Alphande'
Encounter

“Andreas,behind you!” I shouted but he was unable to hear me. If I didn’t act quicklythe soldier creeping behind him was going to gut him from behind. I loosed anarrow which lodged in the furrow between his eyes. I fired another at the onecoming to replace him.

Andreas lookedback surprised at the two men who dropped at his feet.

I jumped down from my horse cutting through two others whocharged towards me. I felt the prick of the tip of a spear as it was caught inmy armour. Andreas was quick and the green clad soldier’s arm was soon on theground, his head soon followed.

“What are youdoing here? You are supposed to be replaceing the Verdan leader.” He said as wefought back to back, shielding each other from the enemy that came behind.

“I know,” I saidas I slid my sword up a man’s belly causing his guts to fall out, beforekicking him away. “But the fighting at the fringes is just as thick as it ishere. I said as I parried another blow with my sword. I pushed the man awaywith so much force that he knocked three other of his counterparts down. Thestrength gem was taking full effect now that I was closer to it and so far theresults had hardly been disappointing. “Besides, I sensed that Dominic would beheading this way.” I said as I spied a silver scaled Verdan tossing one of oursoldiers over its head as if he weighed nothing more than a pebble.

“Sensed?” hesaid as he sleekly bent out of the way of a soldier who had come after hishead. He then kicked the soldier of his feet before plunging his double-tippedspear into the soldiers back.

“Not bad for aman your age.” I said truly impressed.

“It was noaccident that I escaped Sebán alive.” He said as he moved on to his nextvictim.

“I can see thatnow.” I said as I cut across another soldiers shin.

“Sensed him?” hesaid bringing me back to his original question.

“I had apremonition of the sort.”

“The death onesof which Ivaner spoke?” he said sounding slightly winded.

“Yes,”

“Who died?”

“No one---yet.Excuse me a bit.” I said after brushing past a group of our men facing a Verdanwho was rearranging them into mangled body parts.

I lopped off itshand holding a blood-washed axe. He roared as he faced me.

“Don’t be likethat, it will grow back.” I said. The creature’s scowl deepened as it seemed tounderstand what I had said. I realised that I had spoken in the Verdan tongue.

I chucked two menout of the way and lumbered towards me in rage. It wrapped its arms around mychest. It felt like being bound by gossamer. I turned out of his hold andplunged my fist into his chest wall. Ribs snapped and blood gushed from hismouth. The creature charged once more. My sword was quick and its heart stutteredto a halt after macerating itself on my blade.

I then flittedback to Andreas’ side helping him to take out two of the men who had come athim at once.

“You weresaying, who died?”

“You did.Dominic is headed this direction as apparently you were on his hit list.”

“Oh, I should bethank you then it seems.”

“I wouldn’t startissuing thanks so prematurely. I haven’t saved you yet.” I said as I stabbedsomeone else who crept behind him. “Look up ahead.” I pointed.

“What ishappening, why are all the men suddenly thinning out?”

“A group ofVerdans are approaching. They usually fight to gain individual glory, which istrouble within itself, but it seems Asher has them fighting in groups now,acting as a large axe cutting down groups of our men at a time.

“Arrange for themen to get behind them as they aren’t covering their flanks.” I said as Istrode forward to meet them. I felt a restraining hand on my shoulder.

“And where do youthink you are going?” said Andreas.

“To meet Dominic,where else? I cannot contact the Verdan leader without his help.”

“You are not goingalone.”

“I just told youthat if you two meet, you’re dead.” But this declaration didn’t seem to fazehim a bit. “You will be no good dead Andreas, besides this was one of my mainroles here today. I am better equipped than you to go and face ten chargingVerdans than a hundred of our men. You should go.”

“Fine,” he saidletting me go. “But be careful.” He said before racing off calling some of hismen behind him. I couldn’t help but to wonder if that was out of true concernfor me or because I held the hope of the Nuwanhe in my hands why he had chosento trust my decision.

I spottedDominic almost immediately. His dark green colouring and slighter build distinguishedhim from the hulking silvery-blue giants flanking him. His height and weightseemed to be no disadvantage as he moved with just as much power and even moregrace than the others.

“Dominic,” I saidas I parried a blow from his axe. “We need to talk.” I said as I manoeuvred outof his way.

