by I Heaton
On the third day he received a reply, Alex was at Hontol, a town set back in the mountains. The vampires decided to stay in Pine Grove for a while and if they felt accepted they would stay, if not they would try to find Tom. Tom and Josh left the morning after they got the message and they flew straight to Hontol. After two days of traveling they reached the town and went to the inn, where they expected Alex to be staying. They got into the building and a little after entering and trying to see Alex through the chaos they were grabbed from behind and roughly dragged out.
They instinctively tried to grab their weapons until they saw it was Alex. Josh followed Tom's example when he lowered his weapon. “What were you doing in there Tom? And Josh, what are you doing here?” Alex asked jabbing a thumb at Josh. “We were looking for you.” Tom answered, Alex looked at him for a moment then told them to follow him and they went to the town hall. “I am staying with the mayor of the town, not at the inn. Now we are going to try to get these people to send the troops they are required to send.” Alex explained as entered the building, which was one of the largest buildings in the town but still small, made of wood mostly.
They spent about two hours before Josh got tired of it “Listen, if you people want to stay safe you will have to send the required troops and supplies or the Ilemites will come up here and take over your town, taking most of you as slaves but those too weak and old they will kill and maybe torture for the fun of it. Your little town will either be burned to the ground or used to supply the Ilemites’ wars. You will all wish you had sent troops and supplies as you are being whipped or as you line up to be killed.” he said frustrated, after a moment to catch his breath he continued “I have seen the torture slaves of the Ilemart people endure and let me tell you it would be more pleasant to die in battle.” Josh sat back down as the council took in what he said.
They agreed to send the troops and supplies then told them to meet a member of the council at the town hall in three hours. Three hours later the trio stood at the entrance of the building waiting for the council member. The three looked up as an elderly man walked up to them and said “Follow me, we have something to show you.” and the old man turned and walked towards the forest.
After walking for awhile they came to a large cave, torches hung on the sides and they could see the tracks of people coming in and out. They entered the cave and descended deep into the mountains. After a few more minutes of walking they came to a large cavern. All around lay what looked like piles rocks about the size twice of a human. Then Tom noticed the piles were moving slightly, then one seemed to stand up. The humanoid shaped pile seemed to look down at them. Slowly the rest of the piles took shape, until before them stood a large crowd. “Golems. Amazing.” Alex whispered quietly.
Chapter 19
The golem that had stood up first asked in a gravely voice “Who dares enter the Golem Cave?” the guide lifted his torch and replied “Ronald Herniad” then whispered to them “Say your names.” the golem looked at the rest of the group “Thomas Welton.” Tom said “Alexander Yinurd.” Alex said “And Joshua Manthra.” Josh finished. One by one the torches set in the wall started burning. As far as Tom could see golems were standing and moving around. “We ask you help us in a war against the Ilemart Empire, they are attacking our southern cities and towns as we speak.” Alex said, and the golem motioned for them to follow him. They walked into a smaller cave, but it was still large, and sat on benches.
Josh and Alex talked with the some golems for what seemed like hours until Tom broke his silence “Listen, if you think that the Ilemart will leave you in peace you are very wrong. Even if they don't find you immediately, their greed will lead them into your mountains and they will find your caverns just as these people have. Although they will not simply leave you in peace, sometimes visiting. They will bring their armies and battle you until they enslave you and make you fight for them in their wars. Alone you will stand no chance, we won’t either. But together we will stand a chance.” Tom said and looked right at the golems and one by one the golems agreed on going to war.
The group went into the main chamber and signaled to a golem, who then blew a horn, which signaled a meeting. The group walked over to a raised platform and waited as the golems came. The golem, Hintior, walked up to a podium “After many hours of talking with these humans we have an announcement.” he said, then continued after a short pause “The golems of the Evergreen Mountains are going to war with the Ilemart empire!” cheers and shouting erupted as Hintior finished, Tom saw golem messengers already running out from the main cavern into tunnels to spread the news.
