The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1)

by Jim Greenfield

  "Good thought, Per," said Lan Tagjet. "The battle may be more lopsided than we thought."

  "Arrows!" called Per Tagjet.

  The first volley past right through the guardians who did not seem to notice the shafts.

  "They aren't real!" shouted Jed Turlane. "They don't even notice us." He started forward but Gaerhan restrained him.

  "Nay," said Gaerhan. "They are real enough, at least their swords are. They may notice us if we become a threat, but we must figure out how to engage their defensive instincts."

  "The swords glow with golden light. How are they enchanted?" asked James.

  "I do not know," said Gaerhan, frowning. "This is Navir's work and none have surpassed his skill in this age of the world. He would not tell me any details of the magic protecting the Kaliga. I recommend testing their responses to various advances. If they allow me to get close enough to them, I may be able to see the spell Navir wove about them. I might be able to weaken it. Perhaps if we move together we can confuse their response."

  "What if they kill the rest of us?" asked Jed Turlane. "Maybe you ought to try alone first. You are a Daerlan. Damn Daerlan weapons kill anyone who's not a Daerlan."

  "Jed. You speak out of turn," said James. "I will test them. Everyone be ready. We know the arrows do not harm them. Onyax Lor, can you spell the arrows to that they will interact with Navir's magic?"

  "That is not the type of magic I often use, but with Sena's help, I will do what I can." He motioned Sena over to help him and they walked over to a bare spot.

  "I do not remember your teachings," said Sena Tagjet.

  "Do not worry. You will provide what help I need."

  Onyax Lor gathered sticks and started a small fire. He propped a cup over the flame and added powers from a sack he carried. Sena mixed the concoction as Onyax Lor added ingredients. The smell was hideous. Jed Turlane turned away and watched Prince James as he moved toward the Kaliga.

  The sky darkened and white caps formed on the surf. James knew the guardians' magic waited for him. He walked across the sand toward the nearest Daerlan. It stared out at a point unseen by the living. James walked to a few feet from the Daerlan and it did not seem to notice him. He reached out and touched the shadowy figure. He felt a light tingle but the Daerlan did not acknowledge him. He walked around the circle of Daerlan and touched each one with the same result. James breathed deeply and tried to walk between two Daerlan. The sky thundered and the rushing sound of wings filled the air.

  James was thrown backward and two Daerlan came forward with their swords while the others repositioned themselves around the Kaliga to cover the gap left by the two attacking James. James barely lifted his sword when the first killing blow descended. It thundered against his blade, but his strength was enough to stop it. Per Tagjet attacked the other Daerlan. The Daerlan moved too quickly for the Nunari and cut Per's spear in twain. Per backed quickly and dodge out of the way of the glowing sword. Jed Turlane tried to tackle the Daerlan engaged with James and dove right through its body. Per and James were forced back to back. Lan Tagjet brought his spear down like a club on one of the glowing swords as James swung upward. They caught the blade between them and it shattered and vanished. Per ducked a blow and James spun, deflecting the Daerlan's sword upward. James pressed his advantage against the other Daerlan directing all his strength against the glowing sword. Soon the Daerlan's blade began to break and the golden light fled. The Daerlan and sword vanished.

  "Two down," said Jed Turlane. "Should we charge them?"

  "Not yet," said James. "It seems too easy."

  "Easy?" said Per Tagjet. He was inspecting his spare spear.

  "I agree," said Lan Tagjet. "A few well-placed blows and the guardians are defeated. Gaerhan, what are your thoughts?"

  "It is weak magic and always was weak. Seems unlikely Navir would have allowed the magic to fail. He was just here and had ample opportunity to strengthen the spell. I assume the strength of the spell was what he desired."

  "What if he wants us to claim the Kaliga?" asked James. "The magic would keep anyone less determined away or even kill them. Why wouldn't Navir have just let us have it?"

  "We Daerlan have been noted of seeing the world far differently than Men," said Gaerhan. "Navir thinks on another level than I do; than all Daerlan do. Navir does not think like a Daerlan, as I know Daerlan. He is far older than any other living Daerlan. His memory reaches back to our earliest days in Arda. I was born in Liannest only three hundred years ago. To him I am a babe. I cannot surmise his motivations."

