Elf Lords: 02 - Last of the Elf Lords

by Richard Saunders

  He spotted riders in the distance. “That must be them.” He spoke aloud, as Kadoola’s entourage road into view. The Libertine leader had nearly three dozen armed riders traveling with him. McRawl knew that there would be more following behind, and he guessed that Kadoola probably had several men already in town searching for signs of trickery.

  McRawl pointed to the riders in the distance as he called the troll into action, “After the horsemen, kill them all!”

  The troll reacted instantly to the command. It climbed over the ledge and dropped down the side of the building to the muddy street below. It then charged head long into the direction of the oncoming riders. McRawl watched as the troll advanced. He doubted that the beast would succeed, but that mattered naught. It was to serve as a distraction to provide his archer the opportunity to assassinate the rival rebel leader without being seen, at least until after he had fired his fatal arrow. Kadoola’s men reacted as expected upon seeing the charging beast. They formed a wall between the troll and their leader. A few fell back to cover Kadoola’s flanks and rear. Little did they realize that their actions were part of McRawl’s scheme to help identify their leader’s position among their ranks. Now the archer knew exactly who among the many men to target. Two men fired arrows at the advancing troll. One struck the beast in the shoulder, while the other missed completely. The creature did not respond to the injury. Only then did the men realize that they were up against something more dangerous. Three kicked their horses into a charge, attempting to run the beast down. The troll leaped high enough between two of the horses to grab a pair of riders and pull them to the ground, ripping their throats open without slowing down.

  The troll was not amidst the soldiers. The defensive parameter surrounding Kadoola clearly marked him as the target. He could not help but wonder why the archer had not fired upon the rival leader yet. A large black raven landed on the ledge of the building. For a moment McRawl mistook it for the rook belonging to Kataard. He was about to shoo it away when a voice startled him from behind.

  “An omen of death.” The oddly familiar voice spoke. The raven flapped its wings and flew away from the rooftop as McRawl spun about, drawing his sword as he moved. Three men stood behind him on the rooftop. He did not know how they had snuck up on him as they did, but he recognized two of them: Seth and Doogal. The half-elf thief allowed the rope that he had tied into a noose to dangle from his left hand. “I have waited a long time for this.”

  Seth displayed a bow and two green-fletched arrows. “Your assassin is dead. Kadoola will reach the summit safely.”

  McRawl was not about to stand around and talk. He had to take action if he was going to get off of this roof alive. The seasoned warrior lunged forward, raising his sword as he went directly after Doogal.

  “He is mine!” Doogal ordered. He raised his blade in his right hand, ready to face off with McRawl.

  Seth and Reldoor moved to either side of the fighting pair, ready to enter the fray when needed, as they watched the two swordsmen go at each other. McRawl pressed forward, pushing Doogal back as he used his years of experience to gain the advantage over the former fighter turned thief. Doogal backed away, parrying the other man’s blows as he sought the correct moment to strike.

  “I’m going to finish you off this time.” McRawl challenged.

  Doogal met his opponent’s sword, blow for blow. “You said that once before, maybe that should be a lesson to you. Next time you kill a man, make sure he’s dead before you move on.”

  Doogal jumped aside. “Now!”

  McRawl thrust his sword forward, missing the dodging half-elf completely. He did not notice Seth tossing a lasso around his neck until it was pulled tight. Indeed, he had failed to notice a rope in the boy’s possession. The noose in Doogal’s hand—which he had tossed aside as he advanced on McRawl—had been merely a distraction. McRawl reached for the rope with his free hand, permitting Doogal the opportunity to slash his blade across McRawl’s sword arm. The warrior’s involuntary reaction to the injury caused him to let go of his weapon. Doogal lunged forward, punching McRawl in the stomach with his left fist. He spun around behind the man, bringing his sword to rest against McRawl’s exposed throat. “Now you will pay for what you did to Lorili.” He spoke coldly. “Tie the end to something sturdy.”

  “Grab his pouch first.” Seth insisted.

