“Well now. Expect nothing in return is a strong statement. Let’s just say that we have it in our power to do this favor for you now. Perhaps in the future, you will have it in your power to do us a favor of similar value. You are a captain in the Kentarian Army, and that is a powerful friend to have. We like powerful friends and are happy to help you out in this instance.”
Jon nodded his head and said, “Very good then. I think we have a deal.”
Sivan got up from his chair and walked over to stand in front of Jon. Even though Jon was sitting in a chair, he still stood half a head taller than Sivan. “Bring your refugees to the warehouse directly across from the one where you met Morgan as soon as you are able, and we will take care of the rest. In the meantime, if you will excuse me, I have preparations to make.” With the deal done, Sivan looked up at the bouncers standing behind Jon and said, “Morgan and Biff, will you kindly take the Captain back to the warehouse where we found him.” Sivan turned around without looking back and left the room with Lidea right behind him. Morgan got up from his chair against the wall and placed the black hood back over Jon’s head.
Morgan and Biff led him back down the stairs, through the tunnel, and back to the warehouse where they met. On the way, Jon thought about the deal he had just made. He had no doubt that he was missing something, but the deal had turned out better than he could have imagined. Still, there was no way the Talon Guild was taking on that many mouths to feed without it being to their collective advantage. The promise that Jon would do them a favor in the future seemed a poor substitute for the expense of taking on this kind of burden. So what angle was the Talon Guild playing?
About halfway through the tunnel back to the warehouse, the truth came crashing into Jon like an assassin’s blade into his back. Jon had essentially given the Talon Guild two-hundred new recruits. They would be fed and sheltered by the Guild. The children would grow up thinking the Guild was a good home. Not all of the refugees would stay with the Guild, but those that did would be loyal. Jon knew what a difference loyal soldiers made in a battle against hired mercenaries. This would make the Guild look generous both to the refugees and to anyone who saw what they were doing from the outside. They might even gain new talent simply by spreading word of their generosity. And as a final insult, Jon would likely be called upon to do a rather large favor for them in return.
Jon staggered against the tunnel wall as he realized the truth. Biff took him by the arm and led him forcefully down the tunnel. Jon was taken back to the warehouse, given back his weapons, and sent on his way. He returned shortly after dawn with the rest of his refugees.
The Talon Guild kept their word by doing everything they pledged to do and more. They took excellent care of the refugees. The next morning Jon left by himself on horseback and rode for Jewlian so that he could make his report to the King.
Chapter 44: Companion Taken
A day after the companions left Shetley Keep, Jefon ran through Darkwood Forest as fast as his legs would carry him, alone. He had been following the bandit’s trail for half a day, and he was finally beginning to catch up. He was sure the bandits were headed for the Old Shetley Fortress, and he couldn’t let them reach the safety of its walls. Jefon stopped and knelt to examine some tracks left in the dirt and was gratified to find that they were fresh. He looked through the tree line and saw the trail leading off into the distance, but cursed under his breath as he saw what looked like a huge stone wall on the horizon.
He rose from his crouch into a dead sprint, resolving that no friend of his would be imprisoned while he was still alive. Tree branches smacked against his face as he closed the distance to the fortress and the stone walls grew ever more ominous. The front gate began to open and Jefon urged his body on, but he was too late. An arrow from his bow might cover the distance, but it wouldn’t help his friend and would only alert those in the fortress to his presence. He stopped at the tree line and crouched behind an old oak. As his breathing began to slow, the memories of how he had gotten into this desperate situation came flooding back.
Evisar had led the companions away from Shetley’s Keep, past the town of Wessex, and gotten on the trail heading west toward Dowden. The small trading village commanded the only bridge within a hundred miles that crossed the two hundred foot river separating them from Darkwood Forest. Evisar planned to cross the bridge into Darkwood Forest, find the Old Shetley Keep, and if the gods were willing, an entrance into the Underworld. Jefon had explained privately that it would probably be quicker to cross the river by boat, but after all of their misfortunes, Evisar did not want to risk it. Jefon could not say he agreed, but it was not his decision to make. By high sun the companions were well underway, with the church steeple of Wessex fading quickly behind them.
