The roads of Sorina were left in an eerie silence. Charles and Arthur walked side by side with grim expressions. They each held the reins of a horse burdened with large packs of supplies and tools. For the second time that morning, they’d guided the animals down the narrow-deserted pathway that led to the northern edge of town.
In Charles’ hand were the reins of Mazes' horse, the old mare Duchess. The name definitely suited her. She was regal, intelligent and strong for her old age.
The Duchess whinnied and breathed deeply under the weight of her pack.
"It's Ok girl, not too much further," Charles cooed and patted her side. Her brown coat flickered with his touch, and she nudged him in appreciation.
Her typical burden had been left at the northern edge of town. Many villagers had pitched in, sacrificing furniture for the barricade. The only way into Sorina and her neighbouring farmland was through the northern barricade, the Branwall. There was only one way in now that the entrance was blocked by a collection of carts, doors, fences, and an assortment of random, heavy things.
As Maze had said, “this would only be a temporary barricade that may save a few lives.”
The men and women of Sorina had spent every waking hour breaking their backs in preparing the defence of their home.
During the time Maze went missing, he’d learnt that there would be a host of soldiers arriving soon from the north. They needed to stem the flow of soldiers so that they could negotiate terms. The way the previous soldiers had acted was against all laws, and they didn’t want a repeat.
Charles looked into the distance and spotted the topmost point of the Sorina barricade. As the wall came into view, Arthur whistled. Charles agreed. The wall was impressive. However, he knew the situation was dire and that the wall was but temporary.
Arthur scoffed. "They were built to keep livestock in and," He hefted the reins of his pack animal. "The vermin out. It seemed fitting that it would do so once more."
Charles gave him a humourless chuckle. "Let's hope it works."
The wall stood a good twelve feet tall and was only defensible from the inside. Town's people had grabbed whatever they could, barricading themselves in and established temporary shelters around the base.
Charles looked on top of the battlements and saw a squat figure.
Maze was in his usual spot, staring at the land beyond grumbling low, distracted. The old man had spent every waking moment above the fortifications pacing up and down. He was fixated on the long, marshy plain that stretched between the city walls and the barricade of Sorina.
Maze looked down at the townspeople. Sighing to himself, he climbed down the barricade looking to have aged a few decades in one morning. The town's people surrounded him as soon his feet left the ladder.
"What's going on?" a villager questioned.
"How many of them are there?" yelled another.
"When do we get to fight?"
Maze held up his arms pleading. "People! Please listen."
Charles approached with Arthur.
"As suspected, one of the men last night got away.”
“And!?”
“There’s a large host of soldiers gathering from the city. It looks like a response to the deaths of the king's men."
"How many?" Asked Arthur.
"Enough to overwhelm just us," Maze said with a pained expression. The casting he had performed had taken a lot from him.
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Charles was surprised that the old man could even stand up.
"Nevertheless, not all news is so dire. A few days ago, I had contact from within the city." Maze continued as hundreds of eyes stared at him, many of whom were quickly losing the spark of hope. "He has been coordinating a rebellion, and he has told me that his troops will be marching south to intercept the king's men.”
"I don't understand." A woman in the crowd called out. She was middle-aged and, by the looks of her had spent the entire night crying.
"Why are the King's men coming to attack us? Aren't we his loyal subjects? Why is happening?" She cried out, sobbing.
Mazes' expression turned ashen. Another recently widowed woman strode next to the woman and held her tight. The pain etched on the faces of the townspeople was mirrored on the old man.
"The King has fallen from grace. The Swine business with the south has." He cleared his throat. "Has clouded his judgment." Maze stepped forward and collected himself. "He’s grown fearful and, in his fear, has grown delusional. The soldiers we will face have been taken by the slave tonic."
The townspeople let out a collective gasp.
"As is most of the lowborn in the city." Maze added.
"How will we be able to fight that?" Blurted Arthur.
