A Knight's Path (The Path of Cinder Book 1)

by Nathan Grafton

  The Inquisitor removed the ring and studied it as a trio of Knights appeared. One hefted the unconscious man and another went about cleaning up the corpse Solace had left. The third began tending to Solace’s arm efficiently. The Inquisitor frowned, hoping that the smuggler would give something up. The plan had been to follow the half-elf home but that plan had gone out the window. Then again, every plan seemed to jump out the window.

  Chapter 49 Ripper

  Alden was sitting on Renegade the next morning with Lorelei on the saddle in front of him. Warren didn’t seem to know how to handle her. The big man had explained her story the night before and they all agreed Ripper needed taken care of. Damien wailed and moaned about the time it would cost them but everyone, except Lorelei, had been sworn to uphold the King’s Law and these men were breaking it.

  The young man had a feeling he knew what other things Lorelei had done for money, especially with how she had handled those knives yesterday but he hadn’t said anything. Alden couldn’t shake the feeling they were walking into a trap but he trusted Warren. They would make it through this mess.

  Ripper’s camp was off the main road and before they reached it the group dismounted. Two soldiers were staying behind with Damien while Lorelei lead the others through the grasses to the bandit camp. Warren and Alden donned their helms for the first time. They had both been given traditional knight’s helms and it made Alden feel blind and like he couldn’t breathe. He pulled it back off his head and clipped it back on his saddle.

  Twenty minutes of walking through the tall grass and they emerged in a clearing, a large tent just in front of them. It was broad daylight and Alden could hear snoring inside. The young man motioned for the others to stay put and leaned out around the corner of the tent. Most of the camp was asleep. One man was standing on a raised platform with a telescope. He was looking out toward the road, probably waiting for a group of travelers to appear.

  Alden leaned back around the tent and looked at Warren, “Split into two groups. You, McCready and one of the men will head around the far side of the tent. Me and the others will head around the other side. Keep it quiet as long as you can.”

  Lorelei frowned, “What about me?”

  The young man looked at her, “What about you? Head back to the horses or wait here. You’re choice.”

  She scowled and moved to respond but Alden was already moving. Two of the soldiers followed as he stepped around the corner of the tent and then rounded to the front. One man was awake out front and Alden swung before he realized what was happening. He had killed for the first time. Maker forgive him he had killed someone.

  The young man shook his head clear and found that one of the soldiers he was with had dispatched another guard. Alden nodded to him and stepped inside the tent. A big man was laying on the bed asleep, snoring loudly. A burn scar ran down the right side of his face and his right arm looked like it had been shredded by a very big and very angry cat more then once. Alden stepped up close to him and looked down at his bloodied sword. Killing a guard about to raise the alarm on reflex was one thing. Making himself kill a sleeping man was another.

  One of the soldiers gasped and Alden whirled to see what was wrong. A woman’s body was laying on the floor, bruise marks coated her neck like she had been strangled. Alden grit his teeth and his sword flicked without him looking back at the man behind him. There was a wet squelch and a gasp of breath. Ripper was dead.

  Alden closed his eyes and pushed his guilt away. He could deal with what he felt later. He had a job to do though. The young man’s head snapped toward the entrance as he heard shouting outside and he darted into motion.

  The lookout on the tower had noticed Warren moving from tent to tent and the whole camp was awake now. There was a dozen men assembling, scrambling as they found weapons. Alden looked over his shoulder and snapped, “Hit ’em hard and hit ’em fast!”

  The soldiers shot across the field and had their first two victims down before the bandits knew what was happening. Alden lunged into battle, he batted a hasty blow with a makeshift club aside with his shield and his sword whistled through the air. The bandit screamed for a half second as his hand came free of his arm and then fell silent as Alden’s backswing bit into his neck.

