Drodden

by Brad Zane

Overview

At thirteen, Kahn Vols is a perfect target for the bullies in the village of Caspin in the Apuseni Mountains near Transylvania. An outcast, tall for his age and overweight, Kahn also struggles with a speech impediment. To avoid the constant torment, he seeks respite in the woods, a dark forest that houses both the castle of Count Drodden and an asylum for the dangerous and insane. No one from the village has ever seen the count or the castle.

Although Kahn understands the woods is off-limits, he returns again and again performing small tasks. One day, he’s surprised by Heric, the executor of the castle and its grounds, who pays Kahn to work for him and eventually becomes a friend of sorts. As Kahn grows to manhood, he is invited into the castle and placed in charge of the asylum. With his newfound power, he is finally able to exact some revenge against the villagers, now grown to adulthood, who had tormented him in his childhood.

Kahn’s rise from weakness to power through ruthless violence makes him many enemies, and only time will tell how or when his reign will come to an end.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781450288224
Publisher:	iUniverse, Incorporated
Publication date:	05/24/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	132
File size:	148 KB

Read an Excerpt

DRODDEN

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By BRAD ZANE

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Brad Zane
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4502-8821-7

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Chapter One

The village of Caspin was calm on this lazy Sunday. There were no voices to be heard or villagers to be seen. All who lived in the antiquated village, just below the Apuseni Mountains, were in their homes. Over the past two days, the relentless winter had dropped over two feet of snow. Not all unusual for this time of year, but near unbearable nonetheless. The village children had been waiting for a break in the weather, so they could play in the pastures and streets of Caspin.

For one such villager child, the weather was a welcomed break from his cruel, cold childhood. For thirteen-year-old Kahn Vols, staying indoors was not a punishment dealt by the weather, but peace and serenity. Kahn was a bit taller than the biggest boy in the village. He was also overweight and spoke with a noticeable speech impediment. Kahn's physical appearance, along with his intellectual struggles, made him a vulnerable target of the village children.

Kahn's painful childhood shaped him into the man he would become some years later. But for now, Kahn's home served as his safe place, a much needed sanctuary from those who inflicted pain on him on a daily basis. Kahn prayed for more snowfall and for the most part, got his wish. The twenty-one-day storm had not let up much. The villagers were becoming more restless as the days wore on, but Kahn was enjoying it.

After another week had passed, so did the snowfall. The much desired break in the weather had finally come. The village of Caspin had come back to life. The villagers were hustling about and the children were all out of their homes. All except for one child in particular, Kahn. The other children did not notice as they played and enjoyed the freedom of the outdoors. "Kahn, are you up yet?" asked his mom.

There was no reply from the corner of the great room in the house where Kahn slept. After several moments, Kahn replied, "Yes Mother. I am awake. Do I have to go outside?"

Kahn's mom didn't say anything, she just continued to cook over her large black stove. Then she turned toward Kahn and said, "Now there, my son. It will be okay today, just a little cold. The snowfall has lifted and it is a new day. Go outside and get some air. Who knows, you just may make a new friend." Kahn didn't reply, but thought to himself that he had met every child in the village and not one was a friend. But Kahn tried to keep his torment and unpleasant experiences with the village children from his parents. Kahn didn't want them to worry.

The front door of Kahn's home opened slowly. Kahn stood in the doorway and peeked out into the snow-covered village streets. It was extremely cold and the snowfall was replaced with a thick fog. It was the kind of cold that hurt your bones. Kahn hesitated before stepping out of the warmth of his home and into the soft snow that surrounded the house, but finally, he buttoned up his coat and stepped outside. As soon as Kahn walked outside, he wanted to go back inside.

The sounds of the large groups of children playing echoed down the streets and blew past Kahn like a cold breeze. Kahn walked quickly through the snow-covered streets with his hands tucked firmly into his coat pockets and his head down, making sure not to make eye contact with any of the children playing all around him. Kahn focused on just getting to school without any troubles from the children playing all around him. For a brief moment, it almost happened. None of the children were calling Kahn names or bothering him.

But Kahn's moment of peace was interrupted by one of the older and bigger kids who were playing in the street. "Hey, you!" the bully yelled out to Kahn. The interruption caught the attention of the other children playing. Soon the focus turned on Kahn, as it usually did. Kahn tried to ignore the bully yelling out to him. "I'm talking to you!" the bully yelled out again. Kahn kept walking straight ahead and this encouraged the bully to follow close behind. Kahn crossed the street, hoping the bully would not follow. Unfortunately, the bully followed Kahn. The other children started to follow. The school was only a couple of blocks away, but seemed miles to Kahn, who desperately needed to get there. A group of children started to follow the bully, almost giving him support. Kahn wanted to run the rest of the way to school, but hesitated. The bully caught up to Kahn and was right behind him. "Where are you going?" the bully said to Kahn in an angry tone. Kahn stopped dead in his tracks and just looked at the snow that covered his feet. The bully hit Kahn in the chest and said, "What, you can't talk today?" Absorbing the blow to the chest, Kahn took a couple steps backwards, but didn't respond; he just stood there. The other children were now standing around Kahn and the bully, just watching the scene. The bully now had an audience and it was encouraging to him.