"My contact in the city says he’ll move in and take the King by surprise. We only need to survive till then. Once the link between slave and master is abolished, we will be out of danger.”
Charles and Arthur moved to the rear of the encampment as the throng dissipated. They spotted Ellie and Rose moving through the crowds of workers with large mugs of water.
"I could go for one of those right now." Arthur muttered as he greedily eyed one of the water goblets.
Charles nodded in response. Ellie gave a weak smile as she spotted them. She bustled about and shuffled towards them with two large, fresh ceramic mugs.
"Ah, you read my mind." Arthur thanked her.
Charles rubbed the cool surface of the mug over his forehead and gulped it all down.
"Glad to see her busy again," Arthur said as Ellie returned to the crowd. “I wasn’t sure how she would react after last night.”
“Well,” Charles started, then sighed. “She’s been through a lot. But she’s a survivor.”
Arthur nodded, an appreciative air wash over his face. Smiling to himself, Charles recognised the expression as the same as when the man examined his new tools.
“Well, let's get these two into position,” Arthur directed as he led his horse towards the workers.
Arthur suddenly chuckled. "I tell you what, though. It was definitely a surprise.”
“What was?”
He smiled. “I didn’t expect to see what you managed to pull off last night."
Charles looked sheepish. “Well, I kind of lost it.”
“Lost it? More like a warrior’s spirit took hold of you.”
Charles shrugged it off and looked up to see the old storyteller.
"Good, you are finally here." Maze's head bobbed behind one of the half-stripped wagons and stood alone in front of the two men.
Charles gave him a nod. "Ah, I see you have finally left your roost."
Arthur laughed. "And it was about time, too."
Maze frowned, ignoring the jab. "My contact is late." He was looking clearly worried.
"Who is this contact, anyway?" Arthur asked. "Can we trust him?"
Maze nodded. "A man I've known for years. Master Frederickson is his name. He works for a sympathetic general within the city. Frederickson and his master are good men. We’ve known each other for a very long time."
"And can he really help us?" Arthur repeated.
"Yes." Maze said.
Arthur eyed Maze unconvinced.
"At this point, it is not about if he can help us or not. The gates on the other side are open and more men are pouring out. Contact or not. The walls will be besieged soon." Maze sighed. "Time is not on our side."
"Besieged? Surely they wouldn't." Arthur scoffed.
Maze shot up a hand to stall him. "They’ve put up a black tent."
Arthur stiffened.
"What does that mean?" Charles asked, looking between the two.
"They are bringing event casters," Maze replied.
Charles searched the crowd of workers and saw Ellie now handing water to an elderly farmer. The old man’s back bowed low, and he gave Ellie a toothless smile.
"So, they will have these books like you?" Charles spoke his eyes still on the shimmering glimmer of red hair as it weaved through the crowd.
"Maybe. If the covers are green. They should not pose too much of a threat. If they’re blue. Well, let me put it this way. Our only plan is to cross the bridge and burn the town down behind us."
"But you have a blue book." Arthur added.
"I am one while they are many," Maze retorted.
At that moment horn blew in the distance. Hundreds of heads turned to the wall. Ellie alone skipped through the crowd unaffected, then slowed as she noticed all the people's reactions. Maze frowned and hurried towards the ramparts above the throng of worried faces.
Charles and Arthur followed his heels and climbed up to the top of the wall. A long stretch of grass lay before them. On the west bank to the left lay an open expanse that fell down a cliff to the river below. While on the right was a line of trees that grew between the two walls. Those trees marked the beginning of the great Northern Forrest. An ancient dense forest that was impassable and timeless.
"Soon we will feel the might of the King of Brancourt," Maze said gravely.
Charles peered into the distance. Small ant size men hurried about, pitching large tents as men piled through the gates.
Arthur turned from the farmers of Sorina and asked the old man. "How long do we have?"
Maze grimace then said, “Not enough.”