The Three Charms

by Brian Spielbauer

  Skyler reminded them, more than once, that without Kylee they would all be marching toward the waiting army right now. That thought bought Kylee enough time to lead them to their destination.

  The journey would take at least a day. They hoped to travel as long as possible, even into Herrog’s mountain stronghold, undiscovered.

  Kylee continued to ride the back of Cergon who led the entourage. “We are putting a lot of faith in you, young troll,” Cergon sneered, as Kylee once again lost the trail. Centaurs rarely allowed others to ride them, thinking it lowered them in class.

  Kylee fought hard to stay on the centaur, wishing he had both arms. “I hope this pays off. In truth, I am not even sure I remember how to get there!” Kylee was very blunt and little too eager to let his thoughts be known.

  Cergon’s little faith he stored in Kylee dissipated, again.

  The dwarf boys rode on ponies provided by Arlow. Skyler rode just behind Cergon. “Fear not! Kylee is modest but I know will not let us down! I have faith in him!” Skyler knew Kylee would come through, even if the troll wasn’t sure himself. It would help, however, if Kylee stopped second guessing himself before the others.

  Cergon, ever the pessimist, saved his small reserve of optimism for later use. He, according to Kylee’s direction, led them through the valley passes. No one was supposed to travel the seldom watched trails. Still, he chose to hug the sides of the valley whenever possible, skirting under the cover of the trees. Toward evening, they reached a steep rocky path that led up the mountain. It was a thin trail, one they would need to traverse one at a time. To Skyler, the path looked all too familiar. He wished Ambrosia was with him but knew better than to challenge Tegan on those orders.

  “I don’t like this. It will be too easy for an attack,” Bryon warned.

  “Kylee, is there another way?” Cergon asked, impressed they even found a path. He chalked up the success as pure luck, still fully doubting the troll and his worth.

  “Not that I know of. This is the only way I ever went in but of course that was only one time.” Skyler hit his palm to his forehead in disbelief. He looked to Taylor, “Just once could he say something that would give the leaders more reason to believe him and not less?” Taylor shook his head in embarrassment for his friend.

  “Then this is the path,” Cergon stated, as any other option of attack long passed. He hardened his resolve as everyone prepared for the treacherous climb.

  “Be careful of your footing. The path winds back and forth up the mountain. Should you fall, you will take many with you.” Kylee gave his last warning and held on tight to Cergon as he led the company up the long rocky path as their eyes adjusted to the oncoming darkness.

  They traveled ever up, and soon there was little light with only the partial moon showing. They feared risking even the smallest of torches so as not to give away their arrival. Centaurs had unusually good eyesight, as did horses. Only due to that advantage were they able to climb the mountain in the dark of night.

  There would be no stopping for rest or drink, as in complete silence they climbed deep into the night. All trusted the surefooted hooves of the centaurs and horses to deliver them to the top. Every slipped stone that rolled down the hill brought them to stop, where they expected the enemy to find their position. After waiting many nervous moments, they would start again, only stopping at the next loosened stone. On and on they climbed, ever up, in this stop and go fashion.

  Kylee noticed a light above them and leaned forward to Cergon, whispering, “We need to stop. They have guards posted at the entrance that is just above us.” Cergon stopped and looked up where Kylee was indicating. There was a glow far ahead, fires of guards.

  They halted at a bend in the trail, which allowed for Bryon, Cergon, Skyler and Kylee to discuss a plan. In a hushed voice Cergon stated, “We can’t just ride up there, it is too dark to do so. Plus, we would be shot long before we reached them.”

  “What if my men and I went?” Bryon whispered. “We could sneak pretty close on foot.”

  Cergon considered it, “You don’t know what you are going to encounter there. We will only get one try at this.”

  “I have an idea,” Skyler interrupted. He quickly explained it to the others, so quietly even Kylee couldn’t hear it.

  “I don’t like it,” Cergon stated as he leaned away, concerned the young dwarves weren’t ready for such a fight. He had yet to see them in action.

