by Gerard Bond
“How is she?” He whispered.
“Alive but not much more I’m afraid.” Rebecca replied in a low voice.
He stepped closer to the bed and looked down. Her face was drawn and gaunt, he lifted the sheet and looked underneath, she was naked too but what struck him was how white she was, almost gray.
“How do you think she will be?”
“Oh well she made it through the night so that’s something, do you know a Wollfen? She called his name and yours out a couple of times during the night.”
“Mm yes, he is our leader. Did she say anything?”
“No, just your names.” Rebecca looked on watching for his reaction, she hoped there wasn’t competition for this girl’s attention, Kane would be a formidable foe. “Oh, she did say one other thing.”
What was it?” Kane waited.
“She said, they think we are dead. I don’t know who she was referring to.”
They think we are dead? The enemy? Wollfen? Think Kane, work it out. It would come to him. And yes he needed to get word out. Wollfen and company needed to know what had happened. But he couldn’t move not while Solynne was so weak, he was stuck here for at least a week probably more.
Giving Solynne a light kiss on the forehead, Kane left the room and went back out to Korr, the man was still contemplating the depths of his bowl.
“Have you heard word of the goings on in the next valley?”
“There is something up I am sure.” Stated Korr, “We haven’t heard a word from that direction for at least three days now and no travelers have come through either, do you know anything?”
Kane looked on in wonderment, they were so close to the action and here they sat totally oblivious.
“Korr, you saw the hole in Solynne's leg, we came from that direction.”
Korr sat there a moment digesting and putting it together, then he leaned forward and spoke very seriously,
“Tell me what you know and leave nothing out.”
Back in the other room Solynne's eyes flickered open. She could sense a calm in herself, she tried moving and felt too weak. Then she became aware of the throbbing in her leg and with that the memory of the shock of being hit, then nothing. Where was she? She tried calling out and all that came out was a tiny whisper of sound, but it was enough, a strange fat woman came over and looked at her.
“Just rest dear, you are safe and mending, take it slowly.” And then she was gone but the words were comfort enough and Solynne fell back asleep.
“Just thought you would like to know,” Rebecca stated as she walked out to the men, “She spoke a little and has gone back to sleep. Barring any complications, she will be fine.”
Kane breathed a sigh of relief and realized all of a sudden how wound up he was. Forcing himself to relax he looked back at Korr whose brow was deeply furrowed, he had told him everything other than Wollfen’s expectations. That was best kept to himself, the less people that knew the less likely the information that the enemy was already being watched would get out. Korr finally moved, he looked up and uttered powerful words,
“It’s time to spread the word and get the men of the region mobilized, I know just the right people to talk to.”
With that simple statement, the germ of an eastern army was being born and Kane would end up its leader. Neither man had any idea at the moment of the wheels they were setting in motion.
On the coast road Nightwing and Loranda had turned north joining the other local traffic that included wagons of trade, tourists sightseeing and other less savory characters. Nightwing could tell some were up to no good, looking for easy pickings when things got quiet around a likely target. It didn’t happen often but enough that one should be wary. Loranda had spotted them too. There were two groups traveling separately, one consisting of a man and a woman, the other group the larger, five men and all of them looked hard. The two were obviously the ones checking out the wagons and other potential targets. To the inexperienced observer the couple appeared to pose no threat. The other five traveling much further back, well they paid no interest whatsoever to anything around them. To the trained eye, they paid too little attention. When Nightwing had watched them, she realized what the band was about. She had then looked ahead a bit while traveling, eliminating all potential allies to the five. It didn’t take long to work out who it was. She had spotted them rather easily by then.
“Someone is going to be left destitute tonight.” She commented to Loranda who nodded in agreement.
They had stopped from time to time and talked to the occasional traveler on their way south and they had quickly worked out that the King’s entourage did indeed lay further north, maybe a days ride of where they were. It had taken them almost two days to get to the coast so they were well on schedule to be able to report to Wollfen on the third night with news of their message to the king.
The afternoon passed quietly on their journey and they spent the time chatting and posing questions to each other. The sound of the surf and cool sea air blowing in on them was a welcome contrast to the still heat of the long trek from inland. Nightwing loved the smell of the ocean; she could have been just as happy living her life running about barefoot on the beach. It was a pity they didn’t have the time to stop really; she would have enjoyed doing that right now. Another time maybe.
That evening the two of them looked about as they rode seeking a quiet spot to lay for the night with others nearby. They spotted three wagons stopped on an open field just off the track with fires burning as they prepared meals. Waving to them to establish a friendly contact, Nightwing and Loranda pulled off just a little further on and made camp, for them it would be dried fruit and water that evening. They hadn’t stopped during their journey to do any hunting. Loranda was getting tired of the fare and she was sure she was losing a little too much weight, she had taken her belt in another notch.
