The Keeper of the Stones

Chapter 14



14th August – Near Erriard Forest – Rhuaddan



As Sawdon and Adrob made to return to Heron Getracht fortress, each of the warriors was thinking differently of the news they had to deliver to a no doubt angry and frustrated King Vantrax. The wizard King’s temper and fury was legendary, and the two soldiers had already witnessed a terrifying demonstration of his powers with the slaying of two of his soldiers at the well. Adrob was certain that it would be he who would be slain this time. He was convinced that Vantrax would want to vent his anger at someone and Sawdon, he thought, was valued far too highly to be disposed of in such a fashion. His stomach churned at the thought of the meeting that lay ahead and as he neared the gates, a bead of sweat trickled down his brow. Sawdon on the other hand, saw only opportunity in the day’s events. He knew that the boys had the stones and that Vantrax would stop at nothing to get them. H also knew that the rebel camp was within the Forest of Erriard and that their numbers were depleted to such an extent that he could be very confident of victory. He was sure that if he could return to Heron Getracht before nightfall, the Northern Army could be hastily manoeuvred into a position from where it could launch an attack at dawn.

Sawdon was a Thargw. Like all Thargws he lived for war. His whole life he had prepared for it, he enjoyed everything about it, and he knew it was something at which he excelled. The mere prospect of a battle had him quivering now with excitement. He believed strongly that this battle could completely destroy the Ruddite Rebellion once and for all and provide his master, Vantrax, with a weapon that would secure his dominion over this world, and possibly others, for years to come. He whipped his horse furiously with his reigns to increase the pace, as he stared with mounting concern at the fading sun on the horizon.

Sawdon’s party entered the gates of the great fortress at the same time as Adrob’s. They both made straight for the courtyard, where Sawdon dismounted immediately and ran for the stairs to the tower, waiting only for the clearly hesitant Adrob to join him.

“Come!” he shouted, “King Vantrax will want a report and we have much to do.”

Adrob reluctantly and rather gingerly followed Sawdon up the stairs and into the tower room. Vantrax was waiting for them and he had a concerned expression upon his face. “I presume, from the lack of heads or prisoners, that you have failed me once more, Sawdon? What do I have to do to get anything done around here? Do it myself?” he asked furiously.

“The boys have fled into Erriard my King, the slave also, they are with the rebels…” answered Sawdon calmly.

“Raaargghhh!!!” interrupted Vantrax, screaming suddenly in a fit of rage. His arms lifted to reach for the Lichtus stone inside his shirt. Adrob predicted his master’s actions and began to recoil, instinctively lifting his arm to cover his face. Sawdon didn’t react to the evil wizard. Instead, he continued his report in the same calm, controlled manner.

“We now have the opportunity to wipe them all out. Just as you wish sire.” he stated quickly. “The Northern Army can march overnight. They can reach Erriard by morning, if the decision to attack is made now! Our soldiers will be tired that is true, but we will outnumber the rebels by three to one. If we travel light, we can move swiftly and we can finally finish this fight. Cut them all down in their camp. We have no choice now but to attack as I see it anyway, before they have the chance to flee. And if they are allowed to run, if they evade capture, they will have the stones.” warned Sawdon emphatically.

Vantrax had stopped reaching for the Lichtus as Sawdon spoke. He now lowered his arms and contemplated Sawdon’s words. His rage had diminished only a little, but it was enough for him to consider his alternatives. ‘There are none,’ he thought, ‘Sawdon is right. We have to attack and as swiftly as possible. For that, I will need every soldier I have.’ He glared at the silent Adrob, who was still visibly shaking with fear and obviously expecting to die.

“And what are your thoughts, Adrob? Assuming you have any of course?” enquired Vantrax, as Adrob lowered his arm. “You have remained silent until now, but you share our fate as much as the rest, I would like to know your point of view, so humour me. Will you follow Sawdon?” he asked, unusually seeking the opinion of a humble soldier.

Adrob glanced warily at the mighty warrior beside him. It was obvious that Sawdon was spoiling for a fight, his eagerness was evident for all to see. ‘Perhaps though,’ he thought, ‘he is too eager? Perhaps, he has not thought this through? Attacking a heavily wooded forest, even if we do have greater numbers, is a huge risk. This could be a mistake. I just do not know.’ He looked at the Thargw and decided immediately that there was one thing he did know. ‘If it ever comes down to a fight, as looks increasingly likely, I will always choose to be on Sawdon’s side!’ He looked back at the expectant Vantrax.

