The Bloodwood Curse: An Epic Fantasy Adventure of Swords, Magic and Romance. (The Rosethorn Chronicles Book 1)

by Peter Summersby

  “Akuchi, please stay with me,” Mayu called out.

  Akuchi smiled to himself and turned back to the dock. He stood next to her as they watched the boat glide into the harbour.

  It glided in and a short stocky man jumped off the ship and landed expertly on the pier, trailing a large thick rope in one hand. He tied the rope to the kevel with lightning speed. The ship then glided into place and came to a creaking stop. A rope ladder descended from the ship as a dwarf, an elf, and a man alighted from the ship.

  The dwarf was a metre tall with red flowing hair that cascaded down his shoulders. His face was defined by a large squat nose common for dwarfs. He wore a blue robe that was belted with a green cord. He sported a thick, heavy beard braided to a point. He smiled up at Akuchi and Mayu and then looked up at the elf and leered.

  The elf was two metres tall with brown hair cut short around long pointed ears. She wore a brown skirt that waved gently in the breeze; her skin was painted a faint green in colour. Her build was lean but not muscular.

  A woman alighted after them. She was dressed in baggy white trousers that came in at the ankles, her blouse a blue silk number, conformed to her body.

  “Captain, I presume.” Mayu stated as she watched them alight from the boat, “Sergeant Mayu. How many recruits do you have for me?”

  “Just these two,” the captain indicated with a wave of her hand. “Akuchi? It’s great to see you.”

  Akuchi smiled and collected Hiwot into an embrace. He then let go, after a soft cough from Mayu.

  “Thank you, Captain Hiwot.” Mayu smiled. “I will have some men help unload the food. The Commander will ensure you get the payment.”

  The captain backed away and the elf stepped forward. “Aquillia Fidelis.”

  “Nice to meet you,” replied Mayu.

  “Nurarfed Fierybow.” The dwarf stepped forward and shook Mayu’s hand.

  “Nice to meet you,” replied Mayu. “Follow me; I will get you settled in.”

  Mayu turned and walked through the harbour buildings. Aquillia, Akuchi and Nurarfed followed her.

  “Come see me soon, Akuchi,” Hiwot called as they departed.

  Mayu led them through past the muster yard where the fort was out training. They walked around and entered the command tent where Oghenekaro sat working.

  “The new recruits, sir,” Mayu introduced, stepping aside as Aquillia, and Nurarfed entered the tent.

  Oghenekaro looked up from the desk. “Two recruits, that’s better.”

  “We have Nurarfed Fierybow, a dwarf, and Aquillia Fidelis, an elf,” informed Mayu.

  “You take over the training for Nurarfed, and Akuchi can take over the training of Aquillia.”

  “Yes, sir,” Mayu said before leaving the tent.

  “Akuchi, you are required to train Aquillia,” Mayu commanded

  “But, I only just finished my own training,” Akuchi protested.

  “A good way for you to see if you have truly learned anything to teach it to someone else,” said Nurarfed.

  “I gave you the full training. You also don’t have much choice in the matter,” Mayu stated. “It’s an order from Oggy.”

  “I am only aware of the one training room,” Akuchi said.

  “You take that room I know of a few others. We will need to see Taya about getting some weapons for them.”

  ***

  Once inside the room, Akuchi and Aquillia began training. Aquillia held a double-bladed sword in both hands by the middle handle. The blades were a dull grey and of equal length.

  “Why did you pick that weapon?” Akuchi asked as he drew his own weapon.

  “It is the weapon that my mentor used when she trained me to fight.”

  “You already know how to fight?”

  “Yes, I do, but let’s see what you can teach me.”

  “Very well.” Akuchi grinned and took a defensive stance.

  Aquillia crouched at the legs and then leapt into the air, spinning her sword. She brought it down in a devastating downward thrust. Akuchi nimbly sidestepped and swept with his blade at Aquillia’s back. She twirled her blade around her back and blocked his swipe. Aquillia took stepped forward and turned to face Akuchi.

  “A fire stance attack, followed by a water defence,” commented Akuchi. “Nice combo.”

  “Thanks,” replied Aquillia. “Not so bad yourself, with that water stance move.”

