Godiva's Rogues Chapter I (Sample)

“Attack when the enemy shows their face! Don’t pull back until I give the order. Understand?” Captain Xerxes yelled out to his units of men.

The men gave a cheer and roar out to their Captain, all except for one, myself. For ten years now I have been under the order of my Captain Lord Xerxes. I have to admit, he is a wonder to me and his men he commands. Strong, independent, smart, everything and more that a solider would wish and desire in a leader. But, something happened, something changed in my captain.

Ever since this war began, my Captain Xerxes has been tainted. Times of yore he had a moral for the men to draw off of for their downed spirits. But now he does not supply such a thing. He himself seems down, more down then he used to be during times of war. As if something had convinced him to defer from his first devoted service to his lord king. Sometimes I do wonder, did my Captain Xerxes put his faith in a new lord, or a new someone or something more worth his service? I can not say I will figure it out, but I do have a little time to watch this first battle originate.

The units advanced as my lord king had ordered them to attack the coming forces of the kingdom of Suma. Our men had the motivation to kill the enemy. They also had reason behind it all. Our kingdom of Xi Xin was in danger of being over run by the Suma Empire that had been expanding for three years now. I had watched those three years and observed the movements or eavesdropped when I was given the chance as I had been assigned to century duty around my military lords’ discussion room.

Battle cries rang out from the men’s throats and roared into the air. Watching this began to perk up my senses to the reality that was now slowly commencing around. “Hey, Damon!” Bonifacius yelled to his friend next to him.

Damon looked at Bonifacius with a dreary look. “Facius…we’re advance’n into the battle.., and you have the nerve to yell out to me?” Damon sighed.

“Yes, just wish you good luck and watch your precious arse!” Bonifacius said smiling.

He nodded. “You too.” Damon sighed yet again.

We advanced into the line that divided us from Suma soldiers. Men broke out and began attacking Suma enemy. My mind sat in a lost state the beginning half of this. I drew my blade and took men down. Their cries got lost in my mind as the enemy began flying in at us. I watched as my own side got slaughtered before my eyes. There was nothing I could do. I could only fight the men of Suma as they came at me. My men of Xi Xin cried and hollered and begged for a retreat so they could regroup and form a unit or more to take on the next wave of Suma enemy that came after them. But, did they not know there was no hope or regrouping…or, that is what I thought at least.

Captain Xerxes called our men back and gave us the order to regroup the living back at the main camp. “Sir, how many made it?” I asked waiting for him to tell me we where the few.

“The ones you see walking are the ones that made it Damon.” I sighed. “The other units of the other military units I don’t know about. We’ll probably find out when we make it back to the central camp.” Captain Xerxes informed me as he ushered the men that could still hobble back onward.

“Thank you, sir.” I said washed of Suma blood and drenched in the shock of war.

Captain Xerxes nodded and snatched a random black stallion and mounted him and rode him onward to lead his living men back to camp. Lead us back to gripe at the king I hoped.

We returned within the hour of night fall. I settled down around the camp fire with Facius and two others of my unit he knew and I did not. “You made it!” Facius said so happy. I looked at the tired, battered and beat Xi Xin soldier.

“The enemy seems to have beaten on you quite a bit.” Damon said in slight humor.

Bonifacius smirked. “Sure did! And I fought ‘em all off as well! Well, I did have these two back’n me up. Tell me Damon, where were you during it all? I lost sight of you once we embedded ourselves in the middle of Suma men.”

“I don’t know. I forget where I am and nearly what I’m do’n. I just-fight, and kill the enemy in front of me.” Damon replied in a grunt or two.
“Oh Damon.” Bonifacius sighed. “Soon if you don’t learn to calm yourself, you’ll turn into one of them mercenaries that, that, I don’t know…kill his own men in his own kingdom!”

I looked at my friend in a tired still gaze. “Facius quit assuming for me. I can control myself. Leave me be. Now, save me some food when you cook it. I’ll be back.” I snorted. Bonifacius nodded and watched me leave. I suppose I should display my thankfulness for him being so caring and thoughtful and everything. Yet, at this present time I could not.

Heading down the rows of tents that dotted the main camp, I came up on my senior commanders leaving war council with the king of Xi Xin exiting behind his many sergeants, captains, generals, and many higher ranking in command. I stood there watching them; my look must have been read as envy. For the king and sergeant Calhoun looked my way, the sergeant waved me over and I came by his waver. “Yes’ir?” I said in a dry choked tone.

“Have you over heard what we have sentenced your beloved captain Xerxes to?” the sergeant Calhoun asked me. I shook my head feeling my throat dry more as my breath increased waiting for my superior to tell me. “We found him accepting pay from Suma general Altor. He accepted pay so that he would slowly kill off his unit and work on killing off the other units as fast as he could. I believe he himself, your captain, started this very war due to the fact of Sumas land stretch and border reforming.” The sergeant Calhoun explained.

“And you tell me this why Sergeant Calhoun?” I asked amazed he even shared such details with me.

“From what we extracted from your captain, he spoke of you on numerous accounts. He called you his right hand man. Though, we know you knew nothing of the matter of the money involved and his plans, correct?” Sergeant Calhoun asked me sternly. I eyed him back in a partly awe gaping expression that what I had so suspected years ago had soon been found out directly in the middle of what he had created.

“Sergeant Calhoun, may we speak in person?” I asked still astounded. The sergeant’s eyes bounced to the request. He nodded and led the way to his personal tent down the ways. Men of I suppose his unit and maybe others watched me. Whispers of ‘hey, ain’t that Xerxes boy?’ and ‘there goes Cap’n Xerxes little snitch, I bet ye he even delivered the messages that got sent to o’l king Suma’em self!’ they even thought ‘yea, he did it, he helped plan the massacre of all his men in the cap’ns unit. Poor dogs, slaughtered down like that…all for gold from our own enemy that wishes our territory fer themselves’. I was a convict in my own camp, my own army in my own kingdom. How degraded I felt once I finally reached the tent that had a nice fire going inside. I thanked the sergeant when he handed me a warm cup of ale. I had not had ale in so long; it was like the god of mercy had smiled down on me for this brief moment.

The sergeant Calhoun seated himself down across from me. He eyed me for a brief moment, and then sipped his ale. He was waiting on me to speak; I had not known any other officer like I had my own captain Xerxes. Then here I was, sitting in Sergeant Calhoun’s tent as a guest treated like my own captain had treated me in the past. He picked up his gaze and rested it on me. “You seem slightly shocked, about what? The news of your loving captain.” The sergeant asked me in a calm tone.

“No sergeant. I just have not had interaction with any other senior official other then my captain.” Sergeant Calhoun nodded in understanding. “I suppose you taking me in as such a guest, despite what your men and other officer’s men spat under their breath at me and all. Do you not believe what they have said of me?” I asked and explained in part curiosity to what the sergeant had to say.

