Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

A few arrows began to fly over Flenn’s head and into the Halfen. Flenn rounded on his men with impatience, barking out orders. “Hold! On my signal!”

  Some of the younger men appeared a little ashamed, but most wore expressions of alarm. Flenn hoped they would stand their ground. He waited for the road to fill with more men. The Halfen continued to retreat onto the road, piling into each other. Two of their officers tried to rally their men, but they no longer maintained any semblance of control. A few men finally turned towards Flenn and, seeing their folly for the first time, attempted to mount a charge up the small rise. It was too late. Flenn signaled. Arrows rained down on the Halfen, piercing the leather armor of men who were already in a panic. A second, then a third time. There was no where to go. The Halfen screamed in pain and desperation, facing a wall of spears and steel on one side and a wave of arrows from the other. The trap was complete and devastating. Some halfen still tried to run, but they had nowhere to go.

  Then the forest fell silent.

  It was over faster than it began. The Halfen had no chance. An occasional groan broke the silence. Flenn scanned the road. Not much movement amongst the fallen. A riderless horse here and there, but no men still on their feet. A total and absolute victory.

  Tostig appeared through the trees. He sat on his horse in a casual manner, as if on a leisurely stroll. The death around him bothered him in no way that Flenn could see.

  Another man emerged from the forest on the other side of the road. In contrast to Tostig, he appeared ready to do violence. He was of middle height, at least from what Flenn could tell of him sitting on his horse. His beard was just a little darker than the light brown hair that spilled out below the helmet he was wearing. His helmet and well used armor had seen more than just a little action. The man scanned the field and the tension in the his body visibly left him. Other men came into sight, lowering spears and sheathing swords. The man Flenn did not know reigned in his horse in next to Tostig’s. Both men approached Flenn and Oded.

  Flenn was still in the same spot he had planted himself at the top of the rise. He felt frozen in place. Finally, the tension left his body as well. He knew he owed these men his life. What would have happened if they had not come along just at the right time? Flenn did not want to think about it.

  “I must thank you again Tostig.” This was the second time in just a few short days Tostig and Oded managed to preserve his life, as well as the lives of the men with him. If it was not for them, Baiden would be dead by now and Ky would have much more of a strangle hold on the north.

  “As I said before, you will have much opportunity to return the favor in the future. I’m afraid it will be much sooner than later.” Tostig turned to the man at his right. “This is Morten.”

  Flenn exchanged friendly nods with the man.

  “That was some fine shooting,” Morten offered. “You will need that skill to get you through the next couple of days.”

  “How so?” Flenn asked.

  Tostig answered, “We must ride hard if we are to help lift the siege of Azmark before the main body of the Halfen arrive. That is if it does not fall before we can get there.”

  Flenn was not sure they could do any such thing. “How many men do you have?”

  “I have about thirty. I do not think any of them have fallen today.” Tostig said it as a matter of fact. He knew the skill of his men and was sure they all still lived.

  “How can we fight four thousand with just sixty?” Flenn knew these men were accustomed to fighting, but surely they did not believe they could win against such odds.

  “I have seen farms on my way here. We will gather as much strength as we can on our way. We can harry the Halfen from behind just enough to keep them from overrunning the walls of Azmark.”

  Flenn shook his head in disbelief. “That will only give Baiden a couple of days at most. That is if we do not find ourselves being overwhelmed by superior numbers.”

  “We will just have to be careful.” Tostig grinned. Flenn couldn’t see what about this could be so amusing. “A day or two is all we will need. Our forces will arrive in that time to finish what we have started.”

