Forgotten Hero

by Brian Murray

  “Is that not the Floating Lancer and the Grey Sunset?” Help has arrived, she thought.

  “Aye, ma’am, and that’s good news indeed,” said the Royal Lancer, the relief obvious in his tone.

  “But look at the men disembarking. They do not look like Royal Lancers, do they?” said the queen, her brow furrowed with concern. Has help arrived?

  The Captain of the Royal Lancers leaned close to the window, so close his breath misted the glass, and shook his head. Zorain and Baron Chelmsnor joined the two at the window, looking out at the docks. The baron cursed softly.

  “Sorry, ma’am. I think our problems have just got worse. Those vessels are not carrying Rhaurien colours.” Zorain pointed to the ship’s flags. “They appear to be black banners.”

  They watched as the men on the docks split up. A smaller group headed for Downtown, but the majority of the riders remained, presumably awaiting orders.

  “Captain, may I suggest you close the inner gates and ready your men,” said Chelmsnor. Captain Russ gazed at the baron and frowned.

  “Captain Russ, those are the bastards who sacked Evlon,” hissed the baron vehemently, his voice low, cold and menacing. “And now they are here. Rally your men immediately. The king has left the queen and the princess in my charge. They will not be harmed while in my care. Now move, man, time is not on our side. Go and close the palace gates.”

  “Yes, sir,” said the captain. He rushed out of the room and raced down the corridor to give his orders.

  “Now ma’am, it is not safe for you to remain in the palace. I do not think the Royal Lancers can hold the inner wall for long. I suggest it would be easier to hide you and your daughter in the city. What do you think, Zorain?”

  The captain nodded.

  The queen thought for a minute. Help had not arrived after all.

  Chelmsnor swiftly added, “Ma’am, you have your daughter, and the daughter of the Phadrine Emperor to think about.”

  This comment swayed the queen and she called for her maid, who entered the room with a bow.

  “I want you to wake Princess Sasha, and Princesses Ireen and Megan immediately, and send them here. Have them dress in travelling clothes. And also send Christie to me, please.”

  The maid rushed off and the queen’s gaze returned to the window. She saw a warrior in silver armour point to the palace, then the soldiers mounted their horses and started on their march.

  “Captain, we will have to leave via one of our hidden passages. That should get us out of the palace, but once outside, what do we do? Where do we go?”

  “I will hide you and the three princesses. It will not be the most pleasant location, but I’m sure you will be safe there.”

  “And where is that?” asked the queen.

  “The Flying Vessel tavern, home of Rayth, the most loyal man I know.”

  “He has a daughter named Aurillia?” enquired the queen.

  “Aye, how do you know that, ma’am?”

  “Let’s just say I know the man, and I know I will be safe there.”

  “Ma’am, you’d better ready yourself.”

  “Baron, will you come with us?”

  “Sorry ma’am, no. I have an appointment with those men that I intend to keep. I believe this will be goodbye, your Highness. I will leave you in Zorain’s care.”

  The queen gazed into the baron’s eyes and saw sadness. “Thank you for everything, Chelmsnor.”

  The baron bowed. “It has been my pleasure to serve you and your husband, your Highness.” Without another word, the baron turned and left the room.

  Saddened by the baron’s departure, the queen called for another of her maids and left Zorain in the king’s chambers, deep in thought. He had arrived at the palace Captain of the City Watch; he would leave the palace as defender for the Rhaurien Queen.

  ***

  Conn was out walking to clear his head when the two vessels docked. Returning to the City Watch office, he heard the distinct sound of horses’ hooves on cobbles. From the sound, he could tell there were more than one or two horses coming in his direction. Something told Conn to hide and he ducked into the shadows to watch. He peered around a corner and saw a company of men outside his offices. Conn frowned; he had never seen Rhaurien soldiers dressed in black armour. Then came the sound of men screaming. Conn’s loyalties were split: he could rush into certain death to try and save his colleagues, or live to fight another day.

  Conn turned and ran towards the Flying Vessel. He was not a coward but certain death did not appeal to him; he had other priorities to deal with.

