The waitress walked over and placed a pitcher of ale on the bar in front of us and handed Rika a small goblet of greenish liquid. She had climbed her way onto a stool next to Gnath, turning sideways to fit between him and the smelly gent to the other side of her. Gnath, unfortunately, took up more than his fair share of bar space.
“My name is Glos, by the way,” the orc said, looking up and down the bar. A few patrons returned dirty looks, but most were only interested in getting intimate with whatever poison they had before them. “My friend here is Dhell.”
“I am Wellington,” I said. “My companion behind the big guy is the fair lady Rika, and my oversized friend is Gnath.”
“It must be difficult traveling with an ogre,” Glos said, breaking the uncomfortable that came after the introductions.
Gnath gave Glos a warning glance and I was sure I could hear a bit of a growl come out of him over the din of the busy establishment.
“Half-ogre. And it’s not difficult at all. I have no size to intimidate others. He makes up for that ten-fold.”
“I bet he does,” Glos said as he reached between me and Gnath to pour himself a bit of our ale. “So, is he untamed and vicious like an ogre?”
“Only vicious when provoked. Or when you call him an ogre. Any other time he a big baby – a gentle giant.”
“I will try to keep that in mind.”
“That would be wise. Once pushed to his breaking point, he will not stop until you are dead. I’ve seen it happen before.”
In all reality, I hadn’t seen Gnath do anything of the sort. In fact, no one has ever pushed him to that point before. One look at him and those with any brain matter in their head would quickly back down before his anger overpowered his better judgment.
“I uh… thought I saw you outside with two others?”
So now he tipped his hand, I thought. He’s been watching us, and instinctively I felt for my money pouch. I was relieved that it was still hanging on my belt. A good thief would have it removed and be gone before a victim would even know what had happened. Still, I sensed ulterior motives. Orcs always had ulterior motives.
“Yes. Our two friends went to find lodging. You seem to ask a lot of questions. What is your business with us?”
“Oh, none, friend. I am merely making an observation. One can’t be too careful in these parts.”
The barkeep brought a plate of meat on a stick and placed it before Gnath. The big guy really lived to eat. It was one of his only great joys in life. I learned a long time ago not to help myself to any portion of his food, lest pull back a broken finger or two. Yet, surprisingly, he lifted one of the sticks of meat and offered it to Rika. She smiled and accepted it gladly. In all my years in association with the big guy, I have never seen him offer food to anyone. Not even me, his best friend.
“So, the man I saw outside looked to be a mage of some sort. Would that be true?”
“Stranger, I wish to enjoy my evening with my friends. As much as I have enjoyed meeting you, I ask that you let us alone now. Good evening.”
The expression on the orc’s face changed from his faux friendliness to that of contempt. “You best be careful in the Forest of the Damned. Braver men than you and your ogre and that wizard have perished within its boundaries. You have been warned.”
He backed away, glanced at his barbarian friend, and turned for the door.
“Somehow, I suspect we will be seeing him again. The next time will be in the Forest of the Damned.”
“Mmmm,” Gnath grunted. “Good meat.”
Chapter 7
The evening’s lodgings were modest, at best. The wizard secured us two rooms; one for he and the lady archer, the other for me, Gnath and Rika. With only two beds in the room, we agreed to offer Rika one to herself, and Gnath the other. With my diminutive frame, a simple padded chair, such as the only other furnishing in the room, was enough for me to sprawl across sideways. Certainly, a larger berth would have been nicer, as my legs hung over one side and my neck was propped up on the opposite arm, but sleeping on the floor was not an option as I feared being trampled by a half-asleep half-ogre in search of a pot in which to piss in the middle of the night.
As the first light of morning found its way through the trees and buildings outside our little hostel and in the dirty, single window of our room, I turned in the chair and did my best to stretch my twisted body straight. My neck was stiff, and my legs were asleep below my knees. Between cycles of Gnath snoring, I could hear the wizard and the archer rustling around in the room next door.
As I rubbed my neck and shook my legs to get feeling back into them, I glanced over at Rika. She was awake, sitting up against the headboard, smiling. Every time Gnath snored, she chucked, which caused me to laugh. With each thunderous rumble from my friend, we chuckled harder. I never realized how comically loud and obnoxious it was until now.
Deciding to have mercy on all of us, I decided it was time to wake the sleeping giant.
“Gnath! Wake up, big guy. Hey. Gnath!”
With a snort, Gnath jolted awake, rolled to see us laughing at him, then sat up on the bed. He wiped the drool from his cheek with his massive hand, and with the same hand, rubbed his eyes one at a time.
“We need to get ready to move out. The wizard and Nyssa are already up.”
“Hungry,” was Gnath’s way of saying good morning. At least it usually was. Sometimes he would lie back down and go to sleep again.
“How can you afford to feed him every day?” Rika asked.
“It’s not easy. And considering he’s not a very good hunter, I usually have to buy our food. It’s a good thing I’m lucky at games of chance.”
“Do you ever lose?”
“Not lately. Gnath, let’s get our things and leave the room so the fine lady can freshen up in private before our journey.”
“Hungry.”
“Okay, I hear you. We’ll get you some food. He’s like a big baby.”
