Wings of War

Chapter 4

Alven and Molu had met with Diplomat Manu and headed out the front gate of the walls along with their five soldiers. The rain had decreased to a drizzle, but more ominous clouds were beginning to move in from the north. "Halt," A voice came from the guardhouse the was near the path. "Where are you headed?"

"We are heading to Stonevera with permission from the king. This party is comprised of General Maera, Captain Hallen, Diplomat Manu, and six other soldiers." "That voice didn't quite have the same tones the people of Frostolem have," Alven thought. He turned his head toward the guardhouse. "Is someone whispering in there?"

"You may continue," the voice answered. Alven motioned to the soldiers and Molu to prepare their weapons. As soon as the last soldier got past the guardhouse, Alven and the soldiers rushed to the gatehouse, and an arrow zipped past the caravan, hitting the dust just in front of Molu.

The soldiers hustled over to the guardhouse door. As the soldiers rammed the butt ends of their spears into the door, Botrami of them shouted, "General, the door is held fast. How do we get in?" Alven replied, "Lets smoke them out." Arrows were coming out of the guardhouse every few seconds, many of them sticking into the caravan. Manu made a mad dash to get into the caravan and jumped in, feeling the dagger he had hidden under his cloak, and was glad to have the silent assurance of steel at his side.

As the soldiers continued ramming their spears into the door, Alven quickly grabbed one of the small smoke pouches, he kept in his utility belt, lit it, and flung it through the window. Almost immediately, smoke began billowing out of the guardhouse, blending with the dark clouds. Quickly the men inside the guardhouse unlocked the door, and were surprised to find 6 spears pointed at them.

"Please don't kill us!" The leader begged. "We were just trying to make some money!" He quickly felt for the dagger under his cloak, pulled it out and lunged for Alven.

Luckily, Alven was prepared for a situation of this sort. He quickly pulled out his shortsword, knocked the dagger out of the leader's hands, and said, "You are under arrest for assault of an officer, murder, and robbing the people of Frostolem. Also, your swordsmanship is a little rusty. Molu, send Botrami back to the king with a horse and the robber band. He will take care of them."

"Yes, sir! Molu replied. Molu quickly headed to over to Botrami. "Botrami, you are to take the robber band back to the castle. Make haste. We will not leave the path, so you will find us if you just keep going."

"Sir yes sir!" Botrami replied. He moved over to the caravan, grabbed the robber leader, flopped him over his shoulder, and hopped on a horse. He grabbed the nearest robber, and yelled, "Your coming with me, you robber scum. And don't even think about escaping. Your not going to get far!" 

"Thats Botrami all right," Alven chuckled. "Well, lets head on out." The soldiers got back to their positions on the caravan, huddled up in their cloaks, and nudged the horses on.