The Twins

by Gary Alan Wassner

  Cairn hurriedly glanced at the hill behind them and as he dreaded, he saw the silhouette of a man and horse, standing and looking in their direction. Something in the old man’s eyes seemed to reflect the light of the midday sun, and he thought he saw a red flare burst in their direction as he moved to urge the others on. Cairn felt a wave of nausea overtake him. He felt as if something vile and inhuman had hit him in the back, and he stumbled momentarily before regaining his balance. A terrible taste was in his mouth and he spit on the parched soil in order to rid himself of it. His entire body was tingling. He felt vulnerable and violated for just an instant, but he had no time to focus upon it, and he compelled himself forward despite the stultifying sensations.

  He grabbed the hands of the two boys and ran with them as fast as he could toward the one open gate, pulling them behind him. He had not the time to see if Calyx followed too, but he had to let the Moulant do what he felt was best under the circumstances. They could all see the front lines of the Troll army maddeningly rushing toward them, and it was clear to them all that they were not going to make it. They would be cut off long before they could possibly reach the safety of the city.

  Their legs were tired and their mouths were dry, but they kept running at full speed. Cairn saw a small group of the enemy detach itself from the main contingent and turn in their direction. He could see their sparkling eyes by now, as the distance between them was closing rapidly. The screams of the bloodthirsty Trolls were deafening, and he could smell their hot breath. The stench was overpowering. A few more moments and the enemy would be upon them. He ran to the right, turning away from the city and trying desperately to gain some more time, when he felt Preston’s hand pull away from his own.

  The young Dwarf fell to the ground having caught his foot on an exposed tree root. Tomas and Cairn stopped running and went to assist Preston whose ankle had been twisted by the protuberance. They could not leave the boy there, and they both knew that there was no longer any chance of escape, so they turned and faced their destiny. Cairn stood in front of Tomas and Preston, hands raised to either side, weaponless save for a small dagger, as the fearsome Troll charged, its black face looming through the smog.

  “Run, Tomas! Run! Save yourself. I will protect Preston,” he screamed, but the boy did not move.

  Cairn raised his knife in defense of the two young men, when suddenly the dust rose in great gusts all around them, blinding them, burning their eyes and causing them to choke uncontrollably. He heard the sound of an axe slashing the air, and instantly he felt the blade skim his arm. Pain shot through him and he sensed something warm running down his limb. He lashed out with his knife, striking soft flesh, and he heard a guttural yelp.

  In the murky light of the dust ridden air, Cairn thought he must be hallucinating as he saw Tomas rise into the heavens, glimpsing his boots dangling briefly over his head before he disappeared completely into the cloud of sand and debris that swirled all around them. Preston too lifted off of the ground before his eyes almost at the same moment, and then vanished into the obscurity of the swirling sky. The dirt was violently churning everywhere, whipping his clothing forcefully and causing his eyes to bite and sting incessantly.

  He could hear the sounds of pounding feet encircling him, and from every direction now he felt the hot breath and smelled the stench of the rampaging Trolls. A weapon grazed his side and he cringed in pain, striking out widely in all directions with his small hunting knife, trying valiantly to keep the enemies at bay, but not knowing even from whence they came. He heard Calyx’s fearful roar somewhere in the distance, but he could not tell how close or far away he was. Warm, black blood splattered his face and he heard the frenzied yelps of the enemy as it lashed out at him through the obscurity of the clouded air. It was hard for him to focus upon his own peril, he was so distraught and worried at the absence of his friends.

  Pain pierced him just behind his neck. His shoulders were pinched by something strong and sharp, trying to pull him upward. Cairn fought against it in vain, struggling to free himself from his attacker, believing that the end was finally upon him. He was unable to strike at this new enemy effectively, as his body was being pulled headfirst into the heavens. Dangling helpless and at the mercy of his captor, Cairn desperately tried to see clearly through the obscured and turbid air, but to no avail. His eyes were irritated and filled with tears and he was exhausted from his efforts, when in one split second, the sky cleared abruptly in a rush of fresh wind.

