by John White
The Friesens absorbed this news but said nothing. Perhaps the queen was more trustworthy than they thought. The soldiers cut these musings short. They were alive and glad of it. They only wanted to get on with the business at hand.
All this time the white horse stood with ears pricked at attention. Lisa stroked his face. On his white nose was a little snip of black. "It looks like-but it can't be! Is this the king's own horse?"
"That it is, my lady," said Dominicus. "His name is Philo. The king has decided to ride him no longer."
Wes started to ask, "Has he gotten too ill to ride?" meaning the king, but he stopped. Did Andron know the seriousness of Tigvah's illness? He changed his question to "Has the horse gotten too old to ride?"
"The horse is not old, Lord Wesley. But of late he develops odd swellings at his withers." Dominicus ran his hand along the horse's shoulder to a place just in front of the pannier straps. Each of the children felt the spot. The horse did have a slight protrusion under his glossy coat. "There is one like it on the other side. They make it difficult to fit him with a saddle, though these pannier straps do not bother him."
"Poor Philo," Lisa sympathized as she patted the horse's neck.
"They do not appear to hurt him. Let us say they give him a new task to do for his majesty. His packs hold empty wineskins for the honey we find on the island. He also carries our tents on the first leg of the journey. On the way back he carries the bulk of the honey, and we carry our own tents. We'll have eaten half our food by then, so our packs will be lighter. Oh, and this morning he also carries ..." Dominicus reached into one of Philo's side packs and pulled out a small basket. A tantalizing smell came from it like when you walk into a bakery. Inside the basket were a dozen warm sticky buns.
The children gobbled the buns and licked their fingers greedily. Lisa wondered aloud, "What's that flavor? Oh, I know. Honey!" Then she almost choked. She looked sharply at Dominicus.
"Yes," he said, "they are glazed with a bit of honey. His majesty is not a selfish man. Now where is that accursed eagle?"
Andron impatiently scanned the sky. The color of the sunrise deepened to flame red, while the rest of the sky was a pale, cloudless blue. The sun had broken over the horizon and begun to flood the city walls with warmth when several turkey vultures sailed into sight over the wall. The ragged flock circled slowly. They tilted left and right and held their wings in a stiff V. Andron muttered something about eagles being awfully vain for such ugly creatures.
One vulture dropped while the others flew off to the south. Wes thought, Its like a fighter jet peeling off from the formation. The bird that had peeled off spread its wings at the last second to brake its descent and land in front of the company. Immediately it began to preen its feathers.
Andron sneered as he said, "Thank you for coming, Vulcanus. I understand it was you who insisted we be ready at dawn. Of course, your lateness does not surprise me."
Kurt repeated "Your lateness? Is that his title, like your majesty?" Everybody else (except Vulcanus) laughed. Andron chanted, "Yes, your lateness! No, your lateness! Would you care for a dead fish, your lateness?"
"We will proceed southeast," said the bird, showing no sense of humor. "I will fly across the river and wait for you, while you who are earthbound must make use of the bridge."
Wes, Lisa and Kurt struggled into their backpacks. Andron and Dominicus easily shouldered their oversized packs. The children marveled at how much weight the soldiers could carry. Besides their heavy packs, each wore a sword strapped at his side. Wes longed for the Sword of Geburah, which no doubt was still propped against a tree on the far shore of Lake Bamah.
Wes made a quick decision. He turned to the vulture and said, "Vulcanus! The soldiers here address me as Lord Wesley. I expect you to do the same." The bird only blinked, but then he had showed little respect even to the king and queen. "On the far shore of Lake Bainah, in a small clearing, leaning against a tree, there is a great sword in a jeweled scabbard." The bird's small eyes glittered like poor imitations of the jewels. "Fly across the lake and bring it back to me. Meanwhile, we will go as far as the edge of the Forest of Blackness, but we will go no further without that sword."
This task interested the bird. He made only the smallest protest before he took off across the lake. The soldiers' faces went tense with suppressed anger. As casually as possible, Wes asked them, "Why do we need Vulcanus to guide us? Both of you must know the way quite well. Don't you ever have the task of taking the lost children to the royal lodge?"
