The Exodus Sagas: Book III - Of Ghosts And Mountains (55 page)

“You would do well to run, young one. When my father comes, and his army behind him, Valhirst will be---“ Thud, the rock hit him in the mouth then bounced along the stone floor.

Clack, clack, clack

“With you chained up to the wall like this, I thought it would be easier to hit your face. In the dark, I am still only getting one out of six or so, those are not good odds.” Oggidan laughed.

Blood dripped from his split lip, his head had several lumps, and his entire torso ached from days and days of these rocks from this curly red headed bastard boy with one hand. He looked to the other cells, his men chained similar. Some had been killed, some hung from the walls he had heard when guards talked too much, and some were sold to the Taberlo slave trade.

The sounds of war and siege had stopped yesterday, whatever assault his remaining soldiers had attempted had come to an end. His missing ring finger throbbed, but they had burned it shut with a hot brand after they cut it off. Bryant remembered the battle, the severed tongues of his men, men that he was tricked into killing. He recalled the fight between he and the black robed man known as Vermillion, the one who did not talk much. It all happened so fast. Their blades locked, two shortblades against his shield and broadsword. There were flashes of steel, dodges, parries, it looked glorious at the time. Then, all went black. His temple throbbed the worst, knowing he had taken a blow from a sword pommel there, and awoke here, in chains.

Thud, clack, clack, clack

Right in the forehead, Bryant raged out in anger, the chains stopping him ten feet before the boy leaning against the bars with a handful of stones in the dark.

“Direct hit! I am getting better at this! And do not ever call me boy again, or cry about your father. When he does come, he will die too. We have a plan for your daddy, be sure of that.”

“Then why not kill me now?”

“Prince Johnas wishes that honor for himself, wants to see you beg.”

“Will not happen. The king will see this city leveled to the ground before that, I know my father.” Bryant walked backwards, resting against the wall again. The smell in here was awful and full of mildew. The only light was a torch of strange green light some fifty feet down the prison walkway, and the food was but old bread and ground salty meat served with stale water. He was weak, hurt, and constantly tormented and tortured by this boy and other agents.

“You invaded with a thousand men from inside, and four more thousand laid siege. Now, you have nothing, they all retreated. Your father got that many more? No, Vermillion says he don’t. And when Prince Johnas returns, he is gonna have many more.” Oggidan picked up his rocks, walked back to the bars, and took aim.

“Returning from where?”

Thud, clack, clack

It hit him in the chest, he winced on instinct now, his whole body was sensitive from the bruising that was surely underneath these dirty rags.

“Harlaheim. He has more than one kingdom ya’ know, he will have them all, like the Altestani did up north on their continent. Then, Johnas will be a great emperor too, you’’ll see.”

“Is that what he tells you? Ha! Is that before he cattle brands you, or after? Stupid little whelp, whoever took your hand did the people a disservice by not finishing the job and ridding a bit of idiocy from the world.” He tried to invoke some anger, get some more information from the boy, likely at the cost of great pain.

Thud, clack, clack

His elbow spasmed in sharp pain, his laughter stopped and his face turned red trying to fight the ache.

“Won’t work, the Emerald Eight are training me, orders of Prince Johnas himself. Then, I will take my revenge on Kendari, I will take both his hands, and his head. We’ll see who is stupid then.” Oggidan was serious now, sensitive to his missing appendage still, he threw harder.

Thud, Clack, clack

The glancing blow went off his ear, but Bryant turned his head quick anyway, sighed, then dropped limp. His arms hurt, but he did not move, he left his mouth open a bit to look uconscious. Another rock hit him, below the neck. He remained loose despite the pain, it took all he had not to grimace or flinch. He heard the footsteps come closer.

“
Shart, shart on me! I focking killed him! Wake up stupid prince,
shart, shart, shart, I am---
gggllllgghhh!”

