VALLEY OF THE MISTY MOUNTAIN: Book One of the Kodi Trilogy

VALLEY - CHAPTER 9

Chapter 9

Alcock plots revenge

Meanwhile back in the Valley of the Misty Mountain, Alcock was not very happy. In fact he was furious, absolutely furious with an anger that was eating him up inside. He was so angry that a small lad of about eight years old had escaped, seemingly unaided, although he had some doubts about this. He would get to the bottom of the mystery once and for all, and then he would rectify the situation as he was, in his opinion, not born to lose. He would hunt the boy down like an animal and capture him and he would make him his slave for ever. Yes, that is what he would do. He would also kill everyone from that tribe and those that helped the boy escape. When men heard the name ‘Alcock’, they would tremble and be sorely afraid. They would humble themselves and be happy to do the deeds of the ‘Great Alcock’. Having decided on his plan of action, Alcock now called a general meeting of the clan.

Alcock called upon his second-in-command, Bartok, to arrange a meeting within the hour at the banquet hall. Quickly the men of the tribe assembled, furtively looking around, wondering what the meeting would be about while, at the same time, knowing it must be about the missing prisoner boy. Alcock sat at the top of the table and banged his fist noisily on the table, and in a thunderous voice, full of anger, he called the meeting to order.

“Men, you have been called here today because the unthinkable has happened. An eight-year-old boy has escaped from the camp. No one has ever escaped from my custody, let alone a mere child. It is unthinkable and inexcusable and the situation will be rectified and there will be severe penalties paid. We have looked for the boy and his helpers near the cave, but to no avail. They have escaped the valley and probably are further up the mountain in the meadowland territory or beyond. Here’s what we will do. First, we will track the boy and his companions down and bring them to justice – our justice! If we have to start a war with the inhabitants of the settlement in the meadowland territory, then so be it. I will have my way. Second, we will erase any trace of settlers in our valley. They will be driven away, killed, annihilated. And, last but not least, those that facilitated in the escape of the little prisoner will be annihilated too, no matter who they are, friend or foe; for now, foe they are.”

There were about thirty or forty men congregated in the banquet hall. They were very rough and always thirsty for war and warring activities. They thrived on the danger, the excitement, the killing and the plundering. They were always rewarded by praise from their leader, the great Alcock, and a share of the plunder when the deed was done. This time they were more enthusiastic as it would mean the end of those cave dwellers – the ‘subterraneans’ – and the valley would be wholly theirs to do as they wished. Occasionally the cave-dwellers killed one of their scouts but were never brought to justice because no one wanted to enter the warren of caves for fear of meeting the same end as their recently departed brother because the cave-dwellers always had the element of surprise. Under such conditions they knew they could never win a battle. However, if they systematically discovered and destroyed the caves and warrens they could, finally, defeat the few remaining cave-dwellers and take complete control of the valley.

Now, for the time being, the men were united as they, once again, had a common enemy to fight, a common goal to reach. They would work together to achieve this end.

Of course, they would fight among themselves in their various sub-groups after their enemy was defeated as it was their nature to fight and never be satisfied with their lot in life.

Once again Alcock banged his fist on the table and roared for the group to be silent. “Enough, you will have time to talk later. First we must make the necessary arrangements as nothing must be left to chance. We must prepare for a long battle if need be because this is one that I intend to win. ‘Lose’ is not a word I like to pass my lips, especially if it refers to me and my men. Are you with me, men?”