by Sigrid Kraft
It was a huge relief when the officer asked again: “Do you want to talk with us now?”
Once again Hal nodded. Cold sweat drained out of every pore and merged with his tears. Together, the fluids flowed into the fresh wounds, exacerbating the pain still further.
This time when they removed the gag he kept silent. As long as they do not hurt me again I will not scream. No more suffering. Deliverance. Please end it quickly, so I can follow my brother to the realm of the Gods. “Kill me,” he begged in a whisper.
“That, my boy, you will have to earn. Now tell us something,” replied the officer harshly.
Perhaps it was their refusal even to grant him a quick death that restored a little of Hal’s courage. I will lie to them. Maybe that will give my comrades a better chance. “We are eighty men and our leader is Vrat the Raven.” Vrat’s name is well known to everyone. Lies mixed with truth and they will believe me. “The hideout is above half a day’s journey away on the east side of Mount Verschen. I can guide you there. It is not easy to find,” he offered.
The scout scratched his cheek and interrupted: “He is lying.”
There was a trace of sadness on the officer’s face. “Lad, don’t make your life more difficult than it is already. There’s a lot we already know. So stop telling us tales. Only wastes our time.”
When one of the soldiers forced the gag into Hal’s mouth again, his bladder emptied. All the men watched as the crotch of his trousers darkened.
“And we have barely even started. Do you know how badly it hurts in the face? Or the balls? Fingernails – that’s nasty too. I reckon we should try that next.”
The pain was unbearable and Hal thought he would go mad. By the Gods, please, let me just pass out. But the Gods did not grant that favor. The torturers knew their job well and when they questioned him for the third time, Hal told them everything he knew and everything they wanted to hear. This time the scout nodded and the officer was satisfied. They left Hal in the custody of the two veterans and departed.
Sir Oswold reported back to Lord Boron: “My commandant, the captive has confirmed what we already suspected. They are hiding in Eaglevalley and number less than thirty men. They have positioned sentries at the narrow pass up in the rock face.
It is a perfect place for archers and could create problems for us. At the back entrance to the valley they seldom have sentries, because from the first lookout point you can see for miles in both directions.”
Lord Boron nodded. “Sir Oswold, take sixty men and leave at once for the back entrance. Raegnir will guide you. It will take you longer at night time to make your way round the mountain and get into position. Once you are there, use the amulet to contact me.” Lord Boron demonstrated how, by turning a gem in the chain, this would start to flash, a signal that would then cause the second gem in the other chain to flash, too. That was the sign for Lord Boron.
“We start by attacking the passage on our side as the rebels would expect us to. Our first task is to overpower the sentries, or at least try to keep them preoccupied so that you can attack them from behind before they detect you.”
His eyes wandered over the landscape, as if trying to make out a special man. “I hope Branden returns soon. The ring of invisibility could be extremely helpful for this mission.” Lord Boron paused and Sir Oswold was about to take his leave when his commander added: “Oh, and don’t forget, we need a few captives for later. We have to set an example and deter others. The root of rebellion must be eradicated once and for all. You know what will happen otherwise. If all the outlaws fall in battle without any bodies being shown to the simple folk, rumors will soon spread, and the rebels will be turned into martyrs. Or even worse: Tales will spring up that they never died and are still alive somewhere. But if those scoundrels swing from the gallows, they become common criminals, and that’s the end of the bedtime story. The faster we get this over and done with, the faster we can go back home.”
Sir Oswold saluted and set off to prepare. The Gray Wolf watched him leave.
The times it thrilled him to sense danger, sleep below the open sky and eagerly draw his sword, were long gone. My bones ache. Even though the mages did extraordinary work healing my wounds, the pain of old injuries comes back to bother me like old acquaintances. Aging does the rest. The years already weigh down heavily on my shoulders, while in thirty years the Black Prince will still look like a man in his prime. If I see that time at all, what will I look like? Bent crooked and barely able to walk. Will he then still send me off to the woods to catch a handful of brigands?
