Dark Times

by Brian Murray

  Zane ran up a high outcrop and looked down at the fighting. He pulled his swords free and readied himself as he watched the Yregs. Timing would be everything. Suddenly, he jumped spread-eagled. The King of Rhaurien landed on a Yreg’s back and the beast shrieked in surprise. The weight of the man on the beast caused it to falter. In that heartbeat Zane, with all his might, thrust both his swords into the creature’s chest. Once his blades were buried in the creature, he pushed down to maximise internal damage. The beast fell from the air and slammed to the ground in a cloud of dust. Zane just managed to roll free of the beast’s body as it hit the earth. He pulled his swords clear and ran for the next beast, his blades dripping with death.

  Now the axe-wielders could see that the beasts could be beaten, and regained their determination. They took the fight to the beasts, stabbing up at the flying creatures using the point on their double-bladed axes. The creatures screeched and shrieked at the men, who now fought with renewed vigour.

  Thade reached the same outcrop as Zane and spotted a beast flying in close. The creature was bigger than the one Zane had killed, but that did not bother the warrior. He leapt onto the creature’s back. The creature did not falter, but shrieked with what could only be described as raging contempt. The Yreg flew faster, diving left and right, trying to dislodge the man from its back. Thade, meanwhile, wrapped his arms around the beast’s neck, grimly holding on. The Yreg flew up high, then down, trying to lose its unwanted passenger.

  Thade loosened his grip with one arm and reached back, pulling free one of his daggers from the front of his sword harness. The Yreg glided close to the ground, lifting up dust, then flew vertically, spinning as it rose higher and higher. The beast swooped around and dived down low again, its wings slightly tucked in for additional speed. Suddenly, the creature opened its wings, put out its clawed feet, and landed with a jolt. Holding on with only one hand, Thade could not maintain his grip. When the Yreg suddenly stopped, the former gladiator spun through the air and landed on his back with a thud. The Yreg screeched in triumph.

  Thade looked between his legs and saw the beast take off, swoop around, and start its dive to attack him. Thade rose to his feet and drew his swords, not taking his eyes off the beast. Dropping into a mad dive, the Yreg swooped at Thade. The former gladiator dived forward towards the beast, between its talon feet, and plunged his blades home. The force of the beast’s fall knocked Thade backwards, and both he and the Yreg finished in a cloud of dust. Slowly, the dust settled. There was no movement.

  Seeing so many of their hunting pack fall, the remaining Yregs flew off, screaming and shrieking in anger. Some of the beasts circled high above the axe-wielders but did not attack. Soon, the Yregs disappeared, merging with the dark-grey sky. The fight was over.

  Many of the axe-wielders collapsed onto the crusty ground, totally exhausted. Dax, Zane, Rayth, and Tanas rushed over to where the Yreg had landed on Thade. The dust cloud had settled and they could see movement from the Yreg, which was on top of Thade. The four men crept closer, with weapons drawn and ready. These men had been through many trials together as a group and being prepared had saved them more than once.

  Rayth prodded the beast with his axe. It did not move. Dax stepped in closer and reached out to touch the winged beast. Suddenly, the Yreg jerked up. Dax fell backward, falling onto his backside, cursing loudly. The others stepped back, holding their weapons ready. Then from under the beast came a muffled voice.

  “Dax, get this damned thing off me.”

  “Thade?” asked Dax.

  “No, it’s the beast talking, you idiot. Of course, it’s me. Please, get this damn thing off me, I cannot breathe.”

  Dax rose, dusting himself off. “Talk to me that way, boy, and I will leave you there,” he said with a chuckle.

  “DAX!” screamed Thade.

  Now laughing, Dax and the others lifted the beast off Thade, who lay on his back with his legs spread wide.

  “What have you been doing with the beast? Or should I say what has the beast been doing to you?” asked Rayth, giggling like a child.

  Thade looked confused for a moment, then caught onto the joke. “Ha, ha, very funny. Help me up,” he said, holding up his hand.

  “Where has it been?” countered Zane, laughing.