Dominicus asked, "The children?" Immediately Andron said, "Of course, the street children. No, that duty has never fallen to either of us. No doubt it would be a pleasant one. They look forward to their time of refreshment there."
The band started off: Wes in the lead, then Kurt and Lisa side by side. After them came Andros, then Dominicus leading Philo. Their pace was slow and steady on the stone bridge across the River Rure. The children looked down at its clear water flowing north and thought of the rugged way northward along the Road to the Great Sea. That path would not be their route today. They crossed the bridge and headed for the woods to the east of Nephesh.
At this point they didn't need Vulcanus's guidance. They followed an overgrown trail through an open area of scattered trees. The sun warmed them, but they were bound for a dark wall of shade that marked the edge of the Forest of Blackness. At the edge of the forest the trail split into several paths. Another way to say it is that several paths out of the forest joined there.
"We'll stop here and wait for Vulcanus," Wes ordered.
Andron objected: "The bird can catch up with us at some future point."
Wes looked directly at him and said simply, "We'll wait." The soldiers moved away a few paces and slouched against trees. Their faces and postures showed their displeasure with Wes's leadership.
Kurt spoke up too. He could be more blunt than the soldiers. "Wes, you're being bossy. You know it?"
"He's just taking charge like he usually does," Lisa said. "Though I have to admit, it's a good idea to get the sword. Why wouldn't we want it with us?"
"I agree we should have the sword. I don't agree with Wes's attitude," Kurt grumbled.
Silence fell over all of them like a cold fog. In a few minutes Andron pointed and called out, "The eagle returns!" The vulture flew low and straight at them from the direction of the lake. From his talons dangled something long that sparkled in the early sun. It was the Sword of Geburah! Vulcanus wheeled low over Wesley. The sword spun outward and nearly hit Philo, who pinned his ears back and shied. Wes caught the tip of the scabbard and called, "Let go!" His arms sagged as the heavy sword fell into his grasp.
The soldiers could only stare. The Sword of Geburah made their swords look like toys. Andron started to say, "Lord Wesley, should I not be the one to carry-" but Wes's sharp look cut him off. Wes was not about to let anyone carry this sword who was not of the family of the Sword Bearer.
High above them, Vulcanus showed his impatience. He put extra loops and turns into his circles to emphasize how much valuable time the travelers had used up. "To your right! To your right!" he croaked. He took off in that direction, and the company took the right fork and entered the forest. Immediately they lost the warmth of the sun. Dew still dripped from low branches and soaked the weeds underfoot. Spider webs glittered with moisture. Shoes quickly became wet, but otherwise the going was easy, for the path was level and fairly wide. The forest canopy was open enough that they caught glimpses of Vulcanus above them.
They swung along at a good pace and whistled as they walked. Each whistled it different tune, so they got on each other's nerves, and they repeatedly forgot where they were in their songs and had to start over. Philo clomped along with ears up, taking in all the sights and smells. Occasionally lie lowered his head and tore off a mouthful of grass. He also tried to nip at Dominicus's pack. The soldier slapped him lightly on the chest and scolded, "None of that! I carry grain for you, but the hulk of it's for the
trip back. That's when you'll do the hardest work."
After an hour or so, as they approached a bend in the path, Philo's mood changed from placid to alarmed. He gave a loud snort and stopped so abruptly that Dominicus, his hand on the halter rope, was nearly pulled flat on his back.
"What's the matter with you, beast?" the soldier snapped. He tugged on the rope. Philo planted his feet. Dominicus called ahead to the others, "Wait! This fool horse refuses to take another step." The soldier pulled with all his weight, Philo leaned back with all his weight, and of course the horse outweighed the man it great deal.
"He's used to playing the royal steed," said Andron. "Probably rebels at being lowered to pack horse. Here, I'll give him a slap on the rump." Andron walked around to the rear of the horse while Lisa watched Philo's head. The horse's eyes were wide, and he frantically pinned his ears back, then pricked them forward, then back, then forward. Lisa had learned enough about horses in Anthropos to know that Philo wasn't being stubborn. He was frightened, apparently by something up ahead. She turned to look up the path-and screamed!
