Myrkron (Volume Two of The Chronicles of the Myrkron)

by Woods, Timothy

  Rand stared at the ogre with a puzzled expression.

  “You are covered in blood, master scout.”

  Rand looked down at himself. Mardak was right. He was covered in dried blood. Rand realized he must look like some ghoul newly risen from the dead. Sweat and dirt had mingled with the blood and run in streaks down his arms. He had, indeed, tended Fire’s wound while merely wiping the blood from his own eyes.

  “I am uninjured, but I would appreciate any aid you could give Fire. However, I cannot delay here. I have news for Commander Salic about Mortow’s army,” Rand said as he started to walk passed Mardak.

  Mardak held out a barring hand to stop him. “Your intent has been relayed to your Commander. Chieftain Karg has sent for him and the Axethane.” Mardak dug in his pouch and pulled out a mottled brown leaf and offered it to Rand.

  “What is this?” Rand asked taking the leaf and examining it.

  “It is a Tana leaf. Chew it and it will help replenish some of your strength. I am afraid the taste is quite unpleasant, but the effects are worth enduring the bitter flavor,” Mardak explained.

  Rand looked from the leaf to Mardak’s face, weighing the truth of the ogre’s words. He shrugged and popped the leaf into his mouth and began to chew. Instantly his face crinkled in distaste, and he shivered with a chill that ran down his entire body. The back of Rand’s jaws ached with the bitter taste. It was like chewing on a fresh lemon only many times worse.

  Mardak laughed at seeing the scout’s reaction. “You only need to chew it a few times, and then you can spit it out,” Mardak informed him.

  Rand chewed rapidly several more times then quickly spit out the sour leaf. “Yuck!” Rand exclaimed.

  “It tastes bad, yet in a few minutes you will begin to feel the magic within the leaf start to work,” Mardak said chuckling.

  Rand did not have to wait. Almost immediately, he felt a surge of warmth flow down his limbs and his aches and pains began to subside.

  Mardak nodded as he saw the results, then went to Fire and gently began to unwrap the binding around the horse’s neck. He inspected the puncture holes and then reached into his pouch once again. This time he drew forth a large leather bag. “While you wait for the Commander, mix some of that into water and give it to your friend here,” Mardak said tossing the sack to Rand.

  “I need to get more water. I am nearly out after cleaning the wound,” Rand explained.

  Mardak held out his hand for the sack. “I will take care of it. You Commander approaches,” Mardak said gesturing toward the pass.

  “Thank you, Shaman Mardak,” Rand said, handing the sack back. He turned and began to trot toward the approaching men. Rand saw among them, Commander Salic, Captain Hamil, Axethane Bran, the Avari Lord, a young man dressed like the Avari Lord, the two Avari he had met the first time he scouted The Slot, Wizard Merric, and an older dwarf.

  “Commander, we have trouble,” Rand said looking once again at Salic.

  “Do you not have any new news for me?” Salic exclaimed with a chuckle.

  “Aye, and it is all bad. Mortow’s Army was breaking camp when I left. It looks like they intended to march. With the pace his army sets, they will be here before sunrise tomorrow.”

  The young man looked Rand up and down. “It seems you have had your share of that trouble already. Are you injured?”

  “I am fine,” Rand replied, looking to Salic questioningly.

  “This is Wizard Michael. The one I told you about,” Salic explained.

  “Wizard? He looks more like a warrior than a wizard."

  “I am a little of both, though wizard is not entirely accurate. To be precise, I am a Myrkron, and I have been training with Avars Branik and Reek,” Michael amended.

  Rand turned and glanced back at Fire. Shaman Mardak was on one knee holding a huge hand cupped under Fire’s muzzle while the other hand stroked his neck. Salic watched his gaze.

  “Was Fire injured?” Salic asked with concern. He knew how close Rand was with his horse.

  “Aye. He was attacked by three Weres. One bit him on the neck, but not before Fire caved in the head of one of them,” Rand recounted with a proud smile.

  “And, judging by that look and the fact that you both stand here now, you took out the other two,” Micah added with an approving nod.

