Mitchell Graham - [Fifth Ring 01] - The Fifth Ring (v1.0)

by Mitchell Graham

  Collin rose and fired in one smooth motion. There was a buzz as the arrow cut through the air and found its mark in the center of the nearest soldier's back. The sol­dier froze and slowly looked down at the arrow sticking out of his chest before dropping his sword and crumpling to the ground. Then Gawl drew his broadsword and charged across the street with Mathew and Fergus right behind him.

  When they saw their companion go down, the remain­ing three soldiers, hardened professionals, immediately drew their own weapons. Collin fired again as he ran and a second soldier took an arrow in the stomach.

  Apparently, the sight of a bearded giant charging down on them with a raised sword was enough for one of the soldiers, who turned and fled. The remaining guard was more resolute and stood his ground. Gawl barely broke stride before smashing his blade out of the way and cleaving him nearly in two. Mathew saw it all happen, surprised by his own lack of emotion as Gawl pounded down the street after the other man.

  Seconds later Father Thomas climbed through the ground floor window, then reached back to help Lara out. Akin spotted his brother, and after an expression of dis­belief, he limped over, grabbing Fergus in a fierce hug, tears filling his eyes. Father Thomas was surprised, but clearly overjoyed to see them. After she finished tucking her shirt into a pair of men's breeches and buttoning the top button of her blouse, Lara ran over and hugged each of them in turn.

  "Mathew, I was so worried about you," she whispered in his ear. "We couldn't get out of here, and I was just go­ing out of my mind."

  She was about to add something slightly more inti­mate, when she noticed an odd look on his face.

  "What's the matter?" she asked.

  "When I saw you in the window, I almost... I mean, I just—"

  "Father Thomas needed a diversion, and I suggested it," she replied. "I thought it was effective, didn't you?"

  His mouth opened, then closed while he searched for some suitable reply, but no words came out.

  Lara's eyes got wide and her mouth opened. "Why, Mathew Lewin, I believe you're jealous," she teased, brushing back the lock of hair that had fallen onto his forehead.

  He caught her hand and took her by the shoulders, put­ting on his sternest expression. It only made her giggle, which was not exactly the result he intended. Lara covered her mouth with her hand, trying to contain herself. With a snort he turned around, intending to have a word with Fa­ther Thomas, but had to wait as Gawl reappeared at the end of the street.

  "Did you get him?" Fergus asked.

  Gawl flashed a wolfish smile.

  "I wish he wouldn't do that," Collin muttered.

  "What?" Mathew asked.

  "Smile."

  "You're slowing down in your old age," Father Thomas said.

  "The inexorable march of time, I'm afraid," Gawl replied dryly. The next moment both men threw open their arms and began laughing as they hugged. Though Father Thomas was nearly as tall as Mathew, Gawl tow­ered over him by a good eight inches.

  "Ah, Siward, I cannot tell you how good it is to see you."

  "I wish it were under better circumstances, my friend," Father Thomas said, holding Gawl's forearms. "I have missed you. You look well, truly you do."

  "Time enough to reminisce later," Gawl said. "It's best if we get off this street as quickly as possible. One of Danus's patrols may show up at any moment. I have horses at the opposite end of the park."

  "Agreed," Father Thomas said. "Akin, are you able to walk?"

  "Yes, I think so," Akin said, putting some weight on his ankle. "It's just a little sore from the jump."

  Akin's foot, as it turned out, was worse than he let on. By the time they reached the horses, it had begun to swell and discolor, forcing him to lean on Fergus for support. He swung into his saddle with difficulty, wincing from the pain. The rest of them mounted quickly and set out along "the street that led up into the hills.

  32

  On the Cliffs Above Tyraine

  AS THEY RODE, FATHER THOMAS AND GAWL CONSTANTLY checked behind them for signs of pursuit. The houses be­gan to grow fewer and fewer, and they finally reached the crest of the ridge that overlooked Tyraine.

  Just after they cleared the lower treehne, the rows of gallows abruptly became visible.

