CHAPTER SIX
Eric was not having as much fun as the festival goers. On their second day travelling, a small village had chased them away. Although he announced who he was, the town folk had thought Eric and his companions were raiders. With no letter stating who he was under the royal seal, Eric could not convince them otherwise. Having to move off well-travelled roads and take the smaller trails through the forest bothered him. He was the Prince of the Central Lands, and was reduced to slinking through forests to go around villages. It was absurd and getting quite frustrating. They also appeared to be travelling in circles. They had started out heading west, turned south and had since turned back eastward. He did not want to question his companions because they knew what it was they were looking for but he was getting curious. They had divulged very little information and Eric did not like secrets. There was too much at stake, with the prophecy, to keep secrets. Then again, maybe it is just the way of goblins.
As they rode on, Eric realized what day it was. The Festival of the Moon. It was the celebration for the Allorethna, goddess of the moon and his day of birth, and he was not with his family.
He had been gone almost a week and Koral was probably still mad at him. The festival did work in their favour though. It kept the roads pretty empty, which made it easier when they had to cross them. He had expected a search party to follow, but knew they would not be able to track him. Even if Payton or Korben were leading, it would have been impossible. The goblins were very good at hiding their trail.
Eric really wished Koral was here with him, but was also glad she was not. This was not the world they thought it was. Their father hadn’t let them travel very far from home, and Eric realized this fact made them very naive about life outside their little town.
He could not believe there were so many people living in such sordid conditions. It was revolting and it amazed Eric they could survive like this. A week of travelling brought them into Baron Lychen’s lands. The area was the worst yet. There were sign’s posted everywhere proclaiming tax increases and longer work hours due to the fact that his lands were not bringing in enough for the king’s liking. It bothered Eric to read this, and was sure the baron just made it up. He could not believe his father would order such things. They had kept off the main trails so he could only see what was happening in the fields. When they got close to towns, you could see it in their dwellings. In some areas, people did not even have enough money to farm their lands and they were going to waste. Eric did not know why his father was allowing this to happen but decided he was going to have to discuss this with him when he returned.
They were currently riding through the forest between Regrit and Lissal, five days from the Destiny River. This forest was full of game yet the people living in the town they had passed yesterday were living in squalor. They appeared afraid to leave the protection of their town even if it meant starvation. Eric decided he needed to find the underlying cause of this. There were just too many things happening and it was somehow connected to them.
Eric rode to where Nak, the head of the tribe, was riding.
“Where exactly are we going?” he asked.
Nak turned, “Wez is goings toz eastes.”
“Why are we travelling in a circle?”
“Wez nots,” Nak answered. “Goins toz Destiny Rivers. Thens wez goeses downs Rivers Rage tos Tranquil Rivers tos Keenleyz. Gots businessz theres.”
“It seems to me, we are avoiding something,” Eric stated.
Nak turned to him. “Theres somethings wrongz inz woodses. Somethings bads.”
Eric looked around. Everything appeared normal. “I do not see
what you are talking about.”
“Animals wez seez werez runnings fromz somthings. Listens toz woodses.”
Eric shook his head. Listen to the woods, what good would that do? Sighing, he did as asked. What he heard was silence. No birds chirping, not even a wind whispering through the trees. This perfect forest immediately became very forbidding. Eric had a sense of trepidation. “There is something you are not telling me is there not Nak?”
“Yeses, youz knows soonz.”
Eric did not know what to say. He was very confused. “I was under the impression we were going to try and fulfil the prophecy.”
“Wez is, princez boyz,” was Nak’s answer. “Goings arounds evils onlyz wayses.”
Eric rode on in silence. This forest was making him feel very leery. Everything was so quiet he could hear his own heart beating. He tried to keep his mind off it by thinking of Koral, and what she was doing. Eric was lost in a daydream when he heard a yell. Coming out of his reverie, he saw it was only the scout, Mork, saying he had found a suitable campsite for the evening. The sun was already beginning to set so they had to make haste in setting up their camp. Eric’s responsibility was to make the campfire. He loved being able to show off his
abilities even if it meant detection by the Magima.
