Fire And Ice (Book 1)

by Wayne Krabbenhoft III

Points of light could be seen shining through the windows of shadowy buildings all across the island city as the ship’s lines were tied off. Compared to the rest of the city the harbor was dark and strangely quiet. The plank was run out from the ship to the dock and Coran met the Captain at the top with Shirri. She had her pack slung over one shoulder while surreptitiously glancing towards the city.

  “Thank you, Captain,” Coran said. His head was bare but he was still wearing the Karandi robes. He couldn’t wait to change out of them. “Who knows how long I would have been stuck there if you had not come along.”

  “Don’t thank me. I was just doing a job.”

  Coran held out a hand and Treska took it. “Fare you well, Captain.”

  “And you, My Lord.” He inclined his head to Shirri as she took a step onto the plank.

  The two of them crossed over to the dock and up towards the city. From here they could see only a few people about. Most would be finishing their dinners, and the early risers would be readying themselves for bed. They did encounter two uniformed men where the docks ended and the buildings began. One of them with the markings of a corporal came to greet them.

  “Lord Coran?” he asked tentatively.

  Coran was surprised at the man’s familiarity with him. He didn’t remember meeting the Corporal before. “Yes,” he replied carefully.

  “Good,” the corporal said with some relief. “Her Highness has been expecting you. She has been here twice today asking if you had arrived. You must let me escort you to the palace.” He noticed Shirri at his side. “Is she with you?”

  “She is. That is not a problem, is it?”

  “No, My Lord,” he assured Coran. “Well that is...you see Karands have to be checked out before letting them into the city. There was some problem or something in Taragon I think, sabotage or spies or something involving some Eastern Karands.” He quickly added, “If you vouch for her that will be good enough for me.”

  “Good. I will vouch for her then,” Coran said. The man spoke quickly and he wasn’t sure he caught everything. Without waiting he led the way to the palace. He felt better the closer he got to home. A smile came to his face that he couldn’t get rid of if he wanted to.

  “It is so clean here,” Shirri commented. She was looking down at the street and around at the buildings. “And the city is so big.”

  “The people here keep it clean. They take pride in living here.” Even at night it was easy to discern the difference between Summerhall and the places he had seen in Karanda and Daes Shael.

  She sniffed at his comment. “Are you saying my people do not? It is easy to take time to clean and talk about pride when you have plenty to eat.”

  “You are right, Shirri,” he agreed. “I did not mean it that way.”

  “Of course you did not,” she said. He couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or not.

  They continued on their way until they reached the heavy palace gates. The Corporal accompanying them strode ahead to the guard on duty.

  “Lord Coran has arrived,” the Corporal stated. The guard looked Coran over and nodded.

  “Open the gate!” he called out behind him.

  A moment later one of the gates swung ponderously open on its iron hinges. It stopped at a point that left enough room for one person to slip inside at a time. The corporal followed them inside, and the gate swung closed behind them. Coran looked to the dark recess that hid the doors to the palace. Two men on watch flanked the doors with pikes in their hands. Another grizzled-faced guard by the gate gave his clothes a curious glance, but made no comment about them.

  “I must sign out for my shift,” the Corporal told them. “If you will excuse me?” He waited politely for Coran’s nod, then headed off to the right where another way led to the barracks for the guards.

  Shirri eyed the impressive size of the building before them. “I have never seen anything so big before. It is larger than the central complex in Crecy. I hope to see it shine in the sun like you said.”

  “In the morning I will take you out so you can see how it should be seen.” He started for the guarded doors of the palace.

  Before he was halfway across the yard the doors swung open and a dark haired blur flew towards him. Katelyn leapt into his arms, her momentum nearly knocking them both down. She put her own arms tightly around his neck. He barely noticed Alys in a heavy cloak walking more modestly down the steps behind her.

