Small birds flew over the sleeping company as morning shone its face upon the land. Far to the East, brilliant beams from the sun streaked across the sky, but there was still a chill in the air.
“Can we get just one more hour?” Aiden protested. “I feel like I have not had a good sleep in weeks.”
Cynthia granted, “That is because you have not had a good sleep in weeks.” The woman sighed, “We could use a good long break when this is over.”
“How optimistic of you,” Aiden responded as he rubbed his eyes. “You think we will see the end of this.”
Desmond stretched as he walked over to the pile of kindling.
“Let me get a fire going,” he said. “We could start our day with a hot meal and some tea. That will get us going on the right foot.”
Then, in the distance, they could hear a faint rumble of hooves. Each of them shot up to their feet and looked into the distance. They saw a group of riders roaming around in the fields.
"No time for tea. It looks like the royal scouts have already found us,” Marshal said as he packed his gear.
With the scouts on the prowl, the group hastily rolled up their beds and gathered their provisions. After their horses were packed, they each mounted their horses and were off into the West.
“Looks like a quick meal of heinbrood on the road,” Aiden shrugged. “It figures that we would not even get a hot breakfast.”
“It might have been your last opportunity for something like that,” Markel said to Aiden in a grave tone.
“Might have been yours,” Aiden shot back.
Cynthia Road closer to Markel and shot daggers at him with her eyes “I would not be too hasty and confident,” she said. “We are still a long way from your mages or from you setting off on your own. Plenty of time for an accident to happen.”
“Are the scouts pursuing?” Maeve shouted nervously to Marshal. “Are we sure the rest of the army is not at our heels?”
Marshal shook his head as he yelled back, “No, by their gear, it is only their scouts. It would be shocking if the army had made it out this far by now.”
“Will they engage us?” Cynthia asked. She held a battleaxe in one hand as she rode.
“No,” Marshal said. “You can put that away for now. They will not attack unless they have the numbers for it. There is no reason for them to risk it. I am certain they spotted us and are now headed back to Harold. They will keep an eye on us and make sure the army is headed in the right direction. In time, they will close in on us.”
“By then, we will have made the caves,” Desmond added.
“That is our hope,” Marshal replied. “Now, come on, let us pick up the pace.”
The Fields of Aeros did not have a paved cobblestone road headed in this exact direction. Instead, the company swiftly trotted along the grassy fields. There were no villages or settlements of any kind so far on their way. There was only the open plains with endless blue skies over their heads. The scorching summer sun oppressively beat down onto them as they rode.
A sudden cloud of dust not far ahead of them caught Desmond’s eye. As he continued to stare at it, the cloud seemed to move further away from them.
“What is that?” Desmond yelled over the pounding of their horse’s hooves. “Is it another group of scouts?"
As they got even closer, the figures were revealed to be small creatures running. It was soon clear that they were not scouts at all. They were little greenish-gray skinned figures that moved in a huddled mass. Their heads were down, and they seemed to try to run as quickly as they could through the open fields.
“Goblins!" Markel yelled.
“What are they doing out in an open field in the daylight?” Marshal asked. “I have never seen them in this region before moving without cover.”
“Must be stragglers from the attack,” said Desmond.
As the horses came pithing bowshot of them, the goblin leader noticed the riders, and they raised their spears. The company of goblins suddenly made an about-face and turned toward the companions.
“What do we do?” Nia asked nervously.
Aiden took out his bow and notched an arrow. He took aim and shot. A goblin in their ranks fell and the other creatures started to hurl their spears in response. The riders were still too far for this counterattack and the spear plunged into the dirt before them.
“Do we take them head-on?” Cynthia said. “It is easier to handle them here in the fields than if they make it to the caves.”
“No,” Marshal said as he wheeled his horse around. “This way, do not take any unnecessary risks. Remember, Harold's army is behind us. They will be able to clean this rabble up, For now, we press on.”
The group followed the captain around their adversaries. The goblins shouted at the riders and continued to fling all manner of weapons at them. They were all able to avoid any sort of confrontation. As Desmond looked back, he saw a company of scouts in the distance.
The paladin smiled as he thought, those goblins do not know what they have coming for them.
As the day war on, the company continued to press on as quickly as they could. Over time, they started to see more homes in the distance and pastures of livestock. They also saw spastic companies of goblins that frantically tried to run across the vast plains of grass.
“Do you think we will catch Graham and Astrid?" Maeve asked.
“Unlikely,” Markel responded. “Before the attack, they had a number of the White Hand’s fastest horses readied for the mages to escape. The plan was always to let the goblins fend for themselves.”
