The Keeper of the Stones

by M J Webb

  The entire group laughed out loud at his instinctive response to the life-changing, momentous decision put before him. “Ha ha... Then that just leaves you, my old friend.” stated Artrex, as he placed his hand up on Knesh’ shoulder. “Please, tell me your thoughts.”

  Knesh looked his King in the eye. “As always, I am yours to command sire. You know I follow you my liege, to whatever end. But, if you ask for my counsel, then I give it freely, here and now. It is a trap! Vantrax wants to entice you to fight. That is why he sends his servant here, he offers himself as bait, to make you fight. He expects that you will not be able to resist the temptation to meet him, and he is praying that you will be drawn out, so that he may destroy our army. However… If we know all of this, then we can prepare accordingly. Make plans based around the knowledge we have, give ourselves options, should a trap be sprung.” he stated, with an impressive air of confidence.

  The Gerada crouched down onto his knees, he began drawing shapes into the dirt with a stick. “Here! See? We send the slowest of our soldiers south, the sick and injured, the wagons and carts. Only the fastest and fittest are to remain. We that do remain can catch up with the rest when we are able. We make pre-arranged signals for retreat, organise our defences around hit and run tactics. We ambush the enemy at their weakest points, hit them hard! Kill as many as we can, and then fall away into the forest. Do you see?”

  He paused and looked around to ensure they were all paying attention. “But… Should you decide to fight this way my King, here is the boldest move I propose; Heron Getracht must lie empty. Vantrax will have brought every soldier he has to defeat us. He will take no chances in achieving a great victory here. He himself leads their army, and that means the Guard are with him. In the fortress dungeons there must be two or three hundred prisoners, those who have fought against him, or refused to fight for him, or work in his mines. They are crammed in and starving if history is being repeated, hatred and a desire for vengeance fills their hearts. They will all fight for us I am sure, if they are released! Among their number are many Nobles and Lords who will attract much needed support. I think of Queen Bressial in particular. The Nadjan people will flock to our banner in their thousands, if she joins us.”

  An enormous smile suddenly erupted onto King Artrex’ face, he slapped Knesh on his back in a spontaneous expression of delight. “Knesh, you are a genius!” he shouted happily. “We may not be able to even get clto my brother, but by the stars we are going to try! If we only succeed in giving them a bloody nose, and freeing those prisoners, it will be a good day’s work. Ha! We are coming brother!! So, who goes to Heron Getracht?” he asked, looking around the group. “If Knesh or I go, it will be noticed, and Vantrax will surely hear of it.”

  “I will go father!” shouted Zephany eagerly. “I will not be missed and I will ride swiftly.”

  “And I will accompany her.” said Verastus boldly, as he stepped over to Zephany’s side in a dramatic show of unity. “I know the fortress and its dungeons, I should be able to help.”

  “Thank you both.” Artrex replied. “Take ten horsemen and…”

  “I’m going too!” interrupted Jake, just as the King was about to deliver his instructions. “I know now that I ride and fight as well as anyone here. And I have to do something to help, if we’re going to accept your help in restoring the stones.” he added.

  “But… What about me?” asked Ben. “Can I come?”

  Jake shook his head slightly at his friend. “Afraid not mate. Not this time, you’ll only slow us down. I need you to stay and guard the stones if you will please? Guard them with your life!” he said, embarrassed at having to ask his friend to stay behind due to his own newfound abilities.

  Jake was also concerned for Ben’s safety, it would be a dangerous mission, but he still hated leaving his friend behind and he hoped that Ben understood. Ben nodded. He didn’t want to leave Jake’s side but he said nothing and he didn’t argue this time. Though he hated to admit it, he knew that Jake was right. He was no match for Jake now, nor the practised warriors of the Ruddite Rebellion. It was the right decision and he knew it, even if it grated with him so. He looked at the friend he hardly recognised. He’d changed from the boy he knew. The practical joker who laughed his way through life and took nothing too seriously, was gone. He’d grown up in a single day. The circumstances had necessitated that. But there was more to it. Here in Rhuaddan, Jake was a natural leader who commanded respect from all around him. He was no fifteen year old schoolboy in other people’s eyes here. Ben knew that Jake had always had leadership potential within him, it had been evident at school and his teachers had often recognised it, but his best friend was now making life and death decisions with the ease and confidence of a veteran. No one objected to them, despite their own age and abilities, and Jake’s obvious youth and inexperience. It was a strange kind of reality to Ben. All the normal rules of life that applied back home had been turned on their head as far as he was concerned. It was something he knew he had to accept, he had no choice, at least whilst they were here on Rhuaddan.

