by Wayne Mee
"Thorn! Go for the head!"
Erin's shouted words reached him through a haze of fear and terror. Then, having no other choice, Thorn launched himself at the towering Karn, his sword going for the neck of the beast. With the haft of his spear the Karn casually swatted Thorn back against the rock. Pain engulfed the tiny Kirkwean and he felt himself blacking out. Squinting, he looked up, determined at least to face death in the eye. Then, as the sneering Karn advanced, Thorn suddenly saw something dark floating down and settling over the creature's shaggy head, so that only the heavy spear was visible. With a gasp he realized that it was Kel's blue cloak. Glancing up he saw the Chin on the rock high above him, his right eyebrow raised as he waited to see what unfolded below him.
Suddenly Erin was at Thorn's side. Glenrig flashed and the Karn's spear was sheared off a vel back from the point. Erin then slammed his shield into the covered head, pulled off the Chin's cape and booted the sagging creature in the crotch for good measure. Then, after tossing the cloak back up to Kel, he turned and frowned down at the wide-eyed Kirkwean.
"I meant cut off the bloody spear head, dolt! But no matter; where's little Timin?"
With a sinking heart Thorn realized that he hadn't seen his friend since the battle had begun.
***
For Timin the world had suddenly gone black. There had been screaming and yelling and the harsh sound of metal grating on metal, mingled with cries of pain and rage. Then something had hit him hard on the back of the neck and it seemed like the sun had exploded inside of his head.
Now he was finding it hard to breathe, almost as though a crushing weight was pressing down on him. For a panic-stricken moment he thought he was dead, for all was black and dark and he couldn't feel his body. Then his fingers touched his nose; at least he thought it was his fingers. He bit them to be sure and his heart sank. There was no pain. Next he tried to move his head. As he did so he spied a shaft of light to his left. Gathering his strength, he willed himself to rise. The dark weight on his back increased, but so did the shaft of light. Then, with a mighty heave, he brought his knees up under him and the weight rolled off. Sunlight and fresh air washed over him --- as did the horrible sounds of battle.
Realization followed swiftly. He had been knocked unconscious; as for the weight he had felt, it had been a very large and very dead Karn. The small, lifeless eyes stared up at him, already glazed over by death's invisible hand. The fingers he had bitten had not been his own.
His head still reeling from the blow, Timin struggled to his feet and gazed about. Everywhere he looked there were either dead or dying Karns. Off to the left he saw what remained of a Delgi, or at least what he believed was a Delgi, for the body was badly hacked and mangled. He stumbled towards it, picking up his little spear out of force of habit.
One thought burned within him, turning all others to ash --- find Thorn! Nothing else mattered; not the fear, not the pain, not even the death. They had been together ever since birth, and if Great Erg meant for them to meet their end here on this blood-drenched slope, then Timin wanted only that they should meet it as they had lived, together.
It was then that Timin saw the children. They were down in the valley, their hands tied behind their backs and being pulled along by two brutish Karns. A third Karn, somewhat smaller than the other two, waved his arms and cursed.
Without even hesitating, little Timin Goldenberry, who, until a short days ago had never fought anything larger than a big catfish, staggered over the rim of the valley and down the steep slope towards the three heavily armed Karns. There was no clear reasoning in it, no wisdom, no logic --- just two children that needed help, and at the moment, he was all they had.
***
Chapter 13:'THE CHASE'
Shag was raging. The filthy Stoners had tricked him! Foam flew from his mouth and he desperately wanted to kill something, anything --- just so long as he could feel his victim's life's blood oozing out between his clasped hands.
Suddenly the body of a Karn slammed down beside him. The fall from the rim of the valley had caused the head to split open. Sticky grey matter splashed over Shag, making him blink his beady eyes.
Then he saw the children. Sanity of a sort came rushing back. Cold fear replaced the burning rage. Cold fear --- and cunning.
A cruel glint lit-up his piggish eyes as he saw two of his brethren shuffling about in the confusion. "Hey there, you scum! Bring me the brats, 'n be quiffin' smart about it!"
The Karns, coming face to face with their dreaded leader, had little choice but to obey. The children were scooped up and brought before Shag.
