Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

  The night wore on and farms became more frequent, but were mostly deserted. Those that were not empty were populated with only women and children. The women informed Kaiden the men had gone to join the fighting. Von smiled at the news. Not everyone was disloyal. He knew most of the men of the north were made of harder stuff than those of Sonder or Pontry. Baiden and the citizens of Azmark had not been left alone to fight after all. The Halfen would learn their folly. They would not leave these lands victorious. They had picked a fight that would end in their undoing.

  I will see to that myself, Von thought, stroking the blade of his sword.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Flenn could not afford Halfen forces believing this night was different from any other. He needed the raids on the Halfen camp to continue. The question now was how hard do you hit them?

  Kole relayed to Flenn the raids so far were successful, with few losses on the Kailfen side. The raids were not major victories, mostly consisted of burning a few tents and stealing supplies. Kole and his men occasionally managed to make off with a few horses, but every night the guards continued to become stronger, or at least more numerous. It was increasingly difficult to get in and get out without any casualties. After weighing the facts and discussing their options with Oded, Tostig, and Kole, Flenn finally decided on a few small raids. They would pepper the guards with arrows, try to steal a few horses, or at least drive the mounts off into the night. There would only be small strategic attacks, anything to make the Halfen confident this night was no different from the last. Nothing large enough to give away the actual number of men that followed Flenn.

  For now, Flenn waited. Waited in the dark, hidden in the trees of the sparse forest surrounding Azmark. This close to Azmark the forest was not thick, the lumber having been harvested for buildings, ships, and fuel. Replanting was done in hopes to keep the forest closer to the city. If the trees were cut back too far it would just mean the wood cutters would have to travel further to harvest the lumber. Even so it took a long time with these harsh winters to grow anything useful. Flenn was just glad there were still trees to hide in.

  About fifty men accompanied Flenn. Oded advised they split apart until the next day. Easier to avoid detection that way. Flenn saw the wisdom in it. He wasn’t even aware of the location of the rest of his men, only where they were to meet. The only person who knew what part of the forest Flenn was in hiding was Tostig.

  Tostig was to report to Flenn the results the raids this night. Flenn wanted to participate, but Oded advised he should not risk himself, arguing his men needed their leader safe. Flenn couldn’t come up with a way to contend with such logic, but that didn’t mean he liked it.

  Flenn passed the quiet night hours reviewing the plan in his mind, thinking about its risks and the chances of it actually working. Success all depended on how the Halfen behaved the next morning. Flenn remembered his conversation with Kole earlier that day.

  “How hard do the Halfen press the gates?” Flenn had asked.

  “They have attacked three times,” Kole replied. “The first time at sunrise. They do not seem to be trying to break through. They throw ladders up and there usually is a little fighting at the walls, but it appears they are feeling Baiden out. I think they are trying to get an idea of what Azmark’s defenses are and how hard they would need to push to break through”

  “So they haven’t really tried to break the gates yet?”

  Kole’s lips pursed. “I don’t believe so. They would have gone at the walls harder, used a better battering ram. I think they are waiting for their main force to arrive.”

  Flenn thought he understood. Fighting within the walls of Azmark would be bloody. With the arrival of such a large amount of additional reinforcements under a week away they could crush any resistance after they broke through the gates. “So this bunch is just here to pin Baiden inside.” It was not a question, but Kole seemed to take it for one.

  “I believe so.”

  “Yet they still attack every few hours?” That was something Flenn did not understand. The siege would work just as well if they camped out and waited. Why risk lives needlessly, especially if you were not really trying to break through?

  “The siege has only gone on for a little over a day, so I do not know if it is something they will do again, but yes, this morning they attacked at first light.”

  “Can we count on them to do it again? That is the question.”

  “Maybe we can force them to,” Kole said.

  “I don’t understand. I do not see a way we could do that.”

  “Well,” Kole began, “their camp is spread out.” He drew in the dirt. “They are here, here and here. I have some men who can take care of the guards, or Tostig can. He seems resourceful. Like I said, they are spread out, probably to prevent anyone from getting in or out of Azmark. If we hit them hard here,” he indicated one of the main encampments that was drawn out over a wide area, “we could do some real damage before the rest of them know we are even there.”

  “And seriously hamper their ability to lay a proper siege.” Flenn could see what Kole was getting at. “With a threat from the outside they would need to press the gates hard. Try for an all out victory or loose their advantage.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But what if it has the opposite effect? What if they decide not to attack as they have in the past. Then we loose our advantage not to mention the element of surprise. They will know we are here and may not risk an assault.”

  “It is a gamble, but I do not see any other way to ensure they attack Azmark.”

  “It is a good plan. Not without its flaws, but still a good plan. I think if they do not act as they did yesterday, we will need to put it into play. We can wait one more day. Their main army is still nearly a week from reaching here. We have at least that long. We just need to make sure we remain hidden for that much longer.” Flenn hoped they had that long. What if the reports were wrong? What if the rest of the Halfen arrived sooner? Too many questions he did not have the answers to. Oded and Tostig were much better at this. They should be in charge and the arguments of foreign leaders reducing moral be hanged. “I will talk with Oded and see what he thinks. Maybe he has an better idea.”

