The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (35 page)

"Sire, we are ready."

"I am ready," said James, huskily.

"We shall ride directly into the maw of the Menaloch. I shall lead the attack."

"Begging your pardon, King Hal," said Kerreth. "The Talos Company will ride on either side of you. Together, we shall drive into the heart of the Turucks."

Hal bowed. "I am honored once again, Kerreth Veralier. We shall draw swords together and Tag Makk shall know fear."

The company mounted and found their places. They rode the forest road for two miles and then the road opened onto open fields. From their vantage, Hal and Kerreth noted the positions of the Turuck forces. Kerreth pulled the Talos Company tighter around Hal and himself. Jed Turlane and Charles Oswald commanded the remainder of Hal's company. They called out their commands and the soldiers responded.

Jed leads them through the fighting, forcing Turucks out of their path. The Blueswords formed a tight grouping around the Kaliga and its bearers. The banners of Tag Makk could be seen well behind the Turuck lines. Jed shouted commands and the Blueswords doubled their speed and the Turucks would part as the sea before the bow of a ship.

The Talos Company slammed into the enemy lines, driving inward, swords flashing. Elberra Turan opened her blue wings wide and appeared to the Turucks as a demon summoned by sorcery. She shrieked with glee, twisted her spear into the Turuck soldiers. Shadow Runners appeared to the west and the Talos Company veered to meet them. The moon was high and the Talos Company sang for blood.

Per Tagjet hurried forward with the Kaliga. He saw Tag Makk and headed directly there. Sena and James followed close behind him. A Shadow Runner bulled into James, knocking him to the ground. James regained his feet in time to block the Shadow Runner's blade from impaling him. Then another Shadow Runner joined the fight and James is pressed to defend himself. Finally, he found firm footing to support him and his sword increased its speed, forcing the Shadow Runners back.

Sena looks for a weapon to help James and notices Per has continued toward Tag Makk. She gives chase.

The protective spell of Blackthorne's begins to unravel, as the Kaliga gets closer to the Menaloch. The bone piercing vibrations work through the spell and Per Tagjet's forearm begins to throb. The rush of voices starts again like a cold wet slap on the forehead. Per stumbles and puts down a hand to stop him from falling. The Kaliga drops from his hands and he can breathe again. For moment he has forgotten the Kaliga. He breathes deeply to regain his strength. The press of Turucks moves forward and he draws his sword. He has no chance to recover the Kaliga. The rush of Turucks is too great; too many swords trying for his blood. The flow of fighting sweeps him away.

The Kaliga lies in the dirt where Per Tagjet dropped it. It's gem pulses with power. Lan Tagjet looks for his daughter but cannot see her and James is fighting for his life. He has no choice; he reaches down for the accursed spear. Images slam into his brain and he feels the warmth begin to seep out of his body. Focus, he tells himself. Find the Menaloch. The spear resists him with the weight of many men. He staggers forward and feels strong hands grip his shoulder.

"I am here," said Onyax Lor. "I will guide you to the evil creature."

Lan Tagjet leans on Onyax Lor. In his hand in the Kaliga, the protective spell of Blackthorne burned away by the proximity of the Menaloch; Lan Tagjet can feel the spear pulse in his grasp.

"There is Tag Makk," said Onyax Lor. "Fifty paces behind him is the gold casket. There is but one guard. Our chance is nigh. Come, Lan, it is time."

"My strength ebbs, I fear I won't make it."

"Lean on me, old friend. We shall do this together. I have my wards ready to protect you. Let us do what we can."

The two Nunari moved into the sea of swords skirting the main conflicts. Lan Tagjet's eyes fixed upon the gold casket. He moves forward oblivious to all else. His steps become labored and slow. Sena and Jed Turlane hurry in their wake with swords ready.

"Father!" shouts Sena. "It is my task." Jed Turlane holds her back.

"Too late now," gasps Jed Turlane. "I feel the Menaloch's anger." The air crackles with power and Jed feels the heat on his face like the midsummer sun.

Sounds hammer into his head, but Lan Tagjet pushes on. Sweat runs down his face and voices, shrill and mournful, pound behind his eyes. He is mere steps away from the Menaloch and raises the Kaliga. It is surprisingly light after all the struggle to bring it here. A brilliant flash of light burns his flesh. He stumbles, dropping the Kaliga. Again, a wave of energy burns through him and he slumps to the ground. The waves come three more times and the stench of the burning hits the bystanders.

