"The horn," Dunlop said, "it must have been the horn. They used the horn, by the gods, this is a historic moment. We have another headline."
Sounds of ruckus were heard from the beach to the south of them. Rough shouts of glee and ugly hate calls were heard beyond the trees.
"What the hell is that?" Dunlop asked.
The two reporters and dizzy Sludge walked to the beach and peeked from behind the trees.
"Big and brute soldjas and ugly as hell gnolls. Come on, Dunlop, let's get away from here," Serdamus screamed and ran away, Sludge running after him.
"No, Serdamus, wait," Dunlop ran after him and pulled his vest to stop him. "We have a great opportunity here – we can write the story of the soldjas and gnoll squad. We will interview them."
"Are ye crazy?" Serdamus asked. "They be catching us and make a stew of us both."
"Maybe," Dunlop said, "but we've got to try."
Dunlop continued to walk to the beach.
"Oh," Serdamus sighed with frustration, and Sludge followed him. "No, Sludge, you remain here," he ordered.
"Whew, you ground people, sure know how to make a noise," yelled Con, the silver eagle, while manoeuvring between the grey clouds.
"Noise and destruction," yelled Dor, flying toward him.
De-Stik and Logan's faces, riding on Con's back, and the faces of Achtisanor and Krunch, riding on Dor, were strained from the effort of holding on to the eagles. Catch the hawk flew alongside them all the way from Broncolina and watched around as their bodyguard.
"The first call," Achtisanor called. "The first battle must already be in progress."
"A morning of horror and fear," muttered De-Stik. "Even the ground of Nature is not safe here…"
The sun rose above Asador. They could not see any movement below them, as if all the animals disappeared and the trees froze in silence.
"Your majesty," a redheaded biston ran to the king. He looked like Frecklie Stoltz but his beard was thicker and his nose was redder.
Domarwink rode on a horse at the head of the royal cavaliers alongside Alystus and looked at the excited biston. An hour passed after the terrible noise. Chaos still reigned in the camp, since during the earthquake, the horses shook free and trampled the camp.
"Lashampir reporting for duty, sire," the biston said. "I have managed to flee Nessit just a moment before the terrible call."
"What news do you have?" Domarwink asked.
"The wizard army is gone," Lashampir called, "and there is no sign of the three divisions, not even one squib. The city of Nessit was completely destroyed."
"What do you mean that the wizard army disappeared?" Alystus asked.
"Their attacks missed the dragon and caused great losses to the troops more than the dragon's fire. It seems like they helped him," Lashampir said with excitement.
"Damn," Alystus called, "what is happening to our wizards? Are all the forces of magic turn against us?"
"The reach of the Ashon forces is long," Domarwink said.
"Great forces of soldjas, gnolls, and goblins riding on wargs have landed on the Asadore beach," Lashampir said. "They made camp on the site of the desolated city."
"Alystus," the king said, "command on the divisions to unite and deploy them on the line between us and Nessit. Load all the catapults, archers, spears and ballistae. All must be ready. It seems that we are going to be attacked by night."
"Yes, sire," Alystus said.
Notizia
The shadow of war
An exclusive interview with the commander of the soldjas and gnolls army
A noise that was never heard before woke this morning your humble servant, this simple reporter. The city of Nessit was destroyed. Many soldjas, trolls, gnolls, and goblins riding on wargs crossed Asadore Sea to the desolate city and painted its ground in black.
In a daring and bold move, we have left our hiding place and searched the commander of this evil army. After many trials, and a harrowing escape from the clutches of an overzealous and hungry soldier, we have succeeded in our mission.
With hands bound and eyes covered, we were lead to a bug tent made of black silk. Two soldjas guarded the tent door (Serdamus, your humble servant, managed to peek from the covers without our guards noticing any of it).
The commander of the huge evil army, Smord, a horrible bear-man, sat in the tent and sharpened his axe. He was kind enough to let us interview him:
Q: Smord, why are you fighting?
