Siege At The Settlements (Book 6)

by Craig Halloran

  “Interesting.”

  “I see people doing that a lot. Talking to themselves.”

  “I wasn’t talking to myself,” Gorlee corrected, “I was thinking to myself.”

  “Aye, but your lips were moving.”

  Gorlee eyed Pilpin. “That’s a special gift you have, reading lips.”

  Pilpin eyed him back. “Not as special as yours.” Pilpin adjusted himself in the saddle. “So how does who do what?”

  “I just don’t understand how Nath contains all that power he has. With that kind of power, I’d decimate the Clerics every time I crossed them. Wouldn’t you?”

  “I do anyway,” Pilpin said, patting the weapons hooked over his saddle. And then nodding, he said, “Nath wasting his power seems stupid to me, too.”

  They kept riding. Gorlee’s forehead was creased between his brows. Taking Nath’s form seemed different than taking other forms, somehow. It made him want to be more responsible. Careful. Normally, he was carefree and easy, but inside him things had changed.

  I’m not sure if I can get used to this or not.

  He felt like he had to help the dwarves find their tormentors. He wanted to help them. Prevent any more harm from coming to them. And being curious, he wanted to see face to face what such an evil person would be like. One who killed both enemy and ally with no remorse whatsoever. He pulled his shoulders back and kept his head high. I can do this.

  Later, Devliik the dwarf came to a stop and the rest of the party gathered round. The brown-faced dwarf directed his comments to Gorlee.

  “They split up. One heads toward the top of the mountains and the other heads below.”

  “Are we gaining any ground on them?”

  “A little,” he spit tobacco juice from his mouth, “perhaps that’s why they split.”

  Gorlee noticed that all the dwarves were looking at him again. He felt awkward. This is tiring!

  “Uh,” Gorlee said.

  “Uh,” Devliik said back, glaring a little.

  His Nath Dragon form was confusing them perhaps. He confused himself, but he felt compelled to make a decision. Make it a good one.

  “Follow one or the other, Devliik,” Gorlee said. “We’ll stay together.”

  “Uh-huh,” Devliik said. He spat again. He combed his fingers through his beard, turned and climbed back into his saddle. He said something in dwarven and lurched forward.

  Down the hill they went.

  Pilpin was looking back at him. “You coming?”

  Gorlee nodded and nudged his mount onward.

  Am I in charge of this thing now? Wouldn’t the higher ground be better? I should’ve paid more attention to Brenwar.

  The pink pixie hovered at Faylan the satyr’s ear.

  “I see,” she said, opening her pouch.

  The pixie dropped inside and ducked out of sight.

  Faylan closed the flap and tied it down.

  She stood in a narrow ravine at the bottom of the mountains. Water ran down the middle of it and wound through great rocks covered in moss and then ran out of sight. She splashed through the creek around the next bend. Mossy rocks, green trees and lush foliage stretched up both sides of the massive crevasse. The creek water flowed over her hooves and straight ahead as far as the eye could see.

  She scanned both sides. Nothing out of the ordinary appeared. Wild life chirted and hooted all around. Bugs buzzed in the air. They traveled a little farther until a rustle in the foliage lifted her ears. She turned. A rock started to move and take a humanoid form. Boulder-shaped hands revealed sharp claws. A head the size of a small boulder revealed a row of sharp teeth. It was a draykis. Covered in grey scales and heavy muscles.

  “Do they come this way or the other?” it said,

  “They come this way,” she said. “But both paths lead to death.”

  “The High Priestess doesn’t want Nath Dragon dead,” the draykis said. “But the dwarves are of no consequence.”

  “I know this,” Faylan said with a sneer. “Just secure our spot.”

  The draykis stretched out a paw big enough to envelop her head.

  She stood her ground and patted the amulet on her neck.

  “Don’t even think of such an offense. I’ll have you declawed.”

  Slowly, it pulled its arm back. “Don’t be so sure of yourself,” it warned, slipping back into its spot. “Death comes to all from many corners.”

