Deathsworn Arc: 01 - The Last Dragon Slayer Read online

  As he finished, he parted to show the cart with the battered wooden chest on board, along with the gibbering, drooling wreck of Gedric. The Berger took one look at Gedric,”What foul fate has befallen this man, to leave him in this wretched state, mindless and drooling?”

  This left Saul with an uncomfortable decision, to reveal the presence of an elf in their party or not? The Berger had thus far made no comment on the presence of Votrex or Brael, but there seemed little to no reason to reveal her, “A work of magic Berger, used in self defence, appears to have left Gedric with this strange malady. I fear he will not recover...”

  The Berger immediately cast a suspicious glance directly at Brael, “Magic? Are we safe from your spells?”

  Saul paused for thought, “The member of our party who inflicted this curse upon him acted as I said, in self defence... We mean you no harm. What will you do with Gedric, and the bandit’s loot?”

  The Berger looked at Gedric, “I think we shall relieve Gedric of his head... Tomorrow perhaps, as for the loot it will go into the town coffers. I have a hard time acquiring enough coin to pay the Empress tithe, so this will help... Besides, it would be impractical to try to find the original owners.”

  Votrex spat in disgust, “Is human life so worthless here that you execute people on a whim? Without even a trial?”

  The Berger looked up at the dwarf, “He needs no trial, Gedric is known to us, for a long time he was constantly in trouble for not paying his taxes... Then recently it was known that he’d taken to banditry... As for the value of life - what value do you suppose his life has now? Look at him! He has no mind; any fool can see that by his blank expression and his drooling stupor... Twill be a kindness not an act of cruelty.”

  “And what of his family?”

  “He has a wife and a child... But he is clearly not in a fit state to support them, she struggles to feed her family as it is, and releasing him to her will only give her an additional mouth to feed. It seems harsh, but in the long run it is for the best.”

  “Hah! You tax a man into ruin, force him into criminality, then execute him, when he is handed to you helplessly... And this is for the best? The best for whom?”

  The Berger looked a little offended at this, “Tax a man to ruin? I suggest you widen your vision dwarf, I have a town to maintain, soldiers to pay, buildings to repair, beggars and homeless to support. Do not take me for a tyrant, for I am not. Gedric was perfectly able to pay his meagre taxes but he chose not to, he spent all he earned in the ale house... His wife and child will mourn him, but they may also be relieved that he is gone, for so many times he had returned home having drunk too much ale and lost too much at the gambling table, only to take it out on his wife and son... I swear by Ishar, there were times when he would have beaten her to death; had not his son ran and fetched the soldiers.”

  Votrex shuffled uneasily in his saddle and muttered under his breath, looking at the broken man on the cart and thinking about Vashni’s description of the man from her exploration of his mind. He was evil; the Berger probably spoke the truth given what Vashni had said... And what he’d tried to do to Vashni... But also that this man became the man he was, an evil man because of circumstances which shaped him. The unfortunate truth was the world was not the simple good and evil that so many people liked to believe, life, death, morality... It was all complicated.

  Gedric was helped from the cart by the soldiers, and more soldiers took the chest and the cart away. Silus trotted closer to the front, “Is there no reward for bringing these vagabonds to justice?”

  The Berger sighed deeply, “Alas, Briem is an expensive town to maintain and I cannot afford to fill your purses... I will however, invite you to feast with me tonight. I know it is little recompense for risking your lives, I wish I could give you more. What I will do is ensure you have all the food and ale you desire.”

  Harald smiled, “That is kind of your Berger, we have two further members of our party who have retired to the inn, are we to extend your invitation to them too?”

  The Berger nodded, “Of course... We shall feast in the main hall of the administrative building, an hour after sunset.”

  Saul nodded, “Good, we shall stable our horses and organise our provisions then meet you there.”

  The Berger turned and walked up the stairs back into the administrative building, looking troubled... Saul, turned his horse and trotted back to the ‘Freais Folly’ inn, the others following. They saw where Korhan had stabled his and Vashni’s steeds and stabled theirs alongside.

