1

It had been a month already. The time had past so quickly that Brie was surprised one night when Auldric had mentioned it to her.

Really? A month? She was a little bit surprised. It had felt like mere moments since he had saved her. She would have died back there a month ago. If not that afternoon, then sometime soon after when they abused her again. She knew this for certain. It was tattooed on her soul and in her mind. Auldric had saved her life and she owed him everything.

Basically, she had followed him around like a lost puppy dog for the last month, but he had grown very protective of her. She was appreciative for it. In a strange way they were on the run. Not that they had encountered anyone related to the attackers that day, but for all the knew they could be close behind.

What she did not know was someone had been following them. But it was not someone they would have expected.

They had been travelling south at a stead pace. The weather was getting warmer and warmer, and not just because it was getting closer to summertime. The trees and plants around them were starting to change. The terrain was becoming more tropical.

They would stay in various taverns and inns at every major town they came across. Auldric would normally preform for a few nights at these places. Frequently for some ale and a room for the two of them.

They were in one of these small towns, she thought it might have been called Cromlee or something like that when she realized something. She had been feeling sick lately, especially in the mornings, but it was at that tavern in Cromlee when she had to run out back and vomit.

That when she realized the cold hard truth. She was pregnant.

Whether it was that man Auldric had killed or during one of the previous times she had been raped, she did not know. She did not know who the father was, but it was not Auldric. Auldric and her had sex, but not long enough ago for her to be pregnant and showing signs already. She was aware that being pregnant came with certain urges some for certain foods, but Brie was having sexual urges as well. She had become very attached to Auldric and he seem to feel the same, so once she starting to have these urges, everything just happened naturally.

She was afraid to tell him. Afraid of what he might think. Afraid that he might leave her. That was her biggest fear. That her savior and protector would be repulsed by her and decide to leave. So, she tried to be loving, caring and affectionate. She did not know what else to do. Then at night when the urges came, she was a seductress. Damn the Gods why did Auldric have to be so handsome!

Auldric had bought her some new clothes and a pack to carry her new things in. He did not have much money, but what he did have he spent on what they needed. Sometimes he could make decent money and they would sleep in a room in an inn. Sometimes they had to sleep in a barn. But he always made sure they had food and clothing on their backs.

As they got closer to SeaSide the coin got better and so did their comforts. She dreaded what she was going to have to tell him. She could not hide it forever. She did not know how far along she was, but it was probably two or maybe three months based on her last menses.

Finally, one night when they were both drunk at the bar after he had a very good crowd and made plenty for a good room, She told him what she believed to be true. She was pregnant and one of the rapists who had abused her back at that house was the father.

He was quiet. He did not say much accept to ask her how she could be sure. She explained her symptoms. He accepted it and got completely drunk. But he did not get angry. He did not leave her. She was a little surprised. She thought at the very least they would have a fight about it. That maybe he would hit her or call her a whore, but he did not. He took the news like a gentleman.

The next day he took her out to find a druid. They found one in town. She was able to divine that Brie was right, she was in fact pregnant. That was the easy part. The hard part was when the druid asked her if she wanted to keep it or not.

“What do you think?” Brie asked Auldric. She was fearful of his reaction. If he told her to get rid of it right then and there, then she would have.

“This is not my decision,” he told her and stepped out of the old woman’s home to light up his pipe.

“He has a point,” the old druid had said to her.

Somehow this made the situation worse. Having to make the decision alone was scary. But the druid was right, it was not his child, so it was not his place to say one way or the other.

Ultimately, she decided to keep it.

She went outside and told him what she wanted to do.

He nodded. It was settled. They gathered their meager belongings and headed further south, ever closer to the city of SeaSide.

2

Auldric was sullen for a few days after finding out that Brie was pregnant. It was a tough pill to swallow, but in the end, they did not know each other very long. He wanted to tell her to get rid of it, but it was not his place. He could not do it. She had to decide.

She was not his wife. She was just an unfortunate woman that he had manage to save from a cruel fate. He had killed a nobleman and now that were on the move trying to keep ahead of whatever trouble might be following them.

