by Adams, David
Darius had taken a bite on the hand from the wolf that had sprung between him and his brother, and while the wound wasn’t serious the blood made his grip on his sword tenuous. He found himself fending off two wolves, using kicks to beat them back almost as much as the sword. They circled him warily, looking for an opening, blood flowing from the wounds he had inflicted upon them. Darius kept his feet moving, not wanting to let one get behind him and looking for a chance to put one out of the fight permanently to even the odds.
As soon as Adrianna was clear of the melee she turned and collected herself. Surveying the battle, she felt Barlow was under the most duress, and as she spoke ancient words she pointed her outstretched finger at one of the goblins nearest him. A sphere of blue energy sprang forth from her hand and slammed into the goblin, the impact sending it sprawling senseless to the ground. A second ball was close behind, catching another goblin before it even saw what had happened to the first.
“Mage!” one of goblins roared. It turned and fled, and its fellows did likewise. Seeing their masters flee, the wolves, with some reluctance, did the same.
Barlow stood in place for a moment, the adrenaline that had coursed through his body abating, and then he fell to one knee. His heart hammered in his chest and he closed his eyes, willing it to still. His arms and legs trembled, the aftermath of being pushed far beyond what they had grown accustomed to. A strong hand fell gently on his shoulder.
“You all right?” Silas asked.
“Fine,” he replied, wincing at how he gasped for air around the word. “Just give me a moment. Better see to the others.”
The others were fine, save some bruises and cuts and the bite Darius had received. There were two dead goblins and one dead wolf on the field, and Luke was staring down with morbid fascination at the goblin his brother had slain, the goblin that otherwise might have slain him.
“You did well,” Darius said, gently, knowing from his time as a soldier the confusing jumble of emotions Luke was feeling at the moment.
“So you did,” Silas added. “Your training has paid off.”
Luke only nodded, his eyes never leaving the goblin. Somewhere in his mind he knew he should be thanking the two men with him, both instrumental in the fact that he was still alive while the goblin was not. But no words would come. He could only stare dumbly at the goblin’s open eyes and open mouth and the wound in its chest, the latter framed by the dark stain of its own blood.
Luke’s stomach betrayed him. He managed a half-dozen quick steps before he fell to his knees, sick. When he recovered, Darius was beside him.
“It’s okay,” Darius said. “Happens all the time.”
Luke nodded his appreciation, but said, “Bet it didn’t happen to you.”
“First time I killed a man,” Darius said, forcing his brother to meet his eyes. “There’s no shame in it. Killing shouldn’t be easy, even when it’s necessary.” He helped Luke to his feet and brushed him off.
“I’m fine,” Luke said. “And thanks. I owe you one.”
After Barlow had recovered somewhat he tended to Darius’ hand, saying prayers while healing power flowed to the younger man.
Darius flexed his hand when Barlow had finished, surprised at how little it hurt. He looked at Barlow with some amazement, despite what he had seen the old paladin do for the wounded back in New Bern. “Much better. Thanks.”
“My pleasure,” Barlow said with a tired smile. “But the wound still needs time to fully heal. We need to bind you up before you get to bleeding again.”
Adrianna tore some strips of cloth from a spare shirt they had acquired at New Bern and started to wrap Darius’ hand. Barlow backed up to give her room, but before he moved off, Darius said, “Your sword, it didn’t glow.”
Barlow shook his head. “The goblins and wolves may have had evil intent, but they are of our world. The sword will only glow for those from another plane, those of the underworld.”
Darius nodded, understanding better now, but still struggling to wrap his mind around what the Dezku really were. It was almost too much, the way the world was changing before his eyes, even the energy Adrianna had conjured to attack the goblins another reality he would have had trouble accepting only a few weeks ago.
Adrianna’s magic was apparently on Barlow’s mind, too. "I suppose I should thank you for striking down those goblins.”
