Erik And The Dragon ( Book 4) (35 page)

A low, deep rumble came from somewhere in the distant west. Erik looked, straining to find the source of the sound. After a few moments he saw a faint, red glow. At first he thought that a group of scouts had surely succeeded in torching a catapult, but then he realized that it was something far larger. Another rumble shook the very foundation of the keep and the red glow brightened. It was Demaverung, the mountain in which Tu’luh had taken refuge. The volcano was spewing fire into the air.

Erik knew that it wasn
’t a large scale eruption. He knew that a full scale eruption would cause horrendous devastation instead of a small column of fire. He also knew that many larger volcanoes sometimes emitted smaller amounts of fire and lava on a regular basis. As he watched the red glow fade away he felt a sense of urgency. He knew that Tu’luh was close, and this time Erik knew where to find him, and how to kill him. Erik could almost feel his soul struggling to free itself form his skin and fly out to destroy the dragon.

Something crashed down to the floor behind him. Erik turned and saw his sword, the blade half out of the scabbard and the runes on it glowing faintly. He walked over to it and picked it up in his hand. The handle felt warm to the touch, and the runes glowed brighter as he lifted the weapon from the floor.

“You want to go as badly as I do, don’t you?” Erik asked the sword. He then cast one more glance out the window. A fire grew within his chest. In his mind he could hear Lepkin’s forbidding words, but his heart could no longer sit and wait.

He strapped on his sword belt and left the guest room. He crept quietly through the halls, hoping not to wake the others. He didn’t breathe eas
ily until his skin felt the night’s cool, damp air. He raced up a set of wooden stairs until he stood atop the wall. A pair of archers spotted him and stood watching him.

“Where are you headed, out for a stroll?” one of them asked.

“I asked Mercer if I could patrol the walls tonight,” Erik lied.

The archers shrugged and went back to talking to each other about whatever it was they had been discussing before Erik arrived. Erik, relieved that they didn’t press the issue, continued quickly along the top of the wall. He knew it would take quite a while to reach the final fort, but with any luck he would make it before Lepkin noticed he was missing.

He passed scores of archers and guards along the walls. He nodded and greeted most of them, assuring himself that they would take less notice of him if he acted as though he belonged there atop the wall. Whether his theory was correct, or the soldiers simply were too preoccupied to stop him didn’t really matter. All that was important was that no one interfered with his goal. More than a few times he had to resist the urge to break into a run. Though it might get him closer to the final fortification, he knew it would draw far more attention than he could afford.

It took almost two hours to reach the final fort. He passed through an arch that led him into a grand gatehouse not unlike the one he had entered when he had first arrived at Ten Forts. Several strong portcullises were locked into place below, sealing the fort off from the enemy. Erik crept to the side of the wall and looked out, spying numerous torches and fires burning a few hundred yards off from the wall.

“Counting orcs are you?” a soldier asked.

Erik nodded. “I wanted to see them all for myself,” he said.

“Well, if that hasn’t sent you running home to your mother and father yet, I suppose you just might last a day or two once the fighting starts,” the soldier said with a chuckle.

Erik curled his fingers into a fist. “My father is dead,” he said. “My mother has been run off her land by an army led by one of Tu’luh’s servants.” He turned to face the soldier. “I have no intention of running anywhere until the dragon is dead.”

The man frowned and stared blankly at Erik for a moment before nodding and walking away quietly. After he was out of sight, Erik continued along the wall. He went to the very farthest edge and looked down. He knew he couldn’t very well go out through the actual gate. So he searched for anything that might help him descend the fifty foot wall.

“That is not an easy climb to make,” someone said from behind.

Erik turned, expecting to see another soldier, but instead he saw Jaleal standing in front of him. “I’m not going back,” Erik said. “I have to finish this.”

Jaleal nodded and tugged on his long, white beard. “I know you do,” he said. “I thought you might like some company.”

“You would go with me?” Erik asked incredulously.

“Well, I saw you sneak up onto the wall and I figured you were likely going to need my help more than the scouts I was fixing to go with. Besides, my spear thirsts for dragon blood.” He produced his shining weapon and placed the shaft down next to his foot.

“Did you tell Lepkin?” Erik asked.

Jaleal snorted. “No,” he assured him. “I figured you had your reason for keeping silent.”

Erik nodded and then looked into Jaleal’s beady eyes. “Do you think I am ready?” he asked.

