Terry W. Ervin

by Flank Hawk

  His soldiers saluted and hustled to follow their orders.

  “I apologize,” said the Colonel, signaling the gargoyle over. “It is an age-long struggle for Dr. Mindebee, constantly suppressing the evil disposition of the beast his mind and soul inhabits. While rare, there are times the beast emerges.” As he spoke his gaze fell upon Lilly. “It is a constant battle for dominance. Still, that is no excuse.”

  The gargoyle stood at the Colonel’s side. “I apologize,” it said, looking at the ground. Its gritty voice even sounded remorseful.

  “I am equally at fault,” I said, realizing blaming anyone wouldn’t help anything. “No apology is needed.”

  The gargoyle folded its wings tight. “Nevertheless, Mercenary, it is there.”

  “Dr. Mindebee,” said the Colonel, “please see to it that the fuel bladders are secure and properly connected. Then double check the navigational instruments. I’ll remind the mercenary and his team what they need to know.”

  “I will see to it,” said the gargoyle before loping away on all fours.

  “Okay, lady and gentlemen. What you need to know.” Colonel Ibrahim lifted the leather backpack. It was a little over two feet tall, one and a half feet wide and nearly a foot thick. “This contains the nuclear device. The device weighs a little over seventy pounds and, under optimum conditions, emits a blast radius that will destroy all buildings within 350 yards. The radiation won’t be a problem for the zombies, but you’ll want to be at least a half mile away. The further the better.”

  He’d held the backpack containing the bomb at arm’s length with apparent ease while describing it. “Unfortunately, the fireball radius that will guarantee vaporizing any Nazi zombie scientists is only fifty yards. The resulting fires ignited by the intense heat blast may destroy them, but that isn’t certain.”

  “And,” said Roos, “ye will detonate the bomb.”

  “Correct.” He lowered it back onto the litter. “Every day at two o’clock in the afternoon and the same hour in the morning a satellite, an eye in the sky, will fly overhead. If the nuclear bomb is within 1000 yards of the stronghold’s center it will arm and begin a fifteen minute countdown to detonation.”

  He handed me a large silver locket connected to a thin chain. Etched upon the cover were ducks taking wing above a reed-filled marsh. “Press there with your thumb.”

  I did and the cover flipped open, revealing glass over numbers and different sized sticks pointing at them.

  “It is a pocket watch,” said Roos. “It shows the time of day or night.”

  “What time does it show?”

  Roos examined the pocket watch. “It says six forty.”

  “It’s not magic, right?” When Roos and the Colonel nodded, I handed it to the Crusader. “You can show me on the Hercules, but you should carry it.”

  “Remember,” said the Colonel, “once you have parachuted into the mountains near the stronghold, the bomb will self-destruct without detonating if it is carried more than twenty-five miles from the stronghold, or three weeks have passed. It will also automatically self-destruct if the case is opened and tampered with.”

  We all nodded and I said, “That gives us both time and area to maneuver within the enemy’s territory.”

  “Are you satisfied with the agreed upon arrangements?”

  I nodded, unstrapped the sheathed Blood-Sword, and handed it to the Colonel. “In the name of Prince Reveron, I accept the trade as discussed, agreed to, and arranged.”

  The Colonel of the West took the sheathed sword and appraised its weight in his hand. “Mercenary Flank Hawk, you may have guessed Dr. Mindebee objects to my decision to deliver into your hands a nuclear device for the sword. The ramifications whether you fail or succeed may be great. Nevertheless, I will retain this sword for you and your king. If you succeed in your mission and General Mzali’s conquest is thwarted, the day may come when you will have need of it once again.” He strapped the sword to his side. “I will be willing to lend it if retrieved by you, your prince, or anyone bearing my pocket watch.”

  I tried to conceal my look of surprise. “I don’t know what you foresee, but it is a powerful weapon. If I succeed and survive, I will deliver your offer to my prince and his father, King Tobias of Keesee.”