  Akuchi grinned and attacked with an underhand cut coming straight at Aquillia. Aquillia blocked with a cross body swipe and then twirled the blade around her before swiping at Akuchi’s head. Akuchi leaned back and withdrew his blade in a summersault move.

  “I have never seen anyone move like that,” remarked Aquillia, “and I have seen many duels.”

  Landing on his feet, Akuchi brought his falchion to level in water defence style. “Thank you,” he commented. “Just how long have you been fighting for?”

  “I thought you knew,” remarked Aquillia.

  “Know what?”

  “Most elves, don’t leave the forests of Garmore until they are at least three hundred years old.”

  Aquillia followed up this pronouncement with a straight stab, which Akuchi knocked to the left and stepped inside the sword. Aquillia couldn’t stop in time and collided with him. She unbalanced him, and they collapsed into a heap on the training mats. Their weapons fell from their hands and skittered away. Akuchi looked down at the woman beneath him and smiled at her. She laughed and they both broke into laughter.

  He rolled off her and helped her up. She pulled him into an embrace and hugged him. She was strong. Her arms corded as she held him.

  She released him, and he took a step back. They gathered their weapons, took their stances, and resumed fighting.

  Chapter 15 Dinner with the Captain

  21st day of the 11th month 579th year of the 8th era

  Akuchi and Aquilla came out of the training room and walked along the path towards the mess. Oghenekaro was walking down along the path from the mess. Upon seeing Akuchi and Aquillia, heading towards the mess, greeted them.

  “Akuchi and Aquilla.” Oghenekaro smiled. “Good morning.”

  “Morning, Commander Oghenekaro,” they both chimed in unison.

  “Akuchi,” Oghenekaro started. “The captain of the Fler de Lis is a friend of mine.”

  “How do you know Captain Hiwot?” Akuchi asked.

  “We lived in the same town. I thought that you could recount your harrowing story of the trolls to the Captain over dinner.”

  Akuchi smiled. “Sure, sounds great.”

  “I will come and collect you for dinner in a few hours,” Oghenekaro said, walking away.

  Aquillia and Akuchi continued walking on towards the mess and ate their lunch in silence.

  “Does the Captain put on a good spread?” asked Aquilla as they walk along the path towards the barracks.

  “She eats better then we have been,” Akuchi responded as his stomach growled.

  “What does she serve?”

  “The first time I ate with the Captain we had succulent roasted meat with a gravy that was so thick it was almost decadent.”

  “What did it taste like?”

  “The meat fell apart in your mouth, and the tubers and legumes were soft and cooked to perfection.”

  “A captain of a ship has got to serve wine with her dinner.”

  “Oh, she did. The wine was heady and richly fruity. It glided down my throat. The smell filled the room.”

  “Why wasn’t I invited?” Aquilla pouted as they entered the barracks.

  “Maybe Oghenekaro didn’t want too many people there,” Akuchi soothed.

  “I am not too many people.” Aquilla frowned, sitting on her bed.

  “I am just guessing,” Akuchi defended, sitting down on his own bed facing Aquillia.

  “Maybe the Captain doesn’t like too many people using her fine crockery.”

  “It was very nice,” Akuchi reminisced.

  “Wh
at did it look like?”

  “They had a picture of a garden on them.” Akuchi shrugged.

  “That sounds beautiful.”

  “If you think the crockery was nice, the cutlery was superb.” Akuchi paused, leaning forward, Aquilla did the same till their head were nearly touching, “It looked like it was made from gold.”

  “No way,” gasped Aquilla.

  “I swear,” Akuchi said, sitting up straight and raising his right hand.

  Akuchi’s stomach growled, and they both laughed.

  “I have been hungry since I got here,” Akuchi said.

  “Most people seem to be.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I think we are all on rations.”

  “You mean,” Akuchi stammered, “that we are low on food.”

  “The fort doesn’t seem to grow any food. On the way up, I noticed that the forest extends all the way to the south wall.”

  “Hmm.” Akuchi stood and removed his sword from its place and laid it and his scabbard on the bed.