Kahn slowly lifted his head and looked around. The bully stepped toward Kahn and became louder. Kahn never said a word, he just stood there, frozen with fear. The bully yelled, "Sit in the snow!" Just then, the bully pushed Kahn down into the snow. The other children just watched. Some laughed and some didn't. But none of them helped and Kahn would never forget that cold morning. Kahn slowly got up and stood there, looking down at the snow again. Several of the children walked off and started on their way to school. The bully stared at Kahn and said, "I'll see you at school. We'll play again later." The bully turned and walked away. Kahn stood in place for a moment, and then looked up with tears in his eyes and just watched the children walk away. Slowly, Khan resumed his walk to school. This was just another rough morning for the young boy and another secret he would keep from his parents.

All the children made it to school before Kahn. As Kahn arrived to the school, he felt hesitant. He stood in front of the school. For him, the square house that was used as the village school was full of bad childhood memories. After standing at the bottom of the stairs of the school, Kahn slowly walked up and entered the front door. The children were all sitting in their desks. Kahn walked over to his desk, sat down and let out a sigh of anxiety. Kahn had a feeling that his day was going to get worse. The early morning hours felt like an eternity to Kahn. The first morning break finally arrived. The children were let outside to play. All of the children ran out of the school and into the snow for some fun, except for Kahn, who remained in his desk with his head down for a few moments.

Kahn finally got up and walked outside. Kahn walked down the stairs and onto the playground. The bully from earlier that morning was not in sight. Two other boys walked past Kahn and made stuttering sounds to mimic Kahn. A small speech impediment continued to be a struggle for Kahn. The morning seemed to get colder as the day went on. The snowfall in the village rarely melted away. Kahn was feeling anxious, as he often did around others, with good reason. It was time to go back inside. The other children hurried up the stairs and into the school house, but Kahn took his time going back inside. After a brief moment of hesitation at the bottom of the stairs, he turned away from the school house and ran away. Kahn ran from the school house toward the woods, and kept running until he could run no more. Before long, Kahn was in the woods, all alone.

Kahn stopped at the base of a huge tree. He bent over with his hands resting on his knees, out of breath. His chest hurt from taking in such rapid deep breaths. Kahn sat down, leaning against the huge tree trunk. No one was around and it was peaceful. It was the first time in Kahn's life that he had experienced peace and quiet. There was no threat of abuse or teasing in the woods. The cold silence was free of the bullies, though they weren't far away. Although Kahn wasn't far from the village, it felt as if he was in another land. Kahn would quickly learn to love and appreciate the woods.

Kahn stayed in the woods for the rest of the day. He did not return to school. It was the first day that Kahn would miss school. But it would not be his last. The end of the day came and Kahn emerged from the woods. The children scurried out of the school house and poured into the streets of the village. Kahn felt a little different, unlike most other days after school. Kahn knew he had discovered his safe place. Kahn made it home and began his daily chores. He acted as if it was just another day, but it was the first day of the rest of his life.

Kahn's father, Lars, was the village blacksmith. Kahn had expected to grow up to be like his father, as most boys in the village did. Lars never said anything to Kahn, but he also assumed that his son would follow him. If everyone only knew how differently things would end up for Kahn, his family and the village of Caspin. Kahn's mom, Vanka, didn't comment much on her son. She was very quiet, as most women were in Caspin. Everyone in the village had a specific job and function. There was not much room or tolerance for those who didn't contribute.

As the days went on, Kahn visited the woods more often, ending up in the woods every day after school. Some days, Kahn would skip school entirely and go to the woods. He could not tell anyone of his daily visits to the woods, because it was forbidden. All of the villagers of Caspin knew not to ever enter the woods. They were unsafe. They were unknown. For generations, no one in Caspin had ever entered the woods and lived to tell about it. The children never questioned their elders, ever. It was just forbidden. There was a legend that had been around as far back as the very first settlers of Caspin. No villagers ever ventured into the woods or even attempted to test the legend. Everyone just knew, don't go into the woods.

It had always been believed that Count Drodden, who owned all of the land, as far as the eye could see, lived in a massive castle in the woods. The village of Caspin, and all who resided there, belonged to the Count. No one had actually ever seen the Count or even knew what he looked like, but he was still feared. There were so many stories and folklore that surrounded Caspin. But there were so many more about the legend of Count Drodden. There was also an asylum for the violent and insane. If you were considered dangerous or insane, a threat to society, you were sent to the asylum. If you ever committed a crime against the people of Caspin or nearby Transylvania, you were sent to the asylum. The asylum was built next to the Count's castle. The most undesirable people in the land were sent to the asylum, for eternity. If you were locked up there, you would never see the daylight again ... ever.