“Firez kepts smalls,” said Mork. “Manys weirds things outz thereses.”
“I will make sure it is small and not too smoky,” replied Eric.
While the rest of the troop was setting up the bedrolls, Eric set out to find some wood which wouldn't burn too fast or cause much smoke. Stepping just a few yards from the site, he could feel the wrongness in the woods again. He spotted some branches, quickly grabbed them, and went back to the campsite. The feeling subsided once he was back with his friends, but was not quickly forgotten.
Eric began setting up the campfire while the rest of the group organized the night meal. It always amazed Eric at how well the band worked together. They were not like the goblins he had been taught to hate. They loved nature and were very in tune with it. Sometimes he felt as if Mork actually talked to the trees and animals around them. He knew goblins were very good trackers, but Mork appeared to be a part of the forest. Eric looked around at the little band and smiled. He was very glad to have made such companions. Their journey was going to be a long one and Eric could not think of anyone else he would like to be making it with him.
Their camp was always an adventure in its own. The goblins always sang songs to their god and asked for his blessing. The songs, even though he could not understand the lyrics, always had a calming effect on him. No matter how bad the day had been, the songs always made him feel content. Tallmeken said it was their god, Nelvlick, giving them his blessing and thanking them for the good they have done. Eric did not know what to think, but it was a good enough explanation for now.
Knowing they had many long days ahead of them, Eric settled down for the night, falling asleep to the sound of goblin voices singing.
The next morning was quite gloomy. The sky showed signs it might rain. This looked like it made Nak and Mork very happy.
“Noz onses tracks rainses,” declared Mork to Eric as they were breaking camp.
“Will it not be difficult,” he asked.
“Noz,” Mork answered. “Horseses goods throughs muds.” Then he rode off ahead to see what the trail looked like.
Eric knew the goblins understood more about this than he did so he just packed up his things and decided to see what the day had in store for them. The mist the morning dew was creating, amplified the eeriness from the day before. The ride was slow going because of the conditions of the trail. Eric had never felt such a strong sense of anxiety. The forest was really starting to unsettle him and it was not something he alone was feeling. All of the goblins were constantly glancing about.
“Somethingses watchings usses,” whispered Goulerick from behind Eric.
Eric just nodded his agreement, too nervous to speak.
Nak had rode on a bit ahead but Eric could see he had stopped. When they caught up, he could see why. Lying on the ground was Mork, badly injured. Apparently, the approaching band had scared off whatever had attacked him. Even though there were only six of them the creature had been intimidated. At least this is what they were hoping and it really was not going for reinfor
cements.
“Weses getses hims fixes,” stated Tallmeken. “Mights hunts bloodz smellses.”
“Then we need to heal his wounds as best we can. He can ride with me until he is strong enough to do it himself,” suggested Eric.
Nak agreed. “Riverses closez. Twoz days mostes.”
“Thenz, twoz weeks toz cittz,” finished Dilmek.
“I hope Mork can last.”
They spent the next hour cleaning up Mork. Eric knew some minor healing spells and used them to seal his wounds. “That will help but I am not sure what to do about his injuries inside.”
Nak placed his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Youz dids bestes. Weses needses goes nowz.”
They were getting ready to leave when Goulerick silenced everyone. “Whatevers gots Mork backses.”
The group scanned the forest around them and they could make out five forms moving in the bushes. “Apparently it went for friends,” stated Eric despondently.
Drawing their weapons, they prepared themselves for a fight.
The fight didn’t come instantaneously, in fact the figures paced in the bush for quite some time without making any move to attack. The tactic unnerved the small troupe. Goblins were used to full out attacks not hesitation. The unrest of goblins appeared to be exactly what they were waiting for because without warning they attacked.