  He held on to her, never wanting to let go. Just the smell of her was more intoxicating than a whole bottle of wine. She lifted her head to look him in the eye and her nose wrinkled up. “You stink,” she commented with a smile. Realizing that they were not alone she started to loosen her grip, but he held her tight, refusing to let it end just yet. His eyes held hers and he lowered his head to kiss her, only after, did he let her go. She ran a hand through his hair and spoke a bit breathlessly. “You need a shave as well.”

  When she stepped out of the way it became Alys’ turn. She gave him a hug which he returned. “It is good to see you,” she said with a sniffle.

  “You too,” he stated sincerely. She moved away and the two women stared at Shirri.

  “She is too skinny,” the healer stated, “and too short. You should have a taller woman.” Then she smiled challengingly at Katelyn.

  His dark haired princess was not about to let it pass. She looked over Shirri from head to foot and returned the smile with a nasty grin of her own, but when she spoke it was to Coran. “What is it with you and wenches?”

  Shirri might not have understood the word exactly, but she couldn’t miss what was intended. Instead of showing anger she laughed out loud. “I may come to like you.” She turned to Coran. “I approve of her. For now.” As if she had any say in it.

  “Thanks,” Coran said dryly. “May I present Shirri, she is a healer. Shirri, this is Katelyn.” He pointed to her. “And this is my friend, Alys.”

  At that point he heard a sound that sent a chill through him. It was a screeching that he had heard once before. He scanned the sky urgently and spotted what he feared to find. “Get inside!” he shouted at them. They looked around in surprise.

  “What is it!?” Katelyn cried.

  “Run!” he pointed to the doors and she reluctantly started to move. Alys was already running and so was Shirri. The Karandi woman had been through enough to know to listen to what he said. “Guards!”

  Blue shirted guards came running, some with pikes in their hands, others with swords. A dozen ran to encircle them peering around for the threat. It dropped out of the sky between the women and the palace. It was half again as tall as any man with grayish brown skin pulled tightly over oddly protruding bones and muscles. Its forehead and jaw were bony ridges and its eyes were large and totally black. As it settled to the ground two leathery, bat like wings folded in behind its back. It stood awkwardly on crooked legs and the thing’s long, thin arms ended in sharp claws. The creature glanced at Katelyn who was frozen before it as was everyone else. Surprisingly, the thing stepped around her, ignoring her completely. Not trusting the creature’s actions the guards threw themselves at the monstrosity in fear for their Princess. Coran saw Katelyn run for the door, then stop on the top step and turn to watch. She called for more guards to come, then her eyes went wide and she yelled to him.

  “Behind you!”

  Coran whirled around with his sword out and found a second creature before him. He dove under a swinging arm and rolled away, coming to his feet quickly. He ignored the yells and screams from the other fight going on in the yard. The thing came for him again and he swung to block another swing. His sword barely penetrated the thing’s hide. Its other arm backhanded him across the yard. He fell hard to the flagstones, rolling over twice before coming to a stop. He tried to stand, but the thing was over him quickly and he was reminded of the speed he had witnessed from the one he encountered in the stable.

  Out of nowhere a pike stabbed at its back, then a sword appeared and struck it in the middl
e with no more result than Coran’s had. The distraction gave him time to stagger out of the way and regain his feet. As he turned back the thing held a man’s neck by a claw. The hand whipped back and came away with the poor guardsman’s throat. The dying man grabbed at his ruined neck as he fell, blood flooded down over the blue of his shirt. More guards had arrived during the fight and were swarming over the monsters from every direction.

  Coran felt a controlled intensity come over him then. It was not unlike the feeling he had during the fight in Crecy. He charged into the middle of the nearest carnage hacking at the hard skinned body.

  Finally driven by self-preservation, its wings unfolded and flapped to carry it off the ground. A bolt of controlled energy, like lightning, struck the beast squarely in the chest. The thing howled and its wings crumpled up, sending the creature back to the ground with a loud thump. Men dodged out of the way of the body as it fell. He looked to where the other creature had been, guards stood in a circle stabbing at something on the ground.

