A Promise of Vengeance

11. Sykoran Road

Sykoran Road

Darstan stared at the stranger preparing to climb atop his wild mount. The horse was black as the night and as crazy as a bear in season.

Argus

And the stranger was no better. Maybe worse. Darstan had dreamt of demons that weren't so dark. He eased his mount alongside Tobias, near the front of the line. "Who is he, Tobias?"

"There's a time and place for everything, Darstan. We can talk about it later."

"I just want—"

Tobias' raised hand told Darstan he'd get no more from him now. He joined Rahg at the back of the group." It had been two days since they left Twin Forks, and Rahg hadn't said a word.

"Rahg, you still with us?"

"Where are we?"

"Heading south is all I know."

Rahg's face sunk. His eyes closed, then clouded. "Father's dead! I can't believe he's gone. And Eru and Tomas. God's sake, what are we going to do?"

"I don't know, but we have to keep moving so we don't run into any more Victas. That stranger said we should reach a Sykoran outpost sometime tomorrow. We'll be safe there."

"But then what are we going to do? Twin Forks is gone. And father..." Tears came. "I can't believe he's gone."

Rahg's eyes opened wide at the sight of the other travelers. "What about Kanella? Did she get out? Is she here?"

Darstan held his head low. "She wasn't in Havril's. We searched all the houses but we didn't find her. Nobody except who you see here. Twelve of us; that's all." Darstan checked behind him, the sides, too. Fear had become an uninvited companion since the battle. "They even killed Jumper. I saw him when I went to get clothes. Both his back legs chopped off. Blasted, bloody Victas!"

Rahg rode in silence for a moment then spoke, though his voice was soft, hesitant. "Did you see anyone who looked like Kanella? Was she..."

"We couldn't tell who a lot of them were. You saw what they did."

Rahg wiped tears away. "Guess it's just you and me then."

Darstan reached to pat the horse's neck. "We've got Timor and Lanna. That's something. And Tobias. He might know somewhere we could find work. I've also got a cousin in the Sykoran Guard. I never met him, but he's an officer, I think."

"I see the stranger is still with us, and that beast. Scared the life out of me when I saw it."

Kella

"Tobias said it's a vargel; comes from the Whites.” He said it’s like half dog and half bear. Looks like it, too. And as to the stranger, I don't know any more than I did before, not even his name. He never talks except to give orders, and Tobias follows his lead like a new puppy."

"Can't blame him. Did you see the way he fought?"

Tobias rode up next to Rahg, smiling like a guard on payday. "Didn't know whether you'd be joinin' us again, lad. I've seen it before, a man goes off into his own after somethin' bad happens—like losing a loved one—goes off and never comes back. Didn't think you'd let it get the best of you, but you never can tell."

Rahg wiped away the last of his tears. "Tobias, did you... did somebody bury father?"

"He did," Tobias said, nodding toward the stranger. "Gave him a good soldier's grave. And you don't have to worry about anything gettin' to him; he made the grave deep, deeper than I could've. And the stone on top's as big as the one that marks Jed Nester's grave. No markings, but that can be done anytime. After all this is settled with the Victas we can go back and take care of that. I'll go with you."

His head drooped a little. "Like to say my own words over him. Didn't get the chance when we buried him. A man should have the words to send him off, but I figure they're just as good said later as now."

Tobias tugged on his cap and brushed a piece of tobacco from his white stubble. "Anyway, keep smilin', lad. Remember what your father always said. 'A smile cures quicker than a frown.'" Tobias's own smile was as broad as his face right now. "Think on it, lad. I believe you'll see he was right." He nodded to Rahg as he tugged on the reins and steered his mount toward the stranger.

Rahg shifted in his saddle, wincing as his hand shot to the wound on his stomach. A bandage padded his gut just above the waist. "I forgot about this," he said, and straightened his posture. "We need to thank the stranger for burying father, Dar."

"I tried. He just shrugged it off. I told you he doesn't talk much. And that vargel follows him everywhere. I know they helped us, but I don't like being around them." Darstan looked around again. "Tobias said he knows him, but—"

"Knows him! Who is he?"

"Tobias wouldn't say. Said we'd know before the crows." Darstan laughed. "I still don't know what that's supposed to mean but I guess it means he'll tell us soon enough."

