Chapter 18
New Friend

he first sight that greeted Cedrik’s eyes in the morning was Derek lying in a tangled mass of blankets. It never ceased to amaze Cedrik how it was possible for Derek to not injure himself during the night.

Pleased that morning had come and that they had somehow survived, they went into Deacon’s room, only to discover his bed empty and no sign of him. Downstairs many of the men had moved off. Deacon was not among those that remained.

“Perfect!” said Derek. “This is just perfect! He brings us all this way, then decides to leave us for dead. I wish he had of done it back at the last village; we could’ve at least avoided Misery and his death-food,” he said, glancing over at the brute of an innkeeper.

“Keep your voice down,” warned Cedrik, noticing eyes turn upon them. “He hasn’t left us. He’s just damn-well …gone off somewhere.”

“Truly?” asked Derek, in a tone that earned him a clip up the side of the head.

While they discussed what they should best do, pieces of straw persistently fell onto Cedrik’s shoulder. Impatiently he would brush them off, but they persisted. Stopping in mid-sentence he cursed and looked upward to determine the source of his annoyance. A body came crashing through the roof and landed hard at their feet. They jumped back with a start, staring down at a youth. Not long was he on the floor before he struggled to his feet with several startled oaths flying from his mouth. For a moment he stood waiting, feeling himself over.

“Blast almighty, boy!” came a booming voice from behind. “I don’t pay you to make bigger holes than what I started with!” The innkeeper pushed his way past, looking up at the gap in his roof. “Damn me,” he said with awe. His expression then turning murderous, he set his eyes on Cade.

“I’ll mend that one next,” said Cade sheepishly, dust and debris laden in his red-brown hair.

“Like hell you will! Out!” the innkeeper roared, pointing to the door with a thick, dirty finger. Without waiting to see if Cade obeyed, muttering savagely, he pushed his way back past the brothers, who scrambled to get out of his way.

“I still get paid, don’t I?” Cade asked in his most winning tone.

“Out!” came the thunderous reply.

Cade’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not in any pain, thank you! Great baboon …fix your own damn roof.” Cade turned, and a mug of ale was thrust in his face from a concerned and considerate patron. “Ah, thanks. I’ve got a hellish thirst,” he said. He knocked back the frothy drink, the universal medicine in these parts, and wiping his mouth, fixed his attention on the two men staring at him, stunned.

After the initial shock had passed Cedrik approached him. “Are you injured?”

“Apparently not,” said Cade with a one-sided smile, touched if not amused by Cedrik’s genuine concern.

“That was quite a fall.” Cedrik looked up, shaking his head. “Are you certain you’re in no need of attention?”

“I’m fine. Fate has always dealt kindly with me.”

Cedrik raised his brows. “No doubt.”

“That was funny,” said Derek, who had not yet spoken. Cade looked at him as if only noticing him for the first time.

“Not very,” he said. “And now I don’t get paid.”

“Here,” Cedrik said, reaching into his pocket.

“Hey—hey! Put it away,” said Cade, indignant. “I don’t need handouts.”

“Sorry. I just …” Cedrik stumbled, aware he had insulted the stranger, but the youth’s smile returned almost immediately. His gaze ran down the length of them. They looked rather tight-laced and polished.

“Not from around here, are you?” he asked, friendly. “Let me guess. Wynnstan, no, no, I have it. Imperial?” Cedrik smiled with some embarrassment along with pride. “Thought as much.” Cade winked at him. “Come on. Let’s get out of this hell-hole, and I’ll—”

The innkeeper’s voice came booming again. “Out!”

Cade closed his eyes, then, reopening them, finished his sentence. “And I’ll show you around.”

* * *

Speaking as if he had known them all his life, Cade took them into the city. He was in the habit of rough speech. A common-looking fellow, not unattractive, he had the lean muscular look of one who was not disposed to a single occupation, but rather did many different forms of activity. Not strung to any great purpose in life, his attitude was as unexceptional as his features. When Cedrik could get a word in, he gave Cade a brief description of Deacon and asked if he had seen anyone fitting.

