“Yes, Drake, you would,” Jared assured him. “Or should I say, you do.”
“No, I don’t! You probably could Jared, with the powers you have. I’m just a novice!”
“You’re far more than that, Drake,” Jared smiled. “Come here, let me show you.”
Drake stepped forward nervously.
Jared placed his palms gently on the sides of Drake’s head and stared into his eyes. “Trust me,” he said quietly. “Close your eyes.”
Drake followed Jared’s instructions and closed them. Initially all was as it should be, nothing but darkness. However, it took only a few seconds before he began to see brilliant flashes of light. He saw flames, giants and other beasts he had never seen before. He heard the roar of battle cries and felt pulses of energy deep within his chest. One voice seemed much louder than the rest. He turned toward it and recognised the wizard beside him, it was Emnor! His beard was much shorter than Drake had ever seen it, and both it and his billowing hair, were as black as a raven’s wings. They were in the throes of battle, but where, and when? A huge boulder suddenly flew past his head, missing him by inches. He threw up his hands… he was holding a staff, an ancient, gnarled, wooden staff. He felt its power and that it was part of him, but somehow not. Emnor charged headlong toward their foe, passing him as the vision began to fade. Drake blinked slowly but as his eyes opened the only man standing before him was Jared.
Drake looked horrified as he realised what had just happened. He raised his arm, gazing at the familiar wooden staff clutched tightly in his fist. His expression cleared as the truth dawned on him. “What the f…?”
“Calm yourself, Drake,” Jared said reassuringly. “You were quite safe, it was merely a memory,” Jared cooed.
“Yeah, a memory!” yelled Drake, “But it wasn’t my bloody memory, was it!”
“No, it wasn’t,” replied Jared.
“Jared, how could you do this to me? I’ve always done what you asked, but this!”
Jared held his shoulders, “I’m sorry, Drake. It was the only way. If I hadn’t, not only would we have lost Yello, we’d have risked losing my father as well! I had to do it!”
Drake pulled away, “You could have done it to someone else, or at least asked me if I was okay with it!”
“Drake, it had to be you, please understand,” Jared implored.
“Just… leave me alone!” hissed Drake as he turned. He paused without looking back, “I thought I could trust you.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll come around,” said Emnor, who had been watching closely.
Jared sighed, “I’m not so sure this time,” he admitted.
“It’s difficult for him, Jared. He’s far from being a boy, but even farther from being a man,” sighed Emnor. “That’s enough of a struggle for anyone. If he was to discover the power he now holds, it could be his undoing. The last thing we need is for him to doubt our aims, it could turn him against us.”
“Do you believe that could happen? Would he join Karrak if the temptation were strong enough?”
“It doesn’t matter what I believe, Jared,” replied Emnor, as he watched Drake vanish amongst the trees. “He may have the occasional tantrum, but that’s to be expected at his age. Fear not, he knows right from wrong.”
***
Drake flopped to the ground. Confused and angry, he kicked his heel into the dirt in frustration. In the past he had always pushed ahead of the others if there was a ridiculous test to be performed, never once considering the consequences. But to have the decision made for him felt wrong somehow!
“He was very much like you in his youth, you know.” Drake was startled. He hadn’t seen or heard Emnor approach, “Yello I mean. Always at the front when there was a risk to be taken. And his temper! Honestly, I’d rather face a herd of stampeding glamoch than be in the same room with him when he was in one of his moods.”
Drake scowled at him, “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” he asked. “Because it doesn’t! I’ll never be by myself again, not now that I’ve got your old pal stuck inside my head. I’ll never know whether a decision I make is my own!”
Emnor smiled, “Trust me, my young friend, whatever mistakes you make will be entirely your own.” He lowered himself slowly and sat near to Drake, using a tree as a backrest. “On the other hand, every unique discovery you make, every miracle you perform and every person that you choose to aid will be entirely of your own volition.”
“But how could I be sure?”
“All your mind contains is a selection of Yello’s memories. His conscious mind no longer exists, it can have no control over the choices you make.”
