Zachania

by Joseph Henry Gaines

  Talon swiftly cut down four soldiers before rolling onto the ground just before a spear hit him, jumping to his feet Talon could see a soldier frantically fumbling with an arrow. Talon gritted his teeth and ran at the man luckily reaching him just before he fired, Talon struck the man in the chest and then turned as he heard the sound of his men cheering, they was cheering because the Imperial archers had broken rank and were now running for their lives. Talon picked up a bow from a dead soldier on the ground and began to use the Empire weapon against them, other soldiers followed what Talon was doing and before long hundreds of arrows were flying at the retreating Empire soldiers.

  Once the hill was clear Talon ordered his men to collect the bows and arrows from the dead Imperial soldiers and fall back but to remain on the hill, down in the valley the advancing Imperial soldiers had also began to retreat, Talon cheered and held up his sword as he saw what was happening. ‘the Empire have retreated first’, it was a tremendous moral boost for the Zachanian’s, then the Empire disappeared back over the hill leaving the valley silent except for the cheers of the Zachanian’s and the thousands of dead bodies that littered the field.

  “COWARDS!” Heikan shouted as he stood next to Talon.

  “They will be back.” replied Talon coldly.

  “Then they will get the samedose of Zachanian medicine” Heikan replied as wiped away blood from his face.

  “Come let us get back to Ganasis.” Talon said grabbing Heikan by the arm.

  When Talon and Heikan returned to Ganasis, the wizard greeted them fondly.

  “Well done Talon, well done.” he said warmly to them.

  “They had no stomach to fight Ganasis.” Heikan added.

  “By the gods Ganasis, how many have we killed.” Talon suddenly sighed as he looked onto the valley.

  “Thousands, eighty thousand at least.” Ganasis guessed just as he noticed that Talon was carrying one of the Imperial bows.

  “What is that?”

  He asked reaching out for the bow which was taller than him when he held it upright

  “You tell me, with this bow they reached us with from those hills.”

  Ganasis examined it closely, it was twice the size of the Zachanian bows and twice as hard to pull the string, Talon noticed that the bow deeply impressed his wizard friend.

  “We could do with these Ganasis.”

  “I will send it to our weapon makers immediately.”

  Talon then removed some of his armour and grabbed some water from a nearby soldier, he put his hands into the bucket and started to wash away some of the blood that was stained on his hands arms and face.

  “Evening will soon be on us.” Ganasis said as he saw the sun low on the horizon.

  “Do you think they will attack us again today?” Heikan added.

  “No, the rules of chivalry should prevent it.” added Talon speaking of the unwritten law where enemies would not attack each other at night so they could both rest and attend to their wounded.

  “That’s if they abide by them.”

  “It will be to both our detriment if they do not.” replied Talon just before General Kanyan walked over to join them with a very solemn look on his face.

  “We have suffered in this battle Lord Talon; over Forty thousand men we have lost, another five thousand are wounded so bad they are out of the battle.”

  “Forty thousand” Talon seethed as he shook his head.

  Ganasis looked up at Talon and saw the pain in Talons face, Talon saw that Ganasis was looking at him, words were not needed as both me knew they were both thinking the same thing.

  “I am going to get some rest.” Talon then said before walking over to a nearby tree.

  “What is the matter with Talon?”

  “Nothing Heikan, let him rest………..he has the weight of Zachania on his shoulders.”

  Talon laid himself down under the tree, as he raised his hand to place it under his head he noticed his hand shaking, he clenched his fist but the adrenaline from battle was still flowing through his body. Talon then reached out and grabbed a nearby rag and placed it over his head, slowly he began to drift into sleep where he entered into the realm of dreams. Talon shuddered as in his dream he was suddenly in the middle of the battlefield, the dream was so real it sent a shiver down his spine. Talon looked around and saw that he was standing in the middle of thousands of dead Zachanian’s, as he looked up he saw that he surrounded by the Empire, then what seemed like a million arrows were fired upon him. Talon jolted as one of the arrows struck him in the chest and ripped into his heart, suddenly he was filled with the most intense feeling of doom he had ever experienced, it felt like death, worse than death, it was like a feeling that he would suffer an eternity of pain.

