Dragon Clan
Chapter 6
Heathen57
The road to the Tower had to be the easiest that Aldren and
Ameni had traveled since they had come together. The troop of men that rode with them provided for fewer
watches at night and the chance of being attacked with a group of this size
was not likely. They were known
to Aldren and the ease with which they integrated into the group was amazing.
After what they had endured in the past months, it really felt good to
relax a bit.
The first night, they made camp in a site that was used
often by men from the tower. There
were supplies cached and plenty to eat along with mead to wash it down with.
One of the men grumbled that since they had a woman with them, she
should do the cooking. Vabryn
quickly put a stop to that. “Any
woman who can fight with the speed and cunning that the Lady Ameni has shown
deserves respect. Besides, do you
think you can force her to cook for you?”
After dinner, Ameni was oiling the leather in her armor
when a huge shadow passed between her and the fire. She looked up to see the scarred face of Kaldon looking down
at her.
“My Lady, I would like to speak with you.”
She smiled at him and bade him to sit near.
Aldren, who was on the other side reading his late mother’s journal,
looked up in interest as well.
Kaldon set his great frame on a large flat stone and in his
deep gravelly voice started to speak. “I
am not much in the way of smart, but I have to say that there are very few
that can best me in a fight. From
what Captain Vabryn said during our journey today, Lord Aldren is probably one
of them. But I never would have
thought a woman could have taken me as fast as you did.
I need to know how you could do what most cannot.”
Ameni set down her rag and replaced the stopper in the
container. She thought for a
minute before she spoke. “I
believe that it comes from my race. The
Kindred are physically stronger and quicker than the average human.
For all your strength, you would be equal to the average male elf.
Do not feel that you have been bested by a mere woman, for my sire
taught me to fight in the elven method of Hanbura since the time I
could handle a weapon.”
Kaldon looked a little more at ease.
It had bothered him - a lot - that this young and shapely female could
have taken him with no more trouble than stepping on a bug.
His people had been taught that women were always weaker and nowhere
near equals with the men.
This was no ordinary woman in his eyes though.
He had been watching her all day, first with anger then curiosity.
Now that she had explained herself, he decided that she simply was more
of a goddess than a mere mortal being. That
had to be the explanation. No
woman could do what she did. Of
course to his simple thinking, a goddess should be revered and protected.
He decided that he would do his best to do just that.
Having made up his mind, he stood, bowed to her and Aldren
and then took his place in the watch. Ameni
looked over at Aldren. “Could
you tell me what that was about? He
looked at me like I never seen anyone else look before.
It wasn’t lust, I know THAT look.”
Aldren was trying to keep from smiling.
“For some reason, Kaldon worships you.
That was a look of awe. Of
course I worship you but for an entirely different reason.”
Ameni shoved his leg with the side of her foot.
She grinned at her mate, and then went back to her oiling.
They were making good progress and Vabryn figured that they
would arrive at the tower by nightfall. Aldren
and Ameni rode together in the middle of the troop but the men were giving
them some space. They both rode
in an easy silence, comfortable in their own company and the ones they rode
with. Suddenly, Ameni stopped and
cocked her head. Far off in the
distance, Aldren could faintly hear a sound that did not seem of this world.
Deep as though it was coming from far inside a well.
Far in the distance was a creature in the sky.
Even at this distance, they could see that it was huge, probably the
length of five horses standing nose to tail.
It circled once then dove out of sight.
The rest of the troop had stopped as well.
The sighting of a dragon in the sky was a rare sight.
It was only thought to happen when the creatures were in a mating
flight. Though there were legends of dragons attacking a group of
humans, there were no eyewitness tales since nobody survived a dragon attack.
In the lands of the South, dragons were thought to have
died out an age or more ago, if they had ever existed at all.
Now, Aldren had seen the legend in the flesh.
Many things had happened to him since he had left the court of the
King, but this was one of the most awe inspiring as well as frightening.
