Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Just this. The greatest armor a warrior can wear into battle is the strength of the bear. Or so I once thought. Now I have something greater.”

  Von was beginning to understand. Soren held to the old traditions. The old tales claimed a man could gain the strength of a bear by hunting it down and killing it in its own lair. By wearing its hide, or bear skin, as it was called, he would become a berserker. A legendary fighter from the frozen lands of the north. Feared on the battlefield and nearly uncontrollable. Berserkers were said to go wild, taking wounds that would kill an ordinary man and continue fighting, overpowering their enemies with sheer force and the overwhelming might of their battle frenzy. Soren might be the last berserker left. Von had heard of others, from other clans, but he had never met any, nor talked to anyone who had. Soren was a dying breed, but that didn’t mean there was no credence to his beliefs. If the dragon kings possessed magical weapons, as Von now had evidence was true, why could the other stories not be true as well? As incredible as it sounded, maybe Soren actually could harness the strength of a bear, and now the vyr.

  “Are you telling me your berserker shirt actually works?” Kaiden asked disbelievingly.

  “Young men scoff at what they do not understand.”

  Von was convinced. “He isn’t talking about a bear, Kaiden. You saw what he did out there. That is no bear skin he is wearing. Look at it. It is from the vyr you said yourself you saw him kill.”

  “So it is,” Kaiden said, “so it is. At another time I would like to hear more of this, but for now we have a Halfen traitor to ask a few questions.”

  “I say we execute him.” Von harbored no love for these men. None of them had gone south in the attempt to help Evenfelle. Now they showed even further their treachery. They deserved nothing less than the death of a traitor. “He has committed crimes that demand justice.” It was Von’s right to execute that justice. Kaiden and Soren might not know who he was yet, but Von did not care. He wanted the Halfen to pay for what they had done. All of them. His anger almost caused him to tremble.

  Soren put a hand on Von’s shoulder. “Let us not be so hasty, my young friend. We can learn much from this man. If he does not wish to talk to us than I have ways to see that he does.”

  “There is no need for that.” The Halfen man tried to sound calm, but Von could see the fear in his eyes. More than fear. It was terror. Combined with the recent occurrences involving the vyr the man must feel his situation was more than dire. “I can tell you whatever you want to know. More. It is Ky. He is the traitor.”

  “You did not have to follow him.” Von was furious. This man would not even admit to his own actions.

  “Ky told us Baiden was in league with an army from the south. That they would be soon marching on us. That we needed to strike first.”

  “Impossible,” Kaiden growled. “We did not learn of this army from the south until just days ago. How did Ky know of them before we did? You are lying.”

  “I don’t know,” the Halfen man protested. “He had visitors from the south. Men with strange accents. They brought gifts and treasures. Cray sent them away, but soon after Cray’s death they were back, and Ky was friendly to them. Friendly with them.”

  “Who were these men? What did they say to Ky?”

  “I don’t know. Ky spoke to them in private. With Jubben. It was soon after that he started preparing us for war. He said it was to defend ourselves.” The man looked at Von then back to Kaiden. “You saved my life, if you untie me I will tell you everything I know.”

  Kaiden hastily untied the mans feet, but left his hands bound. “Now we will listen to what you have to say. First tell us who you are. What is your name?”

  “I am Yaris,” the man said and slowly stood. “I’m just a tradesman.”

  Von looked at him closely for the first time. He was of middle height for a north man, which meant taller than average. His shoulders were broad and matched well with his thick neck. His dirty blonde hair and beard were neatly twisted into small braids. He stood with and air of confidence despite the look of fear in his eyes.

  “I deal in mostly furs and leather,” Yaris said. “I don’t know much about these creatures you have been talking about, but that fur that your friend is wearing would fetch a pretty price.”

  Von had little patience left. “We don’t care about furs,” he snapped. “Tell us of Ky.”

  Yaris cowered at Von’s fist. Von did not even realize he’d made one until the man shied away. “I”m sorry my lord. I did not mean to offend.”

  Kaiden bit off a laugh. “You must have scared him fairly well for him to call you lord.”

