Zachania (33 page)

“I trust you
master, for the sake of Zachania.” he sighed.

“You must do it
Ganasis!” Talon shouted which was almost a demand.

Ganasis bit his
lip then closed his eyes and both wizards began to jerk as the mind
read began.

Ganasis looked
tense while Valsa looked limp as Talon pulled up a chair and
watched intently at the transfer of knowledge, hour after hour
passed with either wizard moving until Valsa started to shake
violently and make low groaning noises then Ganasis suddenly opened
his eyes and released his hand from the top of Valsa’s head who in
turn fell limply to the ground.

“Quickly Talon
were losing him.” Ganasis answered.

“Well do
something then.” Talon replied kneeling down to cradle Valsa.

Ganasis reached
down and tried to wake Valsa who was now shaking so violently his
legs were kicking everywhere.

“It’s no good!
He won’t come round.” Ganasis shouted now showing great strain
himself.

Talon
instinctively reached down and placed a hand on valsa’s chest just
where the wizard’s heart was.

“Do not fear
Valsa, fight! Fight! Channel your strength and live.” Talon shouted
before whispering into the wizards ear.

“Live Valsa,
live for me, live for me.”

Abruptly Valsa
just relaxed and his groans subsided and his shaking ceased.

“Has he gone.”
Ganasis asked fearing his death only for Talon to look up and smile
back at him.

“No Ganasis he
is going to be fine.”

Later that
evening Talon and Ganasis sat in the gardens where Talon was
feeling concerned at Ganasis as he looked very tired.

“How are you
Ganasis, you look tired.”

“I am fine
Talon but your correct I am tired.” he answered leaning back in his
chair and looking slightly disorientated.

“Are you
sure?”

Ganasis sighed
loudly before answering.

“I have just
learned the history of the last few centuries Talon; it is
difficult to think straight with so many different thoughts
swimming in my head.”

“Maybe you
should rest Ganasis.”

Ganasis gave a
slight laugh.

“What’s funny”
asked Talon.

“I have just
seen you challenge the council where you asked for Korvak.”

“Yes Valsa was
there, you now have his memories.”

“Most of them”
Ganasis added rubbing his head before moving his chair closer to
Talon’s.

“I know
everything now and you dear Talon are a very important man, the
Zararhakzar.”

Talon
smiled.

“Am I the words
and wishes of Apollo Ganasis?” he replied slightly shy.

“Yes you are
and you are so much more, I felt your powers the first time we met,
you have powers like a wizard young Talon.”

“A wizard.”

“Well almost.”
Ganasis joked.

“But I sense
something great inside of you” he added straightening himself.

“You sense
something Ganasis.”

“I do not know
what it is but for a mortal you have an overwhelming presence, I
sensed this in you again upstairs when you held Valsa, it is
powerful my friend, it’s almost godlike.”

Talon lowered
his head feeling slightly embarrassed at Ganasis’s praise so he
quickly changed the conversation.

“We must see
the Prince Ganasis.”

“Yes let’s call
it a night, tomorrow were go to Zafra and confront those damn
wizards about their treachery.”

“Graval tells
me that my Grandfather and Prince Arun are camped outside Korvak’s
castle, they haven’t attacked.”

“Good let them
wait for us.”

Talon, Graval
and Ganasis reached Zafra late afternoon and wasting no time
immediately sought out the Prince’s tent where they interrupted a
meeting between Prince Arun, Zalon, Zumal and Lord Heikan.

“TALON!”
shouted Zalon warmly as he got up to embrace him.

Ganasis entered
the tent and was greeted like a long lost hero and for the next
hour they spoke of Talon’s journey to rescue the old wizard before
turning the conversation to what was at hand.

“Now Prince
tell me what’s been happening here?” asked Ganasis.

The Prince
sighed slightly in despair.

“Korvak has
refused to see us.”

“Every request
we have made nothing! He just sent a demand telling US to disperse
our soldiers, my patience is running very thin” Lord Heikan added
in a much more volatile tone than the Prince.

“Good!” replied
Ganasis that made the men turn to him surprised.

“Good?” asked
Heikan asking Ganasis to add more.