The troop slowly shook off their emotions and once again
started up the trail. As they got
closer to the tower the landscape changed.
Gone were the forests, replaced by smaller bushes stunted by lack of
nourishment among the huge rocks. They
were now riding close to the northern mountains and the trail was following
along the sheer cliffs. The road
was wide enough for four horses to ride abreast and bordered on the side away
from the cliff by a low wall of hewn stones set tightly together.
The "tower" was actually two towers built into
the face of the mountain. They
were octagonal with two of the sides buried in the face of the cliff.
The massive stones that made up the structures were fit together with
such precision that one would have to inspect them closely to see the breaks
that defined each block. They
rose over a hundred feet to a parapet that would give an unfettered view of
road and the valley below.
The towers guarded a set of gates made of wood and iron
that closed the way into the interior of the keep. As tall as 5 men and as wide as the road, they looked to be
able to withstand any battering ram known to man both ancient and modern.
The sentries at the top called down from their protected
positions and the gates were opened. The
troop rode through the main gate, into a tunnel about 50 strides long and
under another gate that was designed to be dropped in case the first was
breached. They rode out into a
huge bowl several leagues across, its sides raising several hundred feet and
surrounding the entire complex. Several
thousand men could be housed here with room for training, drilling in
formations and tactics, and any other needs of a standing army.
At the left side and again built into the cliff was a stone
palace with a single tower rising above it almost to the height of the walls
of the bowl. Most of the troop
headed to the barracks leaving Vabryn and his second in command, an older and
rather surly man named Halicot, to escort Aldren and Ameni to meet the leader
of this enclave.
They passed through the open doorways into a long receiving
hall. There were guards standing
at their posts at regular intervals along both sides of the hall.
At the very far end a man who looked to be several years older than
Aldren sat in a tall and ornately carved chair.
He was average in height and well dressed.
His graying hair was brushed back and held in place by a gilded broach.
Aldren did a quick scan of the rest of the room.
Off to one side was a table that held maps and various other parchments
scattered in a haphazard fashion. There
were tapestries on the walls made of rich fabrics depicting the ancient
legends and creatures that were once thought to have walked in the lands.
Otherwise, the only other feature was a fireplace large enough to heat
the hall and a few chairs surrounding the table and hearth.
The leader, Kendrich, rose to greet them.
“Aldren, late of the King’s garrison I take it.”
He offered his hand in greeting. As
Aldren grasped his forearm he continued.
“Your reputation precedes you.”
“As does yours Kendrich.
But I am not sure how much of what Vabryn has told you is plain truth
or embellishment.”
“T’was not just Vabryn, I have sources all over the
lands. I know of why you left the
King’s employ, that it is believed that you have earned the wrath of the
High Priest of the new cult for the killing of several priests.
I have been told that you are a fair man, honest to a fault, and quick
to take retribution when wronged. Such
qualities make you a leader of men.”
He then turned to Ameni and brought his arm across his
chest. “Welcome to the Tower of
the Guard, Ameni of the kindred.”
Ameni returned the salute. “My thanks to you for your hospitality. May you live long for the span of men.”
“I am sure that you are weary from the journey.
We shall find you rooms so you may rest. I imagine that tomorrow you
will wish to stretch your limbs and sharpen your skills in the practice
fields. Vabryn, take them to the
captain’s quarters for the night. After tomorrow we will find more permanent dwellings.”
Vabryn gestured for them to follow. He
led them out of the palace and to the first building to the right of the
entrance. He found a set of rooms
that was empty and sent orders that all of their belongings be brought in.
He started to leave when Aldren spoke up.
“Vabryn, stay while we are waiting.
I need to know what is going on. The
invitation to the practice fields sounded more like an order.”
Vabryn turned to his old friend, his face somber.
“There are those among Kendrich’s inner circle of advisors that do
not believe you are as good as your legend has it.
Others that believe too much of the gossip they hear and fear you I
think.”
“Legend? Just
what legend?”
