“I’m here to negotiate your surrender,” he said.
The clerics huffed a laugh, but it was far from gutsy.
Bayzog could see the air shimmering before them.
“I see,” he said. He muttered quick words in Elven. His fingertips glowed with life and a streak of orange shot from his hand. It flicked over the grass and ricocheted off an invisible force, inches from the closest Man’s face.
The clerics flinched. Two began to mumble and mutter while the other four, wielding maces, flanked him. Two on each side.
I need to put a quick end to this. He opened his mouth to summon another spell but everything fell silent. His words were gone. The sounds of the battles behind him had disappeared. He was silenced. A chill went through him.
I should have seen this coming.
Bayzog started to back away.
The clerics had him surrounded now. Maces raised high, they closed in to deliver death blows.
Bayzog’s heart raced. He had nowhere to go.
***
The Lizard Men pinned Nath down. Five of them in all. The biggest one had his arms wrapped around Nath’s neck and was squeezing. Another took its spear and jabbed it into his ribs. The metal tip skipped off his black scales.
“Nice try. Now get off me!” Nath said. He kicked one in the face.
The Lizard Men kept poking at him. Their serpent eyes were wild and their long tongues licked out of their mouths.
Nath felt like a pin cushion.
They poked and poked and poked. One spear shaft broke. A Lizard Man slugged him in the jaw. Then the rest joined in and started to pummel him.
He didn’t feel a thing until he caught a punch in the face again.
Saying, “That’s enough of this! I am Dragon!” Nath gathered his knees under him, flung the Lizard Man off his neck, wiped his bloody nose, and laughed.
“You can’t hurt me,” Nath said. “But I can hurt you.”
A Lizard Man hurled a spear at his chest.
In one smooth movement, Nath caught the spear in mid-air, snapped it in half, and then twirled both pieces in his hands, holding the Lizard Men at bay with one of their own spears.
Their eyes slid over one another. Lizard Men were good soldiers, brave but not foolish like the orcs. The rushed him anyway.
Nath didn’t hold back. He clawed and punched. Harder and faster. He slammed heads together. A dagger broke on his arm. Another spear snapped on his back.
“Is that all you have, Reptiles!”
Whap! Whop! Whomp!
He kept slugging.
The Lizard Men piled up at his feet, busted or maimed.
“Dragon!” someone yelled.
Ben was hemmed in by three Goblins, and four lay dead at his feet.
Nath dropped the Lizard Man he had in the nook of his arm.
“Hold on, Ben!” he said.
Ben’s sword licked out.
Bang!
A Goblin dropped its axe.
Slash!
Ben cut a streak across its chest.
Glitch!
The third died on the end of Ben’s blade the moment Nath arrived.
“Ben,” Nath said, wide eyed, “I thought you needed help.”
Ben pushed the dead Goblin off his sword with his boot. “No, I was seeing if you needed my help.”
***
Bayzog’s simmering anger was beginning to blossom. The Man in him was no brawler, nor was the Elf either, but fighting evil had a way of making you tougher and meaner, no matter how polished you tried to be. His violet eyes narrowed. He didn’t like being muted.
How dare they!
He couldn’t speak, and that limited him, but it did nothing to the staff he held in his hands. It was an Elderwood Staff that Bayzog had filled with wondrous powers. And it was time to let those powers loose. The metal on the top of the staff flared like a sunburst. Bayzog’s entire self was soaked in its power. His feet again lifted from the ground.
The mystic smolder in his eyes stopped the clerics in their tracks. One of them started to turn.
A ball of light shot from the staff and socked the Man in the back, knocking him face first into the dirt.
The others started to run.
Bayzog swept his staff over the ground and they all stumbled from their feet. He turned his attention to the two chanting clerics and pointed the Elderwood straight at them.
They raised their arms and another shield of transparent energy formed.
A dark ray of light burst from the staff.
Their shields shattered.
The Elderwood Staff blasted the two Clerics of Barnabus out of their sandals. They moved no more.
Once more, sounds of life and battle filled his ears.
