Lorik The Defender (The Lorik Trilogy) (6 page)

It took more than a week to reach the refugee camp that was set up along the border near the Wilderlands. Lorik had spent most of the week scouting back behind the large group from Ort City. He wanted some distance from the queen, who continued to seek him out. Lorik liked Issalyn, but he was afraid of losing his focus at a time when he needed to remain vigilant.

The camp was busy and growing. Many of the northern towns had been razed by the Norsik invaders. The survivors had joined Lorik’s camp near the Wilderlands rather than going and immediately trying to rebuild their cities. Everyone had heard the rumors of an army of monsters marching north. Refugees from the southern cities brought tales of the Leffers, which only added to the growing fears among the camp. But there were also stories of how Lorik rescued the captives who had been taken into Norsik. The stories of his adventures among the forest elves grew with each telling, as did the final battle with the Norsik raiders. These stories tempered the growing fear of the refugees, many of whom were women and children whose menfolk had been killed or taken south with the king.

The Drery Dru were never seen, but they brought food from their high kingdom among the canopy of the massive redwood trees that filled the Wilderlands. Each morning a cache of food was found near the base of one of the huge trees. The children of the refugees had made searching for the food a game. The Drery Dru couldn’t be relied on to provide for all the needs of the refugees, so groups of men and women went out daily to scavenge among the ruined cities and farms for food. It might have been easier to move the camp away from the Wilderlands, but Lorik feared that he might fail to turn back the massive army the wizard had warned him of and he was hopeful that in the worst-case scenario that the women and children could take shelter among the mighty trees of the forest.

When the crowd from Ort City arrived at the camp, they were welcomed and given a place to make camp and rest from their journey. Lorik had left nearly fifty men in charge of securing the camp. They had found weapons and horses easily enough from the spoils of war left by the Norsik when they were driven out of Ortis. Vera had a group of women who had inventoried all the supplies and made sure that everyone had some form of shelter.

Trinad, a man with experience in the King’s Army as a quartermaster, had been left in charge. Both the security force and the camp organizers reported to Trinad. He was an older man who needed a staff to lean on to get around, but his mind was as sharp as ever and he had a knack for settling disputes peacefully, which made him the perfect overseer of the camp.

Lorik came into the camp after everyone else; even Stone had stopped trying to keep up with Lorik. By the time Lorik arrived, the newcomers were settled and one of the camp guards informed Lorik that Trinad was waiting for him in the big central tent.

Vera had gotten the idea to piece together a larger tent, which she had delegated to some of the women who were skilled at sewing. Now the patchwork tent was raised up on poles in the center of the camp. It was large enough for a group of twenty five people to meet in. It had a massive roof, and walls that could be rolled up and fastened to let in sunlight and air. Some of the nicer artifacts that had been taken by the Norsik raiders had been placed in the tent. There was a large carpet and several chairs with cushions and pillows. There were braziers filled with red hot coals to keep the tent warm at night, and lamps hung from the tent’s poles.

“This is nice,” Lorik said as he approached.

Stone was waiting for him outside the tent. It was late afternoon and the tent flaps were all down to keep the heat inside.

“It is,” Stone said. “What took you so long to get back? Vera was starting to worry about you.”

“I just took my time, that’s all.”

“You should have taken a horse.”

“I would have if it had been necessary,” Lorik said. “But it wasn’t. I knew there would be a hundred things needing my attention when I got here, so I took my time and enjoyed a little solitude.”

Stone nodded and held open the tent flap.

“Have fun,” he said.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“Not unless your life is in danger. I’m not big on committees.”

“Great,” Lorik said. “Some partner you are.”

He went inside and found several people mingling in small groups. Vera and Trinad were the first to approach Lorik, who noticed that Issalyn and her shieldmaidens were present.

“It’s good to have you back, my lord,” said Trinad.

“What have I told you about calling me lord,” Lorik said a little more angrily than he meant to.

“Manners Lorik,” Vera scolded. “You know Trinad is only showing you respect.”

“Yes, of course,” Lorik said. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, my lord. I have a purpose for everything I do.”

