by M J Webb
“Y-y-yes my Lord?” came a feeble reply from the foot of the stairs.
“See that my horse is prepared immediately. I leave with Sawdon within the hour. And make sure you pack me some food!”
Nytig hurried away to make the preparations. Vantrax walked over to the table and sat down in his chair, whilst Sawdon walked over to the window slit. The Thargw warrior stared up at the starlit sky, it was a beautiful night. The darkness had descended and wrapped itself around the land like a huge, comforting blanket. The warm summer air was cooling rapidly now that the sun had gone.
“Raarr! I really love this time.” stated Sawdon happily, as he inhaled deeply the fresh air coming in through the window slit. “The anticipation of war, the prospect of battle. It is the moment before the fight that excites me almost as much as the fight itself. Just knowing that tomorrow I shall draw my sword in anger and test my skills against another warrior, it makes me feel alive. I can taste it. I can smell it. There is no feeling like it for us Thargws. I pity the other races who do not feel what we feel. They will never understand. I tremble with excitement at the very thought of it. Even after all these years, I have never grown tired of it.”
“Yes, Sawdon.” replied Vantrax nonchalantly. “But we have been here before, haven’t we? Will they fight this time?” he asked, with added emphasis and an intensity that demanded a response.
Sawdon thought about it for a little while, considering all the arguments briefly before replying. “The boy has the stones. But if he knew how to use them, he would have done so already. I believe that they would not stay here unless they had to, where they are hunted. If they had an alternative, they would leave. To stay makes no sense. Home for them, is the safer environment. I also believe sire, that the rebels have to be weary of running by now. They have few places left to go. They do have plenty of experienced soldiers amongst them though. And they will like the forest terrain, it affords them natural cover. They may still run if they are given the chance, considering our numbers and our strength. And they have no real reason to fight, do they? Why would they risk annihilation?” he asked, as he deliberated the question openly.
“So, you are not sure then?” replied Vantrax, somewhat confused by Sawdon’s remarks, but trying desperately to seek some reassurance.
“In all honesty, my King? I cannot be sure. I cannot predict with any accuracy what they will do.” said the great warrior. “But I tell you this; every instinct I have tells me that they will fight. I cannot explain it, but by the Gates of Kalvanaar, I hope they do.”
Vantrax eyed the Thargw up and down. There was, he thought, no more impressive sight than a bloodthirsty Thargw with the scent of war in his nostrils. An evil gleam suddenly appeared in the wizard’s eye.
“Then, Sawdon, we have to ensure that they fight, don’t we?” he replied wickedly.
Chapter 15
14th August – Rebel Camp, Erriard Forest - Rhuaddan
“So, my young friends, you have the stones in your possession, but what are your plans? Why have you entered our world? You have asked us for nothing so far, and yet, you have not returned home, to your own kind, why is that? Tell me truthfully Jake, what are we to make of you? Why are you here?” asked King Artrex, as soon as the three companions had sat down at the table. Knesh Corian and Princess Zephany folded their arms, both of them eagerly awaiting the reply to the questions they’d all wanted to ask. They stared intenty at Jake, inviting him to respond, his apparent unease only adding to their desire for answers.
“Well, I… Err, we… Look, I’m going to be completely honest with you sir, because I think that’s what you want? I’ll tell you everything you want to know. But please remember that we’re not veteran soldiers, great warriors or leaders. We don’t have all the answers, and there are huge gaps in our knowledge. We’re just young boys and we make mistakes. Entering this world was our first. Mistake I mean.” stated Jake, in a roundabout, clumsy attempt to explain how they’d come to find themselves in Rhuaddan.
“Mistake??” asked Knesh, reserving his judgment on whether to trust the boys until he’d heard their full story. “I am puzzled. What manner of ‘mistake’ brings you to another world? Putting your boot on the wrong foot, that’s a mistake. Crossing worlds? Frah! Explain yourself.” he demanded.
Artrex halted Knesh’ sudden outburst with a slight raise of his left hand. The Gerada was clearly unimpressed with Jake’s opening words. The King though, wanted to hear more.