  Doogal yanked the pouch containing the crystal orb from McRawl’s sword belt. “Here.” He said, tossing it to Reldoor.

  Doogal dropped his sword, grabbed McRawl and wrestled the man to the building’s edge. McRawl tried to resist, but was unable to stop Doogal’s momentum. His knees struck the low wall just as the half-elf pushed him from behind. McRawl tumbled over the side of the building, dropping several feet before the rope halted his decent. McRawl grunted as his body jerked at the end of the rope. His arms and legs flailed about as the captain made a futile attempt to free himself from the noose. Doogal looked down at the struggling man as he died. The raven flew past McRawl just as his body gave out. The bird’s cry was the last thing the captain heard.

  “Give me the assassin’s bow.” Doogal said, as he continued watching McRawl swinging back and forth below him.

  Reldoor picked up the bow and both arrows from the rooftop where Seth had tossed them at the start of the fight. As he handed them to Doogal, he asked, “What are you going to do?”

  Doogal tossed them over the side of the building. In the distance he could see Kadoola’s men regrouping after slaying the troll. Seven bodies lay scattered about in the aftermath, not counting the two who had been felled attempting to charge the troll. “They will see McRawl hanging here soon enough and come to investigate. Seeing the bow and arrows on the ground, and in the same location from where the troll appeared from, they will no doubt put two-and-two together.”

  “We better get moving before they come.” Seth suggested.

  Doogal agreed, “I cannot imagine what Marlow will have to say when Kadoola asks him why his captain tried to kill him.”

  “Hopefully, he will receive Seebaul’s message informing him of our daring rescue.” Seth grinned as they rushed to escape down the opposite side of the building.

  Chapter Twenty

  General Kadoola removed his soaking wet grey cloak as he stomped into the tavern that had been cleared of patrons by his personal guard. He was a big man. His long black hair and a thick beard and mustache covered most of his face, earning him the nickname Bear, though very few would dare to call him that to his face. He sat down, with his back to the wall, at the farthest table.

  The General served in the southern command of the Roolemian Empire for much of his life. Unlike most of the empire’s senior officers, Kadoola was staunchly opposed to slavery. When the current emperor assumed the throne a dozen years ago, he had escalated the empire’s expanse southward, increasing the slave trade as well. When the rebellion began and both Kadoola’s family and home village sided with the Libertines, the general followed their lead, and was immediately selected to command the rebel army. A few months into the revolution, the Libertine leader was assassinated and the reigns of power fell, by default, upon Kadoola’s shoulders.

  “The place is secure.” Kadoola’s second in command—a youthful soldier named Cika—informed the general.

  “Is it true that the man found hanging was one of Marlow’s captains?” Kadoola asked.

  Cika nodded, “Captain McRawl, he served Marlow’s Warlord directly.”

  General Kadoola pounded his fist on the tables, “Marlow is a fool!”

  “I’ll second that.” Someone spoke from the kitchen doorway.

  Kadoola’s guards jumped at the sudden entrance of Seebaul. Seth, Doogal and Reldoor escorted Megan into the room behind the Elf Lord.

  “Who are you?” Cika asked.

  “I am Seebaul, Elf Lord of the ancient kingdom of the elves, and currently the guardian of orphans and escaped slaves. This beautiful young woman is Princess Megan Sergius, daughter of Que
en Petra Sergius; High Queen of the Westland.”

  Kadoola rose to his feet. “Princess,” he bowed, “I heard that you were kidnapped. Please accept my apologies for the behavior of some of my countrymen.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet such an honorable man, General Kadoola.” Megan curtsied as she replied to the rebel leader.

  Seebaul leaned on his green staff. “I believe that we have a common problem, General.”

  “I assume that you are referring to Alister Marlow.” Kadoola asked.

  “Marlow is an unknowing puppet.” Seebaul declared, “His Warlord is the true power behind the Lardashens. He is clever enough to permit Marlow to believe that he is in charge.”

  “The Warlord is the one who kidnapped me.” Megan announced.

