The High King: A Tale of Alus (16 page)

"I believe that is my sword you hold there, Bakur. I am not yet dead and you have scavenged weapons from my unconscious body? Have my weapons and armor brought to the command tent by morning, sergeant. I'll sleep there tonight and tomorrow I expect you and the other sergeants to meet me there immediately following breakfast."

Still trying to understand Gerid's reappearance, Bakur spoke numbly, "But you were dead. I saw your corpse for myself before committing your body to the funeral mound. I swear it!"

Finally pushed beyond his tolerance, Gerid snatched his sword from the man's slackened grip. Gripping it with his right hand, the left dealt a stinging slap to the older man's face half spinning him around on his toes. "Get it through your thick skull! I am alive and still your superior officer. Have my armor and weapons returned by morning or you'll be digging ditches for me for the rest of your life!"

"Yes, sir," Bakur mumbled weakly. As Gerid passed him, he quickly put the sergeant from his mind. The lieutenant didn't bother to look behind him to watch the sergeant stagger off still confused by the events.

Once in the command tent, Gerid wolfed down a tremendous meal and then collapsed onto a cot for some deeply needed rest. He had never been so exhausted in his life and was asleep as soon as his head reached the pillow.

The morning found the young lieutenant surprisingly refreshed. Upon dressing his wounds, he was surprised to note how quickly they were already healing. They almost looked as if he had been healing for a week or more. It was too remarkable and ridiculous to believe, so the man dismissed the idea from his head and simply finished dressing. His armor had been delivered during the night as he had ordered and Gerid put it on as usual though the chest plate had three large openings through its thin metal shell now. The tears would have to be tended to when they returned to the main camp and its metal smiths. Seeing the blood that still stained the areas around the gashes, Gerid thought that he was lucky to be alive. Shaking his head, the man guessed that the metal had managed to deflect just enough of the blows to prevent the swords from going deep enough to pierce anything vital.

By the time the lieutenant had dressed and was just finishing the breakfast that one of his men had delivered to the tent earlier, his sergeants had arrived. Gesturing for the four men to take seats on the light field chairs kept inside, Gerid didn't even bother to rehash their leaving him for dead, but moved to what he didn't know, "Bakur, since you were in charge while I was away, I'll need you to report on what happened since then. Did you send a messenger back to Commander Kolonus as I had warned Sergeant Rastei?"

"Yes, sir, I dispatched a pair of men to base as soon as the sergeant ran into camp with the warning. We then sent Rastei's platoon and mine straight to your battle while Ulius and Palus moved in flanking maneuvers to either side to prevent any of the enemy from escaping. We slew all but three of their men who we now hold hostage for interrogation at the base camp. The company suffered nominal losses (only four men and we thought you as well of course). Actually, you left us very little to clean up in the town by the time we arrived.

"After helping the villagers clean up the dead and making sure that there was no further resistance or hidden soldiers in the town, I led the men on a march that was headed back to headquarters to report on the situation."

Gerid nodded approval graciously, "It sounds like you led the company well enough in my absence, except for leaving your commanding officer for dead of course. I won't hold that against you, Bakur, since looking at my chest plate, even I can't figure out exactly how I survived the attacks. In fact, other than cuts on my chest, I am feeling almost healthier and stronger than before the battle. If only my appetite wasn't so large due to the blood loss, I'd never need to complain.

"Now let's put aside the strange matter. Yes, I see your thoughts wondering about this, but we still have a half day's journey to the rendezvous with the main army. If there are any other concerns state them now, or I'll consider matters closed and put behind us."

"Yes, sir, I have one thing to add," Rastei said and stood up from the seat. "I was there when Sergeant Bakur and the others found you, sir. You did seem dead. The gods must have had mercy on you for your bravery or perhaps some form of sorcery has been cast upon you, because, from looking at your wounds, there should have been no way for you to have survived that attack. You were not breathing, sir, since I believe both lungs appeared to have been pierced through and probably your heart as well, I'd guess.

"You know that I'll follow you without fail as I'm sure the others would admit also. Don't hold any ill will against us for being only mortal men. We truly believed you to be dead."

