‘Why, Eraywen? Why?’ Jericho asked miserably.
Eraywen strode up and down in front of Jericho and appeared to enjoy the moment. ‘You think there is but one Council of Mages on this little rock? Wrong, there are two. You belong to the first, and I the second. You fight for truth and justice at the price of freedom. We fight to rid this world of your tyranny, and become the dominant spiritual power in the land.’
‘Why would you do this to the temple?’
‘This is just the start. We will rid this world of all Brotherhood temples, and what better temple to start with than your own,’ Eraywen replied.
‘Please Eraywen, stop this now, I beg you. This is my home.’
‘A home segregated from the world. I am afraid I cannot stop this. The wheels are in motion to destroy The Brotherhood of The Wulf, and that day will be a glorious day.’
‘You are deluded, Eraywen, and I will have to stop you.’
‘You do not stand a chance. Leave now, and I will spare your life.’
Without warning, Jericho roared and leapt to his feet. In one swift movement, he grabbed Eraywen and twirled her so that she faced away from him. He held her tightly. Tears stung his eyes as he gripped her wand arm.
Eraywen attempted to free herself, but Jericho was an unyielding man. A silver butterfly talisman swung from side to side around her neck as she struggled to free herself from Jericho’s grasp.
‘You cannot cast magic at what you cannot see,’ said Jericho through clenched teeth. ‘That is the preserve of the most eminent of mages, and eminent you are not.’
Eraywen merely craned her neck, looked him in the eyes and smiled. Jericho responded before she could act and spoke aloud a simple sleeping spell. Eraywen collapsed unconscious.
He stepped aside from her and retrieved his clothing, and quickly dressed, minus his armour. He then returned to Eraywen’s still form, though as he reached her, he froze. A terrifying half-screech, half-roar cut through the air, unlike any he had heard before. A dark shape appeared above him and blocked out the moon.
He was powerless to react as a colossal scaled claw enveloped him, and then a moment later a second clenched Eraywen in its grasp. The creature wrenched them both into the evening sky.
A BIGGER PROBLEM
Coinin had rested for thirty minutes after his vicious battle with the now-dead giant. He had asked for water, and to his surprise, his speech had significantly improved. This unsettled him. If he felt thirsty, and his speech had improved, had he entered a dangerous phase of his occupation of the giant’s mind, with the link in danger of permanency? He thought he had best consult with Curator Menin for advice.
A horse and cart arrived with a dozen pails of water, which he greedily consumed. Satiated, he looked around for Menin and spotted her in the distance in talks with her captains, whose men fought the last of the goblin horde.
He rose from his seated position and knocked over the water cart. The panic-stricken horse whinnied in terror, and its legs flailed in a vain attempt to right itself under the weight of the wooden cart.
Coinin bent over and used his giant frame to right the animal and its load. Immediately the horse bolted, its eyes wide in fear. Its handler cursed Coinin and ran after the animal.
Coinin laughed heartily at the fleeing horse and owner.
‘I’m glad to see one of us is enjoying himself,’ Marrok shouted up to Coinin. ‘May I remind you that there is still a giant to dispose of?’
‘May I remind you, brother, that there are two?’
‘Where?’ Marrok looked about him, confused.
‘Great in battle, but as thick as cow dung,’ Coinin said.
‘I heard that!’ Marrok swore. ‘Do you have any idea how you will kill the giant?’
‘I have no idea; I thought you were the great strategist, brother.’
‘I think I’ll leave the decision to Menin.’ Marrok shrugged off his brother’s rudeness.
‘Well, good, because that’s where I head, and your ideas are always useless anyway. Are you able to keep up? Do you want a lift?’
‘I’m fine, thank you,’ Marrok replied a little breathlessly.
‘I’m just saying, you know, if you find it difficult to keep up with your little legs—’
‘Enough of this!’ Marrok roared. ‘What is wrong with you?’
‘I don’t know. I’m not quite feeling myself,’ Coinin replied worriedly.
‘Come on, I’m sure Curator Menin can help.’
