The following is an excerpt from a novel I wrote for November is National Writing Month in the year of our Lord, 2009. It is, for lack of a better label, fantasy fiction. The story follows the life of an aging mercenary, plagued by mysterious forces. The following occurs near the beginning of the story, as Jonas is contracted by the King of Windrow to slay some religious dissenters.
Soon, the two were nearing the camp. Jonas would approach the camp normally, from the front, and Tobias would sweep around and enter the woods. Though Tobias was stout and a glorious friend inside and outside of battle, he wasn’t especially discreet. Jonas trusted him nonetheless.
A simple nod between the two friends was all that was needed. Tobias headed for the forest, while Jonas approached the camp. A few people came out to greet him.
“Hello there! Are you approaching our camp?” One of them said. There were two men and they were unarmed. They were also very young. One with blonde hair and the other with dark hair. This made Jonas’ job easy on one hand and potentially more tragic on the other.
“Indeed I am, sirs, are you in the habit of entertaining guests?” Jonas asked.
“Not especially. What do you have there?”
“I’m the butcher’s delivery man and a good cook as well. I hear that Lord William’s favorite dish is Rabbit Stew, and the butcher sent me as an act of good faith.” Jonas opened the icebox and showed the lads the rabbit. “I’m here to cook him a delicious meal. To cook for everyone, if it pleases them.” Jonas was a great fighter, but an even better liar. He chose his skills carefully. The two men looked at eachother skeptically.
“Why in the world would a butcher send you out here with a dead rabbit with intention to cook for all of us?” the other lad asked cleverly.
“A fine question. You see, the butcher and I, we sympathize with your Lord. But now is not the time for us to publicly proclaim such a thing. We are businessmen, after all, and doing so may turn some of our customers away. It could even get us kicked out of Windrow. We would like to show our support this way, however. Besides,” Jonas continued, “This is a prime rabbit, and who in their right mind can turn down a free meal?” The two thought about it for a moment. One laughed nervously and said;
“Are you sure you aren’t a spy sent here to poison the lot of us?” The other young man laughed, as did Jonas.
“I assure you, I’m not going to do any such thing.” Jonas said. “Here’s what I need you to do. I’ve heard about that incident in the square yesterday, and I’d like to help keep morale up by surprising everyone with the most delicious rabbit stew they’ve ever eaten. I need you two to let the regular cook in on the plan, and then I’ll take over from there. Can you do that?” Jonas was toying with them now; they were young indeed and eager to please. They were listening to him now so attentively. It was quite a shame that Jonas would probably murder these boys.
“We can do that. I’m good friends with the chef, I’m sure he’ll be much obliged to take a break. Come,” They led Jonas into the camp. He got odd looks from many people. The camp was just that; a group of tents and small huts where a few dozen people were staying temporarily.
They entered a small tent. There was the cauldron, and a fire was being stoked. There was no smell of anything cooking as of yet, which was a good sign. The cook was sitting idly by, watching the fire. He stood upon the entry of the three men.
“Hello? Who’s this?” He asked. The two men came to a simultaneous realization that they hadn’t gotten Jonas’ name.
“My name is Saul,” Jonas said, and before he could go any further, the fair-haired young man blurted out Jonas plan in full detail. He then smiled at Jonas. The cook sat there for a short time, poking at the fire every few seconds.
“Well then. You go on about your business; I’m going straight to bed. Up cooking all day…” The cook shambled out of the tent, mumbling the whole way.
Upon the exit of the chef, Jonas turned to the boys. "What are your names, anyway?"
“My name is Albas.” Said the blonde.
“And mine is Caston.” The other answered. Jonas nodded, and began to strip the meat from the bones of the rabbit.
“And where are you boys from?"
“We’re from Haven,” Albas said. Haven was a town a few days north of Windrow. It was a very small town, relying mostly on agriculture and livestock sales. It did well enough; it was notorious for the incredibly hard-working people that inhabited the town.
“Why did you leave home and join this…organization, if I may ask?” Jonas said. The boys looked uneasy. Caston spoke.
“We were never sure of the Goddess. How can you believe in something you’re not sure of?” He said. “Lord William came and told us that it was alright to question, to even disbelieve. Live as we please,” He continued. Albas nodded. Jonas shook his head. It was refreshing to meet some young people who thought for themselves, but someone should have taught them that there was a time and place for thinking, and there was a separate time and place for saying and doing.
