The First Compact: The Karus Saga (The Karus Saga: Book Book 3)

by Marc Alan Edelheit

  “We died there,” Adrastus said.

  “You died?” Karus was confused. “What do you mean you died?”

  “We died in battle,” Adrastus said, “and woke up on this strange world, at least some of us did. Soon after, I was visited by Zeus. It was he who told us we were saved for a reason, a purpose.”

  “Zeus?” Karus said.

  “On this world,” Adrastus said, “we have learned, he is called the High Father.”

  Karus’s mind raced. The High Father was also Zeus. He should have realized that. “My legion was brought here too.”

  “What is a legion?” Adrastus asked.

  “A small army,” Karus said. “Are there more of you?”

  Adrastus gave a nod.

  “How many?”

  “That,” Adrastus said, “I will not tell you.”

  “What are you saying?” Kol’Cara asked.

  In his excitement, Karus had forgotten the elf did not speak Greek.

  “They are from my world,” Karus said, switching back to Common. “They are a people called the Greeks and they’re warriors. Very good warriors too, if they are who I think they are.”

  “Are they friendly?” Kol’Cara asked.

  “Friendly?” Karus asked himself. “Seeing that they are in the same boat as me and my boys are, they should be. But … that is yet to be determined. Oh, they also follow the High Father.”

  “Better than Castor,” Kol’Cara said. “There are more of them, then?”

  Karus gave a nod. “I do not know how many. He will not tell me. He clearly does not trust us.”

  “I would not trust us,” Kol’Cara said.

  Karus glanced at the cage, then switched back to Greek. “How did you come to be here, in this camp? Prisoners?”

  “About a week ago we were taken, four days’ march from here,” Adrastus said. “This land is cursed. It has been stripped bare of food and people. We were out foraging, when those green creatures fell upon us. In the beginning, we thought them demons sent by the gods, but now … after watching them from this cage, we think they are just a strange people, much like any other … an alien people.”

  Karus fell silent for a long moment as he considered what he’d just been told.

  “We have plenty of food,” Karus said, “in a city named Carthum several days’ march from here.”

  “There is food here in this camp,” Adrastus said. “Free us and I will bring our people. It will sustain them.”

  “When the dwarves get here,” Karus said, “they will likely take it all. There will be nothing left for your people.”

  “Dwarves? Who are they?”

  “The warriors defending that town,” Karus said. “They are another people, not like you and I. Different than the orcs.”

  “Orcs?”

  “The green creatures that captured you.”

  “So,” Adrastus said, “orcs … and dwarves”—he pointed to one of the cages with the gnomes—“and those? What are they?”

  “Gnomes,” Karus said.

  “We had heard the fighting and seen the dragons,” Adrastus said. “The … orcs … all left after that, in a hurry, too.” The Greek paused. “These dwarves hold the field?”

  “In a manner of speaking,” Karus said, “yes.”

  “And they will not let our people have anything?”

  “I think that unlikely,” Karus said. “But we have plenty of food and will share, if you will come. Well, that really depends upon how many mouths you have to feed and if you will work with us.”

  “You would share your food with us?” Adrastus asked. “But you want us as allies?”

  “My legion thought we were alone in this land. Together, we will be stronger. We should work together.” Karus paused as he considered his next words. “The High Father visited me as well. He gave me a job to do and I mean to do it.”

  “Greeks and Romans working together,” Adrastus said, as if considering.

  If Adrastus had indeed come from Leonidas’s time, that meant he had lived hundreds of years in the past, many hundreds of years before Karus had been born. Just the thought of it was incredible. The ways of the gods were truly mysterious indeed.

  Karus did not tell him that, in his time, the Greeks now lived under Roman rule. Since there were Greeks amongst the camp followers, if Adrastus agreed to join them, then it was a certainty he would learn soon enough. When the truth came out, he might take it very badly. Karus knew he would have to be proactive and, when the time came, handle breaking the news carefully, for he had enough enemies as it was and did not need any more, especially a Spartan.

