The Road With No Return
The Road With No Return
by Andrzej Sapkowski
by Andrzej Sapkowski
As published in the an
As published in the anthologythology “Something Ends, Something Beings” “Something Ends, Something Beings”
fan-translation based on the official
fan-translation based on the official German translation,German translation, “Der Weg, von dem
“Der Weg, von dem niemand zurückkehrt”, ausniemand zurückkehrt”, aus “Etwas endet, etwas beginnt”,
“Etwas endet, etwas beginnt”, published in 2012 by dtv published in 2012 by dtv
Updated
Updated: Wednesday, September 2, 2015: Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Progress
Progress: finished: finished (based on the ebook) (based on the ebook)
Translated by Translated by Tina B. Tina B. cayastrife@gmail.com cayastrife@gmail.com
Disclaimer: This body of work
Disclaimer: This body of work is a fan translation and not is a fan translation and not meant to infringe copyright ormeant to infringe copyright or produce profit. It is being created for
produce profit. It is being created for the sole purpose of allowing fans the sole purpose of allowing fans to familiarizeto familiarize themselves with works which have not yet received an official translation. As soon as themselves with works which have not yet received an official translation. As soon as thethe
latter is available, this document will no
latter is available, this document will no longer be hosted.longer be hosted.
Translator’s notes c
II
The
The bird with bird with the the colorful plucolorful plumage mage resting oresting on Visenn Visenna’s na’s shoulder shoulder began began to cryto cry, batte, battedd its wings, rose and glided into the underbrush. Visenna reined in her horse, listened for a its wings, rose and glided into the underbrush. Visenna reined in her horse, listened for a moment, then carefully continued along the forest path.
moment, then carefully continued along the forest path. The man seemed to
The man seemed to be asleep. He be asleep. He sat leaning his sat leaning his back against a back against a pole set into pole set into thethe middle of the crossroads. When she came closer, Visenna saw that his eyes were open. middle of the crossroads. When she came closer, Visenna saw that his eyes were open. Even before that, she had
Even before that, she had noticed that he was wounded. The noticed that he was wounded. The makeshift bandage coveringmakeshift bandage covering his left shoulder and upper arm was
his left shoulder and upper arm was soaked in blood which had not yet soaked in blood which had not yet turned black.turned black.
“Greetings, lad”, the wounded man sounded and spit out a long shaft of grass. “Greetings, lad”, the wounded man sounded and spit out a long shaft of grass. “Where are you riding to, if
“Where are you riding to, if one may ask?”one may ask?” Visenna didn’t like th
Visenna didn’t like the ‘lad’. She threw bae ‘lad’. She threw back her hood.ck her hood.
“One may ask”, she retorted, “but should justify one’s curiosity.” “One may ask”, she retorted, “but should justify one’s curiosity.” “Pardon me, Milady,” the man said
“Pardon me, Milady,” the man said and narrowed his eyes. “You wear and narrowed his eyes. “You wear man’s clothing.man’s clothing. And
And regarding regarding the the curiosity: curiosity: it it is is well well justified! justified! This This here here is is an an unusual unusual crossroad. crossroad. AnAn interesting adventure has befallen me
interesting adventure has befallen me here…”here…” “I see”, Visenna interrupted him
“I see”, Visenna interrupted him and regarded the motionless, unnaturally bent figureand regarded the motionless, unnaturally bent figure lying halfway hidden in a bush no
lying halfway hidden in a bush no more than ten steps from the pole.more than ten steps from the pole. The man looked
The man looked in the same in the same direction. Then their glances met. direction. Then their glances met. Visenna acted as ifVisenna acted as if she were brushing back her hair and touched the diadem that was hidden under the she were brushing back her hair and touched the diadem that was hidden under the snakeskin headband.
snakeskin headband.
“Ah yes,” the wounded man said calmly. “There is a corpse. You have quick eyes. “Ah yes,” the wounded man said calmly. “There is a corpse. You have quick eyes. Surely you think me a bandit. Am
Surely you think me a bandit. Am I in the right?”I in the right?”
“You are not.” Visenna said without taking her hand off
“You are not.” Visenna said without taking her hand off the diadem.the diadem. “Ah…”, the man moaned, “Yes. Well…”
“Ah…”, the man moaned, “Yes. Well…” “Your wound is bleeding.”
“Your wound is bleeding.”
“Most wounds have that strange property.” The injured man smiled. He had pretty “Most wounds have that strange property.” The injured man smiled. He had pretty teeth.
teeth.
“Covered with a bandage applied with only one hand, it
“Covered with a bandage applied with only one hand, it will bleed for quite a will bleed for quite a while.”while.” “Would you perhaps honor me with your help?”
“Would you perhaps honor me with your help?” Visenna jumped o
Visenna jumped off her horse, her heels leaff her horse, her heels leaving deep traces in tving deep traces in the soft ground.he soft ground. “My name is Visenna”, she said. “I do not honor anyone. I also do not appreciate “My name is Visenna”, she said. “I do not honor anyone. I also do not appreciate being addressed in such a manner. Still I
being addressed in such a manner. Still I will treat your wound. Can will treat your wound. Can you stand?”you stand?” “Yes. Do I have to?”
“Yes. Do I have to?” “No.”
“Visenna”, the man said while stretching slightly to allow
“Visenna”, the man said while stretching slightly to allow her to remove the bandageher to remove the bandage more easily. “A pretty name. Has anyone told you, Visenna, that you have pretty hair? It’s more easily. “A pretty name. Has anyone told you, Visenna, that you have pretty hair? It’s called copper, isn’t it?”
called copper, isn’t it?”
“No. Strawberry blond.” “No. Strawberry blond.” “Ah. When you’re done, I will
“Ah. When you’re done, I will give you a bunch of lupines that are give you a bunch of lupines that are growing in the ditchgrowing in the ditch over there. And while you’re operating on me, just to pass the time, I will tell you what has over there. And while you’re operating on me, just to pass the time, I will tell you what has happened to me. I did, you know, come here the same way as
happened to me. I did, you know, come here the same way as you. And I see, there at theyou. And I see, there at the crossroads, a pole. Yes, this
crossroads, a pole. Yes, this one. And on this pole there is one. And on this pole there is a board. That hurts.”a board. That hurts.”
“Most wounds have that strange property.” Visenna tore off the last layer of fabric “Most wounds have that strange property.” Visenna tore off the last layer of fabric without even tryin
without even trying to be especially careg to be especially careful.ful.
“True, I’d forgotten. Where was I… Ah, yes. So I come closer, see what’s on the “True, I’d forgotten. Where was I… Ah, yes. So I come closer, see what’s on the board. Horribly clumsy, I once knew an archer who could piss prettier letters in the snow. I board. Horribly clumsy, I once knew an archer who could piss prettier letters in the snow. I read… And what’s that supposed to be, Milady? What kind of stone is
read… And what’s that supposed to be, Milady? What kind of stone is that? Oh, damn it. Ithat? Oh, damn it. I didn’t expect that.”
didn’t expect that.” Visenna ge
Visenna gently ran ntly ran the hemthe hematite over atite over the wounthe wound. The bd. The bleeding stoppleeding stopped immediateed immediately.ly. She closed her eyes and gripped the man’s wounded arm with both hands, tightly pressing She closed her eyes and gripped the man’s wounded arm with both hands, tightly pressing the edges together. She let go – the tissue had grown together, leaving behind nothing the edges together. She let go – the tissue had grown together, leaving behind nothing more than a jagged, scarlet line.
more than a jagged, scarlet line. The
The man man was was silent silent and and watched watched attentively. attentively. Finally, Finally, he he carefully carefully raised raised his his arm,arm, stretched it, rubbed the scar, shook his head. He adjusted the bloody shirt and doublet, stretched it, rubbed the scar, shook his head. He adjusted the bloody shirt and doublet, stood up, picked up the belt with the sword, money pouch and canteen. The belt buckle stood up, picked up the belt with the sword, money pouch and canteen. The belt buckle was shaped like a dragon’s h
was shaped like a dragon’s head.ead.
