Quest's End: The Broken Key #3

by Brian S. Pratt

  “Seems they’ve found the shepherd,” Daniel said to Captain Glaver.

  Captain Glaver drew his sword and with a shout of, “To battle!” led his men forward. Soon only Daniel, Tox, and Rupert were standing with the immobilized men.

  Tox gestured to the goo entrapping the man before them and said, “You realize that this stuff isn’t going to last forever.”

  Nodding, Daniel said, “Yes I do.”

  “Maybe we should join Captain Glaver then,” suggested Rupert.

  Shhhhht!

  In one motion, Daniel drew his sword and struck. Only by sheer dumb luck was Rupert able to dodge backward in time to avoid being killed. “I think your usefulness to me is at an end, boy.” Daniel informed him as he advanced.

  “You can’t kill me!” Rupert cried out. “I’m the Magistrate’s son!” Moving backward, Rupert drew his sword.

  “You’re not even that anymore,” Daniel laughed.

  “What do you mean?” he asked. Holding his sword at the ready, Rupert couldn’t believe what his one time ally was saying.

  Daniel gave him an evil grin and said, “Your father is dead, boy.”

  “No!” he exclaimed. “H…he went to Wardean!”

  “Ha!” said Daniel. Striking out, he tried to take Rupert through the midsection but had his blade deflected to the side. “You didn’t honestly think he would be allowed to speak with the Duke did you? You really are just a stupid boy from a nothing village aren’t you?”

  “I don’t believe you!” Rupert cried out. Anger and hurt filled him and he lashed out with his sword. All the plans he and Daniel had discussed were just lies. Betrayal! Rage lending him strength, he tried to hack through Daniel’s defenses and kill him.

  Daniel easily blocked his attacks despite the impetus rage lent him, and then returned with an attack of his own which opened a cut on Rupert’s shoulder.

  “Finish it sir,” Tox said. “We don’t have time for this.”

  Sighing, Daniel blocked another attack by Rupert then said, “You’re right, of course.” No longer playing with the boy, Daniel’s eyes narrowed and he launched into an attack in earnest.

  Hack, thrust, slice, thrust. His attacks came so fast that all Rupert was able to do was defend.

  “He’s not going to last much longer,” Seth said when they arrived at the edge of the woods and saw them fighting. “The boy’s not very good.” He and his brother brought Kevik to the edge of the woods, keeping within them just enough so as not to be seen by the men in the clearing.

  “Is this close enough?” Soth asked him.

  Kevik nodded. “Yes,” he said. Then just before he cancelled his spell, Seth said, “Give me a second.”

  “What are you going to do?” his brother asked.

  “Something clever,” he replied.

  Groaning, Soth watched as his brother raced away back through the trees. When Kevik glanced to him, all he could do was shrug. “Despite what you may have heard about twins,” he explained, “we don’t always know what the other is thinking.”

  In the clearing, Rupert was taking a terrible beating. Somehow he had managed to ward off the worst of Daniel’s blows. Now bleeding from half a dozen wounds, Soth could see that it was almost over.

  “Go ahead,” he told the magic user.

  “Very well,” replied Kevik. Turning his attention to the men trapped by his spell, he cast the spell’s counter and the goo disappeared.

  Seth raced to get into position before Kevik freed the men. He was almost where he wanted to be when he saw it disappear. Figuring he was close enough, he drew his sword and emerged from the trees. Shouting at the top of his lungs, he yelled, “They’ve killed Lord Kueryn!” Every head of the recently freed turned in his direction. A stillness hung over the clearing for a moment as if the men couldn’t believe what they were hearing. “They‘re now trying to kill Lord Haran and Lord Hurrin!”

  A cry arose from the Tribesmen and Captain Lyrun’s men.

  Turning about, Seth raced back into the woods before they had a chance to realize he wasn’t an actual Tribesman. Once within the cover of the trees, he ducked out of sight.

  Daniel paused when Seth emerged from the trees and shouted his message.

