The Last Heroes Before Judgement (20 page)

The war party waiting outside cheered as we were marched from the cave. Archers were on the rocks above daring us to run down the slope into the spears below. Ambassador Crow was still tripping down from the plateau and fumbling his words while we waited on our knees, open hands raised in the air. The hilt offered as little translation of the Sheek-tee words as it had for the Orcana. At best, there was mention of monsters attacking them from all sides. I could tell their War Chief was demanding an explanation, but, retribution was on the minds of his party.

The archers were all young men smiling the way wolves do to show their dangerous teeth. All the women were pointing their spears from the backs of broad steeds. The shorter breed had no horns from birth, so each wore a helmet made from the skulls of horned mega steeds like Eso. If the archers had ridden in on their backs as well, than their small party would have no problem dispatching the perpetrators of this crime.

“Stop smiling at the pretty ponies. Focus on what’s happening.”

Major Swiftblade was speaking low through his teeth. His face was eerily calm, though he also heard the conversation degrading into loud threats. The Drakkah gauntlets were covered on his arms as he had tucked his sleeves in under the greaves. The wool would have no effect on the spring loaded blade underneath. The uniform was so tight around him I could clearly see the long bendy tails of the two gauntlets where they met high across the back. Unfortunately for the Ambassador, the Swiftblade was already rolling his shoulders in preparation for a fight. The poor Sheek-tee, they had the high ground and the low, and still they did not stand a chance.

“Crow, these men will be telling the tale of a black Drakkah before long. Tell them to lower their weapons, now!”

When he stood the archers pointed their bows. I moved between them and turned my back. There were several screams, and they fired a volley of warning shots all around us. I eventually remembered- my shell was still inside the cave. But, not until I realized the boy archers were just too young to be very accurate. They did not fire warning shots at all. Only one of them managed to land an arrow in my back.

“Cowards!”

The red shadow blinded everything in that first painfully drawn breath. I spun faster than that foolish boy could even blink, and leaned in to exact revenge. Just as I thought I would make my final charge and die with some honor, Major Swiftblade tripped me. I raced straight to the ground. The force of my fall made it easier for him to rip the arrow from my back. The best I could do was lay there, in what little sun was poking through the trees, focus on healing as quickly as possible, and try not to cry out in pain.

“That is quite enough. You see, they are leaving.”

“They had better.”

“You provoked them first.”

“I’m alright.”

I was not. Speaking brought blood up into my mouth. Though I had thoroughly emptied my stomach earlier, my body forced me to try again to help clear my lung. The ribs that had been pushed aside by the arrow cracked and snapped loudly from moving back into place. Healing from such a deep wound hurt worse than being hit in the first place. I managed to stumble to my feet faster than anyone expected. The only Sheek-tee boy who had actually shot me was still crying and apologizing to his War Chief. They both nearly fainted as I growled myself back to life like an angry beast.

“Did he just give me a new scar?”

“It will be when you finish-”

“Damn you boy! Another scar. For another crime that I did not commit!”

“Calm down Matthius. Go get your shell. We will have lunch today.”

As I stomped by the boy I bucked at him like a ram without even looking him in the eye. My legs were wobbling about so unevenly that I slipped in the cave den and fell into the skinned bear cub. My blood was boiling so hot I swore the hilt lit up the room behind my head.

Everyone else was gathered around the plateau sitting on stone seats. The sour faces and empty scabbards told me exactly what had happened on the road.

“Let me guess, unconditional surrender?”

“That’s right boy-o. You can thank Master Crow for that bright idea.”

Shale was not happy about the turn of events. The mercenaries were acting as tough as they could manage, and Slip was already a nervous wreck. At least he had the sense to make food without arguing about it being my duty.

“So, they have us surrounded. And they have the convoy under guard?”

“Why, whatever are you implying Matthius?”

Major Swiftblade was playing dumb. He and the Ambassador were tapping their feet impatiently.

“Everyone, please remain calm.”

“Yes, while we wait for their reserve forces to arrive.”

“No, that’s not what this is.”

“Then why are we being fed our last meal?”

Slip looked up in horror. The Swiftblade bucked forward to make him continue.

“We are gathering our strength and strategies, just as I negotiated for.”

“You’re saying we should be stretching out for the final fight?”

“Yes, but not with the Sheek-tee. We have quite the opportunity here. The bear-kin have a small fortress south of here. These people don’t just want vengeance for their dead Shaman. They need our help. It is my duty as Ambassador-”

“To force our hands into a bargain with the underKing? I’d rather die by the sword then get strung up and eaten slow by moon mad wild men.”

“The lot of you have a much better chance than this small tribe. They have no reserves and their spear tips are made of stone.”

“So, its kill their enemies or they kill us?”

“That is not what I said.”

“No?”

Major Swiftblade sucked his teeth loudly, spitting into the budding fire. He pulled up his sleeves and turned to look me in the eye.

“That is exactly what he meant.”

“Sir, can you explain this to me, please? If the Ambassador is the priority on this mission, then why is he joining us on the march?”

“That is simple. To keep you out of the fight.”

