Kaiden was standing now. It felt good to stretch a bit. His legs felt more stable than he thought they would. Kaiden slipped on his boots and cloak and did his best to keep up with Oded. Once he got his boots on he was easily matching Oded stride for stride. Oded didn’t seem so large to Kaiden now that he was walking next to him. Kaiden was actually an inch or so taller. Still Oded was large and broad, barrel chested. He walked with what Kaiden could only describe as a leisurely strut. The age on Oded’s face did not show in his posture.
The middle of the camp was bustling with the movement of men and horses. Eight or nine men were moving around, packing up. No, closer to fifteen or so. More men continued to appear. Who were these men? The men moved with efficiency and speed. Kaiden felt he should be packing something. He stood in a whirlwind.
Kaiden noticed a few faces that looked about his age. There were a couple even younger, but by far the majority of these men were older. Most were, about ten years older than him, and those were the young ones. Still whatever age they showed in their faces did not show anywhere else. A few limped a little with what must be old injuries, injuries Kaiden would wager his sword on they’d gained fighting. They were all battle hardened, even the youngest ones. These men reminded him of Soren. And Oded. Where was Oded?
In the commotion Kaiden lost him. He turned around, looking in every direction. How had he lost him? He wanted to ask somebody, but who? Everyone was paying him no mind. They moved about their business with singleness of purpose. Kaiden knew they were aware of him, but seemed not to care he was there. Finally the whirlwind began to slow down. The men lined up in a military formation. He was finally able to get an accurate count, about thirty men, he thought, at least.
Kaiden was startled by a tap on his shoulder. It was Oded. He held Rove by the reins.
“I believe this one belongs to you,” he said with that same wry smile Kaiden was beginning to think never left his face.
“Stay close to me,” he continued, “Some of these boys don’t take well to strangers.”
Whoever these men were, Kaiden would never think of them as boys. Not even those younger than him.
“Who are they?” Kaiden asked. What he really wanted to ask was, “Who are you?”
“Refugees,” Oded answered . “From the south. Mostly those who refused to subject themselves to a tyrant. Some who refused to quit fighting for what most consider a lost cause.” Oded mounted his own horse. A huge black beast the size of a draft horse. “If you believe those who now rule in the south, we are outlaws.”
“Are you hiding or do you intend to bring the war here?” Kaiden asked. He wasn’t happy hearing any of this. It was not good news for the north.
“Mostly running and hiding.” Oded’s words sounded like a confession, as if ashamed to admit he couldn’t take on the might of the Black Horde by himself. “Are you coming?”
Kaiden realized he was the only one not in the saddle. He climbed onto Rove. His spear was tied across the pommel, his sword tucked under his saddle bags. A cursory check of his gear showed nothing missing. He would search closer latter, but doubted there was anything amiss.
Kaiden felt a real stab of embarrassment now. Oded, or someone in this group had been watching his hunting party, and very closely for them to know which gear was his. How had they gotten so close without him knowing? Without Soren knowing?
“What of the rest of my men?” Kaiden asked.
“We’ve left a few men behind to continue digging. If they find anything we will let you know.”
Kaiden forced himself to be content with that answer. They’d already saved him, why would they lie about their attempt to save the others? Kaiden again felt guilty not staying behind to help, but he needed to find Soren and the beast Soren was still tracking.
Kaiden studied the men in the column. They formed two straight lines in military fashion. All wore armor, though mismatched and of varying quality. Despite the divergent appearances and gear, the line was nothing but professional. Kaiden took note of their numbers again. This many men could not hide for long up here. Traveling in such a large group they would leave tracks. And other signs. Kaiden realized he’d seen signs. The lean-to he and his companions stayed at two nights before. It must have been built by these men, yet Kaiden would never have guessed there were so many of them.
They were traveling down the mountain. Opposite of where Kaiden wanted to be.
“Where are we going, Oded?”
“To find your man,” Oded answered. “To find your man.”
Before Kaiden could protest a rider came into view from the opposite direction. Oded didn’t stop and the man rode up along side him. The newcomer looked Kaiden over, then bent to speak low in Oded’s ear.
The man looked a few more than thirty winters, or summers as the case may be. His brown hair didn’t exactly match the reddish stubble on his face, which he’d shaved just a day or two before. His eyes were dark. He sat comfortably in his saddle. Kaiden decided the man was probably just as comfortable with the sword at his hip and the bow on his back. He tried not to look as if he was listening, though he was straining to. He couldn’t make out a single word. Maybe it was the man’s thick southern accent.
Oded broke the silence. “Kaiden this is Tostig, he is one of our scouts.”
One of their scouts? That meant there were more. How many men did Oded have with him?
Oded turned to Tostig. “Kaiden is from Azmark. He is one of the men that was tracking the beast. We are going to help him.”
“Is it safe?” Tostig asked.
Kaiden didn’t know if Tostig was more worried about him or about tracking down the beast.
“Safe enough,” Oded replied. “The beast bleeds, or so I have heard, and I think you have a good idea where to look.” Oded paused for a moment as if trying to communicate something silently to Tostig. “As for Kaiden, you may speak freely to him. We have nothing to hide.”
