“Up Rorik.”
The knight looked up from his cot to his old instructor standing over him, smiling. Rorik rolled over to his feet his master moving before him.
“Morning sir.”
“Sir’s not needed anymore Rorik.”
Rorik nodded “Forgot.”
“Come, we’ve been called before the Duke today.”
“What an honor.” replied Rorik stretching his back.
“The feeling is mutual, but look its pay.”
“Of couse.” said Rorik crossing the room and putting on a coat.
“Might want to dress up a bit more than that…I’ll give you a moment.”
“Sure thing sir…I mean Edmund.”
“Better.” said Edmund as he left the room.
______________________________________________________________________________
Rorik smiled and bowed following Edmund’s lead.
In front of him sat a fat man in lavish shimmering clothing on a gilded throne. He stared off above and to the right of the knights as Edmund addressed him chewing on some item of food that had been there since the knights entered.
“Your grace it is an honor to serve…” began Edmund.
Rorik tuned out, having heard Edmund recite the speech hundreds of time, and knowing neither the Duke nor Edmund gave a damn about a word of it. Instead he studied the room around him as well as the excessive and extravagant dress of the guards. They looked better suited for a ball than a battle thought Rorik.
“Rorik too.”
The sound of his name brought Rorik’s focus back to the conversation. Edmund was looking back at him with an expectant look on his face.
“Of course.” said Rorik faking a smile turning to the Duke.
The Duke studied him for a moment and then nodded, apparently satisfied “To the bridge you go then…and knight, don’t come back until you have it figured out.” warned the Duke staring down at Edmund.
“Of course your grace.” replied Edmund bowing again.
Rorik bowed in turn.
“Now go, I have other matters to attend to.” said the Duke waving them off with his hand.
Edmund and Rorik bowed and spun around leaving the room. Once out of sight of the guards Edmund began his complaints.
“Fat bastard. We come to solve one of his problems and he acts like we’re doing him a favor.”
“What’d you volunteer us for?”
“You weren’t listening?” said Edmund shaking his head “I guess some things never change. There have been reports of villagers disappearing when crossing a bridge in the Western part of the province. We’re to ride there and figure out what’s going on.”
“And if it turns out it’s nothing?” asked Rorik stifling a yawn.
“Then we get good pay for a few days’ ride.”
“Works for me.” replied Rorik.
______________________________________________________________________________
“I forget how much I hated living in the village.” said Rorik as they passed by a group of villagers headed out to the fields.
“Then be happy I decided to take your sorry ass in.” replied Edmund.
Rorik grunted in approval.
“All these places seem the same. Muddy streets, dirty peasants, little food. Wouldn’t the merciful thing to do, be to just let the monster eat them?” said Rorik.
“Then how would we get paid?” asked Edmund smiling.
“Good point.” replied Rorik.
The knights rode down the muddy village street to a large house at the edge of the town. There they tied their horses and dismounted.
Edmund raised a hand greeted the guards “We were sent here by the Duke.”
“Hah, fat bastard finally decided to do something.” said one of the guards.
“Quiet friend. These here are knights of the capital and probably have little tolerance for such seditious talk.” said the other guard.
“We could really care less. We’re here to see whoever is in charge, learn all that we can about the bridge problem you seem to be having.”
“Go on in, he’ll be happy to hear from you.” said the second guard.
The knights nodded and went up into the house. Inside were three men. One sat on a large wooden chair on a raised pedestal while the others stood before him.
“Who enters?” asked one of the men standing.
“Demons.” said Rorik.
Edmund reached back smacking his companion across the shoulder “Knights of the realm. We’ve been sent here by the Duke to help you with your bridge problem.”
At this the man on the chair stood up and began walking down towards them “Knights! Finally our letters and petitions have been answered. We were just discussing the matter at hand. I am Juno headmaster of the village.”
Juno pointed behind him “And the man who so rudely greeted you is Yorm captain of the guard…or what we have of a guard.”
“And him?” Edmund pointed to the third man who looked down when addressed.
“This is Yarik a farmer…one who’s sons haven’t come back from crossing the bridge a week ago. He was just telling us what happened when you walked in.”
“Good to know. I am Knight Edmund and this is Knight Rorik. I’d like to hear this man’s tale and then found out whatever information we can about the bridge and what’s been happening.”
“Of course. Yarik, start over, tell this men what you’ve been telling us.” said Juno.
“Yes…of…of course.” stammered the man turning to the knights.
“And make it snappy.” said Rorik.
Yarik looked at Rorik blinking.