Adriana did nothing to conceal the smirk on her face. “Why bother? We both know you wouldn’t be sincere.”
“At least we understand one another,” Barlow replied, with unmasked contempt.
“I understand you’re a stubborn old mule. I understand there’s nothing I can do, apparently including saving your life, that would make you think better of me. Fortunately, I couldn’t care less about your opinion.”
“Whether you saved my life just now is open to debate. But if you had done so without the use of your dark power, you’d have my gratitude in full. As it is, you can’t seem to function without resorting to such dubious arts.”
Adrianna waved him off and turned back to her work, muttering, “No reason to waste my breath on you. You’d never admit you were wrong, even if you knew it.”
“Where your magic is concerned, I’m sure I’ll never have that particular quandary.”
Adrianna finished bandaging Darius’ hand and then quickly moved away, ending the argument with one last backward flick of her hand.
Silas had moved closer as his two friends jousted, ready to step in if needed but wanting to let them go if he could. He met Darius’ concerned look and shook his head.
“I don’t get it,” Darius said quietly, so neither Barlow nor Adrianna could hear.
Silas cleared his throat. “Barlow feels Adrianna’s power does not come from God. I doubt she would argue that point—well, she might argue with him, but you take my meaning. So if the power is not of God, then its source must be of evil.”
“He sees things as that black-and-white?”
“Afraid so,” Silas said with a nod.
Darius wanted to state his opinion, but he caught himself before he spoke and changed tactics. “You’re a man of faith. What do you think?”
“I think I disagree with both of them on point one. I think the power does come from God, because of who she is and how she uses it. Whether or not she acknowledges things as such is irrelevant.”
“And what if you’re wrong?” Darius asked.
Silas managed a smile. “That’s most likely the case. I don’t know everything. Never will, at least not while I’m here on Corterra.” Suddenly his face dropped into a scowl. He gestured beyond Darius. “What’s with the sword, Luke? Thought I’d made you a staff man.”
Luke smiled, embarrassed. “I appreciate your training, and I’ll still be able to use a good deal of it, but I prefer the feel of steel in my hands when it comes to a fight.” He twirled the sword he had taken from one of the fallen goblins, liking the feel of it. “One more solid blow and my staff would have been cleaved in two. This will give me a few more options for defense.”
“Suit yourself,” Silas said. “The weapon was fairly won. Use it well.”
“But hopefully not soon,” Darius added. “We must be moving on, unless anyone thinks we’ll be able to sleep here with those goblins nearby.”
Tired as they were, there was no other good option. They gathered their things and started off into the deepening night.
*
The hunter reached Barlow’s house, its motions, as always, swift and jerky. It move from one spot to the next so quickly that the human eye would have had trouble tracking the movement, as if the little creature vanished and reformed a small distance away. It did not go into the home, but simply sniffed the ground and the air and, sensing which way its quarry had gone, followed.
*
They had put many miles between themselves and the place they had fought the goblins by the time the sun rose. They debated briefly whether to take some rest, perhaps to nap in shifts while t
he others stood guard, but decided against it, wanting to use the daylight to speed their travel. Silas tried to put a positive spin on things. “Just think how much better we’ll sleep tonight.”
His comment was met with tired, dismissive grumbles. Luke added, “You’re right. The hard ground will seem so much softer. If we’re lucky, the goblins will keep us up for a week. Just think how great we’d sleep then!”
Silas shook his head and put on a mock scowl. “Maybe some extra lessons are in order,” he said, smacking his staff into the palm of his hand.
Luke laughed and held up his hands in surrender. “It’s the lack of sleep talking. I’m sure I’ll get much worse before the day is over.”
“Oh, let’s hope not,” Darius said, rolling his eyes. “Your tongue’s bad enough even when you’ve had a good night’s sleep.”
“Hey!” Luke protested, feigning offense. “Humor can be a wonderful thing. You should try it some time.”
“Maybe you should give him lessons,” Silas suggested.
