However, Rael was rarely inclined to speak about large portions of his past. Over time, Cor began to realize that there was a period of perhaps several decades that Rael avoided discussing. However, Rael did enjoy his wine, and on occasion, he would grow too intoxicated and let some small details slip. Cor was quick to notice these pieces of information, and he eventually came to the conclusion that Rael had stopped traveling for a time. Cor was certain the Dahken had settled down, taken a wife and started a family. What happened to them, Cor did not know, and he was not inclined to push Rael on the matter. Rael often brooded late in the evening, and Cor grew convinced that it was related to the years Rael would not discuss.
Cor continued to grow, both physically and in power, and by the age of seventeen, he was nearly six feet tall. His body became well muscled, lean and wiry from the constant workouts with Rael. Throughout his adolescence, his hair changed color slightly becoming almost black, a stark contrast with his gray skin. Cor had been tall and strong enough to wear a man’s armor for a few years, and Rael helped him select some choice pieces from Sanctum’s armory. It took the better part of a week to return them to usable condition and teach Cor how to maintain the armor properly.
Rael watched him and marveled, realizing Cor truly was a man now. He knew there was little else he could teach Cor, and combat training at this point was more of a sparring session between the two. Rael had to be very careful as Cor could already best him in combat, though he tried to hide that fact from the young man. The strength contained in the boy’s blood would make him a far deadlier opponent than even Rael. Cor was also now fluent in Loszian and Rumedian and had begun to teach himself languages from the other continents.
However, there was yet another problem; the stronger Cor became, the more powerful became the calls to his blood. Rael knew the boy felt a constant urge to enter the catacombs, and he also knew that one day Cor would. Rael was still uncomfortable with the prospect, and he knew that only his constant presence kept Cor from venturing downward. As such, Rael decided he dared not to leave Cor alone in Sanctum anymore. It was spring, and life outdoors began to blossom when Rael decided Cor would come with him to meet Cade, the farmer from whom Rael purchased most of their food and supplies. When Rael told him, Cor did not ask why; he was pleased to leave Sanctum even if only for a short time.
They prepared a wagon, and Rael had him place their weapons under a wool blanket just behind their seat. He always told Cor never to be without his sword, but there were times you should not display it. Rael never wore his armor on these trips so neither did Cor. They left after lunch, expecting to be back before supper, and though there was still a slight chill in the air, it was a beautiful day. The winter, as usual in that area, had been mild, and a light rain had fallen the night before, keeping dust down on the road. Cade’s farm was about three miles from Sanctum, and they made fair time.
Cade was a short, barrel chested man, standing just over five feet tall with shoulders wider than a bear’s. He had a round, jovial face tanned from years of work in the sun and shoulder length light brown hair. His arms and legs were thick from labor and hard as steel. He clasped hands with Rael, taking note of Cor.
“I can’t believe Rael never mentioned you, lad. Surely you are his son,” Cade said extending his hand, his voice loud but friendly. Cor introduced himself, taking the man’s hand; his grip crushed like a vise.
“As usual,” Cade said turning back to Rael, “I got everything you asked for. I got a bit to do before sundown, so you won’t mind if we get to it.”
Rael pulled the wagon around the back of Cade’s modest home. A small stack of goods waited them there, several sacks of feed and other grain, various preserved meats and a few small barrels. Cor set about moving the goods into the wagon at Rael’s direction; the Dahken wanted everything loaded in just a certain way, and he went off to pay the farmer.
Cor was nearly done with the work when he caught sight of something that made him stop. A girl with light brown hair nearly to her waist passed in front of the wagon on her way to water some livestock in a nearby pen. He considered her carefully as he stared at her. He wasn’t actually certain if she was beautiful or even pretty, but it was the first girl or woman he had looked at closely since he left Hichima, besides his mother. Cor was keenly aware that most men knew more about women than he did at this age.
“Are you done?” Rael asked, Cor jumping at the sudden interruption.
“More or less,” he said with a guilty glance at the older man. He placed the last few items in the wagon.
“Then we should go,” Rael said with finality.
They left the farm, Cade waving from his work as they passed. They were nearly halfway back to Sanctum, approaching where a section of road split off to the east when they came upon a man on a horse. He wore light clothes common to travelers and was otherwise unremarkable as compared to most Westerners. Cor started in the direction of their weapons, but Rael subtly lifted one finger as a sign for calm.
“Hello friends,” the man called as they approached. “I am looking for lodging for the coming night. Would you be headed to the castle yonder southward?”
“No one lives there,” answered Rael, ignoring Cor’s glance. “We take this eastern road on our way.”
“But there is nothing that direction for perhaps twenty miles or more,” the man responded kindly.
“Which means we have far to go. If you seek lodging, there is a farmer not two miles in the direction whence we have come, and there is a port town a few miles beyond that. With your good horse, you have plenty of time before nightfall to reach lodging.”
“Thank you sirs,” the man nodded his head and spurred his horse north up the road. Rael continued south, and then took the eastern branch of the road.
