Firemoon (12 page)

Katja stopped sharply and moved to the side of the road to be less visible. She did not sense the demon approaching, so she knelt down on one knee and narrowed her eyes.

Was this a ritual? She could not imagine was decent people might be doing on a country road in the middle of the night, but she did not detect sorcery. It was possible that the demon’s aura drowned it out, but she doubted that.

She heard nothing. No exchange of words or the sounds of sacrificial animals.

An ambush.

The demon was meant to drive me into the light, where I was to be finished off.

Katja looked around and thought about her options. She couldn’t go back. There was nothing behind except the inn that made her so uneasy and the creature ran faster than her. Even if Katja destroyed it those waiting by the light could give chase and cause even further problems. Going south into the forest would be dangerous. She did not know the area and would be going deeper into Brotherhood territory. To the north was the river and the hills. She could perhaps swim across and continue the journey.

Or she could follow the road and at least see what was going on. A peek couldn’t hurt, could it?

She had never liked these hiding games. She wanted dangers out in the light of day where she could evaluate them and meet with full force. If the reception committee by the flames was small enough she might prevent them from pursuing.

After a few moments she made the decision she wanted to. She crept alongside the road, amidst the trees.Enough hiding games, she thought savagely.
It was difficult to pass through all the foliage silently in the dark and it was slow going. Still, being silent was more important than being quick. The monster seemed to stay put. At least she did not sense it getting closer.

A narrow trail ran north and south and passed through the road. The lights came from four braziers, one on each part of the crossroads. In the centre of it stood a large-bodied man in dark clothing with a sturdy staff in his hand. He faced west, as if expecting her.

Is he really alone?

She could approach him without being illuminated, but if she circled to the south she could get behind him. Problem was, that would bring her closer to the monster.

What now?
Katja thought as she peered out through the trees. She wished she had brought a small bow.

“Do show yourself, I am here to talk!” the man suddenly said.

Katja didn’t know what she had been expecting but this certainly wasn’t it. She hesitated, clenching the sword. What could a Brotherhood-man possibly wish to discuss with her? Or was he perhaps not one of them after all? They were not the world’s only sorcerers, but given the location...

“Show yourself, Redcloak, Sentinel or Browncloak, whatever you choose to call yourself,” the man continued. “I am quite curious to speak to one of you.”

Archers?
Katja thought.
Hiding behind him?

She ventured closer, until she was almost to the edge of the treeline. How to deal with this situation? Well, either she had to pass between this man and the monster, or charge straight at him. Or talk.

What if he is not with the Brotherhood? What if he has something important to say?

“But why should
I
speak with
you
?” she asked snidely and tensed up in case something would happen now that she had given herself away.

“Because I have information that is of use to you.”

“Is that so?” Katja replied. “I suspect you know much of the Brotherhood of the Pit.”

“I should think so. I am their regional leader.”

Katja’s blood heated up in a flash.

“YOU ordered the assault on Blossoms!”

“I dislike having spies in my backyard,” the man responded in the same tone as before. His ease was enraging, given the subject matter.

“No new innocent people died in that assault of yours!” Katja shouted. “People who had done you no wrong!”

“Far more will die in the clash for power King Valdimar initiated, even though they do not stand directly in his way. Such is the world.”

“And were he here I would not hesitate to stab him for this nonsense!”

The man chuckled.

“That is quite the righteous fire you have. If it does not cool in time I suspect it will turn on you and spell your doom. Just as happened to Tovar Savaren.”

“You knew him?” Katja asked.

“Well enough to not be surprised when I learned of his fate.”

“I am the one who killed him, to make that clear.”

“Yes, your friend Vajan told me as much.”

“I thought I had killed him as well.”

“Not quite, but close.” He sounded amused. “He was never truly a part of the Brotherhood. His father got him into our ranks when he was ten years old. He was not raised to our traditions since the cradle and that fact has plagued him ever since.”

“Poor fellow,” Katja said coldly.