  Saul strode into the inn, the maiden who had served Vashni eyed him suspiciously, “Saul Karza?”

  “Yes?”

  “Your ‘friend’ asked not to be disturbed, she has secured your rooms though, would you like me to show you to them?”

  “Yes please, and I would speak with her anyway, the Berger has invited us to feast with him tonight.”

  “Hmmmm, very well, follow me.” The maiden showed them to two rooms, where they deposited their bags, afterwards, Harald, Votrex, Silus and Brael went to wait outside and Saul followed her to Vashni and Korhan’s room.

  Saul rapped on the door, “Mistress Vashni?... Mistress Vashni? Korhan?” after a pause

  Vashni’s voice echoed from within, “What is it wizard? I asked not to be disturbed!”

  “The Berger has asked us to feast with him tonight, in the administrative building - will you join us?”

  “No, now please do not disturb me again unless it is of the utmost importance!”

  “My apologies mistress Vashni, can I take the answer to be the same for Korhan?”

  “Yes, he is doing... Hmmm, an exercise which occupies him totally... It is far more important than ‘feasting’ with some local lord... Leave us!”

  “As you wish, lady Vashni.”

  With that Saul left, feeling a little troubled. Korhan of course had heard nothing of this; he was trapped in his body, cut off from the world, trying to fathom how long she had kept him in this state. He was also panicking, he felt he’d been in this state for far longer, that something had happened to Vashni and he would never escape his torment.

  When he got outside Saul shook his head at the others, “Korhan and lady Vashni are not joining us... Come, let us go.” The companions followed Saul through the streets, dusk had since fallen and the streets were lit by the occasional lamps. Most of the inhabitants of Briem had retired for the night and the streets were quiet and peaceful. When they got to the administrative building, the table was already set. The feast would be in the large hall which made up the majority of the front of the large building. A roaring fire had been set and fruits, meats and ales were already in place along the table.

  The Berger appeared to have several other guests, some appeared to be merchants with some influence and some appeared to be high ranking soldiers or guards. As they entered one of the servants approached them, a young girl, “Saul Karza and company? This way please, the Berger will be down shortly - he is tending to his daughter.”

  Saul followed the girl towards the head of the table, “The Bergers daughter? Is that what has been troubling him recently?”

  “Yes... She was bitten by a snake, an adder I believe, while out hunting several days ago and she suffers greatly for it. We fear the worse for her, if the Berger has seemed unkind or troubled then that will be the reason for it.”

  Saul nodded and took his seat. The companions sat at opposite sides of the table, next to the Bergers chair at the head. Serving girls brought jugs of ale, mead and wine around and filled their mugs. Plates were brought back and forth with fruit, meats and vegetables on them. The centrepiece was a whole roast hog, born forth by four burly men and placed on the table. Silus, Harald, Votrex and Saul began to gather food to their plates and accepted mugs of ale and mead. While they were eating, the Berger, flanked by two guards entered down a flight of intricately carved stone steps at the edge of the hall.

  While they were eating Harald pointed up to a huge gre
at sword hanging over the fireplace. It was unusual in that it was long, with a long two handed handle, but it had a slightly curved, intricately carved blade and a yellowish hue, “Why would a fine weapon like that be left on display instead of being put to use?”

  Silus eyed it for a moment before answering, “Tis maybe not a weapon for using, but merely a ceremonial sword, to be taken down for some special occasion or other...”

  Votrex chuckled, “It’s elvish... That’s why it’s there... The elves are known to ‘lock’ their weapons to an individual or group - that only they may use them.”

  Silus snorted, “Hmmph! How can you tell?”

  “Easily... The carving, the shape, the metal... Tis elvish, there’s no other possibility and-”

  At that point the Berger sat down; instead of picking food for himself one of his servants filled a plate for him and handed it to him. Saul paused his meal and leaned towards the Berger, “How fares your daughter Berger?”

  “Not well Saul Karza, I fear she will die within days if not hours.”

