by E J Gilmour
‘Where will we go from here?’ asked Red.
‘Directly west,’ said King Ignis. ‘The coastal road is up on the hills just yonder. We will cross the road and travel overland through the wilderness.’
‘If I come with you I will never again sail across the Sea of Zyran,’ said Baftel.
‘What do you mean?’ questioned Cassiel, troubled by Baftel’s words.
‘I can also see with my magic that I will not make it to Galdir.’
‘What will happen?’ asked Cassiel.
‘I’m not sure. I know my life will be in grave danger if I follow you, and perhaps I will die, but if I return to the sea I will live.’
‘What about us. What will happen to us?’ asked Red.
‘I don’t know,’ said Baftel. ‘I only see mist. Your way is hidden from my eyes. I believe a secret power is defending your company from prying eyes; the power prevents me from seeing anything about you.’
‘If this is true you should return to the sea and not accompany us,’ said King Ignis.
Baftel looked to the King for a moment. ‘Is it better to be a dead eagle or a living toad?’ he asked.
‘A living toad,’ answered Red, as if the answer was simple.
‘But the living toad never knew what it was like to soar in the clouds,’ said Baftel. He paused and his eyes drifted back to the sea. ‘And eventually the toad will die as all living things do; therefore, I will come with you. If I can help you it would be better than returning to the sea. I have no skill with battle magic, yet I can see things that are hidden.’ He then went back to the boat to gather his supplies and his bag.
The villager returned and handed a sack of fish to King Ignis.
‘That will be a bronze piece,’ said the villager. Cassiel paid him for the fish.
A few moments later Baftel came walking up from the boat. ‘You can keep my boat.’ The villager looked uneasy at hearing the offer. ‘I won’t be coming back for it.’
‘We should move on,’ said Cassiel, looking toward the track that led away from the village and up the slopes toward the hinterland. A few moments later they walked by the village and made their way up the hill.
**
They crossed the coastal road and entered the wilderness. King Ignis led the way. The land was hilly and wild; often they would come to small patches of forest, but mostly they were trekking through rocky treeless hills. They were all hungry and hadn’t eaten a decent meal since before the rescue. It was agreed that they should find a hidden grove to set up camp. They found a small gully with a perfect clearing for camping that was hidden from view and protected from the wind. The day had started to grow cold and heavy clouds had gradually covered the sky.
Red was busy trying to get a fire started; he was clicking together flint rocks which Eben had given him from his bag.
‘That’s not how you do it,’ said Cassiel with a slight laugh.
‘I know what I’m doing,’ snapped Red as he continued to strike the flint rocks.
‘Let me have a try,’ suggested Cassiel. He stepped over, but Red wouldn’t hand him the rocks.
‘Leave it to me,’ said Red, raising his voice.
Cassiel pointed his hand at the fire and a magical flame shot forth instantly igniting the wood. Within a few moments the fire started blazing. Red recoiled back and stared up at Cassiel.
‘Cheat,’ muttered Red. He stood up, crossed his arms and turned away. Cassiel seated himself down beside the fire. Eben watched as Red walked to the edge of the gully and sat on a fallen tree trunk. The others sat around the fire and enjoyed the warmth. Eben stood up and walked over to Red.
‘Is everything all right, Red?’
‘Sometimes Cassiel makes me feel like a clown.’ Eben sat beside Red and they both looked back toward the fire as the evening darkened. Red glanced at Eben with a smile. ‘I was a clown. Now I’m in the business of rescuing kings.’
‘True,’ said Eben.
‘You know, Eben. Some people are wizards and others are great warriors; some people are rich royals and others are respected nobles, but in the end all of that doesn’t matter much.’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Eben.
‘I mean: what good is it to have all the gold, power, and fortune if you don’t have friends and people who stand by you?’ Eben could see the point that Red was trying to make. ‘In the end, that’s all that matters in life. Remember when you freed me. I was really worried before you came walking into that abandoned village. I thought I was going to die hanging upside down from that old tree.’
‘You repaid me soon after when you saved me from the muckron,’ said Eben.
