by James Dale
"I've got a plan," Jack replied calmly, laying back carefully, so not to re-injure his head.
"What might that be?" Tarsus asked taking a seat on his own cot
"Princess Annawyn," Jack yawned.
"Some plan!" Tarsus snorted. "You heard Devin Ellgaer, she’s betrothed to Kiathan. That black hearted son of a bitch will never let us within ten leagues of the princess."
"So, you don't think she'll want to see us on her own once she learns we've been captured?" Jack asked. "Surely Thessa told Dorad's little sister about his plans to relocate in Brythond? How long until we reach Dorshev?”
"Two weeks," Tarsus replied. "Maybe three. It'll be slow going upriver."
"Plenty of time," Jack nodded. "I'm sure you'll be able to think of something in three weeks."
Just then the young sailor returned with the pitcher of water for his prisoners. "Thanks," Tarsus smiled, taking it eagerly. "What's your name lad?"
"Seaman Apprentice Manus Adair," he answered haltingly, still a bit wary of the two pirates.
"Did you know this man came up with the plan the Brotherhood used to burn Norgarth to the ground?" the Amarian grinned, pointing at Jack.
The youth's eyes widened in astonishment. "We'd heard rumors Norgarth had been attacked. Countess Thessa said it was done by the Free Brothers of the Sea during her rescue."
"Indeed," nodded the Amarian. "This is also the fellow who saved the beautiful countess from a fate worse than death. And I’m his captain.”
“Truth?” the young seaman asked.
“Yh’s truth,” Tarsus nodded. “Is there anything to eat on this tub?"
"I think I could find something sir," The boy said with a shy smile. "If could you tell me about the attack on Norgarth?"
"This might not be so bad after all," Tarsus grinned. "Not so bad at all."
Though the two were never permitted to leave their cell, their journey was indeed less harsh than it could have been. Although Captain Devin Ellgaer hated Tarsus with a passion and Braedan by association, the two quickly earned the grudging respect of the enlisted seamen guarding them. Who could blame the young sailors if they felt some amount of sympathy for the two pirates, and because of them for the Seawolf’s other crewmen? With their own eyes they had watched the Seawolf sink two Norgarthan men'o'war, and their tales of the destruction of the eastern port city grew more elaborate with each passing day.
Tarsus regaled the young sailors with colorful tales of battles and women and places they had only dreamed of. In turn they brought the two officers of the Seawolf and their crewmen more food and water any prisoner confined in the ship's brig had ever dreamed of. If Captain Devin Ellgaer had had any idea of how well his prisoners were treated on their journey to Dorihil, he would have probably keel hauled half his crew.
But he did not, and when they docked in Dorihil to transfer the pirates to another ship that would take them upriver to Dorshev, the survivors of the Seawolf were better rested and fed than they had been since leaving Brimcohn with Thessa well over a month ago. When they were marched aboard the galley which was to be their transport to Dorshev, the small crew looked curiously on the pirates. Their officers had portrayed to them as heinous fiends, but the sailors aboard Captain Ellgaer's warship had described them as virtual renegade heroes. They certainly didn't look like monsters of the deep. The pirates were healthy and clean and in good spirits considering their position. And so, it happened that although they were not treated as well as they had been on the warship, the last men of the Brotherhood were by no means abused or dealt with harshly on the next leg of their journey upriver.
That was soon to change.
It took the galley a week to sail up the River Whesguard to the city of Raashan where they were to meet Duke Kiathan. When they reached the duke's home city however, they were told he had gone on ahead to Dorshev and the prisoners were to continue on to the capital where he would take charge of them. It was at that point their luck took a turn for the worse. They were transferred to one of the duke's private ships and their jailers’ disposition towards them was anything but cordial.
The three days it took to reach Dorshev were not pleasant ones. When the ship docked in Doridan's capital, a messenger was sent to find Duke Kiathan so he could come to the docks and view the prisoners personally. The pirates were hauled from their windowless cells in chains, Tarsus first, followed by Braedan then the others. Their hands were locked tightly together and secured to a leather strap about their waist. From there a chain ran down to shackles at their feet.
