The First Compact: The Karus Saga (The Karus Saga: Book Book 3)

by Marc Alan Edelheit

  After a few hours, the scouting parties had reported the enemy’s fortified camp was still occupied. They had also found tens of thousands of dead orcs who had not been able to escape the city. After so many setbacks, Karus had succeeded in damaging the enemy’s army far more than he had dared hope. The scouts had even made contact with Valens’s cavalry, who were active beyond the city’s walls.

  Once they had heard back from the scouts, Karus and Dennig had made the snap decision to eyeball the enemy’s encampment personally. Which was why they were standing before the blackened and charred gate. Kol’Cara and six of the Anagradoom were with them.

  Felix had insisted Karus be accompanied by a century of men, as the scouting parties had found enemy survivors and taken prisoners. And so, Karus found himself waiting for the century to join them. Felix had gone to hurry them along.

  The scouts had reported there were no organized enemy forces within the city. But still, Karus realized it paid to be careful. The remains of the enemy army were outside the city walls, in their encampment. More important, their numbers were supposedly significantly reduced. To what extent, Karus did not yet know.

  Apparently, while the city had burned and much of the enemy’s strength was caught inside, Valens had taken advantage of the opportunity and launched a dismounted attack on the enemy’s camp. Striking at night, it had caught the enemy completely by surprise. Outnumbered, the dismounted cavalry had killed several hundred before being compelled to withdraw when the orcs had rallied and held firm. Apparently, from what the scouts had told him, it had been a close thing.

  The enemy had simply refused to break, and Valens decided to cut his losses and disengage. The cavalry prefect’s move had been a bold one, and though he had not succeeded, Karus applauded the effort.

  Even more encouraging, the enemy appeared to be preparing to march, which was exceptionally good news. It meant they were leaving. They’d had enough. No matter how one looked at it, he had achieved a victory. The legion would live to fight another day.

  Divius, Lanza, and two other legionaries from his team had reported in the day before. They had somehow survived the inferno that had torn through the city. Karus hoped the others had made it as well. But he knew that was unlikely. The entire venture had been terribly risky to begin with. Seven lives spent to save the legion and savage an enemy army. Though it pained him to lose those seven good men, it was a trade that Karus would take every time.

  He turned as Ugin stepped through the hole that had been cut in the gate. His protectors filed out after him. They carried packs and appeared to be prepared for a journey. Karus understood what it meant. The Vass were leaving too.

  Ugin stepped up next to Karus. His eyes were on the destruction. He said nothing. They stood there in silence for a time.

  “We had to destroy the city to save it,” Karus said, almost to himself, as his eyes raked the sprawling wasteland that spread outward before them. In the distance, only city walls were recognizable.

  “What was that?” Ugin asked, looking over at him. “What did you mean you had to destroy the city to save it?”

  “It was something I heard a long time ago,” Karus said. “When I was a fresh-faced recruit, just out of basic training. My cohort was charged with helping an allied village … to save it really. That was our mission. They were being regularly raided by their neighbors, who ironically were also allies of ours. The village was valuable to the legion, as we bought the food they grew, mostly barley and beans. We were sent to keep the peace. Our presence was supposed to deter the raiders, send them a message.”

  “It did not,” Ugin said, “did it?”

  “No,” Karus said. “The raiders learned we were there and returned with the intention of finishing off the village, us included. Thankfully, the village had walls. They showed up with more than four thousand warriors.”

  Karus sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. That time, so long ago, was still vivid in his memory. It always would be, for it had been his first real fight. “We held that village for five long days, until someone back at the garrison decided we were overdue for a report. They sent two cohorts to check on us.”

  Falling silent, Karus recalled the smoke, the heat of the flames as the village burned around them, the seemingly unending waves of enemy as they sought to overcome the walls, his comrades dying. Most of all, he recalled his fear, the desperation of holding out hope that help would come, and the terrible exhaustion brought on by battle and lack of sleep.

  “The defense of the village destroyed it,” Ugin said, finally understanding. “Is that right?”

  “Yes,” Karus said. “Only fifty of us walked out of that bastard of a village. We went in there with more than three hundred men. A handful of villagers made it too. After it was over, those locals who survived moved on … they left … and never came back. But the village was saved, or so my centurion told me. We had done our job.”

  “Interesting.” Ugin looked out over the ruined city. “And now Carthum is saved too.”

  “This time,” Karus said, “it is we who were saved, at the cost of a city we don’t want.”

  “I like that even better. What happened to the barbarians who attacked you in that village?”

  “Their villages were razed in retribution.” Karus took another deep breath that shuddered slightly and looked over at the Vass. “You don’t mess with Rome. The legate wanted a message sent that could not be mistaken. All were put to death, including the women and children. Even though I wanted payback for the loss of my brothers, that was the worst duty I have ever had to perform. It haunts me to this day.”

  Ugin looked back over at Karus and gave a nod.

  “Sir.” Flaccus came up. He saluted.

  Karus almost returned the salute, before he recalled that his arm was still in a sling. His shoulder was getting better, but still hurt something fierce when he unexpectedly shifted it. An auxiliary cavalry trooper stood with the centurion.

