Gregory turned back to Merric. “I assume since time is short, we will be traveling by magical means,” Gregory inquired, all traces of his accent once again gone.
“Aye. I will have to take us from here to Kantwell to get the others. We only have about twenty-five Forest Guard and close to the same number of Avari, but I will bring them all. Even with my help, I fear we will not be enough,” Merric said slumping slightly forward.
“Bah! Those Shifters donnea know what they be in fer. With the elite o’ four separate lands coming ‘gainst ‘em, they donnea stand a chance. The Avari, the Forest Guard, my Highland kin and the Headmaster of Kantwell himself, I almost feel sorry fer ‘em,” Gregory laughed heartily. “It will be the stuff o’ Bard’s tales!”
Merric forced himself to smile. He knew the bluster behind Gregory’s words would not be enough to stem this tide of darkness, though he appreciated the sentiment behind them.
When Merric returned to Kantwell, thirty minutes had passed. He found a very anxious Martin waiting for him along with about twenty Avari. Martin was twisting and pulling his sash in agitation when Merric popped into the Great Hall.
Martin ran forward quickly. “Headmaster Merric, Michael has left. He took the two Avari, Reek and Branik, with him.”
“Damn! I needed his help in transporting the men,” Merric said hotly.
“Do you know where he went?” Merric asked.
Martin nodded his head looking sick. “I overheard him down in the scrying room. He has gone to the beach to meet the Weres. He sounded frightened.”
“How did you manage to overhear him down there? Oh, never mind! That is not important right now. You sure he went to the beach?”
Martin nodded his head slowly. “Headmaster, I am afraid for him.”
“That makes two of us. Why are all the Avari here?”
“I gathered them at once after Michael left. I knew you would need them.”
“Good man. Stay here and help Mathis. If we do not return, he is to be Headmaster. It will fall to him to defend Kantwell and her students.” Merric spoke the words of transport. He and the Avari vanished from the hall.
Merric and the Avari reappeared in the Elven encampment just south of Kantwell. Merric stumbled with fatigue, but was instantly caught by a firm hand on his arm. Merric looked to see who had caught him. He sucked in a breath as his eyes beheld one of the strangest sites he had ever seen. Not only had he been caught and held on his feet, but by a slip of a woman; a woman with the most arresting eyes he had ever seen. Her slender face held a few fine lines around eyes with lavender irises, surrounded by a golden ring. Her long black hair was pulled back severely and streaked heavily with white. Her features were delicate, though the hand on his arm was firm and unyielding. The white Avari tunic she wore covered a frame that was decidedly feminine, yet the bare arm was heavily muscled and bore many scars.
Merric straightened and cleared his throat in embarrassment. He realized he had been staring. “Sorry about that. I must be getting clumsy in my old age. Thank you for preventing me from looking like a drunken fool. I am fine now.”
The woman smiled and Merric could see where the lines around her eyes had come from. The sunlight caught her eyes and gave the illusion that the golden rings around her irises were turning. Merric’s breath caught in his throat again.
“Only clumsy of mind, Magika. One of your station should know better than to push himself so hard so quickly. If you keep this up you will be of no use in the coming battle,” the woman whispered so only he could hear. The smile remained intact on her face as she spoke while her tone conveyed the seriousness of her rebuke.
Merric frowned. “I haven’t the luxury of prudence right now. We have little time and great need. I do what I must,” Merric said in irritation.
The woman smirked at him as she released his arm. “Anger can be a good thing. It can fuel the body in times of need, but do not allow it to cloud your mind,” the woman told him, and melded in with the other Avari.
Merric harrumphed and looked around. All of the remaining Forest Guard was gathered and ready. Gregory’s men were mingling among them, conversing. Elves were not normally seen and the men were awed and curious. Colonel Bastise was crouched down nearby talking to Gregory and Finel, whom Ataum had left in command. The three seemed to be engaged in a tactical discussion as Colonel Bastise was drawing in the dirt with his knife and Finel and Gregory were listening and nodding.
Merric walked over to the leaders and looked down at the drawing on the ground. What he saw made little sense to him, but then he was not a tactician.
Colonel Bastise turned his head and looked up at Merric smiling, “Headmaster Merric, we have good news,” Bastise said still smiling.
Merric could not understand the man’s good humor. They were all about to die facing an enemy that out-numbered them by almost twenty to one. “I am glad someone has good news. I have had enough bad to last me several lifetimes.”
“Prince Rein has gone to his people to bring reinforcements. This battle will not be so one sided as we had anticipated. In fact, we will have several advantages over our enemies this day,” Bastise said sheathing his knife.
“We will need all the advantages we are given, Colonel,” Merric said. His hopes sored at hearing of Prince Rein’s actions. With all that was going on, he'd forgotten about the High Caste’s pledge of aid. “I need to begin transporting the men to the beach. It seems our young friend, Michael, has taken it upon himself to meet this threat alone. He, and those two Avari cohorts of his, are already there.”
As Merric spoke, Alissa stepped out of a tree on his right. She was immediately followed by a tall silver haired man dressed in intricate leather armor emblazoned with the crest of the royal house of Felinius, a rampant tiger beneath a golden crown on a field of green.
