Forever solo, p.1
FOREVER SOLO, page 1
© 2024 Irv Brandt. All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
ISBN (Print): 979-8-35096-341-0
ISBN (eBook): 979-8-35096-342-7
For my sisters, Kathy and Kay,
who have looked after me all my life.
Jack Solo wouldn’t be possible without the both of you.
I’m forever grateful.
Contents
Chapter 1 2000 B.C. Carpathian Mountains Thrace
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5 September, 1396 Targoviste, Wallachia
Chapter 6 September, 1396 Nicopolis, Bulgaria
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12 September 25, 1396 Nicopolis, Bulgaria
Chapter 13 October, 1396 Targoviste, Wallachia
Chapter 14 Kingman, Arizona Present day
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21 February 8, 1431 City of Nuremburg German State of Bavaria
Chapter 22 Romania Present Day
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32 January 1475 Fortress of Visegrad, Kingdom of Hungary
Chapter 33 Washington, DC Present day
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Acknowledgment
About the Author
Chapter 1
2000 B.C.
Carpathian Mountains
Thrace
The young redheaded woman poked her head out the door of her hut and smiled when she saw sunshine instead of falling snow. She drew her fur lined cloak closed and pulled the hood up on her head as she carefully stepped outside. The ground was no longer frozen, but there were still patches of snow. She walked slowly through the large fortified village avoiding puddles of water from the melting snow and piles of dung from the livestock. There were many people on the paths of the village that smiled and called out greetings. Everyone seemed happy that the long winter was almost over and it would soon be time to begin working in the fields. The young woman turned right on a pathway and started making her way up a small hill to a large hut with an open doorway.
She stopped just outside the doorway and called out “grandmother, are you home?”
A voice from inside the hut said “of course I am, Vezina. Where else would I be? Come in, come in.”
Vezina stepped inside to find an elderly woman seated at a small wooden table next to a cooking pit. There was a covered pot on the glowing embers and the hut was filled with the pleasant smell of her cooking. The elderly woman had straight grey hair that fell freely down past her shoulders and she looked at the young woman with clear blue eyes.
She smiled gently and said “come sit with me, my dear. Are you hungry? The stew will be done soon.”
Vezina shook her head as she took a seat at the table and pushed her hood back revealing her pale face with light freckles across her cheeks and nose saying “no, grandmother. I must start my journey if I’m to reach the caves before nightfall.”
“So you must. I have prepared the things you ask me for.”
She got up from her chair and went to the back of the hut for a large wicker basket with two shoulder straps. She returned and set the basket on the table. She took the top off the basket and looked inside saying “there are freshly baked loaves of bread, goat and sheep cheeses, a dozen boiled eggs and a special treat.”
“What special treat?”
The elderly woman pulled an earthen jar from the basket and removed the top to show her the contents as she said “butter, my dear.”
Vezina clapped her hands in delight as she said “that is a very special treat indeed, grandmother. Thank you so much.”
The elderly woman nodded as she put the jar back in the basket saying “I remember what it’s like to be young and trying to convince a man to fall in love.”
Vezina shook her head saying “I cannot convince Tarbus to fall in love with me. He must do that on his own.”
Grandmother reached across the table and patted her hand as she sat back down saying “you must try something. You have chosen the strongest and bravest warrior of this land.”
Vezina sighed and nodded in agreement as she said “at least he is of our clan. That should give me some advantage.”
The elderly woman smiled sadly as she shook her head saying “no child, you know he is not of our clan. He is not even Thracian. Our people have red or blond hair and fair skin. He has black hair with skin that becomes dark when he is out in the sun. The only feature he shares with us is his blue eyes.”
“But he was raised by our clan, so he is one of us.” Vezina said with conviction.
Grandmother sighed saying “I remember the day Rufus and his hunting party found that young boy wandering lost in the mountains dressed in animal skins speaking a language none of us had heard before. Yes, Rufus brought him back to the village and yes, we tried to raise him as one of our own, but no, he isn’t one of us. He never was and never will be. It’s why he spends most of his time up in the mountains hunting alone. That young man is truly touched by the gods. Who in his right mind hunts a bear alone? And the wolves do not hunt him, he hunts the wolves.”
Vezina had a hurt look on her face when she asked “so you think it’s hopeless and I should give up?”
The elderly woman was silent for a time before saying “my dear Vezina, there is always hope. If anyone can convince him to stay as part of our clan, it will be you. I’m very pleased you are willing to try.”