“That felt good,” Bayzog said. He turned his attention to the three remaining Clerics.
Two were kneeling and begging for mercy. The third ran as fast as his feet would take him.
Bayzog choked back his urge to destroy them entirely, but then shrugged and let loose, blasting them apart. A ball of energy formed in his hand and he tossed it at the Cleric who ran.
“I don’t take prisoners,” Bayzog said.
The ball of energy glided over the grass and struck the Man square in the back, lifting him from the ground. The Man sailed through the air over the town where the people waited. He dropped the Man in the middle of them. “But maybe they do.”
Bayzog turned his attention back towards his friends, ready to unleash more of his fury on his enemies. He’d bottled up his frustrations long enough and he had plenty more to let out. But by the time he got there, the battle had been won.
Nath, Brenwar, Ben and the Dwarves were all busted up and bleeding, but all the enemies looked to be dead, or at least almost dead.
“That was a fine show you put on, Bayzog,” Nath said, holding a rag to his nose. “And not a scratch on you. Maybe you can teach me how to do— ”
“If you didn’t act like a child you wouldn’t have to!”
Nath shrugged. “Sorry.”
CHAPTER 36
“You could have grabbed some steel and start swinging, Gorlee,” Brenwar said. “Fighting every once in a while wouldn’t kill you.”
Gorlee was still golden when he laughed and said, “Well, I suppose I could have, but how often do I get a chance to play with Dragons?”
“We’re not here to play. We’re here to fight, and Pilpin’s dead because of it.”
“Well, more might have been dead if I’d not spared you from the Dragons.” Gorlee yawned and took the shape of Pilpin. “I think my strategy was sound.”
“Are you mocking the dead?” Brenwar said, angry.
“Dead?” Gorlee said. “Who’s dead?”
“Why you disrespectful…”
“Yes, who’s dead?” someone behind Brenwar said. “Say, is that me?”
Brenwar turned and found himself facing Pilpin. He took a double take between Gorlee looking like Pilpin and Pilpin. There was a nasty wound in the real Pilpin’s belly.
“Is this a trick?” Brenwar said, poking him.
“No,” Pilpin said, “I’m quite alive. I couldn’t let a mere Goblin kill me. A Dragon maybe, but a Goblin? Never!” Pilpin teetered and clutched at Brenwar. “But its steel is a tad uncomfortable and my legs feel numb.”
“Someone bring me a Horn of Dwarven Ale!”
***
“We spent twenty-five years trying to hide you, and this is what you do? The whole world can hear you now! Is that what you want?” Bayzog said, tapping his staff on the ground.
Nath kept his back turned. He was busy with Gorlee, inspecting the Red Rock Dragons. Both of the savage reptiles lay still and had burrowed half their bodies into the ground. Nath placed his fingers on one’s back, where he could feel it breathing and the warmth of its life.
“What did you do to them?” he said to Gorlee the Chameleon.
“Well,” Gorlee said, resuming his golden form, “after they chased me for a few minutes,
they started to slow. I’d forgotten you’d sent those arrows into their bellies. I think that took the wind from them and they dropped and started hibernating.”
“Hmmm,” Nath said, rubbing his chin, “I can’t believe I did that.” He grabbed one of his arrows by its shaft and pulled it out.
“Are you certain you want to do that?” Bayzog said. “They’ll come after us again.”
“Agreed,” Gorlee said.
“No,” Nath said, “they’ll burrow for days, if not longer.” He put his ear on one’s back. It was almost too hot to touch, but the thump thump of its heart was strong. “If they were near the lava pools they’d heal faster.” He sighed. “They’re usually much closer to Dragon Home. And these black stripes and the black tail … that’s far from normal.”
Nath pushed the Dragon’s eyelid open with his fingers. Its eye was almost black as coal.
“Those eyes should be orange as amber,” Bayzog said, kneeling at his side, “shouldn’t they be?”
“Absolutely,” Nath said. “They’ve been poisoned, or majicked, or something. I know some Dragons are bad, but not the Red Rocks. They are being controlled.”
