The Secrets of the Wild Wood

  “There is only one road, so we can ride together for some way,” said the Black Knight with the Red Shield. “Is that man with you?” He pointed at Quibo, who was slowly trudging along.

  “My squire,” said Ristridin.

  “Oh! I am travelling alone, as you can see. I am Sir Kraton of Indigo.”

  Ristridin gave him a nod and said, “I know your name, Sir Kraton.”

  “Of Indigo,” said the other man, with a frown. And when Ristridin said nothing, he went on, “Or are you disputing my right to call myself by that name?”

  “I am not disputing any right, Sir Kraton,” said Ristridin, rather surprised.

  “Of Indigo!” repeated Kraton. “My castle may have been destroyed by the elder son of King Unauwen, but I shall rebuild it! And the name of Indigo cannot be destroyed, even though that is what your refusal to utter it was intended to suggest.”

  “I was not suggesting anything,” said Sir Ristridin coldly, “Sir Kraton of Indigo!”

  The other knight looked him up and down, and said, “I have come from the City of Dagonaut and am on my way to the south. And you?”

  “I, too, am heading south,” replied Ristridin.

  “Where did you come from?”

  “From the north.”

  “And your name?”

  “Will remain unknown,” said Ristridin. “But we can travel together, if you have no objections to the company of a knight with no name.”

  “But I do object!” cried Kraton. “I told you my name, and you are insulting me if you do not tell me yours and raise your visor!”

  “My apologies,” said Ristridin without moving.

  “Are we not in the Kingdom of Dagonaut, where peace reigns?” Kraton continued. “There are no conspiracies here, no assassins, no robber barons and others who choose to lurk in shadows, are there? So whatever possesses you to ride around like that?” Again he studied Ristridin closely.

  “That is my business, Sir Kraton of Indigo,” he said brusquely, pulling at the reins of his horse.

  But Sir Kraton blocked his way. “That is not good enough,” he said.

  “Hell, heaven and all the saints,” sighed Red Quibo. “This is all we need!”

  There was no way out of the conflict, though. Ristridin knew he and Kraton could not let each other go. This knight from Eviellan must not be allowed to discover his identity; the enemy had to believe he was still imprisoned, harmless, locked away in Islan. Perhaps Kraton already had his suspicions about who he was dealing with – and even suspicions could be dangerous if he shared them with his king. The only solution was a duel.

  “I see. So that is not good enough for you, Sir Kraton,” said Ristridin. “Please continue. I am at your disposal.”

  Kraton did not respond immediately. He suddenly seemed more hesitant.

  “I am waiting!” said Ristridin, raising his voice.

  With an angry gesture, Kraton pulled off his glove and threw it at Ristridin.

  “I am pleased to accept your challenge,” said Ristridin calmly. “What are the conditions?”

  “Your name!” barked Kraton. “And I want you to raise your visor.”

  “If you win… fine. But what if I should win?”

  “I have nothing to hide,” said Kraton sarcastically. “Just tell me what you want from me.”

  “If I win, you must come with me to my destination.”

  “A fine condition!” cried Kraton. “A goal that is unknown to me!”

  “I shall reach it today,” said Ristridin. “But if you wish to be the only one who imposes a condition…”

  “Fine. I accept!” cried Kraton. “I do not expect to be defeated by some ragged knight with no name. How will we fight?”

  “I have no weapon but my sword.”

  “With the sword, then,” said Kraton, putting aside his dagger and battle-axe. “And on horseback, until one of us is disarmed and lying on the ground.”

  “Agreed,” said Ristridin. He looked at Quibo and said, “Wait, and watch.”

  “Yes, sir knight,” said Quibo.

  Ristridin thought, If this turns out badly, will he be bright enough to ride on to Castle Ristridin and tell them what has happened? He could say nothing else now to his travelling companion. But, drawing his sword, he thought this could not, must not, turn out badly. He was definitely as strong as his opponent; only Kraton’s horse seemed superior to his own.

  Sir Kraton threw his shield to Quibo. “There,” he said, “and now we are equal.” So he was a man who fought with chivalry, as a true knight should.

