Chapter 7
The siege of Lurinien
Pailor was awoken by bells ringing and people yelling he sat up and felt no pain he smiled then looked about the room which was filled with injured soldier. Savannah was tending to various soldiers, Pailor noticed many of them had been burnt he sighed and stood to his feet. He noticed that his shoulder was bandaged but he felt refreshed and strong again. Pailor walked over to Savannah who smiled to him then stood wiping her hands of the blood from the man she was tending by placing them in warm water from a small jug.
"I see your well Pailor" she smiled and dried her hands.
"Yes thank you, I feel strong again" he paused then noticed it was night "How long have I been sleeping?" she laughed then looked to him.
"Two days maybe I am not certain for I have been tending the injured men coming from the front" she sighed and looked to the ground.
"Do not fear you have brave men holding the front I am sure the enemy will not break the defence" he paused "Were is Luin?" she pointed through the broken window toward the gate.
Pailor nodded and kissed Savannah on her head as she smiled and he marched off toward the great. He noticed many more injured men laying outside on the grass coughing and crying. Many women were tending them as he looked toward the gate and noticed fire coming from behind it and about the lying forests great blazes of fire and smoke was engulfing the nearby forests. Pailor looked up and could see no cloud or star only darkness he quickly sped up the path to the gate were many guards still stood many bleeding and many on the floor holding their wounds.
"Let me pass" Pailor stood firm now.
"You cant we cannot open the gate for some time" he coughed as he lay on the floor "Luin has ordered the gates to be shut tight and to not let anyone in or out until he gives a signal" he sighed "Listen if you want to get out their I suggest you get armoured up, the armoury is to the right by the barracks" he collapsed as Pailor sighed.
Pailor headed down the path and came past many soldiers running from the barracks to the gate and nearby towers. He saw many stoney buildings with banners flowing outside them they seemed smaller versions of castles and had many soldiers running in and out with equipment. Pailor entered the nearest building which had weapons outside racked up against the wall with armour about the floor. He decided not to enter and placed a chain mail shirt upon his chest and steel padding across his shoulder. He also placed silver metal garments about his leg which protected his legs he then placed metal boots upon his feet and a mighty helm which was similar to the guards helmets but smaller and much brighter. He felt the weight and laughed to himself as he began to familiarize himself with the movement. Pailor grabbed a great shield which was long and thin but covered half of his body as he placed it on his left arm, he then placed an axe on his back and carried a mighty sword which he lifted with ease to the amazement of the soldiers who also were grabbing equipment. Pailor looked like a great knight as he marched forward to the gate as he noticed the only one guard standing now as the others had collapsed.
"Open the gate" he spoke like a king now and the guard was amazed as he quickly struggled to open the mighty gate.
As the gate opened smoke gushed through almost chocking him instantly as he quickly shuffled through the gap as the gate closed behind him. Pailor looked about him and could see bodies of evil men about his feet and wood soldiers also laying about him. Pailor looked up to the battlements and could see Luin firing arrows from the right hand tower with many other soldiers firing. He moved to the base of the battlement and looked through the gate down the valley were hundreds of bodies lay and he saw Balier fighting with many other men just in front of the small river which ran about the base of the valley.
"Luin it is I Pailor, I will help Balier!" he yelled to the battlements as Luin turned in amazement and laughed as Pailor noticed his face was bloody and also was his attire.
"Good" he laughed then carried on firing his arrow.
Pailor quickly marched down the slope toward Balier who was fighting many evil men at the same time he looked tired and had many wounds. Pailor yelled then charged the evil men smashing them into the river then piercing them with his mighty sword.
"Hail Balier!" Pailor turned to him and laughed.
"Pailor, I owe you my life" Balier leant on his sword as the enemy were less now but bodies filled the river almost like a bridge.
"You have fought bravely it would seem" Pailor stood firm beside Balier and his men.
"Yes we barley survived the first assault which destroyed the gate and they broke into the courtyard almost smashed the great gate" he coughed "But this morning they seemed to slow down only sending few men at a time" Balier looked to Pailor who tilted his head.
"Strange" he paused "Maybe they are testing the defences or maybe they have been distracted" Pailor thought of Aulor and his sister now.
