Chapter 8

"Hey you two!"

Damien called out to them.

"What is it?"

Leonard asked.

"Look there."

Damien pointed at a group of about twenty men. They were soldiers. Some of them were drinking, others played dice, and some watched over people who were working the fields spears in hand. They placed their camp on a small hill right next to the road, clear of all the wheat and corn. And close to the crossroads.

There was an also, what can only be some sort of cage on wells covered up by a large cloth. Two men sat on the fallen tree next to the cage. Horses were also quenching their thirst from a small creek right over the road.

"They must be guarding the people who work the fields. So they will most likely stop us to check if we are trouble."

"Well can't blame them. We do look like some thugs."

"Yeah but Leonard if they found out that he is a Sentinel we will be in trouble."

Said Robert.

"Well in worse case scenario we can always bribe them whit coin."

They started walking, coming closer to the group. And as Damien said, they were stopped and approached by a man. He seemed as the leader of the group. He wore a gambeson and had a short sword at his side. Lightly equipped like the rest of his men.

"Good day to you."

Said the man.

"Good day to you as well. Might I ask, why did you approach us?" Said Damien.

"Well me and my men are here to keep the peace and give these good people a safe working environment. And you look look like trouble."

Said the man while checking them out.

"Good sir, we have no such intentions."

"That's what all off them say."

"I assure you we are just travelers. The swords that you see are only for protection. These lands are still dangerous."

"You got a point but still we have our duty."

Leonard and Robert watched the exchange. Then something caught Roberts attention. One of the men who were sitting on the fallen tree. He was a priest of the church.

"Well aren't we lucky." Said Robert.

"What?"

"Look over there. By the fallen tree?"

"Yeah I see two guys sitting there. And?"

"Look closer, the smaller one. The medallion he is wearing."

Leonard recognised it immediately. A golden phoenix. He saw it many times. On powerful people who couldn't care less about the poor.

"Oh shit."

"Yeah."

"What now?"

"Well if they search us, they will found out that Damien is a Sentinel and then we are fucked."

"We could still bribe them. His kind is known for that."

"But still we should be careful."

"Well why don't we search you guys?"

The man smirked while he said that. You fuck, when you search us. I bet you are going to strip us bare. Of course Damien didn't say that. Just a thought that crossed his mind. If he said that they would probably kill them and take their things. He and his men seemed the type.

"Wait."

Robert came in between the two men. Whit a smile he placed his hand on the mans shoulder.

"Me and my friend passed this land many times before, but we saw barely a soul in sight. A few people here and there, but not even close to now. So if you wouldn't mind telling me what changed. I'm just curious."

The man was pleased by Roberts friendly behavior. He pointed at the fields.

"All of this, good sir. Is the result of prince Haftor being on the throne."

"Oh is that so? So quickly? The war ended few days ago"

"Well this project started two weeks ago. When Haftor took control over this area."

When the war started, southern part of the kingdom was controlled by the Prince Herald. From the fort Herak next to the border whit Kovandar, up to river Greta and city of Yealen. All on the other side of the river was controlled by Prince Haftor.

"In the starting days of war this region was lost to the Heralds forces but Haftor took it back in the following days. Just days later this project was started." Said the man.

"My the war didn't even end and Haftor started helping his people. It shows how great of a king he is!"

"Hahaha, of course! You know good sir. I and most of my men come from this area. All of us went willingly."

"My you are true patriots!"

"Indeed we are!! Haha!"

To easy Robert thought. Although i feel like I'm a woman hitting on a guy. Oh well, you two better do something whit the time I'm buying.

"You see I'm from a small village just a few minutes from here. There over that hill."

He pointed at a hill few hundred feet away. A couple of women walking down the hill carrying food and water for the men working in the fields.

"Whose side were you fighting on?"

Said the man.

"Haftors of course."

"Hahaha, I knew it."

The man started talking about some different things and even Damien joined in. The man even offered them some ale. What are they thinking? That he is going to forget to search them? Or if they get on his good side he would turn a blind eye? Well as long as it works. Leonard just watched from the side, hoping for the best. But then something caught his eye. A small hand poped out from the cloth that was covering the metal cage. A hand that of a child. At that moment many thoughts ran through his mind.

