Haven Keep (Book 1) (22 page)

“Just so you know, my other choice is Soren.  I will speak with him when he returns.  Berkler has not yet said yes and no one else knows, so I would like it kept between you and I .”

“Of course,” Von answered. Now Soren was a choice Von could understand.  He would be a good man for Baiden to keep close considering what was on the horizon.

              “If there is nothing else I will take my leave.”

“There is one thing,” Von said.  “I will need my privacy tomorrow.  I have something I must do.  You must make sure that no one disturbs me.”  Baiden looked puzzled, but Von continued without explanation.  “I will need a few days to work, maybe more.  I can’t be interrupted. Can you do that for me?”

“I can.”  Baiden gave Von a slight bow and turned to go.  It made Von uncomfortable. 

Von returned to his task. His mind raced with the events of the last few days.  So much had happened, and so much was going to happen  They needed to be prepared.  Tomorrow Von would start something that would give him an edge against his enemies.  He hoped. 

Von checked and rechecked his tools.  He placed them all in locations easily within hands reach.  What he needed was an apprentice to help him. 
But who could he trust?  Certainly not Berkler, no matter what Baiden said.
  He would just have to try and do it on his own.  It would just make the task more difficult, not impossible.

“So you have made your decision?”

Von turned to find Anora standing in the doorway.  Baiden had the courtesy to knock.  Anora just walked in unannounced.  There was no reason for her not to.  She didn’t know anything more today than she did a week ago.  Von preferred it that way.  And he liked her company.

“Decision about what?”  Von asked.

“You are to be a blacksmith?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Anora looked irritated and sounded more than a little disappointed.  “Both you and I know you could be so much more.  Why settle?” Even when she was lecturing him her voice was musical.

“Blacksmiths are very respected,” Von protested.  “I could make a very good living.”  He was not about to tell her everything just to keep her from asking him about his plans in life.

Anora changed the subject. “I brought you lunch again.”  She smiled. Von loved that smile.  “With your track record I didn’t want you to miss another meal.”

“I have been eating just fine.” 

“You have, have  you?  I don’t think you could convince Redd  anything of the sort was even close to the truth.”

Von laughed.  He could not argue with her.  He never was good at winning an argument, especially with her. Winning an argument with Anora was near impossible.  Von could do nothing but wash his hands and sit down to eat.  What he should do  is take her down to the banks of the Emerald Fjord and eat a picnic on the shore.  Probably not the best idea with all the snow on the ground.  Another time perhaps.

Anora opened her knapsack and laid the food out.

“Thank you,” von said.  He knew he should say more, but again found  he didn’t know what to say.  He wasn’t uncomfortable around her, it was just lately he felt different about her and didn’t know how to express it.  Maybe he should let her do the talking.

They ate in silence. 

The food was pleasant, but not as pleasant as the company.   Anora brought beef sandwiches and fruit.  Von was not shy in the way he ate.  He needed his strength over the next few days, so he ate everything Anora placed before him.  Anora only ate a little, mostly just
watched him.  Finally she began to make small talk.  Von didn’t care if she talked or not.  He just liked her being there.

“Well, I have things to do,” Anora announced. 

“Thank you for lunch.” Von stammered.  “It was wonderful.”  He stood with her. “Let me walk you back.”

She smiled as if to say she would like that.

They were interrupted by another knock at the double wide doors.

A tall young man almost as tall as the doorway stood in front of them.  Dethan.  Von hadn’t seen him for years.  He was the son of Jeret, the chief of the Celtens, and one of Kaiden’s good friends.  Von liked him, it was hard not to.  Most of the girls did as well.  His hair was light brown, just a little darker than most northern men and his eyes were piercing blue.  His build was athletic and strong.  It was no wonder he normally had a gaggle of young girls following him around.  He’d grown a few inches since Von had last seen him.   His presence meant the Celtens had arrived and would travel with Baiden to the meeting of the chiefs.

