Chapter 2

Doron gave a last goodbye as he finished up his chat with one of the villages hunters. The young man, bright and full of energy, was a stark contrast to himself. Limping slightly on his bad knee, the grizzled old veteran continued his patrol around the village, checking for any sign of threats that had come near. He didn’t expect to find anything though. Especially since the Priestess had said that the so-called Guardian had been active this morning.

When he had first wandered to Road’s End, after his leg finally got him kicked out of the Kingdom’s army, he had been curious as to how such a small village managed to exist so close to the Deep Forest safely. The nebulous tales of the village’s god and its guardian beast had seemed like tall stories.

But it was true the village was relatively safe. With only a few beasts approaching every year, most weak enough for a small group of men to bring down safely. And though he didn’t know what rested in the sacred grove, he had felt it, sensed it. Even the first time he had been shown that small clearing he knew he would be happy to never make the journey again.

Doron sighed and continued with the patrol, though it was mostly redundant. The villagers had been happy to help build his house and offer pay for even this slight protection and he’d do what he was payed for. Besides, beasts weren’t the only threat even this far out, there was always a chance of a few bandits or thieves showing up as well.

As he was finishing a voice cut in from the village. “Doron!”

Doron turned to see the son of the Village Chief running towards him. The young man, named Roger, was a good lad. Big and athletic, the young man dreamed of becoming one of the Kingdom’s knights and had even asked Doron for training. Doron had taught him and a few of the other young men from the village enough to defend themselves. Though he was perfectly clear the Village Head would never approve of his son leaving.

As Roger reached him panting, Doron handed him his waterskin. “What’s got you running so hard lad.”

Roger choked down some water, still breathing heavily as he coughed. “A group of men. At least a dozen all armed and on horseback are riding towards the village. Cal spotted them on his way back just now. They’re wearing Kingdom colors, but Father wants you just in case.”

Doron frowned, “In case?” he thought as he took back his waterskin and followed the young man back towards the village. As far as he knew there weren't any bandit groups with that many resources. And even if it was bandits that had robbed a group of Kingdom soldiers, what could Doron do against such a large group?

As to why the village head was suspicious the answer was obvious. What would a group of Kingdom troops need way out here at the edge of nowhere? The village paid its taxes as required and even if it hadn’t it wouldn’t warrant such a large group. The village had less than 200 people none of which could put up any real fight.

Doron could guess from his time as a soldier himself that it was probably some sort of training exercise. Some officers would sometimes come up with crazy ideas hidden under the guise of innovation. Some fool probably thought of visiting all the villages in their territory in order to inspire them or something.

Still, better to humor the man who paid his wages. They soon arrived at the road into the village where Roan was already waiting for him.

“Doron! Good you’re here. Just wanted someone of your experience just in case there was a problem” Roan did his best to hide his anxiousness as he welcomed Doron.

“Understood sir, though I doubt there will be any trouble, probably just some young noble’s impulse.” Doron assured Roan.

“An officer?” Asked Roger, “Maybe he'd be interested in letting me join up.” The young man said excitedly.

Soon they could all see the group as they came around one of the large hills surrounding the village. The group was a dozen men, just as the hunter had said. Though what surprised Doron was just how well equipped these knights were. With full armor shining in the sun and well-bred looking mounts. The group was better equipped than any of the companies he'd been in.

The group slowed as they drew closer to the village. A stern looking man seemed to be leading them as they approached.

“Greetings Sirs, welcome to Road's End. I'm Roan the village chief, this is Roger my son, and Doron our village guard. What can we do for you?”

The stern looking man frowned as he looked down at them. He and some of his group started to get down from their horses. As he approached the village head he spoke. “Gather the entire village and bring me to whoever would know the most about the so-called god of this area.”

Roan sputtered “Well sir, I can take you to the temple no problem but most of the village is working and can't afford to…”

The stern looking man stepped forward and drove his fist into Roan’s stomach. The older man doubled over, coughing as the wind was knocked out of him. Roger cried out in anger as he rushed forward but one of the knights stepped up, drawing his sword and laying a slash across the young man. Roger fell in pain to the ground as the villagers behind them gasped.

“Put it away or the boy dies” the stern looking man said glaring at Doron.

Doron had drawn the moment the tussle had started but didn’t know what to do. Before he could act Roan and Roger had both been taken down. “Who are you?” He asked through gritted teeth.

“It's not necessary for you to know. Cooperate and no one will die. Resist and we will use force"

Doron was lost. No matter how hard he fought he couldn't take on more than a few, if even that. And there was no hope of running with his bad leg. He slowly sheathed his sword and one of the knights came and took it from him.

The stern looking man looked down at Roan who was panicking over his bleeding son. He turned back to the rest of his men. “Six of you spread out gather anyone you find, the rest with me.”

They saluted, “Yes Captain” and set out, yelling and gathering the villagers nearby.

The Captain forcefully lifted Roan of the ground pushing him forward. “Lead the way to the temple and maybe your son will live…”