  Von was not sure he had scared the man enough.

  “You have no need to fear us as long as you are truthful.” Kaiden chuckled under his breath then smirked. “And there’s no need to call Von ‘my lord’.”

  Yaris gave Kaiden a puzzled look then his gaze passed to Von. Von met the man’s gaze and saw the knowing look in his eyes. Yaris knew who he was. That meant Ky did too. They must have learned from Jubben. Von warned Yaris with a glare to keep his mouth shut. He hoped Yaris was intelligent enough to understand.

  “I’m sorry,” Yaris stammered. “I just thought...” His eyes darted from Kaiden to Von, to Soren and back to Von. Yaris knew which of his captors was the most danger to him. He would do his best to please. “I thought only the young lords traveled to Haven Keep.”

  Von knew that was not what Yaris was originally planning to say. He gave Yaris a slight nod which seemed to put the Halfen man a little more at ease.

  “It was an honest mistake,” Yaris continued. “Please forgive me.”

  Kaiden waved his apology away. “No need to say sorry, just continue with why Ky had you attack us.”

  The man looked at Von again. “It was the army from the south. He said Baiden wanted to rule the north like a king. That he had allies from the old empire that wanted to carve a new empire out of the north.”

  “That still does not explain why he had you attack us.” Kaiden showed signs of losing patience. The only man to remain silent was Soren. He hung back, arms folded across his chest, listening. Von was sure Soren had seen more of the silent exchange between Yaris and him than Kaiden had.

  Yaris tried to keep his eyes on Kaiden, but they continued to nervously dart back to Von as he spoke. “Ky wanted Baiden dead. A party was sent to arrest him and bring him to Stone Abbey for a trial. He did not want his heir to live either.”

  “That does not make sense,” Kaiden said. “Arrest him for what?”

  “For murder, and for...” Yaris’s eyes darted to Von again.

  “Murder! The murder of who?”

  “The messengers that were sent to him. Jubben said he barely escaped with his life.”

  “Jubben and his men tried to assassinate my father and you accuse him of murder?”

  “It was what Ky said to us. And there was the army from the south. He said we must make the first move.”

  “How do the Halfen plan to stand against the might of the combined clans? The Halfen cannot win against those odds. That is the main reason my father has left your clan to do as you wished. You have been a thorn in our foot, but until now, not a real threat.”

  “The Hywel and the Kragen have already joined Ky. He is confident the others will side with him as well when they learn...” Yaris swallowed hard. He had the look of a thief who was caught with the goods and confessed just enough to get himself hanged.

  Kaiden let out a deep breath. “Two clans have already joined Ky. Why would they do that? What lies did Ky tell them?” Yaris looked cross eyed at Von again. Kaiden grabbed him by the collar and shook him.

  “I am the one asking questions. I am the one who will spare you if I decide you deserve it. Look at me, not at him. Answer my questions! What could Ky possibly tell the clans to make them betray my father?”

  Yaris still looked towards Von. Kaiden shook him ha
rder.

  “It isn’t just one thing,” Yaris said. “It is the plot Baiden has put into motion. A league with the army from the south to put us in subjection to him. His unwillingness to make peace with the Black Horde.”

  “The Horde makes peace with no one. What else?”

  “Ky claimed he has already made peace with the Horde. He just needed to...to...”

  Kaiden looked like he was going to strike the man. “Needed to what?”

  Von had had enough. “Tell him,” he said calmly.

  Kaiden stopped shaking Yaris. “Tell me what?”

  Yaris swallowed hard. “Jubben said that he had seen the heir of Evenfelle. That Baiden was hiding him. Said he was going to use him as a puppet to set up an empire for himself.”

  “That is a lie!” Kaiden hissed. “Why should I believe that? Why would you say such a thing when you know what I can do to you?”

  “I’m just repeating what I was told. Bethoc and Leofric believed it. They believe Ky has made peace with the Horde.”

  “And how has he done that?”

  Yaris outwardly remained calm, but his eyes again gave him away. He was scared. “I thought you knew. How could you not know?”

  “Know what?”

  Yaris pointed to Von. “The Horde wants him.”