Josh, Alex and Tom left shortly after to let the golems prepare to march and check on the troops from the village. They had decided to leave three days later and head south. Alex went to send a report to the king on what had happened. The next day as Tom trained with his axe he saw a crowd of villagers watching him. He tried to ignore them as they watched him. Eventually he decided to go to the archery range and practice shooting his crossbow, plus this will get me away from this crowd he thought.
Unfortunately they followed him, but soon he was shooting the targets as quickly as possible, but loading a crossbow took time, he had to hold onto a grip in the front then pull the string back, which was hard while holding the front with the other hand, and finally put the bolt in. After about an hour he went into the house that they were staying in and looked at his crossbow “How can I make it so I can reload it faster?” he said to himself. He sat thinking for about fifteen minutes until he had an idea.
He hollowed the shaft and attached a short piece of metal to the hook that held the string, then closed it, but left room for the metal to slide and cut the top open to let the holding device slide, and finally put a handle on the metal hanging from the bottom. He went outside to test it.
He pushed the handle forward and it gripped the string then he pulled it back. He let go of the handle to start putting the bolt in and it quickly went forward under the power in the string. He went back inside to change his design this time adding a grip and improving the release device, and went back outside. This time when he cocked the crossbow the string stayed. He loaded the crossbow, aimed and shot. The cocking device shortened the loading time by almost half.
Now he simply had to push forward then pull back, load the bolt, aim and shoot. He didn't have to fumble with the crossbow. He went back to the archery range to test his design out more. After a few minutes the crowd had started gathering again, so he decided to find someone to train with. Alex was preparing the town's troops to march and Josh was with the golems trying to figure out more about them. He went to the training ground for the troops and asked Alex if there was anyone who could train with him. Alex pointed at a large, muscular man standing practicing magic.
Tom walked over to the man “My master said I could train with you, so will you help me train?” Tom asked, and the man laughed in reply “If you think I am just doing this for a dare or something but I need someone to train with and Alex told me you could help.” Tom continued, this time the man grabbed a practice sword and got ready “Don't cry when I beat you, boy. Anything but archery goes, and don't kill” the man said Tom lifted his practice axe and shield and got ready also.
The man ran at him and swung his sword quickly and powerfully, Tom simply deflected each blow using the smallest amount of energy possible. He is expecting a quick victory, so he is wasting all his energy Tom thought. After about five minutes of this Tom decided to go on the offensive. He jumped out of the way of a particularly clumsy and powerful blow, the man didn't have the strength to stop the blow before it hit the ground. Tom swiftly dropped his axe and unsheathed a fake knife as he went behind the man. Tom put the knife against his throat as he got a grip on him and whispered “I win.” Tom released the man and bent to grab his axe.
Suddenly the man lifted his foot and kicked Tom in the butt with all his strength, sending Tom sprawling forward. “No, I win!” he yelled getting everyone's at
tention. Tom stood up and before the man knew what was happening Tom had his wings out and was covered in black scales. Tom made his axe and shield fly to his hands as he walked slowly to the man. “Before I beat you again, I would like to know your name.” Tom said “Cameron town champion, what's your name?” came the reply “Tom.” Tom answered simply.
Tom suddenly leaped forward and swung his axe. In a series of quick, hard blows, he had disarmed Cameron. Tom created a cage of stone around him, moved Cameron's weapon out of his reach, and flew onto the cage. Tom looked down as he heard Cameron muttering. Obviously he was trying to cast a spell, one of the bars was slowly moving, Tom quickly moved it back, then he jumped down and as he changed back into his normal form asked “Now do you accept that I beat you?” Cameron simply nodded then Tom continued “And are you going to take any cheap shots after I let you out of this cage?” the man shook his head.
Tom made the stone melt back into the ground. Cameron was so angry he went back on his word and he lunged at Tom, who simply put up a hand and cast a spell. Cameron stopped in midair as though weightless, then suddenly Tom sent him sliding across the dirt and grass. Once he came to a stop Tom flew over and said “Now you might not be so quick to take cheap shots after a match.” then Tom walked away.
