Lorik The Defender (The Lorik Trilogy) (3 page)

“Well, that’s mighty nice of her,” Stone said quietly to Lorik.

“Let’s go,” Lorik said.

They slipped off their horses and left the animals grazing on the trampled grass. Lorik walked toward the group, with Stone just a few steps behind him. The small circle of women with their weapons held ready spread out and the woman with the crown stepped forward.

“What is your name?” the woman asked.

“I am Lorik, originally from the Marshlands, but of late from the north.”

“And you fought the Norsik?”

“We did, my lady. In fact, we rescued quite a large group from across the border and helped repel the Norsik from Ortis.”

“You helped? Are there more groups like yours in the north?”

“Some,” Lorik said. “Volunteers were called for when the King’s Army left the border undefended.”

“The King’s Army,” she said bitterly. “Ortis has no king now, I’m sure of that. My husband was a fool.”

“You are Queen Issalyn?” Lorik asked.

“I am,” she said. “And these are the survivors of Ort City. We were beset by flying horse monsters.”

“Yes, we’re familiar with the wicked creatures,” Lorik said.

“Then you know they are taking people south. Something is very wrong, Lorik from the Marshlands. Something foul has taken root in the Five Kingdoms.”

“Yes, my lady,” Lorik said. “A wizard came on a dragon, to the north where I was fighting the Norsik. He saved me, saved us all really. He and the dragon drove the Norsik back into the Wilderlands and across the border.”

“A wizard on a dragon?” Issalyn said skeptically.

“I know,” Lorik said, “it’s hard to believe.”

“Well, I’ve seen monsters from my worst nightmares, why not a wizard on a dragon.”

“He brought news from the south, dire news I’m afraid.”

“I would hear it, no matter how dire,” Issalyn said.

“I will tell you everything, but I think it might be wise to keep moving north. My men will escort you and guard against the monsters, but a group of people this size will be a tempting target.”

“Of course you’re right,” Issalyn said. She turned to one of the other women. “Vistance, sound the march.”

“As you wish, my Queen,” said a strong looking woman with a ram’s horn hung around her neck.

She lifted the horn and blew three blasts, the sound was low and solemn. The crowd began walking again. Lorik turned toward Stone.

“I want us to take a position behind them,” he ordered. “Have the men spread out and make sure everyone stays alert.”

“We’re going north again?” Stone asked.

“We’ve found what we were looking for. Have Vera load the weakest into the wagon and stay on this side of the group. She can lead the way back to the Wilderlands.”

“You’ve got it,” Stone said.

He hurried back to his horse and stepped quickly up into the saddle. He turned the horse and galloped back toward the group of volunteers. Lorik’s horse watched him go with a large, brown eye, then went back to munching grass. Lorik turned back to Queen Issalyn.

“Would you care to ride on my horse?” Lorik asked.

“That is no beast for a lady,” Issalyn said. “I would feel safer if you were on it protecting us from those monsters.”

“I will, my lady, although I prefer to fight on my feet,” Lorik explained.

He took the horse’s reins and fell into step beside Queen Issalyn. The queen’s shieldmaidens surrounded them both and they led the group of refugees forward.

“You were forced to flee Ort City?” Lorik asked.

“The cities walls were manned with volunteers. My foolish husband didn’t even leave the castle guard. We had weapons, but no trained warriors. When the reports came in about the monsters, we closed the city gates and kept men on the walls. Unfortunately, walls don’t stop flying horses.”

“No,” Lorik said grimly. “I suppose not.”

“We were quickly overrun. We stayed after the first and second wave of monsters, but it was soon obvious that it was only a matter of time before we would all be taken or killed. The monsters tore through the roofs of the homes and shops throughout the city. The castle was spared, but only because there were easier victims. So after the second attack in as many days, I declared a state of emergency and urged everyone to leave with us.”

“What of the other nobles?” Lorik asked. “Surely the royal court was filled with able-bodied men to protect you.”

“No, they were all called into service by my husband. He’s gone south to Osla and left us completely undefended.”

“I have news of the king,” Lorik said grimly. “Unfortunately, it isn’t good news.”

“There hasn’t been good news in regard to King Oveer in a long time,” Issalyn said sadly. “What have you heard?”

“The wizard told me that a witch in Osla cast a spell over your husband and the entire royal army. That is why he went south and why he called for all his troops to join him. Unfortunately, King Oveer was slain and most of the army massacred. The Grand City was destroyed by the witch, and it was she who unleashed these hellish monsters on the Five Kingdoms.”