“What is it?” Albas asked.
“Nothing.” Jonas answered. He was finished preparing the rabbit. He salted and spiced it, and tossed it into the pot. He began to slice the vegetables he would be using. Caston eyed him curiously.
“Where did you get that knife? It doesn’t look like a chef’s knife.” Jonas cursed himself under his breath. He had instinctively grabbed one of his throwing knives and had begun to use it as a cooking utensil.
“I found it lying around. It’s sharper than most knives I’ve used.” Jonas lied. He went on about the stew. He wasn’t a superb cook, but he could manage. All it would take was one bite of the stew, hopefully. The taste wouldn’t matter. Jonas had learned one thing, though. These boys certainly weren’t stupid. He began to contemplate how he was going to deal with them. He wondered if there was any way he could spare them without losing sight of the plan. Jonas felt like they were so lost, they didn’t deserve to die. These other men, ones who left their families, their homes, their shops, deserved to be judged.
Jonas lived by his saying that money comes before morals, however.
Maybe he was growing soft in his age. He had more than enough money back home, maybe the old drive just wasn’t there anymore. The thirst, the need. Jonas sat down on the cook’s stool to let the stew cook awhile. He wasn’t sure when he would slip in the poison. He decided to pick the boys’ brains a bit more.
“Do you boys have family back in Haven? Women, perhaps?” Jonas asked.
“Yes, we both have families. I’m an only child, Caston has siblings. Neither of us were involved with women when we left.” Albas looked pained, almost.
“Our lives were bland, constant work. From sunup ‘til sundown, and then more chores afterward. What kind of life is that?” Caston said.
“What kind of life, indeed,” Jonas mused. “Were you looking for adventure, then? Or a simple excuse to escape your chores?” He asked.
Caston spoke once again, “I suppose so. To some degree, anyhow. We believe in Lord William’s teachings, also.” Jonas fixed him with a stare for a moment. A piercing look, one that made you question everything you’ve ever done. He moved from Caston to Albas.
“Are you sure this is the kind of adventure you want to be a part of?” Jonas asked quietly. Albas looked down at his feet, while his cohort responded yet again.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, what are you doing here?” Jonas said. “What do you hope to accomplish? Do you not realize that real or not, right or wrong, the Goddess’ teachings are in place for a very good reason?”
“Are they?” Caston asked, his eyes narrowing. Jonas nearly laughed. Such impudence. Goodness, he sometimes missed being young and full of fire, rather than old and full of cool, calm wisdom. He sickened himself, at times.
“Yes, in fact, they are. No one wants to be stolen from, killed, or taken advantage of. The Goddess states that those things are sins, and that if they are committed, you are damned. It’s for the good of everybody. Whether real or not, the threat of eternal damnation keeps the order. People also want something to look forward to after death, of course, and Vera gives us that. What kind of pointless existence are we leading, if not to aspire to something better after we pass away?” Caston looked even more suspicious now.
“Are you really a chef, Saul? Is that even your real name?” He asked. Jonas was startled for just a second at the uttering of his fake name. He had almost forgotten who he had claimed to be. And this kid was very sharp. Almost too sharp.
Jonas smiled. “Of course I am. What else could I be?” He winked at Caston, and went about preparing the stew. Caston left the tent. Albas soon followed him. Jonas hoped on everything he ever cherished that they weren’t going to alert the authorities. As soon as they left, Jonas quickly administered the poison. Before he did so, he dished out two bowls of stew and set them aside. The soup was nearly done.
The tent flap soon flew back open, and Caston came back inside, followed by Albas.
“Are you almost done with that stew? You’re making me nervous, I don’t think I like you.” He challenged. Jonas smiled once again.
“It’s finished. I already set aside your first helping.” He handed one bowl to Caston, and one to Albas. They smelled the stew first, and then ate.
“This is pretty good…” Albas said.
“I was expecting better, from the way you sounded. It is still pretty good, I must admit. That crackpot cook we usually have is getting mighty lazy.” Caston said.