  “Oh, come on, guys.”

  “Well, we did see you ride the beast and it did come back for more. Boy, you must be good,” added Dax, roaring with laughter.

  Tanas, also laughing, helped Thade to his feet, then the others dropped the beast.

  “Say goodbye to your new lover, Thade, don’t be rude,” chastised Dax in jest.

  Thade could see the funny side of the situation and slapped Dax’s shoulder. The group, in good humour, turned to face the axe-wielders. One of them approached the group of friends. The man stopped a few paces short and stared at them. After a moment, the man dropped onto one knee and bowed deeply.

  “At last, we have found you, your Highness.”

  Zane looked down at the man bowing before him, then looked at Dax, confused. Stepping backward as if he had received a slap, the young king realised who the man was. “Captain Jamie?” he asked softly.

  The axe-wielder rose to his feet and smiled broadly. “At your command, your Highness.”

  “But you’re dead,” said Dax, totally perplexed.

  “It’s a long story, my friend, but I think it can wait awhile. We should be off, in case those beasts return.”

  Dax nodded and the axe-wielders started to gather their belongings. The men did not have to bury their dead as the bodies slowly disappeared—like a fading memory. When all were gone, the company moved off towards the black mountain in the distance. Just before darkness fell, the men found a campsite in the middle of a rocky outcrop and rested. The axe-wielders managed to start a small fire, for light rather than for heat. Captain Jamie ordered several guards to keep watch around the camp while the rest of the men bedded down for the night.

  After ensuring his men were comfortable and the injured had been treated, Captain Jamie walked over to the group of friends. He bowed to Zane and was offered a seat next to Rayth.

  “Captain Jamie, we were told you were killed,” said Dax, questioningly.

  “That’s true, my friend. I was indeed killed at the Southern Pass, defeating the men in black armour.”

  “The Dark Brethren?” asked Rayth, and Dax nodded.

  “All of my men who died that day arrived at this place, the Grey Path. When we arrived, the Divine One visited us. She asked if we would like to serve our king one last time. All of my men and I immediately agreed, it is our duty. We were told to follow the Path and have been walking for what seems an eternity. We have been attacked many times by those flying creatures, and several times by men dressed in long, grey ripped robes carrying iron tipped whips. There were about two thousand of us when we spoke to the Divine One. As you can see, the journey has taken its toll. I have already lost several hundred of my men.” Captain Jamie fell silent for a while, thinking of his lost men. He sighed.

  “Unfortunately, we lost the Path during an attack from a huge pack of those beasts and thought we would never find you. We thought our mission lost and we would have to spend eternity here. But thankfully, we have found you and that has put new fire in my men’s bellies.” The relief in the captain’s voice was obvious to all.

  “What did the Divine One tell you?” asked Zane.

  “She only told us you would need us.”

  “Nothing more?” asked Dax.

  Captain Jamie shook his head.

  Zane felt a surge of pride. These men were willing to go through anything to serve him—they were true Rhaurns; true men. He gazed over his shoulder at the men resting around them. Many were talking softy, while others slept. Zane smiled. “Thank you, Captain Jamie.”

  “The Divine One visited us a second time and showed us your exploits at Kal-Pharina—your charge into the Kharnacks. All of my men cheered and were proud to be Rhaurns. Then
She showed us you recapturing Teldor, when you fought next to our comrades from Sandall. We were delighted when you instated the axe-wielders as your personal guards. My men and I are so proud to be able to serve you again here; you are a man with whom to walk the Path.

  “Also, you travel with one of us—a living legend.” Captain Jamie turned to face Rayth. “Welcome, Rayth of the Axe, it will be an honour to fight at your side. When my men realised it was you—let’s just say they will be fighting each other to stand and fight next to the man who stood alone against the Kharnack hordes. We also have heard of Dax and his death-dealers. Welcome to you. The other two we have not heard of, but the Divine One has shown us you in action, and earlier you confirmed your bravery and honour. I believe my liege has gathered the best of men around him.”

