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    The Savage Lands 4
    The Savage Lands 4
    The Savage Lands 4
    Ebook387 pages6 hours

    The Savage Lands 4

    By Raymond Towers

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    About this ebook

    The tale of Ayel Constandour, a man of noble beginnings cheated by his sibling and fleeing under an assumed name. With his strong sense of chivalry and honor, as a squire he enters the real world in search of adventure. Full of ideals, he is soon running with outlaws, pirates and more, forcing him to adapt his worldview and earning him the title of the Wolf of Loxden. Rating: HIGH controversy.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRaymond Towers
    Release dateMar 15, 2019
    ISBN9780463804483
    The Savage Lands 4
    Author

    Raymond Towers

    Raymond Towers is an author of fantasy, horror and science fiction that strays away from the mainstream, plus a little in the way of true paranormal and other genres. He has written and independently published over forty titles, most of them full-length novels and collections, with several more on the way. The author has been a lifelong resident of warm and sunny southern California, a location that pops up frequently in his writing. At the moment, the author is looking for ways to reach new readers all over the world, in addition to pursuing his great love of writing and taking it to the next level.

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      Book preview

      The Savage Lands 4 - Raymond Towers

      Similar Titles And Series:

      The Savage Lands Series

      When the gods bicker, the world of Grond trembles. More and more, the barriers of this world are shaken, affecting reality, time and space. In this cosmic battlefield, gods will seek to walk the earth, while their rivals will seek to prevent it. Throughout the ages, this great war will persist. Only the greatest heroes of this world, and those drawn from other worlds, can hope to bring order out of chaos.

      The Savage Lands 1

      A land tainted by ancient sorcery, full of corruption and evil that spreads and infects whatever it grasps. What can be done when the very trees watch with sinister eyes, when all is not it seems? A sorcerer will cast his spells, while a scoundrel hunts for treasure and a knight holds his head high with honor. The greatest test of all is here, here in the Savage Lands. Rating: HIGH controversy.

      The Savage Lands 2

      Dobrynia the Valkyrie, hurled into an ancient and mysterious world, struggles to find her companions, who are trapped in a land of evil magic that shifts its reality without warning. Follow Dobrynia’s daring steps, and those of her friends, as they venture into this hostile land that refuses to give up its dark secrets. The greatest test of all is only beginning. Rating: HIGH controversy.

      The Savage Lands 3

      From humble origins rise the greatest heroes. Sir Hoppe, cursed to live among criminals, yearning above all else to become a knight. Herri, Brun, Cerny, escaping their poor village for adventure, taking a path that will lead to the emergence of the Red Lady. Here are their beginnings, trials and tribulations. Soon, the evil of the Savage Lands will shatter their lives! Rating: HIGH controversy.

      Dobrynia’s Path 1

      Her name is Dobrynia. She is one of Odin’s Chosen, a beautiful Valkyrie sent to claim the souls of great warriors for Valhalla. Her world, however, has grown stagnant and dull. And so, Dobrynia has risked all she knows to enter the mysterious portal that has appeared, leading into the unknown. She steps into our modern world, and in many ways enters the mouth of Hell. Rating: EXTREME controversy.

      The Savage Lands 4

      Raymond Towers

      Copyright 2019 Raymond Towers

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Content Rating: All of the characters in this e-book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, whether living or dead, is purely coincidental. All characters depicted in sexual acts in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older. This e-book contains a HIGH amount of controversial subject matter.

      About the cover: The cover image is titled Preparing For Battle, Herstmonceux Medieval Festival, Herstmonceux Castle. It was produced by Vicki Burton and is being used under a Creative Commons BY - SA License. Font: Lucida Blackletter.

      About this title: The tale of Ayel Constandour, a man of noble beginnings cheated by his sibling and fleeing under an assumed name. With his strong sense of chivalry and honor, as a squire he enters the real world in search of adventure. Full of ideals, he is soon running with outlaws, pirates and more, forcing him to adapt his worldview and earning him the title of the Wolf of Loxden. Rating: HIGH controversy.