After Valihorn explained what they had found in the Shetley library, Evisar said, “So let’s see if I understand. The Lord Shetley of one hundred fifty years ago dug inside his fortress for treasure because the gold mines to the north ran out, and he consequently broke through into the Underworld. Then something came out of the Underworld and took the fortress away from the Shetleys, forcing them to flee to Wessex where they built a new, less impressive keep next to the Dragon Spine Mountains.”
Valihorn nodded. “As far as we can tell, that is what happened. The story in Wessex has always been that a Krone witch took the fortress from the Shetleys. No one ever knew how or why.”
“As elves of Armena, Jefon and I have studied Krone history, and I can tell you that a Krone witch isn’t something we want to find.”
Valihorn said, “Even if the story is true, that happened over one hundred fifty years ago. Surely the witch must be dead by now.”
Evisar said, “I don’t mean to argue with you, Valihorn, but I think you have been living among humans for too long. A true elf can live as long as three hundred years, but hopefully the witch has moved on or is dead, and the fortress is abandoned. With any luck, we may be able to pass through to the Underworld without being noticed.”
Tristan added, “My luck hasn’t been that good lately. If this fortress is as impressive as everyone says it is then someone will be using it, and an entrance to the Underworld won’t be left unguarded.”
The companions continued trotting along on their horses with Evisar and Valihorn in front, while Jefon, Xander, and Tristan brought up the rear. Jefon could see the huge river off to his left with Darkwood Forest beyond. The terrain consisted almost entirely of grassland with the occasional grove of trees and shrubs along the bank of the river. It was Jefon’s duty as a ranger to scan the countryside for anything unusual, but his mind kept drifting to the visions he was receiving and what they meant.
After a while Valihorn spoke up. “Evisar, I have been thinking. I am not sure we should travel all the way to Dowden just to cross the river. That takes us at least another day or two out of our way.”
Jefon continued to half-listen to the conversation while scanning the countryside. The companions were coming up on a thick grove of shrubs and trees that covered the view of the river; as he scanned the trees, Jefon thought he saw a raft floating in the water between the branches and leaves.
Evisar nodded his head in agreement. “Unfortunately, I don’t see any other way across the river.”
Jefon’s eyes fixed on the river as he waited for the brush to part so he could verify what he thought he had just seen.
Xander was also not happy with the long ride in front of them and said, “We could just go back to Wessex and cross there using one of the boats at the dock.”
Evisar turned to Xander and said, “There’s no way I’m going back to Wessex anytime soon. I’ve had enough of Austen’s half-truths and half-explanations for a while. More importantly, we’ve been attacked twice because of that gem of yours, and I don’t intend to invite a third. Obviously, the Talon Guild is tracking us, regardless of the necklace Austen gave you. I’m hoping we dealt with our trackers back at the Shetley Keep, but I’m not taking any chances.”
The grove of trees parted for a moment as Jefon rode along, and he did indeed see a log raft floating on the shore. At the same time, Jefon saw the glimmer of what could only be a helmet behind a tree. He jumped off his horse and had time to say, “Watch the trees by the river,” before he heard an arrow cut through the air just over his head.
A moment later the air was filled with arrows. Evisar and Tristan were closest to the grove of trees, and each of their horses took an arrow in the side. The two horses jolted in pain and began to sprint down the path, taking Evisar and Tristan with them. Jefon unslung his bow and nocked an arrow. Xander and Valihorn leapt off their horses and fell hard to the ground, just as the enemy come pouring out of the underbrush. Jefon fired his arrow and nocked another as his target fell to the ground.
Twenty men came out of the grove armed with swords and crossbows, along with a knight wearing a steel breastplate and a gleaming helmet. Behind the knight came a human in chain mail and leather gloves who wore a black cape with the symbol of Seker embroidered on his chest. The human walked purposefully toward the companions and looked at each of them in turn. He gave Valihorn a second look and, having made up his mind, pointed his finger straight at him.
