Текст книги "The Horn of Moran"

Автор книги: Mark Forman

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

Chapter Nine

Rescue

Alex managed to sleep for perhaps two hours before he was up and moving around once more. He was nervous and worried and even a little scared. The plan he and Sindar had agreed on was terribly risky and almost sure to fail. Unfortunately, it was the only plan they had, and Alex knew this might be the only chance they had to save their friends.

Alex knew Sindar was tense as well, but neither of them spoke about what was going to happen. They simply waited for the sun to set and hoped that their plan would work.

Alex tried to think of something he could do to scare the goblins even more. He had thought of using illusions to add to their fear, but for a long time he couldn’t think of anything that would make the goblins want to run instead of fight. When the answer finally came to him, Alex almost laughed out loud. It was an illusion he was sure he could create and one that was sure to make the goblins run away as fast as their legs could carry them.

“A dragon?” Sindar questioned when Alex presented his idea. “Indeed, there are few creatures that would not run away from a dragon, but can you do it?”

“I can create the illusion of a dragon,” Alex answered confidently. “I might even be able to make it breathe fire.”

“Then perhaps one large fire on the hillside,” said Sindar. “As if the dragon is just waking. Have your illusion fly out of the fire toward the gully. And if you can manage to ignite a few trees along the way, it would help.”

“I’ll do all that I can,” said Alex. The sun was already dropping into the west, and he walked to Shahree and tightened her saddle. “Let’s get moving. It’s time.”

“When the sun touches the trees and the meadow is covered with shadow,” Sindar reminded Alex.

“Be careful,” Alex said. “I don’t want to come to the wall looking for you.”

“You will not find me there. If your dragon does not drive the goblins off, I will attack. If you hear the sound of battle, come quickly, my friend.”

“As fast as I can,” Alex answered, turning Shahree into the trees.

Alex rode in a great loop around the goblin camp, making his way to the far side of the meadow. He had studied the land as they had waited and knew exactly which path to take. Sindar rode in the opposite direction, and Alex hoped that he would arrive quietly at the back of the gully, unnoticed by the goblins below.

Alex tried to clear his mind as he rode, but his worries persisted no matter what he did. Absentmindedly he patted Shahree’s neck, knowing that he might have to ride her into battle for the first time.

“I must move swiftly, my friend,” Alex said softly to the horse. “I do not willingly take you into this fight, but it seems I have no choice.”

Shahree snorted at his words, as if unconcerned by the thought of battle. Alex patted her neck again. He was glad that she at least didn’t seem worried about what was coming.

Reaching the place above the meadow where he would create his illusion, Alex dismounted and looked toward the gully where his enemy was waiting. He couldn’t see much except for an occasional flash of sunlight on steel. Obviously the goblins had set a watch at the mouth of the gully, and Alex hoped they were paying attention.

As the last rays of sunlight left the meadow and the sun touched the treetops, Alex mounted Shahree once more. He was still nervous and worried, but it was time to set their plan into action.

“Let us hope for the best, my friend,” Alex said to Shahree.

Shahree snorted in excitement, and Alex let loose his magic, sending an entire grove of pine trees into flames. The trees burned like matchsticks, and as the flames reached into the sky, Alex created his illusion.

A huge red dragon exploded out of the burning trees. Alex let loose a thunderclap spell that sent flaming branches flying in every direction. He let his thoughts slip into the illusion, which allowed him to control it and see the world through the dragon’s eyes. A wild sense of freedom filled him, taking his breath away as the illusion lifted into the darkening sky.

For a few seconds the dragon hovered over the meadow, and in those seconds Alex fought to keep himself from becoming part of his own illusion. He had known that creating illusions could be dangerous, but he had not known how dangerous. The beauty and power of the dragon filled his mind, and he longed to have the complete freedom that the dragon shape offered.

Shahree snorted and reared slightly, shaking Alex from his thoughts. Alex could still see through the eyes of his illusion, but the desire to become part of it was gone. Refocusing his mind, he sent his dragon diving toward the meadow and the unsuspecting goblins.

The dragon breathed out a ball of flame as it dropped toward the gully, and in the firelight Alex could see that his idea was working far better than he’d expected. Goblins ran wildly out of the gully, fighting past the slower goblins in front of them. The dragon flew over the gully before lifting back into the air and turning slowly toward the meadow.