  The flap of great wings drew their attention skyward. Cyln’Phax landed a few yards away, flattening a number of tents. The ground shook with the impact of her landing. Eyes incredibly wide, the Greeks in the cage drew back and the gnomes became quite agitated, jabbering amongst themselves.

  Ah, Karus, Cyln’Phax said, I see you’ve found the others from your world.

  “You knew there were others and said nothing?” Karus asked, jerking a thumb at the Greeks in the cage. “This is getting tiresome. Why withhold that information?”

  There are five hundred of them, Cyln’Phax said, ignoring the question. The last we saw of their little band, they were a day or so’s flight from here, hiding out in the mountains.

  Karus just shook his head in utter consternation.

  “Are there others like them?” Karus asked. “From my world?”

  That I do not know, Cyln’Phax said, but as you and they are already on Tannis, it is a possibility.

  “The beast speaks in my head,” Adrastus said, disbelief in his tone. “It talks.”

  I am no beast, Cyln’Phax said, leaning her head toward the cage. She opened her jaws, exposing long rows of serrated teeth. If you continue to insult me, I shall eat you, puny human.

  Adrastus snapped his jaw shut.

  “Cyln’Phax is an ally,” Karus said and pointed at the dragon before gesturing at the elf, “and so too is Kol’Cara and his elves. As I said, the High Father gave us a holy mission. We are to gather allies and flee this world to a safe haven. If you want, you may come and fight with us.”

  “You already have powerful allies,” Adrastus said. “Why do you need us?”

  “You have seen the enemy,” Karus said. “There are a lot more coming.”

  Adrastus tore his gaze from the dragon. “Zeus told me the same.”

  “Then let’s work together,” Karus said. “It was clearly his intention.”

  “How do I know I can trust you? You might be lying.”

  Trust him, Cyln’Phax said, trust him not. It matters little to me, but honestly … I think you would be a fool not to. Your people are starving and Karus offers to fill your bellies. Besides, the two of you are from the same world …

  Adrastus’s eyes went to the dragon and then back to Karus. He was silent a long moment. “I will have to discuss such an offer with my people. Since we came here, things are different. We are from many states and have no king. None of our leaders came with us.”

  “You’re from Sparta,” Karus said. “Do I have that right?”

  “I am of Sparta and those with me are too,” Adrastus said. “There are Tegeans, Corinthians, and Myceneans in the mountains at our camp. As the dragons said, we number a little over five hundred.”

  Karus had not heard of the Tegeans, but he had heard of the others. They were city-states of old Greece.

  “Can you open the cage?” Karus asked Kol’Cara.

  “Are you certain you want to do that?” The elf looked skeptical.

  “They are potential allies,” Karus said, then turned to Cyln’Phax. “Can you tell them how to get to Carthum?”

  I suppose I can, Cyln’Phax said with a huff.

  “We will free you,” Karus said, turning back to Adrastus. “You can take all the food you can carry and a couple of teska … Are you familiar with them? They are the six-legged, shaggy things, the local beast of burd
en to these parts.”

  “We know of them,” Adrastus said. Then his eyes narrowed. “Won’t these dwarves you spoke of object to us taking food?”

  “I will see that they allow you and your men to take what you can and permit you to go. The dragon will tell you how to reach the city of Carthum.”

  Adrastus’s gaze went to the dragon again and then returned to Karus. “Free us if you will, but upon my honor, I promise nothing other than we will discuss your offer. We may not even come.”

  Karus thought about telling Adrastus more or making a stronger argument. But after some thought, disregarded that idea. He had made his case, and now he would see them freed. The Greeks would either come or not. It was that simple.

  “I find that fair,” Karus said. “And before you go, you should know … there is another army of orcs out there. They are marching this way and for Carthum. We won’t be staying long … so don’t take too long in deciding.”

  “Another army?” Adrastus asked.

