Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:50:31 +0200
From: Adrie van Dijk <ganymedes62@hotmail.com>
Subject: Princes of the Realm - Chapter 3

Princes of the Realm

Chapter 3 -- Being chased

When they entered the common room for breakfast the next morning, Phritus
was already there and waiting. He greeted them with a courteous bow and
smiled.

After breakfast and settling their accounts, three men and three boys left
the inn. Carl and the boys hitched up the cart's horses while Karim and
Phritus were saddling theirs. They were back on the road in no time.

For the first half hour or so Phritus made small talk, but then his tone
suddenly became serious.

"Now, I would appreciate it if you would tell me what is really going on
here." He began as he turned in his saddle.

"You are Karim, former general in the Tiaell Imperial Guard. You should be
at winter camp up in Talin now. Instead I find you here, travelling with a
nameless merchant and three boys. Moreover, you are showing them a kind of
respect that doesn't fit a commoner's standard." Clearly there was more to
Phritus than met the eye.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you that poking around in other people's business
can be very bad for your health?" Karim's implied threat was more than
obvious, but Phritus only laughed as though it were nothing.

"In fact I have been told on many occasions that my nosy nature might get
me killed one day, but I can't help myself. When I think there's a story to
be told somewhere, my profession demands I look into it."

"Bard, you do not want to tell this story." Karim's voice was now even more
menacing.

"As you rightly say, I'm a bard, an adventurer by nature. You clearly
didn't want to draw attention to yourself, and yet you did when you caught
that boy thief last night. I don't know where you are going, and I can't
force you to tell me, but don't you think another sword could come in
handy?" Now it was Karim's turn to laugh.

"So you think you are any good with that little pig sticker you got there?"

"As a matter of fact, I know I am good with it. My father taught me before
he kicked me out of the house. He was Rhuit Ghach. You may have heard of
him." That got both Carl and Karim's attention.

Rhuit Ghach was famous in all of Trahan and beyond. He had been swordmaster
to King Nodal of Roder and it was said that none could best him in a
swordfight. He had been killed a few years back when he and a party of his
men were ambushed by dark elves. It was said that he managed to kill a
dozen of them before they riddled him with arrows. Neither Carl nor Karim
had ever heard of him having a son though.

Karim stopped his horse and looked at Phritus intently. "If you really are
Rhuit's son, you wouldn't mind sparring with me for a while, would you?"

Carl halted the cart, curious to learn Phirtus' answer.

"Not at all, it would be a privilege and an honour to spar with you."
Phritus answered as he reigned in his horse as well.

Phritus and Karim both dismounted their horses as Carl and the boys looked
on with interest. The horses were tied to the cart and both men squared
off, swords already in hand.

Karim made the first move, attacking Phritus with a manoeuvre that was
meant to disarm an opponent. It looked like the sparring session would be
over fast, but Phritus reacted with lightning speed. He was much faster
than anyone had anticipated and even Karim looked surprised. Phritus
parried the attack and nearly disarmed Karim.

"Well well, it looks like you do know what you're doing." Karim studied his
adversary, looking for another opening. When he thought he found one he
attacked a second time, but again Phritus sidestepped his assailant. Then,
with a move none of them had ever witnessed before, Phritus managed to turn
the tables and Karim stood empty handed.

Jorthun and Daltin applauded, but Keilan was far less enthusiastic about
his friend being humbled by this stranger. Carl was just baffled and not
quite sure how Karim would react.

After the initial surprise though, a smile broadened Karim's face. "You
will have to teach me that trick some day."

"Again, that would be my privilege and honour." Phritus replied with a
joyful expression. "However, I would still like to know first what's really
going on here."

"I am sorry my friend, but I am not at liberty to tell you." Karim said,
outwardly looking undisturbed, save for a quick glance at Jorthun.

Then, without warning, Jorthun stood.

"You may not be at liberty to tell him, but I am." He declared at Karim and
turned to Phritus.

