“I felt your Order wasn’t pure of heart, so I picked the Blessed Knight Order instead.”
Tonles grinned. “We’re not for everyone.”
“Are you traveling alone?” Tracs asked.
“No, my camp is less than a mile away. What are you doing out here?”
“I was on a quest from my Order, and now I am on a mission of righteousness.”
Tracs refilled their cups.
“Righteousness? Where are you headed?”
Tracs reached into his pouch and took out a necklace. “To find the owner of this.” He showed it to Tonles. “Have you seen this before?”
Tonles thought of Runit and how he had a similar one around his neck. “Can I look at it more closely?”
Tracs handed it over.
“Where did you get it?” Tonles curiously asked while holding the medallion closer to the fire.
“I came upon a few wagons a few miles back. There was a survivor and before she died, she gave it to me.” Tracs noticed the look of recognition on his face. “You’ve seen this symbol before, haven’t you?”
“Once, a friend of mine wore a similar necklace.”
Tracs looked at him square in the face and started moving his hand towards his sword. “Is that so?”
“Hear me out before drawing your blade.”
Tracs paused, but kept his hand within reach of his sword.
“A few weeks ago, we entered Redden attempting to find someone who was there before it fell. Our plan was simple, get in and get out, but plans always don’t go that way. My friend got captured, tortured, and turned into something hideous by a person called the Red Knight.”
“Never heard of this Red Knight, where is your friend now?” Tracs asked.
“Dead. We were forced to kill him after the Red Knight sent him after us.”
“Forced?”
“Yes. He pleaded for us to end his life, so he couldn’t harm anyone else.” Tonles paused and reflected.
“That must have been tough for you.”
“You have no idea. I’ve known him for years.”
“Well if your friend had one of these pendants then the owner of this one must be hiding in Redden as well.”
“You should join us and together we’ll make them pay!” Tonles said.
Tracs was about to say something when he spotted Justice strapped to his back. “Where did you get your weapon?”
“I just picked it up today, why?”
“That thing was created in the demon world.”
“What?”
“My Order studies demonology and that material comes from their world.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Good because it’s very powerful and it’s the right weapon to use against the Red Knight. It should make it that much easier to kill him.” Tonles said.
“Just be careful because the longer you own it the greater the chances are that you’ll lose your soul.”
“I don’t understand.”
“People never do. Just get rid of it before it corrupts you.” Tracs hated the fact that weapons like this actually existed.
“Tracs I must be getting back to my camp. Do you want to come along with us?”
“Give me until the morning to decide. I must pray for guidance.”
Tonles got up. “We’ll stop by in the morning.” He bid the knight farewell and left.
Tonles announced his arrival into camp so the new watchman on duty wouldn’t be alarmed. He’d forgotten his name, so instead of greeting him by name; he merely nodded as he passed him by. The guard smiled back and took note to where he was going to lay down. The guard has been plotting Tonles death the moment his best friend was killed and now was his opportunity. He was pretty sure his forth coming actions would properly cost him his life, but he didn’t care because Yon was like a brother and didn’t deserve to die the way he did, beat up yes, but killed, no.
He waited another hour to make sure he was asleep before taking out a stiletto and holding the blade tightly against his forearm, so that it was barely noticeable as he walked silently across the camp. After he reached Tonles, he knelt down and grinned. He was so preoccupied with his own agenda that he failed to notice Cord was missing and when he raised the dagger to end Tonles’ life, an arrow flew through the night and pierced his left eye, killing him instantly. Tonles woke abruptly when the body fell on top of him. He tossed it off and was on his feet with Justice in his hands within seconds.
Cord emerged from the shadows and walked over. “He was going to kill you.” He said.
“Did you know this beforehand?” Tonles asked.
“After you killed Yon, I noticed his reaction and figured they were friends.”
“Do you think anyone else is plotting my death?”
“You should be okay.”
“Thanks for your help, I owe you one.”
“Actually it’s two.” Cord said and walked away.
Tonles picked up the body, threw it into the bushes and woke almost everybody up, by doing so. Tonles faced them with anger in his eyes. “Let this be a warning to anyone else that is having thoughts about my demise. If you want to kill me, then do it like a man and not like that coward.” He said and then walked away to sleep.
When morning arrived, Tonles told Konafar about the assassination attempt and what Cord did for him.
“After we eat, I’ll talk to him and give him some incentive to watch our backs.” Konafar said.
“Sounds like a good idea. There’s something else. I sent my figurine out looking for anything that might pose a threat, and it discovered a man from the Order of the Blessed Knight.
Konafar lowered his goblet. “A knight from the Order of the Blessed Knight, they’re well trained fighters, almost as good as ours. We could use a man of his talents.”
“It looks like he might be going to Redden as well. He came upon a few wagons, and he found the same type of necklace Runit had, among the dead.”
