The Four as One

by R. F. Pace

       Doars further explained to them they would be able to find it and the wizards were there to assist them in getting to the area, not to retrieve the stone.  Doars said, “Remember this, only the keeper of Yatuku can hold the stone.”  Jake then asked, “If that’s true, then how did the stone get into the caverns in the first place?”  Doars answered, “The only way it could have been taken there is if it was grouped with other treasure.”  After all was said, Doars bid them farewell until mid-morning the following day.

   

  ***

   

       They soon departed the tower and headed back to the Queen’s Inn.  They paid for an additional night before heading up to their rooms.  Again, they all gathered into Jake and Sara’s room.  Jake spoke first, “A few questions have been answered, but I still don’t like this whole thing.”  George uttered, “It looks like a one-way trip if you ask me.”  Jake said, “It would seem that way to me too.”  Tammy said, “The funny thing about this is it feels right, like we are supposed to be doing this.”  Sara exclaimed, “I agree with Tammy. I’m not scared nor do I feel anything bad about it.”  Jake said, “This is true, but I still feel the odds are stacked against us.”

       George jumped up and shouted, “I know we can do this.”  The others just gazed at George.  After thinking for a while, Jake said, “There is no question as to whether or not we can do this; I’m just worried about losing one of you.”  Sara snuggled up to him and said, “I don’t think that’s going to happen, so put that notion out of your head.  We don’t need any one thinking that way, especially when trouble comes our way.”

       George said, “We’ll need more supplies and are going to have to figure out a strategy to get in and out of there.”  Sara replied, “We don’t even know what the place looks like, so how are we going to form a strategy?”  Jake agreeing with George added, “Not an all-inclusive plan of attack, but what to do if certain things happen.”  George nodded and replied, “We will need a bunch of arrows for cover if things go bad, and maybe a bit more rope?  We could use something to cover a retreat, like a smoke grenade.”

       Jake looked at George and smiled.  Tammy and Sara were not impressed.  Sara said, “Why not a tank or two while we are at it?”  George replied, “Now you’re thinking, girlfriend!”  Tammy blushed a bit and slapped him.  George could only laugh.  Jake said, “Now that you said that, we could see if there are some things from the store we could use.”  “Like what?” Sara asked.  Jake thought for a few minutes and replied, “I’m not sure, but we should be able to make something we’ve learned about in school or from one of the many movies we’ve watched.  For instance, we could always get something like oil to start a fire if we needed too.”  George exclaimed, “Yes, now you’re thinking, Molotov cocktails!”  Jake just shook his head and smiled.

  CHAPTER 23

   

       When they woke up the next morning, they changed back into their traveling clothes.  The group departed the inn and went to the general store.  After shopping for a while, they had a collection of items they thought would serve them well.  Jake purchased eight additional bundles of arrows and food to last 10 people two weeks.  After getting all the supplies, Jake wished he hadn’t sold the other horses.

       It took a while to get the pack horses loaded and ready for travel.  After they finished, they headed toward the wizard’s tower to collect the four additional members of their group.  The roads were full of people going about their daily duties.  As they traveled to the wizard’s tower, they received odd looks from the various people in the streets.

       Arriving at the tower, the four new members were ready and waiting for them with horses packed.  The four were not what Jake expected to see as wizards.  All four men were only about 10-15 years older than them.  Jake had expected grizzled old men that were clutching the end of death’s rope.

       Doars greeted them and introduced the four men as his finest wizards: Taragin his assistant, Haralin, Fontun, and Stirgan.  Doars said, “They are here to assist you in this quest and will follow your lead.  Taragin is very knowledgeable about the area and will advise you.  The four are the most knowledgeable wizards in the whole area.  I expect them back in one piece.”

       Everyone bid Doars farewell in the courtyard, mounted up, then turned and rode for the gate.  The funny thing about the bigger group was that, it was even quieter now than when it was only the four of them.  Jake turned to Sara and said, “At least we have more people to stand watches now.”  She smiled at him and went back into deep thought.