“Cor, he is watching us?” Rael asked without looking himself.
“He was. Once you turned he continued on his way,” Cor answered. “What are we doing?”
“We will head this way for a few miles and then cut across country to Sanctum. I want to make sure we are not followed.”
* * *
“Perhaps next time I should go alone,” Rael stated from across the room. They were in the study, scouring the tomes for information on Dahken magic, which it seemed there was very little. Apparently, the Dahken had only ever had a few with the knack of incantations and spells.
“Go where alone?” Cor asked, immediately understanding what Rael meant. He walked from between two bookcases to face Rael. “Why?”
“The man on the road concerns me. Perhaps I should have killed him,” Rael answered, though this was only half true.
“He didn’t do anything to us. You would’ve killed him in cold blood? That seems like murder to me,” said Cor.
Rael turned and regarded Cor quietly. “Murder is a Western concept handed down by Garod and his controlling priests. It does not apply to us; we are beyond their law.”
“Then,” Cor reasoned, “we are no better than the Loszians. Perhaps we should rape and slay our way to everything we want? Somehow I don’t think we’re meant for that.”
“Bah with human sentiments. Regardless,” Rael sighed, “it seems likely the man was a spy.”
“You’ll have to explain that to me later, but what if he was?” Cor asked. “If he works for someone looking for us, then they’ve found us. We should either leave Sanctum or not. Certainly, there’s more safety for both of us if we stay together anyway.”
Rael found, as Cor got older his arguments became more logical. He sighed again. “Be that as it may, there are dangers beyond ambush by our enemies.”
“First, I don’t know who our enemies are at this point,” said Cor, “and second, what are you talking about?”
“I would not have you distracted further by Cade’s strumpet daughter,” answered Rael.
Leave it to Rael to be blunter than a two handed club, Cor thought. “I just looked at her for a moment. She was only the second person I’ve seen besides you
in what, two years?”
“Perhaps I have made a mistake there, but be careful. Women are more dangerous for us than the finest adversary. They will love you, but they take everything you are from you. In the end, they are all whores, and you are better off without them.” Rael turned and stalked back the study’s table.
Cor followed him, angry and unwilling to leave the conversation at that, “My mother loved both my father and me. She didn’t take anything from us.”
“A mother,” Rael sneered as he turned back to face Cor, “is just another harlot. A wife forces her husband to pay for her with house and home. She loves him, and he furnishes her with a child. Should he not continue to pay for her, she ceases to love him!”
“I’d rather you not say such things,” Cor growled at Rael. His temper rose quickly; he could feel his cheeks and ears burn, and his heart hammered in his chest. “Whatever you think, we were happy, and she loved us. And it’s my fault she’s dead!” He turned back to continue scouring the bookshelves, and Rael stormed out of the study, headed for the larder and wine.
Cor continued his search, somewhat fruitlessly for another hour or so. He had found a few promising immensely old tomes, but was fearful to even touch them less they simply crumble to dust. He decided it was likely safe to talk things over with Rael; either for time or red wine, the man should be calmer now. He found Rael in the larder brooding over his cup, and he looked up as Cor entered and sat at the table, opposite from him as usual.
“Why,” started Cor, not seeing the point in exchanging apologies, “do you think the rider was a spy? I don’t disagree with you; I just want to understand your reasoning.”
“For the most part, he already knew the lay of the land. Had he seen Sanctum from a distance, he would never suspect that anyone lives here; the castle is nearly falling down. He asked us if we were headed here, which means he already knew someone has been living here.”
“Was it wise to send him to Cade’s farm?” Cor asked. “If he was a spy, he’ll ask questions.”
“That is likely,” answered Rael, “but I saw no other option. It was the closest lodging, and it was on his way. Had he chosen to go any other direction, I would have killed him outright.”
“If he is a spy, he may come back up here tonight to see if we’re here,” Cor said, chewing on a fingernail in thought. “Do you think we should stay awake, wait for him?”
“I do not see a point. If he is any good at his job, we will never see or hear him coming. If he is very good at his job, he has already come and gone.”
* * *
The man sat in a plush chair in front of Palius, explaining every detail of his story for the third time. He was a mercenary, one of the rangers Palius had recruited at the behest of Queen Erella. Palius had hired four, and this man was the first to return, but before Palius handed him an insane sum of gold, he wanted to be certain the man’s story was true.
The rangers were told the boy they sought was a Westerner, but one with an unnatural pallor of skin. This ranger had been a bit more interested in this detail and pursued his own research. After years of seeking information that was generally forbidden, he happened upon an historical text discussing The Cleansing. Here he learned of the Dahken, and of their ancient castle, Sanctum. Actually, he could have saved much time if they had given him that information to begin with.
The ranger journeyed to Sanctum, which was substantially difficult to locate. He knew from the text of its rough location and that it was perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea. He knew he had found it one afternoon and investigating found it lived in, but momentarily vacant. The road leading from the castle was not well used, but there was a fresh set of tracks made by a horse and small wagon or cart. He followed the tracks north before coming across the wagon being driven by two men. One was middle aged, the other a young man, and both had the same peculiar skin discoloration. They were unarmed, claimed to be heading east, and they pointed him to a farmer further north for lodging or the town of Hager beyond that.
