Posted by admin on December 8, 2008
The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep is a fantasy novel describing the adventures of Colter Halfspear as he becomes a man and an initiate of magical powers.
Torbridge rode up a few minutes after the rumbling stopped. His horse’s eyes rolled wildly with fear and exhaustion. A few soldiers straggled behind him. “You’d best come with us if you want to stay safe,” he ordered. But Iven just laughed.
“And what will you do that I can’t?” The smith planted his feet and mocked the captain. “Go on Torbridge, go rally the peasants back in Havensod.”
“You, boy, come with me!” It was more of a plea than an order. I think that was the first time I started to realize that my name had real meaning to people in the wide world. He moved to grab me, but I recoiled and he turned and rode away screaming, “Fools!”
In the valley below a few more eruptions shook the plain before the earth everywhere let out a great sigh. Straggling bands of Kaarum wandered north while straggling bands of soldiers wandered south. The great Kaarum warlord lies buried deep in the earth now along with Lord Kelsin. Bent and broken corpses littered the valley floor along with the scattered remains of weapons and wagons. I clutched my spear and retched again.
“Best use of a spear I’ve seen in a long time,” commented Iven.
“I agree,” said a voice I didn’t recognize until I turned around. There stood the stranger from the night before, quietly surveying the valley. His face was as cold as stone, but his wrinkles made it look like he was smiling even in the face of such destruction.
“Everywhere you go death follows, Pascalli,” said Iven. “Not even Kaarum deserve to die like that.”
“At another time I might debate that point with you,” replied Pascalli calmly. “For now let my work speak for itself. There is no question how I feel about the Kaarum or their masters or their servants.”
“And what of the men?” The smith screamed back. It is a testament to me of the gravity of the violence I witnessed that Iven would lose his temper. Passionate as he was, I never knew him to blink an eye at seeing a man crushed or burned or have a limb cut off. “They have done nothing.”
“I came to warn them, my friend,” replied Pascalli calmly. “Would there be more alive if I had let the Kaarum slaughter them? Would there be less suffering if I had waited? I tried to keep them back but I could not.”
“That is no way for a man to die.” Iven sulked.
“And I am sorry you witnessed it. You should have waited by the wagon. One of you at least has the sense to do as they are told. Scratch, my boy, come here.” Of course I obeyed. I had done nothing more than obey since leaving home. “Let me see.” He looked into my eyes in a way that only Pascalli could look. I felt as if he were searching my soul, looking for some spark of fate that he could ignite. I tried to hide it, and the harder I tried the wider his grin grew until he chuckled and said, “So it is true after all.”
“What’s true, sir,” I asked.
Again Pascalli chuckled. “A fool’s dream, that’s what. Now no more nonsensical questions until you are old enough to not understand them properly. Where are your things? Where is your horse?”
One thing about Pascalli that I always found interesting was his way of constantly asking questions but always refusing to answer them. For example, when I asked “Where are we going?”
He replied, “Ha, and what sort of silliness is that. I might just as well ask what you mean by that. Where are we going now? Nowhere. We are eating lunch right here. Later today? South, generally. Perhaps to Havensod and perhaps not. To Darnuth Keep. Ultimately? Who knows? Where are we going in life, you might just as well give up on that one. In fact, I would suggest you give up asking altogether until you are a bit older, say two hundred or so. Just keep your eyes and ears open and the answers will come when you need them.”
“Who are you?” I persisted.
“I see you won’t be satisfied without a few answers at least,” he said. He smiled broad and laughed as if the battle never happened. “I’ve nearly forgotten what it is to be curious and ignorant.” If he saw my frown he ignored it. “My name is Pascalli, at least that is what I am generally called. I am a wizard. To some I am The Wizard. To others I am other things, both better and worse. You may call me Pascalli or master, for I will continue the training that Iven has started.”
“What do you want with me?” My head reeled with unanswered questions.
He laughed again. “That is a question with many answers, most of which you could not possibly misunderstand correctly. Let us say simply that you and I share the same goals, and a part of the same destiny. I fight the Kaarum. More specifically I seek to destroy them utterly. You will help me. In time we may even succeed. At the moment it does not matter. The fact that Harrim Wilder finally saw fit to thrust you upon the world is at least a sign that things may begin to right themselves.” He saw the question in my eyes. “How I know the innkeeper and why are not questions I shall answer at the moment. Nor shall I bother with the dozen other you would conjure if I didn’t stop you. At the moment I want lunch.”
