There are two sides to every argument." Athlone spoke a second command, and the priest put his hand to his throat. He cleared it a few times to make certain that he could speak again.
"So," Thalar said, his tone low and cold, "you, too, have succumbed to the heresy. Are you here to fight the gorthling or help it?" He glared ferociously at Athlone and stalked away from the group.
The men standing nearby stared at Athlone in amazement. "That was very interesting," Sha Umar said.
Gabria touched Athlone's arm. "You have been practicing,” she said reproachfully.
"A little,” he admitted. "Enough to get a feel for the way magic works."
She turned to Sayyed. "I suppose you have, too?"
He grinned. "Of course."
"How? You two don't know enough to teach yourselves."
Athlone replied, "By listening and watching you."
"You're lucky you did not destroy yourselves with an uncontrol ed spel ,” she said.
Sayyed lifted his hands and shrugged. "You can’t show us a feast and expect us to be happy with crumbs."
Gabria was about to reply when a shadow passed over the council grove. Nervously she glanced up, but it was only a cloud passing overhead, formed by the growing afternoon heat.
The sorceress was still gazing at the sky when an agonized scream tore through the camps.
Everyone within hearing froze in their tracks. As the scream died away, Gabria, Athlone, and the others ran to the riverbank and stared at the island where the gorthling was standing. He had dissolved his force field and had dragged a woman out of the circle of standing stones to the graveled bank. The other eight hostages stil huddled in the ring.
"Sorceress!" Branth yel ed. He yanked his prisoner to her feet and held her out at arm's length.
"Come to me or this female dies!" He shook the young woman viciously to make her scream again.
"Let her go!" Gabria shouted. "Let them all go, and I will come."
"You come now!" he screamed. "I wil not wait." So saying, he shoved the sobbing woman toward the water. She ran frantically to escape, but the gorthling's spell caught her before she had taken five steps. The magic seared through her. The creature did not kil her with a quick, explosive burst of Trymian Force. Instead, he used an agonizing power that arched through the woman's body in a slow, massive, disintegrating wave.
Scream after scream ripped from her throat as she thrashed and writhed in the shallow water. The clanspeople watched, motionless with horror. The woman gave a final shriek, then sagged face-first into the water. The current tugged gently at her lifeless body and swirled her fair hair.
Branth did not give the clanspeople time to react. Instantly he shouted a command, and the nearest hostage in the circle stumbled to his feet and began to walk helplessly toward the gorthling. It was Guthlac, the Khulinin wer-tain.
Gabria's eyes blazed with green fury. "Athlone . . ." she began to say, but something interrupted her.
A man stepped off the council grove riverbank into the water. His robes swirled around his short legs, and his face was red with righteous fury. He held his priest's staff over his head like a spear pointed at the gorthling.
"Begone, foul heretic! Beast of Sorh, leave this holy place!" Thalar shouted with all his rage and indignation as he waded toward the island.
"Thalar!" Athlone yelled. "Get back here."
The priest did not hear him. His mind was focused on driving the evil from the blessed island. The Tir Samod was the gods' holy temple, the sanctuary of the priests and the sacred heart of the clans, not a hiding hole for a creature of profane powers. If no one else was going to rid the island of this evil, Thalar swore he would do it himself.
He raised his staff higher. "Go, you gods-cursed worm. By the power of Surgart, I command you to leave."
The gorthling laughed and, without a word, struck the priest with a brilliant blue bolt of Trymian Force. Thalar shrieked once, threw his arms up, and toppled into the river. The rippling water caught his scorched body and carried him gently downstream.
"That's two, Sorceress,” the gorthling yelled. "Do you want more bodies to clog the river?"
Gabria spun on her heel and whistled for Nara. Both Hunnuli came at her summons. "That beast must be stopped,” she said as she sprang to Nara's back.
Athlone immediately mounted Eurus, and the big stallion blocked Nara's way. "We're going with you,” the chieftain said calmly.
