Upon the gates he knocked, three times three,
With a face as pale as the moon, Kell had finally returned home.
With shaking hands and a broken spirit he confessed to the King,
That the deed was done but the others were all dead.
EXCERPT FROM THE SAGA OF KELL KRESSIA
BY THE BARD PAX MEDINA
When Kell woke up the next morning he was initially disorientated. Eventually he recognised his room in the palace but it did little to help him relax. Everything was intended to satisfy his desires and make him more agreeable. From the plush surroundings, to the lavish food, to the pleasant and willing company.
Lukas, and the King, were intent on manipulating him. The Steward had mentioned spending time alone on purpose. Why else would Lukas send Anastasia to his room? After such an encounter they would expect him to be compliant. If everything had gone according to plan it might have worked.
It had been nice to talk to someone even if she was being paid to keep him company. They thought he was as naïve as he’d been at seventeen when all he’d wanted was fame and fortune. As Kell was wondering if he would have to dress up again he received an invite to a private breakfast with Lukas. Wearing his own clothes, which had been washed and repaired, he felt more at ease.
A servant guided him through the corridors to a room with plain wooden furniture. It was much at odds with the rest of the palace. The wooden table was stained, worn and marked with dozens of rings from wet mugs and glasses. There were cuts on the surface from knives and one of the legs was slightly shorter than the others. A wedge had been shoved under it to make it level but as he rested his arms on top he felt it tilt slightly to the left.
On a side table he spotted an array of modest fare consisting boiled eggs, a chunky malt loaf, a bowl of fruit, sausages and a jug of milk. A servant carried in a large plate of steaming smoked fish and rice which she added to the rest. Lukas bustled into the room carrying some plates and a pot of tea.
“Hungry?” he asked, passing Kell a plate before helping himself to some sausages and eggs. Kell heaped a plate with food before tucking in with vigour. The smoked fish fell apart in his mouth and the rice was seasoned with fragrant spices that made his tongue tingle. Just as Kell was finishing a second plate of fish and rice Lukas brought up their conversation from the previous night.
“So, have you come to a decision?” he asked. At least he’d waited until Kell had nearly finished eating.
“Almost, but first I want to ask you something.” There were still a few boiled eggs left so Kell helped himself to a couple and another chunk of fish.
He’d caught Lukas by surprise. No doubt he’d expected Kell to immediately agree to everything. “What do you want to know?”
“Why all the secrecy? Why sneak me into the city like a thief?”
The Steward visibly relaxed. He’d been expecting Kell to ask him something else. “Two reasons. First, because the truth will terrify people and start a panic. The Frostrunner clans understand the weather better than anyone. They have over forty words for snow, so they know the difference between a bad season and a real threat. At the moment the changes are minor, but you’ve already seen the impact.” Lukas shook his head. “If nothing is done it’s going to get much worse. Everyone will slowly starve and freeze to death. The truth would be too much for most people.”
“And the second reason?”
Lukas offered a wry smile. “I didn’t want people to know until I had your answer.”
“Do you want me to hide my identity?” asked Kell.
Lukas shook his head. “Quite the opposite. If people want to know why you’re passing through then tell them. Just don’t tell them the whole story. Your name still carries a lot of weight, so it will give people hope. That is, of course, assuming you accept.”
“Since we’re being honest, the truth is I don’t want to go,” said Kell, chewing his bottom lip. “I’m a farmer now. I haven’t even held a sword in years, but, I am familiar with the dangers in the Frozen North.”
“Is that a yes?” asked Lukas, pressing for an answer.
“This isn’t a threat I can ignore. I could pretend it won’t affect me in Honaje, but eventually the frost would reach my farm. Then I’d starve along with everyone else.” Kell took a deep breath and nodded grimly. “I will make the journey.”
“I hoped you would say that,” said Lukas with a big smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you have all the appropriate clothing and plenty of money. No more sleeping in ditches beside the road.”
“Ah, the King told you about that,” said Kell. He’d never shared that part of the story with his admirers. Those nights of hardship, along with the truth about the heroes, had not made it into the bard’s saga. That version spoke of glorious feasts every night beside a roaring fire, not huddling under a blanket for warmth with an empty belly.
