Behemoth (The Jharro Grove Saga Book 6)

by Trevor H. Cooley

  Edge, who had been frozen mid-leap, collapsed to the ground but immediately sprang to his feet. He spat out blood, then reached up to touch his nose gingerly. He locked his eyes with Tarah’s. “I heard everything that was said.”

  “I’m sorry, Edge,” Tarah said sincerely. “I never wanted you or your bonded to be involved in this. Is Deathclaw gonna be okay?”

  “I healed the worst of the damage while I was listening.” A slight smile curled his lips. “I’m certain he’d want me to point out that he wouldn’t be so easily defeated if he hadn’t been trying to capture you instead of killing you.”

  “I knew that at the time,” she assured him.

  Edge glanced at the Stranger. “What did you need me for?”

  “That will become evident in a moment,” Matthew replied. He pulled his pipe out of his mouth and tapped it empty on the heel of his boot before stowing it away. He then reached out and placed a hand on Tarah’s shoulder. “Tarah, I need you to forgive Warlord Aloysius.”

  She looked down. “I already told you I won’t try to kill him.”

  “That is not good enough. You must forgive him for the things he has done,” Matthew said.

  Tarah looked back up, her eyes fixing on the arrogant warlord. “I can never forget. The sight of him drawing his blade across Esmine’s throat is burned in my mind.”

  “I didn’t say forget. I said forgive,” Matthew pressed. “That means that you must let go of your anger and stop opposing him.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that,” Tarah replied honestly. “I know you think you can change his ways, but I won’t be able to sit back and look the other way if he doesn’t.”

  Matthew didn’t have to glance back at the gnome to know he was glaring. “I don’t mean to change him. I mean to advise him. And I’m not speaking of the future. I am asking you to forgive his past. If you will promise to do this, I will help you with the most important thing on your mind.”

  “The most important?” Tarah said, trying to figure out what he meant. “Are you talking about my dream?”

  “No. I’m speaking of the dwarf that fathered the child within you. His name’s escaping me at the moment.”

  “Djeri,” Tarah said, her heartbeat quickening.

  “Djeri Cragstalker,” he said, with a nod. “That’s the name I was trying to think of. The names usually come to me right away, but for some reason this one was difficult. Perhaps it is because of whatever the Troll Mother has done to him.”

  “You know about that?” she asked.

  “I know that he was swallowed and that he has been reborn. I could tell that much from that partial bond John gave the two of you,” the Stranger replied.

  A surge of hope welled in Tarah’s chest. She reached out and grabbed his arm. “Tell me you can help me save him.”

  “What I can perhaps do is finish the process that John started,” Matthew said. “The reason that the bond between you and Djeri is not solid now is that you weren’t present when it was made. With you here in front of me I should be able to complete that bond. It will be just as strong as the bonds that Sir Edge has with his bonded.”

  Tarah swallowed at the thought of what such a bond might mean.

  “You can do that, Matthew?” Edge asked in surprise. “My understanding was that bonding wizards were under the purview of the Prophet.”

  “I can do anything the Creator wills,” Matthew replied. “Bonds are one of the tools He uses and since I have some responsibility here, it has become part of my purview.” He shifted his attention back to Tarah. “I should be clear that this would not make you a bonding wizard. You would not bond to anyone else, but you would be able to communicate with Djeri despite the distance between you.”

  She opened her mouth to respond, but he interrupted her. “And remember, you must vow not to oppose Aloysiu-.”

  “I’ll do it,” Tarah said eagerly. She waved a hand in the warlord’s direction. “Do this for me and I will stop caring about him at all.”

  Matthew smiled. “Very well.”

  Sir Edge held out a hand. “Wait. Tarah, are you sure about this? There could be some big downsides to this bond.”

  She cocked her head at him. “I will be able to talk to him, Edge.”

  “Yes, but this is more than simple communication. If I’m hearing him right, then once he solidifies this bond, your minds will be linked permanently.” He glanced at Matthew and received a nod in return. “That means that everything you feel he will be able to feel. You will be able to see into his mind, but he will also be able to see into yours. You won’t be able to keep anything from each other.”

