Darker the Shadow (The Howler King Trilogy Book 1)

by J. Lloyd Morgan

  Deep red embers were now at the base of the fire. Glancing up, Rheq watched the smoke rise. It was not much, and the canopy of leaves dissipated it even more. As long as he kept the fire small, the smoke should not attract attention.

  Rheq put several thicker pieces of wood on the fire and stoked the coals with a long branch he had cut off with the knife. He then carefully placed three fist-sized rocks into the heart of the blaze.

  The edges of his vision began to dim, a sign he took that he needed to hurry before the poison could do more damage. For the moment, there was nothing he could do but wait. He had built the fire on the banks near a small stream. Before starting to prepare the fire, he had dug a hole in the ground next to the stream, roughly the size of his head, and lined the bottom and sides with rocks. He then diverted enough water from the stream to fill the hole to the brim.

  With the strips of bark and the pulp from the Bloodroot leaves in hand, Rheq scooted over to his man-made puddle and placed the elements into the water. The bark floated to the top, while the pulp mixed in fairly easily. Two more steps to go. I can do this.

  On hands and knees, Rheq went back to the fire. The flames were beginning to die out, but hopefully, it had served its purpose. Wet leaves and fungus covered the forest floor, meaning that at least he did not have to worry about the fire spreading.

  Waiting as long as he dared, Rheq then used the long branch to do something else. He reached in and pushed one of the hand-sized rocks out of the fire, down the embankment, and into the puddle.

  Right away, the water reacted to such a hot item placed in its midst. But will it be enough? To make sure, Rheq pushed another rock from the fire into the water. Faster than he thought possible, the water began to boil. Using the end of his knife, which he had cleaned of any remaining poison before even starting to gather the items he needed for the fire, Rheq pushed the White Oak bark into the roiling water. The liquid was now a brownish color with a green tint. It also started to coagulate into a paste-like texture.

  It took all the effort Rheq could muster to wait for the concoction to solidify to the point where it would be useful. Not only was the pain increasing from the poison, but his ability to focus was also drifting.

  Finally, Rheq knew he could wait no longer. Using the flat part of the knife, Rheq scooped up a healthy portion of the paste and slathered it onto his shoulder—right where the poisoned knife had cut him. There was a sizzling sound, along with added pain from when the hot paste contacted his skin.

  The added agony, instead of causing him to pass out, brought Rheq more to his senses. He picked up a small fallen branch and bit down on it while he applied more of the bubbling paste to his wound.

  There was nothing to do now but wait. Carefully, Rheq scooted backward and leaned against a sturdy trunk. He had never tried this remedy before, nor seen it used on someone. Truth was, he had not even been aware of this cure until recently. It was one of the skills the Gymads had taught him, along with how to make poisons. It seemed fitting to Rheq that those who tried to kill him also gave him the power to cure their damage.

  Perhaps it was his imagination, but already he began to feel better. As he watched the fire slowly die out, his mind became clearer. For the first time since his escape, he considered his next step, provided the cure worked.

  I can’t return to Umstead. It’s been burned down. The Gymads are hunting me, and as far as the king’s army is concerned, I’m a deserter. With the land in the middle of war, he could not imagine any place safe for him.

  Then he considered that perhaps the army did not think him a deserter. Rheq could easily explain how he was separated from his squad and had been trying to return to them, but the winter weather made it difficult. At least they are not actively trying to kill me. The thought was far from comforting, but it was all he had at the moment.

  Chapter 54

  Captain Mux stood on the bed of the wagon—a transport normally used to traffic the wounded from battles to the healers’ camp. Today it performed a different function: it acted as a platform from which the commander could address the king’s forces.

  From her vantage point near the back, Danla saw Pendr stand near the wagon. He was not hard to spot as he was the tallest man in the camp. For nearly two full days, he had slept. He woke only long enough to eat and perform other basic human needs. Just this morning, when Danla inspected him using the green myelur, could she tell he had returned to full strength. It was bittersweet. She had missed him and enjoyed having him close, even though he was resting. Now that he was better, once again he would be put in harm’s way.

