The Bad Seed

by Michael Lackey

  "Fall to position! Wait for them to advance!" Gabriel shouted the order.

  Kegan turned to the other side, "Battle formation! Short wall!" As he bellowed the orders, all the Iron Army dwarves formed a barrier around them with their shields.

  Human archers set up position behind the warriors in rows of two. First row with arrows notched in position, second row knelt, waiting their time. The orcs flooded out of the gates and headed for the refugees.

  "Wait for them! Wait for my command!" Gabriel shouted. As the orcs reached halfway across the entrance road, Gabriel ordered, "Fire at will! Make your marks!"

  Arrows flew, each one felling an orc. First row knelt as the second stood and let loose their arrows. Just as the first, the row of orcs fell. This continued until the mass of bloodthirsty orcs reached the Iron Army wall.

  "Dwarves! It's bone crackin' time!"

  Just before the green skins reached the wall, the dwarves pushed their blades forward. As the first wave collided, they found themselves on the wrong end of the dwarf steel. They retracted their swords and clashed with the horde of orcs. Humans and dwarves banding together, fighting for the Light.

  Gabriel stormed through the oncoming orcs, slashing his way to the gates. He reached the back of the mob and found a group of barkers waiting inside the courtyard.

  In the center of the mindless killers stood Dori'naur. "Welcome home, former king. Do you like what we have done to our castle?"

  Gabriel gritted his teeth and snarled, "This is my home. I will take it back. Your head will adorn my mantle."

  "I had hoped that was your answer." Dori'naur motioned his hand and the barkers made their way toward Gabriel.

  He took a step back, thinking of a way out when he heard a voice behind him.

  "We are with you, lead us."

  Hatholon stood with a large group of the dwarves and humans.

  Gabriel smiled. "Strike hard, strike fast, they are slower than most."

  The group charged forward as the barkers leapt for them. The battle-hardened dwarves started to slice through the barkers. Hatholon and Gabriel stood shoulder to shoulder as the minions encircled them and Dori'naur slowly stalked toward them.

  "Your time has come to meet your father face-to-face. You will fall to the master."

  "I have met my father and I have his blessing. You are about to meet your end." Gabriel swung low, sweeping at the feet of the barkers nearest him, and they leapt straight up to avoid the strike. Hatholon swung high and separated their heads from their bodies.

  They turned their attention to the demon Dori'naur and slowly walked his way.

  "You will pay for the lives you have sacrificed," Gabriel said.

  “It is a price I gladly pay,” Dori'naur said, turning away and disappeared in a cloud of smoke, his laughter ringing throughout the courtyard.

  "We need to give the signal to Antoine and George. Once they have started their attack, we will signal Tradan and Andrea." Hatholon nodded and pulled a horn from his satchel. A low, loud tone echoed through the air.

  "Do we press forward and search out the demon, my lord?" Hatholon asked.

  Gabriel paused to think, "Not just yet. We need to keep the focus on us and Antoine's company for now." They ran back toward the battle to give the others time.

  At the Eastern wall, the signal horn was heard. "That is our signal. Company to position!" Antoine shouted.

  "Group B, on my mark!" George ordered.

  "Group A! Ladder men and blades! GO! GO!" Antoine followed behind a group of men carrying large ladders and watched as they leaned them against the walls.

  Several orcs seen atop the walls were alerted to their presence.

  "Group B, archers! Clear those walls!" George shouted.

  As the orcs prepared to push the ladders, a stream of arrows pelted the top of the castle wall, instantly dropping several defenders and pushing back some of the others. Volley after volley, the arrows flew. The ladder men knew when to advance and when to hold back. Under the cover of fire from Group B, the blades on the ladders made it to the top and over. As each one made their way over, the last of the group gave the signal wave to Group B to join them.

  "Group B! Time to climb!" George shouted the order and the warriors advanced to the wall.

  Once over the wall, they spread out through the hallways and corridors taking down any orc or barker that stood against them. George was the last atop the wall, but before joining his men, he blew his signal horn alerting Andrea and Tradan to move their group forward on their mission. George felt a rush of emotions and memories as he stepped inside the castle. It was the first time he had been inside since the demons held him and Elizabeth eighteen years ago. Much had happened in those years; much had been lost.

