The Guild of Warriors

by Martin Swinford

  "There!" Brenn pointed over to a narrow passageway. The boys climbed a small flight of steps that led round to another doorway. Brenn tried the handle and the door opened.

  Inside the vast hall four candles burned on the central Dais casting the rest of the interior into deep shadow. The East facing windows were just starting to lighten as the boys made their way down past the empty rows of seats.

  "Feel anything?" Fin and Brenn are both looking expectantly at Luan.

  "Maybe." There was something, the sense of history Luan had felt before tugged at him.

  "Come up here!" Fin led the way up onto the dais to the seat of the guild father, a simple stone bench with two tall candlesticks either side. Suddenly hit by dizziness Luan slumped onto the bench. He looked up at the arch above him as the words 'Lest Ye Second Son...' were illuminated by the first rays of dawn.

  Luan looked back down and he was somewhere else, a wide room with mist filled doorways set in the walls, a place he recognised. In front of him a brown robed figure clasped his hands and bowed his head.

  "Can you take me to Conn?" Luan asked. The figure bobbed a quick bow and then turned and hurried off, Luan had to half run to catch up.

  "Luan?" Conn rose hurriedly to his feet from behind his desk. "How did you get here?"

  "Well, it's a long story..."

  "Then wait a moment, sit." He gestured to a chair in front of his desk and then turned to the servant. "Food and drink for our guest if you please?" He sat down and then turned to Luan. "Come my friend, tell me everything."

  It took a long time, with Conn asking questions, and Luan explaining and then going back and re-telling some parts again. By the time it was finished the food and drink had come and gone and Luan felt exhausted. Finally he sat back in his chair with a sigh. Conn stood and began to pace about his office. There wasn't much space. The room wasn't very big to start with and crammed as it was with shelves and cupboards Conn was reduced to two steps each way, a curiously hurried movement. As if suddenly aware of this he suddenly sat down, but then just as quickly got up and started rummaging around in the papers and scrolls that covered every surface.

  "I know it's here somewhere."

  "What is?" asked Luan.

  "Aha! Got it!" Conn pulled a scroll from a pile on the book case and unrolled it on his desk, weighing down one end with a book and the other with an empty cup. "This is a map of the eastern borderlands of the Kingdom," he said as he leant forward and traced his finger across the parchment. "Cy Malg, the city of sorcerers, as it is called. Whether there is any basis for this name is debatable, it has been abandoned since the time of the war of succession that followed Amhar's death. We have records of stories that show it as a place where the fabric between the worlds is very thin. It is as if the city exists in both worlds at the same time."

  "So why did I dream I met Zand there?"

  "If it was a dream."

  "What do you mean?"

  Conn looked at Luan in a way that was both concerned and curious. "I think, Luan, you need to accept that you are a very unusual boy!"

  "I'm not!" protested Luan, "I'm just like everyone else."

  "And yet you can step between the worlds! Not just by accident like some unfortunates have always done, but by intention. Do you know how long it is since the Klaideem did that? Over a hundred years!"

  "A hundred? But Zand acted like he remembered it happening!"

  Conn resumed his pacing "Time works strangely between the worlds," he mused, "and this Zand, I would know more about him"

  "Mack said he was one of the Hunters of the Moon."

  "Perhaps, though that is an old legend, but why is his story now mixed up with yours?" Conn stopped his pacing and sat down again. "I need time to find answers to some of these questions, and I think it is best that you go back before you are missed.”

  Luan nodded. “I think you’re right, but how long do you think it will take?”

  “I don’t know.” Conn frowned at the piles of paper on his desk. “But I will be in touch as soon as I find something."

  Luan stood awkwardly. “Thank you,” he said and turned to follow the servant. Even before he was out of the room Conn had set to work, unrolling a scroll and checking it against the map.

