by John Migacz
CHAPTER 48
For Balthus and Adrianna, the next week on the trail was encouraging. The trio’s riding improved and only Janelle had fallen off. She hadn’t been hurt badly, but it did seem to bruise her pride. That was one thing Balthus liked about these folks, wherever they were from. They were proud, resolute and competitive. They would never learn in a few days what a lifetime of riding could teach, but they began making more miles every day. The weather cooperated by being sunny, yet not too hot.
At mid-morning Balthus rode abreast of Adrianna at the rear of the column while Bo rode point.
Adrianna glanced over at Balthus. “These folks seem to be a lot more close-mouthed than several days ago,” she said.
“True, but that just means we have to be more devious in prying information out of them. The question is – do we want to know more?”
“Yes,” she said. “Knowledge is always good, even if you don’t like what it reveals. But I don’t think tiring them out and filling them with hot food will work any longer.”
“Probably not,” Balthus said with a nod. “Next time I will try strong drink. That usually loosens a man’s tongue.”
Adrianna smiled. “It does in your case.”
“Naah, it just makes me realize people wish to hear more of my golden tones. But – ” Balthus glanced ahead and rose in his saddle.
“It’s Bo, and he’s coming back like his trousers are on fire!” Balthus spurred his luse to meet him.
Adrianna rode to Janelle and handed her the pack animal’s reins.
“Balthus!” yelled Bo as he galloped back. He reined up and pointed behind him. “A carriage! A carriage is under attack, about a quarter of a mile away, where the trail meets a road. They –”
“Calm down, boy. How many men are attacking, what are their weapons, are they lused or on foot?”
Bo stopped and closed his eyes. “Six men on luses. Some men lying on the ground. Everyone was using swords. The carriage folk were fending them off from inside and on top of the carriage.”
“Did they see you?” Balthus asked.
“No, I’m sure they didn’t.”
Adrianna rode up and Balthus turned. “Carriage attack, luseback, swords, six men, one quarter mile,” said Balthus. He loosened his sword in its scabbard. “For the attack to be against a carriage, it must be at the junction of this trail and the Kings Road. That heavily wooded area is a good place for an ambush.”
“And a good place to counter-attack,” said Adrianna.
Balthus grinned and turned to Janelle. “Ride with us but don’t try to keep up. If you arrive and the fighting is still going on, stay well back.” He looked at Rory and Bo, excitement blooming on his face. “Well men, let’s see if you’ve learned anything from our practice. Let’s ride!” He spurred his luse to a gallop, followed closely by Adrianna.
As they neared the junction, Balthus and Adrianna drew their weapons. Rory and Bo followed suit. Bursting onto the road, Balthus charged. A richly-appointed carriage sat in the road. A liveried guard stood on top wielding a halberd. A blood-covered driver sat slumped in his seat. Someone inside the coach lashed out the window with a sword. It was only a matter of time before the carriage fell to the five remaining attackers, one of whom was on foot.
Two bodies lay on the ground, one attacker and one liveried guard. The attackers wore a motley collection of armor and weapons. Balthus knew immediately whose side he was on, and spurred his luse to a charge.
Balthus smashed like a thunderbolt into the milling lusemen. The nearest one barely had time to turn his head before Balthus brought down his sword on the man’s neck. The second man brought his sword up but Balthus ran him through.
Adrianna engaged the third. The bandit blocked her first slash, but with a quick flurry of blows, Adrianna ran the point of her sword into his throat.
Bo rode to the fourth man and exchanged a few blows, but could not handle his luse and his sword at the same time. Bo tried to back off and his opponent drove in. With a loud yell, Rory galloped in and buried his battleaxe into the man’s spine.
All the mounted bandits were down. The one on foot began running down the road. Balthus rode abreast of Rory and Bo.
“Should we let him go?” asked Bo.
“Rory, your axe please,” said Balthus. Rory handed it over and with a quick flash, the axe flew down the road, imbedding itself into the fleeing bandit’s back. The hard blow knocked him off his feet and sent him skidding, face down, onto the highway.
Balthus grinned. “Thanks. You can have your axe back now.”
Balthus cleaned his sword on a bandit’s bedroll and sheathed it. Riding closer to the carriage, he looked up at the guard who was still standing on top, breathing hard. Adrianna rode to Balthus’ side.
“Good morning to you, friend,” Balthus said to the guard. “Sorry about the vermin hereabouts, but that happens now and again. Rotten day you’re having, isn’t it?” The guard was still in fight mode and Balthus knew better than to get too close. “You did a fine job of defense. Smart of you to stay up there.”
Fear slowly drained from the guard’s face. He lowered his halberd, then looked at the coach driver.