  “They can do it, I have witnessed their skill. The sun will be coming up soon and we won’t be able to hide anymore after that. We are running out of time and must be through the opening and into the forest on the other side by dawn,” Bryon argued.

  Cergon reluctantly allowed it but brought up his best archers in case of the worst. Skyler informed his friends of what would take place.

  “I am going to do what?” Kylee protested in a far too loud of a voice, but the time for debate had passed.

  The three trolls who were guarding the entrance stood in the cold wind, as they had many nights. The fires of their torches barely staying lit due to the stiff breeze. “I keeps hearin’ rocks fall. Sumtin is down der!” The largest one said, trying to peer over the side in the dark.

  “It’s da wind ya ‘diot!” the one in charge snorted, with a punch to the trolls back that almost sent him rolling down the mountain. “We’z been watchin’ dis ‘trance for cycles, ain’t nuttin even knowed were it was!”

  A little one-armed troll standing before them caught them off guard, appearing as if from thin air.

  “Where’d ya come fromt?” the one in charge demanded, walking hard to Kylee. He pulled his sword, ready to run the impaired runt through just to relieve its pain.

  “From da path, ya ‘diot!” Kylee mouthed back, trying to sound like the guard trolls.

  “What’re ya doin’ ‘ere?” the larger one asked, “and just ‘ooo do ya think you’z callin’ a ‘diot?”

  “Y’all stupid? I got da prizners wit’ me, ya helpin’ me or ernt ya?” Kylee snapped as he spit on their feet.

  “Well den ya ‘lil crapper, bringz ‘em up!” the one in charge ordered, not wanting to be one-upped by the little troll.

  Kylee went back down into the dark and grabbed the end of a rope. He then pulled the small dwarves into the light. It appeared their hands were tied together.

  The large one grabbed Skyler and started lifting him up.

  “Now watch’er doin’?” Kylee snapped, grabbing the troll’s massive arm. The troll turned, snarling at Kylee, who wasn’t having it.

  “Ya thinks I only brought deez ‘ere littleuns? Ur men’s needs help wit the larger ones! Come on now!” Kylee ordered them but they wouldn’t budge as he tried to lead them down to the path to their death. Kylee became worried, unsure what the plan would be if this failed.

  The one in charge quickly snatched the other two, “Get yer ars down der and help ‘em! Wee’z gonna get a good prize for dis!”

  The other two angrily hobbled down the path, grumbling with every step into the dark. After clearing the glow of the fire, Kylee ducked as an arrow and sword plucked into each of the trolls. At the same time, Skyler and his friends dropped the rope that looped around their wrists and took ahold of the troll that remained at the top. The surprised troll tried to make a fight but the dwarves were far too quick. The dwarves quickly took care of all three, sending their lifeless bodies over the edge. The sound of their carcasses bouncing off the rocks, several times each.

  “What now?” Cergon asked Kylee. He was both surprised and impressed they had made it this far.

  “We go through this passage. I would expect a similar group on the other side and then we will be in!” Kylee was quite proud of himself to this point, and a bit surprised.

  “March!” Cergon commanded as he set Kylee on his back. The men left their horses behind as they entered the narrow tunnel, which was wide enough for four men abreast. The tunnel was soon full of the clip clop of centaur hooves and marching boots that loudl
y echoed throughout the cave.

  “I think we are done sneaking,” Cergon announced, drawing his sword. He quickened his pace to give their foe less time to mobilize.

  The others followed his lead as he sped up, racing to the other entrance. As expected, an angry host of trolls rushed to meet them as they sought the source of the commotion coming at them. They were not ready for the flood of centaur and men that met them.

  Cergon led the centaurs and Bryon’s men to their first battle, a closed in fight with trolls. Torches lined the tunnel, with glints of light dancing off the many blades of both sides of the battle. The trolls were game and the battle fierce.

  The clang of swords and screams from the soldiers of both sides echoed off the stone walls. Cergon quickly became concerned they were alerting the warriors on the inside of their attack but could do nothing about it. He ordered his men forward into the swarming trolls, pushing hard to force them back and out of the tunnel.

