by Dave Hazel
Mykal was glad Finley took charge and asked the question.
“Well Sir, I thought he had a close one when we encountered that small army yesterday,” Ratner answered. “We know from our first visit here they could be in much larger sizes also. The first time there was well over ten thousand and maybe as many as twenty thousand. The point is, if we didn’t have the trees to hide behind yesterday they would have detected us and we would have been on the run until we dealt with that problem. It worked out great this time, and we wiped them all out without losing a single man. My concern is for the men Sir. If we continue this path of staying on the edges of the forest until we have to actually enter the forest, I believe we may encounter another army. The next army could be larger or it could be smaller and then there may be several of those armies we may encounter as we near the lands of ‘Mister Bad Guy’. After speaking to the Elves they believe our chances would be better inside the forest because they are natural forest dwelling peoples.”
“Uminair, the one Elf who seems to know more about the palace,” Moreno picked up where Ratner stopped. “He really seems confident that going through the forest wouldn’t be as bad as it was our last time since we have the six Elves with us this time around.”
“My greatest concern Sir,” Ratner said while rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. “Is we are in the wide open. Yesterday we could have had two conflicts in one day with two sizable forces. Thankfully Codlon knew the leader of that tribe and nothing came of that. We don’t know if these armies travel at night and if they do and they happen to stumble upon us in the dark while we’re camped down it could be ugly for us based on the sheer size they travel in. Right now is not a problem. We can see them for miles and get away if need be and that includes using the green fog,” he said and turned to Mykal and Towbar. “But if we get stepped on in the dark, with those numbers I don’t want to think what could happen to us. Besides that Sir, with the Elves here and with the experience we bring because of men like Sergeant Freeman and Corporal Winfield we should do just fine. Freeman and Winnie were great when they were walking point through the forest the last time.”
“Let us think about this for a few minutes,” Diaz said. “And we’ll get with you four and tell you what we’re going to do. Thanks for the input and suggestion men.”
“Thank you for hearing us, Sir,” Staff Sergeant Valante said as the four turned to join the rest of the men.
“Well, the men make a compelling argument to get out of the open,” Diaz said as if to weigh the evidence. “We do have much more help this time around with the six Elves who know forest life.”
Mykal was just getting ready to argue because he was the one who almost died the last time. If it hadn’t been for Towbar’s blood pumping through his veins enabling rapid regeneration to damaged flesh he would have died.
“Look out, look out,” men shouted and pointed overhead in the distance. There were three dragons with riders flying fairly low. They flew as if they were in search for something. The dragons and their riders didn’t seem to notice the men because they flew from the east from the forest to a southwest direction over the flatland and were some distance behind them. They would have had to look backward in order to see them. These dragons were larger than the ones that they fought in the Pass at the end of December. It was the Elves who noticed the dragons first and pointed them out to the men.
Without having to be told all the men rushed into the trees in the hopes the dragons wouldn’t look behind. A number of the men left their supplies lying in the open, but from the distance the dragons were flying, the supplies and backpacks wouldn’t have looked like anything normal in Towbar’s world. When safely behind the trees and out of sight all the men sat or lay still and waited until the threat was gone.
Mykal, Towbar and the six Elves all had a much keener sense of hearing which enabled them to hear the occasional high pitch roar. The roar was reminiscent of old Japanese monster movies that Mykal grew up with. The sound reminded Mykal of Godzilla, Gamera or Mothra. This sound would definitely be more terrifying if the beasts flew toward him rather than the sound he compared it to on his 26 inch Curtis Mathes TV Home Entertainment Center with stereo speakers. ‘Damn it, I wonder if they are looking for us?’ Mykal thought while waiting in silence. ‘No, they couldn’t possibly know we’re here or they wouldn’t have just flown over so carelessly. If they knew we were here they would have been searching and would have easily spotted us.’
“What are your thoughts my friend?” Towbar whispered just as Diaz, Finley and the Dosch brothers dropped beside them.
