Branik nodded to Reek and followed Michael. Reek walked a step behind and slightly off to the left of Mael.
“I assume Merric will be at the command tents,” Mael said casually as he scanned the rock walls on both sides.
“Since he is not here, I think that is a safe assumption,” Reek replied coolly.
“Tell me something, Avari. Why do you and the big one follow Michael’s orders? I thought the Avari only obeyed the Avari Lord or your own kind.”
“Michael has been entrusted to us,” Reek replied.
“That only tells me why you are with him, not why you obey him.”
“Michael is sydoj, so normally he would follow our orders, but the circumstances are complicated by his powers,” Reek explained.
“Sydoj. Is that not the Avari word for student? It was my understanding that to be a sydoj one must also be an Avari.”
“Normally, you would be correct, but Lord Micah has declared Michael one of us.”
“Interesting. I don’t believe that has ever been done before. The boy grows ever more intriguing. He must truly be a close friend of your lord.”
“You would have to inquire of Lord Micah about that,” Reek said flatly.
As they passed the guards at the mouth of The Slot and rounded the corner, they nearly ran into Merric and Mathis.
Merric looked questioningly a Reek. “Where is Michael?”
“He and Branik are with the Shaman Mardak. He asked me to escort wizard Mael to you,” Reek replied.
“Very good. Let him know I need to speak with him. I don’t want him running off again,” Merric said shaking his finger at Reek.
“All I can do is relay your wishes, Headmaster.”
“That seems to be all any of us can do,” Merric said and turned to Mael. “Mael, we need you to hang back and cover the elven archers when the attack starts. Mathis and I will be closer to the front.”
“Merric,” Reek interrupted. “The Garoliths attacked Kantwell.”
Merric’s eyes flew wide and his jaw tightened. “How many did we lose?” Merric asked turning away.
“In total we lost four Avari and one of your students, a young girl named Melora,” Reek replied evenly.
“Damn Mortow! And damn me for ever having brought him into this world!” Merric shouted beating his fist against his leg. “I assume Michael moved the students some place far away?”
“Yes. Though Branik was able to dispatch both of the beasts, Michael transported the students and the remaining Avari to the Oakkrin as you instructed. It has occurred to me that you,” Reek said, turning to Mael, “have not explained where you were during the Garolith attack.”
“I was in the upper library researching,” Mael said blandly.
Merric glared at Mael suspiciously. “You want me to believe you sat calmly researching some triviality while the Garoliths rampaged through Kantwell, killing her inhabitants? I granted you readmission on the condition that you would aid us. Now you tell me you sat idly by as my guests and students were killed by your master’s monsters!” Merric’s voice rose in volume until he nearly shouted and his right hand began to glow with an aura of blue flame.
Mael stood expressionless waiting for Merric to finish. “There was nothing I could have done to affect the outcome of that unfortunate event, Merric. You know as well as I, only a ninth key wizard has any chance against those creatures.”
“Did you betray me?” Merric asked in a low dangerous voice, the glow around his hand intensifying.
Mael laced his fingers together and let his hands hang before him, his eyes going to Merric’s hand for just an instant before returning to meet Merric’s smoldering gray eyes. “I give you my word, Merric. I have not, nor shall I be, an agent against you or Kantwell. Now, I have a question for you. How are you doing that particular bit of magic?” Mael said smoothly as he glanced again at Merric’s hand and pointed.
Merric fought to reign in his anger. He didn't know why, but he believed Mael spoke the truth. He looked to where Mael was pointing and saw his right hand wreathed in blue flame. The shock of the sight caused the flame instantly to extinguish. Merric raised his hand and turned it over several times. The flesh was completely intact as was the sleeve of his robe. “I have no idea,” Merric replied in wonder.
“It seems the Myrkron is not the only one unsure of his powers. Tell me, Merric, how many doors do you see?” Mael asked with a half-smile on his face.
“Eight, as I always have,” Merric said, still looking at his hand.