Issalyn was suddenly as white as a sheet, her lips pressed hard together and her eyes glistened with tears. Lorik felt sorry for her, but there was no use hiding the truth from her. He had hoped to find someone in Ort City who could rally the people of Ortis and deal with King Ricard. Queen Issalyn had never taken an active role in ruling the kingdom; her husband was too flamboyant to share glory, even with his wife. Rumors abounded that she had been pushed aside when she failed to become pregnant shortly after their marriage. King Oveer didn’t even try to pretend to be faithful. Instead, he was blatantly adulterous, taking to his bedchambers every young woman who crossed his path. Still, Issalyn was known as the queen and people would flock to her banner in the sudden vacuum of power.

“The wizard told you all this?” she asked.

“He did, my lady. He was there. I have only his word, but I’m a good judge of character. He helped us when he didn’t have to. I believe him.”

“So the king really is dead,” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

“I’m afraid so, my Queen, but that is not the worst of the news.”

“What?” she asked, her voice suddenly cold.

“These monsters aren’t killing people,” Lorik said.

“They are taking them somewhere,” Issalyn said.

“Yes,” Lorik agreed. “The wizard said they were taking them back to the witch and that she is transforming them into an army. He was convinced that army, or at least a portion of it, would come here. He urged me to ally with King Ricard and the Baskla army. He was going north to recruit the magical creatures from the northern Highlands, before joining the army from Yelsia and what remained of the Falxisian army. They were planning to make a stand along the Walheta Mountains.”

“It’s like a nightmare and a fairy tale had a child,” she said. “How are we to face such horrors?”

“As bravely as possible, my lady,” Lorik said. “I will lead your army.”

“I have no army,” she said bitterly.

“Then we will build you one. You must send envoys to King Ricard. Surely you can find safety among the royal court in Forxam.”

“The spurned queen of a spoiled and foolish king, whose kingdom is overrun with monsters. I don’t think I’m much of a prize to be sheltered when all my people are in danger of death or worse.”

“But you must be the rallying point for our people. If we’re to have any hope of surviving, surely you can see the value of that.”

“I see the wisdom of your plan, Lorik, although I must admit that it seems strange to be taking advice from a man I’ve never heard of before. You said you’re from the Marshlands?”

“Yes,” Lorik said. “I went north to fight the Norsik invaders.”

“And are all men from the Marshlands of your quality?” she asked.

“No,” Lorik said matter-of-factly. “My story is a long one, and there are those who tell it better than I can,” he said.

“I wait with bated breath,” she said with a smile.

“Let’s keep moving,” Lorik said, waving to Vera who was steering the wagon toward the group of women in the center of the refugees. “This is my friend, Vera. She will help carry the weakest women and children in the wagon.”

“That will be a great help,” Issalyn said.

“And please, take my horse,” he went on. “He isn’t much more than a plow horse really.”

“He looks like a knightly steed,” Issalyn went on. “What’s his name?”

“Drover,” Lorik said, trying to hide his embarrassment.

The group stopped for a short time. Families rationed out the meager food they had, and the elderly were helped into the wagon. Vera took charge of the people hoping to hitch a ride, making sure that those with the greatest need were put on the wagon and those who could still walk easily were postponed. They were more than a week’s walk back to the camps set up along the northern border, and depending on how much the Leffers harassed them, they would have to keep moving at a steady pace. The number of people needing to ride on the wagon would only increase, so Vera was careful about who she allowed to ride with her.

“Vera’s got that lot under control,” Lorik told Stone as they walked out to the rear of the group of refugees.

Stone was walking now too, having given his horse to the queen. He and Lorik would walk the rest of the way, keeping to the most southern point of the large group. Lorik had sent scouts ahead of them, both to look for danger and for a defensible place to make camp. Other riders had been sent in search of food. Many of the abandoned farms still had food, although nothing in the quantities they would need to feed the entire group from Ort City. Still, there were many of the refugees who were too tired or too feeble to find food on their own. Lorik’s volunteers could move faster than the refugees and carry more of what they found. It was a good plan, even though it weakened their defenses.

“You think we have enough men if another group of those monsters attacks?” Stone asked.

“No,” Lorik said. “A group this size could attract hundreds of those things. Our best bet is to keep moving north as fast as possible.”

“We can’t outrun them,” Stone said.

“No, but they seem to be moving in small groups. Maybe we’ll get lucky and only have to fight one group at a time.”

“So,” Stone asked as the group started moving again after their short break. “What did you think of the queen?”

“She’s strong,” Lorik said. “She was upset to hear about King Oveer.”

“That’s surprising,” Stone said. “I didn’t think he treated her very well.”

“I guess love comes in all shapes and sizes. Or maybe she didn’t love him, but she knew him well enough to care about him. It’s always hard to hear about people you know dying.”

“That’s true enough,” Stone said.

“And the fact that these bloody monsters are just the first wave in a very wicked attack is enough bad news to set anyone on their heels.”

