Child of thorns

Falcor - Chapter Four

The smell of blood and sweat filled my nostrils as I walked through our encampment. Men cheered and sang songs while others practiced in open spaced areas. Soldiers ran past clutching swords while others clutched tankards of ale. Our loyal King Sylvo Klaxus or as the common folk rather call him, the king of the dead, had positioned us in the Haofen valley in order to conceal our forces. Many called him a coward for this  strategic maneuver and many man slept without tongues.

The boy had escaped from us at the cabin as he ran into the pitch black forest. We tracked him to the river only to find him being dragged downstream by the waters current. A mysterious figure then jumped into the river and carried him to safety. The shadow of the forest and the current of the river had made them impossible to follow.

 He had proved more elusive to catch than his protector who readily risked his life for the childs, a noble gesture that led to his death. He was faster than I expected but age wearies us all and I soon felt my sword slice through his armour into the flesh below. He had been a mere pawn in the game. The real target was the child, the King had wanted to make an example of the child  to stop any further assassination attempts.

The Dumont twins had accompanied me to deal with the child. They were nothing alike and were constantly fighting with each other like a pair of pit dogs. The brothers were dim witted and stubborn but they were two of the fiercest fighters I have ever seen. Outside of battle they were at each others throats but once they heard the roar and felt the rumble of battle they were brothers united by the taste for blood. 

Bradyn was skinnier and swifter than his brother Alderan. He used a short sword accompanied with a small shield which bore the colours green and brown , the colours of the one true king. He also carried a small dagger which was hidden by his cloak. 

Alderan was much stronger than Bradyn and carried a longsword with him at all times. Men japed that he was descended from giants due to the size of his skull. The other soldiers were constantly betting on how long it would be before the brothers killed each other.

As I walked through the camp I spotted the brothers once again fighting in front of a tent. A group of men surrounded them in a circle as they fought bare handed. Coin exchanged hands and bets were placed, mostly in favour of Alderan.

Both brothers were bleeding although it seemed that Bradyn was faring worse than Alderan. He was much faster at dodging but his blows did little damage. Direct hits to Alderan merely glanced off him. The intensity of the fight was furious as the two brother circled around each other. The adrenaline fuelled the onlookers as they shouted curses and encouagement at the brothers.

Alderans punches were delivered with strength but not speed and Bradyn easily avoided them even with one eye heavily bruised. The roar of the crowd was deafening. Bradyn slipped and dropped his defence slightly but just enough to allow Alderan the opening he needed. He swung and managed to hit him in the chest. He was sent sprawling to the ground. The roar of the crowd turned into cheers and groans as people collected their gold. 

Bradyn had already got to his feet although he now walked with a slight limp. 

Alderan approached while his brother followed close behind.

"Close match," I commented. 

My eyes had begun to water at the stench emitting from Alderan. 

"I don't know what match you were watching. I won that without even trying," he said grinning smugly whilst glimpsing back at his brother who slowly approached behind.

 "He won't be able to walk properly for another week at most."

"Its lucky for him that we will only be riding, although I hope he can wield a sword or else he will be of no use," I said dryly.