Realm of Druids

by Mark Hogenelst

  51.

  SERVANT TO THE MOONSTONE

  The sound of thunder woke Saniel with a start. He sat up, rubbing his head. A warm wave of air washed over him and for the first time in days he felt dry and comfortable. He then realised that he was on a soft dry ground of sand and grass and looked around to see the inside of a small cave. A tiny warm fire was crackling away at the back of the cave sending the odd red glowing piece of ash into the air. Several large spider webs hung from the roof of the low cave with their inhabitants hiding in some cracks and not at all too impressed at having these intruders in their cave. A slight noise and he turned to see Jericho lying on the ground next to him. Jericho let out a couple of deep breaths though his nose causing the sand to flitter away from his nostrils. Saniel reached over with one hand and gently stroked the wolf’s shaggy black and tan mane. He felt his chest rising and falling with his breaths. Hearing low voices, Saniel looked the other way towards the mouth of the cave. Taegan and Red Whiskers sat at the entrance looking outside. Some large boulders and tall clumps of grass were scattered in front of the cave entrance.

  It was dark outside and drizzling rain. ‘Where are we?’ said Saniel. Taegan turned to face Saniel and then got to his feet brushing sand of his trouser legs. He walked back inside from the entrance and sat down beside the boy. He spoke quietly. ‘We are in a cave not far from the Elvene maze. We are within our borders now and quite safe. I have lit the fire to dry and warm you. I have heard that’s a custom of your kind.’ ‘How is Jericho?’ asked Saniel. Taegan glanced at Red Whiskers and then turned his eyes back to Saniel. ‘He will survive; he just needed rest as you did. He suffered some bruised ribs from the witches’ wallop. You and the wolf were brought here by um…’ Taegan paused and then continued, ‘Your new friend there.’ Saniel followed Taegan’s finger as he pointed outside.

  A distant lightning flash and Saniel saw some movement in the rain; he had caught the impression of a vast green coloured bulk moving outside. Red Whiskers spoke to Saniel from the entrance of the cave. The fox would not come any closer to the fire. He had already singed a whisker or two and burnt one ear when Taegan lit the fire. ‘There is some rainwater gathered in a hole of rock here if you are thirsty mancub? Sorry, Saniel.’ Saniel replied ‘No, thank you.’ Taegan spoke again this time with a hint of curiosity in his voice. ‘That’s quite a powerful object you carry around your neck, where did you get it?’ Saniel sighed and said with a heavy voice ‘It was my father’s. It seemed to call for me after I.’ Saniel swallowed hard, then with considerable strain in his voice, ‘found my mother. '

  'I see.' Said Taegan. He continued ‘How did you know the enchantment to kill the goblins and the witch?’ ‘I dddddont.’ Stammered Saniel. ‘It just came to me naturally. I was upset and wanted them to stop hurting us.’ ‘Hmmm.’ Said Taegan softly and said nothing more but stared into the fire with a look of concentration. Red Whiskers spoke again. ‘Saniel when you lay next to Jericho, that Moonstone hummed loudly and an hour or two later the green giant with the single eye came and carried you and Jericho here.’ Taegan spoke softly as if speaking to himself. ‘The mancub’s thoughts appear to be intertwined with the inclination of the stone.’ A frown came upon Red Whisker’s face, ‘Huh?’ The elf raised his eyes and spoke loudly. ‘It is still a few hours until daylight, sleep a bit more, and we will resume our journey in the morning.’ Saniel patted Jericho’s sleeping frame again and lay down as he yawned. He suddenly looked at Taegan and said, ‘I am sorry that the witch killed your other friends.’ Saniel was soon asleep after a few moments. Taegan looked at the Talisman hanging out of the boy’s shirt. He thought to himself. If this mancub was taught the rules of the arcane, they might have a chance of standing against the witches’ and shutting off the doors to the Dread-Realm once and for all.

