C.P.D. Harris's Blog, page 7

Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.51T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

The band trekked carefully through the woods, heading now toward the Desolation of Karniloth. They stayed close to the river, partly as a way of navigating and partly to look for a way across. The deep ravine was a difficult obstacle, with walls to jagged and rough to scale and waters too turbulent to cross in most places.

Retaak led Albyursia on a rope as they walked. He did not mind carrying her, but he also did not want her to be come too familiar; thoughts of her jest in the moonlit alcove on their way out of Oystkivat still lingered. He was oddly attracted to this Elf who smelt of earth, pine… and blood.

He did not like leading her at the end of a rope; it smacked too much of the way Ushochhushi treated his elven slaves. The thought of seeing Albyursia kneeling, submissive and naked before the Seneschal filled him with revulsion. If that were her fate then it would be better that he defied Ushochhushi and died, although that path would lead to the death of the rest of the band, which was even worse.

At midsun on the the second day, Uyage called for them to stop. “We are close to the old bridge across the ravine. There is a chance that it is guarded, or that the Bloody Axes await us in ambush. I will range ahead and see.

“What if they see you?” asked Uyaashie. “We will be too far away to help.”

Uyage looked at Uyaashie, and for a moment Retaak though she might slap the Hob woman. He started to move but felt Kuzat’s hand on his knee. After a moment Uyage nodded almost imperceptibly, almost a regal bow from her.

“I thank you for your concern, sister,” she answered. “But if I am seen I will run, and few can catch me in the woods when I am on my own.”

Uyaashie smiled, pushing up her glasses. It was her first sign of levity since Ashoktyaar died. “Be safe, sister.”

Uyage nodded. After a moment she turned and

Retaak breathed easy. Uyage was slow to trust and her relationship with Uyaashie was a weakpoint in the band. It was good to see them move towards trust, as all right-hearted beings do when they shared trials and sorrow.

<>

While they waited, Kuzat and Uyaashie gathered mushrooms and edibles while Retaak prepared a stew over a tiny fire. He removed Albyursia’s bonds and sat her down on a log.

“You trust me without ropes and a gag?” she asked. “Do you not fear I will try and escape or shout for help?”

“You won’t find help here, and the collar stops your magic,” he said with a shrug. “And I cannot satisfy my curiosity if you are unable to talk.”

The Elf woman cocked an eyebrow and smiled, but said nothing.

“How did you learn our language, truly.” he asked.

“You are Wildborn, are you not, Retaak?” she asked. He nodded, she continued. “I learned it from Wildborn orcs in my lands. I was a guardian, tending the trees, when they wandered through our forests. At first most of us wanted to kill them, because we had never met an orc free of the Dread Lord’s grasp before. Our elder had, and she bid us to leave them in peace. They stayed among us for some time and we became friends with them…”

Retaak, listened, entranced at the idea of other Wildborn, as Albyursia spun tales about the ‘freeborn’ as she called them.

He did not notice Uyage’s return, until she cleared her throat, breaking him from his reveries. “The way is clear. We should cross before night falls.”

Retaak wondered how much she had heard. Uyage was not as distrustful of Wildborn as other Fellspawn were, but she was still suspicious. Albyursia’s tale would seem strange to her, eat least. He nodded and stood. “We will eat here and then go.”

<>

 

Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.50T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

Gurgumaar’s camp was easy to avoid in the dark; despite the fact that Spawn could see quite well in the dark the hand of the Dread Lord preferred to ring his camps with huge bonfires. Some said that he supposedly thought that it made his forces look more fearsome. Retaak wondered if it had something to with the Ogre Warlord’s fascination with the kingdoms and tactics of the lords of the human kingdoms subjugated and driven to extinction by the Third Dread Lord. Gurgumaar’s called his bodyguards ‘War-Dukes’ and dressed them in heavy plated armour.

“I’m glad we lost them,” whispered Albyursia over his shoulder. “I do not fancy trying my chances evading lady Karniloth’s eight envious orbs.”

Retaak nodded. “Kuzat could see us through the desolation, I have faith. But I prefer to avoid further conflict. I have already lost one friend in this errand.”