       After riding several leagues, Taragin rode up to Jake and said, “We are being followed,” Jake looked back and couldn’t see anybody behind them.  Jake asked, “How do you know?  I don’t see anyone.”  He answered, “I cast a spell that allows me to sense others in the area.  I believe it to be six people that are staying just out of our view.”  Jake frowned. “What do you recommend we do about them?” Taragin said, “Nothing for now until we know who it is.  I just wanted you to be aware of them.”

       Jake informed each of the others and they continued to ride as if everything was normal.  When they stopped for a break and something to eat, Jake searched in vain for the group that was following them.  There were no signs of movement or anything out of the ordinary.

       Sara approached Jake, “You’re still looking for whoever is behind us, aren’t you?”  Jake replied, “Yes.  Whoever is back there, they don’t want to be seen.”  Sara recalled, “Remember when we were in the mountains and you got attacked by the troll?”  Jake nodded, “Yes, what does that have to do with this situation?”  Sara replied, “Every one of us had a bad feeling and knew something was wrong.  This situation doesn’t feel the same.”  Jake thought about what Sara said for a while.  Finally he admitted, “I think you’re right about this, but who would be following us?”  She replied, “I have no idea.  It could be anybody.”  Jake smiled at her, “Thanks, that makes me feel a little bit better about this situation.”

       Jake could see every one getting ready to mount up, so he got on his horse.  The group was now heading northeast at a decent pace.  The road twisted and turned, making it hard to see too far ahead.  Taragin informed them of several outlying farms and small towns that were in the area.  Jake questioned Taragin, “Is this the area where all the attacks have been happening?”  “No.  We are still a couple days ride until we get into that area,” he replied.  Jake sighed, “That’s good to know.  Is there anything we need to worry about in this area?” Taragin said, “Not that I can think of, other than a few wild animals and bandits now and then, but other than that we should be safe.”

   

  ***

   

       Camp was made about an hour before dark.  Taragin stated, “I will have Haralin cast a protection spell for this area and Fontun cast an alert spell around our perimeter.  This will allow all of us to sleep through the night.  Should anyone approach, the alert spell will activate.  It will sound like a bunch of wolves growling and snarling in the area that has been breached.”  Jake asked, “Can someone slip through it without being noticed?”  Fontun said, “A very high level-wizard could.  But if he is in this area and after us, none of us will be able to detect he is here.”  Whether Jake had a problem with this or not, he never said a thing.

      While everyone was talking, George and Stirgan had collected enough firewood to start a bonfire.  George had a nice pile set up and was using flint and steel to get it lit.  “You know,” Stirgan said, “you have the power inside you to get that started by using magic.”  He walked over, chanted a few seconds and the wood was ablaze.  George grinned and said, “You really need to teach me that one.”

       With the amount of light the fire produced, George was able to write the chant down in his spell book.  Stirgan also gave him the chant to extinguish the fire at a m
oment’s notice, which George recorded.  For the next hour, Stirgan had George practicing the simple chants.

       Tammy and Sara were sitting around watching Fontun make dinner.  In less than half the time they could make a simple meal, he had a full dinner prepared for everyone.  The group ate and told stories for a while after the dinner was finished.  Everyone lay near the fire and all were asleep shortly.

       The new day dawned and Taragin was the first up and had water going for breakfast.  When the others finally rolled out from under their blankets, the sun was rising and the sounds of nature were perking up.  Once everyone had finished breakfast, they were on the trail again.

