The Scorched Earth (The Chaos Born) (35 page)

Fifty warriors?
Norr thought, realizing the number was too high to be from any single clan. The only explanation was that someone had united several of the clans against the Stone Spirits, though he couldn’t imagine why.

“We are betrayed!” Norr roared, his booming voice shredding the silence of the night. “Prepare for battle and hold your ground!”

In response to his cry, the entire camp came alive as his thanes and warriors scrambled to their feet and grabbed their weapons. As they did so a dozen torches flared to life around the perimeter of the camp as the hidden enemy realized the element of surprise had been lost.

In the flickering light of the torches Norr saw that Jerrod was right—an enemy force had completely encircled the Stone Spirit camp, cutting off all hope of retreat. He held out his right hand to the side, and one of his recently roused thanes slapped the hilt of a heavy sword into his palm. Hefting the massive blade, he carefully shifted his weight onto his injured leg. The knee felt good; strong—the rest had done wonders.

Reassured his own body wouldn’t fail him, the big man braced himself for battle, certain the enemies would charge. Instead, Roggen’s voice rang out from somewhere amid the throng.

“We have no quarrel with the Stone Spirits. We have only come for the Outlanders!”

Norr felt an icy hand close around his heart at the words.

“Show yourself, Roggen!” Norr shouted. “I will not parley with a coward who hides in the shadows!”

Two figures stepped forward from the shadowy army surrounding them, one much, much taller than the other. Roggen carried a torch in one hand, a heavy spear in the other. Berlen, the second figure, held no torch; instead, each of his hands hefted a large axe.

“You promised us your protection,” Norr sneered. “I did not know the Sun Blades were oath-breakers!”

“And we did not know the Stone Spirits were harboring spies!” Berlen shot back.

Norr hesitated, wondering if there was any value in further words. Was there any way he could convince Roggen his friends weren’t spies, or was this going to end in bloodshed no matter what he said?

He doubted the Stone Spirits could win a fair fight; they were too badly outnumbered. But from the corner of his eye he noticed Jerrod had one hand on Keegan’s shoulder and the other wrapped around the Ring hanging from his neck, ready to give the Talisman to the mage if there was no other way out.

He’ll lay waste to the entire Conclave if they rush us
.

As Norr tried to think of a way to end the standoff peacefully, Shalana spoke up to fill the silence.

“What proof do you have for these accusations?” she demanded.

“The proof comes from your own father!” Berlen sneered at her.

“A messenger from the Stone Spirits arrived an hour ago,” Roggen explained, speaking loud enough for his words to carry across the entire camp. “Sent by Terramon himself.

“He told us a Danaan army is laying waste to our land. They slaughtered the Ice Fangs, killing the entire clan—even the children. Now all the clans are fleeing before the Danaan. Even the Stone Spirits have abandoned their camp and joined the exodus.”

There were murmurs of shock and disbelief from Norr’s followers.

“How do we know this is true?” Shalana asked. “And not some trick?”

Another figure stepped forward from the shadows to stand in the torchlight. Norr recognized him as Ullis, a young Stone Spirit warrior.

“I saw it myself, Shalana,” he said. “They appeared on the horizon three days after you left. While the camp was being evacuated, your father sent me ahead to warn you because I’m the fastest. But I couldn’t catch up before you reached the Conclave.”

The young woman was stunned into silence, as were the rest of the Stone Spirits. They knew Ullis was telling the truth; he had no
reason to lie. And in the face of the shocking news, Norr could sense their anger building.

“Runners have already been sent to warn all the other clans,” Roggen added. “We must gather an army to meet the Tree Folk in battle.”

“But first you will give us the Outlanders,” Berlen added. “So Hadawas can question them and find out what they know.”

“No,” Norr said. “You cannot have them. They are with us!”

“Are you really so blind?” Roggen asked, clearly hoping to avoid a fight. “You bring a Dweller to your clan, and days later a Danaan army drives them from their homes. How can you not see what has happened?”

“These are my friends,” Norr insisted. “I know them. They are not spies!”

“You spent too long away from your own people,” Berlen accused.

