“I’m getting better, thanks to Jarek and young Master Ben, over there. If not for them, I would have died from infection.” She finished the last bit of her meat and forced herself to a standing position. “We should get moving again. There’s not much cover out here, and I hope to reach another copse of trees by daylight.”
The moon had risen in the east but was not bright enough to obscure the stars. It was the same here as in the desert—thousands, maybe millions of stars in the sky—and that one lonely moon. Tovi searched the sky as he trekked. Where was Pangrove up there? But another thought bothered him. Did he really want to go home? Right at that instant, he wanted to be with Klunk. And he wanted to see Ellemareth again. What would he do when this was all over? He assumed that Myhrren or one of the gods would open a portal to Pangrove. He wondered if he would be able to walk into it.
Chapter 64: Ebon Hills
“Jarek! Where in the world have you been?” Burns met the group at the entrance to the underground network of tunnels beneath the monastery and pulled the Azyrean aside. “I’ve… we’ve been worried sick about you.”
“We got diverted—and we brought company.” Jarek nodded toward the new members of the group. “These are the ones that Aristan told us about—Ran, he’s an elf. And that is Tovi, he’s from Pangrove.” He chuckled. “And, of course, you remember Mathias.” He half-expected her to run and hug her old friend.
Instead, she glanced at him and then back at Jarek. “What happened? How did you get diverted?” At that point, she apparently noticed that CeCe was limping. “Did you get into trouble?”
“A little, but nothing we couldn’t handle.” He felt suddenly proud. They had confronted the king’s men and won. And he had been a part of it.
Commander West’s voice rang out, “Let’s get down into the caverns, everyone.” Jarek noticed that Burns looked much healthier than when he’d last seen her. And then it occurred to him—they’d been gone nearly two weeks.
To Jarek’s surprise—somewhat pleasant—Burns took his hand and led him downward into the tunnel that opened into the large central meeting area. He liked the sensation and squeezed her hand as they walked. She squeezed back.
◆◆◆
West stood before the group with Brother Magnus standing off to the side. “First, I’d like to welcome our new arrivals—Ran and Tovi—and, you Mathias, it’s nice to have you back. As most of you know, Burns and Corny accomplished their mission and returned about a week ago. We don’t yet know whether or not the ruse will work, but at least they returned safely.”
She paused before continuing, “CeCe, Jarek, and Ben ran into a bit of trouble. I want you to know that I am proud beyond words at what you accomplished. But now we must turn our attention to what comes next.” She nodded to Brother Magnus.
The old man stepped forward and cleared his throat. “We know from Aristan’s words that our new visitors have a mission. The young Azyrean has told us that he is supposed to find his way into the castle, locate the crystal that supposedly sustains Wyndred, rather Dredwyn, and destroy the crystal with a dagger.”
He paused as he surveyed the room. “I regret to inform you that he is not clear on how this will all happen, and I admit that I haven’t a clue myself.”
Mathias spoke up from his sitting position. “Do we know exactly where this crystal is located?”
The senior brother shook his head. “No. All we know is what Tovi has been told—that it is somewhere in the ‘bowels of the castle,’ as he put it.”
“That doesn’t give us much to go on.”
“We can only hope that Aristan will provide us with more information before we have to move. One thing we do know is that young Tovi will require assistance in his mission. I assume that will fall to our elven guest, Jarek, and some of the commander’s people. I fear that I know as much about the nature of that help as I do about the location of the crystal.”
CeCe said, “I hate to dampen the discussion, but the exact location of this crystal isn’t your biggest problem. The fact that you have to get into the castle at all seems to be the more troubling issue.”
West nodded. “I am forced to agree. Wherever in the castle it’s located will be a problem. Short of forcing our way in, I’m not sure where to even start.”
A fleeting thought crossed Jarek’s mind. Was it possible to create a portal that would drop someone into the right area? After all, they had used crystals and moonbeams to create portals that took humans to Crystal Sands. And presumably the same had been done there to bring visitors here. If what he knew about the process held true, it was simply a matter of finding the right color crystal. He shuddered to think what that task would entail, since he had no idea where to start.
Before he could give it any more thought, a ruby red haze appeared, and a booming voice emerged. “Excellent, you are all assembled.”
Chapter 65: Crystal Sands
“Klunk?” She stepped back. “Is that you?” Marzi peered at the face. “I didn’t hear you coming.”
“I’m sorry, Marzi. I didn’t mean to alarm you. I hoped I would find you alone. I must speak with you.” The ogre bowed his head, his hands clasped in front of him.
“Okay. We can talk over here if you want.”
She sat against a tree that was bathed in moonlight. Only after Klunk had settled in, their backs to adjacent trees, did he speak. “I am worried.”
Marzi understood. She could not shake the dread that haunted her at the thought of Tovi and his task. “I know. Me too. But he’ll be all right. He always manages to come out of things okay.” She felt as though she was trying to convince herself more than Klunk.
He laughed. “I know that. But that is not what troubles me. No, it is the elf lady. She continues to talk to our people. She visits them in their tents and sits with them at meals. She brings the same message, over and over—that we should negotiate with Dredwyn, talk to him.”
She thought about the problem for a moment. In her heart, she knew that it was part of something much bigger, much worse. And she had no real answer. “I guess I could try to talk to her.” Even as the words left her mouth, she sensed the futility of that idea. “Or, if you want, I could come and speak with your chiefs again. Maybe that would help.”
“No. I am afraid that more words are not the answer. We have your words, her words, my words, Tovi’s words, Myhrren’s words—too many words. The problem is that I cannot say what the chiefs will do when the time comes. You have said that the elf leaders each make their own decisions. Our kraal leaders will do the same. I speak for them, but I can only say their words. As it is, each chief has his own.”
“But surely they understand. Dredwyn brings only lies and death.”
“I know that as you do. But there is a greater lie than what your elf lady says. Somehow, words have come to us that our ancestors were brave and fierce warriors. That we have abandoned and disgraced them with our love of peace. But, Marzi, I tell you true, there is no word from the past that speaks of bravery or fighting. We have always been peaceful.”
The words confused Marzi. She struggled to understand the problem. “But, if the war comes, don’t we want your people to be brave and fight?”
“Yes, but they must be clear of mind. They must understand where they came from and why they fight. Being fierce and brave is not enough. There must be a reason. In my life and in the lives of my mamaw and papaw, we have lived by the words of Myhrren. And he spoke of peace and kindness. Now he speaks of fighting and war. We do not know what to believe anymore.”
Marzi considered the issue. She knew, of course, that Myhrren was a god. But if she understood correctly, the ogres simply knew him as a wise old human. It would be logical then that they would accept his teachings when they made sense. But now he’d changed his words. How and why did that happen? More importantly, how could she explain it without revealing his secret? “I don’t know all of your history. And I don’t know as much about your people as I should. But it seems to me
that Myhrren did not bring this fight. Dredwyn did. And if your people choose to follow Dredwyn, it’s not very likely that he’ll become peaceful. They will be involved in fighting and death as long as time goes on. The only way around this is to resist him.”
“I know that. Kharla knows that. And many of the chiefs also understand. But not all. And the problem is that I cannot say what will happen when the battle finally comes. Will the ogres stand up against the demon? Will they join him? Will our kraals split and fight each other? And the worst part is that words will no longer help. We will only know when the war is upon us.”
“What will you do?”
Klunk chuckled, the first sign she’d seen that he was weathering the dark times. “I will do what I must do. I will speak the words that the chiefs give to me. But for me, I will fight the demon to my death.”
Marzi shuddered. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Chapter 66: Crystal Sands
“What’s going on over at the medical tent?” Marzi stood in the center of the compound with Ellemareth, taking in the early morning sun.
“I do not know for sure. Saryn and Lar’donal were summoned, and they asked that Ryshara attend as well. I saw the human captain over there. There is likely some plan afoot. I assume that I will be told if or when the need arises.” Elle seemed nonchalant, as though the whole affair didn’t matter.
“What about the ogres? Did they send anyone?” Marzi’s concern had heightened since her discussion with Klunk.
“I did not see any, but I confess that I have not been watching.”
It also occurred to Marzi that she had not been included. Not that she had any experience or skill in planning for war, but, still…. “Oh, okay.” She stood and pondered, wondering whether she should go over on her own.
She started for the tent but then turned back toward Elle. “Oh, I wanted to thank you for taking time with Tovi. I think having you as a friend helped him deal with having to go… you know….” Marzi nodded in the direction of the sunrise, although she had no idea whether Caravast lay in that direction or not.
“Your brother is very special.” Ellemareth said nothing more but offered a wan smile.
◆◆◆
Corhymin lay on a cot, propped up on an elbow. “Come in, Marzi, please.” She beckoned with her free hand.
“I didn’t want to interrupt, I just….” She stopped herself before she could say that she noticed everyone gathering and felt left out.
“Of course. We are just laying out some possible approaches to deployment around the portal. I fear we are operating on borrowed time. The demon’s forces will pour through any time now and, as it stands, we are not prepared to intercept them.”
Marzi nodded, not having the slightest idea how to respond.
The elven commander turned her attention to the assembled battle leaders. “Continue, please, Captain Virgil.”
The human captain nodded, a grim look on his face. “As I said, the most prudent approach would seem to be capitalizing on our respective strengths. My troops are skilled at hand-to-hand combat. We’re passable with longbows. But I suspect that the elven rangers are far superior in that regard. Additionally, you have magic casters in your ranks. This would suggest that our troops take station just outside the access point to the portal cavern. Even with our small numbers, we should be able to stifle their exit, since they would be constrained to the small opening.”
He fell silent, as though waiting for objections. None came. “The elven troops could be deployed within a set of concentric semi-circles, with magic casters on the inner rank and the longbows stationed in the second row. I would defer to your judgment on whether to employ shortbows at a closer range. It would certainly be a deadly force, but if the enemy breaks our ranks, it would require the bowmen to become mobile quickly.”
Commander Corhymin nodded. “A sound strategy.” She turned her head to face Lar’donal. “Any thoughts, Lar? What about shortbows?”
“I say yes. The primary advantage would be to add strength to the human numbers. From the shorter range, the emerging foes could be targeted more easily than would be possible from long range. This should reduce the likelihood of a breakout. And if some do make it through, they would be easily dropped by the casters and longbows.”
“Very well. I would say that we have a strategic plan. I will leave it to you to develop the execution. But I urge you to move with all haste. I fear we have little time.”
Marzi, having listened to the emerging details, couldn’t resist asking, “What about the ogres?”
The leaders looked at each other in silence. Finally, Corhymin spoke, “At present, we cannot get a firm answer on how they will proceed. There is division in their ranks. We feel it best to allow them to remain here as they will or return to their villages if they so choose. Having them in close proximity to the source point of the invasion seems risky given their current uncertainty.”
Marzi’s heart sank. She understood. It was as Klunk said, the chiefs were divided. And there would be no certainty until the battle arrived. Better that they remain away from the front. “Yes, thank you.”
◆◆◆
Of course, there was no reason that Marzi would have gone to the portal cavern with the elven and human troops. They prepared for battle and she had nothing to offer in that regard. Still, she felt just a little bit left out. Instead, she found her way over to Klunk’s tent, where the two of them sat outside and soaked in the last of the late afternoon sun. River and Growl lay at their feet, heads on their paws.
There was little to be said. A few of the ogres had returned to their kraals, but most remained in the encampment. How they would react when the fighting started was anybody’s guess. “Where is Kharla? I haven’t seen her today.”
“She took leave early this morning and traveled to her papaw’s grave. It is but a few hours walk.” Klunk shook his head. “She still has much sadness in her heart and she seeks peace.”
Marzi wondered what it would be like to lose one of her parents. Back in the Bough, Ryshara had spoken about the loss of her mother. But that seemed different, somehow. Elven belief was that death was only a portal to the next world. She’d never heard anyone talk like that in Pangrove. “Klunk, what do the ogres believe happens when we die? Do ogres go to another life?”
The large ogre laughed. “Of course, they do. Where else would they go?”
Marzi shrugged. “I don’t know. I just never really thought about it. My grandparents died before I ever got to know them. And Mom and Dad never talked much about another life or anything like that.”
“Well, Marzi, when you finish with this life and move to the next, you will know your grandparents. And I am sure they will have much to tell you.”
Klunk stood and peered into the setting sun. “There.” He pointed. “Kharla is returning. Let’s go and meet her.”
As they started in her direction, though, Marzi saw something else. Something that made her blood run cold.
Chapter 67: Crystal Sands
“Those are humans, but they’re not Captain Virgil’s troops.” Marzi struggled for breath as she tried to run and talk at the same time.
Kharla had apparently seen them and was bounding toward the encampment, closing the distance quickly. Behind her, a band of what looked to be fifteen or twenty men, spreading out, charged at full speed. As the two came within shouting distance, they could hear Kharla. “Turn around! Run to camp.”
Klunk stopped. “Yes, we must alert the others. He picked Marzi up by the tunic and threw her up on his shoulders. He turned just as Kharla reached them, and together they made for the tents, the humans barely twenty meters behind.
Marzi twisted around. The men chasing them wore tattered, drab looking clothing. They looked almost like the humans she’d seen in Menalor. With what Captain Virgil had told them, she just assumed that the invaders would be soldiers, in uniforms and such.
As they came within shouting distance of the camp, Kl
unk began yelling. “They come! The humans, they come!”
Kharla added to the warning. “Everyone out! Weapons at the ready!” They entered the compound and turned to face the rapidly approaching men.
Marzi leapt down from Klunk’s shoulders, hitting the ground and rolling up to her feet. She backed away from what appeared to be the coming battle. Kharla and Klunk stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting. A few of the other ogres emerged from tents with clubs, but most slunk back away from the scene, apparently afraid or simply unwilling to be involved.
Kharla turned and screamed at the retreating ogres. “Help us! Get up here and help!”
None moved forward. In fact, they continued to ease away.
Marzi turned to stare at those who refused to help. They averted their gazes. She was stunned. She had never seen this kind of behavior in the face of battle. Even she had fought to save her friends. The elves had all departed for the crystal cave. And then she saw him—the ogre that had confronted her that day in front of the others. They briefly locked gazes, and he quickly looked away.
Klunk and Kharla charged toward the incoming attack, along with five others who had come out to help. It took only an instant for Marzi to realize it was hopeless. With around twenty of the humans armed with one and two-handed swords, battle axes, and maces, the seven club-wielding ogres stood no chance.
Marzi turned again to the other ogres and shouted, “Please, help us!”
None responded.
When she turned to face the battle, she saw three humans surrounding Kharla, who barely managed to fend off their blows with her club. It would only be a matter of seconds before she fell. Klunk and the others were not faring much better. Virgil’s troops and the elves had all traveled to the portal cavern. There was no help in the encampment.
Feeling an odd sense of familiarity, she hurled herself at Kharla’s attackers, battering into the closest one. Her small mass provided just enough force to knock the man off-balance. Kharla, seeing the opening, swung her club and caught him on the side of the head. He went down hard.
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