  "Even Navir's own words do not make his motives clear," said Elthar. "Let us only concern ourselves with what we know, discarding conjecture that could confuse us."

  "Should we just get the spear and worry later?" asked Per Tagjet. "The Turucks will not be waiting for us to return before they conquer Masina. They could have conquered Eslenda by now. We cannot let this be all for naught."

  "We need to get it soon," said Lan Tagjet. "Prince James, what do think we should do?"

  "I think we shall try the arrows once Onyax has finished with them. If we do not get the desired result, then we will attack two guardians at a time so we have the advantage in numbers to defeat them."

  Later Onyax Lor brought six arrows to James. James fitted one to a bow and loosed it at the Daerlan guardians. It passed completely through his target. Nothing happened. They let out a collective sigh.

  "No use," said Onyax Lor. "I do not have the skill for this type of battle."

  "Thank you for trying," said Lan Tagjet, slapping the wise man on the shoulder. "It is always better to avoid risking lives, now we know what is necessary."

  James fitted another arrow and let it fly. It rattled off one of the golden swords but did not shatter it.

  Suddenly, the Daerlan guardian turned toward James and began running, its sword high.

  "Look out!" cried Sena. Her brother stepped between her and the guardian, his spear leveled.

  James and Jed Turlane moved to meet the guardian and as Jed slashed through its body, the guardian brought its sword down on James. James blocked the blow and knocked the blade to the ground where he and Jed smashed it with their swords. As the blade broke, the guardian vanished.

  "It just stood there, watching you," said Lan Tagjet. "It made no move to stop you after it lost the sword."

  "They seem to follow only a basic command," said Per Tagjet. "Once disarmed, they have no function. The swords are the key. Destroy the swords and we win the Kaliga."

  "If 'winning' is what the result is," said Lan Tagjet. "This spear will be a mighty burden. I fear the consequences if we use it, but we have no better choice. There is an ill omen over this company."

  "Let us send an arrow to each guardian and destroy them one by one. There is no need to activate them all at once," said James.

  "Let's hope it works," said Lan Tagjet.

  Onyax Lor brought more arrows. Swords were at the ready.

  James let an arrow fly. Suddenly, a guardian moved and knocked the arrow away with its sword. Then all the guardians rushed them.

  "A simple spell?" asked Per Tagjet.

  Sena moved around the edge of the fighting and approached the Kaliga. The guardians did not seem to notice her; they were engaged with the others of the company. The guardians had their backs to her. She looked back to Onyax Lor who nodded. As she reached for the spear, she heard voices, many voices all in her head. They urged her to take the spear and she moved quickly and pulled it from the ground. At once, the guardians vanished.

  The soldiers looked to Sena and she raised the Kaliga over her head. Then she seemed to stumble and nearly fell. Lan Tagjet took the Kaliga from her and James steadied her.

  "I felt dizzy," said Sena. "It seemed to throb in my hand. I heard voices and then I do not know what happened."

  "The curse of the Kaliga," said Onyax Lor. "It had already begun to drain your energy. We must return to Eslenda."

  "I will think of a way to carry it wi
thout touching it," said Lan Tagjet. He looked into his pack and pulled out a blanket and rope. He wrapped the Kaliga tightly in the blanket and tied the rope about it. He held it for several minutes.

  "It's a start, but I can still hear the hum in my head," said Lan Tagjet. "I do not believe I would be able to carry it very long."

  "Here, try another blanket," said Per Tagjet.

  "And mine," said Jed Turlane.

  "Hand it to me, Father," said Per Tagjet. "I told Navir I will carry it for Sena."

  Lan Tagjet looked at his son, and nodded. He handed the wrapped spear to Per Tagjet. Per took it, surprised at its weight and immediately the hum began in his head. He blinked and stared at his father.

  "Let me know when you need help," said James. That snapped Per out of his trance.

  "Help? Do not worry yourself Eslendian. I can carry this burden." Per turned away and walked steady but his jaw held much tension.

  Per Tagjet followed his father who led the way with Gaerhan. Jed Turlane brought up the rear. Sena dropped back to talk to him. James noticed but kept close to Per Tagjet.