“I can’t imagine it being worse than these horse monsters,” Stone said. “I’ll have nightmares about those creatures for the rest of my life.”

“You surprise me,” Lorik said. “Is that fear I’m hearing.”

“Damn right,” Stone said. “You’d have to be a fool not to be afraid of a creature like that.”

“You never seem afraid when we have to fight them.”

“Well I am,” he argued. “I never used to be afraid in a fight. I could just shut fear down. I would fight in a rage and lose all sense of anything else until the fight was over. Now I’m always afraid.”

“Because you were hurt fighting the Norsik?”

“No,” Stone said. “Although it is sobering to realize I’m not immortal. What I fear is losing Vera. If something happened to me, she would be all alone. It only takes one wrong move and those creatures would carry me away, or get past us and carry Vera away. I can’t get that fear out of my head.”

“Well, I understand that,” Lorik said. “It’s natural. You love Vera; it makes you a better fighter and a better man, even if it is a difficult weight to bear.”

“It is,” Stone said.

“But you have to remember, if something happened to you, I would look after Vera.”

“I know that, but I can’t rely on it. I trust you more than any man in the Five Kingdoms, yet I fear that you won’t take care of Vera, not really. It’s like I think I’m the only one who can do it.”

“You’re the only one who can be everything Vera needs,” Lorik said. “I don’t think the way you feel is unreasonable.”

“But it’s not rational either.”

“Nothing about this situation is rational,” Lorik said. “Not me, not the creatures we’re fighting, not even the way any of us are thinking. But we’re facing it, as honestly as I think we can. There’s nothing more a man can do than that.”

“I could run,” Stone said honestly, looking into Lorik’s eyes so that his friend knew that he was seriously contemplating what he was saying. “I could take her and get the hell out of here. We could go north, to Baskla or even the Highlands. We could find a place to hide, a place where she would be safe and I could defend her. Out here, we’re so exposed, anything could happen.”

“You could,” Lorik said. “I wouldn’t blame you or even try to stop you. You’ve given more of yourself than anyone could expect. I would miss you both, but if you feel like that is the best thing for you to do, you should do it.”

Stone shook his head. “You think I should?”

“I think you’re fooling yourself,” Lorik said. “There is no place to hide. If we die here, perhaps it will mean something, but ultimately we’ll all have to face this danger, if it is as bad as the wizard predicted. And if it isn’t, then you’re just as well off here with us. I don’t think running and hiding would be good for you or for Vera, but I understand the desire.”

“But what if we stay and we’re overrun?” Stone said. “I was helpless against the Norsik when they overran our camp. I had to send Vera away and then I wasn’t any use to anyone. I killed some of them, and managed to survive, but that was all.”

“You did more than survive,” Lorik said. “You followed the raiders and took the fight to them.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Stone said.

“And I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You didn’t need me. You were like some warrior from the old stories. You could have fought an entire army.”

“No,” Lorik said. “I would have died fighting the Norsik if the wizard hadn’t saved me when he did.”

“I don’t know about that,” Stone countered. “You were like a force of nature.”

“I’m stronger with you beside me,” Lorik replied.

They walked through the afternoon and eventually made camp for the night. The sprawling group took shelter near an abandoned village. Enough food and ale was found to feed the large group. Fires were kindled and everyone settled down for the night. Lorik found himself on watch once again. The moon was visible in the sky, but it was little more than a sliver. Lorik listened to the sounds of insects and night creatures as the noise from the camp finally settled down.

There were other men from Lorik’s volunteers standing watch around the large group. Stone would come and relieve Lorik halfway through the night. Everything that could be taken care of in regard to the large group of refugees was being done, but Lorik was nervous. He feared what might happen if they were attacked. His men knew how to fight the monsters, but the group of refugees were scared. It wouldn’t take much to send them into a panic. He had no way to protect them if they didn’t stay together. The monsters weren’t rational; they didn’t fight strategically, but they were drawn to weakness. If the group of refugees scattered, the monsters would too, avoiding Lorik’s men and picking off the fleeing villagers.

“You seem tense,” Issalyn said.

She had come up quietly behind him. He was well away from the camp, standing in the darkness. It was cold and he was wrapped in a thick cloak, his swords strapped to his back and his hands tucked neatly into his belt. He didn’t turn to look at Issalyn, although he felt a shiver of excitement knowing she had come to him.

“I am,” he said quietly.

“Why? Are we not safe?”

“No,” he said.

“But surely we have you to protect us,” she said. “I am not afraid.”

“You are very trusting,” Lorik said. “The problem isn’t our ability to fight. It’s the fact that there are so many of you to protect. If we come under attack, I’m not sure how things will turn out.”

“Do you think there will be another attack?”

“We fought a large group of the creatures not far from here two days ago,” Lorik explained. “There’s no reason to believe more couldn’t find us. If they do, my men will fight and you must keep these people together. If they scatter, we can’t protect them.”

