“If you open your mouth, again, you’ll regret it.”
Tarrak looked down at the wagon’s floor and avoided direct eye contact with Karp. The big orc sulked and said no more.
It was night and the soft moonlight revealed little behind the wagon. The road felt like it was full of ruts and obstacles, as it often slowed or moved off the road. Krulta and the driver cursed often in their own language, at these hindrances. On a few occasions, the orc leader or driver walked ahead to assess the hazard before the wagon made a brief detour around it. The hours went past faster than the miles.
Finn looked through the small opening in the canvas and hoped to see Anthon Cisaro and his gallant knights riding up behind them, but there were no knights in shining armour, or anyone else, for that matter, coming to save them.
When the opportunity arises, I will make my escape with Anna. But the sword—I will need it if I am to defeat Krulta and his orcs. Where is it?
The night crickets filled the air with their singing as the wagon stopped. It rocked while the two orcs up front disembarked.
Krulta threw open the canvas flaps. “Everyone out!” he boomed. The moonlight gave the orc leader an eerie appearance.
Tarrak untied Anna and Finn’s feet, but left their hands secured and then lifted the two captives effortlessly from the wagon.
“I don’t think the bridge will take the wagon’s weight. We’ll walk from here. You boys bring the goods by hand.” Krulta indicated Tarrak and another orc. The orcs groaned. “Is there a problem?” Krulta stared at the others. They were silent. “I didn’t think so.”
Assembled under the moonlight, Finn had the opportunity to look at all six orcs. All tall and heavily muscled, they were an impressive sight. An orc was built for one purpose only, to kill. He could see numerous battle scars on their arms and faces, but Krulta stood out, even amongst these brutes. He was half a head taller and broader than the others. He was the most physically powerful-looking person Finn had ever met and he commanded through fear and intimidation. Mordan was the only person who scared Finn more.
“Get the wagon unloaded and take the master’s ingredients to the castle.” The two orcs jumped to their assigned task and moved to the back of the wagon. “You two, start walking,” Krulta pointed up the road. “I haven’t got all night.”
The orc pushed Finn roughly and almost knocked him off his feet, before they began moving along the road toward the mountains.
“Faster!” This time, Krulta’s push lifted Finn off his feet and knocked him face-first to the ground. “Get him up!”
Karp and another orc lifted Finn to his feet. As he got up, he could see the black sword hanging from the orc leader’s belt. At least I know where that is. He and Anna were ringed by the four orcs as they trudged up the road. Escape looked impossible.
Bide your time. Be patient.
They walked through long grass and waist-high shrubs, as the road was still little more than an overgrown track. The dark forest was now on both sides of them.
The young eldon could not see far into the trees, but he felt that something was keeping pace with them. Small glimpses of movement indicated something following them silently through the undergrowth.
Goblins?
He had not seen the goblins since he was captured a few hours before and figured they must have run alongside the wagon. The orcs used the evil, little beasts as scouts.
After a short walk from the wagon, the forest thinned and opened into a clearing. Ahead, the moon shone down on an old, rickety, wooden bridge, which spanned a gully. An impressive sight lay beyond the bridge, a stone keep was built onto the almost vertical side of a mountain. The structure looked foreboding in the moonlight, as it was shrouded in darkness. Both he and Anna subconsciously stopped and stared.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” asked Krulta. “You will be getting a closer look, so think of it as your new home.” He laughed cruelly.
They crossed the clearing to the wooden bridge, and, even in the low light, many of the timber beams looked rotten and parts of the structure had fallen into the stream below.
I should grab Anna and jump into the gully—we might get away. Finn noticed the orc leader watching him, though. There’s no escape with him watching us.
“Careful. We don’t want the master’s precious cargo falling and getting damaged, do we?”
The bridge groaned and creaked under their combined weight. It didn’t look like it could have supported the weight of any more people, let alone a heavily laden wagon. Finn carefully negotiated his way across the bridge. The orcs did not appear to be too concerned with the soundness of it, though, and stomped across. He guessed they had travelled over it many times.
When they reached the far side of the bridge, a chittering sound drew Finn’s attention and looked in the direction they’d just come. A small group of goblins entered the clearing, chattering to each other in their high-pitched language—a truly irritating sound. The goblins’ large eyes shone yellow as they reflected the moonlight. They could see and hunt their prey on the darkest night in any forest or cave.
They had caught a small forest animal, which was now unrecognisable. Their long claws and teeth had ripped their prey apart and blood ran down their small chests as they stuffed handfuls of meat and fur into their mouths. It was repulsive sight.
A strong hand on his shoulder forced him onward, so he walked with the others up the trail to the imposing castle poised above them. A tall wall of large, square stones surrounded the front of the castle, and the mountain, itself, guarded its rear. Many dark shapes sat on the top of the high wall. They were black birds, similar to large ravens. Many of them slept, but the few that were awake watched the travellers approach with almost human interest. Their watchful eyes made Finn uneasy.
In the centre of the castle’s wall was a raised portcullis. It looks like the master isn’t worried about someone wandering in unannounced.
