Arise a Hero by Wayne Schreiber - HTML preview

CHAPTER 26 – KERRIC’S HOUR

Bellack felt the death of his plaything like a pin prick to his neck, whereas, before without the power of the Moomran crystal he would have been lucky to survive such a defeat.

He was enjoying his new-found powers.  The fact that Titus still lived was just a minor setback, but he would soon send another demon to rectify the situation, he had plenty more slaves to convert.  If the next one failed he would just teleport the annoying Su-Katii into a cliff-face or something, but for now he was just enjoying watching him squirm.  The teleport option would actually be a little bit trickier, as he would first need to separate him from Athene’s magic dampening field.  He knew now that it must have been her presence that had blocked his attempt to seize control of the mind of the Su-Katii knight, because with Anak’s blood-magic in place as his failsafe plan, this should have worked.  The elation of soon being in a position to attempt to free his queen and hold her in his arms under a blue sky was beginning to overtake the current matters.  He took a deep breath to calm his thoughts.

‘Right then Titus, let’s see how you fair this time - demon number two coming right up.’

The door of the chamber suddenly flew open and an acolyte’s bloody corpse was flung onto the floor.

‘Hello Sonny.’ said Corvus.  ‘You must be Bellack - at last we meet, now let me introduce you to my axe you murdering son of a whore.’  The burly Nordheim King advanced throwing back his axe, poised to strike.

Bellack quickly placed his left hand back onto the surface of the huge crystal and extended his right finger towards the intruder, a constant green ray of light instantly flared out from his finger hitting the warrior.  Bellack was genuinely surprised himself at how fast he had been able to cast the spell, the crystal was indeed powerful.   The advancing warrior’s movements slowed to within two paces of Bellack, eventually coming to a complete stop, straining with exertion against the powers that held him and with his axe still raised above his head poised for his final death blow.  With the menacing giant now brought under his control Bellack had time to gloat.

‘Now, that’s better.  What have we here …Ah King Corvus, I must say I am genuinely surprised to find you here, come to join your wife have you?  I gather you know that she is here, but I’m afraid as with most things, there is some good news and some bad news.’  The green beam continued to hold Corvus as his muscles and veins bulged with the exertion to move.

Grinning smugly, Bellack continued to mock the trapped king.

‘The good news is that your wife was too good a bargaining chip to be left useless and possessed by the power of the crystals so I have returned her to her original form, but I’m afraid the bad news is that since you turned down my offer I gave her to the men.’  His voice changed its tone to one of mock concern.  ‘Sadly she is not quite the women that she used to be as the transformation can leave some mental scarring on the weak-minded.  However, I will thank my men on your behalf for helping her through such a tough and trying time - and you should also, for she is now a lot more accommodating.  I might not be a specialist in this field but I do believe you could also be celebrating her pregnancy, although I could not begin to guess which one is the father, it could be any one of thirty.’

Corvus’s eyes were like a wild animal’s and Bellack could hear his teeth grinding in anger as he struggled to mouth his words.  ‘I will kill you,’ he gurgled out, spittle foaming out between his teeth as he struggled with his words.

‘I would have truly loved more time to torment you further, but I simply must be rude and kill you now, I have another demon to summon and a bigger problem than you to dispose of.  Goodbye Corvus.’

The magic beam changed colour from green to red and Corvus was wracked with agony, the axe clattered to the floor as his body violently vibrated, it was as if every molecule in his body was being torn apart.  Suddenly he felt no more pain, as the small crystal shards that were imbedded in his skin glowed like hot coals as they seemed to absorb the power of the Moomran crystal flowing into his body.  He fell to the ground and blacked out.

‘Strange,’ thought Bellack.  ‘He should have been dead by now, that blast would have killed his demon let alone a man, but I can still sense his heart beating.’  He opened up the flood gates of the power flowing through him, directing it into the dying mans body.

