"Not that," Sir Amos said. "I heard her say something about that friend of hers."
"That's him on the wagon," Aleena said. She rose up in her stirrups and cupped her hands to her mouth. "Alto!"
Her cry was lost in the din of battle. The ferocious warrior kicked aside a soldier who tried to climb onto the wagon and then turned and grabbed his stunned captive and picked him up. He pushed the man against the railing of the wagon and let him teeter there while he brandished his sword in preparation to deliver a killing blow.
Sir Amos raised his sword into the air and called out to Leander. A moment later, the sun broke through the clouds overhead and shone down on Sir Amos. It gathered in his blade and then he pointed it at the man on the wagon. A burst of golden light streaked above the heads of the battlefield and struck the man in the back, staggering him. The warrior turned and fell to his knees, and then raised his shield and sword up in front of him to block the blinding light.
Sir Amos pushed his horse ahead, knocking soldiers away so he could push closer to the wagon. His stallion reared up, nearly unseating him. When it dropped down, the source of the horse's surprise was apparent. A short man in gleaming plate stood holding a hammer.
"In the name of Saint Leander, stop this at once!" Sir Amos cried out loud enough to be heard over the fighting.
"Hold!" an answering cry came from the middle of the battle.
The battle slowed until a man cried out for the soldiers to attack. Some hesitated, confused, while a few closer to the man who encouraged the conflict took up the fight again. They were stricken back by a blast of ice and wind that seemed to come from nowhere.
"The man said stop!" a man wearing no armor shouted at the stunned and frozen soldiers from Highpeak.
"Kar!" Aleena hissed. She knew the wizard from the times he'd teased Alto and her at the Blades’ house in Portland.
With the wizard's display, the soldiers of Highpeak fell back. Alto stood up on shaky feet, still blinking rapidly to clear his eyes. He turned back but the man he'd captured had slipped over the edge of the wagon and disappeared. He howled in rage and cast about, staring into the crowd through squinted eyes.
"Alto, stop!" one of the men cried out.
"Mackay's escaped!" Alto growled.
"We'll find him. Tristam's hurt!"
Alto turned back to the end of the wagon and stared down. He started to climb down when Sir Amos called out to him. "Alto? The same Alto who helped reclaim Highpeak and the same one who reports say destroyed an entire camp of enemy soldiers in the mountains?"
Alto turned to stare at him. He blinked a few times and then nodded. "I am. Who're you?"
"Sir Amos, Knight of Leander," Sir Amos said.
Aleena thrust herself up in her saddle, trying to see Alto and gain his attention. Now that she was closer and he wasn't fighting, she got a better look at him. It was enough to make her gasp. He looked horrible! He had blood on his face and in the wild beard he wore. She could see the bruises and cuts on his face to explain why. The fur cloak he wore was torn and matted with filth. Worse than that was how thin his face looked, even though he seemed as broad of shoulder as ever. Only his shining mail beneath his cloak looked presentable.
Alto showed no sign of seeing or recognizing her.
"Sir Amos!" a man said, raising his hand to draw attention. Aleena tore her eyes away from Alto to the speaker and recognized Karthor. She felt a flicker of a smile cross her face as she saw him. He'd always treated her with nothing but kindness, even tolerating her many questions about their adventures and the church of Saint Leander.
"Karthor!" Sir Amos said. He hesitated and turned to look for Father Lex. Not seeing him, he frowned and turned back. "This is a most peculiar situation."
"Nothing peculiar about it," the wizard said. "The baron and his lackey are traitorous bastards trying to bring about a war between nations."
"That's a bold claim," Sir Amos said. "Who might you be?"
"Kar Tryterius," Kar said.
Sir Amos tilted his head slightly. "I've heard that name before."
"I get around."
"An uprising in the southeast?"
Kar nodded. "My wilder days, I admit," the wizard said. "We can talk about it at length if you'd like, but later would be better."
Sir Amos nodded. "I'd like that, I think. Now about your claims for the baron, where is he—in the palace?"
