Terry W. Ervin (14 page)

“Krish!” shouted Road Toad, “We ward the prince!”

“I’ll remember you, Pops!” I said before abandoning him. Pops Weasel shouted a string of curses against the shrill goblin calls before falling silent. Deep down I was thankful he fell instead of me. That thought hurt. I didn’t look back.

We made it to the Crusaders and circled behind their lines. They’d rallied around their flag bearer, still singing as they fired and reloaded. The prince and Wizard Seelain flinched but the Crusader’s words poured a vibrating warmth across my skin. The Crusader captain continued using voice and saber motions to direct his men, and they cut down the ogres pursuing us. Their gunfire rang my ears nearly as much as a panzer’s cannon.

Road Toad grabbed my shoulder and shouted into my ear, “The prince assigned Wizard Seelain’s safety to you. We go.”

I wondered if the prince realized Wizard Seelain fought better than me. Short Two Blades blocked my path. Blood ran from a gash under his left eye. He nodded and slipped something into my dangling salt pouch and tugged at the strings, closing it. “My debt and honor endures,” he said before pushing me toward the wizard. “Call upon me through it.”

I didn’t have time to ponder the meaning of Short’s words. The prince and Wizard Seelain had already broken into a sprint for the mound. Running with a sword was harder than with a spear. Ten seconds after Short Two Blades uttered his parting phrase, the sound of hand-to-hand combat rose. The Crusader song faltered, men called warnings, threats, and cries of pain. Goblins and ogres did the same.

We’d escaped. Short’s and the Crusaders’ sacrifice enabled it, but for how long? At least another thousand goblins were less than one hundred and fifty yards behind us. Prince Reveron crossed the spanning plank, followed by Grand Wizard Seelain. His black cape and leather armor splattered with mud and blood matched her stained sky-blue robes.

A scattered volley of goblin arrows rained down as Road Toad and I reached the mound and scrambled over. Defenders’ cheers calling the prince’s name brought a smile to his face. I was too winded for any expression above huffing exhaustion.

Master Wizard Golt approached the prince and bowed. “Prince, the m’unicorn cavalry has arrived.” He gestured behind him. At least two hundred of the horse-unicorn crossbreeds stood ready beyond the palisade. Women soldiers armed with short bows and light swords sat upon the steeds. “The heavy infantry regiment is thirty minutes away.”

I’d never seen a true unicorn, but twice a mule-unicorn had passed through Pine Ridge. A short blunt horn rising from the forehead along with flowing silky manes and tails indicated their unusual heritage. While sturdier, they’re said to be far less fleet and nimble than a true unicorn. Still, compared to a horse, a m’unicorn’s swiftness was like a barn swallow’s to a duck.

I hadn’t realized the prince was winded until he breathed heavily between phrases as he answered. “They’ll be tired. How many yet defend? Enemy disposition?”

General Ellis climbed over the wooden wall. The prince met him halfway. The general bowed. “Prince Reveron, we’ve begun evacuation of the wounded. Seventy percent casualties among the foot soldiers.” He looked to Road Toad. “All but five mercenaries have fallen and only twelve knights and their mounts made it back. Only two of the dragon bevy remain. Night Shard and Hell Furnace, with no serpent cavalrymen.”

“The air and earth wizards?” asked Grand Wizard Seelain.

“All but three air wizards survived, Grand Wizard. As Prince Reveron directed, when they’d expended their strength they retreated.”

Wizard Golt added, “One third of our number, Greater Wizard Kobal, Lesser Wizard Dondon, and Journeyman Finnate, fell.”

A runner, a sergeant, approached the prince and bowed. When acknowledged he said, “Prince, the enemy has withdrawn to reform their lines.”

“They may have sensed our reinforcements,” said General Ellis.

“Their numbers are vast,” said the prince. “When aloft I spotted their reinforcements. They’ll out number us seven to one.” The prince dismissed the runner. “General, are the dragons capable of flight?”

“They are, Prince. The red returned with only minor wounds across her back. Night Shard was tended to by one of the healers.”