“Well sir…can I call you Damon or would you rather a correct address to you?” he asked me, I shrugged, so he continued noticing I did not have a care of that matter. “No, your captain never spoke an ill word of you. He only spoke of devotion and how you cared for the men when he sent you all out. What the men out there say is only what they have come to believe. Once we settle it all, and put your beloved captain to his sentence by our king, we will have it all set straight with the men. For now I am afraid you will have to burden their ill conceived words and thoughts.” The sergeant explained to me and set straight.

“Oh, I see.” I replied as I drank more of my ale that slowly calmed my nerves about what had happened.

Footsteps stopped at the sergeant’s tent door. “Come in.” he called to the visitor that stood outside for a brief time.

A man entered dressed in dark colors. He had long silvery white hair down to his shoulder blades and searching deep black eyes that rested on us. I did not like this man, but the sergeant seemed un-nerved by his presence. He wore a short sleeve tunic and boots up past his knees. Burnt umber pants and a dark tanned boots adorned his legs. A sword settled on his left hip, making him a left handed fighter I assumed. “And you are?” I asked out of line. The sergeant eyed me for the sudden sentence that was his to ask and not mine. The man seemed unbothered by the question. I looked him over for a few more seconds; the sergeant wavered for him to be seated. The still gaze he put on the sergeant un-nerved me more. I did not like it, the uneasiness grew as he looked at the sergeant more.

“So, you come as of why? Messenger perhaps?” the sergeant asked in question.

The man continued to look at the sergeant, my sergeant, in the same still cold stare I had seen him enter with. I watched his hand slip a little down near his hilt. More nerve began leaving me, then finally he set me into a scare when he drew his blade faster then I thought I could stand. I was apparently incorrect for I was up between the man and the sergeant before even I knew it and had my own blade drawn blocking his blade from decapitating my sergeant. He pushed me back and rammed me into the sergeant’s lap. I shot out of his lap and made a lower slice at his exposed gut at the time. I did not make it and he blocked my attempt easily. From my dagger sheath I pulled it forth and cut a nice scratch on his cheek. He did not enjoy that and came at me with more force. His blade cuts tried deeper at my gut and continued to assault me further, directed at my gut and sometimes my neck to detour me from the pattern I had quickly figured out. The sergeant had stepped back out of our way and watched us converse on what we had started an unknown feud in his eyes. The man continued to press forward on me and into a corner in the tent. Why did he not run? Why did he stay put? Why? I pushed away the rational questions I had in me and continued to parry the blows thrown at me. Once I had obtained part of his intentions on how he planed to kill me with his trained skill, I intervened with my make shift idea of how stop him. Our blades continued to cross and block and parry and all that. He sent his blade down to the center of my gut. I blocked and sent my faithful dagger into his neck just as he made a swing at my legs that I barely blocked with my sword. The man fell to the ground clutching his neck. I watched him as he sputtered in pain and his precious life seeped out of him. He lay there settling in his blood. I had just defeated another like I had many times in the past. I sighed and jerked up my gaze to look for another. I had set into a mode of how I was on the battle field. A hand rested on my shoulder and I spun on my heel and locked it in and pressed down on it and when a cry of pain came, I looked down and eyed my sergeant under my mercy.

I stepped back as I had offended myself and possibly my own sergeant. He stood up massaging his wrist and looking at me in pure wonder and maybe even fascination. I bowed my head in shame. I felt a warm forgiving hand take my shame and lifted it up to look him level and maybe, so I thought for the moment, equal. “I’m sorry sergeant, I never intended to hurt you, I-.” he shook his head at me.

“No, no, please do not apologize. I am the one that should be saying anything Damon. You saved and protected my life. You acted automatically I would not doubt. I certainly do at times as I am very grateful to you, I honestly am Damon. Please understand that.” He looked at me in a kind and way that proved he understood myself and maybe even who I am. I looked at him back in pure surprise and wonder as to all this. “Come, sit, you will sleep and dine with me tonight and tomorrow we shall discuss things further. You are indeed different from all the other men I have seen under any of my senior and lower command.”

“Thank you sergeant Calhoun, thank you.” I said so grateful for his words of kindness and wonderful offer for the night. “I accept.” I replied to him offering me his tent in a partial repayment for saving his life.

Sergeant Calhoun nodded and set up the chairs and knocked down items I had disturbed while fighting the man that lay near the tents door. I sat down and looked at the dead man. “Who is he?” the sergeant shrugged as he continued to set things back to how they where before I had messed them up. “He doesn’t look Xi Xin, or Suma, do you think Suma has other men like Xerxes? Or perhaps he was easily able to lure Xerxes, and this man is a bounty hunter dressed to kill you. But why you?” I began talking aloud.

The sergeant laughed. “I really do not know Damon. All I do know is I have a slight hunch after you brought out those questions. For all I know, King Suma wishes to eliminate me and the rest of Xi Xin’s military arms. The rest of us are faithful to our king. And King Suma knows this. He’ll bite at what he must to get deeper wounds made to hopefully harm our king and make him keel over and submit to his will and desires.” The sergeant replied.

I nodded. For all we did know that was probably his intention all along. Now we had to fight to protect our small kingdom that Suma wished to obtain for his own. And I will stand by my lords and king to help protect my land.

The Sergeant Calhoun had guards come remove the, I suppose, assassin. I sat there dining happily on some meat and bread, as well as the lovely calming ale. "Sir." I ventured after a lengthy silence.

"Yes?" Sergeant Calhoun asked as he looked up at me.

"Why did that man not stir you?" I asked curious to his explination.

He looked at me as he tried to form his explination. Sergeant
Calhoun sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I suppose I felt our lines wouldn't allow any such thing, men or creature, into our camp. My lord king constantly sends me new messengers or pages that I myself didn't even know we had." the sergeant sighed and shoved some food into his mouth
.
I looked down some, I had offended my lord sergeant Calhoun. "I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to--."

"Damon, quit appalogizing. There's no calling for it. Just because you point out something that I managed to miss should not make you halt your speech to me about it. I don't know how you and the..." Calhoun let out a deep breath. "I don't know how you or Xerxes went about things. But if you ever got the vibe that your over lord is ALWAYS correct. It ain't right. Yer overlord, commander, superior, superior officers are NOT always correct. I am and never will be always correct. Isn't the slightest possible for any race." he said giving a look of 'well, catch my drift?'

"You're like him." I sad randomly.

Sergeant Calhoun looked me in slightness of a sudden fear to the comment. Then his expression settled and took on his regular over look of me. "How's that?"

My eyes traced his and scanned his facial expression that he showed at the time. "He too had a strong opinion and expressed his views. Lord Xerxes just as well spoke to me as if I was his equal. I may have read your tone and words, as well as expressions incorrectly sergeant...but you too seemed to treat me equal. All when I only be a simple solider." I explained to him. Watching his face, at points I mentioned how he himself treated me and my former lord and commander had seemed to detour into a partial scowl.

"I see." he said slightly tense on the subject, so it seemed to me.

"Sir, I'll take my leave.Thank you for your loving hospitality and kindness to me." I said as I felt his tenseness flicker at some certain comments I had said.

