Natsha comes to the side of her brother in arms. Amari is there too.
“My brother, I thank you for taking the shaft in my stead. You have no way to know this, but no arrow can enter my body. My magic will intervene. You are truly brave to forfeit yourself for me.”
Natsha gently touches the wooden arrow, while blood is seeping through his tunic around the wound. “Gareth, that was a mighty deed defending our sister, but you are wounded.”
“This is not wounded. This be just an annoyance. Take your blade and remove it,” as he continues to glare at the soldiers.
The leader yells to the others. “Hold your weapons. No one else shoots. You” he points to one of his men. “Get Felk to his feet and to a physician.
The leader reaches down and just before picking up the fallen sword looks to the woman. She nods her head as he grabs the scabbard a good measure away from the hilt and blade.
“You four are my prisoners and will be taken to the king's dungeon and await his pleasure.” Seeing that the other woman has drawn her dirk and not threatening him or his men allows her to remove the shaft from the giant.
“These are barbed arrows Gareth.” Natsha says. “I need to widen the wound so the barb does not rip your flesh when I pull it out.”
“Do what you will woman…I will hold fast!” I set my jaw, as the pain will be great. I have been able to endure what comes next from an arrow wound once before.
As Natsha makes several small cuts into the flesh around the arrow, she asks the leader of the soldiers. “What crime have we committed that you have approached us so?”
“Put no spell on me witch. I am an honest man doing my duty for God and King.”
“I am not the one you should be worried about king's buffoon!”
This man is slow to anger as he watches me work the arrow out of Gareth.
“I see by your trappings and the inking upon your face; you are of the Thieves Guild. I thought you all dead?”
“I am the last. My brother and father killed last year by rivals I expect. As for thievery—I no longer follow that path. My sword serves the Maiden Amari.”
“We all serve the Maiden,” Dian and Gareth pipe up.
He looks at Amari. “I do not know of this Maiden. My orders were to take three people who fit your description into irons and put them into the King's Dungeon.”
He looks to the other woman. “My orders do not include you. Nevertheless, since you travel with the likes of them, you are to come as well. The king awaits the coming of a sorcerous of great power.”
Natsha looks to Amari and says under her breath, “your evil sister?”
Grasping the arrow by the shaft close to the barbed point, Natsha gives it several tugs. The wooden shaft remains fast.
Gareth draws a shallow breath. “Stop toying with it and pull woman!”
“Ok big man, I will count thrice—be ready.”
Gareth stiffens his body and stares straight ahead.
“Thrice!”
Gareth was not quite ready when the wickedly barbed arrow is pulled from his body. His blue eyes begin to water.
Natsha is standing there with the arrow in her grasp.
“Are you truly my friend Natsha?”
Natsha looks at the end of the arrow in her hand. A small piece of flesh is still attached to one of the barbs. “At least I know you will not strike your sword sister in anger you big beast! It is better to yank quickly and without warning.” She can see that Gareth is masking the pain, but at the same time, his eyes show love and compassion for her.
The superior of the soldiers’, smiles at the two before him. “Your task is done thief. You can drop the blade.”
All the while, several soldiers have their crossbows aimed at the giant man and the three women. Two of them center their weapons on Amari when she moves closer to Gareth. Using the same spell with purifying the food, she places her palm over the wound on his chest.
As Amari touches the raw wound on my body, I can feel heat from her hand and a lessening of pain. When her palm is removed, the wound is closed with just a telltale red scar to mark its location. I flex my chest and move my arms back and forth. “Thank you sister—the pain has left me. You are truly a worker of great magic.”
The Maiden turns to the leader of the soldiers. “Gunsalus, we are your prisoners, treat us well and we will come in peace. But know this; no chains shall be put to our bodies.”
“Witch, how doth know my name? Never have I voiced it.”
She looks deep into his eyes. “Your spirit told me. Only a good man's spirit will confide in me. Evil men's spirit will run and cower.”
Unsure of this Maiden Witch, Gunsalus steps back a few paces, “follow me.”
The four prisoners are led outside to find another squad of armed soldiers waiting. They are equipped with long flag lances and swords drawn at the ready. We are surrounded and escorted away. The absence of any people is noted by Natsha. We are moved down a narrow alley and behind a building. A prison carriage pulled by two horses is waiting with its driver and helper.
At the point of a lance, all four of us are roughly pushed inside the bouncing wagon. A large lock is snapped into place; ending their freedom.
A pack horse is tethered by another soldier containing our weapons in large saddle bags. As standing is near impossible, we find a place to sit while facing each other. Amari looks longingly at Katana as the hilt can be seen protruding from one of the bags. She is not used to having her sword so far away.
“Amari” asks Dian. “Is not your magic stronger than these men?”
“Yes, I could easily defeat them, but you three are blood tied to me. I cannot risk your lives. There are too many soldiers for us to gain a quarter. A chance arrow or sword could win through and pierce one of you. I can heal wounds, but using magic to restore life; no witch or warlock has that power. Only the Gods can give life. Look what just befell our Gareth. Tis better to wait for a lessening of their number.
