Damned - White Wolf Part 33

'Good advice,' said Skilgannon. 'I thank you. What else is known of Khalid?'

Diagoras looked back to his notes. 'Very little. He is around sixty years of age, and has no sons still living. He has outlived them all. He pays no taxes. Apparently, some twenty years ago, he and his men joined with the King's forces and defeated an invading force from Sherak in the north. For that he was awarded these lands, free of tribute. It was no more than a gesture, since these mountains would provide little in the way of tax revenue.'

'What is the toll?'

'Two copper coins a head, and one copper for all pack animals or horses.'

They talked on for a while. The twins said little, and Garianne nothing at all. Eventually Diagoras rose from the campfire and strolled to the top of a hill where he sat staring out over the mountains. Rabalyn joined him there. 'Would you like to fence for a while?' the lad asked.

'No, it is too dark. There would be a risk of accidental injury. Tomorrow morning, before we set off, we'll practise a little.'

'What was it like at the battle of Skein?'

'Brutal, Rabalyn. I do not wish to speak of it. Many of my friends died there.'

'Were you honoured when you got home?'

'Yes, we were honoured. We were the heroes of the hour. It is a phrase that has real meaning, Rabalyn. For a few days we were the toast of the capital. Then life returned to normal and people found other things to amuse them. Those soldiers who survived Skein, but were crippled, were promised twenty gold raq each, and a handsome pension for life.

They never received the gold. Now they struggle to survive on six copper coins a month.

Some are even beggars now. Druss helped many of them. He turned over lands he owns to house some of them, and the profits from his farms go to feed veterans.'

'Is he rich then? He doesn't look rich.'

Diagoras laughed. 'His wife Rowena was a shrewd woman. When Druss returned from his wars he was usually laden with gifts from grateful princes. She used the gold he won to acquire property, and to invest in merchant enterprises. If he chose, our friend Druss could build a palace and live in luxury.'

'Why doesn't he?'

'I can't answer that, lad. Save to say that he has no use for wealth. He is lonely, though.

That I can see.'

'I like him,' said Rabalyn. 'He gave me his code. I shall live by it. I gave my promise.'

'I know that code. It is a good one. It is dangerous, though, Rabalyn. A man like Druss can live by it, because he's like a tempest, raw, fierce and unstoppable. We mortals, though, may need to be more circ.u.mspect. Holding too firmly to Druss's code would kill us.'

Khalid Khan sat in the shade of an overhanging rock and watched the rider upon the road below. The sun was high and hot, the sky cloudless and blue. Yet it was not a good day.

This morning Khalid had watched two eagles nesting on the high peaks. It was a long time since eagles had been seen in the Blood Mountains. Normally this would have been a good omen. Not today. Today he knew they were just birds, and they meant nothing.

Khalid was worried.

There had been few merchants on the roads since the start of the stupid war, and Khalid's people had been forced to tighten their belts against hunger. This was not good, and left them morose and complaining. As the leader Khalid would survive only as long as they believed in his power to bring them coin. Last week one Vishinas had led a raid on a northern village, capturing five scrawny cattle and a few sheep. It was pitiful. But Khalid's people, hungry and discontented, had hailed it as a victory, and Vishinas was now more popular among the young warriors. Khalid sighed and scratched his thin black beard. Of late the old wound in his right shoulder had been plaguing him. If Vishinas was to challenge his authority there was no way he could defeat him, sword to sword. Happily Vishinas did not know of the weakness. Khalid's reputation had been built on his prowess with the blade, and the youngster remained wary of him. Not for much longer, thought Khalid bitterly.

This threat alone, though worrying, would have caused him no sleepless nights. But there was something in the air that did not taste right. Khalid's mother had been gifted with the Sight. She was a fine seer. Khalid had not fully inherited that gift, but his instincts were sharper than those of most men. For the last two nights he had woken sweat-drenched and frightened. Not given to dreaming, he had experienced nightmares which left him trembling. He had seen beasts that walked like men, huge and powerful, creeping through the darkness of the mountainside. Disoriented, he had rolled from his blankets, grabbed his sword and run from his tent, standing in the moonlight, his breathing harsh and ragged. Outside everything was silent. There was no threat. No demons.

