by E J Gilmour
‘We must make a move. The Skatheans have gathered a small army of mercenaries in Darancra and are following the Adira River northward. They hope to intercept you before you cross the river. The twenty Skatheans are at our heels; they are camped just south of this hidden gorge. They are using their vultures to keep track of us. We must leave this place and make for the river. Arthur has organised a single boat for you to cross at the Mooring of Gastrell where a brigade of my kinsmen await us. Once you reach the far side of the river you will be much safer.’ Dillon paused and stared at them for a few moments. ‘I wonder what is so important that the Skatheans require an army to intercept you?’
‘Our business will remain a secret, Sir Dillon,’ said Cassiel. ‘You should know that you do well protecting us from the Skatheans.’ Dillon nodded and accepted the fact that they were not going to tell him anything.
‘Gather your horses. We must leave immediately.’
**
Without delay the company rode away westward from the gorge. Dillon galloped out ahead with his two companions and kept a blistering pace. All the horses apart from Swiftwing strained to keep up. After riding for at least half a day Dillon halted his horse and stared back across the desert. Eben did the same. They could see on the horizon the dark shapes of riders pursuing them.
‘Skatheans! They intend to catch us before we reach the river. We must ride like the wind!’
They rode on as quickly as their horses would take them. Eben looked back over his shoulder and could see the Skatheans were gaining on them. After another hour the landscape gradually changed. The soil was becoming darker; bushes and shrubs were dotted all about.
‘Can you see that rise ahead? Beyond that ridge we will come to the Adira River and the Mooring of Gastrell.’ In the distance there was a slight rise and a line of small trees.
‘Look!’ cried Red, pointing toward the southwest. A great cloud of dust was rising from beyond the ridge.
‘It’s the Skathean army!’ shouted Dillon. ‘We must hurry!’
They pressed ahead as fast as their horses could manage. Before long they arrived at the rise, and the exhausted horses rushed up the slope to the top of the ridge. From the height of the ridge they could see the mighty Adira River. A gradual slope led downward about four hundred yards to the riverbank. The river was wide, at least five hundred yards across, and flowed slowly to the south. Shrubs and trees lined the banks, and a dusty road led along the side of the river. They could see the stone landing which served as a small place for passing boats and barges to dock. Directly beside the landing a large group of fifty Desert Knights were mounted on their horses and waiting.
Toward the south, perhaps only a mile away, an army of horsemen were charging toward the Mooring of Gastrell. A group of Skatheans were leading the mercenary army from the front.
‘We have no time!’ cried Dillon. ‘Follow me!’
They followed Dillon and the two other Desert Knights as they charged down the slope. Within a minute they were nearing the landing. It was instantly apparent that there was only one small wooden canoe. The group of Desert Knights directed them out onto the landing.
‘You will have to leave your horses. On the far side of the river you will be safe for a time. The Skatheans will have to ride a long way south to find a boat or barge to follow you across. Follow the river north as quickly as possible. The further north you go the safer you will be,’ said Dillon.
The sound of the approaching army was growing. Eben dismounted Swiftwing and quickly gathered his backpack and sword. He felt sad at having to leave Swiftwing behind. He had come to appreciate his great warhorse.
‘Make haste!’ cried Dillon.
Red and Stella were already in the small canoe and Cassiel was stepping in. The top edge of the canoe was nearing the surface of the water; it was obviously not built to carry any more than one or two passengers. Eben was next to step in. The water almost came over the edge, leaving only an inch or two.
Quade stood on the landing and looked down at them. He realised that the boat couldn’t possibly carry another. ‘Goodbye my friends,’ he said, warmly smiling down at them.
‘Come on, Quade, there’s enough room,’ said Red, dismayed and not wanting to leave his friend behind.
‘No, there’s not,’ said Dillon firmly. ‘The boat cannot take another. You must go now! The Skatheans are almost upon us!’
‘We can’t leave you,’ said Red, insisting that Quade come with them.