They went through it and into a stone-paved courtyard, which was covered in a layer of dirt, leaves, and vegetation. Moss and vines grew over most things. On one side of the courtyard was an old stable. Most of its roof was gone and one wall had collapsed after being slowly smothered by a green vine. A small well was positioned near the stable, but there were no bucket or rope to retrieve any water.
Across from the entrance gate, the main building loomed. It was four stories high and made from a similar stone as the surrounding wall. The keep had tall, broad, double front doors made from a dark wood reinforced with steel bands. Several narrow windows, which would give any defenders a great vantage point for shooting down invaders, overlooked the gate and courtyard area. All of them were dark.
In the moonlight, nothing moved in the courtyard or the keep. The castle gave off a gloomy and decaying atmosphere.
Chapter 18
Krulta walked up the six stone steps to the keep’s front doors, and, without a backward glance, pushed them open and walked into the dark interior. The remaining orcs prodded Anna and Finn up the stairs, after their leader, and the blue-faced orc, Karp, followed at the rear.
The castle’s interior was dark and the air smelt dusty and stale. It felt like they were in a large room. Finn grabbed Anna’s hand and she gripped his firmly.
“Stop,” said an orc.
They obeyed, and everyone else had stopped, as well. Finn strained his ears, but the building was silent.
This place is deserted.
After a moment, the eldon could hear someone moving in the darkness and he guessed it was Krulta. A lamp was lit and the orc leader walked toward them holding it high.
“Come on, let’s make you comfortable.”
From the lamp’s light, Finn could just make out the features of the room. It was long and the ceiling was high. There were several closed doors along each wall and a wide flight of stairs with an ornately-carved handrail, which led up to the second floor and into darkness.
Items of luxury adorned the room, but everything had fallen i
nto disrepair. A glass chandelier hung from the ceiling, oil paintings hung on the walls, and the room’s floor was carpeted, but its colour could not be determined, as it was covered in dirt. Over everything lay a thick layer of dust and grime. The castle had suffered years of neglect.
This place is dying.
Finn looked at Anna and, in the lamplight, the dark bruise on her cheek looked large and painful. Her face was drawn and tired, she was a mess and he was sure he looked no better. He was glad they were together.
The group followed Krulta past the staircase and down the length of the entrance room. At the end was a solid door, which Krulta pushed open. The orcs shoved their two prisoners through it, after their leader.
Stone stairs led down into darkness. The only light was from the small lamp held by Krulta. The stairs were steep and smooth, and Finn guessed that they were going deep into the side of the mountain. After many steps, it opened into a dark corridor.
“Where are you taking us?” Finn ventured.
Krulta stopped and turned to look at the eldon, he looked evil in the lamp light. “If you speak again, I will kill you and the girl.” That was all the orc needed to say for Finn to remain silent.
You’re the first one I’ll kill.
The corridor took them past a few roughly constructed doors, which Finn guessed were store rooms. At the end of the hall was a thick, wooden door with a small inspection window at eye-level. Krulta opened it and they followed.
Finn quickly realised what the room was used for. Three small cells lined each side of the room. It was a prison.
The room stunk and smelt of dampness, rotten vegetation, and rodent droppings. Anna dry heaved and fought hard not to vomit. Finn didn’t feel much better.
“Welcome to your new home,” said Krulta. “For now.”
The big orc grabbed Finn’s arm and forced him into the first cell on the right. He could not resist the orc’s steel grip. One of the other orcs pushed Anna into a cell opposite his.
“Make yourselves comfortable,” said Krulta, and he turned to face Anna. “I will be back to get you later. The master wants to… meet you.” He chuckled as he left the room.
The other orcs followed him and left the two friends in darkness.
“Are you okay?” whispered Finn.
“Yeah. My face looks worse than it feels.”
“I think your face looks great.”
Anna did not respond.
That was awkward. Finn blushed and was thankful Anna couldn’t see him in the dark.
“Finn, where have you been for the last few days?”
“I… it’s a long story. I’ve been chasing you across the countryside. It’s great that I found you. I would’ve preferred to have rescued you, but I’m happy to see you again—if I could see you, that is.” Finn could hear her moving around in her cell. “Is everything okay?”
“It smells like something died in here.”
“Maybe it was the last occupant.”
“Is there anything in your cell we could use to open the door?”
He felt around. “No. Only straw and muck, which I hope is just dirt.”
“Same here.”
Finn tried his cell door, but it was locked. The bars also proved to be sturdy. We’re out of luck, this time.
“Do you know why they took you?” asked Finn.
“Not really. After they caught me at their camp, Krulta was going to kill me, like he killed Kalher. Then Karp, the blue-faced orc, stopped him.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure. I heard him say that the bones spoke to him and that the master needed me. Even Krulta seemed to be taken back. I think Karp is their witch doctor, or something. They might not act it, but I think they’re scared of him. They are definitely scared of this master they keep talking about.”
“Yeah, their boss is a necromaster and can summon the dead. He must be powerful, if he can scare Krulta.”