“My thoughts are I almost shit myself,” he whispered and forced a laugh. He needed to be humorous to hide the true terror he felt. “I honestly don’t think they were looking for us.”
“I agree,” Roy Jr. said. “Cuz if them big ugly assed birds were looking for us they would have pounced on us before we could have done anything to stop it.”
“Yeah, they woulda tore us up,” Randy added. “Do you think they are looking for that army we wiped out?”
“Good question,” Mykal said
“We surely don’t want to have to combat them,” Diaz said and blew a sigh of relief.
They all watched while the dragons flew off in the distance. “I fear for my friend Kawliga,” Codlon said. “They seem to be flying in their direction. Kawliga and his people will be in grave danger.”
Mykal wasn’t sure if Codlon was hinting at going to their aid, but he wasn’t going to say anything. He didn’t want to have to say no unless Codlon actually asked for their group to go help. Mykal felt bad that women and little children were a part of that clan, ‘…and though they are probably in danger, I don’t wanna get side tracked from my true mission. To rescue Doninka,’ he thought with firm resolution. ‘Furthermore we don’t have the fire power to fight three ferocious dragons. Besides all that, Kawliga and his clan showed a discriminating hatred towards my six Elvin friends,’ he argued mentally and justified himself with many reasons to let them fend for themselves.
“Well they are far enough away so that I don’t think they will be coming back right away,” Finley said and stood to his feet. “All you men who left your stuff out there, hurry and get all your belongings so we can continue our journey.”
Mykal knew he was going to be asked again about whether they should trek through the forest. He thought back and forth, rehearsed all the pros and cons and tried to make an informed decision before he was confronted with the question a second time.
“Let’s gather around here,” Finley said to those in the leadership with Nordad the wizard and the six Elves. “Gunny Ratner, if you would please, have the rest of the men police our area and take a break while we decide what to do and then come back here to join us.”
“Nordad, when we met you guys, did you guys come from this area?” Mykal asked. “I know you were running from that large army.”
“Oh no. We actually came from a distant area out there in that direction,” the older magician pointed to the west. “Due west there is a fairly large city behind the hills,” Nordad explained while he milked his white beard. Milking his long white beard had a calming effect on the older sorcerer. “After our disagreement with the Evil One’s forces we fled over the hills and started south where we met up with Starling, Leeno and Blair. They knew their lives would be in danger just because of the army’s hatred of Elves so they joined us. We had journeyed with them in the past, so we gladly agreed to help one another. It would have been around that area over there where the dragons flew to that we parted company with our Elvin friends.”
“We believed the army would not venture into the Black Forest,” Leeno declared. “Thus we would ensure our escape.”
“Though we agreed with them the army would not enter the horrible forest we did not think it safe,” Nordad continued. “We parted ways and hoped to see each another time. Sad to say, the army gained on us faster than we thought they were capable of.”
“
About that time was when we met with you and your people,” Starling said and looked at Mykal and Diaz.
“So, you guys seem to know this forest pretty good?” Mykal asked the six Elves.
“I do not wish to mislead you Mykal,” Starling answered quickly. “It is not that we know this forest very well. However we are familiar with forest areas and can adapt to all types of forests. We believe we would be able to navigate through the dangers far easier than humans who have not ventured into these forested lands,” he added confidently without sounding like a braggart. “I will not promise you that we will escape all dangers, however we will be much more successful since all our different forces and backgrounds are joined together.”
“And Uminair, you’re the one who has the greater knowledge of the palace we’re going to, right?”
“Yes Mykal,” Uminair answered. His face seemed emotionless though his voice sounded soft and airy.
“And you believe it would be better if we traveled through the forest now?” Mykal asked and studied the Elf while thinking through his own ideas.
“I do believe that. And I know we will save much time by going through the forest now rather than waiting until the last possible moment to enter the forest.”