"Father!" screams Sena, but Jed Turlane holds her back. "I was to wield it! Father!"

"No! You can do nothing for him now. Wait, for the Menaloch to pull back its power. Wait for it to rest."

"Father, I just found you again," Sena said hoarsely. "Is my life always to be thus?"

Onyax Lor tried to shield Lan from the Menaloch's power, but his efforts are puny compared to the power he faces. The strain wastes Onyax Lor and he realizes his death is near. He gives one last effort to shield Lan Tagjet but he is hit by the same energy waves. Onyax Lor's thoughts drift back to the northern grotto covered with mists and his spirit is welcomed by Gerta Fine.

Blackthorne senses Onyax Lor's plight, but he is too far away. He tries to touch Onyax Lor's life force and encircled it with his own strength. He cannot find it; Onyax Lor fulfilled his mother's prophecy. Blackthorne fights his way toward the Kaliga but the power of the Kaliga itself pushes him away. Blackthorne tumbles in the dirt and stares in the direction of the Kaliga, his eyes wide.

"Navir!" cried Blackthorne. "What have you unleashed on us?"

James felt the power emanating from Tag Makk. The Menaloch empowered Tag Makk and James knew he would not survive this match if Sena does not destroy the Menaloch. Lan Tagjet already failed. James thought of Sena and steeled himself. He would give everything to this battle. He raised his sword and approached the giant Turuck. A Turuck soldier intercepted him but James dispatched him without hesitation. Two Shadow Runners ran at him. He parried the first blow, killed with his own blow, and blocked the sword of the other Shadow Runner. James feinted low then swung his sword up and through, decapitating the Shadow Runner. Tag Makk waited.

"The great Prince James. I welcome you to the field of glory. Your prowess is heralded and I have witnessed your skill."

"It is time to fight Tag Makk. Will the Menaloch protect you fully?"

"I have not been tested enough to know. Will you test me?" Tag Makk grinned and hefted his hammer.

"I will, and I will bleed you."

"Then try, Prince James. Try."

James came forward striking quickly; Tag Makk nearly moved too slow and stumbled back from the blows.

"Ha! Good start, Prince James."

Tag Makk blocked the next blow and pushed James backward. Tag Makk swung his hammer, denting James' shield. The Prince struck at the Turuck's feet then pulled his sword upward drawing blood.

"First blood to you, Prince James. But that is all."

Tag Makk rushed forward flailing his hammer and James leapt aside, slicing the ribs of Tag Makk. The Turuck howled with rage and increased his speed. James was driven backward relentlessly until he stumbled, nearly losing his balance. He kept moving and the war hammer grazed his shoulder but the force of it knocked his shield from his hand.

Before Tag Makk brought his hammer up again, James had sliced his bicep. Tag Makk nearly dropped the hammer but found the strength to regain control of it. A faint glow illuminated Tag Makk's skin. James attacked again and wounded Tag Makk severely. Or he would have if the Menaloch hadn't entered the fight. Tag Makk felt the power of the Menaloch surge through him and he attacked fiercely. The power of his blows sends James backward. Tag Makk struck the back of James' shoulder sending him spinning to the earth. James tried to regain his feet and ducked the next blow, but he was too slow. The war hammer glanced off the back of his head and James dropped senseless to the ground. Tag Makk raised his hammer for the killing blow but felt a surge of power from the Menaloch. He turned and saw the Kaliga approaching the Menaloch.

"NO!" He began to move toward Sena and the Kaliga. James thrust his sword through Tag Makk's stomach from the back. "Ahhh!" cried Tag Makk seeing James' blade grow from his body. He stumbled and swung his hammer backward knocking James to the ground again. Tag Makk looked down at the blade sticking out of his body in disbelief. However, the power of the Menaloch still coursed through him.

He felt behind him for the handle of the sword and pulled it out in one swift motion.

"ARRGGGGH!" He raged at the sky.

James was crawling away when Tag Makk caught him in the ribcage with his hammer. James rolled over several times, coughing up blood. He lay still looking up at Tag Makk.

The tip of the Kaliga burned brilliant and the white light seared Sena's eyes. Everywhere she looked spots danced in her sight, but the Kaliga knew where it needed to be. It pulled her along to the glided casket. Sena felt the heat from the Menaloch burning her skin. Her lips cracked and bled. She grasped the Kaliga with both hands, raising it above her head. Suddenly, it was very light. Without another thought she brought it down with all her strength and drove the spear tip clean through the box and the black idol within it. The idol cracked and Sena heard a wail of pain and bewilderment as the Kaliga consumed the Menaloch's spirit. She heard Tag Makk cry out and turned toward him, her own strength ebbing quickly. She staggered to when the Turuck warlord leaned upon his hammer. She made out a form on the ground and stumbled to it, falling upon it. It was James.

