The King Revealed by Kevin J. Kurtz

Author:Kevin J. Kurtz [Kurtz, Kevin J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781426962936
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Published: 2011-05-25T04:00:00+00:00

Garrison Release

CHAPTER 16

A squat man with broad shoulders and three day stubble of beard stood at the entrance. His blurry eyes focused on Gern.

“Gern, you beanpole. Why’d you leave your post?”

Fodoric put his hands on Gern and Bork’s elbows, and ushered them through the door.

The squat man stepped aside.

King William pressed his walking stick against Llandon’s back. “After you, Llandon.”

Mortimer and Marallon followed King William into a now cramped quarter of the garrison. Two more guards, who had been seated at a rough-hewn wooden table, stood to their feet. In their haste, one of them knocked over a flask of rum, causing its contents to spill onto the floor.

The squat soldier looked at the faces of the unexpected guests, then at Llandon. “We were not expecting visitors, my lord.”

Fodoric stepped around Gern and Bork. “Sorry for the intrusion. We have come to see some friends of ours.”

The squat one focused at Llandon. “Your orders, my lord?”

Llandon spat out the words. “Seize them.”

The squat guard and his two companions reached for their swords. Before they unsheathed their weapons, Fodoric leaped forward with a sword thrust, a slash, a pivot and another slash. All three men fell to the ground.

Mortimer was amazed at Fodoric’s speed and skill. Gern and Bork made no attempt to assist their comrades.

Llandon’s eyes bulged. He lunged at Gern and Bork. King William swiped his walking stick across the back of Llandon’s legs, knocking him to the ground. Llandon tried to lift himself. “Help me up, you idiots.”

Gern and Bork looked at King William, who nodded. The two men strained under Llandon’s girth to get him back on his feet.

“What is your command, my King?” Gern said.

“Put him in the stockade until further instruction.”

Gern nodded and took an iron ring of many keys from a wooden peg on the wall as he and Bork pushed Llandon toward the cell block.

Gern’s voice called out to King William. “All the cells are full, my Lord.”

Fodoric closed the garrison’s iron door and locked it. “Reinforcements may come.”

King William nodded and walked into the cell block. Mortimer stayed close by. The stockade smelled like dirty hay, mildew walls and stagnant water.

There were four cells to both sides of the aisle, each filled with citizens from Helgath. A woman moaned as she rocked her child. One man’s cheek was swollen with dried blood around his lips.

“Llandon, what have you done?” King William’s voice resonated with anger. “Release these people.” Gern worked to get the right key in each lock while Bork pulled open the cell doors, and ushered out the occupants.

“What is your offense?” King William asked the first man who stepped out of his cell.

“Soldiers came with this man,” he pointed his finger at Llandon, “and said my property was being confiscated. When I said King William would never allow this, they beat me and threw me in here.”

A small child clung to his mother. “I’m hungry, Momma.”

Bork waved his hand. “I’ll get some bread.”

“Thank you,” King William said. “I would appreciate it if the rest of the garrison did not learn of our presence.

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