by Matt Heppe
“A feast,” she said, taking a few and popping them into her mouth. “But first let’s tend to our bows.”
Working together they unstrung the two bows. Hadde was happy to have Calen’s help as she could hardly string Talon alone. Calen’s bow was only slightly easier. They set the bows near the fire to dry and then sat down to a meal of berries, jerked venison, and hard biscuits.
Both were too exhausted to speak. Hadde just enjoyed the berries and a few minutes to relax. But always there were thoughts of Enna. Hadde closed her eyes and imagined her baby and how much joy her child gave her. When Enna was in her arms Hadde always felt utterly at peace.
“Hadde, should we set watch?” Calen asked. She jerked awake, having fallen asleep while sitting eating her meal. She wrapped her food and stuffed it into her haversack.
“No bother,” she said, lying down on her blanket. “They are far from here.” She fell asleep thinking of what she would do to the Idorians if Enna were harmed.
***
Horses whinnied in the distance. A cold wind blew across the valley as a snow burst dumped heavy, wet flakes all around them. Akinos’s army had arrived, ready for battle.
Lightfoot snorted and stomped a hoof on the frozen ground. Nearby, Nidon saluted her. “It is a good day to die,” he said.
Something pulled at her booted foot. She looked down and saw Puddle standing there in his ill-fitting armor and striped cloak. “You shouldn’t be here,” she said. “It is too dangerous for you.”
He snorted at her and pulled at her boot.
“What are you doing, Puddle?” The stable hand just snorted again.
Horses whinnied again. Anxious for battle? Or afraid?
Varcolac howled like wolves. They had paced the army for days, harassing its every move. They howled again. Close. Too close.
Thunder pealed.
Hadde’s eyes blinked open. She saw a bear. A large brown bear, its muzzle buried in her haversack just a stride from her. The bear paused, stared at her a moment and then carried on finishing her food.
Calen suddenly shouted out in fear and surprise and the bear fled. It ran up the ravine barreling through a group of wolves, which snapped and snarled as the bear ran past.
Hadde and Calen both sat bolt upright and gazed at the scene around them. The ravine was dark, the storm clouds overhead blocking out most of the sun and bringing an early dusk. But it was not so dark that they could not see the score of wolves lining either edge of the ravine.
Or the dozen or so boar scattered along the brook. Or the two bear filling themselves at a sweetberry patch. Hadde and Calen’s mounts, wide-eyed with fear, stared at the predators surrounding them. But neither wolf nor bear paid them any attention.
“Hadde—”
“I don’t know, Calen.” Their bows still sat near the embers of the fire. They’d both slept most of the day through. Slowly, Hadde moved closer to her bow, but none of the animals reacted, although it felt to her they all watched.
“Helna’s grace, what are they doing?” Calen asked.
Hadde pulled her bow closer. Unstrung, it was useless, but she felt better having it in her hands. “The Spirit of Landomere sent them here.”
Hadde caught some motion out of the corner of her eye and glanced up. She couldn’t help but gasp at what she saw. Three great owls, two eagles, and at least a half dozen hawks perched in the oaks above.
On one of the lowest branches sat the spirit bird.
“I’ve never seen so many animals,” Calen said. “The whole forest is here.”
“Not the whole forest,” Hadde replied. “Just the predators.” She glanced at the boars. “And the most dangerous prey.”
“They’re just watching us.”
“I think they’re waiting.”
“Waiting to tear us to pieces.”
“No, they’re here for some other purpose.”
A roar at the crest of the ravine pulled Hadde’s attention away from Calen. A bear, she assumed the one who had been eating her provisions, had returned and was clearing a path through the wolves on the slope. The wolves howled and snapped at the bear, which roared and swiped at the nearest wolf.
The wolves backed off and the bear lumbered down the slope. It was a large bear, maybe eight times Hadde’s weight, and it marched right toward her.
She and Calen stood as the bear approached. Her sword would do her little good. But she didn’t think the bear meant to attack. If the animals had wished to attack, she and Calen would have been dead long ago.