  “I don’t have a problem with that.” After all, she had been more open with him than with anyone in her life. Djeri was the only person who had accepted her despite knowing all of her flaws.

  Edge sighed. “Just keep in mind that Jerry is different now. You don’t know how he’ll think or if he’ll even remember you.”

  “I know that,” she said, but his words started to sink in. What if he wasn’t Djeri anymore? What if he was some kind of monster? A feeling of panic began to well within her, but she pushed it away. She reminded herself that in her dream he was still the same Djeri wearing his uncle’s armor even if it was slime-soaked. “But it doesn’t matter. If there is even the smallest chance that I can get through to him I have to try.”

  “Indeed,” said Warlord Aloysius. The gnome had put his sword away and his hands were clasped together, his expression neutral. “Matthew, I believe I understand. You may have been right to stop my desire for revenge. If Tarah Woodblade becomes as useful as you think she will, I would be willing to overlook her part in Oliver’s death as well as her attempt on my life.”

  That was a quick turnaround. Tarah immediately began to rethink her decision. “You want me to spy on him, don’t you?”

  “I merely want what is best for the people of Malaroo and the Jharro Grove,” he said with a slight sneer. His eyes shifted to the Stranger as he continued to speak with her. “If you should learn anything about the Trollkin forces that could help us in our desire to protect the Grove, Tarah, I would hope you would share it. If not with me, with the Protector himself.”

  She turned a frown onto Matthew. “Is that what this is about? Developing a spy behind enemy lines?”

  His reassuring smile did not meet his calculating eyes. “I will not claim that particular benefit didn’t cross my mind. However, this is first and foremost about helping you. If you do not want this bond, I will not force it upon you.”

  Tarah took a step back. What was she getting herself into?

  Sir Edge cleared his throat. “Matthew, would you mind if I spoke with Tarah for a moment?”

  “Alright, Edge,” he said, his smile unchanging. “Go ahead.”

  Sir Edge walked a short distance away, stepping just behind the still form of Gwyrtha who was still frozen mid-run. Tarah followed him over, grateful for the momentary reprieve.

  He drew his left sword and held it out to her. It was a large weapon and looked unwieldy to her mind. “Hold this.”

  Tarah reached out to take the sword from him and the moment her hand touched the handle, all of her fears and doubts were sucked away. She almost dropped it. “What is this?”

  He folded his arms and looked at her and she heard his thoughts inside her mind. This way we can talk without them hearing,

  Thank you, she said. It was like speaking with Esmine. She instinctually knew where to send her thoughts in reply. I was starting to feel pinned between those two. Though right now, I don’t feel anything at all.

  That’s a side effect of touching Peace. Its magic sucks away all pain and emotion. He thought a moment. I might be able to stop that effect, though. I haven’t tried it before with another person, but I can try if you want me to.

  No, she said. This is better for me right now. Tarah looked back over at Matthew and Aloysius. They were both looking back at her. Do you think I’m making a mistake by letting
him complete this bond? Am I somehow making myself indebted to them?

  I think that you are focusing on the wrong thing, Edge said. Listen to me. You are right to find their motives suspect. Those two are always working multiple angles. However, I can promise you that they are not villains. Matthew is trying to redeem himself in his master’s eyes and sincerely wants to do what’s best for the blood magic races and demons. With Aloysius it is more complicated. I have seen into him with my magic. I’ve shared his past and even with all the despicable things he has done, he was always doing it with the thought of the greater good in mind.

  In his mind, he’s a hero, she realized.

  He nodded. The greatest there’s ever been. Now, whether his idea of the greater good will always be the same as mine and yours? I doubt it. But Matthew is trying to help him see the error of his ways.

  Without the weight of her emotions pulling her down, Tarah was able to see the situation more clearly than before. So I shouldn’t fear them.

  No, he said. Though I do think you would be smart to take any information you do get from Jerry to the Protector directly. Aloysius is confident that he will be able to convince Xedrion to work together with him, but you don’t want Xedrion to think your loyalties have shifted.

