Reborn: Demon's Heritage (6 page)

“Don’t worry about it sir,” Ash said with a smile. “I don’t wish to keep people waiting so I think it would be best if I arrived sooner rather than later.”

There was little that the commander could say, but as Ash and Allice left it was clear that he wished that Ash would change his mind.

8-6

It took four days of hard riding for them to reach the main fort. Unlike the others, it was at least four times larger. The front of it was made of mostly stone, but in a few parts Ash could still see wood sticking out. When they approached the front of the fort, five soldiers stepped forward to greet them. After giving them his name and status just like before they quickly ushered him inside while sending a runner to the fort commander.

The inside of the fort was much different than that of the last one. Not only was it larger with more open ground, there was also far more buildings within. Unlike the outside of the fort, the inside of the fort still had a lot of logs showing where the wall had yet to be completed. The smell of oil and sweat permeated the air, stinging Ash’s nose.

Ash could feel the eyes of the soldiers on him as they passed through. Most of the looks he noticed seemed curious, but more than a few were obviously hostile, making the hair on the back Ash’s neck stand up. Before Ash could find the people who were staring daggers at him, he was greeted by a man with light brown hair with more than a few gray streaks. Though the man was obviously in his later years, his body was still well maintained and he walked as if he owned the world around him.

“Lord Hawkwing,” the man said, giving a slight bow. “It is a pleasure to see you safe. I am sure the duchess will be pleased and maybe she will stop sending inquiries every two days asking for a report,” the man added with a light chuckle. “I am Count Harding, the commander of this fort, though I would be pleased if you addressed me as Jorin. I always felt that posturing during war time was not only vain, but ultimately stupid. Might as well paint a target on your back.”

Ash joined in the laugh. “Then please call me Ash as well.”

“Sounds good to me,” Jorin said as he led Ash to the largest of the buildings near the center of the fort. “So far there has been little fighting and no forces have made it this far so mostly we are just shoring up our defenses. I don’t know what we can do to keep you busy, but for the most part you can do what you want.”

“Would it be possible for me to meet with the fort mage so that I could help him with finishing up on the defenses?” Ash asked as he looked around at some of the still bare walls.

“That would be great if you have a way to help out Gabe. He’s a bit young, but he has been working himself nearly to death to get as much as he can done. It is still early so why don’t we go find the young fool. He should be somewhere on the battlements working on the wall.”

Gabe was a short youth in his late teens to early twenties with blonde hair that hung just above his shoulders. Unlike the soldiers around him, the mage was thin and his face was noticeably pale. “Gabe, I brought you a bit of help,” Jorin said, startling the mage who had been bent down with his hand on the ground with his eyes closed.

“Lord Jorin, did the duchess hire a mage from the guild?” The young mage asked as he approached the three. “I heard they were all tasked with the large fort at the capital.”

“No, the duchess still refuses to dispatch guild mages to the outlying forts, but Ash here said he could help, though I am not sure how he means to do so yet.”

“Lord Hawkwing, it is a pleasure,” Gabe said, his face blanching as he quickly bowed. “I meant no disrespect toward the lady with my comments. I am sure that her reasons are well founded and umm well…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ash said, laughing at the stuttering youth.

“Can I ask how Lord Hawkwing will be helping?” Gabe asked as his face regained some of its color.

“Just Ash please. I can use a bit of earth magic so building walls, while tiring, will give me something to do instead of just sitting around getting fat.”

Ash bent down and placed his hand on the ground and started pouring in his mana. As his MP began to reduce, the dirt started to cover the exposed logs and harden. When as stood back up a three fort section of wall had been finished.

“Amazing,” Gabe said, looking up at the finished section of wall. “You were able to do that in only moments. Can you still do more?”

“I can do that much about five times before I start to run dry,” Ash replied.

“With you here, we will be able to finish the wall by the end of the month and start working on building and other fortifications,” Gabe said happily.

Ash had wanted to get straight to work, but Jorin had other plans. After meeting Gabe, Jorin took Ash to the other end of the fort where a number of knights were practicing. Looking through the group of knights, Ash noticed a face that he recognized. When he saw Marilyn, Ash let out a heavy sigh and hoped that he wouldn’t have to deal with her again. It wasn’t that she was bad but something about her always seemed slightly off putting. Ash couldn’t put his finger on what it was, but he knew that it would be better to stay away from her if possible.

After a bit, the knights finished the training and one of them approached where Jorin and Ash waited. “Jorin you old dog, you should stop barricading yourself in your office and come work a few rounds with us,” the knight said loudly.