"My name is Thokan, son of Theron and Palina and I'm going to claim my
crown at the Dragon Temple of Gar-Uth."

Phritus stared at the young boy standing in the cart, astonishment widening
his eyes. He turned his gaze to Karim and then back at Jorthun.

"By the Gods, you must truly be him. Oh dear, but does Thereld know you are
alive?"

"We don't think he knows yet, and we would like to keep it that way," Karim
answered.

"That of course means that you'll have to stay with us for the time being."
Karim's voice told that he was more than serious.

"I understand your concern and I will stay with you. It might even get
interesting." Phritus responded as if it was the most natural thing in the
world.

Bot men untied their horses and mounted them. As they began to move again,
Phritus couldn't help but make on last remark: "Besides, I've always wanted
to see the Dragon Temple at Gar-Uth."

They all laughed at that.

The roads were kind to them and two weeks later they entered Benehin, also
known as the Western Kingdom. Soon they would be in the Heart Forest, so
named because it covered a large part of the center of Benehin.  None
looked forward to travelling through the forest, but going around it would
easily add another two weeks to their journey. In the meantime Phritus had
become a great asset to the little band, keeping up their spirits with his
quips and wonderful stories.

Not many people lived in the Heart Forest, and those that did weren't
looking for company. The road was quietly dark and an almost ominous
feeling filled the air. Ancient trees rose up on all sides and their
canopies blocked out most of the daylight. After three days of travelling
through the forest they were about half way through. They found a small
clearing and decided to make camp there for the night.

They were nearly finished setting up camp when Keilan, who had gone out to
gather firewood, came running back like he was being chased by a pack of
wolves. Immediately they were all on their guard, weapons in hand. Keilan
ran to Kalim and clung to him panting heavily.

"What is it Keilan? What happened?" Kalim asked, not trying to hide the
worry in his voice.

"There's something ... out there ... I don't know." Keilan wheezed his
reply.

After catching his breath he continued: "I found a small cave and thought I
heard something. When I moved closes something growled and I came running
back here."

"You mean an animal of some kind scared you?" Karim wondered.

"I don't know. I never looked back." Keilan answered.

"Well, I think we better investigate. You best show us where that cave is."
Kalim decided.

"You three stay here, and keep those bows and that crossbow at the ready."
Het nodded to Carl and the two boys, before heading off with Keilan an
Phritus.

Fifteen minutes passed and Carl, Daltin and Jorthun began to worry. They
turned and aimed their weapons at every noise they heard for another
quarter of an hour before Karim finally emerged.

He waved, signalling all was ok, and they lowered their weapons. Karim,
Phritus and Keilan were carrying firewood as they walked towards the camp,
but they weren't alone. Two boys accompanied them and the laggards
immediately found them odd looking. They couldn't quite tell what was
strange about them until they had come closer. They had huge dark eyes,
almost devoid of any white, and long, pointy ears. Carl then realized these
weren't just boys, they were elves.

"These two were hiding in that cave and scared Keilan to bits." Phritus
commented in his usual cheery way. Karim didn't look happy though.

"They were separated from their parents while being chased by Dark Elves it
seems. What I don't understand though, is what Dark Elves are doing in the
Heart Forest." Karim's brow furrowed with worry. Dark Elves hardly ever
wandered this far south unless they had a pressing reason.

"We will have to find their parents, but that'll have to wait until
tomorrow. It will be night soon, and I don't want to out there at night
with Dark Elves around."

While keeping a wary eye on the trees that lined the clearing they lit a
small fire and prepared dinner. As they ate, they learned more about their
two new guests, Corhan and Zoltan.

Their parents were emissaries of the Elf Queen Ibenu, and the four of them
had travelled to the court of King Nodal to congratulate him on the birth
of his first grandson. On their way back to Usktura, soon after entering
the Heart Forest, they encountered a party of Dark Elves. Their parents
told them to hid in the small cave, while they led the Dark Elves away, but
they hadn't returned.

