Terry W. Ervin Page 5

  “Krish, hold your injured arm against your chest like you have it.” With a quick snap, Road Toad tipped his head toward the camp. “Let’s get you to a healer, and then secure you some better equipment.” He walked next to me, ready to support if I stumbled. “Ever consider becoming a mercenary?”

  I gave him the honest answer. “No.”

  He slowed his pace to match mine and carefully removed one of my pouches. “You won’t want this when we visit the healer.” He stuffed my supply of white oak bark into his satchel and nodded. “Anything else that might raise a healer’s suspicions?” he asked, leaning close.

  “No,” I said, concentrating on ignoring my broken arm.

  “Good,” Road Toad said and changed subjects. “I heard you yell down from Night Shard. Your family is safe, or as safe as can be.”

  We stepped aside as a squad of armed soldiers double-timed it somewhere. Road Toad nodded for me to follow. “Even if Prince Reveron doesn’t tell us, I suspect Pine Ridge will be overrun by midnight. But your family should be well gone.”

  “I need to find them,” I said, realizing their plight. The entire night seemed a blur that happened too fast. The image of Guzzy dying reemerged.

  Road Toad observed my slowing pace and matched it again.

  “My father will need me,” I said, knowing Guzzy’s family would need him too. I’d have to tell his father and mother what had happened to their son, and realizing that twisted my guts even more.

  “How will you find them?” asked Road Toad.

  I gazed at him blankly without an answer. Maybe he thought I was going into shock. Maybe I was.

  He led me between circles of tents until crossing a main path leading toward the center. Mercenaries stared back at us from their small fires as they ate, joked, repaired armor or sharpened weapons. Despite the variety of color, builds and equipment, all had confident faces. Or at least every mercenary that looked my way.

  Laughter, philosophical discussions, and even bickering filled the circle camps. I sighed and drove worries about my family and grief for Guzzy from my thoughts. I leaned closer to Road Toad. “Major Jadd?” I whispered.

  “Yes, that was me once.” He looked around, avoiding eye contact with me. “I once was a serpent cavalryman with my own steed.” He sighed, and picked up the pace. “I will tell you another time.”

  We approached two attentive Keeseean soldiers with shields and spears, standing on either side of the path. Twenty yards beyond them the ring of soldier tents ended, leaving a gap before the two largest central tents. I knew the one flying the white flag displaying the prominent outline of a red cross was where the healers would be found. Pairs of soldiers in chain armor with gold and purple sashes paced in precise steps as they circled the pavilions.

  The two guards on the path watched us approach and stood ready. We stopped eight feet away. Road Toad said, “Prince Reveron directed me to take this soldier to the healers.”

  The guards eyed me, then returned their gaze to Road Toad. Something in Road Toad’s return stare must have impressed them. They stood aside.

  The circling guards, three pairs marching equal spread around pavilions, didn’t stop us. Probably magic would be protecting the area. Besides, the prince wasn’t in his tent.

  “If you think the prince’s guards are efficient,” said Road Toad, “or you thought some of those mercenaries were intimidating, you’re in for a new experience.”

  I knew the Healer’s Guild supplied its traveling members personal guards, but the two towering men outside the main entrance to the healer’s pavilion made me stutter in my step. New pain shot through my arm and shoulder.

  The two guards, holding halberds, barred our way. They wore steel helmets that hid their eyes. Thick straps of woven leather laced with iron rings made up their armor. Beneath it, bulging muscles flexed as we stopped.

  Not intimidated, Road Toad looked up at the silent guard on the right. “I have escorted this soldier at the request of Prince Reveron to seek a healer for his injury.” His authoritative statement brought no response. “Stand aside and allow us entry, or notify those within of our purpose.”

  After staring up at the unmoving guard for twenty seconds, Road Toad put up his arm and ushered me back. A wicked grin crossed his face as he drew his sword, our fallen captain’s sword. “It is disrespectful that Prince Reveron’s wishes go unheeded.” His eyes shifted from guard to guard. “I, however, do not hold the honorable followers of Fendra Jolain responsible for this insult.”

