Chapter Thirty Four – The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep by Kelly D. Tolman

Posted by admin on May 18, 2009

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 returned to the forge for the next few days while we waited for a new smith to arrive, half sulking, half worrying that everything would not be in order soon enough. During that time I scraped and cured the hides, which were covered in tough, but workable silver-gray scales. Dina left to take the message to Daturk-thrull and I did not expect her to return. Four days later she did return, leading a wagon carrying the apprentice to the smith of Daturk-thrull and his new bride and all their belongings. He was glad to find a shop ready and waiting. I reluctantly let him take his rightful work.

“We’ll be off then, bright and early,” said Pascalli to Tarkin when he saw the wagon. “Our work here is finished and we have tarried over-long I think.”
Tarkin was overjoyed at the success, so much so that he gave us a wagon and filled it with food, a new tent, extra blankets, anything we could ask for. Leaving that farm felt like leaving my own farm all over again. My heart nearly broke for I had come to love Tarkin as I loved Master Wilder, and the servants were like my friends from Dunston.

The next morning, as we left Dina rode up alongside the wagon. “Imperial guards will not harass you while I am with you,” she said. “I can make your trip go much faster I think, if you will consent.”

Although she spoke to Pascalli, she cast me a glance, and his eyes followed hers. “What do you think, Scratch, my lad, can you handle a finicky lass such as this?” I think her jaw must have broken it dropped so hard. I know I at least cracked a smile, though I probably laughed as Pascalli’s habit was wearing onto me.

“I’ve no doubt she’ll want no help from me, but she’s welcome in my camp,” I replied, meaning it.

“Good boy,” said Pascalli. We rode on, and Pascalli took his matter-of-fact tutor tone with Dina and for once I had a bit of a rest from the old man. “You’ll understand, my dear, that we have been traveling incognito for several winters now, so our names are generally not our own. The lad you can call Scratch, or whatever you deem appropriate”. He cast me a sidelong glance. I shrugged. “Me, you will call Pascalli, or Master.” She looked horror struck. She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off. “Your father calls me Master Pascalli and I will take no less from his third daughter.”

“You know my father?” she asked incredulously.

“Of course, silly girl,” he laughed. “Why else would he call me Master? Either way I would thank you to not betray our presence here in this part of the empire until we are north of the wall and well into the wild. Are you planning on coming into the wild with us, my dear?”

“I, uh, I don’t know,” she stammered.

“I shall take that as a yes, for you have already shown that you intend to do this foolish thing. Very well, just don’t give out our real names and all will be well. After Darnuth Keep, assuming there is an after, you may do as you please.”

“Must I take orders from him?” she asked, her voice full of dread, indicating me.

“Must you?” laughed Pascalli. “I should certainly think not.” I rolled my eyes. “He is my charge, and I shall decide when it is time for him to give orders, which is rare enough and not yet with lives as important to our purposes as yours. You are your own spirit, child, free to do as you please. But I can say this much for Scratch. He’s a good lad and he won’t lead you astray which is more than I would say for nearly any other man you could find.”

“He’s not a man,” she grumbled.

“No, he’s not, and you are not a woman,” he replied. Her face burned red. I thought for a moment she would ride away, but she didn’t. “Stick with us and you will turn into one.” His voice was not a promise, but a warning.

The journey to Last Gate, as the village guarding the north gate into the wild is called, took some two markets, perhaps a day or two more. During this time Pascalli seemed driven to verify that I had learned anything in the last two winters. Although we kept up a maddening pace in his rush, each moment of it he prodded me to recount all he had taught, especially of the plants and creatures of the wild.

“We will be without civilization for a very long time,” he warned. “For much of that time you will be on your own, Scratch. Worse, you will be required to feed all of us, provide meat, especially fat, for the winter, and hides. You are responsible for the safety of Dina, or you will be when I am not around. We have much to do before the snows begin to fall, and now we will find out if you have been paying attention at all during our travels.”

“I can take care of myself, Pascalli,” said Dina. “I don’t need anyone watching me.”

Pascalli grinned, but he didn’t quite laugh. “Of course, but I will feel more comfortable knowing Scratch has learned at least something.”
Dina kept to herself when she was not busy navigating us along the road or rushing us through an imperial checkpoint. I finished her pair of boots by working under the stars or moon, and she accepted them with cautious gratitude, but I did not see her wear them. She spoke almost always to Pascalli, although I could tell there were a thousand questions burning behind her eyes. Pascalli continued to train me day after day with both sword and spear. Dina took little interest in my lessons.

“You can join us if you like, my dear,” offered Pascalli. “I’m sure your brothers showed you the use of the cutlass, but a little practice never hurt.”

“The bow is my weapon,” she said to Pascalli. “The weapon of a true huntress.”

“I can shoot,” I said, even though she was not looking at me.

“My family trains the greatest archers in the land. I learned to hunt when I learned to walk.”

I really wanted to bring that prideful chin down, just once. “Pick a mark,” I suggested.

“I’ve no need for childish games,” she replied.

“Too true,” agreed Pascalli, but with a wink in my direction. “We’ve no time for such frivolity just now.”

A few nights before we reached Last Gate we camped just off the imperial highway. Dina volunteered to take an equal watch with the rest of us, but I woke up early out of habit and joined her. Alone, in the dark, with the fire burning low I saw her eyes mix with confusion.

“What is it?” I asked. I hadn’t often spoken directly to her since Tarkin’s farm. Pascalli kept me busy. He was probably trying to keep us separated for a while in case there was any lingering animosity. I tried to smile. “I know you have a lot of questions. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Who are you?” she asked. “I have heard of Pascalli before, although I thought he was just a legend, but who are you?”

“Colter Halfspear,” I replied.

“Son of –“

I cut her off. “Kyven Halfspear. Yes.”

Her face filled with a kind of wonder I had never really noticed before. “If I had known,” she began, “I would have-“

Again I cut her off. “You would have been wrong. I was born the son of a farmer.” I did not look at her as I spoke, but I could feel her eyes on me. “I did not know my father well. I was born in a village in the eastern empire. I left behind my plow with the most bitter remorse. I hate fighting. I hate killing. Sometimes I think I hate Pascalli, but the truth is I would be lost without him.”
She sat quietly for a time, not daring to ask anymore questions.

“Do the boots fit properly,” I asked, more to break the silence than anything. She didn’t answer. “I’m glad you came along, it’s nice to have someone besides that old windbag.” She chuckled a little, and then after a few moments went to sleep.

In the morning I noticed that she was wearing her new boots, though she still had not decided if I was safe to speak to.
Copyright 2008 Kelly David Tolman

On to The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep Fantasy Novel Chapter Thirty Five

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