Arrow of Justice

by R W Caron

  “Then I accept your offer my lord.” The Hunter replied with an over exaggerated bow. “I swear to you my serves. I shall protect your life as if it were my own until I am released, or you no longer need my services.”

  The hunter smiled at the king and looked back to Shatina who was staring at young Logan intently again. He gaze faltered and he caught her eye with his. The two stared at each other for what seemed like hours but was only a mere moment before the Hunter winked at her and she rolled her eyes in disgust.

  Chapter 12

  Unity

  Andrew pulled the cowl across his face as the wind assaulted the two riders heading for ‘The Rocks’. They had been riding for what seemed like weeks but was merely days. They should be arriving before nightfall Andrew predicted, it would be nice to get off the road finally. Andrew was not opposed to being the road, he honestly loved the feeling, but he did not like winter. Winter was the one season that he could do without. The cold seemed to seep through regardless of how any layers he wore and having been in a saddle for hours at a time he joints would start to lock up. Not to mention the effect it had on his father’s old iron plated armour.

  The shoulders of his armour were fairly oval, very wide and moderate in size. Andrew did now like the fact that they were all one piece of iron which made them heavier then he would have liked. His upper arms were protected by chainmail braces which sat perfectly under the shoulder plates and ram loosely under the vambraces that protected his lower arms which had masterfully crafted decretive iron plates with the coat of arms of his settlement on the outer side. The breastplate was made from several layers of metal sheets, which perfectly sat just under the shoulder plates. It covers Andrew from the neck down, narrowing near the groin. He squeezed his legs into his horse under his fully covering cuisses and bows his head into the wind.

  Ryukin had been leading the way but felt it best as they approached that Andrew lead them into the Rocks. Andrew had agreed this was the best plan, though now he regretted it. When he was following Ryukin he was not receiving the full frontal assault of the wind. Their pace has been slowed to a steady walk now, as the winter storm blew in with the veracity of a dragon. Andrew glanced back as his riding partner partly to check on him and partly to shield his face from the cold for a few moments.

  Ryukin sat in his saddle comfortably, though several of the furs that he wore where matted with snow. He did not seem to mind at all. Andrew stared at him for a few more seconds before forcing his face back into the cold. Something was off about Ryukin, this once talkative man had barely said a word on this trip and those words that he did say where that they needed to hurry and get to the rocks, that they where wasting too much time. Something was off, but Andrew did not have time to think about that with so much at stake. If he could solidify and alliance with Carmae Massey, the rebellion would truly have began.

  Carmae was a different sort. When King Erwin had cut off supplies and invaded her settlement with his armies she collapsed the walls leading into the settlement burying Erwin ‘s men and potentially trapping her people in their settlement. It was virtually an impenetrable fortress of tunnels build into the shore line of the coast. Erwin tried for months to break her but she continued to fight back. Erwin eventually gave up and pulled his armies back to Debec. In the king’s records it was a glorious defeat, he claimed he had collapsed the walls and buried them in their holes. Over time, the king realised that the people of the rocks where attacking his supply shipments. Erwin was furious but knew that if he attacked she would simply dig in and wait him out again so he shut down the supply routes and issued a warning to all settlements if they were caught helping the renegades of the rocks out, then would face treason charges and their entire settlement would be wipe from existence.

  Andrew smiled under the cowl, as that was exactly what he was doing. He was planning to offer Camae complete control over the trade routes and all profits would go to her and her people. Andrew knew that beneath her cold exterior, there was someone that wanted to help others. He hoped that was true, if it wasn’t though he had no idea how he planned on making her join the fight. His mind wondered to Tuck and Brittina, hoping that had found their way and could recruit the riders of the South. Tuck was rough around the edges but Andrew knew he could get is point across in more than one way.

  Andrews horse started up a hill and Andrew leaned forward in his saddle, digging his heels into the horse’s sides and urging her up the steep hill. As they crested the hill, Andrew’s eyes locked on a shape no more the fifty paces from him. The creature frozen where it stood and then rose itself onto its hide legs letting out a loud blood curdling roar as Andrew quickly gave the creature a once over. Its fur was a whitish cream colour and his eyes as dark as the night sky. The claws resembled meat hooks he had seen in the market square as a young boy. The sound of the roar made every muscle in Andrew body tense up. Andrews mount reared up and a very surprised Andrew rolls backwards off the horse. He quickly dove towards the horse trying to grab the reins but the horse was gone. Within moments the huge creature was on top of Andrew. Its long claws digging into his chest plate and the sheer weight of the creature buried him under the snow and made it nearly impossible to breathe. The creature growled again and lunged at Andrews face.

