Night Calls the Raven (Book 2 of The Master of the Tane)

by Thomas Rath

  Thane pushed the thoughts aside. He had to concentrate. He had to make this work. Delving deeper, he felt the dragon touch down and then rear back its head to unleash its destructive power. That’s when he felt it. He was suddenly connected. He could feel the water flowing through the dragon’s body mixed with its blood and its tissues. It connected with him as if suddenly hearing his call, drawn to his Tane. One simple request was all it took. Hahni Eyup Ney. “Come to me.”

  In a rush the water in the dragon’s body gathered to Thane’s call erupting through its skin and shooting out from its scales in a sudden explosion of fluid. Thane was immediately covered in water as the dragon drop, its body instantaneously shriveled and dried into a leathery carcass. Opening his eyes he slipped from its back, his hand still holding the spike that had suddenly broken off along with all the scales that had once protected its massive body in armor.

  No longer stood the terrible, gray dragon that shot air with a force to annihilate. No longer did it radiate a suffocating fear to shrink the mightiest in its presence. No longer could it harm the people who had seen their death in its eyes and still trembled just feet away from him. All that remained now was a pile of dark scales and withered skin.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Jne rushed forward and was quickly followed by a group of thirty soldiers led by Braxton and the prince. Jace, of course, was at Ranse’s side while Jack, Dor and Tam raced after Jne as she approached Thane.

  “Are you well?” she almost shouted, her voice slightly trembling with concern.

  Thane pushed away from the pile of scales trying to gain his feet, accepting Jne’s hand of support. “I’m fine, I think.” Testing his legs, he was amazed to find that he was still quite himself and that what he’d done required almost no effort; just as Gelfin had promised. The sound of battle turned him about as his friends reached his side. Brushing off their questions of concern and amazement, he pointed to the soldiers engaging the enemy that had erupted from the king’s road. “Later,” he breathed, “the day is still not won.” Pulling his swords, he rushed forward, quickly followed by the others.

  The soldiers were fighting desperately, outnumbered by almost three to one. Thane threw himself into the fray, cutting down a goblin as it was poised for a killing attack. Looking quickly to the sky he searched for the black dragon but couldn’t find it before having to redirect his attention back to a troll that was swinging its club at his head. Though he had taken down the gray, he had little hope of doing the same with the black should it attack. With the power of its destructive breath, he might not have a choice but to use the QenChe Tane and pull fire from it; no matter what the personal cost.

  Dor and Tam stood beside him, their swords swinging around at the enemy each taking down their foe and then looking for another. Sidestepping a swinging club, Thane buried a sword into a goblin’s belly while taking the head of another that was pressing down on Tam.

  Stepping away from the battle, he again scanned the skies, certain the black dragon would return any moment to finish them. A loud thwack followed by a cut off yelp returned his attention to the battle only to find a black wolg dropped to the ground just behind him. A small man, not much larger than a boy, but much huskier and dressed in black armor, pulled a lethal looking axe from the wolg’s skull.

  “Best be keepin’ yer eyes to the battle, laddie,” the little man said to him with a wink. “This one nearly had yer head.”

  Thane only nodded, not knowing with what type of creature he was conversing and from where it had come. It was then he noticed a group of about ten had joined the fight and were quickly turning the battle into a route for their side. He watched as goblins and trolls dropped, taken out by the little men and the remaining soldiers. A loud screech overhead brought his eyes up but the sound had not come from the black dragon. A large, white bird passed over the battlefield and then dropped down toward the fray. Thane watched in amazement as the young boy who had saved him from his fall blew a dart from a stick he put to his mouth taking a wolg in the eye that had downed a soldier and was about to rip out his throat.

  Jack was suddenly at his side, wiping his blade clean on the wolg at Thane’s feet before returning it to its scabbard. “Lucky those dwarfs showed up when they did. The battle had become hard pressed.”

  Thane looked at his friend. “Dwarfs?”