At that moment, Tamar entered the room through the still open doorway, he calmly stepped in and Bellack’s jaw dropped like a stone.  He wore an ornate white and gold breastplate and carried his large crystal mace in front of him.

‘Tamar.  What …how?’ he gasped.

‘My foolish, but brave, friend here managed to destroy your crystals - the source of the magical powers protecting your home that previously kept me from this place.  Now we can come and go to your little den of rats as much we please, so surrender yourself now and accept your fate.’

‘You pathetic man, you underestimate my powers and that of the crystal.  You will be begging for your life when I am done with you.’  Bellack’s extended finger became an open palm, pointing away from the now still body of Corvus and a wider beam of power shot out towards Tamar.  The large crystal mace absorbed the power sending a maelstrom of magic, crackling into the air, away from it in many directions.  Tamar took a small step backwards as its force pushed him backwards, but he still held his footing.

‘You cannot hold out against this power forever, give it up now and die quickly Tamar, I will be through your defences shortly.’  The beam of power directed against Tamar intensified.

If you believe that you’re more foolish than I thought,’ said Tamar, ‘My comrades have already summoned Titus and he brings Athene with him on his way down here now and once she arrives both the crystal and your powers will be useless.  Although she does not yet realise it, I think we both suspect she may be more powerful than you and I combined Bellack, and she will douse our magic like water on fire.  How are your skills at fighting a Su-Katii in hand-to-hand combat?  None of your men can stand against him.’

Bellack turned white as he could see this was no bluff and he poured more power through his palm in a vain attempt to finish Tamar off quickly.  The crystal mace was now burning white with the magic fire radiating through it.  He turned and looked into the large crystal and saw the image of Athene and Titus rushing down a nearby corridor.

‘May a plague take you all,’ he whispered, then, stopping his magical assault on Tamar he placed both hands onto the crystal and speaking further magical incantations, his hands began to sink deeper and deeper into the crystal.

‘You will all burn in the fires of Hell,’ were Bellack’s last words before he disappeared into the crystal with a blinding flash.

Moments later Athene and Titus arrived at the chamber led by the brightly-dressed Anamack; surprised to find that both the huge crystal and Bellack were gone from the room.  Titus instantly raised his guard at the sight of another wizard, but Athene thought that this wizard had a softer look about him than Bellack.

‘Easy Titus, it is I, Tamar,’ Athene grew excited, ‘Tress told us about you.  Do you know each other?’ she asked Titus.

‘Nope, never met this guy,’ Titus replied, perplexed. 

‘What happened here?  Where is Bellack? Your friend here,’ Titus pointed at Anamack before he continued,

‘Was very brief with his explanations.’

Athene looked about the room and spotted the huge bulk of a man on the ground, she knew that shape could be only one person.

‘Corvus.’  She shouted and ran to his side.

‘Does he live?’ asked Tamar.

Athene pulled away his furs and armour placing her ear on his chest.  ‘I hear a faint heartbeat,’ she said excitedly hugging his chest.

‘How did that old ox get here?  He appears to be in the same state as he was when I left him?’ commented Titus with a sigh.  ‘What a foolish one.  Now, where is Bellack, wizard?’  Tamar ignored the question and paced the room silently for a moment in thought.

‘Yes, that’s got to be it, move back out of the room Athene.’

He cast a quick spell and the large outline of the Moomran crystal could faintly be seen where he stood, transparent and translucent, then it disappeared again.  ‘The crystal is still here – except it now exists just outside our plane of existence, Bellack has been absorbed into the essence of the crystal.  I sensed him trying to escape and tried to contain all of his escape routes but it appears that he was reflected back into the crystal when he tried to flee.  If you can’t get out you go in.  He has managed to pull the crystal and himself into a different plane of existence, very clever.’

‘Can he escape?’ asked Athene.

