The Apprentices (The Crimson Guard Trilogy Book 1) (8 page)

11

Present day

The caravan was packed and ready to depart well before darkness had settled in. 
It was odd for so many men to be protecting one caravan,
I thought.  Not only were there many hired mercenaries, but Ashton’s personal guard numbered twenty five.

I rode over to Jes side.  “Do you find something odd about these people?”  I asked him.

“Well the entire caravan master’s personal guards are genuine, but there are two soldier brothers I think.  They strike me as odd.”  Jes gestured towards two men in dented armor near the back of the pack.

“What do you mean?  They look like the low life scum that would do anything for money.”  I could not find any reason to fear them.

“So did you ever find out our destination?”  I asked Jes.

“Yes, I actually overheard a group of soldiers talking.  It seems that we are heading for Brenton and then off to Crestville.  The trip should not take too long.”

Still, in my mind, I felt some oddities about this man named Ashton and his intentions.  The trip to Brenton was for the most part very uneventful.  I tried over and over to speak with the rusted knights.  I had grown to call the brothers the “Rusted Knights” since it looks like their armor had at one point been of very good quality.  Over time and lack of care had turned the armor into a rusted, almost useless covers.  I did not know if they were truly brothers, but their joined solitude spoke to them being related.  I wanted to speak with them as I felt they knew something.  They rode together in the rear, away from Ashton’s guards and seemed to be tense the entire way to Brenton. 

We only stopped at Brenton for a couple of hours; in order to resupply and pick up more soldiers.  Now we had a small army.  I was beginning to wonder what could possibly be out there.  While there I asked residents about Brenton.  At one time it was said to be the home of many nobles and their shipping businesses.  Now only a few merchants and farmers remained.  I always wondered why no one sailed the seas and many times I have asked different travelers in Townsmend about the seas, but no one truly knows why they are no longer sailed.  I always thought that the people of Brenton may know, being closer to the water.  No one who answered seemed to know the reason.  With all of the history in the Library I should have researched the seas. 

After leaving I began thinking of Crestville.  One place while I was in Townsmend, I had always wanted to go.  It is funny how life takes you places.  Less than two months ago I never thought I would see Crestville, and now I am on my way with Jes and my new friend Talon.  Also, because of the city’s trade connections, I imagine there may be some rumors of one of the apprentices I was tasked with finding.  I may also find out some information about the seas and what occurred. 

The road between Brenton and Crestville was a two day ride.  With a caravan I was told we would be pushing three. 
No matter to me, I
thought, it just gives me more time to gather my thoughts.  The second day of our journey arrived and I noticed a more pronounced and sudden stiffness in the brothers. 

“Jes, have you found out anything about those two men?”  I motioned towards the two rusted knights.

“No, but I am watching them.  I think tonight Talon and I may have a heart to heart with them.”  I wondered if the heart to heart would involve a sword. I hoped that it did not, as they did not seem like bad men, but if we get answers then I really don’t care. 

The darkness in the sky settled down upon our caravan and the big man jumped from his horse.  “This is where we will camp tonight; I like the look and peacefulness.”  This moment was the first time since the beginning of the trip that I had seen Ashton.  I wonder if he had been with us the entire time.  There is definitely something different about this man.   “Now men, tonight I am changing the order of the watch, my personal guard will have it.  So all you hired men can finally get a good night’s sleep.”  Finally, I thought I can finally get some sleep.

Complete darkness settled in quickly this evening and I could not sleep at all.  “Damn a night without the watch and I cannot even rest.”  I thought out loud. 

“Lyndon, come quick.  We have a problem.”  The voice was Talon’s and it seemed to be coming from a very old tent.

“What could possibly be the problem, except that I cannot sleep?”  I said this before I realized that not only was Talon present, but the rusted knights were there too.

“Where did Jes go?  I have not seen him in a while?”  I asked Talon.

“Well, lisssten to thisss mansss ssstory.”  He motioned to the taller knight.

“My name is Samson, and this is not the first time that the caravan has camped here.”  He proceeded in telling me of the attack and about the conversation Ashton had with his guard.

“Damn, what are we going to do; and where’s Jes?”  A deep anger started to burn within me.

“Calm down.  Your friend Jes went to find the attackers, in an attempt to relay the story and stop the bloodshed.”  Samson said while reaching out to touch my arm, this calmed me a little but not much.

