Rescue Or Recovery

by Dave Hazel

  “How are you feeling Mykal?” Nordad the older wizard asked. “We heard you had a great scare. We heard that you almost died on us.”

  “Yeah, that’s kinda true, but do any of you guys know what those things were that I fought? There was the tall skinny thing and he rode something that was like a rhino where I’m from.”

  “I do not know what a rhino is,” Nordad answered. “However, the beast that was ridden is called a Klardfurdam. I have only heard of such beasts. I have never seen one until your people killed those that attacked us when you were having your problem.”

  “I too have never seen such a beast,” Starling declared.

  “We too have heard of such large beasts,” Leeno added. “However, that was the first time we had seen one as well.”

  “The creature that rode the Klardfurdam,” Blair picked up where the other two stopped, “is called a Crymontox.”

  “Cry-mon-tox?” Mykal repeated slowly to get it right.

  “Yes, Crymontox,” Starling repeated. “They are very dangerous creatures. We had only heard of them, and the stories we heard of them bring fear to us.”

  “And we Elves do not often express fear,” Leeno added.

  “They are special creatures of the Supreme Ruler,” Blair said. “They employ a weapon that is called a mind eater in the common tongue. In the original language the name means a combination of mind distorter and mind eater. From what we have been told, you have suffered the effects of that strange weapon.”

  “Oh yeah,” Mykal said and smiled. “That Cry-mon-tox, Crymontox,” he repeated to get the name right. “That Crymontox shot me with a blowgun type of weapon and injected something into my throat,” he explained and pointed to the field dressing wrapped around his neck. “After that thing shot me in the neck, man oh man, I couldn’t think straight. That’s for sure.”

  “Those creatures, with their very strange weapon, makes one think strange thoughts,” Nordad continued. “After they have entered the body, they then work their way to the heart or the mind to eat until they kill the host they entered. You are a very lucky man Mykal,” the older wizard said and smiled while shaking his head.

  “Or I would say he is one who is blessed and protected by the hand of Almighty God,” Captain Diaz said as he, Lieutenant Finley, Gunnery Sergeant Ratner, Sergeant First Class Lemon and Towbar walked up to their group. “I know I’m not supposed to get all preachy, but I have to speak the truth. There is a God who created everything in existence, and His hand is on Mykal.”

  “Sir, I don’t mean to sound cynical, but if God is in this, can you please tell me why He won’t allow us to use the green fog to get back to the Pass?” Finley asked and sounded perturbed. He made a face that gave those present the impression that he wished he would have remained silent and kept his cynical question to himself. Those closer to Finley knew his emotions over the loss of his Green Berets were getting the best of him.

  “I don’t know the plan of God,” Diaz replied and didn’t look fazed by the combative tone of Finley. “But I do know,” he paused to make a dramatic point. “That Mykal has been spared death from some outrageous attacks and is still standing here among us today.”

  “Let’s talk about this later,” Mykal said to change the subject. He felt awkward to be the topic in the middle of what seemed to be the start of an argument. The last thing he wanted was a rift to start between his top two leaders Diaz and Finley. Everyone had puzzled and perplexed expressions on their faces. “Let’s discuss what we’re gonna do for now. Are we for sure traveling back toward the city that we attacked to rescue the Princess Doninka? And if so why?”

  “We believe we are heading toward the city of our last battle,” Finley replied. “The reason why is because we are being pursued by the army that is chasing us. That army has a number of the Things with them,” he said and pointed back behind them. “When the green fog cleared away, that army, that mixed bag of nuts so to speak, was right there ready to engage us in battle. Because of our vehicles we were able to leave them to avoid a battle and put a great deal of ground between us and them.”

  “So to answer your question Myk, it seems like we’re running from them,” Ratner continued. “And running into the arms of the enemy by going right back to the city we fled from. The city that we attacked and caused the shit storm that you had to work your way through on your own.”