"If you want to save your quiffin' hides, come with me! N' bring the brats along!"
As the three began to pick their way over the boulder strewn valley, a small form suddenly rose up before them, brandishing a ridiculously small spear and yelling something in a strange tongue.
Shag, grinning hideously over the rim of his shield, told the two others to flank this strange looking Stoner. Hampered by the squirming children, the two Karns slowly moved in on each side.
Timin, the blood pounding in his temples, made a quick stab at each, then hurled his spear directly at Shag. The Four Fist leader threw up his shield and the three tines of the tiny spear pierced the leather bound frame. Two of barbed tines pricked Shag's hand.
With a howl, Shad dropped the shield and gazed at his hand. Disbelief warred with pain as blackish blood flowed down his gnarled fingers. Then, his rage rekindled, Shag rushed at Timin.
Twice the rusted sword clattered off the boulders as the little Kirkwean dodged hither and thither, lashing out with his tiny belt knife at the drooling monster. With the third blow to strike the rocks, Shag's rusted sword shattered. The enraged Karn stood disbelieving as the 'beardless Stoner' drove his puny blade deep into Shag's leg.
Agony shot through the Four Fist Leader and he instinctively swung his knotted fist. The blow took Timin full on the jaw, knocking him senseless. Shag would have gladly finished the little creature then and there if his leg hadn't suddenly buckled out from under him.
The two Karns glanced from Shag to the Delgii now pouring into the valley. Even to their limited brains it was clear that if they didn't leave now, they never would. One helped Shag hobble away while the other one scooped up the two children. As an afterthought he slung the unconscious Kirkwean over his massive shoulder, knowing Shag would want to deal with the little 'beardless Stoner' himself.
***
Except for one or two muffled moans, all was quiet when Erin and Thorn reached the valley floor. Behind them Cynwulf and the remaining Delgii did what they could for their own wounded, while at the same time methodically slitting the throat of any Karn left alive. Dingle meanwhile, looked about him for the two children. When he didn't find them, he came over to join the tall manling's group.
"A few of the bastards got away. The children must be with them!"
Erin glanced around at the carnage. Bodies lay strewn about like fallen leaves. Not all of them were Karns. Two of the Delgii were dead and four were sorely wounded. Besides Dingle, only Cynwulf, grey haired Bragi and one other remained unharmed. Erin had received a slight cut on his left shoulder where a Karn's axe had glanced off his shield. Thorn, though he appeared to have suffered only a few scrapes and bruises, stood as one under a spell. His overlarge blue eyes gazed off into nothing, his trembling hand still clutched the small black blade.
"Well Friend Dingle", Erin said. "T'was a bloody fierce 'n hot encounter to be sure!"
At that moment Kel appeared. He held up a small, three pronged spear. From beside him Thorn gave a muffled sob. "Did -- did you find his -- body?"
The Chin shook his head. "They took him with them." Kel pointed to the dark substance drying on the three tines. "Blood, but not your cousin's. Rather I think that the small one himself did the wounding."
Thorn took the small spear and lovingly caressed the haft, while Erin moved closer to Kel and spoke so the others couldn't hear..
"The men o' Chin are said to be wondrous trackers. Lead me to the small one 'n I'll gladly release you from your oath. No more o' this 'Lord 'n Master' shite!"
Kel's right eyebrow arched as he looked up at the tall mercenary. "My oath is not so easily broken, Lord. Besides, a babe could follow their trail. One Karn bleeds and must be supported by the second. The third is heavily laden. Since the children are not here, nor the small one, then the last Karn carries all three."
Erin turned to Thorn. "Did you hear that, laddie? Timin's alive! This sour looking heathen here says a wee barren could follow their trail!"
The dazed look seemed to lift from Thorn's eyes. The fire that ever lurked just below the surface burst into flame. "Then we must save him! Now!"
Dingle's rough voice cut in. "Hold on, lad. I've dead and wounded to tend to. It'll be dark soon and those Karns won't get far. Come first light we'll run them to ground!"
