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“FIVE MINUTES, THEN WE push forward!” Sir Merek yelled commands to his men who had fought their way deeper into the city. They had driven Lord Adair’s men into retreat and now owned everything from the breach to where they currently stood. Oremund had led the way in the charge as he cut through countless soldiers with his twin blades. He suffered a few minor scrapes but nothing serious. He was aware of the looks he received from his fellow soldiers as he easily sliced through hordes of his foes. Power surged through him and could only imagine what he must look like to those around him. At first he was surprised by his speed and strength, but after the fighting started he allowed himself to embrace it. He would stay with the men at his side out of some sense of obligation, but he felt as if he could take the keep by himself. If anything, the soldiers around him were only slowing him down.
“Griffin Slayer!” Sir Merek yelled. “With me!” Oremund gathered himself and rushed to Sir Merek’s side as he continued to shout orders. “You men.” Sir Merek pointed with his war hammer at three soldiers in the midst of catching their breaths. “I want one of you to supply me with a count of every man who is too injured to continue fighting. I want the other two of you to grab three men apiece and set up post at the end of this block and the next. We will hold this ground and cannot allow ourselves to be flanked as we press on.” Not needing to be told twice, the men scurried away with urgency to fulfill Sir Merek’s request. Sir Merek spun around to address the rest of his men. “We are not done yet! We have accomplished nothing! Prepare yourselves, for now we push forward!”
The men roared and clanged their swords against their shields and helms. Sir Merek finally turned to address Oremund directly. He took a second to look him over before speaking. “Are you a god or the son of a god?”
Oremund could not tell if the knight was serious. He was not smiling or smirking at all. But it was such a ridiculous question. Oremund didn’t know how to respond to it other than saying, “No—at least I...no.”
“Are you the return of Isaac that the faithful keep yammering about?”
“Again, I don’t think so.”
Sir Merek’s stare began to make Oremund uncomfortable as he watched the knight’s eyes through the slit of his helm study him from head to toe. “Did Lord Tarius know what you could do?”
I didn’t even know what I could do, Oremund thought to himself as he just shook his head.
The sound of hoofs galloping on the stone street caught the two men’s attention and they turned to see a score of mounted soldiers led by Lady Avangelin. She rode atop a brown mare that was fully plated in steel armor. Her helm took the shape of the ancient centurion soldier helmet from the old empire. With her ebony armor, shield, and spear equipped she was an intimidating figure, even for her allies.
“Sir Merek,” she yelled out. “Grab your men and follow me. You are needed elsewhere.”
“I will do no such thing,” Sir Merek shot back. “My men and I will push forward to the keep as planned.”
“The plan has changed.” Lady Avangelin removed her helm. This was the closest Oremund had ever been to her and the first time he had a chance to really inspect her. Her blond hair was tied in a ponytail that fell down her back. Her features were sharp yet graceful. She was by far the most beautiful woman Oremund had ever seen. “Sir Caden and Sir Tatum have both fallen to the Breaking Star. He is crashing through our ranks as we speak.”
“So he is not at the keep? He is not protecting Lord Adair.” Oremund watched Sir Merek’s thoughts at play. “If that is the case, then we have to push forward. Lord Adair is in the keep. We must reach him before the turn when his gargoyles awaken.”
“You heard what Sir Gareth said about the keep,” Lady Avangelin responded. “You know what protects him there. You cannot take the keep alone. We must go there united with the entire might of the Onyx Guard. The Breaking Star needs to be dealt with before there are not enough of us left to take the keep.”
“Then come with me,” Sir Merek pleaded. “Help me take the keep. Together we can take this—” Sir Merek stopped midsentence and stared at Oremund. “Griffin Slayer, how many men do you need to move forward?”
“What are you doing?” Lady Avangelin asked. “We don’t have time for this. Gather your men and follow me. All of your men!”
“I will do as I see fit with my men!” Sir Merek sternly replied, causing Lady Avangelin to roll her eyes.
“You will send him and any men he takes with him to their deaths. We must defeat the Breaking Star. Then together we will take the keep!” Ignoring Lady Avangelin’s plea, Sir Merek kept his focus on Oremund.
“How many men do you need?”
“If we can make our way into the keep, the number of men won’t matter since the halls of the keep will limit the amount of attackers we face. I would say ten men. Give me ten good men and we shall take the keep and capture Lord Adair.”
“Good.” Sir Merek nodded in agreement. “Pick your men and move on.” Sir Merek looked up at Lady Avangelin. “Now I will go deal with the Breaking Star.”
“Wait!” Lady Avangelin said before turning to a knight at her side. “Bring the outlaw here.” The knight bowed his head and trotted to the back of their company. “Griffin Slayer.” She looked the sellsword in the eyes, which caused Oremund to look away, making him feel like a child. “In the keep there is a gargoyle that doesn’t sleep. It will protect Lord Adair and is supposed to be far deadlier than the gargoyle Sir Illeum defeated. Just know if you encounter it you need to run. There is no shame in that, at least not for you and your men. The Onyx Guard will deal with the beast. Corner Lord Adair and wait for us, but do not attack the gargoyle.”
The mounted knight returned with a man walking beside him. Oremund recognized him, but it took a second for him to remember his name. It was the outlaw from Sumter’s Stead who had returned with Marco. Abnor, that was his name. Abnor.
