Betrayal's Hands

"Wha.. how... Bah!" Cor said, slamming his sword back in his scabbard. "I've been bewitched, that must be it!"

He turned and looked out the door behind him. No one was readily evident but he was not so naïve to think they had escaped. He stuck his head out and saw a dozen guards at the end of the alley talking to some people that pointed down the alley.

Cor turned back and saw that the girl, his target, had tried to escape. She ran to a shuttered window and opened it, then tried to escape out of it. He cursed and rushed after her, grabbing her by the back of the dress and hauling her back in. She screamed for help, causing him to cuff her on the head.

"Be silent, wench, or you'll force me to kill you!" Cor hissed.

"You're going to do it anyway, you pig!" She spat back at him, refusing to be intimidated by him.

"No, I'm not," Cor said, realizing it was true. "I'll not murder a child. But you must come with me."

"What, so you can have your way with me? I think not!"

Cor cursed again, something involving a troll having intimate relations with the Kingdom's Queen. D'lariana blanched a little at the strong language. "I'm no rapist, now shut up and do as I say!"

Her lip trembled a little but she nodded. Cor saw her eyes look past him and widen. He spun about and ducked when he saw the threat. Two crossbows twanged as they released their deadly bolts. Both missed the dodging Northman, but both made wet sounds of impact, followed by a soft cry.

Cor spun again and the crossbowmen dropped their weapons. D'lariana collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath that would not come. Blood stained her expensive yellow silk dress red. She hiccupped a few times and then lay still, shuddering as death took her.

Cor could not believe his eyes. She was dead! But he was not going to kill her, damn it! How could she die? He turned back to the guardsmen, who saw him and were furiously cranking their crossbows back to reload and fire upon him. He reached them first.

Outside the storeroom now Cor barely registered the ten guards that surrounded him. He carried his momentum and seized the initiative, attacking them without pause. They reacted slowly, and by the time they understood that death was in their midst three had fallen. The remaining did not last long, and one even tried to escape. It took Cor almost a minute to run him down and slash out his throat with his sword.

Cor stood up, the blood of his enemies dripping from him, and looked around. The street was empty, unheard of at such an hour. A few people were hiding and peering at him, but they offered no threat. He glared at them all, breathing hard, and then turned and ran towards the gates of the city.

He looked down at one point and realized that his sword, a Kingdom long blade, had broken in the fight. He held only a portion of it in his hand. He let it fall from fingers gone cold and did his best to melt into the crowd. The cry had gone up but he managed to escape out the gate in the confusion.

He spent the night far from Kahltop, staring at his hands even though he had long since washed the blood from them. They were responsible for the girl's death, he knew. He was responsible. It had been his order to do it, but he could not. He had meant only to capture her and take her back to his people to hold as a hostage. But no, she had died and her blood was on his hands. Cor wept openly, terrified of what he had become and what further horrors he might yet do.

*****

Baroness N'meria held her satin robe closed with trembling fingers. With Makan gone, she had invited Karoak to her bed each night. Some nights all she wanted from him was to be held, sheltered and warmed in his arms. Other nights she wanted him to sweep her away with passion so she could forget that their lovely child had been taken from her by the northlanders.

The first night, Karoak had turned red with anger when he beheld the darkening bruise on her cheek.

"He has dared strike you! One day very soon should the northlanders not finish it, I will kill him." He had softened his words by pulling her into his arms and kissing her softly.

Tonight she needed him. Needed to be swept away from this world. She had no tears left. She had been weeping since the guards had brought her the body of her youngest child.

Karoak entered the room, closing it softly behind him. His strong face was haggard and drawn. "I have failed you, my Lady. This is my fault." He dropped to his knees before her. "If I had only been more vigilant." Tears streamed down his cheeks.

"There was nothing you could do. Makan has done this by angering someone with his scheming. It is he who has killed my children." She dropped down beside him, leaning in to kiss the tears from his face. "Come to me now." She smiled wanly, standing and drawing him back to her bed. "Let us forget together, if only for a moment." With that she dropped the robe and reached for him.