“Not enough time,” Luke said. “Pretty much a hopeless case.”
“Enough,” Darius said, his tone light. He shook his head at Silas. “Don’t encourage him.”
“Just want to see him develop into a well-rounded young man,” Silas said.
“Then he should eat more.”
Luke groaned. “See what I mean? Hopeless.”
“Boys,” Adrianna said, clearly addressing Silas as well as the brothers. “Less talk, more walk.”
Two hours later a dull roar reached their ears, a sound that continued to grow steadily as they advanced. To the north the Jade River wound like a blue-green ribbon, vanishing into the summer haze.
“We must be near the falls,” Darius said.
Barlow confirmed this was the case. “Ever seen it?”
“No. Farm boys don’t travel much. I was hoping the army might get me this way, but it didn’t happen. Just as well. I wouldn’t want to remember the sight as part of a battle.”
Before the war, Wingate Falls was a common destination for anyone wishing to see the natural wonders of Corterra. The source of the Jade River, well up in the Dragon’s Teeth, pooled in a long, flat basin before dropping over a thousand feet to the valley below. It was the basin that made the Falls special, for not only was the drop large but the Falls were over a half-mile wide. The companions’ path brought them around a large outcropping of stone, so that the sound of the cascading water rose just as the Falls first came into view. They all stood transfixed by the sight, held in awe by the sheer force of the never-ending wall of water racing over the edge and down. Even though Silas, Barlow, and Adrianna had seen the Falls before they were no less impressed, and no less dumbstruck.
After a time they felt the subtle pressure of their quest, and knew that had to move on. This presented an immediate problem. “How can we cross?” Darius asked. They were less than halfway up the height of the Falls, and as he scanned the climb up he thought it was a reasonable ascent, but he had to assume crossing the Falls to be ridiculously dangerous. The Jade River below wasn’t much more promising, the river wide and swift below the Falls.
“This way,” Barlow said, starting upward.
Luke had made the same evaluation as his brother and started to protest, but seeing Silas and Adrianna start after the old paladin without hesitation, he and Darius exchanged shrugs and followed.
The climb was steep in places, but there were many good footholds, and a decent path was apparent at most times. Barlow led the way, seeming sure of himself. When they had come within two hundred yards of the crest of the Falls, Barlow pointed, shouting to be heard above the roar of the water. “Right there.”
Silas and Adrianna started forward, while Barlow continued to point, obviously doing so for the brothers. At first it seemed he was pointing right at the falling water, but as they moved ahead they saw that he was indicating a black area in the rock. As they neared it, they could see that it was an entrance to a tunnel that had been carved in the rock behind the Falls.
“Dwarven work,” Barlow told them. “From ancient days. There are some who consider this tunnel such a feat that they believe it to be a greater sight than the Falls.”
The entrance was a high, wide arch, and the entire length of the tunnel was the same shape, the line of it arrow-straight, the walls as smooth as glass. The floor was level and perfectly flat. The tunnel was so true that the other end was visible, the light coming in and reflecting off the polished walls.
Silas set a quick pace through the tunnel and the others kept close behind. There was a claustrophobic feeling that pressed on each of them as they moved further in, the light from both ends visible but the darkness where they set their feet oppressive. They tried not to think about what might happen if there was a pit dug in the floor, or some other unseen trap placed to catch the unwary. The acoustics stole any chance at conversation, the echoes of the raging falls all around them. Darius couldn’t help pressing his hand against the rock to his right, thinking of the massive flow of water just on the other side of the stone. The thought made him look up, although he could see nothing but black there, wondering at the weight of the water that was somewhere above them. Like the others, he let out an audible sigh of relief as he exited the tunnel and stepped into the sunshine, now on the west side of the Falls.
“Everyone know about that passage?” Luke asked Barlow.
“Any who have traveled these parts. It was never meant to be a secret.”
