He nodded, moving aside to let them pass. By now, word of their arrival had spread, and more villagers were gathering by the entrance to the king's hall.
Athgar halted as a man exited the structure, struggling with the weight of a small chest.
"What have you there?" asked Athgar.
"One of the king's personal chests," the man said, setting it down.
Athgar moved closer, struggling with his injured leg to kneel to examine the chest in more detail. The labourer, now free of his burden, simply backed up, allowing him access.
The wooden chest, reinforced with iron bands, was held closed by a clasp but with no lock to secure it. Athgar undid the clasp, lifting the lid to expose its contents. Inside were gold and silver coins in abundance, with an occasional ring mixed in.
"Has he many such as this?" he asked.
"This is the third chest I have retrieved," the man replied, "and there's two more inside."
Athgar stood and looked at Natalia. "I think it time we went inside, don't you?"
He pushed open the door to reveal several open chests, half filled with clothing and furs, while two others, similar to the one he had examined, stood off to the side. King Eadred was kneeling before one, placing something inside when the door swung open, striking the wall.
"What is it?" he called out, turning towards the entrance. Equipped for battle, he wore a once ornate chainmail shirt, its links now rusty and damaged. On his hip hung a jewelled scabbard, easily the most expensive item in the village.
Eadred rose to his feet, words failing him as his gaze took in the form of Athgar. His look of surprise soon turned to hatred. "This is all your fault," accused the king.
Athgar remained calm. "My fault? Why do you say that? The outsiders were a threat long before I came along!"
"A threat, most assuredly, but you made it much worse by going to Ebenstadt. You have brought the enemy to the very gates of our land!"
"Is that why you tried to have me killed?"
In answer, King Eadred simply pointed at him. "Arrest that man!"
Natalia was about to speak, but this time it was Kragor who stopped her.
"Let this play out," the Orc said.
Two of Eadred's guards moved into the hall, grasping Athgar by the arms. Rather than struggle, Athgar allowed them to lead him from the building. As soon as they stepped outside, the guards were confronted by an angry mob.
"Release him," called out Raleth. "You know it's the right thing to do."
The guards looked around at the crowd, seeing the determination in their eyes. After only a moment's hesitation, they both released their grips, standing back to allow room for Athgar to be seen clearly.
"You have failed, Eadred," Athgar called out. "Come and face me if you dare." He backed away from the door, allowing room for his foe. In response, the gathering of villagers began spreading out to form a rough circle.
Finally, Eadred emerged, bowing his armoured head to clear the doorway as the bare steel of his sword glinted in his hand.
"We are making a stand against the invaders," declared Athgar. "Join us."
"I am king here, not you," countered Eadred. "This is my decision to make."
"Then make the right one. If we don't fight now, we'll be on the run for the rest of our lives. Is that what you want for your people?"
"You say you want to fight for your people," said Eadred, "but it is not the villagers of Runewald for whom you fight. You can't fool me, Athgar of Athelwald, for I know the truth. You would replace me and rule as king."
"No, I wish only to bring peace to our people."
"There cannot be two leaders," said Eadred. "We must settle this once and for all, you and I."
Athgar sighed. "If that is your wish."
"Take a shield," said Eadred, "and let us settle this as true warriors." The king waited as a member of the fyrd handed over a shield, then taking one for himself, he advanced into the impromptu circle.
Eadred moved into a slight crouch, banging his sword against his shield. "Hear this, Athgar? It's the sound of your doom."
"You don't scare me, Eadred. I've faced worse foes."
The king merely smiled in response, shifting to his right. Athgar tried to mimic Eadred, but with his injured leg, his movements were clumsy, his pacing weak.
The king, noticing his opponent's discomfort, lunged forward, the tip of his sword striking out at Athgar's face. The Fire Mage stumbled back, giving ground.
Feinting, the king watched with a smirk as Athgar awkwardly tried to manoeuvre. With his suspicions now confirmed, Eadred moved forward, using a series of blows to force Athgar farther back, not worrying about actually striking his target. When Athgar stumbled, Eadred used the edge of his shield to smash into the wounded leg, laughing as he watched fresh blood seep to the surface.
Athgar thought to use his magic, but the king attacked with such speed, he had little time to cast. He needed to put some space between them, but with his wounded leg, he was unable to increase the distance.
Eadred struck again, and Athgar parried, then countered with a swing to the chest. He could feel the blade of his axe dig into chainmail, but the blow was short, missing flesh. Instead, it tore into the old and worn links, bursting at least half a dozen.
The king backed up, looking down at his chest. "You'll have to do better than that," he sneered. He struck again, this time swinging his sword from the right to glance off Athgar's shield, making a loud thud.
In answer, Athgar thrust forward with his axe, only to pull it short on purpose. The king, reacting to the expected attack, drew his head back, out of range, and that's when Athgar attacked, hooking the edge of Eadred's shield with his axe and pulling him forward. Unbalanced, the king stumbled, and Athgar thrust again, the top of his weapon crashing
