The rest of the prisoners came out of the hut with Garel, Farondil, and Belim following.
Darkan made it down to the base of the hill. “We don't have time for a reunion. We need to get out of here before we're spotted.
“Don't worry, they're with me,” he told his parents.
The prisoners and the Rangers ran to the cover of the hills. The barbarians were still focused on putting out the fires. They hadn't been spotted.
Darkan breathed a sigh of relief. Now they needed to meet up with Demorac.
The group circled around the village. A few of the prisoners had trouble traversing the uneven terrain with their hands tied behind their backs but Belim and Garel kept them upright.
“Everyone keep low,” Darkan reminded everyone.
Aiden could feel the heat of the fire against his face as they made it to the southwestern side. Darkan signaled for everyone to start making their way back to Icebor. Garel led the party and Aiden took his knife and began cutting everyone's ropes.
“Demorac should've been here,” Farondil told Darkan.
Darkan peeked over the hill at the village. “I know. Something must've gone wrong.”
“We can't stay any longer. The barbarians will be sending out scout parties once they find the prisoners gone.”
Darkan nodded. “I know.”
Chapter Nineteen
Demorac came bounding over the hill, out of breath, and with a large red gash in his left arm.
The Rangers had just left the meeting spot with the prisoners. He could see them cresting a hill a hundred yards away.
The blood loss made him pale and lightheaded but he had to catch up with the party before the barbarians caught up with him.
Demorac ran as fast as he could, almost stumbling over his own feet.
Darkan heard a noise and spun around with his bow drawn. Demorac stood before him with a smile and blood dripping from both arms.
“Mission accomplished,” he said before closing his eyes and fainting in Darkan's arms.
Demorac was still alive but barely. Darkan called over for Farondil to help carry Demorac. They dragged him to the rest of the group.
But there was no time to rest.
Darkan and Farondil sat Demorac on the ground when they heard noises coming from the hills behind them.
“Do you hear that?” Farondil asked.
“Sounds like a war party is coming after us.”
Farondil pointed to Demorac. “We aren't going to move very fast.”
A weak voice came from below. “Leave me behind.” Demorac turned on his side and opened an eye.
Farondil crouched down on one knee. “That's too bad, Demorac, because we're taking you with us whether you like it or not.”
Demorac laughed and began coughing up blood. Farondil examined the wound on his arms and deemed it not too serious. He had reopened the wound that he received when scouting Icebor. But he noticed Demorac's tunic was also soaked with blood.
Farondil took Darkan out of ear shot of Demorac. “He won't make it unless we get him back immediately.”
Darkan looked out to the hills where the party of angry barbarians would no doubt appear soon. “Get him and go. I'll stay behind and hold them off for as long as I can.”
Farondil stepped forward. “I would like to volunteer for this job.”
Darkan shook his head. “Sorry, but I'm the leader and I say I'm the only that gets to sacrifice himself today.”
He looked past Farondil at the group of prisoners they rescued. Aiden was helping his parents to some water. Darkan wanted to say goodbye but Aiden had such a big smile on his face that he didn't want to ruin it.
“Tell Aiden I love him,” Darkan said.
“Good luck,” Farondil replied.
They clasped each other's arms and Darkan was off into the night.
Farondil helped Demorac to his feet and ordered the party to keep moving.
–
Aiden was too busy making sure his parents were all right to notice Darkan leaving. It wasn't until they were far away when he looked around and couldn't find him.
Aiden spotted Farondil at the back of the group with Demorac stumbling under his arm. “Is he okay?” he asked.
Farondil strained as he tried to keep Demorac from tripping over his own feet. “He will be if we can get him back to the Kingdom.”
“Where's Darkan?”
Farondil didn't know how to answer. “He's scouting behind us to make sure that we aren't being followed.”
Aiden looked behind them at the rolling hills. Farondil wasn't sure that he believed him but it seemed to work when he went back to his parents.
–
Darkan set up at the top of a hill and could see torch lights a few hills away. It wouldn't be much longer before the barbarians were upon him. He took out every arrow in his quiver and stuck them into the ground until they made a wooden fence around him.
If he was going to get out of this alive, he would need to fire every arrow as quick as he could. And he didn't feel like sacrificing himself today. Not when Aiden was waiting for him.
He counted the arrows on the ground and cursed when he only got to six.
“Hope it's a small war party,” he said to himself.
He kept low to the ground to keep his position hidden. He needed the element of surprise. The light became brighter as the barbarians approached.