Gabria looked from Athlone to Sayyed and saw the same look of determination on both faces. She could not leave them behind this time, even if she wanted to. She inclined her head once in gratitude and shoved her fear for them out of the way. Now, however, she hesitated, for she was uncertain how to mount an attack that would use the skil s of the two men. Sayyed had no mount, and neither man was very proficient with the Trymian Force.
She was still trying to think of a way when Nara perked up her ears. Eurus lifted his head high, and his nostrils flared. On the edge of her senses, Gabria felt something, a faint vibration like distant thunder, or . . . horses' hooves. She raised herself up on Nara's back and saw a plume of dust on the ridge of hil s to the west. The vibrations grew louder. A dark form appeared on the horizon, then another, then many more. Nara and Eurus suddenly neighed a joyful greeting that pealed through e gathering and was echoed by every horse in the valley.
A herd of horses galloped down the hills and across the valley, then black coats shining in the sun. A small rider on a little Hunnuli ran just behind their leader. The clanspeople saw them, shouted in awe and delight, and stood aside to let them pass.
The gorthling, too, stared at the approaching horses, and for the first time since he had taken his mortal guise, he felt a pang of apprehension.
The herd thundered down to the river and plunged in with a tremendous, sparkling splash. They ran through the water as easily as air until the entire herd had encircled the island, cutting off the gorthling from the clans. Then the Hunnuli stopped, their heads turned toward the island. Sunlight glistened on their wet coats; their lightning marks gleamed on their shoulders. They pawed the water and snorted in anger.
Five of the horses charged toward the island, their hooves flashing, and their teeth bared. The gorthling clasped his hostage in front of him like a shield. He backed away to the shelter of the temple just as the enraged Hunnuli burst up on the shore, then swiftly revived his protective shield of magical energy. The five horses circled the temple warily and waited for their Icing's command.
Finally the King Stallion cantered up to Gabria on the riverbank, his deep, wise eyes glowing with a golden light. He bowed his head to her. Sorceress, you needed us, so we have come.
For a moment Gabria was utterly speechless. She gazed up at the magnificent old stal ion, then transferred her amazement to the beaming, dark-haired girl sitting astride Nara's colt.
"I won't ask now how you did this, Tam," Gabria said softly. "You can tell me later, but I am deeply grateful."
The little girl blushed under her tan, and her shy grin grew even wider. Sayyed strode over and pul ed Tam off the colt into a huge hug of relief and pride. Tam wrapped her arms around his neck.
The King Stallion snorted angrily. Tam has told us a gorthling has been released in the world.
Gabria gestured to the island where the gorthling was pacing back and forth within his defense shield, studying the new arrivals. "Do you know of any way to send him back?"
Sadly, no. That knowledge was never passed on to us. The King Stallion swung his massive head toward his herd. His magic cannot affect us, however. We wil try to keep him confined to the island so he does not harm any more of your people. The rest you must do yourself.
Gabria was disappointed that even the King Stal ion did not know how to dispel a gorthling, but she appreciated his help enormously. She would not have to worry about the clans with the Hunnuli herd to protect them.
I see that you have one sorcerer unhorsed. That wil not do. The King Stallion neighed
and another stallion left the ring of Hunnuli. The new horse came to stand in front of Sayyed. He stretched out his muzzle to gravely sniff the Turic.
This is Afer. He wil be your mount for this confrontation, the King Stallion told Sayyed.
For once the young Turic was nonplussed. He was torn between delight and awe as he ran his hand down the big Hunnuli's nose. Gingerly he mounted the stal ion and settled down on the broad back.
Gabria nodded her thanks to the King Stal ion before she turned to the two men. "Remember, Eurus and Afer are immune to magic," she said rapidly. "Stay on them at all times. If you need protection, form a shield between you and the gorthling." After a pause, she added, "Please try to use spells as little as possible. I will attack the gorthling, but I'll need you two, distract him. We will try to wear him down until he is too weak to use his power."
"What about the prisoners?" Sayyed asked.
