by R. C. Rutter
Malcolm let go of the tree and walked back to the group. “They did not disappear. They all ran into the woods, in the direction of the mountains. They had been here for four days, in the same circle, not eating, not drinking, and not leaving. That is, until we showed up.”
Thorgon, Gweneviere, and Seth stood there with their mouths open, not quite believing what they were hearing.
Seth spoke first “You really have lost it. We were only joking about the trees talking and now you are starting to believe it yourself. We are going to have to watch this one for sure.”
“So what does it mean?” inquired Gweneviere. Thorgon, Malcolm and Seth all looked at one another. No one knew. They decided to ask in the next town about the wolves and the girl.
The next two days passed without incident. As they got closer to Bellow’s Bottom, they began to see more people. Hardly anyone spoke to them, instead averting their eyes whenever they got close.
Seth lowered his voice “Not a friendly town for sure. Either that or we smell really bad. Whatever it is, let’s get through the town as quickly as we can.”
With the reception so far, they thought it might attract less attention if they camped outside of town. They set up camp and Seth was voted least likely to arouse suspicion so he set off to the town.
* * *
Seth found a local pub and wandered in. Sunlight filtered in through the dirty windows. It was noisy, it was dusty, and it was full. Seth nodded to the barkeep and walked over to the bar. As he did, all sound stopped. Seth glanced around and everyone was staring straight at him. This could not be good. He put his hand on his sword and was immediately grabbed from behind.
“Follow me” was all the old man said. As he was holding Seth’s arm tightly, Seth had no choice. The occupants of the pub turned their attention back to their own matters. “Here, sit down now” beckoned the old man as he pushed Seth into the chair. “Why are you attracting so much attention to yourself? Can you be any more obvious by walking into this pub with a sword? Do you want to be killed or worse?”
Seth could not think of what ‘worse’ would be but did not argue the point. He looked right at the old man with his wrinkled face and piercing blue eyes. He somehow looked familiar but Seth could not quite place him. His beard flowing, long hair cascading down his back, wearing a long robe with sleeves that covered his arms, and he had sandals on his feet. Just what you would expect a wizard to look like. Just to complete the image, he was also carrying a large staff.
“Hey” Seth said out loud. “Are you a Wiz-“
The slap was quick and hard. Luckily with all the noise, it did not garner attention.
“Shut up you fool!” was all the old man said. He looked at Seth for a moment then continued “Are you trying to get us all killed or something worse?”
‘Again with the worse’ Seth thought to himself. He wasn’t quite grasping this conversation.
“Just sit there and be quiet. Mary, fetch the young lad a drink. Let it settle down some and then we shall talk. Just sit and observe.”
Seth looked at the old man and waited to be acknowledged. Once they had eye contact, he asked “Do you know anything about a girl and wolv”
The slap was quick and hard. Again the noise was loud and so no attention was given to his action.
“Shut up you fool!” was all the old man said again.
After a few more minutes the pub settled back into the normal routine. Seth was about to ask the old man for his name when the door opened and a man stood there in silence. He filled the doorway. Seth doubted if the stranger could actually fit through the door. He looked to be about the same size as Thorgon. Wearing a helmet, breastplate, and carrying two swords, he did not appear to be too friendly with his muscles bulging under his armor and his face rock hard. He just stood there and glared at everyone in the pub. Seth noticed that unlike himself, no one was making eye contact with the stranger. The visitor slowly turned his head from left to right not missing anyone. Seth was getting a bit agitated. He said “Enough of this, I shall take care of this quickly” and started to rise.
The old man stood up faster and forcibly pushed Seth back into the seat. “Fool” he said, “Are you trying to get us all killed or worse?”
‘Again with the worse than death comment’ Seth thought. “These people are all off their rocker” he thought to himself. He looked at the doorway but the stranger was gone. Seth started to open his mouth but the old man waved his hand and Seth was unable to move. He could not talk, could not raise his hands. All he could do was to watch.
The old man looked at him “Now, let us try this again. Just sit there and be quiet. Be as invisible as you can.” With that, the old man waived his hand and Seth felt his body relax but he dare not move nor speak.
After about ten minutes, the old man looked around the room. After he had taken it all in, he finally looked at Seth. “Now then, where were we? Oh yes, you were trying to get us all killed or worse.” Seth just rolled his eyes. “Allow me to introduce myself; I am called Eric of Laureate. I am aware of your journey but am surprised to see you traveling with the group. Are you sure you are well enough?” Seth started to open his mouth but the old man raised his hand. Seth quickly shut his mouth. The old man put down his hand. “I will not deny you passage here. It is your choice, clearly. Your sister is on a perilous journey without a doubt. They are many who oppose what she is doing and they are determined to stop all of you, particularly her.”
Eric stopped to take a breath and Seth quickly spoke “What danger? Why? What is so important? We have already met some of those assassins. Thorgon scared them away. It was a girl and a pack of wolves.”
