As they reached the uppermost level and were headed down the passageway toward the exit to the surface, Chad quipped to Riyan, “Why is it every time we come here, someone gets carried back to the surface?”
Riyan grinned. During their last excursion within these ancient passages, he and Chad had to carry Bart all the way back to Quillim after being struck by a poisoned dart. Now it was Kevik’s turn. “It does seem that way doesn’t it,” he replied.
Upon reaching the hole leading up and out, they climbed through to the outside. The two bearers carrying Kevik, with the help of Riyan, Chad, and the others, reached the surface without spilling him.
The sun was shining as they emerged, though the rumble of thunder could be heard coming from the clouds gathering around the tops of the mountains to the west. Having grown up in the vicinity, Riyan knew they were going to be in for a storm before the day was out.
“At least it will wash away all traces of our presence here,” he said as he stared at the thunderheads.
Bart nodded. “And when the berry patch overgrows the hole this spring, the entrance will again be hidden.”
“There is always the chance that someone will stumble upon it,” Haran said. “It would be a shame for the King’s rest to be disturbed once more.”
“I know,” replied Riyan. “But given that this area is far from civilization, it’s unlikely anyone will come here.”
After everyone had made it from the underground passageway, they started heading back to where they left Haran’s and Captain Lyrun’s men entrapped by Kevik’s spell.
“What should we do with Captain Lyrun’s men?” asked Chyfe.
Riyan glanced to him and said, “I know what you would do.”
“I’d hang every last one of them,” he affirmed. “Bandits and murderers are what they are!”
To Haran, Riyan said, “We passed through a town called Sterrith where they claimed Lyrun’s band robbed and murdered several of the locals.”
Haran nodded. “My uncle paid them to do that,” he said, anger apparent in his voice. “The anger and hatred that and other such occurrences bred made it easier for him to persuade other Tribes in joining the assault on Yerith Keep.”
“How could he order the murder and rape of his own people?” Chad demanded.
“I don’t know,” replied Haran. “Had I known of this before, I would have acted to put a stop to it. As for me, I didn’t know of the connection between them until they met us after we left the Tinderlock Mountains. By then it was too late to do anything.”
“There’s a lot to rectify before this will all be over,” Bart said.
“Yes,” agreed Haran. “There will.”
Riyan was about to reply when he noticed several figures making their way along the bank of the stream. At the present, they were quite a ways further down the stream and still oblivious to their presence.
“Kevik’s spell must have ended,” commented Chad when he saw them.
Bart came to a sudden stop. “I don’t think so,” he said. Turning to Haran he asked, “If the spell had ended and they were freed, would they send only five after us?”
Understanding suddenly dawned as Haran slowly shook his head. “No,” he replied. “They would not send only a handful if they thought my uncle and the rest of us were in peril.”
“That’s what I thought,” Bart said. “I suggest we hide. To the trees, fast!”
Moving quickly, they backtracked along the stream to a stand of trees growing thickly together. The approaching men, of whom there were five, continued heading their way. It appeared that the men still hadn’t noticed them.
“They are Byrdlon soldiers my lord,” one of Haran’s men announced.
“Lyrun’s men?” asked Haran.
“Uncertain,” the man replied.
Bart looked back and could see the crest of Duke Alric emblazoned on the men’s uniforms. “There could be treachery afoot.”
As they reached the stand of trees, Chyfe moved behind one of the trunks and gazed around it at the oncoming men. His right hand grasped the hilt of his sword and he knew blood would soon be spilled. He and the others continued watching as the men grew steadily closer.
Lord Hurrin said, “They are not part of Captain Lyrun’s men.”
“Are you sure?” asked Riyan.
“Absolutely,” he replied.
“Then where did they come from?” asked Soth.
“Good question,” asked Chyfe. “Maybe we should ask them.” Then to Riyan he said, “Get your sling ready.”
“Wh…?” Riyan started to ask when Chyfe stepped from the trees and walked toward the approaching men.
“What is he doing?” asked Chad. No one answered as they watched the five men take notice of Chyfe’s approach and moved to meet him.
“Halt!” Chyfe commanded.
“Who are you to tell us to halt stranger?” asked one of the soldiers.
“One who would know your business in these woods,” replied Chyfe.