  “No matter,” Kole said. He did not sound disappointed at all. “Either plan has a chance for success.” He offered his hand to Flenn. “We will fight together and win.” He turned to leave.

  “I will send word if anything changes,” Flenn said. He needed time to prepare his men, get them into position. It would be a long night of waiting and a longer day if things didn’t go well.

  In the end Flenn made up his mind before finding Oded. They would not risk the first plan if they did not have to. That decision was what led him to this place, in the middle of the night, waiting. Left with his thoughts as the freezing dark hours slowly passed. He was anxious for morning to come, but more anxious to hear from Tostig.

  He heard a few shouts and screams in the distance. It lasted only moments, then died down. Then there was more shouting. Tostig must have started his little raiding party. Flenn wished he was with him, instead of stewing in the dark, hiding behind the cover of the evergreens, damp and cold. He wondered how Tostig was doing.

  * * *

  The line of horses was not well guarded. If this counted as an increased guard, whatever the Halfen put in place before must have been laughable. Tostig crept closer to the horse line. This was too easy. He’d spent a lifetime hiding and fighting, learning the tactics of hit and run warfare. These guards did not even watch the night. Oh, they probably thought they were being vigilant, but Tostig was sure he could have ridden up unseen. He hoped they fought as sloppy as they organized their camp.

  The tents were set up haphazardly, with no order, no regulation. Trees divided the encampment, ensuring reinforcements would be slow to arrive if this end of the camp was hit. Tostig knew if he attacked the camp it would result in chaos. Maybe they should have put Kole’s plan into effect. Th
e horses were not even tied off properly. Any child could come steal the whole lot of them. The guards were even worse, marching back and forth talking to each other, laughing. Even if Tostig could not see them their voices gave away their position. Their overconfidence could get them killed and tonight it probably was going to.

  Tostig crept forward, caring little about being seen. He knew he wouldn’t be. The horse on the end eyed him as he approached. Tostig reached up and rubbed its nose soothingly. The horse liked the attention. Tostig smiled to himself when he realized what he was going to do. These Halfen were so blind if they were left to themselves they probably wouldn’t even notice till morning, but he would make sure they did notice. He reached up and cut the rope line with his blade, then cut it again, giving himself a good long length of rope. He cut two more lengths the same size, tied the ropes around the first three horses and led them off into the night. He was right. The guards never even blinked.

  Morten’s job was to take care of the other end of the line. Many people did not care much for Morten’s personality, but Tostig liked him. He counted the man a good friend. No matter what others thought of his demeanor, they had to respect Morten’s abilities. Tostig knew he could trust Morten with anything. He couldn’t think of anyone besides his father he would rather have fighting along side him.

  Tostig reached his men without any incident. They lowered their bows when they saw him. They didn’t expect the horses, Tostig was just suppose to cut the line. They all grinned, sharing a silent joke. Now they waited for Morten.

  Morten appeared out of the shadows, flipping his dagger casually. He strolled confidently, not the least bit worried about being seen. Morten’s impression of the Halfen was apparently the same as Tostig’s. This would be too easy.

  Morten saw the horses Tostig brought back and shook his head, laughing under his breath. He knew Tostig stole the horses, just to prove he could.

  “Okay,” Tostig whispered. “We ready?” .

  Everyone nodded.

  Tostig retrieved the flint and steel from his belt pouch. A few strikes onto some tinder produced a modest flame. The men touched their arrow heads to the small fire. The tar gum on the tips caught flame instantly. Tostig lit a torch instead of an arrow. He crushed the little fire out with his boot.

  Tostig’s men drew back their bows and loosed into the Halfen camp. Tostig threw his torch at the horse line.

  Tents erupted into flames. The horses screamed and kicked. With nothing to hold them in place, they bolted into the night. Some ran into camp, but most galloped toward the forest. Men came running after them. Fools. Did they think the flames came from nowhere, that the horses broke loose on their own?

  Tostig and his men waited silently. Arrows at point blank range would be safer, but they needed to conserve their ammunition for tomorrow. The Halfen came running into view. Tostig rose from the forest, a deadly shadow. Other shadows rose with him. The Halfen men fell silently. Tostig wiped his dirk on his victim’s tunic. He never had a chance.

  Tostig and his men mounted and left, disappearing as quietly as they had come. Tostig led his three new horses stealthily through the trees. He never enjoyed killing, but it had become a part of him. The Halfen had brought it on themselves, and if tonight was any indication of how well they would fight on the morrow, many of them would not live to see another day.

  Tostig followed a long winding route through the forest. He did not think they were followed, but didn’t want to take risks. The terrain was mostly flat, not like the mountains, and they moved quickly.

  So far there was no sign they were being followed. The Halfen probably thought the men who ran headlong into the forest were taking care of it. Their companions would find them in the morning.

  When Tostig was satisfied they were not followed he spoke to Morten. “Take the men back to meet Kole.”

