A Clash of Shadows (19 page)

The cove was flanked by vertical cliffs and a small island sat in the middle of it. This was indeed a good hiding place.

“Where are they?” Katja asked out loud and looked about. The cove was small but they were closer to the western cliff and she couldn’t see to the eastern part.

“Search,” Serdra said and held her hand out for the leads. Katja handed them over and walked off.

Being on her own two feet again was a relief and the ocean air was refreshing, but she still felt tired having not had any rest from the fight with the demon. And then they would probably have to speed back to the city as fast as the horses could take. She would have to summon her strength.

She found the ship by the water. It had been arranged where the forest almost reached the sea to hide it even better. Katja walked closer. It did seem to be the right one.

“Hello?” she called. “Geir Anson? Boys?”

She heard an inhuman growl and immediately raised her sword. She stood stock still for a few moments and tried to reach out with her sensitivity, but detected nothing special ahead.

Am I this out of it?

She took a few very careful steps in among the trees. Again came the growl and it turned out to emanate from a wolf with a bloody snout. Katja looked down at its feet. It was eating a person.

Katja glanced back at the ship. She was ever more certain that this was the right one and grew disturbed.

“Away with you,” she said and approached the wolf with her sword held for a strike. The beast bared its teeth and tried to threaten her, but it was skinny and wretched-looking. Probably a loner. She compared it to the demon and almost felt like laughing.

“I have faced far worse threats than you and prevailed,” she said through her teeth and stared the wolf in the face. She was stronger than he and knew it and he evidently saw it in her mien. The wolf fled.

Katja followed briefly to be sure that it had left and then approached the corpse.

The wolf had only recently begun the meal and she turned the man onto his back to examine the face. It was one of the sailors.

“Damn,” Katja said to herself and felt ill.

She walked to the ship and peeked over the rail. The rest of the crew lay there in a heap. Geir Anson was on the top. They seemed to have been dead for about a day.

This complicates matters
, she thought and nervously scratched her head. She ran back and described the find. They walked to the ship together. Serdra bound the horses once they were halfway there so the scent of the wolf wouldn’t panic them.

Serdra climbed on board and turned the corpses over and examined the wounds. Katja found her terribly tactless about it but supposed the men weren’t in a position to complain.

“This is skilfully done,” Serdra said. “No signs that they managed a defence.” She stood up and hopped back overboard. “And they weren’t slain here.”

They followed the ship’s trail in the dirt and rocks. Katja opened her sensitivity and felt pain and death. Yes, this was the right place and she knew delving deeper would not be avoided.

She still felt Leifur’s death and shivered on the inside as she set down and further opened her mind.

There was another ship up on the beach as Geir’s ship approached. She saw the arrivals slide into the sand and jump on land with tethers in hand. Then the other came. It could barely be called an attack. Three men appeared from the twilight gloom without making a sound. Their knives did a quick and professional job and only the last sailor managed to make a sound before two men pounced on him at once.

The attackers were precise and utterly calm. They were more akin to farmers breaking the necks of chickens than warriors.

It reminded her of Serdra.

It sure is dangerous to know you.

Geir’s words in the Harp returned to haunt Katja. Clearly he had been right.

She returned.

“What was that? Was that the Night Hand?”

“It looks that way,” Serdra said. “Its agents are trained for such tasks.”

“So...” Katja took a few steps into a random direction as she tried to think. “So the Night Hand docked their ship here as they awaited reinforcements. And killed Geir and his men when they appeared to ensure complete secrecy.”

“Yes.”

“We sent them to their deaths.”

“
I
sent them to their deaths.” Serdra’s answer was emotionless and distant. The woman walked to the water and Katja followed.

“They have left,” Serdra said and looked out on the cove. “Gone to dig up their master. And Vajan and his men have probably vanished as well. I suspect the harbour fire was meant to distract the guards while they stole out onto sea.”

“Then what can we do?” Katja suddenly felt terribly powerless. The entire Inner Sea spread out before them. How was one to find a single ship in all that area?

Serdra stared out on the sea with that hard focus. The moments passed by as she thought the situation over and Katja tried to calm her own mind.

Suddenly something came to life in the woman’s eyes and she looked at her pupil.

“Aron Vogn.”

Katja met her gaze silently for a moment but then felt something snap into place in her head.

“He wanted to develop the middle part of Amerstan,” Serdra continued. “Improve roads. Increase habitation.”

“And the Brotherhood murdered him.”

“Yes. They mentioned a split,” Serdra said and pointed west. “A split in the Golden Plain coven. The coven Vajan belongs to wants a new territory to themselves.”