“Matt, I would love too but I can’t push all the work onto someone else,” Jorin said shaking his head. “I will leave the fighting to the young and I will do the paperwork.”

“If you says so, but if you don’t start moving that body of yours it will rust with old age,” Matt said laughing. “Now if it wasn’t for a good workout, what has brought you to this end of the fort?”

“Matt, this is Lord Hawkwing, though he prefers to be called Ash. Ash, this is Knight Captain Matthew Garabrith though you can just call him Matt,” Jorin said in introductions. “Ash plans to help with the building of the walls and in fact it seems he will easily triple its building speed if not more. From what I have heard, he is also an experienced swordsman, so I thought I would introduce you to him as well.” 

“Ash, glad to hear you can use a sword,” Matt said with a wry grin. “I won’t say that a mind isn’t useful but from what I learned, having more than two people with minds during a war just turns into trouble. They tend to end up fighting about what to do, with each thinking they are right and in the end no decisions get made and it is the people on the lines that suffer.”

“Well, I will leave the decisions to Jorin as that is his job. I see no reason to displace him as I am sure that nothing good would come of it.”

“Well if there is nothing else, me and my men need to start digging pits outside the walls. Ash don’t be a stranger and feel free to join us for training anytime.”

“Why are they digging pits?” Ash asked as the knight walked away.

“They dig pits about five foot deep and about three foot wide and stager them so that it would slow down any advancing enemy. It also makes it hard for towers to be used to scale the wall. Most the time the mage does the work, but Matt said it was a good way to keep the knights busy. He thinks that if he gives them more than a few hours to themselves, they would find some way to destroy themselves.”

“We are in the middle of nowhere with nothing around for miles, how could they get in trouble?” Ash asked as he shook his head with a smile.

“I asked him the same thing after his third day here,” Jorin said laughing. “He went on for hours about how they could get in trouble. It seems that knights who are left alone tend to do amazing and yet foolish things. He said that one time he caught a group of them having blind sword fights after drinking homemade wine. From how he tells it, any man left alone too long returns to boyhood and looks for trouble.”

“He might be right,” Ash agreed as he thought about some of his own foolish stunts.

The whole time Ash and Jorin talked, Allice remained silent. Ash looked back at her from time to time giving her a smile, but she just nodded her head. After finishing the tour, Jorin led Ash to an open area where he could set up his tent. Jorin mentioned that Ash would be more than welcome to build his own lodgings if he wanted.

It didn’t take long for Ash to set up his tent and get everything ready. When he was finished, it was starting to near nightfall but there was still a few hours of daylight left.

Allice walked over and sat down next to Ash who was currently sitting on the edge of his bed, looking through one of the books he had brought from the capital. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. Her hands quickly started to roam and Ash was forced to push her away.

“Master?” Allice asked slightly pouting.

“Allice, we are completely surrounded by thousands of other people with only the thin tent walls to hide us,” Ash said trying to explain. “I am sure that you can go a few days.”

“Mou…Not fair. I still get to sleep in master’s bed, otherwise I will still give those guys something to listen to.”

Seeing that he had already lost the argument, unless he wanted to use an order, Ash just nodded his head. Allice kissed him again only to earn a scathing glare when her hands started to slip down his waist.

The first day passed quickly and Ash couldn’t help but smile as Allice clung tightly to him though he had to keep pushing her hands away when they started to roam.

8-7

Three weeks passed in a flash. As soon as he woke, Ash would train with the knights for a little over an hour and then begin working on the walls with Gabe. While he was working, Allice helped the fort commander. Thanks to the training she had received, Jorin found her service invaluable allowing him to spend less time in his cramped quarters.

It took less than a week for Ash to get a letter from Emelia. Thankfully she didn’t seem mad at him, but she was going to limit the rest of his actions within the war. Ash wanted to complain, but after having an army chasing him for days and nearly dying, he found himself with very little ground to stand on.

The letter had mostly just talked about what had been happening during the current war. There had been a number of small engagements along the border, but recently there had been reports of a larger force being sighted. At the same time, the king and other nobles had sent letters to Emelia to use Ash as a scapegoat to escape the fall of her territory, but from Emelia’s own words she had no plan to do such a thing. The last part of her letter left Ash speechless. It seemed that she was with a child. There was only one small line at the end to tell him as if it was only an afterthought.

When Ash had read the last line of the letter he had wanted to run out of the tent and return to the capital. Thankfully his mind returned and he was able to stop before he had made it that far. For two days after that, Ash had walked around mostly in a daze with his mind never truly on the tasks at hand. But as the days passed, he found it easier and easier to return to his normal routine.