"Yes many of our scouts crept through their lines and noticed they still have many men in the woods waiting for something but we don't know what" he sighed then pointed "I fear the main attack is still to come, if they can break through the gate with the first attack imagine what their main attack is going to be like" he looked to the distance and could hear a great horn.
Pailor and the men looked toward the forest line as many horns began to blow now as they could hear the marching of soldiers as the ground moved beneath them.
"There coming!" Luin shouted from the battlements.
Pailor readied his sword beside Balier and his men they formed a line of a hundred men now across the bank. There was a great roar as hundreds of evil men poured out of the forest line up the bank as they met arrows from Luin and his men who were placed on the battlements. The men held a firm line as the first wave of evil men hit the line smashing right into the line and breaking it at various places. The evil men had great banners which had the symbol of the sun above them and waved in the air as they laughed and taunted the men. Balier could see the line breaking under the impact of the men from the east who were strong and very experienced in warfare now. Pailor held firm as many of the evil men crashed against him only to fall into the muddy bank below as Pailor finished them off with his mighty sword. Balier was weary with battle but he fought on bravely holding his part of the line but it was in vain for the enemy had broken the line in various places and many of them headed for the fort which only defended by Luin and his archers.
"Pailor we must retire to the fort there are too many" he looked to Pailor panting as he spoke.
"Get your men up the bank I will hold as long as I can" he nodded to Balier as he jumped down the bank crashing into the many men beneath it.
Pailor managed to stand but his helm had fallen off and his shield was stuck in the mud he turned and met a crash of steel as a eastern soldier struck his armour breaking it and cutting into his injured shoulder. Pailor fell to his knee and struck the man who crashed into the mud as Pailor drew his mighty axe and waved it about cutting many of the men down. The mud around Pailor was thick as he began to sink slowly fighting on as he stood firm his hair blowing in the smoky air. Pailor roared a great battle cry which startled the evil men who paused and moved back slowly.
"Fight me!" Pailor couldn't move his armour was too heavy as he began to sink slowly as the men laughed and moved around him and up the valley.
Pailor felt the air getting denser as he felt the trees closing in about him as he struggled in vain to escape the muddy bank. In the distance he could see a white light moving at speed past the men and down the valley toward him he smiled as he could see his beautiful horse Suvati. The horse rode down the bank knocking many of the men over at it lifted its hooves up crashing into them and killing them. Pailor grabbed the reins of the horse as it pulled him out of the mud onto the dry bank as he smiled.
"My friend I am glad to see you" he mounted the horse as they rode back to the fort with haste.
Pailor rode up the bank and could see many of the evil men laying dead about him as he rode, he noticed Luin and his archers firing and killing many of the evil men. Pailor rode up behind the men of the east and struck them down as Balier and his men charged out of the fort helping Pailor who rallied the men together. The battle enraged but Luin noticed from the battlements many siege weapons being brought up the bank and many riders and more men marching up the bank.
"Retire to the keep!" he blew the horn as he yelled.
Pailor turned and noticed this as he rode forth crashing into the enemy as he commanded the men back to the keep. The men had mended the broken gate to the fort as they closed it behind the remaining men who had retired back to the fort. Pailor dismounted Suvati as he walked up to the battlements were Luin was giving orders.
"Luin they will surely burn the fort to the ground" he sighed as he could see the full force of the enemy which was marshalling before them.
Luin turned to Pailor then looked to the ground he then placed his hand on Pailor's shoulder.
"Yes they will probably burn the fort to the ground" he paused "Lead the men on you have given them courage I will hold as long as I can out here" he turned and looked back to the enemy as Pailor frowned.
"You are indeed a brave man Luin may my father watch over you" he paused and touched Luin's shoulder "Farewell" Luin turned to him and smiled then began to fire his bow.
Many men stayed with Luin as they mounted a small defence to buy some time for the people in the great city. Pailor rode into the city were Balier was lying on the ground panting he looked up to Pailor who looked to him and sighed.
"Where is our captain?" Balier stood now as the gate closed.
"He has decided to remain and defend the fort" Balier ran to the gate urging the guards to open it.
"Listen to me Balier it was his decision and his alone, he needs you to defend the people here in the city prepare the defence" he became more like a king again as the men quickly prepared their weapons and the defence.
