Dark Times

by Brian Murray

  The general waited for the door to close before continuing. “We do not have long, Gordy.”

  “But we’re as ready as we can be.”

  The Chosen nodded. “Can you arrange for the evacuation of the surrounding villages and towns? We have a lot to do now we know our timescale. I will go and inform Platos. You take care of the villagers and bring our force together.”

  “Yes, Roo,” said General Gordonia grimly, rising and leaving the room.

  The Chosen thought for a few more minutes, then rose. Within the hour, he sat in the saddle on his white stallion, on the way to see his master armourer.

  ***

  The axe-wielders readied themselves in the tunnel leading to the large cavern where their comrades had died. Twenty more axe-wielders silently entered the cave, followed by Dax, his friends, and Tucci. The men reached the crossing in total silence. The lake was absolutely still. All eyes searched, hearing strained. Dax raised his torch high and looked down into the water. The flickering flames did not create a reflection. The water appeared dead and like everything in the mountain, desolate and devoid of life. Their torches lit up the cavern, filling the hundreds of cracks and crevices with black shadows that looked palpable, merging with the black rock. The other axe-wielders slowly entered the cavern.

  Someone’s axe scraped against the rocky side.

  Dax turned sharply and glared back at the men. One of them raised his hand, acknowledging his error. Silence. Dax gazed around the cavern studying all the cracks.

  Nothing.

  A single scratch sound started.

  The leading men on the crossing stopped, blocking the escape for everyone else. Dax looked around and many men were stationary, listening while the sound grew. Dax wanted to tell the men to move, but would not risk saying anything.

  Tucci tapped Dax on the shoulder. Dax turned to look at the young man and saw fear in his eyes. Tucci pointed back to the tunnel and nodded.

  The scraping sound intensified.

  Dax tugged Thade’s jerkin and motioned with his head to go back. Thade nodded and passed the message onto Rayth. He turned to signal Tanas, then gasped. He looked down and saw Tanas hugging Zane, who was on his knees rubbing his temples. Rayth stepped forward and reached for Dax. He spun the warrior around and his eyes widened. Tanas looked up and shook his head.

  Dax stepped past Rayth and tapped Zane on the shoulder.

  Zane glared up at Dax; his eyes were pure white and he smiled a cruel, twisted smile. He screamed at the top of his voice and lunged for the older warrior. Dax did not hesitate and punched down at Zane, hitting him hard on the jaw, rendering the young king unconscious. He picked up Zane, threw him across his shoulder, then screamed: “RETREAT!”

  Before he finished giving the order, pandemonium filled the cavern. Solus dived at the men from every and all angles. Dax rushed back to the tunnel to safety with Tanas defending his back, Rayth and Thade protecting his sides, blocking spears and deflecting rocks hurled at them. A rock hit Dax on the leg and he fell onto one knee. Rayth grabbed the unconscious Zane and threw him over his shoulder, then raced for the tunnel with Thade defending his back.

  Dax rose to his feet and drew his death-dealers. The old warrior was furious as he saw axe-wielders falling. Roaring at the top of his voice the old warrior ran back into the fray, drawing attention away from the fleeing figures of Rayth and Thade. Tanas battled six creatures that tried to stab him with their short spears. Dax appeared next to Tanas, and with one swipe of his axes crushed three of them, sending them flying into the lake. The creatures plopped into the viscous liquid and slowly sank, sucked down into the matt black abyss.

  Back to back, Dax and Tanas fought their way through the Solus, who threw themselves at the two men. All around the two warriors, axe-wielders were screaming and falling but many of them battled on, also retreating.

  Most of the company had not left the tunnel and so remained safe. The problem facing Tanas and Dax were the bodies of axe-wielders and Solus littering the ground, blocking their path. Slowly, the two warriors made their way towards the tunnel. They switched positions; now Tanas faced the tunnel and Dax had his back to him. Tanas moved through the bodies and yelled directions to Dax. “Lift your leg high . . . move left . . . move right.”