“Now, my friend,” said Alex as he urged his horse forward. “We need to reach the others before any more trouble finds us.”

Shahree whinnied loudly and galloped down the hillside. As they reached the open meadow, Shahree broke into a run.

Alex set his illusion to circling the meadow, allowing the circles to grow larger and larger with each pass, as though the dragon was hunting.

As Alex rode into the gully he called out to Sindar, “Are they all right?”

“They are alive,” said Sindar. “Though they’ve had a rough time of it, and were treated none too gently.”

Alex jumped from his saddle and ran forward to help cut the ropes from the rest of the company. He left the unknown three men tied up for the time being. His friends all looked pale and tired, but unhurt, and that was a huge relief. Alex wanted to cheer, but then he saw the fear in his friends’ eyes. He turned to see what they were looking at and realized that they could see his illusion flying past the gully.

“Didn’t you tell them about the illusion?” Alex asked.

“I tried,” Sindar answered. “But a few of the goblins were still in the gully when I arrived—trying to hide from your creation, I suspect. I dealt with them quickly enough, but there hasn’t been time to explain the mischief of a clever wizard.”

Alex sent his illusion into a wider circle, using it to search the land for any possible enemies while he and Sindar explained things to their friends. It took some time for all the questions to be answered, and while they talked, Alex started a campfire. He knew that it was safe for them to stay here, at least for tonight, and he thought a meal would do everyone some good.

“Our weapons?” Bregnest asked.

“We recovered them before starting after you,” said Sindar, reaching for his magic bag. “We had great hopes of returning them to you.”

“And your hopes have proven true,” said Bregnest, taking his weapons from Sindar. “We are all very much in yours and Alex’s debt.”

“We did what we had to do,” Sindar answered, handing out the rest of the weapons. “But there are other matters we need to discuss.” Sindar’s eyes moved to the three men who were still tied up.

Bregnest turned to look at the men and nodded. Alex saw his friend stiffen in the firelight, and without asking, he knew that Bregnest recognized the uniforms the men were wearing.

“You are a long way from home, brothers,” Bregnest said slowly. “What brings soldiers from the house of Domina to Norsland?”

“Lord Bregnest,” one of the men answered, bowing his head slightly. “Our lives are in your hands, so it would seem an honest answer is the only one that will do. I fear, however, that honesty may cost us what little we still have left.”

“Speak freely,” Bregnest answered calmly. “If there is any way to repay your honesty, I will find it.”

“So be it,” said the man with a sigh. “We were sent by Lord Kappa to follow you and your company. In following you, we ran into a host of goblins. I fear the rest of our men were destroyed, and we three were unlucky enough to be captured by the foul creatures.”

“How many men were with you?” Bregnest questioned. “And what were your orders concerning myself and my friends?”

“There were forty of us—a full company,” the man answered. “Our orders were to follow you at a distance and not interfere or help you in any way. If you and your company appeared to be returning to Alusia before the spring festival, we were to detain you and escort you back to Kappa at a relaxed pace.”

“The spring festival,” Bregnest repeated. “Yes, that makes sense.”

“What is the spring festival?” Alex asked.

“It is the end of the rainy season in Alusia and the start of the planting season,” Bregnest answered as he rubbed his nose.

“And how long before the festival starts?” Sindar asked.

“Almost seven months from now,” said Bregnest. “So it appears we know how much time we have to finish our quest.”

“That’s all fine and well,” said Val, “but there are more important matters to consider. The goblins may have run off, but they’ll be back soon enough. We have a long way to travel and little time to watch after prisoners. It would be foolish to take these three with us, and reckless to simply let them go.”

“You would have us kill defenseless men?” Sindar questioned.

“They’ve told us a bit about why they are here, but I doubt they’ve told us everything,” Val replied. “I think they were sent to waylay us on our journey, like bandits. I think they would have killed us if the chance had appeared.”

“That is not true,” one of the bound men said hotly. “We were ordered to capture you, not to kill you. We are soldiers, not scum.”

“Capture or kill, it comes to the same thing,” Val said coldly. “But there is no need to risk our honor by killing these three. We can simply leave them for the goblins to find. That would be a much more fitting punishment than a quick and simple death.”

Alex was concentrating on his illusion and searching for danger, but when he heard Val’s suggestion, he turned his attention back to his friends. The idea of killing the men turned his blood cold, but the thought of leaving them tied up for the goblins to find was even worse.