He found the farmer, a man named Cade, and casually questioned the man over supper. Cade did not know for certain where the men lived, but that the older, named Rael, came every two weeks without fail to purchase food and supplies. Today was the first time Cade had ever met his son. The ranger skulked out in the dead of night and returned to Sanctum on foot. While he did not enter the keep, he could see the light of torches and candles from inside, and he immediately returned to the farmer’s home for his horse and rode for Byrverus.
This story the ranger told three times without fail, details never changing to the extent that Palius was satisfied of his honesty. Palius removed a map from a large scroll case and had the ranger point out the exact location of the castle, which was on the coast about six miles south of the small port town Hager. Palius scooped up his map and then pointed to a dust covered chest in the corner of his office. Handing the ranger a key, he strode out of the room for the queen’s throne room, the hall where she kept public court.
Queen Erella held court today, and she had two diplomats from Akor and Roka, two of the smaller western kingdoms, with a trade dispute she had agreed to mediate. When Palius arrived, the two emissaries were shouting and shaking fists at each other. He couldn’t be certain, but he thought he heard war threatened over the quality of figurines carved from semi precious gems. The queen saw Palius and shot him a pleading glance to which he nodded.
“Councilor Palius,” she did not shout, but somehow raised her voice above the fighting bureaucrats, ”do you have something you wish to add?” The two mean stopped fighting and turned to him expectantly.
“Not about this matter, Majesty, but one of the highest importance,” he replied.
“Gentlemen,” she said to the two men, “we will take a short recess. Afterwards, we shall discuss this more civilly.”
As the queen rose and left the room, everyone bowed, excepting Palius who followed his queen. They walked quietly together to her private chambers, where upon entering she unceremoniously dropped her crown around a post of her bed and sat on the edge of the low footboard rubbing her eyes deeply.
“I cannot understand the minds of merchants,” she said wearily.
“I quite understand Majesty,” Palius replied quietly, lifting her crown from its uncouth resting place and putting it reverently upon its pillowed marble stand.
“Thank you for saving me from such unpleasantness,” she said, watching him. Others always viewed the articles of office with such awe, and it was something else she would never understand; it was only a crown of gold and jewels and had nothing to do with the power she wielded as priestess or queen.
“Do not thank me yet, Majesty. I have come with news about the Dahken,” Palius said, facing his queen.
“What is it?” she asked, immediately standing.
Palius recounted the ranger’s story, detail for detail. “Majesty, I beg your forgiveness; you were correct in believing the boy was not alone. Now, he grows into adulthood with another Dahken, a grown man, to teach him of their black sorcery.”
“I see no fault Palius; I had only a feeling,” Queen Erella spoke, straightening herself. “This must end now. Select a dozen men to bring the boy to the palace. Palius, I do not want blood shed over this matter, but I doubt the other, older Dahken will hesitate to kill our people. Also, we must determine his guilt in the slaying of the boy’s parents.”
“My Queen, I believe it would be prudent to send Jonn as well, the priest the boy knew as a small child. We was a friend and a teacher, and perhaps if the boy sees a familiar face it will be easier for him to come back to Byrverus.”
“Very well,” the queen sighed as she picked up her crown and placed it back on her head.
* * *
Jonn despised riding, and he did it as little as possible. Unfortunately, now he rode for a small town on the southwestern coast of Aquis with a group of soldiers, hand picked by Palius himself for their loyalty and professionalism. The ride fr
om Martherus would take a week, and he was simply getting too old for this kind of excitement.
The boy, man he reminded himself, had been found by an enterprising ranger. He was in the company of a man, a Dahken, and no doubt had been perverted with their foul magic. Few Westerners new anything of the Dahken; the Shining West had worked hard to strike them from record and memory, but Jonn knew something of them and the evil they wrought with their blood magic.
He must be careful, but he had no doubt he could bring the boy to Byrverus, as Cor had been a bright and friendly child. He was not so sure about the other Dahken, but he doubted Queen Erella would be overly concerned if the man chose to die fighting. Jonn had the power of Garod with him, and he was certain that would be enough when combined with a dozen well trained men at arms. Legend had it the Dahken were immune to magic, but what was magic compared to the holy strength of Garod. The Loszians had learned that lesson.
Jonn decided he would reevaluate his plan if necessary, but it was relatively simple. He learned a long time ago that simplicity added to one’s chances of success. They would ride to the town of Hager, and then Jonn alone would visit the farmer. He intended to tell the farmer that the older man was a criminal wanted for crimes near Martherus and that he had abducted the boy from his family. The farmer would divulge the day of the next visit, and Jonn would have them. With luck, the older Dahken would not bring the boy with him; that would likely make it easier to take him into custody. Then they could easily collect the boy from the castle apparently called Sanctum.
Blood and Steel Page 10