The Hero At the Gates, Part Iv

IV. The tavern-keeper approached him swiftly and handed him an identical mask, said,”We wouldn’t let the bastards kill you, but to escape we will have to act fast. “We have horse waiting outside the wall, and take this letter, it will help you out. It introduces you to my brother, the Bandit Chief known as ‘Iron’ Dunlow. “He’s a thief only to king’s and their queens, and in truth is a quite honorable man, it’s only the corrupt who call him fiend, and he always could us another hand. “You’ll find his haunt in the far northern hills, just go quick and don’t stop until you’re there, no hero like you should die such a death, if the king won’t, then the people will care.” They hustled down to the looming front gate, still manned by his friends in the garrison, who conveniently turned their backs to all this, later claiming that they had seen no one. The horses sat nearby, both packed to move, and up on one a slight figure did sit, it was the bar wench, dressed up for travel, for a moment Korlan didn’t believe it She shrugged and said,”I needed a new scene, and I never have traveled far from home, besides, I think, saving so many souls, that such a hero should not be alone.” Weapons were pressed in Korlan’s big hands, a sword, a shield, and two curved hunting bows, he mounted his stead, gave the folks a nod, and with a kick, off the couple did go. The king never found out who did the deed, though he ordered a large, exhaustive search, despite all his power it seemed as if the man Korlan had vanished from the Earth. But such was his anger that he ordered his troubadours to curve poor Korlan’s name, laying on him the princesses passing, despite the Hrethwite being truly to blame. But if you go to the taverns of Magoss, and drink ale until the hours are late, you’ll he the folk sing of Korlan the Wrongs, and how this true hero held the town gate.