“Maybe it is you who should explain your business,” retorted the soldier.
“Who is your captain?” asked Chyfe, ignoring the soldier’s implied question.
“Captain Glaver,” the soldier said automatically.
“Glaver,” Chad whispered in recognition. Turning to the others, he said quietly, “Eryl mentioned a Captain Glaver as the one in charge of the soldiers infesting Quillim.”
“How did they get here?” asked Riyan.
Bart glanced to him and said, “Perhaps they followed us after we rescued Freya.”
Riyan nodded. “If these are a part of that bunch in Quillim, we need to take them out.” He glanced to Haran and silently asked for his aid. Relief washed over him when Haran said, “We’re with you.”
“Thank you milord,” he replied.
The sudden sound of swords leaving their scabbards drew their attention back to what was unfolding between Chyfe and the soldiers. All six had their swords out, Chyfe looked woefully outnumbered and alone.
“You will come with us,” the soldier ordered Chyfe.
From where Riyan stood, it didn’t look as if Chyfe planned to acquiesce to the soldier’s demand. Removing his sling from where it hung at his belt, he picked up a rock and readied it.
“Don’t let any get away,” Bart told Riyan. Then to Haran, “Shall we milord?”
Haran nodded. “Yes.” They moved out from the stand of trees.
“I’m afraid I can’t come with you just now,” Chyfe was saying. Hearing the approach of his friends coming to his aid, he added, “In fact, I would advise you to lay your swords down and surrender.”
The five soldiers watched as seven tribesmen along with Bart, Chad, and Riyan emerged from the trees behind Chyfe. Still wearing clothes stained with blood from the previous fight, they were a grisly sight. “Flee and you die,” Bart announced.
Outnumbered against an obviously hostile force, the five soldiers turned and fled back down the river.
Chyfe leaped forward and drove his blade through the back of one man. Ripping his sword free, he raced in pursuit of the others. Two steps into his pursuit, he felt more than heard Riyan’s slung bullet fly within inches of his ear and strike the fleeing soldier in front of him. Cracking him in the back of the head, the stone felled the man. Leaping, Chyfe vaulted over him as he collapsed and raced after the remaining three.
“Attack!” one man yelled just as a knife sailed through the air and sank its blade into his right shoulder. The blow caused him to falter just enough for Chyfe to overtake him and cleave his side with a powerful two handed blow. Nearly cutting the man in half, Chyfe raced on after the remaining two.
“Help!” “Attack!” The two soldiers cried for help as they fled with all their might.
Another of Riyan’s stones dropped one. Chyfe lifted his sword over his head with both hands and gave out with a powerful grunt as he hurled it toward the remaining man. End over end the sword flew before striking true and impaling him through the spine, killing him before he hit the ground.
Chyfe came to the man and as he pulled his sword free, noticed men emerging from the woods and racing along the stream toward them. A score or more soldiers bearing Duke Alric’s crest were rushing forward with swords drawn. About that time, Haran and the others reached him.
Chyfe made to move forward and sell his life dearly when Haran placed his hand on Chyfe’s shoulder. “No,” he said. Stepping past Chyfe, he said, “See to your magic user. We may need him shortly.” Then without waiting for a reply, Haran stepped forward toward the oncoming men. On his left walked Lord Hurrin with two of his five men, while the other three were on his right.
Bart came up behind Chyfe and said, “Go get Kevik.”
“But he’s barely conscious,” he argued.
“Just do it!” Bart said.
As Chyfe took off back down toward where they left Kevik and the twins, he heard Haran shout toward the approaching men in his most regal, and commanding voice, “What is the meaning of this attack?”
The complete unexpectedness and boldness of it caused the men racing to kill them to slow and then stop.
Haran, with all the pride and bearing of his House, stared the men down. “I asked you a question!” he demanded. “Who among you would care to answer?”
Damn, thought Chyfe, he’s got a lot of moxie! Racing back down the stream, he reached the stand of trees wherein they had left Kevik.
“Kevik!” he hollered as he hurried closer. When no answer was forthcoming, he hollered, “Soth!” Still no reply. Quickening his speed and fearing the worse, he drew his sword and crashed through the outer layer of branches and bushes. “Kevik!” he hollered again, but when he came to the interior of the stand, he found it completely empty but for Kevik’s stretcher. Kevik and the twins were gone.