Distantly horns sounded as battle broke out in the city. The main attack was spent, at least until the morning sun roused Gurgumaar. By now the Spawn would be busy looting and searching for vulnerable elves who were not hidden away in Greyrock. The main body of elves, as they always had, would be waiting for opportunities to sally forth and attack isolated groups of spawn while the few units of Gurgumaar’s forces who were still hungry for fighting would be trying to ambush the elves, in turn.

The walked through trees along a ravine for some time. The tall pines hide them well from view. Soon enough they began to ascend into the foothills west of Oystkivat, back toward The Fellspawn Warrens. At last, long after the moon had fully risen overhead, Uyage signaled that they could stop. Gurgumaar’s Camp and the siege fires around Greyrock were nothing more than star twinkling through the trees by then.

Retaak eased Albyursia off of his back.

“No fire,” said Uyage as Uyaashie began to strike tinder. “If we can see them, they can see us.”

Uyaashie looked up crossly, then sullenly put her flints back into her kit. At least she did not object; Retaak did not look forward to breaking up a fight at this moment. Uyage made certain that their vamp was well hidden, she took her duties very seriously.

They ate cheese, dried meat, and some tart berries that Kuzat found while they made camp. Albyursia made no objections, joining them in their meal and talking to each of them. Retaak would have taken interest, but he drew last watch and promptly sought sleep.

<>

He woke with a hand over his mouth. Something stopped him from responding with immediate violence and he looked to see Uyage, finger to her lips. The forest was dark all around them, but he could hear cracking twigs and the jingle of weapons; the sounds of a warband passing close to their hidden camp.

Albyursia stared to him from across the little hollow, eyes wide. Kuzat and Uyaashie were but shadows within shadows, only the whites of their eyes and the tips of their steel giving them away.

Retaak did not move. He dared not look. Uyage would warn them if they were spotted. Instead he kept a tally of how many must be marching past. He lots track after fifty; that too many to fight and win on this terrain, even for him.

Willing himself to stillness, Retaak waited. His hands itched for his weapons and his instincts ached for battle. He felt like he would burst if he did not move. But he kept himself in check. Eventually the sounds grew distant, and then passed entirely. Uyage scanned the darkness, looking for scouts and stragglers. She waited and after some time sat down, breathing out a long sigh of relief.

“We are lucky they did not bring dogs,” she said.

“I counted five score or more,” said Uyaashie, her voice shaking just a little. “Was it the Bloody Axes?”

“Yes,” said Uyage. “Now you see why I did not want a fire.”

“They must be going to the pass to head us off,” said Kuzat. “We should try to bypass them in the dark before they beat us to it.”

“No,” said Retaak. “They were in no hurry. They already have the pass sealed, they are sweeping, looking for us. We will assess the situation in the morning. For now, the rest of you should sleep. I will take this watch.”

He left the worst unsaid. If the pass was sealed, they would have to try their luck in the Desolation after all.

<>

Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.49T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

Retaak ran, keeping his eyes on Uyage ahead of him. He could hear their pursuers in the back, hear the whisper and thud of their arrows, smell their blood and their steel. These were Fellspawn, either the Bloody Axe clan or Gurgumaar’s followers.

He thundered through a small vineyard, scattering foliage,

Uyage chose paths that would confuse their pursuers, those with quick turns and branching pathways. In this the maze-like elven gardens and bocage-paths served them well, even if Retaak sometimes had to force his way through. The enemy’s trackers were cunning though, and the band was unable to shake them.

A narrow arch, that would have forced him to slow down and squeeze through, splintered and toppled and he rammed through.

The elf on his back did not slow Retaak, nor did his endurance waiver. He had no illusions that the enemy would show them any mercy if they were run down; it would be better to die fighting that to be captured.

He heaved himself up and over a wall, almost vaulting over, jumping off the top into a broad courtyard full of sweet smelling emerald grass, hitting the ground running. Albyursia gave out a soft ‘oof’ as he hit the ground, shaking her.=, but otherwise kept silent. She did not want to be captured either.

