4 comments/ 3256 views/ 0 favorites The Bastard; Loyal to One Ch. 03 By: Snikkel Hi there, It has been awhile. I had planned to submit this story three weeks ago, however due to the holidays and upcoming exams it, unfortunately, got delayed a bit. The editing has been done by Sofie. (Thank you very much X) Please enjoy the story. ---------------------------------------------------- "Our bowstrings are going to be useless after this," Francis stared gloaming in to the rain. "How much longer do we have to wait? I'm drenched." "We are all wet, and so is the road," Marvin answered. "And you heard the good man, twenty more minutes. I don't even know why I'm telling you this, you were next to me when he reported, so unless you've got something else besides complaints and useless questions, please shut up." For a while they suffered the rain in silence, then Francis spoke again. "Marvin, didn't you say they would be heavily guarded?" "Yes, that is what I said." "So you were wrong. The scout said he counted twelve." "And you render it impossible that they have hidden guards? Let's say inside the cards? There is a reason our lord has chosen me to lead this ambush." "What are you impl..." "Be quite," Marvin shot Francis a hard glance, is blue eyes fierce and cold. Then he moved his eyes back to the road, Francis mouth was still open left in mid-sentence, it looked like he wanted to say something, but then decided it to be wiser to shut his mouth. They waited, and Marvin relaxed, his breathing steadied. Francis had been right, the strings of their bows would be useless after this day, but Marvin didn't care, he always made sure to have enough in reserve. Unlike many archers in the kingdom he favored a small supple bow. Although its scope wasn't more than ninety yards and an accurate shot above sixty was almost impossible, arrows could be shot in an immense rate, combining that with its more manageable size made it superior in close quarters, like woodland or cities. And should he need one far range shot, he always could rely on the much bulkier yet more precise crossbow. They had laid the ambush on the food of a little slope, the everlasting rain had made it a hard task to decent from it and the guards would have their hands full just getting the cards down safely thus hopefully be to occupied to spot the impending raid. More than the estimated twenty minutes had gone by but they came at last, first three riders. They looked, wet, miserable, and tired their shoulders hung deep under the fatigue of the day, the poor state of the roads had more than halved the travel speed of the cards and it would be long after dark when they could see a warm bed, only to be chased out of after too short hours of sleep. All in all they perfectly good reasons to be in a bad mood and a steep muddy slope wasn't something which would brighten their day. Little did they know how much worse it would get. After them came the first card and this spurted them to move again. Marvin's calmness flickered, it didn't surprise him that he was nervous. He never liked to work with others, and now he had to rely on young half trained farmer boys and too old veterans. The plan shouldn't be too complicated but you never know. Still there was nothing he could do at this point but wait and hope. He knew it was out of his hands, he had made a plan and he had instructed them, now only Luck could influence the outcome. Slowly the wagons crept down the slope, very carefully as to prevent the horses from slipping. The scout had been right, twelve men. First three on the horses next three wagons with each one teamster and one passenger then in the vanguard three more riders. All of them wearing that tired and empty gaze which you couldn't help after sitting in the cold rain for hours. Pondering how in Luck's name you've gotten this assignment, while the wetness freezes you to the bone. As the first three men passed Marvin got a hold of himself, he was back to a steady breathing and his deadly calmness. Unlike Francis who clearly was nervous and skittish. Although Marvin had rather seen him not having a bow, half convinced he would let go too soon and mess up the ambush, but it had been impossible to forbid the squire to carry one. Slowly the first of three cards rolled by, the horses laboring to keep the wheels moving in the ankle deep mud. Then a loud cracking sound followed by dull bang shook up men and animal. A tree had fallen, conveniently blocking the road, on this cue a flight of arrows and bolts emerged from the tree line killing ten guards in a clean sweep. A horseman, missed by the deadly projectiles, spurted his mount forward to jump the road block, as it wasn't a high obstacle, the horse jumped it graciously, however its rider was lifted out of the saddle and with an already broken neck he fell on the ground. An arrow from Marvin's bow finished of the last survivor. After the brief seconds of shouting and screaming it seemed quiet, only the nervous sorting of the horses and the moaning of one or two men who weren't that death yet disturbed the tranquility. Cautiously Marvin emerged from dense undergrowth, on all sides men followed his lead. "You there. Can you ride?" the young men Marvin spoke to looked pale and confused, but then he nodded. "Ok then grab one of the horses and catch the one that got away, but beware