Patting the air before him with his large hands, Gerid assured, "Yes, don't worry about this. The more time that I've had to think and reflect upon it, the more that I wonder at my survival also. I don't know why I still sit here alive before you and I don't doubt that I must have appeared dead or you would have waited for me to awaken. I'll do my best to not make a point of it in my report to Kolonus so, if there is nothing else then I think that we should get this unit moving now."

All through the day the other soldiers seemed to look at their leader as if he was something new that they were not sure of now. Whether it was a corporal gaping over a collapsed tent as he passed or even his own platoon of men glancing furtively over at him as they marched along the road, Gerid seemed to feel all their eyes burning into his back. The lieutenant was relieved when they finally found Kolonus' new encampment knowing that he would have at least a small break from the men when they returned.

Upon entering the outskirts of the army encampment, Gerid noticed many of the men sitting near their tents sharpening their weapons. Many sported fresh cuts and bandages that looked newly tended. He made his way past them all after assigning his men their place and quickly found Kolonus' command tent. With Sergeant Bakur just behind him, the two men soon found Kolonus, who glanced up at them as they entered the large tent's door flaps. The commander finished giving orders to a few of his aides and finally greeted him with a single word and a smile, "Gerid!"

"Commander," Gerid returned as he and Bakur saluted. "Did we miss something while we were away, sir?"

Noticing his lieutenant's torn and bloodstained armor, he answered, "Apparently not everything. What in the seven hells happened to you, boy?"

"I took on the enemy singlehandedly and lost. My messenger brought word of the situation in Paxthos, did he not?"

"Yes, he did. Kloste is apparently supporting Enswere. I've already sent word to the other divisions to be on guard as well as to his majesty in Camerton. Do you have more to report? I understand that the messenger left before matters were settled in Paxthos."

"We liberated the town as requested, sir. We have officially lost four men in battle. I was wounded as you can see, gravely enough that my men feared me dead at first, but obviously I live to stand before you. Sergeant Bakur led while I was unconscious and should be commended for his work. He also had the sense to capture a few of the enemy for questioning."

"Good work, Sergeant," Kolonus nodded gruffly. "If you would wait outside now, I still need to speak to the lieutenant." Bakur shot the commander a quick salute and turned smartly on his heel and returned the way they had entered. The tent was now empty except for the two of them. Sounds from the soldiers surrounding the tent entered as if from a distance as the two of them looked at each other. Kolonus suddenly turned and walked over to a travel locker and opening it, he searched through both maps and clothing. "Ah, here it is," he proclaimed at last as the man drew out a bottle of blackened glass. Popping the cork loudly, the commander then filled a pair of glasses and offered one to his lieutenant. "You, my boy, are extremely lucky, I would guess. You still look like you could use a drink about now. What exactly happened to you at Paxthos? You seem changed. You've killed before. Has all the killing finally caught up to you, lieutenant? It’s nothing to be ashamed of, if it has."

Gerid drained his glass in a single gulp and it was returned to the collapsible table between them. "I guess that is part of it. When we first arrived at Paxthos, Rastei and I went in to scout it out thoroughly. We were discovered before we could leave but, to make sure that the information about Kloste reached you, I sent Rastei away while I fought to draw their attention away from him. There were just too many for one man to try to defeat and, as I fought, one of my swords shattered as well." He paused a moment and turned. His eyes closed in reflection before the young man stated quietly, "I think I was killed, sir."

"What?!" the commander shouted in surprise. "You stand before me full of life and blood now, boy. Your skin is warm to the touch and, even now, I can witness you breathing. How can you say such a ludicrous thing to me when you stand here talking?"

