Greyrawk (Book 2) (30 page)

"I was worried for you," said Jaele. "I could see most of the battlefield but the rush of bodies kicked up so much dust it was hard to see you at times. I was scared."

"Same for me, when I had time to think. I just reacted most of the time. If our battles back home were like this I would have bought that inn years ago. The Celaeri move so fast."

"You move faster than most Men -it's your Celaeri blood."

"Yes, but I could barely keep up with them. I tired quickly from moving at their pace. I don't know how long I can continue it."

"Long enough, I hope," said Jaele. Greyrawk put his hand on Jaele's stomach and grinned. She leaned and kissed him. "You need your rest before the fighting starts again. Lean against me and put worry from your mind."

Kerreth and Moria stood together apart from the Talos Company. They did not speak, their eyes saying all that is necessary. Soon the battle will begin anew.

"What are you thinking?" asked Moria.

"It was a night like this when your mother and I stood watching the sunset the night before your grandfather Altair was killed. The tension in the wind is the same."

"You think one of the Talos Company will die tomorrow?"

"I don't want it to be you," said Kerreth.

"I am not leaving the battle. I am not your daughter; so do not treat me like one. I am needed here; especially if you are nostalgic about my mother. You need watching."

Kerreth shook his head.

"I am put in my place again. Come; help me sharpen my swords. We will face tomorrow when it comes."

Kerreth looked for his companions. Elberra limped into camp; her spear shaft broken and one wing dangling at an unnatural angle. Her face showed her pain and frustration. Kerreth would not ask how her day went. Brandalay stood bloodied but whole; his arm around Alarie Skye's waist. The two Greyrawks' were deep in a discussion with Jaele, Hobart and Dvorak. Loric was covered in blood but none of it his while Ian favored his left leg and had the side of his face bandaged.

Colly Bulger stood on a high point watching the fields to the east and the rain began to pound the earth.

Only the Zidar possess what is considered 'real' magic. The other races - Daerlan, Celaeri and later the Turucks, Tuors and Anetheans displayed skills that to the races of Men they appeared magical. Strength, speed, grace, silent movement, the ability to bend others to their will were some of the 'magic' these races possessed but it was only when compared to Men and their lack of these skills that the term 'magic' was used. Mostly Men used the term. There were spells and enchantments that could be learned but only the Zidar could draw power from within them to affect the world around them.

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

Princess Linna felt the ground shake before she heard the roars of the Vlakan. She stood over the map table in the main tent in a spot where the water did not drip. Beric paced behind her. The rain had not slackened and many of the soldiers still huddled in their tents. However, Belderag was on watch as were Kerreth and Loric. Their repeated calls alerted the soldiers and only the furthest soldiers from the front were unready for battle. The dark shapes of the Vlakans seemed to fly across the wet fields; their pounding paws overwhelming the sounds of the rain.

The night lit up from the arts of Dvorak Annis allowing the soldiers to find their quarry and the battle raged. Lockwell the wizard cast his own spells to make the night darker. Dvorak thought he saw the faint flash of light indicating where Lockwell stood. Dvorak countered Lockwell's spells and the battlefield flashed with light, and then plunged into darkness. Magic streaks of colors lit up the black sky. The soldiers long since gave up their disciplined techniques to fight the brutal Vlakan. The fighting was pure survival and very primeval.

Fierce winds fled the hills and washed across the plains bringing thunderheads upon the battle. The Gornst soldiers moved sluggishly still spent from the earlier battle. The battle scream of the Anethean jolted them into action knowing the blue skinned demon fought on their side. The Talos Company led the soldiers into battle and many followed Elberra's flapping wings believing the Anethean to have an aura of magic that would protect them.

Linna watched the push of the soldiers hold back the Vlakan although many soldiers fell. She felt the tension of her constant companion Danni watching for signs of her father in the battle. The sorcerous light flashed continuously creating a surreal stutter of motion on the battlefield.

One of Belderag's Red Hawk Guards rushed to a Celaeri standing alone, his back toward the Red Hawk. The Celaeri did not move until the blade of the soldier nearly pierced his back. Jerue Adan moved in a blink, his curved sword deflecting the Red Hawk's blade. The man gasped at the speed and Jerue Adan's sword swept up and cut his throat. Several more Red Hawks attacked but he was ready for them, killing the closest one before they were in position. The other two spread out but a Vlakan attacked one from the rear and distracted the other Red Hawk. Jerue Adan killed him easily.