From their hiding place within the trees, Seth and Soth were watching their friends battling the five soldiers. “Good one Riyan,” Seth said when Riyan’s bullet dropped a man.
“What’s going on?”
They glanced back and saw Kevik propped up on one elbow looking at them. “Soldiers from Quillim,” explained Seth. “But don’t worry, Chyfe and Riyan are handling the situation.”
“That’s good,” he said.
Seth turned back to watch the unfolding battle while Soth came to the magic user’s side. “How do you feel?” he asked.
“A bit weak,” he replied. “But better.”
Soth nodded. Most of the burns had now healed over and the scar tissue was beginning to disappear. Pretty soon, the only evidence of the toasting Kevik took would be his lack of hair and the tattered remnants of his robe.
“Uh-oh,” Seth said.
“What?” asked his brother.
Seth turned to them and said, “They took out the five soldiers. But now there are more pouring out of the trees.”
“How many?” Kevik asked.
“A lot,” he replied. “A score, maybe more.”
Soth went to stand next to his brother. “They’re outnumbered,” he said.
Beside him, Seth nodded. Then he suddenly turned to Kevik and said, “Wait a minute! Isn’t your spell still binding the rest of the Haran’s men?”
Kevik shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe,” he replied.
“If it was, you could dispel it,” said Soth. “That would give us more men.”
He glanced to the brothers a moment then replied, “I can’t do it from here. I would need to be much closer, within visual range.”
Seth glanced back to the two converging sides and saw that Riyan’s group had come to a stop. The group of soldiers was slowing, almost as if they were coming to parlay. “Good,” he said as he turned to the other two, “it looks like they plan to talk.”
“That would afford us time to get you there and free the men,” Soth observed.
“Hand me my staff,” Kevik said to Seth. Then he grabbed hold of the healing gem and placed it in his undamaged pouch. With Soth’s help he made it to his feet, then leaned heavily upon his staff when Seth handed it to him. “Let’s go,” he said and began shambling toward the back of the copse. Though outwardly it looked as if he was pretty much healed, he was still in a lot of pain and consciousness remained a fragile thing.
Seth was quick to notice how slow Kevik was moving. At this rate, the impending battle would be over before they made it very far. So giving his brother a knowing look, they came to either side of Kevik and lifted him off the ground.
“What are you doing?” Kevik asked as the twins began carrying him quickly through the trees.
“This is faster,” Seth replied. And with the magic user between himself and his brother, they worked their way through the trees.
“Who is your captain?” Daniel demanded.
It had been an unexpected surprise when they came across the camp. Forty men lying on the ground, all immobilized by some sort of sticky substance, were struggling mightily to escape their bonds.
However, the most inexplicable aspect of the situation, was the composition of the men. Half wore the uniform of Byrdlon soldiers, while the other half were clearly Tribesmen of the Orack Tribe. All in all a perplexing state of affairs.
They noticed right away that the shepherd and his crew weren’t among the immobilized men. Also, seeing as how the substance holding the men was identical in nature to that which had affected the soldiers back at the Magistrate’s manor, it would seem the shepherd’s pet magic user was to blame.
One of his men had discovered a trail of footprints leading away alongside the stream. Daniel had Captain Glaver send five of his men to follow the trail to see where it led.
The soldier before him wasn’t being very cooperative. In fact, other than glaring at Daniel, he hadn’t made any other response. “What would bring our soldiers and Tribesmen together out here in the middle of nowhere?” he asked.
“They are probably hunting for the Horde as we are,” Rupert said.
Daniel turned a face red with anger toward him. “Speak again and they will be the last words you utter!” he warned. His patience with the boy was pretty much at an end. And now he just told these men of their search for the Horde!
Rupert choked back the angry retort that came to his lips. He knew Daniel would follow through with his threat. Staring defiantly at Daniel, he kept quiet.
“Now,” began Daniel as he turned back to the soldier, “who is your captain and what business do you have here?”
“He’s not from this area,” Captain Glaver told Daniel. “I know every soldier within riding distance of Wardean.”
“Perhaps from further south?” suggested Tox. “That would explain the Tribesmen.”
