A Rubecula Story (Fiction) General Noddy

Rubecula

General Noddy

Part One: The Battle of Droom Valley.

General Noddy stood under a large tree, his captains surrounding him. One of the reasons his men loved him, was that he was not afraid to listen to his Captains. He may not always take their advice, but he always made tham feel that they had taken part in the major decisions. Just now he was asking questions of them.

"Captain Graylock, you have seen the enemy formations. How do you rate them?"

"They outnumber us sir by about two to one. Heavy Cavalry, and a good portion of them are mercenaries. They are using longbow archers as the initial strike force as they usually do. Not so many infantry, but they are at the rear of the formation."

"Pike men?"

Captain Graylock snorted. "No sir, I have never seen the Overlord army using Pikes."

"Excellent news then I think Graylock, thank you. You will take our light cavalry into the woodland in advance of Captain Sqint's Skirmishers. Make sure the forest is cleared. And if you see any trying to escape that way, I am afraid we must give no mercy."

This was an unpleasant order to give, but the People were fighting for their very existance against superior, well trained invading forces. There was no way they could afford to allow the enemy to return another day to commit genocide.

"Light is up sir, and the enemy are forming for battle." The voice of one of the Lieutenants called over to the meeting.

"Right then Gentlemen" General Noddy hoisted his mace and hooked into his belt. "It is time, we have gone through the plan many times. The men know their roles. Let us get on with it. Oh and may your gods go with everyone of you. I take it the men have rested and prayed and whatever else they need to do before battle?"

"Yes sir, we even let the Skirmishers get roaring drunk last night, just as you asked. I still don't know why though." Graylock looked puzzled.

"Well the Skirmishers will not be in the battle proper, basically they are cutthroats and ambush killers. I don't want finesse out of them. I want them to just go in and beat the enemy up. They will be fired up by drink, maybe even ready to kill purely for the hangover"

"Excellent plan sir."

"You kissing my behind Graylock?"

Graylock grinned. "I think so sir." The cheeky smile was a little wavering this morning. Nerves. After all the army of General Noddy had yet to face the invading Overlord armies in true battle. Not like this at full strength anyway. It was new and frightening to all of them, and the Overlord army was confident and poweful. This battle just HAD to be won whatever the cost, or the People would cease to exist, except perhaps for a few kept as slaves.

The officers moved out of the trees shelter and went to their posts. Noddy as commander in chief was entitled to stay back, to watch the battle from on high and plan events. But that would have been pointless, there was no reserve force. There were no alternatives to the battle plan. They had no choice. So Noddy was going to be in the forefront. He would lead by example. Another reason his men loved him so. He never asked any man to do something he was afraid to do himself.

"Sir the enemy is moving the archers up to shooting range."

"How long before they get there?"

"Another hundred yards I would guess sir."

"Longbows?"

"Yessir"

Noddy had had a good look at the longbows. Powerful weapons, with extended range over crossbows and Quicker to shoot in the hands of an expert too. However Noddy had done away with the traditional longbow in his army. He had something he thought was better. He had developed a compound bow made of horn and sinew. A recurve bow that took two men to string. He had seen these before a long time ago. Although he couldn't remember precisely where just now. He made them for his light cavalry, and trained them to shoot from a racing horseback in any direction, even behind them. He had not stopped there though, the Longbow was a wonderful attacking weapon, and so he had his best archers use a combination of a longbow and a recurved compound bow. The sheer power of this thing amazed even Noddy. It outdistanced the most powerful longbows by a hundred yards at least. Maybe more.

"Prepare to shoot then Captain Sickle. You know the drill."

"Yessir" Sickle turned and bellowed his orders across the line of archers. "Prepare........raise...... SHOOT"

A deadly black cloud erupted skyward from the ranks of the people. "SHOOT" screamed Sickle. A second cloud followed the first. Before he could scream for another volley, the first one was seen to have it's effect on the enemy. The enemy archers, hopelessly outranged fell like flies under the deadly hailstorm of arrows that fell on them from the skies. Lightly armoured as they were the enemy archers had no way to protect themselves. Five more volleys followed, until the enemy archers were no longer a threat. Their few shots back embedded in the ground, yards away. So far Noddy had not lost a man, and the enemy had been whittled down a touch.

The battlefield went silent again, at least for a few moments as the enemy forces regrouped. The thunder began. Massive warhorses with great armoured knights astride them began to trot forward. They were building up to the famed Overlord's army Knight's Charge. Never known to have failed. Noddy had made plans for this, but still felt unsure.

As soon as the Knights reached the point where their archers had been slaughtered, Noddy's men loosed volley after rapid volley. The air became black with death as countless arrows flew none stop into the knighted ranks. The armour was fairly secure to the bows and arrows at this range, but the horses were not. Some died, most were wounded. All the horses were terrified by these stinging things that came from nowhere to hurt and maim them. They began to mill around, the charge wiltering before it had started. Once started it would have torn through Noddy's meagre army. But now, unable to urge the horses into the final bloody charge, the knights were reeling around with rearing, wounded and frightened horses.

"NOW" Noddy Screamed, waving his mace. His own horse leapt foward, followed by his own heavy cavalry. They didn't charge straight at the enemy but down either side of the valley, along the tree lines. From the tree lines themselves came volley after volley of close shot arrows as the light cavalry poured flanking shot after flanking shot at the enemy cavalry. It was a slaughter of horses, a terrible thing, but this was a fight for survival. The unhorsed knights, encased in armour were left to face the irresistable charge of Noddy's heavy cavalry on foot.

Lances pierced armour like paper, battle axes, maces and morningstars brained them, most killed outright. Noddy's charge was relentless. The remaining wounded knights were left alone, the light cavalry could finish the job as it came from the trees, the skirmishers would happily cut the throats of the enemy all day. Noddy kept the charge going straight at the enemy infantry. More fool them for not using pikes.. spears were almost useless in this scenario. Especially as they saw for the first time ever, the great armoured knights, not only fail in a charge, but be massacred too. In a blind panic many turned and ran. Their general on his horse turned and ran. But all too late. The momentum and speed was with Noddy and his men. "NO MERCY" Howled Noddy. He was not overly fond of killing, but this battle had to be the ultimate demorilisation and destruction. It was the only way. Noddy had ceased to cry over the dead a long time ago.

When it was over, not one enemy was left alive, the wounded had been sought out and had their throats cut. The few enemy horses that had survived were taken as trophies, and now the collection of armour and weapons from the Overlord's army began.