“When did our world come crumbling down, Lorik?” Issalyn said. “Things weren’t good before, but we didn’t battle nightmares come to life.”

“I don’t know,” Lorik said. “Things always change; all we can do is change with them.”

“I don’t like these changes.”

“You miss your castle?”

“I miss everything and nothing,” Issalyn said.

“I would not pretend to understand a queen’s life.”

“I was queen,” Issalyn said. “I had everything, except what I truly wanted. Did you know my husband?”

“No,” Lorik said. “I was just a simple man. I hauled freight out of the Marshlands.”

“You were a teamster?”

“Yes, like my father and his father. It was a good life, but not the one I was destined for.”

“What do you mean?”

“I spent years doing the things I knew, the things that were familiar and easy. I thought that was all there was to life. But then things changed, and I realized I wasn’t happy just doing what my father had done. I needed more, even though I didn’t know what it was I needed.”

“And what did you need?” Issalyn asked stepping closer to Lorik and putting her hand on his massive arm.

“Purpose,” he said.

“What purpose? What is it that you found that makes you so sure of yourself?”

“I have a deep need to protect the people I care about,” Lorik said. “My journey had taught me that I’ll never be happy sitting back and letting people suffer, even if I have all the best things in life.”

“So, you are a protector. I admire that. My husband should have been the protector of our people, but he was only interested in pleasing himself.”

“I would not judge,” Lorik said.

“But I can judge. I was his wife. I knew him as well as any woman, and better than most men. He was a pig. He was selfish and unfaithful. He provided for me only because he felt that it added to his prestige.”

“I’ve known women who would gladly trade you places any day,” Lorik said. “At least he didn’t beat you.”

“There are other kinds of abuse,” Issalyn said.

“True enough, and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, it is over now. Everything we have known is over.”

“You are still queen,” Lorik said.

“You and I both know that my crown,” she brushed the golden band with its many jewels, “is only temporary. I am queen because there is no king, but when that changes, I shall be swept aside.”

“Perhaps, but I doubt it,” Lorik said with confidence. “Our people need you now more than ever.”

“They need a protector,” she said.

“They also need someone to give them hope and lead them into a safe future.”

“And you think I can do that?” she asked.

“Yes,” Lorik said. “I do. I think, even if you desire a different life, that for now you should be the rallying point for our people.”

“Vera tells me that you are a king,” Issalyn said. “She says that the forest elves in the Wilderlands made you their king.”

“No,” Lorik said. “They have given me the privilege of being their representative to our people. But I am not a king.”

“She said you climbed the King Tree and that the elves consider you the king of Ortis.”

“I think that is more about what Vera thinks should be than what actually is.”

“You carry legendary swords,” Issalyn said, moving to stand in front of Lorik. She put one hand on his shoulder. “You have a home in the Wilderlands with forest elves. You have a desire to protect the people of Ortis. I say that makes a very good candidate to be king.”

“I have no noble heritage. Someone else surely has more claim to the throne than I do.”

“No,” Issalyn said. “Everyone with a claim to the throne went south with Oveer. None have returned and if what your wizard friend said is true, none will. So that leaves you.”

“First we must ensure that we have a kingdom, then we can worry about who should rule. In the meantime, you should get some rest.”

“You don’t like having me here with you?”

“I do like it,” Lorik said honestly.

He felt his face blush with Queen Issalyn standing so close to him. He was glad it was dark so she couldn’t see it.

“Do I make you nervous?” she asked.

“Yes, my lady.”

“Why? Am I not just a woman?”

“No,” Lorik said more firmly than he meant to. “I mean, you are the Queen of Ortis. I am a simple man. I’m afraid I might offend you.”

“You have come to my rescue,” she said softly. “You will not offend me, Lorik. How would you treat me if I weren’t the queen?”

“I would—”

He was cut off in mid-sentence by the sound of shouting.

“What is it?” Issalyn asked.

“Shush!” he said, listening.

There was shouting and cries of terror, but also the distant sound of humming wings.

“It’s the monsters,” Lorik said. “Go, my lady. Return to your people.”

“I feel safer with you,” she said.

“I must go and face this threat.”

“Don’t leave me,” she said, suddenly throwing her arms around him.

Lorik wasn’t sure what to do. He liked Issalyn; she was beautiful and alluring, but he couldn’t do what he needed to do with her clinging to him like a frightened child.

“Lorik!” came a shout from the camp.

“Come on,” Lorik said, pulling Issalyn by the arm.

He had to force himself not to think of the fact that he was dragging the Queen of Ortis behind him as he ran. He needed to get to the source of the commotion and if Issalyn wouldn’t leave him, he would have to take her with him.