“Well, now we know what they were guarding so ferociously; their wyrm-kits.”
Jackie’s eyes grew wide. “By Hymar and Hollar, you were right this was the wyrm-kat lek. Shall I dispatch them, Hunt Master?”
“Don’t you even think of coming near them,” Xelph ordered before Elf Beard could reply. “Look at them! They look just like a human child. Tell me you can kill that.”
Jackie Doo scrunched his brow and said, “But they ain’t human, and they will grow into trolls whose instinct to kill probably can’t be quelled.”
Elf Beard said, “Hold on there, Jack. I raised a grizzly cub. As a boy, we grew up together and it was as docile as my hounds. My kids used to ride it. Why not let Xelph have a try at taming them? It’s an experiment that could prove useful in the future. Help us to understand these creatures.”
Jackie declared, “You know what Surrey said, ‘Kill all trolls that did not run away.’”
“Exactly, that did not run away. These three kittens couldn’t run.”
Jackie gave him a sour look. “Then on your head be it.”
“Thank you, Hunt Master,” Xelph said with a long sigh. “I would be happy to raise these three kittens, but as you know, I will be on the exploration party so I will need some help.” He shot a pleaful look at Old Grook before he commenced gathering the one with a white blaze on its forehead in his arms. “If you will advise me, Hunt Master.”
“Me, I ain’t got nothing to do with them. I suggest asking the Quailor Shepherd, Zrael, if he will assist you. He’s always raising bummer lambs and goats and I have heard it said, that he’s known among the Quailor as one of the best animal healers in the land. I’m sure he would be glad to assist you, I even saw him nurse a baby wisent which the mother had rejected back in the Sun Moonth.”
“An excellent suggestion. With your permission I will take these kittens to him now.”
“There’s just one thing, Xelph. You will have to explain this to Sur Sceaf, for I will not.”
Elf Beard glanced at the dogs. “Take Yellow Horse with you in case there are lingering or pursuing wyrm-kats.”
After Xelph and Yellow Horse departed, Elf Beard suddenly remembered that the grizzly he had raised, had in its old age reverted to killing sheep and had to be put down. Perhaps he had not done Xelph or the kits any favors after all.
* * *
Three days later Sur Sceaf convened an informal folk moot in the mooting hall with the leaders of the wolf packs who were going on the troll hunt. Mendaka gave some last minute instructions to Ary, Xelph, Redelfis, and the other leaders of the wolf packs. Because Elf Beard was to report to Sur Sceaf about the previous hunt, Brekka begged to attend. Although Lana protested that the language would be too rough for a virgin’s ears, Sur Sceaf assured her that Old Grokking would be on his best behavior. After all, he, too, had daughters.
As soon as the hunt master entered the mooting hall and caught sight of Brekka sitting next to her father, his habitual scowl softened into a fatherly smile. When called upon to report, he appeared to be choosing words with great care.
“My lord, I am pleased to report that our mission was a great success with few injuries and no casualties. We sadly lost two of my best hounds and Ol Chalk Dog was badly injured, but will survive. We have cleansed the nine chambers and flushed out all the wyrm-kats. Only twenty seven of the ketten needed killing. The bodies have been removed and burned and hides were distributed by a lottery. Most of the ketten escaped into the west wood. We have waited three days, but none have returned. I had the caverns cleansed with lye and lavender for your builders to begin their work on making it a crypt and armory as per your order. Thus ends my report.”
“Tis well, Elf Beard. Well done, but I recognize that look on your face,” Sur Sceaf said. “What are you holding back from me, Old Grokk?”
Elf Beard locked eyes with Xelph, who turned red, and dropped his gaze to the table, the very picture of guilt. Elf Beard let out a huff of air. “By Woon, We, and Willi’s toes, I ordered you to tell him. I choose to believe you disobeyed me not from willful disobedience, but I can see, you feared Sur Sceaf’s response.”
Xelph looked even more miserable as he nodded.
Elf Beard waited, but when Xelph did not speak, he continued. “Xelph has found three, young wyrm-ketten in some leaf litter in one of the chambers. They were the only ones we found. It’s evident that these cave trolls are not very successful breeders. I mean with no more than three kits from that entire pounce of what I estimate to have been close to sixty. T’aint like normal cats at all.”
