Path of the Specialist Read online

  “Is that true?” Sigrid asked Isgord.

  “Lasgol’s father is Dakon, traitor to the realm, and his mother is Darthor himself, Dark Lord of the Corrupt Ice, leader of the Hosts of the Frozen Continent. What else is there to prove? Lasgol’s a traitor. I’ve always claimed he is, and I always will. He shouldn’t be here among us. One day his treachery will come to light and there’ll be justice. Do I believe he’s a traitor? Of course, I do. Do I hate him? No, I only want justice and for him to be expelled and sentenced. I didn’t try to kill him.”

  “You lie every time you open your mouth,” Ingrid said. “You hate him to death.”

  “Silence, both of you,” Sigrid said. She put her hands behind her back and walked around the two of them thoughtfully, while Annika, Engla, Ivar and Gisli watched in silence.

  “This goes beyond a mere fight,” Sigrid said, and stopped in front of them. “We’re talking about an accusation of attempted murder, for which the punishment is the noose. This is a very serious matter.”

  “It’s an unfounded accusation and an outrage to my honor,” Isgord said. “I demand satisfaction.”

  “You’re nothing but a poisonous snake,” Ingrid snapped back. The look she gave him was charged with hatred.

  “It was an accident, that’s all,” Isgord said. He folded his arms and raised his chin. “I wouldn’t do anything like that. It would go against my honor and principles.”

  “You haven’t got either of those, you vermin!”

  “Silence, both of you!” the Mother Specialist snapped. Her expression was one of deadly severity.

  “This incident and the accusation must be looked into,” said Engla. “They’re too serious to let pass.”

  Gisli shook his head. “We can’t have this kind of incident among our pupils.”

  Sigrid nodded. “Thank you, Elder Specialists. It’s true, we’re Rangers and fighting is forbidden among us. So says the Path, and so must we respect it. Both of you are suspended until we’ve looked into what’s happened and I make a decision.”

  “But I haven’t done anything,” Isgord complained. “It’s not fair.”

  “That may be so, but at the moment we don’t know. You were seen to be involved in the fight, and for that reason you’re suspended.”

  “I was only defending myself against her attack,” Isgord said. He pointed at Ingrid as if she were the only one guilty.

  “Even so, you hit her back, and for that reason you’re suspended.”

  Isgord cursed under his breath.

  “You’ll camp in front of the Lair, beyond the river: Isgord a hundred paces east. Ingrid a hundred paces west. Await my decision. If there’s any other incident, no matter how small, you’ll both be expelled. Have I made myself clear enough?”

  “Yes…” Isgord said through gritted teeth.

  “Yes, Mother Specialist.”

  “Good. Take two Ranger’s tents and set up camp. You’re not to leave your positions until I say so.”

  Isgord gave her an incredulous look and left amid outraged gestures. Ingrid snorted in disgust, letting out all the fury inside her, and followed him.

  Sigrid turned to the Elder Specialists. “Ivar, Annika, help me with the investigation.”

  They bowed. “Of course, Mother Specialist.”

  “Engla, Gisli, watch them and whoever goes near them.”

  “We will,” Gisli said.

  “We’ll keep our eyes on them,” Engla added.

  “I want to get to the bottom of this ugly business,” Sigrid said, sounding very annoyed. She was shaking her head as if she could not believe this had happened in her Shelter. “We almost lost a pupil today... that’s bad enough in itself. And if it turns out that this was attempted murder because of some squabble, it would be unacceptable. Let’s hope it isn’t the case. Whether it is or not, this can’t be allowed to happen on my watch. These pupils are my responsibility.”

  “And ours,” said Annika.

  Sigrid nodded. “I know you feel that way, and I’m grateful for your help and support.”

  “Let me remind you that we’ve seen worse things,” Engla said.

  “Unfortunately, that’s very true. I only hope that this situation doesn’t turn into one of them.”

  “So, do we all,” Annika said.

  There was a silence as the five of them reflected on what had happened.

  “Let’s go back to our duties,” Sigrid said at last, and she left, deep in thought.

