“Strange. I’ve never seen anyone like that before. Why would she kill your grandfather?”
“It has something to do with the gems I am sure. The assassin suggested if I didn’t want to end up like my grandfather I would leave Ayrith and never come back.”
Biran nodded, “Sage advice. It seems Ayrith is now at the center of something important.” Biran looked at Hanna’s bloodstone. “I wonder what makes these gems so valuable that everyone is willing to kill for them. We found a lode in our silver mine, but it’s the first time we’ve ever found anything like this.”
“I will find out,” said Hanna. “My grandfather died over this. I won’t quit until I find out who was behind his death.”
“I will do whatever I can to help you,” said Biran.
Hanna smiled. Her first impression of Biran seemed so wrong now. Instead of arrogant and snobbish, he was friendly and down to earth. Had her anger and sorrow colored her ability to read him, or had his appearance and awkward introduction pushed her towards her initial impression? “You look different today.”
Biran glanced down at his tunic. “Yes. I was returning from Grimsfell. We found that traders and merchants treat rich folk better. When I wear fine clothes, wear a few pieces of jewelry and put my nose in the air like I’m too good to smell the ground we do much better with our trades. I’ve become rather good at acting the spoiled son of a wealthy merchant. My mother is appalled that I act like a snob when I visit Grimsfell, but it serves a purpose.” Biran paused for a moment. “Yesterday, I was wearing my snob clothes. I imagine I was still acting a little like a rich brat. It tends to take me a day or two, or a good scolding from my mother to bring me back to normal. I’m sorry if I was an idiot.”
Hanna chuckled. “You do a very convincing spoiled merchant’s son.”
Biran blushed.
“I told you that one day you’d regret your act,” said a woman from the doorway.
Biran turned. “Mother. Don’t you knock?”
“Gaida came to assist me,” said Esmera as she entered the room behind Gaida. “You don’t expect me to knock to come into my own home, do you?” said Esmera with a wink as she came over and started poking and prodding Hanna.
“I would prefer if your timing wasn’t so exceptionally bad,” mumbled Biran as he moved out of the way so Esmera could continue her inspection of Hanna.
Esmera laughed. “It serves you right, Biran Nordvik. Your acting the snotty rich prat may be of use in Grimsfell but it should’ve stayed in Grimsfell. If you’d listened to your mother this pretty young thing wouldn’t have gotten the impression that you were a royal ass.”
Hanna turned red. She felt bad for Biran as Esmera teased him. “He wasn’t that bad,” said Hanna, trying to support Biran.
“He was bad enough. Wearing that gaudy green tunic and that silly necklace,” said Gaida Nordvik. “Now give your mother a proper introduction, or have you forgotten your manners as well?”
Biran turned to Hanna and gave her a sly smile. “Hanna Halfblood, may I introduce Gaida Nordvik, my beloved mother.”
Gaida gasped. “Biran Nordvik! How could you use that kind of language to introduce a young lady?”
Hanna giggled. Biran seemed to have a knack for offending his mother. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Gaida Nordvik. You needn’t worry about calling me Halfblood. As I explained to Biran earlier I take no offense at the name. It means something other than an insult outside of Solotine.”
Gaida slapped Biran on the arm. “A gentleman would’ve made sure his mother knew that before he introduced us.”
Biran rubbed his arm as if she’d wounded him. “If a gentleman’s mother had waited for him to finish reintroducing himself she would’ve found out. Now I can see I’m completely outnumbered here. I am going to retreat while it is still safe. Hanna, I look forward to speaking with you again.” Biran gave a deep and exaggerated bow. He then turned to his mother and gave another deep bow.
“Oh, get out of here, you cheeky brat,” said Gaida as she waved Biran towards the door.
Biran laughed as he left the room.
Gaida sighed, “I’m so glad I only had one boy. My girls aren’t nearly as difficult to deal with.”
“That is because the girls take after their father. Biran takes after you,” said Esmera. She then gently grabbed Hanna by the chin. “Open your mouth.”
Hanna opened her mouth. She felt like a prized mare the way Esmera inspected her.
