The noble scars, p.12
The Noble Scars, page 12
“Don’t be hard on yourself. It’s Bardek and Maeldroth who are the monsters.”
“Perhaps,” the giant replied solemnly.
Darkness seeped into the forest as they collected wood and prepared for camp.
“It’s nice to be in the woods again. I’ll sleep well tonight, especially without the screams of men and the stench of corpses,” Galvin said.
“I presume that’s the wizard’s doing.”
“Aye.”
“What do you know of him?”
“More than I care to,” the giant answered reluctantly. “He thrives on human suffering. I’ve heard gruesome stories about his dark rituals. I’m sure very few people know how cruel he truly is. If not for the sake of Brakton, I would have tried to stop him.”
“Let’s pray we get the chance,” Zerin replied.
“The only conversation I had with him after I started the executions was about the Lady of the Hood. He asked me if I’d ever met her, or if I knew anything about her or what she may have brought with her. It was of the utmost importance to him.”
“Aye, he asked me the same thing,” Zerin said, lying down beside the fire, readying for sleep.
“Is there anything else I’ve missed while I’ve been inside?”
“Have you heard of the Madman of Rashene?”
“Madman?”
“Just as well, he’s an appalling sadist.”
“Only in Rashene?”
“No, he’s struck in Vrince and Whallowham as well.”
“Do they know who he is?”
“No, but the murders are ghastly.”
The two said nothing else about the matter, nor did they speak for the next while as they stared into the fire, permitting it to quiet their minds, until Galvin broke the silence. “You spoke of a secret while you were in the pit. Is this the same secret that old wives have spoken about for a generation?’
“Aye, it is,” said Zerin, sitting forward. “Do you know anything of it?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t. Do you really think there’s some secret that could overthrow Bardek?”
“Until now, I had only hoped there was, but after seeing the panic in his eyes when I mentioned it in the pit, I’m sure of it.”
“What do you think it is?”
“I wish I knew.”
“It’s a difficult thing putting your faith in such things as secrets and prophecies. Myself, I deal with what I know to be true, and even that gives me enough to struggle with.”
They glanced at each other, expressionless, acknowledging their differences in opinion but respecting them just the same. Zerin laid his head down, ready to sleep, before quickly sitting up again.
“Do you recall the strange behavior from the three guards in the crossroads of the dungeon?”
“Aye, they backed away from us as if they had something more important to do than stop us.”
“Yes, and what was it that one of them yelled?”
“‘Execute the prime command.’”
“Yes, that was it. What in Belth does that mean?” Zerin asked.
“I haven’t a clue,” the giant said.
It was fully dark, the small fire providing the only glimmer of light. Both were weary from the eventful day and in need of a decent night’s sleep to help mend the wounds accumulated through the day. Especially Zerin, who hadn’t properly healed from the beating he’d taken during his capture.
It was a warm evening, free of dampness. Their campsite was well protected from the winds, so they stretched out in front of the fire and readied for sleep. Galvin took in several deep breaths of the forest air as if he was trying to expel the rotten air he’d ingested over the last few months.
“Zerin?” the giant said, hoping his companion was still awake.
“Yes.”
“Thank you for coming to LionBerg.”
“You’re welcome, Galvin.”
Seconds later, they were asleep.
~
Several hours of slumber were interrupted by a chilling wind that blew out their smoldering fire and woke them. It carried a stench as foul as that from the dungeons of StrongStone. They scrambled to their feet, feeling their way in the dark. The wind began to whistle, growing louder and deeper like a human moan. Before the two could find their weapons, the wind faded away, but the moan resonated in their ears long after they sensed it was gone. They shook their heads, trying to free their minds of the sound, hoping their ears were playing tricks on them.
“What the blazes was that?” Zerin asked.
“Did you notice where it came from and which way it was headed?”
“Yes, it came from the west and headed straight through the camp.”
“Aye.”
“Galvin, I swear I’ve smelled that reek before, in the bowels of StrongStone.”
“I think it’s headed toward Brakton. We leave now.”
The two grabbed their weapons and headed off into the dark woods, marching through the forest, cautious yet anxiously driven. They had no direct evidence of impending danger, but the exposure to the gust of putrid air had rattled them both. It would be a difficult journey through the woods in the dark, but they knew if they pressed on, they would reach Brakton by midday.
Chapter 15
The midnight air of Brakton was dry and pleasant, affording the occupants of an all-night brothel the comfort of frivolous attire, until a freezing wind swept through the city walls with a stench as foul as it was cold.
A tavern regular stumbled out of a pub and into the street, unaware of the eerie wind’s approach. When his lungs ingested the mist, the drunk fell to his knees and expelled his dinner. The icy cloud moved on, blowing through Brakton in deliberate fashion before it slowed to a crawl, cautiously floating in between the alleys.
It moved in and out of buildings, waking residents into states of terror. It carried on until it reached the garrison barracks and the captain of the guard, who was fast asleep. The doors and windows were fully closed, yet the frigid cloud of stench oozed through the cracks. The captain tossed and turned, as if battling a nightmare. He bundled himself against a cold from which there was no escape.
