The Fleeing Company

By Kyle McCurry

Can Adroegen save his friends, the only family he has left?

Adroegen was but a lonely drifter in a world of dragons, wizards, fairies, and countless other creatures. He had lost all of his family as a child, under the evil lord Vyroun and his servant, the goblin chief. Thus, Adroegen did not believe that a higher power named Enilund

• Language: English
• Publisher: Atmosphere Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781646693450

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The Fleeing Company

The Drifters’ Road Part One

Kyle McCurry

atmosphere press

Copyright © 2019 Kyle McCurry

Published by Atmosphere Press

Cover art by Kyle McCurry

Cover design by Nick Courtright

nickcourtright.com

No part of this book may be reproduced

except in brief quotations and in reviews

without permission from the publisher.

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The Fleeing Company

2019, Kyle McCurry

atmospherepress.com

In loving memory

Dennis Patrick McCurry

July 21, 1960 – March 6, 2018

Chapter One: A Traveler’s Visit

Adroegen, I will tell you, always felt alone, no matter where he ventured. Perhaps that was why he spent many of his days wandering about. He was a traveler who was rarely indoors, and it was easy to tell by how weather-beaten his cloak was and how muddy his boots were. Adroegen’s long dark hair was drying from rainfall earlier that day, but there was no need for him to wear his hood on that sunny late afternoon near what would have been the end of June, were we to follow your calendar.

Though Adroegen oft drifted about aimlessly, this time he was not doing so without destination. He was riding through the vast woods of Rusticland, a land of forests and a few settlements south of places where there were kingdoms and war, although the northern lands had been peaceful for the past decade. Adroegen himself, though, was nowhere near any known village and not riding down any road. He was far south of the nearest known settlement, wandering about in the woods, searching for a hidden village that he had found by chance a few short years earlier. Now, if you wanted to know the name of this small village, I honestly do not know! I suppose that a settlement hidden from the rest of the world really has no need for a name. The villagers there did not want to be found by the outside world, and the village had fulfilled this goal, although Adroegen himself had found it.

After a short time, this traveler found the landmarks that he was searching for. Ahead was a small waterfall that became a creek flowing somewhere even farther south. Adroegen was glad to have found it before nightfall. Though he was a young traveler, being twenty-two years of age, Adroegen had seen much in his short life and knew it was unwise to travel in the dark, for that was when goblins, ogres, imps, trolls, and other foul things came out. One could look upon him and see that Adroegen had encountered such troubles before, as he had some scars on his hands and face. He was never unprepared for such encounters, always carrying Endonhil, sword of gold and Adroegen’s most prized possession, which he had grown quite skilled in wielding, along with a bow with a full quiver and several daggers.

Adroegen made sure that there was no one else nearby who could see him. He then rode through the waterfall and was out of sight. Adroegen and his horse were dripping with water afterwards, but I am afraid there was no way around that. On the other side of the waterfall was a short tunnel. Adroegen went onward and soon he reached the end, where a small village was sitting in a hidden valley.

I see you have come back, said a voice, mere moments after Adroegen emerged from the tunnel. I am hopeful that word of my home has not slipped from your tongue.

Good to see you again, Huldnar, said Adroegen, knowing who spoke before looking to see another man, who was at least twice his age, on horseback. No, I always utter nothing.

What brings you back here? asked Huldnar. His watchful eyes gazed on Adroegen’s and nowhere else as they spoke.

I come to see my friends again, said Adroegen. Huldnar always acted in this way upon seeing Adroegen. He was the master of the hidden village and was always concerned about others discovering it and bringing outside dangers in. Adroegen had promised, upon first discovering the village, to utter to no one its existence. He was not in the least intimidated by Huldnar, though, for Adroegen had had far worse dealings in his past. These dealings, which you will learn of later, were why he understood Huldnar’s desire to keep his village hidden. You appear to be leaving.

Your friends are still here, as they always have been, said Huldnar, wrapping his black cloak around him and putting his hood on over his long golden hair. My daughter I am sure will wish to see you, but I beg you not to enthrall her with tales of faraway lands. She seems to have a venturous spirit to her, and your other friends here may have it also. I fear above all else that they might leave this place one day. And indeed, I will be departing. Now and then I seek news of the outside world, if any happenings are taking place that should concern me. If there is evil at work elsewhere, I must know. Where you come from, I know there has been much to worry of in the recent past.

