The Keyschnect: Chasing Bondahar chapter 7

Please, Read the previous post in the Keyschnect series first if you have not already.

Rexpennae

Chapter 7

Krethos slowly awoke, quite refreshed, he could hear the captain working on the deck behind him, but no one else was awake in the lightening darkness. The sea slid like glass into the distance, and the air had a calm chill to it. But the gentle rocking of the deck told Krethos that the world was not so calm, and that he could not come to a rest quite yet.
"Captain," Krethos said as he moved across the deck, "Is it time to move out?"
"Jus' 'bout," the captain replied, "We've gotta catch the win' first."
"Should I rouse the others?"
"Nah, let 'em sleep, I'nt no need fer them ta spoil this time."
Krethos nodded, and set about tightening lines in the dawn calm, a light breeze picked up as the sun began to come over the crest of the world, and the captain roused the passengers before hauling in the anchor and setting canvas.
The ship passed out of the harbor, and out to the wide sea between lands. The trip was silent, none of the passengers much wanted to talk, and the crew was ever suspicious of newcomers, and so the passengers who were not working occupied themselves as best they could alone.
Krethos tied off ropes and tightened sheets, until the captain came to him.
"Krethos," he said, "Can yer men fight?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Thar may be trouble."
"What trouble?"
"Thar are pirates in this area."
"Pirates?"
"Yes, and I saw sails off ina distants."
"I can fight, Galarion is a stout man, but I'm not sure about the others, what chance do we have of meeting the ship you saw."
"If they're pirates, an' if they seen us, we got 'bouta fool's chance of 'scaping."
Krethos lowered his head, slowly nodding. He walked away from the Captain and spoke to Glarion and Meir. They set weapons in a place of easy reach, and went back to their activities.
Three tense hours later the situation became much tenser, the pirate ship had come up fast, lighter and faster than the merchant vessel Krethos sailed upon, it came up hard and breathed down the neck of the merchant ship. The captain threw the helm around, turning with the wind, hoping for better speed, but he was not granted such. The pirates gained space, and came with in bow range, Krethos stood upon a rail firing arrow after arrow with a strong arm and deadly aim, but the pirates fired back, with a heavier rain, one of fire.
As the flames took the sails Krethos and Galarion swept across the deck, as pirates swung over the water to the merchant ship. Swords rang and fell to the deck beside the lifeless bodies of their former wielders as the merchant crew and passengers defended their furnace of a ship. Wave after wave of pirates fell to the swords of the defenders, and many defenders fell to the swords of the attackers, all the while the merchant vessel burned and slowly fell to the waves.
Esmerelda and Freidarae stood on the prow of the ship, watching the fire advance, the ship sink, and the battle rage. Slowly the defenders all fell but Krethos and Meir, and he ran to the prow with the women. The pirates returned to their ship, and let the burning hulk sink below the waves, Krethos, Esmerelda, Meir, and Freidarae clung to a spar floating in the water, wholly at the mercy of their attackers, and now Captors.
They were taken aboard the ship, and one by one shackled and imprisoned, the bodies of the dead were left upon the water in the pirate fashion, and the cargo that could be salvaged was, before the pirates left the scene, loaded with plunder and new slaves.
Krethos sat in the corner of the brig, alone, depressed, he was a captive, he could not reach El Intrivo, or Von Bondahar.

The Keyschnect's quest was ended, it seemed, in failure.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Robert W. A. Nance

All rights reserved

The Keyschnect: Chasing Bondahar chapter 6

Here is Chapter 6 if you have not read any of the other previous Keyschnect posts, Don't go on, go back and read them first, in order, if possible.