As the silver haired man’s eyes met Merric’s, he smiled warmly. “Ah, Wizard Merric, it is so good to see you once again. It has been far too long.”
Despite all that was weighing on his mind, Merric smiled back. “King Westan, welcome to the lands of Kantwell,” Merric said with a bow. “It is indeed good to see you. I wish that it was not war that has once again brought us together.”
“Times of need have a tendency to reunite old friends,” King Westan replied.
As the two conversed, more men had been coming through the tree and more were still coming. Merric finally saw Prince Rein step through the tree. The elvish encampment was crowded now with men dressed in leather armor. Merric could not believe the good fortune. Just minutes ago he had been contemplating their defeat and the loss of life that would entail. Seeing King Westan and the forces he had brought with him, Merric felt giddy and almost young again. When last he fought at King Westan’s side, the King had been a Prince and Merric was barely out of his apprentice robes. Now the Prince was King and the apprentice, Headmaster.
“That they do and your timing could not be better. We have great need of your help and our time grows short,” Merric informed him.
“Yes, my son has briefed me on the situation,” King Westan replied.
Merric looked around, but no longer saw Prince Rein. Princess Alissa stood by the tree that everyone had come through and Merric saw men departing again by the same route. Merric’s puzzled expression brought a chuckle to King Westan’s lips.
“I would imagine that is a look one does not often see on your face. Prince Rein has gone through to the beachhead. He and the Princess will handle the transport of our men. There are far too many for even one of your power.”
“You would be surprised, your Majesty. It seems surprise and puzzlement has been a common state for me lately.”
“Smart man that you are, I find that hard to believe; and please, it’s just Westan, as it was in the old days. Titles are for court not for the battlefield.”
“Westan, then,” Merric said smiling once again.
“I must get to the beach. One of my Wizards has taken it upon himself to try to ha
ndle the situation there on his own,” Merric said, worry creeping back into his voice.
“The Myrkron, Michael?” Westan inquired.
“Aye. He is powerful, but he is young and inexperienced and much too impulsive for his own good,” Merric said in irritation.
“He is no different than any at that age. I seem to recall the both of us making some choices that were not always in our own best interest.”
“That is different.”
Westan raised an eyebrow at Merric. “How so?”
“We knew the consequences of those choices, and we lived through them.”
“I do not seem to recall thinking about consequences and the battle is not over yet. He may live to look back on this event as we do events from our past. That is where wisdom comes from."
“We were not so brash as to take on the entire Were army alone. Michael has only two Avari with him against a couple thousand Weres,” Merric’s voice rose as he spoke.
“Sounds like a man I want to meet. Come, let us go and help your young magi.” King Westan turned and surveyed the encampment.
Alissa was standing by the tree she had come through and was ushering men through. All of the elves were already gone along with the humans and about half of his men. King Westan heard Merric speak the words of transport and, as he blinked his eyes, he was standing on the beach with Merric, Gregory, and a strangely dressed, dark skinned giant. Looking around, he could see a Forest Guard issuing orders and placing his archers in among the rocky crags to take advantage of the highest ground available. Gazing out upon the ocean, he saw many ships off in the distance headed their way. Close to where the water lapped the sands stood four men, one of them his son. Prince Rein was speaking with two Avari and what could only be the Myrkron, Michael, judging by the purple robe and golden sash.
King Westan saw Merric striding purposefully toward the small group followed by the human King’s man and the strangely dressed dark skinned man. His men were already forming into ranks. Looking up on top of the crags, he could just make out two forms standing, looking out on the ocean.
The one on the right made a gesture that Westan knew well. Crystoph and Gillian were ready. Westan smiled to himself. Their lower caste brethren would have a nasty surprise in store for them when they disembarked.
Branik nudged Michael with his elbow. As Michael tore his eyes from the approaching ships, he saw Branik gesture back along the beach where a white haired figure stood by a scraggly bush near the cliff. The man waved to them and then suddenly more men started appearing. Michael had no idea who they were.
“It is Prince Rein and it seems he has brought reinforcements. Forest Guard and Highland men,” Reek said squinting and shielding his eyes against the glaring sun.
Reek’s eyes must have been much better than his own because all Michael could see was their general outlines.
“Who are the Highland men?” Michael asked.
“They are part of the army of Branna under King Brose,” Reek informed him.
“I suppose Merric is behind this,” Michael said looking around, but not seeing the tall wizard.
“I will go and see,” Reek replied and tore off at a sprint.
As Reek ran toward the growing group of men, Prince Rein started walking toward him. As they met, Prince Rein continued to walk in Michael and Branik’s direction. Reek fell into step beside him, engaging him in conversation.
When they were within a few steps of Michael, Prince Rein stopped and bowed. “Myrkron Michael, we have brought reinforcements.” Looking out on the ocean, Prince Rein continued. “And it seems we are just in time. See, my cousins are disembarking.”
Michael looked out and saw the ships had stopped and long boats were being lowered. “Prince Rein. I know you and Merric mean well, but I would have preferred if you had left this to me. There would have been less loss of life that way,” Michael replied heavily.
