“I only care about what matters to you, and that is tracking down this host of fiends. We will find this Dark Day and kill him, and Chazzan,” Darkken said.
“But you said they have a hideout in the west. Isn’t this wizard there?” Hacksaw asked. “You seem to be a long way from the problem.”
“We’ve been there,” Darkken responded with a shrug. “And, like so many other places we have tracked them, once we get there, they are gone. They move like ghosts and are spread out all over. This Lord Day in the…how does it go, Maefon?”
“Dark in the Day.”
“Yes, him or it. I don’t think he should be considered a person of any kind, the misaligned bast—”
“Darkken, control yourself,” Maefon warned.
“Ho-ho, you won’t offend my ears,” Hacksaw said. “I’ve heard my soldiers say words that would make an ogre’s butt pucker.”
Darkken tossed his head back in unbridled laughter. Holding his stomach, he managed to say, “I’d be curious about those words.”
Nath, Hacksaw, and Maefon joined in the contagious laughter. Nath couldn’t remember the last time he belly-laughed. With tears in all their eyes, they finally regained their composure, and Nath said, “Oh, I’ve laughed so hard I think I have a headache.”
CHAPTER 74
On a chill, fireless night, it was the conversation that kept them warm. Nath did most of the talking. He told them about being banished from Dragon Home for a hundred years. Maefon sat against him with tears in her eyes as he went on.
“Like a fool, I put my trust in the Black Hand, only to be imprisoned for over two years. I escaped, but I fear my friends are in danger all on account of me.” He was referring to Calypsa, Rond the Bugbear, Homer the musician, and Radagan the baker. The mention of Radagan brought a smile to Darkken’s lips that Nath did not notice. “After I battled the basilisk and dealt with the mysterious hermix, Ruffle, I met up with Hacksaw in Huskan. Heh, we haven’t even been here a day and it’s been a disaster.”
“At least you retrieved the gauntlet,” Maefon said. “That’s a start. Nath, I swear that I will help you with the rest. We will help you retrieve your presents. Especially Fang. I know how you adored it.”
Darkken’s ringed fingers tapped on the pommel of his sword that hung on his side. The rings were copper, and the pommel was fashioned like a dragon’s head, but carved from ivory. “I believe our destinies are intermingled, Nath. Maefon and I have dedicated ourselves to tracking down the Caligin, and the likes of Chazzan, in hopes to bring the Lord of the Dark in the Day down. It is very difficult to convince people of the danger that these dark elves impose. They think elves are good, but this brood is evil. We happened upon Riegelwood because we followed the Caligin here. Thanks to Maefon’s dealings with them, she knows what to look for. It is quite clear the Caligin are aiding the likes of the Black Hand. They put the city in chaos and keep them at odds with the neighbor cities. It’s awful, but difficult to convince the people of that otherwise. There are only a few of us to do so.”
“A few of us as in who?” Hacksaw said.
Darkken made a soft whistle. Twelve elves appeared among the trees, wearing the soft leather garb of a woodsman.
Chills raced over Nath’s flesh.
“Great gargoyles!” Hacksaw slid his sword halfway out of his sheath. “Have they been there the entire time?”
“Most of the time. Didn’t you notice?” Darkken said.
“I guess I was too caught up in our conversation. Shame on me for not being more vigilant.”
Nath’s fingers tingled at the sight of the mysterious elves who had appeared out of nowhere. How did I miss that? Was I so distracted?
“Don’t be alarmed, Nath,” Maefon said. “These are my brothers and sisters in elvenhood. We’ve been recruiting them, slowly, as they are convinced of the Caligin. Of course, we have to be careful who we choose. As one, we work to hunt down and stop the Caligin.”
“I saw elves inside Nina’s tavern. Were those Caligin?” Hacksaw asked.
“Most likely,” Darkken replied. “They are very subtle, working as merchants and traders, but manipulating people’s actions from behind the scenes. I’m certain many of them are guests for the wedding and they are here to see that things go through. If they control the Black Hand, then they control the city. They pull the strings of mankind from the shadows, but we can stop them.” He punched his fist in his hand. “We must stop them. Brothers of the Wind, come with me,” he said to the elves and led them deeper into the forest. “We must plan.”
