The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1)

by Jim Greenfield

  "A comforting one it is," said Kerreth. "I look forward to swimming in my gear with a sword in either hand."

  "You know Kerreth, I never figured out why my brother put you in charge. I think the situation was too much for the poor dying fool, and in his delirium, you were his choice. Altair used to be rather intelligent. It was a chest wound, correct? He didn't take a blow to the head?"

  "Gorm, your attempts at humor often miss the mark."

  "I'll say," said Taina. "If I hadn't heard the same garbage from your mouth for centuries I would defend my father's honor."

  "Ha! Defend your own, if you have any left."

  Kerreth stopped Taina before she could draw her sword and led her away. He turned her toward him and looked deep in her eyes.

  "Taina, please calm yourself. He…"

  "I know what he is, Kerreth. He thought I should have stayed home and not joined the company and he never forgave me for bedding you. He believes in the true blood only. Imagine if we had a child? It was awful when Moria was born, but he likes her and her father is dead."

  "Listen to me, Tai, you are important to the company and you are important to me. We were lovers in the past, but time has not lessened your importance in my life now."

  "Moria loves you."

  "I know."

  "It is difficult because she's my daughter?" said Taina.

  "Sometimes. You neatly changed the subject, but I cannot let it go just yet. Is it difficult for you that Moria loves me?"

  "No. That's your human side talking, Kerreth. The Zidar side is much more sensible. You need to allow the Zidar side to rule you, that is why we parted ways - you remained too human."

  The wind rose and buffeted them. Kerreth still held Taina's shoulders.

  "What's going on?" asked Moria, bumping into them as the waves rocked.

  "None of your business," said Taina smiling.

  "I see. Are you two lovers again?"

  "No," said Taina. She touched her daughter's face. "We strengthen each other, but not in that way. I better check the rigging again. The storm finally is moving again."

  "What's the problem?" asked Moria after Taina climbed the rigging again.

  "Your great-uncle is narrow-minded."

  "Is that all?"

  "He still can get under your mother's skin."

  "Kerreth, Taina must realize Gorm has nothing left except the Talos Company. He is very, very old and bitter. Everyone he knew in his younger days is gone and he has no benefits of age and honor. No one waits on him as a Daerlan Elder is entitled and he must work hard for his livelihood. He is looking for respect. It should not be so hard for us to give him a little respect now and then."

  "Hm. I will think on it. Perhaps there is a way the company can honor him, but in an understated way."

  "Right. We don't want to appear to be fawning over him, which would be too much of a change. And Gorm just might get used to it."

  "I think that would be worse," said Kerreth.

  The wind freshened and drops of rain drove into them. The Amloth coast was too faint to make out. Kerreth tied his cloak about him tightly and pulled his hat down tightly. The chinstrap was as tight as he could get it but he felt resigned that his hat might be lost during the storm. It was the best hat he ever owned. He moved to Loric's side. The man could not stand still. His gaze swept the faint horizon below the black clouds.

  "Loric? Storm got you worried?"

  "No. I am not sure what is wrong but I think it was those Shadow Runners. I keep hearing voices in my head, not loud but they are there. Perhaps without my Celaeri blood I would be answering those voices. I do not trust myself, Kerreth. I am a risk for the company."

  "We accept that risk, Loric. I will let the others know of your fears." He motioned for Blackthorne to join them. The sorcerer slowly unfurled himself and got to his feet.

  "Have a nice nap?" asked Kerreth.

  "Yes, thank you," said Blackthorne. He noticed Kerreth's tension. "What is it? You have concerns?"

  "Loric is concerned for his health."

  "I hear voices, Blackthorne."

  "So do I and I talk to them."

  "Blackthorne, I am not a sorcerer. I do not have the access you do. I think the Shadow Runners did more to me than we suspect. There something in my head that does not belong there."

  "You really are worried about this?" said Blackthorne. A wave washed over the railing soaking them and the sea tossed the boat.

  "Lash yourself to the boat!" cried Gorm. "This is it!"

  The seas washed over the deck and the storm sails pulled hard. The boat streaked across the waves northward.

