"What of Lorik?" Hennick asked. "Is he in danger?"
"I do not think so," said Rolwyn. "He has been touched by our magic. He carries the Swords of Acromin, which may have power of their own. In my opinion, he will attract magic, both for good and for ill."
"Lorik," Hennick said calmly. "There are many types of magic in the world. Most of it has been dormant for centuries. We have seen the old ways die, along with the ancient creatures who once roamed this world. Something is stirring that power again. We could see it manifest in just about anything. Some of it will be dark, it will feel cold and menacing. If you let it, it will control you. Some magic will be good, but it is only as good as the person wielding it. You have the capacity for good or for bad, just like every other intelligent being. This magic you felt may return, it may even grow stronger in you. Remember, it does not define you. It is something you can control."
"Should I try to use it again?" Lorik asked.
"Only time will tell what this power will be," said Rolwyn. "Trust your heart, tall one. Your heart is good, it will not lead you astray."
"Alright," Lorik said, standing up. "Then I must go. I will do all I can to stop the evil the witch is sending against us. If we do not meet again, know that I... I am honored to have met you all."
"And we are honored, Lorik," Hennick said. "Your name and your story will not be forgotten by the Drery Dru."
Lorik bowed, then he left the group of elves. Outside he found Shayah waiting for him. She had a tray with sliced fruit and a sweet drink that filled a little pitcher that she gave Lorik to drink from.
"You have a beautiful home," Lorik told Shayah.
He sat down on the edge of the wooden walkway that spiraled up and down, around the inside of the tree trunk. His legs dangled down. He sipped the drink. It was sweet and refreshingly cool.
"Are your villages not the same?" Shayah asked.
"No," Lorik said. "Most of our cities are small. We build with stone and wood, but not even the greatest castles in the Five Kingdoms are built with as much craftsmanship as your home. And, truth be told, most human cities are dirty places.”
“Dirty?” Shayah said.
“We keep animals,” Lorik explained. “Our homes are on the ground. The streets get muddy, the smells of trash and animal waste fill the air. The rain and wind erode the wood and stone of our homes until they look dark and foreboding. It takes a lot of work to keep a home on the ground looking nice.”
“The wood erodes? How is that possible?”
“The wood is cut and milled,” Lorik said, not thinking about what he was saying. The look of horror on Shayah’s face made him stop.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“No,” Shayah said. “It is known that humans cut down trees and use the wood to make all kinds of things. It’s just difficult to hear you speak of it so casually.”
“I meant no offense,” Lorik said.
“You should not apologize. Our people have grown apart.”
“I wish it were not so,” Lorik said. “The Drery Dru are a remarkable race. We could learn so much from you.”
“Perhaps when the darkness passes, we will have a chance to learn from each other again.”
“That would make me happy,” Lorik said, but he couldn’t keep the melancholy from his voice.
“You don’t sound happy,” Shayah said. “What troubles you?”
“Nothing,” Lorik said. “My thoughts are sometimes dour; I am sorry. I should never be sad in a magnificent place such as this.”
“The Drery Dru believe that a blessing shared is twice as sweet, and a burden shared is half as heavy.”
“That is true. I will tell what makes my heart heavy. There is trouble in the south. As you have said, a great darkness is looming. I will do all in my strength to hold it back, but I fear that in doing so I will never see the beauty of the Wilderlands again. I do not fear death, but I regret that I had so little time among your people.”
“You carry the swords of Acromin,” Shayah said. “The first time I saw you, I felt there was something different about you. When you scaled the King Tree, we watched in awe. Never have we seen such relentless determination. I can’t imagine that anything would stop you, Lorik, but you must believe in your own strength and goodness. Fear and doubts only tear us down. I will watch for your return every day,” she added with a smile. “I have no doubt you will come again to the great forest. Perhaps then you can settle into the King Tree and the Wilderlands will thrive once again.”
Lorik smiled. Then he handed her the pitcher she had given him. He climbed to his feet and looked around Erkadine again.
“I will carry your faith in me, close to my heart,” he said.
“And we shall be waiting for your triumphant return.”
Chapter 8
When the sun rose, Lorik came walking out of the Wilderlands. He knew in his heart what he needed to do, but there was still so much to be done before he could leave the camp again. In his mind, he made a list of the many tasks he wanted to accomplish. It felt like he was getting his house in order so that if he didn’t return, those he left behind would not be left wanting.
His first stop was to the little tent that Vera and Stone used when they were in camp. His best friends always made him feel welcome, even though he knew the constant demands of the camp were taking a heavy toll on their relationship. Vera was adjusting a small pot on the little fire that was burning outside the tent.
“I didn’t make enough breakfast for you,” Vera said.
“I’m not here to eat.”
“Liam is still sleeping. He needs some rest,” she said protectively.
“I agree. I’m here to see you.”
Vera looked up.
“Is something wrong?”
“No,” Lorik said. “I just need your help convincing Queen Issalyn to go to Baskla and recruit King Ricard to our cause.”
“You don’t think she’ll go?”
“She doesn’t want to.”
“She wouldn’t refuse you,” Vera said. “She’s smitten, just like half the girls in this camp.”
