Authors: Laszlo,Jeremy
Seth
Though his body did need rest, Seth couldn’t sleep. He sat holding Sara until the sun rose outside and he held her still when she woke long after dawn. The previous day must have been very trying for everyone, because even after Sara had awoke again, Garret and Ashton still remained asleep. Seth was happy they slept, as it gave him more time alone with his angel.
Seth watched Sara stir, watched the beautiful smile spread across her delicate face. He looked at her, waiting patiently for her to open her eyes. He didn’t wait long and he greeted her with a smile. Her golden amber eyes shone at him like two little suns and lit a fire in his soul every time he looked into them. The feeling was like a drug and he was terribly addicted. They sat silently looking into one another’s eyes until Garret awoke.
Garret
Garret stirred, stretching then yawning, and opened his eyes. He had been sleeping on his side, facing towards Seth and Sara, so when his eyes opened they nearly popped out of his head! Not only was his brother awake, but he was sitting up, Sara in his lap, as if nothing had ever happened. Garret jumped to his feet and would have run up to them if the low ceiling had permitted.
“Lookin’ good,” Garret stated, then a bit more cautiously asked, “How do you feel?”
“Better than you might anticipate, but I’m still weak as hell,” Seth answered with a crooked grin on his face.
“I’ll take weak over dead any day,” Garret responded laughing loudly.
Ashton woke to Garret’s laughing and turned to see the occasion. It was obvious he couldn’t believe his eyes. He had stated that he did not think, hope, nor did he even pray that Seth would recover this fast. He too hopped out of his makeshift bed and came to listen to the twins’ conversation.
“Well…” Garret was saying, “as it turns out we are out of food, but I think I can remedy that if Sara will loan me her crossbow and a few bolts for it.”
Sara nodded in response and reaching down, she unclasped her belt and pulled the crossbow around her body, thus freeing it. She handed it to Garret and told him to have fun. Ashton, wanting to help, said he would go gather some herbs or whatever wild vegetables he might find. Both Garret and Ashton left the small dwelling quickly, eager to see if food would rouse Seth’s body.
Seth
Again Seth was alone with Sara, his Sara. He held her still and resumed satiating his addiction. He traced her every feature with his eyes. Starting at the top of her head he tried to memorize every strand of her midnight hair. Her face he dwelt on for many moments, taking in her soul-penetrating amber eyes, high cheekbones and her plump, firm lips. He next admired her slender, petite neck, a place he had never kissed her, though knew he would not resist it much longer. Seth continued to study the small form in his arms meticulously. He had nearly lost her, or rather sacrificed himself to save her, and so almost sacrificed a future with her. He found it odd just then. There it was, right there in his mind, the inevitable word, sacrifice. Seth had heard and thought the word entirely too much as of late, and he quickly tried to put it out of his mind. Refocusing his thoughts, he returned his gaze to Sara’s entrancing, depthless eyes.
Garret
Garret left their shelter and fought, once again, through the thick brush to the wide path they had traveled two days before. Here he hoped to find an intersecting game trail he could follow to hunt for some food. Reaching the trail, Garret turned left, the direction in which they would soon be traveling, and examined the ground. He had taken only a few steps when he heard a snort. Jerking his head up he stared down the trail ahead of him where three men on horseback stood. Garret froze. He could not make out much detail at this distance, but even from where he stood, he could see the gleam of their armor and their weapons glinting in the sunlight. The men must have noticed him at the same time, and kicking their horses’ flanks, the beasts exploded forward at a neck-breaking speed. Garret remained immobile. He did not know whether these men were friend or foe, but was afraid that if he ran and they were not friendly, he might mistakenly lead them to his companions. The horses and their riders approached him without slowing, the hooves of their mounts like thunder as the roared nearer.
Sure he was about to be trampled, Garret prepared himself to lunge headlong into the brush across the trail when the armored men reined in their steeds. Knowing there was no escape, Garret was frozen in terror. One rider remained directly in front of him, his mount’s hot breath exploding in great bursts into Garret’s face, as the other two riders urged their mounts to either side and behind him, leaving him no room to flee.
Ashton
Ashton was kneeling in the dirt, expertly removing some wild onions from the soil, when he heard the thunderous pounding of hoof beats coming down the trail. Leaving the onions on the ground, he crept through the brush to see who had approached and why they had stopped. Reaching the edge of the trail he could see Garret surrounded by three heavily armed and armored men. Each of the men sat upon an enormous white steed. It was a breed Ashton did not recognize. From this distance he could not hear what transpired, but he gathered from the men’s postures that they were not to be taken lightly. He watched the three armored men dismount from their steeds, their highly polished armor all the while shining in the sunlight. Then Garret was off into the brush, and the men followed directly behind him. Ashton, unsure of what was happening, raced through the undergrowth, certain he could beat them to the shelter where Sara and Seth were unaware of the coming danger. Racing to the clearing Ashton paused to check that Garret and the men had not yet arrived. Assuring himself they had not, he charged into the stone shelter, not stopping until his eyes found his companions in the dimly lit space. Sara sat at Seth’s side near his face, and as Ashton approached, she raised a finger to her lips telling him to be quiet, telling him Seth was asleep.