  She started to back down the stream. “Just see to it that you and the rest of your kind are ready.”

  She heard a laugh of sorts from the foliage.

  There were two draykis in the woods for every dwarf. But the Nath Dragon factor she wasn’t so sure of.

  She made her way up the bank and tucked herself away in the bushes.

  Certainly, there are enough of us.

  She smiled.

  And if not, I’ve another trick up my sleeve.

  CHAPTER 18

  East. Clouds. Through stiff wind and stinging rain they galloped. Ben was right: the good pauses in the weather didn’t last very long. Still, the travel hadn’t been difficult. Nath’s biggest concern was encountering adversaries. The enemy seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere and when they passed people, they said little to them or nothing at all. Nath kept them in single file most of the time. Quiet. Halfway into the next day, he slowed to a trot.

  “Shouldn’t we traverse the mountains?” Bayzog suggested more than asked.

  “You can’t gallop in the mountains,” Nath said.

  “You can’t hide in plain view either,” Bayzog responded.

  “Well that’s what we have you for. Certainly you can hide us?”

  “Well, I suppose—”

  “It’s a joke, Bayzog,” Nath said. “Stop riding so close to Brenwar.”

  Bayzog showed him an unhappy look. “I don’t think we need to make haste to get there.”

  “Well, I’m excited to go somewhere different. And I don’t like looking back.”

  Bayzog rode closer along his side. “What do you mean?”

  “This is difficult. We are leaving so many opportunities behind. The people. Who will protect the people?” Nath said.

  “Thanks to you and our efforts as well, more people are starting to take better care of themselves.” Bayzog poked him in the shoulder with his staff. “You can’t protect them all. But you can give them courage. And this isn’t all about them, Nath. What about the dragons. How shall we liberate them?”

  Nath nodded. All his life, he’d dedicated himself to protecting the dragons. Lately, he’d been more focused on saving people. But there were more people than dragons. And the dragons were really well hidden. He hadn’t even seen a good one since he’d woken up from his last hibernation. He hoped they were at Dragon Home. A pit formed in his stomach.

  Nath forced a smile.

  “Are you truly worried about galloping in the open, Bayzog, or is this about something else? After all, I thought I was leading.”

  “I just fear the skies have eyes.”

  “The forest has even more.”

  Bayzog nodded. He seemed content. Perhaps he just wanted to make conversation.

  Nath continued. “If we’re in no rush, maybe we should go to Quintuklen. I’d like to see Sasha.”

  Bayzog’s hand went to an amulet that was hidden under his robes. Nath had seen him use it to communicate with Sasha several times before. He knew that Bayzog could hear her voice, but didn’t know if he could see her too. Nath wished he could see her. There was nothing better than her company. It would warm a day like this.

  “Don’t tempt me, Nath. And don’t tempt yourself. You are leading, after all.”

  “Well, we’ll see this through first. And we’ll reward ourselves with a trip to see Sasha.”

  The tight-lipped wizard showed all his teeth with his smile.

  “Easy,” Nath said, blocking his eyes with his hand, “You’ll blind me. I hope our enemies didn’t see that smile.”

  “I hope they d
id. The sooner we deal with them, the sooner I can see Sasha.” Bayzog dug his heels into his mount. The horse reared up. “Onward.”

  They galloped through the plains, staying just outside the edges of the forests and the mountains. Nalzambor was a vast world and it wasn’t uncommon for Nath to travel sight unseen for days. Their enemies, though great in number, couldn’t control everything. What they could control were the places where most of the people were gathered. The largest cities had fallen victim to that already. At least that was what Nath had been told. No one wanted him to get too close to those cities. Those places tended to get him into trouble, and he could admit to that now.

  Narnum and Quintuklen were lost. The dwarves in Morgdon held their own and the Elves in Elome battled with the orcs from Thraag daily to maintain their foothold. The people of the world went about their daily lives the best they could. Some fought for good. Others were recruited by evil. Families were split and divided. Seeing the change in people left Nath’s heart heavy. So much had changed in such a little time. He was astounded by it all.

