DESPITE HIS CONFUSION OF WHAT HE had just witnessed, Anders helped carry Calissa’s stuff back to the horses, which were prepared and ready to go by the time they got back to the stables. They loaded the horses and made way to the gate to depart, and Calissa was sad to be leaving early but they really had no choice. If there were any other Hakken in town, she didn’t want to endanger herself or any one in town by inviting more violence during the festival.
“What happened back there?” Anders asked.
“It was a Hakken,” Calissa replied, as she looked back at her uncle “How did he get into town undetected?”
“I’m not sure,” Belemast said, feeling rather frustrated. “He slipped by my best scouts, which means he’s really good or has been waiting here a long time for you to show up.”
“Either way, I day is done.” Calissa said, “Let’s get back home.”
“It was good to see you again,” Anders said, trying to keep positive.
“It was,” Calissa said, smiling back. “I shall return, but I’m not sure when.”
“I understand,” Anders said, “You’re on the run. I shall be patient.”
“We must go!” Belemast said, losing his patience.
The horses rode through the town and the mayor again stopped them waving his arms.
“My lord,” he asked, panting again. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes, it’s fine.” Belemast said, trying to be civil. “It’s just that my niece isn’t feeling well, so we’re going to return home as a precaution. Probably nothing serious, but no need to ruin anyone else’s fun. She enjoyed herself here and is eager to return next year.”
“Glad to hear it, your lordship,” The mayor said bowing, “I hope she’s feeling better soon.”
“Yes, as do I.” Belemast said as he got the horses moving again and they were out of the town and back on the road in a matter of minutes.
“Are you sure the town isn’t in danger?” Calissa asked.
“They are as long as we’re not there,” her uncle replied, “You were clearly the target. No one did a thing before you jumped on to them. There is a chance he was a scout like you mentioned, or the fiend’s plan was to snatch you whenever my back was turned. I guess he didn’t expect you to be strong and skilled enough to dispatch his kind, and I’m guessing that’s when their plans changed.”
“If they’re scouts,” Calissa started, “Does that mean there are others?”
“I’m not sure, maybe.” Belemast answered, “But that is why we are hightailing it back to the castle. They are most likely behind us and trying to catch up. If they are not, they soon will be.”
“I’m sorry about this,” Calissa said, “This is all my fault.”
“Perhaps,” her uncle agreed, “But I make my own decisions, and I had fun for what little time we had there. We cannot allow fear to rule our lives, or things would be very boring. A life without joy is hell on Earth. I hope you’ll remember that; control your own fate, or others will do it for you, and you might not like their choices.”
“I understand,” Calissa said as she kept riding hard to keep pace with her uncle, “I hope this doesn’t put you in an awkward position.”
“Family is worth tolerating any situation that comes along,” Belemast said, with a smile on his face. “Besides, your mother would never forgive me if I didn’t do all I could to help out you and your father. I don’t need that kind of nagging whenever I reach the afterlife. So, let’s move!”
Belemast and Calissa rode out of town and united with his scouts as they all rode hard out of town and back towards the castle that would offer them the best shelter from the wolves that were after them. Yet it was a fair distance and Belemast was unsure how many Hakkens were in the forests leading back to his fortress. His question would soon be answered as a large wolf emerged from the trees and attempted to attack one of Belemast’s scouts. He dove at one of the scouts but managed to duck as the wolf sailed over his head. Calissa was determined to keep going, but kept a hand on her sword, preparing herself to fight if necessary. She was tempted to pull out her blade but was afraid it would let her pursuers know where she was.
One of the wolves lunged as Belemast himself, knocking the big man off his horse which sent him crashing to the ground. Calissa was unwilling to even consider leaving her uncle behind as she turned around, unsheathed her sword, and charged the beast. The wolf wisely leapt out of the way and out of reach of her blade. Calissa pulled up to her uncle and provided cover for him to get back onto his own steed. Once back on, they charged forward. One of the scouts had been taken by the wolves but Calissa’s actions were enough to get them back on the road.
