by Thomas Rath
Captain Dainz needed no more convincing. Yelling to his men he ordered a retreat as the dragon came in again. But this time it did not blow its air of destruction against the wall. Slowing its flight, it dropped onto the wall, filling most of it with its bulk and crushing those caught beneath it. Valiantly, the men that remained shot their arrows in vain as they bounced without effect from the hard scales covering the dragon’s body. Rearing back, Thane and the others watched in horror as it took in a great breath preparing to release its deadly air at the men. With a deafening shriek, it discharged its powerful gust hitting the soldiers directly with such force that their bodies disintegrated as the air took out a large chunk of the mountainside beyond.
Dainz stared in horror at the complete decimation of his troops in only a matter of moments. Grabbing his arm, Ranse pulled him away, calling to the remaining few soldiers who had been fortunate enough to pull catapult duty. “Away!” he yelled. “To the horses!” The small group needed no more encouragement as they turned and rushed past the ruined gate racing for the other and the passes mouth. Filing through the last barrier, Thane and Dor turned, as the others continued on for the stables, and pushed the gate closed releasing its locking mechanism to give them some time to get away before the dark horde poured out of the pass.
Dor turned for the stables, but Thane stopped, moving instead toward the barracks. “You get your horse,” he called to Dor, “I’m going to make sure no one is left behind.” Dor just nodded as he raced to catch the others who were already quickly saddling their horses.
Thane surged through the barracks door calling out to any inside. He breathed a sigh of relief to find it empty. The wounded had gotten away earlier, though he wondered what their fate would be should the dragon move out onto the plains and give them chase. None of them would survive such an attack, he knew.
Turning for the door he stopped. A large shadow passed along the ground just outside. If he ran for it now, he was certain to be seen. He paused, watching through the partially opened door, hoping to see the shadow pass again headed toward the mountain. He waited. Nothing happened. Then he heard it. The dragon screeched issuing forth another blast of air. Thane dove out the door just as the barracks exploded sending shattered pieces of wood flying in all directions. Not waiting to be impaled by falling debris, he shot to his feet and darted toward the stables as the dragon banked left away from the mountain and circled lazily around preparing to attack again.
Thane caught sight of the others as they erupted from the stable doors whipping their horses, urging them to greater speed in their haste to escape certain death. He didn’t need to search for Chtey; his horse was already racing toward him seeming to understand the peril of the moment. Thane jumped on his back as he galloped by and then shot out with incredible speed toward the others. He cringed at the sound of the dragon behind them as it annihilated the stables destroying the structure and slaughtering the remaining horses inside. Looking over his shoulder, he watched in horror as it banked to the right and then straighten heading right for them. They were out in the open with nowhere to go. He yelled a warning as the dragon passed over but watched impotently as it suddenly dropped from the sky ripping two men right from their mounts and carrying them off in its wicked talons. The men screamed and struggled but to no avail, as they were bourne heavenward. Reaching great heights, the dragon paused for a brief moment, hovering almost completely still before releasing its grip on the men. Still screaming in terror, they fell. The dragon then tucked its wings and shot down as if racing them to reach the ground. In mere seconds it caught up to one of the men and, opening its gaping mouth, pulled him out of the air with its sharp teeth and devoured him as the other smashed into the ground.
The tiny group raced onward, no hope left for survival, but pressing on anyway as the dragon fear gripped at their hearts threatening to squeeze the life from thm. Again, the dragon banked for another pass and all wondered if they would be the next to be taken. Thane’s heart beat wildly. He couldn’t let this continue. He had the power to stop it, but he was still hesitant. There had to be another way. All you have to do is ask. Gelfin’s ever present words echoed through his mind. But what could he ask for against such a creature? What did he have that would stop such a foe without killing him in the process? He didn’t have time to ponder the issue as the dragon began its descent coming around behind them, readying for another pass. He had to do something. He had to act now.