  Lara gasped and looked away. Father Thomas closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. Both Akin's and Fer­gus's faces grew stony, though neither said anything. They just stared fixedly at the road ahead of them. Mathew felt his stomach knot at the sight of the bodies of two young children.

  "Damn them," Collin muttered by his side. "I hope every one of those Vargothan bastards rot in hell."

  Mercifully, they did not have to stay on that road much longer, and it was a welcome relief when they veered off into the trees. Their somber silence was broken by Father Thomas, who told Gawl about his conversation with Abenard Danus.

  "Siward, this is very serious," Gawl said when he'd heard it all. "Not only do we have less time than we imag­ined. We lack the manpower to do anything about it."

  Father Thomas opened his mouth to speak, but Gawl anticipated his question.

  "Sennia will not be here for at least three more days," he said with a shake of his head. "We cannot move to the north, and the Vargoth army is behind us. Even if Sennia could break through, Elgaria will be caught in the vise."

  "How many men does Malach have with him?" Father Thomas asked.

  Gawl shook his head. "Malach is dead, Siward," he said quietly. "He was killed when Duren took Anderon. Gerard Idaeus and old Duke Kraelin were both taken in the battle. They may still be alive—we don't know. For­tunately, Delain and Rozon managed to rally what was left of the forces and fled south. There are perhaps eleven thousand troops remaining. We are outnumbered six to one. Duren caught everyone completely unaware."

  Father Thomas nodded. "Akin told me what happened to Elita's bodyguard. What about the rest of her army?"

  "They are in the north to meet the Sibuyan. Delain sent messengers, but no one knows if they've gotten through. The rest of the Elgarian forces are spread throughout the country."

  Mathew and Collin listened in silence as the grim news unfolded. Daniel and Lara heard it too and ex­changed worried glances. The more Mathew heard of the disaster that had befallen his country, the more the sense of isolation he'd been feeling for the last several weeks continued to grow. His father's memory tugged at the corners of his consciousness once again. Despite his best efforts to think of other things, he recognized the now fa­miliar tightening in his chest and wished that he could speak with Bran just one more time.

  The shadows around them darkened, growing longer as the sun dropped lower in the sky. Throughout the rest of the day their horses continued to climb over the rugged countryside. The road itself, although not terribly wide, was in good condition and appeared to be cut through the middle of a mountain. Far to their right, occasional breaks in the forest revealed glimpses of the ocean and parts of the Elgarian coast. What pleasure anyone could take in such beauty was marred, however, by the reap­pearance of gallows on the lower ridge, and what seemed an endless line of bodies hanging from them.

  Again they rode in silence, until Gawl, who seemed to know the area well, told them the town of Tremont was in a valley about ten miles to the north. A few minutes later he led them off the road and deeper into the forest along a small path.

  Fifteen minutes later they came to a small clearing where a magnificent double-tiered waterfall cascaded out of the rocks above them and emptied noisily into a small pond. Delicate green ferns grew all around, and pine nee­dles covered the forest floor.

  "Marvelous," Akin said, painfully dismounting from his horse.

  "It's called Crystal Falls," Gawl said.

  Despite the rushing splash of the falls, a sense of calm pervaded the place. Mathew got off and led his horse over to the pond to drink. When the horse was through he tossed some water onto his face and behind his neck. The unexpected beauty of the waterfall and the quiet calm of th
e glade had a relaxing effect on everyone, even the horses. Mathew looked up to the crest of the falls, shading his eyes against the filtered sunlight coming through the trees. From where he was, the water seemed to be pouring out of a crevice in the rock.

  Behind him, Gawl said, "There's a cave up there that goes back into the mountain. Years ago, I followed it for more than a day before turning back. It contained the most wonderfully shaped rocks I've ever seen."

  "This is just beautiful," Lara said, looking around.

  "A wonderful spot, Gawl. I needed to see this," Father Thomas said, rubbing the back of his neck.

  "Let's let the horses rest for about twenty minutes. Would you agree, Siward?"

