by B A Fleming
The other soldiers of the garrison had mumbled something during breakfast but without resolve. Lentulus headed towards Agrippa with a battalion from the Banias garrison. He was following the plan set out by Trajunus before he left. Go to Banias. Await instructions.
As far as the garrison commander was concerned, the Salararius had been sent to retrieve Morean soldiers stationed in the west. Thargus was in need of decent commanders and very few active soldiers were left that had experienced any form of battle conditions.
All of the Salararius had served in the Angry Teeth garrison earlier in their careers and all had faced the Narthal in battle.
Lentulus enjoyed the spoils that war would bring and he knew that there would be fewer opportunities for him with the passing cycles.
Zador headed for the garrison, spending a few hours freshening up and sleeping until daylight had finally ended. He knew that Temar would best be found in the shadows of the night, in the embers of sound as they drained out in the cold, empty air.
The first night left him without success and he stomped back into his assigned quarters as the morning guards changed shifts, dropping his coat and falling into his bed as he absently slid off his boots. Finding Temar Bolyl would be harder than he was lead to believe.
Later in the morning, Zador woke, a guard had retrieved water for him. Although not their commander, the Salararius were respected in all parts of the Empire.
He bathed and ate, eventually making his way to the roof of the garrison. Zador looked out across the busy square as the merchants relished in the fullest time of the day. He drank slowly, developing a plan after his aimless wandering of the night before.
Chapter 23
Casperi felt the pain of the night before. Looking around him, he knew that he was not the only one. A lot of hungover men and dwarves alike stumbled around in the early hours in preparation for the day ahead. Har-Koln had been a positive experience. He had feared the thought of entering the underground labyrinth again, but to be surrounded by the people that were closest to him certain helped to allay those fears. Their hosts had been inviting if nothing else, and now the party made their way towards the Morean side through the tunnels. The path was smooth and wide on this side of the mountains.
The dwarven King had agreed to widen the path all the way to the Dark Forest to commence trade, when given the word by King Daikin. Although on the whole their hosts had been welcoming, many of the dwarves had been highly suspicious of Aryz Coun and he had consequently spent a low-key night aside at least one of his Hardular peers.
Thais, who often preferred solace moreso than others, had sat with the Imuhagh. More than one dwarf had gleefully issued death threats to him between mouthfuls of ale in the moments when she left his side. She then approached each in turn with Casperi and Jotnar as they subsequently apologized to the large Imuhagh.
They marched on through the day, torches set along the tunnels every fifty paces kept it well lit. They came across three gangs those jobs were to keep everything lit, all night and all day. Several ale houses and rest stops had also been carved into alcoves, and more than once they came across a sleeping merchant not far from these.
Just before sunset they appeared at the Morean entrance of Har-Koln. Even though it was late in the day, the sunlight was both harsh and well received.
They made camp just outside the doors. A small dwarven woman sat nearby, stirring a broth, selling it with tea and bread. The Hardular royals enjoyed the meal as they looked out across the valley, the township of Masterstone firmly visible below, if in the distance. The ridges of the Aïr Mountains ran along the west to the south, and Elvem was clearly marked, the seemingly impregnatable darkened home of the Elves.
A small caravan of dwarves, who had been travelling a short distance behind them all day, set about erecting tents and organizing beds and provisions for them. Casperi and the others looked to each other. None had suspected this, thinking that these merchants were merely travelling near them for added safety.
Early the following morning the party rose and continued on their journey. It would be well after sunset by time they arrived in Masterstone. A stoney slope led down the small valley where fields of purple and blue flowers and grass were punctuated with rocky outcrops.
Jotnar led the way as they walked down the trail, several other dwarves carrying heavy loads passing in either direction.
The dwarf pointed out various facets of the landscapes like a well hewn travel guide.
Thais smiled to Casperi. They were very worried about Lapse and knew that they could speed up their travels by acquiring horses in town. Finding Temar Bolyl was also on the agenda, and Jotnar had dispatched some of his best trackers to search for him in Masterstone before they arrived. All things going to plan, they would find Temar immediately and be on their way the following morning.
Nathe and Daak discussed sparing strategy. The young man had learnt a lot from the older knight. The swordmaster in Tharkomad had been a good teacher, although old and set in his ways. Daak had learnt much more during their adventure of the previous winter. The Tharkomad swordmaster being one of the many struck down by the Ice Gols.
Soze blithely swung the Mauri, that Canute had asked him to carry. They were loaded with swords, leaving many of their own blades in the hands of Scrapgryke to take care of until they next returned.
Aryz Coun carried the Muamman Duathal, as Casperi preferred his own original Black Rim sword, which he had become accustomed to the weight and balance of the blade.
Aside from this, the heavier ceremonial blade was easier to handle by the big Imuhagh. At least four of the blades had danced around in the morning sun before they continued on their journey down the hill. The handful of dwarves sent to accompany them looked in wonder. Even Thais was caught more than once looking at her blade, Ulaa, that now swung freely against her leg, her pouch full of Black Rim arrow heads, in addition to those already made into arrows.
