She could see that Rommus was in a foul mood. He had said very little ever since he heard the Nobleman speaking in Peorum, and his face was locked in an angry mask. She was hesitant to speak with him, fearing that her words might upset him further. They made their way eastward mostly in silence, traveling the main road away from the town.
No Mages seemed to notice them, although there were a few hovering around the town when they were leaving. She found it odd every time she saw one; like they had some hidden agenda, just waiting around for the right moment to spring into action. Their quiet, mysterious ways reminded her of a spider waiting at the center of its web. She hoped not to become trapped in the sticky strands by not seeing the dangers around her.
The long plains stretched out before them, meeting the blue sky at the horizon. She knew it was a long way to get home, since she could not even see a single mountain in the hazy distance. Soon they would have to travel to the north if they ever intended to get to where the mountain ranges meet at the town of Reyth. It was going to be a long journey.
Although these were called plains, it was certainly not flat in the immediate area. In fact, there were still patches of trees and large rocks that were strewn about as if thrown by giants. Some of the rocks were larger than a house, but she could see that the farther east they traveled, the flatter and less embellished the land would become. Perhaps Rommus was too quick to label this area "the plains".
"Keep an eye out on the right side," Rommus said.
"Why?"
"Didn't you see the set of tracks? There were two horses and several footprints that went off the main road and off that way towards those big rocks."
"No I didn't see anything, but I guess I wasn't looking."
"You must keep your eyes open to danger, Alana. Its eyes are open to you."
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to make a point about what I said before?"
"I am making a point and I am warning you of a possible threat over there by those rocks. Don't ignore my warning just because you don't agree with recognizing a threat when you see it."
"Rommus, I am perfectly willing to defend myself when I am in danger. You have seen me do it. In fact, I think I remember defending you as well."
"But you would not defend the innocent simply because you refuse to consider the Bhoors wrong. Don't you see that as dangerous?"
She breathed an exasperated sigh. "When you say it like that, of course I see it as dangerous. But I don't think you understand how the Vindyri think."
"I understand it. I have watched the Medorans shift slightly in the very same direction. Your ways have gotten you into a war with the Bhoors, the Medoran way has not."
"Oh is that right? Then why are Medoran soldiers going off to kill the Bhoors?"
"Because we were asked to help our allies. Don't blame this war on the Medorans. This is your war."
She sighed again but this time it was not in irritation. "I guess I can't argue with that. It's true that the Vindyri obviously did something to offend the Bhoors, or at least offered an opening where they could strike us. I really don't know what to think anymore Rommus. I don't want to hate an entire group of people."
"Hatred is not required to defend the lives of your people. But you should not look down upon those who hate others when they deserve it. Not everyone is interested in doing good works for mankind. It is not wrong to hate evil men."
"I see what you are saying Rommus, but who is to say what is evil? Perhaps we just don't understand them well enough."
"I will not let evil men slaughter innocent people while I try to figure out their reasons for it. I do not care what their reasons are."
Just then a loud voice called from behind them. "Halt. What business have you on this road?"
Rommus turned around. "What business do you have asking a free man his business, scout?"
The blonde-haired Vindyri cocked his head. Several other Vindyri stood behind him with weapons drawn. "What makes you think I am a scout, Medoran?"
"I am no fool, scout. I see the way you are dressed and the manner in which you travel; even if you aren't wearing the traditional black armor of the Vindyri. Your horsemen will be arriving behind us momentarily."
The Vindyri cocked his head the other way but ignored his comment. "Alana Irith. It's been a long time. I thought it was you. I could tell by the way you walk. What are you doing with this Medoran scum?"
Rommus did not allow her to answer. "You will sheath your weapons, or you will speak only to me."
"Oh so we have a hero here," the man said, his ugly face twisting into a sneer.
Rommus pushed his cape back and gripped the hilt of his sword. "There are no heroes left. Leave us be and be on your way."
"You need to learn to mind your own business, Medoran. That woman belongs to me."
"Then why does she stay by my side, scout?" Rommus said as he slowly pulled his sword free.
