Hearing that name set Lee's heart pounding. “I see. Well, it sounds like just the kind of job Jasper and I are looking for.” He reached across the table and held out his hand. “I'm Barath, and this is my nephew, Jasper.”
Darius shook Lee's hand, then pulled two silver coins from his purse. He tossed Jacob and Lee a coin each before taking another drink. “Then it’s good to have you both with me. This is for what you did for me in the tavern. Normally, I pay eight coppers per week for escorts.” He paused to study Lee for a moment. “But I think you're worth nine.”
“I'd say we're worth twelve,” said Jacob.
Darius rubbed his chin. “Done.” He stood up. “Grab your gear. My camp is just a mile north, and a sight more comfortable than this place.”
Lee instructed the innkeeper to gather their horses while he and Jacob retrieved their belongings. Lee offered his horse to Darius, but the merchant refused.
“I've had far too much to drink to stay on a horse,” he said. “It will do me good to walk it off.” He patted his round belly. “Besides, I may break the poor beast’s back.”
This brought a hearty laugh. Once the horses were packed, they slowly made their way to the main avenue north through town. Lee kept a sharp lookout for any sign of the two thugs still being about, but to his relief they seemed to have decided that they’d had enough for one night. Lee didn't want to spill blood this early in their journey; such things drew too much attention. And even in a dilapidated camp like Klinton there was still a constable or sheriff. He certainly didn't need to get mixed up with the local law. Not that they would be in any danger of finding themselves in a hangman’s noose, but should men die in the streets, explanations would have to be made and coin spent.
The night was cold, but the brandy helped to fight off the chill. When they arrived at Darius' camp Lee could see twenty large wagons arranged in a wide circle, each one filled to bursting with cotton. In the center several small fires were burning, surrounded by sleeping men.
Darius grumbled. “Lazy dogs. They're supposed to be guarding the wagons.” He straightened his shirt and belt, then stiffened his back, standing as tall as his girth would allow. “That’s why I only brought one blasted guard.”
“How many swordsmen do you have?” asked Lee.
“Ten, not counting the two of you,” Darius replied. “Well, nine since I lost the cur who I had with me tonight.”
“Why so many?” asked Jacob.
“The roads south of Angrääl are dangerous,” Darius told him. “You may well see some action before we get there.”
Lee nodded. “And after?”
Darius chuckled. “No one raids within the borders of the Reborn King. Not unless they wish for death. I'll be glad when they finish whatever war they are getting ready for. At least the roads will be safe. I gotta give them credit - they know how to keep order.”
Lee could tell that Jacob wanted to say something, but flashed him a glance. Darius noticed.
“And what do you think about it?” the merchant asked. “I see you have an opinion.”
“I think...” Jacob paused. Lee's face was like stone. “I think as long as they let people go about their business, I don't care.”
Lee relaxed.
Once within the camp, Darius began kicking awake the men who had been left to guard the wagons, threatening to dock their pay. He pointed to a small tent at the far end of the camp. “I sleep there. After tonight I want you and Jasper to keep your fire and bedrolls nearby. For tonight, find yourselves a place with the others. We leave at dawn.”
Lee and Jacob found a spot in the center of the camp and laid out their bedrolls. The other men scarcely looked at them as they settled in.
“It’s going to get even colder soon,” remarked Lee as he stretched out.
“I'm a northman,” said Jacob. “I don't mind the cold.”
Lee smiled. His son had done well that night, and he allowed himself to feel proud. He prayed to the gods that the feeling would last.
Chapter 9
For the next several days, Lee and Jacob spent most of their time with Darius and learned much about him. Originally from The Silver Isles, a small group of islands just off the coast one hundred miles east of Baltria, he had inherited a cotton plantation on the mainland when his uncle had died twenty years ago. When sober, he wasn't nearly as much of a loud braggart, and Lee found him to be a man of quick wit and good humor.