“But that vision I just had, Master Emnor, it was so vivid! I actually felt like I was there.”
“Why…” asked Emnor, frowning slightly, “… what did you see?”
“I was in the middle of a huge battle. There were giants, you could barely see anything there was so much smoke,” he turned and grinned at Emnor, “and you were there. You don’t half look different with black hair and a black beard,” he sniggered.
Emnor searched his memories, “Oh, yes!” he exclaimed. “The Battle of Herraldim Tor! Oh, that was a good one, that was!” He began to laugh. “You see, what had happened was that one of the giants had charged into a nearby village a few weeks before, grabbed a couple of prize horses, and then scarpered. Well, by chance, Yello and I turned up and every person we passed was simply bursting to tell us their tale of woe. The thing is, it hadn’t been the first time it had happened, apparently. They’d been losing livestock for months. Cows, sheep, goats, the lot, but they thought they had just wandered off, until they saw the giant grabbing the horses. I mean, how did they not notice a giant in the middle of the village before? Anyway, later that day, Yello and I went into the tavern. Now Yello did enjoy his wine but, as a younger man, he also liked to have a fair bit of coin in his purse. The locals, realising that we were wizards, started offering bounties if we were to clear the area of the giants. Well of course, Yello’s eyes lit up when he saw how much gold they were piling on the table in front of us. He came up with this scheme to enrol some of our fellow wizards…”
***
Jared peeked at Drake from behind a tree. He and Hannock had followed Emnor after he had said he would speak to Drake and try to calm him down.
“Do you think he’ll be alright?” asked Hannock.
“I wouldn’t have asked him if I didn’t think he could do it,” Jared whispered.
They heard raucous laughter coming from their two friends as Emnor related one of his tales of adventure, “I tell you, Drake, if Yellodious hadn’t been there, that giant would have squashed me flat. He saved my life that day, although his methods were a little… below the belt.”
CHAPTER 17
It was just before dawn when the companions gathered. All but a few of the Vikkery were still sleeping. Jared’s concerns regarding Drake had been addressed the night before by Emnor who had simply stated, “He’s fine,” as he passed him.
Drake himself looked confident, now feeling quite honoured that he was to be entrusted with the task of returning the king to his rightful place, the throne of Borell. Emnor had eased his mind and a sense of duty had replaced all his self-doubts. Ready to face his fears, he had vowed to Emnor that he would do his best.
The companions would continue to escort the Vikkery for some time yet, something that Jared was thankful for. He had not as yet informed Harley that he would be the one solely responsible for them when it was time for he and the others to depart for Reiggan in a bid to retrieve King Tamor. Drake had been sworn to secrecy, Harley would be told when Jared felt the time was right.
“He can’t do it by himself, Jared.”
Jared looked up to see Lawton lounging in the trees above him, “Sorry?” he said.
“Harley,” replied Lawton, “He’d need eyes in the back of his head to keep track of that lot,” he added, nodding toward the slumbering Vikkery.
“Keep you
r voice down!” Jared urged. “He’ll hear you. Anyway, how do you know about the plan?”
“I may be getting a little plump and Poom may resemble a half-plucked chicken, but there’s nothing wrong with our hearing!”
“They’re scars!” protested Poom.
“I have little choice,” explained Jared. “Someone has to lead them, and Harley is the most suitable.”
“If you send him off alone, that lot’ll drive him mad within a few days! He’ll probably end up killing them himself,” chuckled Lawton.
“Well, do you have a better idea?”
“Yes, Jared, I do,” said Lawton, smugly. “We’ll go with him!”
Jared could not hide his surprise, “You’d do that?” he asked.
“Don’t get me wrong,” said Lawton, “If there were any other way, I’d gladly take it!”
Jared smiled, “You’re a good friend,” he said quietly. “You too, Poom.”
“I know,” said Poom, snorting. “One of the best.”
“This is another reason why I got away from this lot,” growled Grubb as he sauntered toward Jared. “Look at ‘em. They’d sleep ‘alfway through the day if ye let ‘em. Lazy, good for nothin’s.”
