by Keith Walsh
Tears streamed down his face as the frustration of being helpless to save Amber overcame him.
***
Yes, feel the power, it courses through you like you have never felt before. Take it from her, she is but a child. She is undeserving of such a gift.
You said you wouldn’t hurt me. Mr Giant, help me please.
He can’t hear you here child.
You are a nice man. I know it.
What did ‘nice’ ever get anyone? You spent years of dedication practicing your gift, reading ancient scrolls and texts desperately wanting to help the world and now you can…
Please Matias, fight it and release me.
Just take her power. She is helpless to stop you. It is yours, do it – do it before someone else does. The giant is an oaf, he can’t protect her. He gets a headache from discussing the most basic skills of the gifted.
Matias please…
Silence!
Destroy her, suck her lifeforce dry. You can do wonders with this power!
I… I can’t. This power is not mine to wield.
No, what are you doing? Don’t give it back to her. You weak fool…
I am not weak. I am strong. I am not weak. I am strong. I am not weak. I am strong.
Stop saying that, stop it!
I AM A GOOD MAN!
Chapter 28
Gallant watched on helplessly, silently cursing himself for not knowing more about those who were gifted. Had he not been so averse to learning more about such things in the past, perhaps he would have been able to resist the bindings that held him in place. Suddenly Matias eyes ceased to glow and he spoke, “Gallant, I’m going to complete the bridge, then I’ll release you but as soon as you take Amber from me, my power will start to fade, and with it the bridge.”
“I’ll fucking kill you when you release me,” retorted the giant, wrestling yet again with the roots that restrained him. “Don’t be a fool,” Matias snapped. “I have resisted the temptation her power tried to taint me with but others will not. I told you I am a good man, I never wanted to hurt Amber but now I know just how dangerous her power truly is. You must keep her safe. Teach her control.” Gallant’s eyes blazed as the old man spoke but he listened to what he said, helped by the fact he could not escape at that moment.
Without another word Matias began to focus on the stalled root bridge. Although he had resisted stealing Amber’s power the fact he remained connected to her meant he had more than enough to finish the bridge. The massive roots began to move again, twisting and tangling around themselves as they wormed their way to the other side of the riverbank, over the raging water. The bridge complete and true to his word, Matias released Gallant, who immediately made for the old man. “I should kill you where you stand,” the giant snarled. “Take her,” said Matias, ignoring the threat, “…and remember, once you have her you need to cross the bridge at speed for I cannot hold it for long on my own.”
“What about you?” said Gallant, regaining some control. Matias shook his head. “If I break my bond with the tree the roots will recede immediately. I’m afraid this is where we part ways,” said Matias, sorrow in his eyes. Amber remained in some kind of trance, her eyes still represented by glowing yellow and Gallant hesitated to grab her. “It’s okay, you won’t hurt her. Once our connection is broken she will return to normal… well… herself, is what I mean.”
Reassured by Matias’ words Gallant swept Amber into his arms and sure enough the glowing yellow stopped and she seemed to be soundly asleep. Matias winced. “What’s wrong?” Gallant asked. “It’s the bridge. I’m fighting to hold it. Go quickly now Gallant, move.”
“Thank you Matias,” Gallant said moving swiftly to his horse and placing Amber in her usual position before pulling himself into the saddle behind her. There was no point taking Callis’ horse, Amber wouldn’t be able to ride it while unconscious. Turning his beast toward the bridge of roots, he kicked it to a gallop. It almost lost its footing as its hooves stumbled on the twisted roots but it righted itself and sped on. Halfway across Gallant glanced back and saw two riders burst onto the scene. He cursed before shouting more life into his mount while snapping the reins.
***
Kalen and Atheles came upon a scene that gave them both a shock. An old man stood with his hand on a massive oak tree, its roots shooting out from the ground and arching like a bridge across a raging river. On the bridge they could see their target getting away. Atheles acted first, angling his horse toward the strange bridge and urging it forwards but Kalen hesitated. His mind keen, he considered the circumstances. The old man did not flee with his companions, his hand remaining on the tree as if stuck to it. And the roots of the tree where the foundation of the bridge. Without another thought he pulled a dagger from his chest sheath and with expert precision he snapped it through the air and into the hand of the old man that gripped the tree.
The old man cried out in pain as his hand became pinned and he grabbed the offending weapon with his free hand but hesitated to pull it free. Instead his eyes focussed on the rider almost across the river. Kalen knew then that his instincts had been correct. The old man held the bridge in place by his connection to the tree and once his companion made it across he would have broken that connection. But now Kalen had bought some time. He turned his horse immediately and rode hard for the bridge leaving the old man to his pain.
Matias watched on, one hand pinned to the trunk the other waiting patiently to pull the dagger clear once Gallant was across. Squinting through the rain he saw that he and Amber would be safely over any second now, and then he could free his wounded hand and the root bridge would fail, casting the pursuers into the lethal waters below. Had he not been using all his remaining energy to hold the bridge he would have entangled Gallant’s enemies as he had the giant but he simply had nothing to spare.