“Well, that’s what you call luck”, he said without taking his eyes off Visenna. “I met a “Well, that’s what you call luck”, he said without taking his eyes off Visenna. “I met a healer in the middle of the wilderness, where the Yaruga meets the Ina, where one usually healer in the middle of the wilderness, where the Yaruga meets the Ina, where one usually is more likely
is more likely to meet a werewolf or, to meet a werewolf or, even worse, a drunk lumberjack. What about paymenteven worse, a drunk lumberjack. What about payment for my treatment? I am a
for my treatment? I am a little short on money at little short on money at the moment. Will a bunch of the moment. Will a bunch of lupines suffice?”lupines suffice?” Visenna igno
Visenna ignored the red the question. Shquestion. She steppee stepped closer to d closer to the pole, the pole, raised her raised her head – head – thethe board was nailed on at
board was nailed on at a man’s eye-level.a man’s eye-level.
“’You, who come from the west’”, she read aloud. “’Go left and you will return. Go “’You, who come from the west’”, she read aloud. “’Go left and you will return. Go right, and you will
right, and you will return. Go straight ahead, and you will return. Go straight ahead, and you will not return.’ Nonsense.”not return.’ Nonsense.”
“My thoughts exactly,” the man said while brushing pine needles off his pant leg. “I “My thoughts exactly,” the man said while brushing pine needles off his pant leg. “I know this region. Going straight, which means east, you get to the Klamat pass, onto the know this region. Going straight, which means east, you get to the Klamat pass, onto the merchants’ road. Why should one be unable to return from there? Pretty girls who want to merchants’ road. Why should one be unable to return from there? Pretty girls who want to marry? Cheap booze? An opening as mayor?”
marry? Cheap booze? An opening as mayor?” “You digress, Korin.”
“You digress, Korin.” The man open
The man opened his mouth in surpriseed his mouth in surprise. “How do you know that my nam. “How do you know that my name is Korin?”e is Korin?” “You have only just said it yourself.
“You have only just said it yourself. Go on.”Go on.”
“I have?” The man scrutinized her distrustfully. “Really? Well,
“I have?” The man scrutinized her distrustfully. “Really? Well, perhaps… Where wasperhaps… Where was I? Ah. So, I read and ask myself what idiot came up with that inscription. Suddenly, I hear I? Ah. So, I read and ask myself what idiot came up with that inscription. Suddenly, I hear someone babbling and muttering behind my back. I look back and see an old hag, someone babbling and muttering behind my back. I look back and see an old hag, gray-haired, crooked, with a cane, of course. I politely ask her what is wrong. She murmurs: ‘I’m haired, crooked, with a cane, of course. I politely ask her what is wrong. She murmurs: ‘I’m hungry, dear knight, haven’t had a bite since morning.’ I think, so the hag has at least one hungry, dear knight, haven’t had a bite since morning.’ I think, so the hag has at least one
tooth left. I’m mighty touched, so from my knapsack I take a piece of bread and half a tooth left. I’m mighty touched, so from my knapsack I take a piece of bread and half a smoked brace, which I received from a fisherman on the Yaruga, and give it to the old smoked brace, which I received from a fisherman on the Yaruga, and give it to the old woman. She
woman. She sits sits down, down, chews, croaks, chews, croaks, spits spits out fiout fishbone. I shbone. I keep looking keep looking at at that strangethat strange signpost. Suddenly the old woman sounds: ‘You’re a good man, little knight, saved me, signpost. Suddenly the old woman sounds: ‘You’re a good man, little knight, saved me, should have a reward.’ I wanted to let her know where she can stick her reward, but then should have a reward.’ I wanted to let her know where she can stick her reward, but then the hag says: ‘Come closer, I have something to whisper in your ear, an important secret, the hag says: ‘Come closer, I have something to whisper in your ear, an important secret, how you can save many good people from woe,
how you can save many good people from woe, have fame and fortune.”have fame and fortune.” Visenna sighed and sat down next to
Visenna sighed and sat down next to the wounded man. She liked him, the wounded man. She liked him, tall, blond,tall, blond, with a
with a narrow face and narrow face and pronounced chin. He didn’t stink pronounced chin. He didn’t stink like most men like most men she had met. Sheshe had met. She shooed away the persistent thought that she had been aimlessly wandering the woods and shooed away the persistent thought that she had been aimlessly wandering the woods and country roads by herself for too
country roads by herself for too long.long.
Korin continued his tale: “Hah, I thought, this is a classic opportunity. If the hag Korin continued his tale: “Hah, I thought, this is a classic opportunity. If the hag doesn’t have sclerosis and is still right in the head, then this may really prove useful for a doesn’t have sclerosis and is still right in the head, then this may really prove useful for a poor warrior. I bend down, stretch my neck like a bumbling idiot. And if my reflexes hadn’t poor warrior. I bend down, stretch my neck like a bumbling idiot. And if my reflexes hadn’t worked,
worked, she she would would have have got got me me straight straight in in the the throat. throat. I I jumped back, jumped back, the the blood blood gushinggushing from my arm like from
from my arm like from a castle fountain, but the hag brandishes the knife, cries, sputters anda castle fountain, but the hag brandishes the knife, cries, sputters and spits. I still didn’t think it was serious. I go in close, to gain the advantage, and notice that spits. I still didn’t think it was serious. I go in close, to gain the advantage, and notice that she isn’t an old hag at all. Breasts as firm as flint…”
she isn’t an old hag at all. Breasts as firm as flint…” Korin squinted at Visenna to see if
Korin squinted at Visenna to see if she had blushed. Visenna was listening with politeshe had blushed. Visenna was listening with polite interest.
interest.
“Where was I… Ah. I thought I’d push her over and disarm her, but not a chance. “Where was I… Ah. I thought I’d push her over and disarm her, but not a chance. Strong as a lynx. I notice that her hand, which his holding the knife, is going to slip from my Strong as a lynx. I notice that her hand, which his holding the knife, is going to slip from my grip any moment. What should I do? I pushed her away, drew the sword… She ran into it grip any moment. What should I do? I pushed her away, drew the sword… She ran into it herself.”
herself.”
Visenna
Visenna sat silensat silent, her t, her hand hand at heat her forehear forehead, as d, as if she if she were abswere absentmindedly entmindedly adjustingadjusting the snakeskin
the snakeskin headband.headband.
“Visenna? I say it as it was. I know it was a woman, and I feel stupid, but I’ll croak if “Visenna? I say it as it was. I know it was a woman, and I feel stupid, but I’ll croak if that was a normal woman. Right after
that was a normal woman. Right after she fell, she transformed. She got younger.”she fell, she transformed. She got younger.” “An illusion”, Visenna said
“An illusion”, Visenna said thoughtfully.thoughtfully. “What?”
“What?”
“Nothing.” Visenna stood up, walked over to the corpse lying in the undergrowth of “Nothing.” Visenna stood up, walked over to the corpse lying in the undergrowth of fern.
fern.
“Look.” Korin stepped up to her. “A wench like a statue at the castle’s fountain. But “Look.” Korin stepped up to her. “A wench like a statue at the castle’s fountain. But she was bent and wrinkled like
she was bent and wrinkled like the backside of a hundred-year-old cow. If…”the backside of a hundred-year-old cow. If…” “Korin”, Visenna interrupted. “Do you
“Korin”, Visenna interrupted. “Do you have a strong stomach?”have a strong stomach?”
“Huh? What does my stomach have to do with this? But if you’re interested – I can’t “Huh? What does my stomach have to do with this? But if you’re interested – I can’t complain.”
complain.”
Visenna removed
Visenna removed the headband. the headband. The jeweled The jeweled affixed affixed to to the diadem the diadem glowed glowed in in thethe milky gleam of light. She positioned herself in front of the corpse, stretched out her hands, milky gleam of light. She positioned herself in front of the corpse, stretched out her hands, closed her eyes. Korin watched, his mouth halfway open. Visenna slightly nodded her head, closed her eyes. Korin watched, his mouth halfway open. Visenna slightly nodded her head, whispered somethin
whispered something he didn’t undeg he didn’t understand.rstand. “Grealghane!” she shouted suddenly. “Grealghane!” she shouted suddenly.
