Bladvaneer Read online

  “Look, we need to get to Lakron Island. It’s a matter of life and death. Everyone’s life and death, actually,” Klavin said.

  “Lakron Island you say?” The Beard asked, stroking his non-existent beard. Klavin couldn’t help but stare as he did it. “That could be tough ...”

  Simko looked at Klavin, who nodded and pulled a bag from his belt. He counted out a few gold pieces and put them on the table.

  “What’s that for?” The Beard asked.

  “We know how it works. We’ve done this before,” Simko lied.

  “Ah, I see. You think I was hinting for a bribe. And you didn’t consider that maybe I was simply stating the fact that getting to that island could be tough?”

  “Er …,” Simko stammered.

  The Beard grinned. “I like you two. I honestly do. I get … visited by people on a regular basis, and I’m generally willing to work with most of them, but very few do I actually like.”

  “Thank you,” Klavin responded, thinking he should say something.

  “Do you know what’s on Lakron Island?” The Beard asked, scanning both their faces. Before either could answer, he added, “Not that it matters. No matter what you know, you’ll never get there by conventional means. That doesn’t mean there aren’t unconventional ways to get there, though.”

  “So how do we do it?” Klavin asked.

  “You’ve probably heard that I tend to pick up facts here and there. Some of the facts may be absolutely useless to almost everyone I could ever meet, while for a few others they may be worth all the gold in the world. That, by the way, also was not a hint for a bribe,” he added, as he saw Klavin instinctively reach for the bag again. “For example, most people couldn’t care less that there’s a boat that regularly visits that island to deliver supplies. Why would they? Most people don’t even care that the island exists. Even fewer care that there’s a backup plan for those times of the year when the seas are battered with storms and a boat wouldn’t be able to get through.”

  “A backup plan?” Simko asked.

  “Yes, a backup plan. One that wouldn’t depend on an uncooperative sea. Would you like to know what it is?

  “Of course!” Klavin answered.

  “There’s a price.”

  “There always is,” Klavin commented, reaching once again for the bag.

  “That’s not it,” The Beard said, smiling. “However, I won’t tell you the price until after you agree to pay it.”

  “That’s crazy! We could be agreeing to anything!” Simko exclaimed.

  “I thought you wanted to keep this thing private,” The Beard said calmly.

  “We’ll agree to it,” Klavin said.

  “You can’t do that. Who knows what he wants?”

  “And we don’t have a choice. We need to get to that island, and we don’t have the time to find someone else who might know how to get there.”

  “So we have a deal? Good. You two need to head back into the Endless Forest,” and Klavin and Simko quickly exchanged glances, wondering how The Beard knew that’s where they just came from, “and find a certain cave. That will get you where you need to go.”

  “Wait, does the cave go under the sea or something like that?” Simko asked.

  “No.”

  “So how does it get us there?” Klavin asked.

  “It just does.”

  The four people sat in silence for several moments. Finally, Klavin decided to ask what suddenly seemed like an obvious question.

  “The forest is huge. How are we supposed to find this cave?”

  “My daughter will take you there.”

  Klavin and Simko looked at Maurya, suddenly reminded that she was even there. She had remained silent through this entire exchange. They didn’t even know what her voice sounded like.

  “Very well, so you can get us led to the cave that will bring us to Lakron Island. You’ve kept up your end of the bargain, and now we’ll keep up ours. Name your price,” Klavin said, and braced himself for the answer.

  “You’ve already heard it.”

  “I’m sorry?” Klavin asked.

  “My daughter is going with you. That’s the price.”

  “The price is she’s going with us to the cave?” Klavin asked for clarification.

  “No. She’s going wherever you’re going. No matter where, and no matter what you’re doing.”

  Klavin and Simko both looked at the attractive Maurya. Admittedly, there were far worse people they could be ordered to spend the next several days with, but those thoughts didn’t seem appropriate considering what was at stake.

