Night Games

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Guess who's back! It's been what, over a year since I've posted anything? Maybe even two. Well, I'm back for good. Here's something I (nearly) finished up a day or two ago...2

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The air rested still for a moment before rustling onward through the leaves that rested halfway in their fall colors. A crack sounded somewhere in the woods across the dimly lit gap in the words that served as a trail for travelers to take, as the six forms hiding in the shadows stood still, ears and eyes tuned to the slightest sign of the enemy. One, the tallest of the six, held up two fingers and pointed left. The two women with shoulder length hair, dressed in dark colors that made them nearly invisible in the night-heavy woods nodded and began their movement towards the edge of the pool of light made by a fire burning at the top of a tower near the entry of the enemy’s camp. The four remaining figures huddle close and spoke in whispers, laying out the plan of attack; their position was sparsely fortified and not at all suited for defending the treasure that they had been assigned to protect, but to fail would mean a certain defeat. Adding to the desperate situation was the fact that, somehow, the seven who had been sent to capture them had attained a part of the treasure that they had believed had been destroyed. 4

“Joseph, you and Stefan split up and take the enemy camp if you can. We must retrieve that treasure before we move camp. Caroline and I will stay here and defend what we have gained thus far.” Marcus’ voice seemed to blend with the rustling of the leaves as he spoke, adding to the mythical quality of the night.5

All of a sudden, a war whoop split the quiet and crashed across the divide between the two bodies of trees. From the left the two women who had been sent to scout the enemy’s base raced across the opening and dove into the woods, barely outrunning two of the enemy warriors. A few minutes later and they jogged into view of the small circle that sat awaiting their arrival.6

“The treasure is well guarded, friends,” declared Marie, her breath rushing lightly out from between her lips after the exertion of running. 7

After a few minutes of counsel, the six fighters split apart, each creeping through the moonlit forest to their appointed tasks. Marcus, an expert in defense and a man able to remain motionless for hours on end, took his place in the darkness of a patch of high grass only feet from where their treasure sat in the crook of a tree. Marie again set off silently to the left, towards the place where she had crossed the road earlier, blending easily with the mottled shadows of the woods. 8

Stefan worked his way slowly through the trees in the opposite direction, careful to keep each footfall as silent as possible. His breath ran light and shallow, matching the night wind that tugged at his hair. After fifteen minutes of threading around tree after tree, avoiding fallen logs and anything else that would make a sound, he reached what he deemed to be a distant enough point to cross the opening without notice. He squatted in the shadow of a particularly large tree, plotting the route he would take and waiting for the wind to pick up again and provide cover for any noise he might make. Behind him, tree branches brushed against each other and a twig cracked. Body tense, Stefan turned slowly to scan the dark glade behind him. Nothing. But there it was again; noises that seemed only slightly out of the ordinary. He stared hard, watching for any sign of movement between the trees that would betray an enemy. 9

Minutes passed slowly and he finally began to turn back to his original plan of crossing into enemy territory and taking their fortress from behind when he spotted a flicker of gray nearly a hundred feet back into the woods. It moved, stopped, and moved again, blending almost perfectly with the shadows. It moved forward several feet, stepping into a patch of moonlight and Stefan easily made out a tall woman with red hair, intent on making her way towards where they had hidden their treasure. 10

She’s doing the exact same thing I am. Smiling at the thought, he began to make his way back towards their camp to warn Marcus. The ground dipped into a small bowl, and for a moment he lost sight of the woman, but the fact didn’t worry him. What if there was more than one? He brushed the thought aside. They could easily take eight of the enemy in a woodland battle. 11

As he climbed out of the shallow bowl, a bird sounded to his right. Looking, he saw a shape outlined in the dim light, crouching in the midst of a group of three trees. Caroline. “What news?” She asked. 12

“There’s one of the enemy making their way through the woods behind us, a tall woman with red hair. At least, she was the only one I saw. There may be more. Warn Marcus.”13

Caroline nodded, immediately moving off through the night towards the place where Marcus sat, invisible. 14