Helna, I hope I’m right, she thought as the bear closed on her. Its head swiveled left and right as it looked at Hadde and Calen, and it snorted heavily through its nose as if getting the scent of them.
Hadde stood her ground as the bear walked up to her and pressed its muzzle against her. Her heart thudded in her chest while it sniffed her arm and then her face. She held her breath as its hot breath chuffed against her face, trying not to imagine what would happen if the bear bit her.
The bear raised itself up on its hind legs and let out a roar. Hadde flinched back from the bear towering over her. The ravine shuddered with noise as the two other bears and all of the wolves joined in. If the boars made any noise, Hadde couldn’t hear it above the howling din.
The bear dropped to all fours and strode past Hadde, climbing up the slope behind her. The wolves on this side of the ravine made way for it. But just after the bear passed, the wolves followed. And then the two other bears, the boars, and the wolves from the other side of the gully followed as well.
“Where are they going?” Calen asked.
“Let’s string our bows and pack. We have to follow.”
Overhead the birds took flight, all flying in the same direction as the bear had walked. “I don’t know what they are doing, but it has some purpose. The Great Spirit is guiding this.”
By the time they had saddled their horses the animals were all gone. All except the spirit bird sitting on the same branch watching them. “You’re right, I think,” Calen said. “She’s waiting for us to follow them.”
It has to be what she wants. Helna, I hope we are doing the right thing. Hadde shook her head. Now I’m talking to a god. A god who abandoned us.
They mounted and rode after the animals. The trail was easy to follow and they soon caught up. There was no order to the animal host. The big bear seemed to lead the way, but the rest of the animals followed in a disorganized mass.
From time to time wolves would snap and growl at each other. Hadde knew they couldn’t be from one pack, there were just too many of them. She also knew there was no love lost between wolf packs.
The entire group halted for a time when three wolves tried to attack some of the boars, but the boars would have none of it and circled defensively, occasionally charging to drive the wolves off.
Hadde and Calen stayed clear of the fight, watching from a distance as the big bear drove the wolves off. The procession soon started moving again.
“We’re heading south,” Calen said.
Hadde nodded. “I know. We’re heading toward the Idorians.”
“Why? Do you think the animals mean to attack?”
Hadde took a long look at the assembled host. “I think the Great Spirit fears we won’t be able to stop the Idorians. She has to save Orlos to save herself.”
“This will be a real fight, Calen. A battle.” She paused. “If something happens to me, or if the battle is lost, you must ride for Belavil and get help.”
“We’ll get through this.”
“It doesn’t matter if we get through this. We are hunters and this is our duty. We are Maret’s friends and the Way of the Forest calls us to save her. I am Enna’s mother and will do anything to save her. And without Orlos, the Great Spirit will perish. All of Landomere needs us to succeed.”
The way of the warrior is death.
Chapter Fourteen
The Kiremi plains spread out to the west. Green grass stood tall under a blazing morning
sun. Behind Maret, across the Arewe River stood the tall oaks of Landomere. Her home. Her old home.
The Idorian column had departed the forest late in the morning, fording the shallow river and turning north. They stayed close to the river. To their left a low rise blocked her view of the plains.
The Landomeri will not save us now. We’ll be too fast for them out here. Maret held Orlos closer to her. Just to her left rode Kael with little Enna.
“At least she doesn’t cry when you hold her,” Maret said.
“I am good with the little ones,” Kael said in his thick Idorian accent. They rode at a walk, the tall grass nearly reaching their horses’ bellies.
“You aren’t like the other soldiers, Kael,” Maret said. And they seemed to know it. Captain Saunder seemed to trust him, but none of the others spoke to him.
“I used to have a better life. I was an ambassador’s guard. But I failed and he died. And then I learn that my wife and child are taken by the Wasting.” He shrugged. “I became a contractos to forget.”
“It isn’t a very good life.”