“Did you know you killed all his friends in the forests of Amerstan?” the Brotherhood-man asked. “You wiped out the group he had built up around himself, and his coming crawling back after taking part in Arvar’s failed plot did nothing to improve his image.”

“It’s good to know I did a good deed,” Katja said. “Give him my regards.”

“I shall.”

“But you did set up this meeting to discuss Vajan. Tell me what you want!”

“I want to know where you are headed,” the man replied and his tone turned darker. “I want to know why you are on the edge of my territory.”

“I am on my way to Pine City to end your plans!”

“Indeed?” he replied and stroked his chin.

“So are you the one who has declared himself the Dragon in the shape of man?” Katja asked to get some information herself.

“No. That would be Peter Savaren.”

Katja had heard that name.

“Tovar’s son?” she said after a brief hesitation.

“Yes. He has discovered power of some sort. Whether it is the same Zakari Manso did I don’t know, but I don’t know whether he can be considered human anymore. Nevertheless I see much of his father in him. He desires conflict and open power and he wants it
now
.”

“You all desire power.”

“I already have power,” the man said and his bearing suddenly reminded Katja of an eagle. “I am the master of my surroundings. No one in my domain dares stand against me. All are silent when I expect it, and know where not to stick their noses and no-one is foolish enough to try to assault me in Bag River County. King Valdimar has more than most men in the world, but still seeks more and his greed has cost him an entire army, though he does not know it yet. Myself, I have all I desire and do not wish to see it jeopardised due to the greed of a boy who has picked up a sword that is too big for him.”

“Where is your loyalty to the traditions?” Katja asked mockingly.

“
Loyalty
is something one earns,” the man replied. “I wish to see proof that Peter Savaren can handle the fire he has lit. So it suits me well that one or more of you will be in Pine City. Peter can prove himself in earnest.”

Katja alternately clenched and relaxed her jaw. The tragedy in Blossoms went though her mind. She truly, deeply wanted to kill this man.

“So you want to be rid of him,” she said stiffly.

“If that is how this turns out, so be it,” the man replied. “But if it does not, if he seizes power while also being tested by our ancient foes...” He looked at Katja. “Then I suppose there is no arguing with that.”

Katja pondered. She had not forgotten to mind her surroundings as they spoke, but stiff felt ever worse the longer he knew her position. But there was something strange, almost fascinating about speaking openly with an enemy. And as for what he was saying...

“So you... do not wish to recreate Vendyha?” she asked. “You do not wish to flock to the Dragon’s banner?”

The man stepped a bit closer to her and Katja braced for combat, but he stayed in the light and clasped his staff tightly in both hands.

“Brash hotheads like the Savarens and my cousin Arvar sow chaos and bring trouble down upon us, ever costing us what patience and secrecy has built up. The Brotherhood has lasted through the centuries due to people like me.
We
wage the true struggles of the Silent War.
We
survive.
We
pass knowledge to the next generation and leave them a good foundation. Perhaps one day, when the wind is right, perhaps after the world withstands the next rising of the Death Lords, then a man like myself will seize the opportunity and make the Brotherhood a mighty pillar with a strong base. Until then I will exercise patience and wage the Silent War in the manner proven to
work
.”

He pointed at her.

“In the meantime you and yours can cut away the dead branches. It suits me just fine and strengthens us in the long run.”

“Then I shall keep it up,” Katja said and a cold laughter burst out of her for a moment.

He seemed to smile.

“Vajan said you introduced yourself as Anna. Was it true?”

“My name is Bluesocks Cottondrapes, queen of cats. Meow.”

“Well... Bluesocks,” the Brotherhood-man said and pointed north. “We can do battle here and see how that turns out, or you can follow the path to the river. There you will find a small pier and a riverboat the locals make use of. It can bring you most of the way to Pine City.”

Katja stared at him. She did not care for how logical this all was.

“I have a duty to kill you,” she said.

