A brisk wind blew over a small column of mounted men. Akmar raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. The sun had set hours ago, and they were surrounded by darkness. “How much longer til we reach the castle?” Akmar asked. Petrov looked ahead.
“If it wasn’t for this darkness, I could tell you. Is that a hill?” A hill blocked their view. They could barely see it in the darkness.
“I thought you said you knew this area?” Akmar complained.
“He was here once a year ago,” replied Petrov’s elder brother Zymek, “And I suppose you’ve never taken this route before either?”
As they rode up the hill, a light in the distance became visible. Castle Bukaz. Akmar’s home. He smirked. “So we’re here!” He said, elated. They rode to the top of the hill, then stopped.
“What..?” Akmar sighed. Zymek climbed off his horse and ran a short distance down the hill.
“It’s fire!” Zymek shouted, “The castle is on fire!" Akmar looked around, and spotted a large camp beside the castle. It was under siege.
“What’s going on? Why is the castle under the siege?”
“Hell if I know!” Zymek fired back, “But we need to get out of here, and quick.”
“No,” Akmar shouted back immediately, “I’m not leaving my father to die.” Zymek scowled.
“There’s a small army down there, and we’re just five men.”
Petrov shook his head. “I’m not sure about this, either. We should ride to the nearest town and call for help, at least.” Yshlin, one of the two men who rode silently behind them, climbed off his horse and walked to the edge of the hill. He turned and spoke to one of his companions in a foreign language, then shuddered.
“Red men. I know their flag. Inquisitors.” Petrov and Zymek glanced at each other.
“What the hell are they doing attacking here?” Petrov asked. The six men were silent. A cannon shot rang out, and a section of the curtail wall collapsed. The six men flinched as they heard the shot, and Akmar tightened his grip on the reins and prepared to gallop down the hill. Zymek ran to his horse. Petrov glanced at Akmar as he galloped to the front of the column and drew his sword.
“I’m not leaving my father and his men to die. I’m going to ride to the keep.” Akmar stated. Zymek shook his head.
“You’re insane, Akmar. Only days ago we saved you from death.”
“They might not expect anyone to ride in from their own lines,” Petrov suggested, “We could surprise them.”
“This is insane. Yshlin? What do you think?”
Yshlin shrugged. Yshlin's companion beside him remained silent and stone-faced. “I see the danger. But this is Akmar’s home. He’s anxious to return.”
Akmar waved his sword in the air, then began to gallop down the hill. Petrov followed. Yshlin and his companion galloped down after them, and Zymek reluctantly followed. Smoke filled the air. Akmar could hear gunshots ripple across the courtyard, behind the curtain wall. He had to find a way in, somehow. There was a breach in the wall a short distance away from them. Akmar coughed as smoke wafted up from one of the many fires. Two men stood guard at the breach as the riders approached.
Akmar swung his sword and slashed one of the men across the face, and the second man leaped back to avoid Akmar’s horse. He leaped to his feet, raised his spear, and lunged at Akmar. The spear narrowly missed him, and Zymek plunged an arrow into the soldier’s side, which made him collapse to the ground. The others soon arrived, and Zymek cursed.
“So they are Inquisition,” Zymek commented, “They’ve got Rorkov’s devices all over their tunics. Think he might be here?”
Their cannon fired again. The sound of the blast made the men flinch, and Akmar pointed toward the courtyard. “They’re rallying together for an attack on the keep,” Akmar dismounted. The other four dismounted as well. He grabbed one of the soldiers, and removed his tunic.
“What are you doing?” Zymek asked.
“I’m going to try disguise myself as one of their men,” Akmar replied, “Sneak in and see if Rorkov is leading this farce.”
Petrov grabbed the second soldier and did the same. Zymek grabbed him, but Petrov shook his hand off. Akmar and Petrov glanced at each other, before Yshlin stepped forward to grab a discarded sidearm and affix it to his belt. “Petrov and I will sneak in, disguised,” Akmar explained, “And make a move on Rorkov. You three, follow us into the courtyard and stay hidden.”