  They galloped until the first light of the moon, slowed, and then trotted in the shadows of the mountains.

  “Jordak’s Crossing nears,” Bayzog said to Nath. He sounded concerned.

  “Since when did you become such a world traveler?”

  “It’s been twenty-five years, remember?”

  Nath felt a little small for a moment. The Bayzog he’d known had spent all of his time inside the walls of his home. The elven wizard had been anything but inside ever since. He’d even become adept at hunting and fishing.

  “Have you gotten accustomed to swimming yet?”

  “Humph,” Bayzog said. “I’ve gotten accustomed to many things that would surprise you.”

  “You’ve surprised me plenty already.” Nath turned to Ben, who had drifted back along their side. “Have you been to Jordak’s Crossing as well?”

  Ben shook his head. “No, should I have been?”

  “No.”

  “Nath,” Bayzog said, “the Crossing is not what it once was. Our enemies control that spot. Just as well as most of the major bridges and intersections.”

  “Your point being?”

  “There are other ways across.”

  “And I was counting on the fact that you didn’t know that,” Nath said with a smile. “I’m certain we can handle any obstacles in our path. Besides, any other avenue would be two more days out of the way.”

  “The war is long,” Bayzog said. “We need patience.”

  “My patience thins,” Nath said. “But I’m willing to entertain your worries, Wizard. Let’s ride and get a better look at your concerns.”

  Hours later, in the dark, they stood on the edge of a deep chasm overlooking a river of what looked like lava. Nath could see its shadowy glow in his friends’ faces. Hard lines. The river Jordak was the only river of its kind. Its bright bubbling waters disintegrated skin from bone, and withered away bone thereafter. There was no swimming in the Jordak. There were no boats that crossed it either. The heat rising up from it felt like a fireplace, even from here.

  Nath wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped away.

  Ben held his nose. “Ew, that sulfurous smell is so strong. Do any fish swim in that thing?”

  “Some things live within,” Nath said, “but you wouldn’t want to catch them.”

  “I didn’t have that in mind at all,” Ben said, “Guzan, that’s hot! And deep. How do we cross it?”

  Nath pointed.

  North of them was the outline of a great stone bridge that stretched out like a fallen limb over the fiery gap. Massive rock columns supported it from waters below.

  “That’s a bridge,” Ben said, gaping. “It must be huge.”

  “It’s dwarven,” Brenwar said. “Some of our finest work in Nalzambor.”

  Nath caught Brenwar’s eye for a moment, but the dwarf moved on. It left an uneasy feeling in him. They made their way within a couple hundred yards of the bridge and stopped. Nath could see soldiers shifting in the darkness of their posts. Odd shapes outlined the tower tops of the bridge that were stark in the night.

  Ben closed his spy glass.

  “There must be thirty soldiers.” He looked at Nath. “Maybe fifty.”

  “We can take them,” Brenwar said.

  Nath rubbed his chin. He had to admit that he hadn’t expected so many. The bridge was long and wide, and during the day it was full of people crossing back and forth. Perhaps they could blend in, but no doubt the soldiers were thorough and checking everybody.

  “Can you get us across?” he said to Bayzog.

  Bayzog huffed. “I can take one, but not another for over a week.” He frowned. “I could summon some bats, perhaps?”

  “No bats!” Brenwar said. “I’ll not trust some winged rodent to carry me over fiery waters. Are you planning on flying the horses over too?”

  “Good point, Dwarf,” Bayzog said.

  “I suggest,” Nath said, making his way toward Brenwar. He tapped the chest on Brenwar’s horse. “We wait until morning and see what we can use that is inside here.”

  “A potion?” Ben said. His eyes brightened in the darkness. “I wouldn’t mind trying something like that.”

  Brenwar slapped Nath’s hand away.

  “It’s not a toy chest.”

  “Certainly not, but it does make for an interesting experience,” Nath said. “What do you think, Bayzog?”

  “It bears us many options, but I hate to use the magic on such a simple matter. I would just as soon take a longer way around. Exercise caution.” He looked at Nath. “But I support your decision.”

