by Wolf Golan
“I should've brought a coat.” She said trying to bury her head deeper into his tunic. 'We're in a different world in medieval times, isn't it exciting?”
“Yeah it is,” Max answered.
Max had been on one quest-after-another to reach her. He hoped they’d stay together now. He glanced around and saw only peasants making their way among the darken homes, only blots of orange window light above. They got home and immediately got out of their medieval clothes.
Max got ready for bed. He took out his gadget and said, “PJs.” The gadget vomited out a long navy gray Pajama pants. He kicked off his pants and put it on. Alex came in with shorts and her tank top. They slipped into a comfy blanket together and cuddled together. Max spooned her and smelled her hair. This was worth the trip. He thought.
They fell asleep quickly.
###
Max slowly opened his eyes to Alex's voice. “Hey, wake up. I cooked you breakfast.” She shook a plate in front of him. Max saw a slab of meat and a piece of bread. He blinked his eyes open and rubbed them. Alex had her earth clothes back on. The sunlight glared in, not on his face, but it might as well have been.
“Do I want to know that is?” He said gesturing to it.
“Probably not,” he grinned. “They don’t have chicken in Chandeera I found out, so you’ll have to make due, it's Herzog from your Woodland people.” She placed it on his lap and started downstairs. “I actually had that in jail.”
“Good.” She exited. “You're clothes are on the chair.” She shouted going down the stairs.
Max took his time and finished up his breakfast. He put the plate on the bedtable and sat up. Soreness streaked through his body and he squeezed his eyes in pain. He yawned, stretched, groaned from the soreness and got up. He walked over to the window and looked out at the passing peasants and a praides drawn wagon. He stretched his arms out again and yawned even louder.
He shuffled his wranglers back on and stuffed the PJs back into the gadget. He slipped on his jacket and fastened the straps to the far side and walked back to the window to use its light. After he got it fastened, he peered out and saw a woman hanging clothes out her second story window.
An explosion erupted on the street but safely away from the house. Max jumped back, startled. He heard women screaming and saw the peasants starting to scramble for cover.
Max ran through the door to the stairs before another explosion shook the house, he held onto the wooden rail before jumping downstairs. “Shit it’s the Rourds again.” He was relieved to see Alex ducking behind the counter, still alive and safe.
“Stay down!” He yelled running to the front door and grabbing his gun off the chair. He bent down low and slowly cracked it to peek outside. He saw two women running by holding on their whipped hats, some holding children, and Knights running in the opposite direction.
A cry shrieked from the sky: “Cyaaakkk!” Max knew it was Kamptaur Riders. He shut the door.
“What is it?” Alex asked still hiding under the counter.
“Kamptaur Riders had a run-in with them at Crehling. They're attacking Yems.” He answered ducking as he ran to her. “We got to get out here, do have your stuff?”
“Yeah, right here.” She padded a small bag.
“Follow me, hold my shirt, and don't fall behind!” He commanded. She nodded. He jumped to the door and before opening it, he clicked on his gun. It read: LONGRANGE MINI EXPLOSIVE. He opened the door and saw it was clear, so he quickly ran out with Alex behind.
Another explosion hit three houses and sticks of wood debris rained on them. They ducked low and covered themselves. Max moved clear of the roof and looked up. “Holy God,” he said in dread.
Alex looked up and shuddered at the sight too. The sky swarmed with Kamptaur Riders shooting down arrows and firebombs. Max jumped and grabbed Alex's hand and ran up the street. He looked to-and-fro at peasants scurrying for cover. He could make out Knights shooting arrows at the giant birds.
One Knight fell to the ground in front of them with two arrows in him. Alex screamed. Max saw a Kamptaur Rider heading straight for them. He aimed his PM-10 and shot. The bird ripped apart from the mini explosive and it fell to its death with its rider screaming behind.
Max and Alex got to the castle and hugged the stone walls. “We got to get away from the walls!” They rounded the corner and made for the front entrance. A couple of arrows hit nearby, and Alex screamed. Max looked up and saw swarms of Kamptaur Riders with cross-bows. He shot across the sky with his gun and wounded one, as it fluttered down beyond the walls.
