Chains of the Forest (Chronicles of Ruvaen Book 1)

by Darin Niemann

  I wiped my dagger on his pristine wizard robes and left him lying in the street. I wasn’t interested in hiding the body. Nobody would be able to connect it to me or the Willow either way. I returned once again to the tiny ramshackle hut in the secluded alleyway. It seemed that the dice game was still going on and I simply approached the door and opened it.

  The two didn’t even look at me as one had just rolled the dice along the table and were watching them fall. “Back so soon? Forget something down there?” One commented.

  They appeared almost as unkempt as I did in my beggars costume. Clearly, cleanliness wasn’t high on their list of priorities. I didn’t bother responding as I quickly closed the distance and stabbed one in the neck. The other jumped back startled, causing him to fall to the ground along with his chair. He tried to ready the sheathed weapon at his waist but he wasn’t the sturdiest of fellows and I merely had to kick him in the side of his head twice before he was knocked unconscious. I slit his throat afterwards. Far be it from me to let a slaver live.

  I noticed that one of the men had a set of keys along his belt and a removed them. The cellar wasn’t even hidden in any way whatsoever. I shook my head as I descended the small wooden stairs. Reaching the basement, I found three women chained to the walls in the small cellar. I tried to tell them that Della had sent me but they didn’t trust me, reacting with anger and cursing me. When I began to release them, they finally accepted that I wasn’t a part of the group of slavers. Tears of joy fell freely when they were set free, along with many repeated thanks. One woman was weak enough that she couldn’t walk steadily, so I carried her on my back as we left the small building behind us.

  It took a little longer to get back to the Willow than it would have without the women with me but I didn’t want to leave them alone. When we arrived many of the other girls in the pleasure house rushed to aid the newcomers, comforting them and offering them food, drink, and blankets. After the three recovered girls were taken to private rooms, I was lead back to see Madam Della by Autumn once again.

  “So, it is finished then. It is fortunate that all of the girls were recovered. I hadn’t dared to hope for that.” The Madam commented as we sat across from each other.

  “I overheard them speak of moving the girls beyond the city soon. It truly was fortunate that you came to me when you did.”

  The Madam nodded before tilting her head to the side questioningly. “And Terence? What of him?”

  I smirked darkly, “He won’t bother you any longer.”

  The Madam smiled as well, not at all worried at the murder of such a connected person. It would be hard for anyone to pin the murder on either of us. For all anyone knew, Terence would be thought to have been mugged in an alley, stabbed before he was able to even utter a single spell.

  She rummaged in her desk drawer again for a moment before tossing me a purse similar in weight to the original payment. “You’ve earned it. Also, take this.”

  She slid a strange, small coin across the table. It was different than the normal currency used so I wondered what it was for as I twirled it in my fingers. I glanced curiously at the Madam.

  She inclined her head at the coin. “It is a gift. It isn’t too useful in Greypoint but if you ever find yourself in need of some help within the capital… Simply show this coin to those in my line of work, those in charge anyway. Doorways you didn’t know existed can be opened with such a coin. I would advise you not to flaunt it, though. People have killed for less.”

  I raised an eyebrow at the apparent worth of the small piece of metal in my hand before I tucked it away. Perhaps someday it would come in handy. I stood to leave as our business was concluded but before I left, Madam Della grinned at me.

  “And do stop by from time to time. The girls would love to become more acquainted with you, especially after you saved those three.”

  This time I couldn’t help the slight blush that rose to my cheeks as I shook my head and left. The woman was persistent, I’ll give her that. I suppose that was a quality you needed to be successful in her particular area of business. Many of the girls approached me with offers to stay as I left but I politely declined them, citing other matters needed tending too.

