Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

  “Well, I have things to do,” Anora announced.

  “Thank you for lunch.” Von stammered. “It was wonderful.” He stood with her. “Let me walk you back.”

  She smiled as if to say she would like that.

  They were interrupted by another knock at the double wide doors.

  A tall young man almost as tall as the doorway stood in front of them. Dethan. Von hadn’t seen him for years. He was the son of Jeret, the chief of the Celtens, and one of Kaiden’s good friends. Von liked him, it was hard not to. Most of the girls did as well. His hair was light brown, just a little darker than most northern men and his eyes were piercing blue. His build was athletic and strong. It was no wonder he normally had a gaggle of young girls following him around. He’d grown a few inches since Von had last seen him. His presence meant the Celtens had arrived and would travel with Baiden to the meeting of the chiefs.

  “I was told you two were in here,” Dethan announced.

  He said “you two” but Von could tell he was looking for Anora. He had a thing for her ever since Von could remember. Anora sometimes returned the interest.

  “So Kaiden is not around?” It sounded like a question, but was more of a statement.

  “No, but how are you Dethan?” Von asked.

  “I’m good, “ Dethan answered. “And from the looks of you, you are too. You look like you’ve grown three inches since I last saw you.”

  “I was going to say the same about you. Kaiden should return within the next few days,” Von said. “He’s been hunting. Some kind of animal has been disturbing the flocks. It even took a young boy.”

  “So I’ve heard. Do they know what it was?”

  “No, but I’m sure Kaiden will bring back a nice pelt to lay next to the hearth.”

  “I’m sure he will.”

  “I’m going to leave you two boys to your manly talk,” Anora said and started towards the door.

  “Wait,” Dethan said. “I’ll see you tonight? At dinner?”

  “I’m sure,” Anora answered.

  “Thank you again,” Von called after her.

  She turned and smiled, her emerald eyes sparkled. Von thought she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen.

  “She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen,” Dethan said.

  Von laughed at hearing an echo of his own thoughts.

  “What are you laughing at Von? She is. I’d give anything to have her look at me the way she just looked at you.”

  Von laughed again, “You must be seeing something I’m not.”

  “You are blind then Von. Too bad for you you’re just a bond servant.”

  “Well actually I am a free enterprising blacksmith.”

  “What?!” Dethan sounded shocked.

  “I have been for a few of days now. Baiden is letting me use his shop until I get my own.”

  “How?” Dethan shook his head.

  “I guess I just had a benevolent master.”

  “I guess so.” Dethan changed from shaking to nodding. He even looked pleased at his friend’s fortunate turn of events. “I’m sure I will see you tonight then too.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  They both laughed, shook hands and Dethan left, disappearing the way he’d come, leaving Von alone to finish his work.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kaiden made himself comfortable at a rock next to the fire. There were more than a few small fires burning in the camp with four or five men crowded around each. Kaiden found himself seated alone at one of those fires near the edge of the camp. All the men were cordial, and some were occasionally friendly, but he was still an outsider and most of the party made no effort to mingle with him, despite the curiosity he sensed many of them harbored. Kaiden was curious as well, and hoped to learn more about these men before he returned home.

  He slurped the last bits of stew Tostig gave him and warmed his hands near the fire. The flames burned brightly and Kaiden welcomed the heat.

  He was in a small camp, one Oded and his men had used before. There were no permanent structures, but the clearing was free of trees, allowing for the use of a couple large tents. Most of the men slept on the ground. Easier to pack up and move that way.

  The ride up the mountain was long and hard on both the horses and the men. Kaiden took care of Rove before he saw to his own comforts. Now he wanted sleep. He was exhausted, and though still extremely curious about Tostig and the rest of these men, they could wait until he found time to recoup. Besides, Kaiden didn’t think he was going to get much information out of them anytime soon. The way he felt he could easily fall asleep next to this fire and probably not wake up for three days.

