Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

  “This is it,” she announced.

  “Do not tease me,” Von said. This was the guest quarters for visiting lords. Of course Von had never seen another lord come to visit, but the clan chiefs stayed here when they came. This wasn’t funny.

  “I’m not teasing.” She opened the door and went inside. It was nearly as large as Baiden’s. Half the furnishings would not have even fit in his old room. There was a table and a desk. Padded chairs. A large hearth on one side of the wall. On the mantle were books. Books! “Well, are you coming in?”

  Von realized his mouth was hanging open. He shut it quickly and followed Anora through the door. On the table was a vase with fresh flowers. Anora picked it up and smelled them. She looked beautiful even doing that. She set them back down. “A room warming gift.”

  “From you?” Von asked.

  Anora tilted her head sideways giving him a level look. “Do you mean to tell me there might be someone else who would be giving you flowers?” She plucked one of the flowers from the vase, combed his hair back with her fingers and tucked it gently behind his ear. “You took so long in coming here that the first ones started to wilt.” She giggled. “I was beginning to think I would have to replace these as well.”

  “This is too much,” Von protested.

  “Nonsense,” Anora wagged a finger at him. “My father thinks highly of you, and others do as well.” She glided back over to the vase and pretended to arrange the flowers.

  “What do you think of me?”

  Anora’s back stiffened. “Do I have to spell it out for you?” Her voice no longer sounded so pleasant. She rounded on him. “I should have left the dead flowers.” She sounded angry but her face wore a smile.

  “No, no. Ah, thanks, thank you.” Von stammered. “They are beautiful. Not nearly so as you.”

  Her eyes were full of laughter and amusement. He must have said something right. He moved to the table, next to her, pulling another flower from the vase. Cupping her oval face with his rough calloused hands he arranged it in her hair. Its violet and pink petals contrasted with her eyes, complementing them at the same time. His breath caught at the beauty of her.

  She turned away. “There is a letter here from my father.” She pointed to the desk. “It is getting late. I should go.”

  Von grabbed the letter from the desk top. “What’s it say?” He asked as he fumbled to get it open. “Anora?”

  Von turned around, Anora was gone. He stuffed the letter in his pocket, went quickly to the door and was met by Isk and Jen. The dogs barked angrily.

  Von tried to push passed them. Isk grabbed Von’s hand in his mouth. Jen began nudging him with her nose, still barking.

  “What now?”

  He could see Anora’s slim shape disappearing around the corner. Isk pulled at him, growling. Jen was barking louder now.

  “I guess I can’t go after her now.” He tried to shake his hand loose. Isk bit down harder, continued pulling at him. “Ok, ok, I’ll follow you. This better be important.”

  The dogs probably just wanted to be fed. “To the kitchen I suppose. I can easily find you something there.”

  Von was glad to be in the company of the dogs. He understood them better than he did Anora. Lately the dogs were making more sense than even Baiden.

  Isk was now almost dragging him. Dinner couldn’t be this urgent. When he stopped it was not at the kitchens, it was in front of Baiden’s door. Maybe he didn’t understand the dogs as well as he thought. Baiden wouldn’t want to be disturbed, but the dogs would not let up. They were growling, their hackles rising. Von gave a soft hesitant knock. No answer. He knocked a little louder.

  “He must not be in there.” Von shook his head. “You crazy mutts, let’s go. I’ll find you a bone or scrap somewhere.”

  Isk leaped at him, huge paws slammed into Von’s chest, pinning him against the door. Jaws snapped a fingers breath from Von’s face. Both dogs barked angrily, teeth bared, ready to do murder.

  Suddenly Von was falling. Someone on the inside opened the door leaving nothing to support his weight. His back hit the wooden floor, knocking the air out of his lungs. Isk and Jen bounded over him, darting into the room snarling.

  Von heard screams. “Get them off of me! Get them off of me!” The screams died in a wet gurgle.