Around the bend rushed a thing that was not human or horse or Koach or vulture. It was taller than any of them, and its bulky body was so wide that it blocked the forest path. Seven beastly heads topped the body, each with an expression of slavering fury. It walked forward on thick, stubby legs as its huge hands reached out to grab its victims.
Kurt looked ahead and shouted one word: "Ogre!"
At Kurt's shout the ogre slowed its rush along the path and roared with all seven mouths. Each of its seven heads dipped and dodged to take in the scene. Its faces were all diflerent and all terrible. One was batlike; one looked like the head of a snake; one resembled the skull of it cow or ox; others were somewhat like it man yet so deformed they could hardly be called human. All the heads swiveled and twisted to create a combined image of horror.
Philo squealed and reared straight up. Dominicus was jerked off his feet and dangled by the lead rope. He let go and dropped into the dirt. Philo came down and narrowly missed Dominicus with his front hooves. The horse whipped around to flee, hit Andron broadside and knocked him flat. Both soldiers lay sprawled on the ground with their swords twisted beneath them.
Wes's hand went to the Sword of Geburah. His mind ran at top speed. They had battled ogres in Anthropos before. He knew he had to get at the heads to strike a fatal blow, but how could he get up high enough? He breathed the words "In the name of Gaal and the Changer!" and drew the sword. Brilliant blue light shot from the blade. At that instant something white flew straight at his face and then was gone. He gave it no more thought, but for a second he stood immobile. Then he felt his body flood with warmth that started deep inside and spread outward until it reached his sword hand. He started forward to meet the ogre. He did not know where any of his companions were, and he dared not take his eyes off his enemy to look for them.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. The ogre with its seven terrible heads approached Wes one deliberate step at a time. At each step it loomed larger and more deadly. The seven faces became more distinct and more terrifying. Wes advanced to meet the beast at the same deliberate pace it moved toward him. He knew he should be terrified, yet he was calm. He wondered at his own confidence and thought he must be too numb to be afraid.
The ogre rushed at him. Wes took three fast steps forward. All seven mouths of the ogre opened wide. The roar they emitted shook the surrouncing trees. Wes raised the Sword of Geburah high over his head. A crazy image flashed into his mind: himself and Kurt in their pretend swordfight on the attic stairs. Where was all his boasting now?
He heard a strong, bold voice and was startled to realize it was his own: "Who dares to challenge the company of Gaal the Shepherd, Lord of All Worlds?" Not waiting for the ogre to react, Wes leaped forward. The ogre's hands clutched for him. He sidestepped and laid a vicious cut across the monster's knee. The ogre flailed and slapped at empty air. Wes darted past it and squeezed himself between the monster and a tree trunk. One at a time, the seven heads swiveled in search of him. He circled behind the beast. The heads turned the other way to seek him while the mouths growled and screeched.
Wes still lacked the fatal blow. If only he could get up high! He was nowhere near tall enough to swing the sword and connect with the ogre's heads. He scanned the surrounding trees. He could never clirnb one fast enough. The ogre would pick him off and throw him to the ground.
Without warning the monster shrieked and whirled away to face the other direction. Wes didn't take time to wonder what had happened. He thrust his sword into the ogre's back. The monster wavered and fought for balance. Wes struggled to pull the sword out, then plunged it in again higher up. The ogre toppled forward. The ground shook with its fall.
A figure leaped out of the way of the monster just in time to avoid being crushed. It was Lisa, with a sword in her hand. "Got him in both feet!" she called.
Wes did not have time to figure out where Lisa had gotten a sword. The ogre struggled to rise. With all his strength Wes swung his blade at one of the seven necks. It took two strokes to sever the head. Green blood gushed out and soaked into the forest path. Wes was busy congratulating himself when he heard Lisa scream in terror. One of the ogre's gigantic hands had grasped her and held her high off the ground. Her sword hand was pinned so she couldn't get her weapon free to defend herself. Kurt, enraged, ran up and kicked three of the ogre's heads hard in rapid succession.
