“No, Ian, my son! No!” she cried, trying to push her way toward him. A Calorin soldier grabbed her and held her back.
Martin and Trey exchanged a grim look. The plan had to work now.
Balkor waved the crowd to silence as the two “Calorins” brought Ian up to the foot of the scaffold.
“Today, you are to witness the execution of one of the rebels who fights against my authority,” Balkor declared in Rhyddan. “Let this be an example to any who think that the so-called Hawk Flight can prevail against us. One by one, we will hunt them down and kill them all!”
“Then why don’t you start with me?” a voice cried.
Heads turned to see the newcomer. He had a hood pulled over his features and sat astride a prancing black stallion. A grey hawk perched on his shoulder.
“Or are you too cowardly to go against a warrior who can fight back?” he mocked.
“Not so fast, Hawk! I have one of your men here!” Balkor replied.
“Do you?”
Balkor turned around. The scaffold stood empty.
Corin laughed. “Would you like to try your luck with me?”
“Get after him!” Balkor yelled in outrage.
Soldiers ran towards Corin only to be met by arrows from Flynn and his men. Villagers fled in panic as Argusians marched forward. Corin gave a sharp whistle. Flynn and his men slid down from the roofs and took their place behind him.
“Two volleys then retreat,” Corin ordered. He and Zephyr stood fearlessly as the enemy advanced on them.
“Fire!” Flynn called from behind him. The front rank of Argusians fell. Snapping shields in place, they deflected the second volley.
Corin stared at Balkor—his first sight of the man since the day Lord Rishdah had bought him. Whatever fear and helplessness he’d felt at the thought of his former master, vanished in an instant, replaced for the desire for vengeance for the pain wreaked upon him and his country. He wheeled Zephyr sharply and cantered after his retreating men as Balkor sent soldiers pouring after them.
“Ready, Tristan?” Corin shouted as he made it out of the village to where Tristan and his ten men waited on their horses.
“Aye, Captain!” Tristan’s grin was tinged with the rush of the oncoming battle. “Get ready, lads. Here they come!”
Martin and Trey had dodged under the scaffold and pulled Ian with them when Corin appeared. Crouching under the scaffold, they waited until Balkor sent his troops after the outlaws, forgotten in the sudden chaos. Martin took off his cloak and threw it around Ian as Trey cut his bonds. Ian drew the hood of the cloak over his head.
Martin picked up a fallen scimitar and handed it to Ian. “Just in case.”
Helping Ian up, they walked through the square, which was still in a state of confusion. The crowd drew away from the drawn scimitars of the supposed Calorins. In the panic, no one noticed that one of them could hardly walk.
Safely out of sight from the square, Martin sheathed his sword and grabbed Ian, who was now on the verge of collapse. He half carried, half dragged Ian along. Trey hurried alongside them.
“Halt! Where are you three going?” a Calorin soldier called behind them.
Trey turned and, confident in his disguise, replied to the leader of the patrol. “Wounded soldier, we’re taking him back to the barracks.”
“How did he get hurt?” the soldier asked.
“Arrow wound in the leg,” Martin replied in Calorin.
The soldier looked suspiciously at Ian, supported by Martin.
“Hold on…” He threw back Ian’s hood. “It’s the outlaw!” he cried.
Ian grabbed a knife from Martin’s belt and stabbed the soldier. Seeing their leader fall, the patrol moved to attack.
Trey shoved between them and the soldiers. “Martin, get Ian out of here! Liam’s not too far off. I’ll cover you!”
Martin hurried Ian through the houses. Liam and his men saw them coming and moved to meet them. Liam pulled Ian up in front of him as Martin ran back to help Trey. He made it just in time as Trey was backed into a corner. He fought over to Trey’s side, and together, they cut their way free.
“Go! Go!” Trey yelled as they came in sight of Liam and his men still waiting. Turning again, they fought off the front rank of Calorins. Bran remained with horses for them. Martin and Trey threw themselves on to the horses and galloped off after their retreating companions.