"He was here on the wagon until you stopped me," Alto said. "He'll pay with his life for what he did."
"No matter what your status or justification, that judgment is not yours to make."
Alto stared at the knight, his sword trembling in his hand. Aleena wanted to look away. She couldn't believe what she saw. This wasn't the Alto she knew; he was barely restraining himself! He sheathed his sword and let it go, and then shook his head and flexed his fingers a few times. Alto nodded before saying, "I won't promise anything. I will find him."
"My good man, you and your friends have done great harm to the sanctioned soldiers of Highpeak. That is a serious offense. We will find Baron Mackay and see to it that these claims are dealt with."
Alto shook his head and looked down at his feet. He looked up at the knight and shook his head. "No. I will not be delayed. Greater things are at stake! Come closer if you'd know the truth!"
"Are you threatening me?"
Alto scowled. "No! I'm tired of wasting time." Alto crouched down and picked up something. When he stood again, he cradled the limp body of an armored woman in his arms. "This is what the baron did. This is why he must die!"
Aleena gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth but it was too late; she'd drawn the attention of those around her. "Lady Patrina!"
Alto turned and saw Aleena. His eyes narrowed in recognition. He opened and closed his mouth before turning his attention back to Sir Amos. "Yes, this is Lady Patrina, daughter of the Jarl of Holgasford. She brought these men to find me and help. She disappeared and now we know why. The baron showed us her body and tried to claim that one of my friends did this to her."
Sir Amos pushed his way forward and looked at the woman in Alto's arms. He frowned. "Strangled," he said. "I've some experience with women driven to take up the sword. It would take a very powerful man to do this."
"Alto, Tristam is bleeding bad." Aleena recognized Alto's voice but she couldn't see him through the crowd.
"Sir Amos," Karthor interrupted the knight. "I must tend to my friend."
"Please," Sir Amos said. "Let's spill no more blood today."
Alto snorted but the elder knight ignored him. He squatted down and put Lady Patrina's body on the wagon and then hopped off it and went with Karthor. Aleena ached to rush forward but she forced herself to wait. She'd done enough by stopping the battle before they'd been overwhelmed.
A few moments later, Karthor rose. "I think he'll live," the priest said. "My thanks, Sir Amos, for your understanding and mercy."
Sir Amos nodded. "Come, let us disburse. The people of Highpeak do not deserve this stress. We can continue our talks in private."
Alto seethed in rage at the delay. He gave a clipped nod and turned back to pick up Patrina. Sir Amos turned to Celos and then looked at Aleena. "Join us," he said and then dismounted his horse and started towards the palace doors.
Aleena stared after the knight in shock and then jerked when she realized she was still on her horse. She climbed down, catching her foot in the stirrup and stumbling into Celos's horse before she used him to gain her balance. She ignored the glare he sent her way and hurried after Sir Amos while Celos dismounted and followed behind her.
* * * *
"Why isn’t Tristam here?" Kar asked when they’d reassembled in a room with a table large enough for them all to sit around.
"He’s sleeping," Karthor said. "His wound was grievous."
Kar grunted and turned back to the others. He stared at each of them before offering Sir Amos a smile and saying, "So what brings you to Highpeak? Can’t be the weather, this time
of year."
"We should wait until the baron is found to hold this discussion," Sir Amos said. "It wouldn’t be just to not have his say in things, especially since he stands accused."
"Accused? Threatened is more like it," Alto growled. He rose up from his chair. "You wait here, I’ll find him."
"Sit down!" Kar snapped at him. "And take that damn sword off, while you’re at it."
To sit comfortably, the others had removed their heavy armor and weapons. Alto refrained, preferring to keep both his chain and sword on. The young warrior sat but ignored the rest of the wizard’s request.
"Is there a problem?" Sir Amos asked, glancing from Alto to Kar.
"Long story," the wizard said. "But no problem as long as he can keep his wits about him."
Alto clenched his fists and released them, fighting to keep the fire in his belly from overtaking him. He knew that Kar was right, but he also knew that he needed the sword if he was going to avenge Patrina. Without it, he was weak, his body tired and failing.