  I couldn’t believe it. Road Toad was going to fight these brutes. I looked left and right, seeking the patrolling Keeseean guards. They simply marched and watched with interest, but didn’t move to interfere.

  “It is possible,” said Road Toad, “that the healers within will come to your aid and then grant us admittance.” Balancing on the balls of his feet, Road Toad held his long sword ready. He rushed forward just as a squat man in red and white robes threw a tent flap aside and raised his hands, calling, “Stop, no need for that!”

  Road Toad ignored the robed man as did the hulking guards. I let loose of my broken arm and pulled my sword. I didn’t know why Road Toad decided to attack but I couldn’t let him fight alone. I might at least be able to injure one guard if they ignored me. If they didn’t, I’d give Road Toad a chance to deal with just one for a few seconds. I cried out more in pain than fury and charged guard on the left as Road Toad had gone after the one on the right.

  I feigned at closing and circled left, holding my sword to block any attack. My quick moves sent crippling pain through my body, accompanied by nausea and lightheadedness.

  Road Toad parried a halberd thrust, closed and drove the dagger he’d drawn into his opponent’s thigh before backing away.

  The short, middle-aged man shouted, waving his arms. What he said, I wasn’t sure. I struggled to simply hold my sword ready and remain standing.

  My opponent, no longer considering me a threat, turned to aid his partner. He knocked aside the robed man.

  With the guard’s back to me, I forced down the nausea and ignored my arm. I ran forward, this time without shouting.

  A woman emerged from the tent between me and the guards and ordered, “Cease!” Everyone, the guards, Road Toad and the robed man stopped. Everyone except me. I couldn’t stop and tried angling to the right and avoid colliding with the tall, olive-skinned woman. I would’ve failed except the robed man managed to yank me aside.

  The woman didn’t even try to avoid me as I lost my footing and fell to the ground at her feet. She simply stared in disdain, first down at me, then at her wounded guard, before focusing on Road Toad.

  A red sash tied at her waist held her white robes closed. Leather sandals were on her clean feet. “Explain your assault on my guards,” she demanded as she walked to her wounded man. He held Road Toad’s bloody dagger in his hand.

  Road Toad responded, “Explain the refusal of your servants to honor Prince Reveron’s request.”

  Her eyes widened, only for fraction of a second. In a haughty voice she said, “You do not wear the colors of the prince.”

  “The prince commands more than simply those who wear his colors.” Road Toad’s tone was flat but assured.

  Her eyes narrowed before focusing on the robed man. “Acolyte Rellar, was a request made by this mercenary in the name of the prince?”

  The man bowed his head and replied, barely above a mumble. “It is possible, Priestess.” He was visibly shaking.

  “Tend to Moxel’s wound, Acolyte.” As soon as the priestess said that an equally large and intimidating guard emerged from the tent to replace the wounded one. The priestess looked from Road Toad to me. “You may follow and I will personally see to Prince Reveron’s request. If you are misrepresenting him—” She didn’t finish her threat before turning.

  “May I have my dagger back?” asked Road Toad.

  The mercenary threw it point down into the ground, inches from Road Toad’s foot.

&n
bsp; Road Toad caught the dagger’s guard with the toe of his boot and flicked it in the air before snatching the grip with his right hand. “My apologizes for any misunderstanding,” he said to Acolyte Rellar before helping me to my feet.

  After sheathing his own sword, Road Toad picked up mine and slid it into its sheath. The guard who’d faced me waited silently to follow us into the pavilion.

  The priestess hadn’t bothered to wait. “Which way,” asked Road Toad, standing next to a stool in the small partitioned area. The air was perfumed and not warm or stuffy as I’d expected. There were flaps leading to the left, right and straight ahead. The guard led us straight, and to the right. “How are you doing, Krish?” asked Road Toad.

  “Not very well,” I said through gritted teeth. “My arm is swelling up more.”

  The guard stopped and held a flap aside. I followed Road Toad through. Inside stood the priestess next to a large wooden altar, the front of which was lined with tiny drawers. On the altar rested an ivory statue of a beautiful maiden stretching to touch a golden sun with one hand while grasping a wooden bowl in the other. Two flat beds covered by white sheets sat on either side of the altar.