  “We have a chance to end this war,” Mux stated as an introduction. “And with everyone here performing their best, we will succeed.”

  Applause from the several hundred men and women in the camp answered the declaration. Mux held up a hand, indicating everyone to quiet.

  “Our scouts were able to find the root of the problem—the man behind this war. For many winters, Sothcar was ruled by a council of men referred to as ‘The Masters.’ They were those who controlled everything, including the military. We have been able to piece together a sort of timeline of what caused the war.”

  The camp was silent, each of them eager to hear more. Danla glanced to her left and right. Even the healers listened intently.

  “The Masters ordered Iredell to be captured, which it was. Soon after, all but one of the leaders of Sothcar were killed—though the details of the specific events are unclear. The remaining Master went to Iredell where he was betrayed by his men once we put the town under siege. The soldiers of Sothcar abandoned Iredell. A good number of them were killed, except the one who truly mattered. We’ve learned his name: Avadi. He is the de facto ruler of Sothcar, and the one orchestrating the attacks. Most importantly, we’ve learned the location of his camp.”

  Those in the crowd responded with a buzz of energy. Until now, the enemy consisted of small groups attacking randomly. There was no clear person or area which Nothcar could attack, at least none of which Danla was aware, until now.

  “I have a plan for us to take out the leader. For now, I need everyone to prepare to move. Normally we would wait until morning, but we cannot miss out on this chance. We will leave at mid-day. You know your tasks, now, let’s prepare quickly so we can end this war!”

  Mux ended on a strong, powerful note, lifting a fisted hand in the air as he did. The camp erupted with cheers before dispersing to follow the commander’s orders.

  “You heard him,” Mistress Halima said, standing two strides in front of Danla. “Pack up your things and be ready to move. Eat as you work. I’ll not have the camp waiting for us.”

  Danla turned to head for her tent. She paused and tried to spot Pendr once again. Since he was not normally stationed in the camp, he would not have regularly assigned duties. If he helped the healers prepare, they would be ready that much sooner. Again, he was easy to see amongst the crowd. He followed Captain Mux away from the camp along with what appeared to be a full squad. Of course, Mux would have plans for Pendr. A twinge of disappointment made Danla realized that her plan of getting Pendr to help was for more than just completing the task. I may not get to speak to him again. Pushing those thoughts away, Danla hurried to catch up with the rest of the healers.

  The sun had not reached its midpoint when they were on the move. Precious few details were shared with Danla, or any of the healers aside from Mistress Halima, while they prepared to leave. They started heading east, along a fairly narrow trail between the trees which were now just coming into bloom. Because the path lacked width, the force was strung out far enough that Danla could not see the front of the line. Pendr has to be up toward the front. Otherwise, I’d have seen him by now.

  When the sun dipped to just above the tree line, the path which had wandered through the forest connected with a much wider road which headed directly south.

  “This is the king’s road,” Yarma said as they arrived. “I traveled this with my family whe
n I was younger. It runs between the capitals of Nothcar and Sothcar. It even goes as far as Virqyna.”

  “How can you tell?” Danla asked. “I’ve seen roads this big before. What makes this one special?”

  Yarma responded by going to the side of the road and kneeling next to a cube-shaped stone. Danla followed her, also going to a knee to get a better look.

  “These are milestones,” Yarma said, tracing her finger along a symbol carved into the side of the stone.

  “Milestones?” The word felt strange in Danla’s mouth.

  “It’s an ancient word. I’m not sure the meaning,” Yarma said. “My father explained that these types of stones were placed along major roads from as far back as anyone can remember. No one knows who placed them.”

  Danla stood. “So, you are saying we’re taking the main road to attack the enemy? Isn’t that a bit obvious?”

  “Perhaps that’s the point,” Yarma said. “Sometimes the obvious choice is the one least expected.”

