Journey of Past Secrets

By Janet Cesanek

Brought back together by a life threatening situation, allies embark on a seemingly benign trip to a trader's village, when they find out information about the past that threatens to change lives forever.
Join them as they travel to discover and unlock the treachery that has befallen one of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477219942

Janet Cesanek

Janet has been writing since she was a child and has evolved her short stories into a series of adventure fantasies. Join her as you delve into the world she has created for all to enjoy.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was a cloudy damp morning outside of the kingdom of lord’s gate. A small hunting party was returning with their catch from a two day trip. The group consisted of three knights from the king’s guard, Prince Francis and Thor and Burnhilt, close friends of the king and his family. They had been traveling since before dawn through thick forest and when they spotted a clearing with many rocks that were large enough to use as seats and also a few fallen logs near some tall grasses, they decided to rest the animals for a short while and to eat a quick meal since it was nearing the noon hour.

A short while later Burnhilt got up from the log he was sharing with Thor and Jasmar, an older knight and leader in the king’s guard whom Thor had known for over ten years. Burnhilt went over to check on his wolfhound Sinbad, he wasn’t hurt but he was nearing exhaustion since he became over excited in the hunt and chased many smaller deer around and caught two of them. The hound looked at his owner with wide excited eyes from where he laid in the shade with heaving sides. Burnhilt took his water skin and held it so the hound could drink, which he did with almost puppy-like enthusiasm while his big tail wagged. Burnhilt was thankful it was only about an hour or so more travel at their slow pace. The extra weight of the slain animals kept them from going very fast, but no one cared, it was a nice enough day for traveling since it wasn’t hot and everyone was in good spirits and thinking ahead to the feast they would be having this coming evening.

Everyone was going about their business tending the animals or finishing their meal, when suddenly Jasmar let out a terrifying yell. He jumped up and tried to knock something off his back near his shoulder. Thor saw what he was brushing at and tried to catch him to help but it wasn’t easy since he was still yelling and jumping around. When he finally caught his friend’s arm and held him still, he was then able to see why Jasmar was carrying on so. Two huge vicious looking bugs of some sort were biting him with savage viciousness. After a moment he was able to get one of the bugs off but the other had a strong grip on the skin of his shoulder. Thor hit the second bug once but it wouldn’t move, if anything, when it was hit it dug its fangs in even deeper. The bug was absolutely huge for an insect, about as big as Thor’s hand with bright red and purple marking. When Thor finally knocked the second bug off, it jumped on the back of his hand and sunk its fangs into his flesh, it took him three shakes while slapping at it to get the thing off, when he did he grabbed one of his daggers and tossed it into the bugs back, it kicked its legs a few times before dying.

Looking around he tried to see where the other one had gone, but it had scurried away into the tall grasses and was out of sight. Thor stood still for a moment feeling a bit dizzy and trying to focus his eyes on what he was looking at, but when he noticed Jasmar was laying on the ground with Burnhilt and two other knights kneeling by him, Thor shook off the feeling and rushed over to him and shouldered aside one of the young knights. He grabbed his friend’s hand.

Jasmar, Jasmar old boy, open your eyes. By the gods, speak to me.

After a moment Jasmar’s eyes did open half way. When he spoke he could barely be heard.

Thor, I feel . . . so cold . . . dizzy . . . . must sleep . . . His eyes closed. Burnhilt looked at Thor.

We must be getting back as fast as we can, most of me herbs and medicines are in me chamber.

Thor nodded and ordered his horse and another unloaded of unnecessary items and the one wagon to be hitched up and also unloaded. He then told one of the knights to put the dead bug in an empty sack so it could be shown at the castle and hopefully someone might know what it was. As he was doing that, Burnhilt was putting a clean rag over the cut to try to keep it as clean as possible on the ride back. When that was done Jasmar was put in the back of the wagon by Thor, who was starting to break out in a light sweat. Once he was in and covered with pelts to keep him warm, Burnhilt sat by him, Sinbad jumping in behind both of them and laying down out of the way, the hound being well trained and able to sense from those around him that something was very wrong. With orders given to the remaining knights and being reminded to have a care of the area where they had been sitting, they were told that another wagon would be sent to get them and the supplies.