  Saul stroked his beard thoughtfully, “Have not your healers and magicians tended to her? The servant said twas an adder bite? Surely this should not be fatal? How many years has she?”

  “My mage, alas, succumbed to the pox last spring. Inept as he was, he was unable to save himself, so I doubt he could save her, even were he here with us. The apothecary has prescribed various herbs to soothe her, though none appear to be effective.”

  “Hmmm, that is sad to hear... I am a learned man - would you like me to see if there’s anything I can do?”

  The Berger forced a smile, “If there’s any chance you can help - then I would like you to tend to her.”

  Saul nodded, “Very well, I have eaten and drank well enough - take me to her.”

  The Berger rose from the table and headed for the stairs. Saul followed, offering a knowing look to the others as he did. The rest of the administrative building was also quite richly furnished; it took several minutes to get to the upper floors at the back of the building where the Berger and his family resided. The Bergers apartment was a large room with living area, kitchen and dining area all within, bedrooms were separated from the main room by doors. The Berger headed to one of the doors after they’d crossed the threshold into the apartment, “This way...”

  Saul followed him to a carved oak door. The Berger pushed it open gently, revealing a small bedroom, lit by soft lamplight. On the bed lay a young teenager, on top of the covers, her right leg swollen and red, but her face looking pale, gaunt and clammy. Her mother sat on the edge of the bed mopping her brow with a wet cloth. The Berger gestured towards her, “Saul, my wife, Elaine... How is she?”

  Elaine looked up concerned, “She fares worse Karras... Much worse, I fear she will not last the night.”

  Saul stepped forwards, “Please, let me see...” They parted a little and Saul stepped right up to the bed, as well as her leg, her torso was swollen, she looked like she was struggling to remain conscious. The site of the bite was clearly visible, infected and putrid looking. Any hopes Saul had of helping the girl were shattered as soon as he saw her properly. He paused, thought about remedies he could administer, then sighed deeply, “Berger... There is nothing I can do... She is dying... Had I been here but a day sooner I may have been...”

  “Is there nothing you can do?” The concern in Elaine’s face pulled at Saul’s heart, but he couldn’t deceive her, “No... There is.... Hmmm...” The Berger looked at him, questioningly, “Speak Saul Karza, what have you on your mind?”

  “I cannot help her... But I know one who might, might be able to... I do not want to give you false hope though, even if I can get my esteemed colleague to help - she may not be able to... Your daughter is very weak and the infection has spread...”

  The Berger grabbed his shoulders, “Do it! Do not tarry, fetch this person immediately and I will make it worth your while.”

  Saul sighed, “Very well... Wait here...” with that he turned on his heel and stormed out of the apartments and through the administrative building.

  The others cast him a concerned look as he exited, but he waved them to them to continue eating and padded down the shadowy streets as fast as he could back to the ‘Freais Folly’ inn. As soon as he got there he rushed straight to Vashni’s room and rapped on the door, “Mistress Vashni, I have dire need of your abilities! Lady Vashni!”

  After much knocking and pleading came a reply,”Go away master wizard, I thought I was quite clear - I do not wish to be disturbed until morning!”

  Saul groaned audibly, “Lady Vashni, the Bergers daughter has been bitten by an adder, in addition to the venom the wound has become infected; she is very weak and will probably not last the night!”

  “That’s a shame, give my condolences to the Berger wizard... Oh, and leave me in peace!” Saul deflated; he’d not considered the possibility of it being challenging to convince her to come to the Bergers daughters’ aid. He’d basically assumed she’d come running and do her ‘thing’ and everything would be alright.

  “Vashni, please, she is going to die and I believe you could help her!”

  The voice from beyond the door sounded increasingly annoyed, “A very astute observation wizard, I ‘could’ help her, but I choose not to - I wish to sleep, now go away.”

  “Please! I will be in your debt!”

  “You are already in my debt wizard... Do you wish to become further in my debt?”

  “It would please the Berger!”

  “I am sure it would, but my experiences thus far of your so called ‘Bergers’ is that they have a tendency for tyranny.”

