Zachania (54 page)

“If my enemy is
your enemy then revenge is revenge.” Lagain replied as the room
fell into silence.

“What shall we
do with him?” Krustov then asked Grarlin who was still looking at
Lagain.

“Put him in the
cells until I decide, I will think about it overnight” replied
Grarlin where he then nodded at the soldiers who straight away
grabbed hold of Lagain and led him away.

There was full
moon over Death Valley shining brightly over the cliffs, it was a
hot and sticky night which had made Talon and Ganasis walk outside
their tents to try and get some breeze, they walked to a nearby
hill where they both sat down and enjoyed the sea breeze.

“This damn heat
is almost unbearable Ganasis.”

“I thought you
were from the south-west Talon, you should be used to this
heat.”

“You never get
used to nights like these Ganasis.”

“Is tomorrow on
your mind my young friend, it has been a while since you were in
the south.”

“My mind is ok
Ganasis; I was however thinking of the town of Varanasa, I have
many friends in the Pangkor temple there.”

“How will they
feel when you lead an army back into their land Talon?”

Talon didn’t
answer straight away instead he looked up to the night’s sky and
pointed to one of the bright stars.

“Ganasis you
see that star.”

“What about
it?” replied Ganasis?

“A Pangkor monk
once told me that the stars never change, no matter what happens
down below, the star will still be shining high above in the
heavens.”

Ganasis then
looked across at Talon who was still looking up at the stars.

“What I think
he was trying to say Ganasis, is that the Pangkor’s have no
interests in wars and battles, no matter what happens around them,
they will remain the same.”

“The Pangkor’s
have always only been interested in harmony” added Ganasis as he
the rose to his feet and looked around to see if anyone could hear
them, before sitting back down close to Talon.

“Talon, do you
remember the talks we had about Apollo’s spell book.”

“Of course
Ganasis.”

Ganasis then
reached into his sleeve and produced a map.

“You see on
this map Talon … there are two artefacts located in the south-west,
one is the pearl situated near the coast then there is fur from one
of the beasts that roam the Forest of Deceit” he said holding out
the map at different angles as he tried to catch the moons light on
it.

Ganasis then
leaned back and waited for Talon’s reply but quickly noticed a
troubled look on his face.

“What is wrong
Talon?”

“It is the
Forest of Deceit, I have been there, I barely escaped with my
life.”

“What happened”
Ganasis asked placing his hand on Talon’s arm.

Talon winced as
he remembered.

“Something
strange Ganasis, it was when I escaped the Empire and I was
returning to Tallasian, I was walking beside the forest for cover
when I saw some Imperial soldiers on horseback. I ran into the
forest to hide until they rode by, then as I was leaving the forest
I heard a noise. I turned and saw a huge beast so frightening it
froze me to the spot; I was then struck by the beast and sent high
into the air back into the forest, and moment later the beast was
in front of me and I was totally at its mercy… I closed my eyes as
I waited for it to kill me…. but then it just walked away from me….
it attacked me then strangely it just left me”

“It just let
you live, fascinating.” remarked Ganasis.

“It was not an
encounter I relish again Ganasis.”

“Then what of
the artefacts Talon?” replied Ganasis after a short pause.

“Don’t worry
Ganasis, whatever I need to do, I will do.”

The sun had
barely been in the sky a couple of hours as Talon and Lord Heikan
led their army into Kratos, last night’s heat had been unbearable
but today was going to be even more of an ordeal as the sun shone
down on them from a cloudless sky. Lord Heikan had briefed his
officers the night before where he told them that he wanted to be
proud of his army and that he wanted Kratos to remember the name of
Heikan as an example of what Zachanian warriors are. Victory was
their only option Heikan explained and nothing less would be
tolerated.

They had
decided that they would first march to Vilsillius; the largest
trading town in Kratos, where the march would take approximately
three day. After the first day just before sunset Lord Heikan
spotted the remnants of an ancient village where he decided that
they should make camp for the night.

“Shelter
Talon!” he said pointing to a nearby hill.

