Aela Read online

  He was led into the armoury by the guards and Rom was soon very busy inspecting the weapons. In the meantime, Tua had an idea.

  ‘I will have a word with Aela and create a situation to complicate things even more. I will show Brude who is the cleverer leader between the two of us,’ muttered Tua as she quickly walked towards the chamber where Aela was being held prisoner.

  Tua stepped into the room and saw Aela had been dressed by the servants.

  ‘You look stunning in that gown Aela. Oh, how the crowd will love it, when Rom is defeated and you both are sacrificed to our god Luno. But if you do what I tell you to do, I will arrange it so you and Rom can escape into the forest to freedom.’

  ‘Why should I trust you. I have no reason to follow your advice!’ exclaimed Aela.

  ‘You have no choice in the matter,’ retorted Tua. ‘The likely chance of Rom surviving the contest against Thune is very slim. Then you will be at the mercy of Brude and he is not known for his compassion and kindness. All you need to do is tell me where the Sacred Sword is hidden and I will make sure at least you will escape alive. If Rom is the victor over Thune, I promise you that he escapes with you as well.’

  Aela responded, ‘I don’t trust you at all. Let me talk to Rom and I will give you my answer then to you.’

  After these words were spoken, Tua let out a hearty laugh, ‘I am afraid that won’t be possible. If I attempt to arrange this, I know that Brude would surely kill me with his sword. I can see that I cannot reason with you so I will leave you to your fate. Goodbye for ever,’ exclaimed Tua as she left the room precipitously, leaving Aela to ponder over her words and wonder whether she had handled the situation correctly or not.

  The drums began to beat loudly, to summon the people once more to the Temple square in order for them to witness the contest between Rom and Thune. This time Brude ensured that Juno was seated next to him, on a slightly lower throne, so that the people could see he was still alive and well and he was in favour with Brude.

  Tua was nowhere to be seen, as on Brude’s orders she was confined to her quarters under guard. Rom was marched into the square by a group of guards and the crowd, on seeing Rom let out a roar of disapproval. Then Thune appeared opposite Rom and the crowd shouted with joy, as they were hoping he would be the champion of the day. Brude stood up from his throne and raised his hand for silence.

  A sudden hush descended and all eyes were, looking towards the two combatants.

  ‘Let the contest begin, now!’ thundered Brude.

  Rom and Thune advanced towards the centre of the square, eyeing each other in order, to try and assess the weaknesses of the other. Thune was the first to lunge forward in an attempt to thrust his sword into Rom’s body. Rom stepped aside with lightening speed and the sword missed him and plunged into the ground.

  With a quick movement Rom brought his sword down on Thune’s head. There was a sickening sound as steel connected with Thune’s helmet and the sword slid down his neck, digging deep into his shoulder. There was a sudden spurt of blood pumping out, as Rom’s sword severed an artery. Thune slowly fell to the ground and lay very still, with blood gushing out of his wound. There was a stony silence then a cry from the crowd.

  ‘Foul, foul! Death to Rom! Death to Rom!’

  Nobody could believe that the contest was over so quickly. Brude was amazed as was everyone else and at first he was at a loss to what next move to make. He gathered his thoughts quickly and ordered the guards to bring Rom to him.

  ‘What happened?’ Brude shouted at Rom, as Rom stood before him.

  ‘I saw my chance and took it,’ replied Rom coolly. ‘You must keep your promise and let Aela and myself free. I have won the contest.’

  Brude glared at Rom, ‘Take him away, I will deal with him later.’

  Brude then turned to the crowd, ‘The contest is over, you can all go home, now.’

  There were subdued grumbles coming from some members of the mob, but slowly they began to walk away in small groups, whispering amongst themselves. Thune’s body was quickly carried away by the guards. Very soon the only sound that could be heard was the sputtering from the lit torches, as the flames created a flickering effect along the stone walls of the square as well as casting deep moving shadows across the ground.