‘I hope so, I don’t like the way my head hurts. I feel like I want to rip and tear everything apart.’
‘Just don’t punch me.’ Marrok said and backed off slightly. He was worried; this was unlike Coinin. What was happening inside the giant’s mind?
‘I won’t, I promise. Look, there’s Menin now.’ Coinin pointed towards the Curator a dozen feet away.
They joined Menin, who was seated on her horse, offering direction to her troops.
‘Curator?’
‘How goes it, Coinin? Are you ready to slay the giant?’ Menin’s brow rose expectantly.
‘I would if I knew how. I don’t think I’m strong enough to break its neck, and even if I did, that would still leave this one.’ Coinin indicated his giant body.
‘I do have an idea how we can kill both at one time, but we will have only one shot at it.’
‘Before we get to that, I need to talk to you about my connection with this giant’s mind. I am feeling things I don’t think I should, such as anger and thirst.’
‘Yes, your speech has also improved.’
‘I’m frightened the connection will become permanent.’
‘That certainly is a concern, and I am sorry to say, a risk you took freely. This was, after all, your idea,’ said Menin. ‘However, I do not think you need to worry. Your brain is far superior to his, which I believe means that you can never truly remain a permanent resident. I am confident you will be forced out sooner or later. Archmage Orodor is the only real expert in these matters, he would know the risks far better than I.’
‘Would you ask him if it is safe to continue?’ Coinin asked hopefully.
‘I would if I could. The Archmage is not within the Sanctuary’s boundaries and cannot be contacted readily.’ Menin’s tone was apologetic. ‘I will, however, send my aide to the library to research it for you.’
‘Thank you, Laliala.’
‘Don’t worry. If my plan works, you will be out of there very soon, and before my aide returns.’
Coinin brightened slightly at this. ‘What’s the plan?’ he asked.
‘To the west of the caves where you led the Giants is a wood. In this wood is a crevice, and at the bottom is a magma lake. The land we stand on once used to be an active volcano,’ said Menin, eliciting an awed look from Marrok, and something akin to a grimace from Coinin. ‘My theory is, if you can get the giant to the pit, you and he can take a quick trip to oblivion.’
‘If all goes to plan, I should pop back into my own body when the connection breaks,’ said Coinin cheerfully. ‘It’s just as well; I’m tired of this body.’
‘You and I both. The smell is something else.’ Marrok winked and wafted a hand in front of his wrinkled nose.
‘That just leaves my troops to finish off the goblins inside the cave.’ Menin smiled.
‘Easier said than done,’ Marrok added. ‘How on earth do we get the giant to your pit?’
Menin paused, stumped for an answer for the first time in a long time. She paced back and forth, pulling at her bottom lip; her face was a picture of concentration.
‘Aha! Yes, of course.’ Menin beamed. ‘What is the one thing that drives a giant?’
Coinin and Marrok looked at each other and then shrugged at her.
‘Food! Giants love nothing more than food. If you can convince the giant at the cave there is a feast waiting at the pit for him, I am confident that he will follow you.’
‘What makes you think he’ll be hungry?’ Coinin asked.
<
br /> ‘He’s been out here all day without food. Trust me, he’s hungry.’
‘Why wouldn’t he just eat a dead goblin? There are thousands just lying around.’
‘That is a fair question. However, goblins are the most foul-tasting species on this planet, and even a giant would not venture so far as to eat one. They are like poison, and boils would erupt all over his flesh if he tried to eat theirs.’ Menin turned her nose up at the thought. ‘I have even had to cover my horse in goblin dung, to prevent the giant getting wind of it and coming looking for a meal.’
‘So that’s what that smell is,’ Marrok laughed, and then cringed at Menin’s filthy look.
‘What of your dead?’ Coinin cringed. ‘Would he not feast—’
‘Oh, no, never. It seems we humans are thankfully inedible to the giants.’ Menin replied. ‘They’d more likely take them as slaves.’
‘Don’t you think he’ll be suspicious when we turn up, and there’s no food, just a great big hole in the ground?’ Coinin probed.
