A Rite of Swords

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Reece galloped across the countryside, flanked by O’Connor, Elden, Conven, Indra, Serna, and Krog, all of them heading east, racing in the direction of the stolen Sword. Reece felt odd to be on a quest, to be riding into battle, and not have Thor by his side. He was determined to find his best friend and free him; if he had his choice, he would be riding with the main army right for Andronicus’ camp right now.

But Reece knew he had to serve the army, serve the Ring first, and he knew that right now, where he was most needed was in tracking down the Destiny Sword before it left, before it brought down the Shield and exposed all his countrymen to death. He knew it would be what Thor would want him to do as well.

Their small group, seven in all, galloped hard, passing all the charred Empire corpses that Mycoples had wiped out along the way. The countryside was in ruins, the Ring caught up in a wave of destruction from both directions. Reece did not know exactly where the Sword was at this moment—none of them did—but he knew it was somewhere on the other side of the Highlands.

They had crossed the peaks of the Highlands hours ago, and they all charged down the descent. It felt funny to be here, on the McCloud side of the Ring. Reece had never been this far east, spending his entire life on the Western side of the Ring, but he had heard stories of the McClouds, and he’d had no desire to venture this far. Crossing the Highlands was like crossing an invisible barrier in his mind, and a part of him already felt as if he were behind a wall, with no way back.

The tension was thick in the air here. When they had crested the Highlands they had spotted, on the horizon, a half-million of Andronicus’ men, swarming like ants across the countryside. They had all paused, and felt the gravity of it. In some ways, this felt like a suicide mission.

As they continued on the road, charging ever East, as they came closer to the body of troops, they forked off into a smaller trail that took them through dense woods. They could no longer ride the main roads, with so many troops swarming about. They would have to use stealth, speed, and cunning.

“We need to know exactly where they have taken the Sword,” Reece called out to the others.

“And how do you propose we do that?” Krog asked back.

“We will have to interrogate an Empire soldier,” Reece responded.

“We can hardly just go up to one and ask him,” Krog said, skeptical.

“We will capture one,” Reece replied.

“The seven of us, confront an Empire division?” Krog pressed.

Reece was growing impatient with Krog’s skepticism and his lack of respect in the face of command.

“We don’t need to confront a division,” Reece explained. “We need only ambush a smaller group. That’s why we took the woods. All armies send out scouts, on the periphery of the main camp.”

They continued riding in a tense silence, header deeper into the woods for several minutes, until finally Reece spotted movement.

Reece raised his hand in a signal, and they all came to a stop. They all sat there on their horses, very still, waiting and watching the trees.

There came a muffled noise, then movement of branches, then around the bend, there came into view a small patrol of Empire soldiers. There were seven of them—exactly as many as Reece’s group—all hardened warriors from the looks of them, wearing the black and gold of the Empire, the intimidating helmets, the brand-new glistening weapons. They rode strong horses and scanned the forest carefully. It would not be an easy ambush. But they had no choice. If they did not, they would be discovered anyway. Reece felt confident in his own skills; he only hoped that Indra and the two new legion could hold their own. At a moment like this, he desperately wished Thor was by his side.

“On my signal,” he whispered to the others, “ready your weapons.”

They all sat there on their horses, watching as the troops came closer. Reece could feel his horse want to prance and held her in check, his palms sweating, despite the cold.

“And who put you in charge here?” Krog asked Reece.

Reece turned and saw Krog staring back defiantly. Reece and his friends had fought together so seamlessly for so long that Reece had never expected division amongst them.

“Thor is in charge,” Reece corrected. “But he’s not here. In his absence, I am leading. Now be silent or leave!” Reece snapped, afraid the voices would give them away.

But Krog would not relent.

“I’m as much a Legion member as you,” Krog said.

Reece flushed with rage. Krog was going to give them away. Reece was going to rush over to him and slap him silent.

But it was already too late: all the bickering caught the attention of the Empire troops, who suddenly looked their way.

Before any of them could react, Conven let out a battle cry, kicked his horse and charged forward through the woods. He raised his sword and rode recklessly right into the thick of the Empire patrol. He was fearless—or suicidal.

Reece was quickly losing control, watching his plan fall apart all around him.

Conven, sword raised, charged into the startled group of soldiers, slashing wildly and managing to knock a few of them off their horses with his wild blows. He didn’t even bother to raise his shield as blows rained down upon him. He charged through the group so fast, that somehow he did not get killed. A final blow, however, knocked him off his horse, and he fell down and hit the ground with a clank of metal, rolling.

