by Bill Mays
“First you must present me with one, woodsman. Why do you waste my time? You are no match for me. Not any more than this pathetic boy was. We both know that. None of you are a challenge for me!”
The Drackmoorian soldiers began to gather around. They were anxious to see their general in action. Rugen stepped closer to face off against Flade. The ranger did well to hide the effect the knight’s aura had on him.
“No! Do not do it, Flade!” Dalia pleaded. “What purpose does this serve? It will prove nothing.”
“You should listen to the lady, woodsman. I would hate to damage you too badly before my master is able to question you properly.”
Erinson, one of the other two knights present, stepped forward as well. His voice was low and controlled. “My lord, remember the importance of this accomplishment. Lord Meiron expects them alive. He will be quite pleased with your success.”
Ardath screamed out inside Rugen’s head to fight. The sword wanted to taste the slender man’s blood again. Rugen paused, and then returned the great sword to his back with a huff. The sword would have to remember who was master.
“So, you are afraid,” Flade teased. “I never did put much stock in the honor of knights.”
“Do not tempt me, little man,” Rugen growled, “or I’ll make you watch as I skin these women before your very eyes.” The knight general turned his back on the companions. “Take them all alive. I will speak with them individually later.”
Erinson nodded. “You heard the general. These people are enemies of the dark lands, and the Dark Lord. Capture them, but do not kill them under penalty of death.”
“What do we do now?” Jillian whispered fearfully.
“It doesn’t look good,” Flade sighed as the soldiers began to close in on them from every angle.
“Look there!” Dalia cried out as she pointed to the sky. “The dragon comes!”
It was in fact Shattra. Her massive wings sailed over the wall of Timbre and carried her to land in the clearing next to the huddled companions. The soldiers scrambled to get out of the dragon’s path. As the huge black creature came to a landing, there was a figure clear in her grasp. She lowered the man to the ground. Ganze stood on wobbly knees as he stepped from the dragon’s clutches. His bird, Coal, was held tightly in his own arms.
“Ganze?” Flade looked shocked to see the man.
The small gangly man dipped his head in shame. “I’m afraid so. I’m terribly sorry, but I had no choice,” he sputtered.
“What do you mean? What have you done?” Dalia hissed. Her gaze was piercing his soul.
“I had no choice. You have to understand that,” the rodent-faced man pleaded.
Rugen spun about in a rage. He took two long strides towards Shattra. “I have warned you not to disrupt my camp, you overgrown talking lizard!” He bellowed angrily.
“Calm yourself, human. The master sent me here on a mission. It is a mission he feared you could not handle alone. I cannot help that your men are a bunch of sniveling cowards!” Shattra’s voice rumbled dangerously.
Ardath was again in Rugen’s grasp. The sword wanted blood. It did not care if that blood was human or dragon.
“You draw that tiny knife as if it would do you some good,” the massive dragon sneered. “You are nothing more than a single glorified human. I could crush you easily.”
The general had heard enough. He advanced on Shattra against Erinson’s protests. Now the soldiers were growing more excited. Both priests called down from the walls for the two to contain themselves.
“This may be our only chance,” Flade whispered to the huddled group.
Arianna focused on healing Petre while Jillian held the boy’s hand in a tight grip. The girl trembled badly. The sight of the dragon again was too much for her to handle. The creature had a natural fear it radiated. She was never so scared in her life.
Dalia met Flade’s gaze and nodded sternly. “What do you have in mind?” Arianna whispered fearfully.
“We are trapped! We’re all going to die!” Jillian sobbed.
The dragon and the knight squared off not thirty feet from the companions. Everyone was watching the confrontation intently. The companions were all but forgotten in the commotion.
“Come and feel the power of Shattra!” The dragon growled.
“Ardath will clip your wings and your throat!” Rugen growled back.
Flade focused on one thought, and Dalia heard it echo out from his mind clearly. “The necklace, Vergehen’s necklace,” his mind repeated it over and over.
“Everyone take hold of me somehow,” Dalia whispered as she placed one hand on Petre. Flade had to grab Jillian’s hand and press it to Dalia’s arm, but all were soon connected to the kneeling lady.
“What are you doing?” Ganze hissed as he moved in for a closer look. He shook his head ever so slightly. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that. They will kill us all, my life depends on it.”
“Ganze, come with us,” Flade whispered. “We can escape, right now.”
The gangly man looked to the huge dragon and shook his head from side to side again slowly in fear. “Oh mighty Shattra, Mistress of Darkness, the Messengers of Vergehen are trying to escape!” The rodent-faced man called out. He felt the lump sink in his throat as he glanced back at Flade’s astonished stare.
The dragon’s head snapped to the side. Her red eyes glared down on the huddled group. She had not realized who they were until now. Rugen, too, focused on the party.
“Stop them!” The knight bellowed. “They cannot escape again!” Shattra’s neck coiled back as her deadly breath began to build in her throat. She decided they were better dead than escaped.
“The dragon’s going to breathe on us!” Jillian cried out in a panic. She pictured the Kandairian soldiers thrashing around on the ground as their life force drained away with the clinging black gas. The girl tried to move, but Flade held her hand in place.
