Myrkron (Volume Two of The Chronicles of the Myrkron) (40 page)

“The Avari are great warriors, and if we had ten thousand of them I would be tempted to hope.  The reality is we have less than five hundred and
, although Mortow will pay dearly for each of their lives, even warriors of their skill can be over run.”

“I think you underestimate what has been pulled together here, Merric.  Mortow may
have numbers on his side, but that is all he has,” Michael assured him.

“Would you do me a favor, Michael?”

“Of course, anything I can.”

“I fear for those left behind at Kantwell
, and while that fear niggles at my mind, I find it hard to concentrate.  Would you go to Kantwell and take them all to the Oakkrin?”

“I can do that.  Do you think they are in danger?”

“I have no way of knowing, but I would worry less if they were with the Oakkrin.  When you have done that, bring Mael here.  I feel we will need him.”

“Ok, Merric.  I’ll go now.”

“Thank you.”  Michael spoke the words of transport and vanished.

He reappeared at the center camp and saw Reek and Branik talking to an older Avari woman with
long black and silver hair.  Michael walked up to the trio and waited a respectful distance away.  Without turning, Branik waved Michael forward.

“Avar Liesel, this is Sydoj Michael.  Michael this is Avar Liesel,” Branik introduced.

Michael had to tear his eyes from Liesel’s in order to bow.  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Avar Liesel.  I am sorry to interrupt, but I must journey to Kantwell, and I require Branik and Reek,” Michael finally managed to say.

“No apologies necessary.  We were merely conversing of home.  Safe journey to you all,” Liesel replied then turned and walked off.

As Michael watched her walk away something in him was drawn to Liesel.  It was almost as if she were familiar somehow.

“It is not polite to stare, Michael,” Reek snickered.

Michael shook his head and stared blankly at Reek.  “What?  No, I was just…she just seems…”

“We all know what she seems
, but she is joined,” Branik stated with a smile.

“No
.  That’s not what I meant.  There is something about her that is familiar, almost like I have seen her before,” Michael tried to explain as his face turned red.

“You have seen her before.  She was in the group that you brought from the isle to Kantwell,” Reek reminded him.

“I did not see any except those immediately surrounding me, and I would have recalled seeing her if I had,” Michael said with a furrowed brow and a shake of his head.

“What is this about a journey to Kantwell?”  Branik prompted.

Finally tearing his gaze from the receding form of Liesel, Michael cleared his throat.  “Merric has asked me to transport those left behind to the Oakkrin.  He worries they are in danger.  I told him I would do so.”

“Then let’s be about it.  We will be needed here when the battle begins,” Branik stated.

Michael spoke the words of transport, and the three of them appeared in the great hall of Kantwell.

Michael saw the tail moving through the rear door of the great hall as Branik flew passed him.  He stumbled as Reek pulled him in the opposite direction.

“Reek stop!  We have to help Branik!”  Michael cried out as he tried to get his legs back under him.

“Branik is the only one of us equipped to take on the Garoliths.  I must get you away, now!”  Reek said as he continued to pull Michael toward the front entrance.

Michael tried to dig his heels in
, but Reek never even slowed.  Knowing he could not hope to overpower Reek, Michael did the only thing he knew Reek could not fight against.  “
Transfero!
”

“Michael, no!”
  Reek found himself standing at the open rear door of Kantwell still clutching Michael’s upper arm.

Michael was standing
stunned, looking out at Kantwell’s rock garden.

Against his better judgment, Reek allowed his eyes to be drawn to the turmoil he could hear outside.

Two Avari lay dead just outside the door next to the sundered body of a young blonde girl in gray robes with a red sash.  Beyond, he could see two of the monsters.  One was engaged with six Avari who were trying to keep the beast away from some of the other students.  The second one was, surprisingly, on the defensive against Branik.  Remembering the last time they fought one of the Garoliths and how he nearly lost his brother, Reek turned to Michael; but Michael wasn't there.