“Your words are cold and cruel, Val,” said Bregnest. “I hope it is only your anger talking. There are few enemies I would give willingly to goblins, and these three are not among them.”

“We have to do something with them,” Halfdan commented in an uneasy tone. “And we really can’t take them with us.”

“I will think on it,” said Bregnest. “For now, we should eat and try to rest. Alex, is it safe to camp here for the night?”

“There are no goblins or any other enemies for many miles,” Alex answered as he looked to the sky. “We are safe enough for the time being.”

“Then we will stay here for now,” said Bregnest. “A normal watch will do. These three will remain bound for now. In the morning we will decide what is to be done with them.”

Alex’s friends started setting up camp, and Alex watched his illusion as the dragon made one last large circle around them, and then hovered over the empty meadow. Val was right when he said that they couldn’t take the three men with them on their quest, but Alex felt there had to be some other way to deal with them, a way to free the soldiers without putting the company at risk. If they let the soldiers go, they would return to Alusia and tell their story. The man named Kappa would send more soldiers and that would mean more trouble in the future. There was no simple answer, and Alex stood looking up at the dragon for a long time without seeing it as he tried to think.

“It is amazing, but it is time to let it go,” Sindar commented from Alex’s side.

Alex jumped slightly at the sound of Sindar’s voice.

“Yes,” Alex answered, lifting his hand and moving it back and forth as if erasing something from the sky.

The dragon remained still for a moment before it disappeared into a cloud of red and gold sparks. Alex stared into the darkness, and after a few minutes Sindar spoke again.

“How is your magic holding up? Are you getting close to the bottom of the bowl?”

“No, I don’t think so,” said Alex.

“You are sure that you will know when you are near your limit?”

“I believe I will know. Whalen explained it clearly to me, and I haven’t seen or felt any of the signs yet.”

“You have done a great deal of magic in a very short time, Alex. I would not press you on this, but I fear we may need more of your magic soon. If you are near your limit, things could become very difficult.”

“Things are already difficult,” said Alex. “Sindar, we can’t kill those soldiers. And we can’t leave them here for the goblins. We have to find something else to do with them.”

“Their fate is not decided,” Sindar said calmly. “If there is a way to set them free, Bregnest will find it.”

“I am tired,” Alex said after a long pause. “Perhaps something to eat and some sleep will help me think.”

“Perhaps,” Sindar agreed. “But Alex, this is not your decision to make. Bregnest has the final word about what we do with those men. You may give your opinion, but you are bound to do as he decides.”

“I know. I just hope the decision is something he can live with.”

Alex turned and walked back to the campfire. Halfdan was already cooking, and the others looked almost too tired to eat. It was only after they had finished eating and Halfdan had taken some food to the three soldiers that anyone said anything.

“I should keep watch tonight,” Sindar said. “The rest of you need to sleep, but I can rest and watch at the same time.”

“A kind offer,” said Halfdan, trying to hold back a yawn.

“Not a bad idea,” said Bregnest. “We have a long walk ahead of us, and a good rest will help us on our way.”

“Not as long a walk as you think,” Sindar replied. “Our horses are tied up about a mile away. Alex was able to round them up the morning after we were attacked, which is why we were able to rescue you as soon as we did.”

“A story I would like to hear, but now is not the time,” said Bregnest. “Sindar, can you get the horses now? I think most of us can stay awake while you are gone.”

“As you wish,” Sindar answered, getting to his feet.

Once Sindar was gone, Alex looked around the campfire. His tired friends looked as if they were about to fall over, and he didn’t believe any of them could stay awake until Sindar returned.

“Why don’t you all lie down,” Alex suggested. “I’ve had more rest over the last few days than you have. I’ll keep watch until Sindar returns.”

Bregnest nodded his agreement with Alex’s suggestion, and Andy, Halfdan, and Val got to their feet without comment and moved off to find their blankets. Bregnest, though, sat with Alex without speaking, his eyes locked on the campfire and his forehead wrinkled in thought. Alex didn’t say anything, not wanting to interrupt Bregnest’s thoughts. Finally, when Alex could hear Halfdan snoring softly, Bregnest spoke.

“Can you magically change what a man believes?”

“I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking,” Alex answered.

“Can you make them believe that they escaped from the goblins themselves?” Bregnest nodded his head toward the three soldiers. “Can you make them forget that we were with them, and that you and Sindar rescued us?”