Sergeant Calhoun looked at me slightly surprised at my sudden actions to retire from his company and tent. "If thats what you wish." those where his last words as I made my way to his tent door. For a few I stalled at his tent door and peeked at him. My poor sergeant, something irked him. He seemed slumped in a defeated way as he stood near his bed. His beautiful, long, dark crimson cloak fell from his shoulders as he undid the Xi Xin pin that clasped it around his strong shoulders. I lowered my head in partial shame. I had done something to wedge some sadness into my sergeant. I, I, was and very well am to blame.' Tell me, all mighty lords above why presurve a lowly soldier of street breeding?' I then deported from his tent cloaked in shame and depression of my rediculious existance.

I returned to Facius's camp to find the moron still awake, tending to his precious fire. "Idiot." I greeted under my breath.

Bonifacius looked up at me and gave me a smug smirk. "Saved yer food like ya asked. And welcome back Damon." my only soldier friend said kindly.

I settled down in a sigh and slumped my posture some and looked at Facius. "Thanks. Sorry if I come on strong." I said sighing and burring my face in my hands.

"Don't worry about it Damon. Besides, I've been 'round you for all these years. Don't you think I know you rather well? I mean, why would I not?" Facius asked me.

I looked at my friend. Bonifacius smiled somewhat grimly. "Yes, you're right. Very much so correct. I'm still sorry Facius. I suppose I'm a little caught up in todays excitement."

Bonifacius smiled. "Now that I wouldn't doubt."

A smile flashed back at my friend. "Thanks." Facius nodded and began readying for bed. "Good night." I added as I stared into the beautiful huges of the fire.

Morning smacked me in the face with its arrival. I could have, probably did, sworn the sun was perposly blinding my poor eyes. So as I adjusted to the bright awaking the gods had chosen for me Facius stuck his head in and looked at me for a few. "Git up." he snorted.

I lay there looking up at him. The firmness he had directed at me set me in a slight state of cluelessness. "What time is it?" I asked still blank to anything that seemed to going about.

The soft noise of men moving about, horses snorting and sending their language of the horse into their own sentences to one another. Men mingled and talked, others sprinted to and from as errand runners or a page on an order.

"Nearly nine." Facius replied in a sigh. "Hurry and get up and look presentable. The Sergeant Calhoun wishes to see you." he added in haste.

No wonder the peasent born solider was up tight. I slightly laughed to myself. He found this to be a huge honor to be asked into one of king Xi Xin's commanding officers tent. "Who needs mothering when I have Facius to tell me what I must and mustn't do for my own well being." Damon said smiling some as he set up and crawled out of the tent.

Bonifacius furrowed his brows. "I'd rather not be labled as your mother."

"Calm yourself Bonifacius.I was only jesting. For a smitten moment you had my hear leaping in other directions." I said as I accepted the warm tea and horrid breakfast.

Bonifacius smirked. "Glad, on accedent and at reasonable time, that I could send a blood rush to your heart."

I sighed and ate up what ever it is the officers or pages had delt out to the men. Facius tossed me towels and a sack of 'stuff' he claimed would clean me up and clean clothes to dress me up reasonable in look for sergeant Calhoun. So on I walked, I stopped at one of the kings officers unit camps and asked for the direction of the river. I recived a mighty large amount of distain, hate, and other unfriendly gestures to offend me and hopefully make me desert to my 'real chosen' side of the war.

Ignoring their hate and rather rude gestures I continued on down the way in the direction they had given me in unforgiving forms.

Finding the small river that seemed to swell when the rain poored from the gods heavens made me thankful. Escaping the mouths of those who hate me settled my desire to, well, even the score here say.

I undressed myself and decided against relaxing in the calming waters. For, I had the sergeant calling on me, and Facius to please when I returned back to our camp after the sergeant had had word with me.

Quickly I threw on what Facius had handed me. A brandnew pair of military issue pants. A short sleve tunic of Xin Xin's royal blue border in pure white with her insignia of a black panther baring pure white fangs.

Now, it vexes me partly as to why our kingdom chooses a humans animal for its calling card. After all, we are the race of Xi Xinians...cross between elfin and demons so they say. But, if I'm wrong do correct me, if two races interbreed. How does that come out and into a pure race? I would not know one bit. But thats my thought on my homelands odd theory and history.

Quickly I collected my things and sprinted the dry distance till I came around to the drop off for our laundry. I found the man I guessed I was to drop my sack of 'things' at.

"Name and unit." he asked gruffly.

I looked at him. "Damon." I replied.

"Unit." he asked for again.

"Well." I stalled.

"Hurry up boy!" he griped at me.

"I was apart of lord Xerxes unit." I finally spat out.

"Ahh, Xerxes welp huh?" he said slightly disgusted.

The disgust that people shared for my commander tweeked my anger. My brows furrowed nd I simply turned and walked off.

Soon I set into a run to get me to the sergeants tent. I did my best to dodge all the major mud puddles and mud all together. 'Facius better be happy' I thought as to I was putting more work into acting as if I where a prissy lilttle brat that anyone at camp m ight havve to stay up and clean for an audience with their commanding officer.

Delight struck me when planks showed up for usage to the officers tents. I was quite the thrilled. For a moment I stopped and looked at the array of officer tents. I could not find sergeant Calhouns by his insignia for the wind refused to flutter his and the other officers flags.

An officer strutted my way down the plank path. I moved off them respectfully and saluted the senior officer. He stopped, turned around and looked at me. "Name?"

"Damon." I replied slightly startled by his strong stern tone.

"Unit?" he asked me, as everyone else seemed to.

"I was apart of Xerxes sir." I replied waiting for his sthrashing.

"So you're Xerxes little welp." he snorted. I clinched my fists. "Why are you heading this way?"

"Sergeant Calhoun has called on me." I replied nearly spitting the response as he looked at me in a disgusted look.

"Last name?" he asked stern again.

"Claec." I replied waiting for more thrashing from his lips.

He looked me over. "Carry on." he grumbled.

I took the opertunity and gladly left his presence. Stoping half way I paused and did not even know where the heck I was suppose to be going! So, I sighed and turned around.

At that moment I heard "Damon, over here."

Turning around to, who I assumed, who I figured to be my sergeant. And it was. He wavered me over and ushered me to his tent he stood by.

Following his direction I walked to his tent. I entered it and a second time, though this time I was not a guest, or so I did not think, I was a solider being called on.

He motioned for me to be seated in his provided chairs, I sat. "The sergeant looked at me. "Do you know why I called?"

My head shook. "No sir, I don't."

The sergeant nodded. "Alright. I called you to discuss the sentencing king Xi Xin has fallen upon. As well as what we are to do about your few remaining commrads." the sergeant began. I listened in dread. My fists clinched and began whitening my knuckles. "They have, well yes the concil of Xi Xins commanding officers did have a say in what went about, choose to give him the pike...the wooden one."