“I was told you two were in here,” Dethan announced.

He said  “you two” but Von could tell he was looking for Anora.  He had a thing for her ever since Von could remember.  Anora sometimes returned the interest.

“So Kaiden is not around?” It sounded like a question, but was more of a statement.

“No, but how are you Dethan?” Von asked.

“I’m good, “ Dethan answered.  “And from the looks of you, you are too.  You look like you’ve grown three inches since I last saw you.”

“I was going to say the same about you.  Kaiden should return within the next few days,” Von said.  “He’s been hunting.  Some kind of animal has been disturbing the flocks.  It even took a young boy.”

“So I’ve heard.  Do they know what it was?”

“No, but I’m sure Kaiden will bring back a nice pelt to lay next to the hearth.”

“I’m sure he will.”

“I’m going to leave you two boys to your manly talk,” Anora said and started towards the door. 

“Wait,” Dethan said.  “I’ll see you tonight?  At dinner?”

“I’m sure,” Anora answered.

“Thank you again,” Von called after her.

She turned and smiled, her emerald eyes sparkled.  Von thought she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen.

“She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen,” Dethan said. 

Von laughed at hearing an echo of his own thoughts.

“What are you laughing at Von?  She is.  I’d give anything to have her look at me the way she just looked at you.”

Von laughed again, “You must be seeing something I’m not.”

“You are blind then Von.  Too bad for you you’re just a bond servant.”

“Well actually I am a free enterprising blacksmith.”

“What?!”  Dethan sounded shocked.

“I have been for a few of days now.  Baiden is letting me use his shop until I get my own.”

“How?” Dethan shook his head.

“I guess I just had a benevolent master.”

“I guess so.”  Dethan changed from shaking to nodding.  He even looked pleased at his friend’s fortunate turn of events. “I’m sure I will see you tonight then too.”

“I’m sure you will.”

They both laughed, shook hands and Dethan left, disappearing the way he’d come,   leaving Von alone to finish his work.

Chapter Thirteen

Kaiden made himself comfortable at a rock next to the fire.  There were more than a few small fires burning in the camp with four or five men crowded around each.  Kaiden found himself seated alone at one of those fires near the edge of the camp.  All the men were cordial, and some were occasionally friendly, but he was still an outsider and most of the party made no effort to mingle with him, despite the curiosity he sensed many of them harbored.  Kaiden was curious as well, and hoped to learn more about these men before he returned home.

He slurped the last bits of stew Tostig gave him and warmed his hands near the fire.  The flames burned brightly and Kaiden welcomed the heat.

He was in a small camp, one Oded and his men had used before.  There were no permanent structures, but the clearing was free of trees, allowing for the use of a couple large tents.  Most of the men slept on the ground.  Easier to pack up and move that way.

The ride up the mountain was long and hard on both the horses and the men.  Kaiden took care of Rove before he saw to his own comforts.  Now he wanted sleep.  He was exhausted, and though still extremely curious about Tostig and the rest of these men, they could wait until he found time to recoup.  Besides, Kaiden didn’t think he was going to get much information out of them anytime soon. The way he felt he could easily fall asleep next to this fire and probably not wake up for three days.

Tostig finished whatever he’d been doing and made his way over to Kaiden.  It amazed Kaiden how efficient these men were.   They were almost as large as a an army detatchment, yet moved with the speed of Kaiden’s small hunting party, all the while keeping their numbers hidden well.  Kaiden still didn’t know how many men he was traveling with.  As soon as he thought he’d made an accurate count he would discover a group of three to five men he hadn’t seen before.  And there were scouts that kept appearing out of nowhere and disappearing back into the woods.   These would be dangerous men to fight against, particularly in this terrain.  Kaiden found himself hoping they were as friendly as they seemed.

Tostig sat down on the fallen log next to Kaiden.  “I hope you don’t mind if I join you.”

“Not at all,” Kaiden answered.  Maybe he could pick Tostig’s brain, find out a little more about these men.  Who they were, where they’d come from.