  Von was on his hands and knees now. What he saw sent a chill into him. Baiden in the far corner, a log from the fire in his hand. It was poor defense against the swords in the hands of the four Halfen around him. The fifth was sprawled on the floor. Isk still tearing his throat out.

  Baiden’s eyes fell on Von. “Run! Get out of here!”

  Von slowly rose to his feet. Isk and Jen were a barrier of snarling fur and fangs between the Halfen and him. If he left now he could not return with help in time. Staying probably meant death. The dogs could not stand against those swords for long. “Leave now,” Baiden roared.

  Jubben spoke in a surprisingly calm voice. “You cannot get help in time boy.” Jubben was trying to keep Von in the room. Keep him from sounding an alarm. That Jubben’s words echoed his own thoughts did nothing to help Von decide what to do.

  Jubben continued, “I don’t know why you would want to help him. He betrayed you. He betrayed your people.” The dogs were circling closer. Von had seen these two circle this way before, right before they tore into a wolf. “He was supposed to be the Keeper in the North.” Jubben was stalling. He knew his advantage was considerably less than moments before. His chances of getting out of here without being found out had diminished even more. “When the ships sailed south to the aid of Evenfelle, do you think your precious Lord of the North was on them?”

  Von knew Jubben would never let him leave here alive. Jubben lowered his sword slightly as if to try to ease Von’s nerves. The other three, Dennen, Drake and Vlennen, continued to push Baiden further into the corner. Greggor must have been the one on the floor.

  Jubben continued talking. Von was sure the man thought it was a soothing tone. “No need to get yourself worked up. Baiden cared nothing for Evenfelle. He let it die.”

  “Liar!” Von screamed. The music in the Great Hall probably kept anyone from hearing him. He must do something. More blood would be spilt soon, and more than likely it would be Baiden’s and his.

  “Ask him yourself. He chose to stay behind. When less than half the ships returned, he never sent more.”

  Von’s eyes met Baiden’s. Baiden’s shoulders slumped his face lost the little hope left in it. As if a dark secret kept for years had suddenly been told to everyone. Von shook his head. “No, no.” He wanted to scream. “NO!” It couldn’t be true.

  “It wasn’t like that Von,” Baiden protested. “Get out of here. Leave!” The image of his mother falling lifelessly to the marble floor flashed across his mind. He heard his brother’s voice screaming, “Run Von, RUN.” It was the last thing he ever heard his brother say. He was not running again.

  Von took a few steps forward. Jubben smirked, “Dennen, Drake, kill these mutts and the boy.” He turned and began closing the gap between himself and Baiden.

  Von’s dagger leaped into his hand. Drake laughed at what Von chose to defend himself with. His laugh lasted less than seconds. Von’s dagger moved with the speed of thought. He was one with it. It sang to him, sang as when he had forged the thing. The dagger darted and slashed. Drake thought Isk to be the greater danger. That was his undoing.

  Drake was not quick enough with his sword. Von’s attack was rapid as lightning, cutting a deep gash into Drake’s sword arm, then opening up his bowels. Drake sank to the floor. Isk ravished what was left of him. Von spun around to face Dennen.

  Dennen occupied himself with Jen. His sword found flesh and fur. Jen fell with a wicked slice to her front torso. Dennen tried to recover from his swing. Von never gave him the chance, opening him up from hip to armpit. A dagger should not have been able to do that. Von knew it would before he struck.

  Vlennen and Jubben could not see what had happe
ned. They faced Baiden, closing in on him. Baiden, however saw everything. His reaction made the other two turn. They were too slow. Vlennen went down in a heap. Jubben swung desperately at Von. Von only had to think and his dagger moved. It was a part of him, an extension of his mind. A blow from this massive hulk could have cleaved a man in two. Von parried it easily. Jubben moved his weapon like a snake. He struck with a speed a man his size should not possess. Von easily blocked every strike, but could not get close enough for an attack of his own. Jubben went down. A blow to the head from Baiden’s log sent him spiraling to the floor.

