Haven Keep (Book 1) (15 page)

Redd pushed Von through the swinging door.  No one seemed to notice him enter.  Music filled the Hall.  Some people danced.  Laughing and twirling to the lute and pipe music. At the head table sat Baiden, his wife, his councilors and Anora.  Von’s gaze rested on her a moment.

There were five other men at the table Von didn’t recognize.  The one at the end was the largest man Von had ever seen.  They were all large gruff looking men. 
Must be the messengers from the Halfen.
  Von tried to hide in a corner by himself.  He searched for an empty table, somewhere he could sit alone.

A hand on Von’s shoulder drew his attention from his search of the Hall.  It was Roren. “Come take your place with us,” he said.  “We were wondering when you would finally make an
appearance.”

Von couldn’t sit with the guests at the head table.  It wouldn’t look right.  If Baiden was trying to gain some influence with the Halfen, this wasn’t the way to do it.

“Come Von,” Roren insisted.  “Your food is going to get cold.”

Von followed Roren to the head table.  Roren took his seat with the other councilors.  The only seat left was Kaiden’s empty chair, between Alensa and Anora.  Von wasn’t about to sit there.

Baiden’s face widened into a grin.  “Von,” he said, “sit, sit.”  He gestured towards the open seat.

Von hesitated.

Alensa spoke, “Go on, Von.  It is past time that you took your seat with us.”

Von was glad she didn’t speak loud enough for the whole room to hear.  The Halfen heard though and their disapproval showed on their faces.  They hid it quickly and Von wasn’t sure if anyone but himself noticed.  Von saw no escape.  He sat down between the two women.  He could feel his face turning red.  Anora gave him a sideways look and smiled.  Alensa was smiling too, but concern showed through. She never could hide her emotions well.  She must be worrying about Kaiden.  He would be home within the next day or two.  Von noticed looks from the other tables as well.  He tried to ignore them.

One of the Halfen spoke. “Is this your orphan boy?”  He made no attempt to hide his contempt nor his rotten teeth.  Alensa stiffened.

“Slave boy is what I heard,” another said.  He appeared he could be the brother of the first.

“Watch your mouths in the presence of our host and lord,” snapped the huge man at the end of the table.

He turned towards Baiden. “I apologize for my crude companions.  They don’t often have cause to be in the company of more civilized men.”  He shot warning looks at the other two.  The pair glared back at him, but made no response.

“No offense has been given,” responded Baiden.  He remained calm through the whole exchange.  “This is Von.  He is a blacksmith.  Highly skilled, and a near master.”

“Quite an accomplishment for one so young,” a fourth man said with a disbelieving tone.  His hair was dark, nearly black.

“If you will forgive us again, young Von,” the large man said, giving the dark haired man the same glare he gave the other two.  “We have not yet introduced ourselves.  We are Halfen.  I’m sure you have heard the sad news we have brought.”  Not waiting for an acknowledgment, he went on.  “I am Jubben.”  He gestured to the men sitting with him.  “This is Dennen and Drake.  They are brothers if you could not tell.”  Jubben’s eyes never left Von.  “And the other two are Greggor and Vlennen.”  He leaned forward.  His size made it appear he’d stood up and leered.  “You must have an interesting story young Von.  If you do not mind, I would like to hear it.”

“There isn’t much to tell,” Von began.

“Von needed rescuing, and we rescued him.” Baiden interrupted.  “He has proved his worth time and again and now has taken a place in our society.”

“I see,” Jubben replied.  He did not look satisfied.  “No matter, we have other issues to discuss.  As you probably know, Ky has been chosen to lead the Halfen.”

The corner of Baiden’s mouth twitched, but that was all the reaction he showed.

Jubben went on.  “Of course it still needs to meet with the others chiefs approval, and your own.”  Jubben looked sideways at Von as if he was saying too much for ears that should not be listening.

“That approval is really just a formality,” Baiden answered.  “It is tradition, and old tradition, but still, just a formality.”