  “Is there any reason why we just don’t go east or west to avoid them?” Mykal asked. “What I mean is if we’re going the opposite way they’re going, then why don’t we turn to the right or left? This way we’re not allowing them to force us where they want us to go. Am I right?”

  “To the east is the Black Forrest, the Forrest of Death,” Nordad replied. “And to the west, after we clear the plains we will be blocked in by mountains. That is unless everyone is willing to climb the mountains in order to flee the forces that pursue us.”

  “So, what are you saying? Are we just gonna let this army push us into a face to face confrontation with Ziggy Stardust and his happy hordes of bad guys?” Mykal asked. “I think we need to be thinking about our fuel situation on top of everything else.”

  “That is a concern that Sergeant Barry brought to my attention,” Diaz replied. “He has been keeping us abreast of the fuel situation. I have to thank God that we did bring extra barrels of fuel.”

  “Maybe we can get somewhere,” Mykal paused when a sudden fearful idea interrupted his thoughts. ‘If Towbar wasn’t able to use the green fog does that mean he can’t use his other magic weapons as well?’ A look of terror covered his face at the notion of being without magic and having to face Zizmon-Tarl for an all-out battle. He continued his suggestion and tried to remain calm. “Anyway, maybe we can get somewhere farther away to where we can try to use the green fog again.”

  “That’s a possibility,” Nordad said and nodded while he tugged on his beard.

  “If everyone is finished eating, let’s get moving,” Mykal said and turned away. “Towbar, I need to talk to you.”

  Mykal walked off to get away from everyone. He was panicked. If his magic items had been nullified because of some spell Zizmon-Tarl cast he knew he was in trouble. If he had to face Zizmon-Tarl, one on one, he was counting on his magic items to have an upper hand in dealing with the evil bad guy.”

  “What is it my friend?” Towbar asked when they were far away from the others.

  “When you couldn’t use the green fog, did you notice if you couldn’t use magic at all?”

  “I do not know my friend. Why do you ask?”

  “If Ziggy cast a spell or did some funky shit that blocked you from using the green fog, what if he blocked you, or us, from using magic all together?”

  “I would not know,” Towbar replied and eyed the fearful expression Mykal displayed. “I have not had the opportunity to use my sword or the magic wands you have given me.”

  “Here, let me get in front of you so others can’t see me. I’m gonna turn myself invisible and I need to know if you can see me,” he suggested and desperately wanted to tell Towbar that he needed to use the ring. It was more than a protective weapon. It was more than an offensive weapon. Mykal realized that he craved the ability to turn invisible. Mykal took a deep breath and felt like an alcoholic getting ready to down a drink that he hadn’t had in a while or a junkie getting ready to inject his fix. Mykal thought himself invisible and closed his eyes, He feared Towbar would tell him he could still see him.

  “My friend, you have disappeared,” the giant whispered and stood still though he looked for his friend.

  Suddenly Mykal re-appeared and stood before his giant friend with a great big smile that showed his relief.

  “Great, now swing your sword or whatever you gotta do to make it turn blue,” Mykal instructed.

  Towbar took a combative stance and swung his sword several times while standing out in the middle of the open field. To anyone who would have been watching them they would have thought he picked an odd time
to practice sword play.

  “Great, it’s glowing blue. So I’m assuming you can use the magic wands and I’m sure my magic figurines will work fine. Whew, I was afraid we were magic-less,” he laughed with happiness. Towbar looked confused. “I just had to reassure myself. It’s alright,” he chuckled and the idea of a face to face confrontation with Zizmon-Tarl wasn’t as daunting as it would have been had their magic weapons been taken away from them. He felt the pocket where his two little statuettes were. “I just had to make sure and now I’m confident my little figurines will work. I don’t wanna wake them, you know, make the figurines appear only to make them go back to sleep without having a real reason to use them.”

  “This is good my friend,” Towbar said and looked at Mykal with an odd look. “I did not consider that my sword or our magic weapons would not work. That would have been a terrible surprise to find that out in the midst of a battle.”