      #####

      Table Of Contents

      The Many Faces Of Ayel Constandour

      The Braggart

      Chapter 1

      The Tactician

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      The Rogue

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      The Swashbuckler

      Chapter 17

      About The Author

      #####

      The Many Faces Of Ayel Constandour

      The Braggart

      1

      This is a story of Ayel Constandour, a man whom many would call a privileged braggart.

      Bring the next one in. Janasi called out.

      There were days when the veteran warrior and knight had only menial tasks to look forward to, but today he was actually doing something important. Janasi’s lord had just successfully taken over the township of Hwen, after having laid siege to Lord Rodocan and his modest castle for over three weeks by then.

      Many men had been lost on both sides of the siege. It was the task of Janasi to convert the captured men who’d fought under Rodocan so they would be loyal instead to his master. If they refused, Janasi would take those stubborn fighting men and haul them onto open wagons to parade them around Hwen. This would give the townsfolk a good long look at them, before they were taken to the outskirts and hung from the trees. The lamentable truth was that half of Rodocan’s knights would rather hang than change their loyalties. They were, unlike the men who fought for his master, honorable men.

      Janasi’s sentries brought the next captive into the small canvas tent that had served as a command post for the siege. This man was tall and strapping, handsome with dark hair and a thin beard. Unlike the previous men Janasi had interviewed, this one did not have a look of fear or even anxiety on his face.

      Your name, you bastard son of a whore! Janasi demanded. He was aggressive toward the captives, hoping to intimidate the men into either joining his lord or to giving up Rodocan’s secrets. Go on then! What is it?

      The raven-haired knight was seemingly unflappable, as he casually took in the meager state of the tent. Finally, he centered his attention on Janasi. I must correct you, sir. I am neither a bastard, nor was my mother a whore.

      And I suppose you know the name of every lover your mother ever had?

      My mother was pure when she met my father. The proud knight replied. My father may have been a bit of a philanderer, but my mother never was. In her memory, I would ask that you not insult her dignified name, sir.

      As with the other prisoners, the man had been stripped of his armor and searched for hidden weapons. He stood before Janasi in a tunic, trousers and boots stained in several places with the blood of other men.

      You’re not wearing the garb of Rodocan’s men. Janasi observed. He glanced to the guards that had brought him in. What about this man’s armor? Did he have a shield with Rodocan’s coat of arms on it?

      He didn’t. One sentry replied. He has refused to tell us his name or rank.

      Did he have anything on that could identify him?

      No.

      Janasi faced the captive again. Why not? Every knight I’ve ever known carries his surname or his house on his shield.

      My armaments were stolen some time ago. I fought in surplus equipment lent to me by the lord of the castle.

      Are you going to tell me your name or not? Janasi threatened.

      My name is Ayel Constandour.

      And where do you hail from?

      I will not say.

      And why not?

      It involves a scandal I do not care to divulge to you.

      But you are a nobleman. Janasi presumed. I suppose we could fetch a good ransom for you, if we delivered news of your capture to your kin.

      To the contrary. My older brother is a minor king. If you asked for a ransom, he would surely pay it, and then he would have you followed by his assassins and they will slit your throats while you and your men sleep. My brother holds no great love for me. If he can, he will have me killed quietly and my body disposed of. You brought me here to tell you where Rodocan has hidden his valuables, yes?

      We’ll get to that in a bit. Janasi held his hand up to halt Ayel. First off, are you loyal to Lord Rodocan?

      Not anymore. Not after he has lost his standing.

      Then who are you loyal to?

      I am a mercenary knight.

      Are you? Janasi asked. I was told that all of Rodocan’s mercenaries abandoned the castle when the food began running out.

      All except one. I stayed behind.

      If this is true, you knew the siege would break that bastard’s back. Why would you stay when there was no wealth coming to you?

      I have my reasons.

      A woman?

      Honor. I swore to protect Lord Rodocan until the end. I did that. I was in the second charge that left the castle to attack your side. If I hadn’t fallen from my horse and thudded my head on the ground, I would have surely been slain then. I was told that none of the other men from the second charge lived. At any rate, I was captured and here I am before you.

      They did not survive. Janasi said. I was among the knights that stopped that charge. Who are you, Ayel of nowhere? There is more to you than you are letting on.

