Seers of Verde: The Legend Fulfilled: Book One (34 page)

19

The crowd swelled behind the youth as he solemnly pulled the two-wheeled cart behind him that carried his fallen friend. At first the Verdans came out of their homes or shops to investigate the curious sight. Most stopped chatting or stopped in stunned silence when they saw the haunted expression on Gustaf Holser’s face.

The young man with the terrible scar that curled around his neck from ear to ear was well known throughout Verde City. He was one of a handful of survivors of the vicious attack that killed most of the inhabitants in his small fishing village.

Many young men respectfully fell in step behind Gustaf when they learned who he pulled. Those following him were only too eager to repeat the tragic tale. Passersby were told a troop of Sankari and Verdan loyalists had attacked a Defender circle. The gossipers said when the Nuven warriors found out there was no hope, one of them killed their hostage, Haral Kaut.

The dead youth also came from the fishing village. Gustaf apparently did not know his friend had survived the village massacre. When told of the murder, Gustaf picked up Haral and started to carry him through the city. A sympathetic Verdan offered the cart when the youth started to stumble from exhaustion.

He tenderly placed his slain friend in the cart and continued his journey. No one knew where Gustaf was headed, but they followed without question. Shouts of revenge and chants soon echoed through the crowd. The Verdans’ anger seemed to grow with every step. The pride of many in the city still stung after the humiliating defeat by the handful of Defenders a few days earlier.

The Nuvens had thwarted a mob that was intent on attacking their kinsmen as Sankari-led troops drove them from the city. Dozens of Nuvens had been killed, but the Defenders had managed to scare off or kill even more of the inexperienced Verdan attackers along with their Sankari leaders.

Most of the Nuvens who had been driven from the city escaped to the safety of their temples. Now the Verdans had a sympathetic symbol they all could rally around: Haral, the helpless hostage who they believed was brutally slain by Defenders.

The crowd grew by the hundreds as Gustaf strode through the streets, seemingly energized by the calls for revenge. The youth finally stopped when he found himself at the foot of the altar of Taryl Bryann in the center of the city.

Panting from his exertion, Gustaf finally put down the poles of the cart. The crowd quieted to an eerie silence. Not even a bloodthirsty, riotous mob dared to be disrespectful near Verde’s most holy shrine.

Two men stepped forward. They picked up Haral’s body and made their way up to the top of the altar, all one hundred steps of it. Some in the crowd gasped at the audacity of the men climbing the altar, an honor usually reserved for Seers conducting worship.

When they reached the top, the men placed the body on the edge so all could still see it. In a display of grief, Gustaf sat on the step just below where Haral lay and put his head on his dead friend’s chest.

No one in the crowd noticed Manor Stillinger’s delighted smile when he turned toward his companion. The Sankari captain had not foreseen such a reaction. With a nod, Torvild Zullon stepped up and exhorted the crowd to remember the name of Haral Kaut. He pointed to the mourning Gustaf Holser and retold the story of the tragedy of his village.

When he finished, Torvild thrust his arms dramatically up to the sky as if seeking divine guidance. The crowd was silent as he held his pose. Lowering his arms slowly, Torvild descended a third of the way and stopped. “Who are responsible for these deaths?” he shouted.

The crowd took up the chant. “Defenders. Defenders. Defenders.”

Torvild held up his arms for silence. “What is the penalty for these crimes?” he shouted in a rage.

“Death! Death! Death!” the mob shouted over and over again. Torvild did not stop the chanting. Instead he let it build to a terrifying crescendo that echoed across the square. He signaled again for silence and patiently waited for the chanting to subside like a wave rolling back into the river.

“My fellow Verdan loyalists, the Sankari cannot fight the Defenders alone. They need our help. We must join forces to help them force these vermin out of their temples so justice can be done.”

Shouts of “aye, aye, aye,” greeted him in fierce unison, but it subsided as all eyes stared at the top of the temple. Following their gaze, Torvild and Manor turned to see Gustaf now standing, surveying the crowd.

His voice still hoarse from his injury, the youth shook his fist angrily and shouted, “Justice! Justice!” Thousands of his sympathizers roared and took up the new chant.