Reek scanned quickly and saw Michael walking calmly toward the Garolith that was threatening the students.  Reek ran and reached for Michael’s arm to stop him
, but was stopped short an arm's length away.  Michael had raised his wizard’s shield.  Reek moved in front of him to block his path, but Michael continued to walk, his shield pushing Reek from his path like the wind pushes a leaf.  His eyes were unfocused and his mouth moved as if in speech, though no sound could be heard.  Reek knew he could not stop Michael, yet he was not about to let him face this creature without protection.

Reek started to draw his swords then remembered they would do him no good
.  Therefore, he braced himself and prepared to fight unarmed and matched pace with Michael.  As they moved forward, Reek saw an Avari go down under that massive scythe.  His instincts urged him to run forward and engage the Garolith, but he could not leave Michael.

Suddenly
, Michael yelled out.  “Mirbon!”

Reek was shocked to see the Garolith instantly stop and lower its scythe.  As it turned to face him and Michael, he could see the creature twitch and shake as if it were fighting against something trying to pull it forward.
  Michael merely stood and stared as the Garolith continued its struggle.  Reek watched the Avari that had been fighting it herd the students further away.

Suddenly
, the Garolith lurched a few feet closer.

Reek jumped in front of Michael.  He watched in stunned fascination as the beast actually prostrated itself before Michael.

Michael knew he couldn't fight Reek, so he simply teleported them to where he knew the Garolith’s were headed.  As he looked upon the grisly scene before him, he heard the voice of the female Myrkron again.

“Only a nine key has the power to destroy the Garolith
s; but you have an even greater power, the power to command them.  Even though your power is great, you may only command one of them at a time.  Still, it will be difficult.”

“How do I command them
?”  Michael asked.

“
You speak the name of their true nature, Mirbon, while you focus your power upon them.”

“I do not understand what you mean by focusing my power on them.”

“You have used your magic to give strength to others.  Do the opposite.  Drain the energy from the Garolith.  It will not be easy, and the draining of the power of an undead does not replenish your own; so you will have to spend as much energy as that which you drain from it.”

When Michael spoke the name the
Myrkron had told him, he also spoke the words he had used to draw power from both Merric and Mortow’s attacks on his shield.  This time, there was no direct energy being focused on him.  He hoped the energy draw would work like it did when he gave energy.  He hadn’t needed to touch Dain in the pass to transfer it to him.

Michael felt the link solidify immediately
, and he saw the Garolith stop and turn to face him.  That was when he felt the icy touch of its dark life force.  The Myrkron was correct. He had to use his energy to not only pull from the Garolith, but also to channel the undead energy away.  He watched the Garolith shake as it tried to pull its life force back from him.  Michael bore down on the link and opened the channel wider.  He was using a lot of his strength, but if he could hold it locked this way then maybe the Avari could somehow dispatch it.  Suddenly, the pressure released, and the Garolith lurched and bowed down in front of him.  Michael left the link intact, but stopped the pull of energy.  He sent a mental command to the Garolith to remain were it was.

Hearing Branik roar reminded Reek that his brother was still in danger.  Both he and Michael turned just as Branik landed a vicious
, spinning, backhanded slice to the other Garolith’s torso.

The beast screamed in pain as its body was completel
y severed just below its robe.

As it toppled over, Branik leaped over its thrashing tail and decapitated it.  Reek could see the glowing red eyes dim as the skull came to rest a dozen feet away.  As he looked once again to Branik, he saw him standing over the headless body regarding the swords in his hands. 

Both blades cast a faint red glow that pulsed a few times then started to gleam a brilliant white.  When the light touched the corpse of the Garolith, the body began to disintegrate.  When there was nothing left, the swords returned to their bone white color.

The Oakkrin were correct.  The swords they had given to Branik proved to be
highly effective against the Garolith.  In less than the span of a single heartbeat, Branik had felled the hulking beast with two lightning strikes.