Gunsalus strides over to the cage on wheels. He pulls on the lock to make sure it is secure. He looks to us sitting behind the metal bars. “Forgive this means of transport. The trip to Borin Castle will be long and arduous. You will be going before the King's Magistrate for his ruling on the charges levied against you.”
Amari responds. “You said that a mysterious woman with great power sought our capture. That is not sufficient a reason to be arrested and treated in this manner.”
“True Maiden; we only serve the king, but this woman has his ear.” He pulls a folded document from inside his tunic and reads. “In part this royal order states, and decreed by his great majesty…a charge of sedition against the king’s rule is imposed against you and your companions.” He folds the paper and puts it away. “The order does not state exactly what the charges are against you? Do I find this strange—yes! However, we do not question the king on his desires or wishes.”
“I find it hard to believe a person or persons can be arrested in this land only because the king finds it desirable.” Amari says.
Gunsalus gives the lock another tug and looks into her probing eyes. “If the magistrate rules that there is truth in the accusations, then it will be the block where your heads will be cleaved from your bodies. Your simple magic will not save you.
In truth, I do not believe you desired to threaten, or rise up against my king. I think you somehow wronged this woman looking for you, and she wants your head. The charge may have been a measure to ensure the whole countryside be aware and engage the King’s soldiers to arrest you if found. I am only a lowly captain of fifteen men. My orders are to bring you to the castle guards and be done with you.”
“You are not far from the truth Gunsalus. She indeed wants my spirit; she is also my sister.” Amari touches one of his hands holding the bars. “Do not let your heart burden you brave warrior. We four do not blame you for our incarceration. You have fulfilled your orders. Rest in knowing you have followed those in authority over you.
&nb
sp; He removes his hand from under hers…slower than he wished. Something about the maiden mystifies him; it is if she could look into his soul. He feels no ill will or darkness, only warmth. Returning from the depths of his thoughts, he says. “Tis truly a strange matter. Why would a sister of your blood want you departed by her hand?”
I could only shake my head at the soldier’s question. “The history of the why my life force must cease is lost to me. This I do know; her path is of the shade and can only lead to death for all who stand in her way.”
Gunsalus sees his men are ready and waiting on his orders. He searches the Maiden’s eyes, trying to understand who would want such a young and innocent looking woman for the headsman’s axe.
“We must be on the way,” he says stepping away from the bars. “You will have your chance to explain to the Law Giver in three days. That is the time it will take to journey back to Aventine and to the King’s realm.”
Gunsalus signals to the driver.
With a snap of the reins on the horses back, the rolling cage spurts forward. One wheel is out of round. With each full turn, the prison carriage gives a bump. Six heavily armed soldiers meet us as we turn the corner and enter the central square of the town. The squad of men split to three on each side with crossbows pointed in our direction.
“They are not taking any chances with us are they?” Gareth asks.
Natsha answers. “Would you if roles were reversed?”
Another squad of soldiers brings up the rear. Two of their numbers run on before the wagon. When they are several meters ahead, the men slow to a walk and keep pace with the carriage that follows.
Dian tells the others. “By my count, there are eighteen armed men escorting us. That includes the driver, his wagon mate and the one call Gunsalus. It would appear, instead a lessening of the numbers to turn the advantage to us; they have increased. I could bring Hydrosin alive with a little water and part these bars if you command Maiden?”
“Patience dear sister, our time will come. The period it would take for to you cut your way out of here and tried for our weapons…a dozen arrows would pierce your body.”
Dian nods her head and slumps against the stiff iron bars.
Amari can see their new friend wants desperately to prove her worth to the others.
Gareth with hands on the metal bars is secretly testing their strength says. “I feel like a royal person with such a procession as this; tis bad we are not riding in a fine carriage with food and ale.”
Natsha whispers to Amari. “What about your power that removed us from the Dragon's Grave? Can you whisk us to another place?”
“Not without my sword. At present, we should look at possibilities for other means to escape.”
Gareth surveys those on either side of the carriage with their crossbows pointed in our direction. “It is bothersome to be always under the aim of those men. A sudden twitch or jerk in error can send a shaft into one of us. I for one do not like the taste of feathered wood in my flesh again.”
“This may be to our advantage my friend,” Amari says. “We have been traveling for a long time. We must act weary. All of you lay down as to sleep.”
I do the same while lying to the side with my head resting on my outstretched arm. I focus my eyes on the soldier nearest to us. He has not relaxed his guard for a moment as his vision moves to each of us and back again. His weapon is still pointed in our general direction.
I whisper an ancient spell and the man who has my attention trips over his own feet. In the process of catching himself, fires his crossbow. He does not know that I have directed his body and aim.
With a loud twang, the unrestrained arrow lodges in the shoulder of the driver. With a great yell loosens the reins. The horses no longer tethered, bolt from the sudden scream. The other driver is quick to scoop up the leather reins and regain control of the two horses. He pulls hard, but manages to bring the carriage to a stop. The horse’s nostrils flaring and hooves pawing at the ground, fighting against the reins to run again.
Gunsalus approaches from the rear of the line. “What is this?” He sees the driver with the shaft protruding from a blood soak shoulder.