Balier walked past Pailor and readied began to order the men about he then noticed great flaming balls firing overhead as they crashed into the city smashing some of the barracks.
"Their siege weapons, take cover!" Pailor rode down to the barracks as many of the men were burning alive.
Many more flaming balls sped overhead crashing into various parts of the city as the fields began to burn. Pailor rode back to Balier who was coming back from the north tower with many men armed.
"Balier does your king reside in the castle?" Balier nodded.
"Yes he seldom leaves" he walked on past Pailor.
Pailor rode with great speed down the sloping valley and up to the great walls to the city as he rode through the gap. He rode now down a dusty path which had buildings either side and at the end of the dusty path their sat a great castle of gold sparkling as he paused in awe. The people of the city were not panicking and doing day to day work as Pailor rode down the dusty streets. Pailor rode up to a great golden bridge which swayed to the left and to the gate of the castle, beneath the golden bridge ran a river were many fisherman were fishing. The gates were open as Pailor rode up them and dismounted from his horse, at either side of the gate were great statues of two men they were wearing crowns and dressed in robes as they held a staff each. The castle was tall and thin and had two towers at its top. Pailor entered and he noticed to his left and right many shelves with books on them and various people reading through the books. Pailor looked in awe for he had never seen books for the moon tribe were not that advanced in writing but they could read. He noticed in front of him another bridge which was white marble and beneath it was another part of the river. Pailor walked over the bridge and walked up a staircase in front of him as he reached the top and entered a great chamber were many guards and other servants were talking. The guards turned and noticed Pailor who noticed a doorway to the back of the castle and stairs to his right.
"I wish to speak with the king at once, it is urgent" Pailor stood glaring at the men who laughed.
"The king is busy and does not wish to be disturbed now leave" the guards turned their backs to Pailor.
Pailor became enraged as he quickly headed for the open doorway to the rear of the room as the guards quickly followed him. There were three guards who were dressed in similar attire to the soldiers from the barracks as they grabbed Pailor. The guards began to attack him with their hands as he quickly turned hitting one of them to the ground with his fist. The two other guards drew their swords as they blocked his exit back into the hall, Pailor turned and sped up the staircase which led to the roof. Pailor found himself upon the castle rooftop as the wind blew frantically almost knocking him down as he ran. Four guards were posted upon the roof as they held their mighty spears firm, they were attire in similar garments to the guards at the great gate. Behind the guards sat an old grey man attire in a brown robe he sat looking out across his land below. To his right stood a man who was fairly tall among the tree people he had blonde hair and leant on a great hammer he wore a brown cloak over his armour which was similar to the soldiers but more kingly. To the old mans left stood another man he was smaller, he had brown hair and wore a black cloak over his armour which seemed more like the guards attire. The old man sat atop an old wooden chair with a pole running through its back so men could carry him upon his chair. Pailor walked up to the guards who encircled him as the other three guards came running up the staircase and halted behind Pailor.
"I wish to speak with the king" he spoke calmly but fierce as the two men either side of the king turned and noticed Pailor.
The guards laughed as the man with the hammer looked Pailor up and down then turned away looking out to the lands once more. The smaller of the two he held a mighty sword and frowned as he walked over to Pailor.
"Stranger to these parts why do you wish to speak with our king?" he spoke softly and more like a man of the moon tribe than a man of the tree people.
Pailor looked about to the guards who lowered their weapons and leant on them looking closely at him.
"I wish to hold council with him for I am Pailor son of Kailor and have ridden a long road from the lands of the moon" the men gasped as the smaller man who stood beside the king also gasped and smiled.
"I have dreamt of this coming day, but let us not talk about that" he paused looking to the guards "Come my father will be pleased to here what news you have from the south" the man held his hand out urging Pailor forward as the guards parted letting him pass.
"Thank you son of the king" Pailor walked beside him now as they walked slowly.
"Son to the mighty Kailor the great god" he smiled and looked to Pailor.
"Yes but things have gone ill in the city of Linderon, my father has been betrayed and overthrown" the man looked to the ground and sighed.
"Yes it would seem so for the battle also goes ill with our own people" he paused "I am Hamler son of Unor king of the tree people" he smiled to Pailor.
"Well met Hamler son of Unor" they were almost beside the king as Hamler halted as did Pailor.