Darkan got onto his knees took an arrow out of the ground. He nocked it and pulled back the string until it was taut against his cheek. He waited until the first barbarian peaked the hill, his head just barely in sight.
He let go the arrow and it soared through the night sky until it landed with a thud into the barbarian's head. The man fell backward down the hill and Darkan could hear a commotion as the group discovered their dead friend.
The barbarians shouted an order for everyone to get down which is exactly what Darkan was hoping for. They had no idea what Darkan's position was or how many there were. The more time it took for them to figure it out and kill Darkan, the more time Aiden and the Rangers had to get to safety.
Darkan nocked another arrow and waited patiently. It only took a few moments for another head to crest over the hill. Darkan let the arrow fly but the barbarian ducked before the arrow reached him.
“Dammit. Keep it cool and wait for the perfect shot. Only four arrows left.” He strung another arrow and stretched the bowstring.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a barbarian trying to come around the hill to scout out his location. An arrow through his chest made sure the barbarian wouldn't be able tell his group where Darkan was.
Three arrows left.
Darkan had no idea how big the barbarian group was. They were still hidden behind the hill. For all he knew, there could be thousands waiting to attack.
Two came running over the ridge, swords in the air, screaming a battle cry. Darkan didn't let that scare him. He fired his first arrow into the throat of one and immediately fired another into the leg of the other barbarian.
The barbarian left alive dragged himself up and over the hill. Darkan didn't want to waste his last arrow on someone who couldn't even fight anymore.
He pulled his last arrow from the ground and kissed its head. “You better be able to kill at least twenty barbarians when I let you loose.”
He readied his bow and watched the hill. The light from their torches still glowed against the dark night. Sweat dripped from his forehead. After this arrow he'd have to resort to close combat with his dagger.
Darkan waited and waited but the barbarians never came. He heard an order of retreat and the glowing light of the torches began to move away from him.
Darkan relaxed his bowstring and fell to the the cold ground from exhaustion. “The gods must be watching over me.”
Chapter Twenty
The Rangers, Aiden, and the prisoners made it to Icebor as the sun crept over the horizon.
Farondil and Garel had to help the unconsc
ious Demorac into one of the huts. “I'm going to need bandages,” Farondil said.
“I'll ask Aiden if the village has any medical supplies,” Garel replied.
“Better get some ale too.”
“For you or for Demorac?”
Farondil laughed. “I think we're both going to need it.”
Aiden stood at the edge of the village, looking across the river and to the hills. He thought that Darkan would come bounding over the hill at any moment.
“Aiden, do you know where I could find some medical supplies?”
He turned to find Garel behind him but his attention went back to the hills. Aiden's hands were clasped so tight together that he couldn't even bring them apart if he wanted to.
Garel knew exactly what he was worried about. “He'll be back. Darkan knows how to take care of himself.”
“I know. But I still fear that he will never come back.”
“We need bandages for Demorac. Do you know where we can find some?”
Aiden sighed and began walking through the village without saying another word to Garel.
He brought him to his home that hadn't been touched since that day the barbarians raided. His parents were inside picking up pieces of broken pottery.
“Mother, can we get some bandages? One of the Rangers is seriously injured.”
Eliden nodded and ran off to the kitchen. She came back quickly with so many bandages that they were falling out of her arms. “Will this do?”
Garel nodded. “Thank you those will do fine.” He took the bandages from her and ignored the ones that had fallen on the ground. “I'll be off now. I must get these to Farondil.”
Aiden was left alone with his parents. They all hugged for several minutes, enjoying each other's love.
“Thank you for coming for us,” Raldar said. “But never do that again!”
Aiden was shocked by his booming voice.
“We could never forgive ourselves if you were hurt because of us.”
Eliden agreed with him and Aiden could only stand there and accept it. “I know I'm sorry. I just couldn't let you both become slaves to those barbarians.
They hugged again with a lot of kissing on the cheeks.
“I'm just glad were all back home and in one piece. I guess we have your Rangers to thank for that.”
“I think I will cook them a glorious feast,” Eliden said. She noticed that Aiden wasn't even listening to them anymore. He seemed far away. “What's wrong dear? Shouldn't you be happy that we're all back here safe and sound?”
Aiden shook out of his daze. “I am happy. It's just that Darkan is still out there.”
Eliden smiled. “You care for that man, don't you?”
Aiden blushed. “Well I'm not sure.”
Eliden took his hand. “You're my son, Aiden. You can't hide your feelings from me.”
“I think I'm in love, Mother.”