  “Far larger,” Karus said. “The orcs are of the Horde. They are the real enemy in this land and they have dragons of their own.”

  Adrastus’s eyes once again flicked to the dragons.

  Karus, Cyln’Phax said, try not to compare us to wyrms. I find it insulting.

  “Free them,” Karus said to Kol’Cara, switching to Common and ignoring the dragon, “if you would.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “I told them they can join with us,” Karus said, “and leave this world and the Horde behind when we go. They are going to discuss the matter with their people.”

  “You leave world?” the gnome he had spoken with asked in Common from the other cage. “How? How you go? You tell.”

  Karus turned back to the gnome as Kol’Cara drew a dagger and began to work on the lock to the Greeks’ cage. He moved back over to the gnomes’ cage.

  “What concern of that is yours on where we go?”

  The gnome did not immediately reply but seemed to eye him shrewdly. Karus turned away to watch Kol’Cara work.

  “Two World Gates are in hands of Horde,” the gnome said, drawing Karus’s attention once again. “But third is locked, sealed, lost. Its location is not known to Horde. They search, on orders of the Krix, but not know where is.”

  Karus felt his heart almost skip a beat. There was a third World Gate? And the enemy did not know where it was? How was that possible? He also wondered what a Krix was.

  Do not listen to him, Cyln’Phax said. Gnomes cannot be trusted. Were there another World Gate, I think we would know.

  “I not lie,” the gnome said emphatically. “I not lie. There is third World Gate.”

  He lies, Cyln’Phax asserted forcefully.

  “Noctalum know truth,” the gnome said. “You ask them.”

  Not likely. Cyln’Phax sounded disgusted. And I very much doubt one would speak to the likes of you, gnome.

  “We no talk to them,” the gnome said. “We watch them. We watch everyone. They no know.”

  Cyln’Phax raised her head at that, eyeing the gnome intensely. The little creature did not flinch under the scrutiny.

  “And why would I believe you?” Karus said. “You are allied with the Horde. Gnomes, like the orcs, are our enemy.”

  “Yes, yes, I know,” the gnome said, as if it were not such a big deal. “We part of Horde. But if you take us with you … my people not be. We be free. We leave Horde behind. No war on you once we go to Istros. On that I promise, give word.”

  “You cannot trust them,” Kol’Cara said over his shoulder as he worked on the lock. “They are gnomes.”

  Istros is a world I have heard of, Cyln’Phax said. It is a world that is said to be free of the Last War … the War of the Gods. If there is a third Gate … it could lead there.

  “So, you believe there is a third Gate,” Karus said, “and it goes to this world, Istros?”

  “It go Istros,” the gnome said, nodding his little head emphatically.

  Gnomes do watch, Cyln’Phax said. They are like vermin and sometimes it is impossible to rid your lair of them, even when you burn it out. In the deep dark of the world, they are nearly everywhere on Tannis.

  Karus found that last part both troublesome and worrying.

  “What is your name?” Karus asked, thinking escape from this world could not be that easy.

  “Klegg, leader to my people, the Malshar,” the gnome said. “Long has Istros Gate been lost to all but few. Key that opens it has been lost.” The gnome pointed at him with a tiny index finger. “I think you have Key, yes?”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Because High Father involved,” Klegg said. “Oracle said he hide. Take and hide Key. I think he gives it to you.”

  The oracle again, Karus thought. When time permitted, he really needed to visit this oracle.

  “You know where this Gate is?” Karus asked, deciding not to answer the gnome’s question.

  “No,” Klegg said.

  “Then you are of no use to me.” Karus started to turn away again. He should have known it would not be so easy. Nothing ever was.

  “I know how to find it.”

  “Tell me then.”

  “No,” Klegg said. “You think I stupid? I not. Free us. I bring people to Carthum. Then … we help each other. I helpful you. You helpful us. We find Gate together. We go.”

  Karus considered the gnome for several silent moments. He knew there was no way he could trust this creature. But, at the same time, he realized he might have to.

