The Oath Breaker: A Novel of Germania and Rome (Hraban Chronicles Book 1)

by Alaric Longward

  I was told by Wandal, who had come to find me, that he saw me strangling Melheim and that I tore an eye out of the man's skull when he tried to resist. It was only with the greatest hardship that they managed to tear me off the crying man. I had shrugged them off and ran to stand guard Gunhild, growling at any man trying to get to her, or to look at my wounds.

  It was late afternoon when my fierce father rode up, dusty, bloody. Seeing me and the bodies, and hearing what Nihta said, he walked bravely to me, embraced me, and I fell.

  I soon woke up to pain. Wandal and Felix were there, holding my arms down. An old man was next to me, tying something around my neck, scowling at me. I saw a bloody arrow next to me on the trampled grass. He had just removed it. He gestured at my chest, and I nodded, sitting up, cursing as he fixed a bandage around it. I tried to talk and managed it. 'What happened out there?' Blood was oozing onto my chest from my throat and to my lap from the wound on my chest.

  Wandal shrugged. 'It is a mess. Matticati had some thousand men, scattered all over the place, eh? While your father killed Isfried, the enemy looted and burned though Maroboodus had placed men to intercept most of the unsuspecting enemy. He had prepared his works in the deep night, and so their spies missed the hidden men. Hengsti is badly wounded, so they are going away, but it was humiliating how far they got and how much they burned and looted, eh? Now, I suppose your father rules. Burlein was captured, wishes peace, and your father agrees, I guess. You killed many men.'

  'I did what Father wanted,' I said slowly, saw Gunhild, who ran to me and embraced me. She was crying bitterly.

  She looked me in my eyes. 'Balderich is gone. Your father thinks Matticati took him,' she said in panic, but composed herself. 'You saved me. So I give you advice, do not be here tomorrow. It was I who poisoned you, on the request from …'

  'Who?' I asked, but Maroboodus was approaching. He walked his horse towards me and grinned widely. She hesitated and got up. Then she walked away, my father's eyes following her.

  He got down, took my fine sword, hesitating as I put my hand out. In the end, he handed it to me. 'Hraban. What you did here? You were magnificent like a warrior god. Now, I rule. Tomorrow, we will talk about your future. Adgandestrius will be here this night if the Matticati don't kill him, and he will take you and Gernot to meet the fair Gunda, but I will free Ishild.'

  'Are Tear and Odo dead?' I rasped.

  He shrugged. 'I have yet to check the many bodies. Tear was with me, I saw Odo there. I gave the orders, so likely, yes.'

  I grasped his strong arm. 'Make sure, Father. Moreover, be careful with poor Ishild,' I said, carefully trying to articulate each word, my throat on fire. He smiled benignly. My eyes snaked towards Gunhild, her words burning me.

  Maroboodus grunted. 'I know where they hid themselves. Now, we have much work to do. I have to recover Balderich, and organize the burned village, find food, and shelter. But tomorrow, Hraban, you will get your deserved place, lovely Ishild, and one day, we will have our vengeance together.' I bowed to him. 'One more thing. Is Bark gone? He was not there. Burlein said he died in Grinrock, but …'

  'I killed him,' I told him evenly. 'They gave me to him, and I suppose that saved me, for otherwise they would have slain me at the feast.'

  He laughed. 'Fortuna makes men into happy lords, Hraban. I think she loves you. Look, that arrow was in your throat, yet they say it missed all the vital parts! Incredible. I hear you gave Isfried an oath?'

  'I had little choice, Father,' I told him, morose, shaking in horror at my close brush with death, staring at the bloody arrow.

  'Good. We will deal with everything. Now, I will find who lives, and who died,' he told me happily.

  I stopped him. 'Lord. Tudrus?'

  His face clouded over, but he shook his head tiredly. 'Tudrus left the hall, dressed as a woman. His men covered for him. Vannius is looking for him.'

  'He is your enemy, then?' I asked. 'And Vannius is not?'

  His eyes glinted dangerously, his mood swinging from one end to the other. 'Vannius told me what you did. I forgive you, for it does not really matter. Tudrus is a Quadi to the core, and I want the Quadi to join us and become Marcomanni, so yes, he is. And Armin? The man who arranged so much trouble for us? He is gone, too,' Maroboodus growled. 'I would have sent him home with Varnis, shamed in his failure, but he is gone.' He peered down at me, speaking pointedly. 'Koun is gone as well.'