Esmera then noticed the bloodstone. She put her hand on it, and then looked carefully at Hanna. “Where did you get this?”
Hanna explained the story of the late-night visit from the assassin, and how her grandfather had given the stone to the girl to give to her.
Esmera turned to Gaida. “I told you those gemstones were special. Thorodd Stoneblood created a bloodstone.”
“Bloodstone?” asked Hanna. She knew something of what bloodstones were, but wanted to know what the healer would say.
“Are you sure?” asked Gaida.
“Yes,” said Esmera. “I can feel the magic in it. I’ve no idea what it does, but this gem is now different from the others. It is filled with powerful magic, but I’ve no idea what kind of magic.”
“Let me see,” said Gaida.
Hanna handed Gaida the gemstone.
“Oh my. It’s cold. I’ve never felt a gemstone do that before. So, the stories about Stonebloods are true.” Gaida returned the gem to Hanna. “I assume you’ve realized that we aren’t like normal northerners here in Ayrith. We Nordviks and the other families of Ayrith are mostly Ingla bloodlines. We all have magic ability of some sort. We aren’t pure blood Ingla, there aren’t enough of us to keep that tradition, and we’re not all a’kil, but most have some magic. Not the type of magic your Stoneblood relatives had, but enough to be adept at using it.”
“A’kil?” asked Hanna.
“Sorry, it’s an Ingla word for magic blood. I would’ve thought your grandfather would’ve told you about such things.”
“We didn’t talk about magic often,” admitted Hanna. “He told me stories of relatives that have a little magic, and of the old Stoneblood warriors who had very strong magic, but Thorodd had no magic, or no magic that he knew of. So, he assumed I wouldn’t either.”
“That is silly,” said Esmera. “Magic doesn’t disappear that easily. It may go dormant with generations that don’t use it or aren’t exposed to it, but the bloodlines run true. You have magic, my dear. It is just a matter of what kind. Where was your father from?”
“Creyta?” answered Hanna. “But why would that matter?”
“Bloodlines, of course. If your father came from magic bloodlines, then you’ve got two magic bloodlines in you. Mixed blood mages are often the most powerful. Your father’s people were not wrong to consider Halfblood a compliment. Creyta, you say. Did your father have magic that you know of?”
Hanna nodded. “Yes, he could do illusions.”
“Interesting,” said Esmera. “Perhaps your grandfather knew about your magic. That might explain him giving you the bloodstone.”
Hanna hadn’t thought about that. Why had he given her a bloodstone? What was she to do with it? “I don’t suppose you can help me figure the bloodstone out?”
“Sorry, my dear,” said Esmera. “Whatever magic is in the bloodstone doesn’t speak to me. Other than to tell you it is now a magic artifact I can’t tell you much about it.”
“I doubt you will find an answer in Solotine. As far as we know, that type of magic hasn’t been used here in generations,” said Gaida Nordvik.
The answer you are looking for won’t be found in Solotine. The cryptic hint the assassin had given her about the stones was now being echoed by Gaida Nordvik.
“Sorry we can’t be of more help with the stone,” said Esmera. “We can be of more use when it comes to your wounds. I wasn’t able to give you much energy yesterday, but today I can do much more.”
“We? Both of you are healers?”
asked Hanna.
“Not exactly,” said Esmera. “Gaida has a unique talent. She is going to help blunt the pain.”
“Pain?” Hanna didn’t like the sound of this.
“Yes. The reason you can’t sit up properly is because you have multiple broken ribs. Your cuts are all superficial and will quickly heal with a bit of salve, but I am going to pull your ribs and put them back where they belong. It is a rather unpleasant procedure, and the pain is excruciating. Gaida will be able to give you some relief.”
Some relief, thought Hanna. That wasn’t very reassuring… at all. “Okay then, let’s get it over with.”
Gaida came and stood at the head of the bed and put her hands onto Hanna’s head. Esmera opened Hanna’s shirt and put her hands above her ribs. Esmera’s hands started to shake and Hanna could feel her ribs start to move. Then Gaida’s hands warmed up and Hanna started to feel like the pain was being reduced. A loud cracking sound could be heard and Hanna felt a sharp spike in pain. She grimaced as the pain in her ribs intensified. Again, the pain started to be reduced; like cotton in the ears would mute a loud noise, Gaida seemed to be muting her pain. It certainly wasn’t making her pain disappear, but it was less. Hanna could only imagine how the magical moving of her ribs would’ve felt if Gaida hadn’t been there.