Major Swiftblade confirmed my suspicions bluntly. Only Slip stayed at the Shaman’s cave while the rest of us marched south to the only other visible landmark in the valley. That is to say, it was visible when we left. The early sunset betrayed us yet again.

“Wait. Do you have your shell this time?”

“Ha-ha.”

“Right? That was a good one Black-blade.”

Shale and his mates were in better spirits now they had their swords returned. I could only grow more nervous as the sun went down. The allFather’s size had already grown in our travels, but, watching him disappear behind the southern highlands reminded me of what evils had been perpetrated the night before.

“You fear you will become weak with the moon?”

“No sir. I am just worried for Slip.”

“He will be fine. Safer than us anyway.”

“Exactly. You should be back there with that small army, Master Crow.”

“But then, who will negotiate the peaceful return of that poor women?”

“Ya hear that boys? He’s gonna negotiate their surrender without a fight.”

Everyone chuckled at the thought. We even shared a long groaning drawn groan to finish. The reality of fighting worm-ridden wild men- who thought themselves to be bears- did not inspire a very positive outlook.

“They’re gonna eat me mitts off aint they? You’s think they kill first, or they got one of them gods what demands a sacrifice of pain?”

“That’s enough talk. We’re too close. Shale, staggered and loose. Three breathes per step and crawl where you can fit.”

“We’re on it.”

Shale began growling like a toad. It was so convincing that I swatted around my ears thinking it to be that close. I stayed centered and crouched with Ambassador Crow. The nerves struck him all at once, the very moment the sky turned from red to grey. We moved forward much slower than the others, unsure if we were even supposed to do so. All I knew was to cover him with my shell if spotted. Though he kept his volume level to a very low whisper, his nerves kept him from remaining completely silent for very long.

“They’ll fight to the last man you know. If they win, they will eat us alive.”

“Not too late to turn back Master Crow.”

“No, I gave the Sheek-tee my word. The Shaman’s wife is a powerful healer. Her safe return will mean our safe passage for an entire generation.”

“And, if she’s already dead? Sir?”

“Then I will tell them what I saw, not what I overheard. Those poor people have already been through so much this spring. Monsters on all sides, and now this.”

“Raptors? I saw the feathers…”

“No, they hail in the south with the horned mega steeds. Something truly evil has displaced the Scarlet Opa from the badlands beyond Ram’s Peak. The Shaman saw it as an omen of more evil to come. They have always been giant beings. Now, they are man eaters as well. Then, these cannibals show up and eat him. The gods have lost all sense of decency.”

“None at all sir. Did you mean the badlands in the northwest? Before the Giant’s Dam? Will these red giants be waiting for us?”

“Hush, I can see their man keeping watch.”

We were just behind the tree line where they had burned the grasses for a clear line of sight. The bear-kin had built their makeshift fortress out of those felled trees. The logs and thick branches were sharpened and standing upright, surrounding the only entrance to the compound. They had also chosen a rocky formation formed from the flooding glaciers of the past. Their construction lacked the raised cat walks of stone walls, but, they had protected themselves with as much sophistication as a caveman could.

“Sir, their courtyard is filled with raptors. How did they manage that?”

“I am more concerned with the man dressed as a bear up above. There’s no way in without being eaten and we are running out of time. We must assume they stalk at night, so,-”

Ambassador Crow finally stopped talking and turned up his ear. Shale was calling out like an insect and Major Swiftblade was returning his call under the guise of a hooting owl.

“We are to fall back. They need to come up with a plan.”

“No, that’s a waste of time. There’s only one man on watch. We must assume the others are busy entertaining themselves with that Sheek-tee women, or rather, what’s left of her.”

“What are you suggesting Matthius? I cannot explain your plan to them from here either way. Hush. What are you doing?”

I let out a low grumble. It was as close as I could recall from the spiky tortoise one of the lords had showed off with at a horse race.

“Sir, these men are monsters. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, of course.”

“How do you catch a monster?”

“Are you volunteering to be bait?”

I groaned several more times, until I no longer heard the others moving back. Then I tucked myself into the shell and loudly ripped up grasses from the tree line. Once their guard stood up on the rock, I poked out to let him see that I was no threat. His eyes were focused only on my shining shell. I swore I saw him lick his lips. I circled the tree line towards Major Swiftblade, ripping up bunches of grass and groaning like a hungry turtle.

“What do you think you are doing boy?”

“No man can resist this much turtle soup sir. Look, it’s working.”

The raptors were screeching and flaring their long striped flumes. They could only see a tiny sliver through the cracks in their pen. Even so, they confirmed that I was indeed a delicious snack, not just a decoy. The bear-kin refused to share. In full bear dress, he growled and swiped at the raptors until they were safely locked in their cage. I just kept crawling and ripping up grass until I was met by another pair of eyes.

“Smart boy. He’s coming now so get ready.”

Clarence waited longer than I would have liked to make his move. The guard almost had time to scream for backup. He left the gate wide open and ran to me hungrily. Once he flipped me over and raised his ivory blade, Clarence ran him through with delight in his eyes.

