The Troven (Kingdom of Denall Book 1) (19 page)

“I don't know if it'll make any difference,” said Garin. “There don't seem to be any live animals around here, and I can’t live off of dandelion leaves,” he said as he popped one of the tart greens into his mouth. The lack of wildlife was frustrating at times, but it also was probably the reason they had been safe from any predators like drams, so he didn’t want to complain too much.

“Well, it's decided then,” Kaz said with a smile. “If it doesn't make any difference, let's just stay here for a while. With any luck we'll catch something, but at least I won't have to walk tomorrow. That'll be something to look forward to.”

In the morning Kaz came back empty handed from surveying the snares, but he had shot a squirrel out of an oak tree and was pleased to bring back some meat. Bendar discovered some edible plants, including a large keenroot. The keenroot was often given to children as a punishment for not eating their dinner, but today it was savored as the boys’ bodies utilized every ounce of nourishment they could from this disgusting tuber. Stopping for the day proved to be rejuvenating physically, but also frustrating as there was not much to do but wander around looking for more keenroot and listen to Farin complaining.

“Where are we?” Kaz asked before he went to sleep.

Bendar blinked his eyes several times before he answered. It looked as if the lack of food was impacting his mind. “By my calculations we should have already passed some kind of road. I think we have been angling toward the main road, so if we do not pass a trail or path of some kind we will hit that road eventually.

“Eventually?” Garin blurted out. “If we don’t starve to death first.”

“That is correct,” Bendar responded.

“Stop talking like that,” Kaz interjected. “We got some meat today, we’ve filled up on clean water and keenroot. The woods look thicker up ahead, so we’ll probably see the end of these rocks in not too long. We just need to get some rest and we’ll be fine.”

The boys stopped talking and settled down for another night sleeping on a thin patch of grass that covered a hard rock bed.

Farin was woken up early the next morning by the sound of a hawk screeching in the distance. The hawk soared high above his bow range. He watched as it disappeared out of view, then he noticed something else that made him anxious, hopeful, and fearful all at once. In the sky not far to the southeast there was a trail of smoke.

“That smoke is not just from a campfire,” Bendar observed. Farin hadn’t noticed that the intellect was awake until he spoke.

“Kaz, wake up!” He called out. “Can you see anything we can’t?”

“I can see that you don’t like sleep,” Kaz said as he rolled over. Then, with his eyes fixed to the smoke Kaz asked. “What could have caused that much smoke? I can't see anything that will help us know.”

“It's out of our hearing range,” Farin concluded, after his dots brightened to show his concentration.

“We have nothing to lose by going to see what is causing that fire,” Kaz pointed out. “You guys have already decided that we're going to eat that horse, then die out here.”

With that the boys quickly cleaned up the empty snares and the campsite, loaded up Baby, and nocked their bows, preparing for whatever was causing that smoke.

Chapter 18

Rejuvenated from having had some food and rest, it didn’t take long for the boys to hike through the woods to a small hill that had been hidden by the thickening forest and crest the hill to get their first glimpse of what was causing the smoke. When Kaz looked down at the scene, he froze in horror. A group of travelers watched in dismay as a band of thieves rummaged through their wagons for anything of value. One of the wagons was burning, causing great billows of black smoke to rise into the air. Because of their proximity it didn't take Kaz's eyes to see that there were bodies on the ground from a recent skirmish. Kaz backed Baby up and they all knelt back below the hill’s crest.

Farin was the first to speak. “What are we going to do?”

In his logical tone Bendar answered, “There are well over a dozen men that I can see, and more moving inside the camp. We have two longbows and a hunting knife. If Kaz uses his walking stick as a short staff we would still be completely outmatched.”

“I'm not leaving them alone,” Garin blurted out. “I can't believe you are even considering letting them kill those people. We need to do what we can to help. Don't you remember your oaths?”

“He's right,” Farin said, gesturing to his brother. “We need to do what we can.”

“I would like to clarify,” Bendar added, “that I did not make any conclusions, simply observations. We are outnumbered and outmatched. Those are the facts.”

“You can stay here, but I'm going down there to help,” Garin declared. He snatched up a quiver from Baby's back and stalked boldly toward the crest of the hill.

Kaz hurried to step in front of him, his open hands held up, “Let's take another look. If all the fighting is done, then maybe they're no longer in danger. If they need our help, we’ll do what we can.”

The boys inched up to the crest of the hill and saw that the work of death was not nearly done. The thieves were pulling the surviving men and one woman from the huddled group of travelers. They were being lined up in front of a group of thugs while a burly man with a spiked mace in his hands directed other bandits to return to ransacking the camp. One man resisted being taken from his family and he was killed right in front of his children.

Not waiting for any more debate or logical input, Kaz nocked an arrow and strained his sight. He drew back the bow and zoomed even further. Kaz was not going to stand by as children became orphans as he had. He was focused on the center of the chest of the man who seemed to be leading the robbers.

