Haven Keep (Book 1) by R. David Bell Page A

he desired to avoid the crowds.  At those times he would offer Von a portion of his dinner, but Von usually sat by the fire to eat it.  He could tell there was something besides the death of Kenn that occupied Baiden’s thoughts tonight.
    “Von,” Baiden began.  “I know you wanted to go tomorrow.  I was planning to let you until we found out about Kenn.  It seems this beast is more dangerous than we thought.  I still think it is just an icebear that has wandered down from the mountains, but there are other opinions.”  He paused, seeming to collect his thoughts.  “Other opinions are what trouble me more than you will ever know, and I don’t mean about icebears.”
    Von was not sure he understood.  He never knew Baiden to care what others thought of his decisions.
    “You were young when you came to us.  Our clan rarely buys from the slave ships.  I certainly never thought to. One look at you changed all that...”
    The pause was long and awkward, long enough for Von to begin to suspect Baiden knew more about him than he ever believed possible.  The stretched out silence was uncomfortable and Von wondered if Baiden was waiting for him to respond.  He couldn’t bring himself to speak and Baiden finally went on.
    “Ever since then you have had a part of my heart, but I have not been allowed to treat you as I have felt I should.”
    Von could not believe what he was hearing.  He opened his mouth only to have Baiden wave it shut, it seemed Von’s opportunity to speak was gone.
    “Traditions as strong as law rule our nation as well as our clan.  I am no southern king whose word is law.  I am often bound as strongly as others by the laws our people share.”  Baiden’s voice grew quiet. “You are still an outsider, a foreigner.  You have less rights than a true bond servant.  You are in your youth, but through your skills your name is known already throughout the seven clans.  I fear your coming to Azmark is an omen our way of life is coming to an end, but at the same time I feel you came to save us, to save me.  I think Wellen knew you would be coming, he dreamt it, I think. He told me you would be on that ship. ”
    Von didn’t know how to respond, or even if he was expected to.  What was Baiden trying to say and how did Wellen fit in to this?  Did Baiden know more than he was letting on?  Did he know what Von had tried for all these years to forget? A secret he kept at first through fear and now because he knew no reason to reveal it.
    “I don’t know what you expect of me,” Von said. “I’m not sure I understand what you are trying to say.” 
    “The world is in turmoil.  I fear our land will soon be pulled into these affairs.  If we are not united they may be our ruin.”
    Von still felt he should hold his cards close.  “I don’t see how that involves me.”
    “It involves all of us. Your former home.  Your former land.  You are not from here.  Many may soon see you as the enemy.”
    “I am no one’s enemy,” Von protested. “I have been nothing but a bond servant since coming here.”
    “True, but I have had a mind to free you when you came of age.  That would go against many traditions, but no laws.  It would also make it more difficult to protect you.”
    “I don’t understand what you are trying to say,” Von stammered, as far as Baiden knew, Von would not be of legal age for another two summers.  “Protect me from what?  You have been more than good to me. I....”
    “You are eighteen summers, are you not?”  Von was stunned.  He was eighteen.  He’d lied about his age in hopes of not being sold as a slave to the mines.  Boys younger than ten were rarely purchased for that kind of work.  The life expectancy of the mine slaves was short and there was next to no chance of escape.  How had Baiden known?    Again Von found himself questioning what else his master knew.
    “Do not be alarmed.  I have known from the first day.  If a ten year old