He felt pity for the child, even though he didn't had any personal connection to him or her. Robert and him had first hand experience of being in chains. Even though it was just a week before they were ransomed together whit the other prisoners, that week scared him. He had to know if that was truly a child behind those cold bars. After making his way next to the cage, he noticed that the hand was so thin it resembled a stick. He thought he could probably brake it whit ease if he wanted to. He tried to check the pulse but as soon as he made contact whit the skin he got scratched. He quickly pulled away in shock.

"Nasty things aren't they."

A priest of the church approached him.

The priest was younger then Leonard first thought. He looked like he was in his teens. Short blond hair, light blue eyes and a feminine face.

"Things?"

That word made Leonard angry. He seen it many times. A person of high rank treating a regular hard working man as trash. Of course he didn't show his anger while he was talking whit the priest. Who knew what would happen if he got on his bad side.

"You know they are human as well."

"Human they are not, but living beings yes."

Leonard made a puzzled face.

"Elfs?"

"Do you know any elfs that have sharp nails?"

Seeing Leonards puzzled face the priest chuckled. "Do you wan't me to show you?"

"Yes, if you don't mind."

His curiosity got better of him.

"Of course I don't. But don't be to shocked, we covered the cage for a reason."

The priest slowly lifted the sheet. What Leonard saw shocked him. Ears, eyes and a tail of a cat, sharp teeth, fur that covered its arms and legs. It was clearly a child. Of what race Leonard did not know. Then suddenly he got hissed by what were clearly childs parents. They held their barely alive child in their arms. Leonard just now noticed the two others sitting nearby. They were of the same race but had different features.

One had eyes, ears and a tale that of a dog and the other that of a what could be a wolf or some other beast. Leonard wasn't sure. But now that he thought about it the looked similar to Ashatak. But still Ashatak skin is white as snow, their hair black as coal. And on top of that above their ears a pair of horns grew. Seeing Leonard's expression the priest laughed.

"Hahaha. I love that expression." After a pause he continued. "What do you think?"

"What do I think... I dont know."

He still collected his thoughts. Then the priest saw something he didn't expect. There was a shine of curiosity in Leonards eyes. That made the priest happy.

"Ask away."

"What are they!? Where are they from!? What language thay speak!? How long is their life span!? Their culture!? And how can I get one!?"

His childhood passion of learning about different races kicked in.

"Whoa hold on! One at a time!"

"Ok. Sooooo start talking!"

"Ok, ok. Just calm down. Calmed down?"

Leonard noded.

"Ok, so 5 years ago a merchant ship from southern kingdom of Klement got caught in a storm. The ship was destroyed by the waves."

"How did they found the continent then?"

"A captin and few members of the crew survived."

"Oh, I see."

"They got washed up on the shores of what we now know as the New Lands. It wasn't long before they were found by the natives."

"It must have been terrifying for them."

"Indeed it was, but instead of being killed by them they were welcomed by a local lord. They worked at his estate for two years. The captin and the Lord became friends, and after they served him for a year. The Lord gave them a ship, some supplies and he sent them home."

"My, that Lord is such a generous person."

"Yes, but he would regret it. After a week at sea, the men finally returned home. They went to the court of the King Filip the Second of Klement and told him about the continent."

"I found it hard that the King would belive them."

"Well to theirs suprise he did. Just few months later, 30 ships under the comand of King Filip the Second set out from the port city of Orslov. When they landed they established a colony of New Klement. And a war whit the natives insued. "

After thinking a little bit Leonard remembered that he heard about it few years ago. But he never thought much of it.At that time he was more worried about the decline of power of his noble family, and his fathers worsend health. But still he sould have seen these slaves much sooner then. Considering their aperence they would become extremely popular throughout the continent.

"But i have never seen them before. Why is that?"

"Oh well just a few weeks after the word spread out the continent that the colony was established. Emperor Augustus sent out a fleet of 50 ships and attacked the colony and took over."

"But still wouldn't they start sending slaves and all the loot back to the Imperium."

"Well you see King Filip refused to just sit and watch. He formed a coalition whit other southern kingdoms of Mehleten and Kelmnar and he started attacking imperial ships."

"What about kingdom of Hertleven? They neighbor Klement."

"They always had a good relationship whit Imperium."

"Oh yes how folish of me to forget that."