  George took a deep breath. "This is why we are here, for all the people we lost, for you Elizabeth. I am glad Launa is safe outside." With that he drew his sword and ran in to join his men.

  As George blew his signal horn, Tradan and Andrea readied the few warriors to advance on the Southern wall.

  "Antoine said there was a spot where the trees hung close to the walls and offer easy access to the top. We can quietly enter from behind and find Malonox and cut the head from the serpent," said Andrea.

  The group ran from the tree blind and rounded the corner of the walls.

  "This is not good," Justin replied as the group came to a quick stop.

  The trees burned to blackened stumps, leaving nothing behind.

  "Change of plan. It will take a bit longer, but just as effective." Tradan grabbed Andrea by the arms and flew to the top of the wall.

  They made a quick sweep to check for lookouts. One by one Tradan flew the group to the top.

  "All right, we know what we have to do. Be quick and be safe." Andrea reiterated the plan to the group as they separate and search the castle. The refugees and the Iron Army were slowly working their way into the castle courtyard, drawing the attention to them and killing as many of the orcs as they could. This gave the smaller groups cover to search for the demons.

  Tradan turned a corner and caught sight of Dori'naur as he stood with a group of his new and improved barkers. "Welcome young Prince, or should I call you Champion? Your training is not enough for what you will face today. Are you prepared to die so young?"

  Tradan gripped the Bloodblade. "My training will be enough to end your life."

  Dori'naur cut him off. "My life may come to an end by your hand or someone else's today, alas you are not enough!"

  With that, he sent the barkers after them. Tradan set his mind while Justin and the others engaged with the minions. The young Champion opened his eyes and he lunged forward without hesitation, thrusting his blade to the right, catching a barker in the back of his head. With a flick of his wrist, he separated the barker’s head from his body, dropping it in a heap of ash. In a fluid motion, the blade swung left, connecting with a minion slicing completely through them. Calmly and methodically, he walked through the fighting group, dropping barker after barker until it was just Dori'naur.

  "No one interfere, he is mine."

  The demon let out a wicked laugh. "Stupid boy, did you really think it would end here? Our time will come, patience is a virtue." As before, in a puff of smoke, he was gone.

  "We will find them, my Lord," Justin repeated.

  Tradan nodded his head. "I know we will. I also know we will end their reign of horror."

  Meanwhile, Andrea and her group entered a corridor, but Rauko' stood at the end, with his demon dogs. "Ah, what do we have here, a welcoming group? Well then let me introduce you to two very important parts of my family. Shaaux and Varg, make them feel at home."

  The hellhounds bared their teeth and charged the refugees. Shaaux leapt for Andrea, knocking her to the floor. Varg circled the group, snarling at his prey. Justin reached for a torch that was still lit from the night before. He waved the torch back and forth in front of the demon dog, not to intimidate him, but hoping to prove a distractio
n. As Varg focused on him, the pause allowed the others to spread out and form a plan. Andrea had her hands full with Shaaux, hacking and slashing at the beast.

  A loud howl of pain echoed through the halls, as the human Sherman slipped in unnoticed, buried his blade into the hindquarters of the hellhound. Shaaux turned her attention away from Andrea, unleashing a blood curdling bark, causing Sherman to freeze in his tracks long enough for her to pounce. Shaaux sank her teeth deep into him, the sound of his bones being snapped was soon drowned out by his screams of pain. A quick twist of her head and poor Sherman was no more, torn to shreds by her razor-sharp teeth, and scattered them across the floor in pieces. Varg, saw the human scraps fly and turned his attention to the floor for a quick snack.

  Andrea regained her senses and sent a dagger flying toward the beast. It found its mark, cutting a rope that secured a large candle fixture from the ceiling. Both hounds were too busy chewing their snack to realize it before it came crashing down on top of them.

  "Now! While they are dazed, go for their throats!" Andrea shouted.

  The group rushed in, blades slashing. The hellhounds howled in pain; their master could not bear their cries.

  "I will not lose you again!" Rauko' shouted as he unsheathed his blades. The demon rushed to his pets’ aid, spearing one of the refugees in the back, lifting him high above his head, and then slammed his body to the floor.