‘Don’t worry about me. I have survived worse than this, and besides, this was always your quest. I was just tagging along for a while. Vastoria is my home now, and I mean to defend it,’ said Quade as he turned back toward the horses. ‘I hope you don’t mind if I borrow Swiftwing. Of course I’ll return him if we ever meet again.’
Quade mounted Swiftwing and drew his curved Vastorian sword. Simultaneously the fifty Desert Knights turned their horses to face the approaching army of Skatheans and mercenaries. The army was charging toward the landing with a terrible roar. The thunderous sound of a thousand galloping horses echoed between the two opposing ridges and grew louder with each passing moment.
‘Go!’ cried Dillon. ‘We have risked much to see you safely through the desert. You must go now!’
Cassiel and Eben took oars and started to row the canoe out across the water. They watched as the fifty Desert Knights formed a line to face the approaching army. Suddenly the Desert Knights charged forward at the army. Within seconds they smashed into the leading ranks of the Skatheans and mercenaries. The battle raged. It was difficult to make out exactly what was happening amid the calamity. Eben and Cassiel continued to row the small vessel across the river as they watched the battle intently. The Desert Knights were fighting valiantly, but the task at hand was simply too great. They were being crushed and overwhelmed.
‘Look,’ cried Stella as about a dozen remaining Desert Knights broke away from the battle and rode up the slope to the top of the ridge. ‘Quade is with them!’
The Skatheans and mercenaries were in close pursuit and within seconds the Desert Knights and Quade galloped over the ridge and were beyond sight. All fell silent on the shoreline in the wake of the battle. Several Skatheans approached the edge of the water and stared out at them. Eben and Cassiel continued to row, and they stared back at the Skatheans in the eerie silence.
CHAPTER SIX
The Adira River had always been a source of life to those that lived in the deserts of Vastoria. The river flowed out of the lush land of Irvaria to the northwest and was sacred to the people of the desert. The vast majority of the population of Vastoria lived on the banks of the river, and the surrounding areas provided fertile soils for farming and grazing of cattle. The river dwellers considered themselves to be true Vastorians, an ancient people with a distinct culture.
Eben stepped onto the western bank of the river and the others followed.
‘I hope Quade got away alright,’ said Red, staring back across the wide river.
‘I’m sure he’ll be fine. Swiftwing is amazing; he can outrun any Skathean horse,’ said Eben.
‘I hope so,’ said Red.
‘We should move on,’ said Cassiel. ‘We still have an hour or two before sunset.’
They followed the course of a dusty and well-trodden road that led beside the river. As dusk approached they moved away from the shore and set up camp a few hundred yards in the hinterland. Red built a small fire and prepared a meal.
‘We could have met an ill fate without the help of the Desert Knights. We were very fortunate to gain their assistance,’ said Cassiel. ‘The Skatheans seem desperate to stop you taking the Sword of Light to Faircastle.’
‘Thank goodness we’re beyond their reach now?’ said Red assuredly.
‘I don’t think we are safe yet,’ said Cassiel, shaking his head. ‘They may be able to cross the river somewhere. Dillon said the further we go north the safer we will be. The Skatheans will not dare to follow us further once we cro
ss the border of Irvaria.’
‘How much further is the border?’ asked Eben.
‘A few days if we move quickly,’ replied Cassiel.
‘Then we should move as quickly as we can. I’m tired of this game of cat and mouse,’ said Red. ‘We always seem to be running away from something. I look forward to the day they are running from us.’
‘As long as we don’t meet too many of them at once I believe we will have the upper hand,’ said Eben confidently.
‘You are probably right,’ said Cassiel. ‘But the Skatheans know what we are capable of. Surely they will only attack us if they believe they can overwhelm us. We should remain cautious.’
That evening they took turns keeping watch.
**
The following day they moved quickly north along the river road, and as noon approached they came upon a small river settlement. A group of ten mud huts surrounded a stone landing where two small barges were moored. As they approached several villagers quickly gathered staffs and spears and stood ready to defend their settlement.
‘We mean you no harm. We’re just passing through,’ said Cassiel calmly.