“George!” he cried. Dropping his weapon, he scrambled to the driver’s side.
Balthus could see that the driver was dead and turned to the coach door. “Hello the coach!”
A sword pushed aside a curtain and a young face peered out.
“It’s all right, Lad,” said Balthus. “It’s over. The highwaymen have been given their just rewards.”
The coach door opened. A boy, about sixteen years of age, dressed in expensive tunic and boots, stepped out, still brandishing his sword. He, too, was still in shock, his face paler than his fair skin and blond hair could attest.
“Put up your sword, Sir,” said Adrianna. “You are among friends.”
The young man slowly lowered his sword until the point touched the ground then glanced at the almost headless man Balthus had taken down first. Putting a hand on the carriage door he leaned over and wretched.
Adrianna was off her luse in a second and had her arm around the boy.
A duplicate of the young man’s face appeared at the doorway, except this one was female. “Gerin! Are you all right?” she asked.
Balthus dismounted and held a hand out to the young lady. “Yes lass, he’s all right. He’s just got his blood up. It takes some getting used to.”
The young lady took Balthus’ hand as she stepped down from the carriage. Adrianna had Gerin sitting by the rear wheel and was holding a wineskin to his lips.
The young lady looked at the dead bandits. “Did you slay them all?”
“Yes Missy, you’ve nothing to fear,” said Balthus.
“Good!” she said, her lips curling into a snarl. “They deserved no less.” She looked Balthus up and down, then placed her hands on her hips. “I am the Lady Gerilia of Jedaria. That is my brother Gerin,” she said, pointing to the still-seated young man. “Now that the bandits have been taken care of, you will escort us to Freetown. My father is Councilman Thoril Jedar of Freetown, a very important man. I’m sure you’ve heard of him. A reward will be forthcoming, I’m sure. Let us be off.”
Balthus didn’t move but stroked his beard. “Jedar, Jedar…” he said, pondering. Turning to Bo, he said, “Isn’t he the merchant who sells that sour wine?”
Bo smiled.
The young woman stamped her foot. “My father’s vineyards produce the best wine on Ravar! And none of it is sour!” She turned to the guard still sitting in the driver’s seat holding the driver. “Troshy! Let’s get moving!”
Troshy looked up, tears running down his face.
“He’s dead, Ma’am. Georgie’s dead,” he said and held the body tighter.
Balthus climbed to the driver’s seat, put two fingers on George’s neck, and confirmed Troshy
’s statement. He placed a hand on Troshy’s shoulder. “Aye man, he’s gone,” Balthus said, and gave him a gentle squeeze.
“But he was always so good, and always so lucky!” said Troshy. His face said he couldn’t comprehend his friend’s death.
“I’m sure he was, Lad, but sometimes being good and lucky is still not enough,” said Balthus softly. “Come, there’s a little glen off the path that I’m sure George would like to be his resting place. Come. I’ll help.”
Troshy wiped his eyes with his sleeve and nodded.
“Get a bedroll from one of the bandit’s luses,” Balthus called down to Bo. “Rory, grab poor Georgie’s feet here and we’ll lower him.”
Balthus, Troshy and Rory lifted George’s body down to the ground and Bo spread a bedroll over him.
“Are you going to take time to bury him?” said Gerilia. Disbelief filled her voice.
“Aye lass, we surely will. Same as we would have done for you had we arrived later,” said Balthus. “This man gave his life defending yours. It’s not something done lightly.” He frowned down at the girl. “Nor should it be taken lightly.”
Gerin, having recovered somewhat, stepped in front of his sibling. “Sir, please forgive my sister. She is young and inexperienced in such matters.”
“You’re only three minutes older!” she said, scowling at what was obviously an old argument.
Gerin ignored her. “Allow me to know the names of our benefactors. We are most grateful,” he said, bowing his head.
“I am Sir Balthus of Steradam. This is my consort, the Lady Adrianna, and our friends, Bo, Rory, and – ” Balthus looked down the trail and saw Janelle arriving with the packluses, “– and the Lady Janelle.”
“Thank you all, good Sirs and Madams. My sister is right about our father. He will be most generous when he hears of your exploits during our timely rescue.”
“Fair enough, young Sir. Now if you will excuse us, we must clean up the King’s Highway,” said Balthus. He turned to Bo and Rory. “Pull this trash off the road. But first gather up their weapons, purses, and jewelry.”
Bo made a disgusted face.
“Problem, Bo? I never thought you’d be squeamish.”
“No, it just smacks of stealing from the dead, that’s all.”