  Jericho now rested, but sore winced as he stood up. He stretched slowly testing out one leg at a time sensing whether he had any broken bones or not. All he recalled was lunging for the witch, and then blacking out. Red Whiskers with one eye cautiously on the dwindling fire stood next to him and relayed all of the recent events. ‘Where is the boy now?’ Said Jericho. Red Whiskers indicated with his nose, ‘Out in the rain talking to the creature that has saved us more than once and brought you here.’ Jericho tenderly stepped around the small fire while favouring his right back leg. He could feel an uncomfortable heat radiating off the glowing coals and looked at it with disdain, as fire had no place in the moors other than to destroy things. He saw Taegan standing at the entrance of the cave looking outside. ‘I’m sorry about the loss of your fighters.’ Said Jericho quietly. Taegan seemed to ignore Jericho’s remark and said ‘The Talisman’s power that the mancub carries is incredible. My father spoke of Druids from mankind that could wield such power, but that was in another time.’ Jericho replied with a sigh, ‘That is the reason why we are still alive, I think. It has saved our hides several times. '

  Taegan spoke again in wonderment. ‘The boy, it or them together whichever, somehow defeated the witch with magic more powerful than hers.’ They both stared at Saniel, who ignored the rain and sat on a low tree stump next to the Green Giant. Taegan continued, ‘I now know why my Princess Eylon and the Shah Bragus want us to get him to the safety to Aledran. We can rest and collect some rangers in the Elvene as an escort.’ Jericho answered, ‘yet I am now of the belief that we need the mancub and his trinket to get us safely to Aledran. We can bypass the Elvene and head straight for Silent Ridge, which is more or less on the way and tell my father all that had happened.’

  Saniel stood up and wiped the water from his eyes as he walked through the rain back to the cave where Jericho stood. To everyone’s surprise, Saniel fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around Jericho’s thick hairy neck. Jericho somewhat embarrassed and unused to such attention politely untangled himself from the mancub’s grasp. The others looked on bemused, thinking this must be some strange mankind custom. Saniel stood up and spoke to Taegan. ‘He said to bypass the Elvene and the wolf provinces to head straight for Aledran.’ Taegan was taken back. ‘What? Does it talk? Why not the Elvene or Silent Ridge? The Elvene is a sanctuary, we can rest...’ Saniel interrupted, ‘He told me that the wolves are in danger, and we cannot go that way.’ Jericho’s ears pricked up at that and spoke desperately. ‘That is my home, what danger? How does it know this?’ Saniel shrugged his shoulders. ‘That’s all I know, but he said he would accompany us most of the way.’ Red Whiskers spoke for the first time in a while. ‘Just who is he, and why is he even helping us?’

  They all looked at the Green Giant who was sitting on the ground leaning against a large boulder. He had his one great eye closed and appeared to be sleeping. Beneath the layers of wet mud and filth, the outline of bulging muscles of his upper torso was visible. Saniel continued ‘I don’t know much about these things, but he said he was sent here to help me.’ The others all fired questions at Saniel. But it was no good; he couldn’t tell them anything else. Taegan looked at Jericho and said, ‘well in a few hours we’ll have passed the Elvene and then it’s a good seven or eight-day walk to the edge of Aledran. Jericho, are you rested enough to travel again?’

  Jericho nodded, and they went outside. Everything was wet, but the rain had eased to a drizzle and visibility was good. The cave was nestled in a rocky outcrop. It had been a haven in the past for patrolling elf rangers when caught out in storms. To the far east, an outline of tall mountains could just be seen through a haze of unknown origin. Between the mountains and the group were the rolling green hills and marshes of the moors. Their course went to the northeast. Taegan knew these lands well, and with much trepidation, he led the group past the Elvene maze, towards the eastern boundaries with the Silent Ridge lands. The Green Giant had lumbered behind them, keeping well back for some reason. Often when they passed a small marsh or quagmire, he stopped to roll about in the mud and water, at one point scaring some ducks out of hiding from long reeds. He promptly jumped into the air and grabbed tw
o of the frightened ducks in midflight. Then popped them both into his mouth and swallowed. Red Whiskers shivered and reminded himself not to go anywhere near the Green Giant. He figured that he wasn’t much bigger than two ducks put together.