Wearily, Noddy headed back up the valley to where he had made camp the previous evening. Taking his helmet off he looked skyward, it was not yet mid day. yet he felt not, excited or overjoyed by the outcome, he was exhausted, he was sad and he wanted to be alone.

This remarkable man had just faught and won the battle that would become a legend in time. The Battle of Droom Valley would be forever enshrined in the memories of the People. Noddy's status as a legend was now fixed. And he hated it, almost as much as he loved the people.

So who was Noddy? What sort of man was he? What was Noddy's story?

Easy questions to ask, but perhaps a little harder in the telling.

End of part one.

Danpad

'This remarkable man had just faught' should be fought, not to be mistaken with the ou sound in, say, mound, this is otherwise sterling, generating images of mythological grandeur.

Rubecula

Please excuse typos It was just a spur of the moment draft that I thought up because of my nickname on here. No proof reading has been carried out.

Part Two: The Origin of Noddy

Well gentle reader, where shall we start in telling the story of Noddy? We could go back to the beginning through the mists of time to when the only thing alive were the gods and a few protoplasmic blobs. But that is too far back. Indeed we can go back to the time when lost in his own miseries, Rubecula caused havoc in the lands of Tyran. Yet again that is too far back, closer but yet still too far.

No we must go back to a day in Tyran, when the market was in town.

Rubecula had met a lady, a beauteous lady who had captured his heart. And like all men.... well we are getting ahead of ourselves a little here. Let's go back to the market..............

Rubecula was strolling along between the stalls, not looking to buy anything in particular. Mostly he was thinking of Seraphina Aris. He wanted to take her for a nice romantic meal for two, somewhere expensive, somewhere fine. To this idea came a further one. He really could do with some fine clothes. His clothes now were very expensive, very fine quality, but they lacked something, they were a little bit utilitarian.

Having watched some of the more elegantly dressed males in Tyran, Vampires, Noblemen and such like, he came to realise that a good tailor would be required, and apparently there were a few in the market. This is what he was actually looking for when he chanced upon a small stall selling a variety of whatsits and whatnots. There was a small crowd of women gathered around it, and rightaway came the idea that there might be something there that would interest Sera. So, fatefully as it turned out, he pushed his way through to see what exactly was on offer. It was a stall selling cosmetics and beautifying products. With a slight *tisk* of mild annoyance he made to move away, when he happened to realise that the far end of the stall was devoid of customers all together. Curious, he made his way along and noticed that the emulents and oils here were in large unadorned jars.

A little man appeared wearing a funny sort of hat. "Yes Sir can I be of assistance?"

Rubecula looked up from his examination of the jars. "I am just curious, but what are in these jars? The women seem to be up at the other end of the stall."

"Well sir," replied the man, "These jars are meant for men, unfortunately men don't buy such things very often, so we have little chance to sell them in a place such as this. They are mainly oils and infusions for mixing with your bathwater, not only wonderful for cleansing the skin, but they leave you feeling toned and healthy. They also part with their scents and leave the gentleman smelling sweet and attractive to the ladies."

Rubecula was taken by the sale's pitch. It could be ideal for tonight when he went walking out with Sera. Digging into his purse he pulled out a handful of coins. "I think I will purchase some of that then. How much are they?"

A few minutes and a bit of haggling later, Rubecula proudly strode off with half a dozen jars of the things, all different. Lot's of enthusiasm but no instructions apart from "Put some in the bath water."

The clothing could wait for now, It was unlikely he could get a suite of clothes made to order by tonight anyway. However a nice long bath with these oils could be just what he needed.

Hurrying home to his mansion house, he swiftly stripped off and ran a nice hot tub of water in his rather exclusively designed stone bath. Exclusive because he had designed it himself, and frankly he had no idea on design. Nobody else was likely to have one quite like it.... luckily for them.

Once the tub was full of steaming water, Rube poured in an entire jar of something that smelled vaguely of pine forest. He wasn't sure about that, the smell was a bit strong and perhaps a little wrong. The next bottle was Lemon scented so he added the entire contents of that too. By this time he began to wonder if he would get it right, and he reasoned that if he mixed them all into the bath, the resultant smell would drive the women wild with desire. So he emptied every jar into the bath, whereupon the water took on a strange greyish look.

The smell was somewhat pungeant, really rather strong. No doubt it would fade a bit once he had covered himself in it. So he hopped in and lay back. He had water covering him totally from toes to chin. He smiled, confident that this would be impressive.

Perhaps impressive was the wrong word to use. Rubecula had never heard of an allergic reaction, but it was not all that long before he discovered what one was. His skin began to turn an angry red and started to itch. He rubbed at it. The itch just got worse. Swearing he stood up and climbed out of the bath. The itch increased exponentially with contact to the air. Rubecula bit his lip and rubbed like crazy with a coarse towel. This only made him sore and the moment he stopped the itch came back tenfold. All over his body, in every nook and cranny.

Rubecula began to make almost whimpering noises as the dreaded itch would not go away. Worse still his body was now partly crimson and partly scarlet in great blotches.

"Gaaaaaaaah!" Rubecula ran naked from the bathroom, out into the garden to get fresh air blowing on him. This had no effect, the itch began to feel like a personal attack on his body and his sanity. He needed cold, sweet cold and ice.

He raced into the mountains where the snow never melted. There was no relief in this form either, and his body's defences seemed to cause him to explode into a great golden flame of fire. It was not long before he reached a small mountain top valley with snow still in it. And luckily it seemed a small lake (or large pond) of icey cold water. Frantically he tried rolling in the snow. The itch was now so bad he had tears in his eyes. He groaned, the snow helped but it just didn't cover his whole body.

Finally with a mild scream of total frustration, he dived into the pool of water, and finally too came blessed relief, as the cold cold water removed the last of the oils, and cooled his furious skin. The raging itch faded and finally went away.

"Dear gods" he breathed "What in the seven hells was that?" He was so pleased to be free of the itch he settled back to float and drift in the cold clear water in wonderful itch free peace.




While he was enjoying a nice long soak in the pool, Rubecula began to playfully dip under the water and swim around. The water was deeper than he had expected, but not too bad. He started to explore it's depths.

After a few minutes, something caught his eye, something quite bright half hidden behind a large boulder. Of course this roused his curiousity, and being who he was he could hold his breath very well. Not just mere seconds, he could hold his breath for minutes. Nevertheless his ability to hold his breath came in useful as he swam down to the bright gleam below him.

He recognised it immediately he had a clear sight of it. He had not seen one under water before, but he knew it instantly. It was a portal. For a moment he wondered why the water did not simply flow out through it, then he realised that there must be a similar pond on the other side.

