Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

  Von was a little surprised to see Corren. “Thank you for last night,” he said.

  “You are very welcome,” Corren answered. “I sensed when you awakened.”

  “You can do that?” Von asked, more than a little surprised.

  “There is much we can do,” Corren replied. “With a little training and practice, that is.” His face became more serious. “I learned a few things you are capable of last night.”

  “What’s that?” Von asked, again a little surprised and a little disbelieving. He didn’t want anyone to know what he was up to. Had Corren learned something of his plans from watching his dreams? That wasn’t possible. Was it?

  “Well,” began Corren, “a skilled cleric can ward men’s dreams and help them to rest better in their sleep.”

  “I know that,” Von said. “That is why I asked for your help.”

  “Yes, yes,” Corren paused for a moment. “It is different when a cleric watches another cleric. If the clerics are familiar with one another and one opens his mind to the other.” Corren paused again, collecting his thoughts. “Well, it normally can only be done with very powerful and skilled clerics. Not with someone who has never had any training.”

  “What are you saying?” Von asked, trying to keep his voice low.

  “I shouldn’t have been able to do it,” Corren said. He took Von’s lead and also lowered his voice. “You shouldn’t have been able to do it.”

  “Do what?” Von whispered.

  “Von,” Corren said excitedly, “you have the talent to become a cleric. A powerful cleric.”

  “Me?” Von shook his head in surprise and protest. “No, you must be mistaken.”

  “No, Von I am sure of it. Last night you opened your mind to me. Not even Wellen has been able to do that. He has tried, but I just haven’t developed the skill yet. It normally takes decades of practice on the part of both clerics, unless one is very powerful. Very powerful. Even then the impressions are like reading storms. They are not always clear.”

  “It has got to be you,” Von suggested. “I have heard you are very talented.”

  “No, it didn’t happen like that, Von. You forced your dreams into my mind. I did not even try to look at them. They weren’t even really dreams. They were clear impressions of what you were planning to do today.”

  “What?” Von was startled. He grabbed Corren’s shirt and pulled him closer, whispering into his ear. “What are you trying to tell me, Corren?”

  “Do you really think you can do it?” asked Corren excitedly.

  “Do what?” Von asked, stalling a bit. He didn’t want to reveal too much. Maybe Corren really didn’t know.

  “You know what,” Corren answered. “In the forge. The sword.” Corren was looking around the kitchen to see if Dell or Redd were listening. “Can you forge a sword the way the ancients did?”

  Von could see Corren was trying to contain his excitement.

  “I am going to try,” Von finally admitted. There was no point in trying to hide anything from Corren now, he was obviously speaking the truth.

  “When we are done with it...”

  Von interrupted Corren, “What do you mean we?”

  “You can’t do it yourself,” Corren pleaded. “Like all young men in Azmark, I do know a bit about being a blacksmith. I’m quite good at it actually.”

  “No,” Von said. “I can’t risk any mistakes.”

  “I’m not asking you to let me swing a hammer,” Corren said, undeterred. “You will need someone to work the bellows. Someone to hand you tools. From what I understand, once you begin you will not be able to stop. You may be able to go for a few days with no food. But you will never accomplish it without water. I can hold a water skin to your mouth while you continue to work.”

  Von sat in silence for a few moments, thinking. Maybe this would give him a better chance of success. Finally he spoke. “Okay, but no one else is to know.”

  “Of course,” Corren smiled. He looked pleased.

  “Let’s get started.”

  “Lead the way.”

  Von and Corren arose together. Von knew with Corren’s help his task had just gotten much easier. Why hadn’t he asked for help earlier? Corren was someone Von knew he could trust. Maybe it was time to start trusting more. He couldn’t fight the Horde on his own. Corren was a welcome ally, and he possessed powers Von did not realize existed. Not just a welcome ally, a powerful ally.

  Dell intercepted Von and Corren before they reached the door. “Whatever you guys are up to, I want in on it.”

  “We’re not up to anything,” Corren began.

  “Don’t give me that,” Dell said accusingly. “I saw you whispering in the corner and you have enough food in that gunny sack to last a few days.”

  Von knew they were caught. Corren looked at Von for help in weaseling out of the kitchen. Von decided they didn’t need to. It was time to start trusting, time to start building a force loyal to him. He already had Baiden, Wellen and Corren. Dell could be useful too. Maybe.

  “Alright Dell,” Von said. “I have a project that Corren is going to help me on. We will be in Baiden’s blacksmith shop for the next few days.” It wasn’t like they were going to be able to keep that a secret. “If you make sure no one disturbs us I will show it to you when we are done.”

  “That’s it?” Von could tell by Dell’s expression he was expecting something more exciting and maybe a little more mischievous.

  “Yes, that’s it.”

  Dell darted his eyes back and forth between the other two. Von could tell he didn’t quite believe them, but if he gave his word, it would be his bond.

  “Well, do we have a deal or not?” asked Von.

  “What is it you’re going to be making?” Dell asked.

  “We’ll show it to you when we are done,” Von needed to stay firm. Dell would keep his word, but he sometimes talked too much. Von hadn’t told him anything more than would be common knowledge soon anyway. Maybe Dell could ensure Corren and he were not bothered while they worked.

