A Whisper After Midnight (6 page)

Bahr guided them down the two-lane road past the shanty guard houses and into the heart of Fedro. They’d left Groge about a kilometer back in a heavy stand of oaks with enough food and water to last the next two days. He hadn’t put up an argument but stood with sad eyes as the others continued on.

The size of the group drew stares and gawkers, more than Bahr or Anienam felt comfortable with. They’d been counting on secrecy but only succeeded in drawing attention to themselves. Bahr cursed, knowing he should have left the wagon with Groge and broken the group down into twos and threes. So many newcomers at once were bound to draw the wrong kinds of attention. Too late for that, he pushed them on to the nearest inn.

They’d been on the road for weeks without a rest and a good night’s sleep with a roof over their heads was just what they needed to recharge. Leaving Nothol and Dorl to secure stable space for the horses and a berth for the wagon, he, Maleela, Anienam, and Skuld went in to get rooms and pay for their meals. Boen and Rekka went out through Fedro to scout the streets and identify potential escape routes should the need arise. Only broken Ionascu declined to accompany anyone and remained in the wagon bed, curled up under a pile of blankets.

Dawn broke by the time they gathered together for breakfast in the common room. The smell of bacon cooking assaulted their senses, making stomachs growl. Heaps of apples and fresh cheese were brought out along with pitchers of ice cold mountain water and freshly made dark bread with jam. Bahr paid a little extra in order to have eggs as well, knowing they needed the protein. The group’s mood instantly improved and soon the room was alive with genuine laughter. Every care seemed forgotten, for the moment.

The door opened suddenly, allowing a small child in, accompanied by a strong gust of wind. He walked right up to their table as if he’d known they were going to be there. “You are the Sea Wolf,” he stated to Bahr. “I have been sent with a message. The Old Mother wishes to see you. She has necessary knowledge to aid you in your quest.”

“Go away, boy. We’ve no need for cheap parlor tricks this morn,” Boen frowned.

Anienam waved a cautious hand at the Gaimosian. “Careful, Boen. This boy is more than he appears. You’re a
taken
, aren’t you?”

The child cocked his head, studying the wizard. Recognition flashed in his dull, brown eyes. “We have met before, old one. Long ago, in a distant land. Does this new body throw you off? Perhaps you’d recall my previous form? An elderly man with no right eye in Alloenis.”

“What devilry is this?” Bahr snarled, reaching for his sword.

“Patience, Bahr. This is a very rare creature. They are known as
taken
, ancient souls that travel from body to body.”

“Demons!”

The
taken
laughed, a terrible hissing sound escaping grit teeth. “Your knowledge of the world is limited, Sea Wolf. My kind has walked these lands since the first dawn. We are neither angel nor demon. We simply…are. But that is unimportant. The Old Mother commands your audience and you would do well to follow.”

Deflated, Bahr dropped his hand back on the table and leaned back in his chair. “Very well,
taken
, where can I find this Old Mother?”

“Come with me, but only two may go. She is not one for large groups and the message will be diluted if there are more than two.” The
taken
edged back towards the door.

“I do not like this,” Boen rumbled.

Rekka added, “I agree. He smells of foulness.”

“The
taken
are many things but deceptive is not one of them. I shall accompany you,” Anienam said. “If what he says is true we have had dealings before.”

“This smells bad, like Rekka said,” Dorl said. “Could be a trap.”

“No, I have heard of this Old Mother. Some say she has visions. What she says might prove useful in the coming days,” the wizard said.

Bahr finished the last of his eggs, the golden yolks running down the stubble on his chin. “Very well. Let us get this over with. I am anxious to be out of this town. And someone make sure Groge gets enough food. Wouldn’t do to let him starve out there.”

The
taken
smiled and opened the door.

Tucked away in a forgotten part of old Fedro, the Old Mother’s home was small and unassuming. Moss covered the walls to the roof. Vines and angry bushes lining the house set back most curious passersby. Candlelight glowed through the gloomy windows. Smoke gusted from the low chimney, dark and fetid. The
taken
ignored their cautious looks, leading the pair up to the front door.