Vabryn looked surprised.
“You have not heard? You
are supposed to be the one that can defeat the king and the priests then
restore peace to the lands. Ever
since you left the king’s employ, rumors have abounded about you laying
waste to those that oppose you, and giving aid to those that deserve it. The wildest tales have you as one of the Ancient Kindred
reborn”
Aldren would have laughed if it were not for the
seriousness of his friend’s face. This
could be dangerous. Expectations
of this magnitude had a way of getting one killed if they were not fulfilled.
“You know that the only thing that I have done is to survive.
And that is with the help of Ameni.
I am not the long awaited liberator of the legends.
I am just a man.”
“I know that. But
I am afraid that you will be tested on the practice field tomorrow so be at
your best.” Then he turned to
Ameni. “My Lady, you may be
challenged as well. I have seen
you fight but the attitude of most here is that women of any race are only
good for comfort after a fight. As
well, most have never encountered an elf.”
A knock on the door signaled the arrival of their
belongings. Vabryn took that
opportunity to take his leave as well. Following
the packs was a meal of roasted meat, roots, and mead.
The companions ate, checked their weapons and then settled for the
evening. Ameni took a look around the set of rooms that had been assigned to
them. There was a large bed, a
round-top trunk for their belongings and a small table that held a basin and
pitcher of water. A small room
was attached containing the facilities that would be needed.
A constant stream of water flowed through the facilities to remove the
waste. The stonework for these
facilities was like that of the towers. Satisfied with their arrangements as
well as their safety, Ameni began to get ready for sleep.
Watching her remove her armor and leggings, brought feelings of arousal
to Aldren and when he touched his mate he found her of the same mind. They
made love quickly and quietly as they were both feeling the long days on the
trail. Afterwards, they settled
into a comforting sleep with their limbs entangled.
Aldren awoke just as the rays of the sun kissed the tops of
the walls of the bowl. Ameni was
already dressed in her full armor with her knives in her belt and her bow and
quiver draped across her back. Aldren
dressed quickly, checking his own weapons.
They then left the rooms looking for the dining hall for something to
break their fast.
The hall was serving hot cereal with honey and roasted
meats that had been spiced. Warm
bread and a brewed herbal tea completed the meal.
When they had arrived there were few in the hall, but before they were
finished, the place was full of warriors of all types.
Even with the crowding and fighting for a place to sit, Ameni noted
that one and all gave them plenty of space.
As she looked around at the faces, she noted that the expressions ran
from the friendly smiles of Vabryn’s troop to some of actual fear.
Aldren had also seen this and they finished quickly and stepped out
into early morning light.
The walked over to the large field that was used for
practice. The area was deserted
except for an old man sitting on a rock shelf wrapped in a cloak. His covered
head was bowed almost to his chest. He completely ignored them, and they soon
forgot about him. Ameni set her
bow down and slipped her knives from their sheaths as Aldren pulled his sword
from its scabbard. They faced off
and started a set of Hambra movements that would loosen their muscles
and focus their senses. Soon they
were moving in the grace of the exercise, each motion beautiful but very
deadly.
After they finished, Ameni suggested that Aldren work on
the control of his ‘gift’. He
had been quietly bringing up the feelings often only to push them down.
Each time, he would feel the power become stronger, but at the same
time his control was even better. He
whispered the words of the ancient tongue in his head and felt the now
familiar tingle as he drew the fire of the elements to him.
Ameni was standing back watching intently.
He seemed to gain a shimmer, almost a glow that surrounded him. He moved into a defensive position and started to battle an
imaginary foe. As he moved the
aura became stronger and he moved even faster.
Like a voice in the distance, he heard Ameni shout to him to control it
at that level. He concentrated
and found he could stay at this level without losing the thought needed to
fight effectively. He forced it
back down before anyone showed up. He
felt the tingling fade as he returned the power back to the elements.
He noticed with delight that the muscle cramping was nonexistent now
and the fatigue dissipated faster than before.
