by Shawn Muller
“Yes. I see. Once we reach the plains, we will be at an advantage. Our size and speed will make us more mobile and better equipped to fight on the open terrain,” Emperor Standlerd-Sinb III agreed after seeing his general’s plan unfold before his eyes.
“We will need all the dragons as well, to keep our plans from being discovered by the enemy spies,” General Etawar added.
“Excellent idea. Send out the orders immediately. Before summer, I want us to be through that mountain and raiding deep into the exposed belly of that cursed prince!”
***
“They are pulling completely out of the forest. I do not understand it,” Prince Marcus stated.
“I do. They fear us,” General Jeroch said, defiance gleaming in his eyes as he looked around the planning room.
We were in Pilgrims’ Rest, the same inn we stayed in when Max and I first met the prince. It felt like a lifetime ago, but it was barely a year ago in fact. Meinjies had surrendered the main dining hall to the prince to use as his planning rooms. It was where I found myself now, together with Max and Fremod who led his half of the Ghosts back to join us, and the various other leaders and commanders of the defenders.
“I do not think it is so easy general,” Panyk, the elven leader spoke up. “Our scouts have indicated that they are reinforcing the fort outside of the forest, and troops can be seen moving towards Tak.”
“More worryingly, Queen Canderson has sent a report stating that the cyclops have pulled back out of the jungles. It seems that they are consolidating the areas already captured and that any additional troops have been seen marching toward Tak as well,” King Marcus stated.
“Ai, my griffin scouts have picked up an increase in enemy activity within the mountains, particularly the highway running through it. I cannot get anybody near as dragons have been spotted flying patrols and attack anything which gets too near.”
“Seems that the cyclops’ are planning to march through the mountains,” I piped up.
All eyes shifted to me as I shrugged.
“Stands to reason. All attacks have stopped against us and the orcs, probably the centaurs as well. If troops are moving toward Tak, then there is no reason why they are not moving past the city toward Kazcad where ships can transport them down to Fearit,” I continued.
“We need confirmation as to this, though. I am reluctant to leave this area undefended, yet, if the cyclops’ are marching to the mountains, we need to react to that and swiftly.”
“Perhaps I may be of assistance,” a quiet voice spoke from the doorway.
We all turned to look who had spoken, only to see shadows dancing in the sunlight that streamed through the windows. These shadows began to blur, coagulating into more solid shapes, shapes of small children. Gasps of shock from the assembled leaders as these children materialised in front of them.
A group of five children suddenly appeared, each with an oversized head, naked except for a small loincloth. Long, blond almost white hair covered their heads hanging over their shoulders down to their waists.
The skin of the children was a pale white, almost translucent with the most prominent veins clearly showing blue through the skin. Once again, the children began to shimmer and pulsate as they seemed to pulse into bigger shapes. Before us stood five adults now dressed in Ghost armour, yet unarmed.
The white hair was neatly tied to hang between the shoulders and the pale, translucent skin was now an albino white colour. Veggie stepped forward before bowing low to King Marcus.
“Prince Marcus or as I have heard murmuring on the winds travelling here King Marcus, may I introduce to you, the Council Rulers of Klamzaqn, Supreme rulers of the ogre nation.”
“I still cannot stand seeing the ogre shape shift like that,” Fremod whispered to Max and me.
“Welcome, esteemed colleagues. It is truly an honour to finally meet with you. I have heard so much from Commander Bob as to you and your kind. Please join us and feel at ease amongst us. We wish to call you, the ogre nation friends,” King Marcus spoke on behalf of the assembled leaders in welcoming the ogres while each leader bowed their heads at the newcomers in a friendly, welcoming greeting.
An ogre, slightly paler than the rest, stepped forward and spoke with a series of gestures, clicks, and hisses, looking each person in the eye with confidence.
“Greetings to all gathered here. I am Jiwltmos, spokesperson for the ogre nation,” Veggie began to translate the speech, “it has been a long time coming, for us to reveal ourselves to the other races. We have not had the most auspicious start, as can be attested by Fremod the troll. It is true that we did hunt and eat the flesh of the elder races.” Veggie spoke on with a sad shake of his head. “Yet, we have endeavoured over the ages to make amends for that grievous error. We had therefore decided, as a nation, to isolate ourselves should we continue to devour all before us. In time, we learnt to eat no meat or at least harvest meat from domestic sources, similar to your cattle and sheep farms.” Taking a breath, the spokesperson looked around him before bowing low to us all.
“It will be a great honour for the ogre nation to join the treaty between the Races of Curixeus, to once again show ourselves and to participate in normal relations with one and all. It will take time for all to be accepted, as we have become a shy and reclusive race due to our self-imposed exile. As I stand here, I will lead a small group of ten ogres against the cyclops,” King Marcus smiled at the news as any and all help would be most welcome.
“Ten ogres? What difference will that make?” A sceptical question from Commander Reint of Bereken.