When the shouting subsided, Torvild again addressed the onlookers. “Tomorrow after first meal we march on all the Nuven temples to demand they hand over the Defenders. If not, we will attack and destroy them.” The mob shouted with approval. It was late into the night when the angry Verdans finally broke up and headed home to rest and prepare for the next day’s task.

20

Tevan Nels chattered happily as he and his kinsman prepared their mounts for the long journey that would take him home to his worried parents. More than a lunar had passed since Tevan had stolen away in a cargo wagon in an effort to follow his kinsman. Now after the luster of his adventure had worn off, the young man missed his parents and begged to go home.

This was the moment Aron Nels had been waiting for. The Defender was close to his childlike cousin, but the responsibility of caring for him daily was becoming tiring. Also, his secret love affair with the Seer Verinya was constantly on his mind. Even though Tevan and Verinya were close, it was becoming difficult to maintain the masquerade of aloofness expected of him toward a Seer.

Aron frowned as he helped Tevan pack. The Defender had wanted to travel light, only taking the two horses he and Tevan would need to make the trip home.

However, his cousin had accumulated so many treasures, presents from Verinya and trinkets useless to others, but which Tevan had collected, that they would need a third horse to carry all of it. The extra mount would come in handy for hauling their camping gear and food for the trip.

As Aron and Tevan were making the final checks on their supplies, the other nine brothers of Circle Sankarikiller approached to bid them farewell. Tevan shouted when he saw them and darted over to greet the group.

Evan gave each circle brother a hug. The younger Defenders smiled and playfully mussed his hair. Egan Pozos looked away for a moment, wiping something from his eyes. Tevan had grown close to the circle. It was hard not to like the young man who would laugh and call out their names whenever he saw them.

After the goodbyes and well wishes for a safe journey were said, Aron and Tevan led their horses out of the stable and walked through the marketplace toward the front gate. Many merchants called out heartfelt farewells to Tevan as they passed. Most of them had grown accustomed to seeing him wander through their midst hoping to see an argument between them and a customer.

Several of the merchants had enjoyed his reaction so much, they would even start a ruckus just for his amusement. His laughter would make even the busiest shopper look around and smile. Despite himself, Aron smiled when he saw the others’ reaction to Tevan’s departure. His cousin smiled and waved good-bye.

When they reached the gate, Aron was about to mount up, but was stopped by Tevan’s shout, “Vera!” The Seer smiled warmly when she heard him call out. Aron’s cousin walked over to her with a great smile. “Tevan go home, Vera. I go see Mama and Papa. Aron take me.”

Verinya smiled and stroked his cheek. “I know you have to go, Tevan. I will miss you, my friend.”

Tevan nodded and put his head on her shoulder. “I miss you, too, friend.”

Verinya took him by the hand and led him back to Aron. With many onlookers watching them, including two other Seers, she admonished the Defender to take care of Tevan. Aron nodded to her politely, not daring to meet her eyes lest he give away how he felt, and mounted his horse. Tevan followed his example and also mounted.

Staring straight ahead, the Defender spurred his horse past the temple’s front gate. Tevan followed, but kept calling good-bye and waving until they were well down the road. They traveled in silence for several hours, which was unusual for Tevan because he loved to chatter almost incessantly. Aron knew his cousin was conflicted about leaving, but returning him to his parents was best.

The kinsmen made good time the first day, halting only briefly to eat and take the necessary toilet stop. They rode until dusk and made camp amid a small grove of trees. By now, Tevan had returned to his jovial self, remarking about everything they saw during their trip so far, everything from a fleeing rabbit to hawks circling high above them.

Aron was relieved when his cousin finally fell asleep only after being assured for the tenth time that yes, indeed, Tevan soon would see his Mama and Papa.

The Defender was half-awake as he listened contentedly to the birds chirping and calling to each other as first light was beginning to peek through the tree branches. A few meters away, Tevan snored lightly as he lay curled up in his bedroll. Aron pulled his head up slightly and smiled at his cousin. A tuft of blond hair was the only part of Tevan’s body that could be seen.