  Brude was beside himself with rage. Nothing was going his way and no matter what he had planned, it did not turn out the way he wanted it to. He was no further forward with his strategy of winning the people over to his side. Also he did not have the Sacred Sword in his possession, so that he could use its magical powers for his own ends.

  It was time for drastic action, ‘Guards bring Rom to me instantly. I am going to make him tell me where the Sword is hidden even if I have to wring it out of him with my own bare hands around his throat.’

  CHAPTER 12

  The Illumination

  After the initial feeling of elation that he had won the contest by killing Thune, Rom was overcome with utter weariness. He slowly sank onto the floor and laid his head on his arms and tried to rest his aching limbs whilst lying on the prison floor. The inner core of his body was shrieking with white hot pain and his head was frozen numb with black thoughts of revenge.

  Suddenly, in walked a couple of guards into his prison cell, who roughly dragged Rom to his feet, then propelled him along the passageway.

  ‘Brude wants to see you, now! You had better do what he demands, otherwise he will kill you instantly,’ growled one of the guards.

  Rom’s thoughts went into a spin as to how he was going to survive his encounter with Brude. He soon was in front of Brude and forced to kneel before him.

  ‘My patience has run out with you. Where is the Sacred Sword hidden? You must tell me now or I will kill you with my bare hands this instant. Better still you will be slowly tortured until you beg for mercy.’

  ‘If you end my life now then the secret will go with me and your desire for power and glory will disappear for ever,’ declared Rom.

  Brude was thunderstruck for a few moments. ‘If you reveal the hiding place I will make you one of my head men,’ replied Brude.

  Rom quickly responded. ‘You have already gone back on your promise, that if I killed Thune you would set Aela and I free.’

  Just at that moment Tua entered the room. ‘Have you made Rom tell you where the Sacred Sword is hidden?’ Tua glared haughtily straight at Brude.

  Brude abruptly said, ‘Why do you always interfere with what I am doing. You stupid woman! Whatever you have advised me to do has never worked out. It is about time you stopped meddling in my affairs.’

  Tua responded, ‘That’s all the thanks I get for trying to help you. My idea is that you bring Aela here and threaten to kill her, if Rom does not reveal the truth to you.’

  There was a sudden silence, then Brude shouted out the order to bring Aela immediately to him.

  Rom was not happy with the sudden turn of events and he desperately tried to think of an alternative plan.

  A guard quickly ran in with the catastrophic news, ‘Juno has been rescued by a group of his loyal men and spirited away. He is now free.’

  Brude was beside himself with anger and fear. ‘Now Juno can raise an army and come to kill me,’ bellowed Brude.

  ‘You have a bargaining tool with Juno. You have Rom and Aela,’ stated Tua. ‘I would send a messenger to Juno to arrange a meeting with you and your officers to parley with him.’

  The guards then brought Aela into the room and she ran straight to Rom. ‘I am so glad they have not killed you, at least I can die at your side.’

  Brude sneered ‘A very pretty thought my dear, but at the moment it is in my best interests to keep you both alive. Guards! Take these two away and watch over them well. Tua, come with me as I have much to organise!’

  Both Tua and Brude left the room in deep conversation as Rom and Aela were led away by the guards. Whilst Rom and Aela were walking down a long passageway flanked by guards, the group turned a corner and were i
mmediately confronted by a number of armed men.

  There was an instant clash of swords and a couple of the guards fell to the ground with blood gushing out of their wounds.

  One of the armed men shouted, ‘Grab Rom and Aela quickly before reinforcements arrive and we are outnumbered!’

  Rom and Aela felt the steel grip of strong hands around their arms as they were quickly hustled away down a side passageway and thrust up on two waiting horses, just outside the door. The group was soon furiously galloping down the main roadway towards the big gates and freedom. Before the guards at the gates knew what was happening, the party of galloping horses passed through into the darkness and beyond. The riders did not slacken the speed of their horses until they were deep into the forest which was located along a rough road they were riding along.

  ‘Well done men! Blindfold our prisoners! We don’t want them to know where our secret camp is hidden. Won’t Juno be pleased with the successful completion of our mission!’ gleefully shouted the leader.

