The Chronicles of the Myrkron: Book 01 - The Nine Keys of Magic

by Timothy Woods

  Reek and Branik moved fast enough to get ahead of Michael. They cut a path in front of him. Anything that came within spitting distance of their swords fell. He marveled at their skill. After training for the past month with them, Michael could now appreciate what he was seeing. It didn’t all look like one big blur to him anymore. He caught glimpses of techniques and blocks in the seemingly random flurry of movements, though the speed of those movements still astonished him. How a human could move that fast was beyond his comprehension. Now, he could also see glimpses of the blonde dwarf in the fray ahead. Nothing had gotten passed Branik and Reek’s singing network of steel, so Michael was able to look more closely at the battle around him.

  There were bodies everywhere. Most were naked. Those would be Weres, but a shocking number were armored men. Michael saw a few dwarven bodies, but not many, scattered here and there. Beyond the front line, he could see more Weres running up from the wet, lowlands outside the pass. It seemed their number was without end, but there were only maybe a hundred and fifty or so defenders still on their feet. The Weres, their number constantly being renewed from those pouring out of the marsh, were beginning to press the defenders back.

  Michael heard a low pitched roar from behind him and, turning, saw a huge ball of blue flame come flying from above and off to his left. The fire hit a large group of Weres as they were exiting the marsh. He could feel the impact and resultant explosion reverberating in his chest. The sound of the blast was loud enough to be heard over all the other sounds assailing his ears. Looking back to the spot where the ball of fire impacted, Michael saw charred bodies in a roughly fifty foot diameter circle. A huge billow of smoke rose from the area, but no fire remained. The area was too wet to allow the fire a good foothold.

  The Weres, surprised by this new assault, began looking around for its source. Michael saw several break off and head for Merric on his high perch on the left wall. Merric noted their destination and was throwing concentrated blasts of air at his attackers. Where they hit, only a greasy smear remained on the canyon floor. Michael saw a wolf evade one of those blasts and leap onto the wall. It scrambled to retain its footing and leaped at Merric. Michael could see that Merric was occupied with several more of the beasts headed in his direction and had not seen the wolf evade his magic. Over a hundred feet separated Michael from Merric and there were pockets of fighting going on all around him. Michael lifted his hand and pointed at the wolf.

  "Subsisto quod habitum." The wolf hung in midair a few feet from Merric, unable to move. Michael clenched his fist and made a throwing gesture. The wolf let out a sharp yelp that was cut off suddenly as its body was crushed by the magic and hurled off into the swamp.

  Michael looked back to the battle and noticed still more Weres pouring out of the swamp. Branik and Reek had ceased to move forward and were battling to hold their positions against the increasing number of foes. Weres fell all around them, and the air seemed tinted red with their blood. Michael could see defenders falling all around him. He had to do something to stop this insanity before there was no one left to save. He heard a commanding voice in his head say, Attero meus hostilis. He swept his hands out to his sides and yelled the words aloud.

  "Attero meus hostilis!"

  The air around him began to shimmer like heat rising off sand under a midday desert sun. Michael could feel tiny electric charges snapping in the air all around him. Dropping his sword, he brought his hands together in front of him making a clapping gesture. The clap, instead of being drowned out by the battle raging around him, detonated in a deafening peel of thunder. The shimmering wave rushed out from him, swirling around the defenders, and engulfing Weres. Every enemy touched by the rippling wave exploded in a red mist and disappeared.

  Michael stood like a statue, his hands clasped firmly before him, his face a mask of rage. The remaining defenders gasped as the air went rushing by them headed out into the swamp, and they staggered trying to keep their footing. The entire advancing line of Weres disappeared, bursting into nothingness as the shockwave hit them. Michael felt a hand on his shoulder and spun quickly, prepared to face a new threat. Instead, he saw Merric standing there. The elder wizard's mouth was moving, but Michael could not hear any sound. Michael unclenched his hands, and a huge explosion came from behind him. He spun back around and noted that, for as far as he could see into the swamp, everything had been leveled. Not a tree remained upright. Most were gone with no trace to show they had ever been there.