  As he lay bleeding terrified and spiralling into a black well of darkness, he was suddenly pulled back into the light again, Talon barely opened his eyes but it was enough to see that it was the god Apollo who had rescued him. Apollo then picked him up and carried him into strange woodland, once they were inside Apollo reached down and pulled out the arrow from his chest allowing Talon to breathe easier.

  “Apollo.” Talon sighed.

  “It is me, my young friend.”

  “What has happened Apollo, I am the only Zachanian alive.”

  “You are in this life line.”

  “What do mean Apollo?”

  “This is your future Talon, this is Zachania’s future, in this world you die all alone.”

  “No Apollo, it cannot be, we must win, did you choose me for this…..how could the gods be so cruel…………I will not let this happen.”

  “Do you have the courage to change it Talon?”

  “What must I do?”

  “You must leave this battle.”

  “Leave my friends.”

  “You must leave this battle or you will watch your friends die, only you can change this.”

  “How?”

  “You must journey to the Forest of Deceit; there you will find the allies you need.”

  “The beasts.”

  “They are not beasts Talon they are my subjects, centuries ago I saved the last two of their race, I gave them safe sanctuary within the forest.”

  “Two of them how can they help?”

  “They have multiplied, they await you Talon, make haste.”

  “Why have you not visited me up till now, I thought you had forsaken me.”

  “I have been observing you Talon, you have pleased me now go, wake from this dream and do as I say….one more thing, read the book of Pang.”

  “The book of Pang……why?”

  “Go now Talon, in ten days’ time this dream will be your reality.”

  “Apollo” Talon yelled as the god faded into mist.

  Talon suddenly woke and sat upright, he was sweating and shaking and holding his pendent, he rubbed his eyes and noticed that Ganasis was kneeling besides him shouting his name.

  “Talon……Talon”

  Talon tried to open his eyes wide and focus on his wizard friend.

  “Talon, what is wrong!” Ganasis shouted looking concerned for his friend.

  “Ganasis, I have just been visited by Apollo.” replied Talon trying to compose himself.

  “APOLLO!” replied Ganasis shocked and intrigued as he noticed the look of fear on Talon’s face.

  “What did he say Talon?”

  Talon swallowed and looked up at Ganasis and spoke almost in desperation.

  “He showed me our defeat………..I saw our deaths.”

  “WHAT!”

  “Ganasis, we die here, in ten days’ time.”

  “Why would Apollo bring us to this…….why do the gods wish this for our fate?” sighed Ganasis sounding exhausted.

  “Ganasis, this does not have to be our fate.”

  “Talon what are you saying?”

  “He wants me to find the beasts in the Forest of Deceit.”

  “Why the beasts?”

  “They will be our allies he s
aid.” replied Talon as he rose to his feet and grabbed for his sword.

  “Then go Talon, ride like the wind, follow this dream.”

  “Will you be alright my friend?” Talon asked showing concern for his wizard friend

  “Listen you have been given a quest by the gods, do not think of me or nothing else except your chosen path.”

  “Stay alive Ganasis, STAY ALIVE!... I swear I will return.”

  “GO! Go on GO!” replied Ganasis.

  As Talon rode south into the barren landscape he quickly began to doubt what he was doing. Behind him he could see the Zachanian army and he knew what kind of odds they were up against, he did not feel right riding away from them but he knew he must follow his dream. He wondered for a moment if he had been tricked by the Empires wizards, was he being sent on a fool’s errand, Talon quickly shook that thought from his head as he thought that Apollo would not allow that to happen, he had been sent a vision, a vision of the future and only he could change it, no matter what he must find the beasts that Apollo said will help him and his people.

