A Parlous Battle

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A Parlous Battle Page 3

by Kastensmidt, Christopher


  Arany gasped and shielded her eyes. “Uba,” she sobbed, calling the man’s name softly.

  Gerard made the sign of the cross. “God protect us,” he said.

  “Olorun,” added Oludara, speaking the name of his African God.

  Gerard joggled his head and said, “Oludara, let us attack this foul beast right away!”

  “Agreed,” replied Oludara.

  Gerard remained prone and steadied his harquebus upon a tree root. Oludara stood and drew the bow, his forceful muscles unwavering. “You for the chest,” he said, “me for the head.”

  “On the count of three,” replied Gerard. “One, two, three!”

  Oludara loosened the bow and Gerard’s harquebus boomed beside him. His arrow bounced off the beast’s head, and he couldn’t tell whether the bullet struck, but Gerard rarely missed, and the Kalobo showed no sign of impact. It did, however, cock an eye in their direction. Then it turned its snout toward them and breathed in deeply. Arany, her hands free, had time to cover her ears; the other two did not. The beast screamed again, and the sound stunned Oludara and Gerard as before. The beast lumbered towards them.

  Arany shouted at the two, beating Oludara on his chest and kicking Gerard in his side. “Please!” she yelled. “Move!”

  Oludara struggled to regain control. He became aware of the beast’s hideous stench, like a pack of hyenas, as it came closer. When but five feet remained between them and the Kalobo, Oludara’s head finally cleared and he said, “Run!”

  Gerard took a moment more, but, as the beast’s shadow fell upon him, rolled over and got to his knees. The Kalobo’s claws brushed his collar as he pushed himself up and ran.

  #

  After a five-minute sprint through the woods, Oludara called his companions to a halt. Gerard, his heavy frame winded, threw himself to the ground.

  Once he caught his breath, Gerard said, “We must act quickly to save the others.”

  “Yes,” replied Oludara. “As my people say, ‘He who waits for a chance, waits for a year.’ We cannot linger and allow another man to suffer that fate.”

  All three shuddered at the memory of the Kalobo’s terrible meal.

  “Arany,” asked Oludara, “your people have no notion how to defeat the beast?”

  “If we did,” she said, “we would have destroyed it long ago.”

  “What do we do?” asked Gerard. As usual, he deferred the planning to Oludara.

  “Fire is always a good option for the beast which cannot be pierced,” he replied. “And if that does not work, my knife has never failed me. Its enchantment is strong; it cut the skin of a dragon in Africa, surely it will cut this beast.

  “Here is my plan. First, we return to the canoe...”

  #

  Oludara approached the Kalobo’s cave, stopping some ten paces before it. He yelled and hurled in a rock. He could barely hear the clatter through the wax in his ears, and spotted no movement in the darkness. When he stooped down to pick up a second stone, the beast charged out.

  Oludara barely had time to duck under the Kalobo’s claw. He tumbled forward and flipped himself up. As he gathered himself to run, the Kalobo released one of its terrible screams.

  The sound made him shudder, but the wax deadened it enough so as not to stun him. He hobbled away in a half-run, feigning injury to draw the lumbering beast after him, but soon increased his pace when he discovered the beast gaining on him.

  It took only three minutes to arrive back at the river. Oludara spotted the canoe through the trees and looked up to see Gerard standing in the crook of a large tree.

  “Now!” said Oludara.

  As the Kalobo stepped under him, Gerard dropped a burning torch into a pile of gunpowder-dusted kindling at its feet. The kindling ignited with a powerful “whoosh”, and burned all around it. Arany, hidden nearby, gave an excited cheer.

  But the Kalobo kicked away the fire, and it became apparent that only the kindling burned—the beast remained unsinged. It reached down and pulled the torch out from the remains of the fire, then looked up to search for its attacker. When it spotted Gerard, it hurled the burning brand at him with blinding velocity.

  The flaming projectile slammed into Gerard’s ample stomach and knocked him from his perch with a grunt. His backside snapped one branch and he just managed to grab another, holding on by his fingertips.