“Arundel already apprised me of the situation,” Sur Sceaf said. “But he assumed Xelph had already told me.” He went on to explain for the others’ benefit. “It would seem Xelph has taken it upon himself to rear these three wyrm-kittens and has committed them into the care of Zrael the Shepherd.” He turned to Xelph and raised one eyebrow. “Would you care to explain why you disobeyed my order to purge the caverns of all trolls?”
“My lord, I beg your indulgence--”
Before he could finish, Brekka interrupted, “Ilkchild said they were just too cute to kill, Fa. Please don’t kill them. I can’t wait to see them.”
Elf Beard smiled at her. “I admit they are cute, almost like children, but the first time they kill one of Zrael’s prize lambs that will be the end of them, I assure you.”
Sur Sceaf nodded. “Xelph, I will deal with you in private. And as for the ketten, we’ll see where this takes us. But I think it behooves us to get the matter reviewed by the lady Redith for a pronouncement. In the meantime Master Hunter, I have decided now is the time to go after the grass beast that’s ravishing the flocks on the north shore. I’m convinced it is the one that struck down the Knighton family. You know as well as I do, they are vicious man-killers and as we found out, more fierce than any grizzly in battle. So I’d very much appreciate your launching a hunt right away. Thereafter, I want you to expand out from Godeselle and make the lands all around us safe for travelers and settlers. The huntsmen have scouted as far as a place called the Dragon’s Back. They report they found no tracks of grass beasts and only few of the wyrm-kats. For whatever reason, the trolls seem to inhabit the western parts of the surwoods. That’ll make our work a lot easier. We are just about ready to start explorations and very soon we must be in the position of sending out the settling parties to the areas the master huntsmen have designated as safe. We’ve got to empty the city of some of the settlers. It’s become too crowded. Hardly enough room to turn without elbowing someone. Then as the new settlers arrive they will take the place of the old, render their indentured service to Godeselle, and then move out to their allotments where they can serve the last year of their indenture in the settlements. All must be made safe for that eventuality.”
“Now you are talking my language, my lord. I shall use the same two wolf packs as before. They were proven in the furnace and are reliable. But I shall need even more young bloods as backup, if things get tight. As you know all too well, the beast is far more dangerous than the wyrm-kats.”
“Yes,” Sur Sceaf said, “Having fought a grass beast, I know well what its ferocity is, but, as we’ve discussed before, these young bloods need to be over sixteen winters and have their fears challenged and their hearts fortified if they are ever to become true warriors.”
Elf Beard declared, “In that case, my lord, I shall have to eliminate some of the second young blood fyrd who are not yet of sixteen winters, but I have sworn that I would take Degataga with me and cannot in good conscience refuse him now.”
“Of course, you must honor your pledge. When you make up the numbers for this hunt, instead of drawing just on the young blood fyrds and those still in training, I would like for you to include young men from the Quailor and Sharaka as well. Though many may be untried, under your stewardship I do not fear for their safety. You are unquestionably the best master of a hunt in the land. I trust in your expertise and judgment.”
Brekk
a lit up, “Oh Fa, can I go with Elfie? I’m older than Degataga and have already had experience fighting a grizzly.”
Sur Sceaf turned to his daughter somewhat startled. The flash of her fighting off a grizzly as a child still haunted him. “I’m afraid not, my dear. One grizzly bear was enough to last you a lifetime and this troll is thrice that evil.”
Under her copper locks, her brow knitted into a frown. “But, Fa! It’s like the boys all say, I’m not a real warrior, I’m just a mascot. A spear shaker! If I could hunt these trolls, then they’d all respect me.”
“It’s no use arguing, sweetie. You are not going.” Sur Sceaf wanted to yield. He too had observed the taunting from some of the young bloods that she was merely a mascot and not proficient enough to become a real lady knight. But after weighing the pros and cons, he decided she was still too unseasoned and reckless for such a venture. Besides, Lana would never forgive him if something happened to her precious girl. He already feared he had made too much of a tom-boy out of her for serious suitors to seek her hand in marriage.
