I exited the manor. Reinhold and the others sat atop their horses. It was now in the early hours of darkness, and not a single cloud was visible in the night sky; the moon shone brightly.
A barastyr held my horse in place while I mounted it. Shael stared at me while I made myself comfortable on the horse. "That band suits you," She complimented. I adjusted the band on my eyes as I tried to hide the smile that suddenly spread across my face. "Thank you!" I said humbly accepting it. I didn't have long to dwell upon it, Reinhold whipped his reign and commanded us to move out. The barastyrs opened the gate, and when we exited, a nervous shiver ran down my spine. We followed Reinhold down the path covered by the canopy of trees. The moon was bright, but only a minimum amount of light illuminated our path.
Finally, we emerged on the main road. For some odd reason, I thought we were turning left, I was proven wrong. Reinhold turned to the right and we followed. The road was covered by the shadow of a cluster of trees and we made our way past it. The view my eyes laid upon almost took my breath away. A grassy plain that stretched as far as the eye could see glistened under the veil of the silver moonlight. We went up a hill, and now, I could see bright orange lights scattered lightly under a gigantic mountain; The scenery was surreal.
Many hours passed, and clouds were beginning to slowly move across the dark sky. Reinhold, James, and Zorion were upfront, while I and the others stayed back a couple of feet. The silence was broken by Klayden. "Sorry if I seem a bit cowardly in the eyes of all of you, but I propose, when we establish ground in the enemy's territory, that we devise a plan to rescue this, this... shit, I forgot his name already!"
Shael rustled the reign of her horse before speaking. His name is Josef Schwarz, and your proposal is something obvious. We would be stupid not to plan before executing it.
Klayden sighed. "Good! I assumed you were all suicidal."
It was a few seconds of awkward silence before Roger spoke. "Ya know, I was wondering what it is like in witch territory?"
"Probably nothing good," Klayden responded. "I bet it is a barbaric and lawless land where people can get away with devious acts without suffering the consequences of justice."
Roger shrugged. "Well, you never know."
The sun was beginning to dawn. The fiery brightness of it was beginning to break through the clouds. The moon was still visible in the sky, and it hid between thin streaks of clouds.
After traversing miles and miles of nothingness, we finally stumbled upon a village. But something seemed peculiar about it. No civilians were around. As we got closer, I could tell why no one lived in them, they were old and abandoned. In a row, facing each other, they sat on their decrepit foundations; some of them creaking with every breeze. The road was filled with mud and many tracks seemed to pass to and fro through it. How was that so?
Reinhold and his men looked straight ahead with indifference to what I considered unusual. We got closer to a massive abandoned church, and somehow, lights emerged from the houses close to it. My attention was drawn to Klayden when he started speaking. "How can people still live here?" he asked with slight disgust on his face.
Before we could discuss, our answers were answered. The sound of many men chattering was up ahead. We passed the church, and moving in front of us was a soldier holding the Seledianon flag of Unison. The sound of multiple feet squelching in mud came from behind the flag bearer. Approximately ten men followed behind.
The abandoned town we were in sat atop a hill, overlooking a massive military encampment. I could tell the camp had been placed where a forest once stood. Tree stumps were scattered and stopped at the edge of the intact trees. Left standing, was a camp with a high wooden palisade and wooden spikes as extra security. We made our way down the hill toward the encampment.
At the entrance, two spearmen stood guard. Reinhold ordered us to dismount, and very quickly after, soldiers who looked to be fresh recruits took away our mounts. Reinhold held out his hand and a medallion hung from it. They looked at it and nodded their heads. We entered the camp with minimal trouble.
The smell of this place instantly hit my nose. It was so unbearable that I had no choice but to cover it. As we passed some tents, Shael received some looks of lust from some of the soldiers.
The camp was bustling; not a single person loitered. I had no idea where we were headed, but the most logical answer that popped into my head was the gigantic tent that towered over everyone else's. My attention was drawn to the front of me when I heard loud metallic clangs coming closer and closer. Reinhold stepped to the side and we all followed suit. A blacksmith was running down this lane with a cart full of weapons.
Reinhold eventually reached his destination and sure enough, it was the towering tent. Surprisingly, Reinhold spoke to us. Once again he rubbed his nose. I always wondered why he did that. Did he have problems with it? Who knows!
"Listen, you four," he commanded. James, Zorion, and I are going to lay down our plans to the nobles and Commander Evrard. Stay here, don't cause any trouble," Reinhold said.
We all nodded. "Good!" He said before walking toward the entrance of the tent with James and Zorion.