“Much earlier, maybe,” answered Cade. “I couldn’t tell you where the fellow was heading.”

“There is an emporium he was looking for, spell books and such. Where is that?” asked Cedrik.

“Right. One of those,” said Cade without any disrespect. “I’ll take you. You’ll most likely get lost.”

The streets maintained a languid feel, filled with the citizens of Cheydon. A solemn people, not unfriendly, but somewhat mistrustful, their mood was as colourless as the sky. Many were strangers to the city, aloof and mysterious.

The spell book emporium was situated in the city centre, looking no different from the many emporiums, save for the two large and impressive doors. It was musky and dimly-lit inside, so spacious it felt empty, with shelves of books that one could open to any page and be fascinated by the strange words. All was quiet. Only visible were people with bowed heads, absorbed in their studies.

“It’s as if somebody died,” said Derek grimly, his voice a touch loud for the soundless atmosphere.

“Take a look around,” said Cade as if he were the owner of the place. “He’s bound to be in here somewhere. Mind yourselves; you don’t want to be upsetting these sorts.”

The boys split up and went down the quiet passages in search of their fourth companion. Their purposive presence mildly disrupted the readers, who gave disgruntled gazes that lifted briefly, before again turning down to books fondly held. Disappointed to discover Deacon was not here, Cedrik and Derek parted ways with Cade, thanking him. “Watch out for yourselves,” he said with friendly caution. “There are untrustworthy people here. You Imperial boys will get done over.”

Not knowing where to start, the brothers decided to return to the inn and wait for Deacon.

In their room Derek lay on the floor, feet up on the wall, aimlessly tossing pieces of dry bread at the ceiling, which bounced off onto the floor. Cedrik had left him several hours ago again in search of Deacon. It was hard for Derek, who had never known boredom, to sit and do nothing. Aimlessly he waited.

Returning after having being gone such a while gave Cedrik a new perspective of the room. He didn’t know how, but Derek had somehow managed to put it in an even worse state than when they had first arrived the night before. Tankards were strewn across the floor, and Derek’s bed was covered with the entire contents of his travel pack.

“You’re really living it up,” Cedrik said, kicking Derek with his boot as though he were a beggar or drunkard.

Derek groaned. “You have a strange notion of what living it up means,” he said, sluggishly dragging himself up. He and Cedrik looked down at the bread scattered on the floor at their feet. Derek shrugged. “The rats will eat it.”

Cedrik tossed Derek a small, greasy bag that contained sweet cakes he had bought in the city, then slumped down onto his bed.

“Food!” cried Derek, taking out a sticky morsel. Never had sweet cake tasted so good. He ate enthusiastically, mumbling through mouthfuls just how good. Looking at Cedrik, he slowed his chewing, then halted altogether. “You don’t suppose something unfortunate has happened to him? Do you?”

Cedrik glanced up and gave a short laugh. “If anything unfortunate is taking place, you can be certain he’s the cause of it.” He shook his head with a weak smile, but Derek could see his concern.

That evening they began to suffer restlessness, arising from their prolonged confinement. They came very near to killing one another before lapsing into a dull and moody silence. When he could take it no longer, Derek said. “I am going out for some fun!”

Cedrik laughed recklessly. “It’s raining, and the streets are deserted.”

“I don’t intend to stand out in the streets,” Derek said petulantly. “I was thinking something more along the lines of a tavern. Perhaps get some dinner and maybe some damned entertainment.”

“You please yourself.”

“You’re not coming?” Derek said, disappointed.

“No.”

“Cedrik, I need to get out. I can’t stand a minute longer in this forsaken room.”

“I said, please yourself. If you want to go, then go! What, you want me to hold your hand?”

“Couldn’t hurt.”

Cedrik’s eyes flicked up. “Go!”

Derek was half-way down the road when he heard his brother call from behind. “See if you can’t find some entertainment that doesn’t involve me getting hurt.” Derek stopped and turned back.

“Eh?”

“I said—”

“I heard what you said. What do you mean by it?”

“I’m tired of taking your thrashings,” said Cedrik, half-serious, half-playful. “You get the women. I get the beatings.”