*****
Thannon and Thargus arrived in Agrippa with their legions. Stories of great battles already flowed from the north, of a Blue Dragon that burnt hundreds of men in one breath. The great dragon, Zenath, which had been nothing more than a myth to most, was truly alive and active. Thargus and Thannon met with other commanders in the Civic Center, located on the northern outskirts of the almost deserted city.
Some of the merchants’ workers had remained to sell the last of their stores, rather than risk losing the stock to thieves or looters. The store workers generally operated with security guards, mainly to ensure that the money would reach their employers, who had escaped almost a week before to southern towns or estates.
Makeshift wooden breastwork mounds had been built just to the north of the city. They were over four feet tall with three close rows to slow down any charge.
A higher, more stable line of breast work sat fifty paces past, in range for the archers. The breastwork was made of an uneven fencing of wood, thick enough to slow the Narthal, yet still porous enough for arrows to pass through. The stumps of trees had been left uncleared to minimize an effective cavalry charge.
The latest legion of soldiers pitched a basic camp just behind this, completed their duties and then rested, knowing that there would be limited time for such things come the morning.
The commanders organized their troop movements, strategizing as Mimas sort to find the advantage of a battle fought across a flat muddy plain, quickly realizing that his enemy preferred the small rivulets of gullies for pitch battles in recent days.
Both Narthal fronts had now joined at Mountay and commenced their move south along the road to the small town of Nair. Morea had the numbers, although the Warang were still inflicting sizeable damage on the edges of battles, and seizing the advantage by following through smoke left by the Blue Dragon attacks.
Morean fighters had mainly been trained in battle tactics based on ongoing conflicts with the Imuhagh during the past two hundred summers. The Narthal fought in a different manner to th
is, and slowly the Morean commanders had managed to alter their strategies to suit.
*****
Isabella made her way along a corridor of the Corone Palace. She had just left the bed of Grechous, having discussed the current state of the court, which was something close to chaos.
Aggelos was nervous and not attending to the business of the senate anywhere near as much as required.
Much of this business had now fallen to the Chancellor, as he had stayed when many others had left, with his loyal band of squires running errands around the corridors to gain signatures of the few remaining senators, several of whom had already become dispossessed of their estates by the invading black army.
Malena consorted with a few of the young men that she had met a few times before. Their fathers’ were organizing the packing of final wagons before heading south. None of the Malbork family had been invited to safety yet, even though over half the senators had already left. She waited, putting on an invigorating display for her chamber guests.
Survival had kicked in for both women, and Isabella’s socializing had resulted in a heavy drinking problem for her. Her head ached constantly as she looked to sleep off another night of debauchery with a succession of men, ending in the bed of Grechous as the dawn rose. If anything, her behavior had worsened over the weeks, especially as more and more people of influence had left for safer lands.
Richmond had remained in Corone after Thargus left. He had no stomach for war, and tended to stew in his thoughts, mostly alone in his room or on a verandah overlooking the gardens. He had recently started to feel some guilt and remorse in the sacrifice of his brother, but then the boy deserved it, spoilt and naive as he had been.
As ruthless at Richmond had proven to be, Grechous, and a handful of other young courtiers had demonstrated their capability to kill without remorse. Richmond had known of this trait only in Prince Canute in Hardular, who had famously killed lovers and battle opponents without a thought. Richmond now watched the pacing’s of his sister and mother and became increasingly ill at ease with their behaviour. They seemed aloof to the effect they had on some of the senators who had purposely avoided them as they prepared to leave.
*****
Koguryo stood at the doorway of what now been termed “The Dragon’s Temple”. The stained-glass rosette that took up most of the far wall glimmered in the early light.
Dralan slept as a human, a worn blanket over his body. Leaves and preparations of moss covered various wounds, although more than half had fallen off during the night. The rest of the wounded had arrived during the past few days.
“Wake now Dralan,” spoke Koguryo in a deep dragon voice that echoed off the stones. The young warrior rolled over to see his father standing impatiently, his hands crossed each other above his groin. Two guards that accompanied their Emperor shifted uncomfortably in their stances.
“I must rest father,” suggested Dralan, rolling back as if trying to sleep.
“You have a duty to undertake for me. To repair your mistake,” demanded Koguryo.
“Tomorrow.”
Koguryo boiled. Dralans’ body froze and he floated up. Unmoved, Koguryo focused his stare as the dragon warrior struggled, glaring back at his father, who lifted him over fifteen feet into the air, dropping him to the ground.
Dralan transformed into the Black Dragon as he fell, as instantaneously Koguryo transformed into the Blue Dragon.
The guards hurried backwards as the huge mass of Zenath smashed the stonework with ease, mostly within the temple, although the broken archway crossed over the lower torso of the Blue Dragon, his tail snaking out along the corridor. One guard was pinned against the wall with the other barely able to move in the corner.
Dralans’ form was dwarfed by the older dragon as they stood snout to snout.