      I have been called the Wolf of Loxton.

      Janasi laughed. By all accounts, that hero is dead!

      The accounts are wrong. Ayel revealed. The man who stole my armor and put it on is dead. He pretended he was I for some ruse or other, but when he was found out, he was killed. I wish I knew what happened to my armor, but it may be gone from me forever. Last I heard, some collector had acquired it.

      Janasi was good and ready to call that man a liar, but he was busy that day and he had a good two dozen men still left to interview. Will you swear your loyalty to my Lord Wyon?

      I will not. Ayel answered. I have no dealings with that man to know whether or not he is honorable.

      But you were loyal to Rodocan?

      Rodocan was honorable. Ayel replied. At the end, I served that man without pay, and I was willing to die for him in battle.

      But you are still a mercenary? How much were you paid?

      Twenty Pigeons per day.

      Twenty Pigeons? Janasi blurted out. His personal wages were a fourth of that. Are you pulling my arse, man?

      For that amount, I was Lord Rodocan’s champion. Had my horse not tripped on some infernal rut, and had I not fallen with such a hard impact, we would not have lost that charge. I and the two knights flanking me were going to break through your line and head directly to your lord to kill him.

      Are you so sure about that?

      Your lord sent all of his fighting men to the line. The only men around him were young runners and old advisors. Hidden men in the trees were sending signals to us by using small mirrors to reflect the sun toward the castle. Your lord was so unprotected, a peasant could have walked up behind him and stuck a pitchfork in his back.

      All of that was true, Janasi considered. Thanks to their losses, Lord Wyon had very few men in reserve. They were all on the front lines of the battle, as Ayel had said.

      A good archer could have done the job. Ayel muttered. The bad thing is all of the good archers were inside the castle where we were. The only men left outside were the men trying to smuggle food to us. I suppose they could have thrown rocks, but who knows he well their aim is?

      Will you fight for Lord Wyon? Janasi asked.

      For how many Pigeons per day?

      Four.

      Hang me. I refuse to lift a sword for a man I do not know, for anything less than ten Pigeons per day.

      Five.

      Hang me, and then burn my body.

      Six. Janasi offered.

      Hang me, burn my body and then scatter my ashes on the grass so the cows can eat them. Let me make you a counter offer. I will give you a Pigeon if you allow me to enter the castle and retrieve my purse that I have hidden there. After that, I will take my horse and ride away to find a lord who is willing to pay me what I am worth. Wait, did my horse survive the charge?

      No, sir. One of the two guards answered. She was hobbled. We had to put her down, as the men on our side haven’t had much to eat ever since the siege started up.

      My horse is dead, and you’re eating her? Ayel looked aghast, before he turned to face Janasi. That horse was worth a good ten Doves! If she is truly dead, I demand a just compensation for her. And if she is to be eaten, the least you can do is offer me a portion of her leg!

      Well, actually she is being put into a stew, and not roasted. The guard revealed.

      Ayel crossed his arms. Then I expect to have full bowl with a good portion of meat in it. That was my favorite horse!

      Janasi studied his prisoner for a long moment. The man looked and sounded serious. Besides, he still had a good number of men to get through. Take him back with the rest. Put him last. Maybe I’ll know what to do with him when he comes up again.

      As Ayel was taken away, Janasi shook his head. He hated dealing with the sons of noblemen, because they were always spoiled brats like this one.

      Lord Wyon was an older man with a grand and arrogant air about him. He didn’t like Rodocan’s great hall, and he especially didn’t like Rodocan’s modest throne. The seat smelled like the man Wyon had just overthrown. Wyon was wondering what to do about that inconvenience when his captain of the guard walked up to him. Behind the captain came four guards who were escorting two obviously drunk men.

      Is that Janasi? Wyon asked.

      Yes, lord. The captain bowed his head. You said you wanted an audience with this man who claims to be from Loxden?

      So I did. Bring them both forward. Wyon replied. Janasi, explain to me why you are drunk in the company of this man.

      Well, you see, milord, Ayel said he would pay me one Pigeon if I allowed him to go into the castle...

      Ayel, you say?

      Yes, lord. Janasi nodded. That is his name. Ayel Constandour.

