The Peacekeeper Wars (Part 4)

“There are no records of what happened soon after that. Most believe Acknon was in a state of mourning for nearly a month. Others say he went on a mad quest to rid the Guapo forest of balverines. Whatever happened, I know it was a hard emotional time for him, and I believe he would be in much trouble if his friends had not been there to help and comfort and protect him. 1

In the meantime, Inhoteep’s once great army had been completely slaughtered. Only about 20 of them survived, and they were deeply affected mentally from seeing all their friends killed. The other, weaker bandit groups were also said to have disappeared, probably from fear of a similar fate. 2

The records begin again a little more than a month after the death of Inhoteep. The beautiful greens of the grass and the dark brown bark of the trees had given way to the dismal grayness that came every year with winter.3

Acknon’s fame had been spreading all across the West Reach. The story of the battle was told to younger generations from the sands of the Reach desert to the stuffy city of Eoirn; but more importantly, to the Peacekeeper’s island. The recruiters of the Peacekeepers was very anxious to call him into their service, but at that time, Acknon and the rest of his CS group, had not been seen for several weeks.” 4

“But grandfather, who exactly are the Peacekeepers?” Phillepe asked quietly. 5

“A fair enough question. The Peacekeeper army is a legendary force, almost mythical. The story goes that they were the first empire to be formed after the world was created. It is said that its first leader was an angel, but who knows how true that part is. Either way, they were originally set up to keep the peace between the few nations that had at that time begun. Back then, there was not such evil as there is today, and most of the islands were undiscovered. All the nations were friends, but when there was a war, the Peacekeepers were usually there to stop it. They were mostly diplomats then, the only warriors were guards. But as the world spread, and new evil sprang up, the Peacekeepers started their army. 6

Their diplomatic approach to peace was soon put down by the warlike evil that they tried to stop. The Peacekeeper army blossomed easily, and it wasn’t long before they had a vast army of well-trained troops. They tried to keep the peace for another year or so, until their army was attacked during an assignment and many men died. After that, the original cause of the group was forgotten. 7

From then on they became more like mercenaries. In a tiny way, they continued what they had done before, but at the same time it was totally different. They mainly protected weak nations that were being conquered. The Peacekeepers were extremely expensive to recruit, but usually they did well enough to earn it. It was considered an honor for a hero to be wanted by the Peacekeepers, and only the very best were allowed in.”8

The first snow of the season had arrived. The tall trees surrounding the group swayed in the wind and temperatures dropped. The snow drove strait into their faces, and there were many numb limbs. The members of CS huddled together inside a grove of trees; their stained and tattered cloaks pulled close around them for warmth. They had been freezing there for nearly an hour, waiting for Acknon to return. He had gone off on yet another of his “scouting” trips. None of them knew what he did, but they hated it when it happened. 9

The group was deep in the forests of Guquelo Island. It was a medium sized island in the Cenal Terra. The Mamon Mountains broke it in half, and, except for two points at the north of the island, it was almost totally uninhabitable. They had arrived at Poitirs almost three weeks before, and had had little rest since. They had gone there upon the request of the people of Quibez, the sister city of Poitirs. Their towns on the outer edge of the city and their crops were being ravaged and completely destroyed by a group of bandits who supposedly used balverines as mortal weapons. 10

They had succeeded in infiltrating the bandits and overpowering them, but at the cost of nine lives. They had started back toward Quibez when they realized they were lost. They had continued onward, hoping to get lucky. But it was becoming apparent they were going the wrong way. 11

“Where has that man gone too? He’s never gone this long!” Deshra said angrily. “He is truly getting on my nerves this time!” 12

“Don’t trouble yourself, Deshra. I’m here,” they heard Acknon’s voice from the woods behind them. “I’m in no mood to argue with you again, and I know what we must do.” 13

“Well I’m in the mood to do more than argue with you! Everything you’ve done since you killed Inhoteep has been foolish. The Peacekeepers were ready to hire you so you could do something real; but instead you come on this worthless quest and drag us with you! Every decision has led us from bad to worse!” Deshra yelled. He was on his feet now, his hand on his sword hilt. Acknon looked at his almost passively. 14