Peering through it he could see how the water changed from it's fresh clear blue to an equally clear greenish colour. It took him no time at all to decide he wanted to take a look. With a sharp folding of his body, he darted through the portal like an eel.

The sudden change in temperature hit him like a body blow. His saved breath left him in a whooshing sound. Quickly realising his mistake, he shot to the surface to gasp for air. He made it, panting furiously.

Looking around he could see why there had been a slight greenish colour to the otherwise clear water. The sides of the pond were overhung by huge trees festooned in moss and vine like plants. The sunlight was filtered through the leaves giving everything a greenish colouration. It was breathhtakingly beautiful. Swimming to the edge of the pond he climbed out and looked around. He saw no signs of large life forms apart from the trees themselves. A few small birds darted between the branches, some of which his appearance had startled away from the pond where they had obviously been drinking. He spied a small squirrel running up a tree. Ohter than this there were no animals about at all. Not even an animal track to catch the eye. It seemed that the little glade was totally isolated.

Being isolated was a good thing considering his clothes were still in his bathroom at home. So finding a moss covered rock that had a shaft of sunlight on it he sat down to let the warmth dry him off.

Just in arm's reach, was a small tree, with fruit growing on it. A small animal, possibly a vole, was nibbling on one of the fruits. Rubecula plucked one and looked it over. He had not seen one before and it reminded him of a cross between an apple and a fig. It's odour was remarkable. Very much a fruit that could stir hunger in a well fed man.

Perhaps rather stupidly in light of future events. (It was Rubecula's day for doing stupid things) He took a bite of the strange thing. It was truly fantastic. The juices ran down his chin and he chewed at the thing with a smile, and delight in his eyes. Whatever the thing was, he would have to get the seeds and plant it at home. Sitting back against the trunk of the tree he ate every last bit. Then with a sigh he looked up. The tree was covered in the things, but no point in being greedy.

Looking around to see if he could count how many of these trees were in evidence he noticed something that sent alarm bells ringing through his head. Under virtually every tree of this type were small bodies. They seemed to be twitching and moving about. Well most of them were.

Rubecula realised he may have just done the most stupid thing of his life. Poisoned himself in the midst of a place where nobody knew he had gone. He had to get home. Fast!

Getting to his feet, he began the process of getting back home. Nothing happened. He tried again. Nothing happened. He concentrated, he knew that he was doing it right, but still nothing happened. On impulse he threw a green fireball towards the tree that had poisoned him. A slight tingle in his finger tips was all that occured and even this faded amost instantly. With the beginnings of real worry he decided to try a running dive into the pond.

His legs moved sluggishly, then slowed down, he fell forward to lie on his face, one outstretched hand just reaching the water's edge. As he lay there he saw one of the little animals apparently wake up and begin all over again to feast on the fruit, only to keel over in another fruit enduced sleep. His last thoughts before he too succumbed to the sleep were about the nature of Nature and the clever traps it produced.

Rubecula was totally asleep a second later, his bare legs twitching slightly in a mirror image of a squirrel not three inches from his nose.



With a soft groan, the man awoke. Climbing to his feet in slow motion he looked around. There was some food to hand, but for some reason he felt very sick. Ignoring the food, he padded off through the shrubs and trees, his bare legs getting swiped by branches and his naked feet making almost no sound on the soft loam below.

He retched a couple of times. almost to the point of throwing up, before controlling the urge and pushing on through. He broke into a clearing where he at first only heard voices. Then the sight of what was occuring came to him. A huddle of frightened men were being shepherded by armoured knights on horseback. One of these nights spotted him as he broke through the undergrowth.

The knight called to his companions "Another of them. I will get him."

The knight charged his hose waving a massive mace overhead. The naked man stared, still wanting to vomit, at the approaching rider. A threat to him, which instinct made him counter. Moving to the 'wrong' side of the horse to avoid the blow, he leapt up and punched out with all his strength. The massively muscled bady flexed as he did so and the impact of his fist actually unseated the rider. He fell from his horse with a nasty cracking sound and his neck lay twisted in an awful way, a look of astonishment still on his face.

Instantly, two of the remaining three riders charged towards him, howing in rage and swinging weapons. Seeing them come at him at such a pace, the naked man did not run away, which would probably have been fatal. Instead he ran at them. At the last minute with the leap of a desperate man, he did the Bull Dance, but on the horse.

His foot lightly touched the leading horse on the forehead in an astonishing leap. He somersaulted over the rider, bringing his clenched fist down on the helmeted head, jamming the helmet down so hard is cracked the skull beneath it. Then as he came down fom he flight through the air his leg swept around in a roundhouse kick that took the third rider in the chest before he had a chance to prevent it. The third rider fell from his running horse with a massive dent in the thin plate he wore. His chest caved in.

While this was happening the last horseman was being hauled from his steed by the group of unarmed men who had previously been his prisoners. He managed to let out a scream of pure terror before all sounds were cut off by his throat being torn open with bare hands.

One of the group looked up at the naked man and walked over with arms wide in greeting. "We thank you stranger, for your timely arrival. Had you not come when you did I am sure the Overlord's men would have had us all killed"

He offered his hand in greeting. "May I ask who you are, and why you are undressed?"

"I don't know" The naked man began, but suddenly he doubled over and fell to his knees, retching and choking, he vomited up a vile mess from inside himself. The man who had approached stepped back, but looked with growing concern at the vile gloop on the ground.

"Parrapas Fruit. Wild Parrapas fruit." He turned to the others. "Quickly fetch brandy the idiot has been eating Wild Parrapas"

The naked man felt a flask pushed to his mouth and a burning liquid gurgled down his throat. Until he managed to push it away.

The leader of the group looked at him. "Why would you eat that thing? Are you stupid? Or suicidal?"

"I don't remember. What is it?"

"Parrapas fruit? You have never seen it before? Well obviously not I suppose, since you ate it. Parrapas is a fruit we grow and care for, it has properties to ease the mind, to numb pain and many other medicinal things. But in the wild, it gets infected with a fungus, the Black Rot. When that happens it can have mind bending effects. It can turn a sane man totally mad, it can destroy your memory and it may even bring about death. Obviously you have eaten it, and the evidence supports that it has robbed you of your memory."

"Who am I?" The man looked up from his knees. "I can't remember anything until I came through those trees."

The men looked at each other. "We don't know either, none of us have ever seen you before. Can you not even remember your name? I am Sickle, a farmer by trade. Thats how I recognised the damned fruit."

"I don't know who I am!" The sound was almost a plea, almost a whine. It was most certainly a wail of fear. Which seemed odd after the way he had taken out three armoured knights on horseback whilst being naked and unarmed.

