The Merchant and the Menace

by Daniel F McHugh

  Movement in the bush caught his eye. A red flash whistled past his head. Kael rode hard for a few moments more then dared a glance over his shoulder. Shockingly, the Keltaran halted. He sat clutching his throat as his mount slowed to a walk. Kael stopped and circled. The boy saw red feathers protruding from between the Keltaran’s fingers. After a moment, the giant’s face turned a deep crimson, followed by a sickening purple. He finally succumbed to the poison that tipped the dart in his throat and he too fell to the ground dead.

  The Ulrog surrounding Manfir chanted and pressed their attack. They hacked and slashed at the Zodrian prince, keeping him on the defensive. Tepi pressed his assault upon Ader and Manfir. Several Keltaran lay scattered around Granu either dead or severely wounded.

  The stones and rocks embedded in the Ulrogs’ skin flared red. The beasts’ cleavers burst into flames and they attacked with renewed strength.

  “Ulrog priests!” shouted Manfir.

  Worry crossed Ader’s sweating face. The Seraph encountered tremendous difficulty with Tepi. The warlock’s robe fell away. Tattoos marked his arms and symbols scarred his skin. Tepi raised his right arm and Kael saw Amird's name deeply carved upon it.

  “That is correct Seraph. You contend with three of us. Fear the power of my Lord Amird!” squealed the warlock and flame shot from his hands.

  Ader narrowed his eyes and produced a wall of green fire to deflect the onslaught. The Ulrog slammed their fiery blades down upon Manfir. The stone men drove the prince low against the back of his mount. As the Ulrog raised their blades once more, Manfir slid from the back of the Black and rolled to the ground. He darted under his horse’s belly. The Ulrog were momentarily confused.

  The Zodrian prince dashed forward between the horses of his opponents. The Ulrog tried to hack at him with their weapons, but their long arms made it difficult to fight in close quarters. Manfir rammed one of his blades into the knee of an Ulrog. The monster howled in pain as thick black blood oozed from the wound. The beast’s mount wheeled in fear, knocking into his companion’s horse. The second Ulrog lost control.

  Manfir struck. He leapt into the air and plunged the second of his blades into the exposed back of the Ulrog. The creature howled and gnashed its crumbled, stone teeth. The blade lodged deeply in the Ulrog’s rocky hide.

  The fire faded from the stone men’s blades as they struggled with their wounds. The pair turned upon the unarmed Manfir. The Zodrian prince lie trapped between the Ulrog and the melee that surrounded Granu.

  Flair rushed past the green, sputtering fire of Ader. The Ulrog were unaware of his approach from their rear. The Southland boy’s horsemanship rewarded him. Flair drew a hatchet from the pack slung by the side of his horse. In his other hand he held the sword given to him by his grandfather. He directed his chestnut with his knees. The horse dodged past the conflagration created by Tepi and Ader. The horse spun to its left then charged directly between the Ulrog attackers. Flair stretched to meet their height. The young man’s right hand whipped forward launching the hatchet. It spun through the air and caught one Ulrog at the base of its head. The sharply honed blade sparked against the Ulrog’s rock encrusted skin, but penetrated and wedged there tightly. Flair’s right hand quickly met his left on the hilt of his Grandfather’s sword. The boy howled and he rammed the blade into the second Ulrog as the chestnut sprinted past. The sword caught hard and was ripped from his grip. The mortally wounded Ulrog lost control of their mounts. Flair shot between them and leaned over extending an arm to Manfir. The Zodrian prince locked forearms with the boy and swung onto the chestnut as it passed. The crazed mounts of the Ulrog slammed into one another once again and spilled their riders to the ground.

  The momentum of Flair’s mount carried it into the fray around Granu. Flair's chestnut hammered into the back of one of Granu’s remaining opponents as the Keltaran prince expertly unarmed the second. Manfir leapt from the back of Flair’s horse and retrieved a Keltaran battle-ax from one of the dead. A giant lie face down sprawling on the ground. The prince screamed as he raised the ax and sent it crashing toward the Keltaran. Granu’s staff slammed into the ax and deflected it harmlessly into the earth.

  “Hold, Manfir!” boomed the giant.