Von knew nothing of this Ky fellow, but he would bet his freedom that Baiden was not pleased with this turn of events.

“If your clan has made its choice,” Baiden said, “Ky can be confirmed at the gathering of chiefs.  It is less than a month from now.”

“It is our choice,” Drake hissed, “and no one else’s.”  He looked poised to do murder or worse.  “He will take his rightful place with the chiefs.”  Von thought Drake felt Ky’s rightful place was at the head of those chiefs, more than just an equal.

Baiden’s eyes narrowed, but Jubben spoke first. “Is that not what Lord Baiden has just said?”  He emphasized the title.  “Do not forget yourself and where you are.”

Von knew Baiden to be a patient man, but not one to be trifled with, nor pushed too far.  He was a gentle and kind master, but that kindness went only so far.  If these men thought Baiden weak they were fools.  If Drake wanted to offend Baiden he wasn’t far from it.  A fool made enemies needlessly.  Only a big fool made an enemy of Baiden.

“Of course Ky will be welcomed to his rightful place.”  Baiden made it clear with his tone where he thought that rightful place was.  “Enough of this.  We can speak more of it later, in private.”  Baiden’s face did not changed, but his eyes were darker, more alert.  “For now let us enjoy this meal, and the music.”  He motioned to the musicians in the corner.  “Play something lively.  Something befitting the celebration of our friends arrival.”  Somehow the use of the word “friends” sounded sincere.

The musicians struck up a merry tune, reminding Von of a dance he’d seen at court years before.  He shook his head.  Every time he tried to forget his old life, resign himself to a new one, he would find himself thinking of his old home.  Reminders seemed to be everywhere these days.  He didn’t want to think of that now, his old life was gone, never to come back.  Anora was right, he could call this home, if he truly wanted.  He felt a sense of belonging, and at the moment there was nowhere else to go.  He was learning to call this home.  And then there was Anora.

Von realized Alensa was speaking softly to him.

“Why don’t you dance with Anora?”

Von’s face went white. 
Had she read his thoughts?
  No, if she had she certainly would not have asked him to dance with her daughter.  She certainly would not approve.

Von looked to Baiden.  The man actually wore an approving look. 
Had everyone gone mad in the last week?
Before Von knew it Baiden was pushing him out of his seat.  With a little coaxing from her mother Anora rose as well.  She actually looked excited.  He hadn’t danced in nearly a decade and then it was as a child.  There must be a way out of this.  If there was he didn’t find it.

Before Von knew what was happening Anora’s hand was in his and they were on the floor.  She moved gracefully, gliding along with the music.  He picked the steps up but moved clumsily compared to her.  She radiated beauty.  Von’s mouth went dry.  She must have noticed, the light in her eyes turned mischievous and her smile became taunting.  She danced closer to him.  Von’s face felt hot.  He must be as red as a frost onion.  He hoped too many eyes were not watching.

Others joined the dance, something Von was grateful for.  He and Anora glided around them, stepping with the music.  She moved easily, was light on her feet, more graceful than Von would have believed.

“When are you going to move into the Hall?”  Those emerald eyes gazed up at him questioningly.  “Soon I hope.”  She spun and twirled, her golden hair swaying.  “I could show you your room,” she laughed.  “It is ready when you are.”  Her smile broadened and her eyebrows raised. “Many things will be ready for you when you decide you are ready for them.  That’s not just my father speaking.”

Von missed a step.  She could not mean what he thought she did, what he hoped she did.  He wanted to please her, but dare not hope for more.  He was what life had given him and not what life had taken from him.  No more than that, and he possessed nothing to offer her.  He was reconciled to that fact now, only he knew it was a lie.  A lie he kept telling himself.  She deserved more, deserved better.  Von wished he believed that lie too.

The dance came to an end.  Von wished it could go on forever, but  at the same time was glad it was over.  He glanced around the Hall, saw the faces staring at them.  Some smiled approvingly, others looked aghast, especially Berkler.  Von didn’t care if Anora wanted to continue dancing.  He led her off the floor as quickly as he could.

