Haven Keep (Book 1) (66 page)

“I know you don’t like it Soren, but we need our rest as well. And I can’t abandon them.”

Soren studied his young companion.  Von managed to surprise Soren at nearly every turn.  He never suspected Von’s consuming hatred to be tempered with the compassion he was now showing.  There was still something left in his heart other than a thirst for revenge.  Maybe Von was not so far gone as he thought.

“You are right once again, Von.”  Soren did not want to abandon these women either.  His youthful master had made a good choice.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Soren was not sure how much rest Von managed to get the previous night, but he knew for sure the sleep he managed was inadequate.  The news Baiden had won a great victory was enough to override his weariness.

Von had remained with the camp while Soren stole away to discover the outcome of the battle.  It was total victory.  The Halfen were in a complete route, their forces decimated.  Soren saw all this from a distance, returning quickly to inform Von.

The news lifted Von’s spirits, but he was still determined to race to Stone Abbey and confront Ky.  The fact that Ky’s army was all but destroyed steeled Soren’s nerves against the dangers of arriving at Stone Abbey with no more than the two of them.  The news may actually sway the chiefs to vote against Ky.  That was if they arrived in time.  Soren doubted they would.

Leaving the rescued women and children was more difficult than Soren anticipated.  Gaila implored them to stay, but Von assured them they were safe and Baiden would see to their needs, especially if they told him Von sent them.  Von and Soren left at first light and rode hard.  There was a long distance to travel.  They had gone leagues out of their way to rescue the captives and lost time by staying overnight.

The forest was bright.  Beams of light penetrated through the branches, lifting Soren’s spirits, while the warmth of the sun took the bite off the brisk morning air.  It was a wondrous morning, but Soren knew  there was a great task before them.  A dangerous task.

They set a fast pace through the snow, pushing the horses.  The forest was thick and eerily silent for this time of year.  Maybe the early snows had sent the birds prematurely south for the winter, but Soren had yet to even see a rabbit or a squirrel.  The forest was quiet, too quiet.

“Maybe it’s because of the battle last night,” Von said.

“What?”

“This forest,” Von explained.  “It’s too quiet.”

The near echo of Soren’s thoughts let him know he was not imagining the stillness of the forest.

“Maybe,” Soren agreed.  “We should be careful nonetheless.  Who knows what lurks out here amongst this ancient growth?”

They rode on and Soren kept his eyes on the forest, searching for anything out of place.  He saw nothing, but could not shake the feeling something was amiss. It ate at him.  The inhabitants of the forest were gone, not only the people, but the animals as well.  The people had been driven out before the Halfen, but where were the animals?  It was as if the creatures of the forest had fled too, as if they sensed there was something wrong, something awry.  Soren felt a calmness to the forest, but it was as the calm before a storm.  The beauty of the morning light would be darkened by the grey clouds building on the horizon, marred by what was borne on the storm.

The old forest gave way to newer trees, with less undergrowth and debris, but still no life other than the plants that survive through the early snows.  The light still penetrated the trees and every once in a while Soren saw the sun through the branches, climbing towards its zenith.  The position of the sun told him it was late morning, well past the time the chiefs would begin their meeting.  For all they knew Ky was already named Lord of the North by those in attendance. Soren hoped it was not so.

They topped a small knoll and saw smoke rising through the trees.

“It can’t be far now,” Von observed.  “I can see the cooking fires for the midday meals.”

Soren agreed.  They should be there within the hour.  He spurred his horse on, quickening the pace.  The fact it was almost midday gave him a greater feeling of urgency.  They were close to their goal now, but might be too late to accomplish it.  Too late to prevent additional treason.

The closer they rode to Stone Abbey the more sparse the trees became.  Eventually they began to see the remains of stone walls and large buildings long forgotten.  Soren had never traveled this particular route to Stone Abbey.  It was his first time cross country in this area and he wondered if anyone had seen these ruins for generations.

The smoke from the fires served as a reference point. They traveled in a strait line, their destination close now, unless they were headed toward some farmer’s shack.