After Aileen left Corbe and the others, she set off straight for the camp. Vrat and almost everyone else were seated around the big camp fire at the center of their hiding place, so they all heard Aileen’s news immediately. Eryn was particularly agitated to discover that Willen was still alive. He held Willen largely responsible for the death of his parents, and became ill-tempered, demanding to hurry after the soldiers at once. But even Vrat tried to calm him down and appealed to his reason.
“The troops have probably already reached Aspengate. Perhaps they have even passed through it. They are certainly out of reach, Eryn.”
The hotheaded young Fenn hesitated, but in the end, he sat down. Vrat spoke – as so often before – of the honor of the Fenn and their freedom. He could still put people under his spell but times had changed and they were drastically outnumbered now. Later, when the crowd separated and Eryn, Arun and Aileen went to sit in the shade of a tree, the euphoria had evaporated completely.
“We should go west while we still can,” Arun began. Aileen nodded: “Today the soldiers have passed by, but tomorrow they could send other troops after us. We were very cautious and kept ourselves well hidden. We have also had a great deal of luck so far, though, and one day that luck will run out.
Eryn had not really calmed down: “I still have some unfinished business with the Lowlanders. Why should I go to a foreign country which means nothing to me? The land of the Fenn is my homeland, our land. This is where I live and this is where I will die.”
Arun was calmer and remarked: “There are other tribes of the Fenn to the west, far away from here and very deep in the mountains. No Lowlander has any interest in those regions. There is no cursed gate.” The words echoed off into the night and for a moment they all fell silent.
Then Aileen said softly: “I would like to leave now and start a new life... In a place where I do not have to look behind me in fear of being constantly discovered. Eryn, a place for our future.”
Is this an offer? In the last few years, Eryn had grown beyond his true age, and the ardent, innocent love he had felt for Aileen had changed. He still found her beautiful and alluring. But he had had to tell himself so often that she was unattainable that now the flame of desire had cooled. Now it seemed that Aileen’s feelings for him were stronger than his for her.
My heart is filled with rage – there is no place for peace. “Perhaps later,” he answered lamely.
This appeared to annoy Aileen and she stood up. “I’m going to the lake. To be alone for a while.”
The lake was no more than a small pool, located a little distance outside the camp. But Aileen still loved to bathe there and was a frequent visitor to the lovely place. Both men watched her leave.
“Bloodhand, forget your hate or it will end up consuming you.” Arun laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder and continued: “I will go west and Aileen will come with me. She loves you. Can’t you see that?”
“I love her too, but I cannot go. Not yet. Don’t ask me why. I feel I am not ready.” Then he begged his friend: “Arun, stay with me – just a while. Vrat will soon make the decision himself and then we’ll all go together.”
At that moment, Arun heard a hawk’s cry and glanced up at the sky. The bird was flying high above. Suddenly an eagle appeared and struck the hawk in mid-flight, sinking its talons into the smaller bird. The hawk – it’s the bird I am named after. Is it an omen? A sign of the Gods? Arun brush
ed his sense of foreboding aside. “Well, Bloodhand, I promise I will stay. But you must promise me in return that you will always take care of Aileen. Seeing her happy means a lot to me.”
The blond warrior nodded: “Hawkheart, I will gladly give my life for both of you. You two are the only family I still have in this world.”
They sat together in silence, loath to destroy the solemn moment of their pledge.
At nightfall Aileen still hadn’t returned, which filled Eryn with anxiety: Have I hurt her with my words?
But Aileen always does what she wants and sometimes she longs for solitude. I should not worry about her. She will come back soon.
Then he lay down to sleep and before he closed his eyes he resolved not to be so outspoken the next day and to show Aileen more kindness.
Branden did not catch up with the beauty but he did find the hideout. Raegnir had described the route well, and Branden only once took a wrong turn, which he soon corrected, so that he quickly found the right place.