Eric, on the other hand, had been prepared. He was familiar with this tactic. It was one of the attacks Payton had used on him many times in his training. When they charged the small band, Eric charged them. Running for the nearest form, he had survival on his mind. When the creatures came into view, Eric regretted his bravery. The creatures were nothing he had seen before.
They looked to be part bear and part boar. The animals stood over seven feet tall and had an intelligence in their eyes. Intimidated, Eric decided he needed to change his strategy. The thing he was fighting had picked up a piece of a broken tree and was using it as a club.
Eric dove between the creature’s legs and drove his sword into it. Scrambling to get up he could hear the creature howling in pain and decided to go back to where the others were. Coming out from the bush, he saw his companions were faring just as well. Dilmek was unconscious on the ground and before Eric could reach him one of the creatures scooped him up and went running away. Knowing there was no way he could catch the creature he turned towards his companions to help with the fight.
He ran over and was about to take a swing at the nearest creature when he felt a thud on his head and then everything went dark. Nak, seeing his companion fall, attacked with more fury. He had to get to Eric before these creatures killed him. Being the only goblin trained to use a long sword helped him. The blade sliced right through the skin with ease. The creature tried to fight back, but the goblin, being smaller, avoided the hits with simplicity. Eric stabbed the thing, then dove to the side and came up swinging at its ribs. The being, realizing he could not survive the attack, ran off leaving its companions behind. Nak, seizing the opportunity, went on to attack the creature by Eric in the same manner. Fortunate for him these creatures did not learn very quickly. The creature was injured, and tried to swing its club at Nak but was unsuccessful. Nak was a very experienced fighter and attacked with the fury known to all who attack goblins. His hits were very precise and the creature was no match. Wanting to finish this, Nak went for the creature's neck. Anticipating a killing stroke, the creature smashed Nak down and shuffled after its cohort who had run off. Not wanting to leave the prince, Nak didn’t follow.
Tallmeken and Goulerick, in peril of their own, were struggling with one of the creatures. The beast’s strength was amazing. It picked up Tallmeken and threw him into a tree without even trying. Goulerick heard Tallmeken’s shoulder snap as he hit the tree and began stabbing the beast with his short sword to no avail. The creature’s thick hide was barely scratched, and its boar like face growled at Goulerick and took a swing at his head. The goblin at least had size on its side. Ducking and rolling away from the creature he almost fell over a cliff hidden from view. This gave him an idea, but before he could implement it, the creature picked up Tallmeken and threw the injured goblin at his friend. Not expecting this kind of attack Goulerick was hit full on.
The beast howled in glory and charged on all fours towards the wounded pair. Its claws ripped the poor goblin’s skin, but they continued to fight back. Tallmeken took a few swings, but his broken shoulder kept him from making any good hits. The pain was unbearable and as he was coming around to attempt another hit, the blood loss caught up with him and he fainted. This didn’t stop the creature from attacking and it made another charge at Goulerick. Nak, after seeing Eric was okay, ran to help.
Charging the creature from behind, Nak raised his sword and attacked. Striking downwards at the kneeling creature, Nak hit it right in its back. The beast howled in pain, twisting its body to try and pull the sword free. Nak did it for him and struck again, this time slicing across the beasts hamstring. The creature, blinded by pain, was swinging aimlessly. Unfortunately, for Nak, he was hit. It threw him back a few feet and as he was trying to get up, he saw the creature charging towards him. Nak threw himself down to try to avoid the attack but it never came. He looked up to see the creature burst into flames and disintegrate. Nak and Goulerick looked around and saw Eric standing facing them. “I could not let it harm you,” he said, then fainted.
After he was certain the creatures were gone, Nak surveyed their situation. The one creature hadn’t even attacked, it just grabbed Dilmek and left. The rest of the group was in bad shape. Tallmeken’s shoulder was broken, and he had lost a lot of blood. Goulerick had many scratches on his back and legs. Eric had a large bump on his head and some scratches, but he was going to be okay. That only left the already injured Mork. It was lucky for them the creatures had left him alone. Not long after, Eric woke up and was able to offer his services.