When tears filled her beautiful eyes, he quickly turned to Old Grokk before his resolve could waver. “Elf Beard, I give you leave to go and set to gathering your hounds and any of the young bloods who have already passed the Trial of the Magic Hair and are at least sixteen winters. I will confer with Habraham and Mendaka and ask them to select twelve each to be under your command and receive Jackie Doo’s training before departure, which I have set as the day after Aegir’s Day in the Moonth of Skipping Lambs. At least by then they will know the importance of following orders when facing a fierce opponent.”
“I will have the hounds ready by then, my lord. The frontline wolf pack will be under the leadership of Prince Arundel consisting of all the original members, since none were injured in the troll hunt. As to the second young blood fyrd, I appoint Prince Aelfheah to lead it.” He looked to Aelfheah. “I assign to you the selection of replacement members. Choose well.”
Grinning wide, Aelfheah said, “Master Elf Beard, I am humbled by your trust and I pledge to give my all in this quest.”
“Does anybody else have anything to contribute for the benefit of this hunt?” He glanced around the room.
Yellow Horse raised his hand and was recognized. “My lord, I do wish you would reconsider letting Brekka come with us.”
Sur Sceaf hid a smile. “Yellow Horse, I would face the grass beast alone, rather than face Lana on this matter. Perhaps when you have a wife, you will be more understanding.”
“But my lord, the Idisi would favor her attendance and grant us heavenly aid. You should consider that.”
“An excellent argument, Yellow Horse, and yet somewhat oddly, the reasoning sounds just like something my daughter would contrive.” The room erupted in laughter. “Methinks she hath a puppet.” He grinned as both Yellow Horse and Brekka put on their most innocent of faces.
“But Fa--”
“No more, my dear. You have fought the good fight, now concede before the powers that be.” He offered her an affectionate smile. “I know conceding is not in your nature, but you will learn there are more concerns to consider than your own. And there will be other opportunities for you to prove yourself.”
After asking if there were more questions and hearing none, Sur Sceaf adjourned the folk moot with thanks.
Sur Sceaf took Brekka’s hand in his and said, “Enough of this talk of hunting monsters.”
They walked out of the stone council chamber to the smell of burning oak leaves in the crisp winter air. The second shift of carpenters was leaving their labors in the interior of the temple hall and the third shift was just arriving.
Sur Sceaf led Breakka to the the caves. The cobblestone path next to the cavern entrance had been worn smooth by the sledges carrying all the capstones for the fortress walls.
When he and his daughter reached the entrance, Sur Sceaf stopped and said, “I shall have this upper entrance rocked in by stonemasons and large oaken doors placed in the center. I have named the caverns the Syrhollar Cellar. They will house our armory, storage, and treasury and serve as a store house for boodle. The sea cave below will be separated from the passage to these caverns by additional large oaken doors as will the sea entrance. All of the booty that we obtain by the pirate dragoons of Pyrsyrus can be securely processed in the sea caves without so much as falling under any prying eyes.”
Brekka frowned, “From what Long Swan tells me, the Sea Cavern is enormous and has streams flowing through it. So how can you build a wall?”
“Muryh and his engineers have designed a great wall at the entrance and between chambers. He will configure large iron grates where the streams may exit to the Sea. That way the water can get out and no one can get in. He is even now having Herman the Kettle Maker forging the grates which should be ready for installment within a fortnight.
“Well, what about the hair man-beast that everyone’s talking about?”
“He’s being evicted, if he hasn’t already left, but every indication is, he’s gone. No one has seen him since Ullr’s Day and there are no fresh bamboo culms in or near the Sea Cavern.”
Brekka considered that before asking, “Fa, do you think he’s a man like us, maybe just big like Herman?”
“Good question, one I’ve considered myself. First off, he’s much bigger than Herman and from what I’ve observed he appears to be more animal than man. He’s probably a great deal shyer than we thought.”
“Fa Bro Long Swan said there are legends among the Sharaka that there is a big foot hairy man that lives in the redwoods of the main land. Do you think it could be something like that?”
