The Cessation of Karrak: Ascension III (The Karrak Trilogy Part Three Book 3)

by Robert J Marsters

  “What do ye mean, properly? Ye get hungry, ye eat, simple as that!”

  “No, that’s where you’re wrong! You need a balanced diet. Plenty of vegetables and fruit, that’s what you need, not just meat and beer, like some people think.”

  “Know somethin’ Lodren?” laughed Grubb, “You’ll make a good mum someday.”

  Lodren scowled at him, “You won’t be so flippant when I put your dinner in front of you tonight, will you? You’ll just wolf it down like you always do. That is, of course, if I decide to feed you.”

  Faylore smiled as she listened to them. She was strolling behind Buster, quelling her excitement at being re-united with the rest of the companions. Knowing that they were expected was a relief and, unseen by the others, she was gently patting Buster’s flanks to hurry him along.

  They approached the village. Faylore could see Jared and Hannock stood outside what seemed to be a tavern. Typical, she thought, Hannock as near to wine or beer as he could be. As they entered the village, Hannock turned and walked into the tavern. Jared had not seen them and began to stroll in the other direction. Strange, thought Faylore. It seemed that the Gerrowliens had not informed them of their meeting.

  It was at this point that Lawton suddenly appeared. He had leapt from a nearby tree, a look of deep concern on his furry face, “They don’t know you’re here yet, Faylore,” he said quietly. “Something’s going on and we’re not sure what. Jared’s acting very strange and there’s a heck of a racket coming from the tavern. Hannock’s going crazy about something.”

  “Thank you, Lawton,” she said. “Don’t worry, we’ll get to the bottom of it,” she added stroking his shoulder. Glancing up she saw Poom lying in the tree from which Lawton had descended. Taking a few paces, she leapt to the lower boughs. “I believe I owe you an apology, sir.”

  Poom looked sideways at her, “Forget it,” he murmured.

  “Want a fight?” she asked.

  Poom was amazed at her question and reeled backwards, “What!” he exclaimed.

  “I thought it might clear the air and allow you to let off some steam,” she smiled, “or are you scared of losing?”

  Poom stared at her, was she serious? “I don’t fight women,” he said with a curl of his lip, “It wouldn’t be fair.”

  “Ah, so you are scared,” she giggled.

  “Terrified,” sighed Poom.

  She flung her arms around his neck, “Get out of this tree and stop sulking, you stupid cat.” Pulling as hard as she could, she dragged him from the branch. They both fell, Poom landing first and catching Faylore. Placing her gently on the ground, he stuck his tongue out, “Your Majesty,” he said dryly, “you lose.”

  Approaching the tavern, they could hear Hannock’s rantings from within. They had no idea where Jared had gone but never gave it much thought, knowing that he would return soon enough. Faylore climbed the steps to the tavern and opened the door. All inside had their backs to her and she stood for a few moments, listening to Hannock as he raged on.

  “… have him destroy me. Surely I have as much blood on my hands as that pathetic old man!”

  Faylore raised her blowpipe to her lips.

  ***

  “So, you know where they are?”

  “They’ve settled in a village by the name of Mellanthion, and they’ve been there for some time as far as we can gather.”

  “Perfect! This is what you must do, boy.”

  “Will you stop referring to me as boy? I have a name, use it!”

  Karrak stared at him momentarily, “Very well, Xarran, this is what you must do.”

  “That’s another thing, Karrak. I don’t have to do anything! You seem to forget that I am here of my own free will. You can’t control me like I’m one of your grotesque creations! If you need me to do something, ask. You’re in no position to give me orders!” It seemed that Xarran was more like his father than he realised as he raged at the shadow lord.

  Karrak yearned to tear Xarran apart, but he knew that he could not. Something was protecting him, the only explanation was his blood, and ultimately, the Elixian Soul. For now, he must bide his time, “Very well, Xarran. Would you be kind enough to embark upon a mission that would be mutually beneficial to us both?”

  “See, didn’t hurt, did it?” sneered Xarran.

  Karrak stood motionless, “What is your answer?” he hissed.

  “That depends,” replied Xarran. “What does this mission entail?”