  CHAPTER 24

   

       Two days had passed when Taragin warned everyone they were now in the area where the towns and villages had been attacked.  Jake suggested, “Let’s pair up and put about 10 yards between each group.”  Taragin replied, “Forgive me for asking, but what is a yard?”  Jake smiled and said, “No, forgive me.  It’s a measurement where we come from. There are three feet to a yard.”  Jake then showed him how long a foot was and said, “So let’s put about thirty feet from one group to the next”

       They grouped up with Jake and Sara; Taragin and Haralin; George and Tammy; and Fontun and Stirgan at the rear.  Two leagues into their ride, Taragin rode up to Jake and Sara and said, “Our followers are closer now than any previous time.”  Jake looked over his shoulder and still saw nothing.  Jake asked, “Anything other than them?”  Taragin pointed toward the west, “There is a small group of three or four bodies over there in the distance.”  He then pointed to the southeast, adding, “And another group that is a bit larger, about six or seven, over there.”  Jake asked, “Are they headed in our direction?”  Taragin replied, “The group to the west is closing ever so slightly and the group that is southeast is headed directly toward us.”

       Jake thought about whether they should head off the road into the high grass or stay on the road.  He decided the group should continue down the road where they could see further ahead and anything moving in their direction.  Jake turned and waited for Taragin.  Upon his approached, Jake said, “Please keep an eye on those groups so we’re not surprised by them.”  Taragin said, “I have been, and will let you know if they get close.  I will also advise of any other disturbances heading our way.”  Jake thanked him and rode back to the front.

       A couple of hours later, Taragin rode up to Jake and said, “The group coming from the southeast will be upon us within a short time.  They have closed the distance toward us in the past two leagues.”  Jake looked around for a place the group could hide, that would provide them the best protection if the group approaching were unfriendly, but was unable to locate one.  Jake motioned everyone in to inform them of what lay before them.  He advised that within a very short time, they were going to have company, and they might have to take a stand.  Jake said, “We will continue up the trail until we can find a spot to make our stand.  Keep an eye out for an area we can have our backs protected and a safe area for the horses.”

       Jake didn’t wait for any questions; he just turned his horse and rode on ahead.  Sara caught up to him and asked, “Are you okay?”  Jake replied, “Yea, why do you ask?”  “We normally talk about these things before we do anything,” she said, “You didn’t take anyone’s input.  You said this is how it’s going to be and took off.”  Jake said, “I’m sorry about that.  I just wanted to get moving away from whatever is coming at us.  I don’t want to be caught out in the open if they are hostile.”

       Jake thought for a minute then looked at Sara, “Can you think of anything we need to do?”  Sara just shook her head no.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t ask for your opinions,” he frowned, “I didn’t mean anything by it.”  Sara said, “I know you didn’t.  We just don’t want you feeling like you have to carry it all on your shoulders.”  Jake smiled at her, “You’re the greatest!” He sighed.  When Sara looked into his eyes, she could see he meant every word.  She gave him her cute smile and a wink, making Jake blush.

   

  ***

   

       About thirty minutes after Jake told everyone about the group approaching, George spotted movement on the horizon.  George shouted to Jake, “We have company!”  When Jake turned to see what George was talking about, George pointed in the direction of the approaching group. However, Jake couldn’t see what George was pointing at.  After several checks, however, he noticed them.  Jake said, “Looks like we are about out of time ladies and gentlemen.  We have about a league before they catch us, so it’s now or never to find a place to make a stand.”  Taragin said, “We can move off the road to that group of trees and bushes.”  “I guess that’s better than being in the open,” Jake said, “It will also give us some cover.”

       The group rode hard toward the trees.  When they entered them, everyone started dismounting.  Tammy said, “I’ll get the horses tied up over there.”  George said, “Once you have finished, let me know.  I’ll run a barricade rope about 10 to 15 feet out to prevent anything from getting to them quickly.”  Tammy, Sara and Fontun gathered the horses and tied them off in an area that was concealed by underbrush, away from the open.

       The rest of them fanned out in the area they had just come through.  Jake and George took the center.  When Sara and Tammy finished with the horses, Jake told Sara and Tammy to find a spot behind them.  George left briefly to barricade the horses, then returned to his post.  Jake wanted Sara and Tammy to cover the left and right flanks to prevent anyone from attacking from the sides.  Taragin and Stirgan were to fall back and cover the four archers from the middle.  Fontun and Haralin were to fall back near the horses and cover the rear.