He was restored after only a few minutes of rest.
Sitting back, Aldren glanced over remembering the strange
old man. He was still there
wrapped in his cloak, but the hood was thrown back revealing a head of long
white hair and a pair of dark eyes that were dancing as he nodded and smiled
at the pair.
Aldren was back to his normal energy level when others
showed up on the field and began to pair off for practice.
Ameni wondered off to the archery range with her bow while Aldren
stayed where he was. Vabryn
approached and asked if he would spar for a bit before training of the younger
men started. They squared off and
had a friendly match, both remembering a time many years ago when they were
both being taught by the swordmaster in the King’s garrison.
Aldren had always been the better of the two because the swordmaster
pushed him harder than anyone else. After
all, Harcon would expect nothing less from his only son.
They were soon sweating even in the cool of the morning. Lowering his sword, Vabryn moved to Aldren and clasped him on
the shoulder.
“Aye Aldren, it’s been many a moon since I have had
someone who could make me work in a sparring match. It feels good to be challenged, my friend.”
Aldren smiled at his friend. “We both have come into our own, I believe.
No longer are we the young boys under my father’s eye.
Experience has taught you well.”
They noticed then a rather large group had gathered to
watch them. As the pair turned to
face them, there were cheers and congratulations on such a fine display.
There seemed to be a look of awe in some of the younger faces.
They had just seen a pair of court-trained swordmasters prove their
skill, and the newest realized just how far they had to go to attain that
level.
But now it was time for Vabryn to start working with the
inexperienced troops. Aldren
followed Vabryn as he began pairing recruits together to measure their
progress. As the pairs would
spar, Vabryn would correct mistakes and cajole those not working to their
potential. After being asked to
help, Aldren started to teach as well. Many of the mistakes he remembered
committing in his youth were to be found in these troops today.
Sometimes correcting a problem was as simple as changing the grip they
had on the sword or perhaps showing them a better way to stand.
Watching one pair he suddenly stopped them.
“Do not over extend your sword arm when you thrust.
Your balance is off and it is harder to protect yourself.
Let your opponent come within range of your sword, don’t try to
extend your range to them. Let me
show you.” He drew his own
sword from his back and asking the man’s partner to come at him, he
demonstrated just what he meant. “Learn
your range and then you can keep anything out of that area.”
As the two went back to sparing, Halicot came striding up.
The pair stopped at his approach, as did most of those in the area. He
sneered at Aldren for a moment. “You
talk a good fight, but can you do what you talk about?”
Aldren knew this was the challenge he had been expecting.
“Is that a challenge?”
“It would be if I thought you would really be a
challenge.”
Vabryn came running up to them. Turning to Aldren, he spoke quietly. “Besides me, Halicot is the best swordsman here.
You showing up with your reputation preceding you, he is afraid that
you will take that honor. He will
come at you with everything he has.”
Aldren just nodded. Again
Vabryn spoke but this time loud enough for all to hear.
“The challenge has been given and accepted.
The bout will continue until one is disarmed or calls for quarter.
This challenge is not to be to the death.” This meant that the battle was to follow strict rules and
traditions that had been followed for generations.
The students formed a rough circle about 15 paces across
with the two men in the center. The
combatants stood 5 paces apart swords pointing down, their tips touching the
dirt. There was silence all
around as Vabryn stepped into the center of the circle.
He raised his arm to start the battle, but Halicot ignored tradition
and charged Aldren before the signal was given to begin. He took a huge overhead swing designed to cleave Aldren into
two pieces. Aldren’s own sword
easily blocked the blow and the battle was on.
It was soon clear Aldren was playing with Halicot, easily
blocking the series of blows and countering with moves that had Halicot
scrambling to defend against. It
was also quite clear to all watching that Halicot was getting frustrated and
angry. His best moves were being
turned and his opponent had done nothing but an unhurried defense.
He was now past the point of trying to beat this man and now was ready
to kill Aldren if he could. He
stepped back and grabbed a knife from his belt intending to bury it in
Aldren’s gut.