The thing was he really liked her. Brie was a good companion. She could have a decent conversation with him. They drank together and made love at night. He had really grown fond of her. The news she had to give him was devastating and not welcome, but he got over it. For her sake and the sake of his own sanity, he had to.

He needed something good in his life or there was a darkness that he would eventually give in to and it would obliterate his souls when he finally did. Brie had been a light warding off the darkness. He was not willing to let her go, even if she was pregnant and the child belong to some criminal.

So, after a few days of being sullen and depressed about it, he got over it. He found that Brie really needed him. She needed his strength. He wondered if she had her own darkness that she may give into if he was not there for her? Maybe they needed each other more then either of them would ever admit. Each holding a lantern in the darkness to guide the other. That was their relationship in a nutshell.

They had found a town called Drale just a few days north of SeaSide. They sat at a table holding hands and talking about SeaSide in a tavern near the imperial road south. That was when the man walked in.

The man in question wore a heavy black cloak with the hood pulled up even though it had been a warm day. It was midafternoon and the tavern only had a scattering of fellow patrons. He had a scabbard with a sword strapped to his waist. Auldric took him for a warrior right away. But there was something else about him that he could not quite figure out.

The man took a good look around before taking a seat at the bar and ordering a drink.

Auldric got worried. He asked Brie in a hushed tone if she recognized the man. Was he someone come looking for them? She shook her head. It was hard to tell in that cloak, but her gut told her that it was not anyone she had seen before.

Auldric still felt uneasy. He did not like the suspicious look that man had given them. He locked eyes with the man briefly before looking away. This was not someone he could fight. The man looked bigger and stronger. He was probably a better fighter too. Auldric started to wonder how quickly they could escape if they had too.

3

Lucius Maro took a seat at the bar. He ordered a beer. He sat with his back to the rest of the room, but he was not worried. There were few people there and he was well armed and armored. There was no one here that threatened him.

He had spent the last month heading south and scouting out the local areas. He had been looking for someone. Now he was reasonable sure, he had just found the person in question.

He said to the barkeep. “What is that couple drinking over at the table?”

“Local red wine,” the old barkeep told him.

Lucius set a gold coin on the bar. “Send two more glasses over to their table.”

The barkeep took the money, nodded and did as was instructed.

Lucius watched them through a mirror behind the bar. They looked alarmed when the barkeep gave them the drinks. Lucius smiled to himself. He was curious what kind of man was sitting at that table. He wanted to gage their reaction.

Before they could do anything, Lucius got up and walked over to their table. “Do you mind if I join you?” He asked, but it was not a question.

“Ah…” Auldric was lost for words. He looked panicked. His mace lay next to his pack on the floor next to him.

Lucius pulled up a chair and sat down. “I’m looking for someone and I was wondering if you might be able to help me.”

“Sorry,” Brie said. “We aren’t from here.”

“That’s alright,” Lucius said smoothly. “The person I’m looking for isn’t from here either.”

“Who are you exactly?” Brie questioned him.

“I’m sorry where are my manners! I’m Lucius. You are Auldric Hearthstone, am I right?” Lucius enquired.

“How do you know that?” Auldric replied flatly.

“You’re a travelling bard, and quite good I might add,” Lucius said to him. “Your reputation proceeds you. A good musician is always well known.”

Brie gave him an icy stare. “Cut the bullshit.” She stated. She could not hide the anger and fear in her voice. “Who are you really and why are you here?”

Auldric looked surprised at her resolve.

“It seems a month ago there was a nobleman name Flavius who was killed in a clearing near the Verant River,” Lucius told them. “I investigated the scene and talked to a witness. Seems the weapon was a mace. Very similar to the one sitting next you right now Auldric.”

“I don’t know any nobleman…” Auldric tried to say.

“Brie here does,” Lucius said to him. “Isn’t that right Brie? You could not hide you reaction when I said his name. Not to mention the witness gave a good description of you.”

“Look if you’re a bounty hunter…” Auldric tried to say, but again he was cut off.