  Kadoola’s forehead clenched, “If that is true, then he should be hanged.”

  “It is true, all right.” Seebaul vowed.

  “Am I to assume that you are responsible for the failed attempt on my life?” Kadoola inquired.

  Seebaul pointed to Seth, Doogal and Reldoor, “These three caught the captain in the act and took matters into their own hands.”

  “Then I am in your debt.” Kadoola thanked the trio.

  Cika addressed the general, “How do we know that they speak the truth?”

  “I believe them, Cika. Seebaul’s reputation precedes him, and I have no doubt that this beautiful young woman is the Princess of Alexon.

  “Now about our mutual problem.” He addressed the Elf Lord.

  Seebaul turned to Megan, “Princess, before we continue our conversation with the good General, I would like to get your assessment of the situation.”

  Megan appeared confused.

  “Your special talent.” The Elf Lord continued. He looked back to Kadoola and said, “Princess Megan has the gift of truth-seeing. She can tell an honest man from a dishonest one with ease.”

  Kadoola eyed the princess, “Very well, Princess, I look forward to your assessment.”

  Megan smiled at the general. “There is no need, General. I knew from the moment that we entered, that you are an honest man. I wish that I could say the same for your attaché over there.” Megan pointed at a well-dressed man sitting at the next table, rummaging through a leather satchel.

  Upon hearing Megan’s accusation, the man jumped to his feet, “Lying bitch!”

  “Watch your tongue, Fedoran!” Kadoola berated his aide. “Princess Megan, Fedoran has served me for several years now. I have never had a reason to question him.”

  Megan frowned, “Nevertheless General, I can assure you that he is not to be trusted.”

  Fedoran was indignant, “I will not stand here and have my honor questioned by a woman.”

  “I agree,” Kadoola said to his attaché, “as a member of my cabinet, your reputation should not be questioned by an outsider. However, your defensive behavior and inappropriate response towards Princess Megan following her accusations have made it necessary for me to question your loyalty. Search his satchel!”

  Fedoran protested as Cika grabbed the leather case away from the aide and began rifling through it. Fedoran became visibly nervous when a scroll was removed. Cika unrolled the scroll and began reading it. “General, it is a correspondence with one of the officers of the Empire.”

  “He is my cousin.” Fedoran offered in his defense.

  “A cousin; who just happens to be thanking you for intelligence involving the Libertine army, and providing instructions for further deliveries.” Cika said before handing the scroll to Kadoola.

  The general read the message, “How long have you been a traitor?”

  “It is you who are a traitor to the Empire!” Fedoran proclaimed. He drew his short sword and lunged at the general.

  Cika was on the opposite side of the table, and was therefore unable to intervene. There was no one between Kadoola and his attacker, and the general had foolhardily draped his sword belt over the back of his chair. Kadoola raised his hands to defend himself from Fedoran’s attack as his officers and guards rushed to the general’s defense. Fedoran advanced too quickly for anyone to reach him in time. He raised his short sword, directing it at Kadoola’s chest as he moved forward. The general grabbed the table, throwing it up into Fedoran’s path. Just then, the would-be assassin stumbled. His eyes went wide and he dropped the short sword. Fedoran fell to the floor with a knife protruding from between his shoulder blades.

  “Well done, Jaylen.” Seebaul spoke up.

  Kadoola looked beyond the fallen man who had attempted to murder him, to the six newcomers, and one very large black dog, that had entered through the front door without anyone other than the Elf Lord noticing them.

  “Father!” Megan ran to embrace Jordan.

  Kadoola looked about the room at his officers, who were just as surprised as he was, then he returned his attention to the newcomers, “Not that I am ungrateful for your intervention, but are any of my guards watching this building?”

  Jordan held Megan tightly in his arms. “Our apologies General, but my friend, Prince Landis, sort of charmed your guards into allowing us to pass.”

  The Prince-Regent introduced his companions to the general. Kadoola opened his arms wide in greeting, “It is a pleasure indeed to meet true legends.”

  “How did you find us?” Seebaul asked.

