The Bandits of Infinity Forest

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter One

xxxxxIn the dark of night my two dogs, Yelena and Flint, start up growling. They relax slightly as they hear the familiar wild running of a scout, Jeff Riley.
xxxxxHe bursts into my deer-hide tent, gasping, “One-hundred foot soldiers coming this way, Sir! And fifty-odd cavalry!”
xxxxxI’m on my feet immediately and push him out of the way, grabbing my bow and quiver as I do so.
xxxxx“Mount up!”
xxxxxI rouse my area of the camp. The call spreads as I wind my black horn, inherited from my late father. Pulling down the eye-mask built into my hood, I sling the arrows over my shoulder as I stride to where my mare, Black Robin, is picketed. She rears and snorts in excitement as I approach.
xxxxx“Steady, girl.”
xxxxxI quickly slip her tack on, administering reassuring pats now and then to calm her.
xxxxx“What’s going on, Captain?” shouts my second in command, Jack, as he races toward me.
xxxxx“Hundred footies, fifty horsemen,” I answer shortly.
xxxxxHe groans slightly, “What’s the plan, Sir?”
xxxxxI give him a look, “Mount up.”
xxxxxWith an awkward nod he sprints away.
xxxxxI quickly mount Black Robin and check for the dogs, who are hanging around the horse’s feet. As we trot back to my tent I survey my camp of outlaws, ensuring that everyone’s breaking camp. Since we live in the woods with supplies virtually everywhere, our first rule, if we’re attacked, is to grab a weapon and ready your horse. Only after do you secure your other belongings.
xxxxxI dismount and slip into my tent; first grabbing my knife and water, then any remaining food and blankets—which only just fit into the saddle-bags. Finally, I roll up my tent and stuff it into an old tree-trunk; it’s too bulky for the saddle in a charge.
xxxxxSuddenly, the camp grows silent as the loud tramp of marching feet breaks through the still night air.
xxxxx“Mount!” I yell as I sprint back to Black Robin. “Now! Now! Now!!”
xxxxxSitting astride her, my heart sinks when I evaluate our odds: my band of outlaws is only fifty strong; there are other groups hidden in the forest who’d help us, but it’s too late.
xxxxxThe soldiers break through the trees, naked blades flashing in the moonlight.
xxxxx“Attack!” I yell, and Black Robin leaps forward.
xxxxxAlongside, more men charge with us. Bows twang, and several soldiers fall, but there’s plenty more to replace them, and, in answer, burning javelins are hurled forward. Several of my men scream. And then I’m upon them, whipping my sword out of its sheath attached to the saddle and lopping a man’s head off before he can react; then I quickly parry a blow and slay its deliverer.
xxxxxThe fight continues for about half an hour. Luckily, my men are all on horseback, which gives us an advantage, while those whose horses have been killed shinny up the trees, picking off the enemy cavalry with bows.
xxxxxSuddenly, a riderless horse blunders forward, causing Black Robin to stumble. Almost immediately rope nooses are thrown around her neck, while more catch her legs and she falls to her knees, throwing me off.
xxxxxI reflexively drop my drawn sword as I fall and roll, but manage to keep hold of my bow.
xxxxxJumping upright, I quickly fire at a soldier sprinting toward me and he falls, but another yanks me over from behind, his drawn blade shining in the moonlight.
xxxxxHe leers down at me triumphantly, but then his expression changes and he howls in fear and hate as Yelena and Flint leap over me and attack him; he drops the knife.
xxxxxRolling over, I bury the blade of my own knife in his chest, before racing toward the other end of the battle field where the soldiers are roping the bucking and kicking Black Robin to a sturdy pine. I load an arrow and prepare to fire, but before I get a chance, an agonizing pain erupts at the back of my head; I only have time to call: “Retreat!” before the world goes black.
xxxxxUpon waking, I quickly realize my hands are tied tightly behind my back, while I myself am tied to the tree behind me.
xxxxxWhen a tall stocky man crouched by the large bonfire in the middle of the clearing with the other soldiers looks up and realizes I’m conscious, he grins, and makes his way over.
xxxxx“Howdy,” he sneers, “w’t’s yer name?”
xxxxxI consider this and decide it won’t do any harm to tell him: it might produce fear to a good advantage. “Jedi,” I tell him.
xxxxxHe spits. “That’s not a real name,” he growls, “who are you?”
xxxxxI blow out my breath, “Jedidiah.”
xxxxx“Jedi—What!”
xxxxx“Exactly.”
xxxxxHe puffs his smelly breath in my face as he leans forward. “Well, Captain, I guess you’ll be having a nice reception back home at the palace, won’t you? King Luther will be delighted.” He chuckles grimly.
xxxxxMy heart sinks: revealing who I am was a stupid idea; now I can look forward to a torturous death. Yay.
xxxxx“Don’ mind me askin’,” the man’s speaking again, “but, w’t’s so bad about the royals, hey?”
xxxxxI swallow. “Why?” I’m suspicious.
xxxxxHe shrugs, “J’st curious, I guess, I mean, me workin’ for thim means they look after me fam’ly an’ ‘en ‘ere’s yous outlaws runnin’ ‘round tryina overthrow them; and I’m goin’: ‘huh?’!”
xxxxxI stare into the fire. “They look after your family, eh? Well they killed mine,” I say bitterly. “And you don’t forget,” I look at him furiously, “you don’t forget how your father died trying to save you. You don’t forget how, as you run behind your mother to stop the arrows, she suddenly trips you and ducks, just too late. What would YOU do, faced with that?!”
xxxxxHe looks disturbed, “They really did ‘at?”
xxxxxI nod, avoiding his gaze, trying to calm my sudden aching rage.
xxxxx“W-why?” he speaks more respectfully now. “If you don’ mind me askin’, ‘at is.”
xxxxx“The—the dragons,” I lie.
xxxxx“O-ooh,” he’s suddenly subdued.
xxxxxHe sits in silence before finally walking back to his tent, deep in thought.