“The village we passed through. Twigs. The area around it would be perfect if not for the people there. It is isolated, well hidden in the forest. The highlands offers travel routes no one uses. In their place I would want that area as a secret stronghold.”

The village and its residents shot through Katja’s mind.

“It...” Serdra hesitated. “It would also have been a good hiding place for a Death Lord shortly after the Dusk War. The middle part of the country was almost empty. It was only later that it became something, before then declining. The Night Hand might have heard of Aron Vogn’s planned developments.”

“It’s hardly the only possible place around the entire Inner Sea?” Katja asked. She didn’t want this to be true.

“No and perhaps I am wrong. But I have heard of no other recent expansion in these lands. The violence in Kossus could have pushed the Night Hand into action, but that area has long been densely populated. We can head there next if we find nothing in Amerstan, but I think we should start with the area around Twigs.”

Katja shook her head. She was having real trouble swallowing the situation.

“Are you implying that the Brotherhood and the Night Hand are heading for the same area?” she asked and gaped. “At the same time?”

“Or that at least one of the theories is likely to be true. There was something in the forest,” Serdra said. “Some... spark. I thought it was an echo of old troubles or some minor un-nature. One comes across such things on occasion. But perhaps it was a sign of something larger.”

Serdra looked out at the ocean again and was silent for little bit.

“We must make a decision,” she then said. “We can stay and try investigating further, but we don’t know how to find Leifur’s compatriots and it would cost time we cannot afford to lose. The Night Hand would then have too large a lead before we found anything out. And I doubt the Brotherhood truly knows any more than we do.”

“Or we can hurry and try to catch up with our enemies before they get too far. What do you think?”

Always tests.

“I...” Katja felt the burdens grow heavier. She knew that this was really Serdra’s decision, not her own. But some day she herself might face such a situation.

“We have to catch up with them,” she said hurriedly. “I... think that... oh, I hope we are right, I think we should hurry off.”

The woman nodded.

“We will sail on our own,” the woman said and jogged to the ship with purpose in every movement.

“We don’t know how,” Katja pointed out but followed without delay.

“Not like true sailors, no,” Serdra said. “But we must try. We mustn’t waste any more time.”

Serdra leapt on board the ship and began to throw the bodies off it. Katja climbed in after her and tried to shut out what she was doing as she helped. They tethered the horses to the ship and let them drag it into the sea along logs Geir Anson and the rest had placed in the sand for that purpose. They got the horses on board without significant trouble and then pushed off.

The steady balance of solid ground vanished from beneath their feet to be replaced by the whimsy of water. Katja had felt far better about it when experienced men were doing this.

She shut it from her mind. They had a task to tend to. Perhaps the most important one of her life.

Serdra positioned herself at the rudder as Katja clumsily managed the sails. The ship slid past the island and then out the cove. The Inner Sea took them in its bosom and the journey had begun.

16.

Steering a ship was not for amateurs.

Serdra had paid more attention to the sailors on the way north and so she managed the sails and Katja moved to the rudder. Serdra was in a better position to see what was ahead and so called out instructions to her pupil.

The wind was chaotic by the coast, which made getting away from it and out onto the wider sea utter madness. Serdra had to put all her effort into doing a three-man job. She had to run from end to end and move the lanyards about to battle the wind.

To make matters worse the horses were upset and there was no time to tend the beasts. Serdra had to be nimble to get past them safely. Katja’s instincts were to stand up and calm them but she had to sit still and be ready for instructions at a moment’s notice. They both had very little time to learn how a rudder reacted to course changes.

“A little to the left!” Serdra shouted as she began tying the last rope in the latest arrangement.

Katja reacted and pulled on the weathered handle. She had overdone it last time and underdone it the time before that.

The rocks outside the cove lay ahead. They didn’t lie all that tightly together; an experienced crew would probably have slid out easily. But there wasn’t one around.

At this moment she feared those rocks almost as much as the demon. There would be no prevailing against those immovable foes if they lost control of the ship.

She evidently hit on the right position for the rudder this time. The wind tore at the new arrangement of the sail and the stones passed by the ship so fast that Katja barely had time to gasp.

It was a great relief when the northern wind caught them and began pushing them south with relatively gentle force. Serdra had to frenziedly rearrange the sail and for a while Katja had to hold onto two ropes with her hands and the rudder with her armpit, but they made it.

Then they were on the open Inner Sea and the worries really just changed in manifestations. Katja looked back and watched land vanish further and further into the distance. She realized how small the ship truly was and how enormous was the sea. If something went wrong they would be in great danger and swords and knives and all her training, toughness and gifts would be of no use.

