The Black Sword Trilogy: The Four Nations (9 page)

             
After the brief introduction, Kenner and Terri were led through the garden to the table on the veranda.  Kenner didn’t see the flowers or lush shrubs Terri had described to him and he guessed it was because it was winter.  And yet, it wasn’t cold like it had been in the hills.  It wasn’t warm like spring or summer, but there was a conspicuous absence of cold that he felt should have been there.

             
When they reached the table, there were about a dozen people seated who immediately stood when Kayla stepped onto the wooden veranda.  Kayla gave a kind of gentle warning look to two people who had been standing near the head of the table and they moved further down.  Kayla then directed Terri and Kenner to the empty places.  Kenner then caught sight of a strange looking man next to where Terri was to sit.  He was larger than the rest and covered in thick, yet neatly kept hair.

“Didn’t anyone tell you it’s not nice to
stare?” The odd looking man said in a teasing voice.

Kenner then stood behind the
wooden chair where he had been led and when Kayla sat, everyone there followed suit.  Bowls and plates full of food were then passed around from person to person.  Kenner couldn’t stop from looking at the hairy man seated across from him, though.  He strongly resembled the men he’d seen in his dream.

             
“Looks like here’s another one who’s never seen a Morgril before.” He said smiling.

             
“Kenner,” Kayla said.  “Allow me to introduce my military advisor, Saab.”

Kenner reached across the table to shake his hand.
  Saab’s hand was rough and his grip was strong.

             
“I must apologize if I appeared rude.” Kenner said to Saab.

             
“No need,” Saab answered.  “I know my kind are rare to see on this side of the Blue Mountains.”

He then gave a mischievous look around the table.

              “You should have seen the looks on all the people’s faces when I first came here.  I think they were afraid I was going to eat them.”

Several of the guests at the table laughed.

              “The truth is, “Saab added.  “I prefer children.  They’re easier on the digestion.”

Everyone laughed again and then Kenner felt more at ease.

              “This is quite a feast,” Kenner stated.  “I hope your people didn’t go to all this fuss for just the two of us.”

             
“This is not quite the feast we should have prepared for such honored guests.” Kayla said.

             
“Well, I don’t know about ‘honored’…” Kenner began to say.

             
“Oh yes,” Said the lady sitting next to Kenner.  “The son of Banner is a most honored guest at our table.”

He turned to face the lady.

              “You knew my father?”

             
“We most certainly did, didn’t we Lady Kayla?”

             
“Yes, we did.” Kayla answered.  “I remember him fondly.

             
“Fondly?” Kenner almost gasped.

             
“Of course, I do.  He was a man of great cheer and humor; and quite charming if I may say so myself.  And he was very gentle with a particular young girl who had an obvious crush on him.

             
“I think we all did,” the lady next to Kenner added, “probably even some of the men.”

Everyone at the table at the table laughed except Kenner.

              “What’s the matter, Kenner?” Kayla asked him.  “You look surprised.”

             
“I’ve never heard the words ‘cheer’, ‘humor’, or ‘charm’ used to describe my father.”

Kayla then looked at Kenner with a sad smile.

              “I know he was deeply hurt by the events that drove him to the hills.  It was most unfortunate.”

             
A moment of uncomfortable silence followed; which was mercifully broken by Saab.

             
“Was that a battle cat I saw getting out of the boat?” He asked Kenner.

             
“As a matter of fact, it was and still is.” Kenner answered him.

             
“That’s incredible.  I thought they were all extinct.”

             
“I’m happy to say that there are two more in my village and a third wandering out there somewhere.”

             
“Excellent news.”

             
“Yes,” someone further down the table said.  “That is excellent news; just as excellent as our visit from the future King.”

At
that, the entire table went silent.  Kenner braced at the statement.  He didn’t like the inference and felt it an insult to his host.

             
“There’s only one Lady of the Woods here.” He answered politely.  “I could neither replace nor succeed her.”