  'All gone?' I asked, hoping Ansbor had managed some answers from Koun.

  'Koun disappeared. Perhaps he ran,' said Maroboodus, uncaringly. 'He might have figured out Vannius is no prisoner.' He glanced at me, but I kept a straight face. I doubted he would go without Gunhild. Perhaps Father had gotten rid of him. Koun had a story to tell, as well, something Father did not want people to know about.

  He nodded. 'Tomorrow, Hraban, I know more, and we decide much. It has been a confusing day. Men will hang today as we settle matters. Your prisoner Melheim is one.' His eyes scanned the smoke pillars in the horizon, trail of the retreating Matticati.

  'Yes, Lord,' I told him. I was itching to find Ansbor. I watched Maroboodus go as he walked away to look at his fallen rider, mourning him, when Guthbert came to me, his massive frame shadowing us.

  'Your friend? Ansbor? Did you ask him to find Ishild?' he asked me softly.

  'I did,' I said, bleakly, dreading his next words.

  'He is dying. Was found near the woods yesterday. I guess he found them, but now, he is …' the warrior said, hesitating, staring at the retreating back of Maroboodus. I spit blood and held my throat. Ansbor was paying the price for my wyrd.

  'How? Where is he?' I asked.

  Felix nodded downhill. 'Euric's place.' Guthbert nodded and looked troubled.

  He placed a hand on my shoulder. 'You are a fine boy, Hraban, despite some bad choices. A worthy fight you had here, better than most. We will remember it, if you die,' he told me, in his rumbling voice. 'If I leave for home one day, Hraban, I offer you a way to come with me if you wish and can go. Think about it. Your Tudrus, I think, will have no home soon and might even die. Change your fouled name and come to the Batavii, and be happy again.'

  'You are not happy here? Eh?' Wandal asked him, pulling me up.

  'No,' he said honestly. 'I am not. Oh, there are no healers to save your poor Ansbor. The vitka could have, but none are left. And Odo and Tear, as you know, well … It is not only Ansbor, for many others will suffer. Many are wounded.' He looked embarrassed. 'The man who has such a bad reputation is the last in line. As are his men.' He went off to help fight some of the lingering fires.

  We went down, entered Euric's hall, and found Ansbor thrashing in terrible fever, held down by Euric. Ermendrud got up to embrace Wandal, and she glared at me with hostility. 'Your friend,' she said savagely, 'is near the gods.'

  'He is burning up, Hraban. He was conscious, on and off, but now …' grunted Euric. I nodded and missed Ishild for her skills. I lifted the blanket and saw the slash in his belly was red and oozing puss.

  'Is there no one who can help him?' I asked.

  Wandal's father grunted. 'Some, of course. However, they will not. A lot of badly wounded out there, and you, Hraban, have a rancid reputation.'

  'I just did Maroboodus a great favor,' I said. 'Where are the healers?' I was going to get up, but Euric placed a hand on my shoulder.

  'All they know is that you have broken custom and law, that the truth speaker of Maroboodus is after you. And …' He hesitated.

  'Tear is dead. And?' I asked, dangerously.

  'Burlein is alive, and in his imprisonment he has confirmed it was you who killed the holy vitka in the Flowery Meadows. That you also killed Bark. That you gave a holy oath to Isfried and reneged on it. The healers are not going to help you. You are lucky that one man took the arrow from your throat. He likely did not know who you were. They think you are going to face harsh law.' I put my hand over my tired face. Ermendrud spat at my grief. Wandal pulled her away, and I was grateful, f
or I needed peace. But Wandal was not going to give that to me, after all.

  'Oath to Isfried,' I spat softly. 'They broke theirs just as much.'

  Wandal sat down. 'Did you kill the vitka in the Meadows? It was you? Not some Romans? Eh?'

  I swallowed and avoided his eyes. 'I did it, but not out of choice. I was serving my father. He will set things right.' Ansbor groaned in feverish nightmare. I wiped tears off my face. 'Where did you find him?'

  Euric grunted and gestured towards the north. 'A Gaul horse trader found him. Near the woods to the north. He had dragged himself for a long time, and could barely whisper something about a moldy tower. What was he doing there, Hraban? I thought he was to be with you in the south?'

  'He did what I asked of him. A fine service. I will mourn him,' I said, miserable to my core.