  With the explosion, it seemed to Michael that sound returned to the world. He could hear the cries of the wounded and the heavy breathing of the exhausted warriors around him. Continuing to survey the scene, he saw humans and dwarves leaning over with their hands braced on their knees trying to catch their breath. Michael felt someone shake his shoulder and turned once again to see Merric standing in front of him, a look of deep concern on his face. Michael shook his head trying to clear away the dizziness that rose up and gripped him by the throat.

  "Michael! Michael, can you hear me? Are you alright?" Merric practically yelled.

  Michael reached up and grasped Merric’s arm to steady himself.

  "I’ll be alright. Just give me a minute. I’m dizzy, that’s all."

  "Here, sit down before you fall down." Merric, gripping Michael under the shoulder, eased him to the ground.

  "That was some display you made out there. I should wonder that you are even conscious."

  "I had to do something. They were getting slaughtered," Michael replied.

  Michael heard heavy footsteps coming up behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Branik and Reek standing over him, and the blonde haired dwarf with the two axes approaching him.

  Merric stood upright as the dwarf came near.

  The blonde dwarf nodded to him.

  "We thank you for the timely aid, Wizard..?"

  "Merric. And it was not my aid that saved you and your men," Merric stated indicating Michael sitting on the ground. Merric leaned down and helped Michael back to his feet.

  "Well my boy, you wanted to see a dwarf, now is your chance," Merric whispered to him.

  Michael rose shakily to his feet. He straightened his robe and turned to face the dwarf. Reek and Branik still stood interposing themselves between Michael and the dwarf. Michael moved between the two and bowed slightly to the dwarf.

  "I am Michael, Wizard apprentice of the…Seventh Key," Michael said hesitantly. The eighth door had blown open just before he cast that last spell, and he could hear Micah’s voice again in warning about giving away too much information.

  The dwarf eyed him critically. He only came to the bottom of Michael’s chest, but he was much broader. The ripped black chainmail and torn leather under tunic could not hide the ripple of muscle across the wide shoulders or in the arms. The dwarf extended his hand.

  "I am Axethane Bran. We appreciate the help, Wizard Michael."

  Michael clasped hands with the sturdy dwarf. Apparently, the dwarf knew his own strength, because he did not crush Michael’s hand when shaking it.

  "I am only glad I was able to help, though I wish I had come sooner." Michael saw two humans walking over to join them. One had graying, black hair, a long sweeping moustache, and a scar across his face. The other one looked even bigger than Branik. He was a giant of a man with brown hair and a close cropped beard. He was carrying a sword Michael knew he would be unable to lift let alone swing.

  "Me too, lad, me too," Axethane Bran replied. Bran looked up at Merric.

  "Wizard Merric, Headmaster of Kantwell?"

  "The very same," Merric said bowing to the dwarf.

  "I am pleased to meet you, Axethane Bran." Merric looked up to see the two men approaching.

  "Ah, and if it isn’t Commander Salic and Captain…Hamil, I believe?" Merric said with a smile.

  Both men bowed to him, and he returned the gesture.

  "Wizard Merric, it is good that you came when you did, else I fear this would have been the last sunr
ise any of us would have seen," Commander Salic mused.

  "I cannot claim the credit, Commander. Michael here was the one who saved your men," Merric informed him, keeping an eye on Michael to make sure he was alright.

  Michael felt his face flush in embarrassment.

  "I only did what I could. I saw the young healer was in trouble and came as quickly as I could."

  Hearing Michael mention Dain, Bran looked around in concern. He spotted Pace and Coale standing over Dain and a prone human by the canyon wall. Dain was absorbed in his healing. Seeing that Dain was ok, Bran turned back to Michael.

  "If you saved Dain’s life, then I am in your debt."

  "Dain? Is that the young healer’s name?" Michael asked.

  "Aye." Bran’s eyes strayed in the direction of the healer.