“I understand you anger. I indeed ask your forgiveness for any faults you see I have done. But the fact is it is done, and now we’re lost in this forest- Acknon started, but he was cut off.15

“That would be your fault, wanting to follow the bandits so far into these cursed woods!” 16

“Enough Deshra!” Yafroh yelled. “No matter who’s fault it is, we are lost here, and it will be better for all of us if we stick together. Now Acknon has made some mistakes, I admit that. But not intentionally, and not everything he did was a mistake. There will be time to point them out after we get through this, but until then, we should listen to Acknon. He has a plan!” 17

“Thank you Yafroh. I do have a plan. It occurred to me that we have been looking for landmarks in the forest when the mountains go right through the island. All we have to do is get to them and follow them north. Now is there any arguments?” Deshra sneered, but offered no argument. 18

“Wait, grandfather! I though Deshra was one of Acknon’s closest friends!” 19

“So he was, my boy. So he was. Since the Guild battle and Inhoteep’s death, Acknon noticed Deshra always seemed to love his killing. He always laughed in combat, and never took prisoners. At last Acknon confronted him about it, and their argument turned to anger. Deshra thought Acknon was getting soft, and decided it was about time there was new leadership in the CS group. It would have ended that night, either Acknon or Deshra being killed, but Yafroh stopped it before it came to blows. 20

Since then, Deshra and Acknon grew farther and father apart, until at last Deshra was on the brink of challenging Acknon in a fight. Deshra was extremely confident he could win, but knew he would have to separate Acknon from the rest of the group, since he had their support. Acknon on the other hand, had no intentions or want to fight with Deshra. He still remembered the old days, when they had first fought together in Inhoteep’s camp so long ago. 21

Who knows, maybe Acknon was going soft. He didn’t enjoy killing, but he knew it was the only thing he was good at, and he was making a fair life for himself with it. His plan was indeed to be recruited by the Peacekeepers, and hoped to be appointed to some position where he wouldn’t have to fight so much.” 22

It took the group several days to reach the mountains. They were harder to find that Acknon had anticipated. The wind was now howling strongly through the trees, and the snow was falling in layers. The tall trees dropped loads of snow from their branches when they grew too heavy, and occasionally it hit one of the group members. They had tied ropes around all of their bodies so they wouldn’t become separated. Though their food supply would last a week more if rationed, their water supply was becoming extremely low. It was by dumb luck that they found fresh water. 23

Acknon stopped and looked at the high peaks of the mountains in front of him. He glanced back at his group, and then at the forests surrounding them on three sides. He heard a tiny voice from behind him, which he turned toward. He couldn’t hear anything, but soon there was a tug on the rope, which prompted him to walk back to see what they wanted. It was Deshra. 24

“Acknon, we need to find a cave or something to get cover in!” Deshra yelled over the wind. 25

“No! Who knows what kinds of monsters lurk in the caves of this mountain! If we stop, we will covered in snow; we must keep moving!” Acknon yelled back. 26

“Blast you Acknon, you would agree if it had been anyone else! Follow me CS, I will get us out of this storm and into safety! Once it dies down, we’ll press on to Poitirs!” 27

Acknon shook his head. “Anyone who wishes to go with Deshra may, I am not stopping anyone. But I am not stopping until I must, so you all choose what you want to do!” 28

He was barely audible over the wind, but the group got the messege. They looked at each other, then from Acknon to Deshra. Acknon watched with some fear that they would follow Deshra because of the idea of a rest. But he had no need to worry. Deshra was last in line, a hero named Vladamir was in front of him. With a quick slice of his sword he severed the line that connected Deshra and he, and signaled for the line to move forward. They complied, Acknon led them north along the mountains. 29

Deshra was infuriated. He had fully expected some of them to follow him. With a howl of rage he drew his curved sword and razor sharp dagger, and charged at Acknon. Rage sizzling in him, he cut the rope that connected Acknon to the group and threw his weight against him. With a yell, he and Acknon plunged down a hill that hadn’t been visible before. Rolling, picking up snow and bouncing on rocks, they finally smashed into a deep pile of snow at the bottom, completely burying them. 30