Rexpennae

Chapter 6

Krethos stepped back, the man began laughing.
"Ha! Scared, are we?" the man asked, "Bondahar, I saw him about two months ago." Krethos took on a look of disappointment, which the man immediately noticed, "Ah, you thought I meant recently." he continued, "He and his crew arrived by ship three months ago, I saw him then, and when I made my midnight rounds about a week ago, his ship was gone, by all reports he came around ten at night and boarded his ship, which then departed immediately."
"So he has gone, across the sea?" Krethos asked.
"Yes, he has. He has most likely gone to the Castle El Intrivo, it is the throne of a friend."
Krethos looked at the ground as he thought, he rose his head and thanked the harbor master before leading his party to a small hill outside of the city.
"I will go on ahead, I have enough money to barter passage for five. Three of you may accompany Esmerelda and myself to El Intrivo."
Immediate uproar met Krethos' statement, every one of the twenty wanting to be among the three. Krethos looked them over, Meir would go, first to join, and another two, Galarion, and Freidarae, were taken from the group. The others were none to happy about coming so far to be turned away.
"My friends." Krethos said to the remaining 17, "I have a job for you, spread the word, people need to know, death is coming to an end, and it will come as a shock to the rest of the world, unless they know. Go far, stride long, and tread none to lightly, men need to know you are there."
The 17 were emboldened at Krethos' words, they had not come in vain, and so, purposed again they prepared for a semi-joyous departure, from their leader, but on to better the world. Without wasting time the 17 attained provisions and shelter for the trip ahead, resolved to be better prepared than when they had come at first, without care for the dangers, and their own needs.
Krethos sent them off, and with his four companions made his way back to the dock. After bargaining for the better part of three hours Krethos managed to secure passage on a merchant freighter vessel, for a bit less than he had expecting to pay. They were to depart early the next morning, so he made himself of use by helping to load boxes and barrels the contents which he could only guess.
Meir, being a small man and not much inclined to physical labor, sat back and watched Krethos as he loaded the hold of the ship. Esmerelda and Freidarae did not help to load the ship, as the captain would not dream of requiring two young ladies as them do the work that he could very well do himself.
"Do you believe he is who they say he is?" Meir asked Esmerelda.
"Yes," Esmerelda said without missing a beat, "I believe the fate of us all rests with him."
"Do you think he believes he is who they say he is?"
"That I do not know, he seems to think it so, it would not be logical to lead 50 people into the wilderness unless you were sure of yourself."
"He hasn't slept for days, not since we left town, he just sits by the fire, deep in a sort of depression, it is evident in his tone and mood, it seems to emanate from him, a sense of uncertainty, but only when he is alone."
Esmerelda's mood changed at this, she was sort of agitated, suddenly almost ready to panic, "Really," she breathed, not looking at Meir any more, but staring absently at the deck, "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes," Meir answered apprehensively, and on edge continued, "Why?"
Esmerelda composed herself quickly, "I have no particular intrest in it." She lied, "It just worried me, that he would be like that."
Meir didn't quite believe Esmerelda, but he let the matter slide for now, perhaps he would tell Krethos, but probably not, "As it should." he continued.
Esmerelda turned away form Meir, after her lapse of composure she had no wish to speak again.
When Krethos and Galarion loaded up the ship they helped to prepare the first real meal they had eaten in several days. Having eaten they all laid down to sleep early, as they were to depart before morning light, Krethos lay down until he was sure all were asleep, before he crept from the middle deck. He climbed to the top deck and clambered up to the bowsprit to sit. Esmerelda watched him leave his bed, she was gravely concerned, but she resolved to leave her concerns for another time, the voyage would take weeks, if this behavior continued much longer she would talk to him.
Barely a single thought flitted through Krethos' mind, he just stared at the vast expanse of darkness before him, in the sky above the thinly overcastting clouds moved quickly, hiding and revealing the moon at moment long intervals. The wind felt slightly damp as it whipped his shoulder length hair across his bearded face. He was content, not wanting or disliking anything, just staring into the fore, forgetting everything around him, and for the first time since he woke last at the cabin of Esmerelda he closed his eyes and slept deep, dreamless, and peaceful.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Robert W. A. Nance

All rights reserved

The Keyschnect: Chasing Bondahar chapter 5

Hello, here is Chapter 5 of Chasing Bondahar, the first book in the Keyschnect Trilogy, If you have not read the previous three posts, STOP HERE, do not go on, you will not understand this post, go back and read the others, and leave comments as you go,
Thank you all,
Rexpennae

Chapter 5

With Krethos at the head of the column the party of fifty set out across the open plains North of the town. Silent and somber did Krethos' disciples leave their homes and families, but they left for the best reason in all of creation, they were following after their savior.
A fire had swept through the area recently, smoldering grass mounds dotted the blackened landscape, and the smell of fire was prominent in the air. Some considered turning back, as if this was a bad omen of what was to come, some did turn back, as quickly as they had joined up. However, Krethos pressed on, Esmerelda at his side all the time.
As night fell the first of Krethos' problems arose, none of these people had brought much food, and none of them had bothered to bring shelters. Krethos watched as more turned back in dismay, and most who stayed were angered at him. Esmerelda stepped forward, "The sky is clear, the air is warm, the ground is flat, we need not shelters, and while we should be dismayed for the lack of animals to eat, we should be glad there are no animals to prey upon us. You will all live without food for the night, tomorrow we will make a point of hunting some down."
This satisfied some, but not all, but all laid down to sleep, Krethos built himself a small fire and tended to some wounds on his arm that had not begun to heal. Meir walked quietly up behind him, "So, you are the Keyschnect?" he asked in a sort of declarative way.
"It is so." Krethos answered.
"We lost a lot today." Said Meir
"It is better that way, they were not strong enough, some will fall away, and those that are left will be the strongest." Krethos said without looking at his visitor, taking a slightly pensive tone and mood.
"More will leave tomorrow."
"The weak."
"I don't get you, why did you start on this quest?"
"My family was killed, my friends laid down their lives for me, I cannot live in a world without them, I wanted the keys to bring them back to life."
"So when did you find out you were the Keyschnect?"
"I came to the chamber of King Ahk-hatta, it was said in my land that he had the keys, he told me that Von Bondahar had them, and that I was the Keyschnect."
"Why do you want the keys now, you wanted them to ease your suffering, but what is your motive now?"
"It is my destiny, I don't question it, I need them to end your suffering, to end the suffering of the world."
"Is that so, Is it really true?"
Krethos was taken aback by the question, he thought for a moment before he answered, "Yes, it is true, I have no doubt."
Meir nodded, before he stood up and walked away to sleep, Krethos sat by the fire until the sun began to creep into the sky, and his followers began to wake. They departed before long, walking north to the docks, they came to the end of the burn, waist high grasses swayed with the wind, and the odd tree rose from the sea like a pillar. The group trudged on silent, some turned back, most continued, they were a quarter day's march from the docks at the time that the sun neared the mountain peaks. Krethos sent out hunters to secure food for the 20 followers he had left, the rest set up fires to cook on, the sky was clear still so there was no need for shelters.
The hunters returned with a wolf and several rabbits, they were cooked and eaten quite readily, Krethos was surprised to find that the Wolf was not bad, Esmerelda remarked aloud, albeit softly, "They aren't so bad after all.
The next morning they all departed for the docks, no one left today, they all walked on steady and true. Around noon they came into sight of the masts of the docks, Krethos was pleased, he would find his prey. The group entered the yards, "Have you seen an assassin by the name of Jack Von Bondahar?" Krethos asked a harbor master.
"Why, yes, yes I have…" the man said as he turned around smiling.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Robert W. A. Nance

