WAY OF THE WARRIOR
Aelwyn felt the cold air blow through his hair as Arian flew. He was amazed at the relatively flat plains that stretched out for miles and miles in nearly every direction. Coming from his misty lands of hills and valleys, such a large, flat and open space felt unnatural. He raised a hand to his face, winced and narrowed his eyes as he gazed off to the north.
Hmm, that looks like that forest from the map, Aelwyn observed. Indeed, far to the northeast, the forest Du Weldenvarden stretched as far as his eyes could see, vanishing into the mists. Arian hummed as she looked around.
There is a village below, she pointed out. He looked, and a small village stood down on the plains. He smiled softly.
We could do with some more supplies, and it would not be a bad idea to learn more about the area from the locals. Arian agreed, and banked to land in the plains so as to not be seen.
I do not think that is Daret, she said, and he shook his head.
Neither do I. I think this town was built after that map was drawn. Regardless, I'll see what we can learn. Feel free to hunt. I think I saw some deer by the river. Arian grinned and hummed before taking off. With that, Aelwyn headed for the village.
The first thing he noticed was a rough clay and brick wall surrounding the village. Again, he noticed the walls and buildings were all square and built with straight lines. So different from his lands. He stopped before the gates and looked around before heading in. Inside the walls, the village bustled more than any other settlement he had seen, but he also didn't fail to notice the guarded, nervous way people seemed to move. Aelwyn tensed a tiny bit, but tried to not let it show. The people there were more guarded. Speaking of guards, he saw a few scattered men in mail armor. He noted they wore odd, wide-brimmed helmets, quite unlike any back home. Aelwyn saw a sign with various good depicted, and entered the building. Wooden shelves stood lined with items. An older man stood behind the counter, wiping it with a rag. He looked up as Aelwyn entered.
"What ya want?" he asked gruffly. Aelwyn glanced around.
"I'm looking to buy supplies for my travels," he replied. The man cleared his throat, spit into a metal pot and nodded.
"Well, ya came to the right spot. Find what ya want and bring it." Aelwyn found a small case of tinder for his tinderbox and a few other small items, and brought them to the merchant. The man looked a bit surprised at the odd rings of silver Aelwyn produced from his pouch. "What kind of money is this?" he asked, seeming a little irritated, but also curious.
"I apologize. In my lands, gold and silver are all traded, no matter their forms. I hope this will be acceptable?" The man muttered a bit.
"Well, I don't have a problem with it, but Crantell might," he groused. Aelwyn raised an eyebrow.
"Might I inquire as to who this Crantell is?" The shopkeeper looked a little surprised.
"Ah, you must be from far away to not know him. Baron Ergan Crantell. He rules these lands." Aelwyn was lightly familiar with the term "baron". It was a rank not as high as a Chieftain, but greater than a Warrior.
"I take it he is not well-liked," Aelwyn replied, and the man spat again.
"To put it mildly, lad. We work hard, and barely show anything for it from how much he takes. A tithe my arse," the man swore. "If anything is not perfectly aligned, he will gladly take it from us in compensation. And I won't even get started about that vile younger brother of his," the man groused. Aelwyn listened intently to all of this. The man glanced at the rings of silver, and sighed. "I would like to help you, lad, but if I know Crantell, if he can find an excuse like some silver not being in coins, he'll most certainly use it. But, maybe Daret will . . ." they stopped as they heard yelling from outside. Aelwyn rushed out to see what was going on, the shopkeeper with him. They turned, and Aelwyn felt his stomach flip.
Down the dusty road, several of the guards had hold of a boy who looked as scrawny as a starved dog. He doubted the boy was older than ten years, if a day. Aelwyn frowned as he moved forward. "No! Stay out of it!" the shopkeeper warned with a hiss. Aelwyn ignored him as he stalked down the street, cloak fluttering.
"Got you, little thief!" said one of the armored men. The boy grunted as he struggled in their grip. A loaf of bread and a wrapped pack of meat fell as they shook the boy viciously.
"Wait!" cried out a female voice. They looked up at a young woman in a dirty dress came running up. "That's my brother!" she yelled.
"And we caught the little scut thieving!" replied one of the soldiers.
"Please, he's just a boy! I'll pay for what he stole!" she pleaded.
"That would be obstruction of justice," said a new voice, and they all turned to see a man mounted on a white horse. He worse expensive-looking clothes, edged with silver and with a decorative chain across his chest. The man looked down at them impassively. "Giving aid and comfort to a criminal is a crime. Arrest her. As for the thief, cut off his hands," he man said as casually as if he was asking to be served food. The young woman paled as one of the soldiers advanced on her and another reached for his sword.
