by Marcus Lee
Astren shook his head as he continued down the hall. To have Galain waste time on this instead of putting more work into the siege engines or other defensive measures was the height of vanity.
He opened the door to the large chamber where they had first come across Elender, and where Drizt, Trom and Tristan all sat drinking wine from the seemingly inexhaustible supply they had inherited. Astren sat down and poured himself a goblet of wine, then listened to the reports and resulting discussion, waiting for his time.
‘So,’ said Tristan, to Astren. ‘Did you spirit walk last night and can you tell us how long before Daleth arrives at our gates?’
Astren nodded. ‘It seems he’s been delayed. Even though we’ve enjoyed good weather here, the same cannot be said for his army. The last few days have seen them struggling through mud which has slowed his advance. Fourteen days at the outside, maybe less if he pushes his men to make up the time, yet I think he is too canny a commander to unnecessarily tire his troops.
‘I’ve also organised a field hospital for the casualties we will inevitably suffer, yet there are only two men trained as basic healers. I’ll send for physicians and apothecaries as well, but I suggest we have another dozen men trained to help in this regard.’
Tristan sighed. ‘Fine. The men need to know they will be cared for if badly injured. Yet none of them will have time to recover if we don’t hold the walls, for I fear they’ll be killed in their beds.’
‘We need men assigned as stretcher-bearers,’ said Drizt, snapping his fingers. ‘There is so much we don’t know, and every day something new comes up. We can’t have people trip over the corpses of their friends or be distracted by the screams of the injured ones. We need to assign maybe fifty of our soldiers to this role.’
‘So, let me get this straight,’ interrupted Tristan. ‘We have around fifteen hundred men, and from what we’ve discussed this night, we need fifty as stretcher-bearers, and a dozen assigned as healers. We also need soldiers to carry water, cook food, and stand watch at night. Why do I also get the feeling we’ve still missed a lot out, and things are only going to get more demanding!’
Trom shook his head. ‘In the desert, it’s easier. We march, we fight. If we win, we come home and eat, and then make more children to replace those who die.’
‘In the swamps, we make more children before we go to battle, just in case we die and miss out on all the fun,’ said Drizt winking.
Trom looked across at Drizt, a smile slowly forming on his face. ‘Your way is much better,’ he said, ‘much, much better.’
Tristan sighed. ‘Anything else, or can we finish here? I’m tired and hungry, and hearing about your mating rituals isn’t what I had in mind.’
Astren cleared his throat. ‘I have some good news,’ he said, drawing everyone’s attention. ‘At noon tomorrow we will be joined by five …’ and he sought for the best way to describe them, ‘… five new recruits.’
‘Are these recruits the fugitives you tried to tell me about earlier?’ Tristan asked. Astren nodded. ‘Fine, tell us quickly why we should be bothered and let me get some food in my stomach.’
Astren spent the next glass of wine telling them all he knew and had garnered. By the end of it, the others were leaning forward intently.
Drizt spoke first. ‘So much of what you say sounds beyond belief, yet this woman’s gift is incredibly valuable if what you say is even half true, and I have no reason to doubt you. However, the part about the giants is laughable, and almost undermines the credibility of her story, even if it makes an entertaining addition. But what worries me is those who travel with her.’
Astren looked across. ‘I don’t see a problem,’ he stated.
‘She’s travelling with a knight who claims to be from a kingdom long dead who should be in his seventies by now, so that doesn’t sound right. Then there are the two deserters from Daleth’s army, and the kin of a lord from within his kingdom,’ Drizt explained.
Tristan nodded slowly. ‘This does warrant further discussion. However, first things first. When they arrive, we will meet them, and see if this Maya’s gift is everything Astren and she claim them to be. Now, Astren, you are dismissed, and you two,’ he said, turning to Drizt and Trom, ‘should stay for one more drink.’
With that, Astren rose and bowed before heading out into the hallway again. His stomach rumbled. Time for some of the gruel they served in the barracks kitchens, he thought, and as he walked down the carpeted hallway, all of Tristan’s statues stared mockingly back at him.
-----
The last week had been the happiest Maya could remember for a long time, and it had everything to do with Taran, who walked at her side.
No, she corrected herself, it wasn’t just these last days of safety, first in the giant's valley, and then as they entered the Freestates, it had been every moment from when she’d first started to know Taran better, first as his captive all that time ago, and every moment after as they ran for their lives.
While during that time, Maya had never been more frightened, she’d also felt more alive than ever before. It was as if her every sense became heightened, and as Taran ran with her, the excitement she’d felt as her blood rushed through her veins had eclipsed everything else.
Then as they’d grown closer, Taran had found a way of touching her heart and soul, let alone her body, that made her shine. By return, Maya found a desire she’d never known before; to prioritise someone else, to make them happy, and this had grown to a point whereby she realised that she was no longer the centre of her life, Taran was.
Having seen her parents together, she knew what love looked like, and yet this seemed to be beyond and above what she’d ever witnessed, and the way he helped bring out her gift with his love was beyond words.