“Wake him,” Ashton responded to her unspoken command.
“Whatever for?” Sara demanded in a hushed tone. “He needs his rest.”
“Yes, but we may be in danger,” Ashton warned, turning Sara’s face grim.
“Again?” she asked
“Yes, three men met Garret on the road. They follow him now, and they follow him here. They are all armed.” Ashton related as much as he could, without being long winded.
That was apparently enough information for Sara. She asked nothing further. Instead she leaned her face to Seth’s ear and whispered.
“Seth darling, I need you to wake up.”
Seth’s eyes popped open immediately, scanning the room. He must have perceived in Sara’s words a tone of fear, one she had not intended. Not locating any immediate danger, however, he looked then to Sara.
“Men are coming with weapons. They found your brother hunting, and he’s leading them here.” Sara spoke quickly as Ashton’s face mirrored her concern.
Seth
Seth nodded, and rolling first to his knees, warily rose to his feet. Though knowing he was too weak to fight, he drew his sword, then reached to his belt and brought forth his dagger as well. Motioning for Ashton to follow, he handed the dagger to Sara, and led them towards the opening of their small cavern. As they neared the entrance Seth could hear voices so he motioned the others back. He paused a moment to listen. Men were talking and there was the sound of a sword being drawn. Next came the sound of bones breaking, followed by a hollow thud, the sound a body might make when it hit the ground. He listened a moment longer, his heart filled with sorrow. His brother was probably dead.
Unable to dwell on what might be happening outside their hiding spot, Seth listened for a moment longer. Straining his ears, he could hear someone approaching the entrance. He turned and this time led Sara and Ashton to the farthest corner in the back of the cavern, where the shadows were darkest. If they could surprise the men who had followed his brother, they might stand a chance. Seth, knowing this may be his last chance to do so, looked to Sara. She did not notice his gaze. Instead she watched the entrance, unblinking, shaking, fear in her eyes. How it pained him to see her this way, yet she had every right to be afraid. He would be unable to protect her in his weakened condition and Ashton was not even armed. Her dagger would not be enough to save her, and after the men disposed of him and Ashton who knew what they might do to her.
This in mind, Seth quickly formulated a plan. He was too weak to fight, but he was sure he had enough energy to put up a good show. He could rush the men as they neared the entrance, hopefully startling them, giving Sara and Ashton a chance to escape and make a run for it. If he could live long enough to give them at least a few moments’ head start, they might be able to lose the men in the thick ocean of brush that went on for miles in every direction. Seth knew he would die, but he would gladly sacrifice his life if Sara would live. He turned to tell his plan to Ashton, seeing Sara’s look of fear mirrored on his friend’s face, but suddenly froze before he could speak.
A footstep sounded in the cavern, echoing across the stone. Seth dropped to a kneeling position, preparing to lunge if the opportunity presented itself. Another step, then another and another echoed through the open cavern. The steps came in fast succession, but Seth noted that it was only one person who approached their small ambush. He waited tensely, watching, hoping he could catch this enemy off guard. The approaching footsteps slowed and then a large shadowy figure emerged into the dark room, something bulky in its hands.
Garret
Garret remained rooted to the spot as the horses and their riders surrounded him.
“Young man,” the rider in front of him said in an even tone, eyeing first Garret’s face and then sliding his gaze to land sternly on Garret’s hands. Without realizing what he was doing, Garret too looked down. He had forgotten momentarily that he was carrying Sara’s crossbow, drawn and loaded. He had it pointed instinctively forward, towards the rider in front of him. He lowered it quickly, not wanting to provoke the men, if they would even need provoking.
Seeing the weapon lowered, the first rider, presumably their leader, spoke again.
“Who are you and what is your purpose on this road?” It was a demanding tone, but not quite menacing.
“My name is Garret Derringer and I was hunting.” Garret tried to control his voice to sound unafraid.
“Hunting indeed,” the man replied through his helm, again turning his steel gray eyes to the crossbow. He then continued, “Did you happen to notice any goblin tracks during your hunt?”
“No,” Garret replied honestly.
“Hmm.” The man grunted, eyeing Garret as if considering something. He leaned forward in his saddle, scrutinizing Garret. Then he presumably made his decision and continued to speak. “We are Knights to the Kingdom, young hunter, sent to track down a goblin raiding party spotted in these lands. Two nights ago we found them and ambushed them in the night. A single goblin escaped our attack, and we were not immediately able to pick up his trail. Yesterday we found his tracks, heading in this direction. Be careful, young hunter, even a single goblin can be a deadly encounter. If you see him, note his location, and report it to a member of the Valdadorian guard as soon as you might meet one.”
