They had hardly been a day's ride away from the inn even though it had been two days. The storm had cost them a whole day that they were now behind. Aiden was irritated but the storm was calming down and they would be on the road again soon.
"The rain is almost gone. I grow tired of sitting under trees and waiting," Aiden said to Cregor.
"I am sorry, my young Lord. We could not travel in these rains," Cregor said back to Aiden.
"We would be at Hartsend only a day or two later, if we ride hard we might make it in one day for sure," Cregor said again.
"Perhaps we could find something to eat before we depart?" Aiden asked Cregor.
"We will find food up the road, merchants often travel these roads," Cregor said.
This made Aiden happy, he had many berries and wares from the guild that he wanted to sell.
They waited a few hours and the rain finally stopped pouring down.
"Pack your things, my young Lord. We will be on our way soon," Ser Cregor said as he gathered his things.
"Good, I'm ready to get home, Cregor."
When they left, they rode up the great path that went all the through the great plains. They rode for a few hours and just as Cregor said, a merchant was stood beside the road.
A black robe and black hood to match.
"Cregor, he wears almost the same hood as you do. What are the odds?" Aiden said with a smile, knowing he could sell his goods and perhaps even buy food, or whatever that was in the man's cart that was attached to his horse.The merchant approached them, and with an eerie deep voice he said: "Anything I can help you with?"
"I have things to sell. I hope you have gold, my friend," Aiden told the merchant.
" I do, I do. Come see what I have," the merchant signaled for Aiden to follow.
Cregor stood back, observing the scene. The merchant turned to him and asked: "Nothing for you, young one?"
"I do have one question for you," Cregor stated with an evil grin.
"What would you pay for an anoying little piss stain?" Cregor asked the man, moving forward slowly. Aiden seemed confused the merchant droped all of his goods and pulled back his cloak.
A medium height man wearing a short dagger on his side with black stained leathers could now be seen. His hair was short and black.
"What is the meaning of this?" Aiden asked the man and Ser Cregor. No one answered him, just stood looking at each other. Aiden quickly ran for his horse and grabbed his sword that he had made for his father.
"I am not afraid of you! I'll kill you both in one shot easily!" Aiden exclaimed while shakily holding his sword forward.
The short man lunged towards Aiden, planting three fast blows to Aiden's sword with his own. The clanging of steel against steel was all that could be heard. Aiden took a few steps back. He paused for a moment, looking at Cregor who now only stood there laughing at them. Something was not right, Aiden had to come up with a plan and fast.
"A babysitter," Cregor shouted.
"Your father made me your babysitter," he added again, seeming half crazy as he laughed between the words he shouted.
Aiden grabbed his sword with both hands and lunged at the short man. He dodged and slashed for Aiden's face. Aiden avoided it but only just.
"You have fought many battles, have you not?" Aiden asked his opponent. The man only stared at him and before Aiden could blink, the short man lunged forward again and again and again. Aiden blocked the sword but he felt more fatigued with every blow. He gathered all of his strength and as a straight lunge came in for his face, he thrusted his sword into the air and it collided with the man's blade. He saw an opening as the short hooded man took a step back. With his last strength he threw a massive slash. The man spinned his body and sword which caused Aiden to miss. The man stopped, leaping forward once more and giving a slash across Aiden's lower leg as he stumbled. He could see the blood gashing through his new would, screaming in pain. The short hooded man laughed along with Cregor.
"Well, that was easy," Cregor laughed. "I almost wish you were a better fighter."
As they taunted Aiden, they heard a horse.
"Now who could that be? Stand back Ordmaer, this one is mine."
Cregor drew a short dagger from under his robe, he wore the same armour as his friend, Ordmaer.
"You fool, you will pay for your betrayal of my brother," Ser Greely shouted, riding on his horse towards the men. He rode past them, slashing his long sword. They gave way and he jumped off near Aiden.
"Good thing I ride for the guild boy, or you would be dead now," greely told Aiden. "But you are safe now, Aiden. Do not worry."
Before Greely could even gather himself, Cregor ran towards him. Greely quickly stood up and dodged Cregor's thrust, pushing him forward hard with his shoulder.
"Come here, you dog! Let me kill you here and now," Greely shouted. Cregor launched a flurry of strikes but Greely avoided them all and as Cregor came in closer, greely punched him hard. Cregor spotted blood and laughed in a devilish way at the brave man. Greely then rushed forward and delivered his own flurry of strikes. He landed a knick on the leg. Another on the hand. And another in the face. The last shot nearly killed Cregor. If he had not moved at the last second, he would be dead. Cregor stumbled back and said to the man: "Are you just going to stand there? Kill me, old man!" he laughed ever harder. Greely rushed at him and he swung his sword but before he could strike anything his blade fell to the ground.
A sudden quiet filled the air. Greely looked down and saw his hand still clutching his blade that was now lying in the dirt, surrounded by blood. A blood curling scream followed. Greely fell to his knees, clutching his stump. He tried to crawl away, in pain. "I should have known you would intervene!" Greely said as he crawled towards Ordmaer.
Ordmaer placed his hand over Greely's face.
"I am sorry, Aiden," Greely said, almost shedding a tear. And in an instant, fire began to pour from Ordmaer's hand. The heat was unbearable to Aiden but before he could try to understand what was happening, his uncle fell to the ground once more. Nothing but a black charred hole where his uncle's smile used to be. And amongst all the ember and blood and death, Cregor stood screaming and laughing in the most evil way possible.
"It is all over now, my young Lord," Cregor yelled into the air.