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Two

xxxxxI wake in the morning from an icy cold feeling on my throat: a grinning soldier holds a blood-stained sword in readiness to kill me if I move, and someone else is untying me from the tree.
xxxxxThe soldier before me taps his blade with a fingernail. “I know how to use ’is, mate,” he grins, “an’ I’d very much like t’ see ya wi’out ya mask on.” His grin hints at tugging the hood off of my bodiless head and I shudder slightly.
xxxxx“Mmm,” the soldier holding the ropes agrees as he steps around the tree. “I don’t get why Captain Albert said to leave it. Odd.” He ties the rope from the tree tightly around my waist and loops the other end around his wrist.
xxxxx“C’m’ on,” he says gruffly as the other man starts walking. They guide me to a line of boxed wagons with barred windows, open the door of the lead one, and shove me roughly inside, locking the door.
xxxxxI don’t bother to resist: since my hands are tied it would be pretty futile.
xxxxxStepping forward, I peer through the bars at the end of the compartment just as they force one of my men into the next wagon in line—only his hands are tied.
xxxxxI move away, saddened that they captured more men, and look out of the bars in the door to only see more of my men and the soldiers. Where is she? I think, worry beginning to blossom in my chest.
xxxxxI look instead out the small window on the other side and see several soldiers tying our captured horses nose to tail in a long line. Scanning the line anxiously, I spot Black Robin near the middle. Ears drooping; head hanging; her spotless, coal-black coat slick with sweat; blood dripping from an ugly wound in her shoulder.
xxxxxThe sight of my playful, spirited horse hurt and dejected like that fills me with fury. I slam myself angrily into the door, kicking and banging, but it’s no use, I can feel the instant I touch it that it’s hickory. I’m not going to break it using normal means.
xxxxxI slump dazedly in the corner.
xxxxxAfter a few hours the wagon lurches forward, knocking me into the walls: hickory.
xxxxxA black mood descends on me as I worry, and contemplate our future. Our brave, faithful horses will probably be flogged to death as cart-horses—or slaughtered; me and my men tortured and/or killed; and sooner or later someone will surrender and reveal one or more of our hideouts, and the rest of our colleagues will be killed or worse.
xxxxxOh, Yahweh, creator of Magnum and beyond, please save us, I pray.
xxxxxAround midday, a slot at the front of my compartment opens and a loaf of bread, along with a skin of water is pushed through.
xxxxxI sit, staring glumly at the two jovially bouncing articles until thirst moves me. Then I discover a problem: my hands are still tied.
xxxxxPursing my lips, I prepare to whistle for the dogs, then stop in dismay, Yelena! I think. Flint! How could I have forgotten them?!
xxxxxI glumly wonder what happened to them; there’s a small chance that the men managed to drag them away, but it’s more than likely that they attacked, when I fell, and are now lying dead, somewhere in the woods. I try not to think about it too much, and instead catch the water-skin in my knees and use my teeth to unscrew the cap, draining it; I haven’t had water since yesterday evening, and it’s already early afternoon. I manage to eat the loaf in the same way.
xxxxxHours later we pass through a small village, where we stop for the night.
xxxxxSomeone lets slip that they’ve captured ‘Jedi the Bandit Chief’—which I’m not—and soon there’s a small crowd of curious spectators peering through the bars.
xxxxxI ignore them and pretend to sleep, but they don’t leave until night falls. I only manage to sleep for a few hours.

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Three

xxxxxWe’re on the move already; it’s only about six.
xxxxxA couple hours later, the slot slides open and a pair of metal poles with blades attached to the end glides through; they’re connected in the middle.
xxxxx“Turn around,” a voice commands gruffly.
xxxxxI warily do so, tense as a bow string and ready to spring away in a moments’ notice.
xxxxxBut then I hear a tearing rip and my hands fall to my sides. The rope lies coiled on the vibrating floor. I turn quickly, surprised, as the giant pincers pick up the rope, and the soldier manning them yanks them back out through the slot. Someone drops another loaf and full water-skin inside. I eat hungrily, wondering why my hands have been freed.
xxxxxIn the afternoon the pincers return, only, they’re grasping Blackwire cuffs.
xxxxxBlackwire is the hardest steel on earth, tougher than the hardest iron.
xxxxxWow, I think, they’re really afraid of me! I refuse to put them on. I might not be able to escape, I decide, but I’m not going to help them imprison me further. I end up having to throw them out through the window bars, and the wagon immediately stops.
xxxxxFive or so soldiers enter shortly after—with the cuffs.
xxxxxDodging through them, I try to slip out the door, but at the last minute a big burly man steps in the way. They finally overpower me, and snap on the cuffs; but at least my hands are in front of me, instead.
xxxxxSeveral days later, we are slowly rumbling across the drawbridge to the castle.

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Four

xxxxxThe soldiers unlock the door, and I step into the courtyard, as the portcullis closes behind us: there’s no escape.
xxxxxA soldier nudges me forward with a halberd and, with a small retinue around me, I march glumly toward the Keep. The wagon train and horses clatter away in another direction.
xxxxx“Where’re they going?” I ask, before I can stop myself. “Where am I going?”
xxxxx“I got a messenger th’ other day,” the captain, who is marching beside me, answers gruffly; to my surprise, “sayin’ King Luther w’nts to meet with ya first, th’ others’re goin’ straight to prison.”
xxxxxMy heart sinks: I do not feel like meeting the king.
xxxxxArriving outside the Keep’s gates, the captain knocks briskly on the iron and they swing open.
xxxxxWe march on, for what seems like hours, ’til we’re standing outside a pair of thick silver doors, embossed with gold.
xxxxxThe guards standing in front of the doors move aside, pulling them open as they do so. One shoots me a dirty look.
xxxxx“I bring you Jedi, yer majesties,” the captain announces as he steps ahead of me.
xxxxxI step through the doorway onto a rich red carpet, the doors swing shut, and we begin to walk down the long room, me praying desperately for courage the whole time.
xxxxxThe throne room is hard to see, because of the hazy mist filling it; whispers and stifled groans course through the empty room, causing the hair to rise on the back of my neck, and the only light so far is an eerie glow ahead.
xxxxxI had forgotten the king was a sorcerer.
xxxxx“Ah,” I tense as an oily voice slithers through the air, and I see the king for the first time, seated on his throne; the queen and his three daughters at his left, and his three sons to his right. The heir—his oldest, and a son—is about my age: eighteen, “it’s lovely to finally meet you, Jedi son of Jenkiff.”
xxxxxI flinch, at the name and the king smiles cruelly. “Yess,” he purrs, “that was your father’s name, wasn’t it? Poor, moon-addled fool. He picked the wrong choice.” His face hardens momentarily as he sees my glare, then he relaxes, and speaks gently. “You, also, have a choice, but a higher one than your father ever dreamed of. I hear from my spies that you have brains, boy, and possess power over animals, also that you are trustworthy, and men far older than you do your bidding.”
xxxxxI stiffen, realizing our whereabouts had been betrayed, and fearing the viper hidden amongst the clover.
xxxxx“I like these attributes, so tell me: are you one of those dragon maniacs?”
xxxxxI keep my face expressionless and say nothing, knowing it’s a trap.
xxxxxThe king chuckles and leans back, tenting his fingers. “Wise,” he says drily. “Now, I have a marvellous opportunity for you: as you probably know, I have dominion over the dragons. In fact, I have the few remaining ones locked in this very castle. But, though they are in my power, they refuse to execute my will.”
xxxxxI grow cold, while his horrible voice becomes dangerously persuasive.
xxxxx“I need a smart, good-with-animals person to help convince them—by any means necessary—to obey me. You could be that person. I will give you lodgings in this castle, or build you a mansion anywhere you wish, you will have any supplies you ask for, and daily pay of ten thousand pounds—as well as other rewards. And,” he winks, “I may give you one of my daughters in marriage.”
xxxxxThe girls gasp and glare at me, their brothers look shocked, but the king and queen seem quite unconcerned. “Well?” continues the king. “What say you?”
xxxxxI can’t find my voice, but finally manage to spit out, “No.”
xxxxxKing Luther looks startled, “What did you say?”
xxxxx“No!” I repeat in a louder voice. “Never!” I’m seething with anger. “You killed my family for—for wanting to help the poor creatures you’re tormenting! Why would I agree to work for you!”
xxxxxLuther’s face grows hard, “What if I threatened that if you don’t, you will follow your family?” he growls.
xxxxxHis threats don’t affect me: I don’t care if he kills me, as long as it’s because I’m doing the right thing; I promised my father long ago to always do what’s right, and I keep the vow as well as I can.
xxxxxThe king changes tact and tries to speak kindly. “I will give you everything you’ve ever wanted,” he wheedles, “I can make you my heir!”
xxxxxI don’t see his son’s reaction to those words: I’m staring at the carpet, trying to control the sudden tears that still appear even after eleven years of missing my family. His next words banish them instantly.
xxxxx“Well, what about it? Look up here, please.”
xxxxxI stare defiantly at his weasely, triumphant face; so smug and sure he’s won.
xxxxx“Never,” I snarl, “I’d rather die.”
xxxxxHis patience finally snaps. “Die you surely will!!” he roars furiously. “Take him away, and lock him up!”
xxxxxThe captain and his soldiers seize my arms and drag me grimly away from the raging king, to the dungeons.

