Ulf pushed the last wagon into place and looked at the makeshift wall. Wagons and carts formed a horseshoe across the East road and connected to the buildings on either side. Their rear was guarded by more wagons blocking the street. It was a sad-looking defense, but he figured it was better than nothing. Aedon was in the middle of the horseshoe arguing with Jonas. For a man that claimed not to want the job he had, Jonas wasn’t taking losing it well.

Jonas wasn’t the only one upset, though. Ulf looked at the men hunkered beneath layers of blankets spread out within the wall. He heard plenty of grumbling coming from them. He understood. Even so late in the winter, it was damn cold. At least the men that remained awake could move around to stave off the chill air. Of course, they grumbled about that too. In truth, no one was happy.

The sun was still a long way from rising, and he eagerly awaited its rejuvenating presence. The meeting had not gone well, and it took Reka nearly killing everyone to bring it to a close. Had it gone on inside, he probably would have. The massive column of flame that appeared during the worst of the arguing ended the meeting in a hurry. Aedon was now screaming at Jonas and Ulf decided it was time to come to his aid.

He walked over and put his large hand on Jonas’ shoulder.

“What seems to be the problem?” He asked.

Jonas was small and frail-looking. His hair was short and gray, and his face was clean-shaven except for a wispy beard on the very tip of his chin. He stood hunched, waving a finger in Aedon’s face.

“The Lieutenant wants to let that scamp outta the jail!” Jonas said.

Ulf did not like the snide emphasis on Aedon’s title. He increased the pressure on Jonas’ shoulder.

“Last I checked it’s your job to obey, not argue.” He said.

Jonas lowered his shoulder under the pressure of his grip. Aedon put his hand on top of Ulf’s.

“Thanks, Ulf, but I’m handling this.” He said.

“I can see that,” Ulf said. “Just thought I’d lend a hand.”

He gripped harder, and Jonas groaned.

“Ok, Ok,” Jonas whined. “I’ll go get ‘em.”

Ulf watched Jonas leave. When he was out of earshot, he turned back to Aedon.

“Why do ya want to let ‘em out anyway?” He asked.

Aedon sighed. “We need all the help we can get.”

“Ya think he’s gonna help?” Ulf asked.

“Not really,” Aedon said, “but I can’t just let him sit in jail. If we fall, he’d be defenseless. I can’t allow that. Not even for him.”

“You’re a good man,” Ulf said.

“I wish everyone had that opinion,” Aedon said.

“Yeah,” Ulf continued, “a good man. A stupid man, but a good one.”

Ulf understood. On the other hand, if anyone had ever earned his fate, it was Toad. The man would probably run as soon as he was freed, but people like that had a way of getting their due.

“You need some sleep,” Ulf said.

Aedon rubbed his eyes. “I don’t have time to sleep. There’s too much to do.”

Ulf looked around. “Like what? You’ve got the men in their groups. Half of ‘em are sleeping, and the other half are on watch. You need to trust ‘em to do what needs doin’.”

“It isn’t them that I don’t trust,” Aedon said.

“Who then?” Ulf asked.

Aedon spotted a barrel and sat down. He looked worn. “It’s me. I’ve dedicated what limited resources we have to defend this spot. What if I’m wrong? What if Alec comes from a different direction?”

“You forget what Jonathon told Reka,” Ulf said. “He believes he has men that can’t be killed. He doesn’t plan.”

“I just noticed something,” Aedon said.

“What’s that?”

“You’re not talking like an idiot anymore,” Aedon said.

“Ah, thanks…,” Ulf said. “It’s a bad habit I get into. My second wife tried to train the barbarian out of me. It comes back sometimes.”

“It makes a good disguise,” Aedon said. “No one would ever suspect you know what you’re talking about.”

“Speaking of that,” Ulf said, “There’s something else you’re not thinking about.”

“What,” Aedon asked.

“Alec ain't just planning to take over some town, or get revenge. He’s coming home. You got us set up right where we need to be.”

Aedon smiled. “See, I would never have expected that kind wisdom from you.”

“Glad to help, now get some sleep. I’ll stay up.” Ulf said.

Ulf sat on the barrel as soon as Aedon got up. Now he really couldn’t wait for the sun to come up. He saw Alexis walking toward him and regretted sitting down.

“What do you want?” He asked.

“I thought we could talk.” She said.

He stood up. “I don’t think we have anything to talk about.”

“Ulf,” she said, “I want to talk about this.”

“No, all you want to do is tell me why it won’t work.” He said. “You’re not interested in hearing my side.”

