Chapter Two
A few weeks later
"Lords and ladies," the Queen of the Darion Empire announced formally. "I have called you here to resolve an emergency within our realm." She paused and looked around the throne room table. Not much had changed over the past few years. Crimson Sabatt stood casually at one end of the table, and Lord Elias was away on a trade mission to Gallos, but otherwise the small group around the table looked exactly as it had during the war with the Red Prince.
She cleared her throat a little. "Lord Hakim, it was you who brought this to my attention. Will you please elaborate on the matter for the benefit of your fellow knights?"
Hakim bowed slightly, then gestured to the map of Westerlin on the table. "This is the first military action we have had to take in the immediate area since the attack on Vestholm in the final days of the war with Raudrlin. Therefore, it must be undertaken with extreme care so that we do not disturb the general peace or alarm the citizens." He pointed to a spot a moderate distance north of the main city. "This forest road, about a day's ride north of this castle, has been under threat from bandits for the last few weeks."
Alandra's brow creased. "I have not heard of any attacks there."
Hakim raised two expressive eyebrows. "Nevertheless, the situation is in need of immediate attention. I suggest that a small force be sent in order to ensure that the bandits are eradicated and the Challia trade route remains secure." He looked up at the Queen expectantly.
"Thank you, Lord Hakim." The Queen frowned thoughtfully. "Lady Alandra, you know the road well, do you not?"
"Tolerably, my liege."
"Excellent. Lord Marcus, I believe you have not seen action since Hidun."
"That's correct, Your Majesty."
"Very well. You will both set out tomorrow. Take a battalion of infantry."
"As you wish." Alandra's bow was echoed by Marcus's a moment later.
"If I may, my liege?" said Kestral. "Lady Alandra, I suggest you take Lieutenant Chester and his battalion. I know they are officially under my command, but they have not seen a proper battle since Rossotorres and they are spoiling for a fight."
Alandra nodded. "That sounds perfectly reasonable. Lord Marcus?"
"I see no problem with it."
"Excellent." The Queen smiled. "I suggest you brief your troops. Dismissed."
The Knights of Darion bowed smoothly. Marcus and Alandra swiftly departed. As soon as they were gone, the Queen's expression broadened into what looked suspiciously like a grin.
"Was that what you wanted, Lady Kestral?"
"It couldn't have been better." Kestral laughed. "Hakim, you were brilliant. I almost believed you myself." The Janubian knight inclined his head modestly as Thordal echoed the congratulation.
"His success is possibly because he did not actually tell a single lie," said Sabatt. "Even I am mildly impressed by your skill at truth-manipulation."
"Enough," said Her Majesty with a chuckle. "Off with you, before I decide your little plot is a waste of valuable crown resources."
The Knights bowed sketchily and fled, all doing their best to hide their laughter.
...
"Just like old times."
Alandra turned to Marcus and smiled briefly. "Like before the war, you mean?"
The pair were riding north along a heavily wooded road. Behind them, half-a-dozen soldiers armed with bows and shortswords marched in a rough semblance of formation. They had left Vestholm at dawn; now the noon sun shone down between the oaks. The entire area was suffused with a pale green glow.
"Yeah." Marcus shortened his reins. "Remember the attack on that bandit camp in Western Glade?"
Alandra groaned. "All too well. I thought you were going to get us all killed."
"But I didn't." Marcus grinned, then looked rueful. "I thought I was going to get drummed out of the army."
"You certainly deserved more punishment than you got." Alandra's tone was one of mock severity.
"Oh, I think I got quite enough, thanks. I've hardly ever seen you so furious."
Alandra looked faintly embarrassed. "I can't even remember what I said to you, but it can't have been particularly complementary."
Marcus cringed at the memory. "No, it wasn't. Fortunately, my military strategies have changed since then."
"A lot of things have changed since then. I know I have." Alandra spoke softly. "I'm not sure I'm particularly happy with the person I've become."
Marcus turned to her with faint alarm, but her face was hidden by her cloak. He forced a smile. "I don't see anything wrong with her."
She looked up at him with a smile. "Thank you. But -" She hesitated for a long moment. "The war changed us all, Marcus. And -"
An arrow whizzed past Marcus's face, missing him by inches, and embedded itself into the trunk of a tree.
...
Lieutenant Refec of the Darion Empire, dressed in scruffy rags, snatched a bow from the hands of one of his subordinates.
"Idiot!" he hissed. "Can't I even trust you to miss properly? That arrow nearly ended up in his head!"
"Sorry, sir," mumbled the archer. "I'll do better - I mean, worse."
Refec sighed.
...
Marcus's mount Athos flung up his head and shied backwards as another arrow, apparently meant for Alandra but rather poorly aimed, flew past. Marcus grabbed at the reins and attempted in vain to steady his mount.
"Defensive positions!" Alandra yelled, whirling her horse and unsheathing her sword. The battalion on the road behind her had already drawn their shortswords and were moving into a defensive box.
A lone bandit, clad in a crude attempt at camouflage, charged from the forest and locked swords with the nearest soldier. Moments later, a small swarm of men had surrounded them. Alandra forced one away from the side of her horse with a wild swing, then hung on as Daria sidestepped to avoid the strike of another bandit.
Athos bucked, kicking out at a stocky bandit and missing entirely. Marcus slipped forward slightly and grabbed a piece of white mane. He needed to get on the ground if he was going to have a chance to use his sword properly.
His horse arranged that for him. The stallion reared a split second after his hindlegs touched ground again. Marcus didn't stand a chance. He hit the ground with a sickening thud and rolled a few feet, then scrambled up. Athos bolted off north before Marcus could grab the reins.
A second later, he realised his sword was still in its sheath. Attached to his saddle.
Not good.
...
Alandra spun Daria out of the way of another attack, only to come within inches of a surprisingly well armed bandit. She struck preemptively; her longsword crashed against a wooden shield.
And stuck.
Before she could yank it away, the scruffy warrior tossed his shield aside, her favourite sword and all. She hauled at Daria's reins, in an attempt to get out of range, but the mare had other ideas. She kicked out, sending the would-be attacker into a tree.
...
Marcus sidestepped around a thrust and responded with a left to the jaw. The target of his fist staggered back; he took the opportunity to survey the battle. They were heavily outnumbered. Most of his men were already disarmed. That's the last time I take Kestral's troop recommendations, he thought grimly. If he had another chance to take any recommendations at all.
He looked around for a free weapon, spotted a dropped shortsword, and dived for it. As he picked it up, something hard, heavy and pain-inducing connected with the back of his head.
...
Daria danced sideways unexpectedly as one of the bandits made a grab for Alandra's leg. The knight slid sideways, only just managing to stay in the saddle. As she scrambled back into position, her mare evidently decided that the better part of valour was discretion.
The chestnut horse kicked out at thin air, then bolted north the same way her stablemate had fled. Alandra clung on for dear life.
...
"You let her escape!" groaned Refec, sheathing his sword.
"Sorry, sir," one of his men mumbled.
"You're sorry? The entire plan pretty much depends on ... oh, forget it." He rubbed his eyes. "Anyone hurt?"
"Just Thompson and Elton, sir."
Refec glanced at Lord Marcus's unconscious form. "And our commanding officer. Felwood, I told you to capture him, not clobber him."
The unfortunate Felwood shrugged helplessly.
Refec covered his eyes with a sigh.