I have seen nothing worthy of saying to you, said Adroegen as Huldnar began to ride past him. There has been war and evil ascending in the north before, but not in a decade, not since Vyroun disappeared. I would take care on your travel, though, for I did hear more wolves than usual these past nights on my way here. And fear not, for I have no tales of joy to give your daughter, nor my friends.

I always take care, for I have seen enough of what festers in nearby lands, said Huldnar. Caitren is all that I have in this world, and I would not make her vulnerable to what runs foul out there. This world is a dark place, Adroegen, I know very well.

Adroegen paused and soon had a saddened look upon his face, for he had lost all in his kin years ago during wars in northern lands. You are not alone in such thinking.

Huldnar left through the tunnel and Adroegen began to ride into the village. Adroegen had been to other settlements a little farther north, and to his eyes this hidden village looked the same as all others, only smaller, with only a hundred or so folk living there. He was looking for a certain few folk whom he had grown friendly with upon past visits.

Perhaps you might wonder of the reason for Adroegen’s visit. I will say that he came to see some friends he had grown fond of and was drawn to immediately from when he first met them. You will meet these friends next, but first I will tell you why Adroegen had grown fond of them. Each of them was found as an infant and none knew their true kin, nor if their kin were still out there somewhere beyond the village or not. Adroegen, though not with an entirely similar past, was without his kin also, as all in his kin had met their deaths years ago. I should also say that Adroegen’s friends were drawn to him because he came from the outside world, which, seeing as they came from somewhere beyond that village and knew of nothing else, caused him to hold a good deal of interest over them. Thus, he and they had some things in common, and so Adroegen had been paying them a visit every summer around Midsummer’s Eve since.

Some folk were out and saw that Adroegen had returned. They tipped their hats to bid him hello, and Adroegen returned the gesture. He passed some small gardens and then the stables. Adroegen was going to put his horse there but saw one of the good friends he had come to know there. Kattalin was lying in a pile of hay looking up at the sky. She clearly heard someone coming and spoke but did not turn around.

Does that cloud look a little like a wave to you? asked Kattalin, looking as if she were in the middle of a daydream. I have never looked upon the sea and cannot say, but I would love to see it one day.

I suppose it looks like a sea wave, said Adroegen, looking at the cloud floating past, which did look somewhat like a wave. A few times I have seen the waters east of here and they are a worthy sight. And I see a cloud next to it that looks like a shell!

Kattalin appeared a little surprised and rose to her feet. She had to brush some hay off her red hair and matching red dress. Oh, Adroegen! I did not know you were there! When did you get here?

I just arrived, said Adroegen happily as they embraced. Well, I have found one of you. Now where are the others?

Let me see, said Kattalin, looking around the village. Oh, I see Edelbir helping Sam put in his new door!

Edelbir, another good friend of Adroegen, was just finished with hammering a door on an elder villager’s home. Perhaps Sam could have done it himself, but it was easier for Edelbir, as he was much taller, stronger, and young, being only a year older than Adroegen. From behind he looked almost like a shadow, wearing a black buttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled up and trousers to match his long black hair, but once Edelbir turned around, Adroegen saw a kind-looking man who was happy to see him.

My day was already a good one as it was! said Edelbir, going to greet Adroegen. The well bucket has a new rope, the stables are all cleaned, and now you are here! And since I speak of it, let me take your horse there.

You are busy as ever! said Adroegen as he followed Edelbir and Kattalin to the village stables, which were right next to the great hall. And that leaves two more. Where might Gleowan and Vaenn be?

I suppose they will turn out soon, said Edelbir as they entered the stables. Adroegen heard whispers and hay rustling in the stable at the very end, which was precisely where Edelbir and Kattalin led him. Adroegen led his horse there but then saw something peculiar in the hay. It was ruffled around and he thought he could see some clothing of a matching color underneath. Furthermore, there appeared to be two heads of golden hair that were hard to see at first, and a very small trail of smoke rising from the haystack, so small that it could not have been more than that from a smoking pipe. These were his friends Gleowan and Vaenn, hiding in the hay and likely waiting to jump at him.