  Saul racked his brains, there had to be something that would spark her interest. Value or morality seemed secondary to Vashni, amusement, entertainment, interest - they seemed the currency most likely to sway her. “The Berger has an interesting elvish artefact... I wondered if maybe helping the Berger in this way might persuade him to...”

  “What sort of artefact? How do you know tis elvish?”

  “Oh I heard Votrex say something about it... He seems knowledgeable about these things... Anyway - seeing as you are unwilling to help I will go and tend to her myself, I can’t save her but I might be capable of easing her pain.”

  He’d thrown his lot into the gambit, it seemed the best chance would be to peak her curiosity then leave, so he did. Vashni was lying in bed thinking about her options. The promise of an elvish artefact had peaked her interest, and despite her desire to continue sleeping, thinking about the situation made her consider ways in which having a town ‘Berger’ in her debt might have scope for further amusement or entertainment. After short deliberation she threw back her covers and climbed out of bed. She quickly dressed, having slept in her delicate undergarments she pulled on her fitted leather shirt, trousers, boots, then her cloak and velvets. Kneeling on the floor she placed her lips near Korhan’s ear and began whispering.

  “Ri§ine, cor§ou§a o§u §hui abelk o§u §inair§a oreo, §hui abelk o§u §inair§a mak§i §a §i overuisha....”

  Korhan had been mentally in tears, he’d drifted off to sleep once, maybe twice, only to wake in terror, paralysed and cut off from the world. The truth was he’d lost all sense of time and had been trying to reach out to Vashni with his mind, to plead with her to ‘unlock’ him. As he heard her whisper, faintly in his head relief washed over him. He regained feeling in his limbs, and his sense of smell and hearing returned, more sensitive because of their absence. He gasped, shocked at his lack of sight as much as the return of his other senses. Slowly he unfolded and tried to sit up, “Urgh! Mir§a Vashni, why has my eyesight not returned?”

  She chuckled softly, “Silly, because I haven’t restored it yet! I want you tell me how much time has passed first, how long do you think it has been since I locked you in?”

  Korhan sighed exasperated, “I... I don’t know... I...”

  “Shhhh, keep calm, have a guess, how much time do you feel has passed?”
r />   Korhan paused, deep in thought then sighed, “Is it the next morning?”

  She sighed in dismay, “No... It is later on, the same day... Dusk has fallen... Hmmm, I can see we’re going to have to repeat this exercise...”

  Korhan whimpered at the thought, “Mir§a Vashni, please... No...” instinctively he reached out for her and gently held her, pressing his head onto her breast.

  She held him and wrapped an arm around him, then stroked his hair with her other hand, “Shhhh, there, there, Ri§ine... Do not fear, we shall not repeat this exercise until you are recovered... I shall give you some time to reflect on your ordeal, now we will join the Bergers feast and I will allow you to keep your senses for a spell... At the feast, remember what I said, you are not to partake of any meats, only fruit, vegetables, bread and dairy, and you shall only drink one ale - I do not want your senses dulled. I am going to restore your sight now.”

  She placed her lips near his ear and whispered, “Ri§ine, cor§ou§a o§u §inair§a rai...”

  Slowly his eyes opened, he was still in Vashni’s gentle embrace. Her frame felt strange and inhuman, she was thin, so very thin, and light, but strong and powerful. It occurred to Korhan that Vashni was a web of paradoxes. She was small but powerful, young, but old, friendly but... His early aspirations of forming a relationship with her were disintegrating, she seemed too different, and she seemed to treat him more like a child or student than as an equal. Gently but firmly, she pushed him away and stood, “Come Ri§ine...”

  He groggily climbed to his feet and followed her out of the room, through the inn and out to the street. As she entered the street she pulled her hood up hiding her face and long pointed ears. By the time they had strode to the administrative building Saul Karza had already entered. Vashni almost leapt deftly up the steps, with Korhan close behind. As they entered few faces turned to inspect them, those that did, paid them little or no attention. Vashni studied the room, the big open fire, the torches, the guests... Her eyes rested on the great sword hanging over the fireplace.