But the wyvern had ceased moving.
The weight was still robbing him of his breath, but Lokus felt pure relief. Looking about, the young man checked to see if he had been noticed before pulling himself further under the dead creature. The blood trickling on his body and the broken arrow shafts pressing on his skin mattered little to him if the cost was his life. Recovering, Lokus prayed for the lives of his friends, though he was no longer certain any gods remained with ears to listen.
Recovered, Kaysa brought herself to Vienda as the two elves stood around Khey, weapons raised. The melee and scent of blood brought more creatures, and the friends now found themselves facing eight of the beasts. Vienda exchanged a quick glance at Kaysa as they were surrounded. The grimness Kaysa found there did little to bolster her or their chances.
“If we must fall, we shall do so gloriously,” said Vienda as she assumed a proper fighting stance. To this, Kaysa said nothing.
Kaysa could almost feel the intentions of the wyvern nearest to her. Its muscles tensed as it prepared to pounce. Kaysa raised her staff high, preparing to strike the wyvern mid leap. She knew if her timing was wrong it would spell the end of her quite quickly. Snarling, the wyvern bared its deadly teeth before leaping. Kaysa held her breath, set to repel the attack.
Suddenly, blood spattered Kaysa as she gasped. The wyvern’s skull practically burst before her eyes in response to a cracking report. The wyvern’s body crashed limply before Kaysa as she looked with Vienda and the creatures toward the sound of the shot. Kaysa’s gasped as her senses acknowledged what they had just absorbed.
There, in Kaysa’s view, was Marro. He was rushing toward them now, his rifle smoking from the shot he had placed in the wyvern. Behind him, Onzlyn fired his weapon from the skiff, felling one more. As Onzlyn fired, Marro discarded his rifle, procuring the smaller weapons from his belts. He screamed now at the snarling beasts, wishing for their attention to set fully upon him.
As the wyverns adjusted their focus to intercept Marro, the mercenary unleashed his fury upon them. Kaysa winced as the weapons within his hands thundered their vengeance. Marro rushed among the creatures as he fired those weapons repeatedly. Soon Kaysa could see blood spilt from the wounds wrought by Marro as the wyverns screeched their disapproval. Within moments, five of the unnatural creatures were felled and another wounded before Marro’s ammunition was spent.
Discarding his weapons, Marro procured the blade resting upon his back. The wounded wyvern had not the speed to outmaneuver the elf, who proceeded to fell his target with a swipe that removed the wyvern’s neck and head. The two remaining creatures, overcome with bloodlust, divided their attacks, with one focused on Marro and the other devoted to Kaysa and Vienda.
For the wyvern that rushed toward him, Marro offered no quarter or reservation. As the creature brought its teeth and claws, the elf charged, blade drawn back at the ready. As the wyvern met him with its front claws, Marro drove his blade fully into its chest, continuing to press forward through the creature’s protestations. The claws tearing into his coat and flesh did not halt him as the elf landed on top of the beast, holding it down with his blade until the creature struggled no more.
The remaining wyvern focused fully on the smaller of the two elves as Kaysa readied herself. Bolstered by Marro’s lead, she rushed at the beast that was intent at ripping at her flesh. Seeing a pattern in their lunging attacks, the young elf found herself ready. As the wyvern leaped for her, Kaysa threw herself at it, sliding on her back and raising her quarterstaff. Her weapon caught the creature’s hind feet, sending it tumbling forward and on its back.
The beast would have no chance to recover, for Vienda was prepared. As the wyvern crashed down, the elf warrior drove her blade downward and into its chest. As it struggled, Vienda, fueled by anger, stabbed repeatedly. Blood spattered upon her blade and attire, but she refused to relinquish her assaults until the wyvern moved no more. Satisfied, Vienda left her blade in the slaughtered beast, shifting her focus again to her chosen.
As Marro rose from the ground, Kaysa found her feet and rushed to him. She could see bloodied holes in his dust-laden jacket as his jaw set with grim determination. Kaysa tried to support him, but Marro brushed past her swiftly. She wished to know the cause of his behavior when he whistled to Onzlyn and pointed to the distance. Onzyln nodded as he reloaded his weapon.
