Wounds
The gates slammed shut behind Kevin’s army as they escorted what remained of the invaders’ force to the dungeons along the southern wall. Tristan waited, standing in the middle of the courtyard he’d been holding for hours. Kevin cleared the congestion of men and embraced his brother. He held Tristan at arm’s length, looking the young man up and down.
“Nice shot.” He finally muttered.
Tristan shrugged, laughing; “One way or the other you were about to become a corpse.”
Kevin pushed his younger brother one handed on the side of his head as they laughed and walked back to the main hall.
“Alison should be arriving in a couple days while we mop up the last of this rabble.” He said.
“What? You brought her along?” Tristan asked, not bothering to hide the shock in his voice.
“She wouldn’t be left behind.” Kevin mused.
“Well, you never could say no to her.” Tristan laughed.
“What was that?” Kevin asked, stopping Tristan and turning to face him.
“You never could say no to her?” Tristan asked, smiling.
“How…” Kevin began.
“It’s ok Kev.” Tristan chuckled. “My memories began to return a few months ago.” He explained.
“All of them?” Kevin asked, still clearly surprised.
“Enough of them to know I owe you an apology.” Tristan replied, losing his smile slightly.
“What on earth for?” Kevin blurted in surprise.
Tristan regarded his older brother. Over the last few months, Tristan’s memories had slowly begun to return to him. In the moments between battles he’d been carefully exploring his past. He felt vaguely guilty for a lot of questionable actions of his past. Chief among them had been his terrible relationship with his older brother.
“Being a royal pain in the backside.” He answered finally.
Kevin burst out laughing, his booming voice echoed off the walls of the fortress. He clapped his large hand on Tristans shoulder.
“Bah.” Kevin dismissed. “That’s what kids do. After all, you’re the middle child.” They both laughed as they walked into the main hall.
~
“Alison, look!” Euri cried.
Looking out of their carriage window, the two of them bore witness the devastation left in Kevin’s wake. Corpses of strange creatures and destroyed structures littered the road on both sides as their escort rode through the clearest path.
“What a waste of life.” Alison muttered, settling back into her seat.
Eurydice grunted her agreement as she continued to look out over the landscape of corpses and smoldering ruins of the Terum army. At odd intervals men groaned at the passing carriage, causing more than one of their escort to snap his head in all directions. Twenty cavalry escorted the princesses, and had been for the last eight days. The girls had slept in the coach as it rolled on towards Heatherington. Alison was unwilling to stop for the night so their escort rotated their positions. Five men would ride ahead for half a day, get some sleep and meet up with the carriage as it passed, allowing the next group to do likewise.
At the moment they were in the middle of one such change-over as ten of the cavalry soldiers were ahead of them. They were due to meet up with the latest five in a couple of hours. With the Terum army in full retreat, Euri was impatient to have the soldiers here now. The piles of the dead and dying set her nerves on a frazzled edge.
The carriage rocked slightly and Euri looked down to see what they’d ridden over. There was nothing on the road and it was a smooth path as far as she could see ahead. The carriage lurched again and Alison’s eyes snapped open. She’d been dozing in the afternoon warmth and even she had felt the carriage’s unlikely movement.
Alison rushed to the window, looking out with Euri to see what was creating the rough ride. Euri continued to scan the road ahead, looking for rocks, bodies, pieces of equipment strewn across the road. Alison’s hand fell on Eurydice’s arm, squeezing with all of her strength.
“Ouch!” Eurydice cried out. “What’s wrong?!”
Alison pointed behind the carriage to answer. An enormous giant leapt over the smoldering ruin of a ballista and when he landed the carriage gave another almighty lurch that sent both girls crashing down onto the floor.
Quickly getting back on her seat, Eurydice slammed her small hand on the wall behind her. “Driver! Faster!” She yelled.
The driver sighed, obviously he’d heard this before and in an almost bored voice he replied; “Lady, we’ll arrive in short order. No need to rush.” He said in a bored, slightly annoyed voice.
“Look behind you man!” Alison screamed.
The driver groaned as he turned in his seat. Euri could imagine the color draining from his face as he swore loudly enough for the ladies to hear him. He began shouting orders to their escort, two of which leapt aboard the carriage and scampered onto the roof. They began firing arrows at the thirty foot tall creature, attempting to inflict as much damage as possible. The carriage increased in speed until both women could clearly hear the horses snorting for breath as they ran towards their destination, dangerously veering to the left and right to avoid the smoldering ruins of ballistae, catapult and command posts littering the road.
Euri silently thanked the fates that she was in a carriage with Alison; a lesser woman would have completely lost her head and begun screaming. Instead, Alison reached up above herself and pulled two bows down from the roof rack. She handed one to Eurydice and then pulled down a few quivers of arrows. “I can’t shoot very well.” Euri complained.
“Don’t worry.” Alison smiled encouragingly. “It’s a big target.”
Eurydice chuckled nervously as she pointed the weapon through the window and let her first arrow fly.
~
“Here.” Kevin said, tossing a pendant to Tristan.
“Another one?” Tristan groaned.
“This one came off of one of the soldiers in the dungeons.” Fred replied.