“Good. By morning you will barely notice your ribs, but I wouldn’t do anything foolish for a while, they are fragile right now. It will take a few weeks before they are truly healed,” said Esmera.
Hanna nodded. She’d only been awake for a short while, but suddenly she felt exhausted. Her eyes closed and within seconds she was asleep.
Gaida shook her head. “Poor thing. She’s too young to be burdened so.”
Esmera nodded in agreement. “Young or not, she’s a warrior. How many grown men have cried out in agony when I’ve had to fix ribs, even with your assistance?”
“Most,” admitted Gaida. “She is tough, and a warrior. But do we trust her to deal with this?”
“I don’t see what choice we have. There is something special about the gemstones, and we now have enemies. However, they killed her grandfather. She will be the one to search out the killer. Tell me I am wrong.”
“You are not wrong. I could sense it when I was blunting her pain. There is much anger and determination in her, and some darkness. I wonder what type of magic she possesses. The Stonebloods of old had all sorts of strange powers. Mixing giant blood and Ingla blood created some unique magics.”
“Even if her blood wasn’t magic, this one has spirit. She’ll avenge her grandfather and find out the secret of the gemstones,” said Esmera.
Gaida looked down at the sleeping Hanna. She couldn’t help notice how young and innocent she looked when asleep. “Let’s hope she does before more die.”
…
Three days passed before Hanna felt well enough to travel. Azad was still walking with a crutch, but no longer needed a brace on his leg. Esmera’s magical healing abilities were speeding their healing at an impressive rate.
Biran walked Hanna to her horse as she prepared to leave. He’d made a point to visit her every day, and now Hanna was almost disappointed that she would have to leave. She’d enjoyed their chats.
“What will you do now, Hanna?” asked Biran.
“I honestly don’t know. Once I speak to my mother I will have a better idea of what to do next, but we have two major problems to deal with, the Foxnoses and the assassin.”
“I wouldn’t be worried about the Foxnoses. We’ll deliver the next shipment of silver and gems to Irontide ourselves. If they attack us they’ll regret it,” said Biran.
Hanna studied her new friend. Biran seemed resolved to delivering the silver. It wasn’t a bad idea, but it shouldn’t have been necessary. But beside the issue of delivering the silver was the gems. “I’ve been thinking about the gems. I think it be best to not deliver any to Irontide for a while, at least until we actually know their true worth.”
Biran nodded. “I suppose that makes sense. We’ll avoid the area of the mine where the gemstones are. We won’t give our enemies too tempting a target by stockpiling a large number of gems.”
“Good idea. I’d better say goodbye to your parents and collect Azad.”
Hanna and Biran walked over to where Azad was talking with Esmera and both of Biran’s parents. Cortan Nordvik was an older man, with a flowing white and grey beard and wrinkles around his eyes that hinted at his advanced years. Hanna hadn’t spoken much to him while they were in the village. Cortan Nordvik had been ill and today was the first day he’d been well enough to visit with his guests.
Cortan coughed violently as Hanna and Biran walked up. “Gods above, I’d sell my wife to get rid of this damn cold,” said Cortan before starting to cough again.
“Such a sweet man, my husband,” said Gaida as she rubbed Cortan’s back.
“He only says that because he knows if he sold you he’d have enough coin to buy all the healers in Solotine,” said Biran.
Hanna smiled. It was obvious that Cortan and Gaida loved each other deeply and that their comments were made in jest. “Cortan, Gaida, I want to thank you again. I owe your village a debt of gratitude for rescuing us.”
“Nonsense,” said Cortan. “You are our partners now, and the Foxnoses be damned! If you want, I’ll head down to Grimsfell and deal with them myself.” Cortan waved his arm as if to stab someone with a dagger.