Uyage steered away from the breech left in the town wall, as Retaak expected she would. Their sapper’s disguises were sodden and muddy, and the elf woman on his back would attract immediate attention. It was best to find some other way out the town. Besides Uyage preferred the path less traveled when escaping.

Retaak ran down a long, cobbled street, his boots echoing. He saw Uyage stop and turn, bow out, arrow nocked, as Uyaashie and Kuzat slipped past her into an alley. He heard a growl and howl from behind him.

“Warg rider!” said Albyursia. he heard the beast running, rapidly closing on him as the rider gave out a loud war-scream.

Retaak kept running. Uyage let loose. The arrow sped past him. He heard a yelp and the gait of the beast shifted in cadence and then stopped altogether as it stumbled.= and crashed to the ground. A second arrow produced a howl of pain from the rider. Uyage was up and running before Retaak made it to her. He ran through a narrow alley built of ugly grey-stone so unlike the rest of the town, and came up facing the formidable town wall.

Uyage met him, handing him a rope and grapnel. “Up and over, Retaak. I will slow them down.”

Retaak, nodded, understanding. The narrow approach they just ran through would make it easy for Uyage to defend, at least until their pursuers decided to come around the flanks. By then Retaak would have them on the walls.

He whirled the grapnel, testing the weight. The rope was light, silk perhaps. Uyage was not a lover of luxury, but she understood the value of fine tools. He tossed the three pronged grapnel up and over the wall with easy, but swore as it failed to catch when he pulled. On the second try it caught.

Uyage’s bow whispered as Retaak heaved himself up the rope, hand over hand, massive muscles working. Once he set foot on the top he turned.

He saw a mass of bodies streaming into the tunnel and more coming round the buildings. Dozens of orcs, goblins, and hobs.

“Grab the rope!” he shouted.

Uyage fired a last arrow, taking an orc running through the narrow alley in the belly and joined Uyaashie and Kuzat climbing the wall.

“Hold on!” shouted Retaak and he began hauling on the rope pulling his friends up rapidly through sheer strength. A few arrows arrows skipped unconvincingly against the stone against the stones blow them as the Bloody Axes below shouted in fury and looked for an alternate route onto the wall.

Getting off the wall was even swifter as they set the grapnel and repelled down the wall. Retaak went last, grinning when he saw that his foes still had not reached the top of the wall. Perhaps they would not have to brave the Desolation of Karniloth after all.

He slid down the rope. And Uyage led them toward the cover of a nearby ravine. They were out of Oystkivat.

<>

 

Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.48T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

Keen-eyed Uyage led them through the maze of houses and villas. The elven houses were beautiful, well-crafted, and possessed of a kind of sylvan elegance that spoke of ancient forests abutting clear, slow rivers despite being part of  bustling town. Hedges and garden arches provided much of the cover that they used for moving through Oystkivat unseen.

Retaak focused on the task at hand, trying to ignore Albyursia. He was the largest and heaviest of the band by far, and thus the greatest liability in remaining hidden. Uyage chose routes that would allow even him to move stealthily, but he had to focus on the route, not on the strangely attractive elf slung over his shoulder.

In the distance the attack on Greyrock was dissolving into looting and burning. The Spawn had spent their energy on the fortress and were far more interested in finding the few unfortunate elves left outside and grabbing riches for themselves. This orgy of pillaging was what most of the remaining forces were actually looking forward to. Elven goods and slaves could bring great fortune to most Spawn. The very idea disgusted Retaak; the elves were no friends of his, but no one should own another thinking being.

They ran until Retaak was breathing hard, about half way through the town, circumventing the slow moving looters. Uyage stopped in the shadow of a five story spire house, surrounded by immaculately kept birch trees, their white bark the exact same shade as the tower stone.

“They still follow,” whispered Uyage, eyes darting toward Albyursia.

“My people will hunt you as well,” said the elf frankly, meeting Uyage’s gaze.

“If they know of our quest, then they might be waiting for us as well as hunting,” said Kuzat.

