Marked (41 page)

Damn these pigs! They are out for our blood. If it’s the last thing I do, I won’t let them lay a hand on Kayti. I swear it on my forefather’s graves!

Without giving up the safety the wall provided and becoming a target for the archers posted at the upper end of the street, the rugged Norriel, blood boiling, threatened the approaching men with his mighty voice. “Listen to me, sewer rats. You’d better just turn right around and get out of here while you still can. There aren’t anywhere near enough of you to take me down, and you don’t have what it takes anyhow. So turn back now or I swear I’ll be picking your bloody guts up off the ground and feeding them to the dogs on the docks!”

The attackers stopped in their tracks. Hartz hoped he had made a chink in their courage and confidence.

But apparently he hadn’t.

After only a moment’s hesitation, the six men launched their attack with swords and clubs. Hartz gently pushed Kayti behind him, hoping his broad shoulders would keep her protected. Staying under cover, he waited for the attack, containing his rage. He was almost relaxed, and refrained from focusing too much on what was happening... just as he always handled these situations. He would live or he would die. It was not in his hands to decide. He would defend his companion to the death, and if, in the process, he crushed a few skulls and smashed a few heads together, so much the better.

Still, something in his mood was different. True, he was calm like he always was before entering into battle but this time he did not feel the least bit of fear. Instead, a feeling of complete confidence was beginning to flow through him; he felt as if he were indestructible, as if he were a demigod. Nothing could stop him, no one could defeat him. But he knew those feelings were not normal.

All of a sudden he heard a low, husky voice whispering in his ear.

Glory awaits you, warrior. Let our enemies’ blood bathe my steel blade and I promise you will live to fight another day. Feed my cold body with the warm blood of the enemy and I assure you that victory will be yours.

Hartz realized that, although the voice was coming from inside him, it was the voice of the sword speaking to him. It was as if it were coming from his subconscious. This Ilenian sword had infiltrated his being with an ancient, ancestral magic. It seemed to possess a life of its own and had created a strange bond with him. And that bond between enchanted steel and man was growing stronger and becoming more real. Hartz knew that his feeling of complete confidence and mental fortitude was coming from the sword and that it was employing magic from the Lost Civilization. Realizing that the connection was continuing to strengthen would normally have frightened Hartz, but as long as he was clutching that enchanted lethal weapon, he felt nothing of the sort.

The bond was completed.

They were now one.

Sword and Man.

Steel and Blood.

The first two attackers reached Hartz; he met them with a tremendous blow parallel to the ground and halfway up their backs. It cut through the men’s plated armor like it was butter, then continued straight across their stomachs, slicing them open from one side to the other. When the blood made contact with the blade, the sword transmitted a living energy to Hartz that coursed through his body and filled him with a vitality he’d never before experienced. With expressions of absolute incredulity the two attackers gaped open-mouthed as their entrails spilled out onto the ground. With another quick pass in the opposite direction, Hartz instantly finished off both men.

Kayti looked at Hartz. Considering how quickly he had executed the two movements, it seemed as if the considerable weight of the great sword had totally vanished. Hartz was handling that weapon as if were nothing more than a small tree branch. It should have been physically impossible for someone—no matter how strong he was, and Hartz was the strongest man she’d ever met—to brandish that massive sword as quickly and easily as he just had.

A third attacker came in from the right but before he had even managed to fully extend his arm to strike, Hartz took a step forward and launched into a lightning-fast thrust, stabbing straight through the ill-fated assailant’s heart in the blink of an eye.

Again Hartz felt a pure, fortifying energy coursing through his body. It left him feeling rejuvenated, with not the least bit of fatigue. Without a moment’s hesitation, he moved to a defensive stance, holding the massive sword with both hands and pointing it slightly forward.

The three remaining attackers hesitated, their fear palpable. Unfortunately for them, they decided to attack the burly Norriel. Quickly and aggressively they charged him, but Hartz eliminated all three with two powerful lashes of the Ilenian sword, effortlessly cutting through armor, bone, and flesh. Kayti’s jaw dropped when she again saw how swiftly and powerfully he had dealt the fatal blows.

The trio of enemies fell to the ground next to the rest of their dead companions. Just as the Norriel had promised, their innards lay strewn across the ground in a pool of thick blood.

Hartz glanced up the street. The archers who’d been perched there had fled.

“They’re gone. I think we did it, Kayti.”

Kayti looked back at him in disbelief. “That sword... it’s enchanted... with a magic like what we saw in the underground temple. Magic from the Lost Civilization.”