  While the beast’s attention remained focused on Gerard, Oludara drew his knife and ran up behind it. He struck an upwards thrust at its back, but the knife grazed harmlessly off its skin.

  The beast turned to face Oludara and Arany charged from the other side, arrow in hand. She thrust it with both hands and struck the creature’s eye, but the arrow snapped at the middle. Both she and Oludara jumped away as the Kalobo flailed at them.

  “Shango take this beast!” cursed Oludara, invoking the name of one of his Yoruban deities. “Not even its eye bleeds.” He looked up and shouted, “Gerard, get down here! We need your help!”

  “What?” said Gerard, still hanging from the branch.

  “Take the wax from your ears!”

  Gerard pulled himself up far enough to thrust his elbows over the branch, then pulled the wax out of one ear. “What of the beast’s wails?” he yelled.

  “Keep your eyes on its chest,” replied Oludara. “If it heaves, cover your ears.”

  “Do it now!” said Arany.

  All three covered their ears just as the terrible scream commenced. Gerard’s movement, however, required him to release his grip on the branch. He crashed to the ground near Oludara and groaned.

  “Are you all right?” asked Oludara.

  “Nothing broken, I think.”

  “Then help me!” said Oludara, pulling him to his feet.

  The fact that its scream had no effect on the men seemed to confuse the Kalobo. They took advantage of its hesitation and ran forward, side by side. Each one grabbed one of the beast’s arms and they threw their combined might against it.

  The beast gave way one step, then another. Then, however, its bull’s hooves found a hold and it halted their advance.

  “I can’t believe its strength,” growled Gerard.

  At that moment, the beast twisted more deftly than either expected. Oludara tripped forward and the Kalobo threw its weight at Gerard, thrusting him to the ground and stunning him.

  The Kalobo appeared ready to pounce on Gerard when Oludara jumped between them and grabbed both of its arms. He pushed with all his might and for a few long seconds, held the beast in place. Then, however, the Kalobo kicked forward with one of its massive hooves.

  Oludara could feel his shin split and his body collapse beneath him. He blacked out before he hit the ground.

  #

  Gerard heard the awful crunch as the Kalobo kicked Oludara’s leg, and saw his companion go down. He had only one resource left: his Bolognese rapier. He stood and unsheathed the sword. The Kalobo, however, ignored him and bent over Oludara instead.

  Gerard whacked the blade across the creature’s back.

  “You, big nose,” he said, “try me first.”

  The creature studied Gerard for a moment with its sideways gaze, then turned to face him. Gerard pointed his rapier at the beast’s chest and set himself in a Porta di Ferro guard, right foot forward and left hand at his waist. The beast swung at him. Gerard made an oblique step to dodge and responded with a lunge to the ribcage. Gerard’s wrist jerked violently when the point made contact; it felt like striking a wall. Gerard recovered just in time to duck the Kalobo’s next blow.

  “Arany,” he shouted, “wake him up! I can’t hold this creature off for long.”

  Arany looked around and grabbed the only thing available: one of the skull tops lying on the bank. She filled it with river water.

  Gerard continued his cat-and-mouse game with the Kalobo. He tried several thrusts and cuts, but nothing even scratched the beast. Then one of its swings grazed his sword arm, gashing his shirt and leaving three red slashes, the mid
dle one all the way to the bone. Gerard clasped the throbbing wound with his left hand.

  Using her makeshift bowl, Arany splashed water onto Oludara’s face. He shook it off and opened his eyes.

  Gerard spotted the movement from the corner of his eye. “Oludara,” he yelled, “this beast is invincible!”

  “No beast is invincible,” replied Oludara, “hold firm.”

  “We must flee,” said Gerard. “I’m bleeding and it is only a matter of time before I tire.” Gerard barely dodged a backhand swipe which sent his wide-brimmed hat flying.

  “Then flee with Arany and leave me here. I cannot run with a broken leg.”

  “Never!” said Gerard. “We aren’t so far from the boat, we can drag you there.”

  “Not with the beast this close.”

  Arany cradled Oludara’s head in her hands. “You’re brave men,” she said. “I’ve never seen such courage and devotion. I am sorry to have treated you the way I did, Oludara.”

