Hand of Fire: Book 1 of the Master of the Tane

by Thomas Rath

  He glanced around briefly to make sure no one had noticed him and then quickly caught up. Erl sniffed the air for a moment and then headed off towards their left. Of course! Erl can sniff her out!

  Countless fires surrounded by goblins and trolls passed them by as Erl carried them deeper and deeper into the heart of the massive camp. He tried not to think of the power and tremendous driving force such a large group could employ. Follow Erl and keep from being noticed. He felt certain that every eye in the camp was turned on him just waiting for the signal to fall upon him and tear him apart.

  Erl paused briefly, his nostrils flared and then turned back to the right past a fire surrounded by trolls cooking; the Mother only knew what. It suddenly dawned on Dor that their formation did not equate to any real sense of organization. They seemed sprawled out in a haphazard manner in every direction as if without purpose. Their numbers alone were enough to frighten the bravest soldier, but, at the moment, they seemed to lack any drive or direction. He could not formulate a reason for them to gather in such a way without a purpose in mind. He shuddered at the thought of what such a force could do if organized and given a goal.

  Erl suddenly stopped and laid down by the fire closest to them. Dor watched the wolg in amazement, unsure of what he was doing and what he should do next. Erl looked at him and motioned with his head as if telling him to sit down. Dor glanced at those around the fire, two trolls and a goblin. The goblin gave him a curious look and then gurgled something that Dor could only guess was speech. Afraid to draw suspicion, Dor quickly plopped down next to Erl. He suddenly felt self-conscious about his disguise. Wondering of he had used enough troll dung, was his belly too fake looking, or was the hair they put on his body falling off. He resisted a strong desire to rub his face.

  Without a word, the troll to his left passed him a jug. Dor couldn’t help but notice the string of fingers that surrounded the large creature’s neck. There must have been at least twenty. He was obviously one of high rank. Taking the jug he started to pass it on without thought when the troll let out a loud grunt. Dor quickly looked back at the troll who was motioning with his hand. Looking down at the jug, he noticed it was filled with some sort of black liquid. He wanted to sniff at it first, but knew in so doing he would cause suspicion to fall upon him. Remember, you must think and act like a goblin or you are as good as dead. He groaned inwardly at Jack’s words. For Tam and Thane, he thought. For Tam and Thane. Raising the jug slowly to his lips, the smell wafted up to his nose and threatened to gag him.

  Erl let out a soft whine. Just as he brought it to his lips, the memory seared him like burning pitch. The dark liquid the tolls tried to make me drink! His arm froze, the jug just touching his lips. A grunt from his left cued him that his companions were beginning to get impatient. What was he to do? He couldn’t drink it. He remembered what it had done to Tam. Then again, if he didn’t drink it, they might see through him and then he would be dead for certain.

  Suddenly, something hit him from the side, sending him sprawling while the jug was wrenched from his hand. A scream like that of a dying animal shattered the night as he tried to right himself and defend off anymore attacks. Don’t back down, Jack’s voice repeated in his mind. “By the Mother, I won’t,” he muttered as he rose to his feet with a howl, pulling his dagger as he did so. But instead of advancing on his attacker, he froze where he stood. The troll that had passed him the jug was on his feet now holding a wretched looking creature by the hair while the other troll taunted it with the jug. It can’t be!

  Dor felt tears coming to his eyes at the pitiful sight before him. What appeared to be a young girl in rags, covered with filth and reeking of excrement, kicked and screamed under the troll’s cruel grasp as she reached for the jug, tears pouring from her face. Dear mother of us all!

  “It’s mine!” the girl screamed speaking perfect Chufa and then continued on in the guttural sounds used by the trolls. Both trolls laughed as they continued to taunt the poor girl, splashing bits of the liquid in her face and watching as she frantically tried to lick up every drop.

  Erl let out a low growl and bumped his head against Dor’s arm tearing him from the horrible scene. He abruptly noticed that the goblin by the fire was watching him curiously. Suddenly, it rose to its feet and approached. “Gratch kar wognocht?”

