“There wasn’t much time to think, I acted on instinct,” he answered after a brief hesitation. Was what he did truly wrong? He had stayed behind in order to give the others a chance at reaching safety, how could that be seen as a failure?
The knight took another sip of wine and motioned for Gareth to speak in his stead.
“You didn’t know the layout of the land, how far back did that crevice go? Maybe it ended after twenty feet and the knights you sent on were trapped, down two men, and ended up being slaughtered like pigs in a cage. Maybe there was a way of blocking the path further in that would have allowed all four of you to escape alive, without having to sacrifice yourself in order to do it. Hell, the entire elven army could have been waiting just on the other side of the cliff and all you had to do was keep riding and not only save yourself and those with you, but help crush your pursuers with one quick decisive blow,” Gareth told him, making him suddenly feel like an idiot.
“The point is, you didn’t take the time to find out. You immediately jumped off your horse and prepared to attack. No doubt sure that you could handle yourself like you did with the others and walk away unscathed. You didn’t have to fight them at the mouth of the crevice, you had time to go further in, let them funnel behind you, and see if there was another way to survive,” the elf finished, looking to Pendoran who nodded his agreement with the assessment.
Pendoran finished chewing another piece of bread and thoughtfully swished around his cup of wine. “I am a man of honor and can admit when I’m wrong. You are indeed an accomplished fighter. You improvise when needed, you think on your feet, and you are versatile in your handling of weapons. It’s rare that I can be so mistaken, yet, in this case I am happy that I am. You’ll make a fine addition to our brotherhood.”
He beamed with pride and Gareth reached out and clapped him on the shoulder.
“We can move on to simpler stuff now. Proficiency with weapon types, tactics; try to narrow down whether you should carry a shield or dual-wield, or simply use your sword as a two-handed weapon. Hopefully, through all of that you will start to learn how to better avail yourself of your environment and the resources afforded to you in battle. Owain, if you would, I’ll need you to start instructing him on how better to defend himself against magic users, that’s more your field than mine,” Pendoran finished with a smile.
Gareth looked at the half-empty wine. “Looks like we’ll be needing more of that. Do you need a break, or do you want to continue on?”
“Let’s keep going,” he responded, feeling renewed hope fill him with the change in the commanding knight’s mood. He closed his eyes just as Owain began chanting and lost himself in the virtual world created by the druid once more.
II
They emerged from the cave with the Dark Elves hard on their heels. Night had fallen and the time for pretenses was over. Summoning his magic, he turned as the others brushed past, and set the cave entrance on fire. Letting it flow through him unhindered, he burned rock and stone until it was white hot, as he suddenly heard the welcoming cries of their pursuers scream in pain as they blundered into the flames.
Riska was at his side, ready to fight if any made it through the infernal blazing before them. He could feel that Reyna and Kore were busy getting Kylee onto her horse so they could quickly depart; he needed to buy them time. He sent even more fire forward, wanting to make sure it was hot enough to keep them back so he could get on his own horse and get out of there. “Riska, you should get on Ajax,” he told the dwarf, who grimly nodded and disappeared to his rear.
Screams of rage were echoing towards him, barely audible over the crackling of flames.
“Ho there, what’s this?” a voice thundered behind him. He turned his head, not letting up on his magic, and saw that a large scouting party had ridden up on them as his companions were getting on their mounts.
“Are you friend or foe?” he inquired, refusing to step away until he knew for sure. He couldn’t afford to have his attention divided right now and he prayed that they didn’t mean any harm.
A large man on horseback rode forward and eyed the mage carefully. “Depends on who you serve, my friend, these are dark times and one cannot be too careful.”
“We are working against the Phoenix and on the way to Forlorn to support the elves against an oncoming attack,” Reyna spoke up, her sword drawn, approaching the party as if ready to take them all on.
“Then what are you doing here? Forlorn is that way!” the man questioned, pointing towards the eastern horizon.
Merlin felt his strength beginning to wane. “Can we discuss this later? A large horde of Dark Elves is about to try and cut us down!”