* * *
Corin ordered his men to fall back as the Argusians and Calorins pressed inexorably forward. The enemy soldiers were now using their own bows. An arrow zipped by Corin’s head while another found its mark in the arm of the man next to him.
“Split up! Head back to the forest!” Corin shouted. Dodging more arrows, the outlaws turned and galloped out of range and back into the welcoming shelter of the forest.
Chapter 10
The campsite was sheltered by large rock outcroppings that clustered around the steep banks of the Darkan River. Liam and his men were first to arrive. They were greeted by the few men who had remained behind. Gavin helped Ian down from the horse and carried him to a small, dry cave. Liam followed to tend to Ian.
All morning groups of men trickled back into camp. Corin and Flynn were last to arrive. They had followed Balkor’s force to make sure that the camp wouldn’t be found. Martin and Trey, skin scrubbed clean and dressed in their own uniforms, sat with Tristan by the fire. Steffan took Zephyr from Corin, who then sat down beside them.
“The fearless leader of the Hawk Flight returns,” Tristan said.
Corin laughed as he unbuckled his scimitar. “You heard that.”
“Everyone did,” Trey said. “The lads like it.”
“Well, I guess we have a name then,” Corin said.
“It’s a good name for Aredor’s last warband,” Martin said.
“The Calorins must think we’re here to stay for a while if they’ve gone through the trouble of naming us.” Corin couldn’t suppress a smile of triumph.
“Just as long as they don’t bother us for the rest of the day.” Martin stifled a yawn. “It’s tiring work trying to save Trey from every angry Calorin.”
“You didn’t seem to have a better idea,” Trey retorted as Corin and Tristan laughed.
“Still, you sounded pretty convincing,” Martin said.
“Thanks, you weren’t half bad yourself. I didn’t think you knew Calorin.” Trey turned an accusing stare at him.
“I picked up a little here and there. And I did pay attention sometimes during lessons, contrary to popular opinion.” Martin cut off Trey’s next comment.
“How’s Ian doing?” Corin asked.
Merriment faded from Tristan’s face. “Not so good. Liam’s been in with him for a while.”
“We’ll stay here for a few days then,” Corin decided. “We could all use a rest.”
* * *
It was early evening when Corin visited Ian.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
Ian pushed himself into a sitting position. “All right, I guess, sir. Liam bandaged me up pretty well.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Corin hated that Ian had been under Kadar’s power for even a second. He’d known the general’s reputation even in Calorin.
“I didn’t tell them anything.” Ian burst out, his eyes wide in something like desperation.
“Good man. Get some rest now, you still look awful.” Corin pressed his shoulder and was glad to see a sliver of a smile cross Ian’s face.
“Captain?” He stopped Corin as he turned to leave. “Thanks for coming after me.”
“You’re welcome,” Corin replied. “Sleep. That’s an order.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
Over the next few days, Tristan and Martin tested Kara’s skill with a sword, and Flynn supervised archery lessons.
“I think she’ll do all right in a fight,” Tristan reported to Corin. He knew that was high praise coming from Tristan. He turned to Flynn.
“She’s better with the bow than some of the men,” Flynn gave his verdict.
“I vote she stays just because she can cook,” Martin said. Liam passed by at that moment.
“Aye, anything is better after two years of Trey’s cooking,” he called.
Trey laughed sarcastically as he threw an apple core at Liam. Those within earshot smiled as their lieutenants and captain burst into laughter.
“All right then, she can stay. We could use another runner.” Corin was pleased with the ruling. Breaking up the siblings again was the last thing he’d wanted to do.
“What about her family, sir?” Flynn asked.
“I’m sure Dandin can get something to her relatives. They’ll be wanting news of Kieran too,” Corin said.
Over the next few days, the patrols began to disperse. Trey and his patrol were last to leave. Corin had ordered them to stay for two weeks on the same route, and then they would all return to the main camp. Corin and his men remained behind at the Rocks, waiting for Ian to fully recover.