  “Sir!” Tox exclaimed when he saw the men were no longer entrapped. Around them, men began drawing swords and racing for where Seth had stood. A few stayed behind and turned their attention to Daniel.

  “So!” the soldier whom Daniel had been questioning hollered.

  Turning, Daniel saw him and three of his comrades coming toward him.

  “…you kill our captain and think to get away with it?” the man demanded.

  “I didn’t kill your captain,” Daniel replied. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

  “He was with Lord Kueryn,” the man said. “And if you killed Lord Kueryn…”

  Rupert scampered backward out of Daniel’s reach while he was being distracted by the soldiers. Rage still burned within him, but now the madness had diminished and was replaced with something more calculating. Rupert knew he couldn’t best him with swords. Racing off toward the woods, he vowed to find a way to end the life of the man who had killed his father.

  Daniel saw him escaping but kept his attention focused on the soldiers before him. “Look,” he tried to explain. “We just arrived. It was probably the shepherd and his friends that killed your captain.”

  Not listening, the soldier launched an attack.

  Tox stepped forward and caught the blow on his sword. “They’re not going to believe you sir,” he told Daniel. As the other three soldiers moved to join in the assault on Daniel and Tox, Daniel replied, “I think you’re right.” Standing shoulder to shoulder with his man, he raised his sword and the battle was joined.

  “Why did you kill my men?” Captain Glaver demanded.

  Before him stood seven Orack Tribesmen and several civilians from Byrdlon. Obviously they were part and parcel with the ones they had encountered earlier. There was something about one of the Tribesmen, an air of regalness that was hard to ignore.

  “If your men had been trained better,” Haran replied, “perhaps their deaths could have been avoided.” He saw his words striking home. The fact that he dared insult the captain, who at the moment with his men outnumbered them, would throw him off. Hopefully long enough for Kevik to come to their aid. For without the magic user, they weren’t likely to prevail if fighting was to erupt.

  Staring incredulously at the man before him, Captain Glaver’s eyes went to Riyan, Bart and Chad. “The shepherd!” he exclaimed when recognition finally came. Turning his gaze back to Haran, he said, “You will turn them over to me.”

  “On what authority?” Haran asked.

  “By authority of Duke Alric of Byrdlon,” he replied.

  “I regret that I am unable to accede to your request,” said Haran.

  “What?” exclaimed Captain Glaver.

  “They are under the protection of the Orack Tribe,” Haran explained.

  “But you are not even on your side of the border,” countered the captain.

  “Nevertheless,” stated Haran, “to touch them would be tantamount to a declaration of war.” Without a trace of fear, his eyes bored into those of Captain Glaver.

  “Who are you?” the captain asked.

  “I am Haran, Warlord of the Orack Tribe,” he stated. Motion from behind the soldiers drew his attention and a smile came to him as he saw his men boiling from out of the trees. Yelling and screaming they raced forward with swords drawn to their lord’s rescue. The magic user had come through.

  Captain Glaver glanced behind him at the approaching men charging forward to attack. The added number of men now put the odds against him. “Kill them all!” he shouted. Turning back toward the Warlord of the Orack Tribe, he lashed out with his sword.

  Anticipating the attack, Haran easily blocked it.

  Chad and Chyfe moved to engage Captain Glaver’s men while Riyan began slinging stones.
Bart moved on the fringe of the battle, using his knife wherever he could. As men began to fall, the waters of the stream turned red.

  Kevik and the twins watched as Daniel and Tox began taking out their four opponents. It was clear the soldiers were facing two men of exceptional skill.

  If it wasn’t for his brother, Seth would have charged in and joined the battle despite his weakened state. But Soth laid a restraining hand on his shoulder and said, “Who would you fight?” he asked. “None of those men are our allies. Wait and let them kill each other.”

  Sitting against the bole of a tree, Kevik watched the battle unfold. In his hand he held the gem, its glow indicating that it was still working to repair the damage done to him by Geffen’s fireballs. In the other hand he held his water bottle from which he had just drank the last drop.

  “I long to return to the quiet of my tower,” he suddenly stated.

