9/21/11 - Got the final copy yesterday. Approved it today! The Blood Hawk Brotherhood is Now Available! Thanks for your patience and support. Now, happy reading!

Cheers,

CB

7/7/11 - My second proof has been received from my publisher and still needs some corrections. So, it'll be a few more weeks. But here's the first excerpt for your review. Let me know what you think by emailing pete@christopherbyron.net or writing in the guestbook.

Cheers,
CB

      It was then, in the darkest part of the storm that the doors of the tavern opened. Five men, wrapped in heavy cloaks black as shadows entered. The first of them surveyed the little room that was the dining area of the pub and turned toward the corner farthest from the bar. Bendaren turned a cautious eye to his father, but Aiden simply nodded encouragement to his son, and continued about his duties. Though there were customers already seated at the corner tables, the leader of this new group of men spoke softly to them and they quickly moved their plates and mugs to other tables. Ben noticed the change with interest.

       He also noticed the hush that fell over the room as the strangers settled into their seats. They seemed completely unfazed by the eyes that had settled on them. Their sodden hoods tossed back showed a range of faces as different as the seasons. Though there were several similarities in the comportment of the men, all wore light armor, for instance, and were armed as if for war. But they were a range of people to themselves.

       Young and old, grizzled and fair, flowing dark hair, and bald as the eagle, there was no unifying trait to the men other then the black cloaks and the silver hawk they wore to bind them. Ben noticed these at once, and the red gem set eyes they had. It arose a curiosity in him that he couldn't explain.

       Maura loaded a tray of beer and bread for them and brought it over. Ben instantly tensed, knowing how travelers of this type tended to treat women. His concern turned out to be unfounded though, as they were very polite. Each ordered hot food brought from the kitchen. Ben heard the clink of money hit the tray without being asked. It was customary in Giatel to not pay for your food until you'd eaten so you only paid for what you enjoyed. Though in the cities of Men, you were usually expected to pay first. Perhaps it was a sign of their short lives, but that distrust of your neighbors Ben always found distasteful. Either way, Aiden would be happy because business was indeed very good.

       “Boy,” the leader of the group called to him, motioning to Ben for him to come to his table. Ben studied him as he approached. He was not the oldest of the group, but still he held the respect of the other men. That was evident. His dark hair held a trace of red that was much stronger in his neatly trimmed beard. The skin of his face and hands, like that of his company, was hard and worn by the sun and wind. His eyes were not unkind though and Ben neared comfortably.

       “My friends and I are in need of lodging.” He said, his voice soft and calm. Ben could hear the strength that the measured words contained. “Is there an inn nearby?”

       “Yes,” Ben answered, trying to match the others tone. “At the end of this street, toward the center of the city, you will find the Gables. It's a fine inn. There are stables for your horses should you need as well.” Ben nodded and motioned the way. As his eyes returned to the man he addressed, he noticed that his was the only cloak bound by two of the silver hawk pins. He tried not to settle his eyes on them too long, and quickly asked, “Is there anything else, sir?”

       “Not just now, my friend.” He said. “Except, perhaps a bucket where we may loose our cloaks. It's quite a storm out there.”

      “Of course, sir. Right away.” Ben said and quickly spun away to gather his request. The normal chatter of the night crowd slowly returned. Business continued as normal as the night lengthened to early morning. The worst of the storm passed and little by little the crowd began to disperse. Soon there was just two groups of customers left. A boisterous group of young elves, notably lead by Brovine, son of the Chief Justice and also a famously mean drunk, and the Men who had come in late.

      Brovine had been in service with the army at the same time as Bendaren. He was a brawler and a good fighter, but sour as a man. Ben was relieved when he did not pursue a career as a soldier. It would not have fared well for future generations to be taught by that one. From what Ben had heard, Brovine had chosen to take over the family farms to seek his fortune. That was good. Keeping him out of the public eye was good for everyone.

       Now, though, there was trouble brewing. Everyone could sense it. The chatter had turned dark from the drunken elves. The men had ignored it, even when the cat-calls had started. The challenge was beginning and Ben knew he had to get in front of it, otherwise the Kettle would suffer, as would his father.

       He quickly turned his attention to sweeping the floors between the two groups. Tensions continued to rise. Slowly, Ben could feel a shift in the men as he knew they too were now preparing for a fight. When Brovine shoved his chair out behind him and stepped forward to begin the clash there was a loud crack that brought the room to a standstill. Over his shoulder, Ben could see two of the Men had taken to their feet but now his eyes were fixed on Brovine. The crack had come from him stepping down sharply on the broom, snapping the handle to a point near the base.

