Finding Home - The Light

Chapter Twenty Two - Rescue Party

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Rescue Party

　

Alexander and Roderick blended into the crowd perfectly as they made their way through the people to the market for supplies and information. Alexander left Roderick haggling with a local merchant while he walked to the nearest tavern.

The dark room reeked of alcohol and sweat, and men were passed out at several of the tables spread around the room. Others lined the bar, drinking and talking loudly.

Alexander surveyed the people in the room and found his mark. A soldier was sitting alone at a table in the far corner. The barely noticeable black stars on his chest showed his high rank.

He ordered two ales from the bar and walked slowly toward the soldier. Alexander set one mug of ale on the table in front of him and raised his glass for toast when the soldier looked up.

“Thank you for your services soldier. To The Prince.”

The soldier sipped slowly and nodded for Alexander to join him. He took another long slow drink before setting the mug on the table between them.

“Thank you, stranger.”

“No, sir, thank you for risking your life every day for us poor citizens. We owe you a great debt, even if we do not often show it.”

Alexander spent the next hour buying drinks for the soldier and listening to him boast about the battles he claimed to win almost single handedly. Alexander listened intently, reading between the exaggerations and outright lies to hear the truth.

“We’re holding them at bay and slowly drawing them to Leyden at the same time,” the soldier said with a sly grin. He leaned toward Alexander and lowered his voice. “It’s a beautiful plan. When they think that they have beaten us back to our last stronghold, The Prince will step forth and defeat them all. He says he has all he needs to end the war for good, and we’ve been called to witness his victory.”

Alexander drained his mug and called for another round. “You make it sound as though victory is finally within our grasp.”

“It is closer than it has ever been, and we are going to use the King’s own savior to defeat them.”

Alexander stayed to finish the round before leaving to find Roderick and continue their journey. They met on the edge of the town, Roderick‘s arm laden with packages and a happy glint in his eyes.

“He plans to let the main force of the army close enough to take most of them out at once. I would imagine he is planning on using her magic to end the war in his favor.”

Roderick nodded. “He is hoping we will bring the stone to try to save her. We’re being followed.”

Alexander glanced around, seeing nothing unusual around them. He looked back at Roderick and raised his eyebrows.

“He’s still half a day behind us, but he’s moving fast.”

“Who is it?”

“Thomas.”

“What!” Alexander’s voice roared across the meadow. “This is all his fault to begin with! What was he doing out in that field with her anyway?”

“You’ll have a chance to ask him yourself soon enough. Come on.”

Aria joined them as they picked up their pace and ran over the hills, avoiding the roads as much as possible for the lion’s sake. They passed a few towns as the afternoon turned into evening, careful to keep well away from them. They continued to run throughout the night before stopping to eat as the sun peaked over the horizon.

“We’ll have company in a few minutes,” Roderick murmured, gazing at the hills behind them.

Alexander felt his anger boiling over as he stood waiting to face Thomas. He was the last one with Sara, yet he had done nothing to keep her safe. It took all of his self control to not tackle his old friend as soon as his silhouette crested the top of the hill.

Thomas stood still, looking down at them for a moment before descending into the small valley. He opened his mouth to greet them, but Alexander’s fist crashed into his chin before he could make a sound. Thomas stumbled backward, losing his footing and falling flat on the ground.

Alexander let his anger pour out of him as he tackled Thomas and began pummeling him relentlessly. He didn’t calm down until Roderick pulled him away. Breathing heavily, he stared down at his beaten bruised friend.

“I trusted you, you worthless dog! What were you doing with her? Why were in the field? How could you let them take her!”

Echoes of Alexander’s deep voice resonated through the air. Thomas looked up at him with defeat written all over his face.

“You’re right. I let someone sneak up on us. They knocked me out while Sara was carried away. I failed her in every way.”

“Why were you in the field?” Alexander asked, calming down.

“I was alone when Sara stumbled up on me. I don’t know why she was there. We started talking…” Thomas struggled with what he was trying to say.

“Spit it out boy,” Roderick snarled.

“I was trying to kiss her when I was hit from behind.”

Thomas barely whispered the last part, but Alexander heard him as if it had been shouted directly into his head. His vision went red as he grabbed Thomas by the throat and lifted him in the air.

“You tried to what!’”

“I’m sorry,” Thomas choked out.

Alexander threw him to the ground in disgust. He fought the urge to reach out and snap his friend’s neck.

“You are not worthy to kiss her feet. You sicken me.”

“You are right, of course. All I ask is for a chance to atone for my mistakes. Please,” he begged looking up to Alexander.

Alexander sighed and looked away. He knew if Sara were here she would be looking up at him with her big blue eyes. She didn’t have it in her heart to hold a grudge. Thinking of her, he turned back to Thomas.

“You can come with us. But I will kill you if she ever comes to harm under your watch again.”

Thomas nodded sharply and stood with Roderick’s help.

“Thank you.”

Without another word they set off to the south again. They ran all day before finally arriving to the foothills of the Leyden’s mountains as night fell. Alexander could barely make out the dark shape of the castle high on a peak above them.

“We’ll use the cover of darkness to climb. We should reach the castle just before dawn,” Alexander said. “The path we are using is difficult. Be careful.”

Aria padded silently away from them to find his own path into the castle. Alexander didn’t doubt that they would see him again at the top.

“When we enter the caste, we split up. Thomas, you’ll take the eastern tower. They keep the highest security prisoners of the war there.”

Thomas nodded silently.

“Roderick, you take the dungeons. I’ll search the western tower. If you find her, take her and run. Do not look back and do not stop running until she is safe.”

Roderick paused as the others moved up the side of the mountain and looked up to the moon above. He closed his eyes and sent out a prayer before climbing up behind his friends.

“Light help us.”