  THE STONE OF THE WALLS was deep red in colour. Two great pillars, each one intricately carved, supported the roof high above his head. They were disproportionately large for the room itself, which was only a few paces across and about twice that in length. The effect was oppressive, anyone who entered would immediately feel small and insignificant. Luan took the three steps down from the small doorway to the rough floor and walked carefully to the point between the pillars. There in the centre of the room he looked up. The ceiling was carved with wondrous creatures, now worn and indistinct, that seemed to writhe in the gloom. In front of Luan, halfway along the long side of the room was a vast doorway, framed by pillars and a lintel hewn from the stone of the walls. The steps up were over large, making him feel childlike as he climbed.

  The light hit him as he stepped through the portal. The entire left hand wall of the great room was missing and the sun, already dipping towards the mountain peaks, lit up the interior with a fiery glow. Luan felt exposed, aware that this room, huge as it was, would seem like a tiny cleft in the cliff side, nothing beyond it but vast empty space. Getting as close as he dared to the crumbling edge he looked down. Below him a waterfall poured its endless burden into the void. Drops of water were transformed by light into rubies and emeralds, sapphires and diamonds. Beyond, the cliff disappeared into a haze of spray. Luan turned and ran his eyes over the cavernous interior. He could just make out the remains of a frieze running around the top third of the remaining walls, but time and the elements had done their own sculpting.

  "This is how it will be." Zand stepped into the room from the doorway immediately in front of Luan.

  "Where are we?" Luan asked.

  "Inside Cy Malg, the city is built into and around the mountain. Behold the throne room of the king!" Zand gestured sardonically.

  "But what am I doing here?"

  "This is where you must come, at sunset, on the last day of spring."

  "Why?" Luan was filled with a deep sense of unease.

  "Because only in this place, at that time, can you defeat the Selgir Orduin!"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Have you not worked it out? The creature we have been tracking and the killer of your sword brothers is one and the same," Zand reached out a tattooed arm and grasped Luan by the shoulder, "and now it is hunting you. Moreover, now it has killed in both the spirit realm and your world, it is doubly powerful. The Hunters of the Moon have dedicated their lives to hunting down and killing the creatures of darkness that inhabit the spirit world, but now we are powerless against it. We can strike at it in our world but that will just push it through into yours, and once loose in your world it will bring unstoppable death and terror to the lands. It has to be fought here, in the city that exists in both worlds. Here it can be killed!"

  "But why me?" Even as he asked the question Luan could guess the answer.

  "Because you are the one it hunts," Zand said, confirming Luan’s fears. "The Night Hunter forms a spiritual bond with its prey which can only be broken by one killing the other."

  Luan felt that his world was shattering like glass.

  "How can I kill it? This thing, this monster? I'm just a boy!"

  "Do not give in to despair!" Zand's words were hard and they cut through self-pity. "You are not just any boy, or you would not be here now." Luan thought and then acknowledged this with a nod. It was far too late to pretend.

  "Besides," Zand continued. "I do have some good news. The sword you carry is a weapon that the creature will sense and fear."

  "My uncle's sword?"

  "Your uncle carried it but so did many others before him. That blade is Moralean Iron, forged by the hands of the Shibaan in the far west and handed down through generations. Its bite is de
ath to the creatures of the spirit world. Even though it has grown in power, the Selgir Orduin will fear it. But remember your blade is nothing if your will is weak, so take courage. The creature is hunting you, your choice is to run and hide, knowing that it will find you anyway, or to take the chance that is given to you and fight!"

  Luan nodded slowly again. Unwilling as he was to accept this, he could see no way out.

  "What do I need to do?"

  "Just get here, on the right day, at the right time. The hunters of the moon will drive the creature here and then you and your sword will have your chance."

  "Can't you just bring me here, like you have this time?"

  Zand smiled. "I wish it was that easy," he said, "but it doesn't work that way. We are not actually here. This is a projection, like a future memory, you are going to have to travel the hard way in your own world."

  "I suspected that might be the case," Luan said with a wry smile.

  "Besides," Zand continued, "I will be busy. I will be leading the hunters on their greatest pursuit. We will harry the creature wherever it goes. It longs to track you down and kill you, so we must keep it busy, make sure it never gets the chance."

  "Sounds good to me!"