The battle continued in the darkness buffeted by the flashes of color light. Lockwell was strong but Dvorak Annis found his strength unequal to the task. Hobart patted his friend's arm.

"The soldiers have adapted to the darkness. You helped them. There is no telling what dark arts their wizard employs. Do not try to match his spells. You are a good man, Dvorak. Leave such battles for Blackthorne. He's already tainted."

"I know you are correct, Hobart. I am no fighter. I cannot do more."

"It's enough. You may need your healing skills. Even Kerreth may get a nick or two."

"Yes, there is that. Thanks for your comfort."

Greyrawk weaved his sword in intricate patterns defending himself against the Celaeri. There are less than two hundred Celaeri on the field but the Vlakan filled the battlefield to the woods. He noticed Ioane Adan killing soldiers with ease.

"Damn," said Loric. "Hobart shot her with arrows but she seems none the worse for it.

"Let's fight our way to her."

A sudden rush of Vlakan forced them apart and then Greyrawk could no longer see Ioane Adan. The muscles in his arm burned. He did not know how much longer he could continue. He felt a blade nick his shoulder blade and he spun around.

"Ah, it is you," said Kirta Tan. "I have been searching for you. I wish to gut you for your disrespect to Ioane."

"You had your chance when my back was turned," said Greyrawk.

"Ah, I want you to know who ends your life."

"Very thoughtful of you." He ducked under Kirta Tan's spear and lunged forward creasing her thigh with his blade. He caught a glancing blow on his shoulder from the back end of her spear which allowed Kirta Tan to regain herself and charge again. Greyrawk blocked the thrust and knocked her to the ground. He stepped back.

"Stand up, let's fight."

Kirta Tan grinned and started to rise. A figure rushed in and drove a sword through her chest and she fell to the ground.

"Wha..?"

"How have you lived so long?" asked Moria. She pulled her sword free. "You don't give a superior fighter a second chance."

"She's not superior; I would have killed her."

"Heavens! You are related to Loric! Poor Jaele."

"Hey! What do mean by that?"

"Let's go, there's more fighting to do," said Moria.

The sword of Belderag cut down opponent after opponent. Belderag scanned the battlefield for signs of Jerue Adan. He found him a few times and tried to fight his way in that direction, but the flow of battle washed past and he lost sight of his quarry. Belderag fought on.

In the darkness Belderag comes face to face with Jerue Adan. His blow is blocked by the Celaeri who steps back and grins.

"Well, Dacu? Was your strike purposeful? Have you made your choice? Are you with me or will you die on this field with the lesser creatures?"

"You have used me long enough, Jerue. I shall end it now. I am no tool for anyone!"

"Ah, but you were always my tool, you vain man." He parried Belderag's blow and slid his blade down Belderag's arm, leaving a bloody sleeve in its wake. He raked across Belderag's chest. Belderag stumbled backward to catch his breath.

"You see, Dacu. You are an old man now, not yet even Aryar Greyrawk's age, and you cannot harm me. I feared Aryar's strength and knew you couldn't defeat him. So it was magic that made the difference and you believed you killed him in a fair fight. I have laughed at you these forty years. You are a pawn, just a pawn and no more." He rushed forward slicing open the side of Belderag. Belderag coiled in rage and began to change.

"I am the master of Vlakan, Dacu. I shall always control you!" Jerue Adan's sword found Belderag's ribcage drawing a stream of blood.

Belderag stumbled back, his side bleeding freely. Jerue Adan moves in for the kill. A large shape bulls between them, a huge sword whistles at the Celaeri. He blocks the blow but the force of it knocks him to the ground. Colly brings his sword around again but Jerue rolls to his feet and strikes. The curled blade does not pierce the thick cloak of Colly but the power of the blow forces out a gasp from the tavern owner. Colly puts two hands on his sword and charges Jerue. The Celaeri dances backward defecting the blows with his blade. Colly continued past for several feet and spun to face Jerue Adan. Belderag flees into the night. Jerue grins and turns to his opponent.