Between Pascalli and Iven existed a kind of quiet alliance that teetered on hatred but was held together by contempt of both the Kaarum and the injustice of men. I could plainly see that Iven trusted the wizard as he trusted no other man, but that he liked him no better than Torbridge. I found myself drawn to his smile, but a silent warning in my mind told me to tread carefully.
Though the Eastern Watch largely destroyed the Kaarum that day, they suffered tremendous losses. Many soldiers deserted following the destruction and the surviving officers spent the next markets searching for them or hunting the starving pockets of Kaarum. Pascalli had several loose ends to tie up in Havensod, most of which had little to do with me. He had contracted the help of a group of people very much unknown to me, and as I gathered unknown to anyone in the empire. First, however, Iven, Pascalli and I returned to Havensod. While I still remained a soldier in the imperial army and I remained Iven’s charge, Pascalli directed our affairs now and I am certain he didn’t take more than one eye off of me for longer than an instant.
Havensod is a favorite home for merchants, travelers and rogues. Most towns of any size are wonderful to visit, but Havensod has a peculiar kind of warmth about it that welcomes travelers. Inns, taverns, warehouses, shops, bazaars; all of the wonderful places a city should have mixed with the earthy roots of the farmers that built it. The few remaining old families who made Havensod their permanent residence were very old indeed and still mingled their blood with gentleman farmers in the surrounding region. The new permanent families were likewise very few in number and included wealthy merchants tired of their travels but still hungry for news of the world outside. Everyone else visited but never stayed. Shops changed owners almost as quickly as turnips, and the merchant selling beads one market would be gone the next only to return in a five market or a summer peddling pots or rugs. Of all the major cities in the empire, only Havensod openly welcomed foreigners, though few rarely crossed the eastern mountains or made the long trek from the south.
In those days alliances had yet to be forged with the kingdoms across the Shadowspines, and the Darkunders remained under suspicion. Havensod provided a sort of door to the empire for such folk. Pascalli bundled me into the back of the wagon and we entered the town just as dusk fell on the highway. “Here your name is Buck,” he told me. “Don’t you forget it. No mention of battles or Kaarum here, do you understand?”
“Yes,” I mumbled, not really understanding.
“You are a servant in my employ for about the last thirty markets. I treat you harshly. If anyone asks questions, show them your scars and mumble something about me beating you.”
A question started in my throat but he cut it off.
“I’ve neither time nor inclination to explain. Suffice to say that you are in real danger while in Havensod and that Iven and I are your only friends. Now in you go and keep your head down.”
Pascalli chose for our lodging one Blue Dragon inn. The place tickled my nose slightly with the odor of refuse behind the smoke and ale. Pascalli pulled the wagon around behind the inn and hopped out. “Stable the horses. Then bring our gear up to my room,” he growled.
I jumped to obey. Iven returned to the local guard headquarters and left me alone to unload everything. Apparently Pascalli gave orders that I was to do the job myself since none of the inn’s servants lent a hand. I did not finish until late into the night, and when I did Pascalli sent me off to find a corner to sleep with the servants. I collapsed in an exhausted heap on a pile of dirty straw and fell instantly into a deep slumber.
Copyright 2008 Kelly David Tolman
On to The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep Fantasy Novel Chapter Twelve
Back to The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep Fantasy Novel Chapter Ten
Posted by admin on December 5, 2008
I just wanted to give a shout out to all the great support that this blog has received sinced inception. All my thanks goes out to the many readers who put up with my writing.
Especially to all those of you who use or have used Zimbio in the past. Enough of you like the blog to toss me a kudo, which is really appreciated. And enough of those kudos means that I made the “hot” page over at Zimbio.
I’m not saying I have the greatest thing here since sliced bread, but I am proud of what I’ve put together and I want to thank everyone for their support.
If you do get a chance to go over to zimbio.com go ahead and do it. This isn’t a referral or affiliate anything. Its just my way of sharing something useful to other bloggers. It isn’t a traffic building miracle, but it is a fun way to find interesting other blogs and to interact with people on the web.
