by D. M. Murray
“In that case, I’ll settle for a handshake.” Said Kalfinar as they shook hands.
Broden laughed as he stepped up towards Bergnon. “Be careful, friend, we’ve much more wine to drink together.”
“Until the wine then, good luck.” Bergnon said before he turned and ascended the gangway, followed by his lieutenants onto the ship.
Kalfinar watched as the gangway was hauled up and the ship pulled away from the dock. The sun climbed high into the morning sky, silhouetting Bergnon at the stern of the ship as it slid away on the Valeswater. “Until the wine then, my friend.”
*
“Are you sure she’s able to travel?” Kalfinar asked Sarbien as they waited in the courtyard. Their horses were fully loaded and ready to depart.
“Stop fussing over her, both of you. She’s harder than her frame shows. You’ll learn that soon enough, I’d think,” Sarbien said before heading off to find his daughter.
“Remember, son,” Harruld said, “there’s much in movement all around us that is beyond our understanding. All that you can do is accept what is taking place and carry on.”
Kalfinar nodded his acceptance.
“You must find the horn and return to us here within the month, for I fear the tide is coming quickly,” Harruld said gravely.
“A month! Father, we must travel much of the Cullanain, and who knows where else, searching for people we don’t even know. How can we possibly be back in Carte in a month?”
Olmat replied, “There will be a way. It is possible.”
More doubt, trust, blind faith. Faith, what faith have I left? I’m wretched. All I have faith in is the docks, the smoke and filth of it all.
“This is goodbye for now,” Broden said as he embraced Harruld.
“Look after my boy, Broden.”
“As always.”
“You both need to look after each other,” Olmat said, “for the road will be dangerous. There are many who will now seek the Godstone, and the horn too. Be very cautious.”
Kalfinar embraced both men and pulled himself into his saddle as Evelyne and Chentuck made their way into the courtyard. Sarbien, Capriath and Brother Anthony followed after them, and to each they bid their farewell.
*
Kalfinar and Broden rode side by side at the head of the party; Chentuck and Evelyne at the rear. The air was chill and damp, as an evening mist rolled down from the heather-clad hills around them and slid, phantom like, across the drumlins lining their route.
“It’s been a long day,” Kalfinar said over his shoulder to the others. “We ought to stop and make camp for the night.”
“Over there?” Broden pointed towards a cluster of stubby trees which clung sickly to their last remaining leaves.
“Should do,” Kalfinar grunted. “Best scout around it first,” he instructed.
Broden galloped off to inspect the wooded area whilst the others approached at a more conservative pace. Broden signalled a short time later and the others made their way towards the woodland. The sun began to slide towards the horizon and the hazy light of dusk painted oily shadows in the sky.
“I’ll be glad to get amongst the trees,” Evelyne said from behind Kalfinar as they approached the woodland. “It seems my eyes play tricks on me.”
“It’s just the light. Don’t be concerned,” Kalfinar replied without emotion as he approached the trees. He slid off his saddle and led his horse in amongst the stand of stunted birch and pine.
They found a small clearing in the centre of the stand of trees. The party cleared away the rotted mulch of dead leaves and needles before laying out meagre bedrolls.
“I hate a cold camp,” Broden complained as he began undoing his saddle to remove it from his horse.
“Don’t! For night’s sake!” Kalfinar snapped, a little too sharply, causing the whole party to turn suddenly. “I’m sorry,” he apologised. “Best we keep the horses ready, in case we need to leave in a hurry.”
“Don’t dim your words on account of me,” Evelyne said from the other side of the camp. “I’m all too aware of the dangers we face.”
Kalfinar acknowledged her and addressed the whole group, “I think we ought to heed the warnings we have received. We’ll need to be cautious when we stop at night. To that end, we’ll keep the horses saddled and ready to move in a hurry, if needed. It must be a cold camp. I’ll not risk giving away our position with fire or smoke.”
“Sorry, Kal,” Broden mumbled. “Just wasn’t thinking. You’re right.”
