Spell Caster

Spell Caster

Best Laid Plans

Sarn squatted at the base of a tree, eyes never leaving the warrior. He didn’t understand what they were saying but clearly it was about him. The tiny woman wanted rid of Sarn, no doubt arguing that he was slowing them down. And she was right. He had been trying to slow them for three days now. If he were in her position, he would want rid of the prisoner too. In fact, he would never have taken one in the first place. If the human magi hadn’t stopped the woman, Sarn would be dead in the snow with the rest of his squad. The magi ‘Dan’ was shaking his head, he would not kill unless he had to. The warrior wasn’t about to let Sarn go free. He could still feel the cold of steel on his throat were the tiny warrior had held the sword point. She had cut down his squad as if they had been untrained children then had battered him senseless with her shield, disarmed him and nearly ran her sword through his throat. In the morning light, he couldn’t believe this was the same warrior from last night. She was so short!

Then a faint scent wafted through the air. Sarn heart raced and he immediately stood up, trying to look in every direction at once. The warrior noticed and unsheathed her sword. Then he smelt it again. He began backing towards the two humans, eyes still searching through the trees, up wind. He could hear her talking to him in the traders tongue, but he didn’t know enough of the language to fully understand. He turned to her and then she paled as she caught the scent too. She grabbed Dan by the arm and pulled him into a crouch, motioning Sarn down. No one spoke, holding their breath listening. They could hear it now, moving slowly through the trees coming towards them. Dan whispered something and the warrior woman whispered back. Sarn understood what she said all too well.

Troll

***

The clan traveled most of the day. With the shadows lengthening the sleds had been pulled up together. Everyone had immediately started to work. Women and children began digging large squares in to the deep snow while others pulled large hide tents from the sleds. As soon as the first site was dug, they all moved to start on the next. Dan and his ever present guard stood and watched. After the first tent went up Dan motioned to his guard and walked over to where the next site was being prepared. He stopped a woman and motioned her back, then all the others too. Dan moved into the center of the half dug square and looked around. He closed his eyes and turned to face into the wind. Raising his arms straight out to the sides, he grunted and quickly brought them together across his chest. The snow rose and swirled and blew around Dan in a cyclone, the circle expanding until the entire clan was in a blinding snow storm. In a smooth slow steady motion, Dan pushed him arms forward, palms out, then swung them out to his sides. The cyclone billowed up then bent and split to follow where his hands were pointing. The snow piled up into a tall sloped bank that leaned inward. Two paces wide at the base, it easily rose three times his height tapering to a hands width at the edge. He opened his eyes and looked around. A large circle about a hundred paces wide had been cleared of snow and the tall bank wrapped around almost half, creating an effective barrier against the wind. The whole clan was standing looking at him, not a speck of snow on them or the ground within the circle. He glanced at his guard, cocked his head towards one end of the bank and walked over. Dan reached out and placed both hands against the snow. Clear colorless flames rippled out then ran across the entire surface in a wave. With a smile, he rapped a knuckle against it; solid ice. Or was it? Dan looked closer and realized it was crystal. 'How did I do that?' He turned around and the whole clan was standing just staring at him and the bank. He smirked and shrugged his shoulders as if to say ‘what?’ When no one moved, he understood. Dan pointed at his guard’s sword then at the bank. When the goblin didn’t move, Dan made a chopping motion with his hand. The guard unsheathed his sword and hesitantly lightly tapped the edge. Dan rolled his eyes at the goblin and with a hard chopping motion, said “Hit the damned thing!” The goblin got the message and brought his sword back over his shoulder and swung hard. The whole wall rang deep and loud like a huge bronze bell. The sound was deafening and the ground shook, snow fell from everblues. For leagues, birds scattered into the air in fright. The guard dropped his sword, his hand gone numb with pain as the shock ran up his arm. Dan could see the sword’s blade had been notched but there wasn’t the slightest mark on the ... what ever it is. Dan turned around and a group of goblins were headed his way. The one in the center wore robes instead of armor and carried a staff. The rest of the group seemed to defer to him. Dan’s first thought was “Uh oh.” He could still hear the gong echoing through the hills.

