022 - Journey to the East

The lead rider spotted Magnus laying in the centre of the road and raised his fist bringing the column to a halt. After a brief moment two horsemen dismounted and approached Magnus of foot.

"Ambush . . . what the devil is he thinking?" The older dismounted soldier muttered.

"Sarge, you think it might be rebels?" The second soldier fumbled with his belt, pulling out a polished arming sword and looked around at the bushes on either side of the road.

"Don't be a tosser all your life Oskar. On a milk run like this? Who is gonna want to ambush us for a bunch of bloody convicts? It's only rookie twats like you and Captain Valentin who'd come up with something so bloody absurd." The older soldier’s armour was far more worn than the troopers.

Magnus lay still. Every part of his body ached but he was awake, could clearly hear the conversation of the two soldier. He tried to move, roll out of the way, but his arms and legs simply would not respond.

"The Witching Road?" Oskar replied. "They might want to break 'em free, you know, cause we're taking them to . . ."

"Trooper Oskar?"

"Yes Sarge?"

"Shut it. That's an order. And put that damn sword away before you stab yourself."

The two approached Magnus, Trooper Oskar held his nose and prodded Magnus with his foot.

"He's dead, Sarge."

"I can see that."

"And he stinks, Sarge." Oskar wrinkled his nose.

"You'd best be getting used to the stench of corpses Oskar, if you want to be a soldier." Sarge replied. "Now, get his legs."

"He's all bandaged up, Sarge! Look at that! That black thing on his skin . . you think he had the plague? I don't want to touch no one with the plague!"

"Trooper!" Sarge snarled.

"Sir!" Trooper Oskar hurried and lifted Magnus' legs fast as he could.

The two men got hold of Magnus, half dragging him the side of the road. Magnus remained still, letting them carry him.

What do I do? They're taking men to be playthings of the Alchemists . . to be a part of hideous experiments . . a fire begun to burn in his belly, Magnus felt a rage rekindle, saw Festus' face appear before his eyes.

"Right heavy bugger, ain't he Sarge?"

They unceremoniously dumped Magnus in the dirt by the side of the road. Sarge waved over to the column of riders, one of the mounted men broke away and came over.

"Report, Sergeant Solberg!" A fresh faced youth in brightly polished armour called out from high on his horse.

"Captain Valentin, sir!" Solberg saluted, "he's dead, sir!"

"A dead body in the middle of the highway?" Captain Valentin frowned, "could it be a rebel plot, Sergeant?"

"I said that, uh, sir!" Trooper Oskar quickly saluted.

"Sir! He's a bit, well, too dead to be a rebel." Solberg replied.

"Could it be a ruse? A cunning ploy by the enemy to ambush us?" Captain Valentin looked from side to side of the the empty road.

Silence.

Magnus lay face up in the dirt. The fire in his belly grew to a blaze, grew to fill his arms and legs with renewed strength. He twisted his neck, opening his eyes a crack. The two soldiers were facing the other way, the officer urged his horse towards them, closer . . .

"What did he die of, Sergeant?" Captain Valentin urged his horse towards the side of the road.

Closer . . .

"Plague, sir." Trooper Oskar replied. "Uh,"

Sergeant Solberg sighed. "I don't know sir, and neither does this trooper."

Valentin leaned over, looking down at Magnus's face. "Not a rebel?"

"No, sir." Solberg saluted again. "Shall we get a move on, sir?"

Magnus waited, chose his moment with utmost care - just as the mounted officer turned to reply to the sergeant, just as none of the three men's eyes were turned his way.

His blood boiled, like magma through his arms and legs, Magnus pushed against the ground, leaping up and in a single swift movement threw himself at Captain Valentin.

With an animal howl, he tore Valentin from the saddle, holding him in a headlock.

"Bloody hell!" Sergeant Solberg drew his sword and rushed at Magnus from the side.

"Back!" Magnus yelled. "Back, or I'll squeeze the life out of him!"

"Sarge!" Trooper Oskar fumbled with his sword, dropping it.

Solberg stopped, his sword point aimed at Magnus, only a few paces from Valentin. Magnus held the captains arm up with his free hand, squeezing his wrist. The steel wrist guard deformed, its metal joints snapping, Valentin howled with pain, his face turning entirely white.

"Back!" Magnus commanded. "Back, or I swear to the stars, I'll crush your Captains neck!"

From down the road the column of riders came roaring up the road, the prisoners running behind. They formed a circle around him, some peering nervously up the hills and into the bushes by the side of the road.

“Let him go.” Sergeant Solberg demanded flatly.

“Run him through Sergeant, that's an order!” Captain Valentin found his breath, roaring out the comand best he could, Magnus clamped his hand down on the captain's wrist, making him scream once more.

Great. Magnus’ mouth was dry, his heart thumped wildly against his ribs. Perfect.

“Magnus?” One of the men chained up behind the riders called out in astonishment.