The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (24 page)

"Sleeping soundly this morning, Captain?"

"Stow it," said Kerreth. He turned over but he was alone, Moria was gone. He glanced around but did not see her. He rubbed his face.

"Breakfast is ready," grinned Gorm. "Loric has been on the road for the better part of an hour. Taina left a quarter hour ago. We should be gone from here within an hour."

"Good. I want to make good time through the flatland. When we cross the mountains and enter the meadows of Eslenda we do not want to be spotted."

"We are well prepared," said Blackthorne, who sat a few yards away eating a biscuit. "I have a low spell searching at all times for Turucks who may be thinking of ambushing us. I gave Loric and Taina each a pendant that is spelled to warn them of danger nearby. We can do no more."

"Let's finish breakfast and get on with it. We have many miles to cover today."

"We were just waiting for you, Captain," said Gorm. "Thought you could use the extra sleep." Kerreth bit his tongue.

They rode steadily but did not hurry. Kerreth believed they would find Turuck rear guards and he did not want to risk that they might have a way to send messages to Tag Makk. The Talos Company needed the element of surprise against the immense odds awaiting them.

They left the rolling hills of Masina behind them and the road rose steeply into the pass. Taina returned twice with messages from Loric detailing the path ahead. The signs of the Turuck army were everywhere, discarded food, broken weapons, hoof-prints and footprints but no sign that they stopped for any length of time.

The road became rougher and the air cooled noticeably. The horses picked their way through the fallen rock and uneven ground. Now and again they passed the body of a Turuck who could no longer keep to the pace.

"That would never happen to a Daerlan," said Gorm. "His comrades would care for him and help him along on the journey. Turucks must be further from us than I thought. Except for Darkin, of course."

"Nay," said Darkin Root. "These dead ones are killed by the Menaloch, not exhaustion. We Turucks have more stamina than Daerlan."

"Let's not start," said Kerreth.

"Well, in any case, the presence of the Menaloch is a poison, slowing seeping inside and eating the Turucks," said Darkin Root. "Once freed from the Menaloch they will return to what they once were, if it not too late. It's too late for Tag Makk in any case."

"Are you sure?" asked Blackthorne.

"He's had possession of the gilded box for decades," said Darkin Root. "I can't imagine he has the strength to resist that thing for so long. He is past saving."

"Hm. I would like a chance to find out if he's past saving before we kill him," said Blackthorne.

"Why?" asked Kerreth. "What will you learn?"

"I am not sure, but I believe the Menaloch or something empowered by the Menaloch resides in that box. Even after the threat of the Menaloch is gone, the box will still be charged with sorcery. It will be a weapon in its own right."

Blackthorne paused, his brow knitted.

"There's something ahead," said Blackthorne. "It's elusive, but I sense magic. We best be wary."

"What about Loric and Taina?"

"The spells I wove around them still hold. Dvorak, what do you sense?"

"Nothing. I cannot see far in mind at all. Whatever it is, blocks my sight."

"How dangerous is it?" asked Kerreth.

"I do not know. If Loric and Taina have encountered it, then there is no immediate danger for they are safe."

"Let move rapidly then," said Kerreth.

They rode for several minutes and the road began to descend and they slowed their pace.

When they moved out of the shadow of the cliff they saw Loric and Taina speaking with someone. It was a Daerlan. The figure turned and waved.

"It is Navir," said Blackthorne. "How did he find us?"

"No doubt he will tell us," said Kerreth.

"In his own way of course," said Gorm.

"Well met, Kerreth," said Navir. "I almost came too late to meet you." He nodded to the others.

"I thought you were going to Nuneland."

"I was there and left the day before last."

"Impossible!" said Moria.

"Navir, you have no horse," said Gorm. "How could you travel so fast?"

"Ah, that will be part of my tale. How much longer until you camp?"

"Another hour," said Kerreth.

"Good, I will tell you then. I will ride behind Moria so not to slow you down." He swung up behind Moria and kissed her cheek. Kerreth signaled to Loric who rode off with Taina close behind.

Loric found a campsite well off the road that once hosted a lookout post for Masina in their early years. It fell into ruin as the need to man it with soldiers disappeared over the years. The stone foundation still provided a measure of protection from the wind and it was defensible.

