“All must die in the end, the order matters little,” Herrog muttered to himself, almost amused by the unexpected event.
“I’m going for Milan!” Tegan yelled to Telon. Timo joined them, having just destroyed the watch tower and stopping hundreds of goblins from reaching the battle. Cergon carried him to Tegan and together the four rode hard for the bridge. Goblins still poured out the holes above, flooding the grounds as Tegan’s overwhelmed troops slowly began falling to the numberless foe. His focus was elsewhere, leaving Fiji and Dorir to lead the remaining battle on the field.
Herrog stood within the ramparts of his castle, rejoicing in the destruction surrounding him. As he imagined the battle unfolding in his mind and on que, he saw his foe coming for him. The moment that he waited for with relished anticipation arrived. The wizard confidently walked toward his oncoming enemy, raising his staff before him with both arms. The necklace, boastfully hanging from his neck with only one empty place yet to fill, glimmered brilliantly in the high sun.
“Your folly has come to completion, Lord Tegan, Son of Moro, from the house of Dwigor! Now is come the revealing!” With a burst of light and explosion, Herrog transformed before their eyes as Tegan and his men shuddered to a stop. Herrog grew three times his size, his frail legs stretched into massive hind trunks with trampling hooves. His torso evolved into the size of a giant, with tree size arms to match. His head expanded into that of a sinister demon, with jet-black hair and goatee, with two large stubby horns protruding from the top of his green, scaly, skin. His searing eyes scanned the field and settled on the foe. Even Erol, who was not there, would have seemed small to the demon that rose before them.
Tegan, Telon and Cergon cowered back in awe and fear as the demon towered over them, its menacing shadow lay upon them. It smiled as it looked down and then as if from a deep cave in the furnaces of the earth, a sinister and evil bellow of laughter boiled and bubbled out of it.
In a voice that filled the whole of the deathly cauldron that was the battle field, which seemed to come from every hole in the earth at once, the demon mocked the king of the dwarves, “You have been such a worthy foe. It will be sad when, in a few moments, I destroy you! Fear not for your friends that you have brought as a sacrifice to me, they will join you soon!”
Every part of Tegan trembled at what stood before him but his strength in his soul drew on Milan’s love and overcame the body that held not its conviction. Tegan dismounted, the sea of battle all around frozen still, waiting and watching. The dwarf king pulled his sword, defiantly standing before the demon. Tegan, Lord of Tunder Bin, stared the evil demon down as he boldly marched forward. Tegan anticipated his death was certain and near.
“Serpent of Herrog! Though you may kill me, I do not fear you!” Tegan exclaimed as he charged the impossibly large demon, stabbing it in the leg. The sword sank deep and grew so hot it burned his hand. As he fell back, the demon chuckled his evil laugh again. The sword melted into the demon and was gone. Then it bellowed across the land for all to hear, “I am no serpent of Herrog, I am Herrog! I am the Creator and will rule again!” As he leaned back, taking in a deep breath, from waist up the serpent oozed fire as it loaded a burst of flame.
Belgin could stand still no longer, as he was closest and the most able. He rushed to Tegan’s defense. At his movement the sea of battle erupted again, the waves of enemies bursting here and there, emboldened by the demon that ruled them. Belgin jumped over Tegan as Herrog lowered his head to see Belgin staring him in the eye, denying him his prey.
Belgin’s fist rushed toward Herrog’s demon face but a burst of fire met it mid-swing. Though no one ever heard it, Belgin unleashed an agonizing scream. The demon’s flame consumed him immediately. The molten blast incinerated his arm first and then torched his body, as his dead and burning carcass fell backward onto Tegan, crushing him instantly. The passing of Belgin was quick and a mighty loss to their hopes. Erol was too far away to help but began a mad dash toward his father. He hoped his eyes had deceived him and that it was some trick of magic that could be undone.