  “So be it.” said Knesh. “You have to leave right now if you are to succeed, for time is short. Remember, ride south a little before you ride east, that way you will avoid Vantrax’ army. We will meet at the village of Soreen, the day after tomorrow. Our soldiers will guide you there. Good luck!” he said, as he placed his hand firmly on Jake’s shoulder.

  Jake nodded to Artrex and then walked slowly over to Ben. As Artrex and Knesh said their goodbye’s to Princess Zephany, he shook Ben’s outstretched hand.

  “See ya later then.” he said, with rising emotion. “You know I have to do this, right? It’s like, I can’t say no. Artrex says we’re here for a reason. Well, maybe e. He’d is it. I hope you understand mate? I can’t walk away from this, Ben.”

  Ben smiled in support of his friend. “Yeah, I suppose not pal,” he replied, “but don’t you go leaving me alone in this place, will ya? There’s no telly!”

  Chapter 18

  Early Hours of 15th August – Rebel Camp, Erriard Forrest - Rhuaddan

  Ben had been trying his best to sleep but to no avail. Although he was completely exhausted from the tumultuous events of the previous day, he was far too worried about Jake and the prospect of an imminent battle to gain the rest his body craved. His mind was buzzing and he tossed and turned for several hours before finally giving up and accepting that it just wasn’t going to happen. He sat upright and stared up at the stars overhead, reflecting on the day’s events and their current plight. Jake and Ben were fifteen year old schoolboys from a quiet city in the heart of England, where nothing of note usually happened. They both lived pretty unremarkable lives by anyone’s standards. ‘Events like these shouldn’t be happening,’ he thought, ‘not to us. We should be out playing football on Boley Park, or chasing girls in the city, or at the Rec Centre having fun. Battles, wizards and stones, it’s all the stuff of fiction. It’s fantasy, not reality. The kind of thing we watch on DVD, or play in a computer game. It’s Lord of the Rings, not real life!’ He swelled with anger as he thought more about it. ‘Why is it me and Jake that have to deal with all o on? Why isn’t it someone else? Somebody more qualified. Older. Anyone but us? There’s nothing special about us. I can think of a number of boys I know who are better suited to the task!’ He shook his head in disbelief and frustration, failing to notice that he was being watched.

  “Can you not sleep, Ben?” whispered Knesh quietly.

  The Gerada was sitting by a camp fire a few metres away, poking the embers with a long stick. Ben looked over at him in awe. ‘Geez, just look at him,’ he thought, ‘he looks like a figure from Arthurian legend, a vision of years gone by. He has no place in my world. Not the world I know and grew up in anyway.’

  He looked down at the floor for a brief second, unsure what to do or how to respond to the question. Then he stood up slowly and walked over toward the fire to sit down on the floor by the warrior’s side. “No. I’ve tri
ed to sleep, Knesh, really I have, but my mind is too active. Tell me, how… How do you do it? War I mean, I can’t stop thinking about it. The soldier I killed. No matter how hard I try. And the thought of what might happen tomorrow. I’m not ashamed to admit it to you, Knesh, I’m scared!” said Ben, suddenly feeling the overwhelming need to be honest with someone and talk about how he was feeling.

  Knesh looked back at him sympathetically. ‘You’re still a child,’ the warrior thought, ‘and yet, no child of Rhuaddan would admit to such feelings. No, childhood has been short-lived here since the war, and Vantrax’ rise to power. I admire you for being so honest, Ben. Children should never be afraid to be children.’ He smiled at the young boy before him, as he searched for some words of comfort.

  “I... You certainly should not be afraid to admit to being scared, Ben. Everyone feels scared, it is a natural feeling that we all share at some point. After all, without fear, there can be no bravery. And any soldier who is not scared of battle, can be dangerous. It is the overcoming of one’s fears that is the mark of real courage. Our wars are many, fought these days by all of our people, because of the tyrant we now face. Oh, how I wish that it were not so. The women and children of our land suffer just as much as the men, it is not right! Or fair. But that is how things are, and it is up to us to change things. Krar! Do you not have wars in your world, Ben?” asked Knesh softly, his mood resolute but sombre as he reflected with sorrow on the situation that had developed in his own country.