"My father is ill his mind is elsewhere I fear his days are short, you will have speak firmly, my brother Vikler who stands to his right will inherit the throne he is less welcoming to strangers than I" they walked in front of the king and knelt in front of him.
The king had a grey beard and his eyes were half closed and his face seemed cracked and dry.
"Hail Unor lord of the tree people and ruler of Lurinien" he paused then lifted his head and stood as did Pailor "This is Pailor son of Kailor from the city of the gods Linderon, he wished council with you my lord" he stepped back leaving Pailor in front of the king.
The king lifted his head slowly and his eyes opened slowly revealing grey eyes which pierced Pailor as he opened his dry mouth.
"Hail Pailor son of Kailor what council do you seek" he spoke softly but more kingly than Hamler as he coughed.
"I have fought the enemy from the south up to these lands and I come to you seeking council for the enemy have reached the outer fort and will soon breach through the gate" he was interrupted as Vikler frowned to him.
"Yes we know of the enemy and will meet them but father is ill and he needs us in this hour for we are his servants and captains" he paused as he knelt beside his father holding his hand.
"I can answer for myself Vikler now go and command your battalion" he became angry now as he frowned to Vikler who marched off in wrath.
"Forgive me Pailor" he coughed "I am weak and have not the strength to command the defence but I do know of the enemy which resides on our doorstep but another force from the north has been spotted" he paused "A great army marches from the wind tribe they crossed the border not long ago, we do not know whether they seek war with the enemy or even us" he coughed and held his stomach "Vikler is commanding the gate and Hamler is going to lead a small battalion down to the river under the castle and is going to attack the enemy from the flanks" he sighed then his head hit his chest as he fell into a sleep.
"Come Pailor my father is weary and needs rest" he walked past the chair as Pailor followed "You see I am going to lead our best troops down the river and try to distract the enemy as Vikler will lead the main force through the gate and hope to counter the enemy" he paused as they walked down the steps and into the hall were many men were talking.
"What of the wind tribe?" Pailor halted as did Hamler.
"We will have to wait for we do not know their full intent" he paused and looked about the room "It will take them days before they reach the city for the dense forest protects us from the wind of the north" he walked on as Pailor followed.
They walked down and out of the castle and walked down the sandy streets and into the great open fields of the realm. Hamler turned to Pailor as they halted outside of the open passage into the city were Pailor noticed many men clad in armour awaiting Hamler.
"Well Pailor son of Kailor this is farewell I must lead my men down to the river and hopefully distract the enemy" he paused and nodded to his men who marched off down a slope which led behind the great city "Go to the gate and help my brother the enemy will attack in full force soon" he smiled to Pailor as he marched off and followed his men.
Pailor sighed and walked along the path as he noticed Savannah walking toward him smiling her hands where covered in blood as were her robes and her face.
"Pailor I have been searching for you" she halted in front of him as he smiled to her.
"I have been with the king Savannah and his son's" he smiled to her.
"Yes I saw you talking with Hamler" she wiped her face "How are your wounds?" she walked over to him.
Savannah touched his shoulder gently as he felt strange as she touched his wounds slowly and he kissed her.
"Pailor!" she shrugged him off gasping then smiled to him as he looked confused.
"I am sorry Savannah I don't know what came over me" he looked to ground as she lifted his chin up with her hand.
"If I were not taken I would have liked a kiss with you son of Kailor but Vikler is to be my husband" he sighed as she stepped back.
Pailor walked off down the path he felt a great weight on his heart as she stood upon the hill looking to him as he marched off. Pailor came to the great gate were many men assembled under the command of Vikler who held his mighty hammer across his shoulder. Balier stood beside him and smiled to Pailor who looked angry and distraught, he then walked over to Pailor.
"What is wrong my friend you seem disturbed" Pailor looked him in the eye then gritted his teeth as he looked to Vikler.
