Schwan (19 To the Gate of Midmont)

The Fuzz certainly knows how to drag this sort of thing out.  But of course many don't have a lot of time to spend at their daily surfing.

Be that as it may, we will get on with just a bit more of this tale.

And so, here it is...

"To the Gate of Midmont"

✣

19 To the Gate of Midmont

It was just before sunrise when Karl rode into Waterton on his exhausted horse.  After a short wait, he was led to the Princess' chambers.  Lillian had been hastily roused, but was anxious to hear his news.

Karl explained the situation, and that Fredrik was in route to Waterton and fearing pursuit.

"The King asks that you send a squad to meet him on the road, immediately, Your Highness."

Princess Lillian rang a bell.  When a guard appeared she told him to call out a squadron of horsemen immediately, and for them to prepare to leave as soon as she joined them.

"And take this man, feed him, and let him rest."

"Please, Your Highness, let me go with you."

The Princess could see his determination.

"Are you able?"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Very well then."

Within the hour, the Princess joined her troop at the castle gate.  Karl, on a fresh horse was at her side.

By now the entire castle was roused, and the town also.  The bells rang out and the people poured into the street as The Princess Lillian led her troop from the castle, and though the streets to the city gates.

She wore chain mail beneath her tunic, but no helm, only a circlet of gold.  Her hair was loosely  bound with ribbons, of the Colors of Midmont.  Her banner streaming beside as they moved though the street at a swift trot.

As they approached the gate Lillian raised her sword in salute, and the people cheered.  Then, they passed though the gate, broke into a gallup, and were gone. 

✠

Garth's horse was doing it's best, but the road began to climb as they entered the narrow river valley.  The sun was rising now.  At every turn Fredrik looked back to see if they were being pursued.  He hoped they could reach the Falls and upper valley before their pursuers caught up to them.  

They were nearing the Great Falls when they caught their first sign of pursuit.  At a turn in the road far below them, at least a dozen riders were approaching at a gallup.

"There are too many to face in the open," Rolf told Fredrik.

"Yes, but we can make a stand where the road narrows above the Falls, at the Gate!"

Garth urged his horse to one final effort, and drew up on the narrow road.  This was the tightest pass of the road, cut into the rock high above the Great Falls.  It was know as the "Gate of Midmont".  There was no way around it.  It would be the best, the only place, to make a stand.

Just beyond was a small glen.  The wall of the gorge rose in a series of ledges far above.

"Go on ahead," Fredrik told Garth.

"No!" cried Elise.  "We will stay here!"

As Fredrik began to protest, Garth spoke up.

"It's no use, Your Majesty, the horse is too tired.  We all wish to stand together with you."

The Old Peasant pulled an ancient Broadax from the cart and hefted it with a smile.

"And I'll not leave you again!" Elise said as she drew a long knife from beneath her cloak.  Anna held a similar weapon.

"Well," said The King, "It seems there are seven of us now.  I think that does improve the odds."

They pulled the cart into the glen just beyond.  Fredrik took his standard from Rolf, and brought it to the cart.  Anna took it and held it up in the morning sunlight.

Garth reached down into the cart one more time and brought out a jug of wine he had brought from St. Petersbridge.  He pulled out the stopper and raised it in a final toast.

"I drink to you, Your Majesty," and here he turned to Elise, "And our Queen.  Then he turned to the others, "And to our homeland, Midmont!"

He drank deeply.

All eyes were on the King as he reached for the jug and raised it.  

"And I drink to you, my noble friends, and to our homeland!"

The King took a deep drink, and passed it to Elise, who reddened.

"Drink, child," Anna said softly and Elise raised it to her lips and drank, her heart pounding.

They all drank in turn.

Leaving The cart with Garth and the two women in the rear, Fredrik, Rolf, and the two Guardsmen rode to the narrowest point of the road.  Far below could be heard the roar of the Great Falls.  It was the same place where Karl had fought the two Morlanians.  There was barely room for the horses to stand together.  They waited, Rolf, and the Guardsmen making a few weak jokes in an attempt to break the tension.

✠

Rathard lead his men up the steep road.  They  had entered the valley and crossed into Midmontian territory.  The lone watchman at the border, had reported Fredrik's party, not far ahead, and encumbered by the cart.  Rathard was pleased.  He had no doubt now, that they would be overtaken.

He had them outnumbered.  Rathard was confident that Fredrik would soon be his prisoner.  He would force him to wed his sister.  Not Juliet of course.  The Archbishop could have that traitor.  But Marianne would do nicely.  And if the rumors were true about that scullery maid; Fredrik would soon be a widower.

These were his thoughts as they rounded yet another turn, and halted.  A hundred yards ahead, King Fredrik, and his men were blocking the road.  Behind them the King's standard floated  over a peasant's cart, in the gentle breeze.

Fredrik rode forward.  Rolf followed a few paces behind.  Rathard rode to meet him with two of his retainers.  They stopped a few yards apart, facing each other.

Fredrik spoke first.

"Lord Rathard, my friend;  What brings you to Midmont, unannounced?"

"Surrender yourself and my servants now, and I'll let these others go."

"There's nobody here with me, but my own subjects."

"I see my scullery maid."

"Mind your tongue.  You speak of the Queen of Midmont!"

Fredrik spurred his horse closer to Rathard, who drew back a pace.  His two men moved closer, hands on their swords.  Rolf tensed up as well.

The two were close together now, and spoke in low voices, while the others strained to hear.

"Then it is true!  You are a fool Fredrik."

"I think not."

"You could have had Juliet."

"I did better with Elise."

Rathard flushed with anger.  As angry as he was with his sister, he took this as an insult.  His hand moved toward his sword.  Rolf, who had been watching closely, stepped his horse closer.  But Fredrik remained composed.

"Yield now, and I'll spare the others!" Rathard repeated angrily.

"Yield?  Leave our realm now, while you still can!"

Rathard laughed.

"You're a fool, Fredrik.  Now you can watch your friends die."

He spit on the ground, spun around and raced back to his men.  Fredrik and Rolf trotted back to their own companions.  Then, they swung around to face Rathard, and his troop.

To be continued...

Read the complete story here.