Hello there, Gleowan and Vaenn, said Adroegen, able to see them there hiding. What on earth are you doing there?

Now! a young woman shouted. Two folk then leaped out and brought Adroegen, who had to be careful that no one fell on a dagger, to the ground. All were fine though, and the three of them got up.

Perhaps we should have climbed the beams below the roof instead, said Gleowan, who had hay in his hair but none in his beard, because between him, Adroegen, and Edelbir, he was the only one who did not have one growing. How did you know we were there?

Your pipe is lit, said Adroegen, who was too clever to be fooled by such jokes, but was nonetheless still amused by them. Vaenn was the youngest of the five of them at nineteen years old, and Gleowan was only months older, and they were more lighthearted than Kattalin, who was a year older, and certainly more so than Edelbir.

I am not sure I like this idea, said Vaenn, hastily getting straws of hay out of her hair. My hair is in a mess and my wonderful dress is filthy!

Oh, you will be fine! Your beauty is as wondrous a sight as ever! replied Gleowan, putting the arm holding his pipe around her. In his other hand he had a pint of ale he had managed to retrieve from somewhere, and he was about to take a sip, but straws of hay had fallen inside. Oh. Does your horse like to drink ale, Adroegen? Hang on, my pint is actually empty. Never mind then!

I have never tried feeding her such a drink, said Adroegen. I suppose you will be needing more.

Nightfall is near, and I wish to not miss the song and dance in the hall, said Vaenn. And you can have more ale, Gleowan, but only if you have a dance with me.

A fair trade that is, I think, said Gleowan. Adroegen was happy to be with his friends again and looking forward to a fun night in good company. The five of them left the stable.

They spent the evening in the hall at the center of the village. It was not a big hall, and because there were not many villagers it had not needed to be, but the hall was large enough for folk to sit for some late supper and have a good drink. Dozens of folk filled the air with music and laughter. Adroegen took little part in any dancing, but he was happy enough simply being amongst merry folk. He went to the bar for a drink and watched Gleowan and Vaenn dancing and drinking without end. Edelbir and Kattalin sat most of the time, to take everything in like Adroegen was doing. Fun as a party is though, the company there only reminded Adroegen of his own family, which was no longer with him, and even a decade later the sight of laughter and cheer nearly brought him to grief. Adroegen chose to step outside for a short time.

Though Adroegen had already found his friends, there is still one other character that I have not introduced to you yet. By then it was very late in the night. Adroegen thought that he could hear sounds in the near distance but was not sure what they were. At the same time, he also heard someone approaching behind him.

I do not believe you have said hello to me, said a voice. Adroegen knew who it was before turning around to see a lady whose golden hair shined in the moonlight. She wore a blue dress but had a cloak on over it, as the air had cooled since sunset.

It is good to see you again, Caitren, said Adroegen. I was not sure when I would find you again, though I did see your father just before he left.

I am happy that you have returned, said Caitren. Yes, my father has left again, journeying somewhere to find news of what happens outside this place. He always worries of trouble coming here one day, and he worries that you might bring some along with you when visiting. I do not worry as he does, though I always wonder what makes a traveler like yourself want to always return here. I know of no one else that ever visits.

Company, I suppose, said Adroegen. And where exactly is your father off to, may I ask?

He never utters a word to me, said Caitren. Now and then Huldnar departs and I wish to go with him, for I have never seen anything outside this home of mine. He never allows it and always wants me remaining here.

I would heed your father’s advice, said Adroegen. For I have seen much of what is out there, and believe me when I say that you do not want to take part in it.

And what is out there that I should fear? asked Caitren. I have been held here all my life and have known nothing else.

There are many things more perilous than you know, said Adroegen, who could only think of what he had lost. The sounds in the near distance grew a little louder. Adroegen was sure they were animals or beasts sounding in the night and he grew a little worried, though he was not sure of what. This world is dangerous, and cruel. You are better off evading it.

Why is it that you are always reluctant to answer? asked Caitren. What have you seen that is so terrifying that I cannot leave my own home?

Things that many would shake in fear of, if they are able to move at all in their sight, said Adroegen, still listening to what began to sound like wolves, the creatures that once took his mother. Caitren was soon able to hear them also.

