Free the Darkness (King's Dark Tidings Book 1) (29 page)

The other two attackers came at him at once, each wielding a
two-handed longsword. Rezkin slashed at one opponent while blocking the other,
keeping them both far enough away to be effective with his two weapons. Within
seconds he had disarmed one and gutted the other. He dispatched them both
without hesitation. The entire encounter had only taken a few minutes, and he
could hear the heated exchange of metal on metal elsewhere on the hill.

Corporal Lattery was still exchanging blows with one of the
two swordsmen, but he was bleeding from a deep gash at his shoulder. Rezkin
slashed at the assailant’s back as he ran by, and the corporal was able to
finish the man. Rezkin ran toward Lieutenant Jimson’s location, the corporal
hot on his heals. The lieutenant was engaged with three of the bandits, while
one lay dead in the gulley. Just as Rezkin and the corporal arrived, Jimson
prevailed over another of the aggressors, leaving only two to eliminate. The
three men made short work of these last and then sprinted toward the camp to
assist those on the other side.

The fighting had spilled into the campsite, the five guards
unable to hold the bandits at bay. Only four of the guards were still standing,
and Rezkin could not see the fifth, so he knew not if the man lived. The guards
were spread in a ring around the campfire protecting Frisha and Tam who were
both holding their swords in tight grips, their eyes darting around wide-eyed
and wild. Neither seemed to notice Rezkin’s arrival, which was just as well. He
did not want them doing anything senseless like abandoning the relative safety
of the circle and running up to him. It seemed like something Frisha might do.

The campsite was surrounded by a dozen jeering bandits.
Pride managed to tear his reins from the branch that had had been holding him
and was stomping furiously. He bit and kicked at the bandits, and after caving
in one’s skull, the rest of the intruders stayed clear of the enraged battle
charger.

The assailants, apparently feeling secure in their numbers,
were doing little to press their advantage. They satisfied themselves with
terrorizing their prey for the time being. Occasionally, one or two would
engage a guard briefly before backing away again into the pack. This all
changed when the lieutenant, corporal and Rezkin arrived and started laying
into their numbers on one side of the hill. Rezkin took down four of the
bandits before the others around them even noticed the defenders’ presence.
Even so, those on the far side had yet to notice the disruption.

After thinning the number of bandits on that side, Rezkin
slipped back into the darkness to flank the mass on the other side. Bandits,
mostly hidden in darkness, fell into their final death throws as Rezkin scythed
them down. He moved like a wraith among the fallen, and few of the challengers
had enough skill to even mount a semblance of a defense.

When the final foe was defeated, Rezkin found himself facing
Lieutenant Jimson. The young warrior was glancing around the campsite ensuring
no more bandits remained hidden when he noticed a sudden stillness around him.
He looked up to see Lieutenant Jimson staring at Rezkin’s swords. The other
soldiers, sensing their leader’s alarm, gathered around and were now staring as
well.

The lieutenant, whose eyes were riveted to the two
magnificent swords, felt Rezkin’s eyes on him and glanced up to meet the young
warrior’s gaze. He swallowed hard and tightened his grip on his sword. The
frightening warrior’s icy stare bore into him, and Lieutenant Jimson knew this
was the face of death.

Noting the mounting tension, Rezkin sheathed his swords. The
soldiers jumped at the sudden action. “Do you need to see my papers?” he asked
in a deep, neutral tone.

The lieutenant’s eyes flashed with surprise. “You have
papers?” It was not possible that this young man had papers. The bequeathing of
a Sheyalin was a grand public spectacle, an opportunity for the bearer to
receive acclamation and notoriety for his feats. Criers and news posts across
the land would announce the event with almost as much reverence as crowning a
new king. It was the highest honor of the land, one that had not been granted
in nearly two decades.

Rezkin nodded once. “I do.”

“Yes,” said Lieutenant Jimson, certain he was speaking his
final words at this very moment. “I am afraid I must.”

Rezkin reached slowly into his chest armor, but rather than
drawing the dagger the lieutenant expected, the young warrior pulled out a
small metal cylinder about the width of his finger. Rezkin broke the wax
sealing the cap and withdrew the Certificate of Authority. He held the small
scroll out to the lieutenant and waited.

