by Philip Blood
Hetark had placed the unconscious Elizabeth on her back with a folded cloak for a pillow. Michael was playing with twigs in the pine needles near his mother. Hetark knelt by Gustin as he finished binding bandages around Gustin’s seared skin on his broad back.
Gustin glanced over to a fallen log where Drake sat with his hands clasped and fingers interlaced. The small knight’s elbows were on his knees and his head drooped forward in shame. The big knight glanced up at Hetark and spoke quietly, “He blames himself for Elizabeth’s condition.”
Hetark nodded, and said, “Fear is something we all share, but I don’t think Drake has truly faced his fear before that battle. From what I understand everything he has ever feared he convinced himself he could defeat one way or another. Now he has found something that he cannot overcome, so fear and shame are eating him alive.”
Gustin looked with sadness at his once spunky little friend, wishing to see his quick grin and sharp wit again, even if it was aimed at Gustin. “Is there nothing we can do?”
Hetark replied, “I don’t believe he is ready for our help yet, he’ll have to come to terms with himself first. Eventually, he will need our support; his self-confidence may be damaged for some time to come.”
“What of Elizabeth?” Gustin now asked while glancing at her still form with the pain of helplessness painted on his face.
“I fear for her Gustin; her breathing is shallow and her face is colorless. I believe she may have taxed herself beyond those limits of which she spoke,” he answered. Hetark looked at Michael playing beside his mother and his thoughts reached out to their young charge: If she dies this poor child will have lost both his parents.
Gustin sighed heavily; Elizabeth’s body looked so frail to him in her unconscious state. He said, “If only I could return the power she used to heal me, I would, even if it meant my death. She healed us when we were in danger, now I feel so helpless!”
Hetark nodded and said, “I agree, but perhaps there is a way to help Elizabeth. If we can ride far and fast enough we might reach the Kirnath School before that horrid creature returns from licking its wounds. Once at the Kirnath School one of the sorcerers could heal Elizabeth as she healed us. It will be a difficult ride and we are all wounded. Only you are strong enough to keep Elizabeth in front of you on your horse for long, but in your condition do you think you have the strength to ride hard throughout the day and night while supporting her unconscious body?”
“I would tend her to the ends of the earth before I let her fall,” the massive Gustin promised.
Knowing how weakened they were from the battle with the Darknull Hetark knew that even Gustin’s strong arms would soon feel the pain from continuously holding Elizabeth in place. He looked into Gustin’s eyes and saw that he knew how difficult it would be to accomplish what he promised. In his weakened condition, he might have a hard time keeping himself in the saddle.
Hetark clapped Gustin on a piece of his shoulder that was not bandaged and said, “I know that you would take care of her forever if you had to Gustin, but I would consider it an honor if I could spell you along the way, will you permit me the honor?”
“Perhaps, once or twice,” Gustin said grinning back at Hetark.
“Drake!” Hetark called, “It’s time to go. We must ride without pause until we reach the Kirnath School and you must carry Michael. Gustin and I will take care of Elizabeth,” Hetark called to the seated knight.
“As you ask, so shall it be, Hetark,” replied the troubled man. With profound dread in his voice, he then asked, “What if that ‘thing’ catches us before we reach the Kirnath sorcerers?”
“Then we shall have to fight it off,” Hetark replied matter of factly.
“You propose to stop and construct another fire as evening approaches?” Gustin asked.
After a moment of thought, Hetark replied, “I don’t think we should. If we hurry we might make it to the school before midnight. If we stop I think we will be guaranteeing an attack by the Darknull. By continuing the ride we could arrive at the Kirnath School before the creature can catch up to us.”
“If we are without the fire when it reaches us we will have nothing to combat the monster and all will be lost,” Gustin added dismally.
“I have an alternative,” Drake said, and for the first time since the night before he showed a little energy. “If the creature is getting near I’ll stop to delay it while the three of you continue on toward the protection of the adepts.”
