Chapter 8: Side-tracking

Trotes surveyed the side of the cliff as Price rode behind him.
"He said it was along here?" Trotes asked him.
"That's what I heard," Price replied.
"Funny," Trotes said, "I would think someone would have stumbled on it at sometime or another."
Price shook his head.
"I don't know. That's what the mayor said," he told him.
"It's well hidden," he said to Trotes.
"Once we find it, we'll know exactly where to ambush them," Trotes said.
"If they don't get ambushed first," Price said back.
"They won't be ambushed by anything they can't handle," Trotes replied.
"How do you know?" Price said.
"Don't worry about it. We'll keep looking after we get the report from Osis, though," Trotes said, "They're already in town by now, and the passage must be furthur down the road." They turned and headed to town. They had been traveling up and down the road looking for a den where some of the gang would hide out. When they rode in they went directly to the stables and found Simon and Salte watching and planning what to do.
"Hey," Price called to them.
When Simon turned around and realized who it was, he walked straight up to Trotes.
"You're wonderful gang just took off," he said with clinched teeth ready to spring on Trotes.
"What?!" Price said. Trotes looked in anger toward the direction Osis took the men. Price turned to Trotes.
"Good job with your men," he said as he began to turn red with anger.
"If anything happens," Simon said.
"I heard you the first time," Trotes said, "If I didn't care then I don't care now." That really made Simon's blood boil. Trotes looked on thinking. "Those cowardly, faithless fools," he said to himself.
"They plan to frame you," Salte said urgently.
"I don't care about my honor," Trotes said, "Or what Surel might do to me." Trotes looked back the other way and then back toward the former direction. "Ahhhhh," he growled in frustration, "Get on your horses and follow me."
Trotes took off and Price followed. Simon and Salte got their horses and followed Trotes.
"Trotes," Simon called, "They said if we followed them they would kill the family."
"Stay back a little ways," Trotes replied, "They won't harm them if you're with me, but let me talk to them first." Simon looked at Trotes bewildered. Salte stopped Simon and Price and stayed with them as Trotes rode to catch up with his rebellious men.
"What does he think he's going to do?" Simon asked watching Trotes.
"I don't know," Salte replied, "But, unfortunately he's our only hope now."
"What do you mean?" Price asked.
"What do you mean 'what do I mean'? They know he's not worried about their death," Salte replied, "So threating to kill them won't do any good. Trotes has pretty much made it so we have to depend on him. That's what he's been doing the whole time. That's what he did when he sent Love off."
"And now?" Simon replied, "I still can't figure out how we let this happen?"
"We're human," Salte replied, "And its obvious that Trotes knows how to conquor and controll people."
"Crafty man," Price replied.
Simon and Salte both nodded their heads.
"Let's just trot for now and hope Trotes isn't being rash," Salte said.
"Strap," Simon said, "This can't be happening. We're not going to make it to Trotes's meeting point."
"We will," Salte replied, "Just keep yourself under controll."
Trotes rode hard to catch up with the soldiers that had left. They rode hard to escape any chance of being caught or overtaken or beat on their way to Calton Capital. They rushed on and on. But Trotes eventually caught up with them quite a ways away from the town around mid-day. The sun now beat down in the humid valley.
"OSIS!!" he called. Osis looked back and when he saw it was Trotes and Trotes alone, he stopped the soldiers.
"That old fool," Osis said to himself, "This is the perfect opertunity.
He rode back smiling to see Trotes alone.
"So you came after us," Osis said, "Now that's a suprise." Trotes looked to see if the Royal family had been harmed.
"I'm full of suprises, Osis," Trotes said, "What do you think you are doing?"
"Staying alive," Osis replied, "You can't lead. You were going to get us all killed."
"You fool," Trotes said, "Do you really think I would do open battle against that many men with 27 soliders? I have a plan!"
"That's not good enough for us," Osis said, "You're messed up plans have worked before, but eventually one of them is going to fall through."
"They will if my men don't do as they're instructed," Trotes shot back.
"We're not doing anything you say. We're sick of you winning crazy battles and hogging glory," Osis said.
