Drissdie stared at the charred remains of the bodies, his brows raised.
Sage chuckled. “A jest. I don’t know why they look like that. Something changed them. Turned them into those creatures.”
Grae stared at the remains of the . Laraytia was full of stories about such fiends. Those-who-return. Evil spirits roaming the land, costumed in corpses. He’d heard a thousand tales about them. Myths. It was said that they were the rejected dead, expelled from Eleyria. It was said that necromancers had trapped their souls in rotting bodies. That enemy spirits had invaded their bodies as they died. All manner of tales. But these creatures they had fought were different. Hardier. Faster.
“Lord Aeren,” Grae called. “What have you discovered?”
Aeren had cut open the body that Meedryk spared from the incineration. The scholar’s hands shook as he made notes in his tablet. “I have no doubt that all of you have heard of, or possibly fought, things that look like these. Chumn. Death-drinkers. Spirit-walkers. Ghouls. They are known by many names.” He nudged the dead noble with the toe of his boot. “Don’t be fooled. These monsters are quite different.”
“They certainly look like chumn,” said Grae.
“There is a similarity in their appearance,” said Aeren. “They have a similar odor. And, from what Sage and Aramaesia say, they have a similar thirst for human blood.” He knelt next to the body and pointed to the open eyes. They were tinged with green and dotted with tiny eruptions of blood. “Death-drinkers have dark eyes, almost black. These creatures have this odd green color to theirs.” He pointed with the stylus at the gaping wound on the creature’s arm. “Notice the gash here? Scarcely any blood has seeped out. What little blood we see is a dark green, almost black. In fact, everything about these creatures has a green hue to it. It is as if something was put into these people. Something that the body absorbed, that flowed into their humors.”
He stood again. “All of them seem to have wounds to their abdomens. Some of them were holding their entrails in as they fought. But again, scarcely any blood flow.” He made a marking on his tablet then studied the corpse again. “Aside from the bodily differences, there are other variances from chumn. These creatures don’t lurch about. They move swiftly. They think clearly enough to flank opponents. And they do not always die when you damage their brains.”
“Neither does Drissdie,” Shanks shouted. He laughed and pulled off the peasant hat that Drissdie wore, rubbed at the scars on his head.
“Their bite seems to induce a paralysis of the muscles near the wound. A mild poison. It no doubt helps them immobilize their prey,” He looked at Sage. There was still no feeling in the scout’s leg. “I believe it is a temporary numbness. Most likely it fades once the poisons drop. In Sage’s case, I imagine the venom will drip downward and gather at his foot with time. We can bleed his heel and remove the poison when that happens.”
“That ain’t how poison works,” said Lokk Lurius.
“Of course it is,” Lord Aeren replied. “Liquids always find the lowest point.”
Lurius looked away and shook his head, but didn’t say any more.
Lord Aeren cleared his throat and continued. “I am not a master on chumn,” he continued. “But I do not think these creatures have ever been cataloged. I have named them Maurg and will present a complete study to the Erudite Ladies upon our return.”
“How are they created?” asked Grae. “Was it the Beast? Something in the forest?”
“I can’t say,” replied Lord Aeren. “I’m certain it was something in this forest, but I need more information.”
“Anything else?” asked Grae. “Any weaknesses?”
The scholar shrugged. “I would need to study this creature carefully. Even then, I am not completely comfortable doing so. I don’t know enough about the humors or the organs of humans.” He stared at the body. “I do have one other observation. It seems as if these creatures are all in various stages of . . . well . . . some appear older than others. As if they undergo an aging process that has nothing to do with their actual physical age. The ones in the later stages of this . . . process . . . they move slower, their skin sags more and their bodies seem a bit frail. They did not seem to react as quickly nor did they have the strength that the younger ones do. That’s all I can offer.”
Grae nodded, turned to Hammer. “What about you?” he asked. “Any observances on the military side?”
“Aye,” said Hammer. “They’re nasty buggers.” There was laughter among the soldiers. “Lord Aeren was probably leaving this difference to us, but if you ‘adn’t noticed, these walking maggot-nests use weapons. I never seen chumn use swords before. And they were pretty good with them. I’d say they were just as fast with them now as they were before they started smelling bad. You boys say that’s right?”
The soldiers exchanged nods. Grae looked at the great pile of ash and nodded slowly.
“So, does anyone want to speak on the two primary issues here, or should I?” No one spoke. He sighed. “Our Eridian friend from yesterday. Was he becoming one of these things?”
Lord Aeren grimaced. “I . . . ah . . . it’s quite possible that we will see him again.”
Grae rubbed his face as he nodded. “Fourteen of these creatures looked as if they came from the Cobblethrie party. Sage, how many bodies would you say you saw out in the forest? Bodies that didn’t get up.”
Aramaesia held Sage’s hand while Meedryk studied his wound. “I forgot to count them,” he said. “Perhaps I should have asked one of those lovely creatures that helped me find my way back to you.” More laughter. “If I had to make a wildly inaccurate guess, I would say four or five.”