That’s it. He’s across, thought Matias with a mixture of pain and exhaustion. He pulled on the dagger, expecting it to come free easily but it was lodged tight and as he tried to wriggle it loose it bit into him, causing considerable pain. You need to deal with it, the bridge must fail, he thought, struggling with the dagger again. Another failed attempt but despite it his power still waned and the bridge began to fail, albeit at a much slower rate than it would have had he been able to free his hand.
Atheles eyes widened as he saw the roots ahead start to recede. He was almost across but glancing back he doubted Kalen would make it. What a cruel way for his oath to be broken, for he did not possess any power capable of stopping what was about to happen. As he reached the end of the bridge he forced his horse to jump, clearing a gap that had formed and sighing with relief as he landed safely on the opposite riverbank. Almost immediately his thoughts turned to Kalen and he halted his mount to turn and witness his fate. His master was almost there now but the gap had grown even larger and Atheles doubted any horse could make such a jump.
Kalen’s heart raced as he saw the distance his horse needed to make to reach safety. “Fail to make this jump and we both die,” he said into his horse’s ear. The animal snorted and as lightning flashed once more across the sky Kalen’s horse launched itself through the air. Before the lightning’s light had disappeared into the night Kalen and his mount landed cleanly, booming thunder heralding their success. An adrenalin-fuelled scream came from Kalen before he shouted at Atheles to get moving. An impossible leap, thought Atheles before obeying his master’s order.
Together they chased after their quarry at a blistering pace, Kalen filled with excitement. Atheles was conflicted. Now that he knew it was his brother he pursued, what would he do if they actually caught up with him? Better he die by my hand then Kalen’s if it comes to it, he thought but it weighed heavy on his heart.
***
Matias cursed as he realised both of Gallant and Amber’s pursuers had made it across his bridge. He couldn’t bring himself to pull the dagger clear in time, such was the pain it caused but now overwhelmed with anger he wrenched at it, hurti
ng his hand badly before eventually freeing it. No sooner did he break his bond with the tree and the receding roots quickened their pace to return to the ground in seconds. It doesn’t matter now you weak old fool, he thought, cradling his damaged hand, pray to the Gods they get away.
***
Gallant had been struggling to keep hold of Amber while also trying to control their mount but with the animal’s head bobbing aggressively she awoke, immediately clinging on for dear life and leaving the giant to concentrate more on putting distance between them and their pursuers.
He knew at this pace his horse would not be able to travel far, especially considering the conditions, and he racked his mind to come up with a plan. To the left and right was forest but entering it at this pace would be incredibly dangerous not to mention forcing him to slow down. The fact his animal now bore two people meant outriding their pursuers would be most unlikely. Ultimately he decided he would run the beast to the point of exhaustion and only then turn into the forest. There he would try to find a place for Amber to hide while he stood against their enemies. So your brother is an enemy? he thought. If it truly was Atheles I saw then what he chooses to be will be his choice. I will protect Amber with my life. He risked another glance behind and with the help of more lightning he saw two riders gaining. Damn, they’re close. Thunder rumbled overhead.
Atheles and Kalen moved at an incredible speed. No expense had been spared on the quality of their mounts but they too would tire soon having already travelled throughout the day. Atheles knew Kalen would run his beast to death if need be without any let up, but he felt differently about his animal. He had grown to love the beast. Its courage when he had charged the strange creature nights ago being just one of the things he respected. Many an animal would have refused to obey such a command.
And now it gave everything for him, not only allowing him to catch Kalen but to overtake him. Atheles allowed himself a big smile as he rode by. “That’s it boy, show him what you’ve got,” he shouted. The animal was breathing heavily but seemed to respond to being pushed harder still. Atheles laughed, exhilaration overtaking him. Kalen cursed. “Push on you stupid animal, push,” he screamed and at first his beast seemed to respond but suddenly it lost its footing.
Kalen was thrown far from his saddle as his horse tumbled head over hooves. He landed hard in muddy water but rolled with the momentum that carried him, knowing that to do so could help prevent injury. Rising, he felt a mixture of rage and relief. Rage that the animal had fallen in the first place but relief that it seemed unhurt. Not because of any love for the beast but because he could get back in the saddle and continue the pursuit.
Atheles didn’t notice his master’s fall, his attention fully on keeping his horse steady and true. As the minutes passed Gallant’s mount began to show signs of exhaustion, stumbling more and more and the giant decided to ease off. Once slowed to a reasonable canter he angled into the trees on his left and into cover. The animal’s body heaved and it shook its head, snorting several times, steam rising. Gallant reached around Amber to pat its neck. “Easy girl,” he said.
“Where are we Mr Giant?” said Amber, stretching her neck to look up at him. “I don’t know Princess but some bad men are following us and I’m going to need you to be brave for me okay?” Amber nodded but he could see fear in her face and tears welling in her eyes and he swallowed back his own emotion. Asking the child to be brave and then crying himself wouldn’t set a good example.
“It will be okay,” he said, smiling at her but for the first time she didn’t return it. “I’m scared for you,” she said, tears streaming now. Gallant wrapped one of his huge arms around her and hugged her gently, whispering, “Don’t you worry about me, I’m going to take good care of you but we need to find a place to hide okay?” She nodded again and he could see her making the effort to control herself as she pursed her lips and lessened her tears. “Good girl,” he said, scanning the tree line ahead.