  I’m not making a mistake with this bond, she decided. Djeri is going to need me.

  I don’t disagree. When it comes to the Prophet, there are no coincidences. I think he made that partial bond specifically for this moment. I was thinking about what that bonding wizard Stolz told Deathclaw and Jhonate about his cat that was swallowed. Her thoughts were strange at first, but he was able to help her regain her memories. I’ll do what I can to help you do that for Jerry.

  It’s Djeri. He doesn’t like being called Jerry, she said. And thank you, Sir Edge.

  Tarah held his sword back out to him. When she let go of the handle her emotions returned, but this time there was no fear or uncertainty. She walked back to the Stranger. “I am ready.”

  “Good,” said Matthew. “Because I am starting to feel the strain of holding everyone in place like this. Come here. This won’t take long.”

  Matthew tossed Tarah’s staff to Sir Edge and reached out towards her. She stepped in closer so that he could grasp her head in both of his hands. He closed his eyes. “Now this might burn a little.”

  A strange warmth gathered under his hands and descended over Tarah’s body. The heat gathered in her chest then moved back up her spine to focus in her head. She shuddered as the heat built in intensity. A gasp escaped her lips as his strange power grew hotter and hotter until Tarah thought her brain was surely cooking.

  Finally, Matthew removed his hands and stepped back. At first it seemed to Tarah as if wisps of steam were rising from his fingers. Then she realized that what she was seeing was spirit magic.

  “And there we are,” Matthew said. “You’ll probably have a bit of a headache. I assume so anyway. There was a little modification needed in the brain to make it all work.”

  Tarah reached up and touched her head, surprised that her skin wasn’t fiery hot. She could still feel the heat inside her mind and chest and he wasn’t wrong about the headache. It wasn’t a sharp pain, but there was definitely a dull throb.

  “Well?” said Aloysius. “Do you sense the dwarf?”

  Tarah frowned. She may have promised to forgive the gnome, but she had no desire to speak with him. She reached within herself, through the heat that remained, and felt for that connection. Her frown faded and a smile spread her lips.

  “It’s stronger!” Her sense of where he was had firmed in her mind. He was to the south and a little to the east. She could see it with her spirit sight as well. That thin line was now a thick cord. “But I still can’t sense his thoughts.”

  “It’s the distance,” Edge said. “If he is out in the middle of the swamps you probably won’t be able to sense much. Not without some experience. You’ll need to wait until night time to communicate with him.”

  Matthew grunted suddenly and motioned to Sir Edge. “Hand Tarah the staff!”

  Edge tossed it to her and Esmine’s voice entered her mind. I’m sorry you didn’t get to kill the gnome.

  Matthew clapped his hands together and everyone in the camp was able to move again. They all stumbled in confusion, many of them with screams that faded on their lips as they realized that the illusions that had been plaguing them were gone.

  “Well, Tarah? What did she say?” Matthew asked, turning to face northward. “I feel something coming, but I want her to verify.”

  Tarah’s eyes widened as Esmine told her. “An army of Roo-Tan is headed this way. She says that the Protector of the Grove is with them.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The camp scrambled into action. The troops scurried about as Aloysius shouted out orders. Camp fires were extinguished. The command tent was taken down and all traces of Esmine’s chaotic attack were erased.

  If the Gnome Warlord were about to meet with the Protector of the Grove, he would do so from a position of dignity and strength. By the time the Roo-Tan arrived, he wanted it to seem as if he were expecting them.

  “This may be my fault,” Tarah admitted to Justan as she watched Aloysius and the Stranger preparing. Matthew had his arm around Durza’s shoulder and was giving the gorc instructions. “When I left to track down Deathclaw and Talon I told Jhonate that I would report back, but I never did.”

  “Great. Something else for her to be mad about,” Justan said. He leapt into Gwyrtha’s saddle and glanced back at Tarah. “We’ll talk again later, you and I, assuming that war doesn’t break out here and now. How far away are the Roo-Tan now?”

