disturbed from his contemplations, you see. But I am glad to have company.‖ He waved at the
men to sit down. ―Please, sit…sit.‖
Ogden banged some dirty plates on the table, stared at them for a moment, then wiped
them perfunctorily with the skirt of his habit, leaving even more smears. ―They‘ve not yet
informed me why they‘re here, Veremund.‖ He passed the plates about the table.
Veremund smiled broadly at the men. ―Well, that doesn‘t matter, does it. We have plenty
of time to hear their story.‖ He paused, and a shadow crossed his face. ―Gentlemen, forgive me if
I ask this. But I can‘t help wondering if you had any trouble coming through the Woods?‖
Ogden, who was rummaging in the larder behind their backs, paused and turned back to
the table. His eyes briefly met Veremund‘s.
Axis glanced at Timozel and Arne. ―We were not inside the trees a hundred paces
when…‖ He paused. ―When…‖
―Ah,‖ said Veremund softly, wringing his hands, a sad expression crossing his face. ―The
Woods, you see, they would not allow your axes in, would they?‖
―Demons,‖ said Arne darkly. ―No woods or forests should be allowed to stand. It‘s an
affront to Artor.‖
Ogden banged a cold honeyed ham on the table. He chortled. ―Young man, the Seneschal
have been trying to cut these woods down for a thousand years. Why—so it is said—one day
Axemen five thousand strong surrounded the Woods with their axes and tried to cut their way
through.‖ He laughed again. ―None survived the experience…Axemen, I mean.‖
Axis looked at the others, startled. ―But I thought these Woods were left standing because
the Seneschal wanted the Keep left undisturbed.‖
Veremund sighed and sat down. ―Unfortunately, the Seneschal is not yet strong enough
to conquer these Woods, BattleAxe. The old magic is still too strong.‖ Gilbert frowned at the
casual mention of magic. Veremund looked back to Ogden, returning from the larder with a t ray
laden with food. The unspoken thought passed between them—why had the Woods taken the
axes yet let the men live to reach the Keep? The Woods had let none live for…well, for many
years.
The kettle whistled and Veremund busied himself setting some tea to steep while Ogden
unloaded the tray. Their four guests exchanged surprised looks; the food that Ogden laid out was
as fine as that of Priam‘s table itself. There were four different kinds of bread, an array of cold
meats, pickles, mustards, fresh vegetables, various berry tarts and jellies, cream, butter, spiced
fruits and a variety of cheeses.
Gilbert cleared his throat. ―Excuse me, Brothers, but, ah, I was wondering how you
manage to set such a fine table?‖
Ogden and Veremund, sitting themselves down at the table, looked baffled. ―Why, the
food comes from the larder, of course,‖ Ogden said.
―Yes,‖ Gilbert pushed, wriggling a little on his bench, ―but how does it get in there? I
mean, do you butcher and bake all this yourself ? There were no livestock outside, and we saw
no gardens.‖
Ogden‘s eyes snapped. ―Young whip-snake, the food comes from the larder. I presume
Veremund puts it in there.‖
Veremund‘s eyes widened in denial. ―Oh, no, no, no, Ogden! You put it in there. I don‘t.‖
Ogden turned on Veremund, absolutely furious at being contradicted. ―No, I don‘t! You
do!‖ His plump cheeks had gone pink with anger.
―Brothers,‖ Axis said hastily to avoid further argument. ―It really doesn‘t matter. I‘m
sorry if Brother Gilbert‘s question offended you. Please, the food is more than we could have
expected.‖
―Well,‖ Veremund huffed. ―If you will excuse me, I will attend to your horses. There is a
stable out the back. If you could perhaps leave your tale until I return I won‘t have to impose on
you to repeat your words.‖ He pushed himself back from the table and sniffed at Ogden.
―Brother Ogden, perhaps you would be so kind as to pour the tea while I am gone.‖ Then he
stalked from the room, slamming the Keep door behind him.
An hour later the men were warm, fed and far more relaxed than previously. Veremund
had stomped back inside and joined them at the table. He refused to eat, sipping only at a mug of
steaming tea. Ogden leaned forward. ―Now, young men, what brings the BattleAxe, two
Axe-Wielders, and what you claim to be the Brother-Leader‘s adviser deep into the Silent
Woman Woods to disturb two old men who would prefer to be left alone?‖
Axis stared at his empty mug for a moment, then looked at Ogden and Veremund.