Retaak nodded. An ambush in the mountains would see them dead, especially without Ashoktyaar. “We need to find a path back to the Fellspawn Warrens that our enemies do not anticipate. Do you know of any Uyage?”

Uyage shook her head.

“Any smuggling routes, Uyaashie?” he asked.

“None that I would trust with this,” she answered, pointedly looking at Albyursia. “I fear whatever Ushochhushi wants with this one; you saw her cell in Greyrock.”

Retaak nodded. If it were up to him he would not be giving anything to Ushochhushi, let a lone a living being. Even thinking of betraying the compelling power of Kaasukak, however, caused him to feel nauseous. Perhaps he could risk death from defiance on his own, but he would not subject Kuzat, Uyage, and Uyaashie to that.

“I know of a way, a place where none of our pursuers dare to follow,” said Kuzat, quietly. “A place where no spawn awaits us; The Desolation of Karniloth.”

“Are you mad?” asked Uyaashie, sounding alarmed and exasperated in equal measure. Retaak could not blame her shrill tone; the Demon-Spider was a power that even the Dread Lord was loathe to challenge. The Desolation was a once-fertile mountain valley that had fallen to her ruinous appetite. Now her only food was the unwary, the foolish and her own brood.

“No,” said Kuzat. “I have traveled through ancient Karniloth’s web-ways before and survived…”

“A tale worth telling, I am sure,” said Uyage, but we must move. “Retaak?”

“Let’s put some distance between us and our pursuers,” he decided. “If we must we can try The Desolation, but I would rather wet my blade on bloodaxes that test it against an ancient horror.”

Uyage nodded and led them out of their shelter.

<>

Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.47T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

Still battered from their run through the tunnels the band rand through the back alleys of Oystkivat. Greyrock still loomed above them, a horizon-eating monolith, shading them even from the rays of the moon. Retaak was sure than he had several cuts and bruises from the descent, but he counted it lucky that they were all still alive. If the Bloody Axes or whomever sought them now caught them, he doubted that would be the case.

He was also keenly aware of Albyursia on his back, her hot breath in his ear and the garden scent of her. He felt a strange tingle of arousal as she bounced against him, occasionally laughing under her breath. He’d never felt any attraction to elves before, despite their beauty, and felt some embarrasment.

That deeper shadow served them well as Uyage led them swiftly through back alleys and the sheltered paths that connected parts of the town. Retaak could not have navigated these places so easily, but Uyage was keen of eye and judgement.

“Are they still following?” whispered Uyaashie as they stopped in a well-hidden alcove decorated with scenes of elven love-play.

Uyage nodded curtly.

“They must be after us, then,” said Kuzat. “No self respecting spawn would pass up the chance to smash up and loot some of those houses.”

Retaak nodded. “Let us bind our wounds in case they have a blood tracker.”

“I can help with that,” whispered Albyursia, smiling.

“Would we have to unbind you?” asked Kuzat.

“Yes,” said the elf.

“Then no,” said Uyage.

Retaak felt like objecting. It seemed that Albyursia was genuinely grateful to them for helping her escape. If she had healing magic it would be of great help to them. On the other hand he did not wish to risk angering Uyage. She would think the elf had enchanted him, and perhaps she was right…

After some quick bandaging and checking of equipment they were ready to move. Retaak nodded to Uyage, giving her the lead. He trusted her far more than he trusted himself in matters of escape. She listened for a moment, signaled they their pursuers were east of them and then slipped off in a narrow path between two estates, leading south.

Retaak was the last to leave the alcove. Albyursia was ostentatiously examining one of the carvings on the wall, picturing a male and female pair standing, locked in coitus. The woman was leaning out at an angle her hands locked at the back of her lover’s neck with her feet over his shoulders. She grinned at him as he picked her up and hoisted her onto his back.

“I’ve always wanted to try that one,” she said in his ear. “Most men aren’t that daring.”

“Are you flirting with me, elf?” asked Retaak.

“I am, Ogre,” she said gruffly, imitating his cadence. “You do have me tied up, after all.”

