Son of Soron (25 page)

Bailmont gave a sadistic smile, “We are going to wait in Venecia for the boy?”

The duke looked at Bailmont as if he had grown a second head. “Gods no, we are going to continue on to Morthon as planned. We will simply spend a little of the kings gold in Venecia to hire assassin to do our waiting for us. They can kill the annoying young man for us.”

Chapter thirty three

NATHAN WAS READY TO return to Elderwood, say goodbye to Ava, and begin the journey to Balta. He knew after seeing Ava again it would be ever harder to say goodbye again. Would she be hurt and angry? Would she understand and wait for him if he left her behind one more time? After many years of listening to the warnings that magic was dangerous and evil from those outside of his home, it was strange to find out that he was a'kil and that because of that, he was considered evil and could be hunted and killed. The sacrifices his parents had made to protect him did not escape him anymore. Obviously, the warnings of evil were false. His heart told him he was not evil, his mind told he was not evil, and his mother certainly had not been evil.

Those who hunted a'kil, he decided, were evil. To hunt a being that was different, just because it was different was abhorrently wrong in Nathan's mind.  He wondered about hunting them. Then he realized he would be no different than them. However, he concluded that he would not run, nor avoid those seeking to destroy him because he had gifts of magic they feared or hated. Nathan thought about his father.  Soron had taught peace, avoided violence, and still had been slain.  Nathan reasoned that avoidance failed.  His heart argued with his mind constantly. He wanted justice. It felt like justice when they killed the bandits. It troubled him that it also felt a bit like vengeance. He wished he could go back in time, be an innocent child once more, ask advice of his father. He let out a deep sigh. A tiny voice inside said, Verin will give good counsel.

After thanking Amaden for all his help and hospitality, Nathan once again mounted Thorn, who seemed more than ready to get moving again. Thorn snorted and pawed the ground to show his impatience at standing while the men said their farewells. With Nathan mounted, the horse flicked his tail wanting to gallop. Nathan laughed when he realized he had heard the silent voice of his horse. He nudged Thorn's sides as he silently gave the stallion permission to run.

Verin smiled, and urged his mount to keep up to the young warrior. Nathan was fast becoming a skilled rider. This pleased Verin to no end. Nathan was eager to learn, he absorbed as much as he could from every lesson given him. He showed no signs of arrogance. If he made mistakes he owned them. Outside of his outbursts of anger, Verin could find little wanting. His sister would be proud to see that her efforts held strong. That Amaden had taken the youth as a pupil spoke volumes, for Amaden had been known to turn away would be apprentices, and cursed them for vanity, greed, and malice.  Amaden had taken Verin aside and told him he foresaw great things and great sorrows ahead for Nathan. The old mage told him to be prepared, to help guide Nathan with the difficulties ahead. 

As they rode towards the grove, Verin and Nathan discussed what lessons Nathan had taken from his time with Amaden. “Besides learning about imbuing the gems the most important thing was to control the magic. Just like my temper with Magnus if I don’t control myself the magic can become out of control and dangerous to me and people around me. Breathing and focus are as important in magic as they are in battle."

Verin who for the last couple weeks spent with Amaden had been a silent observer was glad that this was the main piece of knowledge that Nathan had absorbed from the lessons. In the future Nathan could learn many powerful uses for magic, but as long as he remained centered and focused, he would be safe. The king had been right to send Nathan to Amaden Blugroson.

The towering trees of the witch oak grove they sought were visible from miles away. It took longer for Nathan and Verin to reach the trees than it did to find them. Once they reached the large grove of majestic trees, they set up camp. After they had the camp setup complete, Nathan and Verin talked in more detail about what they wanted to find. “The more dried branches we find the better. Any dead branch bigger than your wrist and smaller than your arm is perfect for using in a forge."

Besides wood for the forge, Nathan still planned to make a bow out of the strong witch wood. This was Verin’s area of expertise. “We want to find a live sapling, slightly smaller around than your wrist, but it also has to be at least a year old. Going through winter hardens the core of the tree and gives it the strength needed for making a good bow. 