  In front of him perhaps thirty feet away, he saw both Tomas and Preston suspended from the talons of two huge Selgays, whose wings beat heavily and thereby raised a blinding cover of spiraling dust in a path directly toward the city. He could see the dense feathers of the great bird-like beasts above himself as well, and on the ground below he saw a black sea of Trolls swarming toward the gates of Pardatha with their weapons drawn.

  From this vantage point, he was able to watch as the massive flying mammals swooped over the walls of Pardatha and landed in the courtyard behind the battlements, depositing their passengers safely on the paved stones of the city with the gentle grace of protective mothers. The two beasts squawked loudly and then immediately ascended precariously into the sky after relieving themselves of their quarry, and then they turned toward the approaching enemy. They hesitated for a moment, hanging in the air circumspectly, and then they dove with an astonishing speed at the front lines of the attackers, shrieking in a terrifying manner as they plummeted through the sky. They looked like mighty, grey missiles streaking determinedly toward their targets.

  Cairn felt his feet hit the ground and he tumbled once before righting himself. Tomas and Preston were already surrounded by townsfolk who had rushed to their aid by the time Cairn arrived at their sides. They looked upon one another in disbelief coupled with relief, and Preston limped immediately to Cairn’s side to try and assess the severity of his friend’s wounds. Cairn was covered in blood from the multiple gashes on his body, but he assured the other two that the wounds looked worse than they actually were and that he was fine. He was so grateful to be safely within the walls of the city and to be alive still that however severe his injures may have been, he knew that he could deal with them later.

  Tomas lifted his head to peer over the masses of people encircling him at the one gate that remained open. He moved toward it, pushing through the lines of defenders until he stood directly behind the first row of them. Cairn and Preston were only a few feet behind him and the lines of soldiers, all of whom were armed and facing the open gate, standing in a u-shaped line of defense, with their shields forming a solid blockade against the impending onslaught. Tomas broke through the bulwark and stood there solitary and exposed, staring first at the broken gate and then out into the gorge below. Cairn assisted Preston as he walked, his arm under the Dwarfs own, and then he joined Tomas. Everyone else watched them, not knowing what the mysterious threesome who had arrived so precipitously among them, was about to do.

  Baladar and Filaree had rushed down from the battlements when the Selgays swooped in carrying these three visitors, and they too made their way into the clearing between the row of shielded soldiers and the awry gate. Baladar greeted Cairn of Thermaye warmly, and looked with confused wonder upon the blonde haired youth before him. Filaree stood beside them all, uncomfortable with their vulnerability and eager to maneuver them behind the defenses.

  The fearsome Selgays had decimated the first row of Trolls, tearing them to shreds with their razor sharp talons and pointed beaks. The biggest of the animals, the one that had transported Cairn, had a mountain Troll in his claws as he rose into the sky. Diving at the marauding enemy, he heaved it into the pack and knocked down dozens of the black beasts with the dead body of their compatriot as they ran. The Selgay flapped its great wings heavily and rose up almost vertically, prepared to attack again. The remaining two formidable flying beasts were poised for another run as well, when the line of attack broke momentarily before their charge. The Trolls
retreated in panic, not knowing how to defend themselves against the terror coming at them from the skies. The Selgays shrieked in response.

  The great animals circled the area before the open gate, taking turns at diving down with fantastic speed on any daring savage who infringed upon the space they now possessively patrolled. A horn sounded in the distance, and then a contingent of the enemy emerged from the crowd, led by a larger Troll clad in black and crimson hides. All around him they scurried and scampered, apparently following his orders. His guttural commands were issuing from his slobbering jaws in a booming voice.

  The wriggling mass of black beasts assembled behind its leader, and then from out of the ranks, the beasts pulled a host of wooden war machines, fitted with large, spearlike projectiles. As they set them up, the rest of the Troll army thronged behind them, far enough from the city to be out of the direct path of the terrifying beasts. The leader dropped his arm and the others let loose a missile. It sprang high into the air with great speed, and it just missed the outstretched wing of the front-most Selgay before it fell over the walls into the center of the city and shattered on the stones of Pardatha’s streets. Another dangerous projectile struck the largest of the animals, grazing its side and sending it shrieking into the sky. The assailants were gaining confidence by this new development and the birds, their primary task completed, hovered very high in the sky, out of range of the new weapons unleashed upon them.