  “Now wait a minute. I know he … we agreed to whatever price you named, but you need to understand that what we’re doing could be very dangerous. We’re not going to be able to watch her and make sure she’s safe,” Simko said.

  “And no one’s asking you to. I’m sure she can take care of herself.”

  “Can she even talk?” Simko said, more sarcastically than he planned.

  “Yes, I can talk,” she answered. Her voice was beautiful.

  Klavin could see that things were getting very heated, in more ways than one, and needed to put a stop to it.

  “Look, Mr. The Beard,” he interjected. “You supposedly know something about everything, so maybe you know what our mission is, and maybe you don’t. It doesn’t matter. All I’m going to say is that I’m trying to put together a team to do something very dangerous and very important. We’re all going to have a job to do, and honestly, I’m not sure how your daughter can help us.”

  The Beard sat back and once again stroked his non-existent beard. He then steepled his fingers and smiled.

  “Very well, you’ve made your point. I suppose I’ll have to accept that bribe after all.”

  “It’s probably for the best,” Klavin said, reaching for his bag. “Just tell me how much you want,” and he hoped that he’d have enough as he tipped the bag over. Nothing came out.

  “Surely you’re not trying to stiff me, after all the help I just gave you,” The Beard said, still smiling.

  “But … how?” Klavin asked, honestly having no idea what was happening.

  “Oh, were these yours?” Maurya asked as she placed her closed hand on the table. She opened her fingers and several gold and silver coins fell out.

  “But … how?” Klavin repeated.

  “Perhaps you won’t have to protect my daughter as much as you thought.”

  “Is she a …” Simko began asking.

  “I’m sure you’ve already figured out what she is. And, hopefully, what she can do. You should find her quite useful, don’t you think?”

  “Welcome aboard,” Simko said to Maurya, wanting to say something slightly more clever, but unable to think of any words.

  “I think you two have taken up enough of my father’s time. If we leave now, we’ll still have plenty of time to pick up some provisions and get to the cave by noon.”

  “By pick up, do you mean …” Simko began.

  “Buy. I mean buy,” Maurya answered, grinning, as she, Klavin, and Simko stood.

  “One moment please, Klavin, if I might have a word with you,” The Beard said.

  “Okay,” Klavin responded, confused.

  Simko didn’t want to leave, partly because he wanted to stand by his friend’s side, and partly because he was nosy, but Klavin motioned for him to go. Maurya went with him. Klavin sat back down, and The Beard went back to stroking what he apparently thought was his beard.

  “I’m perfectly aware that I don’t have a beard,” he said, smirking.

  Klavin was stunned by the revelation. “What?” was all he could say.

  “So why do I put on the charade?” The Beard said, asking the question he knew Klavin would have. “It’s something people have come to expect. Getting advice from some random guy doesn’t mean much. Getting it from some eccentric who will apparently kill you if you ask him about the beard he doesn’t have is a different story. I just wanted you to know this, sin
ce unlike most, I think you’d feel more comfortable taking information from someone you don’t think is out of his mind.”

  “Thank you,” Klavin answered. “But why do you want us to take Maurya with us?”

  “I suspect she’ll be useful to you.”

  “But what else do you know?”

  “Have a good journey,” The Beard said, clearly ending the conversation.

  Sensing that he wasn’t going to get any more information no matter what he asked or how hard he pressed, Klavin nodded to The Beard, and then left to join his companions. He hesitated as he realized that the party he had put together now mirrored the original group of Kriger. He had never been much of a believer in fate and destiny, but couldn’t help but start to feel swayed.

  8

  My midday, Klavin, Simko, and Maurya had trekked through the Endless Forest and come upon a cave. There didn’t seem to be anything special about it. It was … just a cave. In fact, Klavin realized as he tried to get his bearings, it didn’t even seem to be pointing in the direction of the sea. He was wondering if they had been led on some wild goose chase.