  Dor stared at the goblin with a blank look. The girl screamed again thrashing about and calling attention to the little group. Things were quickly getting out of hand. Erl whined again as if urging Dor to do something. But what? Jack’s voice seemed to be pounding in his scull. “Don’t let yourself be noticed. Don’t attract attention to yourself. Act like a goblin. Think like a goblin. Don’t back down. Don’t back down. Kill if you have to. Don’t back down.”

  “Gratch kar wognocht?!” the goblin repeated, this time a bit more forcefully. Dor looked back at the girl who finally caught hold of the jar and was now gulping down the liquid as best as she could as the troll she had taken it from hit her across the face.

  Glancing back at the approaching goblin, Dor could see its eyes were suddenly widened with recognition. Time seemed to slow. Death was stalking him, surrounding him. He could feel its life stealing jaws closing in. He watched as the goblin reached out and opened its mouth to call out the alarm. He had to react. He had to move. Think like a goblin, act like a goblin, kill if you must. With a quick slash of his dagger, Dor sliced it across the throat, spilling its warm blood across his hand and splashing it over his shirt. The goblin reached for its neck gurgling on its words of alarm and then sunk to the ground where it twisted in agony as its life ebbed away.

  Not wasting a second, he pushed forward knocking the nearest troll aside as it pulled back for another blow at the girl. She was now slumped docilely against the troll’s leg that had her by the hair. Still holding his dagger, and with a threatening growl, Dor slapped the girl across the face and then grabbed her arm and pulled as if claiming her for his own. The troll gave him an ominous look as if he might challenge his right to take her. Other’s quickly gathered around. To Dor’s relief, none seemed to care much about the dead goblin by the fire lying in a pool of its own blood. He had to get out of there.

  Beads of sweat were breaking out on his forehead threatening to wash the dung from his face. The troll’s eyes continued to bore into him unmoving as if in direct challenge. Dor grunted and pulled the girl’s arm again not backing down in the least bit as he snarled up at the troll. Silence fell upon those who had gathered to watch and the air filled with the electric charge of anticipation. Dor could no longer see Erl and suddenly felt more alone than he had his whole life. I’m a dead man, was all he could think. I’ve failed.

  Just then the troll’s countenance changed and what looked perversely like a smile broke its hideous looking face. “Rar gurlno korok,” he said and then laughed, letting go of the girl’s hair while pushing her towards Dor. Off balance, it was all he could do to keep himself and the girl from falling to the dirt. Some how, he knew that to do so would have spelled instant disaster. Sheathing his dagger, he grunted up at the laughing troll and then gathered the rag like girl up onto his shoulders and turned to leave. The crowd opened up before him allowing him to pass with his prize though obviously disappointed that the outcome had not been more violent.

  Dor briefly looked around for Erl but the huge wolg was nowhere to be found so he made off in what he believed was the general direction from which he had come. He had to get out of there fast before the troll changed his mind or someone else took notice of him. It seemed an almost hopeless task. He felt he was inside a hive of hornets just waiting for the moment when they would discover he was not one of them and attack.

  Trolls and goblins glanced at him in only the slightest interest as he passed by what must have been a hundred or more fires. Although his load was frighteningly light, his arms and legs ached and he was beginning to itch from the hair-encrusted dung that covered his body. A moan escaped the girl’s lips making him pause and ri
sk a couple of words. “It’s all right Tam, we’re almost free.” I hope. I still don’t know how we’re going to get out of here.

  He could suddenly see the edge of the fires now and the dark freedom beyond. It was all he could do to suppress the urge to break into a full out run. He had to get them safely to the night beyond, but how to slip into the dark unnoticed? He slowed his pace slightly not wanting to get to their destination without a plan, but not enough to cause those around him to catch notice of him. So far, all seemed to be quiet and none seemed to be interested in him or his passenger. He just needed to get past the guard without being seen. How do I get past the light? Where’s Erl now when I really need him?

