“I came to see the supreme mistress, but have been informed that she is still in Izlalek after its capture.” O’tukka wanted to give the high ranking necromancer the impression that he knew all about the attack in the hopes that he would garner some information the man assumed he already knew.
“So what brings you to the necromancer’s hall then?” asked Dator.
“I have some time and thought I’d wait for the supreme mistress to return. I need to report some things to her which may influence her efforts against the Black Skull. I was hoping to be updated on events before I spoke to the supreme mistress to save some time,” bluffed O’tukka.
“Let’s not talk here. Follow me to my office and I’ll tell you what I can.” The emphasis on the word can told O’tukka that Dator would be very selective about what he revealed. But any information was better than none, so O’tukka followed Dator up the spiral staircase to the sixth level. O’tukka knew that he would have to follow Dator two paces behind from this point with his head lowered and so he did so.
Dator led him to a large office which was lined by a full bookcase on one side and a large mural of a cemetery full of rising corpses on the other. Directly in front of him a solid timber desk dominated the room with a high backed, leather chair behind it. Beyond that a large bay window overlooked a sculptured courtyard.
O’tukka walked to the closest chair while Dator walked around the back. He waited until Dator was seated before sitting down himself.
“Obviously you know about the capture of Izlalek. By all accounts it went exactly as planned and our casualties were few. Some were able to escape magically, while others fled out the eastern gate as soon as the walls were breached, but most were killed.
“What you may not know is that some humans and dwarves were spotted by a scout in the Black Skulls’ territory. At the supreme mistress’s command, I led a company of worgs and a few necromancers to capture them, which I did with ease.” O’tukka noticed Dator straighten and puff out his chest at the boast. “Supreme Mistress Sylestra went after two humans that had separated from the group alone and brought back their limp unconscious bodies to be transported back here.”
“Where did these humans and dwarves come from?” asked O’tukka already knowing the answer, but wanting to see how much Dator knew. O’tukka noticed Dator’s eyebrows rise at the question.
“I believe you know where they came from O’tukka,” said Dator cryptically. O’tukka hadn’t yet told the supreme mistress about Gilkan’s release of the human and dwarf prisoners, so he assumed that she had other spies that had reported the event to her. He’d have to be more careful in future.
“They released prisoners of the Black Skull?” asked O’tukka.
“We believe so,” replied Dator relaxing a little.
“I didn’t think they would travel so close to the Ta’zu border,” said O’tukka trying to cover his small slip up. “They have heard the stories about our tribe from the Black Skull and so I would have expected them to stay well clear of our border. I expect the supreme mistress is well pleased by their capture.”
“She is indeed. That is about all the information I can offer you,” said Dator.
“When does the army march again from Izlalek?” asked O’tukka trying to get an idea of the supreme mistress’s next move.
“I am not permitted to speak of future plans with one of your rank, you know that O’tukka.” Dator’s raised voice held a bit of suspicion within and so O’tukka didn’t push the issue any further.
“Forgive me, I speak out of place,” O’tukka said instead.
“I expect that living among the Black Skull where you are revered would give you some bad habits for when you return here and so I will overlook the odd slight from you,” replied Dator in a more relaxed manner.
“It can be confusing,” repled O’tukka meekly.
“Now I have matters to attend to, O’tukka, if there is nothing else you wish to discuss.”
“That is all. I thank you for your time and information.” O’tukka rose as Dator did and followed him from the room and down the stairs. There they parted ways and O’tukka walked towards to the library.
* * *
Gerard awoke. His head throbbed and all his muscles were stiff and sore. He turned his head with an effort to get a sense of where he was and then he wished he hadn’t. Once again he appeared to be in a dungeon. The cell he was in was much larger than his last one. A familiar face popped into his line of vision; the neatly groomed moustache and intense gaze clear for Gerard to see even in his current condition.