  Rayth nodded, and the others did not say anything for they were slightly embarrassed, but proud of the captain’s comments.

  Captain Jamie turned to Zane and concluded, “It’s my pleasure to serve you again.”

  “I should explain what I’m doing here and where we’re going.” Zane got comfortable, thinking what to tell the Captain. Then it struck him—the man must have given up Paradise to serve him again. He looked at the axe-wielder and smiled; he would tell him everything. “This is a long story. It starts before we met in Sandall. There was a Darklord who tried to collect together relics to resurrect a base being called the Dark One. We thought we’d stopped the madman’s plans in Teldor, but we were duped. The Darklord managed to obtain the relics and complete a rite of resurrection. Now the evil being, the Dark One, again walks our lands with the sole aim of destroying all goodness. During our first clash, I was struck by the Dark One’s sword, a weapon called the Blade of Yallas. This blade causes physical harm but also for people like me, it slowly strips away our soul.

  “My soul is being held in a Black Palace in the centre of the Dark One’s realm, a place called Yallaz’oom. The place reeks of evil and wickedness, but I need to travel there in order to recover my soul, then return to our lands and stop the foul creature.

  “My friends here agreed to travel with me and by the use of magic, their souls were sent off and are now held in the Dark One’s dungeons. We know we have to travel to the Black Mountain of the Damned, or Moranton, as it’s also called. From there we’ve been told we will find a guide to help us reach Yallaz’oom.” Zane fell silent for a minute. “The only problem is we don’t know what we face or if the guide will be at Moranton. So we have to make our own contingency plans.”

  “Maybe I can help you,” started Captain Jamie. “A while back we were attacked by some robed men who had a group of captives chained together. We attacked and managed to release one of their prisoners. He informed us that the Black Mountain of the Damned is being mined. He had escaped the mines, but was recaptured before we found him. Allegedly, there is a way through the mines to reach the other side. The only problem is, he didn’t know the way through the mountain.”

  “Can we pass over the mountain?” asked Dax.

  “I don’t think that’s an option, but we will see when we get closer.”

  “Well, if there is a way through,” said Rayth, “I bet that’s the quicker route. Even sitting here not that close to the mountain, I would bet my inn we will have to travel through the mines.”

  “Somehow, my friend, I think you’re correct,” added Dax glumly.

  “We have not reached that hurdle yet,” started Zane, forcing a tight smile. “Let’s deal with the problems we have now. We have to get all of the men to the mountain in one piece to give us a chance. Even though we blend with the grey scenery, the dust rising behind us and the sound of our marching means the Yregs can see and hear my men leagues away. Any ideas?”

  “We could travel at night,” suggested Thade.

  “It’s pitch black out there, Thade. How are we meant to travel in pure darkness?”

  “I could get us there if we travel at night,” said Tanas. “Darkness use to be my world; it would be nothing new for me.”

  Dax smiled a wicked smile. “Yes, that’s it. We will travel at night, moving after dusk, then rest from dawn throughout the day.”

  “All we have to do is join the men in a column and move at a steady pace. I think it could work. What do you think, Captain Jamie?”

  “This man can guide us?” asked Captain Jamie, staring doubtfully at Tanas.

  “Captain, this man was as blind as a post in the mortal world and he guided us through snow blizzards and dust storms. In this realm, even though he can see; he can get us there, I assure you,” confirmed Dax proudly.

  “Then it’s settled,” concluded Captain Jamie, dragging his eyes away from Tanas.

  “We’ll have the men rest tonight and tomorrow, then prepare to march at dusk,” said Zane confidently.

  “Yes sir,” said Captain Jamie formally, rising and leaving the friends.

  “Now that’s an axe-wielder,” stated Rayth with pride. “The man was asked a simple question and all of his men travelled into the unknown for their king. All of them, men to walk the Path with.”

  “Yes,” said Zane, his emotions mixed. He was proud of his Rhaurns, but did not want anyone else to risk their souls for him. This he did not mention to anyone.

  ***

  Zane slept fitfully that night and woke with a start, sweat dripping from his brow. The fire had started to die and the embers produced only a dim glow.

