CHAPTER 26

  Baron Rills’ fury grew as the view of their target became clearer and clearer. What was supposed to be a simple rural village now looked like a fortress with high walls and deep trenches. He called out for one of the men that went with Sir Elrik, a loss that still stung somewhat, as his men came to a stop a few hundred yards from the walls.

  “I don’t remember any reports about walls…” A voice called out from behind.

  Baron Rills tried to hide his displeasure as he turned to the man, 1st Knight Captain Reynold. He was he was the man who had the most power in the Knight Order after Rills himself. He was also the most power of the Shard Users they had been given, having been able to successfully accept and grow his shard without suffering some of the more catastrophic side effects. He was a man that usually would not have fallen so far as to join their force if not for his horrible attitude.

  “That’s because there weren’t any.” Rills replied testily.

  “Well those sure look like walls to me Commander, though they didn’t bother to put on a gate.” Reynold chuckled, ignoring his commander’s irritation.

  “Where are Horald and Killin?” Rills asked through gritted teeth as they waited for the guard to be brought up.

  “With their patrols as you ordered.”

  “Then why aren’t you with yours Knight Captain?”

  “I thought my Commander might appreciate the thoughts of his second in command in regard to the new circumstances we find ourselves in…” Reynolds replied lazily.

  “You are not here to think Knight Captain.” Rills growled, “Next time do not assume what I would or would not want. Don’t forget that the only reason your even alive is the Crown Prince’s mercy.”

  “Of course my Lord, how could I ever forget his Highness’s compassion?” The Knight Captain’s words dripped with sarcasm.

  Baron Rills forced himself to bear with it, as the man and his talents were still needed for now. He promised himself as soon the Knight Captains usefulness came to an end, he would apply to personally execute the man for the Crown Prince.

  The Guard was quickly brought before them and was shocked when he noticed the tall walls surrounding the village. Looking back at the angry Baron his face paled.

  “I swear sir, there weren’t any walls before when we were here. I didn’t even see any signs of construction!”

  “Well there are now, are you trying to tell me this is something a small village could do in a matter of days?”

  “It must have been the Shard Users sir! The one that calls himself a god or that Beast he kept, they must have done it somehow!”

  “Baron Rills flinched at the mention of the Beast, before waving the man off, “Send him away…” he told his men.

  “Didn’t the men that chased after the Princess say something about a Beast too?” Reynold questioned, smirking as the guard was led away. “Seems like maybe the Beast saved her and brought her back to warn the village. If only you had been able to properly kill her…”

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  Rills clenched his fist, struggling to keep from striking the irritating man in front of him. “That just means we have the chance now to finish what we started. Prepare the men to charge, you can go straight through that gap they left.”

  “The gap is an obvious trap.” The Knight Captain said seriously, “It’s obvious that it’s there to force us to fight in small and tight quarters, where we’ll lose our best advantages as mounted troops.”

  “Are you afraid of fighting some country bumpkins Reynold?’ The Baron asked mockingly.

  “Of course not my lord, but since they also have shard users and this beast of theirs it would be prudent not to put ourselves in trouble for no reason.”

  “Who cares about what little power they managed to get from the Shard. Weren’t you the one who called Gislan trash for so long? Now your afraid of falling to the same fate as he did?”

  “I don’t fear their Shard Users, but I’m not stupid either. I’m not invincible and we still don’t have any real information on their Shard. They claimed it was for healing and yet they control the Beast somehow. It would be better for both of our safeties not to have the whole order enter their trap at once.”

  “Then what do you suggest?” Baron Rills asked impatiently.

  “Let me send Horald, Killin, and their patrols first. They can test the waters for us and spring whatever trap these peasants have set up. Best case, they roll right over them just as expected and we can follow for the cleanup. Worst case, we lose two patrols to whatever trap they have hidden, but then roll over the rest ourselves once they’re helpless.”

  Rills thought for a moment over the proposal before finally nodding, “Fine, go give them my orders.”

  “Yes, my Lord.” The Knight Captain replied, smiling as he gave a sloppy salute and went back to call for his fellow Officers.

  Rills just gave a grunt as the man left, reminding himself of his promise, before looking back over the village to wait for the slaughter to start.

  Reynold was soon joined by the other Knight Captains and shard users of the 3rd Knight Order.

  The last and lowest ranking was Knight Captain Denner, a young man that had been fortunate enough to survive the Shard Ceremony. He was supposed to have a bright future ahead of him, untill he was found bedding more than a few nobles’ wives and daughters, sometimes forcefully. Afterwards he was recruited to the 3rd knight order just as Reynold had been.

  The second Knight Captain simply went by Kork, known for once being a infamous bandit on the border between Rasor and Lutel, He had been forced into the Shard Ceremony after being caught and had managed to survive, earning himself his life within His Highness band of misfits.

  Both men greeted Reynold seriously, asking for their orders. The 1st Knight Captain grinned, “I managed to convince the fat cat to let you have the first go, I’m sure your men have been dying to let loose for a while.”

  The two grinned in response, “What a gift Captain.” Denner replied laughing, “And you won’t fight me for any of the women I claim?”

  “All yours.” Reynold replied smiling as well, “Just be sure to let the men have a taste before you toss them out. They’re still mad you killed the last ones before they got a turn.”

  “I can kill the Shard Users right, no soft capture stuff?” Kork asked.

  “You can kill anything you want, if it’s a fight you want that Beast that lives here will probably be some fun.”

  Kork nodded happily, flame gathering around his fist as he clenched it excitedly.

  “Get your patrols together and go immediately, we wouldn’t want our good Commander getting impatient.” Reynold gave one last order before accepting their salutes and riding back towards the Baron.

  After he arrived Rills gave him a dirty glance before looking back over the village, “They understand their orders?”

  “Yes Sire, they were more than happy to ride headlong into their deaths…” The 1st Knight Captain responded sarcastically, chuckling to himself. “We’ll see if they really do have anything set up if not, just less work for us.”

  Baron Rills just grunted, his eyes searching over the walls. Small movements of figures could be seen, “I hope the Princess really is here, it’ll be great to watch her final moments personally.”

  Both men let out a wicked laugh as the two patrols prepared to charge…