Shadows Read online

  The captain hadn’t thought about it since the previous night. His mind raced through the soldiers under his command. It was too early, and his thoughts staggered in drowsy confusion. He mentioned the only name that came to mind, “Rayn… go get the private, and tell him to report to the common room as soon as he is ready. Also,” ordered the captain, “have a breakfast delivered for him—we both will make an early start.”

  “Yes sir!” The soldier saluted and sprinted away.

  Aaron shook his head, turned back into his room, and let his own door close behind him. The darkness engulfed him. He stumbled back to his bed and cracked his knee against the desk that sat beside it, a sturdy, wooden nightstand with a small drawer in the front. Aaron fumbled around the drawer’s contents, a collection of cast-off writing quills, parchment, and assorted other items, until his hand rested upon a box that contained several wooden matches. He retrieved one and struck it against the edge of the desk. It ignited in a shower of spark and flame, and he lit the diminutive tallow candle that stood on the desk. Aaron dressed quickly then hurried out the door.

  The hallway glowed in the smoky light of several torches that hung upon the wall. Aaron turned to the right and passed through a single door at the end of the passage and entered the common room. A fire roared in the center pit as smoke rose through a cone-shaped flue that reached through the ceiling. He noticed a table set with two decanters and other utensils, as well as a large covered tray. No sooner did he sit down than a man rushed through the main door of the hall. Steam wafted off the newcomer’s back, and he breathed heavily with exertion, groaning under the weight of a large metal tray.

  The newcomer hurried to Aaron’s side. “My… apologies… sir.” The man panted as he tried to catch his breath. Dressed in simple leather clothes with a tan apron around his waist, the servant took a deep breath and spoke again. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your meal, sir, but I had orders to bring another breakfast to the common room. I’ll just set it here and leave you alone to enjoy your morning.” Without another word, the servant set the tray down and departed the way he came.

  When the servant left another person entered, a soldier. Tall and ruddy, with a boyish appearance, quick eyes, and a mischievous smile, Rayn strolled through the dormitory door and across the room to the table. Young and eager, he paid no attention to his commander and began to explore the contents of his breakfast. Rayn uncovered his tray to reveal generous portions of scrambled eggs, bacon, strips of boiled beef and fried potato wedges. In a large container in the center of the table stood a decanter of water and, next to it, a piping hot jug of coffee. He poured the coffee into a ceramic cup and began to devour the meal.

  “Good morning, Private,” Aaron said, chuckling at the display of such a voracious appetite. Rayn looked up and, for the first time, noticed who it was that shared the table with him.

  “Oh, Captain,” came his quick response. Any infraction of etiquette often brought dire punishment. “I am sorry for my behavior…I didn’t know that you were you…well, that you were who you are…I mean that you…” His sentence trailed away.

  “I can see that you were more troubled with appetite than manners. Carry on soldier, and we will enjoy a silent breakfast together. We have much to do and must be on our way soon. We might need an extra packhorse, though, if this is the way you eat!” Aaron smiled at the private and lifted the cover from his plate to examine his own breakfast. His heavy-laden tray contained the same substantial meal as the private’s and together they ate in the silent solitude of the empty hall.

  Aaron listened to voices echo through the barracks. Soldiers woke with a myriad of inseparable noises as doors slammed and booted feet stomped in the hallway leading to the common room. Several servants entered and set tables in preparation for the rush of hungry soldiers. The room soon became a hub of activity as Aaron and Rayn continued to eat. One servant, a young boy no more than twelve, came in with a heavy metal poker to stir the fire in the central fireplace which sent up a shower of glowing embers with the smoke.

  Aaron glanced up as Lieutenant Morryn entered. The tall lieutenant dwarfed everyone in the room and commanded attention as he moved through the crowd. Men, both soldiers and servants, gave Morryn a wide berth as he strode toward the captain’s table. His hard eyes examined everything in the gathered throng of soldiers. The lieutenant’s gaze fell upon Aaron, and a puzzled look crossed Morryn’s chiseled face as he made his way through the sea of tables. He stood at the table’s edge, his jaw firm and stance erect.