Posted by admin on December 3, 2008
To be in here alone is almost wrong.
The spirit by me is so very strong.
To not share thatbright hope with a loved one
Is to face death beyond without someone
for all of us to learn is heaven sent
But to grow alone is not His intent.
A pair no one will make eternity
The others are simple frivolity.
Copyright 2008 Kelly David Tolman
Posted by admin on December 1, 2008
The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep is a fantasy novel describing the adventures of Colter Halfspear as he becomes a man and an initiate of magical powers.
I sat working on my armor by the light of a lantern at the end of the wagon when a man rode into camp on a great, fat, speckled gray horse. He was a large man, well over two meters tall (even without the hat) with flowing black hair streaked with gray and a beard that reached to his waist and below. He kept the beard tucked into a great black belt that stretched around his middle, holding up sky blue trousers over a startling yellow shirt. He covered himself with a thick green cloak and topped his head with a wide-brimmed green hat whose point bent slightly to the right. Larger even than Master Wilder, larger than Iven, yet he sprang from the horse as lightly as a young squirrel and tipped his hat to me.
“Good evening, young master,” he said as pleasantly as if we were enjoying the mid-summer’s festival together.
“And a good evening to you, sir,” I replied.
“I see the young still catch themselves up in these travesties.” His eyes danced as he spoke. “Take the advice of an old man and go home.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t,” I replied. To this day I do not know what drove me to say that. Perhaps it was his tone or manner, but I felt angry and sad and above all lonely. I had no home.
“What then? Can’t? Won’t? Ha! Who are you?” His tone was mischievous but I felt pacified.
“Colter Halfspear, sir, but here they call me Scratch.”
“Scratch, ho, ho!” he bellowed so loudly I thought the entire camp would wake. “That’s just grand. Halfspear’s son relegated to Scratch.” He laughed so hard tears came to his eyes. Just as suddenly as it started, the laughter stopped. His face turned serious, and I caught a look such as when my father told me something he didn’t want my mother to know about. “Now listen to me Scratch. Tomorrow is going to be a bloody day that won’t soon be forgotten in these valleys.” There was earnestness in his voice that transfixed me to him, a depth in his eyes that captivated me. His strength of will bound my attention. “Stick close to Iven, do you understand?”
“No sir,” I replied. I hadn’t really thought of doing anything else, but I really didn’t understand this fellow at all.
“Don’t leave the blacksmith’s side, not for a moment, not if demons themselves try to tear you away. I’ll be back afterwards, and perhaps then you’ll understand.” Then he smiled at me. It was a kind smile, the first kind smile I had seen since leaving home, and I trusted it. “Yes, I think perhaps we will meet again.” Then, just as quickly as he had appeared he parted the flap to Lord Kelsin’s tent and entered.
I listened at a safe distance from the tent, watching the lanterns extinguish around the camp. Only a few words escaped from the secret council, mostly the brash tones of the enormous stranger. The camp had changed in the last few days. A nervous air buzzed around us, and my curiosity itched until I wanted to be a part of the great plans for the coming battle.
I stayed awake nearly all of that night, both to finish my armor and to see if the stranger would re-appear. His horse had not been stabled, and I was half tempted to do the job for him. My armor fit nicely after a few hours of steady work, and I was sure it would pass Iven’s closest inspection. Just as I finally began sinking into sleep, the stranger grabbed me and pulled me wide-awake. “Remember, Halfspear, stay with the smith and trust not to fools,” he whispered. I hardly understood his words in the darkness, but he persisted. “You’ve friends and enemies all about you, and no time to sort them out. If you value your life and the legacy of your father you’ll keep away from the valley tomorrow and stay close by Iven.” He vanished into the darkness with a flurry, and I slipped into a deep slumber.
I woke late the following morning. I had grown used to the movement of the wagon through endless nights and days, but only the other soldiers marched away while we waited. After so much labor I found Iven’s stillness disturbing. Though his hands continued repairing a small tear in his coat, his face was calm and blank.
“Rest easy,” he said. “The wounded will be back soon enough. Then our work will begin again, and the work of others.”