“You will leave within the hour,” re-enforced Zenath. “I have no guilt in eating you, if needed.”
Arthung looked at the Blue Dragon, whose astonishing size rolled with muscle and strength. After a few more tense moments the young warrior returned to his human form. Once the transformation of the Black Dragon was complete, Koguryo followed in same.
He stared at Dralan once again, “One hour,” he said as he turned to leave. The pinned guard collapsed to the floor behind him.
“What would you have me do, father?”
Chapter 24
The party of Hardular arrived in Masterstone. Jotnar had held private discussions with Casperi coming down the hill, informing him on updates from dwarves that were on the lookout for Temar in Masterstone. They had made good time and settled into a private dwelling during the late afternoon. The premises were reserved for the dwarf King. After a short rest, they made their way out to the market just before sunset. The group had separated, Daak, Jotnar and Nathe walked alongside each other, Aryz Coun and Soze in another direction to them, with the Vasa royals and Casperi and Thais heading off in other directions, a dwarven scout with each of them.
Canute and Birger were surprised by what they came across. The younger brother felt like he was in his element, but Canute struggled. He had always taken all of his meals and clothes for granted, and most of his servants for granted. During the past days he had realized that he knew the name of less than half that served him, and even fewer of their parents or siblings. He had occasionally ridden past one or several in the markets or lower town but hadn’t given much thought, if any to their lives, homes, or families. He just assumed that they were there for his service, and nothing more.
This square teemed with servants collecting supplies for their masters of various races, in addition to the complex of warriors and thieves. More than once did a young face receive a slice across their wrist from either their dwarven guard or the younger of the Hardular royals, thinking that they may have some easy targets in their sights.
Casperi noted that the markets had not changed since their first visit, as he reminded others to keep their valuables safe. The markets of Masterstone were well over ten times the size of those of Vasa.
“We must come back, one day, when all this is over,” almost whispered Thais to Casperi, seemingly mesmerized by the crowd.
“and here I was thinking that you didn’t have an eye for shopping, sis?” Casperi spoke without looking towards her.
A young boy ran past Thais, brushing her leg. She turned to look at him as a young woman, slightly older than her, bumped into Thais. She froze, looking at the woman who briefly glanced at her as she looked to move quickly away. Thais raised her hand and the young woman’s legs immobilized. Casperi instantly recognized what had happened as the siblings stepped a few paces across to the woman.
“You have something of mine?” whispered Thais. The young woman looked at her with concern.
“I don’t think so,” she replied recognizing the need to not make a scene.
“I could just kill you now.”
She searched through the crowd as the boy circled back, observing the situation. A man approached from behind them.
“You know how to pick your targets, Arzon,” the man acknowledged as he approached.
Casperi smiled as he recognized the face and hugged his old friend, Temar Bolyl. The smuggler had cultivated a black beard in the months in between, quietly parring the hairs of his chin and neck so that a blackened caterpillar was all that remained. An off-white tagelmust helped him to blend in.
“You must be Thais,” Temar bowed before her. “and this is my own sister, Arzon,” Temar indicated to the thief as she offered to return the small bag that she had lifted from Thais.
“Arzon, this is Prince Casperi, of Hardular, and his incredible sorcerer sister, Thais.” The women stared down each other.
“I’m sorry,” breathed Arzon as she handed the pouch over.
“We must get out of here Casperi. It’s not safe for either of us. There are many eyes on all of us,” Temar indicated and looked to walk towards the human quarter.
“No, Temar, this way, we have lodgings,
” Casperi pointed towards the dwarven quarter.
The boy followed, at a short distance. As with any good thief, finding the balance between acute curiosity and a quick thinking was always the boys’ preoccupation.
This tended to land him in situations of good fortune more often than not, and also, like this moment, situations of life and death decisions.
“Will you introduce your other friend?” Thais finally asked Arzon, when they were halfway across the markets.
*****
The road between Banias and Agrippa was smooth compared to the back roads of Waterfall. Cheinjus and Tethys made good time. Four soldiers with a wagon blended easily into the heavy traffic flowing both ways. The Salararius had changed into uniforms of a Principale. A high enough rank as not to be opposed and low enough as to not cause suspicion. They arrived in Agrippa late in the evening, making their way to the command center.
Thargus smiled as the two men entered his tent.
“We have the cargo,” they absently mentioned.
“Good,” he smiled as he followed them back out to awaiting wagon. Lentulus, who had been relaxing with a cool wine in the corner, joined them.
Thargus climbed into the back of the wagon as the horses moved, adjusting to the change in weight. She seemed to be asleep as he fondled her chest, slipping his hand down to her leg. Lapse rolled away from him, giving an angry stare behind her gag.
“Pretty little thing, aren’t you?” he smiled as he rubbed her thigh. Lapse kicked out as Thargus blocked her, grabbing her leg at the calf. “I can see why Casperi liked you.”
“I always liked you, you know. From the moment I saw you when I was sparring your brothers in the yard. Now I will kill them, hopefully in front you, one by one, then take you as my own. Beautiful thing that you are.”
