Sergun's Mission Read online

  Sergun’s Mission

  For Jen

  Part One:

  The Alliance of Old Friends.

  Table of Contents

  1.Sergun Arash

  2. Leaving

  3. Edge City

  4. Land of the Keratha

  5. The Capital

  6. The Hunt

  7. Raiders

  8. A Meeting

  9. The Attack

  10. Victory

  11. Jehran

  12 Escape!

  13. Jehran and Sarish

  14. Revelation

  15. In Love

  16. The City of Dreams

  17. Impasse

  18. An Unexpected Friend

  19. A Plan

  20. Attempting to Rescue Jannesse

  21. Captured

  22. Rescue

  23. On The Way Home

  24. A Meeting

  25. Homeward

  26. Home Kingdom

  27. Northtown

  28. The Search for Treasure

  29. The Ancient Artefact

  30. The Attack

  31. Close to Destruction

  32. Return to Tharne

  33. Revenge is Sought

  34. Inventions

  35. A Meeting with Minister Thorne.

  36. A Grim Place

  37. Counter Attack

  38. Destroying the Enemy

  39. Return to the City of Dreams

  40. The Beach

  41. The Secret

  42. The War Council

  43. Preparations.

  44. The Expedition

  45. The Battle

  46. The Battle Continues

  47. Aftermath

  Epilogue

  1.Sergun Arash

  Sergun Arash sat alone on the balcony of his home beneath the tungsten coloured sky. The nearest land was flat with crops and grazing animals. Further away low hills appeared, and copses turned into forests. At first, he didn’t notice the smoke, as it grew more he thought perhaps it was a fire consuming a few houses or a barn and pitied the owners. Now the grey colour filled the far sky and he picked up his binoculars. His eyesight was still good and with the aid of magnification, his vision was greatly enhanced in perfect conditions. The smoke he realised wasn’t coming from a few houses a short journey to the north but appeared to be from the larger market town even further away.

  He used to be a man of action but felt apathy and guilt. He knew by the time he rode to the fire it would be too late. The metallic sky likely heralded light rain, but it appeared too little to quench the fire. On the large trees opposite the house sat three large black birds. They ignored him. He hunted yesterday with his dogs but rested today.

  Later, dust rose in the distance like a mild storm, but it was a small group of riders; he estimated less than four, no threat to his home. His home laid less than five days ride west from the largest city and capital of Tharne. By the time the horsemen arrived, he was bored and climbed down the back stairs and into the light air.

  Sergun stood, stroked his short dark beard and stretched. A taller than average man and muscularly built, he wore black leather boots, a brown skin jacket with a pale undershirt and black soft skinned trousers. He had pale brown eyes, dark brown hair covering his ears, a strong nose and lightly tanned skin on his face and forearms. He was well rested and was bored at times though he did not tell anyone this, not even his wife. She was a gentle, beautiful girl who did not understand what his past meant except his title and respected status.

  Heru one of his male workers appeared and said, ‘Sire there’s trouble coming. Shall we lock the gates?’

  Sergun replied. ‘No need.’

  Heru had worked for Sergun for five years. He was a few years younger than his boss and ex-army as well. His skin was tanned from working in the fields. He shaved his face so he looked young. He was reliable and hard working.

  Locking the gates seemed unnecessary. His house was far from troubled lands. If being bored at times was a price to pay for comfort, love, and his family’s safety then it was worth paying. The horsemen showed no sign of slowing as they approached the entrance to his home. As they rushed by, he realised they were Galls, humanoid in overall shape, with the physique of a strong overweight man but with dark grey faces and skins, unlike any healthy person. He guessed they were off to the capital Lenhar with important news or a request for reinforcements. Not his problem these days.

  Sergun’s household employed no Galls. There were a couple of male workers and two maids. When it was time to gather the harvest there were temporary workers. Because of his past, he received a pension from the state and lived a comfortable life.

  Later as the sun slipped below the horizon and night began to cover the land in its dark, mysterious shroud, soldier riders arrived at Sergun’s home. They wore the dull strong metal armour of the military, were clad in black leggings and grey jackets, and armed with long swords. Sergun spoke to them and was troubled at the news. They handed him a large envelope which contained a small object in addition to the letter addressed in beautiful, scrolled writing to ‘General Sergun Arash.’. It was sealed with a government mark and his heart rate increased as he wondered what task or words lay inside. He had stayed out of politics and so was safe from any of the recent violence. He went into his private study, carefully removed the seal and read the letter.

  ‘General Sergun. Greetings on behalf of the Government of Tharne. You are ordered to travel to Edge City where you will meet a party preparing to travel to the Kerathan Capital. My young niece has gone missing and information leads us to their lands. I regret disturbing your family life. Good men will be sent with you. Jannesse is an innocent girl and family must be protected. You can pay them for her but pay no one else. Only you are suitable for this venture.

  Faithfully yours Minister Thorne

  On behalf of the Government of Tharne

  ‘The Kerathan Capital,’ Sergun said quietly.

