Banner Lord

by Jason L. McWhirter

  Brant rolled to his feet and saw the gullick nearest him being consumed by flames, a black patch of charred hair and flesh growing across its chest and arms as it backed away to avoid the fire. Then Serix's fire died, as the energy of the spell was spent. Brant wasted no time. Gathering a massive amount of aura energy, he leaped towards the distracted creature. He led with his sword as he literally flew through the air, the flaming steel tip piercing the creature between its neck and arm. The momentum of his attack not only drove the sword nearly halfway into its body, but it threw Brant so forcefully into the beast that it felt as if he had hit a stone wall covered with fur. The impact caused the gullick to stumble, and Brant knew that he had inflicted a fatal wound, but nonetheless he couldn’t avoid the gullick’s hand as it gripped him and threw him into the air where he crashed into the snowbank. He had tried to hold on to his sword but it wouldn’t budge from the grisly wound. Now he was stunned and weaponless.

  The other gullick had run further back into the rocks to avoid the fire. But it had already been badly burnt, and smoke rose from the creature as it howled in pain and swatted at its flaming fur. The gullick continued backing up and bumped into the cliff face. Meanwhile Serix had joined Endler as he regained his footing.

  “The beast will be coming back,” Endler said as he widened his stance, his sword held before him. His eyes were frantic as he looked for some way to kill the creature. Then he saw something above the beast. “There!” he yelled to Serix. “Can you take down that icicle?”

  Serix looked above the gullick and sure enough, hanging above it from a rocky ledge were five huge icicles, each one as big as the gullick’s leg, their sharp points angled straight down. He wasted no time pulling more energy from Endler, concentrating on directing the energy toward the bases of the three in the middle. The spell was a simple one and he was able to launch it quickly, shooting the power forward in a concentrated blast of air, hitting the ice with such force that it splintered, and a large crack arced across an icicle’s base that secured it to the stone, causing it to fall. The gullick had successfully put out the fire on its chest, and with a rush of renewed fury it readied itself to charge again, just as the frozen projectile slammed into the top of its shoulder. The weight of the massive icicle, falling from such a distance, gave it enough power to drive it deep into the joint, causing the gullick to fall to its knees. Screeching in pain the beast went crazy, jumping up and flailing around, frantically reaching up at the icicle to pull it free. But every time it managed to grasp it the creature’s hand slipped away.

  Finally, after several crazed moments, the beast gave up and redirected its attention to Serix and Endler. Hunched over in pain and panting wildly, its left arm hanging limply to the ground. But its eyes glared at them with a renewed rage, which seemed to course through its body, causing its muscles to tense and twitch. And to Serix and Endler’s amazement, it ignored the icicle protruding from its shoulder and ran at them with reckless abandon.

  The fight further down the trail was still in full force. “Jarak!” Cat screamed as he was knocked aside as if he were a small child. She quickly jumped forward, slicing her blade across the beast’s leg, but doing little damage. Her heart pounded with a fear that was dangerously close to immobilizing her. But she fought it back down as the creature clapped its hands together with intense force, hoping to crush her between them. But Cat quickly dropped low and dove forward, and true to her nickname rolled with the agility of a cat, rising up just as quickly under the beast’s groin, thrusting upward with her sword. And with the power from her legs thrusting upward, she was able to drive the sword deep into its body. A shrill and anguished wail escaped its mouth at the unbearable pain in its groin. The gullick jumped away, flailing around in agony as he tried to dislodge the blade that had been jerked from Cat's hands. The white fur between its legs turned crimson. The creature was now bleeding from two wounds, Cat's, and where Jarak had cut it moments before. It continued to flail around, splattering blood everywhere. It didn’t take long, however, before the creature succumbed to the gruesome wounds and fell over into the snow.