  Jack pointed to one of the black clad little men. Thane just nodded. “And what of the other dragon? Did you see it?”

  Jack smiled. “I saw it fly away as fast as its wings could carry it with that Roc dropping down on it the whole way.”

  “The huge bird that saved me?”

  Suddenly, Jne and Tam were at his side as the other soldiers quickly dispatched the remaining enemy. “Thane,” Tam’s voice interrupted, “are you well?”

  Looking at her, he smiled. “Yes, and you?”

  She grinned slightly, brushing back her hair with the back of her hand that still gripped a blood covered sword. “I finally got to thank one of the trolls for their hospitality though I can’t say that I feel much better yet. I imagine it will take quite a few more of them before the debt has been paid in full.”

  Thane nodded grimly. He had been concerned about how she would fare in battle, with her recent break from dranlok addiction and never having really faced an enemy up close before. He could see the nervous energy still coursing through her by the slight tremor in her hands but that was to be expected. She’d proven herself not only to him but also, more importantly, to herself.

  Dor approached, holding his side, and was met by Kat and Bren who had recently left the safety of the trees to lend their healing aid to the injured. Thane opened his mouth to inquire about his injury but was cut off bodily and verbally.

  “Dor!” Kat called, rushing to his side, “here, let me take a look at that.”

  Dor looked at Tam who had just caught sight of him, suddenly aware of his injury. “Are you all right?” she asked moving to his other side.

  “He will be, when I’m finished with him,” Kat half snapped, gently pulling Dor’s hand away and revealing a nasty gash.

  “It’s not that bad,” he protested but did nothing more to impede Kat as she pulled up his shirt to expose the wound. He suddenly felt very self-conscious with his stomach exposed to Kat and Tam and any other female that might pass by but kept his mouth shut when he saw the concerned look clouding Tam’s face. Maybe being wounded wasn’t as bad as he thought.

  “We best get back to the trees,” Braxton’s voice boomed as he, Ranse and Jace approached the group. Addressing one of the soldiers standing nearby he ordered, “Check the area for wounded and then you and the rest of the men get back to the trees. We don’t need to call more attention to ourselves in the open. The city is still very close and the enemy full of bloodlust.” He quickly scanned the sky before turning his attention to Thane. “Whatever it was you did to that dragon, my friend, we shall be forever in your debt.”

  Thane blushed slightly at the sudden attention. “I did nothing more than all of you in this fight.” Looking past the colonel, he regarded the distant city now filled with the enemy. “We are still long from ending this war, I’m afraid.” All eyes turned with him, the sorrow at seeing their city overrun had a strong effect on the remaining soldiers. All of them had lost friends, and some lost family, in the route that had taken Haykon. Columns of smoke and shouts of conquest carried along the wind to their nostrils and ears.

  A sudden screech announced the Roc, turning all eyes skyward fearfully expecting the black dragon had returned. Tchee circled the group once before landing not ten yards away and releasing her small rider who jumped from her back and rushed forward.

  “Are you all right?” he called to Thane, his eyes wide with wonder. “That was amazing what you did to that flying monster. Are there more of them?”

  “Just the black one you chased off with your friend there,” Thane answered, motioning toward Tchee who stood preening herself as if nothing had
happened. “I owe you my life, young friend.”

  “I am Teek,” the boy said introducing himself.

  Thane bowed. “I am Thane. And these are my friends,” he said pointing to each in turn and introducing them.

  “And that not be the only one of them creatures flyin’ about,” a gruff voice suddenly added as two of the small folk walked up. “I be Helgar,” he said, “and this here be Bardolf. Lucky our friend Teek’s little pet found ye were in trouble or we might’n not have gotten here in time to take part in the festivities.”

  “Well met, Prince Helgar,” Ranse said bowing slightly. “Your arrival was most timely and most appreciated.”

  The dwarf prince guffawed. “Helgar’ll be jist fine, if ye please. And I be sorry to say that the black is not the only of those Thorne forsaken creatures left that be flyin’ ‘round. We ran into another, a red one, not five days back.”