“You realize that you are contemplating more than death? That beast consumes souls; if it kills you nothing may be left to reach the River,” Hetark said, reminding him of what Elizabeth had told them of the Darknulls.
Drake looked away, but said, “I know, yet what other plan do we have? If that thing catches us we will all be consumed, at least this way when I cease to be I will know I have conquered my fears and died a true Knight Protector. Michael must be protected at ANY cost. Perhaps my sacrifice will give you the time you need to get him to safety.”
Gustin looked at his haunted friend and weighed Drake’s resolve, and then he said, “You are correct Drake, your plan might save Elizabeth and Michael, but I can increase the odds of success by joining you in facing the creature. Two of us will help to slow it even more if we can protect each other’s back. Will you guard my back, my friend? There is no other man I would feel more confident with than you.”
Drake walked forward and clasped his forearm to Gustin’s.
“It would be my honor to die fighting with you at my back, Gustin.”
“If both of you are finished deciding how to die, can we get on with our ride? With speed perhaps we can avoid anyone’s soul from being consumed by that awful thing,” Hetark exclaimed from Elizabeth’s side.
Gustin slapped Drake lightly on the back before mounting, but his mind was on the small man’s troubles. Drake had seldom taken anything seriously since Gustin had known him; there was no situation where Drake had not been ready with a quick jibe or witty comment. His serious comments showed how deeply the fear was eating at his friend’s mind.
After riding all night on their newly obtained mounts Corporal Bante and his Tchulian mercs stopped at a stream to water the tired horses. As the horses drank the Tchulian soldiers changed saddles to the spare mounts.
One soldier looked uneasily at the corporal as he cinched his horse’s saddle and then said, “When did Major Von Dracek say he would rejoin us?”
Corporal Bante lied smoothly to the soldier while he continued to tighten the straps of his saddle, “He said he would try and rejoin us before we attacked, but he also told me to use my discretion if we got close and had the opportunity.”
Another soldier came over to join the conversation. “I’m not as good a tracker as Mauklar was, but from the hoof marks in the stream bank, I think they passed here some five to seven bells ago.”
“Then if they stopped to sleep we could be close. Bide a moment while I think,” Bante ordered, and then he concentrated and brought his aura powers to bear. He quested outwards, searching for their prey for the first time. He hoped that the sorceress was too tired or wounded to notice the aura probe. Then he found them, only a short ride ahead in his widening circle of awareness Bante encountered the small band for which he searched. Looking quickly he noticed that the woman’s aura was extremely weak and he knew that she wouldn’t be using any of her powers against him for some time.
Nervous with the excitement of his prey so close and the sorceress so helpless, Bante brought his aura extension quickly back to his body and called to his men, “I have a feeling our prey is very close, so we shall continue without further rest. I believe that we can overtake them before they break camp if we continue to ride, so mount up!” Bante called out and added, “Yaslier you ride point about a quarter of a league ahead. When you come upon them back off quietly and we will plan a coordinated attack.”
Yaslier saluted and rode out ahead of the troop.
The rest of the tir
ed Tchulian mercenaries grumbled as they mounted up, though they were used to following orders.
Bante noticed the reluctance and quickly hit upon a plan.
“Perk up girlies, our chase is nearly at an end. Their sorceress is wounded to the point where she is out of the battle and we will have our revenge for our lost comrades before this day is done!”
The men still didn’t look excited about the prospect of attacking the Knight Protectors and sorceress, so Bante decided to boost their energy with something a professional soldier would understand best. “Each soldier who kills one of our enemies will get triple wages for the month and all of you will get double wages if we take them before this time tomorrow!”
That got a better response out of them and a soldier called out a question, “Are you guaranteeing that pay out of your purse, corporal?”
Jingling a full leather pouch attached to his side Bante smiled back at the man, “Absolutely, now let’s kill these troublesome knights and perhaps you can taste the woman after I’m through; I’ll bet none of you’ve ever had a chance at royalty. Now let’s ride.”