“It is BufrakDominic much has changed since we last met Gareth of Tel Anir and there isnothing to talk about after you gave the gem to Asher and doomed my kind todeath.” He swung his axe at my mid-section and I had to slide backwards toescape the blow.

“I apologise I wasunaware of the recent upgrade, although I guess I should have figured thatsomething else was different when the Verdans started the assault on Indué.That certainly made my task a bit easier. Asher got the gem by accident, it wasnot wilfully given.” I said as I dodged another one of his blows.

“You expect me tobelieve the words of a traitor? The same one who killed his own brother to gainthe throne.”

“Yes and I wouldlike to explain things to you if you would stop fighting.” I said catching hisarm in mine. He tried to pull away but his efforts were useless against mystrength.

He seemed to takenote of this immediately. “You are strong, stronger than a normal human shouldbe; probably as strong as the egg-breaking king. How is this so?”

“I will tell youif you stop fighting.”

“I cannot stopfighting! He took our wills from us and replaced it with his own.” He saidthrough clenched teeth.

“If he did, thenwhy are you not attacking me at this moment?” I said as I let go of his hand.

He seemed topause. “You know the tongue of the Ulgana?” he seemed surprised and confused,but finally I had his full attention.

“Come with me,” Isaid as I pulled him behind a huge boulder. “The gems, I too inherited theirpowers as a second born son at the same time Asher did. That means I share hisgifts.”

“Was that yourplan all along then?” his dark eyes becoming slit-like with suspicion.

“No, I didn’teven know that it was possible until it happened.”

“That means that youcan unbind my people.” His black eyes suddenly had a flash of hope in them.

“I unbound you soI suppose it is possible. However my unbinding might not be as strong asAsher’s hold.”

“That is true, Istill feel compelled to carry out his orders however I am able to resist theurge. It is like, like…”

“Like you againhave a choice. You can choose between him and me in this battle.”

“That isn’t muchto choose from human.”

“But it is a lotmore than you had just a moment ago. He makes you fight in such a way thatleaves you open to attack from behind. He doesn’t care about your kind.”

“And you do?”

“Yes, especiallysince we could use your help. We have so much more to gain working with eachother than the other way around.”

“What exactly doyou want from us son of Elmera’s son?” he said after a brief pause.

“I need your helpto get close to Asher. I have the greatest chance of defeating him.”

He breathed in deeply.“What do you want me to do?”

I explained myplan to him quickly.

“You want us topretend that we are still under his control, even though you will be losing menalong the way?”

“There is noother way to cover our intentions. Your men could retreat to the thinnest partof the fighting to lessen the body count.”

“We will beretreating soon enough as dawn approaches, so that shouldn’t be much of aproblem.”

“Wait for thesignal to know when to start attacking the other side. If we move too early hewill get wind of what we are doing. Remember no one is to attack him directlyas he will foresee that move and everything would be ruined.”

“I understand,now let us get started quickly.”

“You will have tocover me that I can unbind the wills of your men.”

“That is notnecessary, as it has already been done.”

“What do youmean?”

“Look foryourself,” he said coming from around the rock. “They have already beenunbound.” the Verdans were no longer attacking just our men, but those of theking. “Once I was bound so were they.”

“Once you were freed,they are as well.” I said completing his thought.

“Exactly.” Heseemed to stiffen slightly as he looked up at the sky. “Dawn approaches. Our kind will retreat now,but you are still in danger. The wolves are at bay and Asher will allow no restuntil you are all eliminated.” I heard the sounds of drums coming from thesouth. “I will take your leave now.”

“Wait,” I saidstopping him. “You aren’t going to help us?”

“I will help youbetter from a distance. Watch for the sign.” He said disappearing. I then notedthe thinning of the field as at one moment there were Verdans mixed in themelee and the other there was none.

“What sign?” Ishouted, but of course there was no one to hear it.

I needed to replaceAsher. His camp was not too far off. If I was stealthy enough I could replacewhere he was hidden.

I crept up behind a green clad soldier onpatrol. I held him within my grip until slumped forward after breaking hisneck. I flung his tunic over my armour and fitted the helmet securely over myhead.

No one took noticeas I strode through the camp. I looked out for soldiers formerly under mycommand who could recognise me.

Twelve guardswere scattered around the king’s pavilion; all alert with hands on theirweapons. Stealth wasn’t going to help me in this next encounter. The directapproach would have to suffice.