*****

It had reached the second week since Darleth and Makan had been waiting in the bandits cave for the return of Krev and his captive. Makan despaired that they might never arrive. Sven, who had survived his questioning and was mobile again, though still weak and not at full strength, grew nervous that his usefulness would soon end. Darleth chafed at the chance to return home, for clearly no more was to be gained, but he waited impatiently for Makan to be finished with it, he needed the man still, now more than ever if his eldest daughter was no more.

Winter came quickly to the northlands, and although less harshly, just as quickly to the Kingdom of Aradmath. Baron Makan returned to the Duth Darek and learned by messenger of his daughter's fate. In a fury he ordered every man in his service he could spare to search for the spy that had shot her and then killed his guards. He even posted rewards for the assassin. Later that same day, when finally alone, he collapsed in his office and for a moment let his fears and his grief overwhelm him. The northern bitch's vow was coming true.

Makan stayed at the capital, unable and unwilling to face N'meria. D'lariana's death was his fault, he felt. He should have taken better precautions to have her protected, especially since his other daughter had already been taken from him. He alternated between raging and weeping. His concern for N'meria showed itself at one point, but he felt reassured that Karoak was there to watch over her. He even sent a missive to his captain of arms to spend every waking moment in her company. Word had already spread of his children's fate; if his wife were to be taken as well Makan would be publicly laughed at by the other nobles.

Chapter 11

Cor slipped deeper into his personal darkness, abandoning himself for a time and living off the land as only a hardened savage could. His guilt overcame him, but instead of breaking him into a defenseless and helpless person, he became little more than a beast, stealing what he needed and attacking anyone that bothered him with a ferocity that sent the survivors running.

A few times he was sent running instead though, when a group of villagers or a squad of soldiers would close in on him. As fierce and dangerous as he had become, he seemed to flee from danger more often that face it. Another aspect of him turning from the man he had once been.

The Darkwood was home to many beings. While most were the type that shied away from humanity, some were not so distant. Among the varied denizens of the forest was a small community of more tolerant creatures, half breeds, many, but some pure of blood but unwelcome by their own kind.

Thus it was that Cor found himself pushed towards the Darkwood. Ere long he found himself in a makeshift cabin, patching it up with evergreen boughs to block the wind and the snow.

The small village of Briam's Crossing was along some makeshift roads passing through the more southern reaches of the Darkwood. It had once been little more than a crossroads with a nearby deep stream of fresh water and ample fish, but such an idyllic setting, among the restless natives, had proven a good place to settle. The inhabitants largely kept to themselves, however, or among small groups. Word traveled quickly among them of newcomers, and Cor was not the first human to join the settlement, nor was he the first recluse that shunned contact. He was the only human there at the time, aside from an occasional brave merchant trying to find a market for his wares.

In short order Cor heard tell of a reward being offered for a half-ogre that had captured a woman from the Kingdom. Cor had reacted strongly to this, at first thinking it was him, but upon further eavesdropping he learned that it was not he they were after.

For the first time in months he began to visit a social establishment. He traveled to the village inn, known simply as Mung's Place after the proprietor, an unusually intelligent troll named Mung. There he learned more, that the half-ogre in question was actually rumored to be staying in the Darkwood and that the girl was still with him. They wintered in the northeastern portion of the forest, and thus far every being that had gone to investigate had not returned.

Cor kept the information to himself, brooding on it and wondering. The coincidence was uncanny, and before long he found his curiosity getting the better of him. He thought about it more and more, and then one day found himself pushing beyond his normal hunting range, steering to the north and the east. He gave no particular thought to it, but he knew where he was going. He had to see for himself. It had been many weeks since he had seen another human, and though he felt undeserving of their society and was afraid of them, he also yearned for contact.

*****

Teri watched through the crack between the shutters on a window as Krev walked through the slowly melting snow. It was warmer, yes, but still cold enough that they needed firewood. If nothing else it was needed so that she could cook their dinner, whatever he was able to find and bring back from the woods. She never ventured outside of the cabin without him nearby. She assumed it was for her protection, but she also knew he was keeping an eye on her. He really did not need to, as she had nowhere to go and no desire to do so, considering the nature of the forest that she always felt was watching her with menace.

