Free The Black Sword Trilogy: The Poacher by Jeffery VanMeter Page B

he not release any Walechian prospectors already arrested; he declared that any others caught were to be arrested and executed as spies.  The Dukes and Barons of Walechia demanded action from the King who, not wanting to lose face or prestige with his people assembled an army and placed them on the mountain pass leading to Masallah.  Crennol did the same and war seemed inevitable.  The priests of the temples warned both Kings to make peace, but both feared losing their power by appearing weak.  Then one night, a winter storm the likes of which had never been seen descended on the camps of both armies killing hundreds on both sides.   Both Kings saw the storm as a sign and removed the armies from the mountain pass.  A peace treaty was signed that, not only would the Walechian prospectors be released, a deal was struck that prospectors of either nation would have to pay a tax on the gold found to the nation of the side of the mountains were found.  The peace was maintained, but grudges remained.
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Eleven
     
     
                  Broddick looked down at the degenerate bitch; the whore; the blasphemer.  He thought to himself that what he was about to do to her was, not only justified, but necessary as well.  She needed to be taught a lesson for her unnatural ways.  She needed to be punished.  The only light in the barracks was the dim light coming from the fire outside.  Everyone else in the barracks was asleep and no one would know what happened.  He’d make sure she didn’t make a sound and her dead body could never tell who took her life.  He slowly drew his knife from under his tunic; but then suddenly, he felt a sharp blade on his neck.
    “Something on your mind big fellow?” Whispered the voice of her friend; the one they called Kenner.
    “This is no concern of yours, hill boy.” He hissed.
    “Let’s just say I’m an interested party,” Kenner whispered back at him.  “And if you call me ‘boy’ one more time, they’re going to have to take us both to a doctor to get my foot out of your ass.”
     
                  Kenner guided Broddick’s body around, removed the short sword from his neck then pushed him back in the direction of his bunk.
    “I won’t forget this,” Broddick whispered.
    “I certainly hope not.” Kenner answered.  He then turned and looked down at Terri, who didn’t look as if she’d been awakened.
    “I could have taken care of that myself, you know.” She said; her back still turned to him.
    “But then, I wouldn’t have had the chance to use my favorite threat.” Kenner answered her.
    “It was rather clever.” She said.
     
                  Kenner had barely gotten back to sleep when Sergeant Holly entered the barracks yelling.  “Alright, you lazy animals!  On your feet!  It’s time to get back to work!”
    Kenner then quickly washed himself as best as he could then threw his clothes back on.  Afterwards, Terri came up behind and slapped him on the back.
    “Come on, hill boy.  I’ve got a friend I want you to meet.”
     
                  They found the cook stirring something that looked like oatmeal in a large bucket.
    “Got that gunk ready for me?” Terri asked brightly.
    “It’s right here, butch.” The cook grunted.  “Hope the old girl chokes on it.”
    “Is there another girl in this company?” Kenner asked.
    “Something like that,” Terri answered with the same grin Kenner had become accustomed to.  She picked up the bucket and carried it with her, leading Kenner behind her.
    “No one should be as happy as you before sunrise.” Kenner moaned.
    “I’m just glad to see another sunrise.”
     
                  They walked along the length of the stables.  Several soldiers were feeding the few horses sticking their heads out and the smell of horse manure was thick in the moist air.  The morning fog was still glistening in the dim, predawn light.