by Jeff Gunzel
“Of course not!” Jarlen lied, answering just a little too quickly.
“Unlike yourself, ego plays no part in any decisions I make,” Orm’rak said. “It is obvious to me that you are an asset, not a liability, when it comes to achieving my ultimate goal. If that means handing over my title and the power that goes with it, well, then the choice is an easy one.”
Jarlen had taken over command just as he predicted, and gained himself an army all within an hour. Yet somehow he didn’t feel like the victory was his. This Orm’rak, this former commander, had a superior aura about him even in defeat. He wasn’t driven by emotion or greed as one might have suspected, only logic. Jarlen couldn’t help but respect that even if he couldn’t relate to such thinking. Strange, really. He had never respected an inferior opponenta before. Perhaps this man wasn’t all that inferior.
“Now, if you would just follow me back to my chambers. Your chambers, rather,” Orm’rak quickly corrected himself. “I do believe we have much to discuss.”
Orm’rak led the way, lerwicks moving to either side to let them pass. Now and then Orm’rak stopped to touch a cheek or rub a shoulder, his fatherly support of his “children” on display, even though he was no longer their leader. It was in that moment that Jarlen realized for certain that he could not do this without Orm’rak. Their trust in him was absolute, and no overnight power shift was going to change that. But that was not necessarily a bad thing either. There were countless ways to make this work in his favor.
Entering the dark chamber, Orm’rak used a lit candle to light various lamps around the room. “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to an empty chair near his desk. “These are now your quarters, after all. Might as well make yourself comfortable.”
Jarlen sat down and rapped his knuckles on the desk. “Now tell me what all of this is about. What made you reach out to these beings, drawing them here from so many miles away? What is it you are hoping to accomplish?”
“Right to business, I see,” Orm’rak replied, filling two fine silver goblets from a pitcher. “Very well, then.” He set one goblet down in front of Jarlen and took the seat across from him. “You see the beginnings of my plan unfolding already. My goal was to assemble as many lerwicks as I could locate. They are the perfect servants, after all.”
“How did you know they would follow you?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Orm’rak said, taking a long gulp of blood from his goblet. Holding it up, he admired the shiny cup a moment before placing it down on the desk. He was going to miss the benefits of being the leader here, but it was a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things. “Where else would they go? The few humans who are aware of their existence treat them with such cruelty. Some are even forced into slavery. The rest just live in secret, hidden in a world that rejects them.
“Not only have I taken them in, I have provided the perfect home in the perfect location. They are immune to this cold, and there are very few humans for miles around. What few small villages there are provide them with nourishment.” He looked into his goblet, giving the red liquid a swirl. “No one questions a few missing humans now and then, particularly in this hazardous environment. Everything is perfect.”
“I am impressed,” Jarlen admitted. “But still, you continue to evade my question. I know you have no love for the humans, but you’ve gone through an incredible amount of trouble to assemble this force. You and I both know you can’t just wipe out the humans overnight. What is your ultimate goal? And please, be specific this time. I would hate to have to ask a third time.” It was his turn to take a long drink before giving Orm’rak a level look. “I would hate to have to eliminate my second-in-command because he wanted to play games.”
The not-so-subtle threat was duly noted. Jarlen may well have been a brute who made his name fighting in the pit, but the man was no fool. Their numbers here were but a fraction of the human population. If the goal were to wipe out the humans entirely, it wasn’t going to happen any time soon. The lerwicks’ physical superiority didn’t mean a thing when talking about numbers this large. Jarlen was onto him. Time to come clean.
“My plan is to kill your sister,” Orm’rak said, blunt as a club. He threw his head back and drained the last few drops from his goblet. He knew it sounded absurd, childish even. All this effort just to seek revenge on a single person. But it was the truth. Yes, he wanted revenge against the humans as well, but that could wait years if necessary. Killing Viola was the driving force behind every move he had made.
Jarlen just stared at him, his blank expression impossible to judge. “Let me try to understand this.” He folded his hands on his lap and leaned forward. “You risked so much to assemble this force just to go after Viola?” Fighting a growing grin, he nearly laughed at the absurdity of it.
