By the time they reached Khypre, the two had decided upon a cover story
with which to explain themselves. Fred was a soldier-at-arms escorting
a Lady of Allaria from Ryngaerd back to her home. It was simple enough
and would not make anyone suspicious of Fred's true identity. As they reached
the crest of the road the fortress came into sight. It was tall and built
into the side of the peak rising behind it. The giant stone blocks that
made up its walls marked it as having been built during the years of the
High King Norman. And though old it might be, the fortress could still
withstand most siege armies and from its towers keep the road clear of
enemies. Such a place as this was strength and power incarnate and those
within could never feel afraid or under threat. But when Fred and Rowena
rode up to the great timbered doors of the outer wall, it was a harsh voice
that commanded them to halt. And Fred could hear the strained undertone
of fear in that voice. A part of him was then suddenly gripped by a terrible
fear of his own. What if the horror of the Haunted Wood had somehow followed
him and come to this walled fortress? Might it be hiding within these very
walls? Or perhaps it waited somewhere ahead of him, waited to spring upon
him unawares?
Fred's horse snorted hard as Fred dug into its sides and he pulled tight
on the reins. He angrily shook the feeling away from him and faced the
stout gateway ahead. He knew in his heart that nothing from that vile forest
had come after him, but if it had he would just have to face it. Either
way, he would not let mindless fear control him or turn him into a coward.
"We seek lodging for the night, warm food and a bed to sleep in," Fred
called out to the hidden guardsman. Silence followed Fred's words and after
a long moment the doors creaked open. Five guards waited on the other side,
their swords drawn. "I am no brigand to be treated thus," Fred scowled
at them, "but even if I were, am I so dangerous that it takes five of you
to keep me in my place?" One of them stepped forward, warily, and said,
"These'er strange times and yer na known to us. What's yer name?" Fred
eyed the men, wondering why they were all so ill-at-ease. "My name is Denom,"
Fred answered, "I am escorting my Lady back to her home. Tomorrow we shall
be on our way." The lead guard considered Fred's words and then glanced
over at a wooden box set off to the side. "Five coppers," the guard said
and Fred threw the money into the box. "The stables are that way," the
guard pointed to the right. Fred stepped down from his saddle and then
helped Rowena off of hers. "I would like to speak with the commander,"
Fred turned back to the guard, "where can I find him?" The guard took a
step forward, his sword still held in his hand, "He'll be in his office,
I'll take ya to 'im."
After stabling the horses, Fred and Rowena were brought to the commander
of Khypre. His name was Kody. At a nod from the man, the guardsman turned
and left. "Milady," Commander Kody smiled at Rowena, "the last time you
were here I did not have the pleasure of meeting you in person." Rowena
tipped her head in a small bow, "Time was pressing, Commander. But with
my duties complete, I can now enjoy the trip back home. It would be my
pleasure to share your company over a meal. If you have the time of course."
Fred looked at his sister and almost grinned, she had been schooled well
in the etiquette of the aristocracy. It was just that it seemed so out-of-place
to him at the moment. Or perhaps it was Fred who was out-of-place. "Milady,"
he interrupted his sister, "the road home seems less friendly than when
you first followed its path. Perhaps the commander can explain what has
happened." Kody turned to Fred, looking him up and down. "Your attendant
speaks well, Lady Rowena," Kody said. "He knows his duty and serves me
well," Rowena answered. "And though I wish it otherwise, I fear the topic
of conversation must now turn toward his question. We see fear in your
soldiers' eyes. We have heard rumors and strange tales. Is Tumbar's Road
passable? Are we in danger if we stay here?"
"The Road is safe," Kody answered her without hesitation. "But...?"
Rowena prodded him. "But I would not stray off of it," he added. He looked
at Rowena and then at Fred. He folded his hands together, tightly, and
placed them on the desk in front of him. "You would think that with the
news of the Dragon's death the people would be full of joy. But instead
they fill themselves with old wives' tales and rumors of dark things. The
Shreken Mountains have never been a kind or healthy place for the weak
of mind. It plays tricks with you if you let it and many have strange dreams
when they sleep in these old hills. But lately, it seems as if something
has crept into the hearts of even the stoutest of men." Fred almost shivered
at these words. Had fear now become a disease? Had it touched him at the
gate, seeking to infect him? Was that possible? "Is there no cause?" he
asked the commander. "No," Kody replied resolutely. "As I said, the Shreken
is old and is full of mystery. Strange things happen. They always have.
Nothing has changed. Only the people have, and I do not understand why."
"Perhaps they know something you don't," Fred suggested, wondering what
might be happening in this place. "Perhaps they are only frightened, idiotic
fools!" Kody barked angrily. "A month ago my men would have charged into
any unknown cave or searched any hidden pass anywhere along these peaks.