  Landis answered, “Tessa found us in the Tilsaw. We ran into Trian and his dragon. They captured Natis. Katryn rescued us and teleported us to your sanctuary. There we learned what you were up to, so Tessa brought us here to join you.”

  “You have impeccable timing.” Seebaul offered.

  Seebaul addressed the general, “I believe that it would be best for you to return to your camp before Marlow and Trian make another attempt on your life. Spread the word of their betrayal.”

  “What about the Supreme Commander and Warlord?” Kadoola asked.

  “We will take care of them.” The Elf Lord offered.

  “I cannot just return home empty handed.” Kadoola objected.

  Jordan stepped forward, “You do not have to, General Kadoola. Since my daughter obviously trusts you, then perhaps you can return with a treaty between us, offering Alexon’s assistance to your cause, should the two rebel factions unite under your command.”

  “That would be worth the trip.” Kadoola accepted.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Landis had been barely able to contain himself as Jordan and Megan sat with General Kadoola, as the trio drafted two copies of what Jordan called a Letter of Intent between Alexon and the Libertines. The letter would assure that Alexon would recognize the Libertine Rebels as a sovereign nation seeking to break free of the Empire of Roole. The agreement would not provide arms or soldiers. That would require the Queen’s authorization, and perhaps the approval of the Council of Elders. It would, however, give Kadoola the recognition he needed to attempt to unite the two rebel factions into one unified opposition body.

  While the rest of the companions talked back and forth about their recent adventures, Doogal sat alone in the far corner of the room. He sipped on a mug of ale, taking fond satisfaction in the long overdue death of McRawl. Still, the death of the final conspirator in the murder of the woman he had loved—and their unborn child—did nothing to relieve the loss. He had sought revenge for so long now that he felt empty without someone to focus that rage upon. Doogal did not know how to proceed from here. He had never considered life without the search for vengeance. As he sat there, the black elven-wolf-hound sidled up beside his chair. Shadow laid her massive jowls upon the half-elf’s knee. Doogal looked down at the beast and lowered his hand to scratch the dog behind the ears.

  Tessa walked up behind him. “She likes you; that makes you a man of good character.”

  Doogal snickered at the remark. “Poor animal obviously does not know how do judge people. Good character is not something that I have been accused of having.”

  Tessa snapped her fingers, prompting Shadow to come to her sid
e. “You underestimate yourself. Shadow is an excellent judge of people. If she trusts you, then I trust you. You rescued the princess. Seebaul and Seth both have faith in you. That is more than most men can boast.”

  “Half-man.” Doogal spat, using the phrase that had been hurled at him so often during his life.

  “Look at me.” Tessa insisted.

  Doogal turned to face the Ranger. She was beautiful. Her ponytail had been undone. Her long brown hair draped her face to hang well below her shoulders. From a distance she would easily be mistaken for a full human, but up close her elven features were quite evident.

  “You remember that I too am half-elf.” Tessa commented.

  Doogal apologized. “I did not mean to sound so petty; especially on a day when I should be celebrating.”

  “Carrying the baggage of the Hangman cannot be easy.” Tessa spoke softly.

  “Does everyone know that I am a murderer?” He asked.

  “Not everyone in this room,” Tessa assured, “but those of us close to Seebaul do. But you are mistaken about one thing. From what I have heard, those who fell to the Hangman’s noose were murders, rapists, and enemies to the rebel cause. Like many others, I misjudged you at first. Now I would say that those here in the south should see the Hangman as a deliverer of justice, not a murderer. Besides, you are not the Hangman. That is just a moniker. You are Doogal, and, despite what I said when we first met, I am pleased that you are with us.”

  “Likewise.” Doogal agreed.

  Seebaul whistled loudly, causing everyone in the tavern to stop talking. “Our business here is concluded. It is time that we leave General Kadoola and his men to carry on with their business.”

  “Let’s go.” Landis agreed, leading the way outside into the darkened street. Kadoola stood at the door, thanking each of them personally for their actions, in both saving his life and supporting his cause.