To Shaun’s delight it was wearing the golden, magical bridle which enabled them to communicate; the great ancient fairy warriors used them while riding their mighty steeds into battle and this was the only one to survive. Without further ado, Star knelt down and Herne gave Shaun and Garoob a leg up onto its back. Garoob held on tightly to Shaun’s body as Star stood up, and his face was etched with fear as he looked down at the ground. They seemed so much higher now he was on-board. Star turned its head towards Herne and waited till he mounted up and his hounds were gathered behind him, and they rode back into the cave. The Guardian had reset his portal and waved them forward and through to the dark side and they were relieved, particularly Garoob, to see there was no sign of any enemy guards.
Shaun indicated for them to stay there and silently crept along to the entrance of the secret tunnel. Cautiously he pulled back the vegetation that was camouflaging the opening and smiled and punched the air: he could see it had not been tampered with and knew how important it would be in the future when their army was mounting an attack. He turned and returned to his two friends.
‘The Dark Wizard’s guards have not discovered the tunnel, which is excellent news. Now let’s go and free King Delross.’
They mounted up and were soon in full flight, heading towards the land of the giants with Herne leading the way. It was still quite dark and gloomy but the further they travelled, the air thinned somewhat and the dark storm clouds faded, making it easier to breathe yet still dark enough to remain hidden in the long shadows of the mountainsides. They came to a halt as they approached the entrance to the forbidden area. The Dark Wizard’s guards patrolled the area and would kill any trespassers on sight. This was the Dark Wizard’s territory and very few had the courage, or were so foolhardy, to attempt such a journey.
Herne glanced over to Garoob. ‘Last time I ventured into this place I rode straight on all the way to the fortress. Have you any better ideas?’
He looked out, craning his neck. ‘Well, we used this route while on patrol but there is another route known only to the Dark Wizard and of course his personal guards, and it leads to the back of the fortress where the secret entrance to the dungeons is located. Although it is much lighter and brighter over there, only a handful of his guards patrol the area, so there is less chance of being seen.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ Shaun said, turning to Herne. ‘What do you think?’
‘Lead the way,’ replied Herne, waving them forward. ‘You know the area much better than me.’ Shaun slipped off Star’s back and Garoob took the reins. Shaun clambered up behind him and they set off. The landscape was very similar to the route Herne had taken previously, but as they dropped down through a raging river valley flying close to the fast-flowing water, suddenly the river dropped over a waterfall, plunging down into a deep cavern. Shaun wrapped his arms tightly around Garoob’s body as they hurtled down. He closed his eyes and had to stop himself screaming out: it was like being on the roller coaster but ten times more frightening.
He opened them again as he felt Star level out, but still clinging on for dear life as they continued only a metre or so above the turbulent water and to add to his discomfort they were being soaked by the spray from the ever-increasing torrent as it crashed against the rocks. He was so relieved to see the river finally slowing down a mile or so further on, but as they flew around a bend in the canyon his breath was taken away and he gasped out loud in awe at the sight ahead: monumental, rugged walls rising sheer from the canyon floor fluted by the constant flow of water cascading down.
After what seemed an age to Shaun, Garoob pulled the bridle and steered Star up away from the river surface, weaving along the twists and turns of the canyon and finally coming to rest on top of a plateau overlooking the magnificent yet threatening landscape, another vast area of the Dark Wizard’s territory with craggy mountains, majestic cliffs with deep valleys and roaring rivers, thundering against giant boulders on their journey through this hostile land. The air was much cleaner and the gloom had lifted, leaving a strange yet pleasant atmosphere. Shaun threw back his head and took several deep breaths. A contented smile broke across his face as a soft breeze caressed his face. He would have been happy to stay there for a while to get rid of the horrible taste and depressing feelings he endured while in the gloom of the dark side, but he knew time was something they didn’t have a lot of. Once the Prince attacked the Dark Wizard’s guards at King Delross’s mine they might be able to raise the alarm and warn the fortress to be on full alert. So he took one last, lingering breath before glancing over to Herne.
