Shades of the Past: The Morcyth Saga Book Six

by Brian S. Pratt

  “So why come here and don your old armor?” asks James.

  “My Alaina is gone. There will be those who remember the Black Hawk, both here in Madoc and within the Empire, which may be to our advantage. It was a name to strike terror in the enemy, and it may serve us with what’s to come.”

  He walks away from the room, leaving the banner behind. “Aren’t you taking the banner?” Miko asks.

  Shaking his head, he says, “No.” He glances to James and says, “Now let’s go find my son.” Securing the secret door behind which the banner lies, he then takes them from the treasure room and closes the secret door. With their help, he puts the chests back in front of the hidden door and takes a moment to hide the fact they were ever moved. When he at last is satisfied, he turns and heads back up the stairs.

  Chapter Five

  ______________________

  When Illan comes out of the manor house, whatever conversation the others were engaged in comes to an abrupt halt when they see what he’s wearing. Murmurs of ‘Black Hawk’ and other awed exclamations are heard as each comes to understand just what they are seeing.

  Some of the recruits, having come from Cardri, are not familiar with the significance of the emblem he’s wearing. The others quickly fill them in.

  James comes out behind him and says, “We camp here this evening. Delia, you’re going to be in charge for awhile. We have some business in town to take care of.”

  “Very well,” she says.

  Illan steps down off the porch and comes to where Moyil is holding his horse for him. Moyil’s eyes widen as he draws near. Without saying a word, Illan takes the reins from him and mounts.

  To those gathered around, James says, “We’re going to rescue his son. Jiron and his group will join us. Delia, you and your slingers will remain here to look after the prisoners until our return.”

  The recruits look upset at not being allowed to accompany them, but realize there is little use in protesting. Those who are leaving with Illan and James mount up and follow them down the lane to the gate.

  As they near the gate, Shorty and Scar see him riding toward them in his new armor. “I knew it!” exclaims Shorty with a holler.

  “I can’t believe this,” Scar says somewhat at a loss for words, for once.

  When Illan draws close, Shorty stands there with a grin on his face and says, “I knew there was something about you.”

  “You did, did you?” Illan replies from the back of his horse. “You two stay here and watch the gate.” Without any further explanations, he continues through the gate and heads into town.

  As Potbelly passes Scar he says, “Things should be more interesting from here on out.”

  “You got that right,” agrees Scar.

  Once past the gate, James drops back a little bit and rides between Uther and Jorry. To them he asks, “So what’s the full story behind the Black Hawk?”

  On the way into town, they fill him in on the details.

  About twenty five years ago, the Empire made a push into Madoc in an attempt to swallow up a section of fertile farmland to feed its growing populace. The army was sent to expel them back to the Empire but the fighting raged for many years until a sort of stalemate was achieved.

  Unfortunately for Madoc, that stalemate happened to be where the Empire had decided to stop anyway. A portion of the lands now held by the Empire was known as Barrowman’s Field and thus the name for the war.

  Some believe that the Ruling Council in Madoc decided to create a band of men whose job was to destroy as much of the Empire as they could to force them to draw off some of their forces defending the area known as Barrowman’s Field.

  The Black Hawk was in charge of that band. Black Hawk and his raiders somehow got through their lines and then it began. The destruction of town after town, some say they slaughtered every last man, woman, and child. They’re also rumored to have salted the fields so nothing would grow.

  Whatever the real truth is, it worked. The cry from its citizens forced the Empire to pull forces from the border to deal with the Black Hawk which allowed Madoc’s army to push them out.

  Black Hawk’s band supposedly destroyed over twenty villages and small towns, all the while staying one step ahead of their forces. They even managed to avoid direct confrontation with their mages, how no one’s ever been able to find out.

  Sometime after the end of the War of Barrowman’s Field, Black Hawk disbanded his men and was never heard from again.

  “Many thought he had died,” Uther says, winding the tale to a close.

  “But now he’s back,” James says.

  “That’s right,” agrees Jorry. “But what that’s going to mean is anyone’s guess.”

  “Thanks,” James tells them as he moves to rejoin Illan at the fore.

  “Sure,” replies Uther.

  Coming abreast of Illan, he glances over to his friend aghast at the things they just told him. He knows Illan must have heard all that was said, he definitely was close enough to have overheard the conversation.

  “Did you do all those things?” James asks him.

  He rides in silence for a minute before replying. “Yes, to a point,” he finally says. “We did destroy towns and villages, sow fields with salt and other acts of destruction. But the wanton deaths of innocents? No, we never did that. Unfortunately, in the fog of war, innocents were killed and for that I shall always feel remorse. But we did what we had to do.”

  James digests that for a moment then asks, “Why didn’t you resume your role as Black Hawk when the Empire first attacked last summer?”

  Illan glances to him and then says, “I’m getting old. Sure, I thought about it but my Alaina counseled me against it. Said it would bring back too many bad things. But I couldn’t simply stand by and do nothing so I went south to see what I could do.”

  “I left home before the fall of the City of Light. I hated to leave my Alaina, we both knew it was unlikely we would ever see each other again. She understood and sent me with her best wishes. My son offered to accompany me but I told him to stay and take care of his family.” He pauses and then says with a catch in his voice, “It seems that’s all I have left now.”