  Shirri was already kneeling over one of the wounded men, her dark hair hiding her face from his view. There were far too many men down on the stones of the yard. Katelyn ran to him and he put an arm about her shoulders.

  “Are you all right?” she asked, the concern evident on her smooth face.

  “I am fine,” he reassured her. “Where did that fire come from?”

  She pointed to the palace steps. “Sometimes it helps to have a wizard around.” Gelarus stood there, his face set. He lowered his arms and without a word came the rest of the way down. He knelt over a fallen man and checked to see if he was still alive.

  The guards had stopped their attack on the other beast and were looking around for more. Satisfied the fight was over they went to help care for their wounded.

  “What was that thing?” a terrified Alys asked as she approached. She held her robe closed with clenched fists.

  “I don’t know,” he answered. “But I have encountered one before.” They both stared at him. “I will explain it later.” He surveyed the courtyard. “There is nothing else we can do here.”

  “Alys?” Katelyn said. “Why don’t you take Coran to his rooms, and have wash water sent to him, unless he would prefer a bath?”

  “I am too tired to go down to the baths. Wash water will be fine.”

  “Wash water then.” Katelyn picked at his robes. “These should be burned.”

  “Of course,” Alys replied.

  Katelyn turned to him. “I will meet you in the family room? I should find out how many we lost,” she said sadly. He knew she felt bad that men had died to protect her.

  “Okay,” he told her not knowing what else to say and followed Alys into the palace.

  People were gathering in the entry hall to see what the racket was about. His clothes earned him some strange looks. Leaving the entry hall behind he noticed the cut of Alys’ garb. “Am I to assume that you have started training?”

  “It was Katelyn’s idea.”

  He caught something in her tone. “Don’t you like it?”

  She smiled a thin smile. “Actually, yes, but I will not tell her that.” The talk seemed to help dissipate her fear.

  He laughed. “Good for you.”

  Coran felt like a new man. After washing, a quick haircut, and a shave, he felt cleaner than he had in months. His traditional black and silver outfit drove in the fact that he was really home. The only thing missing was his sword. That was a situation he was going to remedy at the earliest convenience.

  He found everyone in the family dining room, sitting around the table apparently waiting for him. They must have eaten already because only some glasses and a bottle of wine were on the table. He walked around the long table to greet them each in turn. Queen Anne and Margery he kissed on the cheek, he shook hands with his father and the King, who appeared tired and thinner than he remembered. Devon stood. He would be satisfied with nothing less than a brotherly hug. When his friend sat back down he thought he saw some moisture in his eyes. Katelyn took his hand and pulled him down into the chair between her and Alys.

  “My daughter has already informed us of what transpired upon your arrival,” Stemis stated. He sounded tired too. “I had someone speak with Gelarus. He said he will have some explanations for us about those things that attacked you tomorrow. Since there is nothing to discuss concerning that tonight I think we should not speak of it.” He looked around the table to make sure everyone understood. “Tonight we are celebrating the return of family.” The emotion in his voice was felt by everyone.

  Before any celebrating, Coran had one concern. “Is Shirri being taken care of?”

  “The Karandi girl?” Stemis asked. “She is helping with the wounded. When that is done she will either join us or be shown to her room depending on how she feels. Do not worry for her.”

  Coran nodded gratefully. “I owe her a lot.” He saw the speculative looks. “She healed me after I took a sword in the back. She saved my life.” That opened the flood gates. He was forced to tell the story of the battle of Crecy. He left out the part about charging a few hundred men. He didn’t want them thinking he was insane. That of course led to other questions and then others until he was hoarse from giving a report of his activities since leaving Summerhall. The creature in the barn might not have been believed if it wasn’t for what had happened tonight. He skipped over any mention of being chosen, or the part about being named death. He also kept back anything to do with the gods since those were questions he wanted to work out on his own first.