      He paid you a Pigeon to let him into the castle. Go on, Janasi.

      Ayel and I went into the castle, and we went to the garrison floor. He had stuck his purse into a hidden space in the castle wall. When he took the purse out, I asked how much coin he had in it, and he said five Doves and twice as many Pigeons. I said give me your purse, and he said no, he wouldn’t. I asked him again, and this time, Ayel said he would show me where the last of Rodocan’s ale was hidden if I let him keep the purse. I agreed, and he took me into the storage rooms under the castle.

      From the looks of it, you found the ale. Wyon noted.

      It was a foul business. Janasi shook his head. They buried a chest full of flasks in burlap, under where the waste falls. We had to dig it out! And then, we had to boil water to wash the flasks off with. The ale is quite tasty, by the way.

      Where is this ale now? Wyon asked.

      Janasi pointed at his captain. This man here very rudely confiscated it from us.

      Wyon looked to Ayel next. I suppose you might know if Rodocan has any other hidden places. Where is the rest of that man’s wealth?

      I’ll tell you where it used to be. Ayel replied. You see, some idiot decided to chase away the farmers from Rodocan’s lands, and then that same idiot burned down the crops just before harvest time. Lastly, that idiot chased away all the traders that bring grain and flour to the town of Hwen. Other than Rodocan’s jewelry and the possessions in the nobleman’s quarters, he has no wealth left. He used it all to equip his knights and to hire the mercenaries such as myself. In fact, any competent lord, after a siege such as this, would have sent his men to sack the homes of the knights instead of putting all of his men to guard this castle with nothing valuable left in it. By now, the families of the captured knights have surely packed up their wealth and fled into the forest. Drunk, but at the same time stern, he pointed at Wyon. You, sir, are that idiot.

      Wyon motioned to his captain. I won’t let any man insult me this way. Boil this man’s arse in oil.

      But he may truly be the Wolf of Loxden! Janasi intervened. Milord, this man had no armor left after we took it away from him. While we were drinking, we went outside the castle to where your knights are setting camp. This man challenged your knights to wrestle for their armor. Ayel was good enough that he now owns a set of armor that is better than the armor any of us have!

      I won’t work for anything less than ten Pigeons per day. Ayel burped.

      Put him into the dungeon, until I figure out what to do with him. Wyon decided. As the guards began to lead Ayel away, the older man considered how big and handsome he was. Captain, be sure to keep that man away from my wife.

      The dungeon was badly lit. It smelled like old piss and shit on old hay, as dungeons are prone to smell. Two lowly sentries had shackled a dozen knights on the manacles and chains spiked into the walls, including Ayel. All of the knights except for him had sworn their loyalty to Lord Wyon.

      The Wolf of Loxden. One sentry said sarcastically, spitting on Ayel’s bare chest, as the robust man had been stripped down to his loincloth. Some champion you are! Let us see you get out of those chains. The man motioned to where Ayel’s recently acquired armor lay. Let us see you stop me from taking what I want from your belongings!

      What stories have you heard told about me? Ayel asked.

      The first man didn’t speak, but the other sentry who was a bit more cautious did. I’ve heard that you have a ghost at your side, that keeps you from dying. I’ve heard that this ghost can pretend to be you, so that it will look as if you are in two places at once.

      I’ve heard you’ve killed many men. The other sentry added. But you didn’t kill that many during this siege, did you?

      It isn’t a ghost that follows me, but a demon. Ayel admitted.

      Give us another tale about fairies and dragons. The more incredulous sentry laughed. A demon, he said, following a man like a dog!

      She wasn’t always a demon. Ayel related. She was a witch once, when she was alive. She captured me and kept me in an iron cage that was used to hold savage animals such as lions and tigers. The witch fell in love with me. She prepared a potion that would dull my senses so that she might sleep with me. It was made of crushed henbane and verbena. For a time, the potion worked. I built up a tolerance to it, but I didn’t let on that I was unaffected. One day, I pretended I was in a stupor. The witch led me to her bed, and in the midst of our lovemaking, I put my hands around her throat and I choked her until she was dead.