  Tostig finished whatever he’d been doing and made his way over to Kaiden. It amazed Kaiden how efficient these men were. They were almost as large as a an army detatchment, yet moved with the speed of Kaiden’s small hunting party, all the while keeping their numbers hidden well. Kaiden still didn’t know how many men he was traveling with. As soon as he thought he’d made an accurate count he would discover a group of three to five men he hadn’t seen before. And there were scouts that kept appearing out of nowhere and disappearing back into the woods. These would be dangerous men to fight against, particularly in this terrain. Kaiden found himself hoping they were as friendly as they seemed.

  Tostig sat down on the fallen log next to Kaiden. “I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”

  “Not at all,” Kaiden answered. Maybe he could pick Tostig’s brain, find out a little more about these men. Who they were, where they’d come from.

  Tostig wasted no time in getting started. “I wish to rest your fears a bit. I know you must have a hundred or so questions you want answered. I will answer what I can. Maybe I can start by telling you a little about us.”

  This was going to be easier than Kaiden thought. Assuming Tostig decided to tell the truth. Even if he did tell the truth there was no way of knowing. Maybe it wouldn’t be so easy after all.

  “Tell away,” Kaiden said.

  “Well,” Tostig began, “where to start? Where to start?” Tostig paused for a moment collecting his thoughts. “As you know, and as we’ve told you, we are refugees from the war. That’s not exactly accurate I guess. We are a remnant of what was left after Evenfelle’s battle with the Horde. We have been... fighting, I guess you could call it, ever since. More like skirmishing. Nothing to compare with the first battle in which the armies of Evenfelle were smashed. I was barely old enough to hold a sword then. We have been trying to deal blows to the Horde at strategic spots. Mostly ambushes and attacks on outlying forts. More often than not we have been running. The Horde has never really seen fit to send enough forces to deal with us sufficiently until recently.”

  “Why is that?” Kaiden asked.

  “I guess the Demon Mage has never really seen us as a threat, and until now the Horde was occupied with the Gothen Isles. There was a rumor some general or royal family member escaped to the islands. I don’t think the rumor was true, but for some reason the Horde believed it. We even looked into it for a while. The Horde does not have a very strong navy. For that reason the Gothen Ilses were able to hold out for years. The strength of the Black Horde is in their cavalry. It is unmatched by anything I have seen or heard of, in the skill of their horsemen as well as the might of their numbers. Not that I have seen much beyond my own lands, or what used to be my land. It is all the Horde’s now.” Tostig sounded disturbed about the last part more than any other.

  “I am sorry for your loss.” Kaiden was sorry. No one deserved to have their homeland overrun by a marauding army. From what he learned in his youth, the north was supposed to have come to the aid of Evenfelle, and never did. The destruction of Evenfelle always made Kaiden think of Von. “I wish we could have been of help to you.”

  “Do not waste your strength feeling sorry for us. We know you tried. At least your father did. The Horde is led by some kind of sorcerer. A warrior wizard, the Demon Mage he is called. He se
nt the storm that drove the dragon ships back north. Even if Azmark had arrived at the battle field they would have been too late, and probably would have been dealt worse losses than they already received.” Tostig sighed. “The Horde will soon turn its strength this direction. With the fall of the Gothen Isles there is only one direction for them to go. Well two directions I guess, but I doubt they will turn around and go back home.” Tostig laughed at his own joke.

  Kaiden did not find any of this funny.

  “The Horde is still searching and have shown no signs of slowing down. There are a few strongholds left in the high desert plains, but I fear they will not hold out for long.”

  “I still don’t understand why they didn’t send more men to pursue you.” Kaiden wondered aloud.

  “Well, as I said, they seem to be searching for something. They search all the cities, towns, villages. We don’t know what they are looking for. My father might, but he doesn’t say.”

  “You mean Oded may know?” Kaiden asked.

  “Maybe.” Tostig answered. “I don’t know, but I suspect he does.”

  “What makes you suspect?”

  “Other than the fact he is so quiet on the subject?”