  “You’re telling me,” Mykal laughed and felt like he had just been given a second chance at life again. “Though to be honest, provided it didn’t turn out bad it would be something to see that look on your face when you found out your sword wasn’t working,” he added with a giddy laugh now that he was reassured his magic items were still magical.

  “I do not understand my friend.”

  “Don’t worry about it Towbar,” Mykal continued to laugh. “I have a sick sense of humor some times. But I’m happy as all get out that our weapons are good to go.”

  “Mykal and Towbar,” one of the Marines shouted to get their attention as he ran out to them. “We have a situation. Come on please, we must hurry.”

  They both turned to the lone Marine and quickly followed him when he ran back to the main group. Mykal saw all the men lined up and facing the direction they were headed. Mykal looked out about a quarter of a mile away and saw a small group approaching them. Mykal guessed there were about fifty soldiers on horseback, if that many.

  “Whadda we got?” Mykal asked when he and Towbar joined the main group.

  Some of the men were looking through binoculars. “Sir,” one of the Marines atop of a vehicle called out. He was addressing Captain Diaz but all those in leadership turned to them. “We count between thirty-eight and forty-five on horseback, and about a half mile farther back there is a much larger force of soldiers. They can’t be seen right at this moment because they went down in a small valley or slope in the land. But they will rise out of the dip shortly.”

  “Sergeant Baines, are you sure of that?” Diaz called to the Marine who spoke while Uminair and Egoneal climbed on top of the vehicle with Baines to get a little better vantage point to see them.

  “Yes Sir,” Baines replied and handed his binoculars to the Elves and showed them how to look through them. “I confirmed it with the others before I spoke,” he said and pointed to the others soldiers on top of their vehicles. “But this small group riding out in front appears like they think they are some bad asses.”

  “Sir, there are a couple thousand of them behind the small group,” Army driver Sergeant Feldman said from atop his vehicle. “They are behind a small rise in the land. They are behind the smaller group on horseback,” he added to confirm what Baines just relayed.

  “My friends,” Egoneal shouted from the vehicle. “I think we have something to be concerned with.” He paused and confirmed with Uminair who knows more about these lands than any of the other Elves.

  “My friends, I can see their standard,” Uminair said in reference to the flag the group of horsemen was carrying. “It is the Gloom-ack-grime.”

  What he said meant nothing to Mykal, Towbar or any of their men. But to Nordad, his men and the Elves they all turned their heads with great surprise and some gasped. Nordad, Codlon, Agnor, Hidtotim, Nomorek and Soonme were the ones who gasped with surprise. The Elves remained quiet but also looked somewhat stunned by the news. Hidtotim and his two men suddenly looked ill and terrified

  “What does that mean?” Ratner asked. “Why are all these guys antsy and spooked all of a sudden because of a small group of horsemen?”

  “Great question Gunny,” Mykal said. “I was just gonna ask the same thing cuz all these guys just seemed to drop a brick in their pants.”

  “My friends, please listen to my words,” Uminair said as he stepped closer to the edge of the vehicle. He still had a bandage wrapped around his head from when he was struck by a rock a few days ago. He waited until the restlessness settled down. “Gloom-ack-grime means ‘Four Tens And Three, Life Over Death’. In the common tongue, as it translates, it is the title, it is the name of their group. They are also known as The Forty-Three.”

  “We don’t understand what the meaning of the name is,” Captain Diaz replied. “Please explain because I don’t understand why the people from around here really look upset.”

  “They look more than upset,” Mykal scoffed and tried to make light of it. “They look like they just messed their pants,” he repeated. “What’s the big deal? We outnumber them, unless we count the couple thousand behind them.”

  “I can explain Mykal,” Hidtotim stepped forward with his two men by his side. “There is a legend of something that had happened years ago. There was a group of warriors, the finest warriors the One, the Supreme Ruler, had put together. There were fifty warriors and one leader. Fifty-one in all. Eight of them had been captured when they approached an opposing army to suggest rules for surrender. The army feasted with them and drugged them. When they had succumbed to the drink they were bound and then tortured. Their heads had been cut off and sent back to the forty-three warriors who remained waiting for their agreement to the terms of surrender. They were told to take the message back to the Supreme Ruler that they will not submit and they will not surrender.”

