Haven Keep (Book 1) (41 page)

Flenn leapt from his horse and met the women at Baiden’s side.  He was still breathing, but there was a nasty cut across his face.  He tried to sit up, but Alensa pushed him gently back down.

“Lie still,” she pleaded.

“I’m fine,” Baiden groaned.  “I just have a slight head ache.  You know, like when and anvil falls on your head.”

“Daddy, your hand!”

“Oh, I never used those three fingers anyways.  I’m fine.  Let me up.”

Despite the protests, Baiden pushed himself to his feet.  Alensa was doing her best to wrap his hand in a handkerchief.   Both she and Anora were crying.  Flenn did not blame them.  The only Celten left alive was Dethan.  If it were not for Oded and Tostig it was likely none of them would be living.  Instead it was the Halfen who had seen the last day.

  Baiden tried to get to his horse.  He fell to his knees halfway there.  Alensa laid him softly to the ground.

“Lay still.  You need rest.”

Baiden didn’t protest this time.

Flenn surveyed the damage.  Dax, Ronnie, and Scott had joined the fray, and lost their lives for it.  Who knows who still lived because they sacrificed themselves.

Tostig approached Flenn, his voice low for Flenn’s ear alone.  “Next time, unless there is no other choice, only charge through superior forces with a partner.  You ride close together and do not let any enemies between you.  That way you do not have to fight two men at once.  I saw you almost lost your head.”

“I’ll remember that.”  Flenn had almost lost his head.   The advice would have been good to have heard before the fight.

“Also,” Tostig continued his council, “if there are three of you the one on the far right rides slightly behind and lets just one enemy between the two horses.  Both men then attack to the right and the man on the left attacks to the left.  You still only fight one man at a time.  If one man falls you close ranks.”

Flenn shook his head.  Dethan was mourning his father, Baiden had nearly lost his life as well, and this man was giving lessons in warfare.   Flenn sighed, maybe he should be a little more grateful.  Tostig and his father had just saved all their lives.

“Thank you, I will remember.  Hopefully I will never have need to use your advice.”

“You will, and probably sooner than you think.”

Flenn knew Tostig was only stating the truth.  He just wished that it wasn’t. 

For now Baiden needed care.  He needed bandages and water.  Alensa was seeing to it.  She was probably doing a better job than Flenn could, but Flenn felt  he should do something.

Alensa put a field dressing on Baiden’s head and hand, and Baiden was now resting easy.  He would need to be moved to the tent eventually, but that could wait a few moments.  Flenn fetched a blanket for him, then thought of the women.  He returned again with two more blankets for Alensa and Anora.  They huddled close to Baiden.  Flenn kept a watch on them. 

“We cannot continue to Stone Abbey, my lady,” Flenn said.  He hoped he didn’t sound
like he was giving orders.  “The Halfen will kill us.  We must return to Azmark and bring greater forces.”

“I know, Flenn.”  Alensa sighed.  She had seen too much sorrow in her life already.  Now there was only going to be more.

“Baiden will be fine.”  Flenn tried to sound comforting.  He was sure he was failing miserably. 

“I know he will,” she smiled at him. “And I know you will see us safely home.”

“I will.”  Flenn would do his best.  There was no point in telling Alensa there could be more Halfen around.  They would not survive another attack.  “I’m going to help Dethan.” 

Dethan was laying the bodies of his father and his councilors in a line.  He would strap them to their horses in the morning so he could return them to home for a proper burial.   If it was up to Flenn he would leave the bodies of the Halfen to the wolves.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Flenn offered.  He truly was, he just wasn’t sure how to show it.

Dethan said nothing.  Flenn started helping, not knowing what else to do or say.  They finished by laying blankets over the tops of the bodies.  That was the best they could do for now.

“Is what the Halfen said true?”  Dethan asked.

“Is what true?”

“That Baiden has brought a foreign army to the north to subject it to his rule.  That he assassinated Cray to hide the fact.”

“None of it is true.”

“None of it?  Some of it has to be.  Oded is here.  The heir of Evenfelle is alive somewhere.  Baiden never denied that.”

“Don’t forget you were,... no, you
are
a citizen of Evenfelle.  We are part of the empire.”