“And what exactly did I risk?” Orm’rak asked. Stone cold, there wasn’t the slightest hint of amusement anywhere in his eyes. In fact, he looked deadly serious. “You of all people know what it’s like to lose everything. To have the only life you’ve ever known stolen in a flash.” Jarlen didn’t reply, but his amused grin had vanished.
Orm’rak continued after a long silence. “I understand that the humans oppressed you for years. Who wouldn’t want their revenge after years of torment by the hands of your enemy? But as bad as that was, you still don’t know what true loss is. I once ruled an ancient culture, and now it’s all gone! Our quest to capture that bitch ended in the extinction of an entire civilization. Before I could blink I went from ruler to homeless beggar. You blame an entire species for what happened to you, and that may very well be true. But I can pinpoint my loss to a single being.
“If nothing else, the thought of revenge gives me purpose. It gives me a reason to go on when I might otherwise have gone mad! Perhaps you believe that I’ve already gone mad, but that too means little to me. Take your title and the illusion of power that goes with it. I will even help you strike against the humans when the time comes. I only ask for one thing in return. Help me kill Viola. Help me close the circle so that I may go on living without this heavy weight wrapped around my neck. I will not rest until I see her cold, lifeless eyes close for the very last time.”
Jarlen leaned back in his seat, rubbing his chin as he considered Orm’rak’s rather desperate plea. He could relate. His own obsessive hate of humans had long driven him to seek revenge, made him willing to do just about anything to see that day come as soon as possible. Perhaps this made Orm’rak even more valuable. Desperate men would go to desperate measures when called upon.
“And assuming I was willing to aid you in this matter,” Jarlen reasoned. “Where would we begin our search? She could be anywhere.”
Orm’rak roared with laughter, a mad, cackling laugh that seemed so alien coming from the ever-composed laberath. “And therein lies the beauty of it,” he spit, his eyes dancing with madness. This particular topic seemed to touch the most deep-seated portions of his mind. He was a different person when talking about the one who ruined his life. “I can sense her wherever she goes. I know where she is at all times. She can never escape me. Never!”
“Very well, then,” Jarlen said, leaning away from the man and his crazed behavior. He wasn’t about to question Orm’rak when he seemed so unstable all of a sudden. “Then you know exactly where she is right now?”
“I do!” he cackled. Suddenly his eyes cleared, appearing to be focused and sane once more. “She is right here in the mountains with us. I can practically feel her heart beating in my hands.” He stared down into his open palms, caressing something only he could see. “All we have to do is find a way to flush her out. And I have a plan for that.”
“And I assume that plan will require any number of my men,” Jarlen suggested, eyebrows raised questioningly.
“They were my men as early as this morning,” Orm’rak sneered. “But yes, I will need a force to execute my plan. She is living among the spiritists.” Jarlen crinkled his nose. He could only assume those were the same bein
gs who rode into Shadowfen on the backs of those giant ravens. But rather than interrupt to ask, he let Orm’rak go on.
“They have rank here in the mountains, even among the few human towns. Not only do they have a political foothold, but part of that agreement is that they are sworn to protect the humans at all times. If I attack the town of Haran, the spiritists will be forced to come to the town’s aid. Viola will be out in the open and I will get my revenge at last.”
“And what if she stays behind so as not to be out in the open?”
“Then she will be unguarded in the tower,” Orm’rak reasoned. “She is vulnerable either way, and I will have to strike hard and fast. My goal is not to win against the humans or the spiritists in this particular battle. The attack itself is little more than a distraction to flush out my true enemy.”
Jarlen grinned before eyeing the doorway leading out into the chamber. “So this was your plan all along?” He gestured towards the door. “Everything you built here,” he flicked a note off the desk, “every message sent, every lonely being searching for acceptance that you brought in here and coddled, was part of your grand plan to kill my sister.” Orm’rak smiled but said nothing. “I find your tenacity to be nothing short of amazing,” Jarlen said as he slapped his knees and rose from his seat.