  Dor suddenly caught the hint of commotion coming up from behind. Keeping a steady pace, he turned his head just slightly enough to catch a glimpse. His breath caught in his throat. The large troll from whom he had rescued Tam was now approaching with three others. Dor paused for a brief moment and watched as the trolls stopped at one of the fires. A shiver ran down his spine when a goblin lifted his hand and pointed right at him. The troll looked up and locked his gaze on Dor. Dor turned away and quickened his pace towards the edge of the light. He could hear the troll’s grumbling voice calling out behind him. Tam lifted her head slightly and mumbled before dropping back into a semiconscious stupor. Great, this is all I need!

  The troll called again and Dor noticed the heads of those around him popping up to look at him. His eyes darted about praying that no one would try and block his path. He was almost there, only two more fires. Chancing a quick glance back, he stumbled, just barely catching himself and Tam from falling headlong into a goblin clustered fire. Righting himself he looked back. The troll and his friends had fallen into a trot and were closing in fast. The goblins by the fire stared at him suspiciously. He didn’t wait. Turning back towards his goal, he quickened his step. One more fire. Forty more yards.

  Another yell came from the trolls who were now only a few fires back. Two trolls sitting at the fire just ahead turned their heads towards him and suddenly stood up. He came to a dead halt. What now? This can’t be happening, we’re so close.

  Suddenly, the sky lit up like a new day and then quickly crashed back into night followed by a thunderous crash. The clouds high above opened up and a torrent of rain quickly poured down in a massive deluge. Dor looked back. The trolls stopped for a moment as if stuck. He could feel the rain running down his bald head and knew it was washing the protective dung from his face, revealing who and what he really was.

  Another streak of lightning lit up the sky and with it, Dor bolted for the relative protection of the darkness beyond. The four trolls that followed and the two in front of him reacted simultaneously as they moved to cut him off and bring him down. Dor pulled his dagger and rushed head on towards the approaching two trolls. He had only one chance. If he didn’t make it past these two, it was all over.

  Just as they were about to collide, he planted his right foot and turned, twisting himself around to the left side. As he spun, he brought his right hand around with his dagger and slashed for the troll’s exposed right side as it clumsily reached to grab him. The jolt from impact shot pain up Dor’s arm as his blade imbedded itself up to the hilt into the troll’s ribs puncturing its lung. He continued to twist, letting his momentum carry him around as he pulled his dagger free and continued at a dead run past the last fire.

  The injured troll went down with a loud curse alerting the guard while the other five trolls followed in quick pursuit. Tam jostled uncomfortably against Dor’s shoulder slowing him down considerably and making it difficult for him to run in silence. As the light from the fire faded his eyes began to adjust to the darkness that engulfed them like a blanket. Just ahead, he could see the last obstacle between them and freedom. A large goblin, having heard the warning call, stood with its club held ready.

  With the fire behind him, Dor knew he would be a shadowy outline but would still be easy to spot. Goblins are not so dumb as trolls, Jack’s voice whispered into his mind. He felt his confidence wane. He had never been in a stand up fight with a goblin. He didn’t know what to expect. There was no time to be cautious though; he could hear the five trolls approaching quickly. His only chance was the darkness. Once shrouded in the stormy night, he could slow down and redirect his escape. They would not be able to track him in a night such as this.

  Bringing up his dagger, Dor headed straight for the goblin. As he had done before, just at the point of contact he planted his foot and twisted to the left. Bringing his dagger around he met nothing but air. Too late he realized his mistake as the goblin’s hand connected squarely into his face, knocking him and Tam to the ground. He tried to release Tam from his grasp as he fell to allow her to roll away unharmed, but her hair got twisted around his arm pulling them both down into a pile. Luckily, he landed on top and was able to bring his foot up just as the goblin came in for a crushing blow. Dor’s foot connected with his opponent’s gut, briefly stealing the goblin’s air and causing its club to land harmlessly to the side.