  Eventually I was able to work my way out the front door and back onto the streets of Greypoint. I was infinitely more comfortable among the everyday folks than inside the Willow. Though I couldn’t say I wasn’t at all interested in the Madam’s words. I shook my head, perhaps another time. I didn’t rush in returning to the Keeper’s tavern but when I got there I went straight to the bar, ordering the largest mug of ale that Braddick offered. He didn’t comment much aside from raising an eyebrow questioningly at me as he poured my drink. I let him wonder until I had gone through half of the large mug before telling him of what had transpired.

  About halfway through my tale, I noticed that Braddick had poured himself a drink as well though he did stay on his side of the bar. It was an unusual sight to say the least but it was a slow night for the place. The dwarf wasn’t at all perturbed by the death of slavers or Terence. The old dwarf merely wrinkled his mustache and grumbled, “Good riddance.”

  At the end of the night when I set my coins down on the bar, Braddick took half and slid the other half back towards me. Fully surprised this time, I gave the dwarf a look. He gave a rare grin which seemed at odds on the face of the usually serious Keeper.

  “Consider it me thanks for removin’ some scum. Ye ain’t the only one ta have previous run-ins with slavers.” His grin faded as he appeared to return to his normal self.

  I asked, “How did you…”

  The dwarf’s chuckle cut me off, “It be bloody obvious boy, you perked up like a virgin in a whorehouse when you heard the word slaver. I knew right then ye had ran into them before.”

  “And yourself? You said you…” I began to ask, but again Braddick cut me off with a wave of his hand.

  “Bah, that be an old tale and a story for another time.” With that he ignored me and moved on to a far corner of the bar and began to wipe it down with his rag.

  I was curious at the story, but the day’s events along with the likely too many drinks I had consumed were calling me towards sleep. I obeyed and retired to my room but I couldn’t help think of Braddick fighting in some arena somewhere with a slave collar keeping him in place. The mental image of the dwarf held against his will seemed so at odds with that I had to draw my mind to other thoughts in order to fall asleep.

  Chapter 13

  Commotion drew my attention towards the door. A diverse group of men and women had just entered the tavern. There was a pair of dwarves alongside the humans along with a single elf. They appeared to be well armed with some of them wearing heavy plate armor whereas others wore leather. I counted nine of them in total. I watched as two of them went to speak with Braddick while the others found seats at tables. A barmaid rushed about attempting to gather the orders from all the newcomers. The old dwarf shrugged at a question, though I was too far away to hear it. He continued to wipe a glass clean as he nodded his head in the general direction of the patrons.

  The apparent leader of the group grabbed a chair and stood on it, then beckoned to the crowd gathered in the tavern who were mostly Keepers of various rank. The man I guessed to be in his early thirties, with a clean shaven face and short wavy hair. Bedecked with such immaculate, gleaming armor, I wondered if the man had seen real battle at all. To his credit, he didn’t appear to have any trouble moving in the heavy looking plate. Many of the patrons began to murmur and whisper, causing the place to fill with sound.

  “May I have your attention for a moment?” The man asked the crowd, raising his voice to be heard throughout the tavern. The crowd finally quieted down, causing the man to smile.

  “My thanks.” He took a moment to collect himself. “I am Answald Parwards. My companions and I are on a mission of great fortune. I have need of one more skilled companion. The journey will be long and hard with many difficulties as we wil
l be heading into the Azek mountains. As such, I offer fifteen gold coins in payment, along with a share of whatever treasures we discover.”

  The amount of gold along with the revelation of potential treasure caused a rush of conversation as the patrons began to talk amongst themselves. Answald attempted to quiet the crowd again, though this time there was still the sound of whispers and mumbling here and there.

  “We will depart in the morning. If you wish to join us, you only have to show us your prowess by sparring with my man Vaughn.” As he spoke, the leader rested a hand upon the shoulder of the man next to him.Vaughn, unlike his leader, had most assuredly been in a few battles. He had short, cropped black hair and a hungry grin showed on his face. A couple of scars crossed his left cheek, one trailing down his neck. His bare forearms had a few scars here and there as well. While he also wore heavy armor, Vaughn’s was marred by dents and scratches indicating his experience with real conflict.

