Two Falcon Bay - Bodie Lake
No discipline, that was going to work in our favor thought Bodie as he listened to the noise of the camp. Only one guard out in front of the bonfire, he would still have his night eyes. He would need to be taken out. The Gods were with Bodie this night he could feel the comfort of there hands on his shoulders.
Kerian should just about be in position also. They were outnumbered two to one, but they had the Gods on their side, and the discipline to work as a team. They knew their jobs. Still it did not help with the tension in his chest as the time came closer. He did not like taking life, but he also knew left unchecked these Brigands would move to the next town when they were done terrorizing Bodie and Kerian’s little hamlet village. This they could not have. This they would not have. The outcome he did not like, but as he was always told be careful what you ask of the Gods. He would accept his fate, his village would live.
The gods showed Brodie what would be if he let them go, It was time. Bodie spoke to the Falcons, they understood, they would do as he had asked. He set the two carefully wrapped packages on the raft, the falcons picked them up and took off toward the bonfire.
One of the falcons swooped low and flew to the right of the shore guard. This startled the guard enough that he turned to track the falcon. Night vision gone, Bodie hurried the rest of the way to the shore. He had his long knife in hand and swept it in an arc about the startled guards neck. Bodie then lowered his dead body softly to the ground and pulled the raft to shore in order to gear up properly.
Bodie and his crew had practiced the water gear up until it was second nature to them all and could be done in a moments time. Bodie was proud of his men as he turned to gear up noticing he would be the last. Bodie and his men heard the caw, and turned away to face the water. The first of the flashers were dropped on the fire, by the falcons. The bonfire flared brightly all the camp men turned toward the fire, as soon as the first flasher was dissipating the second one was dropped.
Bodie counted slowly to ten. Then he and his men began their slow and careful approach to the camp. As he and his men were almost in striking distance of the camp as he heard the two caw signal, Kerian and her crew were in place. At the top of his lung power Bodie yelled to his men ‘charge’, it was not so much for his men, but to disturb the camp, to attract their attention to get them to come charging toward them.
The camp was in chaos, Bodie and his men had taken out eleven of the forty strong brigand band before any sort of defense against them could be mounted. The camps defense was to little to late and arrows from Kerian’s group started to find homes in the backs of the brigands. It was all over before Bodie knew it.
Bodie slumped down to the ground on one knee, nursing his left side slightly. His hand came away stained in blood. He quickly reached down for a handful of sand to spread across his wound, and to clean his hand. He could not let Kerian know, not yet, to much to do. It was as the gods had said.
Bodie walked toward the bonfire looking out for Kerian. As he came close to Walen he stopped to speak to him. “Walen, did we lose very many of our own”? Bodie asked. A large smile broke across Walen’s face, “Nay Brodie we lost none, a few minor wounds it is as if the gods were with us tonight, even the clouds begin to clear and the moon is shining full and bright”. Brodie nodded to Walen, “Yes, the gods were with us. Have the men gather that which will be of use, and prepare the bodies of the slain for the funeral pyre”. As Bodie finished this sentence Kerian came up, “you would give these brigands a proper funeral pyre after what they had done to our village” she asked in a shocked tone.
Bodie took her elbow in hand and lead her away from the ears of the men, so as not to cause consternation among them. “Here sit, let us enjoy a moment of tranquility as the moons reflection slides across the waters of the lake”. He said as he helped her to sit on the log with him. He turned to look at her deep into her eyes. “You know I petitioned the gods to help and aid us in our fight against these brigands. Part of that was we would treat the dead with respect. I know this goes against your grain, I know how you feel about it. They killed your brother, yes I understand. He was my best friend, I loved him as much as I love you. The gods have kept their end of the deal, they provided the Falcons, they provided the clouds they helped provide the surprise. I must keep my vow to them. Please make sure they get a proper pyre.” Kerian looked back at Bodie, then she noticed the blood at his side, she said nothing of the blood.
“Yes Bodie I will do as you and the gods ask. I know you loved him also. It is just a hard thing for me to do, but for you, not the gods I will do this. When we get back to the village I will visit the temple and speak my mind to the gods about it, and then ask for their forgiveness for the thoughts in my heart.” Kerian glanced down again at the blood, tears beginning to form in her eyes, she no longer trusted her voice, and turned from his gaze to look upon the waters.
“Where we sit now Kerian, I would like you to name it Two Falcon Bay, for the two falcons that helped us when we needed help. With out their aid this would not have been possible, and the people should remember it. The gods have also asked that the lake be named after me Bodie Lake”...with that Bodie slumped to the side with his head gently falling into Kerians lap, as her soft tears anointed his forehead.
The above story is my entry into @themarkymark Writing Prompt - (Week 1) contest