“So it would,” agreed Daniel. Then just as he was about to pose another question to the soldier, they heard ‘Attack!’
Instantly, every head turned toward where the cry originated. Before anyone could react, there came further cries of ‘Help!’ and ‘Attack!’
“Seems they’ve found the shepherd,” Daniel said to Captain Glaver.
Captain Glaver drew his sword and with a shout of, “To battle!” led his men forward. Soon only Daniel, Tox, and Rupert were standing with the immobilized men.
Tox gestured to the goo entrapping the man before them and said, “You realize that this stuff isn’t going to last forever.”
Nodding, Daniel said, “Yes I do.”
“Maybe we should join Captain Glaver then,” suggested Rupert.
Shhhhht!
In one motion, Daniel drew his sword and struck. Only by sheer dumb luck was Rupert able to dodge backward in time to avoid being killed. “I think your usefulness to me is at an end, boy.” Daniel informed him as he advanced.
“You can’t kill me!” Rupert cried out. “I’m the Magistrate’s son!” Moving backward, Rupert drew his sword.
“You’re not even that anymore,” Daniel laughed.
“What do you mean?” he asked. Holding his sword at the ready, Rupert couldn’t believe what his one time ally was saying.
Daniel gave him an evil grin and said, “Your father is dead, boy.”
“No!” he exclaimed. “H…he went to Wardean!”
“Ha!” said Daniel. Striking out, he tried to take Rupert through the midsection but had his blade deflected to the side. “You didn’t honestly think he would be allowed to speak with the Duke did you? You really are just a stupid boy from a nothing village aren’t you?”
“I don’t believe you!” Rupert cried out. Anger and hurt filled him and he lashed out with his sword. All the plans he and Daniel had discussed were just lies. Betrayal! Rage lending him strength, he tried to hack through Daniel’s defenses and kill him.
Daniel easily blocked his attacks despite the impetus rage lent him, and then returned with an attack of his own which opened a cut on Rupert’s shoulder.
“Finish it sir,” Tox said. “We don’t have time for this.”
Sighing, Daniel blocked another attack by Rupert then said, “You’re right, of course.” No longer playing with the boy, Daniel’s eyes narrowed and he launched into an attack in earnest.
Hack, thrust, slice, thrust. His attacks came so fast that all Rupert was able to do was defend.
“He’s not going to last much longer,” Seth said when they arrived at the edge of the woods and saw them fighting. “The boy’s not very good.” He and his brother brought Kevik to the edge of the woods, keeping within them just enough so as not to be seen by the men in the clearing.
“Is this close enough?” Soth asked him.
Kevik nodded. “Yes,” he said. Then just before he cancelled his spell, Seth said, “Give me a second.”
“What are you going to do?” his brother asked.
“Something clever,” he replied.
Groaning, Soth watched as his brother raced away back through the trees. When Kevik glanced to him, all he could do was shrug. “Despite what you may have heard about twins,” he explained, “we don’t always know what the other is thinking.”
In the clearing, Rupert was taking a terrible beating. Somehow he had managed to ward off the worst of Daniel’s blows. Now bleeding from half a dozen wounds, Soth could see that it was almost over.
“Go ahead,” he told the magic user.
“Very well,” replied Kevik. Turning his attention to the men trapped by his spell, he cast the spell’s counter and the goo disappeared.
Seth raced to get into position before Kevik freed the men. He was almost where he wanted to be when he saw it disappear. Figuring he was close enough, he drew his sword and emerged from the trees. Shouting at the top of his lungs, he yelled, “They’ve killed Lord Kueryn!” Every head of the recently freed turned in his direction. A stillness hung over the clearing for a moment as if the men couldn’t believe what they were hearing. “They‘re now trying to kill Lord Haran and Lord Hurrin!”
A cry arose from the Tribesmen and Captain Lyrun’s men.
Turning about, Seth raced back into the woods before they had a chance to realize he wasn’t an actual Tribesman. Once within the cover of the trees, he ducked out of sight.
Daniel paused when Seth emerged from the trees and shouted his message.
“Sir!” Tox exclaimed when he saw the men were no longer entrapped. Around them, men began drawing swords and racing for where Seth had stood. A few stayed behind and turned their attention to Daniel.