A sudden thought lighted his mind. He didn’t have to kill it, just stop it. Calling for the wind he twisted it into a swirling vortex high above his head giving it as much force as he could with no time left to do it. The dragon dropped from the sky mere feet from Chtey’s flanks and stretched out its neck as if it meant to rip him from his horse. With a scream and a prayer Thane released the whirlwind, almost falling from Chtey’s back as he did so.
He watched as the dragon collided with the winds, its forward progress suddenly stopped, as it was turned over and up suddenly twisting around and then tumbling back. He heard its scream of anger and felt the tremor on the ground as it crashed into the plains sending up a shower of mud and grass. Seeing it flailing about, for a brief moment he wondered if he hadn’t injured it but was disappointed when it finally righted itself and issued forth a defiant scream. Flapping its massive wings, it pressed slowly away from the ground. Thane started calling for more wind but quickly released it as he saw the dragon turning away to fly back toward the retreating Mogolth Mountains.
The immediate threat was over but Thane’s keen eyes could see that the iron gate had already been toppled and Zadok’s army gushed through the pass and out onto the plains like a dark fog spreading its unhealthy disease. He let out a sigh of relief knowing they would not be able to catch them but his reprieve was short lived as a gray and black mass seemed to detach from the main body and then coalesce into a separate entity. Undulating for a brief moment it suddenly broke free, racing for the retreating soldiers.
“Wolgs!” Dor yelled. Thane just nodded knowing that should they catch up, it very well might be the end of them all. Dor suddenly popped up in his saddle and pointed to their right. “What is that?”
Thane turned and followed the direction of his finger, squinting against the distance. It appeared that a lone rider raced toward them on a converging course. Suddenly, he saw that the figure was not alone. It appeared as if a solo wolg was chasing the rider down.
Thane sighed, knowing the wolg would catch up quickly and take down horse and rider without difficulty. Looking back at the progress of the pack chasing them, he knew that their fate would be the same as they slowly closed the distance.
“It’s her!” Dor shouted, pulling his attention back to his friend. “And, I don’t believe it. It’s Erl!”
Thane looked over at the approaching rider and the wolg chasing after and recognition finally settled in. Jne had returned. His heart leaped and then, just as quickly, dropped. She was alone. No other riders were with her. She’d gone to her people and none felt the need to come to their aid. And what a time to return, when certain death literally nipped at their heals. At least he would know her fate before his last breath was given. But what of Tam? He had to warn them. “Dor,” he suddenly yelled, “I need to warn the city.”
Dor’s returning look was one of incredulity. “While on a racing horse?”
He just nodded. “Watch that I don’t fall off.” Without waiting for an answer he threw his spirit forward rushing headlong into the gusting wind that answered his called and shot him toward the city. Without so much as a glance back to make certain his body was secure, he raced for Haykon searching out Tam as he did so. He found her in the room she’d been occupying at Myles’ headquarters ever since she’d come to the city flung over Jack’s horse. He called out to her through the window startling her as she sat on the cot seeming deep in thought.
“Thane! I wasn’t expecting you. What is the news?” She asked quickly, rising and going to the window.
Tam waved a hand. “I sent him away to get something to eat. He has been a real bear ever since you left. I think he hates to be left out of a fight.”
He sighed. “Well, he will get his wish soon enough.”
“What?” Tam’s voice betrayed her alarm at his words. “What has happened?”
“I haven’t time to explain fully, just tell him that the wall is overrun.”
Tam’s hand went to her mouth. “Overrun? Are you well? Where are you? How is Dor?”
“We’re fine. We’re on our way back to the city, about another day’s ride. Make sure Jack gets this message right away. The horde comes and the dragon comes with it.”
Thane started to move away but Tam called after him. “Wait.”
He didn’t stop. “I can’t. I have to get back. Just make sure Jack gets the message and tell him to get the city ready.” He didn’t wait for her reply as he quickly flew into the air and over Haykon’s wall before shooting down the road back to his body. Blinking, he was happy to see that he was still firmly situated on Chtey’s back.
