Chapter Fourty Five – The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep by Kelly D. Tolman

Posted by admin on August 3, 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 felt deeply out of place as Zaban took his seat on a sturdy chair in one of his tents.  I stood holding my spear in one hand with my saddle bags over the opposite shoulder.  He motioned for me to sit on a silk cushion a few meters away, and a servant brought a second for Dina.  I decided to try my luck and trust to Pascalli’s teaching.  I refused the cushion.  If I expected to be taken seriously I knew I needed to establish my position right then.

“I am Lord of the lands north of the wall, I do not sit on the ground with common servants,” I said.  I felt extremely uncomfortable.  It felt like a lie, as far as I knew it was a lie, but something inside spurred me on.

Zaban nodded and immediately a servant took the cushion away.  A moment of silence thundered between us until a suitable chair appeared.  I unbuckled my sword, un-slung my bow and laid them together with my spear at my feet.  Then I bowed low and said in a humble voice, “I thank the son of Taradurk for his hospitality and welcome of a stranger in his land.  Please accept my humble service while I am permitted to tarry, and accept a small token of gratitude.”  I opened one of my saddlebags and tossed a small sack of gems at his feet.  Then I took my seat.

“You come from a great journey, which we must hear in length,” he replied.  “Your gift is generous and unexpected.  Your tongue is courteous when you let it be.”  He paused.  His eyes betrayed an inner turmoil.  “We have much to discuss, son of Halfspear, and much to decide.  As regent of these lands I commend your bravery, but the emperor will decide your fate.”

I noticed Dina reel as Zaban stated his position as regent.  I also understood.  She was now as much an orphan as I, and probably as unwelcome at home.
“First we will eat, and then we will discuss the matters before us,” said Zaban.

Servants brought trays piled with delicately prepared meats and savory sauces.  From these trays Dina served each of us.  I noticed she offered me first choice, which caused Zaban to raise a questioning eyebrow.  Through silent gestures she guided me through the formalities of the meal.  I patiently waited for him to resume the conversation.

“The Lord Taradurk passed into the immortal realms this winter,” he said.  “His third daughter failed her duties.  I have come to find her and learn the path she has followed.”  Zaban spoke to me, careful to keep his eyes from his sister.

“Dina has been a great help to the Lord of Darnuth Keep,” I replied.  “Without her aide the Kaarum would once again have rushed past my borders unchecked to ravage the lands of the empire.”  I noticed the approval in Dina’s eyes as I spoke, and felt a thrill creeping into my heart.

“This alliance with the realms of the north is unexpected,” said Zaban.  “Is she to continue in your service?”

“Such a show of friendship would mark a great alliance between our peoples,” I said.  “I would be honored to have such a lovely lady grace my court.”
The discussion became almost instantly lighter.  I watched a heavy weight lift from Zaban’s eyes.  He embraced his sister and I saw how deeply the difficult situation pained them both.

“The emperor has not issued any formal decree, so there is nothing to stop me from recognizing the sovereignty of Darnuth Keep.  Lord Favisham, among others, would have you stopped here, but I won’t risk my sister to satisfy his whim.”

“Thank you,” said Dina.

“Time will tell if this is a wise decision or not.  You made a hard choice.  Colter has given you a chance to retain some sense of status and respect among your friends and family,” said Zaban.

“We have plans to fully rebuild the city,” I said.  “We have come to purchase supplies and find people willing to join us.”

“I won’t stand in your way, though others will.  I came here to find Dina, and now that I’ve spoken with her I can return to Shelsmor.  My advice to would be to return as quickly as you can to Darnuth Keep.  You won’t have much trouble finding people to join you, but be careful who you take.  The western lords have servants and spies even here.  If they choose to make trouble for you I won’t be able to stop all of it.”

“We’ll be careful,” I said.

