Kingdoms of Caelum; Autumn of the War Queen

Chapter 41

Quickly they purchased as much salted meats and fresh fruits as they could carry, before slipping nervously out of the coliseum. Their eyes were locked on every passer by, searching for the reds of Roskilde; Bane's fingers twitched, longing to grab his battle axe and hack his way out if needed. As they reached the horses and made ready to leave, Katla couldn't help feeling heavy hearted. Piat was now only somebody she once knew, and Ragan seemed to be weaving a web that didn't make sense to her, although she knew one thing: that he had covered up his murderous actions and treason well enough to fool even the people that had been closest to her. Amya, she thought, Amya must know it all wasn't true. She shut her eyes fighting back tears. She never even asked how Amya was.

"The stallion needs a new shoe," Bane called breaking her thoughts as he inspected the horses. "He won't get far."

"Have we time to take him to a smith?"

Katla looked around for the closest smithy tent; there were plenty of them about.

"No," said Bane, "South of here there is a village, if we are steady he will make it before nightfall, then we must continue towards the Port of Hope. It is not safe for you now, and it seems Lofaid has some part to play in Ragan's game, so we can not return to Fortis. Lubon would never see one of his Black Sabbath's used in such a casual way."

"How will we get into the Port of Hope? I've heard its walls are as thick as the ocean, guarded by the Sultan's assassins."

Bane grinned, but had no answer for her, "I have heard that too."

In all respects, Katla should have felt afraid, especially now she knew both Ragan and the Rakshashas would be hunting her, but instead she felt a strange calm knowing that Bane was on her side, when she had no one else. He was now here, and by the Six Kings, she wouldn't have it any other way.

The journey to the village was slow and quiet. It seemed the call of the Lunar Agora had caused most of the farms and mills they passed to be temporarily abandoned. The scenery also began to change too, as the valleys gradually flattened into the land, and wide plains now fell before them. It was a pleasant ride, criss-crossing over little streams and fields of honey coloured barley and wheat. They guided the horses through meadows of cattle and sheep that grazed peacefully in the afternoon sun, and every few miles they would come across a small cluster of woodland where the trees would rattle their yellow autumn leaves in the mild breeze. Katla decided she liked Baradonia, it seemed more peaceful than anywhere she had yet ventured.

"Perhaps one day I will be a miller's wife," she thought aloud as they came across a farmhouse, a white mill stood proudly by its side. Again it was empty except for a faithful sheepdog that barked from the yard as they rode on.

"That would please you?" Bane asked, looking across the fields.

"Perhaps," she replied, "Have you no dreams Bane?"

He was quiet for a moment and then smiled.

"Perhaps."

They rode until the sun had turned crimson, and it was setting in the west before they came upon the village. It was a large place, still very much awake and host to several inns, taverns and trading merchants. They stopped outside an inn called 'The Barley Wheel' and much laughter and singing came from inside. Dismounting, they passed the reigns to a young stable hand.

"The stallion needs a shoe boy," Bane said flipping him a sliver coin.

The boy grinned and nodded as he took the horses away. Katla looked up at Bane and drew a deep breath, feeling the weight of her bow and quiver on her back, this could turn out fine or ugly; one thing she had learnt was that strangers were dangerous, until they were no longer strangers. She pulled over her hood and Bane gave a small, silent nod as they made their way inside. As predicted, the music and laughter stopped. All eyes fell upon the large warrior and his red hooded sidekick.

"We don't want any trouble," Bane said as his axe hand twitched. The men all stayed silent, staring until the inn keeper stepped forward.

"What do you want?"

"A room," Bane answered, and threw him a pouch of coins. The inn keeper nodded.

"Okay, I guess I must say welcome then!" He smiled, but it was a smile that was cut short, a smile that turned quickly to horror as a blood curdling scream echoed in the street outside.

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES. RAKSHASHAS!"

The whole tavern burst into frantic movement, yells and shouts. Men scrambled and pushed their way towards the door as tankards were spilt and tables were flipped in panic. Bane grabbed Katla by the arm and dragged her behind the bar, placing a finger on his lips just as they heard the spine chilling singsong voice of Gazena enter the inn.

"So dramatic!" she exclaimed as the men still left inside dropped to their knees in fear.

"Leave, all of you, except you," she said to the inn keeper. Bane and Katla could only listen to his sobs of terror and the scurry of movement, as the last of the men bolted out of the door.

"I want all your rooms. One for me and Shart, and the rest for my slaves, I only have twenty four so far, it was slim pickings, but tomorrow we return with another fifteen or so. They will sleep on the floors if they have to."

"Of course, on the house your grace," he squirmed.

"How very kind," she mocked.

Shart who was still in tiger form gave a low growl.

"Yes, I feel it too Shart, it will reveal itself eventually but let us get our little prizes settled in first."

There was another flurry of noise and then silence, as the voice of Gazena trailed back outside to address her slaves. Bane leapt up and saw the inn keeper shaking where he stood.

"Another way out?" Bane shouted urgently.

The bald headed inn keeper turned slowly with the solemn face of a condemned man as he pointed behind him.

"Thank you, may the Six Kings bless you."

Bane grabbed Katla again and they quickly made their way through the empty tavern, out of the back door. Darkness had fallen upon the village now and it was easy to slip between the shadows. Katla's heart pounded with a sickly beat as Bane guided them. Up they went through the village, until they came across a blacksmiths shed that had no doors. Wrought iron tools hung around the centre anvil and a large shaggy looking dog lay upon straw; it was asleep and guarding the smith's trade. Bane drew his knife silently, but the movement was enough to wake the dog who bared a set of threatening teeth.

"Don't kill it Bane!" Katla pleaded.

"Do you want to live?" Bane snapped, "The Blood Stone has led the Rakshasha here; they know we are here and we need to hide."

He crept up to the dog that stood growling, it was ready to pounce as was Bane. Bane placed the knife between his teeth, lost in the lust of a kill. He moved one foot forward, the dog leapt for him snarling, and snapping in mid air. But Bane was a professional hunter. He wrestled with the animal keeping its jaws away from his face until he managed to grab its throat and there he held it dangling off the ground while it yelped and whined. He took the knife from his mouth with his free hand, ready to strike.

"Bane?" said Katla softly.

He looked at her and hesitated, and then at the dog. The moment was over and he dropped it. It yelped again hitting the floor, and did not delay in vacating its post. Kalta let out a thankful sigh.

"Thank you."

Bane said nothing and slung his battle axe into the straw.

"Why here?" she asked, walking into the cramped shed.

"Rakshasha are dark creatures. Masters of illusion, and she is intent on getting your Blood Stone. She knows we are in this village, and she will plan to seek us out. From here I can see the Inn." He pointed further up the cobbled pathway, "I will not take my eyes off it."

Katla slumped into a corner yawning "Will you sleep?"

"I will not."