Richard Parker - Elsewhere

“Should we pursue?” Bock asked, pulling his eyes from the young, peaceful face of the former Weapons Master of Massi. Gwaynn ignored the question for a moment still concentrating on Krys. Lonogan waited with a feeling of dread, hoping this new loss would not unhinge his young King. The Palmerrio had broken their lines on both the left and the right, only the Toranado center held and if the enemy had not inexplicably abandoned their attack, he honestly believed the battle might have turned into an utter disaster. His army was mere moments from complete collapse.

Gwaynn shook his head once more and finally from his lack of reaction Bock realized that everything had gone horribly wrong.

“How did it happen?” Lonogan asked and suddenly he had a great urge to be away from this place.

“Arrow shot,” Gwaynn finally answered. He lifted his head slowly and gazed up at his General. “Do we have word on the Palmerrio cavalry?”

“No,” Bock answered still staring down at Krys. The young man was so skilled with his weapons and so full of life that Lonogan was having a hard time believing he was dead, even while looking at his corpse.

“Send out scouts to search for the enemy cavalry and Kommidi. We need our Captain and his horses back if we are to shadow the main Palmerrio army,” Gwaynn suddenly said coming alive. He realized now was not the time for grief. If he succumbed to his hurt he might put everything in jeopardy and Krys would not have wanted that.

“What happened?” Bock asked, watching as all around them the army began to assemble for retreat.

“They had reserves waiting…archers and cavalry…plus Executioners,” Gwaynn explained. “There were two…I moved on them expecting Krys to corral the King…” his explanation suddenly stopped. “The battle?”

Lonogan shook his head. “Our lines collapsed on the right and left…if not for the Toranado,” he explained, shaking his head sadly. “There were Executioners in the main body of the Palmerrio army as well. I counted at least three in the center; if there were more it might explain why our lines collapsed so quickly.”

Prince Phillip walked up, accompanied by Tabernas.

“We should move to the north toward Colchester…get some distance between the two armies,” Phillip said gazing down at the dead body of the young Weapons Master. Gwaynn only nodded. Phillip finally grimaced then he and his own Weapons Master moved off to see the job done.

Automatically Gwaynn started after them but stopped once more as David Hahn rode swiftly up on horseback, his face ashen.

“The Palmerrio?” Gwaynn asked instinctively, but Hahn shook his head.

“It’s…it’s Samantha,” he said and explained her injury, but Gwaynn heard nothing after her name. His ears roared and his legs went weak and shaky. He wavered slightly and was suddenly frantic to see her.

“Where?” he croaked as Hahn extended a hand to pull Gwaynn up behind him onto the horse. Gwaynn stumbled again; suddenly very weak, but then Lonogan stepped forward to help.

“Hang on,” Hahn said once Gwaynn was up and then he spurred his mount toward the rear of the lines.

They reached the wounded quickly but to Gwaynn it seemed to take a lifetime. He spotted Cobb gently holding Samantha and was suddenly revitalized. He jumped from the horse while it was still moving very swiftly. He hit the ground on a run and was by her side in seconds. Cobb gave way to his King without complaint and stood muttering. “Strong girl…she’s a strong, tough girl,” over and over again.

Van was kneeling over Samantha, but as Gwaynn approached he also stood and moved a short distance away. Samantha was very, very pale and for a brief, agonizing moment Gwaynn believed she was dead, but as he fell to the ground and pulled her into his arms he felt her warmth and pliability. She groaned and tears sprang into his eyes and he cried for the first time since promising himself that he never would again. But he did not notice his tears as he kissed her all over her face and neck; he kissed her lips, her hair, her cheeks and eyes. He kissed her until she drifted back toward consciousness.

She opened her eyes, but he was busy at her neck.

“Gwaynn,” she croaked and he pulled his head up, his heart soaring. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry,” she whispered and began to cry softly.

“Don’t cry,” he answered, smoothing her hair gently.

“The Executioner…” she tried to explain and hatred like nothing Gwaynn had ever felt flamed in his breast. It engulfed him to such a degree that he was unable to speak and could barely breathe.

“I will kill them…I will kill them all,” he promised and this was one promise he fully intended to keep.

Samantha continued to cry softly and Gwaynn continued to sit and hold her until Lonogan Bock appeared with Jess na Gall and Monde.

“The Palmerrio are moving off to the south, hugging the mountains,” Bock informed him. “Kommidi had a small engagement with the Palmerrio cavalry but it didn’t amount to much and the Palmerrio horsemen have since ridden off, following their army.”

Gwaynn nodded. He heard the man’s words but nothing much was registering in his brain at the moment.

“I’d like to take the army back toward Colchester,” Bock said.

“What of Lynndon? It’ll leave Marcum and his men exposed,” Gwaynn said finally coming around as Samantha grew quiet once more and closed her eyes.

Bock smiled wryly. “We’ve had at least some good news today. The Deutzani army was destroyed…Arden is dead.”

“Destroyed!” Gwaynn and Samantha said as one; her eyes flying open at the news, she even smiled when Gwaynn looked down at her. She was pale and her body was shivering slightly, but even so she was heartbreakingly beautiful.

“Seems Gaston disregarded orders and moved his men down the Scar River and attacked,” Bock said and watched Gwaynn’s expression darkened. “Marcum claims he called him for aid…and that Lynndon was about to fall.”

“Manse?”

Bock nodded. “The Knights are making preparations but they’ve not attacked yet.”

“We’ll be caught between two armies,” Hahn said, but before anyone could answer Van spoke up.

“We need to get her and the rest of the wounded to Linkler,” he said strongly. “I’ve done what I can for her, but Linkler’s a true doctor.” The young Deutzani turned to na Gall. “Can you Travel with the most critically wounded?”

Jess thought about it a moment, then nodded her head. “It will put me out of action for a day, but I can…”

“I’ll do it,” Gwaynn interrupted, then glanced at Van, who nodded up the hill.

“The rest of the wounded are up the hill a bit…we’ll need a few minutes to prepare,” Van answered and left but then quickly returned with a cup.

“How do you feel?” He asked Samantha, kneeling beside her.

“It hurts,” she hissed through partially clenched teeth.

“Drink this…it will take the edge off of the pain,” Van answered, impressed with her control. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything stronger.”

She drank from the cup.

“Willow bark,” Van told Gwaynn who was looking at him questioningly. “Can you walk?” Van asked Samantha when she was finished with the draught.

Van and na Gall raised her from her prone position and helped her off Gwaynn’s lap and then to her feet. She stood for only a few seconds before her legs grew shaky then she gagged once but she somehow held down the medicine.

“I don’t…” she began but stopped as Gwaynn carefully lifted her into his arms and carried her gently up the hill to where the others were waiting.

Fifteen minutes later, the bridge was open and the seriously wounded were carried across into Manse where Doctor Linkler quickly took charge of the situation. In all fifty-seven men and women needed urgent care and another sixty where needed to help transport them and by the time they were all through the bridge Gwaynn was seriously tiring, but he managed to hold the portal open until all were through.