The Mountain's best kept Secret

15. Does he know?

(Leo’s POV)

A restless Leo hurried to the river where his brother was last seen crossing the border. His heart felt empty leaving Isabella behind, but also realised she was safe with Galli. He grinned at the thought that Galli, in fact, was the one in danger, because of how tiring the two women in his life could be. And now he will experience this first-hand. As he drew near, he became stealthier and more aware of his surroundings, because once he crossed the border—he was on his own. First, he drank from the river and then hid his horse for when he returned. Regrettably, he couldn’t take the risk to travel on enemy territory by horseback and needed to keep off the main road. On the other hand, king Sagum’s castle apparently stood on top of a hill in the middle of their kingdom and it would be an immense trek by foot.

The hours ticked away as Leo travelled undetected through the thick forest. The unfamiliar terrain caused him to walk in circles, but at last he reached the foot of the hill. Only one road led all the way up, but the many guards would make it impossible to stay unseen. He peeked out behind a tree and noticed his brother, Canis, and two other young warriors head up. He couldn’t believe seeing them there, because his tired mind convinced him that this was all for nothing. At first, he feared it was a trap to lure him away but got proven wrong. ‘Brother, what are you up to?’

Did he want to ask for one of king Sagum’s daughter’s hand in marriage, was that it? This made sense, because how else would he strengthen the tribe, but why him? There were many others in the Delliingham forest - surely, with suitable options for him to choose from? He never imagined coming here; to the castle of the man who cold-bloodedly murdered his beloved parents. He promised that if he would ever come here, it would be to end his life for the pain he caused. For some unknown reason, Rogan decided to not avenge their parent’s death after he took the crown, so he instead vowed to one day kill the bastard himself. But today was not that day—his primary aim was to discover the reason behind Rogan’s visit. His desperation to collude with the enemy made him shiver.

As the sun already hung low, he waited before following them, at least until night came. He couldn’t be the reckless warrior he once was, because every action would affect her as well. As the prince, he seriously took up the responsibility of protecting his people, but with her, he would rip off any head to keep her safe. Just thinking about Isabella made his heart skip a beat; golden hair flowing in the wind while her intoxicating laugh filled his senses. He can almost taste her lips, and just then, he realised how much he missed her. “Great…” He sneered at the bulge in his pants.

After calming his thoughts, he redirected his attention to getting past the warriors. He noticed a dozen men on high alert roaming the grounds. They mostly travelled in pares and some by themselves, but every half-an-hour the road was unmanned for about ten minutes. This was his chance! Patiently, he waited until the moon replaced the sun before sneaking into the castle. Before long, the guards left their post, and he bolted up without being seen.

“You!” He heard in the distance after finding shelter behind a wall. ‘No! No! Did they see me?’ His heart pounded and palms became sweaty. “You! What are you doing there?” The voice sounded again. Stealing a quick peek from his hiding spot, he saw an enormous man walking towards him. Unexpectedly, a second voice answered, “Commander, um, I just thought I saw something and would investigate.” “Get back to your post, warrior!” He shouted and sent him off, but still loomed around.

Although the danger has not passed, relief relaxed his tensed muscles. But with all the warriors roaming around, he must quickly find a way into the castle before they spotted him. He waited until the commander left and found an open window. The dark room seemed stuffy and small, but a dim light came from behind the door. He walked over and peeked underneath to see if there was someone behind it. The coast was clear, so he slowly opened the door and sneaked from one room to the next and continued doing so until he made it to the opposite side of the castle. Every now and again, servants passed, so he quickly hid until their voices faded in the distance. The sooner he finds Rogan, the better.

Eventually, he came to the throne room with men talking, but couldn’t find a way in and hide unseen, so he slipped into the adjacent room and pressed his ear against the wall. At first he barely heard their mumbling until he moved his ear from one spot to the next and found an area on the wall thin enough to reveal their conversation.

“Like I said, I welcome your visit, but all know I don’t discuss business on an empty stomach. Why not join me for dinner, thereafter you can rest, and we’ll talk in the morning?” King Sagum spoke, but Rogan quickly turned him down, “I didn’t come here to eat or rest; I came here to make an exchange. Please excuse me for being weary, but I wouldn’t put it pass you to kill me while I slept.” “Nonsense! Why would I murder you, king Rogan? I need you!” He laughed in amusement. “If you’re not interested in what I have to offer, then I have no business here.” Footsteps went towards the door, thereafter it slammed shut and king Sagum’s voice bellowed thick with anger. “I said stay, eat, sleep, and then discuss your business here tomorrow. It’s been long since I had proper company.”