They sat close together quietly chewing and taking sips from the canteen. Tired muscles ached and sore feet called out to be released. Loranda kicked off her boots and slide her feet through the damp grass, ah, that certainly felt better. Nightwing joined her and did the same. They smiled at each other and felt content. The darkness was all encompassing and no one would be able to see them there, but having the three wagons nearby was comforting nevertheless. They could just make out their campfires through the trees, far enough away that any conversation couldn’t be understood.
The two of them lay back on their blankets, Loranda on her side with a hand on Nightwing’s chest. Both of them looking at the night sky, idly talking and swapping dirty jokes. It wasn’t long before they drifted off to sleep.
Loranda woke to a commotion and she sprung up into a sitting position immediately. There was shouting going on and a clash of blades, then some screams. Nightwing sprang up from next to her, short sword in hand. Loranda followed as they darted towards the wagons. Keeping in line with the tree trunks as they ran, they approached and both slowed in tandem, carefully moving forward ready to fight. What they saw made them step forward into the open as it was obvious the wagon owners were already in control of the situation. Nightwing raised her hand in salute to the men standing in an arc around something hunched on the ground, they all had swords drawn.
“We came when we heard noise.” called out Nightwing.
One of the men spoke up, obviously in charge.
“Bandits attacked, but we managed to surprise them, we got two of them.”
He nodded towards the outskirts of the wagon line. One of the men stoked the largest fire and it sprang to life, it revealed two dead bodies on the ground. It had been the group that Nightwing had spotted during the day that had attacked and one of the dead was the woman.
“Where are the others?”
“We managed to drive them off with their tails between their legs.” Boasted one of the men.
Nightwing stepped forward into the light and looked at the huddled form in front of the men.
“We captured this one.”
&nbs
p; She looked at him, sitting there on his knees, holding his arm, she could see blood oozing from between his fingers. He wore a short-sleeved tunic and there were tattoos up the length of each arm. He also had a shaved head, an earring in one ear and a goatee. He certainly was interesting to look at.
“And now we will finish him.”
The boss moved forward and raised his sword above his head, the man on the ground recoiled and closed his eyes.
“No! You cannot kill him, that is not the law.”
The men looked at Nightwing a little more carefully,
“And who are you to call for justice?”
“My name is Nightwing, daughter of the Earl of Windere and I am on my way to seek counsel with the king.”
She had said it in a firm imperious tone and even impressed herself. The men were a little taken aback, they looked at each other not sure what to do. They certainly didn’t want a report to the king that they had slain an unarmed man.
“Well what do you suggest we do?”
Nightwing thought quickly,
“I will be approaching the king tomorrow. Release him to me and I will see that he is handed over to the sergeant at arms to be dealt with by them. Simply bind his hands and we shall take care of the rest.”
Again the men looked at each other, most looked at their boss and shrugged their shoulders, they didn’t really care.
“Very well, we release him to you on the understanding he shall be taken into custody to be dealt with by the King’s counsel, will you stand witness?”
“It shall be so.” replied Nightwing. “Now bind him, we shall collect him at dawn.”
Nightwing turned and left, Loranda following with wide eyes. As they walked back to their site, Loranda couldn’t help but speak up,
“What was all that bullshit? Are you seriously going to hand him over? Why the hell would any of the king’s guard be interested in him?”
“I couldn’t let them kill him, they wouldn’t let him go I’m sure and no we won’t be handing him over to the king.”
“So what then, does he become our bound pet? I’d like to see you explain that to the king’s guard.”
“I’m not sure what we are going to do with him yet, I hadn’t thought that far. I’m sure I’ll think of something by morning.”
Having arrived back at their site, Nightwing gave Loranda a soft kiss and a smile, lay down and quickly drifted off to sleep.
Nightwing awoke just as the sky became lighter, it was just before dawn and she felt quite refreshed in spite of the night’s excitement. She leaned over and gave Loranda a hug waking her. They both stretched and slowly got up. One more day of riding and they just might find a bed tonight. Rolling their blankets up, they packed the horses and walked them over to the wagon site. Nightwing spied the captive tied with his back to a wagon wheel.
The boss was at the fire as she approached and she could see two of the men leading three horses out of the trees. Obviously they had belonged to the three thieves here, two of them wouldn’t be needing them anymore.
One of the two men commented,
“The cowards that fled didn’t even bother to take the horses, obviously spineless scum.”
“Good tidings fair sir.” greeted Nightwing on approach. The man stood up and nodded in reply; he obviously wasn’t a morning person. “Is the prisoner ready?”
“In a minute, I suppose you would like him put on his horse?”
“That would be fine, you can keep the other two horses and whatever wares are on them in payment for burying the two dead.”
She sure was generous with other people’s property. The man looked at her with a jaded eye, maybe she was pushing the royal air thing a bit too far.
The boss man kicked the prisoner awake then leaned down and untied him from the wheel. He had to pull him up to his feet as the man was stiff from the night’s sleep there. He led the prisoner over to the horses and asked him which was his but the fellow gave no reply at which point the boss gave him a slap across the face. Again he asked him and this time the prisoner nodded at the brown one. He was promptly sat upon it and tied into place, hands behind his back.
