The Winter Queen of Havenshire

Chapter 14: HE WHO LEADS

"There were no more brigands," the Crow said as he returned from his brief scouting of the area.

"What were you thinking?" Corban asked as he turned to the old general.

"I'm thinking that I am not some bloodthirsty killer, and I don't want to kill anyone we do not have too," General Thrushbeard answered.

"One, they were thieves and killers who would murder us the first chance they got. Two, even if they left us alone, these are type of men who would have sold us out to whoever is hunting us down. We cannot show mercy to those who could endanger this quest."

"Whatever happened to a code of honor amongst you thieves and mercenaries, sell-sword?"

"It exists, but not for everyone. Especially men like that who live in the forest and answer to no one but themselves or someone stronger."

"It just too much blood that has been spilt. Is it in your nature to lust for so much death? Are you a butcher of men?"

"I only kill when I have too, no more and no less. These men got what they deserved. If you have lost the stomach for this kind of work, then you should have stayed in your safe castle inside your soft beds. That sort of weakness will get us all killed."

"You don't know me, boy. You don't understand what I have done to survive. For those I love. For their safety."

"Then help me understand. Tell me why Lord Fonce's number one general would leave it all to save one girl."

"They are blood," the Hammer said.

"I don't understand," Corban said.

"Lord Fonce came to power by strength and conquest," General Thrushbeard said. "He was young and thirsted for power. Like you, dear captain, he rose through the ranks quickly. He used bribes, lies, and all matters of treachery to become his master's second."

"I rose through the ranks because of the incompetence of those above me," Corban argued. "I have never used any form treachery to gain my rank."

"Then you are a better man than Lord Fonce."

"Continue, but be quick about it. We don't know how much of a lead we have."

"Lord Fonce murdered his master and crowned himself Lord of the North. To keep his men busy and to increase his wealth and power, he made war against all the North. At first, towns and villages fell quickly; but the further north he went, the more difficult it became for him to win.

"He took many a wife and sired many a son. He grew tired of each wife and killed them. As each son grew to manhood, he eliminated the threat.

"With enemies both in his court and abroad, it became difficult to continue his push to conquer all of the North. It should have ended for him there, but his eye was ever toward greater conquest and greater glory.

"He came upon my small village. My father and I led our people to many a victory over Lord Fonce. He saw our skill and wanted it for his own. He saw my sister and wanted her for his bride."

"The mother of Ambrosia, Feroce," Corban said. "That makes Ambrosia your niece."

"You have a sharp mind, Corban Steele. She and my sister are all the family I have left. Lord Fonce took her before we could stop him. He swore to kill her if we did not surrender. My father refused, but I gave Lord Fonce my sword."

"So you betrayed your people to save the woman you love, except in your case she was your sister," Corban said. "It's not a tale I have not heard before, but the sister thing is new."