“That’s dire news,” Roran said, when Lorik told him about the Earl leaving with the army and taking all of his soldiers. “There could be another raid.”
“You should count on it,” Lorik said. “Have you put a defense force together yet?”
“No, not yet,” the candlemaker said.
“Well, you’d better make that a priority. You won’t get any help from the Earl.”
Lorik turned to Griff, who was drinking cider all alone in a corner of the inn.
“What are you skulking in the corner like that for?” he asked.
“I’m not skulking,” Griff said irritably.
“Well, I have work for you.”
“What kind of work?”
“I need you ride after Stone and Vera. Take them a message for me. Can you do that?”
“I don’t have a horse,” the young man said.
“I’ll get you one, but you have to deliver my message.”
“I wouldn’t trust him,” Roran said. “He’s a thief. He’ll take your horse and anything else you give him and disappear.”
“Shut up, candlemaker,” Griff said. “I’m not a thief.”
“I don’t care,” Lorik said. “Let’s get you a horse and some rations. I don’t have time to wait.”
They left the inn and found an older horse for sale at the livery stable. It wasn’t a fast horse, but it was dependable, and Lorik thought Griff would be able to catch up with Stone and Vera in a week or so.
“Here’s some coin,” Lorik said, giving Griff a small pouch of silver marks. “Get some rations and then ride northeast until you come to the coast. Stone is in a wagon and has a woman with him. Tell them about the King’s order and let them know I’m okay. Tell them I’m going back to Hassell Point if they need me.”
“How much do I get paid?” Griff said.
“Whatever you don’t spend on the journey is yours to keep,” Lorik said.
“All right, thanks.”
“Just be sure and find Stone. You owe him that much.”
“All right, I’ll find him. Finding things is what I do best,” Griff said.
Without a load to haul, it took Lorik only five days to get home. He left the Mascogee wagon in the brush at the edge of the Marshlands and rode his horses through the swamps. He stopped at Hollist’s farm and gave his client the money that was left over after having paid for the lumber. It was more than either of them expected, and Lorik had used his own portion to pay Griff.
When he got back to Hassell Point he went to his house. It seemed more like a crypt than a home. There were scorch marks on the grass like livid wounds from their fight with the Riders. Everywhere Lorik looked he saw memories of people who were gone. His parents had died, and Vera and Stone had left the Marshlands. He was alone.
He spent the evening with Chancy, but he couldn’t hold back the cloud of depression that was hovering over him. Nothing made him happy, not good food or drink, not his friend’s company, not even the thought of visiting one of the wenches at the nearby bordellos.
The days that followed passed slowly. With news that the Earl was gone from Yorick Shire, none of the farmers were in a hurry to ship their rice tax, and Lorik found himself idle. He was bored and depressed. He thought about leaving the Point, but he had nowhere to go and couldn’t muster the motivation. Chancy worried over his friend, but there was nothing anyone could do to lift his spirits.
He had been home a week when Yulver returned. He hurried into Chancy’s Inn, where Lorik was deep in his cups.
“I have news,” he said eagerly.
“What is it?” Chancy said. “We are in sore need of news here. I hope it’s good.”
“I’m afraid not. The Norsik are invading,” Yulver said. “They’re marching through the Wilderlands by the thousands.”
“Who’s holding the border?” Chancy asked.
“There’s a militia force, but they’re calling for reinforcements. I’m taking a shipment of supplies north. I was hoping I might get some rice while I’m here and see if any of the young farmer lads wanted to join the cause.”
“I’ll go,” Lorik said.
“You?” Chancy said. “Why do you want to go?”
“Why not?” Lorik said. “I’ve got nothing better to do. I’ll even help you get the rice you need.”
“So you want to be a sailor now?” Yulver said, teasing.
“No, I want to fight.”
“You mean you’re going to the Wilderlands to fight?” Chancy asked. “Why on earth would you do that?”
“You heard him. The Norsik are invading. The locals will be more inclined to go and help if someone leads them. I can do that,” Lorik said.
“Look, Lorik,” Chancy argued. “I know you’ve been a bit down lately, but that’s no reason to go rushing off into danger.”
“It’s my patriotic duty,” Lorik said cynically. “Besides, I’ve got nothing left to live for. What time are we leaving?”
“We sail tomorrow, with the tide,” Yulver said.
“Good,” Lorik replied. “I’ll see what I can do to get you some rice. And then I’ll hitch a ride north. We’ll kill the Norsik bastards or die trying.”
He gulped the rest of his mead and then slammed his cup on the table.
“Goodbye, Chancy,” he said, dropping a coin on the table. “Make sure my horses are seen to.”
Lorik walked out the door into the late afternoon sunlight and went to fetch his battle axe.
I hope you have enjoyed reading Lorik (book 1). This story is set in the Five Kingdoms which was introduced in my best selling novel Wizard Rising. If you’d like to read more about the Five Kingdoms please utilize the links below.
The first three books of the Five Kingdom series compiled into one book
Wizard Rising (The Five Kingdoms Book One)
Magic Awakening (The Five Kingdoms Book Two)
Hidden Fire (The Five Kingdoms Book Three)
Crying Havoc (The Five Kingdoms Book Four)
Look for the epic conclusion to the best selling Five Kingdoms series in April, 2012.
You may also join the mailing list to get emails whenever a new novel is published at http://www.tobyneighbors.com/contact-me.html
And don’t forget to like the Toby Neighbors Author page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toby-Neighbors-Author/210621225652500
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
* * *
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
I hope you have enjoyed reading Lorik (book 1). This story is set in the Five Kingdoms which was introduced in my best selling novel Wizard Rising. If you’d like to read more about the Five Kingdoms please utilize the links below.
The first three books of the Five Kingdom series compiled into one book
Wizard Rising (The Five Kingdoms Book One)
Magic Awakening (The Five Kingdoms Book Two)
Hidden Fire (The Five Kingdoms Book Three)
Crying Havoc (The Five Kingdoms Book Four)
Look for the epic conclusion to the best selling Five Kingdoms series in April, 2012.
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Lorik (The Lorik Trilogy) Page 25