  Grarlin sat looking very pleased with himself which was making General Krustov and the Empire Generals feeling uncomfortable,

  “I am pleased with today’s battle Krustov.”

  “But sire we have suffered thousands of deaths.” remarked General Sanda looking very concerned at the wizards view, Grarlin looked at the General coldly as if to say he knew how many casualties were suffered and he did not need reminding.

  “Continue the same plan tomorrow, I want you to keep pushing their defence, keeping pushing until we weaken them, I want their hearts broke and then I will send in my Degrain’s.”

  “The Degrain’s?” snapped Krustov in utter disbelief at what he was hearing.

  “The Emperor is sending me ten legions, they make haste from the Palace lands as we speak.” replied Grarlin with a sinister tone to his voice.

  A silence suddenly filled the air as the Generals took in what Grarlin had just informed them, Krustov winced his face and bit his lip as he realised that this battle was now completely in the hands of the Emperor and his wizards and that his army were being used like lambs to the slaughter, swallowing deeply Krustov stirred up the courage to reply to Grarlin.

  “Sire are you asking me to sacrifice my men taking Zachanian lives, to use my men to weaken the Zachanian’s so that the Degrain’s will have an easier fight.”

  “That is exactly what I am saying, and General I would take that tone from your voice or you will be joining your men on the front line.”

  Krustov bit his lip and looked at the ground.

  “As you wish your highness.” he replied through gritted teeth.

  General Sanda also lowered his head as the atmosphere amongst the Generals nosedived, they could see on everyone’s faces how they all felt, it was a feeling of betrayal, Krustov waited for Grarlin to leave them until he aired his frustrations by kicking over a nearby bucket of water. His patience snapped as an overwhelming anger roused inside him, Grarlin was stealing the victory from him and the other Generals, it was a victory he had been waiting his whole life for, a chance where his legacy would be known forever, a chance where he would use his expert knowledge to outwit and out plan the enemy but the news that his men were to be sacrificed to pave a victorious path for the savage Degrain’s had shattered his dreams and ambitions to be known as a great war General.

  “DAMN THE DEGRAINS………..WE CAN WIN THIS BATTLE ON OUR OWN!” he shouted.

  The Degrain’s now were descendants of the ancient Degrainian nation that had battled the Zachanian’s centuries ago, over the last few centuries the Emperor and his wizards had doctored their bloodlines, breeding them with all sorts of beasts and monsters which had resulted in creating a terrifying race who were absolute in their allegiance only to their Emperor and his wizards.

  Krustov excused himself from the other Generals as he tried to compose himself, he hated the Degrain’s, he remembered all the stories he had heard about them when he studied as a cadet in his youth. He remembered one story in particular when Grarlin placed one of the Degrain with a soldier and his family, Grarlin wanted to see how the Degrain would act when left alone with a human family, six months later Grarlin returned to the soldiers home and found the Degrain had murdered all the family and feasted upon their flesh, all that remained were the family’s bones that were scattered around the home.

  Krustov had heard many stories like this as Grarlin and his fellow wizard Grand’s experimented with their bloodlines, after years of experiments it was declared that the Degrain’s be left in isolation within their own lands with only a few trusted beasts being allowed to stay in the Palace lands as the Emperors personnel guard.

  For four days the Zachanian front lines were constantly attacked by the Empire using Grarlin’s plan, Imperial soldiers and Zachanian’s died in their hundreds of thousands, the land between both armies was now littered with dead mutilated bodies and moral on both sides was low as the battlefield stank of death. The Degrain’s had still not arrived but were expected to arrive in the next couple of days. Talon was exhausted as he drew his horse close to the Forest of Deceit; he had been surviving by grabbing a few hours’ sleep whenever he could.

  Talon dismounted his horse and fearfully looked into the thick undergrowth.

  “I hope to see you again my friend.” he said stroking his horse before he pulled out his pendant from his garments and entering the forest.