  “I could not say, my lord. I remember running to help him and then waking on the ground, a naked corpse lying atop me, and my sword shattered. The blood you see on me is from that man,” Rand explained, once again turning to check on Fire.

  “Shaman Mardak is a capable medic,” Bran assured Rand.

  “I am sure he is,” Rand replied.

  “But you are worried about your friend,” Michael added.

  “Make your report, master scout. I will help Mardak,” Michael offered as he walked away.

  Rand watched Michael as he walked off and then turned to Salic. “I mean no offense, but what can a wizard do to help?” Rand asked.

  “A wizard, nothing; but Michael is not a wizard, as he said. Worry not about your steed. He could be in no better hands unless Healer Dain was tending him,” Merric said with a smile.

  “So they march this day and will be upon us before dawn,” Salic said returning the conversation to the impending threat.

  “Yes, Commander, and I get the feeling there is a reason for their marching when they did.”

  “Everything Mortow does has reason behind it, be assured,” Merric said gravely. “He broke camp when he did because that has been his plan all along. He will arrive before dawn because that, too, is his plan.”

  “But what possible reason could he have? His troops will be tired and will have little time to rest, unless he also plans on camping on our doorstep, which would allow us the advantage of tactical raids,” Salic thought out loud.

  “Mortow will have no intention of allowing us any advantage. He will attack when we would least expect it. When it gives him the advantage,” Merric said gravely.

  “What possible advantage could be gained by this move? If he camps, we have the advantage of position and timing. If he attacks, we have the advantage of being rested and forewarned. I see no sense in this move,” Salic voiced in confusion.

  “An attack in the dark would be of great advantage to Mortow,” Micah chimed in as Karg came striding up.

  “How so?” Captain Hamil asked.

  “Trolls and Weres have extremely good night vision and, though his ogre troops will be no better off than any of our men, the Weres make up over half his army,” Micah explained.

  “He is correct, Captain. We never fight the trolls at night if we can help it. Their vision seems to be unaffected by the absence of light,” Karg added.

  “Even so, the elves and dwarves have a similar advantage, not to mention King Westan and his men,” Salic said.

  “But the elves, dwarves and high caste number less than three thousand. Mortow’s Weres alone are almost ten times that number,” Micah pointed out.

  “So that is his plan. Attack us when we cannot see him coming, and we dare not build fires for they would only further obscure his approach by making the dark seem darker,” Salic said with a sigh.

  “We still hold a few surprises of our own, commander,” Micah said with a wicked looking grin.

  “Then they are surprises to me as well, my lord.”

  “Mortow fears me or, more precisely, he fears what he does not know about me. He tried to keep me and my Avari from joining this war, but those plans have come to naught. Another of those surprises stands before you,” Micah said pointing to Michael, who had walked up while he was talking, leading Fire.

  All of them turned and looked at Michael. Michael smiled nervously and looked at the ground after handing Fire’s reigns to Rand. “Here you go. Good as new,” Michael said trying to shift the focus off himself.

  Rand ran his hand over Fire’s neck and inspected the spot where the wound had been. He was amazed and overjoyed to see that Fire was completely
healed. “Shaman Mardak is, indeed, as good as his word,” Rand said hugging Fire’s neck.

  “He is that, but it was not the good shaman that healed Fire’s wounds,” Micah said enigmatically.

  Rand looked at Micah then followed his gaze to Michael. “You did this, Wizard Michael? How is that possible?” Rand asked stunned.

  “It is possible because I am not a wizard. I am Myrkron,” Michael replied rubbing Fire’s neck.

  “I do not understand.”

  “Neither does anyone else,” Michael replied with a slight smile.

  “And therefore Mortow cannot account for Michael,” Micah added.

  Salic shook his head. “We should begin readying ourselves for Mortow’s arrival. How far behind you were they, Rand?” Salic asked.

  “We made all possible haste in returning; but, estimating the pace with which his army moves, I should think we have maybe a few hours at best.”

