The Sword

by Bryan M. Litfin

  Teo slid down the buttress after Ana and joined her on the roof, which covered one of the side aisles of the temple. Like the central roof above, this one also had a parapet along its eave. But when Ana looked over it, she realized that while she was now lower than before, she was still very far from the ground.

  “I hope you have another one of your plans, Captain.”

  He limped over to her and held up his remnant of rope. “Why do you think I climbed back up to cut this?” he asked.

  Teo was about to tie it to the parapet for a final descent when an arrow pierced the air nearby. The outsiders were firing from a window in the spiral staircase. Teo shielded Ana’s body with his and whisked her away from the roof’s edge. Now they were out of the enemy’s line of sight, but they were pressed against a window of the great hall with no way to get down.

  “We can’t go over the eave with the outsiders shooting at us,” Ana said.

  “No, but we can go inside!” Teo cocked his good leg.

  “Wait! That artwork is probably a thousand years old! Surely you’re not going to—”

  Teo’s boot burst through the window in a multicolored explosion of glass. Ana groaned as he kicked out the leaden framework in the stone opening. After he peered inside, he tied off the rope and pitched its end through the hole.

  Ana looked doubtful. “That piece of rope isn’t long enough to reach the ground from here.”

  “Not even close. But when you get inside, you can grab the chandelier chain and slide to the floor. You go first.”

  “Why me?”

  “You’ll see.”

  It wasn’t easy, but Ana made it through the ruined window into the temple’s dark interior. The rope came to an end, but she easily reached the chandelier chain that hung at the crest of a pointed arch, then slid down its length. After reaching the chandelier’s iron rim, she dropped to the floor. Nothing had ever felt better than the strong, level surface of mother earth beneath her feet.

  Teo clambered through the window and slid down the rope, then onto the chandelier chain. He looked up. “Uh-oh. Stand back.” Ana stepped away.

  Teo was still on the chain when it broke loose and sent him crashing to the floor. Ana ran to his side as he held his ankle, grimacing. She worked the joint with her hands to see if it was broken.

  “I thought that chain might break under my weight,” he said. “Good thing you’re just a hard-working farm girl.” Ana glanced up from his ankle with a smile, and he grinned back at her. “I’m fine. Let’s get out of here.”

  In the waning evening light, Teo and Ana scurried toward their horses. Teo removed the Sacred Writing from underneath his jerkin and stowed it in the saddlebag on the packhorse.

  Before he left the temple, he paused to prop a tree branch against the door to the spiral staircase, wedging it tight against an upturned stone. “I hope they brought their rations,” he said, chuckling. “They’re going to be inside for a while.”

  Back in the saddle, Teo and Ana meandered east through the abandoned streets. Soon they came to the riverfront, pausing under some trees to assess the situation.

  A rusty steel bridge crossed the water—and what a strange bridge it was. Ana marveled at the two giant poles that supported the span at either end by means of cables fanning from their tops. The bridge was divided into a pair of narrow walkways with a wide gap between them. One of the walkways had sagged over time and had become impassable, but the other looked as if it could still be traversed. Although Ana thrilled at the idea of crossing the river and finally turning toward home, she was disheartened to see the outsiders’ ship moored across the river, with warriors milling around on the near bank.

  “Now what? They’ve set up their camp on this side to keep us from getting across.”

  “That’s not our only problem. Look there, across the river, where that grass is. They’ve brought horses in the ship. Even if we make it across the bridge, they’ll be able to track us on horseback. It’s really the horses that put us in a bind.”

  They remained quiet for a moment, considering the matter. Ana looked over at Teo. “I think I know what you’re going to say.”

  He smiled mischievously. “I have a plan,” he said with a wink.

  Hiding behind some buildings, they approached the outsiders’ camp. Teo explained his plan, and Ana nodded in agreement. He handed her his bow and quiver.

  “Ready?”

  “Let’s do it.”

  Kicking his heels, Teo leaped forward on his horse. Ana galloped behind him with their packhorse on a line. They charged into the outsiders’ camp, rousing startled shouts and curses. As they stormed through the crowd of angry men, Teo leaned from the saddle and snatched a cask that sat on a crate next to several lanterns.