  “Master Braddick has been gracious enough to lend us the Keepers’ yard out back for such purposes. Thank you for hearing me out and have a wonderful evening.” The nobleman stepped down from the chair wearing a big smile as he did so. While most of his party stayed in the tavern, Answald and Vaughn went outside to await any potential recruits. I calmly finished my drink while watching a few of the patrons leave out the back, only to return a few moments later a little worse for wear and dejected.

  I noticed one of Answald’s companions watching me from underneath her hood. She had dark leathers similar to mine, although unlike my cloak hers didn’t completely shroud her face. I couldn't see much from across the room, though I did notice her blonde hair and narrowed green eyes. I had a feeling she was at a loss as to why she couldn’t see beneath my hood. The thought made me smile.

  Standing, I left money for the drink on the table before making my way to the bar. Ol’ Wolf, though used to my presence in the tavern, still didn’t like me being near. Seeing my approach, he took refuge behind the bar, putting Braddick in between us. At least he hadn’t whimpered this time. I took a seat at the bar furthest from the corner Ol’ Wolf hid in.

  Braddick slowly made his way over, having to serve a patron a drink. He grabbed a rag and began wiping the counter close by. I threw back my hood in order to speak to him. Sometimes I would forget, which annoyed him.

  “Well?” I asked him as I glanced in the direction of the group of treasure hunters. The woman’s gaze had followed me to the bar.

  The old dwarf grunted slightly as he continued working. “They have a treasure map.”

  “And? Is it real?” I questioned him again, turning my attention to the old dwarf.

  Braddick shrugged lightly, “I ain’t seen it. Though if them two dwarves believe it there might be something to it. See the left one’s braids?”

  I looked towards the two dwarves sitting and drinking. Unlike Braddick, they had plenty of hair on their heads. They also had long beards though one had three braids entwined in his. Returning my gaze back to Braddick, I noticed his own beard had seven braids.

  Seeing my gaze, Braddick continued, “That one be a Wayfinder of third rank. If a Wayfinder thinks it be real, then a part of it likely is.”

  “What is a Wayfinder?” I asked the old dwarf with a slight smile on my face.

  Braddick glared at me, “That be too long a tale an’ I have work needs doin’.”

  I chuckled as the dwarf moved on to serve another round to a customer. It was a busy night for the Keepers tavern. No doubt due to the strange party of treasure seekers. Now that I knew that there could actually be real treasure along the trip, I considered if I should join. It would pay handsomely even without the share of found wealth. Winter was fading fast with the last snow to be had over a week ago. If it was winter, it would be a suicide mission to head into the mountain range.

  Before winter, and even some during, I had hunted many orcs. In turn, this caused a general decrease in orc sightings and the bounties for them had also gone down. I had plenty of money for now but who knew what the future held? Also, it could be interesting to travel and fight with companions for a change. It had been awhile since I had fought alongside others.

  My decision made, I stood up while still feeling eyes upon me and left through the backdoor of the inn. Outside I watched as Vaughn finished the current fight by ramming his sword hilt into his opponent's stomach followed by a kick to knock him onto the ground. With Vaughn’s sword resting near his neck, the bout was over. The poor fellow was stunned and a friend of his had to help him back inside.

  There wasn’t much to the backyard of the Keeper’s tavern. The small fenced in area allowed for a one on one fight to be had with ease. Answald sat alongside the fence at one point, not bothering to look up at the fights going on nearby. He was poring over a piece of parchment which was no doubt the treasure map. As I took my spot across from the scarred man, no words were said between us. Merely a nod of the head to indicate our readiness and swords were drawn.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the woman from their party had followed me outside and was watching our fight. I only had time for a glance before Vaughn rushed at me. I nimbly sidestepped his first attack and could have ended it there with a counter to his throat but I decided to test him in return. The man was clearly stronger and thus I didn’t attempt to meet his blows head on. I evaded them completely or deflected them enough with my sword to make them miss. I kept my movements to the bare minimum needed to leisurely dodge the bigger man’s strikes.

