Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

Druden looked ready to charge. Maybe that was what Baiden was hoping for. Get them to charge separately instead of all at once. The leader, whoever he was, restrained Druden with an outstretched arm. “The charges have not all been spoken.”

  Oded had enough of keeping silent. “If you were literate you could read the charges instead of just speak them. Get this over with so I can start killing you wastes of skin.”

  Druden couldn’t hold his temper any longer. He spurred his horse and charged. Flenn could see his sword was too high. He swung it wildy above his head. It appeared Druden meant to take off Oded’s head on his way to Baiden. What Druden didn’t count on was Tostig moving his horse slightly forward and loosing an arrow. The shaft struck Druden in his armpit, sending him crashing to the ground, his horse continued running. Druden lay motionless where he fell, his body contorted in an unnatural position. Flenn hadn’t even seen Tostig nock an arrow. When Flenn turned to look at him, Tostig already had another arrow nocked, his bow drawn back to his ear, ready to fire at his next target.

  “You will answer for that too.” The man did not seem as confident now. Not that he had before. “Jeret we have no quarrel with you. You have not been charged, and will not be if you allow us to finish our sacred trust.”

  “I have heard no evidence of these crimes,” Jeret said. “There has been no trial.”

  “There will be when we take Baiden into custody.”

  “He is Lord of Azmark. He must be tried before the chiefs of all the clans. You can wait until we arrive at Stone Abbey tomorrow. You can have your trial then. If we decide there is to be one.”

  “I cannot let the criminal go free,” the man screamed. “The quorum has been formed and sent on its task. We have sworn our oaths and will accomplish our errand or die.” The man turned again to Baiden and pointed his sword at him. “You have betrayed the north. You have brought a foreign army onto our lands to subject us to your will. How, Jeret, can you follow this man? The evidence is obvious. The leader of that army stands before you. Baiden hides the heir to the throne of Evenfelle, to set up as a puppet king and carve out an empire for himself. By his own mouth he has admitted to the charges of murder we bring against him. Those murders were done to hide his other purposes.”

  Jeret did not look pleased. “Baiden what do you have to say to this. I cannot pretend any longer that I do not recognize Oded and his son Tostig. What of the heir of Evenfelle?”

  “The Halfen twist the facts into lies,” Baiden explained. “I have done no murder, I only defended myself and my family.”

  “And the heir of Evenfelle?” Jeret asked calmly.

  Oded interrupted, “We know his general whereabouts. All you need to know is that he is safe.”

  Von! It had to be. Why would Baiden keep such a thing a secret. Could it be true? Would the rest of Azmark react the same way the Halfen have? How could Baiden unite the north now?

  “Maybe he is not so safe as you think,” the Halfen leader hissed.

  Baiden was no longer laughing. “I swore a solemn oath to the emperor and to the empire, to keep it safe. To hold in the north the secret to defeating the Horde. I have kept that oath. I have kept safe what was entrusted to me and will do as I swore, to give my life in protection of the realm and he to whom it rightly belongs. You have sworn to be faithful to me. That oath you have broken. As I have invoked the ancient ways of the Dragon Lords this day, so I pronounce upon you their punishment for sedition.”

  That pronouncement sent a silent wave of shock through the Halfen men. Death to them and their entire families. Flenn had not heard of that punishment being carried out for over three hundred winters. In all that time no one had earned it. Maybe the Halfen had.

  Jeret sat straight in his saddle, ready to do battle. “Baiden I have known you for years. You have always been an honest man. You always honor your word. I do too. You may only be considered first among equals, but you are still Lord of Azmark. To me Azmark is not dead. I stand at your side.”

  The Halfen man screamed, “So be it.” He let fall his sword and the Halfen charged. The two men behind him went down with arrow strikes and were trampled by the horses that followed. That must have been Oded’s and Tostig’s doing. Flenn braced himself for the wave of steel and horse that was about to crash down upon them. He positioned himself next to Baiden and Jeret. Oded and Tostig did not wait. They charged forward to meet the attack, cutting a path through the Halfen. Flenn decided to follow their lead. He spurred his horse on, galloping to meet the Halfen.