Seconds later, a light hot enough to bake bread spread in a call from around Deshra, and the snow around him melted. He spotted Acknon, who was just getting up. 31

“Come on now Acknon! It is time! You’re weakness had tainted the CS group! They could have become a great army, but no! You had to waste our talents on that idiot Inhoteep and his gang of miscreants. It has been high time someone replaced you, but they were all afraid! I am not afraid. We will finish now! Prepare your soul hero, it’s about to meet whoever made you!” 32

“I didn’t want to fight you Deshra, but obviously you leave me no choice. But I warn you, never insult Inhoteep again. He was a great man, a hundred times better then you. And there is no way I will let you take my friends and turn them into something they aren’t. I’m ready Deshra, come and get me!” Yelled Acknon, Gorlin burned with a sort of homely colored green electricity, of which Deshra knew nothing. He decided it must be some sort of field to help Acknon block better, and planned his first move accordingly. 33

The ground bursting with flame under his feet for intimidation, Deshra advanced toward Acknon at a walk, slowly increasing him pace. The distance between them grew shorter and shorter, until at last Deshra swept his blade toward Acknon’s legs. The electricity that been around Acknon’s blade now surged into Deshra’s body, totally paralyzing him. Only his mouth could move. “Finish it, rubbish! I would if I was cowardly enough to use such mazeek!” He yelled angrily. Acknon shook his head. 34

“I will not kill you Deshra. I never wanted to. You will be paralyzed for the better part of a day. God willing you aren’t dead by then, it will be too late for you to follow us to any effect. Follow the mountains north, and I hope I never see you again.” A single tear coursed down his frowning face, and he began the climb back to his group with Deshra’s voice ringing in his ears.35

“Acknon! Get back here you coward! This isn’t over yet! You’ll see me again, I swear it! AAAAACKKNNOOON!” Looking up toward the top of the hill, he realized the blizzard had given way to blue skies. He could see the top of the hill too, and Yefroh waiting to help him the last few steps up. Then he noticed what seemed to be a dent in the hill. He went over to investigate, and found a fresh, crystal clear, ice-cold spring. 36

“Yefroh!” He yelled. Gather all the canteens and get them down here on the double! I found some water!” She seemed to hear him and disappeared from the top of the hill. Several minutes later the entire CS group came over the hill and carefully slid and walked to the spring. They all filled any containers they could with water, and as a group started up the hill. 37

“Is it over? Did you kill him?” Yefroh asked. 38

“Yes, I think it is over, though I didn’t kill him. I doubt we’ll have to worry about him again.” 39

“Little did he know how much more they would see Deshra. But for then they were content to march back to Poitirs, which they did. It took them nearly a week, and they had to fend of balverines several times, but they eventually made it. The entire group closer in those days then ever before and ever again. The hardships they faced had been faced by all, and though Acknon was the established leader, all the members had a say in what they did. They came to love and respect each other enough in those few days to give their own lives for each other without hesitation.” 40

Acknon walked over the final hill, and finally looked down on Poitirs. He sighed with relief and signaled for the rest of the group to come. Cries of joy and sighs of relief filled the air as they continued on to tackle their final challenge, getting down the hill. It was easier said then done. This hill was almost as steep as some of the smaller mountains on the island, and it was slippery with water and ice. Trees with deep green leaves sharp barbs dotted around the path the entire way down. One false step would send you sliding into those, and it would surely be your last trip. The group connected themselves with ropes again, and Acknon took the first step. 41

Stepping and gingerly as possible, he slowly took several more steps. Testing each step before putting his weight on it, and making sure he always had a firm grip with his other foot before taking a step. The rest of the group followed his example, and they made slow but steady progress.  This tedious exorcise continued until they were nearly halfway down the hill. 42

“Wait!” One of the heroes named Eurbert said. Acknon looked back and saw Eurbert staring toward one of the thorn trees. He glanced where he was looking, but saw nothing. “Jehora, unstring your bow!” Jehora looked toward Acknon, who nodded. He took his bow from his shoulder and notched an arrow. 43