  “I’m with the elf,” Brenwar said.

  “You support me.”

  “No, we don’t use the potions. Last time I took one, it left my stomach turning like a grindstone. Blecht. Take the longer way. Enjoy the journey.”

  Nath turned his attention back to the bridge, squinting his eyes. There were plenty of soldiers, and through the hot haze that rose from the river, he couldn’t see what was on the other side. There would be at least as many men. Maybe more perhaps. He nudged his horse toward the bridge.

  He could make out the long tips of halberds and spears. Fangs and gritty teeth. There was nothing he’d rather do that charge the bridge and toss those fiends over the edge into the flaming waters. But he’d lost enough friends already and he wasn’t about to lose the ones that were with him now. Still, urgency stirred inside his head. He ignored it.

  “Caution it is then,” he said, starting to turn. “We go south—”

  He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and froze. Slowly, he turned his head back toward the bridge. One of the tower tops of the bridge moved. A pair of windows spread.

  A dragon dropped from its perch and glided right toward them with fire in its eyes.

  Nath’s words froze on his lips.

  Great Guzan! That thing is big!

  CHAPTER 19

  Far away from Nath, horse hooves splashed through the water of an ordinary creek, making the only notable sound in the ravine. Gorlee’s teeth tingled. He wasn’t used to being a major player in these adventures. He pretty much kept a low profile, only showing up to help out when needed. He scanned the trees for birds and other creatures. Things seemed so quiet, like the moment before a storm. He swallowed and fanned a flying insect from his face.

  They were on foot now, reins in hand. The dwarves, four in back, four in front, all in pairs, had him well protected. It made him feel like a prince or something. Each had a small shield in one hand, an axe, hammer or mace in the other. All their helmets had been donned the moment they entered the ravine.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. Perhaps I could use one of those.

  Ahead, the creek bent and couldn’t be seen anymore. He could hear the waters cascading over the rocks, but nothing more. Usually Nath would lead. His eyes and ears seemed to pick up everything. Brenwar was no slouch either.

  G
orlee sniffed the air.

  It smelled like water, mud, horse, leather and dwarf. He frowned. He might look like Nath, but he was anything but that right now. Even blindfolded, Nath could find a particular flower among hundreds. Little things like that. Nath did many, and Gorlee hadn’t thought much about them before. Not until now. Without Nath or Brenwar or Bayzog, Gorlee had to admit he felt a bit naked.

  A sword and scabbard bumped against the saddle of his horse. He didn’t often fool with weapons. They weren’t needed. He usually relied on his powers. Something crept between his shoulders. He looked around. The dwarves were looking too. He slid the sword free. The blade sounded really loud scraping out of the scabbard.

  Pilpin looked back at him and winked.

  Devliik and another followed the creek around a huge rock that formed a bend and disappeared. Ten feet ahead, Pilpin and another dwarf were waiting on him.

  “I’m coming,” he muttered under his breath.

  From the other side of the rock, a dwarf cried out. A loud splash followed.

  Everyone burst into motion and pushed onward. Pilpin’s pair disappeared; two more dwarves passed Gorlee with weapons hoisted high. He dragged his horse through the creek toward the sound of the skirmish. Blood rushed through his ears.

  “Get off me!” a dwarf cried out.

  Gorlee bustled around the massive boulder, sword ready. The dwarves had gathered at the edge of the creek, where a pool of water had formed. Devliik and his horse were submerged to their necks in the middle. Devliik slung off a rope that had encircled him.

  “I don’t know your rope,” he bellowed. He urged his mount forward, but it continued to sink. “What manner of creek is this! It’s deep as a river!” His head whipped around, checking the waters. “I see stones where there are none.”

  Another dwarf tossed a rope around the horse’s neck and they began to tug.

  “One, two—Heave! One, two—Ho! One, two—Heave!”

  The horse nudged forward. Its hooves found solid footing and surfaced from the pool of water. Water ran out of Devliik’s armor and over the horse. The husky dwarf eyed the pool along with the rest of them.