The Grim Wanderer (56 page)

The Hand of Fire were soon pushing hard down the mountainside. As they trekked, Taem took in the glorious landscape of the Lost Realms laid out for leagues before him, all the way until the green forests and grasslands met the blue of the cloudless sky, on the far-off horizon. Taem inhaled, and the smell of fresh wilderness and the flowery scents of summer filled his nose.

The company passed the skulls of outlandish creatures set on poles by the trailside. Taem saw piles of bones and sinister structures of wood and stone, topped with a skull and covered with evil tribal markings.

‘What are these evil things?’ Baek whispered.

‘I do not like the feel of them,’ Taem’s hand was on Estellarum’s hilt, as he eyed the ominous painted skulls.

‘Do not touch them,’ Hirandar said warily. ‘They are bound with curses of Dark magic. The magic is weak but, nonetheless, best not to go anywhere near those foul shrines. They are warnings from the Krun not to trespass on their territory.’

‘Much more effective than signs with “keep out” written on them,’ Drual murmured.

These evil shrines were not the only signs that encouraged the warriors to be vigilant. Earlier in the morning, Logan had found clues of Isornel’s passing: a campfire that held the last remnants of warmth – which the Dark Servants had not bothered to conceal – plus numerous tracks and some discarded food.

At midday, the company halted to sit on a grassy bank and take some rest. They looked out over the Lost Realms and its uncharted wilderness, whilst snacking on some light provisions. Miles to the south-east, Taem saw a settlement of wooden shacks, from where smoke rose.

‘They are Krun villages,’ Hirandar said, when she saw the companions gazing down. ‘Deeper into the Lost Realms there are giant Krun cities, where Ugur warlords fight for ruler-ship of the tribes. The Kruns have built their dwellings amongst the old empires that once existed here in the Lost Realms, using the old ruins as a base. Their structures are always poorly built though. The Kruns have neither the temperament nor the ability to build anything that would last.’

‘The Kruns of the Lost Realms live in some semblance of a civilisation,’ Logan gazed out over the wild landscape. ‘But I find it a cruel parody of what the good peoples once made here. To me, it is a vengeful reminder of what the Kruns destroyed, six hundred years ago, when the Lost Realms became lost.’

‘What makes a Wizard of the Sceptre turn to the Dark,’ Jvarna said in disgust, ‘and become a servant of evil?’

Hirandar sighed, ‘I think Isornel was a Dark Servant long before he was a wizard. Balthus’s story confirms it. I had my reservations about his admittance to the Celestial Tower, but The Order vetoed in his favour.’ Hirandar shrugged. ‘You see, wizards are getting fewer all the time, and The Order would see that whatever magic could be preserved, would be. I would not follow this policy to the cost of all else.’

‘How could
anyone
swear themselves to Malveous?’ Baek shivered, as he shook his head. ‘Let alone
a wizard
.’

Forgrun shuddered at the Dark One’s name being spoken aloud, forming the Shielding Sign with his hands. The Rhungars always called Malveous the King of Malice, or the Bane King, or any other of a number of variants, because they could not bear to hear his real name said. Rhungars believed that to utter that evil name brought bad luck, and worse, down on the speaker. The Shielding Sign went some way to deflecting the Dark One’s attention – or so the Rhungars thought.

‘It is hard for us to comprehend,’ Hirandar said sadly. ‘There are some who just have evil in their character, some who do not have the will to resist, and some who do it out of greed and desire for power. All Black Servants pledge their soul to Malveous. He takes it in their death. It is the bargain every one of them makes with the Dark One to get the rewards of the Shadow. Many Maliven believe immortality will be theirs, but very few are granted this reward. There are two ways to go to hell: as a willing guest, or a damned prisoner held in eternal torment. Black Servants believe it is better to swear themselves to the Dark One and go as the former, rather than the latter. They believe if Malveous breaks free from his hellish world, his loyal servants will come with him. The gates of hell will open, and the damned will walk the earth. The fate of everyone else will be as slaves, existing in eternal damnation.’