‘Possibly, but certainly not whilst you are near the crystal.  Don’t worry, I have the power to entomb him within the other plane forever, but I will need you to stay here for a few days whilst I get things setup, just to ensure his return is hindered.  It is a powerful spell and I will need time to assemble the ingredients with which to cast it.   Ironically, Bellack’s fate will be that of his God-Queen that he sought to free.’  Tamar gave a rare chuckle.  ‘A fitting end for such a misguided man.’  Titus disagreed, ‘In my opinion, a head on the end of a pike is always unbeatable,’ he commented.

Tamar bent down and inspected Corvus muttering various inaudible words for some time then turned back to Titus and requested help.

‘I’m having a problem using my magic with Athene still so close, could you please help me move him to a different room, he weighs as much as a bull.  Athene, please remain here.’  Titus obliged the wizard request and together they dragged him to a different room, a good way from Athene’s influence.’

After a few minutes he came back in to Athene and Anamack.

‘You are correct, he lives and appears to be stable but something is wrong, I can detect magic about him and he will not wake, I think he is in some kind of coma but I cannot read any dreams or thoughts from him, his mind is totally blank.  I will get my men to take him back to a place of safety.  I have two squads of men clearing out the remaining acolytes and guards at the moment and once this place is fully secured we will free the prisoners.  I will need to spend weeks tearing this place apart and to be honest I am dreading the secrets that I may find here.’

‘Hey wizard, have you got something in your box of tricks to patch this up?’  Titus pointed at his deep shoulder injury.  ‘I seem to be out of red crystals, I have never needed so many lately.’

‘I’m sure I can do something for you.’  Tamar led Titus into the corridor to tend to his wounds.  As he used his magic, touching his crystal mace to his shoulder to heal the wound enough to stop the bleeding, he began to probe deep into the Su-Katii’s mind.

A dark-haired woman’s image instantly appeared whom at first he thought to be Athene, but as she turned about with the joy of laughter he realised that he did not recognize her, although he could feel Titus’s love and desire for her.  A small child ran over and hugged the pair; Tamar noticed that she wore a wedding ring.  The sudden vision of the endless slaughter and horrors of battle made him recoil at Titus’s other memories.

The warrior’s hand darted out in a choking grip around Tamar’s throat.

‘Do not read my mind, Wizard!  The memories contained there are personal.’

He released his grasp and Tamar sucked in several deep breaths surprised at the man’s astuteness.  After composing himself he replied.

‘I’m sorry, but old habits die hard.  How did you know that I was reading you Titus, few have detected me before?’

‘Simple Tamar, you are a wizard so you just can’t help yourself, and also your face betrayed your actions.  Anyone who delves into the horrors locked away in here cannot hide their shock.’  He tapped his head.’  Tamar nodded slowly.

The last of Bellack’s pleading and begging guards were quickly despatched without mercy by Titus as he led the squad of Tanarian volunteers that had arrived with Tamar through the villa on a clean up operation.  Several bodies littered the ground from their last stand.  Beyond them lay the last of the slaves’ cells and soon, the almost incomprehensible dream of freedom would become a reality for the people beyond.  As Tamar’s men went forward and unlocked the cell doors they were met with enthusiastic responses from the bewildered slaves, all apart from the final dark cell.

As the last rusty cage door creaked open there was no movement from inside.  They stared into it, their eyes straining to adjust to the darkness within.  Three figures strained weakly against the manacles that held them as they struggled to move.  As light was brought to the chamber it was only the placement of the rags hanging from their gaunt bodies that gave away their gender.  Two men and one woman cowered away from the light that now lit their cell, turning their heads in an attempt to hide from the light.  The man holding the yellow crystal began to retch at the stench of urine and faeces, almost slipping as he freed them.

‘How can people survive in places like this?’ he thought as he held his nose and tried to keep his dinner down.  Amiria, Corvus’s wife’s blank gaze showed no comprehension of her new-found freedom as she was led up and out of the slaves’ quarters.

After being washed down and eventually identified as Amiria, she was taken to Tamar who had decided to take up a temporary lodging in the Wyvern’s Nest.

‘What’s your interest with this one?’ asked Titus as he moved along the armoury’s weapons rack, testing the weight and balance of the various swords.