"No, please!" she screamed.
"That is quite enough!" roared a voice. They all stopped and glanced up as Aelwyn approached.
"And who are you?" the man upon the horse asked. Aelwyn stood firmly on both legs in front of them.
"I? I'm a shelter to every poor man, a rampart of fight to every rich man. I give comfort to every wretch, I deal mischief to every strong man. I am the equal to any Warrior or Chieftain upon any battlefield. And I answer to none except the Gods of my people," Aelwyn replied, reciting the words engraved into his heart and soul. The soldiers blinked, but the man on the horse seemed amused, smirking at him. "If the boy did steal, then I will pay his fine myself, but release him. You have your goods, what profit does it gain you for fighting? I have the silver right here as proof," he said as he brought up the rings on his fingers.
"Which you no doubt stole. Arrest this shite-colored upstart as well," said the noble as he dusted his fancy, large ring against his chest. As the soldier moved, Aelwyn leered at him.
"I would not, were I you," he warned.
"You're not me," the soldier replied as he reached for his sword.
Aelwyn's foot lashed out, smashing the man's hand against his thigh before he could draw his sword. Aelwyn's fist connected with the side of the man's face and sent him sprawling. The other two soldiers were shocked, and it took them a moment before they could react. Time Aelwyn used to the fullest. In one motion, he unfurled his sling and hurled the stone loaded into it at the soldier holding the boy, hitting the man in the neck, making him collapse like a sack of rocks as the boy scrambled away. The girl ran and scooped up her brother. Aelwyn heard the sound of hooves, and turned as the man on the horse galloped forward, a riding crop raised. Aelwyn caught it and yanked it from the man's hand before striking him across the face with it, snapping the crop as the noble yelled in pain as he tumbled from the saddle. Aelwyn charged forward and smashed the last soldier in the face with his shield before he could draw his sword. "Get behind me," Aelwyn hissed to the girl and her brother. The two scrambled behind him as he brought up his shield while the noble got to his feet and scowled at them.
"You insolent bastard! You dare raise your hand to a noble?!" he yelled as he held his bruised cheek. Aelwyn looked at him with no emotion.
"One is not noble because they are born so. True nobility is earned. Only one who has provided for their fellows, knows and shares their troubles and works to solve them. Only they can call themselves noble," Aelwyn shot back. The noble snarled as he got back onto his horse.
"Ugh. You dare to insult the House of Crantell?! I've had enough! Guards! Kill them!" Crantell yelled, and the few remaining soldiers drew their weapons. Aelwyn glanced at a wooden hitching post. He kicked it hard enough to break it, hefted it up, and hurled it at the charging soldiers, knocking all three of them down at once. He smiled as the girl and her brother cowered behind him. "Ugh! You useless fools!" Crantell snarled as he drew a beautiful sword from his saddle, set with red gems, and kicked his horse into a gallop towards Aelwyn, who bared his teeth with feral, warrior glee.
"Not swords, Crantell! We fight with spears! Here's yours!" Aelwyn yelled as he drew his spear and hurled it with all his might. Crantell rode right into it, the spear tearing open his belly and flying out the back. He fell from the saddle as the terrified stallion galloped on. Aelwyn walked up to the fallen man, Crantell's intestines hanging out of the open wound as he gurgled blood. Aelwyn smiled darkly at the fallen, dying noble. "I did warn you and your men, gave you the chance to avoid this." Crantell coughed up blood as Aelwyn drew his short sword.
"How . . . can the wards have . . . failed?" Crantell gasped before his head fell back to the dirt and he breathed his last. Aelwyn huffed and sheathed his sword. One such as him was not worthy to be a trophy. He turned back to the girl and her brother as other people helped them.
"Are either of you hurt?" Aelwyn asked. They looked at him, totally shocked.
"No," the girl replied. He smiled softly and nodded.
"That is good. And you, young man?" he asked the boy.
"I'm all right," the boy replied a little sullenly. The other people looked torn between relief, and fear. He could see the gratitude in their eyes, but also saw the fear in their movements.
"I can't believe it. You . . . you killed him," said the girl, looking at Crantell's body. Aelwyn glanced back, then back at her.
"Trust me, one such as him will not be missed," he replied. The shopkeeper shook his head.