“Why would a necromaster want me?”
“I’m not sure, but it can’t be good.”
“Finn?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m scared.”
“I am, too.”
Finn listened for some time, but the darkness was silent, except for the sounds of something small scurrying through the litter. He sat at the back of the cell with his back against the wall. He was tired, both physically and mentally, and it was not long before his head dropped to his chest and he drifted off to sleep.
A sound woke Finn from a fitful sleep and he looked into the darkness. There it was, again. It was barely audible, but it sounded like steel being scraped over something hard. He crept forward to the cell door and listened. His heart raced.
Is this the end? Is Krulta going to drag us to this necromaster?
“Where’s my sword?” asked a deep voice that dripped with malice inches from his face. Finn involuntary scrambled backward and fell onto his back. He strained to see into the inky blackness, but he couldn’t see a thing. Blood pulsed loudly in his ears.
The alp! There was silence. Was it my imagination?
“Well, mortal?”
It was Mordan! “The orc, Krulta, has it.” After what seemed like a long time, Finn asked, “Mordan, are you still there?”
“Why must I owe a debt to an imbecile?”
“If you’d helped sooner, I would still have your sword.” Finn stood with his back against the wall. He felt more protected that way.
“That sword is an ancient heirloom of my people and worth hundreds—no, thousands—of mortal lives. And you just gave it to an orc?” Each word felt like a physical blow.
“Well, no...”
“Did you swap it for a piece of bread, or three magic beans?”
“No!”
“I should drain your worthless skin.”
“Finn, I don’t like the sound of your friend,” Anna said meekly from the darkness.
“He sort of grows on you.”
“What?” Mordan asked impatiently.
Finn ignored his question. “Will you get us out of here?”
“It will amuse me to see you try to save your friend, so yes, I will help you. My debt will be cleared after this.”
“Hang on. You were imprisoned for hundreds of years and I have only been here for half a night. That’s not a fair trade to me. How about you aid me for six months?” Finn negotiated.
“My debt will be cleared, or you will get out of here by yourself.”
“Okay, we have a deal.” There was more silence. “Mordan, are you still here?”
“I think he has gone,” said Anna.
“I am here, mortal. This is the last time I’ll help you. After you are free, you will give me my sword and we will part company forever.” The sound of steel being ripped sounded loudly in the darkness. Something metallic snapped and fell to the floor. “You have your freedom, mortal.”
With his hands in front of him, Finn moved forward and felt for the cell door. It wasn’t there. He suddenly realized that there was now nothing between him and the bloodsucking alp.
Finn’s heart beat loudly in his ears. He could eat me and I would never see him coming.
“Thank you, Mordan.”
“I will wait for my sword outside, near the old bridge. I cannot linger in this place. There is magic, here—ancient magic. I can feel it in the air.”
“Mordan,” said Finn. “Can you open Ann’s cell?”
“Where is she?”
“She’s in the cell opposite mine.”
There was a pause. “There is no one here, except you and me, mortal.”
“Anna, are you there?”
“Yes, Finn. I’m still here.”
“Did you hear her?”
“I can only hear your pathetic heartbeat,” said Mordan. “I detect no one else close by.”
Finn found this interesting. He used his hands to guide him through his cell door and then gathered the nerve to walk across to where he guessed Anna’s cell was. He was relieved w
hen his hands contacted rusty bars and not the alp.
“Anna, I think I am at your cell.”
He felt her small, soft hands grab his arm.
Thanks the heavens. I am not mad—she is here.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m not sure if I like your new friend.”
“Wait until you see him. He’s not pretty.”
“Mortal, who are you talking to?” Mordan sounded irritated.
“I am talking to Anna.”
“There is no one else here!”
“Something strange is going on here,” said Finn. “Mordan, humour me. Can you break the lock on this cell?”
“Yes.”
“Anna, move back,” said Finn. His hand lingered on hers for a moment, before they moved apart.
The door groaned and opened with a metallic snap.
“Mortal, I must go. The magic here is draining me.” From further away, Mordan continued, “I will wait for my sword near the bridge. Bring it to me.”
Finn found Anna in the dark and put his arm around her. She shivered, but Finn wasn’t sure if it was due to the cold, or the beast in front of them. He held her tight and she snuggled into his chest. He could still faintly smell the lavender in her hair.
They stood in the dark, holding each other, for some time. Her shivering slowed and eventually stopped. Even after everything that had gone on, holding her in his arms felt natural. For a moment, he forgot all his troubles and what lay ahead.
“Is he gone?” she asked.
“I think so.”
“What is he?”
“Mordan is an alp,” said Finn. He heard Anna suck in her breath. “He seems to be able to sense… things.”
“Why can’t he sense me?”
“I’m not sure, but we can solve this later. Let’s get far away from this castle, first.”
The two used their hands to guide them through the prison door and into the corridor. A faint light shone down the staircase and Finn guessed that Mordan had left the door at the top open. They moved passed the closed storeroom doors to the base of the stairs and listened. All was silent above.
A Warden Born Page 13