Asgoleth the Warrior - By Bill Kirkwood Page 0,19

nodded in agreement then called down to the guards who were herding the frightened people into the city.

‘You men, Send word to the palace as soon as the Akonites are within sight.

The men below saluted and the king and his retinue returned to the palace. Once there, all they could do was wait. Asgoleth went to his own quarters after making sure that the king was safely within his own chambers. He lay down upon the bed and almost immediately fell into a light sleep. The nearness of death and savage combat did not cause him any distress. He was far too used to the presence of those grisly spectres . If he was destined to die in the coming battle, then he would die but he would make sure he took a large honour guard of slain enemies with him into grim Ragnars’ eternal halls. That, to a man of Calthia, was all that could be asked for. He slept on while outside the long day dragged by.

A light knock on his chamber door caused him to leap lightly to his feet, sword in hand and ready to deal death in an instant.

‘What do you want?’ he growled and a voice replied,

‘Captain, the king bids you attend him in the throne room at once, the Akonites have arrived.’

Asgoleth pulled the door open and found a young soldier there. He nodded at the man and said,

‘My thanks, warrior, now get back to your post quickly, we are going to need all the men we can get’

‘Aye Captain.’ said the man and hurried off. Asgoleth strode along the corridor that led to the throne room and as he walked he noted the growing darkness outside. A glance at the sun told him he had slept for almost four hours, which was a great deal longer than he had expected. He approached the throne room and entered.

Inside, the scene had changed. Gone were the flowing robes of silk, gone were the ladies and the courtly manners; in their place stood grim faced men in shining steel with weapons at their sides. The king was speaking.

‘Reinforcements cannot reach us before our food and water are exhausted so that only leaves us with two choices. We can surrender the city to Demos and hope that he will spare our people, or we can fight and pray that mighty Solus will grant us victory.’

He looked at his nobles and read his answer in their eyes. All there knew that to surrender and hope for mercy from the Akonites was pointless. There would be no mercy shown better then to ride out and meet the foe on the open land before the city where there was room to maneuver and fight. True, the Akonites outnumbered them but battles had been won before by the smaller army, if that army had the will to fight. The king nodded grimly, he knew that they had little chance of winning but he knew that these men would make the Akonites pay dearly for victory.

‘So be it then my lords. Go to your posts and prepare your men to meet the enemy. May the blessing of mighty Solus go with you all.’

The warriors bowed to their king and left to carry out their orders. When all had gone the king looked at Asgoleth and studied him for a long moment.

‘And what of you Asgoleth, will you stay and fight at my side? If you wish to leave you may do so now with your honour intact. You are a man of the north and this is not your fight.’

Asgoleth grinned at him and replied.

‘I gave my word that I would defend you and I do not break my word to any man.’

Aractus smiled wearily back at him.

‘I am glad to hear you say so and I welcome your aid but you must know that we have almost no chance of winning.’

‘There is always a chance, your majesty. Victory does not always go to the side with the most men. This Akonite king is confident of victory, he thinks your people are cowed and in despair. He will find out how wrong he is tomorrow.’

Aractus nodded,

‘Let us hope so my young friend. Come now and let us look upon our defences. I want to make sure that all is in readiness for the morrow.’

He rose from his throne and Asgoleth walked with him as they made their way once more to the city walls. The sight that met their eyes was