“But a greater duty to stop the Dragon’s plans, do you not?” the man said calmly. “Or do you wish to risk perishing here and letting Pine City face his sorcery with no way to counter it? He travels with Valdimar’s army and if all has gone according to plan he has probably gone through the border fort. The Dragon’s fire is heading for Pine City.”

Katja moved forward herself, one step beyond the trees. She pictured how she could charge him and let the sword be her answer.

But he made sense. Damn it all, but this all made sense.

She sneered but got the words out on her second try.

“Then I will kill you later.”

“In Bag River County? I doubt that. But you are welcome to try, if Peter does not kill you first.”

He took three steps towards her. There were about four metres between them and the monster outside Katja’s field of vision moved as well.

“Keep this in mind, young killer,” the man said and stared into her eyes. “Peter is not wise, but he is cruel and powerful and shares his father’s impatience. The longer his goal is kept just out of his reach the harder he will fight to get it, no matter what it costs him. I can promise you he will never retreat from the city. Not after having it in within his grasp. He will sooner swing that giant sword of his and destroy all in his path.”

The large Brotherhood-man backed away from her and Katja did not follow. He felt about behind him with the staff and soon vanished into the darkness. The demons’ presence faded until it had almost vanished, and Katja looked north.

A riverboat, eh?

8.

“Is it true that you spoke to her?” Vajan asked.

“Yes,” Kolgrimur answered calmly.

Vajan was silent. Their forces had met on a somewhat isolated farmstead loyal to Kolgrimur, and Vajan had gotten him alone.

“So she is...” Vajan swallowed, “on her way to Pine City?”

“Yes,” the large man said again and looked him in the eyes with no sign of shame or discomfort.

“I could have solved a long-term problem right there is you had invited me to join you,” Vajan said and kept his voice under control, but heard how unnaturally still it was.

“But can you solve the Peter problem?” Kolgrimur countered.

Vajan shrugged with a hint of his old insolence.

“Perhaps. Am I to believe that the boy can survive without his head?”

“The last Dragon turned out to not be invincible, it is true,” Kolgrimur said and smiled faintly, but Vajan felt he saw what the man thought of his chances.

“But anyway,” Vajan said to change the subject. “You are rid of the Shades of Blossoms and let the Red girl pass on her way to Peter. What now?”

“Now the battle approaches,” Kolgrimur said. “Peter Savaren does not want a drawn-out siege, especially not if he has given thought to the possibility of Valdimar’s enemies coming to the city’s aid. And the border fort may have fallen already. He might very well achieve his goal, regardless of one single Redcloak.”

“And so have worldly power in addition to sorcery,” Vajan said. “And will not be pleased with your tepid support.”

“Indeed,” Kolgrimur said. “So we best take some precautions. You will head out tonight and join with Peter’s entourage.”

Vajan froze and stared at him.

“You have done well,” Kolgrimur said, ignoring his reaction. “You are truly the finest warrior I command. You are the best option to be our representative in this clash.”

Vajan stared at him for a few more moments before finding his voice.

“And you can more afford to lose me, rather than several qualified men, I take it?” he asked with all the venom he dared.

“I intend to live in times of peace, Vajan,” Kolgrimur said darkly. Vajan remembered hearing that tone when Arvar made his final attempt to get him on board. “Your skills are only of use if Peter brings wartime upon us. Do you understand me?”

They looked one another in the eyes.

“I believe I understand, yes,” Vajan then said with bitter surrender.

“You will get two fresh horses to reach Peter,” Kolgrimur said. “Speak to Mero about that.”

Vajan looked at the ground and put his hands on his hips with a joyless smile.

“I suspect dear Peter Savaren is none too fond of me these days.”

“He is probably less fond of the Redcloaks,” was the reply.

Kolgrimur held out his palm as a polite indication to leave.

“Good luck.”

“Farewell,” Vajan said with forced calm and left to find Mero.

There was no way out of this. He would ride off and stand before Tovar’s unpleasant brat and hope to survive the experience. But he could afford a small side trip.