  The young man jerked aside as a soldier shouted a warning and a bandit stumbled past him, off balance from a thrust of his sword. The pommel of Alden’s sword came down, cracking the man’s skull open. The young man turned away from the bodies and looked around, all of his men were standing. One soldier was holding his shield arm at an odd angle. His face was pale and covered in sweat.

  Alden walked over to him and examined it, “Looks dislocated. Want me to set it back in or have one of your friends do it? I understand if you want someone you know to do it.”

  The soldier swallowed and shook his head, “Set it, sir.”

  The young man nodded as he grabbed the soldier’s arm and jerked his shoulder back into place. The man kept his teeth clenched together and let a long growl escape as the bone popped back into position. A second later he tenderly rolled his shoulder and nodded to Alden.

  He managed a weak smile, “Thank you, sir. It’ll be good as new before long.”

  Alden slapped him on the good shoulder and turned to see Warren, staring down at one of the bodies near him. The smaller man walked over to him, “Whatcha got runnin’ through that head of yours?”

  Warren gestured to the three bodies surrounding him, “I killed them.”

  The green eyed teen nodded, “You did. And I killed a few others. But Warren, at the end of the day, these men, they preyed on people who can’t protect themselves. They walk into people’s homes and take whatever they want. These men are wrose then animals and do you know why?”

  Warren looked up at his friend, “Why?”

  Alden put a hand on his friend’s shoulder, “Because these men can reason and think just like you or me. And they chose to kill and prey on those weaker then them. Animals act on instinct and need. These men acted on conscious thought and killed without guilt. What you feel now for these men is what sets you above them, Warren.”

  The big man held Alden’s gaze for a long minute, “And what do you feel?”

  Alden sighed as his guilt threatened to rush forward, “What’s done is done. I will remember each of the men I killed. How I killed them. But most of all I will remember why I had to kill. And I will remember this guilt but I refuse to linger on it. Instead, I will remind myself that there are many people who will make it home because of what we did today.”

  Warren nodded, “You surprise me sometimes, Alden.”

  The young man managed to smile, “I surprise myself sometimes. Let’s find Lorelei, regroup and get on the road. We have a ways to travel yet.”

  The large teen nodded again as he clipped his mace back into place. Alden started to walk away, his mind racing. He told Warren what the big man needed to hear but was he right? He had killed four men today. He pushed the guilt back again and move toward the main tent. Lorelei was nowhere to be seen.

  Alden let out a breath. He hoped she hadn’t run off but even if she had it was a small price. A band of thieves had been removed and if one young woman who happened to be talented with knives slipped away. Well, one knife would cause less damage then twenty. With a little luck she had just gone back to the others.

  Chapter 50 Western Citadel

  Warren strode down the middle of the road alongside Alden. He felt numb. The blood, the fear in their eyes as his mace had smashed into them. They had hesitated when they saw him but they had attacked him anyway. And he had won and he felt like he shouldn’t have won.

  The big man played Alden’s words over in his mind again. He had done what needed to be done. And those men would have had no qualms about killing him or any of the people he was with. Warren knew he couldn’t hesitate to act; he just wish
ed he had Alden’s confidence that his actions were just and right. His duty was to serve the Crown and the Kingdom. The Kingdom was better off having roads free of thieves. He had performed his duty and bettered the Kingdom for it. That would have to be enough to hold his guilt in place for now.

  A few more minutes of walking had the other soldiers come into view with their horses in tow. Lorelei sat on the back of Renegade and the stallion didn’t seem to mind. The big man silently thanked whichever divine that was watching over him that Alden was the one riding with her. Lorelei maintained a certain chill towards the smaller Knight but flirted with Warren easily.

  The big man pulled himself up onto the back of Gallius as Alden frowned at the woman on Renegade’s back. She smiled down at him and Alden slid up into the saddle behind her. Tomorrow she would have to ride with someone else since riding double would only wear the black stallion down. The rest of the trip to the Western Citadel passed quietly.