After their meeting with the Elder, Taran had accompanied her, as the giants bore them around the valley on their massive shoulders. Maya had been terrified at first, yet hearing Taran’s infectious laughter, and him sharing the merriment of the giant’s thoughts, had allowed her to relax in the safe company of these enormous creatures. After that, she’d savoured every moment, every breath, as though it were her first and last.
The valley was in mostly good health, and simply passing by was all that was required for her gift to start reversing the signs of decay. Yet here and there Maya asked to be put down, to wander across a field of crops or through an orchard hand in hand with Taran, but not because they needed more attention. Rather it was because she wanted him by her side, matching every step with his own, pulling her close and demanding of her affection.
On their return to the centre of the valley, they’d met with the others, and as a group talked again of their decision to fight and the reasons behind doing so. Everyone felt the same way, and they’d vowed to stay together for the fight to come.
Now, here they were, on their approach to Tristan’s folly, having followed the Forelorn mountain range northward after they’d left the tunnels shown to them by the Elder.
As they drew nearer the citadel, there were roads amongst the plains and woodland, leading to the pass entrance, and occasionally a wagon could be seen rumbling along them.
Rakan nodded in approval. ‘It looks like they’re preparing, I just hope whatever they have is enough.’
‘We’ll soon find out,’ Maya replied, ‘but whatever they have, we will only strengthen them. For who can stand against a blacksmith’s boy, his old mentor, a warrior of over seventy years old. And not forgetting the two helpless women by their side!’
‘One old and one young,’ added Yana laughing.
Surprised, Maya looked at Yana but found no malice in her smiling face, so laughed along. Yet the words stung a little, for she knew her hair was streaked with white, and she had enough crow’s feet around her eyes, that someone might be forgiven for thinking her far older than she was.
She looked across at Taran, who with Rakan and Kalas now moved away, swords drawn. She wasn’t concerned, even though bared steel
would normally have caused that reaction. Taran, with Rakan’s encouragement, had started to refine his gift and its use in helping them fight as a team. So sword training had been resumed, and often it happened while on the move.
To see the three of them twist and whirl, swords glittering in the sunlight was as graceful a thing Maya had ever seen, and yet she also felt a slight chill as she recognised its deadly purpose.
They were going to join a war.
Until now, whoever they’d killed had hunted them down, and that had been the only option to survive. Yet despite having finally escaped, they’d now chosen to seek the fight head-on.
Taran, smiling Taran, whose eyes she could drown in, whose smile shone brighter than the sun, would soon be a killer of men through choice. Would he change, would he become darker, empty of compassion, as every killing stripped away his humanity?
Then what about her, she thought. If Taran fought, nothing would stop her fighting by his side. What price would she pay to keep him safe? Her skill with a bow could be just as deadly, but learning other skills to help her protect Taran wouldn’t go amiss, and there was no time like the present. Laska had outfitted them all thoroughly for this journey and at her side was a long, narrow sword.
She turned to Yana next to her, who was also studying the practice. ‘Who says the men should have all the fun.’ Maya smiled as she drew her blade. ‘Let’s see if we can surprise them.’
Yana smiled back, drawing her two swords. ‘Yes, let’s do that.’ Then as they ran at the three men, she thought, but I’d prefer to surprise one in particular.
A while later, they sat to eat and drink. The entrance to the pass lay a little distance away, and shortly beyond that the rear wall of the citadel, the foreboding keep rising high above it. Through the open gateway, a hive of activity could be seen.
The weapon’s practice had left them all happily tired, and they’d eaten mostly in silence, but it was approaching noon, and it was time to move on.
‘Right,’ said Kalas, ‘I think Maya should lead our group in. It makes sense as she is the only one who knows Astren, whom she has told us much about.’
Maya nodded. ‘He’ll be waiting for us and will introduce us to the king and his commanders. We will have to find our place, see where we can best help, but the main thing is that we stay together, for we are family!’
‘Well said,’ Taran agreed. ‘I’ve never known what that word really meant until now, but even as we turn to face Daleth and his armies, I’ve never felt happier or more secure than I am now, surrounded by those I trust.’
He stood, and everyone stood with him, and they all embraced. ‘Family,’ they echoed as they enjoyed the companionship of the moment.
They gathered their gear and set off together, Maya leading them toward the gates, toward their new home, to hope, to a new beginning.
-----
Many leagues to the west, the dark mass of the Witch-King’s army crawled across the land to leave it trampled and dead in its wake.
Daleth breathed in deeply and tasted moisture on the air. The sky was dark overhead for clouds had gathered, and it would soon rain. He called for his horn bearers to sound an early stop to the day's march, so the men could make camp in time to ensure they stayed dry before nightfall. More rain … so unusual for this time of year, but it would refresh the troops and replenish their water stocks.
He smiled as he dismounted. Another day was now over, with another soon to begin, and every day they drew closer to Tristan’s Folly, where the very gates to the Freestates waited to crash asunder before his might. Beyond that were lands that would feed him with the essence of life for decades to come. This was what he’d waited for, prepared for … for fifty years.
It was a new beginning.
-----
THE END OF BOOK ONE
If you enjoyed this book, the next book in the trilogy;
Tristan’s Folly
will be coming soon as an ebook and in paperback.
