Bellatrix: Swords of Chaos, Book One

CHAPTER 7

  Range lifted the large sack full of supplies with a grunt.Miriam brought out three more boxes to the wagon.Mel and Zoë were playing around the back of the wagon and the sun was shining.People walked by, not certain what to say.

  Range had decided it would be best to see Garon.Nicodemus had agreed with him. Miriam did not. She had wanted to stay in Spadix. She and Range had argued for almost an hour and she was adamant about not wanting to leave, until Mel and Zoë came to the store after school. Once they wrapped around her legs, she hugged them and looked up at Range. The look in her eyes said it all.

  They were going to see Garon.

  They had talked it over for an hour and finally decided to have Nicky’s cousin, Hubli watch the store until they returned—if they returned. They must go north and deliver the news to Lucan’s family living in Romus. Garon lived in Romus. They had no idea where Lucan’s family really lived. Lucan had only mentioned them in passing.

  This wasn’t the best idea, but it would work. People would question them: Why can’t you send a message? Why do you all have to go?Range would make it clear this was not the kind of message one sends via a messenger and the trip would take a long time, so he could not leave his family behind.

  Once filled, the wagon was too full to seat the entire family, but the Sword was well hidden among other mundane things.

  “I’m going to talk to Wil’Darrian,” Range said to Miriam.

  “Okay.” She was stuffing blankets under the seat of the wagon.

  “I will get him to pray for us as well,” Range said. Wil’Darrian, the priest would need to help Range with one small detail.

  “When are we leaving?” she asked as Range began to leave. Mel and Zoë had come around from the front of the wagon. Mel hugged his mother.

  “As soon as I get back.”

  He trotted across the town square, noticing how people watched as he passed. Everyone was wondering what he was doing. Let the townspeople have their rumors and gossip, let them all hang. Lucan was murdered and he was going to make certain he didn’t let his friend’s death go for nothing.

  The temple was empty this time of day.Wil’Darrian would be in his office.Range’s heels, clipping on the marble floor, were the only sounds in the temple. This temple of Ooln was one of the smaller in the land. The smell in the building was clean, as if it had just been washed. A large stained glass window covered the entire wall behind the pulpit, the myriad of colors bleeding onto the floor and the dais.Range passed the wooden pews, hard and smooth, and walked to the right of the marbled podium and dais.Hidden in the shadows was the plain wooden door leading to the office. He knocked.

  “Yes?” the muffled voice of Wil’Darrian asked from the other side.

  Range opened the door, sticking his head in.”Are you busy?”

  Wil’Darrian was sitting behind his desk and looked to be scribbling something on a parchment with a magic pen.A window behind him provided ample light to work by.To Range it looked like the man was frustrated.His old brow was furrowed, causing wrinkles to start almost at the top of his bald head.He was hunched over the parchment, attacking it.

  “Never too busy to talk to a brother of Ooln!”Wil’Darrian said, standing and tucking the pen behind his ear.

  Range stepped in and shook Wil’Darrian’s hand. He stood over Wil’Darrian by almost two hands.”Well met.”

  “Well met,” Wil’Darrian responded.

  He motioned for Range to sit.

  “What can I help you with, Range?”

  “I need to leave Spadix.”

  Wil’Darrian’s eyebrows furrowed again.”Leave?”

  “I am going to give Lucan’s family the news of his death.”

  Wil’Darrian leaned back in his chair, and sighed.”Ah yes, that was horrible.I found out only yesterday afternoon myself. Truly unfortunate…”

  Range nodded. He could feel his throat tightening again.

  “Range, may I ask. Was he close to Ooln?”

  Range shook his head.”Unfortunately, I don’t think so.” Wil’Darrian was like a father to him.With what had happened to his own father so long ago, Wil’Darrian had become someone Range could speak with on issues from his family to his business.They had grown close over the years. Range knew he felt closer to Wil’Darrian than the old priest did with him. Everyone confided in Wil’Darrian, but the priest rarely confided in any of his congregation.

