The Three Charms

by Brian Spielbauer

  Shalkar took the point and made a cut across the palm of the troll. Then they grabbed hands with one another so the cuts lined up. Shalkar and Skyler placed Kylee’s hand between theirs. Blood of each hand mixed with another’s. They were officially blood brothers.

  The trip was getting stranger by the moment.

  Chapter 12: Torn Apart

  The sun was rising in the sky before Tegan’s army on the second day of their march. The air was not quite as sweet as the day before and their legs not quite as spry. For many, the invasion of soreness from a full day of marching, with a loaded pack to boot, was an unwanted foreign feeling.

  They trudged on toward the connection to the East Road, which took them toward the Ring Mountains. Dwarves, by nature, were simple and direct. They did not desire lavish things when the mundane would do, and the naming of their roads thoroughly illustrated the point. Before reaching Calonia, they would take the North Road toward the land harpies and continue to the Mammut Berge mountain range, the area formerly known as the Demon’s Chamber. It was the land of the gargoyles.

  At the juncture of the two main roads, the grumpy army came upon a wondrous sight. Before them stood the exiled army of Calonia, led by King Arlow. They lined each side of the road two deep, astride their strong horses, facing the paved path. They were not merely waiting but stood at strict military attention. King Arlow, his son Bryon next to him, sat at the front and in the middle of the two marvelous ranks that straddled the road. The two lords of Calonia stood still on the road, blocking the way. Each sat high and proud on their primed mounts. Their army glinted in the sun as all took the needed time to shine their armor and sharpen their weapons. It was far from the beaten down sight Telon saw years ago when they first landed in the Flau Strand. The only movement came from the many red and white banners of Calonia, of horse and spear, which lightly flapped in the reluctant breeze.

  The dwarves became very close to the people of Calonia and Arlow was one of Tegan and Telon’s closest friends. The men worked hard to earn their keep during the past five years, aiding the dwarves greatly in ridding the lands of the ruffians who had entrenched themselves.

  Not until this day did the army of Calonia shine as such, but today was not just about the dwarves heading north to save Milan. To King Arlow and his men, it was as much about them taking back their land. This was far more than a rescue mission. It was a reckoning.

  Cergon, told by Arlow ahead of time what would occur, had his centaurs step to the side of the road as their army came to the juncture. After the men passed, the centaurs filled in behind.

  The dwarves marveled at the sight, with many a tear dropping onto the smooth path. All in the dwarf army saw their friends before them and knew well the desire in the men’s hearts for revenge. The dwarves too stood taller, forgetting their sore legs as Jaric ordered, “Snap to my lads! Rise to the occasion!”

  The dwarves’ heels popped off the pavement, their knees sharply snapped up with each step. The centaurs fell in step with the dwarves, as marching was something to which they were quite accustomed. As they approached the Calonia men marking the side of the road, the dwarf army marched smartly in place until Jaric raised his hand. As they took their last step, the sound ten thousand heels and hooves stomping the ground at the same instance proudly bounced off into the trees.

  King Arlow approached them, with Bryon in tow. Arlow officially addressed Tegan, as his people were eager to mark and recognize their long friendship with the dwarves of Tunder Bin and the Flau Strand.

  Arlow sat high and proud, officially pronouncing his message from his lofty perch astride his horse. His booming voice carrying over the audience that stood before him on the road, “King Tegan of Tunder Bin and King Fiji of the Flau Strand, we offer our thanks. We had traveled long, being shunned at every turn from receiving aid, until fate finally delivered our beleaguered people to your friendly shores.” He paused for a second, giving Cergon a quick look. The Lord of the Centaurs could not wear it and looked down with a pain of embarrassment. He wished he could go back to that day and change the outcome. Despite his deep desire to do so, he could not.

  “That day, and every day since you and your people have shown us mercy and kindness greater than any could have expected. Our people are eternally grateful. In recognition of that appreciation, we offer you this small token of our friendship.” Arlow pulled from within his vest two horns, each unlike any Tegan or Fiji had ever seen. The men made them from the tusk of a beast of the north. They were short and thick, and decorated on the ends with a rim of gold.