“Eurbert, what is it?” Acknon asked. 44

“That bush, I thought I saw something move. There! There it goes again, there’s definitely something there!” Jehora again looked at Acknon, who frowned. 45

“I don’t see anything now,” he said.  46

“Watch carefully…We had better move on, quickly.” 47

“Eurbert, are you sure you’re not hallucinating?” 48

“Of course I’m sure! Don’t you th-” His thought was never finished. An arrow an inch thick slammed into his forehead, and Yefroh, who was behind Acknon, dove onto his back, forcing him off his feat. 49

“MOVE!” She screamed as an arrow flew above their heads, right where Acknon had been. The combined weight of them falling easily threw the other heroes off balance, and soon they were all sliding strait down the path. Acknon thought he saw Deshra fly past, but it could have just been a memory put onto a random face. 50

Arrows flew toward them, but they were moving too fast to be hit. Bruises quickly developed as they slid over hard bumps and were whipped by the scrubby plants lining the path. Acknon swept Gorlin from its sheath and slammed it into the ground. It bounced off, but he tried again, grunting with the effort. Yefroh saw what he was doing and pulled her own sword from its scabbard, jamming it down with all her might. Hers hit the ground with a spray of snow and bounced back toward her face, almost cutting her. She tried again and again; the heroes behind her copying. 51

Acknon’s arms felt like they were being pulled from their sockets, but he held on gamely as the rest of his group managed to push their swords into the hard ground to slow their descent. He could see the bottom of the hill rushing toward him, an angry wall waiting to hit him. But it was slowing. He barely heard the sound of several blades snapping under the pressure they put on them. The pain in his arms made him want to scream, and he felt his teeth grind together so hard he thought they would break. 52

As the mad slide finally reached the bottom of the hill, Acknon couldn’t hold on any more. With a cry of pain he released Gorlin and glanced at the ground running to great him. His vision blurred as he slammed into the ground, the weight of his group landing on top of him. Sweet blackness enclosed him for a moment, then he regained control, struggling to get out from under the pile to breath. Slowly the bodies painfully moved out of his way. The fall had left them bruised and full of pain, but at least they were alive. 53

At last the pile moved off of Acknon and he took a weak breath. Yefroh crawled over beside him, her left wrist cradled painfully to her chest. Acknon managed to reach up and give her a loose hug, “Thank you. You saved us, painfully.” He said. Yefroh smiled weakly and lay back on the ground. “Are you all right?” 54

“I think my wrist is broken,” she said weakly. Around them the rest of the group sat up, asking how they were and smiling that they had lived. Acknon carefully felt Yefroh’s wrist, who winced in pain. 55

“Oh no!” Sudden panic ran through Acknon for a moment as he reached into his small satchel and felt for his flute. His hand ran over the wood from top to bottom. With a sigh of resentment, Acknon felt the splinters where the flute was broken in half. 56

Yefroh put a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe we can find someone to fix it?” She said, stifling a grin. Acknon saw it and couldn’t resist grinning, which soon turned into a smile and chuckles. Finally Yefroh burst out laughing, while Acknon joined her. It was contagious, soon the whole group was crying in laughter. It was painful on their ribs, but they couldn’t help it. The stress through which they had all come through now seemed all but gone away. 57

“The morale of the CS group had been dipping low since they first arrived on the island. The constant battering of the terrible weather and hard fighting they had come through had taken a heavy toll, and many of them had questioned Acknon’s choices, but were completely faithful even still. The entire group was saddened at the loss of members and friends they had suffered. But all of it came down to one thing; survival. The group had survived together, and it became something that wasn’t known those days as it was before their time. Even today, the closeness the group shared is a rare gift, and it made them a hundred times more lethal.58

After they arrived at the bottom of the hill, it was only a few miles back to the city of Quibez across mostly open ground, and they had no trouble founding the way. They boarded a medium sized sailing vessel captained by a huge scarred man with one eye. They ran through several large storms, and sea sickness was a common problem. It took the ship an extra week as the crew had to land more often to rest and re supply. Acknon indeed somewhat doubted he would ever see his home shores again, but at long last it was in sight.” 59