What in the world are we doing?

She answered herself in a moment, but it did nothing to soothe her nerves. They were trying to confront one of the Death Lords. They could very well die. Or find nothing if the Night Hand’s lead was too good, or Serdra’s theory wrong. And if so they had gravely failed in their duties.

Serdra watched the weather closely. The wind stayed rather steady as the sun rose in the sky, but there was always need for some adjustments. This wasn’t just about reaching the north coast of Amerstan. They had to land close enough to the forest to make a difference.

Katja occasionally managed to lose herself in the steering, but the nature of the situation always managed to sneak up on and frighten her.

Around noon, when the wind sped them straight south, they allowed themselves a slight break. Katja stood up and stretched. Serdra took supplies from their luggage and threw some to Katja and they ate hurriedly. They would be tired enough once back on land without being hungry as well.

Serdra also had time to tend to the horses a bit. Soft words and food and water calmed them to a degree. Then the woman sat opposite the sail. She seemed to be resting.

“You hesitated to use the Flame,” Serdra suddenly said.

The comment surprised Katja and it took her a moment to realize the woman was speaking about the fight with the demon.

“Yes,” Katja replied. It felt strange to think of the manor in light of what lay ahead, but she was glad for something else to speak of.

“It could well have cost you your life.”

“Wearing myself out while battling such a foe could also have cost me my life.”

“I know I told you that reflexes and skill at arms would serve you better than tricks, but there will always emerge situations where those won’t do,” Serdra said. “You cannot expect to tend our duties with steel alone. And the Flame is like any other weapon in that you will only master it with experience.”

“So by using it when a mistake could cost my life,” Katja said.

“Yes. Just like me. And all of us.”

“Can’t you just beat me more instead?”

Katja couldn’t put much effort into her snark.

“If I could beat knowledge into you I would have finished long ago.”

“Well, I suppose you are right about that.”

The wind calmed considerably. It was a cause for concern, but let them take turns taking naps. Lightly sipping on the peace of sleep when body and soul cried for rest was frustrating. But the sail and rudder couldn’t be left unattended. This journey was quite dangerous enough.

“Katja.”

Serdra’s voice tore her from the haze that had settled over her. She prepared to yank the rudder in either direction or hold onto a rope, but Serdra just sat at her spot and looked at her. Katja squeezed her eyelids shut for more clarity and then looked the woman in the eyes. Her gaze foretold something important.

“If I die, you will let circumstances dictate your next move,” Serdra said with weight. “In any event, do not attack a waking Death Lord. It would be ideal if you could trail the Night Hand and their master or at least find out where they are headed. Otherwise it would be best if you should make haste to the Shades and let them know what has transpired.”

Katja tried to swallow. Her mouth and throat had dried up in a moment. She had tried to make room for the possibility that her mentor would fall, but still never seemed to grasp it. No matter how clearly Serdra stated it.

“Will that suffice?” she asked.

“It is well that you wish to do well,” Serdra said. “But if this assault of ours fails it is best for the next one to be larger and more organized. And that will not happen if only our spirits know what has happened. You are young, but you have made me proud so far. Keep doing so.”

They kept looking at one another in silence. Such direct praise was rare from her mentor and Katja was in a state of mind to be deeply affected. Perhaps it was because this could very well be their moment of farewell. The only moment of peace given to them before the next battle.

She tried to respond but couldn’t put enough power in her voice on the first try.

“I shall do my best,” she then said. She meant it and held Serdra’s gaze to make sure she saw as much.

A few moments passed in peace and calm. The horses were silent, the wind was soft and Katja even managed to let go of her worries for a moment and enjoy the good weather.

Then Serdra stood up and began tending the ropes again. The wind picked up shortly after.

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

“Land ahead.”

Serdra’s words snapped Katja from another daze. She leaned over the bulwark and looked past the sail. The northern coast of Amerstan lay on the horizon.

Relief and tension began to war for Katja’s heart. This dangerous journey was almost over, but the portion ahead would still be quite hazardous.

Serdra stood in the prow and ran her eyes along the coast as they approached it. After a while she declared that the ship was headed straight for cliffs and she hurried to the sail and began yet another dance of arranging the ropes.

They managed to steer the ship into a big, clumsy turn to the west, almost parallel to the beach that replaced the cliffs. A blast of wind shook the boat and the fight began in earnest.

Come on, come on, come on
, Katja thought as the beach approached fast. Serdra handed her two ropes she damn well had to hold while also keeping the rudder in position. The horses complained and fought their bonds and caused even further disturbance to the boat.