  "Yeeayeee!" cried Gorm. "This is sailing!"

  "You are a fool!" called Taina from above. "You wanted this! You wanted to kill us all!"

  "No, this is living!"

  Dvorak Annis hugged the mast, tears flowing into the salt water covering his face. Elberra crouched nearby, shielding much of the storm from him. Her pale yellow eyes stared at him.

  The roar of the wind kept conversation limited and Gorm Talos reveled in the adventure. Moria and Kerreth stood together near the mast while Taina and Hobart clung to the sails above them. Blackthorne had walked to the bow and stood as a masthead, defiant of the storm around him. Loric walked to him and shouted to be heard.

  "Blackthorne! What should I do?"

  "We can do nothing now! We must wait until it manifests itself! I sense nothing ill with you! Keep strong, Loric!"

  Loric nodded and return to the stern and stood alongside Gorm.

  The wind continued to batter them and the waves hammered the boat. Kerreth found himself drifting to sleep when the sudden slam of the boat dropping a dozen feet from the crest of a wave shocked him awake. He would see Moria's eyes locked on his and he would smile and the softness would return to her eyes. He looked to the helm where Darkin Root had spelled Gorm. Gorm now stood at the bow with Blackthorne enjoying the violence of the storm. Kerreth looked around for the other members of the company and accounted for them all.

  The next hour passed slowly but then the wind lessened and the sky lightened. A faint ray of sunlight hit the deck and Dvorak let go of the mast and crawled to the sunlight. He collapsed in the warming place, a smile on his face.

  Darkin was the first off the boat, splashing the chilly water to the burned out docks with the rope to tie the Mirage Queen. The Penarol craft survived the storm with all hands. A few long boards had been lashed to the remaining parts of the dock and they walked unsteadily across it to the shore. Several young men waited for them. They did not see any Turucks.

  "Welcome to Masina," said one of the men. "I am Rethe. I apologize for the condition of our docks."

  "I am Kerreth Veralier and we are the Talos Company. We know the Turucks came here," said Kerreth. "How fare your people?"

  "You are kind to ask. Those that remain do well. Our concern is for our Prince, who was sent by King Kennis to Eslenda. Alas, our King did not survive the Turucks. I offer you food and shelter, such we can spare."

  "We ask nothing, good Rethe. Only information - do any Turucks remain in Masina?"

  "Yes. A dozen at the palace with one Shadow Runner."

  "Only one?"

  'We are not a war-like people. Our army was destroyed. Perhaps Tag Makk judged only one was needed. Come, we can offer fresh water."

  "That we will take," said Dvorak. He quickly joined the young men leading the company to a low building overlooking the harbor. There were many people hauling debris away and others attempting to rebuild what was destroyed.

  A long table was in the central room and Rethe bade them to sit and be refreshed. Pitchers of water and plates of fruits were quickly consumed.

  "Our council is trying to regain control, slowly and unobserved. We do not want to draw attention to us until we are ready. We received word from a trader who gave the Turucks a wide berth that Prince Kal is held prisoner in Riverdowns. I do not know if Tag Makk knows this yet, but he was enraged that Princ
e Kal escaped."

  "We will help you," said Kerreth. "A dozen Turucks and one Shadow Runner will not be an effort."

  "The reputation of the Talos Company is not unknown on our shores," said Rethe. "We fear the Turuck army returning."

  "We will make sure they do not."

  "I mean no offense, Kerreth Veralier, but your company is small."

  "None taken. We are far more than we appear, Rethe. We have done the impossible for centuries."

  "Longer than that," said Gorm. "The Daerlan still lived in Arda when the company was founded. The Turucks had not appeared on Landermass and men were hunters and gatherers. Only the Daerlan had cities."

  "Very well. Allow me to send word to the council so we can be ready to reassure our people." Rethe nodded to one of the men with him who ran out of the building.