Taran held Maya’s hand as they walked along the track, rutted by the passing of many wagons, toward the mighty Freestates citadel. It sat astride the eastern end of the pass through the Forelorn mountains and was soon to be their home, their sanctuary.
Their steps matched one another’s perfectly, and while no word passed between them; still, their thoughts were shared by Taran’s gift and were full of light, hope and love.
His gift of knowing, of reading, had recently evolved into sharing his mind and thoughts, and this gift was serving to bring Maya and him even closer, as they felt inside the love the other held in an almost spiritual way.
It was only as they drew closer to the rear gates, that the group began to appreciate the size of the fortress fully.
The keep appeared to grow out of the mountainside, the top of which was lost in the clouds above, and yet that only seemed to add to its feeling of size. The rear wall on the Freestates side was not that large, and yet the one beyond the keep was so high that it blotted out everything on the other side.
Rakan whistled. ‘I’ve only heard of this but never seen it myself. Supposedly the Freestates almost ran out of gold when they first built it all those years ago. However, it will have been money well spent if they’ve gathered the forces to defend it, because if so, Daleth is going to find himself getting a bloody nose.’
Yet as they drew much closer, they started to see signs of disrepair; large cracks in the wall, blocks of stone misaligned and gaps in the mortar. They paused briefly to let a wagon pass then followed it through the gate and looked around as men came forward to unload it.
To the north of the courtyard where they stood were the steps leading up to the keep entrance, and as Maya pointed, everyone turned to see a man in red robes halfway down, while a few steps above him was a man in shining bejewelled armour.
‘That’s Astren in the red,’ Maya confirmed.
‘And that can only be Tristan himself in the fancy armour,’ said Rakan.
Kalas nodded. ‘The wealth of the kings of the Freestates was legendary even in my day. Those other two with him look to be his generals or bodyguards. Let’s go meet them,’ he said, as they turned toward the steps.
‘Astren,’ Maya called out, and the man smiled and opened his arms in welcome.
The gates behind them closed, pushed shut by guards and Rakan looked about. ‘They have a lot of guards stationed here considering this is the rear of the citadel. Those archers would be better placed on the west walls.’
‘Let’s hope they have as many on every wall,’ said Kalas, as they crossed the courtyard and reached the bottom of the steps.
Maya stepped forward to embrace Astren, and Taran breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Welcome to my citadel,’ said a voice, and they looked to see Tristan step down with a small green-skinned man on one side and a large dark one on his other. ‘I have heard so much about you, Maya. Astren here swears you have a gift that will be invaluable to us all, and I have to admit I am impatient to see it. Then I’ll know whether Astren spoke the truth, or if he’ll blush as red as his robes if it’s proven he misled me. So, can you show me this gift and save his embarrassment and my disappointment.’
Maya smiled, then knelt before him.
‘No need for that girl,’ he said, and stepped forward intending to raise her to her feet. But he quickly stopped and moved back, as the two men with him also shied away, for Maya was glowing.
The ground of the courtyard was hard-packed earth and rock, and yet as Maya placed her hands against the sparse soil, long-dormant seeds sprang to life. As everyone watched, a circle of green grass started to form around Maya before spreading to the steps of the keep where vines began to sprout, crawling up from the ground finding hold between the giant blocks of stone. Then, moments later, everything burst into colour.
The whole courtyard had fallen utterly silent as this spectacle unfolded, not a single eye blinked as Maya stood, arms open to encompass what she had done.
‘I wo
uldn’t have believed it without seeing it,’ whispered Tristan, ‘it is true, you have a gift from the very gods themselves.’
He stepped past Maya to the rest of the group, his eyes still wide. ‘Welcome lady,’ he said to Yana. ‘Please go with Drizt, the captain of my archers. He will find you lodgings suitable for one of the noble birth I hear you are.’
Yana curtsied and smiled gratefully.
Tristan turned to Kalas, and the king stepped forward before reaching out to grip his wrist. ‘Welcome warrior, we are in sore need of experienced men. Please go with Trom here, and he will show you to the barracks and discuss how you can assist us.’
He moved to Rakan and repeated this welcome sincerely.
Finally, Tristan moved to Taran and gripped his wrist. ‘Go with Trom young man, for we need the strength of your youth more than you know.’
Maya’s heart beat happily; they’d actually made it, and she moved toward Taran to hold his other hand.
As she reached out, Taran suddenly pulled Tristan hard, then spun him, his arm going tight around Tristan’s throat. In the other hand was his dagger, and he held its edge against Tristan’s neck, drawing blood.
‘Taran, NO,’ cried Maya in disbelief. But even as the words left Maya’s mouth, Taran’s voice echoed in her head, and from the look on Rakan, Kalas, and Yana’s face, he said the same to them as well.
‘They plan to kill us!’
In moments, the sound of a hundred swords scraping free of scabbards filled the courtyard, yet only one voice spoke.
‘If anyone takes a single step towards us, I’ll cut his bastard’s throat from ear to ear,’ Taran shouted, and he stepped back between Rakan and Kalas, whose swords were in their hands. Yana and Maya swiftly joined them.
It had been a trap all along!
-----
M&M
♥