  It was late afternoon that they met a string of ponies that Taegan knew, but they did not have any news. Save to say that they had noticed earlier a lot of marsh birds were flying north away from the direction of the Great Southern Marsh. Red Whiskers let out a whistle, and the party stopped. They had been walking along a narrow gully between some low wooded hills when he first saw it. A black shape high in the sky was moving fast towards them. The party stayed concealed in the line of stunted trees and watched overhead. Taegan was the first to let out a sigh of relief as they saw Scoo, the Falcon dive down towards them. Scoo hovered above them for a few moments then landed on the ground between Taegan and Jericho. His feathers looked ruffled, and he spoke in his whispery voice with somewhat of an urgent tone. Saniel caught a few words here and there; he was becoming accustomed to hearing animal speech. Scoo told Taegan that he had delivered the news to Aledran of the slaying of the witch Salum. Furthermore, the same report would have reached the witches’ and goblins by now, and they would undoubtedly put a concerted effort into capturing or killing the mancub and his company now.

  On his way back to the Elvene he had seen a vast army of Wildpack and goblins in the south marching towards the foothills in the direction of Silent Ridge. Skyriders flew with them and they marched with purpose and determination. He had thought about diverting back to Silent Ridge to warn them, but the sky was black with patrolling Ravens, and he never would have been able to evade them. The Ravens ruled the sky’s in this area of the moors. Any other creatures in flight are being cut down and fed to the hounds. However, Scoo could see from his great height that a large number of animals were fleeing miles in front of the wake of this army, evading the outriders of the vanguard. A number of those would undoubtedly warn the Silent Ridge scouts of the advancing chaos. ‘It is of no use.’ Jericho said in dismay. ‘My father was ever the strong-headed. He will stay and defend the heart of our home.’ Scoo looked up at Jericho in sadness, ‘Then I fear they will die young wolf, the witch army numbers over 1,000 and grows stronger every day as more degenerates join their ranks. They are killing everything in their path that does not fall in league with them. Lady Strala and the great white raptor Skraww lead this army personally.’ Taegan spoke, ‘I must go back then and enlist a detachment of rangers from the Elvene to help.’

  Scoo shook his feathery head and answered in his whispery voice, ‘Three days ago the Princess Eylon gave orders for your rangers and clerics to march immediately for Aledran, and leaving only a sufficient number for the Elvene’s defence should it be discovered. They are a long way ahead now. You are on your own elf.’ Jericho spoke in earnest, ‘I must return home to do my part in defending my father’s kingdom.’ Taegan sighed and looked at Jericho. ‘Just how are we even going to get there? The handful of us would never get through or past the Wildpack’s flanks even if we managed to hide from the Ravens. Then what do we do? Our task is to get the mancub safely to Aledran. We have half a chance at doing that at least now the bulk of the filth has accumulated to the south of us.’

  After a further brief conversation, Scoo agreed to scout for them for a while, and he remarked at the strange Green Giant that hung back. ‘His origin is unknown, but he seems to intend us no harm.’ Jericho commented hopefully. The Golem enjoyed his present liberty through the moors. He had been asleep for many years deep below the cursed marsh in the south. He had little memory of events before his slumber, other than he was once in the form of a dog and companion to a mankind animal. The recollection of his memories mattered little as his purpose was to do the bidding of the Druids, and in this case, the Talisman. It was a sombre group that headed on a more northerly trek now to ensure they didn’t run the risk of meeting any of the Wildpack’s outriders.

  52.

  THE BLOODWOOD ARMY

  Lady Strala, having recently recovered from her altercation with the NaZuth, sat atop her sweep joined by several minor witches’. She had not long received the news that her favourite skyrider Salum had been killed and she was in a frightful temper. None of her spies could actually tell her who or what killed Salum, but she intended to find out and make those responsible suffer a most terrible fate. She alone knew that this mancub held the key to either winning or losing the war with Aledran. However, the combined covens had given a clear direction that must be followed for a coordinated invasion of their enemy’s strongholds. Beginning with the wolves and elves and finishing with Aledran. For Strala to ignore the orders of the combined and undertake her own exploits in pursuit of the mancub, would seal her fate. Since her near-death experience with the NaZuth over a week ago she had healed reasonably quickly with the help of some minor enchantments.