  “I will not lie to you, Xarran,” he replied, emphasising his name. “It will be treacherous, at best. If you are unsuccessful, it could prove to be fatal.”

  “If it is as dangerous as you say, why not go yourself?”

  “And you wonder why I refer to you as ‘boy’?” replied Karrak, deliberately goading Xarran. He knew that manipulation of the mind did not necessarily have to be done with the use of magic. “You are correct, of course,” he continued. “A mission such as this could never work if entrusted to someone who doubts his own abilities. Remain here, boy, I shall attend to this myself.”

  “I doubt nothing!” Xarran screamed, “I’m every bit as powerful as you! I don’t need to float or look like a spectre from a nightmare to accomplish my goals! Tell me your plan, shadow lord. When it is completed, without your aid, I will take great pleasure in rubbing your nose in it.”

  Karrak swept forward until he was face to face with his son, “So there is a fire in there!” he hissed, “Good… very good. You may surprise me yet.”

  “Tell… me… the… plan.”

  Karrak retreated, “I need the scroll, Xarran. You are going to obtain it for me, at any cost.”

  ***

  Hannock’s eyelids flickered.

  “Master Emnor, I think he’s waking up,” called Drake.

  “So he is,” replied Emnor, “I thought he’d be asleep for a lot longer than that, it’s barely been an hour,” he looked questioningly at Faylore.

  “Oh, I only used a small dose,” she confessed. “He’s not sick, I just wanted to calm him down.”

  Yello chuckled, “You did that alright. It’s been ages since I’ve seen that done. I love your anaesthetics, Faylore. I wish my Abigails Mercy worked that fast on my leg.”

  “Would you like me to see if I can help?” she replied.

  “Oh, no, no, no. There’s nothing you can do, I’m afraid. It’s down to old age more than anything. No, you save your herbs for someone who really needs them,” he smirked, nodding toward Hannock.

  “How ye doin’, Captain?” asked Grubb, nudging him gently.

  “I’m alright,” sighed Hannock, pushing himself up on his elbows. “What happened? I feel like a house fell on me.”

  “Been mixing yer drinks again ‘ave ye?”

  “No, Grubb, I have not been… GRUBB!” exclaimed Hannock. “Where did you come from?” he sat up quickly, “Faylore! Lodren! You’re all here! Is everything alright? It’s so good to see you! Where have you been? We’ve all been worried…”

  Faylore held up her hand, “All in good time, Charles. Take a breath, calm down. We’re all fine.”

  Drake sniggered, “Yes, calm down, Charles.”

  “That’s enough out of you, Maddleton,” warned Faylore.

  Hannock surveyed the room, “Where’s Jared?” he asked slowly.

  “No idea,” replied Emnor. “We haven’t seen him since he left with you.”

  “How long was I asleep? How did I fall asleep?” he asked, suspiciously.

  “Could have something to do with all the booze you’ve been swilling down lately,” Drake, of course, hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but as usual his mouth had worked far faster than his brain. “And you haven’t had much sleep either, you must have been exhausted,” he added quickly, patting Hannock on the shoulder in mock sympathy.

  Hannock frowned, “How long… was I… asleep?” he repeated.

  “Less than an hour,” announced Yello. “So, stop fretting about Jared. He probably fancied a little time al
one.”

  “Have you forgotten what he did?” asked Hannock, his ire beginning to rise again.

  “We haven’t forgotten,” replied Emnor, solemnly. “But no amount of speculation or accusation can change that. We’ve been over it and, unfortunately, we’ll simply have to wait and see how this pans out.”

  “But, Emnor! He k…!”

  “Yes, yes, we are quite aware of what happened, Captain,” interrupted Yello.

  Hannock glanced at Faylore, unsure of how much she knew of recent events.

  “It’s alright, Charles,” she said with a gentle smile, “Master Emnor has informed me of what has occurred here.”

  “Nobody has mentioned the fact that Jared doesn’t seem to want to go anywhere without Emnor’s staff,” said Drake, staring at the floor, “Grabs it before he takes his first step.”