“Finally, alive again. Thank you, Matthius. And thank you, ya stinking wild peasant.”

He let the man fall dead on top of me and I grabbed his sharpened tusk. Major Swiftblade already knew what to do next and the rest followed without a word. The mercenaries grabbed the dead guard and ran him into the compound first. Johnny donned the man’s dress, and they threw the body to the raptors to keep them quiet. They immediately began slamming their beaks into his chest and tearing out organs. Up close, with fully extended necks, the giant birds could have been three times my own height.

“Matthius, get him back into the trees.”

Ambassador Crow had followed us into the courtyard. I tried to nod him away. Not even pushing him worked.

“They killed her. You see? She’s already gone.”

The bastards had tossed her body into the raptor cage. Which of the three monsters had done the mutilation, or if it were the bear-kin themselves, could not be determined. However, there was no way to get to her without alarming the entire camp. From the speed at which Johnny ran back down from the cave entrance, he had already done just that.

“Back, back, get back!”

Thankfully, the Ambassador stopped resisting. We dove into the tree line at the same time. Men ran down the rocky trail on all fours and chased Johnny out of the gate. Behind each door hid his mercenary mates. Major Swiftblade had disappeared completely.

“White Coal!”

The first four fools to cross the outer threshold on all fours were quickly beheaded. Johnny stood and drew his sword confidently, taking a fifth wild man down. Shale and Clarence pulled the bodies out of their way to line up and make a good show of strength. Their battle cries were quickly drowned out by the growls of the thirty man army that jumped to their feet and rushed forward. Shale managed to swing one gate closed in time to cause a funneling, but they could not kill enough. The three of them ended up with their backs to the front wall, pulling the door closed around them and trying to hide behind the growing pile of bodies.

Ambassador Crow was pulling me away and I struggled silently to hold him down. There was nothing I could do to help, but still, I refused to suffer the shame of fleeing. Mother Moon bathed the crazed men in an evil glow. Their twisted display was the epitome of moon madness. Hands and feet covered in the paws of bears, and using the heads for helmets. The freaks made sure to clash the parts all wrong, and their headpieces were all missing the eyes, some even the ears, and large patches of furry skin. I understood how the raptors could be fooled and corralled into captivity. Unfortunately, for the unsuspecting bear-kin, we had just revealed the true nature of the costumes and the perceptive raptor pack was hungry for revenge.

Major Swiftblade must have been agitating them from where he was hiding because the flightless birds barely touched ground as they dashed from their open cage. They had an intelligent language of screeches and neck movements, and they moved as one like professionally schooled masters of warfare. Each took a turn diving into the pile of bear-kin with their massive talons, before they regrouped into a single file.

“Matthius, their heading into the trees.”

“Move.”

Ambassador Crow and I suddenly appeared before the bewildered mass of bodies. Maybe a third of them remained, so I raised that primitive tusk in the air, shaking it around and yelling. I made for a good distraction. Just as they turned to attack, they were slaughtered from behind by real swords with steel blades. I threw that cheap stick to the ground and spit on it.

“They’re coming back. They’re c-aaagh!”

I heard it too, tackling the Ambassador just as the raptors returned. They leapt from the tree line and one crushed us without stopping. My shell had saved both of our lives, but Johnny was not so lucky. Still wearing that damned bear suit, he was their primary target. Out of instinct, he punched the raptor in its face, successfully digging the cross-guard of his sword into the beast’s eye socket. The mega predator did not so much as flinch, nor was it slowed, on its way to stab its beak through Johnny's soft belly. He dragged the screaming man under by the talons to stand on him as a claimed prize. The raptor reared back for a final strike with such force that the sword came loose from his head. Shale and Clarence made ready, so that when the beast stabbed its face into Johnny’s chest, they cut his neck apart, hacking and slashing until it stopped moving.

Major Swiftblade made the native predators look like fools on their own turf. The largest raptor, a female with purple stripes on her flume, blew right past him. He stood firm like a stone goyle and that taunted the third bird into a spear-like charge. The Swiftblade dodged at the last moment and the bird ran into the open door, crushing it into the fence and toppling it all over. The beast shook his neck feathers and honked like a dying swan through a cracked beak. It decided the fight was officially over and no longer wanted to bother with the crafty humans. He trotted over to his fallen mate and dug right into the chest cavity. After ripping open the other raptor’s ribs, he too reared back for a final strike to tear out the heart, and claim his status as the new alpha.

“No, don’t.”

Ambassador Crow tried to call a stop to Shale and Clarence, but they were out for revenge. The bird was beheaded just like the other, and the female returned to see her whole tribe dead on the ground. Crow backed the mercenaries away from the innocent beast, and she revealed the reason for her absence. In her beak was an egg thrice the size of my head. She careened her long neck around- further than any owl could- and tucked her lonely egg in between her flightless wings. Just as ruthless as her male counterparts, she then dug into the chest of the fallen bird and tore out his heart. She leaned back and swallowed it whole before letting out a final screech at all of us. I dove to the ground, still she chose to stomp on my shell a final time on the way southwest, returning to the freedom of the wild. Then the dark night fell completely silent.