Revelyn: 1st Chronicles - When the last arrow falls (71 page)

As he spoke he started to put out the fire.

‘Quick we must fly, for we have little time, the other two will inform on us. The
Wolvers
will choose first to seek us out. I know this for that is what I would do.  We leave now or some of us will die.’

No one, not even Rema thought to oppose this urgent direction for all knew what might come after them, hadn’t they just witnessed Reigin move with such a fearful speed? It was beyond human ability to stand against the like of it in a dark forest which hid any skillful hunter. For a moment Rema relived the cold fear of another pursuit, and then he was up and gathering the little he carried.

It was not long before they were all mounted and moving fast through the trees which allowed only enough moonlight through to see the horse in front. Reigin led for he knew the ways of the
Wolver
and how best to put them off the scent. He searched the fall of the land until he found a stream which they followed for several leagues, walking in it  until at last a rocky shelf was discovered upon which they were able to leave the water and walk their horses off into the forest hoping that their tracks would be almost impossible to follow in the weak moonlight.

Rema stopped them then for he knew that all but Reigin were too exhausted to go further.

‘We will make a stand back by the rock shelf. You and I Reigin. I can see enough to shoot and I will not miss. They will have to travel slowly to pick up our trail. We will have the element of surprise. We can deal with two surely?’

Reigin took a deep breath and thought upon this brave suggestion.

 ‘It is possible,’ he replied, ‘but what if there are three? In the shadows once they sense us we will not have much time. The breeze is light and changes. They will smell us out. And if they lose our trail they might just stop in the dark and we will not know until they come upon us in the daylight.’

‘But we have not left a trail that can be followed thus far.’ Rema was trying hard to convince himself.

‘Rema Bowman,’ Reigin whispered seriously. ‘We have not done all I hoped we might, for the water was shallow and our horses disturbed rocks enough. They will be slowed, but if you have light enough to shoot, then a Wolver has enough to track. It is a big risk.’

The two men stood and looked at each other as the rest of the exhausted company waited anxiously upon their decision.

Rema made the decision then.

‘We will wait for them. All here are exhausted and if we travel on they will hear us and perhaps overtake us when we are not ready. Here at least we have the advantage and you Reigin, you are better then they, for that it what you have told us.’

Reigin said nothing for a moment, for in his heart he had realised that these who came against them were his kin, and for the first time in his life he did not relish the prospect of taking a life.

‘We will make a stand Rema Bowman as you wish,’ he replied quietly, ‘but I will not kill them.’

‘I cannot take them all,’ Rema replied with an edge in voice just short of anger.

‘You will not kill them either,’ Reign continued evenly, ‘Not unless I fail in what I plan. Now the rest of you will remain hidden, you cannot make a sound or you will die. These who come after you will be upon you before you know it.’

And with that Scion, Serenna and Ofeigr were instructed to take their horses further on and tether them, then find shelter some distance away for it was death to stay too close to the animals.

Rema and Reigin waited in deep shadows by the water, their weapons ready. The faint moonlight was barely enough, but their eyes were now accustomed to it and Rema felt that in some mysterious way he could see better as time passed.

He was shocked by how quickly the
Wolvers
found them. Not a span after they had settled down to wait Reigin tensed.

‘They are close Rema, remember what I ask of you.’ And with that he disappeared into the night.

They were but shadows. They came on foot along the watercourse. They made almost no sound but in the gloom it was impossible to be completely silent. They reached the rock shelf and paused. Rema hoped they would continue on but one of them seemed to crouch down and see some disturbance which gave a clue to the passing of their prey. The briefest conversation came faintly to him.  The two
Wolvers
crept out into the open and Rema knew he had no time left.

