Gondell's Quest - Book 1 - Destiny - Free Sampler Edition
Chapter 16
“I had my doubts about them,” stated Feron as his relief to feel solid ground back beneath his feet strengthened his shaking knees, “And I regret those doubt now, for they have been most gracious hosts, but a great pity that they would not carry us further onto the plains.”
“They do not wish to appear to be taking sides,” replied Tillendur as he calmed his mount with soft words. All of the horses stood trembling in fear, their cries of terror had rung loud across the deserted mountain slopes as they dangled beneath mighty Griffin, held securely yet gently in steel talons. “But they have cut many hours from our journey, I would estimate that they are no more than six hours ahead of us, on horseback, that is a small lead, we will catch them quickly now.”
“The scouts told of a column numbering over one hundred, plus an escort of twenty Man soldiers, surely these odds are too great, there are only four of us.” Ulaff voiced the thought that troubled them all, “A surprise attack on fifty as they slept seemed fair odds to me, yet now... I do not rate our chances.”
“I agree, the problem is vexing,” Tillendur nodded, “But luck has been kind to us so far, we must track them, maybe an opportunity will present itself, I advise patience... after all is said, our orders are to gather information, attack and rescue are plans of our own devising.”
“To watch and wait... that is your plan?” Fiorina questioned silently, disbelief in her tone.
“What else remains?” Tillendur turned to her with pain in his eyes. “As Ulaff says, the odds are greatly against us, if it were not for the company of Man, I would feel more confident.”
“I have a feeling that we need not worry overly about them, I feel that the Kros are withholding information, did you not sense Gygax, his deception and indecision when questioned about the Man?”
“I did,” Tillendur replied, “Yet I can find no reason for deception, it was an innocent enquiry, one that could have been answered honestly.”
“Alliance,” Fiorina chuckled, “I think that an alliance is being forged, most probably in its earliest stages, but I sense the divided on a converging path.”
“Could that also not be your conscience hoping, and twisting suspicion into a conclusion that would ease your own feelings of guilt?”
“How well you are growing to know me,” she giggled, “But as appealing as that thought may be, it is not what drives my conclusions, Gygax had an aura around him, and he also had a great joy inside, I could feel it striving to break forth. I believe that the Man may be coming back into the light.”
“Could it not just as easily be read that the Kros are going over to the darkness.”
“You tease me of course,” the Nymph replied happily, “Joy is when an estranged, yet much loved brother turns his back on evil and steps back into the light, there is little joy felt if turning to evil merely to be closer to that brother. Tillendur, fates are changing, and I believe that the Man soldiers will not pose any threat to us.”
“I wish I could be as sure as you,” he replied sadly, “But for the moment, and do not feel that I am dismissing your advice, we must err toward caution, we will watch and wait.”
“As is your wish,” she replied demurely, “I will always respect your decisions.”
Throughout the afternoon and evening they followed the well travelled path, and set a good pace.
“We will soon eat into a six hour lead if we continue like this.” said Ulaff as the sun sank slowly into the western horizon, “But the horses must be allowed to rest and graze for a spell, they lack water, at least the fresh grass can add some moisture into their bodies until we find a suitable supply.”
“Wise words indeed,” replied Feron, “And a subject that has been pressing my mind for some time, we carry enough water for ourselves to see us through to the ponds that mark the transition from plains to desert. But we do not have sufficient for our animals.”
“There is water ahead,” Tillendur replied quietly, “But it is guarded. Gygax told of a settlement, a place on the plains for the Goblin hoards to resupply, a den of iniquity if his warning be correct, there we will find water... but, they will not welcome us in, I fear that we will have to fight, our only other option, to turn back and forsake the chase.”
“Then we have but one option open.” laughed Ulaff. “Let us rest now, and then march with a clear purpose in our minds, I for one am not prepared to turn back now.”
“Nor I,” voiced Feron staunchly in support, “This trip has been far too much marching and not nearly enough fighting, I stand with Ulaff.”
“I side with them,” Fiorina spoke aloud, “But I urge caution, did not Gygax also say that during the hours of darkness all of the Goblin columns and patrols congregate there, within the security of the fences. An attack under the cover of darkness may be attractive, but an assault during the daylight hours may be easier, there will be fewer warriors to defeat.”
“Wise words,” Feron nodded, his forked and plaited beard waving in time, “So let us rest here and then march before first light.”
“We are in agreement,” answered Tillendur solemnly, “But we must remain wary, this path is well used, we must set a watch during the night.”