A: Smord and army fight for their lives.
Q: What do you mean?
A: I am not mean.
Q: No, why do you think your life in danger?
A: If we do not fight, Klaxes kill me and everyone else.
Q: How many subordinates do you have?
A: No subordinates. Only soldjas, and trolls and gnolls and goblins.
Q: And what is their numbers?
A: They have a lot of numbers.
Q: No, how many are they?
A: Ah, how many. One, two, nineteen… a lot. More than a… dozen.
Q: Are you the bear-man that Tigertief defeated in the forest?
A: No, I was not defeated. I won, but I pretended that he won. Achtisanor and Tigertief will die in battle.
Q: What does it mean?
A: I told you I am not… oh… like before? Achtisanor and Tigertief are going to Kolchis castle. They have a surprise there… and now you also die.
Q: Us? Why?
A: Because I remembered that I am mean and need to kill everyone.
Q: But if you kill us, this story will not be published.
A: Ah, good answer. You are smart. You painted me already, squib?
After he looted all our belongings and money, Smord led us back to Idrinian forest. Now we are going to Kolchis castle to warn Tigertief of the danger awaiting them.
Dunlop Roiter and Serdamus Piperazzi. The shadow of war.
Chapter 35 - Kolchis
The smell of smoke was rancid as Tigertief flew above Nessit. They watched in horror at the spectacle before them. The sun was already at the zenith and could not penetrate through the thick mist.
"The city of Nessit was completely eradicated," screamed Krunch.
Achtisanor, sitting in front of him on the eagle's back, looked down in silence.
"This is a real chaos, fate, you I scorn," muttered De-Stik, "I'll show what will happen when you call the horn."
"What are those?!" called Logan when she saw tiny figures running to the beach beyond Asador sea. "They look like a nest of black ants."
"I think there are about a hundred and fifty thousand dark soldiers down there," called Achtisanor, observing the small figures.
"Look over there, I see the red capes of the Sorcerer's Academy," called Krunch, "do you think they took some of them as prisoners?"
"We are getting closer," called Logan and pointed at a dark and forbidding structure, looming from the mist.
"Kolchis castle," Achtisanor said to himself.
Catch cried and shot forward.
"Catch," Krunch called, "where does he go?"
"He is checking the landing turret," called Logan.
After a minute, Catch returned.
"There are two goblins near the turret, and two patrolling around its wall," called Logan, translating the old hawk's movements. She reached for her bow.
The eagles approached the dark castle and flew high above it.
"I'll take care of the tall one," Logan called to Achtisanor and Krunch, "you take care of the second one."
The eagles separated and each one took his path. They retreated from the turret and then sank quickly toward it.
Logan pulled the string and noticed the goblin standing near the turret wall. She aimed quickly.
"Wait, Logan," De-Stik called, riding in front of her, "wait a little more, the shot must be true from the start. When you are completely focused, aim it straight to his heart."
De-Stik did not finish his sentence and the arrow was shot toward
the goblin, which fell on his spot. The goblin from the other side shot an arrow toward Dor. Dor flew aside and parried it.
Achtisanor drew Achtis, his sword, and took a deep breath.
"Ready to jump?!" Dor called and sank toward the goblin.
Achtisanor and Krunch jumped on the goblin, and with a single lunge, Achtisanor took him down.
"Hey," Dor called to the four companions standing on the turret, "we are continuing to the south."
"Good luck," the four members of Tigertief called back to the departing silver eagles.
Tigertief turned to the gate at the back of the turret.
"There is not much time," Achtisanor said. "We have to complete our mission before the sun sets."
Two skeletons stood on the doorway, holding spears in their hands.
"Logan," Achtisanor said, "Give me your sword."
"Why?" Logan was surprised, but drew the sword hilt from her belt and gave it to him.
The four of them approached the two skeletons, which moved toward them, their spear ready for combat. But when they got closer, the two skeletons dropped on their knees in front of Logan.