  “What?” asked Soth, turning his gaze to Kevik.

  “My tower,” he replied. “I would like nothing better than to go home.”

  Out in the clearing, one of the soldiers fell to the ground. The battle raged over him as the man’s life faded away.

  “Perhaps soon,” Soth replied.

  “More are going to come,” Kevik said. Turning toward Soth, he said, “This isn’t over. Oh, we may well prevail here, but others will continue to be drawn to this area. Rumors will draw them here, and this will be replayed over and over.”

  “At least we were here first and have the treasure,” Seth said, joining the conversation.

  Kevik turned his gaze toward Seth and said, “The treasure holds little importance to me. For a year now we’ve done little but live and breathe the King and his Horde. Where is it? How can we find it? What can we get from it?” He gazed to the two brothers. “I do not wish to be responsible for the wholesale looting and desecration of the King’s final resting place.”

  “What can we do?” asked Seth.

  Sighing, Kevik shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing.” Gesturing toward the battling men he said, “How many people know, if not of the exact whereabouts of the Horde, but a general idea as to its location? There’s no way we can keep this secret.”

  “There has to be a way to protect the King,” said Soth.

  “If there is,” replied Kevik, “the method escapes me.”

  Out in the field another soldier fell followed quickly by the remaining two. The two remaining men immediately headed toward the sounds of the major battle in progress beyond the treeline.

  “We should go help the others,” said Seth. Turning to Kevik he added, “That is if you think you’re up to it.”

  Kevik nodded. “For a spell or two, perhaps,” he said. Holding out a hand, he said, “Help me up.”

  Seth took it and drew him to his feet.

  Using his staff for support, he and the twins began working their way back toward the sounds of battle.

  The battle was definitely going in their favor. Captain Glaver’s men were fighting on two fronts now and were rapidly being decimated. No quarter was given as the Tribesmen, bolstered by the remainder of Captain Lyrun’s men, cut them down.

  When Daniel and Tox reached the edge of the trees overlooking the battle, Daniel sought Captain Glaver in the melee but couldn’t find him. “He must have fallen already,” he mumbled to himself.

  “We better get out of here sir,” Tox said.

  Daniel nodded. “We don’t need them now,” he told his man. As they turned to leave, he said, “We know the location of the Horde. I’ll use my influence in Duke Alric’s court and have the land rights to this area transferred to me. Then, we can come and strip the place of everything.”

  Tox grinned and started to reply when he saw movement in the trees ahead of them. His grin faded when he saw three men, two blood splattered tribesmen and another who looked badly beaten up, appear from out of the trees not ten feet away.

  “I’m sorry you feel that way,” one of the tribesmen stated. Then to the beaten up looking man he said, “Kevik?”

  Daniel drew his sword the same instant as his man Tox did. “Kill them,” Daniel ordered. Taking a step forward, his motion was suddenly halted when goo appeared on his lower torso and stuck him in place.

  “Release me!” he demanded.

  “No,” Seth replied as he came forward. “Drop your swords or I’ll kill you before you take another breath.”

  Daniel actually took three breaths before coming to the conclusion there was nothing he could do. He tossed his sword to the ground which was followed shortly afterward by Tox’s.

  “Come on,” Seth said as they moved around the two entrapped men.

  “You’re just going to leave us here?” Daniel asked incredulously.

  “For the time being,” Seth replied. Moving past with his brother and Kevik, they left the pair behind as they continued toward the battle. By the time they arrived, it was over.

  They found Riyan and the others speaking with Lord Haran while his men began seeing to the wounded. When Riyan saw Kevik and the twins emerge, he grinned and waved them over.

  Eight of Captain Lyrun’s men had survived the battle, and were helping with the wounded.

  “…going to do with them?” questioned Riyan. Next to him, Chyfe was helping Chad bandage a wound he had received in his side. Nothing major, but if the blood loss wasn’t halted, it could grow to be.

  In a low voice, Chyfe said to Lord Haran, “They murdered your people my lord.”

