The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (27 page)

"I can and I will. Edward made many promises and focused on my problems with the Nunari. He caught me in a weak moment. But I can make no excuses for my actions."

"I see. Do you expect any more weak moments?"

"No, Sire. The succor of Eslenda is my sole desire. The Turuck threat is greater than any personal concerns."

"Well, Sir Howard, it appears we have a battle to win."

"Yes, Sire. Command me." He leapt to his feet.

"Am I your king? It wasn't so a few days ago."

"Time grants men wisdom," said Cane.

"Imminent death may offer the same clarity of thought. We will discuss this later. Do you swear loyalty to me?"

Cane knelt again and kissed Hal's ring.

"You are my king, in life and in death."

"Arise, Sir Howard. We may yet win the day."

Cane looked around at Plucker and Grawlin. "Sire, may I ask where is Prince James? I thought I saw some of his men, but I didn't see him."

"He is on a mission to the north with the Nunari that will rid us of the power behind the Turucks."

"Great gods! With the Nunari! I sent a squad to attack any Nunari near the border. They will attack on sight."

Hal grabbed Cane's neck roughly.

"Cane! If I thought for a moment you have endangered James I would kill you where you stand." He pushed Cane away. "I have faith in my son. If it was only one squad, well, I am sorry for the loss of your men. But never again raise a hand against the Nunari. They are allies and a people of worth. They may be our only allies if the Turucks conquer all others."

"Yes, Sire."

"They must succeed in their quest. Are you aware of the dark power the leader of the Turucks wields?"

"I have heard rumor of it and I have seen the Shadow Runners. They feel no pain. I heard the name Menaloch. It was a childhood terror if I remember correctly."

Hal looked firmly at Cane.

"But it was based on a real creature, Howard; a fallen god. One of the Jungeguds who was imprisoned by Cothos for his folly. And that creature directs the Turucks through Tag Makk increasing his strength and whispering plans of the gods. We cannot win by force of arms alone. Tag Makk can lose five soldiers to every one of ours and still outnumber us. We must hold them in this valley until James returns with the Daerlan spear."

"Is that all?" laughed Cane. "I thought we were only fighting for our lives. I didn't realize we must stay alive for a proscribed time."

"That is our fate, Howard. To rise above ourselves or perish."

"Lucky Edward. He had already risen above himself with his head on a pike. Well, sire, I will do what I can. I don't believe we shall survive, but we shall make a good account of ourselves."

"Excellent. Tell me, how fares my sister, Margaret? I have not seen her for some time. Has she been ill? She hasn't visited Far Greening in some time." He watched Cane closely.

"She is fine and sends her regards."

"Excellent. At the first opportunity send her to me to stay for a visit."

"As you wish, Sire."

"And Richard? How is my nephew?"

"Well. He led the troops north while I led the defense."

"Is that him? With the blue cape?"

"Yes."

"Grown to quite the man."

"King Hal!" shouted Plucker. "They're coming!"

"Looks like our friends are ready for us," said Hal. "Let us greet them properly."

Hal rode to the head of his army with Cane and Plucker at his side. The Turucks filled the end of the valley, a sea of black shapes.

Hal's archers stood high on the ridge overlooking the Turucks. The ground in front of them was lined with arrows, ready to be fired against the enemy. Cane's remaining cavalry joined Hal's for a rush to the center of the Turuck line. The Turuck generals organized their lines to withstand the change, pike men rushing to the front to engage the horses of the Eslendians.

The crash of the forces filled the valley, Hal's cavalry cutting their way deep into the Turuck lines, dividing their foes. The infantry rushed forward from both sides to pinch the Turucks together. It worked for a while but the great numbers of the Turucks allowed them to spread the valley and send companies up the sides and go around the wings of the Eslendians. Hal called for part of his company to pull back to defend against the newcomers.

Hal's squads hit the Turuck Company heading west but the Turucks outnumbered them and half continued toward Far Greening while the remainder held off Hal's men. They simply were not enough defenders to halt the designs of the Turucks.

