The Persecuted - Chapter 8

“Have a safe journey.”

“Thanks.” Adan grabbed the package and stashed it under his cloak. Keeping his eyes down, hidden under his hood, he left the shop and started down the road through the town. It had been a long time since he'd visited any habited place, but he had deemed the risk worth it. He'd needed to change some of the gold into lesser coin to avoid suspicion. There had been a money lender and having some fresh goods to eat was always a temptation.

He had also wanted to see what action the duke had taken over his lost children. So far it looked like it wasn't much. There were rumours of the children going missing and search parties being after them, but nothing to indicate bodies had been found. It would be big news when they were deemed dead. Adan hoped to be far away by then.

He hurried out of town. The less time spent there the better. People were happy to ignore him and go about their own business. It was a town that was accustomed to travellers going through. Being along one of the busiest roads in the realm had that effect. Adan walked past inn signs, stables and everything a traveller might need. The temptation to get a room and sleep in a comfortable bed was not small, but his instincts told him to move on.

Get used to sleeping in the woods again. That's what I'll be doing in the future. Give up on the idea of a comfortable life. What I had with Gan was an anomaly. Treasure the memories and toughen up.

The road was well travelled and there were plenty of others making use of it. Wagons passed Adan along with the occasional group of riders and others who had to walk. It forced him to keep his hood up and even after stepping onto a less travelled road he couldn't risk suddenly running into a traveller. They'd report him in no time. Or he'd have to kill them.

Neither option appealed to him much.

At least the weather had been favourable to him since leaving the cabin. There had been a few days with sporadic rain, but those had not lasted long and the rest of the days had been sunny so his clothes had plenty of time to dry. It was a sunny day and Adan was in no great hurry now that the town was behind him so he spent a good time enjoying lunch under the shadows the nearby trees offered.

He continued on after a bit of rest. He didn't have a specific place in mind where to go. No inhabited place was safe for him so going some place with few people seemed the best choice. The distant mountains he could see from time to time held a certain temptation. Few people travelled those, but there was wildlife to feed on. He could live there without being seen for years.

The road led him into a forest that blocked the mountains from view. The shadows cast by the trees made him feel comfortable enough to pull back his hood. Even if someone came down the road they wouldn't see his eyes and he'd have plenty of time to life the hood to cover up.

He was not ready when two men appeared from the bushes with swords in hand. Looking back he could see one more appearing behind him with weapon in hand. He pulled his hood up and his hand went for his own sword.

“Easy there, traveller,” said one of the two men in front of him. He had a bald head and clothes made of patched up leather and cloth. In the shadows it was hard to make out any details about his face. “Give us your money and no harm will come to you.”

Adan pulled out his blade. Maybe they would think twice if they saw he was ready to defend himself.

The bald man shook his head. “You don't want to do that, friend. There's five of us and one of you. Are the coins in your pouch really worth dying for?”

“You should ask that same question for yourselves,” Adan grunted and glanced back. The one behind him was advancing slowly but surely.

The bald man chuckled and stepped forward. “If you want to die then we'll be happy to oblige.”

Adan heard the footsteps coming from behind him and he started to turn, but it was too late. Something heavy hit the back of his head and he fell to the ground, barely able to keep his eyes open. Before he could try and recoup his sword was kicked from his hand. Strong hands rolled him on his back, feet stepped on his hands, his hood was pulled back.

He found himself staring into eyes that were not normal. The iris was brown, but the black of the pupil on the left eye was smudged, like a painter had been lazy with lifting his stroke, leaving behind a trail.

“Hey, Kal, you might want to take a look at this,” said the man and stared down at Adan in disbelief.

“What is it?” asked the bald man and Adan saw him come into view. He looked down at him. His left eye was brown, the right one was blue. He frowned and leaned in closer to examine Adan's eyes.

“You..are you all World Destroyers?” asked Adan. It was unfathomable for there to be so many of them, all together. Surely the Church would have hunted them down long ago. There couldn't be so many parents willing to defy Church teachings for them to survive into adulthood.

“What do we do with him?” asked the man with the smudged pupil.

Kal grunted. “We take him to the boss.”

“Wait..”

Adan didn't get to say anything more before everything went black.

When he woke he could not miss the throbbing in his head. Who ever had knocked him out had not done so gently. With a grunt he pushed himself up to a seated position. He found himself inside a tent, on a cot that was surprisingly comfortable. There wasn't much room inside, barely for him to get out of the cot and walk out. His sword and other valuables were not on him. He'd been left with his clothes, save for the cloak.