  “Then I had best inform King Brose, and we should prepare. It seems our wait grows short,” Salic added. Salic looked over all the men present; human, dwarf and ogre, warrior and wizard. His eyes locked on Rand’s. “Gentlemen, if this is the last we see of one another I wish you all a swift victory or an even swifter passing. May all of your battles be short and your celebrations be endless.” Salic turned and walked off with Captain Hamil only a step behind him.

  Rand watched Salic walk away, then turned to Michael. “Thank you, Michael, for tending Fire. Gentlemen, please excuse me. King Brose will no doubt have questions that he will want answered.” Rand led Fire off, following his commander into the pass.

  “I think it best if I also attend the king. He may have questions for me as well, once he learns of this news,” Merric added and looked questioningly at Micah.

  “I will attend no more meetings. He has heard all I have to say,” Micah said shaking his head. “Only time will be able to judge how wisely he puts it to use. I will bring the Avari forward. They will fight alongside Chieftain Karg’s men. That is, if the Chieftain has no objections?” Micah said looking to Karg.

  “None, my lord. Warriors as great as the Avari are most welcome among us,” Karg replied with a slight bow of his head.

  Merric nodded and turned to Michael. “Walk with me, Michael,” Merric turned to the pass without waiting.

  Michael looked at Micah. Seeing Micah shrug, he hurried after Merric.

  “I know time grows short, but the reports I have heard make me fear that you, I, and Mathis are not going to be enough,” Merric confided.

  “The sheer size of Mortow’s army is daunting, but we are holding the stronger position, and we have the Avari,” Michael replied.

  “The Avari are great warriors, and if we had ten thousand of them I would be tempted to hope. The reality is we have less than five hundred and, although Mortow will pay dearly for each of their lives, even warriors of their skill can be over run.”

  “I think you underestimate what has been pulled together here, Merric. Mortow may have numbers on his side, but that is all he has,” Michael assured him.

  “Would you do me a favor, Michael?”

  “Of course, anything I can.”

  “I fear for those left behind at Kantwell, and while that fear niggles at my mind, I find it hard to concentrate. Would you go to Kantwell and take them all to the Oakkrin?”

  “I can do that. Do you think they are in danger?”

  “I have no way of knowing, but I would worry less if they were with the Oakkrin. When you have done that, bring Mael here. I feel we will need him.”

  “Ok, Merric. I’ll go now.”

  “Thank you.” Michael spoke the words of transport and vanished.

  He reappeared at the center camp and saw Reek and Branik talking to an older Avari woman with long black and silver hair. Michael walked up to the trio and waited a respectful distance away. Without turning, Branik waved Michael forward.

  “Avar Liesel, this is Sydoj Michael. Michael this is Avar Liesel,” Branik introduced.

  Michael had to tear his eyes from Liesel’s in order to bow. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Avar Liesel. I am sorry to interrupt, but I must journey to Kantwell, and I require Branik and Reek,” Michael finally managed to say.

  “No apologies necessary. We were merely conversing of home. Safe journey to you all,” Liesel replied then turned and walked off.

  As Michael watched her walk away something in him was drawn to Liesel. It was almost as if she were familiar somehow.

  “It is not polite to stare, Michael,” Reek snickered.

  Michael shook his head and stared blankly at Reek. “What? No, I was just…she just seems…”

  “We all know what she seems, but she is joined,” Branik stated with a smile.

  “No. That’s not what I meant. There is something about her that is familiar, almost like I have seen her before,” Michael tried to explain as his face turned red.

  “You have seen her before. She was in the group that you brought from the isle to Kantwell,” Reek reminded him.

  “I did not see any except those immediately surrounding me, and I would have recalled seeing her if I had,” Michael said with a furrowed brow and a shake of his head.

  “What is this about a journey to Kantwell?” Branik prompted.

  Finally tearing his gaze from the receding form of Liesel, Michael cleared his throat. “Merric has asked me to transport those left behind to the Oakkrin. He worries they are in danger. I told him I would do so.”

  “Then let’s be about it. We will be needed here when the battle begins,” Branik stated.

  Michael spoke the words of transport, and the three of them appeared in the great hall of Kantwell.

  Michael saw the tail moving through the rear door of the great hall as Branik flew passed him. He stumbled as Reek pulled him in the opposite direction.