“Uh... yes, I... I think so, too. You’re going to think I’m crazy but this sword... it... it talked to me,” he stammered.

“Well, I don’t know what it said to you but you definitely handled it like it was light as a feather. That was not normal—
not... at... . all...
normal.”

“You’re right. It didn’t feel the least bit heavy. It was like my arms simply could not get tired. But even more than that, I was filled with a feeling of vitality, of a complete calmness and confidence, where fear and fatigue didn’t exist as long as I was holding the sword. It was impossible to defeat me.”

“That must be a spell that some powerful Enchanter from the Lost Civilization put on it. And you must have somehow activated it.”

Hartz nodded. “I think it was the blood from the wound on my forearm. When it dripped onto the sword’s hilt it activated the enchantments.”

“In the Custodial Brotherhood we have heard of enchanted weapons that bestow power on those who wield them. But this is the first time I’ve ever seen one,” said Kayti as she looked at the great sword with renewed interest.

“I thought that was all just legend and myth...”

“I think this proves that objects imbued with spells and powers really do exist. We are in the midst of a relic of great importance,” stated the redhead.

“Yes, I’d say it has me completely convinced,” smiled Hartz.

“Let’s get out of here in case they come back.”

“Where do we go? To the inn?” asked Hartz, looking on both sides of the street.

“Kayti nodded. “Yes. We should find Komir. He might also be in danger.”

“You think so? Why would he be?”

“I don’t know, but that was a well-planned ambush. If they came for us maybe they’re going after Komir, too.”

“You’re right. We’d better hurry.”

The two ran up the street.

Two hours before dawn Mortuc gave the signal to advance. The group had no choice but to risk going down the mountain to reach the valley where the horses were hidden. The first to go out into the darkness of the night was Kendas; having been raised in the country and in the woods, he was a good tracker and would take care of eliminating the Usik watchmen on the escape route. Lomar and Gerart, both city dwellers who therefore lacked that ability, would carry Haradin on the makeshift stretcher. A few moments after Kendas set out, the rest of the group slipped out of the cave and into the pitch black night.

Aliana could not see much under the threatening sky. She tentatively followed Sergeant Mortuc who was stealthily descending the slope. At that altitude, the cold penetrated straight into their bones and, for a moment, Aliana almost wanted to return to the refuge of the cave. Behind her she could hear Gerart and Lomar’s soft steps in the snow. Bringing up the rear of the group of fugitives was Jasmine, bow at the ready.

An owl flew over their heads, startling them all and stopping them in their tracks. From there they could see three campfires where the Usik were resting. The Sergeant raised his right hand and silently gave the order to move ahead. With the greatest of caution, they continued down the mountain. When they came to a fork, Mortuc indicated that they should go to the right. Shortly thereafter, Aliana tripped over something lying on the ground. It was a dead Usik lookout. 

Continuing their descent, they came across the body of another Usik watchman who was leaned against a tree, his throat slit, blood still spilling out onto his chest. Kendas had been very busy... He was, thankfully, a formidable fighter. The group stopped again when they came to a narrow pass between two mountain slopes; here Mortuc seemed uncharacteristically indecisive. He paused for a few moments, as if sizing up the situation.

As the Sergeant pondered their options, Aliana was beginning to feel increasingly nervous. But a smile from Gerart, who was resting just behind her in the twilight, was all it took to calm her down. Jasmine, crouched behind Gerart and Lomar, looked as apprehensive as Aliana was feeling.

Something moving in the narrow pass grabbed their attention. Mortuc quickly went to one side of the opening and motioned to the rest that they should go to the other.

A figure emerged, running full speed.

Aliana was hoping it was Kendas, returning to the group. But eyes as black as night in the middle of a face painted red stared at them in surprise. Aliana’s heart skipped a beat.

This was not Kendas.

It was a Usik.

Instinctively, Aliana’s hand went for the knife in her belt. The Usik raised his arm, ready to strike with a battle axe decorated with large feathers.

Aliana hesitated.

From out of nowhere came a powerful hand that grabbed the savage, covering his mouth, and masterfully stabbed a dagger into his armpit. In the same, swift motion, the dagger slit the Usik’s throat, never giving him time to make a sound. He collapsed to the ground, revealing a strapping Mortuc, dagger in hand.

Aliana heaved a sigh of relief.

