Death and Honor: Book 1 of 2 (20 page)

“This is it,” Gabriel said. He threw on the fine cloak that was the main component of his disguise. “Everyone in position. Guards with me on the beach.”

Gabriel and the rangers that volunteered to pose as his bodyguards took their places halfway between the forest and the river. Gabriel felt half naked with no armor or weapons. The rangers had traded their neat leathers for dirty mail coats and one of them wore two swords, one for Gabriel and one for himself.

While they stood waiting for the ship to round the bend Gabriel said, “Sean, Dean, it’s been an honor serving with you gentlemen.”

“Likewise, sir,” Dean said.

“Yeah, I wish I’d had sense enough not to challenge you the other night,” Sean said.

“You put up a good fight,” Gabriel said. “Nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Right, fifteen seconds, some fight.”

A loud crow call sounded, that was the signal that the pirates were almost on them. “All right, try to look menacing. I’ll stay a step behind you so they can’t get a clear view of me.”

“When do we make our move?” Sean asked.

“Unless they attack don’t do anything until the archers loose.”

The pirate ship rounded the bend and came into sight. It looked like Kiera described, low slung with ten banks of oars pulling it ever closer. The mast and sail were lowered, but the ballista had a yard long bolt tipped with a broadhead fitted in the slot. It was manned by a big, bald pirate who looked like he knew how to use it.

“Damn,” Dean said.

“Steady, and try not to act nervous, remember these are our business partners. They’re not looking for a fight.”

The rowers pulled until they were even with Gabriel and the rangers then a heavy iron anchor rattled down to splash into the river. With the ship secure the pirates lowered a ramp to the beach and six men descended. They were a grim lot, each sporting several scars, tattoos, and piercings.

The man in the lead, Gabriel assumed he was the captain, was a huge man with a red beard wearing a full mail coat and carrying a massive double-bitted battle ax, a curved saber belted at his waist. He must not have known how to swim as the armor would send him straight to the bottom. The other five wore leather vests and carried a mixture of short swords, daggers, and cutlasses.

The big man raised his hands and grinned. “Alec, good to see you again. How’s business?”

“Fine,” Gabriel said. The pirates fifteen were feet away. “You have my merchandise?”

The captain lowered his arms and frowned. “Are you all right? You sound ill.”

The twang off bows filled the sky with arrows sparing Gabriel the need to reply. The pirate at the ballista died at once along with several others that had gathered at the rail to watch the transaction. There was a splash when the ropes came out of the river, blocking the ship’s escape.

“Ambush!” The captain shouted. He raised his ax and charged. The five men beside him drew their weapons and followed a step behind.

The moment the rangers fired the first arrow Gabriel’s guards drew their weapons. Gabriel caught the spare sword and tossed his cloak aside so it wouldn’t get in his way. He let the rangers take the lead, their heavy mail coats would give them an advantage he lacked.

The pirates reached them and with a tremendous blow the captain sent Dean flying ten feet down the beach. So much for letting the rangers lead. Gabriel ducked under an ax blow that would have cut him in half. Before the captain could reverse his swing Gabriel ran through one of the other pirates.

From the forest Sergeant Orn and six rangers charged, hoping to even the odds, but they were fifty yards away running through soft sand. It would take precious seconds for them to close the distance. The archers were faster and three well placed arrows returned the odds to two on two.

Gabriel squared off with the captain, leaving the final pirate for Sean. Gabriel dodged another ax blow that would have killed him instantly. He had no margin for error; one blow from that ax would kill him on the spot. Ducking and dodging Gabriel stayed alive by inches, his only counter blow turned by the pirate’s heavy mail.

Reinforcements arrived as two of the rangers leapt at the captain. He swung his ax and sent them flying like he had Dean. Orn handed Gabriel a small round shield about a foot and a half across.

“Thought you could use this,” Orn said.

The captain swung his ax in great circles, keeping the rangers at bay. More men came pouring off the pirate ship, ignoring the arrows still flying form the forest they charged down the beach to their captain’s aid.

Gabriel strapped on the shield. “You take care of the reinforcements, I’ll handle him.”

Orn hesitated then nodded and ran with his men to meet the charging pirates. Gabriel faced down the captain in their own private section of beach, the sand like an arena.