“Are you sure, Merric?”
The way Mael asked the question caused Merric to look inward. He saw eight open doors shining brightly just as he had seen for the past half century or more. He was about to tell Mael as much when his breath caught in his throat. He counted the doors and then recounted them two more times. There were nine open doors now, not eight.
Michael and Branik walked to the ogre lines. It was dark, so none of the ogres could see them very well. For that, Michael was grateful. As they neared Mardak and Karg, Michael saw both of the brothers flinch when they looked at him. He motioned both to come to him away from the small fire they had been standing around. He did not want to upset the other ogres by stepping into the light and revealing himself.
“Mardak, Chieftain Karg, have you spoken to your warriors about me?”
“Aye, we have. I think your plan is a good one,” Karg answered, beginning to go to his knees before Michael.
“Don’t you dare!” Michael whispered harshly, stopping Karg in his tracks. “Your warriors must see that you have no fear of me and, therefore, they have no reason to fear me, else this will not work.”
“I understand, Myr…Michael.” Karg squared his huge shoulders and took a deep breath. “I am ready.”
“Then let’s do this,” Michael said with a smile, trying to put the chieftain a little more at ease.
Karg reached down, gently picked Michael up and sat him on his right shoulder. He walked back to the fire with Mardak and Branik in tow. “My people!” Karg began in a booming voice to get their attention. When all eyes turned to him, those he could see widened in terror, and he knew all the rest must have a similar look.
Almost as one, the entire collective of the tribes began to collapse to their knees.
“Hold!” Karg roared with authority. “The Myrkron is here as an ally. He fights with us.”
Michael cleared his throat and tried to project his voice. “Your Chieftain speaks the truth. I have no intention of harming any of you. Regardless of the legends you have grown up hearing, I am NOT here to destroy you. I am here to help you against Mortow and those that have aligned themselves with him.”
The entire group remained silent and hesitant when Michael finished speaking. He was afraid he was not going to be able to allay their fear. He was about to speak again when Karg suddenly went to one knee and quickly set Michael on the ground in front of him.
“Bear witness to the truth of the Myrkron’s words!” Karg roared then drew a wicked looking dagger from his belt and plunged it into his own chest.
Branik was between the big ogre and Michael before Karg completed his swing.
Michael gasped in shock. “Karg, no!” He moved quickly around Branik and reached Karg as he was slumping to his side being cradled by a shock-faced Mardak. Michael grabbed the dagger, but the handle was so big he could hardly grip it. He tried to pull it out, but it wouldn’t budge. “Branik, help me!”
Branik moved quickly and grabbed the dagger with both hands. Michael could see the muscles in Branik’s arms and shoulders knot, and the dagger slid haltingly out.
Michael quickly set his hands over the wound. They were instantly covered in blood as it gushed from the gaping hole. He cried out, “Vigoratus vulnus!” willing the wound to close. His hands began to glow with an intense blue radiance and his vision tunneled down. He could see the track of the dagger through Karg’s chest and focused his energy on sealing the punctured lung and mending the sunde
red ribs. He could actually see the tissues knit together and, as he withdrew his vision, the hole sealed shut. Michael shuddered and his hands dropped limply in front of him.
Karg drew a shaky breath and coughed several times, spitting out blood. He rose to his feet and held his hand out to Branik. Branik was still holding the dagger so he passed it back to Karg. Karg raised the dagger over his head displaying the dripping blade. “See! The Myrkron saved my life. If he were here to destroy us, he would have simply let me die.”
Michael shook with the after effects of the adrenaline that had surged through him. He could not believe what Karg had just done. When the pounding of his blood lessened, he could hear a low crooning. He turned to face the ogres and saw them all standing with their weapons held before them and each chanted a single word in a low reverent voice. "Myrkron, Myrkron, Myrkron..."
Michael nodded to the ogres and bowed before them. He could still see awe in the faces visible, but it was different now. The awe of fear had been replaced by wonder and reverence. “We will meet the enemy together,” he said loudly, then walked a distance away and stood looking out on the marsh.
