Chapter V: The Maiden and the Vagabond
Three Years Prior
“Thrust!” shouted the old man as he fought with the teenage girl. “Thrust again!” he shouted as the girl did so. “Keep your opponent on his toes at all times!” he shouted again. “Don’t let them have a moment to relax!” The two continued to spar for a good few minutes. The old man, tired from the sparring after a while, put his sword away and sat down on a nearby rock. “You are improving greatly, Jolanta. In my age I find myself struggling to keep up with you.” he stated.
“Thank you… grandfather…” she said.
“What is the one lesson though I keep telling you dear?” asked the grandfather
“There is always someone better…” Jolanta replied.
“You might never meet them, but it is a truth no matter what.” replied the grandfather. “I hope though that what you are learning can help you in this world, for it is cruel and unkind to women.”
“It will grandfather…” replied Jolanta.
“Good girl. Your father would be proud of you. Now, let’s go back and see what is for supper.” replied the grandfather.
The two walked down a dirt road until they reached a mild manor surrounded by fields. Servants worked the fields, planting seeds for the year. In the house, servants made food and drink for the evening. “Welcome home, Lord Awdaniec.” said one of them to the elderly man. He simply nodded in approval.
Two hours later, Lord Awdaniec, Jolanta, and some of the servants were finishing their meal of meat and bread when a knock came to the door. Lord Awdaniec rose and went to the door, opening it. Outside there was a man, in armor. “Been a while Jakub…” said the man when he saw Lord Awdaniec.
“Marcel…” replied Jakub Awdaniec. “What are you doing here?”
“Am I not allowed to greet the man whose position I took when he left?” replied Marcel. “After all, you did kind of died in the process, or so I thought.” replied Marcel.
“I retired, that is all you need to know.” said Jakub.
“Oh really? You know that the only way to get out of our line of work is through death right? I suppose that is why you faked it.” replied Marcel. Marcel walked closer to Jakub, “You do know the penalty for deserting our band is death, no matter who does it, right?”
“I am done fighting. I have a family now, I have peace for the first time in my life. And with that you should leave…” said Jakub in a stern voice.
“Still as serious as ever Jakub, even when you threw down your sword.” said Marcel. He walked off the porch, got on his horse, and rode away.
Jakub returned to his dining hall. Jolanta stood up. “Who was that?” she asked.
“Nobody…” replied Jakub.
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Jolanta scurried through the fields as the fires of the manor illuminated the ground. Shouts were coming from the horsemen who circled the building and threw torches onto the house. All she remembered before running was her grandfather, drawing his sword, holding off a wave of warriors and telling her to run.
She ran into the night, not sure where she would go. Just then, a cracking sound emerged, and Jolanta felt her legs get caught up in rope. She fell on the ground, and turned around to see a large warrior standing over, ax in hand. He looked upon her with anger in his eyes.
The two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Then, the large warrior brought his axe down on the rope, cutting it from Jolanta’s legs. Jolanta slowly stood up, and ran off into the nearby woods. The warrior with the ax walked back to the manor, now on fire.
Marcel was pleased with his work. The old man was probably charred to bits at this point. He smiled at the sight of the fire, and of the dead servants foolish enough to protect their master. The man with the ax walked over and stood next to Marcel. “Find any runaways, Kazimierz?” Marcel asked.
“No…” he replied in a stern voice.
“You disagree with this?” asked Marcel, pointing to the fire.
“No…” replied Kazimierz.
“Good, you do have the mettle for being a leader after all…” said Marcel, walking away.
Kazimierz gripped his ax tightly. Jakub had inducted him into the band, and here he was being murdered by his successor. It was infuriating, it was rage-inducing. Yet, all he could do was watch as the manor burned.
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Present Day
“...did you have to cut both his arms off before killing him?” asked one of the warriors to Fabien. The band was marching on a path through a forest heading back to Poznań.
“Hey come on now, it was funny to watch him flail about with stumps on his body spouting out red fluid!” laughed Fabien.
“Gods you are a psychopath…” muttered Markus under his breath.
“Hey at least I didn’t stick my poker in his rear during it!” shouted Fabien. “Had it been a woman though…”
“Fabien when was the last time you met someone you didn’t immediately want to kill, f---, or torture?” asked Daniel, walking past Fabien on the march.
“I am a warrior! This is what we do!” replied Fabien. Daniel just shook his head and kept walking. He soon found himself next to Kazimierz at the front.
“Any word about Chieftain Piast?” asked Daniel.
“Yes and they aren’t good…” replied Kazimierz. “The sickness is spreading. Poor soul can’t even stand up or move his body without severe pain. Shamans say his life force drains with every passing moment, and that they hope it ends soon.”
