The Troven (Kingdom of Denall Book 1) (14 page)

Chapter 12

Farin set his pick in the pile of tools, then stepped out of the way to let Bendar put down his shovel. It was nice having some extra income from three people working in the trench instead of just two, but now that the trench was finished, they were out of work. “What are we going to do?” he asked Bendar.  They had sold some supplies to pay for a doctor to properly clean and treat Kaz’s leg, and on his recommendation, had traded with a travelling medicine vendor for something that would speed the healing process, but they wanted to keep as much as possible for their continued journey. The trench digging earned them enough to eat and stay at the inn for a few more days, but they needed to find something more long term until Kaz was fully healed.

“We will need to find something else while Garin is helping Will.”

Farin nodded, then looked over to his brother. Garin had made friends with a man named Will who was building a house for his growing family. Although Garin tried to get work for Farin and Bendar, Will had said that he could not afford to pay three people to dig a foundation and put framing up. Also, due to the location of the cabin, Garin would be staying with Will for at least two weeks, and Farin was not willing to leave Kaz alone during the crucial stage of recovery. “I actually saw a posting today in the square for some work as a scribe. The merchant wants someone to help with getting his ledger in order and do some odds and ends.”

Bendar looked up quickly. “That would be a perfect job for me! I have worked with my father for years doing similar things.”

Farin nodded his head reluctantly. He knew Bendar was the logical choice for the job, and reading, writing, and keeping meticulous notes were not among Farin’s strengths. While it made sense for Bendar to go after that job, Farin felt frustrated at being inadequate for the task. “It’s right over there,” Farin said, pointing down the street.

Bendar reached into his pocket. “Bring this back to Kaz,” he said as he placed two coppers into Farin’s hand. Farin looked down at the money, smiled, and shook his head as he watched Bendar trot down the street. He felt strange holding Bendar’s money. What felt even stranger was how quickly Bendar dropped it into his hand as if he didn’t give it a second thought. Despite any of Garin’s doubts, he felt confident Bendar was fully invested in the success of their group.

Farin put the money in his pocket with his own payment for the day. The money was dwindling, and now he was the only one, besides Kaz, who didn’t have any prospects for work. From their supply stashes they had kept their tent, some cloth for making bandages, one hunting knife, two longbows and some food. The rest of the material was sold in town for a small sum. Each day they gave the inn keeper some coins and watched as their meager pile of coins diminished. When Garin was finished talking with Will, the brothers walked back toward the inn. “What are you going to do?” Garin asked.

“I’ll figure something out,” Farin replied. “As much as I hate doing it, I know just about everything about farm work. I can help with animals, or any late summer planting if there are local people who need help.”

Garin patted his shoulder. “Take care of everything while I’m gone. Kaz’ll try to get moving before he’s fully healed, and…”

“Yes, mother,” Farin replied sarcastically. As they arrived at the inn, Farin stopped walking, and in a more serious tone added, “Take care of yourself too.”

“I will.”

“Hey, Kaz,” Farin said as he entered the dining area of the inn. Kaz seemed to always be in that room when they got off work. Farin didn’t blame him. Despite the bland decorations, it was much better than spending the day in the small room upstairs. “How’s the leg doing?”

“It’s feeling good. I was actually able to walk up and down the stairs a couple of times today, and I didn’t even need to use the handrail.” Kaz moved to stand up, but Garin waved for him to stay seated.

“That’s great. Hopefully we’ll be up for moving on in a couple of weeks. If our coppers can stretch a little farther that is.” Kaz nodded. He looked like he was about to say something but stayed silent. “What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing. I just wish I could help, that’s all.”

“You need to focus on getting better,” Farin said, not wanting to let Kaz have time to feel bad about himself. “And if I come back here and find that you’ve broken open your leg wound again because you were too stubborn to use the handrail, I’ll leave you behind when we head east.”

Kaz scrunched his face up, “Like you could survive the trip without me. It would be way too boring.” Kaz sat up straight trying to look dignified, then in his best Bendar voice he continued, “Garin, you ate two and a half apples, the ration is for only two.”

Garin couldn’t help but crack a smile. The voice impression was terrible, but it sounded like something Bendar would say.

“Speaking of Bendar,” Garin said pointing to the door of the inn.

