WORRLGENHALL

by Luke, Monica

  “Ovfren my want and love,” he quickly said, once he dropped his pouch; then put his arms around Ovfren’s waist, “With haste I must go.”

  “No,” Ovfren bemoaned, “Why?”

  “To head King Thogor’s sister off on her path,” he answered.

  “Who rides?”

  “Lord Baric and Lord Bayl as well,” Ogorec said, as he looked into his eyes to see his reaction.

  Knowing that meant Belon would be with him, Ovfren eyes closed tight before he sighed.

  “How long?” he asked.

  “I cannot answer.” His honesty, “I pray for a swift return.”

  “As do I,” Ovfren said, as sadness filled him, and it showed on his face.

  “Should I fret while away of you worrying about who rides with me?” Ogorec asked from his expression.

  “Free your head of such,” he answered quickly. “I know well what must be done with you under Lord Baric, and I know well you love only me.”

  “Why are you filled with such sadness?”

  “How can you believe I would not be sad?” Ovfren asked passionately, “You will be away from me.”

  “We both know my place under Lord Baric will have me away from you,” Ogorec said tenderly, “And my sadness is more. You are all that fills my head when with you, so reason how filled my head will be when away from you.”

  Ovfren exhaled, as he put his arms back around Ogorec.

  “Go,” he said, as he looked at him waiting for his kiss.

  Slowly, Ogorec leaned down to kiss him and always when he kissed him passionately. Taking Ovfren’s breath and making him gasp for air; this was no exception.

  “Aaaaaaah,” was Ovfren’s sound, while gasping for air as Ogorec held him tightly, after he kissed him.

  “My heart will ache for you,” Ogorec said, as he stepped back.

  “Mine as well,” Ovfren replied, as he watched Ogorec back away; then turn and walk down the hallway.

  **

  Wasting as little time as possible, all the guilds chosen gathered at the gate to ride out, then as Bayl and Baric rode pass them, all fell in line behind them, and followed.

  They rode hard all day only stopping to feed and rest their horses or eat; then when nightfall came, now close to the path, Laad decided all should rest for the night; then set out again early.

  While they camped, the men relaxed and chatted, but Ogorec saw a pond and went to it to be alone and think of Ovfren and expecting Ogorec to do just that, Belon searched for him away from camp.

  Once he found him, he tied his horse and walked to him, then stood and looked out with him, while he chose his words carefully on how to begin talking to him.

  “Long has it been since we both stared out late into the night,” Belon’s casual words, pleased to be alone with him after so long.

  Ogorec didn’t reply and moved to sit on the grass, then when he did Belon sat beside him.

  “Dare I have you alone away from WorrlgenHall as we were once before and not be inside you,” Belon said, as he looked ahead.

  Ogorec’s head turned towards him.

  “We are no longer as we were,” he quickly reminded.

  Laughing slightly, Belon got up and undressed, then got into the water, but while he undressed Ogorec turned his head until he heard him splash around; then turned it back.

  “You turned your head.” Belon noticed amused, “Yet there is no part of me below my stomach that your mouth and tongue not tasted or been inside.”

  “Is there no end with you?” Ogorec said annoyed he brought to mind some of their passionate deeds.

  Saying nothing, Belon got out of the water and walked right in front of Ogorec.

  “Look at what has longed for you,” his immodest words, as he stood in front of him naked. His body dripping wet.

  When Ogorec looked up and noticed Belon rigid, he stood.

  “Dare you try me?” he questioned irritated, yet he didn’t walk away.

  “Does the sight of me in any way bring a spark back to a flame?” Belon curiously asked, as he crossed his arms.

  Since he was right in front of him, Ogorec let his eyes travel Belon’s body from head to foot.

  “I must confess your body is just as I remember,” he commented, as he did, “More than well fit you are still.”

  “And my passion for you,” Belon confessed, “Has not waned and is still just as it was before.”

  When Ogorec looked at Belon completely naked, he fought within not to think of their old times of passion and won his struggle; then glad to be alone with him at such a time and have him naked in front of him, he spoke his truth.