The smoke proved to be what they expected.  Soren and Von broke from the trees to find Stone Abbey, the field surrounding it filled with people.  Representatives from every clan except the Orlenc and the Kailfen.

Soren searched for the chiefs, but they were no where to be found.  He saw something that angered him.  The location set aside for the Lord of the North was occupied by a number of Halfen men.  They stood in a defiant manner, smug and proud.  Ky was not with them.  He must be inside.

No one noticed the two new comers at first, but as they rode closer to the ruins of Stone Abbey eyes began to follow them, then the murmurs arose.  It was not likely anyone here could recognize Von.  He wore his helm from Haven Keep and unless someone was familiar with him they would not know who he was, especially with his features obscured.

The murmurs of the crowd continued, but no one approached them.  Then Soren saw Dethan.  He should have been inside with the other chiefs.  He came from the direction of Stone Abbey and did not look pleased.  Even clad in his ceremonial armor he looked downcast.  At his side was Anora, a crown of flowers braided through her hair.  That detail did not seem right.

Von saw the two as well and immediately trotted his horse to meet them.  Dethan looked at him curiously, obviously not recognizing him immediately.  Anora did and she lowered her eyes.  She did not appear happy to see Von.

Von dismounted and removed his helm smiling a hugely despite the surroundings.  Soren knew the smile was for Anora, but when Von spoke he spoke to Dethan.

“Dethan, is all well?  What is the situation?  Have the Chiefs met?  Have they voted?”

Von only glanced at Dethan once or twice as he spoke, his eyes focused on Anora, drinking her in.  Soren wondered if Von realized the significance of the flower crown.  He hoped Von did.

“They are voting now,” Dethan said.  “They would not allow me to participate.”

“What?”  Von stammered. “Why, are you not the new chief of the Celtens?”

“They refused to name me such until after this first vote,” Dethan explained.  “The vote must be unanimous and Ky feared I would vote in the contrary.”  He looked at Anora who still had not taken her eyes from the ground.  “Especially considering who my new bride is.”

“New bride?”  Von asked.  “I did not know you were married.”

“Just two nights ago.”  Dethan grabbed hold of Anora’s hand and she finally looked up.

She stared into her new husband’s face as he continued, still avoiding eye contact with Von.

“A marriage to seal the union between the Kailfen and the Celten.”   Dethan beamed down at her.  Soren could easily see Dethan adored her, but it was hard to perceive what Anora thought.

She finally turned her gaze to Von, a defiant look in her eyes, daring him to question her.

Von was visibly shaken.  “I...,” he cleared his throat, “don’t understand.”

“I needed to assure the Celtens remained our allies,” Anora said.  She pleaded with Von to understand.  She was oblivious to the smug look on her husband’s face that was beginning to turn more somber.  “You must know the danger my father is in.  It had to be done.”

“You father is not in danger.  The Halfen army has been destroyed!”  Von’s voice cracked.  Soren could see him struggling to keep control.

“I am a
lady
,” Anora, emphasized her title, still pleading for understanding.  “He is a
clan chief
.  The same as a lord from where you come from.”

Von stared off into nothing.  “From where I come from,” he whispered.  Soren wished there was someway to end this.  Nothing good could come of it, they had other things to deal with.  More pressing matters.

“You have to understand,” Anora said.

“Understand what!”  Von quivered.  “A blacksmith was not good enough for you.  I understand that now.”

“That’s not it at all.  I didn’t know.  I just found out.”

“You mean you now know who I am.”

She just stared at him, not able to answer.

“I wonder what your father will think of this,” Von said.  “What your mother will think.”

Dethan stepped between them.  “Watch how you speak to my wife, Von.  I would not like it if you forced me to defend her honor as well as my own.”

