Knight Fall (The Champion Chronicles Book 1) (28 page)

"Of course," Hibold replied.  "And as before, it must be melted down.  It would not go well to have the emperor’s coins circulating through kingdoms not in the empire."

"Shall I have my men retrieve the chests from your wagon?" Neffenmark asked.

"Oh, I do not have the last payment with me," Hibold said.  "I would never release my leverage before it is time."

Neffenmark’s eyes burned.  "I am the one at risk here!  And you dare insult me with your talk of leverage?"

"I trust no one, regardless of what leverage I hold.  It is the nature of my business.  It is how I stay alive."  A wide smile fell across Hibold’s face.  "My wife would be very upset if I did not make it home after one of my jobs."

"I cannot believe a devil such as you even has a wife," Neffenmark said with a growl.

Hibold burst out into laughter.  "And the barbarian continues with the insults.  Your gold is in a wagon just outside of your camp."

The anger faded from Neffenmark’s face quickly.  "Then our business is concluded."

"Indeed it is.  I would say it was a pleasure, but that would be a lie."  He gave Neffenmark one last look before stepping backwards through the tent flap.  "Good night.  And enjoy your rule.  May it be long and prosperous."

***

              Hibold had lied to Lord Neffenmark.  He always stayed to watch.  It was the biggest joy of his job.  He just liked to do it from a distance.

It had taken him the rest of the night and nearly the entire next day to get to this very spot.  It was at the highest peak of the mountain overlooking the battlefield, or what will soon be the battlefield.  There was a thick outcropping of trees that concealed his camp.  Two Taran centurions were sitting by a small fire that was burning in a pit deep enough that it could not be seen from a distance.  A small rabbit was spitted across the fire, fat dripping into the fire with a sizzle.

“It smells good,” Hibold said.

“It is just about ready,” one of the centurions said.  He turned the rabbit, checking to see that it was getting evenly cooked.

“Is the army is in place?” Hibold asked.

“The Thellians have been in place since yesterday.  The Karmon army is camped about a half days march to the south.  They should be coming through the valley mid-afternoon.”

The Taran emissary pulled out a thick wool blanket and spread it across the ground.  “Then tomorrow night, we shall head home.”

***

Conner slipped off Lilly, his back aching and his legs so sore he could barely walk.  Brace and Marik had already dismounted and were tending to their horse’s needs.  As best he could, he followed suit.  Once they were fed and watered, Marik started a fire and began heating the last of their salted meat.

“We will catch them tomorrow late morning,” Brace announced.  He was looking around at the mountains and then up at the stars, getting his bearings.  “Maybe early afternoon at the latest.”

“Will it be too late?” Conner asked.

“The king will plan his march to be near the battlefield just as the sun falls below the horizon,” Brace replied.  “We came across their last camp late afternoon.  They should be making camp tonight at the foot of the mountains.  Tomorrow they are to march through the valley and then make camp on their other side and that is where they plan to meet the Thellians.”

“But they are not there,” Marik said.

“No," Brace replied.  "They will be waiting in the valley to ambush the army.  But we will get there in plenty of time to warn them.”

“Are you sure?” Conner asked.

Brace let out a long sigh.  “I am sure of nothing but that the horses are as exhausted as we are.  Probably more so.  But there is little for us to do right now other than to rest a bit and hope that we are not too late.”

“Should we not ride through the night, then?” Conner asked.

“It would do no good for us to arrive early on dead horses,” Marik replied.

“We will rest for a few hours and leave before the sun rises,” Brace said.

***

The king let his body fall onto the pillows.  He felt a little guilty for having a soft bed to lie upon, while his army slept on the cold ground.  But he was the king.  He had earned the right.  He had tried to push the army fast, but it could only move as fast as the slowest villager.  If only everyone had a horse to ride, then they would already be through the valley.

Their scouts reported no activity, and he hoped that was good news.  There were no Thellian spies tailing him or watching for them.  At least not yet.  He didn’t dare send his scouts through the valley until morning.  He knew the valley would be watched and once the first Karmon soldier or scout marched through, the Thellian army would know they were coming.  He needed enough time to get through the valley so that when he met the Thellians on the battle field, he would have his back to the mountains.  They would not be able to flank him.  He would have the high ground and the advantage.  He predicted a slaughter.