“So!” the soldier whom Daniel had been questioning hollered.
Turning, Daniel saw him and three of his comrades coming toward him.
“…you kill our captain and think to get away with it?” the man demanded.
“I didn’t kill your captain,” Daniel replied. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“He was with Lord Kueryn,” the man said. “And if you killed Lord Kueryn…”
Rupert scampered backward out of Daniel’s reach while he was being distracted by the soldiers. Rage still burned within him, but now the madness had diminished and was replaced with something more calculating. Rupert knew he couldn’t best him with swords. Racing off toward the woods, he vowed to find a way to end the life of the man who had killed his father.
Daniel saw him escaping but kept his attention focused on the soldiers before him. “Look,” he tried to explain. “We just arrived. It was probably the shepherd and his friends that killed your captain.”
Not listening, the soldier launched an attack.
Tox stepped forward and caught the blow on his sword. “They’re not going to believe you sir,” he told Daniel. As the other three soldiers moved to join in the assault on Daniel and Tox, Daniel replied, “I think you’re right.” Standing shoulder to shoulder with his man, he raised his sword and the battle was joined.
“Why did you kill my men?” Captain Glaver demanded.
Before him stood seven Orack Tribesmen and several civilians from Byrdlon. Obviously they were part and parcel with the ones they had encountered earlier. There was something about one of the Tribesmen, an air of regalness that was hard to ignore.
“If your men had been trained better,” Haran replied, “perhaps their deaths could have been avoided.” He saw his words striking home. The fact that he dared insult the captain, who at the moment with his men outnumbered them, would throw him off. Hopefully long enough for Kevik to come to their aid. For without the magic user, they weren’t likely to prevail if fighting was to erupt.
Staring incredulously at the man before him, Captain Glaver’s eyes went to Riyan, Bart and Chad. “The shepherd!” he exclaimed when recognition finally came. Turning his gaze back to Haran, he said, “You will turn them over to me.”
“On what authority?” Haran asked.
“By authority of Duke Alric of Byrdlon,” he replied.
“I regret that I am unable to accede to your request,” said Haran.
“What?” exclaimed Captain Glaver.
“They are under the protection of the Orack Tribe,” Haran explained.
“But you are not even on your side of the border,” countered the captain.
“Nevertheless,” stated Haran, “to touch them would be tantamount to a declaration of war.” Without a trace of fear, his eyes bored into those of Captain Glaver.
“Who are you?” the captain asked.
“I am Haran, Warlord of the Orack Tribe,” he stated. Motion from behind the soldiers drew his attention and a smile came to him as he saw his men boiling from out of the trees. Yelling and screaming they raced forward with swords drawn to their lord’s rescue. The magic user had come through.
Captain Glaver glanced behind him at the approaching men charging forward to attack. The added number of men now put the odds against him. “Kill them all!” he shouted. Turning back toward the Warlord of the Orack Tribe, he lashed out with his sword.
Anticipating the attack, Haran easily blocked it.
Chad and Chyfe moved to engage Captain Glaver’s men while Riyan began slinging stones. Bart moved on the fringe of the battle, using his knife wherever he could. As men began to fall, the waters of the stream turned red.
Kevik and the twins watched as Daniel and Tox began taking out their four opponents. It was clear the soldiers were facing two men of exceptional skill.
If it wasn’t for his brother, Seth would have charged in and joined the battle despite his weakened state. But Soth laid a restraining hand on his shoulder and said, “Who would you fight?” he asked. “None of those men are our allies. Wait and let them kill each other.”
Sitting against the bole of a tree, Kevik watched the battle unfold. In his hand he held the gem, its glow indicating that it was still working to repair the damage done to him by Geffen’s fireballs. In the other hand he held his water bottle from which he had just drank the last drop.
“I long to return to the quiet of my tower,” he suddenly stated.
“What?” asked Soth, turning his gaze to Kevik.
“My tower,” he replied. “I would like nothing better than to go home.”
Out in the clearing, one of the soldiers fell to the ground. The battle raged over him as the man’s life faded away.
“Perhaps soon,” Soth replied.
“More are going to come,” Kevik said. Turning toward Soth, he said, “This isn’t over. Oh, we may well prevail here, but others will continue to be drawn to this area. Rumors will draw them here, and this will be replayed over and over.”
