A Quick Sun Rises (33 page)

No one argued as they fell back into their march quickly putting distance between themselves and the plant. Thane was fully alert now, as were the others, not willing to so easily fall prey to something else. Soon the trees began to spread out giving way to gaps and off shooting trails that beckoned to and tempted the travelers. At more than one place Thane had to stop and examine the ground to be certain they were remaining on the trail and not being led off into the belly of the forest to become quarry to one of its dark host or to be lost forever searching for a way out. Direction had become all but compromised without the sun to direct them so their trust was placed on the trail that was said to empty out in the southeast near Willow Wood.

In had been close to an hour before Thane suddenly halted them, motioning they all squat down. Using hand signals, he directed their attention up the road where at least ten black forms crowded the road from either side. At first they appeared to be moss covered rocks but all soon recognized them as the same type of creature they’d met before. Had they not had their first encounter, they would have walked right into the middle of them. Backing up slowly, they retraced their steps to what they felt was a safe enough distance away and out of range.

“We’ll have to leave the road,” Dor said.

“We could kill them with arrows at a distance,” Tam offered, but Thane shook his head.

“We may need our arrows for something else,” he countered, looking around briefly. The sense of being watched had still not left him. He feared now that it appeared that they would have to leave the road he would finally find out what was stalking them. He could see the uncertainty in their faces and added quickly, “We need to move off the road…just long enough to get past.”

All nodded their heads in agreement but none liked the decision. But the choice was not theirs to make. There was no other option to get safely through. “Just as a precaution,” Thane added, “we’ll tie ourselves together with the rope.” Quickly linking them all together, he left enough space should they need to fight or maneuver but not so much that any would ever be out of eyeshot. The ground was soft and loamy underneath their feet as they left the road’s hard packed dirt and moved to their left into the forest. Thane’s instincts warned him that leaving the trail was dangerous but he comforted himself in the fact that they were only doing so briefly; just until they made it safely past those deadly plants. The ache in his arm was proof enough that they could not withstand so many and hope to make it past alive. Just a quick circle around and they would be back to the trail again.

Glancing back at the path, he could still just make out the line it cut through the woods. Veering to the right he took them parallel to it thinking they surely were far enough away from the deadly plants to pass through safely. But only a few steps further and he suddenly halted seeing another rounded form, its tentacles laid out flat in a circle patiently waiting for the unwary. Cursing under his breath, he waved them back further into the woods. Looking briefly over his shoulder, the road was no longer visible. The trees had also become thicker again as if anticipating they would leave the safety of the road, forcing the group to turn to the left and right to pass through.

Again, Thane tried to turn along where he was certain the road traveled but only got a few yards when another black, swollen plant, barred their way. Should they go back? He found himself becoming desperate. The longer they were away from the main path, the more likely they were to be attacked or lost and the day was quickly waning. But the desperation of their mission and what it would mean should they succeed far outweighed the risks.

Putting the memory of the road to his back once again, he led his friends even deeper into the woods. Time seemed to be passing rapidly now and he wondered how soon it would be before they were left in almost complete darkness as the sun set. He did not want to be in the forest proper when that happened. Turning once more, he strode tentatively on a parallel course with where he felt certain the path led. Praying for passage, he was relieved when no more stinging orbs barred their way. Quickening his pace a little, he cast aside his caution for silence and tried to make up for lost time.

A short distance was all they needed to go before they could turn to the side once more and get back to the trail. He let out a sigh as surely they would be there again in moments. Turning again to his right, he made haste though kept himself vigilant of any danger. A couple of times he was forced to his left because of trees blocking their way, but all the time he knew he was getting them closer to the road. An eerie cry suddenly echoing off in the distance ahead brought them all to an unsettled halt.

“What was that?” Dor asked in a hushed tone.

All stared with eyes wide, trying to will their sight to reach further and reveal the enemy that threatened. Tam thought she saw a shadow move to her left sending a chill racing through her to match the pace of her pounding heart.

“Back to the road,” Thane called, pulling them all into a run as he raced headlong toward the path and the unnatural cry heard only moments before. Finding another of the deadly plants, he veered to the left. A high pitched wail, different from the first one, came from close behind them followed by hissing and clicking sounds. Dor chanced a glance back and saw three shadows slipping easily through the woods chasing after them and gaining quickly. Tam saw two more shadows materialize on their left.

“I think I saw something move!” Domis shouted pointing to the right. Dor followed his arm and saw two more shadows suddenly materialize as if they detached themselves from the very trees. Thane abruptly stopped and reversed his direction while pulling his swords and cutting himself free from Tam. Dor and Tam did the same while Domis fought with his own sword before finally freeing it from the scabbard. Placing themselves in a tight circle with their backs to the middle they peered out into the dark as the shadows slowed and surrounded them. Another cry echoed in the distance and the shadows suddenly rushed in.