“I obey. I fight. I do what I am supposed to do.” Despite his serious tone, he smiled as little Enna wrestled with his hand.
“What about doing the right thing?”
He shrugged. “Life is easier this way.”
Captain Saunder had halted his horse while the rest of the column passed, waiting for Maret and Kael.
“Kael, I wish to speak with Lady Maret alone,” Saunder said.
Ride ahead, would you?”
“Yes, Captain,” Kael said, spurring his horse forward. Maret didn’t like seeing Enna go with him.
“Two men dead, five wounded, and two horses lost,” Saunder said. “That was the blood bill for yesterday. Good men.”
“Good mercenaries? You lost thieves, rapists, and murderers,” Maret said. “Spare me your sad story.”
Saunder gave her a bemused look. “They aren’t those things any more. I don’t tolerate that kind of behavior in my company. I hang thieves, rapists, and murderers.”
“But not kidnappers.”
Saunder glanced away toward the head of the column. “I did not know the exact nature of our contract when I accepted it. I was told that we were to rescue a kidnapped Saladoran lady.”
“I was not kidnapped. I want to go back to Long Meadow.”
Saunder shook his head. “That isn’t going to happen.”
“You know this is wrong,” Maret said. “You can make it right. There are fifty of you and only Baron Grax and his two men to oppose you.”
“I would never work again. I would never get a contractos.”
“So spare me your righteous speech about good men lost.”
After a moment Saunder said, “Your friend out there… it is really the Hadde who killed Akinos?”
“It is. And she will kill all of you until her daughter is returned.”
“There are two stories that have reached Idoria. One says it was Hadde the Landomeri who killed Akinos. The other story is that the Champion Nidon took up Forsvar from the fallen king and he killed Akinos.”
Maret shifted Orlos in her arms. She worried for the children out of the shade of the forest. She did her best to shelter him from the sun with her body. “It was Hadde,” she said. “If you ever meet Champion Nidon he will tell you so.”
“You know him? They say he is the greatest knight in the world.” Saunder looked at Maret as he spoke.
“I did know him. He is a great knight. And if he were here he would kill you for taking us.”
“I should like to meet him. But I do not think he would kill me. The queen wants you with Baron Grax, and Nidon obeys the queen, no?”
“Sir Nidon does what is right and just.” Maret felt her cheeks flush as she rose to Nidon’s defense. “He is a nobleman. A man of honor. Not a mercenary.”
“Baron Grax’s nephew, Waltas, was a nobleman. Not so much honor there.” Saunder spoke softly, his Idorian accent barely noticeable.
Maret winced and turned away from him, not wanting him to see her pain. “Go away. You are a dead man, Captain Saunder. None of them will give up. Not Hadde. Not Calen. Not Arno. None of them. They are coming for you now and they are just as deadly at night as they are during day.”
“My apologies. My words were too harsh.”
“Leave me. I don’t know why you even came to speak with me. Just leave me alone.”
“I came to ask about the animals,” he said. “Do the Landomeri train them?”
Maret didn’t reply. She stared into the forest, wishing for any sign of rescue.
“The wolves that attacked my men. And the boar. Do the Landomeri train them for war?” Saunder said, his voice insistent. “I didn’t see them in the village.”
“The Landomeri don’t train them,” Maret said. “They speak with them. I’ve seen it. The animals serve them—”
“Dromost! Do you think me a fool?”
Lies, all lies. But let the Idorian think them true. Let him fear the dark and the Landomeri. “They are all part spiridus,” Maret said. “They hold dark rituals—”
“Stop. You take me for an idiot. There must be more Landomeri out there.” He waved his hand toward the forest. “From another village maybe. And they’ve brought their war animals.”
“You saw the tree drown your man.” Maret faced the mercenary captain. “It dragged him from the saddle and killed him.”
“Running water trapped him under a submerged branch.”
He wasn’t certain of his own words. Maret could see it in his eyes. “And the wind?” she asked.