“Good. Eat up. I’ll take this out to the center of camp.” Jonas stood, and took the cauldron in both hands. He went outside, followed by the boys. He made his way to the center of camp, where the large firepit was. He set the cauldron down, and spoke loudly.
“My name is Saul, and I am your guest chef. I work for the butcher; he sends his regards in the form of a free rabbit stew for everyone. Please,” Jonas motioned to the pot. Praise the Goddess that most of them were ravenously hungry. A few looked at him with skepticism, but as is the way with most things, once they saw others eating they followed suit.
A few people were scattered around in tents and had come outside. Once they found that it was supper time, they also came and ate. Jonas felt a small pang of guilt, but then remembered his saying.
He was alarmed, though. This Lord William didn’t seem to be around. He was sure that he would know him when he saw him. Those in charge usually had overly elaborate tastes. Jonas glanced around. He was looking for a tent, one that would likely look different than the others that were scattered around. He spotted a large tent near the edge of the camp, somewhat removed from the rest. It was very near the treeline, perhaps partially under the canopy of the forest. This tent was made of some sort of shimmering gold material rather than animal skin or other cloth.
Jonas resolved that he ought to hand-deliver some stew to this Lord William fellow. Jonas located an empty bowl, and he ladled some stew into it. He then began a stroll towards the golden tent.
There had been two guards stationed outside the tent, but they had foolishly left their post to go and eat. Jonas stepped inside. The man referred to as Lord William seemed to be having a late-afternoon nap. He was curled up on a sleeping roll, snoring somewhat loudly. Jonas cleared his throat and spoke.
“My Lord…” Upon hearing a voice, the man sat bolt upright in his bed. He had a long face, and blue eyes. He had dark hair that was messy and seemed to be dirty. Possibly because of the nap, but more likely because he was a slob. Surely, this wasn’t the revered leader all of these people were following? He looked as if he couldn’t convince a turtle that fresh greens were tasty, let alone convince a group of people that the Goddess doesn’t exist. Or that if she does, she’s lying to us all.
“What the hell…?” He said, rubbing his eyes. Once they focused, and he saw Jonas, his eyes widened. “YOU! You’re the one who as in the square with that monk!” He quickly began to get up, perhaps to alarm the guards, perhaps to arm himself. Jonas didn’t have time to pull any weapons. He shouldn’t have assumed that things would go so smoothly. Instead, as soon as he stood up, Jonas punched him square in the nose. He felt a crunch, and William reeled from the blow and grabbed his nose. Jonas pulled his sword, and tried to grab William by the belt and drag him back, as he was crawling away. He was quick, however. He scurried underneath the wall of the tent. Once outside, he began to yell.
“PEOPLE! There is a spy among us!!!” William ran around to the common area. He was greeted by a nasty sight.
About a dozen people were already dead. Ten more were vomiting, on their way to meet Krovash. A few were having convulsions. It was a potent poison, indeed.
Jonas leapt out of the tent, and charged William. The revered lord immediately turned tail and ran straight into the forest. Jonas wasn’t sure where Tobias was, but he reckoned that he wasn’t near enough to William to stop him from escaping. Jonas began to go after him, when he was struck in the back of the skull. He was knocked unconscious.
When Jonas came to, he was tied to the cook’s stool. There were five people standing in front of him. Albas and Caston, of course, along with the cook and what seemed to be two guards. They must have simply not been hungry. One of the guards slapped Jonas.
“What have you DONE?” Jonas’ mind raced. He wondered where Tobias was, his timing was terrible. Jonas started to consider yelling for him, when the other guard bellowed:
“You poisoned the lot of us? What have you to say for yourself? Are you some kind of Goddess loving crusader?” He demanded.
“Are you some kind of Goddess hating crusader?” Jonas asked in return, lifting his head. The guard drew his sword, and Jonas filled his lungs with air and hollered.
“TOBIAS!!!!!” The guard bashed him on the top of his head with the pommel of his sword.
“What the hell are you yelling for?” He asked. “I’m going to flay your skin before I kill you, you disgusting man. Poison, of all things. Who put you up to this, anyway?” Jonas began to struggle against his restraints and the cook and the other guard held him down. Guard number one threatened him with the tip of his sword.
Before he could do any harm, Jonas heard a CRASH and Tobias leapt through the tent flap, mace in full swing. He brought it crashing down on the head of the cook.