  The following days were very tense. The group went on with their training as if nothing were amiss, but three people were missing, and their absence reminded them at every moment of what had happened. Lasgol was recovering well under Annika’s attentive care. Ingrid and Isgord were now sanctioned and spent the day in isolation in their respective camps.

  Everyone had something to say about the event. The ‘weirdo’ group was divided: Astrid, Viggo, and of course Ingrid, were sure Isgord was guilty. Molak and Luca were on their side, but were still reluctant to believe he could have gone as far as that, though they knew the history between Isgord and Lasgol and were beginning to lean towards Isgord’s guilt. Erika, who was always with them, listened without committing herself. She did not know Isgord at all well, and it seemed a horrible thing to her that someone could do something like that, most of all to a fellow-Ranger.

  The second group, the one made up of Bjorn of Archery, Aren, Jorgen and the two Expertise veterans – Isgord’s group, the ‘best’ – refused to believe that he could be guilty. Astrid and Viggo had had words with them, but even so, they still refused to believe it. They were sure it must have been an accident and defended Isgord. Viggo had had to take Astrid away so that there was not another fist-fight and she ended up sharing Ingrid’s fate.

  The third group – that of Axe from Wildlife, Frida, Elina, Sugesen and Gonars of Nature – the ‘weak’ ones – did not take sides either way. Gonars and Sugesen, who knew Isgord well, knew about his past history with Lasgol and what he was capable of, but they were not clear about it and had told their group so. These others did not express an opinion either way because they did not know Isgord well enough, so they abstained from commenting. But they were restless because their two comrades had not categorically denied the accusations.

  At night, when the Elders were not around, the group of ‘weirdos’ visited Ingrid. They crossed the river and sat down with her to keep her company for a while. This evening they were all with her, even Erika.

  Ingrid shook her head. “You shouldn’t be coming to see me.”

  “Shut up, Bossy-Boots, and put more wood onto the fire,” Viggo said. He was sitting opposite her on the other side of the bonfire.

  “This is a pretty feeble-looking bonfire,” Molak said with a smile, and kissed her on the forehead as he sat down beside her.

  She shrugged. “I wasn’t in the mood, and I wasn’t expecting so many people.”

  “How are you?” Astrid asked her.

  “Fine. I’m tough. A little isolation’ll be good for me.”

  “I’m sorry you were dragged into all this,” Lasgol said. He sat down beside her gingerly, as he was still not fully recovered.

  “Don’t worry, you’d have done the same for me. How’s that weird head of yours? All healed?”

  Lasgol smiled. “I’m fine. The wound’s healing well. Annika’s amazing with her ointments and brews. It’s still not fully healed, but it doesn’t hurt anymore and I’m not having nightmares.”

  “And a good job too,” Astrid put in sarcastically, “because he was stopping everybody else sleeping at night with his screams.”

  “Well, now he has a night-watchman...” Viggo teased her.

  Ingrid looked at Lasgol in puzzlement. “Watchman?”

  “He means we’re sharing bunks now,” Astrid said. “I sleep in the lower one and Lasgol in the one above. That way I can keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t have any more ‘accidents’.”

  “Oh, that’s a really good idea,
” said Ingrid.

  “She also makes sure to sneak up and kiss him when it’s dark,” Viggo said.

  Erika giggled.

  “Viggo... a gentleman...” Molak reproached him.

  “I’m not a gentleman, and even a deaf man could hear the kisses and sweet nothings these two whisper to each other. They won’t let me sleep!”

  “Well then, change bunks,” Astrid said.

  “No way. I’m on the bunk beside in case something goes wrong... or in case you smother him with your caresses and I have to resuscitate him.”

  Luca burst out laughing, and they all joined in, even Astrid. Lasgol shook his head. He was red as a ripe tomato.

  “To tell you the truth, you’ve brightened up my day,” said Ingrid.

  “What do you do all day?” Erika asked.

  “Physical training and archery practice. That I’m allowed to do.”

  “That’s my girl, always practicing and improving,” Molak said.

