the
rebels.
Outside, Shalaydis looked to be in ordered confusion.
Soldiers trained in small groups as blacksmiths worked overtime,
smoke rising from their pyres. Elf merchants sold their wares in
makeshift stalls, set up wherever they found room.
Farther down the road that led to the main gate, the
sea of people parted as the rebels rode forward. Their presence
calmed the activity, wide eyes staring at the criminals that
strolled through town.
Da’Lynn watched the ragtag group, questioning if this
was a crucial part of the plan. It would indeed spread chaos,
especially when the army turned against the criminals but she did
need some genuine order if she was going to obtain the magic from
the Palace of Nine.
Kerlick directed his men to the center of town, right
in front of the hall. Some of his thugs cowered in their saddles,
while others sneered at the surprised citizens. Soldiers came
forward to watch. Many of them looked toward their mistress,
waiting for the word to attack. It did not come.
Eventually, all eyes came upon Da’Lynn. “We welcome
our brothers back into the fold. I know some may not agree with
this decision, but it is a time of war. We do not need to
underestimate our opponent.” She stepped down off the steps.
A few of the bandits scoffed. Kerlick dismounted.
“They will fight alongside us as comrades. Previous
wrongs or misdeeds should be put aside for now.”
One rebel, not really caring about the speech,
decided to nudge his horse over to a fruit cart. He reached out
quickly and snagged an apple.
Hardly anyone—including the man—saw the blade fly
through the air, but all saw the effect. As the outlaw went to take
a bite of the fruit, the dagger pierced the hand and apple.
AAAHHH!
The cry echoed through the forest. He flung his
injured hand away and quickly lost his balance in the saddle.
Da’Lynn composed herself after the throw. All eyes
came back to her.
“We accept you as brothers, but your old ways will
not be tolerated. Let that be a lesson to those that think this
will be a free ride.”
Kerlick looked back at his fallen rider. Some of the
other elves dismounted to help him. Before turning back to the
mistress, he scanned the crowd, looking at the faces of the
soldiers.
He approached Da’Lynn and extended a hand. They
shook, mainly for the crowd’s sake.
“I have a job for you and your men,” she whispered
and then escorted him into the hall. Unseen by both, Katrena led a
mare away from the activity.
***
All remained quiet in the house, as the noise of
soldiers echoed from outside. Ra’na was ready to run or fight
depending on the situation, but the human army never found
Hambone’s cottage. It was nearly dusk when they all felt safe to
move.
Reggie came back to announce the humans had
retreated. He felt he deserved some biscuits with his pie for that
information. The crow received thanks, but the group quickly
ignored him.
“Why are the humans attacking us?” Ra’na asked as she
wrapped her arms around the Dwarc. Hambone caressed her hair.
“The queen has to be looking for me. That creature is
back and wants revenge.” Kara’s voice was stern but tinged with
sadness.
“Don’t be ridiculous! Why attack the Territories to
find you? Why not come directly to Willow Haven and save a lot of
trouble?” Jesset rebuked.
Kara turned to him, her sadness evolving to anger.
“Maybe they did, and followed us here.” It came out harsher than
she meant, and Jesset looked away.
Silence now engulfed the party. Each member was a
little confused, frightened, and sad. The crow watched from his
perch, black eyes staring.
Do you perhaps have a small piece of pie that I
could have? The request was so out of the blue it caused Jesset
to laugh. The others looked at him.
“He wants…to know…if you have any pie.” Jesset could
barely get out the words. Ra’na smiled, and Hambone added to the
laughter with a chuckle of his own. Only Kara held on to
rebels.
Outside, Shalaydis looked to be in ordered confusion.
Soldiers trained in small groups as blacksmiths worked overtime,
smoke rising from their pyres. Elf merchants sold their wares in
makeshift stalls, set up wherever they found room.
Farther down the road that led to the main gate, the
sea of people parted as the rebels rode forward. Their presence
calmed the activity, wide eyes staring at the criminals that
strolled through town.
Da’Lynn watched the ragtag group, questioning if this
was a crucial part of the plan. It would indeed spread chaos,
especially when the army turned against the criminals but she did
need some genuine order if she was going to obtain the magic from
the Palace of Nine.
Kerlick directed his men to the center of town, right
in front of the hall. Some of his thugs cowered in their saddles,
while others sneered at the surprised citizens. Soldiers came
forward to watch. Many of them looked toward their mistress,
waiting for the word to attack. It did not come.
Eventually, all eyes came upon Da’Lynn. “We welcome
our brothers back into the fold. I know some may not agree with
this decision, but it is a time of war. We do not need to
underestimate our opponent.” She stepped down off the steps.
A few of the bandits scoffed. Kerlick dismounted.
“They will fight alongside us as comrades. Previous
wrongs or misdeeds should be put aside for now.”
One rebel, not really caring about the speech,
decided to nudge his horse over to a fruit cart. He reached out
quickly and snagged an apple.
Hardly anyone—including the man—saw the blade fly
through the air, but all saw the effect. As the outlaw went to take
a bite of the fruit, the dagger pierced the hand and apple.
AAAHHH!
The cry echoed through the forest. He flung his
injured hand away and quickly lost his balance in the saddle.
Da’Lynn composed herself after the throw. All eyes
came back to her.
“We accept you as brothers, but your old ways will
not be tolerated. Let that be a lesson to those that think this
will be a free ride.”
Kerlick looked back at his fallen rider. Some of the
other elves dismounted to help him. Before turning back to the
mistress, he scanned the crowd, looking at the faces of the
soldiers.
He approached Da’Lynn and extended a hand. They
shook, mainly for the crowd’s sake.
“I have a job for you and your men,” she whispered
and then escorted him into the hall. Unseen by both, Katrena led a
mare away from the activity.
***
All remained quiet in the house, as the noise of
soldiers echoed from outside. Ra’na was ready to run or fight
depending on the situation, but the human army never found
Hambone’s cottage. It was nearly dusk when they all felt safe to
move.
Reggie came back to announce the humans had
retreated. He felt he deserved some biscuits with his pie for that
information. The crow received thanks, but the group quickly
ignored him.
“Why are the humans attacking us?” Ra’na asked as she
wrapped her arms around the Dwarc. Hambone caressed her hair.
“The queen has to be looking for me. That creature is
back and wants revenge.” Kara’s voice was stern but tinged with
sadness.
“Don’t be ridiculous! Why attack the Territories to
find you? Why not come directly to Willow Haven and save a lot of
trouble?” Jesset rebuked.
Kara turned to him, her sadness evolving to anger.
“Maybe they did, and followed us here.” It came out harsher than
she meant, and Jesset looked away.
Silence now engulfed the party. Each member was a
little confused, frightened, and sad. The crow watched from his
perch, black eyes staring.
Do you perhaps have a small piece of pie that I
could have? The request was so out of the blue it caused Jesset
to laugh. The others looked at him.
“He wants…to know…if you have any pie.” Jesset could
barely get out the words. Ra’na smiled, and Hambone added to the
laughter with a chuckle of his own. Only Kara held on to
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