Kaz drew the bowstring, and in a smooth motion released. Before the arrow even reached its target, he had a second arrow pulled to his cheek. By the time the bandits realized what had happened, two of them were down with arrows in their chests. They searched frantically for the hidden archers, and a visor in their group pointed toward the boys. He was the next to fall.

Without a leader and with no direction, the thieves loosed a misdirected volley of arrows toward the boys and began a hasty return to their horses. It was much more challenging for Kaz to hit the moving targets. One villain fell to the ground with an arrow in his shoulder, and another ran more quickly to his horse as an arrow grazed his leg. The disorder and new allies seemed to give the captives from the caravan some courage. They began to tackle and grab some of the retreating foes. They were able to take down several men as they tried to escape, but the majority of the bandits mounted and began a charge right at the four boys. Three of the bandits had bows at the ready, while the other eight had an assortment of weapons.

Bendar tapped Garin on the shoulder, “Can you hit them at this range?”

Garin drew an arrow back and loosed it in a high arch. It was caught in a slight wind current, and fell to the ground harmlessly. “I guess not.”

“Better try again,” Farin encouraged. He stood with his hunting knife in both hands, ready for an attack. “I wish I had my sword!”

While Garin shot another arrow into the field, Kaz continued to hit the incoming men. With the men on the move and the mounted archers firing back, he ducked behind a tree, then stepped out into the open as he had another arrow ready. Within a few moments, Kaz had loosed four arrows. Two of the mounted archers and one other bandit slumped in their saddles, but with the element of surprise eliminated, and the horses quickly closing the gap, the outlook was grim. Kaz began to shake slightly as this realization sank in. Bendar was right! He hit one man's shoulder and then he missed two shots in a row. Garin continued to get closer to the riders, but had not yet found his mark.

The riders continued to close in and Garin nocked another arrow, turned to face his foes, released, and quickly rolled behind a tree. When Garin was behind the tree, Kaz stepped out and saw that the remaining mounted archer had an arrow drawn and was aiming at the tree where Garin was hiding. “Wait!” Kaz shouted as he pulled back on his bow, but, his warning was too late. Garin rolled from behind a tall maple and released an arrow into an approaching bandit, hitting his horse. Then his eyes went wide with realization. The last mounted archer released his bowstring, hitting Garin in the right shoulder. Kaz released his arrow and the last mounted archer fell from the saddle.

Garin collapsed to the ground. His bow and quiver tumbled down the hill, spilling his arrows on the ground. Farin and Bendar both ran to Garin. Farin grabbed his brother and Bendar grabbed the bow and scrambled on the ground to retrieve some arrows.

With the mounted archers all eliminated, Kaz stood in the open where he could clearly see the remaining six riders, two of whom he recognized with a shock as bandits from the fake coach. Motivated by anger and a desire to avenge his friend, Kaz drew and released two arrows more quickly than he thought possible, but before he could shoot again, the men were on top of them. With no time to think or aim, Kaz shot his last arrow into the horse of the lead rider, ducked behind a tree, and ran for cover. The horse reared and fell backward, landing with a sickening crunch, squarely on the unfortunate rider.

The three remaining bandits jumped from their horses as they entered the dense forest in pursuit of Kaz. Two bandits held long swords and the third a mace. Bendar was crouched next to the twins and had retrieved some arrows. His position was no secret, as Garin's loud groans of pain and gasps for air could not be stifled. He drew his arrow back and shot one of the sword-carrying assailants. The remaining bandits immediately turned on the trio, weapons raised.

Bendar did not have time to draw a second arrow, but raised his longbow to block the strike of the mace as it fell. The mace broke through Bendar's upheld bow with ease and landed a solid hit on his right hand and forearm, crushing the bones and sending Bendar sprawling with a cry of agony to the ground.

The bandit raised his weapon again and swung it at Farin. Farin closed his eyes and gritted his teeth anticipating the impact, but the impact never came. Instead there was the sound of metal pounding into flesh. Garin, fighting past the agony of his arrow wound, had thrown himself in the path of the mace. With no protection, his body took the full force of the blow. Farin lunged at the bandit with his hunting knife held firmly in front of him. The knife met some resistance as it hit the man's leather armor, but with all of Farin's forward momentum, the knife sliced through the leather and into the man's chest. Farin stood up from on top of the fallen bandit and pulled the knife out of his chest. He stood holding up the small hunting knife defensively as the last man cautiously circled the three boys.

“Nice little toy you've got there,” he said with an evil smirk.

“You’re very brave—facing two injured boys and another with a hunting knife,” Kaz called out from his hidden place in the woods.

The bandit turned around and looked into the trees. “Why don’t you come out where I can see you and we’ll see who is brave.”

Not interested in having a standoff with the thief, or continuing their banter, Kaz stayed hidden and called out. “I'll put an arrow in your heart if you take another step toward my friends. I've killed enough for today, get out now if you want to live.”