Rika gave me a wink as I straightened myself up and did my best to make for the exit on my still half-asleep legs.
Downstairs in the inn Gnath gnawed on a large plate of meat on a stick as we waited with the wizard and the archer for Rika to make her way down. I spent the last of my d’nars on some hardboiled eggs and a toasted biscuit. Normally, when faced with a near-empty money pouch, I would look for a game of chance to build up my bank again, but where we were heading, we would have no need for money. At least, not until we reached Edenkeep.
“Lady Rika, good to see you this morning,” Nyssa chimed, announcing the appearance of Rika from the inn. “I hope you had a pleasant night’s sleep.”
“I slept fine,” she said, again sending me a wink as she took a seat at the table. I laughed more than a little bit as Gnath looked at me perplexed.
Rika ordered herself a small bowl of fruit and a glass of goat’s milk. Gnath slid his half-empty plate of meat on a stick over towards Rika, but she put her hand up and mouthed no thank you. Gnath looked a bit dejected at the gesture but withdrew the plate and continued his feeding.
Once everyone’s belly was full, we headed on our way. The town was oddly quiet this early morning. Somewhere in one of the distant houses, a child was making sure the surrounding neighbors were not sleeping as her cries echoed through the streets. A dog was barking in the distance, and the birds were starting their morning routine. We headed north to the edge of town, and though the sun esd beginning to rise, and the town getting brighter by the minute, the area just outside the edge of Vanderspar grew dark. The trees of the Forest of the Damned ahead seemed to filter all the light and color from the panorama of the scene, leaving only dark gray tones. The forest seemed to be living up to its name, and one could only wonder what might be hiding within its boundaries. If half of the stories I had heard were true, this journey could get ugly fast. And I still wondered about the orc and barbarian, and what surprises they might have in store for us along the path to the north.
We stopped at the edge of t
he forest, north of town. The path grew darker the farther it went into the woods, and there seemed to be a bit of a mist lingering directly ahead of us.
“Stay together,” the wizard said. “Stay on the path and keep your eyes and ears open. It will take us two days to get through the forest. If we are careful, we will all get out the other side alive.”
Sadly, I didn’t find the wizard’s words reassuring. It was not uncommon for people to enter the Forest of the Damned and never come out, never to be seen again. The forest doesn’t seem to give up its mysteries. Still, it is the fastest way to Edenkeep, lest one likes to traverse mountains or treacherous seas. But right now, a little mountain climbing doesn’t sound too bad.
“Last chance to turn back,” Arick said, looking from face to face at each of us. I looked at Gnath, and we both looked at Rika.
“We have a job to do. If you’re scared, wizard, you are free to hang back. No one will think the less of you.”
“Listen to you, brave warrior,” he replied. “I hope you are as brave in the forest, should the need arise.”
“People traverse these woods all the time to get to Edenkeep. If it were as bad as they say, there would not be any contact with the castle city at all.”
“Most people take to the sea, my friend. All too often people are lost in these woods, and many come out with stories of friends being slaughtered by wraiths or werebears. But I do admire your bravery.”
Okay, I admit I had to swallow hard at what he said, but I was committed to getting Rika to the castle city, and in one piece. How bad could the Forest of the Damned be?
“Then let’s be on our way.”
“Sure. On our way, I say. Forward, brave warriors!” I hoped my false courage covered the fact that I was moments away from losing my nerve. But before I could even consider turning around, Gnath and Rika led the way north into the ominous forest. The wizard and Nyssa did not hesitate to follow, and I found myself bringing up the rear. Looking over my shoulder suddenly became second nature.
The sounds in the distance were unlike forest sounds I had heard before. Distant shrieks and howls did nothing to calm my fears, and the faint smell of rotting flesh and mildew hung in the mist. The path even seemed to have a layer of dung that clung to my leather boots and made the going slippery.
We trudged onward, and I never drifted too far from Gnath. Though the wizard might have been the best weapon we had for what might pop out of the dark woods, Gnath was my security blanket. I knew he would die defending my life, as well as that of the girl, but I was not so certain about the wizard and the archer. What their true motives, and where their loyalties lie is still a bit uncertain.
As the day wore on, we trudged north on the twisting, dark path. The sounds howling through the trees seemed close at times, and I waited for whatever created them to come springing out and ripping us to shreds. They always seemed to back off and could be heard getting farther away, as though they were checking us out, or sizing us up. Maybe they took one look at Gnath and thought better of their motives?
“What do you think is making those sounds, wizard?” I asked, trying to keep pace with my larger companions. Fortunately, Rika was a bit smaller in stature, and was a bit slower herself, keeping the pace much closer to one I could manage.
“I’m not sure, Master Wellington. Could be wraiths, could be werebeasts of some sort. I think they are making sure we get further into the forest before they strike, so we can’t run back out of the woods to safety.”
“Before they strike…?”
“I meant if they strike.”
“You said before… as though their strike was inevitable.”
“Sorry. Slip of the tongue.”
“Don’t usually hear of wizards having a case of slipping tongue. Could prove disastrous.”
“Okay, I said what I meant. We will probably die. Better?”