‘She is Corvus’s wife who was transformed by the crystals and Bellack’s powers.  I have made several promises to achieve my victory over the Brotherhood of Keth this month – she was one of them.’  Titus studied the skinny woman who blankly stared into the wall.

‘Are you sure that she has been transformed back to her previous form?

He clicked his fingers repeatedly in front of her face but she did not flinch or move.

‘I don’t think her king will be very pleased with what you will present to him …that is, if he ever recovers, l think that you may also have to employ your magic to get rid of her lingering stench …phew.’  Titus waved his hand in front of his nose.

‘I see you are a man filled with compassion Titus, I hope that your heart continues to extend to Athene.  I will have my friend Sorus use his talent to help her, he is far better skilled and suited to tend to this kind of mental injury than I.  You of all people should know how important it is to look after your wife.

Titus’s eyes filled with a burning rage for a second and before Tamar could blink, Titus’s sword tip was at his throat.

‘Make no mistake, Tamar, I don’t like wizards, you lot always have too much to say.  If you wish to humiliate me or make suggestions about my deceased wife I suggest you rethink your words.  Remember, your life means nothing to me and I have taken many others for much less.  He let the blade fall away from the relieved man.

‘Is there really any point in caring for this vegetable, I think that she is done for and I think it would probably be better all round to just to finish off the poor wretch now.’  He threw the sword in his hand to the ground and selected a new one to add to his belt.

‘All wounds can heal Titus, it just take time and effort.’

‘As long as it does not heal leaving a nasty scar that marks you for life.’ retorted Titus ever trying to get in the last word.  Tamar patted Titus on the back.

‘A warrior and a philosopher perhaps there is some hope for you yet.  You know Tanaria could use a fighter such as you over on the west coast.  There is still a desperate struggle going on there with the nation at stake, if you can purge yourself from the hatred and lust for revenge that you harbour, there may be a good man in there somewhere.’  Titus shook his head,

‘No, for now we have other plans, I have a different lust in mind; I will be staying here with Athene until you have woven your magic to entomb Bellack forever.  Not that I really think she needs me here for protection as she seems to have quite the knack for victory – but don’t tell her I said that.  She also has request that we search for her mother, you are sure that she is no longer here?’

‘That is correct, I would have been able to find her if she was, even if she was dead.’ replied Tamar scratching his chin, perplexed.

The transportation portal opened up and the men began to march the lines of slaves through to their freedom.

Tress backed up to the far end of the wall as the extended line of troops continued its slow and methodical advance towards her.  She considered her chances of climbing up over the tall complex wall, but even with the ring to help heal her wounds, it would still be a long time before she would be anywhere near fit again.   The men were now so close that she could have almost joined in with their conversation and she wondered how long she would live if she surrendered to them.  Suddenly a horn sounded three longs blasts.  The men froze and turned to look at their commander who stood shouting over to the sentry, just out of Tress’s earshot, but the men’s next reactions brought her great relief.

The commander began barking about orders and pointing furiously, his men ran for their horses and began forming up into battle order near the main entrance to the mining facility and they obviously now had bigger fish to fry.  She was able to move freely and hobbled over towards the entrance resting herself at the copse of trees just outside the complex.  Her legs gave way as she slumped down with her back against a tree stump, exhausted.  She was lucky because her leg had fallen outside of her cloak, but the troops’ attention was now distracted by other things.

 ‘I just need a little rest,’ she thought.  Through her half-open eyes, she watched as riders approached the complex.  With the night’s full moon, the windswept plain was well illuminated and a number of riders approached and stopped short while the leader advanced alone.  His commanding posture seemed familiar and as he neared she could see that he held a long white fluttering banner.  She recognised the armour and long purple cloak that blew in the wind behind the rider as he came into the radius of light from the mining complex and she thanked the Gods for the sight.  She wanted to call out to Barrad, but she knew that she would be cut down before she could get to him.  Besides, at the moment she was so exhausted she would be lucky to stand again, let alone walk.

