No more mistakes, p.34
No More Mistakes, page 34
Darkan looked to the rest of the Rangers. “That sounds better than anything I could come up.”
Farondil slapped Demorac on the back. “I bet you're volunteering.”
Demorac shrugged. “Of course.”
“As good as this plan is, how are you going to escape the whole village coming down on you? They'll be hot on your trail and there's no way you can take on all the barbarians by yourself,” Darkan asked.
Demorac shrugged. “I'll be able to disappear. They won't even know what hit them.”
Darkan knew that Demorac wasn't just being overconfident. Out of the Rangers of the Old Forest, he was the one that might actually be able to pull this off.
“Okay then. We'll wait until the middle of the night when they least expect an attack. Everyone in agreement?” Darkan asked.
The Rangers nodded in agreement.
“I'm in too,” Aiden said.
“No way,” Darkan replied.
“You'd be safer here,” Farondil added.
“You know better than to argue with me on this. The only way I'm staying here is if I'm already dead.”
Darkan knew he wouldn't be able to stop him. Aiden was too determined. At least he could keep Aiden safe if he was close to him.
Chapter Eighteen
The moon reached the middle of the sky and the village had finally quieted down. Torches flickered light against the huts.
The Rangers minus Demorac worked their way to the eastern side, keeping silent on the outskirts.
They reached a good vantage point and watched and waited for Demorac's signal. Adrenaline coursed through Aiden, spiking his heartbeat. He never felt so alive. And with Darkan by his side he never felt so safe.
“When the signal goes off, Aiden and I will stay here.” Darkan lifted his bow and the Rangers understood. “The rest of you kill the guards as fast as you can. Bring the prisoners back here and we'll meet Demorac at the meeting point.”
“And what if we get in trouble?” Belim asked.
“Then it's a good day to die,” Darkan replied.
Belim grinned. “So it is.”
Aiden didn't think think it was a good day to die. He'd finally made a connection with a man. Someone he never even dreamed could exist. And he could definitely spend the rest of his life with him.
He thought back to the night before. Darkan behind him, thrusting in and out, over and over again. Goosebumps formed over his skin and Aiden shivered.
“What are you thinking about?” Darkan asked.
Aiden didn't even know he was watching him. He immediately looked away and shook his head. “Nothing.”
Darkan cocked an eye at him. Aiden was so transparent. Darkan knew exactly what he was thinking about.
And he was thinking about the same thing.
That night before had been the best night in his life.
Before he could say anything else, a fire on the opposite side of the village became visible.
The huts on the southwestern side caught fire quick. A bell rang throughout the village. Barbarians stormed out of their homes and ran to the blaze. Orders were being shouted out.
“Look!” Farondil pointed to the huts where the prisoners were being held. “Five guards left to go fight the fire.”
Belim lifted his warhammer. “That leaves only five left.”
“Go now,” Darkan began, “We take out each guard at the same time. Wait for my arrow.”
Garel counted the group and scratched his head. “Will Aiden be throwing his knife to kill the last one?”
“He'll be watching my back while I take out two at once.”
Aiden unsheathed his dagger and looked at his eyes in the blade. They were eyes that weren't ready for battle.
Garel, Farondil, and Belim, sneaked into the village undetected. There was so much commotion that they probably didn't even need to hide in the shadows. With everyone running around, they wouldn't even be noticed. Even the guards were distracted by the fires in the distance.
“I hope Demorac is okay,” Aiden said.
Darkan drew his bow. “Don't worry about him, he knows how to take care of himself.”
Aiden didn't feel reassured. There were so many barbarians moving to the southwestern side that Demorac would be in big trouble if he was spotted.
Darkan watched Garel take position behind one of the guards. Belim and Farondil did the same. Darkan nocked an arrow and took aim at one of the other guards. He would need to loose his arrow fast and get the other one out before the last guard could alert his friends.
Darkan took a deep breath and let it fly. The arrow coasted through the night sky and landed in the guard, the arrowhead disappeared deep in his chest.
The others sprung into action. Garel came from behind, put his hand over the guard's mouth and slid the knife across his throat. The guard was dead before he hit the ground.
Belim lifted his heavy warhammer over his head and let it down full force on the head of the guard. It exploded into red chunks.
Farondil slid his thin rapier through the back of the guard and stuck him right through the heart.
The last guard remaining looked around at his dead comrade and realized what was happening. He went to scream when an arrow pierced the side of his neck and threaded his throated.
