Ironheart Read online

  Also by N.J. Layouni

  Tales of a Traveler

  Hemlock

  Wolfsbane

  Ironheart: Anselm's Tale

  A Scruple of Saffron. (A novella)

  King's Errand

  Ironheart: Anselm’s Tale

  A novel set in the Tales of the Traveler Universe

  Copyright © 2016 by N. J. Layouni. All rights reserved.

  First E-Book Edition: February 2016

  Edits suggested by Red Adept

  Cover and Formatting: Streetlight Graphics

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  This eBook is licensed for the personal enjoyment of the original purchaser only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  For Danny Boy

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Although this book is the third in the ‘Traveler’ series, it is written entirely from Anselm’s point of view. In some ways, it might be considered a prequel of the two other novels.

  PROLOGUE

  “Father.” He thrashed in the darkness, desperate to outrun the towering wall of flames that sought to consume him. Closer and closer it came. Encircling him. Stealing the very air from his lungs, slowly searing his flesh. “Father!”

  “Ssh. I am here, son.” A strong hand closed about his fingers, stilling their frantic twitching. “Hush now. Rest.”

  The gentleness of the man’s voice calmed him, and he sensed the menace of the flames retreating. Could it really be Father? He was too exhausted to open his eyes and find out. No. It must be a dream. Seth hated him and would never speak so tenderly. Not to him.

  But the father of his fevered imaginings seemed not to realize he was but part of a dream, for he continued to speak.“C-Can he hear us, do you think?”

  “Perhaps.” A woman. Someone old and familiar.“Speak to him, lad,” she urged. “Call him back from the Road of the Ancestors.”

  “Anselm. Anselm...?”

  Too late. A momentary distraction was all it took for the flames to envelop him again. As they bore him away, he screamed in silence, writhing in the agony of their lethal caress.

  Father!

  But this time no one came to his aid.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Edgeway castle: Then.

  “Anselm?” A gentle hand shook his shoulder, summoning him from the depths of a heavy slumber. “Anselm! Wake up, sweeting.” ’Twas the urgency in Mother’s voice—usually so calm and unruffled—that finally roused him.

  Surely it could not be morning again so soon?

  Reluctantly, he forced his eyes open, wincing and blinking at the brilliant dazzle of candlelight. This discomfort was enough to assure him that the moon still reigned the sun. He rubbed a fist into each sleep-crusted socket. “Wh-What is it, Mother?” he asked with a jaw-cracking yawn.

  “We must go,” she whispered. “Now!”

  In the middle of the night? “Where?”

  “Ask me no questions, minikin. Come now. Hop out of bed and get dressed. We must make haste.”

  Still half asleep, he stumbled from his cozy cot, shivering as his bare toes touched the chilly wooden floor. Mother handed him his trews and boots and then helped him into them, fastening them for him when his fingers proved clumsy and slow.

  At last he was ready. Mother threw a cloak about his shoulders and tied it securely beneath his chin. Anselm snuggled into the warmth of the garment’s thick woolen folds.

  “Come,” Mother whispered and, taking him by the hand, she pulled him toward the door.

  Something was most definitely amiss. Mother was still in her night wear, her fair hair still bound in the thick braid she habitually wore for bed. As she moved, the toes of her riding boots poked out from beneath the hem of her long white night gown.

  “Will you not change first?” he asked.

  “There is not time,” she replied, grabbing her plainest cloak from its peg behind the door. After pulling the drab gray garment carelessly about her shoulders, she raised its deep hood, concealing the brightness of her hair. Then she snatched up a small bundle that sat in readiness on a chest beside the main door and thrust it into his hands. “Hold on to this for me, would you, sweeting?”

  Silently, Anselm obeyed, and he hugged the heavy bundle close to his chest. Whatever was she doing? Was it some kind of game?

  Slowly, Mother opened the outer door and took a cautious peep into the corridor beyond. “All is well,” she said at length, turning to him with a smile that seemed forced and over-bright for the occasion. Her eyes shone silver in the candlelight and seemed much too large for her small, pale face. “Are you ready, my son?” She picked up the candleholder and held the flame aloft.

  He hardly knew, but he nodded anyway.

  Hand in hand, they stepped out into the silent corridor that lay beyond the door of their private rooms. Bidding him to tread quietly, Mother dragged him behind her, shushing him when he stumbled and began to protest that she was moving too quickly for his short legs to keep up.

  They reached the door that led to the servants’ staircase. The hinges gave a loud creak of protest as she opened it. Mother winced and glanced fearfully about them.

  Anselm was more puzzled than ever. Why was she so scared? The castle was their home. What did she have to fear?

  Apparently satisfied that no one had heard, she ushered him inside the dark stairwell. “Have a care you do not stumble,” she hissed. “Wait. Let me go first.”