“So you’re going to handle me, boy?” The captain's voice was so deep Gabriel felt the vibrations in his chest.

Gabriel raised his pitiful shield and pointed the tip of his sword at his opponent’s throat, one of the few places not covered by the mail coat. The captain attacked, his blows coming fast and furious from every angle forcing Gabriel to duck and dodge for his life. When a blow came at his head Gabriel dove at the pirate’s legs, hammering his knee with the steel edge of the shield. He heard a crack as he rolled clear of the pirate’s counterattack.

Gabriel popped to his feet and spun ready for the onslaught to continue. The captain hadn’t moved and he held all his weight on his undamaged leg. He must have broken the man’s knee, there was no way the pirate could swing and maneuver his heavy ax on one leg. The captain knew it too; he threw his ax away and drew the curved sword from the scabbard at his waist.

“Surrender and you’ll be spared,” Gabriel said.

The captain laughed. “I’d rather die in battle then swing from a gibbet.”

Gabriel turned away from the injured pirate to survey the rest of the battle. The rangers had things under control save for his first opponent from the sparing match. Michael was bleeding at the edge of the river, barely holding off a pirate twice his size. Gabriel ran towards them. He was three steps away when the ranger lost his sword.

“Behind you!” Gabriel said.

The pirate turned as Gabriel leapt and thrust his sword though the pirate’s throat. He jerked the blade free, and the pirate fell in a gurgling heap. Gabriel ignored the fast dying pirate and knelt beside the injured ranger. A slash had laid his side open and the bone of his ribs was visible. It was ugly but nothing vital had been hit.

“How you feeling?” Gabriel asked.

“Fine, sir.” the ranger trembled and Gabriel barely heard him over the rush of the river. “Just a scratch.”

“Right, hang on and we’ll get you stitched up.”

Gabriel spun around, ready to reenter the fray, but no fray remained to reenter. All the pirates, save the captain who shouted for someone to fight him, were down.

Sergeant Orn walked over to Gabriel. “We’ve got them, sir.”

“Good. Anybody have a fowling arrow?”

“Fowling arrow?” Orn asked.

“You know a blunt arrow for shooting birds.”

Orn frowned. “I know what a fowling arrow is. Why do you want one?”

Gabriel pointed at the shouting captain. “To shut him up so we can shackle him and take him back for trial and execution.”

“Why not just kill him?” Orn asked.

“Because that’s what he wants and I’m not in the habit of killing men who can’t fight back. Look after the wounded. I’ll take four uninjured men and sweep the ship. When I’m done I expect you to have him unconscious and bound for transport.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gabriel left Orn to deal with the captain and went over to the gathered rangers. One of them was binding the young man’s ribs, so that was good. Gabriel pointed to four uninjured men. “Let’s go, we’re going to sweep the ship, make sure no pirates are hiding on board.”

Gabriel went up the boarding ramp shield first in case a pirate with a bow was waiting. When he reached the top he stopped, struck dumb by the sight of twenty men chained to the oars. They were thin and scarred and cowering away from Gabriel and the rangers. The only pirates on board were near the ballista up front and they had half a dozen arrows apiece stuck in them.

“Please, sir, don’t kill us.” one of the slaves said.

Gabriel knelt beside the man. “Don’t worry; no one will harm you. We’re the king’s men and we’re going set you free. Do you know where the keys are?”

“Captain Dorik has them.” The slave sounded so relieved it pained Gabriel to look at him.

“I’ll get the keys,” Gabriel said. “You four get the rest of the deer roasting. I imagine these men would enjoy a good meal.”

Gabriel followed the men down the ramp and went to join Orn who was putting manacles on the now unconscious pirate captain. “Did you search him?”

“Yeah, six knives, a set of brass knuckles, some coin, and a key.”

“I’ll take the key. He had twenty slaves chained to the oars. How are our injured?”

Orn looked at him. “Six wounded, two serious, but it looks like everyone will make it.”

“Good.” Gabriel accepted an iron key from Orn. “I’m going to free those men.”

L
ater that night
when everyone had eaten and had their wounds tended to one of the former slaves approached Gabriel where he sat thinking and looking into the fire. Gabriel looked over when the man approached.

“Beg pardon, me lord, but what’s to become of us?”