“Halt! Where doyou think you are going?” said one of the soldiers. I was surroundedimmediately by six men all glaring at me.

“I have an urgentmessage for the king.” I strode forward. He placed a hand on my chest.

“If you have a messagefor His Majesty relay it to me and I will pass it on. Only his guards haveaccess to this tent.”

“I most certainlywill not.” I said as one affronted. “This information is extremely sensitiveand it was not meant for the ears of the likes of you.” I said as I pushed hishand away.

“No one isallowed to enter except for the guards.” He said as he raised the tip of thesword under my chin.

“Fine, have ityour way.” I said as I pretended to walk away. I could hear the whoosh of hissword coming to chop me across the shoulder as I walked away. My sword was inmy hand blocking his blow. I swiped at his mid-section and slipped my bladebetween the thin coat of mail and into his gut. I didn’t wait for him to fallbefore moving on to the other guards who came to similar ends.

It was almost tooeasy. I knew that they were seasoned fighters, the best that the army had tooffer. No doubt they were all better swordsmen than me. However thestone-effect on my body made their efforts seem comical as within the space ofa minute all twelve men were dead.

I stepped overthe bodies, pulling the flap of the tent open. I was wary as I entered as theremight be more men waiting inside. But my caution proved unnecessary as the tentlooked lived in but it was completely empty.

“Something isn’tright here.” I said as I looked about the place once more. I heard an uproaroutside as the dead bodies had been spotted. Men would come bursting throughthe entrance any moment now.

I slit a thinhole in the back of the tent and exited that way. I walked briskly away fromthe tent into a small group that was gathered about a fire. I took up a cup Isaw on the ground and asked one of the men to pour me tea.

“Ye don’t lookquite beaten up,” he said as he seemed to be appraising my appearance. He had abandage around his forehead and one around his mid-section.

“I was behind theVerdans, they didn’t leave much for me to do.”

“Yes the lizardsbe brutal.” He agreed.

I looked behindme and saw the other men emerging from the slit I’d made in the tent. Theylooked around not knowing where to go next. They stopped random people askingif they had seen anything, most of them either shook their heads or shrugged.

One of the mencame over to us. I turned my head away sipping the tea as I did. Someone rappedon my helmet with their sword causing some of the hot liquid to scald my chin.

“You, in thehelmet.” I turned to look up at the man. “Did you see anyone coming from theking’s tent?”

“No, I just gothere. I didn’t see anything.” I said turning back around.

“Helmet,” he saidrapping me on the head once more. “Turn around, I haven’t finished speakingwith you just yet.” I put the cup down and got up slowly and faced him. Heseemed to recognise me, but I could see that he was unsure.

“What is your namesoldier?”

“Gwenlyn fromShaeda,” I said as my hand moved instinctively to the hilt of my sword.

“Take off yourhelmet Gwenlyn.” He said as hefolding his arms. The other I was sitting with encircled us. “Interesting tonote where you are from, considering that none of the people of Shaeda fightwith us since the news of the death of Lady Margaret.”

“I am an anomalyit seems.”

“I am sure youare, Lord Gareth. Here to avenge the death of your sister.” He smiled.

“Hardly, since Iam the one who killed her.” I said.

His smiledisappeared instantly. “Arrest him!” he said to the others.

“I’d like to seethem try.” I said as I unsheathed my sword and hooked it in his gut. His eyesopen widely as he clutched his belly and fell away from my sword. I turned tothe other men. “Two choices live or die?”

They chargedtowards me. “Death it is.” I said as I took care of the four of them with ease.I was pulling more attention to myself and I needed to get out of here quickly.As strong as I was I couldn’t take out an entire army single-handedly.

I saw my escaperiding towards me at full speed. He held out his arm and I took it swinging onto the back of the horse.

“Twice now you’verescued me.” I said.

“Let us not tryfor a third time.” said Dominic as he dug his heels into the side of the horse.He took the long way around the fighting and entered my camp. I discarded thegreen tunic as persons were starting to get antsy.

“Your Majesty,”they cheered as they saw that it was me. But their eyes were again filled withwonder when they saw the company I kept. Dominic pulled the horse to a stop andwe both got off. I called a soldier over handing him the reins.

“Let us go and seeAndreas,” Dominic nodded, his eyes watching our men as they watched him. Hishand never left the handle of his axe.

We eventuallyfound him sitting around a small fire. He had a bandage wrapped around hisforehead and one on his left arm and sleep dragged at his lower lids, butotherwise he seemed well.

