Haven Keep (Book 1)

by R. David Bell

  “I see that your companions do not understand. They are too young to have known. Do I have your permission to tell them, my lady?”

  “No need,” Alensa said, sounding and looking visibly shaken. She turned to Von. “Bethoc sought my hand in marriage. I thought he had finally gotten over that. I did not think he was one to hold such a grudge.”

  “Not just a grudge, my lady,” Rall said. “I mean no disrespect, but I think you must know. Ky has promised you to him.”

  Von could see Alensa was trying to remain calm, but her face could not mask the rage. Her voice did a little better, but not much. “He will pay for this!” she hissed.

  “He has betrayed us as well,” Rall said. “He has disgraced our clan and all those whom the Demon Mage, with his unnatural storm, sent to a watery grave. We were willing to die for our emperor. Bethoc is willing to trade his honor so he can steal the wife of another man. I myself almost drowned those eight long years ago. Nearly nine now I guess. Most of our men did not return. Bethoc disgraces their widows and children as well as our clan. We will not allow him to do this evil.”

  “I thank you for your honor and your honesty,” Alensa acknowledged, trying to smile. “I will escort you Azmark.”

  “We thank you, my lady. Our army is yours, it is over three thousand men strong, with more arriving from the Fire Islands. When all come ashore I think we may have near five thousand to add to your strength. If you do not mind I will send Hames back to inform Gunnar we have been received well.”

  “Of course,” Alensa nodded assent. “Shall we?” She turned her horse back toward Azmark. The seven remaining Masters fell in behind her.

  Riktor reigned his horse up next to Von. “If you do not mind me saying,” he said, “you look a great deal like your father.”

  Von would have stopped dead in his tracks if he had been walking, but his horse kept moving.

  “So I have heard,” he said.

  He did not want to look at Riktor. He did not want to look at anybody. Too many people had told him of his resemblance to his father to discount it. He needed to get used to the idea of people knowing. Not just who he was, but what had happened to him. What had happened to his family, his homeland. Riktor’s comment on top of seeing Oded and Tostig again after so many years brought back too many emotions he had fought too long to keep buried. He could feel them welling up now. There must be a way to keep them down. He wanted to ride ahead, get away, but he could not leave Alensa alone with these men. He would have to fight it, bury it again, deep inside like he had for so many years.

  Thankfully Riktor said no more, though Von could tell he wanted to. They rode uncomfortably a while until finally something gave Von a way to escape the prying eyes of the Masters. Riders from the south. At this distance it was hard to tell who they could be, but Von recognized the way Kaiden rode. As they drew nearer it became obvious one of the men was Baiden.

  “Here comes Baiden and Kaiden. We should turn to meet them,” he said.

  “Are you sure?” asked Alensa.

  “”I am sure,” Von answered.

  As they rode closer he could see Oded, Tostig and Soren. Berkler was with them too. The other men he did not know, but he could see a woman rode with them. That must be the Lady Elizbet he had heard about. Two boys rode with her. He could see they were very young, but they rode like they were born in the saddle. He wouldn’t be surprised if they had been.

  The closer they came, the higher Von sat up in his saddle.

  No, it couldn’t be. But it was.

  Bet, no Bethrone, but she was married now, that was why they were calling her Elizbet. Whatever her name was now she was still Bet to him. He didn’t care what anyone thought, he spurred his horse to a gallop. Bet, his childhood friend was alive, and she was here.

  How many times had he and his brother saved her from dragons or marauding pirates, or listened to her as she pretended to be a sea nymph and reveled the location of her underwater treasure? When they played knights she was always the gracious queen, or the princess in distress. The bad memories seemed to disappear when he saw her smiling face. The nostalgia of his childhood reminded him of all that was good about Evenfelle.

  He couldn’t believe she was alive. Bet was alive!

  She recognized him as well and began riding his way, spurring her horse to a faster gait.