Bryant kicked up with his legs and pulled with all he had left in his arms. His calves wrapped around this boys’ neck. He twisted his body, turning Oggidan over sideways, then locked his feet together and squeezed. His shinbones were tight on the windpipe and back of the neck, no sound issued. Oggidan reached for his shortblade, since his gauntlet blade was by the bars and his pile of rocks. Bryant twisted the other way, nearly breaking the boys’ back as he turned him over again. He wrenched back and forth, then heard the steel sword hit the cold stone, he kept squeezing. Something moved, a shadow, then his forehead was struck and all spun into darkness.

Gasping for air, his eyes nearly falling from their sockets, his head ready to burst from the pressure, Oggidan crawled around the floor in search of his breath. A rough hand pulled him up.

“I told you to be careful, to watch him, not to fock around like a fool. Is this man in a cage?” Vermillion’s deep voice was intimidating, even to other trained killers.

Oggidan nodded.

“Is he a warrior, a killer, trained to fight?”

Oggidan nodded again.

“Then why would you poke and play with a caged and wounded animal? There is nothing more dangerous, is there?”

Oggidan shook his head no, holding his throat and rubbing it in hopes the air would return soon.

“Next time, he will kill you. Sword or no sword, he will do anything to be free. What will you do?” Vermillion picked up the gauntlet blade the boy used for his missing hand, then his shortblade and handed them to the Oggidan.

His voice eked out from the small swollen passage in his throat. “
Make sure there is no next time, keep my distance
.”

“Correct. It is like the moon I showed you, your boundaries are like a circular moon around you in every direction. This, is no different. Upstairs, time for another lesson.”

Vermillion of the South drew his paired shortblades of masterful quality, and silently walked up the stairs. He looked back to make sure Oggidan followed, glanced at Prince Bryant who was breathing heavy and out cold, then turned and continued up. He would hang three more for the prince’s attack, after he cut out their tongues. Then he would grind them and serve the tongues again, another meal fit for a prince.

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The riders charged off with the sealed letters from their king, six men in all. The rest broke camp, packed their gears and tents, and readied for war. The letters had been simple,
send me your men, to Valhirst, prepared for war
. They rode to Southwind Keep, Saint Gavrielle, Addisonia, Vallakazz, Silverbridge, and even the capital city of Loucas. After his grieving sight of his sons’ finger and royal ring, having read the letter from Johnas Valhera, Mikhail had resolved not to give in to terror, extortion, or any demand or trick of the Prince of Valhirst. If it was war Johnas wanted, he would get it. His crying had lasted hours, but his resolve was stronger.

The sun was warm, the breeze felt refreshing, but the king cared not. He was as stone, cold and quiet, armored and armed, and sitting atop a white steed awaiting the ride to Valhirst.

“Your majesty, Johnas wants you to meet him in all out war, you are walking into a trap. The man is always steps ahead of you, why take his bait?” Chancellor Marcus, despite his queries, was dressed in his armor and ready atop his brown mare.

“It is in Gods hands. I cannot leave my son to die in Valhirst, yet I will not give my crown to that wretch either. If I wait, he will attack other cities, murder nobles, and take it one way or the other. My only hope is, I can outnumber him with aid from the other lords and cities, and hit his walls faster than he thinks I will.” Mikhail looked east, waiting to give the order.

“I will stay with you, as I know he has been rumored to house wizards among his council.” Aelaine vowed to herself not to get involved, she hated war. It cost her former husband in Arouland fourteen long years ago. Yet, she could not leave now, her king would need her.

“And, Johnas has doppelgangers, I have seen them. Surely the man who greets me, and my son on the field, will be but those creatures in disguise. I know what I charge into. God knows, so hopefully my prayers will be heard.”

“Your majesty?” Liogan Andellis, back to himself now, took a knee before his mounted king.

“Yes, young Andellis, bearer of a proud name, what is it?” Mikhail thought of James Andellis, the man from the battle of Arouland that he had field knighted at sea after boarding his ship. He smiled, knowing that truth and glory came in mysterious ways sometimes.