  “Please, sit down Lieutenant,” Aaron said. “There is no need to stand on ceremony at breakfast.”

  The lieutenant took a seat but nervously continued to look around the room. “Sir,” Morryn said, “I am eager to get the men ready and be on our way. I don’t trust this place.”

  “This is out of character for you, Morryn,” Aaron said as he set his breakfast aside. “What don’t you trust?”

  Morryn’s uneasiness resonated in his voice. “I don’t know, sir,” he said. “I just know that the farther away from the capital, the more uneasy I feel.”

  “Oh, a homebody, eh?” Rayn quipped through a mouthful of food. Then the private stopped chewing, and his eyes widened.

  “Private… your opinion was not asked for!” The lieutenant glared at the young man. “It may be that you’ll need some remedial discipline before we make it home!”

  “My apologies, sir, I… I didn’t think before I spoke!” Rayn’s voice trembled as his eyes darted to the captain then back to Morryn.

  “At ease men,” Aaron interrupted. “Your discipline will have to wait, Rayn, since you’re still coming with me. Lieutenant, what is it that you sense? Tell me.”

  “Sir, I just don’t know. I am not one given to fear or imagination, but these northern reaches harbor strange creatures, and these villages are more prone to their own rule than that of the emperor.” Morryn paused as if he tried to gather his thoughts. “Sir, last night when the men were in their rooms, I thought I saw a…well…a creature. I was up late and walked the streets of this village when the snow began to fall. I went to the main gate and found it locked so I started back. When I turned, something flew over the roof of the barracks. I didn’t see it clearly through the snowfall, but it appeared rather large, in shape like a man but with massive wings. I questioned the guards when I returned, but these local guards are as useless as blunt swords.” The lieutenant took a deep breath. “I’ll be glad to find my feet upon the streets of Celedon once again.”

  Aaron’s mind raced back to the nightmare that had plagued his sleep. He shuddered at the prospect that the malevolent beast which ravaged his dreams now lurked in the shadows of reality.

  “Sir, what is it?” Rayn asked.

  “Nothing… it’s just that I had a dream last night, and in it I saw a creature similar to what Morryn just described.”

  Dread filled Morryn’s eyes. “Sir, with your permission, I will assemble the men, and we’ll leave at once.”

  Aaron wasn’t sure what to make of the lieutenant’s expression and dismissed it. “Yes, by all means, the men are under your command, and you are free to depart at your convenience. The private and I have other duties that require us to remain behind.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Morryn stood and saluted. He turned to leave but stopped and faced Aaron again. “Sir,” he said, “you mentioned a message I was to take back to Emperor Therion?”

  Aaron nodded. “It’s nothing. Just tell the emperor that Rayn and I have remained behind to continue the task.”

  Morryn gave a questioning glance, nodded, and then left the common room back to the dormitory.

  After Morryn departed, men from both the local and Royal Guard gathered at the assorted tables and tore into their breakfasts like pack wolves at a kill. Servants, men and women, entered with full trays and departed with empty ones. Several times the young boy came to tend the central fire, to bring wood or stir the coals.

  “Rayn, we need to go.
” Aaron stood and finished the last dregs of his coffee.

  “Sir,” said Rayn, as he stood, “I don’t mind telling you that I’m a bit worried. If we encounter a creature like the one the lieutenant described, the two of us might not be enough to handle it.” The private’s carefree attitude was replaced by a look of serious concern.

  “Rayn, don’t get caught up with dreams and shadows in the night.” He tried to sound confident, to reassure his young companion, but inwardly Aaron felt a growing apprehension. “We need to see the governor and receive more instructions. He has retained us for a task he thinks is most important. Get your cloak; it’s snowing.” Both men wrapped their cloaks around their shoulders and meandered through the crowded room to the exit door.

  Outside they were greeted by a morning of heavy grey clouds and an onslaught of snow. A sparkling blanket of white covered the world as servants and merchants bustled to and fro. Their footprints filled with fresh snowflakes even as they passed. Large evergreen trees, with branches like massive arms, drooped under the heavy weight. A hazy, pale glow on the eastern horizon signaled the arrival of morning.