“I am sorry sir,” says the soldier who fired the arrow. “I stumbled and shot Kilos by accident.”
“Clumsy oaf! All of you,” he says to the men surrounding the carriage. “Mind your path. Keep your weapons at the ready, but pointed down. I will not have any more accidents on this march. My orders are to bring these captives to the castle alive. My head would be on the chopping block if anyone of them is brought in wounded, or worse, dead.”
He points to two of the guards. “Help him down so his wound can be attended. You witch,” as he nods to Amari. “Work your magic on my man as you did with yours. No tricks woman!”
I just smile and nod my head to him.
The injured driver is lowered to the ground. His tunic ripped open and the arrow forcibly pulled from his shoulder. They were not as tender as Natsha was with Gareth. The shaft did not go deep as I examined the torn flesh through the bars of our cage. I lay my hand upon his wound and recite an ancient healing magic. The soldier afraid of magic and witchery tries to pull away. I retain my hold on his arm. “Stop moving around! This only works if you are still.”
My incantations are not for just healing. Secretly, I have put thoughts in his mind that may help us later. I only need to say a certain word and he will do as I command. I release his arm.
The soldier feels the place where the arrow had stuck him. All that is left is a raised scar and a little tenderness. He smiles and bows his head to me. “My gratitude for the healing you have put upon me lady.”
“Your shoulder will be sore for a span of a few days. The stiffness and pain will depart and strength will return. You now have a battle scar to show the women of your village.”
“Some warrior’s scar” Gunsalus says. “Shot by one of his own men.”
With help, Kilos is hoisted back up on the prison carriage. The relief driver snaps the reins and we are once more on the move.
Natsha looks to Amari. “Tis wonderful the way your magic works Maiden—what is next for these men?”
“Take heart Natsha; one of the wheels is about to fall off.” She whispers to Gareth and Dian. Hold on to something.”
They do as she commands.
Lowering her head so those guards walking beside them cannot see her face, she brings fingers to her mouth and mutters under her breath. The one wheel that was out of round and bumping along the road gives a loud creak and spins off its axel.
The cart now with only three wheels drops as the axel digs into the road surface. The dislodged wheel still under my control rolls off into a deep ravine. We all hear a splash as it tumbles into some water far below.
Gareth touches my arm, smiles and whispers. “That was most entertaining. At this rate, it will take weeks not days to reach the castle.”
Gunsalus comes running up again. “Now what is the hold to out travel?”
One of the soldiers is examining the axel. He stands and faces his leader. “The locking pin is gone. It may have fallen out anywhere along our trail.”
Gunsalus looks at us sitting there docile. “You prisoners are ill luck to us. First, there is the wounding of our driver and now this!”
The soldier who reported on the axel and missing pin interrupts his captain. “This wheel has been giving us misery long before we encountered these captives. It is the same hub that has been providing the driver and his man a bumpy ride.”
Not convinced, Gunsalus waves away the soldier. “Go and bring back that runaway wheel. Be quick about it. Take another with you as I am sure it is burdensome.”
Dian waves to the leader of the soldiers. “Kind sir, can we remove ourselves from this cramped conveyance to stretch our legs?”
“No! Take turns laying on the floor. I will not have you escape. The king will take my head for failing him.”
Amari speaks up. “Will you take our vow
we will not try to escape this day?”
“This day you say? What about the morrow, or the next?”
“Let us decide on those days when they come upon us.” She says.
Gunsalus thinks on it. “Very well; I have your word then, but only in pairs. You witch and the man will be first.” He signals for his men to keep their weapons ready. He pulls a large key from his tunic and unlocks the cage door, then steps aside.
Gareth comes out first. He holds a hand out and helps me to the ground. We walk about loosening our cramped legs and bodies.
The guards walking around keep watchful eyes. They allow Gareth and I to move about without restrictions. While we were outside the cage unlimbering sleeping muscles two of the soldiers return with the errant wheel.
Gunsalus looks at Dian and Natsha still behind bars. “You two can come out now.” He gestures to Gareth and me; “get back inside!”
Amari followed by Gareth do as they are told without resisting. The Maiden waits to the side as her companions crawl to the open gate and step out. I put a foot up to return to my prison.
One of the soldiers comes up to the captain and says. “Sir, can they all stay out for a time? We need to lift the carriage to replace the wheel. It will be lighter without them inside; especially the big one,” as he gestures to Gareth standing there.
Gunsalus eyes the prisoners and singles out the Maiden. “I have your word that you will not try to escape.”
“We as one have vowed and will not go back on what we have said this day,” Amari says. She turns away, winks at Gareth and whispers. “I did not promise I would not cause mischief.”
Gareth smiles back. “I can tell by that gleam in your eyes that you are not all good. A little imp is in there too.”
The four of us are moved away from the carriage and next to a stand of trees. A soldier brings us food and drink while we sit in the shade.
I wait for the women to take their food before I take mine. While sipping water, I see Amari speaking quietly with her head lowered. With small hand movements, she seems to be casting a spell toward those men working on the wagon. She stops her incantations and goes back to eating. She speaks to Natsha and Dian in idle conversations. She looks so innocent.
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