Satisfied that his companions knew of the danger and would be more than able to protect themselves and the treasure, Stefan started back towards the place where he had planned on crossing. This time it took him only six minutes to return, following the path he had already trod. At the edge of the woods again, he rehearsed his plan, steadied his breathing, and sprinted across the opening, stopping in the deep shadows of several pine trees. When he was satisfied that no one had observed him, Stefan made his way further through the trees towards the back of the fortress. After what seemed like hours, he stepped from the edge of the patch of the woods into the shadow of the enemy’s fortress. He caught his breath in surprise at the size of the castle. Light poured from the windows high upon its upper floors, and a figure moved by the one door that appeared to be a possible entrance. There would be no entry from this way. 15

Stefan loathed to leave the position he had just spend so long achieving, and so he sat behind a small pine tree on the edge of a cliff that dropped down into darkness. He could hear the sound of moving water, and assumed that the cliff ended in the river that he knew was nearby. Above, stars glittered between the openings in the trees, watching the contest that played out far below. From the far side of the fortress he heard laughter, and was struck with the thought that their enemy were people just like him. At that moment, he resolved to avoid killing any of their opponents if it was at all possible. Better to simply get the treasure and flee than to take a human life. 16

A commotion rolled over the top of the fortress towards where Stefan sat in silence, and his head jerked to the left to see what was happening. Light poured from the lamps on the front of the fortress, and he was surprised to see Joseph come racing around the edge of the building, vaulting himself over the small fence that blocked his way and stopping in the shadows. He was about to call out to him when a man came racing after, and Joseph bolted from his hiding place towards the back of the fortress, apparently hoping to outrun the man, which he easily did. Joseph was a quick man, and the other, shorter man who chased him couldn’t hope to match the speed of his stride. The shorter man must have realized the fact, and he stopped the chase barely twenty feet from where Stefan sat. 17

Ready to run if he should be discovered, Stefan sat as still as he could, hoping that the trees would block the man’s view. 18

They didn’t. 19

The shorter man took one loping step towards his hiding place and Stefan bolted before his enemy could react, breaking branches and making all the noise of an angry bear as he ran through the woods, back across the opening and into safe territory. When he realized that the man hadn’t chased him he stopped, leaning against a tree to catch his breath. For a few seconds he contemplated rescinding his vow not to kill one of the enemy unless it was utterly necessary, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. 20

Time to try a different strategy. He thought as he stood and caught his breath.21

Sounds came from his left, back near the enemy’s fortress, and Stefan assumed that Joseph had been caught. He didn’t know how many of the rest of his companions had been similarly captured, but knew that it wouldn’t matter in the end if they couldn’t retrieve the treasure. After letting the cool spring night settle his adrenaline, he quickly made his way back to where he assumed Marcus and Caroline still guarded their most valuable possession.22

They were there, as silent and invisible as ghosts, and he nearly stepped on Marcus who had moved further back into the woods, still waiting for the tall red haired woman to attempt to approach their camp. 23

“Any sign of the enemy, my friend?” Stefan asked.24

“One fool soul attempted a direct attack; ran straight across the opening there through full light and tried to make his way here. Caroline stopped him before he even crested that last ridge.”25

“Ha, I would be sore afraid to face her on a dark night if I were an enemy. What did the fool do?”26

“What any smart man would in that situation. He turned tail and ran. Not sure, but I think I heard the name William yelled as he ran towards us, might be that that is his name.”27

“Aye.”28

“And how fared you, Stefan? Was your foray successful?”29

“Not particularly. I made it to the rear of their camp, and it is a true impregnable fortress, lined by cliff and river in the rear and well lit in the open at the front. Our chances are slim to take it by force.”30

“Then by stealth we shall take back what is rightfully ours. Will you go again and seek the treasure on your own?”31

“Gladly Marcus, but would you like a respite from this silent guarding? Perhaps you could attempt your hand at espionage?”32