“Whatta you think Towbar?”
“I am with you my friend. I know you have concerns traveling through the forest because of your last experience in the forest. I will do as you decide. We all understand the risks. However, my friend, we have seen that traveling outside of the forest has plenty of risks in itself.”
“Yeah,” Mykal said and blew a sigh. “I guess I’m just a little gun shy after what we went through the last time.”
“Myk, I understand your concern,” Roy Jr. said. “But from what I understand of what you guys went through the last time you have a bigger team with you now and you’re better prepared cuz we all know what we could face in there. Plus you got me and my little brother with you. What could go wrong with that?” He asked and laughed which caused the others to laugh.
Mykal laughed with them. “I appreciate that Roy, but my concern is losing anyone especially you two,” he nodded to Roy Jr. and his brother.
“Well I appreciate that too my brotha, from another motha,” Roy Jr. chuckled and lightly punched Mykal on the arm. “But we’re all big boys here and we all chose to come along with full knowledge of the risks. Don’t feel like you gotta protect us and keep us safe cuz you’ll go crazy man. And besides me and Randy left daddy at home with our mom so don’t you feel like you gots to step into his shoes and be a pain in my ass,” he said and burst out with laughter. Roy Jr. and Randy high fived each other. “You’re too young to be a grumpy old man,” he chided Mykal playfully.
“Alright alright alright,” Mykal laughed with them. “You made your point.”
“Mykal, I will do whatever you would like us to do,” Captain Diaz said in front of the leadership. “But we had a couple of close calls out in the open. Three if you count Codlon’s friend. I personally think we should take the chance by going through the forest, but I will do whatever you are more comfortable with doing.”
“Ya know,” Mykal sighed and paused to give thought. “It’s kinda funny cuz the last time I wanted to get the hell outta the plains cuz of that big army that came our way. William, Captain Roberts argued and fought with me every step of the way. I’m not gonna be William on this journey. Okay, we’ll do it. Have everyone get ready.” He wanted to tell everyone not to blame him if bad things happened as a result of their venturing into the forest, but he didn’t want to come across as an ‘immature kid’. Mykal believed they would encounter strange creatures, monsters, but they were all eager to get out of the plains and use the cover of the forest to hide their movements.
The men started to file into the forest. The trees were not densely packed together so visibility for the time being was somewhat accommodating. Ratner, the Marine, picked Winfield and Lemon, the Green Beret, picked Freeman to be the point men. They picked a couple of men to watch the rear. Two of the Elves, Egoneal and Uminair took it upon themselves to join the two point men to help them find their way through the forest.
Mykal noticed he craved the idea of turning himself invisible to walk around unseen. His desire wasn’t for the protection of not being detected by potential enemies, but just for the sake of using his magic ring. He likened the craving it to a drug addict who needed a fix. Mykal knew he had to control the urge and use it only when necessary. The ring started to get control of his thinking but he couldn’t allow it to get the best of him. When all was said and done he knew he couldn’t part with the special ring because it gave him so much power over others. He realized he was weakening in his control over it. It, the ring had some kind of control over him because of the rollercoaster ride his emotions continually took. It would have to be addressed after the war with Sosos and Zizmon-Tarl was won and finished. He gleefully told himself that waiting for the war to be ‘won and finished’ could take a long time.
3.
They travelled in quiet vigilance. They took their time to watch for traps or surprises. With the aid of the two Elves, Egoneal and Uminair, Winfield and Freeman were able to quicken the pace from what they would have normally proceeded at. The Elves seemed to have a much keener eye for what they were doing than the humans. The forced silence allowed Mykal to dwell on his concern for Doninka. He felt responsible for her being taken captive, but deep inside he knew his emotions for the girl verged on mental adultery.