  It was over faster than it started. The dagger felt alive in Von’s hand, pulsating with life. He had never killed a man before. Tonight he had killed three. He was shaking, trembling, wondering if this sick feeling would ever go away. He felt the need to wash. Von noticed two more bodies. Roren and Jordy. Were they dead? He should see if they needed help, but for some reason he did not move. He needed answers from Baiden. Answers to questions that until tonight he dared not to ask.

  “It is true?” Von whispered, his voice trembling nearly as much as his hands.

  “It wasn’t like that Von.” Baiden looked stunned. Grateful to be alive, but stunned at how it had come about. “That wasn’t why I stayed.”

  “But you did stay.” Von no longer cared about propriety.

  “I had to. There was only one hope. Do you know why I am called the Keeper in the North? There was something Evenfelle needed. It was in my charge.”

  “But you stayed. You did not bring it. You did nothing.”

  “No, Von. I went to retrieve...”

  Von interrupted angrily. “Evenfelle is lost,” he shouted. “My mother, my father, my family, my home. All gone.” Tears were streaming down Von’s face. He thought he had forgiven Baiden long ago. Forgotten a past he could no longer change.

  “Where were you?” he pleaded. “We needed you.” It all came rushing back. Memories he tried to suppress. The memory of his mother falling lifelessly. His brother stalling just long enough for him to make his escape. He ran when his brother told him to. He would run no more.

  Tears welled in Baiden’s eyes too. “We were too slow. I was too slow. I tried, forgive me, I tried.”

  Von knew Baiden’s pain was for more than just the loss of Evenfelle. It was for the loss of honor. The oath and pledge he had not kept. At the moment Von did not care. Old wounds were reopened tonight. Von wondered if they ever again would close. His mother. All those memories flooding back to his mind. The horror of it sank in , settled on his bones. He turned his back on Baiden and moved towards the door.

  “Wait.”

  Von did not stop. He needed to get out of there, to be alone.

  “Wait.” There was desperation in Baiden’s voice. “Beovon! Wait.”

  Von stiffened, as if stunned by thunder. He rounded on Baiden. Anger filled his voice. He was enraged. Maybe it was the memory of his mother. Maybe it was the fact his brother had sacrificed his own life so Von could live. At that moment Von did not care where his anger came from. He exploded into a rage.

  “You know my name!?” he roared. “You know who I am!?”

  Von did not realize he had crossed the room until he gripped the collar of Baiden’s shirt in his hands. Von’s fists clenched tight around the shirt. “You treated me as a slave!?” Von was shaking him.

  Baiden did not resist. He sank to his knees. “You were a boy. You had enough presence of mind to hide who you were. It was a perfect disguise. But, the name, among other things, gave you away.” Baiden sighed. “Too similar.” It came out as a whisper. He spoke a little louder. “And your face. Did you not read my letter?”

  Von released him. He had no right to treat Baiden this way and Baiden was correct. He must have known, more than Von did at the time, the need to keep “Beovon’s” identity a secret. What better way then to allow him to remain an obscure boy, Von had thought the same thing for these past eight years.

  “I am sorry,” Von said. “You were right in what you did. Not a name change. Something my mother and brother called me, and my father on occasion. I guess I should have lied about that as well as my age.” He put out a hand and helped Baiden to his feet.

  “Who else knows?” Von asked, more than a little disgusted with himself for the way he had treated Baiden.

  Baiden’s eyes darted to the bodies at the side wall. “Roren and Jordy knew. And Alensa.”

  Baiden crossed the room to where Roren and Jordy lay. He shook his head and with a sad look rose to his feet and kicked at Jubben . The look on Baiden’s face would have broken Von’s heart if it wasn’t so scarred already. Baiden rolled Jubben over with his foot. Jubben’s chest slowly rose and fell. That blow hadn’t killed him.

  “I think he may have guessed,” Baiden said, gesturing at Jubben, “or at least suspected.” Baiden was speaking softly again. Almost too soft to hear. “When he saw you... You look so much like your father.”