“Nay, friend. Not tonight. My place is here with Caroline. I am best suited to guard our camp, my eyes will keep guard on this moonlit night for any of the enemy brave enough to cross and try to take what treasure we have.”33

“Very well. I shall take their fortress once again. Say a prayer for me, I shall need the stealth of the Spirit to complete this mission.”34

“Of course, brother” replied Marcus, clasping Stefan’s hand in goodbye as they parted ways.35

This time making his way to the left of their camp, following the same route Marie and Isabelle took. Thankfully, their footprints left an easy path between the oaks and poplars that made up the forest, leading him a few hundred feet from the camp before beginning to veer towards the path that divided the two opposing factions. Lost deep in pondering the best way to make his way into the enemy’s fortress, he didn’t notice Marie running as quietly as she could towards him until she was barely fifteen feet away. He looked up, startled as she slowed to a stop, eyes wide and breathing hard. 36

“Brother! They’ve captured Isabelle!” She whispered in an alarmed voice.37

“How long has it been? Where did they take her?” 38

“I…I don’t know. We were so close to where I believe they have hidden the treasure when two men came roaring from the shadows at the edge of the castle and grabbed her. I barely escaped. Oh, we have to rescue her!”39

“We will. They have Joseph too, and we shall free them both as soon as possible, but the most important thing is to retrieve the treasure. If we free them and do not gain back what was lost, there will be no hope even if we are all together.” 40

“I know, but we have to keep them safe .”41

“Don’t worry, Marie. I am going now to attempt to take their fortress by stealth. Now tell me the lay of the land; where have they posted guards, where is the best entrance? Anything that will assist my mission.”42

She proceeded to relate to him the route that her and Isabelle had taken, where they had seen the enemy, where there were spots that would serve as cover, and numerous other seemingly unimportant facts that they both knew would be essential for infiltrating the camp.43

Stefan thanked her and reassuring her that both Joseph and Isabelle would be safe and telling her to return to where Marcus and Caroline waited. They embraced and parted ways, both prepared to do whatever was necessary both to save their friends from any terrible fate and to retrieve their treasure. 44

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It took him nearly an hour to make his way once again to the rear of the enemy, this time far on the left side of their encampment and in shadows deeper than before. As he had snaked his way through the trees he had observed at least three sentinels positioned across the front of the camp. One, a black haired young woman, stood in the middle of the stone pathway that led to the front of the fortress, staring with a piercing gaze down the path to where her enemies, his friends, hid in the forests. The other, the short, muscular man who had apparently had a hand in capturing Joseph, came walking around the rear of the castle just as Stefan dodged behind a particularly large tree, hoping that the wood giant would hide him. It did. The third sentinel was standing immediately in front of the castle’s wide open gates, leaning on the wall and apparently conversing with someone within. The man laughed uproariously, not seeming to pay any attention to the dangers of the battle he was in. Noting the open gates, Stefan continued onward. 46

Pausing at the edge of the woods only fifty feet from the edge of the impregnable side of the fortress, he steadied himself and prepared to move in. It was a quick and effortless dash to a clump of three trees that grew from the same root, where he crouched in the shadow. By now, he was close enough to easily hear the conversation that the tall guard in front of the castle was having, and to his surprise he heard the voice of Isabelle and Joseph. 47

He must be the jail guard then. But why would they have their captives in the open? 48

Stefan’s train of thought was interrupted as the short muscular man appeared around one of the wagons that were parked in front of the fortress, apparently returning to his rounds after resting for a few minutes. 49

“Burnard! Any sign of the enemy?” Came the boisterous question from the lanky man guarding the gates. 50

“None yet, at least not since we caught that blonde-haired jester nearly an hour ago. I can’t believe I didn’t captured that one who I nearly tripped over though. I must be getting slow in my old age.” 51

“Ha! That’s the truth! You must be losing that warrior’s edge, eh old man?”52

“And you’ve already lost it to that young lady you’re guarding. Be sure to keep an eye out for those creeping thieves. I’ve got a feeling their going to attempt to send another one of their spies to find out where we’re keeping the treasure.”53