Rahg laughed. "He has more sayings than father did." The laugh failed with the mention of Magmar. "I miss him, Dar. What are we going to do without him?"

"Rahg, that's the first time I laughed since we left home. First time you have, too. I feel the same way about father, but..."

"But what?"

"Let's try to move on. It's what he'd want."

"Move on?" Rahg yanked back on the reins and glared. "That's all right for you to say. He wasn't..."

"Wasn't what! Wasn't my father?" Darstan's big bony hands poked a finger at Rahg. "I may not have been his real son, but I loved him as much as you." He fought to control the tears welling in his eyes.

"Sorry, Dar. I didn't mean it."

Rahg nudged his mount forward, letting silence be his companion.

Darstan shoved the hurt aside and focused on the surroundings. The terrain had started to change, mountains softening to steep hills, and then lush valleys braced by gently rolling mounds. Huge, long-armed oaks and grandfather pines mingled with maples, sycamores, and ash, and proudly wore their new spring coats. He was interrupted by the voice of the stranger.

"We make camp on the rise," he said, and pointed to a thick copse of trees at the highest elevation. "No fire tonight. There will likely be Victa scouts searching for survivors."

Darstan moved alongside Rahg and tapped his arm. “Would you look at that horse, the way the sun is shining on him. I wish I had a horse like that.”

Argus in sunset

Rahg let out a big sigh. “Don’t we all?” he said.

Rahg didn't think he'd mind doing without a fire, but as the day faded and the night stole what warmth remained the order became more disagreeable. After a cold meal the villagers spread bedrolls on ground cushioned with spring grass and huddled together for warmth, their cloaks wrapped snugly about them. The vargel lay next to the stranger.

"What's her name?" Rahg asked.

"Doesn't belong to me."

"I thought since she came with you..."

"Coincidence," he said. "Or fate, if you believe in that." The stranger looked at Rahg. "You should name her if she stays around."

"Me, name her?" Rahg didn't wait for a response in case he had heard wrong the first time. "I'll do it." He had already begun sorting through potential names when he remembered the other business he wished to discuss. "Sir, I wanted to thank you for helping us, but also for taking care of my father. Tobias said you gave him a proper burial. That means a lot."

Rahg couldn't tell whether his eyes were steel–blue or gray, but they never flickered.

"No need to thank me." Rahg felt the man's gaze on him. "Where will you go, lad?"

The unexpected conversation surprised Rahg. "Darstan has a cousin in Sykor, an officer in the guards. I'm going to learn to fight." Rahg nodded his head, as though he had just found his path in life. "I'll learn to be a master at the sword...and then I'll kill every Victa I can find."

"Not many blademasters left in this world."

Before Rahg could respond, Tobias's words sailed past him. "You could train them, Rhaven."

By the time Tobias affixed a name to the stranger—in less than the time it takes for a word to form on his lips—a knife appeared in Rhaven's hand. Rahg figured he could stick it in any of them before their next heartbeat.

"There are men who would try to kill me if they knew who I was." Rhaven's eyes held Tobias riveted. Rahg could see now that they were blue, ice–blue. His face was a chiseled piece of granite and the arm that held the blade had been carved from the same rock.

Darstan walked up next to Rahg. Tobias stared at Rhaven. "If there are men trying to kill you, I imagine they must be young, and fools to boot. Once saw a man leap into a pit with a nest of waggers, though he never did come out."

Tobias pulled out his tobacco pouch and packed his pipe. "But an old man like me would never try such a thing. I plan on livin' for quite some time yet."

"You seem to have me at a disadvantage. I don't recall meeting you."

"Didn't expect you to remember. I fought with you in the Swamp Wars. Served with Takar at the battle of Cypress Swamps."

"You must have the gods' own luck to have survived two such hopeless battles."

Tobias laughed and turned a stump into a seat while he lit his pipe. Rhaven plopped to the ground, his back planted against a large oak. When he stretched, Rahg caught a glimpse of a thin-bladed knife sheathed under the upper part of his arm. The man had more weapons than a Sykoran patrol.

"I remember you now," Rhaven said. "You were Takar's patrol leader, the one who flanked the Krov's at Landers Bend."

Tobias nodded. "It was Takar's strategy, and I’m thankful for it. That war would've lasted a lot longer without him." Tobias leaned down and pulled his boots off. "Have you seen Takar? I recall that you and he were friends."