  Ana hit the bridge first and raced across. At the far end, she turned in her saddle and watched Teo stop in the middle of the span. He smashed the cask with his ax and poured lantern oil across the width of the walkway. Lighting a Vulkain stick, he set the pool ablaze. Orange flames illuminated the dusk.

  Teo reached the end of the span and sped past Ana with the words, “Hold the bridge!” He scattered the horses grazing on the riverbank as he dismounted and waded into the shallows. With a hard stroke from his ax, he severed the mooring rope on the ship, then shoved it into deeper water and disappeared over its gunwale.

  Ana knew the make of knarrs like that one: they were clinker-built vessels whose strakes were sealed with tar or moss. The design let in a lot of water, requiring frequent bailing. It wouldn’t be difficult to make a hole big enough to sink such a ship—and down to the bottom would go all the horse tack the outsiders had brought.

  A furious warrior came charging from the flames on the bridge, batting his beard where it had caught fire. With a demonic scream, he sprinted down the walkway toward Ana’s waiting horse, brandishing his sword. She waited for him to get close, then calmly put an arrow through his chest.

  In the middle of the dark river, the ship was gurgling to its final resting place. Teo waded ashore and mounted his horse. He galloped to Ana as she put a second warrior on the ground with a well-placed shot.

  “The outsiders might be decent horsemen,” Teo said, water dripping from his hair, “but they won’t catch us by riding bareback and holding onto the mane!” With a laugh, he took the packhorse’s line from Ana and trotted toward the trees.

  Ana turned her horse and caught up to the rangy man with the wide shoulders who sat so easy in the saddle. Side by side, they rode into the black forest that lay between them and their home.

  The next morning, Teo tightened his horse’s girth and swung into the saddle. The air was crisp; he could see his breath. He and Ana had ridden well into the night before camping, and now he wanted to get an early start. Though he didn’t expect to be followed, one could never be too cautious.

  Ana spoke from the trail behind him as they rode along. “Teofil, I just want you to know, you were pretty amazing yesterday. At every turn, there was an obstacle. You overcame them all.”

  He grinned over his shoulder and pointed to his biceps. “See? My religion is worth something after all.” A pine cone hit him in the back. He laughed.

  At midday they came to a wider trail, one that might even be called a road. It led south, but there was no guarantee it would keep going that way. Teo noticed his horse’s ears swivel. “Quick! Off the trail! Someone’s coming!” They darted into a thicket.

  A decrepit red wagon pulled by two old nags rolled into view. Its driver was a middle-aged tinker with a belly so round he could have set a stein on it—and probably did. Tools, cookware, and other odds and ends jingled from his wagon as he bumped along the road. The tinker was smoking a pungent weed in the pipe that jutted from his yellowed beard. Amused, Teo stepped his horse forward. “Hail, driver!”

  The fellow jumped like a rabbit and grabbed a shortbow. His eyes scanned the undergrowth. “Lay back, ya hear? I’m armed! I’m dangerous!”

  “And I’m friendly!”
Teo rode into the open, holding the line to his packhorse. “Just a traveler who might wish to hire your services. You know your way around these woods?”

  “Better than anyone.”

  “You know the green river to the south? Joined by a brown one, flowing north?”

  “Aye.”

  “You lead us there, and this packhorse is yours.”

  The tinker’s expression grew canny. “If you’re gonna travel by river, fella, you need a boat. I got me an extra. I’ll trade it for your ridin’ horse.”

  Teo nodded and motioned for Ana to come out. When she emerged onto the road, the tinker’s eyes widened. “That’s quite a filly you got there. Nice figure.” He looked Ana up and down. “Name’s Dirk Bearbane.”

  “Bearbane?” Ana asked. “How’d you get that name?”

  “Killed me a bear. No, three of ’em. With this here bow.”

  “It’s too small for bear. And those are bird points.”

  Dirk sneered. “What’s a woman know about such things?” He turned back to Teo.

  “Listen, Dirk, you can be bear bane or bear bait for all we care. Just lead us to the river, and you’ll be rewarded. Deal?”