Bante was pleased with the reaction to his speech and congratulated himself in thought: There, I have promised them payment and a beautiful woman, that ought to keep them motivated.
The troop of mercenaries galloped off with renewed vigor, hot on the trail of Michael, the Lindankar Knights, and the helpless Lady Elizabeth.
Hetark, Gustin, and Drake galloped along the forest trail and their horses’ hooves rhythmically pounded the soft forest path with dull thumping sounds. They rode with a single-minded purpose to go as far and fast as they could manage. They had changed horses four times during the day but had made no other stops.
Drake rode silently, withdrawn in fear of what pursued them and how he would react when it came time to face what he feared. No matter how fast they rode he was convinced the Darknull beast would overtake them and attack. He carried Michael on his back in the pack sling. The small boy had cried at the terrible endless galloping ride, but eventually he’d lapsed into a fitful sleep as fatigue set in and he passed out. Drake had checked on him at each change of horses, but he seemed to be relatively fine.
Hetark had taken Elizabeth from Gustin six times to spell the big man.
Each time Hetark had carried her as far as he could until each of his arms felt like lead weights as he tried to support her slumping body in front of him in the saddle. Had she been conscious this would have been easy, but unconscious, her body constantly sagged and tried to slip off the saddle. He’d kept going until his arms began to droop and bend from the weight and he feared he would lose her to the pounding hooves below. Only when he could not physically support her another foot would he return her to Gustin’s horse.
Gustin had cared for her most the day without a word of complaint, and though he was severely wounded and weak from the burns of the fire he never complained. His arms felt dead and sweat ran down his face as a fever burned through his body, but he vowed that nothing would keep him from holding this precious woman.
Night was approaching and the shadows were getting long, yet the great forest of Gellern seemed without end. Gustin’s mind had given up on all thought other than staying on his horse, holding Elizabeth in place and staying on the path between the endless trees that swept past in a continuous blur.
Hetark rode point about four lengths before the other two knights, but he reined in when he heard Drake call out to stop. Hetark turned and saw that Drake had leaned down to take hold of Gustin’s bridle and bring both of their mounts to a halt.
“What’s the matter, Drake?” Hetark called out and cantered his panting and sweating horse back to the others.
“It’s time Hetark; I must have time to build a fire. This is the only way we can last long enough to give you a chance to get Elizabeth and Michael to the adepts,” Drake answered, and the rigid control in his voice and features was very evident. Hetark could see the fear dancing just behind his eyes.
“Then we will stay and fight it off together,” Hetark decided.
“We already discussed this Hetark, it’s my fault that Elizabeth’s in this helpless condition, so I will protect her the only way I can. You must get her to the school while this beast attacks us for once it is done with us it will swiftly come after you. We cannot let this beast have Michael,” Drake said.
“I can’t leave you to die, Drake! Listen, it wasn’t your fault, any man can fear something Drake, I was scared to death,” Hetark admitted truthfully.
“But you kept control of your fear, you didn’t let it endanger your friends, as I did,” Drake answered with his eyes downcast.
“I would have given in if Elizabeth hadn’t spoken to me when she did; I was on the edge of madness and she barely brought me back,” Hetark responded, still trying to convince his brother knight.
“I’m all right Hetark; I just know that this is my time. If I can save Michael then my life was well spent. Now you must ride on or our sacrifice will be in vain,” he commanded sternly.
“I can’t leave you to die with that soul eating monster!” Hetark complained desperately.
“Hetark, Michael needs your protection, remember your oath! Gustin is all done in, look at him, without your guidance, he couldn’t stay on the path. I’m not strong enough to support Elizabeth and carry Michael, so that leaves you. Ride Hetark, like a creature of the dark is after you, as it will be once it has finished with us. I promise you that Gustin and I will make it pay dearly for the souls of Michael’s Knight Protectors. When Michael has grown, tell him of Drake and Gustin’s stand, and our willing sacrifice. Tell him so that he can avenge us on these evil things, and tell him of our love.” As he finished speaking Drake looked into Michael’s face to gain the courage for what he must endure, and then he handed him up to the mounted Hetark.
