Nightslayer

Chapter 2

It was a three days ride to Audric's castle. For the first two days I rode along a trade route that wound its way through the countryside, passing many small farmsteads, their slaves toiling away at the fields of grains ripe for the harvest. I passed few other travellers, mostly merchants trying to make deadlines that paid little heed to the lone rider on the road. Normally one would have to worry about bandits and such types when travelling alone, In Faix, however, bandits had a tendency to acclimate towards larger targets than solitary riders. The land was so profitable that large caravans carrying massive profits were not uncommon. Bandits had learned that they could make a good deal more if they banded together and took a few every year rather than assault small groups. The king turned a blind eye to it, knowing that the amounts that were stolen didn't even come close to inconveniencing him, and that doing so would prevent more people from being harmed. It worked, bandits and outlaws would make a few runs during tax season and live like barons until the next year without causing too much damage.

The third day I came upon the Sindone Forest that marked the border of Audric's fief. The trade route thinned in this area, merchants disliked forests as they did tend to risk running into outlaw elements, and no matter how well off one was, no thief could turn down the opportunity to pillage a traveller that wandered into their territory. Again, though, I didn't fear them. I was more than capable of handling myself, and I was definitely more trouble than I would be worth to them. Any particularly greedy outlaws would quickly lose interest in trying to rob me after they lost a limb or two. Luckily for them, my trip through the Sindone was brief and uneventful, and I found myself at Audric's gates by midnight that night. Unfortunately the gates had already closed. It didn't surprise me, it was standard procedure to raise the gates at sundown, which had been hours before. However, it was an annoying little problem. I would have to find a place to stay and wait for morning to enter.

So, I stayed the night in the outlying village, and rode through the open gates the next morning. Audric's castle was grand, not quite as defensible nor as foreboding as Draygun's but the Ten meter tall, five meter thick stone wall that surrounded it was still imposing. At periodic intervals guard posts were place on the inner side of the wall, and there were several barracks lining the inside as well. Beyond the wall there was the general market place filled with every form of business imaginable. Inn's were scattered throughout to house visitors and travellers. There was a market at each gate, but they were small in comparison to the housing sections for the the working class of the area. At the center was a secondary inner wall that surrounded the keep, an imposing square fortress that Audric and his personal staff dwelled. In case of an assault, the inner gates would open and admit the general populace to house them in the keep, and then close behind them.

It was a common design, relatively cheap and easy to construct, and also fairly defensible. In the face of what was coming though, it seemed pitifully simple to me. Which I guess is a good thing, as he was technically my enemy. I held no animosity for the man though, he was simply in my way.

I only pity those who stand in my way.

I made my way to an inn, not for lodging but in hopes I could find a kitchen boy's uniform. When I had stolen one, I made my way towards Audric's keep.

    -So, This chapter isn't done. Just felt bad for not posting in a while.