The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (32 page)

"Go, head northeast, and look for Norman Oswald."

"What, I don't understand. Oswald is alive?"

"Go quickly while you can. I am freeing you, not Tag Makk. Your freedom may be brief if he finds you gone. Ask no questions, go!"

Plucker saluted the Turuck General and hurried down the hill to the trees. He was unarmed and wounded but fueled by anger at Cane. Eslenda had crashed down upon their heads and now what is to be done? The Turuck general said to look for Norman Oswald. When did he show up and where had he been for the last 20 years?

He tried to run but his wounds opened and he limped into the trees. He did not look back at Salie although his ears were alert for footfalls behind him. The trees smelled wonderful and the silence of the forest enveloped him. His knee throbbed so badly his jaw hurt from clenching. Thirty yards into the trees he found two young soldiers, scouts from Charles Oswald. They rose out of the underbrush with bows in hand, but they grinned at Plucker.

"Sir Plucker, we recognize you. It is Charles Oswald's command that whoever escapes the Turucks be brought to him. Can you ride behind me?"

Plucker exhaled loudly and laughed.

"Hard on the horse," grinned Plucker. "But I will chance it. Get me away from here as fast as you can."

Salie climbed the hill to Hal's tent. The other generals were carrying out Tag Makk's orders. Another victory for the Menaloch. Soon they would march to war against the Daerlan, once their own people. Salie shook his head, refraining from joining Tag Makk, standing far off but within earshot. A group of captured Eslendian soldiers were walking to the tent.

"Take King Hal's body and nail it to a tree near the road," commanded Tag Makk.

The soldiers trembled and one looked in the tent.

"That's not King Hal!"

"What do you mean?" asked Tag Makk, looming over the soldier who realized his error.

"Nothing, nothing. In the fire light he looked different."

Tag Makk grasped the soldier around the neck and lift him off his feet.

"IS THAT KING HAL?"

The soldier gurgled as his legs kicked. He went limp and Tag Makk dropped him. He glared at the next soldier.

"Well?"

"It's not King Hal."

"He's right," said another. "That's not Hal."

"ARRRGGGH!" Tag Makk's voice rose over the camp.

Salie, standing well off, was pleased with the moxey of the Eslendians. He couldn't remember Tag Makk's frustration so great. A true leader weathers the good and the bad. Tag Makk had never appreciated the personal growth offered by the bad. The short and easy way always for Tag Makk. The way of the Menaloch. Salie decided to leave Tag Makk to his discontent and chose his own direction. He nodded to Machel who watched him, and Salie walked away from the camp.

"I WILL STRIP THE FLESH OFF HOWARD CANE!!!!" roared the Warlord. He bellowed and stomped, swinging his hammer. Turucks and Eslendians ducked his rage and kept beyond his notice.

Tag Makk called a squad of Shadow Runners to him and set them in pursuit of Howard Cane. The night was black but not as black as Tag Makk's heart.

Salie tried to remember sunshine and blossoming flowers. It would be good to see them again. He once had a wife and they lived in a small cottage surrounded by a garden long years before the Turucks lived in the desert. He could still see her face, flushed by the heat of the sun as she worked in the rows of vegetables. How had his life come to this? He turned back to the east and followed the trail of Plucker, not sure where he wanted to go, but delighted he had decided to leave. Already the air smelled sweeter to him.

Norman Oswald stood on a bluff near Rockwood castle. The wind strong and cool as the evening approached. He kept himself out of view from the castle ramparts, close to a withered tree. He did not trust Howard Cane enough to approach Cane's castle alone and Charles set camp in a sheltered area near the bluff. They could see anyone approach them and they were high enough to see most of the valley leading to Far Greening. The tiny figures of the soldiers appeared as insects milling around a dropped melon. As the twilight expanded movement could be seen in the Turuck camps. The darkness made the numbers of the Turucks greater than they were, but the Eslendians did not have the strength to resist for long. The Turucks flowed over the land like the tide coming in and the Eslendians needed a miracle. Sir Norman mulled strategies over in his mind, some which might have bought them more time, some which might have discouraged even such a large force. However, he could not find a strategy for the Menaloch. The creature had powers too great for a mortal man to fight and Tag Makk would be invincible as long as the Menaloch was nearby. In addition, to touch the talisman would bring death or worse and Tag Makk brought it with him everywhere he went. There was no separating them.