Thor jumped into the wagon, Prince Francis sitting beside him and yelled for the horses to go, cracking the whip in the air about their heads. They took off in a flurry of flying hooves and whinnies and snorts. In about fifteen minutes they were able to see the outer walls of Lord’s Gate. Thor looked back and frowned as he could see Jasmar had not woken up throughout the entire bumpy ride. He was so concerned about his friend that he didn’t pay attention to how he was getting hotter and sweating more. Although he couldn’t ignore the fact that he was getting dizzier as time went by.

As the horses roared through the main gate people jumped out of the way and some of the more curious of them started following the wagon. Thor maneuvered the wagon as fast and carefully as he could through the town that surrounded the castle, as rushed as he was he didn’t want to hurt anyone. When he pulled the horses to a stop in front of the palace he called to the two guards standing at the gate to help bring Jasmar to the nearest bed chamber. They dropped the pikes they were holding and ran to assist and gently picked him out of the wagon and took him into the palace. Burnhilt then jumped on Sinbad and headed for his room to get his herbs and things that he thought would help.

Once Jasmar was laid on the bed in the center of the small room, Thor ordered a passing maid to inform the king of what happened and to tell him where they were. After she scurried away he turned back into the room and lit the two torches in the walls since the room had no windows large enough to let much light in. Then he took the flask of watered wine from the table and tried to make his friend drink some since he was burning hot to the touch, but Jasmar wouldn’t take very much.

Thor sat on a stool by the bed and took a drink himself, the dizziness was getting worse but he was trying to ignore it. His concern right now was for his friend, he had never seen someone lose consciousness so quickly from something so seemingly minor. A few moments later Burnhilt came in the room carrying several sacks of herbs and a few vials of different colored liquids. As Burnhilt watched over Jasmar mixing things together he glanced at Thor, not liking what he saw. He could see Thor’s hand where he was bit and it was turning a purplish color as were the bites on Jasmar.

Thor, can ye help me take off the lad’s shirt. The wounds must be cleaned before they can be tended.

Thor nodded and pulled Jasmar to a sitting position while Burnhilt pulled his clothes off, frowning at the worst bite on his neck which was now swollen to the size of an orange.

Lay the lad on his side for now. Burnhilt said as he picked up the first batch to apply on the wounds. Once that was done, Thor stood up and walked to the only opening in the room besides the door, a small two by two foot window cut into the over three foot thick outer wall. It wasn’t large enough to let in any real light but it did allow fresh air and a small view, he took a few deep breaths of the cool air trying to get his head to stop spinning. The room belonged to a young servant, henceforth its size and unfavorable place on the first floor. As Thor watched the beginnings of a rain storm the king came running in.

Thor what happened? The maid couldn’t tell me more than someone was hurt. Thor took one more steadying breath and then turned to his friend the king.

Some damned bug of all things, we were sitting on a log eating when he jumped up screaming with two of them biting him. He took another deep breath and shifted his stance. One came off easy enough but the other had a damn good grip. It took me a couple of minutes to get it off and when it did it sunk its fangs into my hand. He absently showed Thomas the wound and the older man’s face whitened.

God’s teeth, why didn’t you say something, you must tell me what the bug looked like. Mayhap our medicine man knows what type of poison it was. Thor weaved a bit but kept his feet planted.

It was almost as big as my hand . . . He closed his eyes a bit then took another deep breath. Red and purple type markings, four or six legs, I’m not sure. Burnhilt came over to Thor gently putting a hand on his shoulder.

Lad, ye should be abed, a message will be brought to ye if something happens. Thor wanted to shake his head to say no, but knew he was far too dizzy for that. He wanted to be with his friend but he also felt the need to rest, with the slight fear if he slept he may not wake. He tried to focus on the worried faces of his friends as he said.

Mayhap I will go to my chamber for just a little while. Prince Francis is out there and he has the dead bug . . . mayhap someone will know what it is, in my haste to get Jasmar back here. I forgot to grab it. Burnhilt nodded noting that Thor had repeated almost what King Thomas had just said as if he had never heard it, which was out of habit for him since he hated things to be repeated; he was a little concerned that mayhap his brain wasn’t too clear, especially going by the look in his eyes.