Elard also saw his master fall. The erupted in rage and ruthlessly attacked the trolls between him and Tegan. Swipe after swipe of the cat’s viscous claws took down his enemy as he raced toward Belgin’s burning corpse. At last, he lurched into the last of Herrog’s toadies denying him his target, rushing through the goblin as though he was not there. He reached the body covering his master and began pulling with all his strength. His legs violently scratched and clawed the ground, desperately trying to find Tegan. Despite his tremendous effort, he could not move the enormous ogre.
Telon stared in amazement at what unfolded before him. His brother was gone in an instant and in a fashion that he never expected. He desired greatly to rush to Tegan, at least retrieve his body and take back to Tunder Bin. Telon began to move toward Tegan, he had to be sure. Timo stopped him, using all his strength to hold Telon back. The dwarf wizard grabbed his staff and commanded his cousin, “You have to retreat! We will not win this day!”
Telon would not cease, “No, I can’t leave him!” He wanted to challenge the wizard Herrog, to take revenge and try to finish the mission for his brother.
“Your death will not aid him, you must go! Our day is another day, go back to Jedrek and prepare for the next fight!” Though he was sending Telon back, Timo would not go with him. Telon whistled and Bramble roared to Elard, who with tremendous reluctance heeded their call.
Timo, looked at Elard, Bramble and Cergon, “Go now, save as many as you can!” Cergon knew they needed to leave, or die where they stood. It was time to fight their way out, if possible.
Herrog aimed his next flame at Telon and Cergon but the centaur and the two cats scurried to the side, avoiding death. Telon had to act fast and though it pained him, he sounded the retreat. He took one last look to where, just moments before, Tegan stood with Belgin. Only the smoldering body of the giant ogre remained, with the demon Herrog gloating over the body.
Gile got between Erol and his charge, stopping the ogre short, compelling him to rethink his plan. Telon knew if he didn’t act fast, they would all fall one at a time to the demon Herrog.
He bolted toward Erol, quickly covering the open ground before him as his army retreated toward the small pass under the mountain, “They are both gone, we have others to think about!” Telon and Erol both had tears in their eyes and forced themselves to lead the retreat.
Left standing before Herrog was Timo, who stayed to distract the demon and allow his friends time to escape. Timo turned to see the next flame descending upon him, he quickly raised his hands and staff, the avalanche of fire tumbled down on him. All who stood to watch, including Coral, knew he could not survive what had taken out Belgin. She too turned to shield her eyes and painfully began to flee, not knowing how she could explain it to Angelica. She then turned back moments later to see the fire abate from Herrog. Too her utter surprise, Timo still stood defiantly before the demon, as if untouched by the fire, unhurt by the flame. Her hopes rose, but only for the moment.
“It appears you are not as mighty as you seem! Is that all you have, demon of the deep?” Timo chided the monster. Telon and Erol made for the tunnel with what was left of their army. They did not witness the brave Timo defying the ancient monster. A sea of goblins and Tolltier before them, along with both chimeras, blocking their exit.
Herrog grew tired of the small dwarf and brewed an especially devilish mixture that he once again spewed down on the little wizard. He quickly followed it up with a hard stomp of his massive hoof before the flame abated, on the exact spot where Timo stood. The hoof did not stop until it drove deep into the earth. He slowly raised it to see Timo was no longer there, smashed into nothingness.
The despicable demon Herrog, thoroughly satisfied, turned his attention to the route that continued between him and the tunnel leading under the mountain. Should any of his enemy endure to see the light on the other side, his surprise awaiting them would end all hope
they had of escape.
Chapter 30: Hope
Telon tried to focus his attention on saving his people, as well as those who pledged to aid them on this doomed mission. He cursed the loss of Tegan and his feeling that tried to drag him to give up, but his heart would not allow it. Telon’s pride in Tegan standing against the demon Herrog drove him forward. He would not forsake the memory of his lost brother, nor commit his friends to a similar fate. He had to save as many as possible. Telon knew he also needed to live to see his own son and wife. As Timo said, their day would come and he needed to be there to help his people.
“Charge to the tunnel, we need to fight our way out!” Telon ordered, his voice trembled by his endless sorrow. Coral and Sandor fought still with the Tolltier in the air, holding out as long as possible against the swarming enemy. Many of the gargoyles and harpies already passed in the battle.