Lieutenant Jimson took the scroll with a shaky hand. He was
not a coward by nature, but the things he had seen this night were astonishing.
Never had he seen a man defeat so many with such ease. He still had not had
time to truly process it all. If this scroll did not provide the warrior with
the proper authority, which it surely could not, the young warrior’s life was
forfeit by law, and the lieutenant was required to carry out the sentence then
and there. The lieutenant did not expect to survive the encounter.

But, why would the man known as Rezkin bother to provide any
papers at all? Perhaps this was a forgery or maybe he was simply giving the
lieutenant a way to save face with his men and pretend he had seen a proper
certificate, thereby enabling Rezkin to spare his life.

Lieutenant Jimson nervously unrolled the small scroll,
anxiously pondering what he would do if such were the case. He was not sure
what he would find, but he certainly did not expect what lay in his hands. His
eyes widened to giant saucers, and he unconsciously let out a slow whistle.
This was no forgery. He had seen the old king’s hand and seal often enough for
recognition, but this one was also backed by a hint of magic that forced the
viewer to accept it as real – a mage certification. He glanced back into
Rezkin’s firm but expectant gaze and released his pent up breath.

“We’re good,” the lieutenant said hastily. He glanced around
at his men and repeated, “We’re good.”

The soldiers felt such relief that they suddenly relaxed and
felt happier than they probably should have considering they had just engaged
in a deadly battle. Tam and Frisha were huddled together by the fire staring at
the strange spectacle. They had not seen what initially caused the sudden
confrontation between Rez and the soldiers, but they were relieved that it
appeared to be over now.

Rezkin strode over to his
friends
and Frisha threw
herself into his arms. The warrior stiffened but forced himself to relax. He
reminded himself that the young woman was
not
attacking him, and
physical contact was normal in the outworld.

As soon as Frisha was in Rezkin’s arms, the tears started
flowing. She had been so frightened while they were surrounded by all those
vicious bandits. When she realized Rezkin was nowhere to be seen, she nearly
panicked. Only Tam’s steady presence had reassured her and kept her from
completely losing her wits. Tam had assured her that Rezkin must have gone to
help the soldiers fight off the bandits. As a dueler, he would have enough
skill to fight some of them, if he was any good. Thinking of it that way,
Frisha nearly panicked all over again. What if something happened to Rez? What
if he was killed?

“Don’t
do
that!” she couldn’t help but holler as she
pounded a fist into his tight, oh-so-muscular chest.

“Do
what?
” Rezkin asked, utterly confused by the
woman’s sudden anger. If she was angry with him, why was she clinging to him?

“Run off like that! You could have been killed!” she
hiccuped.

Rezkin took the woman by the shoulders and held her at arm’s
length as he captured her eyes. “I assure you that I am aware of my
limitations. At no time did I put myself in unnecessary or overwhelming danger.
At all times, I was cognizant of
Rules 8, 47, 147, 239,
and
245
.
Of course, there are several other
Rules
that apply, but you understand
what I am saying.”

Wiping her eyes and sniffling, Frisha furrowed her brow and
shook her head in confusion. “No, I don't think I do,” she said quietly.

Rezkin waved away the concern. This was not the time to
remind the woman of the
Rules
that she should have engrained in her mind
by now. “I was safe enough, is what I am saying.” Changing the subject, he said
to Tam, “You are well? You were not injured?”

“No, I’m fine, Rez. I didn’t have to fight any of them. I
was scared out of my mind, though. Some soldier I’ll make,” he said with
chagrin.

“You would have fought them if one had come at you or
Frisha?” Rez asked.

“Yes, of course,” Tam said as though it did not actually
need
to be said.

Rezkin shrugged. “Then you will make a good soldier once you
are trained. Do not mistake your ignorance or lack of skills for cowardice. It
is a wise man that acknowledges his limitations. If you had attempted to engage
those men at your current level of
Skill,
it would have been foolhardy.
You would have gotten yourself, and maybe Frisha, killed.”