  Wandal exploded. 'Ansigar our terrible enemy, sweet Hagano dead, our Ansbor dying, eh? You, a filthy murderer and an oath breaker? Is this part of the plan, Hraban?' Wandal yelled and threw a sturdy stool to the wall. 'You are giving us all death and ignominy!'

  Euric got up and pushed Wandal to a seat. 'He suffers enough, boy. He is losing a friend. He is a father-to-be to a bastard. Most everyone he knew distrusts him. He suffers, Wandal. He has a bad reputation, a really bad one, and he has to rely on his father to pull him out.' Euric shrugged, not sure what to do. I grunted as Ansbor threw his blanket in fever. I hoped Maroboodus would help us. He had hugged me and been proud of me. Of course, he would. I would get Ishild, too, and the baby. Euric shrugged. 'Men go far for their father, Hraban. It won't go away, the dishonor, but he can save you.'

  We sat there most of the night, brooding. I thought of plans to capture an unsuspecting vitka, of going and finding a healer from Gaul. Ansbor was weak. 'I need a healer,' I said, desperate. 'Today.'

  Wandal laughed bitterly. 'No healer will help, eh? Not after Burlein told them everything. Didn't you hear Euric?'

  'I can force one at sword point,' I growled and touched Nightbright, but Felix got up, gulped loudly, but sat back down.

  'Yes?' I asked finally.

  He nodded towards the harbor. 'Varnis the Sigambri. He has been staying here because the pickings are easier here than up north. He has raided one Arrius, a Mediomactri noble. My former master.'

  'And?' I asked.

  'There is a woman in his boat, trussed up, unhappy,' he said. 'Cassia, my former mistress before I was sold to my recent master. She is a fine healer.'

  We thought about it. 'Varnis,' I said, 'will not sell her cheap. And I have no coin.'

  'I have an idea, but you have to promise me not to let Ansbor hurt me when he is healed. Nor Wandal,' he said.

  Ermendrud grinned. 'He is a rat, Hraban. This Gaul of yours. However, he has ideas. Listen to him.' I nodded.

  'Speak.'

  CHAPTER XVII

  I saw Varnis and his thin, dangerous crew hard at work. The Sigambri had heaps of loot on their longship. I saw many of them hoisting fine Roman vases, fragile glass goblets, wine of many kinds, and even some bright jewels. Their forays had been very successful. Then I saw the girl, who had a bruise on her cheek. Her eyes were beautifully slanted, hair dark and long, her legs strong and shapely as she kicked fiercely at a Sigambri who was cursing her. I stared at her for a long time, feeling a flutter in my chest. It was a feeling I had not had with Ishild or Ermendrud, and I could not explain it. Then I reminded myself why we were there.

  I walked up, leaving Felix in the shadows, and yelled, 'Varnis?' The man's head shot up from his ship, surprised. He regarded me with suspicion.

  'Ah, Hraban, the whore-mongering murderer! Not hung yet?' he said as he got down from his ship.

  'No, Lord, I am not,' I told him. 'Perhaps soon? I need something from you.'

  'Well, I am loath to give anything, boy,' he told me, about to turn, when I flashed my sword at him.

  'I am selling this, and have no idea how much coin I could get for it,' I told him simply, and the look on his face was one of deep greed.

  'That might have some worth. Celt made, no?' he said carefully and hopped deftly out of the boat, walked over quickly, bending to examine the blade.

  'They say,' I whispered to him, 'it has a name amongst the Romans across the river here. Has killed many famous men. Centurion's Fear, it is called.'

  'I can buy it off you,' he said happily. 'I have use for such. Some silver?'

  Felix marched over from the dark, his face angry as a small thundercloud. He shrieked. 'Hold! It is mine!'

  Varnis sneered. 'What are you yapping about?' he asked. The bearded, tattooed Sigambri was licking his thin lips as he regarded the terrific blade. I saw Cassia's eyes go large as she regarded Felix. He had not lied, she knew him.

  Felix smiled nervously and started to whisper to Varnis as if I was a moronic child. 'He has lost his few coins and his horse to me. The fine sword he holds, he lost, as well. Indeed, the sword is worth many Roman lives. Hraban got it from Balderich, a famous, famous blade! All Rome fears it. It's the terror of the legions, and the fool lost it to me on a game of simple acorn toss. Three barrels, and he did not get one acorn in. He is a poor gambler. He cannot resist, you see. Now, I want the sword, and he can sell his ass to you.' I groaned. I prayed to Woden, and hoped Felix knew what he was doing.