"Oh, lad. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. That was Rolan Crantell. Baron Ergan Crantell's younger brother. He won't like this. Not at all." Aelwyn glanced at the man, then the girl and her brother.
"What will be will be. I could not pass by such vileness and not act. I am Honor-Bound to never ignore those who need aid," Aelwyn replied. "Now, why were you out and about to such shenanigans?" Aelwyn asked, hands on his hips.
"He wanted to help our mother. She's sick and couldn't help in the fields. We didn't have enough for extra food," the girl explained. They heard the sound of footsteps running up. They turned, and a man in a green tunic and pants was running up.
"Father!" the girl yelled out. The man ran up and hugged his children.
"Aasta! Atreus! Thank the Gods you're safe!" he wept. Aelwyn felt warmth in his chest as he watched the man embrace his children. The man then looked at Aelwyn, tears in his eyes. "Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done if I lost them," he said, and Aelwyn merely waved his hand.
"The fact they are safe is all that matters," he replied. The shopkeeper huffed as he looked at Crantell's body.
"But I wonder for how long?" he wondered. Aelwyn looked at him.
"I will help deal with that when the time comes. But, for now, we will help them. Now, you said your mother is sick and you need extra food, yes?" Aelwyn asked. The father looked shocked.
"Ah, yes. My wife has not been well. She is on the mend, but," Aelwyn stopped him there with a raised hand.
"Say no more. Let me deal with the rest. I will return shortly," said Aelwyn as he headed out of the village. Arian, would you mind catching an extra deer? he asked. The reply was a confused, but pleased positive.
XXX
Aelwyn returned a short time later, a large buck across his shoulders as he entered the house. He laid the deer down where a couple other men were conversing about what he had done, but Aelwyn paid it little mind. Instead, he strode across the dirt floor to a bed piled with furs where a woman hugged Aasta and Atreus, their father watching and smiling. The man turned to Aelwyn and smiled with new tears before shaking his hand.
"I can't thank you enough, sir. From the very bottom of my heart and soul." Aelwyn smiled back at him.
"As I said, I am bound by Honor to never ignore those in need." He then looked at the family, and came forward to speak to their mother. "Now, how're you feeling? Might I ask what is wrong?" he asked, hoping he recalled enough of his lessons. She looked up at him, blonde hair with some white falling back from her head.
"I'm much better. Just a cough," she replied. Aelwyn smiled and stood with his hands on his hips.
"Ah, but a cough can become so much worse, and has been the end of many to dismiss it. It would not do to leave your family in grief, that it wouldn't," he said in a hint of a song-song tone. The woman laughed, and coughed slightly. Aelwyn raised an eyebrow, one ear almost seeming to perk up. "Hmm, sounds like a bit of rattling." He looked at the shopkeeper. "Do you have honey or hazel nuts?" he asked.
"Um, I do," said another of the men. Aelwyn smiled and tossed a ring of gold to him.
"A bag of hazel nuts, a jar of honey and some mead if you have any. And keep anything left over for your trouble," said Aelwyn. The man smiled and hurried away. A few of the others stared with open mouths at his words and actions. Aelwyn strode to where a mortar and pestle were, clearing a space to work. The man returned a few moments later with a bag of hazel nuts, some honey and some mead. "Thank you very much," said Aelwyn as he took the ingredients and then began to grind up the hazel nuts, adding honey and making a thick paste, which he then added some mead to in order to thin it. "Now, pay attention. The specific measures of each are not as important, but you want to have as close to an even ratio of honey to hazel nuts, if you can," he said as he stirred. He then smiled and brought the bowl to the woman, offering it to her with a spoon. "This will help your cough and clear your chest. I know, I had it more than once myself," he said with a wink. The woman smiled and took it. She took a spoonful, and hummed happily.
"It tastes wonderful," she replied, and he grinned. Aasta and Atreus hugged each other.
"See! I said I'd get Mom help!" said Atreus. This drew a few chuckles. The shopkeeper approached and placed his hand on Aelwyn's shoulder.
"Very grateful to you, young man. But as I said, you may have signed your own death warrant. Baron Crantell may not have liked his younger brother much, but he will not be able to overlook such a slight to his family honor. When he finds out, he will surely seek retribution." Aelwyn looked at him.
"I knew that when I first walked towards him. While I did try to end things without hostilities, that strutter would not have listened to any words. There is no arguing with those deaf to good faith." Aelwyn looked at the family, and the men who were butchering the buck, then back to the shopkeeper. "Rest assured, I will full take any blame. None will rest on you or any others here." The man chuckled and shook his head.