Bendar came and sat at the table with a wide smile on his face. “I have obtained employment.”

Farin felt like jumping and cheering. “That’s great news!”

Kaz nodded, “Is it enough?”

“It is almost enough to cover the cost of the room and food. When Garin returns with the money he earns, and if Farin can find work to do we will have enough.”

“Speaking of which,” Garin said as he reached down to pick up his pack, “I’d better get going. I’m meeting Will at the lumber yard.”

Watching his brother leave, Farin was filled with a mixture of guilt and frustration, but he was determined to contribute to their group in any way he could.

“I’m going out to check the town square again,” he said as he left the inn.

“That’s fine,” Kaz called out, “but make sure to be back before dark, I have a surprise for you guys here in the tavern.”

Farin stepped out into the road. He was certain Kaz’s surprise was that he had convinced the inn keeper to give them an extra roll with dinner. They had spent quite a bit of time together, and the man was treating them a little better. Despite the offer of a surprise, Farin was more concerned with finding some kind of way he could help the group.

The streets were fairly active as he walked to the center of town. In the week they had been in Hillside he had become comfortable with the layout of the town and could easily find his way around. He recognized some of the villagers who had worked on the ditch digging, and the general store owner waved at him as he passed.

“Are you needing any help?” he asked.

“We’ve got all the help we need here with my four sons,” he responded, “But I’m happy to buy some more supplies from you if you are short on money.”

“Thanks,” Farin responded. He knew the man was trying to help, but if he did sell their tent, or hunting knives, or any more travel supplies to this man, they would just need to buy them back in a couple of weeks when Garin returned. They already had a list of things they would need before they could leave, there was no sense making the list bigger.

He made his way to the town square and checked the board for any available work. It was empty, as he expected, but he hoped that each day would bring something, even something small, that he could do to earn some money.

Farin wandered in a large circle around the town as the sun set and darkness began to cover the buildings. He passed by the town square one final time before making his way back to the inn. It was only when he got to the front door of the tavern that he remembered about Kaz’s surprise. When he pushed open the door, nothing could have prepared him for the shock of what he saw.

On the stage at the front of the tavern, Kaz was leaning on a bar stool while juggling an apple, onion and potato. As he threw them in an intricate pattern, he took a bite out of the apple, then kept juggling. “You never said you’d eat it!” Braden shouted above the crowd of guests, which caused the gathered men to cheer and laugh.

“What was that?” Kaz asked when he had swallowed the bite of apple. He kept spinning the food in the air, and in his distraction he took a bite of onion. The crowd laughed even harder.

Kaz stopped juggling the food, and Braden stalked to the front and took the potato from him. “I’ll take this before you start eating it raw too!” he gave Kaz a half-hearted scowl but it was clear he was enjoying the show, and was pleased by the number of patrons who were enjoying themselves. Farin found a seat next to Bendar and watched as the show continued.

Kaz finished eating the apple, then held his finger to his mouth as if he wanted to tell everyone gathered a secret. “Have you ever seen a hound?” he asked. The people looked to each other, then back to Kaz. “Seriously, have you ever seen a hound?” he repeated.

Some people started shaking their heads, and many people replied by shouting, “No.”

At Farin’s table one man leaned over to a woman and Farin strained his ears to hear the man whisper, “Doesn’t that man who sells herbs have a nose mark?” But it was too quiet for Kaz to hear.

At the front Kaz threw his arms up in the air, “I’ve never seen one. My friend, Bendar, lives half the year in Pike Point, and he’s never seen one. On our way here from Dungan, Bendar told me the gift might be extinct, and that got me thinking. If a gift goes extinct, what happens? Is that just the end, or does a new gift rise up to replace the old one? I can think of a couple of gifts I’d love to have,” Kaz turned to look up at the roof as if plucking some ideas from the air. “How about the gift of eating,” he suggested. “I could eat what I want all the time and never worry about getting sick or getting overweight.”

From the crowd a man called out, “Better guard your onions Braden!” The innkeeper jokingly wrapped his arms around a pile of vegetables, and everyone began laughing.