“Well let them come. They’ll never find it. It’s much too simple a hiding spot.”54

“We’ll see, Jerome, we’ll see.” and with that the man named Burnard walked past where Stefan sat silently in the shadows, continuing his protection of their perimeter. 55

The minutes ticked by slowly, the sound of water rolling past at the bottom of the cliff that was only a few hundred feet to his left and the rustling of the trees’ leaves creating a steady flow of background noise. On his hands and knees, Stefan slowly moved his way forward toward the next set of trees, choosing to cut out away from the fortress and skirt the forest’s edge so as to be less noticeable. Even from there he could hear the taller man, Jerome, talking and laughing with the two prisoners. Twice the guard looked out and seemed to be scanning the woods for any sign of movement. Each time, Stefan stopped and stayed as still as he possibly could, praying that his dark green and brown clothing would blend into the earthy tones of the trees and underbrush. They did. Both times the guard turned back to the prisoners, apparently satisfied that no one was nearby. 56

Finally his patience paid off. Stefan reached a point where he was parallel to a large decorative formation that would provide excellent cover and would get him twice as close to the entrance of the fortress. Laying in the moist grass, he scanned the area. Burnard was nowhere in sight, most likely still guarding the fortress’ rear, the dark haired woman had moved off the path and stood leaning on a tree, well out of his way. The only dangers would be the sudden appearance of another of the enemy’s troops, how many there were he did not know, or that the one called Jerome would notice his movement. After weighing the risks, Stefan decided it was his only option and began to move forward.57

Without warning there came a snap from behind him in the woods. His heart leapt to his throat and he whipped around, expecting to see one of his opponents towering over him, ready to drag him into prison with the others. It wouldn’t be so bad, I suppose. Not so long as I was with Isabelle and Joseph. But no one was there. The cracking came again, and this time he pinpointed its origin. Higher on the hill that rose behind him, lifting the trees up on its gentle slope, a silhouetted figure crouched, looking out on the enemy’s camp. friend or foe, he couldn’t tell. At this point it didn’t matter. If it was an enemy, there was no way for him to escape. If a friend, then they would recognize what he was doing and either leave him to his work or attempt to help. He hoped for the former. Silence was hard enough with one person. Two people would be nearly impossible.58

Deliberately ignoring the figure in the woods behind him, Stefan crawled his way forward, his chest nearly touching the ground as he crept across the open space, following the shadows of the trees in hopes of remaining unnoticed. 59

Halfway to the decorative metal framing that he planned on using for cover a motion to his left caught his eye. Turning his head slightly, he saw nothing. You’re getting jumpy, boy. Focus. Ten seconds later he squatted in the darkness of the metal’s shadow, pondering his next move. He glanced back at the woods, noting that the silhouette that had startled him was gone. As he sat pondering, the conversation from the fortress’ gateway prison drifted back to him. He heard Isabelle say something and the other man, Jerome, laugh. 60

Perhaps she’s trying to woo him into letting her go. Ha. How would that be for a story? To say that you were captured by the enemy only to escape because the guard let you go for being so pretty. Too bad Joseph won’t be able to get out by the same means. Well, actually, you never know…61

Stefan’s thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a stocky, long haired man treading purposefully across the opening near the end of the path that led to the castle. The man seemed intent on his direction, and Stefan noted that if he continued the man would walk directly by his position. The shadows were deep enough to prevent someone from seeing him at a distance, but anyone within fifty feet would easily be able to tell that there was a person sitting there at the side of the decorative metal structure. He had to move, so move he did. 62

Without thinking, he ran in a crouch towards the backmost of the three carriages that sat directly in front of the gates. Jerome turned from his position as guard and walked to either side of the first carriage, apparently having heard some sort of disturbance. His investigation continued for a minute or two before he returned to the gateway to continue his conversation. Relieved that his position had not been discovered, Stefan sat and leaned against the wheel of the carriage. It was then that he saw it; the treasure. Sitting full in the torch light of the fortress on top of the front carriage. Just like Jerome had said, too easy. But he had found it, even if only by chance. The question was, how to get it? He would have to find some way to distract the guard long enough to stand, grab the precious golden circlet, and run. 63