“Right, well that’s agreed then,” Evelyne said. “Fear not, Broden. I’ve learnt a trick or two which will make the camp along the way somewhat more hospitable.” She smiled to the big captain.
“What do you mean?” Kalfinar asked.
“My father is a skilled manipulator of the energies that exist within the world and he was able to school me in some of the more natural of these tricks. If you can find me a large, flat rock, I can concentrate a mix of mineral powders and elements that, when exposed to air and a little water, will cause the rock to heat up enough to allow us to cook on it. It will not give off any light, so we’ll remain unseen.”
Kalfinar caught the slightest glimpse of a wide smile through the gloom of the dusk.
“A large, flat rock. Leave it to me,” Broden announced happily as he stalked off amongst the trees.
As Broden moved out of earshot Kalfinar turned to Evelyne. “A large rock? You could use his head.”
*
They had been sailing down the Valeswater for over twelve hours. The sun had set and the ships had laid anchor for the night, rather than negotiate the fast-flowing river in the dark. Arrlun and Thaskil stood on the poop deck and watched over the soldiers as they ate their evening meal.
“I’d never have expected to be commissioned so soon,” Arrlun said. “I’m just sorry it’s come at such a heavy price.”
“Just hope I’m ready for it.” Thaskil leant his elbows on the deck rail and cradled his head in his hands. He straightened himself up and vigorously rubbed his stubbled face. “Enough of this heavy talk.” He smiled to Arrlun and nudged him in the side. “I think you’ll like Apula.”
“Oh aye? Why’s that then?” the Noehmian lad asked in his distinct accent. “I didn’t think you got any snow there. I’d feel out of place.”
“It’s a beautiful city,” Thaskil said as he turned towards his comrade and leant on one elbow. “The smell of fresh sweet-breads and coffee fills every winding street you walk through. Your mouth will be watering.”
“I doubt there’ll be much baking of bread with the poor harvests,” the big northerner countered with a half-mocking grin.
“Alright then. The view from the city walls across the plain will drop you to your knees. The winter poppies should be flowering by the time we arrive. From late autumn, they coat the plain beyond the city like a sea of rubies. They sway in the winds like the swell on the surface of the sea.”
“Poetic, but not likely. If I know anything about agriculture in tough times, which I will hasten to add, I do,” Arrlun said as he adopted a thoughtful look, “I would suggest your kinfolk will have recognised the fertility of the soil of the plain and sown crops there.”
“Not a chance of it. The poppy is on the city’s coat of arms. I’d say you’re wrong on that count. Apulan’s are a proud people. We’d rather go hungry than plough up the poppies!” Thaskil said as he shifted his weight. “Right, I’ve got it.”
“Come on, what is it?”
“It’s the women!” he laughed. “The women are the most beautiful in both Ilsinuer and Noehmia.”
“That’s quite the claim!” Arrlun remarked.
“They are dark-haired, with warm, golden skin, and have eyes like emeralds.” Thaskil smiled to himself for a moment. “Ah, they are just beautiful.”
“I think I may like this city after all. It’s so damn cold in Gerloup that most of the time our women are so well wrapped-up in furs that you’d be skilled to tell them a
part from the men!” He patted his friend on the shoulder and then turned to watch over the soldiers. “How long has it been since you were home, Thaskil?”
Thaskil emitted a long sigh. “Six years. I was twelve winters when I first went to Carte to start as a cadet. It’s been a long time.”
“You’ve missed your family, haven’t you?”
“I have. I know how fortunate I am to be with this battalion and to be going home. I’ve dreamt of it. Just wish the circumstances were different.”
“Never worry about that, aye. We can’t change it now, so it’ll do you no good sitting on it. Imagine their faces when they see you ride into the city. At the head of a battalion, no less!” Arrlun spread his open hand before their faces as though spreading the image before them. “Aye, not a bad sight, huh?”