  Manfir glared at Granu with a look of shock, followed by fury.

  “You will not butcher my brethren. They’re beaten!” shouted Granu.

  The two remaining Keltaran lay at the feet of Granu and Manfir.

  “You ask me not to butcher butchers,” cried Manfir in exhaustion.

  “I tell you not to.” stated Granu.

  “Look!” cried Flair pointing west.

  Tepi the warlock fled. His mount galloped to the hill upon which he and the Keltaran appeared.

  “Amird, the Lord of Chaos, will claim your souls!” cackled the trader.

  Eidyn sprinted forward and notched an arrow. The warlock was already out of range.

  “Eidyn, save your arrow,” wheezed an exhausted Ader. “Behold.”

  Tepi laughed insanely as he reached the hill and realized no one pursued. His mount galloped up the hill past a large clump of gorse bush. Two small figures darted from the cover of the bushes. They sprinted to within a few yards behind the trader. The frontrunner was the larger of the two. He spun and braced himself. The second was the “fox”.

  The “fox” leapt forward and planted a foot in his partner’s locked hands. He flipped through the air, landing on the back of Tepi’s huge, shaggy warhorse. A frenzy of activity ensued. Tepi waved his hands in horror and confusion. The attack reminded Kael of a swarm of bees around a dog that disturbed their hive. The warlock was bewildered by this creature that set upon him.

  The fox’s hands darted and thrust about the head of the warlock. Tepi’s horse slowed and halted at the top of the hill. In an instant the tiny figure flipped from the back of the shaggy horse, met his counterpart, and they dashed back into the thick cover of the gorse bush. Tepi sat howling on the top of the hill, clutching his throat and chest. The sound lasted a few moments then the warlock shuddered and dropped to the ground.

  Granu stood calmly facing Manfir. The exhausted Zodrian’s chest heaved. He stood hunched over by the weight of the Keltaran battle-ax.

  “Avra calls for mercy, Manfir,” said Granu softly. “Do not become that which you abhor.”

  The battle rage in Manfir’s eyes faded.

  “Whatever ills these men commit, they don’t deserve to be butchered like cattle,” said Granu. “Stay your bloodlust, Zodrian prince.”

  The ax slid from Manfir’s hands and fell to the ground. Teeg and Eidyn moved amongst the fallen checking for signs of life. Special care was taken with the Ulrog. All were dead except the two spared by Granu. Ader slid from his horse and inspected the Ulrog as well.

  “Is anyone suffering from a wound?” called out the Guide. “Kael, come over here. Are you all right?”

  The Southland boy tapped his heels into his chestnut’s flanks and trotted back to the group.

  “I’m fine,” said Kael. “What of the others?”

  Ader turned and inspected the group. His eyes widened at the sight of Eidyn covered in blood. He raised his hands and approached the Elven prince.

  “Save your powers, my lord,” said Eidyn pointing to the body of his fallen horse. “Tis not Elven blood that stains this soil.”

  Ader nodded and smiled, throwing an arm around the prince’s shoulder.

  “Good,” sighed the Guide. “We cannot afford to lose you.”

  “What of you, Granu?” asked Teeg pointing to a large welt on the giant’s skull.

  Granu raised a hand to his bald head and gingerly massaged the protruding lump.

  “Sometimes it is to your advantage to lean into the path of a swung ax. The handle may catch you squarely, but it will do far less damage than the ax’s head,” stated Granu.

  A low chuckle passed through the exhausted company. Ader snapped the group back into action.

  “We must be away from here.
Keltaran troops roam the Zodrian hills freely. The Guard is too busy protecting the borders to stop small groups such as this,” began Ader. “Eidyn, gather in one of the Keltaran mounts, and retrieve another for Prince Granu. The fewer nights we spend in the open country the better.”

  “My people must receive proper rights,” said Granu solemnly.

  “Granu, we have no time for...” started Ader.

  “No matter their crimes, these men were children of Avra. They must return to the soil and we must ask for their acceptance into Avra’s world,” stated Granu.

  Ader threw up his hands.

  “Bury them. But be quick about it. Manfir, help him while I discuss matters with our guests,” stated Ader pointing to the pair of Keltaran.