  “All their heads were placed in a basket,” Nomorek explained and continued when Hidtotim stopped. “Had they not agreed to take drink with the opposing army they would not have been killed. The forty-three soldiers returned to the One and relayed the message. The One then put a spell on the forty-three soldiers. From that time on they were called The Forty-Three who have the power of Life Over Death. Gloom-ack-grime,” he repeated the true name. “They were promised by the One that they would not suffer death or be harmed by normal weapons of war. Their group has been known and their reputation instills fear and makes men tremble. They are known as ‘The Forty-Three.’ And their standard, as well as on their shields displays a warrior carrying a blood dripping sword in one hand, and in the other hand a staff topped with a circular medallion with eight skulls placed evenly around the circle to represent the eight who were betrayed under the truce of discussing surrender terms.”

  “There has been talk,” Soonme added. “That one of the eight was a close friend or a family member to the Supreme Ruler. And that is why the Supreme Ruler became so furious. We do not know if there is truth to that claim or not. However, the Supreme Ruler did endow them with the ability to not be harmed by normal, man-made, weapons of war.”

  “The Forty-Three then returned to the opposing army and completely annihilated the army set to attack the city,” Hidtotim continued. “More than twenty thousand died that day and not one of The Forty-Three suffered so much as an injury. It was only The Forty-Three who attacked the army. Only a small number of the opposing army escaped. It was said they were allowed to escape to share what The Forty-Three did do to their army. The Forty-Three continued their conquest and every battle they were involved with, the enemy suffered tremendous losses, and yet not one of The Forty-Three suffered harm.”

  “Are they human?” Mykal asked. “Do they have special powers? I don’t understand how they could be so tough with just forty-three of them.”

  “It is believed the Supreme Ruler cast a special spell over them and made them invincible,” Soonme replied.

  “After the wars of that time they were kept away to serve as special guard for the One,” Nomorek added. “They were called the ‘Forty-Three Guard.’ And their sole purpose was t
o guard the One and to be called out on special missions when needed.”

  “So when The Forty-Three are released to do battle,” Hidtotim picked up where they stopped. “They are not the same original Forty-Three, yet it is believed they possess the same powers given to the original Forty-Three. Obviously just the mention of their name carries tremendous power and the name causes great fear. Most will surrender or will flee for their lives when it is known that The Forty-Three approach.”

  “Do you know if they have magic weapons?” Mykal asked and was concerned that supernatural powers would be used against his men. “Or do you know if they have special supernatural abilities?”

  “What is it we should prepare for?” Lieutenant Finley shouted.

  “We do not know,” Hidtotim answered. “We have never encountered The Forty-Three,” he added and sounded a little frightened. “Are we sure that they carry the flag of The Forty-Three?” He shouted to the two Elves who stood atop the vehicle.

  “I am sure,” Uminair replied. “It is clearly the standard of The Forty-Three. I also saw their symbol on some of their shields.”

  “What should we do Sir?” Sergeant Barry shouted from behind the crowd.

  “Get into battle positions,” Captain Diaz ordered. “Be prepared to depart if they turn out to have some special protection or ability to attack with. Their horses will not be able to keep pace with our vehicles should we have to flee.”

  “As far as our weapons Sir, what would you like us to do?” Barry shouted again while all the men scattered to different vehicles.

  “Have your men be prepared with the .50 caliber machine guns,” Diaz replied and looked to those standing near him to see if they objected. “If we can’t take them down with that, I doubt if the Mark 19s will do much more damage.”

  “Yes Sir,” Barry replied and rushed to his five transport leaders to pass on the orders.

  “Lieutenant Finley, Gunny Ratner and Sergeant Lemon,” Diaz turned to his top leadership. “Any suggestions? I ask just in case we have to flee and don’t have much time to discuss while driving?”