  "Take care of those mutts, I'll take the demon," Andrea bellowed.

  She swiped hard at the demon, but his left blade blocked the strike and he slashed high with his right. Andrea barely ducked out of the way. He kicked her to the ground, crouching above her.

  Rauko' laughed, pulling back his hood and asked, "Stupid girl, did you really think you could defeat me? The dark God of the wild? DID YOU?"

  She looked deep into his burning eyes, "No, I just wanted to keep you busy for him."

  A loud yelp was heard. Rauko' turned to see Tradan standing with the head of Varg in his hand and the Bloodblade through the neck of Shaaux. He hurled the beast's head at Rauko', as it landed it returned to ash.

  The demon lept to his feet and straight for Tradan. As Rauko' slashed at Tradan, his blade still ablaze, he blocked the demon's moves.

  "Get them out of here, stay to the plan find the others."

  Andrea led the group out searching for Malonox and Craotonus.

  "You should have kept them here Champion. You will need them to carry your lifeless body to your father."

  Tradan gripped the blade, spinning to his left catching the demon's chin with the hilt. Rauko' staggered back, Tradan spread his wings, "I will see my father when I deliver your head to him."

  He thrust his majestic wings forward, sending a burst of wind in the demon's direction. Flying behind the gust, he landed a punch to Rauko's face, but it barely stunned him.

  "I hope you have something better than that. I want to enjoy killing you for what you did to my children." Rauko' grabbed him by his special made chest plate, "You want to fly? Feel free." In a flash, Rauko' had Tradan pushed through an open window. Shadows emitted from the demon's armor, swirling around Tradan, trapping his wings close to his body. "I will see you at the bottom champion. Do not die until I get to you." He pushed Tradan from the window and disappeared in a ploom of smoke.

  As Tradan fell from the tower, he stilled his breath and said a few enchanted words. His body slowed in the air until he came to a complete stop, hovering just above the ground. His eyes glowed bright and the shadows started to fade.

  Rauko' appeared just as the shadows broke and Tradan stepped to the ground. "Well, I may have underestimated you. No longer." Rauko' unleashed his blades and swiped for Tradan.

  The Champion was unphased. He brought the Bloodblade up, stopping the strike short. The blade ignited, and Tradan's eyes grew brighter as he smiled. "Your days will come to an end. You will pay for your sins against this world and every single life you have taken." He pushed the demon back, delivering a flurry of strikes, each one countered by Rauko'. Sparks flew from the cold steel as they struck at each other.

  Rauko' removed his hood revealing his horrid bone face. "My master will reign once more over this world and the heavens. You will fall, dear Champion, just as all the others before you."

  Tradan heard these words and wondered how many have tried and failed? Why did Benzoete not tell them of the others? A sharp pain filled Tradan's arm, Rauko' had opened his flesh during his distraction. The pain snapped him back to the task at hand. The demon swung wildly, slashing at him. The pain grew in Tradan's arm, but he matched every swing, every slash, and every thrust. The battle took them into the midst of the courtyard where the armies were still battling for control. The site of the Champion of Light brawling with a disciple of darkness attracted most of the attention from the armies.

  "Rauko' the Hunter! You will pay for the suffering you caused the city of Weelinn!"

  The voice was Hatholon, who now stood with Tradan.

  Rauko' delivered a kick with so much force it sent Tradan flying backward.

  "I can still smell the death of your people on my blades. They were worthless."

  Hatholon stepped forward, slashing the head from an oncoming orc. "My people were living in peace until you nearly wiped them from existence. They gave you what you wanted... what you asked for and you still slaughtered them, my sister gave you the answer you asked, and she was fed to your beasts!" Hatholon now stood face-to-face with Rauko'. Tradan fought his way back to them. "If I fall here, avenge the people of New Weelinn." Hatholon told Tradan. He then pushed his blade toward the demon's head. The edge of the steel slid just under Rauko's' chin.

  Rauko’ sensed an easy kill, he advanced swinging in a diagonal arc, "My turn." Hatholon staggered back.