  The Turucks were quickly overcome, and Kerreth killed the Shadow Runner in a brief but violent encounter. Blackthorne wove his spells around the main square seeking traces of spells left as traps for the unwary. He stood still, eyes closed. Suddenly, his red eyes opened and he pointed to an alley to the east. Kerreth, Moria and Elberra dashed to the alley.

  "Blackthorne look out!" shouted Dvorak Annis. He threw himself on Blackthorne knocking him down as a blade flashed above them. Darkin and Gorm drew their swords to defend Blackthorne against Loric. Loric's eyes were grey pools and expressionless. Taina Talos stepped in front of him and parried his blows while Blackthorne and Dvorak regained their feet. Loric struck again and Taina barely defended herself; the force of the blow driving her to her knees. Darkin moved behind him and thwacked him with the flat of his sword. Loric slumped to the ground.

  "He did say he thought the Shadow Runners had done something to him," said Blackthorne. He stretched out his finger and Loric glowed golden.

  "Ah, there is it. A clever spell, far too clever for Turucks. I fear the mark of the Menaloch was in this, but he is clean now."

  Kerreth and the others rejoined them.

  "What happened?" asked Kerreth.

  "What Loric feared," said Blackthorne. "There was a spell woven by the Shadow Runners for him to attack us. If he had been fully human he would have succumbed long ago. His Celaeri blood gives him resistance to magic. I have dispersed the spell. He will have no ill effects, except for the bruise on the back of his skull."

  "What did you want me to do?" asked Darkin.

  "I am not criticizing your efforts, such as they are," said Blackthorne.

  "All right, we must leave soon. Rethe is providing horses for us to reach Eslenda. We leave within the hour."

  Chapter 16

  Hal and Elizabeth stood on the tower watching the preparations for siege. Water barrels were placed around the castle and the city walls; both for drinking water and stopping fire from spreading. Animals were crowded into storerooms and crops brought in from the fields whether it was time or not. The blacksmith's kept the forges hot day and night shaping the swords and arrow heads for the defenders. Young women and children were fletching arrows with grim determination on their faces. Workers moved supplies to secure areas and others inspected the walls, directing repair efforts. The people of Far Greening threw themselves into the siege preparations. Uncertainly lay before them, yet they labored for a chance to survive. They counted on Hal to lead them to victory. For a little while, this glow of impeding victory would brighten their existence, give it meaning beyond toil and death. Then they would resume their lives of drudgery. The devotion of his people, more than desire of the crown steeled Hal's resolve to claim his father's throne.

  More refugees came to the door daily. Prisoners fleeing Riverdowns, people fleeing war in Masina, fleeing the Turucks and the possible end of Eslenda. They came with the clothes on their back; they had no time to gather their belongings. The Turucks advanced too easily, overrunning the Masine soldiers. Tales of the shadow people flooded northward. The Turucks were said to avoid daylight, traveling within shadows as the sun set. Only the full moon revealed them in the night. Worst of all were the Shadow Runners, the nearly invincible advance guard of Tag Makk.

  Hal allowed the refugees into the castle although it was cramped and there would not be enough food if Cane broke past James and began a siege. They did not have enough soldiers to defend the length of the city walls. But Hal was not in the mood to cast people aside - he was not Edward. If he failed because he took the time to care for his people, so be it; but he would not forsake them. He made the refugees work to prepare the castle and they did willingly; he had their trust. James had gathered much food in the days since Edward murdered Henry so the situation was not as dire as it might have been although water and sanitation would become problems. Eventually tents were set up to the west of the castle in an area sheltered from the wind. Guards on the wall would blow a trumpet to recall those people to the castle when the attack by Cane appeared imminent.

  He received messages from James telling him the raids against Cane went well and the news that Lan Tagjet would come to Far Greening. There was some other message hidden among the words and Hal would be wary. James could not, or would not, tell all he knew in the messages and that was the usual way with James. Hal was so proud of James it would difficult to send him away when the attack came. He would not risk James at his point, even though James was the most feared fighter in Eslenda. Edward had planned long and James would be accounted for in his plans. Hal would not let his brother murder his son.