Kal peeked in through the tent flap. “Good. You're awake. Come on out. The boss wants to meet you.”

Adan rubbed his neck and glanced at the man. He did not seem hostile. If they wanted him dead they could have done it already. Though maybe they were just waiting for their boss to say it. Even if he wanted to, there was nothing he could do about it. With no weapons at hand escape was not going to be easy, if at all plausible.

He had to take a moment to stabilize himself as he stood up. The world suddenly decided to tilt itself and almost make him fall. He scrambled out of the tent to find Kal waiting for him along with a man he had not seen before. Both had swords in hand.

It was late in the day. The sun was starting to set and the camp fire was becoming the biggest source of light. There were tents set up around it and men were sitting around the fire, preparing food while others Adan could see on the edge of the camp tending to horses and keeping an eye out. In total he counted four people in addition to Kal and his other guard.

He didn't have time to get a good look at anyone as his two captors guided him to the largest of the tents. They didn't come in, but instead motioned for him to go in alone. Adan did as told and stepped inside.

The tent was well lit and far more spacious than his had been. There was a lush carpet covering the ground and a table sat in the middle of it. There were large cushions on which to sit around the table. Beyond it there was an actual bed to the far left. Not a big one, but a real bed none the less. Adan saw the white haired figure standing in front of what could only be described as a dresser.

“Please, have a seat.”

Adan had expected the voice of an old man so he was surprised to be commanded with the gentle voice of a woman. He took a seat on one of the cushions, crossing his legs. He kept his eyes on the robed figure. It was hard to tell anything of her body build. Finally, she turned around. She had gentle and delicate features, though most of all her eyes drew any watchers attention. They were completely white.

She walked over to the table and took a seat.

She has to be blind.

Yet when she moved you could have sworn she saw everything in front of her. She gave Adan a small smile.

“My name is Nora and I'm the leader of this little band of outcasts.”

How is she the leader? She's blind and a woman on top of that. Why would these men follow someone like her?

“I'm Adan.” It felt the only right thing to say. She had given her name, after all.

“Kal tells me you have the most unique eyes he has ever seen, Adan.”

“Plenty of unique ones among your men from what I saw,” Adan replied, not denying the obvious truth.

The wry smile that passed her lips was one of the most charming ones Adan had seen. “Perhaps it is best I explain what it is my little band is.”

“Please do.” There was no denying Adan was curious about it.

“Despite the best efforts of the Church, there are still parents who put the love for their child before the teachings of the priests. There are people like you and me who survive long enough to be able to fend for ourselves. This little group of ours tries to gather those survivors.”

“Why?” asked Adan. It seemed like it would put them all in greater danger. The more of them there were in one place the greater the risk of losing everyone.

“To teach them how to survive,” said Nora. “Point them to places where they can hide. To build up our strength.”

“So you were here looking for me?” asked Adan. It seemed like too much of a coincidence that the group had just been travelling through the area.

“We heard of a sighting, even though that had taken place years ago. We often get such tips years after the fact, but still come searching,” said Nora and tilted her head. “Are you that young boy who killed two boys in a village not that far from here?”

Adan knew the river had not washed him that far off. Still, he had expected it to be further away. “Yes.”

Nora smiled. “Then we have succeeded.”

“How much do you know about me?” asked Adan. He expected it to not be much, but they deserved to know he was a chased man not only because of his eyes.

“Only what the rumour said. A young boy, a World Destroyer killing a few local youngsters.”

“Have you heard of the duke's children going missing?”

“Yes,” said Nora. She reached for a cup on the table and drank from it.

“I killed them,” said Adan and kept his eyes on her. Her reaction would tell how much they were willing to look past.

“Why?” asked Nora. Her eyes fixed on him frightfully well. Adan found himself turning away from those white eyes.

“They saw my eyes,” said Adan. “Couldn't let them go and tell about it. The forest would have been crawling with soldiers. I wouldn't have gotten away.”

“You've been living alone in the woods all this time?” asked Nora. You could tell she was surprised.

“Most of the time alone. Sometimes someone has seen fit to help me.”

“Ah,” said Nora. “It is true. There are outcasts and others who do not share the views of the Church. Men who do things for money, though you should never trust such types too much.”

Adan nodded, before remembering she could not see it. “Trust is a hard thing for people like us.”

“That it is.”

“So why should I trust you?”

“Who said you should?”

Adan sat silent for a while, confused. “What do you want with me?”

Nora shifted in her seat. “Do you want to destroy this world?”

“Not particularly.”

Nora nodded. “Is there something you would want to change in it?”