  He was also a formidable fighter, although he’d met his match in Ristridin. But Ristridin was fighting for the future of two kingdoms. Perhaps Kraton sensed that, because his attacks were fierce and fast, designed to bring the fight to a quick end.

  But Ristridin parried all of his slashes and blows, and hit back all the harder. His horse really did put him at a disadvantage, though – not only was it tired, but it was untrained for combat. His opponent’s steed was far more agile. So he redoubled his efforts, pressing close to Kraton and dealing him a blow that glanced off his helmet.

  The Black Knight swayed in his saddle, and Ristridin seized the chance to pull him from his horse. Both men fell, but Ristridin had already slid his feet out of the stirrups, and he was the first to stand up again.

  He heard Quibo’s voice, high and shrill, “Hit him, stab him!” But Ristridin waited for Kraton to get back to his feet.

  Now they really were equal. Dust flew up as the clashes of metal on metal rang out, and both men were slightly wounded.

  Then Ristridin raised his sword and struck so powerfully that Kraton’s sword broke. Ristridin cast aside his own weapon, pounced on his opponent and threw him to the ground. “I win,” he said, panting as he leant over him.

  Kraton moved a little and mumbled something. Ristridin helped him to sit up.

  “Yes, you win,” Kraton growled. “You can let go of me. I’m still alive.”

  But then he allowed Ristridin to help him to his feet; he walked up and down a few times with his broken sword in his hand.

  “Have you recovered sufficiently to continue?” asked Ristridin.

  “Certainly, Knight with No Name,” said Kraton. “Lead me to your unknown destination.”

  Quibo came closer.

  “Take Sir Kraton’s battle-axe and dagger,” Ristridin ordered him.

  “I am still capable of carrying them myself,” said Kraton.

  “You will not need them on our journey,” said Ristridin. “Mount your horse, Sir Kraton of Indigo.”

  Kraton glared at him. “I know one thing now,” he said. “Your name must be very well known indeed! Otherwise I would not be riding with you now, against my will.”

  “Stay close to my side,” Ristridin said. He did not like the flicker in Kraton’s eyes. This knight surely suspected he was an enemy and could well try to escape.

  “How many more bends?” Red Quibo shouted from behind them.

  There, before them, was the familiar outline of Castle Ristridin on the Grey River.

  “Is that your goal?” asked Kraton.

  “Indeed it is,” replied Ristridin.

  “Well, that is indeed convenient,” said Kraton. “As it happens, I was also heading to the castle. I stopped there on my way to the City of Dagonaut, too. It’s a most hospitable place. Does that surprise you?”

  “No, Sir Kraton,” said Ristridin. “Why should it surprise me?”

  “I thought you might be one of those knights who have something against me and my compatriots,” replied Kraton. “Sir Arturin is not like that. He knows there is peace between Dagonaut and Eviellan.”

  Ristridin did not reply. He had already decided what he was going to do, and though he didn’t like the prospect it was unavoidable. There was no peace between Dagonaut and Eviellan; soon the gloves would come off.

  Kraton watched him out of the corner of his eye and remained silent. But he seemed to understand that he
was in danger, because as they approached the castle he reined in his horse and said, “We have reached our goal.”

  “Not yet,” replied Ristridin. “We are going inside.”

  They rode on and stopped at the closed drawbridge. Ristridin had always sounded his silver horn in the past, but now he merely asked in a loud voice to be admitted. With a grinding creak, the drawbridge descended.

  “I have accompanied you to your destination,” said Kraton, “and now our ways must part.”

  Kraton was about to spur on his horse, but Ristridin held it by the reins, drew his sword and cried, “What? You wish to flee? Dismount and come inside with me.”

  “And what then?” said Kraton, angry and uneasy. “Is this a trap? What can I expect from you, Knight with No Name?”

  “Exactly the same as I can expect from Eviellan,” replied Ristridin. “Dismount!”

  On foot, they made their way onto the bridge. Soldiers came towards them and asked in surprise what was going on.

  “This knight has lured me into a trap!” cried Kraton.

  “We both request your hospitality,” said Ristridin. “Allow us to enter and announce our arrival to Sir Arturin.”