As soon as he said that, Eric slammed his glass on the table. “Lydia? Here?” He took a moment to ponder what he just learned. “This is news indeed. There is a rumor you know. Well, I guess you would not know. Tell me, how many wolves were there? How was Lydia dressed? Did you notice anything unusual about her? Did she have one sword or two? What did she say? Did she kill anyone? When you first saw them, were they in a group or separate?”
Seth did his best to answer all the questions. Eric leaned back in his chair and said nothing. He stroked his beard and lit his pipe. “This could complicate matters greatly.” Eric turned to his right and said something to the man next to him who immediately got up and left the pub. Eric looked at Seth. “Let’s go. Hide your sword. It will do you no good, best not to antagonize him. Come boy, make haste. There is no time to lose.”
Seth struggled to keep up. They left the pub and walked east, passing two shops and turned into the alleyway. The man Eric sent was laying face down and not moving.
“I did not kill him” said the deep voice from the shadows. “Fool should know not to try to sneak up on me. I knew he was with you Eric, so I spared his life. Anyone else would be dead now, or worse.” Seth wanted to roll his eyes but dare not move. The man that Eric sent was Geoff the Great. Seth recognized him from the scar on his face and crest on his chest. No introduction was necessary. His battles were legendary, his scars even more famous. To fight him was certain death yet here he was, face down, motionless. Seth took a step backward.
The man who appeared briefly at the pub door now moved from the shadows into the light. He towered above Eric and everyone else. Seth realized that he only came up to the giants elbow. It was easy now to see all of his armor. Chain mail sleeves covered his arms from wrist to elbow. On the sides were hooks to catch swords. Once caught, you could disarm your enemy. Chain mail again covered his legs from his hips to his ankles. His muscles bulged against the protection.
“Well, my time is precious. What is it you want? I have already paid my debt to you so I owe you nothing. Consider this a courtesy. Next time I might not be so generous.”
For once, Seth had no intention of opening his mouth. Eric reached with his left hand and pushed Seth backwards, out of the way to make sure he did not do anything stupid.
“My dear Robald” said Eric. “Of co
urse your debt is paid in full. My life is a testament to that. Yet I find myself in need of your services.”
Robald looked at Eric, then at Seth. “What? To protect him? From what? A large mouse perhaps? Or a rat? Who would want to hurt him? He probably can’t even lift a sword?” Before Seth could respond, Eric flicked his wrist and Seth froze, unable to move.
“No” Eric replied. “Not him. William needs your help!”
“Huh” snorted Robald. “William. Where was William when my village was attacked? Where was William when I demanded justice and he simply dismissed me? Now he needs my help? You know the answer old man. Now, be gone before I lose all generosity.”
Eric started to object but thought better of it. He began backing up pushing Seth out of the alley. Eric was about to turn the corner when he looked at Robald. “I should mention before we go that Lydia was spotted in the forest recently.” Eric ducked around the corner and pushed Seth against the wall. “Shhhh. Hold still.” Seth wanted to say he was already frozen but there was no point.
The yelling from the alleyway was loud. Robald was throwing things around. A body flew past and landed in the street. It was Geoff, tossed like a rag doll. The rampage lasted for what seemed like an hour. Finally it grew quiet. Eric peeked around the corner and saw Robald sitting with his head in his hands. “Nothing quite like lost love to stir the emotions” Eric told Seth. “Especially love lost when you wanted it so bad and Robald is a very emotional guy.”
“Emotional?” Seth asked surprised. “He was ready to kill everyone.” Seth hesitated for a few seconds then said “Or worse. The guy is a raging lunatic. I am surrounded by weird people and it is getting stranger all the time.”
Eric approached Robald slowly. Robald lifted his arms, palms up like he was going to ask a question. Eric chose his words wisely “I have no idea. She was spotted in the clearing with wolves. No one spoke to her. She said several things to the wolves, then looked at Seth and his group, and then vanished. I have no idea why she is here. I have a suspicion but there is no way she would know about her past and future. We have already made alternate plans that don’t include her. It might be related to my friend here although I would be astonished if Lydia was aware of what they are doing. We have told only those who need to know.”
“If Lydia is here, then I must go” were the words uttered by Robald as he arose. Seth felt totally intimidated as he found himself standing right next to the giant. “What quest is this? No, never mind, that point is moot, I am going. Where is your army camped?” Robald was looking directly at Seth who ducked behind Eric.
“It is a small party. Too many and it would attract attention. It already has garnered too much interest. Now it is time to leave.” With that, Eric turned to Seth. “Take him to your camp and prepare to leave. You should be on the road within the hour. There are many dangers lurking here that should be avoided. Now make haste.”
As they walked Seth thought to himself “This is nuts. Eric is worried about attracting attention and he sends a giant with us. I walk into a pub and everything stops. This giant appears in the doorway and causes not a ripple. This is backwards.” Seth realized that he was being quickly left behind as he struggled to keep up with Robald’s gait.
