CHAPTER 12 - THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Tarn glanced at Nyla as they waited for Logan to nish

his business inside the house. “When he comes out, don’tsay anything. If he wants to talk, he will. If not... Let it go,okay?” He saw Nyla nod as she visibly straightened herself up, collecting herself and her thoughts. Then the door opened, and the priest steppedout, wiping his axe on a piece of cloth. “It’s done,” heannounced. “I will speak of it no more.” Both of hiscompanions nodded, and they moved away from thebuilding. Tarn turned toward the farmers. “Your orcs are dead,Master Folwythe; they will trouble you no more. Now, howis the Elderman’s wife?”“She’s taken quite a scare, but she’ll be all right. Theydidn’t harm her body, at least.” Master Folwythe reachedout his hand and clasped Tarn’s. “We owe you a debt of gratitude. Is there anything we can do to repay you?”“Yes. Are any of your men skilled riders? We need to geta message to Sir Alec.”“You mean you don’t intend to follow them?” Loganqueried.“No. He is at least a day ahead of us in crossing the

river. By the time we nd them to warn them, I am almost

certain it will be too late. We have to get back to the Keepand warn the Baron of what has happened; both about Alecas well as the

Soul Stealer

.”Logan looked at him, aghast. “But they’re riding into atrap! By the gods, they’ll be slaughtered! We need to savethose men!”

Nyla grasped the cleric on the shoulder. “Logan…. If what that orc said is true, they have already ridden intoan ambush, and we are but three people. What can we doagainst the horde? We need to warn the Keep that a majorinvasion is about to occur. And there is the Stealer….. TheBaron knows nothing of that; and only we can tell him.”Logan kicked at the dirt at his feet, his emotions warring within in him. “I don’t like the idea of leaving anyone to beslaughtered by orcs, but I suppose…. I suppose you areright, Nyla. We save more by returning to the keep.” Heturned to Tarn. “If he’s already doomed, why do we risk anyof these people getting a message to the Knight?”“Why? Because I hope against hope that Alec isn’t asstupid as I remember, Logan. That’s why I want one skilled

rider to try and nd him; if he can’t, or if they are already

dead, the rider can still bring back word of just how manyorcs we face. The rest of these people need to see to theirown safety, but…”Master Folwythe interrupted him as Tarn’s thoughttrailed off. “Safety! We have nothin’ to fear here! Our strong walls have proved that already! With the King’s army toprotect us, we have no worries at all!”Nyla whirled around to face the big farmer. “Then youare a fool, sir. The raid on your village was a trap for Alec’smen. Gods only know how many orcs are waiting across theriver to slaughter his force. Have you any brains, you will

ee this place and head west as well.”

The cold fury in her voice startled the big farmer anddrove him back in surprise. “I meant no disrespect, Miss…but…. But they’s just orcs!”“Just orcs? Just orcs!” Logan exploded. “Why doeseveryone in this gods forsaken kingdom assume that orcs

are stupid? By Elaysium! I seem to have met a great manystupid people since I came into this province, but none of them have been orcs! ” Throwing up his arms in disgust,Logan started off to where their horses were tied up.“Whatever we’re going to do, Tarn, let’s get going. I can’tsave these people from what should be obvious for all of them to see!” Tarn wanted to reply, but could think of nothing to say

as a silence lled the village square. Nyla grabbed his arm.

“Come on, Tarn. We’ve said our piece. I’m not sure I agree with you, but I think you’re probably right. I’ll talk to thetownspeople. You go help Logan.” Tarn thanked Nyla with a grateful nod and walked away.

Now what in the name of the twelve gods do we do?

* * * The companions rode back north at a fast pace andreined in their horses within sight of Traazon Keep,agreeing to meet at the Happy Orc after Tarn had spoken tothe baron. Tarn had never been a very religious man, but ashe approached the castle, he whispered a silent prayer nowto whichever of the gods were listening.

Please, let the Baron still listen to me. I fear what will happen to our people here if he doesn’t.

He passed by the various shops and businessesof the small city, marveling again at how people could carryon normal lives when everything around them was about tobe thrown into chaos.

But they don’t know that. Better that they live their lives as normally as possible than succumb to a panic that may never occur.