"So an old man will test me?"

"I do what I must," said Colly.

"Your sword is impressive, as is your skill with it, but you will die all the same. Your sword will hang in my hall as a trophy."

Jerue Adan darted forward and Colly deflected the thrust. Jerue continued forward and rammed Colly with his elbow. Colly coughed and stumbled back a step. Jerue brought up his sword to finish him. Belderag, half Vlakan now, dove forward into Jerue's legs bending him backward to the ground. Jerue pushed the Vlakan off him and Belderag jumped out of range. Colly stood with his sword but he favored his hip. Jerue set himself to attack again. A tall shape rose up behind Colly.

Loric Greyrawk meets the gaze of his grandfather.

The space the Vlakan forces vacated reveals Jerue Adan far from his soldiers. He glares at his opponent. Loric stepped forward past Colly, his sword ready to engage his grandfather. Jerue Adan smiles.

"So Loric, my worthless grandson, you have come to taste death at last. I should have killed you when you were a babe, but Ioane had a foolish notion you might be worth your life. Again, she was wrong. The last time you darkened our lives she could not end your life. But I have no qualms."

Jerue Adan began to circle around Loric. Loric readied himself, but a heavy hand gripped his shoulder.

"No Loric. This one is not for you," said Kerreth. "You shall not have his blood on your hands. I have carried the debts of many who have fallen to Jerue's treachery. Let me avenge them and you and Alarie at the same time. He cannot beat me with a sword. Save your strength for another battle."

Loric stared into Kerreth's eyes, searching his mind for an argument to change Kerreth's decision but could find none. Loric stepped aside.

"It is time, Jerue Adan, for you to return to the dust of your creation," said Kerreth. "I promised you long ago that this time would come."

"I am ready for you half-breed. No Zidar ever defeated a Celaeri."

"We did not have to defeat you as you were no threat to us."

"Yet, the Zidar never spread from their precious island."

"Conquest was never a goal for us," said Kerreth. "We had no such failings."

Jerue jumped forward. Kerreth blocked the blow with one sword and swiped the second sword hitting Jerue Adan in the hip with the flat edge. The Celaeri stumbled and backed away.

"You are no match for me," said Kerreth. "Surrender now, or die."

"You know I cannot surrender, Kerreth. My fate is tried to this resurgence of my people. Too much of my strength was woven into the spells of the Mother Stone, but you know that. You ever pried into my business and gathered knowledge like you were starving. Now you come to kill me and take the last bit of me you haven't stolen already."

"You were my friend once," said Kerreth.

"I am not your friend anymore, Kerreth. Thousands of years have passed. What has passed will not return. You are the last of your kind. It's time you realized that fact. There will always be blood on your blade."

Jerue Adan attacked but Kerreth blocked the blows effortlessly. Jerue grew engaged and attacked without pause, until he fell back, breathing heavily. Kerreth had defended himself without effort and stepped forward, his blades striking Jerue's sword and sending it flying in the air. Jerue looked into Kerreth's eyes.

"Your soul is black," said Jerue, blood on his lips. "You have lived too long and gave nothing back." He tried to regain his sword one more time.

Kerreth ran his sword through Jerue's chest. The Celaeri shuddered, his eyes darkened and he was still. Kerreth pulled out his sword and wiped it on Jerue's tunic. He stared at the still form and grimaced, running his tongue over his chipped tusk. He reached out and closed Jerue's eyes. He turned to face the Celaeri host.

A cry rose up from the Celaeri as Jerue Adan died. The Celaeri soldiers pulled back from the fight and retreated several hundred paces. They stumbled as if blind, their ferocity muted. A mist rose up around them and they were lost to view and seemed to diminish. The Vlakan fled into the trees near the river.

Ioane Adan strode forward, bloody but unbowed. She stared at Kerreth and then threw down her sword.

"Kerreth Veralier, I submit to your mercy and past friendship. I wish to speak with my children, and then we shall abandon the field. Agreed?"

"Agreed," said Kerreth. He gestured for Loric and Alarie to come forward. Kerreth instructed Beric's soldiers to fill in the space between Ioane and her soldiers. She was isolated.

"What?" said Beric Mallon rushing up. His sword was in his hand. "The battle is to our advantage. Do not let them escape."