  Flenn nodded. “The Halfen will be crushed against the walls of Azmark.” He wasn’t aware of it, but he was grinning now too. “Let’s ride. We have no time to waste.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Von scarcely believed the treasure trove surrounding him. He never dreamed he would be standing in the forge of the Dragon Lords. The Dragon Lords must have been powerful indeed to possess a fighting force equipped with such armor and weapons. He knew this was his answer to defeating the Horde. Kaiden did not yet understand, he had hoped to find Durendal here. Von knew that sword was to be found elsewhere, if at all. That didn’t matter. The true treasure was here, at Haven Keep. Von was certain even Baiden was ignorant to the full value of the secrets hidden here. How long ago was it since the first Keeper in the North was named? Generation upon generation had passed. What former knowledge was now lost to time? Von pondered these questions, knowing he had at least some idea. The Keeper in the North was charged with keeping safe a weapon for the empire. Kept against the direst need. Von now believed the Keeper’s charge was more than that, more than just a single, fabled, magical sword.

  How far back did the tradition stretch that caused the young men of the Kailfen clan to be trained as blacksmiths? They were given secrets in the art of weapon making that were held closely, secrets kept guarded against even the other clans. Young men were instilled with these skills even from birth. Not until a young man was capable of forging his own sword, one that would serve him well in battle was he allowed to end his training. Even then, those who showed greater promise were taught still more, and learned the skills and the deeper mysteries of the Kailfen’s art. Von had learned those mysteries and gone further with them than any other in memory. He knew now the secret given into The Keeper’s charge, though the truth of it must have been forgotten generations ago. It was not the keeping of a single weapon, but the making of them.

  Von wondered if Berkler knew this, or Sem and Tyree for that matter. They were the master blacksmiths. How much more knowledge did they have than others? Or did they not even know what their knowledge really was? Von suspected Berkler knew at least a little. If indeed he did, the man possessed the skills to produce a weapon equal to the one now at Von’s hip. Berkler just lacked the alloy. Did Von dare trust him with it?

  Von’s companions once again examined the ancient armor with awe. Von felt the same way Kaiden looked, like a young boy the day before New Winter night, wide eyed in anticipation of the candies and presents. This was even more exciting. Von pulled a fine mail shirt from its stand. It shone dully in the glow of the fire light, unpolished so not to draw unwanted attention. He could hardly contain his excitement. He removed his cloak to try the ancient armor on.

  Von liked the feel of the mail, flexible and strong. He pulled the armor shirt over his head. It lost nearly all its weight. The mail was light and easy to move in, much like wool. Not what he expected after hefting it in his hands. Von smiled to himself. He should not have been surprised. The armor even made him feel energetic. More alive somehow. He drew his sword and practiced a few swings and thrusts, moving quickly in the lightweight armor. The mail was more than adequate. Much more.

  Von watched Kaiden try another shirt of mail in the same way.

  Kaiden grinned from ear to ear. “This armor,... it must be enchanted somehow.” He fastened on a small breastplate that accompanied the mail he’d chosen. “It’s incredible.”

  “The armor of the Dragon Lords,” Von acknowledged. “It is no wonder they were able to defeat the Horde.” He made a few more flourishes with his sword. “Ky will fall before us as the snow melts in the sun.”

  Yaris had not touched anything. He still appeared nervous as he looked around the room in awe.

  “Do you prefer plate or mail?” Von asked him. “Or both as our friend Kaiden here?”

  “Oh
, I couldn’t,” he protested.

  “You can and you will.” Von searched until he found something that looked the size of Yaris. It was in the same style as Kaiden’s, mail with a breastplate attached. “Try this on.”

  Yaris took the armor a bit nervously and tried it on. His nervous expression gave way to one of wonderment. He too drew his sword and tested the feel of the armor as he moved through a few fighting forms. Von had an idea anyone who put that armor on would want to move about just to test if what they were feeling was real.

  “What about you Soren?” Von asked.

  “I have all I need.”

  “Or so you think. At least try this shirt on.” Von motioned to him with another armored shirt.

  “I have never worn any armor into battle.” Soren gestured to the fur he wore. “At least nothing more than my bear skin, or what I wear now.”

  Von supposed the vyr hide would afford great protection. He’d seen what Soren was capable of. Maybe it was enough. Von nodded in acquiescence.

