The Vlakan King (Book 3) (2 page)

"Davan," said Loric. "Come over here a moment." His uncle rubbed the top of Davan's head. Although Davan had nearly matched his father in height Loric stood another half foot taller. His skin was pale almost bluish, his eyes copper, and his dark hair a bluish black. When Loric stared into his eyes Davan felt his uncle was peeling back all his layers. His father walked over to them.

"Where were you?" asked Ian Greyrawk.

"Washing dishes."

"Before that. An hour ago. I didn't see you in the inn."

"Just out back tossing rocks. I had to get outside for a while."

Ian glanced at Loric and went back to his work. Loric still stared into Davan's eyes.

Loric leaned forward and spoke too softly for Ian to hear.

"Been climbing trees I see," said Loric. "I guess you can probably can see everything that happens in town from there."

Davan stuttered, not sure what to say. Loric winked at him.

"I'll come to your room before you retire for the night. I have something to tell you that you should know."

Davan just nodded and walked into the dining room.

"What was that about?" asked Greyrawk.

"Just a few words of wisdom before I leave tomorrow," said Loric.

"Can't stay any longer?"

"No. That encounter this evening proves it. Ioane is still hunting for you. It has been a year and a half since the Celaeri War and they are moving again. I need to head east and see if any more assassins are tracking in this direction. You might start working with your sword again. Jaele too. It might be necessary to train the boy."

"Loric, I appreciate your concern but.."

"Ian you must defer to me on this. I have far more experience than you and I have seen the warning signs. There is no doubt your lives are in danger. Ioane will avoid the mistakes that tripped Jerue's plans. She will account for the Talos Company somehow and what she may do concerns me greatly. The hunt is on for you and I must find a way to deter the hunters. I assume you are happy with this life?"

"Yes. Especially with Davan and Tara growing up and now with little Aravan. This inn is more of a home than I could have imagined. Starting the inn was the best decision we ever made. Ever since we returned from Cresida this has been our world. We don't even speak of what happened there. Davan was told we were attending a funeral for a relative of mine. Jaele will fight to the death for this place."

"I remember how she fights and I was glad her sword was on my side. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. However you and Jaele best be ready. We were fortunate that I was here to intercept the assassin before he got to the inn despite the sentinels watching the roads. The Vlakan was strong and extremely quick. Tera or Davan might have been killed. We have a chance to increase our watchfulness without cost. They cannot take us unaware now."

"Did Davan see you with the Vlakan? Is that what you are going to talk to him about?"

"He saw it but only after it was dead. He needs to be told what he saw. Also he must understand the danger and I will be truthful about myself."

"Is he ready for that?"

"I think so. He is very inquisitive and if the curse of the Celaeri manifests in him it would be better if he knew what it was. Ignorance can kill him."

"I wish I was as confident."

"Let me worry about what goes on outside Peradon. You just keep this inn running and start sparring with Davan and Jaele. Your past occupation is not unknown in town?"

"No, of course not. We lived here many years as part of the Red Boars Company before starting the inn. The mercenaries are based here. No one would be surprised to see Jaele handle a sword. Especially if they've seen her running the inn."

"Good. I will send messages to Kerreth. He will spread the word to the Talos Company and those who wander. Within a fortnight there will be more watchers in the woods around this town. Nothing will enter or leave without our knowledge."

After the dining room began to clear out, Davan walked outside to think. Loric knew he had seen them with the body and wanted to talk to him. Perhaps there was a logical explanation that needed them to avoid the sheriff. But what would that be unless it was murder? Was Loric a murderer? His stories are exciting but Davan always believed Loric was on the side of good in the tales. He never considered Loric being a criminal. Still, the unusual appearance of the body led Davan to believe it was something the sheriff might not understand. Loric did look different from most people. Very tall and his skin had a bluish tint almost as if he was out in freezing weather. And his eyes, whose color Davan always considered light brown was in fact copper-colored. Where was Loric from anyway? Davan's father had little of Loric's coloring although many features were similar. He decided that Loric was not his uncle, not in the usual sense. Although their features made them relatives he didn't believe Loric was his father's brother. Thinking further on it, if any of Loric's tales were true they would fill a life longer than a 50 year old man had lived. Even giving Loric 60 years would be too little and he looked too young for sixty. In fact, Loric looked younger than his father did. He was thinking himself in circles.