"He's still in the guards, but a sergeant now, demoted."

Rhaven reached to scratch his ear. Rahg noticed a piece of it was missing. He nudged Darstan and whispered. "Look at his ear."

Tobias filled his pipe two more times before the small-talk ended. Soon Rahg found himself yawning. "I'm going to sleep," Rahg said, and headed toward the bedroll.

A large oak tree served as a fitting backboard. Rahg curled up next to it, a blanket pulled over his shoulders. Maybe I'll do what Rhaven suggested and give that vargel a name. Before falling asleep, every girl's name he had ever known cycled through his mind, but the only one he could think of was Kanella, and his heart ached every time he did. I can't name her Kanella, he thought, and began thinking of more appropriate names. Soon slumber overtook him.

The aroma of morning cooking woke Rahg with recollections of his home in Twin Forks. He imagined breaking fast with Darstan and Magmar until the surroundings jarred his memory. Darstan was just coming in with an armload of wood. "Where's the vargel?"

"Went with Rhaven to scout the area. I was up before first-light and they were already gone." Darstan shook his head. "He's a strange one. Last one to sleep and first one up."

Tobias was sitting next to the fire, with a large heated rock alongside his seat to keep the biscuits warm. Mrs. Marsten had potatoes cooking on another fire. Rahg breathed deep, savoring the aroma again: biscuits, khaffe, and potatoes with wild onions! "Save some of those biscuits for me, Tobias."

Rhaven rushed them through breakfast and soon had them heading south on the Sykoran Road.

"It looks like the vargel will be staying with us," Darstan said.

"I forgot to tell you her name," Rahg shouted.

All night he had dreamed of names, but the only one he could think of was Kanella. Then it finally struck him; he would use part of Kanella's name, but different enough to not shame her. It would preserve Kanella's memory with no disgrace. Rahg announced the name proudly. "Kella," he said. "I decided to name her Kella."

Tobias jerked the reins of his horse and turned to gawk at Rahg. "What!" The shock came through as he repeated himself. "What have you named her?"

Rahg's puzzled look mirrored his confusion. Tobias seemed angry, and Rhaven, who never showed emotion, appeared disturbed. Even the vargel stopped and looked.

"Kella!" Tobias shouted louder this time. "Have you gone mad, lad?"

"What's wrong with Kella?" Rahg told them how he thought of the name.

His explanation relaxed Tobias a little, though he still seemed unnerved. He then told the tale of Kella—legend among beasts.

"Mikkellana had enlisted the aid of the vargels during the last war against Sethia." Tobias paused to collect his thoughts. "That was when Lukaan sent his armies against the other lands. The Banished Ones couldn't escape, but he sent the Victas, Wolfen, Gnakas, and Sethians. It was Mikkellana and her own vargel, Kella—leading an army of them—who turned the war against him. They say the vargel died in the last battle, and ever since then no one has dared use the name of Kella."

Embarrassment painted Rahg's face but, more than that, he felt sorry that he'd have to change what he thought was a perfect name.

"Let him keep the name," Rhaven said. "Can anyone argue her courage? You saw her fight. I doubt that Mikkellana's vargel could have been any braver."

Rahg jumped off his mount and ran to the vargel. "Kella! Kella girl, come here." To his surprise, she responded.

"Well I'll be," Tobias muttered. "May be that it was meant by the gods. I'll be."

"Looks like she's yours now, boy. She fixed herself to you, and they say vargels heed only one master."

Rhaven's words had Rahg bursting with pride. He thought nothing could take away the pain of losing both Magmar and Kanella, but the vargel seemed to help. The hurt remained, but the unbearable pain had gone.

As they neared the Sykoran outpost a small patrol rode out to greet them, halting short at the sight of Kella. The vargel drew the patrol leader's eyes, but he managed to tear away long enough to scan the group of riders, where his glare settled on Rhaven.

"State your business."

Rhaven sat silent while Tobias told the story. The Sykorans wore a dull-gray uniform with calf-high black boots. Each had a sword sheathed over one shoulder and a quiver of arrows on the other. Next to each saddle lay a short, curved bow designed for quick access while riding, and each horse carried an extra quiver of arrows.