  They ride in silence for awhile before he gets his emotions under control and is able to continue. “By the time I reached the City, the Empire had already encircled it and I thought it would take months before it fell. Then the following morning to my disbelief, it was over. I worked my way to Lythylla and joined with Miller and his band, seemed like the logical thing to do at the time. The rest you know.”

  He always knew there was something about Illan. Always an air of command about him and in a crisis always knew what to do and took charge. Now it all makes sense. “After we rescue your son, what do you plan to do? Now that Black Hawk has returned.”

  “Nothing has changed,” he says. “I’m still your man and will stand by you till the end.”

  “Thank you for that,” James tells him.

  Illan simply nods in reply.

  By this time, Seastar appears ahead in the road. The sun now just dropping below the horizon, the lights of town begin to wink into life. “Where do you think we’ll find him?”

  “My son will be in the jail,” he says. Then adds, “I hope.”

  “No, I mean Lord Faetherton,” clarifies James.

  “Who knows?” he says. “Though I don’t plan to leave until I deal with him.” He glances to James and is relieved to see him nod agreement.

  Entering the outskirts, they make their way between the buildings, finally coming into an area lit by an oil streetlamp. When Illan rides into the light, his armor blazes forth and gasps are heard from those nearby on the street.

  “Black Hawk!” “He’s returned!” and other exclamations are heard in an increasing number as more and more people gather round.

  “Sir!” a middle aged man exclaims as he comes from a nearby tavern.

  Illan pauses in the street and turns toward the man. “We ride,�
�� he says. “Brook’s Hollow at dawn. Spread the word.”

  With a whoop, the man turns and races down the street.

  As they progress through town, that scene replays three more times. Each time all Illan says is, “We ride, Brook’s Hollow at dawn, spread the word.” The crowd gathering around them grows as they progress further into town.

  When the press of people becomes too great, Illan brings them to a halt. At that, the street grows quiet. “Please return to your homes,” he tells them and then takes off his helm, revealing his features to all.

  “Illan?” some people ask in shock. Still others stand in dumbstruck amazement. Never before had anyone known who Black Hawk had been. But once they knew, it didn’t take them long to realize where he’s going. All knew of what Lord Faetherton had done and where his family lies.

  “They’re in the jail Illan,” one man cries out.

  Illan nods and says, “Thank you. Now you should all return to your homes.” He glances around at the faces he’s known all his life. Some he’s watched grow to adulthood.

  Still shaking their heads in wonder, they begin to disperse.

  Sighing, Illan replaces his helm and glances to James. Then he resumes riding toward the jail. Before they reach it, they see lined up before the front door, thirty or more men, ten of whom have crossbows. Standing before them is a man dressed regally and can only be Lord Faetherton. Illan approaches and stops a good twenty feet from him.

  “I’ve come for my son,” he announces.

  “Your time is past, Black Hawk,” Lord Faetherton says derisively. “You and those with you are under arrest for the illegal release of a prisoner.”

  “I don’t think so,” Jiron says.

  “If you don’t remove your weapons, we will be forced to fire,” he says.

  “If you don’t drop your weapons and stand aside, I will kill each and everyone who stands against me!” Illan says with utter conviction.

  From his vantage point behind Illan, James watches Faetherton’s men begin to shift in their ranks. Each has grown up with the tales of Black Hawk and the viciousness with which he pursues his enemies. Several crossbows actually dip to the ground as the men holding them begin to reconsider supporting Lord Faetherton in the face of Black Hawk’s rage.

  Lord Faetherton raises his hand and all can see it is not entirely steady as it shakes with the nervousness he’s feeling. “When I lower my hand,” he says loudly, “my men will fire. Remove your weapons and prepare to be taken into custody.

  “When your hand falls,” Illan says as he begins edging his horse forward, “everyone dies.”

  Suddenly from out of the dark to the right of the jail, a dozen horsemen appear. One is carrying a battle torn flag bearing the Black Hawk insignia. The rider in the fore says, “Thought you might be here.”

  “Ceadric!” exclaims Illan.

  “Your orders sir?” Ceadric asks.

  “When his hand falls, kill them all,” he says.

  “Yes, sir,” Ceadric replies and turns toward where Faetherton and his guards stand before the jail. The ‘whisking of swords’ can be heard as Ceadric and his men draw their weapons.

  Hearing that, Faetherton glances from one force to the other and judges his chances. Behind him, some of his men have already judged their chances of survival to be slim at best. Two crossbowmen and three guards break ranks and high tail it out of there.

  Standing there in indecision, Faetherton licks his lips and his arm remains up.

  To the men blocking the entrance to the jail, Illan says, “Drop your weapons now.” When they hesitate, he adds, “I’ll not ask a second time.”

  A second later, the clatter of weapons hitting the ground can be heard as, to a man, they all drop their weapons. Faetherton brings his hand down slowly. Illan glances to Ceadric and says, “Take them inside and lock them away until I decide what to do with them.”

  “Yes, sir,” Ceadric replies and then gets his men moving to collect the prisoners.

