The Winterstone Plague (The Carrion Cycle) (2 page)

“Well nobody tells me anything. If I want to get to the bottom of something, I have to take matters into my own hands.” Tomas paused for a moment. “Okay. I think you’re right. We should ask about it. Maybe I did mishear after all. They
were
mostly whispering.”

“Well, well. I should have figured the two of you were out getting into trouble!”

Valthian and Tomas reacted in unison to the melodic voice of the speaker. She was tall, with a slender build. Her flowing white dress ended just below her ankles, not quite touching the ground below. Her long golden curls were often the subject of discussion between many a young man in Solstice, though Valthian was the one she graced with any amount of attention.

“Elyna!” Valthian beamed. “I thought you were going straight home! I would have waited—”

“Nonsense,” she replied. “I can take care of myself. Besides, who am I to interrupt a union of great and noble minds such as yours?”

Valthian could practically taste the sarcasm in her words. Instead of giving his brother a chance to say something he’d have to apologize for later, he put on the widest smile he could manage.

“Would you care to join us?”

She nodded. “I would be delighted.”

“So,” Tomas chimed. “Is this one of those moments when I am considered a third wheel? I do not want my presence to keep the two of you from whatever in the gods’ names it is you do when you’re alone.”

It was impossible to keep the young boy from prattling on; Valthian should have realized that nothing he could say would ever change that. It was better to accept
who
a man was than to fight it, though the blossoms of deep crimson showing on Elyna’s face should have been enough to provoke a response in defense of her honor.

“I have an offer for you, young one,” Elyna replied. “Perhaps if you decide to hang around, we could put on a show just for you. You’d probably like that, wouldn’t you?”

Now Valthian felt his own cheeks grow warm. He tried to think of something to say that might change the subject; his lips all but failed him.

“That is quite all right,” Tomas said, chuckling. “The last thing I need is to have that sort of memory haunting my dreams each night. One of us having nightmares is more than enough. Perhaps I shall run along after all. I’m sure I would have a much better time with the bar maidens at The Hound’s Rest. Even Elsa Deros would be better company.”

Elyna shook her head and wagged a finger at Tomas. “You’d better be kind to young Elsa. I hear she still has one of her teeth. You might be surprised about what a woman can do with a single tooth. Maybe she
would
be fitting company.”

Tomas snorted. “You need to work harder at keeping this one in line, my brother. She’s certainly got a mouth.”

“I do not believe
she
is the one who needs to be kept in line,” Valthian said. “Besides, I rather like her mouth.”

He stroked Elyna’s left cheek with a single finger and drew her close, kissing her lips softly.

“By the gods! Please save that for later!”

“Why should I wait for what I can seize at this very moment?”

“Do you see that?” Tomas pointed off in the distance.

“Are you trying to change the subject just as my lips touch the heavens?” Valthian asked. “How convenient for you.”

Tomas shook his head. “Not at all. Look over there, in the square. There’s something happening.”

Valthian turned, squinting to get a better look. The boy was right; there
was
something happening in the square. Had their walk taken a turn down the back road that was the fastest shortcut home, they would have missed the gathering of men, women, and children that sprawled before them at that very moment. There, before many of Solstice’s citizens, was an old man draped in a black cloak and robes. A white collar was pulled tightly around his neck, and long, wispy silver hair extended well beyond his middle, hanging limply even as a gentle and cool breeze wafted by. He held in his left hand an open book; he used the fingers of his right hand to point at the crowd as he spoke. Valthian struggled against the whining breeze to hear his words, but they were too far away from the action to make do.

“What is the meaning of this?” Tomas asked. “Do either of you recognize him?”

“I do not,” Valthian replied. “He wears the robes of a learned man—perhaps he is a scholar—but his face is not one that I know.”

“Don’t look at me,” Elyna whispered. “I am but a simple blacksmith’s daughter.”

Valthian smiled. “You are many things my love, but
simple
is not one of them.”

“Would the both of you stop your bickering for a single minute? It might be wise for us to see what this man’s intentions are.”

“Tomas, for once I agree with you. This serious tone you have taken is quite becoming. Maybe you should try it more often.”