“At least we were here first and have the treasure,” Seth said, joining the conversation.
Kevik turned his gaze toward Seth and said, “The treasure holds little importance to me. For a year now we’ve done little but live and breathe the King and his Horde. Where is it? How can we find it? What can we get from it?” He gazed to the two brothers. “I do not wish to be responsible for the wholesale looting and desecration of the King’s final resting place.”
“What can we do?” asked Seth.
Sighing, Kevik shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing.” Gesturing toward the battling men he said, “How many people know, if not of the exact whereabouts of the Horde, but a general idea as to its location? There’s no way we can keep this secret.”
“There has to be a way to protect the King,” said Soth.
“If there is,” replied Kevik, “the method escapes me.”
Out in the field another soldier fell followed quickly by the remaining two. The two remaining men immediately headed toward the sounds of the major battle in progress beyond the treeline.
“We should go help the others,” said Seth. Turning to Kevik he added, “That is if you think you’re up to it.”
Kevik nodded. “For a spell or two, perhaps,” he said. Holding out a hand, he said, “Help me up.”
Seth took it and drew him to his feet.
Using his staff for support, he and the twins began working their way back toward the sounds of battle.
The battle was definitely going in their favor. Captain Glaver’s men were fighting on two fronts now and were rapidly being decimated. No quarter was given as the Tribesmen, bolstered by the remainder of Captain Lyrun’s men, cut them down.
When Daniel and Tox reached the edge of the trees overlooking the battle, Daniel sought Captain Glaver in the melee but couldn’t find him. “He must have fallen already,” he mumbled to himself.
“We better get out of here sir,” Tox said.
Daniel nodded. “We don’t need them now,” he told his man. As they turned to leave, he said, “We know the location of the Horde. I’ll use my influence in Duke Alric’s court and have the land rights to this area transferred to me. Then, we can come and strip the place of everything.”
Tox grinned and started to reply when he saw movement in the trees ahead of them. His grin faded when he saw three men, two blood splattered tribesmen and another who looked badly beaten up, appear from out of the trees not ten feet away.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” one of the tribesmen stated. Then to the beaten up looking man he said, “Kevik?”
Daniel drew his sword the same instant as his man Tox did. “Kill them,” Daniel ordered. Taking a step forward, his motion was suddenly halted when goo appeared on his lower torso and stuck him in place.
“Release me!” he demanded.
“No,” Seth replied as he came forward. “Drop your swords or I’ll kill you before you take another breath.”
Daniel actually took three breaths before coming to the conclusion there was nothing he could do. He tossed his sword to the ground which was followed shortly afterward by Tox’s.
“Come on,” Seth said as they moved around the two entrapped men.
“You’re just going to leave us here?” Daniel asked incredulously.
“For the time being,” Seth replied. Moving past with his brother and Kevik, they left the pair behind as they continued toward the battle. By the time they arrived, it was over.
They found Riyan and the others speaking with Lord Haran while his men began seeing to the wounded. When Riyan saw Kevik and the twins emerge, he grinned and waved them over.
Eight of Captain Lyrun’s men had survived the battle, and were helping with the wounded.
“…going to do with them?” questioned Riyan. Next to him, Chyfe was helping Chad bandage a wound he had received in his side. Nothing major, but if the blood loss wasn’t halted, it could grow to be.
In a low voice, Chyfe said to Lord Haran, “They murdered your people my lord.”
“I have not forgotten that,” he replied. Then glancing to Riyan he added, “Nor have I forgotten of their aid during the recent battle.”
Nodding to Lord Hurrin, he said, “If you would see to rounding them up?”
Lord Hurrin gave him a short bow. “As you wish my lord,” he replied. Then gathering a dozen men to him, he soon had the eight men disarmed and brought to stand before Lord Haran.
“We ain’t done nothing wrong!” one man asserted as he was made to kneel.
As the eight were lined up before him, Lord Haran kept silent. Once they were in place, he turned to the others standing with him and asked, “What wrongs have these men committed?”
Chyfe stepped forward, “Murder and rape of merchants, women, and children.”
“No!” one man exclaimed. “It wasn’t us.”