“My, you bunch really are in it deep, aren’t you? Porda, have the men guard the rear, kill anything that comes out of that cave! Mage, break away and get to your horse. Best to leave before your flames die out,” the man commanded.
Though it irritated him to no end, he had to go along with it. The constant flow of magic was starting to tap into his energy reserves, and he would fall to the ground in exhaustion if he didn’t let up soon. He released the magic and ran for it. He stowed his staff quickly and leapt upon his horse. “Let’s go!” Pulling on his reins, he reared about and began racing east. The others rode by his side as the newcomers protected their rear. He heard the twang of arrows and screams of rage from the direction of the cave, but he ignored it as he kicked his horse faster, head down, trying to get them away as quickly as they could.
At least half an hour passed before he pulled up on his reins and wheeled himself about, the other riders doing so as well. He turned to the commander of the scouting party and bowed his head. “Much thanks for your assistance, I trust none under your command are hurt?”
“Nay,” the man responded, his chain mail glistening in the moonlight. “The devils took a few to the chest and then fled back into the darkness like the sewer rats they are.”
“Who are you?” he asked, looking for a banner designating their allegiance.
The man shook his head, the others in the group looking back the way they came, checking for signs of pursuit. “You first.”
“My name is Merlin,” he told the man after careful consideration, but not believing the warrior would recognize it. He was surprised when the man broke into a loud fit of laughter.
“Oh, I’ve heard of you. You are indeed working against the black bitch. Though, I thought you were long dead magician,” the warrior chuckled, shaking his head again. “But there’s no doubting who you are after that fire display back there.”
Reyna rode closer. “That’s good and all, you recognizing him, but that doesn’t tell us whether we should trust you.”
The horseman glared back at her. “We just saved your lives, is that not proof enough?”
Reyna’s stare showed that it wasn’t.
“Come on, my men are expecting us back and our army is camped just south of here,” the horseman replied.
“You expect us to ride back with you?” the black knight countered with raised eyebrows. He was still exhausted from the intense use of magic and couldn’t manage enough energy to calm her down; it would have to just play out as it will. Reyna was Reyna, after all.
The man sneered. “You say you’re on your way to Forlorn? Well, so are we. You folks look like you could use all the friends you can get, why not travel together?”
“We’ll go with you,” Merlin sighed, waving off Reyna’s retort, her cold stare meeting his gaze as he did so; he ignored her. He was tired, they lost Melissa, and their ranger was in need of medical attention. She wouldn’t get it while they were on the run from the Dark Elves, who might be even now chasing after them in the dark; waiting to see if they would separate from the horsemen and head out on their own.
Kore nosed his horse in his direction. “Where Brownie?”
That startled him out of his thoughts, he had been busy watching the horseman give the other scouts orders to ride south and hadn’t been paying att
ention. He glanced around at the other horses around them; Melissa’s mare had been tied to his own mount and the saddle was empty. He reached out with his mind but didn’t feel the familiar feel of the brownie’s thoughts anywhere nearby. “Oh, for fucks sake.”
III
The army they approached was larger than he expected, and most of it was on horseback. He turned in his saddle as the fires came into range, looking straight at their orc warrior. “Maybe it’s best you get your cloak out.”
“There’s no need for that,” the horseman told him sternly. “He has no reason to hide who he is from us.”
That caught Merlin off guard, but as did most of the behavior he’d witnessed from their would-be traveling companions. The riders were obviously scouting for the Phoenix’s forces, scouring the land surrounding their host for signs of the enemy, and yet he’d noticed the lack of interest in their orc companion. Questions hadn’t been asked about the nature of Kore’s involvement with their party and the lack of concern was an oddity he couldn’t put a finger on.
Kore ignored what the leader of the scouting party said as he slid his cloak into place.
“So be it,” the rider muttered after seeing the orc’s persistence. “Let’s get you folks back to our tent and get some ale in you. Maybe then you’ll begin to relax.”