“Think the goblins could use it?” Darius asked while trying to rub a stiff spot out of his neck. “I’ve heard goblins and dwarves have a deep hatred for one another.”
“The goblins would avoid it if they could,” Silas answered. “They’d fear some dwarven treachery. Actually, I’m not sure there isn’t some trap in there specifically for goblins. Either way, if the goblins we fought were thinking to follow us, we’re likely safe now.”
“I didn’t know they roamed this far south,” Darius said.
“Small bands in the mountains are not uncommon. The larger clans, as you say, are in the north. The attack was a surprise, considering we were armed, but I think that group was desperate. They were quite thin and frail, as far as goblins go. Likely not eating much.”
“ ‘Thin and frail’!” Luke exclaimed, remembering the goblin that had towered over him and nearly ended his life. “I’d hate to see the healthy ones.”
“Yes,” Silas said, “you would. As would we all.”
They were well away from the tunnel and had descended into the foothills by the time night fell. The moon was only a thin crescent in the sky, and cast little light on the world below. All they could see in any direction was darkness, no sign of civilization apparent on any horizon. They dared not all sleep at once, but they did decide to risk a small fire to cook their food and shed a bit more light onto their immediate surroundings.
When they had finished eating Darius rose and went to his pack. He returned to the fire and his companions, holding the uniform he had worn as part of the Longvale army. “I guess I’m past any use for this. I’ve been away past my leave date, and we’re in Dalusian territory. Likely any enemy army that finds us will think us spies. This would prove the point, or else label me a deserter if it’s our own.”
He glanced at each of his fellow travelers, and seeing no disagreement, cast the folded-up garment on the flames. For a moment it seemed the fire would be smothered, thick smoke billowing out from under the uniform, but then the clothing caught, and in a bright rush was consumed.
“Sorry to see it go?” Adrianna asked.
“No,” Darius answered, but his gaze remained fixed on the flames. “I’ve seen enough of war, and I’m already committed to another path. Still…”
“Another confirmation that there’s no going back,” Adrianna said, stating what he left unspoken.
“Yeah.” Darius cleared his throat. “I’ll take the first watch. I think I’m too tired to sleep anyway, if that makes
any sense.”
“It does,” Silas told him. “I’ll join you. Two on watch at a time to be safe.”
Darius and Silas started a long, slow pacing around the camp, while the others rolled up in cloaks or blankets and tried to get some sleep.
Chapter 11: The Hunters
For three days they had traveled across the open plains of Dalusia, moving northwest in as straight a line as they could manage toward Elysium’s Neck, the band of land that connected the southern kingdoms to the Far North. In different times they might have gone directly north, until they reached the Northern Road, which ran along the coast, a more roundabout but probably faster route, but the road would be well-watched and well-traveled, and they wanted to pass unseen. The days were uncomfortably warm, the summer sun scorching them and the air heavy and close, but otherwise the traveling was easy, the land flat and the population sparse. If any took note of the group of travelers they raised no alarm.
That night they made camp, the routine becoming familiar now. A small grove of trees gave them some shelter, and they had caught some small game, which they cooked over the fire. The fire they intended to let die down once the food was ready, the stifling heat of the day still fresh in their minds. They sat grouped a few feet apart from the fire, all on one side so they could talk, Silas approaching the flames now and then to turn the rough spit they had fashioned. Their conversation was muted, the sizzle and pop of the cooking meat louder in the surrounding night than their words. Even quieter was the almost imperceptible rustling in the trees behind them.
Two of the hunters were perched up in the canopy, having just found their quarry. For a time they both sat and watched, making sure they each had identified their mark. These two had traveled more or less together since Kaelesh had sent them off, the third having turned south from the Stoneman farm, but now was the first time they acknowledged one another, the hunt being all-consuming to each until this moment. With a few quick motions they communicated a rough plan, with one of the hunters remaining in place while the other slipped down the trunk of a tree and moved away.