Tostig nodded, but said nothing. The three of them rode in silence for a while. Tostig in front, picking his way through the trees and large snow drifts. There shouldn’t have been this much snow on the ground already. Not even at this elevation.
The party wound their way through the trees following Tostig, but even though Tostig was out front it was clear Oded was leading this strange procession.
Kaiden watched these men with admiration. No matter how practiced Oded claimed to be at keeping hidden Kaiden couldn’t believe all these men were up here and hadn’t been noticed.
Kaiden decided to trust them. Well, maybe not trust, but at least work with them if he wanted to find Soren and accomplish the task his father had given him.
Tostig led them down around a short bluff then headed back up the mountain. The terrain was rockier and Rove’s footing wasn’t as sure. The horse protested a little, but Kaiden urged him on.
Tostig broke the silence. “You grew up here?” Tostig’s words didn’t sound like a question, but Kaiden knew them to be one. “In this cold?”
If Tostig found these cold temperatures harsh he did not show it.
“Yes,” Kaiden answered, “not exactly in these mountains, in the north though, yes, my whole life.”
“Do you know anything about what is going on in the south?” Tostig was probing for something. “Of the war, and such?”
“I have heard stories.” Kaiden was leery of where this was going. “There are those who fear the wars will soon come to the north.”
“War,” Oded broke in, “war. There are not many wars in the south. There is just the one war. It is against the Horde. True, there are many who have turned bandit and take advantage of the situation. The fighting we have done with them could hardly even be called skirmishes. No, not wars. Just the one war that has lasted for nearly a decade. Some say it ended as soon as it started. Try telling that to the men who ride behind us. They know better than most.”
Kaiden was gaining insight into who these men were. At least who they claimed to be. What if they fough
t along side the Horde and not against them? Were they here to scout the lay of the land and spy out the strengths of the north? Kaiden didn’t think they were, however there was always the possibility. Time would eventually tell. If he lived that long. He needed to be careful. Oded being here was proof enough the war was coming to the north.
“Do not worry yourself.” Tostig’s voice sounded friendlier than before.
Kaiden hoped his emotions hadn’t been too easy to read.
“The war will not reach here for some time,” Tostig said. “A year at least. You will have time to prepare if you start now.”
That was a small comfort. A year was not a long time. Kaiden’s father could spend that long in council with the clan chiefs. Some of them didn’t listen to reason too well. Especially Cray of the Halfen. How he stayed in power Kaiden had no idea.
The small bluff cut into the side of the mountain and turned into a little ravine. They followed the ravine deep into the mountain. Steep cliffs rose on either side of them, rocky and cold, frozen and covered with ice and snow. There was a dark feel to this place. A feeling that matched Kaiden’s mood.
“We are here to help,” Oded said. “Maybe to get help would be closer to the truth. Either way, you need us and we need you. We just don’t know who to trust yet. You have clerics here in the north.” It was not a question. “Those who have storm dreams and some who have other talents.”
“Yes, of course,” Kaiden wondered where this was going.
“We sense your uneasiness and distrust,” Tostig interjected.
Oded frowned at the interruption. Was Oded claiming he and Tostig were clerics?
Tostig appeared to want to say more, but Oded spoke over him. “Our clerics have dreamt the same dreams as yours. A storm is coming to the north. It will engulf your entire people unless we work together.”
“Are you one of those clerics?” Kaiden asked.
“I am,” admitted Oded. “So is Tostig. He is very talented I might add. That’s one reason he is such a good scout.
“He is also my son. Lucky for him he looks more like his mother than his old man.” Pride shone in his eyes as he spoke of his son. “In other ways he takes after his father, as do you.”
If Kaiden had been walking he would have been paralyzed where he stood. Rove kept plodding along despite how stiff Kaiden sat in the saddle.
“Yes we know who you are. I would not be much of a cleric if I didn’t recognize the son of the Lord of Azmark now would I?”
“What else do you know?” Kaiden liked Oded, but remained hesitant to trust him.
“I know we need your help, your father’s help,” Oded answered. “And you need our help.”
Kaiden couldn’t shake the idea Oded was revealing one thing to hide another. Maybe it was his imagination. He knew he needed them to help kill the beast.
“Okay,” Kaiden nodded as if to make an agreement. “You help me kill this thing and I will give whatever help I can.” Now why did he feel like he was now on the short end of a binding contract?
They rode in silence for a while, Kaiden lost in thought. What had he gotten himself into? Could he get out of it if he needed to? No he had given his word, and that was stronger than any chain Oded could have placed upon him. For now, he could worry about the beast. The rest he could worry about latter.
The day wore on and they continued up the mountain. The snow deepened, in spots slowing them to a near crawl. Here and there rocks rose from the snow or jutted out the side of the mountain. Dark black rocks Kaiden knew were filled with iron ore and other metals. The north never had a shortage of iron or steel.
“You ride well,” Tostig observed. “You must have grown up riding horses.”
“I did,” Kaiden replied. Was Tostig just trying to be friendly?
“Your weapons, you know how to use them too? Part of a young man’s training no doubt?”