Hearing a muffled sound coming from inside the dark pass, they immediately got back into position, waiting silently with muscles tensed and knives ready. Another figure emerged from the blackness. Aliana, poised to use her knife, suddenly recognized Kendas’ pale, friendly face. He smiled at her, as relaxed as if he were just coming back from a stroll.

Jasmine, who’d been ready to release an arrow, lifted her bow and let out a sigh. Kendas would never know how close he’d come to dying that night.

The Lancer addressed Mortuc. “I’m sorry, Sergeant. I didn’t get to him in time.”

“Don’t worry about it, boy. You did a great job ridding us of those lookouts. You have quite an innate ability for this type of work. Is the way all clear for us now?”

“Yes, Sergeant. I just took out the last Usik who was posted at the end of the pass.”

“Excellent. Let’s hurry, then; daybreak is almost upon us.”

The group continued its descent at a faster pace now. Aliana could see that Kendas’ side was injured, but he wasn’t stopping. The fact that he had been able to eliminate the lookouts in the physical state he was in was astounding to her; quite an impressive feat.

They made it to the valley at sunrise. Crossing the wide path, they went into the forest to look for the hiding place where they had left the horses. Finally they arrived at the place where Lomar and Kendas had hidden them.

Aliana breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the animals still tied up and healthy, grazing calmly and completely unaware of the danger surrounding them.

Now, there was hope. They might actually be able to escape!

Mortuc headed straight for his beloved Lightning and began petting him. “There’s my friend and faithful companion! How are you doing, boy? I missed you! And you missed me, too! Let me see if I can find some grain in the saddlebags. Then we’ll show those Usik what it means to fly through their territory!”

They mounted their horses and carefully tethered the unconscious Haradin to a strong white steed. Aliana brought her mount alongside the Mage to make sure he was all right. She checked to be sure Haradin’s staff of power and the Ilenian guardian’s objects were in the saddlebags.

Mortuc approached Kendas. “Kendas, you take care of leading the horse that’s carrying the Mage. Make sure we don’t lose him,” ordered the Sergeant.

“I’ll guard it with my life, Sergeant; don’t you worry. I will get him to Rogdon if it’s the last thing I do.”

“That’s the spirit! Move out, head west!”

The group maneuvered through the thicket and trees and made their way back to the path. Thousands of acres of forest surrounded them—a massive, dense forest. They would need three days to reach the border. Not seeing any hostile enemy forces they set off on the long road ahead of them.

With Lomar in the lead they rode along with extreme caution. Whenever possible, they left the trail and rode among the dense forest’s gigantic trees, trying to conceal their presence from the savages.

Resting just a few short hours at dusk, they continued their escape for two days straight. Tired, cold and damp, but alive. The mood of the group was slowly improving as they moved ever closer to safety. But a few hours before daybreak the third day, when they were least expecting it, the Usik came out of nowhere. Like demons sent by the evil spirits of those infernal woods, they attacked the group just as they were preparing to resume their trek to salvation. They must have been following them for quite some time, waiting for the most opportune moment to strike—and those savages definitely knew how to wait, gather together, and pounce at just the right time. Lomar had been on guard duty and had given the alarm only an instant before two Black Usik were on him.

Mortuc and Gerart ran to help him and were instantly surrounded by enemies that seemed to be coming out of the very roots of the trees. Their faces, painted black, blended in with the night and the greenish skin of their bodies fused with the underbrush. Only the gleam of hatred in their eyes was discernible. Aliana armed her bow and shot at one of the Usik who was almost upon her, hitting the savage square in the face. Jasmine followed suit a split second later and another enemy fell. Lomar, who had recovered from the initial attack, found himself face to face with three more savages who were bound and determined to do away with him. Mortuc and Gerart had formed an impassable barrier; Usik warriors were dying left and right against the skills of these two elite Rogdonian soldiers. Masterful combinations of cuts and blocks followed by swift, lethal thrusts splattered the gloomy forest with blood.

Like eagles hunting their prey, two Usik descended from the trees and hurled themselves at Aliana. The Healer aimed at the first one and took him down with an arrow to the eye that crossed straight through his skull. She quickly reloaded and shot the second attacker in the chest; he dropped at her feet. A third sprang up behind her. Aliana spun around, unsure if she would be able to take him down in time. She nocked an arrow and tensed the bowstring just as the face of the furious Usik appeared in front of her. But before she could release the arrow, the Usik struck the bow with his battle axe and she missed the shot. The Usik smiled as he raised the axe, his painted face smug with satisfaction, sure of the kill—but the flash of a sword cut off his arm. Aliana shot a look of gratitude at Kendas as he finished off the attacker with one last strike. The Lancer nodded at Aliana and ran off to rejoin the battle.