“Is this him?” came a nasally voice from across the room. “Is this Lorik?”

“Yes, it is, Lord Emry,” said Trinad.

A group of men approached Lorik. They were all dressed in silks and formal armor. The man at the front was a short, pudgy man, with a thick mustache and a balding pate. His eyes were watery and his face was red from too much wine. He was holding a silver goblet in his hands and he looked angry.

“This is Lord Lorik, King of the Drery Dru,” Trinad said, ignoring the astonished look from Lorik.

“Well, it’s good to finally meet you, Lorik,” Emry said the name as if it tasted foul in his mouth. “I understand you’re from the Marshlands?”

“I am,” Lorik said. “And where do you hail from, my lord?”

“I am the Duke of Emryton, now that my father is dead," the short man said.  "I have been told that you are in charge of this camp."

Lorik nodded.

"Well, as things stand at this moment, I believe that I should be in charge.  The camp is on my family's land."

"I do not dispute you," Lorik said calmly.  "I am unfamiliar with the nobles here in the north.  I was under the impression that the king called all his nobles to war in the south."

"So true, so true," Emry said.  "But I was ill and not able to make the trip.  My father went, of course, along with my older brother.  I have it on good authority that both are dead now."

"If they were with King Oveer that may very well be true," Lorik said.

"So, as I see you are a man of war, I would be honored if you would lead my soldiers, but I must have complete command here.  I will of course see to Queen Issalyn's safety."

"Lord Lorik has been in charge of the camp," Vera said, speaking in a voice that barely concealed her anger.  "I see no reason to change that now."

"I would not expect you too," Emry said arrogantly.  "Politics are the realm of men. There are many changes coming in Ortis.  A new king will be crowned."

"Lord Emry," Trinad said calmly, "we will honor your family, of course, but there is so much work to be done here.  Women and children that need constant care.  And of course, we are under threat."

"All the more reason to have an experienced lord overseeing the camp.  If we are threatened, a noble commander will strike fear into the heart of our enemies."

Queen Issalyn laughed out loud.  Emry’s face turned even redder than it had been before.  Everyone turned to the queen and waited for her to explain herself.

"Gunther, that is your given name, isn't it?" Issalyn said to Lord Emry.  "I remember you came to the king's court once with your father."

"That was a long time ago," Emry said.

"You became ill then too, as I recall."

"My queen," Emry said angrily, "I would caution you to take care.  You no longer have a castle or a kingdom to support you."

"Let's not argue," Lorik said.  "I see no reason why Emry can't help with the camp.  We all have things to do.  Surely he can be useful."

"That's
Lord
Emry," the short noble said.  "It's obvious what is needed here is leadership.  As I am the highest ranking official, it is my duty to take charge and make sure everything is done in a fashion worthy of King Oveer's honorable reputation."

"You are a duke," Vera said.  "Does not a king and a queen outrank you?"

"Men are title holders," Emry said arrogantly.  "Without her husband, Queen Issalyn wields no power.  And let's be frank, Lorik is a king of forest elves and bedtime stories.  No, I think my title is the only legitimate rank to be found here."

Lorik could see that Vera was about to explode on Emry.  He couldn't see a positive outcome from letting Vera vent her frustrations on Emry.  He held up a hand to her and she hesitated.

"Lord Emry, I respectfully disagree with your views on rank, but that is a discussion for another time.  Right now, we need to prepare for war. An evil witch in Osla is sending an army into Ortis.  We have to find a way to stop her.  I have been trying to convince Queen Issalyn to go to King Ricard in Baskla and enlist his aide.  Your help in that matter would be greatly appreciated."

"Why would we need to enlist King Ricard's help?" Emry said.  "That cranky old man wouldn't help his own child if it were drowning.  Besides, it would only make Ortis look weak."

"We are weak," Issalyn said.  "The
honorable
King Oveer marched away with our entire army."

"That is no reason to give our enemies an invitation to invade," Emry said.

"Baskla isn't our enemy," Lorik said.  "They are our ally."