       When everyone was set, Jake asked Taragin, “Does it look like we have good positions in your opinion?”  “Yes,” Taragin replied.  Jake said, “With you in the middle, you will need to let us know if we have to move or redirect us to an area that needs help.”  “I will do my best,” said Taragin.

       It didn’t take long before they could see the other group approaching.  The four teens had their bows ready to strike down whatever came before them.  The wizards were prepping spells in the event it would be needed.  When the approaching group was just a couple hundred yards from them, Taragin said, “Those are ogres.”  Jake didn’t understand the significance of that statement, so he asked, “So, what does that mean?”  Taragin replied, “They are very nasty creatures, with very little intelligence.  They love to feed on humans.  The entire ogre race is gifted with tremendous size and strength.  Their weakness is their lack of discipline.  They fight for themselves and not as a team.”  Haralin added, “Unless they are under the command of another race like the hobgoblins.  Then they follow their guidance and battle strategies.”  Taragin said, “This is true. They carry a great club and enjoy destroying everything they can.”

       Jake remarked snidely, “Well, we’ll just have to take them out with our arrows before they get too close.”  Taragin replied, “About that: they have quick reflexes making them very good at grasping things from the air.  They will have to be at close range before you release an arrow, otherwise it will be traveling too slowly and they will be able to grab it out of the air.”  Jake looked at Taragin with disbelief, “Anything else you would like to add.”  Taragin said, “Well now that you have asked, if they are too far to hit you with a club, they resort to throwing whatever object is available at their intended target.”

       The closer the group got the bigger the creatures seemed to be.  Everyone one of them stood between nine and ten feet tall.  Appearing to weigh between 600 to 650 pounds, with skin the color of dull brown dirt. They were wearing what looked like poorly cured animal hides.  They were hunched over a bit.  If you had to guess why they were hunched over, you would say it was because of their oversized heads and their
arms that appeared to be the size of trees.

       Taragin whispered, “At least none of them have skin that is blue-green.”  Jake asked, “And why is that important to us?”  Taragin, replied, “When they unlock their magical abilities their skin turns blue-green.”  Taragin smiled at Jake.  Jake shook his head and didn’t say anything.  Stirgan called out to George, “Do you remember the spell I taught you the other night?  We will use it on the front two.”  George started grinning and said, “Sounds good to me.”

       When the six ogres were close, George and Stirgan cast their spells on the front two.  The furs were ignited and the two ogres went berserk and charged twice as fast.  Jake, Sara and Tammy released arrows at them, but all three arrows went wide.  The two that were on fire would be upon them before they could notch another arrow, so they drew their swords.

       The first ogre swung his great club from the side at George’s head.  He was able to duck just in the nick of time.  A tree near George took the full force of the blow and exploded into a thousand splinters.  Reacting quickly, George tried to stab the ogre in the midsection, but it grabbed the sword around the blade.  George pulled the sword back toward himself.  When he did, it removed most of the ogre’s fingers, thus causing it to shriek out with a loud and furious battle cry.  George then jabbed the sword into the ogre’s gut.  Instead of pulling the sword straight out, George held tight, maneuvering the sword in an attempt to cut the ogre in half.  When he withdrew the sword he left a huge nasty gash in the ogre. Thinking quickly, he then rammed his sword into its neck.

       Jake was confronted by the second ogre that was going berserk.  The only thing Jake could do was parry to avoid being struck by the massive club.  The ogre swung at Jake and struck his sword near the hand guard.  The sword went flying out of Jake’s hand and was embedded six inches into a nearby tree.  The ogre was on a downward swing with his club when Jake held his hands up, his palms toward the ogre, yelling. “Noooooooo!”  Jake’s view of the world went into a shimmering wavy mess.  The next thing he saw, was the battle around moving in slow motion.  The ogre that had been in front of him was gone.  Then, all at once everything went into real time and Jake blacked out.