  Ingrid winked at him. “Of course. When I get back, I’ll beat you in all the Archery tests.”

  “That wouldn’t surprise me in the least.”

  “When do you think I’ll be allowed to go back?”

  “Nobody knows,” Molak said.

  “I’ve been speaking to the people in the ‘best’ group,” Luca said, “and they don’t know either. Isgord asks them the same thing every time they go to see him.”

  “The ‘weak’ group doesn’t know either,” Erika said. “I’ve talked about it all with them.”

  “Annika and Ivar have interrogated us all,” said Astrid. “I didn’t hold back, I told them the whole story.”

  “They’ve questioned all of you?” Ingrid asked in surprise.

  Viggo nodded. “Yes, all of us. I told it in full detail and with plenty of descriptive language, mainly about the character of that cockroach Isgord.”

  “We’ve all been thoroughly questioned,” Molak added. “They were very serious about it.”

  Luca nodded.

  “I didn’t have much to tell, but they interrogated me too,” said Erika.

  “Me too, both of them,” Lasgol said.

  “Then Isgord’ll hang for what he did,” said Ingrid.

  “Don’t be so sure,” said Viggo. “That viper’s a slippery customer.”

  “There’s a problem,” Lasgol said.

  “What’s that? Tell us.”

  “I can’t prove he did it on purpose...”

  “But you saw him,” Ingrid pointed out.

  “I saw his hand and his smile. I didn’t see the act in itself... I mean I didn’t see him open his hand to drop the rock on my head.”

  “That ought to be enough,” Astrid said.

  “I’m not sure...”

  “You’re sure it was him?” Ingrid asked.

  Lasgol nodded. “Yes. I’m sure. It was no accident. He did it on purpose. His smile didn’t lie.”

  “That’s enough for me,” Ingrid said.

  “And me,” Astrid added.

  “In that case, shall I deal with him?” Viggo asked. “He’s there by himself in his camp. It’d be very easy.”

  “Don’t even think of it,” Molak told him.

  “Don’t do it,” Luca said.

  Erika was staring at him with eyes like saucers. “You can’t be serious...”

  Viggo smiled. “Of course I am.”

  “No, Viggo. You won’t,” Lasgol said very seriously. “That would only make things worse.”

  “I don’t think so. We’d be free of him for good.”

  “Yeah, and we’d lose you. Or do you really think they wouldn’t look into it?”

  “Well, it can be done stealthily, wiping out all traces.”

  “You wouldn’t fool the Elders,” Lasgol pointed out. “They’re too good, and you’re not at that level yet.”

  Viggo made a gesture of disagreement and let it go.

  “Lasgol’s right,” Ingrid said. “We’d get into more trouble. It’s not the solution, although I’d love to do it myself.”

  “Yeah... better use our heads. We’ll deal with him later.”

  “That’s decided, then,” said Molak. “No blood or revenge.”

  Viggo winked at him and put his finger to his lips. They all looked at him.

  “What are you doing?” Ingrid asked.

  “En... gla...” he whispered.

  “Is she here?” Lasgol whispered back.

  Viggo nodded and gave a slight nod to the east.

  “Is she spying on us?” Molak asked.

  “Of course.”

  “No revenge,” Molak repeated, louder still.

  They all nodded, except Astrid who stayed silent. Her dark, lethal gaze did not suggest that she agreed. But she said nothing.

  Chapter 8

  A week later, Elder Gisli came to the Cave of Spring and called Lasgol, who was studying one of the tomes on Wildlife Knowledge.

  “Lasgol, with me, now,” he ordered.

  Lasgol left the book and sat up on his bunk, startled. “Right away, Master.”

  Gisli turned and strode away from the cave. Lasgol exchanged an uneasy look with Astrid and got ready to go after the Elder. Astrid took his hand.

  “Good luck,” she said. There was concern in her eyes.

  Lasgol jumped off the bunk and went after the Elder. He saw him leave the Cave of Runes and followed him quickly so as not to lose him. The Elders moved with amazing speed, especially considering their advanced age. By the time Lasgol caught up with him, Gisli was already ascending the hill above the Shelter. Lasgol guessed at once where they were headed, and he turned out to be right.