Inevitably, it seemed, their numbers would fail to the vicious and unrelenting murder driven Tolltier. At every death, the Tolltier would stop to ravage on the corpse of their foe, further breaking the spirit of the gargoyles and harpies still alive who could do nothing to stop it. The harpies watched in horror as the Tolltier ripped their friends to shreds after their dead bodies hit the ground, mutilated by the Tolltier.
Erol and Gile were holding their own, with Gile breathing fire into the crowds of goblins and trolls who would not stop their attack. Telon rode to them, with the rider-less Bramble following him.
“We can’t just stand here and fight. We need a path to the tunnel!” Telon commanded to Erol and Gile. Erol held no hope for himself, ready to meet his father and mother in the afterlife. One look to Gile and they both charged toward the tunnel, holding no regard for their own safety. Joining them were Elard and Bramble, who were both bitter with revenge for Tegan’s loss.
So menacing was their look and anger, that the enemy, even the chimeras and their riders, gave way to their charging rage. Gile fried many a troll and the path behind them, with the several hundred centaurs, dwarves, men, harpies and gargoyles that remained filling the gap. They fought desperately for the exit but the evil that surrounded them made them pay for every step of advance. Elard’s vengeance led them to the opening, his claws and teeth clearing the way.
Herrog saw the escape and grew pleased, knowing hope was building in his foe. He would be present to see it completely extinguished.
Telon led the charge to escape behind the four angered warriors, cutting down the enemy as they stepped back into the path cleared by Erol, Gile and the two cats. His throng of warriors directly behind, he finally caught up to Erol, “Can you hold them as we go?” Telon saw the many wounds Erol bore from the battles of the day. He realized that if Erol accepted, there was a good chance the ogre would not live to see the light on the other side of the mountain. Erol understood too.
“Yes!” Erol stated without delay. Gile looked to Erol too, knowing there was no escape for him, the tunnel being slightly too small for his massive girth. Gile would not be able to make it back over the mountain, not with the enemy hot on his trail. The two stood boldly at the stream, setting a hard line behind what remained of the failed attempt to take the fortress. Side by side they stood, perhaps for the last time.
Telon climbed onto Bramble and together the two, with Elard at their side, launched themselves through the tunnel, with all that remained following them. Gile and Erol stood strong as a shield, taking many more wounds defending their friends escape, but they would not fail. Gile created a massive wall of fire and trounced many of the enemy. All the while, the mad Tolltier ripped and tore without abatement on his back. Erol picked up two logs and began swinging them wildly, knocking down many of the goblins and trolls who came within reach. Then he quickly ran to stomp his foe.
Telon, with Cergon and Bryon directly behind, emerged from the tunnel only to stop suddenly again. Even as their friends and comrades filed in around them, the remnants of Tegan’s army stopped cold at the sight that stole their exhausted breath.
Before them, arranged in the valley from one mountain to the next, stood the demon Herrog and yet another army. As Herrog planned, he squashed the hope each and every survivor had allowed to creep into their minds as they raced through and emerged from the tunnel under the mountain.
As the last bits of Tegan’s ragtag army came through the tunnel, Herrog again laughed tauntingly at his foes. A sound that could have announced a coming earthquake slowly emitted from the demon, “At last! It is finished!”
Telon slowly dismounted Bramble, taking the time to pet his loyal cat before doing the same to Elard. He whispered in Bramble’s ear, “I never thought it would end like this.” He then turned to Herrog, conceding his defeat. “You have won. I would offer myself to you with no fight in exchange of you allowing my warriors to pass.” Cergon tried to protest but Telon’s hand strong stayed him.
“You are nothing and not worth the exchange of dirt!” Herrog bellowed, his vile words slithering from his voice. His minions laughed at the gesture.
Telon looked around the valley. There was no one else. All that was good had fallen and no help would come. There was no one to call for. The King was dead and his army ruined. The mission failed. Their hope, in all ways, destroyed.
