WORRLGENHALL

by Luke, Monica

  “I am sure of it,” Ogorec answered, as he forcefully pulled him from the door and pushed him onto his bed. “But swear to bite your hand, so that no one hears you.”

  “I will if I must.”

  Sluggish from his night, in the morning Ogorec slept in and when he woke, he put his arm behind his head and looked up.

  His mind vexed, after he did, he groaned and stared at the wooden beams above him filled with guilt that as he pleasured himself with Belon an image had come to him more than once, which was Ovfren’s face.

  “I am tormented.” He again groaned, as he rolled over onto his side and thought of Ovfren still.

  Also sluggish, when he finally rose that morning, as Belon sparred with Aron for fun, he looked at him and cringed.

  “Such wounds on your hand,” Aron said and grimaced, “What befell you?”

  “Such were my fighting dreams,” Belon’s answer, as he thought pleasantly of Ogorec, “I must have bitten my hand fiercely many times while I slept.”

  Chapter 9

  Early was still the hour, as Bayl held Liha close in his arms. Her soft body snuggled to his. When he moved to get more comfortable, as he moved his head the sweet smell of her hair roused him.

  Slowly, his hand already close to her breast, he glided it up her bed gown and put it firmly around one, and when he squeezed and fondled it, she awoke and stretched.

  “I beg to be awaked no other way.” Liha pleasantly hissed. His hands like fire searing her flesh in a good way, “Than with my husband’s strong hands upon some part of me.”

  “Have you awakened any other way?” Bayl asked, as he moved her to face him.

  “I have not.”

  Passionately, he pulled her close and kissed her neck as his body pressed to hers, but when he began to remove her bed gown, a sound beckoned him making him stop.

  “What is it?” Liha asked, when she noticed he had sat up, and sat up too.

  Bayl sprang out of bed, the horn he heard loud and long, he knew someone approached.

  “Tell me husband is something wrong?” she asked fearful, as she watched him hurriedly begin dressing.

  “Someone comes,” Bayl answered, as he kissed her quickly; then walked to the door, “Stay within this room, until you hear word from me or guards.”

  As Bayl hurried down the hall of his chamber, Baric came from his.

  “Brother,” Bayl said, as he walked, “I heard three long blows from the horn.”

  “As I,” Baric said, “Who would dare come before the sun even rises?”

  His clothes half on him, also hearing the horns, Laad quietly got out of bed, dressed, and walked to the door.

  “Laad,” Nona called out, as she awoke and hurried to the door before he opened it, “With haste you leave our chamber, what is it husband?”

  “I reasoned you were asleep Nona,” Laad said, “The horns have blown three long to call those in command, someone unknown and unwelcome comes.”

  “Laad,” Nona said, as a worried look swept across her face.

  Laad put his hand behind her head, and kissed her forehead. “Nona, go back to bed and worry not.”

  “How can I not when my husband sneaks away with his sword in hand?”

  “Nona,” his tone firm, as he spoke, “Get back to bed.”

  “Yes, husband.” she said and walked back to bed, but as soon as his heavy footsteps faded down the stairs, she sprang up to follow him.

  As Laad made his way down the hall and stairs, he saw Irek coming from another hallway.

  “Shall we go to the king?” Laad asked him, as they now walked together.

  “I have no question he has heard it and is awake,” Irek said assuredly.

  Without speaking, both got on their horses and rode to the front gate where Ogorec and Belon already stood waiting.

  “How many come?” Irek asked quickly, as he climbed the stairs followed by Laad.

  “Just beyond the grey forest and the glen,” one of the men said, “As I stood on the hill and looked down, I saw eight riding our way, but I could not see the crest that waved high.”

  “They rode with only eight?” he questioned, “I am baffled why so few. How far away are they?”

  As Laad spoke, Bayl and Baric rode to the gate and climbed the wall’s stairs.

  “Who comes?” Bayl was first to question.

  “It is unknown,” Laad answered.

