Sergun's Mission Read online

She stood like a statue and finally enveloped him in her arms and pressed her face against his chest. ‘Will you stay with me until we reach a place of safety? If the same thing happened to me again I would kill myself.’

  ‘We’ll guard you until we reach Northtown and when it’s time for you to leave there I’ll ensure you’ve an armed escort of the toughest soldiers. They’ll cut the head off anyone who dares to attack you. Will that suffice?’

  She stared into his eyes and nodded. He didn’t recall feeling such empathy in a long time towards someone he knew for such a short time. His own experience hanging, choking in the cell and the near loss of his manhood had broken something inside of him. He wasn’t sure such feelings were going to help him in his life and wondered if they would fade but for now, he was happy to feel such affection for her and it was clear she felt trust for him. He wasn’t about to let her down.

  He slept well on the ship with the help of the potion. Only on one night when it was rocked by waves and he thought it might capsize did he get up, hold onto the rails and pray to a god of good fortune. In the morning the storm was finished and on deck, the waves were gentle again. He doubted his prayers made any difference and longed to be on dry land again. The kidnapped Captain said he was merely a naval officer and his experience in the city’s military fleets was over. He played no tricks on them and they arrived at their coast two days later.

  Jehran was worried about arriving in Tharne knowing he was an outcast there. Both Kall and Sergun assured him his and his partner’s vital role in rescuing Jannesse as well as being guests of two Generals would ensure his and Sarish’s protection. Jehran was happy with their offer and accepted it but told them Sarish was determined to return to the city of Dreams to finish Lord Arconis. He admitted he was disappointed the fight at the Lord’s home had not been the battle he expected. Sergun agreed it was a disappointing fight but they saved two women and escaped with their lives and it was a worthy achievement. Managing to leave the city with the two girls was quite an achievement.

  25. Homeward

  They dropped anchor, abandoned the ship and left in the small rowing boat. It took them two trips. They landed on the northern shore along what had been once Filrayan land but which was now part of Tharne. It was a long trek on foot to the largest town of the North East – Northtown but further to the closest city. The Sea of Ares was calm. The blood red sky loomed as a lurid backdrop. Orange plumes of light shone down bathing the party in warmth. Home beckoned him. Jehran could perhaps earn a pardon. The Government would owe him a favour after saving Jannesse. Life could return to normal. They left the ship moored in the estuary.

  Sergun helped Yurul and Jannesse from the boat. By the time they all landed the sun was hidden behind clouds. There were wet sand, dunes rising in front of them, a grey sky and a chilly wind. There were no houses or homes in sight apart from the distant watchtower. It had been sunny on the ship only two days ago. Sergun did not care about the weather. To finally be on home soil was a great feeling. It lifted his spirits higher. He stamped his feet and smiled. He would happily walk for days to get to a military town and did not want to set foot on a boat again. The solid ground felt like home.

  ‘Welcome home!’ Sergun said.

  ‘What a dump!’ Jannesse said.

  ‘I think it’s nice, though the breeze is a little cool,’ Yurul said.

  Sergun took his jacket off and put it around her shoulders. She smiled warmly.

  Watchtowers dotted the coast and they were met before they were far from the shore by a posse of locals armed with farming implements. Sergun and Kall’s calm talk and the pendant of authority convinced the locals they were not invaders. The expressions changed to relief. They did not tell the locals they attacked a ruler in the City of Dreams for concern a spy might be amongst them. They warned them the ship off the coast was now a military-owned craft and any attempt to board it was a crime. They told them to set guards on it until men arrived in military uniform to pilot it. There were no spare horses nearby and so the party began their journey in Tharne on foot. Progress would be slow but they felt safe. No bandits would be foolish enough to attack such a party of people and Galls.

  All apart from the two kidnapped men and Jannesse looked relieved to have landed on shore. It was days further on the sea to any of the larger ports on the eastern coast and none but the ship’s Captain wanted such a voyage. They blindfolded their captives as they left the ship and for the first hours after they’d landed. If the men were allowed back to the City of Dreams they did not want them to give intelligence to Lord Arconis. Sergun felt no hatred of the Captain or his mate. They guided them to safety and played no tricks. He was confident they would be allowed to go home.