When Reinhold and the others entered, Klayden finally spoke. "Great!" He said flinging his arms and stepping forward. "Ya, know! It would be good to get some sort of idea of what we are doing before he brings us to random places," Klayden said angrily.
I took a seat on a crate and rest my chin in my hand.
Roger crossed his arms. "There ain't any reason for him to tell us anything unless it is important," Roger retorted.
"But... don't you guys feel good when you know stuff?!"
Shael propped herself on the barrel behind us. "Of course! But Reinhold has a lot on his plate. So, stop whining!"
There was a brief silence from us. If I was not observant, I wouldn't have thought much of it. But, it looked as if the soldiers were packing up. "Hey," I announced while straightening my posture. "Where do all of you think these soldiers are going?!"
They all shrugged.
"I haven't a clue!" Klayden said."
"I have none either," Shael added, jumping to sit on the barrel.
Roger stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Maybe, they are headed to the front."
We all nodded sharing looks at each other. "That could be possible," Klayden said.
As we sat in silence once more, A man who wore oddly familiar raven black armor caught my attention. As this man got closer, my heart leaped in fear, then excitement. It was my father. Four knights followed him. Everyone looked at him in awe as he passed.
I dashed from my seat and ran towards him. One of his men stepped forward and drew his sword as I got closer. "Step back!" He commanded. I stopped in my tracks. With furrowed brows, Engar held his hand on his hilt. "What do you seek boy? Speak!" Engar commanded. I could hear the footsteps of Shael and the others coming closer. I couldn't help but smile at my father for not recognizing me.
Taking my right hand, I slowly lifted it toward my band. With it in my grasp, I raised the eye band slightly. My father's reaction all most made me burst into laughter. His eyes widened as he removed his hand from his hilt and ordered his men to stand down.
"Zarek, It's been a while, my boy. I barely recognized you." My father said with a slight smile on his face. He held out his right arm, and I held out mine. He pulled me in closer and tapped my back. "It seems you got stronger as well!" He said, grasping my shoulders.
I wanted to tell him everything. But I was cut off by Klayden. "Bless the gods! I can't believe my eyes. Engar, in the flesh!" Why was Klayden so surprised? My father acknowledged his fame, but he never dwelled on it and wanted people to treat him like they would treat anyone else. So, I found Klayden's behavior to be very rude.
He had nothing but pure excitement in his eyes. He grabbed my father's arm and started to shake it violently. "I Apologize, my lord. But, ever since I was a boy, I heard stories about what you did on the battlefield.
Klayden looked at my father's hand and let go. "I Apologize once again, my lord. Forgive me!" He said, stepping back.
"Zarek, I assume these are your companions?"
"They are, yes!" For some reason, I was very nervous. My father stood at ease and rose on his toes but didn't say anything.
"Oh! He is Klayden. Klayden Amber."
My father raised his eyebrows. "Ah! I knew he looked familiar. A pleasure to meet you," he said, holding out his hand. Klayden once again shook it.
"This, is Shael Vesculbo." My father's smile widened when he looked at Shael. "Beautiful lass you are," he said, bowing to kiss her hand.
"And, Roger Gretehed." My father nodded. "A pleasure to meet you, young man," he said, shaking his hand firmly.
"Well, son, it seems you have made some wonderful companions. I'm happy to see that. Now, Walk with me."
As we made our way out of the camp in silence, followed by the four knights, I wondered what caused him to get so firm. He walked to the tree line toward a giant stone and took a seat on it. I didn't realize it, but his men stopped a few feet from us, forming a defensive perimeter.
My attention was returned to my father when he called out to me. "Son, take a pew." I didn't realize it in the camp. But my father looked very sick and looked paler than he usually would. "Father, Is something wrong?" I said, taking a seat.
"Yes, many things are wrong." He paused for a good second before speaking again with a sigh. "I fear I may not have long left to live, son." I sprung from my seat and turned to face him. "What?! Where is this coming from?! I asked fearfully and in disbelief.
"We must all die one day, but I fear my day is coming sooner than I anticipated."
I was speechless. My eyes began to burn due to tears welling. He held his chest as he stifled a cough. "Listen carefully, for this will be the last time you ever lay eyes on me: When you have completed your mission, head to your mother, don't let anyone stop you! She will tell you what I can't."
"But, why?!" I asked, holding back tears.
"I am cursed, son. If anyone other than your mother, speaks about this, they will be struck with death that they cannot escape."
I held my face trying to hide the tears that were beginning to stream from my eyes. I lifted my head to the sky as a lump formed in my throat. My father sighed. "Don't cry. You are a man. Take your challenge head-on, with your head held high. Now! Come and talk with me, son. It is the least you could do."