The
The undergrowth undergrowth moved moved violently. violently. Korin Korin jumped jumped back, back, drew drew his his sword, sword, froze froze in in aa defensive posture. The corpse began to
defensive posture. The corpse began to twitch.twitch. “Grealghane! Speak!”
“Grealghane! Speak!”
“Aaaaaaa!” A hoarse, tumescent cry sounded from the undergrowth. The corpse “Aaaaaaa!” A hoarse, tumescent cry sounded from the undergrowth. The corpse bent, almost levitated, touching the ground with its back and head. The cry faded, turned bent, almost levitated, touching the ground with its back and head. The cry faded, turned into a throaty stammer, broken sighs and screams, which slowly gained tonality but were into a throaty stammer, broken sighs and screams, which slowly gained tonality but were utterly incomprehensible. Korin felt a stream of cold sweat on his back, irritating him like a utterly incomprehensible. Korin felt a stream of cold sweat on his back, irritating him like a creeping caterpillar. He balled his fists to suppress the tingling in his hands and with all his creeping caterpillar. He balled his fists to suppress the tingling in his hands and with all his might fought the overwhelming urge to flew into the depths of
might fought the overwhelming urge to flew into the depths of the forest.the forest. “Oggg… nnnn… nngammmmm”, the corpse stammered while it
“Oggg… nnnn… nngammmmm”, the corpse stammered while it clawed the groundclawed the ground with its fingernails, blisters of blood we
with its fingernails, blisters of blood welling out of its mouth alling out of its mouth and bursting on its lips. “Nand bursting on its lips. “Nam…m… eeeggg…”
eeeggg…” “Speak!” “Speak!” A
A muddy stream muddy stream of of light light seeped from seeped from Visenna’s outstretched hands; Visenna’s outstretched hands; and iand in n it, it, thethe dust tumbled and acc
dust tumbled and accumulated. umulated. Dry leaves and stalks shot up from the unDry leaves and stalks shot up from the undergrowth. Thedergrowth. The corpse chocked, began to smack its lips and,
corpse chocked, began to smack its lips and, suddenly, to talk. Quite comprehensibly.suddenly, to talk. Quite comprehensibly. “Crossroads six miles south of the source. At most. S…sent. The Circle. A lad. “Crossroads six miles south of the source. At most. S…sent. The Circle. A lad. Slau…gh…er. Ordered.”
Slau…gh…er. Ordered.”
“Who?” Visenna yelled. “Who gave the order?
“Who?” Visenna yelled. “Who gave the order? Speak!”Speak!” “Fffff… ggg … genal. All
“Fffff… ggg … genal. All letters, sheets, rings, amu…lets.”letters, sheets, rings, amu…lets.” “Speak!”
“Speak!”
“…pass. The Koshchey. Ge…nal. Take letters. Par…chment. He comes from “…pass. The Koshchey. Ge…nal. Take letters. Par…chment. He comes from Maaaaa! Eeeeeee!
Maaaaa! Eeeeeee! Naaaaaa!!!”Naaaaaa!!!” The stammering
The stammering voice began voice began to to vibrate, to vibrate, to dissolve into dissolve into a horrible a horrible cry. Korin cry. Korin couldcould take it no longer, he
take it no longer, he dropped the sword, closed his eyes and pressed his hands to dropped the sword, closed his eyes and pressed his hands to his ears.his ears. So he stood until he felt a touch on his arm. He shivered violently, all over, as if someone So he stood until he felt a touch on his arm. He shivered violently, all over, as if someone had hit him in the genitals.
had hit him in the genitals.
“It is over”, Visenna said and wiped sweat off her forehead. “I
“It is over”, Visenna said and wiped sweat off her forehead. “I ha had d enquired about enquired about
your stomach.” your stomach.”
“What a day”, Korin groaned. He picked up the sword, pushed it into the sheath, “What a day”, Korin groaned. He picked up the sword, pushed it into the sheath, taking care not to glance in the
taking care not to glance in the direction of the now motionless corpse. “Visenna?”direction of the now motionless corpse. “Visenna?” “Yes?”
“Yes?”
“Let’s get away from here. As far
“Let’s get away from here. As far away from this place as possible.”away from this place as possible.”
IIII
Together, both of them on
Together, both of them on Visenna’s horse, they rode along an overgrown, Visenna’s horse, they rode along an overgrown, unevenuneven forest path. She sat in front in the saddle, Korin on the croup, behind her, his arms wrapped forest path. She sat in front in the saddle, Korin on the croup, behind her, his arms wrapped
around her waist. Visenna had l
around her waist. Visenna had long since grown accustomed to enjoying the amenities thatong since grown accustomed to enjoying the amenities that fate offered her without second thoughts; so she contently leaned back against the man’s fate offered her without second thoughts; so she contently leaned back against the man’s chest. Both remained silent.
chest. Both remained silent.
After almost an hour it was Korin wh
After almost an hour it was Korin who first brought himself to speao first brought himself to speak. “Visenna.”k. “Visenna.” “What is it?”
“What is it?”
“You’re not just a healer. You’re from the Cir “You’re not just a healer. You’re from the Circle?”cle?” “Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Judging by that… demonstration, a mistress?” “Judging by that… demonstration, a mistress?” “Yes.”
“Yes.”
Korin let go of her waist and grabbed the pommel. Visenna angrily screwed up her Korin let go of her waist and grabbed the pommel. Visenna angrily screwed up her eyes. Of course he didn’t see.
eyes. Of course he didn’t see. “Visenna?”
“Visenna?” “What is it?” “What is it?”
“Did you understand anything of what
“Did you understand anything of what the… said?”the… said?” “Not much.”
“Not much.” Again t
Again they hey were were silent. A silent. A colorful bird colorful bird flying thflying through rough the the foliage foliage above above them them screamedscreamed loudly. loudly. “Visenna?” “Visenna?” “Korin, do me a favor.” “Korin, do me a favor.” “Hm?” “Hm?”
“Stop talking. I want to
“Stop talking. I want to think.”think.” The forest road
The forest road led them led them down into down into a ravine, a ravine, to the to the bed of bed of a shallow a shallow stream whichstream which lazily meandered between stones and black tree trunks. The
lazily meandered between stones and black tree trunks. The air smelled strongly of air smelled strongly of mint andmint and nettle. Once in a while the horse
nettle. Once in a while the horse slipped on the stones, which were covered in clay and slipped on the stones, which were covered in clay and silt.silt. To keep from falling off,
To keep from falling off, Korin again wrapped his arms around Visenna’s waist. He Korin again wrapped his arms around Visenna’s waist. He shooedshooed away the persistent thought that he had
away the persistent thought that he had been aimlessly wandering the woods been aimlessly wandering the woods and countryand country roads by himself for too long.
roads by himself for too long.
III III
The settlement was
The settlement was a typical a typical roadside village, roadside village, clinging to clinging to the mountainside, huts the mountainside, huts ofof straw and wood, dirty, ducking between crooked fences. As they rode closer,
straw and wood, dirty, ducking between crooked fences. As they rode closer, dogs begandogs began to bark. Visenna’s horse quietly plodded forward in the middle of the r
to bark. Visenna’s horse quietly plodded forward in the middle of the r oad and paid no heedoad and paid no heed to the keen mutts stretching their foaming muzzles for its pasterns.
to the keen mutts stretching their foaming muzzles for its pasterns. At
At first, first, they they saw saw no no one. one. Then, Then, from from behind behind the the fences, fences, from from the the paths paths leadingleading toward the farmsteads, appeared the residents –
sinister faces. They carried pitchforks, sticks and flails. Someone bent down and picked up sinister faces. They carried pitchforks, sticks and flails. Someone bent down and picked up a stone.
a stone.