Zymek nodded reluctantly. Petrov and Akmar climbed through the breach in the wall, followed by the other four. Dead bodies were spread out across the courtyard, and one of the wooden sheds was still on fire. Two of Rorkov’s men stood beside the fire, weapons in hand. Akmar lowered himself, and silently stepped past them. He heard gunshots, and an arrow landed near him, shot from atop the keep. At least the defenders were still alive. But Akmar wasn’t sure if his father made it. If Rorkov had killed his father…
Two heavily armoured men sprinted into the courtyard, then pressed themselves behind one of the many wooden barricades the attacks had erected. One of them removed his helmet, and waved his arm. “You lot – to me!” It was Rorkov. Akmar and Petrov sneaked around Rorkov and, when a group of men rushed to heed Rorkov’s call, fell in behind them. The helmets covered their faces. Akmar didn’t know if Rorkov would recognise him, after all these years. He grasped the dagger on his chest, then glanced at Petrov. Rorkov stepped forward and held up his necklace, which was fashioned into the likeness of the Great Arrow.
“We will push on the keep, and destroy the last of the Bukaz heathens!” He held the necklace up and slowly paced from one side of the group to the other. He passed by Akmar. “The heavens gave us this sign, we will not lose. Korlan’s head will roll!” The soldiers that massed before Rorkov raised their weapons and cheered. Akmar shuffled forward, pushing apart the men in front of him, as he made his way toward Rorkov.
“After this, we will ride south and drive away Korlan’s cousins, the heathen tribes who insult our Gods and our Patriarch. Go!” Rorkov pointed toward the keep. The mass of soldiers ran past the barricade, and began their assault on the keep’s gate. After all the soldiers had left, led by the second heavily armoured man, Rorkov stared at Petrov and Akmar.
“Didn’t you hear me?” He asked, “Join the others and bring the keep’s gate down!”
Akmar then made his move. He leaped at Rorkov. He punched him with his empty hand, then moved to swing his dagger, but Rorkov bashed Akmar’s second arm away and prepared to draw his sword. Petrov grabbed Rorkov’s shoulder and pushed him against the barricade as the three others emerged from the dark to join them. With his dagger pressed against Rorkov’s neck, Akmar removed his helmet.
“You’re meant to be dead.” Rorkov scoffed as he struggled against the two men who pinned him to the barricade.
“What the hell are you doing?” Akmar spat, “We fought with your Patriarch for two generations. Why are you burning my castle down?” Rorkov smirked.
“Your family are an affront to civilization,” The men paused as the cannon fired a third time, and a section of the keep’s roof collapsed. “There’s no way you’re getting out of this alive, heathen.”
Akmar grabbed Rorkov, and pressed the knife harder against his throat. A small amount of blood dripped down from the wound. Flanked by his four companions, Akmar emerged from behind the barricade, Rorkov in tow. Rorkov’s men had built a pontoon bridge using barrels, and were halfway through tearing the gate down as Akmar shouted.
“Call the attack off!” Akmar cried, as Rorkov struggled against him. An arrow pierced the ground beside him. Rorkov’s soldiers barely noticed. “Tell them to withdraw!” Akmar repeated, then tightened his arm around Rorkov’s neck. Rorkov held his arms up, but remained silent. Zymek drew his bow and fired an arrow, which struck one of the men in the back. Suddenly, Rorkov’s soldiers turned and spotted them.
“Call it off, or you die.” Akmar made his ultimatum to Rorkov, who remained silent. One of the defenders peeked out at them from over the battlements, then disappeared. Rorkov’s soldiers quickly encircled the six men, as the gate opened and Korlan’s own soldiers emerged, weapons drawn.
“Heavens – Fine! Withdraw!”
Rorkov’s men stood silently, encircled around them, weapons drawn. Three of Korlan’s men were armed with matchlocks and pointed them at Rorkov’s soldiers. After a moment of silence, Rorkov’s men quickly withdrew. Akmar threw Rorkov to the ground, and Petrov pointed his sword at him.
"We need to take get inside - and quick. They'll launch a bigger attack soon to rescue this dog." Petrov exhaled. Korlan’s men then rushed them, but kept their distance. Petrov and Yshlin grabbed Rorkov.
“Who are you people?” The lead soldier asked. Akmar raised his arms and approached him slowly. The lead soldier glared at him, then lowered his weapon.
“We thought you were dead.” He muttered.
“Is my father alive?” Akmar asked in reply. The soldier nodded, and turned to gesture at the gate.
“Let’s get inside. Bring Rorkov in and we’ll question him.”