“Ignore him and continue.” said Edmund.
“My sons left two weeks ago. They were just headed across the river to family. We had heard about a couple disappearances here and there but figured they’d be safe.”
“Why?” asked Edmund.
“Well they’re strong boys and so far only a couple children and women have been taken. The boys, they’d driven off wolves and bandits before, so we figured they’d be fine. But they should have been back by now. I went to the bridge myself and didn’t see anything but…”
“You went to the bridge and didn’t see anything? What makes you think that this has anything to do with the bridge?” asked Edmund.
“Because this just isn’t like them. Like I said they know how to handle themselves. Wolves, bandits, and normal hardships of the road couldn’t have delayed them so…it has to be something with that bridge.”
“How do you know that they just didn’t want to stay with your family? Got lost along the way? A greater bandit presence in the area? A particularly savage pack of wolves? Bad weather? Met some girls? Or a million other things, why do you think it’s this bridge?” asked Edmund.
“I just know.” replied the man looking down at the ground.
Edmund shrugged and looked to Juno.
“It’s a little more complicated than that sir knight-” started Juno.
“Edmund is fine.”
“Edmund…for you see with everything that has been happening over the past couple of months it’s only natural for him to think it has something to do with the bridge. His sons have made this trip many many times and the only thing different about this one was whatever is happening with the bridge.”
“Yes, yes.” said Yarik his eyes lighting up.
“So what exactly has been happening with the bridge?” asked Edmund.
“Disappearances. It started with a few children then a girl or two and finally it took some of the local women from the village. Then Yarik’s sons crossed and never came back and since then…” Juno glanced over at Yarik and sighed “and since then there’s been even more. A couple of guards sent to monitor the bridge have gone missing, as well as a family at the outskirts of town that was said to have crossed it.”
“What! You never told me this!” said Yarik.
“It doesn’t concern you.” said Yorm.
“It concerns me and the rest of the village.” said Yarik.
“Silence.” said Edmund “So if all of this is happening why not just find another way to cross the river?”
“The closest crossing is two days march to the North. It’s just not feasible for most, especially for those looking to trade in the cities that lie further West. Goods only last so long.” said Juno.
“Okay, so is the bridge cursed or something?” asked Edmund.
“I can’t say. I’ve gone to it twice since all of this and can see nothing wrong. Like I said I stationed guards there and they went missing in the night. You ask me something dark happened there, something requiring knights.” said Juno.
“Fair enough. Given the right provisions and a few of your more hearty guardsmen we’ll camp out by the bridge for the night and see what happens.” said Edmund.
“Are you sure this wise?” asked Juno.
“What else would we do?” asked Edmund.
Juno shrugged “Very well. We’ll give you anything that you need and you’ll have five of my finest guardsmen to accompany you. Yorm.”
Yorm looked up his eyes wide.
“You’ll be part of this group.”
“But Juno, surely this is a task too dangerous to risk myself on.” said Yorm.
“But you’d risk your men?” asked Rorik.
“He has a fair point. You’ll go Yorm. You have knights of the realm with you, what do you fear?” asked Juno.
Yorm muttered and walked off.
“We’ll need food, water, and a few other things, then we’ll be ready to set out.” said Edmund.
“Come, I’ll take you to the storehouse and provide you with whatever you need.” said Juno.
______________________________________________________________________________
The bridge came into view of the knights. It was an old stone bridge made at least a hundred years before. It showed neglect in places though overall looked sturdy. On either side stood a dense forest with a small path cleared through. Underneath rushed a great river.
“Doesn’t look so scary.” said Rorik.
“Hah, you know nothing of this place.” said Yorm.
“Oh I can guarantee I’ve seen worse.” replied Rorik.
Yorm smirked and shook his head “Guess we’ll see.”
The company set up camp and started a fire as a few of the guardsmen went hunting in the lush forest.
Edmund drew his cloak around him as the sun began to set “Gets a bit chilly out here doesn’t it?”
Yorm looked up from the fire at him and smiled “You have no idea knight.”
“Take it you don’t like having us here, do you?” asked Edmund.
Yorm shrugged.
“Speak freely, this isn’t a court. You know this land better than us, you have little to fear.”
“Speak freely?”
Edmund nodded.
“Then yeah, I don’t much like having you here. Took the Duke a big pile of bodies before he decided to send help. I know how you types from the capital and the city are. Could care less about us out here in the country. Simply come to collect your pay and be on your way.”
Edmund shrugged “We solve the problem and we get paid. You expect strangers to give a damn about the struggles of those they never met?”