One of the men who had gone around the dead knights called over. "I think we should get some clothes off these guys to cover Mister Nudie over there before the women see him." His thick accent sounding like he said "Mister Noddy."

Sickle nodded. "Good idea Sprout, sort it out for him will you. We will stay with him until he can stand up." Turning to the man he smailed in a friendly, almost fatherly way. "We owe you much my friend, and we will do what we can to help you. We have a healer of sorts back at our camp, name of Malbrach. It would be best if he sees you and brings your memory back if he can. It is beyond me." He stroked his chin. "But first, finish off that brandy, it may ease any further problems you may have. I think you probably got it out of your system, but just in case eh?"

Sprout arrived with an assortment of clothing taken from the dead knights, while another of the men had rounded up the horses.

"The guy is not fit to walk, when we have him dressed, put him on one of the horses. The other things we have pilfered off the dead men we can pack onto the others." Sickle looked again at the man. "We have to call you something my friend. Have you no idea at all what your name might be?"

Remembering what Sprout had shouted, the naked (but getting dressed now) man shuddered before replying. "Noddy?"





The trip, for all the hurry to get away from the area of the fight, was quite leisurely. 'Noddy' was sitting on a smallish mare and swaying in the odd looking saddle, dizzy and slightly drunk from the brandy. This was noticed by a few of the others.

"I don't think he is used to strong drink"

"No he isn't, could he be a priest?"

"What kind of priest? There isn't a holy house for days and days of riding around here, and the nearest one has a full compliment of drunken priests."

And so the talk went on, some interesting ideas on the stranger came to the fore. None ever came closer than the first ideas though. In the end the consensus of opinion seemed to indicate the man, Now actually called Noddy by them all, was a mercenary soldier who had been ambushed while inebriated and robbed of all his belongings. The idea covered the facts as they knew them.

Some time later, and it was getting a little dark, they approached a change in the woodland. The trees were bigger, more gnarly, and fearsome looking. If ever there were demons in the woods, this would be where they would have chosen.

A man appeared, painted in woad to give him a deep blue countenance. He had a long dark cape of some strange fur and carried a staff. His long hair and beard were almost completely white.

Sickle called out on seeing this apparition. "We have a victim of Parrapas with us. He saved our lives, and deserves our help."

The man said nothing, and for a long moment simply stared at Noddy.

He then waved them forward and sank back into the deeper darkness of the ancient woods. The boundary of his domain and that of the green forest the riders were about to leave was as clear as if drawn by some incredible pencil of the Gods.

His voice when it reached them was fantastically strong and reverberating. "Bring him to the village and I will tend him there."

Noddy heard all this and tried to voice an opinion, but simply hiccupped and slumped forward in the saddle. By the time the horse had crossed the strange boundary, he was snoring his head off.

End of part two

lahalane

Very intriguing and well described. The back story of Rubecula is an interesting one and has great potential. There is a big market for stories like this too I think. It's a very well written piece and easy to read. Well done.

Rubecula

Part three: Rube begins life as Noddy



When he awoke he was laying on something soft with a blanket of some kind over him. Looking up and feeling the worse for strong drink he observed a roof of sticks and similar above him.

He groaned, sat up, and groaned again. A fire was burning in the middle of the circular room he was in. The place seemed to be a mud hut of sorts and the inside was quite smokey. An elder man sat opposite him and was watching him with care.

"Greetings ummmmm.... Noddy? I am Malbrach, a sort of healer for the People."

The capital in the word People was obvious in his tone.

He came over to Noddy and offered him a mug of some steaming liquid. "This will make you feel better, although it tastes pretty awful. After you get up we can take a walk outside and have a little chat. Agreed?"

Noddy nodded.



It was not to long afterwards that a slighty overhung Noddy was strolling carefully through what appeared to be a refugee village in the forest with his companion, who was telling him about the people here and life in general.

"These folks are all simple people" said Mallbrach. "Mostly farmers and quiet peasants. However since the Overlord came to conquer the land with his army and his paid mercenaries, many have fled here to the great wood and tried to live in peace. At first we did try to send emmissaries to say we didn't mind them sharing our lands with us, but all diplomacy failed. Our messengers were slain and ploughed into the fields as fertilisers for pure enjoyment by them. None of us have experience of this kind of evil and we are not a people of fighters. It seems you have some experience in such things from what the men who brought you here say."

Noddy furrowed his brow. "I don't know, I can't remember."

"Well apparently you took those soldiers like it was nothing. Tell me can you remember anything? Anything at all that may help me fix you up?"

"No nothing at all, not before coming to in the glen, that was just before I stumbled on the soldiers, and they attacked me."

"Unfortunate, the parrapas fruit has a nasty effect when it is full of the fungus. If I could get a glimpse of your past I could perhaps produce a potion that would restore your memory. Without any hints it is a bit of a trial by taste to see what works. It could take some time you know." There was a hint of genuine appology in the words. "Perhaps while I produce my potions you could help train some of our people in the art of fighting? We surely need help in that quarter, we are as helpless as sheep in a pack of wolves."

Noddy paused. "You think you can help me remember then?" When he received an answering nod, he pursed his lips. "OK, I will be more than happy to do what I can for you. Although, as I can't remember much, then I am not sure how much help I can be. I suppose some of it is 'muscle memory' and it will come back to me. If it feels right then it probably is I suppose. Yes. Yes i think I can help you, and if you can help me bring my memory back, perhaps I can do more for you."

Malbrach smiled back at Noddy when he heard these words, although his thoughts we not so joyful. "That is if you don't remember that you are an enemy of ours after all." But these thoughts he kept strictly to himself. Potions can heal or kill after all, and he needed to make sure he had a weapon he could use against this seemingly awsome warrior if the need arose.





The following day, after a good night's sleep and a decent breakfast, Noddy got down to business.

A number of men, quite a large number in fact, were lined up with sticks and branches to imitate swords. Pairing them all off, Noddy had them going through general sword skills. Cut, parry, thrust, drive and so on.

He held the sword he had obtained from the men he had killed and went through the motions with the men, using a tree as an opponent. Somehow the sword fell into the right movements and his speed picked up. The men stopped sparring to watch him, and oblivious to the attention he had, Noddy went faster and faster, harder and harder.

It was only when a piece of the tree flew out and stung his cheek that he realised he had an audience. Stopping to look at the men, he received a spontaneous round of applause.

Noddy blushed, then clapped his hands together. "Keep practicing lads, speed is fine, but accuracy is final. You need to develope your skills if you are to make a difference."

