The Captain said nothing for a second, but instead of replying, focused his attention on the rifle. It was truly a wonder. The metal parts were made of steel, the likes of which he had never before seen. The parts were so finely made and smooth. Even the wood of the shoulder piece was different. While the shape was similar to the shoulder brace of the crossbow and the material looked like wood, it was like no wood he had seen before.
He slowly looked up at the taller elf and without much energy said, “Elf, I have been a soldier for twenty years. It is what I am. I follow orders given me and give orders to others, and I earn my pay. We best turn back to the lessons that will keep you alive and let me do my job.”
Durbin nodded, but it was clear the Captain was following his duty not his conviction, and Durbin saw that as a thread that needed more pulling.
“The large tree, about fifty strides there,” he pointed, “is our target. You have used a crossbow and the aiming is the same. I would suggest you let me fire it the first time to see what happens, for there is little I can do to describe it that will have any meaning to you.”
The Captain was watching him closely and trying to decide if it was a warning or a trick. His long practiced skepticism made his choice. “If you fired this, Elf, I will take my chances that I can as well.”
“Remember that I warned you, Captain, the first time is - surprising.” Durbin couldn’t suppress the grin and he knew it only hardened the Captain’s resolve not to show hesitation. “First it will need to be loaded with the ammo. It is like the bolt for your crossbow but both less and much, much more.”
“They are these small things in the pouch?” The Captain asked producing a round from the bag.
“Yes, but first we must open the rifle. That is done my lifting the small handle of metal on the side and then sliding it toward you. The Captain managed, after a few tries to open the bolt exposing the chamber. Following Durbin’s instructions, he placed the cartridge in the chamber and threw the bolt closing it.
“The weapon is now very dangerous and there are only a few more steps before you are ready to fire it. Just above the piece called the trigger is a small metal cylinder called a safety, once you push it so it protrudes from the right side, the trigger is armed. Place the stock against your shoulder like a crossbow and hold it firmly there. To aim you see a small notch a short way in front of your eye and a small pin on the end of the weapon. When the pin is centered in the notch, what you see beyond it is what you will hit. Captain, one final warning, when the rifle fires it will shove against you like a man hitting you.”
The Captain took it all in and prepared himself to test this weapon. He knew the Baron would need to know how it worked and he would be expected to show him. He was tempted to have the elf shoot it first but his men were watching and he dare not backtrack in front of them.
With the safety in position he squared himself as he would with the crossbow and did his best to hold the pin in the notch steady and on the center of the tree. It was not as easy as he thought it would be and as he grew more frustrated the pin aligned and he pulled down hard on the trigger.
His world disappeared in sound and fury. The weapon slammed against his shoulder knocking him off his feet and the ground knocked the wind from him.
Durbin was suddenly surrounded by guards with swords drawn. Even so, he could not stop laughing. One of the guards ran to the Captain to help him up but was waved off as the Captain caught his breath and moved to a sitting position. “The man who would hit my shoulder was larger than I anticipated,” he said with chagrin. Without rising he looked to the tree and squinted. “Did I even hit the tree?”
He looked at the guards and shook his head, “lower you weapons, and two of you see if you can find what I hit on that tree or those behind. I wish to see the damage this does on something other than me.”
Free to move, Durbin walked over to offer a hand up to the Captain, who sighed, and took it rising back to his feet. He then turned to retrieve the rifle, and with it firm in hand, turned back to the elf. “I think this will be a long day, Elf, and I will be listening more intently to instructions the next time.”
One of the guards shouted from down range and they walked to where the guard was standing to see the impact. The hole wasn’t large but it took them several minutes to dig the bullet out of the tree. The depth was surprising to the Captain and only added to his respect for the weapon. Not wanting to frighten the guards further, he said nothing.
Lessons continued until the Captain could fire and hit the tree most of the time, and only three rounds were left, which he knew he would need for the Baron.
The trip to the castle was quiet. Durbin could tell the Captain had a lot on his mind, and this was not the time to pull a thread.
It was early evening when they arrived at the castle and the Captain gave the guards orders on where to take the prisoner and an admonishment to treat him well or the Baron would hear of his special prisoner being damaged. He leaned close to Durbin and said, “Good luck, Elf, I am sorry that things are this way.”
“Remember, Captain, there always comes a time when a choice can be made and that choice is about duty; the question is to whom is that duty owed?”
Their eyes held for a moment and the Captain motioned to the guards to escort Durbin to his cell.
THIRTY
The guard knocked, and upon hearing the response, opened the door and entered the Baron’s chamber. The Baron looked up, eyebrows raised in questioning as to why he had been disturbed.