Visenna reined i
Visenna reined in the n the horse, raised horse, raised a hand. a hand. Korin saw Korin saw that in that in it, she it, she was holding was holding aa small golden knife formed like a sickle.
small golden knife formed like a sickle.
“I am a healer”, she said in a voice that was clear and sonorous, but in no
“I am a healer”, she said in a voice that was clear and sonorous, but in no way loud.way loud. The peasants lowered the
The peasants lowered their weapons, began to murmur, exchanged glancir weapons, began to murmur, exchanged glances. Morees. More and more arrived. Some of those closest took
and more arrived. Some of those closest took off their caps.off their caps. “What is the name of
“What is the name of this settlement?”this settlement?” “Key”, it sounded from the crowd after a
“Key”, it sounded from the crowd after a short silence.short silence. “Who is your
“Who is your alderman?”alderman?”
“Topin, your ladyship. There, the “Topin, your ladyship. There, the hut.”hut.”
Before they moved off, a woman holding an infant squeezed through the line of Before they moved off, a woman holding an infant squeezed through the line of countryfolk. “Mistress…”, she moaned and carefully touched Visenna’s knee. “My countryfolk. “Mistress…”, she moaned and carefully touched Visenna’s knee. “My daughter… She is burning with a fever…”
daughter… She is burning with a fever…” Visenna jumped from
Visenna jumped from the saddle, touchthe saddle, touched the child’s smaed the child’s small head, closed her eyell head, closed her eyes.s. “She will be healthy tomorrow. Don’t wrap
“She will be healthy tomorrow. Don’t wrap her up so tightly.”her up so tightly.” “Thank you, your ladyship… A
“Thank you, your ladyship… A thousand thanks…”thousand thanks…” Topin,
Topin, the the alderman, alderman, was was already already in in the the yard, yard, considering considering what what to to do do with with thethe pitchfork he was holding. Finally, he used it to free the stairs from the mess left by the pitchfork he was holding. Finally, he used it to free the stairs from the mess left by the chickens.
chickens.
“Pardon me”, he said and leaned the fork against the wall. “Milady. And you, milord. “Pardon me”, he said and leaned the fork against the wall. “Milady. And you, milord. Times are unsafe
Times are unsafe… Please step in. Let u… Please step in. Let us entertain you.”s entertain you.” They went inside
They went inside.. Topin’s wife, traile
Topin’s wife, trailed by two flaxed by two flaxen-haired girls clinn-haired girls clinging to their mging to their mother’s apron other’s apron strings,strings, served scrambled eggs, bread and sour milk. Afterwards, she vanished into her chamber. served scrambled eggs, bread and sour milk. Afterwards, she vanished into her chamber. In contrast to Korin, Visenna ate little and was sullen and quiet. Topin rolled his eyes, In contrast to Korin, Visenna ate little and was sullen and quiet. Topin rolled his eyes, scratched himself in various places and
scratched himself in various places and talked.talked.
“Times are unsafe. Unsafe. We are not doing well, Milady. We raise sheep, whose “Times are unsafe. Unsafe. We are not doing well, Milady. We raise sheep, whose wool
wool is is meant to meant to be sold, be sold, but since but since there are there are no no merchants, we’re merchants, we’re slaughtering the slaughtering the herd.herd. We
We slaughter slaughter the the sheep sheep to to have have food food on on the the table. table. Back Back then, then, the the merchants merchants traveled traveled aroundaround Hornstone and Greenstone into the Amell, across the pass, where the pits are. They mine Hornstone and Greenstone into the Amell, across the pass, where the pits are. They mine hornstone there. And when the merchants passed, they also took wool,
hornstone there. And when the merchants passed, they also took wool, paid and left otherpaid and left other wares. Now the
wares. Now there are no re are no more merchamore merchants. There’nts. There’s not eves not even salt; whatn salt; whatever we slauever we slaughter weghter we have to eat within three days.”
have to eat within three days.”
“The merchants are steering clear of you? Why?” Every once in a while Visenna “The merchants are steering clear of you? Why?” Every once in a while Visenna thoughtfully touched the headband.
thoughtfully touched the headband.
“They just do”, Topin growled. “The road to the Amell is closed, and that damned “They just do”, Topin growled. “The road to the Amell is closed, and that damned koshchey has taken the pass and doesn’t even let a single soul through. How are the koshchey has taken the pass and doesn’t even let a single soul through. How are the merchants supposed to come here? To die?”
merchants supposed to come here? To die?” Korin froze, spoon suspended in midair. Korin froze, spoon suspended in midair.
“Koshchey? What is a koshchey?” “Koshchey? What is a koshchey?”
“Well, how should I know? The koshchey, they say, is
“Well, how should I know? The koshchey, they say, is a man-eater. He’s supposeda man-eater. He’s supposed to sit on the pass.”
to sit on the pass.”
“And he’s not letting
“And he’s not letting the caravans through?”the caravans through?” Topin
Topin looked aroulooked around thnd the he hut. “Sout. “Some hme he doee does. His s. His own, thown, they sey say. He’ay. He’s lettins letting his g his ownown through.”
through.”
Visenna frowned. “W
Visenna frowned. “What do you mean: ‘hhat do you mean: ‘his own’?”is own’?”
“Well, his own”, Topin murmured and blanched. “The people of Amell have it even “Well, his own”, Topin murmured and blanched. “The people of Amell have it even worse than
worse than we do. we do. We can We can at least at least feed on feed on the forest the forest a a little. But little. But they are they are sitting on sitting on barebare rock and only get what the koshchey’s people sell for
rock and only get what the koshchey’s people sell for the hornstone. Which is bad, becausethe hornstone. Which is bad, because they are supposed to demand a high price for
they are supposed to demand a high price for their wares, but what should the Amell their wares, but what should the Amell peoplepeople do? They can’t eat the hornstone after all.”
do? They can’t eat the hornstone after all.” “What ‘koshchey’s people’? Humans?” “What ‘koshchey’s people’? Humans?”
“Humans and vrans and some others. Thugs is what they are, Milady. What they “Humans and vrans and some others. Thugs is what they are, Milady. What they take from us, they bring to the Amell and exchange it for hornstone and greenstone. They take from us, they bring to the Amell and exchange it for hornstone and greenstone. They take it from us forcefully. They have often robbed the villages, raped the girls, murdered take it from us forcefully. They have often robbed the villages, raped the girls, murdered them, burnt them. Thugs. The koshchey’s.”
them, burnt them. Thugs. The koshchey’s.” “How many are
“How many are they?”they?”
“Who is supposed to count, Milord. The villages defend themselves, hold together. “Who is supposed to count, Milord. The villages defend themselves, hold together. And
And what’s it what’s it help help us us if if they rthey raid aid us us at at night night and and set set fire? fire? We We rather rather give give them what them what theythey demand. Then they say…” Topin blanched even further, began to
demand. Then they say…” Topin blanched even further, began to tremble violently.tremble violently. “What do they say,
“What do they say, Topin?”Topin?”
“They say that when the koshchey’s angry, he will
“They say that when the koshchey’s angry, he will descend from the pass, come todescend from the pass, come to us into the valleys.”
us into the valleys.” Visenna rose ab
Visenna rose abruptly, her face ruptly, her face had changedhad changed. Korin felt a shiver ru. Korin felt a shiver run down his spinen down his spine.. “Topin”, the sorceress said. “Where is the closest smithy? My horse lost a shoe on “Topin”, the sorceress said. “Where is the closest smithy? My horse lost a shoe on the road.”
the road.”
“A little ways behind the village, near
“A little ways behind the village, near the forest. There’s a smithy and a barn.”the forest. There’s a smithy and a barn.” “Good. Go now, and ask if anyone is sick or wounded.”
“Good. Go now, and ask if anyone is sick or wounded.” “Thank you, merciful
“Thank you, merciful benefactress.”benefactress.” “Visenna”, Korin said as soon as
“Visenna”, Korin said as soon as the door had closed behind Topin. The druid turnedthe door had closed behind Topin. The druid turned around and looked at him.
around and looked at him. “All of your
“All of your horse’s shoes are in perfect order.”horse’s shoes are in perfect order.” Visenna remaine
Visenna remained silent.d silent.