"Where are your horses?" Daltin asked. The two elven boys smiled at his
remark.

"We have no use for your horses," Zoltan answered him with a heavy
accent. "We can travel the countryside on foot much faster than if we were
riding those."

"We do have elf steeds," Corhan added, "but only the Queen and those in her
party would be allowed to ride them outside of Usktura."

"How come you can speak our language much better than he can," Keilan asked
Corhan.

"I've had more practice than Zoltan. He's 15 years younger than I am."
Corhan answered as he nodded towards his brother.

This dumbfounded Keilan, not to mention the others in the party.

"That's impossible!" Jorthun exclaimed, "You both don't look older than
10. You can't be 15 years older than he is."

Corhan chuckled. "We are elves. We age much slower than you. In human years
I'm 54 and Zoltan is 39."

The conversation continued and the mood relaxed until suddenly Corhan and
Zoltan started their own conversation in elvish. Corhan turned to the three
boys and asked: "Do any of you have a dragon?"

"I don't have a dragon, but I have this," Jorthun replied, showing them the
tattoo on his chest.

A sharp intake of breath was heard from both Corhan and Zoltan.

"You are the one they are looking for." Zoltan said, pointing at
Jorthun. "They want your skin."

Corhan repeated the conversation they had overheard when the Dark Elves
passed the cave they were hiding in. One of the Dark Elves insisted on
giving up the chase to go look for the human boy with the dragon. His skin
would bring them much glory and someone named Therai or something, would
reward them handsomely.

"Thereld?" Several mouths called out at the same time.

"Ah, yes, I think that was the name that was mentioned." Zoltan nodded.

"How can this be?" Karim asked, turning to Carl. "You said no one outside
of those here and Kholtan has ever seen the tattoo."

"None ever has, far as I know," Carl said, defensively.

"Well," Daltin intervened, "no one except the man in the clothing shop,
back in Chizum. We had to take off our shirts when he took our
measurements. That's why it tickled so much."

"What was his name?" Karim demanded.

"Oh, I think his name was Tollan." Carl replied. "He was a heavy set
man. He looked a bit like the one that called for the city watch back at
the inn in Mandan."

"I know exactly what that traitor Tolland looks like." Kalim said
coldly. "I am now also certain that Thereld knows about Thokan." He sighed
heavily.

"Tomorrow morning we will search for your parents," he glanced at the two
elven boys. "If we don't find them, we'll make for the border with all
haste. I'm sorry, Carl, the cart will have to stay behind."

"I don't give a damn about the cart, but we only have six horses, and there
might be eight of us now."

"Don't worry about us," Corhan said, "we can easily keep up with you on
foot. We'll even outrun you if need be." A reassuring smile crept across
his face.

A schedule to keep watch was made up and everyone, except those who had
drawn first watch, turned in immediately after sunset. The night wasn't
very restful though as most if not all found it hard to sleep with the
knowledge of a band of dark elves on the prowl. They all woke as the day
was just dawning.

As much as possible was loaded from the cart onto the horses and they had a
cold breakfast. Carl, Daltin, Jorthun and Keilan stayed with the horses
while the other went looking for the missing elf parents.

Corhan and Zoltan turned out to be excellent trackers and they soon found
the trace their parents had left. It took them a bit over 20 minutes to
find what they had been looking for. As Karim caught sight of the bodies he
insisted on Corhan and Zoltan to keep away. From the bodies it was evident
to Karim that the two adult elves had been fully skinned, whether it had
been done while they were still alive or dead was something he didn't want
to contemplate. A grave was quickly dug and the two elves buried. Corhan
and Zoltan insisted in taking their parents' long bows, it was elven
tradition. Then they returned to the waiting group.

Karim related what they had found and insisted that they would be on their
way as soon as possible. As Carl tried to express his sympathies to the
elven boys Corhan simply stated: "We do not mourn those who depart from
us. We are joyful for we know they are reunited with all those who went
before. It is the elven way."

