Hope Sundered

Sollin sat alone, staring at the magnificent weapon in his lap. It was forged from a single piece of steel and etched with intricate patterns from top to bottom. The handle was wrapped in leather and spaced every foot with decorative rings of silver for balance. The end of the shaft was capped with a short spike.

The double-bladed axe was as much a work of art as it was an instrument of death. The throbbing ache in his reset shoulder prevented him from appreciating the irony of having decapitated Morlo with his own prized weapon.

He looked around the now much smaller camp. The mood was no longer upbeat and robust, but neither was it laden with fear and regret, or the despair of the hopeless. Every man present had been sobered by the reality of battle, and with it came the grim determination to fight on, a hardened resolve like the tempered steel of their blades, quenched in the fires of adversity.

“Are you going to name it?” Crenshaw asked as he sat down beside his friend.

Sollin nodded. “Already did. I call it Vera.”

Crenshaw raised an eyebrow. “Wait, do you mean from—”

“That’s right.”

“But didn’t she leave after thirteen—”

“Hey, you asked!”

Crenshaw threw his hands up. “And I regret it. My apologies.”

“I have the count, Captain,” Bayse Avernol said upon approaching. He’d arrived with the volunteers from Yar’s Pass two days ago, but had already displayed a keen mind for logistics. He was tall and strong, with long blond hair and brown eyes.

“How many?” Sollin asked aloud, needing to know but not wanting to.

“One hundred and twenty-three.”

“About a third of our force,” Crenshaw added.

Sollin scowled. Far too many dead. His guilt, however, had not been counted among the deceased. “I still have two thirds to keep safe,” he said as he stood. “We need to pack up and leave as soon as possible.”

“We’re going home?” Bayse asked, crestfallen, looking to Crenshaw for confirmation.

Sollin shook his head. “The Azzies who escaped’ll be back with reinforcements and a powerful grudge. We need to keep moving, stay out of reach. Whatever it takes to stay alive until Dioria and Seagate get here.”

Bayse Avernol’s eyes grew wide with admiration. “Yes sir! Where do you want to head first?”

Sollin thought for a long moment, twirling the hair on his chin as he did so. “South. We follow the same route Morlo’s men took when they retreated.”

“You want to head towards them?” Bayse asked.

Sollin nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it. They’re disciplined and organized, but arrogant, and we can use that to our advantage. Besides, it’s only fair if we strike back.”

“We don’t have the numbers to retaliate,” Crenshaw warned.

Sollin wagged his finger. “Ah, but they won’t see it coming! That’s the point! We can thin their ranks little by little. We’ll do to them what they did to us – hit their camp after dark when their guard is down. We go in hard and fast, then regroup in the east.”

“When we go, we should leave a few men behind, in case Dioria or Seagate arrives before we get back,” Crenshaw said. “They need to know we’re out here.”

“Agreed.”

“Good. I was thinking you should be among them.”

Sollin stepped back, aghast. “Me?”

Crenshaw motioned toward Solin’s arm. “You’re in no condition to fight. Besides, you’re our leader.”

“All the more reason I should be with my men! I’m no coward!”

“No one said—”

“I’m not a cripple, either. My arm’s better now.” Sollin rotated it slowly, smiling through gritted teeth. “It’s a little stiff, I’ll grant you that, but I’m ready.”

Crenshaw cocked his eyebrow and pursed his lips, but said nothing.

“Look Cren, I can’t sit here on my fat haunch while everyone else risks their lives. You know I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

Crenshaw released a sigh of resignation. “Very well. I’ll stay.”

“Alright then,” Sollin said with a nod of gratitude. “Let’s gather the men and make the announcement.”

Crenshaw smirked. “Don’t forget Vera.”

Sollin rolled his eyes. “Never shoulda confided in a bartender.”

“Who’s Vera?” Bayse asked. Crenshaw answered with a howl of playful laughter as Sollin stomped away.