  With the candle bobbing like a will-o’-the-wisp before them, they descended into the steep, echoing darkness.

  Anselm shivered and clutched her fingers more tightly. He had always hated this staircase. The older boys of the castle were fond of frightening the younger children with the most terrifying ghostly tales. One of their favorite stories was that of a vengeful phantom who was said to roam this very place. In life, the troubled soul had reputedly broken his neck after being pushed down the stairwell by the hand of an unseen foe. During the day it was easy to dismiss the tale as nonsense, but during the hours of darkness the wild imaginings of his mind were far more difficult to master.

  “W-Where are we going?” Quietly spoken as they were, his words ricocheted off the thick stone wall.

  “On an adventure. Now hush!”

  An adventure? At any other time he might have been thrilled by the prospect, but he was still worn out from the events of the day which he had spent wandering the moors in the company of Vadim, the earl’s only son and Anselm’s greatest friend.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Rumor had it a rogue stag was in the vicinity. An unnaturally large and fearsome beast that was terrorizing the local herds. Iron Heart, the huntsmen had dubbed him on account of his wild, bold spirit.

  Of course
, with such a name as this, the boys longed to see this legendary creature for themselves.

  They had searched all day, wandering the moors for miles, only returning home at sunset, bright cheeked and laughing, their stomachs clawing with hunger. But apart from a few false sightings—usually the branches of some stunted moorland tree—their hunt had been mainly unsuccessful. Undeterred, they were already planning another outing for the following day. Until then, Iron Heart must remain the stuff of legend.

  But their plans had to be set aside, for their mothers were waiting for them, standing together like fair sentries outside of the main gate, shielding their eyes and frowning into the setting sun. When they sighted their two errant sons plodding breathlessly back up the steep hill that led to the castle, their anxious expressions slid into matching smiles of relief. With cries of “My darling boy!” and “Where have you been until such an hour?” their mothers raced to meet them.

  The tenderness of his mother’s embrace did not fool Anselm one jot. As sure as night followed day, trouble was on its way. And if he knew Mother, he would not have to wait long before it found him.

  Sure enough, once the hugs and kisses had been dispensed with, the scolding began.

  Mother’s rages, rare as they were, were fortunately soon spent—if he could only keep hold of his tongue. Past experience dictated that silence was a far more effective defense than any attempt to argue with her. Feigning penitence, he stared at a clump of stunted grass growing at his feet while Sylvie’s harsh words rained down in an angry torrent upon his bowed head.

  Sure enough, just as he had predicted, the storm was soon over. “I’m sorry,” he said, flinging his arms about her waist the moment Sylvie paused for breath. “I did not mean to worry you. Can you forgive me?”

  The angry clouds marring her face instantly dispersed, banished by the warmth of her smile. “Forgive you? Of course I do, you silly boy.” She stroked a lock of tangled hair away from his face and planted a kiss on top of his head. “Whatever am I to do with you, hmm?”

  Anselm grinned and hugged her until she squealed for mercy and began giggling like a young girl. He gave a sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge that the whipping she had promised him would certainly never transpire.

  They set off for home, heading back over the wooden drawbridge together, and toward the hot supper that awaited them. While Mother chatted with the countess, Anselm chanced a sideways glance at Vadim.

  His friend grinned back at him, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief and merriment. Despite the prettily worded apology he had given his own mother, his face displayed not a trace of remorse now. Tomorrow, Vadim mouthed. At first light.

  Anselm nodded, his stomach already bubbling with the anticipation of yet another exciting day. But this time he planned to raid the kitchens before they set out; he was a dolt not to have thought of it before. After all, supplies were vital to the success of any expedition. That way, if the weather remained fine, they might spend the whole night out of doors without needing to return to the castle at all.

  Humming to himself, Anselm began compiling a list of things they might need. It would be heaven to spend the night outside, far from the watchful eyes of their parents. With the canopy of stars serving as their roof, and plump heather clouds for beds, they would both be as comfortable as kings.

  In truth, it did not matter to Anselm whether they sighted the stag or not. To be with Vadim was enough—not that he would ever admit such an unmanly sentiment out loud! Even the dullest days held the potential for a grand adventure with Vadim as his companion. Tomorrow promised to be another exciting day, no matter what it had in store.

  Well worth the price of another scolding.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The boys had barely begun eating—almost nodding off into their pottage, they were so weary by now—when the herald announced the arrival of an unexpected guest. All conversation ceased, and every head turned expectantly.

  As the doors swung open, a blast of cold night air rushed in, dispersing the comfortable, drowsy warmth of the great hall and rousing Anselm from the stupor he had so gradually begun to slip into. A moment later, Lord Godric, cousin of Erik, the newly crowned king of the Norlands, swept inside, his handsome face wreathed with smiles. “Good evening to you, one and all!”

  It soon became apparent that Godric did not travel alone. Following in his wake were a dozen of his finest fighting men.

