The High King: A Tale of Alus (4 page)

"Simon, I know that you rode here. Gerid, have Samuel saddle mounts for both you and Janus. I can collect them after the fire is quenched."

"You are too kind, Stephen," Gerid replied as the three men quickly ran to find Samuel and from there they rushed to the stables. The two brothers and Janus headed west quickly as they watched Stephen separate to round up help. Simon led the others in a dangerous gallop through the darkness that had sprung up from the final descent of the sun. The first moon had yet to raise high enough to help illuminate their path so even with the smooth road beneath them it was treacherous riding. The men didn't bother to speak as they focused their concentration on the mounts below them and the road under their hooves. The sounds of hoof beats and the gasps as their horses strained forward, closed around Simon becoming his world in the realm of night.

It wasn't until they topped the final hill before their home less than a mile away, that the elder brother was knocked completely from his little world of safety. Simon reined in his horse strongly and stared sadly ahead. Gerid barreled past him with Janus following close behind as they left him to stare brokenly at the burning fields and house that were once his home.

Simon was stunned by the destruction and, more severely, the death around him. Gerid and Janus had already dismounted and begun throwing water upon the tumbled remains of their former home by the time the elder Aramathea arrived. Hoof beats from the hills behind him heralded Stephen and his volunteers, but they would be too late to save the lives of his servants and friends. Simon looked about him in despair hoping to at least find Serra alive somewhere. He dismounted as his searching proved futile and the hopes that he carried quickly drowned in the sound of the barn's roof crashing down in defeat.

Stephen arrived as Simon joined the others in trying to stop the spread of the fires. The volunteers quickly organized and began to pitch in, but often he noticed them glancing around in fear not generated from the fire. The herdsmen and their families that had served the Aramatheas for so many years now lay all around them. Many were torn to pieces, as if animals had attacked the farm with a passion, but no animals that he knew would set fire to a farm. Though Simon was never in the military, he could have sworn that at least some of them looked like victims of manmade weapons.

A broken portion of fencing still surrounded the fallen home. To one of the remaining fence posts, the man had found a large sheet of paper. "What is it?" he asked as he joined Stephen. A sign with the words `The penalty for treason is death' was emblazoned across it. "Treason?" Simon questioned in confusion.

"I would guess that King Merrick finally decided that he didn't appreciate your brother beating on his guardsmen. This doesn't bode well for what we've started, I fear," Stephen replied. Simon could see genuine worry on the man's normally jovial face.

"Master Simon, Master Gerid!" a cry from near the remains of the barn drew their attention. Simon felt a small comfort as he spotted a half dozen of his retainers running towards them.

"Timoth, Heron, what happened here?" "There were demons, Master Simon!" the shepherd, Timoth answered fearfully. "Winged demons descended from the air to kill everyone. We were tending the flocks when we spied several fires lit near the houses. Not long after dark, the demons attacked and began killing everyone that they could find. Then they set fire to everything near the house and barn."
"Did you see who lit the fires?" Simon asked trying to get through the emotions piling up inside of him.
"We saw several of King Merrick's soldiers around though we didn't see if it was they who actually lit them. I am so sorry, master, but we were too afraid to approach while the monsters were around. The soldiers didn't seem to worry over their presence and just watched them kill everyone and destroy the farm."
"Don't be sorry for not getting yourselves killed here as well, Timoth, for that is what would have happened if you had tried to stop it. The soldiers had to have led those demons here as you guessed. King Merrick has decided to brand my family for traitors. I don't know what sorcerery called forth such demons, but they must be under his control if his men were here and unafraid. What we did to deserve such a thing I still can not guess.
"Did any of the other servants or their families survive?"
"Yes, master, those that live in the homes over the rise. They were spared. Many of the flocks and herds were attacked and slaughtered in the fields though. That was how we spied the demons. I even saw one of the monsters strike down a full grown bull with one blow from a mace and begin feeding."
Simon shook his head with dismay. His brother had moved nearer to hear the news and the two brothers exchanged sad looks. "We'll have to leave this country," Simon sighed. "It's not safe here for us anymore. When the lord finds that we have survived, he'll no doubt send the demons or his soldiers for us again."
"But where will we go?" Gerid cried out in anguish. The sights he had seen were tearing at the young man's soul. His bravado at standing up to Merrick had waned in the news of demons. Simon could see that the boy felt this was his entire fault.
His older brother thought for a moment trying to consider their options now.
"You can stay at the White Horse as long as you like, my friend," Stephen offered, though his eyes betrayed the worry of harboring traitors despite his ties to a growing rebellion.
Simon shook his head adamantly. "Your hospitality is appreciated, Stephen, but it would only be a matter of time before the demons would come to your home as well. The rest of Casmus could suffer along with us. I can not bring about such a fate upon you or your neighbors, besides I think that I have an idea of where to run. First, though, I would ask for the continued use of the mounts that you have loaned us, Stephen."
"Of course, it is the least that I can provide."
"It is far from little, I assure you." He turned to the shepherds. "Timoth, Heron, you men can decide for yourselves if you want a new master. Otherwise, with the remains of our livestock, you could start a farm for yourselves. You may consider gathering all the remaining herdsmen into a group to do so. Working together, you could still make a living from these lands."
"Yes, master... uh, Simon," Timoth replied. "We will talk with the others, but we will miss you greatly. You are sure that you must leave like this?"
"If any are too afraid to stay here, they can join my household as well. I will find a place for them where they will be safe," Stephen volunteered. "I also have flocks and herds to tend and could use more competent men.
If King Merrick doesn't object, we could merge our livestock together even."
"That is another way as well," Simon nodded. "Meanwhile, Gerid and I will need to head east. I'll see if any of the merchants that we've dealt with can smuggle us out of the country."
"Master Simon," Janus piped in, "if it's all right with you, I would like to try and go with you. I would like to stay at Gerid's side as his right hand. We've practiced together and have been through much as lifelong friends. Please allow me to help you."
"If you're certain, yes, you can come along. Remember though. This isn't a pleasure trip and I have no idea what lays before us. We’ve been branded traitors and any who follow us will be considered the same if we’re caught."
"Yes, I know. I wish to continue serving your family none the less, sir."
"Fine, Stephen, I hate leaving everything in your hands, but if you and the others would see to putting out the fires while we try and escape...?"
"Of course, but what will you do for money? I'm sure that you'll need something. I have a little stashed away that I could probably part with for you back at the inn."
"Don't worry, I've already thought of that. Master Cleren lives near here. He can open the bank for me. He also sympathizes with your cause, I know, and has always been a loyal friend to my family over the years. We'll draw as much gold as we possibly can and be off."
He looked at his brother and said, "Come, Gerid. It's time that we left."
The younger man looked to him sadly shaking his head. "This is all my fault."
"Don't blame yourself for fighting injustice. You followed the rules of combat set by Merrick himself. When it happened I should have backed you fully, but I never could have believed the full extent of Merrick's evil. Enough of this, we have much to do this night and a long journey. We had better make use of the darkness while we have it to put as much distance between ourselves and here as possible."
The three men mounted and rode in search of the banker. As they rode east and away from their destroyed home, tears came to Simon's eyes. As his vision blurred, the thoughts of the burned home and the death of his sister became strong and overpowering. "Serra," he lamented quietly under the sound of the hooves striking beneath him.