  Both Rom and Aela had blindfolds placed over their eyes. The men then guided their horses into the forest and carefully picked their way between the trees, as they made their way to the hidden camp with their two important prisoners. All that Aela and Rom could do was to clutch the manes of their horses to prevent themselves from falling off onto the ground.

  It seemed to Rom and Aela that a long time passed as their horses plodded along through the forest, but eventually the party was ordered to stop. They were told to dismount from their steeds and then were guided by willing hands, as they both gingerly walked down a narrow track with their captors. As they were both blindfolded, they did not know when to duck their heads and as a consequence, they were often hit in the face with the odd overhanging branch.

  Finally they could hear voices and sounds of general movement of persons in front of them.

  ‘Take their blindfolds off!’ growled one of the warriors.

  Soon Rom and Aela were blinking their eyes in strong daylight for a few moments until they became accustomed to the glare.

  ‘Great, you all have done very well to rescue these two. Your men will be especially rewarded by me,’ exclaimed Juno. ‘Come! You two you must be hungry and thirsty after your rescue from Brude and his men.’

  Juno led the duo to a large tent where inside was a long table laid out food and drink. ‘Help yourselves to whatever you want to eat or drink.’

  As both Aela and Rom were starving and hadn’t eaten any food for some hours. They immediately sat down at the table and started to eat the food rapidly, also gulping down large amounts of wine from golden goblets which were laid out on the sumptuous table.

  No one spoke for a while, until Juno broke the silence. ‘Well my friends, you certainly are very hungry. Doesn’t Brude feed his prisoners.’ Juno laughed at his own joke.

  Both Aela and Rom looked up momentarily and then again concentrated on their eating and drinking, as if this would be their last meal. The two soon felt satisfied and almost simultaneously, they sat back in their chairs, turned their heads and looked straight at Juno, waiting to hear what he had to say to them.

  Juno sensing their interest in him, cleared his throat, ‘I have your attention at last. Your freedom comes at a price, you both are to swear to obey me at all times. I intend to take the Temple of the Sun by force and I am using you both as the bait, to bring Brude out into the open field with his army. Then, I will defeat him in battle, once I am triumphant, I will then turn my attention fully on both of you. You must tell me where the Sacred Sword is hidden otherwise you will both will be tortured and then killed. However, if you cooperate I will then grant you both your freedom.’

  ‘How do I know that you will keep your word. Brude has gone back on his agreement. He told me if I killed Thune that he would grant Aela and I our freedom. I defeated Thune but he reneged as soon as he could.’ retorted Rom.

  ‘Well, I don’t think either of you are in a position to argue with me,’ spat Juno. ‘Come, I am becoming very tired of you not agreeing with me. Guards! Take these two to the prison cave and I will give you both until sunset to give me an answer to my demands. Whisk them away immediately, I have much work to do in the meantime.’

  Aela and Rom were hustled out of the tent and quickly bundled into a dank dark cave.

  ‘Rom, how are we going to escape from Juno,’ exclaimed Aela. ‘I don’t trust him at all. Even if we do what he wants, there is no guarantee he will keep his end of the bargain.’

  ‘I agree with you Aela, so somehow we have to find a way to escape from Juno. We could at first appear to go along with his plans and when we have a chance we could disappear into the forest,’ added Rom. ‘But for now, I will call the guards to take us to Juno immediately.’

  Very soon Aela and Rom were standing in front of Juno, explaining to him that they had agreed to be part of his plan to defeat Brude. Juno was delighted with this news but at the same time quite apprehensive as he did not trust them. So as a precaution he did not give Rom any weapons at this stage, just in case he suddenly turned on him killing him at close range.

  ‘Men, take the prisoners to more comfortable accommodation! Feed and clothe them in readiness for the victory battle tomorrow against Brude and his men. But guard them well, as tomorrow is my day for triumph over my worst enemy, Brude. Then I will have total power over everyone and all the surrounding land and Temples.’

  Juno began to laugh out loud and uncontrollably, with this thought uppermost in his mind. Both Aela and Rom could hear these maniacal sounds as they were led away to their new prison for the night.