  "He is a blessing among all this darkness."

  Michael could see a fierce pride burn in Bran’s eyes. Maybe the two were related.

  "Is he your son, Axethane Bran?"

  Bran, somewhat taken aback by the unexpected question, stared at Michael.

  "No, he joined my company a few weeks ago, but he is an exceptional healer. He has saved many lives with his skill and determination. I could be no more proud of him if he were my son."

  Michael looked around and saw that the defenders were systematically decapitating the Were corpses and dragging them out of the pass. The bodies were being thrown on one pile and the heads on another; both piles had been set ablaze. Michael turned to Merric.

  "Why do they cut off the heads and burn them?"

  "Weres can regenerate. Only by removing their heads and burning them, can we be assured that they are truly dead," Merric informed him.

  "I suggest you head back to Kantwell, Michael. The danger is now passed, and you need rest." Merric turned to Commander Salic.

  "I will go to King Brose and ensure that he sends you reinforcements."

  "Wizard Merric, if I might impose upon you, I would have you go first to the other end of The Slot, and have my men who are stationed there come here. We may well need their numbers soon, and the reinforcements from BranninCastle are too far away," Commander Salic asked.

  "Of course, Commander. And we will see about bringing those reinforcements by other, more expeditious, means. Once Michael has rested sufficiently, he could bring a great number of them very quickly," Merric assured him.

  "If that is ok with you, Michael?"

  "Anything I can do to help," Michael replied.

  "Your aid is much appreciated, young Wizard. You probably saved all our lives today. Know that you have the gratitude of the men of Branna," Commander Salic said bowing to Michael.

  Michael smiled.

  "You shall have your men here tomorrow at the latest Commander. After Merric has made arrangements with King Brose, I shall bring them to you."

  "Back to Kantwell with you now, my boy. Get some rest, and I will come get you when the men are ready for transport," Merric told him.

  Michael felt a firm hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Branik.

  "We must accompany you. Lord Micah told us to guard you," Branik said, his face growing more stern than usual.

  "You have gone off without us once already. I ask that you not do that again."

  "I am sorry. When I saw Dain in danger, I didn’t think. I just reacted. I will not do that again without taking the both of you with me. I promise."

  Continuing to look Michael in the eyes, Branik nodded and released his shoulder. Michael looked at those gathered around him and nodded to them.

  "Gentlemen." He then closed his eyes and spoke the words of transport, taking himself, Branik, and Reek back to Kantwell.

  "Events seem to be escalating. I had no idea that so many Weres were coming up through the Marsh," Merric said with an audible sigh.

  "Up until this morning, neither did we. Oh, we have fought a few skirmishes over the past couple of weeks, but nothing on this scale. We were lucky you and your apprentice showed up when you did," Commander Salic informed him.

  "Aye, things have been relatively quiet around here for a while," Bran added.

  "Commander, if you don’t need me for anything, I will go see to the men," Captain Hamil interrupted.

  "Please do, Captain."

  Captain Hamil saluted and ran off. Merric saw a slim, brown haired dwarf approach and wait off to the side. Bran noticed Kale standing there and excused himself as well.

  "Well Commander, do you have anything you wish relayed to the King? I think I should be heading out to get those reinforcements," Merric asked.

  "Only that which you have already seen." Commander Salic extended his hand to Merric.

  "I thank you again for your help. I think if there are any Weres left out there, your apprentice's display of power should have them thinking twice about getting any closer for a while."

  "I know I would think twice. I have never witnessed that kind of destruction in all my days," Merric said with apprehension.

  "Aye, it was quite impressive to say the least. I am glad the boy is on our side."

  "So am I, Commander. I will return as soon as I can." Merric spoke a few words and vanished.

  Commander Salic looked around at all the bodies. He shook his head. He thought of the wave of magic engulfing the enemy, and how they burst and simply disappeared.

