by J Silverado
He got up, settled the load on the body, started a fire with flint that he always carried, prepared a new torch, waited for the stars began to appear and began to walk again. The body complained to the last thread of the head, the pulsed injuries and abstinence worsened increasingly, but even so, Galaniel continued walking toward Saupor.
The sun was high when the sentinels of the east gate of Saupor saw the guardian practically crawling toward the city. One of the guards was to his aid and putting his arm without injuries over his shoulder, helped Galaniel to get to the city, where he was taken to the infirmary and treated by biota from there. When he was better, he said the head of the city guard what had happened and wondered if any had came wagon driver with a shoulder injury, accompanied by another man. – Yes, arrived yesterday, saying they were attacked by robbers on the way and narrowly escaped. – It was they who attacked the caravan and, together with one of the members, they killed the driver and tried to kill me too. I managed to kill their leader and hurt one of the henchmen, but they managed to escape. I came walking from the end of the Carnation Balkatar. Where are they? – After being treated, they were accompanied by a sentry. As you may know, when strangers arrive with injuries caused by other humans, they are considered suspicious. They bought groceries and left the city, saying they needed to deliver the cargo at the port of Kolpor because a boat was waiting to take her to Telkan. – So I need to leave immediately. I request that you give in a fast horse and some groceries so I can reach them before getting rid of the theft. – But and who will pay for it? – I am a guardian of the Citadel, I've been captain of the guard and the High Council member. Certainly I will pay you so get my possessions in Kolpor. – It may be that is what he is talking, but these ragged clothes and this drink breath unconvincing very...
The Guardian looks boring to the captain of the guard, and then look at your left hand index finger and cut a wide ring of gold with a perfectly cut ruby. – This gem is worth more than ten times what I am asking. I'll leave it with you as security for my return for payment. – The eyes of the captain of the guard flashed to look at the valuable object. – Right, right... You will have your horse and groceries – he says, waving his subordinates to provide quickly all the requested.
When Galaniel was already on the horse, with accommodated groceries, he turned one last time to the captain of the guard saying: – the ring is just as collateral. It was given to me as a reward for defending the judges of the Citadel of an attack of the spectra. If something happens to him, you want to be given away for free what I asked. – The captain of the guard tries an answer, but to see the guardian of the stone face, is silent, only nodding affirmatively.
Without further ado, Galaniel parts toward Kolpor, demanding his mount all energy, stops only to hydrate the animal. He reaches south Kolpor gate in the late morning, the poor animal with all the sweaty, from coming out of his mouth and snorting too.
Let the poor animal in the care of a groom, he says that he takes good care and even exhausted, headed for the port of Kolpor. Arriving there, asked the responsible anchors if any vessel had left. – No, sir, just the Illuminated Coat now leaves in the afternoon for the islands of Fheryn near Telkan. – Some wain unloaded goods it? – That I do not know not, sir, just control the receipt of tax for the stay of the boats. This you will have to do with the captain´s boat.
Galaniel goes to the Illuminated Coat and after asking a sailor, the captain, a man hardened by time and sun, with deep expression lines on your face and a thick beard, now gray with age. – What do you want, guardian? – You received a amalgam load a double that drove a wagon? – Yes, one of them was with the injured shoulder. Charging should follow to the islands for making special weapons. – No, charging will not. It is the product of a theft Zelj trader and the two will be arrested and tried for his crimes. – Do not tell me what I can or not carry, guardian – the captain says, while the crew is already approaching holding knives and clubs. – Do you really think accounts for the fight, Captain? Not sure I can fill this port with the guard in minutes?
The old man looks to Galaniel, sees their determination and contemporizes: – I will not get into mischief. What these two have already paid is as fee for loading and unloading work. – Oh, so, they also would go to the islands? – Yes, we will leave in two hours, so the tide rises. – All right, withdraw amalgam, put back on the wagon and cover it with a tarp. – So did the sailors at the behest of his captain. Because they are heavy, transportation took almost the whole period until the boat out. Moments before the assailants arrived, he brings with him a bottle of rum and a choked voice of someone who has drunk more than he should.