  “This man just came in, sir.” Flaccus’s face was smeared with ash and he was sweating heavily, for it was brutally hot from both the suns and the aftereffects of the fire. Even though it had burned itself out, the stone around them still radiated with a portion of the fire’s heat.

  The centurion had been out in the city with the scouts, exploring and searching for pockets of the enemy. So far, they had captured around two hundred orcs who had somehow managed to survive.

  “The enemy has begun withdrawing, sir,” Flaccus reported. “They number a little over five thousand.”

  “What?” Karus was shocked. “Five thousand … that’s all that remain?”

  “Yes, sir,” the auxiliary said. “They’ve begun marching back on the east road. I saw them go myself. I have a dispatch for you, sir, from Prefect Valens. The cavalry is shadowing them.”

  Karus took it and opened it with one hand. He scanned the contents and turned to Dennig.

  “No sign or word from Torga yet,” Karus told the dwarf.

  “I would have thought he’d have been here by now,” Dennig said, looking far from happy.

  Where were the dwarves? What did it mean? Karus suddenly felt chilled. Had the burning of the city failed … they would have had to face the might of Iger’s army as it attacked the palace walls. It would have taken time, but there would only have been one outcome: the legion’s destruction. He handed the dispatch over to Flaccus to read.

  “It seems,” Flaccus said, after he had read it, “we’ve saved ourselves, with no help from anyone else.”

  “Yes,” Karus said, then switched back to the common tongue and addressed Dennig. “I guess you’re stuck with me for a while longer. Word has been sent to the wagon train and they are heading back to us. They should be here tomorrow afternoon. Once the supplies are loaded, we can march west together and put this city behind us. That is … unless you have changed your mind?”

  “I see no reason to end or alter our compact.” Dennig set the butt of the shaft of his magnificent ax
e on the ground before his feet. He rested a hand lightly on the polished steel of its head. “We will travel together, as we had originally planned. Eventually, I expect, we will run into my people and then we shall go our separate ways.”

  That last bit was not what Karus wanted. He held his tongue. There would be time enough to work on Dennig and see if the foundation they had started could be built upon. Now was not the time for that.

  Thaldus, for his part, looked deeply unhappy. But he said nothing. Karus was beginning to suspect that was the dwarf’s normal countenance.

  “But our arrangement is done,” Ugin said, drawing Karus’s attention. “I will be taking my leave.”

  “So soon?” Karus asked. “It seems like we just found you.”

  Ugin chuckled politely at the weak attempt at humor.

  “Where will you go?” Karus asked.

  “Does it matter?”

  “No,” Karus said, “but I would part as friends.”

  “We are not friends. But … I appreciate your sentiment.” Ugin paused, his eyes fixed upon Karus. “We are not enemies either. I would have it remain that way, especially after what I saw you … Romans … do to the orcs. You shattered an army of the Horde that outnumbered yours greatly. Such things are not known for happening on this world, at least not often. The Horde will look to settle the score. Next time you face them, they will send a more powerful force against you, backed up by priests with power.”

  Karus felt himself scowl. That was not a pleasant thought. What Ugin spoke of was a problem for another time, though. He would worry about that threat when it materialized.

  The sound of wings overhead turned their gazes skyward. Cyln’Phax had returned, along with Kordem. Karus felt immense relief as he watched the two dragons land behind the palace.

  Ugin looked at him, as if weighing something. He seemed almost hesitant. “A word of warning, if you will take it?”

  Karus gave a nod, wondering what Ugin wanted to caution him about.

  “That weapon you carry.” Ugin pointed a thick finger toward Rarokan.

  “What of it?”

  “Your sword is from what my people call the Age of Nightmares. It is a relic from a time best forgotten … a time we remember with great sorrow and pain.”

  Karus glanced down at the sword. “It talks to me.”

  “That does not surprise me.” He tapped his own sword hilt. “Mine does as well. They tend to do that when a soul is imprisoned within. The soul and ability to take the spark of others is what gives your sword and mine its power. That power can manifest itself in many ways … some good and some bad. It all depends upon the soul within.”

  When he had first learned of it, Karus did not much enjoy the thought that someone’s soul was bound within his sword. It was fundamentally disturbing to him. He could not imagine what such an imprisonment would be like.

  “Are you saying the soul within my sword is dark?” Karus asked. “Bad?”

  “Not at all,” Ugin said. “Yours is far more powerful a tool than mine, for a god had it forged.”

  “The High Father,” Karus said.

  “That is my understanding. There is a dread prophecy surrounding that sword.” Ugin held up a hand to forestall the inevitable question that came to Karus’s lips. “It is not my place to speak on it, nor would I … for if I did, you might leave it here in Carthum when you march or intentionally try to lose it or hide it. That would be bad for my people, as someone else would undoubtedly find the sword and use it. Relics like Rarokan have a way of drawing others to them, even when you don’t want it to. Such things never remain lost or hidden forever. Trust me on this, you do not want the Horde in possession of that sword. Keep it close and guard it well.”

  Karus felt his scowl deepen.

  “And you don’t want it?” Karus asked. “You don’t desire its power? To take it, that is? The Elantric Warden wanted it.”