  Father Thomas nodded and went over to talk with him, while Daniel and Fergus helped Akin find a seat on the ground. After refilling his canteen, Collin sat down with them, leaving Mathew and Lara together.

  Mathew spotted a narrow path by the side of the waterfall that disappeared into the trees. Curious to see where it went, he started down it. Lara watched him for a few sec­onds, then ran to catch up, taking his arm. She looked at

  him a few times while they walked, but he didn't return her glances. After another hundred yards of silence she poked him in the ribs with her knuckle. He scowled and brushed her hand away.

  "Are you still angry with me?" she asked, playfully poking him again.

  Despite his best effort at maintaining a stern visage, a small laugh escaped through his nostrils. Lara tried to re­strain her own laughter, but not as successfully as she would have liked. Abruptly, Mathew veered off the path, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her with him. He placed her back against a tree as her arms wrapped around his neck.

  "You shouldn't be so upset, you know," she said. "It wasn't easy on me either."

  Mathew pursed his lips and took a deep breath. "I did admire your courage."

  "Oh... is that what you were admiring, Master Lewin?"

  Mathew smiled and looked down at the clothes she was wearing. He slid one hand around to her buttocks, moving her closer to him, as the other hand played idly with the top button of her blouse ... which accidentally came undone. Lara glanced down at the button, then up at him. In the low forest light her eyes seemed unusually large.

  "Women's clothing is very complicated," Mathew said, noting that she was wearing a camisole underneath.

  "Really?"

  "Wearing so many things must restrict one's circula­tion."

  "I see," Lara said, taking a small nip at his ear.

  "Definitely," Mathew said, as he undid another button. "I've been reading medical books, you know."

  "Liar," Lara whispered in his ear.

  "Trust me. It's a scientific fact," Mathew said, pulling on the ribbon that tied the camisole closed.

  He blinked as yet another white lace garment became visible. It's like a bloody suit of armor, he thought.

  "It's a bustier," Lara said, giving him a weak smile. "They're the latest fashion. Ceta let me borrow one. Do you like it? They're supposed to be very sexy."

  "I'm beside myself," Mathew said in a flat tone.

  Lara gasped when he placed both hands under her and lifted her off the ground. She responded by wrapping her legs around his waist—and he responded. They might have made love then and there, but it was neither the right time nor place. Eventually, they sank to the ground and held each other and kissed.

  As they lay there looking up at the sky through a tangle of tree limbs, Lara said, "Mathew, do you remember those hunting trips you, Daniel, Garon, and Collin went on to Rockingham last year?"

  "Mm-hmm, but I believe it was two years ago," he said, and made a small circle with his tongue at the nape of her neck that produced a tiny moan. "Why do you ask?"

  "Oh ... I don't know. Collin mentioned that you met some girls at the inn when you stayed the night."

  Mathew frowned for a moment, pretending to think. "I recall now. Yes, I do believe there were two girls . . . sis­ters, from Broken Hill. They were passing through with their families to visit relatives."

  "What were they like?"

  "The families?"

  "The girls, monster."

  "Hmm," Mathew said, stalling for time and making a mental note to give Collin a swift kick when he saw him. "I don't remember much about them. They were several years older than I was, I think. Why?"

  "Oh ... I was just wondering, that's all. I don't know why you boys had to go on those silly trips by yourselves. I suppose they made you all feel more manly."

  "In fact, I'm feeling very manly at the moment. And if we had a little longer, I'd be happy to demonstrate that to you," Mathew said, slipping his hand inside her shirt. Lara's eyes rolled up and she let out another gasp as his mouth came down on hers.

  * * *

  Fifteen minutes later they walked up the hill together holding hands. They got to the campsite in time to hear Father Thomas ask Gawl, "Do you think there's any pos­sibility the Sennians can get here in less than three days?"

  "No. And it's all the fault of the Church and their butt-pinched priests," Gawl growled. "Sorry, Siward. Accord­ing to the Church, it's heresy not to observe the spring rites. They succeeded in getting the council to delay com­mitting troops until the holiday is over, which won't be for another three days—and it's a full day's journey from Barcora. There was nothing I could do. My hands are tied."