He looked around the table when he heard a gasp and saw Aleena sitting there with her cheeks so pale they seemed bloodless. He’d seen her in front of the palace and been surprised. Her hair was shorter than he remembered but it looked like she was growing it back out. More surprising was the armor she’d worn and the sword at her side. He couldn’t imagine how she’d managed to trade a tankard for a sword but she’d managed it. She’d told him she could fight. Wanted to go with him, too. Now it looked like she was trying to prove it. He looked away from her, more convinced than ever that she was a foolish girl.
"Some background then," Kar said when the silence stretched on long enough to grow uncomfortable. "Our side, at least."
Sir Amos nodded. "That would be welcome."
"There’s a force of mercenaries in the mountains working with goblins and ogres to overrun the northern reaches," Kar began. "In the spring, we stumbled across this while trying to stop goblin raiders. We found Lady Patrina already imprisoned by men wearing the uniforms of Kingdom soldiers."
Sir Amos nodded. "This much I know. Your friends played an unadvised and unexpected but essential role in helping to reclaim Highpeak."
Kar frowned. "I was here, too. Without my magic, that gate would have never been opened!"
Sir Amos held up his hand and offered an apologetic smile. "Of course, I meant no slight to you."
Kar snorted through his nose and then continued as though nothing had been said. "It was a quiet summer, leading us to find our own fortune for a time. We journeyed north and east, through Kelgryn lands in hopes of rediscovering long-lost dwarven mines and the treasures contained within."
Mordrim coughed at this point, earning everyone’s attention.
"I see you found a dwarf, at least," Sir Amos chuckled. Mordrim’s brow creased with a frown.
"On the way, we had many adventures," Kar amended. "Alto became separated from us but found and befriended a unicorn. They made it to Holgasford before us and once there, Winter–the unicorn–became Lady Patrina’s steed. She was soon kidnapped again by the same forces that took her earlier last year. Alto went after her and rescued her, but by then they’d reached the mines."
"The long-lost and buried mines?" Sir Amos interrupted.
"Not so lost or buried, it turns out," Kar chuckled. "Our mutual enemies had reopened them and were using them to forge weapons and armor for their forces. We met up Alto, with Jarl Teorfyr and his men at our side, and fought our way into the mines. Alto once again became separated and—"
"Father," Karthor interrupted the wizard. "You're leaving out a good deal."
"It's called an eagle's eye view," Kar said with a scowl. "No need to drag this out into details!"
Sir Amos shook his head. "Karthor, your service to Saint Leander has been without blemish. Indeed, you are favored by the holiest among us, though there may be some who fear your rapid rise amongst the ranks. Insofar as I am concerned, your words and thoughts are welcomed here. Please, fill in the details that you see fit."
"Rapid rise?" Kar sputtered.
"Most men his age would be cloistered in prayer chapels and library nooks as acolytes. To receive the icon of Saint Leander and be deemed worthy of the title of priest is an accomplishment unseen in ages amongst the church." Sir Amos turned to glance at Aleena. "It would seem that many changes are coming to the church these days. Changes I deem to be good. But with change, there will also be resistance and fear."
Karthor nodded. "My thanks, Sir Amos. What my father failed to mention was that Lady Patrina's capture was no more than a ploy to allow them to capture Alto. When he rode after them, he rode into a trap and he was captured as well."
"This is worthy news," Sir Amos said. "Speak on."
"With the aid of people in the north—"
Garrick spoke up and interrupted the priest. "I couldn't let them take Patrina," he said.
Karthor smirked. "Yes, well, whatever the cause, Garrick and his clan helped free them, though Alto was sorely injured by the cold. His hands and feet, I am told, were all but useless."
Sir Amos glanced over at Alto and saw his hands on the table. "They seem well enough now."
"The shaman of their clan communed with Alto and Saint Preth. Alto was challenged and found worthy of having them restored."
Sir Amos leaned back with wide eyes. "You spoke with a saint?"
"He claimed to be a reflection of Saint Preth," Alto said.