“Take the wizard.”
Jefon shot at the leader, but hit one of the men-at-arms instead. Jefon looked at the leader as he drew another arrow from his quiver. The leader was the key. Anyone who worshipped the God of the Dead could only serve the forces of evil.
Jefon looked down the path to his right and was gratified to see that Tristan and Evisar had regained control of their mounts. Jefon shot another arrow as Valihorn said an arcane word and launched a bolt of energy from his hand. Two more men-at-arms fell to the ground, but the enemy paid no mind to their fallen comrades as they sprinted straight for Valihorn. Jefon shot another arrow and Valihorn tried to get off another magic missile, but it made no difference. The men-at-arms surrounded Valihorn in an instant and struck him over the head from behind. Jefon nocked another arrow as Valihorn fell unconscious to the ground. Xander snuck up behind two of Valihorn’s attackers and viciously stabbed them in the back with his rapier.
The knight and the leader came up to Valihorn’s unconscious form as Evisar and Tristan dismounted from their horses and drew their swords. Everyone paused and combat stopped as Evisar’s voice pierced the air. “Leave him be and we’ll let you live.”
The knight with the gleaming helmet looked at the leader and waited to see what he would do. The leader said, “Brave words from an elf, but I don’t think you know who you are dealing with.” Before anyone could react, the leader said two divine words and thrust his arm out palm first. As his arm came out each of the companions flew back fifteen feet and landed flat on his back. As the companions regained their feet, the leader cast another divine spell that instantly created a dense fog in a fifty-foot radius around Valihorn.
Jefon didn’t know why they were being attacked, but for some reason the priest of Seker was trying to steal Valihorn from them. The fog was intended to cover their escape. Jefon yelled to his companions, “They’re going to escape using a boat I saw on the river. Get between them and the boat.”
Jefon followed words with action as he grabbed his brother’s arm and ran with him around to the other side of the dense fog. The other companions were close behind, and as Jefon came around the fog he clearly saw a large raft in the distance with one human standing guard next to it.
Evisar quickly caught on to Jefon’s intent and took command of the situation. The boat was one hundred feet from the fog and Evisar placed himself right in the middle. “Tristan and Xander, with me. Jefon, stay behind and cover us with your bow.” Jefon did as he was ordered, but he also took a moment to shoot an arrow and hit the human guarding the boat.
As the guard fell, Jefon turned back to the fog and heard voices inside the dense cloud as the enemy organized themselves. A moment later the priest screamed, “Go now!”
Jefon thought he was prepared for anything, but a horde of men coming straight at him out of a dense fog was still a shock. Fourteen men sprinted out of the cloud in a wedge with the knight in the middle. The priest came out just behind the pack holding Valihorn’s unconscious form in his arms. Jefon got off one arrow as the cleric said another prayer and Jefon’s entire body froze. Try as he might, he couldn’t force his arms or legs to move. Terror filled Jefon as he realized what the priest had done, and how utterly helpless he was.
Weapons clashed as the wedge smashed into the waiting swords of Evisar, Xander, and Tristan. Jefon could only watch from the back and marvel at the skill of his friends and brother. They were outnumbered four to one, and still the men-at-arms fell quickly before their blades. The companions did all they could, but the wave of humanity was too much. Men-at-arms plowed through the line with the knight at the center. Jefon’s companions were forced off to either the side. Tristan and Xander were each cut with a blade as the enemy raced by. To their credit, only a single man-at-arms, the knight, and the priest carrying Valihorn breached the companion’s line and continued running to the raft. The man-at-arms and the knight turned around with swords in hand, ready to defend the priest as he ran toward the boat.