As they rode closer to the castle, the wolves attached again knowing once they were safely back home, further attack would be difficult. This time one of then attempted to knock Calissa from her own horse, but it was a futile effort. Calissa already had her blade out as she chopped into the wolf and removed most of his arm. Both the wolf and his arm crashed to the ground. Once the wolf started to howl in pain, the others saw the damage Calissa had done and retreated. Rather than have one more wolf chasing them, Calissa jumped over her horse and walked up to the wounded wolf. It was withering in pain and bleeding all over the ground, howling in pain.
“You are not normal,” the Wolf hissed at her.
“You finally noticed,” Calissa replied, “But you won’t live long enough to know why.”
Before the wolf could speak again, Calissa shoved her silver blade into the Wolf’s chest, which silenced the howls that had been coming from it. She cleaned the blade before putting it back into its sheath and remounted her horse. Belemast could hardly believe what he saw.
“You are quite the fighter,” Her uncle complimented her.
“I have good teachers,” Calissa said, as she started to ride on.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“I should be thankful you are a good student, too.” Belemast said, as he followed. As good as her teachers were, he insisted on giving his tough niece all the credit she deserved.
The sun was just starting to set as the horses finally made it back to Belemast’s castle. The castle lowered the drawbridge when Belemast used a tool to give a signal only he could. Once they were safely across, the master of the castle immediately dismounted his horse as he hadn’t rose that hard in a very, very long time.
“Put the bridge back up,” he called out, “Now!”
“Yes, Sir!”
Calissa watched as the draw bridge went back up and gave a large sigh of relief. The wolves might be good, but this castle from her observation was an ideal place to be in during any siege.
“Calissa!” Alfred called out as he emerged from the castle doors. “You were not supposed to return this early, and there’s blood on your outfit!”
“It’s not mine,” Calissa replied rather casually. “It belongs to a Hakken.”
“Where did this happen?” Alfred demanded.
“In town,” Belemast said, walking him to Alfred. “Your daughter held her ground finely, Alfred. You would be proud of her. She never once showed any fear, even as those wolves tried to ambush us on the road.”
“Are you alright,” her father asked.
“I’m fine, father.” Calissa insisted, “I dispatched of two Hakkens, but I fear there are more out there.”
“Let me help you, M’lady.” Belemast said as he offered a hand and helped his niece off her horse.
“How many do you think are out there?” Alfred asked.
“I’m unsure,” Belemast answered, “There were at least three more that were not killed> They appeared to retreat once they realized Calissa had a blade that could destroy them.”
“Only cowards run from a fair fight,” Calissa added, remembering their hasty retreat.
“What is that blade made of?” Belemast asked.
“Silver,” Calissa answered, “I got this from Miyamoto.”
“I have plenty of silver in the castle,” Belemast said, grinning. “Shit that I never used such as fancy forks, spoons, and chalices I never drink from.”
“That’s interesting,” Alfred said, “Do you have a smith here?”
“I have three,” Belemast said, as he was thinking the same thing. “Time to put them to work and make some more silver weapons.”
On his orders, the men in the castle started to prepare for a siege. He also ordered that all the silver be removed from the castle and sent to the smiths to be smelted. Belemast himself went to the smith’s workshop to approve of the confiscated silver to make sure something me might want to keep wasn’t destroyed. He wasn’t very picky and allowed most of it to be melted down and turned into anything the smiths could think of. They had a lot of silver to work with as Belemast’s family had a lot of fancy things made out of the metal, but he didn’t care for it as you couldn’t enjoy any of it if you were dead. He watched with pleasure as things his parents used to covet more than their children were melted down and slowly turned into weapons. One such item was a massive mirror that had a solid frame that was all silver. Belemast walked over and looked at it one final time as it used to belong to his mother. He remembered how she used to look at herself in dressed father would buy from the local town.
“Melt this down,” he barked at one of the smiths. “I want you to turn this into as many arrow heads as you can.”
“It should,” The smith agreed, “I will make as many as I can.”
“Good man,” Belemast said, patting him on the back. “Work as long as you can, for we have company coming here to kill us all.”
“Yes, my lord!” the smiths all called out together.
Belemast left the smiths alone as his point had been made.
“Arrowheads?” Alfred said, as he walked closer.