For the rest of the day, they walked through the forest picking up dry wood and bringing it back to the camp. By nightfall, they had a large amount of dried wood ready to be cut and three pieces of sapling to make into bows. While Nathan cut the dried wood up into chunks the size of a fist, Verin was peeling and shaping the saplings.

The next day, while Nathan continued cutting the branches, Verin worked on carving and bending the strong and supple saplings into the shape they would dry into. By the time Nathan was done cutting the branches up for the forges, the three bows were drying and ready to be transported.  After one more night in the witch oak grove, they began the journey over the mountain and back into the eastern kingdom of Progoh.

From the grove it was only a few short miles before their path started to rise up into the mountains. By mid-day, they located the twin peaks marked on the map. And by late afternoon were high into the mountains pass on a small winding path. Too narrow for a wagon, the path was easy for the four horses as long as they rode single file. That night they made their last camp on the north side of the Applomean Mountains. As they slept in the crisp, clean, light mountain air Nathan wonder if he would ever return to the land of his father’s people. He liked his grandfather, gruff and intimidating at first but by the time he had left he had been very comfortable around him.

Once they were over the top of the mountain pass travel down the mountain was easier. The path gone but the southern slope of the mountain had a gentle decline and without the need for switchbacks the way down was simple.

When they reached the bottom of the mountains they stopped for lunch and to decide if they should make their way towards Progoh or Salma. By going to Progoh they would be able to talk directly to the king and find out what had been done in the name of justice for the village of Elderwood and Nathan’s parents. On the other hand, Salma was closer to home and it had been a letter from Count Mavane in Salma which brought Verin to Elderwood. After a brief discussion they agreed that while knowing what happened to the duke was important, it was likely they would find out what transpired in Salma. Regardless of that, it was the count they both wanted to thank for his compassion in the way he dealt with the tragedy that had befell Elderwood.

As they rode into the small city Nathan admired the view. Built on the shores of Salman Lake, it had a thriving fishery and has the home base for several mines in the nearby mountains. Walking the horse up the trail towards the town, Nathan looked out onto the lake. Between the reflections of the setting sun and the town buildings along the lakeshore, it painted a serene and beautiful picture, he thought to himself, I wish Ava could see this; she would want to skip rocks along the water, just to shake things up. He felt happy, for he was eager to see Ava and share his adventures and secrets with her. It would not be long before he could hope for another kiss. That kiss felt like it had a magic of its own. Would kissing get better with practice? He wondered and anticipated. If it did it would sure beat the hell out any other magic he had learned. Nathan was happy. However, his happiness was soon to be shattered.

When they arrived at the estate of Count Mavane and identified themselves to a steward, they were quickly led to see the count.

“Count Mavane, may I present Verin Albet of Balta and Nathan Stoneblood." As Bannah gave them the formal introduction Nathan was studying Count Mavane. Slender and stately, the count appear to be in his mid-forties if gray hairs and laugh lines could be trusted. Nathan noticed that while the count's clothing looked be of a very high quality and traditional, there was no great amount of jewelry or furs. There was nothing pretentious about the way the count dressed, Nathan noted. So far, his first impression of Count Mavane was a positive one.

The count greeted them warmly, “Nathan Stoneblood, I am so glad to see you here today.  First, I wish to offer both of you my condolences for the tragic loss of life of Soron and Velaina. I had the pleasure of knowing both of them and two finer people I did not know. Your father was a good friend.”

“On behalf my brother, King Verbon Albet of Balta, I would like to thank you, Count Mavane for your timely letter after the death of our sister and her husband Soron. Without your assistance we may never have been acquainted with young Nathan here. For that you have my eternal gratitude.”

Nathan observed the formal tone his uncle was taking when speaking to the count. Nathan would have to get used to the careful wording and tone used among royals. Even among friends the conversations always seemed to start formally. Nathan wondered to himself if this was for each other’s benefit or for the audiences that would see them. It did not take long for the conversation with the count to take a more friendly and relaxed tone. Nathan was grateful for this.