  Wil’Darrian shook his head.”Terrible, really.”

  “I agree. He will be missed.”

  “But this still does not explain why you are leaving. You have a supply store to run and a family to care for. How can you simply uproot and leave right at the beginning of winter?”

  “Nicodemus’s, cousin will be watching the store for us. It is what is right.” He hated being vague to the priest; it made him feel dirty and childlike.May Ooln forgive him for his sins.

  “You cannot send a messenger?”

  “Lucan was murdered. He didn’t just die. I think this is a special situation needing personal attention,” Range said.He was hoping that was enough to get a nod from the priest.He needed Wil’Darrian to accept his story.

  Wil’Darrian’s mouth stretched to the left as his head twisted to the right,”Maybe. But what will happen to your family? Your store?” He chewed on the side of his mouth as he always did when he was thinking.

  “My family will be with me. I am taking the children and Miriam.”

  “There’s that at least.” Wil’Darrian pulled his pen from his ear and began to fiddle with it. After a moment, he tucked the pen behind his ear again.

  “And I need your help with the store,” Range said.

  “I know nothing about running a store,” Wil’Darrian said, with a snort.

  “I don’t need you to run it. Nicky’s cousin, Hubli will do it.”

  “Okay, so what do you need from me?”

  “There is a good chance I might not return.”

  Wil’Darrian’s eyes widened.”Why would that be?”

  Range grimaced for a moment.”I want to give the store to Lucan’s wife, Carine.”

  “So why would you not return?” Wil’Darrian asked.

  Range closed his eyes and sat forward.”Many reasons.”

  “You will make no money from it, no profit. And what does Carine know about running a supply store?”

  “Please, just write something up to do it. Carine has helped Miriam many times in the store and has a working knowledge on the daily routine.” Range didn’t need the money from the sale of the store. He just wanted Carine to be taken care of.

  “Why isn’t Carine going with you?”

  “She’s never met Lucan’s family. They were married here. Her family is here.”

  “Why are you doing this? Do you feel responsible for your friend’s death?”

  Range shrugged.”In a way, yes.”

  “Why?”

  Range stared at him.He had never told the priest anything about the Sword.He knew anyone he told could potentially be in danger.”It’s very complicated.” He stopped talking and the quiet stretched out.

  Wil’Darrian sat for a moment, chewing the side of his mouth.He sat forward.”I will do it on one account.”

  “What is that?”Range asked.

  “You do not merely give your store away. You sell it to Carine.”

  “But I don’t—”

  “I don’t care. You sell it.I will handle all the paperwork; you just sign the store over to me. When I do I’ll send you the money or hold it for you.”

  “Hold it,” Range said. He had no idea where he would be or when. He would just give the money to Carine if he returned.

  “Fine,” Wil’Darrian said, casting about for his magic writing pen.He finally found it tucked behind his right ear.”I will fill out a document you can sign that will turn the store over to me.”He began scratching on the parchment. The pen was a long brown cylinder with a tapered point.When the priest pressed it to the parchment and wrote, lines o
f ink trailed.

  Range pulled a durry out, lit it with some quickflint, and began smoking.He was thinking about Lucan and the one who did this. Why would an Osaban priest be looking for one of the Swords? Could it be that a new party was looking for the Sword? Someone had alerted the Osaban he was in Spadix. Who could it have been? Perhaps the ones who had originally chased him across the land had obtained the assistance of the Osaban. It seemed unlikely, but who else?The bloated corpse of his past began floating to the top of his thoughts.

  “Okay, I’ve got it,” Wil’Darrian said.He slid it over the desk to Range.

  Range broke from his reverie and read it, a basic document stating his store now belonged to Wil’Darrian Vashan who had the right to sell it and give all profits to Range.

  “Looks fine,” Range said, borrowing Wil’Darrian’s pen and scratching his name.”Let her pay you out. If she has no coin right now, give her the store and let her pay you from the profits.”

  “Excellent,” Wil’Darrian said.He looked at Range,”Is there anything else?”