      A good tale. The sentry laughed at him. And now she’s become a demon for you? Is that what you’ll say next?

      Go on and hit me. Ayel dared. I will bleed and bruise like any other man. It isn’t me you’ll have to worry about. It is she, the witch that haunts me. She won’t like that you’re hurting me and she will come for you in your sleep. Take my armor if you like. She will kill you, and once I’m free, she will lead me to where the armor is so that I can reclaim it. If it weren’t for your lord’s siege, I may have already found my valuable personal armor, which was stolen a short time ago. It is out there somewhere waiting for me. The witch will show me where it is once I have left this castle.

      Drivel! The sentry scoffed. He came at Ayel with a clenched fist. All of his words are drivel!

      Don’t strike him. A chained man, one of Rodocan’s former knights, spoke up.

      Why not? The sentry asked.

      All of us here have seen things we cannot explain. This man is not evil, but he does have an aura of evil that surrounds him. We have seen... things, around him.

      More drivel! The sentry protested. I’ve seen nothing, and I’ve been watching him for hours now!

      You will see. The chained knight said. I promise you that you will.

      You leave him alone, man! The second sentry, frightened now, called out. Don’t touch him, and don’t touch his armor!

      The disbelieving guard glanced around. Every man in that chamber was looking at him and this other man Ayel, and all of them looked worried. Becoming unnerved, the guard relented and backed away.

      Early the next morning, Wyon’s captain went into the dungeon. The men who were assigned to watch over the prisoners were asleep in fresh mounds of hay, while the prisoners simply hung quietly from their chains.

      The captain kicked his guards awake. Get that man Ayel out of his binds! Our lord is setting him free!

      Has someone paid a ransom for him? One of the guards asked.

      No. The captain replied grimly. Lord Wyon and his wife had nightmares last night. They envisioned a giant wolf that came to chew them up until they were left in bloody bits. Wyon said he could feel his skin and bones being masticated. That’s what he said: masticated. Half of our men had similar nightmares. Did you hear the wolves howling last night?

      Not at all. The guard replied. We can’t catch a sound down here in the dungeon.

      An unusual number of wolves were heard howling in the woods all around the castle. The captain told him. At any rate, we are to give this man his weapons and armor, and we are to give him a horse to ride away on.

      Don’t forget my purse. Ayel added.

      I have it here. The captain said, removing it from his belt. Five Doves and twice as many Pigeons, the same as when I took it from you. Leave this place, Ayel, and take your nightmares and your wolves with you.

      #####

      The Tactician

      2

      It was still early in the morning when the first pack of bandits confronted Ayel on the road.

      Hold there, you dirty invader! Their leader said. Give us your armor and any coin you might have!

      You are speaking to the Wolf of Loxden, man. Ayel removed his helmet to let his face become seen. If there are any men from Hwen here, come and have a look at me. I’m sure I’ve slept with half your daughters during my visits to your tavern.

      One of the men did ride closer to examine the rider. Aye, it is he.

      What news do you have of the siege? The leader asked.

      It isn’t good news. Take me to where you have holed up, so that I can tell it to all of you at once.

      In short order, Ayel was delivered into a secluded grove of oak trees. Before him were the farmers and minor artisans from Hwen who had fled from Lord Wyon, plus their families, and their admiring daughters of course.

      Lord Wyon has taken the castle. Ayel said, pulling a parchment from his horse’s saddlebag. Here is a list of the knights who have pledged their allegiance to that man, and below it is a list of those that were hung yesterday. The families of the surviving men might be accepted back into the town, but it will cost them a pretty Pigeon. You see, Lord Wyon is an incompetent. He had only a little wealth before he came here, and he has very dumbly exhausted all of it during the siege. Now that Wyon has taken the castle, he has no wealth left except what he can demand from the people who stand in front of him.

      We knew he was incompetent when he burned the crops so near to the harvest. One man complained.

      His men will abandon him soon enough. Ayel suspected. The winter is coming, and that will be hard to get through on an empty stomach. When springtime comes along, there will be no coin to purchase new seeds for the planting. All in all, this does not look like a good place to reside in until that imbecile is gone.

      We could get rid of him. One of the women suggested.

      You would still have the problem of no food.

