Of all people present, Von had the greatest right to be angry, but Baiden was much harder on himself. Von had long ago forgiven his new master, the man who saved him from an existence of laboring as a slave in the mines. A man who had taken him in, given him skills, a new life. Von’s put his anger away long since his arrival here. He could still feel it below the surface, but the source was from events years in the past, events nearly half his lifetime ago. Von knew Evenfelle was gone, his mother was gone, his father, his brother, his old life. Yes recent events continually reminded him of the past, but Von did not want to dwell on that until he could do something about it. Baiden on the other hand had never been able to forgive himself, and Von understood that now. Understood that it weighed heavily on the conscious of the lord of the north.
Baiden continued speaking, “There is a danger that has come upon us. Many of our animals have been taken. Now there has been a death. Many years have passed since icebears and snowcats have come down from the mountains. Winter has grown cold in the mountains and has come upon us early. The cold and snow have driven some predators out of the mountains. We can’t allow these animals to stalk our children. I am pressed with business here and cannot do what must be done. Kaiden, it falls to you. You will organize and lead a hunting party. You will not come back until you are satisfied the threat is gone. I trust that will be soon.”
Everyone already knew this. Why was Baiden making such a public display of it?
“We will leave before dawn,” Kaiden replied with a puzzled voice.
Baiden was not finished speaking. “This is only the beginning of our troubles. This new danger foreshadows an older. The days ahead will be dark. You must return to us soon. We will need every sword...” Baiden closed his eyes and let out a breath. Tears began to well in Alensa’s deep blue eyes. She seemed to know ahead of time what Baiden was going to say.
“...We will move quickly.” Kaiden bowed his head, thinking the audience must be over and turned to leave.
“My life may be in danger.” Baiden practically blurted it out. “If I am gone when you return the Key of the North will be waiting for you. I entrust it now to my councilors.” Baiden turned to Flenn and placed the Key in his hand. Flenn was as surprised as Kaiden. The Key of the North was not to be given to another until a new Keeper was to be chosen, and then only in preparation to make the journey to Haven Keep.
Kaiden shook his head. His expression was one of confusion and surprise as well as discomfort. “I cannot...”
“You will!” Baiden snapped at his son. Kaiden’s face showed shock and hurt. “This is not a time to be weak. I will speak with you now privately, but before we retire there is one more piece of business I wish to have done with.”
Roren was shaking his head, probably unaware he was even moving it. So far, from what Von could see, Roren and Jordy had both been in agreement. What they disagreed on was about to come. Roren’s expression revealed he’d just lost an old argument.
The Hall was dead silent. Von thought Anora left until he saw the tapestry trembling. She must be in fear for her father, in fear of the future. She obviously heard her father state his life was in danger, but in danger from what? He wished he could go to her. How would that look, a slave comforting a princess? No matter what he’d once been, he was a slave now.
Baiden spoke now with a loud voice. “Von step forward.”
Von was stunned. What business had Baiden with him? Especially the kind that would pit Baiden against his own councilors.
“You have served me and mine well. Better than could have been expected or hoped for. As I daily watch you I am reminded of what loyalty is. You are honest of heart. I will return that kindness which you have shown to me, and I will show it now since there soon may not be any more chances.”
Von did not realize he was holding is breath. Why now? Why in front of everyone? He waited in anticipation as well as fear. What would Baiden say? What would he reveal? Von was beginning to feel some of the secrets he’d kept to himself since coming to the north might not be as secret as he hoped, but if Baiden knew and kept it to himself for so long, why would he reveal it now in front of the whole Hall?
Baiden’s words carried easily through the Hall. “When you come of age you are free. This I swear. When I am gone these words will be remembered by all. I pray I will live to see a day when you are returned to your home land.” Baiden’s words carried more meaning than what was apparent on the surface. Von wasn’t sure he wanted to believe there was an underlying meaning. He couldn’t believe he was hearing the words at all.