The rain fell easier here such was the thickness of the leaves overhead, but the ground remained soaked. His body shook and he wanted to believe that it was the cold and wet that caused it, but he couldn’t help thinking that just maybe a little bit of it was fear. Not for himself, but Amber. If he fell tonight, who would protect her? Did the people chasing them intend to kill her? Put such thoughts from your mind and focus. Just ahead he spotted a break in the trees and beyond it the rain fell heavily. A clearing, he thought, urging his mount towards it.
***
Atheles had seen his brother change direction and head into the forest and now he had arrived at where he guessed that spot to be. Looking behind him he saw Kalen a ways back, and he felt momentarily confused. The last time he saw his master he was overtaking him but surely his mount hadn’t been so much faster as to have developed such a lead? Pushing the thoughts from his mind he signalled the direction he was taking to Kalen who acknowledged him with a snapping of his hand that told him he wanted Atheles to push on.
He waved his understanding and headed for the dense foliage but paused long enough to stab a dagger into one of the trees where he entered, marking the exact spot for Kalen. Then with a kick and a snap of the reins he rode on, his pace much slower in the undergrowth.
***
As Gallant emerged into the clearing he moved to its centre and looked to the sky just in time to see it light up. The rain pelted his face and as another crack of thunder sounded, something inside him told him this is where he must make his stand. His horse completely exhausted, running was no longer an option and he couldn’t guarantee his ability to win any upcoming fight. That meant that Amber needed to be hidden. On the other side of the clearing he could see some large rocks surrounded by thick bushes, beyond them more forest. Amber could hide there, he thought, riding towards the rocks. Once there he dismounted and gently lifted her from his horse.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her little hands clutching his huge ones. “I told you we have to hide,” he lied, kneeling and clasping his hands around hers, before putting his mouth to them and blowing. She shivered. Standing, he moved to his saddlebags, pulled out a blanket and wrapped it around her. “There,” he said tightening it. “That should keep you a little warmer at least.” Amber examined herself. “I look like Sister,” she said, with a half-smile trying to hide her nervousness. Gallant chuckled. Only you could bring me a moment of joy in the midst of such darkness Princess, he thought, fighting hard to hide his sadness.
“Right, let’s get you in there,” said Gallant pointing to a mound of bush-covered rocks with just enough space between them for Amber to hide in. “But you won’t fit in there,” she said following his finger. “No, I have to stop the bad men.” Panic crossed the child’s face. “No Mr Giant, you said we would hide, please don’t go!”
“I’m here to protect you Princess. Remember the bear?”
“Yes.”
“I killed the bad bear didn’t I?”
“Yes, but you also lost me.”
“I can’t argue with you Amb— Princess,” said Gallant, catching himself just in time, slightly irritated by the child’s damning fact. “Please just promise me you will stay hidden no matter what you hear.”
“No! I won’t promise. I won’t!” she said defiantly. Gallant sighed. “Please Princess. I can’t fight if I’m worried about you coming out.” Desperate sadness flashed across the child’s face. “I don’t want you to go Mr Giant. I love you,” she said, bursting into fresh tears. He knelt down and placed his huge hands on her shoulders. “I love you too Princess. That’s why I want to make sure nothing happens to you. Now please stay hidden,” he begged. “I can’t promise. Sister told me never to promise if I don’t mean it.”
Gallant stared into her big beautiful eyes and his heart filled with sorrow. He didn’t want to leave her but at least this way she stood a chance. Even if he fell. By his side she would have none. It would affect his ability to fight and if he died it would leave her with no chance of escape. He hated t
he choice presented to him with all his heart but there was no other. He grabbed a handful of bush and hacked into it with his hunting knife. Placing some of it across the rocks above her, he said, “I have to go now Princess, but I will see you again.”
“Please don’t go,” she said again, shaking her little head, tears streaming. “I have to,” he replied firmly. Her little hands emerged from the blanket wrapped around her and she pushed them into his bushy beard. Then she leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek before reaching around his giant neck and hugging him. In return, he wrapped his huge arms around her tiny frame and squeezed her gently. “I’ll see you soon,” he whispered, kissing her cheek.
As their embrace broke and she crouched down in the gap between the rocks, her stomach churned. She remembered the warm fuzzy feeling she felt when Matias was near – this felt the opposite of that. With a smile, Gallant placed more bits of bush around her, making sure that the cut ends weren’t visible. When finished and Amber was no longer in sight, he could hear her sobbing and it broke his heart. He allowed himself a moment before standing back to make sure her hiding place was effective. Satisfied, he heaved himself back into his saddle, slid his axe clear of its brace and moved to the clearing where a shadowy figure on horseback appeared from the tree line and slowed to meet him.
Chapter 29
Gallant continued forward, the other rider doing the same until finally they met at the centre of the clearing, rain cascading over their huge frames. “So it was you I saw,” said Gallant, eyeing the brother he hadn’t seen in years. “Aye,” said Atheles angling his horse to the side. “It’s been a long time brother. How is father?”