“How can I follow a man who led my father to his death?”

Flenn needed to be careful with what he said.  This was the heir to the Celten clan, and now its rightful ruler.  If the Halfen truly did have two clans on their side already, the loss of the Celtens would be a death blow.  “Remember always who it was who killed your father.  Your Father was a wise man.  He trusted Baiden.”

“And now he is dead.  How can we stand against the Halfen?  They are too strong.  They are by far the most numerous.  What do I care who is chosen Lord of Azmark?  As long as my clan is left in peace.”

“No one will be left in peace.”

“But I can choose the winning side.”

If Flenn knew for sure Dethan would lead his clan to join the Halfen he would have killed him now.    No, Dethan could not do that.  It was the grief talking.  He would see reason, would see the Halfen’s treachery.  He would not join himself to that.  Flenn just couldn’t believe Dethan capable of such a thing.  Nor the Celten clan.  They would not follow the Halfen.

Flenn put his hand on Dethan’s shoulder. “We will win, Dethan.  We will win.”

Flenn left Dethan to go find Oded.  He was with Tostig.  Flenn hoped the rest of Oded’s army fought as well as he and his son did.  “We owe you our lives,” Flenn said.

“You will have ample time to return the favor,” Oded spoke candidly.  “We will need to see the women safely home.  You and Berkler will need to return with a larger force to Stone Abbey.  You will have to speak on behalf of your chief.  Like it or not, you are the senior councilor and are the one everyone else will look to for direction.”

“I could use your help.”

“I am confident you will do well,” Oded said, “but don’t worry.  I will remain with you as much as I can.”

“And you Tostig?”

“I must return to our people,” Tostig answered.  “They must be warned of this threat.  We will come to your aid with our full forces.”

“And we to yours.”  He clasped Tostig’s hand.  Tostig mounted his horse, nodded a goodbye, and rode off.

I guess he is not wasting any time
, Flenn thought.  

Flenn watched Tostig go and knew there would be much more fighting before this was over.  There was war now in the north.  The Halfen had brought it earlier than anyone expected, but it was here now and Flenn could no longer see any way around it, nor any way to avoid it.  The Halfen would need to be dealt with quickly before the Horde descended on the north.  Without being united, the north would never stand against the Horde.

“Come, we must see to Baiden, then get some rest ourselves,” Oded said.  “It will be a long night.”

“Yes, a long night,” Flenn agreed. 
And a long fight.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Von and Kaiden hadn’t seen the Halfen men for two nights.  The signs of the Halfen passing were obvious.  Von need not be an expert tracker to see the deep prints in the snow left by the men on horseback. The Halfen continued east, the same direction Von and Kaiden traveled.  They must be trying to get home through the mountains.  Any direction but the one they had come.  The Halfen were running scared, running as if chased by all the demons in the Rift.  Von wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t stop until they reached the east coast of Azmark.   He wondered if any of the other Halfen were still alive.  Not that he cared, it would just be good to know if kaiden and he were still being followed.  Followed by something other than the vyr. 

The coming of day brought more than just warmth.  The light chased away the shadows, and Von quit looking over his shoulder at every turn.  The bright morning almost allowed him to forget the horrors of the night.

Kaiden hadn’t spoken for hours.  Von didn’t blame him.  He had no desire for conversation either.  They moved through the sparse forest in near silence, the crunch under the horses’ hooves the only sound other than the occasional chirping squirrel.  Most birds were gone for the winter and soon the squirrels would hide themselves away for the coming months too.  Everything was moving down the mountains in preparation for the coming winter, looking for warmer temperatures and greener pastures.  Everything except Kaiden and Von.  Further up they wound their way, chasing after a mystery Von hoped would somehow help against the Horde.

Von estimated they would reach Haven Keep within the next day or two.  It was hard to tell for sure traveling in the deep snow.  It significantly hampered their speed.

The dogs kept up well.  Isk and Jen were beginning to grow their winter coats.  They would need them to stay warm in these conditions.  Von wished he could grow a coat of his own.  He shivered then pulled his dark cloak tighter around his body.  He was glad Anora had given it to him.  He did not own anything else that would have kept him so warm, and it helped to remind him of her.  Remind him he had a reason to return safely home.