A second glass was immediately poured out for each of them thanks to the awkwardness of the conversation. Gerid sighed as he gazed at the liquid glinting with bits of light gathered from the lanterns hanging around them to brighten the enclosed tent. "I tried to stifle the talk amongst my command, but the more I consider the matter the more I wonder if they're not actually right." Gerid removed his armor and then the shirt beneath. Pulling the bandages away, they could see that the wounds were about ready for the stitches to be removed. "Look. These wounds were made only yesterday, but not only are they not death causing, they are nearly healed less than a day later. I remember as I fell that I believed my life was running out of my chest, and yet I’ve healed like a creature of magic and legend. My thoughts keep running to a prophecy given to my father on the day of my birth. I was born with white hair, mind you. They said that I was the first of a select few and that I had a long and powerful destiny ahead of me. Could they have meant such a prediction assures that I can even survive a death wound?"

Kolonus sat down limply as if his legs could no longer support him. "You are asking the wrong person, Gerid," he replied sounding utterly drained. The commander poured himself a third glass, even though Gerid still held his second untouched before him. "I am a soldier, boy, and not much for thinking on philosophy or sorcery. Given what you tell me, I'd almost believe that you were a fool or idiot, but I know that you are not. I've seen men that were stabbed through the heart that managed to hang onto life long enough to slay their own killer, but you are not just surviving, Gerid, you are thriving." He shook his head before draining his glass again. "I truly don't know what to make of it," the older man confessed brushing at his thinning dark hair.

"I know. You stare at the same things that I do and wonder the exact thoughts that confound me. If I was indeed slain, then why am I still alive? I feel better than I ever have, I have to confess. Does that mean that some demon or sorcerer, or perhaps even one of the gods, could have decided to do something to me?"

The commander sat quietly as he lit and then began to puff thoughtfully on a long cigar. Gerid nursed his brandy as he started to pace the small space uncomfortably. Kolonus finally spoke, "I still have no idea. As I said, I am just a soldier. It's not in my mind to believe in such strangeness. Swords, shields and blood I know. Let me ask you something else though. Do you think that you will still be able to lead your men? If you need time away for a short while, I am sure that I could arrange it. We're starting to meet the Enswerian forces now, Gerid, and I need to be able to trust all my lieutenants implicitly."

"I led them well enough for the past day, since it happened," he sighed. "Once we get back into battle, I am sure that everything will be forgotten and feel the same. My strength won't fail me again," the young man insisted though he felt the slightest bit of doubt inside his chest.

"It is a good thing to have confidence, but remember not to test whether you can still die. It may have been a gift, but testing whether it works more than one time..." The older man sighed, "I think that I've begun to use that plan as the way to run my command lately. I told Carter this winter that I thought it was about time for Karma to take the reins of these mercenaries now. Yesterday's battle and now this, they're beginning to remind me of my age, boy. Thirty years of warring and look where it’s gotten me. Rhearden still continues to fend off its enemies and I continue to send good men to their deaths. I tire of it. What do you think?"

Gerid shrugged, "I can definitely understand your tiring of this life. No comforts of home and always awaiting the final death strike. I hope to one day return to my homeland and liberate it from that evil king's clutches. Then maybe I'll be able to retire to a nice plot of land where I can farm and raise a family in peace."

Weeks passed after that talk and soon a whole month of hard campaigning had gone by. The troops of Rhearden were hard pressed to drive back the well armed and strongly reinforced Enswerians. Kloste, though not formally declaring war, was still often present in limited numbers. Their presence had driven the king to draw most of his divisions into the conflict with Enswere or into positions along the western border watching for a full invasion from Kloste.

Gerid's company had indeed continued to fight well under his leadership. Soon the strange events of Paxthos were dismissed, if not completely forgotten by them all. It was business as usual for these soldiers because they knew that worrying about anything but survival would spell almost certain disaster. Kolonus noticed their performance and soon Gerid found himself in constant contact with the commander. The two were often found talking and drinking glasses of Kolonus' favorite brandy.

It was no real surprise that, when the lieutenant of the third company fell in a particularly bloody battle and the remaining men from that unit were divided between the other three lieutenants of Kolonus' regiment, Gerid assumed the lion's share and found himself commanding well over a hundred men. His prowess in battle was already becoming legendary and the reward wasn't questioned by either of the other lieutenants despite his youth. They respected him very highly, a respect that nearly rivaled that of Kolonus himself.