Tag Makk watched his soldiers chase the Eslendians up the valley. He knew other soldiers would be waiting for them farther north, but he had no concerns about the outcome. Edward's army was larger than Hal's and Cane's combined and while their leaders might be of more worth, the Turucks outnumbered them. He did wonder where Sir Norman had run off to after given his release. Tag Makk expected the old man to lead a charge against him. However, he had learned not to underestimate Norman Oswald. He had his spies in the field and would bring him any tale of the knight. No, it was not the battlefield that worried him.

The Shadow Runners had searched the castle at Riverdowns and did not find the wizard Lockwell. Tag Makk knew the wizard was still there. He needed to kill him before some magic mischief is released. Just the fact that Lockwell eluded capture put thought into Tag Makk's mind of the skill the wizard must possess. Still, the Shadow Runners found someone and are bringing the jester to Tag Makk at the rear of the battle. The little man had hidden in secret passages and spoke to Edward with ghostly whispers. Tag Makk laughed out loud. The jester might be just the thing to lighten his mood.

The little man landed at the feet of Tag Makk. He moaned and rolled over. Bruises covered his face and one eye swollen shut. Blood trickled from his mouth.

"So you are the ghost of Eslenda," said Tag Makk. "Very good."

"You are Tag Makk?" Quink whispered. "You are much more impressive in person than peering from a window in the castle."

"Ah, I thought I sensed someone watching when I entered the gates. I admire your tenacity and inventiveness. When I first heard of the ghost, I wondered if it -were Henry Islen, or Richard Oswald. Perhaps even Norman Oswald."

"But he was with you."

"Ah, nothing gets by you, jester. What is your name?"

"Quink."

"Fitting. Quink let me tell you why you still live."

"You need entertainment?"

"Ah, no. I need Lockwell and I believe you know where the wizard hides."

"I do not."

"Don't be hasty with your life. Please consider what I say before you answer. I will tell you that your last answer, if repeated, ends your life. Now here is what I want. I want Lockwell, and you shall be set free anywhere in my domain. I will not require you to bow to me. A free man, totally free."

"Free?"

"Yes, and just for providing information. You are not required to kill anyone, just tell me how to find Lockwell. That is not so hard, is it?"

"Won't that be the same? If I tell you how to find Lockwell you will kill him. It's the same as if I had done it."

"Quink, if you try to follow every string of fate just yawning in the morning may cause a civilization a thousand miles across the sea to fall. You will tell me, or you will die, now!"

Tag Makk grasped Quink's neck and lifted the little man into the air.

"Well?"

"I have a stone to speak with him," gasped Quink, his face botchy. "In my pocket, rub it and speak to him. Tell him that I have news and he finds me."

Tag Makk dropped him. Quink gasped and rolled in the dirt. Pain shot up his left leg. "It seems I am not done with you yet. You must tell Lockwell to come to you and you must be waiting for him. Then my Shadow Runners will move in."

"He will know I betrayed him!"

"You are nothing, Quink. I doubt if Lockwell ever gives you a second thought. If he does, he wouldn't be surprised by your betrayal. You are useless with a sword and too dumb for anything else." He looked to the Shadow Runners. He leaned close so Quink could not overhear.

"Take him back to the castle. He will summon the wizard and you will kill them both."

Quink suffered during the ride back to Riverdowns. The Shadow Runners rode fast and Quink could not find a safe grip behind the leader. His small hands lacked the strength to sustain his hold and every jolt terrified him. It was bad enough to hold onto the Shadow Runner; there was no heartbeat. The few moments his mind was clear to think of other things, he dreaded what he must do. Could he say anything to Lockwell to alert him to the danger? Would the Shadow Runners allow him the chance? If he escaped who could he run to for help?

He took a close look at Riverdowns and the land around it while they rode to the gates. He hadn't really seen it on the way north. The fields were trampled and bloody, bodies still lying where they fell. A small contingent of Turucks watched the people of Riverdowns with their wagons and carts pick up the corpses and hall them to a pit dug and line with lime beyond the road. Other people tried to identify the bodies for a separate burial but most were tossed down the hole.

The faces were drawn and chalky to an ash gray. He saw no spark in their movements, no remembrance of joy in their eyes. Turucks guarded the gates; the royal guards were not to be seen. He was pulled roughly from the horse, pushed forward and stumbled into the keep.

