Chapter 11
Lord Ballant was busy reading a large tome when he heard a gentle tapping on his door. He didn't bother looking up.
"Come in Lucy."
The maid walked in and stood demurely to one side of his desk. "Master, Captain MacKenzie wants to see you."
Ballant sighed and closed the book. "Did he make that a request or an order?"
"All he said was to ask you to see him as soon as possible," Lucy replied.
Ballant rose and stretched. "I guess I'd better not disappoint him." He patted Lucy's shoulder as he walked past. "Don't worry I'll be fine."
Lucy spoke before he reached the door. "I'll go with you Master!"
Ballant glanced over his shoulder. "Suit yourself."
Together they walked down the winding staircase and out the front door into the main square. They were surprised by what they saw. He had reluctantly gotten used to the rows of Golgathean tents pitched in neat geometric rows across the Town Square. But now the soldiers were busy pulling them down and rolling them into bundles. He spotted Captain MacKenzie standing with a group of soldiers going over a map set up on a stand.
"Lieutenant, take your squad to the northeast, then circle back around the mountains and work your way south down along the lakeshore," said the Captain, tapping the map with the pommel of a scimitar.
"Yes Sir," said a soldier.
"Sargent, round up four volunteers to stay in Jidoor with me as rearguard," said MacKenzie.
"You'll need only three Sir. I'm volunteering," said the Sargent.
"Captain, you're leading the rearguard?" asked a Lieutenant.
"Thank you Sargent." To the Lieutenant he replied: "Yes. I don't want to assign a job to anyone I wouldn't want to do myself."
"You're leaving?" asked Ballant.
"Excuse me Lord Ballant I've been neglecting you. Dismissed men!" He waved to the soldiers who wandered off. He then turned back to Ballant. "Yes, one of my scouts has sighted Lord Odin and a small force heading here from across the great lake. They'll be here in a few hours. My men cannot defeat him. I'll hold him off while my troops escape."
"I'm confused. Didn't Lord Diablos order you to hold Jidoor at any cost?" Ballant asked.
MacKenzie gave Ballant a thin smile as he scratched his stubble. "Lord Diablos isn't here. Don't worry, I'm taking responsibility for this."
"I'm more worried about you Captain. If your whole company can't defeat him, what makes you think you can?"
He just shrugged.
"You're going to die?" asked Lucy.
"Yes," he replied as he walked off to supervise the camp.
Some time later Odin peered across the field to the spires and houses. The setting sun cast Jidoor in hues of crimson. The town looked eerily quiet, as if abandoned. No smoke was coming from any of the chimneys. He could make out the Mayor's house and the spire of the temple dedicated to Goddess. The buildings were all scorched, although some had been repaired several stood vacant and empty, like unearthed skeletons.
"I don't like this Lord Odin," said an Asgard soldier.
"What exactly Lieutenant?"
"The Golgatheans are making these too easy for us. I mean they broke camp this morning and evacuated before we even got close. Isn't that suspicious?" said the Lieutenant.
"We could still pursue them," suggested another soldier.
"They can sack a helpless town but they run when a real army faces them! Bunch of cowards!" groused the Lieutenant.
"No," said Odin. "All that concerns us is Jidoor. We'll get our chance to face the forces of Golgatha soon enough."
Odin's aides exchanged silent glances and then directed their attention to the town ahead of them again.
"Do you think they left traps behind?" asked the Lieutenant.
"Keep off the main roads, just in case," said Odin gruffly.
Odin walked over to the edge of the woods where his mount was tied up. He ran his gloved hand along Sleipnir's flank and hoisted himself into the saddle. He snapped the reins and Sleipnir went into a full gallop. "Follow me!" he cried.
They quickly crossed the fallow field up to one of the alleys on the West Side of town. Odin could sense people peering down on him as he galloped through empty streets. He reached the main square and saw it was strewn with litter, discarded blankets and broken tools.
"Whoa!"
He pulled on the reins hard and Sleipnir quickly stopped by driving his eight hooves into the cobblestones. Ahead of them stood five Golgathean soldiers. The one with a lance stepped forward.
"Halt! Lord Odin, you may not enter this town!"
"I want to speak to your Captain," said Odin.
"I'm in charge Lord Odin. My name is Captain Cyrus MacKenzie."
Odin rested his hand on Sleipnir's mane. "Jidoor belongs to Asgard, Captain MacKenzie. Withdraw at once or perish."
Cyrus shook his head. "My orders are to stop you."
"Just try to get past us you freak!" bellowed a guard.
"As you were Sargent!" said Cyrus forcefully.
"Aye Captain."
"I apologize for that Lord Odin. It is an honor to fight you," said Cyrus.
Odin drew out his sword and sighed. He dug his spurs in and Sleipnir galloped toward the soldiers at full tilt.
Cyrus dug his heels into the ground and leapt high into the air.
"Atom Edge!" yelled Odin.
