Now he only had to wait to see if it would perform as well as the knight's sword.
* * * *
Alto didn't have to wait long. He crouched with Namitus and peered over the rocks at the stone wall he'd delayed being built. The ogres had returned and finished building it. Now the wall was piled with rocks nearly twice the height of a man from one side of the ravine to the other.
"No other way around?" Namitus whispered.
"I don't think so."
"You don't know? I thought you spent a month in these mountains!"
"There's a lot of mountains," Alto argued. "I made my way west slowly. I had to work through a lot of enemy camps."
"I know. We saw a few of them." The bard turned to look at Alto. "You left a bloody trail behind you."
Alto grimaced. He hadn't been himself at the time. All that mattered was revenge and killing. He needed to hurt something. Ideally, he wanted to hurt Sarya but he couldn't find her so anything that got in his way suffered his wrath. His wrath, supplemented by the power of the sword.
"If there are other paths, they'll be blocked and defended like this one," Alto steered them back on topic.
Namitus nodded. He glanced at the sky. "It's getting late. We could wait for sunset and try to sneak up. Get the drop on them."
"Might work, but if there's anything other than ogres, they see better in the dark than we do."
Namitus frowned. "Good point. Giants, too?"
"I don't know. I only saw the one and that was during the day." Alto tried to remember anything that stood out about the giant. "He could see me just fine. Nearly crushed me with a rock he threw that was as big as Mordrim!"
The rogue grimaced. "Any chance we can talk Sir Amos into building a catapult and sending it with us? I bet that would make short work of that wall!"
Alto snorted and slipped away from the rocks they'd been hiding behind. "Come on, I don't see any other way to it but to just go at it."
"We didn't see any ogres, maybe there's nobody there? Shift change or something?"
Alto chuckled at his friend's optimism. He gathered around the others and reached out to rub Winter's side. The unicorn flinched but didn't move. When the touch continued to prove that Alto seemed to be back to normal, Winter relaxed and let him rub his neck.
"They finished the stone wall. There's a door through it. Wide enough for a giant to walk through, but that means two of us at the most at one time," Alto said.
"How tall is the cursed thing?" Kar asked.
"Ten feet or so."
"Giants are taller than that."
"The wall's split in two parts with a gap in the middle."
Kar grunted.
"Have any spells that will make this easier for us?"
"Yes, lots," Kar said. "Is that your plan or do you want to maybe minimize the part where we get heavy rocks thrown at us?"
"What do you mean?" Alto asked.
"Stones like that won't just fall over with a stiff breeze or even an explosion. I could soften the ground under them, like a sapper, and topple the wall but I need to be next to it to do so. That's the part where large rocks get thrown at me. I don't like that part," Kar said.
"Can you climb up the canyon wall and come around behind them?" Alto asked Namitus.
"Perhaps, but doing that and hiding is all but impossible during the day. What's worse, what do I do when I get there? I'm not afraid of a good fight but I've got to agree with Kar and saying I'm not fond of the part where I'm getting lots of rocks hurled my way."
Alto scowled. He turned and looked at Mordrim and Garrick. "Either of you have any ideas?"
"I want to fight a giant," Garrick stated.
Alto sighed and looked at Mordrim.
"Dwarves and ogres go back a ways," Mordrim said. "All the way to when the first dwarf killed the first ogre. Think of it as a family tradition."
"This will either be an epic quest or the shortest adventure in the history of bad ideas," Alto muttered.
"What are you worried about?" Namitus teased. "You're the hero who cuts through ogres like a farmer through wheat!"
Alto ignored him and looked at Karthor. "You haven't said much."
"You're the boss," Karthor said with a glint in his eye. "I'm just here to patch everyone up after the stones fall where they may."
Alto looked at the grinning faces on his friends. It was hopeless. He turned back to the wall. "Mordrim and I will go first. We've got the best armor; hopefully, we can keep them focused on us while the rest of you get through."
"How many are there?" Kar asked.
