Kingdom Alliance: Chapter 28

 

Chapter 28

The brig at the fort was a building made entirely from logs. From what Sara could see, there were no windows and just one big heavy door. Once inside she could see that the interior was made up of four rooms. These rooms all had bars that made up the front wall. All of the jail cells were empty except one. There were two guards in the room. As they approached the cell containing the prisoner, she could see a man who was laying down on a cot in the cell. Although there were blankets on the cot, this man was laying on top of the blankets. From the look of him, he was not underfed but was in no way fat. He wore a simple shirt made from cotton while his pants were made from some animal hide. His hair was long and unkempt as well as his beard. At first glance he was a wild person that probably had spent most of his life in the woods.

Finally one of the guards poked the prisoner through the bars with the butt of a spear and said, "Hey Woodsman. Time to wake up. You have visitors."

 Slowly the man sat up on the cot. He was in profile but something about him struck Topher. This man seemed to be familiar somehow.

It was General Allison that spoke first. "Listen up, you are going to tell us how to get to Emos or we will beat you until you agree."

Sara held up her hand to General Allison. This burned the General but he remembered that she was in charge of this mission. At least she was as long as she was alive.

When the Woodsman turned to look at the group of people at the door to his cell, Sara was taken by the look in his face. He gave them a look that told her that he was not afraid of a beating and that the beating would have no effect. He also had a look that gave her the impression that he had not always lived in the wild.

However the look on the Woodsman face gave Topher a different thought. He turned to Captain Walch and asked to see the items that the man was carrying.

Sara said in a very calm voice, "No one is going to beat you, but we do need your help. I understand that these mountains are very treacherous. I also understand that you might know a way through them to the land of Emos. Do you know a way to Emos?"

The Woodsman looked at her for a moment. He then faced forward again and said, "Yes I do."

"Will you tell us how to navigate these mountains and get there?"

After a pause the Woodsman said, "I could but you would probably get lost anyway. Many of the passes and valleys look the same and it is easy to get lost."

This was not an answer she was expecting. After a moment, she asked, "Will you show us the way?"

The Woodsman turned to look at Sara. His eyes were very piercing and made her a little uncomfortable. He then turned back to looking ahead. "Why should I help you?"

She could tell that General Allison wanted to say something but she stopped him. Then she said, "Because there is war going on and we need your help to put an end to it."

The Woodsman took a deep breath and with grief in his voice he said, "I am not at war with anyone."

She was surprised by his answer.  "Queen Hellicus is trying to conquer all the lands and that will affect you."

"One kingdom is always trying to conquer another. There is no difference in this war to me than any other war."

She had to admit he had a point. "Well, can we hire you as a guide? We will pay well."

"You have nothing I want. The mountains provide all my needs."

Controlling his anger and wanting to show that he was as good as this Queen, General Allison said, "We can pay you more gold than you have ever seen. It would be enough for a lifetime." He had no intension of paying the man. In fact he would probably kill the man once he got them to Emos.

The Woodsman gave a small chuckle and said, "I cannot pay a tree with gold to provide me with shelter and warmth nor can I pay an animal to feed me."

This frustrated General Allison. Before he could say anything, Topher rejoined the conversation and said, "How about having to never pay taxes or pledge loyalty again."

This got the Woodsman's attention as he turned to look at Topher.

Sara also looked at Topher and noticed he was holding a dagger that had intricate carving in the handle and ruby embedded in it.

Topher continued, "Not just from one kingdom but from all three."

Sara could see that the Woodsman was pondering the offer.

The Woodsman then asked, "You can make that offer for Carriland, Doorshire and Delland?"

It was Sara that answered him. "Yes we can. If that is what you want then when you get us to the land of Emos, you will be given exemption from taxes."

Topher quickly added, "And pledging loyalty."

The Woodsman looked over the group and finally said, "Very well. I will guide you to the land of Emos."

General Allison then said to Sara and Topher, "How do we know he will not just lead us into some box canyon and then escape? He might even be a spy for the Emos and he will lead us into a trap."

The Woodsman stood up with a pose that suggested great pride. He looked General Allison in the eyes and said, "I give you my word that I will get you to Emos."

Topher said, "That is good enough for me."

Sara looked at her general and then said, "Very well.  We will head out in the morning." She then turned and the two generals and Jeremiah followed her.

After they walked away, the Woodsman laid back down on the cot.

Captain Walch then escorted the three to where a meal was prepared for them. Sara pulled Topher aside and asked how he knew about the Woodsman's desire to pay no taxes and not to have to pledge loyalty. He then told her how he had run into the man before, about his refusal to pledge loyalty, and his words of honor. He told her the scar on his face was what reminded him of the man but the dagger was what confirmed it.

With all she had to think about, Sara now wondered who this Woodsman was, and if he was someone they could trust. Topher believed his words, and that carried a lot of weight. It was enough for now, but she wanted to know more about him.