  The first night, Per Tagjet fell asleep at dinner. His father carried him to his sleeping roll. The next morning Per seemed refreshed and was ready to continue the journey. Lan Tagjet noticed the darkness under his son's eyes.

  They walked swiftly eager to return to Far Greening. Lan Tagjet dropped back to the rear and gazed northward for several heartbeats. He hurried forward to James.

  "Prince James, we are being tracked," said Lan Tagjet. "Something large and moving fast. We cannot outrun it. There may be more than one."

  Gaerhan looked into the distance for several heartbeats.

  "Amogrihens. We must prepare to fight."

  "Amogrihens? We haven't seen them in generations," said Onyax Lor.

  "Nevertheless, they come," said Gaerhan.

  "I'm not even sure what they are," said James.

  "Once they were human, but a sorcerer of old, Macelan, twisted them into feline creatures, faster than deer. Tireless they will pursue their quarry. They can be killed, but they will not suffer a natural death. No one knows how many are left. We cannot outrun them. We must fight."

  "We might be helped by the weather," said Lan Tagjet. "There is rain coming."

  "Small miracles," said James. "We must hurry to find a defensible location."

  "I will scout ahead," said Lan Tagjet. He sprinted off.

  Per Tagjet walked to Onyax Lor.

  "I feel the curse of this spear already. There are voices in my mind urging me to kill with it." He glanced at James. "And I know who would be first."

  "Drink this," said Onyax Lor. "It will help shield you. I began mixing it when Navir told us of the Kaliga's danger."

  "Thank you." He sipped the cup, and then frowned. "Onyax, I wish you knew how to add flavor."

  "Drink it, Per. Save the compliments for the young women."

  Lan Tagjet led them to a rise with rocks on two sides. The rocks were large enough to block attacks and pressed up against a low cliff.

  "Not bad," said James. "I think the cliff is high enough to keep them from attacking from there. Is there another exit?"

  "No. It is open only on this side."

  "We will be trapped," said Jed Turlane.

  "Well, we will fight here. We cannot get to a better place before they attack."

  "There are two out there now," said Gaerhan. "They are watching us."

  "How big are they?" asked Jed Turlane.

  "Seven feet tall, and as fast as a deer. We will pay dearly to survive."

  "Yet, we must," said James. "The Kaliga must fulfill its purpose."

  Soundless, the Amogrihens attacked. The huge cat-like creatures ran on two legs and had the cunning of a man. They moved quickly to cut off the retreat of their quarry. James heard the thudding sound of their approach and drew his sword as he turned. The huge creature was upon him. James blocked the first slash of its claw with the flat of his sword. He barely moved out of the way of the second and he hacked at it from the side. His blade drew blood but the Amogrihen did not pause in its efforts. It moved on two legs like a man but its bright yellow eyes and ferocity was feline. James struck it and dodged away. Sena jabbed a spear in its back and it whirled to attack her. James pressed forward opening two more wounds on the creature. A cry rose from the other creature. Lan Tagjet and Jed Turlane had driven it off. Its companion suddenly knocked Sena down, jumping out of James' range and made its escape. James watched them go, his chest heaving. No one had been killed.

  "We were lucky," said Lan Tagjet. "There were only two. Twice that many and things may have ended differently."

  "They move so fast," said Jed Turlane, catching his breath. "It is hard to believe."

  "Yes," said Per Tagjet. "You fought well, Eslendian. Stories are few of survivors of Amogrihen attacks."

  "Thanks," said Jed Turlane. "I am surprised I bloodied one. I didn't think my sword would catch up with it."

  Sena touched James' hand.

  "Are you well?"

  "I am. You?"

  "Not a scratch," said Sena. "I did not believe they were real. I thought the stories were only to frighten children sitting around the fire to make them stay in bed."

  "Many things I have found recently that I believed a fancy. You, however, are more than I imagined."

  "Your words are a kindness, sir," said Sena. "But will our time be short together?"

  "I cannot see the future, Sena. That is your calling. I am but a man with a sword. I am bound to Eslenda, to defend it and die for it and its people. I cannot look farther than the sunrise. As long as my strength lasts, we shall be together."

  "That is good, James. That is good."

  "Per!" shouted Lan Tagjet.