―Brothers, we‘ve come because the Seneschal, Achar itself, needs your help.‖
For almost an hour Axis talked, telling them everything he knew about the problems in
the north. Occasionally he‘d clarify a detail with Gilbert, and sometimes one or other of the two
Brothers would ask a question. Finally he sat back. ―Well, can you help us? Can you tell us how
to defeat these unbodied wraiths?‖
Ogden looked at Axis, then glanced about the rest of the table. His eyes were troubled.
―My sons. The news you bring is grievous. I am afraid to tell you that I, we, believe the news is
worse than you yet realise.‖ He paused.
Axis‘ face tightened. ―Then tell me, man, tell me! Don‘t sit there and keep me guessing!‖
―BattleAxe. At one point you mentioned the possibility that this danger from the north
might not actually be the Forbidden themselves,‖ said Veremund stumbling over the word
―Forbidden‖, ―but something else. You were correct. Brother Ogden and I are afraid that the
danger you speak of might be the Destroyer, Gorgrael himself, driving his Ghostmen and his ice
and cloud down from the north.‖
Axis glanced at Gilbert, but Gilbert looked as perplexed as he. ―Veremund, what do you
mean? Who is this Destroyer? This Gorgrael?‖
Ogden answered instead. ―Axis, first let me explain about this Keep a little.‖ Axis
nodded. ―Jayme told you that the Keep contained records, ancient records, from the time when
the Acharites penned the Forbidden behind the Fortress Ranges, is that right?‖
Axis nodded again. ―Jayme hoped that these records would contain valuable information
about how to defeat the Forbidden.‖
Ogden blinked, amused. ―Hardly, young man. The records that this Keep contains are the
actual records of the Forbidden themselves. They extend back almost eight thousand years.‖
―What!‖ Gilbert was appalled. ―They should have been burned hundreds of years ago!‖
Ever since the Forbidden had been penned behind the Fortress Ranges and the Icescarp Alps the
Seneschal had done everything in their power to rid Achar of any sign or memory of the
Forbidden, even discouraging people from repeating the old legends that included the Forbidden.
No wonder the Seneschal did not encourage any interest in the Silent Woman Woods and Keep.
―Exactly why the Seneschal has not let it be widely known that they exist, you young
simpleton!‖ Ogden snapped at Gilbert. ―They might be the records of the Forbidden, but they are
valuable for precisely that reason.‖
―But the Forbidden are brutes, hardly better than beasts, Ogden. How could they keep
records?‖ Axis asked quietly, leaning forward so that the firelight glinted in his eyes and in the
short hairs of his blond beard.
Veremund answered. ―BattleAxe. The Forbidden, as you have so simplistically called
them, had a written and oral culture that was far more complex than our own. Even after
hundreds of years of brothers studying the records that remain, we can only dimly comprehend
the complexity and beauty of their lives.‖
Arne studied both Brothers carefully. ―You sound as if you admire them.‖
―Young man, it has been hard for Brother Ogden and myself to do anything but admire
them. They were beautiful peoples.‖
―Sacrilege!‖ Gilbert hissed. ―You are unworthy to wear the robes of the Seneschal!‖
―Hush, Gilbert,‖ Axis said tersely, though he sympathised with Gilbert‘s reactions. How
could these Brothers admire the Forbidden when, as every Artor-fearing Acharite knew, the
Forbidden had done their best to slaughter every man, woman and child in Achar? ―You said
‗peoples‘, Veremund.‖
―The Forbidden are composed of two peoples. The Icarii, sometimes known as the people
of the Wing, and the Avar, or the people of the Horn. The records here are mainly of the Icarii, although we do have some relating to the Avar as well.‖
―How can you read the language of the Forbidden, Brothers?‖ Gilbert asked suspiciously,
ignoring Axis‘ admonition to keep quiet.
―All the races of this ancient land once lived together, Gilbert, and spoke the same
language. It has scarcely altered over the centuries.‖
We speak the same language as the Forbidden? Axis raised his eyebrows, but he did not
dwell on it. ―And these records will tell us of what we face?‖
Veremund nodded. ―I believe so. But it might be better if I show you rather than simply
tell you. Ogden, do you think that would be best?‖
―Yes, Veremund. I think that would be best.‖