“Thank you, Verin, sending a letter was the least I could do. I spoke true when I said that I was saddened by the loss of Soron and your sister Velaina, but I must confess I had a secondary motive beyond notifying you of the tragic events. I hoped, and still do, that my transparency in the matter would help prevent a war.”

Nathan, surprised by this talk of war, had not considered that the death of his parents could cause such an event to occur. He was equally surprised by his uncle Verin’s reply.

“I appreciate your honesty, Count Mavane, now let me be equally honest. The possibility of war remains a real threat. When I make my report back to my brother, the king, he will decide what course of action Balta will take in reprisal for the death of two members of our royal family. My role here in Solotine was simply to find the boy and to find out more about the attack."

The count nodded his head; he had not expected the problem would go away easily. “Verin, all I ask is that you let me be of whatever assistance necessary in avoiding a war. The kingdom does not want war with Balta nor the north for that matter. The attacks on Elderwood will not go unanswered.”

Nathan knew that despite the friendly tone this conversation was very serious and that it would be best if he did not interrupt. But the way the count had said attacks… "Excuse me, did you say attacks?”

The count paused for a moment, did they not know about the second attack? Carefully, he answered. "I am afraid I did say attacks. When is the last time you were in Elderwood?”

“We have been gone for over a month. We took care of the bandit problem and then went north. We are just returning now.” Nathan was getting more than a little worried now.

Count Mavane was now also a little nervous. Whatever goodwill he had gained with his prompt letters could be going out the window when they found out that once again Elderwood had been wronged. “I am afraid once again I am the bearer of bad news. It is time we spoke in detail of the activities of Duke Evollan. I think it is probably best if I start at the beginning and work forward.”

Verin sensed that Nathan did not want wait to hear of the recent news of Elderwood. But it was very important to have a clear idea of what was happening so letting Count Mavane take his time and tell the back story would be the right way to go. Placing a hand on Nathan’s shoulder Verin spoke out, “We are anxious to learn of Elderwood. But I agree, start at the beginning.”

A chill went through his body and Nathan’s eyes were starting to become moist. He could barely hold his emotions in as the fear of the worse seeped into his mind. The way they were talking was bad, really bad.

Count Mavane began his story about bandits being a problem for Salma and how he had tried to deal with it. But with Salma being on the outer reaches of the kingdom, the king had been very hesitant to send troops into the west. Only when entire caravans were being robbed did the king allow troops to be sent out beyond the lands of Broguth. Duke Evollan and his soldiers were the men assigned to deal with the problem.

The count, knowing the dukes reputation for violence and his lack of knowledge of the area, tried to convince the duke to use some of his local scouts who were familiar with the villages and people beyond the kingdom. But the duke saw this as meddling and an attempt to diminish the amount of credit he would receive for ending the bandit problem. He refused all offers of assistance.

The duke had then come to Elderwood and his scouts saw Soron and Nathan training in the meadow. While that happened, a large group of tribal warriors from the south rode up the trail towards Elderwood. Scouts reported all this to the duke and he mistakenly assumed that the warriors were re-enforcements coming to protect the bandits, which were using Elderwood as a base of operations. The duke decided, against the warning of his scouts, to attack Elderwood. His orders were to kill anyone who fought back. From reports of the soldiers there the attack almost failed due to the ferocity of Soron after seeing his wife slain trying to help a wounded villager. But eventually Soron fell to the multiple arrows wounds that he received.

After slaying the villagers, the duke, and his men, retreated to the forest to await the horsemen riding up the road. It was then he found out that they were from Venecia and coming to Progoh to investigate the death of an emissary. At this point, the duke came to Salma to brag about so quickly ending the bandit issue. When the count heard the story he sent the letters to Balta and Amradin, and then sent his own scouts to Elderwood to see what happened and to help any of the villagers still remaining. Once this was done the count sent word to the king of the tragic events.