Derek groaned and turning from Cedrik, continued toward the city. “The husband incident?” he said as if bored.

“To name one.”

“One! You’ve taken the brunt of my error, once! Is there nothing new?”

“Once!” Cedrik echoed recklessly. “Don’t make me list the times I’ve stepped in and prevented a beating from ruining your life. You’re pain enough in my ass that I could beat you myself.” Derek gave a snort that was almost a laugh. “I still can’t return to that tavern,” Cedrik said. “He said he would hunt me to the ends of the earth if ever I showed my face again!”

Derek slapped his brother encouragingly on the back. “Luckily for you, the idiot thinks the ends of the earth is just past Borg’s tavern.”

Talking in this way, they entered a tavern. Its only patrons were rough men, interested only in their own company. They had mean-looking expressions, and Cedrik’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “How about I just deck myself now, and we can call it an evening?” he said to Derek, who was scanning the room with disappointment. He thought it looked poor company. There was no gambling, no laughter, and the women looked a little too much like their male counterparts.

“Let’s move on,” he said.

“Why?” asked Cedrik, relieved but surprised.

“The women here frighten me.”

Cedrik was about to laugh aloud; then he looked and saw that his brother was serious, which made him laugh harder, only inwardly. They went into several places and suffered the same disappointment. After a meal at one of the more respectable taverns, they ventured back out into the evening. The lamps didn’t throw much light, and there were no city guards to be seen. So there they were, astray in the streets of a strange city without thought of what to do, where to go, or where their cousin was. It was deserted and lonesome.

“What kind of a city is this?” Derek said, frustrated when it began to drizzle again. He was thoroughly missing the Imperial, where the sky was always blue and there was always something interesting to amuse him.

They had just about given up on any chance of entertainment for the evening, when they round a corner and glimpsed, a little way off, a night-wanderer. He had such a quick, sure-footed step and eagerness about him, Derek thought for certain he would lead them to some excitement. Cedrik only agreed to follow because he was afraid he might be required to put the youth back in his place.

The stranger went out of the south gates and down toward the black lake, where the wooden cottages were. Situated in the middle of the black, unstirring water was a small isle. On it was a dark, impressive structure, amid perpetual mists, and deadened trees that never put forth green leaves. It was a lonely, cathedral-like building. Cedrik and Derek were curious about it, lurking there across the way, but did not pause long. Their guide was fast disappearing down among the obscure shapes of the houses.

Unwittingly, he led them to an alehouse, which was bursting with mirthful laughter. He accompanied a group of young men who stumbled out from the place, laughing and shoving one another. Derek at once felt responsive excitement, and seeing Cade in amongst them, pointed him out to Cedrik.

“There’s Cade! Let’s go talk to him!”

“Let’s not,” said Cedrik drily. “They look a sorry lot of trouble-makers.”

“Don’t be such an old lady, Cedrik,” Derek said, forcing Cedrik to follow and keep pace with him. At their unexpected approach, Cade looked up in surprise; then a smile broke across his half-dazed face.

“Hey, it’s the Imperial boys!” he said, vague with drink. “I see you’ve still got your clothes on.”

Derek glanced down to see that he did and blinked, not understanding the comment.

“I thought you city boys would have been taken for all you were worth and left naked for dead by now,” said Cade, his tone unintentionally condescending. Derek laughed uneasily, while Cedrik’s brow was furrowed deep by the insult. Among them all he was the most skilled fighter and probably could have given them each a bruised head and ego to take home, but he let the comment roll off his back.

The rest of the trouble-makers were bored by the place and were already off, heading down the length of the lake, falling over one another in drunken foolery. Cade didn’t follow directly but said to Cedrik, “Your cousin, he’s into magic-using isn’t he?”

“Why?”

“I think I know where he is.”

Cedrik knitted his brow. “Where?”

“I’ll show you.”

“Where are we going?” asked Derek, running to keep up.

“The woods,” said Cade.

“The woods? I can hardly wait.” Derek didn’t bother to disguise his lack of interest.

