Thomas and Trish - 6

The day dawned bright and cold, and the camp seemed to a buzz with activity. A large patrol was sent down to the mouth of the valley, and every able bodied man was searching the caves and the upper canyon. At one point the large building was invaded by a squad of men, and all the women and children hid under their blankets. Most of the squad stood at the door looking mean and scared at the same time while the captain moved through the room pulling down blankets and performing a thorough search.

As he approached the group where Trish and Thomas lay under their blankets they held their breath and the women crowded closer trying to shield them from the search, but to no avail. The man grabbed several women and threw them aside. The man stepped right between Thomas and Trish kicking Thomas in the shin guard in the process. There was an audible intake of breath as the man, seemingly ignorant of the armor he had surely felt, turned to the blanket that hid Trish and ripped it off her head.

As Trish looked into the man’s face she recognized him as the man she had healed in their fight to get out of the canyon. He looked her right in the face, and with a disgusted face threw the blanked back over her head and continued searching the room. He even made one of the other women and her two children get off their bed which he overturned as if expecting to see the object of his search.

Reaching the end the room he kicked the wall in frustration, turned to his men and let out a growling “Baaa. Those fools think the they can just walk out of the cave with thirty men just standing there. What a waste of TIME!” he ended with a violent swipe with his sword at some unknown foe. “Move out!” he order following his men and slamming the door behind him.

The entire building seemed to suddenly start breathing again, but no one dared move. Thomas uncovered his head and looked at Trish who looked to Myrna and received a warm smile. She quietly whispered to Thomas that it was the man who was helping the women, and they both lay back down and took several deep breaths before they could relax again. They slept as they could, but the hours seemed to drag slowly by.

Noon came, and a couple men dropped some food inside the door and quickly left again. Not long after the meal they heard Fen come out and begin barking orders. The women on watch reported that he was bandaged and using a crutch. Still they waited, hoping beyond hope that night would come before they were discovered. At one point a large group of men came back from searching the canyon and Fen went ballistic on them, and ordered another group to go search up the canyon.

With most of the men off searching the canyon, Myrna, Morell, and a couple other women come to converse with Thomas and Trish. Trish told then what had happened since they left, about their betrayal in the cave, and Morell’s heroics, and of their escape through the hidden tunnel. In return Morell and the women shared what they knew of the camp. There were about sixty men, the food and the extra weapons were kept in the cave, which Morell seemed to know pretty well. Most of the men were vulgar vicious men with no honor or mercy. Kurt Carrel, the man that was helping the women, had been able to smuggle two swords and a handful of spears in to the women, and he and his men were usually the ones on guard at the women’s building, and he had given strict orders not to disturb the women.

The women guessed that twenty men had been sent to the mouth of the valley, and had taken all the horses with them. There were about that many up the canyon, and the remainder were milling around the camp trying to look busy, and stay out of Fen’s way.

After discussing the current state, Thomas suggested that if it came to fighting they would be much better off in the caves than exposed and vulnerable in their current building. So they decided to see if Kurt could get them transferred into the caves.

The women on guard gave a signal, and Kurt came himself to pick up the dirty dishes. He quickly talked to the women about the plan to get them into the caves, but he was certain Fen would never go for it. Especially not with the ‘bandits’ on the loose.

They discussed rushing the guards, and he told them that there were a few men in the caves, but that there was always a large band on duty at the entrance. He promised to look for an opportunity to get them into the caves, but them not to count on it.

Then almost on cue there was a strange sound heard down toward the mouth of the canyon. “Get ready to charge the caves.” Kurt said as he dropped the dishes loudly and ran out the door.

The women heard him order his men to go check out the disturbance, Kurt called for the remaining guards in camp and around the cave entrance to help with the disturbance. Then he too ran off toward the lower end of the camp.

As soon as he was passed, Thomas and Trish, covered in blankets, lead the women and children out of the building and charged the remaining men guarding the caves. As they approached Thomas could see that five men remained. With Myrna on his right and another strong looking woman on his left, each carrying a sword and spear, he charged straight at the three men in the middle intending to bull rush all three of them.