Everything seemed to be returning to normal until reports started coming in that a large force had already destroyed two of the small forts and was most likely headed in their direction. Dispatch riders were sent not only to the capital but to the other forces within the duchy. It would be insanely idiotic to march straight toward the capital without first trying to destroy the other forces, otherwise the attacking force would be caught between the wall of the city and the knights who would rush to protect it. The only reason they would try such a thing was if they were sure they could breach the city walls before the defenders could be mobilized.

When the news reached Jorin, he doubled the watch and ordered that at least five scouts were to be out patrolling at all times. The pressure to get the walls finished increased and Ash and Gabe started to work until their MP was completely exhausted each day.

The days passed with no signs of any enemies, then one of the scouts returned with the news that a force of more than forty thousand was marching toward the fort. The number was more than a little surprising as it was almost double what the attacking duchies should be able to field. That could mean only one thing. Either the crown or the other duchies were adding their support. After what had happened earlier with some of the king’s men being among the enemy, it was more than clear what path had been taken.

This was dour news since the fort only had a little more than two thousand men at arms. Even with the strong walls, there was little hope of them holding out long enough for the reinforcements to arrive, much less win. Ash barely noticed the men running around carrying loads of arrows both for crossbows and long bows.  

Today Ash stood on the west wall of the fort looking out across the open expanse as a large dust cloud rose up into the sky.

“I think that you should head back to the capital to attend your young wife,” Jorin said as he came up to watch the incoming horde with Ash.

“My wife’s orders were to stay at this fort. I will not abandon my post until new orders are received,” Ash replied with an even tone.

Jorin shook his head but didn’t say anything to try and change Ash’s mind. Everything else was quickly washed away from his mind as the first of the enemy soldiers came into view. For as far as he could see on the horizon, men began to appear. At first it was a line of horsemen, then foot soldiers.

Even though the soldiers had appeared, it still took hours before they stopped their advancement and started making camp. An hour before nightfall, three lone riders carrying a white flag rode out toward the fort.

“Shall we wait for our enemies in the comfort of my office,” Jorin said with a deep sigh.

“Better than just watching them,” Ash agreed with a half-hearted smile.

As soon as they entered the commander’s office, Allice appeared with an apprehensive look on her face carrying a small bottle of liquor. “Double distilled brandy from the southern isles,” Jorin said as he held up a small glass for Ash. “I was saving it to drink at the end of the war, but it seems like we might not get to see the end of it.” Jorin looked at Allice who looked near tears and nodded with his head toward one of the empty seats. “Take a seat. No reason to stand on formalities anymore.”

Allice looked toward Ash and he gave a nod of approval. Jorin quickly made another glass appear and handed it to Allice who quickly filled the three glasses. “Here is to all the days that we have lived and hopes that the coming days will be far kinder than they seem to be.”

The toast seemed a little dark to Ash, but he still gulped down the harsh liquid. Allice started to cough beside Ash, causing him to smile as she tried to drink the brandy. Before Allice had a chance to finish half her drink, a knock came at the door and a young knight entered to let them know that the enemy had arrived in order to offer terms. Jorin nodded his head. “Show them in.”

Three men quickly entered the building. A tall bald man with dark blue eyes and a scar running from the top of his head to just below his cheek caught Ash’s attention first. Out of the three he had the most imposing aura. “Duke Danis, Duke Fouren, Knight Commander Regis, what an honor,” Jorin said, giving each man a slight bow.

“Count Harding, it is nice to see you again, though I wish they would have been under better times,” the bald man said curtly.

“We don’t have all day, so why don’t we get down to the issue,” a tall yet slightly overweight man said with a sneer. “If all your men lay down their arms and surrender the demon spawn, then you shall be spared. Those are the only terms you shall receive and this is the only time you will be offered them.”

“Lord Hawkwing I think the terms are unacceptable what are your views?” Jorin asked with a hint of a smile on his face.

“I completely agree,” Ash said, his hand slightly inching toward the sword on his belt.

“It seems that we have come to a standstill. Though I must admit that I am surprised that the knight commander of the king would be here. I see that his majesty does not even hold to his own laws.”

“Watch your mouth or I will have you hung for treason,” the portly man said with a sneer. “Regis has retired as the knight commander and I simply hired him. The king has nothing to do with this war.”

“That is a joke and you know it,” Jorin said with a look of utter disdain on his face. “You can try and pitch that line to some young fool, but don’t think I will swallow it. If you didn’t have the king’s support then there is no way that you would be able to raise a force this large. Now if you would please leave, I have had about as much as I can stand of the stench of honor-less dogs.”

