“Oh please no!” a man said before continuing, “The trolls followed us because the dwarf told him too! We cannot communicate with them, please I have information if it will spare my life.”
“What information does that one have?” Rain Water began. “Would it help save life of kin, light elves in chains?”
“What do you know of the light elves, the ones that are fighting Thorn?” Xander asked the men.
“I know where they are kept, I can take you there!” one man said before another finished his thoughts. “It is on the front lines, it will take a while to get there but we can bring you!”
“On one hand we need to keep Janus’s troops busy” Samantha said speaking for the first time. “On the other, we cannot let these elves be sacrificed for someone else’s war. If we can free them we must.”
“I’m with the prissy miss” Priscilla stated.
“Then it is settled” Xander stated as he looked at the men. I can get you into Frahse before sun up. If you are lying, the only solace you will have is at least you died in your home land. Rain, myself along with Patrick will go into their homeland. All of your Soldiers should be ready to move at a moment’s time if we have a great opening like with this battle.”
“Elf always ready to fight for kin. Me want kin released now, let’s go get kin” was all Rain said as she looked at her now complete tribe.
Xander thought about the symbols he used when he had first teleported himself along with Patrick, Priscilla and Samantha from Frahse. After a few moments they began to become clear in Xander’s mind. Xander said a silent prayer hoping it was still intact as he poured his aura into the circle, moments later Xander was in Frahse with his small party and one of his hostages.
“We are in your homeland” Patrick said as grabbed the man by the collar. “Any attempts at notifying your countrymen we are here will result in your quick death, do you understand?”
The man nodded and took a few moments to get his mind in order. Xander and his group was led to a clearing that had to have at least 1000 elves in it hostage, surrounded by at least 20 of the Bone Breakers and countless troops from Frahse.
“Enchanter, I only see one way to free the majority of those elves but it is risky” Patrick stated.
“Well I am all out of ideas, how do you want to proceed?” Xander replied.
“It calls for a bit of luck” Patrick said as he looked at the crowd of elves. “Take this one’s armor and simply walk into the crowd of elves. From there draw your little symbol and start teleporting them from within that crowd. It should be a while before anyone knows what is going on, during that time you can escape yourself.”
“Why would they trust me to get in the circle?” Xander asked knowing he could not overpower that many elves.
“I will walk into the circle with you, tell kin you are friend” Rain said as she took off her weapons.
Xander teleported Patrick back then began walking purposely into the Frahch camp holding Rain at sword point.
“It looks like our best are returning with more elf fighters” said one man as Xander walked passed him, careful not to remove his helm.
“Hey soldier, when you are finished come drink with us, where is everyone else at?” asked another Soldier.
Xander pointed the way he came from and walked into the group of elves with his hostage.
“Those guys get the best gear and the damn easy jobs” Xander could overhear one soldier say.
Xander entered the crowd as they parted to make way for Rain Water. As Xander got towards the center of the crowd, Rain Water began to talk.
“Kin listen to me, time very short. Man with metal skin not like other metal skins. Fire Hair comes to free you. Is this all elves taken from great forest?”
Xander saw one elf nod as he dropped to the ground and began drawing his teleport circle in the dirt.
“As soon as you are on other side, move out way, more elf coming quickly behind” said Rain water as she shoved the first frightened elf into the circle.
Elf after elf went into the circle, Xander admired their self-control for not pushing and tugging at each other as he sent them away. Xander saw the process was going to slow and soon had the elves open up the crowd a bit. Xander teleported himself to the other side and Began drawing a bigger Circle, one bigger than he ever dared tried. Instead of sending 2 elves at a time, Xander would try and send hundreds.
“Enchanter, it looks as if you are tired” Patrick said as Xander noticed he did not have on his father’s armor.
“I think it is because I don’t have the properties of that armor with me. I should be fine.”
Xander finished his circle and then went back to the other side to draw its twin. As Xander completed his teleportation circle, he could hear men from the outside yelling and screaming.