Once the men were back to practicing, Noddy went amongst them, correcting movements and displaying how to parry or thrust at an opponent.

Some of the men would never be much use with a sword though, and Noddy had to stand back while he considered what to do with these persons. It was while he was thinking of this that he noticed a woodman's axe leaning against a tree. Picking it up he gave it a practice swing. There was something familiar about it, although not remembering his life as Rubecula, he also didn't remember that Rubecula's first favourite weapon had been a mighty axe. An Axe that resided over the bar of the Tavern in Tyran. The thing just felt very familiar.

A couple of the lads who were not so good with swords were big powerful farm boys. He called them over and tossed the axe to one of them. "Let me see what you can do to this terrible enemy with that." He pointed to the tree. "This fiend has just raided your home. Kill him."

The big man took the axe to task against the tree with such vigor that in a few short moments it was near to collapse.

"Stop" cried Noddy. "You will have it down on top of us." He reached out and took the axe, passing it to the next man in line. He pointed to a second tree and gestured for him to continue. This went on down the line of the big men, and some not quite so big men. Just watching them made him tired. Each one trying to outdo the one before.

Noddy smiled at the promise they showed. By lunchtime, he had a cadre of what promised to be good swords men and mighty axemen.

Eating, away with Mallbrach, he nodded to him between mouthfuls. "They seem to show promise, or at least I think they do. They are desperate to make a difference and to either protect what they own or gain revenge for what has been taken. That could work to our advantage. Sending them into battle when they are trained up is not likely to be a concern."

"No" said Mallbrach. "But stopping them once they start may be more of a problem. They will need a battle leader who can control their 'enthusiasm' in the fight. I am not sure, that given my age and abilities that I am the right one for the job. Fancy taking it on?"

Noddy chewed thoughtfully on a piece of meat. "Ask me tomorrow" was his simple answer.

Lunch over, Noddy gave the men some slightly more complex moves to worry about. Skills first, tactics later. He watched for a while and began to think of other methods of fighting. Archery and pikestaffs came to mind. Later on they could begin to think of armored knights to match the mercenaries.



That evening, Noddy sat sipping a mild drink of mixed fruit juices and thinking. Most of the men had settled down to rest and eat. many of them, in fact nearly all of them were nursing blisters and feeling the effects of a hard day. They seemed to be happy though. Happy that they would soon be able to fight back for the first time in their history.

Noddy picked up the axe and played with it tentatively. There was something very familiar about it if only he could remember. Standing up, he walked a little way into the forest, out of sight and hearing of the others. A few practice swings, and he warmed up to the task.

Suddenly spinning, he brought the axe round to block an imaginary blow, twisting it round and jabbing with the blade. Something clicked in his head and his massive avian muscles took over with pure instinct. He attacked a moderately sized tree. One almost unbelievable blow took the blade right through the trunk, taking a huge bite out of the wood. The hard ash shaft cracked with the fury of the blow. Noddy hardly noticed, so lost in his routine as he was. It was only when the shaft broke in half with the next blow he came to his senses. There was a second loud crack, and the tree began to bend around the gash in it's trunk.

"Oh Bejabbers" Noddy snarled with alarm as the tree began to fall in his direction. He picked up his feet and moved like lightening as the branches came tumbling down on top of him. He almost made it. The last few feet of the tree came down on his head and back, pushing him to the ground and covering him in pine needles.

For a moment nothing happened, then a hand pulled the branches apart. A bedraggled head followed and finally, Noddy pulled himself clear. For a second or two he looked viciously at the tree, then his face cracked a smile. The smile turned to laughter. He was doubled over, tears running down his face. "Oh you dasted fool" he choked out to himself. "Why on earth didn't you just step sideways?".

Retrieving the broken axe, he headed back to the campsite still chuckling away. He was totally unaware of four eyes watching him, partly impressed and partly with humour. Two were the hard eyes of Malbrach, and two were brown with long lashes.

Noddy took little time to get back, tomorrow he would speak to the blacksmith about repairing the axe and maybe strengthening the shaft. Besides it's edge had totally gone now.

Putting the axe to one side, he pulled his rough woven cape over his body and head and settled down for a few hours rest. There was a few more things to be started in the morning. And the training needed to continue.



Eyes closed, Noddy lay under his roughly woven cape. There was no need for better shelter than that in these warm summer nights. Something caused him to open his eyes. Perhaps it was a sixth sense, or maybe a soft barely heard sound, but whatever it was, his eyes opened and he peered between the weave of the cloth.

Slowly moving, softly getting closer, was a pair of leather booted legs. Noddy noted how they moved carefully, so as not to make a sound on dead twigs and leaves. The owner, whoever it was, was good, very good indeed, and it was only the fact that his nerves were taught as harp strings that had allowed him to be alerted.

Whipping his cape from his face, and a hand on the hilt of the blade under the cape with him, he stared hard at the owner of the legs.

To his surprise, it was a young woman. A pretty face with hard eyes in a sunburnt complexion, framed by full deepest black hair. Her hard brown eyes were looking right into his, without fear. He did notice that she was a touch surprised by the way he was awake and looking right at her though.

"You are General Noddy" It didn't seem to be a question. More of a statement of fact. So he grunted agreement rather than give a verbal answer.

"You are training men to fight I see and hear."

"I am." He kept his response low and short, alert for any untoward attack.

"Why do you not allow women to fight. It is our land as well."

"I am not stopping women from fighting. I do not force people to fight, the only ones who have come to learn are men. I have no worries about women fighting too if they so wish. Do you want to fight?"

"Yes" Her reply was less antagonistic now after his words. "There are many of us and we discussed fighting back a long time ago. We have been practicing."

"Excellent" Noddy replied. "I will see you in the morning then."

With that, Noddy pulled the cape back over his head and settled back. However, his dismissive and relaxed pose was a sham. His eyes once again peered through the weave and watched her surreptitiously. He smiled as she frowned at him, obviously irritated by his lack of excitement, but this was warring with delight at acceptance. Noddy was testing her in reality. As she stalked off, no longer attempting to be silent, Noddy's smile broke into a broad grin. If the other women she spoke of were as good, then he was building a formidable host to fight with.

Noddy had no cause of worry over the fighting abilities of women, unlike many men. He knew that generally speaking men were physically bigger, except for individuals where a big woman was stronger than a small man, but women were usually excellent archers, and many were superb with a sword, and a spear. If they had been practicing for some time, they would possibly be a lot better than the men in his charge at this point.

Yes, he surmised, this was building up to fighting strength very rapidly. If it carried on as quickly, he would have to let them test themselves somehow. However that was a set of plans for a clear head and now, he wanted to sleep and let thing roll over in his mind.