  The Mother Specialist was waiting for them beside the Pearl.

  “Hello, Lasgol,” she greeted him, with a friendly smile. She was wearing her Specialist Ranger’s gear and carrying her staff at her back.

  Lasgol bowed respectfully. “Mother Specialist.”

  “Do you know why I summoned you?”

  “No...”

  “But you can guess...”

  “Yes, Mother Specialist... because of what happened.”

  “Exactly. Before I can decide, I must ask you three things, and I need you to answer me honestly.”

  “By all means.”

  “Very well, then. First question: do you really believe Isgord tried to kill you during the climb?”

  Lasgol considered what answer he should give. He knew that whatever he said would be important.

  “Take your time answering,” Sigrid said. Her voice was kindly.

  Lasgol thought about it and decided to give as honest an answer as he could.

  “I have some doubt about it, because it’s a very serious accusation, a terrible act, and I’d like to think he didn’t do it... but I think he did.”

  Sigrid nodded. “Second question: Did you see him do it? Did you see him drop the rocks on your head?”

  Lasgol sighed. He shook his head. “No, I didn’t see the act itself. I saw him smile a moment before the rocks hit me.”

  “Good. Third and last question: do you think he did it because of the hatred he feels toward you? Because of whose son you are?”

  Lasgol took a deep breath and let the air out sharply. “Yes. No doubt about that.”

  “Good. I have no more questions. Wait here with Gisli.”

  Lasgol did as was told. He did not know what he had to wait for, but went to stand beside his master, whose face was unreadable.

  From the north side of the hill came Ingrid, together with Ivar. Lasgol was very glad to see her out of her isolation camp. From the south side of the hill came Isgord, together with Engla. Lasgol was not in the least pleased to see him.

  “Welcome,” Sigrid greeted them.

  They came to stand in front of her, with the Elders behind them. The glare Ingrid gave Isgord was full of hatred. He ignored her and raised his chin.

  “The moment has come to judge what happened,” the Mother Specialist said.

  Lasgol tensed. His
nerves were clamping at his stomach.

  Annika appeared with a tome and went to stand on Sigrid’s right.

  “The Elder Specialist of Nature will take your oaths and make a note of this moment in the Logbook of the Shelter, so that it may be placed on record.”

  “Ingrid and Isgord,” said Annika, “you are here because of the incident of the fight. You are to reply and behave honorably. You are to accept Sigrid’s decision as Leader of the Shelter. Swear to this.”

  “I swear on my honor,” Ingrid said confidently.

  “I swear on my honor,” Isgord said, but his voice shook. He was not all sure. He was nervous and worried, as could be seen in his face, which was paler than usual.

  “After investigating the facts, I have come to a decision,” Sigrid announced.

  Lasgol could not stop fidgeting restlessly.

  “All the indications and information received point to the fact that Isgord dropped those rocks on Lasgol’s head intentionally.”

  “I didn’t!” Isgord protested. His face was white with fear at the prospect of the possible guilty sentence.

  Ingrid, on the other hand, was smiling.

  The Mother Specialist raised her hand. “The evidence and information so indicate.”

  “I swear I didn’t do it on purpose! It was an accident!”

  Sigrid raised her hand again. Isgord was beside himself now, and his face was unhinged.

  “I said they indicate, not that they prove. Unfortunately, there is no absolute certainty one way or the other. Lasgol himself has admitted as much. For that reason, although everything points to the fact that it was intentional, it cannot be proved.”

  Ingrid made a face. She did not like the direction this was taking.

  “There’s no factual evidence,” Annika said.

  “Exactly. Lasgol did not see the act itself, therefore there’s reasonable doubt that it might have been an accident. Given the circumstances, I’ve decided that Isgord can’t be found guilty of attempted murder. The accusation is too serious to be taken further without irrefutable evidence.”

  Isgord clenched his fist triumphantly. “Good!”

  Ingrid was shaking her head and biting her lips so as not to cry out in frustration.