Von’s shock must be showing on his face. Was this how Baiden thought to redeem himself? Return me to my home land?
Baiden grinned through his greying beard. Most of the faces in the Hall wore surprised looks. There were none as surprised as Von.
All Von could say was, “Thank you.” He wanted to leave, flee from the eyes upon him, but he wasn’t sure if the audience was over. He was forced to remain standing in front of Baiden. Remain in front of those uncomfortable eyes.
Benevolent masters sometimes freed their bond servants. It was very uncommon, almost unheard of. For a foreigner, who was so nearly a slave in everything but name, to be freed was nearly scandalous. Von did not care. Baiden had spoken. Given his word. Von was a free man.
Von’s joy was tempered by a thought in the back of his mind. For the second time this night that thought crept into the forefront. Revenge. He was now free to seek it and for the first time he felt it was his duty to do so.
Baiden broke the stunned silence. “Kaiden come with me to my chambers.” He rose to depart. “Von bring the dogs.” Though Baiden was the one leaving, it was as if he had dismissed the whole Hall. Who said the Lord of Azmark was not a king?
Von looked around. Those who were not staring at Baiden were staring at him. Berkler was fuming. Von expected to see smoke. Berkler stormed out of the Hall, gone even before Baiden.
Von had no choice but to lead Isk and Jen up to Baiden’s rooms. Von was in no hurry, but didn’t want to stay where he was. Von reached the hallway and saw Kaiden at the top of the stairs, disappearing around the corner.
He hurried to catch up, then noticed Anora. She was drying tears from her green eyes. She looked at Von then quickly turned away. Her mouth was slightly open and her lip quivering, but no words escaped. Von kept silent and walked by her. He wanted to stop, but couldn’t muster the courage.
Von reached the stairs and paused. “Your father will be safe.” He hoped that would give her some comfort. If only he could make it true. What threat was more dangerous to Baiden personally than to the rest of Azmark? Von couldn’t think of any.
The stairs seemed longer than he remembered. He could feel Anora’s eyes on his back.
“Von...”
“Yes Anora.” Von stopped but did not turn around. Isk and Jen continued to walk, probably anticipating Baiden’s warm hearth.
There was only silence from the bottom of the stairs. Von finally turned toward her. He thought of Anora as more than beautiful, gorgeous even, but never dared to think of her as more than his master’s daughter. Or at least he tried not to. He could see fear in her eyes, and pain. Her tear streaked face was as pretty as ever. They stood silently, unmoving.
“Your father is expecting me.” Von said the words, but did not move.
“Von...”
“Yes Anora...” Von waited long seconds before Anora finally spoke.
“When you are free...will you leave us?”
He was free. He hadn’t left yet. He couldn’t leave yet. Baiden still needed him and the man was also Von’s best and only chance for revenge against the Horde. “I have no plans to leave,” he told her softly.
They stood in silence for some time. Von didn’t know what she wanted him to say. There were things he wanted to tell her, but didn’t know how. What did she want from him?
Alensa joined her daughter at the foot of the stairs, saving Von from the awkward moment, creati
ng another. She had dried her eyes too. Too many people had been crying and Von didn’t understand why. The sadness was still in Alensa’s face. She looked up at Von and the sadness deepened. She knew he was of age. She had known as long as Baiden. What else did she know? It was apparent to Von now more than ever Baiden kept nothing back from his wife, her knowing look told him that. She thought he might leave.
“I’m not leaving,” he said. It was for the benefit of both of them.
Alensa sighed softly and put her arm around her daughter. Anora buried her face in her mother’s shoulder. The two women stood there hugging. Alensa was afraid too, just as Baiden was.
Was an attack from the Black Horde that eminent? Or was it something else?
“Baiden is expecting me,” Von said politely and left as quietly and quickly as he could.
Isk and Jen were waiting for him at Baiden’s door. Von stood up straight, steeling himself for what he might encounter next, and knocked.
