Soldier Sworn (The Teralin Sword Book 3)

by D. K. Holmberg

  Endric crouched next to the cub. “What is it?” he asked the cub, scratching behind his ears.

  The cub continued to whine, making a soft, low sound that barely carried. It was almost like the cub made a point of not vocalizing too loudly. The hackles on the back of the cub’s fur stood on end. The merahl sniffed the air, lowering his body flat to the ground, and his tail stopped moving. Another soft whine escaped his lips.

  Endric looked up, searching for Nahrsin.

  Endric couldn't see Nahrsin, but as the merahl continued to whine, the sound adding to his sense of disquiet, he remembered the last time he’d heard the merahl making this sound—and that had been during the groeliin attack.

  “Where is Nahrsin?” he asked Barden, who was sitting nearby.

  The other man shook his head. “Went off scouting.”

  “Damn,” Endric said under his breath.

  Barden glanced at the merahl cub, seemingly only now aware the cub was whining. Endric realized that not all of the Antrilii seemed to hear it. Why would that be? “What is it?” Barden asked. “You think he's hungry? I have extra jerky I can offer.”

  Endric shook his head. “It's not hunger. I think he senses groeliin.”

  Barden started to grin. “The merahl don't recognize groeliin at this age. When we've encountered cubs, they always relied on the adults to help them understand that scent.”

  “Even a merahl who had been captured by groeliin?” Endric asked.

  Barden shrugged.

  Endric couldn’t shake the unsettled feeling and turned his attention to the cub. “Can you show me what you sense?”

  He wasn't certain whether the cub would understand him, but there was no question the adults seem to understand when he spoke to them. It was possible the cub did as well. If this was groeliin, Endric could use that connection to try to find where they were. It would be better finding them than to be surprised and have the groeliin come upon them unaware.

  The cup began wiggling in his arms, and Endric set him down. The low whine continued as he started across the snow, his feet barely making a sound, not piercing the snow or making a print, and moving quickly. Endric unsheathed and started after the cub.

  “Endric?”

  He didn't glance back to see who called after him. The cub had disappeared over the peak, and he hurried forward, not wanting to lose sight of him.

  On the other side, he found the cub and trailed him as he hurried down the slope. Endric followed carefully, climbing more slowly than the cub until they reached a narrow path that allowed easier movement.

  The cub glanced up at him and whined softly.

  “I'm here,” Endric said, wanting to reassure him.

  The cub seemed to nod, sniffing the air as he started forward again.

  Endric trailed him, feeling the increased anxiety working through him. This was more than just an unsettled feeling now; this was true fear. He could protect himself, but would he be able to protect the cub were it to come to that?

  Endric followed the merahl cub as it hurried along the path. Every so often, the merahl whined softly. As he did, Endric felt the nervous sort of energy continue to work its way through him. It filled him, leaving him on edge. He kept his sword unsheathed, afraid that he might need it, and he kept his awareness focused all around him as he searched for evidence of the groeliin.

  He saw no sign of movement, but the ongoing whine made it clear that the groeliin had to be nearby. And then there was the concern Endric had for Nahrsin. His cousin had gone scouting. Endric didn't doubt his ability to protect himself; he had seen how capable Nahrsin could be, and knew that he was able to defend himself, but if there were more groeliin than he was prepared to face… Endric wanted to ensure there weren’t more than he could manage on his own.

  The cub scurried in front of him, blocking him. As he did, he caught sight of movement high above in the rocks. There was no question that it came from groeliin.

  With the groeliin that high over them, the creatures would reach the Antrilii.

  Endric glanced at the cub. They couldn't climb the rock, not quickly enough to be of any use, but the groeliin was going to reach the Antrilii before they knew the creatures were there.

  Was anything he could even do? He couldn't scale the rock as quickly as the groeliin, and without the merahl, he didn't know if they would be able to stop it.

  Endric started up the slope. He had to move carefully here, afraid that if he didn't, he would slip and make noise. He needed to climb to the Antrilii, unwilling to do nothing, not when the groeliin were there, and the Antrilii were in danger.

  Why had he come here by himself? He should have brought assistance rather than chasing after the merahl cub. The groeliin might overwhelm him if they reached him first.

  As he remained there, he felt a rise in the strange, unsettled feeling that had washed through him when the cub had started out this way. He wasn't certain what that sense came from. Was it from the groeliin or was it something else?

  Endric kept the sword gripped tightly, thankful that this time when he faced the groeliin, he would have a sword once more. He felt better prepared than simply having the spear with him.

  Shadows shifted near him.

  Endric embraced the emptiness in his mind and embraced the knowledge of his catahs drilled into his head, and slipped forward, slashing with the sword. It fell before him.

  Endric spun, and the next groeliin fell, leaving a third. This one appeared different than the others, larger.

  Endric didn't allow himself to think about what it meant. If he did, if he slowed down and considered what he might be facing, he would not act as he needed to. Fighting with the sword required a level of decisiveness. He had to push away all other thoughts and push away all hesitation. If he could manage that, he thought he might be able to survive.

  As he attacked, the groeliin blocked his sword with his club.

  Endric parried a few times, but each time, the groeliin stopped him.