Not on the final stretch!

“Further!” Serdra shouted and Katja leaned harder on the rudder. The woman took one of the ropes from her and tied it in place, but when it came time for the second one to change hands the wind caught it and pulled it towards the prow. Katja wasn’t sure which one of them was at fault, but she had to keep the rudder steady and so chasing it was Serdra’s task.

The woman leapt past the agitated, whinnying horses as the rope danced to the wind’s rhythm. She got it on the second try and hurried to tie it in place.

Katja moved the rudder in accordance to the new set-up and held her breath until they were heading almost straight for a sandy beach.

Almost there!

Serdra had finished with the sail once and for all and now went to the horses to try and calm them.

Katja leaned out and tried to see the bottom through the waves. A few moments later a blow went through the ship and it slid up into the sand with a loud hiss.

Finally it stopped.

Katja exhaled.

We made it.

It took her a moment to realise that she could finally let go of the rudder, and she stood up and sighed. She was weary from strain, lack of sleep, worry and the fight with the demon. And now they would ride.

Together they were able to soothe the horses. The beasts seemed to be in tolerable condition. They had managed to doze a bit during the journey’s calmer portions and probably had more energy than Katja herself.

After all, they don’t know what is at stake,
she thought to herself.

They lowered the boarding plank into the beach and worked together to get the horses off board. Serdra then minded the nervous beasts as Katja threw their luggage on land.

Finally everything they couldn’t afford to leave behind was at the ready. Katja jumped overboard and finally felt solid ground beneath her feet again. She didn’t care a whit that it was beach and her feet were wet. At least there was no danger of drowning.

“We are west of the harbour we originally set out from,” Serdra said. “We need to head east and find the path we used. It is the only way into the forest we know of. If all is quiet in the village we can store the horses there, perhaps ask about travellers about strangers, and use the place as headquarters while searching the surroundings.”

Serdra took one of the saddles Katja had thrown down and began to place it on her horse. Katja caught herself after a moment’s hesitation and began to prepare her own steed.

“And now we put on the armour, Katja,” Serdra said.

“I suspected as much,” Katja said and ripped the mail and helmet from the luggage. Though it hadn’t been obvious until Serdra reminded her of it. The lack of sleep hung on her like a heavy cloak and slowed everything down. Including the mind. Everything was out of order; the balance was a bit off, thoughts sluggish and she lacked strength. She also felt less quick than normal. She would have to focus to make up the difference.

Not the best circumstance
, she thought.

She slid on the mail shirt. The rings pressed in on her body and formed a hard skin against the outside world.  All pretence was over with. Anyone who looked at her would know that her business was far from normal. Next they took out vambraces and strapped them to their forearms.

Katja pinched the bridge of her nose. Hopefully the weariness wasn’t as outwardly visible.

“You must prepare yourself,” Serdra said. The woman finished armouring herself and looked at her. “Nothing else will do in this situation. No excuses, in words or thought.”

Katja nodded. She had never been lazy and Serdra had often pushed her quite hard in training. But now she was faced with the reality. Weariness could have severe consequences and perhaps not only for herself.

They mounted and spent a few moments in getting control of the nervous horses.

“I have experiences much in my life,” Serdra said. “But I have never been close to a Death Lord, slumbering or waking. I don’t know exactly what we are headed for, or what we will sense if we get close to him.”

Serdra’s eyes held her, as they always did when the woman wished it. Though perhaps the words played their part in the effect this time. Even her fearsome mentor wasn’t quite prepared for this fight.

“I know from our brethren that the two of us have little chance of killing him if he wakes,” she continued. “But their slumber is said to be extremely deep and they would avoid a premature awakening at all costs. The elders can sense him from far off and would then make a beeline straight for him. But the Night Hand will defend their master with their lives and the Lord’s spirit has means to call upon from the depth of the deathly torpor. And nothing but the Sentinel Flame can protect you from a spirit.”

Katja lacked words. She settled for nodding.

Serdra drove her horse into action and so discussions were mostly finished. Katja had a hard time lifting her thoughts from the weary sludge, so it took a while to feel how much Serdra’s words had chilled her.

The horses were agitated and getting them going was a challenge. Katja was a bit uneasy about driving them so hard, but it couldn’t be helped.

They let the horses alternatively walk and trot so as not to exhaust them. There was no one about this late, not in this dead part of the country where only a narrow strip of forest separated the sea and highlands. There was nothing to see except trees and bushes and several times Katja caught herself falling into a numb daze rather than pay any attention to her surroundings.