  “Okay,” Dell finally agreed, “but I get to see it first.”

  “It’s a deal,” Von said.

  Von and Corren exited into the cold of the morning. Isk and Jen followed close on their heals. It was dark outside and the sun would not be peeking over the mountains for sometime. A light snow dusted everything, covering buildings and yard alike. The mountains had probably been dumped on. Von hoped Kaiden wasn’t buried in it.

  “Von?” Corren asked. “Do you think it was wise to tell Dell what we were doing?”

  “Yes I do,” Von responded. “I think we can trust him. I’m trusting you aren’t I? Besides, I really didn’t tell him anything. We could be building a horse drawn buggy for all he knows.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  They walked the rest of the way across the courtyard in silence. The big doors to the forge creaked a little when Von pushed them open. Everything was as Von left it. All the tools were neatly arranged and ready to go. Von only needed to ready the forge fire. Corren jumped in and helped. Von was pleased with his skills. Apparently he really had done this before.

  “We must speak of training you as a cleric,” Corren said. “Wellen will be very interested in...”

  Von broke in. “If I decide to learn, I will let you know. For the next few days I will need complete silence unless it is about the work. I can’t afford to have my concentration broken.” Von gave a level look to Corren to drive home the point.

  “Understood,” Corren nodded and smiled. His excitement returned at the reminder of what they were doing.

  They worked the bellows in silence until the coals glowed white hot. Von could feel sweat already beading on his forehead. He removed his shirt and donned a heavy leather apron. “I think the fire is ready,” he said.

  Von retrieved the alloy from a box hidden under a pile of scrap metal in the corner. The steel shone brightly in the light of the forge fire. The alloy was alive in his hands. Von wo
uld soon cause that life to grow. He placed the alloy in the coals using his large tongs and waited. He could sense the metal heating. Von looked away from the fire. The metal would tell him when it was ready. He did not need to watch for it to turn color.

  He slipped a padded leather glove on his left hand and used it to take hold of the tongs. In his right hand he held a heavy hammer. Von fought the temptation to look into the fire. The alloy called to him. He waited. Corren continued to work the bellows. The metal responded to the rhythm as Corren pumped. It beckoned to him. With one single motion Von retrieved the alloy from the fire to the anvil and struck with his hammer. Feverishly he pounded. Again and again. The metal sang to him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  A heavy snow covered the mountainside camp. Most of the fires had burned out some time ago giving the camp a cold, desolate feel. The few fires still burning were currently employed in preparing the morning meal. The aroma of the cooking food sent Kaiden’s stomach growling. He hadn’t managed to get much sleep since being awakened prematurely by Erc, though he had tried, tossing and turning in his bedroll until nearly giving up. When sleep finally came it was short and restless.

  The wind continued to increase in ferocity throughout the night and then the heavy snow came. Kaiden wondered if the storm had reached the coast, dropping snow on the low lands as it had in the mountains.

  Kaiden knew it was useless to continue laying in bed, despite how tired he still was. He stretched a bit to get his muscles accustomed to moving, then donned his cloak.

  Bo had slept through most of the night curled up next to Kaiden, but disappeared sometime early this morning. The dog better be safe. Kaiden needed him to continue the hunt.

  Kaiden wondered how a group as large as this camp was going to manage to track an animal. Their quarry would hear them coming from leagues away. The only possible result they would gain would be driving the thing further up the mountains. He could not give up though, no matter how long it took. The thought of becoming a hermit chasing around these mountains for the rest of his life came to mind. He laughed at himself. This hunting trip was a disaster.

  Why did he ever feel sorry for Von? Von was probably still asleep in a warm bed enjoying his new found freedom. Kaiden should have been home days ago, enjoying Von’s freedom with him. Once Kaiden did get home his father would most likely send him straight back out. He sighed at the prospect of venturing into the mountains again so soon. Why did he need to make the journey to Haven Keep? Especially while his father was still alive. That question he could worry about later. There were other things to worry about now.

  The hour was still early, but no one remained in their bed roll. A few men busied themselves with small tasks and camp chores. Some chopped wood, stirred steaming pots of stew, or mended saddles, but the majority of the men passed the morning hours lulling about. These men even managed to look dangerous doing that. Most of the camp was packed and ready to go, and at the same time seemed ready to bed down at this spot for weeks if need be. It must come from years of being on the go, ready to move at a moments notice.

  Kaiden wandered from fire to fire looking for Tostig. Or Oded. Either one would do. No one else payed him much mind or bothered to talk to him, though Kaiden knew they were definitely aware of him. These men had an aura of being aware of everything. On the outside it appeared they were minding to their own business and nothing else. Kaiden sensed otherwise. This camp ran like clockwork. Everyone knew their duties, everyone knew the next move. The camp moved as one and they seemed to think as one. They probably fought the same way.

  Kaiden again found himself thinking these men were a formidable fighting force. He would have to ensure they were allies, fighting on the same side and for the same cause. If the situation proved otherwise, these men were too dangerous to be allowed to remain in the north. It would probably take a majority of the clans to drive them out. Even then the toll in lives and blood might be more than Kaiden was willing to pay.