The Count was believed to operate the asylum. No one had ever seen the castle or the asylum, but all believed in their existence. Kahn also believed everything he had constantly heard growing up. But the cruelty he suffered over the years conquered his fears of the woods and even the Count. Which was a greater consequence? Suffering the wrath of the Count or staying amongst the village children and continuing to endure? For Kahn, the decision became simple. So Kahn continued to visit the woods. He had nothing to lose.

Chapter Two

Several months had passed and Kahn was visiting the woods religiously. Here, he found refuge and peace of mind. Kahn lost track of time when he was in the woods. So many hours were lost in Kahn's safe place. Kahn always hiked a short distance into the woods. Although he did feel safe in the woods, he did not want to push his luck. Kahn still felt the presence of imminent danger, which was hidden in the woods. Until one morning, when it all changed.

One cold frosty morning, as usual, Kahn ventured into the woods. Usually, the young boy hiked to his usual place and sat under a large tree. This morning was different. Kahn hiked further into the woods and deeper into the unknown. Kahn felt a combination of fear and curiosity. He knew he wasn't supposed to be in the woods, but what was hiding in the midst of the trees? Kahn made his own exploration of the untraveled terrain. After some time had passed, Kahn stopped at a massive wall that was made up of large gray concrete blocks and wrought iron. Kahn stopped in amazement as he gazed at what was before him. As far as the eye could see in both directions to the left and to the right, the wall seemed to run for miles. Kahn stepped back to get a better look at the structure. The first thing Kahn thought was, this must be the castle. Kahn's fear finally overcame his curiosity and he ran. As fast as Kahn could move, he maneuvered through the woods and made it back home. Kahn never spoke of his visits to the woods and most certainly not ever speak of finding what he thought was the mysterious and legendary castle of Count Drodden.

For the next two nights, Kahn was unable to sleep, nor did he go back to the woods. But soon, Kahn's curiosity was stronger than any other emotion that flowed through his body. One early morning, Kahn left his home and ventured into the snow. For the other children, it was just another day, but a very special one for Kahn, as he would soon learn. Kahn walked down the street, far behind the other children, as he always preferred. One of the boys scooped up snow with his hands, forming small snowballs and began throwing them at Kahn. Soon, the other children joined in. Kahn, of course, started to run. This just encouraged the cruel children. Kahn kept running until he had passed the school and was deep into the woods. Kahn was safe once again. He slowed to a walk. The memories of all the teasing and tormenting flooded Kahn's thoughts. Before long, Kahn was even deeper in the woods, and he soon found himself standing before the massive wall again. But this time, instead of feeling fearful, Kahn was suddenly overcome with a safe feeling.

Kahn turned to his left and started walking the endless wall that was too high for him to see the top. Kahn thought, this has to be the castle. Kahn felt that he was all alone as he explored for most of the morning. In fact, Kahn was being watched. In the mist and fog, there were eyes on Kahn. In these woods, there are always eyes on all that roamed. At the end of the wall, Kahn came to a small, shed-size building. The small building had fallen in disrepair. Kahn walked up to the building and inspected the damage. The front door was not completely closed because of a broken hinge. Kahn entered the building and discovered an assortment of hand tools. Kahn was good with his hands, thanks to his blacksmith father. Kahn did what he could with what he had to repair the door. He took his time and was pleased with his work. Finally, Kahn walked out of the building, closed the door behind him and started to walk home. Who was watching him?

The next morning, Kahn went to school. Although Kahn was itching to return to the woods, he made it through the day. As soon as school let out, Kahn was gone and into the woods. Before long, Kahn was back at the wall again. He walked to the left along the brickwork line as had done the day before. Kahn came to the small building and admired his work again. Kahn felt quite a bit of accomplishment and confidence. Nearby, Kahn saw a stack of chopped wood, which had fallen over. Kahn was accustomed to doing chores on a daily basis, so it was a natural reaction to complete work that needed to be done. So he began restacking the wood pile, which took Kahn several hours. When his chores were finished, he sat on a stump. It was very cold and quiet in the woods, and was an environment that Kahn loved very much and missed when he went home every day.

For many months, Kahn's trips to the woods continued. Kahn no longer feared the woods. Even the stories and legends of the woods didn't affect him anymore. It was as if Kahn's belief in the stories had faded a bit. Kahn visited the woods and worked near the castle walls daily. Yet he never saw anyone. No sound ever came from inside the castle walls. Maybe it was all just stories and folklore. Maybe there wasn't a Count Drodden. But what about the asylum that was supposed to be built near the castle? Kahn was determined to find out for himself. He started exploring outside the castle walls and continued to put in work where needed.

Several more months went by and Kahn was still exploring. Kahn thought he had walked the entire perimeter of the castle and still had not seen it all. All the time, eyes were continuing to watch Kahn. The castle walls were enormous. Kahn wanted desperately to see what was on the other side of those walls.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from DRODDEN by BRAD ZANE Copyright © 2012 by Brad Zane. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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