"James," Sena whispered hoarsely. He opened his bloodied eyes and smiled, blood seeping from his mouth.

"I am dying. Farewell, my love."

"Wait for me," said Sena. "I no longer can breathe the air; the Kaliga has taken my very soul." With her last breath, she slumped against him. James leaned forward, coughs racking his body, kissed her hair and died.

The death cry of the Menaloch knocked soldiers off their feet and killed small birds nearby. The Shadow Runners froze in their movement and slowly their bodies crack and fell to pieces like rotted logs. The Eslendians drove their swords into the Shadow Runners, breaking them apart with glee.

Blackthorne lighted the sky with fireballs dismaying the Turucks with the bright light. The Turucks are confused, momentarily unsure of their tasks without the guidance of Tag Makk and the Menaloch's power.

The thunder of hooves fills the valley as The Talos Company rides down all Turucks in their path. Kerreth's double swords cleave head and armor on each pass. Tag Makk's generals try to rally their troops, but General Salie is not there and the soldiers panic. Machel is seen riding south on a horse. Tireless are the swords of the Talos Company and the shrieking of Elberra Turan, the Anethean, fills the Turucks with fear.

The Talos Company drives the Turucks toward the east where Jed Turlane and Charles Oswald wait with soldiers to greet them. The Eslendians shout as they engage the Turucks.

Gorm Talos approaches Tag Makk, swatting aside Turucks without effort.

"What do you want, old one?" said Tag Makk. "There are no Turucks as old as you. I have never seen gray hair on a Turuck. You are a Daerlan."

"You do not know me, Tag Makk?" asked Gorm Talos.

"There is something in the back of my mind, but I cannot recall it. Leave the field or I shall kill you."

"I am Gorm Talos."

"Ha, ha. Gorm Talos. Truly? The years have not been kind to you. I remember a dark haired giant of a Daerlan but now you are diminished. You have come to kill your nephew? Did you never forgive your sister for choosing to leave Liannest? She made the correct choice. Look at you, Gorm Talos. Old and disrespected, carrying a sword like a common soldier. You should be honored among the Daerlan, but of course you are not."

"Time for talk has passed Tag Makk. You disgraced our family long ago and now at last you must make amends. The Menaloch no longer protects you. I will kill you."

Gorm Talos darted forward and struck at the leg of Tag Makk. The war hammer struck the ground where Gorm Talos had been.

"Missed!" cried Gorm.

Despite his age, Gorm Talos was fast and his sword drew more blood from the wounds James gave Tag Makk. Still, as fast as Gorm was, Tag Makk moved faster and Gorm never landed a solid blow. Gorm dove in and out, leaping and slashing. The war hammer blocked many blows. Gorm darted and sliced off Tag Makk's left ear. The Turuck screamed in anger and pain. Gorm kept moving, just out of reach of Tag Makk.

But the speed of Tag Makk became a blur as he dug deep for the will to fight. The war hammer struck Gorm Talos on the shoulder, breaking bone and sending the old Daerlan to the ground. He rolled away from the next blow but before he regained his feet, Tag Makk swung again and crushed his hip. Gorm collapsed in pain. Tag Makk did not hesitate and brought his hammer down, killing Gorm Talos.

"Good bye Uncle. Your death was as common as your life." Tag Makk shook his hammer at the Eslendians.

"I am still strong enough to kill you all!"

Tag Makk prowled his space of turf like a wounded lion, waiting for his enemies to approach. He did not advance and growled at anyone that approached. His soldiers fled from him. The blood flowing from his wounds became darker.

The shape of Kerreth Veralier stepped from the battle chaos to face Tag Makk. Kerreth stood silent, his swords at the ready. Tag Makk hesitates, and turns back to look at the creature before him.

"Tag Makk, I am Kerreth Veralier and you have killed my friend. Your life will end this day."

"May I interrupt?" asks Sir Norman Oswald. Kerreth bowed his head to Sir Norman.

"I claim the right of combat," called out Sir Norman. "Without the Menaloch this gentleman will carve you with either of his swords. That would not be fair even for all you have done. Against me, the odds will be closer, although the outcome is fixed. Your death is here, Tag Makk."