Kieran took Kara on his message runs, teaching her the different routes to take. Twice they had to outrun Calorin patrols in the forest. The outlaws became used to seeing her and accepted her as one of the “lads.”
Under the care of Liam, Ian gradually recovered his strength. His leg healed seamlessly, and he could walk without trace of the injury. The two weeks drew to a close, and the Hawk Flight prepared to return.
* * *
Two hooded figures stole through the village in the pouring rain.
“It’s that one, Captain.” Ian pointed to a house across the street. Corin nodded and they quickly crossed the street. Ian knocked gently on the door. He pushed back his hood as a woman opened the door. She gave a small cry and gathered him in an embrace.
“Siana, what’s wrong?” a man asked.
“It’s Ian! Come inside quickly, both of you before you’re seen.” She shepherded them both inside.
The man rose from the table to greet them.
“Ian?” he exclaimed.
Ian crossed quickly over to be pulled into his father’s embrace.
“Father, this is Corin, our captain,” he said.
Ian’s father turned to him and Corin moved forward to clasp his proffered hand. “Thank you, sir, for everything you’ve done.”
Corin only nodded, still not quite used to open gratitude directed his way.
Further talk was interrupted when an adjacent door was flung open, and several small figures tumbled out. Three young girls flung themselves on Ian, forcing him down into a chair. A young boy of about fifteen years followed more sedately. Corin and Ian’s parents laughed as he tried to sort out the questions being thrown at him all at once.
Siana laid her hand on Corin’s arm. “Thank you for bringing him here.”
“We thought it would be good for him to see you, especially after what happened,” Corin said.
“Aye, we thought we had lost another son.” Siana wiped at threatening tears.
Her husband wrapped a comforting arm around her. “Our oldest son was killed in the invasion.”
“I’m so sorry.” Corin was beginning to think there wasn’t a family in Aredor that hadn’t been torn apart by the invasion. “I was asked if you could tell Catrin and Eilwen that Huw and Aneiran are alive and well.”
Siana nodded with a smile. “Now, I think I might have some news for you, sir. Only a few know this, but the princess Amaura is hiding in Kingscastle under Balkor’s very nose!”
“How?” Corin almost shouted in sudden desperation.
“You wouldn’t think to look for a princess among the castle servants, would you?”
Corin laughed a little at the irony.
“My sister lives in Kingstown. Her daughter was sick, so I went to help her,” Siana explained. “While I was there, the princess brought some food for the girl. My sister knew who she was and accidentally let it slip, but I haven’t told anyone else.”
“Thank you. It seems I’m now in your debt,” Corin said. “But I’m afraid we need to go.”
Farewells were said, and Corin and Ian slipped out into the rainy night and disappeared.
* * *
Kara took the oath of service before the entire Hawk Flight. Corin handed her a leather pouch similar to the one that Kieran carried. It contained parchment and ink that would serve her as a runner. Later, Martin gave her a hunting knife with a handle fashioned from the stag’s antler complete with its own sheath. Her oath taking gave the outlaws a reason to celebrate. It was a simple affair out in the heart of the forest, but after months of patrolling and fighting, it seemed like a grand feast.
That night, Corin found Gavin. “It’ll be winter soon. We need a more sheltered place to make camp.”
“I think I know of a place, sir. We can go tomorrow morning. It’s not too far from here,” Gavin said.
True to his word, Gavin rode out early the next morning with Corin, Trey, and Liam. The air was crisp and cool, and the trees were brilliantly colored in red, orange, and yellow hues. He led them toward Darkan River as it curved through the middle of the forest. Finding a shallow ford, they crossed and turned upriver. They did not travel far before Gavin stopped.
“We’re here.”
He had brought them to the mouth of a cave situated a short distance from the riverbank. A small stream flowed from the cave and fed into the river. Gavin passed out the torches that he had brought along. Striking flint to steel, he lit the torches and entered the cave.