Davan decided to walk through the town past the butcher shop, bakery to the boat builder who was hard at work despite the failing light. Peradon was not a prosperous town. The shoreline was very shallow allowing only small boats to reach the shore. While the merchant ships bypassed Peradon the fishermen dotted the bay in early morning. The boat maker had a very steady business and had two apprentices. Grent was inspecting the sealing work on the latest boat and looked up when he saw Davan.

"Evening Davan."

"Evening Master Grent. Working past dinner again?"

"Well you know it as well as me, Davan. We have to keep up with business. If I don't keep my commitments I will lose customers. This one needs to be completed in three days and it will be close. What are you doing walking around? The inn looked busy earlier."

"It was very busy. I like to walk and think before I go to bed. It's not often I actually can, but today I have the opportunity."

"Good idea to sort out the day's activities at the day's end. Some wouldn't say so but I think contemplation is an important part of life. Many people don't see what's beyond the end of their nose, but the world is a wide place Davan, and stranger than you know. Different people, animals, weather, you name it. Every day you can see something new. Well, I can't chat anymore although I enjoy exercising my jaw. This boat won't get done by itself."

"Good evening, Master Grent."

"Evening, Davan."

Davan walked back to the inn. It would soon be time to cleanup for the day.

A customer called for more ale and Ian went back to work. Loric watched Davan work in the dining room. He was surprised to feel affection for the boy. Loric had no children of his own and he passed that stage of life many generations ago so the sudden longing for a child unnerved him. Perhaps he had been wounded in the fight with the assassin. Sometimes an injury made him contemplative. He returned to his room and checked for wounds but found none he hadn't already treated. He packed his belongings and set his pack on the table.

The years passed so quickly. Now the Celaeri were moving again. Loric believed they had pushed them down so far that Ian could live out his life without Celaeri trouble again. Loric shook his head. He was half Celaeri, born over two thousand years earlier and a sentinel against the return of the warrior race. The Celaeri would not give up their grasp of this world no matter how slight it might be. Few in number and crippled as a military force still they chip away at the barriers refusing them entry to the daylight world.

Loric sat on his bed sharpening a dagger when he heard the tread of Davan in the hallway. The boy was finished with his evening chores and finally getting a chance to relax. Loric opened the door suddenly and Davan started.

"Davan, I'd like to speak to you."

"Sure. I hear you're leaving tomorrow. Kind of short notice?"

"Yes it is. Something has come up that I must attend to. I wanted to say a few things to you. You're growing up quickly. I still see you as a babe in your mother's arms. But you are not, not by a long shot. I probably should have spoken with you before, but I think today will suit just fine."

Davan sat on the worn bench across from the bed. Loric closed the door and sat on the bed. He looked at Davan for a few minutes weighing his thoughts.

"What do you know of me?"

"You're my uncle."

"Yes, besides that. Have you ever wondered about my bluish skin, copper eyes? My height?"

"Well, you're from another part of Anavar."

"Davan, I know you are not stupid. Your father is not my brother. Have you been getting into the brandy under the counter? Pay attention. I need you to understand the situation. The body you saw buried today was of a Vlakan. A creature of darkness molded from a Celaeri. Have you heard of the Celaeri?"

"Just stories. A dead race."