  “This is it,” Maurya said, when neither of her companions had shown any initiative in entering the cave.

  “Okay,” Simko responded. “How exactly does this work?”

  “We enter the cave here, and we exit on Lakron Island,” Maurya answered.

  “We already got that much from your father. But that still doesn’t tell us much of anything,” Klavin said.

  “Really? It seems like it tells you everything you need to know. But if you want to waste time looking for problems, be my guest.”

  Simko approached the cave. He considered sending in his familiar first, but thought that would be cruel. He also wondered what would happen to him if it got lost inside forever. Probably nothing, but he wasn’t willing to take that chance. He glanced down and picked up a rock at his feet. He motioned with his hands and whispered a few words under his breath, and the rock began to glow. He turned to Maurya and smiled.

  “Very nice,” she said.

  Simko tossed the rock into the cave. It illuminated the walls as it passed, and landed near a bend. It looked as much like a regular cave on the inside as it did on the outside. Klavin wondered how many twists and turns were in there, and even worse, how many hours of walking this was going to take. No matter how you looked at it, they weren’t anywhere near their destination, and the more circuitous the route, the longer it would take to get there.

  “Are you two just going to stare at this cave all day? From what I’ve heard, we have more important things to do,” Maurya said.

  The familiar appeared, seemingly from out of nowhere, gave Simko a dirty look and then jumped into Maurya’s arms. She headed into the cave. Klavin and Simko looked at each other, obviously came to a mutual decision, and stepped forward.

  They stepped out onto a sandy beach. Klavin spun around, disoriented by his new surroundings. He wondered if he’d somehow gotten turned around. There was another cave entrance right behind him, although it didn’t seem to be the same one he had just entered.

  “We’re here,” Maurya said.

  “But … how?” Klavin asked.

  “What’s the difference? My father told you that you’d enter the cave in the forest, and come out on Lakron Island. That’s exactly what happened. If you want a full explanation of how it works, you’re talking to the wrong person.”

  “But we couldn’t have been in there for more than a second!” Simko said.

  “Would you rather have been walking around in there for hours? It works. Why isn’t that enough for you two? Or are you just going to dissect every little thing on this trip?”

  “But that stone I threw. It looked like it was going into a regular cave. And it didn’t come out on this side. How come it didn’t pass through, but we did?”

  Maurya rolled her eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you I can’t explain it? I just know that it works. It’s enough for me, so please let it be enough for you.”

  “Fine, it works. We’ll leave it at that,” Klavin surrendered. “So, this is Lakron Island?”

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “So what do we—“ Klavin began.

  “Quick, behind those rocks!” Maurya whispered, pulling both Klavin and Simko behind some rocks near the cave entrance. As they hid, they saw several heavily armed men walk past, then head in the direction of what seemed to be a town.

  “Who were they?” Klavin asked.

  “Guards,” Maurya answered.

  “Guards? What do they need guards for here?” Klavin asked.

  “You’ll find out. Now we just have to make sure they don’t find us. We’ll be in a lot of trouble if they do.”

  “What would happen? Won’t they just send us home?” Klavin asked.

  “That depends on how much we see,” Maurya answered.

  Maurya, Klavin, and Simko headed toward the town. In the distance they could see several people walking about. They didn’t seem to be armed. Two men were sitting together around a table about a hundred yards ahead. They appeared to be playing a game.

  “Well, we don’t have time to fool around here, especially if these guards are as much trouble as you say. Let’s just go ask someone for help,” Klavin said, heading toward the two game players.

  “Wait!” Maurya tried to warn, but was ignored.

  “Excuse me,” Klavin said when he thought he was within earshot of the two men. They turned in his direction, and Klavin stopped dead in his tracks. He was speechless.

  “Yes?” one asked, and surprise showed on his face when he saw the person he was talking to.