  Manfir started to protest, but Ader would not allow it.

  “Will you all begin to bridle against me? I cannot accomplish what I need to if you all refuse the simplest tasks. You made a pledge to me, Manfir. Please do as you are told.”

  Ader strode to the Keltaran that knelt before Granu.

  “Do you know me?” boomed Ader.

  “Yes... yes, Lord Ader,” stammered one and his counterpart nodded.

  “Then know this. I will ask you a few questions. I possess the wonderful ability to read a man’s intentions. If I feel you are lying to me I will hand you over to the Zodrian. He will not handle you quite so delicately as your brother, Prince Granu. I’ve been at this for centuries, and the lives of two sinful Keltaran will not matter to me in the least. You’ll do what I say and tell me what I want to know. Understand?” demanded Ader.

  “Yes, my lord,” replied the Keltaran in unison.

  “Stand and walk,” commanded Ader.

  They rose and fell in next to Ader. He led them down the road and out of sight, the entire time snapping questions at them. Kael was unable to hear what the Seraph was asking.

  Granu lifted a battle-ax from the ground and pried up the soft earth around the Keltaran dead. Manfir grimaced and followed suit. Shortly, the men excavated several shallow ditches about the battle site. Eidyn moved amongst the dead, salvaging arrows. Teeg rifled through the Keltaran’s belongings for any information he might find useful. Flair walked to his horse and retrieved the small collapsable shovel he used to dig fire pits. He stepped in beside Manfir and shoveled dirt from the graves.

  Kael intended to help dig, but as he passed the fallen Ulrog, he stopped, transfixed. Hideous was the only way to describe them. Small tufts of matted hair grew sporadically from a tough, grayish hide. The rocks Kael believed encrusted on their skin were actually embedded within it. The skin grew around and over hunks of black shale and lumps of granite. Their huge, powerful arms were tipped with razor sharp, flinty claws. Their large oval shaped eyes were completely black. It was as if their eyes were a window into the oily black blood that Kael saw spill from the creature’s wounds. Irregular shaped teeth were crowded into the mouth surrounding a swollen, purple tongue.

  “A seemingly impenetrable, unstoppable creature of death.”

  Kael started and tried to catch his breath. Teeg stood next to him looking down. The Elf leaned over and worked Flair’s hatchet free from the skull of an Ulrog.

  “However, hit them hard enough and they die like the rest of us.” stated the Elf.

  “Yes, I guess they do,” mumbled Kael.

  He stared at the nightmare at his feet for a moment longer.

  “Priests as well,” said Teeg pointing to the Ulrog’s arms.

  “How do you know that?” asked Kael.

  “It has to do with how they are .... born, for lack of a better word,” said Teeg.

  Kael never thought about that. Do Ulrog come from families? Do they have a mother and a father?

  “Are they born?” asked Kael.

  “Not exactly,” stated Teeg. “They are created.”

  Kael frowned. Teeg knew the young man wanted a better explanation.

  “Ulrog are a bastardization of Amird’s doing,” began Teeg. “The Seraph joined forces with ancient Chaos and spawned beings of his own. He never hid his dislike for the weaknesses and failings of humans. He was trying to form a race that stood up to his beliefs of success.

  “Think about it, Kael. What is an Ulrog? Incredibly strong. Unbelievable stamina. A hide as tough as iron. They can eat anything. They rarely need water. They follow their leaders unquestioningly. Their loyalty is to their master and his servants. They care only for Amird’s desires and hold none of their own. Most of all, they are expendable. Lose one hundred and more will be produced.”

  “How?” asked Kael.

  “Torn from the rock and earth of their homeland. Molded in pits of fire. Given life by the Malveel. Their spirit force is weak. Their life force comes from Amird and his ally, Chaos. They live but a fraction of a human life, but as Amird’s power grows, so do their numbers,“ said Teeg.

  “The Malveel create them?” questioned Kael.

  “They channel a small bit of Amird’s will into the Ulrog. Remember Kael, this is a creature that requires little and hardly thinks at all. It doesn’t take much of the force of Amird to animate an Ulrog. Besides, the Fallen One draws his power from the vast energy of Chaos. If he continues to rally, he may be able to overrun our world with Ulrog,” stated Teeg. “These two were not molded haphazardly. Look at the rocks embedded in their arms.”

