The Ghost Of Eslenda (Book 1) (34 page)

"We shall ride to Rockwood Castle and then find the Turuck army," said Kerreth. "Follow as you can and fear not, there shall be plenty of Turucks for you to kill."

Kerreth saluted the walkers and the Talos Company rode hard.

The dawn was quiet around Rockwood Castle. The dark stone overlooked a gully of wildflowers like a forgotten statue reclaimed by nature. Birds sang in the trees and a murmur of activity could be heard within the walls of Cane's castle. Its people woke to their daily tasks. Activity around Hal's camp began hours earlier. Hal checked his gear and counted the nicks on his sword. He felt the weight on his shoulders digging deep into his muscles. He knew he was changing, becoming harder and colder. His focus was saving Eslenda, not avoiding the crown. He could never avoid the crown now. It was his until his last breath and he began to understand his father a little more. Henry had kept his counsel to himself and seldom consulted advisors. When he was younger Hal believed his father arrogant but now he recognized the caution and fear surrounding his father's actions. Trust was invaluable but how could Hal read the hearts of his subjects especially if his own brother courted treason and murder? Hal felt himself harden even more. His life was no longer his own; he belonged to Eslenda now. He looked around at the men around him. Their lives belonged to him and he would use them to gain his victory. To whatever end he led them; they would follow. He would not hesitate to send them to their deaths. He was king. King. He was steward of the realm.

Oswald's Company stood ready to ride. Hal adverted his gaze from Plucker who struggled to get his stiff leg over the saddle on his horse. Hal rode out slowly, allowing his men to fill in around him. He would lead them toward Far Greening to see if any survivors could be found. Several dozen soldiers had joined them during the night with tales of others wandering in the wilderness. Plucker interviewed them and assigned their duties. Both Oswald's and Cane's captains deferred to Plucker as he placed the newcomers throughout the company. Hal's ragtag troops now matched Oswald's in number and with the soldiers from Rockwood Castle under Richard Cane's command Hal led a sizable company.

He signaled his captains and they slowly moved west along the road toward Far Greening. The air was crisp and the sun warmed him. He felt excited and focused. He knew the task before him and his personal demons had been quelled for now. He knew no doubts and his arm felt strong.

They rode for almost two hours when the scouts came back to him.

"Sire, a company approaches. They appear to be friendly. I saw Nunari as well as Daerlan, but I could not tell who leads them. No Turucks nor any colors I recognized."

"Very well. We shall await them here." Hal signaled and the captains positioned their men. Plucker drew near and unsheathed his sword.

"Don't think I can handle myself, Sir John?"

"Your pardon, sire, but your father said the same thing to me. I shall reply to you as I did to him. I am sworn to the throne of Eslenda and will protect its occupant whether or not he can wield a sword."

"Very noble. Sterile and detached, much like you, Sir John."

"I want to defend you! Can you understand that?" Plucker's face was flushed.

"All right. You should have said so in the first place."

Hal halted and watched the riders approach. His smile widened as the riders came closer and the tall rider transformed into his son. James carried a long glowing spear and Sena Tagjet rode beside him. Hal recognized Lan Tagjet, Onyax Lor and the others of the questing company. But the others he did not know. The burly man with two long swords at his waist rode forward with his hand raised. The man had tusks!

"Well met, King Hal. We have brought your travelers back to you and we found other sojourners precious to you as well." He gestured to Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary.

"Praises! You are alive!" Hal shouted to his wife. They rode to each other and embraced. Hal held Elizabeth for a long while, and then hugged Mary. James clasped forehands with his father. The strain on James' face was obvious but the young man smiled at Hal. Hal patted his shoulder and turned to the apparent leader of the newcomers.

"Sir, it appears I am in your debt. Tell me your name and how I may repay you."

"Very gracious, King Hal. But we need no payment other than the chance to fight alongside you against the Turucks. My name is Kerreth Veralier and we are the Talos Company." The others rode to Kerreth's side. They wore dusty gray cloaks and no signal of any kind.

"Impossible. You don't exist." Hal smiled at Kerreth's jest, for it had to be a jest.

A Daerlan pushed forward on his horse. His hair had grayed over the centuries and crow's feet accented his eyes. He drew close to Hal.