Talon looked up
at the ruins and agreed as he too was feeling tired from being
under the blistering sun all day.

Lord Heikan
gave the order to Kinlan to instruct the army to make camp and to
set up lookouts on the nearby hills. When they reached the ruins
Talon wasted no time in dismounting his horse. He stretched and
yawned as a soldier took the horse away then walked into one of the
ruins. The walls were all cracked and the roof was half destroyed
and Talon found himself wondering if the dwelling was safe, but his
tiredness got the better of him and he placed his saddlebag down
beside a wall and then began to explore the ruins.

Lord Heikan had
now joined him and had already removed his battle vest, Heikan
bare-chested and now swigging from a skin of ale noticed Talon’s
interest in the ruins and walked over to him.

“As long as we
don’t snore then these walls will still stand Talon.” Heikan mocked
thinking Talon was concerned about the walls collapsing in on them.
Talon gave a slight smile at Heikan’s joke but it was not the state
of the walls that had caught his attention, it was the strange
ancient markings that were on them.

“Heikan, have
you ever seen writing like this before.” asked Talon as Heikan
joined him in studying the wall.

“Imperial?”
Kinlan suddenly asked as he threw his saddlebag down next to Talon
and Heikan’s.

“These are not
Imperial markings, they look religious to me.”

“Leave them be
then.” Kinlan added in a tone without any real interest.

Talon leaned in
closer and examined a few markings that had not been damaged.

“This is
similar to the Pangkor language.” he added before he pointed to two
symbols.

“Ground ……… and
death” he said slowly.

“Ground death!”
snapped Heikan mockingly “it must have been those coward Imperial
soldiers fleeing the battle at Death Valley” he added with a
laugh.

Talon who was
still examining the markings then turned to Heikan with a concerned
look upon his face.

“If I am right,
this an ancient burial ground for druids”

“A burial
ground, Ha then tonight we sleep with the dead.” Heikan said once
again in a mocking voice.

“This is not a
matter to take lightly Heikan; these markings on the wall are
warnings not to disturb this ground.”

Lord Heikan who
was now sitting down still swigging ale looked up at Talon.

“What does that
mean?” he said nonchalantly.

“It means we
should think about moving camp.” replied Talon with a serious look
on his face.

Lord Heikan
straightened and grimaced at Talon’s answer, he was feeling tired
from the march and did not relish the thought of having to spend a
further few hours looking for a new place to camp.

“Talon that is
out of the question, some of our men are already sleeping, we have
posted lookouts, and the horses are being fed and rested.” Heikan
yelled.

“And I for one
do not want to go and tell the men that because of a few markings
on a wall they will have to get up and find somewhere else to
rest.” added Kinlan.

Talon shook his
head as he could feel that they were making a mistake camping here
but he was being pressurised by Heikan and Kinlan and could also
see the sense in what they were saying.

Talon it is
only markings.” added Heikan.

After a short
pause Talon walked over and reached out for a swig of Heikan’s
ale.

“Alright then,
but Kinlan send an order for the men to respect this land, tell
them no digging and not to destroy anything.”

Kinlan looked
at Talon and then Heikan in a bemused way before Heikan gave him a
nod to carry out Talon’s request. Kinlan then walked out into the
night’s air feeling that Talon was making a big fuss over
nothing.

“How do I ask
the men to respect the ground, they will think I have gone mad” he
cursed as he walked off. Kinlan walked a few paces then stopped as
saw some soldiers who were drinking ale, he joined the men and was
just about to tell them of Talon’s request when he heard what they
were talking about. They were speaking about how they could not
wait to kill the Imperial soldiers, Kinlan swallowed and then
decided he would not tell anyone of Talon’s command, these were
brave and violent men and he did not want to inform them that their
leaders are worried about a few markings on some walls.

“It’s only
ancient symbols anyway.” he said to himself .

When Kinlan
re-joined Talon and Heikan, Lord Heikan asked if he had relayed the
request, sheepishly he replied that he had, before he lay down next
to Heikan. Kinlan then gazed across at Talon and saw that he had
already fallen asleep.