  “Reek stop! We have to help Branik!” Michael cried out as he tried to get his legs back under him.

  “Branik is the only one of us equipped to take on the Garoliths. I must get you away, now!” Reek said as he continued to pull Michael toward the front entrance.

  Michael tried to dig his heels in, but Reek never even slowed. Knowing he could not hope to overpower Reek, Michael did the only thing he knew Reek could not fight against. “Transfero!”

  “Michael, no!” Reek found himself standing at the open rear door of Kantwell still clutching Michael’s upper arm.

  Michael was standing stunned, looking out at Kantwell’s rock garden.

  Against his better judgment, Reek allowed his eyes to be drawn to the turmoil he could hear outside.

  Two Avari lay dead just outside the door next to the sundered body of a young blonde girl in gray robes with a red sash. Beyond, he could see two of the monsters. One was engaged with six Avari who were trying to keep the beast away from some of the other students. The second one was, surprisingly, on the defensive against Branik. Remembering the last time they fought one of the Garoliths and how he nearly lost his brother, Reek turned to Michael; but Michael wasn't there.

  Reek scanned quickly and saw Michael walking calmly toward the Garolith that was threatening the students. Reek ran and reached for Michael’s arm to stop him, but was stopped short an arm's length away. Michael had raised his wizard’s shield. Reek moved in front of him to block his path, but Michael continued to walk, his shield pushing Reek from his path like the wind pushes a leaf. His eyes were unfocused and his mouth moved as if in speech, though no sound could be heard. Reek knew he could not stop Michael, yet he was not about to let him face this creature without protection.

  Reek started to draw his swords then remembered they would do him no good. Therefore, he braced himself and prepared to fight unarmed and matched pace with Michael. As they moved forward, Reek saw an Avari go down under that massive scythe. His instincts urged him to run forward and engage the Garolith, but he could not leave Michael.

  Suddenly, Michael yelled out. “Mirbon!”

  Reek was shocke
d to see the Garolith instantly stop and lower its scythe. As it turned to face him and Michael, he could see the creature twitch and shake as if it were fighting against something trying to pull it forward. Michael merely stood and stared as the Garolith continued its struggle. Reek watched the Avari that had been fighting it herd the students further away.

  Suddenly, the Garolith lurched a few feet closer.

  Reek jumped in front of Michael. He watched in stunned fascination as the beast actually prostrated itself before Michael.

  Michael knew he couldn't fight Reek, so he simply teleported them to where he knew the Garolith’s were headed. As he looked upon the grisly scene before him, he heard the voice of the female Myrkron again.

  “Only a nine key has the power to destroy the Garoliths; but you have an even greater power, the power to command them. Even though your power is great, you may only command one of them at a time. Still, it will be difficult.”

  “How do I command them?” Michael asked.

  “You speak the name of their true nature, Mirbon, while you focus your power upon them.”

  “I do not understand what you mean by focusing my power on them.”

  “You have used your magic to give strength to others. Do the opposite. Drain the energy from the Garolith. It will not be easy, and the draining of the power of an undead does not replenish your own; so you will have to spend as much energy as that which you drain from it.”

  When Michael spoke the name the Myrkron had told him, he also spoke the words he had used to draw power from both Merric and Mortow’s attacks on his shield. This time, there was no direct energy being focused on him. He hoped the energy draw would work like it did when he gave energy. He hadn’t needed to touch Dain in the pass to transfer it to him.

  Michael felt the link solidify immediately, and he saw the Garolith stop and turn to face him. That was when he felt the icy touch of its dark life force. The Myrkron was correct. He had to use his energy to not only pull from the Garolith, but also to channel the undead energy away. He watched the Garolith shake as it tried to pull its life force back from him. Michael bore down on the link and opened the channel wider. He was using a lot of his strength, but if he could hold it locked this way then maybe the Avari could somehow dispatch it. Suddenly, the pressure released, and the Garolith lurched and bowed down in front of him. Michael left the link intact, but stopped the pull of energy. He sent a mental command to the Garolith to remain were it was.