  “Other than that, yes.”

  “You have clerics here in the north.” It was not a question.

  “You know we do.”

  “Do they dream?”

  Kaiden gave Tostig a sideways glance, he thought they’d discussed this already. This man was a puzzle. “I’ve heard they do. I don’t know much about them or how the dreams are interpreted.” What was Tostig getting at? “Do you dream?”

  Kaiden didn’t know why he even asked the question. Tostig admitted as much earlier.

  Tostig smiled as if to say I know you aren’t going to believe me. “I do. More often of late. I mostly dream of storms.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard of that,” Kaiden said. “Clerics often foretell the weather.”

  “These are no ordinary storms. The storms I see are searching for something. A weapon I think. My father has the same dreams, but he won’t speak to me of them. He will not be happy if he hears I have spoken to you.”

  “Why do you trust me?”

  “I have dreamed of you Kaiden, son of Baiden. I know I can trust you.”

  Kaiden choked on his mulled mead. He managed to cough out a couple words. “Of me?”

  “Yes of you, and others in the north.”

  “Why would you dream of me?” Who else did he dream of? Could Tostig be believed? Could he be trusted?

  “I’m not sure. I only know you are key. We must unite the forces of the north and what is left of those in the south and on the high desert. None of us can stand alone in this conflict. You must help us do that.”

  Kaiden shook his head slowly. “I’m not key to anything. I can’t even lead a successful hunting expedition.” It was true. He failed his friends. Led them to their deaths. Soren might still be alive, but not likely. “I am sorry, Tostig, you have the wrong man.”

  Tostig’s shook his head. “No, Kaiden, we need you. You are key.”

  Tostig was interrupted by the sound of footsteps crunching in the snow. Oded, approached their small fire.

  “We must rest in shifts tonight,” he said. “No one is to sleep without someone watching them.” He stood over them like a father suspecting his sons were up to something. Tostig and Oded passed knowing looks at eachother and Kaiden swore Oded knew everything they had spoken about. He did not looked pleased.

  It was apparent to Kaiden that Tostig was used to this.

  “I have paired the two of you together,” Oded continued. “It seems there isn’t anyone else that trusts you much.” His level gaze met Kaiden’s.

  “I trust you,” Oded said, “and Tostig trusts you.”

  Kaiden knew Oded was trying to reassure him and was surprised he actually felt that way.

  “One of you will sleep while the other watches,” Oded continued. “This rope is to tie you together.” He held out a length of rope.

  “Why do we need to tie ourselves?” Kaiden asked. “I thought you said you trusted me?”

  “We do,” Oded explained. “It is for safety.”

  “Safety?”

  “So no one is taken in their sleep,” Tostig said.

  The beast. They were afraid of the beast. Kaiden wanted to laugh at them. He also wanted to pretend he wasn’t afraid himself. He knew he was, and now knew they were too.

  Oded turned to go. “Sleep well,” he said. “Tomorrow we hunt.” He sounded grim. “Maybe even tonight.”

  He walked off to speak to a group of men at a nearby fire. Their voices were low and Kaiden could not make out what they were saying. They looked serious. It was obvious these men had taken orders from Oded for a long time and Oded was used to being obeyed.

  Tostig pulled Kaiden’s attention away from the other fire. “There is a young man in Azmark.” There was great interest in Tostig’s voice, a sound of concern. Tostig tried to hide it as he continued. “A blacksmith’s servant maybe. He is originally from the south.”

  “Tostig,” Oded’s voice boomed. “I will speak to you.” He sounded less pleased than before.

  Tostig rose quickly.

  “Excuse me,” he said, leaving in a hurry.

  When Tostig reached Oded an argument ensued. Tostig pled his case, but Oded was having none of it. In the end Tostig was sent off on some errand or task and Kaiden was left alone by the fire.