Nevertheless, he went along. Cedrik followed with an easy stride behind. Not far ahead the youths were tumbling and tripping over each other in their mad excitement, till they came to a sudden stop at the edge of the dark wood. Within was a gloom, deep and sombre, that bespoke of evil things. The trees impending over them, none dared venture past the border. Only one among them seemed unperturbed. He watched the others for sport, waiting to see what they would do. The youths unconsciously drew nearer together. The pervading quiet was far more frightening than anything they had ever heard.

“Some say these woods take people,” one of them said.

“Shut up, Jerret,” said Cade.

“Well, why don’t you go in!”

“Ladies first,” Cade said smugly, then turned. “That’s you, Derek.”

Derek shot him a narrow look.

“We are not venturing in there,” said Cedrik in his most stern tone. He felt they were in bad company and thoroughly mistrusted what they were up to.

“I’m telling you,” said Jerret, nervously, “something is wrong with this place. People go missing.”

“Tales to scare boys into behaving,” said another.

“Yet convincing enough that most people avoid the trees at most costs,” said Jerret.

“I’ve been in there before,” said Cade blandly. “If you want me to hold you …” His words trailed off, offering his hand to Jerret who slapped it aside. With mutual jeering the youths ventured into the darkness, leaving Cedrik to stare after them.

“Derek. Get back here!” he called in his most commanding voice but was ignored. “Curse it all,” muttered Cedrik fiercely, as he plunged in after them.

The trees, dark and stately, were evenly spaced and made easy passage. Cedrik and Derek trailed behind the others. They could see their forms just ahead, huddled closely together, nudging and whispering to one another with muted jeering, as though fearful of waking a slumberous thing.

Derek could not suppress a shudder. The woods seemed haunted with an unfriendly cold, and had elements of dread that those even with a lesser imagination than himself would feel. There was an unstirring silence that could almost be heard breathing in the darkness, as though the trees would reveal themselves as something more than silent observers. From within shadows they seemed to pass hushed whispers amongst themselves, secretly, then, fading away, were again silent.

Derek began to feel strange influences creep over him, almost as though the woods wanted him to leave his companions and wander farther into hidden places. He held off the peculiar desires, and glanced at his brother every now and then, to see if he had any of the same feelings, but Cedrik’s face was inscrutable and set like steel. His gaze roamed fiercely about, as if he anticipated danger at every turn.

Derek caught sight of something that made him stop and squint. He thought he had glimpsed movement. “Did you see that?” he whispered urgently.

“No. Keep up. This was your idea,” said Cedrik, looking forward at the backs of the other men. They had become quiet, but were still high-spirited and animated with the thrill of dread.

Keeping closely beside his brother, Derek peered into the surrounding gloom with an anxiousness amounting nearly to terror. He felt something was with them. He could not see it, but its presence was very real. It emerged in a secret way, moving with them and watching. It was drawing nearer, closing in upon them. The air became thin, and Derek knew it would very soon reveal itself to them.

A sense of dread rose within him, growing hot in his chest. He was straining to hear. At last he came to such a state of terror that the slightest of sounds would have brought his heart into his mouth. Breathing hard, he dared not look over his shoulder, lest he should see the nocturnal object of terror standing at his back. For a moment his eyes closed. He hoped it was but the shadow and wind deceiving him.

Something had moved stealthily within the shadows; a shape of blackness, insect-like. During its nocturnal prowling it had observed the youths and became curious. Creeping through the branches of the trees, it moved unnaturally and with difficulty, yet secretly as with purpose. It watched them, peering down through the foliage. Its black and featureless face was expressionless as a spider, with bulging yellow eyes, unwholesome and cunning. Protruding from the back of its head was a single great horn, black and sleek as the rest of its preternatural body.

Something must have gone terribly wrong with the laws of nature for such a creature to exist, keeping to the shadows like things that are born ashamed of themselves and wish never to be seen.

Derek drew a shuddering breath. He knew he was in serious danger of forever disgracing himself with a shriek.

“This is it.” He heard one of the boys say, breaking the vile spell that had hold of him, and he was relieved when they came to a stop. The fear dispersed and was quickly replaced by the thrill of adventure.

“We’re here,” said Cade. “This is where it all happens.”