“I can go no further. The Old Mother awaits within,” it said.

Bahr and Anienam exchanged wary glances but said nothing. Any ill that might happen was bound to whether they wanted it or not. By the time Bahr looked back to the
taken
it was gone. A dark cloud settled over his head. He started to speak but was cut off when the cottage door opened suddenly.

“It seems we go in,” Anienam mused.

On edge, Bahr grunted and pushed inside. His nose itched from the overpowering stench of so many herbs and spices. Gloom clung to walls and ceiling, impenetrable and oppressive. He immediately felt confined. He felt trapped in a cave.
How can anyone choose to live like this? A lesser life might be had in better places.

An ancient voice crept through the gloom. “You disparage my home, Bahr, son of Brogon.”

“How do you know my name?” he asked defensively.

“Bah, I know many things the light never finds. Come closer so that I may see you.”

He waited for Anienam’s encouragement before delving further into the cottage. Odd, exotic plants hung from the rafters. Flowers he’d never seen sprouted from rows of pots along the walls. Very little furniture filled the interior. A broken down chair by the fireplace. A small table under the largest window. Dirt covered the floor, leading Bahr to believe no one had bothered cleaning this place in a very long time, if ever.

Something dark brown scurried away to the far corner. Bahr ignored it and moved towards the sound of the voice. He didn’t know why but his heart beat a little faster. There was a strange power at work here. He felt the power rippling across his flesh. Electrifying his bones. Different from the wizard, this power came from the air. He felt the currents pass through his nostrils, into his lungs. Nausea quickly spread. His head began to ache, a dull throbbing echoing deep in his mind. Anienam placed a hand on his shoulder and he immediately felt warmth flow through him.

“Thank you,” he said without understanding. The magical effects began wearing off.

Anienam nodded and kept walking. They found the Old Mother in her bed, too old and fragile to get up. Wiry white hair hung down well past her shoulders. Wrinkles distorted her face. Bahr could just make out the thick hairs on her chin and upper lip. Her teeth were broken, crooked, and stained dark brown. Everything about her screamed she should have already passed to the next world. Everything but her eyes. Her eyes were strong, vivid. They watched Bahr and Anienam approach. The Old Mother calculated every minute fact, every nuance in their stride and stance.

“Ah, you bring the last scion of ruined Ipn Shal,” she mused. “I did not think you still drew breath, Anienam.”

The wizard stiffened. “Baethesida. You’re supposed to be dead.”

“You know this woman?” Bahr asked.

“Of course he does. Tell him, wizard. Tell him how your order abandoned my kind. Threw us out to the wolves to fend for ourselves. How dozens of us were captured or slaughtered for our unique abilities. Your self-destruction was the best thing to happen to Malweir.”

“You summoned us,” Anienam said, ignoring her barb.

She waved him off. “I summoned him. You came because you cannot help but interfere with the affairs of others. How like the rest of your dead kin.”

“Some would name you abomination, witch-seer,” he snapped. “Ever you and your sisters sought to control the wills of others. Haven’t you learned from meddling that life does not follow your desires?”

“Desires are all the flesh is comprised of. Who are you to condemn me for my gifts?”

Bahr stepped between them. “Time is short, Old Mother. You summoned me?”

Her eyes flicked to him. “Indeed. You embark upon an epic quest, thinking the answers are all known to you. You are wrong. Everything you think you know is a lie.”

“Speak plainly, woman. I told you we don’t have time.”

Anienam frowned. “Careful, Bahr. She is old but extremely powerful. It wouldn’t be wise to upset her more than necessary.”

“I don’t understand. She doesn’t look like much,” he replied.

“Your eyes deceive you, Sea Wolf,” Baethesida crooned. “Open your heart and the truth will be revealed.”

Bahr felt more frustrated. “I don’t do riddles, Old Mother. What is it you want?”