The chattering of the birds grew louder as the early morning light grew brighter with each passing moment. Aron stretched and reluctantly thought about leaving his warm nest when a sound followed by an eerie silence made him freeze in place. Without warning, birds exploded from their roosting places with a unified whoosh of beating wings. The few birds that stayed called out sharp warnings to each other.

The Defender knew something was approaching that did not belong here. Growing up as a hunter, Aron had learned to listen to any changes in his surroundings that might indicate danger. Now the hairs on the back of his head stood up. Fully awake, he found his knife belt and slowly eased into a crouching position.

To his dismay, Tevan started to stir and mumbled in his sleep. Aron crawled over and gently put his hand over his cousin’s mouth. Tevan woke up with a start, looking wide-eyed. “Shh, be quiet, don’t move,” Aron whispered. “You have to lie still. We’re playing the hide game. Strangers are looking for us.”

Tevan blinked, giggled softly and nodded that he understood. Relieved for the moment, Aron peered through the thicket of branches he had put together the night before. Nuven hunters always camouflaged themselves when bedding down.

A slight movement through the trees caught his attention. Whatever it was, stopped for a moment then slowly approached. Aron could faintly make out the soft rustle of footsteps. Two other shapes moved cautiously from different sides of the grove.

He reached for his bow and quiver of arrows while staring intently through the branches, looking for the intruders. A flash of out-of-place color moving nearby caught his eye. It was a red scarf worn by Sankari. The closest Verdan moved cautiously from tree to tree, looking for something. Aron scanned the area for the other two men, but they had moved out of sight.

The Defender crept out of his hiding place. Finding a large tree that would shield him, Aron notched an arrow and inched his way around the trunk. Only thirty-some meters away, the Sankari stood partially hidden behind a tree, but the man had not spotted Aron. A soft, lilting whistle aroused the Sankari’s curiosity, making him move from his shelter to investigate.

The Verdan never got a chance to throw his javelin. An arrow pierced his chest before he saw his attacker. Sagging against the tree in shock, the Sankari stood for a few moments before his knees buckled, sending him sliding down the trunk. Only then did the dying man catch a glimpse of Aron, who was now moving through the trees looking for his companions.

The Defender glided through the trees, stopping for long pauses to listen and look carefully before continuing. His search was soon rewarded. To Aron’s surprise, he spotted the other Sankari walking together back toward where they thought their companion must be looking. The two men must have given up their search and now were going to find their cohort.

Aron studied the situation. He knew he could not kill one of the Sankari without warning the other, but there was no way to avoid it. The Defender raised his bow and waited for a clear shot. Again, he pursed his lips and issued a high-pitched whistle.

Both Sankari turned as one. Before they could react, Aron’s arrow sliced through the nearest man’s neck, causing him to stumble briefly, then fall face first to the leaf-covered ground.

Aron reached for another arrow, but the surviving Sankari fled, dodging through the trees and making himself a difficult target. With a loud whoop, the Defender gave chase, hoping the fleeing man would stumble or fall, or even better, turn to face him. The Sankari did not stop. His only intention was to escape.

Aron followed his prey to a ravine where the Sankari leaped onto a horse and spurred away. After noting the direction his enemy was heading, the Defender sprinted back to where Tevan lay hidden.

Seeing Aron running toward him, Tevan crawled out to meet his cousin. “Tevan, ride to the temple quickly. Find Egan. Tell him Sankari attack. I have to chase a bad man. Go now.”

Tevan started to protest, but he understood Aron’s message. Without another word, the two ran to where they had hidden their horses for the night. Aron mounted and looked back at his cousin. A solemn-looking Tevan nodded.

“Good, Tevan,” Aron called as he mounted his horse. “Now ride to the temple, fast. There may be more Sankari.” The Defender did not worry about his kinsman riding alone. Tevan was an expert horseman and had an almost eerie sense of direction. He never got lost.

Aron rode in the general direction of where he had seen the Sankari escape. After charging hard for several minutes, the Defender guided his mount up a steep hill. He had barely reached the top when a lone horseman galloped out of the woods to his right. The red scarf gave the rider away.

Aron set out after the Sankari. Once his enemy was in his sight, he had no doubt his smaller, faster horse that was bred for hunting would catch up to his enemy’s bigger, slower mount.