“How about the gift of charm,” Kaz mused. “I would always say just the right thing to that special girl.” He looked around as if trying to be suave. “Oh wait, I already have that gift!” He turned around on the bar stool, then began scratching his chin as if in deep thought. “If there really is going to be a new sixth gift, and I had any say in it, I’d actually cast a vote on what it should
not
be. I’m serious, can you imagine having a child who has the gift of enhanced taste? If my friend Fenn ever had a child, that poor kid would probably starve to death. She can’t boil water without burning it!”

Farin cringed at Kaz’s joke and was thankful Garin was not here, but the crowd seemed to love his jokes. Kaz continued to muse about different gifts that he would not want people having and the gathered people ordered drinks and had a great time. When Kaz was finished he bowed deeply, wished them all a good night, and made his way up the stairs. Farin joined his friend and helped supported him under his arm. “Thanks,” Kaz said when Farin took some weight off his leg. “I think I overdid it a bit back there.”

“So that was your big surprise?” Bendar asked. “You made fun of us in front of a crowd of people?”

Kaz didn’t turn around, “I didn’t make fun of you,” he argued. “I made fun of Braden and I definitely made fun of Fenn, but I didn’t pick on you. Besides, that’s not the surprise.” He paused at the top of the stair case and instead of turning to go to their small room at the end of the hall, he went left and opened the door to a large room with two beds and two cots. “This is the surprise.”

“Are you serious?” Farin asked in complete shock.

“Braden said it was a slow season and if I could bring more people in by telling stories and jokes he would let us have a larger room, and a discount.”

Farin grabbed Kaz in a hug, “I can’t believe it. I’ve never been so happy for a cot in my whole life.”

Chapter 13

Dune sat uncomfortably on a small cart that meandered down the main road to Norwell. He shrugged against the uncomfortable wool poncho that Kire had insisted he wear. He appreciated Kire traveling with him for the past week, but he was actually starting to agree with the older man—he needed a new travel partner. “My turn is just up ahead,” Kire said as if reading Dune’s mind. “From here I’m going straight north, and I again recommend that you do the same. Or go south, or west. We’ve already had a couple of close calls this week, and from what your group of seekers near Eaton was discussing, and what we have seen of the seekers that were out and about this week, they are definitely heading toward Lexingar.”

“Lexingar! Are you sure?” Dune asked, surprised by the surety of Kire’s statement. Lexingar still lay many weeks’ journey to the north, and there were numerous roads which led away from Norwell.  As far as Dune was concerned, he would be tracking for several weeks before determining where the seekers were ultimately headed.

Kire merely raised his eyebrow in response as he observed Dune.  Dune nodded his head with a sigh.  After all these years it was true that there was no need to question whether Kire was sure about an observation. When Kire vocalized a determination based on the information he had, he was never wrong.

“I know you worry about my safety,” Dune began, “but if I can thwart Mordyar’s stone seekers, I can do something important to stop him.”

Kire nodded thoughtfully. “I’m worried about more than just your safety,” he began. “What if the prophecies are being fulfilled?”

“Are you talking about The Changing again?” Dune asked with a half smirk. “You don’t think it sounds just a little too fantastic for the earth to shake and split open, making new continents and destroying the ones we know?”

“I wouldn’t be so certain. Many scholars fail to understand what the Stones of Power are, or that they have already started gathering,” he said, poking Dune’s cloak for emphasis. “We have already seen changes in weather patterns, diseases rising up, and if Mordyar has his eye on Denall, war will come. These are all things that precede The Changing. They are all things that are happening now.”

“That’s another good reason to stop Mordyar,” Dune argued.

“The only thing that can stop him is the one thing he’s seeking. The thing you have hidden in your cloak. The thing you are bringing right to the seekers.”

Dune pulled off the poncho, folded it and placed it in the back of Kire’s cart. “I will be as cautious as possible, and when I know their plans, I will use all you have taught me to decide on the best way to,” he paused, searching for the right word, “address the situation.”

Kire pulled on the reins, bringing the cart to a stop. He sat sideways in his seat and looked right at Dune. “I am not surprised that this is your decision, but this is where our paths must split. When you find that you are in over your head, you know where to find me. Though I plan to pursue other methods, I am equally committed to stopping Mordyar.”

Dune reached out and put a hand on Kire’s shoulder. “I’ve never doubted that, not even for a second. I really do appreciate you coming this far with me,” Dune said as he jumped down from the cart and untied his horse from the back of Kire’s cart.

