The Vlakan King (Book 3) (21 page)

"Well, I don't see anyone following us, friend or foe. It's just the two of us." Davan looked at the curled frown of the young sorcerer. He knew Jarius did not like him and the feeling was mutual. However, they were far from the others who were faring who knew how well against the Wolfen attack.

"How long should we wait before going back?" asked Davan.

"Going back? Not me. Let the Talos Company deal with the sorcerer in Arda. Don't you want to help your father?"

"Of course I do."

"Then let's get moving. I felt the evil consuming him when he passed through Toraba. We need to find him and try to reverse the transformation."

"Just us?"

"Davan, I am a sorcerer and stronger than most. I can handle the situation."

"I thought you didn't want to be part of this."

"I didn't," admitted Jarius. "But we have traveled this far and the two of us won't be as noticeable as the larger group. Besides, from the look of things back there the Talos Company might be tied up for weeks between the Wolfen, Celaeri and the sorcerer. I don't think you can afford to let your father run to his fate. The sooner we find him, the better."

"Well then, I have my pack and you have yours. About a week's worth of supplies and we should save as much as we can."

"Don't worry. I'll take care of things. Come on, let's move if you're coming with me."

Jarius started north with a brisk pace and Davan shook his head and then followed. If Jarius wanted to be in charge it did not matter to Davan. He would keep his own counsel anyway and hope Jarius would be cautious when they met anyone else. Magic may not be uncommon, but it was often unwelcome and the wielders distrusted.

They walked over the fields within sight of the sparse growths of trees filling the landscape between Arda and the mountains bordering the Koberi Desert. There were no towns until the coast and few travelers; mostly hunters and the occasional wanderer. The grass was long and brown, hiding small animals and birds. Jarius, now that their decision had been made did not force the pace; it seemed more a gait to pass the time with a young lady.

"Why are you walking so much slower?" asked Davan.

"Don't you know?" said Jarius. "No, I expect not. You have no abilities. I sense a power nearby and it makes me cautious. I cannot determine what type of magic it is and that is something that I have never failed to know. I am shielded in some way or else the power is far beyond my mother or Blackthorne, and that would be terrifying."

"Is Blackthorne more powerful than Gerrand?"

"He is now. I don't know how powerful Gerrand was in his prime but he is very old. Blackthorne might be older than Gerrand but he has learned many aspects of sorcery that Gerrand avoided and keeps his youth."

"Black magic?"

"Ha! I suppose to you that's a good a term as any. Gerrand was very strict about what he taught others. His mentor was Macelan, you know. Macelan turned out as black as any so Gerrand had good reasons to shut the door on some of the trickier magics."

"What makes them so dangerous?"

"Well, I can't speak from experience, but there are ways to increase power or access new power by harnessing demons to do your bidding. I like the idea in theory but if the demon is too strong for you it may devour you or make you its slave. Demons don't die so that would be a very long time to pay for your mistakes."

"Blackthorne does this?"

Jarius shrugged. "He's never let me watch him so I can't really say. One of these days I will find out what he knows."

Davan put that thought in the back of his mind, knowing he should be far, far away whenever Jarius tried to reach those shadowy shores.

The sun was setting and the young Men were tired. They passed several tight groups of trees but with the sunset the wind had increased and none of the spots would provide enough protection from the chill air. They kept moving for another hour until they found a suitable spot out of sight of the road protected from the wind. Davan prepared dinner and Jarius cleared the ground of rocks for their bedrolls. They ate in silence.

Davan took the first watch and it was mere minutes before the heavy breathing of Jarius settled into a quiet rhythm. The fire was small and warm. Davan had walked to the road and back when it began to get dark to test the visibility of the fire from the road. A steep slope shielded their fires from traveler's eyes. Davan sat with his back to the fire and his sword in his hand. He gazed out into the darkness. There were animal noises but nothing unfamiliar to him. He listened for the call of the Wolfen and relaxed when he realized they were far from the haunts of those creatures.