  Burned into the sides was the symbol of Arlow’s people, which was a horse with a spear above it and surrounded by an outline of the land of Calonia. Arlow dismounted and knelt before Tegan and Fiji. He offered them the gifts, not only as a sign of their commitment to the mission, but also recognizing the friendship between their people.

  The sincere gesture took Tegan and Fiji aback and they graciously accepted the gift. “My people and I accept this token, one of the many signs of our friendship that we exchange every day. Your coming has been anything but a burden to us and always a blessing.” He raised the horn to his lips and boomed a deep sound that carried to the farthest reaches of Lemuria. Even to a far-off castle, deep in the freezing north, the sound as quiet as a whisper reverberated through the snowy valley to the ears of Herrog. The smallest of smiles crawled across his gloomy face. He knew what was coming and anxiously awaited its arrival.

  “Thank you, we also accept your friendship, which has helped us,” Fiji added. He did not blow the horn but slung it around his neck in humble appreciation.

  As soon as the quick ceremony ceased the men of Calonia slapped their spears against their shields, with another sound echoing down the valley. “Always upon hearing your horns will we answer their call, as they have forever been with our people. They are among our most relished heirlooms.”

  Tegan nodded to Arlow and led the dwarf army through his ranks of men, who remained at attention as if stone statues. They held their spears high to make an archway until the dwarves and centaurs passed. Many of the dwarves nodded to friends as they went, thanking them for the kindest of gestures. Despite their desire to acknowledge the appreciation, the statues did not break form. The centaurs that followed also appreciated the fanfare and gained a tremendous respect for men with which they were fighting. After the dwarves and centaurs passed under the makeshift arch, the men filled in their ranks on the road. Arlow ordered his men to take up the rear guard of the marching troops. Cergon ordered the centaurs to again race to the front to continue their assigned duty. All kept their marching as if in a parade for many leagues before they finally relented as evening approached and exhaustion prevented the show from continuing.

  Cergon marched with Arlow. “I want to apologize for my lack of compassion for you in your need. The decision was mine alone, with many of my people arguing for us to aid you. I let the fear planted by Herrog lead me to a decision I knew to be wrong.”

  “My statement earlier was far more in appreciation to the dwarves than condemnation of you and your people,” Arlow said as he reached out to touch Cergon, resting his reassuring hand on the centaur’s back. “Everyone here has had their decisions swayed by Herrog for the worse. Had that not occurred to us, we would not be here. Let your feelings toward us rest, we bear you no ill will, for I will not speak of it again.”

  Cergon felt better for the words and in a sign of comradery, Arlow marched with Cergon for the remainder of the trip. As he promised, he did not mention the centaurs turning away of the men again.

  The remaining trip to the land of the harpies was without occurrence. It was the utmost secure part of the Lemuria and the road most often traveled. Having over five thousand warriors helped also, as everyone and everything scurried from the thunder of the footsteps as they pounded their way toward the mountains rising before them. At times, the scout centaurs reported a large creature in the distance, but it disappeared before they co
uld get close enough to identify it. It mattered little to Tegan, who believed in the strength surrounding him.

  On day five, the tired troops stopped before the entryway to the village of the harpies, the first leg of the journey complete.

  “Why are we stopping here?” Cergon asked Telon with a hint of disdain, desiring instead to head straight north.

  “We seek to enlist the aid of the warrior women. There is also the matter of retaining the services of my cousin, Timo. He is a dwarf wizard that chose to reside here since the last great battle,” Telon explained to the horseman.

  “Why would he do that?” Cergon asked. He knew little and thought less, of the harpies.

  Telon gave Cergon sort of sideways look and snorted, “Because they are beautiful. I considered it myself, but of course my wife would not have approved.”