Odin raced between them in a blinding flash of steel. Each time the blade struck a soldier it made a tremendous crashing sound like a blacksmith's hammer on steel. Before they could even scream they fell in half and disintegrated. Odin turned his horse around and looked back toward the empty square. An instant later Cyrus landed on top of Odin and drove the tip of his lance into his shoulder. The soles of his boots rebounded off the top of Sleipnir's neck as he pulled the lance out and jumped backwards onto the street. Sleipnir snorted and pawed at the stones.
"Surrender Captain," said Odin covering his wounded shoulder with his free hand.
Cyrus looked around the square as Odin's men filled the square from every direction. He clenched tightly on the handle of his spear.
"I won't ask again."
Cyrus thew the lance down at Sleipnir's feet.
"The sword as well."
He undid the straps on the scimitar from his belt and admired it for a moment. He carefully set it down. "This is not my sword. It belongs to an Esper with violet hair and bronze skin. I ask that you return it to him."
Odin arched an eyebrow. "Ifrit? Yes, I'll give it to him."
"Good," said Cyrus. "I have no regrets now."
Odin leveled his blade against the Cyrus' throat. "Why, do you want to die?"
Cyrus met his gaze. "No, but I expect to."
Odin sheathed his sword. "Sorry to disappoint you. You're my prisoner Captain MacKenzie."
"I understand."
As he spoke Ballant emerged from his mansion. The other villagers quickly followed out of their houses.
"Lord Odin! You came!" said Ballant cheerfully.
Odin frowned slightly. "You don't have to be so surprised Lord Ballant."
He scratched his head and chuckled. "Well yes. Good to see you still with us Captain MacKenzie."
"My men were not as lucky," said Cyrus gloomily.
"Are there any Golgathean troops left in Jidoor?" Odin asked Cyrus.
"Just one," he said looking down.
"Fine. So why did you invade Jidoor?" demanded Odin.
"You'll have to ask Lord Diablos," said Cyrus.
Odin considered that. "All right. I'm taking Captain MacKenzie back to Styx Castle with me."
"Very well," said Ballant. "I'll go with you."
"Master, Jidoor needs you here," said Lucy.
"No, I am not that indispensable. Until I return I'm appointing you as interim mayor Lucy."
Lucy covered her mouth with her hands. "Me? But I'm just a maid!"
"Yes, but who knows more about running a town than the Mayor's maid?" said Ballant with a smile.
"I don't mind, but why are you coming?" asked Odin.
"I have to apologize to an old friend," said Ballant.
Lord Ballant was busy reading a large tome when he heard a gentle tapping on his door. He didn't bother looking up.
"Come in Lucy."
The maid walked in and stood demurely to one side of his desk. "Master, Captain MacKenzie wants to see you."
Ballant sighed and closed the book. "Did he make that a request or an order?"
"All he said was to ask you to see him as soon as possible," Lucy replied.
Ballant rose and stretched. "I guess I'd better not disappoint him." He patted Lucy's shoulder as he walked past. "Don't worry I'll be fine."
Lucy spoke before he reached the door. "I'll go with you Master!"
Ballant glanced over his shoulder. "Suit yourself."
Together they walked down the winding staircase and out the front door into the main square. They were surprised by what they saw. He had reluctantly gotten used to the rows of Golgathean tents pitched in neat geometric rows across the Town Square. But now the soldiers were busy pulling them down and rolling them into bundles. He spotted Captain MacKenzie standing with a group of soldiers going over a map set up on a stand.
"Lieutenant, take your squad to the northeast, then circle back around the mountains and work your way south down along the lakeshore," said the Captain, tapping the map with the pommel of a scimitar.
"Yes Sir," said a soldier.
"Sargent, round up four volunteers to stay in Jidoor with me as rearguard," said MacKenzie.
"You'll need only three Sir. I'm volunteering," said the Sargent.
"Captain, you're leading the rearguard?" asked a Lieutenant.
"Thank you Sargent." To the Lieutenant he replied: "Yes. I don't want to assign a job to anyone I wouldn't want to do myself."
"You're leaving?" asked Ballant.
"Excuse me Lord Ballant I've been neglecting you. Dismissed men!" He waved to the soldiers who wandered off. He then turned back to Ballant. "Yes, one of my scouts has sighted Lord Odin and a small force heading here from across the great lake. They'll be here in a few hours. My men cannot defeat him. I'll hold him off while my troops escape."
"I'm confused. Didn't Lord Diablos order you to hold Jidoor at any cost?" Ballant asked.
MacKenzie gave Ballant a thin smile as he scratched his stubble. "Lord Diablos isn't here. Don't worry, I'm taking responsibility for this."
"I'm more worried about you Captain. If your whole company can't defeat him, what makes you think you can?"
He just shrugged.
"You're going to die?" asked Lucy.
"Yes," he replied as he walked off to supervise the camp.
