The scout hurried his horse along the winding path through swamps. Reeds whipped as wet thumps approached ever closer. He glanced back. Lobar, covered in swamp filth, roared. His meaty legs tensed before he jumped against the back of the horse. The spooked horse raised its front legs high. Lobar pulled the tail before lunging to put the horse in as chokehold. A loud pop followed a crack. Another snap followed as the horse fell on its rider’s leg.
A ray shot forth from behind a clump of reeds. The pair melted into hot clay. Lobar smashed the newly formed clay with joined fists. Lumps flew everywhere as he punched and smashed the wet pile. Captain Morgul rode toward them on a black horse. Wet clay dripped from the embroidered plates of his armor.
“I commend Lobar for his enthusiasm, but was that really necessary?”
“I think he’s entitled to a little entertainment now and then. He had a stressful time of it back at camp. Right, Lobar.”
Lobar released a deafeningly high-pitched squeal.
“With this one out of the way, there’s no one to give them warning,” Groli said, “You’ll take the village while the men are out to sea, and when they return, you’ll kill them.”
“And what threats will you eliminate?” Morgul asked.
“Don’t worry about us. We know exactly what must be done, and your job will be all the easier for it.”
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Delia crouched on a heavy branch amidst the foliage of a tall oak. The window towards Mardela’s bedroom was directly ahead, about thirty-five-yard distance. It didn’t do her much good; Bradox was in the habit closing the shutters whenever he did something important. For now, the window remained open as Mardela slept. Bradox wasn’t with her, though he was somewhere in the home most likely. Delia cooperated with Dew on this watch, and neither of them had seen him leave.
She heard footsteps below; Nadia approached the gate. Delia jumped down from between the branches to land in front of her with flexed knees, while Nadia skipped back a few steps with fists raised. Delia noticed the woman was back in her explorer’s attire of jeans and a purple short sleeved shirt with a loose collar. Such clothes were not appropriate for visiting a village lord.
“Didn’t Lord Nostrum prohibit you from coming here?” Delia asked, “What will he do if he finds out you were skulking around?”
“Oh, so you’re here too. Back me up, or leave me alone. I’ve decided to help Mardela.”
“Your main objectives would be better served if you left this family alone. This won’t serve you any purpose. The risk of trouble for everyone is too great if you interfere. You shouldn’t get involved.”
Nadia pushed Delia aside and continued.
“It’s not about that anymore. I’m not going to sit idly by while someone’s being tortured, not when I have the power to stop it. Not after I felt what she’s going through.”
A slight breeze pushed Nadia’s hair while rustling the branches of the oak. Delia swiftly jumped back into her perch. Nadia opened the gate to Nostrum’s estate and walked forward.
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A low note bellowed from a crudely fashioned horn echoed throughout the village. Captain Morgul rode into town at a trot on his black steed. Dual spikes of gold rose from the pinnacle of his lacquered green kabuto helmet. The back and sides of his head and neck were protected by plates of steel covered in green laminated leather. A red lacquered mask with a horrid grimace covered his face. Only his dark brown eyes remained visible through the holes.
A sheathed odachi over ninety-one centimeters in length hung from leather cords. Cuirass of interlaced leather and iron plates protected his torso and back. Thick iron plates covered in laminated green leather rested over his shoulders. Plate skirting protected his lower torso. Plates of thick bamboo wrapped his shins and padded his knees. Treated leather sewn with green and red silk formed his sleeves.
His two main lieutenants, Rigvan and Meerin, followed behind on dark brown horses. Meerin was in full armor, much like his Captain. Rigvan used old cuirass around his torso and small plates of leather strapped around the most vulnerable areas of his limbs. Directly behind them were two sullen men forced to tow a crude cart. Morgul’s foot soldiers lashed at their bare feet with whips. Morgul yelled from the top of his horse with a booming voice.
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“People of Reeds, this village is now under the command of Lord Sarsin! Get out here and bring anything you have of tax worthy value for tribute. Do not let my men find it later. The consequences will be deadly!”
They marched through the village without facing opposition. The villagers did as they were told. As the cart rolled past their cottages they came out with tethers, gold, jewelry, and other items of value as tribute to the new lord. With this completed peacefully, Morgul grumbled. Captain Morgul blew his horn at the town well.
“Out of your homes, out of your cottages. Get assembled! That’s more like it. What an obedient lot you are all!”
A small mass of women, children, and elderly men were gathered at the well from the surrounding dwellings. Vestor clung to his mother as he watched the armored man on horseback supervise the gathering. Two guards escorted Awlena from behind a market stall, checked her for weapons, and then shoved her next to the other villagers.