Balthus laughed. “It won’t be stealing. Anything of value you find will have been pilfered by those bastards.” Balthus placed a hand on Bo’s shoulder. “We may find a ring or locket from another band of travelers who weren’t lucky enough to have us happen along. It might go a long way to ease the minds of folks who would otherwise never know the fate of their loved ones.”
Bo nodded. “Of course, Balthus. I didn’t think of it that way. I’d be glad to do it.”
“And I’m glad to see that somewhere in the universe these things never have to be thought of,” Balthus said, unable to resist the dig.
Bo just smiled, shook his head and began searching the bodies.
With shovels from the carriage boot, Balthus and Troshy dug graves in a small, grassy meadow for George and the other guard killed in the attack. Troshy gave Balthus a blow by blow of the skirmish while they dug.
“This trip was supposed to be a quick way to earn a silver. George said this job would be easy. George usually drove wagons, and I did odd jobs. He talked me into going along as one of the guards. I didn’t even see George get stabbed! Him and me grew up together.” He stopped and stared at Balthus. “What am I gonna tell Lucinda?” He thrust his shovel fiercely into the ground and shook his head. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
Rory came to help with the digging and they finished quickly. Adrianna, Janelle and the young lad Gerin joined them as they finished filling the graves.
“Sir?” said Troshy to Balthus. “Could you say a few words over George? I’m sure Lucinda would be glad to hear we did.”
Balthus nodded. “I would be honored.”
Balthus tore two small sprigs from a nearby evergreen tree and the group gathered around the gravesites. Balthus crossed his wrists and bowed his head. “Great Maker, please accept George into your house with open arms. By all accounts, he was a good man. He did his best to the very end. No more could be asked of anyone.” He placed the sprig on the mound and moved to the other grave. “What was this one’s name?” he asked Troshy.
“I’m not sure, I think it was Jake. We only just met and he never said much.”
Balthus turned to Gerin, cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. Gerin shrugged and stared at the ground.
Balthus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Great Maker, please accept this poor soul into your house. He gave his life trying to save others. There isn’t a more noble way to earn admittance.” He placed the sprig on the mound and shook his head. “An unnamed man in an unmarked grave. Never has there been a truer saying than, ‘There go I, but for luck.’” Balthus inhaled deeply then herded everyone back to the carriage.
Gerilia leaned out of the carriage window. “Can we be off now?”
Balthus looked skyward. “No. Slaying bandits makes me hungry. It’s time for dinner, Missy.”
“Don’t call me Missy! My name is Lady Gerilia and you will address me so!”
Balthus took a step toward her. “It takes more than fine clothes to make a lady – Missy.” He turned to Gerin. “Is she always this way?”
“Yes, I’m sorry to admit. After our mother died, Father spoiled her shamelessly. The more I see of it, the more I think he has done her a great disservice.”
“Very perceptive of you, young man,” said Balthus.
“Stop talking about me as if I’m not here!” wailed Gerilia. She leaned back inside the carriage and jerked down the shade.
Balthus shook his head and placed a hand on Gerin’s shoulder. “Come, share our meager dinner.” Balthus was taken by the boy’s courage and apparent depth of character. They walked to where Adrianna and Janelle were unloading packs and Rory was building a fire.
“How is it you are traveling this way?” asked Balthus. “Going home in time for the Spring Fair?”
“Yes,” said Gerin. “My sister spent the season down in Colonade at our aunt’s. I have been at the Academy all winter, as I have for the last four winters.”
“Ah, a scholar, eh?” said Balthus. “You’ll do your father proud, with your book skills plus the way you handled yourself during the attack.”
Gerin’s ears reddened. “I’d like to think so, but to tell you the truth, I have never been so frightened in my life. I guess I don’t have it in me to be a warrior.”
Balthus laughed. “You think warriors are never frightened?” he asked. “Let me tell you what courage is, son. Courage is being terrified out of your wits, but doing what you know to be right anyway. You showed plenty of courage during the attack. The fear that fills your guts just lessens each time you draw your sword because you know you’ve always gotten through it before.”
“What happens if you don’t get through it?” Gerin asked.
Balthus laughed again. “Then it’s all over so quickly you don’t have a chance to be afraid.”
“Gerin,” said Adrianna. “Come over here and stay away from Balthus. He’ll corrupt you with his tall tales. Balthus, leave the lad alone. It has been a hard morning for him.”
“Yes, Mother,” grinned Balthus.
They gathered around the fire and Adrianna passed out travel bread and cheese. She poured a cup of hot chail and handed it to Gerin. “Why did you choose to travel with so few guards? You must have been told how dangerous the roads are lately.”