Nath’s nostrils flared and his breath became hot. He stretched back up to his full height. “We’re going to find who is doing this and put an end to them.” He eyed Bayzog.
The part-Elf wizard parted his lips, shook his head, turned and walked away.
“Where are you going?” Nath said.
“Where I’m needed,” Bayzog said.
“You’re needed here.”
“No, I’m needed where my counsel is considered. It can’t penetrate that great stone between your ears.”
The Dwarves let out a gutsy chuckle.
Brenwar even smiled, sauntering with the others behind Bayzog.
Gorlee resumed human form. A pleasant and mild mannered Man. “You might want to take some time to catch up on things,” he said. “Bayzog’s been an outstanding leader and has suffered many trials since you’ve been down. Much has changed. You need to become wise to the new season.”
“Perhaps,” Nath said, “but the Clerics of Barnabus are after me, not them.”
“They’re after all of us, Nath. And now you’ve led them right to us.”
***
Wherever they’d been going before, they were going again. Nath chose to keep his mouth quiet and let Bayzog lead. He’d make his case later, after Bayzog’s emotions settled. He’d never seen his friend so angry before, but the world had changed. His friends had changed.
A few strides ahead of him Ben walked. The cheerful country boy was gone, replaced by a thick thewed warrior with a steely gait.
Nath stretched his strides and caught up with him.
“You’re a master of the steel I see,” Nath said. “I like how you turned those Goblins into Troll food. I envy you.”
“Because I can kill?” Ben said.
“You could say that. Being able to fight without holding back must be exhilarating.”
“I don’t enjoy it, but it’s me or them. I can’t afford to think about it. If you think too much, you die.”
Nath placed his scaly fingers on Ben’s broad shoulders. “Ben, I’m glad you live.”
Ben looked at him with his hard eyes and managed a smile.
“I’m glad you’re back among us.” He huffed a sigh. “I didn’t think you’d ever wake up. I’ve never slept more than a day before, and that was only because I was wounded. As soon as the rooster crows, even if I don’t hear it, I’m up and about.”
The boyish charm started to return to Ben’s voice. Nath felt the tautness in his jaw loosen.
Ben went on. “And traveling with Dwarves and a moody Bayzog isn’t the most fun either. It’s hard on a fella. I feel like I’m the only one getting older.”
The hard lines and scars on Ben’s face told it all. Nath felt guilty. Ben had dedicated his life to protecting him.
“Have you no wife or children, Ben?”
Ben’s bright expression dimmed. “I did.”
Nath’s heart sank. “What happened?”
“They died. All of them.”
Nath felt empty. All this time, he’d only been thinking about himself, not appreciating the sacrifices others had made for him, for the world, in the battle against the evil forces that wanted to enslave them.
“Ben, I’m so—”
“It’s alright, Dragon. That was long ago. Besides, it helps me empathize with Bayzog.”
“Is Sasha dead too?” Nath said, grabbing Ben. His heart burst inside his chest.
“No, she lives, but Bayzog hasn’t seen her in fifteen years. Nor his children either. I think that’s why he’s so moody. I miss my family too, but at least I know they’re in a better place.”
Ahead, Nath watched Bayzog lead. The wizard’s long black hair whipped behind him and the stiff winds billowed his robes. The part-Elf’s shoulders seemed heavy, and he rested part of his lithe frame on his staff. If Nath were to guess, Bayzog was tired and he was probably angry too.
Nath decided to show a little more caution, but he still had to do what he had to do.
He’s just going to have to get used to me being awake. I needed guarding while I slept, but now that I’m awake I’m not holding back and watching this world get destroyed.
***
With the Servants of Barnabus vanquished, the lake town of Troghlin welcomed the heroes. The finest food from the Northern Sea was unloaded from the docks on the gritty beaches, dumped onto the boardwalk planks, and fried, boiled, baked and sautéed. The people were happy. They danced and sang arm in arm and drank with the Dwarves on top of the tables.