Road Toad and I followed Prince Reveron, General Ellis, Wizard Seelain and Wizard Golt over the wall and through the waiting m’unicorn cavalry.

“These are my orders,” said the prince. “Fall back to the fortified city of Morthis. Defend the city, to the last man if necessary. If you use the m’unicorn cavalry wisely to harass the enemy, you should be able to outpace them.”

Prince Reveron removed his helmet and handed it to Road Toad. His grit-covered face and matted hair made him look more like a combat officer than a prince. “To deal with the new aerial menace, I will request my father to send as many air wizards as he can. Dragons are ill equipped for such duty.”

“Stukas,” interjected Grand Wizard Seelain. “That is why I am here.”

“To warn me of them?” He laughed sarcastically. “That is why my father would risk his future daughter-in-law.”

General Ellis said, “We shall hold, Prince Reveron.”

The prince stared at the ground in thought. “I must consult with my father.” He turned and took his helmet from Road Toad. “Maj—Road Toad, are you up to flying a serpent under the king’s banner? Under the circumstances I do not think my brother will object.”

Road Toad bowed. “If you desire, my Prince.”

“Select one to be your aft-guard. Seelain you will accompany me on Night Shard.”

“They need me here,” Seelain hotly responded. “Not hiding in the king’s palace.”

“That may be true, my dear Seelain. But should we encounter any Stukas along the way.” He added in mock seriousness, “You have long pointed out my lack of discipline and skill in the fine art.” Wizard Seelain took a deep breath, but before she could respond the prince turned to General Ellis. “As soon as we are provisioned, we will depart. Do as you see fit to reach Morthis. And if you discover a more effective way to delay the enemy than a death stand there, employ it. You have my complete confidence, and thus, that of my father, King Tobias.”

General Ellis bowed again. “Thank you, Prince. I will not fail you or the crown.” He turned and began issuing orders to nearby runners.

“Mercenary Road Toad,” said the prince, “go and see to our mounts.”

“Yes, Prince.” Road Toad bowed before nodding toward me. “And with your permission I would request Flank Hawk to be my aft-guard.

But—”

Grand Wizard Seelain cut off Road Toad, “But Major Parks specifically assigned mercenaries Road Toad and Flank Hawk as my personal bodyguards.”

Prince Reveron signaled for a nearby soldier who took the prince’s helmet from Road Toad. “Request who and what you need on my authority, Road Toad.”

Wizard Seelain smiled. “Mercenary Road Toad, Flank Hawk will guard us in your absence, but you might first direct him to sheath his sword.”

I didn’t realize I held ready the blood-spattered blade. I blushed and sheathed it as Road Toad bowed before hustling away toward the far end of camp.

Wizard Seelain took Prince Reveron’s hand. “Will you secure him a new spear? I owe the mercenary at least that much.”

“Need I remind you, dear Seelain, embarrassing your bodyguard is not wise. He endured a demon’s hellcry, and I witnessed how he lost his spear.”

Prince Reveron led us to where rows of wounded lay, some shielded from the climbing sun by canvas flies, others under wagons. Freemen and healers attended them, including a hard-working Acolyte Rellar. The once arrogant doorman eyed my gore-stained armor and nodded before examining the compound fracture of an unconscious soldier.

I stood guard while Prince Reveron spoke to the dying and wounded men. In a regal but still genuine manner, he grieved for them and their injuries, and they knew it. As the prince progressed through the ranks of the injured, it struck me that I’d survived where so many hadn’t. The last words uttered by Pops Weasel and Short Two Blades mingled with the dying gasps of my cousin, Guzzy. I felt a widening emptiness within me, but turned away from it.

A short time later Road Toad returned to announce the dragon mounts were ready.

2,873 Years before the Reign of King Tobias of Keesee

“Cavitations. American attack sub closing,” advised the sonar man. “Torpedo in the water, aft 500 meters.”

“Aft torpedo tube three, fire,” ordered the captain. Maybe it would be better if the crew died rather than live to learn how many of their countrymen perished due to his failure. “Both forward tubes, fire on the distant American frigate.” It was a blind shot, but better than none.