  “Alright then, it’s a deal. But I’ll have to hide my wagon in the woods. It won’t roll on the trails we’re gonna use.” Dirk got down from his seat and began to unhitch his horses.

  Once they set out, it didn’t take Teo long to realize the man really did know the forest trails. He chose paths Teo would never have picked, yet they always headed in the right direction, and in good time. Without any wandering, they traveled at a pace that ate up the leagues.

  That night they camped along a stream Dirk had insisted they visit, though it was slightly out of their way. “There’s hot springs for the lady,” he said, pointing downstream. “I’ll fetch us some rabbits and get a stew going.”

  As Teo unsaddled the horses, Ana approached him. “Teofil, I’m suspicious of our guide. Can we trust him?”

  Teo chuckled. “Not a bit. The guy’s a greedy old codger. But don’t worry, I know his type. He’s no threat to me, and we need his expertise to find our way.” To take Ana’s mind off her worries, he reached into the saddlebag and tossed her a piece of soap. “Your mother packed it for you. Go enjoy it in the springs.”

  While Ana went downstream to a private place, Teo rubbed down the horses with bunches of grass. He had almost finished the third horse when he heard Ana scream. Running toward her, he met her in the forest barefoot, her boots in her hand. She was hastily dressed, and her hair was wet and uncombed.

  “What is it?”

  Ana looked sheepish. “Nothing, I guess. I felt exposed bathing in the springs. I thought I heard someone moving around in the bushes. Then a stick snapped.”

  Teo put his arm around Ana’s shoulders. “It was probably just your imagination. Come back to camp. Dirk is out hunting. He’ll return soon with his catch.”

  Ana had to admit, despite her doubts, Dirk Bearbane made good on his word. In just four days he led the party to the green river. Two boats lay hidden among the reeds. Ana rejoiced in the knowledge that after a few days of paddling, she would be home.

  “Well, Dirk, you’ve earned your pay,” Teo said to their portly guide. “A horse for your services and a horse for the boat.”

  Dirk looked at Teo with a huckster’s gleam in his eye. “Not so fast, friend! You still need me for one more thing! There’s a little, er . . . rapid up ahead. Just a riffle, nothing more. You can usually run it in a quality boat like mine, save yourself the portage. But sometimes the water’s too high. You’ll need my help to scout it first. I’ll hold you on a rope and let you choose your line before you run the rapid. In return, I get your third horse.”

  “You drive a hard bargain, Dirk Bearbane. On the other hand, what would I have done with that horse anyway?” Teo clapped the man on the back and began to unload his gear into the canoe. Ana gave him a hand. I’ll be glad to get rid of Dirk, she thought. He’s creepy.

  After an hour of paddling, the current began to quicken. A chateau of the Ancients poked one of its turrets through the trees on the far bank. Dirk pointed downstream to an old bridge, overgrown and dilapidated but still standing.

  “We’ll stop at the bridge. The lady can cross over and rest her dainty feet while the men do the heavy work. You can pick her up downstream of the rapid.”

  Though Ana didn’t agree with Dirk’s estimate of her abilities, she assented to the plan. The men dropped her off on the near shore so she could hike up the bluff to the bridge’s entrance. It was a high span, and she looked forward to the view it would afford. Yet one thing troubled her: the closer she got to the bridge, the more it seemed the rapids were making far more noise than they should—for a riffle.

  When Ana reached the top of the bluff and stepped onto the bridge, a cold knot of fear tightened in her belly. The whitewater was much more turbulent than Dirk had suggested. Shocked, she stared at the churning water below the bridge. Those aren’t rapids! It’s an immense waterfall! How could someone who knows these woods be so mistaken about the danger? With sudden clarity the truth dawned on her: Dirk was no harmless buffoon. He was a deadly threat who had been waiting like a snake for the right time to strike.

  Ana ran onto the bridge. She spotted Teo in his canoe as he scouted the water ahead. Dirk stood on the shore, playing out a rope attached to the canoe’s stern. Ana shouted a warning, but her voice was swallowed by the waterfall’s roar. Teo turned to Dirk and signaled for an urgent retreat. At that moment, Dirk released the rope.