  “I have not forgotten that,” he replied. Then glancing to Riyan he added, “Nor have I forgotten of their aid during the recent battle.”

  Nodding to Lord Hurrin, he said, “If you would see to rounding them up?”

  Lord Hurrin gave him a short bow. “As you wish my lord,” he replied. Then gathering a dozen men to him, he soon had the eight men disarmed and brought to stand before Lord Haran.

  “We ain’t done nothing wrong!” one man asserted as he was made to kneel.

  As the eight were lined up before him, Lord Haran kept silent. Once they were in place, he turned to the others standing with him and asked, “What wrongs have these men committed?”

  Chyfe stepped forward, “Murder and rape of merchants, women, and children.”

  “No!” one man exclaimed. “It wasn’t us.”

  Chyfe came to stand before the accused and said, “Captain Lyrun and his men have for years preyed upon the helpless. It may have been at the behest of their Captain that they did this, but still, they chose to commit the acts rather than leave his company in honor.”

  Lord Haran nodded to Chyfe and indicated for him to step back. “Is there anyone who will speak for these men?”

  All eight began speaking at once, asserting their innocence, imploring for Lord Haran to be merciful. For they knew his judgment would determine whether they lived or died. When none but the eight men spoke, he said, “So be it.”

  A hushed silence fell upon the men as they looked to Lord Haran for what was to come next.

  “Of the heinous crimes against my people, I find you guilty,” he stated. Turning to Lord Hurrin, he said, “Execute the condemned.”

  “Yes my lord,” he said.

  The eight men began crying out and struggled to break free. Lord Hurrin’s men struck with their swords and ended their lives quickly and mercifully.

  “Gather the bodies,” Lord Haran announced to his men.

  “Uh,” began Kevik. As everyone turned to him, he said, “We caught two others sneaking away from the battle.” He pointed back to where they left the two men. “They’re back there.”

  “Take us to them,” Bart said.

  “Kevik, why don’t you stay here,” Seth suggested. “Soth and I can show them.”

  “Thanks,” he said. Moving over to a nearby tree, he started to sit down against it.

  “Maybe you could help with the wounded while we’re gone?” Bart suggested. When he saw Kevik turn an exhausted stare toward him, he grinned.

  “He do
es have a healing gem,” Riyan explained to Lord Haran.

  “True,” the lord replied. “It would save many lives.”

  All Kevik wanted to do was sit down and possibly fall asleep. Instead, with the eyes of everyone upon him, he stood back up and made his way over to where they were gathering the wounded. Those taking care of the injured directed him toward the men in the most serious condition.

  “It’s this way,” Seth said as he began leading them back to where they left the two men. Behind him came Lords Haran and Hurrin as well as six of their men, along with Riyan and the rest of their group.

  “Kevik mentioned how he thought others would come and disturb the King,” he explained as they walked.

  “I fear he may be correct,” replied Lord Haran.

  “What can we do?” asked Riyan.

  “Tell no one of what transpired here today,” Lord Haran said. Glancing to the dark clouds making their way from the west he saw a flash of lightning followed by the crack of thunder. “Once the rains come, they’ll remove all evidence of our presence here.”

  “Not everything they won’t,” argued Chyfe. “What about the bodies?”

  “We’ll bury them of course,” replied Lord Haran. “Before we depart for home.”

  About that time, the two men held by Kevik’s spell came into view. “I don’t recognize them,” Bart said.

  “Neither do I,” added Riyan.

  “My lord,” said one of Lord Haran’s men, “I believe they arrived with the soldiers we recently dealt with.”

  Chad’s eyes narrowed as he gazed at the two men. “My brother mentioned someone by the name of Daniel that was seen around Quillim for some time.”

  “Yes,” agreed Riyan. “So did my mother. He told her he had come to help us.”

  “I think he lied,” replied Bart.

  “So it would seem,” agreed Chad.

  The two men had taken notice of the group coming their way. One was taller than the other and had the air of being in charge. Lord Haran walked up to them, stopping several feet away. “Is one of you named Daniel?” he asked.