Taem looked round at his companions, to see he was not the only one trembling. He was glad it was a warm summer’s day in a beautiful mountain country, and the sun was beaming down to banish any shadows.

‘I believe this apocalyptic nightmare
could
happen,’ Hirandar said – and Taem saw Forgrun and Jvarna shudder, and saw the fear in Baek and Drual’s eyes. ‘It is the reason why we fight. It is hard to believe some people would betray everything that is good in this world, aligning themselves with evil, just to escape this possibility.’ Hirandar shook her head. ‘There are some things that go against conscience, and what you know to be right. Such things should
never
be succumbed to, no matter what the prize is.’

‘The Maliven are weak,’ Logan said harshly. ‘They must be destroyed without mercy.’

Hirandar glanced around to see her company were shaken, so she said warmly, ‘But take heart, friends. For take comfort in the knowledge that the Dark force of Malveous is opposed by a force of greater good. The Light, the maker of our world, will not see its great work undone.’

Taem glanced at Logan, and Jvarna and Ragad, and saw the dubious looks in their eyes. They did not have the same level of belief as the old Wizard.

‘But,
why
?’ Baek quivered. ‘Why does the Dark One hate us so?’

‘The evil of Malveous is beyond our reasoning,’ Hirandar said, as Forgrun hurried to make the Shielding Sign. ‘No doubt the Dark One enjoys such a position –
that he perceives shows his superiority
– but in that lies his vulnerability. For the Dark One’s great weakness is he knows not of the pure good emotions of love, valour and honour. He does not
understand
them. Take encouragement in this, for with the acts of good people the Light will forever endure.’

‘Can Dark Servants come back to good?’ Drual asked.

Drual’s question raised a few puzzled eyebrows, although Hirandar did not seem to mind. Logan watched the rogue with wary eyes.

‘
No soul can fall so far into Darkness that it cannot be brought back to the Light
,’ Hirandar quoted the old saying. ‘Before death, a Dark Servant may repent their sins, and relinquish the Dark promises of the Black Pledge. If they renounce evil with conviction, the Light will fight Malveous for their soul. Nevertheless, even if a Maliven renounces evil, their heinous past acts cannot be forgotten, and most deserve death for their crimes. But at least with confession, they can meet the Light with a cleared conscience. If the Light will not take their soul, however, they will meet Malveous in hell.’

One of the company quaked with terror, when he thought of what awaited him in death. Although, fortunate for the Maliven traitor, none of his companions noticed. His shroud of deceit prevailed.

‘And,’ Hirandar went on, ‘even if Dark Servants live after they’ve renounced Malveous, their old fellows of the Maliven will seek them out, see they go through unimaginable agony before the end. You see, Dark Servants are many times worse on turncoats who switch back to the Light. Traitors amongst themselves, are dealt with even more brutally than the torment the Maliven would inflict on anyone else.’

‘Let us talk about something more cheerful,’ Balthus suggested what everyone was thinking.

Taem knew it was essential to know such things, but they did not make for comfortable listening – even out in the bright sunshine of a warm summer’s day.

‘What be it like ter be a king?’ Forgrun eagerly asked Balthus.

‘Well,’ Balthus said, ‘it can be both the hardest and the most rewarding job in the kingdom. The greatest king I have ever known once told me,
A king exists to provide his people with freedom and justice
.’ Balthus smiled at this.

Taem was watching Ragad, but the Croma did not even flinch – even though he too was going to be a king, and must have seen his father rule the kingdom. Taem did not know why Ragad was so evasive amongst friends. But if the Northman did not want to say anything, Taem was not going to betray his trust. Then again, Taem realised, he was keeping secrets himself. The secret of the true nature of his sword.

‘For the Sodan,’ Logan said, ‘the way of the king is in close kinship to The Way of the Sword. The goals are the same, the path similar. King Aswan is an honourable man. ’

‘Yes,’ Balthus said happily. ‘A man of vision and compassion. A man who created his dream of a land of justice.’

‘I do not see the
freedom
and
justice
,’ Drual snarled at Balthus, ‘that you grandly speak of, in the slums of Dolam! Or even at the royal court!’

