The Orb of Truth (The Horn King Series) (19 page)

The behemoth suddenly produced, out of thin air, a huge, two-handed sword of fire. Flames dripped off of the blade like oil as the keeper of the Burning Forest towered over the Dwarf.

“Time to make you bleed, big boy!” Dulgin charged the monster with reckless abandon. The flaming steel came down to meet the small intruder, but the Dwarf side-stepped the assault at the last instant to avoid the deadly strike. Large chips of rock flew out from the impact of the sword and littered the ground. Dulgin countered, striking the monstrous forearm. His axe clanked off its armor, doing no damage. The short fighter continued his run between its legs. The beast watched the Dwarf’s movement, and then lifted its sword and turned around.

Dulgin was close to Xan when he finally reached the other side. “I suggest not getting hit. He moves slow, but that damn armor or skin of his is hefty.”

“Thanks. I will keep that in mind,” replied Xan. The Elf knew he would not be engaging this beast in melee, especially without his sword, but he had some other ideas of how to contribute to the battle.

Abawken yelled another command word, “EREZ!” The familiar Rock Elemental creature formed out of the ground beneath the giant, and instantly began to pummel it with its powerful fists of earth. Rock pieces flew off in all directions from the impact as it bellowed out a roar of discomfort. Its attention was now on the immediate threat. The human went in for an attack, striking its left achilles tendon while it was distracted. His sword of the elements penetrated through its thick armor, and a black, acidic ooze poured out of the wound. Its voice boomed in pain, but it still descended on the summoned earth creature.

The behemoth pinned the Rock Elemental to the ground under its right knee. With one hand free, the Burning Forest protector ripped the head off, killing it instantly. Still on one knee it threw the rock piece at the human. Abawken was clipped in the shoulder and was forced to release his sword. He fell to the ground in agonizing pain. His shoulder was broken. His cry could be heard by everyone.

Bridazak simultaneously released a second magical arrow. It slammed into the lower right side of its back and erupted into another powerful blast, like before. The giant was pushed to the ground, but it was still alive. It stood and turned toward the Ordakian. A large, gaping wound was very evident to the others when it turned. The black blood now began to flow freely.

Meanwhile, Xan went quickly to Abawken’s side and cast a spell. He placed his hands on the shattered shoulder, which caused the human extreme pain, but he relaxed and received the healing power. His bones were mended.

“You are not out of this combat yet, my friend.”

“Thanks,” Abawken said, getting back to his feet and gathering his weapon.

Dulgin prepared to charge but was halted by the Elf, “Wait, Dulgin. I have something for you that will help.” The Dwarf hesitated and almost ignored the request, but decided to investigate what the Elf had in mind.

“This better be good, Elfy.”

The monster was now focused on Bridazak, but was stopped by yet another Rock Elemental that sprouted below him and began to attack. The Protector lifted its giant foot high into the air, squashing the rock creature below him. Debris went sailing in all directions, and a fine, powdery dust enveloped his foot. The heroes heard a huge sound of grinding rock and the thud of the impact that followed. The beast roared in triumph, and then set its attention back on the Ordakian.

Bridazak grabbed his last magical beast arrow and notched it. He zeroed in on the head and unleashed the magical bolt. At the same time, the creature breathed a jet of fire from its mouth to intercept the arrow. Magic collided with the intense heat, and an explosion resulted. A huge ball of flame and magic blasted both Bridazak and the monster. The Ordakian was knocked back several feet, and hit his head hard on the volcanic rock. He lost consciousness as blood began to sprawl out from behind his skull. The beast withstood the blast, but not without taking considerable damage itself. Its chest and face bore deep, open gashes.

Abawken flinched from the intense heat and light of the explosion, and saw that Bridazak had fallen. The pressure to destroy their opponent quickly increased, as there were no signs of Bridazak getting back up. He was only able to summon one additional elemental for the day, as the power of his blade was being diminished; like him, it needed to rest. He wished there was a water source so he could bring that kind of elemental to combat this being. Just then, he saw Dulgin charging with his axe, but instead of running on the ground he was running in the air.

