“They are under the protection of the Orack Tribe,” Haran explained.
“But you are not even on your side of the border,” countered the captain.
“Nevertheless,” stated Haran, “to touch them would be tantamount to a declaration of war.” Without a trace of fear, his eyes bored into those of Captain Glaver.
“Who are you?” the captain asked.
“I am Haran, Warlord of the Orack Tribe,” he stated. Motion from behind the soldiers drew his attention and a smile came to him as he saw his men boiling from out of the trees. Yelling and screaming they raced forward with swords drawn to their lord’s rescue. The magic user had come through.
Captain Glaver glanced behind him at the approaching men charging forward to attack. The added number of men now put the odds against him. “Kill them all!” he shouted. Turning back toward the Warlord of the Orack Tribe, he lashed out with his sword.
Anticipating the attack, Haran easily blocked it.
Chad and Chyfe moved to engage Captain Glaver’s men while Riyan began slinging stones. Bart moved on the fringe of the battle, using his knife wherever he could. As men began to fall, the waters of the stream turned red.
Kevik and the twins watched as Daniel and Tox began taking out their four opponents. It was clear the soldiers were facing two men of exceptional skill.
If it wasn’t for his brother, Seth would have charged in and joined the battle despite his weakened state. But Soth laid a restraining hand on his shoulder and said, “Who would you fight?” he asked. “None of those men are our allies. Wait and let them kill each other.”
Sitting against the bole of a tree, Kevik watched the battle unfold. In his hand he held the gem, its glow indicating that it was still working to repair the damage done to him by Geffen’s fireballs. In the other hand he held his water bottle from which he had just drank the last drop.
“I long to return to the quiet of my tower,” he suddenly stated.
“What?” asked Soth, turning his gaze to Kevik.
“My tower,” he replied. “I would like nothing better than to go home.”
Out in the clearing, one of the soldiers fell to the ground. The battle raged over him as the man’s life faded away.
“Perhaps soon,” Soth replied.
“More are going to come,” Kevik said. Turning toward Soth, he said, “This isn’t over. Oh, we may well prevail here, but others will continue to be drawn to this area. Rumors will draw them here, and this will be replayed over and over.”
“At least we were here first and have the treasure,” Seth said, joining the conversation.
Kevik turned his gaze toward Seth and said, “The treasure holds little importance to me. For a year now we’ve done little but live and breathe the King and his Horde. Where is it? How can we find it? What can we get from it?” He gazed to the two brothers. “I do not wish to be responsible for the wholesale looting and desecration of the King’s final resting place.”
“What can we do?” asked Seth.
Sighing, Kevik shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing.” Gesturing toward the battling men he said, “How many people know, if not of the exact whereabouts of the Horde, but a general idea as to its location? There’s no way we can keep this secret.”
“There has to be a way to protect the King,” said Soth.
“If there is,” replied Kevik, “the method escapes me.”
Out in the field another soldier fell followed quickly by the remaining two. The two remaining men immediately headed toward the sounds of the major battle in progress beyond the treeline.
“We should go help the others,” said Seth. Turning to Kevik he added, “That is if you think you’re up to it.”
Kevik nodded. “For a spell or two, perhaps,” he said. Holding out a hand, he said, “Help me up.”
Seth took it and drew him to his feet.
Using his staff for support, he and the twins began working their way back toward the sounds of battle.
The battle was definitely going in their favor. Captain Glaver’s men were fighting on two fronts now and were rapidly being decimated. No quarter was given as the Tribesmen, bolstered by the remainder of Captain Lyrun’s men, cut them down.
When Daniel and Tox reached the edge of the trees overlooking the battle, Daniel sought Captain Glaver in the melee but couldn’t find him. “He must have fallen already,” he mumbled to himself.
“We better get out of here sir,” Tox said.
Daniel nodded. “We don’t need them now,” he told his man. As they turned to leave, he said, “We know the location of the Horde. I’ll use my influence in Duke Alric’s court and have the land rights to this area transferred to me. Then, we can come and strip the place of everything.”
Tox grinned and started to reply when he saw movement in the trees ahead of them. His grin faded when he saw three men, two blood splattered tribesmen and another who looked badly beaten up, appear from out of the trees not ten feet away.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” one of the tribesmen stated. Then to the beaten up looking man he said, “Kevik?”
Daniel drew his sword the same instant as his man Tox did. “Kill them,” Daniel ordered. Taking a step forward, his motion was suddenly halted when goo appeared on his lower torso and stuck him in place.
“Release me!” he demanded.
“No,” Seth replied as he came forward. “Drop your swords or I’ll kill you before you take another breath.”
Daniel actually took three breaths before coming to the conclusion there was nothing he could do. He tossed his sword to the ground which was followed shortly afterward by Tox’s.
“Come on,” Seth said as they moved around the two entrapped men.
“You’re just going to leave us here?” Daniel asked incredulously.
“For the time being,” Seth replied. Moving past with his brother and Kevik, they left the pair behind as they continued toward the battle. By the time they arrived, it was over.
They found Riyan and the others speaking with Lord Haran while his men began seeing to the wounded. When Riyan saw Kevik and the twins emerge, he grinned and waved them over.
Eight of Captain Lyrun’s men had survived the battle, and were helping with the wounded.
“…going to do with them?” questioned Riyan. Next to him, Chyfe was helping Chad bandage a wound he had received in his side. Nothing major, but if the blood loss wasn’t halted, it could grow to be.
In a low voice, Chyfe said to Lord Haran, “They murdered your people my lord.”
“I have not forgotten that,” he replied. Then glancing to Riyan he added, “Nor have I forgotten of their aid during the recent battle.”
Nodding to Lord Hurrin, he said, “If you would see to rounding them up?”
Lord Hurrin gave him a short bow. “As you wish my lord,” he replied. Then gathering a dozen men to him, he soon had the eight men disarmed and brought to stand before Lord Haran.
“We ain’t done nothing wrong!” one man asserted as he was made to kneel.
As the eight were lined up before him, Lord Haran kept silent. Once they were in place, he turned to the others standing with him and asked, “What wrongs have these men committed?”
Chyfe stepped forward, “Murder and rape of merchants, women, and children.”
“No!” one man exclaimed. “It wasn’t us.”
Chyfe came to stand before the accused and said, “Captain Lyrun and his men have for years preyed upon the helpless. It may have been at the behest of their Captain that they did this, but still, they chose to commit the acts rather than leave his company in honor.”
Lord Haran nodded to Chyfe and indicated for him to step back. “Is there anyone who will speak for these men?”
All eight began speaking at once, asserting their innocence, imploring for Lord Haran to be merciful. For they knew his judgment would determine whether they lived or died. When none but the eight men spoke, he said, “So be it.”
