“I would prefer not to spill any blood here tonight,” growled Lord Marak, “but that decision is yours.”
Cortain Koors stiffened more at the sound of Marak’s voice than he did to the knife at his throat. The big man pushed back his chair into Lord Marak and hollered as loud as he could. Lord Marak jumped backwards to avoid the bulk of Koors and the jailer went for his sword. Koors moved surprisingly quick for a man of his build as he flourished a knife of his own. Koors and the jailer converged on Lord Marak and the Lord of the Torak Clan did not hesitate. He swung his sinuous sword at Koors and was somewhat amazed as the sword cut cleanly through the overweight man. At the same time, Gunta sent an Omunga Star sailing into the forehead of the jailer.
Lord Marak began searching the cells for Cortain Rybak while Gunta fished through the jailer’s keys. Lord Marak stopped when he found Cortain Rybak. The man was hanging from a wall with his legs and arms clasped in iron manacles. Lord Marak felt a lump rising in his throat as he observed the pitiful state his man was in. Rybak’s body was naked and covered from head to toe with welts and bruises. His eyes were swollen shut and his head hung down on his chest. Gunta quickly opened the cell while Lord Marak stripped the uniform off the dead jailer. It would be large for Rybak, but at least it would offer some covering.
“Lord Marak,” Gunta called softly, “I need help. I can’t hold him and undo the manacles at the same time.”
Lord Marak quickly finished getting the jailer’s clothes and ran to help Gunta with Cortain Rybak. He threw the clothes down and supported Rybak while Gunta unlocked the manacles. Catching Rybak in his arms, Lord Marak laid him on a bench. The two warriors hurried to get some clothing on Rybak then Lord Marak lifted him and carried him to the stairs.
Halman was nervous when Lord Marak reached the top of the stairs. “Someone heard the shouting,” he whispered. “I’m not sure who, but someone just ran past the door. I couldn’t see where he went. It looks clear now, but we had better move quickly.”
Lord Marak nodded and the three warriors streamed out of the doorway and headed for Lord Marshal Grefon’s suite. As they slipped inside, they froze. The door to the sleeping chamber was open and someone was talking to Grefon. Lord Marak quickly carried Rybak into Grefon’s study and laid him on the couch. Gunta and Halman followed and eased the door closed except for a small crack to look out.
Chapter 23
Going Home
“Take Rybak down to the river,” whispered Lord Marak. “If I’m not there in three minutes, cut the ropes and get out of here.”
“What are you planning?” retorted Gunta. “There is no reason for you to stay.”
“There is one reason,” insisted Lord Marak. “Lord Marshal Grefon has to know who freed Rybak. Get going now.”
Gunta frowned, but he helped Halman get Cortain Rybak off the couch and to the window. Lord Marak kept watch at the door to Lord Marshal Grefon’s sitting room as the other two warriors got Rybak situated so he could be lowered to the ground. Gunta climbed out the window as Lord Marak turned over his clothing bands to show silver once again. Lord Marshal Grefon emerged from his sleeping chambers with the Seneschal. The Seneschal left the suite and Grefon headed for the study.
“Get him out now!” Lord Marak softly exclaimed. “You have only seconds.”
Lord Marak drew his sinuous sword and retreated to the dark corner as Halman let go of the window and dropped to the ground. The door opened and Lord Marshal Grefon entered carrying a candle.
“Too loud a noise has been known to be fatal,” growled Lord Marak. “Close the door and put the candle on the desk.”
Lord Marshal Grefon closed the door quietly and placed the candle on the desk before turning to face Lord Marak. “I guess I should have been expecting you,” scowled Lord Marshal Grefon. “In any event, I’m glad you decided to stay rather than abort your mission. I have a room reserved for you.”
“It wouldn’t happen to be a room next to Cortain Rybak, would it?” asked Lord Marak. “Sit down. There are a few things I would like to make clear to you.”
“You always were overconfident,” sneered Lord Marshal Grefon as he sat on the couch. “You will have the rest of your life to talk with me. Why rush it?”
“I know you gave the Ragatha Clan permission to attack Fardale,” spat Lord Marak. “That was a major mistake on your part. Now Fardale will never be yours.”
“You are a fool, Marak,” laughed Lord Marshal Grefon. “We will have Fardale back in a week. We promised them we would not to come to your aid in Fardale. We never promised to let the Ragatha scum keep it. We will kick them out of there quicker than they kicked you out and we will have their estates, as well.”
“Lord Ridak will not be pleased with his Lord Marshal when he finds out how poorly your plans have worked,” smiled Lord Marak. “Fardale is now the estate of the Torak Clan led by myself. I would suggest that Lord Ridak call upon the Lords Council if he wishes to try to get it back.”
Lord Marshal Grefon finally seemed to notice the uniform Lord Marak was wearing and he stared at it as he answered. “You can’t be serious. Whether we go to the Lords Council or just assemble our armies against you, you will lose, either way. What did you promise the Ragatha Clan to keep them from attacking you?”
“I should kill you for turning your dog, Koors, loose on Rybak,” growled Lord Marak, “but I want you alive to suffer at Lord Ridak’s hands for your bungling.”
Lord Marak raised his sword and, as Lord Marshal Grefon cringed, hit him over the head with the hilt. He quickly sheathed his sword and lowered himself out the window. The estate grounds still appeared to be quiet and Lord Marak realized that the alarm was not sounded. The Seneschal must have heard Koors, but did not know where the sound had come from. He probably alerted Lord Marshal Grefon and left the decision about what to do up to him.
Lord Marak dashed across the open field and into the orchards. Looking around for the patrol, he dashed through the orchard to the path to the river. When he reached the river he ran along the bank until he came to the swimming area where the troops maintained a raft for recreation. He leaped onto the raft as Gunta swung his sword, cutting the ropes that held it in position. The momentum of Lord Marak’s jump pushed the raft towards the center of the river where the current started it moving downstream.
“Cortain Rybak does not look good,” remarked Halman. “He needs a healer badly.”
The closest healer other than the one at Lituk Valley was in River’s Bend or Forest Deep and Lord Marak could not go to either place. “He will need more than a healer if we don’t get out of here quickly,” sighed Lord Marak. “Do you think he can survive the ride back?”
“I don’t know,” admitted Halman. “I’m not a healer. I would feel better if he was treated before we returned.”
Lord Marak gazed at the riverbank as they went floating by. He knew Rybak would be hurt, but he did not anticipate that Koors would be allowed near him. Rybak must have suffered greatly at the hands of his old Cortain.
“All right, Halman,” decided Lord Marak. “When we get to the cave you will see that Rybak is comfortable. Gunta, you will leave for Fardale. Lord Marshal Yenga will be heading this way with his Army. Tell him to turn back to Fardale. Tell him that we were not captured. I will try to find a healer somewhere and bring him back to the cave. They will notice the raft missing in the morning and may search along the river for a while, so keep inside the cave at all times.”
“Lord Marshal Yenga will not be happy that we are not with you,” frowned Gunta.
“Lord Marshal Yenga is not making the decisions here,” reminded Lord Marak. “He will follow my orders, just as you will.”