Dulgin had received the powerful spell from the Elf. He needed to get to that gaping wound in its back to do valid damage with his axe. Xan had given him that opportunity.

The creature had just taken the blast from Bridazak and was gathering himself when the Dwarf arrived. Before it turned around, Dulgin had swung his mighty axe and embedded it into the raw flesh that was exposed. It flinched intensely, twisting away from the assault, and bellowed in pain. Dulgin held on to his weapon shaft and went for a ride as it shook him violently, while trying to reach its hand around to pull it free. The stocky Dwarf kept jamming it deeper and deeper inside, and wiggling the axe blade back and forth as he was able to brace himself in the air with the magical spell in effect.

Abawken sprinted over to the Elf, “Are you able to produce a water source?”

An eyebrow rose up at the question, and then he smiled.

He suddenly began waving his arms while speaking a strange tongue to create the spell’s effect. A large amount of water poured out of his hands onto the volcanic rock. Steam was rising but before it evaporated the human yelled out another command word, “Mem!” The water formed into an elemental and Abawken brandished his sword in the direction of the giant. It glided over the rock like a wave.

Dulgin was finally grabbed, and then tossed away. He couldn’t hold on to the axe and had to let go. Still able to walk on the air, he was not injured by the toss. As he stood back up, the wave of water impacted the legs of the giant. A blast of steam ignited the area, and the group could no longer see it. They felt the ground shake violently beneath them, and heard the creature roar a blood-curdling yell. The steam faded, and lying before them was the slain pet and now-dead monster. From its knees down, it was disintegrated. Black blood gushed out from the stumps and washed over the rock. Its eyes were now dull and lifeless, and black smoke billowed out from its mouth and nose. The fire sword had disappeared and all was quiet.

The group of heroes were by Bridazak’s side, and with another healing spell from the Elf he was back on his feet, but still groggy from the encounter. They were all exhausted and tired.

“Look!” Dulgin yelled, pointing across the former battlefield.

They all marvelled at the spectacle. The flames began to die down and within minutes, the Burning Forest was no longer. A dwarven army now stood before the heroes, and they all smiled in victory and embraced one another. The vacant circle where they stood filled in with the living army. Dwarves surrounded them, and cheering erupted throughout the area. Suddenly, one of the dwarves broke through the ranks. The orange-bearded clan member’s eyes made contact, and tears welled up instantly.

“Dulgin?”

“El’Korr!”

They ran to each other, colliding armor clashing as they fell to their knees and embraced.

.

13

On the Move

T
he new army consisted of a thousand dwarves, a hundred humans, and a handful of the Sheldeen Elves. Every one of this military force was an experienced fighter with clerical spell-casting abilities; this was a very formidable group to launch at King Manasseh. They did not don the same armor or shields like regular infantry, but instead, each wore their own unique vestments in colors ranging across the rainbow. Some were armored in plate mail, others wore woven chain. The dwarves came from several clans throughout Ruauck-El, but none so noteworthy as Hammergold. El’Korr, Dulgin’s lost brother, was the leader of the operation, a highly respected commander, and he wore the grandest of any armor. The brilliant plate mail gleamed so brightly that everyone blinked away from the shine of it. There were no blemishes, dirt, smudges, or any marking, as the magic of the armor prevented it. He wielded a dwarven war hammer which dangled at his side, and a shield with his gold hammer crest emblazoned on the front.

El’Korr’s second in command was a Dwarf known as Rondee the Wild, due to the wild magic he and the others of his clan, called Smasher, often released—though unpredictably, and not always beneficially, most stayed clear of them. Rondee was the oddest Dwarf the heroes had ever encountered. His speech was erratic with broken common and dwarven intermingled, and his jerky mannerisms would interrupt his movements or speech. He was like a puzzle missing several pieces, but this rare Smasher clan member had earned his rightful position beside Dulgin’s brother. Rondee’s brown hair and beard were both gnarled and knotted. The only weapon he wielded was an extra small golden hammer that was fastened to his pockmarked leather armor. It was so small Bridazak wondered if it wasn’t a weapon at all, but rather, some kind of trophy.