“I am afraid comedy does not suit you as well,” Tomas said. “Now, shall we get to the bottom of this or are we going to sit around squawking like mother hens?”

As they neared the ancient stone podium that was historically used for general village announcements and public meetings, the old man’s words became clearer. Townsfolk gathered around him, some shouting words of agreement. Most of them were waving their hands and jeering as he spoke. From the look of things, this was an event that could go one of two ways. While the people of Solstice were generally peaceful, no gathering of peasants was ever above rioting. As the sons of Lord Philip, the job of keeping the peace fell upon both Tomas and Valthian. The whole of the village loved them both; it was a fact that often helped matters far more than it hindered them.

“Where is your king now?” Valthian heard the stranger ask. “What has Randil done for any of you? I’ll tell you. He has done absolutely nothing to keep you safe! When was the last time he even bothered to send a tax collector?”

“I pay my taxes the same as every man,” came a voice from the crowd. “Just who are you to pass judgment on the king?”

“I understand your concern. Please, just hear me out. Listen, if only for a moment’s time.”

The shouts from the stranger’s audience grew louder.

“We don’t even know who you are!”

“Where are you from?”

“Go back to wherever you came from and take your bloody book with you!”

Tomas touched Valthian softly on the shoulder. “This is going sour quickly. We must do something.”

“Agreed. You keep an eye on Elyna. I’ll make swift work of this bunch.”

Tomas took Elyna by the arm and guided her back to a safe distance. Valthian took a deep breath, exhaled, and stepped forward.

“Good sir. Is there a problem I can help you with?”

The old man blinked and shut the book he was holding.

“And who might you be, young one?”

“I am Valthian of house De’Fathi, son of Lord Philip. Now that you have my name, will you do a young country noble the same honor?”

He lowered his eyes and tilted his head, giving the merest indication of a bow. “I am Father Abytheos Haym.”

“Father?” Valthian asked. “So you are a man of faith.”

“I am,” Abytheos replied. “I serve the One God.”

“I see. Please forgive my ignorance, but I know nothing about a religion with a
One God
. We have many gods in these lands.”

“The One God is the only true god of Alvanshia. All others are false in his eyes!”

“Father,” Valthian said. “You are most welcome in Solstice, but you must understand one thing; we do not think well of men who come here merely to insult the beliefs of our neighbors. Is this what you mean to do with your time in our peaceful village?”

The curvature of Father Haym’s lips could have represented either a smile or a smirk. “Of course not, child. You misunderstand my intentions.”

The old man took in the crowd with a wave of his free hand. “I have only come to talk among those who would listen to my words.”

“There is certainly no harm in—”

“I also seek to bring a message to your people.”

“A message?” Valthian frowned. “What sort of message?”

There was no mistaking the expression on the old man’s weathered face this time. His jaw was clenched; his teeth were bared.

“Many towns in this nation have fallen victim to plague.”

“I have only heard mention of two—”

Abytheos laughed; the sound echoed through the throng of onlookers.

“There have been many more than two, dear boy.”

“Oh? Is that the truth?”

“Indeed it is! And I fear that I have some unsavory news to report.”

Valthian’s frown deepened. “What is that, Father?”

“Solstice is the next to fall!”

Valthian drew his sword, motioning for Tomas to do the same. The hilt rested comfortably in one hand, the deep red rubies that were his birthstones glinted even in the dim light of a cloudy day.  He pointed the straight, wide double-edged blade at the old man’s neck in warning.

“What is this?” Abytheos asked. “A man of the cloth arrives to warn you of horrors to come and this is the thanks he receives?”

“You just cursed my people!”

“I have done no such thing. I am not the one who seeks to destroy you! I am not your enemy,
my lord
!”

Valthian felt his skin crawl. He did not like this so-called
man of the cloth
one bit. He resisted the urge to point the sword at the old one’s back and escort him to the village gates, but he couldn’t. This
father
had made his way into a peaceful place, nearly frightened a crowd into doing gods knew what, and threatened everyone living inside the walls of Solstice with death. He would have to be dealt with accordingly. But first, he must reassure the people.

