All that Glitters by Loren K. Jones

Author:Loren K. Jones [Jones, Loren K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
ISBN: 9781606193488
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Published: 2016-07-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 32

"CORDON WENT DOWN. SO DID IVALIN. Find them," Lavin commanded and all of the warriors began searching the tumble of bodies for their friends.

Barin shouted, "Here's Ivalin!" and Stavin rushed over to his side. Ivalin was lying on his back with a sword through his breastplate. He was still alive, and spoke in a whisper when Barin knelt at his side.

"Tell Ardana I fell in battle. Tell her I died with honor. Oh, Gods, Barin! I wanted to go home." He cried silently for a moment, then pink foam began to speckle his lips. "I got two, Barin. Tell Elder Kel'Carin I got two." Then he seemed to relax and let go of one final breath.

Barin stood and staggered back a pace. "Goodbye, good friend," he whispered, then looked at Stavin, and then past him. "The others found Cordon."

Stavin turned to look, then led the way to where the other three warriors stood looking down. Cordon had fallen with three crossbow bolts through his chest. There were no other marks on his body and his sword was still in his scabbard.

"Check for wounded bandits," Lavin ordered. Everyone turned away and began searching once again. Three bandits were found alive among the fifteen bodies. Lavin had them dragged to the side of the road and watched as one died just as Barvil rode up.

"Status?" he demanded, and all five of the warriors snapped to attention.

"Two dead, Sir," Lavin announced in a muffled voice. "Fifteen bandits, two survivors."

Barvil was silent for a moment. "We had the leaders up front. I don't see a reason to prolong this. Dispatch them. Catch your horses first, then begin a search for their camp. Sahren is willing to stop here for the night. She wants some time alone with the leaders." He paused and closed his eyes briefly. "I'll send Davel and Kahndar back for Cordon and Ivalin."

All of the warriors snapped, "Yes, Sir," and Lavin led them into the trees at the edge of the road. They didn't have to walk far. A wagon with a pair of draft horses was just beyond the trees, and two riding horses were tethered close by.

"It looks like they brought the help out in the wagon and the leaders rode. Lowlanders!" Lavin said scornfully and spit. "Stavin, Barin, check the wagon. Chandar, Horvan, see to the riding horses. Throw anything you see on the ground into the wagon." Lavin was looking around carefully. "I want to get back to the caravan as soon as we can."

There was little for the men to find and they quickly returned to the road. There they took on the repugnant task of stripping the dead, and figuring out which kills each of them could claim. In the end the count was Ivalin two, Stavin two, Barin two, Chandar three, Lavin three, and Horvan three. They laid the bodies out near the bushes and headed toward the traders' camp. Lavin reported to Barvil as soon as they arrived.

"Sir, we have four horses and a wagon.

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