“I don’t need a lover,” Lorik explained. “I need a queen who can convince our ally to help us. She’s the only person for the job.”
“Why can’t you do it?” Vera asked.
Lorik looked down, then squatted by the fire.
“What aren’t you telling me?” Vera said.
They had been friends a long time and Lorik knew he couldn’t keep a secret from Vera. She was perceptive and smart, so he didn’t try to hide his plans although he knew she wouldn’t like them.
“I think the best thing for me to do is take a group of men south and try to slow the army marching toward the camp.”
Vera looked at Lorik as if he had just gone completely insane.
“I know, it’s a dangerous mission, but if we wait, they’ll show up here and there’s no way I can protect everyone.”
“Have you considered the possibility that protecting everyone isn’t your responsibility?” Vera said, stirring the pot of porridge she was cooking.
“I don’t want to debate this with you,” Lorik said.
“Too bad. If you want my help, you’ll at least do me the courtesy of explaining why you think committing suicide is the right course of action.”
“I’m not planning on committing suicide,” Lorik said.
“No, you’re just going to face an army with a couple dozen farmers turned soldiers. What do you really expect to accomplish?”
“If Issalyn can get King Ricard to bring his army to the border, then most of these refugees could find safety in Baskla. But what if the enemy gets here before that? What if King Ricard is slow to arrive? My only priority at this point is to give him time to get here. Then, and only then, do we have a chance of defeating this horde.”
“You have all the answers, don’t you?” she said, her anger simmering just below the surface. “You won’t listen to how foolish your plan is.”
<
br /> “Okay, tell me,” Lorik said.
“You can’t stop an army. You tried that before, remember.”
“I do,” Lorik said. “And you’re right, I got in over my head, but it was still the right thing to do. I was saved by the wizard from Yelsia, but he might have just flown right by us if I hadn’t been in danger. And as I recall, between myself, the wizard, and his dragon, we did turn back an entire army.”
“You won’t have a wizard or his dragon,” Vera argued.
“No, but my power is growing. The Drery Dru said that what happened with the Leffer wasn’t an isolated incident.”
“The what?”
“The Leffer, that’s what they called the horse monsters.”
“So now you think you can defeat entire armies by yourself?”
“I won’t be by myself,” Lorik argued. “I’ll have a group of trained fighters with me. We’ll be mounted. We can move fast, strike hard, then retreat. I don’t have to stop the evil witch’s army, I just need to slow it down. We’d be sending out scouts to find out exactly what we’re facing, but this way I can see the enemy for myself.”
“Don’t try to convince me of the wisdom of your plan,” Vera said. “I only see a lot of people dying. You know Liam will go with you,” she said in a quieter tone. “He chooses you every time. He won’t listen to reason.”
“I won’t let him go,” Lorik said. “I think he should go with Queen Issalyn. She’ll need a proper guard, and he can take his pick of the volunteers.”
Vera just laughed.
“What?” Lorik asked.
“You know he won’t do it. He won’t guard the queen while you go out and fight the enemy. If you think he will, you don’t know him at all.”
“So you’ll have to convince him,” Lorik said. “I can’t make my decisions based on what Stone will do. I have to do what is best for everyone.”
“What is best for everyone is for you to stay here, fortify the camp, keep everyone’s spirits up. Can’t you see that? You won’t do us any good by getting yourself killed.”
“I won’t get killed.”
“Men always think they’re immortal until they’re lying in the mud bleeding to death,” Vera said.
“Will you help me?”
“I don’t know what I can do.”
“Come with me to see the queen,” Lorik said. “She is a woman of reason, but she needs to hear more than just my side of the argument.”
“Fine,” Vera said. “But on one condition.”
“What’s that?” Lorik asked.
“When Liam insists on going with you, and I know he will, I will go as well.”
“No,” Lorik said. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Of course it isn’t,” Vera said. “It’s a bad idea for any of us to go, but if you insist on making a bad decision and asking for my blessing, then you will kindly do me the same favor.”
“Fine,” Lorik said. “But if Stone sends you back, I’ll support him.”
“Agreed,” Vera said.
Lorik nodded and stood up.
“I love you, Vera,” he said. “You’re a good friend.”
She stopped stirring for a moment and gazed up at Lorik. Her expression softened but she didn’t reply. They had a long history and she had always been stubborn, doing what she thought was best despite what anyone else thought. She had refused to marry Lorik, even though he offered multiple times, because she knew he didn’t love her. She had loved him like a brother and had leaned on him during the hardest times in her life. When she’d left their village in Hassell Point with Liam, things had not turned out the way she imagined. When Lorik came back into their lives, she was angry and afraid, but she had always known that he cared for her. She would always have someone as long as Lorik was around, which was why she hated the thought of him going into harm’s way.
Lorik turned and left. Vera watched him go, feeling a sadness welling up inside her. The tent flaps behind her moved and Liam crawled out of the tent.
“Was that Lorik?” he asked.
“Yes,” Vera replied.
“What did he need?”
“He wants help convincing Queen Issalyn to go to King Ricard in Baskla to seek his aid.”