"You see," Emry said, turning to the men gathered around him, "this is why we need strong leadership.  Peasants always think everyone is their ally.  They have no concept of the complexities of kingdom politics.  I have had enough of this useless conversation.  I am in charge here now.  I will ensure that our best interests are seen to.  This tent shall do as my headquarters, for now, at least, until I can get something more suitable constructed."

"This tent is not yours," Vera said.  "It is for the leadership of this camp, not for you to take just because you want to."

"Enough, woman," Emry said.  "If you don't know enough to respect those in authority, you shall quickly learn.  Remove her."

"Wait," said Trinad.  "Vera has been instrumental in seeing to the needs of the camp."

"I said, remove her!  She is not needed.  Nor are you, old man."

Two men moved forward, one toward Vera and another toward Trinad.

"Stop!" thundered Lorik, his voice unusually loud and deep.

The men stopped in their tracks and everyone stared at Lorik.

"You have gone too far, Lord Emry," Lorik said.  "And your arrogance tries my patience.  Why are you here instead of your estate?"

Emry looked embarrassed.  "I have come to ensure that the people in my fiefdom are properly cared for."

"And you can't do that from your family's home?" Lorik demanded.  "Surely you have a fortified estate, and a surrounding village or town."

Emry didn't speak, he just stared up at Lorik.

"He isn't there because his home was overrun by the Norsik raiders," Queen Issalyn said, moving closer to Lorik.  "Am I right, Gunther?  Was your home razed to the ground?"

"We were attacked yes.  I led our house guard to protect my family's heritage.  The raiders destroyed our town, so I came to help the survivors."

"In other words,” the Queen said in an icy tone, “you took all the money and valuables you could carry and left the people under your care to face the Norsik alone."

"I did not call for the entire army of Ortis to march to Osla.  Your husband did that!" Emry said bitterly.

"This is a waste of time and energy," Lorik said.  "Trinad is in charge of the camp.  If you want to help, Lord Emry, you can join Queen Issalyn's mission to Baskla or you can find a way to help here, but you will not mistreat the people who have worked so hard to ensure the safety of this camp."

"How dare you?" Emry sneered.  "You are nothing more than a commoner, a peasant from the Marshlands.  And now you think you can give me orders?  By what authority?"

"By my own authority," Lorik said, drawing his sword.  "I am not your enemy, but if you are spoiling for a fight, I'll give you one."

"Barbarian," Emry said, but his voice was hoarse with fear.

"Now, what has happened in my absence," Lorik asked Trinad.

"The camp is growing.  We have nearly four times as many people here now that the group from Ort City arrived."

"More men?"

"Yes, most are older men, but many have volunteered to help."

"Good," Lorik said.  "We are going to need more men."

"May I have a word with you, Lord Lorik?" the queen asked.

"Of course, my lady," Lorik said, then turned to Emry.  "If you choose to stay, I suggest you set up suitable arrangements for you and your men.  None of you will be staying here.  This tent will be used for her ladyship, the queen."

"That seems hardly fair," Emry said.

"I don't care what you consider fair," Lorik growled.  "Make yourself useful, then I will give weight to your opinions."

Emry glared at Lorik.  It was obvious that he didn't like the way he was being treated, but Lorik didn't care.  He knew he was making an enemy, but he didn't respect the new Lord Emry enough to worry about it.

Everyone left the big tent, including the queen's shieldmaidens.  Vera patted Lorik's arm and gave him a reassuring smile before leaving the tent.

"You seem unhappy," the queen said.  "Why is that?  Surely it isn't because of Gunther."

"No, my queen," Lorik replied.

She stepped close to Lorik and put one hand on his shoulder.  "Please, call me Issalyn."

"That wouldn't be proper," Lorik said.

"I don't care about propriety.  I'm scared, Lorik.  I have no idea what is going to happen; to Ortis, to the people here, to me.  I'm afraid for my life.  I'm afraid that I will be sent away when a new king comes to power.  Most of all, I'm afraid I'll never see you again."

"We must all face our fears eventually, my lady," Lorik said. “Nothing I do can change that.”

"Are you saying we won't survive?  You honestly don't think we have a chance of living through this... this... war or whatever it is?"