             
“But surely that is your purpose.” A man with blonde hair and a short beard said in a rude voice.  Kayla glared at him in a harsh expression Kenner would have not before thought her capable of.

             
“Are you not the one who bares the Black Sword?  Is it not your ‘destiny’ to become King of all the nations?”

There was sarcasm in the way he’d said “destiny” that made Kenner wince. 

              “That is not my intention.” Kenner said as politely as he could.  However, he felt uncomfortable with the way this conversation was going.

             
“Of course, it isn’t.” The rude man continued.  “Just as it wasn’t Faraday’s intention five hundred years ago when he took over this realm.”

“That’s enough Bordol.” Kayla said in a slightly raised voice.  “I will not have my guests disrespected.”

“With all due respect, my Lady,” Bordol continued.  “But this man’s very presence is disrespect to this sacred place.”

“Bordol…” She warned.

“He brings death and destruction here.  War follows his footsteps and he means to bring it to the very doors of the Sanctuary.”

“I said that’s enough!” Kayla said standing. 

Everyone at the table cowered.

             
“I asked Terri to bring Kenner here to visit if she could.  That means he is here at my invitation.  If you are ill at ease sitting at the same table with him, you and anyone else who feels the same may leave.”

Bordol didn’t move or meet Kayla’s angry gaze.  After Kayla returned to her seat, the table was silent for a few moments.

              “Master Kenner,” Another at the table finally said.  “I mean no disrespect in asking this.” As she said this, she gave a fearful glance at Kayla.  “However, I feel I must ask.  What are your intentions?”

She must have seen Kayla’s anger grow again as she spoke more quickly.

              “After all, you have found and wield the Black Sword.  Surely that means that you will fight in the war.  Prophecies have said for five hundred years, that a war that is supposed to end all wars will be fought when the Black Sword has been found and the Blackwood Bow has returned as well.  That must mean that this war is coming.”

All eyes then turned to Kenner.  Even Kayla looked at him for some kind of answer.  He thought carefully before answering.

              “Yes, I have the Black Sword.” He finally said.  “And I know what these prophecies say.  I’ve been hearing about them for the last two years.  But I’m not here to fight a war.  I left my village and came with Terri because she’s looking for a very good friend of ours.  My ‘intention’ “He said looking straight at Bordol “is to help her find him and help him if he’s in danger.  That’s all.”

             
“But surely it is your destiny…” Bordol began.

             
“Destiny is a choice.” Kenner interrupted him.  “We all have command over our own futures.”

             
“And what ‘choice’ will you make, you who wields the mighty Black Sword?”

Kenner felt irritated and no longer wanted to continue this discussion.  For two years, he had kept hearing about “destiny” and his responsibility of bearing th
e Black Sword from his friends in the village and from rumors that made their way into the hills.  He was tired of it.

             
“Right now,” he said restraining his voice.  “My ‘choice’ is to continue eating this fine meal that’s been prepared.  And if you have no objection, I would like to continue it with more pleasant conversation.”

He stared directly into Bordol’s eyes who merely sneered back at him.  He took a deep breath to further compose himself and looked at Kayla to apologize.  She took his hand gently an
d smiled at him.

             
“Well put.” She said to him.

She then looked down the table and spoke sternly.

              “For those of you who seem to have forgotten, let me remind you that this is my table.  I choose who sits here and who does not.  The next person who disturbs the peace of this meal will find themselves no longer welcome here.”   She looked at every face at the table and added, “Ever.”

             
After the meal, Kayla led Terri and Kenner into the garden.  She spoke of some of the different flowers, shrubs and bushes in the garden and how lovely they were when they bloomed.  She also spoke a little of its history.

             
“These flowers here, for example,” She told them, “were planted three hundred years ago by Lady of the Woods Serrul in honor of her husband who died before her.  They bloom only one day out of the year on the anniversary of their union.  The blossoms are blue and red, representing two people who loved each other most dearly.”