“You’re right.” A grin spread over Thaskil’s face. “My sister’s face will just drop. She always used to say I’d not make it beyond pot cleaner!”
“You’ve a sister, aye?” Arrlun interrupted as a not-so-innocent smile spilt his face. “I love sisters.”
“Don’t even think about it! I’ll send you back to Gerloup with your seeds in a coin pouch!” Thaskil punched his friend in the shoulder and both men struggled to stifle their laughter in front of the men of their new command.
*
“That’s a handy trick to know,” Broden commented as he rubbed his stomach. “I always feel better after having a hot meal, don’t you?” He reached across and gave Kalfinar a playful slap on the thigh. “What do you say, misery-guts?”
Kalfinar ignored the playful taunt and instead sought out Evelyne with more questions about the Godstone. He could not see her for the blackness of the night, but he knew she sat no more than two metres from him. “So how is it we will determine our course of travel if the Godstone cannot be seen to be leading us towards the sleeping ones? Have you been gifted some insight?”
“My understanding of how this will work is that I’ll be drawn to each location, as I feel drawn now to the south. I must place my trust in that sensation, for I’ve been instructed to do so by my father. More of this design will reveal itself to us as we progress.”
Kalfinar grunted in the darkness. He was thankful she couldn’t see him shake his head with frustration.
“So you,” Kalfinar addressed Chentuck. “Tell me, how have you found common folk’s reactions when they see you? I mean, the initial reaction can hardly be welcoming. Granted, it may not be as hostile as my own.” He coughed a short, uncomfortable laugh.
Chentuck replied from the darkness, “I was schooled by our father at home, along with Evelyne and Anthony. We did not live amongst your people as everyone else would. The home we grew up in was not in Carte, but in the foothills near Terna. Here, I had some friends, mostly children of men and women who worked with our father on his matters. I’m sure they were uncertain of me initially, but in short time, I suppose they realised that we are just the same in most ways. Old tales of monsters and Gods seem easier for children to forgive than adults. And so, I keep my face hidden for the most part.”
“I’m sorry for that,” Kalfinar said with a slight flush of shame. “Tell me of your God, or your Gods, as I understand it.”
“What do you want to know?” Chentuck replied.
“So far all that I have learnt is really what Olmat has told me. That there is one overall God and a number of Undergods, the Desverukan. Is this the case?” Kalfinar asked into the darkness.
Chentuck replied, “Our understanding of the Gods of our people is instinctual. We are born with an appreciation of it. That does not mean we submit to it or understand the reason.” He paused. “But yes, Olmat is correct. There is a controlling power. His name is Bhalur, as you have learned.” Chentuck paused again. “I would suggest the utterance of these names be limited. If his creatures are hunting us, which I suspect they are, the speaking of these names could conceivably draw attention to us. Let us not take unnecessary risks. I will refer to the Master God. I assume Olmat told you of how our Father came to adopt us, correct?”
“He did,” Kalfinar replied.
“Well, the creature that stalked into our village and killed my parent-folk was one of the Undergods. I understand there to be several dozen of these, each with a relevance to different tribes of the Ravenmayne. They are worshipped out of fear. I believe the Undergods demand sacrifice for the Master God when the devotion of the people has slackened. That is what must have happened to my parent-folk. I do not fully comprehend all aspects of our Master God, or indeed the Undergods, but one thing which is inherently clear to me, born as Ravenmayne, is the Master God was insulted and outcast by the other Gods of men in the days of the beginning, and the Master God has been thirsting for vengeance ever since.”
“So we are at the centre of a timeless grudge then,” Broden said.
“There have always been clashes amongst the Gods,” Evelyne spoke. “Their egos, built on power and creations, clash time and time again, one attempting to outsmart the other, and the next trying to create something stronger, more beautiful, more deadly. They have warred since they exploded into existence.”
“How do you know of this?” Broden asked.
“I can feel it. I can—I can understand it,” she stammered as she replied.
“The Godstone,” Kalfinar muttered.