“Hornstone is obviously jasper, greenstone jadeite, for which the Amell’s mines are “Hornstone is obviously jasper, greenstone jadeite, for which the Amell’s mines are famous”, Korin continued. “And to get to the Amell,
famous”, Korin continued. “And to get to the Amell, you need to travel the Klamat, over theyou need to travel the Klamat, over the pass. The road with no return. What did the dead woman at the crossroads say? Why did pass. The road with no return. What did the dead woman at the crossroads say? Why did she want to kill me?”
she want to kill me?” Visenna didn’t an Visenna didn’t answer.swer.
“You’re silent? Never mind. It is all becoming clear so nicely. The wench at the “You’re silent? Never mind. It is all becoming clear so nicely. The wench at the crossroads was waiting for someone to stop at the stupid sign that forbids you to go east. crossroads was waiting for someone to stop at the stupid sign that forbids you to go east. That was th
That was the first test: if e first test: if the newcomthe newcomer can reader can read. Then th. Then the wench e wench verified again: whoverified again: who, if not, if not a good Samaritan from the Circle of druids, would help a hungry old woman these days? a good Samaritan from the Circle of druids, would help a hungry old woman these days? Everybody else, I bet, would’ve even taken the stick from her. So the cunning wench Everybody else, I bet, would’ve even taken the stick from her. So the cunning wench investigates further, starts talking of poor, unhappy people who need help. The traveler, investigates further, starts talking of poor, unhappy people who need help. The traveler, instead of thanking her with a kick and a curse, as any average resident of these parts instead of thanking her with a kick and a curse, as any average resident of these parts would, listens closely. Yes, the wench thinks, this is him. The druid who’s here to clear out would, listens closely. Yes, the wench thinks, this is him. The druid who’s here to clear out
the bandits terrorizing the neighborhood. And since she herself was
the bandits terrorizing the neighborhood. And since she herself was doubtlessly sent by saiddoubtlessly sent by said bandits, she draws a knife. Ha!
bandits, she draws a knife. Ha! Visenna! Am I not a paragon of Visenna! Am I not a paragon of intelligence?”intelligence?” Visenna didn’t answer. She stood facing the window. Outside she saw
Visenna didn’t answer. She stood facing the window. Outside she saw – the semi-– the semi-transparent membranes of air bladder were no obstacle to her sight – the bird with the transparent membranes of air bladder were no obstacle to her sight – the bird with the colorful plumage sitting in a small
colorful plumage sitting in a small cherry tree.cherry tree. “Visenna?”
“Visenna?” “Yes.” “Yes.” “What’s a
“What’s a koshchey?”koshchey?”
“Korin”, Visenna said sharply and turned to face him. “Why are you getting involved “Korin”, Visenna said sharply and turned to face him. “Why are you getting involved in matters which are none of your
in matters which are none of your concern?”concern?”
“Listen” – Korin didn’t care about her tone of voice -, “I am already, as you say, “Listen” – Korin didn’t care about her tone of voice -, “I am already, as you say, involved in your matters. As it
involved in your matters. As it turns out, I was to turns out, I was to be murdered in your stead.”be murdered in your stead.” “By chance.”
“By chance.”
“I thought sorceresses didn’t believe in chance, only in magical attraction, chain of “I thought sorceresses didn’t believe in chance, only in magical attraction, chain of events and such. Look, we’re sitting on the same horse. Literally
events and such. Look, we’re sitting on the same horse. Literally and figuratively. In short…and figuratively. In short… I offer you my help with the mission, whose purpose I can very well imagine. A refusal I will I offer you my help with the mission, whose purpose I can very well imagine. A refusal I will take as a sign of arrogance. They told me that you from the Circle look
take as a sign of arrogance. They told me that you from the Circle look down upon ordinarydown upon ordinary mortals.”
mortals.”
“That’s a lie.” “That’s a lie.”
“All the better.” Korin flashed his teeth. “So let’s not lose any time. Let’s ride to the “All the better.” Korin flashed his teeth. “So let’s not lose any time. Let’s ride to the smithy.”
smithy.”
IV IV
Nicholas grabbed the rod more tightly with the pliers and turned it in the embers. Nicholas grabbed the rod more tightly with the pliers and turned it in the embers. “Step on it, Bung!” he ordered.
“Step on it, Bung!” he ordered. The
The journeyman journeyman grabbed grabbed the the handle handle of of the the bellows. bellows. His His chubby chubby face face shone shone withwith sweat. In spite of the door being wide open, the smithy was unbearably hot. Nicholas lifted sweat. In spite of the door being wide open, the smithy was unbearably hot. Nicholas lifted the rod onto the anvil, flattened the end with a
the rod onto the anvil, flattened the end with a few mighty blows of his few mighty blows of his hammer.hammer. The whe
The wheelwright Radim, elwright Radim, sitting on sitting on a rough a rough block of birchblock of birchwood, was swewood, was sweating heaating heavilyvily as well. He unbuttoned his overall and pulled the shirt out of his pants. “It’s easy for you to as well. He unbuttoned his overall and pulled the shirt out of his pants. “It’s easy for you to say, Nicholas”, he said. “You know all about fighting. Everybody knows that you haven’t say, Nicholas”, he said. “You know all about fighting. Everybody knows that you haven’t
been standing in the smithy all your life. Back then, they say, you smashed heads instead been standing in the smithy all your life. Back then, they say, you smashed heads instead of iron.”
of iron.”
“Then be glad to have one like that on your side,” the smith responded. “I’m telling “Then be glad to have one like that on your side,” the smith responded. “I’m telling you again, I
you again, I will no will no longer crawl to longer crawl to them. Or slave away them. Or slave away for them. If for them. If you’re not coming withyou’re not coming with me, then I’ll go alone, or with anyone who has blood running in their veins, not small beer. me, then I’ll go alone, or with anyone who has blood running in their veins, not small beer. We will go into the woods and finish them off
We will go into the woods and finish them off one by one if we catch them. How many areone by one if we catch them. How many are they? Thirty? Perhaps not even that many. And how many villages are there on this side? they? Thirty? Perhaps not even that many. And how many villages are there on this side? Strong lads? Step on it, Bung!”
Strong lads? Step on it, Bung!” “I am!”
“I am!” “More!” “More!” The h
The hammer bammer beat theat the anvil e anvil rhythmically, rhythmically, almost mealmost melodically. Bulodically. Bung pulled ng pulled the bethe bellows.llows. Radim snorted into his hand and wiped it on the shaft of his boot. “Easy for you to Radim snorted into his hand and wiped it on the shaft of his boot. “Easy for you to say”, he repeated. “And how many will j
say”, he repeated. “And how many will join us from Key?”oin us from Key?” The smith lowered th
The smith lowered the hammer, remainee hammer, remained silent.d silent.
“That’s what I thought”, the wheelwright said. “Nobody will come.” “That’s what I thought”, the wheelwright said. “Nobody will come.” “Key is a small
“Key is a small village. You should have asked in Sill village. You should have asked in Sill and Stalk.”and Stalk.”
“I did. I told you how it is. Without warriors from Mayena, the people won’t move a “I did. I told you how it is. Without warriors from Mayena, the people won’t move a muscle. Some say: Those bobolaks and vrans, them we can take on one, two, three with muscle. Some say: Those bobolaks and vrans, them we can take on one, two, three with our pitchforks, but what do we do if the koshchey descends on us? Flee into the woods. our pitchforks, but what do we do if the koshchey descends on us? Flee into the woods. And the
And the huts, our huts, our belongings? We belongings? We can’t carry can’t carry them on them on our backs. our backs. And we And we are powerlessare powerless against the koshchey itself, you know that.”
against the koshchey itself, you know that.”