  Demons, she was beautiful. She had certainly changed. Grown up. When Von finally reached her she had tears in her eyes. He jumped down from his horse. Bet did as well, but before she was halfway off Von grabbed her in a big hug and spun her through the air.

  She laughed. “Put me down Beovon.” She made it sound like an order. Come to think of it, it probably was. She was still the same Bet.

  “Oh, it is good to see you!” Von exclaimed. “And you’re married I take it. Elizbet now is it?”

  “Yes, Von...”

  “And these are your sons?”

  The two boys rode up with the rest of the group. Kaiden, Oded, Alensa, Tostig, Baiden. Von was surrounded by friends and those he considered family. Maybe he wasn’t as alone as he thought. He went on swinging Bet through the air. He did not care what the strangers might think. Bet was alive!

  “Von, I need to...”

  “What are their names?” He finally put her down.

  She hesitated a bit. “The older one is Elon and the younger one we call Bo. Von, I....”

  Von smirked.

  “What is so funny?” she demanded.

  “Nothing,” he lied between giggles. It truly was good to see her.

  “Nothing?”

  “It’s just that Kaiden had a dog that was named Bo.”

  Bet’s eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t laugh if I were you!”

  For some reason Oded and Tostig were laughing now, harder than Von was. At least he tried to hide it a little.

  “Bo’s just a nickname,” Bet snapped. “He’s named after his uncle!”

  Von smirked again. “And who might that be?”

  Bet wore a smug look on her face. “His uncle is Beovon son of Trajan.”

  Jaws everywhere hung open, but none more so than Von’s. “You mean he’s...? They are...? You are...? Domnal’s alive!”

  “Yes,” Bet said. The tears were in her eyes again.

  Von sat down hard on the ground. Fell was more like it. His own eyes filled with tears. His brother lived! He had nephews!

  Bet pulled him off the ground. “Don’t fall apart on me now.”

  “What’s the matter mom? Are you sad?” Elon asked.

  “No, I am very happy.”

  “Where is he now?” Von asked.

  “He is with the greater part of our forces, shadowing the Halfen. If the Halfen attack here they will have a nasty surprise from behind.”

  Elon had another question. “Is this dad’s brother?”

  Bet wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded. “It is.”

  Von got over his initial shock and looked around. Most mouths were still hanging open. Kaiden’s face was nothing short of comical. Baiden wore a look of puzzlement and Alensa beamed like a mother overly proud of her child. The Masters were mumbling among themselves. The only one to take it all in stride was Yaris.

  Von, for the first time in a long time did not try to hold his feelings in. The tears ran down his cheeks. He grabbed Elon and Bo each in one arm and spun them much as he had their mother.

  “It’s a good thing you take after your mom,” he told them. “You wouldn’t want to go through life looking like your father and me.”

  Bo looked at Von shyly.

  Elon furrowed his eyebrows, then said, “Dad said you were shorter than him, but you aren’t.”

  Von laughed out loud. “You don’t say?”

  Tostig was at Von’s side. Von hadn’t seen him dismount. “It is good to see you old friend,” he said.

  “Old?” Von asked. “You look like you could nearly be a grandpa.”

  “Hey.” Tostig ran his hand over his hair. He sti
ll had a majority of it, but it looked a little thinner than it did just eight years ago. “Now that is uncalled for.” He didn’t sound like he meant it. He shook Von’s hand and put his other arm around him.

  The other men from the south were off their horses as well. They knelt in a half circle around Von. “Lord Beovon,” they all said softly.

  “No need for that.“ Von protested. “I never liked that when I was ten.”

  They all rose and one of them spoke. A man of middle height and light brown hair with a beard to match. His voice was strong and full of authority.

  “I hate to break up this reunion, but the Halfen are on the move and they are closer than we thought. Two days away, maybe closer.”

  “What of the two armies to the north?” Baiden asked. “I see the Kragen have joined us. Does this mean you will fight with us?”

  “It does,“ Rall said. “Our swords are yours.”