      Well, we did ransack the knight’s homes after the noble families ran off. A man told him. ‘We have some things that are worth selling."

      And we caught a few nobles fleeing down the road. Another man added. We made them pay a tax afore we let them pass.

      Let me see what you have. Ayel requested. I will appraise it and tell you what you can expect to fetch for it at the market.

      Most everyone was reluctant to let the handsome knight see their spoils, but it was either that or they wouldn’t get anything done. Guarded men walked him over to where the stash was hidden in the trees. Ayel saw clothing and tapestries made of fine fabric, trays and goblets of silver and bronze, well-crafted chairs and many other things of the like. When he dropped to one knee to examine a small lot of hairbrushes made of bone, metal and sliver, several of the men surrounded him.

      What? Do you think I’ll run away with a hairbrush, and that I’ll beat back all twenty of you to get to my horse? Ayel asked, impatiently dropping the item he had in his hand. He stood to address the entire bunch. Perhaps the people of Hwen are as incompetent as their new lord is. I had my spies in town. I know that you welcomed Lord Wyon’s men into your shops and inns. You were happy to take coin from them, weren’t you, despite that you knew Wyon had come to attack your lord? If you had any sense in the lot of you, you could have poisoned the ale Wyon’s soldiers drank, or you could have cooked their food with extra lard, so they would be too unfit to fight later. Perhaps it is a good thing that the town of Hwen is about to die. Lord Wyon is the right man to kill it. Step away from me so that I can go to my horse.

      The townsfolk hated hearing the knight’s words, but they knew he spoke the truth to them. Begrudgingly, those closest to him cleared a path.

      Let me show you the face of an imbecile. Ayel said, scooping up a bronze mirror from the ground. One side of it had been polished enough to give a clear reflection. The knight held the mirror out to the covetous men, and also a few women, standing to either side of him as he walked through. Take a good look at yourselves.

      We are not all that way. One woman said, daring to approach him while most kept their distance. Will you tell us what we should do?

      Nobody here will listen. Nobody here has the common sense to think past today and tomorrow, to see what next week or next month will bring.

      Please. The woman insisted, matching his stride while holding up her flowing kirtle. We don’t have much food, and Wyon’s men are guarding our well now. You must help us.

      Ayel considered her. She was a handsome woman, over thirty years of age and with a hard face from too many years spent toiling. She did not have the soft face of a woman from a royal court, but perhaps she was very pretty in her youth. Despite that the knight was in a sour mood after Lord Rodocan’s defeat, a part of his demeanor relented as he empathized with her plight. You must have some horses and wagons. Show me what condition they are in.

      This way. She nodded and walked ahead of him.

      Ayel followed, absently fiddling with the bronze mirror. He inspected the horses and wagons, finding most of them average, but also noting a handful of purebreds that must have come from a nobleman’s stable.

      I cannot tell any of you what to do. Ayel said, after he had seen everything.

      If your family were here, what would you have them do? The same woman asked. Her name was Dirce, he’d gathered.

      Ayel thought this over, as the less timid among the crowd stepped in closer to hear him. Here are your options, as I see them. First off, you can band together and try to take the castle back. Wyon’s men are tired and hungry. If you can risk losing at least half of the men that are left here, you can lay a siege and kill the knights as they come out of the castle. You can start with the knights that are now guarding your well. Some of you must have archery skills. You can use them. If you do this right away, you can free the knights Wyon has captured and add them to your number. If you wait too long, Wyon will starve those knights. When he finally does feed them, they will pledge themselves to Wyon and fight for him.

      We are not fighting men. One of the farmers said.

      Then you are weak. Ayel scolded him. Your fear is so great you will not even attempt to poison these scoundrels that have come to take over your town.

      You can lead us. Dirce said.

      I won’t. Ayel refused. As I have told you, I had my spies in town. They all said the same thing. The laborers in Hwen have no guts. Any one of you could have killed Wyon when he stood far back behind the fighting lines, when he had no armed men around him except for a few squires. None of you took that opportunity.

      Frustrated, Dirce nearly shouted at him. What else can we do?

      You can stay here and starve along with your new lord. Ayel replied. "Most of

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