  Akuchi then walked out of the barracks. He walked to the wall and began with a slight jog, to warm up. He followed the wall line, his feet crunching on the grass as he jogged along the wall. As the wall turned to a new direction, he had warmed up and was now picked up speed. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His breath came in short bursts. He kept up the speed as he ran along the length of the wall. He rounded another corner and a metallic tang seeped into his mouth. Sweat dribbled down his face and ran down his bare back. He came to the end of the wall where it met the coastline. He stopped, turned, and resumed jogging back the way he had come. He slowed his speed to a more relaxed speed to cool off. Akuchi slowed his run to a walk as he made his way back along the wall, arriving back at the barracks. Several other soldiers sat on their bunks cleaning their weapons, while a few others lounged. Aquillia wasn’t on her bunk. Akuchi stripped off his trousers and lay on his bunk. A gentle breeze blew through the barracks and cooled the sweat off his back; he closed his eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze.

  ***

  Akuchi awoke as the door slammed. The sun was setting and the room was getting darker. Akuchi arose and opened his trunk. He pulled out his dress clothes, stepping into the trousers and pulled a white shirt over his head.

  “Ah good,” Oghenekaro declared, pushing open his door. “You’re ready.”

  Oghenekaro was dressed in an immaculate uniform: dark blue coat, and matching trousers. His shirt was a pale green that matched his eyes. Akuchi turned and went to pick up his falchion.

  “You won’t need that,” Oghenekaro said.

  Akuchi said nothing and walked to the door as Oghenekaro stepped back.

  “I heard that you dinned with the Captain before,” Oghenekaro said.

  “Yes, the Captain said I amused her,” Akuchi said.

  “Good, good.” He smiled. “I invited you to dinner to regale the captain with tales of your heroic deeds. Try to make me look good.”

  “I will do my best, sir.”

  They both lapsed into silence as they walked from the barracks to the door, through the fort. The training yard was empty. They strode across the field of hard packed dirt and grass. They passed the smithies and workstations, came to the pier and then climbed the rope ladder onto the ship.

  “Permission to come aboard,” Oghenekaro declared formally.

  “Permission granted.” Hiwot smiled. She was dressed in her uniform tight black leather trousers, a light white blouse with the buttons done up under her breasts, and a black coat left open.

  Akuchi took in the familiar ship. The watch commander stood on the poop deck, and a few sailors lounged on the deck.

  “Captain, I present the hero of Fort Northern Wiles,” Oghenekaro introduced, “Akuchi Rosethorn.”

  “Akuchi.” Hiwot’s smile broadened. “You’re the Fort’s hero?”

  Akuchi smiled back as Oghenekaro continued.

  “Akuchi, saved my life and the Fort all single-handedly,” Oghenekaro finished.

  “Wow,” Hiwot exclaimed. “Sounds like you have quite a story to tell, I will have an extra place set.”

  Hiwot glanced at Akuchi and smiled. She then tore her eyes from him and fixed them on Oghenekaro. She grabbed his arm and together began walking towards her quarters.

  Hiwot glanced back at Akuchi and winked. Akuchi followed Hiwot and Oghenekaro.

  “Tell me, Oggy, apart from Akuchi amazingly saving you,” Hiwot began, placing a hand on his arm, “what else is happening in your life?”

  “Well,” began Oghenekaro, “the trolls besieged the fort like they normally do. So I had to cut rations again.” He laughed.

  Hiwot laughed, a hand to her mouth. She looked Akuchi up and down and bit her lower lip. Then she returned to looking at Oghenekaro.

  “This time they did something really strange.”

  “What did they do?”

  Oghenekaro and Hiwot walked up to the poop deck and Oghenekaro opened the doors to the Captains chambers. Hiwot walked in and Oghenekaro followed.

  “Set the table for three,” Hiwot commanded. The bald man bowed and then moved ahead of them.

  Hiwot guided Oghenekaro and Akuchi down the corridor, to her personal rooms.

  The bald man and the young girl were setting out another place at the table.

  Oghenekaro took a seat and Hiwot indicated that Akuchi should take the seat opposite him, while she sat at the spot that was just set.

  “Now tell me about the heroism,” Hiwot cut Oghenekaro short from telling her about the strange troll behaviour. She flicked a glance at Akuchi, parted her lips, and wetted them with her tongue.