Tom walked around aimlessly until he realized there was a small group of men following him. He turned “Why are you following me?” he asked, “You defeated Cameron with trickery and cheap shots. We are here to beat you the same way, only you won’t walk away.” one of the largest said.
The group slowly circled around him as he said “Do you really think this will help? And besides, I didn't use trickery or fight unfairly against Cameron.” Tom grabbed his axe and shield off his back. “Ya you did, he told us how he beat you fairly, then you kicked him as he grabbed his weapons, then you used magic against him and made a fool of him. After a little you let him go and sent him flying across the grass. Cameron doesn't know magic you little piece of filth.” the man said, then he lunged at Tom, who sidestepped and brought the shaft of his axe hard on the back of the man's head.
Suddenly each man brought out a knife or dagger, Tom looked around “Guys you don't have to do this. And besides Cameron was the one who took cheap shots after the match, he knows magic but is very bad at it, I only taught him a lesson.” he said, the men seemed to take that as an insult, most likely they were drunk, and one lunged at him. He blocked the man's knife with his shield then kicked him away, his axe almost useless in the tight space so he threw it out of the circle then pulled his short sword.
After blocking two more strikes he took a knife in the upper arm of his shield arm. He unstrapped his shield and dropped it, as it would be useless. He jumped and kicked a man in the chest, bounced off and spread his wings. He flew out of the circle slammed the handle of his sword onto the nearest man's head and tried to get away.
Unfortunately the men knew the streets better than he did and one man tackled him. This time Tom knew he couldn't hold back. He closed his eyes and sent the man flying into one of the others, made the small plants grow around their wrists and ankles, then turned to the rest. He saw vines on a wall behind them and made a plan. He ran towards them yelling and sending bursts of air magic at them. Some flew backwards and others backed up. He sent a wall of air towards them that pushed them against the wall.
He immediately made the vines hold them against the wall, then took their weapons and put them in a pile. Then after firmly binding them, but not so tight they couldn't walk, he made them walk with him until he found the jail. “Hello, I'm Tom, Alex's apprentice. These men tried to attack me just barely. So if you could find a cell for them it would help.” he said to the guard standing outside. After handing them off the the guards he went to find Alex.
After about fifteen minutes of looking he found Alex and Josh walking down to the market. He flew up to them and told them what had happened. “Good, I thought they would attack you. That is why I had you fight Cameron. I knew they would come after you if you beat him.” Alex explained, Tom opened his mouth to reply then he realized Alex had a point, Cameron was the best solo fighter in the town but a group of them would be even better. Plus Tom would get experience in fighting a large group in a town. “Well I guess that makes sense. So if I don't need to do anything I am going to continue walking around.” Tom said, he turned waved at Josh and Alex, who waved back, and started walking.
Tom continued to train and wander for the rest of the day, then went back to the house they were staying at. The next day was mostly the same, but he was not attacked as he wandered. The third day he woke, packed and went down for breakfast. At about noon the troops set off for Fort Redrock, in the south-western part of Ironwood. After a few more days they arrived, rested for a day then set off to the Yetro Mountains, where the army was gathering. After nine days after leaving Fort Redrock Tom sat around a fire with Alex, Josh and the leader of the golems, Intar.
Suddenly a wolfish man stepped out of the shadows and smiled. “Hello I'm Getra, leader of the Blackwood forest pack. And on behalf of my pack I would like to offer our help in the war.” he said, “Well, I guess you can come with us, but don't bite any of our troops. We don't want trouble.” Alex replied quickly, Gentra bowed and walked back into the forest, minutes later they heard loud howling to the east, then the sound of over a hundred werewolves coming to the camp.