‘There will be food, my dear, you just leave that to me,’ Menin reassured, a twinkle in her eye. ‘Now, if you are ready, we don’t have much time. The giant will wonder where his friend has got to, I’m sure.’
‘Is there any word about the wizard on the cliff?’
‘No, nothing. I was about to send a runner to bring back news. Perhaps you could assist me in this task, Marrok?’
‘It would be an honour,’ Marrok nodded. ‘Coinin, please be careful, I’m not going to be there if things go wrong.’
Coinin wanted to tell him that he was able to look after himself then thought better of it; he had already caused enough tension between them today. ‘I’ll try,’ he said, and then turned to Menin. ‘Curator, I’m ready.’
‘Good. If you would follow me, I will show you to the clearing.’ Menin turned to her guard. ‘Zaruun, ride with me, I have a task for you.’
The ground shook slightly as Coinin followed Menin through the now quiet battlefield. Thousands of bodies of dead goblins slowly decayed, giving off a terrible stench. They were feasted upon by carrion crows, and minutes later the selfsame crows died; such was the way after eating goblin flesh.
‘See, I told you.’ Menin nodded to the crows. ‘Bad for you, is goblin flesh.’
Coinin thought anyone who ate one must be deranged anyway. The smell alone was enough to turn the stomach.
Soldiers roamed the field, checking each corpse. Any alive they quickly dispatched.
‘Why do you kill those goblins? Surely they are dying already?’ Coinin asked, a little sickened.
‘We do not kill needlessly, Coinin. Our aim is always to preserve life. However, we put these poor creatures out of their pain and suffering. Would you want to die a lingering death, or have a swift end?’
‘I understand,’ said Coinin, and said nothing more.
As they journeyed, Menin talked to Zaruun in hushed tones for several minutes.
‘It will be done as you ask.’ Zaruun gave a nod.
‘How long will you need?’
‘Thirty minutes at least.’
‘Then set to it,’ Menin ordered.
Zaruun saluted in return and reined his horse in the direction of the temple. He was heard calling people to his aid as he cantered away. The horse’s hooves thumped on the hard earth, and the sound lessened as he gained distance.
Menin turned to Coinin. ‘You were fortunate to have survived the last attack by a giant. I am worried that you are not in full control or strong enough yet to take on another. You will need to be careful, and get out of there at the first sign of trouble.’
‘Wouldn’t that save you the job of killing me?’
‘Yes, but who will kill the other?’
‘I thought your soldiers could do it.’
‘That would not be my first choice, plus my troops are stretched thin. A column still battles goblins to the west.’ Her voice faltered for a moment. ‘I have lost many good men today, and I just don’t have the resources to take on a fully grown adult giant. Do you see now why I need you?’
Coinin had not noticed it before, though now the strain of battle showed on Menin’s face. She no longer held herself erect, and she looked tired.
‘Curator?’ Coinin asked tentatively. ‘Are you well, I mean are you feeling well?’
Menin reined her white horse to a stop and gave him a weak smile. ‘I am not getting any younger, it’s true, and I will not hide the fact that this battle has tired me considerably. There is no point if even you can spot my tiredness so readily.’
‘Can you not take a rest and let someone else take over for a while?’ Coinin asked, curious why she had opened up to him.
‘The only person I would trust to do that right now is General Jericho, but he is otherwise engaged,’ Menin replied. ‘However, even if I could let him take over, the rules of office state that it is the Curator’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of Sanctuary at all costs.’
‘Perhaps someone needs to change the rules.’
Menin dropped her head and sighed. ‘I had hoped to discuss this in better surroundings.’ She took a reflective moment to observe the battlefield in the distance. ‘As it is, needs must. I brought you to this place to test your worthiness to assume the Office of Curator. The prophecy speaks of you bringing order to chaos, and how better than as Curator?’
Coinin looked at her incredulously. Had he heard her correctly?
‘My time in this role is almost at an end, and I agree, a few changes need to be made. I think this is a task for a younger person to accomplish.’