“Come.”
Von opened the door. The wolf hounds pushed passed him and settled down next to the fire. At least the dogs were still behaving normal.
“Come in Von. This concerns you.”
“How does this concern him, Father?” From the sound of Kaiden’s voice Von could tell none of his friend’s curiosity had yet been satisfied.
“Someday you will know Kaiden, and probably sooner than we would all like.” He was always firm with his son, but gentle as well. Those who knew Baiden knew he cared a great deal for his son, but often found his patience tried by Kaiden as well.
“For now you should play the part of the dutiful son. Listen to the wishes of your old father.” Baiden’s words somehow sounded commanding and pleading at the same time. “As I have said, the days ahead will be dark. You must stand strong.” He glanced at Von. “Von will be an asset to you. To us.” Baiden’s words were then for Von. “That is if you are not leaving.”
“I am not leaving,” he said for the third time this night. Why did everyone think he was leaving? Where would he go? Were they trying to run him off?
“Good. I did not think you would. Alensa of course feared for the worst. She has come to love you like a son.”
Von’s suspicions were confirmed. “She knew then.” He was not asking a question.
“Knew what?” Kaiden was more than frustrated now. If the mood wasn’t so somber Von would have enjoyed playing this out as long as he could. It was not often Kaiden was on the receiving end of a situation like this. When he was, it always proved entertaining.
“Why would mother fear him leaving? This is his home. When the time comes for him to be free, and I am certainly happy about that, if not just the least bit surprised...”
“He is free now.” Baiden’s patience was obviously running thin.
“What...?!” Kaiden blinked three or four times. “You said when he was of age he would be free.” The look of puzzlement that hadn’t left Kaiden’s face since first entering the Great Hall deepened. He loved inside jokes, but hated when he was on the wrong side of them and worse when it wasn’t even a joke.
“No, what I said was when he comes of age he is free. And he is of age.”
“He is only..”
“Quit interrupting.”
This was obviously one of the times Baiden was having a trouble being patient with his son.
“You were young when Von came to us,” Baiden went on. “Only the young and the blind believed his story that he was only eight.” He turned to Von. “I would not have even dealt with that filthy lot of slavers, but when I saw you,” Baiden paused, furrowed his brows. “No matter. That is history. Today we begin a new history. Von, here is the money you have earned over the last few months. You came of age a while ago so it seems you have been free for some time. I think this will cover what I owe you for the services you have rendered.” Baiden tossed a small leather pouch at Von. It was filled with coins. “I of course took the liberty of removing the cost of room and board.”
For the second time tonight Von was shocked. “You owe me nothing. You have been nothing but good to me. I can’t accept...”
“You can and you will. I owe you more than money. I will have no arguments.” Baiden looked proud of himself.
“Father. I am still not following.” Kaiden looked how Von felt. “First you bring Von into our lives, breaking Clan tradition older than the mountains, then you free him, which is nearly without precedence, now you are paying him?” Kaiden’s voice fluctuated higher. “Has everyone gone loony?”
Baiden smiled and shook his head. More was going on inside his mind than he was letting on. He allowed Kaiden to continue.
“Maybe now you can truly be my brother Von.” Everything was still fun and games to Kaiden. “You lost your home, but we will make a new one for you here. We can start by having you join us tomorrow.”
“No.” Baiden’s words were harsh. “He will stay close to me for now. We can’t have him going off and getting himself hurt or worse. Your mother would never forgive me.”
“But he is of age, he is free.” The amusement was fast leaving Kaiden’s voice. “You said so yourself.”
“I know what I said.” Baiden sounded tired. “Once again I will have no arguments.” He was impossible to convince once he made up his mind. “Roren and Jordy are in agreement with me.”
“Roren and Jordy? From the look of them they didn’t seem to agree too closely.”
From what Von saw, Kaiden was right about that.