“Plenty.”

Burn down every church. Get people to realize your eye colour was as meaningful as the length of your beard.

“That's what we want,” said Nora. “To change the world, not to destroy it.”

“And you want me to be a part of your group?” That seemed to be where the discussion was headed so Adan asked the question straight out. He wasn't the kind who liked to dance around before getting to the dinner table.

That wry smile passed her lips again. “Yes.”

“What can a group of under ten do, besides rob an occasional passer by?” Adan had not seen anything that gave him much confidence in the groups ability to change anything. The only benefit he saw was that there was enough of them to rob more than a single travellers. They could maybe target some remote monasteries or even a merchant wagon here and there. But eventually, the soldiers of nobility would be on their trail and they would get caught.

“We are more than ten,” said Nora. “We're spread out around the known world in safe places. The group you see here is one that goes around finding new ones like you. There is no need for everyone to take the risk we take.”

“Why would they send someone like you to take the risk?” asked Adan. She seemed the least capable person for such a task, though he had to admit there was strength in the woman, but not the sort of strength that would let her be useful in a fight. She was well accustomed to her own tent, but in a strange place she'd be stumbling around and an easy target for anyone.

“I am less vulnerable than you think,” said Nora and gave him that wry smile once more. “The men follow my orders. That should tell you enough.”

He had to admit that told him something. Either the men had their wits stolen or she was more than she seemed. Either way, staying with the group was not something he could decide then and there.

“I can't say whether I'll join you or not,” said Adan. “But I do know I need to get further away from here before the dukes children are discovered. Given the reaction that will cause, you should probably do the same. Maybe we can travel together for a bit and I can get to know you all better and make my decision when the time to part ways comes.”

Nora sipped some more of the liquid from the cup. The fact she had offered none to Adan had him feeling a bit annoyed. His throat was parched from all the talking. “Very well. We will do as you say.”

“Good.”

“But there are some rules you must agree to.”

“What rules?”

“First, you must follow my orders at all times. No matter how much you might disagree, you do as I say. This is the same rule that applies to everyone in this camp.” The firm stare she gave him made him feel uneasy.

“And if I don't?” asked Adan.

“You will likely die.”

It was not a threat so much as statement of fact.

“All right,” Adan agreed. “What else?”

“You do not leave without seeing me first.”

Not much of a demand that.

“Done.”

“That is all,” said Nora and stood up. For a moment Adan wished her robe wasn't quite so loose. Her thin shoulders made it apparent she would be a sight to behold if she wore something more flattering. “Kal will show you around camp and return your belongings to you.”

Obviously the meeting was over so Adan stood up and left the tent. Kal was standing by the tent, looking bored. The man by the fire looked like he was almost done with cooking the last meal of the day.

“So, you're staying with us?” asked Kal and looked Adan over from head to toe.

“For now,” he replied. “She told me you'd show me around and return my belongings to me.”

Kal ran his hand over his head. It was a move that looked like it was engrained in his muscles from the time he still had hair. “Of course she did.” It sounded like it wasn't the first time he got saddled with taking care of the new guy. “Come on. You're probably hungry just like the rest of us. Besides, no better time to get to know someone than while sharing a meal.”

“So, what's your name?” asked Kal after they'd walked for a bit.

“Adan.”

“Well, Adan, my name is Kal. You've put your lot in with a group that's quite special. I hope you're up to it.”

Adan nodded and followed the man to the camp fire. The smell of food had his stomach growling as they got closer. Three men sat around the fire, one on his knees by it, stirring a black metal pot.

“We've got ourselves a new member,” said Kal and all three men looked up at the pair. Adan recognized the man who had knocked him out. “His name is Adan and, as you can see, he's one of us.”

“My name is Jonas,” said the man with the smudged pupil. “No hard feeling for knocking you out, right? I was just doing what I'd been told.”

Now that Adan got a better look at him, he was the sort that looked like he'd worked for a blacksmith his entire life. There was more muscle in his arms than should have been possible. No wonder he couldn't get away from his grip. “As long as you don't do it again,” said Adan with a brief smile.

Jonas laughed. “You're one of us now. No need to worry about that.”

“The man by the pot is Bigs,” said Kal and pointed at the man. Adan was surprised to see he had regular brown eyes when he looked up. He wasn't a World Destroyer. His brown moustache covered his upper lip and had some of the stew dripping form it before being wiped on his sleeve. He nodded to Adan.

“Stew's about ready,” said Bigs and turned back towards the fire. His voice had a rasp to it, almost as if something was stuck in his throat.