Hannock smiled, “It’s not even light yet, Grubb. Give them a bit of credit, for goodness sake.”
“Goodness?” snorted Grubb. “They don’t know what it means, unless you’re givin’ them somethin’ for nothin’. Like a free home, and free businesses, and free food like Jared’s givin’ ‘em!”
“They’ll pay for them in one way or another, Grubb,” laughed Jared.
“Yeah? Well just make sure they do, they’ll ‘ave the shirt off yer back if you ain’t careful!”
***
Lodren squinted and rubbed his eyes as he stared at the horizon, “Bit early for sunrise isn’t it?” he asked quietly.
“It is indeed,” agreed Hannock, “And since when did the sun rise in the north?”
“That’s a lot of light,” said Poom, sounding a little concerned. “Want me to go and have a look?”
Jared shook his head, “No,” he replied, “That’s the way we’re headed anyway. We’ll find out soon enough what’s causing it, and I think it best that we investigate it together.”
Dawn broke and it was as chaotic as the companions had feared it would be. It was bad enough that the Vikkery wouldn’t be rushed. Worse still, was that wherever you turned there seemed to be another child screaming and giggling, just waiting to be trodden underfoot. But the most infuriating thing was the bombardment of inane questions and statements:
Are there any villages at all?
Do they have wells in the villages or a stream nearby? Only we must have fresh water. We’re clean living folk, we bathe every week without fail.
Will there be a dress shop? Only my daughter insists on having a new dress every Thursday.
These shoes, will they be okay? Or do I need something a bit sturdier?
It seemed endless.
Drake leaned on Jared’s shoulder, “I don’t know about bringing King Tamor out of his sleep…” he groaned, “… after spending time with this lot, I’ll probably join him.”
Eventually, they set off. The rattling of the cartwheels on the barren earth seemed rather soothing as they made their way ahead of the tiny villagers. The buzz of the Vikkery in the background quietened as they travelled, perhaps they don’t have that much to complain about for a change, thought Jared.
The Gerrowliens would cause an occasional dust cloud as they skidded to a halt after scouting ahead, each time having nothing to report.
For some unknown reason Jared felt anxious. He paused, tilting his head to the side. Something was wrong, he just didn’t know what.
“Everything alright, Mr Jared?” asked Lodren.
“I’m not sure,” he replied.
“Do you hear something?” asked Hannock.
“No, old friend,” Jared replied slowly, “That’s what’s so strange… I don’t hear anything! Remember Cheadleford when there was nothing but the wind in the trees? There was no birdsong nor insects buzzing and this is exactly the same.”
“Well we can be sure there ain’t no hissthaar hidin’ in the bushes, that’s for sure,” laughed Grubb, “There ain’t no bushes!”
“Jared, there’s nothing there,” said Faylore, “Poom and Lawton would have seen.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” Jared sighed, “Maybe I’m becoming paranoid, only…”
There was a sudden commotion amongst the Vikkery. Some screamed in terror whilst others just gasped in amazement.
A hundred yards ahead of them a black shrouded figure had appeared.
The Gerrowliens roared, their reaction taking longer than it did for Faylore to ready an arrow on her bowstring and aim it at the intruder, “Perhaps you’re not so paranoid after all,” she mumbled.
Jared raised an eyebrow to her, then began to approach the stranger.
With both hands raised, their visitor stepped forward and spoke, “I believe you have been expecting me?” he said.
Hannock drew his sword, “Who are you? What do you want?” he asked, brusquely.
“I am the messenger,” he answered politely. “You were clearly informed of my imminent arrival.”
“That’s not what I asked, give me your name!”
“A name? Tell me Captain Hannock, would it change matters if you were to have my name? My name is not important, whereas, the message I bear, is.”
“So, you’re just another one of Karrak’s lapdogs?” growled Grubb.
“Prince Jared,” began the man politely, “Do you think it appropriate to allow one of your companions to insult a guest? Surely not?”
Jared remained silent.