The dark forms materialized into insect like creatures with five spindly legs attached to long bodies. Three of the legs were affixed to the back body segment with one on either side and the third out the back. The two front legs were joined to the upper body and had hooked claws that looked to be able to rip the flesh from any victim caught in their clutches. All their legs had curved spikes protruding from them like thorns on a flower. A mantas like head carried large sickle pinchers that snapped together in front of a huge mouth full of sharp teeth that released a raspy hiss. No eyes were visible giving them the appearance of being sightless.

Not waiting, Thane rushed forward, slicing the head of one of their attackers, dropping it to the forest floor before turning on another, just barely ducking under its swinging claw. Hook and steal clashed filling the air with a great ring as all were thrust into a melee of death. Tam dropped another when she ducked beneath its forward swing before coming up under it and slicing through its neck. Dor was also able to kill another while Thane knocked away an attack on Domis who, though somewhat inexperience, was holding his own.

For a moment it appeared as if they might escape as Thane dispatched another assailant but, suddenly, more shadows materialized into the insect-like creatures. Now where four had remained, five more joined the attack. The situation was quickly becoming desperate as hooks slipped past the steel defenses and ripped at arms, legs and chests carving out wounds that, though not life threatening, were increasing in number and in lost blood. Thane searched for a way out but was so occupied with the attackers that nothing seemed possible. Even in the daylight, on level ground, he knew they could not outrun them. He’d tried to move the group closer to one of the large trees to at least give them protection at their backs but there were too many now to allow any movement as even more appeared. Their only hope was to stay tight together but even that was becoming less and less of an advantage. Killing yet one more, Thane lost count of how many there were as more seemed to materialize as if sensing the feeding frenzy that was sure to begin in mere moments.

His heart sank as he sensed the feeling of certain doom overtaking him. Tam’s face, though determined, belied what he knew was hopeless. He chastised himself for thinking they could do this alone. An army was what they’d needed to succeed. Domis made squealed grunts as the fear and awareness of his assured demise sent its icy chill through his heart. Only Dor’s face showed the calm acceptance that seemed to overcome him when death’s specter came for him. It was something Thane envied in his friend. Though he did not fear to step into the beyond neither did he seek to hasten his journey there.

The hooks were too many and coming at a quicker pace. Soon one would get through and then each would falter in turn leaving them as nothing but a memory that would, of itself, be lost sooner or late with the victory or defeat of their friends. Maybe it would be better to let it all go now instead of prolonging the inevitable. There was not much hope anyway that they would even find the YeiyeiloBaneesh, if they indeed still existed. And what if they did? How was he to make arrows from them to save the others from the dragons? It was foolishness.

Blocking one hook, Thane was too slow to block another that nicked his collarbone opening up yet another break in his skin, the blood mixing with his sweat. It wouldn’t be long now. Another howl broke through the woods, much closer now, and an audible grown escaped the companions’ lips at the call of still more of their foe coming to feast. But then, as if by some unspoken word, their enemies suddenly just all turned and then raced away, once again dissolving into mere shadows that quickly disappeared into the forest.

Gasping for breath, the friends looked back and forth, trying to make sense of their sudden retreat at the moment of certain victory. Their confusion did not last though as different forms began to appear, slowly materializing out of the darkness. Night was coming on and it was obvious that this new threat posed even a greater danger and that their original enemies knew to run rather than become the prey.

They raised their swords ready to defend themselves to the last but the previous battle had taken much of their strength that would be quickly exhausted against a new foe. Only five forms materialized from the shadows as a thick mist began to rise from the forest floor with the last rays of the afternoon sun quickly retreating and plunging the forest into total darkness. They were large, standing on four great, powerful legs that rippled with muscle and sinew beneath a dark, thick, hairless skin. Their paws were almost hand-like with tremendous claws that dug into the dirt flexing as if in anticipation for the coming kill. As tall as Thane, their large heads stared down at them with glowing eyes that seemed unaware of the closing night. A great, dog-like snout pushed forward, big fanged teeth pushing up and down along the jaw line as a snarl escape curled jowls, a mane of hair cascading down their backs.

Chapter Twenty-Four 

Gorbrak circled lazily as he took in the destruction and mayhem that had been his gift to his master, Zadok. Smoke still rose from many of Calandra’s buildings. The city had been completely ransacked by the army in search of shiny trinkets that dazzled the simple minded or, more importantly, flesh for the cook fires. The moans and screams of days before were all but gone now as most of the occupants had been discovered meaning the supply of fresh meat had dwindled. Though he would have eaten the humans if the need where great, he preferred the tenderness offered by the sheep that were corralled outside the city. Sure he’d had to kill of few orcs to stake his claim, but word had spread quickly when the dismembered parts of their ilk were found scattered about the area.

