The Exodus Sagas: Book IV - Of Moons and Myth (33 page)

His voice captivated, summoned a respectful silence, and all eyes were on him for but a few short moments.
Then , laughter the likes of a drunken mob surrounded by a thousand hilarious jesters, even the Armondi guard and their prince could not help but chuckle.
Drinks tipped back, rusty steel waved in the morass of patrons, and the crowd tightened closer.

“
Oh brother, we be dead men now
.” Tannek grumbled.

“You see, Harlian, loyalty is ensured by the men with the gold to see it fed. Your feathered cross and fine words mean a waste of air has occurred. Nothing more. As I said, you are far from home.” Prince Rohne drew his scimitar
high
, his men went en guard, yet
the calm moment before the
order to commit
bloodshed was broken
,
by an arrow.

Thewwwmmm!

The arrow whisked past Rohne’s face and landed into the wall, intentionally missing. The pull of bowstrings by perhaps one hundred or more could be heard from every corner and even outside the tavern. People backed up, muttered a bit, and many elves were revealed, all aiming at the Armondi soldiers.
The laughter stopped abruptly.

“The
elves of Old Aloeste hear your call, Cristoff the Third! I say, send the Armondi home feathered with flights! Aariss
Diravas
and my Riverbows
stand with you!” An elf with long brown braids, a wedge of pointy nose, and a fierce stare, smi
led mischievously at Rohne
as his men kept steady aim throughout the tavern.
He winked at the prince
as
t
he
young noble
looked for the origin of the arrow that dared whisk his face.
He nodded to rest his suspicions.

Longblades drew from ragged men and women throughout the cluttered tavern, nearly two hundred
suddenly
stood on balconies, bartops, and in the doorways. They nodded to a
shorthaired woman, one with many scars, and chain links under her peasant garb. Cristoff had seen her earlier, same with the elves, as if they had been waiting for something. She nodded in return and pointed her blade wrapped with a white strip of cloth around the hilt, like all the others in her mercenary band.

“Julia Whiteblade and the Peasant Swords of Freemoore will shed blood with anyone that stands against Armondeen, for any cause!” Serious, with
not
even a hint of a smile, her command and vow brought hushed whispers. Many that had stood with the Armondi in the tavern, put their weapons away and settled back into the crowds
, yet were intent on keeping
the gold
.

“Master Aariss and L
ady
Julia, your words are heard and held
!” Cristoff now pointed his blade
directly down
at Prince Rohne.
“Far from home Prince, but even here some heed the call of
honor
.”

“
Ohhh, I
am gonna like this now
. I think the odds are a bit more square then, come on prince, make yer’ move.” Tannek Anduvann smiled, teasing with his axe while Dalliunn growled a feline warning and gripped his fingers over the handle of Zen’s warhammer.
Jardayne and Codaius raised their greatblades in a high guard, and all men were ready for a brawl of blades and blood.

“What ye’ waitin’ for boy? An invitation to---“
Tannek
interrupted
himself
, he heard something outside, it was stomping steel and chanting. His men were coming, he knew their steps by heart, and he smiled so wid
e
it hurt.“No, on second thought, just wait a few more minutes
there
Prince
.
I think me brothers would like to meet ye’.
”

Vuumber
!
Vuumber
!
Vuumber
!

It echoed from the north side of the city, undeniable,
the dwarves of Marlennak were marching
into Freemoore.
Armondi scouts rushed in, took a fast bow, and whispered into Prince Rohne’s ear. He nodded, smiled, and kept his composure well for the information he received about five hundred armed dwarves heading this way.
He furrowed his brow, as if a difficult decision had to be made, when he was told that no sign or trace of Saberrak the gray minotaur or his compan
ions could be found in the free city
.
He looked to the surrounding archers and mercenary gangs, then to the few from Evermont, and lastly at his men as the marching grew closer.

“It seems my father,
the noble
King Ian Viorius of Armondeen, has nuances in his ailing health. This little foray that I would most enjoy finishing, will have to be postponed until a later time.
My sovereign apologies.
”
Rohne sheathed his scimitar
. He knew he was now evenly matched
here at No Kings Well, and that five hundred more arriving would only worsen his chances of victory. He thought of how Freemoore would look once his kingdom took it by force, and burned this tavern to the ground.

“Pity, best be careful
Prince Rohne.” Sir Codaius sheathed his greatsword under his arm.

“And why is that, great Bear of Evermont? Are you eager to see your blood lining these walls?”

“No, but I have heard that that cowardice is rather contagious, tis the last thing an ailing king need catch at his end. Perhaps you should keep your distance.”

“Your words have just marked you
dead
Codaius
, an
d all of those with you
, I will not forget it
.
Should you travel to the curselands, or even think it, you will be spared no quarter.
” Rohne sneered and turned his back to them. Chin high, surrounded by soldiers, he made for the nearest exit.
“Men of Freemoore, you have been dually warned. It is time Armondeen showed you a bit of rule. You would be wise to remember this day, and my face.”

Thewwwmmm!

Another arrow whistled
past his hairline, landing into the doorframe and wobbling there. Rohne grabbed it and kept his pace down the steps.

“You
r face
will see many of those should you
r men
ever
return, Prince of Armonde
en!
” Aariss of the Riverbows lowered his bow and raised his hand high as Prince Rohne mounted his armored stallion. “Three cheers and a round of wine for Evermont and Lord Cristoff the Third!”

Haaa! Haaa! Arah
!