Finally, he awoke, frantically sitting up, too petrified at the sight before him to acknowledge the cold that engulfed his quarters. He sat frozen, staring at a transparent apparition of the wizard Maeldroth. He tried to speak but couldn’t. He tried to scream but couldn’t. His mouth hung open.
The figure before him spoke. “Do you know who I am, Captain?” The unearthly voice carried a chill more harrowing than the stench itself.
The captain could only nod.
“There are two enemies of the throne on their way to Brakton. One is the giant they call Galvin, and the other is Zerin the Sailor. Do you know them?”
Again, the captain nodded.
“When they arrive, you will ambush them and kill them. Do not try to take them alive. After they are dead, bring their bodies to me. Do you understand?” Maeldroth waited while the captain struggled to force an answer.
“Y-Y-yes, I do.”
Without another word, the wizard faded away, taking the cold air and stench with him. The overwrought soldier leaned over his bed and vomited. He would not sleep again that night.
~
Zerin and Galvin arrived at the outskirts of Brakton by midday. The giant was anxious to see the city, but he knew they should stop by Nantrait’s to see him first. They approached the cabin from the back, emerging through the dense woods as quietly as they could. A voice from the side of the cabin startled them into raising their weapons.
“He hasn’t returned,” the voice said. A plain-clothed woman, bundled with a head scarf, walked out to greet them. She was a dozen or so years older than Zerin.
“Chezra, is that you?” Galvin asked.
“It’s good to see you, Galvin.”
“Chezra, this is my friend, Zerin.”
“I know who this is,” she answered abruptly. “Do you know where Nantrait is?”
“No, we don’t. We got split up in—” Zerin offered.
“I didn’t ask you,” Chezra said before Zerin could finish. “Galvin, do you know where my brother is?”
“I’m afraid not, Chezra. We haven’t seen Nantrait since we left LionBerg.”
“Excuse me, ma’am,” Zerin interjected. “Have I done something to offend you?”
Chezra eyed Zerin from head to toe. “Do you have any idea what happened after you left here?”
“No, I don’t.”
“They tortured witnesses, trying to find someone who knew you. You left some hefty consequences in your wake. Rumors of your exploits are spreading across Noble. It seems everywhere you go, you give the king and his soldiers cause to make our lives more difficult.”
“I’m doing the best I can to help, ma’am.”
“I saw you save the woman from the soldiers in our town. You are indeed brave, but I believe your friend Mathen told you to leave the woman alone, did he not?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Then why didn’t you? If you had, only she would have been wronged. No one else would have been hurt.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but it’s not in me to allow that to happen.”
“Do you ever think that maybe the people of Noble are better off without you? What are you trying to accomplish?”
Zerin stood there, glancing back and forth between Chezra and Galvin.
“I have a vision of how life should be in Noble… and this isn’t it.”
Without saying another word, Zerin walked to the far side of the lot to take a seat among an assemblage of wooden chairs. Galvin joined him after a moment, gently sitting down on a large wooden table.
“Don’t blame her, Zerin. People are convinced that resistance is futile. That’s why I turned myself in. Fighting Bardek’s army seemed hopeless.”
Zerin turned to Galvin. “That’s exactly what he wants us to think—that resistance is hopeless.”
The two said nothing for a moment. Then Zerin noticed something he hadn’t seen before. Galvin’s brown leather battle skirt had crept up his legs when he sat down, exposing his upper thighs.
Zerin stood. “How did you get that scar?”
“What scar?”
“The one above your left knee.”
“I’m not sure. I’ve had it for as long as I can remember.”
Zerin lifted his shirt, unbuttoned his leather leggings, and dropped them to his ankles.
“You have the same scar,” Galvin said, “except you have them on both legs. How did you get them?”
“I don’t know. I’ve had them forever.”
The two men stood there, staring at each other’s thighs in the bright afternoon sun; Zerin with his pants down, Galvin with his skirt pulled up.
“I trust I’m not interrupting anything?”
They turned to see Chezra smirking. The two scrambled to dress themselves.
“I’ll prepare some lunch now, if you boys are finished playing with each other.”
The two men were famished, and Chezra had prepared accordingly. Zerin ate enough for two, and Galvin ate three times what Zerin did. Chezra left them to their bounty, returning afterward to clean up.
“I suppose the two of you are rather lucky to be alive.” She turned to Zerin. “Word reached town that you had been arrested for mercy killing condemned men. How did you manage to escape?”
The sailor and the giant spent the next few moments explaining the events that had led to Zerin’s capture and subsequent escape, along with Nantrait’s part in the escapade.
“We couldn’t have done this without your brother’s help,” Zerin offered.
“I’ll be sure to pass on your thanks, if I ever see him again,” she said wryly.
Galvin sought to change the subject. “Chezra, what of Brakton? What’s it like there?”