Yem Knights looked at him dumbfounded, amazed, but they soon got over it and immediately resumed firing at the birds.
Max pushed Alex along the walls until they got to the stairs. Alex ran up and Max followed. They reached the top and started into the archway, when a loud horn thundered from the sky. “People of the Woodlands!” The omniscient voice echoed across Yems.
Alex and Max peeked up beyond the walls. A Knight slipped by them and made his way out of the castle down the steps. Broglin came out past Alex and looked up.
“You resist my rule and you die. It is a new world!” The voice continued to blare across the sky. A giant blimp grew from behind the castle towers. The dirty ballooned blimp grew until it covered the sky. Max could make out ash stains on its surface.
“Whoa,” Max said quietly.
“Whoa,” Alex said too.
They wondered at the thing floating into the view above the parapets. A huge airship with a horn sticking out from the rail, appeared suspended to the blimp.
“The Dark Soldiers,” Broglin whispered.
Dirty Baelyin men with scarfs over their mouths in black armor lined the rail with bows aiming down. They ceased firing for their Dark Commander to make an appearance and address. The Kamptaur Riders ceased firing as well, and Max could see them more clearly as they swooped by, wearing spiked-skull masks and black armored jackets.
“Join Kraakon’s Kingdom!” He yelled. “Soon Densmere will fall and I will be your new Lord!” The man was not in sight but buried behind his horn. Max barely made him out, as a middle-aged Baelyin.
“Luthrick,” Broglin said in irritation as he walked back in.
Max turned and saw the city emptying out as peasants and creatures fled through the city gates into the countryside. The Kamptaur Riders resumed their bombardment and explosions began erupting around the city. Max noticed they started targeting the market square. The bombs blew stands and homes apart and sent Knights flying through the air.
“Come on, let's go!” Alex yelled waving him in.
He ran after her and around the corner to the hall, but they had to hug the wall as Knight after Knight ran out with bows. As soon as it cleared, they continued to the stairwell, but found a door open. They saw Broglin inside. Max noticed it was the armory and Broglin was on a ladder, handing down bows and swords to awaiting Knights. The Knights started crowding in and taking weapons from Broglin, as they slipped on armor too.
“Broglin!” Max yelled.
Broglin snapped his head to him in a look of dread and concentration. He handed another waiting Knight a bow. “You two get out of here! To Densmere!”
“We can't just leave you!” Max cried in protest.
“Yeah!” Alex added.
“No! I’ll be okay! Just get out! Now!” He handed another bow to a Knight. “Is that your weapon?” Broglin pointed at his PM-10.
“Yeah!” Max answered, pulling the strap up.
“You two 'have' to get to Densmere! I have not the time to argue!” He yelled as he handed another bow down. “It's an order!” Max looked at Alex and she looked back. They had to obey.
“Okay.” Max replied.
“There's a boat down in the tunnels below, you'll take the culvert into the forest. These two Knights will go with you!” He grabbed the rivet of the nearest Knight. “You!” Broglin said to him, then pointing to another getting a bow. “And you!” He pointed to him. “Take the
se two to the boat in the caverns and to the Woodland River and onto Densmere!”
They nodded.
Broglin turned to Max. “The river will take you to Densmere. I will follow when I can! Go!” He yelled as sweat started run down his face.
The two Knights walked out the archway pass them and down the hall, gesturing for them to follow. “Farewell Lord Broglin, thank you for everything, may the Goddess Freena bless you!” Alex said, blowing a kiss.
“Goodbye beautiful Alexandra,” Broglin replied, giving one last look of concern before rushing arms to more Knights. Alex ran down the hallway after the Knights. Max took one last look at Broglin. The men locked eyes and nodded to each other before Max left to follow.
He saw one of the Knights at the archway waving him over before disappearing into the archway. Max got to it and entered. The Knight descended a dark stairwell. “The tunnels are below, follow me!” The Knight yelled after Max. “Your partner is already down there!” Max descended quickly. The stone staircase got slippery with mold and dankness, it also got cold.
