“Come out of there, you old hermit!” yelled one of the soldiers, apparently the captain. “Give the kids up and we’ll let you go free and unharmed. By order of the King, the boy and girl are to be returned to Eldergate to await their trial for the murder of three of our men.”
“How about you leave and never come back, maybe then I will let you live!” screamed Orin through the wall, seemingly enjoying the thrill of danger. “I haven’t felt this alive in years!” he said happily, turning to David and Erin.
They each shook their heads in disbelief. This old man was ancient, how was he expected to fight off these deadly soldiers with nothing but a walking stick?
“So be it!” yelled the captain, as his soldiers began slowly moving forward towards the cabin, preparing to strike.
David realized they were trapped…they had no choice but to fight. David and Erin drew their swords and Orin readied his staff that he had been using as a walking stick. They stood armed and ready for whatever the soldiers had to offer.
Just then they heard one of the soldiers scream out, then another followed by the sound of steel clashing and the unmistakable roar of combat. They ran to the door and swung it wide to see what was going on.
The barbarian from the bar was battling the remaining soldiers with his giant two-sided axe, having knocked two soldiers already down on the ground, each with throwing axes protruding from their backs. Whatever he was doing here they couldn’t guess, but they knew this was their chance. They ran out to the battle and joined in the fight.
David ran towards the closest soldier on the right, his back still turned. He swung viciously at the gap in his armor between his helmet and his shoulder piece. The soldier ducked when he heard David approaching from behind and rolled away safely as David’s sword dug into the ground.
Erin dashed to the soldiers on the left but found more luck as she stabbed the tip of her sword into the back of the closest soldier who was distracted by the barbarian’s ferocious attacks. The sword pierced his leather armor with ease and the soldier cried out as the tip of the sword dug into his flesh.
Orin began chanting and a scorching ball of flame manifested in the air before him, launching towards the middle of the soldier’s now loose formation. The fireball hit the ground and the flames roared into life, scrambling the soldiers into smaller groups for the defenders to fight off.
Meanwhile, the barbarian was fighting off two soldiers on his own. He was swinging his massive axe with ease and perfection, holding off his opponents at a balanced stalemate. The soldiers couldn’t get any closer in fear of being hacked to bits by the axe. Noticing the soldier’s distractions, Erin took out her dagger and hurled it toward one of the soldiers. The dagger pierced into the back of his leg and through his knee. The soldier fell down in agony clutching at his wounded leg, giving the barbarian ample time to adjust his swing and hack off the kneeled soldier’s head.
With only six soldiers left, the fight was becoming more severe. David was still fighting back and forth with one soldier while Erin and Orin were busy with fights of their own. The barbarian only had one opponent to concentrate on now and took him down with ease. He stood by and watched the strangers engaged in combat, measuring their skills as they battled the remaining soldiers.
David ducked just in time as the soldier’s blade nearly nipped his scalp. He countered with an upward thrust, but his opponent was trained well, and he swatted the attack aside, jabbing a counter of his own. David jumped backward avoiding the reach of the sword by inches.
He knew he was outmatched and couldn’t last much longer, wondering why his instincts weren’t helping him now like they had before. The soldier pressed onward, and hard.
David was on his heels working desperately to parry each attack as it came swift and sure. The blades rung like bells as the steel clashed together, sending sparks outward like fireworks. The soldier shifted his weight and sent a deadly swing towards David’ midsection, hoping to catch him off balance, but something inside him made him move almost as if he anticipated the soldier’s attack.
Then it hit him. He remembered his last encounter, where he had little to no time to think. He was just reacting instinctively to the danger. He quickly realized that he was thinking too much about the fight and that was preventing him from accessing that hidden part of his mind that saved his life only days before.
Emboldened by his sudden insight, David ducked and swerved around the soldier’s attacks, barely missing the mark each time, looking for his moment to strike.
Finally, outraged by his lack of success, the soldier ran full force at David with a look of determination. He came at him with the force of a hurricane, moving faster than anything he had ever seen, but still David parried the attacks with inhuman speed and finesse.
In a desperate attempt, the soldier kicked up dirt at his opponent trying to blind him and make an opening, but instead caught his foot on a small root and stumbled toward David, arms flailing as he lost his balance. David took the opening and struck home. His blade slid cleanly through the soldier’s armor, piercing his abdomen, the forward momentum of the soldier’s fall causing the blade to slide all the way to the hilt. The soldier toppled to the ground, reaching up at David in desperation before drawing his final breath.
David quickly pulled his sword free and turned to another soldier who had been rolling around on the ground trying to put out the fire that had burst forth on his clothing. He was slightly burned from the experience, leaving one arm exposed and raw.
When he saw David, he quickly got up and charged him, considering his opponent to be weak and an easy target. He quickly realized he was mistaken, as David spun his sword around and, much to his own surprise, disarmed him within seconds. The soldier, seeing he was outmatched, raised his hands, and slowly backed away before turning and running into the woods.
Free from the fight, David turned and saw Erin fighting off an opponent of her own. He was impressed at the skill and finesse she demonstrated. It was as if she were dancing with a blade, perfectly blocking and countering every attack the soldier hurled her way.