Sir Norman was happy to be reunited with his son. Charles was a smart man if not overly brave, but he proved his leadership on this journey to the battlefield. His men could see Charles acted in earnest and dealt with them fairly and they respected him for that. Whether they could follow him to their deaths on the battlefield was unknown. They did not hesitate to follow Charles' lead in their guerrilla tactics. Perhaps Charles did have the qualities Norman thought lacking when they parted all those years ago. Perhaps he always had them and Norman could not see it then.

A scout rode to Charles and gave his report. Charles walked to Sir Norman. The tall man resembled his father more as he aged. He even moved with the grace of the sword master.

"Seems there is a rider or two heading to the castle. There is something tied to the back of a horse and a rider leading it. Eslendian soldier, most likely one of Cane's men. Should be able to intercept them within the hour. I sent five men to bring them here."

"Good. I think you're wise not to let anyone communicate with the castle. I do not trust Howard Cane. His mind weaves many webs and there is no telling how many plots he has afoot. He does not inspire trust."

Charles nodded. "There have been guards sighted on the parapets of Cane's castle but no one has tried to communicate with us. I told the men not to approach but to receive any contact that comes their way. So far they are waiting for us to hail them."

"Ignore them for now. Keep someone watching in case they release a sortie; otherwise keep our attention to the field. The Turuck army is large enough to send several squads in our direction. We cannot afford to ease our vigilance."

"Father, do you believe we can beat the Turucks? Their strength appears overwhelming."

Norman looked at his son for several moments. He decided the question had not been out of fear and Norman gritted his teeth as he answered.

"Charles, we shall not martyr ourselves in this battle. For if we do, and then Eslenda shall fall forever. If the battle goes ill we shall flee to fight another day. We will keep up a never-ending war against the Turucks. Hitting them, and then vanishing. Little by little we can chip away at them but until the Menaloch is destroyed our fight will be futile. Tag Makk is strong and fast; a difficult opponent for anyone, but with the Menaloch's power no one can defeat him. However, I do not intend to stop fighting."

"My thoughts exactly," said Charles with a grin. Norman patted his son on the shoulder and returned the smile.

They stood silent in thought until the riders returned with their two guests. Eslendian soldiers they appeared but the second man was not tied to his horse, he leaned over as if wounded. They dismounted and the hooded one slid to the ground.

"Forgive my companion," said the other. "He has a sickness from the battlefield."

"Cowardice?" asked Charles as he walked up to them.

"No. The Shadow Runners used black magic and he fell."

"You are Richard Cane," said Charles, his hand on his sword.

"You are correct. You are Sir Charles Oswald. Why are you on my father's land?" The young man tried to be stern, but he was tired and surrounded. He did not reach for his weapon. Charles smiled at him.

"We are watching the Turuck army and waiting for a chance to help King Hal. We are here because of the view. We have not approached your castle, nor threatened anyone. I would think the Cane pride might give way before the needs of Eslenda."

"You are correct, Sir Charles. I apologize for my gruffness. I have never experienced such overwhelming numbers in battle. No matter how stout we fought, another foe or two stood before us. It was amazing King Hal forced them back. That alone is worth a song."

Sir Norman handed Richard Cane a water skin.

"Where is your father now?" asked Sir Norman.

"Still on the battlefield. He is leading the Eslendian army."

"Where is Hal!?"

"Err, seems to have vanished. No one knows. My father sent me here to save my mother. He believes the Turucks will soon overrun the army and our castle. They have already taken Far Greening."

"Is there anything we can do for your companion?" asked Charles.

"Thank you, but I need to get him to safety."

"You are safe with us."

"I am not sure," said Richard Cane.

Horses approached from the south. Two scouts with a passenger riding behind one of the scouts. The passenger was a huge man and he slid roughly to the ground and limped to Charles.

"Charles, by God, this is fortunate. One of those Turuck generals misses the old days before the Menaloch and let me go. It was a great timing of conscience for me. The fighting has gone ill for us."

