The Exodus Sagas: Book II - Of Dragons And Crowns (73 page)

“Four
darts? Never seen that before, eve
n an ogre takes at most two!” t
he
men laughed as they closed the cage on their latest catch and waited for orders from the others as to their next move.

James heard them coming, heard the water splashing from horsehooves, and heard the
oohs
and
ahhs
of men who had just found what they were looking for up the river. He struggled against the wing and pulled his leg free from under the carcass of the dragon. Face down in the river, the knight crawled the riverbed to a stretch of cattails and crept inside for cover. His body soaked yet healed for th
e better of most his injuries, h
e held the grip of his blade and kept his shield underwater as the men surrounded the great red and black wyrm.

“Take the hide, the fangs, the eyes, claws, and the heart. Le
ave the rest for the wolves.” a
fat bloated man with thin red hair and a curly beard sat armored atop a tan stallion pointing with his spear at the beast that lay in the river. His men, over a dozen, dismounted and drew knives and
daggers from their belts, produced bags and sacks for the parts as ordered.

James watched as the dragon was ransacked for its supposed valuables. Despite its ferocity, wickedness, and destructive cruelty, James felt sorrow and pity for such a great animal being cut apart after death for profit by scavengers. With so many here, and the yells and rattle of wagon wheels approaching from the north, he dared not move, not until help arrived.

“
Master, we have the minotaur! Gray one, full of batt
le scars but healthy, took four
darts! Likely he killed that dragon there, probab
ly worth a lot in the arena.” t
he younger slave trader spoke to his uncle who had taught him much of the world and the price of life.

“How much do you think?”

“At least
five or six thousand gold coin. A
dd
the soldiers from Harlaheim we captured
, three
farm
children, and the dwarf, and the dragon parts we sell to the wizards of Devonmir and we’re close to twelve
I think
.”

“Very good, let’s aim for fifteen and see how far we can stretch it. You have one hour to clean out that dragon, see if there is anything of value in the gut as
well. Then we head to Devonmir
to sell in the markets, then a weeks
rest. Nice work men, well done!” t
he fat man steadied his spear and looked south toward the mountain. “Any sightings of Katrina’s army yet?”

“No master, none. But for sure we know she arrived this morning early in Bailey. Best be off quick, or she will take half or more and tha
t’s if she’s being pleasant.” t
he boy was learning more and more, thinking ahead and knowing the price of being caught
,
and the consequences. His father had taught him well.
Would have taught more if his uncle hadn’t killed him a few years back in the tavern.

“No tru
er words you’ll be hearing
men, let’s move out. No
politics today, to Devonmir!” t
he horses and wagons rolled north behind the slavetrader and his caravan of men and goods.

James sat unblinking, motionless, holding his breath as the dragon head without horns or teeth or eyes lopped to the side slowly with a splash into the river.
“Saberrak
.” w
as all he whispered to himself
as he prayed silently for the others to arrive as quick as possible.

Cristoff II:III

Road to Wynnegarde, Harlaheim

“
One never knows who
will be thine enemy tonight, nor whose ally again in the morning. All that is for certain is that alliances change like the seasons, rise like the moons, and
seem to
vanish
often
without notice.”
---
excerpt from “Conquests of Teth”, written after the unification of the Altestan Empires, Holy City of Khi’Va, by Emperors Jahut, Sankillia, and Tormetirum,
2
520 B.C.

The Bradswellen family had ruled Saint Erinsburg for generations upon generations, fought wars for Harlaheim without fail, and been faithful to Alden for as far back as history had been kept safe. The third Cristoff to rule looked to Queen Rosana, to Father Garrett D’Ourmas, to his capitans and soldiers all lined behind him, and to the thousands of citizens who believed in him more than their own country. He stared at the city,
the knights of the Order,
the cathedrals, his family castle, and the rolling rural hills and forests that led to the marshlands to the north. The smell of moist lila
c and spring grasses blew on
eastern winds as he waited for a sign, for a nudge from the divine to set his pace in leading his people to something better than the corruption that his country had dissolved into. The far off trumpet blare of notes
from the south
to signal t
he army
of Harlaheim was enough
.

“Bishop Garrett, why do you ride with me into exile? Are you sure God did not send you to stop me or strengthen my will to stand against an enemy one more time in my city?
When I forbid you to ride out to the army, I did not mean to weigh this upon you.
”

“God sent me north to here, and now
here
is moving west. I have written many tomes of Aldane history, interpreting God’s will, and
prayer translation
s
. I do not question the words I hear, and neither should you. For some reason that surely I will know when I am meant to, I am in your company
,
Lord Cristoff.”

“And you Broushelle, could surely be pardoned and seen as honorable should you choose to stay.
This is treason in the highest regard, once we leave.
” Cristoff turned toward his eldest capitan.

“Seen as honorable by whom, my lord? With Savanno and Sulian
dead, Leonard and Karai here, and the queen
with us, only you remain as one
from which I would seek honor from in this
kingdom. It is the greatest ris
k one could make, riding with you on this quest. But I will not let you take it alone, my lord.” Broushelle stood stoic as ever in his resolve.

“Have we sent riders with word to Capitan Norrice as he returns from his escort?”

“We have my lord. They will be brought by quickest route to our pilgrimage, rest assured.”

“All of the food storage and treasures loaded so that we may indeed survive this long road ahead through Shanador?
”

“Yes my lord, if we stay to the main trade roads
north of the mountains
we will have several cities in which to purchase what we need. As of now we have almost two weeks worth to feed the thousands here. Barring any entanglements with ogre from Bloodskull or food shortages in Shanador, we would be able to make the western coast with gold and food to spare.”
Sir Karai, no stranger to war or siege, was confident in his counts.

