Chapter 3: The Wandering Knight: Chapter 3
The hut lay in ashes. Nathaniel's heart sank. Could he be gone. Slowing making his ascent up the rest of the hill he noticed the scattered bodies around the ashes of the hut. Had Sir Silas really taken all these men out? For a moment Nathaniel had hope knowing how strong his master was. But only for that moment because he saw what he feared. His master Sir Silas lay there dead in the grass with a spear clean through his chest.
Running up Nathaniel had tears in his eyes. There he was the man who trained him for seven years. Lying in the grass stained by his own blood. On his knees Nathaniel could barely make out the details on Silas's face.
He sat there crying tears pouring out his eyes. Each one falling onto the red stained grass. He had so much more he wanted to learn. Not only about swordsmanship but about him. Hear more stories of his heroic deeds and actions that saved the kingdom. He wanted Sir to be there when he made his first triumphant return home after saving the day.
He had pictured it so many times. Riding up the hill on Phillip and bringing him some gift from the spoils of victory. Nathaniel would repay him and more for all that he had done for him. Everyone in town would know him for what he was, not just that grumpy old man on the hill who was an ex knight but the hero of the kingdom he was.
But now that was all gone. So many questions left unanswered and stories left untold. His tears had begun to dry there were almost none left. He looked at Silas's face. On it was the grin of a man enjoying himself. He died happy and sword in hand. Beyond the shadow of a doubt he died doing what he loved doing.
Anger filled Nathaniel's heart. A rage that blinded him from all reason. How could anyone not be furious after experiencing something like this. Standing up he began his decent. One thought in his mind. Where were the brigands? This one thought consumed his mind so much so he didn't realize he had already made it back to town.
He needed to find the aldermen. His father was one he would need to find him. Wandering the remains of the town and avoiding his mother, who had been walking the town looking for him, was fairly easy quickly he found a tent set up across the town and outside it was his father.
"Dad, I need to know where they brigands hide out it"
"Nathaniel, what's wrong your eyes are red and your mother has been looking for you. Last she thought you were going to check on Sir Sil-" he stopped himself before he finished the name. He knew what had happened.
"Nathaniel, I am so sorry son, Sir Silas was a great man" he said embracing his son.
"Dad, I need to know" Nathaniel responded bluntly. He could only think of his revenge.
"Son, you can't go out looking for them. You are just one person, you cannot hope to stop the entire band."
"If you don't tell me I will go out searching myself"
"I- they are to the north. Held up in a cave as their makeshift camp, near Mount Fylund. That's what the others told us."
Nathaniel started to walk away
"Son... be careful. Your mother and I don't know what we would do if we lost you forever."
Still walking he turned around and said "I don't plan on losing" and he left.
Walking to his house he quickly. He only wanted to change from his nightshirt and grab a bite to eat. He grabbed some bread off the table and changed into more appropriate attire. After that he head to the stables. Quickly preparing Phillip as he had done oh so many times before.
And off like a arrow they went speeding off to the north. The most likely place for a cave to be found was about half a days ride into the forest. They would have to be fast or else they would not be back until today. Nathaniel had never spent a night away from home let alone in the woods by himself. This would be a test for him. Of will and of skill.
Nathaniel rode north. As he rode his mind wandered to if this was the right decision. Was this really the best course of action? Should he leave this to the proper authorities? If he did, would they get there in time before they changed camps? Would he make it out alive? All these thoughts consumed his mind. This is all that he thought until he realized what he had yet to find out. He never learned if his best friend Nick made it through the night. He never learned any additional information about the brigands, like how many of them there were total.
Had Nathaniel really made such a bad mistake. Was he really heading into the jaws of the beast without even thinking about it. Yes he was and yet he wasn't afraid. Even thinking about his decision his resolve did not waiver.
He made it to Mount Fylund. This was the area. The search began for the cave. It was time to search every out cropping he just wanted to find a cave. For some reason he felt like he knew where it was. As if pulled by some otherworldly force he made his way around the mountain to a strange formation of trees. Walking up to them he could see what he wanted to see a cave hidden behind the trees so that any person walking by wouldn't notice. Nathaniel did not notice this but as he made his way towards where his feeling said, the sword on his hip began to softly glow a pale gold more and more until he reached the mouth of the cave and it stopped glowing all together.
He hitched Phillip to a tree outside the cave saying
"I'll be back bud, just give me a moment, I have something I need to do."
And with that he went into the cave. Walking in he was quickly enveloped by the dark. And after one sharp turn in the cave Nathaniel wasn't able to see at all.
In the dark there was no choice for Nathaniel. Continue by feeling. He had no other way to find his direction. Putting his hand to the wall he made his way. Quickly walking and running his left hand along the wall he made his way deeper.
He made his way very easily until he walked into a trap. Walking forward Nathaniel hit a tripwire. Feeling the line press against his leg he heard some clicking and all of a sudden a flurry of crossbow bolts fly from the far side of the cave wall. Instinctually Nathaniel jumped back, but it was too late. A bolt stuck into his calf.
"Shit" Nathaniel whispered.
How could he not think of this. "Of course there's some sort of trap in this" Nathaniel thought. It was too late to turn back, he would have to press onward even with the bolt stuck in his leg. He trudged forward this time being more wary of any traps that might be ahead. Until he could see something. A faint light glowing in the distance. Not sure as to what would be found ahead Nathaniel readied himself. Drew his sword and prepared to charge headlong into danger once again. This time he was more careful though. The path the light was peaking through was narrower there. If he could get there and hold that spot he wouldn't be in a one versus many situation because only one or two would be able to fight him. He was ready, or as ready as he would ever be.
He started to pick up pace. Until he started hearing voices. To which he stopped dead in his tracks.
"Dey should be back by now" One gruff voice said.
"It is takin dem pretteh long" Another replied.
"If they don't make it back by tonight, we assume they have been captured and we head out without them and with the rest of the loot" Said one deep voice
"Yes sir" Replied the first voice.
Tyr wouldn't be the only place they hit. But instead they would hit all over the area. And there were more of them coming. This might be the only chance that Nathaniel would get to even attempt to get revenge. He couldn't pass this up.
With that he made his approach. He walked directly into the light.
From where he was he could see the room entirely. It was torch lit and was occupied by about fifteen cloaked figures. One much taller than the rest. Most of the figures were near a pile of chest searching through them, still some others were doing things like sharpening their weapons. The very large figure was sharpening what looked to be a greatsword. With this sight Nathaniel decided to was best to make his entry because he hadn't been noticed.
Clearing his voice, assuming a fighting stance, and trying to sound as tough as he could, Nathaniel said
"I am Nathaniel of Tyr and I am here to get my revenge."
The murmuring filling the room stopped abruptly as they all looked at him. After a moment the tall one stopped sharpening his greatsword.
"Would you look at this boys, a farm boy is here to avenge his small shit hole of a town" Bellowed the large man.
Every other figure in the room laughed.
Unfazed Nathaniel stood staunchly he wouldn't let his pride get in the way of this fight.
"Oh this gets even better. He's brought us exactly what we were looking for in the shit hole" Said the man, as he stretched out his arm and pointed directly at the sword Nathaniel was holding.
"You better be giving that sword up, or I will have to take it from you myself" Said the large man hoisting his greatsword up and pointing it directly at Nathaniel.
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