On the first day, he invited Lee and Jacob to engage in a dice game with a few of the other men. Though Lee politely refused, Jacob took great joy in the distraction, as well as taking coin from Darius, who turned out to be a very unlucky gambler. After a few more games, Darius chose to sit and talk with Lee rather than lose more coin.
At night, after Darius went to bed, which was usually quite early due to an excess of drink, Lee tried to get to know the others among the caravan. The hired swords were mostly from the edge of the eastern desert. They were regarded as a fierce people of few words and quick temper. Fortunately for Lee, he had spent time in Dantory and knew how to approach them. Three of the guards intended to join the armies of Angrääl when they arrived.
“Better to be on the winning side,” said Fennio, a short, thin man, one night over a few cups of wine. He was by far the most experienced of the lot, and bore the scars to prove it. Unlike the long swords the others carried, he preferred a short sword and small mace. “And I hear they pay thirty coppers a week.”
“I'm not servin' in no army,” said Santino, one of the youngest of the group, though he had the look of a hardened veteran. “I don't care if they're payin' fifty coppers. If you ask me, they're payin' so good because you're marchin' off to get killed.”
“Ha!” scoffed Fennio. “You ain't seen how big the army is. A hundred-thousand if it's ten.”
“You ain't seen it neither,” said Santino. “So shut up.”
Fennio took a swallow of wine and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Yeah, but I heard about it plain enough. And they say that before long Angrääl is gonna march. You don't wanna be in their way when they do.”
He looked over to Lee, who was feigning disinterest. “What about you Barath? You have the look of a soldier about you. You gonna join up?”
Lee shrugged and forced a smile. “Perhaps. The pay sounds good. Much better than I thought. But up ‘til now me and Jasper had been thinking about heading east if war comes.”
Fennio snorted. “East? You won't find nothin' there but sand and ugly women. Why do you think we left in the first place?” The rest of the group burst out in harsh laughter.
“At least Angrääl isn't likely to go there,” said Lee.
“You're right about that,” agreed Fennio. They'll be busy with the elves, unless I miss my guess.”
Lee cocked his head. “The elves?”
“Yeah,” said Fennio. “I hear this Reborn King fella's gonna get rid of 'em once and for all.” He shrugged. “Good riddance if you ask me. But who knows? I hear some of 'em are fightin' for him too.”
“Either way,” Santino interjected. “I ain't fightin' an elf, and I ain't fightin' with 'em. I'd rather go home and marry me an ugly woman and have some even uglier children.” This brought more laughter. “Besides, if what those desert dwellers say is true, there's plenty of elves wandering the sand. 'Course most of those folk are daft.” He turned to Lee. “You let me know if you head east. I might come with you.”
Lee smiled and got to his feet. “I'll let you know. But I haven’t decided what I’m doing for sure yet.” He brushed off his trousers and went to find Darius and Jacob.
It was a week into their journey when they first started seeing soldiers from Angrääl. Mostly small groups of six to ten at a time. They didn't bother with the caravan, other than to warn them to be on their guard for bandits.
“Don't worry,” one soldier had said. “It won't be long before the roads are safe from here all the way to Baltria.”
Lee continued to train Jacob for a
t least one hour each day. He noticed that, since that night in Klinton, something had changed. His son now appeared to be more focused, and, in spite of current circumstances, happier too. He even seemed to be enjoying the training. To Lee’s delight, he was also improving dramatically.
On the morning of the eighth day, Lee packed their gear and loaded it onto the horses. Darius had taken to walking rather than riding, spending most of their days spinning tales of his adventures. Though Lee could tell the man embellished quite a bit (though not as much as when he had a belly full of wine) it was clear Darius was indeed well traveled. On several occasions Lee was asked to tell of his own exploits. At first he was resistant, afraid he might give something away that would reveal his true identity. But after being pressed by both Darius and Jacob, he eventually relented. Leaving out certain details, he told them about some of the many wondrous places he had seen.
Just before they stopped for the midday meal, Lee sensed something was wrong. He called for the caravan to halt and reached out with his senses. It was only seconds before he found what he was looking for.