of the string, or we will have two lonesome horses on the road." "Spearmen on your marks!" six men carrying long pikes moved behind the canvas clad wagons, then they looked expecting to their commander, who nodded. On this the men started to stab ferociously in to the wagons beds, surprised and pained screams came from behind the covers. Suddenly a bolt struck one men in the neck; he fell blood gurgling to the ground. "Surrender, surrender. We surrender." Marvin told his men to stop and shouted. "Come out of the wagons and hold your hands up!" Seven men came forward, hands held in the position they were ordered in. "Are there anymore inside?" All shook their heads in denial. "You there check the wagons. You and you strip the prisoners of their weapons and then take the prisoners the side of the road." The men had been standing around dazed but started moving as Marvin shouted his orders. Some he ordered to clear the road, others to tend to the horses or strip and move the corpses. Then he turned around and walked towards the frightened prisoners, he gave them a short look. "Kill them," the men started to weep and to cower. "What you can't kill them! They surrendered! Honour says they are our prisoners," Francis wild ranting was cut short. While Marvin was still looking into Francis direction, his knife had been buried in a prisoner neck. An artery was served and while the man still sat right up blood squirted out in small intervals, when the red touched ground and mixed with the muddy brown it resulted in one of the vilest colours nature had to offer. Bewildered Francis looked at the dying man who lived out his life as a macabre human fountain. "I don't give a bloody dammed thing about your honor. We don't have the resources for prisoners," then he looked at Nico the old veteran gave a small nod. Marvin walked away behind he heard one of the prisoners starting the cry he had a wife and a child then he was quiet as the world counted one more widow. ***** "My victorious heroes," with his arms wide open Robert welcomed Francis and Marvin in to the cave. "I assume all went well? How many losses" "Yes, m'lord everything went accordingly; just one dead on our side. I think his name was Herrid or Jarrid, something like that." "Gerrid, such a good man. I'll have to tell Cast that his brother died. Although it's very sad, only one loss is impressive, it could have been worse. How many weapons did we obtain?" "About that I'm sorry sire, but there were no weapons other than those the guards carried on them." Marvin had contain himself not to punch that smug grin of Francis face. "What? None? You just said all went according to plan, what kind of game are you playing?" the lord barked. "The raid went perfectly, but the cargo was, well, not what we had expected." "When not weapons, what was the cargo?" "Wine, m'lord, and a liquor which Nico called verge." "Wine and verge? What are supposed to do with that?" "Drink it," Francis had been enjoying this embarrassment, but now he looked utterly shocked by Marvin's boldness. "What did you say? Drink it?" Robert couldn't believe the insolence he witnessed. "Are you trying to make fun of me Marvin? A good man died today, and you're trying to be witty?" "No, m'lord. I'm not making fun of you," Marvin said in his meekest voice, but his gaze was stern. "I propose we should drink it. The first party will leave us tomorrow, let's celebrate the start of a successful campaign." "But we can't let them get drunk, they are nervous and we can't risk to let things turn sour on the last day," he had been silent for the whole time, but now Francis feared that Marvin would steer his failure in favorable light. "My lord. Don't listen to this commoner, he knows nothing." "Yes they are nervous and they ought to be, many of them will be dead by next turn. But today we had a beautiful victory, let them celebrate it with drunkenness and debauchery, show them what they are fighting for. It would also be the perfect time for a rousing speech, these things wonders to the moral." "Yes, I see wisdom in what you're saying," the lord said hesitating. "Let's them have their drinking and I think I could say a few words." "Robert! You can't be serious." Francis' grin had completely vanished. "Yes Francis, I'm serious!" then his stern look was broken by a grin. "And maybe it gives you to a chance to learn to like each other, he might be a commoner but he has a noble's tong. Now get yourself some dry clothes, you're dismissed I'll see to the unpacking of the cards." Everything was dancing; the people; the fire; and with the combination of both the shadows. It was warm in the communal cave, a warmth much inviting by its contrast to the chill of the night, which reined just beyond the mine's entrance. There was also a warmth of the people themselves, kindled by wine and dancing. The voices and laughter out of almost two hundred throats, mixed with a cacophony of lutes, drums and pipes, made it nearly impossible for an individual to be heard. The overwhelming booming of the masses. Nonetheless now it was time for only one to speak, the festivities had started an hour ago and the food was almost ready to be served. Two loud tones of the bugle was what it took to silence the masses, but Marco sounded it a third time, just for good masseur. All attention turned to the man standing on