“Don’t ask me,” Jaleal said. “The only one who knows the answer to that is you.”
Jaleal then took a step closer and brought his spear up to his heart. “What I do know, is that if
you
feel you are ready, then I am willing to follow you into the jaws of the beast. You have my spear, for whatever it is worth.”

Erik nodded. “Then, let’s go dragon hunting.” Jaleal moved to the edge of the wall. “Here, allow me,” he said. He stuck his hand over the side of the wall and within a few moments a large vine stretched up from the ground and unrolled massive, soft leaves big enough for them each to stand on one. Jaleal hopped up onto the plant and motioned for Erik to join him. Erik unhesitatingly climbed onto one of the leaves and held onto the stalk. Jaleal then wiggled his fingers and the vine slowly descended toward the ground, bending out to let its passengers off safely.

“That was impressive,” Erik said.

Jaleal smiled. “Do you know where we are going?”

Erik nodded. “Demaverung is due west from here.” Erik pointed out to where the red glow had been earlier. “We go straight out to it.”

Jaleal shrugged and twirled his spear around. “I won
’t be able to scout far ahead out here. There aren’t any trees for me to use.”

“That’s alright,” Erik said. “Hopefully Tu’luh will think that we are delayed by the orcs.”

The gnome nodded. “I wish my grandfather was here with us,” he said. “He would’ve loved the chance to hunt Tu’luh.”

Erik smiled and then started off through the darkness.

The sun sat above the gray and red clouds like an angry ball of fire, watching over Erik and Jaleal as the two of them emerged from the thinning trees and took their first look at the hardened valleys of Verishtahng. The land stretched before them, covered in red and black dirt. Hunks and patches of pumice dotted the soil between the jagged obsidian spires that stabbed up into the air. Vapors of smoke and steam spewed forth from conical vents that ranged from the size of anthills to some that were a foot taller than Erik.

The vents sparkled in the sunlight, catching Erik’s curiosity. When he approached closer to one, he realized that there were rough gemstones breaking through the surface, reflecting the light brilliantly and lending a special beauty to this rugged landscape that Erik could not have imagined before.

“Be careful where you step,” Jaleal cautioned. “Sometime the ground near these vents can cave in.”

Erik nodded and decided to keep his distance from the vents. They wandered on through the harsh terrain, meandering in and around rocky spires and spitting vents. They walked for hours before they saw any other sign of life. A large bull mammoth stood near a bubbling, clear pond eating the leaves and smaller twigs from a large tree. Several cows and a pair of calves grazed on tender shoots nearby that stuck up out of the dirt.

“Are they dangerous?” Erik asked.

Jaleal shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry about the mammoth as much as I would the water,” the gnome replied.

Erik turned skeptically. “What do you mean, it looks clear enough.”

“In this part of the world, you have to watch out for the clear water. It usually means that the water is boiling hot.” Jaleal pointed to the surface of the pond. “Look there, you can see bubbles and ripples breaking the surface. Also, mammoths are usually fond of water, but none of these animals are approaching it.” Erik looked closer at the water and then the two of them skirted wide around the herd of mammoths, just to be on the safe side.

The deeper into Verishtahng the two of them went, the hotter the air became, but it wasn’t the dry heat from the sun that Erik had experienced before during the summer months. This was a wet, sulfuric warmth that rose up from the vents and holes around them to hang low in the air. It sapped their strength, and pulled the sweat out of them so intensely that they found themselves stopping to rest every couple of miles. The only reprieve they had was Jaleal’s magic and knowledge of plants.

Just as Jaleal’s water skin began to run low, he put his ear to the ground. A tender, yellowy-green shoot of grass broke through the surface and almost connected with the gnome. Jaleal closed his eyes for a moment and then stood up with a great big smile on his face.

“Follow me,” he said. “I know where we can get some water.”

He started off at a brisk pace. Erik had to almost jog to keep up with the little gnome. They circled around a red plateau, through pillars of wind-polished orange and black stone, and then stopped in a bowl-shaped depression. Near the center, in the midst of a large patch of pumice and smooth flint, stood a large, green tube-like plant with bulbs along the shaft and a couple of flowers hanging from small, vine-like branches that extended a couple inches down along the main trunk.

“This is a special plant,” Jaleal said as he removed his waterskin and placed it on the ground near the base of the plant. Erik came in close and put his palm on the side of the plant. It was rough to the touch, like lizard’s scales, but there were no thorns. The plant stood almost as tall as Erik, and each of the bulbs were as large as both of his fists side by side.

“What is it?” Erik asked.

