“The rest of our group has taken it far from here. They have been carrying it all night. They are already across the Western Crossing of the Canyon, and have already boarded a ship. They are taking it into the Empire. As we speak, it is already across the sea, in a foreign and hostile land. You will never get it back!”
The crowd cried out again, in an outraged murmur.
“Silence!” Gareth screamed.
Slowly, the crowd quieted.
“And what was your reason for stealing the sword?” Gareth called out. “What is its destination?”
The criminals stayed silent this time, refusing to speak.
Finally, one of them lifted his head.
“We have vowed to never tell!”
The crowd broke out in another murmur, until finally Gareth stepped forward, with his entourage of men, and faced the executioners.
The crowd fell silent.
“Kill these men!” he commanded the executioner.
The crowd broke out into a cheer.
“But my Liege, you promised—” one of the criminals began to cry.
Gareth nodded, and before the man could finish speaking, the floor dropped out and they all hanged.
The crowd cheered in satisfaction, as the corpses dangled in the air.
The crowd began to disperse, in an agitated stir.
“The Destiny Sword stolen,” O’Connor whispered.
“It is unthinkable,” Elden said.
“The shield is down,” Conval said.
“We are defenseless,” Conven added.
Kolk, Brom and the men huddled close around Thor, Gwendolyn, Godfrey and all of the others.
“We must hurry from this place,” Kolk said. “We must get as far from King’s Court as possible and fortify our new home.”
“That is pointless now,” Brom said. “If the shield is down, we are not safe anywhere. If the Empire invades, the Ring will be overrun by a million men. Nothing will stop them.”
“What we need is to get the shield back up again,” Kolk said. “And for that, we need the Sword.”
“But you heard the thieves,” Reece said. “It is already far from here. Deep inside the Empire.”
“Then we must go and get it back,” Brom said.
With his words the huge group of knights fell silent, looking at each other grimly. For the first time, Thor could see fear in their faces.
“Is there anyone among you men that will volunteer to venture into the Empire and search for the sword?” Brom called out, facing the Silver.
The group of knights, all Silver, the finest warriors Thor had ever known, all stood there, silent. None of them stepped forward.
“My lord, it would be futile,” one of them said. “You know that. A small band of warriors would never survive such a deep foray into the Empire. It has never been done before in the history of the Ring.”
“And we don’t even know where the Sword is!” another said. “The Wilds stretch millions of miles. It could be anywhere!”
“It would be a suicide mission,” said another. “There is nothing we can do but brace ourselves for an attack.”
“I will go,” Thor said, stepping forward into the huge circle of men.
They all fell silent, so silent, one could hear a pin drop.
Thor could feel all the stares, and he felt himself racing with energy, felt more alive than he ever had. He knew it was crazy, reckless, that the chances were impossible. But he also felt that this was what he was born for, felt proud of himself for not giving into his fear. It wasn’t about surviving. It was about honor.
“You have a big heart, Thorgrinson,” Kolk said. “And you do the Legion proud. But you would not survive. Not even you.”
“It is not about surviving,” Thor said. “It’s about doing what is right. For our kingdom. For all of us.”
The men remained silent.
“But no one else volunteers to go with you,” Brom said. “Even among these brave and fine warriors. And I cannot blame them.”
“Then I will go alone,” Thor said, resolving himself. He was determined.
“I will join him!” came a voice.
Thor turned to see Reece step forward, beside him.
“And I!” said O’Connor.
“And I!” said Elden.
“And we!” said the twins.
Thor felt emboldened as all of his friends stepped forward, the group of six standing as one, ready to face death together.
Kolk shook his head.
“You are crazy, all of you,” Kolk said, “and the bravest men I’ve ever seen.”
Brom stepped forward, placed a hand on Thor’s shoulder, and looked him in the eye.
“Whoever you are, boy,” he said, “you do your ancestors proud.”
He examined Thor deeply, as if deciding.
“Go then,” Brom finally said. “Find the sword. Bring it home. The fate of our kingdom rests on you.”