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Five

xxxxxI sit glumly in the small stone cell—which is surprisingly clean, actually—staring at my scarred hands.
xxxxxAfter searching the cell for a way of escape, I’m reduced to a state of despair: there are no windows, and the door is made out of bars of Blackwire; the only articles in the small room are a few blankets for a bed; and the door is hardly ever unlocked; the only person I see—apart from the murderous beggar across the hall from me—is the jail warden during meal times, and he doesn’t wear his keys; he slides bread and water under the door and leaves the keys in the Guard-Room—the only way out, and crawling with soldiers. Yahweh’s going to have to work a pretty big miracle for me to escape.
xxxxxAt least—a small comfort—my hands are finally free.
xxxxxI hear a step in the corridor and look up, expecting the warden, but instead look into the blue-eyed, brown-haired face of the crown prince—I can’t remember his name—and I stare back at my hands.
xxxxx“Hi..?” he says eventually.
xxxxx“I’m sorry about your family,” he adds after an awkward pause.
xxxxxI glance up at him in surprise: is it a trap?
xxxxx“I understand why you’d want revenge,” he continues, but I stand up quickly, cutting him off.
xxxxx“It’s not about revenge,” I tell him truthfully, “I’m working on forgiving. I’m against your father—and possibly you—‘cause he’s evil. He kills innocent people and gets away with it; he’s enslaved a free species; he tortures people and animals; and—" I suddenly remember I’m talking about his father.
xxxxxHe’s standing with his head bowed, as if ashamed. “I know,” he says sadly, “Father’s a sorcerer. I hope I’ll be a better king.”
xxxxxSuddenly, as if making a decision, he draws a set of keys out of his pocket; unlocks my cell; steps inside, and locks the door again, throwing the keys just out of arms’ reach.
xxxxxI stare at him, astonished, as he strides over and sits down, leaning his head wearily against the stone wall. After a moment, I crouch next to him.
xxxxx“What’s your real name?” he asks abruptly, looking at me. “I asked Captain Albert, but he just said: ‘Jedi-Jedy-Jedididah,’ I didn’t think so, though.” He frowns quizzically.
xxxxxI chuckle slightly, “Jedidiah.”
xxxxx“Jedi-what?”
xxxxx“Yeah, just Jedi.”
xxxxx“I really admire you,” the prince admits, “I’m a big fan.”
xxxxx“Really! But—but you’re a prince!” I stutter, staring.
xxxxx“Yeah, but you’re living in a wild, beast-filled forest, having adventures; saving friends; and amassing followers—when you’re only my age! Are you really the Bandit Chief, like all the stories say?”
xxxxxShaking my head, I think about his words in shocked silence: he’s right.
xxxxx“I want to help you,” he continues hurriedly, “do you have a horse?”
xxxxxI nod, and manage to find my tongue, “She’s black, not a spot of colour on her, but she has a fresh wound on her left shoulder: she was captured, too.”
xxxxxThe prince nods, “They’re auctioning off your horses this afternoon, I’ll ‘take an interest in her’, or get Albert to.”
xxxxx“Thank you,” I say in surprise. “Who’s Albert?”
xxxxx“The captain who asked you those questions,” he answers; then turns red. “I told him to collect any information about you he could find.”
xxxxxI stare in wonder at my new ally—a prince who looks up to me, an outlaw—and silently thank Yahweh for this gleam of hope.
xxxxx“What’s your name?” I ask, after a minute or two. “I mean, I don’t hear it much in the forest.”
xxxxx“Sa’an.”
xxxxxHe stands. “The auction will be on soon, I’d better go.”
xxxxxHe starts walking to the door, then stops. “One other thing,” he says, turning, “can you put up your eye mask? Just briefly, I mean.”
xxxxxI glance through the door: the beggar’s asleep, so I have no major reason to refuse. With a resigned sigh, I fold my mask up into the hood.
xxxxxSa’an squints, “Black haired and grey-eyed; like my sister, Lexie.” He nods thoughtfully, gets a large magnet from his pocket, and pulls the keys over.
xxxxxAs I pull my mask back down he lets himself out and regretfully locks the door. “I’ll see you later.” And he’s gone.
I think of his last words, of him comparing me to his sister, Princess Alexandra.
xxxxxThat comparison has been made before, I think.

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Six

xxxxx“Take care of her, Jedi,” my mother tells me, passing me the baby as the arrow drains her life away. “Protect her! But take care of yourself; live in the forest, and keep both of you alive.”
xxxxxI nod frantically, cradling the baby in my arms as tears course down my cheeks.
xxxxxShe smiles proudly, and dies.
xxxxxStruggling to my feet, I race on toward the forest, where we had been heading before that cursed arrow appeared, but, for the second time that day; someone trips me.
xxxxxA cruel soldier looms overhead. “The king’n’queen need ya sista, kid,” he growls.
xxxxxI try to resist, but I’m only seven; he pries her from my arms; and, after calling one of his men to hold me, leaps onto his horse and gallops away.
xxxxx“Lexie!” I croak.

#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#xxxxx#

xxxxxI jerk awake, shivering, hating my past; trying to forgive the king and queen for what they did.
xxxxxIt would’ve hurt, losing their baby like that; watching her struggle for breath as the pneumonia slowly killed her; knowing there was nothing they could do, I tell myself. But the rest of me replies: Yes, but they didn’t need to kill my parents and take my sister because of it.
xxxxxI argue with myself for hours, before finally falling into a restless doze.