“So you’re finally awake?” asked Major Isak. “Seems as though you didn’t make it back to the duke.” Gerard sat up with an effort. His vision blurred and the room felt as though it was spinning but he remained conscious.
“A dragon-riding woman captured us,” said Gerard slowly as his vision returned to normal.
“Huh, you two great men were captured by a single woman?” Major Isak laughed a hearty laugh and Gerard heard the laughter of more men behind him. As his senses came back to him more fully, he examined the cell more carefully and noticed it was full of the soldiers he had escaped with.
“A woman and her pet dragon — a wyvern she called it. So how did you end up here? How long have I been asleep?” Gerard turned back to Major Isak and was able to focus on his face a little more clearly.
“You’ve been out to it all night. You’ve just missed breakfast,” replied Major Isak. “We were captured by an army of those darn worg riders. We prepared ourselves for a fight but they simply surrounded us. All of a sudden a green fog enveloped us and the next thing we know, we wake up in here.”
“This woman, Sylestra is her name, she must be working with the orcs.” Gerard slowly swung his legs around and dangled them off the side of his bed. His feet couldn’t touch the ground as he realised there must be two other beds below him. He had to hunch his back to avoid hitting his head on the bunk above him.
“Take it easy there, Gerry. If you’re feeling anywhere near as bad as the rest of us, you won’t want to get up too fast. But yes you’re right. There’s some dwarves in a cell across the hall from us who said they were tricked by a woman they met near Bilwarks Grove. She fought with the orcs they said. She has since introduced herself to them as Supreme Mistress Sylestra.” Gerard jumped down from his bed and would have collapsed if Major Isak didn’t grab hold and support him. “Ya stubborn oaf!”
“Supreme mistress? She’s not half full of herself then. So what’s her relationship to Gilkan the fierce one?” Gerard leant his back up against the column of bunk beds to support himself. Although still a bit dizzy and disorientated, he was feeling a bit better on his feet except that he was extremely thirsty.
“An enemy it would seem. She hasn’t told the dwarves much, but she told them that she’d look after them better than the leader of the Black Skull. She even sent them jugs of mead when they asked for it,” said Major Isak.
“Is she the leader of the Ta’zu?” asked Gerard tentatively.
“It would seem likely,” replied Major Isak grimly.
“Then we may be in some serious trouble,” said Gerard.
“Like we weren’t already?” asked Major Isak with a chuckle. Gerard couldn’t help but chuckle himself. Someone stirred in the bed behind him. Gerard turned to see a very groggy looking Jeff waking up.
* * *
“So you’re heading back today then?” asked Decker as he noticed the packed bags on the floor.
“I need to, as I told you yesterday. I need some time to put things in order back home and some time to think. Please understand,” said Cressida calmly.
“I do understand. I will miss you greatly and hope you decide to return. At least I would like you to stay in touch,” said Decker.
“I will write often. I expect you to reply and let me know you’re OK. Duke Angus is just as likely to send you off on another dangerous quest and I know you won’t say no to him.” Cressida’s look was
stern but playful.
“I’ll reply and, yes, I will do the duke’s bidding if he gives me an assignment he deems necessary.” Decker stepped closer to Cressida and wrapped her in a tight embrace. Cressida held him tightly and sunk her head into his chest. Decker didn’t want to let her go, but after a time he did pull back a little and lowered his head to give her a long passionate kiss. Jaz bounded down the stairs with a pack over her shoulder and gave a noise of disgust. Decker broke off the kiss and walked over to the girl andhugged her.
“You look after your mother now won’t you,” he said with a grin.
“I’ll do my best,” replied Jaz rather sulkily. It was obvious to Decker that Jaz wasn’t too happy about returning home but was now resigned to the fact. Vik and Trent thudded down the stairs, each with a pack over one shoulder.
“Would you boys like to come hunting with me today?” said Decker once they had dropped their burdens in the pile. Their beaming faces gave Decker his answer before they even replied. Jaz’s face became sulkier.