“That’s interesting and fortunate for us. Maybe he’ll join us.”
“I already asked him and he said for us to stop by today, and he’d let me know.”
After they finished breakfast, Tonles approached Cord who was in the process of restringing his bow.
“I wanted to thank you again for saving my life.”
“Don’t mention it.” Cord responded without looking up.
“If you continue watching our backs, we will reward you handsomely.”
Cord looked up. “It’s not necessary. Do you know why I helped you?”
“Honestly I don’t.”
“I don’t like bullies and cowards.”
“Then we have something else in common. I don’t either.”
Cord was about to tell him about Burner, but decided not to at that point.
Konafar and Tonles left within the hour and entered Tracs’ camp while he was eating his morning meal.
“Tracs this is my friend Konafar.” Tonles said.
Tracs put down his plate, stood up offering his arm in greeting; they clasped arms. “Nice to meet you.”
“Tracs, have you thought about coming with us?” Tonles asked him directly.
“I did and I can’t join you.”
“Why not?”
“I am pure of heart and going with others that aren’t is ill advised by my Order.”
“I can respect that. So what’s your plan?” Konafar asked.
“Since my enemy most likely hides inside of Redden that’s where I am going. I’ll stand before the gates and challenge the ones who laid waste to the caravan.”
“Noble cause, but you can’t expect them to answer your call fairly.” Konafar replied.
“It doesn’t matter how they answer my call, as long as they do.”
“You might die.”
“Maybe so, but it will be for a good cause.”
“That’s why your Order puzzles me,” Konafar began, “Some of your quests are noble and just while others are…” He paused loo
king for the right word to say.
“Others are what?” Tracs cut him off.
“Pointless. Take your approach, for instance. You’re going to stand before the gates of Redden and challenge anyone to a fight. Do you know how they’re going to respond? They will shoot you with arrows and your death will be meaningless.
“Stay your tongue about me and my Order.” Tracs snapped back at him.
“All I am saying is that you should come with us, together we can accomplish the same objective.”
“I stand by my code of ethics. I will put my trust in my god and his higher calling.” Tracs calmly said.
“Let’s go.” Konafar abruptly said to Tonles and walked away.
“Try to reconsider.” Tonles said to him and left.
As they were walking back to camp Tonles paused. “We can’t let Tracs do this by himself. They’ll kill him.”
“I know, but he’s stubborn so what do you recommend?”
“We ride out and help him fight.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” Konafar asked even though he knew his answer.
“I am.”
“What about the Red Knight? He’s never going to come out, and I think we’ll lose our opportunity to take him by surprise.”
“We can take our revenge anytime we want to. It doesn’t have to be today.”
Konafar paused and then came up with an idea. “How about we hide near the city gates and when they open, you can help Tracs while I take a few men inside and seek out the Red Knight? I think the distraction will benefit our cause.”
“That might work. Who will you take?”
“Burner, Cord, and a few of the guards.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
After they were gone, Tracs considered their offer again for several minutes before deciding against it. His biggest fear was they’d get in his way and somehow cost him his life by interfering. He finished his breakfast, dressed in his plate armor, and secured his sword and dagger in the belt hanging loosely around his waist. He picked up his most treasured weapon, Recur, and made sure the side chamber of the crossbow had a full complement of bolts stored inside. The weapon was designed in such a way that once he fired a round, another bolt would quickly fall into place permitting him to shoot it in rapid succession. He thought back to the day his father gave him the weapon and said that if he practiced with it long enough, he’d become a marksman able to score direct hits by using the best angles possible. How right his father was, Tracs realized. Gazing skyward, he took a deep breath, allowing the cold air to settle into his lungs, and then placed his helmet on his head. He was ready for this he told himself as he mounted his horse and rode off toward Redden.
Tonles and Konafar arrived back at the camp, and quickly called the others.
Konafar looked at them and spoke. “There’s been a change of plans…”
“Are we still going to Redden?” Burner interrupted him.
“You interrupt me again and I will strike you down. Got it?”
Instead of responding, Burner held his tongue and fantasized about throwing a lit flask at his face and watching his skin melt away.
“As I was saying, there has been a change of plans. There’s a man named Tracs from the Order of the Blessed Knight, and he is on his way to Redden to seek his own justice. He recently came upon a horrific scene and wants those responsible to pay for their crimes. His quest will also aid us as well, because if they respond to his challenge, then we’ll use this distraction to sneak into the town.”
“What a waste he’ll die.” Hue stated.
“I think you’re right, unless we tip the scales when they least expect it.”
“What do you mean?” Pierce asked.
“I want some of us to help him, while the rest enter the town with me.”
“Why are we helping him?”
“I think it’s the right thing to do.” Tonles said.
“I agree.” Cord said. “Who is going with you into the town?”
“I want you, Burner and a few others.”
Burner was surprised to hear his name and looked at Konafar with interest.