  The only thing that was going through Andrews mind at that moment was, he was going to die without starting the rebellion. Andrew thought about closing his eyes, how easy it would be to just let this creature take him here and now. He thought about how he had lost two people that he held extremely close to him in the last year, thought about seeing them again in the spirit world, if they would have him that is. Andrew thought about saying a silent prayer, begging to be forgiven and let into the spirit world. However he did none of these things, instead Andrew decided he would not be taken this way, he would not concede to some beast. Nahan had told him to choose his own path and he intended to. Andrew chose to fight back, Andrew chose to live.

  ∆∆∆

  The road to the South was much warmer once they where across The Sleeping Stream. Legends tell that an ancient water dragon had lain down on the land and fell asleep. Slowly over the years hits body turned to water, creating the Sleeping Stream. It was by far the largest running body of water in all of Esmos, running from the Helkus sea deep into the land before hooking north and running straight into the Cloud Mountains. Luckily it was frozen at this time of year, so crossing it was not an issue as the small group of soldiers, led by Tuck and Brittina made their way towards the southernmost point in Esmos. Tuck and Brittina sat at the front of the group, riding side by side, the rest of the men riding and women following suit riding in pairs. The group consisted of about twenty riders but to follow them in the snow you would believe them to be much fewer in number.

  Tuck looked over to Brittina who smiled towards him. She lowered her hood, as they finally escaped the winds and tuck nodded towards her. She nodded back understanding what he wanted and rode a had a few yards. Tuck held his hand up, halting the riders as Brittina scouted ahead. She was gone for only a few moments before returning with a beaming grin. “The settlement is only a few hundred yards away.”

  “Were you able to see any of the riders?” Tuck asked.

  “No, it was strange, the settlement looked deserted. Not a single candle burning and no smoke in the sky.” Brittina replied adjusting her wolf pelt cloak over her shoulder.

  “That sounds strange.” Tuck replied. He had an unsettling feeling in his stomach as he stared at Brittina. “Let’s push forward.” Tuck turned on his mount and addressed the troops. “Move out.”

  Tuck and Britinna arrived at the Southern settlement first, their company following suit moments behind them. Tuck dismounted his horse and walked up to the gates of the settlement that sat ajar. He pushed the gate open with his shoulder and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword as he walked into the settlement.

  The coldness in the air was nothing compared to the coldness that this place held. Tuck cou
ld feel it in his very soul, the eerie feeling that something very wrong had happened here. His stomach twisted in knots and he slowly made his way through the streets of this once beautiful settlement. The smell of death filled his nostrils as he turned toward the courtyard, towards the center of the settlement. Brittina followed close behind, he one eye shifting from side to side watching for any sign of life, but she saw nothing.

  Tuck walked into the court yard and his heart sank, under a thin layer of snow hundreds of bodies lay in a pile. Some had started to turn to ask having been burnt, others the flesh had melted from their bones. He covered his mouth and walked around the pile. Several of the guards stomachs where not as strong as his own as they lost their last meal to the stone. Tuck looked on in complete shock. What happened here? He wondered to himself as he looked around for any signs of what could have happened. The men stood staring at the pile of bodies, un able to move at the sight. Tuck moved around in front of them gaining their attention. “Search the Settlement. Bring anything you find back to me, anything that may tell us more of what happened here.”

  The men rushed off and tuck looked back at the bodies with a slight sneer. Brittina came to his side and rested a hand on the shoulder plate of his leather amour. “What do you think happened?” she asked.

  “I don’t know.” Tuck replied. “But I will find out.”

  “It’s too bad we couldn’t have left when Andrew had wanted us too. It looks to have happened only a few weeks ago.” Brittina pointed out.

  Tucks mind started to wonder into what ifs but he dismissed them before they started to infect his mind. There is no telling what would have happened if they would have arrived earlier, they too might have gotten caught in whatever it was that these poor people perished for.

  Hours flew by and the sun slowly started to disappear behind the tree line and the men had came up with nothing. No one, not even tuck had found any reason for these peoples death. Tuck kicked the snow in frustration and headed toward the front of the settlement again. “Let’s move out men, we will find no relief here. We shall ride to the tree line and camp there tonight.” Tuck grumbled as he quickly mounted his horse and turned it towards the trees that sat to the west of the settlement. The rest of the men mounted their horses and they all headed for the tree line. As they came closer to the tree line the ground seemed to rumble under their feet. Tuck held his hand up halting his men, but the ground continued, as if thunder its self was rumbling under the ground. Tuck’s eyes scanned for the source of the rumbling but came up with nothing.

  Then from the very treeline they were headed to a Calvary of horses erupted. Within moments Tuck and his crew where surrounded by four dozen horsemen, all banishing spears and the same exact armour. Their leader circled around the outside of the circle, wearing bright silver armour and a blue cloak. Tucks eyes focused in on the man watching his every move. “We are here in search of aid.” Tuck called to their leader as he continued to circle them. “Not a fight.”

  All the men suddenly dropped their spear tips, pointing them at tuck and his men. “We come in search of Ballie Wyrran.” Brittina called. “Please we must speak with him.”