  Slowly Talon walked inside growing aware that there was complete silence, all he could hear was the sound of his own footsteps; his heart began to pound as he remembered the last time he was in this forest.

  “I must not fear……I refuse to fear…..fear will cloud my emotions………it will blur my vision, my mind must be clear.” he thought to himself almost in determination to rid his mind from negative thoughts, step by step Talon advanced into the thickening forest, the undergrowth was now so dense it seemed like nightfall as the growth shrouded the sky.

  “What’s that?” Talon suddenly thought as he heard a sound.

  He froze for a moment as he tensed waiting to hear another sound, Talon waited looking in all directions trying to see something through the forest, he gazed back over his shoulder from where he had come from as for a brief moment he thought of retreating.

  “I must not fear…..whatever happens…..I must not fear” he thought as sweat began to drip from his brow.

  Talon then quickly turned his head as he heard a low deep growl, he immediately recognised it as the same savage growl he had heard when he had visited the forest before

  “They are here” he thought silently wondering what to do as he then heard the growl again only now it was obvious it was getting closer, Talon turned his head fast as he then heard another growl from the other direction.

  “There are two of them.” he thought turning his head from side to side.

  “Why do they not attack?” he thought trying to calm his fear, then slowly he took a step forward in the direction of the first growl.

  “MY NAME IS Talon!” he shouted out not knowing what response he would receive, he continued to walk towards the first growl and could hear more growls from behind him, by the sounds it was clear he was now surrounded by several beasts, he continued forward telling himself not look behind.

  “SHOW YOURSELF!” Talon shouted as he began to see an outline behind some bushes in front, the noises behind him of breaking twigs and heavy breathing grew louder as Talon began grow more fearful that this was a mistake and that any moment he would be torn to shreds.

  “SHOW YOURSELF!” he demanded again only to be ignored once more, Talon decided that if this was to be his end then he would go down fighting so he reached down and pulled the sword of Apollo from his waistband and started to advance towards the outline.

  “I AM Talon……A ZACHANIAN WARRIOR!” he shouted with such determination in his voice it sent a rush of pride through his veins.

  Talon was just step
s away from the outline behind the bush, he stopped and noticed that the growls from behind him had now stopped, a sign that they were listening or that it was imminent they would pounce, Talon then found himself thinking of his Grandfather and how his Grandfather had taught him how to communicate with beasts by using his mind.

  “SHOW YOURSELF………I AM Talon a ZACHANIAN WARRIOR” he said silently in his mind trying to project his thoughts to the beast in front of him.

  Talon then noticed that the beast began to stand up, it soon towered above the bush where it moved forward to reveal itself, Talon lost his concentration for a moment as he looked on in awe and terror at the giant bear like human that was now before him, Talon noticed himself thinking how powerful the creature looked, never had he seen anything look so strong, Talon looked the beast over, noticing first its thick and hairy legs that supported a massive chest which was hairy but did not have the same fur as it had on its legs, Talon also noticed its arms and shoulders which were similar to man but about four times the size. The beast then raised its massive hand to brush away some hair which revealed its face, a face that looked hard and strong, like it was carved in stone; he also noticed the large fangs protruding from the corners of its massive mouth.

  The beast tilted its head as it just stood silently looking at Talon.

  “My name is Talon……..I was sent by Apollo.” Talon thought trying to communicate with his mind.

  The beast growled and shook its head as if it was confused.

  “Can you understand me?” added Talon with his mind.

  Then Talon tensed as he felt something enter his mind, at first it felt like a heavy blow which made him feel disorientated, Talon blinked his eyes hard trying to clarify what was happening in his mind, and then he felt the creature’s thoughts.

  “I am Braaksa, you must follow me.”

  Talon stiffened as he realised that he made contact, he had succeeded in communicating with the beast that was now on all fours and seemed to be inviting Talon to get onto its back. Slowly Talon moved closer still feeling apprehension he climbed onto the beast.