Kaysa then watched as Marro rushed to reclaim his rifle. Reloading it swiftly, the mercenary pointed it in the distance, keeping it trained steadily. Kaysa traced his aim, wishing to see what Marro saw. Soon she could make out the figure of Donnath in the far distance. The Hunstman watched Marro, wielding a steady hand with his mount. Whistling once more, the cloaked figure turned his mount away and goaded it forward. The few wyverns that remained answered his summons and returned to retreat with him.
At this, Marro lowered his rifle, finally breathing with some relief. Soon though, he motioned for Onzlyn as he walked back toward Kaysa and her friends. “I need you over here, quickly,” he said. Onzlyn said nothing as he hopped off his skiff and followed in Marro’s wake.
Now afforded some rest, Kaysa dropped her quarterstaff and rushed to Vienda and Khey. Vienda did her best to comfort her chosen as Khey grimaced and writhed. Blood still poured from the wyvern head’s teeth as it gripped still to the elf’s flesh even in death. Soon, Marro and Onzlyn drew close, kneeling around Khey as they set to work.
“We must stop the bleeding,” said Vienda to Marro with urgency. “How do we get the head to release him?”
“We can’t,” said Marro, swift and darkly. He looked at Onzlyn who was fetching a stone. Onzlyn then procured a pouch and poured a dark powder upon it before nodding to Marro.
“What do you mean, mercenary?” growled Vienda.
Marro looked at both Vienda and Khey unflinchingly. “The beast’s jaw will not unclench for several hours. But that is only half of the trouble,” he said softly.
“Explain at once,” spat Vienda.
“There is poison in their bite,” whispered Khey through clenched teeth.
“Yes,” said Marro. “And if we do not quell it, Khey will die surely and painfully within half a day’s time.”
Vienda gripped to her chosen. “Surely there must be another way! I want another alternative, Marro, and I want it now!”
“The only other alternative is death,” replied Marro.
“I refuse both alternatives!” thundered Vienda.
“Then you choose death,” said Onzlyn, shaking his head. “We must move swiftly before it is too late,” he said, nodding to Marro. Marro procured his sword, cleaning it off with a clean cloth handed to him by Onzlyn.
Vienda’s eyes blazed in response. “You will not touch him. And you will offer me another way,” she demanded.
Through his agony, Khey reached up and touched Vienda’s face, bringing her focus to him. “It is alright, love. I would gladly pay my hand as compensation if it gives me more time with you,” he breathed.
“But, love,” whispered Vienda, fighting savagely against the tears wishing to best her eyes. “I cannot do this.”
Khey nodded. “But you can allow it,” he said. His body shivered as ripples of pain pressed over him. “All you need do is stay at my side.”
Vienda looked desperately at her chosen, stricken by the helplessness that had befallen her. She stroked Khey’s face, kissing him upon his forehead as she waged a battle with her own senses. At last, as one single tear fell down her cheek she nodded to the mercenaries. “Do what must be done to save my chosen, and nothing more,” she said.
Marro exchanged a glance with Onzlyn before setting to work. “It will be done,” he said. He then motioned for Kaysa as Lokus finally rejoined his friends. “Kaysa, help hold him please.”
Kaysa gulped as her body shook with anticipation. “Very well,” she said.
Removing his bandana, Marro wrapped the cloth around Khey’s forearm, just over the wyvern’s snout. As he secured it tightly, Khey g
asped at the endeavor. Onzlyn took hold of the wyvern head, pulling it away from Khey’s body. Satisfied, he nodded once to Marro. Marro stood swiftly, blade at the ready.
Without another word or an inkling of anticipation, Marro brought his blade down upon Khey’s arm, just above the wyvern’s head. The blade cut through without resistance as Onzlyn tossed the beast’s head aside. Khey screamed his agony, yet no one condemned him, for it was a pain he had earned. Blood sputtered from the cut as Marro and Onzlyn rushed to finish their work.
“Keep holding him!” snapped Marro as he dropped his sword.
Kneeling again, Marro gripped to Khey’s arm as the wounded elf fought with agony. Marro drove the wound upon the dark powder resting on the stone. Marro held Khey into place as Onzlyn set to work. The Faeth native ran his knife over a metal bar, inciting sparks upon the powder that eventually fed on the powder with its own boundless hunger.