The stairwell was lit by sconce torches. Max negotiated two flights of stairs before reaching the bottom. Max could faintly see the other Knight unlocking a door and Alex waiting by him. He screeched it open as Max and the Knight reached them.
The first Knight went in and lit a torch. The light revealed an open walkway with a flight of steps at the end. They started across. Max looked to the side and saw open air. “Watch your step.” Max said holding Alex's hand.
“Thanks,” she replied.
Another explosion was heard outside, as dust showered from the ceiling. Max worried about Broglin and the people of Yems but remembered Broglin's orders.
“This way!” The Knight yelled, gesturing down the stairwell. Max made his way carefully and held Alex behind. He heard water gushing. Max looked behind and saw bits of Alex's face lit by the torch, but he felt her hands holding his jacket. The subterranean air was cold, humid, and reeked of moss. Max reached the bottom and tried to help Alex down, but she brushed his hand away. “I'm okay.”
The Knights lit two torches on sconces below the walkway. The area came into view and revealed a Knight readying a seven-foot wooden row boat in a narrow canal under a stone archway. It appeared to be a large underground culvert, an excellent escape route. The boat had two rows of seats with one in back. The stream flowed under the castle right across it. Max could make out a faint light at the far end of the tunnel to the left.
“Okay, let's go.” The Knight said, holding the end of the boat as the other Knight waited with an oar. Max and Alex immediately climbed in and sat on the second row. The rear Knight pushed the boat out onto the canal and jumped in. The front Knight started paddling into the tunnel and the other started from the back.
They dug the oar into the ground more than rowed to negotiate the shallow channel. The boat soon picked up speed and was well into the tunnel. It got pitch black, as they left the torchlight, but the daylight got brighter and brighter, as they neared the mouth.
Chapter 10
The culvert entrance got brighter, but they could still feel tiny vibrations from the bombardment and small sprinkles of dust from the arched ceiling. Max saw the river ahead going into a wall of forest across a green field. The Knights splashed the oars into the waters pushing the boat along as fast as they could.
The tunnel entrance came upon them and they slowly came out. The daylight hit them hard and Max and Alex turned away squinting. The Knights turned away as well. The Knights adjusted their eyes only for a moment, before rowing again.
The small river deepened, and they could paddle. They made their way across the field, toward the cover of the oncoming forest with its large branches arching over the river. It was a welcoming sight.
A loud grunt came from behind and the rear Knight brushed by Max and Alex splashing into the water, an arrow on his back. Alex yelled, and Max jumped, the front Knight jumped as well. The shriek of a Kamptaur sounded. “Cyaaakkk!” Max looked up and saw a Kamptaur Raider circling around them. Alex ducked in fright.
The surviving Knight started paddling speedily into the forest. Max slipped his gun around and shot. The drill sound blared out of the gun in Rapid-Fire Mode. Alex covered her ears. The Kamptaurs body shook as bullets laced it, and it jerked its head before dropping. Max hit the Rider too and he dropped off dead. The bird crashed into the field.
Beyond, Max could see the airship hovering above Yems and black dots of Kamptaurs swarming around it. Straggling peasants fled across the field to the cover of the northern forest, as the rest followed, and others made for groves down the valley. Max looked at Alex heavily.
“I hope everyone got out okay.” Alex whimpered, with a drooping mouth, sad.
“Yeah me too,” Max added concerned.
The pine branches enveloped them as they entered the forest. The river was bordered by leaning pine, weeds, and thick brush with grass covering the rest of the ravine.
Sunlight dappled the forest to reveal the greenest of leaves and golden pollen shimmering off trees. The river had dozens of dandelions floating and gliding on the surface.
“Beautiful,” Alex whispered looking around.
“I know good cover too,” Max replied smiling and staring up at the trees.
The Knight turned and through his helmet, said, “Welcome to the South Woodland Forest, our safeguard.”
“Yeah nothing protects you like Nature.” Max whispered.