  The Halfen did not expect a counter charge. Flenn caught the first man unexpected. Flenn’s blow unhorsed him. The second came up on Flenn’s right. He blocked Flenn’s down stroke with his shield and tried to counter strike, but Flenn was already thundering by. Flenn ducked to avoid another sword aimed at his head from the left. The blade whirled by, finger widths from his scalp. Maybe charging in wasn’t the best idea, but just like that he was through to the other side.

  Flenn heard the violent crash of steel on steel and knew the Halfen had reached Baiden. Flenn searched around for Oded and Tostig. The two were already turned around and attacking the flanks of the Halfen. Every one of their sword strokes put a man to the earth. The Halfen did not expect an attack from behind and Oded and Tostig took full advantage. Flenn could see these two men were no strangers to battle. He tried his best to mimic them and turned on the Halfen to attack from behind. He did not care if it didn’t seem honorable. He was in survival mode. He took two more down before another noticed the danger from behind. The man turned his horse to face Flenn. Sword clashed against sword. Again and again. This man was good. Maybe too good. It was all he could do to fend off the blows the Halfen man sent his way. Sooner or later one of those attacks would get through. He needed to do something. Find an opening. He kicked his horse. It lunged forward, slamming into the Halfen man’s leg. The man bent over slightly in pain. It was just enough of an opening. Flenn drove his sword home and almost fell from his horse at the strain of impact, then spun, wrenching his sword free.

  Flenn turned to see the battle was over. Only Tostig, Oded and he remained on horseback. Berkler was standing on the ground, leaning on his sword. He looked unharmed, just a little winded. Dethan was kneeling next to his father. Blood covered Jeret’s face. Where was Baiden?

  “Baiden!” Flenn heard a female voice scream. It was Alensa. She ran from her hiding place in the trees. Anora was at her heels.

  “Daddy! No daddy, please.”

  No, it couldn’t be. Baiden had to be alright. He had to be.

  Flenn leapt from his horse and met the women at Baiden’s side. He was still breathing, but there was a nasty cut across his face. He tried to sit up, but Alensa pushed him gently back down.

  “Lie still,” she pleaded.

  “I’m fine,” Baiden groaned. “I just have a slight head ache. You know, like when and anvil falls on your head.”

  “Daddy, your hand!”

  “Oh, I never used those three fingers anyways. I’m fine. Let me up.”

  Despite the protests, Baiden pushed himself to his feet. Alensa was doing her best to wrap his hand in a handkerchief. Both she and Anora were crying. Flenn did not blame them. The only Celten left alive was Dethan. If it were not for Oded and Tostig it was likely none of them would be living. Instead it was the Halfen who had seen the last day.

  Baiden tried to get to his horse. He fell to his knees halfway there. Alensa laid him softly to the ground.

  “Lay still. You need rest.”

  Baiden didn’t protest this time.

  Flenn surveyed the damage. Dax, Ronnie, and Scott had joined the fray, and lost their lives for it. Who knows who still lived because they sacrificed themselves.

  Tostig approached Flenn, his voice low for Flenn’s ear alone. “Next time, unless there is no other choice, only charge through superior forces with a partner. You ride close together and do not let any enemies between you. That way you do not have to fight two men at once. I saw you almos
t lost your head.”

  “I’ll remember that.” Flenn had almost lost his head. The advice would have been good to have heard before the fight.

  “Also,” Tostig continued his council, “if there are three of you the one on the far right rides slightly behind and lets just one enemy between the two horses. Both men then attack to the right and the man on the left attacks to the left. You still only fight one man at a time. If one man falls you close ranks.”

  Flenn shook his head. Dethan was mourning his father, Baiden had nearly lost his life as well, and this man was giving lessons in warfare. Flenn sighed, maybe he should be a little more grateful. Tostig and his father had just saved all their lives.