  The two were close to the tunnel when the Solus attacked with increased vigour. Dax swiped with his axes, each swipe killing three or more Solus, so intense was their attack. Finally, the pair reached the safety of the tunnel. Once inside, the two men slumped down against the slimy side of the tunnel. The Solus did not follow the men into the tunnel but rushed about the cavern, ripping apart the fallen. It did not take long for the death screams to peter out, leaving nothing—no blood, no bodies; nothing.

  “Thank you for coming back, Dax,” said Tanas, forcing a tight smile.

  “I needed the exercise,” said the older warrior, panting heavily. “How’s Zane?”

  “I think he’ll sleep for a while and have a bit of a bruise on his chin when he wakes,” said Rayth, grinning.

  “I had to quieten him,” said Dax, looking down at his shaking hands.

  “I know.”

  “How the hell are we going to get through there?” asked Captain Jamie.

  “You see to your injured, captain and I will come up with a plan,” said Dax, with a hint of rage glinting in his violet eyes. “Where’s Tucci?”

  “Here, Dax.”

  “Good, would not want to lose our guide,” sneered the old warrior, his voice laced with hatred.

  A deadly silence filled the carven and only the black lake gently rippled, slowing down until it became absolutely still. Nothing else moved—nothing.

  ***

  Zane woke up later, finding his arms tied behind his back. He called for Rayth, who untied the young king.

  “When did it happen?” asked Zane rubbing his sore wrists.

  “As we were trying to cross the cavern,” replied Rayth with his head bowed.

  The next question almost stuck in young king’s throat. “Did it . . . I cause many injuries?”

  “It was not your fault, Zane. The injuries would have happened anyway.”

  “How many?” persisted Zane.

  “I do not know.”

  The injured axe-wielders were treated and Captain Jamie reported to Zane. “Sire, I should report that we have lost fifty men so far trying to get through the cavern. I think the attempt to reach the other side will cost more lives.”

  Zane bowed his head, then looked into the tavern. His fit of madness had cost lives. He started to question his own sanity and shook his head.

  “What’s up?” asked Thade, sitting next to Zane, his aim to cheer the young king up.

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing? So why the gloomy look?”

  “I cost lives today, Thade.”

  “And you feel guilty?”

  Zane nodded glumly.

  “Well, I can tell you something. You cannot control your bouts of madness. If you could then it would be different. You’re suffering from some form of disease and you cannot control the symptoms. It’s as plain as that. It was not your fault. Someone had already made a mistake before you fell sick. So don’t be too hard on yourself.”

  “It’s not that easy, Thade.”

  “I know, but you have to let it go and step on.”

  Zane smiled at the former gladiator, his normal crooked smile. “You know one thing?”

  “What’s that?”

  “I cannot wait to get home.”

  “Now that’s something I can relate to,” replied Thade, smiling broadly, picturing Ireen in his mind.

  Dax strolled over and joined the two young men. “We have to try again,” he announced firmly.

  “How?” barked Zane.

  “There are two ways. There’s stealth, which we’ve tried and failed, or there’s Dax’s way.”

  “And we’re going to do what?” asked Zane, cringing in anticipation of the answer.

&
nbsp; “The Dax way,” said the older warrior, smiling broadly.

  “I thought as much,” replied Thade, grimacing and shaking his head.

  ***

  For quite a while, Dax spent time planning with Captain Jamie and Rayth. The three men made quite a team and Zane knew better than to stick his nose in. He patiently waited with Thade and Tanas for the older men to decide on a final plan. The three younger men sat around talking about their girls, being back home, and the future. None of them spoke of the mines or the Solus, a subject they wanted to avoid altogether.

  A scout came running up the tunnel, searching for Captain Jamie. The scout found his captain sitting with the two older warriors and waited patiently.

  “Report,” said the captain, glancing up and seeing the man.

  “Sir, I think we have a force following us from the rear. I heard the sounds of many men moving in this direction.”

  “How long?”

  “I would say about an hour, maybe two, but the echoes in the tunnels make it difficult to be certain.”

  “Tucci!” called Dax.

  The Chosen’s son moved along side Dax. “Yes?”

  “A force is moving in this direction. Would they be heading for a new tunnel?”