“Yes Good! We
have been patient enough with Korvak, ready your warriors for we
attack at dawn.”

Prince Arun
rose from his seat and spoke softly trying to show the wizard
respect but still with authority.

“Ganasis the
stories of your wisdom are legendary and you have my utmost respect
but have you thought through the consequences if we attack
Korvak.”

“No! But I have
thought of the consequences if we don’t.”

“It could lead
to civil war” added the Prince slightly patronising which caused
Zumal to walk over and whisper in his ear.

“Sire forgive
me but Ganasis has much experience with these matters.”

“And I don’t!”
snapped back Arun causing Ganasis to turn sympathetically to him
and then walk over where he knelt beside so as to speak
quietly.

“My Prince I
knew your ancestors, I know the blood which flows through these
veins” he said grabbing Arun’s arm.

“Your kin were
wise courageous warriors, and they were also blessed with good
judgment, I see you have inherited this as you have not rushed in
and attacked. This was the right decision, you have humbled
yourself or injured yourself by taking this man’s impertinence and
not reacting with fury, and for this I respect you but now we are
all here and the game is at foot, it is now time Prince Arun for
you to reach into your soul and the spirits of your ancestors and
rouse the warrior within you.”

Added Ganasis
looking deeply into Arun’s eyes who in turn looked across at Zumal
who nodded back showing that he agreed with Ganasis.

“So be it, send
news we attack at dawn.”

“IT’S ABOUT
BLOODY TIME!” Heikan roared jumping from his chair ready to leave
the tent.

“Lord Heikan!”
Ganasis called out stopping him in his tracks.

“Remind your
men that it is Zachanian’s we fight tomorrow, quell their appetite
for blood and make sure they show benevolence.”

“If a man comes
at me with an axe then I will kill him first before he injures me,
that is the way of the battlefield.” replied Heikan.

“In the morn I
will weave a mist to hide our advance this way we can try to keep
casualties to a minimum.” added Ganasis.

“Heikan! It’s
their surrender we seek not their blood” ordered the Prince as
Heikan walked out the tent.

Once Heikan had
left Ganasis turned to speak with Zumal as Talon’s Grandfather
poured some ale.

“What of the
border Zumal?”

“So far the
border is secure, we have doubled the strength of our armies there,
we are being discreet but we are ready.”

“Do you feel
they will attack Prince Arun?” asked Ganasis turning to the
Prince.

“We can only go
on what we have seen and heard and surely the Empire placing so
many legions on our border can only mean they have one
intention.”

“What is the
Kings say on these matters?” replied Ganasis which caused the
Prince to hesitate for a moment.

“The King is
not well Ganasis; his mind is on other things.”

Ganasis frowned
deeply and gazed at all the other men in the room before returning
a steely look back at the Prince.

“Then he must
abdicate!” snapped Ganasis.

“I will not ask
my father to do that.” replied Arun.

Ganasis
softened his scowl and replied in a softer tone of voice.

“My dear Prince
what will soon be upon us will change everything in Zachania. At
the moment everything is quiet and there is excitement in the air,
but believe me the atmosphere will change when thousands are slain
and hundreds upon hundreds of Zachanian men are being butchered and
injured at our border. There will be dissent amongst the wives and
the children, there will be confusion and there will be panic and
fear! Zachania must be led by a strong man, someone who will
inspire his people, and someone who fights with his soldiers beside
the Zararhakzar defending the rights of his subjects; if the King
remains silent then by reputation he will hinder you. When people
fear that the war is going against us and believe me at times this
will happen, then they will seek the King, they will seek to
undermine you, we cannot allow this to happen, if we are to win
this war that we are about to fight, then Zachania must be
cohesive.”

The Prince
looked long and hard at Ganasis knowing what he was listening to
was right, his father the King had lost all of his will to live.
Weakened from his addiction to Zac and now old and frail, he looked
a very sorry example indeed but it was his father, and Arun loved
him dearly. Hopefully the Prince thought now that the Zac was
destroyed and the council was about to make a decree outlawing it,
then maybe his father might regain his strength. But things were
happening very quickly now and would Zachania have the time to
wait. Prince Arun looked over towards Talon who was joking with his
Grandfather sharing a jug of ale

“I wish I had
Talon’s strength.” the Prince said silently to himself.