Deep in thought, Jarlen slowly paced near the doorway. Astonishing, really, how one man’s obsession could drive him to such lengths. He had to commend the laberath for what appeared to be nothing short of pure brilliance. Brilliant, but a complete waste of resources to use on one person. Still, with so many pieces now in place, the possibilities seemed endless.
Jarlen stopped pacing and turned towards Orm’rak. “You are driven, to say the least. Like you, I, also, have a plan. I too thirst for revenge, but it will require your full cooperation.” He dropped down on one knee to look the seated laberath in the eyes. “I care nothing for my bitch of a sister. I can promise you the revenge you seek. The real question is, how do I trust you? How can I be sure you won’t try to steal back my position the moment you see an opportunity?” Jarlen couldn’t deny his own insecurity after seeing how faithful the lerwicks still were to Orm’rak.
Orm’rak shook his head and looked away. “Trust me?” he scoffed. “You would be a fool to trust anyone. I think you’re asking the wrong question. I’ve already proven to you that power means nothing to me, and I’ve handed over everything I’ve built without so much as a whimper. So then the real question becomes do I have anything to gain by betraying you? If it were so, I would stab you in the back before sundown.” Jarlen’s eyes narrowed.
“I would expect you to do the same,” the laberath added quickly, raising a finger. “If there were something to be gained. But rest assured, I only want to see Viola’s head on a plate. I want nothing more in this world.”
Orm’rak shrugged at his own honesty. Having had a position of power and used to getting his way for so long, he rarely found the need to lie. That was a thing he might want to reconsider in his new role.
“Fair enough,” Jarlen said, circling away. It was time to get down to business. “Here is what I propose. The city of Shadowfen treated me like an animal, a freak, and I will have my revenge. You want my sister’s head on a pike? Then you will also have your revenge. But we will strike both targets at the same time!”
“Why?” Orm’rak said. Alarmed by the sound of such a reckless plan, he rose from his seat. “Why divide our forces like that?”
Jarlen grinned. “Because my ultimate goal is much larger than taking down a city, or killing that bitch. Fear will be our greatest weapon. The humans have no idea what our true numbers are, but when word spreads that the lerwicks have crushed two separate targets at the same time—”
“The rumors will spread like wildfire,” Orm’rak finished for him, seeing where this was going. His smile now matched Jarlen’s. “Ayrith will be in chaos.” He knew Jarlen did not have the same knowledge of military tactics that he did, but he did seem to understand how to create chaos when necessary. Orm’rak was impressed.
“You will have your revenge, as will I. We can’t take over the realm just yet, but wiping out two cities at once will spread a message of chaos and fear. In a blind panic, the humans may even start to turn on each other. Let their fearful minds be their own worst enemies.” Orm’rak lifted his empty goblet in silent salute. It was time to start planning their attack.
* * *
After Orm’rak produced an aged bottle of whisky he had been saving, the two of them spent the night drinking and planning. Despite the large amount of liquor consumed, their talk remained serious and detailed. Bitter enemies less than a day ago, they had managed to bond and find common ground over their shared goals. Their shared hate, really. Recently, the world had seen glimmers of the lerwicks’ existence, but nothing could prepare it for what it was about to see next. They would soon make their presence known in the grandest of fashions.
Morning came, and it was time to start the first phase of their plan. Lerwicks were divided into separate groups. The larger force would leave first, seeing as how they needed to travel the farthest. Jarlen would march them all the way to Shadowfen in hopes of taking the city, a most difficult challenge on any other day, but they had been weakened by the recent ghatin attack and were ripe for the taking. There was no better time to strike.
The smaller force would be left behind with Orm’rak. They were to wait a few days before marching on Haran. If they timed it right, Shadowfen would fall and word of the other attacks would spread at nearly the same time. As all rumors did, the stories would continue to grow with each new telling until their numbers where whispered to be in the hundreds of thousands. Jarlen was right: fear could be a most useful tool.