He sighted his arrow and fired. It took the
Wolver
on the left in the right leg just above the knee. He did not flight the arrow with all his power and so it went in and through the leg but remained embedded there. The
Wolver
gave no cry, but had his sword out in a flash. His companion saw what had happened and disappeared into the shadow of the nearest oak tree, which was where Reigin waited. In a flash of speed which only one such as Reigin possessed, his sword smote the
Wolver
on the back of the head and he fell unconscious. In no time he was bound for you do not let a
Wolver
lie unfettered. Rema instantly had another arrow aimed at the wounded
Wolver
who understood immediately that one of their own had attacked them for none else could have done it.

‘Tall man,’ the
Wolver
hissed, I see you.’

Reigin appeared from the shadows and walked fearlessly toward the wounded
Wolver
, his deadly sword glinting in the soft silver light. Only Reigin would dare to do such a thing.

‘And I see you
Wolver
. Drop your sword or another arrow will pierce your heart. Do it now man. I cannot spare you otherwise.’

Rema watched from the shadows with his arrow aimed and bow full drawn. He thought they had won it, easily and with little bloodshed for the wounded
Wolver
dropped his sword to his side. Perhaps it was because they had been
Wolvers
together, perhaps Reigin believed too much in his superior ability and did not think that the wounded
Wolver
would strike. The reasons mattered little but Reigin moved in too close and in a flash the wounded man moved like lightning, his sword cutting the air toward Reigin in a deadly swipe. Reigin saw it come but was caught off guard and had no time to fend it well; the stroke swept the sword from his hand and he stood defenceless before the deadly soldier, who despite his pain and terrible wound immediately struck again to kill.

Rema fired then, and the arrow passed Reigin with a rush of air that spoke only of death. It passed through the
Wolver’s
chest and heart and continued on to lose itself somewhere distant in the tangled forest. The man stood in bewilderment wondering what had happened as his life blood pumped like a fountain down his breast, and then his eyes glazed over and he was dead before he fell.

Reigin swore softly into the night, frustrated that he had been caught off guard, and angry that the man had died, for he wanted to save them all, and suddenly knew that he could not. Each man would have to choose his own path as he had done.

The captured
Wolver
came to his senses before a warm fire and faces which seemed less evil than he might have expected. He was sullen and glowered angrily at his captors for he felt the shame of his position deeply. Sitting before him was one he knew well, one whom they had all admired and emulated. The Tall one.

‘Tall man you have betrayed your king and you brother
Wolvers
,’ he hissed angrily.

‘I have saved your life,’ the Tall one replied evenly. The
Wolver
suddenly looked around and realised that his companion was not present.

‘Where is Viper?’ he demanded angrily.

‘Viper struck like a snake, and died like one. He was warned but did not listen.’ The Tall man spoke quietly with a touch of regret.

‘You killed a brother?’

‘I did not kill him.’

‘Then who? Who here could kill a Wolver?’ The deadly man cast his eyes around the group and seeing Rema caught his breath.

‘You,’ he hissed in disbelief, ‘You are the one who drank with us in the tavern before Sabre was killed. You did that. The other three in the forest. That was you as well?’ His voice had faded and he asked the question in a voice tinged with awe. Rema nodded.

‘I killed only those who came against me.’

The
Wolver
turned back to Reigin in shock. ‘You ride with this one, the one whom we seek; the one who would seek the death of our King. This one has killed five of us now. Tall man, how can you do this thing?’ He was unable to comprehend the enormity of Reigin’s actions for they seemed beyond understanding.

‘I do it because it is right, Scorp. I have learnt to make my own decisions. I choose now where I go and what I do. I am no longer a
Wolver
. I am Reigin of the
Edenwhood.
I have found where I come from, and I aim to see the mad King Petros who you serve, removed from the throne of Revelyn and my people... your people Scorp, set free and brought home to
AlGiron
the home of the
Edenwhood
.’

Reigin spoke as much for himself as for the stunned
Wolver
Scorp. It was his own personal declaration of intent and sealed his way forward, the last piece in the change which had brought about his redemption.

‘Well spoken Reigin,’ said Serenna who was clearly moved by his words. ‘I hope against all that stands before us that you achieve your dream.’