  Back up the trail, Aldgar saw the icicle impaled gullick charge Serix and Endler. Looking around frantically, he saw Inen’s dropped blade not more than three paces away, the handle sticking out from the snow. Running, he snatched up the blade, and continued his momentum towards the gullick. The beast, mortally wounded as it was, was so focused on Serix and Endler, that it didn’t see the big Saricon’s attack from its flank. Leaping onto several small rocks that flanked the trail, Aldgar used their extra height to his advantage, as he leaped from them, as high as he could towards the creature. He flew at the beast from the side, his Kul-brite blade raised high, the point angled down.

  The timing was perfect. Serix and Endler had readied their weapons to defend themselves when Aldgar slammed into the creature's side, plunging the sword down just behind its good arm. The Kul-brite blade sliced deep between the creature’s ribs. Using the momentum of his attack, and the handle of the sword as a pendulum, Aldgar swung around the creature and let go, his body flying past Serix and Endler where he landed on his feet along the trail, lessening the impact by bending his knees and dropping low before rolling over his shoulder and coming to his knees, then quickly spinning around to inspect the results of his work.

  The force of Aldgar's attack knocked the charging gullick off balance, and it fell to its knees, finally succumbing to its wounds and rolling over dead in the snow.

  Jarak lifted his body from the snow, the fire from his blade dispersed. Looking around he saw two gullicks left. One looked like a pincushion as the two Gyths had expertly released arrow after arrow into the creature, concentrating their efforts on it alone. Dayd was a blur of steel as he struck the arrow-ridden creature numerous times across its legs. Jarak was horrified to see the other gullick reach down and grab one of the guards by the head, ripping it clean off his shoulder as if he were plucking a grape from the vine. He couldn’t see who it was, but he did see two other Dygon Guards attack the creature with newfound fury.

  “No!” Jarak screamed as the guard fell headless to the ground. He needed energy quickly so he focused on his mage stone and brought its power into his tarnum. Dropping his sword, he concentrated on the power that was growing inside him. Using his anger he focused the energy into his hands, forming a spear of translucent blue light. It was a spell that he and Serix had practiced on more than one occasion. If one were proficient, the mage could form almost any type of weapon, but thus far Jarak could only form a spear. It would have to do. Roaring with fury he threw the magical spear with all his strength. The weapon flashed across the short distance striking the creature in the back of the head. There was a bright flash and an explosive pulse of air that rocked the nearby combatants back on their heels.

  Dazed, the creature’s arms went limp and it stumbled around on wobbly legs, its head rolling listlessly as blood seeped from the hole in the back of its head. The gaping wound was mostly cauterized, but it mattered not, the sheer size of it making it fatal. The remaining Dygon Guards jumped back as the massive creature fell to the ground.

  And just like that the beasts were all dead. The other one had finally succumbed to the Gyth’s arrows and Dayd’s blade and had fallen moments before Jarak had killed the last one. No one said anything for a few moments, their minds and bodies trying to adjust to the adrenaline that was slowly leaving their muscles, as well as to the realization that they had just lost some friends.

  Kivalla, the only one who had not fought, ran over to Banrigar, whose body lay, unmoving, still buried in the snow. Kneeling at his side he frantically checked for a pulse. Banrigar's eyes fluttered open and he groaned, his pulse slow and erratic.

  “Tell King Jarak,” he whispered, his voice coming in short gasps. “Angel…Black Cat…Turari Order.” And then he fell silent and still as his breathing stopped, staring up with eyes that were fixed and glazed over. He was dead. The scholar put his hand over the big warr
ior’s scarred face and closed his eyes.

  “Is he dead,” Endler asked, moving next to him.

  “Yes.” Crestfallen, Kivalla stood and walked away.

  Cat immediately went to Jarak who was sitting in the snow, staring at the carnage, his face a blend of pain and anger. She knelt next to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Are you hurt?”

  He looked at her, his jaw clenched. “I’m fine.”

  “I saw that beast knock you aside and I thought for sure you had died.”

  “My armor protected me.” Regaining some of his senses, his anger giving way to sorrow, he laid his hand on hers. “How are you?”

