Chapter Five
The Grey Forest

"Ay, indeed, I be a Taraner. From Taran Kaey no less, just like your own good selves." Haram the guard scratched the back of his head and gazed up at the thick canopy of trees above. "Not been back there in a good five years mind. But such be the life of a soldier." He rubbed the stubble of his beard, catching an itch. "Have you ever considered joining the army yourself, young master Daran?"

Daran's eyes widened, and he shook his head, "Not after seeing what happened back home. Wars are… not for me."

Haram nodded slowly, "It is unfortunate, a fit young lad like you would make a fine soldier." He leaned forward in his saddle and looked across Daran to Rael, who had been sitting quietly listening to the two converse for a few minutes now. "And what of you master Rael? Does life in service of the land not interest you?"

Rael looked at the other man blankly for a moment, his eyes inescapably drawn upon the scar under Haram's right cheekbone, obscured in part by his long dark hair, and the side plates of his silver helmets. Haram looked barely older than Ralis, but there was maturity in his shallow eyes that his brother did not possess. Knowledge of battle, terrible sights too horrific to think of. His eyes spoke volumes that his stony face did not.

"The only service of the land I ever wanted was to be a farmer," said Rael after a while, before turning away again to look further ahead into the forest. The three of them were at the back of the winding column, which up ahead snaked around wide tree trunks and through dense thickets. Ten horses and riders in all.

Ralis rode at the head, of course, keeping company with Sergeant Shaef. Ralis and the Sergeant had bonded very quickly, no doubt Shaef shared the same unusual views on the word as Ralis. Rael did not much like the Sergeant himself. He hadn't yet met a single commanding army officer that he did like. They were all so superior and arrogant, and looked down their noses at him. No wonder Ralis got along well with them then.

Behind rode Mara and Elane, talking quietly between themselves, but laughing out loud every now and then, before falling quiet once more. Laughing about men no doubt. Rael hoped they weren't talking about himself, that was the last thing he wanted.

Tabett rode behind talking with two more Baradale guards. One was Vic, the soldier they had met at the gates of the city, and had taken them to the Captain. The other was a tall man called Kopus. Kopus was from Hylia himself, and was keen to see his home again after so long out in the borderlands, that was why he had requested to be chosen as one of the four to answer the summon from the capital. Rael could understand that.

And here he rode with Daran and Haram, barely aware of where they were most of the time. He was very tired. Stifling a yawn, he turned to listen to Haram's response. The soldier just laughed, "A farmer eh? Looks like you won't be doing that for a while now lad, you won't be going to Taran Kaey for a while now, it be in no way for living now, so the reports said this morning. You-" He stopped short when Rael and Daran both gave him a shocked look. Talking about their ruined home like that, did he have no sense? "I do be sorry there, boys, I meant no offence." He cleared his throat and tried to recover, he felt awkward now, that was clear from his tone. "What I mean is you lads need to start thinking about the future now, for real like."

Daran nodded, "I understand. You mean whatever we were going to do with our lives back home doesn't matter now." He looked miserable now, and stroked the back of his horse's neck slowly, to take his mind away.

"That be how I see it," said Haram, continuing in his brisk speech, "you boys would do well to join the army I reckon. War is coming, like none has ever been seen before, if the rumours are to be believed. The Captain Destan has been seen shaking of late, he has been keeping to himself, and smoking his pipe for comfort more often when he believes no-one is watching. Whatever makes old Destan nervous is concern enough for any man."

Daran nodded, and Rael just tried to ignore the guard. He had no intentions of joining the army, he wanted to be a farmer, not a fighter, and he wouldn't let any small war get in the way of his life plans. His friend however seemed to be considering what the soldier was saying now, Rael recognised that look in his eyes.

Haram went on, "Besides, if the size of the army from over the sea is to believed, the Queen may well order conscription. Then all able-bodied men will be required to serve in the army, and make no mistake that will include you. Especially if you linger in Hylia." He chuckled to himself, and then asked, "Why are you going to Hylia anyway?"

"To get as far away from the coast as we can." He muttered, "To get away from this bloody war."

Haram chuckled again, in mockery of his words it seemed, "You seek to escape war, and so you ride to the kingdom's Capital? Where do you believe the hammer stroke will fall hardest if not there?" He laughed again, and heeled his mount up ahead to join the sergeant and Ralis. He left Rael and Daran speechless, and in question of what they were really doing now.

They rode on in silence for a while, neither of them sure what to say. The forest around them thickened, sparse woodland giving in to dense pine clusters. Heather and leather leaf thickets scattered the forest floor grew taller and broader as they ventured further on. The light that once had shone through the trees was soon blocked out mostly the solid canopy of pine branches. Their path was illuminated from small patches of light through broken trees here and there, the shallow light mixed with the heavy darkness above and bathed the forest in a half-light. The once fragrant scent of the verdant green woodland had changed to deeper, murky wet smell of the tall evergreen trees mixed with the rotting wood and rain sodden ground underfoot.