My face settled in a deep scowel. Anger in me hit the restraints I had once owned. I jolted up and absent mindedly drew my blade and swung at my sergeant. He fell back in his chair, then quickly rolled out of the way and drew his blade. I beat and beat at his blade in anger with my own. I parried and blocked and lunged for my 'enemy' and tried to damage and hope my blade could nick him. Force and anger entertwined with each other and my rage flew into an over haul. I could not belive it! I couold not believe them! Sentencing my lord Xerxes to such a sentence! Even though he just about massacured his unit should not call for the pike! My lord Xerxes, no, he could not die like that!

Continuing on I bet my hardest and tried to kill my sergeant. My mind was caught up in pure rage and hate.

Sergeant Calhoun noticed my devoted rage and tried to wiggle into it to put me out. But I kept up my guard like in battle. The enemy must felt and I must kill him. That aws tall that was currently in any form of existance in my mind at the current time.

Pressing harder I drove my sergeant toward his bed. He glanced back let himself fall onto it. I pushed with all my strength to make the sergeants own sowrd slit his throat. He pressed back his best and looked up into my anger filled eyes. "Damon." he mustered. I continued to push more and hope to avenge my fallen lord. "Damon." the sergeant said again.

It made me wonder where he gathered the breath while fending me off to even say my name as many times as he did. I continued to pass the blade closer, if I was not careful, the blade would slip and his would embed into my arm. Did he plan that? I did wonder it, so I decided to stop it if it was indeed his plan.

During my absentminded strugle I looked into his eyes for a brief moment. They seemed determined in a sorts, but also calm. That did not make sense to me, he should have the desire to kill me, correct?

"Damon, I am Xerxes son." the sergeant finally said after calling my name two times or so.

My attempt to push his blade into my sergeants neck ceased. I pulled back some and lowered my sword to him. He lay there looking ar me in alomst, a comphorting manner. "How? You look nothing like him." I asked as my rage settled.

Sergeant Calhoun sheathed his sword and found some cloth and yanked off a strip and began bandaging a nice wound on his arm that I had given him during my rage. "He had an affair with another woman, other then his wife. After I was born, so he says, my mother soon caught sick in the winter. That I'm unsure of as truth. But he also never lied about such affairs. So that is why you say I seem like him. I am a little of him." the sergean explained to me.

I looked athim astounded. "They why are you allowing your very father to be put to the pike?"

"He murdered countless men, how can I not allow it? He took pay ffrom general Altor of Suma. To help end our existance he sergeant explained in his eyes.

My head bowed. Sergeant Calhoun lifed my chin up with his warm encouraging hand and looked at me in forim reguard and understanding at how I felt. "I'm sorry sir, I was entirely out of line. I-..." I trailed off as the words vacated my mouth.

"I very well understand your pain, Damon. He treated me as the son I was, at times, others he disreguarded my existance. He did nothing more then move me along in life. That was his only form of help to me. And what he ran off and did, the accepting money from Suma doesn't please me. As well as it deson't go over well with the rest of camp." My sergeant said to me in some distain about the backstabing actions of his father.

I sighed and slumped into my seat. My sword loosed it self from my palm and rattled to the ground. I looked at it, there on the tip of the blade was evidence of blood. "So I did nick you, I'm sorry sergeant."

"Don't bother. No more then a scratch." he said in a grim laugh.

"Sergeant, what is it you wish to do about your fathers men?" I asked in an attempt to change subject.

"Put you in my unit." the sergeant replied.

I nodded. "Thank you."

"Father asked me to take you all in. He said that that was and is the only personal favor he asked of me. So, since he asked one of me, I asked one of him." the sergeant explained to me. I watched him sigh as he finished half of what he wished to say. "I asked for him to fully admit what he did with Suma Altor as well as explain to all of Xi Xins men what Suma had high dreams of snathcing. As well as admitting he was not loyal to his wife as he should have been."

My face had settled into the color of the dead. I cer tainly felt dead, maybe the commander was even looking at me as if I was even dead. "I see, and, thats to commense today?"

"Yes." the sergeant replied. "Damon, will you honor my father in the only aspect he can be at this point? Stand next to me in his sentencing?" the sergeant asked of me.

I nodded. "Of course sir, anything you will me to do I shall do."

The sergeant smiled. "Thank you, Damon Claec."

My head be nt in recognition that he too trusted me as if I was his fathers and myself his right hand man. "Sergeant."

"Yes?" he asked curious to my next question.

"Suma has pulled back to her camps as well, correct?" I asked purely assuming.

"Yes, but how did you know they had pulled back to their main camp?" the sergeant asked surprised.

I looked at him slightly perplexed. "I didn't sir. I assumed since Facius told me we killed 'bout double my companys death in their men. Pureply assumed they'd run home and cry to king Suma." I replied.

The sergeant smiled. "Very good. He did exactly that. We're waiting upon one final blow from them, it will be hard to diverge it into two groups for us to break down, we're bound to be beat back again."

Looking at my sergeants face it came purely to my thoughts. Sergeant Calhoun knew we where all going to die. What a nice way to d ie. Walk into your enemys palm, get slaughted by them and baisicly shamed as we're cut down. As well as make Xi Xinians the laughing matter of the nations and Suma's personal jester for life. I sighed and looked directly into my sergeants gaze. "Sir, you don't believe we'll survive, do you?"

He laughed in a morbid humor. "Exactly. All of the officers know it, and so does our king."

I looked at him confused. So, if you very well know you and your men are about to die, you still waltz in? I understand the issue about honor and dieing with an honorable attempt at defending your dream and country and all. But, why not try to devise something that will save your men. I suppose I do not know the full extent of the pressures my king and commanding officers are under. But, I suppose they have their minds decided. Kill us all under defending home.

The sad realization hit me as I droped my eyes some from the sergeants. He knew we whre all to die, all the officersdid. And yet, they have not told the men. I suppose the moral is low enough in their eyes from Xerxes strech with his acts. So, walking in with officers knowing their fate and soliders not. I sighed.

Sergeant Calhoun looked at me. "Damon, you with me?"

I snaped to life as he shook me from my lock on realization about our final battle. "This is so degrating." I spat.

The sergeant laughed. "Yes, that nearly sums it all up."

"Nearly?" I repeated like a child.

"Yes, you forget the part thats self sacrafice." the sergeant inserted in morbid humor.

I snorted. "Sir thats just an inside detail to the degrating whole."
"Probably." he agreed. "You seem distressed. You are free from todays activities. Go and try to relax. Take Bonifacius with you and try to calm. Stay in the borders of our centuries camp. And return around one of perhaps two to hear the confession of my father." the sergeant granted.

"Thank you sergeant." I said releaved. I stood up and saluted him. He nodded to my thanks and let me leave.

I left the tent throwing thoughts in and out and into new consideration. Perhaps we could win? No, no, how dumb am I, really? The sergeant is very much so the correct. And I have no reason to try and rival that. I suppose I have a differnt kind of optimisum then my superiors.