--------------------

Katja lost the path during the final stretch, but she didn’t need it to find the river. After arriving at the bank she just had to follow it to find the pier the man had spoken of.

She was very ill at ease, both due to having let him leave without a fight and due to the Brotherhood knowing her current whereabouts and destination. She had exposed her back to her enemies.

Why did he have to use reason? Couldn’t he just attack me and keep this simple?

She found the pier by bumping her toe on a wooden post. It was, as the man had said, small. Katja squinted and spotted two tethered boats. Or rafts, rather.

One was considerably larger than the other and Katja guessed it was used for moving produce along the river. The other one would perhaps hold four people in relative comfort. The big one was presumably more stable, but also more difficult to steer down the river. And the sooner she reached the city the better.

So Katja stepped onto the small raft and put her provisions bag on the middle of it. She felt a small stake there and tied the bag to it, glad to have had it on her shoulder when the horse threw her.

In place of oars the raft held two long poles, tied to another stake with string. Katja grasped one of the them, untied the boat from the pier and pushed off.

The wind was still and so was the river. The banks seemed to have been widened by human hands, which along with all the irrigation canals made the river shallow and gentle. Once she realized how best to push the raft onwards keeping a steady pace to the east became simple and really rather easy.

Thanks, you Brotherhood bastard
, she thought angrily. He deserved to die because of Blossoms, and following his instructions galled her. When all of this was done with she would provide the Shades with a detailed description of the man. It would hopefully be enough to dig up his name, but wouldn’t be as sweet as striking him down herself.

If he truly is so well-defended I might have let a rare opportunity slip through my fingers,
Katja thought as the raft floated past trees and hills.
Blast it all.

She again reminded herself to prioritize and focus on what lay ahead. Whatever that was. She had no better idea of how to handle things in Pine City.

I will have to speak with Linda and her husband, and so get a clearer picture of the situation. That will have to be the first step. Until then I cannot decide anything.

She probably ought to just focus on the river, but the journey went so smoothly that her attention had little to focus on, and so would drift towards worry and theories and half-formed plans.

It was therefore rather a relief when the trip began to get more interesting. For one thing, she found herself passing through a tiny hamlet. A few houses stood on either side of the river, black and lifeless boxes in the darkness. There was no bridge and Katja was wondering just how this setup worked when the raft scraped against the bottom. Katja jolted and almost fell in face-first. The raft slid on a few metres before coming to a stop, and pushing at the riverbed with the pole did nothing.

What is going on?!
she thought and pushed with all her might.
These rafts are used on this river!

She was probably too close to the bank. The locals presumably knew the river’s quirks and where to have care.

Katja put the pole down carefully and put her feet into the riverbed. The cold hit her and she gasped while pulling the raft about.

A dog began barking somewhere on the southern bank, and Katja became very aware of her vulnerability. This would be a good spot for an ambush. She summoned her vigour and put her weight into the task, and the raft inched along the rocky bottom. The river opened up beneath it again, and Katja clambered back on board.

She was wet up to the chest and slapped her torso as she left the hamlet and the loud bastard dog behind. She could not move about to any degree and was too tired to warm up by pushing the raft on at full speed. She felt around for a bit of meat in the sack and wolfed it down in the hope that it would help.

I wonder where the horse is?
Katja thought as she continued slapping herself in-between pushing the raft on. It seemed Garan would not be returning what he had borrowed. She took a little while to feel bad about that, before reiterating to herself that more important matters were at stake.

The hamlet marked a certain turning point. Shortly after passing it the river grew more narrow and rapid. People probably carried the rafts if they needed to get upriver on this portion, or perhaps they just didn’t take them this far east. She also saw that the hills were finally sloping down to a notable degree, and a moment later she realized that she could tell as much because the sky was brightening. Morning was around the corner, with its warm and revitalizing sunlight.

Katja sat with her legs crossed on the middle of the raft and hugged herself tightly. This night was coming to an end. She would be relatively safe from ambushes and would hopefully have a clearer picture of things. She didn’t even need to push the raft anymore. The current carried her towards the sea, and she ought to be able to step on land and head north to the city before noon.