“He's not much of a talker,” said Kal in a quiet voice before pointing at the last man by the fire. “That there's Carnes.”

Carnes was an older man. His black beard had grey hairs in it and his hair was fast gaining a similar colour. His eyes were brown as well. Even though Nora had said they were all World Destroyers there had already been two men who could have led normal lives. There was nothing about Carnes that made him stand out. Average height, not fat, not skinny. Just someone you could have passed by in any village.

“He's a young one, ain't he?” noted Carnes, his voice smooth as butter.

“They tend to be,” replied Kal.

“True enough,” replied Carnes and looked at Adan from under his brows.

“Well, that's the lot of them,” said Kal and turned to Adan. “Lars and Tess are out keeping watch so you'll have to meet them later on.”

Adan nodded.

“Well, are you two going to stand there or sit down and eat?” asked Bigs and glared at both of them. He started to hand out wooden bowls and spoons. Jonas was first in line to get his filled and he smiled all the way back to his seat as he smelled the steaming stew from his bowl.

Adan found himself next in line and he had to admit the food gave off a scent that had his mouth watering. He found himself a seat by the fire and started enjoying the meal. His head still hurt, but at least it looked like he'd live yet again. He observed the men around the fire, still not entirely certain they could be trusted. The deep rooted mistrust was not something you got rid off in one night even if you were with others in the same situation.

“How do you guys keep from getting discovered?” asked Adan after finishing his food. There seemed to be plenty left in the cauldron, but he decided a little break would serve him best. Getting answers to a few questions in the mean time was an added bonus.

All eyes turned to Kal.

Still uncertain how much to tell me.

A brief smile passed Adan's lips. They were as careful as he was about trusting people. You didn't just reveal your biggest secrets without thinking about it.

“Why don't you show him, Jonas?” Kal gave the man a glance before focusing on his food again.

“Sure thing,” said Jonas and put down his bowl. He dug around his pockets before pulling out a small wooden box. He opened it and pulled out a pair of spectacles, though they were not the normal kind. He put them on and Adan saw the lenses were made of such a dark material that it was impossible to tell what kind of eyes were looking at you from behind them. There were pieces of the same material around the frames so that no matter what angle you tried to peek in from, you could not see the wearers eyes.

“Can't see much with these in this light, but in daylight they work perfect,” said Jonas and took of the contraption and handed it to Adan for examination. It was surprisingly well made and light. Small hinges allowed you to fold away the bits that went behind your ears to hold them in place. Such craftsmanship seemed beyond what the group could do.

“We've got all kinds of such glasses,” said Kal. “Smoky quartz, tinted glass, ones that only leave a small slit to look through while covering the rest of your eyes. We make them and we sell them. They're becoming quite popular with sailors. Helps with the glare in open seas.”

“So you can see through these during the day?” asked Adan and tried them on. He could barely see the camp fire when he looked straight at it. He was confident no one could have seen his eyes through them even if the sun shone directly at them. The only worry would be someone asking you to remove them, but that seemed unlikely on the road, especially if you had two brown eyes to present a more normal appearance.

“The black ones are the darkest,” said Jonas. “But outside the slit ones, they're the best for hiding the more noticeable eyes. The other colours let in more light, but they can't hide things as well. All of them let you see well enough during the day.”

“And you're just allowed to keep them on? Soldiers don't ask you to remove them?” It seemed too easy to Adan.

“Sometimes we're asked to remove them,” said Kal. “Thankfully our normal eyes have tongues of silver and can talk us out from having to do it most of the time.”

“But it happens?” asked Adan. He did not want to be fooled into thinking they were perfect. That could end up costing when the truth came out.

“A few times,” said Kal. He looked down. “We've lost some good people over the years.”

Adan watched as the rest of them grew the same sort of aura of gloominess.

It's no wonder. The Church has eyes everywhere. It's a miracle there's anyone besides me alive.

“I'm sorry to hear that,” said Adan and passed the glasses back to Jonas.

“It's a part of who we are,” said Kal and looked up at Adan. “People like us are living on a short leash.”

Adan nodded. There was no arguing against that.

“Don't be so gloomy around the new boy,” said Bigs and stood up to go to the pot hanging over the fire. He took the ladle and piled himself a second portion. “We've got a new one today. It's celebration time. So get yourselves another serving. There's plenty to go around.”

“Wow. That's the most I've heard him talk in days,” said Jonas and laughed.

Kal and Carnes joined in on the laughter. Even Adan found himself smiling and going for a second serving of the stew.

They stayed around the fire well until the night, celebrating their newest member.