  “Sorry, Drake, but you’re wrong,” said Harley, confidently, “He doesn’t reach for the staff, the staff goes to him. It just seems to appear in his hand, like a pet that cannot bear to be parted from its master.”

  Yello laughed, “Nothing escapes your watchful eye, does it!” he said, looking directly at Emnor.

  Emnor smiled, “No,” he replied. “However, there is one point on which you are mistaken, Master Harley. The staff no longer belongs to me. It belongs to Jared.”

  “But, how can that be?” asked Harley, looking puzzled. “We made it for you! It is bound to you, Drake and I witnessed that.”

  “It seems that magical extensions, not unlike people, can have a change of heart. The staff’s allegiance is now to Jared, it’s irrefutable.”

  “Could its allegiance change again?” asked Lodren, looking concerned. “What if we get in front of Karrak and it decides it wants to be on his side?”

  “Dear oh dear,” sighed Emnor, “You really are a worry-monger, aren’t you? But, in answer to your question, that could never happen.”

  “But you don’t know that for sure, do you?”

  “Yes, I do, Lodren,” Emnor assured him, “Karrak has the Soul, which is evil. In order to contend with its evil, Jared now has the Heart. One cannot command both simultaneously.”

  “Oh, that’s alright then,” chirped Lodren. “It’s getting late. Anyone hungry?”

  “Not for me thanks,” said Hannock, rising. “I’m off to look for Jared. Faylore, would you care to join me?”

  “I think that Her Majesty should remain here for the time being, there are many things we need to discuss,” Emnor suggested. A point on which Faylore agreed.

  “Don’t worry,” laughed Drake, “I’ll come with you and hold your hand.”

  Hannock’s face fell, “Wonderful,” he groaned.

  CHAPTER 10

  Drake shadowed Hannock as he scoured the village. The locals seldom remained outside lately and Hannock’s questioning of the few that did brought no information. Drake, understanding Hannock’s concern, remained silent. He knew that this was no time to be making jokes or poking fun.

  “Do you think he’s left the village, Hannock?”

  “That’s the one thing I’m trying not to think about.”

  “Well, I can’t see him wandering off across the plains. That leaves the road, or the forest. Which way shall we try first?”

  “You seem awfully keen to find Jared.”

  “Yeah, well, he’s a friend, same as you are,” replied Drake, not wanting to make eye contact. “And friends take care of each other.”

  Hannock smiled. Drake was growing up at last. He placed his arm around the young man’s shoulders.

  “Sod off!” exclaimed Drake, shrugging him off. “This is no time for male bonding, you pillock! Which way are we going?”

  “We’ll take the road for a while,” Hannock chuckled. “We’ll track for a couple of miles and, if we can’t find any trace, we’ll make our way back through the forest.”

  “Come on then,” urged Drake, setting off at a brisk pace. Hannock drew level with him, studying the ground as they walked. “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about, Hannock. Jared obviously has a lot on his mind at the moment. He probably just needed a break, you know, blow some of the cobwebs from his brain.”

  “It’s not his brain I’m worried about, Drake. It’s that bloody staff. When Jared and I left the tavern earlier today, I could hardly believe my ears. It was as if I was talking to a complete stranger. The things he said, it wasn’t Jared. Well it was Jared, but his voice seemed different, distant.”

  “Magic does that occasionally,” said Drake, “you think you’re in full control of your actions but the magic takes over. It’s happened to me loads of times, usually when I was testing a new wand. It was as if the power itself knew that I was in danger and acted to protect me.”

  “Is that what you think the staff is doing, protecting Jared?”

  “I can’t say for certain, but I’m sure it won’t allow him to come to any harm if his intentions are pure.”

  “How do you mean pure?”

  “Think about today. Jared, or the staff, whichever way you want to look at it, destroyed Barden without the slightest hesitation, agreed?” Hannock nodded. “But it allowed the other one to live. What’s his name… Darooq. If he was as nasty as Barden, surely he too would have been executed?”

  “So, you’re saying that, because there was a chance that he could somehow find redemption, the staff spared him?”