Under a flowing tree, and wrapped in a rough woven cape, Noddy slept.




The following morning arrived with, not so much of a bang, but a sizzle. The sizzle was due to many breakfasts being cooked. Noddy had not brought any food with him and he felt a grumbling in his belly. However it was his own fault, and he decided he would pay the cost as a punishment to himself for being so absent minded. However this was not going to be a day where he was left hungry. Malbrach arrived with a young girl who was carrying a couple of plates loaded down with fried foodstuffs.

"I noticed yesterday you were a bit busy to remember your food, no need to worry on that score though, young Maire here also noticed and volunteered to bring you some breakfast while you are in training."

Noddy made a mental note not to abuse this kind gift, and then spoke his thanks to Maire out loud. "That is very kind of you. I will be very grateful for your help."

The rest of the training camp had stirred by now and some were actually loosening up for more weapon practice. The people were very keen, but, Noddy realised, these people were fighting for their existance. Or they would be when they knew how to. His eyes wandered around the groups of people, their numbers had swollen overnight, and Sickle had taken it upon himself to sort them out into various groups.

A new group was approaching through the trees, Noddy looked them over. It was a sizable group of women, all carrying weapons, and led by the woman who had spoken to him in the night. She gave him a defiant look. He gave her a little wave of the fingers and a wink.

As he polished off the breakfast, licking the grease from his fingers, he handed the plate back to Maire with a grateful smile. He was amused that the young lady blushed and ran off.

Standing, he approached the newcomers who were looking around.

"I see you have all come to join us, for which I am grateful to be truthful. If you have been practicing for as long as you have told me, then perhaps you will be able to help train some of the others. Would you be willing to do that?"

The woman who led the group tilted her head and looked quizzically at Noddy. "I think we can do that. We are all on the same side I believe."

"Indeed, I hope we are" Noddy felt a sort of warmth inside, there was a sizable armed force here in this small clearing, and if they did well, it would act as a recruitment for more people to join. Nevertheless they would be up against professional fighters, and for such an act, the right tactics needed to be thought out. First things first though, these folk needed to be able to fight, not just want to. Tactics could wait while skills were developed.

End of part three

Rubecula

Part Four: The First Fight.

The next week went by rapidly for Noddy. However it was a busy one, and each night, he slid into sleep with remarkable ease. The women were indeed much more highly skilled than the men, but like all men, they didn't like to be bettered by women, so put in a lot more effort. Noddy found that he was really glad the women had joined the group, because the training exploded into action with their arrival. He smiled as he also noticed a few blossoming romances.

Sickle, who had pretty much fallen into his second in command came to speak with him one morning, just as Maire had taken away Noddy's plates.

"Sorry to disturb you General"

"General?"

"Well," Sickle looked uncomfortable. "You are the leader sir, and this is an army, albeit a small one. We have sort of got aound to calling you the General amongst ourselves."

Noddy waved it away. "I am not bothered by titles as such. After all I still can't remember my real name. Call me anything you like as long as it is in time for breakfast" The joke didn't even raise a smile on Sickle. Noddy sighed.

"The thing is sir, we are getting anxious to fight back. The army is getting restless."

"You too eh Sickle?" Noddy spoke comradely to Sickle.

"A bit sir. Just a bit."

"Good, I think we can plan our first fight, or at least a skirmish with the enemy. I will lay down my ideas and I want you to work them through with me."

"Yessir" Sickle stood to attention and a broad smile crossed his face.

"Fighting is nothing to be pleased about Sickle. You will come to realise that. It is nasty, bloody and heart rending. Taking a life is nothing to be pleased about really." Noddy cleared a bit of the earth with a foot and began sketching in the dirt with a stick. "There are patrols that travel for a week or two around the kingdom, causing mayhem, taking supplies and enslaving the people I understand."

"Yes thats right. They are vermin really." Sickle was stirring at the marks in the dirt.

"Well, apparently one of the main routes is through a small wooded valley over in the hills."

"Catskill Valley it is called Sir. They go through there once a week."

"Hmmm? Oh yes, well the name means little to me I am afraid. Anyway, because they are out for about a week, they have a baggage train following them. The baggage train is a little slower, due to the fact it is carrying all their tents and other stuff, and it is manned by forced labour. There are only a few guards to it, the labourers have no fight in them apparently. My plan, and tell me your opinion please, is to wait until the main body of soldiers are out of sight around the bend in the valley, attack the baggage train, destroy the goods and free the slaves."

"It sounds simple enough sir, but as soon as the battle starts the soldiers will rush back on us from behind."

"That is what I am counting on Sickle, we only use the ones with swords to take the baggage train. The rest of our forces will be hidden on both sides of the valley inside the tree line. When I give the signal, the archers will launch a volley and repeat it as fast as possible into the charging enemy. It will be their cavalry that will arrive first and with luck the archers will account for many of them, Panicking horses that are hurt will add to the confusion. Hopefully the men will too as they are not expecting a fight from the people."

"The enemy have infantry too sir."

"Indeed Sickle they do. When they arrive to help out the cavalry, we stop them before they can get close. Hopefully the slaughter of their cavalry which is an elite unit to them will be morale breaking. At which time, before they can manage to rescue their comrades, we charge with our light cavalry. Straight out of the trees lances at the ready. We follow up with our axemen."

"I like the plan sir"

"We have to make certain all of the men, and women act on the signal though, an ambush like this is dependant on surprise. A wrong move at the wrong time and we are done for before we start."

"I will make sure all of our people are aware of that sir." Sickle scratched his chin. "It is three days before the next patrol through there sir."

"Three days to prepare our forces Sickle Or should I call you Major?"

"Eh?"

"If you are going to saddle me with a military rank, then by heaven you are going to have to suffer the same fate Sickle."

'Major' Sickle laughed at that, loud and long. "Very well General"

Noddy stood up, and put a comradely arm around the broad shoulders of Sickle. "Now lets go and inspect our troops shall we?"




For the next couple of days, the troops were drilled in the plan that Noddy had formulated. It was perhaps not enough time, but it had to be enough. Luckily, both Sickle and Noddy had emphasised over time the need to obey orders instantly, so things progressed very smoothly.

Noddy only hoped that discipline would hold once the fighting madness descended on the troops.

The matter of passing the orders at the right time over distance was a small problem that niggled at Noddy. He stood with his officers, Sickle at the fore and posed the question to them.

"Drums sir?" One of the women suggested. Noddy shook his head at that.