“Get some rest
Kinlan, we march at first light.” Heikan said to him.

Outside the
ruins in the grounds, most of the soldiers had eaten and were now
setting down for a good night’s rest but two soldiers who were on
sentry duty were trying to pass the time playing the card game
‘JONEK’.

“That’s another
five pieces of Cromas you owe me.”

“Double or
nothing” replied the losing soldier.

“What’s the
point, you never pay me anyway.”

“Are you
accusing me of dishonouring my debts?”

“When have you
ever paid me, last week you said you would pay and here we are and
you still owe me from that game of Jonek.”

“How can I pay
you when we have been marching, I said I will pay you when I have
some money, what is it you want me to do, do you want the clothes
from my back” he replied now angry as he began to take off his
battle vest so that he could throw it at his companion.

“Here do you
want my boots as well.”

“Now you’re
talking stupid, just forget it, and get back to your post.”

“You accused me
of not paying my debts, here take my boots and take this as well”
the furious soldier snapped back as he threw his boots and then
took out his sword and thrust it into the ground next to him.

“Did you hear
that?” said the first soldier as his colleague stabbed the ground
with his sword.

“Hear
what.”

“I don’t know,
it sound like a screech as you struck the ground.”

“I heard
nothing, only your accusations.” the accused soldier snapped.

“Get dressed
man and get back to your post, if captain Junal hears what we are
doing we will be lynched” his companion replied as he walked off
towards the next hill.

Talon was
suddenly woken by a strange and eerie sensation, he quickly sat up
where he saw a large shadow standing in front of him, Talon rubbed
his eyes and then froze as a cold and chilling feeling came over
him.

“Who are you?”
Talon asked.

The shadow
moved closer where Talon felt the cold pass over his feet, he moved
his feet which made the shadow stop.

“Why have you
awoken us ………… why have you disturbed us?” said the shadow in a low
pitched voice which sounded terrifying.

“That was not
our intention.” Talon replied, almost a plea.

“YOU WILL DIE!
……….. ALL OF YOU WILL DIE!” the shadow then screamed.

“No wait, we
did not mean you no disrespect.” added Talon just before a gut
wrenching scream was heard from outside in the grounds.

“What have you
done?” Talon shouted.

“DIE!” replied
the shadow as more screams of terror and bedlam could be heard from
outside which woke Heikan and Kinlan up.

“What the damn
is that!” shouted Heikan seeing the shadow and retreating to get
his sword.

“I ORDER YOU TO
STOP.” Talon sternly said as he walked towards the shadow, only for
the shadow to begin laughing and the screams outside increase,
Talon then raised his sword.

“By the sword
of Apollo I send you back to the ground whence you came from.” he
shouted as he swung his sword into the shadow, Talon then flinched
as he saw that nothing had happened to the shadow, he felt himself
stiffen.

“By the gods,
what is it?” shouted Kinlan who was shielding Heikan against a
wall.

Talon swung his
sword again at the laughing shadow which seemed to gloat more with
every scream that was happening outside.

Then suddenly
just as Talon’s sword passed through the shadows head he saw the
shadow begin to lose its shape.

“NO!” shouted
the shadow before it vanished just as quickly as it had
appeared.

“What was
that?” Heikan yelled.

“Has it gone”
he added still anxiously.

“Evil spirits,
we must leave this place now!” replied Talon grabbing his
belongings,

“Come we must
go” he shouted as he helped Heikan grab his saddle, they then run
from the building out into the chaos that had been going on
outside, Kinlan shouted out to his men who moments earlier had been
fighting shadows and dying, there was confusion and panic
everywhere.

“MEN! RUN, RUN…
RETREAT TO THE HILLS!”

What soon
followed was frenzy of soldiers running from the cursed burial
grounds.

“Are we clear?”
asked Heikan after the men had retreated to the nearby hills, Talon
stopped running and turned to see the army was clear.