  The current seized the canoe as Teo frantically tried to steer with his paddle. Caught in the violent flow, he gathered speed with every second. Seething plumes of water churned around two giant boulders that thrust up like fangs, sucking the boat into their greedy maw. Teo dived overboard, attacking the river with fierce strokes, a valiant figure fighting a losing battle. It was no use. As Ana watched, the unthinkable happened: Teo went over the edge.

  NO! She covered her face in disbelief.

  “Well, what d’ya know? Looks like your protector has had himself an accident! Guess it’s just you an’ me now.”

  Dirk began to advance along the bridge. His intent was obvious. Ana turned and ran.

  The bridge led into a tunnel, but Ana veered off and sprinted toward the chateau, passing through a gatehouse into a cobblestone courtyard. She turned a corner and dodged through a doorway, hoping Dirk hadn’t seen her. Her heart raced, and she tried not to pant. No footsteps sounded on the pavement outside. Maybe I’ve lost him. She withdrew the dagger from the neckline of her dress.

  “Caught ya!” Dirk lunged through the door and seized Ana by the waist. She slashed his arm with the knife and broke free. He growled like an animal as she plunged through another door and down a stairway.

  The steps were slippery with mist, and the sound of the waterfall had intensified. Ana stumbled down the stone trail, drawing close to the falls as she passed a series of viewing platforms. The river boiled with unbelievable power, pounding against the toothy boulders and kicking up spray like a rooster’s tail. Grief overwhelmed her. Teofil couldn’t have survived such a maelstrom of rock and thunder.

  Ana tripped and fell to the floor of a grotto carved from the very cliff over which the cataract tumbled. The deafening crash of its water roared past an observation window, soaking her in its spray as she rolled over on the floor. Dirk stood there.

  “You’re mine now!” He descended onto her. Ana brought up her dagger in defense, but he grabbed it and pitched it into the frothy waters. Dirk’s repulsive heaviness pinned her to the floor. She resisted him, but he only laughed at her. His nose nuzzled her hair, his hot breath was in her ear, his vile hands groped in forbidden places.

  “No! No! No!” Ana thrashed, but Dirk was too strong. As she tried to lunge away, she knocked her head on the rough rock wall. The blow made her dizzy, and warm blood trickled into her eyes. Dirk greedily yanked at her clothes. Horrified, Ana realiz
ed her life would be forever changed this day.

  And it was, but not in the way she thought.

  She felt Dirk’s body lift away from her, somehow rising into the air. Through bloody eyelashes, she watched his expression change from bestial lust to abject fear. A red haze clouded her vision. Dirk’s terrified scream resounded in her ears as he floated upward, propelled by some unseen force. He paused in midair, then disappeared through the window into the deadly turbulence outside. Ana fell back on the stone floor, too weak to move. For a long time she lay still, exhausted.

  At last she sat up, wiping the blood from her eyes. She made out the shape of a man’s leg at the entrance to the grotto. Wet footprints up the trail led toward her from the riverbank. Whose? She willed her mind to focus. Could it be . . . ?

  Yes!

  Ana crawled to Teo. The right side of his face was smeared with blood, but he opened his eyes when she cradled his head in her lap.

  “Oh, Teofil! You’re badly hurt!”

  He smiled weakly as he looked up at her. “Yeah,” he murmured, “but I told you I’d always come.” He passed out.

  Ana nursed Teo through feverish days and cold nights with healing herbs and her own soft touch. Sometimes he moaned in his delirium, and other times he lay deathly still. His body was bruised all over, and his head bore a deep gash. How he had found the strength to stagger up the trail and heave Dirk into the cataract, she didn’t know. Something powerful must have motivated that superhuman effort. Ana stitched Teo’s head wound with sinews and fed him with game she hunted herself. Though it wasn’t easy, she portaged the remaining boat and its supplies around the falls.

  On the tenth day, the fever broke. On the fourteenth day, Teo pronounced himself ready to travel. They floated downstream to the confluence with the Farm River, then turned south to paddle against its flow. After a week on the water, they reached the great bend and crossed into Chiveis.

  The village of Edgeton came into view as the sun’s rays were beginning to angle lower in the sky. Ana experienced a deep sense of peace. She was home. At last.