‘We had better get a move on: the Prince will have set off for the mine by now.’
As they dropped down from the plateau and flew close to the cliffsides, a fine mist rising from the raging river below filled the canyon with ghostlike swirls, shrouding their flight. All around them strange sounds filled the air, noises Shaun had never heard before, so loud that his mind ran amok with thoughts of what kinds of creatures could make such a racket. But just as he was putting the thoughts out of his mind, the sounds slowly faded away into total silence before a high-pitched screech echoed through the canyon, followed by a second and a third, three shrill cries in unison increasing in volume and reverberating all around them.
Suddenly from out of the sky three harpies appeared and they circled around and around just a few metres above them, continuing to send out their ear-splitting, nerve-jangling cries. Garoob glanced over his shoulder to Herne.
‘Be ready: we must find shelter. Follow me, I know of a nearby cave – we might just make it.’
Herne nodded and Garoob waited until the harpies were circling away from them before shaking Star’s bridle and steering him in the opposite direction, with Herne right behind. They left the canyon and headed towards a nearby mountain; as they approached Shaun’s spirits were lifted by the sight of a large cave entrance a short distance away, but somehow the harpies had beaten them there and the three were perched on a ledge a few metres above the entrance.
Shaun had forgotten how monstrous they were, and with a face and front body of a woman, the wings of a vulture, long, barbed claws and large, evil, emerald green eyes they looked so weird, but as they flexed their mighty wings and threw back their heads, revealing slavering, fang-like teeth, it sent a cold shiver down even Herne’s back.
‘What now?’ said Herne, his face fraught with uncertainty.
Garoob quickly scanned their surroundings. ‘This is the only cave anywhere nearby and if there is a patrol in the area they will have heard the cries and will be coming to investigate. All I can suggest is that we rush towards the entrance and try and fight them off.’
‘I doubt we will succeed: one harpy is bad enough but three could take on a whole army. They are just waiting for us to make a move,’ Herne replied, slowly drawing his sword, ‘but we have no other options.’ Suddenly the harpies flexed their wings and gave out another burst of screeching. Shaun, who had been sitting quietly studying what to do, looked up and raised his hand, pointing his ring finger towards them before closing his eyes. There was a blinding flash of coloured lights engulfing the mountainside, and to everyone’s amazement, including Shaun, the three harpies were imprisoned inside some sort of reinforced netting, sending out distress cries as they struggled to free themselves.
But before the three jubilant travellers had time to celebrate, there was the sound of a high-pitched whistle and an arrow sped over Shaun’s head and thudded against the mountainside, followed by another and another hissing through the air.
‘Quick!’ shouted Garoob. ‘Take cover: it’s the Dark Wizard’s guards.’
Star needed no prompting: he burst forward, disappearing into the cave with Herne following. Once inside, they quickly dismounted and peered out of the entrance, Herne and Garoob drawing their swords and Shaun brandishing his mighty hammer. They could see four guards on horseback talking to one another.
Garoob shook his head, his face etched with worry. ‘
We are in trouble now: one of them will ride back to the fortress for reinforcements while the others keep us pinned down in here. Maybe if I just rushed them, they might scatter,’ Herne said.
‘You wouldn’t stand a chance: those arrows are tipped with poison, so just a slight graze from one and you’re dead.’
‘If I use the hammer as a shield once I get near enough, I’ll be able to use the ring.’ Garoob nodded. ‘That seems to be our best chance: I have seen the hammer in operation when it saved my life, but be very careful.’
Shaun stood up but as he prepared to make his dash the three of them gasped out loud in horror as they watched one of the guards turn his horse and head back towards the fortress.
‘Too late! He will raise the alarm and our chances of freeing the King have gone,’ but before the guard disappeared from sight he cried out and fell from his horse, and as the three guards turned to ride after him one by one they, too, cried out as they fell to the ground.