The man began backing away from Bendar and the twins while his eyes darted around, looking through the forest. When he was near the tree line, he leapt behind some thick brush, rushed for his horse, and rode away at a gallop. Kaz lowered his empty bow, glad that his bluff had worked, and ran to join his friends.

Farin, not seeming to care what was happening around him anymore, was completely consumed with taking care of his twin. “Garin, you'll be ok. Come on, just hold in there. We'll get you out of here.”

Turning to face Kaz, Farin continued in desperation. “I don't know what to do! Garin is the one who takes care of us.”

“He is still breathing,” Bendar observed through gritted teeth, “but he's losing blood fast.” He was cradling his right arm that had already begun completely turning black and blue.

“I need to…” Garin tried to speak, but his words were jumbled and hard to understand.

“You don't need to do anything,” Farin insisted. “You saved those travelers.
You
led us in to save those people. You saved me. You are a hero.”

With great effort Garin shook his head then tried to speak again. “Dad?”

“What about Dad?” Farin asked, clearly confused. “Should we take you home?” Farin turned to Kaz with tears in his eyes. “I always know how to finish his sentences. I don’t know what he wants.” Farin looked back at his brother. “Just tell me what to do. Anything, I’ll do it!”

Garin reached his hand up and took Farin's hand. He tried to speak some more, but all that came was a gurgling noise.

Farin tried desperately to bring Garin back to consciousness. “We're here, Garin. Talk to me. Garin, you can't leave me. Garin, Garin!” Looking around for help from Bendar and Kaz, Farin called out. “Kaz, help me, we'll get him to the caravan. Come on, Bendar. Someone help me.”

Kaz leaned down next to Farin and put his arms around his friend. “He's gone, Farin. He's gone.”

“No, he's not! Help me get him up!” Farin said while pushing his friend's arm away. He continued to pull at his brother's lifeless body, trying to get him to wake up. “We’ll get him some help.” Farin reached under Garin’s arms and began dragging him out of the woods. It took all his strength to drag his brother, and when Garin’s boot was caught in a root, they both fell to the ground. Farin leaned over his brother and sobbed into his chest.

Kaz knelt down next to Farin, and tenderly placed a comforting hand on his back. He knew from personal experience that there were no words that could help, but he wanted his friend to know he was there. Farin’s back was rocking back and forth in sobs.

“What’s happening?” Farin asked, looking over his shoulder at Kaz. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them and looked around as if he had forgotten where he was.

Kaz looked to Bendar questioningly. Bendar shrugged his shoulders. Then, gritting his teeth against the pain in his arm, he reasoned, “He is in shock.”

Kaz pulled Farin close and held him tight. “It’s going to be okay,” he reassured. “We’ll get help from the caravan.”

“Okay,” Farin said as he looked around in a confused, disoriented way. “Can you quit yelling?” Farin added. He put his hands over his ears with a pained expression. “You're hurting my ears.”

“I’m sorry,” Kaz whispered softly.

“Let me look at him,” a deep voice cut in. Farin picked up the hunting knife he had dropped to the ground, and spun to face the newcomer. Kaz also held up his bow with both hands, ready to use it like a staff. He knew as soon as he looked at the man that he was not one of the bandits. He had gray hair, a short-cut beard, and was approaching with open hands and a look of sincere concern for what was happening. The man looked at Bendar first.

“This is serious,” he said with a grim look on his face, then he turned to speak to several men who were trailing behind him. “Get in here, we have some injured men.” After briefly examining Garin, the man gently brushed Garin's eyes closed.  He shook his head slowly. “I'm sorry.” With a companion he carried Garin's body out of the woods, Farin by his side, still looking around like he was disoriented and covering his ears.

Kaz slumped against the tree behind which Garin had been hiding, and sank to the ground, head in his hands. As people came and led Bendar to where he could get some help, Kaz felt shock and numbness wash over him, and he watched his friends being led away as though he were watching a dream play out. A sudden ill feeling caught at him. Although the boys had shared all of the responsibilities in camp, while traveling and hunting, Kaz felt responsible for his friends. Bendar was their planner, but the twins were here because they had chosen to follow Kaz. He was responsible for their safety, and he had failed his friends today. He wished he could take Garin’s or Bendar's place. He replayed every shot in his mind; the shots that missed, and the times it took two arrows to take down a foe. If he had been more focused he could have saved Garin. While these events played through his mind he was brought from his thoughts by a sudden jab in his arm.

Startled, he looked up with a shake of his head to see the jab had come from the end of a cane. Looking down at him was a kindly woman with tears in her eyes.

“Come with me, young man.” She took his hands and he stood up, nearly collapsing as his knees buckled when his eyes lighted upon the body of one of the bandits he had killed.  The woman was much stronger than she looked. Kaz's stumble did not faze her, and she led him out of the woods. In the clearing, Kaz was still preoccupied with his thoughts and looking down at his feet.