She held out a hand to him. “Please, Ulf, don’t be like that.”

He stood. “I have work to do.”

He walked to the wall and climbed into a wagon. He wasn’t part of the watch rotation, but he needed to be away from Alexis. He did want to talk to her, but she wasn’t interested in listening. He saw Reka and called him over.

The mage sauntered along the wall. He casually berated any man he thought was slacking off. Ulf still didn’t like the man.

“What can I do for you, Ulf?” Reka said.

“I was just wondering if you had any idea what to expect,” Ulf said.

“It is best not to think about it,” Reka said. “The key here is not to expect anything.”

“That don’t make any sense,” Ulf said. “If we don’t expect anything, how are we supposed to react?”

Reka took the red stone out of his pouch. He looked at it for a while. “If you expect a thing to happen and it does, then you can react quickly. If what you expect does not happen, you have to rethink your whole plan. With no expectations, there is no wasted time forming new plans, you just react.”

“Makes sense,” Ulf said. “It makes the wait worse, though.”

“If I know Alec, we won’t have to wait long,” Reka said. He put his stone away and walked off.

Ulf leaned on the edge of the wagon and set himself to wait. The first light of morning swept across the sky. The dark clouds from the day before were gone, and the bright blue-gray sky promised a beautiful day.

Ulf heard a noise in the distance and squinted to see in the dim light. A large group of men marched in a straight line along the road. The night had masked their advance, and they were nearly upon them. It looked like the wait was over.

“Wake!” Ulf shouted. “They’re on the road! Wake!”

Ulf heard his warning repeated down the line. He jumped from the wagon and ran to find Aedon. It didn’t take long.

Aedon strapped his sword to his waist as he walked to the center of the camp. Sean and Reka flanked him, and Alexis walked behind.

“Everyone to the wall!” Aedon shouted.

The camp swarmed with activity. Ulf was a little surprised no one was trampled. In much less time than he would have thought, the wall was manned.

“Archers front!” Aedon shouted. “Loaders ready!”

Ulf watched with respect as the farmers smoothly moved into position. The archers quickly strung their bows and moved to the wall. The loaders pulled arrows from barrels and held them ready.

“Nock!” Aedon shouted.

The air filled with the sound of arrows slapping against bows. Aedon reached Ulf, and he fell into step with the group. They reached the center wagon and climbed up.

Ulf looked out at the road and was surprised to see how close the enemy managed to get in the short time it took for Aedon to get into position. Alec was visible, leading the group of soldiers.

“This looks bad,” Ulf said.

Aedon didn’t respond. He held up a hand. “Archers! On my signal!”

Alec stopped his advance. “What’s he doing,” Ulf asked.

Aedon looked worried. “I don’t know.”

Alec waved a white flag and moved forward.

“Archers rest!” Aedon commanded.

“Is he surrendering?” Sean asked.

“No,” Reka said. “Jonathon claims he is motivated by revenge. I think he knows what he is doing and surrender isn’t it.”

Alec came to within bowshot and stopped. “Aedon!” He shouted. “You know why I’m here! You know you can’t win! Face me, and I promise no one else will die today!”

“Just shoot him,” Ulf said.

“Yes,” Reka agreed. “Shoot him.”

“Absolutely not!” Sean yelled. “You can’t just shoot him, he’s here under truce.”

“Maybe I should go out there,” Aedon said.

“Don’t be stupid,” Ulf and Reka said at the same time.

“If it saves these people, I don’t think it’s stupid,” Aedon said.

“Can you beat him?” Alexis asked.

“Probably not,” Aedon replied. “But better only one of us die if I can manage it.”

“You’re not going out there,” Sean said.

“Alexis,” Ulf said. “Do you remember the meeting with the order?”

“Yes,” Alexis said. “Why?”

“You said you didn’t have to touch Gregory to kill him,” Ulf said.

“Yes?” Alexis said.

Ulf grabbed her shoulders. “Does that work both ways?”

“What do you mean?” Alexis asked.

“Do you have to touch someone to heal them, like you did me?”

“I told you, I didn’t heal you,” Alexis said.

“No time for that argument,” Ulf said. “Do you have to touch me to do it?”

“No,” Alexis said. She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

“I’ll go,” he said to Aedon.

“What?” Alexis demanded. “That’s absurd!”

“You can’t beat him,” Aedon said. “He’s a first-rate swordsman.”

“I don’t have to beat him,” Ulf said. “I just have to not die.”

