Chapter 20

Jorgarn slowed the pace toward the manor when the manned gates came into view. There were four guards at the entrance instead of the normal two. All four men came alert when Jorgarn's party rounded the curve and came into view.

Jorgarn raised his hands to signal his party to stop. The four prisoners who had been forced to run to keep up breathed heavily as the horses halted.

Jorgarn dismounted and after warning Renoit and Pernice to remain alert, stepped forward to meet the guard captain who was striding toward him. The captain's eyes widened in surprise when he saw who was approaching – and his face broke into a smile.

"Jorgarn!" he exclaimed as his pace quickened. "Look at you, my boy. I gather you've come to your father's aid. Good on you! I always knew you were a good lot."

The man took in the four prisoners, two of whom he recognized, and Jorgarn's bloody clothing.

"Has news of this spread?" he asked quickly. "So few knew of the attempt. Has the town erupted?"

Jorgarn shook his head to try to calm the man. The Longview guards would be powerless if a large group of citizens decided to depose Lord Longview.

"These were part of a group that attacked us at the docks," Jorgarn said. "You said attempt. Is my father still alive?"

"Oh, yes, yes," the man said. "He is very much alive. He was wounded but not gravely. We have been on alert since he was told of a plot against him. Pietro was injured but managed to escape. We don't have the manpower to search the woods without leaving the manor unguarded. So he is far away by now, I'll wager."

"Let me guess, he fled to the north," Jorgarn said.

"Why, yes," the guard answered. "He was on foot but I would guess he has stolen a horse by now. The attack came at dawn. He has had a quarter of a day to flee."

Jorgarn glanced to where he knew his men, unaware of the potential danger, would be coming through the area soon.

"Could you please alert my father than I'm here?" he asked. "And let him know I request admittance to the grounds with the men who guard Lady Eslada."

The guard snapped to attention and hastened back to send one of his group. After Jorgarn had given them an overview of the situation, Pernice turned to head back to the farm to get Eslada but Renoit put out a hand.

"If there is still a battle ahead, you are of more value here than there," he said. "Your sword work is twice mine and I would prefer you be by Jorgarn's side should the need arise. I will return briefly but that time might be valuable if that treacherous pig is lurking nearby with more men. I will have Gorin and Fieth with me should an attack come."

Pernice agreed with Renoit's assessment – although the noble's skill with a blade was improving under Jorgarn's tutelage – but assumed that, like most nobles, Renoit would expect to be presented to the Lord at the first opportunity.

"I believe it is best that we wait until the entire group is back before we enter," Jorgarn said, making the decision. "Chicote, do not delay. Inform them that, according to the guard, the coup failed but Pietro is loose and likely headed toward Domita – which tells me Comar and his grandparents are still alive."

Renoit set off at a fast trot while Jorgarn and Pernice shepherded the captives to the guards.

"These men attempted to attack Lady Eslada this morning," Jorgarn said. "They were part of a group of 12 that I assume were hired by Pietro. Eight were killed and these four are yours to deal with as you see fit."

One guard looked at the captain for guidance but the older man was staring at the faces of the bound men.

"Were you in league with Pietro?" he asked one.

The other men scowled at the one who was questioned but he sighed and nodded.

"All of you?" the guard asked again.

Again the man nodded.

The captain turned to his other two men.

"Kill them all," he said casually. "I'll send for someone to take their bodies to the forest. The predators will eat well tonight."

There were scattered oaths that fell upon deaf ears as the four bound men were dragged away and slain.

Eslada's carriage arrived minutes later with Renoit driving and his horse tethered behind. The captain smiled warmly at Lady Longview and admitted the group to the manor courtyard where Wenta Elmwood, Lord Longview, stood waiting and watching carefully, his arm in a sling and his face scratched and raw.

Lord Longview barely recognized the tall, muscular man who stood in front of him as his own son. Jorgarn appeared to have grown in size and in stature in the two months he had been gone. It was clear to Lord Longview from the outset that his son was in charge of the five men who accompanied him – even the two older men the Lord had seen in his own village from time to time. But Wenta Elmwood was happy to have his son back at his side.

He was certain Jorgarn could be convinced to stay in Longview and trained to take over the manor. It was the way it should have been done from the outset, he knew.