Now...now they are frightened to open the front gates," the commander said
with disgust. "And I tell you we have no true cause. We are safe and these
walls are strong."
A hush fell over the room. But Rowena was not satisfied with Kody's
words. "We heard tell of murder," she said quietly. Kody looked up at her
and then nodded. "Aye, tis true. The facts are these; two weeks ago a group
of men went out to hunt mountain stags. They came back earlier than expected,
and not all of them returned. They said that on the third day out they
began to feel like they were being watched. By nightfall they knew without
doubt that they were being followed. The howling of the wolves made it
clear what was tracking them. The next day they discovered that one of
the men was missing. They searched but found no trace of him. They still
saw no sign of the wolves but they could feel that even more had come down
from the passes to join the hunt. Wolf packs rarely bother with large groups
of armed men, but to a man they all knew that they had now become prey.
So they decided to turn back. They kept guard that night and nothing was
seen, in fact it seemed that the wolves had drawn back. But when dawn was
just about to come the camp was suddenly filled with the sound of laughter.
None of the men can agree on whether it was the sound of a woman or a child,
or a damned banshee from hell, but it matters not. When the sun touched
the horizon the laughter stopped. And it was then that they discovered
that two of their party were dead, their throats slashed and their hearts
ripped from their bodies."
"Hardly the work of wolves," Fred said somberly. "And you say that this
is not cause for fear?"
Kody's face soured, but at the same time a look of pride filled his
eyes. "There is nothing in these mountains that can't be dealt with by
Man and cold iron and steel. Do you not know the story of the High King
Norman, how he came to Tumbar's Road and commanded that it be remade into
a highway for his troops so that he could invade Havnheim without troubling
the defenses of the Gap? But then, when construction was only half complete,
how the great storm giant came? Norman's armies fled but the High King
stood his ground and fought that giant to a bloody standstill. His men
wept bitterly for their cowardice but their King's heroism filled them
with new bravery and strength of will. They returned to the field of battle
and together with their King they slew the terrible monster."
Fred nodded. He knew the story. The Great Kingdom had not yet reached
her full glory when King Norman was busy uniting the nations of the south
under one flag, one king. "And after the storm giant had been vanquished
the dark wolves came," Fred continued the tale, "and the blood drinkers,
to feast upon the survivors. They thought the army would be spent and helpless.
They were wrong, and the evil creatures were destroyed. But Norman's plan
of conquest was forever put on hold for within a fortnight of returning
to his capitol to rest and regroup he was found dead. He had been drained
of blood and within his belly was found a nest of snakes."
"Yes," the commander sighed. "What a loss, after all the struggle and
strife to bring together the nations of Ryngaerd under one king, the High
King, to have it all destroyed. With Norman dead, his sons each made claim
to the throne. But even as they fought each other they hunted down the
dark ones as revenge for the High King's murder. And we got our revenge.
In the end, these lands were purged of their evil. And I tell you it is
still so. What is left cannot hurt us unless we let it."
"But after 300 years perhaps the dark ones are ready to rise again,"
Rowena said with a chill.
"No," Kody said emphatically. "Their numbers are gone. They are shadows
hiding in the shadows. We need but seek them out and burn their hiding
places and force them into the light where we can kill them." His face
soured again. "But my men hide behind these walls like children." Fred
felt sorry for the man, but a little surprised at his candor. "You speak
freely with strangers," he said to the commander. "And why should I not?"
was his reply. "Would you use this knowledge against me? Khypre can withstand
any
attack. My men will protect her walls even if they now fear to leave them.
And where will this attack come from? The northlands and the southlands
have no quarrel. If you be spies then for whom do you skulk? The dark ones
perhaps? I only wish they would come out of their holes to come
at me. Then I would show my men that they can be fought and destroyed,
just as King Norman did of old. But that is not the case either. The dark
ones do not harbor spies for they are a broken evil. What happened to those
huntsman was just an isolated incident. They were unlucky enough to be
around when a few shades from the past came out to play. As I said, it
happens from time to time, but there is no cause for alarm."
"But how can you be so sure?" Rowena asked.
"Because I have lived all my life in this city-fortress," Kody told
her. "I know how things are out there in the dark hills. It is my job after
all. But if you feel unsafe then leave my walls by the first hour after
sunrise. You will arrive at the next fort before the sun sets. Some merchants
are going that way tomorrow and I am sending a messenger as well. Perhaps
it would ease your fears if you all went as a single party?" Rowena agreed
to this, it would indeed ease her mind. They then got up and thanked the
commander for his time. They agreed that later that night Rowena and 'Denom'
would join the commander for a meal and a more pleasant conversation. Fred
then escorted his sister to their rooms at the inn near the stables.
-
He
was tired and wished to rest.
Go Back
|