by P. G. Thomas
IT watched the handlers beat the dogs, hearing them yelp, seeing the fear in their eyes. (“Tonight we hunt bad men.”) Good.
After the handlers had dragged the dogs far enough away, the squirrel jumped through the trees, making its way back south. After a couple of miles, and one close call with a forest hawk, the squirrel climbed down to the forest floor, and the wolf was back, which continued south. Having spent long hours with the dwarves, Zack’s alter ego knew each scent. It was hard to believe that such a large animal could be so quiet, but identifying one smell, they slowly headed towards a large deadfall. Feeling the hot breath on his neck, Aaro reached for the bag in front of him, placing it behind him.
“Thanks for the clothes. Hope you brought a change for yourself, Dude.” In case they brought more dogs, he spent the rest of the day with Aaro. Towards nightfall, they returned to the camp, and the rest of the night passed without incident.
Unless you happened to be a kennel master, clad in black. IT like fresh.
*******
Like clockwork, the next watch consumed the breakfast that Gor had prepared before heading into the woods. Then the tired Earth Guards or Ironhouse brothers would return for a well-deserved rest and hot meal. Lauren was unsure why, but before the daytime watch left, she went to each one, thanking them for all they had done. After most had bedded down, she went to the back of the camp, sitting down on the deadfall, which she had begun to call her throne. From it, she could see her little kingdom: all of her loyal followers and friends, who blindly placed their trust and lives in her hands. Seeing Ryan walk by, she called out to him to keep her company.
“You seem to be in better spirits.”
“I think I’m just numb or confused, maybe both,” replied Lauren.
He still felt uncomfortable talking with her. “So when everybody is healed, and we move out, what then?” He knew that it sounded stupid even before finishing the sentence.
“You know what I would like to do? I want to find Jack.”
Uncertain of the reference, he asked her, “When you find him, then what?”
“I want him to give me the goose that laid the golden eggs, so I can give it back to the black-clad army. Then maybe the giant that invades these lands will leave.”
“I’m not following you?”
“Jack plants the magic beans, making a beanstalk grow, which he then climbs, finding a magic goose that lays golden eggs. When he steals it, the giant goes looking for it, and that’s when the trouble starts. I keep thinking that somebody here took it, or insulted someone, and that’s why the black-clad have invaded. If we could just find the wrong, correcting it, then maybe it would all stop.”
“Then we would all live happily ever after?”
“Do you have a better ending?” asked Lauren.
“If there are no wrongs that you can right, then what?”
“Then the wrongs just continue to happen. If the black-clad win, well, I guess they get to write the ending, so I don’t want to think about that. What I’m actually afraid of is the prophecy of Tranquil Fury. If that sword can do what I said, we should win, but when the black-clad get chased back home, with their tails between their legs, whatever insult they suffered will be increased. Once they see whatever it is that sword can do, they’ll build a bigger one or maybe more of them and attack again. However, if these people find out, they might just make a different weapon to attack first. It’s like back home. War never ends; it just takes a time out. There’s only victory, loss, and death. If you think of what we studied in that ancient history class, 90% of it was all war. One country attacks another, and then the defeated one finds a way to strike back. Or the first leaves themselves weak, so they’re conquered by a different one. Hell, nations that didn’t piss off anybody were invaded just because one was stronger than the other was. The first, what, fifteen-hundred years of our history was all war. Is that what’s starting here? Fifteen-hundred years of bloodshed. Find me that damned goose, and let’s give it back to them.”
“You passed that ancient history class didn’t you?”
“Barely, when we were studying it, it seemed so old. Here and now, it seems a lot more relevant. That’s why I’m thinking about fairy tales right now, as I like their endings better.”
Caught off guard by her explanation, he was uncertain how to respond, “I’m going to go check on John.”