  I could see the frustration growing on Vaughn’s face as the fight wore on. I made no offensive attacks and he seemed to take that as an insult. Suddenly, his next blow was a sweeping strike aimed at waist height. It wasn’t a blow I could sidestep or block, so I did the thing he wouldn’t expect. I went over it. Using a bit of wind magic to help push off of the ground, I jumped high and backflipped over the sword, making sure to tuck my legs. As I landed, Vaughn’s sword was extended quite far away from me and it was a simple matter of resting my sword on his shoulder to signal my win.

  The man was quite good. I had resorted to magic against him, and even though it was a small use the fight may have turned out differently without it. On the other hand, if I was truly going for the kill, he wouldn’t have lasted past his first attack. I sheathed my sword as Vaughn bowed to me, his annoyance now gone and replaced by respect for a deadly fighter.

  “You are good for one so young. That last trick caught me off guard. Only an elf would try that sort of thing.” He sheathed his own sword as he spoke, offering his hand afterwards.

  I shook it, confirming what my eyes had told me before. He was clearly stronger than me. However, strength isn’t everything in a fight. I learned that well in my arena days.

  I nodded to him, “It was a good spar.”

  He smiled, a scar on his face stretching as a result, “Welcome to the group.”

  The clapping of hands turned our attention to Answald. He applauded us as he came to us. “Well fought gentlemen, I must say! It seems we have found the last member of our merry band.”

  It seemed that he had watched at least a part of our fight. I noted that our other spectator had disappeared. I shook the hand offered by Answald as he slapped me on the back with his other hand.

  “What is your name good fellow?” The jolly nobleman asked me.

  “Ruvaen.” I replied.

  “Ruvaen, a fine name! I am Answald Parwards and this here is Vaughn, my protector.” The bigger man dipped his head in acknowledgment and I replied in kind.

  “Now that our last member is confirmed, I shall retire to my quarters. We depart first thing in the morning. Meet us in the common room for breakfast and I’ll introduce you to the others. Until then, rest well.”

  They left me at the bar where they took the stairs to their room. Sitting down, I motioned for Braddick to bring me a drink but he couldn’t stay to chat as the bar was quite full. Sipping the excellent brew, I noticed that the woman from earlier was gone from
her spot at the table, as were most of the other adventurers. The drink was quite good and I savoured it, simply relaxing in the buzzing talk of the patrons.

  Something about travelling had me in high spirits. I suppose that, after being confined to one place for a long period of time and on more than one occasion, anyone would want to be on the road. Maybe after this adventure I would travel beyond the country of Turinval and see what else the world had to offer. Once my cup ran dry, I retired to a room of my own and slept.

  ~

  After breakfast the following morning I was introduced to the rest of the party. The nobleman named his companions and I shook their hands as we were introduced. The pair of dwarves were named Dendar and Hafoki Kinmorlun. Both were quite similar, as they were brothers, though the elder brother Dendar had three knots in his beard and a darker brown hair than his younger brother. Then there was a man named Herrick. He wasn’t big like Vaughn was though he was still a bit bigger than me. He had slick black hair and carried a short sword and a crossbow. He appeared to be a tracker or hunter. I didn’t like the look he gave me as we were introduced. I had seen men like him and fought against them before.

  The cook, Sehas, was a scrawny man that was smaller and shorter than me with short light brown hair. He apparently came along as an assistant to the noblement for cooking, laundry, and other such necessities. From what I could tell, the only weapon he had on him was the knife he used for cooking. Or perhaps a pan. At least he had something of use as a last resort.

  Lastly, there was the woman. Now that her hood was down, I could see that she was a full-blooded elf. She had angular features and stood roughly my height, with long blonde hair and those familiar green eyes. Answald introduced her as Elana, although as she was an elf I assumed her full name was longer. She carried a bow and sword that were visible, though I didn’t doubt her having a few knives or daggers as well.