As they prepared to climb the boat access ramp, a voice is heard behind them: – Did you think you would not pay for what you did? I came to collect the debt. – The bottle of rum shatters on the floor while babbling with fear and shame, both draw their swords. – I will not have mercy. Are you sure that you prefer this way? – The answer was a blow that almost hits Galaniel's face. He dodges at the last moment. The second blow came from what was wounded, a short, horizontal attack, targeting the left thigh of the guardian, who pleads with his sword.
The fight ended quickly because, while the opponent, who initiated the attack tried another blow, Galaniel advances against him slamming the face of shield his body, falling awkwardly and Galaniel strikes with his sword burying it deep chest of the opponent, saying: – this is by "Wel and Muira," damn! – Seeing the death of the accomplice, the opponent remaining looses his sword, raising his arms in surrender.
After ties him up and puts it in the cart with the metal, Galaniel goes to the Citadel court, reporting the whole matter, leaving the killer and the charge to the court decides the case. He requested that their costs are properly paid, including the return of his left ring Saupor as collateral. – It is always a pleasure to see that it is still the same guardian ever, Galaniel – Judge Lenara speaks. – I appreciate the courtesy, dear Judge, but here I am no longer a mere shadow of what I once was. I could not protect the driver, spend my days and nights to drown old bitter memories to try to continue this mockery of life. I just could not allow these murderers to go unpunished.
When finished talking, he does reverence to the court and goes out into the city, more precisely to the bars of the port, at that time, he starts to get busy with the populace who worked all day and now wanted to have fun. Passing the port, he walked down the pier until he reaches a busy tavern. He went in and took a corner table in a dimly lit location, delivering a silver coin to the barkeep, said: – bring me something to eat and do not let my empty glass all night. – You can rest assured, sir. Here, in Steel Goela, no one is dry throat. – A chicken stew with potatoes and a dark broth indefinite taste feed the guardian that when the dish ends, already in its fourth mug of dark beer, when he sees a young man get excited, sitting on the counter and asking for a beer.
The bartender brings a wheat for him, and in time to pay, the boy opens his bag of coins carefree, revealing that he was well furnished and after paying, he talks happily with a customer who was at his side. – This will not work... – Galaniel thinks between sips. – When the boy asks the second mug and will pay, an individual who was already near the boy puts his hand on coin bag and pulls for you. But the boy is faster and screaming can get it back. – Do Not! I will not get... This idiot should not be here, let alone be showing cash at the counter of a tavern. It will be a good learning loses it – Galaniel thinks.
The confusion continues climbing and even coin bag flies through the bar, scattering them on the floor. The thief pulls a dagger and invests to attack the boy. – Shit! – Galaniel thinks, while giving the last sip in the fourth mug of beer and moments before the thief hits the boy, the guardian violently throws a beer mug on the head of the aggressor.
The thud makes the mug shatter and the thief gets dizzy. Galaniel already up by then and with a punch, hits full in the face of the thief, sending him spinning to the ground and his h
ead shakes the chairs nearby. The thief lets go of the dagger with the coup and Galaniel handles it in the air and throws it unerringly at the foot of the accomplice who had dropped the boy and coins, making him howl in pain as Galaniel enjoyed to punch his mouth and shatter much of his rotten teeth and causes fainting. The first thief, still reeling, grabs a bottle and breaking the background, leaving the sharp and sets out for the guardian, shouting threats. Tired of that struggle, Galaniel uses his shield, turning it into a metal wall and causing his opponent to fly over the counter making good damage. After getting take the tavern floor dagger and release his foot, the accomplice helps the other thief who was behind the counter and they both creep toward the tavern door. The fight then ended...
Rescue
Arriving at Moan’s home, avoiding being seen by neighbors, Galaniel knocks and Corinthian answers. When she see him, tears spring to his face and starts crying uncontrollably. The Guardian rushes into the house and comforts Corinthian.
