Morgan Rice - A Cry of Honor

He was here .

Andronicus knelt down and felt the soil with his palms, as all his men rushed past him, then leaned over and kissed the earth.

He looked up and saw, on the horizon, a McCloud city.

He grinned, wider than he ever had in his life.

It was time to pay McCloud a visit.

As Thor rode back for King’s Court, Gwen on the horse behind him, Reece, O’Connor, Elden and the twins riding alongside them, he was exhausted but overflowing with gratitude. The second sun was setting and they all rode at a comfortable trot into the magnificent sky. Thor felt beyond weary, every muscle in his body hurting, as if he had just been through a war.

But having Gwen with him – feeling her hands clutch his chest, her cheek resting against his back – took all of his weariness away. Having her with him made him feel all was right in the world. He was beyond grateful she was alive, that she had not been injured, that the Nevarun leader had never had a chance to have his way with her. He was grateful they had survived the encounter, and that he had been able to save her – and that she had saved his life. He felt as if all of his prayers had been answered.

As they rode back towards King’s court, Thor felt triumph, but also the sting of tragedy, as he thought of their three Legion brothers who had died in battle, whose corpses they carried home now, slung over the backs of their horses. And while on the one hand he felt like a returning hero, he also felt a sense of apprehension, as he did not know what they were returning to. After all, it was Gareth, the still lawful king, who had arranged for Gwen to be taken away – and it was to Gareth’s court they were returning. Gareth was increasingly unhinged, that much was clear, and now that there was a full-fledged rift between The Silver and these new men Gareth had brought in, the tension had never run so high. It felt as if King’s Court was on the verge of a civil war, and that all that was needed was a spark. And as Thor charged back towards the place with Gwendolyn, in defiance of Gareth’s orders, he could not help but feel as if maybe he carried that spark.

Thor braced himself. He was too weary for another battle now. But that might be just what he was walking into.

Thor knew Gwendolyn and the others had to either find a way to depose Gareth, or that they all had to flee King’s Court for good and find a new home, set up a new court elsewhere. It was not safe here anymore.

As they neared King’s Court, Thor knew the first place they had to go was the Hall of Arms, to meet up with the Legion and see whichever soldiers were currently here. He knew many of them, like Kendrick, were still stationed in the field, rebuilding and refortifying the Ring. But several fine warriors, including Kolk and Brom, were still stationed here – and Godfrey was here, too, their best hope at finding the proof they needed to indict Gareth.

As Thor and his men trotted through the open plaza of King’s Court, crowds of onlookers gathered, watching the ragtag group in wonder, and Thor could feel the stares, feel word already beginning to spread. He knew it was only a matter of time until word of their arrival reached Gareth and his men, and he turned sharply toward the hall and doubled his pace. He needed to rendezvous with them before anything happened.

Thor and the others entered the plaza before the Hall of Arms, and several members of the Legion and The Silver were milling around outside of it and looked up at them in surprise as the group rode in on their horses, covered in blood, wounded from the battle. One of the Legion members called out, and soon many more came rushing over, as Thor and the others dismounted.

Thor heard a whining, and his heart leapt as he looked down and saw Krohn, being led towards him by Steffen. He knelt down, elated to see him well, and hugged Krohn as he leapt into his arms, limping and looking weak, but still very much alive. Gwen knelt down and hugged Krohn, too.

“Illepra took good care of him,” Steffen said, smiling.

Krohn licked Thor and Gwen all over, and they kissed him back.

The doors flew open and several members of The Silver came pouring outside, milling excitedly around Thor, Gwen and the others; they were swept up in the crowd and ushered inside the hall, the doors closing quickly behind them.

As Thor entered the Hall he could feel hundreds of eyes on him. The Hall was packed, overflowing with Silver and Legion members, all of whom came hurrying over to the group. At their head was Kolk and Brom, along with Atme and several other famed warriors whom Thor recognized.

Kolk, then Brom, embraced Thor, then the others, and Thor could see the relief in their faces.

“You have returned,” Kolk said. “We heard, too late, of Gwen’s capture, of your expedition. You should have come to us first. We would have joined you.”

“There was no time,” Thor said.

“Gwendolyn!” came a voice.

Godfrey rushed over and embraced her, relief on his face.

“You’re alive,” he said, shocked.

All the soldiers looked at Thor and the surviving Legion members with a new respect, with a look of awe. Thor felt proud. Surrounded by these men, he felt as if he could finally take a deep breath and let down his guard.

“Not all of us made it back,” Thor said, his voice growing deeper, more authoritative. “Three of our Legion members died, I’m sorry to say. There were nine of us.”

“Against a hundred Nevaruns,” Reece added.

“And where are these hundred warriors now?” Brom asked, stepping forward, putting a hand on his sword’s hilt. “Are they pursuing you?”

Thor shook his head gravely.

“They are all dead, my lord,” he said.

Brom’s eyes opened wide with a new look of respect, looking them all up and down.

“Are you saying that the six of you killed a hundred of the Ring’s fiercest warriors?” Brom asked.

“There had been nine of us, my lord,” Thor corrected. “Three have died. But yes.”

Kolk stepped forward and laid an approving hand on Thor’s shoulder.

“You have done the Legion proud,” he said.

Thor cleared his throat.

“I feared you would be upset,” Thor said. “We have rescued the King’s daughter, but we have broken the King’s Law to do so, as she was given legally. We may have also sparked a war with Gareth. I’m sure he will not let this lie.”

“Then let him try!” Brom yelled. “We fear no one. And no, we are not upset. We are proud of your actions. Anyone coming here to take away the King’s daughter against her will deserves death.”

“AYE!” screamed the room.

“Even if it was a lawful edict of the King?” Reece asked.

“What King?” Kolk called out.

“AYE!” echoed the room.

“And I have proof of Gareth’s treachery!” Godfrey called out excitedly.

The room turned to him, riveted.

“There is a boy who was witness to the crime. He has agreed to testify against Gareth, for his attempted assassination of me.”

The room gasped, breaking out into an excited murmur.

“The boy is being kept safely in the castle. I was awaiting the return of the warriors – and now that you are all here, and we are ready, we can all go to the Council together, and bring the boy and present the evidence. With a witness, the Council will have no choice but to legally depose Gareth.”

“And if they do not?” Kolk asked.

“If the council will not take action,” Brom said, “then it is clear that we, The Silver, The Legion, the King’s men, no longer have a place here at King’s Court. If so then we shall all leave this place and set up a new court elsewhere!”

“AYE!” echoed the room.