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Seven

xxxxxI slowly open my bleary eyes as the door clangs shut, and Sa’an looks at me guiltily.
xxxxx“Sorry,” he says, “it was supposed to shut quietly.”
xxxxxI sit up, yawning and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, and grunt, “Forget it.” I’m grumpier than I mean to be: I’m still shaken by the vivid recurrence of my past.
xxxxxSa’an sits down next to me, patting my back as if he understands something’s bothering me.
xxxxx“We got your horse,” he grins.
xxxxxMy heart leaps, but anxiety curdles in my stomach, “Is she okay?” I’m grateful for the distraction.
xxxxx“She’ll live,” he nods, “but she’ll need a week or two to heal. Just,” he pauses briefly, “you might not have that long, so I’ve got the best farrier in the land working on her; now it’ll be four days at the most.”
xxxxxI’m so delighted I hug him. “Thank you, Sa’an!” I say. “Now,” I jump up excitedly, forgetting all worries, and begin to pace the small room, “what’s the plan?”
xxxxxI stop when he doesn’t reply, “What’s up?”
xxxxxHe clears his throat nervously, “Do you—would you mind if I tag along?”
xxxxxI hesitate for a moment, taken aback, then plunge in. “I guess you can come,” I say, “but, why?” I still don’t completely trust him.
xxxxx“If Father and Mother find out I’ve helped you,” he answers quietly, “at the very least I’ll lose the throne; that’s not so bad: it will go to my sister, Liliana. She’s of the same mind as me, and would be a good ruler. But I will probably lose my life.”
xxxxxI stare at him in shock, “They would kill their own son?!”
xxxxxHe grimaces, “Yeah.”
xxxxxI think about his predicament. “But, if we both disappear, won’t it be pretty obvious that you helped?”
xxxxx“Sure,” he smiles painfully, “but they won’t be able to find me, will they?”
xxxxxI think about the vast expanse of trees that stretches on into infinity. “No,” I grin, “they won’t.”
xxxxxI suddenly remember something. “One problem, though,” I say, “your father has spies spread through our ranks, they’ll tell him about you—and your whereabouts.”
xxxxxHe jumps up instantly. “I can deal with that!” he says, and rushes from the cell.
xxxxxSa’an arrives back in the evening, and, standing up, I peer through the bars to check that the beggar’s napping again. He’s snoring peacefully, wispy hairs flicking in and out of his nostrils.
xxxxx“What’d you do?” I ask Sa’an as he unlocks the door.
xxxxxHe chuckles, “During lunch, I just complimented Father on capturing you, and asked how he did it; and since I’m his heir, and was interested, he told me everything. And also...” he grins and flourishes a piece of paper from out of his pocket with evil looking scrawls on it. “He wrote down their names, so I can remember them and help him occasionally!”
xxxxxI laugh, and we sit next to each other, leaning against the wall, as we review the list of names, where I’m surprised to see ‘Jeff Riley’ heading the list.
xxxxx“So that’s how the scoundrel was the only scout to survive,” I growl under my breath. I had wondered about that.
xxxxxAs I continue through the list, Sa’an grows silent and fidgety.
xxxxx“Got any siblings?” he asks, much too casually.
xxxxxHe knows, I think, and say: “Used to.”
xxxxx“What—" he swallows, “What happened?”
xxxxxI try to answer but my voice is gone.
xxxxxEventually I can’t bear it and bury my face in my arms; it’s too hard: reliving those moments; telling him what his family’s done to mine; explaining what he must already know.
xxxxxSa’an awkwardly pats my back as I breathe deeply, trying to control my roiling emotions.
xxxxx“I’m really sorry, Jedi,” he says softly, “I love Lexie dearly, but if I could, I’d reverse everything.”
xxxxxI feel a small glow of gratitude, but say nothing, then tense, suddenly, as he continues.
xxxxx“She knows who she is, Jedi, she knows who you are.”
xxxxxHe pauses, then adds, “She calls you ‘J’ occasionally.”
xxxxxI raise my head and stare at him in shocked wonder. “How does she remember?” I croak brokenly, “she was only a year old!”
xxxxxSa’an laughs shakily. “I don’t know,” he says. “I told her the truth when she was about three—under pain of death, you understand—and she’s been more eager for news of you than me—and a thousand times more anxious!”
xxxxxI hug him. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for my family,” I say.
xxxxx“It was—is— my pleasure,” he replies heartily. “Actually, I’d better be going now, I don’t want to arouse suspicion.”
xxxxxHe rises, and leaves the cell with a whispered, “’Night.”
xxxxxNot long later, the warden makes his rounds; I eat the bread and fall asleep, feeling happier than I have in a long time.