"If we can cut the gorthling off from them and keep him occupied, maybe they'll escape on their own. Perhaps the Hunnuli wil help them."
"Have you tried the mask yet?" Athlone wanted to know.
Gabria shook her head. "I still don't know what to do with it."
"Sorceress!" the gorthling suddenly yel ed. "I see you brought some help," He laughed maliciously,
"These useless beasts will avail you not. Come. I grow tired of waiting. You or these mortals must die!"
Gabria curled her lip in a feral grimace. "We will find a way to destroy him.' She turned and cal ed,
"Lord Sha Umar, the Hunnuli wil try to protect the people from any destructive magic, but please keep the warriors and priests away from the island. Will you also watch over Tam?"
"With pleasure, Lady Gabria,” the Jehanan answered, coming forward to stand beside the little girl.
"The gods go with you."
Gabria turned away so quickly she did not see the stricken look pass over Tam's face. The sorceress signaled to Athlone and Sayyed, and the three magic-wielders rode down into the river. The gorthling laughed with glee as they came.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
While the King Stallion rejoined his herd, Gabria, Athlone, and Sayyed separated and spread out so they could approach the island from different angles. Their mounts passed through the ting of Hunnuli horses and carefully waded toward the island. The five Hunnuli on shore held their positions and waited.
The gorthling, wary but confident, watched the riders come. There were three humans now. That was an interesting development. There was only supposed to be one magic-wielder in the clans. Curious, he formed an opening in his defense field and fired a blue bolt at the nearest man. He was amazed when the clansman formed a shield and deflected the energy harmlessly into the air. For just a second, the gorthling felt a twinge of fear. Then it passed, and he snarled. What was another magic-wielder or two?
He would simply have to strike fast and kill them before they could wear down his strength with their greater numbers.
He glanced at the Hunnuli, too. They were another problem. He knew the five on the island were only waiting to break through his shield and chase him out into the open. No magic would stop them.
What he needed was a spel to frighten the humans and a weapon untouched by magic to drive off the horses.
His eye lit on the tal , upright monoliths of the temple, and a cunning grin curled his mouth. He spoke the words of his spel , and once again his body glowed red and began to grow. Soon he towered over the temple and could straddle his hostages. His defense shield dissipated. With a great laugh, he tore a stone from the sacred ring and swung it like a club at the nearest horse. The animal barely dodged in time.
The King Stallion neighed to call his horses back. Magic was a weapon they could avoid, but the horses had no riders to defend them against stone clubs. The five Hunnuli reluctantly withdrew, leaving the magic-wielders and their mounts to their duty.
Before the three sorcerers reached the island shore, the battle was joined. The gorthling fired at Gabria and the two men with a rapid-fire assault of the Trymian Force and other destructive bolts of power. Fortunately for all three, the gorthling was using so much strength to maintain his tremendous size, his bolts of magic were not as powerful as before. The greatest danger lay in the gorthling's stone club, which he swung at the riders whenever they got too close.
The riders quickly discovered another danger. The land around the temple was uneven and rough underfoot. Rocks, boulders, tough shrubs, vines, and small saplings covered the island and made movement on horseback difficult. The gorthling made ful use of the uneven ground, forcing the Hunnuli to constantly maneuver over the stony island.
The gorthling himself did not try to move, for the little group of hostages was clinging together in a terrified huddle between his huge legs. They did not dare run, and neither the Hunnuli nor the magic-wielders could reach them as long as the beast stood over them.
It was not long before the gorthling noticed that only the sorceress was offering any real counterattack. She fired her own spells at him while the men only tried to distract him with awkward feints whenever possible. They were rank beginners, he realized gleeful y. That noted, he began to concentrate his attack on Athlone and Sayyed, forcing Gabria to expend more and more of her energy to defend her companions.
As time went on, the battle grew more desperate. Gabria silently thanked the gods for the Hunnuli herd. She knew she and the two men would not have lasted so long against the gorthling if they'd had to defend the crowds. The horses stopped several bolts of magic, and their presence kept the gorthling penned on the island.