Kaysa nearly jumped as the powder spat a swift flame around the remainder of Khey’s arm. Soon her nostrils were filled with the scent of cooked meat and her stomach wrenched. Khey’s scream tore from his throat as he writhed in Vienda and Kaysa’s arms. Satisfied, Marro released Khey’s arm and Khey drew the stump to his body, clutching at it as Vienda hugged him fiercely.
“It is done,” said Marro darkly as he stood and wiped his hands upon his jacket.
Overwhelmed and exhausted, Khey buried his head upon the chest of his chosen before his consciousness eluded him. Vienda cupped Khey’s head, holding to him fiercely as she tried to comfort him. She looked bitterly between Marro and Onzlyn, unable to offer rancor or gratitude for the torture Khey had to endure. Kaysa finally let go of Khey, standing to reclaim her own breath and wits.
Marro looked about, making sure that they were safe for the moment. “Let’s get him back to the skiff,” he said somberly.
It was then, pulling himself free from under the wyvern he killed, that Lokus spoke up for the first time since the fight began, pointing to Marro with horror. “You. You’re one of them,” he gasped angrily.
Kaysa looked between Marro and Lokus before she took notice. With his bandana removed, she was able to see what Lokus had seen. Marro’s ears, much like the elves that attacked Quenthell, were cropped short. Marro lowered his head as he touched his ear, standing his ground amidst the accusation laid upon him.
“That is your estimation from subject matter you know nothing about,” said Marro.
"I knew it!" Lokus screamed. The young elf shook his head furiously. "I knew that you could not be trusted, that you were one of them!"
Marro regarded him, the casual indifference he exuded offered not one hint of his current emotions. "If I were, young one, you would be in the bellies of unholy beasts right now, and the seed would be on its way to the Ageless King," he stated, holding out his hands, motioning for Lokus to calm himself as he approached the young elf.
In a blink, Lokus had drawn an arrow from his quiver, readying it in his bow before training the weapon on Marro. "Keep your hands free of me lest the next breath you take shall become your last."
"Lokus!" Kaysa screamed.
Marro remained still, his eyes narrowing. Noticing the commotion, Onzlyn trained his rifle on Lokus, looking at his friend for his command. Vienda watched impassively, torn between intervention and remaining with her chosen. For long moments, all that could be heard was an unsettling wind and the faint cries of a dying wyvern.
Patiently, Marro spoke to the young archer. "I am offering you the chance to lower that weapon now, child. You know nothing of your claims."
Lokus held his bow at the ready as his arms trembled at the strain. "I know that we will not be fooled or betrayed by the likes of you, mercenary," he stated.
Marro shook his head. "We've not the time for such foolishness," he growled, before continuing his approach at Lokus.
"I said don't move!" shouted Lokus.
"You will not be allowed to accuse me of treachery and then threaten my life," replied Marro, still drawing near. "Not ever."
"Stop!" demanded Lokus, but it was too late. His anger had melded with his instincts as he released the arrow.
Kaysa gasped, for Marro was very close to Lokus, and the arrow was aimed at his chest. As the arrow surged forward, Marro darted to the right as he spun to his left. His outstretched right hand clamped upon the arrow as he spun, the momentum of the arrow fueling his spin. Still spinning, Marro came around fully, hammering his clenched left fist into the back of Lokus's leg. The young man lost his footing, falling easily to the ground. Marro was upon him in a flash, knee upon his chest, arrow poised like a dagger to bring down on Lokus. The young archer gasped at the turnaround as well as the furious look in the mercenary's eyes.
Marro took a moment to reclaim himself as he knelt upon Lokus. Lokus realized how close he truly was to death and it terrified him. "You know nothing of me or of the real world that we are in, or the sacrifices that are made to survive. I, however, do. I could have killed you at any time had I wished, and especially could have now. I suggest you learn to control your emotions, for the next time will not offer you the chance to learn from such a mistake," he said. Marro then tossed the arrow aside and stood, walking away from Lokus in disgust.