  Illan dismounts and walks toward the jail. James follows suit and tells the rest to stay with the horses.

  Faetherton stands there as Illan approaches, still maintaining an air of superiority. “You’ll not get away with this!” he states. “I am the magistrate here. You are all branded outlaws.”

  When Ceadric and the others with him hear that they all break into laughter. “Shut up,” one says when they pass by. Another spits at him and it lands on the front of his shirt.

  “Now, let’s go inside milord,” Illan says with a slight derogatory emphasis on ‘milord’. Propelling him forward, they move toward the door into the jail.

  Along the edge of the streets, the townsfolk have gathered to watch the events unfold. They knew Illan’s family is being kept inside and was hoping to see Faetherton’s blood spilled, there’s little love for the man among the populace. When they see him being pushed through the door and into the jail, a cheer erupts.

  Inside the jail, Illan has him move through the door to the holding cells in the back, James follows along behind.

  When Illan enters the holding cell area, he sees his son and family all in one cell and comes to a stop. His son looks emaciated and his daughter-in-law and children don’t look much better. They must have been given the barest minimum of food to keep them alive. James remembers him from their previous visit as a guard outside the magistrate’s office. What he sees there in the cell barely resembles the man he once was.

  Illan stops there in the hallway and stares at his son. A rage begins to develop at the way he and his family have been treated. He reaches up and removes his helm.

  “Father!” his son exclaims when the helm comes off. His wife looks up from where she’s holding their two children and a smile comes to her thin face.

  “Alric,” Illan says. To Faetherton he says, “Let them out.”

  Giving Illan a glare, he moves to the cell and removes a key from his belt. Inserting it into the lock, he opens the door. Alric pushes the door open and comes to greet his father. “Father,” he says as he gives him a hug. “Mother’s dead.”

  “I know,” he replies. “Let’s get you and your family out of here then we’ll deal with that.

  Just then, Ceadric and his men enter with the other guards and proceed to put them into the cells. To Ceadric, Illan says, “Take my son and his family home.”

  “Yes, sir,” he says and once the prisoners are securely within the cells, he and his men help them out of the jail.

  Once they’ve left and he is alone with James and Faetherton, Illan turns to Faetherton and asks, “Where’s my wife?”

  “She’s dead,” he says with some small satisfaction.

  Illan strikes out and connects with Faetherton’s jaw, sending him flying backward off his feet to land on his back. “I know that,” he replies. “Where is she buried?”

  “Over in the cemetery,” one of the guards in the cell tells him.

  Turning to the guard, Illan asks, “Where?”

  “Let me out and I’ll show you,” he says.

  Taking the key, Illan opens the cell door and lets the man out. “If I show you, can I be allowed to leave?” the guard asks.

  Illan glances at him and then nods his head.

  “This way,” the guards says and begins walking to the back door.

  Illan replaces his helm on his head and says, “You too, milord.” Picking Faetherton from off the floor, he propels him to follow the guard.

  James follows them out the back and they turn down the alley to the right. Coming to where the alley opens onto the street, the guard turns to the left and begins moving away from the jail. “Be right back,” James says as he turns to head back to the front of the jail to get the others.

  “Tell Ceadric to gather the men and bring them to Brook’s Hollow at dawn,” Illan tells him.

  “Okay,” he replies then hurries to the front of the jail. He finds Alric and his family are already mounted and Ceadric was about to take them home.

&
nbsp; To Ceadric he says, “Illan wants you to gather the men and have them at Brook’s Hollow by dawn.”

  “Do you know what he’s planning to do?” Ceadric asks him.

  “Yes,” he replies and when Ceadric looks askance at him for more information, remains quiet.

  “As you will,” he says. Turning to his men he raises his voice and says, “The Hawk wants us at Brook’s Hollow at dawn.” Then he kicks his horse and they ride away down the street, with cries and whoops, his men follow.

  James gets into his saddle as Jiron asks, “What’s going on?”

  “Seems we’re going to have company,” he explains. “Right now we need to catch up with Illan, he’s on the way to the cemetery to find his wife.”

  “Right,” Jiron says and they get moving.

  Illan’s group hasn’t progressed all that far down the street by the time James and the others arrive. They remain behind them as they wind through the streets toward the far side of town where the cemetery is located.

  When they get there, Illan has Jorry and Uther keep an eye on Faetherton while he and the guard proceed into the cemetery. They all watch Illan as he and the guard make their way through the headstones and crypts, toward the last resting place of his beloved Alaina. About midway through the cemetery, they come to a stop and Illan falls to his knees.

  It looks as if the guard says something to him and then Illan replies. The guard then begins walking away from where Illan is kneeling beside his wife’s grave.

  “Should we stop him?” Jiron asks James indicating the guard.

  Shaking his head he says, “No. Illan told him he could leave if he showed him where his wife was buried.”

  The guard glances toward them and by the time he’s reached the edge of the graveyard has broken into a run and looks to be fleeing for his life. “Guess he felt there might be a change of heart,” offers Miko.

  “Looks that way,” agrees Jiron. Turning to James he says, “How long should we wait?”

  “As long as he needs,” he says quietly.