As the early
morning sun shined over Heikan’s encampment Talon was woken by the
sound of horses so he quickly leaned over and pushed his
Grandfather to wake up.

“Grandfather,
wake Heikan has come for us.”

Zalon yawned
loudly then cursed the ale he had drunk till late into the night
toasting his Grandson’s return.

“Argh damn ale!
Must get my head together; fetch me a pale of water Talon?”

Talon did as
his Grandfather asked and fetched him the water where Zalon poured
the bucket over his head giving himself an instant tonic.

“Is this day a
good day Talon, or one we will wish to forget.”

“The wizards
must be slain Grandfather, there crimes cannot go unpunished.”

“I know that
son but Zachanian against Zachanian, it leaves a bad taste.”

“Grandfather
you called me son?”

Zalon still
wiping the water from his face and hair looked at Talon
proudly.

“You are my
son, the son I always wanted and I want you to know that whatever
happens today, fighting by your side will be the proudest day of my
life.”

Talon smiled
back at his Grandfather and noted a softer side to him which the
old gladiator seldom showed.

“Come
Grandfather today we begin, today we take our first step to
freedom.”

Outside the
tent, soldiers were busy readying themselves, Talon and his
Grandfather walked outside where horses were galloping across the
lines taking different orders back and forth.

In the next
tent Prince Arun and Lord Heikan were already in discussion and the
Prince welcomed them as they entered the tent.

“Talon good
you’re here we are just finalising a few details.”

A soldier
handed Talon a hot cup of soup and he joined the Prince and Heikan
at the table.

“Ganasis is
preparing a mist spell, then Heikan will attack the entrance to the
castle, I have five legions ready to attack the other walls as soon
as it begins.” said the Prince proudly just as Ganasis entered the
tent.

“Talon you will
ride with me and Heikan’s soldiers on the assault of the entrance,
I want the sword of Apollo leading the attack.”

Talon agreed
with Ganasis with a nod.

The men then
left the tent where they put their weapons on and mounted their
horse’s in preparation of the battle, Talon noticed Ganasis riding
off heading for a nearby hill.

“Ganasis leaves
to weave his mist.” Zalon remarked.

“He is quite a
man Grandfather.”

“From what I
have seen so far I like! You can’t help be impressed by his
directness.”

Talon then
turned his horse as Lord Heikan rode over with his trusted warrior
Kinlan.

“Are you ready
Talon?”

“Yes!”

“Then ride by
my side.”

“With pride,
Lord Heikan.”

Talon and
Heikan rode off followed by Zalon, Kinlan and Graval; they rode
slowly through the soldiers as if parading themselves to the sounds
of cheers and applause.

Once they got
the front, Lord Heikan signalled the advance toward Korvak’s
castle, they would meet Ganasis at a previously prepared place and
after a short while Heikan’s soldiers were primed waiting and ready
just south of the castle with Prince Arun’s men waiting at the
north. Heikan and Talon sat on their horses admiring the mist that
Ganasis had conjured up

“It’s perfect.”
Heikan gleamed as Kinlan rode up to them.

“My Lord, the
Prince is in position and ready.”

Lord Heikan
turned his horse and looked at his warriors.

“Sound the
attack.”

“LONG LIVE LORD
HEIKAN!” Kinlan shouted as he dug his heels into his horse and
ordered the soldiers into battle. Slowly and not making too much
noise the army advanced, they rode at half pace towards the
entrance to Korvak’s castle where they would destroy the large
wooden gate with a tree that had been cut down so as to use as a
battering ram.

The first
soldiers to reach the castle drew out there bows and began a volley
of arrows over the walls into the castle; they could hear the
shouts and confusion of Korvak’s men as they shouted that they
being attacked.

As Talon,
Heikan and Ganasis reached the gate they were pleased to see that
the soldiers were already ramming the gate with the tree. Talon and
Heikan were ushered off of their horses and protected by soldiers
carrying large shields as Korvak’s men were now on the walls
fighting back and firing their arrows into the soldiers below.