Kingdom Fall: Chapter 14

 

Chapter 14

Tensions eased when they arrived at Ordel, and the squad found out they would get to rest until the morning. Everyone was tired of hard riding.  At dinner Sara could tell everyone was more relaxed as the conversation was lively and jokes were flying. Mach Tai sat next to Private Corval and spent the evening talking about the religions of both the Wood-folk and the dwarves. Both commented on how similar they were yet so very different. Mach Tai first thought that the Wood-folk were weak, but when Corval explained that should someone show them hostility, the Wood-folk would return their action in kind, Mach Tai changed her opinion. This was confirmed when Corval told stories of such occurrences, including the Emos patrol.

Sara and General Lateaf decided to wait until the morning to tell the squad about the journey through the mountain. This allowed everyone to have a relaxing evening. It seemed no one wanted to know what tomorrow held as no one asked.

Sara made her way to the Woodsman as she was curious if he was familiar with the mines.

"I think everyone needed this night off," she said as she sat down next to him.

With a smile, he said, "I know I do.  I had just about enough of that hard riding.  I am not sure my rear could take another day of it. Besides, we are going to need the rest for tomorrow."

"So you know about the next part of our journey?"

"Through the old mine shafts. I have never been through them, but Jok Main told me all about them."

"Then how did you first come into this Kingdom?"

With a wry smile, he said, "Unconscious, but there are a couple of passes east of here. I assumed we would be coming through one of them."

"Do you think Queen Hellicus is aware of this passage?"

"She might know about those other passes but doubt she has a clue about this one. We had reports of strange creatures that were seen around those passes when I was General but nothing about this passage."

This made Sara feel better that the odds of an Emos greeting party were slim. "Do you have any idea how far we will have to travel to the Citadel once we reach the other side?"

"Not far. I do not think it will be more than a day. I am not familiar with this side of the mountains, but I think we will come out pretty close. I will be able to give you a better estimate once we get through."

Seeing that the Woodsman was in a good mood, she decided to ask him a question she wanted to know the answer too.  It was that last thing that kept her from trusting him completely. "I want to thank you for all you have done for this squad and this mission. General Lateaf was right, you are a man of honor." She decided to warm him up with some flattery.

"Thank you. I have found you a good Queen. I must confess that I find myself wishing that life had turned out different and that you would have been my queen."

She was surprised by the unexpected compliment. "Thank you."

"But you probably should not be thanking me yet, we have not reached the citadel, let alone destroyed it."

She smiled. "That brings to mind a question I have.  So why exactly are you helping us to destroy the citadel?" The look on his face went stern and when the answer was not forthcoming she added, "Is it because of what Queen Hellicus did to you? Are you getting back at her?"

After an awkward moment, he said, "It has nothing to do with her. My reasons are personal."

With that, he stood up and walked outside. Sara could see that there was pain and sorrow in his eyes. Whatever his reason, it was a painful one.

After a minute, Sara looked around the room. She was now starting to feel positive about the mission. They had come so far and been through so many trials and tribulations, but it was all coming together. They were now down to 18, counting the addition of Mach Tai. She had seen the death of many good soldiers along the way. She knew when they started that this was a high-risk mission, but it was never easy to see the death of your people. The only thing she could do now was to make sure their deaths were not in vain. Although she still did not know the Woodsman's reason for helping them, she believed she could trust him.

Sara slept well that night, confident that the mission would not only be a success but that she would save her husband as well.