Mercenary

Mercenary: Chapter 1 - Introductions and Misunderstandings

Wilhelm rode his horse confidently, leading his men with assurance. They weaved their way through the thick forest,  and the only light hitting them were the dim streams that managed to fight their way through the trees. The road they traveled was overgrown with grass and roots, and it was obvious that, although it was the only road for twenty miles, it was a road not often traveled. They were used to this, though. Wilhelm and his men lived in the forest for the most part, and this felt like home to him. He savored this feeling, as he was sure he’d feel much differently when they arrived at their destination. No castle could ever feel like home to him, and this new one, no matter how isolated, would be no different.

Wilhelm and his men were on their way to Brierwood, a small village in the northeast corner of the kingdom. They were to help fend off the raiders, in particular the infamous Ekronus, who was notorious for raping all the women in the village he took and then burning it to the ground.

He would be a dangerous enemy.

As for Lord Alexander, their new commander, he had heard very little. No doubt Alexander had heard of them though, or rather, The Phoenix.

Wilhelm chuckled as he thought about the lore surrounding “The Phoenix.” It was said that he was a great, burly, masculine man, nearly eight feet tall, half dragon and half sorcerer, so much a rogue that women fell before him at the mere chance to be with him, and that he could kill you with a mere glance.

Wilhelm chuckled again when he imagined this image next to the true Phoenix. No one would believe that person to be The Phoenix!

Wilhelm’s chuckles abruptly ended when he considered this fact. There was no doubt in his mind that “Lord Alexander” would think him to be The Phoenix, especially considering that the true Phoenix was not currently traveling with them. No, “The Phoenix” had taken a stop in a village where a little boy had broken his leg and had enticed their healer, Doc, to stay there and help. Surely the village had their own healer! They needed to get to Brierwood as soon as possible. It was their job.

Doc had assured Wilhelm that he and The Phoenix would be back before nightfall, but Wilhelm knew better. They would be well asleep before Doc arrived with The Phoenix at Brierwood.

“Something the matter, brother?”

Wilhelm looked to his right to see his brother, Acton, riding beside him.

“Tell me Acton,” Wilhelm began, “when do you think they’ll arrive at Brierwood?”

Acton frowned at his brother’s line of thought. It was obvious now that this was all that Wilhelm had been thinking about ever since The Phoenix had insisted on being left behind, and this bothered Acton greatly.

“You worry too much, Wilhelm. Even if they do not arrive before we break bread with Lord Alexander, then they’ll meet him in the morn. In fact, it might be a great deal better. At dinner, Alexander’s judgment will be clouded by alcohol and tiredness. A good night’s sleep will help persuade him to our cause.”

Wilhelm sighed greatly. “You are right.”

“Besides,” Acton went on, “Doc is supervising this particular excursion, and you know how much Doc hates being late.”

Wilhelm scoffed. “And you use the same excuse! Next thing you know you’ll be calling yourself something equally as ridiculous, like The Elf, or The Griffin!”

Acton laughed heartily before replying, “Please brother, The Elf? Do my pride a favor and use a name such as The Dragon to inspire images of my manliness!”

At last, Wilhelm allowed himself to laugh along with his brother. Acton was right, though. He did worry too much.

“Wilhelm!” two voices behind the chorused. Without turning, Wilhelm knew who demanded his attention: Micael and Pierre, the twins. By the way they acted, you’d think they weren’t two individuals at all, but rather the same person.