The Fortress of Donmar (The Tales of Zanoth Book 2)

by Aaron J. Ethridge

  “I guess that's true,” Paul admitted, “but I'm sure Myra can handle them...”

  “Well, I'm not,” Alena interjected.

  “Actually, I could,” the former lich replied. “But they're not the real problem. There are worse things than that in Fralmoor. Not to mention that there's no way we'll reach it without getting caught. It's one thing for us to play hide and seek out in the wilderness but, to reach the swamp, we'll have to head back toward the ruins of Daelcast; right through enemy territory. If nothing else, it would only be a matter of time before we were spotted by falauk.”

  “Which begs the question,” Joey said thoughtfully, “how is it the undead haven't already managed to track you down using non-magical means?”

  “We've been really lucky,” Darek asserted.

  “The gods have been watching over us,” Sarrac corrected.

  “And, we've been extremely cautious,” Thaelen added. “We stay on the move constantly and the few times we've been spotted, we've split up into groups of four and five. A handful of us actually have been caught but, in the main, we've been able to just disappear again.”

  “Which is due to the fact that we've all been mounted,” Myra pointed out. “That's not the case now. Which means it's only a matter of time before they track us down and kill us all.”

  “Actually, I can see that,” Joey ceded.

  “Which is why we need to find a place to hide,” Paul replied.

  “Which is why it's rather unfortunate that no such place exists,” Myra asserted, shaking her head.

  “Hold on,” Sarrac said, his brows drawn together. “Paul's got me thinking. The fact is that the undead do avoid Fralmoor. That is to say, the forces of Grathis avoid it.”

  “Of course they do,” Alena chuckled. “The Will-o'-the-wisps will attack anyone and...”

  “One sec,” Joey interrupted, raising his hand as he spoke. “What are Will-o'-the-wisps exactly?”

  “Ghosts,” Myra explained. “They're souls of the dead who are trapped in Zanoth for one reason or another. The ones in Fralmoor rose after a terrible battle that was fought on the edge of the swamp centuries ago.”

  “Okay,” he nodded. “And the other undead don't like them?”

  “No,” she replied, shaking her head. “They're completely insane. They believe the battle is still raging and they'll possess any humanoid body they come across in order to carry on the fight.”

  “Why hasn't Grathis killed them, then?”

  “He can't,” she replied. “They're not like other undead. They're ghosts. If you kill them, they just come back the following night.”

  “So there's no way to get rid of them?”

  “No easy way,” Myra replied. “But the point at the moment is that Grathis hasn't gotten rid of them.”

  “Right,” Alena agreed. “Because there's nothing in the swamp worth fighting for.”

  “That's exactly my point!” Sarrac said excitedly. “Grathis hasn't taken the swamp because it’s useless and dangerous. Why would he risk his forces taking control of a place he can't possibly use? So, his forces avoid it. Meaning it's somewhere he wouldn't be likely to find us.”

  “Even if that were true,” Alena replied, “it's like Myra said; we'll never reach it.”

  “I agree,” he nodded.

  “Then, what's your point?” the ogress asked.

  “My point is that Paul is right,” Sarrac smiled. “There are places in Zanoth where we can hide. At least, there are now - even if there weren't any in the past.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “Just a few weeks ago, we didn't have the help of the it and a former lich,” he explained. “Nor were we nearly this well-equipped.”

  “That's true,” she admitted.

  “So,” he continued, “now, we can consider places we never could before.”

  “Such as?”

  “The Catacombs of Raenlass,” he replied, crossing his arms; a knowing grin on his face.

  “You're insane,” the ogress replied, “I mean; even...”

  “Stop,” Joey said, raising both his hands this time. “Just stop. Instead of arguing in front of us like we know what you're talking about, just explain it please. Sarrac, what are The Catacombs of Raenlass?”

  “They're one of the places the undead avoid.”

  “Of course they are!” Alena replied. “For one thing...”