  “As you stand before me in such a way, I am grateful to you,” he said, as he looked at Belon, “This allows me to speak freely and truly to you, and I pray it seizes you well. Should I dare weaken and yield to you? When done so great would be my guilt I would fall on my sword rather than he see the betrayal in my eyes.”

  “Bold words Ogorec,” Belon commented in disbelief.

  “They are truth,” Ogorec assured him, “I am in love with him Belon.”

  “Why?” Belon blurted unable to understand it, “What does he do for you to bring such avowed devotion that you would rather take you own life than feel again what was once so passionate with us?”

  “Enough!” Ogorec shouted at him, “Such words we have spoken before, and I care not to speak them again! If you have set yourself to tempt me or wedge yourself between us, then I will make it such that you cannot! I will leave WorrlgenHall and take him with me!”

  Angry, Ogorec began to walk away.

  “Curses,” he blurted; then grabbed him by his shoulder to stop him, “I ask forgiveness, and will not do it again.”

  Ogorec nodded, and accepted Belon’s apology.

  “Dare I ask you to forgive me,” he said, as he looked at him, “And I not do the same for you.”

  Again, both stood in front of the other, but Belon forgot he was still naked.

  “Let us go back,” he said, and began walking towards his horse.

  “The men would be happy if you returned with wearing clothes,” Ogorec said, and put his hand on Belon’s shoulder.

  Belon agreed; then dressed, and as both rode back towards camp; they talked to the other in jest about other things.

  **

  Back at WorrlgenHall, as Ovfren lay in bed lost in thought about Ogorec. Missing him beyond words, he vowed to himself to move in place and become a high guild so he could go on journeys with him.

  So excited about his plan, he could hardly sleep, when the sun rose; he jumped out of bed; then rushed to find Aron to speak of it.

  “I wish to move in place,” his enthusiastic words.

  “Move to what?” Aron questioned.

  “…a high guild.”

  Aron looked at him doubtfully, as he chose his words carefully. He was indeed skilled and strong, but Aron knew Ogorec might disapprove.

  “Ovfren,” he warned, as he pulled him aside to talk to him alone, “Does Ogorec know this?”

  “You know he is away,” Ovfren said, “The ritual of spring is all can try to move in place. I wish to do such.”

  Aron shook his head, and exhaled, while he listened to Ovfren.

  “Do I have no will of my own?” he expressed annoyed, knowing he was hesitant to let him vie.

  From the resolve in his voice, Aron looked at him.

  “You do,” he agreed; but still wary, “Yet I ask this, wait until Ogorec comes back, and if you agree to do that, I will let you be one the guilds to ride to the Valley of Tul to protect those who go to trade.”

  Pleased with Aron’s offer, Ovfren agreed.

  “When do we ride?” he asked excited.

  “In two days.”

  After he agreed, Ovfren began to think hard of what to get Ogorec from the Valley of Tul. He knew he had most everything he wanted or needed, and wanted his gift to stand out; then he remembered something he didn’t have, and he set his mind to surprise h
im with it.

  **

  Even before the sun peaked, all set out and again rode hard, cutting over rolling hills, and across valleys and trails to get ahead of them, and after riding hard for four full days, did.

  “Ride back,” Laad ordered two of the men once they had found a good place to wait, “To see how many ride with her.”

  Quickly, the men doubled back; then hid behind several large high trees and counted the servants, as well as, the guards who rode with her.

  “She has ten servants,” they relayed when they got back, “And sixty guards with more driving three wagons.”

  “Sixty guards?” Laad questioned puzzled, “For a wedding gathering?”

  “Yes, Lord Helm,” one guild answered, “Thirty ride on both sides.”

  Baric looked to Bayl, wondering why so many; then his eyes widened, as he thought of what a noble’s daughter or sister would bring with her to marry.

  “She journeys with her bounty,” Baric guessed.

  “And is why there are so many guards,” Bayl added.

  “Then he has sent his best,” Laad said, and looked to Loth confident in his choice of guilds he picked to ride.