Ganze dashed away from the targets of the dragon’s anger. Arianna closed her eyes tightly and began a prayer to Rashas for protection, though she doubted it would help. As the black vapors spewed forth from the dragon’s mouth, everyone screamed, everyone except Dalia.
The lady simply shouted one word, “There!”
The entire huddled group vanished in a puff of smoke. Shattra’s black vapors swirled around the empty spot on the ground, searching for any living thing to attach to.
“No!” Rugen shouted at the top of his lungs. His prey had escaped yet again. Meiron would not be pleased.
* * * * * * * * * *
Everything around them faded from sight. The impending doom of the black mists headed their way from the mouth of the dragon, the dark knight general and his cursed sword, and the multitude of soldiers with their priest and knight leaders were all simply gone. In place faded new surroundings, sparse trees with tangled vines and ground covered in dry leaves. They were in a forest, but not the same forest. Even the priestess’ untrained eye could see that much.
“Where are we?” Arianna asked hesitantly once she realized she still lived.
Dalia shook her head in confusion. “I am not certain. I had pictured our last camp in the clearing. I expected us to arrive there.” The lady seemed at a loss.
Jillian was sobbing with tears of joy. “We’re alive,” she sniffled, and then tried quickly to dry her eyes.
Petre sat up and flexed his bruised arm. Rugen’s blow was a powerful one. His shield was terribly dented now. “How did you save us?” The boy whispered, still in a little bit of shock.
“This necklace saved us,” Dalia mumbled. “It is a gift from Vergehen.”
“You used magic to transport us?” Arianna asked in surprise. “The wizard warned against such magic within Kandair’s borders, didn’t he? Not that I’m complaining, but perhaps that is why we are not where you expected us to be?”
“She’s right,” Flade added. “We are nowhere near Timbre. This area is completely different. It must have been the residue
from those vortexes the old man spoke of.” Dalia nodded her agreement. It made sense.
“Who cares where we are,” Jillian giggled. “We’re alive! It’s a miracle!” The girl jumped to her feet happily.
Suddenly, she seemed to come to a sad realization. Timbre and her people were no more. Uncle Barst and all of the rest were gone. The joy faded from her face; and it was quickly replaced by despair. Petre moved to comfort her.
“She’s got a good point,” Arianna smiled as she stood and looked around. There was a chill in the air and she wrapped her cloak tightly about her body for warmth. “Do you suppose Rugen or that dragon will be able to locate us?”
The thought was enough to bring everyone to their feet. “I do not know about them, but the Dark Lord might be able to follow our trail,” Dalia sighed. “By all descriptions, he is a very powerful wizard.”
“No sense in chancing it. We should start moving. We’ll figure out where we are once I put some distance between us and this spot,” Flade announced.
There were no arguments. They were all anxious to be on their way. The idea of confronting the knight general or the dragon again was not a pleasant one.
Some time passed as Flade guided them randomly away from their arrival location. The ranger quickly noticed that this was not only a new forest, but it also bordered on a swampland. They must have traveled a very long distance. The only area he could recall from the map that contained a marsh was the place named the Acid Swamps. If they had indeed gone so far, then they were on Tark’s trail again.
The ranger noticed that Dalia was lost in deep thought since their escape. “What troubles you, my lady?” The slender man whispered as he fell back to her side.
“That traitor knows much of our journey and our intentions,” she sighed. “I’ve caught him eavesdropping on more than one occasion.”
“You mean Ganze?” Flade realized she was right.
“How much did he really know? He will tell them everything. That man has no shame. Tark may be in more danger now than ever.” Dalia used one hand to massage her temple.
“Then we must find him quickly,” the ranger smiled.
“Why do you smile? There is something you are not telling me.” Dalia studied his face for some clue. The man was instinctually shielding his thoughts from her.
“I believe we are now on the edges of the Acid Swamps.”
Dalia stopped in mid-stride and stared at him in shock. If it were true, then they had traveled over weeks of terrain. “But how?”
Arianna must be right. Something carried us far from Timbre. Maybe you had thoughts of Tark and his last known location. I’m no sorcerer, but according to Vergehen those vortexes could create random and drastic effects.” Dalia nearly lost control. Tears welled up behind her eyes. “I am not positive yet, but I can recall no other marshlands from the map. Come morning I can study it better.” Flade wrapped an arm around Dalia’s shoulders. “We will find him,” he whispered.
Petre walked up to the two. “Has anyone else noticed that putrid smell on the breeze?”
“It smells like swampland,” Jillian added.
“Swampland, that sounds wonderful,” Arianna moaned from the rear of the procession as she paused to adjust the straps of her sandals and pull away another thorn in her toe. “Things keep getting better and better. Just in case I have not made it abundantly clear, I really hate this adventuring business.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Back in Timbre, Ganze stood staring at the spot where the others were huddled only moments before. They were gone. At first he thought them destroyed by the dragon but there were no remains. They had actually escaped. He held Coal close to his chest. The gangly man wanted to cry. He could have gone with them. This was one bad choice he could see no escape from. How stupid he had been.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered to the bird.