A sigh settled into me as I continued on down the lesser travled paths around camp. I stoppped near a horse tie and acted as if I might borrow me a horse. But in truth I was over, er, eves droping on this. "Yes, they've detained him in the forest. Smack dab in the middle I think. WHo ever he thinks he is ohhh!' a solider said getting rather riled to my captains acts.

My heart sank. I still called him 'my' captain when, was he really? I mean, he now does not have me under his command. Now, I am his son's command. There's still attachmen to the man, probaly always will be.

They revealed all I needed to find my condemed captain. I followed the path out to the forest and hid in the brush as the centuries took shift change. I sighed, what ease this would be with a mages skill! But did our tiny kingdom have funs enouth to hire military mages? Entirely not! For, we are half and half, should someone NOT run across mage talent in our kingdom. Well, lemme tell ya, na'da shown up. So, I continued on slining to and from various places that could cover me. Finally my patience found me my lord Xerxes.

He stood shackled at the feet, one chain broke off into two to hold his ankles fairly. Cuffs clung pleasingly to his strong, think wrists. He proud self had very well vacated. Was this my very lord Xerxes? No, of course not, this was his true ghost residing in flesh. It irked me ferther on the thoughts of him wishing to kill own unit and company fast, then be paid for killing HIS very OWN people he himself swore to presurve and defend upon becoming the solider and captain of the Xi Xin kingdom.

I sighed, then looked up. "Hey Amsden, get over here! It's lunch time!" A fellow solider cried. I thinked the many gods above for allowing e my desired talk with my captain.

I walked out in a calm, cool feeling. When his eyes cradled my very body I lost all I owned in will to act as if nothing had gone astray in so many ways. He smiled gently. "My boy Damon. Loyal in all aspects, level headed during battle, my son, my boy, my my." he trailed off in spouts of words. The night must have chilled him probably spooked him knowing his fate that only waited to cling and clasp him good and firm.

"My lord Xerxes." I addressed properly.

A soft laugh emerged from his death ridden body. "You come to see me under no authority, why?"

"Obligation my lord." I replied as it became harder and harder to continue looking at his sin filled faced.

"You hadn't obligation to me past returning with your unit I had tried to kill off like a bitches bastard pups. And, you needn't look upon me nither." the captain spoke as calm as death seemed at night.

"Then, I set my own obligation my lord, and it requires me here and looking upon you." I replied as he searched me over for more to who stood infront of him.

"You come fro more then a glancing of our gods forsaken sinner, did you not?" the captain asked me as he wittled the truth from me like he always had in the past.

I sighed. "Yes sir, I did."

"Then carry on solider." he ordered.

"Why did you accept the pay?" I asked him bluntly.

"Simple. My king Xi Xin paid the forces little. Yes, we are that of a small kingdom, yet I see things could be changed to better benifit the likes goverened in his time of rule." my lord Xerxes...wanted to be king? I shook my mind of such a thing and litened on. "So, when this war neared, I spoke on numurious accounts to Altor. He said he would pay me handsomely if I killed off my own lords units. So I accepted. Also, once Xi Xin lands became that of Sumian lands, he'd trang me my wish. Kingship to better rule what Xi Xin couldn't do on his own. The kingdom was failing. Admit it boy, the devil himself know this." my lord explained to me, he watched my face and smiled morbidly. "You are appauled of my true self, are you not?" he chuckled in depressing humor.

"I knew about your exchanges with the Suma general years back. You lied, sir." I brough forward.

He snuffed at me. "Yes, I did have connection yars ago, I admit it. Plans did rise during that time. Their desire to move finalized it though." he said seeing I knew much more then I had let on I know in all the years I had served him.

"I see." he looked at me. I remained still and unaroused in shock to his reality. "My lord, your son spoke only distain for you. As that is all Xi Xinian soliders have to say as well."

"He's taken you in, good. I wouldn't trust hells hands to cradle your soul." he muttered. "He spoke of only distain? Plenty of ill wil reguarding my sould treatment of him I assume."

I shook my head. "No, his distain was very little, but it had more body then the praise he did admit." I replied as depression started to ensare me with its arms.

My captain, was he my captain? I sighed and looked into my..no, I looked into the captians dark green eyes. So evil resides in there does it? I sighed.

He seemed to feel my doubt and reading my thought, for, he looked me directly and did not flinch. "What is it boy?" he asked me in a deep tone.

I mentally smacked myself for not leving already, but I could not leave him, could I? Well, I could if it, or I rather, could force myself to leave. Yet, so much of me still loved this man and respected him. Heh, though...., what is there left to respect? Yes, exactly, there is none. Maybe it be pitty I own for the old tramp of a man. After all, Xerxes DID infact endanger my own life...and Facius. My mind split in two. I owed nothing to him. He nearly, no, he did try to kill me and my friend. I was so blind. I have become so numb, I cannot feel you there...you are gone captain. I feel no remorse for you, sir. "Good day Captain Xerxes." I said cooling, then turned on my heel and left his very presence.

"Come back here!" he spat after me.

I did not turn back or look into his demented eyes. Though, I did stop aways and say one final thing. "Captian, sir, you are more vile demon then you are noble elfin. That makes you very befiting to die, very." Then, I left. My very last convestaion with 'My Captain Xerxes'.

Jerking my head up I glanced the sky. I still had about, oh, hour and a half? So I went to find Bonifacius. Asking around he turned up on miserable centry duty all alone.

Showing up set him into a pleasing smile. "Damon!" he yelped ever the pleased to see me approaching.

I nodded my greeting. "Hello Facius."

He smiled ever the mroe. "Welcome, ver enticing would you not say?"

I returned his comment with the very skeptical 'No Facius, it doesn't seem to be.' He laughed to thie look. "Come.I ushered.

"Why? You taking my watch?" Facius asked me.

"Nah." I shook my head. "You're done with this for the day. Now come." I ordered.

He looked at me as if I had more of the least sanity I was clinging to. "Damon, I can't just up it." he argued.

"Actually, you very well can. Sergeant Calhoun, our new cammanding officer, has granted us permission to have the day off." I explained to him.

His face sprung into a joyious look. "oh thank the gods~ How'd you talk'em into it?" he asked as he followed me down the highway road he stood centry on.

I turned my head to him and smirked. "Talk him? Why, I did no such thing. He volentairy gave this to us." I explained as we continued down the ways.

"Oh, hmm, very odd, very odd indee--." I turned my gaze yet again to the sound of a clean whistle and Facius not finishing his sentence. My heart shot from its marriage with my soul and left me near lifeless, looking at my dead friend. More whistles cried at me as their arrow heads homed in on my being. Quickly I set to sprinting, Suma.

I dove into the nearest folage that lacked cover because of the many saplings I encountered that sat spread out a many feet apart. Quicker I made myself, and it seemed to pay off. The whistls cried less and less as I put a greater distance between them and myself.