  “You all right, Zane?” asked Rayth with honest concern.

  “Yes, just a bad dream.”

  “No headaches?”

  “No, just a bad dream,” repeated the young king.

  “What’s troubling you?”

  Zane was silent, gathering his thoughts. “I didn’t want anyone putting themselves in danger for me. Does that sound weak?”

  “No Zane, that does not sound weak at all. It shows you care for your people, and you will never lose that. It’s part of your character and the reason why people love you. Your friends travelled with you because you would do exactly the same for them. Don’t try and deny it, you would do it for any of us. I’m here for selfish reasons. I’m here to protect my daughter’s future—it’s that simple. But if you’d asked me, I would have come anyway.”

  “Thank you, Rayth.”

  “Now remember, these men are here for you. Do them proud and succeed. They deserve that much.”

  Zane’s body swelled with new energy and pride. “I won’t fail anyone, Rayth, in that you can trust me.”

  “Now, that’s my boy.”

  “I love your daughter, Rayth and I want to make her happy for eternity.”

  “That goes without saying, and she loves you more than anything.”

  “I have an entire Kingdom waiting for me; a friend is waiting in his city for my return while all around him evil gathers. I have my friends here, who have given their lives for me. I will succeed, Rayth. I will not fail now—not ever.”

  “Good, now sleep, it will be hard going over the next few days.”

  Dax turned over under his blanket. He had listened to the conversation between the two men, and a tear of pride rolled from the man’s eye, trickling down his stubbly cheek.

  ***

  Aurillia was more fearful for the two men in her life. Both of the men meant everything to her and they were gone somewhere, facing dangers she could not imagine. One of the men was her father and the other, her husband-to-be. She visited the cave, but as instructed had not entered, only leaving food and drinks outside. She desperately wanted to see what her men were doing, but knew that to enter the cave would disrupt the magic and the men could instantly die. She slowly walked back to the house and saw Cara waiting at the door. Aurillia tried to smile but the expression failed.

  “I know, my child,” said Cara, drawing the younger woman into a hug. “My boys are also up there, and I can do nothing to help. It’s hard, but I know they will return to me. Every time the rascals have gone off on one of their silly adventures they’
ve always come back to me, and this time will be no different. Rayth and Zane travel with the best of men and they will be safe. My boys will see them home. That, I guarantee.”

  “Thank you, Cara. You’re so strong under such stress. I wish I were the same,” said the younger woman through her spilling tears.

  “I have had my own boys die in my arms and that nearly killed me. But I found those two rogues and they’re my life. They’re not going to die if I have any say in the matter. They will come back to me.”

  Aurillia smiled at the older woman. Cara might be cantankerous at times, but her heart was in the right place; she cared for her own people more than anything else. The cantankerous mannerisms only came out when she worried over her boys. When they were around, her face glowed with happiness, and she laughed and joked. But now her face was creased with stress and she would snap at the smallest thing.

  “Want some breakfast, child?”

  “That would be pleasant, thank you.”

  The two women entered the kitchen and made some breakfast. Shortly after, Queen Larene, who also showed the strain in her eyes, joined them. The three women had a hearty meal, talking about the upcoming wedding, and that took their minds off the men being in danger. During their conversations, the women had bonded and a close friendship based on mutual need developed. It would be a friendship that would last, for each woman found companionship and strength in the other.

  ***

  Admiral Rendel ordered his fleet to gather at Sandall once they had collected as many men as they could find. He had sent out several other ships, solely to obtain supplies. He knew the journey to Phadrine would take a couple of weeks and he had to ensure the men and horses would be fit enough to fight when they arrived at Kal-Pharina. While he waited for his fleet to assemble, he went onshore. He visited the captain in command of the axe-wielders camped in the town, and ordered him to send out several riders due north and northeast towards the Steppes.

  “Why?” asked the captain, confused.

  “I want them to carry a message to King Zane to tell him what I have planned. They must find the king before he starts to travel across the Steppes.”