Rorkov struggled against the two men who restrained him. The group made their way into the keep. The inside stank. Dead and injured men lined the walls. The floor was stained with blood. It was deathly quiet. Akmar knew the layout. He turned left and walked down a long hallway that was lined with chipped swords and broken spears, and made his way toward a lone door. He grabbed the handle and pushed the door open. Inside, Korlan Bukaz, his father, sat on a dark stained wooden chair beside four other men. Korlan looked up at Akmar, and stared at him in silence. Akmar stood at the doorway. He had waited years to see his father again. Korlan looked despondent. The men beside him, Korlan’s brothers, all slowly stood as they noticed who was standing in the doorway.
Akmar stood there in silence. Korlan seemed to barely notice him.
"Father?" Akmar exhaled.
Korlan raised his head and looked toward him. He was silent still. Olek, Korlan's brother, shuffled past the others and grabbed Akmar by the shoulders.
"How the hell did you get here, boy?" He asked.
"I escaped. I left and I ran."
"You picked a bad time to come back," Korlan's voice raised, "Rorkov is about to end us all."
"Not quite," Akmar coughed, "I grabbed him on my way in here."
Korlan jumped up from his chair. He stumbled at first, then regained his balance and leaned on his walking stick. "You have him? In here?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmCY3QfAe4
Akmar nodded. Olek gestured to the door. "Show us to him, then."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81mMmPZUOq
The three men shuffled out of the room. The hallway was much darker now. Gunshots pattered outside. Akmar stumbled his way back to the stairs. A soldier marched up towards them. His armor clanked, and echoed up the stairwell.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmFiG9qMlR
"Where did they take Rorkov?" Akmar asked.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BhAXTcQIR
"Who's asking?" The soldier replied. It was dark. The soldier held a small candle that barely illuminated more than an arm's length ahead of him.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTci2r3SJy
"We are," Olek spoke up, "Is he in the basement?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1goL0yjvc
The soldier shuffled forward. "Yeah, he's down there with some other guys." 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIg1YK31U8
Olek, Akmar and Korlan shuffled past the soldier, who tramped up the stairwell. At the bottom of the stairs, two guards armed with rifles watched them silently. Olek led them to an ominous wooden door. Akmar could hear something on the other side of the door. Olek opened the door and they slowly made their way down the stairs, and were soon engulfed in the darkness of the stairwell, until they arrived at the bottom. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CYldXVtVM
The basement was dimly lit by a few torches that hung on the walls. Zymek and Petrov leaned their backs against one of the side walls, while Yshlin held Rorkov still as one of the soldiers tugged at his hair. Rorkov's armor sat in a pile in the corner of the room. The soldier stepped back as he spotted Olek.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUOPAqkvH7
"Has he said anything?" Olek asked. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDiFKKjkPz
Korlan leaned against the wall. Akmar walked over to Petrov and Zymek.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhedoBZEloy
"No," the soldier answered, "He's been quiet the whole time."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYnqrcScoM
Zymek grabs Akmar's shoulder.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQddHezopxd
"We're in a big mess here," He exhaled, "That other commander? That was Rorkov's half-brother. Mad Malfuss. He'll pull the gates down with his bare hands to get Rorkov back."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2u1QNRmd5
"He won't do anything too drastic," Akmar scoffed, "I'll kill Rorkov if I have to."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QcthyxOJM
Rorkov spat. "Will you really?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡra1iPHF7FZ
Akmar turned to face Rorkov, who stared back at him. Korlan shuffled forward and whacked Rorkov with his walking stick.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGmtY0Xk9w
"What the hell is the Patriarch thinking?" Korlan asked, "Where is he holding the Emperor?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5NcE2usLG
Rorkov exhaled. "I will mount your pagan head on my bedside table if you hit me with that stick again, you--"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51j5oDKMbt
Rorkov was cut off by Korlan whacking him a second time with the walking stick. Rorkov spat, harder this time, then sighed.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wqfh9dxqU
"The Patriarch is restoring order to the realm," Rorkov started, "The Emperor has allowed heretics, pagans and heathens to spread their foul gospel for decades. He gave a border post to a clan of inbred horse-fuckers. The Patriarch is fixing his mistakes."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTzKu5jSkg
Akmar cradled his head in his hands. His head pounded. Rorkov struggled against the rope tied around his hands, then fell over onto his side. He rolled onto his back and stared up at them. His hair was a mess. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hbX8vhYI0
"You want to live? Pack your things and go back to your ancestral lands. This is not your home."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEioTnSsyI
Akmar grabbed Rorkov by the collar, paused, then pulled him up. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWAM058AOA