After a while, Daran drew himself up, and tried his best to speak off-hand, he didn't want to sound as though thought he knew what was best. "He is right you know, Rael. We aren't escaping war by going to Hylia, we're drawing ourselves further in to the conflict." Daran looked across at Rael waiting for a reply, and when he failed respond Daran jabbed him sharply in the arm.

Rael grunted and shrugged Daran away, "Of course I know." He coughed to try and clear his throat of the rancid stink of the forest, "I'm worried that it's what Ralis actually wants. Wearing that bloody sword as though he has worn it for years. As though he could actually use it if he had to."

Daran nodded his head slowly, "Well I don't know about Ralis, but I can tell you do intend to follow him. To Hylia, or to anywhere else."

Rael shook his head angrily and muttered a curse under his breath. "He's my brother, Daran," he said harshly, "you don't have a brother, or a sister, you wouldn't understand." He looked into the shadow ahead, where Ralis now rode in silence in the middle of the column. Rael's tone softened. "I have to protect him. I know he is older, and more accomplished than I, and married what is more, but still I have a duty to protect him. Burn the Light, but I do."

Daran's voice hardened, "I had a sister, Rael." He looked down at the earth, and shifted uncomfortably in his saddle.

Rael gave a start, he had forgotten. He felt himself go weak inside, how could have been so stupid? "I'm sorry, Daran," he replied slowly.

Daran went on as though he had not heard, "I would have given my own life to protect her, but I couldn't." His eyes still cold, and his face hard, he glared at Rael, almost growling now, "But don't you ever say I don't understand."

Rael recoiled slightly and looked away, "Then you know why I have to stay with Ralis." He said quickly, concerned he had upset Daran, but not enough to start apologising more than felt he had to. Darla had died a long time ago, her illness could not be cured. Such was life in Taran Kaey.

"I do understand what you are going through, Rael," he said, raising his tone, "but I bleed the same way as you do. We all do. Even so, if Hylia is where you want to go, be it for Ralis' sake or not, I shall go where you go."

Rael bowed his head in guilt, Daran was loyal to him, despite everything he had been through, and he realised now that he had taken him for granted. He forced himself to turn his head to look at his friend once more, "Thank you Daran."

Daran did not respond. He appeared to be concerned with something else, he was peering intently up ahead into the gloom. "Daran?"

His tone changed, no longer angry, now simply anxious, "There is something up ahead, be ready."

Rael barely had chance to filter Daran's words, for Sergeant Shaef suddenly yelled out loud, "Swords!" There was a sudden commotion as the guards pulled their long blades from their scabbards, and heeled their horses onwards to the head of the column. "Form on me!" Shouted the captain, and then quickly leaned over to say something to Ralis. Nodding quickly, Rael's brother heeled his horse around and began making his way back through the woods, drawing the long shining silver blade from its black and gold scabbard.

Garsh shifted unsteadily, and Rael pulled at the reins to keep him still, "Easy, boy," he said, patting his neck. "Ralis, what's happening?"

"Shaef thinks he heard bandits," he said, with more anger in his voice than concern. Mara and Elane had circled back to Rael and Daran, and Tabett was making his way over as well. "Mara, stay close at my side. Stay near me, and you'll be safe." He glanced back over his shoulder towards the guards. "Boys, watch after Elane."

"What's going on?" Demanded Rael, moving closer to Ralis.

"Gerudos," he hissed, "no doubt they have this road tolled. The soldiers will have to deal with it, but stick together for safety."

"Ralis!" Shouted Sergeant Shaef, "get everyone over here, now!"

Ralis simply nodded at the others, and heeled Pesh with his right boot. He turned and moved back towards the soldiers, Mara close at his heel. Rael gave a glance to the other three and nodded. They hurried their mounts through the wood until they came up near to the soldiers. It was very dark here, humid and dank.

The soldiers aligned themselves in a box formation around the six Taraners, and Shaef sat up tall on the back of his large black steed, as it trotted slowly around, allowing him to peer into the gloom.

An imitation birdcall screeched through the trees, echoing all around, answered by another from the other direction. Without warning, and several arrows burst from the dark and struck tree trunks very deliberately. Another birdcall, and then figures darted out of the woods, shouting loudly and trying to frighten them.