  As if talk of battle had been a summons more riders appeared to the north. Two of them, riding fast, kicking mud and snow up behind them. They slowed just short of the gathering then stopped when they reached Baiden. The two new comers exchanged looks, then one gestured to the other one to go ahead. The second nodded and spoke.

  “Lord Baiden, I am Trey, of the Orlec clan and I bring word to you that Lowerth is bringing the might of the Orlenc to join with you. He has refused the summons to Stone Abbey and has pledged to fight any who vote for treason at that meeting.”

  Baiden nodded. “The Orlenc will be most welcome. The faithfulness of Lowerth and the Orlenc is as steady as ever.”

  Baiden turned to the second rider. The man took it as a cue to speak.

  “My lord, I am Pate, from Delpher, of the Celtens. I bring word our people also come to defend our lord and our land from the treacherous Halfen. Dethan leads us now. He has gone to Stone Abbey to be named chief as well as to use any diplomatic means to persuade the other chiefs of the folly of following Ky.”

  “So the meeting goes forth?” Baiden asked, not really expecting anyone to answer.

  “I will stop it,” Von vowed. “Ky will never succeed in gaining any part of the north. I will see to that.”

  “And how do you propose to do that?” Baiden asked. It was obvious he did not believe Von was thinking rationally.

  “Soren and I will ride now,” Von declared. He surprised even himself at how fast he had gone from the joy of seeing Bet and learning of his brother and their sons to the near consuming anger he felt for Ky.

  “Just the two of you?” asked Baiden.

  “I think they could do it,” Flenn said. Von met Flenn’s gaze and he saw something in Flenn’s eyes.

  Flenn watched Von as if he were an enigma.

  “There is an army of Halfen between us and Stone Abbey,“ Berkler reasoned. It was the first time Von could remember Berkler speaking to him with respect. “Sixteen thousand strong. Do you plan to cut your way through?”

  Von smiled at him, fingering his sword hilt. He turned to Kaiden and spoke for his ear only.

  “Everything we brought from Haven Keep is to be given to Corren’s care. If I am killed, have him give those things to Berkler, Sem and Tyree. With what Corren knows, I believe those three will be able to puzzle out some of the mysteries of Haven Keep.”

  Kaiden nodded, though Von could see he did not quite understand. He didn’t need to, as long as he followed Von’s instructions.

  Von spoke to Pate. “Tell Anora I am sorry I missed her.”

  Pate looked a little confused. “I am sorry, my lord. She is not with the army. She has gone with Dethan to Stone Abbey.”

  Baiden pursed his lips and let out a breath through his nose. Alensa was visibly disturbed.

  “Do not worry,” Von said. “I will see that she is safe.”

  “I do not think I have the right to try and stop you,” Baiden told Von, “but I do not think you should do this. Even if you are able to sneak around the Halfen army you will not find too many friends awaiting you at Stone Abbey.”

  “Soren will watch my back,” Von said. “That is if you are coming,” he said to Soren

  “I don’t think I could tell you no,” Soren answered.

  “I would like to come with you,” Yaris offered.

  “Not this time,” Von told him. “Stay close to Kaiden.”

  Von gave Bet one more hug. “Tell your husband not to get himself killed before I can see him.”

  “You better do the same, Beovon. I don’t want my sons to lose their uncle again.”

  Von smiled. He liked the sound of that. Uncle. He gave Elon and Bo a hug too. “You two take care of your mother.”

  Von climbed back in the saddle. Once again he was denied his opportunity to talk with Oded and Tostig. It could wait. Ky could not.

  “We need to gather what provisions we can, and be on our way,” Von told Soren.

  Soren nodded. He never was a man of many words. They could stop by the sled from Haven Keep as they left. There was still enough food there for a few days. It would also give him a chance to pick up Isk and Jen. He couldn’t think of anyone else who would make a better scout. Von only looked back once as the two men rode away.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  The sun was beginning to make its decent towards the western horizon. Von and Soren ghosted through the trees, the two wolfhounds heeling closely behind. The four moved as if stalking prey, gliding across the hills and trees trailing their quarry in the valley below.

