Lorik (The Lorik Trilogy) (33 page)
They looked at each other for a long moment. Lorik stuck out his hand, Stone shook it, and both men knew that no more words were needed. Lorik climbed up onto the bench seat of his wagon and smiled at Stone.
“If you ever need anything,” he said, “anything at all, just send word.”
“You do the same. I’ll let you know where we end up.”
“Take care of Vera. Tell her I said goodbye.”
“I will.”
He felt tears stinging his eyes and knew he had to leave. He snapped the reins and the horses hurried forward. The rumble of the wagon and the familiar motion set Lorik’s mind at ease. He rode quickly out of town. He regretted not seeing Vera and saying goodbye personally, but he also knew it would be hard on him to see her.
The trip to Yorick Shire took two more days. He struggled with feelings of loneliness for the first time in his life. He had traveled alone for years ever since his father had died, but now things were different. Vera was gone, Stone too, and he felt more alone than he had in his entire life.
The road to Yorick Shire was empty. He saw no other travelers and was not confronted by outlaws. Yorick Shire was a large town, with stone walls and a castle. The market seemed subdued as Lorik passed it, people less friendly than usual. He rode straight to the castle to pay the rice tax, but he was surprised to find it almost deserted. There were no soldiers at the gate, just castle servants looking uncomfortable and a little frightened.
“What’s going on?” Lorik asked them once he stopped his wagon. “Where are the Earl’s men?”
“We serve the Earl,” said one of the servants. “State your business, please.”
“I’m here to deliver a rice tax,” Lorik said. “I need to see the steward.”
“The steward is busy, but I’ll send him word. You can go ahead and start offloading your cargo.”
They opened the gate and let Lorik pass through. He drove the wagon to the castle storehouse and was surprised to realize he would have to unload the rice by himself. Normally castle servants unloaded the wagon under the steward’s supervision, but there was no one around. Lorik was nearly finished unloading the Earl’s share of Hollist’s rice when the castle steward finally arrived.
“Lorik, it’s good to see you,” he said as he hurried up.
“What is going on around here?” Lorik asked.
“The King called all his men together. They’ve left for the war.”
“I heard about that,” Lorik said. “They’re invading Yelsia or something, right?”
“That was the plan,” the steward said. “But now the rumors are that King Oveer is marching south. He’s called for all his troops. Even those normally left in reserve.”
“You mean, even the Earl’s guards?” Lorik said. “I can’t believe they would leave the Kingdom undefended. We had to run outlaws out of Pallsen a few weeks back. And all the outlaws and pirates from Hassell Point are out raiding.”
“Yes, I’ve heard, but there’s nothing I can do about it. The Earl left me in charge, but he took all the soldiers with him. I can hardly keep the peace here in the Shire, much less throughout the fief.”
They concluded their business and Lorik returned to the market. He sold the rest of the rice, getting a good price from several wealthy families who were hoarding food. He had planned to spend some time in Yorick Shire, but once he had sold his cargo he decided to go back to Pallsen. He didn’t expect Stone and Vera to still be there, but he could at least send word to his friends about the King’s orders to march south. If the outlaws had been bold before, they would be fearless now.
He left immediately and rode through the night so that he arrived in Pallsen not long after dawn. Once he had settled his account with the mill for the lumber he had taken back to Hollist’s farm, he stopped by the inn and found two familiar faces.
Roran was drinking ale and telling stories with some of the other men from the village. Most of the people who had been sent out raiding had returned soon after Thuryk had been killed. Roran seemed happy to see Lorik again, but Griff was not as amicable.
“That’s dire news,” Roran said, when Lorik told him about the Earl leaving with the army and taking all of his soldiers. “There could be another raid.”
“You should count on it,” Lorik said. “Have you put a defense force together yet?”
“No, not yet,” the candlemaker said.
“Well, you’d better make that a priority. You won’t get any help from the Earl.”
Lorik turned to Griff, who was drinking cider all alone in a corner of the inn.
“What are you skulking in the corner like that for?” he asked.
“I’m not skulking,” Griff said irritably.
“Well, I have work for you.”
“What kind of work?”
“I need you ride after Stone and Vera. Take them a message for me. Can you do that?”
“I don’t have a horse,” the young man said.
“I’ll get you one, but you have to deliver my message.”
“I wouldn’t trust him,” Roran said. “He’s a thief. He’ll take your horse and anything else you give him and disappear.”
“Shut up, candlemaker,” Griff said. “I’m not a thief.”
“I don’t care,” Lorik said. “Let’s get you a horse and some rations. I don’t have time to wait.”
They left the inn and found an older horse for sale at the livery stable. It wasn’t a fast horse, but it was dependable, and Lorik thought Griff would be able to catch up with Stone and Vera in a week or so.