The missile sub shuddered a third time as compressed air ejected another of its ballistic missiles. The abbreviated fire time risked inaccuracy. Nevertheless, the captain smiled.

The sonar man frowned. “Decoys failed.” He spoke faster. “Two torpedoes still closing. First impact in two seconds.”

“Excellent work comrades,” said the captain. “You have honored our leader and—” The torpedo detonation aft interrupted him. “—your ancestors.” He braced himself as the damaged missile sub rocked, preparing to continue praising his men, but the second American torpedo found its target just forward of the missile launch tubes. He died with a final hope, that the Americans never ascertained his port of origin.

Road Toad said it was fortunate that we were upon a red dragon because blacks bond with their masters and don’t take well to new ones. We flew south for about three hours, following the prince on his serpent steed. I guessed we traveled about as fast as a strong horse could run. Even I could tell the dragons were near exhaustion.

Riding while facing rear wasn’t as difficult to get used to as I expected. Road Toad and I shared the double saddle; he faced forward and directed the dragon while I searched the rearward sky for possible enemies. At first Road Toad tried to conceal his excitement and the prince chuckled at Road Toad’s restraint. The mercenary couldn’t hide the sparkle in his eye while performing the final check of the serpent’s tack.

The chilly wind swirling past our helmets and the slow, steady flap of the dragon’s wings reduced conversation to brief over-the-shoulder shouts. I focused so hard on trying to spot pursuing Stukas that Road Toad’s announcement startled me. “The prince has signaled to land. Time to rest.”

Road Toad directed the dragon in a wide spiraling descent. Although we were well into the Kingdom of Keesee, safety of the prince wasn’t given to chance. When the dragon banked, Road Toad and I searched the ground. Hell Furnace breathed in deeply, her nostrils testing for unseen danger among the scrub brush along the hilltops.

I prepared for the jolt Road Toad had warned of when a dragon landed. It turned out to be only a little worse than a horse jumping a high fence rail.

“Hop down, Flank Hawk, and check the area.”

I loosened the leather straps that held my legs and unclasped the catch that harnessed me to the parachute’s pack. I stretched my stiff legs before climbing to the ground.

Road Toad tossed down my new spear and looked up at the circling prince. “Be quick about it.”

I circled the hilltop. Except for a few rabbits that cowered more from the scent of the dragon than my presence, I found nothing. I waved to Road Toad. “All clear,” I yelled before continuing my search.

When the prince landed, he and Road Toad led the dragons into a vine-ridden ravine while I set up camp under the watchful eye of Grand Wizard Seelain. I felt none of the seeping energy that I had upon first meeting her.

She stepped closer and examined the first A-frame tent that I’d pitched. “Mercenary Flank Hawk, or is it Krish?”

I didn’t meet her gaze as I camouflaged the tent with cut lilac branches. “Whichever you prefer, Grand Wizard Seelain.”

“Who trained you in the use of a sword?”

I unrolled the second tent and carefully set the stakes aside. “Mercenary Road Toad provided my training with a sword, Grand Wizard.”

“He is an inept instructor,” she said. “Did he train you in the use of a spear?”

My mind flashed back to Short Two Blade’s reaction when someone had insulted Road Toad. “No, Grand Wizard.”

“That is quite fortunate, Flank Hawk. Or I may not be standing here today. Thank you for your protection in the battle, especially against that vile ogre. And I commend you for your brave participation in rescuing Prince Reveron from harm.”

I set one of the tent poles. “Grand Wizard, you should direct your gratitude to Road Toad. Without him, I would be lucky to only be dead, and not one of the undead that marched against us.”

She laughed and I met her amused gaze and stated, “I must gather more brush to hide our camp from above.”

“You have cut more than enough to conceal both tents.”

“Maybe, Grand Wizard.” I turned away and drew my sword. It still bore the gore from battle. “But it will give me a chance to practice with my sword,” I said, wiping it clean on a coarse rag.

“Mercenary,” she said, “forgive my clumsy attempt at humor.” The wizard’s words came as straight as she stood, with her white staff held tightly. “Turn about and tell me of your mercenary friend’s history with Prince Reveron and his brother.”