Frantic now, Wes slashed away at first one of the heads, then the next. The hand not clutching Lisa fumbled for Wes, but the beast was weak. Only two heads remained. Both roared with defiance. The hand holding Lisa lowered, opened and dropped her-fortunately from only it short distance above the ground. The sixth head parted from the body. Wes stood back as Lisa scrambled to her feet.
For the first time Wes dared a grin. He gestured toward the seventh head and asked Lisa, "Would you like to do the honors?" She looked a little ill, stepped back and shook her head. Silently Kurt held out his hand for the Sword of Geburah. Wes gave it to him with a quiet sense of pride. Kurt took a deep breath, swung the sword and severed the remaining head.
The body of the ogre sank into itself like a balloon slowly losing air. Soon it was no longer a recognizable monster but only a shapeless, shrinking blob. One by one the seven severed heads contracted into a clump of slime. For several minutes the ogre's body continued to shrink and liquefy until nothing remained but a pool of greenish blood. The stench, which they had been too busy to notice, now overpowered them. They backed away with their hands over their noses.
Kurt coughed, gagged and managed to say, "Nice going, Wes! Thanks to the pigeon."
Wes was startled. "The pigeon? You mean the pigeon was here?"
"It was on your head all the time," Lisa said. "It flapped its wings and dug its claws into your scalp. Didn't you feel it?"
"No, but-but I did see something white right after I drew the sword. It's gone now, right?" He reached up and slapped the top of his head. No bird was there. "I saw it on the lakeshore too, when we were tied up on the raft. So it's still helping us!"
They stared at the spot where the ogre had been. Nothing remained except a large greenish stain. Kurt handed Wes the Sword of Geburah. "Thanks for letting me swing it again. I guess I'd better let you carry it now. Hey, Lisa, where'd you get your sword?"
"It's Dominicus's. Philo knocked both him and Andron flat. I screamed at them to help you. They got up and drew their swords, but then they just stood there and watched. Finally I grabbed Dominicus's sword right out of his hand. I think he was in shock. He couldn't believe I would do something like that!" She thought the boys should congratulate her for her courage and daring. Wes only turned to give the soldiers a good chewing out. They were nowhere to be seen.
A harsh squawk came from above. Vulcanus sat hunched in a dead tree about fifteen feet up. There was no telling how long he had been there. His deceptively weak-looking eyes surveyed the battle scene.
"I do not eat ogre flesh," replied Vulcanus.
"Hmm. Probably one of the few things you won't eat."
The vulture spread his wings partway and resettled himself. "That sword that I brought you has great power," he croaked. "I knew when my superior eyesight spied it from on high that it was a most unusual weapon. Of course, my kind has no need of such weapons. We have our beaks and talons."
"Since your eyesight is so superior," Lisa suggested, "can you tell us where Andron and Dominicus went to?"
"Lady, my eyesight is beyond compare, but I cannot see through the forest canopy. The woods are too dense and thick. The trees form a tunnel over the path. But during your battle with the monster, I observed the horse run away and the soldiers after him. They all went in the direction you came. Back toward Nephesh."
Wes was angry for several reasons. Their supposed escorts and protectors not only had failed to help them, they had run away; that ugly turkey vulture had sat and watched the whole thing and not helped either, and their only pack animal was gone. "I'm not sure I want those guys to come back," he said. "I don't trust them."
"Can't we go back a little ways and look for Philo Lisa begged. "Maybe he didn't run far."
Wes sheathed the Sword of Geburah. Its blade was as clean as when it was newly forged. He said, "I don't think we need the horse."
Lisa was amazed. "What? He can carry ten times as much honey as we can! Besides, he's got the leather bottles. We don't have any way to carry honey except our own water bottles, and then we won't have anything to hold water."
"Maybe we're not supposed to get honey," Wes replied. "It was Queen Hisschi who sent us on a honey-gathering expedition. We already know she's up to something and it's not good. Gaal told you we're supposed to go into the Garden Room. He never said anything about weaver bee honey, did he?"