  Tomas stared out among the warring masses, and from the west, leaping over heads and bodies and tearing through dozens of Trolls, with his huge teeth bared and his claws extended, came Calyx, bloodied but alive. He had numerous cuts along his hind legs and one ear was sliced clean through, but his eyes glowed a bright and healthy red, and his coat, though soiled, shimmered and shined in the sun. Cairn rushed to his side and hugged him around his big neck, while he examined him from head to tail with his wearied yet worried eyes.

  Once the Moulant was safely inside the city Tomas, who still remained standing in the path of the charging Trolls, turned his gaze upon the gate. His eyes locked on the carved Noban and he concentrated deeply. The ponderous gate shook slightly and then began to slowly creak shut. It moved heavily, scraping the ground as it neared its counterpart. As it progressed, it lifted slightly and began to move more freely and fluidly. Tomas did not let his intensity falter until the gate was fully closed. It met its twin with a resounding bang, and then Grogan and his attendants immediately rushed from the crowd to set the seals, finishing the job and locking it tight.

  A great cheer arose within the city and Tomas, expressionless and weakened, leaned heavily upon his friends Cairn and Preston, who had meanwhile pushed their way through the ranks and returned to his side. Calyx sat next to them, licking his wounds, allowing his compatriots the luxury of space, since none but the bravest of the common folk would dare approach them with the big cat so close by.

  Calyx raised his nose to the sky and roared his acknowledgment and thanks to the Selgays, sending the few, bold Pardathans who had gathered nearby to gaze upon the Moulant with wonder, running for shelter. The great Selgays shrieked in response and then soared into the clouds, back toward their homes in the Thorndars. Preston turned his face to the sky and waved, while Cairn looked up and smiled. He wanted only to preserve the image of these departing allies in his mind’s eye and sustain the feeling of gratitude in his heart forever.

  Chapter Fifty-one

  Baladar did not have the time to properly thank the young man who had accompanied Cairn into Pardatha so fortuitously. The Trolls, maddened first by the Selgays and now by the gates closing in their very faces, attacked with a vengeance. The big machines that shot their missiles at the giant birds now took aim upon the rooftops of the city, sending blazing shafts over the high walls and deep into the heart of Pardatha. Fires burst out in many places, and the people of the city mobilized in order to prevent widespread damage.

  The Troll army attacked in waves, accompanied by barrages of burning projectiles. The soldiers upon the battlements were still weary from the previous fighting, but they fought as well as they could. The bowmen continued to down the enemy from their vantage points behind the crenellated towers. But as the battle wore on, the Trolls became more aggressive. They rolled out even larger machines and used them to hurl huge stones into the city, shattering roofs and crushing bones. They remained just out of the reach of the archers’ arrows and they were thus free to act with impunity.

  This enemy was smart and well organized. Its leaders took their time and planned their assaults, rather than wasting their numbers futilely. The assault continued in this manner for hours, and it was taking its toll upon the city of Pardatha. The fires were burning in some places uncontrollably and many buildings were crumbling under the barrage of rock and stone. Although Grogan mounted a noble defense, Baladar could see the signs of fatigue setting in.

  The Trolls continued their steady bombardment, and now they began to aim their rock hurling devices against one spot on the wall. A single blow to the thick stones of the fortifications would not do any harm, but this continuous attack, coupled with the exceedingly perfect aim that their weapons afforded them was causing great concern among the councilors. The relentlessness with which the Trolls mounted their assault was disconcerting. They could continue on in this manner for a long time, wearing down the city’s defenses and morale. And more importantly, the wall was showing signs of giving way to the perpetual cannonade, no matter how slowly.