  They needed to find horses and the coins they had from The City of Dreams were accepted locally. They could only purchase two at first as the village was small so they took it in turns to ride. Two days later they came to a town large enough to sell them all horses. The northern lands were quiet and full of fields and farms. They took on food and felt no danger whilst travelling. Sergun was joyous now they were back in Tharne, and at saving Jannesse and to be with his companions. This was tempered by sadness and anger at the likely loss of their soldiers and his knowledge at how life was for many in the City of Dreams. The survival of most of the Galls and his close comrades increased his sense of pleasure. He’d completed the task he was assigned

  Later in a tavern, a pretty maid with fair skin kept smiling at him. He was flattered until he realised she would spend time in bed with him for money only. He wasn’t angry. He would have been insulted in his youth. Been furious when he was in the army. He remembered when he was young enough women wanted him without him paying. Yurul stayed close to him and he hoped she would gradually regain her confidence around other people. His comrades were very protective towards her. They hoped Precca back at the Keratha Capital had been released by now as agreed. No locals made any trouble with the party at any place they ate at or rested. Such a large number of armed men and Galls were not to be antagonised.

  26. Home Kingdom

  Fog formed around them on the fourth day so thick they needed to call out to one another. It took Northtown. The ship’s Captain and crewmate accepted their fate quietly and were only tied up at night. Northtown was clearly visible from the southeast, standing as it did on a long climb to a ridge. Sergun was in a good mood as were all of the company except for the two kidnapped men who were melancholy and Sergun suspected they didn’t believe they would be returning home. The survival of all his good friends, their bringing of Jannesse to home and the rescue of Yurul all put him in a fine mood. Every time he thought of the missing men he hoped they had escaped and put them out of his conscious thoughts.

  Perched on top a rising slope the small walled town and fortress of Northtown looked isolated. Sergun’s heart filled with pleasure as he thought of a comfy bed, a warm fireplace and good local food and most of all they were nearly safely back at a garrison in Tharne. A combination of Sergun’s jewelled authority and his and Kall’s confidence persuaded the garrisons’ guards that the men were who they claimed to be.

  They located the local commander. Sergun showed his pendant. Colonel Martine met and greeted them. He’d been told to watch for their return. He was older than Sergun, grey-haired, clean shaven with a portly appearance but was dressed well in a clean uniform.

  ‘Did you get the girl, Sir?’ The commander asked.

  He wondered if any other land cared so much for the life of a single woman? ‘Yes, she’s safe. Have any men or Galls passed through here from the north in the last few days?’

  ‘A group of Galls passed this way a few days back and a handful of men.’

  The colonel smiled, walked behind his desk and unlocked a safe. He stood with his back to Sergun so it wasn’t until he turned around he realised it was a large official envelope which looked almost identical to the one that first put him on the mission. Only this one contained no bulge within it. The c
ommander said nothing but passed it to Sergun, and turned to look out of the window. He eyed it with suspicion. Such a letter led him on a trail of death and slaughter. They succeeded though at a greater cost than he would have wished. The murdered soldier’s they left outside the walls of the City of Dreams would be avenged. The government would not allow such a massacre to pass without a response.

  Sergun hoped it was a thank you letter with a reward. What else could it say? His heart beat fast. The effect of a letter on a man of war! He grinned, shook his head and opened it.

  General Sergun,

  There are two letters, and this one should be read if you have succeeded in your heroic mission to rescue Jannesse. Your success is greater than you might have realised. Perhaps Jannesse has tried to speak to you all ready? Tell no one what she really is. She is working for the Kingdom in a secret capacity. She was attached to a mission searching for the ancient Oracle. She had with her an orb which we believe can help us locate the ancient oracle. Consider the importance of this to our people and state. Support her and keep her and the orb safe. I promise you finding the oracle and keeping it safe will be the only mission we ever demand of you. There is no higher one I can imagine you can fulfill. In saving this girl you have saved more than a brave and pretty Tharnian subject and member of my family. An increase in your pension and a full public honour awaits you General Sergun and those who assist you. Let all good powers protect you and crush all enemies. You are to remain in the army as an acting General until the oracle is back within Tharne’s boundaries and is safe.