Michael found himself marveling at the technique Branik displayed in those two swings.  Having been learning from the Avari, he could now truly appreciate what it was he was seeing.

Branik slid his foot through the grass where the Garolith had been, but there was no trace left.  He looked for the other Garolith only to see it laying on its belly in front of Michael. He walked over and gave Michael a questioning look.

“It is under my command now,” Michael explained as he cast a quick glance to make sure the Garolith was still where he had told it to stay.

Branik walked over to the prostrate creature and stared down at it.  Michael saw him cock his head as if listening to something; and then faster than he could react, Branik drew his sword and severed the Garolith’s head.

“Branik!”  Michael yelled.

As Branik turned to face him and Reek, they saw the swords pulse red then turn a brilliant white once again; but what made them both catch their breath was that Branik’s eyes where shining white like the blade.  As the blade’s light faded, so, too, did the light coming from Branik’s eyes.  He sheathed his sword and faced Michael and Reek.

“These two caused the death of three Avari and one of the students.  They are not to be trifled with nor are they to be shown mercy,” Branik stated.

“But it was under my control.  It was no longer a threat.”

“And what would happen if you lost control or were killed?  It would then be a danger again to everyone around it.  This was the only sensible course of action.”

Knowing he had no argument against that statement, Michael cleared his throat.  “We should check on the others and get back to The Slot.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Mortow couldn’t help but feel a little excited.  All he had worked for over the past ten years was about to be realized.  In a few short hours, the conflict would be over and he could concentrate on the truly important matter of enforcing peace, a real peace this time.  No more standing by and litigating matters that had no significance.  No more watching as the world’s races warred without resolution.  He had come to the realization, long ago, that peace could only be achieved by force.  Wars never ended in peace.  They only sated hostility for a time while anger and resentment continued to build and grow.

It was ironic that he had started a war when that was what he was trying to abolish
; but sometimes your enemy’s enemy was your greatest ally.  Instead of isolated skirmishes, he had provoked a battle on a global scale involving all the races.  It would reduce populations, making them easier to police.  It would destroy towns and villages forcing those affected to focus their efforts on rebuilding instead of fighting. Most importantly of all, it would show the races that they needed one another.  That aspect was already working.  At his destination, the humans, dwarves, elves and even ogres had banded together.  Only in times of great crisis are differences put aside in common interest.

All it needed now was direction and the firm hand of one with enough power to keep things in line.  This generation and the next would hate him.  They would curse him for a killer and a tyrant.  That did not matter.  All that mattered was that those who came after had a better place to be born into and grow up in; a place where peace was
the rule and war an aberration.  Mortow could live with being hated. He held no illusions that he would ever be thanked for what he was doing.  Too many had died by his command and many more would follow suit before it was over.  Let history be his judge in the years to come.

Mortow was brought out of his contemplation by the sound of someone calling his name.
  He looked to his right and saw Megan looking at him questioningly.

Seeing Mortow focus on her, Megan was unsure if he was angry with her for interrupting his thoughts.  “Hagan tried to tell you that we are nearing The Slot
, but he was reluctant to intrude upon your concentration,” Megan informed him, casting her eyes down.

“I was merely reviewing my plan,” Mortow said
, then looked to the left to see Hagan walking beside him.  Mortow shifted in his saddle and nodded to the troll.

“Magika, the scouts report we are drawing near the outer perimeter of the
enemy's scouts,” Hagan reported.

“Very well.  Has Maklin returned yet?”

“No Magika.”

Mortow nodded dismissing Hagan and turned to Megan.

“I have not seen him either, Master.”

“He should have returned by now,” Mortow rumbled with a displeased frown.

“Perhaps he was not equal to the task you set him,” Megan replied with a slight smile and a shrug of her small shoulders.