The man took a few steps forward just as they heard the hooves of horses clatter on the cobblestone road behind them. Alana looked back and forth at the Vindyri surrounding them. "Rommus," she whispered, "these are dangerous men. I know them."
"Yes I can see that," he said quietly.
"Move away from the girl," one of the horsemen called out.
"We will be continuing as we had planned," Rommus said. "Clear the road. This is your only warning."
Most of the men laughed as they approached them, none of them showing any fear. They proceeded to advance slowly, trapping their prey. The ring of steel could be heard as the horsemen drew their swords as well. There was no way to escape now except through a wall of men bristling with sharp blades.
"Who are these men?" Rommus asked as Alana pulled her sword free.
"The ugly one is someone from my past. We'll have to discuss it later."
In an instant, the horsemen spurred their steeds to a run. Rommus and Alana dove to either side of the roadway to avoid being trampled, and the men on foot were expecting it. They dove for them and in the mayhem, Rommus had dropped his sword. Alana faired no better, and she was quickly overpowered by the brute strength of the men. The horsemen turned around to face them and laughed as they sheathed their swords.
Through the chaos surrounding her, Alana thought she saw one of the horsemen fall from his horse; then the other. She could not see very well with all the men fighting to hold her down, but she thought she saw a shadow moving between the men.
"Alana!" Rommus called. "I'm coming, hold on!"
She could see that he was being overpowered as well, and one of the men was taking aim with his sword to deliver a fatal wound to him between the flailing arms and bodies of the other men. In a few seconds, she would see Rommus die.
Then there was a short scream. Something was happening near Rommus, and she figured that he must be fighting back somehow. Again she thought she saw a shadow of a figure moving against the flow of the men. She looked back to the horses where she saw it the first time and saw them standing with no riders. Before she could understand what was happening, a familiar, ugly face crept into her vision. She could smell the breath of the man in front of her, and she could see a look of evil in his eye.
"You'll not escape this time, Alana. You're mine." A crooked smile came to his face but was withered instantly with fear. A golden blade rested dangerously under his neck, and he stood slowly. Alana looked around her and saw that all of the men around them were dead or dying. She couldn't understand how Rommus had killed them all so quickly. One second he was about to be killed, and the next he had killed a dozen or so men. It seemed utterly impossible.
"What are you doing in Medora, scout? The battle is in Vindyrion," Rommus said through gritted teeth. When the man did not answer, Rommus pushed the blade a little harder against his skin. The man went limp instantly and fell dead.
Alana was shocked. How did that kill him? You barely touched him. Is he faking? How did you kill all these men?"
"One question at a time, Alana. I have some quest
ions of my own."
"Like what?"
"Like who is the man behind you."
Alana jerked her head around, expecting the worst. Instead of a Vindyri, she saw a tall, thin man in close-fitting, elegant clothes. His hair was long and dark but it had an odd silver sheen to it which shined in a strange way. He had high boots that came to his knees, and a large, loose collar, matching the large cuffs folded back at his sleeves. His shirt was white, and the rest of his clothing was black, trimmed in small amounts of silver which accented his gray eyes. His jacket was well-made and seemed to have more buttons than was necessary. Of course, it was not buttoned at all, so the buttons seemed especially useless.
"I don't know this man," she said. Then she looked into his eyes and instantly became lost in his sharp features. Her head swam as she tried to understand what strange spell he held over her.
"I would suggest you not look into my eyes, madam. At least not until you know me better. May I help you to stand?" he said in a strange accent that rolled off of his tongue with an elegance that matched his attire. She could only nod her head.
"Why did you help us?" Rommus asked.
"I heard your words you spoke with those men. They were in the wrong. I could not let you come to harm if I could help it. Besides, you hold the sword of Arius. How could I stand idly by and allow you to come to harm?"
"The sword of Arius? No, this is just a golden sword. Don't be mistaken by its appearance."
"One of us is mistaken, my Lord, but I am afraid it is not me."
Rommus lowered his eyebrows slightly at the man. "Just who are you?"
The man raised his chin a little. "My name is Vohl. Vohl Dirujen."
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