       “Ben.” Brovine said cautiously. This was not what he'd expected.

       “Time for you and your friends to leave, Brovine.” Ben said strongly. His voice was confident. His mind was calm. It was this way every time he stepped up to a Competition. His movement was fluid as he positioned himself between the crowd and his customers.

      “This doesn't concern you, Bendaren.” Brovine smirked, pulling up to his full height. He puffed out his chest to make himself more imposing. “Why don't you just step aside and let me continue my conversation with my new friends here?”

       “It does concern me when you're causing trouble in my bar, Brovine,” Ben countered. “Now, you may not know what you'd get out of them,” He said motioning with his head toward the men in the corner. “But you know me, you all do. You know that not one of you could touch me, even all together. I'll still see you all bloodied on the floor without breaking a sweat. You know it. Now,” he said firmly, “Get out.”

      The other man stayed where he was, considering his options. He had battled Ben before in their days in the army. He knew he was no match for him with that broom handle in his hand. The moment he moved, it would become like a sword, and there were none in Giatel that were Bendaren's equal with a sword. Slowly Brovine turned to the group who stood waiting for his action.

      “C'mon boys.” He motioned. “This place won't need anymore of our money.” They all slowly made their way out the door. Brovine last. Ben stood silent as stone and watched them one by one exit the Kettle. As he walked out, Brovine turned to Ben, “I won't forget this, Bendaren. You know that, don't you?”

      “I know that you know where to find me, should you wish to discuss the matter further, Brovine.”

      The door closed and Maura quickly passed behind him to lock it and blow out the candles that lit the windows, establishing that they were open. He felt her briefly step behind him and squeeze him gently, her warm body pressing softly against him, then she was gone. Only then did he turn to the counter to see his father standing there, his face neutral. He did see the big cleaver on the counter, the one he used to rend newly slaughtered beef for storage. Apparently Aiden had thought things would get dicey too.

       Ben's shoulders sagged slightly as he looked down, and he sighed with a wry smile. “I guess I owe you a new broom now.” The older man just smiled at his son and nodded. Ben wasn't sure, but he thought the look on his fathers face was pride.

       “Miss,” came the voice of the almost forgotten men in the corner. It was the leader that spoke. Maura turned her attention to him. “I know you're trying to close up, but I wonder if you would grace us with one more round? It seems we have a little bit of business to tend to.”

      “Adah,” spoke one of his companions, questioningly. Apparently this was his name, but he silenced him with a motion of his hand. Ben watched all of this curiously. With Aiden out of the room, Maura looked at him questioningly. He nodded slowly and began to work on clearing the mess left by Brovine's group.

       Maura brought the tray of beer quickly drawn, as if to rush them on their way. Ben heard the leader speak to her quietly. She nodded and returned to the bar to draw another glass. The leader spoke up again.

      “My friend, Bendaren is it?” When Ben looked over he continued. “I wonder if you would honor us by sharing a glass.” He motioned to the newly placed beer at the head of the table. One of the others had brought over a seat from a nearby table, as if to create the place for him.

       “Thank you,” Ben stammered, “But I'm afraid, I have much to do yet.” My father, he owns this place, will have my head if I don't...”

       “Please,” the other man stated firmly. “I must insist.” He motioned again to the chair, “As my guest. Your father wouldn't want you insulting a guest, would he?”

       Ben smiled, understanding that he was bound to it, so why fight. He wiped his hands off on the towel he was using and sat with the five men that had caused such disruption to his night.

       Adah, the leader raised his glass and spoke loudly, “Bendaren of Giatel, my friends and I are honored by your company.”
       To a man the company around him responded “Hoo!” and lifted their glasses, drawing a hefty draught. Ben drank too, though less heartily.

        Adah continued, “What you did tonight, with that group of men. Is that something you have do often?” As he spoke he looked directly into Ben's eyes. The young elf didn't know why, but it made him feel small somehow.

       Ben shrugged, “Not often like that. There are always drunks who need to be invited to leave. Brovine is just a bigger ass then most.” This drew chuckles from the surrounding men, though none of them spoke.

       “That, we could all tell.” Adah grinned. “But to face them down as you did, in our defense, and without fear. That is truly something.” Again, all the men at once raised their glasses. Then Adah spoke again. This time softer, more gravely. “Do you know who we are?” He asked Ben, who simply shook his head.