Creeping forward as silently as he could, Stefan made his way forward until he lay nearly underneath the first carriage. Knowing that the treasure they had spend so long seeking was directly above him made his adrenaline rise. In contrast with his rising excitement, the air seemed to have grown completely still and dead silent. It seemed unnatural. What had happened? After a few seconds, Stefan realized. Isabelle, Joseph, and the guard has stopped talking. The guard must have heard me. Better be ready to grab that circlet and run. 64

As if to confirm his suspicions, footsteps sounded in front of him as the guard moved to investigate the disturbance. At that same moment, the shorter guard named Burnard rounded the corner of the fortress and stopped suddenly, wide eyed. For a second, Stefan thought the man had seen him and prepared himself to run with all his might, but just as he was about to bolt from the shadows there came a war whoop from further down the pathway, followed by wild laughter that could only come from one person. Marie. 65

And indeed it was. Marie came tearing around the second carriage and into view, the dark haired woman in full chase with Burnard not far behind. She ran between the first and second carriages, nearly stepping on his lap, and she stopped for a second in the darkness on the other side. 66

“Marie! Here!” Stefan whispered as loud as he dared, but she didn’t seem to hear him. Instead, she bolted once again in a mad dash for the woods. All three of the guards ran after her, leaving Stefan, the treasure, and Isabelle and Joseph completely in the open. 67

Stefan jumped up, grabbed the golden circlet from the carriage’s roof, raced to the castle’s gate and freed his two companions. 68

“Run my friends! We haven’t much time till they return!”69

Joseph nodded and, grabbing Isabelle’s hand, ran down the path towards where their camp sat in the woods on the opposing side, his blonde hair glistening in the torchlight. Stefan wasn’t far behind, the circled hidden in his leather pouch.70

For a moment it seemed like they would make their escape without incident, but that hope was shattered when the long haired man who Stefan had avoided earlier stepped out from behind a tree and stood blocking the path, ready to take any comers.71

“He can’t take all of us, Stefan, you two can make it through.” Said Joseph.72

“Joseph, no! He’ll kill you! He’s twice your size and strength.” Isabelle replied, her voice a hoarse whisper.73

“I know darling, but it’s more important that both of you make it back. Besides, I’ve a few tricks that he may not know. Trust me.” With that he strode forward and began calling insults at the large guard who readily turned to face him, calling for reinforcements. 74

“We have to go, Isabelle.” Stefan said, moving away from the confrontation.”75

“I know.” 76

They both ran then, tearing their eyes from where Joseph battled the larger opponent and ignoring the shouts of the other guards not far behind them. In a matter of seconds they crossed the opening that divided their camp from the enemy’s and dove into the woods, ignoring any need for silence. 77

Caroline stood as they approached, surprised by their noisy entrance. “What happened? Isabelle! I thought you were taken captive! What has happened? Where’s Joseph?”78

“He stayed and fought so that we could escape. They have him.” Isabelle’s voice was taught with emotion.79

“And they have Marie as well, I think. She was the one who enabled me to get this…” Stefan said as he reached into his leather pouch and drew out the circlet which shone mysteriously in the moonlight.”80

Marcus stepped from the shadows then, face grave. “We must run. No, do not protest. I’ve heard your conversation, but we have the treasure and we must flee. Our two companions are in the Lord’s hands. If he wills it, we shall return two days hence and see if we can discover their fates and rescue them if possible.”81

“But…”82

“No buts, Caroline. We must go.”83

They turned to move into the woods, away from the battleground behind, when from the group’s left Caroline spotted a movement and gasped. Marcus saw it a second later and tensed, ready to fight, as did the others. 84

“We’ll take this one prisoner and see if we can’t ransom one of our own back.” Marcus growled.85