“Enough of this!” Aldren growled, and moved in.
Before Halicot could realize what had happened, he had to block a blow
so vicious that his sword was torn from his hand.
The next instant, Halicot felt the tip of Aldren’s sword pressing
against the base of his throat. He
let the dagger drop from his upraised hand.
“Say it!”
Aldren snarled in a voice just loud enough for those closest to them to hear.
Halicot swallowed, his eyes filled with surprise and fear.
“Quarter!” he managed to get out.
Aldren lowered his sword and backed away the required three paces.
Vabryn called the match done and declared Aldren the
winner. He also sent Halicot from
the field in shame for disregarding the rules of the ritual challenge.
The students made way for Halicot as he stomped off defeated and
humiliated. They went back to
their pairings, but were more interested in discussing what they had seen than
actual work.
Aldren was feeling the effects of the battle so he moved
off to try and calm himself down. He
was moving toward the archery range when a cheer rose from the crowd that had
gathered there. Peering through the crowd he realized that Ameni was busy
proving herself as well.
She was standing calmly with her back to the target.
Her opponent took careful aim and let loose with a shaft that hit the
man-sized dummy in the middle of the chest.
There was a cheer from the crowd as he turned to the elf wearing a
satisfied smile. Ameni returned
the smile. Then, in one swift
movement, she drew a shaft of her own, notched, spun around and fired hitting
the dummy in the head. Before the
crowd could react, she had fired again leaving the shaft sticking obscenely in
the dummy’s crotch. There was a
loud gasp and then wild applause as her opponent conceded the match.
He extended his hand, which she grasped.
The crowd started moving away and Aldren moved toward his
mate. “That last shot was a
little overkill wasn’t it?” He
grinned down at her.
“I was running low on arrows so I wanted to end the
competition. How did the
challenge go for you?”
Aldren’s face clouded with concern.
“I had no problem beating him, but he tried to cheat and I ended up
shaming him. I think I have made
a dangerous enemy.”
“Then we will have to watch for him.”
She went to the targets and pulled her arrows and replaced them in her
quiver. They walked off the field
together heading on to their rooms.
Aldren and Ameni emerged from their rooms for the evening
meal. They arrived at the dining
hall as most of the troops were coming in.
In a complete opposite of the morning, there were numerous offers for
them to come and eat with a group. They
settled with a group that included the man Ameni competed against, and several
of the students from the archery range. Ameni
was blushing from all the compliments and the retelling of the match.
One of the younger ones told of the gossip that grew from Aldren’s
battle. He had to inform them
that it was nowhere near the tale that they had heard. Nonetheless, the tales
just kept growing. The conversation soon turned to more enjoyable subjects,
talk of the games of chance that were going on that night, the possibility of
trying to find some pleasure in the arms of one of the ladies of the camp,
although this talk was stopped as soon as they remembered Ameni was sitting
there.
They mumbled embarrassed apologies to her, but she laughed
and stated that she was going to retire for the evening so they could discuss
the night’s activities. She
stood, and they all said their farewells.
Aldren also rose from the table and bade them a farewell.
The two walked out into the cool night air.
Away from the noise of the dining hall, the bowl had a serene quiet.
The only sounds were from the sentries by the palace, and the scuffing
of their own boots. Aldren
stopped and looked up at the sky. The
stars were clear showing as bright points of light.
He felt like he was safe for now, not having to press on to another
destination, not having to watch for enemies during the night.
He wrapped his arm around Ameni’s shoulder, pulling her to his side.
She gave him a squeeze and then moved back so they could continue on.
They had made it to their rooms and were removing their
weapons when there was a quiet knock on the door. Ameni had her knives at the ready, and Aldren unsheathed his
sword before giving permission to enter.
The door pushed open and in the frame stood the old man that they had
seen that morning. He motioned
for permission to enter the room and Aldren gave it putting away his sword.
