BlackThorn

by DeWayne Kunkel

  “It was a desperate act born in despair by one of my brethren that defeated him. So’san’s deed nearly destroyed this world; it took all the strength at our command to save what we could.” Marcos stopped speaking for a few moments as dreaded memories replayed themselves through his mind.

  “I have grown weaker over the centuries Connell.” He continued after gathering his thoughts. “My power fades as my spirit grows weary, for although my people are long lived, we do eventually tire of this life and pass beyond the veil into the next world.”

  “What of the blade?” Connell asked. “Was it not forged for his destruction?”

  “It was, but I am Tal’shear and my kind cannot suffer the touch of iron.” Marcos laid his hand upon the blade at his hip. “My own weapon is forged of brass with enchantments placed upon it so that it is sharper and stronger than any forged by man.”

  “Ma’Rail forged four great blades. Two of bronze for the Tal’shear, Lo’Wyren and Bel’Lendil they were named. Dawn singer and North wind, as men knew them. Carried into battle by Na’Boal and Ce’Loth, the greatest warriors ever born of my people.”

  “On that day he undertook his greatest work. The forging of Aethir and its twin Alagond from the iron of a fallen star, great enchantments were placed upon Black thorn and Storm biter. These were to be wielded by the Captains of the armies of men, Thoron’Gil and Caen.

  “The forging of those two blades were the last creations of Ma’Rail, for working with the cursed metal cost him his life.

  “Aethir was never used, So’san’s devastating blow fell before Thoron’Gil could face Sur’kar. In the aftermath of the destruction all of the blades were lost. Thoron’Gil wandered far into the west and secluded in some dark place he passed from this earth. His strength was great but the fires of destruction wreaked such havoc upon his body he could not hope to recover.”

  “Now you wish me to step in and recover this weapon? A blade that was never forged to face an ancient enemy that was never born.”

  Marcos frowned he had failed to convince him. “Connell, there is little time available to us. For as we speak his armies gather and the hammer will fall ere we are prepared for it. The salvation of this world rests upon another’s shoulders, if I alone could do this task I would. But I need you Connell, you have to take up Aethir and fulfill its destiny.”

  Connell shook his head, “This is nothing more than a fools errand.”

  Marcos eyes flashed in the dark. “Then forgive me,” he said.

  The world before Connell disappeared in a flash of brilliant light. A hot wind blew against his face making his eyes water profusely. He blinked away the tears and found that he was standing in a circle of men surrounding a white-hot glowing blade upon an anvil of burnished bronze.

  As his vision cleared he noticed that these were not men that he stood among. They were tall powerful beings with fair skin and pale eyes that shone with great intellect. Each one held aloft his right hand, a glowing orb of brilliant light enveloping their fists.

  He could feel the power coursing through him, the very air crackled with energy. Through eyes that were not his own he watched in fascination as tendrils of ethereal fire snaked through the air to merge with the blazing metal of the sword.

  The room blurred and with a gut wrenching twist, he was standing on a low hill overlooking a vast plain. A Mountain of fire blackened stone rose high above the lowlands several miles away. Crowned in roiling flames it belched black soot and ash high into the dark sky, while rivers of molten stone flowed down its craggy sides. Writhing branches of lightning that strived to reach the ground broke the gloom above. Each flaming filament was accompanied by a deafening peal of thunder that shook the very earth with its ferocity.

  Connell wanted to gag; the air reeked of sulfur and the pungent aroma of burnt flesh. Through the rumbling could be heard the sounds of pitched battle. The clamor of swords the screams of the dying and the harsh brazen blasts of trumpets.

  Spread out on the plain below the hill two massive armies were locked in combat. Men in brightly gleaming armor faced a foe many times their number. Huge ice and rock trolls wielding enormous war hammers led the charge. Behind the ponderous trolls came the Morne. Rank upon rank of dark robed fiends. They licked their scaly maws anticipating the taste of man flesh.