  “Did she now?” Ugin asked, suddenly very interested.

  “She tried to take it,” Karus said. “She’s dead.”

  “That is news.” Ugin’s eyes narrowed. “You continually surprise me, Roman.”

  “So why don’t you crave its power?” Karus asked. “Like she did?”

  “Likely because I have more sense,” Ugin said. “I would be a fool to take it. Remember, there is a dread prophecy surrounding its bearer. Besides, even though he is not part of our alignment, I will not cross the High Father.”

  Ugin fell silent for a long moment, his eyes studying Karus, as a predator might look upon prey. “Be careful with it, for though it seems to help, granting you strength and other powers … it works toward a purpose of its own, as does mine.”

  “How do you know?”

  “The wizard’s soul that’s inside your sword had ambitions without end. Just because he is imprisoned within does not mean he is any less a threat. His power expands beyond the blade and through you to the world around you. That is how he will influence events to his advantage. Be on your guard.”

  “I will keep that in mind,” Karus said, though he did not see what he could do.

  “Good.” Ugin glanced toward the city, clearly eager to be off. His escort stood ready, waiting patiently, watching them.

  “You mentioned powers the sword may grant,” Karus said, curious to know more about Rarokan. He knew the sword could give him energy, make him faster, ease aches and pains, along with lighten darkness for him … but there was so much he did not know. “Can you tell me more? Anything that could help?”

  The Vass considered him for a long moment, as if weighing whether or not to do so. “I am not fully sure what Rarokan can do. Given time, you yourself will surely find out.” Ugin took a step closer, his eyes intense. “But … I might know of one power you may not be aware of that’s fairly obvious … You and your legion arrived recently to this world, yes?”

  “A little more than two months, now.”

  “And yet,” Ugin said, “you speak the common tongue like you have been born to it. Does that not strike you as strange?”

  Karus had not given it any real thought. He’d been forced to learn the language and then had been around Amarra, Dennig, and the elves, continually speaking it. Practice always made you better at something. But now that Ugin had mentioned it … He glanced down at the sword in its sheath. Since he had retrieved Rarokan, the common tongue had become much easier for him. Had it helped him master the language? He suspected the Vass was correct, and that worried him, for what else had it done without his knowledge?

  Much … came the hissing reply in his mind. He froze, once again going cold.

  “Karus,” Ugin said, with a note of finality, “our arrangement has concluded. I have lived up to my side of the bargain and so too have you.”

  Karus said nothing. His thoughts were on the sword, fears swirling. What had it done?

  “Do you agree?” Ugin pressed, tone hard, snapping him back.

  “I do,” Karus said, hastily. “Thank you.”

  “No,” Ugin said, “it is I who should thank you.”

  Without another word, Ugin turned and started off, moving in the direction of the south gate, with his protectors settling into place around him.

  “Ugin?” Karus called, a thought occurring to him.

  The Vass stopped and looked back at him.

  “Did you find it?” Karus asked. “The thing you were searching for?”

  The Vass bared his teeth in a grin. “Perhaps, Karus, one day our paths will cross again. Until then …”

  With that, Ugin turned away and, together with his protectors, continued off into the ruined city, leaving Karus with Dennig and the elves. Karus took a deep breath and almost regretted it, for a cloud of smoke swirled around them. Coughing lightly, he glanced over at Dennig. The dwarf met his gaze for a long moment and then turned it back outward toward the ruined city.

  Behind them, Karus could hear the chink of armor and crunch of sandals as his escort emerged through the gate. He followed D
ennig’s gaze outward and wondered what the future held in store for them.

  The End

  Karus and Amarra’s adventures will continue.

  Important: If you have not yet given my other series—Tales of the Seventh or Chronicles of an Imperial Legionary officer—or The Way of the Legend a shot, I strongly recommend you do. All three series are linked and set in the same universe. There are hints, clues, and Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the series.

  The Series:

  There are three series to consider. I began telling Stiger and Eli’s story in the middle years … starting with Stiger’s Tigers, published in 2015. Stiger’s Tigers is a great place to start reading. It was the first work I published and is a grand fantasy epic.

  Stiger, Tales of the Seventh, covers Stiger’s early years. It begins with Stiger’s first military appointment as a wet-behind-the-ears lieutenant serving in Seventh Company during the very beginning of the war against the Rivan on the frontier. This series sees Stiger cut his teeth and develop into the hard charging leader that fans have grown to love. It also introduces Eli and covers many of their early adventures. These tales should in no way spoil your experience with Stiger’s Tigers. In fact, I believe they will only enhance it.

  The Way of the Legend is an adventure set in the same universe … and on the same planet as The Karus Saga. This series is a dwarven saga, based around an unlikely hero, Tovak, who struggles not only against his own kind, but the might of the Horde. It is set amidst a war of the gods and is full of action, intrigue, adventure, and mystery.

  Give them a shot and hit me up on Facebook to let me know what you think!

  You can reach out and connect with me on:

  Facebook: Marc Edelheit Author

  Facebook: MAE Fantasy & SciFi Lounge (This is a group I created where members can come together to share a love for Fantasy and SciFi)