  “What? Oh yes, of course we do, lots of ‘em. There’s always a war happening somewhere on my world. Hey, I suppose that’s really sad, isn’t it? I’ve never really thought about it before. I mean, wars happen I know, but it’s always been so far away. Actually, my dad’s a soldier. Well, he was.” stated Ben as an afterthought.

  “He is? Rarr! The son of a warrior, ka! I knew there was something about you, Ben. Just the way you carry yourself told me you had something of the warrior in you. See? It has never been that far away from you, has it? All this time and it was right on your doorstep. Then surely, you must know something of what it takes to be a soldier? Has your father never talked of it?”

  Ben’s demeanour changed as soon as he began thinking about his father. He wanted to talk honestly about his true feelings, but he was finding it increasingly difficult, and he was now entering territory that he’d deliberately avoided with everyone he knew for years. He picked up a stick and began poking the dirt for no particular reason as he talked.

  “War? I know that it’s completely destroyed him!” he replied emotionally. “I know that he’s lost everything and everyone he ever cared about because of it. And I know how it has affected him. He’s a pale shadow of the man he was. Eh? Perhaps that’s why I’m so afraid, Knesh? Perhaps my own fear is so great, because I don’t want to end up like him? I mean, that would be natural, wouldn’t it? Does that make sense to you?”

  Ben looked longingly at Knesh for an answer, but the warrior just shrugged at him a little and remained silent. “Aw, I just don’t know, Knesh. I’m lost. I’m just trying to understand all of this. It’s not just the thought of battle that scares me, it’s everything! I’m worried about Jake, sure I am, but, it’s much more than that. I… We should not be here! I’m sorry, I know this sounds terrible, but this is not our war. It’s not our fight. Does that sound harsh? We’re just boys, Knesh. We’re not soldiers or heroes, what are we doing here? I don’t even know if we’ll ever get back home. And that thought terrifies the life out of me. What if we die here? Will anyone know? And while we’re here, I’m not even sure what good I’ll be to Jake anyway. I mean, he seems to be some kind of superhero here, with great powers and all that. But I’m... Well, I’m just me, Knesh! Little old me. What good can I do? I want to be able to help, really I do, but I feel so... Useless!” he rasped, in a voice raised as high as he dared.

  Ben stopped for a moment as he suddenly thought of how his words might sound to the warrior from Rhuaddan. He hadn’t meant to unload all of his troubles onto the soldier he hardly knew, it had just ‘come out.’ He knew that the warrior was still listening avidly to what he was saying. He could also tell that he was struggling for a response to his questions, it was obviously uncomfortable for him, but he was at least trying. And Ben really respected him for that. The young boy had never had this kind of open, honest discussion before with anyone other than Jake. And, even with him, he’d never discussed his father. He didn’t know why he’d opened his heart so completely to Knesh, a stranger he’d only met hours before, but he was feeling so much better for talking and he was genuinely grateful to the warrior for taking the time to listen. Ben decided to ease his discomfort.

  “I’m sorry, Knesh, I’m talking gibberish. Pay no attention to me, I don’t mean it. It’s late, I’m tired and a lot has happened in such a short space of time. It’s a lot to take in for a youngster like me you know. I think it’s all affected me, I didn’t mean what I said. Of course we have to help in any way we can.” Ben stated, trying to contain his emotions. “But what about you? I’ve been speaking a lot about me and my thoughts, I’d like to know more about you. Do you have children, Knesh?”

  “Me?” the warrior replied, stunned by the conversation’s sudden change in direction and by the personal and direct nature of the question. “No. I am Gerada Knesh Corian. I am a career soldier, the last in a long line. I did think... I was in love once, long ago. At least I thought I was. But it was not meant to be. I was born to this life, I have devoted it to my King and his family. I have had no time for such things. I have no regrets, Ben. It is the path I chose long ago.”

  “Ahh... But I’ve seen how you look at the Princess, as a father would. You’re close aren’t ya?” said Ben.

