Ragged Heroes

by Andy Peloquin

  I stood up and looked him in the eye as he staggered around. “This is not a woman. This is Lady Veralee Etburn.”

  “She comes from a shit family and you know it. We all know it,” he said, and took a drink.

  I clenched my hand at my hip, raised the fist to my shoulder and unloaded. I smacked the top of Maury’s goblet and knocked out most of his front bottom teeth. Blood poured out the corners of his mouth and down his neck. The big man didn’t go down, but he was clearly dazed.

  I hit him in the chin with a stiff left punch, and he crashed into a table and chair before hitting the floor. His family jumped up from the table and pulled their swords. The knights from my table drew their weapons in response.

  I said, “Go outside, Veralee. This could get messy.”

  Scared and unable to formulate any words, she ran outside.

  I turned to Maury’s brother. “Slydell, you don’t want to do this. Not today and definitely not tomorrow. Your family can’t handle a war with the Etburns. Call off your dogs.”

  Slydell twirled his sword around. “How am I to allow you to get away with hitting my brother when he wasn’t expecting it?”

  I answered, “He should damn well have been expecting it. He spilled a drink on another, the cordial response would be a simple apology. He couldn’t do that, so I had to teach him a lesson.”

  Slydell stuck the point of his sword into the wooden floor. “You might think this is it, Rollo, but you can’t hide behind your family forever. You can celebrate yourself as some kind of hero today, but you better think about what’s going to happen tomorrow.”

  I went outside and met Veralee by the front door. Our warm bodies met as I hugged her and pulled her in closer for a kiss. “I love you.”

  She repeated the phrase and we got on our horses and returned to Castle Etburn. I put the scene behind me and didn’t think much of it.

  A fortnight later, I awoke to loud knocking on the door to my quarters. I sprang out of bed and slid the spy slot to the left. Several guards stood outside the door. I unlatched the lock and pulled the wooden structure open.

  “My lord, someone’s got to Veralee. They killed Sir Stanwick, Errol, and Sir Renlore before stealing away with your wife.”

  My mind immediately went back to the fight at the tavern. I dressed hastily and didn’t have time to put on my armor. I raced over to the stables and had the spurrier saddle my black stallion. I hopped on and headed toward the Cochraynes’ castle. I didn’t need someone to confirm it.

  A crowd had gathered outside the gates to the castle and I raced over, heeling my horse for extra encouragement. I arrived to view my worst nightmare. Maury Cochrayne stood behind my wife with a knife pressed against her neck.

  I slowed the stallion to a walk as my blood began to boil. “Lord Maury, if you do anything foolhardy, everyone in your family shall fall with only a few words. Your entire family.”

  “We’ve been waiting for a war with the Etburns so that we can take over Waters Edge. Nobody is afraid of the elderly Etburns.” He laughed, and his allies joined in.

  Some more knights and members of my family arrived for support. “What do you want out of this, Lord Maury?”

  The man with a shaky blade hand responded, “You will come over here, bow in deference to me, and kneel down to beg forgiveness for your cowardly actions at the tavern.”

  I chuckled internally. “That will never happen and you know it.”

  He pointed the knife at me. “Her life is in your hands. Is that the choice you would like to make?”

  I appealed to his older brother. “Slydell, tell your brother to let her go. You know what will happen.”

  Slydell rubbed his thumb and forefinger over his mustache. “Maybe the days of the Etburns telling us what to do are over. Why don’t you just follow his instructions?”

  I needed to get my wife away from these animals. “This isn’t going to work out well for you. If you insist on this spectacle then I shall indulge you. However, I promise to come back and kill each and every one here.”

  “Wrong words,” Maury said, and swiped the blade across my wife’s precious throat.

  Her neck ran red and everything faded to black. Darkness. Nothing but darkness for years.

  Chapter 2

  Several Years Later

  I scraped the dried blood off my fingernails and peered around the tavern. I’d drunk so much that I could barely lift my tankard off the table and get it to my lips. The ale spilled down onto clothes that I had been wearing for the past year. I overheard the name I wanted to hear from a group of men three tables over.