  The Citadel itself was a stone structure in the middle of a cleared section of the tall grass. There was no real sudden mark in the change of terrain. All at once a fortress was there with roads cut through the weeds. A few trails ran out, further into the Badlands from the Citadel.

  Damien waved at the gatekeeper from his saddle and a moment later the porticullis was raised. Warren ushered Gallius into the courtyard and dismounted. Lorelei dismounted from behind McCready easily. The big man kept his gaze level on her as a man as tall as him walked out.

  He had bright blue eyes and short, grey hair but didn’t look any older then 30. An angry scar ran down the right side of his face as he called out, “Brothers! I don’t know you so you must be new to the life. Tell me your names and what brought you out here!”

  Alden answered easily with a smile, “Alden Flint, Knight Cadet. This is our Second Trial.”

  The big man’s eyebrows went up, “Cadet? Last I checked Fox would never send a Cadet out here.”

  Warren glanced at his partner, “My name is Warren, Warren Faulkner. We are both Cadets.”

  The big Knight reached for the haft of a greatax across hia back and asked with a growl, “Who are you and why are you impersonating Royal Guardsmen?”

  Warren and Alden both spread their hands to either side as at least seven crossbowmen turned their weapons on them. Three more soldiers nearby had hands on their weapons. Damien was the one who saved them, “These men are Knight Cadets and I am Damien la Cinder. The reason Captain Fox sent these two is because the King changed my destination at the last moment. Originally I was to travel to the du Lac estate. I suggest you keep that axe where it is Knight Commander Baber.”

  The Commander froze his hands in place as he studied Damien and the soldiers. His eyes settled on Lorelei, “Who’s she?”

  Damien snorted, “Ask your ‘brothers’.”

  The Commander turned his gaze to Warren, “She is going back to Cinnati for trial. She helped us remove a gang of highwaymen who had been ambushing people on the road.”

  Baber looked back at Damien, “Your papers?”

  The messenger grumbled to himself as he rummaged through his bag and produced a scroll. The Commander snatched it out of the messenger’s hand. The big man scanned the document quickly and then waved his hand at the surrounding men, “At ease.”

  The soldiers returned to their duties as efficiently as they had left them. Warren lowered his hands with a breath of relief. Lorelei appeared quietly beside him and winked at the tall teen. Warren turned his gaze back to Baber.

  Damien held out his hand, “My papers?”

  The Commander rolled the scroll back up and offered it to the smaller man, “I apologize but you understand my caution. I know my Captain and under normal circumstances these two would not be here.”

  The messenger bowed shallowly, “Of course, Commander although you understand I’ll have to report this. But onto business, the King has sent me with two things. First of all, he said to inform you that the packages had arrived and thanks you for the service. Secondly, well, that would be better discussed in private.”

  The scarred man nodded, “I understand. I’ll have a few soldiers show your escort to empty bunks. My brothers may of course accompany us and will be given their own rooms. As for the woman, well, I don’t have any cells and I take it you two are adamant about her standing trial.”

  Alden was the one who answered, “We are. Unusual circumstances surround her case. Plus she led us to a bandit camp and hasn’t even tried to run even though she’s had plenty of chances.

  Baber grunted, “Well, I can have another room opened for her or she can stay with you two. It’s your choice.”

  Warren and Alden glanced at each other and the big man answered, “Put her in our room. I doubt she leaves but no sense in taking risks.”

  Lorelei broke in, “You do know I’m right here, handsome.”

  Warren shrugged, “And? Would you rather stay in the barracks until everything else gets sorted out in a few hours?”

  The woman stepped back, “Your room will work.”

  Baber nodded, “Alright. With that settled step this way.”

  The giant Knight strode away as soldiers took their horses and led the men under Damien to bunks. Lorelei, Warren, Alden and Damien followed Baber into the Citadel proper. A few hundred yards in a soldier stopped Lorelei and led her to a door nearby. He unlocked it and let her step inside before shutting the door and re locking it.