  Kaiden shook his head. “Why would the Horde want Von?”

  Von stepped forward before Yaris could answer. “So Ky has promised to give the Demon Mage me has he? I should cut your ears off and send you back to him, but I don’t think you would make it passed the vyr.”

  Yaris’s head sank to his chest. “I am sorry my lord. We feared the Horde. We did not see any way to fight them. If you lead us maybe we have a chance.”

  “So you feign loyalty now?” Von was disgusted with this man. Yaris knew who he was. Knew who Kaiden was, yet he had still made an attempt on their lives. “Why should we trust you now?”

  “You father was known for mercy. He was a lenient master. Fair to all he ruled. Surely you have some of what flowed through his veins.”

  Von punched Yaris full in the face. Yaris fell hard.

  Von screamed at the man. “Don’t you speak of my father!”

  Kaiden grabbed Von’s arm. “Von, what is he talking about?”

  Von didn’t answer. He felt the urge to draw his sword. Instead he kicked Yaris in the ribs. Yaris curled into a ball in a futile attempt to shield himself from further strikes. He was silent, but his expression pleaded for mercy. Kaiden jumped in front of Von, pushing him with both hands in the chest. Von barely moved.

  “What are you doing? He is defenseless.”

  Von pushed Kaiden back. “So was your father when the Halfen betrayed him. If it had not been for Isk and Jen I would have not arrived in time to help. He is a traitor. He betrayed my father. He betrayed your father. He is a murderer.”

  “Attempted murder is not murder.”

  “Close enough.” Von stopped trying to push passed Kaiden, but Kaiden was taking no chances. He still stood between Von and Yaris.

  “He will stand trial. You cannot kill him yourself. You would be no better than Ky.”

  Von turned from Kaiden and walked to the other end of the arch. He put his head against the wall and his hands in his face. He wanted vengeance, but he could not let it consume him. Had it already? Rage filled him, clouding his judgement. He had to fight it. Kaiden was right. Von did not want to be like Ky. He needed to be just, not vengeful. Was there a difference?

  A soft hand touched Von on the shoulder. “Von?” Kaiden asked calmly. “Who was your father?”

  “Why don’t you ask Yaris?”

  “I’m asking you.”

  Von turned to face Kaiden. Soren hadn’t moved, he watched everything from the shadows of the archway. Yaris was still curled in a ball in the far corner. Von had kept his secret for so long, sure no one knew the full truth. Baiden knew the whole time. Jubben knew the first time he laid eyes on him. Now the other clans knew. They knew and they wanted to give him to the Horde. What would Anora think? Von’s shoulders sank and he spoke barely above a whisper.

  “I am Beovon,” he said. “Son of Trajan, emperor of Evenfelle.”

  Kaiden stood still. He didn’t say a word. Von couldn’t read the expression on his face. He wished Kaiden would say something, anything. Soren remained where he was. Von thought for sure Soren had figured it out before Kaiden had. He had hung back. Watching. Listening. Von realized not much escaped Soren.

  Finally Kaiden spoke. “My father knows?”

  “Of course. He has always known.”

  “My mother?”

  Von nodded.

  “Anora?”

  Von laughed, biting back tears he was too proud to wipe from his eyes. “No, she has less of a clue than you.”

  “This changes everything. Why didn’t you say anything? You have been a bond servant all these years for no reason.”

  “A good place to hide. I thought your father didn’t know who I was, but it turned out he knew from day one. He knew before he even saw me. Some cleric told him I was coming, otherwise he never would have allowed the slavers to dock.”

  “How long has my mother known?”

  “As long as your father. Roren and Jordy too. Some secret. Everybody knows now.”

  “So you do know Oded and Tostig.” It was not a question.

  “I told you that I did,” Von said with a laugh.

  “Yeah, but you didn’t say you knew them.”

  “Tostig was quite a bit older than me. As you know Oded was my father’s councilor. They both fought in the battle that killed my father.” And my family, Von thought. He did not like bringing these memories up. He hoped he did not start crying again. He was sure he had long since cried his last tear, but sometimes the memories came back, and so did the pain. “They protected my mother as long as they could. Made it possible for me to escape. I lost my family that day, but Oded and Tostig gave me my life. I thought for sure they died that day too.”