  Ten minutes after the Colonel’s men loaded our gear, including our parachutes and the bomb, the Hercules’ four engines spat smoke and roared to life. Walking into the wind created by the blur of spinning blades, Roos, Lilly and I climbed up the ramp and into the belly of the Hercules. Once seated on a canvas bench and buckled in, we were again blindfolded. I held my breath as the aircraft rolled down the airstrip, picking up speed before angling into the sky.

  The first leg of our trip was a boring nine hours. Even so, it was hard to believe how far we’d traveled in that time. When we weren’t sleeping we were able to look out of several small windows just like on the Osprey. By midafternoon we were flying over water.

  “Unspiced beans again,” grumbled Roos over the constant growl of the Hercules’ engines. “And cold. I understand ye reasoning, Friend Hawk, but three days of the plain fare.” He shook his head and took in another spoonful.

  “It is no worse than that hardtack you had,” I teased.

  After a few minutes of silence, Lilly offered, “If necessary, I can change and musk, to cover our scent.”

  “It may come to that,” I said, recalling Shaws’ use of skunk odor. “We don’t have the Blood-Sword to bring down another giant.”

  Looking nervous, Lilly reminded me yet again, “I’m not looking forward to parachuting.”

  I glanced beyond one of the collapsing fuel bladders at the white-haired soldier. “The air wizard will summon elemental spirits to guide us down. The toughest part will be falling in the dark for forty seconds before opening the chutes.” Listening to the roar of the Hercules’ engines, I understood the need for altitude.

  I knew relying on a magically summoned creature to control his descent bothered Roos, but he never protested. Parachuting untrained into mountainous, tree-filled terrain at night would be suicide for him otherwise. I think he complained about the food to cover concern over parachuting with indirect magical assistance. He’d earlier explained that both friendship and faith are best witnessed through example and sacrifice. He was attempting to balance both his friendship and his faith without sacrificing either.

  I decided to shift the subject beyond the drop. “We’ll hit the ground shortly after midnight. Once we land we get off the road and hide our chutes. We’ll advance on the stronghold and get close as we can. Hide and wait during daylight. Play it by ear, working around the two o’clock triggering until we’ve scouted and identified the place for the bomb.”

  “We may have to split up,” reminded Lilly. “One scouts while the others stay with the bomb.”

  “Or stash it if necessary,” I said, knowing Lilly believed she was the one best suited to scout. Maybe she was right. We’d see.

  It was the same rough plan we’d worked out since agreeing to trade the sword, but repeating it bolstered our confidence. It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was better than nothing.

  We were blindfolded before approaching what I guessed to be an island. After a bumpy landing we were allowed to exit the aircraft and walk around and observe the flat, windy landscape. Sunset wasn’t far away. For lack of other things to do we helped the aircrew pump fuel through hoses from hidden underground tanks. Our assistance allowed the Colonel’s men more time to check over the aircraft. Busy as they were, two soldiers with rifles stood guard at each end of the Hercules, scanning across the flowering tundra.

  I gathered Lilly and Roos to me a little ways off while the others were busy prepping for takeoff. I pulled out my map and pointed. “I think we’re here.”

  “I believe ye are correct, friend Hawk. Iceland. Great furry brutes are said to wander this land.”

  “I wondered about the guards,” said Lilly. “It’d be hard for anything to sneak up on us
out here.”

  “True, friend Lilly, but ’tis equally difficult to hide in such terrain.”

  It surprised both Roos and me when Lilly asked the Crusader, “Would your God really accept back that fallen angel?”

  “Yes, friend Lilly, He would if the plea for forgiveness was sincere.” Roos met her eyes then mine before staring off into the orange sun. “My God sent his only Son who suffered as no man, bearing our sins for all time.” He held out the crucifix on his beaded chain. “He did this for me, and for you, friends Lilly and Hawk.”

  “Even for the Necromancer King?” I asked.

  “I believe so,” said Roos with conviction.

  His answer stunned me, but not Lilly. “Even if the offer is there,” she said, crossing her arms, “he’ll never ask. Neither will that fallen angel.”

  “Pride,” said Roos. “Ye I believe, friend Lilly, are correct.”