  Baber had kept his brisk pace as this went on but the soldier caught up to Warren and handed him the key as he said, “There isn’t a window but it does have lights. She’ll be waiting later when someone shows you back this way.”

  Warren nodded to the man as he raced off and the big teen picked up his pace to catch up to Baber. The Knight Commander led the group to a small office in one of the towers of the Citadel. Alden and Warren stepped just inside the door way while Damien sat down. Baber sat down behind his desk and gestured to the remaining chairs, “Sit, brothers. Everything Damien and I will discuss is free knowledge between us.”

  Damien narrowed his eyes at the comment but remained silent. Warren took a seat to the messenger’s right and Alden sat on the big teen’s right. Baber leaned back in his chair and studied them for a long minute before clearing his throat and looking pointedly at Damien.

  The messenger started into his message nervously, “The King has…denied…your request for more soldiers.”

  The Knight Commander leaned forward in his chair, “Did the King say why?”

  Damien swallowed, “Because there are not enough soldiers to send more here.”

  Baber nodded, “I see. And why did you need to tell me that in private?”

  The messenger reached up and tugged at his collar, “Because the King is going to withdraw forces from the forts across the Badlands.”

  Knight Commander Baber’s eyes narrowed as let out a deep growl that made the room seem to vibrate “WHY?”

  Damien glanced over at Warren and then back at Baber, “Because, the King plans to go to war.”

  Baber stood and turned to face the window behind him, one hand balled in a fist while the other rubbed his scar, “And who is our King planning to go to war with? And why?”

  The messenger bit his lip, “The dwarves. They’ve been a nuisance for far too long. I suspect the King will also want you on the front line, Commander.”

  The Commander waved a hand, “Tell the King I hear him and understand. One of my men will show you to your room, Damien la Cinder.”

  Damien stood and rushed out of the room. Warren and Alden rose to their feet at a slower pace as Baber stopped them, “Hold, brothers. I would like to hear about things back home.”

  The door shut behind Damien as Warren and Alden sat back down. The Commander sat back down in his high backed chair, the only decorative piece in the otherwi
se Spartan office. Baber’s face was twisted into an angry scowl.

  A long moment passed and Baber spoke, “I’m going to write a letter to Captain Fox and give it to you. He needs to know what’s going on and I get the feeling the King has left him out of the loop on this one. Don’t let tight ass there know you have it.”

  Alden frowned and one glance told Warren that the gears were turning. Baber nodded almost to himself, “That accent of yours makes people underestimate that mind of yours don’t it, lad. This isn’t part of the Trial. Your job is to protect Damien and that’s it. You’re loyalty is to the King and Captain Fox is a servant of the King just like Damien there. If anyone asks you’re just delivering a letter from one old man to another. Understand?”

  Warren accepted the man’s reasoning but he knew from Alden’s gaze that his partner wasn’t convinced. Baber smiled, “Suspicious until the end. Good quality to have actually. Who is training you two anyway?”

  The big teen answered, “Sergeant Malcolm Hunter, Commander.”

  Baber waved a hand, “Cut the titles and the sirs now. Call me Herc, all my friends do.”

  Warren nodded, “Herc? I feel like that is a nickname or short for something else.”

  Herc smiled, “My mom named me Hercules after some famous strong man from a long time ago. Anyway, what’s going on back in Cinnati?”

  Warren and Alden briefly summarized the events they knew such as the establishment of Inquisitor Solace, the other Cadets, the attacker Alden had fought in the halls. The pair told about how they had found Lorelei and how she led them to the bandit camp and what had happened there.

  The Knight Commander nodded, “You two killed for the first time today. Warren, it was the first time you had ever spilled blood. And for you, Alden it was the first time you had ever dealt in the human variety. I am going to explain something and I hope you two don’t write it off as an old man rambling. Never deal in Death lightly and never let someone else decide what you draw blood for. Should you ever kill for something you do not believe, that decision will haunt you forever. Understand me?”