“You got them all!” Aiden said. He was ready to celebrate the victory.
“Don't get too excited yet. We still need to get out of here without dying.”
Aiden saw his parents walk out of the hut with their hands tied behind their backs with rope. They looked unharmed expect for some bruises and dirt. His heart filled with love.
They were both still alive.
Aiden got up and ran down the hill towards the village. Towards danger. Darkan tried yelling at him to stop but it was already too late.
Aiden's parents lifted their heads and saw him running towards them. He crashed into the both of them and almost knocked them over.
“Aiden, what are you doing here?” Raldar asked.
He hugged both of them tight even though they couldn't hug back. “I came to save you two.”
The rest of the prisoners came out of the hut with Garel, Farondil, and Belim following.
Darkan made it down to the base of the hill. “We don't have time for a reunion. We need to get out of here before we're spotted.
“Don't worry, they're with me,” he told his parents.
The prisoners and the Rangers ran to the cover of the hills. The barbarians were still focused on putting out the fires. They hadn't been spotted.
Darkan breathed a sigh of relief. Now they needed to meet up with Demorac.
The group circled around the village. A few of the prisoners had trouble traversing the uneven terrain with their hands tied behind their backs but Belim and Garel kept them upright.
“Everyone keep low,” Darkan reminded everyone.
Aiden could feel the heat of the fire against his face as they made it to the southwestern side. Darkan signaled for everyone to start making their way back to Icebor. Garel led the party and Aiden took his knife and began cutting everyone's ropes.
“Demorac should've been here,” Farondil told Darkan.
Darkan peeked over the hill at the village. “I know. Something must've gone wrong.”
“We can't stay any longer. The barbarians will be sending out scout parties once they find the prisoners gone.”
Darkan nodded. “I know.”
Chapter Nineteen
Demorac came bounding over the hill, out of breath, and with a large red gash in his left arm.
The Rangers had just left the meeting spot with the prisoners. He could see them cresting a hill a hundred yards away.
The blood loss made him pale and lightheaded but he had to catch up with the party before the barbarians caught up with him.
Demorac ran as fast as he could, almost stumbling over his own feet.
Darkan heard a noise and spun around with his bow drawn. Demorac stood before him with a smile and blood dripping from both arms.
“Mission accomplished,” he said before closing his eyes and fainting in Darkan's arms.
Demorac was still alive but barely. Darkan called over for Farondil to help carry Demorac. They dragged him to the rest of the group.
But there was no time to rest.
Darkan and Farondil sat Demorac on the ground when they heard noises coming from the hills behind them.
“Do you hear that?” Farondil asked.
“Sounds like a war party is coming after us.”
Farondil pointed to Demorac. “We aren't going to move very fast.”
A weak voice came from below. “Leave me behind.” Demorac turned on his side and opened an eye.
Farondil crouched down on one knee. “That's too bad, Demorac, because we're taking you with us whether you like it or not.”
Demorac laughed and began coughing up blood. Farondil examined the wound on his arms and deemed it not too serious. He had reopened the wound that he received when scouting Icebor. But he noticed Demorac's tunic was also soaked with blood.
Farondil took Darkan out of ear shot of Demorac. “He won't make it unless we get him back immediately.”
Darkan looked out to the hills where the party of angry barbarians would no doubt appear soon. “Get him and go. I'll stay behind and hold them off for as long as I can.”
Farondil stepped forward. “I would like to volunteer for this job.”
Darkan shook his head. “Sorry, but I'm the leader and I say I'm the only that gets to sacrifice himself today.”
He looked past Farondil at the group of prisoners they rescued. Aiden was helping his parents to some water. Darkan wanted to say goodbye but Aiden had such a big smile on his face that he didn't want to ruin it.
“Tell Aiden I love him,” Darkan said.
“Good luck,” Farondil replied.
They clasped each other's arms and Darkan was off into the night.
Farondil helped Demorac to his feet and ordered the party to keep moving.
–
Aiden was too busy making sure his parents were all right to notice Darkan leaving. It wasn't until they were far away when he looked around and couldn't find him.
Aiden spotted Farondil at the back of the group with Demorac stumbling under his arm. “Is he okay?” he asked.
Farondil strained as he tried to keep Demorac from tripping over his own feet. “He will be if we can get him back to the Kingdom.”
“Where's Darkan?”