As they approached the guards called for them to halt and drew their swords threateningly. Thomas and the women with him accelerated, charging up the slope toward the men. About two steps before he collided with the men, Thomas let the blanket fly off his head and shoulders. The guards had no time to prepare before Thomas smashed into them, arms wide catching the three in the center and driving them into the cave. The remaining two did not even see the women that cut them down, so surprised where they at Thomas’ appearance.

Inside the cave Thomas drove them three men right into the wall of the cave. As he stepped back and drew his sword, two spears flew over his shoulders, one catching the man on his left in the eye, the other catching the man on his right in the stomach. At the same moment a small woman slipped under his arms and drove the spear she carried through the heart of the man in the middle.

Thomas was shocked as all three of the man fell dead at his feet. The remaining women and children quickly began to flood into the cave. Thomas and the armed women pressed forward into the cave. The main cavern filled with light as Thomas, sword drawn, came pounding up the trail and into the cavern.

Thomas found the cave empty, but knew where he could find Fen, and any men still loyal to him. He turned to the armed women behind him and told them to guard the other women and children, but Myrna, immediately rescinded the orders, and split them up. Some she sent to guard the children, and hide the bodies of the guards, while she and another woman charged up the trail to join Thomas in the hunt for Fen.

The three hunters sprinted across the main cavern toward Fen’s quarters. Thomas, in the lead, readied his shield for an ambush. They charged down the tunnel on the far side of the cavern, and around the corner toward a room lit by torch light.

As they rounded the corner three crossbows fired at Thomas. Two bounced harmlessly off his shield, but the third slid just under his shield burying itself in Thomas’ left thigh. In front them Thomas saw that they three men had tipped the bed and table over to form a barricade that they where hiding behind. All three men where already beginning to reload their crossbows, and Thomas limped straight at them.

The women at Thomas’ elbows saw his plan, and slowed to stay behind him. He hit the barricade like a battering ram, and landed on Fen. The two women each leapt over what was left of the barricade and attacked.

On the left the man dropped his crossbow and scrambled backward trying to draw his sword, but Myrna quickly talked him out of it with a sword thrust right through his heart. On the right, the man decided to swing his crossbow like a club at the oncoming woman. She took the blow on her left forearm and was thrown back.

Thomas’ momentum and Fens kick send Thomas flying head over heals into the wall at the back of the cave. Before he could recover, Fen was on him. Fen planted one foot on Thomas’ shield pinning it and Thomas’ left arm to the ground. In his left hand Fen had a dagger that he embedded deeply in Thomas’ right arm. With his left hand Fen had drawn his sword, but held it pommel up. Bringing his other hand up as well he prepared to ram it right through Thomas’ breastplate.

At that moment Mryna slid her sword into Fen’s ribs just under his left arm, and buried it to the hilt.

“Remember me?” she whispered into Fens ear as the light faded from his eyes. “I’m the dirty red head.”

Across the room the other woman was facing the last man who had dropped his crossbow, and drawn his sword. They exchanged couple swings, neither striking flesh. Myrna tried to free her sword from Fen’s body as it fell, but she was unable. As he fell she release the sword and let it fall with the body. Instead she reached for Fen’s sword. She caught it by the blade, slicing both hands badly, but was able to right the blade in her hands and threw it at the man across the room. She called out as she threw the sword startling the man who glanced over his shoulder at Mryna.

The sword struck the man in the back, but did not do any damage, but his quick look over his should proved to be his last mistake. The woman gripped her sword in both hands and let out a rage filled scream as she removed his head with a single stroke. The power of the blow sent her spinning to the ground, but very much alive.

Thomas quickly cast a healing spell on each of them, repairing their injuries. They then charged back out into the main chamber. Trish, Morell, and two women were charging toward them, but stopped short as they saw them come running into the cavern.