"Hardly. I am Gorm Talos and I was present when my brother Altair, founded the Talos Company before Men came to Amloth. Even on Anavar, Men were but a minor tribe in those days."

"And I am Taina Talos, daughter of Altair Talos. I witnessed the beginning of the Talos Company also. Kerreth has been our leader for these two thousand years."

"Aren't you human?" asked Hal with a frown.

"I am part Man, part Zidar. Our company includes Tuors, Anethean, Celaeri, sorcerer, mage, Daerlan and one Turuck. We are quite a diverse group and very long lived. We wander about Landermass and never stay in one place too long. Helps to avoid attachments to the short-lived. No unnecessary heartache, if you follow me. We followed the Turucks across the Koberi Desert on Anavar to Masina, to Eslenda. We mean to end this threat to Landermass. If the Turucks destroyed the Daerlan much knowledge would pass from the world. Such knowledge we would never recover before the ending of the world. We aim to destroy the Menaloch, the evil behind Tag Makk.

"The Talos Company has connections to most kingdoms of Landermass and represents all the people of the world. We are the guardians of those who can't protect themselves. If your war was merely a civil war among nobles you would still believe the Talos Company to be legend for such a cause will not draw us."

"But here you are," said Hal. He recovered his poise. "We are delighted for your help and guidance in this matter. Legend said Navir travels among you; it was he who sent these people on their quest."

"Yes. Navir is one of our Company. He is with us now. The struggle against the Menaloch is one he has fought for millennia. We mean to see it ended upon the fields of Eslenda."

Hal and Kerreth led the riders as they turned back to Rockwood Castle. The road to the plains was quicker from there and Hal was ready to meet the Turucks in battle and worry about Far Greening afterward. If they won, dealing with the Turucks holding his home would be simpler. But there was other urgency in their steps. From what Kerreth had told him, Blackthorne's spell of protection for James and Lan Tagjet could not hold indefinitely. The strength of the Kaliga was growing by the minute. They would need to get into position to wield the spear against the Menaloch before another night arrived.

The sun had set and the sound of a single horseman now changed into many. Hal barked commands and arrows were notched to their bows. James drew his sword and moved forward. Kerreth and Moria's mounts blocked him from advancing further.

Howard Cane rode through the narrow path accompanied by ten Shadow Runners. Dozens of arrows pierced them and soldiers ran to finish them off. Cane turned to scowl at the Shadow Runners and continued riding until he approached Hal. Cane dismounted and dropped to his knee.

"Sire, I am heartened that my plan worked."

"As am I, Sir Howard, as I am. We have much to discuss later. You are fortunate we were prepared to welcome your companions. We are now ready to engage Tag Makk. Your household rides with us." Hal tilted his head toward Margaret and Richard and their cool expressions. Cane's face darkened.

"I see. Will I have the opportunity to voice my side?"

"Of course. I will listen to your words."

A shout from the soldiers brought everyone to readiness. James rode up alongside his father. Cane took notice but said nothing.

"A whole company of Shadow Runners!" shouted the soldier who reached them first.

"Treachery!" shouted Plucker.

"No, I did not know!" cried Cane. "I swear, sire."

"Later," snapped Hal.

Shadows moved quickly over the land as the sun dipped. The sounds of the approach of the Shadow Runners filled the road. The horses of the Talos Company moved ahead of their companions. Kerreth turned to Prince Hal.

"We shall take the first charge. Feel free to mop up what we miss." Kerreth smiled and saluted Hal. James urged his horse forward.

"No," said Hal. "You must help Sena when Tag Makk arrives. Do not risk yourself yet. Let the old-timers fight, it might be a good show."

James hesitated, and settled in his saddle.

"All right. I will watch the Talos Company. My strength is returning quickly and I won't be able to rest my sword for long."

"Patience, my son. Your battle will find you, perhaps earlier than you know. Be watchful ere the battle is not the one you expect."

"You have changed some father," said James with a grin. "I never knew you to be so insightful."

"I don't know whether that is a compliment or an insult."