“Yes,” Evelyne said. “I think it has given me insight. The one Chentuck speaks of, the Master God, created the Ravenmayne people, as our Dajda made us. It appears they created us as one. Equals before the split tore it all asunder.” She paused for a long moment, her heavy breathing the only noise audible over creaking trees. “Man and the Ravenmayne were to live amongst each other as brothers, and the same people. Their dual worship was to be received by both Gods, but then a rivalry was born with a need to obtain more worship and become more powerful. At this point, I see our Dajda created the Anulii and the Ravenmayne God created the Undergods, the Desverukan. They did battle and the Ravenmayne God was defeated. They were cast out to the wastelands of Hagra, and our Dajda, and the Tuannan bound the Ravenmayne God so he could not grow to that power and compete again. That is what I can see.”
“So how has it come that we are under such threat. Has he grown in power again?” Kalfinar asked. “And if he has, how has this come about?”
“The Undergods were not bound. They received the worship of the people on his behalf, and it appears somehow that the Master God has been able to receive this and grow in strength,” Evelyne said.
“How is this so?” Broden asked.
“Betrayal.” With that, her voice trailed off and a she slumped to the ground, the soft thud of her head hitting the earth announced her state to the group.
“Evelyne?” Chentuck asked, rising and feeling for his sister in the dark. When his hands found her, her head was soaked with sweat, and her skin was cold to the touch.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“How much longer do you think it’ll take us to get there?” Evelyne shouted ahead as the horses galloped along the road, heading towards the southern port city of Enulin.
“We’ve travelled about one hundred and fifty leagues,” Kalfinar shouted over his shoulder. “We should be at Enulin by midday tomorrow if we maintain this pace.” He reined his horse back a little, so as to come alongside Evelyne. “How are you feeling?” he asked, concerned she suffered exhaustion from the relentless travel and burden of the Godstone.
Evelyne smiled, “I’m feeling better today. A little saddle-sore. I’m not used to such travel, so I suppose that’s to be expected.” She feigned a look of grave pain as her backside landed upon the saddle once again, provoking laughter in the man.
“And of your head? How do you fare?” he asked, speaking of the momentary blackouts she had been suffering after interpreting the ancient memories.
“Much better. The pain is almost gone. Perhaps I’m getting used to carrying this gift. Thanks for your concern.”
Kalfinar grunted and nud
ged his horse’s flanks. The horse trotted ahead and he reined in alongside Broden, casting a sidelong glance to his cousin who sat with a smirk on his face. “What’s so funny?” Kalfinar asked.
“Nothing!” Broden replied. “Just think it’s nice to see your soft side every now and then.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“But women are great, aren’t they?”
“You’re hopeless,” Kalfinar grumbled. “Perhaps you can do me the honour of getting your head out of your prick and give me your thoughts on that woodland ahead.” He pointed towards the trees, which were bisected by the road they travelled along.
“I see it,” Broden replied. “What’s the matter? You see something?”
“Logical place for an ambush, isn’t it?” Kalfinar replied.
“You say this at least ten times a day and still there’s been nothing to bother us. I thought Sarbien said that amulet would protect you from the spirit?”
“He did,” Kalfinar’s brows furrowed as he whispered through clenched teeth, “but it’s not my possession that concerns me. We can be tracked and the spirit can turn our own people against us.” Kalfinar held his hand up in a signal for the party to stop. “Caution as always.”
Broden reined his horse in beside Kalfinar and leaned close to him. “Do you think our own people could be possessed?”
“You heard Olmat and the others. If we don’t pray, the link is broken, as in my case, it seems. When the link is broken, we’re exposed, and when we’re exposed, we can be corrupted. There are many who do not have your strength in the faith. And on top of that, they said that with Dajda in a state of stasis, all souls are exposed to some extent.”
“Caution it is then,” the larger captain said.
No sooner had Broden finished speaking than a projectile became visible moving through the air towards them.
“Arrow!” Broden roared and wheeled his horse around, followed by Evelyne and Chentuck.