‘I couldn’t leave you there fighting that muckron alone. You saved my life and no one had ever done that before. You could have easily left me hanging there to die. The truth is that I could have been a really big problem for you; you didn’t seem worried about that. You made me believe that there are good people in this world.’
They watched the fire from the edge of the clearing. King Ignis was stoking it up with a stick as Stella and Baftel prepared the fish for cooking.
**
After a meal of fish they slept by the fire and took turns keeping watch. It was a quiet night and uneventful. The following morning the company rose early and prepared for the journey further west through the wilderness. They started out, and King Ignis led the way at a marching pace. Eben could sense his impatience; the terrain was proving rough and difficult. They made slow progress westward.
‘We must find some horses,’ said King Ignis.
‘We could go further north and stop at a village on the main highway and buy some,’ suggested Cassiel.
‘Our enemies will be searching the highways,’ said King Ignis.
‘We shouldn’t go near the highway. I don’t think horses will help us much,’ said Red. ‘I think it would be best for us to walk to Galdir. It wouldn’t be wise for us to leave the wilderness.’
‘I’m sure horses will help us move quickly,’ said Cassiel. ‘We also must buy supplies somewhere; the fish will only last a couple of days.’
‘I agree with Cassiel,’ said the King. ‘Lantern Hill is a small town west of Ancora on the main highway and probably only a day north of where we are now. We could buy some horses and food and quickly return to the wilderness.’
‘It’s a bad idea,’ said Red, shaking his head. ‘Eben can hunt and has his bow, and we could collect mushrooms.’
‘I can hunt, although it would take some time out of our day,’ said Eben
‘We can’t afford any delay,’ said Cassiel. ‘The enemy will learn where we landed and will follow our tracks from the village. We can be sure they will have horses, and once they find our tracks they will catch up to us in no time.’
‘Exactly,’ said King Ignis. ‘If we continue without stopping for horses and supplies our enemies will most likely catch us before we reach Galdir. Stopping at Lantern Hill is our best option. It may be worth the risk.’
‘North it is then,’ said Cassiel, happy the decision had been made
‘I still don’t like this idea,’ said Red. ‘I stopped over at Lantern Hill not so long ago. It’s a dangerous town.’
‘What Red says is true; it will be dangerous,’ said Baftel. ‘I see a menacing evil hovering over the town of Lantern Hill. We should be cautious of this idea.’
‘What do you see, Baftel?’ asked Cassiel.
‘I can’t be sure. Evil gathers further north. The highway is being watched by our enemies.’
‘It is a risk we’ll have to take,’ said King Ignis.
CHAPTER NINE
The company journeyed north and the land flattened out as they marched toward Lantern Hill. As they progressed the trees grew more numerous and the landscape gradually turned into forest. Eben and Red had passed through the same forest weeks earlier on their way to Ancora. The forest was the magnificent Altus Forest, the largest forest in Ortaria. They found a goat track that led northward thro
ugh the woods, and by the mid-afternoon the trees gave way to the muddy highway that cut directly through the forest from east to west.
‘Is Lantern Hill to the east or west?’ asked Cassiel as he looked from left to right.
‘West,’ replied Red.
‘I thought east,’ said King Ignis. The highway gradually curved out of sight through the forest.
‘Is that horses?’ questioned Stella softly.
‘Quick, off the highway!’ cried Baftel.
They all dashed back off the highway and made their way into the trees as the sound of galloping horses could be heard growing louder from the west. They ducked out of sight behind trees and bushes and watched as a group of at least two dozen armour clad horsemen rode by at full speed. A few moments later they were gone from sight, and the sound of the galloping faded away into the east.
When they were certain the horsemen were gone they walked back toward the highway. Baftel led the way and looked in the direction the horsemen had ridden.
‘They’re gone,’ he said.
‘We should go west,’ said Red. King Ignis nodded. ‘Lantern Hill is west. I travelled back and forth along this highway when I was a trader. The town is about an hour from here. We should stay off the highway for our safety.’