  “Another dragon?” Jack breathed incredulously.

  “If that be what yer callin’ them, yes. Not easy to be killin’ though I stuck the red one good in the leg ‘fore Teek’s bird chased it off.” Eyeing Thane for a moment, he continued. “Seems ye got a way to take ‘em down though with that magic o’ yers.”

  Thane shrugged. “It’s not really magic. And I wish it were that easy Master Helgar. I have to be touching the dragon for it to work. It was by pure dumb luck that I ended up on top of the gray one.”

  Helgar still eyed him suspiciously. “Well, let’s be quitin’ this area like was suggested afore so as not to be callin’ any of the others back on us.”

  Thane looked over the blood soaked ground the bodies of HuMans, trolls, goblins and wolgs crumpled in different states of death. “And what of the dead?” he asked in a soft voice but one that drew the attention of all who stood near. He already knew the answer but still felt the need to recognize the lives of those who had fought so valiantly to protect even strangers.

  Jack’s face hardened though his eyes reflected a soft regret that reached his voice. “There’s nothing for it but to leave them where they lie. We can’t risk lives to tend to them properly. They’ll have to be satisfied with a soldier’s burial.”

  No one objected though the mood instantly turned solemn and contemplative as everyone nodded in agreement and then turned for the trees.

  Kat discretely cauterized Dor’s wound without the others seeing and then finally let down his shirt, but not before eyeing him over quickly. She smiled at him briefly and then turned away to follow Bren, brushing off Tam’s thank you.

  * * *

  “About ten miles down we can cross the river safely at the Caldren shallows,” Braxton said to the gathered council. “Though with the spring runoff it’ll still be deep, fast water.”

  After reaching the trees, the council from Haykon, along with Helgar, Bardolf and Teek, gathered to discuss what they would do next. No matter what was decided, they knew that time was short and the choice needed to be quick. Most of the planning had been left to Colonel Braxton and Jack since they were the most familiar with the area. All that was really needed was a route to follow that would afford them the safest passage. All knew that once Haykon had been thoroughly ransacked, the enemy’s soldiers would quickly be on the move after more plunder and destruction. And the obvious place they would attack next was Calandra—the seat of power. Once Calandra fell, they would be free to move at will throughout the rest of the land until all the other cities had been taken and destroyed. Calandra would have to hold.

  “Once we cross the river,” Myles continued, “I think it best we hold to the river and the tree cover that will be afforded us along its banks. It will take us slightly away from Calandra, but once we get close, we can make a break for it across country. I will send some men ahead to announce our arrival to the king and hopefully get some help.”

  “And what of those who left through the eastern gates and took the road before the attack?” Dor asked.

  Braxton glanced at Ranse and then looked back at Dor. “We cannot help them. Our forces are almost completely lost as it is now. If we split what we have to find them we could compromise the safety of those in our charge here.”

  Jack sighed. “He’s right. We can’t risk sending any men away to find them. We will have to trust to hope that they made it far enough from the city to escape the attack.”

  “And the dragons?” Thane added almost under his breath. Everyone knew that should the dragons find and attack the fleeing refugees on the road, very few, if any, would survive.

  “Our swords are few,” Ranse added. “Would that reason had prevailed in this battle at the start but we cannot look back now at what should have been done. Forward is our road with what we are able.”

  All nodded agreement though many hearts still drummed a bitter beat for the carelessness with which their warnings had been treated. Now the innocent were forced to suffer for the conceit and greed of their rulers.

  “Ye got me axe and that of me guard also,” Helgar added. “We’ll be goin’ along with the rest of ye. It’s to Calandra we were headed in the first place, though me news seems to be lackin’ any use now.”

  Braxton and Ranse bowed slightly to Helgar expressing their gratitude. “Then we’re settled,” Braxton announced. “Let’s gather the people quickly and be at the task.”