Garoob’s face lit up. ‘There’s only one archer that I know who can fire as quickly and accurately as that: my brother Garushe. He was the Dark Wizard’s special guard before he fell foul of the Wizard’s wrath.’ Without further ado he jumped up and stepped outside, waving his arms and calling out his brother’s name. Shaun and Herne, fearing for his sanity, followed him out and stood either side, Shaun holding his hammer ready to shield them from any danger. There was a nervous moment of deathly silence before Garushe stepped out of the shadows of the mountainside, his bow loaded as he walked towards them, suspicious this might be a trap.
Garoob threw a glance at his two friends. ‘Stay here, I think he is unsure about you two. I will go and explain.’ Herne and Shaun watched as they ran to meet each other, throwing down their weapons and wrapping their arms around each other, desperately fighting back the tears. After several minutes they walked back towards Shaun and Herne, huge smiles beaming from their faces.
‘This is my brother Garushe, and these are my two new friends, Shaun and Herne. I will let him tell his story.’
Garushe shook his head. ‘I have heard many stories about Herne, the famous hunter and giant of a warrior, but thought they were exaggerated, but now I see they were underestimated. My brother is very fortunate to have such an ally as you,’ he said, turning to Shaun. ‘You certainly don’t look like a warrior but Garoob tells me it was you who saved him from the torture rack – incredible. Garoob has told you how I fell out with the Dark Wizard because I wouldn’t kill one of my offspring, and Garoob helped me escape with my family. I had no idea he was made to take my place on the deathly torture contraption. We fled to one of the many secret caves I knew of and kept moving from one to another, knowing the Dark Wizard would not rest till we were caught. One day, while I was out hunting for food, the guards found my family and slaughtered them all. When I returned they had left my poor, innocent family butchered. I swore on that dreadful day that I would wreak revenge, and I have managed to kill dozens of his guards, but I know it is only a matter of time before they catch up with me.’
Shaun wrapped his arms around him. ‘Don’t worry, that won’t happen: you have not only saved our lives, but more importantly also given us the chance to free the Dwarf King who is being held in the fortress. Will you join us in our mission?’
‘I would be honoured to fight by my brother’s side against the evil Wizard.’
‘Very good, let’s not waste any more time. You can travel with Herne if that’s okay,’ said Shaun, glancing back to Herne.
‘Of course. Come, I will give you a leg up.’ Garushe looked a little hesitant as Herne, towering above, hoisted him up onto the front of his mighty steed. Garushe gasped out loud as he grabbed the reins, looking down at the ground so far away. He glanced over to his brother. ‘I almost feel sorry for the poor guards who have to face this colossal warrior. I’m so pleased he’s on your side, Garoob.’ They all threw back their heads and laughed out loud as they rode off.
Earlier the previous day, the Dwarfs had waited till the last rays of the sun had slipped over the horizon and the long, dark shadows of twilight flooded the mountainside before emerging from their mountain forge. They gathered outside, 30 warriors with full body armour, metal wristbands, knee protectors, studded boots and thick, leather shirts, wraps with studded metal belts, all heavily armed with swords, daggers, balls and chains – truly a fearsome, frightening sight as the Prince led them down one of the many tracks disappearing into the shadows of the night.
They patrolled the area around their forge each night, looking for any would-be invaders, but tonight was different: they would have to venture further afield to the other side of the mountain, the domain of King Delross. They travelled silently and swiftly, where possible staying in the shadows, but as the moon burst forth, casting shafts of silver light glinting on their weapons, they left the mountainside and headed for the nearby forest, a slight detour, but still heading in the same direction. The air was heavy and still as they made their way through the dense undergrowth, and their pace slowed as the dappled light of the forest masked the huge, spreading branches. In some of the more dense areas they had to cut their way through with their swords, making it difficult to find their bearings so they were somewhat relieved when the moon disappeared behind a bank of dark clouds and they were able to rejoin the track and slip into the shadows of the mountainside. Looking ahead, the track wound its way around the mountain and disappeared into the murky gloom.