  "I thought it might!" said Zand with a grin. "Now, it is time for you to return." Zand lifted his hand and placed it on Luan’s head. "Be filled with courage, young sword warrior. May your arm be strong and your blade sharp."

  Luan felt the now familiar dizziness come over him as the ruined city slipped away.

  Ten – The Guild Father

  At more advanced levels of training, it may seem that practitioners drag or rotate their feet into the ground, but this is merely an illusion, as a good swordsman will not put weight on such vulnerable joints.

  "DO YOU THINK IT'S WORKING?"

  "How should I know?

  Luan opened his eyes. "What's happening?

  Fin and Brenn both turned to look at him.

  "Nothing" said Fin.

  "You've only been sat there a few seconds" added Brenn.

  "I knew this was a stupid idea!" Fin crossed his arms.

  "It was your idea!" replied Brenn

  "I thought it was yours," Fin flung back.

  "What's that?" The tone of Luan’s voice stopped the argument dead. The boys stood in silence, unmoving, straining to hear.

  Time seemed to stop. The silence stretched out. Fin, about to speak, was silenced by a gesture from Brenn. Still they waited. Then it came; a faint clunk as someone tried to close a door without making a noise.

  Outside the light seemed thick enough to grasp; darkness fighting its daily battle and not giving up easily. Nervously they hurried back to their bunk room, half expecting an attack at every corner, but from what they could not have said. Luan struggled with his thoughts. Should he tell his friends what happened and so put them in danger? Or should he keep it to himself and try to face his fate alone? He needed someone to talk to but who else could he trust? Mack would be the obvious choice but it would be weeks before they were allowed out into the town again. By the time they reached the bunkhouse he had made up his mind.

  "I need to talk to you later, somewhere safe."

  Fin stared at him "You mean..."

  "Yes," replied Luan, "it worked."

  "Really?" Brenn was incredulous. Fin punched the air.

  "Told you it was a good plan!" He said.

  "THERE IS NOTHING" SHOUTED Brenn "THAT IS QUITE SO IRRITATINGLY LOUD" he paused for breath "AS THE SOUND OF SWORDS REPEATEDLY HAMMERED ON SHIELDS!"

  They were out on the practice field again with the Boar putting them through their paces. It was shield wall against shield wall, fighting with blunted bronze swords. Shields slammed into shields, the boys yelling and shouting, a messy shoving match of heaving bodies. It was a far cry from the skilful swordplay of the training hall, the din was absolutely tremendous, and the boys were loving it. Luan and Brenn watched as Fin and Drustan, on the same side for once, smashed their way into the opposing shield wall sending boys flying.

  "IT IS VERY LOUD!" Agreed Luan. Unfortunately his shout coincided with a sudden cessation of noise as Fin and Drustan realised they had floored everyone, including the two boys supposed to be on their side. For an awkward moment everyone turned and stared at Luan.

  "Sorry?" A confused Fin found himself apologising.

  "Yes, well..." Luan felt he had to continue. "...just keep it down!"

  Drustan furrowed his brows with the unaccustomed effort of thinking as he tried to work out what was going on. The Boar opened and closed his mouth in confusion. Brenn collapsed to the floor in silent laughter.

  "Carry on!" Luan found himself saying.

  Fin and Drustan walked off the training pitch as the Boar called on the next two groups of novices and started pushing them into place.

  "Good fight!" Drustan said to Fin as they parted.

  "It was, wasn't it?" The stocky boy replied.

  "What was that about?" Luan asked as Drustan headed back to his cronies.

  "Oh he's not that bad really," replied Fin pulling off the bronze helmet and shaking his head.

  "Not that bad?" Brenn sounded sceptical.

  "Well, I mean, I'm still going to smash his face in, obviously."

  "Obviously!" Brenn grinned. "Anyway we better get you to the infirmary."

  "Why?" Fin looked worried.

  "Well, you're injured!" said Luan with concern. "You can't stand up properly!"

  "I can!"

  "No you can't!" replied Brenn who promptly kicked Fin in the shin and pushed him over.