  Her army had begun the advance east and travelled a reasonable distance in her absence. She wore new robes after her old cloak with its defence charms was utterly destroyed. It had borne the brunt of the power of the enchantment dagger. The Druid weapon of light cannot be handled by one from the witch caste; however, it was necessary to risk her life to destroy the NaZuth. She had suffered one permanent scar though from the ordeal, and that was of a large burn that covered the left side of her face and neck. She was curious how the scar remained on every one of her facades as she went through the changeling enchantment.

  The previous day Strala had ordered her sister witches’ from the Mirror Lake and Wyrm Wood Covens to return home as they needed to make their own preparations for the future assault on Aledran. They were not pleased that they had lost some of their skyriders against the NaZuth; however, they agreed it needed to be taken care of, should it have come for them next. Strala swore that Grell had been responsible for summoning this Daemon to kill her; however, Boorag had, in turn, executed Grell on her orders. So that was the end of that matter. A mighty army spread before her under the dense dark clouds giving Strala and the other skyriders shelter from the sun.

  They marched directly towards the steppes at the foothills of Scarbia and onto the Silent Ridge kingdom of wolves. The barks and howls of several lieutenants giving orders could be heard coming from below as the companies of Wildpack brawlers trotted forward. Several hundred goblin reavers followed behind and bore upon their cloaks and shields, insignias of the Slugheart Swamp, Slimestep and Badwind hides. The voices of the goblin reavers drifted up as they seemed to chant some sort of song that inspired them and occasionally beat their clubs against their shields in unison.

  Ravens flew with the army, a thick black mass of flapping wings in the sky as they came and went to scout and report. A loud flutter of wings and the large white raptor Skraww landed on the front of Strala’s sweep, holding himself well balanced on his one leg. He ran his long sharp beak through one wing, pruning it before facing Strala. His yellow eyes with black rings looked at Strala with sympathy. ‘I have news from the prowlers, my Lady.’ The Raven hissed quietly. Strala smiled, ‘Good’ she replied. ‘Tell me all.’ Skraww reached down and rubbed his beak on the scaly skin of his leg as if satisfying an itch.

  'My northern spies sighted a Falcon heading towards the west and in the direction where the mancub and his company were last sighted. I did not allow my prowlers to kill the Falcon vermin as you commanded.’ Strala thought for a moment. ‘I know the young tan wolf with a black head is the son of the wolf king. When the Falcon gives them news of our intentions, they will want to head for Silent Ridge, his father’s kingdom.’ Skraww tilted his head onto one side and listened intently. Strala continued with a smile. ‘Then as well as wiping the wolves out, I will have that mancub in my grasp.’ Several hunters came back to the front line from the south. Strala heard them telling a lieutenant that they had secured a string of ponies and swine fleeing to the south. Skraww decided to have a look for himself, he bid Strala farewell and left her company to fly south with some of his
prowlers. Well, it appears she may run into the mancub yet soon enough and the news that Lady Ravyne was directing Shum and his Wildpack against Duskfall, improved Strala’s mood. It was still a two-day march to the edge of the wolf kingdom, which led directly to the foothills of the Silent Ridge stronghold.

  53.

  THE LAST SONG OF DUSKFALL

  The Warlord shook in anger as he stood over the torn body of his friend Jurgess. A thousand brawlers and several hundred goblin reavers packed behind him through the woods. He looked with Brod into the forward distance at the black cave entrances set within the foothills that marked the Duskfall stronghold. The Ravens had not come back from this direction either to report. They were such fickle bloody things; maybe they got upset when he ate one as punishment? The path to the hill looked clear; however, he suspected a deception as he knew the wolves were cunning enough to lay a trap and would surely be aware of the advancing army. He believed he had the brute force to smash his way through any sort of ambush that maybe there waiting. Lilura and her skyriders had landed several miles back and given him orders to attack with a vanguard of 1000 brawlers only and all of King Brod’s reavers. He had kept two-thirds of his Wildpack army in reserve to track around in the woods to the north with the goblin mages Slix and Lakzit. Lilura had said she would deal with any magic defence, to begin with. Brod and Shum looked at each other, and then gave the order for the first wave to advance.