“Very well,” continued the stranger, slowly raising his hand. “If you will not chastise him, perhaps I should.”
“One move and I put an arrow through your hooded brow,” threatened Faylore.
A slow, menacing laugh came from beneath the hood, “Ah, Queen Faylore, how you love your little pointed sticks. A word of warning, Your Majesty. You aren’t as good an aim as you believe you are.” He lowered his arm, “Very well, as a show of good faith, I’ll allow Grubb to live. For the time being at least.”
Lodren was becoming agitated and started rhythmically slamming his hammer into the ground, “How do you know our names? Come on, start talking, or do I have to start bashing?”
“Oh, my friends, you wound me,” said the stranger mockingly, “And I thought we were all so close?” He pointed at Drake, “Studying together,” he announced, his voice taking an aggressive tone. Turning his finger to Emnor, “Being lectured by. And of course, let’s not forget…” he turned to Faylore, “… having an arrow put through your skull by.”
As he drew back his hood, he glared at Jared, “But worst of all…” he bellowed, “… being banished by.”
Faylore’s eyes widened as they filled with tears, “Xarran,” she mouthed. “But you… you’re…”
“Dead?” screamed Xarran, “Is that what you were going to say? That I’m dead because you murdered me?”
Tears streamed down Faylore’s cheeks, “I never wanted to,” she said, her voice hardly more than a breath, “You gave me no choice, I had to, you…”
“See what you did to me!” he roared, his voice now shrill and rasping as he turned and swept his hair aside to reveal his scars. One side of his face was as it had always been with handsome young features and smooth skin. The other showed hideous scarring, twisted and discoloured. His voice became calmer, “If not for Lord Karrak, I may not have survived your cowardly attack. My father saved a life that was left hanging by a thread. If I had not been at one with the black arts, you would have broken that thread, Thedarian. Had the arrowhead been forged of pure gold, you would have surely severed it.” He paused, “Oh dear… you look shocked. Have I given away a secret? Why do you think that half-faced freak always carries his beloved crossbow and golden bolts?”
/> “This half-faced freak is warning you, errand boy, deliver your message and leave!” snarled Hannock as he twirled a golden bolt between his fingers.
“Put it through his eye, Hannock, it’ll be quicker than Lodren shoving ‘is ‘ammer up his…”
“Threats, threats, threats!” exclaimed Xarran, “I come here to deliver a message and all I receive in return, is threats.”
“Well bleedin’ get on with it then,” screamed Grubb.
“My dear Uncle Jared… you don’t mind if I call you that, do you? After all, I am your nephew.”
“Whatever!” Jared sighed, in frustration, “Just deliver your message and go!”
“Well, Uncle Jared, it seems that things between you and my father have become a little… tense.”
“That may have something to do with him being a deranged psychopath who murders innocents indiscriminately,” barked Hannock.
“He can be a little… impulsive, shall we say. You may not agree with his methods, but his intentions are noble. He aims to bring an end to all conflict. Imagine, Uncle, no more battles, no more wars, all pain and suffering, gone.”
“Yeah, no pain an’ sufferin’ if you’re dead is there?” snapped Grubb. “Jared, can’t we just kill this git an’ be on our way?”
Xarran tutted a few times, “Any attempt to harm me, Grubb, would be most unwise.”
“Your magic is no match for mine, Xarran,” Jared warned him. “Add to that the fact that you are hopelessly outnumbered, and you will see that you are in no position to make threats.”
“Not a threat, dear Uncle,” said Xarran quietly, “simply a statement of fact.”
A sudden howling gale began as Xarran slowly raised his arms. The sky darkened as black clouds formed high above them and forked lightning struck the ground, splintering any rocks that lay there.
Jared raised his staff, “Xarran cease immediately or I will end your life,” he warned.
“No need for concern, Uncle,” shouted Xarran as the wind grew stronger, “I believe it only fair that you witness the true power I wield. You doubt my word, but will you doubt your own eyes?”
The Cessation of Karrak: Ascension III (The Karrak Trilogy Part Three Book 3) Page 25