“Take this outlaw with you,” Lady Avangelin said with disgust. “I don’t know how he survived this long, but I am tired of seeing this filth amongst my men.” Lady Avangelin made eye contact with Oremund again; this time he mustered up the courage to not look away. She gave him a look of sympathy then just shook her head. Oremund knew she thought he was foolish and would probably not survive the day. “Someone find Sir Merek a horse.” She waved her hand and signaled for her men to follow her. As she rode away, she donned her helm once again and began to pick up speed as her men followed.
“Eh,” Sir Merek said as he slapped Oremund on the shoulder. “I am going to love seeing the look on her face when we arrive at the keep to see you standing over the slain body of that bloody gargoyle.” Though his faceplate hid it, Oremund could feel Sir Merek’s smile. “All right, men, the break is over. This city won’t sack itself!” Oremund watched Sir Merek rally his troops before mounting a horse. He realized he had not picked his men yet, outside of Abnor, who stood before him with an iron sword and a leather half helm. His eyes searched the men until he came across Cob and Talbert, who he hesitantly approached.
“I need nine good men,” Oremund said. “But I will settle for seven good men and the two of you.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Cob smirked.
“Sir Merek is taking his men to deal with Sir Damon in battle. I told him I would take ten men to march forward to the keep.”
“Hold that thought,” Cob interrupted. “I know where this is going.”
“Well I don’t,” Talbert proclaimed. Cob yelled out to Clavis Palen, who quickly came to their side.
“Clavis, Oremund here is taking the keep while the knights go off to play war with the Breaking Star as their trophy. He says he needs ten men.”
“That’s it?” Clavis said in surprise. “You move like Isaac himself, but you will need more than that.”
“But Sir Merek—” Oremund began before Clavis cut him off.
“Sir Merek is not in charge of me and my men. We answer and fight for Sir Illeum. We were charged to take the keep. I told Sir Illeum we would take the keep. That is one promise to my cousin that I plan on keeping.”
“Just so you know, there is a gargoyle in the keep. It doesn’t sleep during the day and is far more dangerous than Sebosa.” Oremund prepared himself for a change of heart by Clavis and the others. He saw the look of concern Talbert gave Cob and could not blame them for their fear.
“If my cousin could kill a gargoyle by himself, then I think we can manage to do the same.”
Clavis called upon twenty of his men and sent the rest with Sir Merek. They wasted no time as they made their way to Akin’s Keep. The group encountered a couple of skirmishes on the way, but Oremund was surprised by how far Lord Adair’s army had fallen back. He’d assumed the enemy would be split between protecting the keep and a counterattack led by the Breaking Star, Sir Damon Barley. As they grew closer to the keep, the sound of battle once again filled the air, as many of Lord Tarius’s men had already found their way there.
Leading up to the keep was a staircase that was at least thirty feet wide and had no less than forty stone steps. The entrance was covered with fighting and slain soldiers alike. The keep itself was massive and stood at least twelve stories high. It was definitely built for a god by a god. The large doors and steel gate of the keep were demolished. Oremund could only guess that Adarr’s Wrath had been used here as well, as it was the only thing he could think of that could destroy a steel gate. Inside the entrance, soldiers fought in open battle with neither side being able to gain an advantage.
“We push through,” Clavis yelled to his men. “Once we are in we find the warden! Have no doubt and show no mercy!” Clavis gave a war cry that was echoed by his men as they joined the fray. Oremund leaped into battle and instantly cut a path through the opposing army. He struck like lightning, terrorizing his enemies without notice. As he made his way to the entrance, he heard a yell that he recognized as Talbert. He turned to see his friend on the ground with an enemy soldier standing over him. In a flash Oremund was at his side and kicked the soldier down the steps before he could deliver a killing blow. Oremund helped Talbert to his feet then turned his attention back to Lord Adair’s men. He gripped his blades as tight as he could and proceeded to unleash hell on his enemies.
He slew three men before diving into battle against an armored knight. Within four moves he tripped the knight to the ground, removing his helm and allowing Clavis and Abnor the ability to finish him off. Oremund moved from opponent to opponent, seamlessly bridging his attacks one after another. It did not take long until his enemies began to step back in fear. Some ran for their lives while others stood motionless in shock. Eventually Lord Adair’s men ceased fighting and Oremund peered into their eyes as a lion does its prey. Oremund stood on the steps with both swords in hand, breathing heavily. A circle of both Lord Tarius’s and Lord Adair’s men formed around him as they studied him in amazement.
“Drop your damned swords and be spared,” Clavis shouted. “Oremund the Immortal fights with us!” As if on cue, the clanging of swords falling to the stone stairs and street came one after another. Soldiers raised their hands in defeat while even more ran away in fear. “You men stay here.” Clavis pointed his sword at a group toward the bottom of the steps. “Defend this entrance until our allies arrive. The rest of you follow me. Search every room, dresser, and cabinet for the warden!”
The men cheered again as they rushed into the keep. Oremund heard them chanting his name as the men drew upon him for strength as if he were Isaac or the God King Akin. Oremund watched as men rushed the keep and saw the looks of pride and admiration they gave him as they passed. This lasted until he was left alone on the steps with only Cob, Talbert, and Abnor at his side.
“So did they all forget about the gargoyle inside?” Abnor asked the group. To be honest, Oremund had forgotten about the gargoyle himself.
“Bollocks,” Oremund whispered under his breath.
“I didn’t forget.” Talbert tapped his helm. “Why in the hell do you think I am still out here?” Talbert gave Oremund a slight nudge to his back. “After you, Immortal One.”