The group approached the large hill that rose steadily in the distance. It was clear of any enemies as the barren grasslands swayed softly in the gentle wind.
"This way,” Marshal pointed to the hill. “We can get a better vantage point up there.”
In a tight group, they rode up the tall hill. Desmond looked behind them to see that they had already risen a great deal above the surrounding lands. His head was on a swivel as he looked for enemies. There was something about this place that unsettled him.
“Keep your eyes open," the young paladin yelled. “There is no telling whether goblins might be waiting for the chance to strike. They know they cannot outrun the horses, so they might be looking to make a last stand.”
“They will not be up here,” Markel said. “Goblins aren't the most courageous creatures anyway.”
“Regardless, keep your eyes open,” Desmond repeated sternly.
The group finally made it to the top of the hill. As they all looked out in front of them, they were filled with dread at the scene.
Not far ahead of the hill lay a village. It was one of many that were scattered about the fields. It was where the herdsmen lived who tended to the horses and other livestock, such as cattle. To their horror, their companions found that this particular village was completely destroyed, burned to ashes. In the distance, a small mountain range loomed.
“Who could carry out this savage of an attack?” Nia said, dumbfounded.
“Who do you think?” Cynthia said as she stared at Markel. “It was his damned friends. Those traitorous mages and heartless goblins did this.”
Marco looked on in silence at the village. He did not say anything to his companions. As Desmond studied him, he noticed this sight had shaken him.
Marshal shook his head and looked at Markel, “More innocence lost. They say that people who have not experienced battle often crave it the most. They seek the power that dominating others brings, and they use it without morals. They have never seen true resistance and choose to take advantage of those who cannot defend themselves. Do you see what your people have done?”
Markel again did not respond. He only continued to stare at the horrible scene.
Maeve already got her horse moving down towards the village. “Come on, we have to go see if there is anyone alive down there.”
The other companions followed her into the village, and one by one, they dismounted their horses. Each of them held their weapons, waiting for a strike or an ambush, but none came.
“As far as I could tell there are no goblins around,” Aiden said after he circled the village another time. “We should be safe to investigate the ruins.”
“Quickly,” Cynthia said. “If we do not want more villages or cities to fall through this fate, we have to remember that the real threat is still out there.”
The group each walked around cautiously as they searched for any survivors. Desmond walked up to what looked to be an old storefront. He put his hand on a chard post and looked around. There was shattered glass, burned wood, and caved roofs all over the village. He stuck his head inside the shop and saw that whatever provisions might have survived the flame had been looted. There was not a soul left around.
He looked to his left and saw his sister kneeling by an object. He ran over to her and asked, “What is it?”
She raised a small doll, and a tear fell from her eye. “These were not your soldiers fighting in a battle. These were innocent people.”
“I know,” Desmond said solemnly. “We have seen these horrors before, and I am sure we will see them again before our time is through. The people who did this will be brought to justice."
Maeve shook her head, "I hope so, but we are to blame for this, too.”
“What do you mean by us being responsible for this? We did not do this,” Desmond asked, confused by his sister’s mood.
“And who had Astrid in their home behind bars just days ago? Who brought her that artifact? Whose leader is currently with her right now helping her to complete her goal?” Maeve countered.
Desmond shook his head, “We do not know that Graham is helping her. You saw that he was under some sort of control. We could not have the foresight of all this happening, and we cannot be blamed for this.”
“It is our responsibility to keep these things from happening,” Maeve said. “We need to be better.”
“Hey,” Desmond got down to his knees and put his hands on his sister's shoulders. “This is not over yet. This is not finished. We will save this kingdom and stop Astrid. Then we will save Graham and bring him back home.”
“You guys over here,” Aiden yelled.
The group ran over to see a cloud of dust moving closer to them.
“Goblins,” Desmond shouted.
“It looks like it,” Aiden said as he notched an arrow.
“We have to get out of here,” Markel said as he turned around. “Where are the horses?”
The group looked back to the main road through the town. Their horses had been grazing on some of the grass when they left them, but they were gone.
“How could they have bolted off that quickly?” Cynthia asked.
“They did not,” Marshal said grimly. “Ready yourselves.”
A flurry of arrows hit the ground at their feet as the companions all ran for cover behind a broken home. They were wedged in a wide alleyway as more arrows rained from all around.
“Come on, lads, get them! Round them up!” a harsh voice cried out.
A chorus of horns answered the call. Goblins began to jump out of every corner and crevice of the dilapidated village.
“They were ready for us,” Marshal said as he looked around.
Aidan shot his bow, and it found its mark on a goblin. The creature had been firing arrows from the top of a building. Desmond conjured a shield of golden light to block a few more arrows as the group crouched behind whatever they could.