"Gostorick," the word was heard again.
"So I thought," Achtisanor threw the sword hilt back to the stunned Logan.
"It is not the sword…" Krunch said in amazement.
"It is not the sword that controls them," De-Stik said with reverie, "It is not the hilt of the sword; Logan, it is you who make them obey your word."
Logan stood and looked at the skeletons, "It is not…" she muttered. "It… is… not possible."
"Tell them to open the gate," Achtisanor said.
Logan hesitated a little, but eventually told them to do so.
The two skeletons rose and obeyed her command.
"Hurry up, Serdamus, we must reach there before nightfall," Dunlop said while they ran with the boar to the east, toward the beach.
"But… how do we get there, Dunlop, ye know that me and swimming don't get well?" Serdamus said worriedly.
"In the same way that this army arrived here," Dunlop said. "We'll take one of the big ships."
"And how do we sail it?" Serdamus asked.
"My father had a fishing boat, it must work on the same principles," Dunlop said.
"Except that this time, we are ye fishes," Serdamus said. "They will shoot us until we leave the boat or dead."
"No," Dunlop said, "they will not intercept one of their own ships."
"And how do ye pass the guards?" Serdamus asked.
"Don't you worry, I have my dagger," Dunlop said.
"Yea…" Serdamus chuckled, "like I haven't heard this fable before."
Tigertief entered through the gate and went down in a winding staircase leading inside the castle. Logan's heart beat fiercely.
"Wait," she said.
Her three companions stopped.
"I don't know how to explain it," Logan said, "but I have never been aware of these powers, believe me. Strange things are happening to me, and I don't understand… even now…" She looked around in amazement, "I don't know how to explain, but…"
"Yes, Logan?" Achtisanor asked.
"I was here," Logan said.
"You were here?" Krunch asked in surprise.
"I mean, no. Not really, but my eyes saw this place…" Logan said, "My dreams… I know this place… these stairs…"
"Dream?" Achtisanor asked.
"What dreams, Logan, why do you so worry?" De-Stik asked. "Tell us so we may understand your story."
"Since I was a child the same dream plagued me again and again. They grew frequent when I entered the academy. Sometimes I saw a picture of a grey tunnel and strange rooms. These nightmares occurred almost every night…
"Sometimes I was fighting in a place that looked like an arena. Everyone around me were…. This is why I was not surprised when I saw the skeletons in Asador castle…
"I would wake up in cold sweat from these nightmares. I dreamt it all… I saw the horrors… and it seemed so real. The skeletons… the goblins… the stones… and…"
Logan pushed forward and passed her friends.
"At the end of the staircase there is a long corridor leading to a small room with a locked door. On the wall to the right of the door there are three handles," Logan said and started walking.
Achtisanor, De-Stik and Krunch looked at one another and followed her.
The staircase continued to meander and go deep inside the castle, and in the end, indeed, there was a long corridor leading to a small room with a locked door. Three handles protruded from the wall to its right.
Logan reached for the left handle and pushed it up. The two other handles she pulled down. The door opened.
"Bloody hell…" Krunch said to himself.
Another corridor appeared before them, and in its end, another door.
"What is behind that door?" Achtisanor asked.
"I don't know," Logan said. "I told you… I only remember fragments…"
De-Stik examined the door and opened it slowly.
They saw an empty room with two opening in it.
"We'll split here," Achtisanor said. "Logan and De-Stik, turn right. Krunch and I will go left. Search for Hubris room, we will probably find the horn caller there."
"But…" Krunch said.
"It is not smart for all of us to go together," Achtisanor said.
"Achtisanor is right," Logan said.
"We are the sword of courage and relief," Achtisanor called, "march forward…"
"Tigertief," the companions said as one.
"And here," Dunlop said, "we have arrived at the big and dark castle."
Serdamus and Sludge jumped from the small boat on the pier.