Retaak felt arousal burn through him at her words. He felt shame and anger at how easily she got a response from him, as if he were a youngling. He shook his head and started off. After a few steps he smiled and said “You’ll have to tell me how you learned our tongue so well, elf.”

He could feel her grin widen as they slipped out into the night.

<>

 

Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.46T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

Retaak looked down to a see a trickle of water running past his feel.

“RUN!” shouted Uyage ahead of them.

Uyaashie and Kuzat looked at Albyursia. The elf was bound; there was no way that she could run. Retaak started to move, quickly picking up speed.

“GO!” he shouted to his friends, grabbing the elf and slinging her over his shoulder.

“Oof, careful please,” said Albyursia. although her voice was surprisingly calm Retaak noted.

“My apologies,” he said as he thundered down the tunnel, feeling the water lap up over his boots. Uyaashie was high stepping to avoid being slowed down while Kuzat was scampering along the ceiling now. “This is going to be rough.”

“So be it.”

The water washed down on them, rapidly getting deeper. The roar of it was deafening now. Uyaashie and Uyage half ran, half swam. Fortunately the speed of the flow was not enough to knock them off their feet. Drowning would still kill them though.

The tunnel was nearly flat now. Retaak powerwed forward, not slowed at all by the water.

“Grab on!” he shouted to Uyaashie as she came abreast of her. The sodden hob latched on to his belt as he surged ahead. The water surged around him higher and higher, but he did not stop. He reached Uyage, swimming now, and grabbed her, pushing forward with all his might, cleaving through the water like the bow of a warship. He feared it would not be enough as the water climbed.

“There it is!” shouted Kuzat.

Retaak heaved himself toward the opening at the top of the tunnel, pushing Uyaashie and Uyage up, followed by Albyursia. The current nearly swept Retaak off his feet as he hurled the elf up, but he set himself and leapt, catching the ladder, hauling himself out of the tunnel. He fell back beside the others, breathing heavily.

The moon shone down above them and the air was crisp and clean. The remainder of the band were all alive, if wet and miserable looking.

“That was intense,” said Uyaashie, wiping her glasses.

“Thankfully we did not have to worry about the last pit,” said Kuzat.

“I would not care to repeat that run,” said Uyage.

“I am glad all of you made it out alive,” said Retaak.

“Ashoktyaar,” said Uyaashie, looking down.

“He will be well-remembered,” said Retaak. “And one day, fate willing, we will have have our revenge for his death.”

“Revenge on who?” asked Kuzat.

“On Ushochhushi for sending us here,” said Retaak. “On those who deny us our freedom.”

“That seems unlikely,” said Uyage, sighing. “We have no power over spawn like Ushochhushi; he has the Dread Lord’s ear. To anger him is to face the Dread Lord’s Wrath.”

“I do not fear the Dread Lord either,” said Retaak.

Uyage rolled her eyes and shook her head, Retaak did not push the issue. To him the Dread Lord was just a powerful Spawn; it was hard to make others see his reasoning though.

“I would like to hear more of this Dread Lord,” said Albyursia. “We know him–“

Uyage hissed, holding up her hands for quiet, and at first Retaak though his friend had taken offence at the elf’s questioning, but he quickly realized it was something else.

“Spawn, a large group. searching for something,” said Uyage.

“They must be looking for us,” said Kuzat.

Retaak lifted Albyursia, who offered no complaint. “We go.”

<>

Thralls of Dread Lord (1.46T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

Retaak looked down to a see a trickle of water running past his feel.

“RUN!” shouted Uyage ahead of them.

Uyaashie and Kuzat looked at Albyursia. The elf was bound; there was no way that she could run. Retaak started to move, quickly picking up speed.

“GO!” he shouted to his friends, grabbing the elf and slinging her over his shoulder.

“Oof, careful please,” said Albyursia. although her voice was surprisingly calm Retaak noted.

“My apologies,” he said as he thundered down the tunnel, feeling the water lap up over his boots. Uyaashie was high stepping to avoid being slowed down while Kuzat was scampering along the ceiling now. “This is going to be rough.”

“So be it.”