Trotes laughed. "I see what this is about already; oh, but I knew from the start of this whole campagne you were intent on not doing this part."
"You can't see my point," Osis said, "What do you know?"
"You just can't stand the idea of me succeeding, again can you Osis?" Trotes replied, "It just eats you alive that I can come out on top every time, and you've been writhing in anger ever since I defeated your brother in that battle. You can't stand that I always win."
"Come out on top? You didn't come out on top when your family was murdered," Osis said laughing, "Yea you're on top. You couldn't even save your family. Your pity and mercy got them killed. Yea, Trotes, I would love to be you." The Valiants squirmed with gags in their mouths.
"Oh but you would, Osis," Trotes said smiling maliciously, "When I get done with you, you will." Osis stared at Trotes.
"I know why you are so anxious to avoid this conflict," Trotes said, "You almost had Crusas convinced it was a waste of time. But, then, he never was too bright."
The men looked at Osis.
"Don't look at me fools," Osis said, "You know Trotes is always full of tricks."
"It took me a long time, but I found out who their leader was," Trotes said, "It was just who I thought it was. Someone who more than deserves a good thrust from my spear."
"You'll never find him," Osis said.
"Oh, yes, I will," Trotes replied, "Those Outcastes are very handy. I'm one stepp behind. We could have this whole deal over with if you just cooperate."
"You're insane," Osis replied.
"You're a traitor," Trotes replied, "Even in my most despecable moods I would never stoop as low as you. Covering for a man who indiscriminently raids and piliges women and children for anarchy. Even I don't worm that low."
"With some of the things you have done you're saying you're better?" Osis replied.
"No," Trotes replied, "I'm saying I'm worth more." Osis snatched the spear that was attached to the side of his reddish brown horse and threw it at Trotes. Trotes moved to his left and let himself fall off of his horse landing on his feet. He took care not to jar his broke right arm.
"You always did have pitiful aim," Trotes replied, "Let's settle this if you want to."
"You have a broke arm you fool," Osis said, "Men..."
"You coward," Trotes said before Osis could give the command, "You can't take me with a broken arm? What kind of warrior are you?"
"The kind who will live," Osis said.
"If I was any one of these men, I would have no respect for you and I'd kill you after me," Trotes said. Then Trotes addressed the men. "Is Osis here really any better than me?" he said to him, "Really?" Osis was somewhat fearful now.
"I don't fight unarmed and injured men," Osis said.
"You just try to get them from a distance, or command others to do it," Trotes replied laughing.
"I wasn't trying," Osis replied.
"I would have," Trotes answered smiling, "You look scared. If I'm a fool, then come down here and slay me, and you and the world can be rid of one more burden. No one here will blame you. I'm willing to conjecture all will give credit to whatever story you give to Surel. If they let you live that long." Osis was angry, but he hesitated. Trotes was the better fighter by far.
"Come on," Trotes urged, "This is your chance. Either kill me now like you've always wanted, or receive word in Calton of your cousin's death."
"You may defeat me," Osis said, "But you'll never find my brother, and you'll never defeat my cousin."
Osis dismounted his horse and walked toward his opponent. Trotes tossed Osis his spear, and Osis picked it up. Then Trotes went to grab his sword sheathed on his horse, but Osis didn't wait for Trotes to arm himself. He immediately thrust his spear at Trotes; however, Trotes deflected Osis's attack with his sword straigt out of the sheath. The two fell into a jittery battle. Osis moved and looked for a chance to get a clean thrust on Trotes, but all attempts ended in failure because Trotes was quick with his sword, even with his left hand. Trotes could not move as well with his broke arm, so Osis moved around trying to get Trotes off balance or something, but Trotes had been in far too many fights to fall for anything unusual or to leave his feet, especially to Osis. Osis move to his left and right trying to find his chance. He hoped to tire Trotes since Osis was quite a bit younger than Trotes, but Trotes did not seem to tire. They moved about, especially Osis, while the other men looked on not sure who they wanted to win, except Delos, who was hoping Trotes won for the sake of the Valiants.