"I don't know; we didn't see any," Alto said. "When they were building it, there were nine ogres led by a giant. We'd see the giant—they're too tall to hide behind that wall, so it's probably just ogres and goblins."
"Why haven't we seen any trolls since the mountain?" Karthor asked.
"Mountain trolls don't like daylight."
"Thork didn't mind," Alto pointed out.
Kar snorted. "Thork's not a mountain troll, is he?"
"Fair enough. But what about Highpeak? When we killed Barador, there were trolls in the city."
"Perhaps they were being paid better. Or maybe they thought it was a short campaign. Or maybe there are trolls here, too."
"Or maybe they've all decided to throw down the clubs and swords and take up basket weaving," Alto said. "We can guess all day but it won't do us any good. And the later it gets, the more time we lose."
"Back to me and you rushing the gate?" Mordrim asked.
Alto nodded. "Garrick comes after, then Namitus and Karthor. Kar, stand ready to reinforce where we need it. Winter—come last; we dare not risk you. You're our guide."
"This is a bad idea," the wizard muttered.
"Probably, but it's not our first."
The wizard swore under his breath and complained, "It's like Tristam's still with us!"
"Come, let's do this." Alto drew his sword and led the way to the rocks he and Namitus had used. Mordrim walked beside him without crouching.
"Must be a pain being so tall," the dwarf mused.
Alto scowled at him and then motioned. They were off at a run, clanking in their heavy armor with each step. "So much for stealth," the warrior lamented.
They saw movement as they neared the gap in the wall. Over the stones, they glimpsed ogres rising to look at them. Through the opening, a large white shape stepped into view.
"Somebody's home," Mordrim grunted.
"Through the gap!" Alto decreed. "It's a yeti, strong and fast but they can be killed."
Alto pushed harder, his longer legs helping him race ahead of the dwarf and slip through the gap in time to receive several thrown stones. They banged against his shield and armor, jarring him about mostly, though a few caught him in less protected areas covered only by chain. He plowed into the yeti, unable to affect his momentum.
Claws and teeth scraped at his armor. Alto felt the yeti's fingers catch on the chainmail and tug at it, yanking at his skin and scratching him. He slammed his shield into it repeatedly until he gained enough room to thrust his sword into the yeti's body. The yeti howled under him and began thrashing desperately. Alto pushed away from it and yanked his blade free, marveling at how easily it had cut through bone and flesh. The yeti thrashed some more and then lay still, blood and guts exposed to the late winter sunlight.
When Alto turned, he was hammered with two more stones, one on his shield and another high on his breastplate. He grunted with the impact and turned in time to see three ogres running towards him with clubs brandished. He noticed Mordrim was ducking and dodging another pair of ogres while a third hopped on one foot and clutched at its knee. The hopping ogre tripped and fell just as Garrick leaped through the gap in the stones and hacked its head off.
Alto returned his attention to the ogres. He allowed his mind to relax as he relied on the skills and reflexes he'd learned in the mountains. He deflected blows from the clubs or dodged them altogether while striking back wi
th his sword. The ogres knew only to attack; their defensive skills were pathetic against a skilled opponent. In moments, the ogres lay in steaming piles around him.
Alto ran to help his friends as they battled the remaining ogres. By the time the battle was over, they tallied a score of the behemoths and the yeti. The members of the Dying Dragon were breathing hard from some bruises and near misses, but no lasting damage had been done.
"Must be they didn't trust him," Kar said as he moved to study the yeti. He stopped to gather up some of the yeti's blood and fur, and then pointed out the heavy chain around its neck. Alto followed the chain through a hook driven into the ground. Another score of feet beyond the hook, the chain was driven to a stake that had been buried.
"Anybody coming through would either face the ogres or have to deal with the yeti," Alto said after he studied how the creature had been chained. "Like a guard dog taught to attack anything."
"Except a lot nastier," Namitus said as he picked up the yeti's hand and looked at the creature's claws.
Alto turned to Winter and saw the unicorn snorting while it looked at the yeti. "Winter, are you ready?"