“That was quick,” Dor shouted over the rumble of the horses beating hooves and the passing wind. Thane didn’t answer but quickly checked Jne and Erl’s progress and the pack of wolgs chasing them. He instantly judged the speed of both and the distance they had to cover and determined that Jne was going to be slightly behind the wolg pack in reaching them. Soon, they would need to turn and fight.
Pushing Chtey slightly forward he caught up to the captain who was flanked by Ranse. “Captain,” he shouted, catching Dainz’s attention. “We’ve got company.” Pointing back over his shoulder he watched the captain and Ranse both turn their heads, finally seeing the danger that was rapidly coming up from behind. By their looks, he knew that neither had the slightest inclination that the enemy would soon overtake them.
Dor was suddenly by his side pointing ahead. “We have more trouble,” he called. Thane followed his gaze and then dropped his shoulders and shook his head.
“What is it?” Ranse called. “What do your eyes see?”
“The wounded,” Thane called back. “We’ve caught the wounded.”
Dainz and Ranse looked at each other. Neither spoke. Thane watched their interaction for a moment waiting for a decision but quickly recognized that no one wanted to take responsibility. If they stopped, they might all be killed. But, if they passed, the wolgs certainly would overrun the wounded and sup on their living flesh. Either way, he knew that eventually they would be caught. Better to make a stand with honor then die a fleeing coward.
“We stop,” he shouted, removing the burden of choice from their shoulders. “We must do what we can to help them.” Dainz and Ranse just nodded, their faces grim with understanding, both knowing what stopping meant.
The wind carried the growls and yips of their pursuers as they rushed forward at tremendous speed, spurred by their bloodlust. The wounded had stopped, seeing the riders racing toward them and waited for what news they brought. They would have only mere moments to prepare before the wolgs closed the gap. Thane caught a strange smile growing on Dor’s face.
“We’re going to be overrun,” he said simply.
Thane shook his head. “Not if I can help it.”
Catching the convoy of wounded soldiers, they made a circle of the carts that carried them and called to any who were well enough to still wield a sword or pull a bow to step to the front. Those with horses remained mounted while the others gathered close to the carts. Thane looked at Jne and Erl’s approaching figures and prayed that they made it before the whole thing was over. It was too late for them to get away now. He suddenly scolded himself for not being more specific to Tam. Should they not return, she would never know why. Maybe that was for the best. He didn’t want her last thoughts of them to be soiled with the knowledge that they had been eaten alive.
Readying their bows, Dor and Thane loosened a barrage of arrows into the approaching pack followed by shots from the other soldiers as the wolgs came into range. Many of them dropped but their dying yelps were quickly overrun by the growls and barks of their kin. The Chufa knew that even should they empty their quivers into the approaching mass there still would be hundreds left to deal with. The situation was becoming hopeless. Still, when the last of the arrows was released all pulled their swords and stood grimly, waiting for the assault.
Thane waited for the first, most eager wolg to clear the cart in its mad rush for prey before releasing his fire into it. He remembered the exhaustion it had brought to him the first time he’d done it when his village was attacked but he also remembered the reaction the wolgs had given. If they were lucky, these wolgs would also stop, turn away and run.
Lifting his hand, he shouted, “Shonosh!” just as the wolg reached its peak in the air. Immediately its body was enveloped in flames that dropped it almost into the center of the circled carts. Some of the wolgs stopped, raising their heads to fill the air with their howls, but still others came on. Thane had no time to contemplate their actions though as more jumped over the carts and he quickly found himself engaged, fighting off snapping jaws and razor claws.
His swords were a blur of motion taking down one then another, and then another as Chtey maneuvered around the attack as if reading Thane’s every need. He felt tired, drained by the use of his powers but not so much as to make him drop his swords and fall from his horse. Looking around, he could see that the others were not fairing as well as they were quickly being overrun. The wounded especially were dropping at a quick pace, unable to defend themselves with enough strength to overcome the ravaging wolgs.