“Sorry, Nath, but my dearest becomes a bit emotional over all of this,” Maefon said.
“Are the two of you together then?” Nath asked. “I grasp you have a very strong relationship.”
“Yes, well, I don’t know what the future holds for us, me being an elf and him a man, but we are inseparable. He saved me, and I adore him.”
Nath frowned. “I understand. I’m just glad you are well and happy.”
Maefon gave him a quick hug from behind. “I’ll be happy when we avenge the fledglings and put an end to the Caligin menace, but I fear it’s going to take a great deal of time to root them all out. We are small. They are many. But I say let’s focus on getting your items back first. We can do that.”
Nath stood. “We are going to need to do more than that. We need to put a stop to this wedding too.”
“Let me go check on Darkken,” she said, breaking away from Nath. “He tends to get overly excited about things, but he’s a good planner. Just too aggressive from time to time. Besides, you two would probably like to talk.”
“I’m about talked out.” Hacksaw yawned and stretched his arms over his head. Approaching Nath, he said, “Those elves, Brothers of the Wind, really spooked the sweat out of me.”
“You aren’t alone in that statement. I got chills on chills.”
“So, what are your thoughts?” Hacksaw asked.
“Funny, I was going to ask you the same question. I’m going to stay with what you suggested. I want to get back at the Black Hand. I want my sword. That’s the mission.” He held up his gauntlet. “I’m ready to take it to them.”
Hacksaw grinned. “We are going to bust up this wedding, aren’t we?”
“One way or the other. Besides, it’s only Princess Janna that can clear my name. She was out of it the last time I saw her, but perhaps now she will remember. With Tobias out of the picture, she’ll be in charge, won’t she?”
Hacksaw shrugged. “I’m fairly certain, but every city’s local politics varies. So, are you buying all of what your elven friend is saying?”
Nath sighed. Scanning the woodland, he said in a lower voice, “Let’s just say I’m willing to see what happens, but I’m inclined to believe her.”
“She’s very convincing. I lean with them as well, but we won’t know for sure until we see them in action, if we see them in action.”
Nath stared at the cold rippling water in the creek trickling by. His life had been bad for so long that it was time that things turned in his favor. If Maefon was against him, certainly the Brothers of the Wind could have taken him and Hacksaw down. As for Darkken, he liked him. He put a heavy hand on Hacksaw’s shoulder. “I forgot to thank you for saving me. Thank you. And I’m sorry for not trusting you.”
“I don’t blame you. I’m certain I would have thought the same. Now, let’s go stick it to the Black Hand.”
CHAPTER 75
Maefon and Darkken stood in the clearing. The elves surrounded them with their backs to them. The elves, well equipped with longswords and daggers, wore suits of fine chainmail or leather under their cloaks. Darkken called them the Brothers of the Wind, but they were in fact Caligin. The steely-eyed elves scanned the woodland, on guard, fine elven hair bristling in the chill wind.
“Nath seems to be taking to us quite well,” Maefon said to Darkken. “What is your plan now that we have him?”
“He still has doubts about us; I can see it in his e
yes,” Darkken said. “Hacksaw is the bigger problem. He’s a seasoned soldier, and not as easy to fool. This show we are about to put on might end up being fatal for him. But nothing is to happen to Nath. I’ll stay close to him and handle it. You follow my lead.”
Maefon shook her head. “You are being vague.”
He showed a ravishing smile. “I know. Isn’t not knowing what I’m going to do more exciting?”
“I suppose it has its mmmuh—” Darkken took her in his arms and kissed her fully. The passionate kiss stole her breath. He broke it off. She finished her word, “Merit.” Her heart pounded in her chest. “That I liked.”
“I saw the way you looked at him, and I felt a tad jealous. The time you shared together in Dragon Home created a strong link between you. I’d hate to think you have lingering feelings that could get in our way.”
“Never. I’m enjoying the journey with you. I’ve never felt so alive.”