  Oghenekaro began recounting the story of how Akuchi had ridden out with them to break the siege, and instead of breaking the siege the sortie had collapsed when a troll had knocked him to the ground. Hiwot gasped, covering her mouth. Oghenekaro recounted how the next thing he remembered was being tied to a horse and seeing Akuchi standing up to a troll as he rode out on Akuchi’s horse. Hiwot gasped and turned her eyes to Akuchi as he took up the story.

  The young girl came in, poured wine, and served the dinner. They all began to eat, as Akuchi continued to tell the story. He told Hiwot of how the Mayu had distracted the troll and got the troll to chase her as he attended to the Commander.

  Hiwot’s hand brushed Akuchi’s as she reached for her wine. When she replaced the wine glass, she dropped her hand onto the table so that her hand gently touched Akuchi’s arm.

  Akuchi then recounted the fight as he fought to stay alive, before being knocked out by a troll from behind.

  At this point, everyone had finished their wine and the food had all been ingested.

  “Well that was a pleasant meal.” Oghenekaro stood. “Thank you for your time.”

  Hiwot and Akuchi stood with him.

  “We must be off,” Oghenekaro declared.

  “Well if you must be off,” suggested Hiwot placing a hand on Akuchi’s upper arm. “Do you mind if I keep Akuchi here for a bit so he can finish the story?”

  “I … ah … don’t see how that could be a problem,” stammered Oghenekaro. “Thank you for your time.”

  Akuchi and Hiwot watched him go out the door and was escorted out by the tall bald man.

  Hiwot sunk back into her chair with a sigh. Akuchi sat and opened his mouth to continue the story.

  “Please don’t,” Hiwot begged placing an arm on Akuchi, “Oggy has been trying to woo me for some time.”

  “You and Oghenekaro?” Akuchi asked dumbfounded.

  Hiwot nodded with a frown as she looked deeply into his eyes.

  She sat up straight and clapped her hand twice. The girl came in from the hidden door behind the hammock.

  “Draw me and Akuchi a bath,” she commanded. The girl bowed without a word and went back out the door.

  “I don’t need a bath. Thank you,” protested Akuchi.

  “Are you kidding me? I could smell you since you came on deck.”

  “Is
it that bad?”

  “I am surprised Oggy didn’t notice it.”

  “I guess he had other things to notice.” Akuchi laughed. Hiwot fixed him with a gaze that stopped his laughter.

  A moment of tense silence passed between them. A door opened and in walked the girl carrying a bucket of steaming water. The tall bald man followed her a moment later carrying in two buckets.

  They carefully poured the water into the porcelain bath and promptly left. Without breaking eye contact, Hiwot divested herself of her jacket and undid the buttons on her blouse.

  Akuchi smiled at her and pulled his shirt, and undid the button on his trousers.

  The steel in her eyes lost its hardness and she blushed as her gaze ran down his torso and drank in the sight of his well-toned muscles.

  ***

  In the cool morning light, Akuchi climbed down to the pier, his bare feet slick with morning dew. He stood with his trousers on and his shirt and shoes in his hands. He took one last look at Hiwot as she saw him off.

  Hiwot looked down at Akuchi and waved him goodbye. A gentle breeze cooled her legs under the shift she wore. Hiwot instinctively pulled the shirt down. Akuchi waved then turned and headed back to the fort. The dawn light had suffused the fort and a quiet had settled.

  Akuchi walked quietly past the smiths. The great bellows were being fired up as a rush of warm air stirred in the early morning.

  Aquillia met Akuchi at the door of the barracks then they went to the mess hall for a meagre meal of tuber and beet soup.

  “Don’t they have anything else to feed us?” Akuchi grumbled.

  They sat at a table as they ate their first meal. Akuchi scooped a mouthful into his mouth. It was mostly water.

  “I doubt it,” Aquillia replied.

  After they finished they put their dishes aside so they could be washed. They left the filling mess hall and went to the training room. On the way the saw the first pairs of people starting their daily training. Mayu stood in a corner and observed a man in brown trousers fight with two long swords against a man with a huge great axe dressed in green trousers. Arriving at the training room, Akuchi and Aquillia drew their weapons and took their positions. Aquillia elected for water defence and Akuchi took rock defence. They eyed each other, circling each other, searching for weakness.