Myrkron (Volume Two of The Chronicles of the Myrkron)

by Woods, Timothy

  “At least one of us had to grow up, Oreg. I am not the young boy you used to push around. I am chieftain now. You could have sided with us, but your pride would not allow reason to rule you. I must kill you, cousin, and it brings me no joy,” Karg said sincerely.

  “Oh, but I shall enjoy choking the life from you, Karg. Only this time, I will not stop when you pass out.” Oreg shot forward and tried to grab Karg. He was a full head taller and every bit the match for Karg in physical strength.

  Karg stepped to his right and landed a fist to Oreg’s jaw. The blow would have been sufficient to knock a lesser ogre senseless. Oreg just shook it off and smiled. They circled one another looking for openings. Oreg shot in once again and ducked under Karg’s swing. He hit Karg in the stomach with his shoulder and locked his arms around the smaller ogre’s waist. Karg could hear the tendons in Oreg’s arms snap as he tightened his hold and tried to lift him off the ground. As Oreg began straightening his back, he felt a crushing blow land on his back. Karg brought a knee up into Oreg’s chest, breaking his grip.

  As Karg felt Oreg’s grip loosen, he wrapped his right arm around the bigger ogre’s neck and slid it up between his own chest and Oreg’s shoulder. He threw his feet up and locked them around Oreg’s waist, falling backward, and pulling Oreg down with him. Karg grunted as he felt Oreg’s fists dig into his back when he hit the ground, but he ignored the pain. Oreg tried to apply more pressure to Karg’s kidneys though he had no leverage.

  Karg grabbed his right fist with his left and tightened his hold around Oreg’s neck. He pushed with his legs and arched his back in a quick spasm. A loud crack reminiscent of the earlier thunder came from Oreg’s neck, and the big ogre went instantly limp. Karg rolled and straddled Oreg’s lifeless body. He raised his hand high over his head and plunged it down into Oreg’s chest. Pulling back, he ripped Oreg’s heart from his chest and stood, displaying it high overhead. He faced Oreg’s men, threw the heart to the ground and mashed it beneath his foot.

  “Any of you wish to challenge me?” Karg roared at them.

  All of the ogres averted their eyes.

  “You now have a choice before you. Follow me or die by the hand of the Myrkron.”

  One of the ogres stepped out from the rest and placed his hammer on the ground at Karg’s feet. “We only remained because Oreg threatened our families. We would return home if the Myrkron and our Chieftain would allow it.”

  Michael walked up beside Karg, and the ogres all stepped back a few paces. “I will allow you to leave this field under the condition you swear a promise to me.”

  The lead ogre bowed down in front of Michael and placed his forehead on the ground. “What does the Myrkron require of us?” He asked in a voice that shook slightly.

  “I require two things. First, you must swear to cease your warring among yourselves and with the trolls. Second, you must acknowledge Chieftain Karg as your rightful leader. I stand behind him with all my power. The wars and challenges will cease or I will destroy you all as Myrkron Mason promised.”

  “You have my word, Myrkron.”

  Michael looked to the others.

  “Aye,” they replied bowing before him.

  “Chieftain Karg, would you allow them to leave?”

  Karg smiled to himself. Michael was enforcing Karg’s leadership by deferring to him over the fate of his people. He was surprised to hear the Myrkron would back him with his power. “Aye, they are free to return home, if…” Karg paused, waiting until they all looked at him. “They tell others what the Myrkron has told them. It is either peace or death. Agreed?”

  “Aye,” they replied again.

  “Then you are all free to go,” Karg rumbled.

  “One more thing,” Michael added as they all rose to their feet. “I will require a meeting of all your warriors and elders in the near future. I will let Chieftain Karg set a place and time. There, all will swear fealty to him in my presence.”

  “It shall be as you command, Myrkron,” the lead ogre assured.

  “What is your name warrior?” Michael asked with a stern look.

  “Bryok, Myrkron,” he replied.

  “If Chieftain Karg’s orders are not followed to the letter, you will be the first one I hunt down,” Michael said with finality.

  Bryok swallowed audibly and nodded silently.

  “You have your Chieftain’s leave. Depart before I change my mind.” Michael watched as they all bowed several times backing away from him and Karg.

  All of the ogres turned and ran. Michael felt himself crashing. All the adrenaline pumping through his body was wearing off, and he began to shake. He had turned around when a voice called his name. He stiffened and turned back quickly.

  Standing about twenty feet away was a slight woman with chestnut hair flowing over her shoulders. The familiar voice had nearly caused Michael's heart to stop beating.

  Seeing her eyes, Michael could not draw a breath. “Karin?” Michael asked in stunned disbelief.

  “Yes and no, my love. My real name is Megan,” Megan replied smiling.

  Michael took in the black robe she was wearing and the red sash with eight black stripes on it. His eyes returned to hers, and he saw in them something he had never seen there before, malice. He sank to his knees and grabbed his head with both hands. He saw in his mind Karin as he had known her and the Karin that stood before him. He felt the reality slice his soul like a blade.

  She was a wizard, one of Mortow’s wizards, just like Mieka. Magic was the cause of all this. It was the cause of all that had happened. The third golden door loomed into view and Michael suddenly knew its name and its purpose. He threw his head back and screamed, “Ianua ruina!”

  The door opened instantly and a gold and black radiance poured from it. He looked once again upon Karin or Megan, as she stood before him, smiling. She had never truly loved him. He had been a fool. He could see that now. He rose to his feet and pointed at Megan. His eyes went cold and their color faded from a deep blue to the color of ice. As he pointed, he recited, “Induco veneficus.”

  Michael felt the link form. He could see the multicolored aura of magic flowing around her suddenly cease its swirling and wink out. He lowered his hand and stared at her. Megan’s eyes were wide and staring. He knew she was looking for the doors of magic within her mind. However, he had not only sealed them, he had taken them away. Never again would she know magic. “You stole my heart once. Now you have managed to destroy it. In return, I have taken from you what you hold most dear. Tell your master he is next,” Michael said turning away.

  Megan ran forward, pleading, but was stopped abruptly by Reek and Branik. “Michael, you cannot leave me like this!”

  “Because you resemble someone I once loved, I leave you your life. Your magic, however, is forever lost,” Michael said, over his shoulder as he walked off the battlefield.

  Reek and Branik restrained Megan until she collapsed to her knees on the ground, crying. They then followed Michael.

  “Brother, was she truly your wife?” Reek asked.

  “No. The Karin I knew and loved never existed. She was just a dream,” Michael replied flatly. He spoke the words of transport and the three of them vanished from the field.

  Here ends the second book of:

  The Chronicles of the Myrkron