Chapter 1

Today was the day. The beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning. It all depended on where the people were and where their loyalties lay. On this day the city of Kyrshom would at last fall. This day had been ten long circles in the making.

A warm wind blew from behind, swirling the men’s cloaks around them like an invisible hand urging them toward their destiny from where they sat on their horses overlooking Kyrshom.

Benedict shifted in his saddle. From where he sat on his horse, the people of Kyrshom looked like ants as they scurried about their business. Everyone was busier than usual as they prepared for the festival of Kelaspin.

Oblivious to the change that blew with the wind today, the people of Kyrshom rushed about making last-minute preparations for the festival. The enemy, as the people would see it later, was in fact already within the city walls, considered a friend. Part of the community. Trusted.

And, as it was planned for Kyrshom, so it was planned for every other major city in the kingdom of Aleghor on this day.

Other cities could have been taken a long time ago but it would have resulted in a divided kingdom and a war which would have lasted longer than the ten circles of planning and implementation to arrive at this moment, not to mention the cost in lives.

“Can you smell it, my Lord?”

Without taking his eyes from Kyrshom in the distance, Benedict replied to his commander, Tordor. “Smell what?”

“Victory,” Tordor whispered.

“I enjoy your optimism Tordor, but while I share it, I don’t care to voice it until it is a reality.”

“I know my Lord. But I can feel it. As sure as I would feel the touch of the god Alenom when my time is done.”

Without taking his eyes from Kyrshom, Benedict made a sign against the power of death. “You court disaster mentioning the black god’s name. We do not wish to dance with darkness today.”

“I beg forgiveness my Lord. My enthusiasm lets me forget my place.”

“’Tis a small matter, but do not call the black god again. I am sure he will be appeased by the lives that will be gifted him today. But entice him and he may demand more, including yours and mine.”

“Understood my Lord.” Tordor’s voice was softer, a passive admission of his error in mentioning the God of Death.

Benedict turned to his chief counselor who sat astride his horse on the other side of him.

His chief counselor, Raeme had just received word from a runner. They had conversed briefly while Benedict had been talking with Tordor. Benedict had not been able to avoid hearing the tension and rapid-fire questions being asked of the runner by his counselor. Something was amiss.

“What news did the runner bring?”

Raeme paused briefly trying to put his words in order.

“The Master in Kyrshom my Lord.”

“Yes?”

“He is demanding a thousand golds before he instructs his ministry to aid us tonight.”

Benedict’s face hardened. Without the Master’s help, they faced failure. “Is he still on our side or has he turned?”

“I believe he acts in his own interest, Lord. He knows how valuable he is to our plans and he intends to capitalize on it.”

“Tell him we will pay him after we have conquered the city.”

Raeme shifted uncomfortably. “He demands the golds before he acts.”

“That’s impossible,” Benedict spat in disgust. “We cannot carry a chest of a thousand golds through those gates unless we control the city. The golds will never get to him. They will be lining some gate guard’s pockets by nightfall!”

“We can divide it and carry it in,” Raeme suggested.

“Amongst how many men can we divide it? How many people normally carry golds? If anyone is caught with golds that shouldn’t have golds, the alarm could be raised. Tell him it is impossible what he asks. I will pay him after he helps us.”

“He has made it clear it is not negotiable. Also, my Lord, I believe there is only time to send a team one way into the city. We must decide quickly.”

Benedict swore. “How will we know if the golds are received or if our men are ambushed? How can we even send a thousand golds into the city at such short notice? It's a one-way journey. There is no way for word to get out before the gates are closed for the night as to whether we have succeeded in getting the golds to the Master. Will the thief even do what he was supposed to, without this last-minute robbery?”

“My Lord,” Tordor interjected. “I think we have no time to debate. I have an idea.“

“Pray tell commander,” Benedict replied calming slightly.

“It is the festival of Kelaspin. The guards will thus be expecting more wealthy traders than normal so a few men carrying golds won’t necessarily raise any eyebrows or cause an alarm. The men we task to carry golds must be seasoned fighters as well. They will stay within the city walls and, if the master fails to be true to his word after receiving a thousand golds, our men will see to it that the gates will be opened from the inside. We can also arrange a signal from within the walls to let us know that the task has been completed even if the gates are already closed for the night.“

“Do you propose I send a small army of men carrying a thousand golds through the gates? I have no doubt that few more wealthy men will get through unnoticed but a small army? I doubt it.“

Raeme interjected quickly. “A few men can carry some golds. It is also insurance that the Master will do as we demand. The remainder of the golds can be hidden in a wagon of hay.“

“That’s the oldest trick in the book! It’s almost guaranteed to fail!” Benedict objected.

“Perhaps, but the golds will not be hidden in the hay Lord. They will not be found. I assure you.“

Benedict pondered the proposals briefly.

Raeme pressed more urgently. “It can be arranged but it must be done now. Someone can send an arrow back over the wall as a signal that all is fine.”

Benedict considered the idea. Then, finally, he spoke.

“What choice do we have? It is today. Everything hinges on today. We cannot wait for another circle before we strike! Not another day! There is no time for us to get word to the rest of our armies in the kingdom to stand down. If we stand down because of this fool, how many others will believe they can do something stupid if we wait longer? If word of this reaches the rest of the kingdom we are done for. We will never have a peaceful transition. We have made promises to people and they expect those promises to be fulfilled. Now. They will not wait and neither can we. If it is not tonight, ten circles have been all for nothing!”

“We have to send a wagon with the money. We can send the men posing as traders to follow it to the gates and into the city,” Raeme said.

“Very well, Raeme. Can it be done before the gates close?”

“We’ll do all we can, Lord,” Raeme answered with a glint in his eye. Then he bowed his head and turned his horse towards camp shouting orders as he went. Tordor followed close on his heels calling elite soldiers to report to Raeme and himself.