Talynne pulled the horse to a stop at the tolling of a giant bell. The sound had come directly in the direction of Dan. ‘What in the nine hells was that?’ She could hear the echoes reverberating off the hills. ‘What ever it is, it must be huge.’ It seemed that Dan had stopped moving. With the sun going down, they must be making camp. Talynne thought now is the time to stop following parallel and start really catching up. She spurred her horse on and kept a wary eye on the forest around her. Goblins were not the only danger in the world.

Dan was being shaken. He could hear running feet and hurried whispers and sat up in alarm. All the lights and fires had been extinguished yet the camp buzzed with frenzied activity. His blanket was thrown back and a goblin hauled him roughly to his feet. His cloak was thrown at him as he was pushed out the tent into the cold night air. Warriors were hurrying past him buckling armor and sword belts. Women and children carrying packs and bundles were rushing in groups going the opposite direction. He could see the glass wall shining in the light of two moons. Dan was marched to a group of goblins gathered around the ‘Moridai’ he had met earlier in the day. The leader spoke to each member there, who then went rushing off. The goblin 'Sarn?' who had given Dan the drink of ‘oosha’ while in his cage was the last of the bunch. The leader placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke for several minutes, gesturing at Dan. The warrior barked and shook his head. Obviously he didn’t like the idea of babysitting Dan. Near the edge of camp shouts then the ring of steel on steel. ‘They are being attacked! Dasheen has come for me?’ Dan spun back, raising his arm for a spell. But the goblin was quicker and punched Dan in the mouth. He was grabbed and punched again, and again. All fight went out of Dan as he sagged on rubber legs. The goblin ducked and slung him over his shoulder. Yelling as he ran, six other warriors quickly caught up then kept pace.

***

Sarn was enraged with the Moridai. He should be fighting, not running away like a child. Which ever clan had found them had given themselves away too soon, giving the Dark Crow time. His foot were the best and here he was running away with the human magi. Even in the dark he could see he was not alone in his anger.

“Protect the human. He must not be taken. He must not be lost to the clan, do you understand? We must not loose him.” His leader, the Moridai, had commanded him. So here they ran carrying the magi as if he was a baby. Sarn slowed to look around. Pointing to a hill top he motioned the others on. They jogged up the far side, the slope not as steep. At the top, Sarn set two of his warriors to watch Dan and keep him silent. Two others he sent to each side as sentries. He crept to the edge keeping low; he didn't want to present a silhouette against a moon. In the distance he could barely hear the battle but could see the odd flare of sorcery. There was no way to tell which clan was attacking or who was winning. He crawled back to confer with his squad. As they sat discussing when to send in a scout, a large crack came from Sarns left and five heads snapped towards the sound. Had they been found? But there had been no warning from his sentries. No pounding of feet or battle cry loosened. No this was something, or someone else. Sarn signaled for two to go straight for the spot and two were to split up and circle round. In the bright moon light, they should be able to see any movement. Just as they reached the spot a figure stepped out from the trees in front of the leading two goblins. The flash of a sword and one was down. Sarn could just see the other swing and the small figure blocked with a shield even as it spun under the blow and brought the sword around backhanded slicing the other goblin nearly in half. Then in two steps the figure was gone from sight. Sarn looked down at Dan. He still lay unmoving in the snow, blood leaking from his swollen lips and nose. The other two he had sent should be converging on the spot from opposite directions now. Sarn crouched and slowly made his way forward too. From his right, sudden ringing of swords, a scream of pain which turned to howls. Sarn ran to the sound. Before he reached the spot, a struggle to his left, swords crossing, a sudden crunch, then nothing. The goblin stopped in his tracks. Over the distant sounds of a bigger battle, all he could hear were sobs of pain from his right. Cautiously he worked his way to the cries. One of his foot was trying to crawl; a dark streak of blood marking his path. At Sarn's feet; two forearms lying in the snow, one still holds a sword. There was too much blood; his warrior would not survive much longer. Sarn looked around but could see no movement. Where was his seventh? All was silent, and instinct told Sarn, the sentry was already dead. Did he continue right to search for the last sentry or go back for the magi? He stepped back and watched the clearing at the top of the hill. He had been gone too long, the human magus could already be conscious. Slowly, carefully, he made his way back. At the edge of the small clearing, a noise behind him. He spun, sword ready but there was nothing there. He felt more than heard something behind him. He spun back and a flash of red and gold turned into an explosion of sparks in his head and the world spun. A shield battered him in the face again and he felt his sword wrenched from his hand as the world tilted in slow motion. There was a flash of moonlight off a sword coming for his neck and Sarn knew he had failed his Moridai and his clan.