  Wasting no time, Dor pulled Tam back onto his shoulder and staggered into the darkness trying to clear his head as he went. His stamina was quickly depleting forced, as he was, to carry Tam so awkwardly across his back. But the goblin also came to its feet and connected a glancing blow to Dor’s shoulder, knocking him and Tam to the ground again. He knew it was useless to try and run anymore. There was no way he could carry Tam and escape his pursuers.

  The remaining five trolls caught up just as Dor came to his feet. Tam lay under him in a pile, still muddled from the amount of drink she had swallowed in camp. He raised his dagger as the trolls spread out to surround him.

  This was it. One on one, he might be able to last through the first two or three before exhaustion took him down but like this, he knew it was hopeless. The rain mixed with tears of frustration as it drenched the parched earth quickly turning the valley into a slippery mud bog. He circled around Tam thrusting out his dagger in an attempt to stall the inevitable. Anger boiled up within him at the injustice of it all. It wasn’t right. This shouldn’t be happening to them. They were still so young and had so many things ahead of them. He suddenly felt tired; tired of watching his friends suffer.

  Then, a strange calm suddenly overcame him. It was the same feeling he’d felt the first time he’d faced a troll alone. It was the same feeling he had when he thought the heat in the caves would dry him to dust. It was a feeling he was beginning to come accustomed to. He felt ready to die. “Come on you Mother cursed scum,” he spat. “Let’s get this dance over with so I don’t have to look at you anymore.”

  He kicked up a glob of mud at one troll making it bring up its arms in defense while he darted in at the one next to it. The troll reacted, bringing its club up to crash his head. That was its undoing. Dor’s quickness closed the gap in an instant, spilling its intestines into the mud while he reversed his stroke and buried his dagger into the mud-covered troll next to him. A club swing from his right grazed his head and smashed solidly into the mud-covered troll’s chest knocking it to the ground while at the same time yanking at Dor’s arm and freeing his dagger.

  Dor dropped. The world was spinning and a stream of blood cascaded down his face running into his eyes. He tried to get up, but slipped on the mud. He felt a strong flow of air pass over as he went down, saving his head from being torn from his body when the troll at his right missed its target.

  Strong hands grab his arms pinning them to his side while lifting him off the ground. He blinked through the blood and rain to steady his vision so he could see death coming and was met by the gruesome face of the troll who had given over Tam. It threw its head back and roared in what could only be horrid laughter. Dor glanced at the cluster of fingers hanging from its neck and shuddered knowing one of his was about to be added to the group.

  “You not so smart, Chufa boy,” it growled.

  Dor was amazed by the troll’s ability to speak his language.
r />   “Krog smarter than you,” it continued bringing a sword up under Dor’s chin. “You a stupid boy.”

  Dor struggled against the tree trunk arms holding him to the obvious amusement of the remaining three trolls and goblin.

  Krog moved closer bringing his face up to Dor’s, his breath enough to make Dor wish for death. “You like to squirm like worm. Maybe Krog make you die slow so you squirm.”

  Dor laughed with the trolls this time and then spit in Krog’s face.

  Krog raged. “You die!” Bringing his sword back, he prepared for the final blow.

  Dor brought his foot forward with all the strength and power he could muster just as the sword reached its peak. Krog’s eyes bulged as Dor’s foot connected with his groin stealing his strength and his breath. At that same moment, a fury of claws, teeth and white fur ripped into the troll leader and forced his falling body to the ground in a shower of blood and silent screams. The troll holding Dor suddenly went limp and dropped him in the mud as he toppled over dead, an arrow protruding from his neck. Another arrow connected almost immediately piercing the remaining troll through the left eye before it had a chance to move.

  Dor staggered to his feet and quickly turned toward the goblin, bringing his dagger up and around thinking to catch it off guard while its companions fell dead around him. A flash of lightning lit the knife extended in the goblin’s hand just as Dor completed his turn. Goblins are smarter than trolls, Jack’s voice screamed in his mind as the goblin’s blade penetrated his chest. Dor stared in shocked disbelief, his mind barely registering what had happened, just as an arrow pierced the goblin’s throat. Releasing the dagger, it fell into the mud with a sickening thwack, a sneer frozen across its dead face.