Even Bayzog’s dour mood had lightened. He stood by the railing staring out over the great lake and holding a pleasant memory on his face. He thought of Sasha and his children and hoped they were well. Perhaps now that Nath had awakened, it was time to return to see them before anything else terrible happened.
Sitting outside the boardwalk tavern, most of the once grim faces smiled. Nath and Ben were stuffing their faces with fish meat and crab cakes while the town’s women swooned over them. The Dwarves, as hard as they were, seemed jolly as they showed their fresh wounds off to one another.
Perhaps Nath is right, Bayzog thought. Perhaps now is the time to take it to them.
He placed his palm over his mouth and yawned. Using magic always drained him, but using it felt so good. Blasting those acolytes had felt better than good. It had felt great. He finished off his goblet of wine, closed his eyes and enjoyed the sun. Troghlin was a fine place, for a human settlement anyway, and he could stand where he was for hours watching the birds glide over the waters in hopes of seeing a Dragon snatch them in its jaws.
A wave crashed into the rocks and splashed heavy mist all over him.
Is that odd?
“That’s odd,” said a fisherman standing nearby. “We don’t get tides so high.” He looked at Bayzog and pointed. “You better move; here comes another.”
A wave bigger than the last busted on the rocks and soaked him.
“Whoooweeee!” the fisherman said. “Never seen anything like that!” He squinted his eyes. “There’s no storm over the sea either. Huh.”
“Sheesh,” Bayzog said, wringing out his robes.
“Braw-haha,” one of the Dwarves pointed and laughed. “The pond is welcoming you! Say hello back!”
One wave rolled in and crashed after the other. It doused beards and soaked the bread on the table. Almost everyone was wet now. The boats on the docks were rocking and creaking in their slips.
“What’s going on?” Nath said, wringing out his long hair and scanning the waters. “There’s no storm out there.”
“Look!” the fisherman cried. “Something is floating in the waters. It looks like a rock.”
Bayzog’s violet eyes locked on the object. Closer and closer it came and a chill went through him.
“I’ve never seen a rock that could float,” Brenwar said. “Nor
a Dwarf either.”
“That’s not a rock,” Bayzog said.
A gargantuan spiked head emerged with bright blue glowing eyes.
“That’s a Dragon!”
CHAPTER 37
“Get everyone out of here!” Nath said.
The Dragon rose up from the lake and let out a terrifying sound.
Troghlin shook. The townsfolk fell. Covering their ears, they ran screaming.
Nath rallied his Men and Dwarves.
“What kind of Dragon is that?’ Bayzog said.
It towered over thirty feet tall. Its body was armored in sharp horns and scales. Its footsteps were storms surging out of the waters. It was terror. It was power. It was evil.
“It’s a Hull,” Nath said. His heart pounded inside his chest. “Part of the Titan race. I’ve never seen one before. They lurk in the belly of the sea, only surfacing every few centuries.” He shook his head. “This is not good!”
Nath loaded his first arrow onto Akron’s string.
“We need to lead it away,” he said. “Ben! Get those people to safety. The same for your Dwarves, Brenwar! Get them all out of harm’s way! Hurry!”
The Hull sloshed through the water. Walked through a pier and crushed it into pieces. Busted boats up like twigs. Picked them up and smashed them together. In three strides, the Hull was on the beach. It drew a deep breath into its lungs.
“Move!” Nath yelled.
The enormous Dragon’s horned head and tail ignited with brilliant blue energy.
Nath fired.
Twang!
His arrow rocketed through the air into the Dragon’s face.
Ka-Boom!
Its blue breath shot out all over the sky. Bursts of blue lightning rained down, igniting everything it touched. The boardwalk was burning. The store roofs caught fire.
“Come on!” Nath yelled, waving his bow at the great beast. He fired again.
Boom!
The Hull’s head snapped back. Its nostrils flared. Its eyes narrowed on Nath.
“That’s right. Here I am!” He back pedaled away. “Come and get me, you ugly beast!”
The Hull let out another terrifying roar. Its great foot stomped the ground.
Nath’s feet flew out from underneath him.
Hunt For The Hero (Book 5) Page 14