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“Get down,” he shouted.
“How many of them are out there?” Nia asked nervously.
Desmond's shield was broken after another volley of arrows. The paladin fell behind a bit of a broken home. He tried to peek out and see how many there were.
“Too many,” Desmond said.
Suddenly, as quickly as the camper of goblins came, everything went silent. The creatures all stopped in place. They were on the broken ruins of the homes and others were scattered around the town. A few additional companies had also come in from the fields and stood in disordered lines all around.
“We are surrounded,” Nia said.
“What are they waiting for?” Aiden asked.
“Markel, it is good to see you,” a clear voice called out.
Markel's face became washed with anxiety as he looked out to the road.
“Who is that?” Aiden asked. “A friend of yours?”
The seven companions stood in an alleyway between two broken homes as the voice called again, ”It is no shame that you brought them here. I know you must have been taken by them and had no other choice. Come our so we can speak.”
“Wait, I know that voice,” Markel said.
Without a word, Markel stood up tall and walked out of the alleyway. He slowly made his way out to the main cobblestone road that ran through the center of the town.
“There you are,” the voice said. “Now bring the others out, and we can deal with them properly.”
“That is Kyron," Nia said.
“Another traitor of the White Hand?” Maeve asked.
The young mage nodded, “I was not sure exactly who betrayed us, but he must be one of them. I did not see him in the battle, but he must have escaped with the other dark mages.”
"Did you do this?” Markel asked Kyron.
“You mean this?” he spread out his arms and looked around at the village, “Why yes, we did.”
“Why did you do this?” Markel pressed. “What threat did they pose to you?”
“Threat?” Kyron said with a scoff. “They posed absolutely no threat to us, but they were in the way. A few of them came out to meet a small contingent of goblins making their way over the field. Evidently, they did not take too kindly to the creatures passing through their lands. One thing led to another, and we took them.”
What do you mean took them?” Markel asked.
“Not very observant,” Kyron shook his head. “I see why you were simply a guard of the spire, and I was one of the scribes. Well, let me lay it out for you. You do not see anybody on the ground now, do you?”
The companions looked around at each other as they realized they had not seen any dead people anywhere.
“Why did you take them?” Markel asked.
“Well,” Kyron said. “We rounded them up, burned their little village to the ground, and brought them back to the caves. There they can be used as proper sacrifices to Dyurkan.”
“And you were left behind here while the others got to praise Dyurkan,” Markel said as he stepped closer to Kyron.
“Well, Astrid thought that this burned village would be a great place for an ambush, should anyone be following us. Come to find you here, leading those Defenders of Sol. I see they picked up a few stragglers as well. Anyway, we knew someone would come and we would be able to waylay them while the power is summoned.”
Markel silently studied Kyron as she looked at the destruction around him. The old scribe of the White Hand extended his hand to Markel.
I was told personally by Astrid that if any of the Defenders of Sol came this way, I was to end them. Now, join me and finish this task for Dyurkan.”
Markel shook his head and looked away, “I still do not understand, why kill these innocent people? We are meant to bring order to the world and rule it, not kill indiscriminately.”
“And we are going to bring order,” Kyron affirmed. “We are making a better world. Part of making a better world is making way for the superiors elements in it. These lowly farmers and herdsmen are nothing in that grand design.”
“So we just kill them?” Markel scoffed.
Kyron gave out a laugh and disbelief, “You were there in the caves with Astrid when she explained to us her plans. You knew what they were already doing in those caves, so why the change of heart now?”
Mark went quiet once more quiet. He looked down at his feet as he was deep in thought.
“What is he doing?” Aiden whispered. “Why the sudden change of heart?”
Marshal shrugged, “The destruction of the spire was in the heat of the moment. I bet the idea of overthrowing his order and gaining power was exciting to him. Once we got here, however, I bet everything became all too real. Remember what I said before? I bet Markel has never seen true ruin in his life. It was abstract before. Now it is reality.”
“He was not conflicted when he was taking down his fellow White Hand mages,” Nia scoffed. “Now he gets some courage. I don not believe it.”
Markel looked to his left as he stared at the Defenders of Sol and Marshal. Most of all, he looked deep into Nia’s eyes. She could see he was in pain.
“Markel, do not turn back now,” Kyron said firmly. “Do not turn back now that we are so close to our goal. Help me to put an end to these defenders and we can put this all behind us. We will return back to the caves as heroes and will be granted power.”
“Did she say that to you? Will we actually get power or will she keep it to herself?” Markel continued to press.