He crept closer. The narrow passage was made even smaller with extra stones, which meant it was excellently hidden. Only if you came very close could you detect the entrance.
They really went to a great deal of trouble, and to the untrained eye this all looks quite natural. Branden glanced up and discovered the sentry post several meters above the ground, hidden in the rocks. Oh look, who they have posted on that ledge. An archer. The area has been perfectly chosen and is easy to defend.
Branden walked a short distance to the left and right of the passage and completed his reconnaissance. When he was done, he contemplated: Should I go inside now? The thought excited him, for he was something of a daredevil.
His curiosity almost got the better of him with the incredible ring on his finger, when suddenly a figure emerged the hideout. Branden stopped in astonishment. Ha, what shall I say to that! My beauty is back on the scene.
She walked away from the hideout and Branden immediately followed her. Gathering information for Lord Boron faded into the background as he made room for his own, more pressing interests. The woman headed towards a small pool and to Branden’s delight – began to undress.
I like her even more without clothes. What a perfect body. Oh, my little Branden is suddenly growing quite big. He could hardly suppress his lust. Fuck the war. The commandant can see to his slaughter without me. He won’t miss my company anyway. Here lies your true destiny, Branden Hold!
He fumbled a pouch out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a white powder.
Not so easy to handle when you’re invisible. The special powder mixed with water could benumb a person. Branden always liked to carry a few helpful items with him. The powder trickled through the air and vanished at the very moment it fell on to Branden’s invisible hand.
I hope that’s enough. It is difficult to tell without seeing. But I am not a bloody beginner and this isn’t the first time I’ve done this.
He spat on the small invisible heap lying on his left hand and mixed it together with his right forefinger. An acrid smell filled the air. He had to act quickly before the effect disappeared. In a few steps Branden was behind the woman. He grabbed hold of her and lay one arm around her neck while with the other hand he pressed the mixture on to her mouth and nose.
Have I frightened you to death now, my beauty? Don’t worry, soon you’ll fall fast asleep.
But she reacted incredibly fast for someone taken completely by surprise. She swung a fist at Branden’s bollocks. Sadly, she missed his manhood and the powder was free to do its work. She slumped into his arms.
“Sleep well, my flower,” he said gently. Then he washed his hand with the water from the tarn before taking Aileen’s clothes and dressing her again. He bound her hands and feet with a leather strap and wrapped her cloak around her. Finally, he removed her weapon.
First we have to make ourselves scarce – we’re too close to the camp here. He threw Aileen over his shoulder and headed off in a direction that took them away from the valley and from Lord Boron’s troops.
I’ll take the ring in payment, your Lordship. I’m afraid our business connection has now terminated. I have more important things to worry about. The Prince will surely understand me. A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. And open battle isn’t really my thing anyway.
The woman was not particularly heavy and Branden was a rather strong man. But every burden grows cumbersome if you have to carry it for any length of time. And it would be at least five hours before the sleeping Aileen regained consciousness.
You are quite a load, my beauty. But it is not wise to take a rest just yet. We must keep a good distance between them and us.
Branden struggled on while streams of sweat ran down his back, and even as darkness fell he did not stop. The full moon and the twinkling stars illuminated the path, which led him steadily downhill. When he thought he was far enough away from those who could trouble him, he looked for a shelter for the rest of the night. He found a suitable place and set his precious burden down on the ground. She was fast asleep and breathing gently. Branden first lit a small fire. The smoke masked the smell of her, which he hadn’t been able to get out of his nose all the while he’d been carrying her. He was like a stallion who had caught the scent of a mare in heat – in a frenzy to take her.
Shall I do it now, while she is still sleeping? Branden abandoned the thought. No, I’ll will wait until she awakes. It is all the more tantalizing if she fights back a little.
So he began his preparations. He took off her undergarments and skirt. Then he spread her arms and legs out and tied them to some nearby trees. I’d best gag her. Screams may attract too much attention and I don’t need anybody to come after me. Neither rebels nor men of the Black Guard.