“I will follow Sawdon unto death sire!” he replied, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

Adrob’s response pleased King Vantrax. He was now beginning to feel more relaxed. A thousand thoughts entered his head as he again addressed the two soldiers. “We go to war tonight. We are the hunters. Adrob, go and send a runner to Strymos, tell him that the Northern Army is to be prepared immediately for a forced march this very night. They are to be ready to move within three hours. I want no excuses. They will be stripped of all equipment. Food and water will follow behind the main force. They will march fast and they are to be prepared to fight at the end of the march. Do you understand these instructions?”

“Yes sire.” replied Adrob instantly. He began to walk toward the stairs but he was halted by Vantrax as he reached the top.

“And Adrob. Inform all of my Personal Guard to turn out as well. Leave only the trainees at the fortress.” the King shouted loudly. Adrob nodded and disappeared rapidly down the stairs.

“My King!” began a concerned Sawdon. “I do not understand? You do not have to take the field this day. I can command if you do not trust Strymos. Why place yourself in danger? It makes no sense. I know I have failed you before, but…”

“Silence, Sawdon!” snapped Vantrax angrily. “My decision has nothing to do with your incompetence, or your failings.” he stated firmly. “I have waited for this moment for too long to stand by idly and do nothing. The chance to finally defeat my brother and capture the stones has arrived. I will not let this opportunity pass me by. I have trusted in others for far too long, and where has it gotten me? No, I will command. I will stop them running should they decide to. Maybe the Lichtus is not as strong as it once was, but it can still be a powerful weapon, if I am close enough. The decision is made. Nytig!” he bellowed.

“Y-y-yes my Lord?” came a feeble reply from the foot of the stairs.

“See that my horse is prepared immediately. I leave with Sawdon within the hour. And make sure you pack me some food!”

Nytig hurried away to make the preparations. Vantrax walked over to the table and sat down in his chair, whilst Sawdon walked over to the window slit. The Thargw warrior stared up at the starlit sky, it was a beautiful night. The darkness had descended and wrapped itself around the land like a huge, comforting blanket. The warm summer air was cooling rapidly now that the sun had gone.

“Raarr! I really love this time.” stated Sawdon happily, as he inhaled deeply the fresh air coming in through the window slit. “The anticipation of war, the prospect of battle. It is the moment before the fight that excites me almost as much as the fight itself. Just knowing that tomorrow I shall draw my sword in anger and test my skills against another warrior, it makes me feel alive. I can taste it. I can smell it. There is no feeling like it for us Thargws. I pity the other races who do not feel what we feel. They will never understand. I tremble with excitement at the very thought of it. Even after all these years, I have never grown tired of it.”

“Yes, Sawdon.” replied Vantrax nonchalantly. “But we have been here before, haven’t we? Will they fight this time?” he asked, with added emphasis and an intensity that demanded a response.

Sawdon thought about it for a little while, considering all the arguments briefly before replying. “The boy has the stones. But if he knew how to use them, he would have done so already. I believe that they would not stay here unless they had to, where they are hunted. If they had an alternative, they would leave. To stay makes no sense. Home for them, is the safer environment. I also believe sire, that the rebels have to be weary of running by now. They have few places left to go. They do have plenty of experienced soldiers amongst them though. And they will like the forest terrain, it affords them natural cover. They may still run if they are given the chance, considering our numbers and our strength. And they have no real reason to fight, do they? Why would they risk annihilation?” he asked, as he deliberated the question openly.

“So, you are not sure then?” replied Vantrax, somewhat confused by Sawdon’s remarks, but trying desperately to seek some reassurance.

“In all honesty, my King? I cannot be sure. I cannot predict with any accuracy what they will do.” said the great warrior. “But I tell you this; every instinct I have tells me that they will fight. I cannot explain it, but by the Gates of Kalvanaar, I hope they do.”

Vantrax eyed the Thargw up and down. There was, he thought, no more impressive sight than a bloodthirsty Thargw with the scent of war in his nostrils. An evil gleam suddenly appeared in the wizard’s eye.

“Then, Sawdon, we have to ensure that they fight, don’t we?” he replied wickedly.