  The lead troll turned and ordered, “You’z two, go fer ‘elp! Reach da tower, sent all’z day got!” The two darted through the opening and disappeared down the trail, hurling themselves toward the lookout tower between the fortress and high pass. They would alert the massive force inside of the assault occurring in the mountain above.

  “They can’t deliver that message!” Bryon screamed, trying to get through the throng of trolls. The enemy was not yielding fast enough. Skyler grabbed Taylor, “We need to catch them!” The two stuck to the wall, fighting only as needed to slip past the battle quickly. After crawling the last bit to clear the trolls toward the back of the battle, they left the fight behind as they sprinted to catch up to the escaping trolls.

  With the cavern left behind, they jumped swiftly onto a well-trodden path into the woods. They ran hard to catch the trolls, who they could hear busting through the branches that strayed into the darkened path.

  Ahead they could see a well-lit watch tower, “Hurry Taylor, they can’t reach that tower!” Skyler yelped.

  They rounded a corner of the path, and just ahead of them, they could barely make out the silhouettes of the escaping trolls. Skyler and Taylor each stopped to notch an arrow. They aimed fast and let loose their darts, which sliced silently through the crisp air. Each aim was true as arrows stuck the trolls, landing hard in the back of their thick necks. The shots prevented the trolls from screaming for help as they each began to fall, reaching to their throats for relief they could not find. Despite the pain, they still staggered ever closer toward the tower, waving their arms to try to draw the attention of the guards. Their voices were mere wisps getting lost in the light breeze, but the light of the new day would allow the dying trolls to alert the tower the present danger.

  Skyler and Taylor quickly pounced on the maimed trolls, their blades sinking effectively into their victim’s hearts. Thunder dropped from the high places of the world, signaling the ominous coming of the rueful day as the two dwarf’s drug the bodies of the trolls into the woods.

  They dropped the trolls into a deep ravine. The enemy would not be able find them until it was too late. Skyler went back to the path and quietly watched the tower for a moment from the trees. There was no alert. The sun was starting to rise, so they took care to stay out of sight as they headed back to the tunnel.

  After covering some ground and leaving sight of the tower, they returned to the open path and hustled back to the entrance. They entered to see the centaurs and men had taken care of the trolls, the first leg of their attack was a success. The men mounted their horses again and the tunnel was full of warriors ready to ride forth. They covered a major obstacle, and it was time to move forward with their plan.

  “Did you catch them?” Cergon asked as he placed his blade back in his scabbard.

  “Yes, just in time. There is a watch tower below us but they did not reach it,” Skyler answered, jabbing Taylor proudly with his forearm.

  “Kylee, what is the lay of the land below us?” Cergon asked the troll.

  “The tower is several hundred paces past this entrance and I would guess the castle to be at least twice that far again,” Kylee answered, trying to remember.

  “I don’t think we can mess with that tower, it would be hard for us to take it without letting everyone know we are here,” Bryon thought. “Is there a way to get past it other than the path?”

  “There is a ravine, it runs along the path and seemed to go pretty far,” Taylor said with Skyler agreeing.

  “We need to get past the tower and stay hidden until Sandor and Coral attack,” Cergon asserted. The company descended the mountain pass quietly and disappeared into the woods. Skyler and Taylor made sure to hide their tracks. Then they slipped into the trees and ran to catch up with the others.

  They quickly found the ravine and the group was able to travel past the outpost unnoticed, their hooves muffled by the mud-covered bottom. Toward the end of the ravine, the walls on both sides fell low and the ravine opened into a rocky glade covered with conifer trees. The company of over one thousand soldiers spread throughout the forest, waiting for the signal from Cergon to start their attack. The wall of the fortress rose off in the distance, when needed they would be able to arrive in just a few moments. They were nervous for what was in store but anxious to begin the battle. As the sun rose in the sky to the west, they knew they had achieved their mission by arriving in time. They hoped for the same success for Sandor and Coral and awaited their signal to begin their attack.