* * *
Chapter Five
Captain Artemus held up his hand. The signal was passed from front to back. Then he closed his fist and swept both hands to the sides. Everyone knew what that meant. The soldiers split the column in two. The right side ran to the east side and the left to the west. Swords drawn and eyes alert, the soldiers waited in the bushes and trees. In just a few moments, Captain Artemus returned, walking down the middle of the road. A soldier from the Royal Army held a sword at his back. The Freedom Fighters began to rise in anticipation of a fight and all were met with swords at their backs. How the Royal Army managed to sneak up on them would be discussed for years. It was as if they did it by magic but the Royal Army had no such magic.
The Freedom Fighters were stripped of their weapons and gathered in the middle of the road. Their wrists were bound together and they were told to be silent. “You will obey me or you will die” were the words from the biggest, ugliest, soldier the fighters had ever seen. He mounted his horse and rode down the side of the column looking at the captured rebels and poking several with his sword. “Eyes forward. Prepare to march.” The captain reached the end of the column and was just starting to turn his horse around when the fighters heard a loud thump, followed by silence. The horse was not moving anymore. Several of the fighters could not hold back their curiosity and turned to look. The saddle was empty and the captain was nowhere in sight. The Royal Army soldiers were looking at one another wondering what to do. One of them went back to look. He walked over to the horse and stood beside it. With a blur of motion and a loud thump, he was gone. The rest of the Royal Army soldiers began to walk forward, not paying any attention to the captives. One by one, they all began vanishing from the column. The soldiers at the front began to run. The rampage continued until each one disappeared. During the commotion, the Freedom Fighters cut themselves free and gathered their weapons. No one wanted to stay around to find out what happened. They started back down the road watching everywhere cautiously.
Captain Artemus was leading the way. There was something in the road ahead. As they got closer, swords were drawn. It was only one person, cloaked with a hood. One shield, two swords. Captain Artemus slowed then stopped. The column stopped and waited to see what would happen. The figure stood tall and lifted a sword. It pointed the sword at each of them and spoke
“Protectors of us all,
beware of who you align with,
for you might fall,
Where is the girl?
The Daughter of the King?
Tell me now,
before I make my sword ring!”
The grizzled sergeant was the first soldier to speak. “We know nothing of what you…” He never finished his words. With a blur and a thump, he was gone. The lone figure spoke again
“Be careful now of what you say,
for if you lie,
you die today!”
The Freedom Fighters stood there motionless. No one dared speak. They should be able to attack. After all, it was many against one and from the tone of the voice; it appeared to be a woman or a girl at that. Several in the front of the group must have been thinking the same thing as they drew their swords. With a flash of movement and noise, they too were all gone.
The figure spoke again and the soldiers caught a glimpse of jewelry flashing.
“Cowards all, you boast of your skills,
now show me the remnants of those you have killed.”
No one moved.
“Well then warriors,
you are not brave and true,
I take pity on you,
for this is what I do. Behold!”
With that, the severed heads of all who had disappeared were thrown at the column from the trees and bushes. The Freedom Fighters all closed their eyes and kneeled on the ground, fearful to look. They already knew of the demon attack. This must be one of them. The noise became very loud. They knew they were being encircled and they waited to die. They listened to the heavy breathing and grunting for several minutes then it fell to silence. One by one the Freedom Fighters opened their eyes and stood up. Not a word was spoken. The lone figure was gone as were all the severed heads. The only thing left behind was animal tracks. They stared for several minutes before one soldier finally recognized the tracks. He looked at the other soldiers but could not find the words to speak. Taking his sword, he wrote in the dirt.
“Wolf!”
* * *
Seth and Robald approached the encampment. Seth called out “Yo, the youngest and bravest brother returns.”
Gweneviere ran to greet Seth. She stopped once she realized that he was not alone. She called out to Malcolm and Thorgon “Come quick, we have a visitor.” Thorgon rose quickly and grabbed his sword. Malcolm sat
there looking at a tree.
Thorgon ran to Gweneviere as Seth and the stranger approached. He quickly drew his sword and exclaimed “Ignorant son of a bonafide intellectual lightweight whose mere presence decries an insult to the theory of evolution.”
Everyone was stunned. Seth just glared at Thorgon. “What? Did you just equate size with ignorance?”
Thorgon said sarcastically “I thought you were educated in the town school, were you not?”
Seth was about to say something when he heard the sound of Robald approaching.
Robald drew his sword and pushed Seth out of the way, easily knocking him over.
“What a waste of oxygen to have you still breathing.” With that, he lunged at Thorgon.
Thorgon easily deflected the blow and kicked Robald between the legs. Robald howled but stood his ground. He picked up a large rock and threw it at Thorgon, striking him in the shoulder.
It was time for Thorgon to yell. “Now I see it, the same old Robald. Unable to carry on a conversation you resort to violence. What did you have to do that for? It hurts.”