“I’ve heard those legends, but I think this one is more like a big hairy mouth. When I met the creature, I can tell you, I’ve stood in the teeth of battle and was never more frightened than when I heard that scream. But to my surprise and relief, it showed little aggression other than baring its teeth. Then it just scurried up the cliff like a squirrel goes up a tree. Effortlessly!”
Brekka was intrigued—and not the least bit frightened. “I really hope I get to see him one day.”
“Certainly, that is not unlikely, but at the moment I want to show you something else, something that must stay under our four eyes alone.”
Together they retraced their steps past the construction of the mill house to the palace located two stories above and to the north of the mooting hall.
The carpenters had just finished with the walnut paneling which was waiting its varnishing. The three pointed arched windows faced the south and let in ample light. The gleaming marble floors had been covered with canvas to protect them during construction. Beneath the canvas was a circle of sculpted runic symbols.
Inside the atrium, he waited until two carpenters carrying canvas bags of tools passed them by, then led Brekka to the Lord’s Chamber. He closed the door, took the key from his pocket and locked it. The Lord’s Chamber was deserted, silent, and hushed. Brekka glanced around in awe. “Oh, this is where all those statues went that they were hauling up the hill.”
“Yes, there are twelve gods and each sits within its own alcove trimmed with the mark of Hrus. Notice how Muryh has designed each alcove with its own luminescent conduit with a very special glass which Govannon secretly made to carry light from above.”
“Fa, they are beautiful.” Her voice was low and reverent. “My favorite is the statue of Freya.”
“They are more than beautiful,” Sur Sceaf said. He made sure no one was in the palace. He glanced up at the vaulted ceiling then whispered, “I have had Muryh build a secret crypt beneath this chamber. To keep it a secret, Muryh had this chamber cordoned off and secretly built it himself so no one else would know it even exists. Only five of us will have knowledge of its existence and contents. That will be Mendaka, Muryh, Long Swan, and I. You are the fifth.”
Brekka looked puzzled, “But Fa, you know I can’t keep a secret. I never mean to tell, but somehow I always blurt it out.”
�
�You must keep this secret, my dear and learn to keep many others, for the power to keep a brother or sister’s secret is the power to grow trust. All greatness is built on trust. You must never tell anyone about this chamber unless they give you this sign.” Sur Sceaf made the sign. “And this token.” He gave Brekka the grip. “Have you got that?”
Sur Sceaf looked into the eyes of the cheeky redhead who said, “I’ve got it, Fa.”
Looking into her eyes, he saw that she understood the import of what he had just told her. For from here on the royal secrets must be shared with her if she was ever to become the leader he thought she would become.
“Now let me show you the hidden access.” He paused. “Remember, bees work in silence and so does virtue.”
Sur Sceaf led her to the man sized statue of the winged goddess, Freya, riding on a large and sleek cat. A beam of light streamed through a conduit onto the back of her winged helmet giving her a halo effect. “Now watch carefully as I move the head. First face it to the east, count to three, then one turn right to the south, count to three again, and finally, by passing the west, a twist to north where the head stops.” He reached down and pulled back the canvas. “See how the light strikes this particular Mark of Hrus?” Like most of the symbols it was about the span of a man’s hand and was sculpted right into the floor.
He laid his hand on the mark and pushed. “Now watch closely, sweeting.” He twisted the mark and it clicked. The entire alcove swiveled ninety degrees, revealing a doorway behind the statue.
Intrigued, Brekka moved closer and peered into the open space. “Oh, Fa, it’s so dark inside there.”
“Exactly. I had it made darker than a dungeon, tighter than a clam, and as hidden as a lady’s charm. It is called the Hrusean Crypt. Sacred books are to be kept in this repository along with much gold, the Golden Vellum Hyd, along with the Golden Plates of Elrus with the history of our people inscribed on them. In those Golden Plates it is recorded that when Odhin was constructing Valhollar that he said, ‘I have called the God Weland and filled him with the ur fyr in wisdom and understanding and in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to devise cunning works, to work gold, and in silver, and in brass, to work all manner of Elven workmanship and to pass it down through a long line of builders.’
The Bok of Syr Folk Page 5