“Seems like a good idea,” Belemast replied, “Even if it doesn’t kill them, it should be enough to knock them off my wall and send them crashing to the rocks below. Even of that fall doesn’t kill them, they won’t be climbing back up for a while.”
“Not a bad idea,” Alfred said.
“Where Calissa?” Belemast asked.
“She went back inside to change,” Alfred answered, “She thinks the Hakken are going to attack us sooner than later.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Belemast answered, “Right now they’re wondering what other weapons we have up here after your girl killed two of them. They will be afraid to attack thinking we all have weapons like that. After my smiths are done, they’ll be right.”
“Why don’t they attack now?” Alfred asked.
“They’re probably going to wait for reinforcements to show up first.” Belemast guessed, “That’s what I would do in this situation. That or try to negotiate a surrender.”
“I’ve never known Hakken to negotiate,” Miyamoto called out as he walked over to join the conversation.
“Well, there’s always a first for everything.” Belemast said, “Especially when there is a possible siege that could cause many to die about to start. People are usually willing to speak and get a feel for the other side letting loose the dogs of war.”
“They’re wolves, Belemast.” Alfred reminded him, “We can’t expect them to act like normal people because they’re different. They are savage beasts.”
“Sir!” one of the guards on the wall called out.
“What is it?” Belemast called back.
“We have someone approaching the castle.” The guard called again, “He is carrying a banner of truce. I think he means to speak with us.”
“You were saying?” Belemast said to Alfred, playfully slapping him on the shoulder.
“First time for everything, I suppose.” Miyamoto said, “What now?”
“Should we talk to them?” Alfred asked.
“Why not?” Belemast answered, “If anything, we need to buy more time for my smiths to make as many silver blades and arrowheads as he can.”
“What do we say to them?” Miyamoto inquired.
“Let me do the talking,” Belemast said, “This is my castle and I’ve been in more battles than the both of you combined. Especially more sieges, that’s for sure.
Belemast climbed up onto the wall of his castle to look out and see what the guard was seeing beyond the reach of their drawbridge. There weren’t any wolves to be seen, but there was a single man standing there, waving a white flag before them all. Belemast looked around but could see nothing else on the other side. If there were any other wolves around, they were well hidden.
“Who goes there?” Belemast called out to the man on the other side of cliffs.
“I am Hector.” The man answered, “I’ve come to negotiate.”
“To negotiate what?” Belemast called out.
“A surrender,” Hector said.
“Very well, I accept your surrender.” Belemast said, with a smirk on his face.
“I meant your surrender,” Hector said, unimpressed with the master’s humor.
“I see,” Belemast responded, “And what do I get in return for this surrender.”
“All we want is the girl!” Hector said, rather harshly, “Surrender her now and I will not attack and destroy your wonderful looking castle.”
“I require time to consider your offer,” Belemast said with a more serious tone.
“I will give you two days!” Hector called out, “And then we shall take her by force!”
“I see,” Belemast said, “I shall give you an answer within two days. Good day.”
After making that last comment, Belemast removed himself from the wall and went back down to the courtyard where Alfred and Miyamoto were waiting. They had heard every word of his conversation and found it mildly amusing.
“You’re not seriously considering it?” Alfred asked, almost looking appalled.
“Of course not!” Belemast whispered, not wanting anyone outside the gates to hear. “Clearly, he’s wait for his own army to catch up. That gives us two days to prepare this castle for a Hakken siege. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good siege, I’m looking forward to it.”
“How many have you had here?” Alfred asked.
“Four,” Belemast said, “But this will be my first one with monsters. I’m quite excited!”
Belemast started to walk back to the workshop where all the smiths were hard at work. He grabbed one of the smiths that was working on a new silver sword.
“You there,” he called out, “When you’re finished this, I want you to use some of this silver to make a new blade for my battle axe. And I want a spear tip too!”
“Yes, my lord!” the smith called out.
“You all have two days to make as much as you can,” Belemast said, patting the smith on the shoulder. “If we win this battle, you will all be greatly rewarded.”
“Yes, Sir!” the smiths all called out.
“Will it be enough?” Miyamoto asked the master of the castle.
“We’ll make it enough,” Belemast said, smiling at his friends, “Now tell me more about these beasts, specifically about how we use this silver to properly kill them…”