With the thought of victory on his mind, he fell into a deep, comfortable sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The wagons, horses, and foot soldiers that preceded them had made an easy path to follow.  The army had no reason to hide their movements, so they left a wide swath of wagon tracks and hoof prints.  But because the army was so big, they couldn't always follow the quickest path.  Marik followed his ranger instincts and led them off the path many times, hopefully cutting hours off their travel.  The army had to follow easy terrain, especially because of the wagons.  The three riders on horseback had no such restriction.

They spoke little.  Conner followed Marik.  Brace kept to the rear, his eyes constantly on alert for anyone following them.  Conner quickly realized how little he really knew about riding a horse.  Sure, it was easy enough to climb on its back.  To have the horse move with just touch of the knees, or to stop and start with just a soft word was something that he had never experienced.  But they were constantly moving at such a fast pace, that it took nearly his full concentration to keep up with the ranger and not to fall off the horse.  The foothills that led up to the mountains were woodsy, but hardly as dense as the forests to the south, so it made traveling on horseback fairly easy.  Conner had no idea if they were making good time, or if they were falling behind.  Marik said little.  Brace said nothing.  He just kept his eyes on the trail. 

Without warning, Marik pulled his horse to a stop and turned to face his companions. “The horses have about had it,” Marik said.  "There is a river just ahead through the trees.  We will stop to water them."

Brace and Conner dismounted, both grateful for the break.  Conner watched the Knight Captain move slowly, trying not to wince with each step.  Clearly, his leg was bothering him.  He acted as if were as healthy as a young squire, taking both his horse and Lilly to the edge of the river to drink.  Conner thought that Brace would be making him water the horses and do all the little menial tasks, but the Knight Captain seemed to want to do everything on his own.  For a while, Conner thought it might be because they are in the field and everyone pulls their own fair share.  But Brace seemed to want to do everything.

While Brace took the horses, Conner stretched his back and rubbed his muscles.  Every part of his body was sore.  He had never ridden this long in a saddle, or ridden as fast as they rode.  He had no idea how knights could handle it.

“You get used to it,” Marik said, as if he were reading Conner’s mind.

“Huh?”

“Rubbing the back, stretching the legs.  You’re sore from riding and you are staring at Sir Brace, wondering how he can be walking as well as he can, even with a bad leg.  Well, after ten years of riding many hours every day, you get used to.  Your back.  Your backside.  Legs.  Everything.  Your body does get used to it and it isn’t as painful.”

“He’s in pain,” Conner said.  “He can barely walk.”

“Yes, but he does.  He has a heavy burden to carry.  And carry it he must.”

Conner gave the ranger a curious look, but Marik only shook his head.  “It is not for me to tell.”

From the river, Brace shouted   “We are behind.  We should have gotten to the valley by now.”

“We’re pushing them as hard as we can,” Marik shouted back.

Conner could sense the tension in both their voices.  He had the feeling that it was taking too long.  A feeling of gloom swept over him.  The bulk of the armed forces that Karmon could muster was heading to a trap.  If they didn’t reach them in time, it would be disaster.

“This will be our last stop,” Brace said, leading the horses from the river bank.

It took a moment for Conner to realize that the Knight Captain was talking to him.

“The river here, it’s called the Razor.  It makes its way from the mountains.  We are just a bit west of the valley.  If you look closely, you can see where the mountain is split.  When we get closer, you will see.  The river is small compared to what it was many, many years ago.  It cut right through the mountain, creating a valley.  When we get to the valley, the battle will be engaged.”

“Brace, we can still beat them,” Marik said.

The Knight Captain turned on the ranger and replied with a sharp tone.  “It is too late!  We are too late!  The battle likely has already started.  It is a battle that has already been lost because of me.  I have done this.  From my own actions, I caused this war.  The knights may be no more.  They will be slaughtered in the valley.”

Conner was stunned at the admission of Brace.  “What have you done?”