  Rom managed to whisper in Aela’s ear, ‘We must make sure we have a good rest tonight, so we are refreshed and ready to seize the first opportunity to escape tomorrow.’

  Aela nodded her head in agreement and placed her hand in Rom’s hand as they walked along flanked by the guards, each gaining strength from this close contact with each other.

  Soon they found themselves inside a lavish tent decorated richly with beautiful silk pieces of material hanging from the ceiling of the tent cascading to the ground. In one corner there was positioned a luxurious bed with many cushions and a netted veil tied at the top with golden tassels.

  Just at that moment servants entered the tent carrying many bowls of food and placed them on a long table covered with a silken blue tablecloth. Both Aela and Rom still felt hungry so they immediately sat down at the table and began eating the food laid out for them. Neither spoke for a while until their appetites were satiated and they had drunk the wine from the golden goblets.

  ‘I am feeling much better already,’ exclaimed Aela with satisfaction. ‘How are you feeling now Rom?’

  ‘The same as you, Aela. But let us rest, we must be alert for tomorrow morning,’ replied Rom.

  He walked over to the bed and laid down and he immediately fell asleep. Aela suddenly realised how tired she was feeling, and laid down beside Rom. She also was soon sleeping, dreaming that she was lying in Rom’s arms, feeling completely and totally secure and happy.

  As dawn broke, there was a bustle of activity in the camp, everyone was very busy, concentrating on getting ready for the impending battle. There was an air of excitement as well as naked fear, with the reality that some would be killed or wounded. Whilst others would be lucky enough to experience the rush of glory, as they triumphantly returned back to camp with stolen booty and exaggerated stories of their courage, and tales of how they had won over their enemy.

  Aela and Rom awakened the next morning and they both quickly bathed and dressed. They were then marched to Juno’s tent where Juno greeted them enthusiastically.

  ‘You are both looking more refreshed than you did yesterday. The horses are ready, so come follow me. You will be given your weapons Rom, when we are closer to the battle scene,’ stated Juno.

  ‘Come, my officers! We must go and fulfil our destinies. Today we shall be triumphant and Brude will either be slain or my prisoner. I will be in tota
l control and you men will be amply rewarded for your efforts on the battle field. The gods are with me today, I feel it in my bones,’ loudly exclaimed Juno as he drew his sword from his scabbard and flourished it over his head. ‘Bind these two prisoners’ hands together in front of their chests. I don’t want them to escape and spoil my plans.’

  ‘You do not have to do that,’ shouted Rom as his hands were grabbed and bound.

  ‘I am not leaving anything to chance,’ replied Juno testily. ‘Come! We are wasting time.’ The party of men swept out of the tent and with rapid speed mounted their horses.

  They waited for Juno to give the order to march. Both Aela and Rom were hoisted onto their horses. Juno gave his senior officers the signal to advance, there was a moments pause, then the army began to move forwards, slowly making its way through the thick forest.

  Every now and again, there was a sudden cry from one of the foot soldiers, as he was hit by a hanging branch or accidentally ran into a tree. The horses were more adept in picking their way through the gloomy forest, but their riders were not so fortunate and a few fell off their mounts, when they failed to see in time a stray branch. Soon they were on the main road and the soldiers all fell into neat lines one, behind the other as they trudged along the road to the Temple of the Sun.

  Back at the Temple of the Sun, Brude had just received news from his scouts that they had sighted Juno’s army who was now marching along the main road. Brude was feeling both elated and fearful at the same time. He realised that this would be the final showdown between himself and his old enemy, Juno. He was determined to be triumphant and this time he would not lose the opportunity to kill Juno himself in single combat. He gathered his officers together to work out the best strategies to protect the Temple and adjacent buildings within the surrounding fortified walls.

  An argument broke out between a couple of the officers who started to trade punches with each other as to whether they should fight their enemy in the open field in front of the main gates or to stay inside the huge walls and defend from the ramparts. The debate continued to be very heated and swords were drawn from their scabbards.