Zaban smiled and the conversation turned to Dina’s family.  She wept as he recounted their father’s funeral.  He listened intently as she told him of our adventures together.  For a while I sat, forgotten, as they renewed the family bonds that she had strained.

“After you have rested, you will both join me for dinner.  In the morning I will say goodbye,” said Zaban as we closed our discussion.

“We would be delighted, my lord,” I replied.

Zaban prepared a tent for each of us where we could bath and rest.  He sent me a new fine silk shirt and sturdy comfortable trousers.  I welcomed the opportunity to relax, but I knew that I would have to use caution in order to understand the regent’s full intentions.  A servant summoned me to join the dinner party about an hour later.

Dina appeared in a black silk dress and greeted me as I entered the tent.  A large emerald necklace graced her throat.  She had pinned her hair high on her head, exposing her strong, elegant neck.  She smiled and guided me through the formalities.  “Many of my father’s closest advisors are here.  Zaban’s position is difficult.  Be careful not to offend him or those who are with him here.  Pascalli is right that we need additional people at the keep in order to make it grow and hold our position.”

I smiled back and nodded.  “I’ll do my best,” I promised.

Though I heard music playing as we entered, it stopped when Zaban saw us.  He motioned for us to approach, smiling broadly at his sister.  “My lords and ladies, I present lord Halfspear, conqueror of Darnuth Keep.”  Most present were able to mask their astonishment, although a few surprised gasps and several incredulous glances floated around the tent.  “The lady Taradurk, also of Darnuth Keep has joined him in his conquest.  Tonight we welcome them as allies against the Kaarum.”  He started applause that others hesitantly followed.  I followed Dina’s lead and bowed and smiled.

Dinner saved me from enduring difficult questions as Dina carefully steered nearly everyone away from me.  Her skill at managing people shined in a way I had not previously appreciated.  Her second brother, Yunath, seemed more reserved about accepting my position.  Dina did not try to avoid him.
Yunath was shorter than his brother, with a slightly more powerful build, but he shared the same green eyes of the rest of his family, and the same straight dark hair.  “Zaban says that you stopped the Kaarum at the pass near Darnuth Keep,” stated Yunath.

“That is why we went there,” I answered.  “It should take them several winters to recover, at least that is what Pascalli says.”

“Pascalli visited our house when I was a child.  He showed no respect to our family or our traditions.  I do not think he will do what is best for the empire,” said Yunath.

“He will do what is best for the world,” I said.  I noticed Dina’s gently concerned look and did my best to change the subject.  “Winter is just ending.  The time for planting will come soon.  We will need a good crop to help us build life into the city again.”

To my surprise Yunath smiled.  “You are right.  Now is not the time for heavy talk.  Nor is it the time to breed mistrust.  Zaban is not a fool, though he has made exceptions for his sister.”

The rest of Dina’s family had stayed in Shelsmor.  I know that she especially missed her sisters.  Mostly military men accompanied Zaban this far north, though a few of them brought along their wives.  After a short time I read the disappointment in Dina’s face.

“I’m sorry your sisters couldn’t come,” I told Dina.

“Niersa should be here,” she said.  “One of us always waited on my father, no matter where he traveled.  First it was Sorla, my oldest sister, then Tiarna, and then me.  When I left to find adventure Niersa must have taken my place.  She should be here.  Zaban doesn’t have any daughters old enough to do it yet.”
“You’ll see them again,” I said.  “As soon as everything is in order I’m sure we’ll have a chance to come south again.”

“I hope so, but I feel as if I won’t.”

I didn’t pay much attention to the soldiers who attended that dinner.  Dina seemed content to be surrounded again by people who hid their true intentions behind smiles and borrowed emotions.

Copyright 2008 Kelly David Tolman

On to The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep Fantasy Novel Chapter Fourty Six

Back to The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep Fantasy Novel Chapter Fourty Four

Welcome back to Darnuth Keep.

Feel free to make a Paypal Donation to support Darnuth Keep!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!