Brace turned to Conner as if he were about to strike him down.  Instead, he quickly turned away and took the reins of his horse.  Ignoring the pain that was shooting through his leg, the Knight Captain mounted his horse and declared, “We ride.  Now.”

Marik brought Lilly to Conner and said softly, “Do not mention it again.  Sir Brace feels enough guilt about the things that he did.  Just know that whatever he did, he did for the kingdom.  Not for himself, not for anyone else.  But for the kingdom.  And that’s what a knight’s oath is. To the kingdom.  Now, get on Lilly before he rides too far ahead.”

They followed the river, staying to a small game trail most of the way.  Marik kept them at a steady trot.  Not too fast to wear the horses down, but much faster than the walking pace at which the army moved.  It wasn’t long before they picked up the path that the army had taken.  The tracks were fairly fresh, meaning they were gaining on them.  Marik increased their pace to almost a run.  They left the river and followed the path that the army had taken, which was a straight shot towards the valley.

They broke from the trees at the very foot of the mountains and continued running with the mountains on their left and the river on the right.  They could see the opening to the valley, but the valley itself was hidden from them.  The river made a sharp left turn to the north, where it had cut out the valley.

Their worst fears came to light.  They had hoped to come upon the army before it entered the valley, but there was no army to see.  The entire army had already entered the valley, straight into the ambush.

Lilly was the fastest horse, bred for speed and grace.  As soon as she saw the open clearing ahead, it only took a nudge from Conner’s heel to get her into a full run.  She quickly passed Marik, leaving his two companions well behind.  Brace and Marik both shouted at him, but he did not want to hear their words.  The sound of battle spurred him faster.

And then Conner pulled Lilly up short, pulling hard on her reins.  Brace and Marik darted past, their swords drawn and ready for battle.  But it was the sight of the battlefield that stunned Conner.  There were bodies everywhere.  Clanging of metal on metal and the shouts of the living and the screaming of the dying filled his ears.  The sight overwhelmed him so that he couldn’t move.  Even Lilly did not like what she saw and smelled, prancing impatiently in place, waiting for Conner to do something.

Bodies were strewn as far as Conner could see.  Knights still in their shiny, well-polished armor lay dead next to peasants.  For many, shields and armor did no good.  There were hundreds of dead bodies, each felled with multiple arrows.  Lilly started to move forward, and Conner let her.  Slowly moving between the bodies, he realized that not all of them were dead.  Some lay on the ground crying or moaning from their injuries.  Most would end up dying.  Maybe some would survive.  A young man with matted blond hair sat up as Conner passed, an arrow imbedded deep into his leg.  He had clearly been crying, but he did not call out to Conner as he passed, he only held out a hand, as if somehow Conner could help him.  There was nothing that he could do, so he kept moving forward.

He didn’t know what to do.  The thought of actually being in battle really hadn’t sunk in.  Up to this point, it had just been the idea of a battle.  But now that he saw the dead bodies, could hear the ring of metal on metal, it suddenly became real, and he was afraid.  He knew that Master Goshin had trained him, and had trained him well.  He had proved himself that he could swing a blade with quick precision.  He had killed, but it had been from afar.  He had thought about what it would be to strike someone down with a blade.  He had imaged it countless times while training with Master Goshin or with the squires.  But it had never been real, like it is now.

His kingdom was at war.  Men and boys that had been on the streets of South Karmon just days ago were fighting to the death.  Men and boys from his village and every other village throughout the kingdom were out on the battlefield.  His king was out there somewhere.  It was clear, even to Conner, what had happened.  The army had moved into the valley, stretched as a marching army tended to do.  The knights were up front, leading the way.  Once the entire army was in the valley, the arrows had come down from the mountain.  Many men had lost their lives in only the first few minutes of the battle.  The ambush had caused chaos, sending the untrained peasants into a panicked fear.  Instead of charging forward to meet the enemy, many ran only to have an arrow find them and knock them to the ground.  The knights, however, stood their ground to meet the Thellian army.  They came from the north, all on foot.  Pikemen with their long spears.  Foot soldiers with sword and shield.  Arrows continued to rain upon the knights until the Karmon soldiers were able to engage the main Thellian force.  Forced into a charge to meet the new threat, the main army was left unprotected.  The archers, trained soldiers, came down from their perches to meet the untrained peasants.

