Dragonvein (14 page)

Chapter Ten

E
than woke just
as dawn was breaking; both his blanket and hair were soaked from the heavy morning dew. With the fire completely burned out and a soft westerly breeze blowing, he shivered while hurrying to pack his gear.

To his relief, Jonas looked somewhat healthier, though still quite pale. He was coughing less frequently and his hands had stopped their constant trembling.

“My two companions won’t be joining us at the lodge,” announced Jeb.

“Why not?” asked Markus.

“The job we’ve been hired for will take a few days of scouting first,” he explained. “They want to go on ahead and get it done. I’ll meet them there after I’ve shown you the way.”

He moved to join his comrades who were standing just out of earshot. They spoke to Jeb for a few minutes before departing.

“I don’t like it,” said Markus. “They could bring soldiers.”

“Jeb’s a good man,” objected Kat. “He wouldn’t do that.”

Markus regarded her and shook his head. “You’re too trusting.”

“I’d trust him before I’d trust you,” she snapped back.

Jonas hobbled up and rested his arm on Kat’s shoulder. “This time I agree with Markus. It would be far too easy for them to betray us. They already suspect that we’re on the run. What’s to stop them from trying to collect a bounty?”

Kat stamped her foot. “I’m telling you that Jeb wouldn’t do that.”

“I don’t think we have any choice but to trust him,” Ethan chipped in. He ran a concerned gaze over Jonas. “If you don’t get a few days’ rest you’re only going to get sicker.”

“Are you ready?” Jeb called over.

Ethan waved. “We’re ready.”

“No one wants to listen to me, but this is a bad idea,” complained Markus.

Jeb shot him a sharp glance - a sure sign that he had heard this remark - but made no response before setting off in an easterly direction.

By midday the forest had become much thicker, slowing their pace considerably. Markus kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, his hand never far from the hilt of his sword. Kat stayed close to Jonas, catching his arm on numerous occasions to save him from losing his footing. The exertion was clearly taking a heavy toll on the old man. By the time they halted for a quick meal of fruit and jerky, the frequency of his coughing had dramatically increased once again and his face was virtually devoid of any color whatsoever.

When they finally arrived at their destination, Jonas was on the verge of collapse. In spite of the heat of the day, his entire body was shivering violently, and regular coughing fits had him doubling over and gasping for air. It was only with both Ethan and Kat supporting him that he was able to keep moving over the final few yards.

The lodge turned out to be little more than a dilapidated wood shack with a stone chimney and a narrow covered porch spanning the front. But at least the chimney gave the promise of a warm fire and a hot meal.

Jeb gestured for everyone to wait before approaching the door alone. After listening for a few moments he gave a satisfied nod and called the others over.

“We’ll be on our own for a while,” he said. “I don’t think any of my clansmen will be coming this way soon.”

The inside was considerably more accommodating than the exterior suggested. Light poured in from the front windows, revealing a sturdy dining table in front of an unlit hearth. An iron stove was at the far end next to an open door that led through to a dark hallway. On the right was an open area with several comfortable looking chairs around four small, round tables. The walls were bare aside from a few bows and full quivers hanging between the two front windows.

Jeb quickly set to lighting lanterns, one of which he gave to Ethan. While checking the cupboards, he pointed to the darkened hallway. “There are beds in the back.”

Ethan helped Jonas through to the first room along. It was furnished with a small dresser and two beds set on opposite walls. Ethan took Jonas’ pack and placed it on the floor beside him while he struggled out of his clothing.

“I’ll be fine,” Jonas said as he dropped onto the bed. “Just tired…just…just need to lay here for a while.” His eyes grew heavy and within moments he slipped into unconsciousness.

Ethan pulled the blanket over the old man’s chest before returning to the others. Jeb was already getting the fire started, while Kat and Markus waited patiently at the table.

“I have some pork for tonight,” Jeb said. “But if you want meat after that, you’ll need to go hunting.” He gestured to the bows on the wall.

“We don’t intend to stay for long,” said Markus. “As soon as Jonas is able, we’ll be off.”

Jeb nodded. “I understand. But he seems very ill. It may be a few days at least.”