“So what…” Before I could finish my sentence a yell sounded from outside.

“Help they are coming:  bandits are attacking the caravan.”  I could not see the source of the alarm; but what I could see was a line of horses charging the wagons. 

The leader of the men was a huge brute, much taller than Talon and almost wider than the horse that carried him. 
I sure hope I don’t have to fight that man.
  I settled myself with blade in hand and waited for the attack. 

The charge suddenly stopped, and Jes strolled out from among the cavalry.  “No one act, do not worry, this is not an attack.”  I understood what was happening, but only because of the knowledge that I had just gained.  Everyone else seemed to be greatly confused.  The story was retold again for the benefit of the remaining soldiers, and the tension left the air; allowing the men to talk freely with one another. 

The rest of the night seemed to pass within moments.  The sun had just shattered the darkness on the eastern horizon, when a second group of horses galloped through the meadow.  The men’s garments were unmistakable; they were the caravan’s guards.

Ashton was the first to speak.  “What has happened here?  There are no bodies and no captives?” 

Jes answered him.  “Well, it’s a funny story.   I was out in the brush looking for a suitable place to take care of business, when I ran into these horsemen.  It seemed that they thought we had captured the caravan which was completely inaccurate.  So luckily I convinced them that our men were protecting it, and that they should come for ale and fresh meat.”  Anger blazed in Ashtons’ eyes.

The caravan master turned to his closest guard and whispered in his ear.  That is when a realization hit me.  Even though we stopped the attack, Ashton’s personal guards still outnumbered us. Before the man could finish his instructions, Samson and his brother rode forth in beautiful armor.  They were unmistakable now; everyone could tell that they were knights. 

“You! I thought you died.”  Ashton spat.

“No, and now this place will be your grave.”  Samson’s voice was strong and resolute.

Great
, I thought,
we almost avoided a fight
.  Samson was the first to strike; his sword sliding easily through the closest guard’s armor, death befell him in one blow.  I on the other hand did not feel like fighting this battle, so I slowly made my way towards the orchard.  Since I had no real stake in this fight I figured it would not need me either. 

Swords clanked and drew blood from every corner of the campsite.  I watched as Talon easily dispatched three men, who came within reach of his great sword. Most of the soldiers gave up trying to dodge the white death and attacked Jes and, sadly me instead. The familiar burning swept over me.  Now if I died or lived I had no control. So I decided not to fight myself and let the storm sweep the battlefield, be it confined within my own mind. 

As fire streaked from my fingertips I began to feel the heat. I felt as if I could guide the streaks of death.  Anything that came close seemed to fall.  I knew I had regained control if I ever lost it.  Excitement filled me; I can control my actions.  More and more magic filled the morning air.  I felt a sharp pain through my back.  The pain was blinding as I lost sight of Jes and his four attackers, as well as the pile of bodies Talon’s sword had created. 

………………………………………………………………………………..

A smile crept over the private guard’s face. 
When that mage wasn’t looking, I got him.  I must have killed him from my vicious attack
.    The guard did not even have time to remove his sword from the downed man, when it was ripped from his hands by a searing pain.  Fear then exploded from his being, his eyes looked into a face of more magic than man.  The guard’s hands grasped at his throat, desperately trying to release the pressure from the smoking hands, which had wrapped themselves around his neck.  Fire swam through his limbs scorching his nerves.  In a matter of seconds the man’s life had been ripped away.  This however did not satisfy the mage’s lust for revenge.  Pain still ripped through the possessed man’s body; all would pay for the pain.  Neither ally nor enemy could escape the power; it seemed that all would die.  The rogue and the carrier of the white blade dove for cover hiding near the stream bed; waiting for the power to subside.

No one else truly understood the situation; most died in the first onslaught of the mage.  To face a Berserker usually meant death, so there were few stories that existed about the power that these men and women wielded.  In addition to the fierceness of the Berserker’s attack, there were not many Berserkers compared to other mage classes.  Fire exploded from the ground, killing all that it touched.  The mage twisted the flame into the shapes of dragons and other terrifying beasts; the survivors would later swear that he had actually summoned the great beasts.

All feared that their life would be taken away and prayed for a chance at salvation. 

12