"No!", Thorn yelled, grasping Timin's spear tightly. "You've dealt fair with us from the start, Master Dingle, and I'm in your debt --- but I mean to go after my friend NOW --- alone if I have to!"
Erin smiled, a bit surprised by Thorn's outburst. Kel merely raised his eyebrow. Dingle, however, chewed his lower lip and scratched at his beard.
"Well now, I can see old Granther Higgs brought up a real fire-eater!" Dingle paused, shoved his war hammer in his belt, then continued. "Very well, lad, we'll do it your way. Cynwulf here will see to my sordur, but I'm coming with you. Those two children be my kin, and since their mother is dead, it's up to me to look after them."
Cynwulf turned to Dingle. Though he spoke in his native tongue, his meaning was crystal clear --- he didn't trust these 'strangers' and he intended to go with Dingle. Even grey-haired Bragi seemed intent on going. In the end, Dingle barked out something and turned back to Erin and Thorn.
"It seems you're not the only one that is 'hot for the hunt'. So be it. Dargwil and the four wounded will bury the dead and head back to Hyree. Cynwulf and I will go with you three. Old Bragi here insists on coming as well --- to see that I don't 'fall off a cliff' or some such nonsense!"
Despite his worry over Timin, Thorn managed a smile. Erin seemed delighted. Kel, as usual, just looked on in stony silence.
***
Shag was in agony. His hand stung and his leg felt as though it was on fire. To make things worse, his head was beginning to ache, for the strange little 'Stoner' wouldn't shut up! Shag had ordered him dunked in the river, but the little fool just came up sputtering, then launched into another fierce browbeating about what would happen when his friends caught up with them.
"-- and if that's not enough, then my friend Erin will take his great, black sword and carve the lot of you into dog-meat; that is, if Kel's razor sharp arrows don't find you first!"
"Enough!!", Shag screamed. Though his command of the 'Trade Tongue' was none too good, unfortunately it was still good enough that he couldn't help but follow the little creature's tirade. Leaning forward he hissed: "Who are you?!"
Timin, his arms tied behind his back and river water still dripping off his nose, never-the-less drew himself up proudly.
"I am Timin Goldenberry, friend, cousin and companion of 'The Wanderer', Bramblethorn Higgs, blood kin to retired High Warder Granther Higgs of The Root in the land known as the Wold."
Shag, half mesmerized by the strange sounding names, rubbed his paw-like hand over his jaw and continued. "WHAT are you?!"
Timin's next reply was just as confusing as his last. "I am a Kirkwean, skilled at fishing, gardening and cooking. I am also a member of the Seventh Warder Reserve. And if you don't release these children right away, you will e very sorry when my friends get here!"
Shag tried to laugh away Timin's long-winded threats, but deep in his cowardly heart he feared that they just might be true.
Glancing around at the lengthening shadows, his mind's eye conjured up vivid images. At that moment one of the two remaining Karns touched him on the shoulder. Shag's heart leapt into his throat, causing him to slide off the log he had been sitting on, banging his wounded leg in the process. Several curses and smacks followed, along with the ringing sound of Timin's laughter. Shag ordered Timin dunked in the river a second time.
The rescue began just as the dripping Kirkwean was being hauled from the river. An arrow came out of nowhere and slammed into Timin's tormenter, hitting him in the left shoulder. Timin, his hands still tied behind his back, dropped like a stone into the swirling water.
Suddenly the shadows erupted with shouting forms; some short, some bearded, and one towering 'manling' brandishing a long, black sword!
Shag bolted for the swift flowing river and jumped. The dark waters washed over him just like they had little Timin. A moment later both were gone.
Thorn, seeing what had happened to his friend, tossed off helmet and sword belt and plunged into the angry waters. Behind him the cries and grunts of the dead and dying were lost as he kicked and groped his way down into the inky depths. Once he thought he had him, but it turned out to be only river weed. Thorn broke the surface and dove again, the hungry current sweeping him ever further from his friends.
Then his small hand grasped something. His lungs screaming for air, the wiry Kirkwean refused to give up. Pulling both himself and the sluggish object upwards, his head fought clear of the swirling waters and gulped in the cool, night air. Looking down Thorn saw the beloved head of his childhood playmate nestled against his breast. Panting, half drowned himself, he kicked and thrashed towards the nearest shore, pulling a semi-conscious Timin with him.