“Sir, Captain Tayler wishes to speak with you.” When the Baron nodded, the guard crisply turned and left the room. Seconds later the Captain entered and came to attention. The Baron noticed a sharpness to the Captain’s demeanor. That implied he had good news and it was about time, the Baron thought.
“Report, Captain”
The Captain remained at attention. He had learned long ago not to relax in the Baron’s presence unless specifically told. Still, with this news he was hardly bothered by the man’s arrogance of power. “Sir, we have captured one of the elves and the weapon they have been using against us.” The Captain fought to hide his smile of satisfaction as the news registered on the Baron’s face.
The Baron was excited. This was the first real positive turn of events since the hole appeared in his dungeon wall. Containing his excitement over the news he said, “Have a seat Captain and tell me what you have learned.”
The Captain took the offered chair but still remained as rigid as sitting allowed.
“The weapon is called a rifle,” The Captain began, “It was made by the same man who made the hole in our wall. Its manufacture is a mystery to all and its workings, while simple to operate, require craftsmanship I cannot explain.”
The Baron thought for a moment. This was good fortune. The mystery weapon, that so struck fear into his guards, was in his possession. “I wish to see it, Captain.”
A wave of the Captain’s hand brought the weapon and the pouch in to the Captain who took the rifle and laid it on the Baron’s desk for his examination.
Despite his guards watching, the Baron was slow to touch the thing. It met with the Captain’s description well. This was nothing made by even the best smith. After the Baron had looked at the rifle from all angles, he said, “I want to see this work. I want to learn to use it.”
“Of course, Baron, but after learning to shoot it myself, I strongly suggest we wait till morning,” the Captain suggested as passively as he could.
“Fine,” the Baron replied only slightly irritated. Have everything ready at first light.” He waved the Captain and the weapon out and went back to his ledgers but his mind was on the rifle.
Jason had borrowed a horse to make better time and rode it as hard as he could till he reached the open lands of the forest. From there he went on foot making speed like an elf. He reached the castle and the challenge of the gate guards before the sun started false dawn. In minutes he knew tha
t the Captain had returned with the elf and one of the terrible weapons and intended to test it at first light.
He was tired but had little time and made quickly for his rooms to change and prepare.
Captain Tayler had made some difficult decisions during the night. This demonstration would be very important to the Baron. Captain Tayler had to be sure that the first time the rifle was fired, the Baron was better prepared than the Captain had been. If the Baron felt humiliated, his rage could prove fatal to any who witnessed the event.
The courtyard of the castle was too small and would have too many eyes, but the Captain had to explain this so that the Baron was not offended. What happened to the days when honest answers were expected not punished? He wondered to himself for there was no one near he could trust such a comment to.
Captain Tayler and several guards were waiting in the courtyard at first light, well before the Baron would show, and he was surprised to see Jason come strolling out to join him.
“We heard you were on some secret mission for the Baron,” he said in greeting.
“Not much of a secret then,” Jason replied with a half-smile. “I understand we are about to get a demonstration of this weapon. Is it safe to operate?”
“Safe enough,” the Captain replied, “but I think it would be wise to have the Baron test this without too many eyes.”
Jason nodded at the Captain’s tone. “I will try and help,” he said.
The Captain nodded his thanks and they began the wait for the Baron to arrive.
The sun was well up when the Baron appeared with a scowl, as if they were all responsible for the late hour. “Captain, I thought you would be prepared by now.” His tone was menacing as if he was looking for someone to absorb his ire.
“Good morning, Baron,” Jason said with formal deflection, “I believe the Captain has chosen a better venue than the courtyard.”
“When did you return?” the Baron asked with a little less snap to his tone.
“About an hour before dawn. When the news hit the camp of the capture of the weapon, I made great haste to get here.”
“You were in the camp? What did you learn?” The Baron almost barked.
“Sire, I suggest there may be more ears here than you may wish to share this news with.”
The Baron nodded briefly and turned back to the Captain, “Well?”
“Due to the power of the weapon, we have set up a test range with the castle between us and the town to provide room and privacy. The horses are saddled and ready at your will.”
The Baron nodded and without a word strode toward the stables.
The range had been set up with a man-size target set about fifty paces away and Captain Tayler was carrying the rifle and the three rounds he had saved. Jason was nearly as intent as the Baron, since he had not seen the weapon fired either.
“Sir,” Tayler began, “I would recommend that you watch the process the first time. I did not and was completely unprepared for what occurred. I know you are eager to try it, but it is quite dangerous.”
“Then show me this danger, Captain.” The Baron was trying to sound unimpressed but the strange weapon and the Captain’s warning combined to instill in him some caution.