"Drums need to be carried, perhaps on a true battlefield, but for an ambush amongst the trees I feel they would hinder more than help. But a fair idea all the same."

The small group stood around and looked deep in thought. However there were no other ideas forthcoming.

Just then a small group of children went running past, laughing and playing with little wooden flutes carved from bits of wood found around the camp.

Noddy laughed at them, and then his face took on a slow smile of satisfaction. "Who makes those whistles Sickle?"

"The children themselves sir. We all used to make them when we were young."

"I think wooden whistles could be our method to announce the attacks. Two blasts for the attack on the baggage train, and one long blast for the attack on the Cavalry by the archers. Then two more quick blasts to get our troops in the action from the trees. What do you think?"

"I think that may work sir. The sound of the whistles can carry a long way with a good pair of lungs behind them."

Noddy nodded. "Well then get some whistles made, lets see what you have forgotton since childhood."

"Right you are Sir. " Sickle turned to the others. "Well, what are you waiting for. You heard the general. Two hours and you will all have whistles or I will flay you to dog food." His voice barked out loudly, but with a touch of humour. Morale was very high.




There was a soft cloying mist floating down the valley as the morning came into full fruition. Eyes in the trees watched as the army stomped it's way up the narrow aisle of grass between the trees. Songbirds were already into a chirping singing ritual as old as time itself. As the army slowly wended it's way out of sight, the baggage train came into view, moving slowly.

The baggage train was a small number of wagons being hauled by oxen, horses being more useful for the cavalry. The pace of the oxen was incredibly slow, but inexhorable. Big powerful shoulders swaying as they hauled the heavy carts.

Noddy had put himself with the advance party that were to attack this baggage train, leaving Sickle in charge of the main force that would ambush the returning army. That is to attack the returning army if all went as planned. Noddy had explained that even the best plans often went wrong due to unforseen circumstances, and they had but the one option, to pray things went well. Noddy's main reasons for doing this were to give Sickle, the local lad made good, the chance to lead his people in a battle. Noddy might not survive and it was important to lay down a chain of command that was competant in case it was necessary to hand over the reins of command. And also Noddy had a sword and the obvious place for him was with the swordsmen in the first part of the attack. He had an axe too, but he decided not to count that.

Finally the baggage train reached the point of no return. The guards were few in number, and not all that well equipped apparently. At the given moment, Noddy raised his whistle to his lips and blew shrilly on it. The attack was on.

The drivers could not escape, even though Noddy's force was on foot, the weighed down oxen could not flee fast enough to get away. This meant the guards too had to stay behind. The vengeful horde at his back, Noddy charged full tilt at the enemy waving his sword and screaming like a demented demon. He was met by a surprised but aggressive charge of the guards.

Noddy's powerful form helped in this by giving him the sheer power to slice and cut through hurried parries by the guards. Too long they had preyed on the helpless folk of these lands, and they had grown fat and slow in the process, feeling that they would never have to fight a real foe. Noddy's party showed them how wrong they were.

Inexperienced as they were, the fury of Noddy's troops carried them through. Some even latched onto the hated foe by the teeth while they stabbed and butchered and dismembered the enemy. Cries of pure exhaulted hate filled the air. They were at long last fighting back.

Finally, Noddy was able to turn around, he had burst right through the opposition and come out the other side. As he did so he saw that his troops had just about slaughtered everyone in front of them. Almost everyone. There was a tall giant of a man laying waste to Noddy's lads and lasses with the most horrendous looking broadsword.

Noddy ran to help out, and as he approached he could see that the men were giving this knight a very wide berth, looking for a way to get in close. Noddy had no archers with him to bring this huge man down. they were all with Sickle. There was little he could do except take up the challenge himself.

Up close, Noddy could see the long grizzled hair and lined face. The man was a veteran. Probably experienced in some long distant land of fighting fierce and violent enemies. He was probably only here to earn a little retirement money.

The man's face was crossed by the grimace of a soldier, fighting for his life and actually enjoying it. It was a look that Noddy realised he knew. The man was experienced alright, and downright deadly.

Entering the circle around the man and holding his sword, he faced the knight. The richly embossed armour on the man told a story of wealth and fighting. Noddy's meagre bits of mismatched and stolen armour looked very out of place. Nevertheless, he raised his sword in salute and crossed closer to the knight. The man returned the salute and smiled at Noddy. Not a friendly smile as such but one of gratitude perhaps for the honour of the salute. They closed together and there was a lightning fast clanging of blade against blade as they both took stock of the other. Noddy's troops were all watching in silence.

It was clear the knight had the edge as regards experience, and possibly cunning. Noddy had speed and strength on his side. Although, to his mind, not enough of either to make the fight sure.

Dimly, Noddy heard whistles in the background and the screams of men and horses. Sickle had struck the main army. According to the plan, his party were to go forward if possible to block the cavalry from getting any further, and accordingly Noddy bawled out the order for them to do so. This almost proved fatal, the knight seized his chance of Noddy's distraction to launch a swift thrust. The blade was barely parried and the edge sliced along Noddy's ribs, leaving a painful bloody gash. Not serious, but enough tio remind him to concentrate on the matter in hand.

The battle between the two rose into a frenzy of flurried sword moves and counter moves. Cunning faced Speed. But Speed could learn cunning. Noddy was slowly getting the upper hand. It was tough, and the slightest mistake would spell doom for either of them. Time went by and the two became bloody and sweat stained, the ground beneath their feet was churned into a mess of blood soaked mud, and yet they still faught like devils. Noddy was growing weary and the pained look on the other's face showed that he too was feeling the strain, perhaps even moreso than Noddy, who had youth on his side.

Gradually the group of men watching the fight swelled. Unbeknown to Noddy, it was his army, led by Sickle who were swelling the ranks. The plan had worked perfectly, and the victorious Sickle had come along to find out what was keeping his commander. Along with many others, he gasped at the skill and ferocity of the two combatants.

The stamina of the two was astounding. They had already been at each other for nearly two hours, although neither had hardly noticed the passage of time. Finally they came apart and stood wavering and panting at each other. Both showed true respect of a valiant opponent.

Looking around Noddy spoke to the huge mass milling around. "If this man slays me, he is free to leave, unharmed by any of you. That is an order. Sickle, you will ensure it is carried out." Then signalling for a wineskin, Noddy took the time to refresh himself before handing the skin to the knight. A nod of thanks and the big man took a drink too.

"Your name youngster? Seldom have I felt a blade like yours against me."

"They call me Noddy."

"Your real name?"

"That is something I don't know."