Chyfe came to stand before the accused and said, “Captain Lyrun and his men have for years preyed upon the helpless. It may have been at the behest of their Captain that they did this, but still, they chose to commit the acts rather than leave his company in honor.”
Lord Haran nodded to Chyfe and indicated for him to step back. “Is there anyone who will speak for these men?”
All eight began speaking at once, asserting their innocence, imploring for Lord Haran to be merciful. For they knew his judgment would determine whether they lived or died. When none but the eight men spoke, he said, “So be it.”
A hushed silence fell upon the men as they looked to Lord Haran for what was to come next.
“Of the heinous crimes against my people, I find you guilty,” he stated. Turning to Lord Hurrin, he said, “Execute the condemned.”
“Yes my lord,” he said.
The eight men began crying out and struggled to break free. Lord Hurrin’s men struck with their swords and ended their lives quickly and mercifully.
“Gather the bodies,” Lord Haran announced to his men.
“Uh,” began Kevik. As everyone turned to him, he said, “We caught two others sneaking away from the battle.” He pointed back to where they left the two men. “They’re back there.”
“Take us to them,” Bart said.
“Kevik, why don’t you stay here,” Seth suggested. “Soth and I can show them.”
“Thanks,” he said. Moving over to a nearby tree, he started to sit down against it.
“Maybe you could help with the wounded while we’re gone?” Bart suggested. When he saw Kevik turn an exhausted stare toward him, he grinned.
“He does have a healing gem,” Riyan explained to Lord Haran.
“True,” the lord replied. “It would save many lives.”
All Kevik wanted to do was sit down and possibly fall asleep. Instead, with the eyes of everyone upon him, he stood back up and made his way over to where they were gathering the wounded. Those taking care of the injured directed him toward the men in the most serious condition.
“It’s this way,” Seth said as he began leading them back to where they left the two men. Behind him came Lords Haran and Hurrin as well as six of their men, along with Riyan and the rest of their group.
“Kevik mentioned how he thought others would come and disturb the King,” he explained as they walked.
“I fear he may be correct,” replied Lord Haran.
“What can we do?” asked Riyan.
“Tell no one of what transpired here today,” Lord Haran said. Glancing to the dark clouds making their way from the west he saw a flash of lightning followed by the crack of thunder. “Once the rains come, they’ll remove all evidence of our presence here.”
“Not everything they won’t,” argued Chyfe. “What about the bodies?”
“We’ll bury them of course,” replied Lord Haran. “Before we depart for home.”
About that time, the two men held by Kevik’s spell came into view. “I don’t recognize them,” Bart said.
“Neither do I,” added Riyan.
“My lord,” said one of Lord Haran’s men, “I believe they arrived with the soldiers we recently dealt with.”
Chad’s eyes narrowed as he gazed at the two men. “My brother mentioned someone by the name of Daniel that was seen around Quillim for some time.”
“Yes,” agreed Riyan. “So did my mother. He told her he had come to help us.”
“I think he lied,” replied Bart.
“So it would seem,” agreed Chad.
The two men had taken notice of the group coming their way. One was taller than the other and had the air of being in charge. Lord Haran walked up to them, stopping several feet away. “Is one of you named Daniel?” he asked.
The taller one’s eyes widened slightly then nodded. “That would be me your lordship,” Daniel replied.
“You know me?” asked Lord Haran, somewhat surprised.
“Not by name, no,” he replied. “You merely have the bearing of nobility.”
“I see,” said Lord Haran. He didn’t offer to give his name. “What is your business in all this?”
“In all what your lordship?” replied Daniel.
“The attack on my person, the death of my people, not to mention the atrocities laid at the feet of your acquaintance Captain Glaver.”
“Merely in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he explained.
Riyan came to the fore and said, “You told my mother you were here to offer your aid in expediting matters with Duke Alric.”
“That is true my lad,” he replied. “Unfortunately I will no longer be able to aid you as you have murdered a number of the Duke’s men.”
Lord Haran gazed at Daniel, what he may have been thinking was unreadable.
“Will you please let us go?” he asked. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Ha!” said Seth. “We overheard you and I quote: ‘We know the location of the Horde. I’ll use my influence in Duke Alric’s court and have the land rights to this area transferred to me. Then, we can come and strip the place of everything.’