She stood up and said “now let’s get this basket on you so you can go see Rufus. You will need the blessing of the clan chief before you can begin your journey to the mountain caves.”
Vezina emerged from the hut with the basket strapped to her back and didn’t bother to put her hood up as she went in search of Rufus. She was pretty sure he would be at the practice field at this time of the morning, so she headed in that direction. She walked along the large wooden wall that surrounded the village and occasionally waved at the sentries standing watch who called out greetings to her.
She found Rufus standing at the end of the practice field watching over the older village boys as they trained to become hunters and warriors. The boys were divided into small groups to train with bows, spears, shields and swords. The swords were made of wood with blunt points so they could do no serious harm to each other, but the arrows and spear tips were made of bronze. Rufus seemed pleased as he as he watched the boys being instructed by the older men in the village on hunting and the art of warfare.
Vezina studied Rufus closely as she approached him. He was a fearless warrior standing very tall with broad shoulders and the powerful arms of a swordsman. He had long red hair and a flowing red beard to go with his blue eyes. He normally wore a solemn look but smiled brightly as she approached the practice field.
“Good morning, Vezina. What do you think of this bunch of would be warriors?”
Vezina watched the boys for a moment as they practiced archery, swordsmanship and the use of the spear before saying “I think they will become fine warriors who will strike fear in the hearts of our enemies and protect the clan for many years.”
Rufus nodded in satisfaction as he said “I also believe this to be true.”
He glanced at the basket on her back and asked “you intend to go see Tarbus?”
She nodded and said “I do if I go with your blessing.”
Rufus sighed before he said “you have my blessing, child.”
“You do not seem pleased. May I ask why?”
He was silent for a moment before saying “there are days I wished I would have left him wandering alone in the mountains when he was a child, but he has proved himself useful over the years. He disappears for months at a time, but always sends stags he’s killed to help feed the village. He refuses to help train the young men as warriors, but always appears in time to lead us into battle when we are at war with another clan.”
“If he is so useful, why do you wish you had left him alone in the mountains as a child?”
Rufus considered that before saying “he doesn’t respect my authority. He comes and goes as it pleases him and he refuses to take orders from me or any of the village elders.”
“I can see why that would cause you dismay. I think you would kill any other man who acted in such a mann
“I would indeed.”
“Then why not kill Tarbus?”
Rufus looked at her sharply for a moment then chuckled before saying “there are a few reasons. First of all, the young men in the village would never forgive me. They believe the god Zalmoxis speaks to him and guides his actions…”
Vezina cut him off asking “do you believe that to be true? Does Zalmoxis actually speak to him?”
He shrugged saying “I do not know. Zalmoxis has never spoken to me, but the important thing is the men believe it to be true.”
She nodded in understanding and asked “and the other reasons?”
“The traders from the south trust him. He has learned their language and gathers men to go to them to act as guides and bodyguards every season. He is the only man I know among the Thracian clans who is rich in gold and silver. He could easily hire an army to come to this village and kill me. He could then take my place as chief of the clan.”
Vezina was shocked to hear this and her eyes grew wide when she asked “do you believe he would try to do this?”
Rufus was silent for a while as he watched some of the boys practicing archery before quietly saying “no, I don’t believe he would try to do it. Not because he fears failure, but because he has no desire to lead this clan.”
“If you think it may be possible, why do you not travel to the caves and kill him without the men knowing about it?”
“I have considered doing that very thing, but I’m not sure I’m capable of defeating him with sword, spear or battle axe. I probably couldn’t get within 300 paces of him without getting an arrow through my eye.”
“I have gone to see him at the caves before, why do you not fear for my safety?”
Rufus smiled when he said “because Tarbus has always had a soft heart when it comes to girls. When we go to war and destroy a village, Tarbus is ruthless when dealing with the men, but will not allow harm to come to the women. The elders tried to explain to him that it is the way of warfare and you cannot allow the women to live so they may breed more enemies. Tarbus will not heed those words and would kill any man of this clan who tried to do harm to a woman. When I say any man, that includes the elders and the clan chief.”
Rufus could tell his words had upset her, so he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand as he said “you may go to him, child. He may not like or respect me, but he would never allow harm to befall you.”
Vezina frowned when she said “me or any other woman who may strike his fancy.”
He withdrew his hand and asked with a smile “jealous, are we now?”
“I have heard the stories about him, but never thought them to be true until now.”
“What stories?”
Vezina hesitated then said “that when the men are away on hunting parties, Tarbus comes over the walls of the village at night to ravage their wives.”
