Hanna Halfblood: A YA fantasy tale Read online

“I see you’re finally awake. Good. For a while we wondered if you were going to survive at all. You lost quite a bit of blood.”

  Hanna turned her head and spotted an older woman standing in a doorway smiling at her. “My men, are they okay?” asked Hanna.

  The older woman walked over and sat at the edge of the bed beside Hanna. She put her hand against her forehead. “Only two of you were brought back to the village. Your man Azad is in the next room. His wounds weren’t as life threatening as yours, but his will take longer to heal. The bodies of the other two were transported back to Irontide. Azad insisted that your grandfather’s body, along with his warriors, be returned to Irontide.”

  Azad was alive. Hanna felt relief that her friend was alive and guilt that Egred and Regan had died. She hadn’t known the men well, but they were still her grandfather’s men and they’d died helping her. It had been a mistake to come north with only a handful of men. She hadn’t realized how serious the conflict with the Foxnose riders had become.

  “Drink this,” said the woman as she placed a mug at Hanna’s lips.

  Hanna sipped the drink. A tart flavor with a bitter aftertaste assailed her senses.

  “Yes, it is rather awful, I agree,” said the woman. “But it will help you heal. It took a lot of my energy to heal you, Azad and the village men who were injured in the fight with the Foxnose riders.”

  “The villagers, they saved our lives. We would’ve died had they not arrived when they had,” said Hanna. “I was almost done in when the Foxnose riders abandoned the fight.”

  “Oh, I’ve heard all about it,” said the woman. “Randal, our scout on the south side of the mountain saw the entire fight. It was Randal that signaled the village. We’ve been on the lookout for those Foxnose bastards. They’ve been trying to bully and intimidate us ever since they found out we won’t ship with them anymore.”

  A young man entered the room and looked at Hanna. “Esmera, how is our guest doing?”

  “She’s alive, Biran Nordvik, but it will take some time before she is healed.”

  Hanna looked at the young man, Biran Nordvik. She knew that the Nordviks ruled this valley; Biran looked too young to be the ruler. The son of the leader perhaps? Regardless of his position, Biran dressed like royalty and not a common villager, in his dark leggings and fancy green tunic with a silver necklace that casually fell from his neck. His light brown hair fell to his shoulders and a strand fell over his face slightly covering his large dark chocolate eyes. As Biran flipped the rebellious strand of hair behind his ear, Hanna noted how fine his facial features were. Biran certainly wasn’t what she expected to see from a young man in a mining village. He looked more the part of a royal pup from one of the larger kingdoms to the east.

  “Hanna…Halfblood,” said Biran. “I’m sorry to have learned about your grandfather’s death.”

  Hanna noted the way Biran paused before saying Halfblood. Was he offended by her, or was he goading her by adding her last name? The villagers of Irontide, despite their allegiances with Thorodd Stoneblood, refused to call Hanna by her grandfather’s name. The Stoneblood name was only to travel down the male bloodlines. Not that Hanna cared, she embraced her name. Her crew of sailors called her Hanna Halfblood as a sign of respect. But this Biran rubbed her the wrong way. She gave a cool reply. “Your condolences are noted. It is regrettable that he was murdered returning from your village.”

  Biran stiffened. “Yes, it’s very regrettable. I will leave you in Esmera’s capable hands.” Biran turned and exited the room, leaving Hanna with Esmera.

  Esmera chuckled. “Well, that was awkward. I don’t think young Nordvik knows what to make of you.”

  Hanna didn’t really care what Biran Nordvik thought of her. The handsome young man with smoldering dark eyes was an arrogant snob from what she’d seen. Hanna closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  …

  When she woke again, Hanna noted something felt different, perhaps even wrong. When her eyes focused, she saw she had a visitor. It was a beautiful young woman with long white hair and lavender eyes. Her exotic look hinted that she wasn’t a villager. Hanna swallowed the fear that seemed to rise from her throat. There was nothing she could do anyway. Hanna knew exactly who her visitor was. “Are you here to kill me?”

  The purple eyed girl stared at Hanna for a moment. The look was cool, but Hanna sensed something behind her neutral look. Pity? Or sadness? Hanna couldn’t tell exactly what it was, but it wasn’t hate or anger.