“I will admit that you’ve done a fine job selling the story. I’m almost proud of you. But let’s focus on the task at hand. I’ve already informed Tobias that I will be delivering Nath right into his arms. He’ll be expecting us and the elves as guests. We’ll be disguised among them.” He opened his hand, revealing two small clear glass vials with orange liquid in them. “Including Hacksaw and Nath.”
Maefon took the vials in hand. “Polymorph?”
“It’s the best way. It won’t be a problem for the rest of our elves, or me, for the matter. But they’ll be looking for Nath and Hacksaw. The main thing is that Nath is convinced that we are on his side. Again, and let my orders be clear, I’ll follow his lead and you follow mine. It will be a delicate situation dealing with the Black Hand.”
“I understand.”
“Good. Now, go back to Nath. Tell them to get some rest. I’ll sell the rest of the story in the morning.”
She nodded. “As you wish.”
***
A strong hand shook Nath out of his slumber. He’d been in a deep sleep, which was rare for him, but the cold and the night, coupled with stress and exhaustion, took him. Blinking, he saw Darkken looking down at him. Dawn had come. The air around him was misty. Propped against the tree, he leaned forward.
“Sorry to wake you, but you were snoring, disturbing the others,” Darkken said.
“I was?”
“No, of course not. I’m teasing you.” Darkken squatted down. “I was hoping we could take a moment to talk before we dove into this mission. I want to be clear about what is about to happen. At least, I want you to know my approach.”
“Of course. Let me get Hacksaw,” he said. Hacksaw leaned by a nearby tree, snoring softly through his nose.
“He sleeps deep. You might want to give him a few more moments. He’s turning gray, and trust me when I say he’s not as spry as me and you.” He put his arm over Nath’s shoulder. “Let him be. I won’t be long, and you can fill him in on what I say on the trail later.”
“I suppose.” Nath followed Darkken into the forest. “Where are the elves?”
“They’ve taken their stations in the city. They’ll be changing into clothing appropriate for the wedding, and they’ll be scouting for us in case of danger. The Black Hand I believe works with the Caligin, and would not fear them, or any other elf for the matter.”
Nath nodded. “So, Maefon says we’re all attending the wedding as guests?”
“True, but I’ll act as an elven interpreter. My men I’m not worried about, but the other elves in the city I’m not so sure. Some are probably reputable merchants, while others will be Caligin. The Brothers of the Wind separate themselves from the others by a subtle design in their hair, such as a feather, or a beaded braid. The Caligin aren’t so easy to identify. They dress in plain elven clothes, but you have to look for the darkness hiding in their eyes. They are very difficult to vet if you don’t catch them in the act.”
“I see.”
Strolling among the trees with his hands behind his back, Darkken said, “Listen, Nath, I have a very direct approach. When I see an enemy, I want to attack—punch them right in the face, or chop their head off.”
“You really don’t fool around, do you?”
Darkken waved his hand. His long fingers spread out then clenched into a fist. “You can’t give evil snakes a second chance. This world is full of evil. Every race, every creed, every subject struggles against it. The only way to defeat it is to stamp it out and burn it, so to speak.”
“You sound like Hacksaw. He really hates goblins.”
“At least you know what to expect from a goblin, but evildoers like the Black Hand, they are far worse. You never know what to expect from them.” Darkken let out a puff of frosty breath. “Sorry, but some subjects rile me. I’ve said that, haven’t I?”
“Yes, but I understand. Ever since I left home, I’ve been belted from every corner. I haven’t found much good in people, or most people at least. They are selfish.”
“And weak.” Darkken ducked underneath some low branches into a grove thick in grass, clover, and winter wildflowers. He faced Nath. “I want to be up front, Nath. Unless you know another way, once you reveal yourself it will be a war with these people. There can’t be any mercy. I won’t risk Maefon or the Brothers of the Wind to get into a slap fight. This will be for blood.”
“No, I understand completely. I want vengeance. I want my sword. I want what is mine, but mostly, I want my sword back. My father made it for me.”