“That's great news!” Eliden hugged her.
Ralder stood there with his arms crossed. “I will have to approve of this man before you can go with him.”
Aiden couldn't confess that he'd “gone with him” already. His parents wouldn't understand.
“I just wish I knew that he was all right.”
Aiden left his hut and went back to the river overlooking the hills. The stream was quiet today, a few fish could be seen swimming in the clear water. A figure appeared over the hill. Aiden couldn't quite make out what it was.
It almost looked like a barbarian. He wore a furry coat just like they did.
Aiden thought that this could be the beginning of another raid. Losing his parents again would be unbearable. He looked around for someone to call out for help when he heard a familiar voice across the river.
“Did you miss me?”
Darkan was back.
Darken stumbled down the hill towards the river. He had a barbarian coat around his shoulders and his bow stowed behind his back.
Aiden couldn't wait for Darkan to come to him. He jumped into the river and sloshed his way to him.
They met in the middle of the river and Aiden jumped into a hug that almost knocked Darkan over.
“Easy there,” he said.
Aiden kissed him a hundred times before he stepped away and examined him. “Are you okay? Are you injured?” He checked under his coat for any signs of blood.
Darkan grinned. “I'm fine. Just very tired.”
“Let's get you back to my house so you can rest.”
“First tell me how Demorac is?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Darkan entered the hut that was being used as a makeshift hospital. Some of the prisoners they rescued had been injured in the raid on Icebor and they had not been treated while at the barbarian camp.
Darkan passed a few beds until he came upon Demorac. He lay still with his eyes closed, taking shallow breaths. All of his clothing was stained dark with blood. Darkan knelt next to the bed and held his hand. Demorac stirred for a moment but never came conscious.
Farondil approached Darkan from behind. “He's been severely injured. But I think he's going to be okay.”
“We wouldn't have been able to pull this off without him. He must've held off dozens of barbarians.”
“And I assume you did the same,” Farondil replied.
“A war party was on our tail and I was able to scare them away with a few arrows. They didn't even get close enough to touch me.”
Farondil slapped him on the back. “That's why you're the leader of the Rangers of the Old Forest. Now get out of here so Demorac can get some rest.”
“Rest sounds good right about now.”
“I can set up a bed for you here.”
“No, I think I'll go back to our camp in the Old Forest. Send word if Demorac's condition worsens.”
Darkan left the hut and found Aiden standing outside his home. “I'm going to go back to my camp.”
“You've been on such a long journey. Shouldn't you rest here?”
“Right now, Aiden, the only thing I want is to be close to you and in my own bed.” Darkan hooked Aiden by the waist and pulled him in for a kiss. His tongue quickly touched Aiden's and pulled away. Just enough to get a taste.
And just enough to convince Aiden to do anything.
“I'm coming with you then. Only to make sure you don't collapse before you get to your camp.”
–
Aiden and Darkan made it back to the Old Forest to find the camp empty. The rest of the Rangers had stayed back in Icebor, meaning they were all alone.
“I'll get a fire started and you lay down,” Aiden ordered.
Darkan couldn't argue with that. He found his bed of soft furs next to the fire and curled under. The heat of the flames warmed his sore limbs as he lay there.
Aiden joined him under the furs and nestled into his arms. “I never got to thank you for everything you did for me.”
Darkan looked deep into his eyes. “I'd do anything for you. Anything.”
Aiden couldn't help himself. He reached up and kissed him. Darkan's throbbing cock grew to great lengths against his leg. “Oh my gods. You're so big.”
They quickly stripped off their clothes until they were completely naked.
“Now let me thank you,” Aiden said, laying a trail of kisses down his neck and chest. He made his way past his solid abs and found his bouncing boner. Aiden gripped it like he would a sword and stroked him. Darkan bit his bottom lip and knocked his head backward.
Aiden inserted Darkan's giant cock into his mouth. Darkan's nails dug into Aiden's shoulders as his head bobbed up and down.
“You have no idea how good that feels,” Darkan moaned.
Aiden wrapped his lips tight around Darkan's base and sucked hard. Darkan's eyes rolled back. Aiden knew he couldn't last much longer.
He desperately wanted Darkan's seed in his mouth but there was somewhere else he needed it more. Aiden rubbed his own shaft while he went down on Darkan. His fingers returned with sticky pre-cum.
<
br /> Aiden was so ready.
“I need you inside me, Darkan. Now more than ever.” Aiden let go of Darkan's massive meat and bent over.
Royal Blood Complete Series Box Set Page 53
