Take My Heart...: Dark Ages - Fantasy (Dark Gods & Tainted Souls Book 3) (7 page)

Chapter Fourteen.

Minsetta sat on a stolen horse, next to Grimm and Josette, under the cover of some sparse trees and watched the show that was unfolding before her eyes. She moved in her saddle restlessly and tried to quell her impatience. She’d seen the Red Bastards, all six or so hundred of them, slowly moving around and breaking up their camp. They scurried like little busy ants packing down their tents and loading huge packs on their backs. They were all neatly dressed in Twin Plains uniforms but still held the weapons of mercenaries and acted like them. The Twin Plains army had never taken so long to get ready to march or had so much fun doing it. She could hear their rough voices and laughter floating across the vacant plain to where they waited under cover from the bright sun.

Slowly the ragtag army gathered up into rough lines of three, got ready to march and cause some mayhem. She could see Goldie and Farirkar at the head lead them off in a slow walk. It was only two days till there first stop and they had to quickly get ahead of them and warn the poor souls just who was coming to visit. She went to ride out but Grimm grabbed the reins of her horse in his firm hand and just slowly shook his head.

As she looked a small group of the king’s men were following slowly behind on horseback. They trotted very slowly keeping a good distance between them and the Reds.

“Looks like the king doesn’t trust our Goldie,” Grimm said.

Minsetta reached out her hand and opening a leather bag strapped to the side of her horse. She pulled out the map for the tenth time and looked at it. She knitted her brow. As far as threats to the king went these three weren’t even top twenty. The first she had no idea about just some desert nomads the king probably hated because as he said to Goldie, they didn’t pay taxes. The second though was well known to her. The Temple of the divine child was a lovely and benign order. She had met a few of their acolytes when she was being sweet and nice and giving women a final moment with their children who had passed over. They were an order of midwives, dedicated to safe births and actually viewed giving birth as a spiritual gift. They were misguided but harmless.

The third, Goldie, hadn’t been told but she knew. There was only one thing in that area and if they went there it would be their first proper fight. It was the home of the temple of the Lucky Lady and as such, it was a gambling den. Animal racing, pit fighting with slaves, shady deals and dangerous people. Goldie would be right at home there and would never attack it. He was practically engaged to the lucky lady.

Pointing at the map, she spoke.

“They are on foot and as such will stick to actual roads. If we cut across the country on horse we can make it straight for the temple and get there a few days earlier, clear everyone out and have them safely away,” she said.

“What about the first X, aren’t we going there first?” Josette asked.

“We don’t have time. I know they are on foot, but some of the land we’ll have to cross is near on sand, we won’t be going fast,” she said.

“I’ll go if you want,” said Grimm. “I’m pretty sure I can speak their tongue now and if anyone knows what these bald fuckers are really up to it’ll be the desert nomads. I’m fairly sure this group are descendants of the prophet, a man called white eyes, people worth saving,” he said.

“How do you know that?” asked Josette. “And since when can you speak the desert tongue?”

“Since I got drunk on Elizebetha’s private stash, you know it as well,” he said.

“What do you think they’ll know?” Minsetta asked.

“One thing keeps coming back to me from your memory of the night you were attacked by the order that man said to you, “‘You have no idea what gods you’re worshipping or giving strength to,’ it’s that phrase giving strength too. My question is, who are they giving strength to.”

Grimm looked at the map and the horizon; it was a day’s fast ride for one man alone on horse. He turned to them both.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen next, some many paths are opening but I feel like this might be goodbye for a while.” He took Josette’s arm in a warrior’s grip. “Stay strong little sister”

“Minsetta thanks for the help.” He turned to ride away and looked over his shoulder with a grin. “Oh Josette, now you’re going to have to feed her!”

Minsetta laughed and looking at Josette’s fine neck thought it did look a lot better than the Northman’s.

Chapter Fifteen.

Seth didn’t realize he’d slept, but when he woke on the deck of the large ship he knew he must have. The sound of waves breaking against a strong hull brought his eyes open, he stood quickly, weapon drawn, expecting something, but not this. He was back on
The Opulent
. The fine ship that had carried him so long ago from the jail in Cravosi to his long journey onwards, people milled around him in their fine clothes and paid little attention to him. He recognized some of them from his voyage, a certain guard or officer, a certain attractive female passenger he’d noticed. They enjoyed the sunshine of the bright fresh day it had become. He could smell the fresh ocean, feel the cool air and it felt real.

Then he saw her. She looked younger than when he’d first met her. As she must have been in death. Elizebetha walked up to Seth and hugged him.

“Hello Sir Seth, it’s been a long time,” she said.

He felt a pit of sadness crawl up in him and tried to find his eyes but he forced it down, what weakness that would be. He pulled back from her and took her hands, they felt cold and dead. He could see dark red marks around her neck.

“You’ve been killed then?” he asked simply.

Taking her hand from his, she slowly rubbed the deep red marks on her neck.

“It seems I have though I can’t remember much of it. I think I was killed by the king but it all happened so fast. First we lost you and I was so proud of you, you saved us all, but then it all happened anyway. The duchess, the battle and then the king,” she said sadly.