The old man moved with a speed that they would not have
counted on considering his years. He
moved into the room and took a seat on the large chest that stored their
belongings. They both stood
expectantly waiting for him to explain his appearance in their room.
“I am Kal-angurr. I know
your names and where you come from. I
have lived here for more than three of your lifetimes, making my home in the
tower and studying the ways of the old magic.
I knew you would come here.”
Aldren was wary even though he could feel that this Kal-angurr
did not mean them any harm. “How
would you know that we were coming here?”
“The voices in the tower spoke as you approached this place.
I came tonight to take you there so you may learn of the things you are
troubled about.” He rose,
expecting them to follow.
They followed Kal-angurr across the courtyard and to the side of the
palace. They stopped against the
outer wall. There were no visible
lines within the wall but with a touch, Kal-angurr released a catch and a low
door swung back silently on well-oiled hinges.
The old man led the way using a torch that was by the entrance.
They ascended a flight of stairs that wound around the inside of the
wall, until they found themselves in a large chamber at the very top of the
tower. It was octagonal and made
of a polished stone. All around
the outside walls were openings that would look out over the bowl and to the
tops of the cliffs. In the center
was a firepit that contained only embers.
Kal-angurr bade Aldren to move into the chamber while he and Ameni
remained at the head of the stairs. Aldren
walked around the perimeter looking out then returned to where the other two
were standing. He was about to
ask what he was supposed to do when a breeze came into the room from the
outside. It almost seemed to
carry words within its very air. Barely
louder than a whisper, Aldren could tell that the voices were speaking to him.
He sat near the firepit and listened closer.
It was then that he was drawn into the web of their chanting.
He listened enraptured as the voices spoke of the coming of the ancients,
the first ever to inhabit the land. They told of the coming of the Elves and
of the alliances and intermingling of their races. How the Ancients taught the Elves to harness the power that
was within all things, the strength of the elements: the earth, air, fire and
water.
They told of the coming of the other animals including the dragons as well
as the harmony of all the races that lasted for winters uncounted.
How with the coming of humans, their greed started the disharmony that
eventually brought the downfall of all the old alliances.
Most important, they whispered what he would need to know to survive what
fate was holding for him. Words
of the ancient tongue that would allow him to control those elements.
And they revealed to him that he was of the Dragon Clan, the last of
his kin. He alone held the
secrets that could bring peace and harmony back to the lands.
Lastly, it spoke of a journey, which he would soon have to make to receive
the power that would truly make him the leader of the Dragon Clan. This
journey would not be measured in leagues traveled: rather within his mind and
his very soul. He asked how he
would know the path, but the only answer was that he would have to follow what
his heart told him.
As the words started to fade, Aldren found himself lying on the polished
stone floor. He was not hurt, but unsure how he got into this position.
Once more, the chamber was silent.
He lifted his head to see Ameni moving towards him.
Ameni had stood by the top of the stairs during Aldren’s ordeal.
She heard the wind come through the openings around the wall, and
watched as Aldren had been lifted up by them and carried around the room.
She too had thought she heard voices contained in the wind, but she did
not understand what they said. The
noise had risen to a level that was almost unbearable.
She had started to enter the room but was restrained by Kal-angurr.
When Aldren settled on the floor, she took him for dead and started toward
him. He raised his head and
looked at her before rolling on his back.
She came to him and cradled his head while he regained consciousness.
He leaned against her as he was still a little dizzy, but very grateful
for her presence and caring. As
soon as he regained his balance, they started the descent.
They remained silent until they were safely back in their rooms.
Kal-angurr remained to hear what had transpired. Aldren told them the
basics of what he had seen and heard in the tower.
The ancient words he kept to himself because he somehow knew they would
not understand them. The old man
told them that the voices would speak to him, but this was the first time that
he had ever witnessed such a powerful exhibition.
Kal-angurr took his leave to return to his own chambers.