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Eight

xxxxxI’m jolted abruptly from sleep as the clatter of heavy boots fills the prison; a small regiment of soldiers appear behind the warden, who unlocks the door of my cell, then two soldiers step in, binding my hands. Again.
xxxxxTheir commander, a short, dark-haired man with a beard steps forward. “Take him to King Luther,” he says, “I’ve got other duties to attend to.”
xxxxxI feel a sense of relief as we march through the soldier filled guard-room; glad that I’m not being led to my execution.
xxxxxThey don’t take me to the throne-room, instead, I’m taken to the king’s private Audience-hall.
xxxxxHe looks up as I enter, feigning surprise, then dismisses the guards as I advance, before motioning for me to sit in the seat I’m standing near—which I can actually see, because his cloud of demons is absent.
xxxxx“Now,” he begins, “I’ll admit I was rather hasty the other day: the spirits had been giving me trouble—that was why they were in the room—and were urging me to murder you as soon as they laid eyes on you.”
xxxxxHe starts swaying slightly in his chair; his eyes glaze over; and he chants in an eerie, hollow voice that sends a chill down my spine: “Even now they take control, I can’t resist much longer.
xxxxx“We’re still in this room, and with Luther in our power as our puppet, we will slaughter and enslave to sate our thirst for blood. We will rule the earth!” The demon’s voice speaking through the king trails off into a crazed laugh that sounds like someone being murdered.
xxxxxThe king slowly stops swaying and his eyes focus.
xxxxx“But I resisted,” he says, as if his lapse had never happened, “I did not kill you, because you seem like a good lad, and this kingdom needs you. I ask again: will you help me?”
xxxxxI swallow nervously, but my voice is firm, “No.”
xxxxxTo my surprise he doesn’t look angry at my response. He looks sad, “I’m sorry, for what I did to your family. I wish I could reverse it,” he says. “And,” he speaks gently, “I’m afraid your baby sister died after you deserted her for the adventure luring from the forest. I’m—”
xxxxxI stand abruptly, knocking the chair over and cutting off his words. I’m trembling with anger. “You liar!” I shout. “You’re not sorry! You’d kill them all over again if you could! And Lexie’s not dead, you know I didn’t desert her! You know you stole her! I spent eleven years in the forest—and three months of that with a broken arm—because I didn’t desert her!
xxxxx“You liar.” I repeat softly.
xxxxxLuther rises from his throne, his face contorted with anger, hate, and fury, “Guards!!” he roars.
xxxxxThey rush into the room, weapons drawn.
xxxxx“Take this boy away, and execute him immediately!
xxxxx“And tell me, when you’re ready,” he adds quietly, shooting my white face a triumphant smile, loaded with venom, “it will be a pleasure to finally see him dead.”
xxxxxSuddenly, the ornate doors burst open and Sa’an rushes in, waving a slip of paper wildly. “Father,” he calls, a mixture of excitement and urgency in his voice, “Alyexo and his wife are arriving tomorrow!”
xxxxxLuther starts, “Give that here,” he demands harshly.
xxxxxAfter reading the note, the king gives a disappointed grunt and waves his hand imperiously in my direction. “Take him away,” he commands the guards, “the execution will commence after Alyexo and Isabella have departed.”
xxxxxThe guards salute, march me out, and hand me over to the other soldiers, who transport me back to the prison.
xxxxxI sit in my cell, and wait.
xxxxxBefore long, Sa’an appears, lets himself in, and sits beside me.
xxxxx“Phew,” he breathes, “that was a close shave! I’m glad I kept that letter.”
xxxxx“Me too,” I agree. “But, what do you mean?”
xxxxx“Well, the day you were brought here,” he begins, “I received a message by carrier pigeon from my cousin, Lord Alyexo, saying that he and his wife were setting out from their estate and they should arrive here tomorrow, only, he put its date. I kept it to myself—I had the feeling it would come in handy—and was in the hall, happening to have it with me, when I heard Father yelling and rushed in.”
xxxxx“Thanks,” I say, “you just saved my life.”
xxxxxI pause.
xxxxx“Why would he postpone my—my execution, if he was looking forward to it so much?”
xxxxx“He’s had no time to prepare for Alyexo and Isabella’s arrival,” Sa’an explains, “there’re meals to plan, parties to organize, and various other entertainments to decide on.”
xxxxx“But why not kill me as part of the entertainment?”
xxxxx“Luckily for you, Alyexo is a powerful lord—Father needs his support—but he doesn’t believe in executing people for their crimes—he prefers to imprison, and then set free for a new start. It will insult him if you’re executed while he’s here—and they’re staying for a fortnight! More than enough time to get you out o’ here!”
xxxxxI suddenly remember something. “How’s Black Robin doing?” I ask. “I’m gonna need her, if I want to escape.”
xxxxx“Black Robin...” he frowns. “Oh, your horse! She’s doing well, the farrier said she’ll be strong enough to begin riding tomorrow, so I’ll pack as much as I can for our journey today and tomorrow—as well as arrange a couple surprises—and we’ll leave the day after.”
xxxxxThen he snaps his fingers. “I almost forgot! What weapons do you use?”
xxxxx“Bow,” I reply instantly. “But I can use a sword, too.”
xxxxx“Do you have anything else that disappeared after you were captured?”
xxxxxI think back to the night of the attack; everything I had with me was replaceable, except— “My horn,” I say, “from my Father; made of Black Rimu.”
xxxxxSa’an whistles, “Black Rimu! That’s expensive! Shouldn’t be too hard to find.”
xxxxx“It’s bound with silver, too,” I add.
xxxxx“Okay,” Sa’an jumps to his feet, “I’ll hunt ‘em up. I probably won’t be able to visit you tomorrow, but I’ll definitely see you the next day, a few hours after midnight.”
xxxxxI nod, “Thanks.”