Barrad casually rode within spitting distance of the ranks of Aristrian cavalry; he slid his helmet up to sit on the back of his head, so that he could look these opposing men directly in their eyes.  The cavalry commander rode out from the ranks with a white shirt wrapped around his lance tip.  He was not eager for this parley yet the protocol of war demanded that he ride forwards.

‘I recognise your parley rider.  State your business,’ barked the Aristrian commander, noticing the sweat covering the horse’s flank indicating that the newcomers had been riding hard.

‘For those of you who don’t know me I am Barrad of the Su-Katii and now commander of the Tanarian forces in this region.  You will surrender at once the magicians who travel with you and hand over the large crystal from the mine.’  A joke was made from one of the men in the ranks close by about just killing this foolish commander who had ridden too close to their lines.  The Aristrian commander nodded his agreement to his man; then gave Barrad his reply.

‘I think you have things around the wrong way, I see no more than three hundred men on the fields behind you.  I have two thousand men under my command here.’

He raised his hand and a thousand riders that had been camped in the hollow grounds behind the mines rode out.  The Aristrian commander confidently spoke with a smug expression,

‘As for the crystal you are too late, the magicians have already transported it away, I suggest you ride off whilst you have the chance and my mood is good.  These are all Aristrian lands now but I will be honourable and give you a five minute head start before we ride you down.’  Barrad tilted his head with a mock expression of confusion as he addressed the commander,

‘I can only guess that you have had a lack of communication with your army, because you are obviously unaware that it no longer exists, I have already killed your commander in single combat and decimated your kinsmen, had you known this your words would not be so bold.   You only see my advance party on the fields; my other warriors are surrounding you as we speak so your escape from here is no longer possible.’

Another officer rode forward, come on sir, he is so full of shit I could smell it from back there, let’s just kill them and be done with it.

Barrad reached down slowly into his saddlebags and pulled out Azeth Khan’s head, holding it high in front of the Aristrian line for all to see, before throwing it down into the mud.  The commander’s earlier smug expression dropped from his face.

‘If I am a liar, tell me I am wrong when I say that you will be the first to die.’ Titus said to the new officer.  ‘My men up there have only travelled with me to clean up your bodies after I am done with you.  I am Barrad of the Su-Katii, do you require a demonstration of my skill?  The young warrior’s words stirred the memory of Azeth’s boastful and bloody arrival months before.

He pulled out his twin blades and pointed the tips towards the men.  The alternative however, is that I will offer you, only once, the chance to lay down your arms.  I am prepared to let your cavalry ride out alive, perhaps you will all live to see your families again?’

‘More likely you will cut us down as we leave.’ replied the commander.

‘I think that I have met before with you, in one of the pre-war briefings, perhaps you remember me?  I still hold to the old Su-Katii values, not the madness that the rest of my order seems to have adopted, I have already proved this by my actions in giving you a chance to avoid the bloodshed and loss of lives.  As for cutting you down once you hand in your weapons, do not judge me with your own standards.  You all have fast mounts and I’m sure you know how to use them.  As long as you don’t stop or harm anyone during your departure I will be merciful, a trait that others should also learn.  What say you?’  He raised both his blades to the moon in signal.  As he finished his words, thousands of lights lit up around the surrounding plains in a wide arc around the mine.  The mounted men instantly began to murmur amongst themselves and the commander nervously considered his position then threw his lance to the ground.

‘There has been enough fighting, I do remember you from before the war and I will lay my trust in your word.  I can give no guarantee however that we will not face each other again, as once we return we will be merged back into the war effort again.  They may well also hang me for my decision, but at least this way my men will live.’ said the Aristrian commander.  Barrad nodded.

‘Then perhaps we are both men of honour.  Now be on your way and don’t stop until you reach Aristria or our deal is off.’

The man pulled out his cavalry sabre and threw it to the ground to join his lance.  The clattering of weapons being thrown to the ground filled the night as the other men resentfully followed his example.