“We just saw one of our guys go in there and he’s not out yet.” Xander heard one man scream.
“Make way so I can see for myself what this is all about.” Xander heard another say.
Xander motioned for the elves to fill in the circle, at least a hundred left on his first go. Xander looked and could see men make their way through the crowd of elves as he sent another hundred through. Xander kept sending elves through as the men closed in on him, Xander had no time to think, he just hoped the elves on the other side could handle themselves as he sent another group forth, this time with the men from Frahse. Xander began to feel woozy at on the verge of passing out. He crammed as many elves as possible into the circle. Those that did not fit climbed on the backs and shoulders of those who did. Xander poured the remaining aura he had into the circle, then his world went black.
CHAPTER 22
“It is time you woke up, Dan my mate, Don my mate, not Fire Hair’s mate. They should take of me not you” Running Water said as Xander opened his eyes.
“Where, am I?” Xander said through the pounding in his head.
“You no have magic metal skin, you sleep long time after saving kin” Running Water said.
“Did I get everyone out?” Xander asked.
“Me not know, you got good number out. Rain Water wants see you. You no sleep in her house, her mates no like Fire Hair, say she favor you over them. Tell me get her when Fire Hair open eye.”
Xander smiled as Running Water walked outside of her house. Xander could see it was daylight outside as Patrick along with Priscilla, Samantha and Rain Water walked in.
“I thought you was gonna stay sleepin’ all year” Priscilla said as she handed Xander something to drink. “You came over to us like a drunk in his cups, took two steps then vomited all over me blouse before passing out.”
Xander laughed at that comment although he wished he wouldn’t have. His head started thumping like two slaves were having an all-out brawl over a piece of steak.
“Careful Fire Hair, you head not right. You been sleep four days, maybe need food in belly.” Rain Water said as she helped Xander sit up.
“I have been out for four days!” Xander screamed as he tried to get out of bed. I have to get going, I can’t let Janus off the hook, and what about Frahse?”
“Frahse has but days if they last that long enchanter.” Patrick said as Xander got to his feet. “You sent over men from their army who were very willing to tell any information they had.”
“They willing only cause big man beat first two who no talk unconscious. Any not wanting beating say what he want. Big man make good mate.” Rain Water said.
“I think big man already has a mate Rain” Xander said as he motioned to Patrick.
Samantha stepped in front of Patrick at Xander’s words making Rain and Running laugh.
“Tell female Fire Hair we no after her mate, but should keep eye on that one. Light Elf no care mate hers, they take mate until they done with mate” Running Water said.
“They are just getting a laugh out of you Samantha.” Xander started unsure how to say the second part. “They also said to not let Patrick venture out alone, the light
elves might, uh use him for a while.”
“Use, him? Use him how?” Samantha said, getting Xander’s meaning as soon as the words were out of her mouth.
“What do you know about Frahse?” Xander asked Patrick.
“The men on the border are a test, there are not very many of them, but those that remain are very well armed, along with the Trolls. The Trolls only listen to them because of a dwarf. Apparently the dwarves want to ally with Frahse, but the Frahch president is unsure.” Patrick said.
“What is a president?” Xander asked.
“The Frahch elect their ruler by having everyone vote on who is best qualified. That person makes decisions, new president elected every eight years.”
“That makes no sense at all Patrick, no country would ever prosper under such conditions. It would be easy to make a mockery of such things, electing people, what would be next animals? I wouldn’t be surprised if they ran an elephant against a donkey.” Xander said trying to clear his head of the twisted Frahch politics.
“Be that as is may Enchanter, The trolls are supposed to go back to the dwarves when then moon is full, that happened last night. There are only men on the Frahch border now.”
“Those men need to pay for what they did to these elves, we need to make them.” Xander said as he began to test out his legs.
“I can see no way to make happen” Rain Water began. “They still are many, they no have strong metal like metal skin who attack us but metal still strong. How we fight that?”