To Aron’s advantage, the Sankari did not realize he was being pursued until the Defender was only a hundred meters or so away. The Defender wondered why the Sankari seemed to be riding almost leisurely instead of being concerned about a pursuer.

Casting an almost nonchalant glance behind him, the Verdan discovered with terror that the Nuven who had killed his two companions was chasing him down. The Sankari sunk low in his saddle and whipped his horse into a full run. Even racing at full speed, Aron knew the other horse was no match for his mount, so he kept up a steady gallop.

When the fleeing Verdan crested a steep ridge he began to scream for help. Curious, Aron urged his horse on a little faster, but pulled up when he reached the top of the ridge, making his horse rear on its hind legs in surprise.

Below him, spread out throughout the valley was a Verdan army of several thousand men. Their pennants flapped in the breeze. Colorful tents dotted the ground like the first flowers of spring poking their heads through the grass.

Aron was stunned at the sight. He had never seen such a large gathering of the enemy. The screeching Sankari whom the Defender had been chasing was drawing attention from his fellow Verdans. About a dozen men rode out to meet him.

Without waiting to see who was following, Aron reined his steed around and spurred him into a full run away from the army. The Defender knew Verdans with fresh horses would soon be chasing him.

Even hunting horses needed to rest occasionally, so Aron had to put as much distance as he could between himself and his pursuers. His only recourse was to ride toward the temple and hope his sturdy little mount could make the journey before collapsing from exhaustion.

¶ ¶ ¶

Verinya awoke from her trance gasping with fear. The Seer already missed Aron, so the only way she knew to be near her lover was to use her gift to see through him. Ever since Verinya and Aron had made love that first time, a bond between the two had been created. She had achieved what the other Seers desperately wanted — to be able to use the sight on one of the mysterious members of Circle Sankarikiller.

With trepidation, she had watched as Aron killed the first two Sankari as they stalked Tevan and him. She breathed a sigh of relief when Aron rode out to chase the surviving Sankari but gasped when he crested the ridge to discover an amassed army of Verdans obviously preparing to attack Temple Darya. The Seer was startled at discovering her people’s plans. She had not been told of the pending attack.

Verinya trembled with fear and anger as she paced about her small room, unsure what to do. She feared for Aron’s life and desperately wanted to do something to help him. The young woman splashed water in her face and sat on her cot in an effort to calm herself and weigh her options. She must choose whether to try to save the man she loved or assist the plot in destroying the Nuven temples and chasing the unbelievers back to the valley from which they had come only a few generations ago.

The Seer took a few cleansing breaths, then arose. She could not second-guess herself — her decision would affect many lives, especially her own. Verinya scurried out of her quarters and hurried to the marketplace. She paced up and down the aisles, looking for a familiar figure among the shoppers.

At last she spotted a familiar Defender. Egan Pozos was leaning over a counter, flirting with a vegetable vendor’s very buxom daughter. The two were giggling at one of Egan’s bawdy jokes when Verinya grabbed him by the arm. Startled, the Defender frowned and started to pull away when he saw the Seer, but stopped when he recognized her.

“Aren’t you the Seer who befriended Tevan? What do you want of me?”

Verinya leaned close and whispered, “I have news of Aron and Tevan. I fear they are in danger.”

Egan looked at her with surprise, but escorted her away to a secluded corner, away from the crowd. “How do you know this? What danger?”

Verinya glanced around, but to her relief, she saw no recognizable faces. “Please believe me. The other Seers would have my head if they knew what I am going to tell you.”

Egan crossed his arms. He did not trust her, but concern and curiosity kept him from walking away from this mysterious woman. He gestured for her to continue.

“Seers sometimes have the ability to see what others see,” Verinya said, not daring to tell the Defender the entire truth, but just enough to convince him to act. “Since I have grown close to Tevan, I occasionally can see what he sees. It’s not constant, but more like flashes of sight.”

Egan did not try to mask his surprise. His eyebrows raised in a look of disbelief.

“This morning, Tevan and Aron were in danger of being discovered by three Sankari as they slept. But Aron awoke, killed two of them, and set out to chase the other.”