  It was why he had been selected; before the last war he travelled to their lands with diplomats and secured a peace deal. He knew there was no choice but to go on this mission. Minister Thorne was a powerful man. He read the letter once again. He would rather have sailed the unknown seas than risked going back to their lands. There had been no fighting between his people and the aliens for many years, but his knowledge and experiences put him off seeing them again. Aside from the letter, there was a gold pendant and necklace with small writing on it. It was an emblem of government authority which meant the person wearing it should be obeyed and anyone unauthorised found in possession without a good plausible explanation was likely to be hung. He stepped outside his study, told the soldiers he accepted and would leave the next day.

  ‘Your house will be protected while you’re away, sir.’

  ‘What about the fires in Far Town?’

  ‘A small group of Raiders from the north. They’ll be hunted down like vermin,’ the soldier confidently said.

  Raiders so deep, so close to his home. That was new. ‘How big were the party?’

  ‘No more than five. One was killed in their raid on the town, another wounded, and they fled west into the forests.’

  Escorts would keep him safe once beyond Tharne until he reached the Kerathan lands but once there, it was the last place he wanted to go. It was five days ride away from the northern borders of his land and the Kerathas were as far removed from humans as a worm and were hundreds of times larger and more dangerous. He offered the men a rest and refreshment. They looked at one another and nodded. He told Heru to escort them to the kitchen and see they were tended to.

  He found his wife Sharis in the back room where she liked to read while their son slept. The fire was lit and two of their large a-dogs
lay on their comfy beds close to the fire. Neither stirred as he approached; they enjoyed sleeping and knew their son was outside listening and watching.

  His wife looked at him with both tenderness and pain. She placed the book she was reading on her lap. He stroked her soft face as he explained what he had to do. She didn’t want him to leave. Her dark brown hair was tied back but she still looked beautiful. He didn’t like to see her unhappy unless her request was unreasonable. She wore a light blue dress which covered her from just below her neck to below her knees. It was better quality than the maid’s dresses. Sharis didn’t work in the fields or clean the home. He sat down and explained what was happening. At the sound of his voice Sheen the female dog opened an eye and said in a deep voice, ‘hello.’

  ‘Hi, Sheen. Have a good sleep.’ He replied.

  Sheen grumbled something. He smiled at his dogs as they slept peacefully.

  ‘Will you miss me as much as the dogs?’ Sharis asked. ‘Promise me you’ll be faithful.’ She softly added as she stared into his eyes.

  ‘I will. You’re my beloved. I love you more than the dogs, you must know this.’

  They hugged one another tightly and he put his head against her chest to hear her heartbeat. ‘I won’t leave until the morning. We still have one night together.’

  She smiled. They kissed and he tasted the sweet fruit she’d eaten

  ‘I’ll be back before the baby is due!’ He said with a grin.

  ‘I hope so,’ she replied.

  Their young son was asleep in his small bed. He didn’t stir as Sergun looked at him. He loved his son and wished him a life unlike his own. He was sleeping so peacefully he said nothing and left as silently as light.

  He went to a spare room set aside for his possessions. It contained a few books, and mementos of his old life his wife didn’t want everyone to see. Justice was the name given to his ancient blade. The knowledge to create such swords was forgotten. It was made of ultrasteel and could cut through any light armour and with a strong thrust through steel armour as well. It was easy to carry, held perfect balance and sharp all along the blade on both sides. The blade was deceptive as the metal was dull in colour and appeared worn. The handle was black as was the cross-guard which was made of the same intensely strong material. He needed to sharpen it rarely since it was hard to nick.

  He prepared other weapons and equipment for the journey. He’d met the Keratha once before and one tried to kill him. It was with the same sword he defended his life.

  The messengers left after a rest and their refreshment. Heru ensured their horses were fed and watered. Sergun explained to Heru what his responsibility was in his absence. He trusted the man and knew Sharis could be firm when needed. They were sure to send good soldiers to guard his home and grounds. Heru’s family lived in a small cottage on the farm’s grounds. There had never been a robbery on the farmhouse, a few times the dog's scared strangers away but the last time was early the previous year.

  He slept next to Sharis’s warm body that night. They both woke while it was still dark and without lighting a candle they made love tenderly with grins and giggles. Afterwards, they fell back to sleep pressed together like puppies. In the early morning light, she said. ‘Don’t die, please come back. Bring me a gift as well. Please.’

  Chuckling, he replied, ‘I don’t aim to die. I want to come back and I’m not sure what gifts I might find on my journey but I’ll try to bring back something for you. Perhaps a Raider’s head or a Keratha’s claw?’

  She yawned, and said, ‘shhh, too much teasing! One last cuddle, please.’

  He knew she would miss him. She was his first wife and he liked to please her. She sighed when it was time for him to get up. He sucked on her ears which made her giggle like a child.

  He prepared his pack before sleeping. Sharis surprised him by coming down to the kitchen early in her nightgown and slippers. Her hair wasn’t tied back and appeared more dangerous and alluring than she realised. They hugged one another tightly and she kissed him a final goodbye.