  She smiled wanly. “Shaken up and surprised I’m alive. But other than that I’m not hurt.”

  Releasing her hand he reached up and gently touched her cheek. “Stay that way. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” She held his hand on her face and smiled. They shared a few moments before he slowly withdrew his hand and stood, forcing her to stand with him. “Let’s check on everyone else.”

  Only three of the Dygon Guards had survived, Dayd, Horst, and Kay’il. Besides the five guards that were killed, the only other casualty was Banrigar. Not knowing what else to do, they dug shallow graves in the snow away from the carnage and blood. The Kul-brite blades were too valuable to bury with them. Cat took one of them and they lashed the other four to the mules, which they had found around the next bend in the trail. Luckily the mules were well trained and they had run off only a short distance during the attack.

  “I think Aldgar should carry one of the blades,” Serix announced suddenly. Everyone looked at him, unsure if they had heard him correctly. Even Aldgar looked confused. “I can admit that I was wrong,” he said as he faced the big Saricon. “I am not sure I trust you fully yet. But you saved our lives when you didn’t have to. I thank you for that.” Aldgar said nothing, but he nodded his head, acknowledging the apology.

  “Does anyone else object?” Jarak asked his companions. No one said anything, and even Endler seemed to agree with the idea; after all the Saricon had likely saved his life as well. Jarak withdrew a sheathed blade from the mule and handed it to Aldgar. “I loan you this blade in defense of this land. Will you accept it for that purpose?”

  Aldgar stepped forward. “This land I know not,” he said, looking around the landscape. “But you all, I know. I defend you. Will that suffice?”

  Jarak looked at Serix. The mage nodded his head in agreement. “It does,” Jarak replied, handing the Saricon the sword. “Those swords have protected my family for many years. Wield it with honor.”

  “I give you thanks,” Aldgar said as he tucked the sword into his belt.

  Jarak turned to Kay’il. “How long before we reach the first camp?”

  “The cave is nearly a full day’s hike down the mountain.”

  “Then let us dally no more,” he said. “Lead the way, and be vigilant, all of you.”

  Everyone nodded, the recent attack still vivid in their minds. They knew very well that the possibility of even more danger waited for them around every corner. Their hearts were heavy from the loss of friends and comrades, but they knew if danger was waiting for them, that they would be ready for it.

  ***

  “I did not expect this,” Sigmar growled as he watched the city of Tanwen burn. An army of eleven thousand men were spread out behind him. He turned to his second in command, a tall female warrior. “What have you found inside?” When his army had arrived at the city Sigmar had immediately ordered soldiers inside to look for survivors, food, water, and shelter.

  “Nothing. It is deserted. There is no food and the wells were filled with rocks and dirt.” Tysa was a Soother, and a powerful one. “What are your orders?”

  “How much food and water do we have left?”

  “We brought enough to get us here plus a month for the siege we expected.”

  Sigmar thought for a moment. “I will leave you and five hundred soldiers to hold the city. You will keep the catapults here and place them strategically inside the walls. Tonight the army will rest inside the city. Pass the order and tell the men to find whatever shelter is available. Also, collect anything that can burn. We will need the fires to ward off the cold.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said. “Will you be leaving for Cythera tomorrow?”

  “It’s likely. Our scouts will be returning from Kreb soon. I will make a final decision once I hear from them. If I depart tomorrow, I will leave you with most of the food. We cannot maintain an army of this size here, as it stands. Tongra Taruk’s goal was to continue trade through these cities and into Rygar and Marast. Now that the cities are deserted and destroyed, I do not know what will become of the north. New orders are needed. Hold the city until you hear from us.”

  “It will be done.”

  Tysa turned to leave when the general spoke again. “Commander Tysa, one more thing. Start rationing the food tonight.”

  Her expression was blank but Sigmar knew that she was not looking forward to giving that order. As all soldiers knew, an army marches on its stomach.