  Δ

  Sandor led the squadron of gargoyles and harpies along the coast. At first, they flew to the northwest, but as they reached the corner of the island, they turned to the northeast. They soared just above the frozen ice, flying low and hard through the night. Much to his surprise, the wind seemed to shift, coming from the southwest. For once, they caught a break. Even the smallest helped raise their hope.

  All were pleased when they finally left the desolate coast, banking right and flying over a frozen river. The trees on both sides stood as silent watchmen, blocking the wind for the hurried flyers and hiding their approach. Their furious flight was merely flashing shadows on the icy path below as they zoomed over the frozen river.

  Sandor led them straight toward the jagged rock walls, which quickly approached. More than a few of the fearless flyers grew nervous as they rushed toward the base of the mountain, concerned whether they would be able to pull up in time. At the last moment Sandor cut sharply up, soaring straight toward the evening sky as they climbed ever higher toward the highest peaks of the mountain. The stars were stingy with their light, allowing only a pale gloom to show their way as the squadron hugged the face of the mountain.

  The flyers needed all their strength and determination for the grueling climb, the oxygen thinning the higher they went. The wind again punished them, threatening to pummel them across the razor-sharp rocks of the cliff. Due to the freezing temperatures and exhaustion, the flyers struggled as they finally approached the snow-covered tops

  Several of the harpies fought hard, but difficult breathing and the building ice on their wings took its toll. Their wings slowed and soon several began to drop from the air. Their dainty feathered wings could not carry the added weight of the ice. The wings of the gargoyles were unaffected, as their wings were not feathers but a thin sheet of skin that held no condensing water.

  “Help them!” Sandor charged his men, knowing he needed the harpies to win the day. The gargoyles dove to save the harpies before they fell out of reach. His men were strong, but even they had to fight hard to lift the added weight of the harpies in the frigid temperatures. The group’s determination to leave no one behind won the moment. In the end, the gargoyles saved the struggling harpies and all survived to reach the peak. They could not afford to lose anyone, especially before they even encountered the enemy.

  Through their tremendous effort, the squadron of just under five hundred warriors covered the dark and pointy peaks, and eagerly started their descent down the other side. Unbeknownst to th
em, their travels were not unmarked despite the blanket of darkness that covered the sky.

  Three male drakes, flying dragons born of the same vile mother, monitored them since they turned to cover the forest below. Herrog enslaved them long ago. He ordered them tortured and bent to his evil ways. The brothers guarded the lonely mountain peaks for their master, patiently waiting for his evil call. They sat quietly on their nests of stone. They silently watched the squadron of would be assassins pass as they sat like statues. Were it not for the slightly cracked slits of their eyelids, they would have been mistaken for just another pile of stones that made up the highlands.

  The drake’s sole duty was to monitor movements for many leagues in all direction. The drakes were Herrog’s secret weapon for the battle to come, which he kept hidden in the mountain tops to protect him from the most unlikely of attacks. There they safely hid, waiting for his beckon when they would fall upon the unsuspecting enemy to decimate the army of the dwarves.

  Seeing the attack forming before them, the leader called the others in a creaky squawk the gargoyles and harpies mistook for the whistling wind. The three sluggishly rose from their rocky nests, slowly stretching their long dormant muscles, warming them for action. Silently, several moon cycles of snow slid from their sleek but incredibly muscular bodies. Flying was their trade and only the swiftest could avoid their wicked assault when an attack commenced.

  The dragons made quick note of the numbers of gargoyles and harpies, as well as their patterns of flight. It took only the slightest of looks between the three veteran scavenger beasts to coordinate their attack, having trained countless times over their hundreds of years, honing their skills with every murderous attack and the inevitable victory feast that followed.

  One by one, they stood tall, stretching their massive wings. Then, effortlessly, they fell into the abyss of darkness. Their wings immediately filled with the blustery breeze and they soundlessly glided on the wind toward their ignorant prey. Thus was their preferred tactic of launching an attack, which allowed them to fall upon their pitiable foe in complete surprise. The ploy was merciless and as of yet, undefeated.