Tostig wasted no time in getting started.  “I wish to rest your fears a bit.  I know you must have a hundred or so questions you want answered.  I will answer what I can.  Maybe I can start by telling you a little about us.”

This was going to be easier than Kaiden thought.  Assuming Tostig decided to tell the truth.  Even if he did tell the truth there was no way of knowing.  Maybe it wouldn’t be so easy after all.

“Tell away,” Kaiden said.

“Well,” Tostig began, “where to start?  Where to start?”  Tostig paused for a moment collecting his thoughts.  “As you know, and as we’ve told you, we are refugees from the war. 
That’s not exactly accurate I guess.  We are a remnant of what was left after Evenfelle’s battle with the Horde.  We have been... fighting, I guess you could call it, ever since.  More like skirmishing.  Nothing to compare with the first battle in which the armies of Evenfelle were smashed.  I was barely old enough to hold a sword then.  We have been trying to deal blows to the Horde at strategic spots.  Mostly ambushes and attacks on outlying forts.  More often than not we have been running.  The Horde has never really seen fit to send enough forces to deal with us sufficiently until recently.”

“Why is that?” Kaiden asked.

“I guess the Demon Mage has never really seen us as a threat, and until now the Horde was occupied with the Gothen Isles.  There was a rumor some general or royal family member escaped to the islands.  I don’t think the rumor was true, but for some reason the Horde believed it. We even looked into it for a while.  The Horde does not have a very strong navy.  For that reason the Gothen Ilses were able to hold out for years.  The strength of the Black Horde is in their cavalry.  It is unmatched by anything I have seen or heard of, in the skill of their horsemen as well as the might of their numbers.  Not that I have seen much beyond my own lands, or what used to be my land.  It is all the Horde’s now.”  Tostig sounded disturbed about the last part more than any other.

“I am sorry for your loss.”  Kaiden was sorry.  No one deserved to have their homeland overrun by a marauding army.  From what he learned in his youth, the north was supposed to have come to the aid of Evenfelle, and never did.   The destruction of Evenfelle always made Kaiden think of Von.  “I wish we could have been of help to you.”

“Do not waste your strength feeling sorry for us.  We know you tried.  At least your father did.  The Horde is led by some kind of sorcerer.  A warrior wizard, the Demon Mage he is called.  He sent the storm that drove the dragon ships back north.  Even if Azmark had arrived at the battle field they would have been too late, and probably would have been dealt worse losses than they already received.”  Tostig sighed.  “The Horde will soon turn its strength this direction.  With the fall of the Gothen Isles there is only one direction for them to go.  Well two directions I guess, but I doubt they will turn around and go back home.”  Tostig laughed at his own joke.

Kaiden did not find any of this funny.

“The Horde is still searching and have shown no signs of slowing down.  There are a few strongholds left in the high desert plains, but I fear they will not hold out for long.”

“I still don’t understand why they didn’t send more men to pursue you.” Kaiden wondered aloud.

“Well, as I said, they seem to be searching for something.  They search all the cities, towns, villages.  We don’t know what they are looking for.  My father might, but he doesn’t say.”

“You mean Oded may know?”  Kaiden asked.

“Maybe.”  Tostig answered.  “I don’t know, but I suspect he does.”

“What makes you suspect?”

“Other than the fact he is so quiet on the subject?”

“Other than that, yes.”

“You have clerics here in the north.”  It was not a question.

“You know we do.”

“Do they dream?”

Kaiden gave Tostig a sideways glance, he thought they’d discussed this already.  This man was a puzzle.  “I’ve heard they do.  I don’t know much about them or how the dreams are interpreted.”  
What was Tostig getting at?
“Do you dream?”

Kaiden didn’t know why he even asked the question.  Tostig admitted as much earlier.

Tostig smiled as if to say I know you aren’t going to believe me.  “I do.  More often of late.  I mostly dream of storms.”