I do not remember ever hearing wolves here before, said Caitren. Adroegen could also determine that it was wolves howling nearby, and they were growing louder.

I have not heard a pack of wolves like this since I was a child, said Adroegen, who was growing fearful, and in mere moments he would find it was with good reason. Oft they do not wander alone.

Goblins! shouted someone near the edge of the village. Adroegen and Caitren looked to the tunnel where he first had entered to see several creatures charging out. The past several days Adroegen had heard wolves howling in the night, but did not know it was a pack of goblins.

What? asked Caitren, fearfully looking upon the creatures, which appeared just a little smaller than humans yet very monstrous, riding what looked like wolves, but were larger than wolves you or I have grown used to seeing. Goblins? What on earth are those things?

Get inside! And tell the others! said Adroegen, drawing his sword. Caitren made a run for the door into the village hall. Afraid as Caitren had to have been, I will tell you that Adroegen was even more so, for he knew of how dangerous goblins were, and there were many unsuspecting villagers who likely could not fight.

Adroegen tried to run inside with Caitren but one goblin had reached him. This goblin swung a dull and jagged sword at him, but Adroegen evaded it and with but a swing of his own sword slayed the wolf. The goblin, having fallen to the ground, was easy work to defeat. Another goblin charged at him on foot, and Adroegen had to quickly stick his sword into the goblin’s chest before it could attack him. Meanwhile, windows were smashing and villagers were screaming, while a few tried to fight.

Adroegen then spotted another goblin that made his way into the village, one that he had had dealings with in the past. Disbelief rose within him upon finding that this goblin still lived, for Adroegen had thought this goblin had met his end years ago. Though Adroegen was very fearful for his friends and the other villagers, such fear in that moment left him. This goblin, the goblin chief and the leader of the pack, had spotted Adroegen also, and Adroegen was filled with anger and a desire for vengeance, for this goblin had helped kill all in Adroegen’s kin years ago. Goblins were just slightly shorter than humans, but this goblin stood far taller than the others and approached Adroegen with a smile upon his face.

Grown you have since last we met, said the goblin chief, as he was called. He held a large mace in hand but had no need for the ragged armor that other goblins wore, for he was bulky and strong and wore what appeared to be the coat of a bear or some other large beast. He wore no piercings, no gold or other precious gems like most other goblins did. Yet I still recognize you like a banshee recognizes one whose death is near.

No decade of time would allow me to forget you, nor forgive, said Adroegen, gripping his sword tightly. A disgrace it is that you still draw breath.

And foolish it is for you to think that you can defeat the goblin chief, nor my master, said the goblin chief. Oh yes, my master in the north had left for only a short time, and is returned. Perhaps your kin thought they did not pass in vain, but I am afraid not. My master commands your death and has bestowed upon me the task.

And Vyroun would have others do such work instead, said Adroegen. Vyroun was an evil lord in the north who had gained loyalty from foul creatures like the goblin chief, and used such servants to wage war on northern kingdoms, before a mysterious absence the past decade. Though Adroegen did not know with certainty that Vyroun was dead, he was nonetheless surprised to learn that he not only had returned, but wanted Adroegen’s head. Had he known that a pack of goblins was tracking him, Adroegen would not have entered his friends’ village to begin with. I cannot understand the joy a goblin like yourself would take in being only a servant.

I at least have a master to serve, said the goblin chief. I have such a lord at my side to help me smite my enemies. And who is at your side? No one! You are alone, vagabond! You are forsaken! There is no help that will come, no one that will save you from me.

And why would my head interest Vyroun so? asked Adroegen, who held equal hatred for the goblin chief’s master, but Adroegen knew that he could not hope to defeat Vyroun, for he was a lord far too powerful.

Too troublesome you have been and may still be, said the goblin chief. Thus, I have been given the privilege of slaying you. Yet I will not do so just yet. You took something from me when last we met. A black jewel. I am sure that you will remember.