“Who is this man?” A deep voice growled, jarring him back to his current situation. Rugen stood a few feet from the gangly man, his great sword poised to strike.
Ganze gazed around the settlement at the many dark land soldiers. His eyes came to rest on the giant man in the horned helm. The massive dragon stood nearby as well. His situation looked dire.
“This is Ganze,” Shattra growled back. “He is a former traveling companion of the messengers. He has agreed to aid me with all he knows. You see, Rugen, the mission was not a total loss. I have made sure of that. I also slaughtered a twenty-man troop of the enemy soldiers that were headed your way.” There came a deep grumble of laughter from the dragon.
The general trembled with anger beneath his black-plate armor and concealing helm. No one could tell, but his muscles clenched and unclenched. He took a deep breath before speaking to his attendant, Erinson.
“Use every means we have available to track the destination of their transportation. Take the prisoner to my chambers. I will question him personally. First, I must contact our lord and inform him of what has transpired here.”
Erinson knew Rugen was furious. He could hear it in the undertone of his lord’s voice. He also knew that Lord Meiron would likely punish the general for his failure. How severe would that punishment be? The Dark Lord was not known for his merciful ways. For a moment, he wondered where that would leave him and the knights of Trakarass. Erinson took the gangly, rat-faced man by the collar and led him away. As Ganze stumbled along nervously, he wondered what exactly he had gotten himself into.
* * * * * * * * * *
Daylight came and found the companions resting in a small thicket. Flade was awake with the sun’s first rays and studying their map for any clues as to their whereabouts. When she awoke, Dalia moved to his side.
“Have you discovered our location yet?” She asked hopefully, though she tried to keep the desperation from her voice. The others began to rise around them.
“To be honest, I can’t be totally sure, but my best guess would be that we are in this general region.”
Flade pointed to the map. His finger rested on the border between Merintz and the Acid Swamps. Everyone gathered around to see for themselves.
“We’re in northern Merintz?” Petre asked in surprise.
“This is wonderful news,” Arianna smiled as she checked her features in the small silver mirror she always carried. She brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.
“He said he can’t be sure, though,” Jillian reminded them somberly. The girl remained a bit withdrawn. Her mood was dour. She still dealt with the loss of her home.
“If this is true, then Villinsk isn’t far away,” Arianna cooed happily.
“Villinsk?” Petre repeated quizzically. He suddenly realized he had no idea where they were headed. He and Jillian had discussed remaining in Timbre until the war ended.
”As you already know, we are on a journey to locate our friend, Tark,” Dalia stated with a hint of joy in her tone. “I know neither of you had intended to join this quest, and so I ask you now, would you prefer we find a safe town and part ways? Our trek will take us to Villinsk and maybe farther.” Dalia’s gaze was a serious one.
“We wouldn’t hold the choice against you,” Flade grinned to lighten the mood. “This is our mission. You don’t even know Tark. It will be beyond dangerous, as you have already seen. We have made powerful enemies. You are welcome to join our merry little band, but we will understand if you choose a different path.”
“They will come with us,” Arianna whispered softly. “I have seen it in my dreams.”
“Well there you have it folks,” Jillian laughed nervously. “We have to tag along, it has been prophesized.”
“I can only speak for myself,” Petre looked to Jillian for a second, “but I owe you people much. I have seen that you oppose Rugen and that is good enough for me. I have no true course of my own anymore. I would be honored if you would allow me to join you. You are out to make a difference, and I would like to be a part of that. As you already know, I have much to atone for.” Petre lowered his hea
d briefly and then, remembering something Jillian had once said, he stood up tall again. “If you’ll have me, I want to come with you,” he stated confidently as he gripped the hilt of his sword.
“Of course, we welcome the company,” Flade grinned and patted the boy on the back.
“And you, my dear?” Dalia looked to Jillian. The girl looked lost. “Say the word and we will find a safe place for you. I know you have been through much as of late. Believe me; I can understand your pain and loss. Merintz is a neutral kingdom. There is no war here.”
Jillian considered her words carefully. “No, not yet, but there is war in my homeland. I’ve never been outside of Kandair before and I’ll admit I’m scared, but I want to help, too. Like Petre said, you’re going to make a difference in this world. I can feel it in my bones. Pa always wanted more for me. I bet he never imagined anything like this, though.” She laughed nervously. “I want to come with you.”
Dalia embraced the girl tightly. “Thank you, thank you both. We will need every ounce of strength we can gather. That is what I can feel in my bones, and in my heart,” the lady smiled with a glance at Arianna.
“Well then, it’s settled. We are headed to Villinsk!” Flade announced with a grin. “We’ll cross this portion of the wetlands.” The ranger moved his finger across an area of the map. “It is the most direct path. We can’t be sure how much of a lead Tark has on us. Everyone watch each other’s backs. We are a team now, we have only each other to rely on, and the swamps can be dangerous, or so I’ve heard. I’ll lead the way, but I must be honest. I have little knowledge of this terrain. I’ll need everyone’s eyes and ears.”
As he looked around, he could see that all were in agreement. They each acknowledged his statements with a nod. Soon, the party set out on the course as directed by the ever-energetic ranger.