Moan also was home, since he had decided not to open the fish shop that day. He had dark circles and red views, the face of those who had not slept in days. Galaniel squeezed his hand and, as he sat down, he began to explain why it is there and what would happen the next day.
When finished, the couple was astonished and after a few moments, began to thank him and give glory to God. The guardian interrupted, saying: – there is still much ground to thanks. You need to contact today the families of the other chosen and mark the venue, which should be close to the output of sewage from the Citadel, near the lake of stars. – I know where it is. Go there from time to time, catch crabs – the fishmonger answers. – Great, but remember: they must be very careful with whom they talk and what they talk. It's the best score with other families in a different location and then going to the real point, we never know how people will react – Galaniel warns.
The couple agrees, nodding and they start setting things up, happy and excited. – You should continue as they were, no one can suspect and besides... – pauses – should be made aware that they should hide for days, until the end and leads that could be arrested. – No matter, Corinthian bypasses. – My daughter being safe, the rest turns to us. Thank you, Galaniel, do not know how to repay. – Moan goes to the room and returns with a small bag. He removes from inside the gold coin that the guardian had given for so long. – Please stay with it, this is the only way I can afford. – Galaniel refuses, saying: – no need, your friendship is more than enough and you helped me when I needed, store, as you will need. Now, I need to go and you have a lot to do. Good luck to us all. – He goes out closing the door of the house and leaves the couple grappling with the preparations.
- Seventeen chimes. I have to be at the Citadel in a maximum of two hours. I must hurry – Galaniel thinks. Upon reaching the outside of the house, he feels the characteristic coffee aroma, bringing him a slight smile to face. – Do not lose the hand huh, Mom? – he says, hugging her from behind and suspending her in the air. – Put me down, Galaniel, that there are ways – Eushaniel scolds with a smile, holding the wooden spoon that was stirring the coffee. The sisters come to the kitchen, see the brother and begin to make the party, with hugs and kisses. – You do not have homes to care? – Galaniel pins because only Syura remains single, but already engaged to a bionte. – And you, unnatural son, do you not come not see our mother for how long? – Eloe critics, the oldest. – I see whenever I can. I'm not quiet life you have, sister. – Stop, you two, you do not want fight in my house - Eushaniel closes the discussions. – Let's sit down at the table to have lunch. – Only if it is fast, mother. I hurry and come to speak something important to you. – Okay, okay, but talk after breakfast. The world will not end in half an hour. Come on, feel.
Half reluctantly, the guardian sits and boats, eating little rushed and he participates in the animated conversations of her sisters, that had very subjects to speak. When he heard the temple bell announcing six o'clock, Galaniel could no longer wait and interrupted the conversation at the table. – Mother, sisters, I can not take me. – Let’s bullshit Gala, see if it does not disturb, – Syura complains. – Galaniel gets up and speaks in stronger tone: – I'm not kidding, Syura. Listen to what I have to say, because I have to leave. – Eushaniel raises his right hand, showing that both silence and daughters are silent. - Tell me, my son, what ails you. – What I will say can not leave this table, talk to their husbands if they feel for good, but only tomorrow. – So the guardian reports briefly what will happen and that they can be boycotted.
An eerie silence makes the table. Soon after, the sisters begin to talk all at the same time. Eushaniel again raises his hand for all to shut up: – Galaniel, do what you have to do. I know it did not consider this matter lightly, we will take our shares to protect us, save those innocent. – Atilea and Ylana were crying, thinking of the problems that it would bring, the other tried to console them. Sorry to bring trouble to his family, the guardian gets up and walks towards the door. – Son! – the matriarch speaks.
Galaniel turns to the mother, already the home of the exit door: – sorry to bring you grief, my mother, I know you have been through many bits, I would not want to bring you more. – Shhh. I always knew you had come to do something important. First I thought it was to continue our caste, but now I see that it will be something else. Go in peace and with my blessing, my son. God be with you and guide your actions. – Eushaniel put her hands in the face of his son and kisses the both sides.