  “Certainly seems that way. And if the staff refused to do harm to one that had already performed many unspeakable deeds, it seems only logical to believe that it would protect someone who is guilty of none.”

  Hannock stopped dead in his tracks and studied the young wizard momentarily. He ran his hand through his hair, “Why aren’t you like this all the time?” he asked, confused.

  “Like what?” asked Drake, even more confused than Hannock.

  “You’re a brilliant wizard, you’ve proven that, but you’re so much more. You’re insightful, intelligent, empathetic, understanding and caring. Why do you always act like such a prat?”

  Drake laughed, “Oh that!” he said. “Because I’m bloody good at it! Now come on, we haven’t got all day. Let’s find Jared.”

  They could find no tracks as they searched the road and headed off into the woods as the light began to fail. Stepping into the treeline, they had not realised just how dark it would be once the sun began to set.

  “Just a minute,” Drake said suddenly. Stooping down, he fumbled on the ground until he found two sizeable branches. Stripping the smaller twigs from them, he withdrew his wand and mumbled a few words. The branches erupted in flame, creating torches that would allow them to see where they were going. “That’s better,” he said, sounding rather pleased with himself.

  “Better than walking into a tree,” laughed Hannock, taking one of the torches.

  After a while, Hannock had to admit defeat, “This was a stupid idea,” he sighed. “I can’t track him in the dark! It’s not as if I know the layout of the place. If we were closer to home I’d be able to get my bearings but, in here, I have no idea which way to head.”

  “I’ve got an idea,” Drake said quietly, “why don’t we head toward that light over there?”

  “What?” asked Hannock, who was a little distracted and hadn’t heard him. Looking up, he saw the look of dread on Drake’s face as he stood, posed like a gormless scarecrow with his arm outstretched. In the distance Hannock could see a pale light between the trees. “That is odd!” he said. “That’s not the light from a campfire, it’s far too bright.”

  “No. No it’s not,” gulped Drake. “That’s magic, that is. I just hope it is Jared, I don’t feel up to a battle in the woods at night.”

  “Where’s your sense of adventure, Drake? Come on, let’s investigate.”

  Hannock hurried ahead, followed by the not-so-enthusiastic Drake.

  As they drew closer, they extinguished the torches. Crouching low, Hannock continued to lead. Making as little noise as possible, he parted the bushes as
they neared a clearing. Reaching behind, he grabbed Drake’s shoulder and pulled him alongside. Leaning across, he whispered in his ear, “What do you make of that then?”

  Jared, sat on the ground cross-legged, had his eyes closed. But it was quite apparent that he was not merely sleeping.

  “What’s he doing?” whispered Hannock.

  “How the bloody hell should I know?” hissed Drake.

  “Well it is magic, isn’t it? I thought you might know.”

  “Well I don’t. Do you think I know everything about magic?”

  “You always act like you do.”

  “Oh, shut up, Hannock. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing, let’s just wake him up and you can ask him yourself.”

  “But what if we startle him? He might, you know, blow us up or something.”

  “He’s our friend, he’s not going to attack us!” sighed Drake. “And you say I sound like a prat!”

  Jared was encompassed by a huge sphere of light that pulsed gently. It was this that bathed the area with a surrealistic glow. Hannock studied his friend. It did not seem that he was trapped, quite the contrary, he could not recall having seen Jared looking so serene.

  Hannock approached the sphere cautiously. The pale light it emitted was hypnotic, but Hannock was wary, fully aware that it may also pose hidden dangers. He paused, looking for clues that may reveal how best to proceed. Drake however, despite his vast knowledge, could not resist the attraction of the sphere. He reached out to it.

  There was a loud crack and a flash and before they could react both he and Hannock found themselves hurtling through the air. The sound of them crashing through the undergrowth seemed magnified by the stillness of the night. They lay there, convulsing as sparks travelled the length of their entire bodies. It only lasted a few seconds, although they were sure they would feel the effects for some time yet.

  Drake groaned, “Hannock, are you alright?” he asked, struggling to his feet.

  Hannock shook his head vigorously, “I told you! Didn’t I tell you? I said he’d blow us up! Either that or he’s decided that it’s about time we learned how to fly!”