Me be havin’ the maid go to find the medicine man, he will be here soon. You go and me and he will be comin’ and checkin’ on ye next. Burnhilt said as he tried to judge how much Thor could understand. He then added. Thor lad, Sinbad can be carrying ye if needs be. He will be going with ye and don’t be afraid to lean on him. Thor nodded slightly and when Sinbad came up to him and his master’s command he rested his unhurt hand on the big animal’s back and with as much strength as he could muster he headed for the closer back stairwell. As King Thomas watched him leave he frowned as he could see the weakness taking hold of the young man, he then called another servant to him.

Get clean linens, hot water for his wound and cool water for his head. If I’m not mistaken he is with fever and stay with him until the medicine man gets there. He said in as calm a voice as he could muster, his eyes darting to the bed where Jasmar looked closer to death than life.

Yes your majesty. She said quickly and hurried to the kitchen. All the servants knew of the close friendship of the king and Thor, and of how Thor avenged the attack on the king’s only daughter without a moment’s hesitation. Not to mention the many times he had helped protect the kingdom from some attack. So the news of Thor being so ill was already being whispered throughout the entire castle even in this short a time, so all the servants were ready to aid in any way that they could. King Thomas went back into the small chamber and looked at Burnhilt questioningly.

The lad is getting worse yer majesty, he not be breathing well. Just then Prince Francis’ voice could be heard asking directions in the hallway.

In here? he said just before he popped into the room, he had been busy getting the wagon turned back around to get the men and supplies and then hurried in here which was why he was out of breath. How is Jasmar? he asked Burnhilt as he tried to catch his breath. The king answered for him.

He is getting worse, by the gods where is that blasted old fool? An aged and creaky voice sounded from the doorway.

The old fool is right behind you your majesty. My old bones don’t move as fast as they used to. The medicine man said as he entered the room. He was a short man with powder white hair and a huge round belly, small blue eyes that missed nothing set in a fleshy face with red cheeks and nose. He moved to the bed to examine Jasmar, while he looked at the bites he asked what made them. Prince Francis pulled the dead bug out of the sack with the dagger still in its back and the old healer’s face turned white.

Oh my lord, these bugs aren’t from around here normally, but I do know they almost always are deadly. As he turned the bug over and over in his hands to examine the markings he said. There is a cure, I believe . . . but I don’t know what it is. He was thoughtful for a moment and then looked at Burnhilt who was putting a cool cloth soaked in herbs on Jasmar’s forehead and had a thought. Wait, Thor’s friend Valkrye, her mother is a medicine woman and these bugs are more common near her village, she knows the cure. The king and Burnhilt exchanged looks.

Aye, yer majesty, me will be leaving within thee hour. Me will be speaking to Thor first. He handed the king’s healer some herbs he thought would help for now and headed out of the room. The king watched the two healers for a moment before he said to Burnhilt.

I can have an escort ready to leave with you within a half an hour. The Halfling shook his head.

Nay yer majesty, me be needin’ no one but thee hound, and we can be travelin’ much faster on our own and will be able to be hidin’ in the shadows if needs be. The king nodded grimly and put a hand on Burnhilt’s shoulder as he said.

Please be safe and let the gods protect you. Burnhilt nodded and quickly left the room, the king shaking his head with worry about the safety of all of his friends.

Chapter 2

As Thor made his way up the stairs he began to lean more heavily on Sinbad. He knew he was being stubborn and fighting himself more than anything but he had to admit he was losing the battle. He paused for a moment half way up the flight of stairs and looked down at the hound that patiently waited for him.

I think that mayhap I need your help after all old boy. The hound understood and walked behind him and pushed himself between his legs until the animal was carrying all of Thor’s weight, Thor leaning forward on the hound’s huge back, the dizziness was so strong he felt like he would vomit. Thor was much more weight than the hound was used to carrying, but for this short distance his strength was more than enough, he carried him up the stairs and down the hall to his chamber.

This one was five times bigger than the servant’s quarters below. The bed was huge, an eight by ten foot four post bed with finely carved animals on the posts. As Sinbad moved along the bed Thor was able to pull himself up and lay his head on the pillow.