The ocean side city of Alistaire was bustling with life. The two brothers and their friend made their way to the offices of one of the Aramathea's clients. Looking at the tall wooden buildings around them and the crowd of merchants and shoppers along the main boulevard, Simon could almost forget the horrors of two nights before.

The sounds of bells came from distant harbor buoys as they danced in the water and were heard even over the noise of the crowds wandering around the trio. Merchants shouted loudly that their wares were the best to be bought in the city as their competition stated theirs were even better still. Sea birds of various types called to each other or sat perched in waiting for any scraps left aside to the mercies of their voracious appetites. Simon looked over at his brother and Janus. The two nearly broke their jaws gaping so open mouthed. They had never been to such a large city in all their lives and Alistaire was the largest of all the sea ports serving Marshalla and as such all the first rate sailing companies were based there.

"Over here, boys," Simon shouted motioning the other two towards a building with a large painted anchor set upon it as a sign. Below it hung a slightly smaller blue plaque with white lettering that was beginning to fade. It proclaimed the offices of the Harken sailing fleet. "You two mind the horses and I'll see if Harken will help us out."

As Simon pushed open the wooden door with a clanking of its little bell announcing him, the man found himself momentarily blinded by the change in light. His eyes struggled to adjust to the dimness of the interior, since the day was exceptionally bright and sunny outside. The inhabitant of the office had no such problem. An older man with graying hair had been startled from his paperwork at the clattering of the bell. He stood up quickly and took stock of his latest guest and smiled. "Why if my eyes don't deceive me, it's Simon Aramathea. What brings you in today? I wasn't expecting any shipments from you for at least another month."

"Hello, Cardy," Simon returned the man's greeting. "You needn't worry about any shipments for awhile, I'm afraid."

The old man frowned showing some slight worry since the Aramatheas were one of his biggest clients. "That doesn't sound good at all. Has something happened back at the farm? Fire, plague, or something else?"

"Well, it's kind of a long story actually, but let me ask you something first. Has Lord Merrick been sending his soldiers here at all to collect taxes yet?"

Cardy frowned deeper still. "Oh, yeah and how, that stingy ol' bastard hit all the merchants just last month. A couple of shops were forced to close from it. Is that yer problem? I thought that you and your father had managed to save up pretty well over the years."