Suddenly a great weight hit the gate which smashed open knocking many of the men to the ground as the shards of the gate smashed past Pailor just missing his face. As the smoke from the blast cleared the men noticed hundreds of evil men from the east charging through the breach and crashing into the men who were not prepared. Pailor charged with Balier as they crashed into the great sea of men as the battle ensued. Pailor noticed many of the flaming balls which had crashed about the fort in front of him and many had hit the great gate smashing it to a sunder. Vikler fought on bravely at the front with many of his close knights who fought bravely but in vain for the enemy pushed them back. The evil men were like a sea of black, Pailor quickly charged forward with Balier as they fought alongside Vikler who smiled to them waving his mighty hammer toward the enemy. They fought on for a time holding the line well as many more reinforcements from the barracks joined the battle at the great gate. Pailor pushed on through into the courtyard of the destroyed fort which was in flames as he looked about trying to find Luin and his men. Vikler pushed through to the left of the fort and routed the enemy who were pushed from the fort for a time. Pailor and Balier headed up the broken staircase to the battlement were they found Luin and his men laying upon each other covered in rubble.
"Luin!" Balier ran to his friend and captain as he lifted the bodies from atop him.
Luin tilted his head and smiled to Balier his face was covered in black ash, he coughed up blood as he managed to open his eyes.
"My friend" he smiled as he also looked toward Pailor who smiled to him.
Balier lifted Luin, his arm was burnt and the right side of his face was slightly burnt.
"Leave me I am broken beyond repair" Balier never answered but quickly headed back to the gate were many men rushed through the breach to the defence of the burnt fort.
Pailor looked out of the battlement and noticed thousands of evil men and hundreds of riders and siege weapons all waiting across the river were the forest had been burnt. Pailor looked to his right through a gap in the battlement and noticed Hamler and his men sneaking through the forest by the river which headed to the enemy. Pertopolis lifted his axe at top his head as Pailor frowned and he rode forth leading his men to the breach.
"There coming!" men shouted as they stood firm with mighty spears ready to counter the riders of the east.
Pertopolis led the charge as he crashed into the line of men as his horse was skewered on top of a spear as he was flung inside the fort into the men of the wood. Vikler charged Pertopolis with his knights close at hand, Pertopolis rose to his feet and began to strike the men nearby with his mighty axe. Vikler crashed into Pertopolis who laughed and struck Vikler with his axe as he was thrown to the ground in agony. Vikler's arm had been cut by the axe and he held it in pain as he waved his mighty hammer aloft his head and struck Pertopolis across his back sending him into a crowd of men. Pailor quickly retired from the battlement and joined in the battle which ensued inside the fort as the riders broke through followed by more evil men as flaming balls of fire flew overhead killing many men by the gate and inside the walls to the city. Vikler stood proud now killing many riders with his axe as he searched for Pertopolis who burst out of the crowd of men and began striking them to the ground with ease. Pailor turned and noticed Pertopolis near the gate as he smashed his way through the men who could not challenge the mighty foe they faced. Vikler quickly ran to the gate and struck Pertopolis in the back with his hammer as Pertopolis never moved but turned slowly to meet Vikler.
"You foolish little man" he laughed as he lifted his mighty axe which smashed Viklers hammer in two.
Vikler fell to the ground and gasped as the men around him tried to help but the might of Pertopolis was too much for them he was too powerful. Pailor saw this and dived into Pertopolis as they crashed into the wall of the gate smashing the wall as they crashed to the ground. Pertopolis threw Pailor into the crowd of men and smiled as he stood now lifting up his axe as he charged Pailor. Vikler scrambled to his feet and drew his sword which he threw at Pertopolis slicing into his leg as he screamed in pain. Pertopolis turned to Vikler revealing his face as his eyes turned into fire he then turned his attention to Vikler who stood without a weapon. Pailor lifted his axe and struck Pertopolis as his axe sliced into Pertopolis' shoulder as he fell to his knee.
"We meet again friend!" Pailor placed his boot onto Pertopolis' shoulder as he heaved the axe from the shoulder of his enemy as he crashed to the floor with momentum.
Pertopolis turned his head to see Pailor as he smiled with his black eyes he then rose to his feet and grabbed Pailor from the floor lifting him up by his kneck.
"You really are annoying" he head butted Pailor sending him crashing into the rubble near the gate.
Pailor's axe landed beside him as he coughed up blood and scrambled to his knees looking for Pertopolis as many men fought around him and the battle ensued. Pailor stood to his feet lifting his axe and noticed the enemy had breached the fort and were surrounding the men who were still inside the fort. Pailor turned and noticed reinforcements coming from the barracks as he stood by the gate which had been smashed beyond repair.