Yorm looked up his eyes wide then he started laughing “You’re honest for one from the capital.” he sat back and stroked his chin “I suppose you’re right. What more can you expect? Still, when we rely on others it’s frustrating how much it takes to receive aid.”
“Well aid is here for the time being.”
Yorm nodded and looked off past the bridge.
“You really believe in spooks and all that?” asked Rorik leaning forward grinning.
Yorm studied him for a moment and nodded “I know you may think less of me knight but I do. I’ve lived in the forest too long to think otherwise…I’m guessing you don’t knight?”
Rorik shrugged “Plenty of horrors enough in the real world. No need for ghosts and spooks.”
Yorm smiled “This world has enough evil for both horrible people and horrible monsters good knight.”
The three sat in silence, Yorm occasionally getting up to throw another log on the fire as the sun sank and night settled across the land.
“Guards usually this poor at hunting?” asked Rorik.
Yorm shook his head “No, game must be scarce in the area.”
“Spooked?” asked Edmund.
Yorm threw up his hands “Couldn’t tell you.”
“If we do have a fight on our hands, which I doubt. I’d much rather do it on a full stomach.” said Rorik.
“Help yourself to our stores Rorik, we shouldn’t be here more than a night or two.” said Edmund.
Rorik got up and went over to the tree where they had piled up the supplies. He dug through a food sack until he found an apple. He stood back up and walked back towards the fire. He took a bite of the apple then froze and stared ahead of him towards the bridge.
Edmund turned his head towards the bridge as he rose.
“What is it?” asked Yorm.
Rorik shook his head and began chewing his apple “Nothing, thought I saw something.”
“Something?” asked Yorm as Rorik sat back down.
“On the bridge, but must have just been the shadows playing tricks. Think your guards bailed?” asked Rorik.
“I hope so.” said Yorm in a low voice staring at the ground.
Rorik laughed “You hope so?”
“As opposed to something worse.” said Yorm.
Rorik shook his head “So any idea of what time these…disappearances happen?”
“Not sure, no one’s here when they happen. So who could say?” replied Yorm.
Rorik craned his neck back looking back at the bridge then sighed turning to Edmund.
“What is it?” asked Edmund.
“Going to go over there, investigate.” said Rorik.
“Whatever you saw bothering you that much?” asked Yorm.
Rorik shrugged then got up, wiping his hands along his cloak “Coming with?” he asked turning to Yorm.
Yorm shook his head “Not if I don’t have to.”
Edmund got up then stretched “You don’t have to. Keep the fire going. I’ll see what’s gotten into Rorik here.”
“Just want to investigate and do my job.” said Rorik.
“Well that’s a first.” replied Edmund making his way towards the bridge.
The two knights drew their cloaks tighter around them on their way to the old stone bridge.
There Rorik started up the worn stone to the other side.
“Going across?” asked Edmund.
“Just to be safe.” replied Rorik.
“Safe.” said Edmund laughing as he followed behind Rorik.
The two crossed the bridge to the other side as a fog started to drift in from the surrounding countryside.
“Starting to get chills.” said Rorik bundling his cloak tighter around him.
“Hah, scared of a little cold?” replied Edmund.
Suddenly a scream cut the air from back across the bridge.
Rorik rolled his eyes “Who knows what spooked that dumb fool.”
Edmund shrugged “Probably be safe to go and check it out.”
Rorik studied to woods around them “Might as well, nothing on this side anyways.”
Edmund turned back to the bridge and motioned Rorik to follow him.
“Every time I wonder if something is actually happening out here in these lands I’m always reminded of how imaginative a person can be when they spends hours upon hours in the woods with nothing to do.” started Edmund.
“Must keep them sane in a way, or at least keep them from getting bored.”
“Maybe, still how many knights are sent here and there all for some old wives’ tale that turns out never to be true.”
“Hey it’s like you said we still get paid.”
Edmund nodded “That’s true, we still get paid.”
The fire came into view ahead of them.
Edmund started shaking his head then stopped staring over towards the fire.
“What is it?” asked Rorik.
“Yorm’s not there.”
Rorik shrugged “Squirrel in the tree probably caused him to flee for home.”
“Maybe…still keep your wits about you.”
“Always do.”
The two approached the fire and looked around.
Rorik went over to the horses that were neighing and pulling from their tether.
“Well they’re spooked.” said Rorik.
“See that.” said Edmund looking for any signs leading away from the fire.
“Should we call for him?” asked Rorik.
Edmund shook his head “Not yet. While there may not be any dire creatures of the night here, there still very well may be bandits.”