Just a dream then? Khalid doubted it. Something was coming. Something dreadful.

Pushing aside such dark thoughts, he glanced across to where Vishinas was squatting on a rock. The warrior was also gazing keenly at the oncoming rider.

The man rode well, studying the trail and the rock faces on either side. Vishinas signalled to Khalid, then slipped his bow from his shoulder. Pulling an arrow from his quiver, he cast a questioning look at his chieftain, who shook his head. Vishinas looked disappointed as he returned the arrow to the quiver. Rising from his hiding place, Khalid moved out into the open, and walked down the slope to meet the advancing rider. Vishinas ran out alongside him, and seven other tribesmen emerged from their hiding places.

The rider approached them, and dismounted. Leaving the reins trailing he walked forward and offered a bow to Khalid.

'I am Skilgannon. My friends and I seek to pa.s.s through the territory of the renowned Khalid Khan. Will you take me to him?'

'You are not Tantrian,' said Khalid. 'Nor, I think, from Datia. Your accent is from the south.'

'I am Naashanite.'

'How is it then that you have heard of the renowned Khalid Khan?'

'I travel with a Drenai officer who spoke of him with high praise. He said it was fitting to offer tribute to the Khan when crossing his lands.'

'A wise man, your friend. I am Khalid Khan.'

The man bowed again. As he did so Khalid saw the ivory hilts of his swords. 'Two blades in a single scabbard,' said Khalid. 'Most unusual. How many men are in your party?'

'Five men and a woman.'

'These are hard times, Skilgannon. War and death are everywhere. Are you prepared for war and death?'

The warrior smiled, and his cold blue eyes glittered in the sunlight. 'As prepared as any man can be, Khalid Khan. What tribute do you deem fair for crossing your land?'

'Everything you have,' said Vishinas, stepping forward. Several young men moved with him. Khalid fought to remain calm. He had not expected a challenge to his authority so soon.

Skilgannon turned to Vishinas. 'I was speaking to the wolf, boy. When I want to hear the yapping of a puppy I will signal you forward.' The words were softly spoken. Vishinas reddened, then reached for his sword. 'If that blade clears the scabbard,' continued the man, 'you will die here.' He stepped in close to Vishinas. 'Look into my eyes and tell me if you think that is not true.' Vishinas backed away a step, but Skilgannon followed him.

Trying to create enough distance to draw his sword Vishinas stumbled against a jutting rock and fell. With a cry of rage and humiliation he surged to his feet and lunged.

Curiously the lunge missed and he sprawled to the stones once more, his head thumping against a rock as he fell. Half dazed, he struggled to rise, then slumped back. Skilgannon strolled back to Khalid. 'My apologies, lord,' he said. 'We were speaking of the tribute.'

'Indeed so,' said Khalid Khan. 'You must forgive the boy. He is callow and inexperienced.

It seems to me that I have heard the name Skilgannon before.'

'That is possible, lord.'

'I seem to recall a warlord by that name. The Destroyer of Armies. The victor of five great battles. There are many stories of the warrior Skilgannon. Not all of them good.'

'The good ones are exaggerated,' said Skilgannon softly.

'And the bad also?'

'Sadly no.'

Khalid looked at the young man for a moment. 'Guilt is a burden like no other. It drags upon the soul. I know this. You may pa.s.s through my lands, Skilgannon. The tribute is whatever you choose.'

Skilgannon opened the pouch at his side and drew out three gold coins, which he dropped into Khalid Khan's outstretched hand.

Khalid showed no emotion at receiving such a prodigious sum, but he left his hand open so that the men around him could see the bright glint of the yellow metal.

Just then the rest of the party came into sight. One of the tribesmen yelled, then the others surged forward past the dazed figure of Vishinas. Khalid narrowed his eyes against the sunlight, then turned to Skilgannon. 'Why did you not say you travelled with the Silver Slayer?' he asked. He swallowed hard, and offered the gold coins back to Skilgannon.

'There can be no toll for Druss the Legend.'

'It would honour me if you accepted the tribute,' said Skilgannon.

Khalid's spirits soared. He had dreaded the man's consenting to his refusal. 'Ah, well,' he said, 'if it is a matter of politeness then I do accept. But you must come to my village. We will have a feast.'