  “I’m sorry Von. I wish I had known. I hope you will still consider me family.”

  “Of course,” Von said hoarsely.

  “Now what are we going to do with this Halfen character? I guess I should let you do what ever you want, my lord.” Kaiden said that last part with a grin. The same mischievous one he always had. Von ignored it.

  “No. You were right in stopping me. I should not have done what I did.” Von approached Yaris. “I’m sorry I struck you. I have a lot to learn from my companion here. There is still some warmth in my blood. Something of my father’s mercy left in me.” He bent down and cut Yaris’s bonds. “Can I trust you?”

  Yaris stood slowly. He rubbed his jaw where Von’s fist struck him. “I know I deserved worse. I am your man if you will have me.” He knelt before Von.

  Von was still uncomfortable with this kind of thing. He hadn’t had anyone bow to him in years and now every time someone found out who he was they wanted to kneel.

  “I do not trust Ky,” Yaris said slowly. “Many think he is the one who killed Cray.” Yaris sounded as if he was one of those who believed in Ky’s guilt. “He will destroy the Halfen if he continues to lead them.”

  Von raised Yaris by the hand. He still held his dagger used to cut Yaris’s bonds. Von took the dagger and made a short shallow cut across Yaris’s palm. Yaris winced but stood still. Von squeezed Yaris’s hand into a fist and clasped it with both of his hands. Blood dripped to the cobblestones below the archway.

  Yaris looked up with hope in his eyes. “My hand is yours.”

  Von smiled. Pleased with himself. He was not sure Yaris would know what to say, but he did, and he had. Not the same oath Baiden had pledged, but a strong one none the less. Maybe stronger. Yaris, all he possessed and was, was now Von’s to dispose of however he pleased. He pledged to be an extension of Von. To do his every word with exactness. An extra hand to accomplish any task Von set for him. Not even a Halfen would break that oath. It would mean losing more than just
his hand. He’d seen men make that oath to his father. Yaris was the first to make it to him.

  Von was surprised to see Soren position himself next to Yaris. He knelt before Von, palm up. Von raised him the same way he had Yaris, cutting Soren’s palm with the dagger, then clutching Soren’s closed fist in his hands.

  Soren spoke in his deep voice. “My hand is yours.”

  Kaiden knelt next to Soren. Von was not sure what to do. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “I want to,” Kaiden said.

  Von repeated the short ceremony a third time.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Kaiden wasn’t sure why he’d done what he had, it just seemed right. Maybe it was the serene feel of Haven Keep. Maybe it was a part of his father that was in him. Baiden always tried to instill in him a sense of right and wrong, the need to be true in all things. No matter his short comings, Kaiden always tried to be a good son, to live up to his father’s expectations. One day he would find himself Lord of Azmark and Keeper in the North. That meant being faithful to the emperor, faithful to the empire. There was no emperor now. There wasn’t even an empire. There was only Von.

  For as long as Kaiden could remember his father had lived with the failure of keeping the empire whole, the failure of defending the empire and keeping it safe. What was held at Haven Keep was supposed to be powerful enough to vanquish any enemy. Even the Horde. It should be more than enough against the Halfen. His father had been too late in retrieving it. He did not mean to repeat that same mistake.

  Von hadn’t said a word yet. Not that Kaiden expected him to. He now understood why his father had sent Von to accompany him. Kaiden looked at Von in a new light. Von was his lord now. Not just because of who he was, but because Kaiden had given Von an oath, one he could not ever break. He smiled to himself. I wonder what Anora will think of that. Kaiden was sure she would be pleased. She need not worry what others thought of her desire to marry a commoner anymore. Not that anything about Von had ever been common. Kaiden should have guessed the truth long ago. There were more than enough clues. It all made sense now. He shook his head. It would finally make sense to a lot of people. Still, Kaiden was not sure how he felt about Von yet. Everything had changed. He needed to sift through his feelings and thoughts another time. Right now there was a task to accomplish.