Tristan’s eyes shot up at his uncle.
“Where is he?” He demanded.
“Sorry lad. He hung himself with his bed sheet.” Captain Robertson replied, walking into the main hall.
Tristan swore.
“Aye. That’s what I said too, my Lord.” Robertson chuckled.
For the last two days Kevin’s army had been clearing out all of the remaining Terum forces from Sutten. A few minor skirmishes had erupted as they closed in on the Terum-Sutten border. Overall, the invading army was completely demoralized and beaten. The loss of their King and his magical advisor had broken the spine of the invaders.
None of the giants, orcs, trolls or any of the other strange creatures could be located. It was assumed that those who hadn’t perished had escaped back to whatever holes they called home. A few more Terum soldiers had been captured and communicated a bleak picture of things in their country. Kevin had dispatched letters to both Gerald and their father outlining the situation. Tristan had the sinking sensation that he was being included as part of a solution that he wasn’t quite sure he was ready for.
With no heir in Terum, the country was bound to descend into civil war and chaos, Tristan got the feeling that Kevin was recommending that he assume command of Terum. This feeling was made clear day by day as Kevin began discussing administration of large scale cities.
“Look. I don’t think I’m ready for this.” Tristan admitted.
“Ready or not little brother, we’ve got a rather large neighbor to our west and I’d rather not have hordes of bandits and petty rulers striking my city within the month.” Kevin laughed.
“Why can’t you just occupy Terum?” Tristan complained.
“I’ve got my own city to worry about.” Kevin explained. “Not to mention I’m next in line to be King.”
“Face it pup. You’re the only worthy choice.” Robertson laughed, patting the young Prince on the shoulder.
“Fine, General.” Tristan shot back sar
castically at the Knight-Captain.
Robertson’s face twisted into a grimace of pain and he swore, causing everyone to laugh.
The warning bell sounded and everyone cast shocked looks at one another. As one Tristan and Kevin rose and ran from the hall, taking the steps two at a time up the nearest staircase onto the battlements. Tristan was fastest as he slammed into the parapet staring out over the devastated battlefield.
A carriage was recklessly flying over the landscape, hitting what remained of bodies, buildings and weapons as it made a mad dash for the gates of the fortress. Kevin didn’t hesitate, he yelled for the gates to be opened as three giants appeared from behind the trees chasing the carriage. Tristan looked over at his brothers’ horror stricken face. He’d never seen his brother so distressed.
“What is it?” Tristan asked.
“Alison.” He muttered before running down the nearest staircase.
For the past two days William and Tristan had been working on a longbow for Tristan. It was of standard length, though because of the inherent magical properties in his mothers and apparently his hair he wove a few strands of his own hair around the bow before it was coated in sealant. He wasn’t sure if it would do anything. However, since it worked so well in his blades and the arrow that had killed the sorcerer he couldn’t see any harm in it.
Tristan unlimbered his new longbow and drew back a bead, aiming for the nearest giant. As he concentrated all of the sound around him seemed to dim and then vanish. All he could hear was the wind blowing slightly from the north; he adjusted his aim to compensate. It was still cold, the sun not completely rose yet, again, he adjusted to compensate. His arm began to throb slightly, still he held.
When Tristan loosed the arrow he sighed in relief, losing sight of the missile. A hundred yards away a giant screamed as he clapped his hands to his left eye and fell backwards. Tristan drew back again as the gates opened and his brother led a squad out to fight off the giants.
Again the young Prince tuned out all of the distractions and let the arrow fly. The arrow crossed the gap between the wall and the second creature, this time striking it between the eyes sending it reeling backwards. The tiny missiles wouldn’t kill a giant, though Tristan hopped that the distraction would help Alison and her entourage escape.
The carriage jumped as the second giant tripped and slammed into the ground, tossing up dirt and trees as it rolled to a stop. The third giant was dangerously close to the carriage. Tristan could see arrows raining out of the windows. The giant reached down and tried to grab the side of the carriage.
A small burst of fire erupted from inside the carriage. The giant pulled away his burnt hand, howling in anger. With his opposite hand he slammed the carriage just as his foot stomped down on the ground. The carriage jumped and then flew sideways a few feet as the giants hand collided with the side of it. Two soldiers fell out of the carriage and the giant stepped on them as he continued his chase.
The remaining giant reached down again, the carriage was close enough that Tristan could hear a pair of screams from inside. Kevin’s force was mere feet away from the giant and a score of spears connected with the giants arm and face as he reared up. The enormous creature howled in pain and began chasing after the riders.
The carriage hit a rather large piece of burnt wood from a trebuchet, causing the bridle to snap off the horses and the trusses came loose. The horses kept running for the gate, but the wagon turned left and collided with another large chunk of wood. The front right wheel shattered and the carriage rolled sideways. End over end it rolled at least a half-dozen times until it came to a rest at the base of the wall. Soldiers ran out of the keep and pulled two women out of the wreckage and carried them into the fortress. Kevin and his soldiers wheeled around and began a mad dash for the gates.