“Fine, but my men will accompany me to dinner and stay with me tonight.” Rogan had no choice but to give in to the other king’s offer. “As you wish.” King Sagum replied, and many footsteps left the room. Leo intended to follow them, but movement outside the room stopped him in his tracks, and quickly, he hid behind the door and hid. Soon, the figures’ shadows disappeared, and allowed him to step out. ‘Where did they go?’ Hoping to follow the two kings, he slipped from one door to the next, keeping to the shadows in the hall. He had learnt nothing useful and couldn’t afford to miss crucial information being exchanged between them.

“Here, here! A toast to our guests!” He heard a few doors down. Before he snuck into the dining room, he grabbed a piece of cloth draped over a chair and covered his head and shoulders. If someone saw him, he could still escape without revealing his identity. Like a shadow, he swiftly slipped into the room, undetected, and hid behind a tall shelf in the dark corner. From here he could clearly see and hear everyone. For most of the dinner, king Sagum drank and raged on about having to share the Dellingham forest with the other tribes. It sounded like the king wanted it all for himself, yet his brother sat with his index finger resting on this temple, unfazed. Just as Rogan’s patience wore thin, suddenly, a magnificent woman stepped into the room.

Her unexpected appearance instantly silenced the men and captured their attention. It seemed as if she majestically floated across the room and came to sit down next to king Sagum. “My king.” She greeted and kissed his hand. “Thank u for joining us! My guests were getting bored with me.” He burst out in laughter. The woman only gave a graceful nod and then looked over to Rogan. “King Rogan from the Stone Arrow Tribe, I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you.” She spoke elegantly. “Excuse my poor manners! This is my, um, spiritual adviser!” King Sagum’s bombastic drunken laughter interrupted them, but she didn’t blink an eye at his apparent insult. “Who might you be?” Rogan asked her.

“I’m an unwilling guest of king Sagum, but learnt my way around. And you, what brings you here?” She smiled. “I have some business with the king, but he refuses to discuss it until the morning. And now I understand why.” He narrowed his eyes at the king, gulping down yet another glass of wine after. “I see, well I only came here to introduce myself. Please, enjoy your evening.” She bowed after king Sagum waved her off and continued to the door. “Wait!” Rogan said and went after her. Then he grabbed her by the elbow and swung her around. “Have I had the pleasure of making your acquaintance before? You look…” She abruptly interrupted him, “No, but we will soon meet again.” She stared at him with a complexed look before walking out, leaving him speechless.

“Not a woman you want to get in bed with! Haha!” King Sagum smirked, “Her looks can deceive any man, yet I think she’s older than you and I combined!” He ripped meat from the bone in his hand. “I had enough for tonight. I trust you will keep your word and meet me tomorrow at first light?” Rogan demanded. “Ha! At first light? Are you mad? No, I’ll send for you as soon as I’m ready to talk.” The king sneered, but his repeated refusal deeply angered Rogan. His eyes darkened and with balled fists, he dashed over and locked his arm around the king’s neck. This caused an uproar, and all the warriors drew their weapons, ready for a fight. Even though a pin drop could cause the situation to spin out of control, no one dared to move without an order from their king.

Rogan bent down to the king’s ear, but instead of whispering, he exclaimed for all to hear, “You said it yourself, you need me, so I will see you at first light. If not, we’re done! Do you understand?” The king’s face turned a blue hue, but he refused to budge. “I SAID; DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!” As Rogan shouted, spit flew from his mouth and his words echoed against the walls. King Sagum, now gasping for air, nodded his head in defeat and ultimately Rogan let go. “You will regret this!” King Sagum shouted at Rogan and his men as they left the room. “Go, all of you! LEAVE!” King Sagum ordered his warriors before dropping his head in his hands after the last one left. He merely sat in that position for a while, looking tired and drunk, then got up and also left.