  A strange fog swirled around this creature.

  Endric slashed again, attacking over and over, and each time, the creature met his sword, blocking him.

  Could the groeliin be skilled enough to counter him?

  The idea seemed impossible, but there was no questioning that was what the creature was doing.

  The creature pushed him back.

  Endric slipped, the snow catching his boot.

  He swung his sword around, knowing that if he did nothing, he would be clubbed.

  The creature batted away his sword, sending it out of his hand, clattering away.

  A soft howl, one that carried a hint of menace, rang across the rocks. It was a weak cry, not the same sound the merahl would be capable of in the future, but the cub lunged forward, catching the groeliin at his ankle.

  It was enough to send the groeliin spinning, lashing out with a sharp kick.

  He almost caught the cub, and the cub jumped, managing to skitter away, just enough that the groeliin couldn’t connect.

  Endric needed to do something. If he didn't, the damned groeliin would stomp on the cub. He was responsible for keeping the cub safe, and so he was determined to do exactly that.

  He didn't have his sword and didn't think the club would be useful. He managed to pull the spear out from behind him, and as the groeliin darted toward the merahl cub, he chucked it.

  Endric didn't have much hope that it would connect, but then all he needed was to distract the groeliin.

  Endric’s spear connected with the groeliin, sliding through its back.

  The creature staggered forward, grabbing at the spear, spinning as it did.

  The cub lunged forward, nipping at the groeliin’s heel once more.

  The groeliin spun again.

  As it did, Endric jumped forward, grabbing onto the spear, shoving it forward as hard as he could.

  He clung to the groeliin’s back. The creature had a foul odor this close, and his skin felt oily and thick. He had a coarse fu
r covering him that wasn't clear when looking at him.

  The creature thrashed. Endric held onto the spear, keeping one arm wrapped around the creature's neck.

  He feared that the groeliin might snap at his arm, might tear through his flesh, and he pulled, ripping back on the groeliin’s neck. He could do nothing else.

  Endric clung there, holding to the groeliin, a prayer racing through his mind.

  All he could think about was dying like this, clinging to the groeliin's neck, one hand on the spear. The groeliin thrashed, and Endric held. The warmth of groeliin's blood seeped over his hand, and he held on with everything that he could.

  Fear flashed through him. He had never really been afraid of dying before, but he didn't want to die holding onto a stinking groeliin. He didn't want to die in these northern mountains. He didn't want to die with Senda not knowing what happened to him.

  Endric didn't want to die.

  He pushed and heard a sharp crack.

  Was that the spear? If it was, then he was essentially helpless to fend off the creature.

  The groeliin sagged forward.

  Endric splayed on top of him. The groeliin stopped moving.

  Endric shook himself, managing to stand. As he did, he shivered. He went and reclaimed his sword, wishing for a stream to wipe his hands. The cub came over and rubbed up against his leg. Endric took a moment, finally able to see this groeliin that he'd been facing.

  He had thought it larger than the others he’d faced. Now that it was dead, he could tell it was both taller and surprisingly stouter. Markings were burned into its flesh, some of them appearing to have a form of writing. They reminded him of other markings he'd seen on other groeliin.

  This creature was covered with these markings. Endric studied it, trying to understand what they might mean, and realized they reminded him of the markings the broods had. Those had particular patterns, and he had seen several different markings that indicated several different broods. Did the fact that this creature had multiple markings mean that it represented multiple broods?

  Endric wished he understood the groeliin better.

  If he were honest with himself, he wished he didn't know anything about the groeliin. He couldn't imagine the Antrilii lifestyle, feeling like they had to constantly attack, praying they could eliminate these creatures.

  Movement up the slope caught his attention. Endric jerked around and saw Nahrsin making his way toward him.

  His cousin's eyes widened when he realized that Endric was there. He approached carefully and stopped before the body of the fallen groeliin. As he studied it, his breath caught.

  “What is it?” Endric asked.

  “We need to find Gron.”

  “Why?”

  Nahrsin looked up at him but said nothing. It was enough for Endric’s heart to race even more than it had been.

  24

  “What is this creature?” Endric asked.

  Endric and Nahrsin had dragged the groeliin body back to the camp. Endric was surprised to see that there were no had been no groeliin attack there. He had thought that the group he'd seen up the slope would have reached them, but there hadn't been a sign of it.

  When Nahrsin had come, he had helped Endric burn the other two groeliin, but the one with markings on its skin he had wanted to bring back to Gron.

  “We haven't seen one like this before, Uncle.”

  Gron ran his fingers over one of the markings. “Most have brood marks.”

  Nahrsin nodded. “Brood marks, but this is something else. This is like multiple brood markings.”

  Gron looked up. “There are nearly twenty different markings on this creature. Are you claiming there are that many broods?”

  Nahrsin shrugged. “We've never unable to get an accurate count of the broods. You know that.”

  “We haven't had an accurate count, but we've only seen fifteen or so brood marks.”

  “Have you ever completely eliminated a brood?” Endric asked.

  Nahrsin glanced at Gron with a raised eyebrow. Then he shook his head. “We've attempted to eliminate entire broods, but we never were succeeded. Most of the time, a few remain, and they return to the breeding grounds and regroup. The broods return.”