  We watched the sun set in silence, then returned to the Hercules’ belly and checked our equipment. I wasn’t sure if Roos was correct in all he said, but he believed pride drove the Necromancer King to invasion. His evil deeds began almost 3000 years ago. If it wasn’t pride, it was some twisted form akin to it.

  Within sixty minutes we were back in the air, on the second and last leg of our trip.

  Once over the mainland the Hercules climbed, and as it did the temperature in its belly dropped. The line of dim globes provided shadowy light but not a hint of warmth. The soldiers donned thick down coats, leggings, wool hats and gloves. I slid on my leather gauntlets from Grand Wizard Seelain before putting on the wool mittens and hat provided to us by the solders. Lilly, Roos and I huddled together the final hour of flight under wool blankets watching our frosty breath rise and disappear.

  Finally the copilot sent word back to the drop master and the air wizard. The roar of the engines lessened while descending to the planned parachute altitude. We donned our equipment, moving and stomping to keep warm. Lilly took my satchel and spear so that I could bear the backpack carrying the bomb. The drop master checked our parachute packs and made sure our equipment was secure.

  “Thirty seconds!” shouted the navigator. “Lowering ramp.”

  We all held onto straps anchored to the floor. Buffeting winds whipped around the edge of the opening while sucking out any vestige of warmth from the Hercules’ belly. With the cacophony of sounds only shouting from mouth to ear could be heard.

  The drop master slapped me on the shoulder. “Fifteen seconds! Good luck!”

  I edged my way down the ramp holding onto my strap. Despite the winter garments, biting cold numbed my hands and face. Roos followed me with Lilly bringing up the rear. I looked back and waited for the drop master to flash the signal. Behind him I saw the air wizard with a white wand in hand, motioning a spell to summon elementals.

  When the drop master waved, I turned, ran down the ramp, and leapt into the wind-filled darkness. Instead of yelling I focused on counting slowly through chattering teeth. “One…two…three…”

  By the time I reached forty, I wasn’t sure if the air temperature had risen. I couldn’t stop shivering. Maybe I’d sped up my count, but it didn’t matter at the moment. I pulled the cord and the parachute opened, jolting me as it slowed my descent.

  Just like my first parachute drop, I saw the road running like a ribbon through the trees. The wind elemental directed my chute towards it. I looked up into the partly cloudy night, but my parachute blocked any sight of Lilly or Roos. I hoped they hadn’t pulled too early. Or too late.

  I bent my knees and relaxed just before reaching the ground. I hit, the additional weight of the bomb causing a hard impact. I rolled to my hands and knees, and stood. Above me two chutes neared the ground. I flexed my numb fingers, returning warmth to them before detaching my chute and gathering it. Just like last time. Except this drop I was the veteran. I knew the countryside and the dangers. Independent and brave as they were, Lilly and Roos would be looking for me to lead.

  Chapter 30

  We moved north, skirting along the gravel road packed hard from travel. The terrain was just like I remembered it; the road wound along a valley pass between steep hills and low mountains. The valley floor was lined with scrub brush and littered with occasional thickets and pines. Stunted trees and scrub pines clung to the rocky hillsides.

  We spotted the first goblin patrol fifteen minutes after landing, fortunately before they spotted us. Two dogs trotted alongside the twelve goblins. Furry, with compact noses and pricked ears, I guessed they were more alert to sound than scent. While a complicating factor, at least they weren’t mudhounds.

  As another anti-infiltration measure, the enemy had erected wooden platforms where the narrowing press of steep hillsides with the trees and undergrowth cut away provided unhindered view of the road. They were tripod affairs with a small flat surface above where the logs crossed. One goblin sentry sat there, forty feet up, while three others sheltered inside patched tarps strung around the base. The combination of patrols and watch platforms greatly slowed our progress, forcing us to backtrack and scale less steep hillsides to work our way around while increasing our chance of being spotted.

  As sunrise approached we took shelter fifty feet from the road in a tight stand of evergreens surrounded by ground pines. Several white pines, toppled either by storm winds or brute giant strength, lay between us and the road.