  Baladar convened the council late in the afternoon and he invited Cairn to join them as well, along with his two charges, Tomas and Preston. Robyn dar Tamarand had not yet fully recovered from his previous exertions, but the remainder of the council members were present. Baladar had not had a real chance to meet his newest guests yet. In fact, he was so consumed with the defense of his city that he had not even gazed closely upon the faces of all of his visitors, but a vivid image of Tomas lingered in his mind since the moment he first saw him.

  When Cairn entered the circle of stone accompanied by Tomas and Preston, Baladar was visibly shaken and he could barely contain his astonishment. No one but he and Elion remained in the city who had seen Davmiran at close range, and this boy could be his twin. Elion gasped when he arrived and was too surprised to even take his seat. Filaree looked at the two of them in shock, never having had seen either of them react so dramatically to anything, despite all that they had recently been through.

  “What is it, you two?” she asked of them in wonder. “You both look as if you have seen a spirit,” she commented.

  The other councilors waited anxiously for an explanation for the odd behavior of their leader and the young Elfin Prince. Cairn suspected the reason for their reaction immediately, and he chose not to keep them in suspense any longer.

  “Greetings, good people. For those of you who do not know me, I am Cairn of Thermaye. I was summoned here by your Lord Baladar, for the purpose of acting as a teacher to the young heir of Gwendolen. I had received information earlier that he was not presently here in the city, but I was determined to reach Pardatha nonetheless. I have brought two travelers with me, if it pleases you,” he continued humbly.

  “We have been journeying for many days and we have much news to share with you that we have gathered on the way. Oh, by the way, if you have not already learned for yourself, my friend Calyx is here as well,” he said, pointing to the cat-like beast reclining beside the stones. “This boy is Preston, of the Thorndar Dwarves,” he said, laying a gentle hand upon the boy’s shoulder. “And this is Tomas,” Cairn said warmly, putting his other arm around his back. “They are like family to me, and I hope that you will welcome them among you as you do me,” he finished, still standing.

  Baladar had not closed his mouth since the three walked into the council chamber. He stared continuously at Tomas, and he finally could not contain his wonder any longer. Finally, he stood up and spoke.

  “I am sorry to have to bypass the formalities of so an
ticipated a visit, Cairn of Thermaye, but I must ask this question forthright and straight,” he addressed Tomas directly this time. “Forgive me my son, if I appear to be aggressive, but you bear a striking, even an uncanny resemblance to the boy I call Davmiran, the heir of Gwendolen. It cannot be mere coincidence.” Turning now to Cairn he asked, “What do you know of this, Cairn, my friend? Please, enlighten us.”

  When he was finished speaking he sat down once again.

  “It is a long story, Lord Baladar, and I am afraid that now is not the time to tell you everything you must eventually learn. But, the resemblance is true. This boy is the twin to the heir.”

  The table erupted in gasps all around. Cairn waited for them to calm down and then he continued speaking.

  “He was raised by a woodsman and his wife, Trevor and Safira, into whose care he was entrusted when he was a new born babe. Alas, they are no longer alive to bear witness. On my way to Pardatha, I stumbled upon his uncle, who was kind enough to invite me to his home. Tomas and I have been together ever since,” he paused.

  “You are surely his twin!” Elion remarked, examining him closely. “The eyes are identical, though of a different hue. And the face! Dav’s hair is longer, albeit,” he said, his face alive with joy.

  Tomas stood up slowly and allowed his brilliant green eyes to wander from person to person around the large table, until they finally rested upon Cairn.

  “It is as he says,” he began. “He has been more than a friend to me, and I will be eternally grateful to him. And Calyx and Preston too,” he continued. “My brother does not know that I exist, although I am sure that he has felt my presence often, as I have and do his. I have been aware of him ever since I was a small child, but I was taught about my past purposefully, while he was deprived of this knowledge purposefully as well. I am anxious to meet him. There is much that we must do together. I know that he is no longer here in Pardatha. I have known that ever since he left the city. I also sense that he is not thinking, that he is in a state of unconsciousness. Is he safe? What can you tell me of him, Baladar?” he asked with deep emotion.