  “Their number?” Baric’s question, as he looked out.

  “Eight,” Irek answered, “Who ride with haste, as we speak.”

  “Shall we ride to head them off?” Ogorec asked.

  “No,” Irek said calmly, “Let them come to us.”

  Just as Irek believed he would, King Rone also made his way to the gate and saw Laad and Irek, along with his sons, and Ogorec and Belon, on the wall of the gate.

  “Who comes?” the king asked, as he climbed the wall’s stairs to meet with them.

  “It is unknown my king, but their number is eight,” Irek answered.

  “Irek believes we should let them approach,” Bayl said to his father, “Instead of riding to head them off.”

  “They come with only eight,” King Rone said; then began to descend the stairs, “I agree with Irek. When they arrive, allow them through the gate. I will see them in my court.”

  As King Rone rode away, Laad looked at Irek, and both thinking alike, turned to Ogorec and Belon,

  “Ride beyond the glens,” Irek ordered the two, “And see if they mean to deceive us and hide a horde of men away from our sight.”

  “There is no need to cause fear,” Laad added calmly, as he turned to the guard on the wall, “But by my word, gather ten bowman and have them line either side of this gate wall; then gather eight guilds to stand just inside the wall. All are to appear as if they are going about their day, but make sure they come armed.”

  “Yes,” the man obeyed.

  “Have Wurden among them.”

  “Yes.”

  “And what is your reason behind that command?” Irek asked as he also descended the wall.

  “If we have been deceived,” Laad answered, as he followed Irek, “Those eight will not get past these walls.”

  Irek gave his consenting nod. “I agree.”

  **

  In the court, King Rone called for the quorum to assemble in their line of seats on either side of him and as he waited for those who rode to WorrlgenHall to come, Bayl and Baric took their seats beside him.

  “My king!” a guard hurried into the court hall to announce, “They are here!”

  “Can you see the crest?” Baric asked curious.

  “It is a serpent,” he answered.

  “That is the crest of Celgon.” King Rone knew at once.

  Patiently, as Irek and Laad sat on their horses just inside the gate and watched eight fit men all wearing reddish tunics under leather with their crest burned into it ride through their gate, both men watched closely the one that lead them.

  “I am from Celgon,” the one in the lead said. Only after he took a moment to look at both men waiting for one of them to acknowledge him, which neither did, “I request words with your king.”

  “You came without word first, “Irek said, “Why such haste?”

  “It is a matter for the king,” he answered firmly with a stern and unyielding glare.

  “If you wish to see the king,” Irek then added, “It will be without swords.”

  At first, his expression that of defiance, he said nothing as he dismounted his horse and looked at Irek and Laad before he looked above them. The day very early, he saw those on the walls and in the courtyard standing about and knew they were warriors.

  “I gather we are closely watched,” he said, as he removed his sword and knife, followed by the others.

  As their swords and knives fell to the ground, Laad nodded to a few men who quickly came and gathered them.

  “Follow the one on the brown horse,” Irek ordered, but as they turned, all stopped whe
n they saw a beautiful young girl quickly run across the courtyard and stand nearby breathing heavily from running.

  “Wait!” Laad yelled, when he turned and saw her too, “Nona!”

  When she stooped, Irek rode quickly to Laad and looked at him disapprovingly.

  “How can you control men?” he chastised, when he rode over to him, “If you cannot control your wife?”

  Laad couldn’t reply and didn’t try it; instead he looked over at the men, glared; then rode towards Nona.

  As she stood heavily breathing, the one that lead eyes never left her. His stare upon her now fixed. He became mesmerized with her long wavy honey hued hair blowing behind her in the wind, which also made his gown press to the form of her body.

  Nona even shapelier than before, added with beauty, the very first sight of her made him desire her greatly.

  Her thoughts only of Laad, she gave no notice of the men, until she happen to glance up and saw how one watched her intently, and right away looking down at herself, realized she had run out of her chamber without covering herself.