  “Let’s get something to eat, then sleep as well as we can,” Soren suggested.

  Von’s stomach growled at the thought of food. Soren was right, there was no time to waste. Dinner was a welcome idea and so was rest. He didn’t think it would be hard to sleep; he hadn’t rested well in what seemed like weeks. Thinking about it reminded him of how sore his muscles were. Over the last few days he’d recovered some, but not enough for his liking. At least he wasn’t as sore as he’d been after his marathon work in the forge. A good night’s rest should help him feel even better.

  It was easy enough to start a fire in one of the forges. The forge made a nice makeshift stove, easy for cooking dinner. They toasted their flatbread and reheated the tubers and carrots Kaiden brought along. The cheese melted nicely on the mutton and was very tasty in between the toasted flatbread. Anything would have tasted good under the circumstances. Von just wished there was more meat.

  Yaris retrieved the bed rolls while Kaiden did the cooking. Another time Von would have wanted to explore the keep. He still wanted to, but knew there was no time if they were to have any chance of reaching Azmark ahead of the Halfen. They needed sleep, then they must be on their way. There was no time to waste on further boyhood fancies. He curled up near the forge, and wrapped himself in his cloak. The forge fire was warm and comfortable. How long had it been since he’d been warm? Maybe he would actually be able to thaw out before venturing into the frozen mountains again. Sleep was not long in coming.

  * * *

  The molten rock sent up hot gases and gave Von’s skin the feeling he’d been scorched by the sun. The cavern stretched out before him farther than he could see. Something was beyond that furthest bend. Or someone. He felt he should follow. But not yet.

  The dragon bones were across the river of fire. The skull’s empty eye sockets were not so empty now. They stared at him. Haunted him. Blamed him. But for what? He had done nothing wrong, yet he could feel the accusing stare.

  He turned back to search the cavern ahead, to where he was confident he had seen someone around the next turn. There was nothing there, but something moved in the corner of his eye. The bones, had they stirred? No, it must be his imagination. He needed to keep going. There was something up there, waiting for him.

  His first steps were an effort, but once he started moving he felt the sensation of floating.

  There it was again. The bones moved. It wasn’t his imagination, he knew he’d seen it this time. The ancient remains rattled and shook. The bones struggled to come together, forming some huge beastly shape. Von supposed he should be scared, even terrified, but he was not. He knew he need not be. The form stood nearly erect now. Massive bone wings reached out to fill the cavern, then tucked close to the body. The fleshless creature dipped its head toward the river of burning rock and disappeared beneath the surface, a giant sea serpent sliding beneath the flaming waves. Fire erupted on the surface, an explosion of flames and burning rock.

  Von stood staring at the flaming pool, waiting for what he knew would happen. Great black horns pierced the surface, followed by a massive head covered in red and black scales to match the molten rock. The beast’s great neck rose further from the flames. Wings exploded up, propelling the animal higher. Great claws, like spears, reached up, limbs stretching, awakening from a long sleep. Inhuman, monstrous, black pearls gazed at him, no longer accusing, but weighing, judging.

  The dragon breathed and spit fire and flames. The inferno engulfed Von, whirling around him. He stood in the midst of the flames, unharmed while the cavern melted around him. Melted and burned. The ground gave way to the flames and he fell. He plummeted, deeper and deeper into the abyss. Surely not even the Rift could cut into the earth so far. The whirling flames around him followed him down, encircling him, finally slowing his fall, until he stood, floating in air, suspended before the form of a second great dragon. The black and grey creature towered above him, sitting on a great island in the midst of another sea of flames, perched as a bird of prey. Thick steam and noxious gasses arose from the sea, but the dragon’s breath was even hotter. It gazed at Von, questioning. A mighty chain around the beast’s neck shackled it to the island.

  Do the Dragon Lords come again?

  Von knew the question was for him. The dragon never formed words, but somehow it had spoken to him.