Winter raised his head to look at Alto. He tossed his mane and stomped his foot, and then started up the ravine. Alto glanced at the rest of his company and then turned to follow the unicorn. He caught up to it and lifted his hand to scratch Winter on the back. "Sorry about having you come last. I need to make sure you can lead me to Patrina."
Winter snorted and shifted sideways, knocking Alto stumbling. Alto laughed and came back. "Okay, that's fair. I won't do it again. You lead the charge next time. We'll stay back and watch."
He managed to jump away from the unicorn's next attempt to knock him down.
Chapter 22
Aleena returned to the palace after watching Alto's company head across the bridge and into the mountains. She ran her hands along the sword he'd given her without realizing it. It was Lady Patrina's sword and Alto had asked her to take care of it until their return.
She walked without purpose, trapped in her thoughts and feelings. He'd confused her again, as he always did. First his talk with her in the armory and then the sword. Alto was like a beam of sunlight breaking through the darkness. He had a way of looking at things that shone a different light on them. He'd always made her think, even when he was nothing more than a farm boy lost in the city. Her problem was that she didn't always understand what it was that he was showing her.
"You seem troubled, Squire?"
Aleena jumped and turned around. Sir Amos was standing behind her in the hallway.
"Or do you make a habit of studying the walls of the palace?" he added with a gentle smile.
Aleena felt her cheeks redden. "It's nothing, my lord."
Sir Amos made a clucking noise. "Remember your teachings, daughter."
Aleena sighed. Honesty, above all. She nodded. "I'm just confused, Sir Amos. Nothing a good run or practice with a sword won't work out of me."
"Confused? I hope it's not about your faith."
"No!" Aleena shook her head and offered a smile a moment later. "I've never been happier with my life than since I've been here. Even with the bruises."
Sir Amos chuckled before he grew serious. "Walk with me, Aleena." He turned without waiting for her and began walking down the hall of the palace.
Aleena swallowed and hurried behind him, catching up to the spry elder knight but staying silent as she walked at his side.
"You're concerned for Alto, aren't you?"
Aleena felt the heat return to her face. "Yes, sir."
"Why? Has he not proved himself capable?"
"More than capable!" Aleena blurted. "Did you know he's been tested by two saints? Saint Preth and Saint Jarook."
Sir Amos nodded. "I had heard that. Remarkable and enviable, but take care that envy does not turn to jealousy. It is good to admire but not to covet."
"Oh no." Aleena shook her head. "I'd never do that."
"Then what troubles you?"
Aleena walked in silence for many paces. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "I'm trying to figure that out. It's Alto, or he's at the heart of it."
"Go on," Sir Amos nudged her.
"He said I was perfect," she blurted out. "What does that mean? I'm perfect but he's still going after Lady Patrina? I'm perfect but not for him? What does being perfect mean?"
"I'm an old man who knows little more than what the church has taught me," Sir Amos said. "I can only guess that he meant he's proud of you and all that you've done. As are we all."
Aleena shook her head. "That can't be it; it can't be. I joined the Knights of Leander for him. I wanted to prove to him that I wasn't just a silly girl who would never be more than a barmaid."
"There's nothing wrong with being a barmaid," Sir Amos interrupted. "It's as noble a profession as any."
Aleena's thoughts tripped over themselves. She frowned. "I suppose it is, but we admired people like the Knights of Leander. Nobility. Even men such as Alto and Tristam who made a name for themselves. I wanted to prove to him that I could be the same as he was. That I wouldn't be a burden or an embarrassment."
"I don't know Alto well at all, but I can't imagine him ever thinking that of you."
"No, he wouldn't," Aleena admitted. "Or at least he'd never admit as much. I guess I want to know what it is that I did wrong. How did I push him away?"
"I don't believe you did anything wrong. You are headstrong and driven, but I believe those are qualities that a man like Alto would admire. I'm a poor person to ask, I'm afraid. I've been with the church since I was younger than you. It is a demanding life, but one I enjoy. There are no prohibitions from a knight taking a wife—or in your case a husband—but it is rare."