“The King told me everything,” said Lukas. “When do you want to head north?”
“The sooner I leave the sooner I can return. If you don’t mind, I’d like to choose my own horse. I’m not a confident rider, so I’m going to need a patient horse with stamina.”
“That’s fair. Let’s get started,” said Lukas, getting up from the table.
Kell spent the rest of the morning working with one of Lucas’s assistants choosing clothing for his trip through the northern kingdoms and then beyond onto the ice. The air was so cold in some parts it could freeze exposed skin in a few heartbeats. The southern wind cut through all but the most robust clothing and he knew it had to be carefully padded and then waxed to repel water and ice.
Lukas’s assistant listened carefully to his requirements and had the tailors make suitable adjustments. It would take them a couple of hours which gave him enough time to choose a horse and gather other provisions.
By mid-afternoon Kell was ready. Lukas was waiting for him outside the stables beside the horse that Kell had selected. It was a sturdy roan mare that had been loaded up with supplies. Just as Kell was checking that nothing was missing a servant came racing out of a side door carrying rope and a pair of ice axes.
Kell added them to his saddlebags which were already straining at the seams. Some of it was food but the rest was equipment he couldn’t survive without in the harsh northern climate.
Wearing padded armour over his clothing and a sword on his back again felt strange. The sword was part of someone else’s life. A stranger he barely recognised any more. Kell didn’t want to become that person again. Not under any circumstances.
Lukas dismissed the servants and even held the horse’s bridle while Kell settled himself in the saddle. The mare barely stirred, confirming that he’d made the right choice.
“Here,” said Lukas, holding up a money pouch which Kell gladly accepted. It was heavier than he’d been expecting which spoke of the King’s generosity or perhaps his desperation. “May the Shepherd give you strength, courage and wisdom for the journey ahead.”
Kell chuckled at the old blessing. “The last time someone said that was ten years ago.”
“A good omen. Let us hope the ending this time is also the same.”
“I hope so.”
“How long will it take you to get there?” asked Lukas.
Kell thought back over his previous journey. “At least twelve days to reach the Frozen Circle, if there are no problems. Less than half that again on the ice. There are ravens in the town of Meer. I’ll send word back as soon as I can.”
Meer was the most northern settlement in Kinnan. Despite its northern position Meer was still over a day’s travel from the Frozen Circle. The only people who lived there were trappers, hunters and fisherman. It was a tough place at the end of the world and not somewhere he’d wished to see again.
“After thirty days, if you don’t hear any word, I would assume the worst.”
Kell knew that the Steward would be realistic. Lukas nodded grimly but didn’t tell him what they would do if he didn’t return.
“Are you ready?” asked Lukas.
Kell swallowed hard and laughed. “No, but I’d best go before I lose my nerve.”
“Good luck,” said Lukas, shaking his hand.
Taking his time to get used to his horse Kell set off at a walk through the palace grounds. Retracing his steps across the city, so he didn’t have to contend with the hills, he carefully navigated down narrow streets until he reached the east gate. This time he paid no attention to the sprawling market. Turning his horse towards the north Kell breathed deeply while staring up at the sky. It was a relief to be out of the city. Being around so many people made him uncomfortable. Being crammed into a huge stinking city that was awash with people sounded like a nightmare.
As he became familiar with the rhythms of his horse Kell thought about what lay ahead. The money Lukas had given him was enough to start a new life. He would ride north for a couple of days, cross over the border into Hundar, and then head east for the coast. From there he could find a ship sailing to Corvan across the Narrow Sea. After that would shave his head and beard, change his name and start over.
Once Lukas and the King realised he wasn’t coming back they’d assume he was dead and send another group to get the job done. Kell felt a little guilty but he countered it with a dose of reality. Last time he’d been lucky and surrounded by heroes. This time he was travelling alone.
The lands beyond Corvan were supposed to be lush with rich, fertile soil. If he found a nice plot maybe he would buy some cattle or establish an orchard. Cider at the Dancing Cricket always tasted like tart piss. Kell knew he could do a lot better.
Yes, indeed. A new life awaited him and today was the first day.