  Strange eyes now on her lustfully, a cold chill went through her not from the wind, but from his stare and as she waited for Laad, she turned her body from them and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

  As she stood, Laad quickly rode in front of her and when she looked up at him, she saw in his eyes anger never seen before in them.

  “Forgive me Laad,” she finally humbly said, “My worry was great, and I could not stay in our chamber.”

  “Eeilnona!” Laad blared, so angry he could hardly speak, as he tossed his cloak down to her, “Go back to the chamber!”

  “I am sorry,” she said at once, knowing the extinct of how angry he was because he used her whole name, as she covered herself, “I was only...”

  “As you stand here, still you do not obey me,” he chastised, unwilling to hear her words, while fighting not raise his voice, “Go back now.”

  “Yes, husband,” she hushed and ran back inside WorrlgenHall.

  As Irek watched Nona run quickly back inside, again he told them to follow Laad’s brown horse, and once they reached the doors into WorrlgenHall, as they slowly opened, Laad stood aside.

  “Follow the inner guard,” he then ordered.

  No words from the one who lead them as they rode and who was first to speak, he nodded, but made certain to meet Laad’s eyes when he passed him, and both just over six feet two inches tall, Laad who was not wavered, stared back as his hand rested on the pommel of his sword.

  Although the man’s hair was all white on his head, he was young and his eyes ice blue, with a pointed chin and jaws clenched, he showed his covertness for Laad by his stare, knowing the beauty he just beheld belonged to him.

  All eight walked heavily down the hallway, as they followed the men to the court hall, then as the first entered through the door, he walked towards the king, while the others remained far behind him.

  When he did, King Rone looked at him, taken aback briefly, that he looked just like his father.

  “King Rone,” he said, and respectfully bowed his head, “I have words from my Brother Thogor, King of Celgon.”

  “Your Brother Thogor, King of Celgon?” his tone expressed it was more a question.

  “Our father has left this life,” he said, “I am Elgen, his third son.”

  “I will mourn for your father,” he said earnestly, “He was a good king and we lived in peace with each other a long time.”

  “Then that is why I am before you now,” Elgen voiced, “To ensure a longer peace.”

  “I do not see why not,” he said, yet his mind filled with questions of Elgen’s words, “We have nothing the other wants.”

  “King Rone, you have the lands to the west,” Elgen said bluntly, “My brother wants the lands to the far south.”

  “The far south,” King Rone blurted; but tried kept his calm, “It was not easy to claim the land far south, and my loss was great to me. I have even named the land Orem on behalf of one slain there, and now shall I let Orem’s death be for nothing by giving it away.”

  “My brother’s mind is set,” Elgen’s voice bolstered intended defiance, “The lands of the south.”

  “Set or not,” King Rone refused, “I will not yield what my men have bleed or died for.”

  Elgen rudely turned from the king and made his way down the long aisle. His arrogant stride wide and his steps heavy causing each one to echo throughout the room, he did not look left or right at the men that lined his path, yet he knew he had the court’s attention.

  As he passed his men, who hastily fell behind him to follow, when he stopped; then turned, they quickly parted.

  “We believed your words would be such,” Elgen’s smugly goaded, “That time of peace, old king,” he paused taking the time to look around the court hall before he again turned back to King Rone, “Is over.”

  Baric sprang to his feet indignant that he insulted his father.

  “Mind your low bred tongue as you speak to the king!” Baric’s angered reply sounded off the walls and rang in Elgen’s ears, “Or you will return to your brother with it hanging around your neck!”

  Elgen eyes turned cold, and ice blue they already were causing fear in many who looked at him when he was angry, such was his scowl, if armed all knew he would have thrown his knife at Baric to kill him, the inner guards seized the end of their swords.

  “Our weapons?” questioned Elgen.

  “When at the gates’ end,” Irek, who was by Laad at the doors, opposed, “Is when you will have them back and not a step before.”