They rode in silence and the elven boys travelled alongside the horses with
amazing ease. It was past midday when Karim signalled for them all to stop.

"What's that sound I'm hearing?" He asked, addressing no one in particular.

"Dark elves, and they're chasing." Corhan said. "We better move fast, and
it would be best not to stop for the night."

They were off again, only slowing to a trot every now and then to give the
horses some rest and to eat a bit, but they never stopped. A day later they
neared the outer edge of the Heart Forest.

"We should be clear once we are out of the forest." Corhan told them. "I
don't think they'll follow us into open country."

"I hope you're right, because the horses won't be able to keep this up for
much longer." Karim replied.

The road widened and soon they left the Heart Forest behind them. They rode
on for a while longer until Corhan signalled. Only then did they come to a
full stop and all of them turned around to see if the chase was still on.

"They are there." Zoltan squinted as he gazed at the edge of the forest,
"But they won't follow us. They know we can easily pick them off with our
longbows in open country."

"Yes brother, but we best move along as they might decide to come out under
the cover of darkness." Corhan added.

The humans dismounted and led the horses on foot in an attempt to both rest
them and get some relief for their own sore bodies. Keilan, in particular,
was in bad shape, not being as used to horse riding as the others.

As the sun set, they could see lights in the distance.

"That must be the village of Ormir." Phritus declared. "There's a decent
inn there called The Frightened Boar. There's a good story attached to that
name. I may tell it to you when we get there."

They arrived at the inn shortly after nightfall. The innkeeper eyed them
suspiciously, but that ended the moment he saw Phritus.

"Phritus my good fellow! What kind of sorry group are you dragging to my
beautiful inn this time?" The innkeeper asked with a huge grin.

"That my dear Samunt is a long story, and one that will have to wait for
another time. Now ... we are hungry and tired, and would like some food and
a soft bed for the night. I am sure you will be able to provide both
... for a decent price." Phritus smirked as he leaned against the bar.

The inn was indeed quite decent and the hot food was appreciated by
all. Even more than the food though they valued the beds and the all slept
like logs that night.

The following day they purchased fresh horses. It was two days travel from
Ormir to Inany, the nearest city. They moved cautiously, but managed to
recover somewhat from the wild ride through the Heart Forest. As two elven
boys travelling with a group of humans would draw attention, both Corhan
and Zoltan hid their heads as much as possible under the hoods of their
cloaks. This was how they entered the city of Inany.

Carl knew something was afoot when Phritus rode off suddenly, thanking them
loudly and profusely for their company. After they sat down at a table in
the common room of The Emerald Griffon, Karim explained that Keilan had
seen someone following them after they had entered the gates. Phirtus was
to circle around and keep an eye on him.

A man entered the common room and Keilan immediately sat up, making them
aware that it was the man that had followed them. He looked around the
common room, located them and then came straight for their table.

"My name is Ghaiust and I have a message from Kholtan," he introduced
himself.

"I am Karim, what message do you carry?"

"The man you seek, Boran, can be located in a swamp, a days' ride north of
Garnys." Ghaius repleid with a smile.

"Thank you." Karim placed a coin in the stranger's hand. "Please relay the
following message back to Kholtan. Tell him the charge with the dragon is
safe, but that his identity is no longer secret."

Ghaiust gazed at Karim with a puzzled look on his face.

"Don't worry Ghaiust ... Kholtan will know what it means." Karim assured
him with a nod.

Phirus then stepped into the common room and visibly relaxed when he saw
Gahiust at their table. He gave Ghaiust a friendly smile as he passed him
on his way. The man was absolutely incorrigible.

They discussed the information they had received and decided to push on the
next day. Getting to Garnys would take them about a week. The direct route
was well travelled and they were not likely to run into any problems.
Finding Boran would be a different matter, of that Karim was certain. That
night, however, they enjoyed each other's company and Phritus'
entertainment.