The soldier finally made a fatal error and left his right side open for an attack. Erin took advantage of the flaw in his defense perfectly and cut hard at his open flank, swinging with such force it lodged her blade deep into his side.
The soldier fell to the ground, clutching at Erin’s sword still stuck deep in his flesh. She pulled it free and wiped off the blood before sheathing it back in its scabbard on her hip, leaving the soldier down on his knees. He took a few laborious breaths before falling lifeless to the ground. After seeing that David was okay, they both turned to the old man and their final two opponents.
Orin was apparently handling the situation well, holding back both of the soldiers alone with just his staff. When one went to attack, he swiftly spun and dodged, slapping his stick on the back of the man’s head, knocking him to the ground. Then, the other would rush at him and Orin would side-step, duck under the blow, and trip his attacker with ease. He was toying with them, David noticed, and suddenly his sense of respect for this old man went far beyond just his impossible old age.
When the soldiers scrambled to their feet and looked around, they saw their companions lying dead on the ground and realized that they were now severely outnumbered. They quickly sheathed their weapons and ran into the forest back towards town, vowing they would return with even more soldiers.
“You do that!” yelled Orin after them, “Maybe then you’ll actually stand a chance!” he teased, bending over, and slapping his knee.
“You’re a crazy old man, you know that, right?” said David, chuckling and shaking his head in disbelief.
“I’ve been called that once or twice,” replied Orin with a mischievous grin.
Erin turned towards the large man with the axe.
“You’re the man from the bar. Why did you come help us?” she asked.
“The name’s Rex. I saw you talking to Elbert and knew he was up t
o no good. I decided to follow you and make sure everything went smoothly and thank the Heavens I did. It seemed my help was needed after all. Plus…I always enjoy a good fight.” he said, laughing.
“Well, your help was greatly appreciated, Rex.” said David. “My name is David Bishop, and this is Erin Alderan and Orin Nightingale.” he said, pointing to the others.
“Happy to meet you all.” said Rex. “If you don’t mind me asking, why were the soldiers after you?” he asked.
“That’s complicated….” replied David, looking over at Erin, gauging her response.
“There was a coup in Eldergate led by the General of the Royal Guard. He betrayed our King, and for some reason, he wants us dead. I’m not sure why, but he sent some soldiers to my home, and when my mother wouldn’t give them what they wanted, they murdered her to get it.
“When we fled the city, we were followed by a small group of soldiers from the Royal Guard. They confronted us and, in the skirmish, we killed two of them. After injuring the final one, we forced him to tell us everything he knew”
She continued to tell Rex and Orin of the information the soldier had revealed. How the King had apparently gone mad and was saying he intended to release the Defiant One from his prison, forcing the General to imprison him and take control of the Kingdom. How the General had been secretly working with the Wolf Guard to track down David’s whereabouts, and how he now was using them as his personal sentries, letting them wreak havoc on the citizens of the city and threatening to feed the men’s families to the wolves if they didn’t cooperate.
“That’s quite a load of information at once,” said Rex, considering everything they had just told him. “I wonder what the General could have wanted with your mother. She must have had something valuable to him or he wouldn’t have sent his soldiers to search your home.” he reasoned.
“That’s what I’ve been wondering too…I just don’t get it. All she had mentioned was my father…” replied Erin, thinking back on her mother’s last words.
“And was he close to the King?” asked Rex.
“Not that I know of. He was a traveling merchant. I never met the man…” said Erin.
“There is definitely a riddle here that needs to be solved,” chimed in Orin, “but for now, we must go. We are no longer safe here. Those men will eventually return, and this time, I fear they will bring a much greater force.”
“But where will we go?” asked Erin.
“For now? We must go deep within the forest. There we will have more time to consider our best course of action.” replied Orin, to which the party seemed to all agree on.
The four of them took one last look at the carnage that lay around them before taking off down a path into the forest, away from West Post and into the heart of the Outer Woods.
Chapter X
The Elders appeared in the palace courtyard merely seconds after their departure from their chamber. What lay before them nearly took their breath away.
The palace had changed from the once beautifully decorated fortress to a now desolate and gloomy stronghold. The scattered bodies of dead soldiers lay everywhere, bloody and broken on the main steps.
The main entrance had evidence of an epic battle that took place only moments before. There were scorch marks and arrows deeply embedded into the walls, along with the mutilated bodies of palace servants who were mercilessly slaughtered and left for the birds.
The Elders knew the Royal Guards would have done everything they could to prevent this massacre, but they must have been overmatched. They hoped that the King was more fortunate, but they feared they were too late to save him.
The Master Elder rushed up the great stone steps to the palace entrance and cast the doors aside with a wave of his hand, throwing the doors open with such force it nearly knocked them off their hinges.
Immediately they were met by dozens of soldiers rushing out of the palace doors, swords drawn and in the ready.
“Thank the Heavens! There were survivors!” The Master Elder sighed with relief. “Where is the King?” he asked urgently.