  He took the reluctant Kraton by the arm and marched across the bridge with him. The soldiers walked with them, but made them stop inside the gateway.

  “What is your name?” they asked Ristridin.

  “Do not allow him in!” cried Kraton.

  “This is the castle of my forefathers,” said his escort, now raising his visor. “So I am sure you must know my name! I am Ristridin of the South.”

  5 RISTRIDIN’S HOMECOMING

  Sir Kraton raised his arms and then dropped them at his sides in a gesture of resignation. The astonished soldiers all talked at the same time. “Let us in,” said Ristridin, “and close the gate.”

  A moment later they were in the courtyard. Others came running towards them; cries of delight and surprise echoed around the walls: “Sir Ristridin has returned!”

  And then Sir Arturin, his brother, came out to meet him, with outstretched hands. “Finally!” he cried.

  The welcome was a warm one, but brief, as Kraton drew his broken sword. “And what about me?” he asked.

  “You, Sir Kraton, are my guest,” said Ristridin coldly. “Just as I was the guest of the Lord of Islan.”

  Sir Arturin looked surprised. “What is the meaning of this?” he asked.

  By then another knight had appeared in the courtyard; it was none other than Bendu.

  “To put it simply,” said Ristridin, “Sir Kraton is my prisoner.”

  “Ristridin!” cried Bendu.

  Then his eye fell on Kraton. “So we meet again, Sir Kraton.” The knight merely growled.

  Ristridin greeted Bendu warmly. Then he gave the guards an order: “Lock him up. He is to have anything he wants, except his freedom.”

  “I refuse to accept this,” said Kraton angrily. “You got me here by trickery. I do not understand your reference to Islan. Sir Arturin, I appeal to you as the lord of this castle! Today I will be your guest, but tomorrow I must leave.”

  “You shall not go until I release you,” said Ristridin.

  “When will that be? You are acting without honour and you have no right…” began Kraton.

  Ristridin interrupted him. “When?!” he cried. “Only after Eviellan has launched its attack.”

  Those words silenced Kraton. His face froze and he said not another word. But the look he gave Ristridin was one of impotent rage.

  “What does all this mean?” asked Arturin again.

  Ristridin looked around the circle of astonished faces and said, loudly and clearly, “For the love of God, do as I say. No one must know I have returned home, and you may tell no one Sir Kraton is here. Guard this castle as if it were under siege.”

  Then he pointed at Quibo. “This man is my squire,” he said. “Look after him. Give him food and a good glass of wine – but no more than one glass, even if he begs you.”

  Turning to his brother and Bendu, he said, “At last. Come with me. I have so much to tell you.”

  “So it was the Wild Wood, after all,” said Bendu after they had spoken for a while.

  “Yes, indeed it was,” said Ristridin. “Oh Bendu, if only you had listened to Tiuri!”

  “I am sorry,” muttered Bendu. “But you mustn’t hold it against me. Tiuri is so young, and that Fool seemed completely unreliable.”

  “Out of the mouths of babes, drunkards and fools…” Ristridin muttered to himself. “But Tiuri is no longer a child and he has previously shown the courage to defy prevailing opinions and customs.” He sighed.

  “I am sorry about the boy,” said Bendu. His face was dark with anger. “And Arwaut, my nephew,” he continued. “And Ilmar and… I swear, here and now…”

  “Wait a while before you start swearing oaths,” Ristridin said in a gentle voice, cutting him off. “Maybe you will be given another task first, Bendu! Where is Evan?”

  “He left here the day before yesterday,” replied Arturin. “Bendu arrived the day before that, and the messages he brought convinced Evan he could wait no longer for you. He had to warn King Unauwen.”

  “What messages?” asked Ristridin. “What have you done, Bendu, since you left for Deltaland?”