Branik followed Michael quietly. He let Michael gather his thought for a few minutes before speaking. “Brother.”
Michael turned instantly. The tone in Branik’s voice was one he had never heard before. It sounded almost timid. “What is wrong, Branik?”
“That is what you did for me, wasn’t it?”
“In essence it was, though you had actually stopped breathing and your wound was much greater,” Michael admitted.
“Chieftain Karg is truly a great leader.”
“Though I cannot argue the outcome of his action, it makes me shudder to think what would have happened if I hadn’t been able to heal him in time.”
“It is pointless to contemplate the what-ifs after the deed is over. Be thankful for what is and that so many stand behind you,” Branik said softly.
“Were I fearless like you and the rest of the Avari, then maybe I could do that, but I am just a man, Branik; a man that has known more fear in the last few months than I have in the entirety of my life. Sometimes, I just want to curl up in a ball and forget everything that is happening.”
“What have I to fear when my brother can raise the dead?” Branik replied with a smile.
“I cannot raise the dead.”
“You brought me back from the dead.”
“I revived you. There is a significant difference. Had your heart not started beating again, there would have been nothing I could have done.”
“That too is a what-if,” Branik stated. “And as for fearless, it is a nonsense word. For nothing is truly without fear."
"Well spoken, Avar Branik. I knew you would one day make a good teacher."
Branik turned to see Micah approaching accompanied by Colonel Bastise.
"My lord, I was merely trying…" Branik began.
"To instruct a sydoj as you have been instructed. Why fight it, Branik? There is a circle to knowledge as well as to life. When you can see those cycles, you find the key to wisdom," Micah explained with a slight smile. "I always knew you had it within you. It was never…" Micah paused suddenly, listening.
Branik quickly drew his swords and placed Michael between himself and Micah. He strained his hearing, but could only detect the approach of Karg and Mardak. He knew his lord's senses were much more acute than his own.
Micah slowly drew his own swords, causing Michael and Colonel Bastise to do the same. Both men jumped as Micah let loose a low rumbling roar and took off into the marsh so fast it almost seemed he disappeared.
Branik drew closer to Michael. "Lord Micah has caught a scent," Branik relayed, not taking his eyes off the marsh ahead.
"Shouldn't we try to help?" Colonel Bastise asked hesitantly.
"We would only be in his way," Branik said shaking his head.
"I am glad that one is on our side," Karg rumbled from behind them.
"If he were not, I would seriously consider going home," Michael replied.
The sound of a horn came from further behind them. All of them turned toward the sound with the exception of Branik. By the sparse firelight, they could see mounted men riding out of The Slot. After the last rider, Michael could see Merric and Mathis, followed by infantry. "What was the horn?" Michael asked.
"Herald of the King. It signifies the King has taken to the field of battle," Karg answered.
Bastise was awestruck by what he was witnessing. He'd read about ancient battles of knights and men going to war, but reading about it was far less impressive than seeing it in person. His face split into a huge grin. "This is going to be magnificent."
Karg looked at Bastise and smiled himself. "Do you not have battles where you come from?"
"Of course, but they are often fought from afar and with very different weaponry. Rarely do we get to stare our enemies in the eye as we fight."
"Sounds like no place for a warrior."
"I am beginning to agree with you, Chieftain."
Michael, too, found himself transported to a distant time. The knights on horseback carrying lances held upright; the infantry with spears and shields. If it wasn't for the fact that some of these men would be dead soon, it might have been a glorious sight. Michael turned to look out on the marsh. Nothing moved. He was beginning to worry for Micah.
King Brose led his horse over to the small knot of men. Commander Salic and Captain Hamil accompanied him. "Chieftain Karg, are your men ready?"
"Aye, your majesty."
"What are you men looking at?" King Brose asked straining his eyes, trying to follow their gazes.