Shooting myself from the small wood I looked about. Camp was safe and unknowing of Suma that lay behind the small wood. I set myself to sprinting untill I found a loose mount. Her master yelled his unpleasent words to me as I rode off in a dead gallop for my sergeants tent.

The horse performed perfectly. She was swift and lept over the obsticals I asked of her. We made it to my sergeants tent. I dismounted in haste and lurched into his tent. He stood taking his cloak off and in the process of slipping on one for a warmer day.

Sergeant Calhoun looked at me in confusion. "Yes Damon?" he asked perplexed.

Catching my breath and my nerves as well as handling seeing Facius dead, I spoke. "Suma is beyond the wood. They shot Facius and paln to attack now sir." I sputtered.

He looked at me whiter then even I thought my face had looked when I saw Facius down on the ground dead. "Alright. Follow me then." he snapped as he put on his sword and dagger belts. "Did you run?"

"No, I borrowed that lovely mare." I replied still in shock.

"Take her and ride up to our kings tent and tell them Suma is preparing to assult. Thats all they need hear. I'll take care of the troops down below. Find me after you do so." my sergeant ordered me in haste.

I took my message and shot up to the tent instructed to. I barged in as I had so been given permission to do so, and delievered my message.

King Xi Xin stood up after all of his officers had shot off, to commit honorable suicide. He looked at me, fear sent chills down my spine. "Scared? Ah, so am I. Nothing at all worng to it. Just a frea any being or crature shares." the king held a calm and refined poise that settled my souls chills.

"Sire, are you not going to help your men fight. Suma is nearly five thousand, and Xi Xin a bare seven thosand." I wailed in a plea he ight come forth and lend support to his troops that would 'Nobaly Scrafice' themselves for nothing, well I saw it as no more then nothing other then cowardice honor.

He smiled morbidly to me. "How about you?"

"I am my lord, I would never offend my superiors. But if we're all about to die because of numbers...then, are you enough of an ass that you're scared enough to hide here and wait to be found? Perhaps you're pray in the gods will have them take you hostage and spare your life for use on your peoples? If so, you sire, are no more then..." my mouth stopped spittiing out my words to my king. His expression was that of astonishment. I had assumed plenty in a matter of seconds. But had not the thought it be true!

Hastily I ran from the tent and remounted my mare. Why did my assumptions seem to find themselves attached to the truth? I moved the agile mare into yet another dead run. She followed orders like a solider herself.

We sprinted through countless men scurring to and from to prepare their battlements..and their resting places. It killed me to know their fates, and possibly my very own. But I still stood on my home lands fronts, prepared to die for her lost future, lost cause and damned peoples.

I found my sergeant mounted up on his war stallion of a beautiful dapple gray. He looked at me in the calmest way I have seen in my entire damn'd life. The calmness chilled my soul, was he even part elfin any more? When we fight, my race, did we loose all connection with our rational elfin side? Perhaps, and the demon blood in us curled at deaths fangs. Waiting to prickle our hairs and send us snarling upon their major thrats. Those living for death would die by their own hands. Something true, and from Xerxes very own mouth. I watched my sergeant order men in question and men ready to be strategicly placed.

I nearly deserted, I wanted to and just about moved to accomplishit. I had not the desire to die for nothing! I fought with a perpose, to be my lord Xerxes side. Now I did not have that. So now I felt I had nthing around me to work for, or desire. "Damon, draw your sword, there they come." Sergeant Calhoun ordered in a ghostly voice that made me wonder who the hell that damn guys mother was. For, Xerxes did not have those cool tones for war.

He came correct, Summa enemy bordered the foest edges below. The sergeant yelled to his long bows to send them his reguards as they came to them. His men gladly let loose their bow strings to send their sergeants wishes.

We sat there, me nervious...yet the cool feeling of the sergeant next to me settled any death thoughts. I was in death, basicly, I was sitting in her very palm. Now she was sending her fingers forth to clasp us all in her fist and claim yet another victory. My sergeant commanded a second wave of long bows, then ordered his short pick off calvary men that rode our way. Here they come, here came our death.


"Oh Callula, you ditz. Don't pitty over them, after all, they're only half breed mortals."

"Don't tell me what I should worry with or about, thats my choicse"


My mare seemed one with me. She side stepped enemy trying to cut her flanks or stab me with their spears. She moved in time to allow me the exact placing of my blade to kill the enemy. This mare would be mine, after all, I am sure her original master is olng dead. She's mine? I'm acting as if she and I are to make it out of here alive.

The sergeant pulled up near me and cut down another enemy. "Damon, I have my doubts we can kill them all ourselves."

I gave him a snort of sarcastic optimisum. "Of course we will, sure the gods wouldn't let use die, now would they?" I asked as I cut down more Suma.

"Oh, but of course they would. They certainly are now." my sergeant grumbled as he decaptiated more Suma soliders.


"Oh Callula, quit your crying and stop watching."

"No!"

"Fine, tear your pathetic souls out for something not worth your time."

"I will, and it isn't a waste of my time!"


The Suma enemy flew in like knats and sucked our remaining life. "Oh will they die already!" I cried.

From the sky came the heavest down poor I had ever set in while figning. Men unmouted fell as they tried to get traction to run at me or my horse. The rain thickened as we fought on. I looked up at thwat I thought was the river coming our way. "Sir...is that, what I think it is?" I asked as the pace had slown down because of the heavy rain.

He looked up and confirmed what I very well had seen. "Yes Damon, thats a rather nice flooding river thats coming our direction. Hold tight to your mare." he ordered me as we cut down men that continued to try us.


~A tear fell in her finger tip. She applied her finger to the overflowing river and drove it to wipe out all men of Suma~


"Oh...my gods." Sergeant Calhoun choked.

I looked up in a double take at the coming waters. "Uhh...Sergeant. I wodn't support this during a fight entirely...but...retreat?"

Sergeant Calhoun gaped. "I very well agree." he choked more as we quickly turned our horses and decided to flee into the safety of the forest wood.


"I win."

"Now what have you done Callula!"

"Oh shut up mother, its not as if you truely care."

"Yes, dear, after all...you did call them only pathetic mortals."

"I don't wish to hear about it."


We made our retreat with thanks to the god or goddess whom decided to show us mercy. I looked back as the water swalloed all of the Suma men. Devouring them pleasingly. I shuddered and pushed my mare into a long strided gallop to keep up with the sergeants war stallion.

"Sergeant, I think you charmed the gods somehow." I jested.

"Perhapds you did, but no matter to who obtains the credit, we're safe and Suma has hopefully suffered as well." the sergeant said smiling some as we slowed our horses to a halt and turned around to view a soping wet war ground.

"Sir, shall we go back and cheek for survivors?" I asked curiously.

"No." he replied bluntly.

I nodded and we continued on into the foret. "We'll be able to make it home, right?"

"Doubtful. We'd be better off making our way out of Sumas borders. So, we have to make it out of Xi Xin borders. Maybe after we manage that, we'll move oursleves into the Godric kingdom lands." sergeant Calhoun explained in his figuring of what we where bound to do next.

