Chapter 7: An Uneasy Truce

With a grunt Wulfgar rolled their bound captive over and helped him to sit up on the frozen ground. The soldier's body was bruised and battered, causing him to emit muffled cries of pain. As the young man was lifted, Katalin studied his aura - it swirled with dark shades of brown, red, and purple.

Seeing his youthful features fully for the first time, Katalin drew a small gasp. "Why, he's just a boy..."

The soldier's eyes flashed defiantly at that. In a thick foreign accent he retorted "I'm no boy! I've lived as many years as you I bet."

After Wulfgar stepped away, Garren calmly questioned the soldier, "What is your name?"

The young man spat tersely through swollen lips, "Go spit."

Katalin's eyes narrowed at the defiant words, and she closed them as if in pain. Her exhale was slow and deliberate, releasing the tension and frustration she felt building. "Why make this difficult?" She spoke evenly, but her voice held a tinge of disappointment. She met the young soldier's glare with a steady gaze, trying not to let his stubbornness make her angry.

Wulfgar leaned in face to face with their captive. "The young miss is the only reason your throat is not slit already," he said sternly, waving his dagger toward the dead soldier. "Were it up to me, your corpse would be next to his and I could be off hunting your friend Charlie. Be thankful she has spared your life."

The captive glanced sadly at his leader's body, then stared at the ground, resigned.

Garren and Wulfgar conferred quietly. Katalin turned to the prisoner, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. "Don't worry, I promise by my father's name we won't kill you."

He glanced up sorrowfully then away, unconvinced.

The two men returned, their faces hardened with determination. Garren knelt by the captive soldier. "You know you're in trouble when you return to Stonehaven alone?"

The soldier looked confused.

"When Lord Tamas finds out you let us escape and left your commander to die, he'll have your head on a spike," Garren growled. "Who do you think he will blame for such a massive failure?"

Wulfgar added darkly, "Smells like paid failure to me."

The soldier's confusion turned to fear as he realized the gravity of his situation. He stared at his boots, his face white. "It weren't me. I didn't do anything..." he mumbled.

"Somehow a young lass and an elderly pilgrim managed to best three of Lord Tamas' own soldiers. Don't you think that will raise suspicions?" Garren asked pointedly.

The soldier looked genuinely distressed. Pointing at Wulfgar with his chin, he said "He fought too - weren't just a girl and old man."

"Aye, but we are helpless travelers, while you three were armed soldier boys," Wulfgar added derisively. "And yet we prevailed. How do you think the Lord will see that, if not betrayal bought and paid for?"

Garren waved dismissively. "And you haven't heard the best part yet. Go on, ask me what it is."

The captive just stared back silently.

"Oh, come on then!" Garren cajoled. "You'll like this part, I swear it. Ask what's the best bit?"

The soldier sighed. "What's the best bit then?" he asked resignedly.

Grinning, Garren announced "We ARE going to bribe you!"

The soldier looked shocked as Wulfgar laughed. "What?" Katalin blinked, confused.

Garren tossed coins into the captive's lap. "Earned payment for helping us back there when you had the advantage."

Dumbfounded, the soldier glanced at the money. "But I didn't help..."

"Looked to me like you stood there real helpful-like while she cracked your boss in the head," Wulfgar smirked. "Your crossbow was threatening the empty air fiercely as you watched and did nothing."

Garren added "Explain that transaction to Lord Tamas!"

"I'll just tell him what really happened..." said the confused soldier.

"And Lord Tamas will sit and share wine while you tell the whole story?" Garren mocked. "When Lord Tamas wants information, there's no quite talks or waiting around for a council of clerics in clean white robes. He summons his executioner, favoring the method of pressing hot irons between cold toes. Quick, brutal, and direct – that's always been his approach," Garren explained grimly.

The soldier paled. "I ain't lied or hid nothing! Told you plain, I didn't help..."

"Oh we believe you, lad," said Garren. "But will Tamas see it that way? You don't think he might wonder just a little if we had help getting away?" He left the dark suggestion hanging.

The young man licked nervous lips. "I didn't take no bribes..."

"Best of luck convincing Lord Tamas and his torturers about that," Wulfgar gestured to the coins. "I've seen strong men break and confess to imagined crimes after a taste of his interrogations."

Garren dangled the bait. "Unless there was another path you could take?"

"Aye, almost always another way out," muttered Wulfgar.

A fragile hope glimmered in the soldier's eyes.

Garren held his gaze. "Travel with us for a time under parole."

The soldier remained silent as his eyes darted nervously over to the heavy iron shackles Wulfgar had dropped earlier.