“Well we can help Cressy load up her wagon and then travel with her to the eastern gate where we can say our farewells,” suggested Decker. “So go and get yourselves ready. I suggest packing a small bag with some food and water and be sure to leave a note for Master Pilk this time.”
* * *
Pilk walked into Duke Angus’s private study after a cursory knock. Duke Angus looked up to regard him from his desk and lowered his head once more, continuing to scribble with his quill. Pilk walked over to the desk and sat down on the chair opposite and waited for the duke to finish.
“How goes the great wizard muster?” asked Duke Angus putting down his pen and looking up at Master Pilk.
“Not well I’m afraid, my lord. Grand Master Reibeck and I visited the academy and spoke to Grand Master Rotager. He was not inclined to take directions from either of us, even with the king’s letter. He said that he’d discuss it personally with the king when he found the time to do so. I did not get the impression that it would be any time soon,” explained Master Pilk.
“He has always thought far too much of himself that wizard. Well it looks as though we need to make another trip to the Palace. Firstly though, I’d like you and Master Tayer to accompany me to the orcs’ fort.”
“Why would we be doing that, my lord?” asked Pilk. He still wasn’t overly sure he trusted the orcs and didn’t like the idea of visiting them without an army at his back.
“I have had a scribe write up the terms of our agreement. I would like to see General Krak’too place his mark on it.” Duke Angus reached into his drawer and pulled out two rolled up scrolls.
“You could not just send a messenger? I’m not sure if I like the idea of you walking into the middle of their fort, my lord,” replied Pilk.
“I don’t particularly like the idea myself, Master Pilk, but I feel it’d look much better if I presented the terms myself and signed them at the same time. That is why I’d like both you and Master Tayer there. You can protect me and Master Tayer can get us out of there in a hurry if need be. Once we are done there, Master Tayer can take us to the Palace to talk to King Cassien.” Duke Angus rose from his chair forcing Pilk to do likewise and urged him to follow him in search of Master Tayer.
* * *
Gerard filled his wooden cup with wine from the keg that had been set up outside of their cell and returned to sit down next to Jeff to finish his lunch which was surprisingly good; certainly the best meal he had had in many weeks.
“I’m not sure that I understand this,” said Gerard. “We had heard that the Ta’zu tribe was ruthless, torturing those that they captured so badly that most would prefer to take their own lives rather than be taken prisoner. Apart from the cold hard cell, we are being treated more as guests here.”
“I’m glad to hear you have been treated well,” came a woman’s voice from down the corridor. Gerard had not heard anyone enter the dungeons, and certainly hadn’t heard their approach. A moment later Sylestra appeared at his cell. “I’m sorry I could not be here any sooner to welcome you. I have had other matters to attend to.”
“Why do you betray your own kind and work with orcs?” asked Gerard as he rose and walked to the front of the cell.
“Betray my own kind? Hardly! I have many humans under my rule, as well as orc and half-orc. So, you see, it is you that harbor grudges with other races. The Ta’zu is strong because we utilise the strengths of each race.” Sylestra took a step closer to the iron bars, well within Gerard’s reach.
“Half-orc?” asked Gerard
“Half human, half orc.”
Gerard conjured up an image in his mind of a human and an orc mating and then wished he hadn’t. He wanted to ask how that was even possible, but he didn’t. “Then why do you hold us against our will?” asked Gerard instead.
“Because you are not of the Ta’zu and therefore a possible enemy,” replied Sylestra curtly.
“We’ve had no dealings with the Ta’zu until now and don’t wish to be an enemy of them. Yet you visit our world and take dwarves captive. You entered the territory of the Black Skull tribe and attacked us. It is you who are making an enemy of us where our only wish is to return home and live in peace.” Gerard tried to remain calm as he spoke, but knew he had an edge to his voice.