“Want? Nothing. What can an old woman such as I need from the likes of you?” she replied chastely. “I wish to give you information you will have need of before you reach Trennaron.”

“How do you know this, witch-seer?” Anienam demanded.

“I know many forbidden facts,
wizard
. You should not have come. My words are for Bahr alone.”

“Perhaps she is right. We’re getting nowhere like this. Wait outside, Anienam,” Bahr said.

The wizard bristled at the indignity, but held his tongue. Enough damage had been done to their little band and they couldn’t afford more angst. Reluctantly he nodded. “Do not trust what she says. The witch-seers are famous for the poison in their words.”

Bahr clasped Anienam’s forearm and waited for him to leave before turning back to the Old Mother.

“He will become a problem before the end,” she remarked casually.

Bahr frowned. “Why am I here?”

“This war is beyond your ability to win. Your brother is enslaved by the Dae’shan, a willing servant of the dark gods. Soon his power will rival the mightiest kingdom. His spies hound your movements, reporting every turn to their masters. You march across the world in search of a weapon unseen for thousands of years. What is it you hope to accomplish?”

For the first time he realized he had no answer. No personal objective other than mere survival. He’d been drawn into this affair without the opportunity to see any personal gain other than saving Maleela. By all means his task was complete and he should take his few possessions and find a quiet corner of the world to settle down in. Reality and desire seldom crossed paths though. He’d never be safe as long as Badron continued to rule. Others would hunt him to the ends of Malweir just to please their lord and collect the ample bounty.

So what did he hope to accomplish? His only true chance at freedom lay in turning around and stopping Badron, even if that meant killing him. Truthfully he had no desire to murder his only brother. Nor did he wish to ascend to the throne of Delranan. Leading their group south to find the Blud Hamr wasn’t his first choice. Meant for the open sea, Bahr needed the feel of sea spray on his face, the salt in the air. He felt stymied this deep in the countryside.

“Freedom,” he finally said.

The Old Mother nodded ever so slightly. “Ever elusive, what you seek. Many never come to know what it means to be free. The choice before you is plain. Continue on the path you have undertaken and it shall claim your life. The dark gods have powers no mortal can understand. Fight them if you must, but you will die. It is as inevitable as the rising sun.”

He’d never run from a fight in his long life. The very thought galled him. There was no honor to be found in cowardice, no glory or fame. His nature told him to stand up and confront threats as they come, not run and hide in the nearest hole. Even when confronted by impossible forces his base instinct was to fight. A man like Bahr thrived off of intense situations and needed the adrenaline rush to feel alive. His estates in Delranan were expansive, built with the best money could buy, but he’d never felt at home.

“I can’t give up just because a random old woman wants me to,” he said. “Death never held sway over me. Go frighten lesser men with your warnings and portents.”

Baethesida’s eyes widened. Decades had passed since one so foolish rebuked her. “You misunderstand me, Sea Wolf. If you continue your quest to find the Blud Hamr, you will know darkness the likes of which your pet wizard hasn’t dreamed. Pain and suffering will claim you.”

Frustrated, he turned to leave. “We’re done here. Good day, Old Mother.”

“Wait, Bahr. This has more to do than with your vanity. Maleela will suffer the longer your quest goes on. In the end she will fall to darkness.”

Bahr stiffened but said nothing and stormed off. The witch-seer watched him go, quietly debating whether to tell him the truth. Darkness rode the horizon, storming towards him, and he remained blinded. She smirked, knowing the path he had chosen would only lead to horror.

Seeds of Rebellion

Far to the north, in what had once been the kingdom and city of Rogscroft, King Badron of Delranan sat upon the burned throne of his vanquished foe. Stelskor’s corpse hung from the ceiling, minus the head. Badron personally impaled the severed head upon a spear and set it at the gates to the city for all to witness. Armed guards patrolled the area constantly lest one of the former citizens attempt to be noble and rescue their dead king’s dignity.