As the remaining giant drew closer, Tristan heard two mighty bow shots go off behind him as two ballistae missiles crossed the gap. One collided with the giant’s chest, rocking him backwards while the second slammed into his exposed stomach. The enormous creature lurched forward between strides and fell forward, forcing the missiles through his back with a sickening crack that could be heard from the walls. A shower of blood leapt from the wounds, marking the death of the last giant.
Quickly descending the steps, Tristan ran for the gate. He came barreling around the corner, hoping that Alison and her matron were alright. The soldiers cleared the gates, followed closely by Kevin who dismounted and grabbed a hold of his injured wife. He swept her into his arms, as effortlessly as one would a child and ran for the apothecary. Tristan rushed towards the soldier helping the blood splattered matron and offered to help him. The girl looked up and the color drained from Tristan’s face.
“Euri!” He muttered breathlessly.
Filled with adrenaline Tristan copied Kevin’s rush, sweeping Eurydice into his arms and making for the apothecary.
~
“Fools!” The consul bellowed as a bolt of fire inhaled one of her useless aides. The bolt continued into the opposite wall, scorching it and leaving smoldering legs to topple over as they sizzled.
“Amanda! I thought you were taking care of those damned dragons!” The Consul accused.
“I am m’lady.” She bowed.
The Master Dragon Slayer, Amanda Eberts, fairly bristled with all manner of weapons. Swords, spears, a wicked looking bow with razor tipped arrows. She was a tall woman, broad at the shoulders and slender in the hips. Her uncovered arms, upper chest and abdomen were covered in various scars. Anyone would call her attractive, but with her rippling muscles and scarred body and face, her attractiveness was far more appealing to the sort of men she employed as slayers.
Her slayers, once the most powerful sect within the Bane, were all similarly scarred and muscled. Each of her slayers had killed at least a dozen adult sized dragons to be considered slayers; her inner circle consisted of those who boasted at least fifty draconic kills.
Her gaze leveled at her one time lover, eyes on fire with anger at being cast down since the last of the dragons took to hiding from her warriors.
“My slayers are always on the lookout for dragons. One of my better slayers is with the Terum force now.” She added, smiling coldly.
“Yes, well the Terum army is routed and those that didn’t flee are held prisoner.” The consul raged. “How will your slayer report to you they’re shackled to the keep wall!?” She bellowed.
Slayer Eberts stood there, seething in anger, unable to voice her irritation for fear of being annihilated in another characteristic emotional display of controlled fire from her master.
“You’ll hunt down Socolis in Sutten and bring me back one of his eyes. Maybe then your failure will be overlooked.” The Consul ordered.
Amanda bowed, turned on her heel, storming out the front doors of the keep. Glowering she mounted her horse and took off at full gallop through the modest town and the open southern gate. She had no intention of traveling to Sutten; she was going someplace much closer where the prey was easier to come by and the rewards far more lucrative.
~
“How are they?” Tristan asked, standing up from the bench he and Kevin had been sitting on, pacing around and dozing on for the last seven hours. Kevin stood next to his brother, still looking strangely weak and shaky.
“The women will be fine, my Lords.” The apothecary replied.
He smiled comfortingly at the Princes and motioned for them to sit back down.
“They’re both rather bruised and battered you understand.” He explained. “I’ve given them both a tonic to induce a peaceful sleep. When they wake, they’ll be a bit disoriented but they will make a full recovery.”
The pained look that had cast its shadow over Kevin’s face visibly lifted. Tristan could sense he was still disturbed by todays near tragedy, though he could feel the relief from his older brother and he shared it. The apothecary ushered them out of his shop and asked them to return in the morning.
Wordlessly the tw
o brothers walked through Heatherington town and into the nearest pub. Tristan walked up the bar and ordered two ales while Kevin shuffled over to the table nearest the fireplace and sat down with an audible sigh as rubbed his face with his large hands. Tristan set the flagons down on the table and slumped into the seat opposite his older brother, rubbing his hand over his face as well.
“Me too.” Kevin grunted, taking a sip of the ale.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired.” Tristan observed as his brother nodded agreement.
“It’s the stress.” Remarked William as he pulled up a chair and put his own flagon of ale down.
“How are the girls?” Robertson asked as he joined them at the table.
“They’re fine.” Kevin replied. “Though a little worse for wear.”
Each of them was occupied with their own rambling thoughts while they drank deeply from their flagons. Finally, Tristan broke the silence.
“I’m going to finish this.” He blurted, looking up at the men around him. “Once and for all.” He concluded, draining his ale.
“I’m coming with you.” Kevin and William echoed one another.
Tristan motioned for the barmaid to bring another round of ales and then turned to his cousin and brother. After she had placed full mugs in front of each man and collected the empty ones, Tristan took a long drink.
“No.” He replied, intending to leave no room for argument.
Both men started to object, but Tristan cut them off.
“You two have wives and people that depend on you.” He said, looking into the fire.
“And you don’t?” Kevin probed.
“Not so you’d notice, no.” Tristan replied with a smirk. “Durshire got along just fine before I got there and has continued to do so since I left.”
“And a wife?” William insisted.
Draconis' Bane Page 24