Holding The Line (12 page)

Being royalty would normally have meant getting to use one of the sets of rooms on the top floor of the keep. Being of Murati royalty did not quite have the same standing, and hence, Issac was shown to one of the timber buildings in the yard, that had housed Luken before the keep was ready. It was explained of course, that due to the circumstances of having to rebuild, rooms were scarce, and it was with regret, due to the short notice given this was the best on offer at that moment. With that show, Caldar of course could move the Murati prince into the keep should he prove to his liking, if he did not, then sticking him in the yard was all the better.

Chapter 10.

Prince Issac was made to wait until late afternoon, before a message came, for him to be allowed an audience with the king. He did not take any offence to being offered sub standard accommodation, whether it was true or not anything else was available. It was quite clear a massive rebuilding program was being undertaken, and he had noticed on his way in, rows of temporary camps within walls. With him turning up unexpectedly had probably made matters no better, nor had the fact that his own officer had seemed intent on starting a war the minute they got there.

He had thought whilst sitting in his room, that he would have no doubt reacted similarly. Had his country been ravaged by invaders, and had its main city destroyed, and king and queen killed, he would probably be just as pissed about it all as is hosts appeared to be. They were, hence rather cautious of anyone, something he would have to be aware of when talking to the king. He was here for a reason, his father trusted him enough to negotiate on his behalf, and he would not let him down.

He was escorted to the door of the keep, and allowed inside, where he was confronted by another seasoned soldier. This man may have appeared long in the tooth, but Issac could tell straight away, he was probably not a man you would wish to trifle with. "I am General Thomas Skalton of his majesties Royal Guard; I am to escort you to the meeting hall on the third floor".  Issac gestured for the man to lead on, but he was not going anywhere just yet. "I must ask that you come forth unarmed your highness. It is not meant as an insult, but as you can understand, in our present circumstances, an appropriate precaution." Accepting the case in hand, the Murati Prince unbuckled his sword belt and offered it to a guard. "Your highness may pick it up on his way out."

Eventually he was led up a rather plain looking staircase, and he was certain he could hear hammering going on somewhere in the building. He thought perhaps the reasons for him being put to reside in what was little more than a shed, had maybe some truth. The walls were plain plastered, and white, probably to help lighten the place; he could see few outside windows.

He waited outside a large set of wooden doors, while the General went inside to check the king was ready to receive him. They were duly opened and he was walked, with a guard either side up towards a low dais at the far end. Sat upon a wooden throne upon the platform was the young King, and to his left the prince who had greeted him earlier. Another, much larger man sat to the kings right.

Prince Issac of the people of Murati bowed once more before the king, and started by reiterating his own nation's desire of coming in peace. He could tell quite quickly the king was no simpleton, and was obviously quite wary of him being there. After all, his own people had done nothing to aid its northern neighbour in its time of need. He knew he would have to speak his words carefully and with a great deal of thought. A lose or snide remark could well see him sent back with a boot up his ass; something his father would not be impressed with.

The king once more apologised for the extreme, unusual measures in which the Prince of Murati was being subjected too. "You must understand, your people have made no attempt at aiding us, therefore as things stand we do not know your purpose. As far as we know you may be here to check our strength, so that your nation can take our lands to the south." Caldar spoke further, and told the visitor in no uncertain terms, just because the majority of his troops and power was here at New Easton, did not mean it would not defend itself if threatened from that direction.

Prince Issac conceded the matter of fact. In return, he assured the king his visit was merely one of discussion. Murati had no plans or desire, to try to take lands, nor did it in anyway support the nation of Darekia in its bid at domination. "I wonder sire, we have heard of a great powerful wizard, who it is said destroyed an entire army. I thought perhaps I may be able to witness in some small way his great power," Prince Issac asked. He realised straightaway his error, it was not a question or a subject he had yet wished to divulge openly. He looked at the king and was certain his purpose for being there had just been announced to his host.

Almost immediately King Caldar stood, thanking the prince for his time, and gave him an invitation for dinner later in the evening. Issac had not yet asked all he wished, but knew he was not going to get any more time just yet. He was also aware, that his own stupidity had all but revealed his reason for being there. The story of this great wizard had reached his father, and having a warring neighbour with such a weapon was concerning. His task initially was to verify this story, and his father was certain it was false. Little magic existed in the world, and something of this magnitude was straight out of a fairy story. He was then to offer trade agreements and loans to Corlan, at a much-inflated price, and perhaps even negotiate a little land into the bargain.

Corlan was quite obviously a nation almost defeated, and now was a good time to offer aid. In return, it would have no option than to take the offer, and commit itself to a lifetime of debt. Of course it would forfeit payment, as the debts grew their only option would be hand over its southern most regions bordering Murati. If however, however unlikely, this story of a great magician, were true, then Murati would probably not be in quite such a strong bargaining position.

After the Prince of Murati had left the hall, Caldar held a quick talk with his most trusted. Luken, Lord Galliss and General Skalton, all listened as the king surmised what he thought. "They have come for one purpose, you little brother," he said pointing to Luken. "We need to keep you away from trouble for little while, until I know their full intentions." Luken grimaced at that, it was not the first time he had been wrapped in cotton wool. "We do not reveal to this prince, that Luken is our great powerful wizard, at least not yet. I have a feeling we are going to be offered some very expensive aid." General Skalton was asked to make sure their guest remained in his room, and no one other than trusted people, were to speak with him. If he was allowed out, he only need ask anyone in the city, to find out Luken was the one he sought out. In fact, Caldar had very accurately deduced the reasons for the Murati now appearing on the scene. If he worked this right, he could actually take advantage of them, rather than the other way round.

