laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The sun shone down brightly, warming the world from its cold, wintery sleep. The last of the snow had melted away from these less mountainous regions a few weeks ago, announcing that Spring was just around the corner.

The stillness of the woods broke with a crash as a young boy ran between the trees near the road. His sandy blond hair matted down with sweat and the fear in his eyes told that this was no playful race of youth. Presently, his pursuit came crashing through the trees behind him. The two men weren't as nimble, but they were making up for it with their size, strength, and numbers. The boy darted between the trees, keeping the road on his right and within sight. He knew that he couldn't outrun them all the way to Sonvico. He was going to have to find a place to hide or someone on the road - and soon. Up ahead, he saw a tree he could climb that was right on the treeline next to the road. He sprinted for it, planted his foot on a rock, and leaped for the branch. Just as his hands touched the branch, a rider swept in from the road and caught him out of the air with one arm. Carrying the struggling boy back toward the road, he called out to the two men who were now emerging, panting, from the woods.

"I've got him! Get up here and help me, I can't hold him for long."

As the two men moved up the slight slope toward the road, the boy spied another rider farther up the road to the north, just rounding the bend. He managed a single cry for help before a gloved hand covered his mouth. To his relief, the rider spurred his horse and approached.

This new rider quickly caught the attention of all three men. The two on the ground took the boy from their mounted companion, gagged him with a rag, and began binding the boy's hands with rope. The third moved his horse forward a few paces to intercept the approaching rider. The boy could see this new rider as he slowed his horse to meet them. He was in his 40's and plainly dressed in the rough, durable fabric of a man who travelled frequently. He wore a hooded cloak of deep green that covered most of his upper body and brown trousers of the same style fabric. His hood was back, revealing wavy hair of deep black with hints of grey and a full beard of like color.

"Greetings, friend, what seems to be the trouble," the rider asked.

"We caught this boy poaching deer from the Duke's forest. He led us a merry chase, let me tell you. We're taking him back to Sursee to turn him over to the magistrate."

At this, the boy renewed his struggle against his captors and shook his head. He couldn't tell if the rider saw him or not.

"I see. Well, I happen to be heading to Sursee myself to see the Duke. May I ride with you?"

The boy saw the men holding him exchange glances. They began moving forward toward the two riders, bringing their captive with them.

"I don't see why not," the other replied. "With so many criminals on the road these days, another companion is welcome. It might keep something bad from happening as we travel. I am Tas'on, this is Lobolo and Athek."

"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Sceva. What's the boy's name?"

"Who cares," Tas'on replied. "His name will be 'dead meat' soon enough."

The group proceeded down the road to the south at a walking pace, the boy riding with Tas'on. Lobolo and Athek dropped back a little, then came up beside Sceva. As they did, they began quietly drawing their swords. As they got their weapons completely out of their scabbards, Sceva's horse sprinted forward and out of range, then turned to face the assailants. As Lobolo and Athek moved forward to engage, Tas'on lost his grip on his captive, who rolled out of the saddle and ran for the treeline. Sceva dropped from his horse, sword in hand, and pulled his shield from off his back. As the four men closed to combat range, Sceva's horse withdrew from the fray and moved to join the boy, who was able to remove his gag using one of the stirrups.

Lobolo struck first, a downward stroke that held great power but lacked the speed necessary to get inside Sceva's shield. The blow rang off the shield to Lobolo's left, leaving his sword side open. Sceva struck him just under the arm and the man fell back, mortally wounded. By this time, Tas'on had closed the distance and drawn his sword. As Athek pressed the attack from the north, Tas'on attempted to circle around to the south to outflank him. Sceva focused on Athek, turning to keep him on his right and Tas'on on his left. The three men exchanged blows and Athek slowly began moving to Tas'on's side. Sceva quickly ducked under the horse's head to move to Tas'on's right and thrust up into the man's abdomen. Tas'on swung down onto Sceva's shield, but the blow held no strength, and Tas'on suddenly withdrew and rode off down the road to the south. Abandoned by his colleage, Athek tried desperately to gain an opening, but was no match for the seasoned knight of Elminoir.

Sceva approached the boy and sat down, breathing heavily. He motioned for the boy to come over and used his knife to cut the ropes. As he cleaned his equipment, he looked back to the two dead men lying in the road.

"What's your name, son?"

"Blaine, sir."

"Nice to meet you, Blaine."