‘Find another way around our village,’ said a young Vastorian man. ‘Everyone who comes out of the south is evil these days. We doubt you are any different.’
‘We are not a threat to you,’ stated Cassiel.
‘We don’t care what you are,’ said the young villager with a sneer.
Eben caught sight of a large group of barges drifting down the wide river. More barges followed and within a minute there were dozens. The villagers turned around and watched the river as the barges came closer and floated by.
‘It’s an army from Irvaria,’ said Cassiel gladly. ‘Look, they are flying the banner of their kingdom. They must be going south to challenge the Skatheans.’
Eben could see the red flags flying high with a depiction of a white dragon. The barges were full of armoured soldiers.
‘That should keep the Skatheans from bothering us,’ said Red happily.
‘I dare say you may be right,’ said Cassiel.
Before long the barges had all passed out of sight. The villagers turned back to face them.
‘If you’re against the Skatheans you’re on our side,’ said the young man. ‘All the river settlements from here to Irvaria have opposed the Skatheans since they arrived in Vastoria.’
‘The Skatheans are our enemies too,’ said Red. ‘We fought them in Ortaria.’
‘We have tried to stop them from taking control of our settlements for months. They hope to turn us all into their slaves by dividing our people. They didn’t expect our bonds to go so deep. We won’t turn against our brothers for silver or gold. These have been troubling times for us. Now the Irvarians are coming we have reason to hope. Can you stay and help us fight the Skatheans?’
‘I’m sorry,’ replied Eben. ‘We are urgently on our way to Faircastle and can’t afford any delay.’
The young man nodded. ‘You should know that something evil lurks in the wilderness to the north of here. It’s not safe for men to be out in the night. Several caravans have completely disappeared on the river road between here and Irvaria. Men are telling stories of a shadow that walks in the darkness.’
‘What kind of shadow?’ asked Red in a low voice.
‘We don’t know. About two weeks ago a group of our tribesmen were camped half a day north of here. Their camp was attacked by something they couldn’t see because it kept to the shadows. Several men were dragged into the night and were never seen again. The survivors said they felt unusually cold the night when they were attacked.’
‘We will be careful,’ said Eben.
**
They walked quickly for the remainder of the day and passed by two more river settlements before dusk. Once again they set up camp in the hinterland and found a cleared grove surrounded with trees and out of sight of the road. Red and Stella collected firewood while Cassiel and Eben set up the camp.
‘What’s your opinion of the warning we received?’ asked Eben.
‘It’s probably nothing to worry about,’ answered Cassiel. ‘The people are strained from fighting the Skatheans. It could be the Skatheans trying to create a state of fear among the village folk. I’m hoping that we don’t have to fight another draug. I think we should keep a vigilant watch tonight.’
‘Do you think we could beat a draug,’ asked Eben.
‘I think I understand the method a draug uses to attack. They tempt their victims with their deepest desires. The answer is simple; whatever they offer you, understand it’s a lie, and then simply reject it,’ said Cassiel assuredly.
‘Easier said than done,’ said Red as he returned to the camp with Stella. ‘None of us beat the draug, and we all knew that the things we were tempted with were not real. If Baftel hadn’t been there we probably would have all been victims.’
Cassiel nodded. ‘You are right, Red; although once you touch the fire you’re unlikely to touch it again. We all saw what the draug could do. I think we would do better if we ever face such a challenge again.’
‘Perhaps,’ said Stella. ‘But let’s hope that we never have to.’
**
Eben awoke as Cassiel shook his shoulder. ‘Eben, wake up,’ he whispered uneasily.
‘What’s happening,’ whispered Eben, sitting up quickly. He could see in the firelight that Cassiel was intensely staring out toward the edge of the clearing.
‘There’s something out there,’ whispered Cassiel, continuing to watch with wide eyes.
‘What did you see?’ asked Eben, looking in the direction Cassiel was staring.
‘I didn’t see anything; I felt it, an evil intention. A terrible feeling in my heart,’ said Cassiel.