But even with the help of the Hunnuli, the struggle was tel ing upon the three humans. Athlone's and Sayyed's inexperience was beginning to show. Their shields were weakening, and several times the gorthling nearly knocked them from their horses. Gabria's fear for them intensified.
Gabria, too, was tiring. She had faced the brunt of the gorthling's attack, and she knew her strength would not last much longer. She pressed the gorthling harder with the Trymian Force, with fireballs, smoke, and flights of arrows. She tried everything she could think of, yet her magic had no effect. The gorthling's size and greater strength helped him ward off her blows with ease. Gabria was running out of ideas.
Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
Sayyed's Hunnuli, Afer, was near the sacred ring when he abruptly slipped on a mossy stone and his front hoof slid down between a cluster of rocks. The stallion lost his balance and fell heavily to the ground. The snap of his foreleg was heard al over the island.
Sayyed was thrown over the stallion's head into the rocks. The Turic lay dazed while his Hunnuli tried frantically to free his broken leg and defend his rider. The other Hunnuli neighed in strident, ringing calls, and Eurus and Nara sprang forward to help the fallen horse and rider.
The gorthling moved faster, grabbing the dazed Turic with one huge hand. Sayyed was bleeding heavily from a cut on his head and was too stunned to try to escape. Nara and Eurus started toward the giant in the stone circle.
The gorthling laughed, and his eyes glowed red. "Now," he bel owed, brandishing his stone club with one hand and Sayyed's struggling form in his other, "watch one of your own die.
To the watchers' horror, Branth hoisted the young Turic over his head. Sayyed fought back weakly, his face working with fear when he saw the ground far below.
Across the river, Tam stood by the Hunnuli colt and Lord Sha Umar, watching the battle. She had not moved from the riverbank since Gabria had left, and she had ignored Sha Umar's offer for food or drink. Her hand stayed on the colt's neck and her eyes remained on the island.
When Afer fell, Tam stiffened and her mouth opened slightly. She watched in growing apprehension as the gorthling grabbed Sayyed. A tiny whimper escaped her lips. When Tam saw the creature lift Sayyed into the air, she quivered with anger and fear. A fury that she had never known before exploded at the injustice and cruelty of losing another person she loved. No, her young mind cried, not
again. No! No!"
"No!"
Tam's voice rang out loud and clear across the water. At the same time, she instinctively used her wild talent to project her into furious thought into the human brain of the gorthling.
The effect was stunning. The protest burst on the gorthling's unprepared mind like an explosion, sending him staggering back. He let go of the Turic and clamped his hands to his head. His concentration broken, he dropped his stone club and began to shrink back to normal size.
The magic-wielders reacted instantly. Before Sha Umar could stop her, Tam jumped on the smal Hunnuli and galloped him toward the island. Gabria broke Sayyed's fall by transforming the stones beneath him into a thick pile of hay, and Athlone fired a bolt of the Trymian Force at the unprotected gorthling. The bolt was weak and uncontrol ed, but it was enough to knock Branth onto his back and give Sayyed a chance to escape.
"Get to the other side of the river!" Gabria cried.
The Turic did not listen. Instead of retreating, he flung himself into the group of hostages. The gorthling screeched in rage. He fired a blast at the people huddled together, but Sayyed formed a shield over them all. The Trymian Force bounced harmlessly away.
The gorthling felt his twinge of fear return and grow stronger. He immediately revived his own defensive shield. Now he had no escape route, no hostages for safety, and no place to retreat. He was trapped, and while his enemies were tiring, so was he. He could no longer maintain his gigantic size or the ful power of his Trymian Force. The thought occurred to him that he had seriously underestimated these humans. He paused for a moment, breathing heavily, and looked around the island for some means of turning this battle in his favor.
Gabria and Athlone took advantage of the brief respite to regroup. Nara clattered over the rocks closer to Eurus, and their two riders watched the gorthling warily.
“We seem to be in a stalemate,” Athlone said between deep breaths. "What do we do now?"
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