Kaysa watched as Lokus's cheeks burned red. Marro said nothing else as he reclaimed his discarded weapons. Standing again, Lokus procured another arrow, breathing heavily as he fought with his emotions. Hearing the arrow placed in the string, Marro paused, but did not turn to face the young man.
"You are a slow learner," said Marro as he reloaded one of his pistols. "And you have but one arrow to release. You best pray to your gods that it is enough to kill me, for I will surely kill you where you stand if you try."
Lokus stood his ground, yet there was reluctance in his choice. The young elf's mind struggled with desire and consequence, for at the moment he wanted nothing more than to kill Marro. Yet doubts arose as to if he could. Still, despite this, emotions swelled within him, so he readied to release his charge.
It was then that Kaysa stood before Marro, impeding Lokus's shot. The young archer's eyes widened as he just barely stopped his attack. "Kaysa," he hissed. "What are you doing? Stand aside!"
"I will not, Lokus," said Kaysa firmly. "You have forgotten your place, and you have forgotten your task. Look about you and at this bloodshed for surely you can see we need no more on this day. Marro has protected us so far and deserves the benefit of any doubt we may possess. And in case it has been forgotten, we are being hunted. Regardless of our thoughts, we must press forward before the Huntsman regroups and comes for us once more."
At this, frustration poured from Lokus in the form of tears. "Stand aside, Kaysa. Please. For me," he whispered.
Kaysa shook her head. "I cannot. I will not, Lokus. If you wish to kill Marro you must also kill me as well," she stated firmly.
Lokus shook with a swell of emotions as he kept his icy gaze upon Kaysa. His friend, however, did not flinch, nor would she falter in her stance. "Curse you, Kaysa. Curse the s you have trapped me in," he said before throwing down his bow and arrow and fleeing to the skiff.
Kaysa watched Lokus depart, feeling a stabbing pain through her heart from the look she had received. Slowly she lowered her hands, feeling the weight of a barren world upon her shoulders. Exhaustion's tendrils gripped her then, and Kaysa felt heavy and broken as she again fetched her staff and ventured to help Vienda with Khey.
"You did not have to do that," said Marro, still not turning as he spoke. "You need not place your life in peril for me."
"Yes, I do," said Kaysa, looking at him now sternly. "The outcome was death to one or both of you, and my heart would not endure it, especially at the hands of one another. I choose life, and the lives of both you and my childhood friend. And I care not for your thoughts to the contrary." Kaysa then proceeded to help Vienda get Khey back upon his feet.
As the three elves of Quenthell walked away, Kaysa noticed Marro watching her silently. She tri
ed to pay him no mind, yet the recent revelation and events put her ill at ease. Her heart wanted to trust Marro for his actions, yet her mind protested along with Lokus. She had no way of knowing the truth, or if the mercenary simply was watching out for himself. But Kaysa understood she held little choice and had no alternative but to press forward.
As the group returned to the skiff, they discovered Onzlyn working on it feverishly. Kaysa also saw that Lokus now sat alone in the machine like a stone, offering nothing of his thoughts or feelings. Kaysa thought it best to give him time and kept her focus upon Khey, as the elf felt weak as she supported him. Soon, Marro joined them as he kept a vigilant watch over the terrain.
“How much time do you need to get this running again, Onzlyn?” asked Marro.
The elf from Faeth grunted before responding. “Not much, but we won’t have much speed until I can get it someplace to really work on it,” he replied.
Marro nodded. “Just do what must be done to get us free of this place. We do not want to be out here when nightfall sets.”
“Are you concerned about another attack? We routed most of the wyverns,” said Kaysa.
Marro did not turn as he responded. “The Huntsman has far worse creatures in his possession than wyverns. It would be in our best interest not to endure an attack from them.” At his words and the tone resting upon his voice, Kaysa shuddered.
As Onlzyn worked to bring the skiff back to function, the group was distracted by the haunting howl of an unknown creature. The sound that filled Kaysa’s ears was like nothing she had ever heard, and instantly she felt a chill down her spine and a sinking in her stomach. As she searched about, Kaysa discovered she was not the only one feeling this. Even Lokus jumped to attention at the shrill, guttural roar that invaded their ears.
“By the rings of Tharador, what was that?” asked Vienda as she gripped uneasily with her sword.
The Last of Kel'Thara Page 11
