Terry W. Ervin Read online

  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.

  Chapter 10

  North Pacific Ocean

  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.”

  “Grand Wizard, Road Toad’s history is his own to tell. If you have questioned the prince, either he refused to tell you or you seek to verify what he has said.” I sheathed my sword and stood my ground. “If I answer, I would betray the trust of a friend and go against the apparent wishes of the prince.”

  “I am a grand wizard, do you not fear me?” A conjured breeze whipped through the bushes and caused the tent to ripple. “Or do you simply fear the prince more?”

  Those questions reached deep. I didn’t think that she would injure or kill me for not answering. Still, I knew I’d have spoken differently less than a day ago. “In combat, you would defeat me and I might fear for my life. For that, I respect who you are and what you can do. But I have pledged my loyalty to Prince Reveron.
He ordered me to protect you from harm. I’ll do that to the best of my ill-trained ability.”

  She relaxed her stance and smiled again. “You are a mystery too. Can you speak of that?” She picked up the other tent pole, set it in place and held it.

  The last thing I expected was for a grand wizard to help erect a tent. “I am Krish, son of Thurmond, of Pine Ridge.” I staked down one side. “I served in the militia of Lord Hingroar of the Doran Confederacy until my unit’s destruction.” I found it easier to speak to the grand wizard when she acted above me. “I now am Mercenary Flank Hawk. I serve Prince Reveron and the Kingdom of Keesee.” I knew that the prince had hired my services and loyalty, but for me it was more than that.

  “You were an agricultural laborer before that?”

  It took me a second to figure what she said, and nodded.

  “Why did you become a mercenary and choose to serve the Kingdom of Keesee?”

  I didn’t know that for sure either. Was it to avenge Guzzy’s death? To fight back against the Necromancer King for taking my family’s land? Out of a debt I felt to Road Toad for helping me survive? Or was it something else? I almost shrugged. Instead I answered, “To stand against evil.”

  Grand Wizard Seelain’s eyebrows rose at that answer. “I suspect there is more to you than simply a farmhand turned mercenary.” She examined the tent while I tossed branches over it. “A wizard’s intuition is correct vastly more often than not.” Her voice was relaxed yet assured. “I also suspect that even if I were to ask, you would withhold that information.” She held a finger to her cheek. “I could seek for my fiancé to ascertain if there is indeed more.” Then she brushed aside her white hair with a summoned puff of air, and grinned. “Of course, I will not, Flank Hawk. We all should be allowed our secrets.”

  I turned to arrange the branches, wondering. She was a grand wizard, but she couldn’t possibly know. Back in Prince Reveron’s camp I’d been touched and healed by a true healer, a priestess of Fendra Jolain. If the priestess didn’t recognize that I was a rogue healer, Grand Wizard Seelain certainly shouldn’t.

  After Prince Reveron and Road Toad returned from the ravine, we walked to a nearby stream. There we took turns bathing while Wizard Seelain used her magic to remove the stench from our armor and equipment. The smell of death was gone but the faded stains of blood and gore remained.

  During a meal of dried fruits, hard biscuits, and watered-down wine, the prince suggested that Road Toad and I check the area once more before we settled into watches and sleep. Once we’d scouted the nearby hills and were returning to camp, I asked Road Toad, “Why travel at night? I remember you saying that it’s easier to go off course.”

  “Navigation by stars and moonlit landmarks is more difficult, but our movements will also be harder to see.”

  “There are spies in Keesee?” I asked. “Who would betray the prince?”

  “Why do you think we’re securing the area, looking for signs of recent passage?”

  I shrugged. “I thought for outlaws, goblin scouts, or wild animals.” I searched the late afternoon sky. “Well, animals would smell the dragons, but we have outlaws in the Doran Confederacy, even in the wilds.”

  “If downwind, they would. And Keesee, I am sure, still has its share of brigands.” He picked up a stone and examined it. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been this close to home.” He clutched the jagged rock before tossing it aside. “And there are always those who would betray this land and its people to the enemy. For riches, or to avenge perceived wrongs, there always will be.” He frowned and the lines of his pock-marked face appeared deeper than usual. “It seems there will always be the enemy.”

  Road Toad patted my shoulder. “You fought well,” he said and sighed. “I’ll miss ol’ Pops. We campaigned many times together.”

  I leaned my spear against a large rock and reached into my salt pouch. Road Toad watched with interest as I examined what Short Two Blades had given me. It was a glass bead the size of my thumbnail held in the grasp of a tarnished copper claw resembling that of a bird of prey. Small tattered feathers and sewn triangles of worn fur dangled from clasps that ran the length of the eighteen inch chain. I carefully shook it to remove the bits of salt.

  “Flank Hawk, where did you get that?”