  ***

  The queen returned to the king’s chamber, dressed in leather leggings, high riding boots, and a plain woollen top. One of her maids followed, carrying a heavy, brown woollen cloak. Gone was her gold jewellery, she wore only her simple wedding band on the small finger of her left hand. In the room waiting for her were Ireen, Megan, Sasha, and Zorain. Christie arrived after the queen, confused and frightened at being summoned to the royal chamber so late at night.

  The queen explained, “We are leaving. We believe the palace will be under siege shortly, as will the rest of my city by dawn.”

  “By who?” asked Ireen.

  “We think it is the same people your father and my husband are seeking.”

  “How did they get here?”

  “That I do not know, Ireen.”

  Megan cut into the conversation, her voice cold. “Do the men wear black armour?”

  “Aye,” answered Zorain.

  “Are there three warriors in silver armour?” she asked.

  “Aye. How do you know this?”

  “Never mind that, we have to get out of the palace now, or we will be dead by dawn!”

  Zorain took command of the women and spoke to the queen. “You mentioned hidden passages, your Highness. Now would be a good time to show them to me, and also the best bolt hole exit.”

  “The passage is behind that wall panel and I can get us to a bolt hole near Downtown, by the docks.”

  Zorain grimaced. “That’s risky, but we had better go now,” he said.

  Zorain and the five women left the room through the secret wall panel. Larene felt guilty at leaving her home. She could not risk warning the other members of staff and only hoped they would be safe. But a cold dread touched her heart and she shivered as she closed the secret panel behind her.

  ***

  Captain Russ woke all the men in his charge and ordered the inner gates closed. With crossbows and swords ready, the men took up positions on the inner wall in silence. From the distance came the clattering sound of hooves on the paved road. The sound grew louder as the Royal Lancers waited for the unseen force to appear before them. Suddenly, the sound stopped. “Be ready, men,” Captain Russ commanded.

  In front of the inner wall, three silver-armoured warriors on horseback materialised from the gloom, just out of crossbow reach. Their armour reflected a rose colour from the lanterns hung high above the gate, and on the poles lining the lane between the city and the palace. One of the silver-clad warriors stepped forward and his voice boomed out.

  “Give the wall up now and your lives will be spared. Fight us and every one of you will die tonight. I have four hundred men with me now, the Dark Brethren, the best fighting force in the Kingdom, and another ten thousand men waiting to enter the city. Your defence, though honourable, is futile.”

  “Thank you for the choice,” shouted Russ, his voice sounded weak compared to the warrior, “but this is our duty and we will not give up the wall without a fight. Bring your force forward and feel the steel blades of the Kingdom’s best, the king’s Royal Lancers.”

  “Your king is dead. He died pitifully in his tent outside Kal-Pharina, like a coward. Your fight is futile. Again I make my offer.”

  Russ swallowed down a responding insult, and took a calming breath. “If, as you say, our king is dead, I mourn his passing. We are here to defend our queen and her palace. Now bring on your men so we can cut t
hem down, as I’m bored with your talk.”

  Malice nodded towards the Captain of the Royal Lancers, recognising a man of honour. Behind the three warriors, several hundred Dark Brethren urged their horses forward so they could be seen. They stood silently in a long line and waited, the only movement their cloaks flapping gently in the breeze.

  The Baron Chelmsnor of the Duchy of Evlon stepped onto the wall when he heard the conversation end. A well of panic swirled around his stomach as he looked down and recognised the three warriors.

  “Baron Chelmsnor, it is good to see you again,” said Malice conversationally.

  “I cannot be so pleasant, you whoreson.”

  “Why don’t you tell your men they cannot survive against us? You do remember what happened in the Great Hall at Evlon. The same fate will occur here.”

  The baron’s face reddened and all fear drained, replaced by pure, seething rage.

  “I tell you what, you whoreson, why don’t I just bend over and you can crawl up here and kiss my arse,” boomed the baron.

  Malice said nothing more and just waited, as the area echoed with the baron’s rumbling laughter.

