knowing even with their inattentiveness he’d never be able to cross the distance before one or both raised the alarm. Rekka held no hesitations and charged light-footed across the snow. Her slippered feet landed so lightly she barely left a track before falling on the guards. Stabbing the closest in the chest, she ripped the blade free and spun around to catch the second across the stomach. Blood sprayed out in a grizzly arc, followed closely by organs and viscera as the body dropped. Both guards died without a sound. Rekka knelt and wiped the blood and clumps of flesh from her sword.

  Bahr was impressed. Until now he hadn’t seen her in action. She’d only been an idea, not a dangerous weapon capable of slaughtering them all. Her lethality made him nervous and grateful they were allied. “Let’s start loading the wagon. Take all of the weapons and supplies you can find.”

  “Where are you going?” Rekka asked almost too innocently.

  “Inside. My safe is hidden in my library.”

  Rekka accepted his answer and went about her task. The horses hitched easily enough and then she set to loading sheaves of arrows and other weapons. Bahr slipped out the back door. Using the buildings for cover, he skirted around the house and met Boen on the porch. The bigger man was sitting in Bahr’s favorite rocking chair with a flint glare in his eyes.

  The Gaimosian pointed down to the flickering torches marching up the road. “Time is almost up.”

  Bahr cursed. “Go and help Rekka. I’ll meet you back there in a few minutes.”

  Sounds started to come from the road. Angry, purposeful. Boots crunching down the gravel. Metal pauldrons capping shoulders rubbing against breastplates. Bahr guessed they had maybe ten minutes before the soldiers arrived. Out of time, he entered his house for what would be the last time and hurried through the expanse of rooms to his master bedroom. Bahr ran to his safe hidden in the floorboards under the bed and filled the bag he took from the barn with silver and copper coins. Too many large coins would attract unwarranted attention. Lastly, he took a few small pouches of gold coins and tucked them within his inner tunic. A time would come when only gold would see them through.

  “Bahr! Come out now you son of a whore!” Harnin’s voice bellowed across the front lawn. “Come out and die with some dignity or I’ll burn this house down around your worthless head.”

  Odd, Harnin actually sounded like a man. Bahr snarled. The snake had spent his life in the shadows and now found himself in a position of power. It was almost laughable. Bahr had no false ideations about his estate surviving intact. Venom dripped from Harnin’s voice. Hatred sweat from his pores. They’d never liked each other. Harnin blamed him for the loss of his eye. The battle against a band of raiders had been fierce and many men from both sides were killed. Bahr had one moment of lapse where he failed to protect Harnin’s flank. A raider managed to get within his guard and swipe a dagger across Harnin’s face, ripping out his eye. Truthfully the loss of Harnin’s eye was no one’s fault. It was an act of war as unpredictable as who lived and who died. Regardless, the One Eye maintained a simmering hatred for the king’s brother.

  “I know you are in there. You didn’t think you actually stood a chance of escaping, did you?”

  Bahr ignored him. The words were nothing but an undisguised attempt to lure him to act rashly. He chuckled. Bahr had played this game for far too long to fall for such a simple trick. He tied off the money sack and slung it over his shoulder. There was still a small window for escape he couldn’t afford to waste. Even now guards and mercenaries were moving to surround the estate. Harnin was content with taunts for now, but it would change as soon as he saw the bodies of his men. Then the fun would begin.

  Bahr snuck out the back door and dashed across the yard to the barn. “We need to go.”

  The sudden whoosh of roaring flames confirmed his worst fears. Bahr had officially lost everything. His old life was f
inished. The Bane was gone. His crew killed or imprisoned. Wishing them to escape did little good. They were on their own. Boen, having already abandoned his chair and returned to the barn to help Rekka, tossed the last sack of grain into the wagon bed and collected his sword.

  “Do we fight?” he asked.

  Bahr reluctantly said, “No. We wouldn’t last. They’ve already lit the house. I’ve got no reason to stay here. They’ll be heading this way next.”

  “I am sorry, Captain,” Rekka told him.

  He silently accepted her words. “Yeah, so people keep telling me.”

  He helped her climb onto the driver’s bench and then ran back to the main door. He and Boen meant to cover the wagon while she escaped back to Ionascu in the forest. The long bow in Boen’s hand surprised him. Gaimosians preferred killing close up with a sword. Arrows seemed dishonorable.

  “I didn’t know you knew how to use one of those things,” he told the bigger man.

  The Gaimosian shrugged, an act he found himself doing more of as he got older. “I like to keep people surprised. Are you sure we can’t kill a few more just for principle?”

  “You are the damnedest man I have ever met. Let’s see what Harnin has in store for us first. I’m expecting him to slip up and we’ll be able to duck out without being seen.”

  “I don’t sneak,” Boen frowned.

  The wagon creaked by. Bahr idly wondered if Ionascu was still waiting or if he gave in to his nerves and bolted. Truthfully the man was more of a liability now than when he was a spy. He had half a mind to put the man out of his misery. Too bad the wizard said Ionascu had some part to play in the future.

  Bahr looked back at the house. “Do you think he brought enough men?”