Pure of Heart (the New Age Saga Book 2)
Page 7
As one, they began a staggered march south and John could not speak; his heart filled with terror. What had they just unleashed? Was this the cost of survival?
Across the horizon, the undead walked the Earth; heeding the mage’s command. They searched out their former comrades with a hunger unlike anything he’d ever witnessed before.
It sickened him.
“Why would you do this?” he managed with a croak.
“I’m a necromancer, my Lord, it’s what I do,” Serix replied with a chuckle. “Oh, you two need to get off it. Whether by your sword or their teeth,” he growled, pointing out at the corpses wandering away, “does it matter how those evil wretches die? Would you rather sacrifice the lives of your men or let the dead have at them?”
“There is no honor in this,” he muttered, but lacked conviction. He had said they had needed help, he hadn’t specified what kind. And even though it horrified him, he had to grimly concede the mage’s point; for every enemy slain could be another of his saved. He didn’t have to like it, but he also didn’t have to stand here and watch it happen.
“From now on you don’t do anything without talking to either of us,” he told the young mage. “If you want to continue to help us, work with us, don’t go behind our backs.”
Serix sighed and nodded. Then gave a short laugh. “Had I told you what I was going to do, would you have let me?”
“Heel nae,” Bendor growled, taking a very long drink from his flask. “Runner! Refill thes immediately, an' brin' a barrel back wi' ye. I’m gonnae gie blooter'd afair th' screams start.”
In the distance, he could already hear a stirring of noise upon the wind and his body shivered in response. “That makes two of us. Let’s go. Serix, you’re coming with; I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“As you wish, my Lord,” the black robed mage responded, bowing his head.
Just as he reached the stairs, he heard the first screams begin, and the dwarven general pushed his way past and thundered down the steps before him. “Let’s gie it ay haur,” Bendor told him, as he was helped onto his newly acquired mount.
He couldn’t agree with him more.
III
They had stuck with only walking at night as they slowly made their way east.
Kore had his armor slung across his back and seemed determined not to give it up. He had to admire the orc’s strength and wished he could borrow some for himself. The days felt longer, the searing sun sapping their energy, forcing them to slowly trudge across the sand dunes in exhaustion.
Though he summoned water from below, it did little to keep them cool, and they had to stop and rest more often as they went on. He had foreseen that they would make it clear of the desert, but not how hard it would be to do so. He sighed, wondering if he had been wrong.
“Look,” Kore told them as he suddenly came to a stop.
The moon shone brightly from its position slightly over the horizon and he could make out an angled outline of a structure ahead. He had been this way three hundred years before and knew that they had entered the Valley of Death. It had gained its name for the thousands of human slaves that had died there while constructing an ancient monument from a long-lost civilization.
In her youth, the Phoenix had been fascinated by Egyptian culture and had loved walking through the ruins of long dead dynasties. It was there that she had found writings concerning the Book of the Dead; which began her journey upon the dark road she had traveled since. Though most of the little girl that had roamed Egypt had been snuffed out by the monster she had become, a part of that fascination had remained engraved upon her mind.
She had created this desert when she had restructured the landscape, sculpting what the Gods had forged to her own liking. Then she had sent her slaves to build her new monuments in the style of ancient Egypt; complete with her own pyramid.
He could remember the first time he had traveled here in search of the Book of the Dead. He had incorrectly deduced that she had hidden it within the pyramid’s depths before her death and had been gravely disappointed after a week of searching. Maybe if he had searched it more thoroughly, he wouldn’t have to return to it now.
In the early years of the Phoenix’s reign, she had discovered one of the keys Melissa’s group had created, and though not discerning its purpose, had sensed the magic it held and hidden it within the pyramid upon its completion. There were other old world objects in the treasure horde beneath the stone pyramid, but he hadn’t sensed the “key” when he’d poked through looking for the book.
He sighed.
When he had begun this crusade to find Excalibur, he had discerned what would be needed and had gone north in search of the object that the Phoenix had found. He had been sure that she would have kept it near her person to ensure its safekeeping.
Once again, he had been sorely mistaken.
He’d left Kylee to her own devices and had gone alone to the Deadlands, disguising himself as one of the Phoenix’s orc commanders. Wrapping himself within the exterior disguise, he had mentally reformed his mind into thinking like an orc, completely indistinguishable from the real thing. He’d almost lost himself during that time, being caught up with the disguise, and nearly forgetting his purpose and identity. But in the end, he’d found what he needed and slowly made his way south and clear of the enemy lines.
Upon reflecting on that beach days before, he had realized that even though he couldn’t get back to the others quickly, he could at least travel to the pyramid and secure their next objective, and avoid having to bring the others there after reaching Camelot. Kill two birds with one stone. Then they could meet at Sherwood Forest, use all four to unlock the magical defenses protecting Nimue, and retrieve the sword from her safekeeping.