Osis tried some more thrusts and Trotes deflected them with perfect grace and quickness. Osis groweled. He was bigger than Trotes, but Trotes was always in the right spot for himself and the wrong spot for Osis. Osis gave a series of thrust and finally caught Trotes on the same shoulder as his broke arm. Now, Osis saw his chance. Trotes had let his guard down in pain, or so Osis thought, Osis gave a huge thrust. Trotes moved to the side dropping his sword and grabbing the spear. Osis lost his balance and fell losing grip on the spear. Trotes spun the spear around with one hand and put it to Osis's neck.
"Who's the foolish one?" Trotes asked him. He lifted the spear and was just about to thrust when an arrown pierced his thigh on the outside part. Trotes dropped the spear with a yell and quickly stooped, broke the arrow and pulled it out. He quickly looked up to see men coming out of the mountain side. He swiftly wrapped his leg with cloth and stood up.
"Osis get up from there," one of the men said. Osis got up and moved away. The man who commanded Osis climbed furthur down on the rocks to where Trotes could see him better.
"Hello, Trotes," the man said, "long time no see."
Trotes said nothing but looked the man in the eyes with all the hatred he had in his sad soul. The man was dressed in crimson armor lined with silver boarders. He had a black beard, short, black hair and brown eyes that boldly looked at Trotes. Trotes returned the gaze with his solid, scarred face.
"I had no idea you were with them," the man said.
"That would have defeated the purpose, Alastor," Trotes replied.
"I thought something was fishy," Alastor said, "I knew something was wrong when fifty men were found dead after a solid fog night." Trotes almost squinted at that. He knew who was responsible for that. "Pretty bold," Alastor commented, "Coming against a hundred and sixty men with less than thirty. However, you did manage to dispatch fifty in the foggy dead of night. So you must have something." Alastor looked at the thief the men had tied up. "Cut him loose," he ordered.
The soldiers quickly cut the prisoner loose and the man ran to the rocks and joined his comrads.
"Trotes, Trotes, Trotes," Alastor said shaking his head, "How you have fallen."
"Funny," Trotes replied, "I was just thinking things were looking up. Now I don't have to look for you."
Alastor climbed down the rocks.
"I'm going to guess you don't have any silver in this caravan," he said walking up to him.
"You're pretty clever," Trotes replied. Alastor was not amused, of course.
"But I do seem some familiar faces in those ladies over there," Alastor continued, "The royal family perhaps?" Trotes only looked at Alastor. "It just so happens I've been summoned to the Capital," Alastor stated, "I think...I'll take the princess. And I'll get the reward from Surel."
"Go ahead," Trotes said smiling to himself and almost laughing. Alastor noticed this and looked at the family, who looked back scared, hot and thirsty. Then he looked back at Trotes, who smiled and remarked, "Missing something?"
"Clever, Trotes," Alastor remarked walking over to Osis and then looking back with a malicious smile, "Clever as ever. Except that one time."
The soldiers looked around at the gang who was now begining to empty out of the rocks and move in.
"What are you going to do with the men?" Trotes asked.
"Which men?" Alastor asked.
"Any of them," Trotes replied. Alastor turned to the soldiers who carried the royal family.
"You have two choices," Alastor called, "Join us and help replace the fifty men you slaughtered in the night; live under the wealth that we can bring, or die." Trotes smiled at Alastor's ignorance. The men did not kill the fifty.
"I will take care of your families if you have them," Alastor said, "You have my word."
The men all shifted nervously in their sattles thinking about what to do. Eventually some of them walked to Alastor's side. Alastor looked around.
"You want to stay with Surel?" he said.
"They don't want to go with you," Trotes said. Just then one of the thieves saw some riders in the distance.
"Sir, somepeople are approaching," he said. Alastor looked out.
"Who could this be?" he said. Trotes smiled. "Take the family," Alastor called to the new recruits.
Those soldiers who joined the thieves went to take the Royal family. Delos drew his sword.
"No!" he shouted. He stabbed one of the men and fought with a two more, but he was stabbed by one from the back. Faith, and the girls looked in horror and sorrow.
"Hurry and get them out of here," Alastor said to them.
The traitorous soldiers took the family and joined sixty or so thieves who were dressed as merchants.