The timed steps of steel plate, the sudden stop of the former Southern Outguard Scouts of Marlennak, it had everyone in the tavern on edge. Black plate and chain, shields all on the left, spears in hand, battle axes on their hips, the red bearded brigade turned in formation to face No Kings Well. A plump dwarf with
a shaved head looked around at
the
departing force barely
the size of the one he led, shook his head, and entered the tavern.

Tannek rushed over to his older brother, put one arm around his neck, and laughed in a rough embrace. “Brother, that timing was perfect! Did ye’ see the looks on their faces? Damn Armondi Prince and his men, you done good Drodunn Anduvann, done good.”

“Whose faces, what ye’ spattin’ about then Tannek?” Drodunn wiped his
sweating
head, looked around the packed pub all staring at him.

“The prince, the men, ye’ scared em’ off ye’ did. When ye’ came to our aid, saved our arses in truth, I be proud o’ ye’.”

“Oh, that? Sorry, I just wanted to feel what it was like to march the men around a bit. I
was, well uh, just showin’ off
ye’ know, the men wanted to see the city
and all
, so did I
. What prince? Was there trouble? Did ye’ get the names o’ anyone that----“

“Ye’ mean
to tell me
that was by accident?” Tannek smacked the breastplate of his priestly brother hard.

“Nothing is by accident brother, Vundren told me in me prayers this mornin’ to take a stroll in the city. Didn’t feel to go alone in this cesspool, so I done brought the boys.”

“Vundren be praised.” Tannek looked to the ceiling of the tavern, then to Drodunn’s hammer and moons,
then felt the hand of Cristoff on his shoulder.

Soon, Drodunn found himself surrounded on the steps by people he had never met. They all stared and cheered as the Armondi forces left Freemoore
to the northwest
, clapped and threw praise toward the dwarves of Marlennak in formation, and everyone began talking to one another.
Wine, ale, and water passed from elf, to dwarf, to free men and women, noble and common alike.
The dwarven priest took out his book and quill, to scribe the names of Julia Whiteblade and her Peasant Swords, then Aariss Diravas and his Riverbows, and lastly the brave Knights of Evermont that guar
ded the Shans o’ Little Door who
had met the very heroes they were following.
Before long everyone was talking of Mooncrest, the curselands, and the search for the Kaki Mountains. The elves knew of Tintasarn, south of the peaks, and how to get there by the fastest route.
Aariss Diravis had stated his cousin was there, guarding a holy shrine with his priests.
The minstrels sang of the travels, the journeys of the five that sought the lands of myth, and the thousands that followed them.

“My lord Cristoff, a word if you would?” Sir Jardayne walked out into the bustling streets.

“Knight General Jardayne, of course. What is it?”

Jardayne let out a sigh. “You truly seek this place, despite the certain death that is said to lay waiting, all these thousands of years?”

“I do. We all do. I have traveled all this way, and intend to see it through. You have met them,
you know
, I can tell by your eyes.” Cristoff smiled, stroked his tight gray beard, and looked at Jardayne with a serious spiritual stare.

“I feel it, yes.
I did when I met them, and I know who it is that will try and stop them. Even if you find it, and it is all that the legends say it is, you cannot take on the kingdom of Armondeen. I know the man that leads their armies. I cannot speak for Shanador, nor Evermont, I cannot---
”

“Then
join us
, help us find them and the dream.
Stop finding reasons for
no
, and look at the divine answers
for yes
.” Cristoff pleaded with his words, yet kept his noble stance.

“I would lose my title, my honor in Shanador, exiled or worse than that----“

“I am without title, without my city and kingdom, and in exile. But, by
choice
. I felt it, I felt it on Soujan Mountain, the word of God spoke to me. It told me to go west. I did not listen. Then, they helped me liberate my city from the ruthless king of Harlaheim who occupied it and wanted me dead. Still, I did not listen. Sir James of Chazzrynn waited for me, but I refused to go. I said the same as you, Jardayne. My
title
, my
honor
, my
kingdom
. And do you know what?” Cristoff put his hand on the armor of
the
Knight General of Evermont.

Jardayne was inspired, it was as if truth itself was crushing him
as he tried to breath. His eyes watered. “What, Lord Cristoff?”

“From the time they left Saint Erinsburg, every moment, I felt as if it was a sin against Alden for me to deny their truth and destiny. I slept not one minute, and I regretted every single second of my life. The honor and purpose I was shown, was not enough to dream, because I thought myself unworthy. I was afraid, though I woul
d not admit it to anyone
until just now. Do you know what else?” Cristoff touched his golden feathered cross and then held it up, just a bit.

“What else, my lord?
Understand, that I cannot simply side one kingdom against the other on a dream, I…I am not a king..
” Jardayne had to look away. When he did, he saw Codaius, the dwarves, and his men all watching. Whether they heard the words being spoke or no, he knew that it was obvious what the discussion was about. He lowered his head, not wanting to look at anyone.
Codaius was approaching, he felt the heavy hand of his closest friend.

“Since I abandoned all I have known, taken my people with me across the continent in search of that dream, I have felt more alive than all the sum of my years. Suddenly, all the politics, service to others, and things that I thought important,
are not
. God is
here
now
guiding us
, I have something to believe in, that I
have seen. You and I met them, it was no accident,
and where they go I shall not let them go alone.
You have this
one
moment Jardayne, this
one
decision when every voice outside would say no, all you must do is follow that voice inside that is shouting for you to say yes, to whatever end.
” Cristoff smiled, nodding to those behind them outside No Kings Well.
“I will leave you to your
decision, Jardayne of Highmont, but our caravan heads west and I must lead them.”