This is a revised edition as of April 1st, seriously. Please read and Review.
Tall pine trees towered high into the night sky, illuminated by the full moon that hung above the forest, casting deep shadows that seemed to creep threw the trees. An ominous silence rested over the forest, only to be broken by the distinctive sound of horses hooves scuffling the dirt path they trotted along on.
A small carriage, being pulled along by two brutish looking stallions, tottered along a rarely used path that weaved through the trees. Marching alongside the rickety carriage were a handful of highly skilled knights, armed with heavy broadswords strapped to their waists and round bucklers slung across their backs. Emblazoned on each buckler was the mark of a lord.
Each of the knights carried a torch, and the orange glow of the flames held the grim darkness at bay, but only for the moment.
The shadows seemed to slink and slither through the trees, almost as if they had a life of there own. It set the small caravan on edge, there was no telling what might be lurking in the unforgiving forest from where they stood.
A night owl's hoot sounded from high in the trees, followed by a threatening howl. The baleful sound echoed through the trees, then seemed to drift off into the night, fading away to nothing more than an inaudible whisper. As the sound died away shadowy figures sprang from the trees.
The Knights froze momentarily, startled and caught off guard. It was a mistake to be regretted. The attackers wasted no time, they charged towards the Knights, taking them by storm with keen edged daggers.
"Ambush!" The terrified cry of the Knight was choked with fear, the man fought to draw his sword from the scabbard at his hip as one of the cloaked figures raced towards him. The broadsword rasped across the scabbard with a metallic hiss. The knight raised his sword high above his head and slung the weapon in a short arc at his approaching attacker.
With a ghost like grace the shadowy attacker dodged sideways and quickly flicked the sharp edged dagger out at the broadsword, knocking it away with a ear rattling clang. The knight fumbled backwards, stumbling over his own feet and dropping his weapon. His gaze rose slowly to meet that of his attackers. The cowl of a dark cloak was pulled around the attackers head, and the face and neck were obscured by a wreath of night. Only the dark eyes of the figure were visible.
Those dark eyes held a blazing, bitter anger.
There was no hesitation from the phantom like attackers, they finished off the knights, laying them to waste with practiced ease. They severed the horses harnesses, sending the startled beasts barreling off into the night. The torches of the knights were kicked into the dust, their light extinguished to nothing more than black ashes.
The last flame died away, darkness as thick and deep as the sky was broad settled over the forest.
"How far now Ranger?"
Gilan sighed at the tall knight mounted beside him on a sturdy white battle horse. The muscular knight had to have asked Gilan that same question at least a thousand times that sunny morning.
"Not too much further now Roland." Gilan replied, giving Roland a sidelong glance that was dominated by spite.
The scorching hot journey from Meric fief to Redmont left the small traveling party rather irritable. Along with Roland there were ten highly capable knights trailing restlessly behind Gilan. The small group of men had traveled all morning across the parched highway of the King, moving at a steady pace through the unwavering heat. As the broiling day dragged on, so did the knights, and Gilan hoped desperately they would at least reach Redmont before nightfall.
In truth, Gilan was overly anxious to get to Redmont, for he hadn't been let on to know much about the group of warriors he was leading. He'd only been told that the knights would need a guide as they made there way to the castle of Redmont. It roused his curiosity, surely a group of well trained knights could find there way from one castle to the next without too much trouble? Not to mention that there was hardly a need for so many knights in Redmont, unless, of course their was something else going on that required a rather hefty force of warriors.
Either way, Gilan was eager to know more about what was happening in Redmont, and he planned to find out exactly what with the help of his former mentor.
Suddenly Gilan was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of rapidly approaching hoof beats, the startled Ranger turned to see a well built man with sandy blonde hair. He was mounted on a tall brown battle horse, racing towards Gilan. The knight had bright blue eyes and a wide grin as he reined in beside the Ranger.
The Ranger couldn't suppress a grin at the cheerful face beside him. "I didn't think you'd make it" he murmured to the Knight.
"Now why in the world would the Battle master of Meric fief miss out on an opportunity like this?" The knight told Gilan as he caught his breath. "It's not everyday that us knights get to go charging into other fiefs you know." A wide grin spread across the mans face as he spoke.
"I'm just glad you made it Cedric." Gilan replied coyly, but Cedric hardly seemed to notice as he stared at the musty dirt path in front of them.
Ahead the path widened broadly, and atop a small hill ahead stood the castle of Redmont, it's tall towers glimmering red in the dying sunlight.
At the sight of the magnificent castle Gilan eagerly nudged Blaze forward, sending the bay horse into a light gallop. Behind the Ranger, the knights of Meric fief followed suit. After several minutes of hard riding the warriors had reached the castle of Redmont. Their pace slowed dramatically as the last bit of light died away beyond the horizon.
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