“God be with us, and our friends who trek through t
he Misathi Mountains ahead
. I fear for them more than for ourselves.” Cristoff kicked his steed forward, listening to the muffled conversations that echoed softly by the thousands behind him. He had not words to say, nothing bold or unknown to declare, his people knew the reasons why he was abandoning Saint Erinsburg and they trusted him more than any king or cardinal.

The white stallion stepped forward as the once queen reached out her hand to the once lord and grabbed onto it with a tight grip. She thought of the knights that had died, her husband Savanno, his nephew Sir Sulian, and all the treachery and injustice in the kingdom. Rosana looked behind her, to her kingdom one last time as her horse trotted to keep pace with Cristoff’s. There was nothing but sorrowful memories of this place for her, pain and suffering that had killed all of her love and spirit, and nearly her as well. She felt a small
unborn
kick in her belly, and looked to the regal man beside her who was abandoning all for his people, and no
doubt for her to no small degree
. He had undaunted bravery to face the unknown with such a heavy burden of re
sponsibility and honor
. To follow a dream, or even the dream of bold heroes from elsewhere, for his people
,
was something that few men would dare. Yet here he was, leaving a glorious battle behind, for once, for her and for the chance at something that may not exist.

His mind swam with contradiction and doubt.
What am I doing, abandoning my city and the battle for a hope of strangers and valor? What would my father say, or Alden? Do they whisper me a coward behind
my back? God, a helping hand if you would, for these decisions do not easily come today.

Rosana raised her hand with his in it,
sensing
Cristoff needed to feel he was doing right,
a
nd the cheers of thousands roared
toward the skies and heavens over Harlaheim as they went into the western horizon.
No one was in front of them to see the unrivaled tears of joy, fear, and unity that shone on their faces as Cristoff and Rosana led their people to freedom from certain death. No one fe
lt as they did at that moment in
hoping to believe in
something that may not be waiting at journey’s end
, yet daring to give up everything to have the chance that it may.
And no one knew how inspiring it was to be cheered on by thousands for taking but a few strides toward a new beginning. If ever there were a time Cristoff felt pride as a leader or
had
faith in himself, it was now.

LCMVXI
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“No nobility to greet or negotiate, your highness. That is unlike Lord Cristoff, unless he means to accept the siege and delve directly into battle.” Sir Phillip stared around the southern walls of Bradswellen Castle. He saw torchlight, closed and barred gates that likely held the citizens of Saint Erinsburg inside, yet it was all too still
on the south side
.

“Like a ghosttown my queen, I would venture a trap. Cristoff is far too experienced in war to ignore our arrival. We should make camp for the night, sound the trumpets again, and wait him out.
We should discuss this in your tent my queen, I have a few proven strategies in mind for breaching his walls.
” Sir Sebastian surveye
d the east and west, even past
the royal Harlaheim battalion behind him. Nothing, not a soldier or peasant to be seen.

“Well advised, good knights. Set up camp and work on your strategies and so forth. Prepare the siege and rams, ready the archers with flame, and leave me be until midnight. I will pray that Lord Cristoff makes the right decision for his people, and pray in blessed silence and seclusion. Send my scouts if you would, for I need their eyes and ears this night.” Florin felt to vomit as she spoke of prayer for anyone or anything, yet she had to play the part, for now anyway.

“Yes my queen, as you wish.” t
he knights of Harlaheim withdrew from the front lines to instruct the capitans and sergeants in their duties forthcoming.

An hour later Florin exited the rear of her tent dressed in black with her cloth mask pulled from neck to nose. Her rapier sharpened and dulled black over flame, her ten best remaining assassins of the White Spider at
her side dressed the same, she rushed on foot to Bradswellen Castle in the dark of night. They had informed her of an entrance on the north wall that appeared to be unguarded. Through the green moonlight of Gimmor they ran, from banyan shadow to stable wall, all eleven in a line with one purpose. To assassinate Cristoff, his capitans, and any of the fugitives and friends of Kalzarius that may be with him. Having left without word to the king and queen, Father Garrett of Shalokahn was also suspect and to be eliminated if present. Florin knew that the true queen of Harlaheim would also be here if Kendari of Stillwood sought a reward, which was debatable at best. Either way, Florin would have all the enemies of the White Spider and her new kingdom silenced by night’s end.

The lock and handle dissolved with a sickening pop and sizzle from the acid. The door opened silently and Florin moved through the courtyard and toward the barracks through the darkest corners as fast as she could move her agile legs. No guards, no army, no people. She looked around trying to envision where Cristoff would have hiden everyone so well from view.
She had expected to be murdering guards and her agents behind her to be shedding blood already. Not so it seemed, so the lady assassin and domenarch of Harlaheim moved her men into the royal keep.

Through doors with no resistance, hallways with no watchmen, and up stairs unchecked, Florin’s pace and that of her trained killers slowed to a cautious one. Blades drew in the candlelit silence of the castle interior, none certain what in Alden’s name could be transpiring. What trick or deception, what illusion or trap waited for them once the
y found the lord and his people? T
hey could only assume and continue the hunt. The doubl
e doors of heavy oak and regal H
arlian design pushed open with ease revealing a soirre’ of candles and torches flooding out the darkness that now hid only in corners. The banners still hung with crown and rose, yet nothing appearing to be Cristoff sat at the end of the great hall. Female she seemed, long black hair over white flesh, dressed nearly not, and sitting most unlike a lady with curved green meta
l serrated edges in hand, staring
with unnatural red eyes from her black winged pose on the throne.