Surrounded by lerwicks, Jarlen went into a fiery speech about how the humans’ rule was coming to an end. Orm’rak stayed back, leaning against the wall as he listened. Keeping a low profile, he didn’t want to be seen as a challenger to Jarlen. They were working together now, and it was important to ensure the lerwicks respected Jarlen’s authority.
Fists pumped in the air as Jarlen spread his message of hate, energizing those around him. They would take back what the humans had stole from them. Most cheered the lively speech, but a few didn’t seem quite as inspired. In fact, some moved away altogether and went to go sit by themselves. But Jarlen wasn’t going to stop just to make an example out of them. Let them crawl back to their former leader. They could leave with his team in a few days if they wished.
But as he spoke, the numbers leaving his rank began to grow. Angered, but not willing to show it, he threw a fist in the air and motioned for all to follow. Moving at top speed in short bursts, they would be on Shadowfen’s doorstep soon. It was time to let the humans know that they were in charge of nothing. A superior race had emerged from the ashes, and everything they laid eyes on was theirs. In a howling blast of whirling funnels, they blurred from the cave’s entrance like a black waterfall.
Chapter 12
A day had passed, and it would soon be time to prepare the second wave. Obsessed with the idea of finally getting the chance to get his hands around Viola’s throat, Orm’rak hadn’t really noticed the solemn mood lingering over the lerwicks like a shadow of despair. Several of them had stayed behind, refusing to go off with Jarlen with the first wave. But Orm’rak was so distracted by thoughts of revenge, that he hadn’t noticed the way those same lerwicks were keeping their distance from him as well.
“We can wait no longer!” he shouted, erupting from his chambers with his weapons and gear already strapped on. While Jarlen was leading the others to Shadowfen, he saw no reason not to use his private chambers as his own. He would relinquish them once they had claimed victory. Sleeping lerwicks stirred, some lying up on tables, but most were scattered about on the floor curled up in bedrolls. It was so early that the mouth of the cave was still shrouded in darkness.
“Get up, all of you,” he barked, marching through the cave while nudging t
hose in his path with his foot. “Can you feel it in the air? This is what you’ve been waiting for!” It was really what he had been waiting for, but he could only assume they felt the same. “Today you shall bathe in the blood of your enemies. Humans around the world will quake at the mere mention of—” Suddenly distracted, he hurried his speech along to end with a rousing conclusion.
Lerwicks jumped down off tables, their eyes wide with excitement. Many here had lived horrible lives before finding this paradise, and placed that blame squarely at the feet of the humans. But it was the others that caught Orm’rak’s attention. Several had split off from the group and made their way over to the opposite side of the cave. Refusing to make eye contact with anyone, some stood along the wall while others sat on the ground, their faces hidden in their palms.
Trying to keep his anger in check, Orm’rak made his way over to them. Defying Jarlen was one thing. It would take some time before they could truly accept that he was in charge now. But defying the one who sheltered, fed, and cared for them? Orm’rak had killed men for less. “Is there some particular reason you all don’t seem as excited as your brothers and sisters?” he asked, barely able to contain his growing rage. Despite his anger, he knew he needed to stay calm. Aware that they were little more than children at heart, they wouldn’t respond well to aggression. Likely, it would only make them more defiant. He looked them up and down as eyes shifted away from his judging glare.
“This is not our fight,” one of the girls finally spoke up.
“And how did you come to that conclusion?” Orm’rak snapped back, his tone sharper than he intended. She flinched, dropping her eyes to the floor.
“You’re asking us to hurt people we’ve never met,” another man added, sitting on the floor while mumbling into his hands. “We came here because we just wanted to be left alone. We just wanted to belong somewhere.”
“And have I not provided that for you?” Orm’rak asked. His gradually intensifying glare found the girl who spoke first. “Not your fight, you say? Then whose fight is it, I ask? Who do you blame for your troubles if not the humans?” He turned away with gritted teeth, fists rising up as if to punch the ceiling. “They are the very reason we dwell in this cave while they live in beautiful homes and castles. They are the reason you drink the blood of squirrels and rodents just to survive. Follow me, and I promise you shall be drinking their blood until the end of your days.”