All rights reserved

The Keyschnect: Chasing Bondahar Chapter 4

Here is Chapter four of Chasing Bondahar, the first book in the Keyschnect series, please enjoy, and leave me a comment.

Rexpennae

Chapter 4

Krethos stood up from his seat, "Why now, why can you look on me now?"
"Because you know who you are now, because now you have at least an idea of the power you wield, but what you know is not nearly a full knowledge."
"Meaning what, exactly?"
The king turned and mounted up on his horse, "Everyone, everyone, heed my call," he called out, but it was unnecessary, King Ahk-hatta had the people's attention from the moment his horses entered the town, "This man before me, Krethos, is the Keyschnect, there can be no doubt. The savior is come!" and with that the king spurred his horse and was gone.
While Krethos still stood, trying to make sense of the past moment's actions, people all around began to murmur and talk amongst themselves. One by one, starting with the elders, the people began to kneel, in the mud and dung, before Krethos. He stood watching the scene before him unfold, his jaw was slack in complete wonder, his hands hung limp at his side, and it seemed to Krethos that only his eyes floated in midair while his body was nowhere to be found.
Men emptied the shops and women emerged from their houses, Esmerelda came around the corner of a side street, she stopped at the sight, and a knowing and satisfied smile spread across her face. Krethos caught a glimpse of her as even she came to her knees in the mud, there was not one man, woman, or child left standing.
One man, Meir, stood, "You, You are the Keyschnect, and we will follow you, even to the edge of the universe and beyond." He said, to which a resounding chorus added, "Yes, it is true."
"Why do you kneel?" Krethos asked.
"You have come to reverse death, to end our suffering, you have a long ways to go, and many obstacles lie in your way." Meir said.
"The Keys to the Dark World, I do not have them." Krethos called out, mutters of general uncertainty filled the crowd at this.
Meir stepped forward, "Mr. Krethos," he whispered, "Where are they? What must we do to get them for you."
"Jack Von Bondahar has them, he should be far ahead of me by now, but I don't know how far."
Meir stepped back, thinking hard, he turned to the still kneeling crowd, "Do what you will, I choose to follow this man on his quest, to get the keys, you may come along, or may not, it is your choice."
One by one the crowd came to its feet, over half came forward and stood before Krethos as if waiting for instructions, the others walked back to their respective business, all of them feeling shamed for their inability to commit to the changing of the world.
"Von Bondahar has the keys, who has seen him, or knows where he goes when he comes through here?" Krethos asked.
Silence met his question, blank stares filled his vision, no one knew, or no one would tell. Esmerelda suddenly appeared at his side, "The docks, he would go to the docks and try to get away." She said.
"To the docks, arm yourselves, I fear trouble awaits us, then return here, we will depart in an hour." Krethos called out, and the crowd dispersed, all of them to retrieve some sort of weapon, be it a bow or hatchet, or whatever lay at hand.
Krethos walked back into the Mercantile, to help load up Esmerelda's wagon. She came up and laid a hand on his shoulder, "Don't bother, Krethos." She said softly.
"Why, we have to get you back with these supplies before your brother comes back from the mines, and I have to move on quickly."
"Krethos, I'm coming with you." Esmerelda said, she pulled out a letter, "This came for me, the mineshafts collapsed, my brother is among the dead, there will be no need for me to ready for his return. I want to help you right the world."
Krethos looked down at the girl, she had nothing left, but wanted to go with him, he could not refuse, any more than he could order the townsfolk to remain here, their minds were set, unsaying, the would follow the man they believed to be the Keyschnect to the end of the world and beyond.
Krethos nodded and turned away, he went to the back of the wagon and took out his sword, "Well then, m'lady, we ought to get going.

Copyright © 2008-2009 Robert W. A. Nance

All rights reserved