Rufus threw back his head and laughed before saying “yes, I’ve heard these stories too.”
“Do you believe them to be true?”
There was still mirth in his voice when he said “there is no doubt that Tarbus is fond of women and they are fond of him, but no, I do not believe the stories to be true. If they were, half the children in the village would be running around with black hair.”
Vezina shook her head and smiled when she said “I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course I am right. I am always right. I am Chief, am I not?”
“Yes, you are Chief and you are always right.”
“Good. I am glad we have come to an understanding. I want you to take a message to Tarbus for me.”
“What is it you want me to say to him?”
“Winter is almost over and I know he will be gathering men soon to head south to meet the traders. Our trappers did well this year and we have many pelts to barter for weapons. I want Tarbus to bring the traders to this village first so we get the best pick of weapons. I believe war will breakout soon among the clans and I want us to be well prepared.”
“Do you think he will do this for you?”
“No, he will not do it for me. I don’t think he cares if I live or die, but I think he will do it for you if it means keeping you safe during a time of war.”
“I will do as you ask.”
“Good. Now go find that idiot Dardonos to take you to the caves.”
She hid her smile when he said idiot. Dardonos is a great warrior and the only man that Tarbus considers a true friend.
“Where is he?”
The Chief had a slight smile on his face when he said “I doubt he is doing any work. Try looking in the tavern. Perhaps he isn’t drunk, yet.”
She laughed softly as she stood on her toes and Rufus bent down so she could kiss his furry cheek. Vezina then said goodbye and headed in the direction of the main gate and the large hut that served as the village tavern.
Chapter 2
Vezina could hear men laughing and cursing as she approached the open doorway to the hut. She poked her head inside and saw Dardonos with several other men throwing knifes at a board that was mounted on a post. Dardonos turned as Vezina entered the hut and held up a hand commanding her to stop. She froze in place.
“It’s unsafe for a girl to enter a tavern with men such as us. Scurry home child and tend to your chores.”
She smiled as the other men roared with laughter. Vezina was used to Dardonos teasing her in such a fashion. She held her chin up high as she said “you will not speak to me in that manner you lumbering oaf. I am a woman full-grown and I will go where I please.”
Dardonos placed his right hand over his heart and took a step back saying “forgive me, my lady Vezina. Please enter this house and drink wine with your loyal subjects.”
The other men raised their wooden wine mugs and shouted “hear! hear!”
Vezina shook her head and laughed as she said “stop acting a fool, Dardonos. We must be on our way if we want to reach our destination before nightfall.”
“You are right, of course. I will be ready in a moment.”
Dardonos then walked over to a table where he had his weapons and armor laid out. First, he strapped the bronze shin guards over his fur trimmed leggings then strapped bronze plates over his massive quads. When he had them tightened to his liking, he strapped on his breast plate over his woolen tunic. He twisted his upper body back and forth a few times before slapping the plate hard against his muscular chest to make certain it would stay in place. Dardonos was a beast of a warrior and many believed he had the strength of four men.
He then buckled on his sword belt drawing it tight across his surprisingly narrow waist then put on his helmet over his short curly red hair. The only thing you could see of his face was his short red beard and blue eyes. He put on his fur trimmed cloak and walked over to the wall to get his armor covered wooden shield and his spear. He was about to lead Vezina out of the tavern when one of the men rushed over to give him a wineskin to hang from his shield.
“Please tell Tarbus that I wish to go south with him to meet with the traders this season.”
Dardonos said nothing but smiled as he patted the man on the shoulder.
He then turned to Vezina and said “I know you are a woman full-grown who goes where she pleases, but it might be best if you allow me to lead you up in the mountains.”
Vezina laughed softly and said “it would be an honor to follow such a mighty warrior.”
Together they left the tavern making their way to the gate at the front of the village. The gate was closed which was a little odd given the time of day. Dardonos waved up at the guards on top of the wall and gestured at the gate. One of the guards laid down his spear and came down a ladder.
As the guard approached, Dardonos asked “why is the gate locked?”
The guard shook his head and said “orders.”
Dardonos waited for a moment for the man to continue, but when it became apparent he wasn’t going to say more, Dardonos slapped him on the side of the head so hard it knocked his helmet off. The guard looked at him in disbelieve.
Dardonos stared at him for a few seconds before saying “if you make me ask my question again, I’m going to shove my spear up your backside.”
The guard held up his hands saying “take it easy, Dardonos. Rufus ordered the gate remain closed and locked when not in use for business. I think he is concerned that the clans will send out raiding parties now the weather grows warm.”