  I waited until they were leaving and followed them out the door. The three men staggered toward their horses as I neared them from behind.

  “I beg a word with you, sirs.”

  Two of the men whirled around with their hands on their grips, ready to unleash longswords. I held my hands up. “I’m not armed.”

  The tallest man said, “Fool. Why in all the kingdom wouldn’t you have no weapon?”

  I said, “Foolhardy, it should seem.”

  The short man grunted, “What’dya want?”

  I answered, “I overheard a bit of your conversation in there and I think we can help each other.”

  The fat man asked, “What part of our conversation did you overhear?”

  “The bit about Rollo Etburn.”

  “What do you know about it?” The tall man narrowed his eyes.

  I had to be careful with how much I said. “I know that the Princess Ali-Gare still believes him to be alive and has upped the bounty on his head. Do you know where he is?”

  “Not sure. Don’t believe he died in no huntin’ accident though. We gonna hunt him up in Waters Edge.” The short man laughed, and his friends followed.

  I asked, “What kind of ransom were you promised?”

  The short man’s eyes lit up. “A hundred gold foxes. ‘Nuff to last a lifetime or two.”

  I knew the current rate was much more than that. “What do you know about Rollo Etburn? I still don’t know the entire story.”

  The fat man patted his rotund belly. “He’s a lord, I know that. His wife had her throat cut out by the Cochraynes. They say he killed every single person in the entire Cochrayne family. Then he went after anyone who was even sympathetic to them. Then his father, Lord Tyus, tried to set a match with the King. That Rollo was gonna get Princess Ali-Gare Wamhoff. Problem was, she didn’t want no part of it. She’s been paying people to bring her the head of Rollo Etburn so the wedding won’t never happen. Lucky for us, nobody’s killed him yet.”

  I nodded. “That is a nice stroke of luck. Do you mind if I ride with you? We can discuss this more away from this public area. I may have some helpful information.”

  They agreed, and I followed them north. They had no idea I was Rollo Etburn. The story was mostly correct. I’d faked my death after I had found out the Princess was sending bounty chasers to kill me. I had headed straight for the King’s Castle, murdering anyone who uttered the Princess’ name during the trip. I knew I was going to the hells. It was only a matter of time right now.

  My soul felt filthy and heavy. This shallow life was coming to an end as soon as I ended Ali-Gare Wamhoff’s. I had failed Veralee. I had failed myself. I had climbed into a pitcher of ale up in Waters Edge, and I’d never been able to get out. The drinking didn’t make me feel better, it made me feel nothing.

  We rode for most of the day and set up camp right before dusk in the middle of the forest. The tall man struggled to start a fire as I took a drink of spirits from my lamb skin. I turned to his friend. “Say, that’s a mighty fine-looking sword you have there. Mind if I take a closer look?”

  The man narrowed his eyes and mulled it over for a few moments before releasing the blade from the scabbard. He turned the blade down and extended the hilt toward me. I wrapped my fingers around the soft leather grip and held out the sword. And I was the fool.

  None of the men were wearing armor. Wasti
ng no time, I rammed the point of the blade into the fat man’s belly and pushed it out his back. I struggled to get the blade back out as the other two men sprang up. I finally got the sword out as the tall man went to draw his weapon. My bloody blade whooshed through the air, blood trickling from it, and raked across the taller man’s chest.

  Stunned, he went to one knee and I came back across with a sidestroke that tore open his chest again, ending the man’s life. The third man, the short one, ran down the beaten trail trying to escape. I chased him into the dark abyss, until I realized my advantage was lost.

  I went back to the campsite and the fire had died out. I stared at the two men, dead on the forest floor, and wondered what had happened to my life. Everything had spiraled out of control. I’d killed more men than I would dare to count. Add two more to the unknown tally.