*******
Even though the Dawnfalcons arrived around noon the next day, they waited until Alron returned from sentry duty to deliver their report. “Two days south, a river blocks our path,” Babartin began, “River huge, east to west it flows, and its depth is too great to ford. On the South bank an army stages.”
“Did you say an army?” asked Alron.
Careel responded, “100,000, maybe more wait. The river turns south, and a bridge they build.”
Chapter 5
Lauren fell to her knees, “You’re joking, right?”
“I am Earth Guard, and I do not know how to joke,” replied Careel.
“I never thought they would have that many,” replied Alron helping her up. “Which way does they head?”
“A mountain pass goes west.”
“This has to be one of the passes that we’ve been searching for,” replied Lauren. “To come this far and be blocked by a river and an army. Careel, what did you mean they were building a bridge?”
“The river is deep and wide, impassable without a bridge or boat. I think barges will take too long to ferry such a large force over. A bridge will allow for continuous movement over the obstacle. Alron, at night, the eastern skies are alit by a river of campfires. A number equal marches this way.”
“Damn it! We took too long. Alron, we won’t have to tell anybody about the invasion because they’re going to see it for themselves.” Lauren was unable to believe their misfortune. To travel this far, for so long, and to arrive second at the finish line, “I need to see what we’re up against. Careel, is this side of the river free of soldiers?”
“Yes, Earth Daughter, the south bank is where they camp.”
“Alron, I need to see it for myself. Gingaar can look after the injured, and Zack can help guard the camp at night. We have to go see if we can destroy it because we can’t let them cross that river.”
“Earth Daughter…”
“No, we’re heading out at first light. We need to figure out what we can do. If we can’t do anything, then we need a new plan, and Alron, please advise my Earth Guard that it’s okay to report their findings to me in your absence. I believe that falls under the category of serve. You asked me to lead, so now I’ll ask you to let me keep my promise.”
*******
Lauren gave Gingaar instructions on how to tend to the injured, advising she would be absent for four days. Not only were the berries for pain suppression consumed, but what few other gifts she had were also running low, so she hoped the four just needed rest. With two Earth Guards remaining to monitor the west, Alron with the Dawnfalcons would take the Earth Daughter to the river, and Panry would be their rear guard. With the remaining protecting the camp, they promoted Zack to night watchman so the others could sleep. Having his keen nose and ears prowling the night, he would be able to find threats faster than a dwarf or elf, and his teeth had already proven themselves more deadly than a dwarven ax. Gingaar would tend to the injured, spending equal time with each, comforting them as best she could with fresh bandages and songs.
*******
Lauren with her Earth Guards made good time through the forest. Numerous game paths had already established the easiest routes, which the Dawnfalcon brothers had committed to memory. At the end of the second day, after arriving, they approached a lightly forested cliff edge. Looking across the river, she was overwhelmed at the sight: a huge army stretching over one hundred square miles, being at least four miles wide and twenty-five miles long. The south bank was a huge flood plain with a forest behind it, and the river, which was several hundred feet wide, moved slowly.
Having meandered much in its youth, the huge spring melts had created a large swamp on their side of the river.
“We’re going to need a bigger sword,” advised Lauren.
“Earth Daughter, I do not think such a force I shall ever see.” Alron was uncertain of what to say. While the number of black-clad men had been growing, he now saw hundreds of thousands right before him, and an equal number marched this way, “Mayhap we can go over the mountains to avoid the western pass?”
“Careel, where is this bridge they’re building?”
“A half day’s ride west, and from there, both bridge and pass can be seen.”
Falling to her knees, she cleared a section of dirt, “Let’s see. If Eric kills one a minute, sixty minutes in an hour, twenty-four hours in a day, it should take him…” Lauren, about to ask John, remembered he was still back at the camp. Scratching the numbers in the dirt, she did the long division. “It should take Eric about two months?” She turned to Alron, “By that time, all the rest will be here. I think somebody changed the rules since they made the sword. We don’t need a sword; we need a nuclear bomb. This, this is insane. Wake me in the morning,” and then she returned to her mount, retrieving her bedroll.