“If I may,” I interjected. “I have personal experience, as to the capabilities of the ogres. I thoroughly believe that they will be an immense asset, if not to your forces Marcus, then for the Ghosts.”
“I trust your judgement, Bob. Spokesman Jiwltmos,” King Marcus began, stumbling over the name.
“Please your majesty, you may call me just Jiw,” Veggie translated yet again.
“Ah excellent then, Jiw, on behalf of us all, we welcome your assistance, and if it pleases you, I would ask that you join Commander Bob and his Ghost Company. I do believe that his talents, and indeed his company’s talents should better suit your own.”
“The honour would be ours. I shall leave you now, and convey the arrangements to the rest of the gathered ogres. Good day to all,” Jiw and the ogres all bowed low before simply dissolving once again into insubstantial shadows and merely vanishing.
“A most fell gathering, seeing so many ogres together,” Fremod rumbled behind me.
“Nevertheless Fremod, any help will be most appreciated. Back to the task at hand,” King Marcus said, dismissing the troll’s warning. “If the cyclops are indeed moving east of Tak, then I shall send for assistance from the orcs.”
“Will the centaur be willing to lend assistance?” Panyk asked.
“We can but ask my friend. In the meantime, Bob, please gather as much information as to the movement of the cyclops forces, the rest of us shall prepare our men for a possible quick march to the mountains.”
With that dismissal, we left the inn and headed for our small camp which was east of it.
“Fremod, will we have any problems with you and the trolls?” I asked the massive troll at my side as we walked towards the camp.
“I have my reservations as to the ogres, yet I shall obey your command as will all the trolls under your command.”
“Good, but before any issues arrive, speak to me.”
Fremod nodded in appreciation at this as we entered the camp. The camp was in an uproar. Trolls and orcs, weapons were drawn, stood around a group of humans, who had their weapons drawn and faced the hulking menaces. In the middle of the humans, stood the ten ogres, seemingly unfazed by the violence which was about to erupt around them. Shouting and arguing between the two groups reached us as we drew nearer, the humans yelling for the trolls to back off while the trolls demanded the heads of the ogres.
I stood back, hands on
my hips as I watched this play out. Fremod strode forward, a determined look on his face, as he reached out for the nearest trolls. Grabbing two trolls who stood next to each other, he effortlessly smashed their heads together with a sickening thud. The two unconscious trolls slid to the ground while those around them turned to see what had happened. Seeing Fremod, who was now the largest troll ever, even bigger than his father King Rodic, they quickly backed away and faced him.
“You sicken me,” was all he said as he looked at the trolls before him.
“We are supposed to be blood brothers, yet you are willing to spill the blood of your brothers before you.”
“They are harbouring our enemy!” A troll shouted from the back.
“The only enemy out there is the cyclops. The ogres have left us for generations, and are prepared to fight by our side.”
“What’s to stop them from feasting on our blood while we sleep?” Another asked.
“Their oath to us! The same oath of brotherhood we took when we joined the Ghost Company.”
A disgruntled rumble resumed from the trolls and orcs while the two trolls lying prone on the floor groaned quietly.
“We will never call them brothers!”
“Then you refuse to call me brother, and Bob a brother, and all of those humans who stand between you and the ogres brothers. Therefore, you will be banished from the Company, your branding cut from your arm and your name scoured from the records. You will be sent home in shame. Your name sent before you for all to see that you turn your back on your brothers, willingly!” Fremod declared loud enough for all to hear, even those who surrounded our camp.
The trolls hesitated at that, looking at one another. At last, the supposed spokesman replied.
“Perhaps we acted in haste. Old legends and traditions die hard sometimes,” he said sheepishly.
“As do old habits Motto, but times always change like sands blown by the wind, the winds of change. Either we embrace it, or the Race of Trolls ceases to exist.”
“Wise words spoke Fremod,” I spoke up for the first time. “It will take some getting used to, fighting for somebody, rather than against somebody. But that is why the Ghosts are the best of the best. We embrace those who were once enemies and call them brothers. Veggie saved our lives countless times down in the dark depths of the Great Divide Mountains. He was the first one to swear his brotherhood, his blood bond to us. I call them brothers from here on. Once they accept the oath and the marking, they are my brothers. Anybody opposed to that can kiss my ass and taste my blade.”
“And mine.” “And mine.” ”Mine too!” “Me as well!” “Us too.” The choruses of those who stood with the ogres.
“Very well. We concede that perhaps all was in too much haste. We will stand with our brothers and welcome the new brothers,” Motto said, turning to look at the trolls who stood by his side.
They all looked at one another and back at the ogres, before agreeing with Motto.
“Welcome back Veggie, it’s good to see you again,” I said aloud as I pushed through the soldiers to get to the ogres.
“It is truly an honour Sir Bob. Please, may I personally introduce to you my father, Jiw as he is now called,” Veggie introduced the ogre to me, with whom I shook hands.