  “You said you haven’t made it to the breeding grounds.”

  “Because the breeding ground moves so it's not always easy to find,” Nahrsin said. “This time is unusual in that we think we can find them.”

  “It is an unusual Chisln,” Gron said.

  There was something more that Endric didn’t fully understand. Why did they think they knew how to find the breeding ground this time? What made it different?

  Yet that wasn’t the question he felt compelled to ask.

  “And you've never seen a creature like this?” Endric asked.

  Both Gron and Nahrsin shook their heads. “We've seen groeliin of different shapes. We've seen different brood marks,” Gron said. “But we've never seen one this size and with these markings.”

  “There have been rumors of different groeliin,” Nahrsin said.

  “Different?”

  “Groeliin with more power. We have never seen them.”

  Endric frowned. “What kind of more power?”

  Gron shook his head. “We shouldn’t be speaking of this. It is not wise.”

  “Look at this creature, Gron. What choice do we have but to speak of it?” Nahrsin asked.

  “The Yahinv—”

  “Are not here. They sent us out on this hunt, but they are not here, Uncle,” Nahrsin said. He turned his attention back to Endric. “There have been suspicions that there are groeliin with a dark power. Perhaps even like the Magi you know in Vasha. It is not something that we fully understand.”

  Endric thought of the strange swirl of darkness around the groeliin. “Help me understand this power,” he said.

  “What is there to understand?” Nahrsin asked. “I have never seen one.” He glanced at Gron as if seeking permission to speak. “There are many who don’t believe they exist. There are others who do.”

  Endric thought he understood and looked at the older Antrilii. “You.”

  Gron avoided his gaze. “I do.”

  “What happens if there are some of these groeliin when you reach the breeding grounds?”

  Neither Nahrsin nor Gron met his eyes.

  “You think that you can find these creatures?” Endric asked.

  “The merahl have abandoned the Antrilii,” Gron said. “We have had a bond for centuries. For them to simply leave us, something has changed.”

  “And you think that the powered groeliin, whatever these creatures are, are the reason this has happened?”

  “We don't have a good answer. The timing of the Chisln and the fact that the merahl have abandoned us is important. We know that.”

  Endric stared at Nahrsin and then turned his gaze to Gron. “So your plan to search for these groeliin… You didn't intend to come north simply to appeal to the merahl at all. You came north thinking that you might find and destroy creatures responsible for somehow influencing them.”

  Nahrsin stared at the body of the groeliin. “When we see creatures like this, something this different, I believe you, Uncle.”

  “Your father believed.”

  “Dentoun believed that the groeliin were guided by something. Their version of the gods.”

  “And if they are?” Gron asked. “If the groeliin have some version of the gods directing them? What then? Do we not bring all the force that we can against them? Do we not need to throw ourselves at them, risk everything and the possibility that we might finally end this centuries-old war? Would that not be valuable to our children, to give them a chance to live without war?”

  Endric shivered. He couldn't imagine these men lived their entire lives, the way they suffered, all because of their vows. All they wanted was to end the violence and their suffering. They wanted peace.

  Gron withdrew a long-bladed knife and began cutting along the groel
iin’s flesh.

  “What are you doing?” Endric asked.

  “We haven't seen a creature like this before. We need to bring these markings with us so that we understand just what it is.”

  He continued to slice through the flesh, peeling away a section of the groeliin's arm that was nearly the size of two hands. Gron worked with a neat and practiced precision that told Endric he'd done this sort of thing before. He sliced underneath the skin, leaving the creature’s muscles exposed, dissecting the flesh away.

  Gron worked quickly, peeling away the sections of flesh that were marked. Primarily this consisted of the groeliin’s arms, though there was a fairly large sheet of skin on the groeliin’s back that also had markings.

  When he was complete, he went to one of his packs and pulled out a narrow strip of cloth and wiped the flesh clean. Nahrsin had gone to his pack and gathered a jar and removed a wax seal. A bitter scent emanated as he did that reminded Endric of the medicines Nessa had used, mixed with a hint of something else, something Endric couldn't place his finger on.

  “You've done this before?” Endric asked.

  Nahrsin looked up from smearing the liquid over the flesh. “We've done this before.”

  Gron took the oiled section of skin and rolled it tightly before wrapping it all in another section of cloth. The effect of oiling it and rolling it removed the stench from the flesh. Endric had become familiar with that stink when he had cut free the brood mark.

  “Do you collect these?” He pulled the flesh he’d cut from the groeliin and offered it to Nahrsin.

  “You cut this?” Nahrsin asked.

  Endric nodded. “I thought that if I had proved to the Yahinv that I had done what they required of me that I would need some evidence they could account for.”

  He hadn't realized that there was no real way to eliminate a brood. There would've been no way to prove what he had done. And it might actually have been impossible to do. What kind of penance was there that would be impossible to accomplish?

  Nahrsin took the chunk of flesh that Endric had obtained and motioned to Gron. The other man quickly unrolled the section of skin he had removed from the groeliin. Nahrsin set it down, looking at the skin, comparing them.