After the kings’ arm wrestle, not much of the night remained and Leo drifted through the castle for some clues or insights about his enemy’s plans. Although his exhausted body desired rest, so many additional questions nagged and urged him to find answers. Soon, dawn came, and the servants got busy throughout the castle. Before anyone noticed him, he made haste to the room he hid in the night before and waited for the kings to meet once more. Not long after, he heard voices coming from behind the wall. Unlike yesterday, they kept their voices low, and he missed most of the conversation until he found the wall’s weak spot and closely pressed his ear against it.

“Does he know; your so-called brother?” king Sagum smirked. “That is none of your concern! I am the king of the Stone Arrow Tribe and intent to keep it.” Rogan spat. ‘What are they talking abou…’ But king Sagum’s loud laughter resonating through the room interrupted his thoughts. “As long as you secure me what we discussed, I will keep my end of the deal.” King Sagum replied. “Your regrettable reputation overshadows your word, so how can I trust you?” Rogan spoke, but the other king’s voice turned harsh at the insult.

“If you desire power, you have nowhere else to go. So, trust or no trust, you are indebted to me. Now, take your men and leave! Dare not to return here without her.” He shouted before disappearing from the room and left a frustrated Rogan behind; he screamed, then attached one of his unsuspecting men. The noises coming from behind the wall shocked Leo, as he always thought Rogan to only be cruel towards him. Still listening, he heard Rogan relentlessly beat the man until something made a loud ‘thud’ on the ground, and he stopped. The other warriors just stood by and watched, to not be his next victims, except Canis of course—his sinister sneer hissed through the wall. “Canis, come, pick him up and let’s go back.” He pointed to the battered man curled up on the floor with blood pooling out of his mouth.

What did he not know? An unsettling feeling twisted his gut as he realised; when the truth reveals itself, life as he knows it will be over. It felt as if a grand conspiracy were afoot about his past, thus Rogan would murder him to protect it. Then again, if Rogan knew more, Sesa would also, but confronting her would only lead to more disappointment.

A commotion outside drew him to the nearest window, and peering outside, the enemy warriors all ran down the hill towards the woods. “We spotted an unknown man lurking around. Come!” One of them shouted. Unknown man? He considered this for a second, yet his better sense told him differently as he could use the distraction to escape! Without hesitation, he sneaked out of the castle and rushed back to the forest undetected. He soon learnt that the ‘distraction’ made it much more difficult to escape, as the guards roamed everywhere searching for the trespasser.

Before long, he reached the edge of the forest at the bottom of the hill and hid behind a tree as two warriors came towards him. “That way!” They yelled and made haste in the opposite direction that allowed him to escape in the river's direction. As he carefully avoided detection, Galli’s familiar voice came to ears, “I won’t tell you anything!” He shrieked and then a fist hit the side of his face. Stunned by the turn of events, he immediately crept closer to investigate. ‘It can’t be… Why would he follow me?’.

“What the…” He murmured in disbelief before another punch landed in Galli’s stomach, then on the right side of his face, but the third blow under his chin, that spattered blood into the air. Leo’s face turned dark, ‘Galli might be an i***t, but he’s my idiot.’ He thought and leapt into action. Without a sound, he grabbed one man from behind and broke his neck, but the others noticed and suddenly all came at him at once. “You just ordered your own death!” An older man yelled as he lifted his sword. “Brother, now!” Leo shouted as he dodged a couple of punches, then dropped to the ground and kicked so hard, he broke one man’s leg. “AWW!” The man screamed in agony and fell to the ground. While all this happened, Galli threw his head back and broke his captor’s nose and freed himself.

Only two of the enemy still stood, panting, and faces covered with blood. Without warning, one of them attached with his sword held high. “You can take this one, I’m beat!” Galli signed. “Really? You’re beat?” Leo shook his head and with one swift move, blocked and grabbed the oncoming’s man arm and flung him to the ground, now holding the sword to his throat. “You never saw us, you hear me!” Leo barked at the man under his foot. “Go, there’s been enough blood spilled here.”

The older man spat at their feet before they retreated to the castle. “That was a stupid move? You know he will come back with more men, and then what?!” Galli’s eyes look like that of a trapped animal. “Stupid? You want to lecture me about being stupid? Tell me then, was it not you who got caught?” Leo’s face turned red with frustration at his ungrateful friend. “Forget it, we need to get out of here and quick!” Galli hid his shame by pulling the men’s bodies behind a large rock. Then the two disappeared into the forest.