“Jake, Ben… There are few ‘mistakes’ of such magnitude. I have learned through my vast experience of life that events such as these occur very rarely. And that when they do, they are not random, as they sometimes appear to be. They almost always serve some part of a higher plan. Form part of a story that is as yet untold, one that is written in the stars. No my friends, this was no ‘mistake.’ I am sure we will find out in time that you have been sent here for a purpose. It is fate, destiny if you will. Both of you have to unlock the secrets behind the journey you have embarked upon, before it will make any sense to you. I know that is all back to front, but sometimes we have to have faith. We have to believe that we walk the right path, even when it seems at times that faith is all we have left. Ha! Listen to me, I’m rambling I know, but you must trust this old soldier when he says that your appearance on Rhuaddan was not an accident. It was meant to be. And it will have an effect on my people that is way beyond your understanding. Now please, continue with what you were saying, Jake.”
Everyone was visibly affected by King Artrex’ words. There was a slight pause as they all gathered their thoughts. Once again, all eyes were on Jake as he continued trying to explain.
“Right, well, as I said, it was a mistake as far as we know. We didn’t plan to come here to Rhuaddan, we were cornered, fighting. My grandfather was badly wounded and we had no choice really, we would have been killed if we’d stayed. He told us to go, to come to your world, do you see?”
He looked straight into King Artrex’ eyes, hoping to hear some kind of endorsement of their actions. He was still feeling guilty for leaving Harry all alone, he desperately needed someone, anyone, to tell him that they’d done the right thing.
“Harry? Harry was wounded you say? He is alive then? But he died an age ago surely? He was killed by the warrior, Sawdon, and Vantrax’ soldiers? Kraarr!! The look in your eyes would seem to answer my question, Jake. I am confused! If Harry is alive, why has he not aided us before now? No, this is too much. He has had the stones all of this time? How then is it possible that he has abandoned us to our fate? To all the suffering and pain we have endured??!!”
Artrex was furious and he stood up, he placed both his fists on the table and leant forward menacingly, glaring at the boys and maemehe hairs on the back of their necks stand up. “You need to talk and talk now Jake! The truth! All of it! Spare me nothing, I need to understand everything. How… Why it is that my friend has forsaken me for so long!” he shouted angrily.
For the next hour or so Jake talked, and talked and talked. Ben was strangely silent throughout, he would usually have backed his friend up with witty comments or remarks, but he knew that this was not the time or place for such humour. The atmosphere around the table was tense, but Jake explained everything he knew, the sum total of all that he had learned since opening the box earlier that morning. As light faded into darkness and the cool night air descended onto the forest, Jake talked about Harry. Then he spoke about Jean, Sawdon and his grandmother’s death. He found himself trying to defend his grandfather’s actions, explaining the pull of family, of love, and the need to protect those around you. Jake had understood completely the decisions Harry had made when he’d explained them to him. But somehow, now that he’d met with Artrex and his followers, everything Harry had done seemed like a betrayal. He could see how it would appear to others, like cowardice even. ‘Did Harry even think of those he left behind on Rhuaddan?’ he asked himself. ‘How could he abandon all those people who relied on him for help???’
>
Jake stopped talking as his emotions overwhelmed him. He felt like he was being torn apart inside. He didn’t know what to think, he was really struggling to tell right from wrong now. A concerned Ben suddenly broke the silence.
“You alright mate? What’s wrong?” he asked, even though he knew the answer to his question. He simply couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Ah, Ben. I just don’t know who I am anymore!” answered Jake with complete honesty, as he turned to look into his friend’s eyes. “I mean, yesterday my only worry in life was trying to get my family to talk to each other. And trying to hide my crush on Jasmine Heath from you and the lads. And maybe who the Villa might sign. I knew who I was. Well, I thought I did. And now…”
“Hey! Shut up! Don’t you worry yourself mate.” interrupted Ben. “Whatever happens here, you’re still my best pal. My ‘brudda from a dif’rent mudda.’ You’re the straightest guy I know. And I’ll always have your back. You’ll never be alone, Jake. I know all this stuff seems absurd, it does to me. And maybe it is. But at the moment, it’s here and now. It’s something we can’t avoid. We have to deal with it. And we have to try to make the best of things. We have no choice, do we? And, by the way, you’ve got no chance with Jasmine! She likes the rough and ready type.”