“My name, sire? Why is it proud?”

“Sir Baril Andellis and I fought in a war or two together, and Sir James Andellis was the lone survivor of a war with the ogre, even faced Avegarne alone. Good men, both of them. Carry the name well son. Now, what is it you wanted to ask me?”

“I was wondering, while your son, Prince Bryant, is inside, and you are outside waging the big war and all, well…”

“What, you are afraid to charge in? Thousands upon thousands frightens you, Liogan?” Mikhail spoke loud, not wanting to hear anymore pessimism on his actions, least of all from a young soldier.

“No sire.”

“Good. Does victory frighten you? The flags of Chazzrynn and of your king over Valhirst and a conquered enemy?”

“No sire.”

“Excellent, then what is it you need from me?”

“Your son sire, they will kill him, won’t they? If you do not surrender, I heard the Lady say it, but she won’t tell you.”

“That is, possible, but he is too valuable to Johnas, it is a bluff that---“ The King of Chazzrynn had rarely in his whole life been interrupted.

“With all due respect sire, I don’t trust em’. I request permission to go in at night, infiltrate their city from the docks in the bay to the east, and rescue your son while you have them distracted to the west. There, I said it, whew.” Liogan was sweating.

“That sounds a bit insane, like a suicide attempt young soldier. You, alone, in a strange city, at night? Are you well?” Chancellor Marcus looked at Liogan.

“No, I will not be alone. Lavress Tilaniun will be with me. We can do it, your highness.” Liogan looked to Lavress. The savage elf had a look of shock on his face, having no inclination that he was involved in any of this.

“Lavress, mighty brave of you to offer such a task to a man who is not your king. I commend you once more.” Mikhail felt at peace, something stirred that told him this was allright, yet his mind could not think of one logical reason why he would agree to it.

“Your majesty I---“ Lavress began to tell him no, he had not offered, and had no idea of this ridiculous mission. He was cut off by Mikhail before it emerged from his lips.

“But, I cannot send a soldier to die in the depths of Valhirst on such a mission. Were I younger, I would go myself.” The king looked to the sad face of Liogan Andellis.

“No, your majesty?”

“No, but I can send a knight to that noble and brave cause.
Kneel
.” Mikhail drew his sword, golden enchanted broadsword glimmering in the sun, his banners whipping in the breeze ontop of a green hill. He could not tell why by just thinking, but he was doing as he should, something inside told him that.

Liogan knelt, tears weltering but not falling, he lowered his head. He felt the sword of his king touch his shoulders then lay flat on his head. His heart froze, not sure if it was beating too fast, or not at all.

“Do you swear to defend your king, your kingdom of Chazzrynn, and the people against any enemy?”

“I do, your majesty.”

“Will you fight with honor, with bravery, and show no fear?”

“I will, my king.”

“Then, Liogan Andellis, soldier of Southwind Keep you are no more. Rise, Sir Liogan Andellis, Knight of Chazzrynn!”

Sir Liogan rose, looked up to his king, trembling at the age of almost seventeen. “Your majesty.”

“Sir Liogan, you have asked your king to infiltrate Valhirst amidst a war, and rescue the heir prince to the kingdom. This mission is most dangerous, would you choose someone to accompany you?”

“Him, my lord, master Lavress.” Sir Liogan pointed to Lavress, all men looking to the elf.

“Lavress Tilaniun, will you accept this mission for the King of Chazzrynn, to help Sir Liogan save my son?” His eyes were wet, he felt something in his throat, he fought it.

This boy is dead if I do not go, we are likely both dead even if I do. The Goddess saved him, through the other, but I am not to get involved. He is a quick learner though.
He looked to Liogan Andellis, his archer from Southwind, now a knight.

“I accept, your highness. We will rescue Prince Bryant.” Lavress bowed his head.

“
To Valhirst! To the Prince
!” Mikhail raised his blade high, reared his stallion on the hill, and charged east, toward the city of his nephew.