  “No, and thank you,” Range said. He began to stand.

  “What else is going on, Range? There is something there.”

  “It’s nothing,” Range said. If only the priest knew. If only Range could tell him. He wanted to tell Wil’Darrian everything; the priest could be useful on this trip, especially if they were dealing with Osaban priests.

  Useful? Is that how he looked at people now? Would they be useful to him on the road? Range grew mad at himself. He wanted to the use the priest. Wil’Darrian, a tool. He could not lie to himself. That was his initial thought. He could hate himself later.

  “What are you not telling me?” Wil’Darrian asked.

  “Lots,” Range said.

  “And you’re not going to tell me? Range, if there is an Osaban priest involved, you might very well need my assistance.” Wil’Darrian said, scratching his chin.

  “I cannot.” Range could not have another person involved. His guilt could only weigh so much.

  “Are you going to seek revenge on the one who did this?”

  Range plopped back down with a sigh.”No.”

  Wil’Darrian looked skeptical.”Remember, our father god forbids vengeance. Do not—”

  “It’s not that,” Range said, raising his hands in a defensive manner.

  “You’re not going to tell me what it is?”

  “You would be in a great danger.”

  “The same kind of danger Lucan was in?”

  “Apparently.”

  “So he was privy to this information?”

  “No.”

  “And yet, since he was a friend, he was susceptible to the danger.”

  “Yes. That is my fault.”Wil’Darrian was a friend too.

  “It’s your fault you made a friend?”

  “It’s my fault I put him danger.”

  “This makes no sense.”Wil’Darrian sat forward in his chair and folded his arms across his desk.

  “I am truly sorry for that,” Range said.

  “So Lucan knew nothing and still was murdered. That murder smelled of Osaban. Reeked of it.So you tell me—what will keep me safe?”

  “I don’t know,” Range said.Wil’Darrian was much safer than Lucan was.

  “My faith in Ooln will see me through this,” Wil’Darrian said.”But will it see you through yours?”

  “I hope so.”

  “Remember your Father.His power is greater than anything on this earth.”

  “I will,” Range said.

  “Let us pray.” Wil’Darrian bowed his head and leaned it on the desk.Range put his head on the desk across from the priest.They prayed for a few minutes. Wil’Darrian did most of the praying, Range simply said,”Let it be” when the priest was done.

  Range stood and shook the priest’s hand again.”Thank you father.”

  Wil’Darrian’s face softened,”Be careful out there Range.Whatever did this and caused you to bolt must be dangerous, especially if an Osaban is involved. Take care of your family, for it is what strengthens a man. Oh!” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial of clear blue liquid tied to a rope.”Take this. Keep it around your neck at all times.”

  “What is it?” Range asked, taking the vial.The viscous blue contents sloshed around.

  “It is blessed oil. I have sensed an Osaban, and if I am correct, you may very well need this.”

  “What do I do with it?”Range lifted the rope over his neck and tucked the vial under his tunic.

  “Use it sparingly, when the need arises.Apply it to your blade or use it to splash if you are in an emergency. But remember do not waste it! And don’t forget to consult your Docere often.”

  Range nodded. He had already packed the holy book of Ooln.”I shall take it with me. Thank you again.” He stood and left.

  Once outside, Range glanced at the sun. It was almost noon. There was plenty of time to get on the road, head north, and put some distance between his family and the town.He walked to the wagon.

  “Where’s Nicodemus?Wasn’t he supposed to be here?” Miriam asked as Range stepped onto the wagon, inspecting the load one more time.

  Range looked around,”Yes, but he knows where we’re going. I am anxious to leave, and he can catch us.” Range was worried about his friend. Lucan’s murder loomed over everything now. Range shook himself. Nicky would be fine. He would meet them soon.

  “How did it go with Wil’Darrian?” Miriam asked.

  “He agreed to everything.” He didn’t bother telling her about the extra agreement they had made. All it meant was they may have some extra coin waiting for them if they returned. He knew they would never return to Spadix.

  Nicky was nowhere in site when they left.