  “Well, the invasion did indeed take place,” said Bendu, “although I am not surprised to hear it was just a diversionary tactic. Evan and I joined the forces of your brother and the Lord of Warudin. Within a few days we had driven most of the attackers back beyond the border. It was only then that Eviellan finally came to our assistance, with an army led by Sir Melas of Darokítam. Too late to help. But of course that was all part of their bluff. They just wanted to strengthen the case for an alliance between our countries and to draw our attention away from the Wild Wood. But all the time they were actually behind the invasion. Hmm, well, then Evan returned to Castle Ristridin, as he could hardly fight side by side with his declared enemy. After that, there were a few little skirmishes, but I did not take part for long. I headed into Deltaland with a few men, and then I only had to cross the river to get to Eviellan. You see, I had my doubts about the situation – and from what you tell me, I was right to have them.”

  “And what did you do in Eviellan?” asked Ristridin.

  “Oh, they were not pleased to see me, but of course they had to keep up the pretence of friendship that exists between our two lands. So I was relatively undisturbed as I travelled westwards on the other side of the Grey River, past Darokítam and Agfarod.” Bendu fell silent before continuing, “There I discovered that they were very busy indeed. Soldiers were approaching from every direction, some openly, others in secret. Entire armies had been mobilized, and they were nearly all on their way to the west. A large force must already have been gathered where the Great Mountains meet the Southerly Mountains; a gorge there leads to the Kingdom of Unauwen.”

  “An attack on two fronts,” said Ristridin thoughtfully. “Yes, that’s quite likely. In the Kingdom of Unauwen they know of that weak spot in their border; there has often been fighting in that place. But a large attack at that point, and at the same time, or shortly afterwards, an invasion from the Wild Wood, across the pass of the Second Great Road… That attack would come as a complete surprise to the Kingdom of Unauwen! And there would be no chance to resist it, as Unauwen’s forces would be concentrated in the south.”

  “If only we knew when it was!” said Bendu. “Sir Kraton…”

  “I don’t think you will learn anything from Sir Kraton,” said Ristridin. “But I do not believe it will be soon. If that were the case, he would have not have been quite so furious when I told him he’d remain a prisoner until after the attack. We may still have time.” He turned to his brother. “Arturin…” he began.

  “I am ready, along with all my men,” he said.

  “Messengers first of all,” said Ristridin. “They must be sent with haste to King Dagonaut, to Castle Mirtelan, Warudin
, Griudin, Igrudin…” He looked at Bendu. “You must be a messenger, too,” he said. “Evan is not here, so you must travel along the Grey River to the Kingdom of Unauwen to inform them about the threat from the Wild Wood. The Kingdom of Dagonaut has a duty to Unauwen, as we have unwittingly allowed this evil to take root and grow in our land.”

  “How did the King of Eviellan find his way into the Wild Wood?” Arturin wondered.

  “Along the Grey River somehow,” said Ristridin. “It’s probably been going on for years. And more men will have joined his forces while our attention was on Deltaland.”

  Bendu faced him. “You want me… to go to the Kingdom of Unauwen?” he said. “Fine. I shall leave tonight.”

  “No, early tomorrow morning,” said Ristridin. “A departure at night could suggest to Eviellan’s spies that your mission is secret and important.”

  Bendu nodded.

  “For now, our enemy must not suspect that we know of his plans,” Ristridin continued. “Arturin, you must ensure that no more men from Eviellan cross the river to join the army in the Wild Wood. The southern border of the wood must be placed under close watch, but not immediately, as that would also arouse their suspicions. Bendu must first cross the mountains.”

  “And what about you?” asked Bendu.

  “I am preparing myself for the war on our own territory,” replied Ristridin. “The battle between Unauwen and Eviellan has gone on for years, and it seems as if its outcome will be decided on our soil, in the Wild Wood.”

  6 BACK TO THE WILD WOOD

  The messengers had been sent out. Arturin’s men had been ordered to prepare for battle. But Sir Ristridin’s face was serious when he considered how long it would take him to gather an army that was large enough to resist the mighty forces of Eviellan.

  “You can count on assistance from at least one quarter before too long, that’s for sure,” Arturin said to him. “He went to Deltaland for the battle and Evan spoke to him before returning here. Sir Tiuri of Tehuri. He was planning to head here.”

  “Tiuri the Valiant!” exclaimed Ristridin. “He will be a strong brother-in-arms! But I don’t relish the prospect of explaining what has happened to his son.”