Some time later Odin peered across the field to the spires and houses. The setting sun cast Jidoor in hues of crimson. The town looked eerily quiet, as if abandoned. No smoke was coming from any of the chimneys. He could make out the Mayor's house and the spire of the temple dedicated to Goddess. The buildings were all scorched, although some had been repaired several stood vacant and empty, like unearthed skeletons.
"I don't like this Lord Odin," said an Asgard soldier.
"What exactly Lieutenant?"
"The Golgatheans are making these too easy for us. I mean they broke camp this morning and evacuated before we even got close. Isn't that suspicious?" said the Lieutenant.
"We could still pursue them," suggested another soldier.
"They can sack a helpless town but they run when a real army faces them! Bunch of cowards!" groused the Lieutenant.
"No," said Odin. "All that concerns us is Jidoor. We'll get our chance to face the forces of Golgatha soon enough."
Odin's aides exchanged silent glances and then directed their attention to the town ahead of them again.
"Do you think they left traps behind?" asked the Lieutenant.
"Keep off the main roads, just in case," said Odin gruffly.
Odin walked over to the edge of the woods where his mount was tied up. He ran his gloved hand along Sleipnir's flank and hoisted himself into the saddle. He snapped the reins and Sleipnir went into a full gallop. "Follow me!" he cried.
They quickly crossed the fallow field up to one of the alleys on the West Side of town. Odin could sense people peering down on him as he galloped through empty streets. He reached the main square and saw it was strewn with litter, discarded blankets and broken tools.
"Whoa!"
He pulled on the reins hard and Sleipnir quickly stopped by driving his eight hooves into the cobblestones. Ahead of them stood five Golgathean soldiers. The one with a lance stepped forward.
"Halt! Lord Odin, you may not enter this town!"
"I want to speak to your Captain," said Odin.
"I'm in charge Lord Odin. My name is Captain Cyrus MacKenzie."
Odin rested his hand on Sleipnir's mane. "Jidoor belongs to Asgard, Captain MacKenzie. Withdraw at once or perish."
Cyrus shook his head. "My orders are to stop you."
"Just try to get past us you freak!" bellowed a guard.
"As you were Sargent!" said Cyrus forcefully.
"Aye Captain."
"I apologize for that Lord Odin. It is an honor to fight you," said Cyrus.
Odin drew out his sword and sighed. He dug his spurs in and Sleipnir galloped toward the soldiers at full tilt.
Cyrus dug his heels into the ground and leapt high into the air.
"Atom Edge!" yelled Odin.
Odin raced between them in a blinding flash of steel. Each time the blade struck a soldier it made a tremendous crashing sound like a blacksmith's hammer on steel. Before they could even scream they fell in half and disintegrated. Odin turned his horse around and looked back toward the empty square. An instant later Cyrus landed on top of Odin and drove the tip of his lance into his shoulder. The soles of his boots rebounded off the top of Sleipnir's neck as he pulled the lance out and jumped backwards onto the street. Sleipnir snorted and pawed at the stones.
"Surrender Captain," said Odin covering his wounded shoulder with his free hand.
Cyrus looked around the square as Odin's men filled the square from every direction. He clenched tightly on the handle of his spear.
"I won't ask again."
Cyrus thew the lance down at Sleipnir's feet.
"The sword as well."
He undid the straps on the scimitar from his belt and admired it for a moment. He carefully set it down. "This is not my sword. It belongs to an Esper with violet hair and bronze skin. I ask that you return it to him."
Odin arched an eyebrow. "Ifrit? Yes, I'll give it to him."
"Good," said Cyrus. "I have no regrets now."
Odin leveled his blade against the Cyrus' throat. "Why, do you want to die?"
Cyrus met his gaze. "No, but I expect to."
Odin sheathed his sword. "Sorry to disappoint you. You're my prisoner Captain MacKenzie."
"I understand."
As he spoke Ballant emerged from his mansion. The other villagers quickly followed out of their houses.
"Lord Odin! You came!" said Ballant cheerfully.
Odin frowned slightly. "You don't have to be so surprised Lord Ballant."
He scratched his head and chuckled. "Well yes. Good to see you still with us Captain MacKenzie."
"My men were not as lucky," said Cyrus gloomily.
"Are there any Golgathean troops left in Jidoor?" Odin asked Cyrus.
"Just one," he said looking down.
"Fine. So why did you invade Jidoor?" demanded Odin.
"You'll have to ask Lord Diablos," said Cyrus.
Odin considered that. "All right. I'm taking Captain MacKenzie back to Styx Castle with me."
"Very well," said Ballant. "I'll go with you."
"Master, Jidoor needs you here," said Lucy.
"No, I am not that indispensable. Until I return I'm appointing you as interim mayor Lucy."
Lucy covered her mouth with her hands. "Me? But I'm just a maid!"
"Yes, but who knows more about running a town than the Mayor's maid?" said Ballant with a smile.
"I don't mind, but why are you coming?" asked Odin.
"I have to apologize to an old friend," said Ballant.