“Ever since I could remember.” Kaiden drew his sword and flipped it a few times, spun it over to his left hand then back to his right and sheathed it.
“Impressive,” Tostig acknowledged. He drew his sword, mimicked Kaiden’s actions, added a few additional spins of his own, managing to look quite deadly, and returned his sword to his sheath. “We will have to...,uh..., teach each other a few tricks.”
Oded burst into laughter. “Boys and their toys.”
Chapter Twelve
Outside the forge the sun was climbing over the tops of the Iron Mountains. Von could imagine the gold and red colors dancing across the fjord and the sun’s first rays reflecting off the water. It must be a beautiful sight, but the buildings and walls of Azmark restricted his view of the Emerald Fjord. He wished there was time to spend an afternoon down on the shores. He could use the peacefulness and solitude. He couldn’t afford that luxury. Every minute of this day was needed to prepare the shop, prepare for tomorrow. He couldn’t risk a single mistake. Everything must be perfect.
The deaths of Roren and Jordy became common knowledge shortly after dawn. A somber mood dominated Azmark. Two of Azmark’s favorite son’s were now dead. The last rites were seven days from now. There would be no long drawn out ceremony, only a small procession to the funeral pyres. The families would remain to watch the bodies be consumed in the flames while others gave their condolences and sang somber songs. Von wasn’t looking forward to it. Until then, well at least for a while, he wanted to have his privacy.
That wasn’t the sole reason Von remained in the forge. His new project was one he was anxious to be started with and preparations would be time consuming. He wanted to be done with the prep work early to ensure there was plenty of time left for sleep. He couldn’t risk becoming too fatigued to continue the work once it began. His task must be completed without interruption. For that he would need a few hardy meals and a good nights rest. The former he could find in the kitchen. He didn’t want to eat in the Hall, there would be too many eyes on him, too many questions.
The familiar smells and sounds of the kitchen were comforting. As soon as Von entered he felt a little more relaxed. He was more at home here than in the Hall.
Redd noticed him and immediately came over, greeting him in a friendly manner. “Master Von,” he said, “good mornin’.”
Redd never called him master. His face was all smiles, as jovial as ever, only the familiar laughter wasn’t there.
“Baiden thought ya might return here fer yer breakfast.” He raised his eyebrow the way he always did when disciplining Dell or Reece. Von could see them out of the corner of his eye, snickering at him.
“I was told ta send ya into the Hall,” Redd continued.
“What?” Von asked.
“Baiden says not ta feed ya nothin’ in here t’day,” Redd wagged his finger at Von as if he had done something wrong. “Ye’re ta eat in the Hall.”
Von laughed to himself. I guess Baiden isn’t ready to completely start taking orders from me.
Redd was shoving and pushing him towards the door before Von could protest. “I do na want ta see ya tryin’ ta sneak in here again.”
Von glared at his two friends who were still snickering at him. He could hear Redd laugh a little as the door shut behind him.
The Hall was quite empty, not nearly as crowded as normal at this time of morning. Most people must be taking their meals in their rooms. Von wondered why he wasn’t allowed to do that.
There were fires set in most of the hearths, but not many of the torches lit, nor the lamps. It left the Hall dark, with shadows cast across the walls. The lighting matched the gloomy mood dominating the morning.
Baiden sat at the head table, an outward and public show of strength. Alensa was missing, but Von didn’t fault her for not wanting to be here, he sure didn’t. Flenn was present, but the chairs normally occupied by Roren and Jordy were conspicuously empty. Anora sat near her father, her face marked with sadness, but, as always, beautiful.
She wore a dark black dress Von had never seen her in. The gown was trimmed with white fu
r at the wrists and hem. Just looking at her made him want to hold her in his arms. Hold her as he did the night they’d danced. There would be no dancing tonight, not for a long time.
Von tried to avoid eye contact with Baiden. It was impossible, since as soon as Von entered the Hall Baiden’s gaze fell upon him. Von looked away, trying not to be too obvious about it. He wasn’t actually trying to avoid Baiden. He just wasn’t quite comfortable around his former master at the moment, at least not in public. It was difficult trying to figure out their new relationship, not knowing how to act nor wanting any extra attention. Talking to Baiden in private would be much easier.
Von could feel Anora’s eyes on him too. He avoided looking at her as much as he could, though he wanted to be with her. Why he was avoiding her he didn’t know. Things had changed between them in the last few days. Von liked those changes, only knowing how to deal with them was another matter. Anora would know little about what really happened the night before. She knew nothing about who he truly was. Von preferred to keep it that way for now. He wasn’t even sure if he knew who he truly was. He tried to avoid those thoughts as he took a seat at an empty table.
Von noticed Mo in an apron, wandering between the tables. He must have kitchen boy duties this morning. Those duties mostly consisted of bringing food in from the kitchen for anyone who sat at the tables. Mo saw Von and quickly disappeared back into the kitchen.
Von didn’t care, he wanted to be alone with his thoughts. Today he would prepare the forge. Everything would need to be organized and ready for what he planned. There could be no mistakes, and no distractions. That was the biggest reason he wanted to be alone. He had a task to accomplish, one no one else could help him with. A task he wished no one else to know about.
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