“Time for breakfast,” Kaiden announced.

Von agreed.  They had traveled all night, stopping only at short intervals to rest the horses.   The animals had all gotten some sleep, but Kaiden and he didn’t dare even try.  They could not keep this pace up for long.  The horses would die from exhaustion.  Kaiden and he just may too.

Kaiden started a fire while Von rummaged through the packs looking for something they could warm up and fill their bellies with.  He found a few carrots, peppers and onions then threw them in a pot.  He added a little salted beef, filled the remainder of the pot with fresh snow, then collapsed  next to the fire.

“How long you planning on staying here?” Kaiden asked.

“Long enough for this to cook.”

“You sure we can afford that much time?”

“If we keep moving like this the horses will die.”

“You have a point,” Kaiden agreed.  “I don’t want to end up carrying you.”

“Carrying me?  You’re the one that looks like he is about to fall over.”

“The only reason you don’t look like you are going to fall over is you are already laying flat on your back.”

“I’m just conserving my energy,” Von laughed.  “What little I have left.”  It was easy to joke with Kaiden.  Kaiden always reminded him of his older brother, it was why Von felt so at home with him.

“Yeah, I know.”  Kaiden plopped down next to Von. “The wind has stopped.  As a matter of fact, I haven’t felt so much as a breeze in over a day.   Maybe we can risk a little sleep.”

“Okay, but I go first.” Von thought it was a good idea.  They couldn’t keep this pace up for long.  They would die from exhaustion before they ever died from the cold, or whatever other dangers lurked behind them.

“No way, you’re cooking the stew.  Wake me up if you feel the wind pick up.”

“Fine, but if you sleep too long, I’m feeding the rest to the dogs.”

Kaiden smiled.  “Just wake me up if the wind starts to stir.”

Von nodded and mixed the stew while Kaiden made himself comfortable on his bed roll.  His stomach growled at the smell.  He’d forgotten how hungry he was.  He slumped back down next to the fire and ate a few morsels of bread to tie him over until the stew was done.  However hungry he was, he was even more tired.  Kaiden must be worse.  At least Von had gotten some sleep a few nights back, as restless as it might have been.

Von pulled his cloak tighter around himself, and tried to get warm next to the fire.  As hungry as he was he thought it might be better to let the stew simmer for at least an hour.  He could wait at least that long. 

Von tried to enjoy the early morning light.  The forest was silent.  He listened to the sound of the crackling fire.  The dogs wandered off somewhere.  Probably exploring.  Hopefully they would bring back a tasty little rabbit.

Von entertained himself by watching his breath in the cold air, blowing  puffs, imagining it could be dragon’s fire.  He tried to blow a few rings.  Maybe he actually needed smoke to do that.  Not a habit he really wanted to pick up.  He looked over at the horses.   They were breathing even harder than he was.  That reminded him they still needed taken care of.

Von removed the saddles then brushed and fed the horses. He draped blankets over their backs to keep them warmer. Now he was up he might as well gather more fire wood.  He used the hatchet to chop a few old tree branches.  It gave him something to do while he waited for Kaiden to wake.  He finished chopping the wood then checked the stew.  It was nearly done, close enough for him.  He spooned a bowl full and began gulping it down.  Between the stew, his work and the fire, he was feeling his warmest in days.  Eventually the dogs came back.  Without a  rabbit. 

The fire was now blazing higher and hotter.  It could probably be seen for miles.   At this
point Von didn’t care.  He didn’t think there were any Halfen left behind them, but if there were they had most likely abandoned their first objective.   After their encounter with the vyr they most likely didn’t care about Kaiden and him any longer.    They were either dead or running like their companions Kaiden and he had seen.

It was nearing lunch time.  Von decided to eat a bit more stew.  Kaiden started snoring.  He would most likely sleep all day if Von let him.  If they were going to sleep in shifts, Von needed to wake him.  Von nudged Kaiden with his foot.  No response.  A strategic kick to the ribs did the trick.

“Hey what was that for?”  Kaiden rubbed his ribs.

“Soups on.”

“I hope your cooking is better than your wake up call.”

“Tastes fine to me.  You already missed breakfast.”