Thorn, his muscles aching, rolled Timin on to his stomach and methodically pounded on his back. Slowly the ice-cold river water drained between blue lips. Timin groaned and was in the process of retching out the rest when Erin and Kel found them.
"Glad I am that the two o' you be safe, laddie, but do you think it wise to break his back so?"
Too exhausted to reply, Thorn accepted Kel's cloak, wrapping it around both Timin and himself.
Just then Dingle and Cynwulf burst out of the forest, their weapons ready. The red bearded Delgi came over and knelt beside the two Kirkweans. Concern mixed with relief washed over his weathered face. Rif-Dag Cynwulf however just brushed past them, his hard eyes searching the dark waters for some sign of the escaped Karn.
"Well now, bucko," Dingle sighed. "A brave deed and no mistake, though a tad foolish. You of the Wold must be made of hardy stuff to brave a high mountain stream in full flood --- and in the dark yet!"
Off to the right there came the sound of snapping twigs, followed by the excited chatter of children. Moments later Bragi emerged, leading the wide-eyed lad by the hand and carrying the lassie.
"There now!" said Dingle, rising up and going over to the two frightened children. He took the little girl in his arms and ruffled the boy's tangled hair, cooing to them both in their native tongue before turning back to the others. "'All's well that ends well', as we say in Tyree. I'll be taking the wee tots home to my misses, seeing as how their mother is --- gone. A hot stew and a warm bed will help heal their bodies, as for the 'other', well, only time can do that."
Cynwulf cut in, his tone far from polite. Dingle growled something at him, then tickled the little girl under her chin. "My Rif-Dag here says that if a --- 'Wee'n' could escape the icy waters, then so could a Karn. He's for continuing the hunt, but I've told him 'no'. There's my wounded to think about, and these children have had more than enough excitement for now. You four are more than welcome to come back to Tyree with us, but suit yourselves."
Thorn thanked him, but declined. "I can't really explain it, but I feel somehow that I MUST follow him, even if it's only to find his dead body washed up on the bank."
Frowning, Erin motioned for Kel to scout ahead. As the Chin bowed and started to go, Thorn spoke. "If you do see him, Kel, don't kill him. Mark where he left the river and come back. We'll follow his trail at first light."
Kel's right eyebrow shot up, a quiz
zical look on his bronze face, then he bowed low. "Your will is mine, Little Lord."
Just as Kel was about to fade into the deepening shadows, Bragi called out to him. "Five silver coins against my belt knife that you don't find a trace of the slippery snake!"
Kel's cryptic voice floated back out of the darkness. "Is your precious heirloom worth so little, Delgi?"
"Ten then, you slant-eyed hobgoblin!", Bragi shouted out good-naturedly. The only answer was the hooting of an owl.
***
Chapter 14:'MITHDAR THE TINKER'
The old man casually poked at the embers of his fire. Off to one side a tethered donkey chomped at the grass in the small clearing. Overhead a large crow screeched into the cool morning air. The woods were alive with the chattering and scurrying of small animals --- yet the old man still heard the silent tread behind him. A broad smile spread its way across his bearded face. He continued to tend his fire, noticing that the rabbit was almost done. Rummaging in one of the large sacks scattered about, he casually sprinkled spices on the spitted meat.
"Might as well come and sit down, lad," he said matter-of-factly. "And bring those others there with you."
Kel's eyebrow arched as he crouched motionless behind a large oak half a bowshot away from the old man's fire. Never before had anyone caught him so unawares! Turning, he motioned for Erin and the two Kirkweans to come, then he stepped silently out into the clearing, an arrow still nocked and ready.
The old man didn't even turn as Kel and the others approached; instead he placed the rabbit on a flat rock to cool and started to brew some tea. "Been long on the trail, lad? You and the others seem a might tuckered out." Then, not waiting for a reply, he motioned towards the rabbit. "Help yourself. I've got beans and bread and a wheel of cheese." He turned and smiled at the four travellers. "You do fancy cheese, don't you? "