Aliana gathered her wits, loaded her bow, and went back to her position next to Jasmine. The two archers delivered death from a distance to their enraged attackers as the four Rogdonian men formed a semicircle and fought off the waves of assaults.

The battle intensified.

Mortuc stabbed through a Usik with his sword, then took his battle axe to use as a second weapon. Gerart did the same, picking up another Usik battle axe from the ground. The sound of terrifying shrieks they knew to be Usik war cries surged forth from the bowels of the forest. The Usik who were upon them responded with more shrieks, filling the air with grating screeches and inspiring them to attack with even greater momentum. The reinforcements were closing in, and Aliana knew the situation was quickly becoming critical. She turned to see Gerart delivering a powerful kick to an enemy that knocked him to the ground. Then taking a step to the side, he made a diagonal cut with his sword and slashed open the chest of another assailant.

In that same moment, like a bird of ill omen, a single arrow shot over the group, accompanied by deafening shouts. Aliana shuddered.
If they are using bows we’re lost; we have no armor. We have to move; we have to get out of here right now.
She turned to face yet another attack. Twenty paces from her in the midst of the trees appeared two Usik, their faces painted red, their greenish arms carrying short bows. In an attempt to protect her companions, Aliana pointed, breathed in, and took the shot. The first of the Red Usik fell to the ground, an arrow protruding from his chest. She grabbed another arrow from her quiver but, just as she began to nock it, the other Red Usik dropped dead with one of Jasmine’s arrows through his heart.

Gerart stumbled back a step. He had taken an arrow to his left shoulder. Another four arrows were flying toward the Rogdonian men, one of which hit the Sergeant in the right thigh. He yanked it out as he used the axe to deliver a fearsome blow to a Black Usik.

“We have to flee! We cannot hold out against these archers!” shouted the Sergeant as he eyed the approaching Red Usik.

“Lomar, tie Haradin to the horse and get out of here!” ordered Gerart.

The soldier nodded and took off running toward the horses.

Aliana looked at Jasmine. “Go with him and protect the Mage. They’ll need your bow.”

Jasmine looked back at her indecisively.

“Go! Don’t worry about me. Haradin must survive!”

The Protectress Sister’s head bowed to Aliana, then resignedly she obeyed the Healer. “Be careful, Aliana,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry, Sister, we’ll be all right!” assured Aliana, though she doubted now more than ever that they’d get out of that hellhole alive.

Jasmine ran after Lomar who had already mounted and was pulling along behind him the horse that was carrying Haradin.

Kendas closed up the open space left by his companion, hoping to stop the avalanche of enemies thundering down on them.

Mortuc crouched down and swung the axe, sweeping an enemy’s legs off the ground. As he fell backward, the Sergeant stabbed him in the chest with his sword. He glanced to his right at Gerart who was facing two attackers.

“We need to flee right now. Get out of here, quickly; I’ll hold them off.”

“No, Sergeant. I’m staying with you. We have to buy time for Haradin to escape.”

“Damn it, this is no time to argue! Get Aliana and run or we’ll all end up dead!” He parried to stop another enemy’s frenzied attack.

Gerart turned to Aliana just as she discovered she had no remaining arrows in her quiver. Knowing that Lomar and Jasmine were by now already back on the trail, the Prince retreated toward the horses. “All right, Sergeant, I’m taking Aliana and getting out of here!”

The Prince untied their two horses and went to Aliana. They mounted their horses, ready to flee. Aliana looked back toward Mortuc who was gesticulating and shouting at Kendas to go with them. The valiant Lancer refused to obey his Sergeant.

Two arrows skimmed past the Healer’s head. Instinctively, she spurred her horse and, though torn about leaving, she fled, clinging to her mount, riding in as flat a position as she could to avoid being struck by an arrow, with Gerart beside her.

Sensing the foul presence of death at their backs, they raced down the trail toward the west.

Lomar looked behind him. Haradin was still firmly secured despite being tethered to the back of a horse. The wind, coupled with the speed with which they were advancing, was blowing Lomar’s dark hair into his eyes. He pushed it aside to see Jasmine riding behind the helpless Mage. As he gazed at the brave, beautiful Amazon, Lomar’s heart was filled with pride. In the midst of the hell they were enduring, surrounded by death and destruction, now fleeing for their lives, he could not stop thinking about her and the stolen moment they had shared in the shadows of the cave.