the long ashen table, and when their lord raised his right hand was it enough to silence last mummers. "Good evening my friends," Robert's voice carried loud, yet calm in the sudden vacuum of noise. "We have waited a long time, we all have worked hard, and we did say our goodbyes to old friends and family. All of us have provided many offers to archive this dream, this dream not many even dared to dream. This vision; of our proud land, and its proud people, once again free from the tyrant in Satlock and his lapdog the Earl. This Earl, this coward who dares to call himself a the leader of us proud people, this coward for whom many of you have fought defending your fathers lands from the greedy hands of the kingdom, many of you have seen brothers and friends fall in that same act. Only so that in the end, this cowardly Earl could crawl on his knees and surrender this land, and its people, to the Tyrant of Satlock. I may have not been there, and people may wonder 'what does he know when he was just a boy back then', to those people I only can answer; that even as a boy I felt the shame and pain of the betrayal. The same shame and pain you felt, you the good people of Bramen, who have bled for this country, and together with you I have wept in despair for the humility of defeat." While he was speaking it seemed to grow even hotter in the cave, and shouts of anger as well as shouts of approval accompanied his words. "But now is our time," the words came out so quiet; they did not seem more than a whisper. It had its effect, and once again the masses were silent. Then loud and clearly: "Now my loyal friends is our time, the waiting is over and tomorrow the first groups will disembark! In little groups we will move to the city, unseen to glaring eye of the Earl. We will hide ourselves in the city and when every last of us is in position; we will strike! We will take the castle, and when we have control of the castle, we will have control of the city. With city firmly in our grip, the people will see it is time to shed the cloak of tyranny. Together with the people, the counts and barons will flock to our side knowing that this proud land will be free once again. Of course there are those who will oppose us, those who grow fat and rich on the teats of the Wolf; those turncoats and betrayers; those cowards and cravens. Whom we will crush, and punish for the uncountable crimes and misdeeds they have perpetrated on the good people of Bramen. With this bright future just a turn away, I wish to celebrate with you; you my loyal friends; the bravest of the brave; the noblest of the noble. Tonight we celebrate the end of waiting, and the prospect of freeing us from these shackles of tyranny." His words hung like fog in the cave slowly descending on the awed listeners, then chaos erupted. Wild sheering, laughing and dancing. Both men and women, crying and embracing the person next to them. Out that chaos of sound chanting came. "Bramen" "Lord Robert" "Freedom" All those words fighting to be heard, until only one survived and the whole mass chanted one name. The festivity was exuberant, there was no use to go sparse on the drinks for they had no means, nor reason to take it with them on the journey, which would start the next morning. Food had already been rationed for the travel, and all that was left over would either been eaten or thrown away. The people drank, ate, and got merry. All but Marvin. Marvin ate, Marvin drank, and Marvin was merry, an observer would say, but if that observer would have taken his time to look closer, he would have noticed that the majority of Marvin's drinks touched ground instead of his mouth. And had that observer been a very keen one, he maybe just would have noticed a slip in Marvin's joyful mask; a short disappearance of his presumably constant smile. To notice something like that one had to be a very keen observer indeed, but no one in the dancing and laughing masses could rightfully claim to possess this proficiency. So Marvin laughed and danced, flirted and spilled, all unobserved. He waited until the wine would do its work, the festivities would die down, and for the people to go to sleep. "You probably had heard this a thousand times this night, but that was an impressive speech m'Lord," it had taken some time, but now it was late and no more than two dozen revelers where still awake, most of them hanging over the tables talking in slurring voices. Where first the hall had been filled with music and laughter, was now a bunch of snoring drunken men. "Thank you Marvin. I have heard it a lot, but I like hearing it from you, I like you a lot," his eyes unfocused as Robert smiled at Marvin. "I was quite good wasn't it?" "Yes Robert you were tremendous." The fire had died down to only a shimmer of the inferno that it had been. Mugs, tankards and plates, food rests and wine spills filled the tables, between those the heavy heads of sleeping drunkards. On the floor sleeping couples in each other's arms, some naked, some clothed, others in between, none of them in condition to perform in the act they had desired. "Tremendous," the lord kept on smiling. "Yes yes tremendous that is 'cause it came from the hart." His cheeks glowed from his wine fueled anger "I hate them. I hate him! The coward, how could let us lose?" His yelling stirred some of the sleeping