“I can see that the taking of life weighs on you, Myrkron, but this is not your burden to bear alone. This war has come to all of us and we all must do our part,” Rein told him kindly.
As Michael turned back to face Prince Rein, he saw Merric, Colonel Bastise and a Northman walking toward him. He sighed, knowing what was coming. By the angry look on Merric’s face, Michael could tell this was not going to be pleasant.
To his surprise, Branik stepped in front of him, interposing himself between Merric and Michael. The big Avari rolled his shoulders and stood with his hands at his sides.
Michael touched Branik on the shoulder and, as the man turned to look at him, he merely shook his head and stepped out from behind Branik. This was something Michael had to handle. Merric had closed most of the distance and Michael could see the raised eyebrow as Merric regarded Branik. A look of amusement seemed to quickly cross his face until his eye once again landed on Michael.
“Mind telling me what in the name of the Great One you were thinking?” Merric asked heatedly.
“I was thinking that I could prevent a lot of people from dying here today. You saw what I did in The Slot. If I can do that again, then there is no need to put others in danger,” Michael replied calmly.
“Did you stop to think that there just might be a wizard on board one of those ships; someone that could protect himself from magic? No, I can see by your face that thought never crossed your mind. Michael, you have to stop acting on impulse and think. For all your power, you have no experience in these kinds of situations. One mock magical duel against me cannot prepare you for a real one,” Merric said, the heat and anger leaving his face as he spoke.
“I went one-on-one with Mortow and came out just fine,” Michael replied defensively.
“And, as astounding as that accomplishment is, this will be far worse and nothing like that situation. Here you will have to deal with the distraction of many enemies not just one.” Merric glanced out over Michael’s head and saw a massive knot of long boats being rowed to the shore.
There were many birds of prey circling above them.
“Let us move back to a safer distance. King Westan has joined us and brought a large number of men to help. We are not as outnumbered as Mortow would have hoped.” Without waiting further, Merric spoke the words of transport quickly and they were all back along the cliff.
Michael looked around quickly. Seeing the water-born Weres were nearly halfway to shore he was getting ready to teleport himself back to the water line when he heard a deafening roar from above. It was answered by another roar and small rocks began to rain down on them.
The two Avari instantly drew their swords and flanked Michael. Merric stood looking up with a stunned expression on his face. Michael followed Merric’s gaze and saw two massive forms launch themselves from the cliff top.
Michael was far more stunned than Merric, all his mind could register was dragons, actual dragons. “Merric?” Michael managed to choke out.
“Worry not Myrkron, these two are with us,” Prince Rein answered with a proud smile.
Michael could not tear his eyes from the giant reptiles as they arrowed for the long boats. The birds of prey that were circling the boats let out piercing calls and fled back to the ships as quickly as their wings would take them. All of the men in the boats held their oars still as they witnessed, in stunned silence, the two dragons speeding toward them.
When the dragons were within a hundred feet of the boats they let out another ear-splitting roar, and then fire erupted everywhere. The water carried the sounds of screaming men and women as they dove into the water to avoid or to douse the flames. The dragons split apart once they were passed the boats then turned toward each other circling back in a figure eight pattern. More fire rained down and suddenly there was silence once again. The remains of the long boats burned as they drifted on the tide. Bodies also floated on the surface still ablaze.
The two dragons turned once again and made their way out to the ships. Michael watched as one after another of the large vessels was engulfed in fire. When the last sh
ip had been fired, both dragons banked and started heading back to shore. As they were gaining altitude a large black shape shot up out of the water and swung something at one of the dragons. Whatever the weapon was, it hit its target because the dragon lurched and went down. The remaining dragon breathed a jet of fire on the black shape and dove into the water. The black shape went under water quickly but Michael could see it continue to burn. With a burst of water the other dragon broke the surface and took flight again, racing quickly to shore.
As the dragon passed overhead, Michael could see that it carried a person in one of its claws. Michael heard Merric gasp and looked quickly back out to sea. The creature, whatever it was, was headed straight for the beach. It rode the top of the water, undulating back and forth as it propelled itself, still smoldering, with incredible speed. When it struck the sand, the front part of the beast raised up.
Michael now knew what it was, a Garolith. The maliciousness Michael had sensed through the vision hit him once again. It felt as if hate had been condensed into a single nightmarish entity. The weapon it had swung at the dragon was clearly visible now, a large bone white scythe.
With the sun glaring straight at the creature, Michael could see the skeletal visage within the hood of the tattered black robe. His mind and body went numb with fright. How could this be real? The massive tail of the Garolith grated as scales crunched the sand beneath them. A ringing sound reached his ear accompanied by a faint twanging. Michael saw several dozen arrows pierce the robe of the creature. He vaguely heard Merric’s voice, but couldn’t comprehend what was being said. A shimmering wave of heat blasted forth from beside him and engulfed the Garolith. Michael saw the arrows protruding from the creatures body turn to ash and drift away. Merric’s spell had done no more harm than the arrows. The Garolith ignored both and continued to advance on Michael’s position.
Myrkron (Volume Two of The Chronicles of the Myrkron) Page 21