“I shall take him now.”
The boss handed Nightwing the reins and they moved off, heading north along the road.
A few minutes into the journey the captive spoke up,
“I thank you for saving my life. I am indebted to you.”
Nightwing turned and nodded. She wasn’t ready to address him yet. Night was still deep in thought about what to do with him. She certainly wasn’t going to be handing him over to the king’s men who would probably execute him outright as a highway robber. He was a thief and probably a killer to boot too. Night really didn’t need this complication in their journey but it was of her own making and now she had to deal with it.
Then with a sigh she pulled the rein of his horse and got him riding side by side with her, Loranda on the other side.
“If I decided to let you go, what would you do with your freedom?”
The prisoner looked up in surprise and he gave it quick thought before replying.
“I would tell you I promise not to harm you or your companion and give my word you will be safe in your further travels.”
Nightwing studied his face, still thinking, still deciding. She really didn’t want to set a criminal free but there were more pressing needs at hand. There really wasn’t much for it but to let him go.
“Very well, you are a free man, I do not wish to have to rescue you again though so keep out of trouble.”
She reached behind him with her dagger , sliced through his leather bonds and gave him his rein, the man sat there rubbing his wrists and looking at her.
“Now be off with you and not another word.”
He tipped his head to both Nightwing and Loranda then galloped off directly east into the trees.
“I have been wondering what you may do, he could have proven a handful if you had kept him.”
“Yes, let’s just make sure we stay well in front of those wagons, if they ever catch up we will have a lot of explaining to do.”
They both spurred their horses on and continued on their way.
Wollfen and his three companions sat there on their horses in the clearing facing the ten enemy horsemen at a distance of maybe 80 yards. Each side had obviously grown slack in their vigilance and now here they were, stopped, staring and not quite sure what to do.
Wollfen acted all of a sudden with a loud,
“Ya!” as he charged at them, pulling his sword free and yelling, “Justin! Keera! Flanks!”
They all sprang into action knowing what was expected of them, this well-oiled machine was about to test its mettle. Dark was a little to the side and back of Wollfen as he charged. The rank of the enemy hesitated and didn’t move, it was a mistake they would pay dearly for. This was something they never would have expected; four riders charging the flank of ten well armed troopers. Dark had her crossbow up and out in a flash, a bolt flying straight and true hitting one of them square in the chest even as he ducked out of the way, too slowly.
Wollfen deliberately aimed his horse at the edge of the horseman directly in front of him, screaming like a banshee. The rider was caught by surprise, he and his horse did nothing more than dither on the spot and start to move backwards attempting to draw his sword. Wollfen’s horse crashed into his flank, his sword cutting the air above the horseman’s head. Bowling the enemy horse over in a flurry of dust, Wollfen's own horse staggering from the impact and caught itself again. Wollfen spurred him on and steered in a tight arc to return to the fray. The enemy horseman, he could see, was lying on the ground winded and out of action, two other horses were also rider less.
In that initial clash Justin and Keera had wasted no time in drawing bow and crossbow, having shot two others down as they had fanned out to the sides. Dark had followed Wollfen through the gap. She had punched through and was still trailing him resetting her crossbow as she went. They had a
ll practiced the reloading of those bulky things time and again but now it was paying dividends. The remaining six horsemen were still a little confused but the sergeant of the troop was barking curt orders. Four of them closed ranks while two others split and each gave chase to Justin and Keera.
Again Wollfen charged but just before he closed up with them, Dark moved a bit to the side and fired another bolt catching a man in the abdomen. He too hit the ground hard curled up and didn’t move.
Now it was three on two, Wollfen danced his horse to the left, focusing on the left rider, swinging low and hard at his body and was met by the other persons sword. Both of their arms were flung back and out by the impact which allowed Wollfen to spring his surprise. Pushing in close in one swift movement, he stabbed a dagger he had ready under the rider’s armpit and felt it bite deep to the hilt.
Slicing free, Wollfen wheeled to the second rider who had come behind him and met the man’s sword strike with a glancing blow from his own. Dropping his dagger, he gripped hi sword with both hands and swung with a ferocity that almost unhorsed the second rider with a blow that caught him on his chest. Wollfen went behind this rider, ignoring the first who he knew was now out of it. He swung again, another body blow this time deflected by his opponent. Once again he moved, swung and felt the impact vibrate up his arms.
The man was weakening and looked desperate. Not giving him time to regroup, Wollfen again swung hard and their swords clashed. This was no dance of sophistication, this was a bludgeoning until one made a mistake and Wollfen was dictating the terms. Another swing and again the rider attempted to block the blow. But this time Wollfen hesitated while striking from above allowing the other man to raise his sword and strikeout to take the impact. But the hesitation was planned, it allowed the other man’s sword to travel too far and the first few blows had sapped the man’s energy. Wollfen’s blade split the air and found no blocking blade in its path. It cleaved through the helmet of the man in front of him and he fell dead, blood spraying out in an arc over the ground.