So she finally allowed herself to relax a bit, for the first time since the assault on Blossoms.

The calm before the storm. Best savour it
, she thought and closed her eyes and listened to the babbling of the river.

Her mind emptied at the soothing din, and just then came the warning. Katja opened her eyes.

The raft was almost upon a narrow bridge. Something on top of it moved very quickly.

Katja rolled to the side and something hit the raft. A javelin.

The man on the bridge raised another one and Katja sprang into full wakefulness. The javelin flew down right after another warning sting, just before the raft went under the bridge. Katja, stiff and cold and tired, rolled quickly but clumsily. Her legs went into the water, and she had to grab onto the bag to not fall in completely.

“It’s me!” Vajan shouted, and Katja yanked one of the javelins out of the raft’s wood. He picked up the third one as soon as she came out from the bridge. She managed to pull her legs back onto the raft and rise to one knee with the javelin in her hand.

Vajan hesitated on the third throw and flinched as she held the javelin in a throwing position, but the river was separating them quickly and he let the missile fly. Katja let herself drop to the side, and the weapon flew over her and into the water. She rose up and threw, but the wobbling raft was not conductive to precision and the javelin missed Vajan as he ran towards the southern bank.

Katja picked up the other javelin and readied it, but the man had vanished behind foliage. She hesitated out of fear of further missiles, but then took up the pole. She had to get onto land, and fast!

But then she heard horses.

“You will die in Pine City, Red!” Vajan shouted.

“I have heard such things before!” she replied.

The hoofbeats grew more distant and headed away from Katja rather than down along the river. Katja stood utterly still on the raft for a little while with the pole in her hands, but then let it hang in a loose grip. She could not run horses down.

Katja released her breath slowly and took her eyes off the bank. Then she used the energy the incident had lit in her and began to push the raft on. She had to finish this journey, quickly.

--------------------

An area where the river had clearly once been wider was well suited to stopping. She directed the raft into the north bank’s rocky sand, then let the pole drop and sighed as she savoured not having to use it anymore.

She stepped onto land and stretched for a few moments, before dragging it further onto the sand so it wouldn’t float away. Then she scarfed down half of what little food she had left.

Onwards
, she thought and pushed herself into action, javelin in hand.

The area between the hills and the ocean was mostly a grassy plain. It was rather windy and given how flat the plants were this was apparently a consistent state of things. There was a great number of mounds but they were broad and flat, poorly suited for hiding behind.

Katja nonetheless did not lower her guard. She constantly scanned her surroundings and minded any noise she heard. She did not allow herself to rest, even if just mentally. She did not allow herself to consider how comfortable it would be to lay down on a grassy knoll beneath the rays of the morning sun, or to let her mind slid into a haze as her body marched on.

A rider could not surprise her in this area and if anyone intended to lie flat behind a knoll they would have to know ahead of time exactly which route she would take. But this was how things were. This was how careful she had to be in hostile territory, when no-one was around to aid her.

As noon approached she saw a village in the distance, but neither headed towards it nor tried to find a road. She squinted and was trying to spot people when her foot snagged on something and she fell forward.

“Oof.”

The body’s needs could be dismissed forever. Katja heard the babbling of a nearby stream and staggered towards it. There she finally sat down, quenched her thirst and ate her very last provisions. She did not lean back, out of fear of nodding off, but rather crossed her arms on her knees and leaned her forehead up against them for a brief while. Then Katja gathered her strength, slapped her thighs and stood up.

She saw more villages as she progressed north and the plain grew more lush. However, she saw very few people and livestock in the distance. She supposed many had fled behind the city walls in fear of Valdimar’s army and brought most of their animals with them. Invading armies weren’t known for being courteous about gathering food, after all.

Finally, about three hours after noon she saw the city and sighed with relief. She had known she had to precede the army, but seeing confirmation was still a great relief.