***

After following the different trails for two days Captain Boars stood in the middle of what was left of a large camp, looking at a huge wall of... ice? Dozens of tents ripped, collapsed or burnt were strewn around. The dead were everywhere. There must have been thousands. He had his men identify, and then stack the bodies into piles for burning. It looked like Spirit Walkers, Dark Crow and Blue Rock clans had fought, but Dark Crow had taken the worst of it. As usual there were no weapons or armor. Anything of value had been stripped from the camp. After receiving his corporal’s report he walked over to the two magi examining the gracefully curving wall.

“Well what do you make of it? Ice?”

“No sir. It's some kind of crystal.” The taller of the two replied. He ran his hands across the polished surface. “It's the middle of winter, yet it’s not cold at all. Interesting.”

“What is it and did the goblins make it?” Boars asked. The two magi looked at each other.

“We don't know, although it’s doubtful that goblins made it. One other interesting thing.” The shorter one said then turned and gestured. “Look at the circle. The only snow inside is what had been tracked in. Somehow, all the original snow has been removed, right down to the leaf litter, but no further.”

“And what does that mean?” Boars asked. Again the two magi looked at each other.

“We don't know.”

“That's helpful” He gave the pair a look. “Once the men are done, torch the bodies. We ride southeast to the Dremon and cross at Heartsbridge. We just might make it back before night fall.” Then a thought occurred to him. Boars pulled out his dagger and gave the crystal wall a gentle rap with its hilt. A soft deep 'bong!' filled the camp. He could feel the vibrations in his bones.

“Well, that answers one mystery.”

***

Troll!

It came over a small rise sniffing the air and looking around with its small rust covered eyes. At first it didn’t see the three of them crouched down trying to hide behind trees that felt far too small. Talynne looked over to her horse. The animal was standing still, but she could see the quiver of muscles. ‘Hold still. Don’t move, damn you.’ By now the troll was only a few paces away trying to push a dead stump over. The stench was overwhelming and she fought not to gag. The huge creature stopped pushing on the stump and lifted its head to sniff the air. ‘How can it smell anything over it’s own reek?’It turned around and sniffed some more. Then it looked down right at the three of them and bellowed, giant hand reaching out. 'Some war horse.' Talynne thought as it pounded in terror from the scene. She launched herself off Sarn’s shoulder, sword streaking an arc through the air. The troll bellowed again and snatched its hand back minus a couple fingers. Dan grabbed Sarn from where the warrior had pushed him into the snow and together the two rolled to the side. Talynne’s leap had taken her past the troll and she rolled on her shoulder then spun around to face it. The green scaled monstrosity was holding its injured hand but was headed for the other two who were struggling to get up. She ran forward and thrust her blade into the back of the troll’s knee trying to cut tendons. Her blade jammed and she didn’t bother trying to free it, but ducked and tumbled away. The beast screamed in pain and lurched to the side, swinging its overly long arm catching the tiny warrior and sent her flying. Sarn stumbled off a tree, his hands still tied behind him. Dan gestured and the goblin’s bonds burst into flame. Sarn yelled in pain and bringing his freed arms forward dove into the snow. The troll stopped, and was trying to pull free the sword. Dan flung his hand out, a small blue fire ball shot out and exploded against the troll’s head. 'That's not what I wanted!' Dan thought in a panic. Staggered, the troll stumbled and the sword popped out. The beast recovered, roared at Dan and charged. ‘Now I’ve really pissed it off!’ Dan thought. He flung another fire ball this one considerably larger, but it hardly slowed the giant locomotive. Dan started to run but knew he was too slow. He dodged a couple trees, but the juggernaut behind him just plowed right through, toppling them. He circled another and something whistled past his head. A grunt from right behind only spurred him to run faster. More whistling followed by a bellow of pain and rage. Dan sprinted around a large oak, the troll no longer so close. As he came around the other side of the thick trunk, he could see the troll pulling at an arrow lodged in its shoulder. There were two others lodged in its chest. As he watched three more arrows buried themselves into its chest. The troll was turning to flee when Sarn darted past, slicing the already injured knee with Talynne’s sword. The leg buckled and the troll landed heavily on its side. It tried to rise but another arrow caught it in the throat. As it grabbed for the shaft another arrow, followed by two more, plunged into its neck. A gurgled cry and the troll went down again. Dan watched in awe as it tried to crawl. Blood flowed from its neck wounds and dribbled from its mouth. Finally strength left its arms; the troll could pull itself no further. The body collapsed in the snow, twitched once then was still.