I held my face tightly. I tried to stop myself, but I couldn't. What did I do to deserve all this pain? Did the gods blight me to live a lifetime of unhappiness? My sadness turned to anger as I thought about it, and my tears stopped.
I stood on the spot with my head to the sky as my tears dried on my face. A calming breeze blew across my face, and instantly, my sadness subsided.
Many minutes passed after what had just occurred, and I engaged in an enjoyable conversation with my father. "You managed to hold your own against all of them?!" Father asked.
I nodded. "Yes! But not without harm to myself."
"Well, that is expected in your field of work." We both looked to the camp as the breeze made our hair sway in the wind.
"I see you still have the sword I gave you," Father said, flicking the hilt. I grabbed the sword and took it out of my shoulder strap. I twirled my weapon, making Father lean back. "Yes, and it is still as beautiful as ever," I said, admiring it.
"A beautiful weapon it is indeed. Now, Every good sword has a name. What is yours called?"
I furrowed my brow. "I never really gave it a name," I said, tightening my grip.
My father unsheathed his weapon. "You already know the name of my weapon, yes?!"
I nodded. "How could I forget Nightbane?"
"Yes, that's right! If you name your weapon, no one will ever forget the weapon or person who wielded it. You would live on in their memory as a beacon of hope, or, their worst nightmare. So, what shall yours be called?"
I held the sword at my fingertips and looked at it as I tried to conjure up a name. I called it the first thing that came to mind: "Scourge reaper!" I said.
Father raised his eyebrows. "What made you go with that name?"
"The blade causes great suffering, and each strike reaps the soul of its victims, sending them to the afterlife, so, Scourge reaper."
Father nodded his head in approval. "I like it. The name already has me soiling my trousers!" He said letting out a boisterous laugh.
I couldn't help but laugh as well. Our attention was drawn to many people approaching. "Ah, I guess it's time for you to leave," Father said, rising to his feet.
He was right. Reinhold, followed by the others, was approaching. The knights who guarded my father took a defensive stance but were reassured by him. They stood down, allowing them to pass. "My lord!" Reinhold said while giving a half bow.
Father nodded. Zorion walked up to Engar and firmly shook his hand, and bowed once more. Engar smiled. "It's been a while Zorion, how is everything?" Engar asked wearily.
"Don't worry about me, worry about you! What happened lord, are you feeling under the wind?" Zorion said, holding my father's shoulders.
"Yeah! Just feeling under the wind."
Zorion nodded and friendly pat his shoulders. Reinhold stood patiently, waiting for Zorion to conclude his conversation. James and the others stood back, waiting also.
Father noticed Reinhold who walked toward him swiftly. "My lord!" Reinhold said. Before my father could respond, Reinhold started again. "Lord! We are at a loss for time so, let us not stall any longer," Reinhold said, taking something from beneath his cloak.
He took out a scroll and placed it in my father's hand. My father had a slight look of confusion before opening it. "Thank you, but I believed this could've been handed to my son."
I widened my eyes in surprise at his words. "Son?! Is Fabien here?" I asked, surprised.
My father smiled and nodded at me before returning his attention to Reinhold.
Reinhold crossed his arms, before continuing. "Sorry for the deception, but I required your attention," Reinhold said, with not a look of remorse on his face.
My father looked at the scroll but didn't open it. "You have my attention, what is it?"
They both barely moved, but I felt an intense pressure emanating from them.
Reinhold rubbed his nose before speaking. "I need at least a hundred of your men," Reinhold firmly stated.
My father raised an eyebrow. "That is a very bold request but, consider it done. I will quickly write a letter of assurance." Father said.
I expected Reinhold to sincerely express his gratitude. I expected him to at least smile but, his expression was frozen as if he was unable to smile. Reinhold nodded slightly, "Thank you, they will be put to good use, my lord." Reinhold looked at me before taking the letter of assurance from my father. Turning on his heels, He made his way toward the camp with huge effortless strides, Reinhold made his way toward the camp followed by the others.
"Father," I said, turning to face him. "I don't know much, but I know this. You are the strongest person I know and have had the pleasure of being a son too."
The biggest smile was painted on my father's face but I could tell through his eyes that he was hurting. Once more, we embraced each other, and the blanket of sadness that veiled me was intense.
Reluctantly, I let go. "I must go now, Father."
Father cleared his throat. "Of course, son. Stay safe, and, watch your back!"
I gave him one last smile before turning my back to him. This is the last time I was going to see him and I felt broken, knowing I cannot do anything to save him. With a heavy heart, I returned to the camp.