“Who said we entered Black Skull territory? It is Ta’zu lands where you were taken.” Gerard thought she must be lying; they hadn’t travelled far enough west to cross the border, but he remained silent. “But a mere technicality. You wish to return home and I tell you now that is not going to happen. What you can do though is make the best of the situation and swear fealty to me and you will be looked after.” Sylestra raised her voice and looked to all the cells as she spoke the last.
“Our loyalties lie elsewhere,” replied Gerard. “Why would we swear fealty to one who imprisons us and to one we know little about except for the gruesome tortures you undertake?”
“I do not expect an answer immediately. Indeed you will have as long as you wish to make a decision. In the interim you will be kept in our slave compounds where you will be fed and sheltered in quite reasonable conditions. For now though, Gerard, I would like you to accompany me.” Sylestra turned to her orc guards and commanded them to open the cell door. Gerard was dragged out and the door locked behind him.
* * *
After saying their farewells to Cressida and Jaz, Decker had taken the boys further east to some small hills near The Marshlands. It was the first day of autumn and already the leaves were beginning to change colour and fall from the trees. Decker brought them here because it is an easy hunting area. Many animals lived in and near The Marshlands as there plentiful water about. Deer was the most common animal to be found in the area and the reason why venison meat remained so cheap in Arthea.
The boys had been sad to see Cressy and Jaz go, but they had soon perked up when Decker began explaining to them all the tips and tricks of hunting. He would often stop and show them different impressions in the ground and tell them how they could identify the creature that had made them and also a rough idea as to how long ago the tracks had been made.
Soon after first spotting some tracks they discovered a herd of deer. Decker told the boys to be quiet and showed them how to walk around using the ball of their feet to minimise the noise they made. He had also explained that they needed to remain downwind from the animals so as not to give away their scent.
With an arrow resting in his bow, Decker crept slowly forwards, remaining as low and hidden by the long dry grass as possible. When he was well within bowshot range, he pulled back on the string and took careful aim, allowing for the slight breeze. He released the arrow and watched in satisfaction as it penetrated the side of the animal.
Sensing the danger, the rest of the herd scattered. Decker jumped up and fired off a second shot into the deer, not wanting the animal to suffer for too long. He had told the boys to be ready for the herd to scatter and when it did to take a shot if they
had one and so the boys rose and fired off their arrows at the running beasts. None of their shots hit, but it did his heart glad to hear them laughing with joy and excitement.
He went on to show the boys how to properly skin and gut the animal which they had a good sense of anyway as they had helped their fathers many times with sheep. They started a small campfire nearby and ate what meat they could and the rest was covered with a curing salt Decker had brought along, wrapped up tightly and stored away in their horses saddlebags.
After they had eaten their lunch, Decker showed them how to properly put out and cover the ashes of their fire. The boys already knew about this as their fathers had drummed into them the importance of covering their fires to make sure they were safe. Then they tied their horses to some nearby trees as they continued to hunt.
* * *
With the help of Master Tayer, Duke Angus and the two wizards were at the orcs fort in minutes. Master Pilk held up a white flag as they approached just in case not all the orcs knew of the pact.
“We wish to speak with General Krak’too,” said Duke Angus in the orcish language when challenged.
“The general is not here at the moment,” replied the guard on top of the wall.
“When will he return?” shouted Duke Angus.
“I don’t know. He comes and goes as he pleases,” the guard responded.
“When he returns, tell him I wish to speak with him. I will receive him in Arthea if he would come.”
“I will see that he hears your message.” Duke Angus nodded politely, turned and walked away. Once they were out of sight amongst the trees, Master Tayer teleported them to the house near the Palace in Estermere.
Once again they were shown to King Cassien’s personal office and told to wait. Pilk had barely sipped his drink before the king entered, forcing him to stand abruptly and almost spill the red wine all over the king’s plush carpet. Pilk bowed his head and awkwardly tried to hide his wine glass behind his back. One corner of the king’s mouth formed into a brief crooked smile before he told them to be at ease. They all took their seats as the king took his.
The Gate - An Ancient Connection Page 19