"This entrance must be blocked" he yelled to the reinforcements.
Pailor entered the battle once more as he fought his way to Balier and his men who were separated. Balier was still holding his position near the staircase to the battlements as he ordered archers to fire from the battlements as he held the staircase with many other men.
"Balier where is Vikler?" Pailor yelled to his friend as Balier pointed toward the fountain were a great battle ensued.
Pailor noticed Vikler leaning against the fountain with twenty of his closet knights who fought on to protect him as Pertopolis loomed among the evil men behind the fountain.
"Balier get your men back to the gate!" Pailor yelled to Balier who nodded and began to order his men into formation.
Pailor fought his way through the crowd but it was hopeless the enemy were too many as he could see the knights being cut down one by one. A great horn could be heard as Pailor looked over the crowd of evil men toward the river where he could see Hamler and his men fighting their way through the enemy's siege weapons and rear. The enemy were distracted now and looked to the river as Balier fought the enemy as he headed for the gate with his men. Pailor turned and could see Balier fighting behind him he then turned to Vikler and his men as he battled on.
"Balier tell your archers to retire to the gate I need you and your men here we must help Vikler and Hamler as he has arrived with the reinforcements by the river.
Balier nodded as the archers headed for the gate and he joined the fight with Pailor as they crashed through the rows of the sun tribe. Vikler was fighting on as he noticed Pailor trying to reach his position he also noticed Pertopolis who was looking directly at him. Pertopolis smashed the knights as he lifted Vikler by the neck and lifted him up laughing showing him to his men.
"Look at the mighty son of Unor" he then whispered in the ear of Vikler "Your realm is mine" he smiled then threw Vikler into the fountain as he crashed against it.
Pertopolis removed Vikler's sword from his leg as he smiled to Vikler then thrust the sword into Vikler's chest.
"Your sword I presume" he laughed then felt a great blow to his back as he fell onto Vikler.
Pailor struck Pertopolis in the back with his axe as Pertopolis cried in pain and fell onto Vikler looking up at Pailor.
"Your time is over traitor" Pailor placed his boot atop Pertopolis' chest and lifted his sword striking Pertopolis through the chest.
Pertopolis roared as every man around paused and shrieked in fear as a great gust of wind knocked the men to the ground leaving Pailor standing as he felt a great wave of energy pour through the land as Pertopolis breathed no more. Pailor removed his sword which was stained with black blood it is said that the stain was never removed and that Pertopolis would one day return to seek revenge. Pailor stood now with his beard and hair tinted with silver as the evil men around gasped and retreated down the field as they where cut down by Hamler and his men. Pailor's left eye was also stained with grey and he became blind in one eye. Pailor pushed aside Pertopolis' body as he sighed and knelt beside Vikler who was also slain.
"What orders Pailor?" Balier looked to his friend and commander.
Pailor never answered but walked out of the fort and down the field standing atop bodies of fallen men as the valley was filled with dead men. He walked to the river and through the fields for a time and felt a great presence drawing him as he came to an area filled with rubble from an abandoned outpost as he sat atop a stone. Pailor sighed and placed his sword to his side and looked to the ground when he felt a gust of wind flow past him.
"Hello my son" Kailor sat beside his son as Pailor smiled.
"I knew you where calling me father" he looked to the ground still.
"You have fought bravely my son and have made me proud. I gather you are worried about your sisters but I only know of Bethol who is near the border to the wind tribe she is fine for the moment for the great army of the north as halted and not crossed the borders" he looked to his son then frowned "You have slain only one traitor for the other Caira still resides to the south where she is fighting with the men from the south the mountain tribe who have fought hard" he paused.
"What would you have me do father abandon my sister and head south to meet Caira?" he became enraged.
"No my son for Pertopolis is not slain his spirit still endures and he will take another form and return in time but not now. Mailock still has power and he will rally the sun tribe again to attack but I fear he will show himself soon enough. My son you will have to challenge him you must ride south then east to the fortress of the sun tribe" he rose to his feet and walked in front of Pailor "My son Bethol will be fine she is carrying the future king who will unite many of the tribes to rally together and defeat the enemy. That time is not yet not while Mailock resides in Linderon he must enter these lands in order for me to take back the throne and perhaps stop him" he sighed then pointed "Your friends are looking for you now go we will see each other again before the end" with that said a great gush of wind swept the area and Kailor was gone as dust covered the area.