"Indeed, but where was I? Oh yes. They attacked and of course Emperor fought back and a naval war started. Since they were on the other side of the known world the coalition leaders thought that they could win a naval war whit the Imperium. And at the start they did well. They won many battles. They even besieged the colony that was once under Klements rule. But in the third month of the war, instead of focusing on breaking the siege of the colony. Agustus focused on attacking and raiding the coastline of the coalition kingdoms."

"I see, so he forced them to quit?"

"Correct. After months of raiding, he forced them to sign a peace deal that went in Imperium´s favor and the war was over. So you see they just started shipping them recently."

"Yes I understand now. But tell me priest."

"Yes?"

"How did you get them?"

"Well we bought them. How else would we get them. What a stupid question."

"I know but i thought that they would be killed at sight. I can easily see your kind doing that."

"Kind? Something is telling that you are not a fan of ours."

Leonard noded at priest words.

"And why is that?"

"I seen many of your so called brothers doing disgusting things in the name of the Elder One."

"Oh I see. Well I agree whit you on that sir."

Those words suprised Leonard. Was this priest different then others? He thought. Then the priest continued.

"Corruption, murder, extortion, abuse of power given them by the Elder One. All of those crimes are committed by my so called brothers. And it all happens under All Fathers watchfull eye and he does nothing."

Anger would be the word that Leonard would use to describe the feeling he felt coming from this young priest.

"I'am different."

Said the priest.

"When it was proposed to the All Father Nataniel that these slaves should be purchased to fix the damage that the war in Mercina did to local churches. Many were vocal about burning them. Their punishment for existing. But in the end it was agreed that they would be bought. Not because the Church is tolerant and kind but because they see profit in it!"

The young priest clenched his fist. Noticing that his felings got out of control, he calms down.

"In the end there is nothing we can do. There are people in the Church trying to change things, but it will be for nothing in the end."

"How do you know that priest?"

"Many have tried before, and they failed."

"Does that mean that you shouldn't try again? Does that mean you should just give up? This world is nothing but a shithole. Strong shit on the weak, they don't care. And the Church instead of being a light in the dark, got swallowed by the darkness. This world needs a change. The Church could set an example of how to do it."

Leonard hated this world more then everything. After all the strong took everything from him. But he knew deep down that he is not the one who should be talking about the change. Did I change at all in these two years? He thought.

"What is your name mister?"

"It's Leonard. Yours priest?"

" It's Marcus. I thank you Leonard I needed to hear that today."

"O-oh my, there is no need Marcus."

Leonard was taken aback by his behavior. But then he heard footsteps from behind. And then a voice.

"Marcus go rest we shall depart soon."

"Oh Sir Titus. Will you join us?"

"No. I'm telling you to rest."

"Ok, ok no need to be pushy. Well it was nice talking to you Leonard. Hope we meet again."

"M-me too."

Marcus returned at his spot. But the man still stood next to Leonard. He was a ginger whit green eyes. He truly stood out from the rest. He wore robes but wasn't a priest, he gave of a feeling of a seasoned warrior, although still being young. Around maybe 30 years old, was what Leonard thought. He stood there silent. He could hear Robert and Damien laughing at some stupid joke that man told them. A forced laugh definitely.

Then he noticed the man's gaze. Leonards face, arms, legs, his sword. The man looked at them all one by one then twirled his mustache. He released a long hmmmm.

"Can I help you Sir?"

The man looked at him again.

"Yes, you can."

Then after a short pause he said.

"I know whit whom you travel."

After hearing those word come out of his mouth Leonard´s mind run wild. What? How? When? He asked him self. Many different dark scenarios played in his head. He knew he couldn't stay silent, it just raise suspicion.

"W-what are you talking about sir?"

"Don't play dumb." Then the man pulled out a medallion that was before hidden by his robes.

"You know what this means right?"

A sword engulfed by flames.

"Sir Titus. Knight of the Iron Knight Order."

Leonard was completely shaken by what he heard. So much that even Robert noticed something was wrong. Order of the Iron Knights. Everyone knew who they are. Sword and shield of the Church. Their purpose was originally to defend the faith of the Elder One and it's followers. But now the order serves only one purpose. To defend not the followers, but the interests of the Church and the All Father Nataniel.

Leonard stood their silent but in truth, he was in total panic mode. The one question that ran trough his head was. Will he and Robert survive to see another day.