  ***

  Zorain and the five women made their way through the dark, secret passages under the palace. After half an hour they reached the exit. Zorain put his finger to his lips to quieten the whispering women. Cautiously, he pushed open the hatch slightly, hoping it would not creak. Luckily, it did not and he peered out into the darkness of the night. Closing his eyes to heighten his hearing, a trick learned from scouts, he listened for sounds of the enemy. He heard none. Shutting the hatch, he turned to the women.

  “We will leave the tunnel now. Stay in the shadows and follow me. Do not knock into anything, as our lives depend upon maintaining silence.” He looked out into the darkness one more time then whispered, “Let’s go.”

  Zorain and the five women streamed out of the bolthole and moved into the shadows. Zorain looked around to get his bearings. Once he knew where he was, he turned to the women and forced a smile. He was surprised at how well the women had adapted to their forced departure from the palace. Only Princess Sasha seemed uncomfortable, sneaking around, her movements rigid and awkward. Ireen and Megan moved with a silent stealth that was surprisingly matched by the queen.

  The group reached the City Watch offices and Zorain stopped across the road, hidden in shadow. He saw no movement inside, took one step forward, then froze. A black-armoured warrior stepped up to the window and looked out into the darkness. The warrior’s eyes were hidden as he was silhouetted against the light behind him.

  Zorain held his breath. It seemed that the man was staring straight at him.

  For a long moment, no one moved. Then the warrior moved away and Zorain let out a long breath, which condensed in the chilling air. But to his horror, a second black-clad warrior suddenly appeared on the steps outside the office.

  The man looked in their direction and Zorain had to make a decision. Because of the need for silence he could not talk to the women, to tell them what to do to stay safe. Pulling out his club, the City Watchman braced himself for attack.

  ***

  Conn knocked quietly on the back door of the Flying Vessel and waited for a reply, his eyes flicking left and right, searching the gloom. He could hear Rayth cursing softly inside, and relaxed.

  “Who’s there?” snapped the innkeeper.

  “Rayth, it’s me, Conn. Please let me in. There’s trouble in the city and the streets are not safe.”

  “Not safe for the City Watch?!” said the innkeeper, jokingly through the door.

  “Please Rayth, this is no time for jokes,” whispered Conn with an urgency in his voice.

  Hearing the man’s fear, Rayth opened the door. Conn came into the kitchen and walked straight through to the common room. Once there he peered through a crack in the shutters. Rayth entered the room, carrying a lantern.

  “Put out the light, Rayth,” hissed Conn.

  The confused innkeeper obediently put out his lantern, and walked to the shutters. There he heard the sound of many horses clattering along the cobbled streets. Conn ducked away from the window and pulled Rayth back. Once the warriors had passed, Conn’s heart stopped pounding in his chest.

  “Now are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?” hissed Rayth.

  “I don’t know.”

  Both men turned around to face the kitchen.

  There was another knock on the back door of the Flying Vessel tavern.

  ***

  Holding his breath, Zorain crouched down, waiting for the warrior to move. He dared not turn to see what the women were doing but thankfully, they remained silent. Then the warrior moved. He walked down the steps of the office and stepped out into the road. Zorain feared that the warrior was looking in their direction, but it was hard to be sure as the man wore a helm. The warrior slowly looked up the street, then down, mist oozing from his helm as he breathed slowly, rhythmically. A constable from the office appeared in the doorway and called to the warrior.

  “Sir, you need to dispatch the watchmen on duty in the city.”

  “That’s in hand,” replied the warrior without turning. “They’ll receive the same fate as those inside who were not loyal.”

  The warrior looked straight ahead into the shadows, directly at the group. Then slowly, the black-clad warrior turned and walked back into the City Watch offices.

  Zorain let out another long breath of relief. He had heard the conversation and longed to race forward and attack, but he had to think about the queen – his vengeance would come later. Quickly and silently, he led the group away. Looking back, he made sure no one followed them. They safely reached the Flying Vessel and Zorain knocked on the door.

  ***

  Inside the Flying Vessel, Rayth looked at Conn, who just shrugged his shoulders. Rayth made his way towards the kitchen when the knock sounded again, sharper, with more urgency.