"But still, you are no priest. You're not even a follower of Saint Preth, are you?"
"Preth respects strength and valor," Garrick growled.
Sir Amos nodded. "No shortage of that in this room, I suspect. Very well, continue your story."
"When we joined them in the mines, we became separated from the Kelgryn because Alto insisted we find a way to destroy the forges. We found Mordrim languishing in a cell below. He'd come trying to find his ancestor's mines in hopes of restoring them. He helped us find a way out when we realized we were outnumbered and could not possibly stop them."
"What of the stories I heard of a mountain falling upon them?"
Karthor smiled. "What we could not do, Alto did. He sacrificed himself by forcing one of their leaders into an underground river. They were swept away, lost forever or so we thought. We used the distraction to escape. Alto escaped the river deep underground and managed to upset the molten rock beneath the mountains so badly that it built up until the pressure was so great it caused an earthquake. The mines were collapsed and the mountain forever changed."
"And again you survived to tell the tale," Sir Amos looked at Alto and said.
Alto returned his gaze evenly and said nothing.
"So what next?" Sir Amos glanced between the wizard and the priest.
"Alto returned home," Karthor said. "And he learned that Sir Beck, the Knight of the Silver Dragon that he'd tried to drown, had escaped as well."
Sir Amos glanced at Aleena before turning to Alto. "I believe I know this part of the story. Your farm burned and your family killed?"
Alto tightened down on the flames raging within him. He needed to be out doing something, not sitting and talking about what was already done.
"And now you seek revenge?"
"Justice," Alto said.
"Justice is bringing the men who caused this to happen before a proper court granted such jurisdiction," Sir Amos said.
"I intend to see her stand before the saints and plead their own case," Alto said.
"Her?"
"There is more to this than you've been told. More than Kar and Karthor or anyone here knows," Alto said. "I've spent weeks in the wilds learning it and our time grows short."
"Then tell us what you know so we can act all the sooner," Sir Amos said.
"I killed a giant last night," Alto said, earning a gasp from Aleena and a wide-eyed look from Sir Amos and Celos. "He was overseeing a band of ogres that were building a stone wall in the mountain passes. They're securing the mountains in preparation for goi
ng to war. We have until the spring equinox, then they will come."
"A giant? It's been generations since they've had any involvement in the affairs of men," Sir Amos wondered aloud.
"Her armies are led by a giant."
"Again you speak of a woman. Who is this woman who could lead so many fey forces?"
"The Knights of the Silver Dragon have pledged themselves to her. She is Sarya, a dragon. The same dragon that last troubled this land hundreds of years ago."
"Sir Gareth's foe lives?" Celos blurted out.
Alto nodded. "She lives but she grows old and weak. She seeks to use a magical ritual to put her soul into something called a construct. It is why they've been digging up silver, something about that metal being strong enough and able to hold enough magic to allow her to put her spirit in this statue and bring it to life so she can live forever."
Kar slapped the table with his hand. "Of course!" He shook his head and muttered several arcane things that made no sense to anyone at the table.
"To stop her, I have to find her and kill her before she becomes a silver dragon," Alto said.
"What of Baron Mackay and Highpeak?" Sir Amos asked.
Alto nodded. "If I can avenge Patrina while I'm here, I will. If I do not, Jarl Teorfyr will be forced to march against Highpeak."
Sir Amos nodded. "I have some questions. I see the nefarious plotting you've uncovered, but why do they hunt for you? Lady Patrina I can understand. Every father has a special place in his heart for his daughter." Sir Amos paused and offered a sad smile. "I suppose I don't need to explain to you what the pain of losing family can drive a man to do."
Alto was silent long enough to cause Sir Amos to glance at the others. The warrior buried his thoughts and memories of his family deep and answered the knight's question. "I don't know, other than because I killed Barador, Sarya's first general."
"They're afraid of him," Kar opined. "Now more than ever! If Alto can singlehandedly score such victories, Sarya must fear that we will all rally around him and make her conquest that much more difficult." The wizard cocked his head as though he'd just discovered a new thought.
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