  “Please,” Joey interrupted. “Just let Sarrac explain.”

  “For centuries, the catacombs were a holy burial site,” the ogre continued. “Priests and prophets, paladins and priors all had their bones interred within its hallowed halls. However, near the end of the war, the undead corrupted it.”

  “Shortly after the war,” Myra interjected, “it became the home of Kalmock Tal.”

  “I’m guessing that's bad,” Joey speculated.

  “Very,” Alena replied. “He's a Madness Wraith.”

  “So what?” Joey said. “You guys have killed wraiths before. At least, Paul claims you have.”

  “We have killed wraiths,” Nyssa nodded, “but never a Madness Wraith!”

  “What is a Madness Wraith?”

  “Well, as misleading as the name is,” she replied, putting her tiny hands on her slender hips, “it's actually a wraith that drives anyone near it completely insane.”

  “Not instantly,” Sarrac asserted.

  “Quickly enough,” the fairy replied, turning her eyes to the ogre.

  “And, Kalmock Tal is exceptionally powerful,” Myra added. “A number of undead lords have tried to drive him from the catacombs over the years. None succeeded and several lost their lives in the attempt.”

  “Which is why they avoid the place,” Sarrac said.

  “That's also why we should avoid it,” the ogress asserted.

  “Look, Alena,” Sarrac replied, “any place the undead avoid is going to be dangerous. The catacombs actually offer a number of advantages. First off, we can get to there from here by going even deeper into the wilderness. That reduces the risk of getting caught before we get there.”

  “So far, so good,” Alena nodded. “Go on.”

  “Second,” he continued, “they're beyond the reach of the surrounding dark lands, so there's more to forage.”

  “I don't know about that,” the ogress disagreed, shaking her head. “Not much grows in those mountains. It's mainly just a bunch of rock.”

  “Even so,” the ogre said, “I suspect we could find a way to grow food if we tried. Also, pure sunlight is always a boost to morale.”

  “True,” she ceded.

  “On top of that, we should be hard to track because of the terrain. That will make bringing in food without being followed easier.”

  “It sounds good when you say it like that,” the ogress smiled. “But, let's not overlook the downside. That being the fact that Kalmock Tal will more than likely slaughter us all.”

  “No, he won't,” Paul replied confidently. “We've defeated more powerful enemies than him before.”

  “Not really,” Myra corrected, shaking her head. “But, on the other hand, it's not like we have much of a choice. If we don't find a place to hide soon, we're all dead anyway. Given the choice, I'd rather die fighting than running.”

  “As would we all,” Alena replied.

  “So, we're agreed then?” Paul asked.

  “We are,” Sarrac nodded.

  Mere minutes after this conversation, Frank relayed the decision of the Warriors to their leaders. They had come to the conclusion that, all things considered, the wisest course of action would be to follow the it and try to make their way to some place of safety. Less than a quarter of an hour later, the camp was broken up and the band was once again on its way.

  The current plan was to keep the entire group together for one more day and then break into two parties on the following morning. Thaelen, along with Paul, his companions, and a small group of Warriors, would escort the women and children to the catacombs, whil
e Gregory led the rest of the men on a number of raids throughout the surrounding area. This would almost certainly distract their enemies and allow the refugees to reach their destination undetected and unmolested.

  Paul was amazed at the change of mood that came over the entire band as soon as they were underway. The men and their wives, who earlier that morning had been the very image of despair and discontent, began chatting amongst themselves and discussing what the future might hold. Slowly, smiles began to appear, followed by occasional laughter here and there. The young man even overheard a girl of perhaps twelve explaining to her seven or eight-year-old brother how the it was going to destroy the undead and how even Lord Grathis was terrified of him.

  The paladin gazed slowly over the group before turning his eyes to Myra, who rode at his side; a slight smile on her face. They were still in the wearisome wilderness that was the dark lands, still hunted and hungry, still marching slowly onward, exhausted and footsore, and still chilled by the unseasonably cool rain that had once again begun to fall. Something significant had changed, however. Now, these people had something that many of them had rarely ever felt in their lives. They had hope. And, in its way, it is one of the most powerful forces of nature.