Coinin remained silent; even his giant face said it all. How could he be considered for a position of such great responsibility? He was a skinny seventeen-year-old boy who amounted to nothing. Wasn’t he?
‘I see you are unconvinced. My guess is you doubt your worthiness. Could a simple fisherman’s son step up to the mark and be counted when it mattered?’
Coinin was shocked. Had she read his mind?
‘I helped my father grind wheat into flour to make bread. That was before I was invited to the temple, of course. Would it surprise you to know that I was the daughter of a mill owner?’ Menin chuckled.
Coinin nodded, caught off guard by her revelation.
‘You do not need a position of power or status to be a great man, Coinin. Just a willingness to accept your destiny with humility.’
‘I’ve been told that before, that I have a destiny. I have a hard time believing it,’ said Coinin, uncomfortable at the suggestion.
‘I understand why you say this, I felt the same way at your age. Let’s not focus on that now, we need to win this battle first, and whatever comes after is meant to be.’ Menin checked her surroundings and clicked her tongue for the horse to continue. ‘We’re not too far from the clearing, are you ready for this?’
‘Ready as I’ll ever be. It’s not going to be an easy thing to kill myself.’
‘Don’t think of it like that. It’s not suicide when you consider you will return to your own body.’ Menin patted his arm. ‘Besides, if you can switch before you hit the bottom of the pit, so much the better.’
Menin and Coinin exited the trees and ventured into a large clearing.
‘Here we are,’ Menin announced. She dismounted her horse and proceeded to tether the animal to a tree.
In the centre of the clearing a wooden platform decayed, its frame was broken and tinged green with moss. A set of steps led up to the deck. Several workers had begun to enlarge a hole in the decking.
‘As you can see, we are preparing a trap door through which you and the giant will fall.’
Coinin gulped. He had endured nightmares in which he had fallen from great heights before, yet this was something else. This was too real.
Menin, oblivious, continued. ‘We shall have a feast ready for you on that platform. All you need to do is lure the giant to the food, and we’ll do the rest.’
‘Tell me again why we
can’t just kill him without this entire charade?’
‘Killing that giant was pure luck on Marrok’s part, and I will say again I cannot spare the men to even try,’ said Menin. ‘If you are not ready—’
‘I’m ready,’ Coinin interrupted. ‘Will you at least do one thing for me? If I die, please tell my brother that I love him and that I hope that he finds the peace he seeks.’
Coinin looked away briefly. For the first time, he felt truly scared, not for himself, but for his brother. Aside from their Uncle Draken, he was the only family Marrok had. The loss of their parents had torn Marrok apart. For his brother to die also would surely send Marrok into despair.
‘I promise I will do that for you, and you should know that if the unthinkable were to happen, then Marrok will always have a home with The Order.’
Coinin looked away; a single tear ran down the giant’s nose, and his heart skipped a beat as a fresh wave of panic set in. The link was stronger still.
‘Laliala, I need to do this now before I change my mind. Which way?’ Coinin asked, and fought hard to control his fear.
‘Follow me.’ Menin raced off into the trees, followed by Coinin, who was careful not to step on her as he forced his way between the thick branches.
Several minutes later Menin stopped behind a large tree with her back to the bark. She dropped to her knees and picked up a stick, and then invited Coinin to join her.
‘We are here.’ Menin drew a semicircle in the dirt that indicated the trees, and a cross that showed their position. ‘Just beyond the trees is open space. A little way up the hill is your cave. The giant should be there, got that?’ She drew an arrow in the direction of the cave.
‘Yes, but how do I find my way back to the pit?’ Coinin asked, and scratched his head.
‘That bit is simple.’ Menin winked. ‘I will mark you a path, thus.’ She stood and removed a decorative knife from a sheath on her belt, and with it carved three distinctive grooves into the bark of the tree. ‘All you have to do is follow these back. I will ensure there are plenty for you to spot.’
‘Like a trail of breadcrumbs? Ingenious.’
‘Exactly.’ Menin smiled warmly. ‘Are you ready?’
The Aduramis Chronicles: Volumes 1-3: The Definitive Collection Page 11