Hamler saw Pailor talking to himself as he came through the wood with many men as they yelled to Pailor.
"My friend it is not safe to wonder away from the city for the enemy still resides nearby" Pailor looked up to Hamler and nodded he then stood and wiped away the sweat from his brow.
The company of men walked through the wood as the sun beamed through the forest as Hamler smiled then looked to Pailor.
"Where is my brother I could not find him near the fort" he smiled to Pailor.
"I am sorry Hamler your brother was slain by Pertopolis the general of the army he is also slain" Pailor walked ahead of the men as Hamler stood for a moment and a tear dripped from his eye as he was in shock.
"How is that so Pailor for my brother was strong" he yelled to Pailor who disappeared through the dense wood.
Pailor emerged near the river which was red with the blood of men as he strode across it and noticed his horse Suvati riding toward him as he smiled. Pailor stroked the horse and whispered in the horse's ear as Pailor led the horse across the valley filled with bodies. Many men where clearing the bodies up as Balier ordered them about he noticed Pailor and smiled running down to meet him.
"We are victorious my friend the enemy have retreated" he smiled but Pailor didn't seem interested.
"Yes but they will return enraged that their general has fallen but they will be led by a mightier foe" Pailor's eyes gleamed now as he walked past Balier who stood looking at Pailor.
Pailor entered through the gate and noticed hundreds of wounded men being led down the path to the healers. Pailor mounted Suvati and rode forth as he noticed Luin limping along the road. Pailor halted beside Luin and offered him his hand as Luin smiled and mounted the horse with Pailor.
"Thank you my friend" he never spoke another word for he could sense Pailor was upset.
They reached the healing building as Pailor helped Luin dismount the horse as he helped him inside and laid him beside the broken fountain. Savannah noticed Pailor and ran over to him smiling as Luin closed his eyes and rested.
"Hail son of Kailor I hear the battle went well" she stopped smiling as Pailor looked her in the eye "What of my love Vikler?" she frowned now.
"He was slain defending the fort" Pailor knelt beside Luin.
"Luin you must organise a counter attack and prepare the defences for I must ride south and to challenge their leader" he stood now as Luin opened his eyes.
"Speak with the king I will gladly ride with you once I am able" he smiled to Pailor sighed.
"Very well I will speak with the king but it is a dangerous rode" Pailor walked back to his horse and mounted it as Savannah ran up to him.
"Something has changed with you Pailor you seem less caring" she sighed as Pailor looked down to her.
"I must become this new man for I must become what I was destined to become" she was confused as he held her hand.
"Why must you ride to certain doom" she wept and kissed his hand.
He let go of her hand rode with haste to the castle as she stood watching him from afar. Pailor dismounted his horse and entered the castle which was empty as he marched quickly to the roof where the king and Hamler spoke.
"King Unor I wish to speak with you" Pailor walked in front of the king as Hamler looked to him.
"Very well Pailor son of Kailor" he was weeping as he spoke.
"I am sorry for your loss but I must ask to leave for I must ride south and challenge Mailock" he sighed "I ask only a few men to go with me if you will bid this" Hamler frowned and walked beside Pailor.
"I will ride with you Pailor for I know these lands well" he smiled to Pailor.
"I cannot lose both my sons Hamler" he coughed.
"Father please I must ride with Pailor he killed Pertopolis who slain our beloved Vikler" the king nodded and wept "I will return father" he smiled and held his fathers hand as Pailor marched out of the castle followed by Hamler.
Hamler mounted a brown horse with the tree tribes flag as he rode behind Pailor who rode forth down the valley. The men rode to Luin who smiled and struggled to his feet as Savannah helped Luin to his feet.
"I have tended to his wounds they will heal quickly" she gave a bag of leaves and bandages to Pailor who nodded.
Luin rode with Pailor as the three men rode to the gate were Balier sat upon a brown horse with five other men glad in knights armour.
"I thought you could use the help Pailor these are loyal men and brave they will follow you to whatever doom waits" he smiled as Pailor frowned looking to Hamler as they rode through the gate and south.