  As the day progressed, so did the party. By noon, the cloud cover had broken up somewhat and the rain had ceased entirely. The landscape was still dying and dreary, but it was further away from the lands of Lord Grathis with every passing step. The midday meal was eaten on the march, but everyone's spirits had risen to such an extent that no one even thought to complain about it.

  The young man was also pleased to observe that Myra's attitude seemed to be steadily improving. A clear plan of action, no matter how unlikely she thought it to succeed, gave her something positive to focus on. As the companions rode slowly along together, she talked about the nature of Madness Wraiths and the challenge it would be to defeat one.

  Ordinarily, she explained, she would have thought the cause a hopeless one, but she couldn't deny the fact that they had a number of unique advantages. Paul, alone, was an adversary the wraith might not be prepared for. Not only was he the first paladin to walk the face of Zanoth in three hundred years, he was also armed with Telseir - which had been the blade of Cal Morrin. His armor and shield were artifacts crafted long ago and he bore The Ward - which offered him protection from all harmful magics. The young man was certainly an enemy any wise undead might dread. Even one whose mind was as shattered as Kalmock Tal's.

  Nor was he alone. Myra herself was a powerful foe who could wield the dark power both to control and destroy the undead. Alena and Sarrac were fearsome and fearless, and Darek was almost as clever as he was dexterous and valiant. Nyssa's arcane skills were impressive and, as a fairy, her mind was practically impervious to madness. They were also incredibly well equipped. Each of them carried artifacts that had been given them in the vault.

  All things considered, there was a slim chance they would not only survive, but actually be able to overcome the wraith. They simply had to work together and do their absolute best to be ready for anything.

  “What am I supposed to do?” Joey asked.

  “Nothing,” Nyssa asserted. “You don't how to do anything.”

  “Yes, I do,” he replied defensively before reading aloud from his spell book.

  Instantly, a number of twinkling lights formed above his head.

  “That's wonderful,” she said, looking at him with a condescending smile. “If we need anything like that, we'll be sure to let you know.”

  “That's all I can do right now,” he admitted. “But, I'm learning.”

  “Yes, you are,” Myra said encouragingly, “But I don't think you'll be ready to face anything like Kalmock Tal for quite some time.”

  “Well, either way,” he replied, shaking his head, “I'm gonna help. How long do we have before we get there?”

  “At this pace,” Sarrac said, gazing over the band, “about ten days.”

  “Ten days?” Paul replied before letting out a long, loud whistle. “That's gonna be a rough trip for some of these people.”

  “Not as rough as getting eaten alive by ghouls,” Alena asserted.

  “Good point,” the young man nodded. “Considering the alternative, I guess ten days of walking isn't that bad.”

  “No, it's not,” Joey agreed. “And, it'll give me time to learn a bit more before we get where we're going.”

  “A very little bit,” replied the beautiful fairy.

  “That's better than nothing,” he asserted.

  “That it is,” Sarrac said with a smile.

  During the following hours, the members of the band became more and more satisfied with the current situation. The weather continued to improve until it was as fair a day as the dark lands could offer. The sun was still filtered by the gray mist that constantly hung in the sky, but a few of its glowing rays managed to reach the earth; painting the forest floor with patches of golden light. Some of the children even made a game of this effect, doing their best to leap from one luminous pool to another without touching the shadows that lay between them.

  The few leaves that clung to the branches of the rather forlorn trees fluttered softly in a gentle breeze, as did the small patches of grass they discovered growing here and there in the clearings they passed through. Under the current circumstances, these scenes were enough to make Paul sigh with contentment.

  The further they got from Kafmara, the more pleasant the landscape would likely become. It was obvious that the effects of the Dark Shards had a limited range. The lands surrounding the Tower of Daelfaun were nothing but rock, dust, and ash. This far from Lord Grathis's seat of power, however, life was able to struggle against the dark power and survive.

