Chapter Four

Rollim, Molix and Org ground to a halt, as they drew up alongside the others, who stood glaring over their enemies, ready to brain them if they even so much as dreamt about getting up again.

“That’ll teach em.” smirked Rollim.

“Assuming these idiots even know how to learn.” replied Trilikz.

“Serves em right.” growled Nuzuki, giving them a long, hard, drawn out scowl like a camel getting an enema.

"They’ll be out for days after the whack you just gave em.” smiled Org, a little disappointed he hadn’t been the one to administer the blows himself.

“Weeks even.” suggested Molix.

“Good! That’ll make em easier to haul back to the dungeons then. I've had just about enough of these idiots for one day” said Trilikz, knitting his brow.

“Yeah ain’t we all?” said Molix.

“You can say that again.” added Nuzuki, still scowling like a camel.

“Right then lads. Org you carry this one.” instructed Trilikz, pointing at Shinargi. ”Molix, you can help me carry the other. Actually on second thoughts have a quick scout round, see if you can find where they left their horses. I’ll bind their wrists while you do.

“Sure thing.” said Rollim.

“Yep no worries, if their horses are anywhere to be found, we'll find em.” said Org, sounding pretty sure of himself.

“Be quick though. No dawdling.” added Trilikz.

“Of course.” replied Org.

Rollim, Org and Nuzuki set off in search of the horses, who split up to maximize their chances.

Rollim agreed to give the others a yell if he found the horses first, who lacked the necessary digits to untie their reins himself.

Pulling out a pair of chords, Trilikz knelt down and began binding the prisoner’s wrists. First Dealbata, then Shinargi, fastening both hands securely behind their backs and tying their ankles, lest they should wake up again or make a nuisance of themselves. Once that was done, Trilikz knelt down and amused himself by stuffing rolled up leaves into their nostrils, imagining the look on the unconscious oafs faces when they woke up to find themselves locked in the barrack dungeons with a handful of rolled up leaves poking out of their nostrils.

Nuzuki’s voice soon resounded through the forest like a tile saw.

“I’VE FOUND EM!” he yelled.

The others hollowed back at the top of their lungs to let him know they’d heard, before heading back to join Trilikz and their prisoners.

Nuzuki returned soon afterwards, leading the horses behind him. Org heaved the prisoners over their saddles and dumped them there like a couple of brawny rag dolls, oblivious to all and dead to the world.

"Okay lets grab the horses and get these dung wads back to the dungeons, I'm starving." said Trilikz.

"Yeah nothing like a good old fashioned ass whooping to work up an appetite." agreed Org, slapping his stomach.

"Yeah no kidding." added Rollim. "Tree felling always works me guts up."

The soldiers fetched their horses and began making their way back through the forest, bumping into Buzz and Trimax along the way, who were curious to find out how their friends had faired and whether or not they’d gotten themselves into any trouble along the way. Trilikz, Org, Rollim, Molix and Nuzuki related between them how things had unfolded and about all the trouble the unconscious oafs had caused. Showing off a variety of lumps and bruises, which being pelted with rocks and stones had given them, Rollim and Nuzuki not included of course, who didn't bruise all that easily, on account of their armoured exteriors. Trilikz probably would’ve gotten away with it too, if he’d worn a helmet.

“I got flattened by a tree and nearly split in half with an axe.” boasted Rollim, looking pretty pleased with himself. “No bruises though. I guess the stuff I’m made of is a lot tougher than the stuff this lot are made of.” he grinned.

The others smirked or sniggered good humouredly.

“Yeah whatever.” said Molix, arching his eyebrow.

“Just thick skinned I suppose.” said Buzz.

“Or just plain thick” interjected Nuzuki, giving Rollim an eyeballing.

The others chuckled and continued in good spirits. Rollim and Nuzuki traded insults the rest of the way.

Buzz and Trimax left soon afterwards to keep an eye on the construction party. Trilikz and the others continued on their way home, dreaming of a hearty feed and imagining all the wonderful food they were gonna eat, just as soon as they’d gotten rid of the prisoners and taken their horses to the stables.