  “Who’s there?” asked Rayth.

  “Rayth it is I, Zorain, and some friends.”

  Rayth opened the door slightly and cursed. “What is this, your offices aren’t comfortable enough for you? You . . .” He stopped in mid-sentence as Zorain led five women into his kitchen. “Well, you’re not having a party in my tavern after hours, captain or no captain.”

  “Rayth, I need your help,” said Zorain, while Rayth looked outside to check all was clear.

  “This should be good,” replied the innkeeper, closing the door.

  “Rayth, listen to me. This is her Highness, Queen Larene, and her daughter, Princess Sasha. I also have Princesses Ireen and Megan from Phadrine and the queen’s maid, Christie.”

  Rayth looked at the five women and said, “You’d better come through to the common room and explain to me what the hell is going on.”

  “Thank you, Rayth,” said the queen.

  Rayth looked at the queen and smiled. “You may not be thanking me later.”

  As Zorain moved into the common room, the queen added, “Zorain said you are the most loyal man in the city.”

  “He said that?”

  The queen nodded.

  “Well, he lied,” said Rayth, smiling wryly.

  “I think not,” replied the queen, also smiling, and followed the others into the darkened common room.

  ***

  The Dark Brethren dispatched the three guards at the outer gate with ease, and moved along the walls, killing sentries as five warriors rode through the gates to summon General Carash and the Horde. Fifty more Dark Brethren rode through the sleeping city, killing any City Watchmen they encountered. The killing was silent, swift, and merciless.

  The siege of Teldor City began.

  ***

  In the common room, a few candles gave an eerie glow. After hearing Zorain’s story of the events, Rayth sat motionless, in disbelieving shock. In front of him were the Rhaurien royal family who remained in Teldor, and the heir to the throne of Phadrine. From what he had been told, the last two
City Watchmen known to be alive also sat in front of him. Zorain had already concluded that there would probably be traitors. The women were looking for sanctuary until the Rhaurien army returned. He could not tell them to leave. The queen was right, loyalty to the crown controlled his thoughts.

  Silence hung over the room as all looked at the innkeeper, waiting for him to speak. Rayth in turn looked into the eyes of each, sighed heavily, then spoke.

  “Your Highness, my home is yours,” he said finally. “However, we must keep you hidden, so during the day I would suggest you and your friends remain in my cellar. At night, if safe you can come up here to dine and stretch your legs. Yes, I am a loyal man, but remember this, I will not let my daughter be harmed or put in any form of danger.”

  “That I can understand, Rayth, and I thank you for your hospitality,” said the queen.

  “I would not thank me just yet, ma’am. You have not seen my cellar,” said Rayth, smiling broadly.

  Zorain left the common room with Rayth to fetch some spare blankets.

  “Thank you, Rayth, you are the man I always thought you were.”

  Rayth stopped walking and turned to face the Captain of the City Watch.

  “Zorain, hear this. I respect you as a man, but you’re the City Watch, hence my enemy. But now my enemy’s enemy is my friend. I will look after the queen with my life, as that is my duty. I will also have friends call on your lady and make sure she and your babe are safe. But remember one thing, once this is over, we will return to our old ways.”

  Zorain looked into the former soldier’s eyes and smiled. “Rayth, you’re a hard man, but I appreciate you looking in on my family.” He held out his hand and Rayth grasped it, warrior style, at the wrist. “At this moment, we’re at peace. Now let’s work out how we will purge our city of this vermin.”

  After putting the women into the cellar with blankets and some daggers, Zorain and Rayth sat in the common room, trying to plan what to do next. Conn stayed in the cellar to protect the women after Rayth assured him that his people would keep an eye on his family.

  Zorain and Rayth could not just let these invaders sit comfortably in their city until the Rhaurn army arrived. They planned to cause confusion throughout the city, to keep the guards busy following and watching shadows. Furthermore, they needed to get the city reserves ready without the invaders’ knowledge, so that when the time came they could play their part in freeing Teldor. For this, they needed the help of the Mistress.