The cook crumpled to the ground, instantly dead. The guards came upon Tobias, as the boys stared on in terror. Tobias jabbed one in the stomach, ducking the swing of the other at the same time. Tobias carried the swinging guard over his shoulders and out of the tent. Tobias quickly stabbed the wounded guard in the neck, killing him. He then stepped outside after the other fallen guard. Jonas heard a sound; it was something like “oof”, as if the air had been driven from someone. Jonas yelled at the boys.
“There’s a reason you two are still alive. Now help me out of these restraints!!” They hesitated, and Jonas yelled “NOW!!!” Albas obliged, while Caston look on sourly. Jonas immediately pulled two knives and stepped out of the tent.
The guard had taken Tobias by surprise somehow, and had thrown him into the large fire pit. Tobias was struggling backward, having lost track of his mace. The guard was advancing upon him. Jonas quickly threw a knife, it found its mark. Landing smack center of the guard’s back, and thus severing his spine, the knife immediately paralyzed him. He fell over, helpless.
Jonas advance to the firepit where Tobias lay.
“By the stars, Jonas. That fool feigned he was unconscious, and then took me by surprise as I went to finish him. The
tackled me into the firepit. I’m burned badly on my back…” Jonas helped him to his feet, and then peered into the woods.
“William got away.” He said. Tobias dusted himself off. The two boys made their way over to Jonas. Caston looked furious, Albas kept his usual reserve.
“YOU!!! What were you doing? Why? Why did you kill everyone???” Caston demanded.
“Stow it, Caston. The last thing I need is a child lecturing me about morals.” Jonas said. He turned back to Tobias. “Turn around.” He ordered. Tobias obliged. Jonas brushed the dirt and soot off his back, and revealed badly charred skin. “Alright,” Jonas said, “We need to count these bodies, and then get you to the herbalist.” He quickly surveyed the open area. He counted twenty-four bodies, including the corpses in the cooking tent courtesy of Tobias.
“You two, check those tents on the far side for bodies. I’ll check these ones.” Albas began to move, but Caston remained where he was while looking at him defiantly. Jonas decided he had had enough. He approached Caston, and grabbed him by the shirt.
“Shut your damn mouth, and cut the nonsense. You can keep being angry and go find William in the god damned woods. What a great and glorious leader he is. Or, you can help me count these bodies and maybe make a coin or two. Thank me that you’re alive, and quit complaining.” He let him go. Caston looked bewildered. He stood, head hanging for a moment, and then went after Albas.
Jonas went to check the tents closest to him. Sure enough, some followers had taken their food in their tents and had died there. There were four tents. Two were empty; there was one dead man in one; and two in another.
Jonas returned to the center of camp. Tobias had taken a seat on the ground. He seemed to be praying. Jonas could barely make out what he was saying.
“…Vera, please forgive me, for I have committed many atrocities this day. I have killed men in your name, there was no avoiding it. Hear my prayers, dear Goddess. I beseech you, let me remain pure and know your glory one day. Deliver me from evil. Watch over my friends and over all mankind. Protect those who died this day, though they are wicked men. Forgive them completely…”
Jonas couldn’t bear to listen any longer. Tobias had a certain innocence, a certain conviction when he prayed. It was intoxicating. Jonas was so beside himself, he nearly joined his friend in prayer. Soon, Tobias’ head rose. He had a serene look on his face and a faraway look in his eyes.
The boys returned to the center soon.
“Five bodies over there.” Caston said.
“Thirty-two total,” Jonas mused. The King had promised one thousand pieces for William, and one hundred pieces per follower. Jonas wasn’t sure how he would break the news to the king that William had escaped, or whether or not he would still be paid. These were extenuating circumstances, after all.
“Let’s go.” Jonas said. He still wasn’t sure why he had let the boys live. Perhaps it was because they were so lost in life. They didn’t deserve to be where they had been, and they hadn’t deserved the fate Jonas was dishing out. He expected them to follow him. He would pay each of them a small sum, because he might have died had they not freed him. Tobias stood, and they set out for Windrow. As they were walking away, Caston spoke.
“What about the bodies?” He asked quietly.
“We haven’t the time.” Jonas answered. “They’ll return to the ground one way or another.”