  Minister Thorne Head of Security.

  Sergun snorted. He didn’t doubt the message was genuine and was curious what the letter of failure would have said. He took a deep breath and considered the tasks at hand. Jannesse wasn’t a silly girl after all.

  ‘Not good news?’ The colonel asked.

  ‘It could be worse,’ replied Sergun. ‘We’ll need to travel north. On the Minister’s authority, we’ll take at least a battalion of men and as many Galls as you can spare. We’ll need supplies, wagons, and fresh horses.’

  The Commander looked shocked. ‘It’s very short notice-’

  ‘General, the First Minister’s told me this mission is the most important one we face. I’m not going to sneak into the badlands with a few brilliant comrades when I could have eight hundred. We stirred up trouble where we have been and must ensure nothing goes wrong. General Kall and I are acting under the authority of the central government.’

  The Commander sat at his desk as if glued. Sergun loathed such slow reactions when he commanded. He stood with the Minister’s letter in his right hand and shook it. ‘The Government demands this is carried out urgently. I’m not asking you to assemble everyone now. My men need quarters for this night. We’ve had a long journey.’

  The Colonel looked pale and shaken. He called to a subordinate.

  Part Two:

  Oracle and the Wars in the North.

  27. Northtown

  Northtown in the morning looked very different from their night time arrival. Situated on top of long incline the walled town was the most northerly in the east. To the north lay the Raider’s lands. Though lacking the wide protective river at Edge City any enemy seeking to attack from the north were in for a tough time as they had to climb a steep slope which was overlooked by cannons firing balls and shot. Even if they managed to knock them out the walls were fifteen metres high, the gate heavily reinforced and there were two battalions of reliable troops. In front of the walls to the north, there were many shafts of metal sunk in the ground to prevent enemy digging under the wall. West of the town rose high cliffs while to the east lay treacherous swamps. The cannons could be moved to fire in any direction if need be. The two ports on the eastern northerly coast of Tharne capable of mooring large ships were heavily guarded. The Raiders were not normally seafaring and the cities’ ship faring skills were known largely as traders. Spies from Tharne watched enemy ports and coasts and reported no naval forces. The sun rose slowly in the north. Majestic and magnificent when seen from the balcony of Sergun’s room. The knowledge that he was soon to go back to the same area they fought and killed the Raiders in and with the realisation the soldiers of the City of Dreams would likely want revenge was on his mind. It worried him little since duty must be done and the force they were going back into the territory with would far surpass the previous mission. The panoramic view ahead beyond the walls looked peaceful, a slow incline down to distant forests. It was a good defensive place to establish a settlement. Too bad he was going to have to head once again into enemy territory. Though their meals were good in the City of Dreams, the food in the town pleased him as it was almost the same as his home; pork stuffed with spices, fried potatoes, orange cake, and good sweet local beer. He wrote a letter to his wife telling her he was back in Tharne and would be home soon, the mission was successful, the girl was safe, and old friends had been met. He bought her a gift and there was more to tell her in person. He apologised for not returning now but hoped talk of a higher pension as well would please her.

  The commander agreed to Yurul accompanying a wagon train passing her home. He assured Sergun she would be protected and escorted to her family’s home. Clad in a flowery and youthful summer dress Yurul struck a different image than on the boat, let alone the cell. She looked beautiful, innocent and younger than before. He’d grown attached to her and would feel sad to see her depart. He knew he saved her to get her home safely but would miss her voice and their sweet innocent talks.

  ‘If you meet that man again, you will cut off his head slowly won’t you?’ She said.

  ‘I will, I promise,’ he solemnly said. ‘Shall I have it sent to you wrapped up in a box with sweets?’

  ‘No!’ she laughed.