  It struck the young man that destroying more Dark Shards had to be one of their primary objectives. One of their main weaknesses at the moment was that they were tied to territory controlled by the undead. The dark lands simply couldn't produce enough to feed a group this size, and they certainly couldn't be farmed. That being the case, their enemies controlled their only source of food. And that was a situation they couldn't allow to continue. It would take time for the lands to heal - even after the Dark Shards were shattered – but, the sooner they got started, the sooner that healing would begin.

  The young man's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Sarrac letting out an excited cry. The ogre quickly led his horse to a nearby tree, which he began to ascend the moment he reached it. He climbed into its uppermost branches and tore into what appeared to be a giant nest of spider webs. After quickly filling a sack with its contents, he climbed back out of the tree and into the saddle.

  “Unncar worms,” he explained with a wide smile as soon as he rejoined his friends.

  “Epic,” Joey nodded.

  Shortly after this fortunate discovery, the band stopped for the night. Wood was chopped, fires started, and the cooking begun. Sarrac prepared the worms and then, much to Joey's surprise and somewhat to his disappointment, he offered them to the children. There were only enough for each to have half a worm, but they were still thrilled. The grateful looks on their faces and excitement in their eyes was more than enough to repay the party for the loss. However, Joey did make the observation that he wished they had found more of them. And, in truth, the rest of his companions generally agreed with this sentiment.

  The night passed without event and early on the following morning the entire group arose. As soon as breakfast had been eaten, the band separated into two parties. Tears were shed and prayers were said as fathers and sons said their goodbyes. Gregory assured the wives and younger children that he would do his very best to keep them all alive until they met again. With this done, he put his party into motion and quickly disappeared within the forest, followed by over two hundred of the Warriors.

  The moment they were out of sight, Thaelen got his own group into motion heading in the opposite direction. It would take them two more days to reach the next rendezvous point
where they would be joined by a few more Warriors and pick up a few additional supplies. After that, it would take them roughly a week to reach The Catacombs of Raenlass. That being the case, they had no time to lose.

  Morale seemed to be a good bit lower than it had been the day before, but this was hardly surprising. There was a good chance that some of these people had seen their loved ones for the last time in the land of the living. It was only to be expected that, for some time at least, their journey would be continued with tears.

  For her own part, however, Myra seemed to be in a remarkably good mood.

  “You seem to be feeling a little better,” Paul observed with a smile.

  “I am,” she assured him. “The more I think about your plan, the more I believe it might actually work. At least, for a while. And, we do keep weakening Lord Grathis. The last thing he's going to be expecting is for two hundred horsemen, armed with magical weapons and armor, to show up and start slaughtering his garrisons. Soon, he'll have way too much on his mind to worry about killing a bunch of women and children. Especially, since he'll feel fairly certain that they're going to starve to death anyway.”

  “Which is why we'll escape,” the young man pointed out.

  “More than likely,” she agreed. “Grathis would be a fool to chase us across the wilderness while his lands are being ransacked. In fact, if Gregory manages to do enough damage, he might even attract the attention of some other lords.”

  “You say that like it would be a good thing.”

  “It would be,” the maiden explained. “It's like we talked about earlier. The only thing that keeps the undead from fighting amongst themselves is a balance of power. If we weaken Grathis enough, other lords may start eyeing his territory. A war breaking out between him and another lord would be one of the best things that could happen for us. They would be killing each other without us having to lift a finger and they wouldn't be likely to waste resources trying to hunt us down.”

  “But, wouldn't they unite against the it?” the paladin asked.

  “They might if they believed in him,” Myra replied. “But most of them don't. They've told themselves for so long that the gods of light are dead that most of them truly believe it. And, keep in mind, Lord Grathis has never even seen you. I'm sure that Lady Telraen told him who you are, but I doubt he realizes the truth.”