“It was on my way,” Kire said with a grin. “Always happy to give a lift to another lonely traveler.”

Dune jumped up into the saddle, and walked the horse to stand even with Kire. “I’m sure our paths will cross again, my friend.”

“I feel certain that is true,” Kire responded with a knowing look. With one last look of farewell and a raised hand, Kire whipped the mule and pulled on the reins, and the small cart turned up a horse path leading north.

Dune watched his mentor and friend trundle down the road for a moment, then kicked his horse into motion down the road east toward Norwell, following the tracks of the stone seekers.

Traveling with Kire had slowed Dune down a little, but he was quickly able to make up time, and the tracks of the seekers became more and more fresh. As he followed the seekers, he thought about what Kire had said, and he considered the danger of following them.

If the group of seekers all worked together, he could be overpowered and captured. Slowing his horse to a walk, he shuddered slightly at the thought of being a prisoner again, and he looked down at his calloused hands and slowly pulled up his sleeve to look down at an old scar on his arm. He knew what it was like to be a captive—to be forced to use his magic like a slave, but he also knew what he was fighting for.

He dropped his sleeve down again to cover his arm and looked up the road. As he cantered down the hard-packed road, he reassured himself that chasing down Mordyar’s stone seekers was worth taking the risk of being captured again; it was worth any sacrifice. But he had also reasoned that being captured was a nearly non-existent possibility. They were not gathering to set up a trap for him, and he had learned, from painful experience, how to avoid being betrayed.

Three days after he parted ways with Kire, Dune found himself crouched low behind a tree, sneaking up on the seekers’ campsite. He could hardly believe his luck when he discovered that this time they had not set any magical traps.

Dune padded his feet with a cushion of magic to avoid making any sound as he made his way close to their camp. On the perimeter, Edgar was sitting on a log with his arms crossed over his chest. He was leaning against a tree and softly snoring.
Not the best sentry.
The other seekers were also sleeping soundly, presumably having fully trusted Edgar’s ability to stay awake and alert them to any dangers.

The magician reached out with his magic and touched the small vial that hung from Edgar’s belt. While he could sense that what was inside had been created with magic, it also felt filthy and unnatural. In his years following the seekers, he had learned a little bit about the elixir they had with them at all times. All seekers took an oath to serve Mordyar and seek the Stones of Power. When they did, they were poisoned. The poison deformed their bodies, allowing them to see magical items, but eventually the effects of the transformation would kill them. Until then, the elixir they drank helped keep them alive, and they guarded it fiercely.

Dune watched Edgar for a moment. He did want to know where the seekers were going, but he didn’t need them all alive. He also didn’t want to alert the other seekers to the fact that they were being tracked.
What would Kire do?
He continued to puzzle out a plan as he stood just a few yards away from Edgar, then an idea hit him.
I wonder what Edgar will do if he runs out of that elixir?
Dune made a sharp point of hardened air that was hair thin, and he punctured the base of Edgar’s vial with an imperceptible hole. When he released the magic, he waited several minutes until he heard a single drop of the liquid hit the ground. He then backed away into the thick darkness of the woods, and back to his campsite.

In the morning, Dune took his time getting up and ready. Despite being disguised in farmer’s clothing, he didn’t want to come upon the seekers face to face on the road, especially right around the time when Edgar discovered his empty vial. After a lengthy breakfast, he started walking his horse down the main road toward Norwell.

When he passed the place where the seekers had camped, he looked around for any signs of them, and found some tracks indicating that they had all left together from the camp.
Maybe they all shared their elixir supplies with Edgar.

Dune urged his horse into a trot to make up some lost time. He was disappointed that his plan didn’t seem to be working, but he kept moving, hoping that eventually they might run out. Through the late morning and into the early afternoon Dune continued to follow the road, checking from time to time for the seekers’ tracks. As the evening began to settle in, he passed the place where they had stopped for a meal. Being a couple of hours behind them was a safe distance, so he was about to stop for the night when he heard a slight rustling in the woods. He gripped his staff and moved forward more cautiously. The sound was too clumsy for an animal, and too large to have been caused by the wind. As he approached, the female seeker jumped out of the bushes and landed on the road next to him. He pushed against her with magic, shoving her backward away from himself and his horse.

She screamed out. “Where did that come from? What’s going on?”