  Cergon regarded such attempts at wit, even in the most serene of times, and a complete waste of words. He brushed off the comments, “I do not trust wizards. Since he is your cousin, I suppose I will have to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

  “He is my cousin. Because I know him I would save that benefit for another time,” Telon said with a grin, not easily giving up on gaining an acknowledgement of his humor from the staunch centaur. Telon saw his persistence rewarded, and for the first time since meeting him, Telon saw the usually stern centaur smile. Like a shadow of a passing bird, the smile was there and gone, not soon to return.

  Tegan halted the marching troops. He looked to the leaders, “Have your people camp here for the moment, Telon and I will go in to get Timo. I expect to depart in the morning but depending on how we find things it could be sooner.”

  Many of the men were disappointed to have to camp outside the harpy residence. The ones who knew of the beautiful women warriors had giddily told the others. All were looking forward to the evening but were let down by their orders to stay out.

  It did not take the harpies long to discover what waited for them on the road as they were always on the lookout for men. A small group, led by Angelica and Timo, walked out to welcome Tegan and Telon. A far larger group flew overhead, taking food and drink out to the thirsty soldiers who were eager to accept the offering and make acquaintance.

  “Welcome to our land,” Angelica boasted to the brothers as they approached. The brothers quickly noticed Angelica was pregnant and was probably within a week or two of delivering a baby. Tegan could not look at a pregnant female without thinking back to Milan and when she was pregnant with Jedrek. It was the best time of his life, with everything that followed the worst. He was more determined than ever to bring her back.

  “Congratulations to you both are in order,” Tegan forced himself to say, giving Angelica a hug and Timo a hearty handshake.

  “Yes, your first-born child,” Telon happily added. He knew well the joy Timo and Angelica were about to have and could not have been more excited for them.

  “We are so excited,” Angelica said, smiling ear to ear. She took Timo’s hand. “It won’t be long now.”

  “Yes,” Timo said as he held her, “I soon will be a father, just like you. We have a lot to do here to get ready for the coming baby, it has been very busy.” Timo was somewhat hoping to avoid the journey for Angelica’s sake. He had also grown fond of his sedentary life, with long marches for days on end not high on his list of pleasantries. For that matter, he hated short walks too, and any exercise in general. It was not lost on Tegan or Telon that Timo’s body had adjusted quite well to his life in the village, which included very little activity as his weight far exceeded that of a fit dwarf.

  “How has your training been going, Master Wizard?” Telon inquired, referring more to his physical training than his magical pursuits.

  “I have learned much. I am twice the sorcerer I was when last we saw each other,” Timo boasted.

  “Indeed, you are twice the dwarf. Perhaps a walk could have been added to your strict training regimen?” Tegan replied wryly. He did not approve of the portliness of his cousin and knew the whining he would endure equaled his cousin’s lack of preparedness as the trip progressed.

  “I have been on him. He will need to be in shape to help with our baby soon,” Angelica stated, the tension beginning to build between her and Tegan.

  “Yes, preparing for children takes many people. Luckily you will have several eager hands to help, as Timo will be needed with us.” Tegan addressed Angelica sternly. He was not leaving any room for Timo to back out.

  “You knew this day was coming,” Telon scolded Timo, before Angelica or anyone else could answer. Timo was beginning to squirm uncomfortably. He wished he had a magic spell to get out of this situation.

  “Let’s go back to our home to talk, we can have some food and drink while we discuss this matter,” Angelica said, urging them to follow her. If an argument was to ensue, she didn’t want it to occur in front of everyone.

  Tegan and Telon obliged while they harshly eyed Timo, who was doing his best to avoid their gaze. As they entered the tree village, they came upon steps leading up to one of the largest trees in the forest. Angelica flew up to the first level, leaving the three to conquer the steps alone.

  “What’s going on here?” Tegan demanded of Timo, who was nervously stuck between Tegan and Telon as they walked up winding stairs.

  “We are having a baby soon and she doesn’t want me to go. I don’t blame her. She doesn’t see why I need to go, though I have tried to make her understand,” Timo answered, defending both his wife and himself.