"Sounds good to me sir." I replied as our tired horses caried us on through the forest. We made it out and found the highway. "Sir, I think we should dismount and walk the horses untill we break for camp."

The sergeant nodded in agreeing and we both dismounted our horses and led them by foot.

"Claec." the sergeant Calhoun said adressing me by my last name. I lifted my gaze up to meet his. "I figured since we're bound to be run away military commrands that I'd let you onto my name. Though, in public in Godric, you and myself will have to use first. For, I figure I'm possibly known somewhat from our concils between Godric and Xi Xin. Anyway, to the point of this, my name is Finin." the sergeant finally told me.

"Thank you sir, I'm honored." I replied with the air of royalty.

The walk lasted for, gods, I do not even know. I just seemed to never end. We broke 'camp' if you can call it that and unsaddle our mounts. I set down on the cool earth and peeled my still wet shirt off. I pulled my sowrd belt and dagger belt off and hung them on a lib to air out for the night. My sword and dagger rested in the comphy grass and shined through the few openings the thick trees allowed.

"Ser-er, Finin, after we get in Godric lands, should we try for entering their military for service?" I asked him in wonder.

"Yes, thats what I'd have had us do, except....the king of Godric would ask us plenty about why we did not serve for our king." Finin sighed. "Yes that'd be the easy way out. Except, well..ugh." Finin grumbled.

I settled my gaze on the ground, then my mind smacked my poor brain with the idea that I was so dumb to forget it! "Finin, I, I visited Xerxes before I returned with the news about Suma." he looked at me in a curious matter, and an expression of 'why?' So, I continued. "And, he's deeper in the vile world thne I could have even guessed." Finin snorted in a sarcastic laugh.

"Very good, as I learnt growing up. "Finin smirked.

"Yes, well, I spoke a little with Xi Xins king as well." Finin looked at me in wonder as to how talking to the king was signifagant to what had commensed only hours ago. "He had something in this with Suma. Our own king Finin! He had also made some deal with Suma! He didn't scatter out to defend his peoples like htis officers did. I stayed a few and accused him of waiting to be found and taken hostange or appear to. Then make it alive and live under Sumas eyes." I explained. "So, he and Xerxes both knew of this. He probably knew exactly when SUma would attack us and where to posistion cap for them to corral us and kill us off!"

Finin looked at me some what astonded. "Wow, very good Damon. Even I didn't know of this. And you spok your assumptions to the kings face?"

"Yes." I replie sheepishly.

"And Xerxes, what of him?" Finin asked me curious to what I knew about him before Suma came for us.

"I don't know what you want. But all I figure is Suma rescued him from where we had him teathered. And, both of them Xerexes and the king, are probably in a sour liking for us."

Finin snorted. "Now that I wouldn't doubt." He sighed and pulled off his shirtm, cloak and sowrd and dagger belts and laid them out as I had. "Try to get some sleep. And thank the god or goddess or even goddesses or gods that saved our arses today. Someone had pitty on our poor souls, and that we should be mighty thankful for."

"Yes, we should." I agreed as I laid down attempting to settle in the soft cool grass.


Morning came kindly today, no slaping or heart racing wake up calls for me. By that, I sent another thankful prayer to the gods.

I sat up to find sergeant still sleeping. Finding the drunk of a tree I settled up agianst it to keep watch while he slept on.

Have you ever wondered, why must we be so thankful to multiple beings above? I mean, heh yes they do infact have the ability to alter my lfie and this worlds fate by the will in them. But, did you ever concive the notion to what they really are? How did they obtain such powerful abilities? Personally, it bothers me that my soul is just about in their hands, but is also in mine. The gods play with us like toys for their enjoyment. Yet, they also bless and help us. I sighed, then hoped no god or goddess had decided to listen to a single mortals thoughts. For, that for sure would put me in their disliking. You had free thinking under certain rules. Your kingdoms way of life, and then the gods. I if you did not respect either, you had sinned. And I probaly just sinned. So I sighed.

Something caught my eye behind some bush. Qucily once it had realized I had seen it, it darted off and away. 'Please no Suma spies!' I groaned.

Finin continued to sleep soundly. The war had worn the sergeant out, as it had me. My face fell some when I sadly recalled Facius's death. Then I swore revenge for my friends unfair death. Someday I will avenge you Facius, I promise.

I sighed and began streching out of pure boredum. As I went through my streches I caught glipses of someone or something spying on us.

Finally after a good while of streching my sergeant woke up and laid there watching me finish a strech. "Not get enough of manditory streching in your service?" Finin jested.

I smirked. "No, I certainly recived plenty, just for now I figured I'd do it while I waited fo you to wake."

Finin gave me a skeptical 'Sure thats the reason' look. "Well, lets get a move'n. Got a fair amount till we make it to Godric."

I nodded and went over to where our shirts hung to dry. They where partly damp, but dryer then they had been yesterday. I tossed him his and he pulled it on. We strapped on our sword and dagger belts and headed to saddle our horses. "Suma will probably recognize our colors and the insigniaon the horses blankets. As well as our clasps."

He looked at our shirts. "Ye, yer correct. Probably will. Don't bother to put it on then. Give it here and put the clasp in your saddle pack. We might need'em someday later." Finin ordered, I followed and did as he asked off me and pulled off my shirt. Finin pulled out his dagger and cut believe able slits in them, then ripped the insignia of Xi Xin our and cut them into peices. "Alright, that should hopefully say someone killed us, or something."

I nodded. "Sir, will we need new public names?"

He thought on it as we walkted to saddle the horses up. "Possibly. I figure we need last, but I'm nearly doubtful, no, yes, we will need new last. Information will have travled to Suma quote fast." he went quite for a while as he searched out new last names for us. "Ahh, you be Gaderion and I'll be Raedon."

"Where'd you gather those names?" I asked curiously.

"Prisoners I exicuted years ago. Their names ain't existant anymore, that I know of." Finin replied.

I laughed. "Oh how lovely, named after a prisoner thats dead."

Finin smirked. "Fold up your cloak and pack it and lets go." he ordered as he folded up his own and packed it in his saddle bag and then mounted up. I followed suit and we where soon on our way.

The horses enjoyed the morning trot we set them in. I slowly taught my mare to lengthen her stride to match up with Finins war stallion.

"The stallion, how noticeable is his breeding to regular horses?" I asked Finin as things for consideration came to mind.

He slowed to a talk and so did I. "Hmm, well, I'm not sure really. I hadn't the stable education like I might possibly should. Do you think they'd believe the tale of 'my father was an officer and before he died he gave me him?'"

I nodded. "Quite believeable." I agreed.

"Good, thanks for bring'n it up." he paused as I nodded to his thanks. "Our swords are military issue, and made. How to go about that."

"Theives." I replied.

Finin looked at me. "Now, that'd get us int trouble, no?"

"Possibly. Unless we fell back on your 'father' giving them all to you, then you gave them to me." I replied in suggestion.

"Yea, that ought to do it." Finin agreed. "You're sly sir Damon."