Garren followed his gaze and sought to reassure him. "No lad, have no fear of such bonds with us. You would be kept only by your sworn word and a bit of rope or leather."

Wulfgar nodded sagely. "We've no use for chains here, nor torturer's hot pokers. And no stomach for them besides. Your vow would bind parole, not metal cuffs and spikes."

"Knights and soldiers have often bent knee to parole," said Garren. "It is a long and honorable tradition."

"Legend says King Thaddeus' uncle bent knee to parole at Elden Bridge. No shame in it," offered Wulfgar.

The soldier weighed their words. "What would I have to swear to for this parole then?"

"Simple," said Garren, "Swear not to escape, not to attack anyone with us, nor help those pursuing us."

When the soldier stayed silent, Wulfgar added, "Better than explaining bribes from enemies."

The soldier reddened. "And I said true - took no bribes!"

"Either way, decide now," said Garren evenly. "Explain under Tamas' care...or give parole, throw your fate in with us."

The battered soldier met Garren's gaze evenly. "I accept and will swear parole to you," he stated plainly.

Garren nodded approvingly. "Well said, good lad."

"Smart choice indeed," rumbled Wulfgar.

Katalin gazed thoughtfully at the soldier. She felt a swell of pity for his situation. Though he had meant them harm, she could not help but admire Garren's clever solution. Perhaps they could avoid further bloodshed. She gave a small nod of approval.

"First things first - what's your name, soldier?" asked Garren.

"I am Rollo, son of Martin, from Western Aetherhelm," he replied proudly.

"Which gods hold your faith?

"I worship Lady Embera."

Garren and Wulfgar exchanged surprised looks. Katalin murmured "The hearth mother?"

Rollo shrugged resignedly. "She's my ma's favorite."

Stroking his chin, Wulfgar mused "Perhaps there's hope for you yet."

Katalin looked skeptical. "I've never heard of a soldier devoted to Embera."

"He'd not risk forswearing in his profession," Garren reasoned. Wulfgar grunted agreement.

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"And does your mother still live?" Garren inquired.

"Yes, she is in her home. I send coin to her and my sisters when I can," Rollo confirmed.

"Any family here in Stonehaven? A woman waiting on your return perhaps?" Garren asked.

Rollo shook his head bitterly. "No one left here for me now. Bruna saw to that when she took up with him," he said with a glare toward his dead commander.

"What of the other troops then? Any friends who might help get you free?"

"Most of Lord Tamas' men were local Stonehaven boys. They never stopped treating me like some unwanted foreigner."

He hawked and spit angrily on the ground.

"Tamas didn't get first pick of warriors, that's for sure. Most folk around here won't volunteer for his banner. And worse are his seedy cronies from his lands - puffed up looters the lot of them. Strutting about, lording over the rest of us."

Rollo shook his head bitterly. "Not a one I'd call friend among 'em."

Garren nodded, seemingly unsurprised by this confirmation that Rollo lacked allies among the troops. After a weighty pause, Garren spoke to move things forward. "Very well. Rollo, on Embera's name, swear parole unto me."

Rollo bowed solemnly, eyes closed. Katalin wondered if he would reconsider. But then Rollo looked back resolutely at Garren.

"By Lady Embera's hearth-fires which warm and protect, I vow parole," swore Rollo. "I won't run off or hurt nobody here or help any chasing us."

Rollo exhaled slowly as if unburdened. Garren studied his face then nodded, satisfied with the sincere oath.

"I promise, by the many faces of Varianthra, that when the time comes you will be released unharmed and with enough coin to see you back to your mother's hearth," Garren pledged to Rollo.

Katalin watched as Rollo's aura lost the angry reds and foreboding brown, shifting to calmer earth tones with accents of yellow and muted purple.

"Very good," Garren nodded. He glanced over at Wulfgar. "Best search their gear for anything useful. We've lingered here long enough."

At that, the scout grunted and headed toward the dead commander's body sprawled in the road. Katalin watched him rummage through the cadaver's pockets and pouches before moving to rifle through the saddlebags.

Meanwhile, Garren turned back to Rollo. "Now then, have you any other weapons?"

Rollo shook his head. "No. Just my boot knife but its only for eating and such."

Garren rubbed his chin. "You can keep the knife but your hands stay tied behind your back. Or I can take the blade and tie your wrists in front if you prefer."

"In front I think. Easier to walk that way," Rollo requested.

Garren nodded and deftly slid the knife from Rollo's boot sheath. He untied the bonds on Rollo's ankles then secured his wrists in front with a quick knot.

"Here," Garren said offering Rollo a waterskin, "Are you hungry?"