  The guard and hunting dogs he left behind he told them to guard the property and hunt well. They spoke their farewells while they pushed against him. He told Heru he must answer to his wife while he was away. He would miss his wife and son. He would miss even the smell of the land. It was his home and he loved it.

  2. Leaving

  He left his pregnant wife behind knowing he would not feel such a love anywhere on his journey. He made sure he was well prepared. He rode regularly but wasn’t used to riding for days on end. He wore good boots, a warm padded jacket, soft trousers, and an undershirt. His light armour was carefully rolled up and apart from five coins his money was in a bag in a sealed pocket within his jacket. His sword was beside him and he had three knives, the smaller in his boot, one at his left side while the largest was across his back. He anticipated no trouble so close to home but it was best to be prepared. At Edge City, they would provide him with the latest weaponry and armour but he’d use his own sword regardless.

  When he stopped to eat lunch in the shade of a tree he found Sharis had carefully wrapped boiled chicken eggs, fresh bread, and star cake. For Hersh his most mature a-dog there was plenty of chicken and biscuits. A-dogs were smarter than ordinary ones and were able to talk albeit in a limited way. They were around since records began. Not all dogs were capable of speech. Hersh was capable of taking down the biggest edible beasts found in the local forests – the wild boar and pungus – fast six-legged beasts with sharp horns.

  They saw only three carts the first day, each travelling south in the opposite direction. Sergun greeted the men but spoke more with Hersh. He was in no hurry to tire Valiant his horse or Hersh. They rested in the afternoon by a stream. He ensured Hersh drank from his bottled supply. He filled his bottle and boiled the water before drinking it.

  It was a cloudy night and the only sound at first was the rustling of the leaves and branches of the trees. He lit a fire and they ate their evening meal while Valiant ate its feed. Sergun bought one book with him; one of the oldest human texts written by the first man to live among the Galls; ‘Monsters or men?’ For the last years, he lived a family life with little danger. He enjoyed reading books on travel and expeditions but did not think of writing of the battles he once fought in. In the adventure book, he read the man was exploring what lay beyond the southern forests. He carefully put it back into his pack. He wondered how much of his mission would coincide with that of the old adventurer Tellan Johns? The world seemed stranger then; less was known of the mysteries of faraway places. Now except for great distances across the oceans the entire continent was known.

  Sleeping at night outside for the first time in years was strange but he’d done it many times as a soldier. Hersh’s keen sense of hearing and smell would keep him safe from any surprises. He thought of Sharis at first and became aroused. The smell of the dog was reassuringly homely. Sadness overwhelmed him. To not only go to the Keratha lands but to visit their capital was a dangerous venture.

  He didn’t remember any dreams in the morning. He woke twice in the night thankful it was dry and spoke to Hersh. A-dogs were not any more intelligent than a young child except for hunting and defence but they were loved and valuable, and their loyalty was legendary.

  Sergun carried enough fresh chicken to satisfy Hersh. He’d bought a treat as well of cheese biscuits which made the dog salivate. They walked side by side for a few hours after eating. The sun rose as a weak distant fireball. Further south in summer it became too hot for work during the heat of the noonday but in the fairer climate closer the capital it was rarely so. They passed a couple of farmers with wagons of crops and a trader but the road was quiet. People tended to stay close to their home and work nearby. Only during festivals or trouble did the roads become full of people.

  He stroked Hersh’s short fawn hair across his back until he purred and pushed against him. Gently he stroked the softer hair on his face, something the dog would allow only him, his
wife and his small son to do. He knelt, hugged his friend and told him, ‘go home quickly. Protect everyone. Be good and happy hunting.’

  Hersh pushed against him and moaned gently. He didn’t like parting from his master.

  Sergun watched his companion walk slowly away. He was sulking as he wanted to be with Sergun. He wanted to explain the Keratha didn’t like dogs but it was too complex and Hersh would worry too much. ‘Hersh,’ he said. ‘Go home quickly. Good man!’

  The dog looked back, stood tall and proud, and ambled slowly back down the track. Sergun loved Valiant his horse but the animal couldn’t speak and wasn’t as good a company as his favourite a-dog.

  ‘Just you and me now Valiant,’ he said. It was the first time he’d travelled without a talking companion in many years. He tried not to think too much about where he was going to. The Keratha were at the back of his mind like a nightmare. To imagine seeing them again sent shivers down his spine.

  He enjoyed seeing the land. He passed small houses several kilometres from any other where a whole family lived. He wondered how often they saw anyone else and was glad for the size of his household. He passed small holdings and saw people working in the fields. He preferred the countryside to the city.

  He passed through the market town of Far Town that the fire had come from, named because it lay so far to the north of Tharne only Edge City remained of any size on the same path. Edge City was where he was headed to, beyond lay in one direction the aliens and in the other the enemy human Raiders.

  In the town, he saw the burnt houses. He chatted with an older grey-haired local man who witnessed the attack. ‘It was terrifying sir, but there were only five of them so we gathered all the men with tools. They killed Jerun the baker and injured two others but fled soon after.’

  ‘I didn’t think the Raiders would make it here. Edge City is impassable for them unless they’re sneaking through.’