“Gather your men,” he ordered.
“What's wrong?” asked Darius.
Lee closed his eyes and listened carefully. “Twenty men. Ten on either side of the road.” His eyes opened. “They're waiting for us ahead.”
Fear showed on Darius' face. “What should we do?”
“Let them wait,” Lee replied. “We’ll organize the men and set up positions. If they realize we know they're there, they may choose to withdraw.”
“We could sneak around and surprise them,” offered Jacob.
Lee shook his head. “We're outnumbered two to one. We only have nine trained men. The others aren't swordsmen. If we set them to attack, they'll just get themselves killed.” He examined the surrounding area. The trees and brush along the road were sparse and on relatively high ground. Ahead, where the bandits were waiting, the road dipped and was flanked on either side by a slight incline. “We can defend this position if we need to,” he stated before striding off to gather the men.
“I still think we could take them,” said Jacob, once Lee had returned. The guards were lined up behind him and checking their weapons.
“You got a lot to learn, young Jasper,” said Fennio. “The best way to win is to avoid fighting. We're hired guards, not an army. We ain't lookin' to get killed.”
“I thought you wanted to be a soldier,” teased Santino. “I'm with Jasper. We should take them by surprise. I don't like waitin' to be slaughtered.”
“We're not attacking!” barked Lee. “They'll know we're aware of them soon enough. And I doubt we could get behind them in broad daylight, anyway.” He drew his sword. “Believe me, if they decide to attack, they're in for a surprise.” His tone silenced any further argument. He turned to Darius. “You stay behind me at all times.” He then glanced at Jacob, who had moved beside him and also drawn his weapon. “And you, stay by my side.”
Jacob nodded sharply, his muscles tense with anticipation.
Lee positioned the men around the wagons, men at arms in front and the rest several feet behind. An hour passed and the bandits had not yet made a move, but Lee could still hear them. He looked at his son and furled his brow. He had known all along that they would likely have to fight, but now that danger was a reality, he was afraid for Jacob's life. He remembered the dangers he’d faced with Gewey not so long ago. He loved Gewey as a son also, but he’d never been this concerned for him. Gewey was a god after all, and very hard to kill.
Then, down the road, he saw them. Twenty bandits filing up the slope at a slow walk, their weapons drawn. The man in front was tall, broad-shouldered, with head shaved to leave only an inch-wide strip of black hair down the center of his head. In his right hand he carried a large battleaxe - in his left, a small round shield. They halted about twenty yards away. The leader then took a few steps further forward.
“Whoever your commander is, he's a sharp one,” called the bandit. “But then, so am I.”
Darius stepped forward. “What do you want?”
The bandit laughed. “Something tells me you're not the one who spotted us, fat man.” He shrugged. “Well, I think you know what we want. The question is, are you willing to die for it?”
Darius held his head high. “Are you?” He looked at his guards, pausing when he met Lee's eyes and smiling. “Give way and find an easier target.”
The bandit addressed Darius' men. “Listen to me. This fat rich merchant will see you all to your graves. If you leave now, none of you will be harmed. Is his gold worth your life?”
Lee stepped forward. He focused his strength to make his voice louder. “If all these men run, I will stand. And by the gods, if I fall, you will fall with me.”
The bandit shifted uneasily. “I guess I know who the real leader is here.” He steadied his feet. “A man like you could go far. Why are you determined to die? Why not live and get rich?”
Lee tightened his grip on his sword. He glanced at Jacob, giving him a sinister smirk. “I don't need you to get rich. And your time is nearly up.”
“So be it,” said the bandit. He looked back at his men and raised his hand.
Only the nervous breathing of the men and the uneasy shifting of the pack animals disturbed the brief silence that followed. Darius moved to Lee's back, a short sword in his hand.
“Stay near me,” Lee whispered to Jacob. “And keep your back to the wagons.”