  The scouts returned from Kreb that night, having been dispatched to the neighboring city nearly four days ago as the army marched on Tanwen. They were escorted inside the Chamberlain’s meeting hall where they found General Sigmar dining with Commander Tysa.

  Once the army had entered the city they had discovered that Tysa had not exaggerated. Everything that could burn had been set aflame and anything of use or value had either been taken away or destroyed. But there were still plenty of stone structures that offered shelter from the snow and cold air that blew down valley from the Varos Mountains. Sleeping in the city, even though much of it had been burned, was still better than sleeping on the steppes in the dead of winter.

  Sigmar motioned for the scouts to come forward. “What have you found?”

  “Much the same, Commander,” one of the scouts said as he stepped forward. “The city was deserted and burning.”

  “Any food or water?”

  He shook his head. “We could not find anything of value, at least not enough to supply the army. The wells were filled with rocks and dirt. It was useless.”

  Sigmar wasn’t worried about water as much as food. After all, the ground was covered in foot thick snow and they were close to the Sar’am River. They could get water if need be, but lack of food was a problem. They were hoping to defeat the Legion at each city and take possession and control of them, allowing the city to maintain its business and trade, but taking a significant portion of the profits. That wasn’t possible anymore. Traders wouldn’t even make the trip once they learned the cities were deserted. “Could you see where their army went?”

  “Yes, sir. It looked like an army, with horses and wagons, left the city and headed west through the mountain pass.”

  “Where do you think they are going?” Tysa asked Sigmar.

  He shook his head in frustration. “I do not know.” Pausing as he thought, he looked up at the scout again. “Bring me maps. I want to see what towns and villages are close by.”

  “Yes sir,” the scout said as they turned and left.

  “What do you have in mind?” Tysa asked as she sipped her wine. Just because the men were on rations, didn’t mean they were...yet.

  “I will return to Cythera. We have no choice as we will run out of food soon enough. On the march back I will raze every town and village to the ground, taking food and plunder. We will tell the people as they die, as their loved ones die, that it is what comes from resistance. We will soak the ground with their blood.”

  Tysa smiled, and took another sip from her cup.

  ***

  It was mid-day on their third day traveling down the mountain when they came to a grisly scene. The snow covered trail descended and turned between two cliff faces dropping them into a rock-strewn gully. Lying before them, their bodies sprawled at awkward angles amongst the rocks, were over fifty wardens, their twisted and broken bo
dies partially covered in snow. Their corpses showed obvious signs of battle wounds.

  They halted before the bodies and looked at the grisly scene in shock. “In Argon’s name what happened?” Endler asked.

  “Those are wardens,” Dayd whispered, noticing the armor.

  Kivalla looked up to the tall cliff before them. “They must have been killed, then tossed off the cliff,” he reasoned.

  “The Saricons?” Jarak asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Who else would, or could, kill over fifty wardens,” Serix said.

  Something caught Brant’s eye and he stepped forward through the snow covered rocks to stand next to a body that was draped over a boulder. “I know this man,” he said, looking back at the group. He was shocked. It was Warden General Kane, the commander at the mine where Brant used to work.

  “You do?” Jarak asked as he moved next to him. “Who is he?”

  “His name was Warden General Kane. He was the commander at the mine I worked.” The others joined him by the body. “Where are we?” he asked Kay’il.

  “There is a mine close by above this chasm. That mine is a day’s travel from a town called Bygon. We are at the base of the Devlin Range north of Lyone.”

  “It is the one,” Brant said softly as his mind was momentarily flooded with old images of his time at the mine. “How do they plan on retrieving the Kul-brite if they killed the very people who know how to mine and extract it?” Brant asked.

  “That is a good question,” Kay’il replied, wondering the same thing.

  It was Kivalla of course who answered it. “The skills required to extract the precious metal are not unique to only the wardens. There are other mines in other kingdoms, as well as people who know the skills necessary to extract the steel. We may be the main producers of Kul-brite, but we are not the only ones. My guess is the Saricons have been recruiting them for years, for the very purpose of replacing the wardens.”