  * * *

  Zadok stood on the wall, Haykon overrun and burning behind him, an evil grin passing over his lips as he looked south over the miles to where the council, hidden in the trees, had just completed their discussion. “That’s right,” he cackled, the ecstasy of seeing his plans coming to fruition burning through him. “Run to the king. Run for your lives. Run like the cowards you are,” he spat.

  Two dark figures broke through the crowd of drunken goblins below scattering them in their wake as they made their way to the stairs leading up the wall. Resdin looked over his companion, his face a mix of rage and lust as he followed the black figure up the stairs and over toward their master.

  “And what is your report, Krengor?” Zadok called.

  The one he addressed as Krengor was a female; the feminine form of her body accentuated by the tight, black leather pants she wore that hugged her every curve. These were matched by a long sleeved black top that seemed almost to be another layer of skin. Black leather gloves covered her slim hands and fingers and an equally dark cape billowed behind her matching the color of her long hair. Her dark boots clicked against the stone wall as she covered the distance between Zadok and herself coming to an easy halt beside him. “Kornok is dead,” she hissed, her voice dripping venom.

  “I know,” Zadok answered. “How?”

  “It was the boy who escaped,” she said, her voice not hiding the accusing tone behind her words.

  Zadok turned on her. “Do not presume to make accusations at me, my dear,” he spat while bringing up a finger. “The boy will be dealt with in due time. Just make sure that you are not his next victim,” he cautioned.

  Krengor bowed her head slightly. “I plan not to, Master,” she replied, her tone more docile. “Just tell me when I can have him and I will take him. My stomach hungers to be satiated with his flesh.”

  “Ha!” Zadok laughed. “And what makes you think you will be the one to have him. I have others just as hungry as you to feed.”

  Krengor stiffened but said nothing, the air crackling with her seething anger.

  Zadok placed a hand on her arm. “All will happen as I have planned, my sweet. Serve me well and you will have all the flesh that you can stomach.”

  “It is only one that I crave, Master,” she hissed.

  Zadok patted her arm. “That is good, my dear. That is good. We will all sup soon enough. Resdin!”

  Resdin stepped forward to Zadok’s other side. “Yes, master.”

  “Let our friends enjoy themselves gorging on the spoils of the city until there is nothing else for them to take. Then prepare them to move forward.”

  “But master,” Resdin argued. “That could
take days.”

  “So!” Zadok snapped. Then in a more congenial tone he continued. “We are not in any hurry. Let our foe gather its strength to Calandra. It will only make its fall all the sweeter. Plus, I don’t need my army resisting my command because they feel there is still more sport to be had here. It’s enough for me to have to keep them from cutting each other’s throats as it is.” He suddenly smiled. “That time will come soon enough, but only after I have had my revenge.”

  Resdin bowed. “As you wish, Master.”

  “Now,” Zadok barked. “Leave me. Find what enjoyment you can with the others until I give the signal to move.”

  Both bowed and then turned and moved away. Zadok continued staring across the miles as if willing himself to see Thane and his friends as they gathered Haykon’s refugees for their race to Calandra. “Soon, my boy. We will meet again, very soon. And when we do, you will wish you had not been so rude in rejecting my hospitality.” Zadok cackled, a picture of evil against the ruined city.

  * * *

  Ranse shook his head, the pain he was experiencing evident in the way he held himself and in his voice. He was a strong man, able to shoulder burdens with greater determination than many, but the fall of Haykon had been especially painful. “So many lost.”

  Jack could only nod his head. He too suffered for the massacre that had happened to the soldiers and people of the once great city of Haykon. “You now know what we have said all along. Of course, I don’t blame you for what happened here, but at least we now will have an added voice of support when we address your father.”

  “You have always had my support, Jack. You, of all people, should know that.”

  Jack sighed. “I know. And I never questioned that. What I do question is whether or not we will survive this. I fear that the opportunity has passed to shore up the tide that now threatens to overtake and destroy us all. Though beautiful, Calandra is not a fortress city that will be easily defended against such a host. We cannot hope to face and hold the enemy there.”