Chapter 25

Early in the morning, King Rhobart, together with his Paladins, Milton, Ayla, and Kristof,f went to see the war prisoners.

Before entering the barracks, Ayla had no idea how the men were treated, but she was shocked to see them well-fed and clothed. There were around thirty men who looked healthy.

The King stood in front of the Myrthanians and looked at them for a few minutes before speaking.

"Nordmar needs you," King Rhobart said to the Myrthanians. "All the Kingdoms need you. Orc warriors have been attacking remote villages in all of the Kingdoms. More than before. Shamans and Orc elites are leading the attacks."

The King stopped talking for a few moments before continuing, " We need magic ore, but many of my people are dead. I don't want to force anyone to work in the mines, but if any of you agrees, know that you will get paid for your work. You can even bring your families here. Those that want to return to Myrthana are free to go. You will receive provisions and horses."

"If I want to leave, no one will stop me?" a man asked.

The King stepped aside, "You can leave right now if you wish."

"How do we know you are telling the truth?" another asked.

"I swear upon my throne that everything I told you is true," the King said. "We also need blacksmiths to make weapons from the magic ore."

"I am a blacksmith," a man said. "If my family is brought to Nordmar, I am willing to help for as long as you need me."

The King gave a short nod to the man, "I will make sure your family is brought here safely."

Then to the rest of the men, he said, "Those that have decided to remain, the mine-master will explain everything you need to know. And those that want to return home talk to head-clan Kristoff."

Around twenty men went to talk to Kristoff.

"It is a start," Milton said to the King.

"But not enough. We need more men."

An hour later, the King and his companions left behind the Wind Clan and headed to the next mine. The King had sent groups of war prisoners to all the mines. When they got to the next mine, King Rhobart talked to the next group of war prisoners.

They were about to leave from the second mine when Ayla approached the King. She looked nervously at the snow for a few seconds. Then she inhaled deeply and looked into the King's eyes, "This doesn't change anything. I still hate you but thank you."

And as she got on her mare, Ayla thought for the first time that maybe the King was not as bad as the rumors claimed. After all, the war prisoners have been treated better than she ever thought.

Three hours later, a blizzard started. It had snowed before, but not it was snowing then. The snow was falling so fast, and the wind was blowing so hard that Ayla had problems seeing the other riders. She wasn't sure in which direction she was supposed to direct the horse.

A voice from her left, "The next camp is two hours away. We will take shelter there." It was the King. "Ayla, stay close to me."

Ayla made sure that Star was walking next to Runner, The King's horse. The men kept shouting from time to time to make sure no one got lost in the blizzard. They walked like this for a while, getting closer to the camp.

The wind grew even stronger, blowing the snow so fast and hard it made it almost impossible to see or hear anything, not even the shouts of the men. Ayla pulled her hood down in the hopes of hearing something. But as much as Ayla tried, she could not hear anyone.

'Where are the others?' Ayla asked herself.

"King Rhobart!" she screamed.

Nothing. She tried not to panic. Maybe he did not hear her.

"King Rhobart!" she screamed ever harder.

For a moment, Ayla thought she heard someone shouting her name, but she could not be sure.

"Milton!"

Nothing.

"Tizgar!"

Still nothing.

"Gorn!"

No one shouted back.

"Kerra!"

When not even Kerra came, a sob escaped her lips.

"Anyone?"