The water washed down on them, rapidly getting deeper. The roar of it was deafening now. Uyaashie and Uyage half ran, half swam. Fortunately the speed of the flow was not enough to knock them off their feet. Drowning would still kill them though.

The tunnel was nearly flat now. Retaak powerwed forward, not slowed at all by the water.

“Grab on!” he shouted to Uyaashie as she came abreast of her. The sodden hob latched on to his belt as he surged ahead. The water surged around him higher and higher, but he did not stop. He reached Uyage, swimming now, and grabbed her, pushing forward with all his might, cleaving through the water like the bow of a warship. He feared it would not be enough as the water climbed.

“There it is!” shouted Kuzat.

Retaak heaved himself toward the opening at the top of the tunnel, pushing Uyaashie and Uyage up, followed by Albyursia. The current nearly swept Retaak off his feet as he hurled the elf up, but he set himself and leapt, catching the ladder, hauling himself out of the tunnel. He fell back beside the others, breathing heavily.

The moon shone down above them and the air was crisp and clean. The remainder of the band were all alive, if wet and miserable looking.

“That was intense,” said Uyaashie, wiping her glasses.

“Thankfully we did not have to worry about the last pit,” said Kuzat.

“I would not care to repeat that run,” said Uyage.

“I am glad all of you made it out alive,” said Retaak.

“Ashoktyaar,” said Uyaashie, looking down.

“He will be well-remembered,” said Retaak. “And one day, fate willing, we will have have our revenge for his death.”

“Revenge on who?” asked Kuzat.

“On Ushochhushi for sending us here,” said Retaak. “On those who deny us our freedom.”

“That seems unlikely,” said Uyage, sighing. “We have no power over spawn like Ushochhushi; he has the Dread Lord’s ear. To anger him is to face the Dread Lord’s Wrath.”

“I do not fear the Dread Lord either,” said Retaak.

Uyage rolled her eyes and shook her head, Retaak did not push the issue. To him the Dread Lord was just a powerful Spawn; it was hard to make others see his reasoning though.

“I would like to hear more of this Dread Lord,” said Albyursia. “We know him–“

Uyage hissed, holding up her hands for quiet, and at first Retaak though his friend had taken offence at the elf’s questioning, but he quickly realized it was something else.

“Spawn, a large group. searching for something,” said Uyage.

“They must be looking for us,” said Kuzat.

Retaak lifted Albyursia, who offered no complain. “We go.”

<>

Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.45T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

Retaak stared at the ash and charred bone that was all that remained of Ashoktyaar’s hand. The mage had been a powerful one; a kill that on any other day Retaak would have bragged about. But his spell had overcome Ashoktyaar…

“Retaak, we have to move, NOW!” said Uyage, the urgency in her voice cutting through to him.

Retaak nodded. “Here lies Ashoktyaar, mighty among Fellspawn. I will remember you, friend and carry your dust back to the warrens.”

He put the handful of ash in a pouch on his belt, noticing a tearful Uyaashie doing the same, and then he looked at Uyage, who led them back into the tunnel through which they had penetrated Greyrock.

Retaak was the last to leave. As they entered the tunnel he slammed the heavy door shut and wedged a knife into the frame, hammering it deeply into the wood and iron with the hilt of his falchion. The door would be difficult to open from the other side now. He looked around for something to block the possible flow of water that might come through the grate and into the tunnel, but saw nothing and so hurried to catch up to his band

Ashoktyaar had stood with Retaak in the titanic clash of battle and in the wild, unpredictable confrontations that characterized life in in the Fellspawn warrens. The had shared meat by the fire, blood on the field, and even Retaak’s dreams for a better world. Never once had Ashoktyaar admonished him for wanting to overthrow the Dread Lord and lead the spawn into freedom. A boon companion.

Retaak avoided the traps guarding the tunnel as he ran. Uyage had disabled all of them, and he was thankful that she had. The elves would flood the tunnel to dislodge them, and they had best be out before the water came.

Ushochhushi was to blame for Retaak’s involvement, binding both he and Ashoktyaar with Kaasukak, the power of the Dread Lord and his vassals to compel the Fellspawn. Retaak could not escape blame for his friend’s death, he could have left him out or killed the mage before he harmed the troll, but Ushochhushi must be made to pay a price as well.