  Roos took a sip from his canteen. “Friend Hawk,” he whispered, “the towers will complicate our retreat after laying the bomb.”

  “We could move off the road,” suggested Lilly.

  “We have time,” I said. “And there’s no reason to believe that the enemy doesn’t patrol the countryside.”

  “Friend Hawk, ye should allow us to bear the bomb.”

  “He’s right,” nodded Lilly. “It’s heavy. It’ll wear you out.”

  “We already discussed it. When I get tired, I’ll let you know.”

  “No you won’t,” said Lilly, barely whispering. “So you sleep first. You too, Crusader.”

  “Friend Lilly, ye have led the way, scouting ahead and back. Ye should sleep first.”

  Looking up and sniffing, she said. “It’s going to rain.”

  “No tent for shelter,” I lamented.

  Lilly shrugged. “Only place we passed that offered concealment and better cover was near one of those zombie caves.”

  Roos offered Lilly a drink from his canteen. “Thanks,” she said, lifting it from his hands. “I promise I won’t kick you too hard if you start snoring.”

  The thunderstorm arrived three hours later, drenching the countryside, and us, before passing southeast.

  We shared dried apple and pear slices, and a raw potato while waiting for nightfall. Each of us lost in our own thoughts. Hard as I tried, I couldn’t come up with a detailed plan to escape. I hoped that the devastation of the bomb and the chaos that followed would provide ample opportunities.

  When the sun fell low enough, causing the western mountains to cast shadows across the road, we began to move. By then our clothes were merely damp and uncomfortable. Neither Roos nor Lilly grumbled, but I suspected they too missed the comfort of a warm fire.

  Advancing along the road from ditch to thicket, we made slow but steady progress. About an hour into our travel we abandoned the road and watched from concealment behind a rock outcropping while a company of raucous goblins passed southbound and out of earshot.

  Thinking about the few intense moments earlier in the day I whispered, “Good thing those couple of giants hauling empty wagons went by during the storm. If we were caught out here by them.” I didn’t have to finish.

  “True, friend Hawk, but that also means tomorrow the goliathans may return hauling panzers.”

  “You’re always full of good news,” whispered Lilly. “Stay here. I think I hear something.”

  Ten minutes later she returned. “Good news, and bad news.”

  “Okay,” I said quietly, “let’s hear it.”

>   “Around the bend I spotted light a ways off. Glowing, like a village lit up by torches during a celebration, only whiter. It’s gotta be the stronghold. It’s big.”

  “Is that the good or bad news?” I asked.

  “Good news. Bad news is there’s another watch platform a quarter mile away. Four ogres are busy bullying a bunch of goblins.”

  “How distant are the lights?” asked Roos.

  She thought a second. “A mile, maybe a little more. It’s almost a straight shot north east.”

  “I didn’t think we were that close. What time is it?”

  Roos pulled out the pocket watch and held it to catch moonlight. “Ten thirty.” Slipping it back into his pocket, he added, “Full moon two nights from now.”

  “I know, Crusader,” Lilly said flatly. “What’s the plan, Flank Hawk?”

  I thought a moment, weighing options. “I’d like to get past this watch platform. But we can’t get too close to the stronghold. There was a place a few hundred yards back that might be suitable to hole up. That thicket near the spring that runs down the hill. It’s off the road, on the east side, downwind if the giants should come by.”

  “Friend Hawk, fresh water draws many things, including thirsting lesser imps and heathen brutes.”

  “I know. It’s not a good choice, but tomorrow might be a good night to infiltrate the stronghold and get a look around. The further away our base camp is, the less time we’ll have to scout.” I looked from Lilly to Roos. “We’ve been lucky. The closer we get, the larger and more frequent the patrols.”

  “Oh,” said Lilly, “I almost forgot. I saw one patrol of four goblins go up the western hill, opposite the tower.”

  Trying not to sound critical, I said, “That’s kind of important, Lilly.”

  “I know. I got distracted by the question about lights. What do you want me to say?”