by Nova Rose
* * *
“Captain,” said Jarown, “It is believed that some of the men fighting in the battle were neither with Hemίl nor Sym’Dul. These men wore the armor of the orcs.”
Tesnayr had gathered his counsel far away from the others so as to converse in private. Two days had passed since the dismal failure of the coordinated attacks.
“What would possess them to fight alongside those beasts?” said Nigilin in disbelief.
Tesnayr shook his head. “This does not bode well. There is more happening here than we know.”
Dirt crunched. Out of the shadows appeared an exhausted Arnin. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I meant to be here earlier, but we had to go around a legion of orcs.” Nigilin thrust a flask into Arnin’s grubby hands.
“The supply line?” asked Tesnayr, though he guessed the answer.
Arnin shook his head. “I failed you,” he said, “King Slyamal arrived with his men and before I knew it the soldiers of Hemίl and Sym’Dul turned on each other.”
“How did he cover that distance?” asked Jarown.
“Trained riders can cover the greatest distances in the shortest amount of time,” replied Nigilin, “The horses for Sym’Dul’s cavalry are bred for speed and endurance. I was once a cavalryman myself.”
“Captain Tesnayr,” said Krulak interrupting them. “A messenger arrived with a dispatch from King Slyamal.”
“Send him in,” Tesnayr said.
“He is not here with me. I left him under guard outside the camp. King Slyamal wishes to meet with you near Diamond Rock. What shall I tell him?”
“Tell him to go to—”
“Tesnayr,” warned Nigilin. “Perhaps meeting with him would be worthwhile.”
Tesnayr clenched his fists before slowly releasing them. “Tell him that I will meet with him,” he said to Krulak.
Krulak left.
“Arnin, you will stay with Nigilin and take charge of the men,” said Tesnayr, “I want you and Nigilin to move them to another location. Jarown—”
“I am going with you,” interrupted Jarown.
“Very well.”
Darkness had fallen as Jarown and Tesnayr hiked along the treacherous mountain trail with Krulak. Fuming, Tesnayr pondered the many reasons as to why King Slyamal would request to meet with him. He knew exactly what he wished to tell the man, none of it pleasant.
Silence reigned throughout the mountains. Not even the chirping of crickets greeted them. Wrapped in his thoughts, Tesnayr never noticed.
Soon, Diamond Rock came into view. “Where is he?” asked Tesnayr glancing around. No one was there. The feeling that something was terribly wrong hit him too late.
Within seconds a mixture of orcs and men surrounded them. Tesnayr hands went for his weapon but Krulak pointed a sword at his throat stopping him. Reluctantly, Tesnayr released his weapon raising his hands above his head.
“Krulak,” said Jarown surprised at the man’s betrayal, “Why are you doing this? I have known you since you were a lad.”
Krulak laughed maniacally. “You are a gullible man. All the while I was able to garner your sympathy while I was truly serving someone else. A man you once served years ago.”
“But, you saved my life once. I trusted you,” said Jarown.
“Which proves your ineptness,” replied Krulak.
Tesnayr remained calm. Even though his heart raced, he showed no emotion. “How much is this man paying you?”
Krulak enjoyed his moment of triumph. “Twenty pieces of gold,” he bragged.
Tesnayr sighed. “A pittance for a man’s soul.”
The orcs bound the hands of Jarown and Tesnayr. Suddenly, Turyn dropped from above and landed on Krulak scratching and biting furiously. Krulak threw the cat off of him but not before Tesnayr pushed Jarown down the hill and into the deep forest where he disappeared. Two orcs charged after him. “Stop,” shouted Krulak, “We have what we want. Do not waste your time with the other one.”
Dismayed, the orcs obeyed. Tesnayr eyed his captor committing every feature to memory before his world went black.