“That doesn’t make any sense, Ulf,” Alexis said.

“Dammit, woman!” Ulf shouted. “You haven’t listened to me in days. It’s time to start!”

“I’m not going to watch you die because you’re stubborn,” Alexis said.

“I’m running out of patience!” Alec called. “Face me like a man, and your people will live!”

“There’s no more time,” Ulf said. “When I fall, just do whatever it is you do. I’ll do the rest.”

“You don’t want to do this!” Alexis pleaded.

“Stop telling me what I don’t want to do!” Ulf shouted.

He leaned into her and kissed her hard. He held the kiss for a long time. Her lips felt dry. For several heartbeats, she stood still, and then she leaned into the kiss. Her lips parted a little, and a soft moan escaped. He stopped holding back and pulled her into a tight embrace. She threw her arms around him, and the kiss grew more heated.

“Ahem,” Aedon coughed.

Ulf broke the embrace. “Don’t you let me die,” he said.

“Never,” She whispered.

Ulf didn’t wait for more discussion. He grabbed his club and lunged over the wall of the wagon. The drop was farther than he was expecting, and he hit the ground hard.

He bent his knees and tried roll with the impact. His ankle twisted as he got back to his feet. Great, he thought. He limped his way to face Alec.

“What is the meaning of this?” Alec asked.

Ulf grinned. “Aedon regrets to inform you that you are not important enough for him to face.”

“You came out here to mock me?” Alec asked.

“Not at all,” Ulf said. “I came to kill you.”

“Very amusing,” Alec said. “Go and tell that spineless coward that I am done waiting.”

“You don’t remember me?” Ulf asked.

Alec cocked his head. “Should I?”

“We met in a bar a few months ago,” Ulf said. “You killed a friend of mine.”

Alec looked hard at him. “I remember now. I thought I killed you too.”

“I ain't that easy to kill,” Ulf said. “Wanna give it another try?”

“Absolutely,” Alec said, “I’ve never had the pleasure of killing the same man twice.”

He drew his sword and lunged. Ulf tried to dodge to the side, but his ankle buckled. He turned the trip into a roll. He turned his head, and Alec was already swinging. He stuck out his club to block the strike. The sword cut cleanly through the soft wood of the table leg.

Alec backed off. “At least pretend you want to live.”

Ulf stood. His ankle hurt, and his club was now several inches shorter.

He faced Alec and swung hard. Alec ducked the blow and struck him in the side with the flat of his blade. Ulf fell again. Maybe this was a bad idea, after all.

Ulf stood again, and the two men circled each other. He put his back to the town and stopped.

“Well, this has been fun,” Alec said, “but I have other matters to tend to.”

Ulf raised his club to block Alec’s next swing. The blade stopped in mid-air, and he felt the blade slide into his gut as Alec changed the direction of his attack.

It was odd. Ulf didn’t feel any pain at first. Alec twisted the blade, and then he did feel the pain. He screamed. He heard an echoing scream from behind him.

His knees hit the ground. He didn’t remember falling. Alec slid the blade free, and he slumped forward. He watched the blood pour from his stomach. Ulf wanted to stand, but his legs wouldn’t obey. With a groan, he rolled onto his side.

Alec stepped over him. “No more time, Aedon!”

Ulf tried to keep his eyes open, but the effort was too much. His plan had failed. Alexis wasn’t going to be able to save him.

It turned out dying was comfortable. The chill of the morning was gone, and he felt warmth throughout his body. This was better than going to sleep. The flow of blood slowed, and his stomach no longer hurt. He didn’t understand why he had been so afraid of this.

The warmth increased. Before long, be was uncomfortably hot, and his eyes shot open. The blood hadn’t stopped because he was dying, it had quit because he wasn’t.

He raised his head a little and saw Alec standing between him and the town, his back exposed. With as much care as he could muster, he reached to his right boot.

Slowly, he pulled free the dagger he had hidden there. Alec was shouting at the town, but he couldn’t understand the words. As fast as he dared, he stood.

He took a quick step forward and grabbed Alec around the waist with his left arm. With his right, he plunged the dagger into the side of Alec’s throat. Alec let out a loud gasp. The blood filling his throat muffled the sound.

Ulf moved his left arm from Alec’s waist to his forehead. “I’ve been waiting a long time to give this back to you.”

He thrust the dagger forward and yanked back on his head. The blade sliced through the front of Alec’s throat, and his head folded back like the cover of a book.

Ulf dropped the dagger, and then all hell broke loose.