Three Must Decide.

Part 7 Hunt

Chapter note. the first 3 chapters have introduced you to the Three. Each faction is controlled, to a degree, by a real life person so decisions have to be made.

Rather than returning their son to the King of Drathen and ease the growing tension they decided to ride out to bring him safely home.

In Part 7 they had to decide to 1, ride in to Drathen and attack anyone who got in there way. 2, Go with more caution but ride down any scouts that came close. 3, do all they could to avoid starting a fight with Drathen soldiers while they searched for Earl Alden.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Captain Berengar had gone south with the greatest part of the Cadre Guard, crossed the border with Drathen, set a pace that was easy for their horses renowed for their stamina and moved for the lands east of the Ponoden Grasslands. If Earl Alden and those of his guard had not been caught, they would most likely pass through the plateau between the two mountain ranges that split the kingdom of Drathen. Those Mountains could be passed but if the Earl could stay in front of their pursuers then the plateau was the fastest and easiest way to Vasteds boarders.

Berengar was at ease riding amongst his command. Rings of sentries rode around the main body of the guard and with squads riding out in all directions it was not possible for anyone to approach unnoticed and with the wide-open land playing to the Guards combat strengths Berenger was confident in his position. Raising in his saddle he could see his personal troops bows and short lances holstered on the back of their saddles and above them the days cloud covered but bright sky was beginning to fade. He would give the order to make camp.

As camp was made Berengar remained in his saddle at the edge of it. He would always be the last to rest. He was confident with little concern, he had ordered his scouting squads not to engage any opposing troops, they were in Drathen to reach the Earl and take him home but the Captain would do all in his power to avoid fighting those who were and still could be friends in the field. There were also few who would concern him, the riders of the Cadre Guard with their bows and short lances were beyond formidable. When the first scout troops of the day came back in they saw the familiar sight of riders and horses in a wide camp, made safe and settled.

Berengar had only just manged to renew the fire enough to warm his beaker of wine and honey and was tearing the last of the bread from last evenings meal when his attention was drawn to troopers who were making their way to his tent. In less than an hour the Cadre Guard had broken camp and were riding in formation 3 miles to the rear of where Berengar had stopped and dismounted, only his own personal squad with him. These the most trusted of the Guard, those who would ride or die with him, even so the women who sat just 50 meters from them with no sign of any concern, frightened him still, his respect for her was unshakable. The Women known only as Flux was the inspiration for the Cadre Guard and her and the troop that were willing to follow her the very best scouts Bronze Gate could call on. Berengar left his troop and walked to her, his courage bolstered when remembering she had once said the word 'friend' to him but the brief walk was still an uneasy one.

Flux sat, the old wound on her leg preventing her from crossing her legs under her as she could have done when she was young. She felt that there were only a hand full of  years remaining before her strength would begin to fail but for now even with her leg she knew there were few who could match her. As Berenger approached she drew 2 lines inside a circle with her finger and pointed at Berenger.

"Friend" she said as he came to sit in front of her leaving the image on the ground between them.

Berenger was relieved but was frustrated with himself as he felt the relief wash over him. He was her equal, he knew that much, but he still feared the possibility of putting it to a test.

"we are, and you are well?"

Flux brushed aside the first image and drew another "riding" she added.

Berenger knew her well enough to understand her form of communication. Flux spoke in only single words and any number of quickly drawn images.

"Its good to still be riding" he agreed.

Flux smiled.

"My scouts know you have Earl Alden"

"Cader" Flux replied confirming the numbers that were with him on the ground.

Berenger nodded, despite his efforts Flux knew everything she needed to but so did he.

"There was a time I would not have known you were here" Berenger taunted.

Flux's look revealed she was not pleased at what she saw as a failure.

"Alden" she said, with the image suggesting it was the need to catch the Earl that had brought the failure about.

"We are both here for Alden" Berenger was now eager to get this over with. "I will not order the guard to stop when they reach us, we have stayed away from Drathen riders even though we did not need to. I do not want to fight Drathen or your Troop but I will not allow the Earl to be taken back, I cannot"

Flux was silent she did not speak when she drew this time. The picture was clear, Alden could not leave while she was there and what remained of his escort could not stop her from taking him.

"There are too many of us Flux, you can't out ride us" Berenger was prepared to lay bare his advantage despite the friendship "just part of the Cader can run you down, riders can double up so those who I send after you will have spare horses, it will take less than a day Flux"

She was silent. Then drew again.

"You would be sacrificing you entire troop if you think you can hold out against us" Berenger was getting cross he felt the fire rise in him and he held her gaze when he said "you can't kill Alden, so I could massacre you all"

Flux's gaze was cold. Berenger knew he had gone a little too far but he did not want this fight. She stood, rising to her feet using just one leg.

"Friend" she said but it was clear that although they remained so she also was unwavering in her loyalty to the crown prince of Drathen.

Later Berenger saw Flux waiting on the road out of the small village where they had found Alden. She was well away, just waiting so she would be seen, no sign of any of her troop. Alden was still in the village painfully tied but unhurt his Escort was not. Flux had slaughtered them all in front of the Earl, stripped them, and laid their bodies bare.