‘I’ll never cheat on Pam,’ he declared in thought. ‘But I love Doninka. Or is it just that I blame myself for her being here? If only I woulda took her home with me New Year’s Eve we wouldn’t be doing this,’ he moaned mentally with regret. ‘What if she’s dead? What if that scumbag Zizmon-Tarl or his people have tortured her? I’ll never forgive myself,’ he thought sadly. The expression on his face looked as if tears were close to well up in his eyes.
“What troubles you my friend?” Towbar whispered.
“Huh?” Mykal looked up and didn’t realize the giant was eyeing him. “Nothing. I’m just worried about Doninka.”
“I worry for her too my friend.”
“Yeah but this is all my friggin fault. I coulda took her home with me and I didn’t.”
“Do not blame yourself my friend,” Towbar whispered and gave a sad smile. “I was the one who left her with a twenty-one man patrol. I thought I did enough to protect her while my thoughts were on other matters. I too blame myself since I desired to win the support of the Elvin people.”
“I’m afraid that we’re just wasting our time,” Mykal admitted. “I wonder if we’re going to get anywhere cuz how are we gonna find her once we get to his palace? I feel guilty cuz I think I’m just doing busy work to keep my guilty mind from doing nothing. I’m so afraid of what they might have done to her or what those bastards might be doing to her.”
“Let us not think about the things that we have no control over until we get there,” Towbar suggested. “At times our imaginations will think of the worst possible situations and that may be the farthest thing from reality.”
“You’re right, but I gotta tell you Towbar, I’m really afraid that some of these men are gonna die or suffer. I know they all volunteered to help, but if I woulda took her home with me none of this would be happening. And then all these men wouldn’t be putting themselves at risk.”
“My friend, I desire to ask a favor of you,” Towbar said and stopped walking to look into Mykal’s eyes.
“Sure Towbar, I’d do anything for you. You know that,” he said when he saw the seriousness in Towbar’s expression.
“I desire for you to stop thinking in the terms of guilt and blame. What has been done can not be undone. We are doing what we can to remedy the problem. If you continue to mentally torture yourself you will be no good to the men, thus you will be no good to Doninka. I know Doninka’s heart my friend and she would not want you to blame yourself for this situation we face. So I can also
say to you, honor Doninka’s request to stop torturing yourself over what can not be undone.”
A sudden weight had been lifted from Mykal’s shoulders. “Thank you Towbar. Really, I mean that. You don’t know how much I needed to hear that. I wanna do all I can do to rescue and save that girl and you’re right, if my head is not in the game, then I’m not gonna be any help to her or the men. Thank you,” he said and it was as if the blinders had suddenly been removed from his eyes. He could see the colors and sights all around him. He could hear the sounds of the forest and the sounds of the men who gladly put their lives on the line to help him in this momentous task. It was as if his head was inside a tub of grey, sorrowful, lifeless self-pity and Towbar pulled his head out of it.
With his increased hearing Mykal heard birds flying away in the distance before they got too close. He heard an occasional four footed animal flee also. He knew Towbar and the six Elves could hear the same things he heard. None of them seemed to be too concerned so he wasn’t going to worry about it. Mykal was about to stop everyone when Egoneal quietly rushed back to cease all movement without calling out loud. All the men dropped to their knee or the prone position. The men, being trained professionals made sure they all faced different directions so as not to be surprised from any pathway.
The sound Mykal heard was the sound he recalled from childhood. It sounded like a snake slithering through the grass only this sounded a hundred times bigger than anything he ever encountered as a child hunting for snakes. As a youth he hunted for garter snakes, eastern hognose snakes and the northern redbelly snakes, all of which were small nonthreatening and non-poisonous snakes in the state of New York. The sound he heard brought sudden terror since he remembered the skin of a large snake they found when they were lost the first time in this forest.
“What is it Myk?” Diaz whispered when he and Finley rushed to his stationary position.
“I’m not sure but one of the Elves stopped the column,” Mykal answered and looked in all directions on the ground. “I think I heard a giant snake slithering. Remember that skin we found?”