“I never said such a thing,” Daniel replied with complete sincerity. “Like I said, events swept my friend and I along like a flower petal upon the water.”
“Lies!”
From out of the woods stepped Rupert. Eyes wild, clothes stained with blood, he made a frightful sight.
“Rupert?” exclaimed Riyan.
Ignoring everyone save Daniel, he came forward. “You murdered my father,” he accused. “Confessed by your own lips. You orchestrated everything, I can see that now.”
“I don’t know what this boy is talking about,” Daniel told those gathered around him.
“I trusted you!” Rupert said, anguish in his voice. Coming closer, they could see a slight madness in his eyes. Finally, he glanced to the others. “With my help he murdered everyone who was drawn to Quillim by the rumors of the Horde.” Pausing, he looked to his hands. “Their blood stains my hands.” Rubbing them together, it almost seemed as if he was trying to rid them of the imagined stains.
Glancing up again, he gazed at Daniel. “After all that I have done for you, your final act of betrayal was to try and take my life,” he said softly. “That was when my eyes were opened and I saw you for what you truly are.” Then almost inaudible he said, “And what I had done.”
“That’s true,” Seth said quietly. “My brother and I saw it.” Beside him, Soth nodded in affirmation.
Moving once again, Rupert quickened his pace toward Daniel and drew his sword. Silently, he raised it to strike.
To the others watching the unfolding drama, Daniel exclaimed, “You cannot stand by and let him kill me!” He looked to Riyan and said, “This is murder!”
Riyan shook his head. “No, this is a son’s justice for the murder of his father. And for all the hurt done to Quillim and her people by you.”
Daniel began struggling to free himself, but Kevik’s spell was too strong. “But I didn’t kill him!”
Rupert raised his sword as he came closer. Daniel’s eyes widened as he looked at the approach of death. “Father!” Rupert cried out as with all his might, he brought the sword down. Striking the shoulder blade, Rupert’s sword cleaved its way halfway into Daniel’s ribcage through bone and muscle before coming to a stop.
When the sword finally came to rest, Rupert remained motionless as he continued holding the hilt. Silence hung in the air as everyone waited for what he would do next. When he finally let go of the hilt, he turned about and glanced to Riyan. “I’m sorry for everything,” he said. Then without a word, walked to the trees and disappeared. Riyan and the others didn’t realize it at the time, but that would be the last time any of them would ever see Rupert alive.
Once Rupert left, Daniel’s man began begging for his life. But such was not to be. Chad accepted the duty of silencing him and with one thrust, it was over.
For the rest of that day, they sought and located an out of the way area where they buried the dead in a large, communal grave. Then in an attempt to mask the grave, they gathered individual plants from many different areas and planted them atop the grave mound. By the time they were done, rain had started to fall and began the job of removing the evidence that people had ever been there. In such a remote area, it was unlikely another person would stumble upon the entrance to the Horde. Above the entrance, they had woven the vines together to better conceal it. When spring came and the vines began growing once more, the entrance would again be well hidden.
Before darkness fell, the two groups gathered together. Riyan and his group had reclaimed their horses and equipment, as well as a spare for each from those of Captain Glaver’s. Lord Haran and his men took the rest.
“What route do you plan to take on your way home?” Riyan asked Lord Haran.
“First, we must go to Aquillian and speak with your King,” he replied. “My uncle has brought our two nations perilously close to war and I must set that right.”
“Our families are on their way to Terix which is on the way to Aquillian,” Riyan explained. “If you are agreeable, we could travel that far together.”
Nodding, Lord Haran said, “I would like that.” Giving Riyan a grin, he signaled for his men to get underway.
Riyan led them on a route toward the south ford that would avoid any possible contact with the inhabitants of Quillim. As much as he loved the village of his birth, there was no reason to return. The home in which he grew to adulthood was gone, his mother and Freya were no longer there, everything he cared for was on its way to Terix.
As he rode through the countryside, he thought of the last year and the changes his life had taken. Who would have thought that a simple shepherd boy would one day be riding in camaraderie with a Warlord of the Tribes! Smiling to himself, he thought of the friends he had made and the adventures they survived. But most of all, he thought of Freya and their future life together. Man, it was a good day to be alive!