There should have been more. Many more. Grae had only checked off nineteen names on the Chamberlain’s list. Eight more had been recovered by Mulbrey’s Falcons on the Maurian Road. That left half of the Cobblethrie party. Half of them unaccounted for.
“Was Murrogar there?” Shanks asked, and the soldiers grew dead silent.
Grae broke in before Sage could reply. “We’ll have a look ourselves. I’m sure Sage didn’t have a chance to identify individual bodies.”
“I did not,” Sage replied. “But I don’t think he was there. I would have noticed.”
Grae wasn’t certain if that was a good or bad thing. What little resolve these soldiers had would be shattered if they learned that not even Black Murrogar could slay the Beast.
But what would it do to his men if Murrogar was still alive? How would they respond when Grae ordered them to kill the old hero? He felt the familiar twinge of guilt. Murrogar was one of them. Perhaps the greatest of them. But what was one man’s life next to a noble title? With such a title, Grae could hold discussions with diplomats of Gracidmar. Perhaps help end the war and save thousands of lives. He could fight the rising tide of lawlessness in the duchies. Protect the mines in the Durrenian mountain range.
A soldier’s duty was to die for his kingdom. And Murrogar was the best soldier Grae had ever known. He would understand. They would drink together in Eleyria and laugh.
“Sage,” Grae called. “Take us back to where you found the first bodies. We need to finish this.”
The squadmates gathered their packs. Lokk Lurius looped his arm under Sage’s shoulder and helped the scout up the steep slope. Grae spared a final glance at the charred bodies. A rare gust of wind sent the ashes dancing into the air, swirling toward the canopy. There was irony in that pile of incinerated cadavers. A thick irony that held no humor for Grae. He’d been ordered to kill the Cobblethries. And they had tried to kill him, instead.
Chapter 32
When death comes for you, shatter his nose before succumbing.
-- From “The Arms,” Book II of Lojenwyne’s Words
Murrogar should have killed all the nobles days ago. He should have killed the nobles, then he should have dismembered Sir Wyann. And after that he should have turned the sword on himself. That’s what he should have done. Made a respectable end to it all.
Something in his leg was broken.
Home was less than ten miles away, but with a broken leg ten miles was a thousand. The duke, duchess and Ulrean continued to walk south. Sir Wyann walked with them. And behind them , never far, was the Beast. It sent cries at them. Short, ragged screams that were somehow worse than the longer cries.
Something had changed. The Beast was changing the rules again. Ending the game.
Murrogar fashioned a crutch out of a thick branch, but he was still far too slow. The others outpaced him, drawing farther away with each step.
He should have killed all of them days ago. Made a respectable end to it all.
Sir Wyann trudged back through the leaves toward Murrogar, nodded to the old warrior. “Just making certain you are still with us.”
But Murrogar wasn’t with them anymore. He was done fleeing.
Only prey runs.
The Beast cried out once more. Murrogar stopped and pulled Thantos’s war sword from the belt hanging off his shoulder. Sir Wyann looked into the darkening forest and took position at his side. The old hero shook his head and pointed with the sword back toward the running nobles. “If the monster gets past me, send them off. You understand?”
Sir Wyann stared at Murrogar, his mouth open, and shook his head. “I . . . I gave an oath. I’m sworn to protect them.”
“Then protect them from that monster. You’ve seen how it tortures people. Protect them from that. Ain’t nowhere safer than Eleyria. Send them off.”
The knight’s gaze fell to the forest floor. He closed his eyes and nodded slowly. “Murrogar . . . I want . . . ” He composed himself and clapped Murrogar on the shoulder. “You did more than any— ”
“Shut your mouth. And stay with the others.”
Wyann hesitated. “Murrogar, I am so sorry. God’s above, I am so sorry.”
There was something more profound in Wyann’s apology than Murrogar normally heard from men about to die. Something lurked beneath those words. He studied the knight. Wyann’s eyes glistened.
“Back when the Beast first attacked us, on the Maurian Road,” said Murrogar, “you were searching for something in the grass. Searching real hard. What’d you lose, Wyann?”
The knight’s eyes became distant. “My dignity, Murrogar. My fucking honor.”
Sir Wyann saluted with his sword then stumbled into the dark after the Cobblethries.
Murrogar watched him go. He stared after the knight for a long moment. Then he swung Thantos’s sword in the air twice, testing its heft, noting how far forward the balance was. Thantos was ever a crusher. Loved wrecking mail, crumpling helmets. Murrogar dug his feet into the loose soil of Maug Maurai. It would end here. He and the Beast. As it was meant to. He felt no fear. There was only the thing he’d known all his life, the thing he’d always been best at. He swung Thantos’s sword once more, hearing it moan as it cut the air. He hoped the creature wouldn’t loop around him again. He doubted it would. Not this time. He cocked his head and listened.
The Beast stormed through the forest, six massive legs churning the leaves, its body toppling small trees. Murrogar saw the glow of phosphors approaching, bright as tiny green suns. Heard the rumbling growl of the creature, like thunder across the moors.
He gritted his teeth and looked skyward. It was an hour before day’s end but the forest kept its own time. Night had fallen in Maug Maurai and Black Murrogar prayed there would be another dawn.