Hanna wasn’t sure if Cortan had enough strength to lift a sword, let alone fight with one, but she appreciated his vibrant personality. “That won’t be necessary. The Foxnoses will be dealt with soon enough. You just worry about getting better so that next time I visit you can spend more time with me.”
Cortan winked at Hanna. “An offer I can’t refuse.” Cortan turned to Esmera. “You hear that, woman? I got a date with a young lady, so you can’t let me die.”
Esmera frowned. “You old goat, you stop working in the rain and perhaps you might live. Even my magic doesn’t fix stupid.”
Cortan chuckled. “Ha! I suppose that is true. Safe travels, Hanna. I look forward to our next meeting.”
Hanna jumped onto her horse and then waited as Azad gingerly mounted his. As they rode out of the village Hanna gave Azad a glance. “You and Esmera sure spent a long time talking this morning.”
“Mind your business, child. A man only has such a beautiful healer looking after him so often. When we’re back on the Lady of the Evening I’ll be back to stinking sailors tending my wounds.”
Hanna laughed. “True enough.”
6
Return to Irontide
“Tell me about Ayrith,” said Rowena. “I know about the attacks and the gems, but tell me about the people. Who are we dealing with?”
Hanna and Azad had returned to Irontide with the problem and now Hanna sat in Rowena’s office in the company warehouse. The small room had a large window that overlooked the bay and the Stoneblood merchant ships, the Lady of the Evening and the Daydreamer, in the water. The office had been Thorodd’s, but now belonged to Rowena.
“They’re good people,” said Hanna. “Ingla and some among them are a’kil. Cortan Nordvik is their leader, but he is old and not well. His son, Biran, takes on most of Cortan’s duties now. They’re proud people and fighters. But they’ve moved lots. I think they’ve had difficulties with other northern tribes because of their heritage.”
Rowena sighed. “A familiar tale. When I brought your father back to Irontide, we were met with distrust and typical northern rudeness. Your father had to bash a few heads in to gain their respect. But even then, they always treated him differently.”
Hanna knew first-hand how northerners were towards her and the men of her father’s old crew. They were tolerated and had slowly become accepted in the village, but to this day Hanna was looked down on by many. It was the way things were in all Solotine, not just the village of Irontide. But the one thing that worked in Hanna’s favor and the favor of the men of the Lady of
the Evening was that all Northern Solotiners respected strength. And now was time for a show of strength. Thorodd Stoneblood had been murdered and she had been attacked. Irontide and their trading partners would not accept weakness or the appearance of weakness. Already there were rumblings among the villagers as to why no one had attacked Grimsfell yet. Some seemed to blame the entire city for Thorodd’s death and wanted to go burn the city to the ground. “What have you planned for the Foxnoses?”
Rowena put down the parchment she’d been going over. “I’ve been waiting for your return. I’d been tempted to send men to Grimsfell, but your message gave me pause. Why did you suggest waiting?”
“Because I don’t think the Foxnoses had anything to do with Grandfather’s death. I believe the assassin works for someone else. Perhaps the Foxnoses are associated with the same people, but they didn’t know anything of Thorodd’s death. The Foxnoses did kill two of our men, and have started a trade war, but our response should be proportionate. It must be strong enough that Irontide and the rest of our trading partners see you as being a strong leader, but it can’t be so extreme that it starts a full out war. Grimsfell is three times the size of Irontide.” Hanna knew her mother was in a difficult position. The Stoneblood trading company was the heart of Irontide, but without Thorodd they would look at Rowena’s every move with question. Could a woman run the company? It was a stupid question to Hanna. Her mother was fully capable and would do a fine job.
“Ever since I saw the dirk I had similar concerns,” said Rowena. “I think I have an appropriate response. The Foxnoses have three trading ships. I know one of them is due back in Grimsfell a week from now.”
Hanna smiled. “It would be a terrible shame if their ship never made it back to Grimsfell.”
“My thoughts exactly,” said Rowena. “They may have more men than us and cover a larger territory, but on the open seas, none of their ships are a match for the Lady. Sinking a ship will remind them that the Stonebloods are not to be trifled with.”
Hanna Halfblood: A YA fantasy tale Page 5