Rondee’s group, made up of other Smashers, were the wildest and most tempestuous of all dwarves. A handful of these could deal damage equal to a hundred fighting dwarves; with their chaotic nature, their insatiable determination, and the pure instability of the magic they could release. There were twenty of them here, ready to serve and assigned to protect El’Korr at all costs.

There were a lot of questions going around, as the warriors had been held in stasis for hundreds of years, but they waited patiently for their next move and began to set up camp in newly formed groups, ready to receive instructions. Bridazak and Dulgin sat across from Abawken and Xandahar around a small campfire, ready to council El’Korr, Rondee, and several other commanders, eager to discuss their position. Joining them was Raina, a mysterious Elf mystic in lavender robes, wielding a wooden staff with etchings burned into it from top to bottom. Her face was pale and delicate, with a noticeable scar on her chin, and her whitish-yellow hair was tied back. She had high cheek bones and her ears were pointier than the other elves. Her appearance, at first glance, might communicate frailty, but her emerald eyes and gold pupils told a different story. Many soldiers approached her but none held her gaze, not because of her beauty, but in genuine fear. No other leader stood out more than she.

“We are in your debt,” El’Korr addressed the heroes who had freed them, “and we are ready to take on this King Manasseh.”

Xan stood and spoke to the gathered, “We believe the Tree resides at Black Rock, and is the power source for the King and his army.”

“We did not realize the Tree was the source when we gathered years ago,” El’Korr interjected.

“Bridazak’s father, Hills Baiulus, suspected it was, and went off alone. He has not been heard of since,” Xan continued.

Bridazak looked down to the ground, trying to avoid their stares. His father had died trying to undertake the mission it seemed they were about to attempt.

“The prophecy alludes to the Truth being the foundation of life. The words ‘life’ and ‘the tree’, translating from the forgotten language, are interchangeable. It is possible that the Orb of Truth will be the key in destroying the Tree.” The Elf paused so everyone could absorb this new revelation.

“Can we see the Orb, Master Bridazak?” El’Korr asked.

Bridazak was lost in his thoughts, recalling the dream he had endured for centuries, picturing an Ordakian family he had conjured and longed for his entire life. He heard someone call his name and peered up at the meeting attendee’s stares.

“The Orb? Can we see it?”

“Oh, yes. Of course,” he fumbled to get his hand into his pocket, but it wasn’t necessary, as the Orb appeared before them all. They stood in awe of the beauty and power that emanated from it, and the sense of peace that penetrated each of them. The flames of their fire flickered high as ever, but they seemed to dim in contrast to the bright glow of the golden sphere, as it spoke in the same booming and authoritative voice.

“I am the Spirit of Truth. He that has ears, let him hear what I am saying. The cities of Ruauck-El have become like harlots. They once were full of my justice, but now murderers abound! Their silver and gold have become dross, their choice wine diluted with water. The rulers are now rebels, companions of thieves; they love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of those without fathers, and the widows in need do not come before them. I have turned my hand against them and will restore the days of old. The City of Righteousness, the Faithful City, will be redeemed with justice, and my penitent ones will rise again. The self-proclaimed mighty men will become tinder, and their work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.

Behold, the day has come to fight for Truth. Strengthen your feeble hands, steady your knees that give way, and say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God, the true God, will come.” You will be my hands and feet and through you, the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. The Way of Holiness will shine once again and the redeemed will return and walk out the destiny that rightfully belonged to them. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will be no more.”

The Orb fell silent, and El’Korr dropped to his knees, stretching out hands toward it. “I have heard the voice of God this night, and vow my allegiance.”

It disappeared and Bridazak could feel the Orb back in his pocket.
Could El’Korr be right, and this entire time he had actually held the voice of God?

“Where is this God, El’Korr?” Bridazak broke the silence of the reverent moment.

The Dwarf stood, “I met him, Bridazak, and that is his voice. I entered the temple at the Holy City early on my path as a cleric, and had a vision during my initiation. He came to me in the form of a Dwarf; one that I cannot describe to this day. In that vision, he told me many things and brought to my memory lost dreams. I continued to hear his voice, until the time of Separation; until the silent years fell upon us. There is no doubt, you hold the voice of God in the Orb of Truth.”