“No. Not better at all. I like the slip of the tongue explanation better.”
“I must say, Wellington, you’re quite the quirky character.”
“I think it might be prudent for me to mention a couple of shady characters we met in the Kings Folly yesterday as we were getting a drink.”
“An orc and a barbarian?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“It wouldn’t be these two standing in the road ahead of us, would it?”
I looked around the wizard to the path ahead, and sure enough, it was our acquaintances from the previous evening.
“Glos, and Dhell,” I announced. “Fancy meeting you here.”
Chapter 8
“Friends of yours?” Lady Nyssa asked placing her hand on her sword. Gnath gently pushed Rika behind him with his massive left hand.
“Acquaintances from last night. I thought they might be up to no good, but I didn’t think they would consider standing up to a party that outnumbered them two to one.”
“It is you that is outnumbered, elfling,” Glos called across the distance between us. And as he said that, from the mist all around us appeared dozens upon dozens of orc warriors, all with bows and swords ready.
“Well, that’s a dirty trick.”
Gnath, Nyssa and the wizard took a defensive posture. I drew my own little flea-flicker of a sword and stood behind Gnath and Nyssa, a substantial wall of flesh for someone as small as I. I looked over at Rika, only to realize she was nowhere to be seen. Oh, to have the skills of a chameleon right now.
“We only want the wizard. If he were to agree to come with us, all lives will be spared.”
“Who sent you?” Arick called out.
“We have been dispatched by the great Master Sorcerer, Zaleus.”
“Zaleus. Of course.”
“You will come with us now, and we will place the iron collar on you. This is your last chance.”
“Iron collar? What is the iron collar?”
“With an iron collar around my neck, I can’t weave my spells. That is why wizards don’t wear armor. Our spells would be useless.”
“Well, we can’t let that happen. Can we let that happen? We can’t let that happen, right?”
“Are you up for a fight?”
“I fear there will be a fight whether I’m up for it or not.”
“You’re probably right,” the wizard said, then focusing his attention on the orc. “Do what you must, but you will not find us easy prey.”
And without hesitation, the first wave of orc warriors attacked. They rushed in with swords and axes swinging, and immediately the wizard pushed them back with some sort of blast of intense energy from his outstretched palms.
Two arrows found their way into the shoulder of Gnath, his cry of pain was short as he lunged towards four advancing orcs. My friend’s massive sword took down three of the attackers with ease, the fourth one managed to get his blade across Gnath’s upper thigh, blood spilling down his leg, before the giant cut him down as well.
Suddenly I was caught off guard as an orc ran up from behind me. With barely a second to spare, I ducked under a swinging blade, which unfortunately creased the back of my already bloody friend, causing him to arch his back in agony. I spun around to face my attacker, lunging with his sword at me. I raised my little blade in an obviously hopeless attempt to parry when out of thin air Rika appeared and plunged a dagger into my unsuspecting attacker’s stomach. He stopped his lunge, in shock, and fell past me to the ground as Rika smiled at me and disappeared again.
Lady Nyssa had done everything she could to pick off orcs with her bow, but soon the battle was too close, and she had to resort to her sword. Her chainmail armor saving her from the glancing blows of the razor-sharp Damascus steel blades being wielded his way. She took as many down as she was able, but we were all quickly being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of orc attackers.
The wizard shot some fireballs from his hands taking out several of the orcs himself, but he couldn’t fire fast enough to ward off the numbers. It was obvious we would not win this battle; the end would not be pretty.
Taking matters into his own hands, the wizard decided enough was enough. He backed away from the throngs of attackers, and with a wave of his arms and a quick incantation, we found ourselves in a bubble - a protective shield glowing reddish-orange. Except he wasn’t inside of it. He was standing outside, the orcs closing in around him.
Several orcs attempted to break through our shield only to discovered that it was impenetrable, and they too turned their attention on Arick. Glos, who had stayed back away from the fray, stepped forward towards the wizard.
“Leave him alone, you orcish bastard!” I yelled, hoping my voice penetrated the shield. “Arick, run! Run away!”
“You will be safe here,” he said. “Do not worry about me. Go home when the shield fades, and do not think of me again.”
“I am glad you are thinking clearly, wizard,” Glos said with a sneer. I wanted to mount your head on a plaque as a trophy of my conquest, but the sorcerer has other plans for you. Wise choice protecting your friends, we would certainly have finished them off, and you would still be our prisoner.”
“Arick, let us out of here and we will show him what kind of fighters we really are.”
“Go home, half-elf,” Arick said. “Take your friends and live a happy life away from here.”
Glos clamped a metal collar around the wizard’s neck and secured it with a massive lock. Placing the key in his pouch, Glos then tied the wizard’s hands behind his back and began escorting him north along the path deeper into the heart of the woods. The orcs fell in line behind him, as did Dhell, and soon they had disappeared into the fog of the Forest of the Damned.
“Dammit, we have to do something.”
“What do you propose?” Rika said, reappearing outside the shield.
“I don’t know. Something.”
“First,” Nyssa said, “we best tend to your friend’s wounds. I have some salves and bandages in my pack.”
The Dragons of Neverwind Page 5