  “We should rush in and cut them all down,” Belon said, at once, “And keep from needless toil.”

  “They have helpless women among them,” Ogorec countered, quickly ignoring his suggestion.

  As Laad listened to Belon and Ogorec, he stared at the road ahead of him noticing how well traveled it was.

  “Will you claim the road, my lord?” Laad suddenly asked Baric, as an idea came to mind.

  Knowing Laad must have come up with something to stop them, Baric reacted instantly. Right away racing to one of the guilds who held Worrlgen’s banner and grabbing it from him; before riding to the center of the road and shoving it deep into the ground blocking the road.

  As Laad watched him, although, knowing they only traveled with thirty-six guilds, he was confident Loth chose the best of them.

  “Part and group along this road and have five each blend into the trees as well,” Laad ordered, as the banner now rested steady; the crest Worrlgen seen clearly by the brisk wind against the cloth.

  Laad and Loth moved to the side to watch and wait for their reaction, while boldly Baric, Bayl, Ogorec, and Belon sat on their horses in the middle of the road just behind the banner.

  Waiting patiently, slowly the wagons and horses got closer; then when those in the far lead noticed the road blocked, had four men ride ahead to find out why.

  “You block the road,” one commented, as he sat on his horse in front of Baric.

  “I am Baric, son of King Rone Ev Worrlgen and claim this road,” Baric said calmly, “Pay a toll or turn around.”

  As he spoke, right away, yet another rode down the line and stopped next to them.

  “Why do you block to the road?” he angrily asked, “Get out of the way.”

  Again, Baric repeated his words, but when he looked at him, his eyes curiously squinted because he looked very familiar, but couldn’t place him.

  “What is the toll?” the other asked, before he looked beyond him to Laad and Loth, who sat on their horses farther away.

  “Blood or bounty,” Baric answered.

  Staying back, Laad and Loth watched silently, until Loth looked over at one of the men, and curiously squinted too, before he looked at the man’s hand.

  “His uses his sword with his right hand,” Loth spoke out validating who it was.

  “So do most,” Laad commented thinking nothing of it.

  “Ah, but I believe it is since three fingers are missing on his left hand. I wonder what befell him,” Loth commented wryly; then looked at Laad and raised his eyebrow jogging Laad’s memory.

  Laad again looked out at the man, and seethed when his face came to mind; then he remembered his promise, as he tightened the grip on his horse’s reign.

  “Borek...” He grumbled under his breath.

  Slowly, Laad inconspicuously began to inch his horse forward to get closer; but Borek knew he recognized him, and quickly turned his horse to flee.

  “Borek!” Laad this time yelled, “Dare you leave WorrlgenHall to bed Celgon!”

  Briefly, Borek stopped just long enough to glare hatefully at him; then turned his head and spurred his horse to flee again.

  “He flees,” Loth said, as he gave him his spear, “Pierce him as he rides.”

  “Then, I would not hold true to the promise I made him,” Laad said, and spurred his horse hard to catch him.

  After Laad rode off, Baric, Bayl, Ogorec, and Belon withdrew their swords and held the other four men there to keep them from warning the others.

  “Borek!” Laad shouted, as he raced to catch him, with Loth right behind him, “If you do not turn I will throw a spear into your skull!”

  Incensed by his threat, Borek stopped, then turned and faced Laad.

  “Haughty you are still Laad!” he spewed loudly at him, “I hate the air you breathe, and will not rest until WorrlgenHall lays in ruin, and your body hangs rotting upon its wall!”

  “Bold words,” Laad said, as he still rode closer, “From one about to die.”

  At once, Borek withdrew his sword.

  “Well skilled you must be,” Laad commented observant of how he now challenged him with his other hand. “To now make use of your other hand to wield a sword to try to strike me down, but I am sure not skilled enough.”

  “We shall see,” Borek responded, and charged him.

  As his horse rushed forward, Laad stayed to the right of him and charged forward to meet him; then when he was about a horse’s length away, Borek held up his sword.