men. "I understand." "No you don't, you can't" "Alright, I guess I can't." "It was so horrible, he gave it all away. Is giving it away. Wanted me to marry some daughter of a baron to strengthen the ties. The daughter of a baron!" "Despicable," he muttered, then his head sank in to his arms. "I guess that settles it," Marvin looked around, there on the far, talking drunkenly to some just as drunken men, he saw who he was looking for. So he walked straight towards Larissa, when he got her attention he nodded toward the passage which led deeper in to the mine and walked in that direction. Klarissa couldn't see him, but he could see her, a silhouette with gracious swinging hips. "Marvin," the dark form giggled. "Are you hiding? Come on, where are you? I've something you'll like" When she walked past him, he grabbed her from behind and pressed her face to the cold rock wall. "Something I like? What would that be?" he growled into her neck which he muzzled. She pushed her ass back in to him and squirmed, to his delight. The squishing noise of leather against leather echoed in the dark empty corridor. Then Marvin kissed her neck and Klarissa paid in kind by kissing his eyebrow, one moved up the other moved down, both on a journey to meet each other halfway. When their lips touched, he turned her around, so she was backed up to the wall and her chest pressed against his. In this fashion he loomed over her with his hands pressed against the stone behind her. Klarissa threw her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist to hoist herself up against him. Their groins grinned against each other and a moan of anticipation was muffled by Marvin's mouth. Marvin had to admit to himself that he didn't want this moment to end, and gladly he would forget his duties, but he knew what had to happen. It was a feeling he had grown accustomed to, perhaps the feeling was stronger this time, however he had learned to ignore it like the nagging of an old companion. Darkness and passion deprived them of any sense of time and because Marvin wasn't eager to move, it took them a long time before Klarissa proposed to move on to his quarter. There on the warm pelt of a deer they carried on. An almost primal lust had built up in the two lovers and the small leather bindings of their clothing proved to be an immense frustration. Rather than to struggle any longer with the troublesome straps Marvin decided to simply used his knife to cut open Klarissas vest. Once the irritating obstacle was removed, there was nothing left to keep Marvin at bay. And now that her white flesh was exposed to his mouth and hands, he licked and nipped, bit and pinched. "What are you doing? Why are you so rough?" Klarissa had problems keeping back her moans long enough to utter those words. "I, I can't help. I have to..." and he started to tug on her pants. Together, they managed to free themselves of those obscuring garments, and no longer by them hindered Marvin pushed himself deep inside her. For a short moment he rested, savoring the feeling, that warm tightness. That moment however was soon over and his body urged him to move, in an out, faster and faster. His face nuzzled in her neck, and Klarissa could feel his warm breath caress her soft skin. Her desire to feel him, to be connected with him with every fiber of her being was rekindled with every trust. Each time he retreaded she feared he would slip out and then; she would lose him. So Klarissa locked her legs behind his back and her arms behind his neck clamming her body tightly to his. It didn't take long for her to reach her peek, and when that peek came it overwhelmed her, wave after wave crashed in on her and Marvin was her only hold. After the third or fourth wave an faint iron taste filled her mouth, however now there was no time to wonder about it. The Bastard; Loyal to One Ch. 03 He could hold back any longer and Marvin knew he didn't had to, but he wanted to. It fell so good being inside her while she was carried away in bliss, he could feel her convulsing around him. And then while he was concentrating on that divine feeling there was a sudden sting of pain originating from his ear. This mixture of pleasure and sudden pain proved to be too much, and his will as well as his muscles succumbed. A vague noise startled Marvin. "I think someone is coming," He whispered in Klarissa's ear, while his naked body pressured on hers. He fell her cheek twitch in a smile against his. "Not that," for Marvin knew what she was thinking. "Someone is coming up the corridor." The air was cold once he was detached from her warm body, but despite this discomfort he got up. Outside in the dark hallway, past the hide which covered the doorway to his little chamber, stood the intruder swaying on her feet. "I thought you want some company, I sure do," Marta grinned while her words stumbled out of her mouth with grace of a wounded animal. "Darling, now may not be a good time. You know I've to leave tomorrow." "Yes, I know, that's why I came to say goodbye." She stepped forward and let her hands trail over his chest. "No, I can't, not tonight. You're clearly drunk," he tried to shoo her in an angry tone. At first it looked like it would work, Marta looked hurt, but then the lazy smile came back to her face. "No no no. I want you. And you're already naked. So," her hands started to trail