XXX
It was only a few days later when a messenger arrived in the village, easily picked out by his silk clothes and groomed appearance. The people met him with far less than enthusiasm.
"I seek the slayer of my Lord's brother!" the man called. Aelwyn approached without any fear. He could tell the man was nervous, even from a distance. "That is you, I assume?" the man asked, and Aelwyn nodded. "My great Lord, Baron Ergan Crantell, hereby challenges you to a duel of honor for the death of his brother! If you have honor, you will face him at dawn by the river! What say you?!" called the messenger as he threw down a leather glove. Aelwyn raised an eyebrow at the strange action.
"Tell your lord that I accept his challenge, on the condition he meet me fairly and with honor. I would hope he is not the soured pizzle spit his younger brother was," Aelwyn shot back, making the messenger's jaw drop at the sheer audacity he displayed. A few of the villagers barely suppressed snickers at this. As they watched the messenger ride away, Arian spoke to him.
Be careful, little one. His kind or more slippery than eels. I highly doubt he will be honorable, she warned. He smiled to himself.
You are likely right. Rest assured, I will be ready, should he try some treachery, Aelwyn replied confidently. Aelwyn then went to ready himself and his weapons for the coming duel. He spent the rest of the evening sharpening his spear and sword, making sure he had all his supplies ready and waiting, before making sure that Hagen, the father, Idra, the mother, Aasta and Atreus were all safe and would be all right. Once that was taken care of, he left the village and went out into the plains, where Arian picked him up and they flew to where the battle was to take place.
The site was by a bend in the Ninor River, marked by a gnarled willow tree that grew seemingly miraculously from some crags and rocks. Aelwyn dismounted and Arian took off in the pre-dawn gloom, but she would stay close and hidden, should he need.
I do not trust that vile human will honor his word. Don't let your guard down, little one, she cautioned, and he agreed. Aelwyn stayed curled in his cloak near the base of the tree, blending in with his gray and brown clothes. Just about at dawn, just as the horizon began to change to pink, he heard the thunder of horses hooves. He stayed where he was, just in case, but tensed, hand on his hidden sword and spear. He warily and cautiously eyed the landscape, listened with his ears and felt the vibrations. It was more than a single horse. His eyes narrowed as he waited and watched the river. He saw a tall figure in a splendid cloak ride up on a large horse. He could see a few others also on horses. Attendants, from the looks, but he didn't trust. He slid his shield straps onto his arm and slowly stood up, still hidden against the tree.
"Where are you?!" Baron Ergan Crantell called out sonorously.
"Right here," Aelwyn replied calmly as he walked down from where he stood. For the first time, the got a good look at each other.
The Baron was clad from head to foot in steel armor of solid plates, the likes of which Aelwyn had never seen with his own eyes before. Plates articulated like the body of a lobster, sliding under each other to protect, but allow movement. The metal carapace shined in the morning light.
"So, you are the one who slew my brother?" he asked from on back of his horse.
"Yes, but I did give him a chance to end the issue without bloodshed, even offered to pay for items stolen. When he accused me of stealing my own belongings, and tried to arrest me, I responded. I likewise give you the chance to end this without bloodshed!" At this, Baron Crantell chuckled.
"I always knew my brother was a fool. Be that as it may, honor demands action. Blood for blood." With that, Crantell dismounted, his armor jingling. He took a large, metal club with flat flanges along the sides from his saddle and strode towards Aelwyn. The younger warrior watched and grinned softly.
"I thought our agreement was to fight with honor! And here you come with armed men besides yourself, and armed as that to boot!" At this, Crantell barked a laugh.
"They are my servants, boy. Here to watch my victory. And such armor as perfectly honorable!" At this, Aelwyn shrugged and brought forth his shield to the ready, the complex pattern of spirals on the surface drawing Crantell's eyes.
"It would be more honorable to fight one on one without armor, but if you are that afraid of me, I cannot argue." Crantell growled at this.
"I will show you fear, whelp," he snarled as he stalked forward and readied his mace. Aelwyn kept his spear at the ready, but did not yet strike, circling to the side. Crantell closed in and swung the great, black metal club at him. Aelwyn stepped back, then to the side, gauging his opponent. He's quick, for one so weighed down with armor, he mused. His eyes roamed the armor, and settled on the thin slit where Crantell's eyes were. It was then that Aelwyn saw the first rays of the sun begin to cast their glow upon the very top of Crantell's helmet.
