Chapter 14: The Banishment of Madmartigan

Grief and rage were all Airk knew as he rode at the forefront of his men. His wounded shoulder did not trouble him. He thought that becoming general would bring more happiness to him, but not in the way he had gained it. His father had to fall in battle and he was betrayed by whom he thought was best friend to earn his rank. Ronan rode along side his friend and noticed he was troubled.

"Something on your mind?" he asked.

"I'm gonna kill Madmartigan when I find him," Airk said vengefully.

"I was hoping for something more introspective but okay," Ronan shrugged.

Airk's jaw bulged. "That b****** abandoned us and now my father is dead because of it! Whatever he was running from, it will be nothing compared to me."

"Maybe he had a good reason to run," Ronan replied.

"Are you agreeing with him?" Airk questioned.

"No, but I'm simply saying all men feel fear, even the bravest men. I think Madmartigan has some part to play," Ronan replied.

Airk gave Ronan a crooked smile. "You're just trying to talk me out of killing him, aren't you?"

"Is it working?" Ronan asked.

"Yes," Airk sighed, admitting defeat. "Fine, I won't kill him, but his punishment will be no less severe when we find him."

"First we have to find him," Ronan replied.

"I don't think that will be difficult," Airk replied confidently.

After a long journey, Airk and his company had arrived back at Galladoorn. Raina, with her growing belly, had run out to meet him.

"Airk, my love, what happened?" she asked.

"Madmartigan betrayed us," Airk replied gravely.

Raina was taken aback. She knew Madmartigan was a fool but she did not think him a coward. "What? I can't believe that!"

"He abandoned us at Land's End," Airk replied. "My father's dead because of him."

Raina saw the rage and grief in Airk's eyes. She saw there was no lie in her husband's eyes. Madmartigan was a traitor and Galladoorn suffered for it. However she was not concerned for the fate of a deserter. She turned her attention to Airk's wounded shoulder.

"That shoulder wound looks angry," Raina replied. "Let's get you patched up."

Raina led Airk to the infirmary where he removed his shirt and she washed and dressed his wounds.

"I'm sorry for the loss of your father, my love," Raina said sorrowfully.

"It is no fault of yours, my love," Airk replied. "It is war and I'm sure my father would have laid down his life for Galladoorn."

"What will happen to Madmartigan now?" Raina asked.

"When we find him, he will face the consequences of his actions," Airk replied.

"Meaning he will die," Raina replied.

"He's a deserter and he was warned before he departed," Airk said dismissively.

"But he will die?" Raina questioned.

"Yes, he will die," Airk replied. "That is the punishment for desertion."

In the months since the Battle at Land's End, Airk and his men searched for Madmartigan. It wasn't until they came upon a tavern. Airk and Ronan searched among the women until they came upon a strange looking woman wearing a veil in a pink dress.

"Excuse me, my lady, we're looking for a soldier named Madmartigan," Airk replied.

The woman spoke in a high voice. "Never heard of him. Heard he's a scoundrel, but very handsome."

Airk and Ronan smirked to themselves.

"I heard he's the best with a sword," Airk replied. "And I heard he's good with the ladies and being one."

Airk drew his sword and sliced the veil off the woman's face, revealing a drag-clad Madmartigan.

"Hello, Madmartigan, you son of a b****!" Airk greeted before throwing his strongest punch at Madmartigan's jaw.

"Hello, Airk," Madmartigan greeted sardonically.

"Put him in chains," Airk commanded.

Led in chains, Madmartigan was dragged before the court of Galladoorn to face his doom.

"Can I say something?" Madmartigan asked.

"You talk and I'll kill you now," Airk replied.

"I believe I'm entitled to a defense," Madmartigan replied.

"You betrayed us. My father is dead because of you. What the hell could your defense be?" Airk demanded.

"I was only following my own path," Madmartigan replied. "I serve no one and I never will."

"That doesn't change anything," Airk replied. "My men died because of you. I'm only a general because my father is dead."

"I'm the best fighter there is and one day you will need me," Madmartigan replied.

Airk dragged his prisoner before the court to face his justice. Standing in the court was the very pregnant Raina.

Airk drew his sword. As he did, Madmartigan's words rang in his head. 'You will need me.' He knew this to be true. Yet he knew Madmartigan had to be punished for his crimes.

"Madmartigan, as punishment for your crimes against Galladoorn, I sentence you," he decreed, "to exile. You will be taken to the Crossroads where you will be imprisoned in a crow's cage."

Madmartigan half smiled. "You know I'm right."

"Take him to the cells. In the morning he will be taken to the Crossroads," Airk commanded.

Madmartigan was led away by the guards as Raina approached Airk.

"I'm proud of you, my love," she replied. "Will he survive the Crossroads?"

"He's a survivor," Airk replied. "He knows one day I will need him. One day, I hope he's right."