  Kael studied the Ulrog. He noticed patterns in the rock. Bits and pieces were aligned to form similar symbols to those carved in the arms of Tepi. The symbols were unfamiliar to Kael, but definite in their appearance. Additionally, the name of Amird appeared all over the two creatures in the form of scars. The lettering was crude and irregular, but the name was unmistakable. Teeg pointed to the stony emblems.

  “These are the Chaotic Symbols, Kael,” said Teeg. “They call upon the powers of Chaos to give their wearer power. The scars invoke the name of Amird for strength. These were no ordinary Ulrog. Tepi summoned priests with special powers to help him battle Ader.”

  Kael heard a yip and a snarl in the distance. The group halted their work and looked to the hill where Tepi’s body lay. A pack of wild dogs snapped at one another and tore into the remains of the warlock. Flair groaned and grabbed a large rock. The boy stepped toward the hill hefting the rock.

  “Leave them, Flair,” said Manfir. “Tis what the warlock deserves.”

  The boy hesitated for a moment then released the rock and returned to his work. The dogs yelped and growled. Manfir turned back to the grave he was digging and his eyes met those of Granu. The giant leaned on his ax and arched a thoughtful eyebrow toward the scene on the hill.

  “Trouble dogs the wicked.” quoted Granu from scripture.

  The duo looked at one another for a moment, then a wry smile passed between them and they returned to their work. After a few moments Ader walked back to the roadside followed by the Keltaran soldiers. Granu and Manfir were piling rocks on the tops of the graves. Eidyn led several of the Keltaran horses down the road into the midst of the travelers. Teeg retrieved and cleaned Manfir’s blades. The Zodrian prince thanked him and returned them to the sheaths on his back. The Elf lord hefted Flair’s hatchet in his hand.

  “Light enough to throw a fair distance, yet heavy enough to cleave the head of an Ulrog,” commented Teeg. “A fine weapon.”

  “I never used it as a weapon before,” stammered Flair.

  “An extremely successful first outing for you, I should say,” commented Teeg. “Don’t you think, Prince Manfir?”

  Manfir turned from a pack he cinched to his horse and bowed.

  “I owe you my life, Corporal Flair,” said the prince.

  “Corporal?” said a wide-eyed Flair.

  “Of course,” said Manfir approaching the boy. “During training at the Hold, a student or two are chosen from among the recruits to help lead them. The best of the class is chosen and given authority. Someone who stands out. You will be that man in the next class.”

  “But I still need to p
ass the test. I’m not sure I’ll be accepted to the Guard,” stated Flair.

  Teeg and Eidyn suppressed a chuckle and Manfir frowned at the boy.

  “You really possess no idea what you just accomplished do you?” asked Manfir.

  Flair shook his head and looked questioningly at the group around him.

  “Perhaps we should allow him to wallow in ignorance,” laughed Teeg. “The boy will unwittingly destroy the entire Ulrog army before the concept of fear ever crosses his mind.”

  “Please don’t make sport of me,” pleaded Flair. “I was plenty afraid.”

  “Then what possessed you to charge between two Ulrog priests like that?” exclaimed Eidyn.

  “Someone needed to do something, and I was the only one left,” shrugged the boy.

  Manfir laughed heartily and threw an arm around Flair.

  “Thank Avra for that!” exclaimed the prince.

  ”We must be on our way,” announced Ader. “Is the site to your satisfaction, Prince Granu?”

  “I wish to say a few words over these men. Catra was a friend and the others are brothers who fell under the spell of the Great Deceiver. You may journey on if you choose. I will make up the ground and be with you shortly,” stated Granu.

  Eidyn led two giant horses over to Ader. The pair was tethered together by a long rope.

  “We can transport the prisoners on these,” stated the Elf.

  Granu stepped over and untied the lead between the horses.

  “There will be no prisoners,” stated the giant.

  “What?” exclaimed Manfir. “Of course there will be prisoners. These men tried to murder us today! They violated the honor of parlay.”