  Akin and Fergus heard the comment and looked up at Gawl. So did Lara and Mathew.

  Gawl noticed the puzzled glances, frowned, then said to Father Thomas, "It has just occurred to me that I have not been properly introduced to everyone here."

  Father Thomas raised his eyebrows and a significant look passed between the two men that spoke of their long familiarity with each other.

  "Well, then," he replied, "I believe you have already made the acquaintance of Fergus, Collin, and Mathew. So that leaves... let's see .. . Master Daniel Warren, Mas­ter Akin Gibb—who is Fergus's brother, of course—and Mistress Lara Palmer ... I have the honor to present to you Baegawl Alon Atherny, a sometime soldier by his own description, a sculptor by choice, King of Sennia, and, I'm proud to say, my friend."

  Collin's mouth gaped open, then he snapped his fin­gers as the recollection came to him. "My father told me about you! I remember it now. You won the Olyiad Games years ago."

  "Not won. Survived," Gawl replied.

  The Olyiad were the most famous athletic games in the world. Held every four years, athletes from all countries, regardless of their politics, were invited to Sennia to par­ticipate in the various competitions. One of the events was something called the decathlon. It was unique to the country of Sennia, and held with the blessing of the Church. The decathlon consisted of ten events, one of which involved killing a bear with only weapons the con­testants could fashion themselves. The winner of the competition was crowned king. Any man who was able to achieve victory in three successive games became perma­nently enthroned. Until Gawl, no one had done so for over three hundred years.

  Looking at the broad face of the man standing in front of him, Collin was inclined to feel sorry for the bear. He also remembered the remaining three contestants of the decathlon met each other in mortal combat, and it oc­curred to him that "survived," as Gawl had put it, was precisely the right word.

  "Wasn't that a long time ago?" Collin asked.

  "Not that long, young friend. I trust your father is well? I'm sorry, but circumstances did not give me the opportunity to ask before now."

  "He's fine, sir," Collin replied.

  "It's Gawl to my friends, and Askel Miller's son would be considered a friend. Your father, by the way, is one of the finest archers I've ever seen."

  Gawl then turned to Mathew and said, "I heard the news about Bran, and I cannot tell you how saddened I was to learn of his passing. Please accept my deepest condolences."

  "Thank you," Mathew said, coming forward to shake his hand. When he got close enough, Gawl took him by the shoulders with two mass
ive hands and whispered in a voice meant for him alone, "As I loved the father, so shall it be with his son."

  Mathew glanced up into the face above him and was met with a benign smile. He and Gawl looked at each other for a time without speaking, before the big man nodded and then turned to Lara.

  "My lady, you honor us with your presence and courage."

  Lara blushed slightly as her fingers absently touched the top button of her blouse. "You are the first king I've met," she replied, curtseying.

  "Indeed? From what I have heard, I suspect that will not long be the case."

  They let the horses rest and drink awhile longer in that green glade before returning to the road. Gawl once again led the way.

  "We should be in Tremont in under an hour," he told them. "The army is camped in a field about three miles north of the village by a—"

  "Uh-oh," Akin said, turning back in his saddle. "Company."

  Everybody looked at the same time. A column of Var-goth mercenaries was snaking its way up the road. Though still well below the crest of the plateau, the mer­cenaries' armor could be seen glinting between the trees.

  "How many are there?" Father Thomas asked, reining his horse.

  'Too many," Akin answered. "At least thirty, I'd say."

  Daniel pulled the brass tube from his pack and trained it on the line of soldiers who were moving steadily along the road. The others watched him with curiosity. After a moment he said, "There are thirty-three, and that fellow Danus is with them.'"

  Daniel saw the puzzled expression on Gawl's face, and handed the tube to him. "Close one eye and look through this part with your other," he said.

  Tentatively, Gawl put the object up to his eye and peered through. After a second he pulled his head away and examined the tube closely, then shrugged and put it back to his eye. When he was through, he handed it to Fergus, who displayed much the same reaction.