“How should I know? Has anybody seen it?” the smith yelled. “Maybe there is no “How should I know? Has anybody seen it?” the smith yelled. “Maybe there is no koshchey? Maybe they just want to
koshchey? Maybe they just want to scare you peasants? Has anybody seen it?”scare you peasants? Has anybody seen it?”
“Don’t talk, Nicholas.” Radim cocked his head. “You know that among the “Don’t talk, Nicholas.” Radim cocked his head. “You know that among the merchants’ escort there were veritable murde
merchants’ escort there were veritable murderers, hung with iron. And did rers, hung with iron. And did one of them returnone of them return from the pass? Not a single one. No, Nicholas. We must wait, I tell you. If the castellan of from the pass? Not a single one. No, Nicholas. We must wait, I tell you. If the castellan of Mayena sends help, then that’s a
Mayena sends help, then that’s a different story.”different story.”
Nicholas put down the hammer and placed the rod in the oven once more. Nicholas put down the hammer and placed the rod in the oven once more. “Mayena’s military will not come”, he said morosely. “The lords are squabbling among “Mayena’s military will not come”, he said morosely. “The lords are squabbling among themselves. Mayena against Raswan.”
themselves. Mayena against Raswan.” “Why?”
“Why?”
“Who understands the why and what for when the noble Lords are fighting? If you “Who understands the why and what for when the noble Lords are fighting? If you ask me – because of boredom, haughtiness!” the smith yelled. “I saw him, that castellan! ask me – because of boredom, haughtiness!” the smith yelled. “I saw him, that castellan! Why do we even p
Why do we even pay the bastard taxay the bastard taxes?”es?” He tore the rod from
He tore the rod from the embers so that the sparks flew and gesticulated wildly. Bungthe embers so that the sparks flew and gesticulated wildly. Bung jumped aside. Nicholas
jumped aside. Nicholas grabbed the hammer, grabbed the hammer, hit once, hit once, twice, thrice. twice, thrice. “When the castellan“When the castellan chased my boy off, I sent him to the Circle to ask for help. To the druids.”
chased my boy off, I sent him to the Circle to ask for help. To the druids.” “To the sorcerers?” the wheelwright asked
“To the sorcerers?” the wheelwright asked in disbelief. “Nicholas?”in disbelief. “Nicholas?” “To those. But the boy hasn’t come back yet.”
Radim shook his head, stood up and adjusted his pants. “I don’t know, Nicholas, I Radim shook his head, stood up and adjusted his pants. “I don’t know, Nicholas, I don’t know. That’s too much for me. But still it amounts to the same thing. We must wait. don’t know. That’s too much for me. But still it amounts to the same thing. We must wait. Finish your work, they will
Finish your work, they will come soon, I must…”come soon, I must…” In front of the smithy, a
In front of the smithy, a horse neighed.horse neighed. The smith froze, his
The smith froze, his hammer raised above the anvil. The wheelwright’s teeth beganhammer raised above the anvil. The wheelwright’s teeth began to chatter, he blanched. Nicholas noticed his hands shivering; he involuntarily wiped them to chatter, he blanched. Nicholas noticed his hands shivering; he involuntarily wiped them on his leather apron. It didn’t help. He swallowed and went to the door opening, from
on his leather apron. It didn’t help. He swallowed and went to the door opening, from whichwhich the silhouettes of riders could be seen. Radim
the silhouettes of riders could be seen. Radim and Bung followed, stayed very close behindand Bung followed, stayed very close behind him. As he went out,
him. As he went out, the smith leaned the rod against the wall next to the smith leaned the rod against the wall next to the door.the door.
He saw six figures, all on horseback, wearing leather-studded vests, hauberks, He saw six figures, all on horseback, wearing leather-studded vests, hauberks, leather helmets with nose protection made of steel which ran as a straight line of metal leather helmets with nose protection made of steel which ran as a straight line of metal between huge ruby eyes taking up half the face. They sat on their horses without moving, between huge ruby eyes taking up half the face. They sat on their horses without moving, as if careless. Nicholas, who let his gaze sweep from
as if careless. Nicholas, who let his gaze sweep from one to the other, saw their weapons:one to the other, saw their weapons: short spears with broad blades. Swords with strangely forged crossguards. Broadaxes. short spears with broad blades. Swords with strangely forged crossguards. Broadaxes. Serrated glaives.
Serrated glaives. Two
Two of tof them hem stood stood opposite opposite the the entrance. entrance. A taA tall vran ll vran on on a a gray gray mold, mold, wearing wearing a ca cloak,loak, a sun emble
a sun emblem on his hem on his helmet. lmet. And the othAnd the other…er…
“Mother”, Bung whispered behind the smith’s back. And started to sob. “Mother”, Bung whispered behind the smith’s back. And started to sob. The other rider wa
The other rider was a human. He wore s a human. He wore a dark vran cloak, bua dark vran cloak, but from behind tht from behind the beak-e beak-shaped helmet, pale blue eyes watched them, no red ones. In those eyes lay such cold, shaped helmet, pale blue eyes watched them, no red ones. In those eyes lay such cold, indifferent violence that Nicholas felt a terrible fear course through him, chilling his innards, indifferent violence that Nicholas felt a terrible fear course through him, chilling his innards, causing nausea, a tickling in his behind. It was still
causing nausea, a tickling in his behind. It was still quiet. The smith heard the flies hummingquiet. The smith heard the flies humming above the manure pile behind the
above the manure pile behind the fence.fence. The human with the beak-shaped he
The human with the beak-shaped helmet was the first to speak. “Who of lmet was the first to speak. “Who of you is theyou is the smith?”
smith?”
The question
The question was senseless, thwas senseless, the leather apron ae leather apron and his posture gand his posture gave away Nicholasve away Nicholas at first glance. The smith remained silent. From the corner of his eye he noticed the at first glance. The smith remained silent. From the corner of his eye he noticed the pale-eyed man making a small gesture to one of
eyed man making a small gesture to one of the vrans. The vran leaned forward in the saddlethe vrans. The vran leaned forward in the saddle and gave a wide swing of the glaive he was holding by the middle of
and gave a wide swing of the glaive he was holding by the middle of its shaft. Nicholas bent,its shaft. Nicholas bent, instinctively ducked and covered his head and shoulders. The blow, however, was not instinctively ducked and covered his head and shoulders. The blow, however, was not meant for him. The wi
meant for him. The wide blade hit Bung in de blade hit Bung in the neck and entered at an angle, the neck and entered at an angle, deep, shatteringdeep, shattering a collarbone and vertebra. The young man reeled backwards against the wall of the smithy, a collarbone and vertebra. The young man reeled backwards against the wall of the smithy, tumbled against the door post and dropped to the ground ri
tumbled against the door post and dropped to the ground right at the entrance.ght at the entrance.
“I asked you a question”, the man with the beak-shaped helmet reminded them “I asked you a question”, the man with the beak-shaped helmet reminded them without t
without taking his aking his eyes eyes off Nicholasoff Nicholas. His . His gloved hgloved hand touand touched ched the athe ax fastex fastened tned to the o the saddle.saddle. The
The vrans vrans standing standing the the farthest farthest away away lit a lit a fire, ignitefire, ignited links d links and and passed passed them them on ton to the o the others.others. Calmly, unhurriedly they surrounded the smithy, held
Calmly, unhurriedly they surrounded the smithy, held the torches to the the torches to the thatched roof.thatched roof. Radim could bear it no longer. He pressed his face into his hands, started to sob Radim could bear it no longer. He pressed his face into his hands, started to sob and ran straight ahead between two horses. When he was on the level of a tall vran, the and ran straight ahead between two horses. When he was on the level of a tall vran, the latter jauntily rammed a spear into his stomach. The wheelwright howled, fell, violently latter jauntily rammed a spear into his stomach. The wheelwright howled, fell, violently twitched twice and spread his legs. He moved no
twitched twice and spread his legs. He moved no more.more.