It was noon and the mid-summer sun hung high in the sky. They could not shade their eyes because of their restricting chains so the prisoners were forced to squint against the glare as they were led from the ship. It was because of this Braedan couldn't immediately see the duke when he and his guards arrived on horseback. But he knew instantly from the sound of his voice they were in trouble.
"Well, well," the man said slowly as he stopped in front of them and dismounted. "Tarsus Aernin, as I live and breathe. I scarcely dared to hope Devin’s letter was true. I never thought to see you in Dorshev again. How kind of you to come." Though he spoke softly, but there was no mistaking the menacing sarcasm of his words. Braedan still had his head bowed avoiding blinding sun, so his first glimpse of Kiathan was his highly polished riding boots.
"Kiathan..." Tarsus started, and Braedan heard a sharp slap that cut off his words.
"Duke Kiathan if you please," the man continued calmly. "I would prefer it if you addressed me by my proper title."
Tarsus was silent.
"Nothing to say Amarian?" the duke asked.
"Kia..." Another slap.
"I thought not," he chuckled. "And who is this?" he continued, stepping in front of Jack. With a gloved hand, he lifted his chin.
Kiathan was a handsome man, taller than Jack by about two inches, with medium brown hair, a neatly trimmed beard and mustache, and the slim body of a swordsman. It was his eyes however, that commanded attention. They were dark and hypnotic, almost black like the eyes of a shark. Like that merciless predator's, they were also soulless. The smile on his face didn't reach them when he spoke. "Your name sir?"
Braedan said nothing.
"I asked you your name?"
A scene from an old Bugs Bunny cartoon suddenly popped into Jack's mind and he replied before he could stop himself. "Sir Loin of Beef."
"Excuse me?" asked the duke, his smile wavering.
"Duke of Ellington," Braedan grinned in return. "Count of Basey."
The guard standing behind him punched him viciously in the kidney, driving Braedan to his knees. Kiathan grabbed him by the hair and lifted his face so he was forced to look into those soulless eyes. "I asked your name," he said politely.
"Screw you, Nottingham," Braedan said through pain clinched teeth.
"That one is called Jack Bryidain, your grace," said the guard who had punched him.
"Ah," Kiathan smiled. "The gallant champion of Thessa Arthol. What luck! The entire city has done nothing but sing your praises since the countess informed us of your daring exploits." He leaned forward until they were almost nose to nose. "Unfortunately, I do not share her misguided opinion of you. I recognize you for the scum you are.”
Kiathan released Braedan's hair and walked over to inspect the five other prisoners. With a disgusted look, he returned to the Seawolf's officers. "Take these two to the Tower of the White Horse. It will be a fitting place for them to await their execution. Away from prying eyes. Here is a record of their crimes," he said, handing the captain of his guard a rolled parchment. "You will read it at every intersection between here and the Tower. I want the good citizens of Dorshev to realize these men are not the heroes’ rumor has made them to be."
"What shall we do with the others, your grace?" the captain asked.
"They are of no use to me," Kiathan answered with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Take them somewhere quiet and... dispose of them."
"You son of a bitch!" Tarsus s
houted. Chained and shackled as he was, the Amarian lunged at the duke.
Before he'd taken a single step, three of the duke's guardsmen wrestled him to the ground and proceeded to pound him into submission. Braedan struggled to help his friend, but a guardsman kicked him to the ground and held him there with a knee to his neck. Kiathan watched the display with emotionless detachment for a few seconds, then turned and mounted his horse. "Skirt the palace on the way to the tower," he commanded. "We would not want the crowds to disturb Annawyn or the king."
"It shall be done, your Grace," the captain bowed.
"Of course," Duke Kiathan smiled. With a flick of his mount's reigns, he turned and rode back towards the city.
"Enough," the captain snapped, "Get them up."
Braedan went limp, doing nothing to help the men pulling him to his feet. The captain walked over and backhanded him across the face, rocking his head back. "We'll drag you if that's what you want?" he sneered.