  “Ladies?” a voice called. It was Eladrel, one of the few male healers camped with Danla. “Is something the matter?” he asked.

  Yarma continued kneeling for a heartbeat longer, then stood. “We’re fine. Thank you for asking. We’re coming.”

  After rejoining the rest of the healers, Danla asked Yarma, “What do you think awaits us?”

  To that, Yarma frowned. “I’m not sure. Certainly, the scouts from Sothcar will see us coming and warn their leader.”

  “There’s something we’re missing,” Danla said. “Something that Captain Mux didn’t tell us.”

  “Of course, we weren’t told everything. All it would take is for one of us to get captured. They’d torture the information out of us.”

  “Torture? Would they do that?”

  “Of course,” Yarma said, her voice tightening. “This is war, after all.”

  Danla did not care for the answer. “Just because we are at war doesn’t mean all sense of human decency is lost. We wouldn’t resort to such tactics.”

  For a moment, Yarma did not reply. But when she did, the words shook Danla. “Ah, young one. I miss being that naïve. Think about it. How do you suppose we were able to get the information of their leader’s location?”

  Chapter 55

  Magistrate Cason instructed Reginal to open the doors to the throne room. Perhaps it was Nestov’s imagination, but the guard seemed to hesitate before complying. First one, then the other large wooden door opened.

  Unable to fight off his curiosity, Nestov stood on his toes so he could see over Reginal’s shoulder in an attempt to get his first look at the king. He could not make himself tall enough to accomplish the task.

  To his right, he heard Brother Mey inhale deeply. Whatever he had seen had a profound impact. It was not until Reginal stepped aside that Nestov got his first good view.

  The throne room was deep, roughly two hundred paces by his best guess. Large stone columns lined the way, light gray in color, with a hint of greenish veins running through them. They reached up to what appeared to be at least two stories, if not more. Arches, made of the same stone—some type of marble—reached from column to column. The floor was mainly stone, though not the same material as the columns. A long strip of green fabric trimmed with silver fringe ran from the door to where the king sat.

  King Viskum sat up straight on his silver throne. Like Reginal, he too had skin as dark as night with a new moon. He was large, without being fat. His tunic was cut to reveal his bare, muscular arms. Though his black hair was just starting to show signs of age at the temples, King Viskum looked powerful.

  “Follow me,” Magistrate Cason said before striding down the green carpet toward the throne.

  Nestov eyed the king as they approached. The ruler of Nothcar said nothing, nor showed any emotion. He simply stared at them. The man was as physically intimidating as any person Nestov had met. Is that why Cason warned us that meeting with the king would be unsettling?

  Upon arriving twenty paces or so in front of the throne, the magistrate stopped. “King Viskum, may I present to you Brothers Nestov and Mey from Virqyna.”

  The king blinked as if seeing them for the first time. “Brothers?” he said in a deep, resonating voice. “They don’t look like brothers to me.”

  Is that a joke? Has the king just made a joke? Nestov was unsure, so he kept silent hoping that the king would not be offended that he had not laughed.

  “Ah. ‘Brother’ is their title, Your Majesty. They are monks,” Cason said. “They have traveled from Virqyna to speak with you.”

  Viskum tilted his head to one side, then the other. “Virqyna?”

  “The land north of ours, Your Majesty.”

  “Virqyna, Virqyna …” The king leaned forward and addressed Brother Mey. “Didn’t I conquer your land?”

  “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I am but a servant.” Mey turned to Nestov. “Brother Nestov is the envoy.”

  “Him?” The king sounded incredulous. “If he were any smaller, he’d need a wet-nurse.”

  Nestov could sense Mey bristle as the statement, though the taller monk said nothing.

  “I am young, Your Majesty. It’s true,” Nestov said. “But Brother Mey speaks the truth. I was sent by Abbot Aydomus himself. I come on urgent business.”

  “Are we at war?” The king asked. “You!” He pointed to Cason. “Bring me my sword!”