Darkken patted his sword’s pommel. “I know how you feel. My father gave me a fine blade as well. May I show it to you? His name is Scalpel.”
Darkken drew his sword, Scalpel. It was a wonderfully crafted blade made from the finest elven steel. The sword itself was a sleek one-sided blade, straight from the handle, making a clean linear line that curved slightly at the end of the blade. Decorative rune carvings dressed the white bone handle of the blade. Similar markings had been etched into the topside of the blade, enhancing its elegant design. He rolled it over his wrist a couple of times and twisted it through the hair. He stroked the flat of his thumb across the blade. The metal hummed quietly like a tuning fork. “Scalpel sings his own special song.”
“It’s beautiful,” Nath said. His eyes ran up and down the length of the sword. At first appearance, it looked small in Darkken’s hand. Upon a closer look though, Nath realized the sword fit the bigger man’s hand perfectly. “I’ve never seen the likes of one before.”
“My father, as I say, was elven, a blacksmith as a matter of fact. He made this sword for my hand. Most elven blades aren’t so long, but I have a big grip and some additional length that makes me very dangerous when I find a shorter man, or elf.” Darkken glanced at the ground. “Pick up those acorns. Just a couple.”
Nath bent over and grabbed the acorns. He held them out in his hands.
Darkken eased into a sword-fighting stance. At the same time, he sheathed his sword. He winked at Nath. “I’m going to show off now. Toss the acorns up. In front of me. Just above my head.”
With a flick of his hand, Nath tossed the nuts in the air.
In a flash, Scalpel snaked out of the scabbard. Darkken sliced through the left acorn at its zenith and the second acorn on its way down. He slid the sword back into his scabbard, snapping it into the locket. He reached down and picked up the acorns. Both were cut cleanly though the middle, in four semi-perfect pieces. He showed them to Nath. “Sharp, isn’t he?”
Big-eyed, Nath said, “Extremely, but you’re fast. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man move so fast. Your form is so smooth and fluid. The sword strikes as fast as a viper.”
“Faster,” Darkken said. “Nath, once again, I want to emphasize that when we engage, if we engage, I won’t hold back.”
“No, I understand. I don’t suppose the Black Hand will surrender either. I’m ready to do this, Darkken, and I’m glad I have you at my side.” Nath lifted his sledgehammer. “Stone Smiter and Scalpel have work to do. It’s time to do it.”
Princess Janna sat behind her dressing table, facing the mirror. Behind her, two women combed the tangles out of her hair. It had been a long night, confined to her chambers like a prisoner, pacing the floor and tossing and turning in her bed. She nibbled at her fingers.
One of the maidens, young and dull-eyed, pulled Janna’s hand away from her face. Softly, the young maiden said, “We need to paint them. If you chew them, we will have to file them again.”
“Listen, you little crumb-eater,” Janna retorted. “I am the princess, and if I want to chew my nails off, I will!”
The young maiden stepped back. The older maid stopped combing her hair.
Janna took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Today was supposed to be the most special day of her life, but instead, it was going to be a disaster. She was about to wed a murderer. In her heart, she knew Tobias had killed her father. She wanted to cry, but she spilled them all in her bed last night, soaking her favorite pillow, shaped like a bunny rabbit, that her deceased mother made for her long ago. She straightened her back. “I apologize. For the record, I don’t want to do this, but I do what I do to protect the likes of you and my family. There is just no other way.”
“We are grateful, Janna.” The older woman resumed combing. “You don’t need to say anything more, but our ears, hands, and feet are yours.”
“Thank you,” Janna said with a sob. She reached over and pulled the young maiden over. “I’ll chew my nails off after the wedding. Probably my fingers too.” She managed a smile.
The young maiden giggled. “At least he’s handsome.”
“Yes, but my father always said to marry for love, not looks, and to pray that I met a decent fellow fit to marry because I probably wouldn’t be given many choices given the political climate. In this case, I didn’t even get a choice. All I can hope for is that Tobias dies before we wed, and that’s not likely to happen.”
Enslaved: The Odyssey of Nath Dragon - Book 2 (The Lost Dragon Chronicles) Page 23