Aldren and Ameni pulled off their armor and fell exhausted onto the bed
and did not stir for the remainder of the night.
It was late in the morning before the pair finally emerged from their
quarters. From the time they
awakened, they talked of the events of the night before.
Aldren was concerned about what had happened and what he had learned,
especially what he had learned about himself.
He never wanted power, only to be left alone to live his life.
“It is hard to believe that the blood of an ancient clan still flows
through me. I wonder if my mother
knew of this. Why didn’t she
prepare me for what she must have known would come to pass?
She had the gift of foresight, you know.”
Ameni embraced her bondmate. “We
have no answers. Tales were told
of very old clans that had died out generations ago. Perhaps your mother did not speak of this to keep you from
having to bear the responsibility at an age when you could not handle it.”
Then she looked him in the eye and gave a little grin.
“Perhaps soon we can repopulate your lost clan.
That would mean many children and much practice in order to conceive
them.”
Aldren laughed, relieving the tensions in his mind.
“Well my mate, if we don’t revive the Dragon Clan, it won’t be
from lack of trying.” Then he
leaned down and gave her a kiss that carried the promise of doing just that.
They ate a light meal then went exploring the rest of the compound.
They discovered the smithy and the armories, and spent time getting to
know some of the people that were supporting the rebels.
This was a self-sufficient village inside the bowl, able to live for
years without having to venture out, and safe in the knowledge that no enemy
could invade.
They settled into a routine. They
were on the practice field shortly after the morning meal, sharing their
knowledge with the new recruits and keeping their own skills sharp.
They quickly became popular with most of the troops and the support
people. A few of the recruits
became favorites of Aldren’s and he spent extra time honing their skills.
There were those in the camp that cared little for them. These people were
either jealous or had hatreds that were ingrained in their hearts.
They were easy to spot and avoid however.
Their evenings were often spent within their rooms talking, reading,
caring for equipment, and of course, making love.
They had been there for a several sevendays when Kendrich requested that
Aldren join him in the palace. He
went into the palace hall to find Kendrich along with several of his inner
circle of planners. Kendrich
spotted him and motioned him to come closer.
Aldren could see several maps marked with the movements of different
troops on them.
“Aldren, I have a request. I
need someone to take a small force and travel down this valley to see if we
could set up an outpost in there. We
need to have our troops out patrolling and living in the surrounding area
instead of just living within the tower.
Spring is coming and we believe that the king will be sending troops
out to feel out our strength. I
am also hoping that we will be seeing more warriors coming to join us.
We will need another place to bring them to.”
Aldren studied the map carefully. He
had learned much of the territory by going out with Vabryn and his troop a few
times. He could see the reasoning
for wanting an outpost, but there were several other places that would suit,
all of them better than in a valley without an exit.
Aldren told Kendrich that he would go there and check the site for
everything they would need for an outpost.
Kendrich asked him to be ready to leave in two days and to only take a
small force. They were supposed
to be just a scouting trip. Aldren
took his leave and went to assemble his group.
He picked Vabryn, and two of the newer troops that had showed promise.
Ameni was going along with or without his say, and he knew as much.
Kaldon insisted of going along as well.
He would not allow his Goddess to face danger without him to protect
her. Ameni tolerated the worship
of the man since he did not directly approach her.
They made their necessary arrangements to get food and were ready to
depart. Out of habit, Aldren and
Ameni packed all their belongings, which got some teasing remarks from the
rest of the group.
The group set out at dawn. Aldren and Ameni rode in the lead looking for any problems along the way. Vabryn and Kaldon stayed in the rear to keep watch as well. This put the newer recruits in the middle. The riding order changed often so they would all remain alert. They would first head further west over a series of hills and valleys then south into what looked on the map like a small valley that was enclosed. It looked to be an easy ride of three days. It was still early enough in the spring that natural enemies should not yet be roaming freely. The unnatural enemies had not ventured this far north as of yet. It was not long before the group was out of sight of the tower and once again into the wilderness of the northern lands.