"They aren't dead. I am half Celaeri, half Man. My father was a Man. I am not your uncle, but we are related. There is Celaeri blood in your veins too. You may find it difficult to believe but I am many generations your elder. Celaeri are an ancient race and attuned to the god that created them. The Altengud Moruga did not create many Celaeri but he made them powerful. They ruled Cresida and enslaved Men who dwelt in the area. It was only after a long war that the Celaeri were driven from Cresida, fleeing into the shadows of the north. The Celaeri are trying to leave that shadow world they inhabit and return to our world. However, they cannot achieve this unaided. To do this a spell is used that requires blood of Celaeri and Men and if it comes from the same being so much the better. In fact, half-breed blood is best but the Celaeri blood should be very small percentage. So I am not suitable to power this spell successfully, but you and your father are very suitable. Even Tera would be useful to the Celaeri but her identity is unknown to them. The Vlakan was hunting you and Ian. Their queen befriended your father when the Celaeri last tried to regain power. At the time he did not know she was an enemy and he spoke of you. Your father's blood was used to bring the Celaeri back last time. Your parents and the Talos Company led the battles to defeat them. The Celaeri are actively trying to return to the world again. My friends and I thought we had defeated them and so we had temporarily. It would mean war if they grab a foothold in Landermass again. They wish to annihilate Men. Once Men lived alongside them, and then the Celaeri enslaved the Men of Cresida. The other human kingdoms rose in strength and defeated the Celaeri. Their memories are long and their hatred is ceaseless."

"This is hard to believe; harder still if I hadn't seen the body of that creature. It certainly wasn't human. I've never seen a Daerlan, but I know they are not furry and I've seen Tuors and they are much smaller. It would have been a giant Calyindri but they never leave their lands."

"It was a Vlakan and you have never seen one of those, else you wouldn't be here now. Your parents would have difficulty with one now after neglecting their swords."

"My parents? What do you mean?" asked Davan.

"You know they were mercenaries, how did you think they did their jobs; with knives like the one in the back of the Vlakan? No, Jaele and Ian were sword-masters. They will need that skill again unless I am mistaken."

"Sword-masters? I can't believe that. Well, maybe Mom. I'm not sure I like you all serious like this. I like it better when you are drinking and pinching the women in the bar."

"Ha. Me too, Davan, me too."

"Why are you leaving if we are in danger? You are still a fighter."

"I must get word to some of my friends," said Loric. "They are skilled in fighting the Celaeri. If the Celaeri sends a large force I may not be enough to protect you. My friends are also difficult to find or I would send the farrier's boy. I must travel fast and hard. I do not trust anyone else to get the message through. There are friends traveling this way and I will let them know to be wary for you. They will be able to defend against one or two Vlakan."

"Friends? Who are they?"

"It is better if they remain anonymous. Our enemies might not spot them if you pay my friends no special attention."

"Mom and Dad know all this?"

"Yes they do."

"All this goes on and all I care about is avoiding chores. How did I miss it? You said Vlakan are made from Celaeri? How? Is there a god doing that?"

"I never should have told you anything, Davan. You will ask so many questions I won't leave before breakfast. I believe there is another god twisting the Celaeri into Vlakan, but it doesn't always work properly. There are refined Vlakan that can walk into any civilized court in Anavar or Amloth and there are others not better than beasts, wild things that hunt all that go on two legs. Both kinds are dangerous. Now you must be wary until I return or I send for you. It might be two months before you hear from me. Be brave."

"I'm not sure what the difference between a Celaeri and Vlakan is. Your description of a Celaeri makes them a formidable enemy. Why change into Vlakan?"

"The Vlakan are strange creatures. This transformation is not by the Celaeri god Moruga or by any desire of the Celaeri. The Celaeri do not control the Vlakan and although their purposes are often in concert, some darker power guides the Vlakan. I have not determined the how or why. I am a fighter not a thinker. Perhaps Blackthorne has unraveled the mystery, I don't know. If you see a Celaeri, flee; if you see a Vlakan, flee faster."

"Blackthorne the Sorcerer? You know him?"

Loric put his hand on Davan's shoulder and guided the overwhelmed young man to the door of his room.

"Davan, I am sorry I leave you with so many questions unanswered. In time everything will be made clear but not by me and not tonight. I will be gone before dawn. Goodbye, Davan."

"Goodbye, Uncle Loric."

Loric watched the stunned young man walk to his room. He was angry with himself for not preparing better although he never expected the Celaeri to return. He believed the Celaeri queen Ioane Adan had returned to the Shadow world after Kerreth Veralier killed her father in the war. The ageless Ioane admitted defeat and proudly retreated from the battlefield. It had been difficult for the Celaeri to escape the Shadow world that last time and to return again should have been impossible. But Ioane Adan returned against all odds. Again, Loric underestimated his mother.