The men on the horses kept close to each other, knowing that to be separated would mean almost certain death as those who were not mounted fell like wheat against a scythe. Jace and Ranse worked in synchronicity maneuvering around each other in a dance of death that would have been sheer beauty to watch were the situation not so desperate.
“We must retreat,” Dainz cried, suddenly at Thane’s side as he pulled his sword from the bleeding jaws of his attacker. “They are too many. We will quickly be surrounded and cut off.” Just then one of the wolgs, a giant black one, leapt for Dainz from the side. Thane watched in horror knowing that the captain was unaware of his looming death. Lifting his sword, he knew he could not get it into his scabbard and then raise his hand before the wolg fell on his prey. It was hopeless.
Suddenly a blur of white fur collided with the wolg just as it was beginning to descend onto the captain. Thane watched as Erl took it down, his powerful jaws crushing its windpipe before they reached the ground. Jne was then at his side, her swords drawn and flying about as she fended off an attack from either side.
Thane didn’t have a chance to greet her, their situation turning frantic. Dainz was right, they had to get moving again, but he knew they couldn’t outrun the wolgs. He had to do something, but what? He couldn’t ignite them all; his strength was already at a dangerous low. Gelfin’s words seemed to reach his ears as if floating gently on the afternoon breeze. It is easier to pull water than fire. The words echoed in his mind. It is easier to pull water than fire. But what did it mean? How did one pull water? Never in his life had he ever pulled water from something. It went against his Tane. Water was the life giving force of all things.
“We have to get away!” Ranse shouted. “We are overrun.” Turning his horse, with Jace covering his back, he kicked it into a flying retreat followed quickly by the others. Dor, Thane, Jne, and Erl were left in the rear but as they caught their retreating comrades, so did the following wolgs. The flight suddenly became a stop and start motion as they were forced to contend with their attackers while at the same time trying to make good their escape. It wouldn’t be long before they were all taken down as one by one the remaining soldiers and their mounts were pulled to the ground.
Thane cast aside his thoughts of pulling water from them. Even if he could do it, there were f
ar too many for it to make a difference. No, they needed time to run. They needed time to pull away from the wolgs and retreat back to Haykon. You are an earth child. All you need do is ask. Gelfin’s words kept ringing through his head.
Moving away again they were forced to stop within fifty yards, the strain of the battle showing on all their faces. All you need do is ask.
Jne severed the head of a wolg Erl had caught by the haunches and then turned to take down another next to Thane.
Ask.
Jace and Ranse still kept their attackers at bay but Thane could see that they were tiring quickly, now just barely keeping back the foe.
Ask.
One of Dainz’s men fell from his saddle as his horse was taken by the neck and dragged down. Both horse and rider quickly dispatched by two other wolgs.
Ask.
Chtey lurched forward as a wolg leaped, bringing Thane under it where he forced his sword up disemboweling the animal as it sailed past.
Ask.
They all spurred their horses around again, their mounts needing no encouragement as they sped away putting some little distance between them and the pack of hungry wolgs that quickly took up the chase, closing the gap as they did.
You are an earth child. All you need do is ask. Ask.
Thane glanced back at the charging enemy, the drums from the rest of the army echoing faintly across the distance. They needed another barrier. They needed to hold them back long enough so they could reach the city.
Ask.
He glanced down at the passing grass and dirt as they sped on, the wolgs again at their heels.
Earth child. Ask.
Not really thinking about what he was doing, he put his trust in Chtey that his friend would carry him and make certain he didn’t fall off his back as he turned his concentration to the ground. Sending his senses out as they passed, he called to the dirt, to the rocks, to the hard ground searching for something that he could use; something that would answer his call. His mind was suddenly filled with many voices, not just one, but as if a chorus was answering back. He tried to make his needs known, but as soon as he felt there was a connection it slipped away and was filled by another. He was going too fast. He wasn’t even certain of what it was he did or who it was that answered his call, but he knew that racing along on a horse was not going to allow him to complete and maintain a link. He had to stop.