“If the Red Bear is willing to throw away his life for an Outlander,” he continued, now addressing Norr’s followers rather than the big man himself, “then maybe he has forgotten what binds a clan together. Maybe he is not fit to be your chief.”

“They are not Stone Spirits,” an anonymous voice from the warriors gathered behind Norr whispered in agreement. “They’re Outlanders.”

The words weren’t loud, but they hung in the air. Norr could sense the resolve of those standing with him slipping away. These warriors had welcomed Norr back and celebrated his victory when he became chief, but would they really be willing to die on behalf of his Outlander friends?

Will they blame me for the clan’s having to flee our homeland? Will they turn on me if I refuse to surrender my friends? Are they right to?

“Take me, then,” Vaaler said, suddenly stepping forward. “I’ll surrender, but you must promise to let the others go.”

Norr was momentarily caught off guard, partly by the self-sacrificing gesture and partly by the revelation that Vaaler understood their language. Shalana, however, was quick to react.

“No!” she said, stepping forward to stand beside Vaaler, drawing an audible gasp from somewhere in the ranks at Norr’s back.

“The Stone Spirits do not bow down to the whims of the Sun Blades and their doddering, senile old chief!” she declared. “This is an insult to our honor!”

Shalana’s bold words seemed to rally her companions, her appeal to clan pride strengthening their resolve.

“Do you think we fear you because we are outnumbered?” she pressed. “You could have a hundred warriors at your back, and they would not be the equal of the men and women you see standing before you!”

Shouts of affirmation and support rang out from the Stone Spirit ranks, and Norr could feel the energy of his followers building.

“The Sun Blades can make no demands on us!” Shalana shouted. “Hadawas can make no demands on us! We are the Stone Spirits, and we answer to no one but our own chief!”

She raised her spear high above her head as cheers broke out behind her.

The ranks behind Roggen and Berlen tensed, ready to surge forward in anticipation of the command to attack. But Roggen was silent, still desperately trying to find a way this could end without bloodshed.

Seeing his opportunity, Norr called out, “I wanted a meeting with Hadawas when we first came.” He spoke loudly so that everyone on both sides could hear. “A meeting Hadawas refused.

“Now I demand another meeting. If he will agree to a parley, we will go to him—not as prisoners, but as guests. And after our meeting, he will know the truth: the Outlanders are here to help us!”

“Hadawas should meet with them,” Berlen said, surprisingly throwing his support behind the idea. “We should accept the terms.”

To Norr’s great relief, Roggen finally nodded.

“Go back to your camps,” he told the warriors he’d gathered, and the army reluctantly began to disperse.

“I will go wake Hadawas and help him prepare for your arrival,” Berlen said, excusing himself, too. “He will see you in one hour.”

“I will stay with you as your hostage as a sign of good faith,” Roggen said, offering up his spear. “I give you my word no harm will come to you.”

Norr shook his head.

“Keep your weapon. You will stay with us, but not as a hostage. If the Danaan have invaded, then we will not survive unless we are all on the same side.”

As the small army surrounding them began to disperse, Keegan let out a long slow breath he didn’t even know he’d been holding. He hadn’t been able to follow the conversation, but it was clear Norr and Shalana had talked them out of a very tight spot.

Jerrod still had his hand on Keegan’s shoulder; instead of letting go, he used it to draw the younger man in close.

“I think it’s time for you to take this again,” the monk said, handing over the Ring on the chain he’d been wearing since Ferlhame.

Keegan instinctively reached out for the Talisman with the stump of his left hand, then quickly pulled it back, ashamed. Jerrod lifted the chain and placed it over Keegan’s head and neck, letting it fall so that the Ring disappeared beneath the collar of his shirt.

“Keep it close, but only use it as a last resort,” Jerrod cautioned.

He’s scared
, Keegan realized.
He’s afraid something will happen that he can’t protect me from
.

The Ring felt strange rubbing up against his skin of his chest, and the chain chaffed at his neck.

The Talisman is meant to be worn, not carried
.

The thought seemed to come out of nowhere, startling Keegan with its intensity. But by the time Roggen was ready to lead them through the camp for their parley, the young mage had almost forgotten the Ring was there. Almost.

