Ay refused to give Tarkanyon any answers. With no patience left, Tarkanyon arranged for Ay to stand a public trial in the courtyard of Raud the next day. Tarkanyon conducted the trial and was expecting Altana to protest but instead he simply agreed to it.
After the families and people of the villages heard of Ay's arrest, the family of the first and second kidnapped children came forth to testify. Ay refused to explain the meaning of the kidnappings and Tarkanyon addressed him in the presence of them all.
“These are the charges brought against you,” he said, “and this is unjust, Ay. Now you have seen and heard the evidence brought against you. Tell us the meaning of your actions, or risk the king's judgement.”
“This is done for the protection of us all,” Ay rasped in reply. “But that is all I can say – no more, and now no less. I plead the justice of this trial, Outlander, for it is based upon ignorance and not true knowledge.”
“Liar!” cried someone from the crowd.
Tarkanyon held out his hand, silencing the escalating crowd. “How am I supposed to have true knowledge of the events if you refuse to enlighten us? I personally have been trying to get answers from you, but you refuse to explain. So then, tell us now how this all means protection for these people.”
Before Ay could continue, Altana stepped in to the centre of the courtyard.
“Tarkanyon,” he began. “As I have spoken with you: this is a royal servant of the king, he ought to be put in proper respect and tried correctly. We cannot have the peasants revolt against the king's own servant as they are doing today. We came to ensure the revolts would stop, not escalate and continue.”
Tarkanyon looked at him in disbelief. “You have not protested this trial until now, and I gave you ample time--”
“I protest it now. Let us not continue.”
“He has committed crimes against these people – crimes your own laws will not permit, even for the king!” Tarkanyon replied. “The trial here is to decide if he should be tried at the king's court!”
“Let him go!” cried a woman from the crowd. “He is good to us!” She tried to break through some of the Foré soldiers and Outlanders but to no avail.
Tarkanyon was perplexed. What was Altana doing? He seemed delighted earlier on about a trial for the Earl and seemed to despise the man. What was he looking to achieve now?
He became aware of the Earl’s support now. More of the villagers called for his release. Altana took his chance immediately. “See!” he cried, for all to hear. “The people ask for his release. It would be an injustice to them to take their only lord - and protection - from them!”
“It is an injustice to the parents of these children for Ay not to be tried for his actions!” said Tarkanyon, snorting with anger. He saw Altana nod to some of his men and the crowd began to become more louder.
“We are going to have a mob here – for the sake of peace, then, let him go!” Altana cried. The crowd began to grow more violent, shouting and swearing at the Outlanders.
“I have no idea what you are attempting to do,” Tarkanyon said to Altana, competing with the noisy crowd. “But I do not like it and justice must prevail. It is right for him to be tried by the king. If he is innocent, the king will let him go. Now stop inciting the--”
“No,” said Altana loudly. “It is my country, not yours. I decide what's best for this country – not you! Who are you to think you can decide what is best?”
The mayor, Jowel, was standing close by and overheard the conversation. “It is my country too, Altana,” he said. “And I believe he is to be tried at the court. The king himself asked for the Outlanders to come.”
“I am your army!” shouted Altana. “Men! Let the Earl go!”
His men hesitated. “He stays bound!” cried Tarkanyon. The crowd was beginning to break through, beating against them. Not all of Altana's men were sure of what to do, but some hastily approached Ay to let him go. Drius and Moyna stopped them in their tracks.
It was now a stalemate – two angry crowds supporting different sides; two factions of the army supporting different sides as well, as Tarkanyon could plainly see from various reactions. The only people who seemed to be in one accord were the Outlanders, but they were too few to keep this crowd in complete order. Tarkanyon had to think fast.
“Take him!” he cried to Drius and Moyna, who quickly carried out the order while the others fought off the angry guards and crowd. They forced Ay onto Drius's horse, and then Drius climbed on in front of him galloping hastily from the courtyard. He fought through the crowd easily and quickly, leaving Tarkanyon to help the others fend off the mob.
Altana mounted his horse too and leaped forward for Drius, but Tarkanyon managed to get in his way and stop him before he could get through the crowd. Altana looked at him in disdain, a strange glare in his eyes.
“So,” Tarkanyon said to him. “Your colours now finally show, Altana. You are a supporter of the Earl, and want to see the king overthrown, as I suspected.”
“Our force is growing!” Altana shouted gravely. “Soon, we will control the army! And Foré will once again belong to the most Ancient Way.”
“The most Ancient Way?” Tarkanyon said. “What are you talking about?”
Altana snarled and jumped off his horse. He clutched at Jowel and looked at Tarkanyon with a smirk. Before Tarkanyon or any of the Outlanders could do anything, Altana withdrew a dagger from his belt and slit the mayor's throat, leaving him to slump to the floor.
Anarchy followed, the crowd feverish with outrage. Tarkanyon realised that the deed was done: Altana had successfully created chaos. That had been his plan from the beginning!
“Kill all the supporters of the king!” he shouted. He cast Tarkanyon another smirk. Some in his ranks began to move off and execute his command, attacking not only villagers but also those of the army who were not a part of them. The villagers, too, bewildered and confused turned on each other. All was ruined.
“We'll bargain!” shouted Tarkanyon, attempting to play his last card. “The Earl's life for theirs!”
“The Earl?” Altana laughed. “You still have not understood! The Earl is nothing to us!”