Rollo gulped gratefully. "Aye, I'm rather hungry." Katalin handed out squares of torvgras and traveler's bread from her pack.

Soon Wulfgar strode over and snagged some of the food for himself. "Ah lovely, torvgras," he said appreciatively while chewing and returning to searching through the packs the soldiers had left by the side of the road. "My new favorite that."

"Oy, Katalin! Good news - found two shields here to replace yours." He gestured to the piled gear.

Rollo piped up - "Aye, those were mine and Charlie's shields, "Sir Brom had us leave them with the packs, said we'd be chasing the girl more than fighting."

Katalin nodded. "I'm sure they don't compare to Gregory's, but it will be good to have a shield when more trouble comes."

As they ate, Garren pressed Rollo further. "Are there more soldiers nearby?"

"No, none closer than a day's walk that I know of," said Rollo between bites.

"And what was your commander's name, the one who lies dead in the road now?" asked Garren.

"Sir Brom Faelstone was his name," Rollo supplied. "It was rumored amongst the men that he was one of Lord Tamas' bastards."

"Well that's not good," Katalin said, and Garren nodded in agreement.

"Oh Brom weren't the worst," Rollo countered. "I used to serve his brother Randall. That one had a cruel temper."

Rollo rubbed his jaw. "Aye, Sir Randall doled out kicks and blows for any offense. Next to him Brom could seem tame as a pup."

Garren raised his eyebrows but said nothing as he turned and studied the surrounding fields. "So then, how came you to be here now and to know we would pass this way?"

Rollo recounted the events of that first fateful night, "As soon as Laszlo's men brought him to the keep Lord Tamas was summoned. Seeing how badly injured his son was he flew into a rage and immediately sent his available men to Butterridge to search for 'the guttersnipe' as he put it." He paused and met Katalin's eyes, "We were told that the one who brought your head would get a sizeable reward."

"That first night only a few teams were searching and all just regular footmen like myself. But the next day the captains and sergeants where there and we had men all over the area. It was a bad day for me and Charlie as Sir Brom was in a bad way for being hung over. I think every home and barn in half a day of Butterridge was searched. But by late afternoon when you had not been found a messenger came from Lord Tamas and spoke to all the leaders. Sir Brom was ordered to fast march to Thistleham village and so we came straight here and arrived last night. Soldiers were sent to other towns and ports too, to wait for word of your movements."

"Barely after we arrived and were about to have our dinner at the inn a scout showed up, it was the half-elf, Kael Riverstride. He said he arrived at the smithy the day after you left and tracked you to here. He told us you would be at this crossing early today. He didn't say anything about them two," he said gesturing at Wulfgar and Garren. "Then he talked with Sir Brom in private and left - I know not where."

Garren's expression grew troubled. "I know the one. He often prowls these lands. He flies no banner, selling his tracking skills to the highest bidder. It was bad luck that he was in Stonehaven right when Tamas would have need of him."

He called Wulfgar over and spoke low. "If Kael remains on our trail, he could be a nuisance. We are unlikely to spot him if he is about but keep an eye out."

Garren and Wulfgar scanned the surroundings uneasily before shaking their heads and Wulfgar went back to his searching.

Garren eyed Rollo intently. "And what might your companion Charlie do now that he has fled the scene?"

Rollo considered for a moment. "For certain, first he'll go back to the Thistleham inn where we was all staying and wait and see if Sir Brom returns."

"When the chief don't come back, likely Charlie will come here to investigate what happened. But if he finds nothing here I don't know."

Scratching his chin Rollo added, "Sir Brom held all our coin and I doubt the inn will give Charlie free lodging."

Rollo shrugged. "He might try bullying the innkeep, but folks don't care much for Charlie. If they turn him out, probably he heads back toward Stonehaven hoping to find more of Lord Tamas' men along the way. But..."

Here Rollo lowered his voice, "Truth is, Charlie's a slight bit cowardly but he is clever. He might think its not such a good idea to go back empty handed himself. So mayhap he follows our trail a short piece hoping to ambush and free me and the chief, thinking we are captured."

Shaking his head, Rollo concluded "But Charlie's no tracker or woodsman. Be forced to turn back before long without food nor drink."

Wulfgar strode back over, and handed Garren a small coin purse along with a rumpled parchment map. "This map looks useful, and here's the commander's purse."

Garren tucked the purse away and studied the parchment. "This map shows locations marked all around Stonehaven lands - ports, villages, roads."

Katalin stood next to him studying the map. "There are little Xs drawn at some spots." Katalin peered closely at the map. "Thistleham is marked. Do you think the Xs are where patrols are waiting for us?

Garren nodded, "Tamas lacks the men to guard everywhere and it looks like he concentrated mostly at ports and the shortest route out of the duchy to the west. Our way is mostly clear to the south."

Katalin nodded, "If we avoid the marked towns we can use the main roads and make good distance before Charlie or this half-elf report where we are."

Garren rubbed his chin. "Using the roads will be a risk but we need to make time." He studied their situation a moment.

Katalin pressed, "The roads would speed our travel greatly with less effort."

"True, though more exposed to patrols," Garren mused.

Wulfgar nudged Brom's body with his boot. "What do we do about him then? Dump the corpse off the roadside to rot?"

Katalin looked shocked. "We can't just leave him!"

Garren shook his head. "With Charlie fled and Kael lurking, no need to hide this mess. Others will be along soon to investigate."

"Hmph, suppose we leave him and go on our way then?" Wulfgar asked. "We take the horse and keep going."

Katalin interjected "As of now, only I am sought. But if we leave the commander robbed and dead in the road, that will make you two criminals as well!"

Wulfgar grunted. "Tamas' men meant to arrest Garren already."

"True, but not Duke Alaric's troops," Katalin countered. "So far you've done no wrong in their eyes."

Garren sighed. "Well, we did fight these soldiers..."

"Not the same as murder and theft," argued Katalin.

Wulfgar shrugged. "The girl speaks truth. What then?"

"We pass the whole mess off to the townsfolk to sort perhaps," Garren suggested.

Wulfgar shook his head. "Charlie ran off to town. He would surely stir trouble against us."

Katalin asked "Could we not take the commander's body to the next village then?"

The other two exchanged thoughtful looks. Garren finally nodded. "Very well, we can bypass Thistleham and leave him for the next village to resolve."

Garren nodded. "Let's not leave anything that Charlie or other pursuers could use. Wulfgar, you and Rollo get the body wrapped and put over the horse. Katalin, help me gather up their packs and gear."

"Aye, if we have to take him with us, at least the cold will slow Brom of stinking a fair bit," Wulfgar added, nudging the dead commander with a boot. Then his eyes glinted with mischief. "Although, if we really want to preserve him, I can gut 'im right quick. Smoke the carcass over a fire..."

Katalin gagged at the vivid image, clamping a hand over her mouth, shooting him a disgusted look. But then she caught Wulfgar with a grin that would do his namesake proud and Garren barely containing laughter. And even Rollo looking amused.

"Ugh, you beasts!" Katalin gave Wulfgar a glare, realizing he had played a gruesome trick. The men just chuckled heartily.

Garren gave a curt nod once the coarse laughter subsided. "We should move on swiftly then. We'll bypass Thistleham and leave our unfortunate soldier's fate to the next town's concern."

The others murmured agreement, Katalin still shaking her head in exasperation at the vulgar joke.

Wulfgar and Rollo worked together in silence to wrap Brom's lifeless form tightly in his own gray cloak, now wet with melting snow. They then lashed the body sideways over the nervous mount and started adding the gear that Katalin and Garren brought over, including the two shields and Charlie's discarded sword.

With bound wrists Rollo wrestled his full pack onto his shoulders once more. Katalin stepped over to to adjust the pack's straps and loosen its weight.

Wulfgar studied the wintry sun, noting they still had half of the short winter day left for putting distance behind them.

Katalin scanned the crossroads where fighting raged not long ago. She shook her head - so much could change in just a handful of breaths.

Garren approached her and spoke in a hushed tone. "I appreciate you trying to argue for my release, before...well." He gestured at the aftermath surrounding them.

Katalin gave a sad smile and squeezed his arm then glanced around nervously. "What of Kael tracking us? The half-elf - should we be concerned?"

Garren shook his head. "Thus far he's only watched and warned Brom's patrol. Doubt he'll act directly. Likely he saw us fight with the soldiers after tracking us here," Garren reasoned.

Katalin's eyes widened. "You think he saw the fight?"

"Aye," said Wulfgar. "But what I know of him, he could feel his job was finished once the soldiers had you. He was paid to track you and make sure you were found. What happened after was not his problem."

Garren nodded in agreement and added, "He may even return to Stonehaven to report." Looking around he then signaled for them to depart.

Finally, they set off down the narrow farm track heading around the village. Wulfgar went out ahead to scout, Rollo's crossbow and bolts now gathered atop his own gear. He was followed by Garren, then Rollo leading Brom's horse and finally Katalin walking at the rear scanning the fields and tree lines. Behind them was the churned up dirt and snow from the fight on the road and the wide path through the snowy field where the horse had dragged Brom. The only gear left behind was the small pile of chains and shackles glinting coldly in the winter sun amidst the abandoned crossroads.