The patrol leader—Atil—listened to Tobias' story then barked orders in rapid succession. "Tonrak, go to the garrison at River's Bend and inform the post commander. Borsu, send two patrols to warn the other villages. Morgan, dispatch a runner to the capitol suggesting all border garrisons be reinforced."

Tonrak saluted and departed the instant Atil completed his orders. Borsu also saluted, pounding his clenched-hand to his chest, before spinning his horse around and speeding toward the garrison. After his men departed Atil led them back to the post. Rahg tried to get Kella through the gates but she wanted no part of it and stayed outside.

By the time dinner came, Rahg was starving, though all they had was bread, cheese, and a broth. During the meal, Atil probed Tobias about what happened at Twin Forks.

"Do you know the name of the patrol leader? We have several patrols not yet in."

Tobias shook his head. "By the time we got there everyone in the patrol was dead. Kor Trasken said they took a lot of Victas with 'em."

Atil and his strike leader kept a wary eye on Rhaven as Tobias talked.

"We'll provide an escort to Sykor. If the Victas took Twin Forks, they can do the same to any village."

“We don’t need an escort,” Rhaven said. “Just a few supplies.”

Atil nodded as if relieved, then looked to Rahg and Darstan. "Where will you lads go?"

"We don't know yet, but I think we'll go where Rhaven goes, if it's all right with him."

Atil's hand raced toward the hilt of his sword, and if the strike leader moved any slower it was by little margin.

"Our good King Favian had a death sentence on a man called Rhaven." Atil's face tensed. He was shaking.

"Favian revoked that sentence." The strike leader was quick to remind his patrol leader.

Rhaven was poised to strike. "Who I am is of no concern to the Sykoran guard."

Tobias stood, his hands in clear sight, and nowhere near his sword. His eyes were rock-gray and the glare he directed at Atil was as hard as granite. "I heard your strike leader tell you about the pardon. Now if you've got a hankering to die, go poke your head in a wagger's nest. You'd stand a better chance of makin' it out alive."

When the man didn't move, Tobias shook his head in disgust. "Soldier, if that sword clears leather, the buzzards will be pickin' cheese out of your belly come tomorrow noon. I'd suggest you sit down and finish your meal."

Rahg looked to Darstan, then quickly back to Tobias, Rhaven, and the Sykorans. He had leaned forward in the chair, his feet pressed against the floor, ready to jump up and fight. He hoped no one else got killed, but he was prepared to fight if it came to that.

Tobias nodded to Rhaven. "If you're done with the meal, go on. When the time comes that I can't handle two Sykoran Guards, I'll eat my pipe."

They stood still as stone until Rhaven exited the room. Most of the tension left with the swirl of Rhaven's cloak, but Rahg was still thankful when Tobias attempted to soothe things. "It's late and we've been travelin' all day. I think everyone needs some rest. We plan on leavin' early, so there's no time for arguin'. I wish you a good night, sir. After tomorrow we'll be troubling you no more."

Rahg and Darstan stayed awake talking, too excited to sleep, though their bodies insisted they do. Tobias refused to reveal their destination, and, as a consequence, Rahg and Darstan discussed every conceivable option, fretting over some possibilities, hearts racing at the prospect of others. "Do you think Kella will be waiting for us?"

"I don't know, Rahg, but I'm going to sleep. We'll see in the morning I guess."

Rahg's hands helped pillow his head as he pondered all the paths that tomorrow might bring. Soon, sleep overtook him.

The sun cast the first rays of light as Rahg woke. Thoughts of Kella quickened his pulse and he roused Darstan so they could rush to check on her. Loud curses at the gate carried the answer to their question as they saw Kella guarding the gate and refusing entry to a patrol that had been out all night. "Kella!" Rahg could not contain the excitement as the humongous vargel bounded forward, nearly knocking him over. "Kella, you waited for me." He was still busy hugging her when he heard Tobias yell.

"Better eat, lads, we'll be leaving soon."

"To where?" hollered Darstan.

Tobias smiled. "We're headed for Sykor, and we're goin' with Rhaven."

Rahg and Darstan grinned ear to ear. This was going to be a good day.

Atil watched from the window as they exited the gate. "Send a messenger to the Force Leader and tell him Rhaven's coming."

"I thought the strike leader said—"

"He did." Atil's look froze the guard. "At times, the strike leader is soft. Let's see what the Force Leader thinks."