“Was wind. What village lies near Long Meadow?”
“The animals didn’t come from another village. They are forest animals Hadde has summoned to fight alongside her and Calen.”
He shook his head. “Don’t try this with Baron Grax. You’ll be punished. If you help me I can help you.”
“I’ve already helped you. If you let me and the children go you will live.”
An Idorian rider appeared over the rise to their left. He rode hard toward Saunder, the sea of grass parting and leaving a trail in his wake. He spoke rapid Idorian as he reined in. Maret only understood one word—Kiremi.
The two had a brief exchange, with the soldier pointing out over the plains. Saunder gave him an order and the soldier rode off.
“What’s happening?” Maret asked.
“The Kiremi are scouting us.”
“They are dangerous,” Maret said. She glanced out toward the plains, but the low ridge they rode along blocked her view.
“They are cowards,” Saunder said. “Raiders. They run at the merest sign of danger. I’ve heard of them.”
“The Landomeri fear them.” Maret shifted Orlos to her right arm, shielding him from the plains. He cooed and pulled at her hair.
“We are not Landomeri,” Saunder said, his tone proud.
“Hadde told me that the Landomeri used to share the plains with the Kiremi, but that the Landomeri were driven deep into the forest during the Wasting.”
“Are you worried?” Saunder asked. “There are nearly fifty armored, trained soldiers protecting you and the children.”
“The forest would be safer,” Maret said. “The Kiremi hate the forest. They are afraid of it. We should cross the river and ride on the forest side.”
Saunder laughed. “Oh, really?” He shook his head. “You are only concerned for our well being?”
“I am concerned for the children.”
“And you aren’t thinking that your Landomeri friends are in the forest. And that riding through the forest will be much slower?”
“Truly, I am not.” Maret leaned closer to Saunder, hoping to make him understand. “Please, this is no ploy. I’ve heard enough of the Kiremi to fear them.”
“I appreciate your concern for my men.” Saunder smiled at her in a very condescending manner.
“It is not your men! Please, it is for the children.” Orlos fussed in her arms,
as if he felt her anxiety.
“You will be safe. Now let me see to my outriders. Good day.”
As Saunder rode off, Kael rejoined Maret. Enna was crying. “The little one is hungry, I think,” he said.
“They both are. Will we be in the saddle long?” Maret peered over the plains, at least as much as she could see with the rise to their west, hoping that no Kiremi would appear.
“All day I expect. We won’t stop for some time.”
“I’ll have to feed them as we ride. But they will need a rest some time. I need to change them.”
“It is up to the captain and Baron Grax.”
Maret sighed. “Let’s switch children. I will feed Enna.”
As they made the switch, she heard Saunder calling out orders. Ahead of Maret and Kael the eight Idorians of the reserve wheeled about and rode past at a canter.
“I am worried,” Maret said. She paused at unbuttoning her dress. “Is there danger behind us?” To her left Captain Saunder raced after the reserve as they headed to the rear of the column.
“You would hear a horn call if there was a problem,” Kael said as he turned to look over his shoulder. And just then a horn call came, but not from behind them.
There was commotion at the head of the column. “Garde!” an Idorian shouted. Maret saw Grax and his two men draw their swords, while Idorians near them raised their crossbows. And then the arrows started to fall.
Horses were struck and they whinnied in pain. Arrows hit men, but bounced off their armor, or stuck from them like ornamental plumes as they failed to penetrate aketons beneath.
“Hold your horse,” Kael said as Maret’s mount shied under her. He spun his horse, looking to the rear of the column. “They are behind us as well. More of them.”
Maret looked ahead and behind, but saw no Kiremi. All she could see were the dozen or so Idorians in front of her re-spanning their crossbows as arrows fell amongst them. Behind her were the pack horses with a few Idorian guards. She hated not being able to see what was happening, but dreaded what she might see.
And then a score of Kiremi burst into view, swirling around Grax and the forward guard. They rode to within a few strides, unleashing their arrows at deadly close range.