  “No. I’m not here to kill you. I’m here to give you this,” said Katla as she walked closer to the bed and put the gem in Hanna’s hand. “Your grandfather wanted you to have this. It was his dying request.”

  Hanna relaxed her tense muscles as she realized the woman wasn’t there to kill her. Not that Hanna could’ve put up much of a fight. She felt as weak as a kitten. Hanna accepted the gem from the strange assassin. It felt warm to the touch. “Why did he want me to have it? And why did you risk bringing it to me?”

  Katla shrugged, “I don’t know what is special about the gems. You should ask the Nordviks. It is one of theirs. But that one in your hand was in Thorodd’s hand when he died. He put it against his chest and covered it with his own blood. I don’t know what kind of magic you northerners use, but with a name like Stoneblood I assume it had meaning.”

  A bloodstone? Hanna knew about her family’s famous lineage, but as far as she knew Thorodd hadn’t had strong magic. “That doesn’t answer why you risked coming here to deliver it.”

  “It wasn’t that much of a risk. The Nordviks are capable mountain men, but slipping past their defenses isn’t a challenge. The only ones in this village who’d concern me are both injured so I decided to honor his request.”

  “That is kind of you,” said Hanna, her voice dripping in sarcasm. “It would’ve been kinder to not murder him.”

  Katla showed no emotion. “I have respect for your grandfather. He was a proud warrior, and an honorable man. However, I did what I needed to honor a debt. Your grandfather was to die, be it at my hands or the hands of another.”

  “Who wanted him dead?” asked Hanna. “Who has a Mykoznian King’s Guard at their disposal?”

  “Sorry, that would be going against the vow I made. I cannot give you the name, but you are a bright girl, perhaps you will figure it out on your own. I will tell you, the answers you are looking for won’t be found in Solotine. Now for your own sake, I suggest once you are healed you leave Ayrith and never return.”

  “Why? If I don’t, your master will order you to kill me too?” asked Hanna.

  “I must honor my vows. I hope this is the last time we meet,” said Katla.

  “What is your name?” asked Hanna. “I want to know what to put on your headstone after we next meet. Or would you prefer a funeral pyre?”

  Katla smiled. “You have fight, young one. I like that. It would be a shame if I had to kill you. As for my name… like I said, you are a smart girl. You’ll figure it out.” With that, Katla disappeared back into the shadows and out of the room. When she was gone, the magical orbs started to flicker and then glow again.

  Magic. Katla used magic to sneak into the Nordvik village and into her room. A shiver ran down Hanna’s spine. How could she hunt down and kill an assassin with strong magic? Did she even dare to try?

  Hanna lifted the stone the deadly woman had delivered. The beautiful gem felt warm to the touch, and for some reason she felt better just having the stone in her hand. Was it because it was the last gift from her grandfather or was there truly something magical about the stone having been covered in his blood? Hanna wondered what her mother would have to say about the mysterious gem and her conversation with her grandfather’s killer.

  As she held the gem, Hanna started to close her eyes. She was still exhausted and sleep was necessary to speed her healing.

  …

  Curtains opened and bright light assailed Hanna. “Ugh, so bright. What time is it?”

&nbs
p; “It is almost mid-day. Sorry to interrupt your sleep but Nordvik has agreed to send a messenger back to Irontide today.” Azad moved over to the bed. He was walking with a stick for balance and had a brace around his leg. His face was also bruised and she guessed he had more wounds hidden by his tunic as he gingerly sat on the edge of her bed. “We need to send more than just the bodies of our fallen back to Irontide. Your mother will want to move quickly. If the Foxnoses want war and think your mother will be soft they will soon find out just how mistaken they are.”

  Hanna shook her head. “I don’t think the Foxnoses are behind Grandfather’s death.”

  “No? Why is that?” asked Azad.

  “Because I met Grandfather’s killer last night. She was here.”

  Azad looked around the room, suspiciously eyeing the small window. “She was here? And yet you are still alive.”