Galaniel looks deep in his mother's eyes, while holding the shoulders and says: – I will come back, mother, please take care. – She nods in affirmation. – The guardian of with teary eyes and when she sees his son go, tears, hitherto repressed, are outside of Eushaniel eyes, watching him disappear in the bend of the road.
The guardian arrives at the Citadel few minutes before its close, going gently straight to the barn. – Open, it is I. – Galaniel knocks on the door whispering. – A port is unplugged hole in one eye and appears in the gap, and then the hole to be plugged back as the door is opened. When closed, Rion vents: – thought not come! Where the hell were you? – Taking care of the preparations, captain – The use of the patent shows that Galaniel did not like the reprimand. – Sorry, sir, that is we were all concerned – the repairs onwards. – No problem, Rion. Are they all here? – This is the problem, sir. Meneol did not appear and the gate of the Citadel already closed. We thought he was with you and when we arrived alone, we are even more concerned. – Something must have stopped him. We will have to go on without him. – The group nods in the affirmative, however, the guardian finds it very strange absence, soon responsible for the place where they were.
- Hrothgar, you and your brother in the wake. If you pass a mouse a thousand feet, I wonder – Galaniel determines. – Yes, sir –the mentale answers, hitting on his brother's shoulder and goes up to the internal staircase and each takes one of the windows. Hrothgar takes two ovals and transparent crystals of his backpack, conjures a display on both spell and delivers it to Relfer. – Boy, that your spell is great, pity we did not like the view, you can see clear as day and still approach things. – I know, I know, it does not help that will not leave you with the crystal and see if it takes care not forgotten that you broke. – You look like an old nagging, to cheer think bad. That time was not my fault, it was with the dirty hand of butter. Slipped... – Answer, brother – Walk, closed and open eye beak. If we do not see anything, it will be you who will speak for Gala – Hrothgar responds. Hear, Relfer, be quiet and pay close attention to demand.
An hour passed and neither such mice appeared. Inside the barn, the warriors prepare the last things to go into action. Relfer appears on the stairs and says: – so far, no movement. All quiet, thank God – Rion came. – Great, will not have to worry about with last-minute problems.
Galaniel, for winding the rope, looks at the group and says: – get ready, let's get out of here now. Our position has been compromised. – Rion, surprised, replies: – but,
sir, they did not see anything? This is not good? – And over the years, Rion, you've seen the Citadel with no Night Watch? – The forward is shocked and tells the group: – Relfer, go down with your brother. Codaino, collect the materials along with Pelokir.
Quickly, the group meets with all the necessary equipment and prepares to leave. – Observe silence, we will walk spaced, using the shadow. Walk toward the food warehouse next to the tower. Relfer, pass me the crystal, I'll finally – Galaniel speaks, pointing the crystal to the guardhouse of the towers, placed it in a shadow in front of the barn door. The group lined up, the brothers first, Pelokir, Codaino, Rion and finally Galaniel. As the guardian suspected, there were two guards in each tower, all with view of crystals and took turns looking at the Carmine tower and the magazine. When the guards were watching the tower, Galaniel hits the shoulder of a warrior so this was for the deposit. One by one the group was moving and when it was time for Galaniel, Hrothgar watched the towers. The magazine had been left as it was originally, or very near it.
Codaino helds the key of the deposit, it was always instructed to seek supplies for Council meetings. All were already in the tank, but concerned about what was happening. – It had to be that scoundrel. When I put my hands on that stork's neck, I'm leaving like a dry twig – Rion vents. – Damn him and his offspring to the fifteenth future generation – Codaino complements. – He will not have offspring, because when I leave here, I will castrate this miserable, – Relfer concludes with a dagger in his right hand and as if hold something underneath to the left, passing the blade over.
– Settle down, focus on the mission then take care of Meneol. As the adage goes, "revenge is a dish best served cold." – The guardian seeks to calm the group.