They made camp and cooked their meal. Hobart and Elberra stood watch while the others sat around the fire waiting for Navir's promised story.

"Will you tell your tale now?" asked Kerreth.

Navir sighed and sat on a rock near the fire. He looked at each face in turn as if drawing strength from them to bring forth his story.

"This is a tale that has its beginning in the far reaches of time when the world was new. I beg forgiveness for not sharing it with my kin." He nodded to Gorm and Taina. "Even so, it was a burden of the ruling family and closely guarded. The Daerlan are an elder race and jealous of sharing their exalted status. We were here before Men, Tuors, and Anethean. The Celaeri came soon after us and I believe only the Zidar predated us. In those elder days gods walked abroad in the world. The Altenguds were Cothos, Tierase, Dwallond, Beo, Warga, Pellaton, Javon and Allamenor. The Jungeguds were Wulfgeld, Nagthagora, Agnaran, Menaloch, Galamog, Hothbard, Moruga, Ouila and Lothiena."

"I don't believe I've ever heard all their names," said Gorm.

"So Menaloch was a Jungegud. What happened to him?" asked Kerreth. "What made him less than he was?"

"I will get to that, but first there is a secret to unveil. It is difficult so please no more interruptions or I shall not be able to continue.

"The Altenguds gave their strength to the care of the world and helped the peoples when they arrived. The Altenguds had no concept of dominion; they wished only to nurture the world and its inhabitants. The Jungeguds fought amongst themselves and feared the strength of the Altenguds until one day the Jungeguds found out they were strong, strong enough to challenge their brethren. They worked together and attacked the Altenguds one by one, until only Cothos remained unbowed with his pride intact. Here, they misjudged for Cothos was vastly stronger than they still and he outsmarted them and thrashed them. They crept away to nurse their wounds and rose years later stronger than ever for they had made a bargain with Chaos to bring it through the barrier to the world. Chaos thought only of devouring the world and promised to help the Jungeguds. They did not see that Chaos would devour them too. However, they could not find Cothos and to this day he eludes them.

"The taint of Chaos has diminished the Jungeguds until they walk amongst us unnoticed and little power remains to them. The Menaloch still is strong, his bitter thoughts gnaw at him yet sustain him and he looks to destroy the Daerlan to the last child."

"Destroy the Daerlan? Why?" asked Taina.

"We defied Menaloch and would not bow to him."

"I can see that would anger him," said Darkin Root.

"Ah, but I haven't told you all. The Altenguds created most races, yet the Altenguds did not create the Daerlan. When the Zidar first walked the earth, Menaloch became inspired and created a people for himself; the Daerlan. He began our creation but nearly failed. Dwallond pushed him aside and finished our creation. We belong to Dwallond but our core belongs to Menaloch too."

There was silence. Navir looked at the shocked faces. Only Blackthorne was not surprised for Navir had told him years ago.

"We are creatures of the Menaloch?" gasped Darkin. "No wonder it uses Turucks to crush all races. It wants to corner the Daerlan in Liannest and destroy them."

"And with Masina and Eslenda destroyed," said Gorm. "There will be no one close enough to aid the Daerlan. The southern kingdoms of Anavar are too far away to stop the Turucks, even if they set sail today."

"It is a sound strategy," said Loric.

"We must aid the armies of Eslenda fight the Turucks," said Kerreth. "Navir, you have not spoken of what preparations you have made and how you sped south so quickly. Are you able to reach Liannest as quickly?"

"I have discovered a way to travel shadow roads between light and dark. It is a realm of Chaos and very perilous."

"Can you bring the Daerlan army to the aid of Eslenda?"

"I am of two minds in that, Kerreth. Can I be certain of our victory in arms? No, I cannot. Then why should I deliver the Menaloch's desire to him?"

"The Daerlan army will help our chances of victory."

"But can you guarantee victory, Kerreth? No, you cannot. I am not sure strength of arms will be enough. The Menaloch was once a god, remember? We do not know the resources available to it. I thought I had destroyed it once, but it survived. I have the same weapon en route to the battlefield now. Prince James of Eslenda heads a company bringing the Kaliga Spear to face the Menaloch. I fear it was my choice of wielder who failed, not the weapon."