Mortow’s scowl deepened at her attempt to belittle Maklin.  “Or perhaps he has been shot in the back with an elvish arrow.”  Mortow was satisfied when he saw Megan flush and avert her face at the reminder of her own failure.
  For all her beauty she was as vicious as a cornered swiftclaw and nearly as dangerous.  He was about to say something else when a robed figure materialized next to him.  The figure pulled back its hood, and he saw Mieka standing beside him.

“Where have you been?”  Mortow rumbled.

“I directed the Garoliths to the Avari Lord as you requested,” Mieka replied.

“And?”  Mortow demanded.

“Since I could do nothing to aid them, I gave them direction and left.  I returned to Gratton and scryed upon them.  It would seem you have two less Garoliths now.  The Avari Lord killed both of them,” Mieka said with a slight hint of admiration in her voice.

“That is not possible,” Mortow said incredulously.

“Possible or not, he did it; and he accomplished it with nothing more than his bare hands.  Master, there is something more that you should know.  The Avari Lord is not human,” Mieka said with a small shudder.

“What do you mean
by ‘not human’?  I know he is ancient but…”

“As I was watching, his eyes began to glow just as the Garoliths do
, and his teeth extended into fangs.  Master, he tore the Garoliths apart with his bare hands,” Mieka explained still unable to believe what she had witnessed.

“It is as I thought.  Then why did the talisman not work?”  Mortow said musing out loud.

“Talisman, Master?”  Mieka asked.

“It is unimportant.  Obviously
, the texts I read on the subject were mistaken.  Now that you have returned, I have a task for you.  Go to the other end of The Slot and see why Maklin has not returned.  He was to lead a large force of trolls against King Brose’s rear guard and then hold his position.  I expected him to return by now.”

“Yes, Master,” Mieka replied
, and teleported away.

Mortow scanned behind him
, searching for the Garolith he knew was there.  He saw the creature rise up as his eyes passed over it.  He motioned it forward.  “It is time to begin.  Are the others in place?”

“They have been for some time
, Nine Key.  They only await your command.  Shall I relay it to them?”

“No.  I do not want them
to move until everything is in place.  Tell them when the line is breached, they are to attack.  Mael and Merric are their targets.  Once they are dead, all of you are to kill Michael.”

The Garolith cocked its head and hissed loudly.  “Light blades!  Light blades slay!”

“What are you blathering about?”  Mortow demanded.

“The two sent to Kantwell have been slain.  Light blades in the hands of the Avari.  Light blades slay!”  The Garolith shrieked.

“What are Light blades?”  Mortow rumbled angrily.

“Light blades forged
to slay us.  Myrkron magic, ancient and powerful.”

“Myrkron magic?  What is Myrkron magic?”  Mortow roared in frustration.

“Powerful magic, ancient and beyond your comprehension, Nine Key.  Wizards cannot know the power of the Myrkron, but we know.  We know and we fear,” the Garolith said.

Mortow could have sworn he actually saw the monster shudder.  These creatures feared nothing
, not even him; and he could kill them any time he chose.  “Just follow the plan and do as I command!”  Whatever this Myrkron magic was, the Garoliths feared it more than him.  That could be trouble.

The Garolith reluctantly bowed its head and slithered forward like a snake striking from its coil.  Both his and Megan’s horses reared in fear.  Mortow swore loudly at his horse
and then felt the animal yanked down.  Hagan had reached up, grabbed its bridle, and held the horse's head down while he stroked its neck.  The horse shivered and its eyes rolled.

Mortow slid o
ff the horse and slapped a hand to its flank. 
“Alcedonia,”
he rumbled.  Instantly, the horse calmed.  Mortow looked over to see Megan dusting herself off and her horse galloping away.

“Flee bit
ten beast threw me off!”  Megan said indignantly.

Mortow motioned for Hagan to take the horse.  “We no longer require them anyway.  It is time for me to begin,” Mortow replied
, gazing up at the starry moonlit sky.  He closed his eyes and called out,
“Atrum nox noctis.”

