"Ravine!"

The cry made the Ravagers back off to see who had called. I took my chance and darted away, not bothering to see who had called me. I needed distance from the those brutes.

When I finally looked behind me I saw that the two had split up. One was going to meet the new threat, while the other was coming after me. I slowed, recognizing Ladine's golden coat. Was that Redwar?

Yes it was, and he was aiming straight for the Ravager. But I had no time to observe the fight. The other Ravager was nearly upon me.

But now I had a chance, and I wasn't going to run. I stood my ground.

His first blow sent shivers through my blade, his stroke strengthened by fury. I withstood it and countered. He blocked my counter and withdrew to strike again. But I wouldn't let him, I went after him so that he had to keep his guard up.

There was the sound of another sword fight besides ours, but it didn't last long. I heard a curse muttered and the thump of a sword being thrown to the ground. "Stop Darka, it's Redwar Volan! We don't stand a chance."

'Darka' dropped his sword to the side and turned. "Are you sure?"

"No other man could disarm me that fast," replied his comrade, whom I'd dubbed Stumpy for his short build. His eyes were locked on Redwar's sword in front of him.

I was momentarily paralyzed. How could these men know Redwar? They were Ravagers. Unless...

But before my conclusion could be fully formed Redwar spoke. "You," he said, motioning with his blade "Get over here. Ravine, grab Axe, and get their swords."

I mutely nodded and did as he said.

Axe was still looking pretty wild-eyed when I walked up to him. "Shhh buddy, it's okay. It's over now and we're alright." I was surprised to hear those words come out of my mouth. "I'm here, it's alright."

He let me grab his reins and lead him back to Ladine, who greeted him with a throaty nicker. I patted his neck and waited for Redwar's next instructions. By now he had the two Ravagers sitting on the ground.

"Grab my bow and fit an arrow to the string."

I did as he said and took the bow off his back. It was the same bow that had rescued me a few months before. That was twice now Redwar had saved my hide from Ravagers.

"Cover me," said Redwar, and he sheathed his sword. My hand tightened over the arrow and string. I would not hesitate.

"Why did you come after her?" He asked, pointing at me.

Darka spat at his feet. "We won't tell you nothing filthy traitor."

Traitor?

Redwar didn't react offensively. Instead he leveled them with a hard and unflinching gaze. He didn't say anything. He just stared at them.

I was suddenly very glad that I was not the object of that stare.

The Ravagers fidgeted under his glare. They looked up and down, to the side, and even behind them. As the moments passed they grew increasingly uncomfortable.

"Why did you come after her?" Redwar's voice was measured, like he was trying to get a child to understand something.

"Won't tell you nothing," mumbled Stumpy.

"Why not?"

Redwar's question seemed to startle them. Their natural reaction was to clam up when captured. They had not stopped to think why.

Darka soon came up with an answer though. "Because we're not allowed to. Our superiors will punish us if we do. You know this, Volan," he said with a sneer.

Redwar snorted. "You mean they'll punish you more than what they already will. You failed. Utterly failed. And Ravagers don't like failure."

They flinched at the word failed. Redwar stuck his verbal knife in further and twisted it."When you return, you'll probably be whipped. Humiliated. You can say good-bye to any promotions. Depending on how important this mission is," he said, kneeling down to their level. "They may even send you to the KanKlack, and the mines."

At the word, "KanKlack," their eyes widened in horror. I'd never seen Ravagers so terrified. I'd never thought they could be that terrified.

"Oh yes, the KanKlack. I've seen them reduce men to tears. And that's just where they'll send you. Unless..." Redwar stood up and left the word hanging as bait.

"Unless?" Stumpy was was more eager than Darka to take the bait.

"Unless you let me help you."

Their jaws slackened in surprise. "You? Help us?" said Stumpy. "Why-"

But Darka cut him off. "No! We won't accept help from you, you traitor. Even if we go to the KanKlack, we will not become like you."

Redwar grabbed Darka by his collar and hauled him up so he was eye to eye with him. "Foolish man! Wrapped up in visions of glory! Do you think telling your superiors the location of the famed Redwar Volan will get you out of trouble? Let me tell you something: it won't.

"Because when they come to the place you'll guide them to, you won't find me. When they search the woods and find you a liar, it won't save you."

Redwar's grip tightened. "Furthermore, I am no more a traitor than you are. This mission that you've failed is important enough to send you to KanKlack. Your failure has made you a traitor."

He let go and stepped back. Darka lowered himself back down, rubbing his collar. Redwar speared him with his gaze once again.

Then a small smile crinkled his face. "You were sent to assassinate her. That means she knows something you don't want her to know. That you don't want her to talk about. Now, the only last question is, what is it?"

Stumpy glanced at me. "Why don't you ask her. She knows."

The revelation sent my head spinning. Of course! How could I be so stupid, so forgetful. Redwar glanced at me. I nodded.

He turned back to the Ravagers. "My offer still stands. I will help you to start another life outside of the Ravagers, as I did. It's your choice. We're going to tie you up and leave you here until tomorrow. When we come back, you better have made your choice."

"And if we choose to not accept your offer?" Challenged Darka.

"Then we'll leave you here. Your comrades will find you soon enough I think. And they won't even ask you for the story. They'll know you failed."

Redwar took Ladine's reins and cut the ends off to tie them them up around a tree. Once they were safely restricted I lowered the bow.  Redwar took it back.

I grabbed Axe's reins, getting ready to mount. Then I remembered. "Redwar, there's one other. Axe kicked him." I pointed to where the other Ravager lay conked out in front of my burned down house.

Redwar raised his eyebrows. "Axe kicked him? You didn't tell him to?"

I shrugged. "I think he got too close." My brow furrowed. "What do you mean by, tell him to?"

Redwar rubbed his hand along his face. "Later. I'll tell you later."

Redwar said the Ravager would probably live, but he couldn't tell how much damage he'd sustained. He tied him up with his two companions.

Then it was time for us to leave.

"Are you done here?" Asked Redwar as he swung up on Ladine.

I followed his lead and then stopped, looking around at my village. I nodded. "Yes. The next time I see this place, it will be with my family, or not at all."

Our ride through the woods was silent for the half mile. But not for long. I wanted answers. And I was going to get them. I was pretty sick of this beating around the bush. I decided to start with something easy.

"What did you mean by, "You didn't tell him to," when I told you about Axe kicking the Ravager?"

Redwar glanced over at me. "Axe is trained to kick on command. Here, let me show you."

He reined Ladine over into a fairly clear space and leaned forward slightly. "Ladine, strike."

The mare kicked out with contained power. She knew there was no threat. She did it for Redwar.

"Good gal," Redwar praised her with a pat and walked her back over to me. "I hadn't shown you because I didn't think you were ready yet. I was wrong."

We started walking again, and I hit him with another question. "How'd you know I was in trouble?"

"That's obvious isn't it? You screamed."

I blushed a bit, embarrassed that I had asked such a simple question. I took a deep breath. The next one wasn't going to be so simple.

"Why did the Ravagers know you?"

AN: Hello dear readers, I'd like to apologize for this terrible chapter. This chapter is jerky, and not polished at all. Sorry about that!