  “From Short Two Blades. He stuffed it in my pouch just before he died with the Crusaders.” I held it up for him to see. “What is it?”

  “Some sort of talisman.” He squinted, staring at it. “I bet that’s blood suspended in that bead. Probably made by witchcraft or sorcery. Not an enchanter.”

  “What’s it for?”

  Road Toad shrugged. “Short gave it to you? It wouldn’t be harmful then.” He smiled while giving the talisman a second look. “Short Two Blades was fond of you.”

  “He was?”

  The mercenary picked up my spear and we again started up the hill, back to camp. “Well,” chuckled Road Toad, “as fond as Short ever was about anyone. And you saved him from that zombie’s arm.”

  “And almost got you killed.” I wrapped Short’s talisman in my cleaning rag and stuffed it temporarily beneath my breastplate. “He died anyway.”

  “Sometimes comrades must fend for themselves while you aid another.” His voice hardened. “It is true that Short died, but your action allowed him to take more of the enemy with him. Many more of us will die before this is over. Maybe even you and me.”

  “You talk like you know we’ll win.”

  “Flank Hawk, I would fight against the Necromancer King even if I knew the cause was hopeless.”

  “Why?” I asked, realizing I probably would as well.

  He handed me back my spear. “Why do you fight?”

  “Grand Wizard Seelain asked me that.”

  “She did?” he asked. “What did you answer?”

  “To fight evil. It’s a lot more than that, but that’s what I told her.”

  Road Toad looked about. “A land ruled by the Necromancer King, I’d rather perish.” Then he added in a lighter tone, “Grand Wizard Seelain doesn’t remind me of most wizards of her rank.”

  I nodded. “Do all battles have so many wizards?”

  “None that I’ve ever fought in. I think the stakes were pretty high.”

  “Did we lose?”

  “More of a draw,” Road Toad said, shaking his head. “But Prince Reveron, and the king, expected to win.”

  We were nearing the camp. “The grand wizard doesn’t think much of my sword skills.”

  “Neither do I.” Road Toad laughed. “But you’re improving.”

  I debated whether to add more of what she had said, then regretted even mentioning it.

  Road Toad changed the subject for me. “Have you ever seen one of the ancient cities of old?”

  “No, but I’ve heard trogs live in them.”

  “They do, and other things more remarkable.” He swatted a biting fly on his neck. “Living may not be the word.”

  I knew the cities were full of danger and few who explored them ever returned. Even wizards. “Are the stories true, that there were once hundreds and hundreds of the great ancient cities? Have you been in one?”

  “Not the one we’re going to fly over tonight. It was once called Milan. My travels are stories for another time,” he said as we entered the camp.

  The prince and Wizard Seelain were talking quietly and laughing. They stood, holding hands as we entered the camp.

  “Remember to watch for Milan’s lights,” Road Toad said to me before approaching the prince and bowing. “No sign of recent passage in the area, Prince.”

  “Very good, Road Toad,” he replied. “Seelain and I will take the first watch, and then wake you and Flank Hawk. Four hours after sunset we’ll depart, and with favorable winds.” He paused and winked at Grand Wizard Seelain. “We will reach the King’s City late tomorrow.”

  We flew on through a cloud-filled sky that hid most of the stars. I knew my legs and backside would be sore despite
frequently adjusting my position and placing a folded blanket on the saddle. Without the stars, travel was disorienting. Road Toad counted on our mount to keep track of the prince on Night Shard.

  After about an hour Road Toad called back to me, not quite shouting, “Below us. Milan.” He signaled for Hell Furnace to bank so that we could more easily see below.

  We passed over what must have been a high-walled castle. Flickering blue-white lights appeared atop the spires and within high narrow windows. As we watched, the moon’s light found an opening through the clouds. Some of the lights flickered out, while others appeared, like a dance of fireflies. Other lights glimmered in place, never moving.

  Road Toad urged our serpent to catch up with the prince. “Did you see them?” He spoke in a conversational tone, difficult to hear above the wind.

  “What are they?” I asked, watching the retreating city before again scanning the sky for possible shadows trailing us.

  “Some say wandering souls.” Several wing beats later he added, “Ancient cities with them are the ones that survived.”

  “Survived what?”

  “Ravages of the elements, and time.”

  “Old Lowell told us it was the trogs.”

  “Who?” asked Road Toad.

  “An old man that lives—lived in Pine Ridge. He said it was the trogs who rebuilt the ancient cities of old.”

  “Maybe. But they live in the catacombs below.” His tone changed. “Our voices will carry on such a quiet night.”

  We rode on, through the darkness in silence. Once, just after dawn, we landed near a small lake to water the dragons. We ate more dried fruit, some sharp cheese, and drank from the river after refilling our waterskins.