  “Perhaps a mile and a half to the north of us,” she replied. “Wait, before you go.” She reached into her armor and handed him a handkerchief. “Your face is covered in blood.”

  “Uh, Thanks,” he said, somewhat embarrassedly. Justan quickly wetted down the handkerchief with his waterskin and rubbed the blood off of his face. “Better?”

  “It still looks like you ran face first into a tree, but definitely better,” she said.

  He sighed, then grabbed hold of Gwyrtha’s mane. Let’s ride.

  The rogue horse set off at a gallop, heading onto the road and then northward. He leaned forward on her saddle, his body’s movements in sync with hers. Despite the smoothness of the ride, his face throbbed with every subtle movement.

  Deathclaw, he sent. Do you understand what’s happening?

  Did you really run into a tree? the raptoid asked in amusement. He was still quite sore from the beating Tarah had given him. Justan had repaired his bones, but hadn’t the time to mend any bruises.

  That was because of Esmine, Justan replied.

  The raptoid let out a hissing laugh. Did she move the tree into your way?

  Trees don’t move, Gwyrtha replied. Justan just forgot to stop.

  That’s what I get for teaching you two humor, Justan grumbled.

  It may take you a while to live that one down, Artemus observed from his cold space within the bond.

  Justan had no doubt that the old wizard was right. Listen, Deathclaw, I want you to go to Matthew’s side so that you can tell him what happens when I meet up with Xedrion.

  Deathclaw didn’t move right away. Talon is still unconscious.

  He showed Justan that his sister was on the ground, her body crumpled at an odd angle. Deathclaw had repositioned her head and was holding it in place so that her broken neck would heal more quickly. He didn’t want to just leave her alone in the field until she awoke.

  Alright, stay with her, Justan said, coming up with an alternative plan. He didn’t have much time. Esmine can probably do it, though after what had just happened he wasn’t sure that he liked the idea of depending on her to report to Matthew for him.

  “Esmine!” he said, hoping she was listening.

  The small elf child appeared, sitting cross-legged on Gwyrtha’s head, her small form bobbing up and down with the r
ogue horse’s movements as she ran. “Sorry about your face, Sir Edge.”

  He wasn’t sure if her apology was sincere or not, but he accepted it. “I can forgive you if you help me out. Can you tell the Protector that I’m coming?”

  “I told him already,” she replied. “They have stopped and are waiting for you.”

  He nodded. “Is Jhonate with them?”

  The child leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and her chin on her palms. “She is.”

  He hesitated. “Is she angry?”

  “Maybe,” she said with a slight shrug. “She was back when Tarah left, but right now it’s hard to tell. Her face is . . . stony. I’ll ask her.”

  “No!” Justan said, but it was too late.

  Esmine’s face scrunched up in disappointment. “She says she’ll discuss that with you later.”

  Justan groaned. Best to keep his comments to the point. “Will you keep Tarah informed as to how my talks go with Xedrion?”

  “She asked me to do that a few minutes ago,” she replied. She raised a tiny eyebrow. “Any other questions?”

  “Yes. How large is the army that Xedrion brought with him?” Justan asked, growing irritated by her attitude.

  She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want to count all of them right now. Maybe two thousand?”

  Justan bit back the urge to snap at her. “How much further before I reach the Roo-Tan forces?”

  “Just over that slope,” she said, a sudden bored look in her eye. “Bye.”

  The elf child disappeared just as Gwyrtha came to the top of the next rise. Justan sent Gwyrtha a mental command to slow down. He sat higher in the saddle as the Roo-Tan army came into view.

  They were spread across the open fields on either side of the road ahead of him. Justan decided that Esmine’s guess was pretty close. Two thousand Grove defenders on foot, their ranks bristling with Jharro staves, swords, and bows. They were in a horseshoe formation around the road with the Protector at the center.

  One figure, standing head and shoulders above the rest of the men stepped out into the road in front of him. “Hello, Mister Sir Edge!” said Cletus. “Have you seen Pretty Tarah?”