Connections Rekindled
Jormugar had been provided with reduced resources for this next foray. The tracker was displeased and was sure the decision had been made out of spite. Master Jacques was prone to this kind of vindictiveness. Only five men were allotted to accompany him this time. He hoped they could pull their weight.
He had worked with a couple of them before and knew they were capable, but the other three men's abilities were an unknown. These were serious fighting men he sought to capture, and it would possibly prove difficult given his limited manpower. It seemed he was still being punished, set up to fail. Even after the rather severe beating the young man had endured for his error. However, Jormugar would not be deterred, he was one of the best in the business. He would return with those he sought in chains, collect his gold, and return to his northern homeland.
As he left the gates of the adobe-walled compound behind, there was a part of him that longed to retire from this life after his recent mistake. To run free, and to remain permanently up North, away from the ever-changeable wiles of men. After this last job was concluded he had decided that is what he would do. Enough of poisonous men like Master Jacques. Men who he could never truly please.
His back hurt with every movement of his mount beneath him and was still red and raw. Flies buzzed annoyingly about the cuts that still seeped and ran. He swatted at them time and time again awkwardly and steered his grullo gelding northward. The men under his command followed along behind. It was good to be out in the desert again, much preferred to the fetid, dark cell he had languished in for the last two days. He kicked his heels into the willing beast beneath him and made for his next destination.
*****
Aurianne had ridden hard, never allowing Isabou to break from a fast canter. She did not stop to rest or sleep. Her mare was tired, as was she, and the archer had hoped she had understood the hastily dictated directions she had been given. Little Eirik's life hung in the balance. He no longer cried, but was quiet, slipping in and out of consciousness in her arms. Aurianne despaired at yet another life that may be taken before his time.
The lush farming settlement came into view early on the second morning. Aurianne had made the journey in record time. She kicked Isabou's sweating flank once more urging her mare to find more speed. She noted the high palisade fences that ringed the settlement and the watchful archers and guards that patrolled atop them and below. They had already seen her approach. She hoped they would not be hostile.
As she began the descent into the protected valley, her eyes caught a smudge of black on the far horizon across the wide and swollen river. She blinked again and realized there was a vast host of men encamped on the opposite bank. It would seem the settlers were preparing for war. She shivered, war was the last thing she wished to be embroiled in. Yet it seemed it was unavoidable.
Stones slid and clattered under her mare's hooves as she approached the base of the hill. She lifted her hands from her mare's reigns to signal to the guardsmen that she approached in peace. A small portal in the wall opened, and five guardsmen filed out to surround her and her exhausted mare. Weapons drawn. She could see archer's shafts trained on her from above.
"I have a small child, he needs urgent medical help." Aurianne announced to the men who had surrounded her and were now holding the bridle of her exhausted horse. One of the men opened the visor on his helmet, he was tall and lanky, with a nest of messy brown hair and clear blue eyes.
The young woman slowly lifted the small, now unconscious bundle of the sleeping boy from her saddle. The man gazed at the infant, and to his credit, he did not pause. At once taking the child from her encircling arms, and turned to tell his men to bring the woman and her horse into the compound and guard her until he returned.
Aurianne loitered in the shade of the tall wooden wall, listening to her mare's breaths at last returning to normal after the harrowing marathon. The four guards stood about her, they didn't ask her any questions, but she knew they were scrutinizing her.
Finally, a tall, very handsome man with a mop of shining brown hair tied in a loose ponytail approached her.
Good,
she thought,
let's get this business concluded, that she might get some rest and some water for her mare.
The man stopped abruptly in his tracks as he took her in. "I know you! He said rather loudly, with incredulousness.
Aurianne looked at him, but she had no recollection of ever seeing him before. However, he was not going to let her puzzle over this mystery for very long.
"You were the one that attacked us that night, trying to free your henchman, a brave move." The handsome man seemed very impressed, and with that, he waved the four guardsmen back to their posts.
"Oh, how remiss of me." He stepped forward and held out his hand. Aurianne took it hesitantly and they shook hands. "I am Renard, son of our leader here. I'm sorry I left you waiting, but as you can see, we are poised on the brink of war."
Aurianne nodded, "I am Aurianne," her mind was in a muddle, with exhaustion and thirst not helping her lucidity. "Darius is here?" She finally dared to ask.
"Why yes he is, he is safe and well. Any friend of Darius' is a friend of mine. You will be safe here, and free to do as you wish." He smiled at her, a bright-toothed grin of sincerity. "The boy you brought is in the infirmary with our best doctor."
"Will he live?"
"They can't seem to say. I'm sorry. But what I can do is offer you a room and a stable for your mare."
"Thank you, that would be most welcome Renard. Darius, where is he? I wish to see him."