  I concentrated on starting the fire since complete darkness was setting in. I thought the killing would take away the pain. It didn’t. Everything stemmed from Veralee’s death. The initial anger still hadn’t subsided. I’d faked my death to stop the Princess’ henchmen from coming after me and to get away from my insufferable family.

  I couldn’t be in that castle any longer. Too many memories of my wife. The mental anguish prevented me from getting the fire going and I quickly became frustrated and gave up.

  A voice sounded from behind me, “I could help you with that.”

  I grabbed the bloodstained sword from the ground, jumped to my feet, and whirled around. I didn’t see anyone until I looked down. A dwarf garbed in leather clothing wearing a necklace with a huge wooden charm, stood four paces away from me. His long hair and beard hung to his waist and he had a square head.

  “The sword wouldn’t help you in a fight against me,” he warned.

  I snorted. “I could chop you into little pieces if I chose to.”

  I noticed a strange rippling in his eyes. They appeared to contain flowing flames. The little man stood completely still, waiting for his death. I thought I’d just scare him.

  I drew the sword back, setting up an overhand strike, and without warning, my body froze. I yanked at my muscles, trying to regain control of my body.

  He smiled. “What seems to be the problem? Little pieces, I believe is what you promised to turn me into.”

  I could talk, but that seemed to be all, “What type of sorcery are you performing on me?”

  “I’m only using my mind. How could it be stronger than that mighty sword? I said I could help you, Rollo Etburn, and I am true to my word.”

  Who was this man? “How could you help me?”

  He smirked. He had an ugly smirk. “I could help you reclaim your soul. I know what you’ve been doing for the past few years.”

  “How do you know who I am? What I’ve done?”

  The dwarf chuckled. “Don’t ask silly questions. I’m going to relinquish my hold over you.”

  I regained control of my body again and threw the sword next to the fire. “If you really want to help, you can get this fire going.”

  “As you wish, my lord.” The tiny man moved closer to the fire and leaned his head forward. Streaks of flames shot from his eyes, illuminating the surrounding area and igniting the pile of kindling. The sticks crackled from the immediate blaze, smoke pouring from the pile.

  “How’d you do that?” I wanted to know.

  “More silly questions. Allow me an introduction. My name is Dragon-Eyes.”

  “Wait, the Dragon-Eyes? Sorry, I realize that is a stupid question now.” The legendary wizard was thought to be a myth. I’d heard stories about him when I was a child. “Why would you want to help me?”

  He kicked the brush toward the center of the fire. “I want you to get into the heavens.”

  I chuckled, “I think you are a bit too late for that reclamation project.”

  Dragon-Eyes shook his head. “It’s never too late. You are in a very bad position, I will let you know. You will need a great many deeds of righteousness to scrub the filth from your spirit and soul. I can provide you with a journey of duty. It shall be a selfless one, mind you. You will not gain any glory, only bask in the glory of others.”

  Personal glory didn’t appeal to me anymore. “I don’t need any glory. If anything, I’m running away from being a lord. I can do without that.”

  “And you will. The Princess Ali-Gare has a one-thousand gold fox bounty on your head. You are rather well disguised at the moment, but it would serve you best to leave the kingdom. Have you heard of the Pearl of Wisdom?”

  “Of course, everyone’s heard of the Pearl. Everyone wants to be the next one to hold the Pearl and summon the dragons. Too bad it’s only a story.”

  The dwarf grabbed a few bigger pieces of wood and added them to the flames. “Many people have said that about me. That is, until they see me in the flesh, and then they still don’t want to believe. You’ve seen me start a fire and freeze your body using magic. The Pearl is real. I am on the hunt for the person who will lead the humans in the next war against the demons. It’s coming.”

  “How do you know?” I took a swig of my lambskin and offered it to the wizard.

  He declined by holding up an open hand. “Silly question again. I am in the habit of knowing things. How did I know who you were just by glancing at you in the dark?”

  Good question. “And you think I am going to be the one to hold the Pearl? Do you know what I’ve done?”

  “I do. I’m not sure you will be the one holding the Pearl. However, you will hold the person who holds the Pearl. Is that confusing enough yet?”