  The priestess’ spiteful green eyes betrayed her smile as false. She gestured to the narrow bed on her right. “Please, lie down, head nearest the altar honoring the goddess, Fendra Jolain.”

  “Should I remove my armor first?” I asked.

  She pulled a small knife from within her robes. “That will not be necessary.”

  “Priestess,” I said while looking at my arm to avoid her gaze, “although it’ll hurt, it’s easier than mending my armor later.”

  “Will not Prince Reveron supply a loyal soldier injured on his behalf with new armor?” Her snide question was directed not to me but at Road Toad.

  “He would,” replied Road Toad, “if there were need, but with war arising it is foolish to damage even the simplest soldier’s gear without need.” He helped me with the wooden buttons and gently tugged the sleeve from my injured arm.

  I clenched my teeth to withstand the pain before lying down with Road Toad’s assistance. My bruised forearm had swollen to twice its normal size.

  Road Toad stepped aside as the priestess knelt and examined my arm. Closing her eyes in concentration, she placed a hand over it. She ran her fingertips from my forearm up to my shoulder and left them to rest on my chest.

  “The ulna is fractured, and an illness is brewing within the lungs. Even stressed the immune system could overcome it. But Prince Reveron assuredly desires each of his loyal soldiers trusted to the care of the servants of Fendra Jolain, goddess of the sun and healing, to receive all benefits of her bestowed gifts.”

  She stared at Road Toad. When he remained silent, she stood and pulled open an altar drawer. Securing a pinch of powder she again knelt next to me. “What is your name, soldier?”

  “Krish, Son of Thurmond,” I answered. I didn’t add my town, as it was not in the realm of Keesee. But even more, I didn’t want her easily associating me with my sister, Raina, who had left to become a healer three years ago.

  “What is your unit and who is your commander?”

  “Priestess, my unit was destroyed last night by ogres, goblins and zombies,” I said trying to sound formal despite my arm. “I await Prince Reveron’s orders to a new company.”

  She sprinkled the gray-white powder onto my arm. “Have you ever considered serving the Goddess of Healing?”

  “No,” I said, too quickly. I looked at my arm to avoid her eyes.

  “He is a mercenary, Priestess,” interrupted Road Toad, “and brave. But I doubt he could pass the rigorous requirements to become one of the elite guards of Fendra Jolain.”

  She smiled up at Road Toad. “Could you?”

  “Priestess, like Krish, I have not considered it. We serve the prince and his father, King Tobias of Keesee.” With feigned curiosity Road Toad asked, “Is questioning part of the healing spell?”

  The priestess looked back to me. I closed my eyes, clenched my teeth, and pretended to brace myself as if the process would hurt. It shouldn’t, but the less the priestess suspected I knew about healing the better. Plus, she didn’t like Road Toad, and possibly not the prince. And I was with them.

  I listened to the incomprehensible words she mumbled after placing her hands over the powder on my broken arm. She then placed a hand on my chest and said, “Breathe in slowly.” As I did, she gently blew on my face.

  The aching in my arm didn’t fully disappear but it was noticeably better. I looked up at the priestess as she stood. “Thank you.”

  “The swelling and discoloration will disappear by sunset,” she said without inflection. “Do not swing a sword or lift heavy objects until sunrise tomorrow.” She turned and strode out, ordering the guard who’d lead us in, “Trullox, escort the prince’s soldiers from my presence.”

  Chapter 5

  Southwestern United States

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

  Dr. Mindebee smiled as Dr. Johnston reported, “All systems check. Plasma coil in place. Bombardment maintaining stabilized field of anti-matter particles.” Dr. Johnston locked eyes with Dr. Mindebee’s. “Initial penetration laser standing by, Dr. Mindebee. Ready to energize secondary magnetic field within the coil.”

  Dr. Mindebee looked around. He spotted the Lt. Colonel seated erect, next to a land line phone. The soldier’s face was relaxed, in complete contrast to everyone else in the lab. “Proceed,” said Dr. Mindebee.

  With a reaffirming nod from Dr. Johnston, several assistants tapped at their keyboards and touch screens.