Krev's mind was busy, wondering what he should do. Always ambitious, he realized that with the spring thaw it was time to move on. What he was not sure of was where to go. Should he take Teri somewhere and sell her, or should he keep her with him. He hated to admit it but had to, she did come in handy. She was a poor servant at first, unable to cook the simplest of meals properly and having no idea how to clean and wash clothes. She had learned over time, but was still only passably good at her duties.

She was a maiden, however, and that would bring a good price. But, with a surly growl he had to admit he was mildly fond of her company, even if, at times, she frustrated and infuriated him. He had decided to instruct her on how to please a man, but shied away from taking her virginity. After all, if he did sell her she would be worth much more if she was unspoiled.

And so Krev stewed over it. He wondered about trying to start up another bandit company, or perhaps heading away from the Kingdom all together and maybe signing on with a mercenary company. There would be no way he could take Teri with him then, it would be impossible to keep an eye on her.

Krev grunted at the impact of the large rock, staggering forward off balance and feeling a numbing sensation sweep through his arm from where it had hit him in the shoulder blade. He spun around, growling loudly, his sword in his hand already to sweep aside the spear that would have pierced his chest. Two figures approached him, one a troll and one a half-ogre like himself, though a little smaller. He spit at them and snarled, wasting no breath on words.

They ran at him, the half-ogre with a crudely fashioned club and the troll with a large axe. A smaller stone bounced off his chest, just below his throat. He ignored the sting and saw a wild elf fitting another stone into his sling off to the side. He had wandered blindly into an ambush. He cursed his stupidity and crouched low, presenting a smaller target.

The half-ogre reached him first, feinting with his club and drawing Krev off balance. The troll was there then, nearly severing his leg with a vicious chop. As it was the blade glanced off the front of his thigh, cutting into him and spraying his blood onto the snow. Krev gritted his teeth and backed up, parrying a follow up strike from the club.

Another sling stone hurled past him, making him duck his head from the whistle of it. He parried the axe with his sword and accepted a hit from the club on his left arm, which was still numb from the rock strike. He grunted at the impact, but knew the bone had not broken so all was well.

Krev circled, putting his opponents between him and the wild elf, protecting him from any further ranged attacks for the moment. He lashed out, landing a nasty cut on the shoulder of the half-ogre in retaliation for the club strike, and cursed as he had to put himself precariously off balance to avoid a swing from the troll's axe.

The half-ogre dropped the axe, his other hand going to the gash in his shoulder. He stumbled back and tripped on a rock hidden by the snow. Krev saw stars explode in his eyes when the next sling stone was released and flew true, cracking into his forehead. He stumbled backwards, unable to press his advantage, and swung his sword blindly until the dizziness passed. Blood streamed down his face, but he ignored it and narrowly managed to deflect the next swing from the axe.

He lunged forward, throwing his shoulder into the troll's chest. The troll was larger than he was, but his sudden attack caught it off guard. He was inside the reach of the axe as well, and he dropped his sword and grabbed the troll's neck, squeezing with powerful fingers.

The troll gasped, eyes bulging, and dropped his own weapon so he could use his hands to try and pry Krev's grip from his throat. Krev used his other arm, which felt clumsy and slow to respond, to drive his fist into the troll's groin. What breath the creature had exploded out of it. Krev picked the troll up then, fighting through the difficulty of using his arm as he gripped the troll's groin painfully and hefted him over his head. He turned and threw the heavy creature as far as he could, stunning him further by landing in a melting snow bank upon hard ground. Another stone whistled past him, making him growl angrily. He glared at the wild elf and saw him undeterred as he put another stone in his sling's pouch. The half-ogre was running away as Krev bent to retrieve his sword.

Krev caught the next stone as it streaked towards him. It bit into his palm but he ignored it. He turned to the troll who was trying to rise and kicked him in the side, hearing ribs break as he did so. He swung his sword and severed its head then, freeing him from that particular threat.