“Here’s some coin,” Lorik said, giving Griff a small pouch of silver marks. “Get some rations and then ride northeast until you come to the coast. Stone is in a wagon and has a woman with him. Tell them about the King’s order and let them know I’m okay. Tell them I’m going back to Hassell Point if they need me.”
“How much do I get paid?” Griff said.
“Whatever you don’t spend on the journey is yours to keep,” Lorik said.
“All right, thanks.”
“Just be sure and find Stone. You owe him that much.”
“All right, I’ll find him. Finding things is what I do best,” Griff said.
Without a load to haul, it took Lorik only five days to get home. He left the Mascogee wagon in the brush at the edge of the Marshlands and rode his horses through the swamps. He stopped at Hollist’s farm and gave his client the money that was left over after having paid for the lumber. It was more than either of them expected, and Lorik had used his own portion to pay Griff.
When he got back to Hassell Point he went to his house. It seemed more like a crypt than a home. There were scorch marks on the grass like livid wounds from their fight with the Riders. Everywhere Lorik looked he saw memories of people who were gone. His parents had died, and Vera and Stone had left the Marshlands. He was alone.
He spent the evening with Chancy, but he couldn’t hold back the cloud of depression that was hovering over him. Nothing made him happy, not good food or drink, not his friend’s company, not even the thought of visiting one of the wenches at the nearby bordellos.
The days that followed passed slowly. With news that the Earl was gone from Yorick Shire, none of the farmers were in a hurry to ship their rice tax, and Lorik found himself idle. He was bored and depressed. He thought about leaving the Point, but he had nowhere to go and couldn’t muster the motivation. Chancy worried over his friend, but there was nothing anyone could do to lift his spirits.
He had been home a week when Yulver returned. He hurried into Chancy’s Inn, where Lorik was deep in his cups.
“I have news,” he said eagerly.
“What is it?” Chancy said. “We are in sore need of news here. I hope it’s good.”
“I’m afraid not. The Norsik are invading,” Yulver said. “They’re marching through the Wilderlands by the thousands.”
“Who’s holding the border?” Chancy asked.
“There’s a militia force, but they’re calling for reinforcements. I’m taking a shipment of supplies north. I was hoping I might get some rice while I’m here and see if any of the young farmer lads wanted to join the cause.”
“I’ll go,” Lorik said.
“You?” Chancy said. “Why do you want to go?”
“Why not?” Lorik said. “I’ve got nothing better to do. I’ll even help you get the rice you need.”
“So you want to be a sailor now?” Yulver said, teasing.
“No, I want to fight.”
“You mean you’re going to the Wilderlands to fight?” Chancy asked. “Why on earth would you do that?”
“You heard him. The Norsik are invading. The locals will be more inclined to go and help if someone leads them. I can do that,” Lorik said.
“Look, Lorik,” Chancy argued. “I know you’ve been a bit down lately, but that’s no reason to go rushing off into danger.”
“It’s my patriotic duty,” Lorik said cynically. “Besides, I’ve got nothing left to live for. What time are we leaving?”
“We sail tomorrow, with the tide,” Yulver said.
“Good,” Lorik replied. “I’ll see what I can do to get you some rice. And then I’ll hitch a ride north. We’ll kill the Norsik bastards or die trying.”
He gulped the rest of his mead and then slammed his cup on the table.
“Goodbye, Chancy,” he said, dropping a coin on the table. “Make sure my horses are seen to.”
Lorik walked out the door into the late afternoon sunlight and went to fetch his battle axe.
I hope you have enjoyed reading Lorik (book 1). This story is set in the Five Kingdoms which was introduced in my best selling novel Wizard Rising. If you’d like to read more about the Five Kingdoms please utilize the links below.
The first three books of the Five Kingdom series compiled into one book
Wizard Rising (The Five Kingdoms Book One)
Magic Awakening (The Five Kingdoms Book Two)
Hidden Fire (The Five Kingdoms Book Three)
Crying Havoc (The Five Kingdoms Book Four)
Look for the epic conclusion to the best selling Five Kingdoms series in April, 2012.
You may also join the mailing list to get emails whenever a new novel is published at
http://www.tobyneighbors.com/contact-me.html
And don’t forget to like the Toby Neighbors Author page on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toby-Neighbors-Author/210621225652500
Table of Contents
* * *
I hope you have enjoyed reading Lorik (book 1). This story is set in the Five Kingdoms which was introduced in my best selling novel Wizard Rising. If you’d like to read more about the Five Kingdoms please utilize the links below.
The first three books of the Five Kingdom series compiled into one book
Wizard Rising (The Five Kingdoms Book One)
Magic Awakening (The Five Kingdoms Book Two)
Hidden Fire (The Five Kingdoms Book Three)
Crying Havoc (The Five Kingdoms Book Four)
Look for the epic conclusion to the best selling Five Kingdoms series in April, 2012.