“I could move my things in here tonight,” Von said with a rush.  He didn’t want to move.  He still felt uncomfortable, but he did want to please her.

“Good,” she smiled at him.  “I can show you which room is yours.”

They walked arm in arm, he was no longer leading her.

Von noticed Baiden, his councilors and the Halfen were no longer at the table.  Alensa was still there, the worry over the Halfen gone from her face, replaced by a pleased expression.  A look for her daughter, and for him. 
Did she not realize that the daughter of a lord did not belong with a former slave?
  Maybe they did know the full truth. 
No, that was impossible.

Suppressing a grimace, Von let Anora lead him up the stairs.  She was heading towards the apartments where the lord’s family dwelt.  This could not be right.  These were the largest and the most luxurious in the Great Hall.  Not that anything in the Hall was luxurious, at least not
as luxurious the old empire.  Von was surprised when she stopped.

“This is it,” she announced.

“Do not tease me,” Von said.  This was the guest quarters for visiting lords.  Of course Von had never seen another lord come to visit, but the clan chiefs stayed here when they came.  This wasn’t funny.

“I’m not teasing.”  She opened the door and went inside.  It was nearly as large as Baiden’s.  Half the furnishings would not have even fit in his old room.  There was a table and a desk.  Padded chairs.  A large hearth on one side of the wall.  On the mantle were books.  Books!  “Well, are you coming in?”

Von realized his mouth was hanging open.  He shut it quickly and followed Anora through the door.  On the table was a vase with fresh flowers.  Anora picked it up and smelled them.  She looked beautiful even doing that.  She set them back down.  “A room warming gift.”

“From you?” Von asked.

Anora tilted her head sideways giving him a level look.  “Do you mean to tell me there might be someone else who would be giving you flowers?”  She plucked one of the flowers from the vase, combed his hair back with her fingers and tucked it gently behind his ear.  “You took so long in coming here that the first ones started to wilt.”  She giggled.  “I was beginning to think I would have to replace these as well.”

“This is too much,” Von protested.

“Nonsense,” Anora wagged a finger at him.  “My father thinks highly of you, and others do as well.”  She glided back over to the vase and pretended to arrange the flowers.

“What do you think of me?”

Anora’s back stiffened.  “Do I have to spell it out for you?”  Her voice no longer sounded so pleasant.  She rounded on him.  “I should have left the dead flowers.”  She sounded angry but her face wore a smile.

“No, no.  Ah, thanks, thank you.” Von stammered.  “They are beautiful.  Not nearly so as you.”

Her eyes were full of laughter and amusement.  He must have said something right.  He moved to the table, next to her, pulling another flower from the vase.  Cupping her oval face with his rough calloused hands he arranged it in her hair.  Its violet and pink petals contrasted with her eyes, complementing them at the same time.  His breath caught at the beauty of her.

She turned away. “There is a letter here from my father.”  She pointed to the desk.  “It is getting late.  I should go.”

Von grabbed the letter from the desk top.  “What’s it say?”  He asked as he fumbled to get it open.  “Anora?”

Von turned around, Anora was gone.  He stuffed the letter in his pocket, went quickly to the door and was met by Isk and Jen.  The dogs barked angrily.

Von tried to push passed them.  Isk grabbed Von’s hand in his mouth.  Jen began nudging him with her nose, still barking.

“What now?”

He could see Anora’s slim shape disappearing around the corner.  Isk pulled at him, growling.  Jen was barking louder now.

“I guess I can’t go after her now.”  He tried to shake his hand loose. Isk bit down harder,  continued pulling at him.  “Ok, ok, I’ll follow you.  This better be important.”

The dogs probably just wanted to be fed.  “To the kitchen I suppose.  I can easily find you something there.”

Von was glad to be in the company of the dogs.  He understood them better than he did Anora.  Lately the dogs were making more sense than even Baiden.