  “She wasn’t here to kill me. She was here to deliver this.” Hanna opened her palm and gave the gem to Azad. “Grandfather’s dying request was that she give me the gem. He covered it in his blood before he died.”

  “A bloodstone. I’ve heard of such things. It is cool to the touch. It must be magical.”

  Cool? Hanna frowned. “It isn’t cool to me. It is warm when I touch it.”

  “Warm? Interesting. The stone is special then. However, that doesn’t explain why she didn’t kill you.”

  “The way she spoke, it sounded like she had no choice but to kill Grandfather. And she hinted that whoever wanted him dead would’ve found a way whether it was her or someone else. I don’t think the Foxnoses have the kind of power to get a Mykoznian King’s Guard to become an assassin. Besides, do you remember when the Foxnose riders attacked? They said they were going to send our corpses back to Thorodd. They didn’t know that it was his grave we were standing at.”

  “So, there is someone else other than the Foxnoses who want the gems and didn’t want your grandfather to have them. But how do we find out who was behind the attack on your grandfather?”

  “She said I wouldn’t find the answer in Solotine. We need to get home soon,” said Hanna as she tried to sit up. She grimaced in pain as she tried to stand.

  Azad put his hand on Hanna’s shoulder pushing her back to the bed. “Rest. The healer, Esmera, will be back to work on you soon. She is a magic healer, but she had to spread herself thinly yesterday. Several of the villagers were hurt when they caught up with the Foxnose riders, and then my own wounds were also severe. She was only able to do enough to keep you alive, and today she will be able to do more for you.”

  “It is strange to have a magical healer here in Solotine,” said Hanna.

  “I think it’s why the Nordviks are here in the first place. This valley is remote, few travelers and far enough away from any cities so they are left to their own devices. Remember, Solotine wasn’t always so anti-magic. There are still places that practice the old ways. They are just few and far between. We should be grateful that they use magic. Otherwise we both wouldn’t be here now.”

  A knock at the doorway interrupted the conversation. Biran stood at the door. “Our rider is just getting ready. Do you need paper or is your message one he can deliver?”

  Azad glanced over at Hanna, waiting for her answer.

  Hanna thought about it for a moment. Paper implied a written note, and likely wax, to ensure that the note wasn’t read before delivery. It was a kind gesture on Biran’s behalf, but an unnecessary one. “No. If you could relay the message that Azad and I are fine and intend to return to Irontide when our business here is completed.”

  Biran bowed his head in a respectful nod, then turned and left them.

  Azad raised an eyebrow. “Why not send a note?”

  “And tell her what? Besides, what if the assassin or the Foxnoses intercept the rider? There is nothing to be gained by sending information ahead of us. Mother will have to wait for our return before deciding what to do. She’ll understand my message.” Hanna couldn’t think what to tell her mother about the stone. If it was magical then it needed to be a secret in Irontide, and if Thorodd’s enemies had killed him because of the gems she needed to gather more information before returning to her mother.

  “Could you get Biran Nordvik? I’d like to speak to him again.” The previous day’s meeting with him had gone poorly, and if the Stonebloods were going to trade with them, Hanna needed to be able to trust them. Otherwise, they were better off without the Nordviks. Going to war with the Foxnoses over the Nordvik trade would be an expensive proposition. One Hanna wasn’t sure she could stop. The Foxnoses had attacked her, and two of her men were dead, and she was only alive because of the timely arrival of Nordvik’s men.

  Azad nodded his approval and stood up. He hobbled out of the room to find Biran.

  Moments later, Biran returned. “Azad said you’d like to speak to me?”

  “Yes. I’m afraid I wasn’t a particularly gracious guest yesterday. I wanted to try again.”

  Biran shook his head. “There is nothing to apologize for. I was rather ineloquent myself yesterday. I hope I didn’t give you the wrong impression when I called you Halfblood. It is how your man Azad described you. I didn’t mean any disrespect by calling you that.”

  Hanna smiled. Biran seemed so much different from the previous day. Gone were the fancy tunic and the silver necklace. Instead he wore a clean but simple woven cotton tunic with no jewelry. He appeared far more comfortable in these clothes. “It seems we both regret how yesterday went. How about we start again. I’m Hanna Halfblood.”