  Maurya and Simko caught up with Klavin, and saw what he saw. It seemed like the two men were made up more of scars and sores than skin. The two men stared at the visitors’ unblemished skin and wore the same shocked reaction on their faces.

  “By the gods,” Klavin mumbled, finally able to speak again.

  “I … don’t think you belong here,” one of the apparently diseased men said.

  “By the gods ...” Klavin repeated.

  “Listen, I’m pretty sure we’re drawing attention to ourselves standing out in the open here. Maybe we should go some place a little more private,” Maurya said.

  The two men looked at each other, nodded, and stood.

  “Follow us,” one said, reaching out to Klavin, who pulled away. “I understand,” the man said, “but please follow us.”

  The two men led the group into a small, nearby home. A woman inside was cooking. She looked to be in even worse shape. Klavin’s stomach turned at the thought of eating anything she made. She saw the three newcomers and fear was evident on her face.

  “What are they doing here?” she asked.

  “That’s what we’re trying to find out,” one of the men answered. “So, what exactly are you doing here?” he asked, turning toward the visitors. “And do you have any idea how much danger you’re in?”

  “I can see how much danger we’re in,” Klavin answered.

  The man forced a laugh. “You’re not in danger from us, despite what you might be thinking. But you can’t be here. You have to leave the same way you came in. Now!”

  “We can’t do that. We need to find someone first. Once we do, we’ll leave immediately,” Maurya said.

  “Immediately isn’t soon enough,” Klavin said to himself.

  “Very well,” the man said. “But you can’t just nose around the town. You three stick out like sore thumbs. You’re lucky you got this far without being seen. Tell me who you’re looking for, and we’ll find him for you.”

  “Gareth Helt,” Maurya explained.

  “Ah,” the man answered. “I see. Well, I know where he is. Whether or not he’ll see you is another story.”

  “Just tell us where he is and we’ll be out of your hair,” Simko said.

  “Have you not been listening? You shouldn’t go back out there until you’re ready to leave, and once you do you
should run back the way you came. I’ll go find him, and see if I can get him to come. You three just stay here.”

  The man left. Klavin, Simko, and Maurya sat. The other man sat silently with them. The woman, apparently deciding the excitement was over, went back to cooking.

  A half hour later the man returned with another, who looked to be as near death as he was. He pointed at the healthy threesome.

  “I thought you were going to bring Gareth Helt with you,” Klavin said.

  “I have,” the man answered.

  Klavin stared at the new man. He’d never actually seen Gareth Helt. Not the original, nor any of the various reincarnations, but he’d heard the legends. Gareth was supposed to be the strongest, the fastest, the most skilled. The man in front of him looked like he’d spent the last twenty years getting punched in the face.

  “So what can I do for you?” Gareth asked, breaking the silence.

  “I …” Klavin began, but couldn’t find the words to continue.

  The man who had brought Gareth walked over to the other man and woman and whispered to them.

  “Arkin, come on. Why should I have to leave my own house?” the woman asked, clearly outraged.

  “It’s only for a little while. Give them some time to talk. I’m sure it won’t take long,” he answered, looking back at Gareth. “Gareth doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood today, so I have a feeling he’ll make this quick.”

  “Fine,” she said, throwing down a spoon. The three of them left.

  “You three are crazy for coming here. What could possibly be worth you risking your lives?” Gareth scolded, once they were alone.

  “Krot,” Klavin answered succinctly.

  Gareth stared at him, and began pacing the room.

  “Krot,” Klavin repeated.

  “I heard you the first time. Despite what you might think by looking at me, my ears still work fine. So, what exactly do you think I can do to help you?”

  Klavin went back to staring.

  “Look, if you three came here hoping to get me to fulfill some made-up destiny and defeat Krot, I’m sure you’ve already figured out that I’m in no condition to do that. But since I want to get you out of here in one piece, and am already getting bored with this conversation, let’s just get something out of the way so you can tell me exactly why you’re here. Go ahead and ask.”