  "Ow!"

  "Told you!"

  "Sargent!" shouted Luan "We need to take Fin to the infirmary!" The Boar glanced in their direction and then waved his consent.

  "What's going on?" Fin asked as Brenn and Luan pulled him to his feet and supported him off the field.

  "We need somewhere to talk," said Luan.

  "Where we won't be overheard," added Brenn.

  "So we thought the infirmary," continued Luan.

  "Why didn't you just tell me?" Fin looked hurt. "I could have faked it!"

  "Yeah but this was much more fun!" replied Brenn with a smirk.

  As usual the infirmary was busy. The nature of the training led to a constant flow of injured boys although thankfully most were not too badly hurt. As such it was fairly easy for Brenn and Luan to 'assist' Fin into one of the small cells off the main hall without attracting too much attention.

  "So tell us," said Brenn as he pulled the curtain across the doorway.

  "Yeah, come on. What happened?" Fin took the opportunity to sprawl on the low cot that took up most of the room. Brenn took the stool next to it. Luan looked around, shrugged and then sat on the floor with his knees pulled up against his chest. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back to lean against the wall.

  "I'm not sure where to begin," he said.

  "Did you just close your eyes and appear somewhere else?" Fin asked.

  "Well, yes," Luan replied. "But that wasn't the start. There was the dream first."

  "What dream?"

  "That was before you woke me up, although it continued after I met Conn."

  "What?" Fin was looking very confused.

  "Hang on," Brenn interrupted. "Luan, just start at the beginning and keep going until you get to the end. Fin, stop asking questions!" Fin pulled a face but nodded in agreement. Luan thought for a moment and then began. He told them of his dream meeting with Zand, of successfully arriving at the House of Collection, and then his second meeting with Zand in the ruins of Cy Malg. As he talked Brenn's frown grew deeper and at the end the three boys sat in silence.

  "This is all getting too much!" Brenn said finally.

  "I know," said Luan. "I don't know what to think"

  Fin looked at them both.

  "Well it seems pretty straight forward to me!" he said.

  "You what?"

  "How?" The questions came simultaneously.

 
"Well," Fin began. "We get hold of Luan’s sword. Get him to this ruined city place in time and then he can kill the beastie. Simple!"

  Brenn looked at him with disbelief. "Of course it's simple if you say it like that! Besides, I don't even know if all this is true!"

  "Well he's not making it up is he? He hasn't got the imagination for a start!"

  "Hey!" said Luan, feeling slightly put upon.

  "The problem," continued Fin. "Is that you two have never done a day’s real work in your lives. If you had to get up at five in the morning and then have some big sod say 'See that there field? Get it ploughed by nightfall or you don't eat!' You'd know that sometimes you don't have time to worry about if something is possible or how difficult it is. You just have to get on with it!"

  "That's just...ridiculous!" spluttered Brenn. "You have no idea about my life or..."

  "He's got a point though," Luan interrupted. "Something or someone is definitely trying to kill me. My choice is whether to just wait for it to happen or try to fight."

  "But it just all seems so unbelievable!" protested Brenn.

  "You were there on the roof," replied Fin. "You were there when the boy was drowned. This is happening whether you believe in it or not."

  "Anyway," continued Luan, "it doesn't really matter. I never said you two were coming with me!"

  "Now that is ridiculous!" Fin pronounced.

  "Of course we're coming!" added Brenn.

  "You couldn't cope without us."

  "You'll need our intelligence."

  "And our bravery!"

  "Resourcefulness!"

  "Strength and skill!"

  "Modesty?" asked Luan.

  "Right, what seems to be the problem?" Although the orderly who swept back the curtain was a young man, his face was lined with fatigue. He cast an appraising eye over the three boys in the small room and gave a small shake of his head.

  "Not very much by the look of you! Which class are you from?"

  "Sargent Salech," Luan answered.

  "Ah!" the orderly nodded "The Boar! I get plenty of business from his classes I can tell you." He looked at Fin who was still lying in the cot. "What was it then? Bang on the head?"