“Please pay no mind to this man’s words,” Valthian called, turning to face the crowd. “He only seeks to incite violence by playing against your worst fears. Our town has always believed in keeping the peace. Do not let a single unwelcomed guest change that.”

An elderly woman stepped forward. Her clothing was dirty and torn in several places. Her skin was tanned from long years plowing the fields her husband had left to her after his death only two years ago. Valthian knew her well.

“M’lord?”

“Danna Wolheim; how may I be of assistance?”

“I feel we should consider the priest’s words, if you’ll pardon my speaking against you. He has an honest enough face, I guess is what I mean.”

“Ma’am,” Valthian replied, smiling warmly. “We do not know if he is truly a priest, or if his words have merit. Please be assured that I take all threats against our way of life seriously. I will take him to my father for questioning, and if he is able to show proof of his claims, you will be of the first to know. I make this promise to you on the honor of my house.”

“Thank you, m’lord.”

Valthian nodded and turned back to the one who had stirred up so much trouble this morning. “You are to go with my brother. Do as he says and nothing more. You are to meet with Philip De’Fathi, a lord of Vintermore and the mayor of Solstice. I have someone else to escort at the moment, but I will rejoin you shortly.”

“It’s all right,” Elyna said, placing a hand on Valthian’s shoulder. “I can see myself home.”

“Are you sure, my dear?”

“Yes,” she replied. “I will ask Danna to walk with me.”

Valthian nodded. “It appears that you will have two escorts after all,
father
.”

“The more the merrier,” Abytheos hissed. “Isn’t that what they say these days?”

“I suppose it is.”

Valthian took a moment to disburse the crowd, reassuring them all that nothing foul was afoot. The old man had upset many of the women almost to the point of tears; it was not a pleasing sight to behold. He had never seen his neighbors so shaken to the core before, and that was a fact that he would be sure to pass on to his father.

“Do not just stand there,” Valthian called. “Let’s get moving.”

“If you don’t mind, young lordling, I would prefer
not
to have a sword pointed at me.”

“And I would prefer
not
to have my people frightened.”

Abytheos nodded. “I will refrain from frightening the little sheep, but please put away your weapons.”

Valthian sighed and returned his sword to its scabbard. “You too, Tomas. We don’t want to make our guest feel
threatened
.”

“Are you sure, Val? I don’t trust him in the slightest!”

“I do not think he will cause us additional trouble. Isn’t that right,
father
?”

“I am a man of my word,” Abytheos replied. “You will not hear another peep from this old timer.”

“See that you keep your promise. I do not take kindly to liars.”

Valthian motioned for Tomas to take the lead. He fell behind a few steps—just enough to give him room to act should the stranger’s intentions become nefarious—and they marched in the direction of De’Fathi Manor.

––––––––

T
HE SUN had already begun to set by the time the three reached De’Fathi Manor. The chill air of midday had given way to the biting cold of the evening, and Valthian was ready to get inside and heat up by the fire. He was prepared to hand his new guest over to his father and to be done with the whole thing. Of course, Philip De’Fathi might have other plans for the man—plans that would require Valthian’s assistance. Either way, he would be glad when this day was well behind him. The frightened faces of his fellow townsfolk were still fresh in his memory, and he was fighting back pangs of anger.

“Just up those steps, Abytheos.”

The old man nodded and advanced.

“Tomas, be sure to get the door for him. We do not want to frighten mother.”

Valthian remained a few feet behind, walking slowly while gauging each of Abytheos’s steps. He was nowhere near as trusting as his brother, which is why he chose the rear guard in the first place. Tomas had always been so carefree and unwilling to believe that most men were capable of evil. Valthian had seen otherwise during the brief travels his father allowed. He enjoyed fetching supplies from the nearby towns; once, he had even been given permission to make a trip to Vinter’s Edge. It had been quite exciting at first, at least until the group he had gone with decided to stop at one of the city’s seedier inns. Valthian had seen a man’s throat cut for a pittance of copper coins that day. It was something he would never forget.  Now he was more cautious than his sibling. Understanding how the world worked had that effect on a young man.