Dune leapt to the ground with his staff in hand and some spells ready to release at her. As he approached, she didn’t attack, but instead wandered in a circle with her hands outstretched. Dune sent out a locator spell into the woods looking for the other seekers. If she was a decoy, he was not going to be fooled. He felt through the magic of his locator spell that they were alone. He moved forward cautiously. “Where are the others?” Dune asked as he came closer to the seeker.

“Who are you?” she asked, looking around. Her eyes passed over him without noticing he was there, even though she had looked directly at him, Dune saw that her eyes were glossed over in an opaque white. The woman held her hands in front of her in fists. “Where are you?” She swung her arms out trying to strike at Dune, but she found only air.

“Calm down, I’m not going to hurt you,” Dune began, “Where is Edgar?”

“That rotten snake!” she shouted. “He did this to me!”

Dune came close and spoke soothingly. “What did he do?” he asked softly, then he reached out and touched one of her hands that was still a fist.

She flinched and backed away, still not dropping her fists. “He stole something from me!” she spat out, “Something very important.” She moved from side to side as if looking for the direction of an attack.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Dune reassured. “I live near Eaton, Edgar has stolen something from me too.”

“Who are you?” she asked.

Dune didn’t know how much of Edgar’s affairs were known to this other seeker, so he didn’t know if he could get away with making a name up.

“I used to be his friend, then he double crossed me and left town.” Dune replied, hoping this evasive answer would stop her line of questioning. “I’m going after him and I intend to get my money back.”

The woman dropped her arms to her sides and slumped to the ground. “Your money is gone,” she replied. “If you chase him he’ll slit your throat. It’s better to just go home.”

Dune sat on the ground next to her, then patted her on the shoulder. “What about you?” Dune asked, “What did he take from you?”

She scrunched her eyebrows together and hesitated for a moment before answering. “He took my medicine, I’m blind without it.”

Dune shook his head. He should have known Edgar would never try to share the elixir. He would rather turn on his friends than risk not having enough for himself. For a moment, Dune almost forgot that the woman sitting on the ground in front of him was also a stone seeker, and he began to have pity for her. “I’m really sorry,” he responded. “I guess we’ve both lost something important to Edgar.”

She turned away and dropped her face to the ground. “Yes, I guess we have.”

While he felt bad for the woman, he also knew that she might be able to help him. “If I catch him, I can bring back your medicine,” he offered. “Where was he going?”

“I told you before, he’ll kill you before he gives you back anything that he took. He wears some magical jewelry that protects him. You can’t sneak up on him or he’ll know. If you want to live, you should just go home.”

“What about you? Why don’t you go after him?” Dune asked.

“I’m as good as dead. Without my medicine I’ll lose my mind and be dead in a week,” she responded in a dejected tone. “There’s no hope for me.”

“Let me avenge you,” Dune offered. If he could win her trust, even enough to let him bring her revenge to Edgar, perhaps she would share some additional information. “I’m a very hard man to kill. I’ll find him, and I’ll deliver a message of revenge for both of us.” He let her consider that for a moment, waiting to see how receptive she might be to helping him in some way.

“His Han’Or,” she murmured.

“What was that?”

“His Han’Or, his medicine.  Take it from him.  Let
him
know what it feels like to lose his sight and understand that he has only days left before his mind betrays him.  Take his Han’Or.” 

“And if I take this Han’Or, will he lose his sight right away?”

“We have been on half rations for a long time, all of us except Edgar.  My sight is gone because I have not had enough for many days.  But Edgar always seems to find a way to keep himself properly stocked.  It will take a few days before he loses his sight once you have taken his, but you must also make sure he cannot resupply from the others at the gathering. And the others will fight you as well…” she trailed off as she seemed to be looking around for something now.

“What cause are they fighting for? Maybe I can help.”

Just then the woman’s white eyes stopped their roving and lay upon the place in Dune’s cloak where he kept the Magic Stone. The woman lifted her blind gaze toward Dune’s face and he felt a chill as if she could actually see him. “They are preparing for our master to return.”

Dune was filled with fear as he considered the next question. He knew that the seekers served Mordyar, and they all felt he would eventually come to visit them and reward their loyalty, but he had never heard of a group gathering to prepare for him. “When is he coming?”