“A bounty hunter? Yes, I suppose that might be a good description,” Lucius said, rolling the word around in his head. From his cloak he produced a pouch which he dropped in the middle of the table. I landed with a sound of coins clinking together. “This is the bounty to be paid out to whomever killed that man Flavius.”

“Wait, what?” Auldric said confused.

“How much?” Brie questioned with out missing a beat. Auldric stared at her wondering how she could be so unfazed.

“I can see why you are with her,” Lucius said to Auldric. He smiled broadly. “This one is sharp!”

“What’s going on here?” Auldric demanded.

Lucius opened the pouch and spilled out a hundred gold coins. Newly minted with the image of the new Emperor upon them.

“By the Gods!” Brie whispered breathlessly.

“The man you killed had a bounty on his head,” Lucius explained. “This is the payment for killing him. Understand now?”

“This can’t be true,” Auldric said shaking his head.

“Oh, I assure you it is,” Lucius told him. “The only question is, does this money belong to you?”

“It does,” Brie said quickly.

“Brie, no,” Auldric said to her.

“There’s more isn’t there?” Brie questioned him. “Stop playing games and tell us straight.”

“Fine! Spoil the fun,” Lucius said with a chuckle. He produced a seal of the Emperor. “This stays between us, understand? If you must know, my name is Sir Lucius Maro. I’m a knight of the Order of the Red Dragon. And I work for the Emperor.”

“I know of the Red Dragon Army, but I’ve never heard of the Order of the Red Dragon before,” Auldric questioned.

“I’m not surprised,” Lucius replied. “Everyone should know that the Red Dragon Army was disbanded by the Emperor over six months ago. The Order of the Red Dragon is the newly form replacement. They did not want to call it an army because… its not. You need to think of it more as a spy network.”

“Loyal to the Emperor, Xander?” Auldric questioned.

“And only the Emperor,” Lucius confirmed. Then he said. “You have a familiar face. Have I seen you before?”

Auldric shook his head. “I can’t imagine where.”

“Were you ever in the army?” Lucius asked.

“Yes, I was,” Auldric replied. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I was in the sixteenth legion.”

“Which cohort?” Lucius questioned.

“The fifth.”

“Ah, that’s why you look familiar,” Lucius said sitting back in his chair. “I was the commander of the first cohort. I did not command you directly, but I probably saw your face on the battlefield. The Battle of the Old War Line was a complete mess.”

“We drove them from the field, but at great cost,” Auldric agreed. His expression was one of pain.

Auldric had a far away look in his eyes. Lucius could tell that he was remembering that day and they were not pleasant memories. This was also a man who a month ago killed a much bigger man with apparent ease. Completely crushing his skull with a mace. Lucius surmised that the mace was familiar to him, because that’s what he used in battle during the war.

“Auldric,” Lucius asked him. “Do you consider yourself an honourable man?”

“Yes, he is,” Brie answered for him. She was very insistent.

“Can I trust the two of you?” He asked the pair. He was pretty sure he could, but it never hurt to ask anyway.

They nodded.

“Alright, what I’m about to tell you is a closely guarded secret,” Lucius leaned in close and lowered his voice to avoid being overheard. The place was sparsely populated with drinker, but rumours could spread quick. “I have a list right here in my cloak. A list of men who are wanted for crimes against the Empire. The man you killed was on that list as are many others. The bounty is one hundred gold for each one of them.” Lucius pushed the pile of coins towards them. “This is your payment, take it.”

Auldric was unsure.

Brie was not. She grabbed the coins and started putting them back into the pouch.

“Now I know that some of these men are hiding in SeaSide and I’m fairly certain that you are headed there,” Lucius continued as Brie piled the money into the pouch taking the time to count them as she did. “I’m willing to give you a list of ten names and I will pay you the same amount you have here for each name struck off the list.”

Auldric looked shocked.

“Are you serious?” Brie questioned. She stopped what she was doing.

“No,” Auldric replied flat out. Lucius knew it was a knee jerk reaction. He was probably torn right now between wanting the money and not wanting to relive the horrors of war. Memories of the past were surfacing and they were spooking him.

“But Auldric…” Brie started to say.