  Road Toad declined to wait for Prince Reveron inside his pavilion. Instead we sat on the grass outside the patrolling guards’ circle, awaiting his arrival. Road Toad dug through his satchel and located a wrapped wedge of cheese. He set aside the damp cloth and examined the cream-colored cheese before breaking off a piece. “Try this. A bit sharp.”

  “Thanks,” I said. It had a harsher taste than I was used to but was nonetheless welcome. My curiosity about Road Toad’s connection to the prince continued to build. “Why didn’t you want to wait inside the tent?”

  “They’d have better food in there,” he smirked, “if any would’ve been offered. How long have you been a rogue healer?” His voice was low enough that nobody could hear.

  “I’ve been able to heal bleeding from cuts and scrapes for two summers. I’ve never practiced much.” I didn’t add my sister had returned home for a visit and showed me. I took another bite and answered after sliding the bits of cheese into my cheek. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do more.”

  Road Toad pulled his sword and dagger and set them on the grass. “Another rogue teach you?” He began cleaning his dagger with a rag. I watched, thinking, as he dried the dagger before applying oil with a square of cloth.

  “Twelve years ago I was a serpent cavalryman,” began Road Toad after I didn’t answer his question. “Death Snap was my mount. A black like Prince Reveron’s but I flew in a squadron under Prince Halgadin.” He picked up his sword and examined it. “King Tobias has twelve children. Prince Halgadin is his firstborn. Prince Reveron is eleventh born, and the third of three sons.”

  I nodded, knowing the number of heirs to Keesee’s throne but not the order of birth. I pulled my sword and examined it as well. I had a small oil tin with a rag and searched for it in my damp satchel. I didn’t want to empty its contents, afraid the prince might arrive any time.

  Road Toad looked up and around for the prince. Then, with his eyes staring ahead, fixing on a past vision he continued. “I was there when the last of the routed Crusaders were retreating, with the Necromancer King’s forces in pursuit. Many staggered and fell, struggling for breath. Others were blind with faces blistered. I don’t know if they were luckier than the hundreds of their fallen comrades littering the rocky shoreline.

  “Some had made it to their steam-driven ships off shore. More than the ships were
equipped to handle. Still, row boats returned to recover time and again. All the while, we circled high overhead. Prince Halgadin had ordered us to observe only. Maybe they were the king’s orders not to interfere.”

  He absentmindedly sheathed his sword. “It was nearing nightfall and zombies began clambering down the rocks with goblins behind them. Twenty longships with ogres at the oars cruised down the coastline toward the Crusaders. The steamships sounded alarm whistles.”

  He paused, wiped his dagger once more before sheathing it. “A company of men, firing their muzzleloaded rifles, dug in and held off the zombies while the last of the wounded left the shore. A Crusader priest shouted prayers to hold the zombies at bay, until a goblin pierced his heart with an arrow.”

  Road Toad held out his hand for my sword. “Then the zombies fell upon them. Four stood with fixed bayonets on the shore and occupied the zombies until their fellows had made it beyond the breakers. Zombies won’t enter saltwater, but they were souled ones and could’ve picked them off with crossbows.”

  Road Toad ran his hand along my sword’s salt-pitted blade and frowned. “The steamships were already belching smoke and retreating from the oncoming ogres. The two rowboats, one with wounded and the other with the last retreating soldiers, would never catch the steamships.

  “I called to the prince, ‘They are no longer within the Necromancer King’s domain. Should we render aid?’”

  “‘No,’ Prince Halgadin shouted to me. ‘We will not engage. Let the ogres have them.’”

  Road Toad continued with regret in his voice. “It might’ve been they were Crusaders that bear the green cross. Anyway, the sun was disappearing and I spotted several in the rowboats desperately waving and shouting for assistance. One called in the sea-farer’s tongue.”

  Road Toad spoke a little faster. “I know sea-spittle, as does Prince Halgadin. Looking skyward, the Crusader soldier stood on the prow of the trailing boat and called, ‘Dragon riders, we are not friends but have a common foe. Delay the enemy so that we might escape to oppose them another day.’”