Hetark put the pack with Michael on his back and took the still unconscious Elizabeth onto his horse with help from Gustin. First, Drake and then Gustin reached up and clasped sword arms with Hetark, exchanging a look that told the story.
Hetark spoke again before he turned his horse toward the path, “I will always remember my brothers, Drake, and Gustin. Send that thing back to the Dark Plane!” He turned the horses and kicked them into a gallop down the long forest path.
Two bells later the full dark of night permeated the vast Gellern forest and the Darknull came swiftly down the trail of his prey.
The giant trees towered around the clearing where Drake and Gustin had chosen to make their final stand. The two men sat before the snapping and popping fire that burned hungrily in anticipation. A wood meal lay in piles nearby ready to be served to its flaming gullet. Torches lay ready and near to hand for the knight’s defense. With two bells of rest, Gustin had recovered somewhat from the ride while Drake had prepared the fire and torches.
Now that the preparations were done and they waited for their destiny Drake asked, “Are you afraid, Gustin?”
“Terrified,” the giant man replied honestly.
“But you always remain so calm and collected, I had thought you were impervious to fear,” Drake stated, talking to get his mind off what was coming.
“Part of fear is being alone when you have only yourself to trust it’s easy to succumb to fear. I can handle my fear because I am never truly by myself,” Gustin explained.
“You mean when you’re with Hetark, or Becaris you don’t fear anything?” Drake asked with a puzzled frown.
“No, I fear as much as the next man. Having you or someone else with me would certainly help keep those fears at bay, but my brother Dern is always with me, in here,” he said, touching his chest. “Dern keeps me from losing perspective and succumbing to the fears that are natural when danger approaches. When I start to lose control I just try to think of what my brother Dern would do, he always controlled his fear and used it to channel his faculties and strength. When I fear something, Dern’s memory inspires me and helps calm my fear. With his memory by my si
de the son’s of Yul can face anything, even Darknulls,” Gustin stated firmly.
“I wish I had a brother to live up to, perhaps then I could face my fear of this monster,” Drake said staring off into the dark.
“But you do Drake, for I am your brother. Hetark, Becaris, Lasar, and Rasal are your brothers. We will always be with you, physically or in spirit, so you need never be alone again. I am here for two reasons tonight; one is because it’s true that two of us can slow the creature longer and in this sacrifice I fulfill my oath to Michael, but I am also here because you need me at your side. Your brothers will always be there when you need them, Drake,” Gustin promised.
Drake didn’t answer, but he looked thoughtful. After a few moments he spoke with difficulty, “Gustin, I’m still afraid.”
“I know Drake, Hetark explained to me that you will have to face your fear and come to terms with it before I could help you,” his friend replied quietly.
“I’m trying Gustin, but it’s hard. I feel so unworthy,” the small man said and he was unable to meet the eyes of his brother knight.
“No matter what happens to us Drake I will always respect your courage. It isn’t the ignorant man who dies foolishly when he could have avoided it that impresses me, but the man who fears and overcomes that fear. That man shows the true measure of courage. I watched you stand in the charge of those Tchulian soldiers and calmly load your crossbow as if you had no worries in the world. Yet I knew that you feared that I wouldn’t pull the rope up in time, or too soon. I respected your courage right then because you overcame your fear and met the challenge bravely, knowing and trusting that I wouldn’t fail you. It was a brave act, you became a true Knight Protector in my eyes in that moment,” Gustin recounted, and grasped Drake by the upper shoulder with one of his huge hands, then squeezed lightly.
“Do you hear something, Gustin?” Drake asked suddenly and fear leaped onto his face instantly.