Gabriel cocked his head. “Become of you?”

“Aye, sir, we figured since you fed us and fixed us up you don’t plan to kill us or make us slaves again so we wondered what you intended?”

Gabriel laughed softly. “I don’t intend anything. You’re free men. Your lives are your own. I’m Lieutenant Kane of the Lord’s Way Watch and these others are the king’s rangers. Though we had no idea there were slaves on that ship we were glad to set you free.”

“I reckon that’s the best news I’ve heard in a year. If there’s anything we can do to thank you…”

Gabriel slid down toward the end of the tree trunk he was using for a bench and gestured for the former slave to sit. When he’d made himself comfortable Gabriel said, “I’ve been wondering about that pirate ship. My first thought was to sink it, but that would be an awful waste. If you and the others have any skill with ships I was hoping you’d help me sail it back to Lord’s Way. Manned with a crew loyal to the crown she’d make a good deterrent to anyone else planning to conduct privacy on the river.”

“Well sir, I can’t speak for the others but I’d be glad to give you a hand. I’ve worked river barges for ten years so I expect I can get her to port for you.”

“I appreciate it. What’s your name?”

“Lorn, sir, pleasure to meet you.”

“Gabriel Kane, and the pleasure is mine.” They shook hands.

M
ooche studied the chessboard
, trying to figure a way out of the old priest’s trap. He tapped his chin then moved a pawn.

Solan moved a bishop and he was in worse shape than before. “I notice you have gotten less restive of late. Has your new home begun to grow on you?”

Mooche looked up from the board into the kind, gray eyes of his benefactor, a man he’d arranged to have killed not that long ago. It pained him to admit he found living in the church soothing. He had no worries here, save if the boy and his grouchy partner would wake him at some gods’ awful hour of the morning. That wasn’t so bad, truth be told. The young Watchman, Gabriel, treated him well enough even if Griff was a little harsh. They’d saved his life and now he’d been reborn, a novice in the church. Life never ceased to amaze.

“I suppose it has.” Mooche said at last, claiming one of Solan’s pawns with his knight. “Do you think Gabriel is all right?”

“I hope so.” Solan’s queen avenged his pawn. “That boy has a great future if he lives long enough to so reach it.”

“What kind of future?” When Solan didn’t answer Mooche looked up from the board to find the priest listening, head cocked. “What’s wrong?”

“We have visitors.” Solan got up and grabbed his staff. “Stay out of sight.”

Solan went out into the chapel and Mooche poked his head around the corner. Three men, armed to the teeth and wearing metal studded leather armor, stood halfway to the altar in the center aisle. Mooche didn’t recognize them but he knew a gang of leg breakers when he saw one. He wanted to shout a warning to Solan, but the priest looked perfectly calm as he walked over towards the thugs.

“Can I help you gentlemen?” Solan asked.

“We’re looking for Mooche. You turn him over and we won’t have to hurt you.” The largest of the three thugs said.

“I can’t do that,” Solan said, no sign of worry in his tone. He could have been discussing the weather for all they fazed him. “He’s under my protection. If you leave now there won’t be any trouble.”

The thugs laughed. “You got it wrong old man. You don’t turn Mooche over there’s going to be trouble.”

“This is your last chance.” Solan’s voice turned hard and the hair on Mooche’s neck stood up.

“Out of my way old man.” The thug made to brush Solan aside, but it was like he hit a brick wall and couldn’t move forward.

A bright white light gathered around Solan. He brought his staff down in front of him with a great clash like he’d struck a gong. “In the Bright Shield’s name I cast you out of this place!”

The priest’s words rang in Mooche’s ears and the light grew blinding. The last thing he saw was a giant figure in archaic plate armor striding through the light. When he could see again Solan stood alone in the chapel, leaning on his staff and looking gray. Of the thugs there was no sign.

Mooche hurried out into the chapel. “Are you all right?”

Solan offered a wan smile. “Fine, though we’ll have to finish our game later. I think I should very much like to lie down.”

“Please, what did you do? What was the giant in the light?”

Solan’s face turned grave. “You saw the giant?”

Mooche offered a mute nod.

Solan brightened. “Excellent. That was an aspect of the Bright Shield sent to protect us. That you were allowed to perceive it and survived is a sign that you have begun to reform.”