  “Zephany? Yes. I would gladly die for her, and my King. She is amazing. She has real spirit. She has a zest for life and an energyabout her that.... Well, she will be a great Queen. If she is ever given the chance.” Knesh stated, with real sorrow in his voice. “But I do not think she will ever get that chance the way things are. We have to defeat Vantrax first, Ben. No matter how long it takes! I am honour bound to see this thing through to its conclusion, and I mean to. You know, I am glad that you and Jake are here. You have brought us all hope with those stones. I think perhaps, that you do not realise the power of what you have. But even if the worst happens, and we cannot restore the stones, the hope you have both brought to our people already, by your mere presence is.... Well, I for one, thank you for that. You cannot realise how important hope is, until it is gone. And, I should not worry too much about your own importance, Ben. Do not underestimate the power of friendship. There will come a time when... Listen, you must continue with what you are doing, try to always be there for each other, and have faith in one another.”

  Ben nodded his head as Knesh’ words brought a lump to his throat. He stared at the hard, chiselled features of the mighty warrior before him. Here was a powerful man who was obviously proven in battle many times over. A leader, who struck fear into the hearts of his enemies. And yet, Ben had heard him speak with remarkable compassion and understanding. He had seen the pride and love on Knesh’ face as he spoke of the young Princess. There were obviously many sides to his personality, and Ben really liked him.

  “She may not be a blood relative, but you have a stronger relationship with Zephany than any father I know.” he said, in less than perfect English.

  Knesh understood the sentiment nevertheless. “Thank you Ben” he answered, the words having touched him deeply. “Here! I have something for you.” he stated, as he reached down and picked up a brown, cloth shoulder bag that was lying by his side. He passed it to Ben. “I thought you could use this to carry that box of yours. We use them for carrying food when we ride on long journeys, they are pretty useful and that box should fit inside nicely.”

  “Oh yes, great. Cheers.” replied Ben gratefully. “That’s perfect. I was beginning to hate lugging the thing around.”

  “Cheers?”
asked Knesh mystified. “What is this?”

  “Oh yes, sorry. It’s err… Slang. It’s just the way we talk sometimes in my world. Well, my part of it anyway. It means, thank you.” said Ben, trying to explain his Midlands twang.

  “Sruh. If it means, thank you, then why not just say, thank you?” asked Knesh. “You certainly have some strange ways, Ben. Please, tell me more about your world, I want to know all about you and your people. It looks like neither of us are going to get much sleep tonight.” he said, as he stirred the embers of the fire one more time.

  Ben and Knesh continued to talk whilst the army slept, they chatted happily for hours until Ben finally drifted off to sleep. Then, the giant warrior lifted him up carefully and laid the young boy gently down at the foot of a huge tree, he placed a blanket over him and tucked the cloth bag, with the box inside it, under his arm.

  “Goodnight, little one.” Knesh whispered, as he crept away.

  Chapter 19

  Early hours of 15th August – Northern Army Camp - Rhuaddan

  Vantrax and Sawdon rode purposefully into the Northern Army camp on fresh horses, tall, sturdy, muscular beasts from the plains of Nadjan which snarled and snorted viciously at everyone around them and had an evil-smelling, white saliva frothing from their mouths at all times. They were followed by the entire contingent of the Personal Guard, the supposed elite of Vantrax’ fighting forces, comprised of soldiers selected from amongst all of the races and species within the Northern and Southern armies. Each and every warrior was recruited personally by Sawdon himself, for their deeds on the battlefield in previous campaigns, and the personal bravery they’d demonstrated. They were all immensely proud to have been selected for ‘The Guard’. It was considered to be a tremendous honour and they all possessed an air of arrogance, borne of the knowledge and belief that they were ‘elite’. They took great personal pride in their appearance and their reputation in Rhuaddan was second to none. They were feared throughout the country and beyond for their fighting prowess and their unswerving loyalty to King Vantrax which, over recent years, had seen them perform many of the evil deeds he had instigated. They were dressed uniformly in lightweight Jintan chainmail undersuits, beneath black tunics and leggings. They wore black canvass boots with a tough leathery soul, bound at the top by a black cloth which was wound tightly around their calves. The chests of their tunics were all embroidered with a gold castle emblem which contrasted magnificently with its black surround. It was also painted onto the shields that they hung from their horse’s saddle whenever they were not in use. The black cloak that was draped around their shoulders and hung low down their backs completed the impressive ensemble. They carried longswords and wore daggers in their belts. All were excellent swordsmen and spent the majority of their time training or guarding Heron Getracht Fortress, and King Vantrax, from any would-be attackers.