A soldier that appeared to be the ranking officer stepped forward, sword still drawn and ready for combat. “We are under direct orders from the King to take you into custody.” he replied.
“What’s the meaning of this? The King would never issue such an order.” replied the Master Elder.
“Come with me now or King Krauss will have your heads on a stake!” urged the captain.
The other soldiers shifted uncomfortably behind the captain, clearly unsure if they could make good with their captain’s threat. These were the Elders, and they were known for their magical prowess in more than just prophecy.
“King Krauss? I see…I will have to have a word with your new king it seems…” replied the Master Elder, raising his staff with the other elders following his lead.
“As you wish old man.” said the captain.
He motioned for his company to detain the Elders. They sprang immediately into action, attempting to surround the Elders and detain them.
Together as one unit the elders all threw up their staff’s and a shockwave shot out from their ranks and knocked the closest soldiers flat on their backs. The soldiers who weren’t initially knocked down by the wave charged at the Elders but were only knocked back with equal force.
“If you value your lives, you will surrender at once!” yelled the Master Elder, a look of fierce intensity blazing in his eyes. He didn’t want to harm these men, but he was prepared to do what he must to get to Tyrius and the King.
“Enough games!” shouted the leader, “Kill them!” he spat, charging towards the Master Elder. His soldiers followed his command and it was the last order they ever followed. The battle was over in mere seconds.
The Elders slowly stepped over the broken bodies of the fallen soldiers and pressed onward as if nothing had ever happened.
Once in the palace, the Elders swiftly worked their way through the long corridors and endless staircases up to the King’s private study where they had felt Tyrius’ initial alarm.
They could tell there had been an intense skirmish within the halls leading up to the King’s study. There were splotches of blood splattered here and there on the walls and along the corridors as they made their way through the palace. Large wedges had been cut into some of the wood railings lining the stairs and balconies, and endless gouges ran along the plastered walls where swords or axes had been carelessly swung and stuck. Seeing the state of the palace, the Elders quickened their pace, hoping they weren't already too late.
Despite the resistance they faced at the front doors, only a few rogue soldiers tested their luck against the Elder’s combined might as they passed through the halls, and it wasn't long before they reached their destination.
When they arrived at the landing before the study, the head Elder slowly opened the door. The room was empty apart from the normal decorations. The Elders cautiously walked in and the door slammed shut behind them.
“Ah…the Elders have come at last. I was wondering when you would show up.” echoed a familiar voice that rang around the room.
The Elders turned to see General Krauss leaning in the doorway, the King’s crown perched on his head.
“Where is Tyrius, and what have you done with the King?” cried the Master Elder.
He took a step towards General Krauss, who casually laughed as a wicked smile stretched across his face.
“Oh, you needn’t worry about them, Master.” he feigned a bow. “You see, they are safe and well...for now. You have much bigger concerns to worry about, but you already know this, don’t you?” he teased.
“Don’t play games with me, Octavian!” replied the Master Elder impatiently. “My patience is wearing quite thin with my old age.” he threatened.
“As is mine!” spat the General. “I have waited far too long for this moment, and that boy arrived just in time. The time has finally come to exact my vengeance on the royal family for what they ha
ve done to my people!”
“Your people?” cried the Elder. “The King saved your life! If it weren’t for him, you surely would have died! The people of Eldergate are your people as much as anyone!”
“You’re wrong! The King tried to cover up the truth. He saved me only to bury his guilt of what his family did to mine!” spat the General, a fire in his eyes. “He thought I wouldn’t find out, that I would never know my true heritage.” He slowly began pacing the room, seemingly unconcerned with the threatening presence of the Elders only feet away.
“I’ve been waiting for years now, gathering all the pieces together, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, to overthrow his pathetic rule.” cried the General.
“What do you mean?” asked the Master Elder, eager to hear what his plans were.
“What, you don’t know already? I thought you were masters of prophecy?” taunted the General. “But as usual blinded by them it seems; the same flaw that has hidden my plans from you all this time. You see, during my childhood I took it upon myself to read all the ancient scripts within the King’s study after finishing my private lessons.
“I have always had a thirst for knowledge, you know. In the course of my searching I came across a historical account of the last Great War that came to be known as the War to end all Wars.
“I discovered that the war was waged by a great king who sought above all else, wealth and power. When he learned of the Orb of Power, he led his armies to war against the Northern Kingdom in hopes to overcome the King and take control of the orb for his own ambitions. But he was defeated in battle and his kingdom was put to ruin and shame, along with his entire family. His name was Gerome Krauss.”
The General looked up at the Master Elder, letting the implication sink in.
The Master Elder slowly sighed, having feared this day would come eventually.
“Just because your surnames are the same, doesn’t mean you are family, Octavian!” he pleaded, trying to conceal the truth.
“Yes, I did consider that at first. But as I looked more into it, I found that the book gave a detailed account of this King and his family. You see, each first-born male had a very specific trait that was passed down from generation to generation. It was said to be a symbol from the Creator God Himself and was what made them worthy to be rulers over the kingdom.
David Bishop and the Legend of the Orb Page 9