  Laad motioned with his head. “See them out,” his short order to the inner guards.

  Heavily, Elgen walked towards the huge double wood doors out of court, but as he passed Laad, he slowed only a moment again to give him a cold stare, as he thought back on the cloak thrown to cover the body of the beautiful girl. She belonged to another, he thought to himself as he smirked, at least for now.

  As the doors slammed shut and latched, Laad and Irek went to stand before the king to speak of Elgen’s words.

  “He has made himself clear,” one of the men in his quorum said, “A time for peace is no more between Worrlgen and Celgon.”

  “Such is true,” King Rone agreed, “But we will not ride out and attack from just Thogor brother’s words. Let us wait and see what Thogor will try with the lands of the south, including Orem.”

  “I reason that as wise too,” another in the quorum said.

  “And I,” followed by another, until all agreed.

  “Then it is settled,” King Rone said and dismissed them.

  When the quorum left the court hall, Bayl looked to his father.

  “The hour is still early,” he said, “I am going back to my chamber.”

  “Did the horns take you from other deeds?” Baric teased.

  “Brother,” Bayl said and shook his head, “Is there no end with you?”

  “Such has been between them both all their lives,” King Rone said to Irek, as he stood.

  “I know well one would die for the other,” Irek said, as King Rone walked away.

  “As I,” King Rone added, “But the hour is indeed early, I am going to my chamber as well.”

  As Irek and Laad stood in the court hall, after Baric had left too, Irek looked at Laad and remembered his earlier disapproval.

  “There is a deed that makes me wary with you,” Irek said sternly.

  “I know.”

  “You love her Laad,” he said compassionately, “Yet such was her deed, she could have been taken or killed had their intent been to do more than bring a message.”

  “My love is deep for her,” he confessed, “And her youth causes such foolish deeds.”

  “You have many obey you now without question,” Irek said, as he began to walk away, “And such should be the same for your wife.”

  **

  Quickly, Ogorec and Belon rode beyond the glens and to the forest, and looked
over the land from high, but saw no vast number camped or anyone prepared for battle.

  “There is no one but them,” Ogorec said, as he mounted his horse, “My ears long to hear what words they brought us.”

  “Only eight in the darkness as dawn approached.” Belon said, as he mounted his horse too, “Reason it as good.”

  As both rode back through the Grey Forest of Worrlgen. Side by side on their horses, Belon looked over to Ogorec.

  “We have no one around us,” an aroused Belon said as he stopped suddenly wanting to seize the moment and jumped from his horse.

  “Belon,” Ogorec warned, when he also stopped. “They wait for word from us.”

  “We have no dire words to give them, and our time will be short,” his words as he stood next to Ogorec’s horse looking up at his lustfully, “Will you deny me?”

  Ogorec’s head turned left and right looking all around to make sure they were alone, and jumped down. “No.”

  Back at WorrlgenHall, as Bayl entered his room, Liha still on the bed sat up and waited for him to speak.

  “All is well,” he said, not to worry her, “The King of Celgon has died and his son Thogor is now king.”

  “With haste they came to deliver such words,” Liha said.

  “Along with more,” Bayl said, as he climbed in bed and pulled her close, “But fret not over such matters, but one.”

  “What, my lord?” Liha smiled, already knowing what he would say.

  “Beginning again where we where before I left you.”

  As King Rone returned to his chamber and climbed in bed with Seda who was now sleeping soundly after tossing and turning all night in bed from the child kicking. His hand around her growing belly, he kissed her neck, then gasped surprised when he felt a hard kick against his hand.

  “Strong you are,” he said, as he pressed his hand to her growing belly, “You will be a boy.”

  **

  Most all in WorrlgenHall still asleep since so early, Baric went back to his chamber, but as he now did for months since he healed, he lay awake lost in thought in his bed.

  Time after time again, his mind recalling thoughts of the woman he now knew as Ecia, each day a feeling so strong now made him question the dream he kept having of her.