“I assume so, yes. As loyal followers, we will be among the pantheon of the leaders of the new order. Now, either help me or step aside,” sparks appeared in Kyron’s hands as he stepped forward. “I saw that one of them is a member of the royal army. I can only assume where one rat is; many more are set to follow. We do not have time to waste here arguing over a few peasants.”
Kyron stepped past Markel, but not before standing in front of Markel and staring him down. Markel's eyes went straight to his feet once more as Kyron smiled.
“Not willing to grasp the opportunity that is right in front of you. Even after you have already started to walk that road,” Kyron laughed.
He stepped past Markel towards the alleyway, where the companions crouched. Desmond stood in front of the group, ready to cast another golden shield, as Maeve stood on the other side, ready to block a group of goblins that stood at the ready.
Kyron smiled at the companions as he said, “This is not personal. Especially to you, Nia, I truly wish you were given the opportunity to join us. That time has passed, however. It is time I do my master's bidding. Do not worry; you will not suffer.”
Kyron put his hands together, and a cold blue lightning began to grow within him. The clouds above them began to darken as he summoned more power. The dark mage’s eyes began to glow a cold blue and sparks climbed up all around his body.
The traitorous mage shot down a powerful lightning bolt that came from the sky with terrific speed. Desmond and Maeve quickly conjured their golden shields above the group. The lightning bolt hit the shield, sending sparks of blue and gold showering all around them.
The shield held the initial surge, but Kyron sent another bolt down that pierced through their protection. It struck in between all of the companions. The impact sent out a shockwave of power that threw each of them to the ground. The all tried to scramble to their feet as Kyron got really for another finishing blow.
Just before he was able to land another attack, Markel shouted, “No!”
Markel hurled a fireball that hit the dark mage in the back. Kyron fell to his knees with a grunt as he said, “Foolish.”
He turned around and shot a lightning strike from his hands that went straight to Markel. The old guard of the White Hand quickly deflected the blow with a fiery shield.
Markel blocked blast after blast that ricocheted and exploded upon the charred homes of the village. After a relentless assault, Markel returned a violent combination of volleys of his own.
The goblins that were standing by became fearful at spells burst all around them. Many of them started to run away aimlessly in the chaotic duel.
Finally, Kyron summoned a bolt of lightning with both his hands that shot straight onto Markel. It threw him on his back as Markel grunted and tried to get back to his feet. Kyron took this opportunity and turned to the goblins as he shouted, “Kill them, kill them now.”
The goblins sneered and brandished their crude weapons as they fell upon the defenders. Nia shot small a flurry of blue bolts of energy at the advancing goblins.
A few jumped down from the buildings above the companions as others charged into them. Cynthia brandished a battleaxe and she began to cut down the goblins that came in close to them. Maeve and Desmond worked tirelessly to try to defend against bolts of arrows that came flying toward the group. Aiden jumped around as he drew out his daggers and went hand-to-hand with the goblins. Captain Marshal took out his sword and quickly dispatched of a few goblins that had surrounded him.
Nia looked over to the dueling mages. Through the din of battle, she saw that Markel was not faring well. He was being thrown back again and again by the relentless attacks from Kyron. Without a word, she started climbing the broken wall that the group fought up against.
“Where do you think you are going?” Cynthia asked as she smashed another goblin into the ground.
“To help a Mage of the White Hand,” she yelled.
***
“I cannot believe you would throw it all away,” Kyron sneered as he shot another bolt at Markel.
Marcel just barely was able to deflect the lightning as it smashed into the ground next to him. The sound it produced was like a crack of thunder. Wind swirled around the two mages and they danced around in the streets.
“Never too late to do the right thing,” Markel said.
He tumbled to the left and shot another bolt of fire, which Kyron easily blocked.
Marcel sprinted to Kyron to close the gap between them. He knew that hand to hand he stood a better chance as the two became locked in battle. Each of their robes had come off, and they were in their deep red tunics as each jumped around with acrobatic grace and traded blows. Sparks flew from Kyron's fist while fire sprouted from Markel’s.
A goblin tried to run up and deliver a finishing blow to Markle, but he was quickly able to incinerate the creature.
Two others came up, but Kyron shocked the both of them. He turned to another company that was advancing on him but he put up his hand, “Get the Defenders of Sol. I will handle this traitor.”
The duel between the two mages seemed to be never-ending. Each was slowly tiring, but neither was willing to let up. This went on until Kyron shouted Thundi and placed both his hands against the ground. A blue shockwave sent Markel back into a broken lamppost. His body went limp as he fell face-first into the dirt.