An idea formed as he avoided the blows. Aelwyn feigned a thrust with his spear to back Crantell up, but moved to his right as he did so. "Stop dodging and fight!" Crantell snarled, voice seeming to echo in his metal suit. Aelwyn only smiled thinly, dodging back and around, watching the rays grow stronger. Then, he dodged to his right, past the shadow of the rocks. Crantell winced as the light of the sun shown directly in his brown eyes. Aelwyn moved light lightning, faking a thrust with his spear before pulling back and hurling it. Crantell fell for the ruse, blinded by the sunlight. Eyes eyes flew open wide as the spear flew between the slit of his visor and right into his left eye. The man gagged and gurgled, stumbling back, before falling forward. The butt of the spear dug into the ground, the force of Crantell's weight shoving the spear through his skull and out the back, the tip clicking against the back of his helmet. The Baron's dead body was left standing by the spear that impaled his head, his mace falling to the ground with a thunk.
"I think he got my point . . ." Aelwyn quipped without humor or a smile.
The men yelled, and as Aelwyn looked up, some were drawing back bows, some drawing swords and others spears. His eyes narrowed. "So, she was right," Aelwyn said in a low voice as the soldiers prepared to kill him. "So, meet my partner!" he bellowed as Arian leaped up onto the crags, spread her wings and roared as loud as she could. The horses spooked, some running, others rearing and whinnying in fear. The men screamed as Arian bounded down in front of Aelwyn, who leaped up into the saddle. "Behold, the might of the dragons!" he roared. The terrified men wheeled around to flee. "That's right! Run, honorless cowards! And never return to these lands again!" Arian roared her agreement, flapping her wings and soaring into the air, giving brief chase, diving on them to scare them, but they all escaped with their lives. She landed back at the river, so Aelwyn could collect Crantell's head. He also took the large, heavy mace.
XXX
The people of the village were more than shocked when Aelwyn not only returned, but with the severed head of Ergan Crantell and his mace. The latter of which he presented to Hagen as a gift. "You may keep it, or sell it. It looks like good steel, so might be better made into tools. Far much better and more useful around here, I should think." The shocked man stared at the heavy weapon, then at Aelwyn.
"I-I-I don't know what to say," he muttered, and Aelwyn smiled and gently patted his shoulder.
"Then say nothing, my friend. Sometimes silence is more eloquent than the best speeches." At this, Hagen looked at him and smiled. The shopkeeper, Herald, scratched his head.
"Well, now with Baron Crantell gone, not sure what we'll do," he mused. Aelwyn thought for a moment.
"How about you vote on it?" They all looked at him. "In my lands, those who lead are chosen by the people. Vote for those who have given the most, shown the most dedication, care and honor. Let every voice ring out, and stand together with honor." They stared at him, then looked at each other.
"That's . . . not a bad idea," said one farmer. More murmurs began. The shopkeeper looked at Aelwyn.
"What about you?" he asked, and Aelwyn chuckled and shook his head.
"Sorry, I'm in the middle of my journeys. But, maybe ask Hagen? I'm sure he could think of someone. Now, if you all will excuse me," he said and with that, left.
Aelwyn mounted Arian once out of sight and they headed east. Now, the severed head of Ergan Crantell was tied to the saddle, along with those of the Ra'zac and others he had taken.
You did very well, little one, said Arian. He smiled and nodded as the wind blew his hair and cloak.
But as much credit goes to you, Arian. You really helped after Crantell fell. You have very keen instincts. I'm not surprised he showed such cowardice. She hummed as her gratitude washed into his mind. With this, she flared her wings and soared higher.
XXX
"You are sure of this?" a deep, sonorous voice asked. The room they were in was dim, light from a fireplace cast dancing shadows upon the walls. The soldier nodded his head.
"Yes. I saw the heads on the dragon's saddle as clear as day!" the man replied.
"Hmm . . ." The sound was like rocks grinding together. "Very well, you are dismissed," said the deep voice, and the soldier bowed and gladly fled the dark room. Then, the room descended into silence, save for the crackling of the fire.
"So, another Rider has surfaced at last . . ." hissed a new voice. Amber eyes slid to the side to gaze into deep, brooding shadows at maroon eyes.
"Indeed. And already, they are interfering," said the deep voice. The higher voice made an amused sound.
"So, what shall we do about it?" asked the higher voice. There was a deep chuckle.
"I think we can use this to our advantage. Send word to Gil'ead," ordered the deep voice.
"Yes, Milord," replied the voice with amusement.