  On every street people bustled about. Servants, laden with trays of steaming food, whisked their way past the two soldiers and entered the barracks. Merchants pushed carts stockpiled high with products along the main thoroughfare as shopkeepers opened doors and shoveled snow from the front of their establishments. Aaron hoisted his cloak a little higher on his shoulders and, with Rayn at his side, stepped down from the barracks and turned toward the governor’s manor.

  At the gate two guards kept vigil in the tower. Certainly, Aaron thought, these two guards will be more capable than guards on duty last night. The two on duty proved more alert than their evening counterparts and came out to stop Aaron and Rayn. They both wielded long spears with flat-bladed, metal tips, polished to a mirror-like sheen. Their brown cloaks wafted in the cold breeze as snow began to light upon their heads, yet they held their posture with discipline.

  “Halt!” Spoke the guard on the left with a deep, resonant voice. “Identify yourself and your companion!”

  “I am Aaron, captain of the Royal Guard and this is Rayn, a soldier under my command. We have business with your governor this morning.” Aaron hoped the two men were informed to the business of the day. He didn’t want to revisit the situation of the previous night.

  “Yes, sir,” the first man said. “We have been told of your appointment and are ordered to escort you to the governor. Please follow me.”

  Thank goodness! Aaron thought. He pulled his cloak tighter to ward off the cold morning air and defend himself from the continual swirl of snow. Aaron looked up at the snow-covered hill, untouched by any footprint. The soft, white blanket had hidden his tracks from the night before and gave the hillside a look of unspoiled beauty. But for the reasons they were there, he might have enjoyed the serene quality of the early morning snowfall. Aaron saw lights glowing through the frosted windows of the governor’s home, and a hint of smoke drifted from the chimney.

  Snow crunched under their boots as they walked through the gate and toward the house. Hiking through knee-deep drifts, they pressed on. At the mansion, Aaron appreciated the shelter of the balcony overhead which shielded them from the relentless attack of winter. All three men stomped their fur-lined boots to beat off the caked-on snow. The escort reached up and pounded the gold knocker against the heavy mahogany door. The door swung open at once, and the same cantankerous servant from the previous night stood before them.

  “Ah, Captain! It is good to see you again on this fine morning!” The man seemed in high spirits, far better than he had exhibited the previous night as he welcomed them into the home with enthusiasm.

  “Is the governor ready to meet with us?” Aaron asked.

  “In a moment, sir. But please come and enjoy a warm cup of coffee.” His graveled voice contrasted with his pleasant disposition.

  The escort spoke to Aaron, “Captain, by your leave, I will return to the guard tower.”

  “Oh, yes, of course,” Aaron replied. “There will be no need for any further help, the private and I will make our own way down.” The guard raised his hand in salute and departed without another word. The door closed with a dull thud and left the cold morning air outside. Aaron and Rayn took seats at the large central table where three cups and a large decanter of coffee awaited them. Rayn filled two cups as they waited in silence for the governor.

  From upstairs, the resonant sound of booted feet moved toward the staircase. Heavy footfalls echoed through the quiet hall, growing louder until they reached the stairs. A tall figure stood at the top of the staircase and spoke with a deep voice, clear and direct. “Gentleman, I am glad you have come.”

  Aaron and Rayn stood as the tall, thin man, dressed all in black, descended the stairs and approached the table. The newcomer carried himself with an air of dignity and importance. His angular nose and jaw accentuated his narrow face, and bushy eyebrows grew over eyes as hard and dark as obsidian. Long, black hair cascaded from his head and rested on his shoulders.

  Surprised by this unknown figure, a sense of caution welled up inside of Aaron. “Where’s the governor?”

  “Don’t worry, young captain. The governor is detained with…ah…other business, and I have come to speak on behalf of the emperor himself,” the stranger said.

  “Oh,” Rayn interjected, “and just who are you?”

  Aaron exhaled in frustration. “Private, don’t forget yourself,” he snapped.