Davan's head snapped up; had he slept? He got to his feet and walked around their campsite. Jarius still slept and he looked even younger asleep. It was difficult to imagine the power the young man wielded. Jarius was young in so many ways yet Davan suspected him to me much older than he appeared. Wynne had lived for centuries, as had her daughter Melian; Davan had heard stories of Melian the witch had been told for generations. His friends were always trying to tell the scariest story and the raven-haired pale woman who ate unwary travelers was unnerving to say the least. And her brother slept on the ground before him.

Davan raised his sword. He felt something in the air change; perhaps crackle with energy. He stared into the darkness, believing he had seen movement. The night seemed blacker.

"Good evening, young traveler," said an old man, appearing out of shadows.

"What do you want?" asked Davan firmly. He was pleased his voice didn't quaver.

"Ah. Not much, perhaps a seat by your fire? I am old and would appreciate the company."

Davan stared at the man. He was old, very old but he moved with strength. In the dim light the man's cloak seemed to be a battered dragon skin and he wore a silver wolf's head around his neck on a chain.

"Show your weapon," said Davan.

"I have my staff and a long knife." He showed the knife in its sheath on his belt. "I am alone."

Davan thought for a moment and looked out into the darkness. Then he nodded for the man to join him.

"What is your name?" asked Davan.

"Call me Ran." He sat near the fire across from the sleeping Jarius. He pulled an old pipe out of his cloak. It was roughly carved and stained by time. He dipped it in a pouch of tobacco and lit it. Davan didn't like to smoke; it burned his throat, but at times the smell of pipe smoke returned him to the cozy rooms of the inn. The smell of Ran's pipe was comforting and he appreciated it very much at the moment.

"Your friend sleeps soundly," said Ran. "It has been long since I slept so well. When old age becomes your constant companion it keeps you from long sleep, perhaps in preparation of the final sleep." He sighed and took a pull on his pipe.

"Where are you from?" asked Davan. "I live in Peradon."

"Well, I shall tell you two things, master Davan. One, is do not be so free with information about yourself to a stranger. The other is related to the first. You are very far from Peradon and whatever business you have traveling this road will subject you to many types of dangers. I do not care what your business is, but when you come to a town you will be asked what your business is. Whatever you choose to tell them should make sense otherwise you may be locked up until you tell them the truth. Two young Men such as yourselves are too young to be owners of a business looking for wares to buy - you obviously have nothing to sell with you. Do you work for someone else? Why are you traveling without your master? Then what is your task? If you are traveling to visit someone, be knowledgeable of where you go."

"I never told you my name," said Davan.

"Oh, maybe I heard your friend mention it."

"He has been asleep for three hours. Have you been watching us that long?"

"Oh, very well. I received a message of your traveling without a guide or guard."

"Who?" asked Davan. "Who told you?"

"Why do you distrust me now? You invited me to your fire."

"You didn't tell me you knew my name already."

"I don't understand why that would matter to you," said Ran.

"I have met types of people in the past few days that I didn't know existed. I have run from Wolfen and now I meet a stranger who knows my name. I've never left home before."

"I see. Well Brevin is a trader and occasionally brings me supplies. Brevin is quite an enthusiastic talker and I listen quite well. Must be my age. Anyway, Brevin spoke about his travels and I'm sure he mentioned your parents and their inn. I picked up your name from him. He sent me the message that you and Jarius ran away without preparation for the task ahead of you."

"What do you know about it?" asked Davan.

"You are following someone, your father I would guess. How do you think you would obtain passage to Amloth?"

"Amloth? Why would I want to go there?"

"Your father is heading toward the sea. He passed this place two days ago heading toward the port of Hoodsmouth. You are very brave Davan, but also foolish. You know little of Jarius but I hazard a guess that your opinion of him is very low. Yet his power is very great. There are few sorcerers who could match his raw strength, but the key word is raw. Jarius is not courageous as you saw. How will you convince him to fight for the both of you when he won't fight to save himself?"

"How do you know so much about me and where my father is? Brevin doesn't know all that. Who are you and what do you want with me?"