The knight's eyes widened slightly before he shrugged. "Should I slay you, the name Noddy will be remembered in the hall of hero's"

Then throwing away the wineskin, he launched another attack. Noddy was almost caught by surprise and the two swords met with a vicious clang, the hilts locking together briefly before they once again resumed with parry, slash and thrust. It wasn't a second wind, nor even a third, but yet another recovery that they felt. There would be no further pleasantries until this mattter ended.

Another hour passed, by which time both were on their knees and swinging weakly at each other, but finally, the old knight's massive strength and endurance gave out and he fell forward. Noddy was exhausted too and unable to produce the lightning speed to pierce the knight's breast, simply clubbed the man on his silver haired head with the pommel of his sword. The knight fell senseless to the ground.

Noddy spoke once. "Care for him, I wish to speak with him when he recovers." Then as tiredness and exhaustion hit him, Noddy fell face down alongside the knight. The two enemies side by side in the blood, mud and dirt. One defeated, one victorious, but both past the extremes of human endurance.

End of Part Four

Agent Weebley

More gruel, please sir! And I've thanked all the postings, just to let you know. Maybe that'll get you off your Kyber.

Rubecula

Part 5: A New Chapter

When Noddy awoke he was on a thick mattress of warm fur with the evening sun warming him. He sat up slowly and looked around. He was on the edge of the woodland and a large number of his army were busy sorting out booty from the successful raid.

Major Sickle was standing nearby watching events, his back turned towards Noddy. Some secret sense made him turn around and glance at Noddy.

"Ah, you are awake. How do you feel?"

"Tired. Sore too." Answered Noddy. "In fact I feel like I have been dragged through the forest by a team of horses."

"I am not surprised sir, that was one hell of a fight you and the prisoner had."

"Hmmm. Speaking of him, where is he?"

"Still out cold, but safely secured in case he wakes up and starts a ruckus. Do you want a drink?"

"Any fresh water?"

"Plenty." Sickle called for, and got a jug of cool clear water for Noddy, who clambered to his feet in order to drink.

Sickle continued, "I made sure we moved away from the battle site in case we were surprised. The rangers followed and covered or tracks, so that we can't be trailed."

"Excelent work Sickle, when we are more settled I will want to speak with the prisoner. He seems to be an honorable man."

"How can you tell?"

"I faught him."

As the sun went down, the two of them watched as the camp quietened down.

"When dawn arrives I want us well away from here and on the way home. No fires tonight in case they are seen. A cold supper I am afraid."

"Nobody will mind that after that victory. In fact I suspect most of them are already asleep."

"Very well, but make sure we have guards posted around the perimeter, and everyone sleeps with weapons ready at their side."

"Yessir"

The camp settled down for the night.




The following morning, the sun was crisp in the early sky and the chill of the air made the sunlight seem to be gushing with warmth.

Noddy was up and about swiftly, regaling in the cold bite of the morning. Somehow it felt good to him, although from the moans and groans around him, it seemed there were others who did not share his delight.

Amazingly though everyone was up and about and eating a cold breakfast in the space of what seemed only moments. In fact it was a fair bit longer, but the time passed swiftly for Noddy as he had sorted out his horse first.

He ordered that the prisoner be given a horse too, although he was to be tethered to another one and to make it more certain was also tied to the saddle.

Noddy intended to question the prisoner as they rode to save time. However time was something that he really didn't need to worry about just yet.

Donning his armour, and then mounting his horse, he gave the signal to move off. The prisoner was led to ride alongside him on a tether to a massively built horse in front, ridden incidentally by the woman who had accosted Noddy the other evening. He noticed that her hand was very close to a nasty looking knife all the time.

"So" he opened with to the prisoner. "I trust my people have treated you fairly? No complaints or anything?"

"More than fair M'Lord" came the reply. "No complaints."

"Good" Noddy was pretty much non commital in his response. "Tell me, what on earth persuaded a mercenary like yourself to help with the invasion of this land?"

The prisoner spat in distaste. "Money of course, and to be honest I truly wish I had never accepted a single coin of it, for all the good it has done me."

"You regret being captured of course."

"Yes, but more than that. I am a soldier, a professional soldier. I am a warrior of many years experience, and here we are holding down a peaceful community of farmers and villagers who could not fight their way past a girl in a cradle. It is demeaning, and it is wrong."

"So why stay?"

"The contract. I will not break a contract. I never have and as this is my last I refuse to break this one. Even so I dearly wish to."

Noddy shrugged. "No need to break it now then is there? You are captured. I broke you out of the contract."

A smile lit up the face of the prisoner. "Yes you did didn't you? That means I am free of it at last."

Both of them lapsed into silence as they thought their own thoughts and considered their own ideas and options.



"Might I ask your name then?" Noddy as the captor had every righ to demand the man's name, but he was still being polite. As yet the man had not given cause to stop lower than common courtesy allowed.

"Yes General Noddy, of course you may ask me that. I am Graylock the butcher. No doubt you have heard of me."

"No, actually I have not." Noddy shrugged. "But a butcher is a good trade, Sickle over there is a farmer and we don't criticise that."

"I am the Butcher of Nightingdale, or so they call me."

"You do a good line in beef steak?" Asked Noddy, still not fully understanding.

Graylock sighed. "Nightingdale was were my men first breached this land, in the pay of the Overlord. It was me who gave the order to charge. I was informed that the enemy was well trained and powerful, when in fact it was merely a small village of peasants going about their daily livelihood. By the time I realised and regained control of that wild charge we had slaughtered men, women, children, dogs, pigs, goats and just about every living thing there. I was given the nickname of Butcher. It is one I do not feel proud of and it is a great stain on my soul."

Noddy finally understood. He looked up at the woman holding the lead to Graylock's horse in time to see her tense up.

"You heard that Sqint?" Noddy called out.

"Yessir" She called over her shoulder.

"No you didn't Sqint, and nobody will ever know what was said here either unless I say it is so. Do you understand?"

"Yessir" she repeated herself.

"Why?" asked Graylock. "You will have me executed instead of a lynching?"

"I have my reasons, Graylock" The words were spoken loudly enough for Sqint to hear. "We will talk more when we set up camp."

Noddy then rode more swiftly to catch up with Sqint. "You know him?"

"Only by reputation. I had family in Nightingdale. I would be honoured if you allow me to be his executioner when the time comes Sir."

Noddy remained silent as he looked ahead, still thinking his mysterious thoughts. Finally he gave a small sentence as he went on ahead towards the front of the group. "I will bear it in mind Sqint."

End of Part Five. That is all I have put on 'paper so far. The whole story needs to be finished, but let me know if you think I should bother with it.