  “King Viskum,” Cason said slowly and carefully. “You are the king. You are needed here. Your best men are winning the war.”

  The ruler leaned back in his throne. “We’re winning? Of course. We always win.” He focused again on Nestov. “And who are you?”

  He’s gone wrong in the head. The realization explained why Cason had warned them in advance—and most likely the reason they were not allowed to meet him for so long.

  “I’m Brother Nestov, from Virqyna. I’m here on urgent business from Abbot Aydomus.”

  “Why didn’t this … this … Abbot come to see me himself? Am I not the king?”

  “He is too weak to travel, Your Majesty. I have been authorized to speak on his behalf. May we speak?”

  The king frowned. “What have we been doing if not speaking?”

  Instead of dancing around the question, Nestov decided to be direct. “King Viskum, there is a darkness coming.”

  “Already? I feel as if I just woke. I want to spar before retiring for the evening.” Again, he pointed at Cason. “Fetch me sparring partners!”

  “Not that type of darkness,” Nestov said. “Abbott Aydomus is sensitive to the ripples which flow along the myelur. He has detected a shift, for lack of a better word, if left unchecked will bring ruin to both of our lands.”

  King Viskum made no response aside from staring at Nestov. After a drawn-out moment, he said, “What?”

  “I will handle this concern, Your Majesty, with your permission,” Cason said quickly. “May we have your leave?”

  “Fetch me sparring partners!” the king bellowed.

  Cason bowed his head. “Of course. May we proceed?”

  “Yes, yes. Go. Hurry.” The king stood and stretched. He then looked up with wonder and completely ignored his guests.

  The magistrate motioned for Nestov and Mey to follow him, which they did quickly out of the room. Once beyond the doors, Cason told Reginal, “Send in the trainers. Hurry, before the king—” He cut himself off before he could say anything else.

  Chapter 56

  Pendr sat on his horse behind the line of oak trees and watched the king’s army move southward. From his location, he could see them, but they would not notice him, nor the men with him, unless they knew exactly where to look. Despite the number of non-combatants in the group, it moved at a fairly brisk pace. Their destination was Blythewood—a town not far from the capital of Sothcar. He spotted Danla, traveling next to Yarma and Eladrel. I wish I could have said good-bye.

  The rest of the men with Pendr, fourteen in all, also watched silently until the la
st of the army moved on. Only then did Captain Mux speak.

  “If we are successful,” the captain said, “they, as well as the rest of the kingdom, will come to no harm.”

  “May I ask a question?” asked a man who Pendr did not know by name. He, like the others who sat on horses around Mux, was a solidly built fighter.

  Mux nodded sharply in response.

  “With the army so large, and moving directly down the king’s road, how do they hope to avoid being detected by enemy scouts?”

  Pendr had wondered the same point, along with several other elements of their mission.

  “They most certainly will be detected,” Mux said. “I want Sothcar to see them coming.”

  “Won’t that put our forces at a disadvantage?” another man asked. Pendr recognized the man as Sadem, one of those with whom he trained at the castle. “After all, the enemy will be able to pick and choose when to attack.”

  Mux looked at each man in the group deliberately before speaking. “I know all of you. I’ve trained you. Each of you can wield the blue myelur to various degrees. You were selected to be part of this squad specifically. However, the less you know about the particulars of our mission, the better.”

  Dosfogal, the only soldier who had been in Pendr’s previous squad, frowned before asking, “But how are we to be successful if we don’t know what we will be doing.”

  “You’re a soldier,” Sadem said brusquely. “Just do as you’re told.”

  Dosfogal bristled at the statement and appeared as if he was going to give a rebuttal. Pendr spoke before the discussion could turn contentious. “We can’t risk it.”

  All of the men faced Pendr upon his odd choice of words. He continued, “I’m certain Captain Mux has a plan. He stated that if we are successful, everyone else will be safe. That means putting an end to this war. If any of us are captured, we can’t risk how, specifically, we are going to accomplish that goal. We could fail before we even get the chance.”