  “I have one question,” Devon put in. “I know how good you are with a blade. How was it you came to be surrounded? You had to be to get stabbed in the back, unless you were careless somehow?”

  Good old Devon. Coran saw his friend smiling, and realized that Devon knew he had left something out on purpose.

  “Coran?” Katelyn said in a tone that left no room for denial.

  “I was on the inside of the walls with Soelidin. Someone gave the alarm and we couldn’t get the gates open.”

  “What did you do?” Margery asked earnestly. All around the table they were leaning closer, watching him.

  “We charged them,” he stated quietly.

  “What did you do?” Devon asked. He must have been too quiet.

  “I said we attacked them.”

  Devon laughed out loud and the idea became contagious. All except for Katelyn who just shook her head in disapproval.

  “I would like to hear again how you destroyed that fleet in Lornth,” Stemis stated, and Coran gave him a grateful smile for the change in subject.

  They stopped outside Katelyn’s rooms. It was after midnight and they were both very tired. Shirri had eventually joined them for a time. Her healing had taken a lot out of her so she just stayed long enough to meet everyone. She appeared overwhelmed by such a friendly welcome, so they explained how grateful they were to her for saving his life.

  “You don’t know how much I missed you,” Katelyn said, holding his hand.

  “Yes, I do.” He ran his free hand through her luxurious hair. “You are so beautiful.”

  She smiled that special smile that left his heart racing. “I am nothing without you,” she said and raised herself up on her toes. The kiss they shared was lingering, heartfelt. They embraced again before separating.

  “It is late,” she said, glancing to the door reluctantly.

  “I should let you get some sleep,” he replied, just as reluctant to have the night end.

  She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped.

  He had no idea what it was she had been about to say, but it was clear she had decided not to say it. “Good night, My Lady,” he told her, giving a playful bow.

  “Good night, My Lord,” she responded with a quick curtsy and a smile.

  He watched her enter her rooms and close the door behind her. It was good to be home.

  Chapter 27

  Succession

  Oscan Trebore twirled a
corner of his mustache while watching the party of horses and men approach. Oscan stood amongst a camp of his own guardsmen that he had been recruiting for a long time. Longer than anyone knew. They were standing idly around on the side of the road, watching the newcomers with no apparent interest. The black diamond of his house decorated the green shirts on their chest.

  Oscan himself was a short man and that deficiency had always rankled him. He was jealous of those taller than himself and had to rely on his power to avoid feeling inferior. Oscan knew this to be true and accepted it by finding ways to increase that power.

  The man leading the escort of a hundred men in the red and yellow checks of Grendin, was a much taller man. He was old though, nearly sixty-five, and his health was poor. Mattis Morleson looked on the call to arms from Summerhall as his last chance for battle. His last chance for glory. He embraced the idea with a fever of excitement for one more opportunity to go to war. His white hair was well kept and he looked almost feeble in the armor he wore. The King of Grendin scanned the encampment with a look of satisfaction.

  “You have done exceedingly well, Lord Oscan,” Mattis announced in a scratchy voice that was once much more vibrant. “What you have here nearly doubles the forces of Grendin. We will do our Kingdom proud when the time comes for battle.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Oscan gave a hasty bow. He straightened and peered at the column of men behind the King, keeping the scowl from showing on his face. “Did your son not come with you?”

  “I am afraid not. He had to stay in Fairtown. The army is beginning the march south.”

  “Pity,” Oscan stated truthfully. It would have been so much easier to have them both here together.

  “Shall we have something to drink and discuss moving your men south to join the rest?” Mattis suggested as he shifted his weight in preparation for dismounting.

  “I do not think that will be necessary,” the short Lord of Canby said, a cruel smile touching his mouth. He raised a hand and his soldiers who had been watching the greeting with casual disinterest suddenly produced short bows and arrows that were knocked and aimed quickly.