"Very good," said Ran. "You are beginning to be cautious. Remain so for your sake. You are beyond the help of the Talos Company and you must be careful of your situation. Trying times are ahead Davan. Be steady in your convictions. You must face your trials alone."

"Are you a mage? Brevin must have sent you a magical message."

"No, I am not a mage or wizard or sorcerer. Once, I was a sorcerer, but I no longer practice the arts. However, a vestige of magic is left to me and I use it for 'communication' as I don't travel so well these days. It may seem funny to you but I am older than I look."

"It's time to wake Jarius for his watch."

"I must go. I do not wish Jarius to see me. The time is not right. Davan Greyrawk, be true to your quest. You will find help when you need it. When you reach Masina look for Raeind Arayr. He will be useful to you. Farewell my young friend."

The old man soon vanished in the darkness. Davan woke Jarius for his watch.

They walked in silence for most of the morning after Davan spoke of the need for a story to tell the curious about their travels. He didn't mention Ran to Jarius based on the old man's words but he wasn't sure why. He didn't trust Jarius and neither did Ran, but why should he trust Ran? Davan mulled his conversation with Ran over in his mind but it did not become clearer. How did Ran happen to be in the area? No matter what he said, he was powerful; even Davan could sense that although there was no malice. But if Ran was so powerful surely he could cloak his true intentions. Perhaps Ran was the power Jarius sensed the day before.

"I don't think we should mention my father running away," said Davan. "Maybe we could say we are visiting relatives?"

"Might work. Better be vague on where they are from because we might have the bad luck of meeting someone from the same area. They probably will know everyone in the area."

"Do you know any of the towns in Amloth?"

"Not really. All I know is the boats from Karlsea sail either to Southworth in Eslenda or Dael in Masina. Dael would make our journey shorter if your father is headed to Cresida. But that is still a long journey. Our boots will be worn out before we get there."

"Can't you just magick us there?"

"Ha. You know nothing about magic do you?"

"I work at an inn. The only magic there is getting the drunks out the door at closing time. Are you really a hundred years old? You don't look older than me."

"I'd rather not talk about that."

"Why?"

"Because it's none of your business tavern boy!" Jarius strode ahead a few paces muttering to himself. Davan sighed and tried to enjoy the walk through new lands. They were far enough west of the Koberi Desert that the fields were still green and trees covered the eastern shore of the river.

The next morning the road opened to broader fields and the trees dwindled. Houses and compounds could be seen on the hills surrounding the area. By midday horsemen left one of the compound riding in their direction.

"Keep walking," said Jarius. "Let them approach us."

"What do you think they want?" asked Davan. "I think they want to know who we are and our reasons for traveling."

"We've discussed that already. Just don't be too nervous."

Davan nodded.

A half hour passed before the horsemen met up with them. Six Men armed with swords blocked the road ahead of them and waited for the young men. One man moved forward.

"Gentlemen, where are you headed?"

"To find a ship for Masina," said Davan. "My uncle has work for us."

"All the way to Masina? We have work for you here."

"No thanks," said Davan.

"It's not a choice son," said the man. The other horsemen drew their swords. "I need Men to rebuild the south wall of my compound. One of my neighbors had the audacity to try to burn it down. Come, it shouldn't take more than a month if I get enough strong backs."

"Who are you that would make such a demand on travelers?" asked Davan.

"My name is Freibane and I'm the Lord of this area. When the work is done you may leave as you wish. You will not be mistreated, as healthy workers will get the job done. Bring them." Two Men dismounted to take control of them.

"Wait," said Jarius. He pulled away from the man grabbing his arm. "I have the power to defeat you all."

"Ha! Early in the day for drinking lad!" cried the men. One of them cracked Jarius on the back of the head with the flat of his sword. Jarius crumpled to the ground.

"Will you be requiring the same?" asked Freibane.

Davan shook his head and walked with the horsemen. Jarius was draped behind a saddle and the group moved off. Freibane rode ahead.