He shook his head. “Brie, I’m not a bounty hunter. I’m a bard. As it is I had to do thing in the war that still haunt me.”

“And the man Flavius?” Lucius questioned. “What happened there?”

“He saved my life,” Brie said to Lucius, but she was staring at Auldric willing him to look her in the eye.

“Auldric you killed someone who was evil. I think we can all agree to that,” Lucius explained. “The men on this list… They are murderers, rapist and traitors to the Empire. These aren’t fellow soldiers across a battlefield. These are people who need to be eliminated for the betterment of the Empire. Going through the court system isn’t going to cut it. Look lets face it, the Empire is broken and it’s not going to heal until this rot is cut out.”

Auldric let out a heavy sigh. “Look I appreciate what you are saying, I really do. And we are grateful for the coin. But the truth is, I got lucky. I was a maceman in the war. I’m not a hardened warrior. There are many people around here better suit for the job then I.”

“That’s most unfortunate,” Lucius replied. “I was really hoping you could help me. I have a lot more names and I felt if it could be divided up, we could bring this to a swift conclusion.”

Brie was giving Auldric a serious look. He could tell that she had something to say about this matter, but she might not say it while Lucius was present.

Lucius stood up. “I want to thank you personally for taking care of someone on my list. Please enjoy the drinks and the coin. If you change your mind. You can find me at a tavern in SeaSide called the Fishermen’s Warf. I will be waiting with the list. I really do hope you change your mind. I have access to enough coin to retire to a farm or buy a shop. Don’t spend your life running from people like Flavius, make them spend their lives running from you. Good day to you both.”

And with that said. Lucius left the tavern. He knew if he gave him a little bit of time to really think about it, then Auldric would come to him.

4

“It wasn’t luck.”

“What?”

“It wasn’t luck,” she repeated.

“What are you talking about?”

“When you killed that man,” Brie said to him in a low voice. “It wasn’t luck. It was patience and opportunity.”

“He was nearly twice my size. I couldn’t just walk up to him…”

“Exactly,” Brie replied. “You waited, even though it cost me. You waited for the opportunity and then you took advantage of it. That’s how you got him. It wasn’t luck. You have the skills…”

“Brie, I already have nightmares,” Auldric told her. “What I said to Lucius. That was true. I’m damaged, those experiences changed me.”

“I’m damaged too, but I don’t have nightmares about that man,” Brie said. “I’m glad he’s dead. I’m glad you killed him. Do you have nightmares about him?”

Auldric shook his head. He said, “No, he deserved it.”

“He did,” Brie said. “He was on that list. That’s who is on the list. People who deserve it.”

“That’s one man’s opinion,” Auldric replied. He was still concerned that he did not have it in him to do the job.

“Ten names, that’s a thousand gold,” Brie said. She held the pouch tight feeling the coins move around inside. “I’ve never seen that much money before.”

“Nor have I,” Auldric admitted.

“He’s right, this coin is life changing. You could buy a shop in Palantine and sell musical instruments that your family makes,” Brie said to him. She was dreaming now about a future they could have. “We could live upstairs for the shop and I would keep the house for you and raise the child… We could have our own children, together. We could be happy and leave all this misery behind us.”

“I know,” he said.

“You know I’m always scared, right?” She used a low quiet voice when she spoke. “Scared that you’ll leave me.”

“What?” He was surprised. “Why would you think that?”

“Because… of my condition,” she confessed. “Because of my past, because I’m broken.”

“Brie, I would not leave you. I need you. I love you,” Auldric confessed to her. It was the first time he had ever said it out loud.

“By the Gods,” Brie responded. She reached over and grabbed the back of his head and leaned in for a deep kiss. “I love you too.”

“Let’s make it to SeaSide and see how much money there is to be had for a bard,” Auldric told her. “Like Lucius said, we know where to find him. I just need some time to think about it.”

Brie nodded. “Alright,” she whispered. “Everything is going to work out alright. I can feel it.”

THE END

TO BE CONTUNED IN…

THE VERANT CHRONICLES BOOK TWO

BEGINNING PUBLICATION IN SEPTEMBER 2022