  Per Tagjet fell down in a heap. His skin pasty white, his eyes staring. Onyax Lor bent over him, crumpling leaves under Per's nose.

  "Is he injured?" asked Sena.

  "No," said Onyax Lor. "It is the Kaliga. He is weak and murmurs under his breath as if speaking with someone."

  "What kind of thing is that spear?" asked James. "It is evil."

  "You may be right," said Onyax Lor. "It is far beyond us. How long we can bare it without losing ourselves, I cannot say. But Per cannot carry it for a day or two at least."

  "I will try," said James. "I will take it to the other side of the camp." He looked at Sena. "This is an evil thing. I do not wish for you to wield it."

  "I gave my word to Navir. How can I back down now?"

  "But it will destroy you!"

  "It would do the same for anyone. I am no different."

  "You are to me."

  "James, your words mean more to me than you know, but I do not deserve to live more than the next person. My life has been restored to me and I know joy again. If I do not survive this task, my life will have no regrets."

  "But so short! We have just been brought together. I cannot bear the thought of sundering so soon."

  "Be thankful of what is; do not worry about what hasn't occurred yet. Not even the wise can foretell all roads."

  "I don't care what the wise say! We will not part."

  Sena smiled at him and kissed him.

  Lan Tagjet smiled behind them, happy for his daughter. So little joy in the world he said to himself. Everyone deserves a taste of it.

  Chapter 24

  "Most of the Turuck army has moved north chasing a smaller army of Eslendians. I was unable to determine who led the Eslendian army; the colors weren't visible in the darkness. We should be able to enter Riverdowns with little trouble in daylight," said Loric. "I will take Moria and scout ahead. We shall probe the shadows around the town and castle. We will be back before dawn." They mounted their horses and trotted toward the town. Kerreth stared after them.

  "Does the Turuck army worry you?" asked Navir. "We are a small company."

  "No, I am not worried," said Kerreth. He shrugged. "We are a resourceful group. I believe Tag Makk is overconfident.
Everywhere we follow him he has left fewer soldiers to hold the conquered cities. Either he has no concern with his conquests or…."

  "Or he is drawing us to him," said Navir.

  "Do you think that's possible?" asked Elberra. "We have left no survivors and made sure no messages were sent."

  "The Menaloch is aware of much," said Navir. "There is much that is hiding in the shadows that you do not see. He may have left more soldiers behind than you know."

  "So it could be a trap?" asked Dvorak Annis.

  "Possible," said Kerreth. "We are always wary, they won't surprise us."

  "If sorcery is involved I will detect it before it can harm us," said Blackthorne. "Dvorak and I can shield us against anything, even a god."

  "Words to live by, I hope," said Kerreth. "Please be vigilant."

  "The Menaloch will strike quickly if it senses a threat," said Navir. "Often we were defeated because we were not ready. My commanders did not listen to me and perished. The Menaloch is very powerful and will strike with all its might. It doesn't allow for survivors."

  "We're listening," said Hobart Hufflen. "Aren't we listening, Kerreth?"

  "We certainly are listening. We will reconnoiter the area and enter Riverdowns if prudent. After we have found out what there is to find, we shall head north. I sense battle to the north. We shall catch them anon."

  "How much farther tonight?" asked Taina. "We can't have our campfire seen by the Turucks."

  "You are correct. I think we can travel another hour and then we must stop," said Kerreth.

  "I agree," said Gorm. "Once out of the hills we will be in view of lookouts from Riverdowns for miles before we arrive."

  "Let us cover the distance before the sun rises," said Kerreth. "They may be able to see us in the night, but the dawn will drive them into hiding. I want to enter the city freely and take back what we can without confrontation. We need supplies replenished and fresh mounts to chase the Turucks northward."

  They rode down from the hills, Kerreth at the head of the company. In silence they kept their pace as the hooves thundered over the rolling prairie. Gorm and Taina rode abreast with Kerreth, their Daerlan vision superior in the darkness. They scanned ahead while Kerreth kept the pace even. The only sound was the heavy breathing of Dvorak Annis, the fat mage never comfortable on a horse. Blackthorne projected a faint aura of sorcery around them to dull the sound of their passing and to conceal them from watchers.