  Biran smiled. “A pleasure to meet you, Hanna Halfblood. I’m Biran Nordvik, son of Cortan Nordvik, leader of Ayrith.” Biran paused for a moment. “You don’t mind being called Halfblood? Is there another name you’d prefer?”

  Hanna shook her head. “I realize it’s meant as an insult here in Solotine, but I’m not in Solotine enough to worry about what small-minded people call me. My men call me Halfblood as an honor. My father’s people care more for a person’s deeds than they do their lineage. They tease me and tell me I can choose the best or worst traits from my mixed blood. I’ve embraced the name.”

  “That is admirable. I will instruct our people that you don’t mind the name. I know more than a few of the warriors are concerned about offending you. Randal, our scout who witnessed the battle, claims that you’re as quick and deadly as a viper snake. He’s never seen a defensive formation where a woman took the lead position.”

  Hanna chuckled. “I suppose being called a snake is a compliment in this situation. However, I wasn’t in the lead position. I was in the front. I had two warriors guarding my flank and Azad watching my back. Azad is a far superior warrior to me. He can fight multiple opponents and still watch my back. It is a formation we’ve used before. Unfortunately, Egred and Regan were not trained in our fighting techniques. And to be honest, even if they had been, we would still likely have been defeated if your men had not arrived when they did.”

  “Interesting. I’ve never seen a fighting formation where the strongest fighter fights from the rear, but I can understand why it would be effective against superior numbers. But the style still requires the fighter in the front to be able to defend from multiple attackers even if they are only attacking from one side. How is it that one as young as you knows so much about battle tactics?”

  “I’m not that young,” replied Hanna. “I’m sixteen, and I’ve been training since I could walk. My first battle happened on my thirteenth birthday. My grandfather and my father didn’t always agree, but one thing they always seemed to agree on was that they would be raising a warrior, not a girl. Many boys start fighting at the same age I did.”

  “Yes, that is true,” conceded Biran. “Some of our village girls train with the men as well, but they don’t often join the war parties.”

  Hanna raised an eyebrow. “How often do you have war parties?”

  “More often than I’d like to admit. As you may have noticed from Esmera’s magic lanterns, we have many
magic bloods among our people. We’ve been chased out of other territories before, and have been attacked because of our belief that magic is good. This valley has been our home for a while now and we don’t intend to move again, so we still train despite being far away from any cities and major villages.”

  “I’m surprised the Foxnoses are being so aggressive with you.”

  Biran scratched his head. “As are we. We used to trade with them occasionally. They are one of the biggest trading outfits in Grimsfell. They didn’t pay us much attention when we just had silver to trade. They offered decent prices, but nothing special. We mainly used them to avoid going to Grimsfell ourselves. However, once we discovered the gemstones, ayrithstone as we’ve called it, they suddenly wanted all our business. We declined, but they have been very persistent, and now are trying to bully us with the use of force. We won’t be pushed. We’ll take our trade to Grimsfell ourselves or trade with Irontide, if you are still interested.”

  “If my grandfather made an agreement with you we will honor it. You are not the only ones who refuse to be intimidated by the likes of the Foxnoses, or mysterious assassins.”

  Biran frowned. “You don’t believe the Foxnoses killed your grandfather?”

  “No,” said Hanna. “When we were attacked by the Foxnoses on the road, they had no idea that Thorodd was dead. Also, the dirk used to kill Dincuff was a Mykoznian weapon. And if that weren’t evidence enough, the assassin visited me here last night to give me this.” Hanna showed Biran the gem.

  “That is one of our ayrithstone gems. We gave your grandfather several as samples.”

  “This one grandfather covered in his own blood as he died. The assassin honored his dying request by bringing it to me. I doubt she had anything to do with the Foxnoses.”

  Biran’s brow furrowed. “This is vexing news. We had men on guard last night. You said she. What did she look like?”

  “She used magic to get into the village. She was able to control the light of the globes in this room,” said Hanna. She then described the assassin. “Lithe, long white hair and purple hued eyes, but she wasn’t old. She seemed like she didn’t enjoy her job but needed to do it.”