The chieftain moved away from Skilgannon and walked towards the wagon. Druss looked down at him and grinned. 'Good to see you, Khalid. How is it that a rascal like you is still alive?'

'I am beloved by the G.o.ds, Druss. That is why they have blessed me with these verdant pastures and great wealth. Ah, it does my heart good to see you. Where is the Poet?'

'He died.'

'Ah, that is sad. There will be sorrow among the older women when they hear of it. Too many friends have taken the swan's path these last few years. It almost makes me feel old.'

Khalid climbed onto the wagon. 'Tonight we will feast, my friend. We will talk and drink.

Then we will bore everyone with tales of our greatness.'

For Rabalyn the evening brought a curious mix of emotions. He had been spellbound by the red-gold mountains, and the blazing sunsets in this high country. Everything here was different from what he had experienced at home. The land was harsh, the heat unforgiving. And yet he felt his heart soar as he gazed over the magnificent landscape. The nomads who followed Khalid Khan were also interesting; whip lean and hard, their skin dark, their gaze intense. At any other time Rabalyn would have thought them frightening, but such was their joy at seeing Druss they appeared almost carefree.

The camp of Khalid Khan had been a disappointment to Rabalyn. He had a.s.sumed there would be tents of silk, like in the stories. In fact they were a mixture of old hides, linens, and coa.r.s.e cloth, badly patched and threadbare. The entire settlement sprawled untidily across the mountainside in a shambolic manner. The place reeked of poverty. Naked children ran through the settlement, followed by scrawny dogs, yapping and barking.

There was little vegetation to be seen, and no trees. Rabalyn saw a line of women moving down the mountainside, bearing water sacks. He guessed there must be a hidden well close by.

The tent of Khalid Khan, though bigger than all the others, was just as ramshackle. Patches covered the outer skin, and Rabalyn saw a tear just below the first of the three tall poles that supported it.

He glanced around the camp. There were some thirty women and around twenty children in view. They gathered round the company as Khalid led them into the settlement. A few old men emerged from their tents and watched. Some called out to Druss, who waved back. Younger men appeared then, and these did not watch Druss. They were staring with undisguised l.u.s.t at the golden-haired Garianne, who ignored them. Rabalyn climbed down from the wagon. His shortsword clattered against the wood of the driving platform and he half stumbled. The twins, Jared and Nian, moved alongside him. Nian was smiling at the children close by. One of them approached him cautiously. Nian dropped to one knee and offered his hand. The youngster scampered away. Diagoras dismounted. Khalid Khan shouted an order and several women moved forward to take care of the mounts.

Skilgannon, Druss and Diagoras followed Khalid Khan into his tent. Garianne wandered up the mountainside, followed by the twins. Rabalyn set off after them.

'Where are we going?' he asked Jared. It was Nian who answered.

'We're going to swim in the secret lake, aren't we, Jared?'

Jared nodded. His brother reached out, taking hold of the blue sash hanging from Jared's belt. Nian sighed. 'We like to swim,' he said happily.

Rabalyn had often noticed Nian clinging to the sash, but had not mentioned it for fear of being rude. It seemed odd that the brothers were never more than a few feet from one another. Once, when they were riding, Rabalyn had seen Nian steer his mount alongside Jared's, then reach out and grab the sash. The movement had spooked Jared's horse, causing it to rear and break into a run. Nian had screamed and kicked his horse into a gallop, desperate to catch Jared. Once Jared had control of his horse he halted him and leapt from the saddle. Nian almost fell from his mount and rushed over to his brother, throwing his arms round him and sobbing. It was a disconcerting sight. After that Jared had cut a length of rope so that when they rode he would hold one end and Nian the other.

The brothers scrambled up the rock face, following Garianne. They came to a wide ledge, and a high fissure in the red rock. Garianne entered it, cutting down a steep slope within.

Light filtered down from high above them, and glittered on the surface of a deep cave pool.

Nian shouted, his voice echoing inside the mountain. Ahead of them Garianne was stripping off her clothing and folding it neatly, laying her shirt, trews and boots on a ledge.

Placing the crossbow and quiver atop the garments, she turned and dived into the gleaming water.