“Oh yeah? Like you I suppose?” replied Jake sharply, his spirits lifted a little by Ben’s comforting words and typical humour.
Artrex and Knesh glanced at each other. The boys’ small discussion had been conducted as if the warriors weren’t there. It was genuine, it wasn’t contrived, and the natural bond of friendship that the boys so obviously shared, mirrored their own. It impressed them both greatly. After another short pause, it was Knesh who spoke, only this time it was in a softer tone than before.
“Well spoken, young Ben. So, what is done is done. The past is history. I dare say we all have regrets? We all have things that we would do differently if we had the time again. We have to move on. Harry will have had his reasons for doing what he did I am sure, who are we to judge him? And the boys cannot be held resnsible for the actions of others. One thing puzzles me though. Why, if you came here ‘by mistake’, have you not returned?” he asked plainly.
Jake and Ben looked hesitantly at each other, neither of them wanting to answer.
“The stones are… Forgive me, ‘Damaged’ my Lord.” answered Verastus, seeing their reluctance and speaking for the boys. “But I know of a man…”
“Damaged?” interrupted King Artrex anxiously. “They can be repaired though? No? Replaced then?” he asked, responding with concern to the silence from the others at the table. Everybody looked around to see who would speak.
“This man you speak of, you refer to the old man of Nadjan, who lives in the Phelanagarth Mountains, do you not?” Knesh suddenly asked of Verastus.
“Yes my Lord, you know of the legend?” Verastus asked, surprised by Knesh’ knowledge.
“Yes. It is no legend. He exists, if he is still alive, but it is a journey that is fraught with danger. It will not be easy to find him. Word will have already spread that you have the stones. You have fought with Sawdon and survived. Vantrax will hunt you down. He will not stop until you are dead and he has the stones. We have to help them sire.” He turned to face King Artrex. “But, we have too few soldiers and we need every one of them to survive against Vantrax and his armies.” he admitted reluctantly.
Jake suddenly felt a surge of confidence run through his body. Once again, all his doubts and anxieties of just a few moments earlier disappeared. He no longer felt like a fifteen year old schoolboy, he’d found a new sense of purpose and direction.
“Survive?” he asked boldly. “Is that all you want to do? Is that the limits of your ambition? I don’t doubt that you’ve performed miracles to ‘survive’, but you have to want more, surely?” he asked, suddenly speaking like a mature warrior. Jake was looking straight into Artrex’ eyes now as he spoke, but it was the fiery Knesh who reacted furiously to his words.
“Why you young…!” he began to shout angrily.
“Knesh! Zephany!” snapped Artrex, as the two warriors rose to challenge Jake’s offensive remarks. “Sit down!”
Both of the rebels obeyed their King’s command immediately, but they continued to glare at Jake with angry eyes. His words had provoked an immediate and passionate response. King Artrex stared at the two young boys before him.
“You are too free with your insults, Jake. But then, I suppose you wanted to provoke a reaction? Well you have one. What then, ‘Keeper’, would you have us do? We are no match for Vantrax’ forces, even with the stones, if they worked. We are no longer strong enough to defeat my brother’s armies. He has grown too strong since the war, his strength increases whilst ours fades.” stated Artrex sadly.
“Alone yes, maybe. But, if you were to unite all the people of Estia? All those who would fight tyranny, all those who now share a common enemy? Then we should be strong enough.” answered Jake boldly.
“We?” said a surprised and still upset Zephany. “You want to join us now?”
“Yes, we?” asked an equally shocked and surprised Ben, turning his head to look into his friend’s eyes. “You’re sing us up for war?”