Though, he would have preferred having supplies and plenty of water before doing so.
They made their way forward, the large pyramid slowly coming into view. His silent companion watched it with awe and he understood; but couldn’t sympathize. He knew what it had cost to build the structure and of the corpses wedged between the blocks as additional mortar to hold it together.
Cresting the last rise, they came to a sudden stop.
Kore’s armor hit the sand and the orc was reaching to bring his weapon to bear. On the dune directly before the pyramid stood a black figure holding a scythe. The cloak that shrouded the creature was slithering against the wind, hungrily reaching out for them, and he could feel cold penetrating eyes searching his soul.
Death had found them.
Chapter 4
Honored Guest
I
John had refrained from telling his wife what he’d just seen, the joy he saw in her face when reunited with her father kept him silent. Let her have this moment; she’d hear about what happened soon enough. Aaron rushed into his grandfather’s arms and he heard the boy laugh with excitement.
It was a sound he thought he’d never hear again.
He smiled at his father-in-law when he approached and embraced the elderly elf. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re here.”
Bordin broke away and his smile slipped a bit, his eyes intense. “I was planning on coming here anyways, just not this quickly. I’m sorry about your father, he was a good man, and my friend. However, if you still think that my daughter—.”
“That’s been resolved,” he told the old elf.
“How? Do you know where she is?” Bordin pushed eagerly; the concern overwhelming the happiness he’d felt moments before.
He turned to watch the others milling about; this wasn’t the place. “Let’s go have dinner, we’ve all got a lot to talk about.”
Jenna put her arm around her father and he turned to Windel, who walked patiently at his side. “Make sure no one mentions what we just saw before coming here, that’s your duty for tonight. I don’t want to spoil anyone’s appetites, or destroy my wife’s reunion with her father.”
“Yes, Sire,” Windel answered, bowing his head.
“Understood,” the elf commented.
Roland was approaching and he turned to greet the man. “Is everyone within the castle walls now?”
The general nodded. “He brought over five thousand troops. I have no idea where we are going to quarter them all. Luckily, they brought extra wagons of supplies to help refill our stores.”
“Speaking of supplies, how’d the raids go on the enemy supply trains?” he asked, tabling the matter for a moment while he thought it over.
“They returned an hour ago. Complete surprise Sire, the enemy didn’t even know what was going on. They torched as many as they could find, not daring to travel too far beyond our walls, but enough that the enemy will have to be hurting for food soon,” Roland told him.
He shook his head. “It’ll just make them more eager to attack. Well, at least we got some help now. Have tents struck in every open space available and double up bunk assignments that have opposite shifts. We don’t dare have any of them camp outside, not after tonight.”
Roland looked south. “I heard the screams.”
“Well, keep that to yourself, I don’t want to disturb our new guests,” he cautioned the older man.
“Of course, Sire,” Roland nodded. “Still, expect a hard day tomorrow.”
He sighed. “Is there really another kind?”
II
There was a cold chill upon the air and Amysta crouched near the fire, her hands out, struggling to warm herself. Fall was slowly coming their way and the clouds overhead threatened rain. It had been storming since their journey across the plains began and the constant lightning flashes were giving her a migraine. Several knights were standing sentry, but the others had quickly fallen asleep, and she envied the calmness they displayed. After everything they’d seen, she knew that sleep would be a long time coming.
They found the source of the smoke. It wasn’t her daughter’s kidnappers, but the remains of a smoldering human settlement. It had been put to torch recently and she had gagged on the smell of burnt flesh that was heavy upon the air. She had to question whether her daughter’s kidnappers were a force large enough to do something like that, and whether she’d brought enough knights to help bring Bella back.
Yet, it hadn’t been just the charred remains that had unsettled her, it was the farmland around it. Every crop had blackened, as if suddenly drained of life. Livestock had been strewn about, nothing but empty shells of loose skin and bones. Whatever had happened there, it was beyond her ability to comprehend. She shouldn’t have dismissed bringing a couple of druids with her, maybe they could have figured it out, or at least protect them in case whatever it was returned for more.
Even though dusk had approached, she refused to make camp anywhere near the place, getting the willies just by being there. Something evil had passed through and she felt dirty from its touch; her soul violated.
“You really must get some rest,” Pendoran told her, the elf snacking on a piece of dried jerky and pretending that what they’d seen hadn’t affected him; she knew better.
“I really thought we’d found her,” she sighed, her dashed hopes shattered.
The knight nodded in understanding, then looked west. “We know for sure now they’ve been this way, so there’s that at least.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, confused.
“While the rest of you searched for survivors, I found a campsite just north of the village. In it were the remains of a goblin, more than likely the one that bled out when they attacked your daughter,” Pendoran explained softly.
Her anger stirred. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why are you just telling me this now?”
“My Queen, I saw what that place did to you, I didn’t think you could take any more. The goblin had been eaten, roasted by his kin. Now, if they could do that to one of their own—,” the elf trailed off.