  “We not friends,” Klegg said. “We not allies. But we work together for time. Escape Tannis to Istros, then go separate ways. We no trouble you.”

  Karus hesitated a moment, then gave a mental nod. He’d made his decision and, for better or worse, would live with it.

  “Free them too,” Karus said to Kol’Cara.

  “Karus,” Kol’Cara said, straightening from his task of picking the lock to the Greeks’ cage, “this is a mistake.” He pointed at the gnomes with the dagger. “If I let them go, they will pass on word of us to the Horde.”

  I cannot believe this, Cyln’Phax said, but I am inclined to agree with the elf. This is an uncommonly bad idea.

  “The enemy already knows we are in Carthum,” Karus said. “I think we have to take the risk. If a third Gate exists … we need to find it. It could be what we need to escape this world.”

  Kol’Cara gave a disbelieving grunt and turned back to the cage. A moment later, the lock came free and he swung the cage door wide.

  “Thank you,” Adrastus said as he stepped through the door and up to Karus. He held out his arm, which Karus clasped. Adrastus’s grip was firm. “The dragon has already told me how to reach Carthum. As I promised, I will speak to my people. If there is agreement amongst us, we will see you there.”

  “Good.” Karus gestured back the way he’d come. “The food and supplies you will need are that way. The teska are picketed right behind the supply dumps. There are also packs with precooked rations in the tents. You may want to grab a few of those too. With that other army marching here, there is no time to waste. Understand?”

  Adrastus gave a nod.

  “Good,” Karus said, “best get moving.”

  “Thank you again for freeing us.” Adrastus paused, as if he would speak more, then motioned for his men to follow. A few heartbeats later and they were gone.

  There was a heavy chink, and with it, the lock to the gnomes’ cage came free. Kol’Cara stepped back as the gnomes filed out. He moved over to the other cage and opened that lock too. The elves had moved closer to Karus. He noted they held their bows at the ready, arrows nocked. Were the little creatures that dangerous? They were the size of small children.

  “We go now,” Klegg said.

  “Betray me,” Karus said, “and I will kill you, Klegg.”

  The gnome flashed him an evil smile. “You no first to try.”

  Chapter Four

  Karus was absorbed i
n the maps scattered across the table. He heard Kol’Cara say something from the other side of the tent and looked up to see the elf set a wax tablet he’d been idly studying back down on the camp table.

  For the last hour of their explorations, the elf had seemed bored, almost to the point of distraction. They had found the enemy’s command tent or, more appropriately, what the orcs likely considered their headquarters.

  Karus had been impressed with all he’d seen so far, and the enemy’s headquarters was no exception. The tent was open, as all four sides had been rolled up. It was large, with a thick central support pole and four outer supports. The canvas of the tent was good quality and had been well waterproofed. A large banner with a red skull emblazoned on it flew from the top.

  There were four long tables for the clerks. Each table held a clay lamp. Tablets, stacks of parchment, styluses, and ink bottles lay on the tabletops, right where the clerks had left them when they’d fled. So hasty was their flight that one of the tables and a couple stools had been overturned. There was even a half-eaten meal of what looked like pork and some beans on one table.

  Karus thought it interesting that there were no bugs. Had they been back in Britannia, flies would have been buzzing around it. Strange …

  Trunks full of neatly organized tablets and parchment had been set around the main support pole. Karus supposed that they were reports, the kind of mind-numbing work the military bureaucracy seemed to eagerly require—well, at least the legion did. Over the years, Karus had frequently wondered if anyone had ever read the vast multitude of reports he had been required to submit to headquarters.

  “What did you ask?” Karus said.

  “I asked if you found anything interesting.” Kol’Cara moved over to him. The elf gazed down at the map before Karus. There were other maps scattered about on the table.

  “Yes, I believe so. I think these maps are very interesting,” Karus said. “This one in particular is of the local region and the surrounding lands. The X mark here is the town, the one the dwarves were holding.”