The Warden's Sword Read online

  The three men noticed Finn’s approach and disappeared by the time he got there. That’s odd. Where are they?

  “Hello. You froze yet?”

  “Morning, Anna. Not yet.”

  “Have you been waiting long?” She was dressed in a thick fur-lined coat and carried a mug of steaming tea.

  “Thanks.” The hot mug warmed his cold fingers.”

  “Your grey skin is turning white,” she laughed. “Sorry, I shouldn’t make fun. Come in and warm yourself in the kitchen.”

  And how could he say no to her smile?

  Finn sat close to the wood-fired stove and rubbed the circulation back into his limbs. He had drunk his tea and Anna’s stepmother, Joanna Bohmer, had handed him another before she left them alone.

  “Feeling better now?”

  Finn nodded and sipped his tea. It was odd, he was lost for words. “I wonder when Mordan will finally turn up. We haven’t seen him in weeks,” he said. It was the first thing that came to mind.

  “That’s strange…I’ve been dreaming about him lately.”

  “Nightmares?”

  “For the last few nights I have dreamt that he was training me to use my powers—teaching me First Born magic—real magic.” She was serious. “And when I wake up, I feel or sense that someone has been in my bedroom. It’s a little unnerving.”

  “It sounds horrifying to me.” Finn gazed at his black tea. Each time he had been forced to take a life with the alp’s black sword, he had nightmares of demons…or were they the souls of the slain? “What do you think it means?”

  “I’m not sure. But…I know things. Things I didn’t know a week ago and I can’t explain why.” Their eyes locked. “This might sound crazy but I think he is visiting me in my sleep.”

  “What?! How? When we met him a month ago, your First Born heritage made you invisible to him.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe he can detect me now.”

  “Has he…”

  “What?”

  “You know…bitten you?”

  “You’re funny.” She laughed but she looked worried.

  “If he has bitten you and drunk your blood…he might be able to control you. Like in the old stories.”

  “Don’t worry, Finn. There are no bite marks on my neck. Or anywhere else before you ask.”

  “I was just concerned.” He was embarrassed. “I don’t trust him. He only wants to use you. He needs your magic.”

  “Then you’ll have to protect me.”

  “That’s what we are here for,” said Finn, his cheeks colouring a little and not from the stove’s warmth.

  “My hero.” She smiled again.

  Chapter 3

  Year - 839

  It was almost nightfall as a tall traveller approached the inn. A sign above the front door read The Forest Rest. How appropriate, he thought as he opened the inn’s door and entered. This compact building was nestled deep within the Krystorian forest on the outskirts of a small village.

  As he dusted off his worn brown travelling cloak, he surveyed the room from under his hood. There were half a dozen drinkers in the taproom—all human. Nothing looked out of place. After years on the road, he had learnt to look for the smallest thing out of place. And he was good at it—it was the only reason he was still alive.

  None of inn’s patrons looked at the newcomer. They were preoccupied in their small groups, drinking and talking. Only one man drank alone. And he was a large, strong-looking man the newcomer noted. A warrior?

  Long strides brought the traveller to the bar where the old barman grunted something unintelligible. This local dialect was not the easiest to understand.

  “Beer.” He hoped it was the right response to the barman’s question. It was because the barman poured a frothy drink and pushed it across the smooth wooden bar top. Without asking how much, the traveller dropped three coins on the bar which vanished under the old barman’s pudgy hand. He grunted something and the traveller assumed it was a thank you but he couldn’t be sure.

  The traveller surveyed the room. The patrons were still occupied with their drinking and talking but something felt wrong.

  He took a long sip of his beer and looked at each face in the room. None looked familiar. They were locals—lumberjacks, farmers and craftsmen. And then it dawned on him. A village in the middle of nowhere with a small population was not even remotely curious about a stranger? Not likely. In every small town someone always wanted to know the latest news.

  The traveller placed his half-drunk mug on the bar and slowly pulled back his hood. Every eye looked at him. The traveller heard the barman leave in a hurry and the back door slam. At least the barman’s not involved. It’s a waste to kill a man that sells good beer. The traveller was calm. He was always calm before…and after.

  In unison the six locals stood, producing cudgels and hatchets. That was a mistake.

  “H-he’s the eldon.” The speaker was obviously nervous. “He’s the one they want dead.”

  The others were silent. They weren’t professionals, just locals trying earn a little extra. Today was not a good day for this village. Men would die.

  “Sit down,” said the traveller, a pale-skinned eldon. His voice was cold and hard. “No one has to die.”

  “You have to die,” said a villager. “There’s a bounty on your head. A big bounty.”

  And this is what happens when you kill a king.

  The spokesman drew a long-bladed knife from his belt as a bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face. “You’re Severus of the Brotherhood. You killed a king!” he accused.

  “I’ve killed many. And more will die today,” replied Severus calmly. “Leave and you may survive this day—”

  “That’s not happening. There are six of us and we’re going to kill you. Here and now.” The spokesman sounded like he was trying to build up his own confidence.

  “So be it.”