Night was fast approaching and fires were beginning to pop up all over the city where pockets of Zadok’s tremendous army decided to wreak their chaos for the day. The distant cry of a woman rousted from whatever hole she’d found to hide in lifted in horror as her fate would soon be sealed on an open spit. Apparently there still was feasting in Calandra. Banking left, Gorbrak allowed himself to descend on the once opulent city now reduced to refuse by its new tenants and glided toward the castle where Zadok had taken up residence while the city was being razed. He had a successful meeting with the town of Waterford that he needed to report before filling his belly with more mutton. It had almost been too easy and, like the others, he was wondering when Zadok would finally unleash their full power on the pitiful humans. He craved the fear that emanated from them and was so palpable and delicious to his senses.

Dropping easily into the spacious courtyard, he regretfully changed back into his pitiful human form and strode up the staircase that led to the main hallway and the thrown room beyond. Having captured the once king’s favor so easily, he’d become rather adept at maneuvering his way through the many halls and corridors that was the governing seat of the land. How appropriate, he thought, that Zadok now filled the vacant throne where he commanded real power. His master looked up as he entered the grand hall, the damage he’d caused earlier a mere blemish on the grandeur of the room.

“Ah, Luvik,” Zadok crooned, “back so soon?”

He hated it when Zadok called him by his human name. It was so demeaning to the powerful serpent that he really was. But, as other things, he patiently endured it finding the ultimate prize great enough to keep him loyal, not to mention Zadok’s magic that was a constant tick in his head. “Yes, master, I have returned with another gift,” Gorbrak hissed, preferring his own voice to his human one. He could at least hold to that. “The pile of rock and wood the humans called Waterford is no longer.”

Zadok smiled, his grin so evil as to give even Gorbrak pause. He licked his lips as if tasting the victory in his mouth. “After the others report their successes we will then be ready to leave this dung pile for the real prize that waits us. I think the army has had sufficient playtime and that their bellies are plenty full. Tomorrow we will march.”

* * *

Erl’s constant growling finally brought Jack to his feet and to the tent’s flaps. Erl beat him there but stood aside when Jack pushed at him with his leg. “What has gotten into you?” he practically growled back while exiting the tent. To his surprise, Tryg was setting out his bedding for the night his eyes narrowing fiercely at Erl who followed Jack out, his hackles raised.

“So, you’ve come back to us,” Jack stated flatly.

Tryg released his glare for a face that was as close to innocent as he was ever able to draw up. “Yes,” was all he offered in reply.

“So, where have you been to all this time,” Jack probed and then added as an afterthought, “if I might ask.”

Tryg regarded the old king for a long moment and then lowered his head as if in trouble. “It’s still hard sometimes,” he said with a somewhat melancholy voice though a touch of the typical acid still remained. “You know,” he continued, “with what has happened to my people and all.”

Jack just nodded though his eyebrows were knit in contemplation. He still could not figure out this boy. So much hatred for one so small. Though, he supposed that might be normal for one in his situation Teek seemed completely the opposite. “Don’t know if you’ve heard, but Teek’s missing.” He watched for a sign of shock or worry, or anything from the boy, but he just sort of shrugged his shoulders.

“Maybe he just needs some time alone. You know, like I did.”

“Maybe,” Jack said. “Anyway, are you hungry?”

At that, Tryg looked up at him and smiled sardonically. “No, I’ve already eaten.”

Jack was about to press him but Wess suddenly appeared out of the chaos of tents that made up their camp. Rubbing Tryg’s head, he completely missed the daggers the boy shot him before turning back to his bed roll mumbling something to himself that Jack figured could only be some type of threat.

“Good news,” Wess announced.

“I could use some,” Jack half smiled pulling back his tent flap and inviting him in. They both settled into the chairs that occupied the tent’s first chamber while Erl dropped down in font of the doorway as sentinel.

“We’re getting low on supplies,” Wess stated to Jack’s surprise.

“That’s good news?”

Wess smiled, “No, but I figured I would throw that in at first when your spirits were up.”

“It didn’t help,” Jack breathed pulling at his beard.

“Well, maybe this other bit will help. We’re no more than a week from the fortress.”

Jack just nodded. He’d guessed the same earlier in the day but with his Chufa friends gone there was no way of telling how close the enemy was or if they’d even left Calandra yet. With the slow pace they were forced to travel, he figured it wouldn’t take too long for Zadok’s forces to close the gap once they caught sent of their quarry.

“You’re a hard man to please, Jack,” Wess said when he didn’t reply. “Well, I guess than this last bit won’t be anything either, but we just got word from an advanced rider that Aleron’s forces are marching at a quick pace and might even beat us to Bedler’s Keep.”