Nian and Jared also undressed, then, hand in hand, they jumped into the pool. Rabalyn sat on the rock watching the trio swim. He wanted to join them, but was not comfortable with the thought of swimming naked. Watching Garianne disrobe had caused an embarra.s.sing swelling in his loins, and he had no wish to display it. Instead he sat and surrept.i.tiously watched the woman swim, yearning for the moment she would roll in the water and expose her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Nian shouted for him to join them. 'In a little while,' he answered. He saw Garianne staring at him, and blushed furiously.

Then Diagoras arrived. He stood close to Rabalyn and began to strip off his clothing. 'Can you not swim?' he asked.

'Yes, I can. I will in a moment.'

Diagoras dived cleanly into the water, came to the surface and smoothly swam to the far side of the pool. Ducking beneath the surface he spun, kicked out with his feet and returned to where Rabalyn sat. He grinned at the lad. The water is very cold,' he said.

'Trust me. It will cool your ardour.' Rabalyn blushed again. Swiftly he clambered out of his clothes and jumped into the hidden lake. The burns he had suffered during the blaze at his aunt's house had mostly healed, save for a puckered section on his right thigh. The skin there would often split, weeping pus and blood. The cold water felt good upon it. Rabalyn swam to the centre of the small lake, then looked up. Two hundred feet above him, through a sickle-shaped opening in the rock face, he could see open sky. It was the oddest sensation. Like a bright blue crescent moon shining above him.

To his left Garianne was climbing from the water. Rabalyn found himself gazing at the curve of her hips. Despite Diagoras's a.s.surances the cold water proved no match for his arousal. Swinging away he swam back to where his clothes lay. Diagoras was sitting on a ledge nearby. 'Will Druss and Skilgannon be coming?' asked Rabalyn, without leaving the water.

'I expect so, once they have finished questioning Khalid Khan. It seems Ironmask pa.s.sed through here some ten days ago. According to Khalid Khan there were around sixty men with him. And more at the fortress.' Diagoras frowned, then reached across to his clothes, pulling a bone-handled razor from his belt pouch. Opening it, he began to sc.r.a.pe at the stubble around his trident beard.

'What will Druss do?' asked Rabalyn.

Diagoras dipped his razor into the water. 'He'll go to the fortress. There was a woman and a child travelling with Ironmask. The child is Elanin, the daughter of Earl Orastes.'

'Druss's friend.'

'Yes. The matter is complicated. The woman with the child is Elanin's mother. She is now Ironmask's lover. Druss intends to kill Ironmask to avenge Orastes. He is concerned that the mother will not allow her daughter to be returned to Drenan.'

'Can't he take her anyway?'

Diagoras laughed. 'We're talking about Druss the Legend, lad. s.n.a.t.c.h a child from its mother? Not in a hundred years. Anyway, there's the question of a hundred and fifty warriors to consider before we reach that problem. Then there's the Nadir shaman who travels with Ironmask. The man knows magic and may summon demons, for all I know.

Then there's Ironmask himself. He carries two swords, like Skilgannon, and is said to be a master. No, I shan't concern myself for a little while over the child's destiny.'

'Will you go into the fortress with Druss?'

'Aye, I will. The man is my friend.'

'I will go too,' said Rabalyn.

'We'll see, lad. I appreciate your courage, but your skills are lacking at present.'

Garianne, dressed now, her crossbow in her hand, walked past them without a word.

More comfortable, Rabalyn eased himself from the water and sat next to Diagoras. 'She is very beautiful, isn't she?' he said.

'She is that. And then some,' agreed Diagoras. The twins had emerged on the far side of the lake and were talking quietly. Rabalyn gazed across at them. Nian rose and Rabalyn saw a long and jagged scar down his right side, the skin around it pinched and puckered. Jared stood. He too had the same awful scar, but on his left side.

Druss and Skilgannon arrived. The axeman sat with Diagoras and Rabalyn, while Skilgannon stripped and dived into the lake. Druss removed his boots and dangled his feet in the water. Rabalyn glanced back at the twins on the other ledge. Nian was asleep, Jared sitting up, lost in thought.

'Have you seen their scars?' Rabalyn asked Druss.

The axeman nodded. 'Are you looking forward to the feast?' he asked, ignoring the question.