  Clad in a freshly pressed and cleaned officer’s army uniform with polished boots, Sergun looked respectable, official and handsome for his age. He knelt so their faces were almost level and said, ‘my dear Yurul, I wish you the very best life without further harm. You may write to me if you wish, I was the friendly soldier on the boat you travelled back on. I’ve got duty to attend to but hope to be home soon, back to my farm, wife, children, and dogs. Address any letter to Sergun, c/o Military Academy in Edge City. Don’t tell them I’m a Military Commander they might get the wrong idea and my name might be infamous soon if the Lord wishes to cause trouble.’

  ‘I’ve developed a good story about being a maid and trainee cook and I won’t mention the famous General Sergun Arash who rescued me. It was an off-duty NCO who accompanied me back to Tharne.’

  He smiled and handed her a gift of a bag of sweets and escorted her to the wagon train. She kissed him sweetly once on his lips and looked so happy he was happy they responded to her pleas. ‘Please write at least once when you’re safely back, otherwise, I’ll worry.’

  ‘I promise I will. I’ll promise you anything since you’ve shown me nothing but the heart of a saint.’

  Her kind words warmed him and made him smile as he waved goodbye. Even Jersa told him his heart was good. Or at least not a rock there like many men ‘The heart of a saint!’ Kall said. ‘Perhaps she went insane.’

  ‘We won’t be called saints by any Raiders we find when we go north again. If we meet any they’ll see my warrior side.’

  ‘We’ll show them and any warriors from the cities the strength of our steel and the bullets from our guns.’

  ‘Dammed right, our little expedition north was a small demonstration of our power, this force we go with next will surprise anyone who dares to threaten us. It’ll be good to ride openly waving our banners again.’

  Sergun stepped back into the room, stood by the fireplace and warmed his hands and face. The smell of the wood burning was pleasant. It was soothing and reminded him of his home. He hoped all was well at the farm, and in his absence, no one was upsetting his wife. There was a knock at the door.

  Jehran stood there. He was alone and looked in good health. ‘Good da
y, my friend. I never expected to be in a garrison town unless I was hanging from a noose!’ he said.

  ‘A sad end it would have been. Look, I don’t have the power to grant you back your commission, but as a paid advisor you’re welcome on this mission.’

  ‘What about Sarish? She’s a good fighter.’

  ‘If she’s comfortable being one of two women among so many men and Galls then I’ll see she’s permitted to come along.’

  Jehran stood next to Sergun and warmed his hands by the fire. ‘Fighting alongside you and Grer and Kall reminded me of old times.’

  Sergun smiled. ‘They were mostly good times, I didn’t think we’d be together again. Our final battle wasn’t what we expected, but we survived and achieved our goal.’

  ‘We did and that dammed dust won’t surprise us again. Too bad about the missing men, the government is sure to exact revenge for those deaths.’

  ‘If they’re dead I’m sure they will. I hoped they would have ridden here by now. Perhaps they were delayed finding food, though I doubt it.’

  ‘Perhaps, I hope they’re still alive my friend. I also hope the three of us fight again in a greater battle.’

  ‘I want to return home to my wife and family.’

  Jehran patted Sergun on his shoulder. ‘It’s a good hope to have and one you are likely to have fulfilled. You think there’s no going back for us as a team?’

  ‘It’s possible to go back but not likely for us. I hope you continue to find happiness with Sarish. There’s not much chance of fighting again on our short expedition north.’

  ‘Famous last words?’ Jehran said, stroking his stubble.

  ‘I hope not.’

  28. The Search for Treasure

  Sergun didn’t want to ride north outside of the borders of his land again but there was no choice. Certainly this time it appeared to be a safer expedition and the large increase in the numbers of troops under their command was comforting. They would move slower with the number of wagons but he was happy to sacrifice speed for numbers. The Keratha should be satisfied as long as they had been handed the heads as agreed, Arconis was a long way from their destination and he doubted the man would be keen to enter into conflict with Tharne. It was one thing to attack a small camp of sleeping men outside the gates of your city but for them to risk war with Tharne and its experienced and well-equipped army was insane.