He nodded and rode with the scouts through the army lines. “My ranger companion could use some medical attention.” Kylee was bent over her mount and looked like she would fall off at any second. Kore and Reyna had secured her legs, but with the way she was leaning, she might pull herself free and fall to the ground before anyone could catch her.
“Porda, find these folks a tent and get the elf into a bed, then summon a cleric to tend to her,” the horseman commanded, and the other man bowed his head, then motioned for a couple of others to assist. They accepted the reins from Reyna and began leading Kylee’s horse away.
“This way,” the man told them, nodding his head to the left. They rode towards the center of the camp and pulled up in front of a very large tent. Dismounting, he tied his horse to a pole and joined the others grouped outside the doorway. Only the commander remained, having dismissed his men to seek out food and rest. “Ready?”
“Let’s get this over with,” Reyna muttered with a gruff tone.
Walking through the tent flaps Merlin noticed that a large table had been set in the center and several armored men were bent over it carrying on a deep conversation. When they entered, the five men glanced their way and suddenly stood at attention. Then they bowed their heads and muttered as one, “Hagl Konungr Haraldsson!”
The warrior next to him bowed his head and motioned for the men to go about what they were doing. Merlin was giving him a perplexed look, which made the man break into a fresh bout of laughter. “Apologies that I didn’t inform you of this sooner, as I said, these are dark times. Jorund, bring us some ale! Thor’s lightning flashes to the east while Hel fans the flames of the Phoenix and sends his dark witch chasing after.”
“You’re the King of Alamar,” Merlin managed and saw Reyna stiffen in response. She had been one of the commanders that had helped lay siege to the castle and it must have made her even more uncomfortable to be here amongst the people she had tried to slay.
“Nay, not right now I’m not,” the man stated mournfully, but then gave him a widening smile. “But I will be again. Once the Elves are free from threat of invasion, I will have words with King Erik about that particular predicament. With the Elves behind me, I will retake Alamar once more and push those devils back into the sea. Grackthor, take off your cloak and greet our guest.”
Merlin’s eyes drifted to a solitary figure standing nearby. He was wearing a long brown cloak that barely hid the monstrous frame underneath. Gauntleted hands reached up and pulled back his cowl, revealing dark red skin and fiery eyes underneath. Tusks worked slowly as the orc’s eyes settled on the cloaked behemoth standing to his right. Kore had moved around the others and was now focusing on the revealed warrior as well.
The king laughed. “As you can see, you are not the only one traveling with orcs these days. Strange times these are, strange times indeed. But I owe a debt of gratitude to Grackthor and his people and it will not be said that Storvirk Haraldsson is not a man of honor.”
Jorund appeared with several jugs of ale and the king immediately reached out and filled a glass. “To new friends and the death of our enemies!”
“Hagl Konungr Haraldsson!” the others intoned, draining their own glasses, then clapped each other on the shoulders while bellowing quick bursts of laughter.
Riska stepped forward and accepted one of the glasses.
“Ah yes, the dwarf. Sorry friend, we don’t have any Grog, but this should help put some hair on your chest!” Jorund suddenly roared and the others joined in.
“I’ve got hair enaw, thenk ye,” Riska barked, draining a mug of ale. “Kin’ ay weak, isn’t it?” he retorted, wiping his beard with his armored sleeve and refilling his glass.
Storvirk slapped the dwarf on the back and clinked his mug against his. “Nay, give it time my friend, it’s not done with you yet.”
Grackthor had come around the table and stood face to face with Kore. After a moment of staring at one another, Grackthor suddenly dropped down to one knee and bowed his head.
“Oh, have you been holding out on me as well, Merlin?” Storvirk suddenly roared and broke out into fresh chuckles. “Got your own king hidden amongst you?”