“It’s called a waterstack.” Jaleal reached up and gently twisted the lowest hanging bulb. The bulb creaked and popped as it released its hold and broke free. Clear water seeped out from the severed end. “It gathers water from deep in the ground, and stores it in these bulbs. That is how it survives out here.”

“Why don’t other animals eat it?” Erik asked.

Jaleal gestured for Erik to watch him closely. “You have to remove the bulb in exactly the way I did, otherwise the plant will attack.”

“Attack?” Erik asked.

Jaleal nodded. He took a small knife from his belt and cut along the bulb’s outer peel, starting at the open end and slowly making his way to the fat end. He then flipped the bulb over and repeated the process on the opposite side. Once he was satisfied, he peeled one half of the thick, scaly skin back. He pointed to a strange, purple sack in the fat end. “The waterstack filters the poisons and minerals out of the ground, and then uses them to create a toxic sack in each bulb. If an animal bites into the bulb, it will puncture this sack and the toxin will paralyze it. The animal will then die, either because another animal will come along and eat it, or it will slowly starve and die at the base of the plant.”

Jaleal carefully wiggled a finger between the two sacks. “The plant has created a strong wall between the two sacks, so if you separate them here, you can easily remove the toxin.” The purple sack popped free and Jaleal set it on the ground nearby. Then he lifted the clear sack up toward the sunlight, peeling the rest of the skin off so the light could pass all the way through. “Now I will just check to make sure there are no clouds or indications that I accidentally mixed the two liquids.” The gnome turned it over in his hands and the sack shined like a gem.

“Well?” Erik asked.

Jaleal grinned. “It’s good,” he replied.

“Is there an antidote?” Erik asked.

Jaleal nodded. “The plant produces its own antidote.” Jaleal moved to the nearest flower and gently lifted it up. “The seeds in the blossoms store a gel that can counteract the toxin.” Jaleal put the blossom back. “That way, if the toxin spills into the plant’s main stem, it can protect itself.” The gnome then put the water sack up to his waterskin and slit an opening at the narrow end. The water poured effortlessly into the container. “There is actually a bird that will eat the seeds, and then burrow into the bulbous parts to drink the water. It is called the fire finch. That is how the first people learned how to avoid the dangerous toxin.” Jaleal offered the water to Erik and he took a sip. The water was cool, and had a pleasantly mild, sweet flavor to it.

“That is good,” Erik commented.

The gnome grinned wide. “The best we are going to get while here,” he said. “I will harvest a few more of the bulbs and then we can continue along our way.”

Erik nodded. “Should we take one of the flowers?” Jaleal didn’t respond, but he quickly cut one of the blossoms free and tucked it into his satchel along with as many bulbs he could fit into the leather bag.
Then he indicated with his spear toward the west.

The two of them set out, climbing up out of the bowl and back onto the hot, muggy plain. Off in the distance they could hear sharp howls, but they didn’t see what creatures made them. Erik wondered what other kinds of beasts might inhabit such a place. Eventually they found themselves following a mammoth trail. Most of the tracks left by the beasts were larger around than Erik was tall. Plant eaters or not, he actually hoped they wouldn’t run into the herd that made this trail. His wish was granted about an hour later as the trail veered off to the south. Erik and Jaleal continued on in a westerly direction, trying to cover as much ground as they could.

The steam grew thicker in the afternoon sun, casting an eerie red glow over the land. Wind kicked up ash and burning embers from some fire or vent that Erik couldn’t see. A few hundred yards in front of them, something roared and split through rocks. Erik could hear the distinct snapping and cracking of stone.

“Maybe we should go around,” Erik said. Jaleal nodded his agreement. The two turned south and walked away, but the sound seemed to keep pace with them. It never came nearer, but it somehow always stayed just a few hundred yards directly west of where they stood.

“What do you think it is?” Jaleal asked.

“Maybe a firedrake?” Erik guessed. “Tu’luh could probably break stones with his claws.”

Jaleal produced his spear. “Whatever it is, it doesn’t sound as though it is going to leave us alone. Do we try and move around, or should we surprise it and go head on for it?”

Erik drew his sword, but thought better of setting it aflame les
t the unknown beast spy them all the easier. “Let’s meet it,” Erik said resolutely. The two of them crept through the dense, sulfuric smoke. Salty, stinging sweat rolled over Erik’s eyes and to the corners of his mouth. He casually wiped them away with his left forearm, straining his eyes to see through the dense screen.