Gerin looked sheepish. “Yes, we were supposed to wait for father’s guards and carriage, but Gerilia wanted to get to the Fair quickly. She hired the coach and the men over my protests.”
Balthus glanced at the carriage. Troshy was serving Gerilia dinner in her coach with supplies from the carriage boot. “W
hat is so important in Freetown that you had to return without the proper retinue?”
Gerin blushed and shook his head. “I’m loath to tell you, Sir Balthus. It would make us appear more foolish than we already have.”
“I don’t think that’s possible,” exclaimed Balthus. “So you might as well.”
Gerin opened his mouth to speak, then realized what Balthus had said. This led to a new round of blushing. “Gerilia wants to participate in Freetown’s Beauty Pageant,” he said ruefully. “If we had waited for father’s carriage, she would have missed the opening ceremonies.”
Balthus stared at him.
“I know, I know,” Gerin said, running a hand through his hair. “But you can’t imagine how persistent she can be!” His tone was frantic.
Balthus stared into his mug of chail. “So – you are like your father after all.” He sipped his chail, then looked at the boy. “I hope you realize now that bowing to her is not only a disservice to her, but is very dangerous to others.”
Gerin stared back. “Yes, Sir. I can see that – now.”
Balthus grinned. He felt a connection with the boy. The lad had the potential to be a fine man someday.
Bo joined them and dropped a small bundle at Balthus’ feet. Stooping, Bo poured himself a mug of chail. “Not much of a haul,” he said and grabbed a hunk of bread. “Not an abundance of coin, but there are some personal effects.”
Balthus opened the bundle and sorted through the items. He picked up a gold ring set with a tiny ruby. “A child’s ring,” he muttered. His massive fist tightened around the ring and storm clouds of anger filled his face. “I’m glad we sent those bastards to hell!” he growled. “All such curs should suffer the same fate.” He dropped the ring into the bundle and the anger left his face like a cloud moving away from the sun.
“And you two!” he roared, pointing to Bo and Rory. “You were splendid!” He grinned, as did Bo and Rory. “You didn’t hesitate when it mattered, and you did your best.”
“I wasn’t too sure about that during the fight,” said Bo. “But thanks to Rory here,” he patted Rory’s back, “I’m alive to talk about it.”
“Aye,” said Balthus. “Once you’re in a fight, it’s too late to wonder if it was a good idea.” He looked at Rory. “A fine blow, well struck. It certainly satisfies the heart to send a band of scum like that to hell. Bo, I’m sorry my instructions didn’t include more attack work from luseback. We will correct that deficiency.”
“I have a lot to learn,” said Bo, shaking his head. “Hell, I’m still having a hard time believing those men would callously kill everyone in the carriage for a few bits of metal.”
Balthus shook his head. “I can never understand mankind either. I see a fine figure of a man like Gerin here,” he said, placing a hand on a blushing Gerin’s shoulder, “and I see vipers like the bunch we eliminated. Which are we? Evil Incarnate or the Maker’s Tools?”
“Either, I think,” said Janelle, “with the potential to be both or anything in between.”
Balthus stared at her, and pondered her words. “So it’s like that where you are from also?” he asked.
She returned his stare. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”
“Where are you from, Lady Janelle?” asked Gerin innocently.
“South!” Balthus and Adrianna said it in unison and much too loudly.
Gerin jerked and became interested in his mug of chail.
“Well, Janelle,” said Balthus. “You can ride in the carriage if you’d like. I’m sure neither of the occupants would mind.”
“I am aware of your conversations with the ‘Lady’ Gerilia, Balthus. I think I will stick to my luse.” She smiled. “He’s a good listener and never talks back.”
“Gerilia isn’t that bad,” said Gerin defensively. “She’s just used to getting her way. She really has many fine qualities.”
“I’m sure she does, Lad,” said Balthus. “She’s your sister after all, isn’t she?”
Gerin nodded vigorously at his ally.
“But you are twins,” continued Balthus, “and perhaps you got all the shine and she got all the sh– well it doesn’t matter. If everyone is ready, we should be off.”
Everyone chuckled except Gerin.
“Troshy!” yelled Balthus as they approached the carriage.
“Yes, Sir,” he answered, doffing his hat.
“Do you think you can drive the coach?”
“Yes, Sir. George let me drive part of the way and I’m sure I can do it.”
“Good, you climb up there and get to it. If you have any problems, just holler and we’ll sort it out,” said Balthus. He tied the bandit’s luses and their pack animals to the rear of the coach. “You’ll be a seasoned coach driver by the end of our trip.”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.” Troshy’s face lit with the possibility of a new career.
Balthus mounted and waited until everyone was ready. He signaled Adrianna that he would take point, and the party moved out.