At the same moment Marge appeared from the kitchen with two huge knives in her hands. Morell quickly called to Thomas pointing at Marge. Thomas turned raising his sword and shield he stepped between Marge and the two women.

When Marge saw Thomas she stopped, and let the knives fall to the ground. She raised her hands above her head in surrender, and asked, “Is it done?”

Thomas still not certain of her motives replied, “Fen and his men are dead.” He nodded over his shoulder toward Fen’s chamber.

Marge’s face softened as she fell to her knees. Myrna pushed passed Thomas and went to Myrna to comfort her. Trish also jugged over to Marge to offer what she could.

Thomas and the rest of the adults headed back toward the entrance. They found the women and children huddled together at the bottom of the trail. When he reached them he told Morell to take them to a safe place.

Once several of the women went with him to help with the children, but the rest of the women began to prepare to defend the cave. They salvaged what weapons and armor they could from the dead guards and dropped their bodies in a side cave out of the way.

Morell and two young girls about eleven years old returned after a few minutes carrying several swords and three crossbows with bolts. Three of the women took them and hid themselves inside the cave to watch for more men.

Thomas sent Morell and the remaining women to retrieve all the weapons they could find including the ones in Fen’s chambers. By the time the preparations were made Trish had returned with news that Marge was with them. She had been in love with Fen, but he had treated her like dirt, and forced her to cook for the camp. Even so, she was heartbroken, and hopeful of being free.

The first men to return from the disturbance were the guards that had been with the men guarding the cave. When they saw the cave was unguarded, they ran straight in thinking to find the other guards. They ran to the trail leading up to the main cavern and Thomas called for them to halt.

“Drop you weapons, or we will be forced to take them from you.” he said standing above them on the trail.

They looked around and found themselves surrounded by eight crossbows, in addition to Thomas’ sword and shield.

The women collected their weapons and armor, and the men were marched off to the lockup, but Morell, Thomas and a couple women. The remainder of the women dressed as guards and stood outside the entrance as if they were the guards.

Soon they saw a wagon surrounded by Kurt’s men and several other men from the camp. On the wagon were Donald, Jacquelyn, Johnny, Jorge, and Anna, who looked scared out of her mind. They drove as close as possible to the cave and Kurt called up to the guards.

“This dwarf says he is delivering supplies. What should we do with him?”

One of the women turned and did her best to march back into the cave. She met Thomas just out of sight, and the discussed what to do. As they hesitated, Kurt declared that he was going to talk to Fen himself. He placed his men with their backs to the cave guarding the wagon.

Inside Kurt, Thomas, and Myrna worked up a quick plan.

Kurt waited for a couple minutes, then strode out of the cave telling the women standing guard outside that they were wanted inside. He then stationed his men as guards at the cave entrance, and walked down to the wagon.

“You! dwarf, and family.” he barked. “You are going to carry the supplies up to Fen yourselves. Now hop to it.”

They all filled their arms with food and blankets and marched toward the cave. As they passed Fen he took the warmers carried by Donald, Johnny, and Jorge declaring that they wouldn’t need them.

Inside the cave they were hugely relived to find Thomas and Trish who quickly told them what was happening. The family members made several trips to the wagon before all the supplies where collected.

Anna was the last of them to head back to the cave, and Kurt followed her giving her a smart slap on the butt. His men hanging around cheered and laughed, but Kurt’s men did their best to look serious.

Kurt caught several of his men ogling the girl and barked out, “Eyes front!” he then followed that with, “No more visitors until I return.”
The men snapped to attention facing the valley.

Once in the main cavern Kurt put his arm around Anna’s shoulders, and tried to calm the terrified looked from her eyes, telling her that he was with them, and everything would be fine. Hugs were exchanged all around as Thomas and Trish were able to properly greet the family. Kurt returned their weapons, and they all sat down to catch up and plan.
Donald had waited as long as he could. He almost charged the guard at the mouth of the canyon when the sun rose without any sign. Jacquelyn was able to restrain him for most of the day, but as the evening came on, they all decided to take a cautious approach, and declare themselves as supplies porters.

