Espectro and Father Halo rode for several days. Conversation was focused on speculation of war, traffic on the road, and crop estimates. The two were wrapped up in working a case like decades ago that catching up seemed pointless. They are as they always were - friends. Compatriots. Partners. What matter was it that neither talked to the other for over a decade? Of Espectro's mysterious past or Father Halo's religious epiphany? All that faded from the friendship that felt like it started right where it left off as if only a day past. At the end of the summer they arrived at Lespos, when they encountered their first troubles on the trip.
The city's skyline shone. A band of horsemen road out to meet them. Their banners indicated Lespos municipality; soldiers sworn to protect the region.
As they approached, Espectro's horse reared. Father Halo pulled his horse alongside Espectro. The warrior saw something the priest did not, but both men's instincts were tingling with danger.
"Tell me, Father, have you kept up your exercises with the staff or the sword?"
Father Halo grunted. "I'm as good as I ever was."
Espectro unbuckled a sword from the saddle and passed it along to Father Halo. He took the sword with ease. The worn leather pommel felt good in the priest's hand. Though it's been years since he fought in any danger, Father Halo kept his training, if only for the exercise it gave him every morning.
Espectro pulled put another sword and rested it along the collar of his horse. He leaned forward, peering at the horsemen. They were much closer now - five in all. Two had crossbows drawn laxly at their sides. The leader, a broad shouldered lad dressed in red and black, road in front of his men several yards and stopped.
"Hail and welcome, travelers. I kindly ask that you two allow my men to search your provisions. Please dismount and step aside from your steads," ordered the leader.
Espectro leaned forward in his saddle.
"By who's authority do we forego our mounts? We have travel sanctions in this realm by the Duke of Arl. Feel free to see my papers." Espectro produced a scroll with a deep-set wax seal from within his robes.
The leader grunted. "Good to know the Duke still cares for his people, and that he has time to scribe notes for his friends. Leave your mounts. Now."
Espectro cast a glance to Father Halo. The priest looked relaxed in his perch on the stead, but a trained eye could see that he was gripping the sword nervously.
"And to what purpose do you detain me and my friend? Are you searching for something specific? Perhaps we can aid you in your investigations."
"Enough stalling! Men, move forward," the leader ordered.
Two of the men moved to encircle the two travelers while the two with crossbows hung back, providing cover. Espectro's horse reared as one of the men grabbed at his reins with his free hand. Espectro slashed at the man's hand swiftly. The blood flew, and the man pulled back a mangled hand, missing several fingers.
The crossbowmen did not hesitate. Two bolts flew swiftly at the warrior, one hitting his shoulder, the impact spun him off his mount. The horse buckled and slammed its hooves on the ground.
Father Halo's sword was out in a flash. He slashed at his adversary, a swarthy recruit a bit green for this line of business. Father Halo maneuvered his horse in front of his fallen comrade and pushed back his foes with jerky lunges with his weapon.
"This does not have to be painful, honored priest," bellowed the horsemen's leader. Sword crossed against sword as Father Halo deflected the slashes of the two attackers.
"I'm under no illusions on the fate of my soul or yours," gasped Father Halo. In desperate maneuver, he feinted at one swordsman and knicked the horse's neck on the downswing. The horse veered and bucked out of range, knocking the horseman off his saddle. He fell with a resounding thud to the ground. Only one of the horsemen remained in melee with him.
The two crossbowmen reloaded their weapons and aimed at Father Halo. Father Halo cursed - his reflexes were too slow, and his instincts kicking too late. He should have taken off, along with Espectro, the moment trouble was on the horizon. Now it was too late. Espectro, downed by a bolt, and himself surrounded.
The leader looked on, peeved at the reticence of his trespassers.
"I don't intend to kill you both. If you would just allow us to levy the appropriate taxes, which is by right all your belongings we deem due to pay for your passage, we can all move along correctly. This is the law of the land, sires. It is right, just, and exceedingly due."
Father Halo spat and tossed his sword to the ground. Slowly he put his hands up. Espectro rallied to his feet, but seeing the odds and his friend's immediate capitulation, followed suit.
Espectro muttered, "It's a fine way to start an adventure, eh friend?"
Father Halo looked straight ahead, "I wasn't seeking an adventure when you came for me. I was seeking a cell."
Espectro grinned, "Well, it looks like one of us is going to get what they want."
The soldiers encircled the men, and bound them both.
"Hail and welcome, travelers. I kindly ask that you two allow my men to search your provisions. Please dismount and step aside from your steads," ordered the leader.
Espectro leaned forward in his saddle.
"By who's authority do we forego our mounts? We have travel sanctions in this realm by the Duke of Arl. Feel free to see my papers." Espectro produced a scroll with a deep-set wax seal from within his robes.
The leader grunted. "Good to know the Duke still cares for his people, and that he has time to scribe notes for his friends. Leave your mounts. Now."
Espectro cast a glance to Father Halo. The priest looked relaxed in his perch on the stead, but a trained eye could see that he was gripping the sword nervously.
"And to what purpose do you detain me and my friend? Are you searching for something specific? Perhaps we can aid you in your investigations."
"Enough stalling! Men, move forward," the leader ordered.
Two of the men moved to encircle the two travelers while the two with crossbows hung back, providing cover. Espectro's horse reared as one of the men grabbed at his reins with his free hand. Espectro slashed at the man's hand swiftly. The blood flew, and the man pulled back a mangled hand, missing several fingers.
The crossbowmen did not hesitate. Two bolts flew swiftly at the warrior, one hitting his shoulder, the impact spun him off his mount. The horse buckled and slammed its hooves on the ground.
Father Halo's sword was out in a flash. He slashed at his adversary, a swarthy recruit a bit green for this line of business. Father Halo maneuvered his horse in front of his fallen comrade and pushed back his foes with jerky lunges with his weapon.
"This does not have to be painful, honored priest," bellowed the horsemen's leader. Sword crossed against sword as Father Halo deflected the slashes of the two attackers.
"I'm under no illusions on the fate of my soul or yours," gasped Father Halo. In desperate maneuver, he feinted at one swordsman and knicked the horse's neck on the downswing. The horse veered and bucked out of range, knocking the horseman off his saddle. He fell with a resounding thud to the ground. Only one of the horsemen remained in melee with him.
The two crossbowmen reloaded their weapons and aimed at Father Halo. Father Halo cursed - his reflexes were too slow, and his instincts kicking too late. He should have taken off, along with Espectro, the moment trouble was on the horizon. Now it was too late. Espectro, downed by a bolt, and himself surrounded.
The leader looked on, peeved at the reticence of his trespassers.
"I don't intend to kill you both. If you would just allow us to levy the appropriate taxes, which is by right all your belongings we deem due to pay for your passage, we can all move along correctly. This is the law of the land, sires. It is right, just, and exceedingly due."
Father Halo spat and tossed his sword to the ground. Slowly he put his hands up. Espectro rallied to his feet, but seeing the odds and his friend's immediate capitulation, followed suit.
Espectro muttered, "It's a fine way to start an adventure, eh friend?"
Father Halo looked straight ahead, "I wasn't seeking an adventure when you came for me. I was seeking a cell."
Espectro grinned, "Well, it looks like one of us is going to get what they want."
The soldiers encircled the men, and bound them both.
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