  “Why must you speak with him?” The leader called in a low gruff voice.

  “It is a matter we wish to speak of in private.” Tuck answered.

  “So you can kill him, mercenary?” the leader growled back with a sly tone.

  “As I have said we do not wish to fight, we wish only to speak with Ballie.” Tuck replied. He looked at Brittina, then around as his men who seemed ready for a fight. Tuck knew if he gave the order these men would die here and now for him and the cause, but he would like to avoid that.

  “Ballie is dead, mercenary.” The leader replied. “Much like you will be soon I suspect if you do not start talking.”

  “How did Ballie die?” tuck growled, not believing the leader for a second.

  “I killed him.” The leader replied coming to a complete stop. “After I killed him, the Kings supplies arrived. A illness fell over the people and soon we were all that was left.”

  “Why did you kill Ballie?” Tuck asked. His eyes locked on the leader as he slid from his horse and walked into the circle. Tuck dismounted his horse as well as studied the man as he walked forward. His left leg continued to buckle with each step, and his sword had markings on it that Tuck had not seen for several years. Tuck rested his hand on his sword hilt but did not advance as the Leader stared at him.

  “He was killing the people. After the king slew his wife, he become distant. He refused to let us hunt, refused to let us leave the settlement for any reason. He continued to say the king’s supplies where our only salvation. He started to turn into the king himself.” The leader answered.

  “That is why we are here.” Britinna chimed in, sliding from her saddle and walking forward. “We intend on taking back the land for the people.”

  Tuck attempted to grab her and stop her as she advanced at the leader but it was no use. She stormed forward towards him. The leader turned towards her and he pace slowed. Her eyes shifted to the handle of his blade and she froze in her footsteps. His eyes dug deep into her soul and she took a step back then lowered herself to a knee. “Smart girl.” The leader complimented her.

  “So, a mercenary, a one eye twit and a score of men intend to storm the Citadel and over throw the king.” The leader joked. “Sounds do able.” He laughed.

  “We will have all the settlements with us in our fight,” Tuck replied. “Lord Walsh.”

  The leader’s eyes lit up and he removed his helm and the cloth covering the lower half of his face. His face was covered in tattoos and was speckled with several scares. His most pronounced scare was one that ran across his throat. It ran from onside of his neck, just under his chin to the other side. His short brown hair was drenched with sweat but the smirk on his face told Tuck he was impressed. “You remember me mercenary?”

  “Oh course I do.” Tuck replied and his hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. Lord Walsh had right to recruit Tuck into the Shadows when he was just starting out as a mercenary. Tuck had refused, and no one refuses the shadows. After several failed attempts on Tucks life, Lord Walsh himself came in the dead of night to finish off Tuck. It did not end well for either party and Tuck still bore the emotional scares of that night.

  “So, this is your new whore eh? Smarter than the last one I see.” Lord Walsh motioned to Britinna who was still kneeling on the ground. The symbol of the shadows was one to be fear and respected though all of Esmos. She knew this symbol well and would not oppose someone who wore it so proudly. The comment visibly stuck a nerve with Tuck as Lord Walsh merely smiled. “The riders of the south are now under the command of the Shadows.” He declared and Tuck shook his head.

  “Then we shall take out leave, as there is no help to be found here.” Tuck replied. He grabbed the reigns and mane of his horse and placed his foot in the stirrup.

  “Not so fast mercenary.” Lord Walsh snarled. “I still owe you one.” He motioned to the scare that ran across his neck and slowly drew his blade.

  ∆∆∆

  The giant bears jaws clamped down inches from Andrew face and he pushed with hall his might trying to defend himself. The bear lunged again and Andrew gave it his arm. The Bears jaws crunched down on his vambrace and Andrew felt the bones in his forearm break under the presser. He cried out in pain and frustrations as he continued to punch at the pair with his right hand. The bear releases its grip on Andrews left arm as Andrews finger found the soft, warm flesh of the beast’s eye. Andrew dug his finger into the beast’s eye with all his might trying desperately to get free but the weight of the beast was crushing him. It rear up and landed hard on Andrews’s chest driving the air from his lung. Andrews felt two of his ribs snap like twigs in the forest and his eyes started to water in pain. The bear continued its assault on Andrew, digging the meat hook claws into his side. It felt like a hot iron being pressed again his side as the claws dug in piecing the
leather that held the metal armour together and digging deep into his flesh. Andrews once cold back received a rush of warmth as blood filled the back plate of the armour.

  The bear’s jaws attempted to chomp down on Andrews face again but Andrew swung with all the strength he had with his right hand driving his arm as far down the bear’s throat as he could. The beast’s jaw clamped shut on his shoulder. Its long fangs pierced the iron shoulder plate and dug deep into his shoulder joint. Andrew pushed deeper, the warm soft flesh of the bears throat stretching and ripping under his fingertips.