  Hal gazed out to the south in the direction from which he had escaped Riverdowns and saw two people riding down the main street toward the castle. A man and a woman it appeared and neither showed arms except for the crude staffs they carried. At this distance, he could not be sure, but one of them resembled Queen Mary. He watched them for several minutes and then was sure. He shouted to the soldiers below.

  Guards raced out the door and surrounded the duo for their safety and escorted them back inside. They were taken to a guardhouse near the gate. Hal hurried down to them.

  When he opened, the door Queen Mary and her companion were eating and drinking. The soldiers snapped to attention when Hal entered.

  "King Hal!" Queen Mary stood her appearance less than immaculate; her dress frayed and dirty and her hair down on her shoulders. She curtseyed.

  "Queen Mary."

  "Queen Mary?" exclaimed a guard. "We didn't know," he explained to Hal, softly.

  "I am not Queen anymore, you know that. You are king and I am one of your subjects. Just call me Mary."

  Hal bowed to her, thinking over the ramifications of her presence. "So be it. How did you manage to reach Far Greening alone? I understood that Sonia Oswald was conducting your escape."

  Mary frowned. "Wasn't the best planned escape. Anyway, I was lucky to meet this fellow, a former prisoner of your father's. He helped me northward. We had little trouble on the road."

  Hal looked the man over. He dressed as a Masine, but his pale skin said he was from somewhere else.

  "There are far more prisoners than I knew about and why they were kept is just as fuzzy. We did not use slave labor to my knowledge."

  "He was my husband and I did not know what he was doing. King Hal, may I present to you, D'siderin, an artist from Masina. He guided and protected me during the journey." D'siderin bowed low.

  "Masina? You are welcome here, D'siderin. I assume you are aware of the situation in Masina."

  "Yes, your Highness. That is why I asked Queen Mary to bring me here; where I can be of help. Or at least be allowed to push northward into Nuneland. Masina is finished. To be frank, I did not think I would make it south through Edward's lands and north was my only choice."

  "You are an artist? How did you end up in my father's dungeons? Surely, you were not a threat to the kingdom?"

  "That is a story I will tell at another time, if it pleases your Majesty. I can tell you the slaves were used for nothing that I know. I sat in my cell for years. Every month or so, I walked outside under guard. At times the tall wizard woul
d come and look at us."

  "Lockwell? He knew of this?"

  "He seemed to be in charge. I heard guards speak of orders coming from 'the wizard.' He looked us over and at times, he chose a prisoner to go with him. To my knowledge, these prisoners did not return. It was unnerving the way he stared. I felt he was looking through my skin and contemplated my insides. I admit just his presence unnerved me. From what I could see of the other prisoners they were pale like me. I do not know my complete heritage but I felt a kinship with the others."

  "What did Lockwell need them for?" asked Hal. No one could answer him. He left Mary and D'siderin to finish their repast. He sat in a courtyard, lost in thought.

  Sir Plucker joined Hal.

  "Queen Mary would make a useful hostage," said Plucker.

  "She came here to join us of her own free will,"

  "Cane doesn't have to know that. We could force him to withdraw."

  Hal looked at the old soldier. "You aren't all brawn, are you?"

  "Thank you, Sire," said Plucker. "I believe that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

  "Well, I am King now, so don't get used to it. Ah John, how can I use people like that? Does a king pay no attention to the fate of common folk? Was my father like that?"

  "I'm sorry Sire, but yes, Henry was very good at using all his resources."

  Horns sounded, heralding the return of Prince James. He dismounted and hurried to his father. The people stopped to watch the young giant as he moved among them waving and smiling. He bowed before Hal, kissed his mother and hugged Queen Mary. Sena walked up to them. D'siderin nodded to her and she acknowledged his greeting.

  "Father, this is Sena, my guest. She is Nunari. She has lately been a slave at Riverdowns." Sena bowed before Hal.

  "As has D'siderin here. I tell you, James, I do not like what I am learning about my father. I hope I will have a chance to think and come to some settlement of thought about him." He turned to James' companion and smiled.

  "Sena, you are welcome here. There is something about you that stirs my memory, but I cannot recall it."