"Big?" Serdamus asked with a frown. "Ye call that biggie? This is a huge 'ne."
"Come on, we must enter inside. Tigertief is already inside," Dunlop said, "and we need to warn them that this is a trap."
"And what if they are already trapped in the castle?" Serdamus asked.
"Then we will save them," Dunlop said in determination, "they helped us a few times before, and it is time to return the favour."
"Dunlop, maybe ye forgotten or something, but we are only reporters," Serdamus said.
"Here is the gate," Dunlop said and approached it. "Come on, let's find a way to enter this place.
The two reporters stood behind a big rock and looked at the gate.
Two grey and broad goblins stood at the gate, holding their swords.
"We need to distract them so they will open the gate," Dunlop whispered.
"And how the hell do you bloody suppose we do that?" Serdamus asked.
Dunlop looked around and searched for a solution, until he saw Sludge.
Sludge rose from his place and walked to the castle gate.
"Look," one of the goblins called his friends and smacked on his head, "a pig."
The two goblins pulled the iron chains and lifted the bars of the gate.
"I did not eat a live pig for a long time," the other goblin said, his tongue lolling from his mouth.
The two goblins left the gate with drawn swords. When they approached Sludge, the boar started running along the castle walls. The two grey goblins ran after it.
"Now, Serdamus, on the double," Dunlop called when the goblins disappeared behind the far corner. The two reporters quickly ran to the open castle gate.
"I hope they don't catch him," Serdamus said worriedly.
"Don't worry, Serdamus," Dunlop said, "this pig could make anyone go crazy. They won't catch him soon."
"What is taking them so long?" asked Sernin, hanging his picture instead of the dragon portrait. "I was sure that Tigertief will be faster."
"Maybe the skeletons killed them on arrival," Narook laughed in his serpentine voice.
"Don't underestimate them," rebuked Sernin, "Now they are the only threat that stands between us and our success."
"Yes, father," Narook apologized.
Sernin looked from t
he window facing to the east.
"The hour is close," Sernin said. Narook felt a shiver. "The sun shall set soon, and the moon will not appear tonight. You know what you must do."
Narook drew his sword and examined it with his calloused fingers. "Klaxes," he said. His eyes were blacker than usual.
"Today the eternal notime shall start," Sernin said. "The universe shall be ours, Narook. I will rule over the chaos, and you will be the prince of hell," his thunderous laughter was heard even when Narook left the room.
Domarwink held the squib-crafted telescope in his hands and examined the many shadows situated in front of him, while the sun was painted in red by the setting sun. A black line stretched on the horizon to the east of the biston mines. Hungry trolls and armoured soldjas stood next to spear-wielding gnolls, along with a thousand goblins riding on wargs and armed with short lances, wearing steel helmets and armour.
A long line of red capes stood behind them. These were the renegade wizards who struck a deal with the Ashon forces. Smord led the army, holding an axe in his hand. He looked forward and waited for the night to fall.
"If only they would attack and the sun from the west would have blinded them," Alystus said, standing to the side of the king. "Notime during the night is the worst time of all. Many of us do not see well without the light."
"The fire catapults will provide enough light," Domarwink said. "The squibs hid blinding mines between our two forces. We will wait until the Ashon forces ignite them before engaging the enemy."
"A runner announced that our strike teams have reached their positions," Alystus said.
"Excellent," Domarwink said, "So we are ready."
The king's thousand soldiers stood behind him in neat rows.
The knights were at the front, wearing steel armour and great shields, holding long and sharp lances. Next to them stood the warriors – human, elves, and lutins. The priests stood between them, holding maces in their hands and talismans on their necks. The cavaliers horses' hooves stamped on the ground at the back line.
At the rear, next to the infirmary tents with the older priests, there was a long line of archers, holding longbows, and squibs gathered to operate the big catapults and ballistae.
Logan Marsh: A Thrilling Fantasy Novel (Action Adventure,Mystery, Y/A Book 1) Page 21