  “It is no matter.” The stranger raised his hand to calm Aaron’s agitation. Then he turned to Rayn. “Young man,” he said with calm, stern authority, “I am as you, a servant of the emperor. I am his emissary and have come to deliver his commands to your captain. You will do well to listen and let your superiors discuss matters unsuited for you.” The emissary took a seat across from Aaron.

  Rayn squared his shoulders and drew his breath to respond but Aaron interrupted, “I think that once we hear what you have to say both of us will know the course of action that we must take.”

  “Indeed, you are right Captain. You will understand the bidding of your emperor.” A hint of malicious delight resounded in the dark stranger’s voice. “The emperor knows that this traitor intended to take his stolen prize beyond the borders of Celedon. There are rumors an ancient enemy of the empire still thrives just beyond our borders and looks to overthrow the emperor and plunge our country into war. You must uncover this enemy and ascertain how they plan to invade before they strengthen their position against the empire. It is understood the man you tracked here belonged to this group. The book he stole is quite valuable, so it is of great importance to the emperor that you recover it.”

  “As I explained to the governor,” Aaron said, “the man in question was burned in a fire and everything he possessed, including that book, must have been destroyed as well.”

  The stranger pondered the statement. Then he leaned close to Aaron and whispered, “Don’t be so foolish, Captain. This book is protected by great magic. It cannot be harmed, even if dragon’s fire is used to burn it. No, it is not destroyed, and it must be kept out of the hands of those who want to use it against the empire.”

  Aaron heaved a heavy sigh, frustrated he was ever picked for such an assignment. “Sir,” he said, “if this book is so highly valued, why send me and my private to try and retrieve it? Send an entire division of troops from the local guard to bring this thing back.”

  The stranger replied, “Lord Therion cannot trust the men of this region. Many have been corrupted by the power of this book, and the emperor will allow only those he can trust to lay hold of it. No, Captain, he will trust only someone of Celedon, a member of the Royal Guard with such a duty. The task falls to you, Captain—you and your private.”

  Aaron continued. “How far am I to search for these others?”

  “Your orders are to recover the book and find the conspirators. How long it takes you and how far you go wil
l depend on the circumstances of your mission. When you’ve finished you will report to the emperor directly. Speak to no one concerning your task.” The stranger stood.

  “If that is all, then,” Aaron said, startled at the abrupt end to their conversation, “we will ready ourselves and begin.”

  “Very well,” the emissary said, turning his back on Aaron as he left the table. He stopped at the foot of the stairs and looked back, his eyes hard and cold, “When I return to the capital, I will inform the emperor you have begun. Remember the urgency of this undertaking. Let no other activity distract you from your purpose.” He turned, walked up the stairs, and vanished in the darkness.

  Aaron sat in stunned silence as the fire cracked and popped.

  “Captain,” Rayn said, “if you’re ready, let’s get out of here.”

  “Absolutely,” Aaron said.

  They rose from the table and immediately the portly butler was at the door. “Captain,” he whispered, his raspy voice barely discernable, “don’t assume that everything is as it seems.” The butler glanced up to the top of the stairs as his hand trembled on the door-latch. The aged servant opened the door and a rush of cold air blasted the men. With a quick farewell, the old man ushered them out the door and closed it behind them.

  Aaron and Rayn stepped off the porch into a carpet of new snow and sank to the top of their boots in the white powder. The clouds had thinned and only a powdery mist wafted through the morning air. Like spears from heaven, shafts of golden light pierced the drifting clouds and fell upon the earth to illuminate the world with scintillating brilliance. Trees glistened with wintry reflections as if thousands of crystals hung on the limbs and branches of every tree in North Village, creating a scene of mystical enchantment. Rooftop chimneys puffed out billows of grey smoke that drifted in lazy procession over the cottages and hovels.

  Down toward the barracks, Morryn moved through the ranks of the guard assembled in the square. The lieutenant checked and rechecked the men under his command, barking orders in the cold morning air. Within minutes the men of the Royal Guard were mounted and in formation, ready to depart. Morryn waved his hand in the air and Aaron heard the lieutenant shout, “Move out!”