The Keeper of the Stones

Chapter 13



14th August – Outskirts of Erriard Forest – Rhuaddan



Princess Zephany’s Ruddite cavalry and their three captives raced into the relative safety of Erriard forest. Light suddenly gave way to darkness as the dense foliage of the huge trees above them blotted out the sun. The boys squinted as their eyes adjusted to the changing light. Ben was struggling gamely to maintain his grip on the box of stones he had hidden inside his shirt as their horse swerved violently in-between the trees at full speed. His left arm was wrapped tightly around Jake as he held on desperately to his friend. His right arm was trapping the box between it and his body, as he had to use both his hands to hold onto Jake’s shirt. He was greatly relieved when Princess Zephany suddenly halted the riders ahead of him. They weren’t far into the forest and he just about managed to keep the box wedged between his arm and his body when Jake brought their horse to a halt. Zephany waited for all the riders to stop, then she signalled with her hands for the two riders at the rear to double back and see if they were being followed. The horsemen obeyed the instructions immediately and disappeared into the darkness from whenc thame. The remainder of the group rested a while in total silence, while Zephany waited for the soldiers to return and report. Only Ben spoke, whispering quietly over Jake’s shoulder.

“Tell you what mate, it’s a good job we stopped when we did, or this box of yours would’ve been on the floor. It’s only small I know, but it’s damned awkward to carry when you need both your hands to hold onto some lunatic on a horse! We could do with a bag or something, eh?”

“Shhhh!” hissed Jake, worried that mention of the box would be heard by the surrounding horsemen, and having not yet figured out his strategy for handling the issue. “Keep your voice down, will ya? And who are you calling a lunatic? I’ve told ya, I know exactly what I’m doing. You’re right about the bag though.” he added.

Jake stopped talking as he heard the unmistakable sound of approaching horses, the two riders returned to report, the first of them rode swiftly up to Princess Zephany, whilst the second returned to his former position at the rear of the captives.

“Princess, the soldiers of Vantrax have not followed us. They stayed for only a few moments after we returned, we saw them turn around and head off towards Heron Getracht. I counted six, they do not appear to have left any scout behind, what is your command?” the soldier asked dutifully.

Zephany couldn’t conceal the disappointment in her face. She sighed heavily, thought for a moment and then replied. “We will meet them again, soon enough I fear. Raaart! The advantages here were all ours. They were no fools. No matter. Return to your post at the rear, Hierlath. And thank you.”

The soldier bowed his head slightly, then he turned his horse and rode away. Zephany called two others over to her and instructed them to rip some cloth off their tunics. “Blindfold them.” she ordered, pointing at the three captives and pausing briefly to see if there were any objections from her prisoners. Jake thought seriously about saying something, but he didn’t. He didn’t want to risk upsetting anyone in this strange world unless he had to. The two horsemen approached and began their task but as they did, Princess Zephany asked some more questions of them.

“Why do those horsemen follow you? You!” she said, pointing at Verastus. “You say you have escaped from Lidzenstor? Hmmmn… I find that highly unlikely. But then, it would explain the soldiers. And Vantrax would definitely want to make an example of you. But, I do not know, you could be his servant? Sent to assassinate the King. Why should we believe your story? And as for you two, who, or rather, what are you? What is your story I wonder?” she asked, fixing her gaze curiously on the two boys as the soldiers finished tying the cloth around their eyes.

Jake really wanted to respond to Zephany’s questions, although he was sure that she probably wouldn’t let him speak. He decided to chance his arm and speak anyway and he was just about to begin, when Zephany spoke to them again.

“No. Do not speak now. We ride for the camp of King Artrex. There you can convince us all not to kill you. The King will now decide your fate. It remains to be seen if you are friend or foe, for your sakes I hope you are friends. The blindfolds are to ensure you cannot lead anyone back there should you escape.” she said assertively. She held up her arm and waved it forward, then she turned her horse and galloped away swiftly into the forest. Two riders at the rear grabbed the reigns from Jake and Verastus, they pulled them over td to. The se’s heads and led them away as quickly as they could in the same direction. The rest of the group followed behind them and they rode deeper and deeper into the darkness.

They journeyed for hours through the trees, weaving in and out between them so fast that Ben began to feel a little nauseous. He was being thrown violently in opposing directions as the horse manoeuvred, but his eyes were covered and he couldn’t prepare himself for each rapid movement. “Oh my God!” he screamed to Jake loudly, as they rounded yet another tree. “I think I’m gonna pewk!”

“Don’t you dare, Ben Brooker!” shouted Jake, who was feeling no ill effects at all, the result he supposed of his new-found powers. “It’s embarrassing. And besides, I’m right in front of you.”

“Oh, good. Something to aim at then!” answered Ben defiantly, unimpressed to find that Jake was once again immune from such side affects.

Luckily for Ben, his nightmare journey seemed to be coming to an end. The horses slowed their pace to a gentle trot, his stomach began to recover almost immediately and he took in a few deep breaths of fresh air. They were still in darkness behind their blindfolds but soon they began to hear voices. Then they heard the ‘clinking’ sound of weapons striking each other. Ben’s nostrils suddenly caught the whiff of fires and cooking, even in its upset state, his stomach grumbled and his mouth watered at the thought of food.

“Corr. Whey-hey! Smell that mate? Chicken!” he hissed to Jake excitedly.

“Aw, for Christ’s sake Ben, give it a rest.” replied Jake. “Think of the situation we’re in, will ya? And, I thought you were going to pewk?” he added, amazed as always by his friend’s resilience.

“Yeah well, probably just lack of food, innit?” Ben replied, his mood now rapidly improving.