"Lord Micah has gone after something," Branik replied still not taking his eyes from the marsh ahead.
"From what I have heard of the man, if he has gone after something, then he will find it. I suggest you all ready yourselves," King Brose said then turned his horse and trotted back to his lines.
"I will return to my people, Myrkron," Karg informed Michael.
"Just remember my plan, Chieftain, and thank you for your help."
Karg bowed deeply to Michael and walked off. Mardak remained behind watching his brother go. "Myrkron,"
"Michael, remember?"
"I want to thank you for saving my brother. He can be impulsive, but it is always for a good reason. I want you to know that if you ever need anything that is within my power to grant, you will have it," Mardak said sincerely.
"You could do something for me."
"Anything."
"Watch over Dain for me. He has a tendency to place himself in danger when others need him. Do what you can to keep him safe."
Mardak smiled. "Gladly, Myrkron," Mardak replied then followed his brother.
"I am beginning to worry about Micah," Michael revealed to Branik.
"Worry not for Lord Micah. He will handle whatever it is. In fact, I see a rider approaching. It is one of the scouts, I believe."
Michael squinted trying to see what Branik saw. A few moments later, he thought he could just make out the shape of a rider coming at speed. As the horse drew nearer, Michael could see a man bent over its neck. A horn blast sounded from behind. Unlike the heralding note he had heard, this one was louder and much harsher. Michael turned to look and saw Micah approaching from the King's line. All of the knights were lining up and the men were adjusting their shields.
"Micah, what is going on?" Michael asked worried.
"Yon scout ran into a bit of trouble in the form of a couple of Weres. I took care of one and questioned the other. It seems they have advanced scouts of their own, and they are of a type we were not expecting. If you see any snakes, kill them."
"Snakes? You mean to tell me Mortow is using snakes to scout for him?" Michael asked confused.
"Yes and no. The snakes are scouting for him, but they are Weres. The man is sneaky enough to almost warrant admiration."
The scout slowed his mount as he came within hailing distance. Both mount and
man looked tattered and worn out. It was obvious they had been in a skirmish.
Michael held up his hand for the man to stop.
"I am sorry wizard, but I must report in," The scout said apologetically, slumping over the saddle horn.
"I have already made your report, master scout. Let Michael tend to you and your horse," Micah said maintaining his distance from the frightened animal.
"Were you not the one that just saved my life a few miles back?" The scout asked looking hard at Micah.
"The same. And you're welcome by the way. I was almost afraid you would be unhorsed when I slapped the flank of your mount. Seems you held on just fine," Micah said smiling at the exhausted scout.
"How did you return before me? You were not even mounted."
"I fear you will get no good answer out of the Avari Lord. He tends to enjoy being cryptic," Michael told the scout, putting a bit of emphasis on the last word.
"It is good to see you have not yet lost your sense of humor, Sydoj," Micah retorted and then walked off toward the King's line.
Michael helped the scout down out of his saddle while Branik held onto the horse's reins. "Are you injured?"
"I don't think so, but my horse is."
"My name is Michael. I will fix him up good as new," Michael told the scout as he sent a short burst of energy into the man.
The scout stood up straight and stared at Michael. "What did you do? I feel like I just slept for two days."
"Just gave you a bit of a boost. Now let's take a look at your horse."
Branik had been looking the horse over and detailed the animal's condition. "There are scratches and a few bite marks on his flanks. Other than that, he just looks to have been frightened."
"He is not the only one. Thank you, Michael. I am Pete."
Michael inspected the horse's flanks. It had several large gashes and a deep bite wound. He laid his hands on the horse and passed some energy to the frightened animal. The horse instantly perked its ears and swung its head back to look at Michael. Michael smiled as he got the distinct impression the animal had thanked him. He concentrated on healing the injuries. It seemed child's play compared to what he'd just done with Karg. As he saw the last gash close seamlessly, he felt the horse shiver.
Myrkron (Volume Two of The Chronicles of the Myrkron) Page 38