  Tostig was referring to Von. There was no way it was a coincidence. Von was the only one from the south Kaiden knew. Did Tostig dream of Von? What was his interest in him? Kaiden wanted to trust these men, and felt he should, but he didn’t know for sure. Were these men even who they claimed to be? They could be an advanced guard or scouting party for the Horde. Tostig claimed the Horde possessed an unmatched calvary. Kaiden had never seen anyone handle horses the way these men did. They seemed to live on horseback. They were a dangerous fighting force right in the heart of the north. They could be a great asset or something much worse.

  Tostig’s interest in Von made Kaiden uneasy. How did Tostig know of Von? These were questions that needed answering soon. Kaiden could not bring these men back home without knowing for sure. They may not even let him leave. So far they hadn’t been hostile towards him, but he’d not tried to go his separate way or challenge their authority. Kaiden was sure they didn’t want their presence known. There was no telling what Oded would do to ensure that secret was kept.

  Well, maybe I can get some sleep without having to be tied up, Kaiden thought. He wrapped up in his woolen cloak and made himself comfortable next to the fire. He used his saddle bags as a pillow. He couldn’t wait to get back home and sleep in a real bed again. If he ever got back home. A few years ago he couldn’t think of anything more exciting than sleeping out under the stars or going hunting with his father and friends. Those were happier days. Kaiden tried to let his mind rest and closed his eyes. He needed all the rest he could get.

  A voice brought Kaiden back to consciousness.

  “Kaiden, I am Erc.”

  Kaiden looked up and saw a man standing over him. His hair was light brown, his eyes a dull bluish grey. The man was unshaven, but not unkept. Erc took a seat on the rock Kaiden was sitting on earlier. He looked comfortable and relaxed, butt there was a dangerous air about him. He was ready for action at any moment. All these men were. It was bred into them.

  “Tostig has other things to do this night. I will watch over you as you sleep.”

  They didn’t trust him Kaiden thought. “Do we need to be tied together?” asked Kaiden.

  “It is for the best,” Erc answered.

  Best for whom? wondered Kaiden.

  There was a length of rope tied to Erc’s wrist with an intricate knot. He motioned for Kaiden to put out his hand. Erc was not as talkative as Tostig. Kaiden found there was nothing he could do, but put out his hand. Erc began tying the rope around Kaiden’s wrist with the same intrica
te knot.

  “I guess this means we are married or something,” Kaiden said, trying to get a laugh out of Erc.

  Erc looked at him flatly.

  Wow this guy has no sense of humor either. Flenn would have laughed.

  “Tostig was interested in a southern man living up here in the north,” Kaiden said. “I’m not sure who he might have been referring to.” Kaiden tried to be careful not to give out too much information about Von. If indeed that was who Tostig was referring to. “Would you have any idea who he may have been talking about.?”

  Erc stared blankly at the dying fire. “I wouldn’t know anything about that,” he finally said.

  Kaiden didn’t believe him. Erc knew more than he was letting on to. These men lived together, fought together, and who knows what else for who knows how long. They would have a hard time keeping secrets from one another. Unless it was a dream of Tostig’s. Kaiden somehow doubted that. If he wasn’t sure Oded was too far away to hear their conversation Kaiden would have thought Tostig had been pulled away before he could say anything else. What if somehow Oded did hear? No, that was crazy.

  “Are you sure?” Kaiden asked. “Tostig sounded like it might be important.”

  Erc looked around nervously then shook his head. “I really couldn’t tell you. I don’t pretend to know what the clerics know.” He shrugged his shoulders. “If it is important we will all know soon enough.”

  Erc’s nervous reaction gave him away. These men may have experience fighting, however they had no experience dealing with outsiders. Kaiden could read the lie on Erc’s face. It was something to think about. They did not trust him, they tied him while he slept, they were not completely open with him and Kaiden needed to find out why. It could be they were just cautious, since they knew little or nothing of Kaiden. Maybe they were feeling him out. Kaiden hoped that was the case. If Oded hid more sinister plans Kaiden needed to find out. For now Kaiden remained their prisoner in all but name.