 
       
|
The Misfits of Dametreos IIChapter 13: Bargaining At The Gallows
Sheath darted through the hail of arrows as he made his way for a fishing vessel. He had had to fight his way inland from the Three Lands Crossroads, sometimes slaughtering countless hordes of men as they tried to stop him. But he was on the home stretch as he ran down a pier and made a jump for the boat. He raised the sail and cut the ropes loose. Sheath was away. He saw the vessel he followed in the distance, already on the opposite shore of the straights. Sheath thought for a moment about his next move. He would have to track his target across Wolfpack territory and then most likely south. It would be much easier to end the Fell War between the Dark Forest and the Wolfpack before continuing his journey. That’s what he would do...join the Dark Forest.
“But how?” he asked himself.
He was a public enemy in three territories, one of which was the Dark Forest. Marching into Hemlock Fortress was out of the question. Even sneaking would be hard. He neared shore and saw a small group of men slip away from the docks into the small town nearby. Suddenly, he leaped from his stool on deck and cut the sail ropes. A Dark Forest galley approached from the southwest. His plan seemed to be in motion.
“Get off me!” Sheath screamed as he was dragged onto a ship’s deck.
The galley had boarded and searched Sheath’s ship already; they were taking Sheath himself as a prisoner.
“Get your filthy hands off me already!” he called out again.
The two men grabbing him wouldn’t listen as they opened the metal door to the jail cell. Sheath was forced into the cell and fell hard on his face. He tasted blood in his mouth. He could barely hear the captain on the ship's deck above, “Set a course for the near Forestmen shores. We’ll transport him overland to the Stronghold.”
Sheath thought to himself for a moment about that. Were they going to kill him? He only let himself get captured to get to the Hemlock stronghold, not die trying. But he continued to listen.
He is a murderer like any other. There is only one punishment for such a crime,” the captain told somebody else in his cabin, “He will be hanged at Hemlock Stronghold.”
Sheath sat in a prisoner cart, thinking. He wondered about what would happen in the next few hours, if it was worth even trying to escape. He could see the fortress in the trees up ahead. But the cart didn't go on the main trail towards the fortress. It took a small path out deeper into the woods, towards the gallows. Then the cart stopped, and several men with swords opened the door. Sheath walked under their guard to the wooden stairs. An executioner took Sheath to a noose and slipped the rope around his neck, then bound his hands and feet.
“By order of King Kath you are to be hanged on arrival.” read a man from a scroll "There will be no trial or formal hanging ceremony.”
Sheath took a deep breath and twisted his wrists. He could almost undo the bind. Another twist almost freed his left hand. He continued to work at the knot. He then saw a horse come riding down the path. There were several escorts flanking him. The man came into view. It was Radjar Kath himself. He rode to a stop near Sheath and looked at him.
Kath yelled out, “Spare this man!”
The executioner and company looked confused.
“Sire, you must understand...this man is a convicted murderer…” the executioner said.
“He is no murderer. He is a fighter. And a tyco good one too.” said Kath, “Sheath is a legendary warrior, I very much respect him, though some of his methods are... questionable. But we need as much help as we can get, and it will be a hard, long struggle to fight our way to Three Daggers Spire. Sheath, will you join us?”
“Of course,” snapped Sheath, “Why else would I be here?”
Just then Fraun approached.
“Sir, the enemy is on the move. Baron DeCanis escaped with some of his commanders last night and have regrouped with his forces and another force as well.”
“What force do you speak of?”
“Sir, the vassal of the Shogun, Daimyo Shikiku Matasuiji, lord of the Shingoru, has a quarrel with many of your allied Ninja daimyo, sir. He believes you are harboring them. The samurai and ninja number by two thousand, sir.”
“Megabloks- where is Trevelayn?”
“Tending to his men, sir.”
“Order him to get his troops together. I am promoting you officially to Brigadier General, Fraun. Go now, and stop them.”
“Alright, King, you think this should be my first assignment?” Sheath asked intently.
“Oh no, Sheath, I have another mission for you…”
| Previous Chapter | Next Chapter |
|
|