Reece could wait no longer.

“ATTACK!” he screamed.

O’Connor, disciplined, awaited the command, then fired off two arrows with perfect precision, killing two soldiers—the two that Conven had knocked to the ground, killing them as they tried to get back up.

That left five Empire, two of whom were going for the exposed Conven.

Reece led the charge, racing to save Conven’s life, and he slashed at one of them. But the soldier wheeled, blocked the blow and swung back at Reece. Reece blocked it with his shield, and the two went back and forth, locked in a fierce battle.

Finally, his arm getting tired, Reece found an opening, reached around and smashed the soldier in the side of the head with his shield, knocking him off his horse. Kolk’s old lesson came back to him: one does not always need a sword to do the most damage.

Elden charged forward with his spear and stabbed a soldier in the gut—but that left his side exposed, and another soldier brought down an axe for his shoulder.

Indra raced forward, screamed, drew her dagger and stabbed the soldier in the throat. He dropped his axe limply, right before it hit Elden.

That left three more Empire soldiers, and Serna and Krog charged forward, Krog going blow for blow with a soldier while Serna jumped off his horse, tackled a soldier down to the ground, and wrestled with him. Reece watched as he fought hand to hand, expertly knocking him out with his elbows and fists. He was impressed.

But Krog raised his sword to bring it down on the other Empire soldier, and he was outfought. The Empire soldier dodged, then wheeled around and knocked Krog off his horse with an elbow strike.

Krog lay supine on the ground, startled, and turned to see the Empire soldier bring his sword down for his throat.

There came a clang, as Indra leapt forward and used her dagger to block the soldier’s blow. She then swung around and slashed the soldier’s leg. The soldier fell, screaming.

Indra scowled down at Krog.

“You still object to a woman joining the group?” she asked derisively.

Reece looked and saw there was but one soldier left alive—the one Indra had wounded in the leg. He lay on the ground, groaning.

Reece hurried over to him, yanked off his helmet, and looked down at his Empire face. He looked different than the men of the Ring, with his darker skin and yellow eyes.

Reece reached down and grabbed his throat, scowling.

“Where have they taken the Sword?” he asked urgently.

The Empire soldier said something to him in a language he did not understand.

Reece turned to Indra.

“What’s he saying?” he asked her.

Indra stepped forward, knelt down beside him, and looked down into the soldier’s face.

“He speaks an Empire tongue. He says he does not understand your language.”

“Ask him,” Reece said.

Indra spoke to the soldier in a language Reece did not understand.

The soldier looked at her and they exchanged a banter back and forth.

“What is he saying?” Reece finally asked, impatient.

Indra leaned back, hands on her hips.

“His words don’t make any sense….” she said. “He’s saying something about the Sword being in a boulder….that the boulder is being taken across the sea…that they will cross a bridge….towards the ships.”

Reece’s eyes opened wide.

“The Eastern Crossing,” he said. “So it is true. They are taking the Sword across the Eastern crossing of the Canyon.”

Reece stood, knowing all he needed to, ready to hunt down the Sword.

But as he did, the soldier surprised him by reaching up, grabbing his ankle and twisting it, catching him off guard. Reece cried out in pain, as the soldier pulled a hidden dagger from his belt and raised it, preparing to impale Reece’s calf.

Conven appeared with his spear, and before anyone else could react, he plunged it into the soldier’s chest, pinning him to the ground.

Reece looked up at Conven, and saw madness in his eyes. He was so grateful to him for saving his life, yet also worried for him. If Conven didn’t get over mourning his brother soon, Reece feared he would not be with them for long.

Reece got up, his ankle throbbing in pain, and stormed over to Krog, who was still lying on the ground and trying to work his way up.

Reece stepped forward and planted a foot on his chest, pinning him down.

“You gave us away,” Reece said, fuming. “You want to go home, go home now. You want to stay with us, you will follow orders. You defy my command again, and it will be you that I kill. You understand?”

Krog stared back, defiance in his eyes; but finally he relented, and nodded back in agreement.

Reece stepped off him and re-mounted his horse, as did all the others. He screamed and kicked, and soon they were galloping back through the forest. He rode with all he had: the Eastern Crossing was far, and if they were going to save the Sword, there was little time left to lose.