Lady Eslada exited the carriage gracefully and nodded toward her stepson. He nodded back and let out a shrill whistle.

Seven men entered the courtyard seamlessly from the woods that surrounded the manor. Jorgarn and another man, this one wearing a red vestment, peered toward the woods where Pietro had disappeared a few hours earlier as if expecting someone else.

The two men exchanged glances and Jorgarn turn to the assembled men and spoke in Emerti. Lord Longview had no idea what was said but the men nodded grimly and started out for the western woods.

Two men stayed behind with Jorgarn – one of the older men who lived nearby and one of the young men who had ridden forward with Jorgarn into the courtyard.

"Eslada, explain the situation, please," Jorgarn said, again in Emerti before heading off toward the woods himself.

The first group of men had not yet reached the tree line when the figure of Pietro came tumbling out of the woods and landed sprawled on the ground. He was followed by three men wearing the same red tunic of the man Jorgarn seemed to be closest to.

"He asked Jorgarn where he wanted the refuse dropped," Eslada translated Ronac's words to Wenta. "Jorgarn said it was your garbage and not his."

Ronac dragged the fallen Pietro back to his feet by the scruff of his neck and prodded him at swordpoint to Lord Longview.

He bowed deeply and spoke the Lord in very good Longview.

"My men found this sleeping in your forest, Lord Longview," he said. "I heard of the attempt on your life this morning and from his wound, I assume this is the traitor. I offer him to you with the warmest regards of the members of the Emertland Guard and Noble Guard."

Pietro looked up at his father and stepmother with nothing but contempt and anger. He had not noticed Jorgarn but his head snapped to the side when his younger brother spoke.

"It seems as if you should choose your allies more carefully," Jorgarn said. "The 12 you sent to the docks are dead. Comar and his grandparents will soon follow. Who is the numb nuts now, you worthless, sniveling piece of dung?"

Eslada's chuckle seemed to bring more fire to Pietro.

"You are scared to face me without an army at your back," he said.

"Yes, I am terrified of you, Pietro," Jorgarn said blithely. "It won't matter. You're still going to die today. But if it will make you feel better, I'll give the chance to kill me first. Pernice, can I borrow your sword for a moment? I promise this won't take long."

Pernice appeared to consider it for a moment before handing it over to Jorgarn.

"Release his bonds, Ronac," Jorgarn instructed. Ronac cut the rope that bound Pietro's hands in front of him.

"Catch," Jorgarn said as he tossed his sword to his brother. He kept Pernice's to use so there would be no taint attached to it if, by some happenstance, Pietro managed to win. "Let no man interfere until one of us is disarmed or dead."

Pietro barely caught Jorgarn's heavy sword and then dropped it as soon as he tried to swing it. It was obviously too heavy for him.

"He can use mine," the Longview guard captain said as he dropped his shorter, lighter sword on the ground at Pietro's feet.

"But he has a longer sword," Pietro whined. "I won't be able to reach him."

"Then pick up the longer one," Ronac sneered in the Longview tongue. "It won't matter if you use both of them or a bow. He has told me about you. You stand no chance. Your brother is awake and facing you, not asleep with his back to you like your usual victims."

Eslada translated for those who didn't speak the Longview language and booming laughter rang out from the Emertland soldiers.

Pietro turned scarlet and charged at Jorgarn, who parried his wild thrust easily and used the flat edge of Pernice's sword to slap Pietro soundly on the behind.

"I figure if I do this the rest of the day and into tomorrow, you'll receive but some of the punishments you should have had when you were growing up," Jorgarn said. "Sadly, it is not my place and I have no time for that."

Eslada translated again and the surrounding soldiers' jeers spurred Pietro into another ill-fated charge. This time Jorgarn side-stepped the rush and swept Pietro's legs from beneath him. He placed the point of Pernice's blade at his brother's throat and said just one word: "Yield!"

"Kill me," he said. "I will never yield to you."

"Oh, well," Jorgarn said with a chuckle. "It didn't hurt to ask."

He raised the point of the sword as if to plunge it through Pietro's neck, but instead brought it down beside his head and drove the point of his boot into the man's genitals.