At that, Jack’s face broke into a large smile. “Now, that is good news.”

* * *

Soyak strapped her swords to her back, the worn leather almost becoming one with the contours of her body as if a piece of her returned. She smiled at how they felt, the welcomed return of a beloved family member. Reaching for the hilts, she drew her swords in one quick, fluid motion that would not have seemed possible for one of her advanced years. She relished their feel in her gnarled, old hands and swung them about in a complicated pattern before returning them to their scabbards just as quickly as she’d retrieved them. She breathed in the fresh plains air, taking in all her lungs would hold and then slowly let it out, knowing she would never have its scent on her nostrils again. She was going to war. She was going to die. But her swords would be bright with the enemy’s blood when she did so. She was finally going to have her chance to leave this life with her honor intact.

Jne checked the supplies in her pack before hoisting it onto her shoulders. Placing a hand against a pocket on her belt, she felt the small lump that assured her the
svaj
she’d purchased just the day before was still there. Now with her honor and place returned she could pursue her purpose from the beginning when she’d first encountered Thane’s limp form. It seemed so long ago now. The stone was a bright green emerald that she’d had the stone cutter shape into the sign of the five Tane and hung from a silver hoop. She would pierce his right ear with it as soon as they were together again and then on the day they married, he would remove it and pierce it through her left ear, claiming her as his own and she would remove the ruby
svan
from her left nostril and pierce it through his right nostril making him hers.

“You think of your man,” Soyak stated plainly.

Jne looked at the woman now ready to depart and sighed. “And why do you say that?”

Soyak smiled knowingly. “Only thoughts of ones chosen can bring such a smile to ones face. I would see that glow in your eyes if we were in the deepest cave without so much as a spark for light.”

Jne blushed slightly and turned away at having been caught. “I know not of what you speak,” she said, though her voice seemed to say otherwise.

Soyak’s smile only grew larger. “As you wish,” she said simply and then dropped the subject. She would not shame Jne by forcing her to speak of something so private if she did not wish to. She gave her a long moment to compose herself and then ask if she was ready to depart.

“I am,” Jne replied with resolve. The Tjal would spend a few more days discussing what she’d said before making any kind of collective decision. She’d done her best to convince them of the approaching danger and now it was up to each individual and each
Tja
collectively to decide their own path. They knew where to find the fighting if they so chose. Her path was set and she would not veer from it.

* * *

The pounding of drums was all Teek could hear as he raised his hands to his ears and tried to block out the noise; but it did no good. If anything, the pounding was louder and was now so intense as to shoot through his head like steel spikes. He had to get away but he felt as if he were shut up in a dark closet.
Boom, boom, boom
it came like a steady cadence that seemed to match the beating rhythm of his heart. Far in the distance he thought he heard a familiar sound; something that he felt he needed to find. Straining against the pounding he tried to focus on the recognizable noise that sounded again, but this time a bit more clear and near. Though it was no more pleasant on his head than the drumming, it filled him with a strange sort of warmth to hear it. Again it came, this time more demanding, more persistent. He wanted to race to it, to leave the drumming behind, but his body didn’t seem to answer his commands.
Boom, boom, boom
it continued. He wanted to scream, the comforting noise, though grating, split through the drums again as if in desperation. He needed to get to it.

Consciousness suddenly crashed into him like a breaking wave, jarring him awake with such a jolt that he turned his head and threw up. He knew now what the drum sounds were as his head pounded with each beat of his heart. Again he heaved, his face screaming in pain as he did so. Tchee’s screeching ignited the air with her cry as she called out in anguish over him and then suddenly cooed as she saw him moving. Darting her razor-like beak down she gently rubbed the side of her head against him while making what could only be exultant bird calls at his being alive.

Pressing the ground away, he forced himself into a sitting position and waited while the spinning in his head had completed its circuit and allowed him to focus once more. Tchee continued with her bobbing dance of exultant joy at his return to consciousness while Teek tried to grasp a greater sense of the reality in which he currently found himself. That his nose was broken was the first painful truth to force its existence into his mind as blood seeped from his nostrils, his sinus cavities aching. Looking down, he realized that he was covered in blood; some of it dried and flaking while most of it was set in the gel-like state of congealing. At first he was alarmed, thinking that perhaps he had suffered greater injury than he at first thought, but then he saw the dark, lifeless form of the large roc that had attacked them; the dead bird that he had killed in rage when it had swooped upon them from above.

A cold wind bit against his skin as he retrieved his fallen dagger and staggered to his feet. Anger pulsed through him at seeing the black bird as he remembered what had happened. Lifting his knife to the darkening sky, he let out a feral scream that reverberated across the mountain’s face chasing vermin to their holes as it gained strength and then was cut short as his consciousness again betrayed him to the darkened corridors of oblivion.