Donald had made as much noise and interruption as he could, and had drawn the attention of much of the camp as they moved up the valley. Jacquelyn played the scared wife, Johnny and Jorge were stiff as boards, and Anna was terrified, but kept a stern face as she sat between the boys.

Kurt told them that his men were only as loyal as their pay, and were not likely to help them knowingly. The men that were searching the canyon would be returning before long, and then they would have above forty men wandering around asking questions. They were not brave men for the most part, but they vastly outnumbered the defense force inside the cave.

“What we need” said Kurt, “is to stir up an insurrection in the camp, and let the men fight among themselves.”

As they talked a voice called from the entrance of the cave. “Sir, the women are gone.” It paused for a moment, and then called again, “Sir?!”.

Kurt ran back to the entrance.

“Sir.” said one of the men again, “They women are not in the big house.”

Kurt roared, “WHAT?!”

He then ordered his men to stand where they were, and went with those that had reported the disappearance. He stormed into the big house and stood amazed at the empty room. He then turned, and began calling all the men that were lounging about to begin searching the camp. He jumped on one of the horses rode up the canyon.

Back at the cave Kurt’s men watched as the rest of the camp was turned upside down. Every tent and shack was searched, and every crate opened. Several of the men also ran down valley to confer with the guards at the bottom of the valley.

Before long the camp was found to be empty, and the men began to gather at the mouth of the cave calling for a search of the caves. Kurt’s men held firm, and would not let anyone enter, so they just milled around anxious for word from Fen.

The mood outside the cave was very suspicious and rumors of all kinds began to flow through the men. Before long they began to talk about forcing their way into the cave to take back ‘their women’ as they started calling them.

When no word came from inside the cave, the men started to demand passage. Still Fen’s men held to their orders thinking that Fen or Kurt would appear at any moment to take charge. Finally one of the loudest men tried to push his way past the guards who were not sure what to do. As he passed the guards and began to march into the cave, he was struck by a crossbow bolt, and fell dead.

The entire camp fell silent for a moment, then the entire mass of men charge up the slope at the guards. The men stepped back to the cave mouth to receive the charge, and there they were joined from behind by unknown reinforcements shouting encouragement, and shooting crossbows at the charging throng.

The fight was very one-sided, but Thomas and Trish, covered in blankets for disguise healed each of the guards as they were wounded. The throng soon realized that something was up, fell back to the wagon where they exchanged arrows with the cave. The guards fell back inside the cave for cover, and soon learned that it was the women that were holding the cave.

“You are all now traitors as far as those men out there are concerned.” hissed Myrna as the guards stared in terror at the armed women. “So you either fight with us for you lives, or you die where you stand, and we fight alone.”

The men all agreed to defend the cave in exchange for their lives, and they were given crossbows to hold the rebels off. They counted about fifteen men outside the cave; only a few had crossbows, but most of them had spears, and they all had swords. With the addition of Kurt’s six men, the defenders of the cave felt pretty secure for the moment, but they knew at any moment forty other men could turn the tide.

They all watched and waited from the shadows of the cave when suddenly group of men attacked the men by the wagon, led in front by Kurt. The battle continued for several minutes, and both sides fell quickly.

The onlookers from the cave watched in amazement as Kurt subdued and captured the men that had been assaulting the cave. Those that were not killed where stripped of their weapons, blindfolded, and tied in a group by the wagon. Kurt ordered half of the men that still stood with him to guard the prisoners, and the other half to help the wounded men.

“Save as many as you can.” he ordered as he ran toward the cave.

Arriving at the cave he commended his men, and the women that were with them and ordered them to help the wounded men as best they could. Accompanied by Thomas and Trish they all ran to help. Soon they were tearing blankets, and binding the minor wounds while Thomas and Trish, now unmasked in all their glory, healed those that could be saved.

When the excitement settled down, the men began to question what was happening, and ask where Fen was. Before any further incident could escalate, Thomas and Kurt stood up on the wagon and called for the attention of the men. In addition to Kurt’s six original men, there were about ten of the men that Kurt had led from up the canyon and five that had attacked the cave that were uninjured. There were about fifteen that had been killed, and the rest lay in various states of injury.