I put on my mail and grabbed my spear. After all I was still a soldier in the imperial army, though I didn’t feel like much of a soldier and Iven laughed as he saw me. “You’ve done fair work with the shirt Scratch, though you’ll not need it today.”
“Where is the battle?” I asked.
“Why would you be asking about that trifle?” responded Iven. “You’ve no need for battles.”
“Just curious.”
“You’ll not be going near it Scratch, not if I can help it.” The smith’s voice had taken on his usual tone of brute finality.
“I don’t want to see it,” I said truthfully. “I don’t even like fighting.” I think I wanted to know more where it was so that I could run away from it than to be able to get to it.
“Really?” asked Iven. “You’ve got a lot of hardware for a lad that’s not looking for a fight.”
“It was my father’s,” I answered. “Except for the mail, that was given to me when the village sent me away.”
“On second thought, perhaps you should see the battle,” said Iven with a queer glint in his eye. “Not close up, but close enough. Seeing men cut down may help you understand the foolishness of all this. There’s a spare pig-poker in the wagon, and a helmet. Hop to it then Scratch, the day’s not getting any longer!”
With spears in hand we climbed a hill just north of the camp. At the top we looked down into a small valley where the two armies had met. The great black hosts of the Kaarum crushed against a stalwart wall of defending spearmen at the center, and around the edges horsemen galloped, pressing the dark army in against the middle ranks. I found Lord Kelsin quickly. His great white horse and shining armor sparkled in the mid morning light. Wherever he rode the men rallied and more than once a shout of courage erupted in his trail. Before him enemies fell back. For the moment the imperial army held he upper hand. The battle raged back and forth, like a swirling mass of insects seeking furiously to destroy one another.
The seemingly endless hosts of Kaarum slowly began to take their toll on the soldiers. Though their claws and horns could not reach past the long spears and shields of the army, their sheer size and great numbers steadily created an advantage. Then, suddenly, like a thunderclap, a wave of fear surged across the valley, spreading panic on both sides. An enormous dark figure on a great black reptile descended onto the battlefield from a hill across the valley. The huge deformed lizard sported gnarled horns and white sharp fangs. Wherever it went men fled in terror. The rider, clothed in a sable cloak, and bearing a long lance with a sword slung across his back urged his troops to battle.
Now the battle turned quickly against the imperial forces. The Kaarum rallied around their leader who spread terror like a plague across the field. On the opposite side, Lord Kelsin also struggled to bring hope and order back to the battle. With his bodyguard he made a drive deep into the Kaarum lines, pushing them back. But to his folly Kelsin overextended, and enemies cut down his rearguard. Stranded in the midst of his enemies, he struggled to return to safety. Before he could find a way out, the enemy warlord sped forth his troops, and I hid my face as they carried Kelsin from his horse and he became lost beneath the dark mass of fighting.
The battle turned into a route. Soldiers and officers alike fell back beneath a wave of panic. Without regard or sense of direction men turned and ran for any perceived safety. The flight of the soldiers was speedy but disorganized. The Kaarum crowded them together on their flanks, spreading confusion and disorder among the inner ranks.
Then it happened. A rumble like a thousand rushing waterfalls rose suddenly. The ground beneath the feet of the Kaarum began to erupt in violent explosions, creating massive sinkholes and throwing howling beast-men into the air. The entire length of the valley began to boil with the noise of a thousand thunderstorms as the earth hurled boulders into the air and they slammed back down again. Everywhere open pits sucked the Kaarum into the ground or explosions tossed them into the sky or crushed them beneath falling stones. The ground trembled. I fell to my knees. Soldiers lost their footing and many were sucked down with the violence and crushed with the Kaarum. Panic swept over the valley carrying with it all remnants of sanity. Men cut one another down just to be the first to escape the noise. Peasants pulled nobles from their horses. Even Iven tripped and fell eventually.
Of the many horrible memories I have, this is one of the most potent. I vomited endlessly. My loathing for violence redoubled. That experience transfixed in my mind forever the desire to keep armies apart.
Copyright 2008 Kelly David Tolman
On to The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep Fantasy Novel Chapter Eleven
Back to The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep Fantasy Novel Chapter Nine