“His eldest… is he prepared to inherit?” asked Daniel.
Kazimierz stopped for a bit, and looked at the boy. “I doubt it…” he said before continuing to walk. “Tell me something Daniel, that girl you have grown friendly with…”
“Who, Jolanta?” asked Daniel.
“Yea her… I am surprised out of all the women we encountered to this point you only really have been social with the one that almost beat your rear in. Been meaning to ask why is that?” asked Kazimierz.
“Warriors can fight each other while having a mutual respect for each other, don’t you know that Kazimierz?” replied Daniel.
“Not in this part of the world…” the leader stated as they continued marching onwards.
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Siemowit sat next to his father’s bed. The old man had been asleep for hours. The heir to the Polans watched as his father breathed heavily, with only a harsh cough changing it. He held his father’s hand as the old man rest. Just then, the door opened up behind him, and in walked Kazimierz. “He’s still breathing… for now…” said Siemowit, with a heavy sigh.
“Your father is one of the toughest men I have ever met. He will pull through.” said Kazimierz walking over to the bed.
“Gods be willing to let that happen.” said Siemowit. “They say the Gods cursed my father with a sickness no mortal could recover from.”
“If it is his destiny to die, then he will die. If it is his destiny to dwell on this planet for longer, he will recover.” said Kazimierz, putting his hand on the young man’s shoulder.
“If it is his destiny to die, it will be mine to rule.” replied Siemowit. Kazimierz sat silently and watched the bed.
“Have you ever seen a man die before, Siemowit?”
“Only those who were executed.”
“No, no, as in, died on a battlefield.”
“No, I am afraid not Kazimierz.”
“If you are to inherit this realm, I suggest you fight, lead, and kill before your old man legs it to the great beyond.”
“And if I dont want to do those things?” asked Siemowit, standing up.
“Then you will be the one dying from those seeking to empower themselves through your weakness.” said Kazimierz.
“Are you calling me weak?” asked Siemowit. “Careful with your words warrior…”
“A man’s strength can only be tested in combat. Let those words stay with you.” said Kazimierz. He stood up, bowed, and led himself out of the room.
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“Fresh bread! Fresh bread for all!” shouted the merchant man in the market. The market was abuzz. Animals from nearby farms were hurrying through the market. The street was patted down with footprints and hoof marks. It was just a regular day to the hooded woman walking through the market.
As she was browsing the wine distributor, she felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned to see no one. Then, her hood was torn down to reveal her face. “If you want my suggestion I hear the Lombardy wine is especially good this time of year, Jolanta.” said Daniel.
Jolanta turned to see the face of her friend. “When did you get back…” she said in a hush tone.
“About an hour ago. Someone told me you were wandering the town so I figured I’d come and surprise you.” said Daniel, jabbing his friend.
Jolanta smiled and punched Daniel’s arm. “You are indeed quite borish…” she said, still quietly. The two began walking back to the main keep.
“Coming from the woman who can hold her own against the best warriors here, I’ll take that as a compliment.” said Daniel.
“I assume the expedition… was a success?” asked Jolanta.
“Indeed!” said Daniel. He pulled a small bone dagger out of his belt. “Some idiot tried to fight me with this. He had balls though so I figured I would take it as a sign of respect.”
“You warriors sure know… how to steal the best treasure.” replied Jolanta.
“It’s what we do lady!” chuckled Daniel. “If you came with us one of these times I am sure you could get your own treasure!”
Jolanta sighed. She turned and quickly nabbed the dagger from Daniel’s hand. “I think your leader… wouldn’t appreciate having someone as good in a fight… as you are…”
“The only person who would complain is Fabien and he complains about everything!” stated Daniel. “Also I take offense to that since I did beat you…”
Jolanta smiled, and ran off towards the keep.
“Hey you seriously just going to steal my stuff!” shouted Daniel as he chased after her.
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“Chief Piast has a few days left to live…” said Idzi, bowing before Kazimierz on a balcony.
“Good… good…” said Kazimierz, looking over the market. “Once Piast’s heart stop we will strike.”
“What about his sons? They will rebel.”
“I will kill them myself if they do. These people need a strong ruler, not some lumpy fleshwalker that Siemowit is.” said Kazimierz.
“And the other members of the band?” asked Idzi.
“They will fall in line.”
“Not sure about Daniel…”
As Idzi asked this, he saw a woman running towards the keep, with Daniel chasing after her. The woman climbed the stairs, but slipped backwards on the top step. She fell right onto Daniel. After the two regained composure, they both got up, red to the face. The woman apologized, and the two went into the keep together.
“He will fall in line too.” said Kazimierz, walking back into the keep.