Garret thought quickly of how to respond, and deciding honesty was best, spoke to the knight before him. “I spoke true about the tracks, sire, as I have seen no markings of the goblin. But I have seen the goblin itself.”
At that point all three riders leaned in their saddles to listen closely.
“Last night, as my companions and I slept, the goblin attacked us.” Before Garret was able to continue, the large knight with the steel eyes interrupted.
“Yet you stand here,” he stated, and then waited as if to let Garret continue.
“Yes, sire, the goblin was wounded in the attack, with this very crossbow.” Garret raised the weapon for them to see. However, the knights had no interest in it so Garret let it fall to his side again.
“Then I managed to finish it off with my sword,” Garret said.
“And what of your companions?” This time the question came from the rider to Garret’s left, his voice trailing off as if already assuming the answer.
Without turning to face him, still looking ahead to the knight before him, Garret continued. “My brother was wounded in the fight. He now rests to recover. Our other companions were unscathed.” This revelation from Garret seemed to take the knight in front of him by surprise as the man reeled back in his saddle in response. He nodded his approval after a moment and leaned forward to speak once again.
“Where is the goblin’s body? I must see for myself if it is the same one we have been tracking.” This he once again said in an even tone, and then as if it was an afterthought asked, “And what of your brother? How comes his recovery?”
“My brother remains weak after the ordeal and we have run out of food. That is why you have found me here on the trail. I was hunting, hoping to help him regain his strength so that we may complete our journey to The Choosing ceremony.” Garret feared he may have offered more details than they wanted and added, “I’ll show you the goblin.”
The knight atop the horse in front of Garret nodded in response. Then, as if a command was given that Garret was unable to hear, the three knights dismounted. Holding the reins to their horses, they stood facing Garret, waiting for him to lead. Garret walked quickly back into the thick brush, not wanting to make them wait. He did not look back to see if they followed, there was no need. The knights’ heavy armor creaked and groaned as they walked, and their feet pounded the ground nearly as loudly as their mounts’ hooves. Garret led the small procession towards the stone outcropping where his brother and Sara still rested. Entering the small clearing around the giant stones, Garret motioned towards the goblin’s body for them to see. It still stood, as Garret had left it, impaled upon a stick that he himself had thrust up beneath its ribs, out of its collarbone and into the base of its skull. Two of the knights remained at the entrance of the clearing, the third, whom Garret assumed was the same one he had spoken to, approached the goblin, still leading his horse by the reins. When the knight was sure it was the same goblin as he had followed, he drew his sword and with one mighty swing cleaved the base of the branch where it was stuck in the ground. The goblin’s body tumbled to the ground held stiff by the pole that remained thrust through it. Returning his sword to its sheath, the knight tied the goblin’s leg to his horse, planning to drag it away with him. After the goblin was secured, the knight turned and nodded once to his peers. He then turned his steel eyes to Garret.
“You have done the kingdom a service, Garret Derringer, and so you shall be rewarded.” Drawing his steed to him, the knight untied a large sack from his saddle and walked to where Garret stood. He handed the bag to Garret, then reaching to his waist, slipped his mail covered hand beneath his breastplate and pulled forth a coin purse. This too he handed to Garret.
“The sack is food. It is fairly fresh, and there should be enough to sustain you and your companions until you reach Paldoon’s Hold. From there use the coins to rent horses to make up lost time. The inn will be expecting you. Tell the keeper Sirus sent you. He will have a room and horses waiting. You still have plenty of time to make the journey on foot, but if you wish to participate in the festivities in Castle Valdadore, I suggest you use the horses.”
Garret tried to thank the knight but the man raised his hand in protest. He joined his two companions, and they began to lead their horses back out to the trail. Garret watched them go. Just before they were out of sight the knight he had spoken to turned around and said, “I shall hope to see you at The Choosing, young hunter.” Then he turned and walked out of sight.
Garret could hardly believe what had happened. All their problems were solved. They now had food and also had time to let Seth heal before continuing on. Garret turned to walk across the clearing, a huge grin on his face, impatient to tell his companions of their new found luck.
Garret entered the cavern quickly, not allowing his eyes time to adjust to the deep shadows inside. He walked into the area they had slept the night before, already forming words of greeting on his lips, but came to an abrupt halt. No one was here. His and Seth’s blankets remained, as well as Ashton’s bear hide, and he even noted Sara’s pack against the one stone wall. But Seth, his girlfriend and Ashton were missing. Garret took another step forward into the dark room to see if anything else was there and was struck hard in the stomach. The force of the blow knocked the air from his lungs and hurled him over backwards. He landed with a thud on his back, his head bouncing off the stone floor. Stars erupted before his eyes. Something was upon him then, pinning him to the ground though he could not make out what it was. Garret struggled to free himself vigorously, abruptly stopping as he felt a blade pressed to his throat. He moaned in defeat.
It was that moan that saved his life.