  Hatholon gathered his balance under him and slashed low, catching Rauko' right above the knee. It slowed the demon, startling him for a moment. Hatholon stepped into his battle stance and took advantage of the surprise. Slash and hack, strike after strike, Hatholon was filled with eighteen years of hatred. He could hear his sister's voice playing over and over when she was at the mercy of Rauko's beasts while he was hidden away. He vowed that day to kill Rauko' and today he was determined to fulfill that vow. A strong swing of his broadsword severed Rauko's' left hand and retractable blade off when he tried blocked the strike. The demon howled in pain. An orc came at Hatholon to protect his master, the elven warrior hurled his sword finding its mark in his chest. He grabbed his bow from off his back and fired a stream of arrows at Rauko'.

  One by one the demon cut them from the air with his fist blade of his right hand, some of the arrows slipped through and found their mark. Rauko' looked down at several arrows lodged in his chest as a burning sensation coursed through his body.

  "What is this magic? This is no mortal weapon." He pulled the arrows from his body and watched his blood drip from the tips.

  "You will suffer! These are weapons of the Gods blessed by Akadius himself." Hatholon yanked a sword from a dead orc and ran toward Rauko'. Again, he attacked with a vengeance.

  Weakened by the blessed arrows, Rauko' fought on the defensive for survival. "Minions! Come aid your master!" The surrounding orcs rushed to help Rauko'.

  Tradan had stayed out of the battle between Hatholon and Rauko', but the orcs were tipping the balance. He stormed forward to cut them off. Gabriel saw Tradan and ran to help him.

  "Kegan, push inside. We will find you."

  Kegan shouted to the Iron Army as he pulled his war hammer from the face of an orc beneath him. "It's time boys! Show 'em why we don' back down!" The Iron Army all grunted in unison, pushing toward the main entrance of the castle.

  Tradan and Gabriel held the orcs off as Hatholon and Rauko' battled behind them. "If you need us, we are here."

  "This is my fight. Live or die, I do on my own," he said, and Gabriel gave him a nod.

  Hatholon grabbed a blade. "One of us, demon, will leave this world now."

  The e
lf had tears streaming down his face. His mind flooded with the memory of his sister and the people of Weelinn as they were destroyed by this demon and his minions. The warriors faced off for the last time, Hatholon swung the blade catching Rauko' in the abdomen. Rauko' grabbed the blade of the sword with his one hand and punched him in the face with the remaining stump on his left arm. Hatholon stumbled back and Rauko' pulled the sword from his stomach and plunged it into the chest of Hatholon.

  "When you see your sister, tell her Rauko' sent you to her."

  With a smile, Hatholon looked deep into his face. "We can tell her together."

  He had grabbed a short sword from where he fell, as Rauko' looked down, he felt a sharp pain. Hatholon had the sword pushed to the hilt through his chest. Hatholon spat blood into the demon's face, "Now, the people of Weelinn can rest in peace."

  Rauko' leapt to his feet, grasping the sword. Could a mere elf defeat the mighty hunter? He pulled the blade and watched his life flow from the wound. Rauko' fell to his knees, "Master, forgive me. . ."

  Gabriel rushed to Hatholon as Tradan landed behind Rauko' and used the Bloodblade to sever his head. The power instilled inside the Bloodblade meant the end of Rauko' the Hunter, never to return.

  "This was my destiny, my fate," Hatholon coughed. "I can go to my sister, with my head held high."

  Gabriel smiled at the brave warrior. "You earned your rest, go to your family."

  As the last breath left Hatholon's body, Dori'naur appeared from the Shadows of the main doorway. "NO! It does not end this way, human!" A sea of barkers flooded past Dori'naur and into the battlefield. "Destroy everything that moves!"

  45

  New Day For Tomorrow

  Infuriated by the loss of his brother, Dori'naur sent all the barkers on a rampage.

  "Bring me the head of the Champion, destroy everything else."

  As the sea of barkers came lumbering out for the king and his son, a single arrow flew over the wall, striking the lead minion between the eyes. As the first one dropped to ash the sky turned dark. Gabriel looked up and grabbed Tradan and pulling him back just in time to see thousands of arrows rain down on the barkers. Gabriel turned to Kegan to see if this was his plan, when Zachery and Barrok came soaring over the wall and sat down between them and Dori'naur with a roar.