*******
Rolling onto the cold grass the next morning, Lauren woke, wishing she was back at Ironhouse. Sitting at the overlook were Alron and the Dawnfalcons, whom she joined. “I tried to dream them away last night, but I guess it didn’t work.” Alron offered Lauren some cold field rations, which she pushed away, “Careel, this bridge they’re building. Where is it?”
“Two hours west for elf to see. Two hours more for you to also see.”
“Alron, let’s go have a look at it, so those amazing elf eyes of yours can tell me if we need to ride closer.”
Taking to their mounts, they rode slowly through the thick forest, and after the allotted time, they found a vantage point that afforded the elves a good view of the river. The bridge was at the halfway point: fifty feet long, constructed of trees from the distant forest. Alron could see soldiers carrying rocks, dropping them in the river, most likely to make the next anchoring point. Lauren kept looking at the army on the south bank, wondering what to do, while he described their progress in detail.
Walking away from the elves, she found a better spot to look out over the enemy. If Logan was here, he could burn it, but he isn’t here and may never see the bridge. It could take weeks for Eric to learn to walk without pain. Even then, what could he do? “Alron, how long do you think it’ll take them to finish the bridge?”
“One month, less maybe. They have many to lessen the construction time.”
Hearing Lauren muttering, he went over to sit beside her. Having drawn a map in the dirt, she was pointing a stick at the different elements, “…mountain range in the middle. Armies to the north. Bigger armies to the south that are trapped on the wrong side of the river. We’re two days from the mountain pass, but four are injured, and the ride will only slow down their healing.” She looked up at him, “Do you think the pass is guarded? Forget that, it has to be. If anybody wandered through it, seeing that horde, the jig would be up.” She looked back down at the map, “Put the injured in the wagon and make a run for the mountain pass. That won’t work. We won’t be able to fight our way through them. If we wait, there’ll be even more. If we go back north…Damn it! Nothing works.” Looking at the army, she felt like David when he first saw the giant—without a sling. They could all hear the frustration in her voice, “If they weren’t here, it would all be different.”
After Alron had slapped a mosquito that had landed on his hand, Babartin walked by giving a cloth bag to him. Shaking out a white powder, he rubbed it on his exposed skin. Then she looked at Careel, who was swatting at a cloud of bugs that considered him a feast. When Alron offered Lauren the bug repellent, she declined, pointing to the other side of the river. “Those men by the water. What are they doing?”
“They appear to be sick with fever.”
“Fever? What do you mean?”
“Still water breeds disease where bugs feed, so they move the disease from water to spots other.”
“Are we safe up here?”
“Forest bugs do not feed from the water stagnate. Only annoy us they will.”
Clutching her tri-wood staff tightly, Lauren began to sing, which caused the bugs to buzz around her other hand. They don’t bother me because I’m an Earth Daughter. The elves need a bug repellent to keep them at bay, but they’ll answer me when I call them, “Alron, tell me of the diseases that bugs carry when they feed in the river. Are they deadly?”
“It depends on which insect bites you. Mild to deadly the infliction can vary. Why does Earth Daughter ask?”
“In the swamp, would there be poisonous snakes, flea-infested rats, and other disgusting things?”
“Yes. It is not a pleasant place.”
She thought back to her last trip to Florida, “In the swamp, would there be beasts capable of eating a man?”
“Yes, Earth Daughter, there would be many beast that call it home.”
She headed to her mount, climbing into the saddle.
He was right behind her, whistling to the Dawnfalcons and Panry, “Where are we going?”
“We need to ride east. Don’t stop until it begins to get dark, and then find me a spot near the swamp to hide. I want to be close to the middle of the army.”
“I do not understand.”
“You will.”
