The Fourth Messenger

6 - Risbaume

Loreld Valley, Kingdom of Gadolin

Flowertide, 2339

"That's far enough," shouted Risbaume. He turned his horse around, and the other Congregants did the same. "We'll not run any farther."

"What about the children?" Alard asked.

"Take anyone unable to fight across the bridge and deeper into the forest. The rest of us will surprise them here."

"We'll meet you at the secret place," Alard said.

"God be with you," Risbaume said.

"And with you."

Risbaume organized the remaining Congregants. Borbnon, a former knight once loyal to the king, had four skilled fighters at his side. Harudes, the rebellious daughter of Bishop Taviot, and Wilbrad, the blacksmith of Avilmerg, were also very capable. Then there was Girot, a vagabond who kept to himself but had followed Azra since she healed his faith. A few other Avilmerg townsmen rounded out Risbaume's group.

"What's your plan?" Wilbrad asked.

"The Temple Knights will come down this road. We'll hide along those hedges and behind that outcrop and thicket. Harudes, position yourself on the far side of that bridge with your bow at the ready. Borbnon and I will take the bridge as well and charge them when they try for it. But not you, Girot." Risbaume and Girot stared at each other.

"Girot can come with me," Harudes said. "With my bow and his crossbow, we'll have two shooters aiming for the bridge."

"Girot's weapon is dishonorable," Risbaume said. "The Congregants should be more pure in the way we kill. Even the Messengians banned crossbows."

"Since when do you match the sensibilities of the Messengians?" Borbnon asked. "The girl is right. We can use Girot up there."

They scattered as hoofbeats came quickly. Soon Risbaume could see the fancy gold-gilded armor of three Temple Knights gleaming through the woods. He hated them with a passion. When Azra finally took over as head of the church, Risbaume had told her, she should abolish the Order of the Knights of the Temple.

Risbaume glanced to his left and right. Everyone was ready, but he saw fear in many faces. He stroked his red hair, then gripped his sword. To his disappointment he saw that Templarant Molgenet was second from the front. Pity, he thought to himself. He had hoped Molgenet would be the first to cross the bridge.

The lead Temple Knight approached the bridge. A moment later Harudes's arrow sunk into his open visor, and he fell to the bridge. Molgenet's horse reared, taking the shot from Girot's crossbow in its chest and throwing the templarant down to the bridge planks.

"For Avilmerg! For Azra!" Risbaume charged the bridge with the others close behind.

Molgenet struggled to pick himself up. The king's soldiers surged forward to help him and take the bridge, with the third Temple Knight in their middle.

"Kill them all!" shouted Molgenet, pulled to his feet by two soldiers. "Kill the heretics!"

Risbaume came straight for the templarant, raising his sword. Molgenet parried his attack, and they locked themselves in close combat, grappling and punching without room for sword swings.

Borbnon and Wilbrad plunged into the soldiers, while Harudes and Girot shot at the enemy. The soldiers lunged away from the sweep of Wilbrad's war hammer, clearing some of them from the bridge.

"Forward, you bastards!" shouted Molgenet.

Risbaume took advantage of Molgenet's distraction and swiped his gauntleted fist across the templarant's face. Molgenet lost his balance and teetered off the bridge and into the rocky stream not far below.

Risbaume pulled a knife from his belt and aimed down at Molgenet. The templarant was rolling around in the shallow water. Risbaume extended his arm for the throw but dropped the knife when an arrow shot through his forearm. He saw the king's archers had formed a line on the far bank. He clutched his arm and ducked behind a bridge post.

Risbaume saw Borbnon collapse on the bridge. An arrow had pierced his side. The remaining Temple Knight and soldiers were encouraged and pressed forward. Risbaume took up his sword with his left hand and fought his way backward. Another wave of arrows shot past him.

"Retreat, Wilbrad! They are too many!"

The blacksmith simply grunted as he wielded his great war hammer. Risbaume pulled on him as he moved past. Under covering shot from Harudes and Girot, Risbaume and Wilbrad escaped the chaos on the bridge. The king's men pursued them.

The Congregants reclaimed their horses and started down the path with the soldiers close behind.

"Split paths!" Risbaume called out. "Regroup at the hidden place!"

He saw Wilbrad's back fill with arrows as he shouted. The others sped away. Risbaume spurred his horse and fixed his eyes on the path, branches swiping at him. He clenched his jaw, telling himself that God willed his escape. There was much left to do. Azra would need her staunchest disciple. He felt himself out riding Death and smiled as the shouting faded behind him.

Copyright © 2019 by Christopher C. Fuchs