Alex stood up yelled to get everyone's attention, announced what had happened, sat back down and finished eating. Three days later the tired group set up camp and stayed there for a day, Alex, Josh, Gentra and Intar didn't see any sense in arriving a day before tired, rather they would arrive a day later, but well rested. Josh estimated they were half a day’s march to the army gathering point in the Yetra Mountains. Tom went to sleep early, and in the morning he came out of his tent and started practicing with his crossbow until others started to wake so he could help make breakfast.
After a few minutes Alex came out of his tent and saw Tom shooting. Tom jumped as he heard Alex say suddenly, in a joking tone “What the crossbow I gave you not good enough?” Tom turned quickly “Actually this is the crossbow you gave me. I just made some adjustments, this cocking mechanism is easier to use than pulling the string back with one hand.” he explained, then they both went to help cook breakfast.
After half a day of marching, as Josh had predicted, they saw the tents and fires of the Arstanian army. But as they watched they didn’t see the usual people moving throughout the tents. After a few more minutes the saw why, they saw men and beasts running through the trees fighting. As Tom watched archers in the trees let loose a hail of arrows onto the Ilemart army, taking down dozens. Tom thought for a moment that the army already had a good chance of winning, but to his dismay many more Ilemite soldiers and beasts rushed forward. Tom looked around him and saw the golems, troops and werewolves running past him ready for battle.
That shocked Tom back and he unsheathed his axe and grabbed his shield. He flew straight up out of the trees then dived into the enemy’s ranks close to the front. He landed on a soldier’s head smashing into him so hard it killed him. He swung his axe, smashed with his shield and cast spells for what seemed like forever. After a few minutes some Arstanian soldiers broke through to where he and Josh, who had come with him, were. The soldiers indistinctly followed the two who had them go into a arrowhead formation with them at the tip, and drove deep into the enemy’s numbers.
They slowly were joined by others as they drove through the enemy, hacking and slashing man and beast alike. Then as Tom brought his axe down onto a man’s helmet it stuck. Tom ducked quickly as Josh stabbed a enemy who was about to kill Tom. Tom stood back up wrenched on his axe, which finally came free and resumed fighting. After about an hour Tom heard a horn sound a rhythm and wondered what it meant.
His question was soon answered as the Ilemart army started turning back. Tom sent a final branch to impale one of them then turned and walked slowly to camp. Just as he sat on
a log by a fire he realized his stuff was still where he left it before the battle. He stood up and started walking back. He was stopped by Josh who handed him his equipment then left. Tom found Alex, who told him where he should set up his tent, then he went there, set up his tent, put his stuff inside, and finally went to find food.
After a while he found the cooks’ station and after a little bit managed to get an apple, two links of sausage, and a small loaf of bread. After he had wandered around camp for a few hours eating, he looked up and saw a black wyvern with a young rider. Tom smiled and spread his wings, then he jumped into the air and flew over to them. Zack pulled off his helmet and Dejoni hovered as Tom neared. “About time you showed up, you lazy bum.” Zack said in a joking manner, “Well, I guess you aren't grateful that I helped bring an army of golems, werewolves and some human troops?” Tom retorted quickly, the boys smiled and the group landed and decided to look for someone else they knew.
After looking for another hour they decided to head back to their own tents, which they found were near each other. They went to dinner after a few minutes showing off their weapons, then finally went to sleep. Suddenly Tom was awake, he knew it wasn’t morning but there was light outside. His sleep clouded mind took a moment to realize what was happening. They were being attacked.
Chapter 20
He quickly put on his armor, grabbed his crossbow, axe and shield, then ran outside. All around him tents were burning and people were running. Suddenly Zack and Dejoni were next to him, Zack obviously had hurried putting on his armor. Tom saw a Ilemart soldier coming towards them and ran to meet him. Tom bent down and used the man’s momentum to launch him over his shield, then turned and swung his axe into his neck. Tom turned as another soldier prepared to strike him, but was hit by something and started screaming, Dejoni had spit acid into the man’s face, and Tom beheaded him just to put him out of his pain. Alex ran over to Tom “Cover me using your crossbow!” he yelled, Tom pulled out his crossbow and put down his axe and shield within easy reach.