  Am I finally to be awakened from my deep sleep to again fight our ancient enemy?

  Von was not sure if he needed to speak aloud to be heard, but he did anyway. “I don’t know.” Truly he didn’t. “Who are you?” What are you? he wanted to say.

  I serve the Dragon Lords. I am Brimstone.

  Von felt eyes upon him. Hidden eyes, lurking in the recesses of the cavern. He searched the darkness around him and saw the eyes glowing in the reflected light of the liquid fire.

  Our enemies are around us. They grow stronger and more numerous, while we remain few. Seek me. Awaken me. We will fight together once more.

  The eyes moved closer, stalking him.

  “How? Where do I find you?”

  You do not know? Yet you know the making. Seek me where the fires never die, son of the Dragon Lords, below the mountains of the black metal. The way is perilous. Deep into what men have named the Rift.

  Suddenly the eyes possessed faces too. Not human faces, vyr. They leaped for him, clawing and tearing. Fire engulfed him once more.

  * * *

  Von sat up straight. Sweat drenched his clothes. They would need to dry before he stepped back into the cold. He removed shirt and pants and hung them by the dying embers of the forge fire. The others still slumbered in their bed rolls. Von was not sure how much time had passed, but he felt restless and sleep had fled from him. He would wake his companions as soon as he checked on something. He needed to see if it was real.

  Von went back through the iron doors and into the smaller forge room to the trap door. He opened the door and the air rushed out as before, hot and putrid. He climbed down the ladder into the eerie glow of the volcanic fire. He had dreamed he was back down here. It seemed so real, so vivid.

  The river of fire continued to run around the island with the dragon bones. The bones were still there. A dream. Just a dream. He turned to go. His mind must be playing tricks on him. It was no wonder, going days without sleep on top of the Halfen and the vyr. He needed rest. Rest that would not come. There were days, weeks, maybe even years ahead before he would get any rest.

  Von climbed the ladder and headed back to the forge. He paused in front of the iron wall and all its images. The Dragon Lords not only made weapons, they apparently were artisans as well. The wall was a great metal tapestry. He’d been so caught up in the wonders of the forge and the keep that he had not taken time to really look at the details displayed in the black metal. The accuracy of the features reminded him of the cave paintings near Azmark. The ones he and Kaiden so admired. Von was fascinated by the battle scenes, with armies clashing against one another. Knights on horses with
flames beneath their feet as they ran. Great castles and landscapes. There was a view of a city he thought must be Olenek, or maybe Azmark before the wars that devastated it. There were images of fantastic creatures, elf like women near well springs of pure flowing water, monsters and fairies, great winged demons and angel like pixies. The scenes of blacksmith’s laboring at forges particularly interested him. He could see what they were working on in some of the images. Swords, armor, even horse shoes. That one puzzled him a bit. Men fighting vyr. He noticed that particular scene before. Then his breath caught. His eyes fell on a large dragon perched on an island in the middle of a lake of fire, around its neck was a great chain. A dream. Not real. Or was it?

  “What are you staring at?”

  Von turned with a start. Kaiden was behind him, still rubbing his eyes like he had just woken up.

  “Nothing.” He wasn’t sure how to explain his dream. He had no idea what it meant. It felt real. Felt like the storm dream he had a couple nights before. Corren claimed Von possessed the talent, he could learn to be a cleric. Von didn’t think he wanted to learn. Not if it meant more dreams. Dreams equal to the one he experienced last night. Could he avoid them? What if he couldn’t? Maybe he shouldn’t. What had Brimstone called him? Son of the Dragon Lords. Von shivered.

  “Put some clothes on before you freeze,” Kaiden said with a laugh.

  Von remembered he was stripped down to just his shorts. “I got hot.”

  Kaiden just nodded. “Let’s get some breakfast and go.” The humor normally in his voice was missing.

  Von didn’t argue. They’d already spent enough time here and needed to be on their way. They would probably have to run the horses to death just to reach Baiden in time.