             
“I must apologize to you for being rude to Bordol,” Kenner said to her.

She turned to
him and her eyes sparkled.

             
“You have no need to apologize, my friend.  Bordol was impolite to you and you put him in his place.  I was actually quite glad to see it.  It’s about time someone did.”

She looked at Terri with the same sparkling eyes and Terri
smiled.  Kenner was amazed at how Terri reacted to Kayla.  She looked almost as if she were in love.

             
“Still, it’s not my place…” Kenner started to say.

             
“It is your place and your right.” Kayla stopped him.  “Not many are welcome at my table; especially those from outside these woods.  As Terri can likely tell you, I have turned away hundreds from my forests whom I didn’t want here.  I have protected this nation’s secrets with great care and jealousy.  I do not wish that which we benefit from exploited for the uses of those who do not respect or honor our sacred place in this world.  If you sit at my table, you have to right to say anything to anyone who sits with me.”

She then winked at him.

              “Except me, of course.”

Chapter Thirteen

              The Army had marched twenty miles from Kallesh and then General Krypt ordered the troops to stop and make camp so his men could rest as much as possible.  Looking over the large encampment, he knew that they were being watched.  He’d heard reports of Wolfen scouts being spotted at the edge of the hills and he knew that spies from Kallesh were watching him as well.  At any time, he expected a rider from the White City to order him back and face the King.  However, he felt he had done the right thing.  His men were exhausted from two years of fighting and marching all over Walechia.  They were in desperate need of rest and this was the only thing he could think of to ensure they would get it.  More than that, he felt strongly that this was exactly what General Krall would have done.

             
They had been encamped for three days and the winter snows were starting to melt.  There were signs of spring.  However, the melting snow had made the ground wet and muddy.  The horses could barely move and the footing for the infantry would be unsteady at best.  He had chosen high ground so that melting snow wouldn’t pool into ponds or flood into his soldiers’ tents.  He’d also ordered drainage ditches be dug away from the camp.  In addition, he’d ordered his men to burn their waste at the end of every day to prevent disease.  General Krall had taught him well.  But the White City was still in view to the north and he knew their fires could be seen at night.

             
It wasn’t for his own life that he feared.  Death no longer frightened him.  However, he knew who would replace him should he die either in combat or at the hands of the King.  General Fraust was a man who had risen through the ranks through wealth and treachery.  He had no experience in combat and a battle with him at the head of the Army would be a disaster.  For that reason alone, he tried to preserve his life as much as possible.  In combat, he did not charge into the thick of battle as he once did nor had Krall.  Other competent Generals had been sent on ridiculous and useless missions with smaller armies.  They were dispersed throughout Walechia where they were not needed.  The Grand Army that he commanded, though formidable was somewhat vulnerable.  It was larger than any of the other forces combined and Krypt knew that if his Army fell, so too would Walechia.

             
He had told the King once that the other forces should combine, but this King whom he felt had lost his mind would not listen to any advice from capable people.  His advisors were those who agreed to virtually every ludicrous suggestion.  They were either afraid or unwilling to disagree or offer better advice.  The only one the King really listened to was his doctor.  Who was he, Krypt wondered?  Where did he come from?

             
He had seemingly come out of nowhere just after the battle of Mobrey and at the beginning of Melkur’s reign.  Almost immediately, the King had become dependent on him.  Every day and sometimes two or three times a day, the King called for him and his “medicine”.

             
As he thought these things, He saw Major Valon trudge up the muddy rise where Krypt inspected the encampment.

             
“How are the men?” Krypt asked him.

             
“As well as can be expected, sir.  They’re complaining about the cold and the damp, but they do seem to be resting well.”

             
“Soldiers always complain.” Krypt told him.  “It’s only when a soldier stops complaining that you really have to worry.”

Valon laughed, but Krypt could tell there was something bothering him.

              “So what are you here to complain about?” He asked Valon.

Valon sighed and then looked back toward the camp.

              “We’re starting to run low on supplies, sir.”