Dan plopped into the snow himself, racing heart finally starting to slow. ‘Damn that thing was fast!’ He sat and watched three goblin women cautiously approach with arrows half drawn. Two kept their eyes on the goblin standing with Talynne’s sword in his hand. ‘Shit! Talynne!’ Dan jumped up, eyes searching. There she was on her hands and knees, armor covered in snow. He rushed over and helped her to her feet.

“What is it with you and trolls, Spellcaster?” she rasped holding her side. “That’s two you owe me now.” Dan could see she was in a lot of pain. Pulling her hand away he could see no blood, but her armor had taken quite a beating. “Has that damned horse come back, or do I have to go looking again?”

“Can you stand? We have company, and I don’t speak the lingo.” Dan was watching the goblins. There was obvious hatred radiating from the women for the lone male.

“They don’t speak Lingo, what ever that this.” Talynne gave Dan a look. “Hopefully one of them speak Trader.” Still hunched she walked over and realized Sarn had her sword. When she tensed, Sarn tensed and took a half step back. That made the female goblins tense and bows were half raised.

“Whoa! Whoa!” Dan quickly stepped between them all with his arms out stretched. “Let’s just be calm.” He faced the archers but walked backwards toward Sarn. Then Dan faced the lone goblin and held his hand out. Sarn looked at Dan, then lifted and inspected the sword, turning it over in his hand. He looked back at Dan, flipped the sword in the air and caught it by the blade. He then extended the hilt towards Talynne. He gave her a slight bow of his head when she took the handle. Then the goblin walked to the dead troll and began trying to remove arrows.The three archers stood talking amongst themselves, gesturing at Dan and Talynne occasionally. Dan asked what they were saying but the warrior just shook her head. Finally the oldest of the three held up her hand and the other two went silent. Dan could see a close resemblance between the three and wondered if they were sisters. Then a dagger was handed over and the two younger sisters went to help Sarn recover arrows. The oldest sister slung her bow over one shoulder and walked over to the pair of humans. With her left hand, she touched her chest and said “Sar'eella”

***

Karhogn winced in pain as the healer worked on his face. He already knew his eye would never recover, but the healer was too afraid to tell him. Another jolt of pain, Karhogn grunted and pushed the young healer away.

“Go work on someone who needs it.” he growled. When the healer hesitated, the Moridai bared his teeth with a growl and pointed his finger. The young goblin paled and ran. He wouldn't have fried the apprentice; there were not enough healers left as it was. Or magi, or warriors. The fight three nights ago had not gone well. Blue Rock warriors had tried to sneak in to attack the camp, but they had given themselves away. Karhogn knew now that they had wanted it that way. His warriors ran to meet the attack while Spirit Walker magi had been waiting in ambush. When all his forces had been committed to the fierce fighting, the magi had stepped out behind them, and the slaughter began. Then more warriors, Spirit Walker and Blue Rock both had poured out of the forest. He had rallied those around him and attacked, seeking to break through. He had hurled every spell he knew over and over, until his head pounded in exhaustion. A wave of fire had almost taken his head off and he had been saved by one of his men. When he had regained his senses he was fighting with a sword. A sword! But they had broken through and escaped. Barely a hundred and fifty had made it out. More than three thousand warriors and magi dead. He knew the women and children would have been rounded up and folded into the one of the clans by now; likely the Spirit Walkers. It was the goblin way and accepted by all. What he didn’t understand was how so many Spirit Walkers survived. His warriors had completely surrounded their camp that morning. No warriors had been spared. Unless ... they had not been there at the time. But where? Then he knew. Spirit Walkers and Blue rock had joined forces. Eldest and the warriors from both sides would have been at totamea to bind the agreement. It was the only explanation.

Karhogn looked around. One hundred and fifty warriors, battered bruised exhausted goblins huddled under an overhanging cliff were all that remained of Dark Crow clan. If they were to have any chance, he had to find Sarn and the human magi. Once he had the Stranger back in hand, the woman warrior would come to him. Prophecy said the clans would unite, and Karhogn was determined the clans would unite under his leadership.