“Then what will it be?” Telon asked, pulling his axe from his side. It was stained red with a hundred deaths upon its blade. He brandished it before the demon.
Herrog did not smile, as he was ready for his moment of triumph, and careful not to let it pass too quickly. The final annihilation of everything, however, was soon to commence. “Death!” Herrog hissed as he bent low to charge, wanting the final deaths to be at his own doing. His growl rumbled through the ground as he pounded the first terrible steps of his charge.
The breeze picked up from the southeast, kicking up the slightest of dust and snow from the field. A warming breeze, which on another day would have been a welcome sign for the good people of Calonia who formerly called this land home. A sign on this day, however, that went almost unnoticed. Almost.
Telon hailed the breeze and took a moment to breathe it deeply, ignoring the charging demon. He imagined a far-off place where Lizzy played with his daughter Sydandra, his son Hamar, and Jedrek. They sat in a field of grass and dandelions, unaware of the on goings and sadness in this far off land.
He thought of the day he witnessed Gulac standing on the steps of the Castle Klar. He thought of his wise words and not taking anything for granted. Telon knew the same grateful look Gulac wore now spread across his own face, he giggled at the thought of someone thinking him crazy, just as he did Gulac.
As if mocking him, he thought his ears picked up the sound of swords beating on shields and the stomping of the feet of a wishful army. He knew no such army existed, the thought of it only served to deflate his hope further.
Staring at Herrog, he noticed the demon slow his charge, turning instead to look back, past his forces. The sound, unmistakable now, grew and began to fill the valley. All within it clambered to see what it was, for there was no other army. It must have been a trick of the wind, some noise from the fight winding down on the other side of the mountain. Then, to the surprise and astonishment of all, rank upon rank of armed dwarves marched around the bend. They chanted death to the enemy, loud and proud as could be. The banners showed true to be from the city of Tunder Bin, dwarves marching under oath to protect King and land.
The dwarf’s armor sparkled in the waning sun of the day. They could not make out the faces, but there was no doubt the land they came from. Those with Telon stood as dumbfounded as their enemy, who began to reform to handle the attack from the rear. Even Herrog had not expected this turn. It was his chance to deal with the unexpected. “A ghost army approaches, turn to fight!” Herrog bellowed.
Behind the legions of dwarves rode many men on horseback, followed by more ranks of centaurs and finally all the harpies and gargoyles that remained in the world. Like those who had already marched and flew to war, this group
was also clad in armor. Unlike them, helmets covered their heads, concealing their identity. The army did not slow a step but raised their weapons, announcing their intentions.
Herrog was incensed, “Slaughter them!” he ordered as the ground trembled at the sound of his atrocious voice, but it did not overcome the tremble of the marching army. The wizard knew he still had the upper hand with the number of his forces but did not enjoy the surprise. The oncoming dwarf led army was merely a fifth the size of Herrog’s forces, but he could feel hope returning to his enemy. That was something he could not allow.
Telon could not conceive what was occurring but knew his men were still not safe. “Fight your way out! Charge!” he yelled, a smile growing large across his face. At the least, a worthy death still awaited him.
All with Telon charged hard for the back of the army before them, hopeful to attain freedom should they emerge on the other side. Herrog split his forces, which defended themselves from both directions. Herrog did not see this end and was not sure which front on his forces needed him more.
The mountain behind Telon’s army began to rattle and shake. Telon ignored the rumble that caused many to pause, figuring it a trick of Herrog. He paid it no heed, as everything he desired lay before him.
Stones soon began hurling out of the tunnel as the shaking continued and grew. An avalanche of stone crushed down, concealing the opening. After a moment of silence, the rocks were blasted away in an explosion from the enlarged opening as Erol jumped from the rubble, Gile directly behind. Erol had smashed and punched the opening larger to free his dragon friend from the enemy behind them. Both were badly injured. Soon after leaving the cave, the mountain above collapsed in on it, crushing many trolls under it. The army inside the mountain would pursue them no more.
The Three Charms Page 36