             
“Let me guess, we’re starting to run out of food.”

             
“I’m afraid so.  I was thinking it may be time to start cutting their rations.”

             
“Not now.” Krypt said sadly.  “While we’re here to rest, they need to be eating as much as possible.”

             
“I agree, but if we were to send for supplies from Kallesh, the first question anyone is going to ask is where we are.”

             
“Very true.” Krypt said.

He thought for a few moments.  It would be dangerous to send for supplies from Kallesh, that was true.  But perhaps there was another way.

              “Take up a collection,” he told Valon, “one silver from every soldier and five from every officer, including yourself.”

             
“What in the world for?”

             
“Our orders were to move south.  In two days, we will move further south to the city of Geedings.  When we reach there, we will buy more supplies.”

             
“Excellent idea, sir.” Valon said, grinning.

             
“Their food is better than Kallesh food anyway.”

Chapter Fourteen

              Kenner couldn’t sleep.  After sleeping for three days, he wasn’t tired.  He also felt restless; as if something were out there; something approaching.  It felt sinister and menacing, like something sneaking up behind him in the dark.  If asked, he would never be able to explain it rationally.  He had thought of trying to discuss it with Terri, but she had been drinking.  She turned dark and moody when she drank more than an ale or two and something about her in that state made Kenner very uncomfortable.

             
Instead, he wandered around the woods admiring the awesome trees above him.  The city on both sides of the river was bathed in the same silvery light, but it was softer now; not quite dark, but more akin to night.

             
With his hand on his sword, he sensed that someone was near him and he looked up to a balcony that appeared to grow out of the tree next to a door.  The room behind the door was dark, but in the soft light, he could just barely identify the outline of Saab sitting on a chair on the balcony and peering down at him.

             
“Trouble sleeping?” Saab asked him.

Kenner looked up at him and saw his eyes shining in the relative darkness light Shela’s at night.

              “A little,” Kenner answered.  “I suppose after three days of sleep, my body’s done for a while.”

Saab grunted what sounded like a laugh.

              “Please come up.” Saab said to him.

Kenner climbed the steps that wrapped around the giant tree to Saab’s door.

              “You don’t seem to be tired either.” Kenner observed.

A cloud of thin smoke came from Saab’s mouth and pipe.

              “Morgrils don’t sleep like you humans,” he said.  “We can go days without any rest at all.  I personally haven’t slept in four days and I feel just fine.”

             
Kenner sat in a chair next to Saab’s.

             
“I’ve heard that the Morgrils were great warriors.  Is that one reason why?”

Another cloud of smoke rose above Saab and he nodded.

              “That and other reasons,” Saab answered.

He then presented his pipe to Kenner.  At first, he wanted to say no, b
ut something inside of him thought it might be rude.  He took the pipe and then took a deep draw of the earthy sweet tobacco.  Saab then grunted his laugh again.

             
“What’s so funny?” Kenner asked.

             
“You past the test.”

             
“What test?”

Saab then took a deep dr
aw and blew the smoke upwards.

             
“In my country, it is a test of trust to present your pipe to someone.  If they refuse, then they are not to be trusted.”

             
“I see.  Well, I certainly hope I can be someone you can rely on.  And you don’t seem so bad yourself.”

             
“Not quite the mindless killing machine you were taught about?” Saab asked smiling.

Kenner lowered his head a little, not wanting Saab to see his embarrassment.

              “No, not quite,” Kenner answered.

Saab offered him the pipe again and Kenner took another
draw.

             
“We weren’t always warriors.” Saab told him.  “Centuries ago, we were artists and philosophers, hidden away in our swamps and jungles in the great Tree of Life.  You should have seen us back in the old times.  We built great structures of stone and marble; palaces for our Chiefs and temples to our gods.  We even shared our knowledge and skills.  The walls of your Kallesh were built by us.  We had alchemists searching for the secrets of nature and doctors creating medicines that could cure almost any ailment.”