Megan followed his gaze and watched
, enthralled, as slowly, but with gathering speed, large clouds began to form in the night sky.  They seemed to coalesce directly above her and spread rapidly out in all directions.  Within the span of a few heartbeats, the night became as black as any she had ever witnessed.  Once again she marveled at the power wielded by this man.  Any sixth key could create a cloud, but to obscure the entire sky as far as the eye could see was a feat only the very powerful could accomplish.  Megan’s attention was caught by a thrumming sound.  She cocked her head, listening, and, as the sound grew louder, she realized what it was.  The army was chanting a single word over and over, Magika.

Mieka transported herself to the other end of The Slot
, a discreet distance away, in case the fighting was still underway.  Hearing only silence, she moved a little closer.  There were no signs of a battle, and she could see human warriors standing guard.  There was no sign of Maklin or the trolls Mortow had said would be here.  Knowing West Gate was to the north and the desert was to her back, she knew Mortow would have hidden his troops to the south.  She transported herself a short distance in that direction.

When Mieka looked around she felt her stomach lurch and
became violently sick.  She closed her eyes to block out the sight and took several deep breaths.  She realized that was a mistake as the smell nearly made her vomit again.  Once she had her stomach under control, she pulled a small glass orb, the size of a large marble, from her pocket, and set it to floating just above her right shoulder.

“
Lumen,
” she spoke softly, and it began to glow with a light blue radiance.  She kept the light dim so it wouldn’t be visible from a distance.  As her eyes adjusted she covered her mouth with her hand and willed her stomach to behave.  All around her were dead trolls or parts of them anyway.  She was standing in the middle of an open-air slaughter house.  Not a single body in sight was intact.  All had been ripped apart.  The ground was soaked with blood and strewn with entrails.

Mieka levitated herself off the ground to keep from having to walk through the gore
.  She began to look for clues as to what had happened.  When she reached the northern end of the carnage, she caught site of a figure unlike the others.  This one was intact and, with a chill, she realized it was wearing a robe.  Mieka telepathically turned the twisted body over and retched again as she saw the gaping wound in Maklin’s neck.  But, what was worse was the look of absolute terror on his face.

Mieka had seen enough and she quickly spoke the words of transport taking her back to Mortow.  She opened her eye
s and drew a deep breath.  Even the smell of the marsh was a welcome relief after the stench of all that death.

“Well?” Mortow prompted in his low rumbling voice.

Mieka drew a few more deep breaths while she tried to clear her head.  “Maklin is dead as are a great number of trolls.”

Mortow swore under his breath.  “So King Brose’s knights were able to defeat them.  Perhaps I underestimated his abilities.”

“I don’t know what killed Maklin and all those trolls, but it certainly wasn’t King Brose’s men.  It looked more like some great beast tore through them, ripping them apart as it went,” Mieka recounted with a faraway look in her eyes.

“Dragon,” Mortow stated flatly.

“It could have been, I suppose.”

“So it is my father
that I seem to have underestimated.”  Seeing Mieka’s questioning expression, Mortow continued.  “When last we camped, we were attacked by dragons.  They came at us and torched the heart of the army then fled toward The Slot.  Merric appears to have tamed a couple of wurms and is using them to great advantage.”

“I didn’t think it was possible to tame wurms
, and I never heard Merric express any interest in them.  Maybe Michael is behind this somehow instead of uncle Merric.”

“You think too much about that boy,” Mortow growled.  “He lacks the knowledge and experience to pull off such a feat.  No
.  It had to be Merric.  Best ready yourself; we are almost there.”  Mortow touched his index and middle fingers to Mieka’s eyelids.  “
Ostendo sum lux lucis.
”

Instantly the darkness around her opened up and she could see as if it were a heavily overcast day.  “Nice spell,” Mieka said in awe.

Mortow shot her a half smile then turned, looking for Hagan.  The troll was just returning from taking care of Mortow’s horse.  “Hagan, go and tell the captains to begin.”

Hagan grinned fiercely
.  “Yes, Magika.”  He took off at a dead run to relay the orders.