  “No, this area had been closed off due to instability and because of the Solus’ threat. I can only assume they must be hunting us.”

  Dax thought for a moment. “They must know we’re trapped here with the Solus in the cavern. I bet they’re trying to force us through or hoping to catch us unawares.”

  “To pin us down here?” asked Captain Jamie. “Between a rock and a hard place.”

  “Yes, I believe that would be their plan, to force us into the cavern.”

  “Well, we’d better get ready to move out.”

  “Tucci, come with me,” said Dax, who moved along the tunnel to where it exited into the cavern. “Do we have to cross the pool?”

  “Yes, the tunnel we need to reach is on the far side of the cavern. Over there,” said Tucci, pointing to a tunnel entrance.

  “There are no other exits we can use?”

  “No, that’s the only one I know will lead us to Yallaz’oom. The others may lead us back into a loop. I really don’t know where they all go.”

  Dax thought for a while, gazing around the cavern, and then stared at the tunnel opposite. Quietly, he moved back into the tunnel to where Captain Jamie waited. “We do not have a choice. We are going to have to fight our way through the cavern.”

  Captain Jamie nodded. “What about the people following us?”

  “That’s the hard part. We will be battling against the Solus in the cavern. I do not want to be surprised by having someone attacking our rear.”

  “That leaves few options, there has to be a rear-guard to hold them back.” Dax nodded. “Or pull down the tunnel. If we leave a rear-guard, that would be suicidal, those men will have little to no chance of escaping alive.”

  “If we pull down the tunnel, we will stop our pursuers, but also block our only possible retreat,” added Dax grimly.

  “Hard choice. But we have to make a decision quickly.”

  Captain Jamie thought for a moment. He could leave men behind, but if they had to retreat, they would be retreating to face another fight. If they pulled down the tunnel, the men had to reach the safe side, adding incentive. Captain Jamie stood up and looked around at his men. As he made eye contact with his men, they nodded a greeting. He then walked back into the cave and inspected the vertical beams holding up the ceiling. Using his axe, he prodded the tunnel roof. Small bits of sand and stones sprinkled his face and fell about his feet. He walked back to Dax.

  “We will cave in the tunnel,” announced Jamie.

  Dax smiled at the captain. “Make the necessary preparations, we leave within an hour.”

  Captain Jamie ordered some of his men to tie ropes around the vertical beams where he had tested the ceiling. Dax and Rayth moved among the other men, telling them the plan. They told them they were being pursued and had to push through the cavern. The plan was simple and the men smiled when told of it. The sooner this was over the sooner they could travel to Paradise. Death here meant the soldiers returning to the Grey Path alone where they would remain for all eternity.

  ***

  It was time. Dax, Rayth, Zane, Tucci, Thade, and Tanas sneaked into the cavern, each man carrying a torch. They silently reached the crossing. Thade peered into the matt black water and shivered. He could not see his reflection. The cavern was silent—deadly silent. The six men reached halfway across the crossing and turned to look at Captain Jamie. Dax nodded to the axe-wielder.

  Captain Jamie saw Dax’s nod and held up his fist. His men got ready. From deeper in the cave, behind him, he heard the clashing of steel. Jamie cursed under his breath and rushed through the tunnel to the fray. Several Keepers and miners had reached the point of the cave-in. Many of the axe-wielders were fighting a rear guard. Jamie shook his head and ordered more men to defend the line. Many of the miners fell instantly, the axe-wielders stabbing them with their axes, unable to swing their weapons in the confined tunnel.

  Inside the cavern, Dax could hear the faint distant sounds of battle and saw Captain Jamie disappear back into the darkest section of the tunnel. Dax pointed at Zane and Tucci, then pointed to the tunnel opposite. The two men knew what the silent signal meant. They stealthily moved towards the tunnel, with the others following close behind.

  A light scraping sounded high in the cavern.

  The group reached the far side of the crossing where Dax, Rayth, Tanas, and Thade waited. Tucci and Zane had strict orders to reach the tunnel. No matter what happened, they were to reach the tunnel. Dax had had an argument with Zane about this but the older warrior had won. He had told Zane he had to reach the Black Palace no matter what happened to the others. He was key to the survival of the Rhaurns and Phadrine. He had to make it. Zane had to agree.