“Kore no King,” the tall orc blurted, but the kneeling orc remained where he was. “Grackthor up.” Slowly the orc rose to his feet and a whispered conversation broke out between the two warriors. By the animation on their faces he could see that it was having a strong impact on his companion, and he began inching his way towards them in order to hear what was going on. He saw an odd look come over Kore’s face and it took him a second to realize what it was; joy. The warriors paused suddenly, and he thought he saw a shimmer of a tear beginning to trickle down Kore’s green cheek. Turning to Merlin, he couldn’t help but feel the happiness radiating his way. “Army orcs here, free from whipmasters.”
“Oh shit,” Reyna cursed, then reached for her own jug of ale. “Fill it up boys, I’m going to need a lot of this by the time this night’s done.”
“A lady in armor who drinks like a man? Would you marry me?” one of the larger men suddenly piped in, looking upon the black knight with naked hunger.
She stopped and drew a dagger, “you’re gonna lose that sword if you keep pointing it at me.” The group broke out into loud guffaws as the man stepped backward, hand racing to his crotch.
Kore ignored them, he was too happy to even pay attention to anything else but the other orc in front of him. “Kore greet brothers,” the orc told him. Then he grabbed Grackthor by the shoulder and left the tent at a swift pace.
“I told you not to worry about your orc friend, he’s got nothing to fear here!” Storvirk laughed.
Merlin, the master of past and future, stood stunned as the tent flaps closed and for the first time in a long time, was at a loss for words.
Chapter 20
Reforged
I
Merlin sat on the ground by Kylee’s bedroll. She appeared to be sleeping, but he could sense the irregular pull of breath and knew that her mind had not yet allowed her to rest. “I’m here,” he breathed softly, reaching out and putting a hand on her shoulder.
She shrugged it off and he saw the quick crack of her eyes, but they shut just as fast as they’d opened. Her cheeks were swollen, and he heard her clear her swollen throat. “Leave me be.”
“I know that’s what you want, how you deal with things like this, but you aren’t alone like you were when you were a child. You have friends that care about you; that will help to see you through this,” he soothed, replacing his hand on her shoulder and was surprised that she didn’t immediately shake it off. “I’m sorry about Tuskar.”
She nodded but refused t
o speak.
He understood. Having a companion that you shared so much with, the degree of intimacy they enjoyed, ripped from you so violently without even the chance to say goodbye, had to leave a gaping hole that refused to be filled. He had been there when the wolf had passed and had experienced firsthand how strong their bond had been when he’d searched the dying wolf’s mind. There was nothing that he could say to soothe her loss, he could only be there for her as she slowly struggled through it.
“Bleak’s gone. He must have found out what Melissa had done and gone after her. The two were inseparable for so long, I doubt there was any other course he’d consider,” he relayed softly, not sure if she was hearing it, but letting the tone of his voice roll over her like a blanket. “Found out why these horsemen weren’t worried about us traveling with an orc. They have an entire regiment camped on the south side of the army. Seems like Kore’s defection had an effect on those that remained and when they were ordered to attack Alamar’s retreating forces, they turned on their whipmasters and killed the goblins traveling with them. The King of Alamar saw this and took advantage of the orc’s rebellion; offering them weapons and food if they traveled east with them to Forlorn. I’m sure that’s got that witch’s panties in a bunch,” he offered with a smile, not expecting one in return.
He wasn’t disappointed.
“Riska is playing a drinking game with the Alamar King, while Reyna just sits there and glowers at them. I swear, nothing will ever please that woman,” he commented dryly, and he thought for a moment that Kylee’s mouth had twisted into a slight smile. It was gone when he looked closer, probably just a figment of his imagination.
He leaned forward and spoke softer, so that nearby eavesdroppers wouldn’t be able to hear. “I haven’t heard from Melissa yet and I’m not sure I ever will again. I have no idea whether she even still lives. What she did was so uncharacteristic, giving herself up to them in order to save you, that I have not yet been able to reconcile it with the woman I know. Maybe she changed since she began journeying with us. Maybe being around other people affected her more than she would care to admit. But either way, it’s done now, and she’s given you a new chance at life. Focus on that, on putting one foot in front of the other, and slowly this grief you feel will start to loosen up and eventually fade.”
The New Age Saga Box Set Page 76