“It is possible,” Alex answered slowly. “I have never tried to do anything like that, Bregnest. I’m not sure I can. But if that is the only way to save their lives, I will try.”

“There may be another way, but I’m not sure the others will accept it.”

“They will accept your decision, whatever it is,” said Alex. “I would like to set the soldiers free. I do not believe you would leave them here for the goblins to find, and I know you don’t want to kill them. If there is another way, please use it.”

Bregnest didn’t reply, but simply nodded. They sat in silence, watching the fire burn down, until Sindar returned with the horses. Patting Alex on the shoulder, Bregnest thanked him for speaking his mind, and then went to get some sleep.

“He seems less troubled,” Sindar commented as he sat down beside Alex.

“I think he is,” Alex replied.

“Perhaps you should get some sleep as well,” said Sindar.

“Sleep does sound like a good idea,” said Alex as he rubbed one ear. “I don’t sense any danger close to us, but wake me if you need me.”

If Alex had any dreams that night, he couldn’t remember them when he woke. Slowly he rolled out of his blankets and pulled on his boots. Sindar was still sitting next to the campfire. Bregnest was already awake, pacing back and forth beside the fire with a troubled look on his face. Without speaking, Alex took a seat beside Sindar and waited. It wasn’t long before the others started to wake up and gather around the fire as well. No one said anything as they waited to hear what Bregnest would say.

“A decision must be made.” Bregnest stopped pacing and turned to look at the company. “But before that decision is made, I would like each of you to speak your mind concerning our captives. Sindar, your thoughts, please.”

“I will not leave them for the goblins to find,” Sindar answered without hesitating. “I would prefer not to kill them if possible, but if our adventure is in danger from them, then I will do what must be done.”

“Alex?” Bregnest questioned as Sindar fell silent.

“I would like to set them free,” Alex answered. “I will not leave them for the goblins, and I will not kill them. If you decide they must die, I will not stand in your way, but I will not take part in their deaths.”

“Val?”

“I would take back my rash words,” said Val. “I spoke last night without thought, and I can see that my words have troubled you all. I would leave no man for goblins to take, but I cannot see how we can set them free. We are trying to save the kingdom of Athanor from war, and if three men must die for the greater good, then I say let them have a quick and clean death.”

“Andy?”

“Like the others, I would not leave them for goblins,” Andy answered slowly. “But I don’t see how killing them would help us. Yes, they might tell others that we are still alive and searching for the Horn, but I don’t see what harm that can do us. It might make it harder to return to Athanor when we are done, but that’s going to be difficult anyway.”

“Halfdan?”

“I see you’ve left me for last. I’ve had some experience with this kind of thing,” said Halfdan with a sigh. “I was on an adventure once where we faced a similar problem, and I’m not proud of how we solved it. I did not vote to kill our prisoners, but I did not speak up to set them free either. I still see their faces in my nightmares. I would save the rest of you from living with the regrets and doubts that I live with. I say let them go. Let them go; we will face whatever trouble may come of it. If we kill them, we will have to live with it for the rest of our lives.”

“You would risk our adventure and possibly our lives to set these men free?” Val questioned.

“I would,” Halfdan answered firmly. “I know the price that must be paid for killing without cause.”

“Enough,” said Bregnest. “I have heard what you have to say, now I will hear what our captives can say for themselves. Halfdan, Andy, cut them free and bring them here.”

Halfdan and Andy hurried to do as Bregnest said. Alex hoped that Bregnest would choose to set the men free. Bregnest had said something about another way, a way that the other members of the company might not accept. After hearing what his friends had to say, Alex hoped that Bregnest’s other way would work.

“Well,” Bregnest said when the three soldiers were standing next to the fire, “you’ve heard us talking. You know the decision we are trying to make and what your fate might be. Do you have anything to say that might influence our decision?”

“Lord Bregnest,” one of the soldiers said, taking a step forward. “We have also talked. We all know you by name and by reputation. We have heard the stories of your adventures, the tales of what you have done for Athanor, and the rumors of good deeds you have done in secret. We can offer little to convince your friends that we mean you no harm, but we are soldiers of the house of Domina, sworn to protect the people of Athanor. As men of honor we offer to you, Lord Bregnest, the rowshak el cal.”

“A great offer,” Bregnest replied. “And the only one that could save your lives. As a lord of Athanor, I will accept your oath and call on the members of my company to witness it.”