“So, what is it, Nicholas, or whatever you are called”, Pale-eyes said. “You alone “So, what is it, Nicholas, or whatever you are called”, Pale-eyes said. “You alone remain. And for what? To rally the people to the send help? And to think we would not l remain. And for what? To rally the people to the send help? And to think we would not l earnearn
of it? You are stupid. In the villages, there are those who denounce others to get in our good of it? You are stupid. In the villages, there are those who denounce others to get in our good books.”
books.”
The tha
The thatched roof tched roof of the of the smithy crasmithy crackled, crackedckled, cracked, emitted , emitted a yellowish a yellowish smoke, finallysmoke, finally flared up, blazed, blew sparks,
flared up, blazed, blew sparks, exuded a mighty stream of embers.exuded a mighty stream of embers.
“We caught your journeyman, he babbled about where you sent him. We are also “We caught your journeyman, he babbled about where you sent him. We are also waiting for
waiting for the one the one who is who is to come to come from from Mayena”, the Mayena”, the man with man with the beak-shaped helmetthe beak-shaped helmet continued. “Yes, Nicholas. You stuck your dirty nose where it doesn’t belong. For that you continued. “Yes, Nicholas. You stuck your dirty nose where it doesn’t belong. For that you will
will now have now have to to suffer severe suffer severe inconvenieninconveniences. I ces. I think it think it will will pay to pay to put you put you on the on the pole. pole. IsIs there a decent pole in this area? Or better yet: We hang you by your feet, in a barn door, there a decent pole in this area? Or better yet: We hang you by your feet, in a barn door, and peel off your skin like we would with an eel.”
and peel off your skin like we would with an eel.”
“Well, enough talk”, the tall vran with the sun on his helmet said while throwing his “Well, enough talk”, the tall vran with the sun on his helmet said while throwing his torch through the open door of the smithy. “Soon the whole village will gather here. Let’s torch through the open door of the smithy. “Soon the whole village will gather here. Let’s finish him, get the horses from the stables and ride off. Why does making others suffer finish him, get the horses from the stables and ride off. Why does making others suffer please you humans so? Especially when doing so needlessly? Go, finish him.”
please you humans so? Especially when doing so needlessly? Go, finish him.”
Pale-eyes didn’t turn to the vran. He bent forward in his saddle, ushered the horse Pale-eyes didn’t turn to the vran. He bent forward in his saddle, ushered the horse toward the smith. “Go inside”, he said. A lust for murder shone in his pale eyes. “Into the toward the smith. “Go inside”, he said. A lust for murder shone in his pale eyes. “Into the house. I don’t have the time to properly execute you. But I can at
house. I don’t have the time to properly execute you. But I can at least fry you.”least fry you.” Nicholas took a step back. On
Nicholas took a step back. On his back he felt the heat of his back he felt the heat of the burning smithy, insidethe burning smithy, inside which ceiling beams were cra
which ceiling beams were crashing thunderousshing thunderously to the floor. One more step. He stumblely to the floor. One more step. He stumbledd over Bung’s body and the rod, which the boy
over Bung’s body and the rod, which the boy had thrown over in his fall.had thrown over in his fall. The rod.
The rod. The
The smith smith bent bent over over fast fast as as lightning, lightning, took took hold hold of of the the heavy heavy iron iron and and withoutwithout straightening himself, from down low, rammed it into Pale-eyes’ chest with all the strength straightening himself, from down low, rammed it into Pale-eyes’ chest with all the strength his hatred gave him. The chisel-shaped tip penetrated the chain mail. Nicholas didn’t wait his hatred gave him. The chisel-shaped tip penetrated the chain mail. Nicholas didn’t wait for the man to fall off his horse. He ran across the yard. Behind him yelling, the stamping of for the man to fall off his horse. He ran across the yard. Behind him yelling, the stamping of hooves. He reached the woodshed, clutched the stake leaning against the wall with his hooves. He reached the woodshed, clutched the stake leaning against the wall with his fingers and hit immediately, in mid-spin, blindly. The blow
fingers and hit immediately, in mid-spin, blindly. The blow struck the muzzle of the gray moldstruck the muzzle of the gray mold with the green covering.
with the green covering. The horse reared, bucked off The horse reared, bucked off the vran with the the vran with the sun on his sun on his helmethelmet and sent him into the dust of the yard. Nicholas ducked, a short spear shot into the wall of and sent him into the dust of the yard. Nicholas ducked, a short spear shot into the wall of the shed, became stuck, quivering. A second vran drew his sword and spurred his horse the shed, became stuck, quivering. A second vran drew his sword and spurred his horse to evade the whistling stroke of the stake. Three others galloped closer, yelled, wildly to evade the whistling stroke of the stake. Three others galloped closer, yelled, wildly gesticulated with their weapons. Nicholas groaned, while he defended himself with the gesticulated with their weapons. Nicholas groaned, while he defended himself with the heavy wood. He hit something, another horse, which neighed and started to dance on its heavy wood. He hit something, another horse, which neighed and started to dance on its hind legs. The vran remained in the saddle.
hind legs. The vran remained in the saddle.
Over the fence, from the direction of the forest, hurtled a horse, clashed with the gray Over the fence, from the direction of the forest, hurtled a horse, clashed with the gray mold with the green covering. The gray balked, tore at the reins, toppled the tall vran who mold with the green covering. The gray balked, tore at the reins, toppled the tall vran who was trying
was trying to get to get back into back into the saddle. the saddle. Nicholas couldn’t believe Nicholas couldn’t believe his eyes his eyes as he as he saw howsaw how the newly arrived rider split into two – a weakling in a hood who leaned over the horse’s the newly arrived rider split into two – a weakling in a hood who leaned over the horse’s neck, and a fair-haired man with a sword, who sat in the back.
neck, and a fair-haired man with a sword, who sat in the back. The
The long long narrow narrow blade blade drew drew two two semi-circles, semi-circles, two two thunderbolts. thunderbolts. Two Two vrans vrans werewere blown from their saddles, they tumbled to the ground, veiled in clouds of dust. The third, blown from their saddles, they tumbled to the ground, veiled in clouds of dust. The third, who h
who had almad almost maost made it de it to thto the woode woodshed, shed, turned turned to thto the pee peculiar culiar pair anpair and took d took a tha thrust rust underunder the beard, barely above the steel chest plate. The blade gl
for a moment. The fair-haired man slid off his horse and ran across the yard to get the tall for a moment. The fair-haired man slid off his horse and ran across the yard to get the tall vran off his horse. The vra
vran off his horse. The vran drew the blade.n drew the blade.
In the middle of the yard, the fifth vran was trying to regain control over his dancing In the middle of the yard, the fifth vran was trying to regain control over his dancing horse, which balked at the burning smithy. His broadax raised, he looked
horse, which balked at the burning smithy. His broadax raised, he looked around, hesitated.around, hesitated. Finally, he yelled, spurred the horse and r
Finally, he yelled, spurred the horse and rushed toward the weakling clinging to the horse’sushed toward the weakling clinging to the horse’s neck. Nicholas watched as the small one threw back his hood and tore a band from his neck. Nicholas watched as the small one threw back his hood and tore a band from his forehead, and he realized how deeply he had erred. The girl shook her strawberry blond forehead, and he realized how deeply he had erred. The girl shook her strawberry blond shock of hair and yelled something incomprehensible, while stretching her hands out shock of hair and yelled something incomprehensible, while stretching her hands out towards the vran. A thin thread of light, bright as quicksilver, sprang from her fingers. The towards the vran. A thin thread of light, bright as quicksilver, sprang from her fingers. The vran was hurled from the saddle in a
vran was hurled from the saddle in a high arc and crashed into the sand. His clothes werehigh arc and crashed into the sand. His clothes were smoldering. The horse, hitting the ground with all
smoldering. The horse, hitting the ground with all four hooves, neighed, threw its head backfour hooves, neighed, threw its head back and forth.
and forth. The t
The tall vran all vran with the with the sun on sun on his helmehis helmet slowly t slowly backed backed away from away from the fair-hathe fair-haired manired man,, towards the burning shed, ducking, both hands – a sword in his right – stretched forward. towards the burning shed, ducking, both hands – a sword in his right – stretched forward. The fair-haired one jumped forward, they exchange a few blows. The vran’s sword fl
The fair-haired one jumped forward, they exchange a few blows. The vran’s sword fl ew offew off to the side, yet he himself was
to the side, yet he himself was stuck on the blade that had impaled him. The fair-haired manstuck on the blade that had impaled him. The fair-haired man stepped back, removed the sword with a quick jerk. The vran fell onto his knees, toppled stepped back, removed the sword with a quick jerk. The vran fell onto his knees, toppled over, his face in the sand.
over, his face in the sand. The rider who
The rider who had been thrown from had been thrown from his saddle by his saddle by the strawberry-blonde’s flashesthe strawberry-blonde’s flashes got up on all fours, groping around for
got up on all fours, groping around for a weapon. Nicholas had recovered from the surprise;a weapon. Nicholas had recovered from the surprise; he took two steps, picked up the stake and let it crash down onto the neck of the fallen he took two steps, picked up the stake and let it crash down onto the neck of the fallen one. Bones cracked.
one. Bones cracked.
