Shaluhk looked at Kargen, who nodded, rising to his feet to follow his friend. Athgar threw open the door to see Frithwald. This time he was backed up by five men, all armed with spears and shields.
"Does he expect to fight us with spears?" said Kargen.
"You are in violation of the king's orders," the warrior announced, ignoring the Orc's comment.
"And?" pressed Athgar.
The warrior sputtered. He had clearly been expecting Athgar to comply with King Eadred's decree, but now, facing the Fire Mage, he was clearly out of his depth.
"You must send them away," Frithwald finally spat out.
Athgar stared back. Beyond the warriors, a small crowd was starting to gather. "And if I don't?"
"Then I shall have to arrest you."
Athgar crossed his arms. "What does that mean, precisely?"
"It means you will be taken into custody."
"Where? We have no jail!" He noticed the onlookers growing uneasy at the confrontation. None of them appeared happy about the presence of Frithwald and his men. "Go back to your hut," he continued, "and tell Cenric he has no power here."
"You would defy the orders of your king?"
Athgar smiled. "He is not my king. I have sworn no oath to him."
"And yet you live within this village."
"Athgar is one of us!" someone from the crowd yelled out. "Go back, and tell your master to leave him alone."
"We are causing you trouble," said Kargen, his voice low. "Perhaps it would be better if we leave."
"No," said Athgar. "Eadred has had his way for far too long. A king must protect his people, not use them to his own advantage."
"Will you submit?" demanded Frithwald.
"I hold no animosity towards you, and yet I will not submit to an unjust law. This is your home, too, Frithwald. I invite you to help defend it rather than slink away as your king does." He felt sorry for the young warrior. It was not easy to be caught between loyalties.
The villagers started calling out to Frithwald, telling him to join them. For his part, Athgar kept silent, letting Frithwald consider his options. Finally, the man lowered his spear and turned to the warriors behind him.
"Each of you must make your own decision on whether to fight or stay. The king has commanded us to arrest Athgar, but I cannot, in good conscience, carry out that order. I have taken an oath of obedience, and yet I now find myself conflicted. As a result, I shall return to King Eadred and plead to be released from his service."
"He will not like it," warned Athgar.
"No, nor will I, but I must, regardless. To do otherwise is dishonourable."
Frithwald left them, marching off with his head low, feeling the burden of what lay before him.
"This king will cause trouble," said Kargen.
"Yes," said Athgar. "He likely will."
Kargen took in the mood of the crowd. They were growing more vocal, calling out to the king's warriors to throw down their weapons. "The village respects you, as they should, but I sense your popularity will work against you."
"How so?" asked Athgar.
"The king will see you as a threat."
"He already does, but there is little I can do about that."
"You must try to win him over. If you do not, it will divide the loyalties of Runewald, and that could prove disastrous in the long run."
"You make a good point," said Athgar. "We need the people united if we are to make a stand. I'll visit the king tomorrow and see if I can't make him see reason."
Kargen nodded. "A wise choice. Now, shall we return inside? There is still much to catch up on, and my stomach yearns for more of that venison."
Athgar looked over those gathered one final time. One of the soldiers threw down his spear, and the crowd surged forward, patting the man on his back. It didn't take long for the others to follow his lead.
From across the way, Raleth met Athgar's gaze, and the young hunter nodded in support. It appeared the villagers had the upper hand this night, but Athgar couldn't help but wonder what the ramifications might be of such an encounter.
They returned to the inside of the hut, where Shaluhk and Natalia were deep in conversation.
"...and he carries it everywhere," Shaluhk was saying.
"I hope he can't hurt himself on it," said Natalia.
"It is a wooden axe. It can not do much damage. My brother, on the other hand, made him a bow."
"Is he old enough to use it?"
"No," said Shaluhk, "but Laruhk will not believe me. It was a nice sentiment, even if he can not use it for at least another year."
"A Human child would have to be much older to use a bow. When do Orcs learn such things?"
"Laruhk started when he was two, though I must admit he had a gift for it. Most are a little older, three being more common."
"They can use weapons at three years old?"
"Of course," said Shaluhk, "though they can not fight if that is what you mean. It takes years to master the use of it."
"Humans can barely speak at that age," said Athgar, "let alone carry an axe." He took his seat, settling into the furs to Natalia's right.
Natalia looked at him in surprise. "Are you an expert in children now?"
Athgar blushed. "I might have been talking to some of the villagers of late. Isn't that normal for a new father?"
Natalia smiled. "Father. I like the sound of that."
"I suppose that makes Kargen his uncle," said Athgar.
"Yes," agreed Shaluhk, "and I, his aunt." She looked at Natalia. "That is how you say it, is it not? Aunt?"
"It is," said Natalia, "it is indeed."
The Trap
Autumn 1104 SR
They gathered in the king's hall. Eadred had called an assembly to address the village. A rare occurrence, and as a result, they packed the place to overflowing. Indeed, as Athgar and Natalia arrived, they had to push their way through the door, helped by the bulk of Kargen, Shaluhk, and