Rorik looked around at the dark woods surrounding them.
“Just be cautious is all.”
Rorik shouted drawing his sword “By the bridge look.”
Edmund turned towards Rorik’s gaze and saw the shadow of someone pass under the bridge.
“Might be Yorm but be careful.” said Edmund drawing his own sword.
The two advanced towards the bridge calling out Yorm’s name. They paused before the bridge’s edge.
“I’ll go first.” said Rorik making his way down the incline to slip under the bridge.
“Careful.” said Edmund falling in behind him.
The two rounded under the bridge and stared into the dim light there. Against the stone of the underside of the bridge were three figures.
“Yorm.” said Edmund walking towards them.
The figures did not respond.
The knights quickened their pace as they closed the distance to observe the figures.
There against the underside of the bridge was Yorm and the two guards. Their hands were tied above their heads and they seemed nailed to the stone of the bridge by some unknown power or device. Their throats were slit the blood dribbling down their fronts and pooling at their feet.
Rorik spun around observing the area around them. He looked down towards the rushing river and spotted another body.
“The third guard.” said Rorik.
Edmund turned around from Yorm’s corpse and looked down at the river bank where the body rested.
“Looks like they had a right to fear something.” said Edmund.
Rorik simply nodded.
“Come, let’s go see this other body and figure out why it’s not up here with the others.” said Edmund.
Edmund walked down looking to his left and right every few steps as Rorik walked backwards a few paces behind him, keeping watch on the bodies and the higher ground.
Edmund knelt down and rolled the body over revealing its face.
“Ugh.” Edmund stepped back turning away.
“What is it?” asked Rorik still staring ahead.
“Look for yourself.” replied Edmund.
Rorik turned around and looked down at the body. What was once a human face earlier the day was the a hardened scaled face of a creature Rorik had never seen.
Rorik bent down staring at the face “Looks like a damn fish.”
“Never seen a fish look like that.” replied Edmund.
“So what do we do?” asked Rorik.
“We stay the night, at least.”
“And if nothing happens?”
“Then we report back to Juno. Tell him exactly what happened.”
“Fat chance he’ll believe a word of it.”
Edmund shrugged “Not much else we can do.”
A loud shriek echoed down from the top of the bridge.
“Think it’s calling to us.” said Rorik straightening up.
Edmund nodded “Looks like we’ll see action after all.”
The two started back up to the top side of the bridge.
“What do you think it is?” asked Rorik.
“Making those markings and doing that to his face? Not sure, maybe a witch of some sort.”
“Well that’ll be fun.” said Rorik.
Edmund laughed “There are worse things in this world.”
The two ascended the incline and walked to the front of the bridge staring over into the fog. Again the shriek echoed from the middle of the bridge.
“Rule number one of combat?” asked Edmund.
“Take the high ground?” said Rorik.
“Well, rule number two then.”
“Not sure.”
“Don’t fight the enemy on their terms.”
“That’s rule number two?”
“It’s in there.”
“So what do we do then. Wait until it comes out?”
Edmund shook his head “Suppose it’d be wise to go and get some torches together.”
“Vision is a wonderful thing.” replied Rorik.
“Then let’s do that.” said Edmund taking a step back, keeping his eyes focused on the swirling fog before him.
The two retreated a few steps when another shriek sounded from the middle of the bridge and something started forward.
“Be ready.” said Edmund lowering himself ready to spring forward.
The dark outline of a shape began to take form in the fog. A few moments later a squat creature came wobbling out of the fog across the bridge.
Rorik lowered his sword as a smile spread across his face.
He stifled a laugh as he pointed “What the hell is that?”
The creature now came into the outer rings of the fire light. It stood the height of a child and had a black turtle like shell surrounding it. It walked on short stubby green legs that ended in clawed feet and had a square head with a row of teeth and two glowing white eyes. On its head it wore a long oval shaped black hat. In its hand it held a long black staff that widened into a symbol of some sort at the top.
The creature paused before the knights studying them.
“Stay alert Rorik.” said Edmund watching the creature before them.
The creature began leaning back and forth raising one stubby reptilian like foot and then the other, stamping down like some prehistoric dance.
“Did you kill those men?” asked Edmund.
The creature stopped its dance and stared into Edmund’s eyes measuring him. The creature then looked to Rorik and did the same.
“Let’s just kill the little shit and collect our pay.” said Rorik.
“Come now, you know better than to underestimate a foe.”
“But…but look at it.” said Rorik spreading out his hand before him.