  From under his cloak Severus slowly drew a long curved sabre and the men visibly paled and looked at each other for support. The battle was almost over. Many of his past opponents had run before he had even drawn a weapon. Only professionals or the desperate were willing to put their lives on the line for money. This village had fallen on hard times.

  Position was everything in a fight and the tall eldon had his back against the bar and could see all his opponents. They hadn’t moved. They were scared.

  If I kill one, the others will run.

  “C-come on, guys, let’s get him.” The leader leapt forward with his knife held out in front and ran at Severus. The eldon easily sidestepped the villager and drove his sword’s pommel hard into his assailant’s neck. The man dropped gracelessly to the floor, stunned but not dead.

  The other five villagers were motionless—stunned by the speed that their leader had fallen. They had never seen a trained fighter before and now feared the eldon more—he was rumoured to be an assassin after all. They moved back.

  “I don’t want to die,” said one.

  “Then get out,” replied Severus, his voice icy calm.

  Together the villagers ran for the front door and scrambled out into the night.

  Severus sheathed his sabre. No one died—it was a good day. He turned back to the bar and grabbed his beer, swallowing its cool contents in one long gulp. Not bad at all.

  Chapter 4

  “Do you have to stand so close?” asked Anna.

  Anna and Finn walked through the market and Finn had bumped into her for the second time that morning. She looked irritated.

  “I’m sorry. Do you have to do this?” he replied.

  “Do what? Go to the market?”

  “It’s dangerous for you here,” Finn looked around as he spoke. “There could be people in this crowd looking for you right now and we wouldn’t know until it’s too late.”

  “We know everyone.” Anna shook her head disapprovingly. “I can’t tell if you are serious or joking…I hope you’re joking.”

  “A little. But y
ou must be careful. According to what Mordan told us, there are people looking for you and your First Born blood.”

  “I haven’t seen anyone suspicious—apart from you.” Anna put a few carrots into a string bag. “On Mittwoch, I always cook for the homeless and I’m not stopping now.”

  “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that—”

  “Why? I am not stopping. My work, it’s important,” she said seriously. “The homeless need our help.”

  Across the market Finn noticed Kliem, a gnome merchant, smiling at him and he waved. “I’ve been thinking about your dreams and I would like to spend a night in your bedroom—”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I mean, I want to wait and see if Mordan shows up. You can sleep in another room for a night. Garm will be there as well.”

  “And what will you do if that alp does turn up? He could kill you before you know it. You’ve seen how fast he is.”

  “We have to try something…before it’s too late.”

  “So long as you don’t get in the way. What’s your plan?”

  “Tonight I’ll wait for Mordan in your bedroom. You can stay at the warden’s cottage.”

  “What are you going to say to Mordan?”

  “I’ll…I’ll think of something.”

  “You know he can’t see me,” said Anna.

  “Yeah. But he’s entering your dreams and I want to know how.”

  “I’ll have to tell my stepparents why you are in my bedroom and why innocent me is staying with your seven-foot brother in a lonely cottage…”

  Finn grinned at her. “And you think I have an overactive imagination.”

  “Shhh. Just hand me those potatoes.”

  “…And why do you think someone may break into Anna’s bedroom, young man?” asked Mrs. Bohmer. It was almost dark and Finn stood at the mayor’s front door. Anna’s stepmother stood with crossed arms in the doorway with Anna behind her.

  “There have been a few break-ins and a few shady characters have been spotted in your street.”

  “And she’s going to stay with Garm, is she?” said Mrs. Bohmer.

  “Yes, ma’am. Garm will protect her.”

  “No.”

  “What?”

  “No, I said.”

  Anna smiled at Finn’s discomfort.

  “The mayor is away on business so she will sleep in my room…with me,” continued Mrs. Bohmer. “She is a young woman. She can’t spend the night in a man’s house. It’s just not proper.”

  Finn didn’t plan for this response. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Come inside if you want to guard us,” Mrs. Bohmer opened the door wider. “And don’t take your cloak off. You can go out to the back shed and bring in some firewood before it gets dark.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Finn wiped his shoes before he walked through the house and out the back door.

  When he was out of sight, Mrs. Bohmer turned to Anna. “I like that boy. He’s good husband material.”

  “Mother,” Anna put her arms around the only mother she had known. “Please don’t interfere.”

  “Me? Would I do that?”

  Standing in her bedroom doorway, Anna was silhouetted by the hallway light behind her. Finn sat on the end of her bed with the black sword across his lap. He tried hard not to look at her womanly figure emphasised by the light.

  “I’m just next door,” she said.

  “I won’t need help,” said Finn. “I’ll only want to chat with Mordan.”

  “It might just be crazy nightmares.”

  “I want to know for sure.”

  “Goodnight,” she said as she closed the bedroom door.

  Finn walked to the window and looked out into the darkness. Anna’s bedroom was located on the second floor and the moonless night left the backyard in total darkness. The window was the only entrance to the room from the yard.

  Using a small oil lamp, he examined the window. There were no marks on the window sill to indicate any previous entry and the latch was also intact.

  Finn turned off the lamp and sat with his back against the wall with a clear view of the window and door. The window was locked and the door was closed. He unsheathed the black sword and laid it on the floor beside his outstretched legs. And waited.