“Now,” Kyron said as he tried to steady his breath. He stood over the body of his foe. The skies darkened above him once more as lightning and thunder rolled. He then raised his hands for the finishing blow. “Now, I will end you and take my rightful place alongside Astrid and Dyurkan.”
“Not so fast!” a flurry of blue orbs of power smashed into Kyron's back. He staggered forward, and Markel grabbed his ankle to throw the dark, mage off balance.
Nia came forward with a burning hatred as she flung spell after spell at her foe, each hitting its mark. Kyron was on his back in the dirt next to Markel as Nia advanced, but the mage was not done yet. He sent a crack of thunder and lightning from the sky that hit Nia and threw her onto her side. She looked up and struggled through rushing pain as Kyron staggered to his feet.
“White Hand runt,” he sneered. “You are not strong enough to face of mage like me. I doubt you ever would have been, but I suppose we will never know.”
He got ready to send another bolt of lightning towards Nia when a stake was thrust through his chest form his back. The dark mage gurgled and tried to gasp for air as he fell to his knees.
He fell over and Markel was left standing. He was staggering and hurt as blood ran from his lip, but he had the strength enough to give Kyron a finishing blow.
Markel said nothing but only looked at Nia and nodded as Kyron fell limp to the ground. Within moments, the dark mage faded away.
Nia ran over to Markel and grabbed him as he was about to fall to the ground. His body was weak, and he was breathing heavily as he leaned on Nia. She struggled to keep him up.
"I am sorry. I am sorry for everything,” Markel grunted.
“Never mind that now,” Mia said softly. “You did the right thing.”
They both looked over to the alleyway as the Defenders of Sol were cleaning up the last of the goblins. The surviving creatures had now fully retreated, especially after they saw their commander fall.
After they were finally free of any enemies the defenders looked over to Nia, who was trying her best to keep Markel upright. The two mage were staggering over to the defenders as the group ran to the middle of the street to meet them.
Before they were able to say anything, there was a twang of an arrow. It wizzed down, past the defender's heads as it struck Markel.
Markel lost his legs and fell to the ground in a heap as Nia yelled.
In a flash, Aiden notched an arrow and whirled around. He let it go and the projectile hit the last goblin archer. The creature had stayed back waiting for an opportunity to deliver a deadly blow. The goblin grabbed at the arrow that had punctured his chest as he staggered and fell off the roof of the building where he was hidden.
After the goblin fell, they all looked down at Markel who was desperately clinging to life. Maeve got to her knees to assess the wound as Aiden and Marshal looked around to see if any other creatures lurked in the shadows.
“Can you…” Nia started as she looked up at Maeve.
The paladin only looked at the young mage and shook her head.
“F-forgive me,” Markel grabbed onto Nia as tears welled in his brown eyes.
“Shh,” Nia said as she caressed the man’s head. “You did right by us in the end. You have the grace of the White Hand.”
“Keep west,” Markel said. “There is a large dirt path that leads to to caves. Stay true to one another down there. Many twists and turns. If I can change, so can they.”
Then, the mage of the White Hand leaned back on the ground. He was gasping for air, until he fell peacefully silent.
Nia broke down in tears as Maeve closed his eyes.
“Rest well, son of the White Hand,” she said quietly.
After some time in silence, the group decided that it would only be right to bury Markel at the place where he redeemed himself and saved his companions. They wrapped him in his robes and buried him at the exact spot where he fell. Above his grave, they had a single long stone that pointed to the sky, as was their custom to point the one who had passed on to the gods above. On the stone, Nia had caved the words,
Here Lies Markel of the White Hand: Redemption comes to all who have the courage to grasp it.
After he was buried, the sun was low in the sky. Red flame painted the sky and all was silent, save the wind that whipped through the village. In that silence, Nia spoke:
Arnuviel of the White Hand,
Take now your servant from this land.
Take him to the shores of gold,
Where your heroes lay I am told
We offer you your servant Markel,
Who redeemed his soul before he fell.
He saved his friends from their dark foe,
Before he was taken by the string of a bow.
He comes to you a true son of the Hand,
To forever serve you in your band.
The group was silent once more as they looked at the mage’s grave. After a time, Marshal spoke.
“I know we might want to press on and leave this place behind, but it would be best to stay here for the night,” he told them.
“Aren't you worried about Harold and his army? Surely they have gained on us by now,” Cynthia protested.
Marshal shrugged, “Maybe they have, but I imagine the bands of goblins have slowed them down some. Anyway, we would not have the strength to face those caves without another rest. In the morning, we make the final sprint.”
The group all agreed and quickly had a fire going. They had no cheerful songs or conversation, however. Each was silent as they pondered what lay before them in those mountains and what the true cost of victory may be.