  In the light of the early morning Kaiden was able to assess his surroundings better. The camp was set at the edge of a ravine. Two huge rock structures grew out from the side of the mountain. The rock formations afforded some protection from the storm during the night, but Kaiden thought Oded secured the spot for the defensive qualities. The camp was near impossible to see from even a short distance away and was easily defendable. Kaiden was sure Oded had been here before. The man led the group straight to this spot.

  Kaiden made his way from one end of the camp to the other. He must have looked strange with his bow strapped to his back, his sword at his hip and the spear Von made for him in his hand. Then again Kaiden couldn’t remember ever seeing any of these men unarmed, he might not look so strange after all.

  There were two tents still up. At one point Kaiden thought he heard Arn moaning inside one of them. Kaiden hoped Oded was not inside too. He wanted to talk to him, but thought it rude to barge in on someone while they were in the privacy of a tent. He turned and walked the other way, continuing his search for Oded and Tostig.

  Toward the other end of the camp Kaiden found both men. Bo was with them too. The dog certainly had warmed up to Oded. Kaiden felt safer knowing Bo trusted Oded. It was a good sign.

  Tostig was talking. All Kaiden caught was “...more arriving daily.” Tostig stopped when he saw Kaiden approaching.

  “More what?” Kaiden asked. He hoped he did not sound too suspicious.

  “We have a few men we sent back with the task of bringing more supplies.” Oded said. “We are running short. If we have to winter in these mountains we may not have sufficient.”

  Kaiden knew that was the best explanation he was going to get. Oded exchanged a nearly unnoticeable glance with Tostig. It was almost a reprimand. Kaiden wondered once again if he could trust them. What were they not telling him? Kaiden flipped back and forth so often and so fast between wanting to trust these men and not knowing if he should that he finally decided that it was best to remain wary.

  Kaiden didn’t see any reason to waste time with small talk. “How soon do we get started?”

  “Have some food first.” Oded motioned to a cast iron pot with something cooking in it. “We have a long day ahead. Best to start it out with a full belly.”

  Oded was right. No use arguing with that, not that he wanted to.

  “Don’t mind if I do,” Kaiden said.

  There was food in his own pack, but this hot porridge was a lot more appetizing than cold cheese, jerky and crusty bread. He spooned himself a bowl full. It possessed a mild, sweet taste and helped to warm him in the cold of the morning.

  “We will leave as soon as breakfast is over,” Oded explained. “I have already chosen twenty men. We will split into five groups of four. The remainder of the men will stay here and act as a base camp.”

  Kaiden nodded. It made sense. It would also be nice to have a base camp to return to.

  “You have stayed here before, I take it?” Kaiden asked, even though he was sure he knew the answer to his question.

  “Yes,” Oded answered, “but we did not stay long.”

  “Why?”

  “The early winter sent us further down the mountain.” Oded explained.

  Kaiden was sure there was more to it. “And?”

  “The beast,” Tostig admitted.

  Oded continued, “The first night we were here the beast struck. That is why I brought us back here. It is the first place we encountered it. I think it may have a lair near by.” Oded reached down between his feet and scrubbed Bo behind the ears. “Maybe your dog here can help us find it.”

  “Most of this country is pretty rocky,” said Kaiden. “Are we to go ahead on foot?”

  “That would probably be best,” answered Oded.

  “I’m ready to go when you are.”

  “Good,” Tostig announced. “You can come with me. I hope you are as impressive with that spear of yours as you seem to be with your sword.”

  “I can hold my own.”
/>   “I’m sure you can,” Oded offered. “I’m sure you can.”

  “Well then,” Tostig clapped his hands together. “Let’s get started. We don’t want to lose any more of this warm sunshine.”

  Warm indeed, thought Kaiden. If Oded did want to winter up here he was in for a lot colder weather than this. Supplies would be the least of his worries if he tried to survive the winter here without better shelter than a few lean-tos.

  Tostig continued, “Coen and Thad will also accompany us. They should be about ready. Let’s go try and find them.”

  “Lead the way.”

  “Don’t forget your dog,” Oded called after them.

  Kaiden turned around and called to Bo. The dog immediately came to him. Bo was still young, but Kaiden was already thinking of him as an old friend. It was good to have Bo at his side again.

  Kaiden followed Tostig through the camp. Tostig knew exactly where to go to find the two men assigned to them. Kaiden was positive he’d seen Thad before today, but couldn’t remember meeting Coen. Both men were about thirty winters, or summers as the case may be. The similarities ended there. Thad was short, broad, with dirty blond hair and grey eyes. Coen was tall and lanky, almost as tall as the spear at his side, his hair a light brown like so many others in the camp. His face was dominated by a hooked nose and a weak chin he tried to hide with a scruffy looking goatee.

  Coen greeted Von politely with a deep, rough voice. “It’s good to finally meet you.” He extended his hand and Kaiden took it. His grip was iron.

  “Likewise,” said Thad, extending his hand as well. His grip was strong too, but nothing like Coen’s.

  “It’s good to meet you as well,” Kaiden replied. “I hope we can find some success this day.”