"Kill the ones who approach if they try anything funny," Alastor said. The group with the Valiants went the way to Rushor to take the family back to their hideout.
When the three saw the group progress toward them they slowed their pace. Trotes continued smiling. Alastor looked at Trotes.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"You," Trotes replied.
"You are a fool," Alastor said.
"That's what they say," Trotes replied, "Better to be a fool than a has-been."
"Is that so former General Trotes?" Alastor replied. Before long Alastor and Trotes turned their heads at the sounds of girls screaming and swords clashing. The theives had attacked the three men not knowing who they were and soldiers and thieves alike were dropping off their horses like flies.
"Looks like you have a problem," Trotes said smiling. Alastor and his men took off toward the fight to see what was the matter and assist in the situation. Trotes looked at the soldiers who had not gone to Alastor's side.
"Stop them," he said to them. They hesitated not wanting to risk their lives for something they new they could get away with not doing, especially since they did consider Surel the king now. Trotes angrily jumped on his horse and rode after Alastor and the men. The soldiers behind followed him reluctantly.
The thieves and the soldiers who were engaged with Simon, Price and Salte were as confused as ever. Between keeping up with a man that was not visible half the time, one that was far too quick and one that couldn't be approached half of the time, they could not figure out what exactly was going on. Salte quickly dispatched three when they were confused by his unseeable shield. Price and Simon immediately went for the ones holding the royal family and secured their release. Simon threw some men back allowing the Valiants to get free and Salte put a shield around them, while working hard to keep from being surrounded. The fight spread out some because of all of the movement, and Price dashed between men taking them down while they were preoccupied with Simon and Salte. Salte had thrust his spear into two horses, one after the other, as he kept his distance from the thieves that surrounded him, but they were too much for him. Simon threw a man into the crowd that closed in on Salte allowing his friend to escape, but a man put a knife into Simon's back just as Simon was about to dodge it. Price cut that man down and Simon picked himself up and continued to fight. They took down quite a few when Alastor joined the battle shortly, but Trotes quickly over took him and began fighting with him. The soldiers behind Trotes cut down quite a few thieves who were not paying attention. But they could not keep up with the number and they began fall. The soldiers who had joined the thieves had changes of heart and joined their fellow soldiers and helped them. The confusion became great, even for the Outcastes. Some robbers attacked Trotes while Trotes was busy with Alastor and stabbed him in the back, but the stab was not direct and Trotes was still able to fight. The battle pressed so hard on Salte that he had his shield to save himself and so took it off the Valiants because they seemed in a safe place. But Alastor went to them while Trotes was distracted with the underlings and grabbed Charity.
Simon, Price and Salte turned at the sound of Charity's scream.
When they did they were each hit and knocked down.
"Very interesting," Alastor said looking at the three Outcastes, "So that's what's been hiding in that cursed mountain range." Trotes managed to finish off the ones who attacked him, and he was done. Everyone had stopped to listen for what happened next. The three Outcastes were all a sword point. Price could have gotten away, but he didn't want to leave or risk getting his friends hurt. They all sat and waited for Alastor to state his terms, which they knew would not be good for them. Faith and Hope looked on in fear as Alastor held Charity's arm tightly with his sword to her throat.
Faith called out to Charity, "Don't move, Charity."
"You little insects," Alastor said, "You've made a mess of everything now. Especially you, Trotes." Trotes nodded his head with a smile, but Salte and the rest were angry at the whole situation. "Here is the deal," Alastor said, "Kill the three animals or the little girl dies."
"Don't be a fool, Alastor," Trotes replied.
"Silence, you has-been," Alastor shot back.
"Or what?" Trotes anwered, "You'll kill the girl?"
"Trotes!!" Simon yelled, but a soldier hit him hard on the head nearly knocking him out. Alastor looked at the hardened Trotes for a moment.
"You truly are different my friend," Alastor.
"'Friend' huh," Trotes answered.
Alastor smiled and commented, "I was right after all." Trotes stopped himself with that slight realization, but he did not let it come out.
"What are you going to do?" Trotes asked.
"I'm going to kill those three because they are a threat to me and then we are killing you because you are a fool," Alastor said, "Then I'm going to answer King Surel's call for aid."