Eben quickly shook Red and Stella and they both sat up.
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Stella.
‘Cassiel thinks there’s something out there,’ whispered Eben.
‘I knew we should have insisted on staying in one of those villagers by the river,’ said Red as he drew his sword and stood up.
‘Quiet,’ whispered Cassiel. ‘Listen, can you hear that?’
‘No, I don’t hear anything,’ whispered Red.
A cold breeze blew across the clearing. The flames of the campfire reduced until only the hot coals remained. Only a little red light from the coals lit their faces, and the edge of the clearing had fallen into complete darkness.
‘Reveal yourself,’ said Cassiel, lifting his hand. For a moment nothing happened. There was complete silence. A blast of icy wind struck them. The light of the coals dimmed until almost no light remained. Cassiel fell to his knees and hunched over, groaning in pain. He struggled in an attempt to get up. Immediately he fell back down and lay still on the ground. Eben and Stella quickly went to his side as Red stood with his sword in hand.
Eben could see the colour was draining from Cassiel’s face. He seemed to be struggling within himself. The cold wind continued to blow.
‘Cassiel, what is it?’ asked Stella, trying to help him to sit up.
Cassiel held his chest with his right hand and was in a state of shock. His face was pale.
‘All I see is darkness,’ replied Cassiel as he stared up at Eben. A shroud of darkness cast itself over his eyes, and all the blood drained from his face. His eyes stared up absently as he lay still and unresponsive. Eben stood up and drew his sword. He knew whatever it was beyond the clearing would have to be destroyed, but he had no light beyond the faint glow of the coals. Suddenly Cassiel stirred. For a moment a glimmer of hope entered the young wizard’s eyes.
He strained to half sit up and raised his hand. ‘All that is true in life give us hope with your light,’ he whispered. An instant later his hand started to glow with bright white light. A bright light that looked like a small star, far brighter than any lantern, ascended upward above the height of the trees and lit the entire clearing. The bright white light shone out through the surrounding trees.
<
br /> Red suddenly dashed across the clearing with a shout resembling a battle cry. Stella drew her sword and followed after Red.
‘Go, Eben, they’ll need your help,’ said Cassiel faintly.
Eben nodded and quickly jumped up and ran after Red and Stella. He followed their silhouettes through the trees. Red was already beyond the clearing. A moment later Red cried out fiercely, and a second later a cry of pain followed. Eben arrived at the scene. He saw Red had fallen to the ground. A moment later Eben caught sight of the creature. It looked like a living shadow in the shape of a man. The light seemed not to be able to reach it. All they could see were its two red glowing eyes floating in the darkness. The shadow glided over the ground like a ghost and moved with great speed and agility.
Stella leapt at the spectre and thrust her sword forward. The shadow leapt away.
‘Don’t let it touch you,’ cried Red.
The shadow dodged another of Stella’s attempts to cut it down and then reached out toward her with an obscure hand which extended well beyond the normal reach of a man. She managed to duck just in time and stepped back. Meanwhile Eben stepped forward to join the fight. The shadow halted and stared at him. The air was icy.
‘What are you?’ asked Eben, staring into the swirling darkness before him.
The shadowy creature gave a terrifying shriek and then retreated back into the woods to be further away from the light. Eben pursued it, and Stella followed. The creature was moving swiftly. Eben was struggling to keep up. He chased it down into another clearing which was far from the light of the bright star. The shadow stopped in the centre of the clearing and turned to face him.
‘There will be no light,’ it hissed in an icy and hollow voice that sent shivers through Eben’s body.
Eben held up his sword and pointed the blade at the shadow. ‘This is the Sword of Light,’ he cried. ‘We will show you light, and you will no longer hide in the shadows.’
The shadow shrieked and leapt at Eben. Eben stepped back several times as he dodged the shadowy arms as they violently reached for him. He then cut forward with perfect precision. The shadow hissed and screeched as the blade sliced through its body. The creature shuddered and writhed about. Eben watched as it evaporated before his eyes. The ghostly foe gave one final howl and then was gone.