“I can hunt,” announced Kat, proudly. “My fath…” She bit her lip. “I mean, I learned when I was a small girl. I can set traps and snares too.”

“You’re
still
a small girl,” teased Jeb. “What are you going to hunt for? Mice?”

Kat pretended to be offended by glaring at him and folding her arms tightly across her chest.

“I’ll hunt if the need arises,” said Markus.

“I’ll help,” added Ethan.

Markus let out a good-natured laugh. “You? You’re about as quiet as a thunderstorm. How the Krauts never…”

His voice trailed off. Both Kat and Jeb were looking confused by the unfamiliar reference. Markus’ face hardened. “Anyway, I’ll go alone if we need anything.”

It wasn’t long before the fire was burning and the lodge was filled with the smell of roasting pork. After they ate, Ethan went to check on Jonas. Sweat was beading on the old man’s brow and he had kicked off his blanket.

Kat joined him a minute later. “Where are you really from?” she asked.

Ethan regarded her steadily. “I’ll tell you, if you tell me. I heard you almost mention your father. Don’t you still have family?”

Kat ignored the question. “You and Markus sound like you’ve known each other for a long time. And you say things that…well…they just don’t make sense. What are Krauts? And what did you do to him that made him so angry at you?”

She waited for a reply, but Ethan just continued to stare at her. Eventually, she sighed. “If you must know, I ran away from home three years ago before my father could send me away.”

“Why would he do that?”

Kat shook her head and wagged her finger. “No, no. I told
you
something. Now you tell
me
something. That’s how this works.”

Ethan considered his next words carefully. “Okay. I come from a place that’s very far from here. Markus is angry because it’s my fault he’s here instead of back there.”

“Your fault?” she repeated. “How could it be your fault?”

He wagged his finger, mirroring her gesture. “Like you said – that’s not how this works.”

Jonas moaned loudly, capturing their attention and driving other thoughts aside.

Kat placed a hand on his forehead. “He’s burning up.” Her voice was filled with concern. “I’ll get some water and rags.”

Ethan hurriedly grabbed a stool from the corner and pulled it beside the bed. The old man’s head was thrashing wildly from side to side, flinging droplets of sweat in all directions.

“I’m sorry, My Lord,” he groaned. “I’m sorry. I should have never…I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

Witnessing such fevered rambling was not a new experience for Ethan. When he was a boy he had watched his mother nurse one of their neighbor’s children through scarlet fever. The poor girl had called for her father over and over, crying out that she was all alone, even though in truth her father had never once left her side. After recovering, she had no memory whatsoever of this.

“It’s all right,” Ethan said in a soothing tone. He wiped the sweat from Jonas’ brow with his sleeve. “I forgive you.”

“I’m sorr…I…I didn’t…” His voice faded into soft, incoherent mumblings.

A short while later Kat returned with a bowl of water and a rag.

“I’ll tend to him tonight,” she said.

Ethan got up and returned to the dining room. Markus was sipping on a cup of wine and staring into the fire. Through the window he could see Jeb sitting on the porch, oiling his sword.

“What will you do if he dies?” Markus asked.

Ethan took a seat. “I don’t know. I guess I should continue on to the mountains. What else can I do?”

Markus turned away from the fire and cocked his head. “My days with the Hareesh are over. If he dies, you should come with me to Al-Theona.”

“And do what?”

Markus paused. “You’re going to have to learn to get by in this world somehow.” He drained his cup. “But I suppose a boy scout like you wouldn’t be interested in the life I have to offer.”

“That depends,” said Ethan.

As he spoke, he saw Jeb rise from his chair and sheath his sword. A moment later the thief walked in the door. “I’ll be leaving in the morning,” he told them.

He reached in his pocket and tossed Ethan a round wooden token with the image of a snake engraved on either side. “If any of the Corvali show up after I’m gone, show that to them. They’ll leave you in peace.”

Ethan nodded his thanks and shoved it in his pocket. Jeb moved on down the hall and into one of the bedrooms.

“You should get some rest,” Markus said.

“What about you?”

“I think I’ll keep watch for a while,” he replied. “You never know who might be lurking about.”

Ethan looked in on Jonas just before going to find a room. Kat was still sitting at his bedside holding a damp cloth on his forehead. A little of his color had returned and he had stopped moaning.