downwards from his chest, to abs and then when she grabbed the base of his member she smiled. "I knew you wanted me to, such a big boy," she said, her glassy eyes shimmered in the torch light, then after a second of startled silence. "And wet." Marta brought her hand up to her nose. Marvin watched quiet how she first sniffed and then gave her hand a lick. After realization came anger. "Who is she?" "I think you should leave," Marvin blocked the doorway as Marta tried to squirm in. "I will not leave!" The alcohol which had made her playful and horny, now fueled her anger, her fist bead against his bare chest. "Tell me who she is, show me the whore!" He didn't want to, however he couldn't risk someone coming to investigate after the ruckus she was raising, so with a rueful smile Marvin stepped aside and held the pelt out of way. Marta stumbled past and needed to brace herself to prevent from falling. Her torch spread a warm yellow light in to the little room, only the corners were still hidden in the dark. "Who is...?" dazed Marta looked around. "I know you're here. Come out you bitch!" A silhouette stepped forward from the darkness. Marta squinted her eyes and swayed on her feet, but then when she recognized who was standing in front of her she froze and her eyes shot wide open. "M'lady. You... With... But?" sentences were abolished before they were even been started. Her anger seemed to flow away, left only with confusion and disbelieve. The girl stood there so lost and hurt that Klarissa felt a sting of pity when she saw the pain in the girl's dace. Both their eyes filled with tears and Klarissa was about to step forward to embrace and comfort her, to tell she was sorry and they would work it out. When suddenly a hand covered Marta's mouth. The girl's teary eyes now spoke of shock and then she looked down to where her hands clutched her abdomen. Confused Klarissa followed her gaze, the torch lay on the ground, fallen from Marta's grasp, casting grotesque shadows against the walls and the ceiling. However the fainting light was enough to for Klarissa to see the red blood welling up between Marta's fingers, drip by drip spilling on the floor. As soft moan escaped the dying woman's throat, now Marvin removed his hand. The hand had been the last thing which had kept her upright, and with it gone her served spine wasn't able keep her body upright. A loud smack echoed against the stone walls after her face had hit floor. And the sound broke Klarissa shock, she looked up at Marvin, the man who had just killed a helpless woman, Marvin her lover. "What have you done?" she had to use all her will power to speak those words instead of breaking to the floor crying. "I killed her," he stated matter of factually. "I told you I would do anything, did I not?" "But even if we hide they will notice she's gone missing!" Klarissa started to panic. "No they won't, they'll find her. Her, him, you, what a nice picture you will make." He looked sad but calm, slowly cold fear started to spread inside Klarissa. Although it had been a while ago, she recognized that expression on his face, back when he had rescued her. It all seemed so long ago now, that little pond on the way to Bramen. Him bursting in on the guards, killing them, and then when the last one had begged for his life Marvin had looked down at him, back then she had thought his expression was emotionless. However now she knew better, now she could read his face, just before he had killed that man when Marvin had looked down, his face bore the same expression as his face bare now, pity. "What are you talking about? Him? Me?" Marvin had started to close the gap between them, inevitable making her to back off, her eyes moved from his face to the bloodied sword in his hands. "That's Roberts sword," she stammered not even knowing why she had mentioned it, she couldn't think straight any more, it was as if the fear had frozen her mind. When her back hit the wall she pushed herself against it, almost hoping the stone would embrace her, carry her away, and hide her from his eyes. All the warmth and caring had vanished from them, left only a cold and calculating stare. Now she felt how the young soldier must have felt when he had looked up in those eyes, helpless. He moved closer, until she could feel his warm breath against her ear, and when he put his hands on her hip she winced under his touch. "I'm actually sorry, Klarissa," he whispered. She stood there with her eyes closed, shaking, her naked flesh covered in goosebumps. Marvin rested his forehead against hers and planted a tender kiss on her lips. When Klarisse opened her eyes the only thing she could see were his, a small tear had formed in the corner of his right one. Slowly it started its decent in the crook of his nose, it asphyxiated her, but she never was to see how it would reach his mouth. Because she felt the tip of the blade push against her belly, and then it sunk in to her, just like he had done so many times before. "M'lord. M'lord Robert," someone shook his shoulder. His mouth was dry, and little crusts of dried spit had formed in its left winkle. His hand started to tingle when he lifted his sore face from his arm which allowed his blood to run more freely. All in one Robert fell miserable and someone had the audacity to wake him. He grunted and slowly opened his