       “We are part of a larger family known as the Brotherhood of the Hawk. Ours is known as the Family of the Blood Hawk. It is tradition in our family to travel in pairs, a teacher and a pupil you might say. You will notice, however that there are only five of us here. Sadly, we have recently lost one of our own. May his soul fly free until needed again.” All as one raised their glasses again, this time draining them.

       “Is that why you have two hawks on your cloak?” Ben asked, “You carry the one worn by your fallen friend?”

        His eyebrow raised slightly. “You're very observant my young friend. He was my teacher, and now it is my turn to choose a pupil. What we do, this Brotherhood, is preserve balance. There are many forces in this world, good – evil – order – chaos,” he said, ticking them off on his fingers as he did. “We keep them all in check. Some strive to achieve balance on their own. Some need our,” he paused on the word, “Assistance.”

       “So you are adventurers?” Ben asked.

      “That and so much more. The things we do, what I've seen... Well, here behind your wall, you'd never understand. And so we come to it...” He said, clearing his throat. “Against the advice of some of my comrades, I believe that you may be the right choice to complete our group. I think I saw tonight, in the way you stood alone against those clearly in superior numbers to yours, protecting others – or perhaps only your family's interest, I think perhaps I saw there a strength that we may do well to have on our side. If, that is, you're up to it.”

       The conflict of emotion that rose in the young elf was palpable. “I..” he stammered, glancing back at the bar. No one was there, but he was sure that both Maura and his father listened from just behind the door.

      “This is not an invitation, mind you.” Adah continued. “No one is asked to wear the Blood Hawk and simply fastens it to their clothes to join us. You must earn that right.”

      Ben's pointed brow furrowed. “What is it that you ask of me?” he asked. “Not that I am committed to this. But, should I choose to join you, what would you have me do?”

       “You are familiar with the road to Coria?”

       “Yes, I have traveled it with my family to trade.”

        “Have you ever traveled it alone?” The dark man asked.

        Ben snorted involuntarily. “No one travels it alone. Not even our soldiers.”

       “Your soldiers would do well to travel outside of your borders.” One of the others commented. Ben turned to look at him. He was large, his chest twice that of an elf, and fully a head taller than any that Ben knew. His beard was shaved from his chin and neck, but shaggy on the rest of his face. He had a large silver ring in his left ear and a shiny bald head. “How can they truly be prepared to defend them, if they know not what they need protect them from?”

       Adah continued. “If you choose to come with us, this is your charge. Go from here to Coria. Visit the blacksmith on the east river and ask for Harwick. Tell him that Adah sent you to collect something. He will know what you seek. Bring what he gives you back here to me and you will have proven yourself to my friends here.”

       “That doesn't seem so bad.” Ben mused.

       “Ah, but there are rules for your travel. One, you must travel alone. Two, you can take only what you can carry, no horses or mules for supplies. Three, you can take with you only things that you can truly call your own, nothing borrowed, loaned, or given for this task. Only what you have bought or earned may you bring. Four, and remember this, we are here for two weeks to rest and resupply. The journey is 5 days on foot, each way, plus your time in the city. You have just enough time if you leave tomorrow night, so decide quickly if this is something you will do.”

       “I will,” Ben exhaled wearily, “Decide quickly that is.”

      “When you leave,” the large man spoke, his eyes seemingly seeing right through the young elf. “Start your travel at night, and all through the first day. That will give you the most distance in the safest time. Try to sleep where there is cover. And, stay on the road. There are dangers in the forest on either sides. The Half-Men are restless these days, the Lizards, and the Dogs.”

       “Bendaren,” Adah spoke quickly. “You can stay here. You will live your life much like today and after many long years, move on in the way of your people. Or, if you choose,” he smiled a more honest and genuine smile than Ben had expected, “You can take this journey with me, and I will show you a world you could never imagine.”

       With that, they stood as one, collected their goods and strode toward the door.

       “Oh, and Ben” the bearded one spoke, then turned and tossed him a gold piece. “For a new broom,” he said, then laughed heartily as he walked out the door. Leaving Ben alone with his chores, and his thoughts.

5/30/2011 - We are offically one step closer to publication! I got the approval on the cover layout for the new book today. Hopefully we'll have copies available in just a few weeks. Check back, or email me for info... Also, Friend or Like me on Facebook to get all the updates.   -CB.

The Blood Hawk Brotherhood

A Brotherhood of the Hawk Novel

CHRISTOPHER BYRON