The Outlanders rallied to Tarkanyon. Some way from the entrance to the village Drius realised what was transpiring as he noticed no one was pursuing him. He stopped his horse and stared back into the village, watching the chaos from an incline. He could see the stand-off between the Outlanders and Altana's men, as well as the villagers trying to defend themselves in the chaos. Some of the army were defending them too. Drius made up his mind up and lifted Ay from his horse, placing him, still bound, on the side of the road.
“Your leader has not made worthy decisions,” Ay said slowly. “And now we all suffer, for while I was here I protected these people from the onslaught of the greater enemy.”
“Greater enemy?” said Drius, mounting his horse and preparing to join the battle.
“Yes,” answered Ay. “For a greater enemy comes, and he is of them.”
Drius squinted at him.
“Altana,” said Ay. “Yes, he is one of them. There is Hircoi here - indeed, I sensed it since they arrived.”
“Hircoi?” Drius replied. “You must tell me plainly what you know!”
“I must know that I can trust you before doing so,” replied Ay. “There are greater things here worthy of consideration, and to know who I can trust is now not possible.”
“Indeed,” said Drius. “And now I must fight with my comrades. But you will stay here and then we shall talk, for you are bound hands and feet and I see that you shall not have the ability to escape.”
“That is true,” answered Ay. “And what you say is right: you must fight for your comrades. And for justice, for that is what you live for. Or, that is what you think you live for.”
“No more of that!” Drius yelled. “These riddles of yours! I ride, and then we shall ask more questions!”
He kicked his horse and rode back into the village. Ay sat on the si
de of the road, bound hands and feet, and afraid. He was looking to and fro continuously.
Then, from a bush behind him emerged a strange creature — a wolf of sorts, with large green eyes, staring at him. Its hair was thick and blended in with the surroundings, its front legs were shorter than its hind legs, its ears were short and slightly curled. It slowly put its snout over Ay's shoulder and breathed hard, gazing at him with widening eyes and clear intention. It then let off a small snarl.
“I always gave you what you wanted,” whispered Ay, desperately. “Not once did I not do so.”
It simply glared at him.
“Those of you who have not taken to your ways will find you. They will find you,” said Ay.
The creature snapped its teeth feverishly in his hair. He let off a cry. It dragged him by his hair into the bushes and Ay no longer struggled, nor did he make a noise.
And such was the fate of Ay the Protector.
Meanwhile, the Outlanders, minus Drius, found themselves surrounded by the villagers and Altana's men. Tarkanyon had commanded four of his Outlanders to help the women and children flee the brawl, and the rest would apprehend those involved and, of course, Altana.
But Altana, riding his horse, had pushed his way through the crowds, helped by some of his army. He was shouting to those of his men that were clearly on his side to flee swiftly as he began to make his own retreat. Quickly Tarkanyon mounted Polin and leaped over the crowds to pursue him, flinging his bo to and fro and smashing the back of it against the heads of Altana's men who got in his way. Once he was out of the crowd Polin started the chase.
Altana was already up the road when he found himself confronted by Drius. He tried to slice his sword through him as they galloped past each other, but Drius managed to pull his horse to his left and avoid the blow. Unfortunately he was unable to return the assault, too far to hit him with his bo. Instead, he jumped off his horse, used his bo to fling himself sidewards and leap onto Altana's horse.
“Superb!” shouted Tarkanyon, seeing it as he came up the road. Drius started to throttle Altana with his bo, but not enough to kill him, waiting for instruction from Tarkanyon. But as Tarkanyon drew closer an arrow struck Drius in the back, demobilising him.
“No!” groaned Tarkanyon, seeing their assailant ahead of them, knocking another arrow. He was quick to shoot it, this time hitting Drius in the left shoulder. Altana took advantage and pushed Drius off his horse, riding on.
“Drius!” Tarkanyon cried. He jumped off Polin and leaned over Drius.
“I think I am fine,” Drius croaked. “You must stop him! I left Ay by the road!”
Tarkanyon was quickly on Polin again who broke into a swift gallop. Since Polin was easily faster than Altana's horse he very soon caught up, with Altana looking back at him and letting off a groan.
“You will not escape!” shouted Tarkanyon, Polin rearing closer.
“Nor shall you, Tarkanyon!” Altana replied. He was looking forward with a smile. Tarkanyon glanced ahead.
The three robed men from Restom were standing on the road. Tarkanyon slowed down, watching Altana join them and then laughing mockingly.
“Where is your courage, now?” he sneered.
Tarkanyon kept his distance. He knew he wouldn't be able to fight them all alone and come out alive.
“You play a dangerous game!” Tarkanyon said. “It shall be known at the Monument, and I suspect you shall not ever have welcome in your own kingdom by your king!”
“I have no king!” laughed Altana.
“You will be well known among the Outlanders!” Tarkanyon said. “And your life shall be forfeit! You shall have to hide for all your days!”
Altana sniffed loudly and taunted Tarkanyon with his sword almost drunkenly. “So shall it be! Now, flee for your comrades, or my allies shall tear upon you!”
Tarkanyon stood his ground for a moment, his anger rising steadily as Altana laughed again.
“Come, Tarkanyon, I show you mercy! Flee or you will die!”
Tarkanyon clenched his teeth. He spat on the ground and shouted curses at Altana, before turning around and galloping off to the Outlanders.
“Where is the Earl?” Altana asked the three.
“Corr'huk,” answered the one. Altana's smile dropped.
“So shall it be then,” he said gravely. “It is done.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE