Several of the men and women raised their right hand into the air, signaling they wished to be cut, to swear the oath to Heln. It wasn’t long before all the prisoners had raised their hands, choosing life over death.
Daricon stepped next to Kahn Taruk. “I think that is the last of the dissenters,” he said.
Tonga Taruk shook his head. “There will always be more. Most are sheep, eager to follow the strongest leaders. But there are always wolves about, waiting for the right time to strike.”
Queen Mylena stepped next to Daricon, her face hard and impassive. “There is only one way to deal with wolves.”
Tonga Taruk turned and smiled at her. “You kill them.”
***
KeeAysa eased up on the torg’s reins so the huge beast could smell the trail before it. With a grunt and a large whoosh of breath, the bull-like creature shook its head and growled, eager to continue the hunt. KeeAysa focused her thoughts on calming the beast and its tense body relaxed some, slowly dampening its killing instinct. As a Shadow Rider, she had the innate power to control the torg with her mind, a skill very few female Saricons were born with.
“He has not lost their trail,” Talwin said, riding up next to her. Her own torg was impressive, but paled in comparison to the size of KeeAysa’s steed. After all, she had been the captain of the Shadow Riders for over ten years, and with that title came the pick of the best torgs. She had been riding Dareog, the largest male she had yet seen, for six years now.
“And he will not. It shouldn’t be long now. Soon they will again taste Dy’ainian blood.” As if the torg’s understood her, they both growled in anticipation. They were followed by two other female Saricon riders, each dressed for battle, their armor streaked with blue paint matching the blue tattoos across their faces, clawed hands on each cheek, the trademark of the Shadow Riders. A single sword swung from each of their hips, accompanied by a second one strapped to the side of the saddle. The sun's morning rays reflected off the exposed points of javelins that were nestled comfortably within leather quivers on their broad backs.
“We must be ready. By all accounts the prince is known to be a powerful mage,” Talwin, her second in command said.
“Without a Channeler he won’t stand a chance. Now let us be off, I tire of this chase.” KeeAysa urged her torg forward and he bolted ahead on powerful legs, churning up grass and dirt with his long sharp claws. The rest of the Shadow Riders joined her, racing through the grass like silent death.
***
After camping the night in the woods and replenishing their supplies, the small group had made their way towards Kaan’s small cabin. During their travels Rylene had continued to see to Jarak’s burns, cleaning them with cold water and adding fresh salve and bandages as often as needed. Jarak's wounds improved daily, as did his spirits. By the end of the week the cold dry air, combined with the healing salve they had bought at the village, had relieved most of the pain and the raw oozing sores on his burnt flesh had begun to scab over across his chest and neck.
Six days of hard travel had brought them to Bygon Creek, a spot that Brant recognized, and he knew they would reach Kaan's cabin within the hour. It was mid-day when the cabin’s thatched roof became visible in the distance, slow tendrils of smoke rising from the chimney, and the tall peaks of the Devlin Mountains in the distance. The sky was clear and the air crisp, a perfect fall day. As they rode into the clearing, Tobias and Kaan, who had been clearing manure from the cow’s pen, saw Brant and the others and stepped from the enclosure to meet them.
“What do we have here?” Kaan said, smiling broadly as he recognized Brant.
“Brant!” Tobias yelled in excitement, running to take the reins of his horse while Brant dismounted. Everyone else remained mounted on their horses behind Brant.
Brant hugged Tobias and lifted him off the ground. The boy had grown, and by the feel of it packed on some muscle. “It is good to see you, boy.” He set Tobias down and reached for Kaan’s hand. “And you, my friend.”
“Likewise,” Kaan said, shaking his offered hand. “And who are your friends?” Kaan’s smile slowly disappeared, as he sensed that something serious was about.
Everyone dismounted as Brant introduced them all, ending with Jarak. “Kaan, this is Jarak Dormath, the Prince of Dy’ain.”
Kaan appeared uncomfortable, unsure of how to greet the young prince. Recognizing his discomfort, Jarak quickly stepped forward with his hand extended. “Well met, Kaan. Brant has told us much about you.”
Kaan shook his hand awkwardly. “My Prince, I don’t know what to say. This is my son, Tobias.”
Jarak looked down at Tobias, who was clearly shocked to be looking at the Prince of Dy’ain. “It is a pleasure to meet you young man.”
“Thank you, sir,” Tobias gulped, his voice shaky.
“My Prince, I don’t mean to sound rude. But what brings you here...to such humble surroundings?”
Brant looked at Kaan. “You haven’t heard then?”
Kaan looked to Jarak and back to Brant. “Heard what?”
“My friend, I think we should sit inside where it’s warm. We have a lot to talk about.”
Sensing there was a serious story to be told, and knowing that a table set with food and warm drinks was the proper accompaniment to a good story, Kaan agreed. “Very well. Tobias, help with the horses. Let us have an early meal. If you will all follow me.”
The small cabin barely held them all. Jarak, Kaan, Brant, Rath, and Cat sat around the main table, while Rylene and Jana busied themselves with preparing a quick meal of beans, ham, and bread while Ari helped Tobias with the horses. Coffee had been prepared and they drank it voraciously, savoring the flavors, having had only cold water for a week.
“This tastes so good,” Cat whispered, holding the warm cup with both hands.
“Thank you, Kaan, for your hospitality,” Jarak said after draining his own cup. “I have begun to realize that you can only really appreciate things when you no longer have them.”
“I’ve always believed that it’s the little things in life that we miss the most when we don’t have them,” Kaan agreed. “When I was in the Legion, the thing I craved the most was a good cup of coffee.”
“Where were you stationed?” Jarak asked.
“In Kreb. That was ten years ago. But I can take the suspense no longer. My Prince, why are you here?”
Jarak sighed, looking at each and every one of them before starting his tale. “Kaan, Cythera was attacked and taken by the Saricons nearly two weeks ago. My father and mother are dead, poisoned. I escaped in the middle of the night with the help of all those you see here. If it had not been for Brant, I would have been killed by the Shadows; the wounds I bear are the result of their attack that night.”
Kaan looked at Brant. “You killed the Shadows?”
“Just three of them…but Jarak helped.”
Jana and Rylene brought steaming bowls of beans and ham over to the table along with three loaves of bread. She had overhead the conversation. “Father, are we safe here?”
“Jana,” Brant said. “I will not let anything happen to you.”
Kaan's body tensed as he leaned forward in his chair, worry and concern for his family reflected in his distraught expression. “What do we do then, my Prince? Are they set upon rape and pillage? Why are they here?”
“For the Kul-brite trade,” Rath spoke up.
“They will conquer,” Jarak continued, “and by all accounts will force those they conquer to convert to their religion under the threat of the axe. But I believe they will not rape and destroy indiscriminately, but rather try to control the populace so they can continue to work the mines and prosper from its trade. They cannot do this if the people are in rebellion.”
“So you think we would be safe here, in our home?” Kaan asked skeptically. He knew what warriors did when they conquered, and he had no doubt that his daughter would be in danger.
Jarak glanced at Rath, looking for his council.
He greatly respected his opinions. After all he was the smartest person he knew, next to Kivalla, his father’s former advisor.
“I believe you would be,” Rath replied, “although one can never be sure when it comes to war and conquest. But as long as you submit and don’t cause trouble I believe you will be safe. But they will most certainly destroy Argonian temples as well as the clergy.”
“I don’t like it,” Kaan said. “I would not be able to protect my family if they showed up at my door.”
“You could always come with us,” Brant offered.
“Where are you going?”
Brant looked at everyone around the table, uncertain eyes staring back, before settling on Jarak. “That is a good question. We do not yet have a plan. Jarak, what say you? What are we going to do?”
Jarak stared down at the table thinking through options that he had been mulling over the last week. Finally he looked back up and spoke. “I’m going to raise an army and take the city back.”
There was complete silence as they all wondered the same thing. How would they ever be able to do such a thing? Finally Brant voiced everyone's question. “How are you going to do that?”
“We will travel to Tanwen and Kreb and gather the remaining Legionnaires.”
“Jarak,” Rath reminded him, “that will only be six thousand men. And that’s only if we get there before the Saricons. And if by chance we do arrive before them, do we just leave the people there unprotected?”
“Yes,” Jarak replied. “You said it yourself. They are not here to kill indiscriminately. They want to control our people, thus controlling the Kul-brite trade. If we give them no opposition, then they will take the cities without a fight. That will save more lives.”
“That’s a big if,” Cat said as she leaned back in her chair, her hand nervously fidgeting with the end of her single braid.
“Then what?” Brant asked.
“We find more fighters,” Jarak said.
“But how?” Kaan asked.
“We buy them,” Jarak offered, having worked out this plan several days ago.
Rath smiled broadly and everyone looked at him, wondering what he knew. “You plan on going to Elwyn, don’t you?”
This time Jarak smiled back, leaning forward to rest his arms on the table. “I do.”
“Where is this Elwyn and why would we go there?” Brant asked. He hated not knowing things, but he figured he was not alone in this case. The others, including Cat and Kaan, looked just as confused.
“Elwyn is west of the Heyrith forest in a kingdom called Marast. The Lord of Elwyn is a mercenary, a warrior who united many Palatonian tribes who then conquered the city of Elwyn. The noble family of Elwyn, House Marast, was killed, and Lord Elwyn, as he came to be called, elevated himself to noble lineage. His powerful armies now rule over the kingdom of Marast.”
“And why would he help you?” Cat asked.
This time Jarak looked to Rath to respond. He had not shared his plan with Rath, but he knew that his sharp mind had already worked out his strategy. Rath nodded his head in understanding. “Elwyn is a mercenary. It is known that he sells his troops out to any who can pay.”
“How can you pay him?” Brant asked. “You have no kingdom, and all the gold we have is what we took when we fled the city. I do not see how you can afford an army, let alone maintain one.”
Clearly, everyone was thinking the same thing, and they looked expectantly at Jarak anticipating his reply.
“You plan to use the Kul-brite, don’t you?” Rath concluded.
Jarak grew serious and leaned forward. “I do. My father has enough stores of Kul-brite to buy ten armies. I will build an army. And I will avenge my family and take back my city. Are you with me?”
“Where is this Kul-brite?” Kaan asked.
“Hidden away,” Jarak answered. “The Dygon Guard, along with my father, are the only ones who know the location of the Kul-brite stores. We will find the remaining guard and they will lead us to the metal. I ask again, are you with me?”
Rath was the first to respond. “I am with you.”
“And I,” Cat said, leaning forward in her chair.
Jarak turned to Brant. “Brant, I know you owe me nothing. But I am asking for your help. I will need men like you, especially now that Kulvar is most likely dead. What say you?”
Brant said nothing at first, thinking about his circumstances. He had nothing, no home, no family, no place in the world. He was good at one thing…fighting. “I am no Kulvar Rand,” he said quietly, looking up at Jarak. “I have no home, no family, nothing to call my own. But if I can help you regain your home, then I will, and maybe, in the process, I will find my own path in life.”
Jarak sat back and smiled. “Thank you, my friend.”
“My Prince, my family and I would like to accompany you,” Kaan stated.
Jana, who was nearby in the kitchen helping Rylene clean up, looked up anxiously. “Father,” she said as she moved quickly to his side. “You want to leave our home?”
“No, I do not. But I’m afraid that if we stay we will become casualties in this coming war. I cannot bear the chance that I could lose you. With King Jarak, at least we will have a fighting chance.” Jana said nothing, her eyes wet with tears.
“Are you sure?” Brant asked.
Kaan nodded his head. “I am.”
“Kaan, you and your family are most welcome,” Jarak responded. “We will need fighters, cooks, and workers. It will not be easy, but I offer my protection as best I can.”
“It’s settled then. When do we leave for Tanwen?” Kaan asked.
“We will need supplies…winter clothes, food, horses, and more weapons,” Rath suggested.
“Bygon will have some, but we will need to go to Amorsit for good weapons and horses,” Kaan added.
“Good,” Brant said. “There are some people there I’d like to see...as well as a certain magistrate to whom I'd like to pay a visit.”
Kaan smiled. “That should be interesting.”
“We will leave first thing in the morning. Remember, do not refer to me as king, I am simply Jarak. Our identities must remain unknown.”
Everyone agreed and spent the rest of the evening discussing the details of their new adventure.
They awoke at dawn with nervous anticipation. They were eager to start their journey, relieved at having a plan, yet unsure about how that plan would unfold. There were so many unknowns and their task seemed virtually insurmountable. But getting proper supplies was first on their list and they went about that task eagerly.
“Jarak, I think I’ll stay behind with my children,” Kaan said as he was saddling his horse. Everyone had gathered near the cow pens to see them off. “Besides, I will need to prepare the animals for slaughter. Can you buy some salt while you’re in town?” Leaving the animals to die would be wasteful, so in the week they would be gone Kaan would busy himself in butchering the animals then drying and curing the choicer cuts. He had some salt but would need much more to prepare the meat for travel. Brant and Cat were also prepping their horses. The others, including Rath, Ari, and Rylene, had agreed to stay behind to help Jana and Tobias get their own supplies packed and ready.
“I will,” Jarak replied. “Do you need anything else?”
“I could use a good sword.” Kaan still had not been able to replace the two swords that had been destroyed when the kulg attacked several years ago. A good blade was costly and he just didn’t have the extra coin.
Jarak nodded and readied to mount his horse when suddenly the horse whinnied loudly, shook its head, and began fidgeting nervously. Brant and Cat’s horse reacted similarly, whinnying and anxiously stamping their feet.
Suddenly two huge beasts, as large as their horses, but more closely resembling massive bulls, emerged from behind each side of the cabin. Short gray fur covered their bodies and thicker black hair formed a mane around their thick necks. Each carried a rider, a female Saricon, wearing armor streaked in blue paint
, and their faces engraved with blue tattoos depicting clawed paws on each cheek. Their long blond hair was pulled back from their faces and braided into a single long plait that hung to the middle of their backs. One of the women warriors had shaved her hair short on both sides, further accentuating her thick braid. Both carried short throwing javelins. The only sound the beasts made was a low growl that seemed to shake the very ground.
Behind them the growling increased, and sure enough two more creatures, each with riders, slowly moved towards them with graceful ease. Despite their size they moved quietly, exuding the confidence of a first tier predator, slowly advancing towards them as if their prey’s death was a forgone conclusion.
“I knew we would find you, Prince Jarak,” the female with the shaved head said in Newain. “It was just a matter of time.”
Kaan grabbed Jana and Tobias and shoved them behind him, crouching defensively before them, weaponless. Jarak and Brant drew their blades and turned to face the two beasts behind them. Cat had ushered Rath, Ari, and Rylene over behind Kaan and his children before joining Jarak and Brant. The four warriors, one with no weapon, were surrounding the children and Rylene, and they looked pitiful before the great beasts, which had now stopped twenty paces away.
Kaan’s heart pounded and his hands shook with fear. The great beasts emanated a fear around them that seemed to be contagious. Even Jarak’s voice shook when he spoke. “Do what you want with me. But these people are of no danger to you. Leave them be.”
KeeAysa smiled as her torg shifted its feet underneath her, clearly ready to pounce when she gave the command. “I do not think your friends will sit idly by while my torg devours your flesh.”
As soon as the beasts had arrived Jarak had quickly tasked energy from his friends, knowing that it would be tinged with fright but not overly negative. He was able to pull small amounts from each before the full realization of their predicament had tainted their auras. His mage stone was full as well as the stone in his sword. But what could he do against such creatures? He didn’t know, but at least he had the aura energy to put up a fight. His heart was pounding like a war drum as he lifted his sword before him. He wished he had armor, feeling naked without it.
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