"Was the General Salie?" asked Sir Norman.

"I think that was his name," said Plucker, turning to the older man as he spoke. "Seemed like he was talking to himself mostly. Norman!" Plucker reached for his sword but Charles stepped between them. Norman's sword was out and ready. Plucker had forgotten the speed of the old man.

"That is past, John," said Charles. "We all are fighting for Eslenda. Personal intrigue is set aside."

"Easy for you to say, Charles. You don't have a permanent limp from your father's sword."

"It is long past, John," said Norman. "I apologize for the lingering effects of your wound, but not for the fight. My anger was toward Henry, not you. Unfortunately, Henry didn't fight his own fights."

"No, he had his vassals do it. Henry was Eslenda incarnate; there was no splitting the two."

Norman took a moment to stem his anger. "Henry's dead now and Hal is king. I have no quarrel with Hal."

"Well, that's good, but it doesn't make it easier to move as I get older. This leg stiffens something awful in cold weather. In fact, I need to put this leg up for a while." He noticed the young man standing nearby.

"Cane! I saw your father kill Hal! Deny it if you dare!" Again Plucker's sword waved in the air. He bull rushed young Cane as Cane's sick companion leapt to his feet and cut off Plucker's charge.

"Out of my way!" roared Plucker, pushing the man away. He moved forward and the hooded man tackled him. Plucker pushed him away and turned toward Richard Cane but was not quick enough. The hooded man jumped on Plucker's man, yelling in his ear.

"John! John! I am alive!"

Plucker swung back and forth trying to dislodge the man.

"John! I'm Hal! Hal!" Finally his words penetrated Plucker's thoughts.

"Hal!" shouted Plucker. He stopped and Hal slid off his back. Plucker's grin split his face as Hal pulled back his hood. They clasped arms.

"I thought you were dead."

"All a feint. Howard's idea."

Plucker turned to the Oswald's.

"Did you know about this?" Plucker said, pointing to Hal.

"No! Young Cane is as clever as his father," said Sir Norman.

"But I am not my father," said Richard. "He sent Hal away to try and succor Eslenda only after all his plots have failed. His patriotism comes late of last resort. It was bravely done, but much death may have been avoided had his thoughts been true. I am ashamed to call Howard Cane father."

"Don't be too hasty," said Charles. "Time may reveal truths that explain much."

"So you say. I will follow King Hal. I will fetch my mother and she will clear my position. Do I have permission?" He looked to Hal.

"Ask Sir Charles, he's in charge here."

"Cane, you may go," said Charles, "to fetch Princess Margaret. Bring no armed men back with you, save her personal guards."

Cane mounts his horse and rides toward the castle.

"Sire, I believe I need to tell you where my loyalty lies," said Sir Norman.

"The 'sire' told me all I need to know, Sir Norman."

"I hated your father after he took the crown from my brother. I did not see my brother's faults. He was not a good king. However, Henry took it by force and pushed the Oswald's aside like useless vassals. I believe I could have been a good king, but I never had the chance. And that chance would never come to my son because of Henry. It was difficult to swallow and I tried not to acknowledge his kingship. I tried to kill him once but Sir John Plucker got in my way. I crossed the sea and lived on Anavar drifting from place to place. I had the misfortune to be in Penarol when the Turucks attacked. When I returned to Eslenda with Tag Makk I had hopes the Turucks would leave after conquering Eslenda with me as king. I soon realized that Tag Makk would continue on to Liannest and the Daerlan. The Turucks would hold tight to Eslenda and the Menaloch's shadow would taint everything. Tag Makk allowed me to leave and I took the opportunity. I don't know why he let me go - perhaps he hopes my presence will add to the turmoil. I support you, King Hal, and will follow your lead."

"Thank you, Sir Norman. Your words are a gift to me as I never expected them."

"You are welcome, Sire. Now if I may suggest our next move, we head north to the Nunari border so we aren't pinned against the eastern mountains if the Turucks decide we are a nuisance after all."

Richard returned with Margaret. She dismounted and ran to Hal and embraced him. The resemblance is obvious from their coloring to the shape of their eyes, but Margaret's face is pale and lined. She hugs her brother fiercely.