“So I failed you all, my gesture was all for nothing,” he said.

“I’m not so sure. I don’t think I’m meant to be here Seth, this is not my journey, it’s yours but something is trying to help us. I think it wants us to do something,” she said.

“A Druheim’s job is never finished,” he said with a laugh. Then he stopped and looked around the deck. “Have you seen Seraphina?” Knowing before he asked. Elizebetha looked at him sadly. “This isn’t her journey Seth, maybe you’ll find each other again. Now come with me, we have a different old friend to meet.”

Elizebetha took him by the hand and led him across the polished wooden deck. He walked easily through the people and noticed his arm would just pass through some and not others, were some just illusions? or ghosts of the fallen? clearly not all were dead.

He looked at the sparring area just before him and almost laughed, it was the place he’d first learn to use the rapier, his fight against that officer fellow whatever his name was.

“Officer Ramon, my friend here says he can beat you any day or night.” He heard Elizebetha yell in her refined voice.

Indeed, it was the officer Ramon standing in front of him sparring with his brother as he had been all that time ago. The man looked him over and snorted. “Doubtful my lady but your man should watch his tongue, a man’s honor is all he has,” he said.

The man was clearly as prickly as he’d always been.

“What of a woman’s honor? He says you dance around like one and in such pretty clothes,” she said back. That did it. The man’s eyes lit up with rage. Seth remembered that look very well. The fight came back to him. He’d fought the man but not killed him. He’d let him live, if in total shame.

Seth just sighed and pulling his rapier and dagger from his sides, stepping over the small rope barrier and onto the black painted deck of the sparring pit. Officer Ramon was as ever, a big bull of a man, fine mustache and from memory good with that sword. Still Seth was far better now than he had been.

The man lunged at Seth hard and fast with a straight blade. Seth jumped back not ready. He countered with a flick of his rapier and thrust forward. They exchanged cuts the man fighting with such energy and anger. Seth was forced to retreat. It had been so long since he’d used these weapons. He cast his mind to the general and let him take over. Every time the man lunged Seth flicked his blade away with ease, he saw the moment coming. Ramon lost control and charged. He knew he had simply sidestepped the man and choked him to sleep instead of doing the easy thing and letting him run onto his blade. Seth saw him running at him, he stepped to the side and grabbing his thick neck, choking the man, Ramon tried to wrest free but Seth brought him to the ground, alive. Seth turned back and smiled at the lady, but she wasn’t there.

Seth blinked and once again he was standing in front of Ramon and stepping into the pit. The man lunged at him causing him to throw himself back from the fatal wound. What the fuck was happening?

Seth avoided killing the man more than ten times. The battle played out the same each time. It was like a little show now, he knew every move the man would make. Why was he having to do this again and again? This man was an enemy who had raised a blade against Seth, a part of him knew he’d done wrong in letting him live. Was that it? This time, when Ramon ran at him, Seth simply held his blade steady. Officer Ramon ran onto the point of the blade. It entered his unprotected stomach in out through his back, the blade slide in with deadly ease as the man killed himself on it. Ramon’s eyes opened in surprise as he fell back dead. Seth releasing the sword which fell back with the man, sticking out from him.

Seth looked in shock at what he’d done, then casting his eyes to the side saw Elizebetha was there.

“Do you see that?” Seth asked.

“You killed him, why would you do that, you didn’t the first time,” she said.

“I tried not to. I’ve just fought this battle ten times and each time it would start again. Now I kill him and it’s over,” he said.

“How do you feel,” she asked.

“Fine, he was my enemy, he raised the blade, it was right,” Seth said, in truth he hardly felt that way, Ramon was a proud fool but hardly deserved to die, he may have tried to kill Seth in earnest but that was his rage and pride, so many people had tried to kill him now he really didn’t take it that personally anymore.

Seth heard clapping and looked next to the lady. An old Northman stood next to her, he was dressed as a simple farmer but his clothes looked old and worn, he smiled at Seth.

“Good boy, there may be a chance for you yet,” he said in a tongue like Silver’s version of Northern.

Chapter Sixteen.

Grimm rode his stolen horse at a relaxed paced across the sparse countryside surrounding Blackrock. He understood what the desert people must like about this place. It was an easier version of being at home. As a denizen of a harsh landscape, he also knew the joy of getting somewhere a little easier but then the strange sense of lost. Sometimes he missed the cold and the snow. The need for a fireplace, the warm drinks of spiced ale and wine, damn he missed spiced cider, it was such a fine drink.

He was glad to be alone now, he’d been itching to get away since he’d woken up from the hangover of memories and visions. He could feel deep within himself that he wasn’t the same man he’d been. He’d taken in too much of others and now his own ambitions and goals felt small.

Minsetta and the others were so worried about the bloody temple they were quite willing to let these people die. Why? Because they had different skin and features, because they spoke in a strange language and had clung to it for two hundred years of exile? That wasn’t an accident it was by design. Even the king had referred to them as dirt worshippers. Dirt worshippers! It was a fucking outrage, they worshiped the spirit of the sun. The thing that brought them heat and life. They gave thanks to it for their tough skins that could take it. They took pride in being hard people living in a hard land, not that different from the North people, just different climates.