  Again Von felt like thunder clapped over his head. “I look like my father?” Of course Baiden would have known him, or at least met him. The emperor is the only one who administers the oath to the Keeper of the North. But, there was no emperor anymore, no empire. Just a broken kingdom. A new empire was being carved. By the Black Horde, the Dominion.

  “The Black Horde.” Von hissed, vocalizing his thoughts.

  “Yes, the Black Horde,” Baiden said. “This is not the first time they have come. Few know and less believe.” Baiden took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You would have learned as you grew older. It is past time you know now.”

  Baiden sat down in one of his cushioned chairs. Collapsed was more like it. He motioned Von into the other chair. “Before the founding of Evenfelle, before the nations that we know ever existed, the Black Horde, or the Dominion as they call themselves now, came from the south. Destroying everything in their path. They conquered every nation that stood against them. Azmark was a great nation then, but it was desecrated in the war with the Horde. One lord stood out among those who would not be conquered. His name was Elric.”

  Baiden paused, noting Von’s recognition. “Yes, of course you have heard of him. He led the people of Azmark against the Horde. He united the nation of Azmark as well as all the other nations. With the nations united at his back and with his fabled sword he drove the Horde before him. South, back from where they came. He never returned to the north, choosing to remain in the south and guard against the possibility of further attacks from the Horde. The union of nations became his empire. His last surviving brother, Sjorvek, returned to Azmark and tried to rebuild, with some success. What was more important was Sjorvek was entrusted with the secrets of Elric’s victory. He was to keep those secrets safe and guard them against future need. He was my ancestor and first Keeper in the North. And Elric, as you know was your ancestor.”

  Baiden looked to the shambles his room had become. “We should get some help.”

  “Yes,” Von said, ashamed of himself. “That would be wise.” He looked around and saw Jen. Isk was licking her wound. How could he have forgotten? Von rushed to her side and scooped her up. “We must get Jen help.”

  “Wellen has not returned, but his apprentice, Corren, is still here. I will see that Jen is looked after.”

  Von hurried out of the room, not willing to wait for Corren to be summoned. Isk followed closely. Out the back way was the fastest. The Clerics didn’t live in the Great Hall. Their apartments were above the shrine at the edge of the courtyard. Von moved as fast as he could, trying to hold Jen steady. Her breathing was slow and labored.

  Baiden put a hand on Von’s shoulder, but Von slowed only slightly. “Those secrets are still kept in the north,” Baiden said. “I do not understand them all, but they are housed in Haven Keep.”

  “Then that is where we will go to retrieve them.” Von realized he was telling Baiden what they were going to do. For years he hid himself as the dutiful servant, almost forgetting who he was. There was no need to pr
etend any longer. He pushed open the back door and flew down the stairs, taking three at a time. He dashed across the snow covered courtyard to the shrine of the clerics. Isk kept up easily, but Von was inside the shrine and Corren was taking Jen out of his hands before Baiden crossed the doorway. Baiden wore his sword belted at his waist. Von didn’t know when he’d found time to buckle it on.

  Von tried to explain to Corren what happened, but it all came out in jumbles. Baiden finally interrupted and told the story. Most of it.

  Corren began working on Jen immediately. He was a few years older than Von, though his years as an apprentice Cleric made him seem older. He was an average sized man with an average build and hair in yellow ringlets so common in the north. Corren probably had never worked on a wound this severe before, yet Von was amazed at his skill. His fingers moved deftly as he cleaned the gash. Stitches were needed and surprisingly Jen lay quietly for the process. She must be near death to be holding still for that. Corren put a poultice in place, covered with a bandage. He affixed an apparatus Von could only assume was to keep Jen from gnawing at the bandage.

  “She should live,” Corren announced. “I will need to watch her further. She should stay here at least tonight, maybe a few days. I would not take her hunting for awhile.” Corren smiled, amused at his own joke.

  His face quickly turned somber. “The treachery of the Halfen runs deep. Will you lead the clans against them?”

  “I don’t know,” Baiden answered. “There is much to be decided, and much that needs to be known before any decision is made.”