The Captain suggested they stand to his right side and began explaining the process of aiming and then loading. He was prepared for the kick but even so it rocked him a bit. He turned to look at the Baron, whose eyes now showed white all around and Tayler smiled to himself at the reaction. Jason showed nearly as much shock as the Baron and that made Tayler want to smile even more.
After a moment the Baron asked, “What damage does it do?”
“Well,” the Captain replied, “if I hit the target there will be a small hole in the front and a larger hole in the back.”
“In the back?” Jason asked.
“Yes, the tiny bolt goes all the way through many things. Not a tree but maybe a man. The impact is not like a crossbow bolt. It can go all the way through or knock a big man off his feet. It seems to depend on where it hits.”
The Baron stood thinking a moment and walked to the target. He found a neat hole he could put his finger into in the front of the strawman but in the back the straw looked as though it had ripped outward. His mind was moving quickly at the possibilities this weapon could yield, and his excitement began to overcome his fears.
Halfway back to the firing line and without looking to either side he said, “I wish to fire this weapon, Captain.”
The first attempt was wide of the target, but the Baron stayed on his feet pretty well, Tayler was relieved to see. The Baron took in the experience for a moment and then held out his hand for the remaining cartridge. This time he was steadier. He took his time with the aiming and pulled the trigger slowly. After the shot he walked to the target followed by Jason and Tayler, and upon seeing the hole his shot had made, turned to the Captain and asked, “How do we get more ammo?”
The possibilities were discussed on the ride back to the castle and over the meal the Baron had brought to his chamber. They had exhausted the Baron’s ideas, most of which ended in Durbin’s death. Both Captain Tayler and Jason tried to advise the Baron on the backlash from the growing army Jason had seen firsthand.
“There may be a way to win twice,” Jason suggested slowly as if he was working his way through the thinking process. “Suppose we trade the elf for the ammo.” As the Baron inhaled to protest, Jason pressed on. “We have nothing to lose by giving up the elf, and it shows we have no fear of them. Also, in this way they are likely to trade more ammo if they are sure they get him back.”
“That could work,” the Captain agreed almost too quickly. He had been trying hard to hide his desire to save the elf. He feared that if the Baron had seen that concern he would have Durbin executed simply to prove he could.
Jason saw what the Baron did not, and began to question the Captain’s resolve in his support of the Baron. Not really surprising, he thought to himself, the Captain had been a good soldier and was respected by his men; a far cry from the fear the Baron elicited.
“How would we control this swap?” The Baron asked, sounding unconvinced.
“Suppose that the Captain and I escort him across the moat to the open area before the town. Baron, you can watch the entire exchange and have guards ready if they try something. The Captain should be able to tell if the ammo is real.”
“And how do we send them our demands?”
“I got into their camp once, Baron, this time will be even easier.” Of that Jason was quite sure because this time he didn’t have to sneak in. The Baron agreed to the plan, making it clear who would be held accountable if things did not go his way. Jason excused himself for the night so he could get an early start the next morning.
Aldon was relieved and angry as he sat at the table with the others. Angry that Durbin was captive, but relieved that they could get him back. Henry, Barton, Calden, Argon, Alan, Lissette and Daniel all sat listening to Jason.
“He is willing to trade Durbin for one hundred rounds of ammo,” Jason said flatly.
“A hundred!” Daniel said coming half out of his chair.
“What does he want with so much?” Calden asked.
Jason looked around the group for a moment before he replied. “He wanted a thousand but Tayler and I, convinced him that the single elf wasn’t worth that much and he might get nothing. He has only fired the weapon twice, that is all the ammo he had, and his second shot was as good as Tayler’s. I believe he has a plan brewing and it probably includes assassination at least. In the world of the nobility, the rifle could completely disrupt the balance of power and he thinks it will provide the means of elevation he is so desperate for.”
“And once the knowledge of the rifle gets out, we will be blamed,” Lissette added with a little resignation.
“Say that we do this,” Henry added, “is there a way to destroy the ammo other than using it in the rifles?”
All eyes turned to Daniel for the answer. “Yes, a fire. But whoever sets this fire needs to be well away from it. Like two rooms away in the castle or at least a solid stone wall between them and the fire.”
“And do we know someone in the castle who could set such a fire?” Barton asked looking at Jason so that all eyes now turned to him.
“It depends on where he keeps the ammo because the fire will need to look like it could have happened accidentally. If he locks it in one of his chests, the fire would have to be much bigger to burn the chest and much harder to explain.”
They sat quietly for a moment before Aldon spoke, “Durbin will not like being responsible for the Baron getting so much power, but we cannot leave him there.”
Elves- the Book of Daniel Page 27