Kurt’s voice rang out calling the men’s attention. “Fen is dead, and the king has turned this camp over to this man.”

The camp murmured with confusion, but Thomas quickly spoke up. “As this man said, Fen is dead. This camp is hereby disbanded, and you all have the choice of collecting your pay and leaving in peace, or staying to help build up a proper village where you will live in peace.”

Thomas then turned to Morell and asked if he knew where Fen kept the men’s wages. He responded that he did, and was sent to fetch it with two women to assist.

He then turned back to the men and called their attention by drawing his sword and holding it above his head. The light clearly visible even the full night of day.

“This valley is hereby claimed by the light as a sanctuary from the evil and hurt of the world. Those who stay will be expected to work hard, learn a trade, and refrain from all mischiefs. I welcome you you wholehearted. Those who wish to leave, this man will give you your wages right here and right now, and you may leave immediately.”

The crowd of men murmured and conferred with each other, each man deciding his own future. Several of the men declared their wish to stay, and the rest were paid and dismissed. Kurt asked his men to stay for a couple days to provide some security and order, but they would also then be free to chose as they would.

Kurt, Thomas, Trish, Myrna, and three other guards traveled down to the mouth of the valley to declare the same to those guarding there. As the men pondered, they returned to the main camp where stragglers who had been searching the valley were returning and learning of the news. They were offered the same options, and Fen and Thomas spent the rest of the day doling out wages, and settling disputes as the bulk of the men began to disperse. Several of the men set out that evening, but most decided to wait until morning.

That night Marge cooked her first meal as a free woman. She was heard to sing as she worked, and the women that were assisting her sang along. The beds and mattresses from the big house were brought up into the cave, and some of the storerooms were cleared out to give space for the women and children.

It was after midnight when Thomas and Kurt returned. They sat with Donald’s family and talked, and planned, and Marge made them a late meal which the insisted she share with them. Kurt declared that he wanted to stay help, as did Marge, Donald, Jacquelyn, and the boys. Anna was just going to do whatever Johnny wanted to do.

First think in the morning, Donald and Jorge went to retrieve the camp they had left outside the valley, and the bring the horses in. The men dismantled all the tents, and left in groups, setting off for various destinations. There turned out to be about twenty men that chose to stay, but that number slipped to fifteen when several men were found to be plotting to snatch the wage box, and kidnap some of the women as they left. Those men were unceremoniously escorted from the valley, and warned against returning.

By noon those who were leaving had left the valley had left, or been thrown out. As they oversaw the exodus, Thomas and Kurt began to discuss the future of the valley. Kurt explained that King Kam had actually commissioned Fen, his son-in-law, Sila’s husband, to create this camp to plunder the outlying farms of Kith, and especially their women and children. The women and children were sometimes kept at the camp for the ‘moral’ of the men, and the rest were sent off to Kam to be sold as wives, servants, or other unfortunate reasons.

They both expected the King to send an army out to retake the valley, but more immediately they were concerned that the men might band together and try to retake it themselves. Many of the men did not seem happy to be out of work, and others eyed Thomas and Kurt mischievously as they left. So they immediately began to organize quick defensive positions at the mouth of the canyon. When Donald and Jorge returned, they assisted as well.

As they piled rocks and stocked the fortifications with crossbows and bolts, they learned that Donald had been a stone mason ‘in a previous life’ as he called it. He showed them where they could quarry stone, and where they build a wall to seal off the canyon. The mouth of the canyon was already partially blocked by a rock slide, and the remaining opening was only about thirty feet across. Just outside the rockslide was a ledge about, two hundred feet wide, which ended in a drop of about twenty feet. The road followed the ledge to the left until it reached a ridge that allowed the it to descend to the valley floor. Donald was excited about the fortifications that they could build there, but for now they concentrated on simple rock piles to shield them from arrows.