  “Thank you, I will remember. Hopefully I will never have need to use your advice.”

  “You will, and probably sooner than you think.”

  Flenn knew Tostig was only stating the truth. He just wished that it wasn’t.

  For now Baiden needed care. He needed bandages and water. Alensa was seeing to it. She was probably doing a better job than Flenn could, but Flenn felt he should do something.

  Alensa put a field dressing on Baiden’s head and hand, and Baiden was now resting easy. He would need to be moved to the tent eventually, but that could wait a few moments. Flenn fetched a blanket for him, then thought of the women. He returned again with two more blankets for Alensa and Anora. They huddled close to Baiden. Flenn kept a watch on them.

  “We cannot continue to Stone Abbey, my lady,” Flenn said. He hoped he didn’t sound like he was giving orders. “The Halfen will kill us. We must return to Azmark and bring greater forces.”

  “I know, Flenn.” Alensa sighed. She had seen too much sorrow in her life already. Now there was only going to be more.

  “Baiden will be fine.” Flenn tried to sound comforting. He was sure he was failing miserably.

  “I know he will,” she smiled at him. “And I know you will see us safely home.”

  “I will.” Flenn would do his best. There was no point in telling Alensa there could be more Halfen around. They would not survive another attack. “I’m going to help Dethan.”

  Dethan was laying the bodies of his father and his councilors in a line. He would strap them to their horses in the morning so he could return them to home for a proper burial. If it was up to Flenn he would leave the bodies of the Halfen to the wolves.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Flenn offered. He truly was, he just wasn’t sure how to show it.

  Dethan said nothing. Flenn started helping, not knowing what else to do or say. They finished by laying blankets over the tops of the bodies. That was the best they could do for now.

  “Is what the Halfen said true?” Dethan asked.

  “Is what true?”

  “That Baiden has brought a foreign army to the north to subject it to his rule. That he assassinated Cray to hide the fact.”

  “None of it is true.”

  “None of it? Some of it has to be. Oded is here. The heir of Evenfelle is alive somewhere. Baiden never denied that.”

  “Don’t forget you were,... no, you are a citizen of Evenfelle. We are part of the empire.”

  “How can I follow a man who led my father to his death?”

  Flenn needed to be careful with what he said. This was the heir to the Celten clan, and now its rightful ruler. If the Halfen truly did have two clans on their side already, the loss of the Celtens would be a death blow. “Remember always who it was who killed your father. Your Father was a wise man. He trusted Baiden.”

  “And now he is dead. How can we stand against the Halfen? They are too strong. They are by far the most numerous. What do I care who is chosen Lord of Azmark? As long as my clan is left in peace.”

  “No one will be left in peace.”

  “But I can choose the winning side.”

  If Flenn knew for sure Dethan would lead his clan to join the Halfen he would have killed him now. No, Dethan could not do that. It was the grief talking. He would see reason, would see the Halfen’s treachery. He would not join himself to that. Flenn just couldn’t believe Dethan capable of such a thing. Nor the Celten clan. They would not follow the Halfen.

  Flenn put his hand on Dethan’s shoulder. “We will win, Dethan. We will win.”

  Flenn left Dethan to go find Oded. He was with Tostig. Flenn hoped the rest of Oded’s army fought as well as he and his son did. “We owe you our lives,” Flenn said.

  “You will have ample time to return the favor,” Oded spoke candidly. “We will need to see the women safely home. You and Berkler will need to return with a larger force to Stone Abbey. You will have to speak on behalf of your chief. Like it or not, you are the senior councilor and are the one everyone else will look to for direction.”

  “I could use your help.”

  “I am confident you will do well,” Oded said, “but don’t worry. I will remain with you as much as I can.”

  “And you Tostig?”

  “I must return to our people,” Tostig answered. “They must be warned of this threat. We will come to your aid with our full forces.”

  “And we to yours.” He clasped Tostig’s hand. Tostig mounted his horse, nodded a goodbye, and rode off.

