The Bandits of Infinity Forest

Chapter Eight

I wake as the clatter of heavy boots fills the prison, and a small regiment of soldiers appears behind the warden, who unlocks the door of my cell.

Two soldiers step in and bind my hands. Again.

Their commander, a short, dark-haired man with a beard steps forward.

"Take him to King Luther," he says, "I've got other things to do.

I feel a sense of relief as we march through the soldier filled guard-room, glad that I'm not being led to my execution.

They don't take me to the throne-room, instead I'm taken to the king's private Audience-hall.

He looks up, feigning surprise, then dismisses the guards and motions for me to sit in the seat I'm standing near—which I can actually see, because his cloud of demons is absent.

"Now," he begins, "I'll admit I was rather hasty the other day: the spirits had been giving me trouble—that was why they were in the room—and were urging me to murder you as soon as they laid eyes on you.

He starts swaying slightly in his chair, his eyes glaze over, and he chants in an eerie, hollow voice that sends a chill down my spine: "Even now they take control, I can't resist much longer.

"We're still in this room, and with Luther in our power as our puppet, we will slaughter and enslave to sate our thirst for blood. We will rule the earth!" The demon's voice speaking through the king trails off into a crazed laugh that sounds like someone being murdered.

The king slowly stops swaying and his eyes focus.

"But I resisted," he says, as if his lapse had never happened, "I did not kill you, because you seem like a good lad, and this kingdom needs you. I ask again: will you help me?"

I swallow nervously, but my voice is firm, "No."

To my surprise he doesn't look angry at my response. He looks sad, "I'm sorry, for what I did to your family, I wish I could reverse it," he says. "And," he speaks gently, "I'm afraid your baby sister died after you deserted her for the adventure luring from the forest. I'm—"

I stand abruptly, knocking the chair over and cutting off his words. I'm trembling with anger. "You liar!" I shout. "You're not sorry! You'd kill them all over again if you could! And Lexie's not dead, you know I didn't desert her, you know you stole her! I spent eleven years in the forest—and three months of that with a broken arm—because I didn't desert her!

"You liar." I repeat softly.

Luther rises from his throne, his face contorted with anger, hate, and fury, "Guards!!" he roars.

They rush into the room, weapons drawn.

"Take this boy away and execute him immediately!

"And tell me when you're ready," he adds quietly, shooting my white face a triumphant smile, loaded with venom, "it will be a pleasure to finally see him dead."

Suddenly, the ornate doors burst open and Sa'an rushes in, waving a slip of paper.

"Father," he calls, a mixture of excitement and urgency in his voice, "Alyexo and his wife are arriving tomorrow!"

Luther starts, "Give that here," he demands harshly.

After reading the note, he gives a disappointed grunt and waves his hand imperiously in my direction. "Take him away," he commands the guards, "the execution will commence after Alyexo and Isabella have departed."

The guards salute, march me out, and hand me over to the other soldiers.

I sit in my cell and wait. Before long, Sa'an appears, lets himself in, and sits beside me.

"Phew," he breathes, "that was a close shave! I'm glad I kept that letter!"

"Me, too," I agree. "But, what do you mean?"

"Well, the day you were brought here," he begins, "I received a message by carrier pigeon from my cousin, Lord Alyexo, saying that he and his wife were setting out from their estate and they should arrive here tomorrow, only, he put its date. I kept it to myself—I had the feeling it would come in handy—and was in the hall, happening to have it with me, when I heard Father yelling and rushed in."

"Thanks," I say, "you just saved my life." I pause. "Why would he postpone my-my execution, if he was looking forward to it so much?"

"He's had no time to prepare," Sa'an explains, "there're meals to plan, parties to organize, and various other entertainments to decide on."

"But why not kill me as part of the entertainment?"

"Luckily for you, Alyexo is a powerful lord—Father needs his support—but he doesn't believe in executing people for their crimes—he prefers to imprison, and then set free for a new start. It will insult him if you're executed while he's here—and they're staying for a fortnight! More than enough time to get you out o' here!"

I suddenly remember something. "How's Black Robin doing?" I ask. "I'm gonna need her, if I want to escape."

"Black Robin..." he frowns. "Oh, your horse! She's doing well, the farrier said she'll be strong enough to start riding tomorrow, so I'll pack as much as I can for our journey today and tomorrow—as well as arrange a couple surprises—and we'll leave the day after."

Then he snaps his fingers. "I almost forgot! What weapons do you use?"

"Bow," I reply instantly. "But I can use a sword, too."

"Do you have anything else that disappeared after you were captured?"

I think back to the night of the attack, everything I had with me was replaceable except— "My horn," I say, "from my Father, made of Black Rimu."

Sa'an whistles, "Black Rimu! That's expensive! Shouldn't be too hard to find."

"It's bound with silver, too," I add.

"Okay," Sa'an jumps to his feet, "I'll hunt 'em up. I probably won't be able to come tomorrow, but I'll definitely see you the next, a few hours after midnight."

I nod, "Thanks."