“I have some spells which can help heal,” he informed Nak, and was told to just worry about healing the small scratches and gouges the goblins had. “I may be able to do something about Tallmeken’s broken shoulder,” he added.
Nak looked at the boy and saw how drained he already was. “Wez bez fines,” he said to Eric.
Eric smiled. “If we wait a day before we ride again they all should be okay.”
“Yeses. Needs rests.”
Eric just nodded. “I am going to lie down for a while. That is if it is okay with you.”
Nak turned to Eric. “Forz humans whoz nots fight youz dids goods.”
Eric smiled, thinking about how proud Payton would’ve been to see him fight. Exhausted, he walked over to where his horse stood, falling asleep instantly.
Nak watched as Eric drifted off. It was easy for Eric to fall asleep, having had an eventful day. The creatures, and what it meant, bothered Nak. He knew those creatures, but didn’t say anything to Eric. They were bolamer and they belonged to Queen Malena. He had seen them before, in her palace. They were no more than retrievers, usually sent to bring those who would oppose the queen into the void. They were also used if the queen wanted all traces of someone erased. Bolamer were very efficient at killing and always did it quickly. It was obvious the creatures were supposed to injure them, slow them down. If their objective were to kill them, they would be dead. Nak wasn’t sure why Malena would want to slow them down instead of stopping them altogether. If magic were returned to Melarandra, she would no longer have an advantage over those in her realm. Why was she letting them live? It was also curious that they took Dilmek. That didn’t happen often. Things were not what they appeared to be. When they had started this journey, Nak was quite certain of what needed to be done. Now, there were many questions arising.
When he was certain the prince was asleep, Nak went about setting up the warding spells, which he placed every night around their camp. It amused him that Eric hadn't noticed he was never asked to be on watch. With all the power he possessed, Nak just
assumed the young prince had more important things on his mind. When he was done, Nak decided to get started on healing his fallen companions. Nak knew he wouldn’t be able to heal them completely, but they would be able to leave tomorrow. They had to get to Keenley and seek out a healer. Dilmek just had to stay alive long enough for them to find him. Nak wondered about how he was going to explain his companions, somewhat miraculous recoveries to Eric. Deciding it was best to heal first, he put the thought out of his mind.
Eric’s dreams were of fighting unseen creatures, losing his companions and death. The reality of the dreams woke him with a start. The dream had felt so real, like it was a vision into the future. It was quite unsettling, but the longer he was awake, the more the dream lost its hold. Although the agitation he felt was diminishing, Eric knew he would not fall back asleep so he decided to see if Nak needed any help. He sat up and saw Nak by Goulerick. Eric was about to call his name when he noticed something odd. It appeared that Nak was chanting over the injured goblin. Then Eric felt it, the magic in the air. The hairs on his body were electrified by it and he realized he had felt it before. In fact, every night since he had joined up with the band. Nak practised magic.
He knew goblins of old had magic users among them, but didn’t know it still happened today. He stood and went over to him. Nak was so involved with the spell, he did not notice until Eric was beside him. He finished the spell and turned to face Eric.
“Somethings youz wantses askz,” said Nak.
“Do you realize your magic is most likely being tracked by the Order,” stated Eric, flatly.
Nak stood and turned from Eric. “Theyses nots oneses worries boutz.”
Eric could not believe what he was hearing. “If the Order sensed your magic use, then they know where we are, and if they know where we are then you can bet they have already dispatched some Magima. All could be lost if they catch us before we can finish our task.”
Nak stood. “No. Alls wez doz is makes itses Keenleyses. Froms
theres wez bez finses.”
Eric sighed. “I hope you are right Nak. But if I know the Order, they already have someone on our trail.”