The two dukes faces paled, but they made no sign of moving for their weapons. They quickly turned and left, leaving behind only the bald soldier. “Regis, is there something else that you need?” Jorin said in a dismissive tone.

“Count Harding, we have long known each other. I know that you are a man of honor and I just ask that you make the choice that is best for the kingdom and for the men under your command.”

“I used to think that you were a man of honor as well, but it seems that I was wrong,” Jorin nearly yelled. “This is Hawkwing land and as long as my men and I live, we will not stand to see if defiled by the likes of people who have already sold their soul and honor for a few bits of gold.”

“It saddens me that you see me as such,” Regis said with obvious pain in his voice.

“It saddens me to see that you sold your honor. Your father would be turning in his grave if he saw you. Now leave, I have had enough of the stench of your disgrace.”

Though the man looked to be a seasoned warrior he hung his head in shame as he left the building. Once he was gone, Jorin sat down in his chair, his face looking to have aged more than ten years in a moment’s time. Jorin picked up the bottle of brandy and drank straight from the bottle.

“Someone you know?” Ash asked.

“Aye. I served with his father when I was a young man. I was there when the boy was born he always had a good head on his shoulders, so when he came of age both me and his father supported him in becoming a knight under the king’s banner. If I had known it would have come to this, I would have demanded that he serve the duchy just as his father did.”

For the rest of the evening, Ash and the others sat in silence drinking. Allice nursed her drink without asking for another. By the time they went back to their own tent, the sky was already dark and only the light from a few campfires lit the area.

For hours Ash lay awake with Allice nestled up against him. Her soft breathing helped ease his tense nerves, but he still couldn’t sleep. After laying still for more than an hour, Ash quietly left the bed and walked outside to feel the cool night air against his skin. He didn’t know why, but soon Ash found himself on the west wall looking out at the enemy camp.

“They will attack tomorrow,” A light voice said from Ash’s side. Turning around, Ash noticed that Marilyn had moved up next to him.

“I was surprised to see you here,” Ash said, turning his attention back to the numerous tents of the enemy that had sprouted in the distance. “I thought that you were back at the capital training the new recruits.”

“I was,” she admitted. “But I asked to be reassigned. I didn’t want to be sitting in safety while everyone else was fighting. It just didn’t seem right.”

“I can understand that,” Ash said remembering his own feeling when Emelia had asked him to stay behind.

Without warning, his luck shield activated and Ash was covered in a light blue light. His eyes widened he turned to find Marilyn holding a dagger in her right hand, her eyes looking at him as if he were some sort of monster. “Why?”

“You have corrupted the duchess and brought this war to us,” Marilyn spat. “The second I learned that you had demon blood, I knew that something was wrong. I went to the duchess, but she had already been taken in by your lies and deceit. I was left with no other choice. I sent word to the king of the truth and my fears.”

“You gave your word to keep your silence,” Ash said, his anger rising.

“Who would keep their word given to a demon spawn,” she said as she lunged at Ash.

Ash wasn’t taken by surprised and quickly grasped her hand with his own twisting her arm behind her. His left hand went to where his sword should be but he was left with only air as he remembered he left his sword lying beside his bed. Marilyn struggled but soon a number of knights who heard the commotion started to gather.

“What is going on?” Matt asked as he came up the stairs to find Ash holding Marilyn against the ground.

“She tried to kill me,” Ash said as he let the knight go and quickly took a step back.

When Matt looked at Marilyn, she just sneered at him. “He is a demon and the enemy of all humankind, why shouldn’t I kill him?”

Matt let out a heavy sigh as he pulled his sword free from its scabbard. Without a word his sword flashed and Marilyn’s head flew up and over the edge of the battlements to fall on the ground below. After cleaning his sword, Matt turned and bowed down before Ash. “Lord Hawkwing, I ask your forgiveness. For one under my command to draw their blade against you, I have no excuse.”

Ash was still shocked but he had a clear enough mind to know that it wasn’t the man in front of him that had meant him harm. “Matt, no need for this,” Ash said shaking his head. “Get off your feet and get some rest. We have enough worries without the added weight of guilt holding us down.”

Matt stood and gave Ash a warm smile though it was obvious what had transpired still weighed heavily on his mind.

Not knowing what to say, Ash started back down the stairs to return to his tent and if possible to get some sleep, though he didn’t think it likely. There was just too much going on in his mind.

Ash found Allice still sleeping soundly when he entered the tent and with a shake of his head, he took his place next to her taking some small comfort in the warmth from her body.

That night as Ash slept, a warm sensation covered his body and a pain shot through his heart. His dreams were disturbed and he felt a sense of loss.