The Shadow Runners did not speak as they led Quink to his room. They shut him in and he couldn't hear them move off. He wondered if they could be invisible. He pulled out the stone and whispered into it, hoping to warn Lockwell but he heard a cough behind him. He turned and the wizard towered over him.

"Shh. They are not far. I suspected Tag Makk would use you to trap me. If I kill them, Tag Makk will know it; my magic will make such noise that the Menaloch will hear it. However, if you kill them, Tag Makk won't be warned."

"How can I kill them? I'm a jester. I only carry a small knife to peel apples. I faint if I see blood. I can't kill anyone. I'm shaking already. They'll hear my teeth chattering and catch me."

"Ah, Quink, you underestimate yourself."

"I've never killed anyone!"

"We don't have much time, they will be checking on you soon. They are no longer Turucks, Quink. The Menaloch consumed them; they are merely shells of flesh manipulated by the Menaloch. They will not be able to detect danger from you. Hold the stone out in front of you when they return and say clearly 'Eciperente'."

"I don't understand."

It was at that moment the door to his room opened and the Shadow Runners came in, shoving him aside as they looked around the room. They evidently heard the sound of voices. Quink stood alone in the room. They turned over his pallet and pounded on the walls looking for passages. Quink's hand trembled as he raised the stone. The Shadow Runners noticed his movement and stared at him. He tried to swallow, but his throat had no moisture.

"Eciperente," he croaked. Nothing happened. "Eciperente!" he shouted and then coughed. He heard an eerie cry and the Shadow Runners crumbled into dust. He waited several seconds before opening his eyes.

"Very good, Quink," said Lockwell from the doorway. "The Menaloch will not sense my presence in their deaths. That will anger Tag Makk. Come, we have allies arriving shortly and we must welcome them properly."

"Allies?"

"Yes, a renowned band of mercenaries. Let us find a cask of good wine for them. It is dawn and the Turucks will skulk to their holes. When the sun is high we must accomplish much."

"What happens if the Turucks are caught out in the sun?" asked Quink.

"Unfortunately, I am not sure if it hurts them other than the brightness and blistering skin. I believe they can endure it if they have to, but the Shadow Runners cannot abide the sun and will burn to a vapor in the rays of the sun."

Lockwell checked the corridor and then they descended the stone steps to the lower levels. They saw no one but Quink felt chilled knowing the Turucks could be hiding so close.

"How do we know they won't jump out of their hiding places and kill us?"

"We don't know," said Lockwell. "That's what makes it so interesting, don't you think? Each step could be our last."

"You'd make a lousy jester," said Quink. "That wasn't funny at all."

"I agree," said a voice in the darkness. Quink jumped and almost fell but the long arm of Lockwell steadied him.

"Prince Kal, son of Kennis?" asked Lockwell. "Excuse me; I should say King Kal, son of Kennis."

"Yes. What is happening here? King Edward imprisoned me and I heard fighting for days."

"Edward was never king," said Quink.

"Edward is dead," said Lockwell. "The Turucks arrived shortly after you did and if Tag Makk knew you were here we would not be having this discussion. Come, we must send you north to King Hal at Far Greening. There will be soldiers here soon who are friends. They will take you north. Quink and I must remain. We shall find you weapons and supplies. Then you can fight the Turucks to avenge your kingdom."

"I ask nothing more."

Navir departed after allowing them to find the Kaliga, the Daerlan spear that could destroy the Menaloch. The mysterious Daerlan did not offer much information nor did he tell them how to unlock the magic protection surrounding it. What knowledge he did reveal was not comforting. The Kaliga was dangerous to wield. It rose out of the sand, offering itself to the bold.

Unfortunately, ten Daerlan, armed with swords defended it: Daerlan with greater strength, speed and stamina than humans. Their sword skill would be a match for the Nunari and the Eslendians in normal conditions, but the Daerlan guardians pulsed with power. James believed Navir would allow only those who proved worthy to claim the Kaliga and had demanded one person to carry it and another one to wield it. Even then they may not get the Kaliga to the battle. No others may touch it else; its power drains them of all life. Navir did not sound optimistic and James realized they could all perish in the attempt to bring the Kaliga to Eslenda to engage the Menaloch in battle. James called everyone back from the guardians, watching the glowing swords all the while.