The interior of the cave was small and sandy. The stream rushed past, coming from some source far underground in the caves. Gavin, however, was not interested in the stream, skirting around it to the back of the small cave. An irregular fissure appeared in the torchlight. Gavin pressed through the opening, and after a moment’s hesitation, the others followed. When they came out the other side, they found themselves standing in a large, dry cavern.
The ceiling was visible in the torchlight as they began to explore. Several smaller caves opened up from the main cavern. Toward the back, the floor sloped down into another large room. As Corin walked around the main cave, his torch flickered, and he caught a breath of fresh air. Following the draft, he came to the back wall. Looking up, he saw an opening outlined by sunlight and partially obscured by the bushes on the top of the caves. The wall inclined up toward the opening, worn smooth by rainwater flowing through the hole. Trey came over to join him. Wedging the torches into cracks in the wall, he boosted Corin toward the opening.
Corin scrambled the last few feet and heaved himself through the hole. He found himself standing on top of the caves. From there, he could see above the surrounding trees. To his left, the Darkan River flowed by, partially obscured by a thick belt of trees. Turning around, he saw a valley that had been formed when part of the caves had collapsed years ago. Immediately around him, the top of the caves were covered in thick bushes and small trees, providing plenty of cover.
Meanwhile, Liam, Gavin, and Trey had exited the caves and had walked around to find him. Corin descended quickly and easily from his vantage point and joined them, reporting his findings.
“What do you think?”
“We’d all fit inside with plenty of room to spare. We have our own supply of running water as well,” Trey said.
“I agree. We can have two entrances easily enough. We can keep the horses in the valley,” Liam said.
“Well then, I don’t think we should waste any time,” Corin said.
* * *
Over the next few days, the Hawk Flight moved into the caves. The smaller adjoining caves were used to store weapons and food supplies. The second cavern where the men slept and kept their own possessions was jokingly referred to as “the barracks.” A curtain was hung over a small alcove for Kara. Steps were carved into the floor to give easier access between the two main caves. A sturdy ladder was constructed and placed by the hole in the ceiling for use by the sentries.
After the o
utlaws had settled in, the patrols went out again. Corin, Liam, and Bran went to Kingstown to test the truth of Siana’s story.
Chapter 11
It was market day in Kingstown. Amaura hummed a tune as she left the castle. Once she passed the guards at the gates, she began swinging her basket. Two years ago, she never would have imagined that she would be buying food for the castle cooks. Of course, two years ago, she would never have thought her country would be overrun, forcing her into hiding. Pushing thoughts of her past life aside, she descended into the bustling marketplace. As she moved through the crowds, someone stumbled against her, almost knocking her over.
“Pardon, my lady,” he murmured as he steadied her.
Amaura stared after the dark-haired man as he moved off without a backward glance. She followed him and he led her into an alley behind a stall.
“Who are you and how do you know me?” she de-manded in a low voice.
“I’m here with someone who wanted to find you.”
“You fought in the warband, didn’t you?” She thought she vaguely recognized him.
“I still do, my lady.”
Amaura’s eyes widened. That could only mean one thing. “You mean the Hawk Flight? What are you doing here? It’s too dangerous!”
He merely smiled. “Like I said, m’lady, we wanted to find you.”
“Who did?”
He gave a low whistle. A few moments later, they were joined by two more men. Amaura didn’t know the darker-haired man, but the other looked strangely familiar. She watched him speak to the others for a few seconds, giving them some orders before they disappeared back into the town.
Amaura found herself looking into the man’s piercing blue eyes as he turned toward her, and suddenly she knew.
“Corin?” She couldn’t speak more than a whisper.
“Maurie.” He used her nickname.
Sobbing, she flung her arms around him. “I knew! I knew you weren’t dead!”
His arms closed gently around her. “I missed you so much.” There was a tremor in his voice. “You didn’t give up on me?”
“No, you always took care of me. I just wouldn’t believe you were gone. And now I can’t believe you’re here!” Amaura smiled through her tears.
The Rise of Aredor Page 21