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Nine

xxxxxSure enough, he doesn’t appear until, on the night of our escape I’m roughly shaken awake. I sit up, startled to see an ominous black figure above me.
xxxxx“Luckily they let you keep your—black—clothes,” says Sa’an’s muffled voice.
xxxxx“Here.” He hands me my horn and turns back to re-open the door, bowing as I step out.
xxxxxHe leads me through the empty guard-room and up and down various passages until he opens the door into a luxurious bedroom.
xxxxx“Come on,” he says, pulling me inside as he glances furtively down the hall. “This is my room.”
xxxxxHe pulls a good, strong bow and a quiver of about sixty arrows out from under his bed and wordlessly hands them to me before buckling a sword around his waist. He hands me a knife, too.
xxxxxWe journey through the castle until we arrive outside a pair of large doors where Sa’an nods to the guards, who step respectfully
aside. He quickly pushes past them, blocking my view until I step through the door-way.
xxxxxI stop in wonder and amazement and Sa’an grins happily at my reaction: the room is full of dragons!
xxxxxThen my vision clouds in anger: the dragons are chained and bolted to the floor with Blackwire and there are cruel muzzles on their snouts.
xxxxxI stride to the nearest, despite Sa’an’s warning, and begin trying futilely to release him from the chains.
xxxxx“Thank you, stranger,” he says wearily, aqua scales rippling, “but leave me, you will be punished.”
xxxxx“It’s not right,” I mutter, “and I’m being executed for not torturing you, anyway, what do I care?”
xxxxxThe dragon looks surprised, “You resisted?”
xxxxxI nod.
xxxxx“I guess, by the way Sa’an’s trying to get your attention, that you’re both leaving?”
xxxxxI nod again, wishing I could help him.
xxxxxHe jerks suddenly, knocking me backwards.
xxxxx“Take some eggs!” he pleads. “Take some of our unhatched young, we will die willingly, if only our children have a better future than this! Please!”
xxxxxI turn to Sa’an, who nods, “I was expecting this and planned for it,” he says.
xxxxxThe dragon’s eyes fill with hope and he raises a wing as much as he can, “Then please, take this,” he says, “my mate laid it days before she died and it will hatch soon. I won’t be able to keep it hidden for much longer.”
xxxxxI slip under his wing and, in wonder, gently touch the large, sky-blue oval.
xxxxxPicking it up, I cradle it in my arms as I leave from under his wing. “I’ll guard it with my life,” I promise.
xxxxxHis eyes soften, “Thank you.”
xxxxxSa’an hands me a light but strong pack filled with soft, fluffy down. “It can hold two,” he tells me.
xxxxxI carefully place the egg inside and cover it. “Are there more?” I ask. “Eggs, I mean.”
xxxxx“Heaps,” Sa’an answers. He walks over to a small door in the wall, which he opens.
xxxxxThe room is packed with eggs.
xxxxxSa’an retrieves another pack from his cloak and gently loads it with two eggs, one blood-red and the other emerald-green. He motions me over and I carefully choose a small cloudy-purple egg before he shuts and locks the door.
xxxxxWe fasten the packs, gingerly slip our arms through the straps, whisper a quick good-bye to the many dragons, and exit through another door.
xxxxxA couple halls later, we enter a dimly lit, well pillared room where a sixteen year old girl-brown-haired like Sa’an-and a black haired twelve year old stand waiting.
xxxxxI know who the younger girl is.
xxxxx“Lexie..!” I breathe.
xxxxxI drop my bow and run toward her, she turns, hearing the weapon drop and leaps forward when she catches sight of me.
xxxxxWe are soon locked in each-others’ arms.
xxxxxI hold her tightly, trying to breathe as she does the same. Burying my face in her hair I kiss the top of her head a few times, holding back happy tears.
xxxxxSa’an is standing nearby, grinning happily, but looking slightly troubled.
xxxxxLexie finally lets-go of me and stands next to me instead, hugging my arm as I reluctantly release her.
xxxxx“Thank you, Sa’an, for bringing my little sister here,” I tell him. “This means a lot to me.”
xxxxxLexie squeezes my arm tighter. “Exactly,” she says, staring at the other boy pointedly, “Sa’an, you’ve got to let me come!”
xxxxxWhen he shakes his head she scowls angrily, “You can’t separate us again!”
xxxxxSa’an flinches, “I never separated you, Mother and Father did,” he mutters.
xxxxxBut Lexie ignores or doesn’t hear him. “He’s Jedi! He’s my brother and I don’t even know him! I’m really sorry if I’m being a selfish brat, but I have to come! Please!”
xxxxxSa’an shakes his head again. “We’ve been over this before, Alexandra,” he says, “it’s too dangerous, you’ll be safer here.”
xxxxx“No,” I decide, “she needs to come. I’m using her reasons and all my own—which undermine yours.” I try to grin, but he still looks incredulous, and his eyes have started to go wild and strange.
xxxxx“You want to take her into a huge forest full of wild beasts and gangs of roughs?!”
xxxxx“I’m captain of several of those ‘roughs’, and you’re going to be one of us,” I growl, insulted and annoyed. “If anyone harms her—which they won’t, I know—they’ll regret it.
xxxxx“Besides,” I add more calmly, “if your parents would kill you, they won’t think twice about killing her to hurt me.”
xxxxxDespite my efforts, Sa’an isn’t pleased, and the savage light in his eyes has grown, “Fine,” he snarls. “But she’s riding with me.”
xxxxxIn this mood I don’t completely trust him, and Black Robin can navigate the treacherous woods better than whatever horse
he’s got, anyway.
xxxxx“It will be better if she rides with me,” I say, and try to explain about Black Robin but he cuts me off angrily.
xxxxx“Forget it: I’m taking her.”
xxxxxWhen I shake my head he growls furiously, and, tearing his sword from its sheath charges toward me.
xxxxxI jerk away from Lexie, duck under Sa’an’s whistling blade, and, before he can react, quickly punch the inside of his elbow, causing him to drop the sword. As it clatters to the ground, I grab him by the shoulders and slam him into the nearest pillar, holding him still until he relaxes and his eyes calm.
xxxxxI cock my head as I release him. “You okay?”
xxxxx“Yeah,” he pushes himself out from the pillar. “How about you? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
xxxxx“I’m fine,” I assure him.
xxxxx“Sorry about that,” he says. “We need to get out of here—quickly!”
xxxxxHe steps forward and hugs the older girl, who has been watching us with a worried expression. “This is Liliana,” he tells me. “Liliana, this is Jedi.”
xxxxxShe grins, then turns serious as Sa’an speaks to her again.
xxxxx“You won’t come with us?”
xxxxxShe shakes her head regretfully, “I want to,” she admits, “but if I do, who is there for the littlies to look up to, to show them
what’s right? I just can’t.”
xxxxxSa’an sighs and turns away, his face anguished, “Bye, then,” he says quietly.
xxxxxHe sheaths his sword, and I retrieve my bow as the two girls say good-bye.
xxxxxI notice Liliana hands Lexie a dagger, as well as a bow and quiver from behind a pillar.
xxxxxI whisper a good-bye to Liliana, staying forlornly behind, as we make our way to the massive doors at the end of the chamber.
xxxxxOn the other side of the doors lies the open air.
xxxxxI breathe a sigh of relief: it’s the first time I’ve been outside and free for over a week. Hard stuff for a bandit to cope with!
xxxxxA man is standing nearby with two horses, though in the dark Black Robin is almost invisible.
xxxxxPutting my arm around her neck, I gladly stroke her soft mane. “Hey, girl,” I say, “didya miss me?”
xxxxxShe whickers in affirmation and gently nuzzles me.
xxxxx“Well, lookee here,” says a voice, and I realize that the man’s Captain Albert, “you got ‘er quiet as a lamb! She’s one feisty horse, alright alright! Had a heck of a job getting’ her tack on. I ‘ad to swear, an’ ask ‘er if she wanted ta help ya or no!” He chuckles, and Black Robin snorts softly.
xxxxxSa’an steps forward and shakes the captain’s hand. “Thanks for all your help.”
xxxxxHe shrugs, “Doe’ent matter,” and turns to leave, but I stop him.
xxxxx“Just curious,” I say, “but, why’d you command your men not to touch my mask?”
xxxxx“You reminded me ‘f someone,” he says, “and you’d disturbed me enough. I di’n’t feel like findin’ out who.” He glances at
Lexie, who is stroking Black Robin methodically. “An’ now I know.” Touching his forehead in a small salute he wishes us luck and disappears into the shadows.
xxxxxSa’an approaches me as soon as the older man’s out of sight. “Quick, Jedi,” he says, pressing a small bag into my hand, “go slip this in his pocket: he won’t accept the payment, but I don’t care. Please.”
xxxxxThe mission is done easily, using the shadows and my knowledge of wood-craft I’m quieter than quiet, and he doesn’t suspect a thing as I slip the money into his coat from behind.
xxxxx“Thanks,” Sa’an says as I approach, and quickly mounts his brown charger.
xxxxxI do the same and help Lexie up.
xxxxx“Well then,” Sa’an shortens his reins, “where to now, Captain?”
xxxxx“First we need to get back to Infinity Forest,” I say. “Then I’ll be able to navigate.”
xxxxxSa’an takes the lead for the last time as we canter through the castle courtyard, skirt as much of the city as we can, and
gallop the last few kilometres to the outskirts of Infinity Forest before making our way along the Defending-Wall to a small, usually
guarded gap just wide enough for the horses to be lead through.
xxxxxSa’an grins, “Isn’t Albert great!” he says. “I would never have thought of distracting the guards!”
xxxxx“How were you planning on getting through, then?” Lexie asks quizzically.
xxxxx“Money,” he admits.
xxxxxAmongst the trees we slow to a trot: it’s dangerous for even Black Robin to gallop very long in the black woods, let alone whatever unaccustomed horse Sa’an’s got.
xxxxxWe ride for the rest of the night, and around eight in the morning, turn aside to a small cave—looking away from the city—in the side of a hill, to sleep. It’s only just big enough for the three of us, so we tether the horses outside.
xxxxxLexie’s eyes close as soon as she lies down, but I wait ‘til I’m sure she’s asleep before speaking.
xxxxx“What was up, back in the castle, when we were leaving?” I ask.
xxxxxSa’an sighs. “Father and those demons. I think his health is failing, so they’ve been attacking me. And I was worn out, too: Father
had thrown a big hunting party. And it was late. Oh, and the demons have been sowing tension throughout the castle, too.
xxxxx“And,” his voice lowers, as looks at Lexie both lovingly and sadly, “it suddenly hit me that Alexandra’s not my sister. She’s yours.”
xxxxxI pat him on the back, knowing what it’s like to lose someone you love. Thinking about what he’s risked for my family, I say: “I’m glad we got you away from everything in time!”
xxxxxHe grunts in response.
xxxxxMoving to the entrance of the cave I stare out at the two horses for a bit.
xxxxx“That’s a good horse,” I say suddenly. “What’s his name?”
xxxxxSa’an turns a bright red. “Jedi,” he says.
xxxxxI laugh, and Sa’an chuckles sheepishly as he drifts off to sleep.
xxxxxI keep watch for a couple hours before waking him up to guard: I can hardly keep my eyes open any more.
xxxxx“Wake me in two hours,” I mutter, and fall instantly into a deep sleep.

