There will be a time to grieve, but that time is not now. Now, we have to concentrate on meeting up with Jake and look to the welfare of our army. Hopefully, Jake will have by now released many of Heron Getracht’s prisoners. Maybe we have succeeded in rekindling the fight? A fight that, if I am honest, had lost its sense of direction and purpose. I tell you this Ben, my friend; if Queen Bressial is among the prisoners we have freed, then we have a chance of uniting the whole of Nadjan! They will rise once more against the tyrant, I am sure of it. We will have the opportunity to raise a force that will surpass all the great armies of old. We can then join with our southern allies, just as Jake proposed. We can hopefully find the wizard who can restore those stones and with them, we will be victorious. Together Ben, we will find a way to defeat my brother, once and for all. Despite his power, his sorcery. Despite his armies and his wealth, we can free my people and end this war!!!
All of this I swear is possible now. But, it is only possible because of you, Jake and those stones. You have set us on this path. But it will only be achieved because of the sacrifice made here at Erriard forest by my friend Knesh, and the brave soldiers of the Ruddite Rebellion who followed him. Knesh knew what he was doing. He believed passionately in all that I have said. And he believed in you and Jake. Enough to give his life for us. That is why we must not think of him now, not until the time is right. We must let nothing distract us from this fight! He would want it no other way.” the King declared emotionally.
Artrex wiped away the tears from his eyes as he finished speaking. He was clearly embarrassed at his impromptu display of raw emotion. But Ben understood completely. He knew exactly how Artrex was feeling, and he was crying himself as he replied.
“Okay, I’m sorry. You’re right, I won’t mention it again.” he stated quietly. He cleared his throat and wiped his eyes before looking at the river and speaking again.
“Well, that bridge don’t look too good to me.” he said, as he pointed toward the rickety structure that spanned the water.
“It will hold.” replied Artrex firmly.
“No, you’re missing my point. If we are followed… Well, a few well placed ropes around its supports and…”
“Krarr… Yes! Good. Ha, when did you become a Gerada?” Artrex asked, surprised at the suggestion coming from a young boy who was not used to warfare.
“Well, you can’t hang around Knesh for a whole night, without some of it rubbing off on ya.” Ben answered, half joking, but with a sorrow that was evident and not lost on the King. Artrex forced a smile to his own lips, then he immediately called two more of his soldiers over to him and gave them orders to prepare the bridge to be destroyed on his command.
Around an hour later, the rebel force had almost completed the river crossing. The last of the horsemen were waiting patiently to cross the bridge when Ben suddenly shouted to say that he’d spotted a cloud of dust on the distant horizon to the east. Artrex was not far away, he was busy shouting commands to his men and checking on their welfare, but as soon as he heard Ben’s shout he stopped what he was doing and raced to his side. The King raised his hands to his eyes, he could see clearly that the dust cloud was growing so he shouted to his men, ordering them to quicken their pace. Then he looked back towards the cloud of dust.
“Dzorag.” he said calmly. “It must be. But we are nearly finished here, we should be safe now, I have soldiers ready on the ropes on the other side of the bridge. There!” he shouted, pointg at a group of small black dots that had just appeared on the plain in the distance.
Dot after dot continued to appear until it was clear that the entire Dzorag contingent of the Northern Army had pursued them. Artrex glanced over at the bridge, the last of his soldiers was just crossing, he mounted his horse quickly and then extended a helping hand down to Ben, who took it gratefully and swung himself up onto the rear