Rael had never seen a bandit, but he knew one now that he saw them. He could not count how many there were, ten, fifteen? They moved too quickly to count. Circling them, brandishing long, fat, flat-bladed scimitars. They were all tall, dark skinned men, strong of arm and large chested. Only thin shirts and dirty vest jackets covered their scarred bodies, and their legs by torn breeches. Every one of them had dark flaming red hair, around which they wore bright red headscarves that hung loosely at their backs to the waist.

Rael felt a hand clutch his coat sleeve, it was Daran, looking pale as a sheet. Rael suspected he looked something similar. Elane and Tabett hung closely together, and Ralis kept brandishing his sword, as though to ward bandits away from Mara.

Sergeant Shaef spoke to them all commandingly, "In the name of the Queen's law, by authority of Captain Destan of Baradale, I command you men to lay down your weapons and give clear path for my company to move on."

The largest and fiercest looking bandit - who looked almost eye to eye with the Sergeant despite his horse - stepped forward and challenged Shaef. "It will cost you five gold pieces per head to pass. Pay up, and you will be on your way."

"Stand down." Said Shaef once again. Outnumbered like this, either the sergeant was very confident in his men's ability to fight, or else very stupid. Or both.

"If five gold a head is too much," said the Bandit viciously, "we will do you the service of removing some." The other bandits laughed gruffly. "This is the land of King Jaendral, true blooded ruler of the Gerudos. I am Captain Kars, of the loyal First Legion, and I enforce the law here." He was rather more formal in his speech than Rael had anticipated. "Hylia's law does not function here. You shall pay the road tax, or you will be executed for crimes against the King."

Shaef extended his blade until it nearly touched the forehead of this 'Kars', and almost growled when he said, "Hyrule has only one Monarch, and one Law! Insolent gerudo dog!" He thrust his blade at Kars, who repelled the strike with a twitch of his long scimitar. "Back down!" He heeled his horse, and charged into Kars, knocking him to the ground, and trampling him.

The other gerudos attempted to rush them all, leaping up with swords. The disciplined Baradale soldiers moved with speed and brought their heavy blades down upon several of them. Sharp steel met flesh, and blood was spilled as swords hacked bodies. Elane screamed and clung to Tabett, who was clearly considering running away if only he could. A long haired gerudo suddenly came at Rael. He pulled backwards on the reins to move out of the way, and Garsh whinnied and flailed his front legs, knocking the gerudo to the ground. Rael struggled to stay mounted.

The soldiers had been grappled down from their horses now, and it was all they could do to keep the gerudos from getting in towards the six Taraners. Vic moved slowly but carefully, shrugging off blows precisely, and making long sweeping strikes with his long sword. Haram and Kopus moved more quickly, and fought side by side, stabbing, punching, kicking, beating back the gerudos in whatever way they could, but there were so many.

A loud scream behind him revealed a scene of terror. A gerudo was running towards Mara, and there was no-one between to protect her. Ralis was aware though, and bounded over his own horse, dropping through the air onto the aggressor, knocking them both clean to the ground. His thin silver sword was in his hands as he rose from the dirt, and as the gerudo attempted to strike him, he spun it round in his fingers rapidly, repelling all attacks. Rael watched his brother with fascination and terror as he landed a punch in the gerudos face, and ran him through with his blade, quickly withdrawing it, and slamming it through his ribs again in the other side of his chest.

"Rael!" Rael twisted his head around to see the form of an angry gerudo bandit about to swing his blade into his head. "Get down!" shouted the voice of Vic once again. Rael dropped low on Garsh's back and felt the blade swish past and brush his hair. He dared not open his eyes, but heard the sound of chopping flesh and squinted to see Vic standing over the body of the gerudo, with an arm separated from it's body.

The four soldiers were standing tall now, firmly in a ring around the six Taraners on their mounts. The remaining gerudos circled them, snarling taunts and trying to bait attacks. The wet rank smell of the forest mixed with the sweltering heat and the stench of blood, and Rael felt ready to sick up, especially at the sight of the dead men around.

"Get back!" Shouted Sergeant Shaef, "Go back to your lord and tell him to settle his own affairs on gerudo land! Stay away from Hylian territory!" The gerudos, clutching wounds and mournfully eyeing the bodies of their fallen comrades, backed away.

Captain Kars sheathed his sword and walked away, waving a warning hand. "Mark my words, Hylian, you will die for this!" He signalled for the other gerudos to come to his side. "Come on, men, we must report this travesty and get these men buried." They turned and skulked away, fading into the trees.

Shaef turned away and swung back up into his saddle, giving one last threatening look at Kars. "Ralis, is everybody all right?"

Ralis, who was kneeling on the floor looking at his blade as though incredibly befuddled, did not respond.

"We're fine," said Tabett, "but I want to get out of here, right now."

"We will," said Shaef, "Come, let's be moving. Ralis, get on your feet, lad! The northern forest border is near."