There was no doubt that they’d entered the rebel camp, but they still rode a distance until the group finally halted in the area occupied by Princess Zephany’s soldiers. There, the bulk of the soldiers remained, whilst Zephany and the two riders who were leading the captives went to see the King. He was standing by a makeshift table made from a cut down tree. Beside him, as usual, was the imposing figure of Knesh Corian. Zephany rode up confidently to within a few feet of them both. She dismounted and took hold of the reigns of her captives horses. The two soldiers with her dismounted also and then helped the prisoners down onto the floor. Once they were down, they untied their blindfolds and led the horses away to be tended.

“Gerada Knesh Corian, King Artrex.” stated Zephany confidently, remembering to address the head of the army as well as the King this time. “I have to report a sighting of Vantrax’ soldiers. On the outskirts of Erriard forest, not four hours ago.” she stated professionally.

“Sighting?” asked Knesh. “How many?”

“Six my Lord. A search party we believe, possibly a scouting party ahead of their main force.”

“A search party? Looking for these… Srr... Creatures?” asked Knesh, unsure what to make of the strangely attired boys and their dishevelled companion.

“Yes. I believe so. The tall one is called Verastus, he claims to be an escaped slave from Lidzenstor.” Zephany began.

“Oh does he?” interrupted Knesh, clearly imressed at the impressive nature of such a claim.

“Yes,” Zephany continued, “he claims he wants to join us. The other two… I do not know their story, we had no time and I wasted none in bringing them to you. I thought you may want to question them yourself?”

“Ha, ha, ha.” laughed Knesh, looking at his friend the King, who was chuckling also. “Yes, I can see why you would think so. What is it they wear?” he asked mockingly.

Jake and Ben were both beginning to grow tired of being ridiculed. Jake now decided that he had to speak. “They, can speak for themselves!” he answered boldly. “You don’t have to speak as if we’re not here.”

“Raarr! Very well.” answered Knesh in a deep, hostile voice. He leant forward to glare at the two young boys. “So be it, speak! Let us hear your words. But I warn you both, choose them wisely, for we still have not decided on your fate.” he added, staring deep into Jake’s eyes in a deliberate attempt to intimidate the youngster.

Jake stared directly back at the two warriors in front of him without displaying any sign of fear. ‘I know nothing about these people,’ he thought, ‘their history, their culture, their personalities. I don’t know if we can trust them or not. Or how they’re going to respond to what I have to say. But I can’t see any option open to us other than telling the truth, as we know it. Not if we want to get home. We need their help. I’m pretty sure now that they’ll also want mine, given all we’ve been told. Hmmph. Just about the only thing I know for certain, is that time isn’t on our side. I have to make a decision now on whether to trust these people.’

He turned to Ben. “Show them.” he said, motioning with his head towards the bulge in Ben’s shirt.

Ben looked at him in disbelief, he wasn’t entirely happy with the instruction, but he did as he was asked. He took the box out from under his shirt and held it out in front of him. The two warriors gasped in amazement as their eyes caught sight of it.

“Hu… By the stars!” said Artrex, overwhelmed at the thought of what lay inside and breaking his hitherto silence. “That cannot be what I think it is?” he asked excitedly.

“What? What is it, father?” asked Zephany, who was now at a total loss as to why Artrex and Knesh seemed so astonished, and so obviously impressed. Artrex completely ignored his daughter’s question as he motioned to the boys with his hand.

“Come forward. Come forward. Let me see it.” he ordered eagerly.

Ben walked over to the makeshift table and gently laid the box down. Jake took a few steps forward also, he was intending to speak, but he was beaten to it by Verastus, who stepped forward to stand alongside them both.

“It is true sire, they have the stones, my King.” he stated boldly, speaking as if his life depended on it. “These boys are not what they seem to be. I know they are of funny appearance, but you have to try to look past that if you can sire. This boy!” he said, pointing directly at Jake. “He is a very strong warrior. I have seen him fight. He has much to learn, but I have seen none faster. He is ‘The Keeper’ reborn. I am sure of it. There is no doubt in my mind sire. The legend has come true once more. The stones have returned to you in this, your hour of need. The smaller boy has a large heart. He is the Keeper’s companio and friend. I, Verastus of Falor, owe them both my life. I come to you now to offer you my sword, my King. From this day forward, I pledge to you my allegiance. I will serve you loyally and faithfully if you will have me. But know this sire, in the spirit of honesty and in good faith; I have a debt to repay to these boys that I intend to fulfil!”

Verastus stopped speaking and there was a brief silence. Artrex was looking him up and down, as if sizing him up for something. The King was normally a good judge of character, he prided himself on it and when he looked closely, he saw nothing but honesty in Verastus’ eyes. But he still glanced at Knesh for confirmation. The Gerada smiled confidently at him and nodded in agreement.

“Very well. It is decided. We have much to discuss I think. Verastus has spoken for you, and he has spoken well. Such loyalty is not so easily found or earned. We all must take a leap of faith it seems, if we are to aid one another. You have the stones. If you truly are the Keeper, then you are most welcome. Come. Sit with us and we shall talk.” said Artrex, in a softer, more relaxed tone as he gestured to them to sit down at the table.

“But father, what of the soldiers we sighted?” asked Zephany anxiously, a little upset that her report had been largely ignored because of the strangers and their ‘little box.’

“Tuh? A scouting party of six?” Artrex replied. “We can deal with them I am sure. And our soldiers will warn us in plenty of time to move if an army is sighted. There is no need to make any rash decisions whilst Erriard protects us. We stay here for the time being. We talk. We learn. The reappearance of the stones and the Keeper, changes everything!”