eyes. However, the first time all was out of focus, so he closed them again and tried once more. Now that problem was solved he had to find out who had woken him, and punish that pesky person. He moved his head to look around, but the sudden change of position didn't become him to well and white flares of pain shot through his head. "What do you want?" he croaked when he spotted Marvin. "M'lord come!" was all Marvin said, and since the lord did not move, Marvin resumed to shacking his shoulder. This made Roberts head hurt even worse, and so he gave in. "Alright, I'm coming. Stop it already," he needed all his strength to get up from the table, but after a short moment he stood staggering on his feet. "This better be important, Marvin." "It is, M'lord. Very important indeed," then he started to walk away, leaving Robert to follow him. It was quiet in the large cave, and sleeping people covered the floor which left little paths to walk. However Marvin found his way through the maze of bodies quite easily, so Robert followed him and his light. Once again he wanted to ask where they were going, but then he noticed they moved towards the corridor which let to Marvin's room. So he kept quiet, and rather kept on cursing himself for drinking too much. "It better be damned well important," his gaze fixed on Marvin dark green cloak. They had gone deep in to the mine, Robert seldom came here and now his curiosity won more and more from his reluctance. Robert knew that Marvin was a capable man, someone who wouldn't wake him for some minor problem, although he couldn't imagine what it was he was needed for. "If m'lord please could hold the torch," they had reached the entrance to Marvin's room and now the holder of that room trusted the torch in to Robert's hand. Once his hands were free he moved away the hide and stepped in to dark opening. Holding the flame in front of him, Robert went after his soldier. Once inside he looked inquiringly at the man standing next to him. "So what is it that you want to show me," however even while the Lord was speaking, Marvin gestured to look in front of them; and what was to be seen there stocked the voice in Roberts throat. "Who is that?" Robert asked, while he stepped slowly towards the naked corps. "That? That is Marta, I had to undress after I killed her," Marvin sounded almost annoyed. "Unlike your wife, who was already naked." "My wife? Klarissa?" "Yes, over there." Robert almost broke in despair when he followed the direction of Marvin's pointing hand. There, half sitting against the wall, was the naked corpse of Klarissa.. His beautiful wife, the woman he loved so deeply. Then cold anger gripped him. "What have you done?" he yelled. "I'll have your head for this!" "What I have done? I didn't do anything, you killed them," his mocking tone and the little smile infuriated Robert even more. "You are insane! You murdered them." "Yes, I did. Although that is not how people will remember it. Maybe some bard will make a song about the rebel Lord who rather killed himself and his two beautiful lover than risking to fall in hands of the king. Probably not; my bet is on something more vulgar, commoners like to slander the nobles." And while Robert was still gathering his thoughts Marvin stepped forward and whetted the sword's blade for the third time in the soft bowels of a human. "Why?" Robert asked, as he was slowly guided to the ground. "Why I'm doing this?" Marvin asked with a now tired voice. "For the same reason you should have married that barons daughter, a very pretty girl if I might say so. I think you would have made a very good Earl once your time had come. But you didn't know your place, we even waited with this. Giving you the time to see your faults, but now Bramen has a female heir. The Northern Lords wont like that very much, however that is of little consequence since they know all to well what retaliation one has to expect when crossing my uncle." "Your uncle?" little bubbles of blood accompanied the whisper of words. "Yes my uncle, the king," a little smile played around Marvin's mouth and he cupped Robert's neck so they could look in each other's eyes. "Now rest my Lord, for you it is all over. The cavalry will be here by first light to finish off this shamble of yours. I'll just take these keys you got there around your neck, those papers in your chest may prove to be very valuable one day." A short while later a lone dark figure stalked in too the woods. His cloak sheltering him from the cold the autumn rain, his bag on his back and precious papers in his vest, the person who had called himself Marvin left the all but dead rebel camp behind. On the road he would introduce himself as Mathew, back home in Satlock they called him Maximilian or Bastard, the later only behind his back. --------------------------------------------------- As you might have noticed this was the last chapter of this particular tale, which is the first story I ever submitted, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. In the case you really enjoyed my work; don't despair because this won't be my last. The only way for me to get better at this craft is by practice and feedback. So please rate and share your thoughts. This story has been edited by Sofie and Jamie, without whom I would never have dared to submit these texts. Thank you guys, you're awesome!