  Time moved slowly and despite his effects, Finn drifted into a restless sleep.

  The bedroom door burst open and banged against the wall. Finn leapt to his feet and gripped the sword with both hands. His sleepy brain prepared to fight monsters but a shout woke him from his drowsiness.

  “Finn! Come quick!” Mrs. Bohmer left the room as fast as she had come.

  He followed her down the short hall to the Bohmers’ master bedroom. The bedroom door was open and there was a lamp on the night stand illuminating most of the room. Anna lay in her stepparents’ bed and tossed and turned in a fitful sleep. She muttered quietly under her breath.

  Finn placed the sword on the floor and gently shook her. “Anna! Anna. Wake up.” He grabbed her small hand. Her skin felt cold. Her mumbling stopped and she sat upright—her eyes wide open like a crazy person.

  “He’s here,” she said and dropped back down onto the pillow. She lay motionless and fearing the worst, Finn felt for the pulse in her neck. She was alive but her breathing was shallow.

  “She’s lives,” said Finn.

  Mrs. Bohmer sat on the bed beside her stepdaughter and gently stroked her head. “What’s happening?”

  “It’s a long story but I fear there is an alp trying to possess her—”

  “An alp?!” interrupted the woman, fear showing on her face.

  “I’ll tell you the full story later but first, I must check the house.”

  Finn picked up his sword and Mrs. Bohmer’s hand gripped his arm, stopping him as he turned to leave. “Be careful,” she said barely louder than a whisper.

  Silently he walked into the hall and down the stairs to the ground floor. A quick inspection revealed that the front door was securely bolted and all the windows were closed. Where are you? He walked to the kitchen and checked the back door. It was locked. There was no sign of entry.

  Finn pulled back the door bolt and stepped into the night. The cold air assaulted Finn’s lungs as he drew in a deep breath. The hair stood up on the back of his neck.

  All was silent.

  For what seemed like the longest time Finn remained motionless. Straining his eldon hearing, he listened for the smallest sound out of place in the night. Nothing stirred and the sword hilt was cool under his skin.

  “You amuse me, mortal.”

  Finn visibly jumped and spun to face the direction of the sound. Even with the aid of the sword enhancing his vision he could see nothing in the darkness. He raised the sword into a guard position.

  “Are we really going to play this game, mortal?” said the heavily accented voice. It could belong to no one but Mordan.

  “Where are you? Show yourself!”

  A chilling laugh filled the air. “If only I had known you when my people ruled this world. You would have been my court jester. Dancing and rolling in the dirt for the amusement of your betters…the good old days.”

  “Leave Anna alone!”

  “What? Do you forget our agreement?”

  “What agreement?” Finn scanned the night but it was in vain.

  “I agreed to train the First Born girl in magic and in return she will assist me to regain my ancestral lands. You were present, mortal. Have you forgotten already? That’s the reason you hold my sword—to protect…the girl. At least until she is ready to be of service to me.”

  “And what then? You will just cast her aside?”

  “No, mortal. She is possibly one of the purest First Born left in this world. When fully trained, she will be a great wizard and a person to be respected…and feared. Some fear this untrained girl even now. You don’t know your friend and she probably doesn’t even know herself.”

  “I will protect her!” he shouted.

  Mor
dan stepped out of the darkness and towered over the young eldon.

  “Crap!” His closeness made Finn take an involuntary step back.

  Mordan’s black robe was in stark contrast to his dead-white skin. His long limbs and thin body were totally covered in the robe apart from his hands, bald head and pointed ears. Eyes like pools of blackness stared at Finn and a smile played on his pale, thin lips—revealing long canines.

  Finn raised the black sword and took another step back.

  “Good to see you still have my sword.”

  “W-what are you doing to Anna?”

  “Training her as agreed. I see you have guessed…that I entered her dreams and awakened her powers.”

  “How long have you been doing this?”

  “I have trained her for weeks.”

  “Weeks?”

  “Her powers are awake and she can now sense me,” said Mordan. He looked over Finn and into kitchen’s dark interior. “She gains power faster than I imagined.”

  I could strike him down now. No. This is his sword…

  “Don’t make a bad decision, mortal. I don’t want to kill you.”

  Finn lowered the sword. “What now?”

  “I will continue to train the First Born as promised.”

  “Her name is Anna.”

  “I know.”

  “When? Tomorrow night?”

  “No, mortal. I’ve been in this…” he indicated the town, “cesspool for too long. I must leave. Tonight.”

  “So soon?” said Finn sarcastically.

  “I have pressing business elsewhere.” Mordan turned to go but hesitated. “You must watch her closely now.”

  “I will.”

  “There are forces in play that you cannot see. They want her powers and will do anything to gain them. Anything.”

  “I will protect her...”

  Mordan was no longer there—Finn faced nothing but darkness. He released his held breath and relaxed the gripped on the sword. Forces in play? What does he mean?

  Chapter 5

  Year - 840

  Severus’s horse trudged through the deep snow. A recent wound to his leg had proven troublesome but he had grown accustomed to the pain. The pain kept his mind sharp and focused.