Evisar closed in on the man-at-arms. Three cuts later, the man-at-arms was down with a gaping wound across his chest. Tristan ran at the knight with a warrior’s ferocity and swung his sword. The knight raised his sword to meet the threat, but Tristan’s brute strength coupled with his forward momentum was enough to throw his enemy off balance and onto the ground. The knight was quick to recover, but not quick enough as Tristan made a savage cut across his neck. Evisar and Xander sprinted after the priest carrying their fallen companion, who was only moments away from the boat and a good fifty feet ahead of them.
As quickly as Jefon had been frozen in place, he just as quickly found that movement had returned to his body. Jefon grabbed an arrow from his quiver with renewed determination. He stepped to the side so as not to hit his running companions and took careful aim. He let the arrow take flight and saw that his aim was true, but as the arrow left his bow the priest and Valihorn launched into the air like a bird. Jefon’s arrow sailed harmlessly below them and the priest floated easily to the other side of the river several hundred feet away. Several men come running out of Darkwood Forest to join up with the priest; together they took Valihorn and disappeared into the woods.
So quick was their withdrawal that if it hadn’t been for the fact that Valihorn was gone, Jefon would have questioned whether an attack had occurred at all. The companions stood stunned at the edge of the river as Jefon looked around in a daze and wondered what in the seven hells had just happened. He snapped back to reality as he looked at the bodies of the men-at-arms littered on the ground. Tristan knelt down to examine the knight as Jefon and Xander examined the men-at-arms. Each of the men-at-arms carried a few silver pieces and a sword, but that was all. Tristan searched the knight’s body and found several gold pieces and a few camp items. Finally, he pulled the knight’s dagger out of its sheath. Even from several feet away Jefon could see the crest of a dragon with its wings spread wide and its mouth held open in mid-roar.
Xander saw the crest of the Talon Guild and could not believe it. “You have got to be kidding. There’s no way the Guild could know where we are.”
Jefon was instantly incensed. “Damn it, Xander, Valihorn is a good friend and now they’ve taken him to gods know where. Why don’t you just get out of here and leave us alone. I’m sick to death of all the troubles that come with you.”
Xander matched anger with anger. “Look, you pissy little ranger. No one tells me where to go. Especially not some younger brother with more …”
Evisar spoke loudly, silencing the argument. “No! It doesn’t make sense. They didn’t go after Xander and they didn’t ask about the gem. They went straight for Valihorn.”
Tristan added, “He’s right. They didn’t even know who we were. The knight must have been from the Talon Guild
while the men-at-arms were just some local thugs. What about the priest? Where does he fit in?”
Evisar said, “It’s clear he was in charge and my guess is he belongs to the Talon Guild as well.”
Jefon looked over at Xander with regret. “So are you saying this was just some random encounter with Talon Guild bandits on the road to Dowden?”
Evisar replied, “It would seem that way.” Xander met the gaze, and although Jefon didn’t say anything, Xander accepted his apology.
This was all well and good, but Jefon stepped up to refocus the group. “Fine, they attacked us for no reason, but they still took Valihorn. What are we going to do?”
Everyone snapped back as Evisar gave orders. “At least they were good enough to leave us the raft. Let’s get going. If Jefon can follow the trail, we may yet be able to save Valihorn.” The companions moved quickly to the raft and found the guard Jefon had shot lying on the shore with an arrow in his chest, still alive.
As everyone climbed onto the raft, Jefon tried to get something from the dying human. They didn’t have time for a long interrogation and Jefon wouldn’t let one of his friends be imprisoned. Jefon’s normal sense of restraint turned off as he stepped directly on the human’s chest wound and asked his questions.
“Why did you take our wizard? What do you want with him?”
The human shrieked in pain but started talking after Jefon moved his boot a few times. “We’ve been attacking any wizards and priests that come along.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I just help Ramon with the capturing. We take the prisoners back to the fortress and they go down into the darkness. That’s all I know, I swear. Please don’t let me die. I need the money for my family, that’s all.”
“Is Ramon the priest who can fly?” The human nodded his head. “Is he the one who is in charge?”
Do the Gods Despise Us? Page 10
