Jeremy Laszlo - The Choosing

This in mind, Seth quickly formulated a plan, he was too weak to fight, but he was sure he had enough energy to put up a good show. He could rush the men as they neared the entrance, hopefully startling them, giving Sara and Ashton a chance to escape, and make a run for it. If he could live long enough to give them at least a few moments head start, they might be able to lose the men in the thick ocean of brush that went on for miles in every direction. Seth knew he would die, but he would gladly sacrifice his life if Sara would live. He turned to tell his plan to Ashton, seeing Sara’s look of fear mirrored on his friends face, and suddenly froze before he could speak.

A footstep sounded in the cavern, echoing across the stone. Seth dropped to a kneeling position, preparing to lunge if the opportunity presented itself. Another step, then another and another echoed through the open cavern. The steps came in fast succession, but Seth noted that it was only one person who came into their small ambush. He waited tensely, watching, hoping he could catch this enemy off guard. The approaching footsteps slowed and then a large shadowy figure emerged into the dark room, something large in its hands.

Garret remained frozen in place, as the horses and their riders surrounded him.

“Young man.” The rider in front of him said in an even tone, eyeing first Garrets face, and then sliding his gaze to land sternly on Garret’s hands.

Without realizing what he was doing, Garret too looked down at his hands. He realized then that he had forgotten momentarily that he was carrying Sara’s crossbow, drawn and loaded. He had it pointed instinctively forward, towards the rider in front of him. He lowered it quickly, not wanting to provoke the men, if they would even need provoking.

Seeing the weapon lower, the first rider, presumably their leader, continued to speak.

“Who are you and what is your purpose on this road?” It was a demanding tone, but not quite menacing.

“My name is Garret Derringer, and I was hunting.” Garret tried to control his voice to sound unafraid.

“Hunting indeed.” The man replied through his helm, again turning his steel gray eyes to the crossbow. He then continued; “Did you happen to notice any Goblin tracks during your hunt?”

“No.” Garret replied honestly.

“Hmm.” The man grunted, eyeing Garret as if considering something. He leaned forward in his saddle, scrutinizing Garret, and presumably decided, he continued to speak. “We are knights to the Kingdom young hunter, sent to track down a goblin raiding party spotted in these lands. Two nights ago we found them, and ambushed them in the night. A single goblin escaped our attack, and we were not immediately able to pick up his trail. Yesterday we found his tracks, heading in this direction. Be careful young hunter, even a single goblin can be a deadly encounter. If you see him, note his location, and report it to a member of the Valdadorian guard as soon as you might meet one.”

Garret thought quickly of how to respond, and deciding honesty was best, spoke to the Knight before him.

“I spoke true about the tracks sire, as I have seen no markings of the Goblin. I have however seen the goblin itself.”

At that point all three riders leaned in their saddles to listen closely.

“Last night, as my companions and I slept, the goblin attacked us.” Before Garret was able to continue, the large knight with the steel eyes interrupted.

“Yet you stand here.” He stated, and then waited as if to let Garret continue.

“Yes Sire, the goblin was wounded in the attack, with this very crossbow.” Garret raised the weapon for them to see, however the knights had no interest in it and so ignored it. Garret let it fall to his side again.

“Then I managed to finish it off with my sword.” Garret said.

“And what of your companions?” This time the question came from the rider to Garret’s left, his voice trailing off as if already assuming the answer.

Without turning to face him, still looking ahead to the Knight before him Garret continued.

“My brother was wounded in the fight, he now rests to recover. Our other companions were unscathed.” This revelation from Garret seemed to take the knight in front of him by surprise, as he reeled back in his saddle in response. He nodded his approval after a moment and leaned once again forward to speak.

“Where is the goblin’s body, I must see for myself if it is the same one we have been racking.” This he once again said in an even tone, and then as if in afterthought asked. “And what of your brother, how comes his recovery?”

“My brother remains weak after the ordeal, and we have run out of food. That is why you have found me here on the trail. I was hunting, hoping to help him regain his strength so that we may complete our journey to The Choosing ceremony.” Garret spoke, fearing he may have offered more details than they wanted and added. “I’ll show you the goblin.”

The knight atop the horse in front of Garret only nodded in response. Then as if a command was given that Garret was unable to hear, the three knights dismounted their steeds, and holding the reigns to their horses, stood facing Garret waiting for him to lead. Garret walked quickly back into the thick brush, not wanting to make them wait. He did not look back to see if they followed, there was no need. The Knights’ heavy armor creaked and groaned as they walked, and their feet pounded the ground nearly as loud as their mounts. Garret led the small procession towards the stone outcropping where his brother and Sara still rested. Entering the small clearing around the giant stones, Garret motioned towards the goblin’s body for them to see. It still stood, as Garret had left it, impaled upon a stick that he himself trust up beneath its ribs, out its collarbone, and into the base of its skull. Two of the knights remained at the entrance of the clearing, the third who Garret assumed was the same one he had spoken to, approached the goblin, still leading his horse by the reigns. When the knight was sure it was the same goblin as he had followed, he drew his sword and with one mighty swing cleaved the base of the branch where it was stuck in the ground. The goblins body tumbled to the ground held stiff by the pole that remained thrust through its body. Returning his sword to its sheath, the knight tied the goblin’s leg to his horse, planning to drag it away with him. After the goblin was secured, the knight turned and nodded once to his peers. He then turned his steel eyes to Garret.

“You have done the Kingdom a service, Garret Derringer, and so you shall be rewarded. Drawing his steed to him, the knight untied a large sack from his saddle, and walked to where Garret stood. He handed the bag to Garret, then reaching to his waist, slipped his mail covered hand beneath his breastplate and pulled forth a coin purse, this too he handed to Garret.

“The sack is food, it is fairly fresh, and there should be enough to sustain you and your companions until you reach Raven’s Hold. From there use the coins to rent horses to make up lost time. The inn will be expecting you, tell the keeper Sirus sent you, he will have a room and horses waiting. You still have plenty of time to make the journey on foot, but if you wish to participate in the festivities in Castle Valdadore I suggest you use the horses.”

Garret tried to thank the knight, but the man raised his hand in protest. The knight joined his two companions, and they began to lead their mounts back out to the trail. Garret watched them go, and just before they were out of sight the Knight he had spoken to turned around and looking back to Garret said:

“I shall hope to see you at The Choosing young hunter.” He then turned and walked out of sight.