The creature sensed the disdain in Rorik’s voice and began waddling towards him.
Rorik began to laugh stepping a few feet back “Oh please don’t.” said Rorik between guffaws.
The creature’s white eyes narrowed and it began making harsh guttural sounds as it waved its staff back and forth before it.
“Could be a spell.” said Edmund.
Rorik paused for a moment studying the situation. In a flash he leapt forward bringing his sword level with the creature’s jaw. The creature with a flash bounded back as a green mist filled where it had just been.
Rorik doubled back coughing as the mist filled his nose and lungs. He stumbled back a few feet shaking his head.
“Little shit is fast…what is this?”
“Not sure, told you to be careful.” said Edmund circling behind the creature.
Rorik shook his head sneezing. The creature raced forward smacking Rorik down with its staff. Rorik rolled as he hit the ground and rising to his feet in one motion, his sword at the ready. The creature made guttural laughing sounds as it resumed its dance.
Rorik cursed and went to rush forward when Edmund’s voice stayed him.
“Steady friend, don’t let this thing play you for a fool.”
“I think it’s a little late for that.” replied Rorik.
“Well don’t make it worse.”
Edmund took a few paces forward towards the creature. The creature swung its staff in front of it as more green mist smoked out of it obscuring the creature in the fog.
“Think the thing got me.” said Rorik stumbling from foot to foot.
“Steady friend.” said Edmund.
Rorik shook his head back and forth as fast as he could, trying to clear it. The creature bounded out of the fog lunging at Rorik with its staff. Rorik parried the staff to the side and shot forward. His sword careened off the creature’s shell barely scratching it as Rorik fell forward off balance. The creature whirled with an blinding speed and smacked Rorik across the side emitting more green mist onto the knight.
Rorik rolled forward and regained himself once more, coughing again.
“Damn if this is the thing the bests me.” said Rorik between chokes.
“You’re fine friend. Stay awake and stay with me. We’ll have this thing yet.”
The creature turned towards the knights and began its dance.
“Advance with me.” said Edmund.
Rorik nodded tears streaming down his face from coughing.
The two knights branched out from each other and then advanced towards the still dancing creature.
“Go for it’s neck. Sword is useless against that shell.” said Rorik.
“Smart, tell it our plan.” said Edmund.
The two knights rushed forward in unison. Rorik swinging for the creature’s neck and Edmund dipping for its ankle. The creature batted Rorik’s sword aside as Edmund’s blade found its mark. The sword cut but not deep leaving a small gash across the creature’s ankle.
The creature fell forward with a cry. The knights readied for another blow as the creature slammed its staff into the ground sending up an umbrella of the green mist. The knights doubled back away from the spray.
Rorik grunted in frustration. Edmund looked over at him meeting his eyes.
“Calm.”
Rorik nodded struggling to compose himself.
The creature now hobbled about making grunting noises as it did. Using its staff to support itself.
“What do you want creature?” asked Edmund.
The creature looked over at the knight examining him as the green mist began to dissipate. It locked eyes with Edmund and began whispering. Rorik lunged forward his sword trained on the creature’s neck. The creature whipped around and swept Rorik’s legs out from under him, sending the knight slamming to the ground. The creature raised his staff over Rorik as Edmund leapt forward swinging. The creature abandoned his strike and jumped out of the way of Edmund’s blow.
Edmund raced after the creature and they met in a flurry of blows. A few seconds later Edmund’s sword found its mark and the creature’s throat was cut. It fell to the ground where Edmund placed his boot on the creature’s side and lowered his sword to its neck.
“Just gut it.” said Rorik surging from the ground and towards the creature.
“Last chance to speak if you can.” said Edmund.
The creature simply looked up at Edmund and smiled a toothy smile.
Edmund shrugged and drove the blade down into the creature’s neck, ending it.
______________________________________________________________________________
Rorik looked up at the ceiling in his room before another set of coughs seized him.
The nurse attending him sat up and covered her mouth.
“Apologies.” said Rorik between coughs.
“No need to apologize.” said the nurse sitting back down.
Both turned as Edmund entered the room.
“Good news is they think you’ll make it. Bad news is that it’ll be some time and you’ll likely have a burning in your lungs for at least a year. Hey, but at least your not a fish.”
“Wonderful.” replied Rorik choking back coughs.
“Could be worse. Not too bad for your first…real outing either.”
“How’s that?”
“You could be dead or even worse, sometimes the Dukes don’t pay me.” said Edmund with a wink as he turned and left the room.
“Bastard.” said Rorik with a smile.