Adroegen remembered such a jewel, the Night’s Jewel as it was known, said to hold sway over all foul creatures of the night and rally them to a greater lord such as Vyroun. He had taken it from the goblin chief when last they met, several years ago, when Adroegen was only a child. Returning it to ill hands would only have led to deep peril, as Vyroun would gain more servants and thus a greater advantage in a war against the kingdoms in the north. For Adroegen, however, keeping this jewel would also be a form of vengeance upon the goblin chief for slaying all in his kin years ago, an enemy that, until then, he did not know to still be alive. Adroegen approached the goblin chief to attack. A goblin’s obsession with treasure has always amused me. No, I will not return it to you, for that jewel is too great a prize to me.

So, you are no different from me, said the goblin chief. You too have an obsession with treasures. It is wrong to take from others, however, even if something so precious corrupts you so.

Oh no, it is not a treasure to me, said Adroegen. Rather a trophy. However, your head would be far greater, now that I see it is still above your shoulders. You grow cross over losing something so worthless, when you have taken far more from me!

Adroegen swung his sword at the goblin chief with all the force he could muster. The goblin chief’s mace, however, was equal to it. Adroegen swung again and again with much force, but I am afraid that the goblin chief was far too strong to be easily defeated. Another swing of sword was made, and then sword and mace were locked briefly.

I will have my jewel back, said the goblin chief. This fighting is useless. If you give it back to me, then your death will be swift.

The goblin chief broke their lock and then he became the aggressor. Adroegen had to evade a swing of the mace, and though he evaded it, Adroegen did not avoid a blow from the goblin chief’s fist. I will tell you that you or I would not want to take a blow from the goblin chief’s fist, for he was very strong. Adroegen was hit with so much force that he was knocked to the ground.

There’s gold here, I can sense it. Loot the whole village! a goblin nearby shouted. Adroegen rose, for he needed to help his friends, but the goblin chief did not let Adroegen away to aid the villagers.

Where is it? asked the goblin chief, again grabbing Adroegen and lifting him off the ground. Return it and there will be less pain for you to endure.

Adroegen only smiled back. There was no fear nor resistance from him, for he knew the goblin chief would not kill him without getting his jewel back. Adroegen had endured much pain in his life, thus what he was dealing with at the moment was almost like a flea bite. He had greater concern for his friends’ well-being, wherever they were. I do not carry it with me.

Adroegen was thrown back to the ground. The goblin chief seemed to be growing impatient. Where is it?

Your jewel is hidden someplace far from here, in a place that no goblin can hope to reach, said Adroegen. The jewel was in his home deep within the Fornwood, but Adroegen was not going to reveal to the enemy where his prize was kept.

Very well, said the goblin chief angrily. He then turned to the others in his pack, who were looting for gold to add to the earrings and medallions they wore, as well as killing villagers. Burn the village!

Until then Adroegen had not realized how dire the rest of the village’s need for him was. I suppose that sometimes our emotions, specifically anger, can guide our actions, rather than good judgment. Adroegen was still filled with anger, do not misunderstand, but fear grew within him again as he worried for the well-being of his friends, for he had only now realized the danger they and the other villagers were in.

And sure enough, they were in danger, even though his friends were still alive. Goblins made for the village hall with torches to ignite it in flames. Gleowan and Vaenn tried to escape but were pushed back in through the main door. The goblins placed a beam through the door’s handles so no one could try to escape.

Adroegen ceased in his fight with the goblin chief and made for the hall. The goblin chief briefly remained where he was and looked to the sky. To Adroegen’s relief, the night was lifting, as many foul creatures could not roam in day as they did at night. That, however, did not erase the danger his friends were in. He swung his sword to kill a few goblins that stood in his path, but the beam sealing the door was too heavy for him to remove on his own. The hall was engulfed in flames by then, thus time was not on his side.

Adroegen had to stick one goblin with his sword while running for the other side of the hall. He was then relieved to find a window to climb through to help his friends escape. Before Adroegen could enter, however, the leader of the pack had returned. This time Adroegen fought more fiercely than he ever had before. After Adroegen swung his sword at the goblin chief, the pack’s leader began retreating. Adroegen was able to hit the goblin chief with his fist, and as the pack’s leader flinched, Adroegen’s sword gave the goblin chief a good cut to his chest. The goblin chief let out a roar of a monstrous beast, and though Adroegen wanted to slay him, he had a more immediate concern.

The window was already