  I guess he is not wasting any time, Flenn thought.

  Flenn watched Tostig go and knew there would be much more fighting before this was over. There was war now in the north. The Halfen had brought it earlier than anyone expected, but it was here now and Flenn could no longer see any way around it, nor any way to avoid it. The Halfen would need to be dealt with quickly before the Horde descended on the north. Without being united, the north would never stand against the Horde.

  “Come, we must see to Baiden, then get some rest ourselves,” Oded said. “It will be a long night.”

  “Yes, a long night,” Flenn agreed. And a long fight.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Von and Kaiden hadn’t seen the Halfen men for two nights. The signs of the Halfen passing were obvious. Von need not be an expert tracker to see the deep prints in the snow left by the men on horseback. The Halfen continued east, the same direction Von and Kaiden traveled. They must be trying to get home through the mountains. Any direction but the one they had come. The Halfen were running scared, running as if chased by all the demons in the Rift. Von wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t stop until they reached the east coast of Azmark. He wondered if any of the other Halfen were still alive. Not that he cared, it would just be good to know if kaiden and he were still being followed. Followed by something other than the vyr.

  The coming of day brought more than just warmth. The light chased away the shadows, and Von quit looking over his shoulder at every turn. The bright morning almost allowed him to forget the horrors of the night.

  Kaiden hadn’t spoken for hours. Von didn’t blame him. He had no desire for conversation either. They moved through the sparse forest in near silence, the crunch under the horses’ hooves the only sound other than the occasional chirping squirrel. Most birds were gone for the winter and soon the squirrels would hide themselves away for the coming months too. Everything was moving down the mountains in preparation for the coming winter, looking for warmer temperatures and greener pastures. Everything except Kaiden and Von. Further up they wound their way, chasing after a mystery Von hoped would somehow help against the Horde.

  Von estimated they would reach Haven Keep within the next day or two. It was hard to tell for sure traveling in the deep snow. It significantly hampered their speed.

  The dogs kept up well. Isk and Jen were beginning to grow their winter coats. They would need them to stay warm in these conditions. Von wished he could grow a coat of his own. He shivered then pulled his dark cloak tighter around his body. He was glad Anora had given it to him. He did not own anything else that would have kept him so warm, and it helped to remind him of her. Remind him he had a reason to return safely home.

  “Time for breakfast,” Kaiden announced.

  Von agreed.
They had traveled all night, stopping only at short intervals to rest the horses. The animals had all gotten some sleep, but Kaiden and he didn’t dare even try. They could not keep this pace up for long. The horses would die from exhaustion. Kaiden and he just may too.

  Kaiden started a fire while Von rummaged through the packs looking for something they could warm up and fill their bellies with. He found a few carrots, peppers and onions then threw them in a pot. He added a little salted beef, filled the remainder of the pot with fresh snow, then collapsed next to the fire.

  “How long you planning on staying here?” Kaiden asked.

  “Long enough for this to cook.”

  “You sure we can afford that much time?”

  “If we keep moving like this the horses will die.”

  “You have a point,” Kaiden agreed. “I don’t want to end up carrying you.”

  “Carrying me? You’re the one that looks like he is about to fall over.”

  “The only reason you don’t look like you are going to fall over is you are already laying flat on your back.”

  “I’m just conserving my energy,” Von laughed. “What little I have left.” It was easy to joke with Kaiden. Kaiden always reminded him of his older brother, it was why Von felt so at home with him.

  “Yeah, I know.” Kaiden plopped down next to Von. “The wind has stopped. As a matter of fact, I haven’t felt so much as a breeze in over a day. Maybe we can risk a little sleep.”

  “Okay, but I go first.” Von thought it was a good idea. They couldn’t keep this pace up for long. They would die from exhaustion before they ever died from the cold, or whatever other dangers lurked behind them.

  “No way, you’re cooking the stew. Wake me up if you feel the wind pick up.”

  “Fine, but if you sleep too long, I’m feeding the rest to the dogs.”