“What about Flenn,” Kaiden’s voice was showing signs of agitation.
“Flenn has only recently been named one of my councilor’s. We have not discussed this subject for years.”
“What subject?” asked Kaiden. “Talk sense.”
“Mind yourself son. I am not one of your playmates.”
Von’s head was swimming. He sank to his knees. His hands went to his head and face. What now? he thought. Baiden knew. Somehow he knew. Yet...no it was impossible.
Kaiden rushed to Von’s side. “Von, are you alright?”
“I’ll be fine. I just need to sit down.” Von took a seat next to the fire. What were Baiden and his councilors discussing about him? Why all this now? He had left Evenfelle far behind him. This was his home now. His home! He had been so careful. He thought he could hide here. No one would ever think to look for him here, nor likely find him if they did. He did not want to share the fate of his family. Did that make him a coward?
“What would you have of me, Baiden? You do need to start talking sense.” Von was also losing patience. He couldn’t believe he he’d spoken to Baiden that way.
“I want nothing save that which is my due,” Baiden replied. His voice was cold and calculating, but there was an underlying tone of supplication to his answer as well. “I want my due and will give that which I owe.”
“Oh. You’ll let him talk to you any way he wishes.” Kaiden almost chuckled. He was grinning again. The grin didn’t last long.
“I said mind yourself, boy.”
Von had never heard Baiden speak this way to Kaiden and would have felt more than a little embarrassed if his world wasn’t falling out from underneath him. Of course Von wasn’t always around to hear every conversation. Maybe this was how they normally spoke behind closed doors, but Von doubted it. Kaiden fell silent.
Baiden spoke in almost a whisper, he sounded tired. “You will hunt down this beast. You will return to us. You will take the Key of the North and journey to Haven Keep. There you will learn what is necessary to become Keeper in the North.”
Kaiden broke in. “You still have many years left Father.” It was his turn to shake his head.
“I may have less than you think.” Baiden was calm again. “If I am not here when you return, Flenn will have the key.”
“If you are not here? Have the clerics had dreams they do not share with the rest of us?” Kaiden’s words echoed Von’s thoughts. Kaiden was alarmed now, his voice shaky.
Baiden sadly, wearil
y. “If I am still here, you will still make the journey. I am too old to do it again. You will take Von with you.”
“Take Von with me? What are you...?” Kaiden’s voice trailed off when he saw his father’s expression grow cold again.
“You will understand when you make the journey. I have kept my oath to Evenfelle. What is kept in the north is still safe.” Baiden laughed when he saw Kaiden’s eyes widen. “No, Kaiden. Keeper in the North is not just some silly title. Of course most of Azmark believe it is just a title. No son, we have been entrusted with a sacred duty. A duty we must fulfill.”
“Yes, but...Von? Take him with me?”
“Von is from Evenfelle. No matter what he calls his home now,” Baiden explained. “He will be able to carry the tale to his people that we have stayed faithful. That there is still hope.”
Von stood erect. His head was clear. A new purpose was growing inside him and what he suspected gave him confidence to speak to Baiden “I know you have been faithful to your oath,” he said. “I do not need to make the journey to Haven Keep to know this.”
Baiden’s sadness lessened with each word Von spoke. “We need you to make the journey with Kaiden. You will be able to tell your people with certainty what you saw. They will not rally to our purpose for anything less. And we need what is kept there if we are to win.”
Kaiden and Von were silent. They looked in each others faces. The full weight of what Baiden said was beginning to settle upon them. War was brewing.
The silence was broken by Baiden. “You have an early morning son. It is best you get to bed.” Baiden turned to Von “You should retire also. Take the dogs. They are yours now. I think they always have been.”
Von obeyed. He followed Kaiden to the door. Both young men were uncharacteristically silent. There was much to think about. Von said nothing to Isk nor Jen, but they rose and followed him. Somehow they knew.
Haven Keep (Book 1) Page 8