Riding for almost ten hours upriver, Alron finally found a gully that he liked. The bottom was well concealed and dry, having a good view of the soldiers on the south bank. As they started down the ravine, Lauren began to sing softly, quietly, and the insects ignored them.
When they reached the bottom, Lauren increased the songs range, sending the mystical sounds into the swamp, to the east and west. Pushing the tri-wood staff into the soft soil, she started a second song and then a third, weaving them all together. The Dawnfalcons, who were guarding the top, never saw or heard anything, except the occasional whistle, advising they were safe. While Alron and Panry watched her, they were unaware of the battle that she waged against the enemy camp.
As the night progressed, insects found themselves attracted to those on the south bank, flying across to feast on the army of men. Hordes of rats swam across the river, running amongst the horses and tents, leaving diseased fleas to find new hosts. With snakes slithering up the banks in search of warmth, larger beasts slowly emerged onto the land with a raw hunger. Other insects searched out drinking water to lay their eggs, which would hatch the next day, feeding on the bodies of the black-clad. Bats landed on horses and sleeping soldiers, gorged themselves, leaving behind various infections.
At sunrise, she stopped singing to retreat to the forest. “Let’s find cover for the day, as I need some sleep.” For three nights, they returned to the same spot, allowing her to serenade the night and its cast, drilling home the same message: attack the south shore.
*******
It was on the morning of the fourth day that Alron began to complain louder, “Earth Daughter, whatever you are doing, it is not working. Others shall begin to worry, will search for us, endangering all.”
“Wake me at noon.” Then Lauren headed for a shaded tree, hoping to dream of slaying giants.
*******
“Earth Daughter, Earth Daughter, many things are happening.” Alron was shaking her awake.
Her dreams of giant slaying had turned into a vision of a warm bath, but his abrupt awakening had converted it into a cold shower. Following him to the overlook, she saw soldiers throwing dead bodies into the river: men and horses. Those performing the tasks also looked ill, seeing their own future in their present actions. On the far side of the camp, numerous large fires burnt, and the corrupt, foul breeze blew to the north.
Lauren gasped, “What’s that smell?”
“They burn their dead.”
“How many?”
“It is
hard to say but many. What happens?”
“I had the swamp invade the south bank,” began Lauren. “Every disease ridden, beautiful creature. If it crawled, flew, slithered, or hopped, it made its way to the south shore, and they’ll continue to do so until there is nothing left to feed on. The swamp was already attacking them, so I just extended the invitation. If I can’t destroy the bridge, I need to slow down the builders. Now maybe when our group is healed, those soldiers will still be trapped on the far side, and we should have time to get through that pass.” Watching for a few hours, they saw men carried away on stretchers past mad horses, and men vomiting into the river were pulled into a watery death. Lauren finally stood, “Let’s go back and think about what to do next.”
*******
Two days later, being six days late, when they arrived, the four injured were no longer lying on their backs, and all now walked. Everyone gathered around Lauren, who was astonished at what she saw, “Gingaar, how’s this possible?”
“I did as you instructed, Earth Daughter.”
“It isn’t possible. Ribs broken so badly should take months to heal not days.” She went over to Mirtza, examined his ribs and burns, but all were recovered. Pulling John’s shirt up over his head, she could barely see the scars, and Logan’s skull revealed no signs of trauma.
“John, explain this to me?”
“I was walking the day after you left. Mirtza and Eric woke three days later, and they could walk the very next day. After that, Logan stood.” John smiled, “I think that it was Gor’s cooking.”
“Alron, Can you explain this to me?” asked Lauren.
“Mother,” and then he left to check on those still serving guard duty.
“You fought an army,” Eric said, “Many died. Many still die.”
They had made no report on what they had seen or done, “How would you know that?” asked Lauren.
“We are upset. Battle belongs to us.”
“Well from what I saw, many still wait to welcome you, but I’ve no idea how you’ll accomplish it.” As he walked away, Lauren turned to John, “Does he sound different to you?”