Keegan had expected the Stone Spirit thanes and warriors to come with them; they had already been betrayed once by the Sun Blades. But Norr took Roggen at his word, and it was only the five of them—Norr, Scythe, Vaaler, Jerrod, and Keegan himself—who went to meet with Hadawas.

It was still too dark to see much beyond the small circle of light cast by Roggen’s torch, but it felt like the eyes of every man and woman gathered for the Conclave were upon them as they slowly trekked across the meeting grounds. Eventually they reached the six stone buildings at the base of the hill, but this was not their destination. Just behind the permanent structures, hidden from sight, was a large tent. It was fashioned from hides in the same style as the ones the Stone Spirits used, though it was much larger than any of the ones Keegan had seen so far. Outside two women stood guard, each armed with the heavy spear that seemed to be the most common weapon in the East.

“Hadawas’s great-granddaughters,” Roggen whispered as they approached, speaking in Allrish so that the Outlanders could understand.

The women were both older than Keegan. If they were his great-granddaughters, it meant that Hadawas had to be well into his eighties or nineties.

The women nodded to Roggen as he approached.

“Hadawas is ready for you,” Keegan guessed the one on the
left said, while the one on the right pulled back the flap to let them in.

Roggen went first and Keegan and the others followed. A dozen small lamps had been scattered about the ground, though they gave off more heat than light. It wasn’t just warm inside the tent; it was actually hot enough that Keegan began to sweat.

The ceiling was high enough that even Norr could stand up fully, but inside the massive space looked bare and empty. A pile of unfolded bedding lay in one corner, and a small table stood in the other. Hadawas was sitting alone in a low, wide chair in the middle of the tent, leaning to the side to rest against one of the thick, padded arms.

His body was covered by a heavy fur blanket, leaving only his head exposed. His hair was thin and gray, his skin lined and weathered. But his eyes were still sharp and focused as he watched them enter.

Norr and the others stepped forward until they stood in front of Hadawas, who stayed silent, studying them carefully. Once everyone was inside, Roggen tied off the flap to keep the heat from the lamps from escaping.

“Where’s Berlen?” Roggen asked, making his way over to stand beside the old man’s chair.

“I sent him away,” Hadawas answered, speaking so the Outlanders could understand. He studied the newcomers closely, never taking his eyes off them.

His accent was thick, but Keegan was more surprised by how deep and vibrant his voice was.

“You sent Berlen away?” Roggen said in surprise.

“I told him to catch up with the scouts we sent out earlier. I want him to see the Danaan army with his own eyes, then report back to me.”

Roggen didn’t say anything, but it was obvious from his expression he thought his chief had made a mistake.

“You wanted this meeting,” the old man said, addressing Norr. “So tell me—why has the Red Bear returned to his people? And why have you brought these Outlanders to my Conclave?”

Keegan felt Jerrod tense up beside him, but the monk remained silent, content to let Norr be the judge of exactly how much should be revealed about their true purpose.

“The Outlanders I travel with are my friends,” Norr told him. “Scythe and I have been together for many years,” he said, nodding in her direction. “And Jerrod and Keegan saved my life in Torian.

“Hunted by the Order, we fled the city and hid in the Danaan forests until Vaaler’s patrol found us,” Norr continued, pointing in the direction of the exiled prince. “He and Keegan were old friends, and we thought the Danaan Queen would give us sanctuary.”

He’s leaving out everything about Jerrod’s prophecy and the Legacy and the Talismans
, Keegan realized.
At least for now
.

“Instead, she condemned Vaaler for bringing outsiders into her forbidden kingdom and we were forced to flee for our lives.”

He’s also not saying anything about Vaaler being the Queen’s son
.

“We had nowhere else to go, and so I led us East, hoping we could find refuge with my clan.”

Norr halted his tale, uncertain what else he should or shouldn’t reveal.

“A simple tale,” Hadawas remarked. “But one that does not go all the way to the core, I think.

“You say you are hunted by the Order, yet you have one of the blind monks with you. You say the Danaan condemned you, yet one of your companions is of the Tree Folk.

“They are outcasts,” Hadawas declared. “Is that why you travel with them, Norr? Like you, they were exiled from their own people.”