“That was not necessary”, he heard somebody say right beside him. “That was not necessary”, he heard somebody say right beside him. The girl
The girl in the man’s clothing in the man’s clothing had freckles and green had freckles and green eyes. On her eyes. On her forehead shoneforehead shone a strange jewel.
a strange jewel.
“That was not necessary”, she repeated. “That was not necessary”, she repeated.
“My lady…”, the smith began to stammer and held his rod like a guardsman would “My lady…”, the smith began to stammer and held his rod like a guardsman would his halberd. “They… burned the smithy. Beat the boy to
his halberd. “They… burned the smithy. Beat the boy to death. And Radim. Beaten to death,death. And Radim. Beaten to death, those murderers. My lady…”
those murderers. My lady…” The
The fair-haired fair-haired man man used used his his foot foot to to turn turn over over the the body body of of the the tall tall vran, vran, inspectedinspected him, then came closer and sheathed his sword.
him, then came closer and sheathed his sword.
“Well, Visenna”, he said. “Now I’ve gotten involved quite a bit. The only thing that “Well, Visenna”, he said. “Now I’ve gotten involved quite a bit. The only thing that makes me uneasy is whether I took down
makes me uneasy is whether I took down the right people.”the right people.” Visenna raised he
Visenna raised her eyes. “You’re the sr eyes. “You’re the smith, Nicholas?”, she amith, Nicholas?”, she asked.sked. “Yes. And you, Masters, are from
“Yes. And you, Masters, are from the Circle of Druids? From Mayena?”the Circle of Druids? From Mayena?” Visenna didn’t
Visenna didn’t answer. answer. She looked She looked toward toward the edge the edge of of the forest, the forest, at at the the crowd crowd ofof people hurrying closer.
people hurrying closer.
“Those are our people”, the smith explained. “From Key.” “Those are our people”, the smith explained. “From Key.”
V V
“We got three!” boasted the black-bearded leader of the group from Sill
“We got three!” boasted the black-bearded leader of the group from Sill and shookand shook the scythe set straight onto the shaft. “Three, Nicholas! They pursued the girls into the the scythe set straight onto the shaft. “Three, Nicholas! They pursued the girls into the fields, and there, we… One of them managed to get
fields, and there, we… One of them managed to get away, reached a horse, thataway, reached a horse, that whoreson!”
whoreson!”
His people, crowded around the circle of
His people, crowded around the circle of campfires in the clearing, which studdedcampfires in the clearing, which studded the sable night sky with spots of
the sable night sky with spots of flying embers, yelled, clamored, shook their weapons.flying embers, yelled, clamored, shook their weapons. Nicholas raised both his hands, demanded quiet to be able to
Nicholas raised both his hands, demanded quiet to be able to hear the ensuing reports.hear the ensuing reports. “Four came riding to us l
“Four came riding to us last night”, said the old, bony sheriff ast night”, said the old, bony sheriff of Stalk. “Whatever.of Stalk. “Whatever. Someone must have spilled that I’m involved with you, smith. I barely made it
Someone must have spilled that I’m involved with you, smith. I barely made it onto theonto the drying loft of the barn,
drying loft of the barn, pulled up the ladder, fork pulled up the ladder, fork in hand, ‘come’, I yell, ‘scoundrels, whoin hand, ‘come’, I yell, ‘scoundrels, who wants some’, I yell. The
wants some’, I yell. They were about to set fire to ty were about to set fire to the barn, that would hahe barn, that would have been the eve been the endnd of me, but our
of me, but our people didn’t stand by and watch, they all pounced on them. They hadpeople didn’t stand by and watch, they all pounced on them. They had horses, managed to cut through. Some of ours fell,
horses, managed to cut through. Some of ours fell, but we pulled one of them from but we pulled one of them from hishis saddle.”
saddle.”
“Does he live?” Nicholas inquired. “I told you to
“Does he live?” Nicholas inquired. “I told you to catch one alive.”catch one alive.” “Well.” The thin one waved dismissively. “
“Well.” The thin one waved dismissively. “That That we didn’t manage. The wenches we didn’t manage. The wenches
used boiling water, they got to
used boiling water, they got to him first…”him first…”
“I’ve always said they’ve got hot wenches in Stalk”, the smith murmured and “I’ve always said they’ve got hot wenches in Stalk”, the smith murmured and scratched the back of his neck. “And the snitch?”
scratched the back of his neck. “And the snitch?”
“Found him”, the bony man said briefly, without getting lost
“Found him”, the bony man said briefly, without getting lost in detail.in detail. “Good. And now, people, listen. We already know
“Good. And now, people, listen. We already know where they are. At thewhere they are. At the mountainside, next to the shepherds’ huts, there are
mountainside, next to the shepherds’ huts, there are caves in the rock. caves in the rock. That’s where theThat’s where the bandits have holed up, and that’s where we will
bandits have holed up, and that’s where we will catch them. We’ll take hay andcatch them. We’ll take hay and brushwood on the carts, smoke them out like
brushwood on the carts, smoke them out like badgers. We’ll block the way with an abatesbadgers. We’ll block the way with an abates so they don’t escape. That’s what I’ve consulted about with this knight here by the name so they don’t escape. That’s what I’ve consulted about with this knight here by the name of Korin. And I myself, as you are aware, do know a li
of Korin. And I myself, as you are aware, do know a little something about fightinttle something about fighting as well.g as well. During the war I went against the
During the war I went against the vrans with General Grosim, before I settled down in vrans with General Grosim, before I settled down in Key.”Key.” From among the crowd warlike cries
From among the crowd warlike cries rang once more, but were swiftly quieted byrang once more, but were swiftly quieted by words which spoken lowly and in
words which spoken lowly and insecurely at first. Thesecurely at first. Then became louden became louder. Finally, silence fell.r. Finally, silence fell. Visenna steppe
Visenna stepped from behind Nicholas’ d from behind Nicholas’ back and stood nexback and stood next to the smith. She dt to the smith. She didid not even reach his shoulder. The crowd began to murmur.
not even reach his shoulder. The crowd began to murmur.
Nicholas again raised both hands. “The time has come”, he called, “that I no
Nicholas again raised both hands. “The time has come”, he called, “that I no longerlonger want to conceal th
want to conceal that I have asked for heat I have asked for help from the Circle of Druids since tlp from the Circle of Druids since the castellan ofhe castellan of Mayena would not supply it. I know
Mayena would not supply it. I know very well that some of you very well that some of you eye me curiously becauseeye me curiously because of that.”
of that.”
The crowd slowly turned
The crowd slowly turned quieter, but was still in motion, whispquieter, but was still in motion, whispering.ering. “This here is Lady Visenna”, Nicholas said slowly.
“This here is Lady Visenna”, Nicholas said slowly. “From the Mayena Circle. She“From the Mayena Circle. She answered our call for help.
answered our call for help. Those from Key are already acquainted with her, there sheThose from Key are already acquainted with her, there she healed people, restored their health with her powers. Yes, men. She is