Her heart was hammering in her chest. Her daughter’s kidnappers had come this way; she might be closing in on them. “Don’t you worry about what I can handle. Next time you find any trace of them, you inform me immediately.”
“Yes, my Queen,” the knight nodded and after a moment, she looked away.
Her head turned west, eyes searching the horizon. She thought there was a spark of light in the distance, but it could’ve been no more than her wishful thinking. With any luck, their prey had poked through the village searching for plunder. It wasn’t very likely, but they were goblins, and you couldn’t discount anything when it came to them. It was possible.
“Your Majesty,” Pendoran pushed again.
“Yes, yes, I know, I should get some sleep. Tell me, Sir Pendoran, how can you people sleep after seeing something like that?” she mocked, yet truly wanted to know. He held up a flask of elven wine and she was forced to chuckle. “Of course. Men will be Men.”
“It’s in our nature,” the knight smiled in return, handing over the flask.
She put it to her lips and slowly let it slide over her tongue. It was sweet, the alcohol strong, and immediately she was coughing, some of it getting into her lungs.
Pendoran broke out laughing while reaching for the flask.
She refused to give it back and took a quicker drink, letting it go straight down her throat without pausing to taste it. After a few gulps, she handed it back and felt heartburn immediately set in. Coughing once more, she asked the man “what did you put in there besides wine?”
“Mixed it with some Grog, gives it a kick,” Pendoran laughed.
She groaned, she hated dwarven ale. “It does. I feel like I just got kicked in the head. I think I’ll take you up on that offer to let me sleep.”
“Of course, my Lady,” the veteran knight chuckled.
She left him there by the fire and went to find a soft place to rest. Her stomach was beginning to ache, but the alcohol was starting to work on her mind. Grateful, she lay down and stared at the stars. “I’m coming my daughter, I’m coming,” she whispered, as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
III
They were finishing up dinner when there was a loud thump from overhead. John set his drink down and looked to the rafters, trying to figure out what could have caused it. The hall was full of laughter and loud conversations, but when another came just seconds later, it was clear that it had not been his imagination.
“I assure you, King Erik will not let—,” Tar Reiz was saying as a runner came bursting into the room.
“Sire?” the man beckoned, scared eyes sweeping the gathering before settling back on him.
He had already risen from his seat and came to the runner’s side. “What is it?” He had a dreadful feeling that the horde was answering Serix’s attack with one of their own.
“Bodies are falling from the skies, my Lord,” the man whispered with horror.
“Whit was ‘at?” Bendor grunted, as he stumbled their way. He had been taking to the ale rather hard, and his eyes were bloodshot, mouth spraying spit as he talked.
There was a veranda connected to the hall that looked down upon the castle below and he was already making his way there, while the man relayed what he’d said to the dwarven general. Bodies falling from the sky? Did the enemy have their own necromancer? Were they about to be attacked by the undead as well?
“Sire, I cannot allow you to go out there until I verify it’s safe,” Captain Reyes told him, stepping before him and placing his arm to block his King’s path.
“Captain, I will be going out there. So, you’d best turn around and take a quick look because you’re not going to stop me,” he told the Guardian, shoving his way past.
Captain Reyes signaled for three of the Guardians standing post around the room to check out th
e veranda and before John had reached the double doors, they were past him and through the doorway.
“What’s happening?” Bordin asked from somewhere to the rear, but he didn’t bother answering, as he strode through the opened doors and onto the veranda beyond.
The Guardians had quickly swept the area, the tables and chairs looked untouched, the balcony clear. One remained near the rail, looking out upon the city as two others reported to their Captain that they hadn’t found anything amiss.
He walked briskly to the railing and stood next to the other Guardian, eyes searching the castle grounds. At first, everything seemed to be normal, the celebrations were under way. He could hear the sounds of Bordin’s army making camp nearby, as well as laughter rising from the center of town.
Then the screams began.
He caught flicker of movement in the sky and watched as a body fell swiftly towards the town square. He hadn’t seen what had dropped it, but even at this distance, he had no doubt what had been dropped upon them.
“Sire, maybe it’s best if you step away from the railing,” Captain Reyes told him, not looking out at the castle and keeping his eyes trained on his King.
“John? What’s going on?” Jenna asked from the doorway and he wanted to tell her to go back in, to not worry about it. But he’d been sheltering her the entire night and he knew that it was a lost cause to do so much longer.
General Brasten was on duty, so he hadn’t attended the dinner, but the rest of his generals were there. They were lining up on either side, followed by Bordin, his advisors, and Tar Reiz. Jenna gripped his arm on his left and he spared her a quick glance, her confusion increasing with the look of dread on his face.
“Sire?” Captain Reyes pushed again and his anger needed an outlet and found one.
“That’s enough Captain Reyes. Windel!” he summoned, not sure where his aide had gotten off too.