Drual stormed off away from the company.

‘What do ’ave him riled?’ Forgrun said sourly, and Taem could see Baek, Jvarna, Logan and Ragad all looking at Drual with disapproval. Taem thought Drual had no manners. Balthus was genuine and open, and he had killed many Krun, and fought many battles against evil. Perhaps Drual was jealous. Balthus’s popularity had quickly risen in the group, and the Lord of Dolam had eclipsed Drual’s position as the centre of conversation.

Jvarna hesitated at first, but went over to see why the rogue was sulking.

‘The hardest thing I have found,’ Balthus rolled his head in the rogue’s direction, ‘in kingship and in life, is that it’s impossible to please everyone all the time.’

‘What troubles you?’ Jvarna asked Drual.

The rogue stared out over the Lost Realms, holding silent for a while before speaking.

‘A great many things.’ Drual said pensively. ‘What am I doing here? It’s not my style. Risking my life for good? For the Light? But yet, somehow, it feels right?’

The rogue turned to look at Jvarna, and he noticed how her blue eyes sparkled, and her hair caught the sun.
No!
Drual scolded himself.
You fool!
Drual Dhagren needs no one. But he saw the kindness in Jvarna’s face, and he knew she was a good person. Given that, Drual knew he would only end up letting her down.

Drual was unsure whether to tell Jvarna of his misgivings about Balthus or not, but something of his old self held him back. He just did not trust that sly fox. And Drual was scared no one else would believe him, that they would all side with the King of Grantle against him.

‘What?’ Jvarna said coyly, ‘What are you staring at?’

‘Nothing,’ Drual glanced away.

‘Perhaps,’ Jvarna smiled, ‘the goodness of others can rub off on someone, even a rascal like you.’

‘You know, I think you might be right,’ Drual grinned mischievously. His mind was made up. And this fierce Shacainian did have a fantastic smile. Drual had known more women than he could remember, but he had never met one with Jvarna’s spirit.

‘Come on,’ Drual said, ‘Looks like Logan wants to leave.’

‘You’re a strange one Drual Dhagren,’ Jvarna murmured, as they walked back to the others. ‘Beneath all the bravado there’s a good person, isn’t there?’

‘Of course,’ Drual smirked. ‘The pure white character of Hirandar Firefist or Logan Fornor is greyed by the
shining integrity
of Drual Dhagren,’ the rogue gave a sweeping bow.

Jvarna laughed out loud.

‘You need to learn to sit in the saddle before you can gallop,’ Jvarna said flatly.

‘
Perhaps, however and nonetheless,’
Drual mimicked Hirandar’s sagely tone,
‘I would therefore conclude, the only way we can move, undoubtedly and irrefutably, is one step at a time.
’

Jvarna raised her eyes skyward, ‘It is unbecoming to ridicule your betters.’ She glared at Drual.

‘Oh, would you calm down!’ Drual shrugged. ‘Just try relaxing, for once.’

Jvarna crossed her arms and grimaced.

‘Okay, listen,’ Drual held up his hands. ‘The old woman is the finest person I’ve ever met. And it was wrong to… if you must know I look up to the Wizard… she is kind, and she
is
a good person. Well, you know… she is someone who
genuinely
cares, and that’s a rare thing these days…’

Jvarna smiled at the rogue’s honesty.

‘Anyhow,’ Drual smirked, with the dangerous glint back in his eye, ‘I wouldn’t want to be too good now, would I? Where’s the fun in that?’

Jvarna shook her head and sighed, as they rejoined the rest of the company. Drual was an insufferable tease, but yet, despite all her reservations, Jvarna could not help finding him charming with it. She knew it was just plain stupid to feel for such a man, but why was Drual so afraid of letting people get close to him? Whenever anyone was trying to be thoughtful, Drual got uncomfortable and threw up his arrogant shield that hid who he really was. Did he think to trust someone was to risk being betrayed? Or was he hiding something? The rest of the day passed swiftly, as Jvarna wondered about the mysterious rogue.