"We did and unfortunately that isn't where my problem lies."
The old man sighed impatiently and waved him on. "C'mon, boy, what is it? I'm an old man for crying out loud. I don't exactly have a lot of time to waste deciphering mysterious stories. Spit it out, Simon."
"Well, basically I've come to you for a favor. Apparently, when the soldiers came to collect at our home, they insulted our family. Gerid gave them the taxes and a beating as well. The farm was attacked the other night. Many of my servants were killed and the barns and house were burned to the ground. The Aramatheas are effectively out of business now, my friend."
The old man whistled through his teeth and replied, "That's an understatement. I swear that man needs to be stopped! If he keeps this up, there won't be any businesses left in all of Marshalla. Hell, we might see a mass exodus just to get the hell away from him!" Cardy cursed angrily. His look softened somewhat as he looked at Simon, "So this favor that you wanted.... I assume that since you came here that you are in need of leaving the country then?"
Simon sighed and nodded, "I don't want this, but it has come to that, yes. If we try and stay on in Marshalla, it would only be a matter of time before Merrick learned of it. Then anyone standing near us would be harmed or killed along with ourselves, and I can't have that worry on my conscience. It will be much safer for everyone if we just leave."
The old man shook his head sadly, "You can't fix the wrongs here by running away though, boy. You are an honest man. We need more like you around. Stay and fight for what is yours!"
"Fight? I just told you that we're wanted men. Marshalla isn't big enough to hide us for very long let alone try and gather an army to fight him. Besides if what my surviving servants tell me is true and not simply the ranting of frightened men, then Merrick has called demons to join him. They tell me that winged beasts, much larger than a normal man, destroyed the farm and slew everyone. How can someone like me fight against that? Though I may have been one of the richest shepherds in Marshalla, a shepherd is all that I am. I could not even buy a force to fight against such odds."
Cardy shook his head with worry, but still didn't agree with Simon's decision. "You hadn't told me of the demons before. That is a problem, of course, but even farmers and shepherds can learn to fight for themselves. It is a matter of deciding if you want to win against Merrick's evil. Only you can decide that for yourself." He looked deep into Simon's eyes and sighed, "But you have already given up haven't you, my boy. I see. I am sad, but I see. Then the only question is where will you go?"
Simon started to open his mouth to reply, but suddenly realized with the snap of his jaws, that he didn't have the answer. He had never lived, or even traveled, outside of Marshalla. He confessed, "I don't really know. I suppose somewhere that I can make a living by doing what I know. Do you have any suggestions, Cardy?"
The old man rubbed his chin in thought a moment and said, "Well, most of North Continent lives off sheep and goats. If you want to stay with that living, then probably go to Cadrienne or Sileoth. Though Cadrienne may be a little too close for comfort, if you wish to stay away from Merrick. Also to the south Kardor or Talman, though wilder, may be good places to restart over as well. A lot of farmland up there and those countries are looking for strong commerce."
"Sileoth?" Simon considered. "It is supposed to be a little warmer during the winter as well, but the grasses are supposed to be less productive for the herds. I do have a client in Talman otherwise. Yes, that is not a bad idea. I could go to Master Thadeus in Beashire and I'm sure that I can get him to help me. Could you take us there, Cardy?"
With a quick glance at a ledger, the old man nodded, 'Yes, the Patar has a run up there starting tomorrow. How many are with you though? The Patar isn't one of our bigger ships, after all."
"There’s just the three of us."
"Ah, your sister and brother are with ya then," Cardy nodded.
Uncontrolled, a wave of sadness washed through Simon at the thought of his lost sibling and nearly shook him. He had been trying to push the thought of Serra from his mind the whole trip. Having it brought back to the light of his consciousness hurt him badly. "No, Cardy, my brother and a servant are with me. My sister was at home when it was attacked and destroyed," the last words came as little more than a whisper.
The old man laid a hand of comfort upon his shoulder. "I am sorry. The loss of the girl saddens me as well. Your father always considered her his pride and joy. Perhaps you should stay this night at my home. I have the room and it'll give you time to mourn what has happened. Maybe by the end of the voyage, you'll have the strength to go on despite her loss."
"I appreciate your words and hospitality, but I don't want to put you out. Besides it could be dangerous for you," Simon's voice sounded worn and hollow, even to his own ears.
The old man seemed to share his pain, but still he forced a smile from his dried old lips, "Don't be ridiculous. I will be in no more danger than the inn keeper that you would choose in my stead, besides Merrick probably believes you dead as well. Even if you were being sought, I am sure that I can afford to hide you for a single evening. C'mon, boy, our families are also friends after such a long and profitable association. Let me extend my friendship a little further."
"Thank you that will be fine. Your arguments are strong and I am too tired to resist. In the mean time, I think that I should see to getting some supplies this day for our trip. What all should we take along, I wonder? Should we bring food as well? How much do I owe you for this anyway?"
"Don't worry about payment. Go to Duncan's on Elmore Street and buy enough food to last the three of you for the ten days that it may take. Then you'll cost me nothing but transport and the Patar was going there anyway.
"Now go take care of what you will. You know the entrance to my home, since you have stayed there before. I'll expect you this evening then."
Simon thanked Cardy again before gathering the others. He would sell their mounts to a dealer that he knew first and then go to find new clothes and the food that Cardy had mentioned. He tried to keep as busy as possible to try and avoid thinking of all that he had lost.