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Dorin and Doric rode out of the castle leading twenty knights and their captains with two hundred soldiers on horseback heading north on Barge Road. Earl Brendan's estate is north about an hour’s ride then east down a hard-packed clay road for another half an hour. The column looked resplendent with the knights leading in full-burnished armor carrying their heavy shields and broadswords. The knight’s horses looked as resplendent as their riders did with the duke’s coat of arms beautifully sewn on the trapper covering the heavy armor underneath. The head armor is highly decorated but useful at the same time with a point sticking out that could impale or cut and enemy horse or rider. The full moon and cloudless sky gave enough light to make for a dazzling sight as these riders cantered by their armor sparkling in the moonlight.
Soon they turned off barge rode onto the clay road that would take them to the manor. Suddenly from the darkness, they could see a group of riders coming in their direction riding two abreast the front two carrying lighted torches. Dorin and Doric halted with two knights moving up beside the twins to stand four abreast with the rest following behind them. The approaching riders reined in their horses stopping about twenty yards away. All wore standard armor and carried shields blazoned with the Earl of Qenildor’s coat of arms a beautiful facing hawk with it claws outstretched attacking its prey. In years past while he lived Brendan’s father had always allied himself closely with the duke in all things political and in wartime but not in recent times. With Brendan as earl, it is the complete opposite, he was bequeathed a title he did not earn as his father did. One of the torch carrying riders detached from the column walking his horse slowly to stop in front of the twins.
“My lords and captains of the duke’s knights I present myself as captain of Earl Anthor’s personal guard,” he said respectfully bowing from the saddle.
“Captain Drake each of us has nothing but the greatest respect for you as a soldier and a man. My father has told me many stories of your sorties with him fighting both northern and southern orcs. Please with utmost clarity explain why an armored contingent is heading toward the castle this early in the morning without prior word being sent to the duke?” Doric asked respectfully for until proven otherwise this man deserved his respect as a solder and a friend of the duke.
“My lord we are what is left of the solders under Earl Anthor for he and Counts Korin and Malaric and their families rode out with those loyal to them. A messenger arrived early this evening and Earl Anthor ordered us to stand down while he and soldiers loyal to him looted the manor of valuables, food, additional arms, and horses, and when the counts and their families arrived, they fled northeastward. All that remains at the manor are the servants and a small contingent of soldiers loyal to the duke to guard the manor and I am on my way to see him to enter my resignation and face his judgment for failing to stop the earl from looting the manor and escaping. These men are loyal to the duke and were only following my orders when they felt contrary to them.”
“My good captain you have not committed any wrongdoing in my eyes. I assure you neither you nor your men will not fall into disfavor with the duke. Obviously, news from the castle has not reached your ears, for Earl Anthor and it now appears that Counts Korin and Malaric have some complacency in this, are part of a plot to kill the duke and his entire family. If not for the quick thinking and exemplary actions of the new Earl of Qenildor, we would all be dead and Anthor would be your new duke.” Doric watched the expressions on Captain Drakes face change from shock, to outrage and ultimately happiness at the good tidings. Doric knew he could trust this man with his family’s lives.
“M’lord, tell me what you would have of me?” Captain Drake asked solemnly.
“What say you Dorin shall I escort the captain to the castle with his men while you take ours and secure the manor for the new Earl of Qenildor? I will tell father about the two additional traitorous counts and I am sure he will send soldiers out to secure their estates,” Doric said turning in his saddle to face his brother.
“Aye Doric that will be fine by me,” Dorin replied enthusiastically. Dorin hated anything to do with court functions or diplomacy so he is more than happy to ride to the manor and secure it.
“Come captain gather your men I think it is high time you and your men met the new Earl of Qenildor if I know my father you and your men will become his new personal guard.”
Games of the Powerful Page 67