  Varnis's eyes darted from the sword to me, then to Felix. Greed played on his face and so did cunningness.

  'Is this a free man?' Varnis asked.

  'My slave,' I mumbled, unhappily.

  He smiled. 'In that case, shut up, slave. Hraban can gamble with you, lose everything, and still not owe you anything, for you belong to him. All he lost is his and so is the sword. Be gone!'

  'But …' Felix started desperately, but I interrupted him.

  I gestured at the boy. 'I do not think like that, Varnis. I do owe Felix, for it would be dishonorable …'

  'I hear you do not care about honor,' he mused and laughed crudely.

  'I do,' I told him with a growl, 'but cannot afford to pay him. It is not noble to dodge the responsibility. I only have my helmet left. Perhaps I cannot gamble for the sword, after all. He is right.'

  Varnis smiled. 'But you do own Felix?'

  'Yes, that is true,' I said though I was unsure if it was so. Felix looked scared, an excellent act.

  'Then, if he owns your items but you own him, you can stake him, no?' Felix protested, I grinned and pretended to think about it. Varnis nudged me conspiratorially. 'Wish to gamble for the Gaul?'

  'For Felix? That would solve many of my problems. I almost wish to lose! What do you give if you lose?'

  Varnis jingled a pouch, his face greedy. 'Some silver?'

  'No, I want the woman,' I told him, eyeing Cassia.

  'Woman?' he said, angry. 'That is to be my new wife! I cannot agree to that. She is worth a fortune!'

  'And Felix and all he has taken from me is worth much more. With the sword, you can buy a dozen fine wenches. Nevertheless, I want her,' I said, looking at her, and her eyes slanted in anger. She understood our language.

  'Have you not gotten into enough trouble with women, Hraban?' he asked insipidly. 'Fine, I see why you have gotten into hot water, you twisted bastard.' He shook his head while mumbling, indecisive, but finally licked his lips, and agreed with a curt nod.

  'Do not gamble with him!' Felix said. 'He will rob me!' Ignoring the boy, we spat on our palms and grasped each other's forearms fiercely, making the deal. He grinned, looking at my blade, and his eyes narrowed. His lips were moist as he thought of himself with such a weapon.

  'Coin toss then, one time,' I told him, instructed by Felix. I produced a silver coin, a Roman coin, thick, with a ship on one side, a man with a fat neck on the other. It was a coin we had seen often when we gambled with Felix. Wandal had gotten beyond angry when he learned how the other side was heavier that the other, even more so, when we found Felix had two such coins, both weighted to favor the opposite sides, suiting any situation. I twirled the coin in my deft fin
gers. 'May the best man win, and which side you want to pick?' I asked, and held up the coin. Hesitantly, he took the coin and eyed it.

  He spat. 'A Roman on this, and a ship!'

  Felix was hovering around. 'Lord Varnis, take the Roman consul. It usually wins over the sad ship. Romans do that. Win over fools in rotting ships!'

  Varnis blushed in anger. 'No Roman consul will win my battles for me. I choose the glorious ship.' I sighed in relief, having read the man correctly.

  'Ship it is, then,' I said, and he tossed the coin up to the air.

  A bit later, I carried Cassia towards Euric's smithy, and Felix was happily running along. We heard Varnis shriek at his men in the dark, angry beyond reason.

  Wandal received us at the door. 'We won then, eh?'

  'Yes, can you wait here, please,' I told him, and he nodded, reluctantly. Euric joined him.

  Inside, I set the woman down. Cassia looked around, edging for the table, looking at me. Ermendrud came to us, stopping in midstride. The women looked at each other.

  'Ermendrud, can you give us privacy,' I said calmly.

  'This is Wandal's and Euric's house,' she spat, but I glowered at her, and she went, throwing something to the wall in the next room.

  Cassia smirked and spoke with a heavy Germanic accent. 'A happy hall you have here? I will not let you have me, not without a fight. And I can fight, you know.'

  I sighed and unstrapped my sword. She looked at my movements carefully, her beautiful eyes darting from me to the pallid face of Ansbor. 'You need not fear,' I told her, and she laughed.

  'Need not fear? They butchered the guards in my home during the funeral of my father, burned it, stole everything of value, and took me slave, and that beast wanted to rape and then marry me. No, I am not afraid, why should I be?'