The Murati soldiers set up their camp alongside that of the recruits of Corlan. That had caused a bit of a stir with the young soldiers, especially when they had received orders to keep a discreet eye on their visitors. As a gesture of goodwill that was much appreciated by the Murati troops, a quantity of ale had been sent for them. More due to the fact, that if they were merry and drunk, they were less of a threat, than any real act of hospitality.

The group of soldiers sent out to patrol north of the River Fivan, rode onwards, and were now three hours ride from the safety of New Easton. They had diverted from the main route, and had turned east along a number of minor tracks. The huge Fivan Mountains dominated the skyline to the right as they travelled. Even in the summer, as it was, it still had snow on the very tips of its peaks. Dane rode with Camden on his left and Patrick on his right, and they could not be anything but in awe at the size of some of the trees in the forest at the foot of the mountains. They were not only tall, but also he thought, it would probably take a man, a week to cut through, such were the enormity of the trunks.

Their ride so far, had been rather eventful, and the early fervour they had all felt soon dwindled. The summer sun beat down, and the temperature was uncomfortably warm. The tracks, on which they rode, were uneven and dusty, and suddenly being out on patrol was not as attractive as they had first perceived. Flies and insects made themselves a pain, buzzing about the sweaty horses. They still had another hour in the saddle before they would make camp, then after a night in the wilds; they had the return journey to look forward too.

The column came to a halt, the front rider raising his hand. He dismounted and looked down at a rotting mass of fur, being smothered in clouds of flies. He waved for some others to come and check, and as the senior new recruit, Dane took it upon himself to join them. As none of the regular soldiers attempted to stop him, he joined them to look at the object on the track.

He caught the smell before he caught sight of it. A festering stench that turned his stomach and it took a few seconds to recognise what it was they were looking at. It was a carcass of what he thought was a large bear. Its insides had been torn from it, "what sort of creature could do that to a bear," Dane asked. He looked at the soldiers, awaiting a reply, and noticed a look of concern on one of the men.  The man in question paced around the area, looking at the tracks in the dusty track. "When I was travelling with the king or the prince as he was then, we came across a pack of Orlac. That is the only thing I know of that makes these tracks, and the only thing I know of that can rip a bear to pieces."

A silence fell over the group, and Dane stepped slowly back to the other new recruits to repeat what he had just been told. "They are just myth," said the lad called Shane nervously, "aren't they?" Everyone had heard stories about the creatures; very few had ever seen one, or maybe it was because very few survived if they did. The regular soldiers were discussing plans, and looking over at Dane and his group. The senior officer stepped forward, "boys, we are heading back. Firstly we will go back and water the horses at that stream we passed by a mile or so back. After a little break, we ride quickly back towards the bridge. If all goes well, we should be back on the main track before dark. From then on it's straight forward."

For once, there were no groans or arguing from any of the new recruits, they were only too happy, to be getting away from here. They all remounted up, turned their horses around, and started back at a quicker pace than they had been originally taking. Ten of the regulars rode at the front, the six recruits in the middle and the two remaining professional soldiers at the rear.

All hell broke loose, as out of the tree line emerged four huge dark figures. Vast hairy creatures, with huge claws and jaws that had be seen, to be believed. The front three men did not even know what hit them, as they were torn to shreds by the huge beast's talons. The horses of the men behind started bucking, and two more were thrown as the animals panicked. "You boys get back," shouted the voice of one of the men, who sent an arrow into one of the huge beasts. Dane had never seen anything like it, as an Orlac gripped the man in front of him round the throat, lifted him off his saddle and shoved his head into its massive mouth. That man was Shane, and only eighteen years old.

Dane turned his horse, and after a few seconds managed to get it running back the other way. All the regulars were now engaged, and once he was certain others recruits were with him he pulled up. "Arm yourselves; we are going for the kill. Rowan I need you to charge, a short lance must be able to take one of them things down. Camden, Patrick, follow through with swords, Vincent and me will try to stick some arrows in them." The others did not argue, and appeared to accept Dane giving orders as nothing but second nature.

Closing the gap between them, Dane watched as Rowan kicked his heels, and bravely charged headlong at the nearest creature. His horse's hooves stirred up the dust on the track as it pushed hard. The beast was being held at bay by two shields, and the regulars holding them were attempting to strike with swords. Hearing the onrushing horse they stepped away just in time for Rowans short lance to smash straight through the huge hairy chest. There was a deafening howl, as the sheer force of the thrust, saw the tip emerge out of its back. Rowan could do nothing else but let go of his weapon, and such was the ferocity of his charge, his horse continued on some way further. With the lance impaled right through it, the Orlac grasped in vain before slumping to the ground in huge hairy heap. Its thick dark blood trickling slowly out of the wounds it had taken, running out onto the dirt, dust covered ground.

Dane and Vincent both selected a target that was getting the better of another two guards. Firing several arrows, hitting the beast in the head and chest it roared in anger. As it lifted its head, exposing its more vulnerable area, it was then silenced by a sword thrust upwards into its throat by one of the soldiers fighting it. Orlacs may be big and powerful, but at least that made them easy targets to hit. This second creature made a loud gurgling sound before toppling backwards.

Camden and Patrick both rode at pace, and rode either side of an Orlac, lashing out at their target as they passed. One blade struck across its head, the other a flailing arm. With two charging at once, the Orlac appeared unable to decide a target. Dane could see the beast was hurt, and directed Vincent to aim for it, as he did the same. A lucky arrow, or some may a say a good shot, either way that creature fell with a shaft protruding from its eye socket.

With only one remaining Orlac, the seven remaining men surrounded it, with shields up and all striking at it with swords, wounding the creature to such an extent it soon started wobbling on its legs. As soon as it stumbled, the soldiers were down on it, thrusting their swords deep in its chest and throat with a wild frenzy. Everyone looked around, to ensure no further beasts were still about.