The group walked through the forest and kept just south of the highway to avoid the possibility of an ambush. After about half an hour the forest started to thin and gave way to a long lush field that stretched out into the distance. At the far side a line of yew trees grew along the base of a small hill that the town of Lantern Hill was built upon. They could clearly see the outline of the gabled rooftops and smoking chimneys of the stone houses and huts. They stopped short of the field and stood just within the last trees of the forest.
‘How should we proceed?’ asked Cassiel, looking to King Ignis.
‘We can split up the tasks; that would reduce the time we spend in the town. One group can get the food, and the other group can buy the horses and the swords,’ suggested King Ignis.
‘There’s a dark shadow covering the town. I don’t think we are safe here,’ said Baftel.
‘What do you see,’ asked King Ignis, glancing uneasily back at the wizard.
‘Vultures feeding on a carcass,’ said Baftel gravely.
‘Keep your eyes open. If we get separated then we’ll meet back here,’ said King Ignis.
‘I can buy the six horses we need,’ said Red. ‘I know a merchant in the town who sells horses and travelling goods, and we may even be able to buy some swords from him. After I buy the horses I’ll lead them to the other side of the town.’
‘Good,’ said King Ignis. ‘I’ll go with Red and Baftel to buy the horses and swords. Cassiel, Eben, and Stella can gather the food supplies. We’ll meet on the western side of town as quickly as we possibly can. Don’t talk to anyone unless it cannot be avoided, and keep your heads down.’
Cassiel divided his gold between the two groups. They crossed the field quickly and ascended the slope of the hill up to the eastern entrance of the town. The town had no wall and was cut in two by the main road that ascended directly over the hilltop and ran straight down the opposite side. A few scruffy guardsmen near the entrance scowled as they passed by. The whole town was very dank and grimy. The streets were full of mud and rot. The people of Lantern Hill looked to be downtrodden and miserable. Eben felt dismayed by the haunted and bleak faces of the townsfolk.
Red led the King and Baftel away to the right as Cassiel, Stella, and Eben walked up the hill to the top of the town. At the top of the hill there was a large open square and in the centre was a marble statue that had been smashed and was missing its arms and head. Cassiel sighed at seeing it.
‘That statue was of Teodric the Builder. He was one of the greatest kings who ever lived,’ whispered Cassiel.
They walked by the broken statue and down the road leading toward the western side of the town. A little down from the top of the hill they found a merchant storehouse. Cassiel went inside to arrange the supplies whilst Stella and Eben waited at the door just outside. Eben looked over the rooftops and down across the countryside as the view from the hill was panoramic. He could see the many fields that surrounded the town. His eyes glanced up the road and his heart froze when he saw a hooded horseman passing the ruined statue and heading in their direction. The rider was dressed in black and had a deathly pale complexion. His eyes were fixed on Eben and Stella.
‘Get inside,’ said Eben, taking Stella by the arm; he led her into the storehouse. Cassiel was finalising his deal and had slung a large sack of food over his shoulder.
‘Cassiel!’ shouted Eben. Cassiel quickly turned and looked back at Eben and Stella. ‘We’re in trouble.’
‘What is it? What did you see?’ asked Cassiel.
‘There’s a horseman near the statue. I think he’s a Skathean,’ said Eben. The colour instantly drained from Cassiel’s face.
‘A Skathean!’ he repeated as he dashed to the window beside the door. He looked out and leapt back an instant later. The whole storehouse shuddered, and the window shattered with the sound of a mighty crash. Orange flames smashed through, knocking Cassiel to the floor, and setting fire to the far side of the storeroom.
‘Zarceler! Zarceler is here, and he has Skatheans with him!’ cried Cassiel. Cassiel struggled to get up off the floor; he was clearly injured from the fiery blast. The storeman ran out a side door as Eben drew his sword. Stella looked horrified and went to help Cassiel.
‘Eben!’ cried Stella as Eben moved toward the front door. The store around them started to burn.