"King Surel doesn't know you are alive," Trotes replied.
"Oh yes he does and he's calling for me," Alastor replied.
"Why?" Trotes asked.
"Why do you care? You're going to die." Alastor said. Then as quick as he could (which was extremely quick) Trotes pulled a knife from his sleeve and threw it at Alastor. Alastor was truly not expecting the knife, and it stuck him before he could move Charity in the way. Alastor dropped Charity who slipped off the edge of a rock and almost fell, but she grabbed on to a stick that was growing out of a crack in the stone. When Simon and the rest saw this they immediately broke loose from their captures and started fighting. But they still had too many to fight with and they could not get to Charity right away. Alastor had jumped to other rocks to get behind the battle and escape and Trotes followed. He managed to climb onto the rocks and he was catching up to Alastor when Charity screamed and Simon called out, "Trotes!"
Trotes ignored him at first, but when Charity screamed again, he stopped. He did not know why, but he stopped unable to move. Alastor was getting away. Trotes knew he could catch Alastor, who was injured just like he was. Then he heard Faith calling, "Trotes, please help my daughter!" He turned to see that Simon, Salte and Price were having too hard of a time. Simon was cut on his sword arm. Salte had taken a stab in the shoulder and Price was bleeding on his forehead. He looked at Charity and then at Alastor who hadn't reached the road yet. He knew he could catch one of the men who murdered his wife and child, who stripped him of his life and his honor and more. He started toward Alastor when he heard Charity scream again, and he looked. She was about to let go. He looked down at the outcastes. They had almost all the robbers dispatched, but they would not make it in time, and all of the Calton soldiers were dead. He hesitated, gritted his teeth and jumped from rock to rock as fast as he could. He refused to look back at the rejection that would seal his character. He stuggled and moved with his broken arm, and just as Charity slipped, he caught her and saved her from a thirty-foot fall. She looked up with tears in her eyes ay Trotes' hard face, and he pulled her up and set her on the rock. Faith sighed with tears in her eyes as and Hope ran to get to her sister. The three Outcastes did not have to finish off the rest because they ran after Alastor when they saw there was no winning. Even the death of Charity would have been a reason to fight, but not any more. Trotes watched his chance to avenge himself run away.
"Good for nothing..." he said as Alastor rounded the corner of the road.
"Charity!" Faith called. Charity made her way down slowly and Trotes just watched with his heavey heart now overflowing with memory and sorrow. Simon, Salte and Price ran to Charity and each gave her a hug. Faith and Hope hugged and kissed her until she had to push them away.
"Thankgoodness you're alright," Faith said holding her close.
"I was so scared," Charity said tearing. Simon looked up at Trotes, who watched the whole affair thoroughly disgusted with what he had done. He climbed down from the rocks and walked in the direction going away from Rushor.
"Where are you going?" Price asked.
"Back to Calton," Trotes replied, "We're finished here." Everyone looked at each other.
"What do you mean finished?" Simon asked. Trotes did not answer; he just kept walking.
They looked at each other and then began walking after him. All of the horses had run away except Salte's horse. She came running to Salte when the battle was over. She trotted up and nugged him.
"Hey, there," he said petting her, "I didn't want you to get hurt."
Simon began looking over the dead bodies for Delos. Price knew what he was looking for.
"Do you see him?" Price asked Simon. Simon shook his head as his eyes turned black, and then he went straight to Delos. He knelt down and lifted Delos's head. He was injured, but not so badly he would not survive.
"He's going to be okay," Simon said, "But he's wounded pretty badly."
Faith ran up took some cloth from her dress and wrapped it around Delos's shoulder where the wound was. Simon picked him up and lifted him on Salte's horse, who reared back when it realized someone other than Salte was on its back.
"Shhhhh," Salte said reassuring it, "It okay. He's injured." Once the horse calmed down they quickened their pace to catch up with Trotes.
"We're going back?" Price asked.
"That's what it looks like," Salte replied, "Looks like we'll make the trip in time after all."
"What changed his mind?" Simon wondered out loud.
"No telling with him," Price replied shaking his head.