  The two Captains of the dark horde were plainly visible, dressed in heavy plate armor the color of midnight. They rode among the foremost ranks. Upon reptilian steeds with horned heads that spewed forth fire. The power of these beings was evident, even the heroic men could not stand before them. Connell knew them; he had heard the legends of Sur’kar’s servants. The Balhain, cursed to live in the darkness. They were strong beings second only to the dark one himself in power.

  Connell’s heart sank; he could see that the armies of men and Tal’shear could not stand before this foe. They were losing men by the thousands and soon the ranks would break and they would be routed.

  The gloom brightened and with a tremendous roar, a great flaming orb tore through the clouds. It struck the mountain and the sky brightened. Connell was forced to shut his eyes against the flash.

  The shock of the impact blasted the men across the field. The very air burned and the earth bucked violently. The Tal’shear warders worked their magic and sought to redirect the power of the cataclysm. The ground heaved and a terrible rending sound echoed across the plain. It was as if the earth itself screamed in torment. Heavy ash and soot darkened the sky until it was darker than the darkest night.

  The land about the flaming mountain was blasted up into the air. A ring of smoldering mountains thrust up from the tortured soil ringing the deep depression. In it’s midst sat the ruined remnants of the volcano. Its great calderas surrounded by a low wall of stone that once were the grand peaks foundations.

  Within the churning magma of the calderas stood a low islet of black stone. Perched precariously upon it, the ruined walls of what once had been a massive keep glowed with heat.

  Nausea nearly overwhelmed him as he was pulled from the hilltop. When his sense of balance had returned he found that he was now standing on the shore of a large frozen lake.

  The sky above was dark and brooding, only a faint glow showed that the sun was actually quite high in the sky. Connell could not tell if it was late morning or early evening.

  Thick snow covered everything, not a blanket of virgin white that one finds in winter. It was gray, marred with the soot they darkened the skies above.

  Nothing moved on the surface of the snow, the only sound was that of the chill wind whispering as it passed through the barren branches of the lifeless trees that bordered the shore.

  Connell knew he was looking at the results of the breaking. The decades long winter that had nearly destroyed the world. How people had managed to survive was beyond him. It was a time of hardship, a dark age that had stripped away the great nations. Man had forgotten much of its history and was forced to rebuild the world from the scraps of knowledge that remained.

  He knew he was seeing the truth, these were memories shared by Marcos. He was Tal’shear and he had spoken truly. So much that Connell had believed to be nothing more than epic yarns spun by storytellers over the ages was in fact rooted in truth.

  His surroundings shifted once more, this time the sense of vertigo was diminished. He was becoming accustomed to the sensation.

  It was night, and he was standing in grove of poplar trees. A light wind carried the rich smells of spring to him. It was a clear evening with a thin sliver of a moon hanging overhead, competing with countless stars for brightness.

  He watched in fascination as a huge ship of bronze and gold rose noiselessly into the air over the treetops. Iridescent sails unfurled and filled with light. The vessel slowly accelerated and was joined by two more.

  Higher and higher into the sky they climbed, gathering speed until they became mere specks of light disappearing into the vast field of stars lining the heavens above.

  Con
nell nearly wept with the sense of loss he felt. He felt terribly alone as the ships faded from sight. Tears of grief blurred his vision. He had no regrets however, he was confident in the decision he had made.

  The world spun violently once more. Connell blinked his eyes and as his vision cleared he could see that he was once more standing in the dark Nallen forest.

  He felt violated and his anger grew as he realized what Marcos had done. He clenched his jaw several times before speaking, reigning in his ire. “You entered my mind,” he said accusingly.

  Marcos shook his head, “No Connell, I would never do something so invasive without your leave. I merely projected some of my memories. Forgive me for my rashness. I need to convince you, and my time grows short.”

  Connell rubbed his temples a dull ache had begun to throb behind his eyes. “That was risky Marcos, another man may have attacked you for such a deed.”