‘I’ll protect you!’ shouted Eben. He threw his bag, axe, and bow aside and looked to the Sword of Light in his hand. Courage pushed the fear from his veins. A shockwave smashed into the door, blasting it off its hinges and forcing Eben to stumble back. A moment later a fierce Skathean stepped in through the doorway. His face was deeply pale, and his piercing blue eyes revealed his murderous intention. He was clothed completely in black and wore a long dark cloak. He held a large sword in his hand, and he stared directly at Eben with malice.
Suddenly a blast of fire from the hand of Cassiel struck the Skathean, knocking the evil warrior toward the door. With great agility the Skathean recovered his balance. He leapt towards Cassiel and Stella furiously, ready to swing his blade, but Eben moved forward and stood between the Skathean and his friends. Their blades clashed with a screech of steel on steel. The Skathean fell back and stared at Eben with menacing eyes. Eben quickly advanced. He struck at the Skathean several times and forced his opponent to parry. The Skathean stepped backward and out through the doorway onto the street.
‘Go out the back!’ shouted Eben, glancing over his shoulder to Stella and Cassiel. Stella helped Cassiel. They went toward the back door as the fires blazed around them.
‘Eben, they’re Skatheans! You can’t beat them!’ shouted Cassiel as they exited out the back.
Feeling confident, Eben leapt out into the street after the Skathean. Instantly he was surrounded by five waiting Skatheans. Zarceler was standing across the way and grinning wickedly. Eben stood at the doorway as the storehouse burned behind him. He raised his sword and was ready for combat.
‘That looks like a wonderful sword, boy!’ said Zarceler with a smirk. ‘You are surrounded, surrender!’
‘Never!’ cried Eben defiantly.
Instantly he found himself defending multiple blows from the Skatheans. He struggled to parry and counter attack as the Skatheans pushed him away from the storehouse and down the road. He kept stepping back as they advanced and strained to defend the incoming strikes, stabs, and slashes. The five of them worked together like a machine. They surrounded him and forced him further down the hill until he was eventually near the western edge of the town.
With his back against a stone wall he desperately tried to defend himself. His sword flickered in the light of day and moved so gracefully in his hand, but his faith and courage were dimin
ishing and his weariness was growing. A moment later a flash of bright red light struck him in the chest and he dropped to the ground; the Sword of Light fell from his hand as he curled over in pain. A burning sensation of fire circulated in his abdomen. Completely breathless he curled up against the stone wall as the Skatheans pointed their swords at him and were ready to finish him off. Zarceler approached and looked down at him with a mocking smirk.
‘In truth, I have never seen such a wonderful display of swordsmanship. What fool in all of history would challenge five Skatheans at once? You lasted so long. It’s a pity you are not my servant. You would make a good bodyguard; unfortunately I have to kill you,’ said Zarceler, grinning viciously.
‘He has the Sword of Light,’ hissed one of the Skatheans. Zarceler’s jaw dropped, and his eyes filled with devious wonder at hearing the words.
Eben found some energy within and started to get up off the ground. He looked up at Zarceler who was grinning down at him and gloating.
‘Where did you get that sword, boy?’ asked Zarceler.
Eben didn’t answer and stared defiantly up at the wizard.
‘We will take the Sword of Light to the Master,’ said Zarceler, grinning with malicious delight.
Suddenly a bright blue wave of energetic light blasted out from the stone wall behind Eben. The shockwave knocked all the Skatheans and Zarceler away from him; they tumbled to the ground. Eben grabbed his sword and regained his feet. A moment later he could see Red charging down from the top of the hill on a large horse.
‘Eben!’ cried Red.
Eben felt his confidence return at seeing his friend coming to his aid. He dashed away from the Skatheans and rushed back up the hill toward Red. The Skatheans were quick to regain their feet and turned to pursue him. Zarceler watched with a sneer as Eben ran. Moments later he reached Red. Red leaned down and helped Eben up onto his horse.
‘We have to get out of here! The others are already out of the town.’
‘What about Stella and Cassiel?’
‘They’re safe with King Ignis,’ said Red.
The Skatheans were almost upon them. Red turned his horse around and charged away. Zarceler snarled and was furiously enraged. Several dozen town guardsmen appeared at the top of the hill and attempted to block their escape. Red turned the horse and charged down a side lane that led out of the town.