  Captain Jamie returned to the tunnel exit and saw the group was in position. The noise in the cavern started to build—the Solus were close. He watched as Zane and Tucci reached the tunnel opposite, where they waited in the mouth.

  The scratching sound intensified.

  The fighting behind the captain in the tunnel grew louder, closer. The captain had to wait.

  Inside the cavern, the Solus suddenly attacked the group.

  Dax stood back-to-back with Rayth whilst Thade and Tanas did the same to protect each other. They patiently waited with their torches stabbed into the ground all around them. The Solus’ scraping sounds increased in intensity and engulfed the men in an invisible shroud of rage. There was no escaping the noise. Suddenly, the first rock thrown landed at Rayth’s feet. The former axe-wielder did not flinch, just tightened his grip on his massive double-headed axe. A spear was thrown towards Tanas. He swayed to one side and deflected the spear with one of his short swords.

  “How do you do it?” asked Thade, nervously licking his lips.

  “Do what?”

  “How do you know where things are?”

  “This is not the time for this discussion.”

  “Hey, I’m just interested and may not have another chance to ask you.”

  Tanas smiled. “It’s my secret.” As the last word left his mouth, the whole cavern seemed to come to life with movement. Solus clambered along the roof, across the wall, dropping and landing lightly on the ground around the warriors. Without hesitation, they attacked, like a swarm, avoiding the naked flames of the torches.

  Captain Jamie watched the Solus attack the four men. The whole cavern swarmed with the small skeletal creatures. The walls and ceiling appeared to be alive with movement, flowing, shifting, all heading for the four men—the bait. He raised his fist to ready the men. He saw the signal and dropped his fist. The axe-wielders stormed into the cavern, roaring at the top of their voices.

  Dax wielded both his death-dealers to hack and chop any and all Solus that came into range. He saw the Solus had concentra
ted on the four warriors as he had hoped and so gave the signal—he waved both his axes above his head. The sound of the axe-wielders charging into the cavern caused the Solus to hesitate. The axe-wielders cut a swathe through the Solus with ease. The small creatures stood still for a moment in shock. But that did not last long. They started a counterattack. The fighting was fierce and furious. The Solus did not bleed and yet the cavern floor was soon stained in blood—the blood of the axe-wielders.

  In the tunnel, Captain Jamie raced back to where his axe-wielders battled the miners and Keepers. His men were slowly being pushed back as the miners and Keepers clambered over broken bodies to reach them. Captain Jamie looked over his shoulder; the men were nearly at the beams. A miner broke through the line of axe-wielders, only to be abruptly stopped by Captain Jamie’s axe.

  One of Captain Jamie’s sergeants, a man named Chuck, screamed out, “We cannot hold them much longer, Captain! You must cave in the tunnel to stop them!”

  Captain Jamie looked at the man’s bloodied face and shook his head. “That’s suicide. We all leave or none of us leave. I do not want you wandering the Grey Path alone for eternity.”

  “Don’t be so stupid, Captain. You need to protect our king. Cave it in now!” The sergeant pushed his captain back, then screamed, “DO IT!”

  Wide-eyed, Jamie stepped back away from the fighting and watched his men bravely battle against the enemy. He took the rope away from one of his men.

  “Sir, we have men down there. You cannot bring the ceiling down yet.”

  Captain Jamie glared at the man. “I know, but stand down!” he barked sharply.

  “But sir, we have men down there,” pleaded the soldier.

  “STAND DOWN!” roared Captain Jamie.

  The axe-wielder did as ordered and shuffled back, away from the captain. Jamie listened to the fighting and said a silent prayer to the Divine One.

  From the tunnel, Jamie heard Chuck scream: “NOW!”

  Without another thought, Captain Jamie tugged at the ropes. His shoulders and arms took the strain as he used his weight to pull the beams. The wood started to creak, and then crack. His face reddened and veins bulged on his temples. Suddenly, the beams snapped and the ceiling of the tunnel crashed down before him. Jamie stumbled back, falling to the ground.