  “Death to you Laad! Death to you!” his vehement shout, but as did, Laad withdrew his sword and swiftly cut to the left.

  Keeping his head already low, Laad leaned forward even more as Borek wielded his sword high to cut off his head missing him, but Laad precise and determined did not miss his target, and cut deep into Borek’s side when he rushed pass him.

  As Laad’s sword sliced into him, Borek slumped off his horse to the ground; helplessly lying as each cough he made spouted blood from his mouth like bubbling lava.

  “I should let you bleed out in agony,” Laad threatened, as he now looked down at him in contempt, “yet, I will not.”

  From his horse, Laad quickly took the tip of his sword and mercifully pierced Borek’s heart ending his life; then when he rode away, Loth rode to him and began to cut off his head.

  “Why are you doing that?” Laad questioned, and grimaced.

  “We own them a bounty as well,” he answered, and took the blanket from Borek’s horse to wrap it in it.

  Laad’s charge seen by the other guards, all charged forward with swords drawn, and when he saw them coming, he yelled loudly, “Death to all!” then fell in with the other guilds riding towards Celgon guards.

  As Bayl watched, when the one in front of him tried to get away, he slashed him through, and after he fell off his horse, eager to join in the fight, he hurried away.

  “Curses!” Baric groaned, and quickly killed the guard in front of him; then rode off to help him.

  Belon and Ogorec with their swords still drawn and pointing at the two others, as Belon anxiously watched Baric and Bayl ride off, Ogorec nodded to him.

  “Go, I have them well at hand,” he assured Belon, who at once rode off to join the others.

  Ogorec now alone watching them both, one leered at him confident he couldn’t hold both of them at bay.

  “Tried we are,” he said, as he eased his hand to a hidden knife, “One of us will end you.”

  “Only one needs to send a message,” Ogorec said, as he quickly killed the overconfident one, and after he fell, he looked at the other.

  “Life or death?” the simple choice he gave him.

  “Life,” his choice, and made certain to keep his hands high in the air.

  Ferociously, the guards fought, and as Loth fought next to Laad, he commen
ted on it.

  “I have no question he sent his best.” Loth groaned.

  “True.” Laad groaned back, “And I have no question you chose the best.”

  Just as Laad reasoned, Loth did chose the best and among some of those who had cut their hands in front of him at Irek’s death funeral, and with only thirty-six guilds, they killed all sixty from Celgon including those who drove the wagons, except one.

  “Two of ours are slain,” Loth said, after he rode back to Laad once he took an account of the men sprawled about, “And seven wounded.”

  Laad lowered his head saddened at the loss of his men.

  “I pray safe passage for our have fallen,” he said when he did, followed by Loth.

  Once all were joined again, they surrounded the wagons, but when they searched the first two they found nothing.

  “The men spoke they saw women,” Loth mentioned puzzled.

  “They must be inside,” Laad gathered.

  “Open at once,” ordered Baric.

  Puzzled he looked at Bayl and the others, when nothing happened.

  “Open it or burn!” he now threatened, and slowly moved back when the latch fell open.

  Cautiously, and with swords drawn, they backed their horses and waited, then when women slowly did; Belon smiled and made a humming sound and put his sword away.

  After hearing the hum, then noticing the big smile on his face, Ogorec look at him and purse his lips.

  “They are not for pleasure,” he chastised Belon, who frowned.

  “Tend to our wounded,” Laad ordered the women.

  When the women began walking towards the wounded, Lath counted only six.

  “Two are missing,” he said to one of them, “The other two are where? And, which of you is Thogor’s sister?”

  “Still inside to both,” one answered.

  “Come out!” Laad yelled, and waited, but no one would come out.

  “Enough.” Belon impatiently grumbled, then jumped off his horse, and went inside the wagon and dragged both women out by their hair.

  Both wrestling and struggling with him, one bit his arm, which made Belon angrily snatch the veil away from her face so he could look at her when he slapped her, but as raised his hand to do it, he stopped and cringed, and so did the others.