The wild elf sent another stone hurtling at Krev, which he took on his forearm as he ducked his head behind it, and then he was running towards the short figure. The elf turned and fled, seeing he could not bring their target down. His short legs were no match for Krev's longer pounding stride though, and in seconds Krev was standing atop his quivering and steaming corpse.

He looked around and realized that there were not enough adversaries here to bring him down, though they had come close. He cursed. Obviously these three had been a diversion for him... a diversion while the others went to the cabin! He turned and ran, now feeling the jarring impact of each step on his wounded leg which still bled freely.

*****

Teri screamed when she heard the door being battered. Something heavy crashed into it twice more before it gave under the assault. She looked around and knew she had nowhere to hide in the small two room cabin. She tried to unlatch the shutters on a nearby window but already she heard footsteps behind her. She looked back and saw three wild elves grinning savagely at her, when the larger form of a half-ogre stepped into the cabin, crunching and breaking what remained of the door under his boots.

She screamed again, hoping to draw Krev back. She backed away until she ran out of room. The wild elves surrounded her, short spears in their hands. The half-ogre, easily half a head or more taller than Krev, reached beyond them and grabbed her roughly. She gasped and struggled in his grip but there was nothing she could do. He leered at her and threw her on her pallet on the floor, then knelt over her and tore her shirt from her body. She screamed again, drawing a slap that knocked her senseless for a moment and made her taste blood.

Cor watched, hidden, as the door was kicked in by the half-ogre, one he had seen a few times in Briam's Crossing. Cor knew he was one of three thugs in a group of bandits and thieves that behaved themselves in Briam's Crossing, but preyed upon anyone they could outside of the neutral village. Cor had no idea who was in charge of the group, they had never seemed to defer to anyone in particular whenever he saw them.

The screams drew his attention and before he realized what he was doing, he was rushing towards the cabin. He saw a figure, blood on his face, running down his leg and a equally bloody sword in his hand, emerge into the small clearing from the other side. He was also running towards the cottage. Obviously this was the owner of the cabin, the half-ogre that had taken the girl hostage in the first place.

The longer strides of the half-ogre beat Cor to the door. The half-ogre was through, ignoring him and rushing inside. Cor heard a startled shout then saw one of the shutters explode outward, a wild elf hanging over the windowsill, either unconscious or dead. Cor stepped into the doorway then and took in the chaotic scene.

Two wild elves stood facing Krev, while a larger half-ogre was pulling up his breeches and drawing a sword with one hand large enough to require Cor two hands to wield it. Krev kicked out at one wild elf, sending the small demi-human stumbling into a wall. The other one stabbed him in the calf of his extended foot, making him growl in pain and rage. He cut that one down with his sword, easily blasting through the defense of the raised spear in his path.

The half-ogre lashed out at Krev, the tip of his sword cutting through his hide jerkin and nicking into his upper chest and shoulder. Krev dropped low and tried to thrust with his sword, but his twice injured leg protested and sent him crumpling to the floor.

The attacking half-ogre grinned victoriously and raised his sword behind his head. He swung, forgetting where he was, and looked up in confusion when it imbedded itself into the ceiling. Krev rolled closer and drove his sword up, sending it deep into the viscera of the stranger.

Cor stepped forward, watching the attacker let go of his blade, which remained stuck in the timber overhead, and collapse to his knees, then he roll over and expire. Krev stumbled to his feet and turned around, seeing Cor there. Behind Krev, Cor could see the woman now trying desperately to pull her torn clothing about herself in an attempt at modesty.

Cor thought about speaking, but he changed his mind quickly. Badly wounded though he was, the half-ogre in front of him seemed of no mind to negotiate. Cor also decided not to turn and leave, for Krev would be upon him instantly, bad leg or no.

A distant part within him called to him as well, urging him to take action. Here was a woman who was a prisoner... a hostage of an evil monster. His upbringing and old beliefs demanded he try to free her, even if his recent life had led him to different actions.