The Talos Company unsheathed their weapons; Kerreth held both swords and spoke to his horse in a strange language. Taina Talos rode to the front and cried out in Daerlan. The Talos Company thundered down the road, eight against fifty. James shifted in his saddle, uncertain of the odds, but the first contact changed his mind. The Talos Company struck down the Shadow Runners like chaff from the grain. Kerreth's blades flashed and moved in a rhythm James found familiar yet he couldn't name it.

"I've never seen such fighting," said Hal.

"We are watching legend," said Lan Tagjet. "The stories do not bring them to life fully. Our days are full of wonder; I hope we survive it, King Hal."

"So do I, Hunter. I am pleased you have weathered it so far."

"No thanks to Howard Cane," said Lan Tagjet.

"I will not be abused," said Cane.

"Shut up, father," said Richard Cane. "They all know what you have done. They found Roger Diggs."

"You betray your father!"

"Enough," said Hal. "Or I shall pass judgment now, and I do not feel lenient."

Cane turned away, his face flushed.

A few Shadow Runners ran toward Hal's company to escape the merciless blades assailing them. Oswald's men stepped forward and released their quarrels. The Shadow Runners stumbled and Richard Cane's men thundered into them. One Shadow Runner stepped free and notched and released an arrow. Cane ducked and a gasp came from behind him. Elizabeth staggered with the arrow through her chest.

"NO!" cried Hal. He dismounted to his wife's side. Blood spurted from her wound. Hal tried to cover the wound with his hand but he couldn't stop the blood. His bloody hand pushed back Elizabeth's hair from her pale face. Lan Tagjet stood behind him.

"Allow Onyax Lor to treat her, King Hal," he said softly.

Onyax Lor knelt down and examined Elizabeth. He probed gently with his fingers and squeezed moisture from a flower into the wound. Onyax Lor sighed and applied a foul smelling ointment to the wound. Elizabeth looked at Hal then her eyes closed.

The sounds of battle had ceased.

Plucker barked orders to make camp and clear away the dead Turucks. Plucker instructed Charles Oswald to take charge of Howard Cane and keep him out of Hal's sight.

Kerreth watched the proceedings from his seat on a fallen log.

"How will he temper?" asked Moria, nodding at Hal.

"There is iron in him and I sensed it growing when we met. He may become a formidable king in time. Still, his sword arm is to be avoided for the near future."

"You fought well," said Moria.

Kerreth smiled. "Thank you."

"He always fights well, daughter," said Taina.

"Private conversation, mother!"

"Sorry." She winked at Kerreth.

"I'm glad you noticed," said Kerreth. "I looked for you, too. You were cornered for a moment, but that spin surprised the Shadow Runners."

"Please," said Gorm. "Do we have to listen to this lovey-dovey muttering? We are in the middle of a war."

Kerreth stood up and took Moria's hand.

"Let's walk. The company is tedious."

The Eslendians and Nunari passed the night while the Talos Company kept watch. A cool wind rose with the sun. The forces of King Hal would reach the Turuck army before the sun set again.

The company was subdued. Voices were low and laughter muted. Sena sat enveloped in James' arms as he shook with sobs. Hal stood apart, staring at nothing in the distance. He tied Elizabeth's ring around his neck so he would always feel her closeness. She would stay with Margaret at Rockwood Castle. Her wound was deep and festering. The mage Dvorak Annis had caught up with the Talos Company on foot and offered to care for Elizabeth. Dvorak was at Rockwood Castle with Elizabeth but had no words of comfort for Hal. Elizabeth had slipped into a coma. Hal put all personal thoughts aside. He had been drained of identity. Hal Islen no longer existed; only Henry II, King of Eslenda remained and his enemies would rue this day. Hal only thought of his duty to Eslenda and its people. He placed his emotions in a deep place until Eslenda was secure. The cold detachment cleared his thoughts as he focused on what needed to be done. His army was small but fierce and the addition of the Talos Company brought an aura of immortality to his men. They would fight alongside the deathless ones and draw their power unto themselves. Hal could not have asked for anything better to bolster the confidence of his soldiers.

He turned to Kerreth and Norman Oswald who stood apart from him speaking in hushed tones.

"We have waited long enough. There shall be time enough for mourning afterward. Sir Norman, are your men ready?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Kerreth?"

"Ever ready, King Hal."

"Plucker?"