“What is a rowshak el cal?” Sindar questioned as the three soldiers dropped to one knee in front of Bregnest.

“The words are as old as Alusia,” Bregnest answered. “I’m not sure of the exact translation, but it means a soul oath. They will take an oath on their souls not to betray us and to do as I ask. If any of them break their oath, the other two will hunt him down and kill him in the most painful way possible. If the others fail, then their family will take up the task, hunting the betrayer and his family to extinction.”

“A powerful oath,” said Halfdan. “I will be honored to act as witness.”

“Words,” Val said in a sour tone. “They may mean the words now, but will they remember them when they are free and safe?”

“Words are what make a man,” Bregnest replied. “What is honor, Val? It is saying you will do something and then doing it. Honor is keeping your word, and adventurers are not the only people with honor.”

“I . . . I’m sorry. I’ve trusted before and been betrayed,” said Val. “I do not trust so easily anymore.”

“Form a circle around us,” Bregnest commanded the group.

Alex and the others obeyed, and Bregnest held out his left hand, palm up. Each of the soldiers placed his right hand on top of Bregnest’s left, and then Bregnest put his right hand on top of them all.

“Make your oaths,” said Bregnest.

The soldiers spoke softly in unison. Alex understood most of what they said, except for the words from the ancient language of Alusia. As the soldiers finished speaking, Bregnest said a few of the ancient words as well, accepting their oaths.

But before Bregnest could release the soldiers’ hands, Alex stepped forward. He put his own right hand on top of Bregnest’s, and the words came to him as if he had always known them.

“I bind your oaths to you with a wizard’s seal of magic and with hope. For as long as you keep the oaths you have sworn this day, good fortune will follow you and yours. In the instant you betray this oath, all that you hold dear will wither and rot before your eyes.”

Alex felt a surge of power rush through him as he finished speaking, and he knew that Bregnest and the soldiers felt it as well. Alex lifted his hand and returned to the circle.

“So be it,” Bregnest said after a moment of silence. He released the soldiers’ hands.

Alex thought he should feel tired or dizzy because the magic he had just done was powerful, but he didn’t. If anything, he felt more alert and awake than ever, full of energy and magic, ready for whatever lay ahead of them.

After a few minutes, Halfdan started cooking breakfast. The three soldiers sat to one side of the fire while Alex’s friends put away their blankets and tended to the horses.

“Alex, are you all right?” Sindar questioned in a soft voice as he walked up beside him.

“I feel wonderful,” Alex answered. “Maybe too good.”

“That was some powerful magic,” Sindar said. “Vankin told you that magic was like a bowl catching water and that there are limits to how much magic you can use. I would think you are getting close to your limits after sealing the oath like that.”

“So would I,” said Alex. “I’ve done less magic before and felt dizzy or tired afterwards. The morning I lost the rabbit—the one I’d created out of a rock—I felt a little tired then. It didn’t last long, but after using my magic, I felt like sitting for a bit, like I needed to catch my breath. But this time I don’t feel tired at all. I feel like the bowl has instantly been refilled and I’m ready for anything.”

“Strange,” Sindar said in a thoughtful tone. “I think, before you use any more magic, you should send a message to Vankin. He might be able to explain what has happened, and I’m sure he will want to know about your bowl being filled again so rapidly.”

“You are right,” said Alex. “I’ll write to him tonight when we make camp.”

The rest of the morning was spent putting packs together for the three soldiers to take with them. Having no horses, they would have to walk, and it would take them some time before they would reach a town or city. Bregnest gave each of them a small bag of money so they could buy more food when they reached a town.

“What would you have us tell Kappa when we return?” one of the soldiers questioned.

“Only that you were attacked by goblins and managed to escape,” Bregnest answered.

“He will ask about you and your company, Lord Bregnest,” the man went on. “How would you have us answer?”

“Tell him that you did not see us,” Bregnest replied. “Tell him that you don’t know how we could have escaped the goblins when most of your company was destroyed.”

“As you wish,” said the soldier with a bow.

After the midday meal, the soldiers said good-bye and wished the company good luck before heading south. Alex and his friends followed the goblin path for most of the afternoon, turning more to the north a few hours before the sun set. If they were lucky, Alex thought they might be able to make their way through the woods and reach the road in two or three days. But how long it would take them to reach the Tower of the Moon was still a mystery.