  Anselm immediately sat up a little straighter, all tiredness forgotten. The quick bite of supper he had expected now looked set to be a much lengthier affair.

  As Lord Godric passed by their board, he happened to notice the boys sitting on their bench and he paused to speak to them. “How fare you this fine night, you pair of young scoundrels?” He winked at Anselm as he ruffled Vadim’s hair with a careless gloved hand. “I hope you have been practicing your footwork as I instructed?”

  Vadim smiled up at him, his admiration for Godric glowing from the depths of his dark eyes. “Every morning, my lord.” The slight tremble in his voice betrayed the excitement he strove, and failed, to conceal.

  Anselm smiled politely, and making a small sound of disgust, he glanced away. Vadim’s infatuation with the king’s cousin was almost more than he could stomach, especially at such close quarters. Why must he fawn over him so? It was so embarrassing.

  Ever since Lord Godric had begun courting Lissy—Vadim’s older sister—Vadim was forever fawning about after the man. Of course, as all good friends were wont to do, Anselm took great delight in teasing him about his infatuation at every opportunity until, eventually, Vadim learned not to sing the praises of his hero too loudly, especially not within earshot of his friend.

  For himself, Anselm had little interest in the king’s cousin. Oh, he was a pleasant enough fellow, to be sure, and he would often spend time tutoring them in the proper use of their wooden swords. But beyond that, Lord Godric was just another finely dressed nobleman.

  His knights, however, were another matter entirely.

  The arrival of these magnificently attired warriors banished all traces of Anselm’s former fatigue. Propping his elbow on the table, he rested his chin on his hand, sighing at the sight of such fine and lordly men, and gazing at them in much the same way as Vadim now regarded Lord Godric.

  Clad in matching surcoats of the brightest scarlet, the knights marched inside the hall, the musical chink and jingle of the mail they wore beneath accompanying each highly polished boot-step. But best of all were the mighty swords they carried at their sides, each weapon sheathed in a finely wrought scabbard and hanging from the most ornately-crafted belt.

  Anselm let out another sigh; he just could not help himself. How could anyone be unmoved by such a splendid vision? The knights were worthy of his sincere admiration, unlike boring Lord Godric. One day, Anselm vowed, no matter what it took, he would become one of their mighty number.

  Giving Vadim’s hair one last careless ruffle, Lord Godric moved on, heading swiftly for the top table. As he walked, his scarlet cloak trailed behind him, dragging up floor rushes in his wake.

  “Greetings, m’lord!” Godric called out to the earl. “I do hope my late arrival is not too much of an imposition.”

  The earl rose slowly from his seat, his hands tightly gripping the wooden arms as though it was an effort to stand. “Not at all, m’lord. You are always welcome... all of you.” But Lord Edgeway’s facial expression was much less welcoming than his words. “Please,” he said with a gracious sweep of his arm, “find yourselves a seat and take your ease.”

  While the knights squeezed themselves into spaces on the lower benches, the king’s cousin mounted the three steps that led to the top table.

  Lord Edgeway’s smile of greeting looked unusually strained, frosty even. ’Twas hardly more than a baring of teeth—a habit peculiar to all polite adult society, particularly when a person was forced into convers
ation with someone they secretly despised. Or so Anselm had observed.

  After the briefest of handshakes, the earl resumed his seat and gestured to Lord Godric to take the chair to his left, the place where the countess had been sitting only moments before.

  Anselm frowned. Where had she disappeared to? Wherever it was, she must have spirited Lissa away with her, for her daughter’s place was empty too. Only a golden goblet and a discarded napkin proved she had ever been there at all.

  After calling to the servants to bring more wine and fresh plates, Lord Edgeway turned to his guest. “Your usual room is prepared as always. Your men will be happy to bed down in here for the night, I hope?”

  “There is no need to trouble yourself on that account, m’lord,” Godric said with another of his charming smiles. “We have already begun setting up camp outside the castle walls.”

  “Oh?” The earl leaned back in his chair and regarded his guest thoughtfully. To be sure, this was a most unusual breach of hospitality.

  “I know how this must seem, but regrettably, duty demands that I make an early start on the morrow, and I would be loath to disturb anyone at such an uncivilized hour.” Lord Godric laid a heavily bejewelled hand upon his host’s arm. “No, m’lord. The warmth of your gracious hall, and a hot supper is all I require... for now.”

  Slowly, the hum of conversation resumed, and one by one the diners returned to their suppers. But not Anselm. He was much too distracted to think of food, but to his annoyance, he found he could no longer hear the conversation between the earl and his guest.

  He disliked riddles of every kind, possessing neither the patience nor the skill with which to unravel their clever and infuriatingly subtle clues. They were, in his opinion, an irritating and pointless diversion—although the majority of the castle’s population seemed to disagree.