Tam nodded and swallowed a sudden lump in his throat that
had developed at the thought of him or Frisha dying. “Thanks. That does make me
feel a little better about myself. I’m glad you’re okay. I didn’t see you here
where the biggest group was, so I guess you caught a few stragglers?” he asked
curiously. Lieutenant Jimson passed by at that moment and gave Tam another odd
look.

Rezkin shrugged again and said, “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Frisha gasped and covered her mouth with a hand, “Oh, did
you…did you have to
kill
anyone?”

Rezkin looked at her askance and motioned around the
clearing, “Of course, Frisha. These men were bandits intent on killing all of
us.
Of course
I had to kill.”

“I-I’m sorry, Rezkin. I didn’t mean to be insensitive. It
must be hard for you to go through this. I can’t imagine what it would be like
to kill someone. I think I would be sick if I did. I admire you for holding it
together like you are. Just remember, you did it to protect us, and I’m sure it
will get easier with time.”

Rezkin furrowed his brow, stared hard at the woman, and then
glanced around the clearing. What was she talking about? Did she think he was
upset about killing the bandits? What else was he supposed to do? He could have
captured them alive, some of them anyway, but then what would they do with
them? The bandits would ultimately be put to death after a trial, so what would
be the point in waiting? Although he was utterly confused, he lost the
opportunity to respond when the lieutenant called to him. Fearing his dismay
would show on his face, Rezkin chose not to look back at Frisha as he walked
away.

Frisha felt terrible for Rezkin. He had probably never had
to kill anyone before, and that was making it so much more difficult to talk
about what happened. It was obvious he was distressed since he couldn’t even
bring himself to look at her. His eyes kept bouncing around the campsite as
though he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He was clearly much more upset
than he was admitting. He was putting on such a brave face. She sighed. She
really just wanted to take him into her arms and tell him it was okay, but
nothing she said would probably convince him at this point that what he had
done was necessary. He would have to come to that conclusion on his own some
day.

“Frisha,” Tam said, interrupting her musings, “you really
shouldn’t push him like that. It’s too soon. I’m sure he’s trying not to think
about it at the moment. Even as a duelist he would not be used to death. It’s
rare that a duel is fought to the death. He’s probably never even had to fight
anyone outside of a dueling ring, much less a host of murderous bandits. Just
give him some space. With whatever he’s going through, he was still taking the
time to try to make
us
feel better.”

Frisha sighed, “I know, you’re right, Tam. He’s just such a
noble man. It’s hard to think of him being exposed to such terrible men on our
behalf.”

“There, now
you’re
the one calling him a noble,” Tam
jibed.

Frisha huffed, “No, I didn’t mean
that
kind of noble.
I meant his character. Oh, you know what I mean.”

Lieutenant Jimson had finally gotten up the nerve to confront
Rezkin now that the adrenalin from the battle was fading. He called the strange
warrior aside to talk in hopes that he could make things clear. Rezkin joined
the lieutenant at the edge of camp, out of earshot of the others.

“You were going easy on me?” the lieutenant questioned.

Rezkin cocked his head in confusion.

“When we were dueling. You were hardly trying,” Jimson
clarified.

“No, I was definitely trying. It is not easy to limit one’s
Skill
.
If I had engaged you with my full
Skills
, there would have been no
practice,” he stated succinctly with no hint of conceit.

 The lieutenant stared at the young man who was at
least several years younger than he. “You are a Swordmaster.” It was a
statement, not a question.

“Yes,” Rezkin replied just as succinctly.

“You are not a duelist.” Again, a statement.

“Not by profession,” the young warrior answered.

“Then you are…” the lieutenant let the question linger.

Rezkin simply shrugged.

Jimson, deciding not to push it, released a heavy breath.
“Then, I am glad you are a friend and not foe.”

Rezkin was surprised. This man was a
friend
as well?
Why had he not said so when they first met? Now, he was even more grateful that
he had managed to keep the man from getting himself killed. He could have
failed in his purpose without even knowing he had done so. Just to be sure,
though, he decided to check with Frisha about the validity of the assertion.
She seemed to know about such things.