“His fever is going down,” she told him. “I think he’ll be all right.”

“You should rest,” Ethan suggested.

“I will,” she replied. “In a while.”

He shook his head, marveling how at Kat could transform from a small girl into a streetwise thief, then in an instant, to a caring mother. “Wake me if you need anything,” he told her before leaving.

After finding an empty bed two doors along, he lay down straight away. Sleep came rapidly. The stress of the day had him drifting into a dreamless slumber within seconds of his head touching the pillow.

The next morning he woke to the clatter of pots and the smell of porridge. Even though his muscles still ached, he stretched and got up almost immediately.

In the dining room he was amazed to see it was Jonas busy preparing the breakfast. Kat was at the table blowing the steam from a cup of what smelled like hot tea, while Markus was sitting beside the window staring intently into the surrounding forest.

“Looks like you’re feeling better?” Ethan remarked.

Jonas glanced up and sat a bowl on the table for him. “I’m stronger than I look. And Kat is an excellent nurse.”

She smiled weakly at the compliment and took a cautious sip from her cup.

“Is Jeb gone?” he asked.

Jonas nodded. “Yes. And we should be going as soon as possible too.”

Ethan sat down in front of the bowl. After eating, he began to gather his things.

“Are you sure you can travel?” he asked, tossing his pack near the door.

“The question is, can you fight,” snapped Markus before Jonas had time to reply. Leaping up from his chair, he drew his sword. “It seems that you were wrong about your friend, Kat.”

She tossed her cup aside and raced to the window, Ethan and Jonas on her heels. At the point where the trees became dense they spotted four men in the same Imperial uniforms as the soldiers they had encountered in Miltino. Two of these were holding vicious looking broadswords, and the other pair, longbows.

“What should we do?” asked Jonas, fear seeping into his voice.

“Nothing,” Markus replied. “There’s a rear exit, but it’s likely being watched.” He cast an accusing look at Kat. “I guess we know now why Jeb was in such a hurry to leave.”

Her face was red with fury. “I’ll kill him. I swear it.”

“We have to get the hell out of here first,” Markus pointed out caustically.

From the thick of the foliage, a fifth man appeared. He was dressed in black leathers and wore a cloth cap. His keen eyes shifted from side to side as he indicated to the others the positions they should take.

“A bloody Grendil,” spat Markus.

“A what?” asked Ethan.

“An Imperial tracker,” he replied. “I’ve dealt with them before. Mean bastards. And good at what they do.”

The Grendil took a few long strides toward the house. His voice carried clearly. “Throw down your arms and come out.”

While the other three looked at one another with uncertainty, Markus reacted quickly by taking down a bow and quiver from the wall. “I don’t suppose any of you are good with one of these?” he asked.

His question was met by silence. Grumbling, he notched an arrow and peered out of the window.

“I’ll ask you only once more,” shouted the Grendil. “Come out…now.”

Markus crept to the door, motioning for Ethan to follow. “Open it on three,” he instructed.

Ethan nodded and reached for the handle. Drawing back the bowstring, Markus silently mouthed,
one
…
two
…
three
.

The instant the door flew open, Markus jumped out onto the porch and let fly his arrow. The deadly missile streaked toward the Grendil, but it was a hurried shot and Markus’ aim was slightly off. The arrow thudded into a tree just to the Grendil’s left. With rage on his face, he moved quickly back.

“Burn it!” roared the Grendil. “Burn the place to the ground.”

“That was your plan?” Jonas chided as Markus jumped back inside and the door slammed.

He shrugged and tossed the bow on the floor. “I didn’t hear you suggest anything.”

“So what now?” Ethan asked. His fear was tempered by his training and battle experience.

Markus drew his sword. “We die by fire…or by blade.”

Kat was trembling and clutching at Jonas’ sleeve. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and did his best to give her a reassuring smile.

Two or three tense minutes passed without anything happening. Then they heard three loud thumps sound on the roof. A second later the window shattered as two blazing torches were heaved inside. Ethan scrambled to pick them up, but the ends were covered in an oily, tar-like substance that left a trail of flame as it rolled across the floor.