"You will not die with honor on the battlefield, Pig-lover," Jorgarn said angrily as he leaned down to where his brother writhed in pain. "You will die like a traitor. You would die like a woman, if I had a say in the matter. You had no valor in life so you will have no valor in your death."

He turned back to his father who was standing dumbstruck. Word of Jorgarn's might had reached his ears from time to time but he had no real idea of how skilled his son was in battle.

"He is yours to dispose of," Jorgarn said. "I have other urgent matters to attend to. Farewell, Lord Longview. Eslada, I shall return before the week is out. Renoit and Melodart will remain here or at Melodart's residence."

"Wait!" Wenta yelled. "What do you mean? Have you not come to claim your right as my heir? You cannot simply leave again."

Jorgarn glanced at Eslada, who gave him a slight nod.

"I relinquished my claim when I departed," Jorgarn said. "In the intervening time, I have made a commitment to others. It is not possible for me to stay, nor do I wish to."

Lord Longview looked taken aback.

"Wenta, I will explain fully later," Eslada said. "For now, allow me to introduce you to Sir Jorgarn Elmwood, soon to be Sir Lord Jorgarn Tremaine. He is the Knight Protector of the Heiress of Emertland. He is second in command of the Emertland and Noble guards."

"He is a Knight and Lord?" he sputtered. "He has been gone from these shores only a few months. How is that possible?"

"It is possible because he is the finest soldier either of our countries has seen in two lifetimes," Melodart said as he stepped forward. "It is possible because he inspires trust and dedication in his soldiers the likes of which I have never seen and rarely heard about."

"But... ," Wenta said, ashen faced. "What of Longview? My heir is to be executed. What will we do here? Eslada has promised to conceive another heir but what if it is a girl?"

He was shaking his head sadly.

"Lady Eslada will accompany me back to Emertland," Jorgarn said. He wanted no misunderstanding. "Your heir has entered into a conspiracy that is tantamount to an act of war against Emertland. He conspired to kill you and kidnap two women I am sworn by honor to protect. Your failure to keep him in check has led you to forfeit any right you had to Lady Eslada. Lady Eslada, you are a citizen of Emertland and I deem your life will be in eminent danger if the Emperor of Swar learns of Pietro's treachery. As a Knight Protector to the Crown, I offer you passage and safe harbor to the land of your birth. Lord Longview, that means that I will use as much force as necessary to ensure her safety. Is that understood?"

"I will explain everything Wenta," Eslada said soothingly. "But he is right. We have kept the news from reaching the Emperor. Should he learn of what Pietro put into motion, you would be executed beside your worthless son. I cannot stay here. I will not stay here."

Wenta glanced from his wife to his second son to his first son, who was still lying on the ground sobbing.

"Execute the traitor," he said to the captain of the guard. Then he turned on his heel and entered the manor house without a backward glance.

Eslada probably would have preferred trekking though the forests and mountains to Domita than facing the conversation she knew she must have with her husband.

"What is to come of Longview if you leave and take my heir with you?" Wenta asked in anger. "You gave your promise that you would provide me with a Supernumerary son."

"I promised that I would provide you with someone to assume the Lordship if Pietro proved unfit," Eslada pointed out. "I did not promise to sire a child for you. That was my intention at the time, yes. That will no longer be possible. If I am compelled to remain here, Landor will send a messenger to the Emperor of Swar. You know how that will end for you. At least this way, you will have time to select and train a suitable successor."

"And what of my bloodline?" Wenta asked. "Is it to die with me?"

Eslada couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Perhaps, but I doubt it," she said. "Jorgarn is to be Lord Tremaine. Tremaine is a Crown-held land given to the spouse of either the Monarch or the Heir. Do you understand the significance of that?"

Wenta paused for a moment.

"Jorgarn is to be King?" he asked incredulously.

"Doubtful," she said. "Right now, at this moment, Jorgarn is the third most powerful man in Emertland. Once Denae – the Princess – assumes the Crown, Jorgarn will be the most powerful man in the country. That will be the case whether Denae convinces him to marry her or not. His role as Knight ensures his power. Denae already has him almost reeled in but it is unlikely that Jorgarn will take the title of King. Most likely he will take Prince Knight or Lord Protector or he might simply keep the title Knight Protector, although I think it changes to Knight Consort."