The Prince kept glancing skyward, watching the moon journey across the sky. He knew once it had come to rest that dawn would follow and they would be running out of time, so he increased the pace into a brisk trot. Finally the track swept around the edge of the mountain. The Prince brought them to a halt. A broad, contented smile crossed his face as memories came flooding back. He was so young the last time he was in the area with his father on one of their visits to King Delross and his son Dakro, so long ago before the fallout. He had spent many happy times playing with his cousin. He glanced skyward and quickly waved his army forward as the first trace of daybreak tinged the distant horizon, and they still had a way to go.
Meanwhile, over at the dark side, Shaun and his little band pushed on at great speed, and dark, threatening storm clouds swirled overhead. As they approached the fortress, the air became thick and charged with flashes of lightning arcing across the fortress, the whole area illuminated, and above them flashes of forked lightning thundered down, crackling around them and sending shivers down their spines and spooking the two horses.
They dismounted and gently stroked them, trying to settle them down before moving forward on foot, Shaun leading Star, talking calmly all the time, and Herne close behind with his steed, but further along they became skittish as the long, sharp shadows of the rock face cast an eerie shroud over them as they crept towards the rear of the fortress. And as they stepped out of the shadows Shaun gasped out loud: a towering, solid cliff face rose from the floor, disappearing into the dark clouds above. He shook his head and glanced over to Herne. He could see that Herne was thinking the same as him: was this some sort of trap? There was no visible opening or doorway. Garoob either saw their faces or had sensed their concern. ‘Yes, I know it is a daunting sight, but no need to worry: it is, as I told you, a secret door. Just stay there while I locate it.’
They watched as Garoob walked along the side of the rock face, rubbing his hand across its surface and eventually coming to a halt and waving them over. Shaun took hold of Star’s magic bridle and told him to wait there until they returned, but if they did not make it, he must fly back and inform the Guardian. He wrapped his arms around him before joining the others. Garoob took out his sword and slid the back between a joint in the stone, and to Shaun’s amazement there was a grinding noise before a section of the rock face slowly opened up.
Cautiously and silently they crept through the opening and Garoob led them along a dark tunnel. Gradually the tunnel seemed to narrow and they had to stoop as they felt their way al
ong. Herne was really struggling, his huge frame rubbing against the sides, and he stumbled several times as he crouched further and further down. Finally they emerged into an open area at the far end. They paused for several minutes to gather their senses and accustom their eyes to the somewhat brighter surroundings. Garoob waited until they had recovered before leading them along an adjoining corridor which led to the entrance of the dungeon area. He put his hand over his mouth, signalling for them to stay silent. Peering inside, they could see three guards sitting on the floor, their backs propped against the wall, snoozing. Garoob crept forward, beckoning the others to follow. As they got close the guards twitched and stirred but slept on. The light was dim and hazy, the air moist and sticky, so thick Shaun could taste it.
Garoob, Garushe and Herne stood over the guards and on Garoob’s nod they each grabbed one of the guards, putting their hand over their mouths to smother their cries and hold their swords to their throats. As they woke their faces were taut with fear, their eyes bulging at the sight of Herne’s huge frame standing over them.
‘One sound and you’re dead,’ whispered Garoob.
Being a hunter, Herne was always prepared. He slipped from his belt several strips of hide he used to bind his prey and tied each of the guards’ wrists and legs. Garushe took out his knife and cut the tunic from one of the guards into strips, wrapping them around their mouths to prevent them calling out before they moved on to the huge cavern which housed a row of cells. Shaun led the way as they quickly walked around, checking each cell; he was beginning to wonder whether the King had been imprisoned in another part of the fortress, as they were running out of cells. But he gave out a huge sigh of relief when he spotted the King in the very corner of the cavern. But as he approached, his relief turned to disgust. The sight of the majestic Dwarf sitting crumpled up in the corner, his regal attire filthy and tattered, his beard unkempt, and as he lifted his head his matted hair masked his face.
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