  Morten did not acknowledge. There was no need to. This was planned previously and the less talking the better. The night might still have ears.

  Tostig broke off from Morten and headed in the opposite direction. Flenn would want to hear how things turned out. Tostig did not do too much damage this night, but enough to keep the Halfen worried. With the loss of the horses the Halfen would have twenty or thirty less calvary tomorrow. Not a large amount when you considered there were over four thousand of them, but Tostig learned long ago to appreciate the value of small victories.

  For the first time in years he felt nervous as he rode through the forest alone. He remembered tracking the vyr through this forest, before he even knew what kind of beast it was. That thing had taken livestock from the fields near by, then a little boy. That was what sent Kaiden out hunting the vyr.

  What would have turned out different if that never happened? He certainly never would have met Kaiden and he never would have been here. Who knew what advantages the Halfen would have gained?

  He couldn’t help but think there was something greater at work here. Something stirred in the Iron Mountains. Something ancient, come again. His storm dreams told him as much. Something evil and menacing, but something else too, something hidden that was not yet manifest. He worried over it. Worried their time might be coming to an end, just as the times of the Dragon Lords eventually came to an end. He wondered if his father felt the same way, or if his father even dreamed similar dreams. Dreams that warned of change to come. He still could not tell if those changes would be good.

  Something else came from him tracking the vyr out of the mountains. While he was down here, against the wishes of his father, he managed to sneak inside the walls of Azmark. Something pulled at him, drew him to the center of these settlements. Something akin to the magic of the storm dreams, only different. And what he found surprised him. A youth working in a forge. One that resembled a man he and his father served a long time ago. He watched the youth work from the window of the forge. As the youth pounded at his work a magic resonated from the blows, like the rhythm of a battle hymn. As he watched he found himself thinking more and more of the emperor. This had to be his son. He looked so much like his father and his older brother. He thought it must be Beovon. Now he knew it was. He hoped Beovon was safe, and Kaiden as well. They were both key to victory. Not just victory over the Halfen. This was something else his dreams told him.

  These thoughts raced through his head as he rode through the forest. He watched the trees, scanning for signs of ambush or attack. None came. He was letting his imagination get to him. He needed to keep his wits about him. At least the wind was not blowing.

  Flenn and his men were where they were supposed to be. Tostig rode slower as he approached, not wanting to alarm anyone. Flenn’s men kept an only slightly better watch than the Halfen. Tostig was almost upon them before they saw him. At least most of them were hidden in the trees and brush, making it difficult to tell their numbers. They would sleep cold tonight, but it was necessary. Tomorrow they would find out how well they could fight and if Flenn’s plan was going to work.

  Suddenly Tostig was surrounded by seven men. Each with a bow raised and drawn, pointed uncomfortably in his direction. Maybe these Kailfen would do better than he expected. One of the men recognized him and lowered his bow. The others did the same moments after.

  The man spoke to him in a low voice. “It looks like the raid went well.” He gestured to the horses trailing behind Tostig. “This way,” the man said, leading the way through the trees. “Flenn won’t admit it, but he has been anxious for your return.”

  Tostig dismounted and followed. The man never gave a name. Maybe it was better that way. Who knew how many of these men would die tomorrow? If all went well not many, but who could say which direction a battle would turn after it began. The less names he knew the better. There would always be time afterwards to get to know the survivors.

  Tostig only saw two or three other men, which meant the others were hiding well. Not an easy thing to do with only scattered trees and brush in which to conceal fifty men. As Tostig followed the man, he r
ealized how dangerous his escort was. Tostig grew up around fighting men and knew when he saw one. This man may have been a farmer, a woodcutter or something entirely different, but the grace with which he moved and the way he carried his sword at one hip and his small hand ax on the other were things Tostig learned to look for. The Halfen were said to be criminals, plunderers and bullies who lived off what they could cheat, steal and pillage from the city states to the south, or any other easy target. Their other source of income were the slaves who worked the mines. Many said they were soft compared to the other clans, especially the four northern clans, though they were more numerous. Tostig did not believed those rumors until tonight. He’d seen enough evidence in the last few hours to convince him it was true.

  Flenn noticed them approaching and rose quickly from the rock he was seated on, wrapped in his cloak. He scrambled down to meet Tostig. Obviously he was anxious to hear about tonight’s events.

  “All is well, I hope?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Tostig replied. “It was almost too easy. I only hope tomorrow goes as well.”

  “With luck it will.”

  Now they waited.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  The predawn hours remained dark. The moon had disappeared below the horizon long since leaving only the light of the approaching sun, which still had not made its appearance over the tops of the Iron Mountains. Flenn welcomed the coming of the sun and the warmth it would bring, but not necessarily the events that would follow. The sun would soon burn off the fog that spread over the forest and surrounding hills. The fog had been good cover, but soon they would abandon it. He and the fifty men he led had been on the move for nearly an hour. They needed to arrive at the designated area just at the right time. Any earlier and they may be discovered. Any later and the plan might not come off as he wanted it to.