Branden’s gaze dwelt lazily on Aileen as she lay there bound and naked. There was a chill in the mountain air, so he covered her body with the cloak. Now you won’t get cold, my dearest. To pass the time until Aileen work up, he took out a knife and began to trim his beard.
A man should look handsome when he intends to bed a lady. He would have liked to whistle some fine melody too, but it was not wise to make too much noise in these unfamiliar surroundings.
At last, Aileen began to stir. The moment she noticed that she was bound, she fought to free herself, but in vain. Branden whispered:
“Shh, shh, my love. We do not yet know each other. Or should I say: you don’t know me. I have known you for some time now, as I have been observing you since you left Threevalley, following you all the while. But I have not waited such an impossibly long time just to talk. Don’t put up too much of a fight, then you’ll enjoy it too.” Gently he stroked her hair. Aileen jerked away. She made an attempt to scream, but the gag muffled any sound that tried to escape. The next moment, Branden was forcing himself upon her, his hand exploring the secret place between her legs.
It did not take long before he had satisfied himself. Branden had been too excited to hold back. Astonishing! This beauty lived among such a bunch of outlaws and was still a virgin. What a mad place the world is.
The piercing blare of a horn tore Eryn out of his sleep. In an instant he was on his feet.
The signal horn! We are under attack!
Hastily he put on his coat of mail, a rusty old thing he had seized in battle. He girded himself with the long knife, threw the steel-rimmed shield across his back and grabbing bow and arrows, he ran out of the tent. A pale dawn was breaking and the scene he witnessed was one of black silhouettes of men racing towards the valley entrance. Shouts and the cacophony of battle filled the air. As he ran, Eryn took an arrow out of the quiver and held it together with the bow in his right hand. An arrow flew by very close to his ear and he slid the shield from his back so that it covered his chest. Another arrow hit the raised shield. Eryn was still trying to work out what was going on. From all around, he heard the chaotic shouting of men. On a rock stood Vrat, bellowing orders: “Men, over to me! Hold the entrance!”
T
he leader’s voice helped the Fenn to overcome the confusion and to restore at least some order to their ranks. Two men were easily able to defend the narrow passage while behind them, the others tried to shoot arrows at the enemies outside. Eryn had sharp eyes and even by the dim light he could make out that the enemies were dressed in heavy black armor.
Those are the soldiers Aileen described. She also said there are over a hundred of them. Which means they outnumber us three to one.
The Fenn still held the passage. But for how long could they hold out against the resolute mass outside? The Fenn discharged a volley of arrows towards the enemies, but most of the deadly darts bounced off steel without doing any harm. Vrat stood exposed on a natural rock shelf. He raised his voice again and thundered over the battlefield: “Men, we...” He stopped mid-flow. An arrowhead jutted out of his throat, and with a final gurgle he breathed his last.
Eryn had watched Vrat die. Something about the man’s death puzzled him.
The arrow came from behind, not from the entrance where the enemy is. He looked over his shoulder and at once understood the true extent of the mayhem. We are surrounded.
From the rear of the valley, a large column of enemy soldiers was also coming into view.
A salvo of arrows flew towards Eryn, causing him to raise his shield quickly. Someone shouted: “Retreat!” And that seemed the best idea under the present circumstances.
I will try breaking through at the back of the valley and from there run into the mountains, Eryn thought. A group of Fenn had turned to face the enemies coming from the back of the valley and there ensued a chaotic tangle of men against men. The rebels who had held the passage were now trapped between two fronts, where they were crushed by the overwhelming forces.
Eryn had thrown his bow away and fought with shield and long knife. Someone pushed him aside. The man he had crossed blades with a moment before had vanished in the tumult of battle. At that moment, Eryn caught sight of Willen and his old fury surged within him. The trapper was creeping inconspicuously along the valley wall with a bow in his hand. He seemed reluctant to get involved in the fight.