Glossary of Terms
Aerys Laray
A Galadane priestess whose quiet protest against the Galadane Empire led to the twelve year War of Despair, a war which led to the signing of the Lalyrian Charter and the granting of lands to Laraytia. Aerys Laray led thousands south into lands which would become Laraytia and became the first queen of the new kingdom. Also known as Stainless Laray.
Andraens
A civilization conquered by the Laray.
Annecia
An empire in the southwest of Celusia.
Arms, The
The second sacred tome of Lojenwyne
Arryn
A duchy in the mid-west of Laraytia.
Barony
A fief owned by a solitary liege lord. The lord, under the Laraytian Unification Proclamation, does not answer to the nobles of the duchy where the barony resides, but must pay taxes to the Duke.
Barrestian Revolt
A revolution in Laraytia in which House Darmurian and its allies warred against the king. The rebel armies won the war and the Darmurian family replaced the House Laray as the ruling family of Laraytia.
Bell
An hour’s time. Derived from the tolling of church bells every hour.
Blythhallow
A monastery devoted to Blythwynn.
Blythlojean
The religion of Laraytia. Its basic doctrine revolves around forgiveness and justice, and its two deities are Blythwynn and Lojenwyne. The two gods watch over Celusia, Blythwynn by night, Lojenwyne by day.
Blythwynn
One of two deities in the Blythlojean religion. She is the Mother of Life, the Lady of Forgiveness and the Lady of Light. She is always tolerant of, but at odds with, Lojenwyne, God of Justice, Death and War.
Blythwynn's Eye
The moon. Blythlojeans believe that Blythwynn watches Celusia in the darkness, when her followers need her most.
Brasomeurs
Massive lizards used in Annecia as mounts. Sometimes used as guardians.
Brig
The third air rank in the Laraytian Standards. When an officer achieves Brig-Down, he is considered to be a trudge again and sent into the earth ranks to live as an enlisted man for one year. This allows them to understand their men better before being promoted to underlord.
Brig-Down
The third air rank in the Laraytian Standards. When an officer achieves Brig-Down, he is considered to be a trudge again and sent into the earth ranks to live as an enlisted man for one year. This allows them to understand their men better before being promoted to underlord.
Chantress
An assistant to the High Chime of a Moonhaven.
Chemics
Materials needed by a magician to cast spells. See also, Integrants.
Chime
A priestess of Blythwynn.
Cinder
A disciple of Lojenwyne who lives at a Lojenhall.
Clergist
An assistant to the Enforcer at a Lojenfirth.
Cydoen
A town in the Green Mountains loyal to Gracidmar. The entire population was massacred by Laraytian Standards and the town burned to ashes.
Daeryn
Andraen word for someone who is not a soldier.
Dark Place, The
An abyss that men and women go to after death if they have not lived good lives.
Darmurian, House
The royal family of Laraytia. The Darmurians conquered the Kingdom from the Larays, who founded Laraytia.
Darmurian, Tharandyr
King of Laraytia. The second king in the Darmurian line.
Daun
Andraen word for castle.
Dromese
From the kingdom of Dromic.
Durrenia
Lands west of Laraytia, east of the freelands, and south of Havvara. Durrenia is populated by hundreds of warring tribes.
Egyn Thoel
An important fortress on the eastern edge of Laray Duchy that guards a pass from the kingdom of Laraytia into the kingdom of Gracidmar.
Eleyria
The place where Blythlojeans believe their spirit goes after they die. Those who follow Blythwynn join her in a land of bliss. Those that follow Lojenwyne go to his Hall to feast and to give assistance to all Laraytian warriors on the battlefields of Celusia. Anyone in Eleyria may visit either domain for as long as they wish.
Embrya
One of three original regions in the Kingdom of Galadance.
Endeavours, The
The first sacred tome of Loje
nwyne.
Enforcer
A priest of Lojenwyne.
Eridia
A kingdom in the southeast of Celusia.
Faur Folly
The greatest military disaster in Laraytian history. Durrenian war tribes broke through the gates at Maugna Faur and invaded Laraytia in Lae Duerna duchy. Tens of thousands of Laraytians were killed and it took half a year to reclaim Maugna Faur and drive the Durrenians back.
Godsmarking
A Laraytian curse.
Gracidmar
A kingdom to the east of Laraytia.
Hammer
The highest earth rank in the Laraytian Standards.
High Chime
The ranking priestess of Blythwynn at a Moonhallow or Holy Unity Temple.
Holy Receiver of Light
The highest ranking member of Blythwynn's hierarchy on Celusia and the sixth most powerful title in Laraytia. Tradition requires anyone speaking her name to follow it with, “May the Light Shine Always Upon Her Face.”
Hrethric
A kingdom in the Northeast of Celusia.
Immortal
A man or woman who has been posthumously designated as one of Blythwynn's greatest disciples. They are said to ascend to the skies and hold lanterns for Blythwynn, as stars.
Integrants
Materials needed by a magician to cast spells.
Ja’Drei
One of several gods in Gracidmar. Her name means fire-born and her disciples believe in humility and kindness above all.
The Beast of Maug Maurai, Part Two: Feeding the Gods Page 18