“There is only one way I can think of, but I guarantee no one here is going to like it, we must ally ourselves with the Duke of Best. He needs allies right now, at least that is what he told me. With his help we may defeat Frahse and get his no good soldiers off of the border, stop them from preying on families there” Xander said as he thought about Priscilla.
“That Duke still has a lot to answer for he does” Priscilla began. “I don’t think he can be trusted to honor any agreement made.”
“I don’t think so either, but we will have Patrick on our side” Xander began. “His prowess in battle will be enough to make the Duke pause. I will assign him as the Duke’s personal body guard.
Xander made the trip into Frahse using the first circle he teleported out of. He was amazed nature had not defaced his creation as he made his way into Thorn, happy to have his father’s armor on his back. Xander could see the Frahch men in their hiding places facing away from him and thought it better not to disturb them. Xander slowly crept and was at the Thornian border when an arrow hit him square in the chest. Xander heard the plink, and soon other arrows were headed his way from Thorn. Xander pulled out his blade and used his arms as cover for his head and ran towards where he thought the archer was. Xander could see his quarry was high up in a tree when the man nervously dropped his satchel of arrows. Xander stared at the man and began climbing up the tree.
“Hold, friend” Xander heard a voice say. “We thought you were a damn Frahchman coming from that side. Didn’t have a chance to see that mop of hair on your head.
Xander slowly climbed back down and was greeted by an older man who instantly dropped to his knees.
“By the Gods, Erik is that you?” the man said shaking. “They said you were dead, killed by the witches and in some circles betrayed by King Janus!”
“I am his son, Xander. I have been fighting the Frahch and I think we have a way to beat them.”
“I’ll take you to him right away” the man said. “My name is Joveon, I served with your Pa, he was a good man.” Joveon said as he led the way to the Duke.
“State your business” a Thornian soldier said as Xander and Joveon walked up to a lavish tent.
“You better show some respect youngster, this here is Xander. Erik the Red’s boy, he is here to kill them damn cheese eaters across the border!” Joveon said.
“Old man if that guy is Erik the Red’s son then I’m the Queen of Rangel” the soldier said before continuing. “Get a move on back to your post and stop trying to desert before I have you tied and whipped.
Xander stepped forward and grabbed the soldier by the shoulders, using his enhanced strength to lift the man off his feet before tossing him ten feet away. Xander then looked at the other soldier.
“You are here to see the Duke Mr. Xander the Red sir?” the other soldier said as he looked pass Xander at his comrade who was trying to dig himself out of the dirt. “I’ll walk you in.”
The soldier led Xander inside the tent where Duke Best was already in his armor, apparently ready to walk out.
“It is you again!” Duke Best said as he drew his sword.
“I have not come for a fight, I came to defeat Frahse” Xander said as he looked at the nervous Duke.
“The last time I saw you, you were spewing fire and tried to kill me!” Duke Best said.
“You deserve nothing less for the way your men have been treating folks on the countryside.” Xander replied.
“This is war, I cant police everybody” the Duke began. “It is of no matter, all of my soldiers were taken away to fight for the King. What I have here are my body guards and all of the townsfolk. Old men, women and children along with some farmers make up my army now. They are fighting right now not for me, but for their survival. If Frahse makes it over there is no one to stop them from doing as they wish.”
“The people of Frahch has been taking elves hostage, forcing them to fight. I will not allow this to happen. I want to eradicate this so called army from the border and make them think twice about coming to Thorn.”
“Ah, an elf lover like his old man” Joveon said. “This is Erik’s boy alright.”
“We don’t have the people to launch such an assault, as is we don’t have any archers at all.” The Duke said.
“I have plenty of archers” Xander began. “I will need those two outside though to watch my rear when the fighting gets tough though.”
“You can’t have them, they are two of the four body guards I have.” The Duke said amazed anyone would ask such a request.