“Mmm hmm,” Alex agreed nodding like a little girl, staring in wonder at the forest.
Max looked at his gun monitor: ALL ROUNDS EXHAUSTED: RELOAD.
“My gun is out.” Max said turning to Alex.
“You got no more bullets?” She asked in concern.
“No.”
“You can't reload?” She asked. He shook his head. “Nothing in the ship?” He shook his head again. She nodded not knowing how to feel about it.
“I thought you said you hated guns?” Max asked smiling in delight.
'Well, today I love them now.” Alex replied, giggling. Max laughed too.
Max dropped his gun, grabbed the oar, and started rowing. Alex moved to the rear of the boat and rested against the bow. “I can take over when you get tired honey.” She said cozying up to her makeshift pillow.
Max turned and gave a quick nod before continuing his paddle.
A little way into the forest Max heard a hawk. He looked up through a small opening in the trees and saw a hawk circling far above. Alex stared at it too. The Knight in front continued to row quietly. They finally noticed they didn't introduce themselves.
“What's your name?” Max asked.
“Godrin Rinhorn, 3th Command.” He said, turning to them briefly, panting.
“Thank you Godrin,” Alex said from the back, still trying to sleep.
“Yeah, thank you.” Max added.
He turned, quietly nodded, and turned forward to row. Max took off his jacket, handed it to Alex, as she used it for a blanket and fell asleep.
They rowed and rowed into the late evening.
Occasionally, they let the boat float and panted. The Knight finally stopped rowing and rested. “I can take over,” Alex said from the back. Max handed her the oar and she started paddling as the two men rested. The Knight took off his helmet to reveal his face and hair drenched with sweat. He rested his elbow on the bow.
He looked to be in his late-thirties and had nicely-trimmed brown hair and a rough mane and blue eyes. He had on the standard armor of a Knight and a sword hanging loose from his belt. Over his mail was an insignia of a Woman holding out her arms to an orb, like the kind Max saw on the drapes back at Yems.
“What is the Insignia?” Max nodded to his embroidered chest.
Godrin looked at it. “Our Lady Freena, savior of Chandeera. She's holding her Rock.” He said stretching it out. “It is prophesized that once the Rock is pieced together, it will destroy the Dark Forces forever.”
Max nodded bu
t didn't have a clue. He looked behind to Alex who only smiled and continued paddling. Alex kept rowing as the men continued to rest, but soon Godrin started again.
“Are you sure Luthrick and his forces aren't going to track us?” Max asked.
“Lutherick's forces don't monitor the river. They're kept by the Noos'ell.” Godrin replied, not turning.
“Who the hell are they?” Max asked bluntly.
“River tribes, the Rourds don't like them and the Kamptaurs are afraid of their hawks.”
“Are those the birds we saw circling above the forest earlier?”
“Yeah,” he replied, still rowing slowly.
Max took over from Alex, as she handed him the oar and sat back to rest again. Godrin rowed more slowly as he began to tire. Max took a break and held the oar across his lap as he watched the quiet forest go by. He saw flocks of swallows chirping and fluttering above. The silhouettes of branches outlined against a dark blue sky and low gust of wind was what Max needed to revamp.
Alex moved up behind him and rested her head on his shoulders with her eyes closed. Max could hear what sounded like frogs, crickets, and a giant dragonfly buzzing by. “Aahh!” Alex jumped.
“I know I did the same thing when I saw them.” Max commented.
They continued.
It started getting dark and when it was almost completely dark, Godrin leaned over the bow and lit a small lamp tied to the bow. It made the river visible ahead as it started to become pitch dark and cold.
“We should camp here for tonight.” Godrin said pointing to the bank on the right.
“Yeah,” Max and Alex replied.
They paddled to the side and hit grass. They got out and pulled the boat in, then stretched for a moment. Godrin was already on the ground clearing a place for a fire.
The forest was black, so Max reached down to his black clip and pushed a button. A large light beamed out came out and lit up the ground. Max only saw large pine with its thickets of branches and twigs shielding most of the surrounding, and shrubs everywhere.