Braedan shot the man a murderous glare, but stood just the same. He had no desire to be dragged like a dog through the streets. The guards pulled Tarsus to his feet and quickly lengthened the chains on their ankles before shoving them roughly down the street toward the city wall. Both men glanced back at the other five crewmen being hustled off in the opposite direction. They never saw them again.
Though the chains on their shackles had been lengthened, they were still unable to take a full stride. By the time the pair made their way through the gates of the city and stopped at the first intersection, both were exhausted. The captain paused long enough to let a curious crowd gather, then dismounted from his horse and began reading the parchment Duke Kiathan had given him.
"Hear ye citizens of Dorshev," the man cried in a loud voice. "The crimes of Tarsus Aernin of Amar and Jack Brydain! Murderers and pirates both! Charged by the king with treason against the crown for the sinking of the trade ships Blue Fish, Mivarsh, Wave Breaker, Advantageous, Pelican, Princess Dianna, and M'Lady Srevha and the heinous slaughter of their crews! Also, for the vile attacks on the towns of Dor'inna, Corona and Galfrey! Where rape, looting and malfeasance was subjected to over five hundred citizens under the protection of the king!"
At each naming of ship or town, gasps of horror were voiced by the quickly gathering bystanders, many apparently having lost friends or loved ones on each occasion of villainy. Soon an angry murmur rose from the crowd. With a satisfied smile at the two prisoners, the captain rolled the parchment, mounted his horse, and then motioned for the guards to get them moving again. Tarsus and Braedan were once more propelled roughly down the street.
This scene was repeated at each intersection for the next mile. At each stop the list of ships and towns seemed to grow longer, the crimes mentioned more heinous, and the crowds larger and angrier. Duke Kiathan certainly knew his business. Apparently, he had listed every unsolved murder and unexplained loss of ship occurring in the last five years. Finally, only the guards surrounding the two pirates prevented the citizens from hurling stones as well as threats and insults. The situation was growing desperate for the pair. A riot was in the making and perhaps a stoning despite the guards until fate intervened in their favor.
At the next intersection, halfway through the reading of the charges, the crowd parted for a regal carriage escorted by four female knights in gleaming white and gold armor. Curtains concealed the occupant of the gilded vehicle and at first Tarsus though it was Kiathan come to view his handy work, but escorted by Doridanian Horsemaidens, it could only be one person.
"Why have we stopped Einnael?" a female voice asked from within the carriage.
"There is some sort of...disturbance, highness," one of the Horsemaidens replied.
"It's the princess!" Tarsus hissed, moving quickly to Braedan's side.
Without hesitation, Braedan broke free from his unprepared guard and stumbled towards the carriage. "Annawyn! el'inar melanna ervon…!" he shouted in the Ailfar tongue. 'Annawyn! I bring a message….!'
Before he could finish the guard caught him, throwing him to the ground where he was silenced with vicious kicks. Tarsus sought to come to his aid but he too was set upon by Kiathan's soldiers.
"Stop this at once!" the princess commanded.
The guards immediately ceased their assault and Braedan struggled to his hands and knees, but he was prevented from rising further by one of the soldiers who propelled him back to the street with a booted foot. The man dropped down beside him and grabbed his hair. "Another word out of you and you won't make it to the Tower," he hissed threateningly.
There was a rustle of silk as the curtains of the carriage were drawn aside, but Jack's point of view at the moment was a face full of cobblestones. "Captain, who are these men?" she asked.
"Criminals your highness," the man answered, stepping up to the carriage with a respectful bow, his boots inches from Braedan's face. "We are taking them to the Tower of the White Horse."
"And is it now a custom in Dorshev to parade prisoners of the Tower through the streets?" she snapped at the captain. "To beat them in full view of the Heiress to the Ivory Throne?"
"The duke ordered it your highness," the captain replied.
"Duke Kiathan ordered you to beat these men in the streets?" she asked coldly.
"N-no, your highness," he quickly corrected. "He ordered them marched through the city to the Tower."
"For what reason?"
"The reason for taking them to the Tower, your highness?" the captain asked, confused.