  Baiden assumed Von and Soren were going to sneak around the Halfen army, but Von planned something bigger. Soren had not agreed with Von at first, but after encountering refugees fleeing their homes, driven out before the invaders, he became easily convinced.

  Whole families fled for their lives. Those Von and Soren encountered told of the destruction the army left in its wake. He remembered one woman, cradling a baby and stringing two children behind.

  “My husband has gone to fight for Baiden,” she told them through red eyes and a tear streaked face. “Do you know if he is alright?”

  “I don’t know for sure,” Von responded. “There were many who came.” Von saw no reason not to be anything but honest with her. “Most survived, though there are many wounded. If it were not for your husband, and men like him, Azmark would have fallen.”

  He knelt to talk to the two small children, a boy and a girl. “My name is Beovon.” He was sure that name meant nothing to this woman, but it soon would, and she and her children would remember this encounter. “Those in Azmark know me. Remember that I said your father is a hero. No matter what, remember your father is a hero.” He had given them what he could. As he left he called to the woman. “Travel as quickly as you can. Azmark will be safe for you.”

  The woman was near tears again, and Von could tell she had cried more than her share already.

  “Thank you,” she said and hurried on.

  Von hoped she would make it.

  That little family was not the only one Von and Soren encountered. There were others, burned out and driven before the Halfen, some with older boys and occasionally men to accompany them, carrying their swords and shields, or an axe just as often. Some of the younger boys carried bows, many of the women did too. These people would add strength to the defenses of Azmark. The Halfen had blundered plunging themselves into the heart of the Kailfen Clan territory. The Halfen thought to overpower Baiden, but now the clan was gathering. With the Kragen, Orlenc, Celten, and his brother’s forces added to Baiden’s army the Halfen would find themselves out numbered, not the other way around. Ky greatly miscalculated the loyalty of the Kragen. Von wondered about the other clans. How many of the Hywel would react the way the Kragen did, rebel against their clan chief rather than subject themselves to Ky and the Halfen? How many more would, once they found that Ky was in league with the Horde?

  The steady stream of refugees never diminished. After a while Von quit talking to most of them, but those he spoke with told of horrors the Halfen were committing, -burnin
g farms and homes, butchering herds and sometimes people. Any who resisted were treated cruelly, tortured, beaten, hung or impaled The tales of barbarism and slaughter finally convinced Soren not to sneak around the army. They were going to cut their way through.

  It was all Von could do not to run headlong down the foothills now, but once again Soren was a voice of reason. Two against sixteen thousand was not exactly fair odds. They would wait for nightfall. Until then they followed the army and searched for any who had been taken prisoner. Von knew this would delay their arrival at Stone Abbey, but the full moon was still one night away. They could do this and still reach Stone Abbey to confront Ky.

  Von turned and noticed Soren dismount and take cover behind the bole of a tree. Von followed him.

  “Look down there.” Soren pointed. Three Halfen scouts on horseback were heading their direction. If the Halfen continued as they were, they would ride right over the top of Von and Soren. Von might have hidden and let them pass before encountering the families the Halfen had driven from their homes, but not now.

  Von drew his Haven Keep bow. Soren did the same. Von sensed a calmness come over him, a steadiness and confidence washed over his extremities. He recognized the feeling, he felt it when fighting the vyr, only he was too filled with adrenaline and urgency to devote thought to the calming power. Yet thinking back, he remembered hitting everything with pinpoint accuracy. He wondered at the feel of the weapon, amazed at the skill and power of the Dragon Lords. There was still much to learn about his new found art.

  The Halfen scouts rode into range. Von made hushing sounds to calm Isk and Jen. The dogs stood at Von’s side, muscles tense, ready to be loosed, much like the arrow nocked in Von’s bow.

  “You take the one on the left, I’ll take the one on the right,” Soren whispered. Von nodded and Soren let his arrow fly.