  Marcos smiled, “I was never in any danger.”

  Connell was about to respond when Suni stepped out of the shadows. The warrior had been within arms reach the entire time. He nodded once in greeting and walked off into the darkness.

  “A handy man to have around,” Connell quipped. He was both surprised and dismayed that Suni had managed to stand so close to him without being detected.

  “The Anghor Shok should never be dismissed as ordinary men,” Marcos stated. “They are formidable opponents with abilities that are beyond most mortals.”

  “As I see,” Connell grunted in agreement. He would have to be more wary of the odd man. He was evidently a highly skilled fighter.

  “I have shown a small part of what I’ve seen,” Marcos said changing the subject. “You now know I have spoken truly, will you aid us?”

  “Before I decide I would know why you have remained behind. I shared the pain and sorrow that tortured your soul when those vessels left.” Connell held the Tal’shear’s gaze. “Your decision stranded you here, forever alone. Exiled on an alien world.”

  “Alone?” He repeated shrugging, his shoulders slightly. “I do not believe so, others of my kind cherished this world as well. They live in the wilder places following their own callings. Shunning humanity in the pursuit of their destinies. Sometimes when the night is still I can touch the echoes of their thoughts upon the ether.”

  “You do not seek them out?”

  “I am the last warder, sworn to defend this green earth and its people,” He said proudly, his eyes flashing with power. “You know of the sense of duty I feel. You have already taken your first steps down the same road as I did long ago.”

  “Perhaps,” Connell answered. “But I have never given it much thought.”

  “Live as long as I and you will find the time to ponder many of life’s enigmas.”

  Connell smiled at Marcos’s remark. “The number of my days will never equal yours.”

  “True,” Marcos responded. “But they are your days, given freely by the creator. Revel in them waste not a single hour. For all life is fleeting, a mere heartbeat in the pulse of eternity.”

  Connell turned and looked down on the sleeping forms of Casius and D’Yana. As he looked on her peaceful face he felt the stirrings of emotion in his heart. The old flame of what they had once shared was rekindled. It was long ago but his heart had never forgotten.

  “The Naz’Haruk that attacked us was not the first you had seen.” Marcos stated. “I could tell by the way you and Casius reacted. Only D’Yana was surprised by its appearance.”

  Connell turned and face Marcos once more. “We slew one two weeks ago on the plains.”

  “The Naz’Haruk do not die easily,” Marcos said in surprise. “It seems your skills are not exaggerated.”

  “It was Casius who dropped the fell beast not I.”

  Marcos looked at the sleeping young man with a new measure of respect. “Perhaps I have been rash in my judgment of him.”

  “He is stronger than he appears,” Connell added. “I will consider all you have shown me and will give you my answer in the morning.”

  “Consider carefully Connell, if two of the Naz’Haruk have tracked you then Sur’kar has already deemed you to be a threat to him and he will not stop until you lie dead.” Marcos paused allowing his words to sink in. “If I fail all that you love will be destroyed.”

  “Then I have no choice,” Connell said regretfully. “I will aid you,” Connell answered. He was trapped by his sense of honor and could not stand by and do nothing.

  Marcos lowered his head in acceptance. He was grateful for the man’s pledge of aid but he wondered what would make him so hesitant to do so. This Connell was puzzling, he had proven himself many times over to be a man of honor and compassion, capable of taking great risks if needed. “Sleep now Connell, Suni and I shall keep watch until dawn.”

  Connell settled down against the trees bole, his sword lain across his lap. “Wake me at the first signs of trouble.”

  “I will,” Marcos said reassuringly.

  After Connell had fallen asleep Suni stalked out of the gloom. “Rock trolls,” he whispered to Marcos. “They are several miles west and moving away from us. They follow a pack of Fell hounds.”

  “Our pursuers?” Marcos asked even though he already knew the answer.

  Suni nodded, “I followed their spoor, they came from the direction of our earlier camp.”