Aleena turned to watch him as they walked. She didn't buy it. "Sir Amos, you can't tell me that a virtuous man like yourself, in all those years, never took a fancy on a woman."
"Taken a fancy to? Many times, but my true calling remains my finest lover," he answered. "Let me pose a question to you that you must answer for yourself. Had Alto asked you to be his, would you have given yourself to him? Not before you came to the church but now? Would you forsake Leander to be with him?"
Aleena stopped in the hallway and stared at the knight until he came to a rest a few steps later. He glanced back at her with a knowing smile on his face. Aleena shook her head. "I would not forsake Leander," she said. She nodded as she felt the weight of her words and how they rang true in her heart. "Whatever he asked me, or no matter what he asked me, I would not turn my back on my vows to Saint Leander and to the Knights."
Sir Amos nodded. "Then that, daughter, is the answer you seek."
Aleena smiled as she realized Sir Amos was true. Her smile grew into a wide grin and she had to restrain herself from hugging him. "You are truly a wise and wonderful leader," she praised.
Sir Amos waved her compliment away. "Give yourself another thirty years and you'll find a few pearls of wisdom to share as well. Now come, I've been talking to Sir Celos and I have something I'd like for the two of you to do."
"Of course, Sir Amos," Aleena said, pushing her troubles away and falling into the familiar and comfortable role of duty.
Sir Amos led her back to the throne hall, where the other worshippers of Leander were already gathered. He nodded for her to join the others and then moved to stand in front of them all.
"Knights and Squires of Leander," he began without pause. They grew quiet and turned to face him. "I've gathered you for a special purpose. Our numbers are diminished and there are many things we wish we could do. Quests we would like to undertake and foes we would put to rest. There are not enough of us to do these things, yet that does not stop our enemies from growing.
"A young man stumbled into our midst recently. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about. He has sought out the saints and does the sorts of heroic deeds that our knights did in times past. Responsibility has shackled us, but our service to the people and Saint Leander i
s not without its own reward.
"I fear that Alto's is doomed. As it is, he journeys with only a small troop into hostile and difficult terrain. He challenges the mightiest of foes, both in terms of strength and numbers. It is not a matter of faith so much as a matter of experience. He will die in those mountains."
Aleena felt the muscles in her neck twitching as she strained to keep herself still. She didn't believe Sir Amos; she couldn't believe him. Alto had escaped a falling mountain that he himself had caused to fall!
"I have called you here for that reason. It is more than just that I do not wish to see such a promising young light in the world go out. I have sought the counsel of others, some unusual sources, and I have prayed long and hard on this. While we cannot help Alto directly, we can, perhaps, confuse our enemies. We will journey into the mountains and attack our foes. Find their camps and disrupt them. We shall leave no doubt of our passing, but there are not so many of us that we dare not be ready for a swift and deadly reprisal. It is this distraction that may prove the only chance Alto and his companions have of reaching their destination. Between our anvil of faith and his hammer of purpose, it is my hope that we can avoid this war before it is begun."
"But, sir," Aleena risked the interruption to ask. "Alto's already gone. By several hours now!"
"I had a discussion with a most unusual source. I know of a way through the mountains that will take us near one of their camps. We should arrive there in two days or less, long before Alto is able to reach his destination. The hard part then will be digging in and defending ourselves against the enemy."
Aleena narrowed her eyes and wondered at the mysterious source Sir Amos spoke of. Was it the troll Alto had befriended? Who else would know of passages through the mountains? Miners, trappers, and scouts might, but would Sir Amos call them 'unusual'?
"You are the men, and woman, who have been chosen for this. I pray that you will take care and come to no harm, yet I also pray that we wreak havoc upon our foes." Sir Amos smiled as he looked at them. "In this special case, the restriction on recruits bearing arms and armor is lifted. They will serve as messengers but should the need arise for them to do battle, and it will, they must be prepared to do so.
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