“The guards are back in full force, and they’ve been brutal. They’ve been anxious to obtain information about Zerin.”
“I’m sure it’s not safe for anyone who gives aid to me,” Zerin added.
“I’m sure it’s not.”
“And yet, here you are feeding us.”
“I’m not afraid, as some people are.”
“That’s why I fight this tyrant, Chezra, because there are people like you who have the courage to wish for a better life.”
“I understand that, Zerin, but you have to ask yourself whether you’re helping us or hurting us.”
Galvin rose to his feet, careful not to bang his head on the cross beams above. “Chezra, you said the guards have been more brutal.”
“Yes, yes, they have.”
“Have there been any more attacks against women?”
Chezra paused before she answered. “Well, actually, I don’t know.” She turned to face Zerin, who lowered his head before standing to help with the dishes.
“Well, just maybe then,” Galvin continued, “my fool-hearted friend here is doing some good. I’m sure that woman he saved is damned grateful,” Galvin said, slapping Zerin on the shoulders, almost jolting a dish out of his hand.
Chezra looked at Zerin, unsure how to answer.
“Speaking of which, do you know anything of the veiled woman I saved?” Zerin asked.
“I know she’s a midwife who’s been to Brakton more than once to help with deliveries and illness. Some refer to her as a healer, but I don’t know who she is.”
“What about the mother of the child she delivered? Do you know her?”
“I don’t know her well, but I know where she lives. Perhaps we could visit her on our trip to Brakton.”
“You’re not coming to town with us, Chezra. It’s far too dangerous. If you’re seen with us, you’ll be killed,” the giant insisted.
“I pass through the gates every day with my wagon. The guards know me well, and I never get searched. We can hide you in the cart, and Zerin can ride beside me wearing a hood and bandages. The guards are terrified of the fever. They’ll let us pass.”
“Forget it. It’s too dangerous. We’ll figure out another way,” Zerin said.
“This is the best way. If we get caught, you can claim you forced me against my will. I’ll take you to see the new mother, and then I’ll drop you off with Mathen and be on my way.”
Zerin and Galvin looked at each other before reluctantly agreeing to her plan.
“Fine then, but you do as we say. When we tell you to leave, you do so.”
“Fair enough.”
“Chezra, what can you tell us of the guards?”
“There are more of them than ever. They’re heavily armed, and they never travel in groups of less than a dozen. In the last week, they’ve doubled the number of night patrols.”
“Do you know why?”
“There’s been two grisly murders in Brakton lately. They say the Madman of Rashene is in town.”
“Were the victims middle-aged men?” Zerin asked.
“Yes, how did you know?”
“All of the Madman’s victims have been so.”
“Zerin, this may work to our advantage. If the guards are distracted and looking for the Madman, we may be able to slip in and out of town without incident.”
“Perhaps.”
“But if I come across this Madman, he won’t have to worry about the guards. It’s bad enough having Bardek’s soldiers here. I certainly don’t want this butcher running around my town hacking people to death,” Galvin said.
“I’m not convinced these attacks are random,” Zerin said as he got up and walked toward the sink, ending the conversation.
“Tell me, Galvin, now that you’re home, what do you plan to do? Are you going to renew your revolt?” Chezra asked.
“At this point I don’t know. I’d just like to get into town undetected and survey the situation for myself. It may be best that no one knew I was back. A revolt right now may just get more people killed. What do you think, Zerin?”
“If we ever wish to free ourselves from Bardek’s tyranny, the entire kingdom will have to revolt, not just Brakton.” Zerin looked at Chezra before he finished. “But I do agree that now is not the time. However, it’s good to know you have the influence necessary to lead these people when the time is right.”
Chezra nodded her approval.
“Then let’s be on our way. I’m anxious to see Brakton in the daylight,” the giant said.
Galvin curled up in the back of the wagon while Chezra covered him with blankets, potatoes, some hay, and a few empty barrels. Zerin sat up front with Chezra, his face and hands covered with bandages. Not much was discussed on their way to town until Zerin spoke to Chezra.
“It troubles me to see such madness in our land. I do what I do because I’m trying to stop it.”
“I know this, Zerin. I can see your heart is good. It’s possible I’ve judged you harshly.”
Her words made Zerin smile.
“Besides,” she continued, “you’re not a bad-looking sort. If I was a few years younger, I’d take a run at you.”
The sailor smiled again, flattered by the older woman’s advance, yet too shy to reply.
“We’re getting closer to the gates,” she said. “You’d best put your hood up. Those bandages don’t hide everything, and it wasn’t too long ago that you were here.”
But before Zerin could comment, Galvin’s muffled voice barked from the back of the wagon, “That shouldn’t be a problem. He killed all the soldiers that saw his face.”
“Shush, we’re getting closer.”
There were several parties ahead of them at the gateway. The guards were checking everyone. Four of them conducted the searches while two more stood atop the wall with crossbows. A heavyset guard in full armor with a wide scar across his forehead approached Chezra’s wagon.