  It was. “Somewhat.”

  He continued, “I will try to teach you magic, but only one in more than ten thousand can harness the ability. Due to your misdeeds, I don’t see you as the one who will hold the Pearl, but I’ve been fooled before. The Gods can be cruel, therefore they are Gods. However, they also work in mysterious ways beyond our understanding. Perhaps they want an un-pure soul to summon the dragons this time.”

  “The Gods do not favor me, I can tell you that straight off. If anything, they are out to get me for what I’ve done,” I explained.

  We talked some more before I fell asleep next to the roaring fire.

  Chapter 3

  I woke up the next day, and the wizard had disappeared. I searched the area and only found a floundering fire. Had I really seen a wizard or was my mind starting to go? The two dead bodies were still in the area and starting to stink, so I grabbed my lambskin and left.

  The leaves and twigs snapped under my worn boots as the birds sang above me. I must have just imagined that I had run into Dragon-Eyes. I knew it was only a legend. Back to being alone, completely alone, like the last few years. No one to turn to for help. Back to killing Ali-Gare and then myself.

  I trekked through the forest, and a soft voice fell upon my ears. “Where are you going, old friend?”

  I searched for Dragon-Eyes, spinning around for several moments. His leather garb helped him to blend into the tree trunks and branches. I picked up on the movement as he waddled in my direction.

  “Ready for your lesson?”

  “I am.” A new vigor ran through me, reviving parts of my body that had been dead for years. I’d been deceased for a while and this was the awakening.

  The wizard gathered up some twigs and kindling and strategically made a small pile for a fire. I wondered why we needed a fire because I didn’t plan to stay stationary as a wanted man. Dragon-Eyes finished and proudly looked up to me.

  “I want you to gather heat into your body. Think about the fire from last night. Breathe it in. Harvest it. Develop it into pure flames. Only think of the fire. Chase all your other thoughts away. Now stare at the kindling. Take the flames from your inner fire and cast them onto the wood. Ignite it with your mind.”

  I focused intently on the pile and tried to take the fire from inside and hurl it at the kindling. Nothing happened. I stopped believing immediately. I knew I didn’t have the ability to harness magic.
I didn’t know why Dragon-Eyes was wasting his time. “It’s not working.”

  “Close your eyes. Believe. Pull the fire in. Feel it. Be the flames. Let them engulf you. Feel the fire. Focus on the flames. Now open your eyes and send those flames toward the pile of wood.”

  I did. Nothing happened. I felt embarrassed. My soul was too dirty. I couldn’t harness magic or hold the Pearl of Wisdom. I knew it. “I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

  “That’s all right. There are other ways to purify your soul, in which you don’t have to use magic. How do you feel about children?”

  Was this some trick? “I’ve never had any. My wife was barren. Or maybe I was the problem. I don’t know.”

  “Redemption.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He explained, “There is always time for redemption. I have a mission I could send you on. Are you prepared to meet your destiny?”

  “I’ve been ready.”

  Dragon-Eyes continued, “You might not be able to hold the Pearl, but I can give you purpose by making you the guardian of two very special beings. I have a friend named Gamelda and she can see future events. She’s only been wrong a few times in the past hundred years. She’s seen some amazing things coming up.”

  “Like what?” I needed to know.

  He answered, “She’s seen a few royal events about two special children. Castaway babes. The first event will occur within the next fortnight. Gamelda has seen that Queen Emilia Wamhoff’s baby will be taken from her and thrust into the King’s Woods.”

  “Why?”

  Dragon-Eyes continued, “We are assuming it is due to a physical deformity. However, we have reason to believe that this child is the chosen one. The holder of the Pearl. The visions we’ve seen indicate that it won’t be just one person, but a triumvirate. Three special children.”

  “If this is true, why do you need me?”

  “They will need someone to raise them. Someone to train them. Someone to teach them right from wrong. They will need a strong figure to keep them from danger and deliver them to the School of the Learned Warrior.”