“You have four of them?” Xander said as he was sure he only saw two. “I will need them as well, Patrick can be your bodyguard.
“Who is this Patrick person and why should I trust you?” the Duke began as he remembered Xander was from Rangel, not Thorn.
“Because you have no choice and Patrick could lick any man you have out there.” Xander began before finishing, “And you have your best men keep an eye on me if you think I am doing something sneaky.”
“This Patrick, able to beat my personally trained bodyguards?” The Duke said in disbelief. “Guards, get in here this instant!” The Duke said as his guards walked into his tent. “If my memory serves your father could make fantastic weapons and such. I wouldn’t dare have my men compete against such trickery. You bring this Patrick and the battle will be in regular clothes with wooden swords. I wouldn’t want to hurt your guy, we need all the help we can get.”
“My lord, do you think it be wise to accept a challenge from Erik’s boy?” Joveon said looking at The Duke’s bodyguards. “I personally knew the enchanter, trust me when I say he was more than just the weapons he carried. He fought like a damn madman, iff’n this be his boy and he himself is a lot bigger than the lot guarding you and he says this Patrick fellow is not to be trifled with, shouldn’t you take that under consideration?”
“Who is this person?” the Duke said to no one in particular. “Remove him from my space.”
“Joveon stays with me” Xander began. “You can never have too many friends. Now if you are quite ready, I can go get Patrick. Do you want it one against four?”
“My lord” one of the guards began. “I can take whoever this person be by me lonesome. I’m sure the other lads agree, those Rangelians may be huge like this fellow, by their sword work is rumored not to be on par with anything we have here.”
“Well then this really shouldn’t take long. We have a battle to plan Duke” Xander said as he motioned Joveo
n to follow.
Xander went out a ways where he was sure the Duke or his bodyguards couldn’t see him. Xander made a circle and teleported back to the elves and explained the situation to Patrick who laughed at the smaller Thornians challenge to him. Samantha decided she would tag along also with Priscilla and Rain Water. Xander teleported back just as Joveon was being assaulted by one of the Duke’s bodyguards.
“Which way did he go” said the man, not realizing Xander was behind him. “You better tell me or I’ll” said the man before Patrick interrupted him.
“Or you’ll do what Thornian, tell me what you plan to do?”
The guard instantly turned around upon hearing Patrick’s deep voice. The guard began to shake as he looked up to see Patrick’s full height.
“That’s gotta be the biggest damn Rangelian me ever laid me eyes on” said Joveon.
“Joveon meet Patrick the Lion Heart” Xander began laughing inwardly at using the title common people in Rangel called Patrick due to his battle prowess. “He is the Champion of Rangel and our best fighter by far, it is he who the Duke sentenced his men to fight.”
Xander led Patrick along with Samantha and Priscilla back towards the Duke’s tent, where his men were obviously ready for a fight, joined by some onlookers.
“Lady Samantha!” The Duke said upon seeing Javik’s daughter. “All of this madness has been over you, I should take you in right now!”
“Lay a hand on me and it will be the last time you use it” Samantha said as she pulled out her blade.
“Iff’n you take the prissy miss in” Priscilla began. “Then on your way back you may be looking at Frahchmen running all over this land. You already let your men destroy it.”
“When we first met I told you your men did a disservice to a friend of mine and killed her family.” Xander said as he thought back to his first time meeting the Duke. “This is that person I spoke of.”
The Duke glared at Samantha and took in Priscilla’s words. If he did somehow manage to kill the enchanter and his giant, this war might be over by the time he returned, hell he might lead the Frahchmen to the capital. He couldn’t trust one of his men to do the job, what if something went wrong? No he would have to send a bird letting the King’s Advisor know his predicament and ask for a course of action. That way it would be Brendan’s head on a pike instead of his. “Is this giant your Patrick” the Duke asked trying to change the subject.
The Terror of Thorn: Child of War: Book 2 Page 10