  “Tried to make her understand? Just tell her you are going with us,” Telon required of Timo as they reached the first level where Angelica was standing. She heard quite well the last statement and held her words no longer.

  “Maybe in your land the dwarf women accept getting told things, but you are not in your land. You are in mine! Here, women are the ones who make the decisions and Timo is staying to see his baby born. It should only be a few more weeks and then he can join you, if he chooses.” Angelica was not the same person she was when her mother died. She was now the Queen of the Harpies going on five years and quite experienced in making decisions and delegating to others. She would cow to no one in her own land, especially when it came to her family.

  “In a few weeks he may not be needed anymore. I ask that he comes now,” Tegan said directly to Angelica. He was now aware this was not his decision alone. Tegan was the King of Tunder Bin and considered the ruler of Lemuria as his people carried the main burden of keeping it safe. But he knew that his leadership carried limitations and he was careful not to exceed them. Timo lived in the harpies’ forest for quite a while and was now one of them.

  “If that is true, then he should not be needed at all. On that subject, I think you believe this journey of yours to be far easier than it will be.” Angelica looked to Timo, who had disappeared from the conversation to their quarters. She thought he left to allow her to win the argument, unable to watch the verbal sparring. “I support you in this endeavor. I will send our best warriors to aid you in saving Milan, but Timo must stay, at least for now.”

  “The only aid I ask is Timo,” Tegan insisted, pushing Angelica harder.

  “Then you will go with nothing,” Angelica flatly stated. She was ready for the dwarves to be gone and the sooner the better.

  Timo gingerly walked up behind Angelica, his pack full of supplies he would need for the dangerous journey. The sight stole her hope. In an exasperated voice, she demanded of him, “What are you doing?”

  “Dear, I am going.” Timo stated, knowing the disappointment it would bring. He loved her like no one he ever loved before, but he also knew what he had to do for his cousin and the promise he made. He could not forget the tragedy of Milan’s taking and toll Tegan bore for the loss.

  “We discussed this, you can’t go!” Her fears of losing him and raising their child alone drove her to keep him there. She thought she had won and only now discovered she had not. Angelica sought desperately for anyth
ing she could say to keep him with her, but she could think of nothing.

  Timo took her shaking hand, “I love you and that will not change. My friend’s time of need is now and now is when I will give my help. My son or daughter will know my worth because of deeds such as today. I will be there for them, for you, and for my friends. I hope to be back before the birth, but if not, I feel I am most needed with Tegan.”

  “If you go, you go alone without my aid,” she said to them, as the dam holding her emotion burst forth. Her feelings flooded the room and her stream of sadness touched all within reach. “I fear for this journey and the outcome! The enemy has grown, their reach in secret far greater than we can fathom. Tegan, I pray for your safety, but I rue your blinded ambition and the many men that will perish for it. But I worry more for the many fatherless families that will go forth after it is over.” By the end, Angelica was wrathfully shaking, her arm accursedly pointing directly at Tegan, holding him alone responsible for the tear between Timo and herself. He could not repair the damage.

  Angelica had bad dreams of this day. She feared Timo and many of the others would not return from this crusade. She then let go of Timo and stood over Tegan, “I suppose you are pleased that Timo’s allegiance to you won out over his love for me? Are you even aware how many lives you are playing with? You despise those who did not answer the call but woe, you should hold them in the highest esteem for their wisdom and strength to defy the arrogant King who abuses the trust of so many!”

  She could not have thrown a larger dagger toward Tegan, and Angelica precisely aimed the barb. The blade drove deep into his heart, the wound severe. The questions of doubt that weighed him down while he wore the Stone of Doom and Ruin again raced back, finding their old perch still warm. He unconsciously reached for the necklace that he no longer carried. His haunted hand only finding emptiness. He was stunned for a second, almost stepping back. Telon began to reach for him but saw the moment of pain pass quickly as Tegan regained himself.