‘And I as well,’ said Scion with a nod of approval.

Ofeigr sat quietly, his thoughts his own.

Scorp the captured
Wolver
looked around the group in amazement.

‘There are five of you, and perhaps a score or two more in the place to which you travel. The whole army of Revelyn is on the march to put an end to your mad delusions. Six thousand men against this, what hope do you have?’

‘Only six thousand,’ said Rema with a wry smile, ‘that is good news indeed for we guessed it closer to ten. It looks like we have a better chance than I thought.’

‘You are all mad!’ Scorp hissed the insult with as much derision as he could muster.

‘No,’ Rema replied evenly, ‘your king is mad, the one who advises him is madder still, and you choose to follow madness. What does this make you
Wolver
?’

Scorp was now at a loss for words.

Rema turned from him to the others. ‘We will rest now, for before the sun is up we must be gone. We have a long day’s ride once more. Our plans are no longer hidden so time is stolen from us. To sleep then. I will keep watch for a time, then Reigin and perhaps Scion will follow?’ The large black man nodded his head in agreement. Reigin expertly ensured that their prisoner was well secured and with Rema watching, the camp fell quiet. No further words were spoken but many thoughts passed through the
Wolver’s
mind. He too did not lack intelligence, and like Reigin before him, he was now struggling with a change in the order of things.

They reached the outskirts of
Wildwood
shortly before sunset the next day. They had ridden hard with little rest, their horses exhausted and now underfed. White foam covered their flanks and heaving chests but they had galloped bravely and borne the five safely over many leagues. They had seen no one, for the forest and roadways were deserted and silent in a manner which Rema thought unusual.

Reigin had remained behind for a time after the others set off, and waited with the
Wolver
. He wanted to speak some more with this man who was once a brother of sorts, and undoubtedly his kin by blood. Rema had left no orders about what was to be done with him, and he knew that Reigin would not take his life. Reigin never revealed what he said to the man, apart from telling Rema in the briefest terms when he caught them up in the midmorn, that should he ever meet the
Wolver
again, he would not hesitate to slay him.

He had let the man go free without weapons and had ridden off without looking back.

Rema had felt a rising excitement matched only by an equal measure of anxiety as he approached
Wildwood.
He was almost desperate to see Sylvion once more; to hold her close to him, and kiss her again whilst looking into her exquisite eyes; feeling her warmth and hearing her voice…

And yet she was changed; he knew that now.

What would it be like?
He thought, as his heart pounded powerfully in his chest.

The five companions made an impressive scene as they rode majestically into
Wildwood
that evening.  The noise of their approach had not gone unnoticed and the state of their appearance, matched by the foaming horses and the presence of Reigin the warrior created not a little fear and apprehension as they rode boldly up the main street and continued on out towards the mighty forest and what remained of the Greyfeld estate. 

It was Goodman Cantor who greeted them with a wild call.

‘Rema, by the gods man it is good to see you!’ He ran forward to where they had dismounted in a cloud of dust and clatter of hooves. ‘Serenna you too, welcome!’

Rema was overwhelmed to see his great friend, and so many others about who clearly looked well prepared to ride with them. They stood and embraced and then made introductions all around as the other Highlanders looked on in awe, especially at Reigin. In the flesh he was even more impressive than they had been led to believe.

‘Where is she Goodman?’ Rema could contain himself no longer.

‘She is at her kindma’s grave,’ Goodman replied quietly. ‘Each day at this time she goes alone and sits with her. I am sure she will not mind a visitor. Leave your friends with me and I will see to their comfort and sort out the horses. It is good to see you Rema. We have worried so much, and Sylvion is not the same... well in a manner of speaking; you will see. Around by the orchard you’ll find her. Go now man.’

Serenna watched Rema go with a blade of pain thrusting deep into her heart.

And so Rema walked quietly around the ruins of the old house and felt a bitterness at such destruction. He nodded at a few of those whom he knew around about but did not stop unless his fear of meeting Sylvion froze him to the spot.