Conner was afraid, but he drew one of his light swords and held tightly to Lilly’s reins as he kicked her into a sprint, heading towards the center of the battle.  Lilly was not a war horse, but she did not fear the smell of death.  Maybe it was because she was stabled with true war horses.  Whatever it was, she raced with the wind, directly towards the fighting.

As Lilly ran forward, Conner looked for Marik and Brace.  He had lost sight of them and he knew he needed to stay close to them if her were to survive.  Off to his left, up from the valley floor, Conner noticed a small skirmish.  A handful of knights had found themselves unhorsed and surrounded.  Without a thought, Conner touched his right knee to the side of Lilly and he turned towards them.  Lilly aimed directly for the fighting.  It was as if she were a trained war horse and had been bred for carrying knights into battle. 

Just as Lilly approached the fighting, Conner pulled back on the reins and she slowed from her sprint and came to a sliding stop.  Conner drew his other sword and slid off Lilly’s back.  His approach had not gone unnoticed.  Three Thellian soldiers approached him, their clothes and faces smeared with blood and other bodily fluids.  Their eyes were ablaze with a frenzy that made them seem inhuman.  It made it easier to dispatch them.  Conner was quick about it, just as Master Goshin had taught him.  The longer a fight lasted, the better chance there was of losing it, the old man had always said.  He thought that maybe the soldiers were stuck in the mud, because they seemed to move so slowly.   He could see their blows even before they delivered them.  He easily countered, and then struck one with a slash from neck to belly.  Another slash cleaved a head clean off another soldier.  The last fell from a stab straight through the heart.  With swords swinging in a controlled fury, Conner cut a path to the unhorsed knights.  Conner recognized them.  He didn’t know their names, but he knew their faces.  He knew some of them had jeered him and probably even hated him.  But right now, he was covered with the same blood they were.  The blood of their enemy and that was all that mattered.

The hole Conner had cut through the Thellians had caused a short reprieve for the handful of knights that had once been surrounded and faced certain death.  They took a moment to catch their breath while the Thellians regrouped.  One knight fell to a knee, a bloody hand trying to hold in whatever was coming out of his belly.  Conner stepped in front of the knight and took on the resurgent charge of Thellians.  With a fresh body and a sword faster than anyone could follow, the knights felt a renewed energy.  Once again, they beat back the Thellians.  This time, the Thellians retreated and left the small group of knights alone.

Conner turned to the knight that he had protected.  He had fallen over and was not moving.  His eyes remained open and a trail of blood dripped from his mouth.  The moment finally caught up with him.  The death and destruction around him was pressing down on him and he suddenly couldn’t breathe.  He felt bile coming up and then he fell to his knees and everything that was in his stomach was suddenly on the ground.  With deep gasps, he sucked in as much air as he could, trying to keep himself from throwing up again.  A hand gripped him under the armpits and pulled him to his feet.

Conner looked into the eyes of Sir Brace Hawkden.  They blazed with a fury that he had never seen.  The Knight Captain shook Conner harshly.

“The battle is yet to be won.  Get your swords.”

Conner looked around him.  He was sure there were twice as many dead as living.  But knights were still fighting.  Peasants armed with swords and spears were still fighting.  His arms fell limp at his sides.  He had no strength.

“The king is trapped,” Brace said.  “We need to move now, or he will be cut down.”

“I…” Conner started to speak, but no more words came out.

Brace moved closer, so he could speak without shouting.  “You have already proven yourself worthy.  You have spilled blood with your sword and you hate it.  I know.  I know exactly how you feel.  Each time I strike down a man, even if it is the enemy, I feel sick.  Because it is not just the enemy that I am killing, it is a man.  A man with a family.  But if I don’t kill him first, he will kill me.  That is how this works.  Your king needs you.  You made a vow to Princess Elissa to be her champion, and now you must follow through with that.  You must help protect your king.  It is your duty.  Your obligation.  And not just because of your vow, but also because of who you are.”  He paused to look deep into Conner’s eyes and knew the answer before he asked it, but he asked it anyway.  “Are you ready?”