‘There are a dozen or so acolytes resting in the building yonder, they are all yours.’  The commander pointed at the miners’ quarters.  Barrad nodded and then watched as the two thousand riders spurred their horses off into the night.

After the riders had thundered away Barrad thought he was going mad as he heard a faint noise, no, it was someone calling his name.  He looked about the moonlit plain and trotted over to a nearby copse.

‘Barrad help.  I’m over here,’ Tress cried out, throwing back her cloak revealing her sorry-looking figure.  He rushed over to her side.

‘Tress.  I thought that we must have overtaken you, what happened?  Are you alright?’

As he drew closer he spotted the feathered bolt protruding from her chest.

‘No,’ was all she could manage to squeak, bursting into tears.   He rushed to her side instantly noticing the wetness of blood as he held her.

‘I tried for the crystal, but got shot …the acolytes, they tried to kill me.’

‘Not any more, they won’t.’  Barrad rose as the Tanarian riders entered the mine’s perimeter.  ‘Medic.’ he shouted.  ‘Get me a healer now.’  He directed the rest of his men towards the building that the Aristrian commander had indicated then tucked a bed roll from his saddle under Athene.

‘Slay them all,’ was his command and the men surged off into the building.

‘Tress motioned to him to come close and then flung her one good arm around him, ‘Kiss me’ she demanded.  He followed her orders.  ‘Please don’t let me forget our first kiss.’ She whispered.

A strange request he thought as she passed out with exhaustion.  His eyes followed his men riding into the complex.   Where was that bloody healer?

The acolytes were in an almost comatose state from the night’s excursions.  They died swiftly without a struggle or a scream while the unit’s healer tended to Tress.

The coldness that arrives just before daybreak could now be felt in the air as a small detachment of riders approached the mine.  Sorus looked almost comical as he rode into the light, the man just didn’t look right on a horse.

‘Good job with the magic illuminations Sorus, bang on cue, I almost believed that half of Tanaria was out there myself.  Now, please can you take a look at Tress - she is badly hurt.’   Sorus didn’t waste any time and after awkwardly dismounting he ushered the army healer out of the way.

‘I’ll take over now, go and get some more blankets, man, we will need to keep her warm.’

Barrad paced up and down the length of the copse until daybreak, Sorus eventually approached him.

‘She had lost a lot of blood, but she is a tough one, I have removed the crossbow bolt’s iron tip and my magic has put her to sleep, she will heal better that way.  I’m afraid that I am urgently needed elsewhere and must immediately depart.  I have communicated with Tamar and they have contained the crystal and the threat to the nation.  Please let Tress know that, when she wakes up, otherwise she will be distressed with her failure and stress is the last thing that she needs right now.  She can be moved now that she is stabilized, so get her inside the warmth of the buildings.  With that Sorus threw his diamond to the ground and uttered powerful words of magic.  The little bald man glanced backwards and smiled for the first time at Barrad as he carried Tress down towards the buildings, then he leapt through the portal.

Kerric the bald acolyte had carried out his duty by raising the alarm with the guards, but as he had been returning to his master’s side, Tamar’s portal had opened up just in front of him and the invaders had poured through into Bellack’s home.  Just managing to get back around the corner and out of sight in time, he moved undetected to the nearest room.  Marcus’s room.  He recognised the middle aged lady that was bound to the wall as Athene’s mother.  He had overheard much talk of the importance of her daughter and considered her to also be of some worth.  A young and pretty Nordheim girl nervously raised her head from behind Marcus’s bed, her exposed thighs bearing bite marks and worse. Her eyes followed his movements as he rummaged through the mess of the room eventually finding the diamonds that he sought, he had only been considering his own escape.  Yet after summoning the portal it had been a mere afterthought to unchain the two women and take them with him, one that the God Queen would now surely reward with his promotion.  It was an unfortunate business, but some new slots had just become available in the Brotherhood of Keth.

THE END

###