Something glowed and writhed near the ground. Erik bent lower, trying to catch a glimpse of what lay before them. A rock, not more than fifteen feet in front of them, broke in two and shook the ground. The immense heat grew so intense that Erik’s tunic stuck to his skin and wiping his face now only smeared the sticky sweat across his skin.

Jaleal froze in place and stuck the butt of his spear out to stop Erik. “Not another step,” the gnome said loudly. Erik was shocked that Jaleal was using his normal voice, but he obeyed nonetheless. Jaleal tugged on Erik’s tunic, bringing the boy lower still. That is when Erik saw it. A massive river of lava, snaking across the surface. It broke rocks and turned them to flaming goo before sweeping them along and building in strength. The gnome chuckled and shook his head.

“Maybe this is why the mammoth trail turned south a while back,” Erik mused.

“Well, we sure aren’t going to be able to cross it. Come on.” Jaleal turned and started to walk back the way they came. Erik stood up and turned just in time to see the smoke bursting apart. Something barreled into Jaleal and sent the gnome flying backward. Erik reflexively reached out and grabbed Jaleal’s ankle, preventing him from flying back into the lava flow.

A mass of black fur jumped through the clearing in the smoke. Erik dropped Jaleal to the ground and darted to his right as the beast sailed within inches of them both. Jaleal let out a yell and a moment later a beastly snarl ripped through the air. Erik turned back, sword out and ready to attack, but a mess of yellow, curved fangs lunged at him from the smoke. He brought his sword back in time to deflect the second animal, but he could not get an effective strike. The animal disappeared back into the smoke.

“You alright?” Erik shouted out at Jaleal.

“Just fine,” the gnome grunted.
Erik heard a snarl, followed by Jaleal shouting something in a tongue he could not understand.

A rock slammed into his side and dropped him to the ground. His right shoulder burned and his arm went numb all the way down to his fingers. The sword tumbled out of his grasp and clattered along the stony ground. Erik rolled to his back and tried to reach out with his left hand.

A massive, black paw dropped down on the hilt and dragged the sword just out of Erik’s reach. The leg above the paw was easily as thick as Erik’s waist. The immense, snarling maw that broke through the swirling smoke angled down toward Erik’s throat. Twisted, yellow eyes fixed themselves on Erik’s eyes, sending tingling chills down the boy’s spine. The stare lasted only a fraction of a second in reality, but it seemed a lifetime to Erik. The beast stood perfectly still. Then its shoulder twitched and it lunged through the air.

Erik brought his left hand in toward his belt in a flash, ripping a dagger from its sheath and flipping it up so that the business end sat directly in the beast’s path. The animal howled angrily as the dagger tore through the side of its mouth and gashed the thick hide in its neck. Erik sat up forcefully,
continuing on into a somersault trying to escape. A massive paw slashed at him, ripping the back of his tunic and knocking him slightly off to the left.

Erik scrambled to his feet and faced the animal. Beyond it, he could hear Jaleal still grappling with the first cat-like monster, or at least that is what he hoped he heard. He shuddered to think that Jaleal’s grunts and shouts might be his last sounds as the animal ripped him apart.

The boy crouched low, keeping his knees bent and flexible so he could try to dodge the animal’s next attack. The black cat stood with its head low, ears flat against its head, and shoulders hunched over. Its massive tail switched back and forth with an angry tick. As it paced around it came to stop on Erik’s sword. It looked at Erik and licked the wound in its mouth. Its front paws kneaded the ground, shredding the dirt in front of it.

Erik wasn’t sure what to do. If only he had his flaming sword, then perhaps he might have a real chance, but a dagger was nothing to this beast.
A hornet would likely have an easier time getting through the monster’s thick hide. Then an idea came to him. He reached out to his sword with his mind. He wasn’t sure it would work, but what if his power could manipulate objects as well as dispel magic? He had to try.

Just as the cat hunkered down to launch itself again, a mighty white flame erupted underneath it, searing its paw and scorching the fur on its underbelly. The cat yowled horribly and vaulted straight up into the air. Erik ran forward, scooped the sword up, and brought it to bear just as the cat descended back down. The flaming blade bit easily through the beast’s neck and lopped off the head. The body fell over to the side, twitching and writhing. Then Erik ran for Jaleal.

He found the gnome standing triumphant atop the first beast, struggling to retrieve his spear from the animal’s skull. Despite the danger they had both just gone through, Erik laughed at the sight. The little gnome standing on the cat’s head, one foot on either side of the spear which was half-way buried in the animal’s head. Jaleal pulled and tugged against the shaft, but it didn’t even budge.