It was strange to Grimm that he now knew so much. His mind had grown and he realized that before he didn’t have the words to express his thoughts, but then again he didn’t have thoughts like these, now he could think clearly. It was like a fog had been cleared from his mind and he now understood much more of why people did what they did.

Now he also cared so much about these people. He cast his mind through his memories and saw many of the Gatherers had lived with them for a while. The basis of the Gatherers’ power was in their teachings. They had learned more and more but these people had been the ones to open the first doors for them.

Grimm was far enough away from the others and had journeyed a good few hours in the right direction. Pulling back on his reins he brought his horse to an easy stop. He checked the ground for any snakes or scorpions, strange creatures, and jumped from his horse. Letting go of the reins, he allowed the horse to wander; it would come back when he called.

Grimm dropped his pack on the ground and sat cross-legged in the yellow dirt. He had so much in his mind now. With Minsetta he was starting to open up to new skills but he now knew that he was perhaps the most powerful summoner left alive, the king was hunting the wrong people he thought with a laugh.

Grimm closed his eyes and started to whistle. It was a thing he’d never been good at before but now he whistled a sweet song. His put his hand out in front of him and waited as he whistled. He thought peaceful thoughts of warmth and safety; he imagined a nice warm burrow and the pleasure of a full belly. He was through his song twice when he felt it, soft animal fur beneath his hard fingers. Grimm opened his eyes and smiled, there nestled under his hand, crouched and breathing softly in the sand was a desert jack. A skinny copper furred creature that looked like a fox where he was from, only they were a lot more scared of people than the ones in his home. It sat calmly as he stroked it, the creature allowing it.

“Hello, little fellow. I’m sorry about this but my friend needs food,” Grimm said as he patted the creature’s soft fur. It seemed quite happy to be around him.

Grimm pulled out a long knife from his bag that sat beside him and looked at the Jack. It had come because he’d told it he was no threat. He’d killed, at least, ten men in the past few days but this was a bit strong, it was like lying to a child then killing it.

He patted it again and reaching again into his pack pulled out a small piece of dried meat. The jack took it in its small white teeth and ran, as Grimm guided it to go. It ran fast across the sand and disappeared down a tiny hole of its burrow, much smaller than he’d have thought possible. The Wolvern could go hungry, that little bastard was a survivor and Grimm wouldn’t mess with that.

Grimm stood and taking his sword drew a circle in the sand with the point. He thought some words in his mind as he drew it and then stood back. He pictured the Wolvern in his mind, its huge form and sharp eyes and simply willed to see it. Within seconds, the air of the circle ripped open and a creature was standing before him. He was unsure if this was the Wolvern, it looked very different. Still on its side of the rift, it raised its head and snarled. Now it looked like the Wolvern but it was covered in soft white fur, bigger than before and a huge brush tail.

It trotted through the rift, tail flicking and clearly annoyed.

Angry one is that you, what is this rift. I can barely see it.
It spoke in his mind, there was no pain at its words, it sounded just like normal words to him now.

“I’ve learned a few things since we last met, you look different,” he said with shock. The terrifying creature he’d expected was still terrifying but beautiful as well.

Thank your boy Seth. Now what do you want,
it said.

“You don’t want food first?” Grimm asked.

I’m fine, my appearance is not the only change, now the point. I’m busy,
it sounded in his head.

“Where is Seth I think I now have the power to bring him back, or if not, at least, talk to him, learn his wishes, help him,” Grimm said.

The creature laughed darkly in his mind.
Too late now, just days too late, he has gone onwards. Let me show you.

The Wolvern opened its mind and pushed its memories at Grimm. It was a tidal flood of thought and images. He saw Seth with a silver woman who was incredible and naked, the girl Seraphina helping him, the Wolvern reborn, a battle for the city of monsters and then the raising of the sun. He felt the cold and hopelessness of the world before and then the life that sprang back with the sun. Finally, he saw Seth through the Wolvern’s eyes. As he and the little princess, got into their small boats and floated away into the fog. He was too late.

Grimm was filled with anger. Why hadn’t Elizebetha let them use this power earlier, he knew he could, at least, talk to Seth now, this rift was strong enough to be a window for the living as well. Grimm thought of all he’d seen. Especially the sun and the changes, he felt what the Wolvern felt. It was sure Seth was going on for a purpose, his role as the Druheim wasn’t finished, which meant it wasn’t finished for Grimm either. He still had a mission; he’d help Seth even if he’d never see his face again.

“One thing I don’t understand,” said Grimm.

Only one? That’s good
, said the Wolvern.

Grimm ignored its barb.

“Why are you afraid?” Grimm asked simply.

He could feel inside of the Wolvern like a disease without a name. Lurking inside its bones and blood.

I’m not afraid. I’m never afraid; nothing can defeat me.
It shouted in his mind with a snarl.

The worst part was it was right. It wasn’t afraid of anything in particular. Not the black dogs, not the white skinned people or some possible death. It was a truly awful deep-set fear based on nothing. It was pure fear made of fear itself.