“I don’t think it’ll be that easy, but prisoner this fool shall be.”86

Then out from the trees ran Marie, smiling and breathing hard, looking as if she was ready to laugh. Her run slowed and she jogged up to the group, a contrast to the somber faces of the four companions. It took them a few seconds to react to the fact that it was Marie and not one of their enemies, and Caroline was the first to move, running to Marie and throwing her arms around the woman’s neck, kissing her on the cheek. 87

“I thought they had taken you! Stefan said he had seen you chased and captured.”88

Marie gave Stefan a teasing look and said, “Did you really, Stefan? Well then, obviously you don’t know me so well as you think. Not even three of their best men could keep up with me. I led them on a merry chase through the woods, one nearly fell off the cliff into the river, and then when they stopped running I circled back and came here.”89

Isabelle had run to join Caroline in hugging Marie, and the three of them embraced in the moonlight with Marcus and Stefan smiling and looking on. 90

“Well then,” Marcus said, “what of Joseph?”91

“Oh, don’t worry about him. He’ll be here in a bit, I should think.”92

“Wha…how?” Came Stefan’s stunned reply. “Isabelle and I watched him as he stayed to fight one of the enemy’s strongest warriors. There was no way he escaped unharmed, or even escaped at all.”93

Then, as if to mock Stefan’s ignorance, Joseph came striding over the rise a few hundred feet behind them, his shoulder length hair glistening in the light. He raised his hand in greeting and jogged up to the group, a massive grin on his face. 94

“And you thought I wouldn’t make it, eh Stefan? I guess you and I shall have to have a bit of a sparring match later and I’ll teach you a few things.”95

“But, how? There’s no way both you and Marie could have escaped unharmed. Not when there was five people against the two of you and most of them stronger and faster. What happened?”96

“Would you like to tell him, Marie?” Joseph asked.97

“It would be my pleasure.” Turning to the group as the two other women released her from their embraces and looked at her inquisitively, Marie told what had transpired after Stefan had grabbed the circlet and ran.”98

“To be honest, I’m not quite sure what exactly happened. I ran as hard as I could to stay ahead of the three guards that were chasing me, crashing through the woods and finally returning to near the front of the fortress. Then I heard one of the men chasing me yell something about their treasure being taken and all three of them stopped running after me and took off towards where you and Isabelle must have gone. I’m not sure if I could have run much longer, so praise be to the Lord for his providence in saving me.”99

“Aye,” said Joseph, taking over the story, “Stefan, as soon as you and Isabelle took off the warrior that I was facing charged at me, roaring and ready to fight. I knew I couldn’t take him in a straight fight, so I did my best to dodge his blows. In the minute or two that we fought he only hit me once, and that was only a glancing blow to the shoulder.100

Caroline, the small groups healer, immediately moved to examine his shoulder, but Joseph waved her off saying it could wait until the story was told.101

“About the time that he struck me the blow to the shoulder I saw the other three guards running my way and knew I was doomed. Figured I would stay and face them like a man rather than run, but to my surprise they stopped and crumpled to the ground not four feet from me. The big one that I had been fighting dropped in mid swing and fell face first onto the grass where he began snoring.”102

It was Marcus’ turn to laugh, and laugh he did, with the rest of the group staring and wondering what it was that he had found so funny.103

“Don’t you get it, brothers and sisters? The circlet was enchanted, just like we had feared. But instead of some deadly enchantment like we feared it was merely one of sleep. Stefan, may I see the circlet?”104

“Of course.” Stefan said, handing the large white ring to him.105

Marcus examined the circlet carefully, tracing his fingers over its smooth edges. 106

“Yes, it is as I suspected. This circlet is enchanted, though whether it be an enchantment of curse or of blessing is left to the holder to decide, for if a person attempts to keep this treasure when another desires to have it, he will be cursed to a year of sleep at the moment that it departs from his possession. However, if he gives it away willingly, he will prosper in his life.” 107

“I thought such enchanting were only legends.” Marie said, eyes wide as she stared at the treasure which Marcus held.108

“Legend, yes. Only legend, no. Much of that which people call legend is truth, my dear.”109