[Ranger of the North]

Chapter Ten

xxxxxI yawn drowsily and sit as I’m gently shaken awake.
xxxxx“It’s been two hours,” Sa’an says, crouching next to me. “What now?”
xxxxxI shake Lexie into awareness before answering. “No more sleep,” I say, “it’ll muck up our hours. Plus, we’re still too close to the city, we need to keep moving.”
xxxxx“But, Jedi,” Lexie begins, “what about food?”
xxxxx“You hungry?”
xxxxxShe shrugs, “A little. I’m mostly too excited, though,” she grins.
xxxxx“Okay, I’ll go hunting now, then, and be back soon-ish.”
xxxxxGrabbing my bow, I take a short walk to a small nearby lake where I easily take down a few ducks and fill my water-skin.
xxxxxI make my way back to the other two, who have readied the horses and are now waiting for me.
xxxxx“Eat now, or later?” I ask them.
xxxxxLexie shrugs, “Whatever.”
xxxxx“But it’s probably better to move further away from the city, isn’t it?” Sa’an adds.
xxxxx“Agreed. Mount up!” I order.
xxxxxWe move on for about four hours before stopping by a clear spring where I pluck and clean the ducks.
xxxxxSa’an’s and Lexie’s reactions to this procedure crack me up: Lexie keeps her distance and ignores me the whole time, while Sa’an watches with a sort of horrified fascination.
xxxxxI decide we’re far enough away from the city and slowly roast the ducks, which takes up the rest of the day.
xxxxxIn the morning, after breakfast, we refill our water-skins and move on.
xxxxxAfter a few hours I guide us eastward, toward the old campground where I was captured.
xxxxxArriving not long before dusk, I dismount near the tree where I hid my tent and look inside.
xxxxx“What are you doing?” Sa’an asks, reining his horse in next to Black Robin.
xxxxx“Fighting an old tree-trunk!” Lexie laughs as I struggle to hoist the tent out.
xxxxxCompleting the ‘tree fighting’, I give her directions to a nearby spring while I set the tent up and Sa’an pickets the horses. Then, after helping them light a small fire to re-heat a duck, I scour the area for any clues of Yelena and Flint’s whereabouts, and also try to estimate what happened to the rest of my men.
xxxxxBut the outlaws have already been back to retrieve the bodies, and all that’s left is a dog’s jaw-bone.
xxxxxI wordlessly make my way back to the other two.
xxxxxLuckily we all manage to fit inside my tent: a light rain falls during the night.
xxxxxAfter a small breakfast, I strap the rolled-up tent to Black Robin’s saddle and lead us north-west, deeper into the forest.
xxxxxAfter two days of journeying, just before we ride between two exceptionally large pines, I rein Black Robin in and motion urgently for Sa’an to stop, then whistle a signal known only to the bandit captains.
xxxxxI hear a slight rustle and an outlaw sentinel drops skilfully from a tree.
xxxxxHe stares at me in astonishment, “Jed—uh, Captain Jedi!” he gasps. “I thought—I mean they said you were dead!”
xxxxx“Captured,” I say, grinning slightly. “I need to see Avolick.”
xxxxxHe nods, “Of course, Sir, his cabin’s in the middle of our camp. Only, who’re these two?” He points at Sa’an and Lexie.
xxxxx“My sister and my friend.”
xxxxxHe looks doubtful, but, “Okay, I trust you,” he say eventually, and, moving aside, he gives a long, low whistle.
xxxxxUrging the horses forward we make our way through the thick maze of trees until we emerge into a large clearing full of tents
and busy men.
xxxxxI skirt as much camp as I can—no point in letting the traitors know we’re on to them—glancing back to check on Sa’an now
and then.
xxxxxWe finally arrive outside a small log-cabin and I dismount, tying Black robin to the hitching-post before banging loudly on the
door.
xxxxx“Ah, I thought ya were dead,” says a voice behind me and I whirl around to see Jek Avolick grinning broadly. “W’t a nice surprise.”
xxxxxI step aside, grinning back as Jek unlocks the door and opens it widely. ”C’me on in,” he says.
xxxxxI motion for Sa’an and Lexie to enter before stepping in and Avolick comes behind me, re-locking the door and sitting comfortably in a wooden chair.
xxxxx“Wa’s up?” he asks, glancing at Sa’an and Lexie curiously-they look uncomfortable at not being offered to sit on anything,
and I find myself wanting to laugh, “Ya need me for somethin’ I know.”
xxxxxHe pauses.
xxxxx“An’ why the heck ‘ave all yer men bombarded me all of a sudden?”
xxxxxI lean against the wall and chuckle, “That’s our strategy. You’re our meeting place, y’ might say.” I laugh again at his
expression, “It’s your own fault for having a set base,” I say, “you’re the easiest group to find, so you’re the easiest place for us to re-group if we’re scattered.”
xxxxxHe collapses into his seat with a mock groan, then leans forward again, “By the way, who’re these characters, anyway?” he flicks a finger toward Sa’an and Lexie.
xxxxxSa’an, looking a little put out, begins to speak, but I stop him with a pointed cough.
xxxxx“This is my sister, Lexie,” I tell the older bandit captain, “and my comrade, Sa’an.”
xxxxx“Ah,” he nods, squinting. “Well, wadaya want? What happened? I c’n tell you want something from me.”
xxxxxI grin in response before beginning the telling of what ensued in the castle. I don’t reveal all, but I tell him enough so he understands our—and his—plight.
xxxxxHe leans back musingly as I finish. “So... you’re telling me,” he begins, “’at several o’ my men are traitors?”
xxxxx“Possibly,” I nod.
xxxxxAvolick sighs, “Oh dear, prob’ly should weed ‘em out, I guess.”
xxxxx“Not just weed ‘em out,” I correct. “We need to fight!” I pound the table viciously. “We’ve been hiding like cowards in this
forest for far too long! It’s time to do something about Luther and Nelissa.
xxxxx“It’s time to fight,” I repeat quietly.
xxxxxJek stands with a grunt and makes his way over, laying a hand on my shoulder. “I’m in,” he says, “ye’re right. I’ll help in any way I can t’ depose ‘em. So, I need t’ see ‘at list.”
xxxxxSa’an sullenly hands the wad of paper to the man.
xxxxxOops, I think, Prob’ly should’ve made sure he wasn’t around to hear us talk about overthrowing his parents. Oh well.
xxxxxJek perches on a corner of the table to read before catching himself and unlocking the door. “There,” he says, “y’ c’n go
round’p yer men. They’re in the east section.”
xxxxx“Thanks,” I tell him as we troop out the door and he re-seats himself on the table, engrossed in the list.
xxxxxThe far eastern edge of the camp consists solely of my own men and I quickly hunt out Jack who assumed command—as were my orders—after my disappearance.
