The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend - Book 1 [2015 Watty Award Winner]

Chapter Fifty

Maebus barely had time to grab his battle sword off the table before Leoden burst through the cottage entrance.

"Somebody's coming!" The young warrior was nearly out of breath from what seemed like a long run back to their haven. Sweat beaded the ends of his blond bangs and dripped onto his face. Ever since Kelm had released the Fire Hawks only days earlier, Leoden had been regularly patrolling the perimeter. Though up until this point, things had remained quiet.

"I'll check it out," Normandy said, climbing onto a bed of hay located under the cottage's only window. He shaded his eyes with his hands to peer through it. Kelm and Fable joined him, cautiously glimpsing over his shoulders.

Maebus' palms began sweating as he gripped his sword handle.

"I don't see anyone," Normandy proclaimed without averting his eyes. "Leoden, was it friend or foe you saw?"

The young warrior shook his head. "Not sure. I couldn't get a clear view through the trees."

"Well, how many were there?"

"I saw at least seven persons."

Maebus pointed the tip of his sword towards the group. "We've prepared for this, people. Everyone take your positions, get down, and stay quiet!"

He watched each person quickly scamper into their predetermined defensive positions, just as they'd practiced every day since arriving at the cottage. Leoden stood adjacent to the door, pressing his back against the wall. He lifted the blunt end of his axe, ready to strike anyone who entered.

Maebus stood several feet in front of the door. His sword, shaking with anticipation, would catch anyone Leoden missed. Normandy towered behind him, holding a massive club. Kelm and Fable guarded the cottage's rear entrance.

Kelm extinguished the cottage's only flickering candle, blanketing the interior in darkness. Everyone remained still. Maebus couldn't even hear the sounds of breathing.

Suddenly, a hint of movement caught his eye. Someone had just snuck past the cottage window, trying to duck beneath it but not getting low enough.

"Get ready," he whispered to Leoden, who then held his wood axe even higher.

Moments later, he heard something thud against the outside wall, as if someone were leaning against it.

The metal door slowly creaked open.

The silhouette of a man's head appeared in the opening. Maebus kept his eyes on the man's neck as it craned in, allowing the stranger to glance around the cottage's interior.

"Hello?" a voice whispered. "King Maebus? Grand Wizard Kelm? Are you in here? It's Councilman Ferst. We saw the Fire Hawks flying overhead and have returned. Hello?"

Maebus reflected the outside light off his sword blade, signaling Leoden to lower his axe. Then slowly, he crept towards the light flooding through the doorway, revealing himself. He kept his expression impassive; stone-like.

"Show me your hands," he ordered.

Ferst immediately complied, holding out his arms and turning his palms up.

"Who else is with you?" Maebus asked, tilting his sword to make sure it was seen by Ferst.

"The entire Council," he replied, "and also the brothers." At that moment, Hom popped his head around Ferst.

"Hello!" he eagerly said. "Remember me?"

Maebus' hard expression was instantly replaced with a beaming smile. "How could I forget the cookie thief?"