The Valley of the Beast Part VI

"What's going on Sven?  What don't I know about her?" Sir Pierre said to Lord Sven as they looked on to the courtyard.  They knights were preparing to leave for the Hero's Forest in the courtyard as Sven looked on from up high.  Sir Pierre found him shouting orders to the squires and knights below as was customary before anyone was sent out in force but Lord Sven seemed distracted.

"What do you know of our priestess?"  Lord Sven said as he turned to Sir Pierre who shrugged the question off.  "Here's what I know, that she first went to the Iron Boots and then to the Red Dragon Legion.  She was and probably still is looking for an army.  They both turned her away thinking that she was a little mad for wanting to secure an army for her curse.  They sent her to us."

"Why would she need an army for a curse?"  Pierre said as he stepped out of hiding.  Unbeknown to them eyes and ears had already found their conversation. She nervously adjusted the straps on her saddle and pack.

"That is why I had Paxil follow her path to us from the east."  Sven came close to Pierre, whispering his next words in case others could hear.  "She passed through Thorbadin and Milwane."

"They were destroyed by demons and fire or so the survivors say."  Pierre looked down as Kiera finished setting her horse.  She looked up and waved to her champion.  Pierre smiled and waved back before turning to Sven once more.  "Have you spoke with the Iron Boots or Red Dragon Legion?"

"They are aware and on guard.  We will not fall to this curse."  Sven said.  Pierre nodded and turned to get his horse ready.  "Pierre."

He turned and looked back at his friend.  "Her curse is masked from her own gods and ours.  Few command that power."

"Then it is good Sven the Just and Sir Pierre the Red Line are here to save the day!"  Sven laughed at the jest but saw the truth played on his friends face.

They both knew there was something more to this curse.  Some hidden evil that had latched onto Kiera.  Towns had fallen, some had resisted and won.  Others became refugees and warnings as they spread to their new homes.  Neither man had asked Kiera much of her journey, both were more interested in helping her in the immediate present.  Those higher in the order took a different stance.  And more than just the legions in the region were on high alert, the kings and queens, the princes and the trade masters, the wizard lords and all the powers of the region of Tomascas watched as the small hunting party left the Battered Rose's keep.

The journey to the Hero's Forest was a quiet one.  They rode on horseback for three days west of Minskata.  The lands were tame, with no signs of some of the beasts or highwaymen that sometimes plague the lands this far out of the large cities.  Small dales and farmsteads dotted the land infrequently as the riders made their way across the fields.  The mood was light, even jovial at times as Kiera got to see her first emerald dragon as it glided along the winds high above.  The reflection off its scales caused it to shine green in the sun, like a star born out of the blue sky.

Once the Lost Castle came into view Sir Pierre knew they had finally arrived.  The Lost Castle was a derelict castle lost to another time before the Knights of the Battered Rose had even been formed.  Over the centuries it had changed hands from bands of mercenaries, monsters, and occasionally a lord who sought to create a new outpost on the edge of civilization.  Now the castle belonged to an orc who was rumored to be part hill giant.  Kaag was a ruthless mercenary leader who was unequaled in battle.  Only Pierre had ever battled him to a draw.  He smiled at the memory on the field as Kaag's mercenary's had to withdraw once the merchant tyrant who had sponsored them had been killed.

As they approached a few of Kaag's mercenary's approached to question their intentions.  Before any could speak the air broke with a bellow.  All went for their weapons except Sir Pierre who dismounted.  A large shadow blocked much of the gate, too much to be a man.  It shook with laughter and slowly moved into the light.  Kiera gasped at the largest orc she had ever seen in her life.  Kaag wore his battle plate, which was pieced together from magical armor worn by defeated foes.  Given his size and the damage he inflicted in battle, Kaag usually had slim pickings.  He stalked forward with his large battle ax the size of a grown man in one hand.

"Well met Sir Pierre, the Red Line!  Ha!  I did not think you would come all the way out here just for another shot at my head.  And I am need of fresh scars."  Kaag smiled and leaned in, tracing a scar across his forearm.  "Did you come here with such a small group to challenge me?  I admire your courage."

"Well..."  Pierre started to say and then before anyone could react he drew his sword and drew blood from Kaag's right cheek in a motion so fluid that a drop of blood fell from his sword before anyone could react.  Kaag laughed and slapped Sir Pierre on his shoulder, nearly knocking him off his feet.

"As fast as ever, I'm glad your skills have not waned."  Kaag folded his massive arms across his chest and looked over the group in front of him.  He studied them for a moment before turning back to Pierre.  Suspicion growing on his face.  "What brings you to my home, Sir Pierre?"

"We need lodging for the night and to stable our horses.  Tomorrow we go to do some hunting in the woods." 

"Excellent!  We have very modest..."  Kaag looked to his men who shrugged.  "We have soft ground away from the shit of the horses.  Downwind, of course."

"An orcs hospitality, glad to see the rumors of you settling in out here were true."  Sir Pierre led his horse towards the castle.  "Has business been good?"

"It was, but lately less come this way in need of our services.  A lord came through a few days ago.  To 'test his mettle'," Kaag made a flourish with his hands.  "He hired five of my men to accompany his house guards and mage.  They left the woods after one night, seeing nothing but the lord was plagued by nightmares as if his mind was under assault."

"There are creatures that possess that ability, but I've never seen them in the Hero's Woods."

"Me either.  Be careful Sir Pierre, there is blood between us and it is good.  I would hate to lose you before we have a chance to settle it."  Kaag patted him on the back and the breath went out of Pierre.  Kaag went on to shout orders to prepare tents for the guests.

"What did he say?"  Sven said as he walked up beside Pierre.

"Just what we already knew, that the Hero's Woods are damned.  Asarix has returned to his temple."