In all the years I can remember, I have never felt this bad. He said to the shaggy hound as he wearily placed his hand on the dogs shoulder. Sinbad nuzzled his arm and laid his head on the bed as he watched Thor close his eyes, open them again and then close them again since he was beginning to lose consciousness. When Thor was completely out, the hound licked his arm a couple of times, then jumped on the bed and laid down at the foot of it watching the human who was his friend with all the concern in his eyes as any human would have.

Burnhilt made his way to his own chamber which was just down the hall from Thor’s and changed into his sturdier but also light traveling clothes. He then rummaged through his things for what he would need for the trip, his four daggers, gold and silver in case he needed something or to buy his way out of trouble, magic powders to help in many situations. Burnhilt was glad that he and Thor had just made the trip to Valkrye’s village a few months earlier so he was sure of the way and he was also sure the tree dwellers knew him well enough so that he wouldn’t have a problem going through their land. If he remembered correctly it took them four days to reach the village, but they were traveling slow and they did spend time at the tree dwellers fortress and also at the city of Portsville. So he was confident that he could cut that time drastically with hard riding and very little stopping. By the time he was ready to leave and made his way to Thor’s chamber. Three servants and the medicine man were there as well as the king and prince. When Burnhilt saw King Thomas’s face he knew something had gotten worse, the king looked at Burnhilt then back at Thor and said in a low grieving voice.

Jasmar is all but dead, he is unable to move or drink and could only take one or two breaths a minute and they are much labored. Burnhilt frowned and then asked.

And Thor? The medicine man spoke for the king.

I will put a couple of leeches on the wound to try and buy more time. He may last three or four days since he wasn’t bit as bad or as long, but if your friend can’t help there is nothing more I know to do but to keep liquids in him and try to keep waking him enough to speak so he doesn’t sleep until death. Thor started to move his head toward the end of their conversation. After a couple of attempts he was able to open his eyes at least half way, it was another minute before he was able to focus on the people around him. On the right side of the bed were two maids, one lighting a fire in the fireplace in the far corner of the room to heat water, broth and herb remedies to try to fight the poison. A squire was also there, helping to bring things to Thor’s chamber as well as to the one Jasmar was in. To the left were his friends and someone that he knew to be a healer but hadn’t talked to overmuch throughout the years. The older man tended to keep to himself if he wasn’t treating someone. When Thor finally did speak his voice was almost too quiet to be heard.

By the gods, you are talking about me as if I was already dead and buried. After all my battles . . . . He took a deep breath and let his eyes refocus. I am not about to die from some damn bug. I just . . . need a bit of sleep. Burnhilt moved to the bed and put his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

Aye my friend, ye will be just fine. Now Sinbad and me will be riding to find Valkrye. Burnhilt noticed that Thor’s eyes sparkled a bit when Burnhilt mentioned his friend, but he couldn’t tell if that was from hearing her name or the fever. The lass’s mother knows how to fight the bug bites. With hard riding ye will be seeing us in a little more than two days. Ye just be resting till me get back. Thor nodded slightly for all it bothered his head.

It will be good to see Valkrye again. It’s been . . . too long. His eyes fell closed and he was asleep again. Burnhilt bent his head and murmured a prayer to Thor’s god as well as his own. He asked for the lives of both men to be spared. King Thomas stood behind him, watching Thor’s steady but slow breathing. When Burnhilt stood Sinbad came up to him and rubbed his head against Burnhilt’s arm. Burnhilt then turned to the king and said grimly.

On me word, only a bolt of lightning will be stopping me. King Thomas nodded and watched as Burnhilt hopped up on Sinbad’s back and the hound trotted out the door toward the stairs. As King Thomas sat in a padded chair next to the bed and watched the younger maid place another cool cloth on his forehead he hoped with all his might Burnhilt would be able to return in time. He also wondered if the hound was up to the harsh pace.

Chapter 3

Valkrye moved the woven grass curtain aside and looked out of her hut at the lightly falling rain. It had been raining for almost two days, since it was warm and the crops were almost ready for harvest the rain was helpful but it was slowing down the remodeling efforts around the city walls. Ever since the attack from the band of thieves from the land of diamond fire, she was painfully aware of faults in the security of her village. Although she had to wait until she returned from her quest and then she had to hold many town meetings before she had enough helpers to really accomplish the changes