"We need to get to Cullsfarne," Akmar started, "and see for ourselves what's happening."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQpLpvk8gh
"We need to get help," Zymek protested, "You heard Rorkov. The Patriarch probably holds Cullsfarne already. My father can help."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rtK1HiD2E
"No," Akmar raised his voice, "We can't afford to waste any time. We'll take Rorkov with us as our hostage."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61411TKRkY
Korlan limped over to Akmar. "Son... you only just returned. Why not send these two home to get help, and stay here? To help guard the castle?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoOICQcMZI
Akmar looked at Korlan, then back down at Rorkov.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFUUzomzyT
"You heard what he said. We won't be safe as long as we sit in this tower waiting for the Patriarch to send more armies after us. No.Someone needs to find out what the hell is going on."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yVK1s5721
Korlan sighed, then nodded. Olek stepped forward with a rag. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vKOGLTaxe
"Cover his mouth with this," Olek said as he handed Akmar the rag, "and listen: None of us have been farther than Kohlbrunn in years. Be careful out there, boy."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidMDxh9pX5
Akmar wrapped the rag around Rorkov's mouth, and pulled him onto his feet. He gestured for his companions to follow him, then carried Rorkov up the stairs. More gunfire pattered outside, but Akmar was glad they stopped firing the cannon at them. The two guards by the stairwell shot Rorkov a nasty glare as they made their way to the keep's front gate. Akmar took a deep breath, then pushed his way out. Petrov and Zymek were on either side of him, and Yshlin carried Rorkov's armor in a leather bundle behind him. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbxU7Nn8Fb
The courtyard outside of the keep was deathly quiet. Dead bodies littered the ground. Blood pooled around some of them. A few birds circled overhead. Slowly and quietly, the group made their way toward the curtain wall's gate. As they did, Akmar spotted dark shapes that trailed after them from atop the wall. They soon arrived at the gate. A gunshot rang out, and the bullet struck the ground in front of them. Akmar held Rorkov ahead of him. Rorkov grumbled, his voice muffled by the rag.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWgQrDhI5i
"Wait - it's Rorkov! Don't shoot!" 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCkm9e7obR
Five inquisitors were kneeled on the road ahead of the them, their guns raised. They lowered their guns, then encircled the group as more soldiers approached. Along with them came their commander, Malfuss. He wore a mask that was modeled after the ancient hero Murg Cull. Malfuss glared at them in silence. Minutes passed. The inquisitors glanced at each other, then at Malfuss.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YuBPTUiGx
"Are you here to surrender?" Malfuss asked.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HII34U0eP
"No," Akmar replied, "We're here to tell you to leave."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd730SiisAg
He tightened his grip on Rorkov. "You did a great job burning this village down and destroying my home, but it ends here. Rorkov is mine. I'll kill him if you don't leave."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BJPwYKsYT
Malfuss scoffed. "You kill him and I kill you all."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmG2rU2Q1R
"Either way, Rorkov is dead. Make your choice."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZFOaXARyf
Malfuss was quiet again for a few minutes. He then barked orders at the inquisitors, and slowly backed away. Akmar turned his head to Zymek.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqxC5gN7P1
"Head back to the castle, tell them that Malfuss is leaving. Ask Olek to pack some things for us," He turned to Petrov, "Grab the horses, if they're still there." 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSUzWekYuN
Akmar slowly backed away from the gate, then carried Rorkov to the large wooden barricade where he had originally captured him. He shoved Rorkov onto the ground.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzJ1E6tEZm
"I don't want any trouble from you," Akmar spat, "I meant it. I will kill you if I have to."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyl3Tlplr8
Rorkov didn't respond. Yshlin tapped Akmar on the shoulder.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eukwUZoie
"The armor?" He asked.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkIA63sO66
Akmar realized he was still dressed like one of Rorkov's men. He nodded and Yshlin helped him put on Rorkov's armor. The straps were tight. It felt heavy, and weighed Akmar down, but it mostly fit. Petrov soon arrived with most of the horses.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM37LkFcvr
"Two of them ran off," Petrov complained, "So we only have three."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eO4nqnwoS
"I'll stay here, then." Yshlin offered. Akmar nodded. 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZvnLbYkrq
"Zymek is going to be annoyed about this," Petrov continued, "but he'll get over it. I have a friend in Kohlbrunn, maybe he can get us across the river. How's this for a welcome home party?" 71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdixHET3ACl
Akmar scoffed at Petrov's sarcasm. He felt numb. He winced as he looked up into the sky, and watched the smoke from the fires trail upwards. It didn't feel like home.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxue0fm8Dpk