“Come, let’s move to my tent before anything else happens,” I quickly said as the Ghosts began to drift away slowly.
I led the ogres to my command tent where we made ourselves a bit more comfortable. Mia offered a jug of fresh fruit juice around, which was welcomed by the ogres while I found a small keg of ale that I tapped off before passing it to Max and Fremod. After a few sips to slake the thirst, I began talking to the ogres.
Veggie was indeed the son of Jiw, and the other ogres who accompanied them were all Veggie’s brothers from his father’s side, seems that the ogres had multiple wives or mistresses.
“We shall assist you in scouting the cyclops as they march towards Fearit,” Jiw said through Veggie. “We have noticed an increase in patrols around the Death Bogs shores, but beyond that, the cyclopses are keeping all their human allies away from the Great Divide Mountains.”
“Your help will be appreciated. But do not take any risks. We will need you if there is to be a battle.”
“We will be ready. A full unveiling of our power shall be made if such a battle is to be fought.”
“Is that wise?” Veggie asked his father in English for us to understand.
“It will be,” was the translated reply.
I took all this in quietly, knowing that such a show of power will be the most terrifying experience I would have experienced, next to having a nuclear bomb going off next to me.
“Right. Veggie, if I may, I want you to lead the ogre scouts then. Divide them up and scout from Tak right to the east coast and back down the highway through the mountains. I have a bad feeling that the cyclops will attack through the mountains come summer time. In the meantime, I will convince the king to start moving his forces there. But stay in touch, I want updates all the time. The more we know what to expect, the better.”
“Your commands shall be carried out. We will leave immediately and carry out your wishes. We will see you shortly,” Veggie rose, gave me a crisp salute which was followed by salutes from his father and the other ogres before they left the tent.
Outside, curses could be heard as the ogres changed shape into dragons before flying off north to spy on the cyclops. Five more dragons rose from the outskirts of the camp and joined them in the air as the enigmatic ogres flew off.
“Well, that was interesting.” Max understated.
“Tis still scary to be around one ogre, never mind ten. Not knowing where they are, are they actually changed? Makes my skin crawl,” Fremod shivered.
“It’s easy to spot them. They are all albino looking, really white and pale, unless they are like the shadow wraiths or in their natural form,” I quietly said.
“Even scarier to think of, their natural form, something to tell the troll cubs when it is time for bed, scare them into sleeping. Beware the ogre hiding under the sleeping cots. They will eat your toes off if you do not sleep,” Fremod wailed.
“That’s enough to scare anybody,” Mia agreed.
Max and I laughed at that before we said good night. Tomorrow would be a long day of boring meetings, a day where I would have to convince the king where the risks lay.
***
Endless, tedious bickering back and forth, that was all I heard for a week solid. Nobody could make up their minds as what to do next. Stay in the forests, push north towards Tak, and rush to the mountains. Help the orcs, ask the orcs for help, stay where we were now and wait.
Through this all, I kept quiet and stayed in the shadows, watching and waiting. King Marcus, to his credit, maintained his temper, listening to every argument and counter-argument. Eventually, I had had enough. I excused myself and wandered off back to my men.
The Ghosts were busy with daily drills, those who were not patrolling the skies or forests around us. I made for the training area and began to spar with Li, mixing unarmed combat styles to relieve the boredom and frustration.
The warm spring day soon had us sweating and in no time, we were both puffing hard. Of course, our changes made us quicker than the eye could follow and the sparing ended in a stalemate. But I felt refreshed and headed for my tent where I splashed water over myself to cool down.
A distant call from a sentry as a griffin was spotted winging its way from the northeast. Clasped in its front paws was a body, lying limp as the riderless griffin made its way straight towards our camp. At first, I thought it carried its rider, but as it flew closer, I saw that the body was far bigger than a human.
The griffin flew low over the array of tents which made up King Marcus army as it approached me. Hovering just above me, I saw the griffin carried the still form of a cyclops, which it dropped at my feet. Shimmering as it landed, Veggie saluted me as he drew his sword and held it over the cyclops.
Soft groans from the still figure confirmed that the cyclops was still alive. I shouted for a healer before kneeling down at the cyclops side. He had a nasty gash on his right temple, ending in a big lump behind his ear. He began to surface, head moving groggily.
Ropes were quickly tied around the cyclops legs and hands as Thackeray placed his hands over the head wounds of the cyclops. Closing his eyes, Thackeray gently released his healing power which flowed from his hands and infused the wounds of the cyclops, healing him before our eyes.
“Well done Veggie. Where did you find him?” I congratulated the ogre.
“Thank you kindly, Sir Bob. He was part of a patrol which was heading down the highway. Jiw decided we needed a prisoner who may help the king make his decision.”
“Good thinking. Let’s get him into my tent before he wakes fully. Max, send word the king, ask him for an urgent meeting in my tent.”