"No, you imbecile!" she snapped. "The reason for putting them on public display like this!"
"Well, I..."
"He gave you a reason did he not?" she asked sharply.
"His reason your highness," the captain answered quietly, "was so the citizens of Dorshev would see they are not the heroes rumor has made them to be. Your highness."
"And why would the citizens of Dorshev think these criminals are heroes?" the princess inquired.
"Well highness...the big one is Tarsus Aernin and the other one is Jack Braidian."
"It's Braedan!" Jack muttered. "Jack Bray-Dan! Jesus, is that so hard to say?"
Even lying in the street, Jack heard the princess gasp. "Captain, you will take these men immediately to the Tower and place them in the custody of Sir Gain."
"But Duke Kiathan said..."
"Duke Kiathan does not rule in Dorshev!" she snapped.
"Not yet," whispered the guard pressing Jack to the ground, low enough so Annawyn could not hear.
"Highness," the captain tried again. "My orders were..."
"Your orders have been changed!" the princess interrupted, her voice as cold as ice. "Stop this sorry display at once and take them straight away to the tower. Tell Sir Gain it is the command of the princess he take personal charge of their welfare. Is that understood?"
"Yes highness," the captain answered meekly.
"Put them on your horse and get them to the Tower with haste," she continued. "If any harm befalls them before they reach Sir Gain, I will hold you personally responsible!"
"Yes highness."
Jack was lifted roughly to his feet, but before he could catch a glimpse of the princess, the curtains of her carriage fell back into place. All he could make out was a dim silhouette studying him through the heavy silk.
"Take me to the palace Captain Einnael," she said quickly. "I would speak to the Duke of Raashan." With a snap of reigns, the driver started the carriage moving again.
The captain had his men disperse the crowd, then reluctantly ordered the leg shackles removed from Tarsus and Braedan so they could mount his horse. With the help of one of the guards, the two painfully climbed aboard the man's steed and the procession continued on to the Tower of the White Horse, the fuming captain in the lead.
On foot.
The Tower of the White Horse was not actually a tower, though the structure did contain many a lofty spire. It was in fact a huge, walled fortress on the outskirts of Dorshev, home to the Order of the
Knights of the White Horse, the elite cavalry troops of the King of Doridan. The order recognized no rank or title in the choosing of knights, only the strength of a man's swordarm, chivalrous deeds and demonstrated loyalty to the crown could secure a spot within their halls.
Each man found worthy to join their ranks was a champion in his own right, having survived a strenuous and sometimes even fatal, selection process only the strongest of hearts completed. They answered to no one but the King of Doridan and their officers. Their feats upon the field of battle in defense of king and country were legendary and their kindness and generosity towards the poor and downtrodden were without equal.
Although Duke Kiathan had won the Competition of the Sword at Ljmarn Haelfest twice running, and as such was granted an honorary place among them, he had never aspired to don their white and gold armor. It was considered an affront by a many of the younger knights, Sir Gain included, and there existed some friction between the Duke and the Order, but it was to this stronghold Kiathan sent the two pirates.
Kiathan knew there would be no escape from the Tower of the White Horse before sentence had been passed on the pair. Though they would be better treated than he would have liked, it was a small price to pay as long as his purpose was served in the end. And that purpose was the death of Tarsus Aernin and anyone associated with him, which unfortunately included Jack Braedan.
It was an imposing structure that met Braedan's gaze as they arrived at its gates. Though the Tower was within the walls of the city, it was nevertheless surrounded by walls of its own thirty feet high and wide enough for knights in armor to ride sentry around it three abreast. The gate through that imposing barrier was double doors of stout oak, twenty feet wide and and fifteen feet high. On either side, mounted knights in full armor sat unmoving as the captain of Kiathan's guards approached the entrance and pulled a heavy chain which sounded a bell, faintly heard from within. Presently a small window opened in one of the doors and the helmeted head of a knight appeared.
"Your business with the Order?" he asked.
"By decree of Duke Kiathan," the captain answered arrogantly. "I bring prisoners he wishes to be secured within."