  “Thank you, Arany,” he replied, reaching up to touch her cheek. “The battle is not over. We will find a way to slay the beast.”

  “Would you stop wooing and start thinking!” said Gerard.

  Arany released Oludara and stood up. “Terrible beast!” she said. “Go away!”

  She threw the skull at the Kalobo. It shattered upon impact, splattering water over the creature and matting down its fur. The Kalobo paused.

  “Look,” Oludara said, “the creature takes pause. Perhaps water can succeed where fire and metal have failed.”

  The Kalobo shook itself like a dog, spraying water in all directions, then charged Gerard again.

  “So much for that idea,” shouted Gerard. “What do we do next, blow on it?”

  “Gerard,” said Oludara, “look to the navel!”

  A quick glance showed Gerard where the slicked-down hair on the beast’s chest had parted to reveal a small pink hole, less than an inch across.

  “Worth a try,” he mumbled.

  Gerard released his grip on the wound and readied his sword. Blood poured from the cut and made him giddy; he knew he wouldn’t have much time. He took the Coda Lunga position, lowering his guard in challenge. The Kalobo took the bait and rushed forward. Gerard thrust up the rapier, but the point struck off target, two inches to the side of the navel.

  Gerard didn’t have time to dodge and the beast struck his left side solidly, knocking him to the ground. He rolled three times before stopping, his sword falling from his grasp.

  The Kalobo let out a half-scream and charged. Even the reduced noise, heard through one ear, made Gerard cringe. He spotted his rapier beside him and knew he would have time to grab it or roll away, but not both.

  He chose to grab the sword. Like an untrained child, he grasped it firmly with both hands and pointed it up.

  “Giovanni would kill me for this,” he said, referring to his old fencing master.

  The beast dove upon him, but he held steady. The rapier struck its mark and passed through the navel. As the Kalobo came crashing down, Gerard pushed down on the hilt and thrust the point into the beast’s upper chest.

  The Kalobo made a screech more abominable than all its previous screams put together, and Gerard could stand it for only a fraction of a second before the noise, loss of blood, and weight of the falling creature knocked him out.

  #

  Head still reeling from the hideous death wail of the Kalobo, Oludara forced himself to sit up and check on his companions. Arany lay by his side, quivering and groaning. Of Gerard, he could see only boots protruding—motionless—from under the Kalobo.

  “Gerard,” he shouted, “all you all right?”

  Arany struggled up beside him. “Did you say something?” she asked. “My ears still ring from that horrible scream. And my head—such pain!” She cupped her forehead in both hands.

  “It is Gerard,” he replied. “We must see to him quickly. The beast’s fall smothered him.”

  Arany reluctantly stood and helped Oludara drag himself toward the Kalobo. His broken leg trailed behind and made every movement an agony.

  With him pushing from the ground and Arany pulling from the top, they managed to roll the beast off Gerard. He sent Arany to retrieve a cloth from the canoe and bandage Gerard’s arm while he tried to revive his unconscious companion.

  After a few worrisome minutes, Gerard opened his eyes. When he finally sat up, the first thing he did was to stare at the fallen beast. He appeared thoughtful and almost sad.

  “Why do you look at the beast that way?” asked Oludara. “You should be rejoicing our victory.”

  “It’s nothing,” he responded. “It will pass.”

  Gerard examined his companion’s leg. “This is going to hurt,” he said. With a couple of twists, he shoved the broken bones back into place.

  Oludara clenched his teeth and let out a snort, but did not yell. When he could speak again, he gasped out, “Where did you learn that?”

  “Back in the Low Countries,” replied Gerard, “in the war.”

  “Gerard,” said Oludara, smiling despite the pain, “you never told me you were a soldier.”

  “That’s because I’m not,” replied Gerard, frowning. “I spent just enough time in the war to discover that.” He wrapped the leg in place between some sticks.

  Oludara could see his companion did not wish to discuss the matter. With Gerard and Arany’s help, he limped back to the canoe. Then they left him alone and went to the Kalobo’s clearing to rescue the others. Some time later, they returned alone.

