7

“How dare you talk that way!” Morra was shouting with closed fists. He could see a vein swelling in her neck. “He is your captain, Vaan!”

I swear if she makes a move I will not hesitate… still… K’aldrick Vaan thought. There was no time to deal with her, not now. Langarde and Arnor drew near by the minute.

Haxwell took a hand to his axe and made half step forward. K’aldrick signaled him to stop with a slight gesture. Sometimes K’aldrick was surprised, yet mostly pleased, how well Haxwell understood wordless commands. Almost as a well-trained dog would. He was one of Kelver Aldermont’s men who have stayed to aid the company, and Lord Kelver have put him under orders to follow K’aldrick in anything he needed. He was a sturdy fellow, taller than Mordan but with less brains. Quick of actions but slow of thoughts, but when put under an instruction he would not hesitate nor yield until it had been done. He had well cut yellow hair and a big rounded nose. He always wore a smile and sheen in his blue eyes that implied he knew something you did not, even though there was nothing taking place behind them.

K’aldrick smiled slyly.

“Morra, friend…”

“Don’t you call me ‘friend’, you slithering pig,” she growled.

K’aldrick sighed, but his smile did not fade.

“We must be hasty. I know it is not an easy choice, but injured people will only tarry us. We don’t know if he will live past the morrow.” How can she not understand? I always knew she was slow of wits, never thought her the sentimental type… Half the Company had perished in battle, and big part of the remaining half was in ill state. Injured, even maimed. They had been carried for miles, slowed all down and given the enemy a chance to gain on them. Mordan was dying, and even if he didn’t he could never be the same captain.

Morra scoffed mockingly. “Leaving him would be a mistake, Vaan. He is still the captain. The company is nothing without him, and you well know that. Had it not been for him you’d still be starving in Greatkeep’s alleys.”.”

“I am aware I owe much to Mordan, Morra, dear. But now there is no time to bring personal debts to the table. And if I had to I would repay him by taking care of what he built.” He took a quick look around. A large number have left their duties to witness the confrontation. Many seemed to have already chosen sides. Or at least of those who would follow... this will bring an interesting outcome. He continued in a higher voice for all to hear. “In Mordan’s absence I am the one in command. You know that well. This is not an easy decision I have made, but it is the most reasonable one. I am more than fit to lead this company, and Mordan knew. That’s why I was his second. Mordan was a great man, the bravest I have ever met! But he was weak in heart… I can bring glory to this company, make it greater and bigger!” K’aldrick was bellowing now. “But I need you all to give me your approval as the new captain!”

Morra was salient for a moment, intent on him as a lioness stalking her prey. “Don’t you talk as if he was dead already, Vaan. You are not even half the man Mordan is,” she said slowly and threateningly.

“Considering the state of the situation, I would say that is a very poor choice of words.” Some chuckles broke from the mercenaries around.

There was a small stir as someone pushed their way through the gathered men. “K’aldrick!” It was Veryanor followed by Rethe. Haxwell grunted behind K’aldrick in welcome to the new nuisance.

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Veryanor’s hair was a messy tangle, and she wore deep dark eye bags. Her skin was even paler than normal, but even with all that her beauty was something that enthralled K’aldrick every time. She could hardly stand on her feet and needed Rethe’s shoulder to steady herself. But one look from her told K’aldrick that was the least of her worries this precise moment. Those emerald eyes burned him alive.

“What is the meaning of this?” She demanded.

“Ah, Veryanor,” he smiled. “I am glad to see you are well. I was ill worried.”

“Worried for me? Cut the shit coming out of your mouth. How can you be worried for me when you want to leave Mordan behind?! Leave the injured behind!”

“There is no other way, things are…”

“I know how thing are.” Veryanor said. “Rethe told me. I can’t believe it! He gave you a home, K’aldrick! Gave us all a home. And you want to dispose of him, let him die the moment things worsen? I will not follow you. You can take any one who will, but I will not come.”

K’aldrick stayed quiet and looked Veryanor in the eye. She was unmoved. She had always been stubborn when provoked. He then said, “Mordan sent us to die. You said it, didn’t you? That night at his tent.” She did not answer. “He is dying because he would not listen. And it wasn’t only him who payed dearly.” He turned to the rest. “Do we want someone like that?! Someon who will decide our fate just out of stubbornness?!”

People began to murmur, among the voices K’aldrick heard some assents. Then someone rose his voice. “My brother died three days ago! Left a wife and an unborn child! All he wanted was some bread and coin to live!” Then another, “My son is dying because of Mordan!” he shouted “Only a lad of fifteen! I will not follow Mordan, but will not leave my son’s side.” Soon there was an uproar. Men quarreling. Some were adamant in their decision to remain with the injured, claiming they had loved ones who they could not abandon. Others knew they had to hurry. They did not care about the dead or the dying, they only feared the approaching enemy. But the only thing they all agreed on was that Mordan was not the captain they needed.

K’aldrick breathed deeply. “All of those who want to follow are more than welcome. Those who want to stay are to do so as well. But know that Langarde and Arnor are behind and all time is precious.” Many rose their weapons, axes, shields and spears, and bellowed in approval.

Veryanor moved to the center of the circle the crowd had formed and stood side of Morra. Tears had formed in her eyes, whether of anger or sorrow, K’aldrick could not tell. “Are you all really going to do this?! Mordan is not perfect but he loves you, all of you! You can’t just leave him!”

“And if we stay, then what?” One asked, a bald and squat mercenary. “Let them catch upon us and be hung?” He spat. “With no captain there is nothing. We have nowhere to go.”

Veryanor took a time to answer. “There is no one better to lead than Morra. Take her as the new captain. She will take care of you, will never leave any behind.”

The mercenary chuckled. “What, Mordan’s whore?” He spat again. “No, thank you, darling. I rather be a thief and an outlaw than bitch follower.” He rose his hand ax. “I say we go with K’aldrick! He says what we all think, and says it better, aye! K’aldrick Captain!”

K’aldrick smiled with malice as many rose their weapons again and bellowed, “K’aldrick, Captain of the Boars! K’aldrick Captain!” over and over.

Men are simple like a flock of birds. One moves and the rest will follow without thinking, he thought, smiling.

Others remained still. He turned to Morra and Veryanor and threw a smug, victorious glance at them. Morra was trembling with anger and Veryanor pierced him with her gaze. In a burst of emotions a dagger flashed as Morra pulled it from its sheath. Fast as a cat she ran towards K’aldrick. K’aldrick Vaan was slow to react, but Haxwell was ready for her. He pushed K’aldrick with one of his big arms and swung his hand ax. It hewed cleanly through bone and flesh. Veryanor shouted in terror as Morra’s body fell limp to the ground. Everyone shouted as well, some cheering, some in surprise. Someone was laughing. The screech of metal sounded as weapons were raised once more. “K’aldrick captain! K’aldrick captain!” Men still shouted. Rethe held Veryanor tight as she tried to fling herself onto Morra’s body, her face bleeding tears. Morra’s head had fallen on a puddle of mud, her face smeared with dirt and blood alike. She gaped as an expression of primal terror as disbelief had been printed on her. It seemed to K’aldrick that her eyes were intent on him. It turned out, after all, that Haxwell was not as well trained as he thought.