"The Kaliga? Is it the same in the hands of a human?" asked Gorm.

"I have my doubts as well," said Blackthorne. "Was it not created with the remains of the Altengud Dwallond?"

"Yes," said Navir. "It still has the original potency."

"I fear for Prince James," said Blackthorne. "This is the hope you possess to keep from summoning the Daerlan army? Is Prince James strong enough?"

"He is one of the bearers, but another will wield it. I advised them of how it would drain them. They know the truth of it now."

"The Kaliga is our only hope?" asked Kerreth. He looked hard at Navir.

"I believe so. At the very least it is all I am aware of that can kill the Menaloch."

"Who wielded it last time?"

"My father."

"The king of the Daerlan did not have the power to kill the Menaloch with the Kaliga and you are hoping a man can?" asked Blackthorne. "Navir, I expect clearer thinking from you."

"Well, perhaps age is catching up with me at last," snapped Navir. "After all, I have lived a thousand of your generations."

"Navir," said Kerreth. "You are eldest here, yet you show fears we have not witnessed in you before. Perhaps, you should not be involved in this task; after all you hired the Talos Company for your people. I doubt if King Faelir even knows of it."

"You are correct," said Navir. "Faelir has not my foresight. I must stay to the background to warn King Faelir should your battle go awry."

"What will the Daerlan do then? Run away again?" asked Blackthorne.

Navir gave him a dark look but did not answer. Gorm had begun pacing.

"I can't say I am full of confidence now," said Moria.

"Is there anything else you haven't told us?" asked Kerreth. "What happens to the bearers of the Kaliga? Do they die?"

"Kerreth, you must understand that to destroy the Menaloch is above all other considerations. It is a vile creature that corrupts everyone it touches. No Altengud is present to keep it under control. For longer than my lifespan it has sought the corruption of the Daerlan. We have struggled to rise above what we had been, but we could have been so much more. As long as the Menaloch exists, the Daerlan are a shadow of our potential. I abdicated the kingship to spend the remainder of my life searching for our salvation and I will have it."

"No matter the cost?" asked Kerreth.

"No matter the cost. Haven't you been listening? No cost is too great."

"I do not like this," said Dvorak Annis. "There are too many places for it to go wrong. What if Prince James fails and Tag Makk obtains the Kaliga? What can the Menaloch do with the Kaliga?"

"Destroy me for one thing," said Blackthorne. "It the Menaloch's current form I can resist its powers but the Kaliga would give it too much power. You walk on the edge of a knife, Navir, and you have brought us all with you."

"You never spoke of the Menaloch's fall," said Moria. "You said you would."

"The Menaloch at last found rumor of Cothos and tried to lure Cothos to his doom. The Menaloch's servants stole talismans from Cothos but Cothos wove strong and invisible spells around the talismans and the Menaloch tried to use one and was nearly destroyed. It took centuries for it to take shape again, but the Menaloch hadn't been destroyed. It became a sorcerer of cunning and malice but was unable to move on its own. It is confined to a black statue about a foot tall. I do not know of the power that made the statue, but it was Cothos who made it and none can unmake it. Long the Menaloch suffered and plotted in bitterness."

Kerreth stood up and stretched.

"I do not appreciate finding these details out so late in the day, Navir. You are throwing a lot of lives away to kill the Menaloch. What if this attempt fails? Do you find more mortals and lesser beings to do your work?"

"I have tried to kill it." Navir's voice was stern, but he did not shout.

"You haven't wielded the Kaliga yourself. Are you too valuable to risk your life?"

"No one knows the Menaloch like I do. If I die and the Menaloch survives, whom will you go to then?"

"Seems pointless to me," said Blackthorne. "You haven't killed it in thousands of years so who will notice a difference if you are not here to not kill it for another five thousand years."

"Do not push me, Blackthorne."

"I'm going to bed," said Blackthorne. "You can throttle me in my sleep if that's more to your liking. You don't even have to look in my eyes."

"Enough!" shouted Kerreth. "Blackthorne, go to bed. We need to rest and start early tomorrow. Navir, if you can think of anything else by tomorrow morning I'd appreciate it. Now, for the rest of us, once we reach the valley we will ride hard for Riverdowns. Then we shall see what we shall see."