xxxxx“Captain Jedi!” he gasps, catching sight of me. “We thought you were dead!” And then, to my complete surprise, he steps forward and hugs me.
xxxxxI hesitate only an instant before returning it.
xxxxx“Who’re your companions?” he asks.
xxxxxSa’an and Lexie begin to reply but I hold up a hand, silencing them. “Where’s your tent?” I ask pointedly.
xxxxxJack grins, slightly, and nods in understanding, before turning and silently leading the way to his tent.
xxxxxWe slip inside and he ties the flaps shut. “So… what’s going on? How did you escape?”
xxxxxI fill him in on what happened and he listens, mouth hanging slightly open in shock.
xxxxx“Well, what’re we doing next, then, Captain? What’s the plan?” he asks when I finish.
xxxxx“First of all, Sa’an and Lexie need to stay hidden,” I begin.
xxxxxSa’an starts, “What? Why?”
xxxxx“We’re a threat to the mission,” Lexie catches on quickly, “if the traitors recognize us, they may suspect we’ve found them out.
xxxxx“Right?” she turns to me.
xxxxxI nod, “Exactly. If we want to catch all the traitors, it’s important that they don’t suspect a thing. Your very presence will be an alarm bell, because, unlike most of us bandits, they have free access to the outside world and will easily know your names, if not your faces.”
xxxxxSa’an frowns, “But, won’t they’ve seen us riding through the camp?”
xxxxxI shake my head, “Hopefully not, I avoided as much of the camp as I could.
xxxxx“Anyway, here’s what we’re gonna do…” I quickly illustrate my plan, after which, Jack leaves to explain to a few trusted men
what their part will be while we stay hidden in his tent.
xxxxxArriving back at dusk he says: “I’ve sorted it, Captain. At your lead.”
xxxxxI pull my hood down to overshadow my face and exit the tent, nodding good-bye to Sa’an and Lexie.
xxxxxWe make our way to the centre of my band’s part of the camp where a large bonfire is roaring, beyond which sits a mammoth tree-stump.
xxxxxJack makes his way past the fire and steps up onto the tree. Staying to the side he motions me into the middle.
xxxxxI nod, pull out my horn and blow one clear, rich blast.
xxxxxAll around the camp I see men making their way toward us, disbelief plain on their faces.
xxxxx“That sounded like the Captain’s horn!” one man says to another.
xxxxxWhen the camp is assembled, Jack steps forward and proclaims loudly: “I now relinquish my short leadership back to Captain Jedi.”
xxxxxI step forward, pulling my hood back to reveal myself.
xxxxxMost of the upturned faces show amazement, but as my gaze passes over them, the traitors only reveal caution.
xxxxxThinking quickly I decide to allay their fears—for now. “On my return,” I begin, “I would like to honour a few of you for your
prowess.
xxxxx“First of all, could Jeff Riley step up here?”
xxxxxI run through the discriminating list from memory, but adding a few men whom I actually want to honour to put the traitors
off their guard.
xxxxxFinally, when all are present, I give a sharp whistle between my teeth and motion toward them.
xxxxxA small squad of men leaps up almost immediately, seizing our betrayers and the innocents alike.
xxxxx“Ease off,” I command, gesturing toward the blameless.
xxxxxThe rest of the band stands watching impassively. Jeff Riley and his cohorts, though, look slightly bewildered.
xxxxx“These men,” I say to my troop as I point, “betrayed us.”
xxxxxAs I’d suspected, it’s all I need to say: angry murmurs run through the rest of the bandits, black mutterings against those who caused the deaths of their friends and brothers.
xxxxxBut one, Old Chicory, won’t have it. “What proof have you?” he asks accusingly.
xxxxxI incline my head, “Fair question.
xxxxx“During my captivity I found a new ally who came with me. He w’s able to find a list of the traitors. These men were obviously on it.”
xxxxx“One more question, Cap’n,” Chicory protests. “What proof have you that it’s true?”
xxxxx“Jeff Riley was the only one of ten sentinels to survive,” I point out.
xxxxx“That’s—that’s—” Jeff Riley stutters, then he falls silent as he realizes I’m right.
xxxxxOld Chicory gives in, “Fair enough.”
xxxxxI turn my attention back to Jeff and Co. “Bind them,” I tell their captors, then single out more men. “Set up a tent in the middle of the camp for them and guard it.”
xxxxxI raise my voice to address the rest of the bandits. “If you see any of these men free without my leave, try to recapture them. If
your attempts fail: kill them. They’re too dangerous to be free.”
xxxxxThe whole band nods, and, sensing that the ‘episode’ is over begins to disperse.
xxxxxAfter overseeing the securing of the traitors I quickly hunt out Jek.
xxxxx“Y’r purge done?” he asks, catching sight of me.
xxxxxI nod, “Went down well, on the whole.”
xxxxxJek snorts, “Y’ve got a hold on y’r men, alright. I nearly ‘ad a riot on me hands!”
xxxxxI chuckle, then grow serious, “What’ll we do about th’ other bands?”
xxxxxJek shrugs unconcernedly. “Too many bandits in this forest to rid it of all traitors. But I have sent men to alert Viggo.”
xxxxx“Good plan, I hadn’t thought of that,” I say, then grin, “You’ll be happy to hear we’re leaving tomorrow morning.”
xxxxxJek exhales in relief, “Well hooray for that!” he says gravely, but there’s a twinkle in his eyes.
xxxxxI smirk and salute slightly, touching my forehead with a finger, before making my way back to Jack’s dwelling and assigning a tent
each to Sa’an and Lexie—as well as instructing several men to help set them—and then set my own up. Storing my belongings
inside, I then tie Black Robin to a nearby tree with a good length of rope.
xxxxxAfterward I call Sa’an and Lexie to private meeting. “While you’re in Infinity Forest you’re just Sa’an and Lexie. No titles.” I start the conversation.
xxxxxLexie shrugs, “Okay.”
xxxxxBut Sa’an looks slightly put out, “Why?” he demands. “Will it put your leadership in peril, or something?” There’s a tone of
taunting aggression in his voice that I don’t like, but I manage to ignore it when I answer.
xxxxx“No, but it could put you in danger. Ever heard of kidnappers and murdered hostages?”
xxxxxThey both look surprised. “Here?” Lexie asks in disbelief.
xxxxxI can’t help myself and burst into laughter, “Definitely! We’re all thieves and rogues after all!
xxxxx“And most of us have killed someone,” I add grimly. Their mouths are hanging open in shock and I chuckle, “What, you thought we
were just a bunch o’ happy campers?”
xxxxx“Well... yes, actually,” they admit.
xxxxxI chuckle again, “You’ll get over it.” And then, waving my hands vaguely in the direction of their tents, say: “Y’ might wanta get
to bed: we’re breaking camp early tomorrow morning.”