  “The rock is too heavy, even with a lever,” said Gerard. “We’ll have to send help from the village.”

  Gerard shoved off the canoe and he and Arany took up the oars. Even with his injury, Oludara’s spirits soared, but his companions remained in silence. While the others rowed, he lay back and enjoyed the view: birds and butterflies fluttering through the green walls of vegetation on both sides.

  After some forty minutes’ travel, Oludara spotted men on the left side of the stream. Cabwassu and five warriors stood at the ready, all armed with bows and arrows. Two of the warriors perched in the lowest branches of a tree, the others stood underneath.

  Oludara called out to them, “Cabwassu, it is us! We have slain the Kalobo!”

  Cabwassu sneered back. “It is not enough, dark one,” he said. “You must also return alive!”

  Cabwassu lifted his bow and shot.

  Arany, without a sound, threw herself before Oludara. The arrow struck her solidly in the back.

  “Arany!” he shouted. She gave him one sad look, then closed her eyes. He tried to stand, but his injured leg collapsed beneath him. He reached around, searching wildly for the bow.

  Behind him, Gerard stood and roared a yell so terrifying it would have made the Kalobo proud. Cabwassu and his warriors froze.

  In one skilled motion, Gerard raised his harquebus and fired. His shot struck the tree trunk inches from the head of one of the natives who stood in its branches. The man jerked sideways and collided with the other beside him, causing both to tumble. They knocked down two of their companions below with their fall.

  Gerard, not pausing to watch, jumped from the canoe and swam to shore with three powerful breaststrokes, all the time looking and sounding like an angry bear.

  Cabwassu and his remaining upright companion raised their bows, but Gerard rushed in and swatted them away with his gun. With a grim face, Cabwassu prepared to grapple, but Gerard, in a blind rage, boxed his arms and heaved him through the air, sending him crashing into some bushes. While Cabwassu pulled himself to his feet, Gerard picked up his bow and—screaming and straining with all his strength—snapped it in half.

  The natives’ wills seemed to snap with the bow. Wide-eyed, they scrambled up and ran—Cabwassu leading the way.

  #

  Gerard landed the canoe as close as possible to the village and called for help. Men and women came running. Some of them grabbed Arany and pulled her ashore, but shook th
eir heads at the sight of her lifeless body. Others helped Oludara from the canoe and sat him on the shore.

  A clacking sound approached as Yandir shoved his way through the crowd, his shell necklaces knocking together in his haste. He knelt down beside Arany, then said some words to a nearby woman and sent her off.

  With one swift motion, Yandir yanked the arrow from Arany’s back. She didn’t move. Oludara trembled at the sight. Gerard knelt beside him and laid a hand on his shoulder.

  Yandir bent down and blew on the wound several times. A few moments later, the woman he had sent away returned with a feathered rattle, a bamboo tube, and a ceramic jar. Yandir opened the jar and applied a salve to the wound. Then he motioned to two men and they turned Arany’s body over. Yandir began a slow dance around her, chanting and shaking the rattle.

  “What’s he doing?” said Gerard. “Get him away from her!”

  Gerard took a step forward, but Oludara grabbed his leg. “Wait, Gerard,” he said. “Can’t you feel it? His magic is strong.”

  “The only thing I’m feeling, as we call it in Europe, is ‘hocus pocus’.”

  Yandir lit tobacco in one end of the tube, then blew smoke into Arany’s face. Gerard shook his head and turned away.

  On the third blow of smoke, Arany opened her eyes.

  Yandir smiled and bent down beside her. He passed a calming hand over her forehead and through her hair. Then he said something to some nearby men, and they carried her to one of the longhouses.

  Oludara laughed heartily. “She is alive!” he said.

  “What?” said Gerard, turning back to look.

  “The priest’s magic saved her!”

  “You expect me to believe that was his doing?” asked Gerard. “No doubt she woke up just to clear her lungs of that virulent smoke.”

  “No matter what you or I believe, Arany is alive, and that is cause for rejoicing.”

  Yandir walked over to Oludara and examined his leg. He prodded it in several places, making Oludara wince every time. He said something in Tupi.

 

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