I must find a way to make him pay, though Retaak.

Stoked by rage Retaak ran faster, catching up to his band. Uyaashie and Kuzat were escorting the Elf, Albyursia with Uyage well ahead of them, scouting and leading them past the disabled traps. He fell in behind them and they ran down the long tunnel.

They made swift progress. Retaak kept running, slowing only to avoid a pressure plate or step around a once-hidden pit. He kept thinking of Ashoktyaar, the look in his friend’s eyes. It was all he could think about.

At least until his feet got wet.

<>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thralls tomorrow!

Got home late from work. Yep, still working during Coronavirus

Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.44T)

Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.

It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.

Here is the first post from this series.

Here is last week’s entry.

<>

The prison dungeons under Greyrock could hold an army. While this worked in their favour, in that they could avoid the guards and inhabited areas, it did make navigation difficult. Even Uyage made a few wrong turns.

They crept down the ancient stone passages quietly. Albyursia was as silent as the rest of the band, moving between Retaak and Uyaashie. Elves were swift, but not known for strength and she seemed eager to be gone from Greyrock.

Retaak had a thousand questions for the Elf woman. Her magic and importance to Ushochhushi and her captors was merely the aperitif to his curiosity. She was not from the same nation as the elves that Retaak was familiar with, the Brouvians, what part of the world did she hail from and what sights had she seen that were beyond even the Dread Lord’s reach? How had she learned to speak Digut, the tongue of the Fellspawn so fluently? How had she come here? These would have to wait while they made their escape from the bowels of the great fortress.

Distantly, Retaak could hear shouts of alarm in the prison, distinct now from from the fighting outside. He kept his weapons in hand; even Uyage could not evade every patrol.

The scout stopped, raising a fist.

“They’ve found our entrance, Retaak,” she hissed. “There are at least six of them.”

“Do we risk battle to escape through the path that we know?” asked Kuzat.

“Six elves is nothing to me,” growled Ashoktyaar.

“They have Deathseekers and mages in Greyrock,” said Albyursia. “I would urge caution. If you remove this collar, I could help with my magic.”

“Quiet, elf,” hissed Uyage.

Retaak weighed their options. A fight was a gamble, but they had marked all of the traps in this passage and could escape quickly. Searching for another, less predictable exit might serve them well or it might give the elves enough time to corner them.

“It is better to face this fight, than one unknown,” he rumbled.

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Retaak barrelled around the corner, Ashocktyaar at his side. This time the elves were ready and two of them immediately fired bows. An arrow slapped into the Retaak’s shoulder, uncomfortably close to his neck. he bellowed and surged forward.

One of the bow wielding elves fell as Uyage’s arrow blossomed from his chest. A robed figure stepped forward to take his place, drawing runes in the air. A mage! Ahead of them the shadows shifted as Kuzat played tricks, foiling the aim of the remaining archer.

Then Retaak and Ashoktyaar reached the line. Four elves locked shields, blocking the corridor. Retaak kept running and slammed right into them; without anyone bracing them from behind the elf line was too weak to stop him. Ashoktyaar leapt into the breach, cleaving an elf in half with a vicious backhand and then send another to the ground in a ruined red heap with an overhanded cut. Retaak pushed the archer out of the way, scrambling to get to the mage, who cast his spell and then raised his staff to ward off the Ogres attack. The wood splintered as Retaak cleaved through, cutting the mage down, but he hears a grunt of pain from Ashoktyaar behind him.

“Nooo!” shrieked Uyaashie.

Retaak turned to see Ashoktyaar staring a his own hand. His veins burned and his flesh crumbled to ash as the spell consumed him. Retaak stumbled forward reaching for his friend.

“I tried brother–” and the rest of his word were lost. Retaak grasped his hand, felt it burn and fall apart. The troll struggled valiantly, but fire was Troll’s bane, and moments later he was gone.

“We have to go,” said Uyage, voice shaking.”They are almost here.”

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