Farondil didn't know how to answer. “He's scouting behind us to make sure that we aren't being followed.”
Aiden looked behind them at the rolling hills. Farondil wasn't sure that he believed him but it seemed to work when he went back to his parents.
–
Darkan set up at the top of a hill and could see torch lights a few hills away. It wouldn't be much longer before the barbarians were upon him. He took out every arrow in his quiver and stuck them into the ground until they made a wooden fence around him.
If he was going to get out of this alive, he would need to fire every arrow as quick as he could. And he didn't feel like sacrificing himself today. Not when Aiden was waiting for him.
He counted the arrows on the ground and cursed when he only got to six.
“Hope it's a small war party,” he said to himself.
He kept low to the ground to keep his position hidden. He needed the element of surprise. The light became brighter as the barbarians approached.
Darkan got onto his knees took an arrow out of the ground. He nocked it and pulled back the string until it was taut against his cheek. He waited until the first barbarian peaked the hill, his head just barely in sight.
He let go the arrow and it soared through the night sky until it landed with a thud into the barbarian's head. The man fell backward down the hill and Darkan could hear a commotion as the group discovered their dead friend.
The barbarians shouted an order for everyone to get down which is exactly what Darkan was hoping for. They had no idea what Darkan's position was or how many there were. The more time it took for them to figure it out and kill Darkan, the more time Aiden and the Rangers had to get to safety.
Darkan nocked another arrow and waited patiently. It only took a few moments for another head to crest over the hill. Darkan let the arrow fly but the barbarian ducked before the arrow reached him.
“Dammit. Keep it cool and wait for the perfect shot. Only four arrows left.” He strung another arrow and stretched the bowstring.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a barbarian trying to come around the hill to scout out his location. An arrow through his chest made sure the barbarian wouldn't be able tell his group where Darkan was.
Three arrows left.
Darkan had no idea how big the barbarian group was. They were still hidden behind the hill. For all he knew, there could be thousands waiting to attack.
Two came running over the ridge, swords in the air, screaming a battle cry. Darkan didn't let that scare him. He fired his first arrow into the throat of one and immediately fired another into the leg of the other barbarian.
The barbarian left alive dragged himself up and over the hill. Darkan didn't want to waste his last arrow on someone who couldn't even fight anymore.
He pulled his last arrow from the ground and kissed its head. “You better be able to kill at least twenty barbarians when I let you loose.”
He readied his bow and watched the hill. The light from their torches still glowed against the dark night. Sweat dripped from his forehead. After this arrow he'd have to resort to close combat with his dagger.
Darkan waited and waited but the barbarians never came. He heard an order of retreat and the glowing light of the torches began to move away from him.
Darkan relaxed his bowstring and fell to the the cold ground from exhaustion. “The gods must be watching over me.”
Chapter Twenty
The Rangers, Aiden, and the prisoners made it to Icebor as the sun crept over the horizon.
Farondil and Garel had to help the unconscious Demorac into one of the huts. “I'm going to need bandages,” Farondil said.
“I'll ask Aiden if the village has any medical supplies,” Garel replied.
“Better get some ale too.”
“For you or for Demorac?”
Farondil laughed. “I think we're both going to need it.”
Aiden stood at the edge of the village, looking across the river and to the hills. He thought that Darkan would come bounding over the hill at any moment.
“Aiden, do you know where I could find some medical supplies?”
He turned to find Garel behind him but his attention went back to the hills. Aiden's hands were clasped so tight together that he couldn't even bring them apart if he wanted to.
Garel knew exactly what he was worried about. “He'll be back. Darkan knows how to take care of himself.”
“I know. But I still fear that he will never come back.”
“We need bandages for Demorac. Do you know where we can find some?”
Aiden sighed and began walking through the village without saying another word to Garel.
He brought him to his home that hadn't been touched since that day the barbarians raided. His parents were inside picking up pieces of broken pottery.
“Mother, can we get some bandages? One of the Rangers is seriously injured.”
Eliden nodded and ran off to the kitchen. She came back quickly with so many bandages that they were falling out of her arms. “Will this do?”
Garel nodded. “Thank you those will do fine.” He took the bandages from her and ignored the ones that had fallen on the ground. “I'll be off now. I must get these to Farondil.”
Aiden was left alone with his parents. They all hugged for several minutes, enjoying each other's love.
“Thank you for coming for us,” Raldar said. “But never do that again!”
Aiden was shocked by his booming voice.