“Stay put until you’re told to move!”
Once a mass of people gathered, the captain’s horn blew again, “You! Citizens! You’ll follow my men to the stables and stay there until the village is secure. Once the fighting is over, you can go back to your homes in peace. We are not barbarians! We’ve bought instructors and overseers with us. You’ll learn the laws of Sarsin and be released on my discretion while I head this village!”
Next, Captain Morgul took nine men, including his two lieutenants, to secure the harbor. The remainder of his force split into four groups, each with an appointed leader. Three groups secured designated sections of the village until every citizen was in their custody at the stables. The fourth group took control of the stables to supervise the prisoners.
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The restaurant had no customers today. Nobody had shown up for a lunch. Luthial patiently stood behind the counter facing the door with a smile glued to her face. Even when the door was kicked open so hard it bust the latch and ripped hinges from the frame, Luthial kept smiling. Though there was a bit or an irritated twitch to it. The door had been unlocked. Five men entered, all clad in full armor, with katana holstered to their belts. Luthial bowed.
“Welcome to the Swimming Shark. Please have a seat so I can take your order.”
“Report to the stables, wench,” said the tallest of the men “and take everyone here with you lest you wish to taste our blades. This village is now under the command of Captain Morgul, servant of Lord Sarsin.”
“Oh, I had no clue. I suppose this means you won’t be having lunch?”
“Grendel,” the leader pointed to a skinny man with shaggy whiskers, “Take that stupid wench in the back room and do what you wish. You earned a five-minute break.”
“You’re coming with me.”
Grendel attempted to grasp Luthial’s arm, but she turned it under his own and took hold of his wrist instead. She continued smiling, though her face twitched. The soldier froze in her grip. With a sudden twist, the joints in his shoulder cracked. She lifted him before slamming him back against the floor. Plates shook on the shelves. The wood floor cracked, along with both his front teeth as they slammed together. Grendel passed out.
“We should go boss.”
“You can leave,” the leader said, “but expect to die a deserter’s death at my hands once I’m finished with this wench.”
They drew their swords.
“I see,” Luthial said happily as she shrugged off her hostess kimono to reveal regal red robes of a Lothalos mercenary, “Then I guess we’ll be doing this the hard way?”
“A mercenary, unexpected, this was supposed to be easy. She's unarmed. Charge her, I doubt she can take us all at once.”
Luthial pulled four grains out of a leather bag, one between each finger. With a single flick they stuck to center of each soldier. Vines sprouted that wrapped their limbs. Before the soldiers could struggle further, a purple lily sprouted from the center of each vine and closed upon their bodies, leaving only their heads exposed. Luthial flung a seed on Grendel for good measure.
“The customers just keep getting rowdier.”
Josh came from the kitchen, saw what Luthial had accomplished by herself, and gave a slow clap. Darrell joined him, his hands wet and wrinkled from dishes. But when he saw the captured attackers, he whistled. Dew rushed in from the back hall, looking half asleep as his hand rested on the hilt of his sword. Finally, Nefri came from the kitchen and with Luthial’s spear and tossed it to her.
“You taught those guys,” Josh said “and I liked it.”
“Would you like to be taught as well?” Luthial smiled, swinging her spear.
“Whoa!” Josh raised his hands in the air, “Stop the train and back up a little.”
“What’s a train?”
Josh shook his head, “Shouldn’t we question them or something?”
“No,” Nefri said, “We already know their intentions. I came to awaken the lord as soon as I heard the horn. They consider the village as theirs already and are spreading out warriors to secure it.”
“We don’t have time for this,” Dew rubbed the sleep from his eyes, “The village is under attack. That means Nadia is in danger! Josh, you must stay here or you’ll risk aggravating the incubus. Luthial will stay to protect you. Nefri, Darrell, you two go to the harbor, prevent them from killing Lord Nostrum.”
“Right,” Nefri pointed to Darrel, “We're spread quite thin. I hear you fight well with the sword, take one of the dropped swords that you are most comfortable with.”
“What!? I can’t get involved with this!”
Nefri frowned, “You’re involved, no matter where you run to, so stay with me and learn to fight. Or you can hide in the oven like a coward?”
Darrell picked up a sword, “Don’t expect much out of me. And don’t let me die.”
“It’s settled then,” Dew said, “Nadia went to Nostrum’s estate. I’m going to protect her!”
Dew dashed out the back. Darrell followed Nefri in the same direction. Luthial and Josh found themselves alone with the captured fighters.
Their leader glared at them, then laughed.