  “Rock trolls and Fell hounds,” Marcos said distantly his thoughts elsewhere. “Did you see nothing else among their number?”

  Suni looked puzzled, “I would have seen if anything else moved among them.”

  “There is something dark and powerful moving out there. It goes cautiously always staying just at the edge of my awareness.”

  “I will seek it out then,” Suni said, turning to leave.

  Marcos stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. “I will know if it should draw nearer. You are Anghor Shok but I fear this will be beyond your skills to cope with.”

  Suni lifted an eyebrow in what was an uncharacteristic show of emotion for him.

  Marcos regretted his words he had unintentionally offended his friend. “I cannot allow you to take an unnecessary risk Suni.” He pointed to the west. “It is a long way off and poses us no real danger at this time. I would prefer to pass it by unnoticed, in secrecy lies our best defense.”

  Suni nodded in acceptance, “I live and die to serve.” He said repeating part of an ancient oath he had taken long ago.

  Marcos leaned against one of the trees roots. Through its bark he could feel its tremors of pain. A seeping foulness was spreading through the wood; slowly it traveled tainting everything it touched.

  It was within his abilities to relieve the tree’s torment for a short time, but he dared not. For such a display of power would shine as a beacon in the dark and the nameless evil would fall upon them.

  “The forest heart pulls at me Suni, I cannot leave this place without finding the cause of its distress.”

  Suni said nothing. He accepted his charge’s decision. He was Anghor Shok and would follow Marcos into the very fires of the underworld if need be.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Marcos awakened them as the first rays of the rising sun touched the sky. The glow of the forest brightened, rekindled by the golden light above the leafy bowers.

  Connell’s headache had disappeared and he felt all the better after having a full nights sleep. He told Casius and D’Yana about his visions. He spoke softly; he desired a private conversation away from Marcos. He described the shared memories down to the finest details he could recall.

  “Then you believe him?” Casius asked when Connell had finished.

  “I felt the pain and anguish he carries within him,” Connell answered. “I believe he has spoken truly.”

  “I knew him to be different,” D’Yana said sparing a quick look over her shoulder. She could see Marcos was busy saddling his pale mare. “But I would have never dreamed this.”

  Marcos smiled at her comment and led his horse
over to where they sat. “I must inform you that the ears of my people are especially keen and that there is no point to whispering.”

  Connell laughed and D’Yana’s cheeks reddened in response.

  “There is a large party of Rock Trolls hunting us. They are using Fell hounds as trackers.” Marcos said passing on Suni’s warning.

  “Where are these Rock Trolls?” Connell asked standing upright his hand falling to his swords hilt.

  “A few miles northwest and moving away,” Marcos said reassuringly. “They are no threat to us at this time. However it would be prudent of us to move cautiously and leave no trail behind.”

  “A wise precaution,” Connell said approvingly. “There may be more in the wood that we do not know of.”

  Marcos nodded, “It is what we don’t know of that worries me.”

  “Where do we go from here?” Casius asked. He did not wish to remain anywhere where Trolls wandered the countryside. Although he had never seen one, he had heard enough tales to know he did not want to meet one of the dim-witted giants. Slow thinking and quick to anger the Rock Trolls and their larger cousins Ice Trolls were creatures to be feared. They killed out of pleasure and would gladly eat any man that had the misfortune of crossing their path.

  Two to three times the size of a man they are incredibly strong with thick hides tough enough to turn aside an arrow. Unless it was shot from extremely close range. At one time Rock Trolls could be found throughout the eastern lands. They preferred to dwell in damp caves and usually hunted only at night. Trolls would raid homesteads during the night and slay every living thing. Carrying off the bodies to their hidden lairs.

  When such a raid occurred, the local men would ban together and track the Troll. Using mastiffs they would set the dogs on the beast enraging it to the point where it would come out of its hole. Men on horseback with lances would then charge the brute cutting him down if all went well. There were tales of such outings going horribly wrong and few if any of the men surviving the attack.