I crouched downbeside him. “What is the latest? Did you replace him?” he asked.

“Yes. He isstanding behind us.” I said. He turned around and then stood to face him.“Andreas this is Dominic, as it turns out he is now the leader of the Verdans.Bufrak Dominic, this is Andreas, Noräin’s uncle and one of the war chiefs ofthe Nuwanhe.”

“Well met BufrakDominic.” Dominic nodded his head but didn’t say anything. “I take it that hispresence means that they are on our side?” He asked.

“The Verdans willfight with us from now on, however discreetly. We should probably take thisconversation somewhere more private as prying eyes and listening ears arearound us.” I suggested.

“In my tentthen,” he said as he ushered us into his dwelling. “It is good news that youhave joined us Bufrak Dominic as your people are fearsome warriors. They alonetore through a fifth of our men.”

“Yes, we wereunder strict orders to kill or be killed, and we would rather not die.” Hereplied. His expression was not apologetic but remained neutral.

“I understand,”said Andreas.

“What is thelatest?” I asked.

“The newbattalion under Alehondria and Sonis have just left and more of the wounded arecoming in. The Sigh people have suffered the least loss as they are accustomedto the lay of the desert. They have managed to sneak into Asher’s camp anddestroy most of his catapults so we don’t have to worry about missiles comingfrom the air. ”

“What about thefeldünstar? We know that Asher has it in his possession.” I saw Dominic stiffenand his eyes closed into sharp slits. He too knew the danger posed by thefeldünstar as he’d experienced its destructive powers first hand.

“No reports ofthe contraption, as the men wouldn’t know what it looked like in any event.”

“That means thatwe are not very safe after all. I wonder why he hasn’t used it as yet?” Ifrowned.

“His men aremixed in with ours so he would be at a loss if he did.” suggested Andreas.

“That is oneexplanation but I don’t think that is real reason. The life of kings aren’trespected by my uncle, so peasants and paupers are even worst off.”

“Despite thatGareth things are going well for us. Most of the soldiers in Asher’s army weremilitia men. They are not warriors, a good number of them surrendered withoutfighting back as we approached.

“I must admitthat the odds didn’t seem in our favour at the beginning but we might actuallypull through as victors at the end of this. Especially now that the Verdans areon our side.” He said with a slight one-sided smile.

Neither Dominicnor I looked comfortable with this news. “You killed them on spot right?” Isaid.

“Who?”

“The prisonersyou took?”

“No, they areprisoners of war it would be against convention…”

“How many menhave surrendered?”

“Around athousand or so, more are crossing over as the day progresses.”

“And how many areguarding them.”

“Around ahundred men, but they are harmless and without weapons.”

“How hard do youthink it would be to get weapons in our camp if they needed it? Those men needto be killed now.” I said bolting upright.

“I agree withGareth of Tel Anir,” said Dominic. “The men that fight for the pretend kingwere not born warriors, but they are warriors now. You have let a thousand ofyour enemies come freely amongst you.”

“Asher himselfmight be among them. Not many know what he looks like.” I said getting up andpacing. “That would make sense as to why he wasn’t in his tent.” I said mostlyto myself.

“You went lookingfor him? Alone?” said Andreas.

“Yes.” I said tohim and then started speaking to myself again. “It would explain I probably hadn’thad a threatening vision of him while I was close to where he was supposed tobe. But since I got here, I have been so uneasy.” I said still pacing. “He ishere. I can feel that I am right. Dominic, you should leave, his influence onyour will is still greater than mine and I would prefer not having you as anenemy again.” I said turning to him sharply.

“You are seriouslyconsidering the possibility that he is among us?” said Andreas.

“Yes,” I said.“Give the orders for the prisoners to be rounded up.

“Gareth are yousure about this?” I could see that it bothered him deeply to kill those whomight be innocent. He was always the most compassionate of the lot of us, butthere was no space for benevolence when the stakes were this high.

“I am sure.” Henodded and then left. “Your people will need you.” I said to Dominic as hestill hadn’t departed.

“You might needme more. The fight that will truly save them is here, so this is the place Ishould be.” He said as he folded his arms defiantly in front of him. There wasno convincing him otherwise I saw.

“You shouldprobably put on a cloak,” I said pointing to one close by. He did as he wastold and then we left together.