“Yes, and yes!” replied Jake. “I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is the correct course of action to take. It’s as if my short life has been heading for this moment all of a sudden. I can’t explain it, why or how I feel this way, but I know what I have to do. And I know, that if I don’t do it now, I’ll be making a great mistake that I’ll always regret.”
Jake turned to look at King Artrex. “Come with us.” he said enthusiastically. “Help us get through to the mountains and find the old man, to get the stones working again. We’ll help you in return, to seek alliances with all those who would fight against Vantrax. Beginning in the south, where he fights your prospective allies already. Any enemy of such evil is a potential friend at this time, don’t you think? In my world we have a saying, ‘it’s time to put up, or shut up.’ Fight or run? What’s it gonna be, King?” demanded Jake confidently.
Artrex was stunned by Jake’s arrogance. He wasn’t used to being spoken to in such a fashion, he certainly didn’t tolerate it from others and he looked at Knesh for guidance as usual. But for once, Knesh was silent. He said nothing, and he didn’t venture an opinion. Artrex thought it strange that he had to ask, but he wanted his friend’s counsel and he ordered him to speak. Knesh knew what was at stake. He knew that this decision would decide their fate and the fate of thousands of others. He wanted to fight. He wanted desperately to stop all the running and hiding. Regardless of the consequences, he was tired of being a ‘rebel.’
But he was a soldier, he served his King and such a decision was his and his alone to make. “I follow you, my King. To whatever end!” the Gerada said nobly.
The King then turned and looked at his daughter, Princess Zephany, inviting her opinion. She thought for a brief moment before speaking. “Father, I love you. You are a King. And yet, we do not live like royalty. I do not know if this boy is all that he thinks he is, but I think we have to take that chance!”
The group had been talking for hours. The fires were crackling all around them as Artrex looked up at the night sky. The stars were shining brightly overhead. He thought hard for a moment before making up his mind.
“I love this land. I would gladly die for its people, if I thought… We have to…”
Artrex was about to deliver his decision. But his attention was suddenly drawn towards a flame which was shooting across the night sky immediately in front of him.
“A flamed arrow!” he shouted out loud. “The enemy has been sighted!”
There was a frenzy of action for the next twenty minutes or so in the camp. Soldiers readied themselves for battle. Jake and Ben discussed with Verastus how they could help. But all the preparations were cut short at the sight of a lone rider coming from the direction the boys had taken on their way in
to the forest. The horseman entered the camp swiftly, but it was not with the urgency of one who had sighted an army and the group gathered again around King Artrex, as he pulled up just short of the King. There was a bundle strewn across his horse and he threw it roughly down onto the forest floor. It made an ‘Oooomph’ sound as it hit the deck.
“Sire, we caught this ‘thing’ on the edge of Erriard.” said the horseman.
The group gazed down at the bundle. It moved stiffts bones aching from being thrown from such a height onto the hard floor. A head lifted so that all could see its hideous features. Verastus was the only one to speak.
“Nytig!” he shouted loudly, his voice full of hatred.
Chapter 16
14th August – Heron Getracht Fortress – Rhuaddan
Some hours earlier, Nytig had scurried up the stairs to the tower room as fast as his deformed legs would carry him upon King Vantrax’ summons. He knew from bitter experience that delaying his response would not be a good idea and he had no wish to receive another beating for being too slow. In his haste, he tripped on the final step of the stairs and stumbled into the room, almost falling on the floor at Sawdon’s feet. “Y-yes sire?” he said, as he attempted to regain his posture and composure, panting rapidly and trying desperately to catch his breath from the effort of climbing the stairs. The dash to the tower room was just about the only exercise that Nytig undertook on a regular basis, and he was sweating profusely. Vantrax and Sawdon smirked at each other in mutual amusement at the pathetic figure before them. It was some time before Nytig’s breathing eventually slowed and he began to recover. The evil King’s lips moved slightly to form a wicked smile, as he thought about the servant’s likely reaction to what he was about to sa.