  "If Mortow’s wizards can do that, we are in serious trouble." Salic turned to move into the pass when he heard a series of horn blasts roll in from the marsh. Spinning back around, he ran out to see who it was. The horn call had been an alert; approaching enemy. He could just make out a lone horseman thundering through the wetlands. The horn call was repeated. More men were gathering around him. Salic drew his sword, knowing they could not hold the pass against another assault like the last one. There were far too few of them left. The enemy was bold indeed to come at them after the destruction he had just witnessed. Bold or, more likely, they fear Mortow more than anything we could do to them, Salic thought. He could see the horse and rider more clearly now. It was Rand astride Fire. He was bent over the horse’s neck, and Fire was stretched out in a gallop that made him seem to float over the ground.

  When they neared Salic's location, Rand slowed Fire and leapt from his back before he had completely stopped. He smacked the horse on the flank and sent him deeper into the pass. Drawing his sword, Rand walked up to Commander Salic, his gaze sweeping the men arrayed along the canyon's mouth. With a haunted look in his eyes, Rand shook his head.

  "Commander, an army of ogres marches this way."

  Bran stepped out beside Commander Salic shrugging his axes into a more comfortable position. He looked at the breathless scout and then up at Commander Salic.

  "How many, Rand?" Commander Salic asked.

  "At least two thousand, Commander."

  Commander Salic’s grip on his sword tightened. He looked to the horizon, but could see nothing yet.

  "How much time do we have?"

  "They move slowly, but with their strides, maybe an hour," Rand informed him.

  "We had best fall back and try to defend the narrows. Maybe we can hold them long enough for Merric to bring those reinforcements. What say you, Axethane Bran?"

  "Aye, the narrows is our best hope. Only one of them could come at us at a time there," Bran replied.

  "Captain Hamil!" Commander Salic called out.

  "Aye, Commander."

  "Get the wounded ready to move, and get the men ready to march. We will meet them at the narrows."

  Captain Hamil started barking orders, and the men moved quickly to help their wounded companions into the pass. There were not many wounded; mostly just the dead and those who felt half dead. Commander Salic stood at the mouth of the pass, Rand and Axethane Bran at his side, looking out over the lush green of the Glimmen Marsh and the Anvil’s TeethMountains on the right. Salic thought, this is not what I would have chosen as the last vista my eyes would behold. Give me the rolling fields of Branna any day over these wet
and rocky lands. The Commander Salic’s eyes were drawn to movement further out over the wetlands. At least with what Wizard Michael did, we can now see them coming. Salic continued to watch as the movement turned into discernable giant figures striding easily over the marsh. They were a ghastly sight. Gigantic monsters wearing leather decorated with the heads of their slain enemies. The line of ogres was like a brown scar arcing across the marsh. Their advance was surprisingly quiet. The only sound was that of their great feet striking the sodden ground.

  "Come, Commander Salic," Bran said into the silence.

  "There is nothing we can do here, and the men await your orders. If we are to die this day then I, for one, will make them pay a dire price for our lives."

  The three men turned and walked into the pass, each knowing, but refusing to admit, that they were never going to see their homes again.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Michael transported his little group to the rock garden. He suddenly felt nauseated. It should not be so easy to take a life. He knew he had done what he needed to do, but he had killed now, with both sword and magic. It had been all too easy and, when he had been doing it, he rejoiced. That is what made him feel sick now. He had killed hundreds without batting an eye. Michael growled to himself.

  "That’s what war is, killing." He had better get used to it.

  Reek and Branik stood facing him. Branik’s face was expressionless. He might as well have been carved out of marble, but Reek’s eyes softened as he saw the disgusted look cross Michael’s face.

  "You did what was required to save lives, Michael. If you had not, then all those men would have died. The taking of a life should never rest easily on your mind, even the life of an enemy. But in times such as these, it becomes not only necessary, but an obligation. We fight so those who cannot fight can live in peace. If you had not killed those Weres, they would have killed all the men defending The Slot. They would have then moved into Branna and killed all of the villagers who stood in their path. Take comfort in the lives you have saved. Dwell not on the price of those lives. Down that road awaits madness."