I smirked. "As you are cunning and quick witted."

Finin smiled and continued on the way. I followed content with our back up story as our military possessions. The road became collective with merchants traveling to their destinations. I looked at the growing collection of varietys of men. "Sir!" I yelled to a man up ahead of us.

He turned around and looked at us, then slowed his cart to ride up next to me. "Yes?"

"Where are all of these merchants heading to?" I asked curiously and innocently.

"Why, don't you know?" he cried in distress.

I looked at the man confused as to what I had apparently missed. "Seems not." I replied.

The man seemed to just about have a heart attack or soemthing. "Oh my, where have you been?" he yelped.

"Ahh, we don't come from here." Finin explained.

"Where then?" he asked.

Finin and I looked at one another, we had not created our 'homeland.' So, I stalled for time as Finin re ached into his mind for an existing country or kingdome, or perhaps even a frigged village that magically produced two well equiped soliders on fine mounts. "No matter our location, tell me the event." I pushed aside.

The man seemed unpleased with his answer going unanswered, but put it as something that really had no matter to the subject we had formed. "Well, theres cause for celebration for multiple reasons actually. One would be wonderful king Suma has defeated the lowly Xi Xinian kingdom. "My stomach drove the remanets of anything inside of me into a black pit. He was happy our army had been killed! I glanced over at Finin, he had the same deathly pale look to him But luckily the man did not notice it. "Everyone knows they're a bastard kingdom with bastard children and all. We all know that. So king Suma elimiated the incestious creatures from the planet!" he seemed glorafied to the very fact, as I a Xi Xinian...I felt like the bastard he called us. Finin seemed to catch how I felt and patted the top of my hand in assurance we would find some way to even this out. "And now us native Sumians are returning for celebration of the kings victory. Though one thing that does vex me. When my lord king Suma had sent his men out, I heard that the river flooded out and drowned units upon units of men. Very sad." A small smirk spread to my lips, as they made a smile on Finins face. Once again the man was wrapped up in his heroing tale about his mighty Suma empire. "But we return in victory. Then there's the announcement that our king is puting up his daughters hand to which ever man can please her." he glowed with pride as if he was to be that man. "Story from the soliders mouth goes that there where two Xi Xin soliders they hd left to kill. Names unknown I think, anyway. That river seemed to be driven by the gods themsleves! I myself don't understand why they would allow such nasty creatures as Xi Xin to live and escape. I heard there is a reward to who e ver catches them and brings them alive to my lord Suma. Make you wonder 'what' and 'why they're so valued huh?" I swallowed and felt chills fly down my spine. I just hate being THAT wanted. My gods! "Say, did you say where you where from?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, no, we didn't. It's Rheghed." Finin sputtered.

I shook my head slightly. He came up with things faster then I figured possible, but he did. "Yes, Rheghed." I mimiced.

"Now wonder you hadn't heard a thing! So far from home!" the man yelped impressed. We nodded. "So, where are you heading?" he asked.

Not again! I groaned. "Well, we hd no entire purpose. Really we where both curious about the outside world." Finin said quickly.

"Oh, adventuring eh?" he asked smiling. "How 'bout you boys acompany me to Suma to celebrate all this? What say you?"

I looked at Finin, he was biting back the same desire I myself had. Simply, we wanted to kill the Suma man. "Sure." Finin said through a forced 'yes.'

"How grand!" he said entirely the thrilled. I groaned, stuck with HIM for oh my gods how long?

"Say, how far from here to Suma?" I asked.

"Mmm, depends. Theres a port here in the up coming kingdom of Godric. Yet, that yeilds me want to go. Too expensive to travel myself and my lovelys behind me. And with yourselves. It'd be mighty more." he replied partly. Oh, I was all for and over the idea of going by ship! Anthing to end the voyage and trip with him sooner put forth had my devotion directly upon suggestion. "Otherwise its good, mm, week or two by foot." he let on.

"We can pay for our part of the trip sir, and help you along." Finin said gruffly.

"Can you now?" the man asked perplexed that he would have so much.

We do? I blinked, since when? Finin flashed a look at me. We did not have any money as I figured. So, I nudged his claim along. "Yes, though it wuld be mighty wise to spend the night in Godric and let us scope the ships out." I suggested. Finins face relaxed to me catching to help cover him.

"Yes, I do agree with him." Finin added on strongly.

The man looked us over. He knew we had not travelers experience, or not all that much. So he asked, "And you know this how? Rheghed is up in mountian and vally lands, is she not?" he got us, hell if we knew Rhegheds damn lay out of her gods forsaken lands. And he thought Xi Xin was bad? What the hell? Rheghed, why the damn'd hell'd Finin say the bitching Rheghed? I sighed. Rheghed had a mroe known reputation for vile demons and demon breeding then Xi Xin. This made me wonder what the threat Xi Xin placed existing. For, we whre so small and quite the peaceful bunch. It could not have been our bloody basatard king. He had a deal, but how early? Why? Xi Xin lands had something Suma detested, but what? We were not rich in the metals or jewls. I sat vexed by the thoughts and figured I should get myself to speak to Finin on private grouns about my thoughts. I sighed, shit, I had forsaken, offended, insulted, damn'd and who knows what the bloddy else I did. Now we where screwed, the gods for sure heard me and whre bound to make me pay.

Finin went a sickly pale, so I figured, had be been Rheghed? Not likely, so I tried it. "Sir, have you been to Rheghed?"

He looked at me surprised by the direct questioning he had just given.

"Well, no, but you here claim knowlege about ports and ships and ways to comendur their vessels for a bargin. And yet, Rheghed has NO ports!" he pointed out satisfied.

I smirked. "Correct, Rheghed has no ports." I sure as hell knew she had a river named the Tigress that split her down the middle, then that broke into a bay named the Lionel. They had ports. That Xerxes had told me years back when he had gone to pick up supplies for our men before spring training came. But, to make the man feel as the elder power I let him have his correct word. "But, we did travel through costal kingdoms like Irwyn and Isen and its third brother kingdom Irenbend."

He seemed impressed and envyious we visted there. "So be it, we'll rest in Godric. I'll try to make sale in the market till we depart while you boys find a good ship for passage to Suma."

We nodded. "Yes, that we shall." Finin added strongly.

I sighed and grumbled as to when the man began talking to us. 'Travel Partners' he called us. I figeted at the title. No such thing! Not my ideal 'Travel Partner', Finin and the horses accounted for more then a 'Travel Partner'. I'm gonna ride on ahead into Godric, care to race me?" he chidded all giddy. By that I assumed he had never had a ship voyage of any kind or length.

"No thanks, the horses are exhausted as is, you go on and we'll see you there." Finin coaxed along happily. He nodded and sped away the excited.

"Thank the gods he's easy." Finin laughed to my comment.

"Yes, I can agree." he said smirking.

"Finin, I thought up matters I need to council on." he nodded. Along the road as we travled was not smoth. Travlers and snitches travled as the same.