Then the bandit's hand dropped. The attackers charged, screaming wildly as they came. The guards braced themselves. Within seconds, the deafening clatter of steel on steel cut through the air. Lee hoped that the bandit leader would come at him first, but he did not, instead choosing to engage the guards to his left. Two bandits swung their rusty swords at Lee, but their blades found only empty air. Lee cut them both down with blinding speed.
Jacob was dodging blows from a tall, heavyset bandit wielding a thick broadsword. Fear struck Lee's heart as he saw Jacob being pushed back. He moved to take the bandit's head, but Jacob struck first, thrusting his sword through the man's gut and then ripping it free. He flashed a smile at Lee before stepping forward to greet another attacker.
Two more bandits came at Lee, but they were quickly dispatched. Jacob had taken the arm of another, and by now had placed himself in front of Darius.
“I'll protect Darius!” he shouted to Lee. “Kill the leader!”
Lee swelled with pride. He scanned the melee. The guards were holding their ground well, their experience in keeping the wagons at their backs forcing the bandits to take them on only one at a time. The leader was at the far end. He had killed two guards and was beating back a third. Lee pulled the dagger from his belt and hurled it. The blade flew past the leader’s neck, narrowly missing instead of burying itself in his throat. With a scowl, the bandit turned to see Lee charging in his direction. He took a few steps forward to meet him.
Lee killed two more attackers before finally reaching the leader. He could see the fear in the man’s eyes as he brought his blade down hard and swift. The bandit was only just able to raise his shield in time, but the force of Lee's blow threw him back. Lee stepped in again, this time bringing his sword upward in a tight arc. The tip dug into the bandit's left thigh, tearing its way through to the hip. The bandit grimaced and staggered, swinging his axe frantically. Lee moved deftly away, then slashed deep into the leader’s right shoulder. His axe fell to the dirt with a sharp thud. The man’s eyes were already closing against the pain as Lee moved in for the finish. One more powerful blow sent his head flying. The body managed to remain erect for a moment, blood squirting rhythmically from its neck, then it crumbled to the ground. It was the decisive moment. Seeing their leader fall, one by one the remaining bandits began to flee.
“Do not pursue them,” Lee shouted, rushing to his son's side. Jacob was breathing heavily from the fight. His shirt and trousers were drenched in blood. Spots of red also dotted his cheeks.
D
arius was backed against the wagon, his hands trembling and his face a ghostly pale. When he saw Lee he forced a weak smile. “Well done indeed.” He nodded at Jacob. “Both of you.”
“We need to tend the wounded,” said Lee. “And see to the dead.”
Lee examined the aftermath of the battle. The guards had already begun to treat the wounds of their comrades. Each gave Lee a respectful nod as he passed. In all, three men had been lost, and three more were wounded. But they had managed to hold off the bandits well enough to protect the untrained workmen. Lee checked his pack and retrieved a healing salve he had brought, then set to help with the treating of the men. Two could still travel on their own, but one would need to ride in a wagon.
Darius had the men dig graves for the fallen guards, and ordered the bodies of the bandits placed in a row along the roadside. “They can serve as a warning,” he said, gazing upon the sight.
A short ceremony was held for the guards. Each of their comrades said a quiet prayer to Dantenos, God of the Dead, asking him to watch over their friends. After this, no one wanted to stay the night in the same place, so they marched another mile before setting up camp.
After building a fire and setting the bedrolls, most sat in silence, the horror of the battle still fresh in their minds. Lee checked the wounded, then joined Jacob and Darius at the edge of the encampment.
“Quite a day,” said Darius.
Lee nodded. “Indeed, it was.” He tore off a piece of bread that had been laid out for him. “There is a small town, Farice, a day’s ride from here. We should reach it before sundown tomorrow. The wounded should be left behind there. They will not heal if they continue.”
“I'm familiar with Farice,” said Darius. “I'll see the men are paid and tended.” He looked Lee in eye. “I've never seen anyone fight like you. You could have taken the entire raiding party alone, I suspect.” His eyes drifted to Jacob. “And I see you have the same spirit in you as well.”
The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 1-3 Page 73
