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

boy wants to go around calling himself eight, why not let him.  Everyone seems to think you may grow another span, but you and I know you are nearly grown.  Kaiden’s fears that you will pass him in height are unfounded.”
    There was a twinkle in Baiden’s eye.  It was only there for a second.  The weight of his many burdens returned to his weathered face.  He was more weary than Von had ever seen him.  He bowed his head and began to speak in a soft tone.
    “The news came late.”  Baiden looked up and Von saw his eyes glistening with unshed tears.  “Your homeland was overrun before we could marshal our forces.  It was not easy to convince the six other chiefs to finally assemble our armies.”
    Why was Baiden telling him this?  And why now?
    “The ships set sail,” Baiden continued.  “Less than half returned.  A fierce storm sent them limping back to us, then winter set in, a harsh winter.  Like none I have ever known, like this one will be.”  Baiden stood and walked back over to the fire, placing another small log and stoking it with the iron poker. “The high plains fell quickly to the southern invaders, and fear gripped the North.  We knew we were next, but the invasion never came.  It is coming though, and soon.  Most here seem to have forgotten the threat, I have not.”  He returned again to his seat at the table.
    Von noticed Baiden’s food had hardly been touched.
    “Nor,” Baiden continued, “have I forgotten my oath I swore when I became clan chief and Keeper in the North.  I failed that oath when I failed your homeland.  I failed you.  I wanted to die... until you came here.  I thought maybe if I kept you alive Evenfelle would also remain alive, possibly even return, rise from the ashes.”  His hands went to his face.  “Evenfelle, fabled Evenfelle, city and nation, gone now.  So is the alliance.  The Gothen Isle has fallen, the Black Horde will soon turn to us.”
    Von never knew Baiden to show so much emotion.  He was always a rock.  Hard and impenetrable.  What kind of pain did he feel from the loss of the empire?
    “I know you don’t understand now, but you soon will.  I had not made up my mind until today.  Flenn’s desire to act quickly to destroy this beast has shown me my need for haste as well.  If I act now what is done may be forgotten by the time war comes.  I will not wait and sacrifice you to the whims of these so called city-states to the south or the fools who may see you and your kind as the enemy.  Go find Kaiden and bring him to the Hall.  I will be waiting for you there.”
    All Von could do was obey.  Confusion clouded his mind.   What could Baiden not wait to do? Freedom was another possibility that weighed on him.  Hope swelled in his breast, yet a spark of fear kindled within.  Never before had he heard Baiden speak this way.  Von’s mind was spinning.  What did Baiden know? He could not know the full truth, that would be impossible. Yet Baiden had spoken as if Von represented Evenfelle itself.  Maybe Von’s closest guarded secret was not such a secret after all.  No, there was no way for Baiden to know, and if he had known he would not have let Von remain a bond servant, a slave in all but name.
    The Black Horde haunted Von’s dreams and brought back memories of his former life.  Memories of a life he had given up on, a home he never thought to see again.  An identity that could still prove too dangerous to reveal.  He thought to make this his home, to forget what and who he once was.  Learn to be happy here.  Images of his mother dying came flooding back to his mind.  Images as vivid as the day they occurred.  He knew now he would never forget his former life.  Despite his efforts he couldn’t forget where he came from.  His heart would never heal if he ignored the past.  He knew he needed to try and get home.  His real home.
    Never before in the years since coming here had he allowed himself such a strong hope