“You know, helping the knight might be suicide.” Hue stated.
“It might be suicide whichever path we take.” Konafar paused. “We’ll be hiding near the gates, so once they’re opened, Tonles and the others will wait until they pass before attacking their flank.”
“What if there are too many?” Pierce asked.
“Then I want you to attack them, break off, and run into the woods. I’m betting they’ll pursue, and that will give Tracs his best chance. Does everyone understand their part?”
They each nodded.
“Good. By midday, we should be positioned near the gates. Let’s go.”
Tonles, Konafar, and the others arrived ahead of Tracs and hid behind boulders and trees near the city walls to wait for things to unfold.
****
It was shortly before dusk when the holy knight rode into position in front of the gates. Tracs dismounted, held his large shield in one hand and the crossbow in the other and addressed the boar creatures walking the battlements.
“I demand to see the owner of a pendant I am carrying.” He shouted.
They responded to his request with snorting laughter.
Tracs remained calm. “I’ll ask again. I want the person who owns this necklace to step forth and answer my challenge.”
This time, his request was answered with several arrows. Tracs blocked the projectiles with his shield, then mounted his horse and began rifling through his sack until he found three dark flasks and lit them.
“Have it your way!” He said to them and rode directly toward the gates.
The guards, for the most part, watched him with a strange fascination as he charged the gates. They were pretty sure the three bottles of flammable liquid couldn’t do anything against the doors, until he threw the first one and it exploded against the doors with a deafening thud. The explosion shook the walls so violently that it knocked most of the guards to the ground. Before they could retaliate, Tracs threw the other two containers at the gates, and they set them on fire. He rode back to his original position, turned, and was delighted to see the gates burning.
Inside the town, Tracs’ actions caught the attention of one of Yang’s bodyguards as he was coming out of the tavern. His first reaction was that they were under attack. He ran over and climbed to the top of the battlements and pushed past a few frightened boarmen. Through the fire and smoke, he saw a lone warrior sitting atop a horse, holding a shield.
“What is the meaning of this?” Vex demanded.
A Chatar looked at him. “He attacked the gates, sir.” He snorted.
“He did what?”
“He came here demanding to see someone who owns something he’s carrying, and then he rode up and attacked the gates.”
“With what?”
“A bottle of something.”
The bodyguard stiffened and then turned his attention below. “Who are you?” Vex shouted down to the man on the horse.
Tracs smirked in satisfaction because he finally got someone’s attention. “My name is not significant. What’s important is that I want the owner of this pendant to come out and fight me.” He held up the necklace.
Vex’s eyes widened as he reached into his tunic searching frantically for his pendant. Tracs picked up on his reaction.
“I see that I’ve found the owner, so why don’t you come down here and fight. You are accused of murder, rape, and theft.”
Vex realized at once that he must have dropped his most treasured possession while they were butchering the merchant and his family and there was nothing he could do about it now. “On whose behalf do you come here knight, the dead merchant and his family? If so, tell their spirits to get in line because my family is first.” Vex menacingly replied.
“So you admit to your crimes, and now you will face your judge, jury, and more importantly your executi
oner. I’ll give you until morning to prepare, and if you fail to face me,” he paused, “I’m coming in.”
“No need to wait for me that long knight. I’ll be out shortly to reclaim what’s mine. Get those gates open NOW!” He demanded and then left the battlements.
After Vex was gone, Tracs tied his mare to a tree, said a quick prayer, grabbed his weapons, and waited.
Vex was seething as he climbed down the ladder. He wanted nothing more than to kill this knight. He walked hurriedly through the streets and when he reached his quarters, he retrieved his weapons and leather armor. He was in the process of fastening the remaining straps on the armor when his friend, and fellow bodyguard, entered the room.
“What’s going on?” Jyre asked after he closed the door.
“It appears someone has come to our town looking for us because of what we did to that merchant a few nights ago.”
“So, why are you going out there?”
“He has my pendant and I want it back before Yang finds out.”
“Does he look tough?”
“He must be, or he’s crazy to come here and challenge us.”
“I say we have some fun and send a giant or some of those worthless boarmen out there to see just how tough he is.” Jyre smiled.
“I don’t need them to defeat him.”
“I know I was just stacking the odds in your favor.” Jyre said.
“Good point.”
Jyre walked over, grabbed his armor, and began putting it on.
“What are you doing?” Vex asked him.
“Do you really think I’m letting you go out there alone? These are tough times brother and there’s no honor in dying. We will defeat him together.”
Jyre finished dressing, and both men did their ritual of pounding their fists several times on the shoulders of each other’s armor. It was a ritual they liked doing before every battle to inspire victory.
“He’s brave; I'll give him that.” Cord stated looking at Tracs in the open field.
“It looks like Tracs got his wish, so when that guy comes out I’m going in once the battle commences.” Konafar said. “Tonles are you ready?”
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 66