“Oh, he didn’t need me for anything?”
“He wants you to rest today. Then he wants you to lead the queen’s guard.”
“What? Why would I do that?”
“Because Lorik is going south to slow the enemy.”
“Damn, you said he would,” Stone said. “I still can’t believe it. He really said that was his plan.”
“Yes.”
“We can’t let him do it alone.”
“I know,” Vera said. “I told him as much.”
“Did he argue?”
“No, he knows better than that.”
“Smart man,” Stone said with a smile as he settled down beside Vera.
He leaned over and she kissed him, but her lips were salty with tears.
“What’s wrong?” Stone asked.
“I’m going to lose you both,” she whispered.
“No,” Stone said compassionately. “Of course you aren’t. You can’t get rid of me, you know that. I love you too much.”
“This is different,” Vera said. “This isn’t a band of outlaws or even an army of Norsik raiders. This is an army created by an evil witch. Don’t pretend it’s not a big deal, Liam. None of us have ever faced anything like this.”
“No, not in our lifetime,” Stone said, his voice rising with conviction. “But it isn’t the first time that darkness has tried to cast its shadow across the Five Kingdoms. I may not have believed the legends and myths before, but I’ve seen dragons, and elves, and monsters. I’ve seen the impossible come to life before my very eyes. Hell, just look at Lorik. He’s like a hero from a bedtime story. The men will follow him into the jaws of death if that’s what he tells them to do. Maybe we are facing terrible odds, but my money is on Lorik. And if he’s going south, then I’m going with him.”
“And I’m going with you.”
“No,” Stone said. “Not this time.”
“Don’t argue with me,” Vera said softly as she spooned the porridge into a bowl. “I’m going with you whether you escort Queen Issalyn or go with Lorik to fight the witch’s army. I won’t leave you, not after all we’ve been through.”
“Fine,” Stone said. “The truth is, I’ll be glad to have you along. Besides, maybe it isn’t as bad as the wizard said. Maybe the army won’t even come to Ortis.”
Vera smiled, she loved Liam’s optimism. She leaned against his shoulder for a minute while he ate, then stood up.
“I have work to do,” she said.
“I’ll help you,” he said, covering his mouth with his hand.
“No,” Vera said. “I can do this. You stay here, rest. There will be plenty for you to do tomorrow.”
“I’m fine, I don’t need to rest.”
“Everyone needs rest, Liam,” Vera said. “Please, do this for me.”
“Alright, but if you need anything I’ll be right here.”
She smiled and hurried away before he could see the tears in her eyes again. She couldn’t help but fear that she would need him, and he wouldn’t be around to help her. She didn’t understand why men had to rush toward danger. She loved Liam, but she held a little part of her heart back from him. He was wonderfully kind and tender with her. He never held her past against her, or blamed her when he grew angry, but she couldn’t love him completely, not when the threat of death hung over his every move.
Chapter 9
Lorik found nearly a hundred new volunteers waiting for him at the edge of camp where he drilled his men. His volunteers were there waiting too, and normally he would have Stone work with them. Lorik was more of a brawler than a true warrior. Stone, on the other hand, was a trained fighter. He was more accustomed to helping people develop the skills they needed in the face of terrifying circumstances. It isn’t natural to stand your
ground when barbarian tribesmen from Norsik are rushing toward you screaming their guttural battle cry. It’s even more difficult to ride toward huge, monstrous creatures that looked as if they just stepped out of your worst nightmares. Lorik had no idea what the witch’s army would look like or how they would fight, but he knew he needed these volunteers trained as quickly as possible.
“You all know that this is a volunteer force,” Lorik told the group. “There is no pay for this work and you’ll most likely be killed doing it.”
“We may have left our farms, but we can fight,” said one.
“I’d rather die fighting,” said another.
“I won’t let anything happen to my womenfolk,” came a gravelly voice.
“Good,” Lorik said. “Then let’s get started.”
He spent the better part of an hour dividing the group of volunteers into smaller groups. There weren’t enough horses for every volunteer, so most would have to serve as regular foot soldiers. That was alright in the long run, because while most of the farmers were familiar with horses, few were competent riders.
Finding weapons for everyone wasn’t difficult. The Norsik had left most of theirs behind when Zollin and the dragon Ferno had driven them back into the Wilderlands. Unfortunately, the swords were short and the shields were small, not much bigger than a dinner platter. Lorik was used to heavier weapons and he regretted giving Stone the day to rest. The younger man was much more adept at wielding small weapons than Lorik was.
Lorik ran the men through a series of drills. First, they ran, then, while they were still panting for breath, he made them shoot bows at a target. A few of the volunteers were good shots with a bow and had the sense to slow their breathing and steady their hands before loosing their arrows. He immediately pulled them apart from the larger group and sent them with one of his regular volunteers. They would be armed with bows, but their first task was to look after the meager supply of arrows in the camp.
Then Lorik had the remaining newcomers fight one another with wooden staves. Most had no sword skills, but that could be taught. Those that had experience with weapons were given the longer swords common in Ortis. Those without swordcraft would be taught with the Norsik weapons.
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