“Your honor?!”  Von seized Dethan by the throat.  Years of working as a blacksmith gave Von a powerful body, even more powerful than he looked.   He hoisted Dethan violently into the air with his hand held fast around Dethan’s throat.  Dethan made choking sounds, gasped for air,
fighting in vain with his hands to pry Von’s fingers loose.  Von slammed him to the earth.  The little air left in his lungs was forced out with the jarring impact. Dethan struggled to move.  His breaths came in short gulps as he fought in vain to breath.

“I blame you for this,” Von hissed.  His sword was out and under Dethan’s chin, already drawing blood.

Soren put a hand on Von’s arm, gently so as not to antagonize him more.  His arm was hard as rock.  Immovable.

“If you were as faithful as your father,” Von accused, “you would not have needed the persuasions of a woman to cement your loyalty.  You did this to her under duress. You are no different than Bethoc!”

Soren noticed others drawing their swords.  Most of them Celten.  Soren took a step back so he could more easily guard Von.

“That may be true Von,” Dethan breathed, choking the words out, “but she is still my wife.  There is nothing you can do about it now,” he gagged.  “She belongs to me.  You have lost.”

Von released Dethan and straightened.  He stood still as a statue, then spoke.

“My friends call me Von.”  His voice was loud enough for all to hear.  “I am the son of Trajan.  You will call me lord Beovon.”

Von removed the point of his sword from Dethan’s chin, but Dethan did not move.  He was probably still stunned by Von’s strength.  Soren was.

“I will over look the fact you did not come running to defend Baiden until you received compensation, if only for who your wife is.  I trust from now on your faithfulness will be unwavering.”

Von threw on his helm and stalked towards Stone Abbey.

“Von, wait,” Anora called after him.

Von ignored her.

“Wait, please.”

Her pleads fell on deaf ears.  Von continued his march to the entrance of Stone Abbey, seemingly oblivious to everything and everyone around him.

“Soren!  GUARD THE DOOR!”

“Don’t go in there!”  Anora screamed at him. “Von! They will kill you.”

A crowd had gather to watch the commotion. Most appeared curious, others hostile. Von ignored them all, even the Halfen, except the three who guarded the entrance of Stone Abbey.

One of them smirked at Von. “I’m sorry we cannot allow you to pass.”

Another spoke up.  “Why don’t we let him.  Ky will be very interested in speaking with this young whelp.”

Von answered with his sword and dagger.  He was swift and deadly. Two simultaneous backhand strokes flashed like snake strikes, wicked and clean.  The dagger nearly decapitated the first man.  His sword cleaved the other in two. Both men were dead before they hit the stone. The third man tried to react, put up some kind of defense.  It was useless, he was too slow.  Von kicked him full in the chest sending the man airborne.  He flew down the steps crashing at the bottom, his head clanging against the huge iron doors.  The man lay there unconscious or worse, his neck and head askew.

“Soren,” Von ordered more calmly this time, his voice cold and hard.  “Guard the door. It is time for this treason to end.”  He took two steps at a time on his way down.

Soren tried to stop Von, dashing toward the steps to follow Von down, but when he reached the bottom Von was already slipping through the door.  Even Isk and Jen were too slow.  Soren heard the barricade bar slide into place behind the door.

Anora was at Soren’s side.

“Soren,” she cried through a tear streaked face.  “There are fourteen men in there.  They are all warriors.  They will kill him.”

“I can do nothing now,” Soren said.  He had been to slow. The first time he had ever been too slow in his life.  He should have stopped the boy.  He sank to his knees and let out a long, troubled sigh, disturbed to find he was more worried about Von’s soul than his life.

Anora pounded on the door, pleaded for it to be opened.  Inside the sounds of fighting sprang up.

Dethan took hold of his new wife and pulled her away.  She collapsed in his arms, sobbing against his chest.

“There is nothing we can do now,” Dethan said.  “He is gone.  We will mourn him, but if what he said is true your father still lives and will continue to rule in the north.”

“It is true,” Soren said.  He rose to his feet, not wanting to look weak.  “The Halfen are scattered.  Your father’s victory is complete.  I am surprised he is not already here to deal with this rabble himself.”