“Let them sleep longer,” Fiorina whispered into the darkness as she sat at Tillendur's side, “They are mortal after all, they need more rest than us.”
The Elf smiled, she spoke the truth but he had also been thinking along similar lines. The time to change watch had long passed but Elf and Nymph had been content, sitting in silence, exploring each others minds and thoughts, posing questions, sensing answers... learning, always learning.
“I have no need of sleep, simply relaxing my mind is sufficient rest for me.” he replied welcoming her suggestion.
“We are not alone,” whispered Fiorina, “We are being watched, but not by the enemy.”
“Then who? What?” asked Tillendur tensing as he reached for his bow.
“You have no need of any weapon... yet,” she replied softly, “I feel no threat or malice, only curiosity. We are being studied, but not with an evil eye. I feel confusion, uncertainty, a small mind like that of a wild creature... maybe it is some plains animal that I sense, that would explain why I feel no danger.”
“Possibly an Aurochs or antelope,” ventured Tillendur as he strained his hearing for any small sounds to give away the position of their observer.
“No, I think not,” replied Fiorina silently, “Those are herd animals, this is solitary, alone, I feel no other presence. It is a confusing sensation, to feel it's curiosity but not its intentions. “Now...” she paused for a moment, alert. “It moves away.”
Tillendur relaxed his grip on the bow ready in his hand, and gave a small sigh of relief. “And you could not sense what manner of animal it was? I could see and hear nothing.”
“It was unlike anything that I have experienced before,” Fiorina admitted, “Almost as though its mind were closed to me, allowing only the knowledge of its proximity and curiosity, but masking all else. Yet despite that, something inside told me clearly that it held no hostile intentions toward us.”
“Strange indeed,” Tillendur nodded before pulling her closer to his side, “Does it still move away?”
“It walks north, following the path, but far to the side, it is probably nothing of concern, perhaps its mind is so small that what I sensed as masking is merely a lack of capacity.”
Tillendur accepted her explanation, yet sensed her doubts. She had given words of comfort, yet he felt her uncertainty.
Out in the grasslands a solitary figure had stalked the four travellers and their pack animals for most of the evening, its sharp sense of smell picking up the pungent scent of horses from a great distance. But hunger had not driven its cautious and stealthy observations, curiosity filled its mind.
The sheer uniqueness of the party perplexing. Goblins he saw by the hundred when he travelled from the vastness of his desert home, yet these were creatures that he had not s
een for many long years. More years than I can count, he told himself as he delicately sniffed the air. Elf, Dwarf and Ogre. Ogre is most familiar, they came here often at one time, the Elves and Dwarves less frequently... but what is this other scent that I detect? So unfamiliar, yet pleasing in a strange way.
And so, driven by curiosity, Jebez had assumed his travelling form, and with long loping strides traced the tantalising aroma to its source. Silent as a cat, and ensuring to stay downwind, the hyena had followed a parallel course, always remaining out of eye shot, snuffling constantly as the strange aroma drove his base instincts, attraction and fascination.
What manner of creature is this female? He questioned as the sun sank beneath the horizon and he dared to creep closer. A being of great beauty, he acknowledged as his sharp night eyes focussed on her face, and she senses me also, he gasped, closing his mind quickly to her exploration. A question to be sure... many questions, he decided as he studied the Nymph. Why after so many years do they return? Surely the Goblins are still their enemies, yet they sit exposed on a Goblin highway. And in the company of one so fair, do they not understand the risk that they run? Suddenly he felt an unexplainable fear, a feeling that twisted his stomach and brought a pain behind his eyes. What if they discover her, almost alone and unprotected, his concern a confusion, yet driving all other thoughts from his mind. I must stand watch, they do not know how close they are to the danger. And with that overwhelming compulsion, he sloped away into the night, following the road, before settling on the outskirts of the Goblin camp. Here I will watch for movement, I can return to warn her of any approach, before it is too late. Not for a second did Jebez, the Ghul, the desert Jinn, understand that he had fallen under the enchantment of a Nymph. All that he understood clearly was that he felt a deep, yet irrational duty to protect her.
“You did not wake us.” Ulaff complained as he woke with the soft light of early dawn in his eyes.
“We had little need for sleep,” replied Tillendur with a smile, “You, on the other hand, spent yesterday afternoon and evening on your feet, running. Your need, I deemed to greater than ours.”
“I see that Fiorina brought consideration with her when she joined our group,” Ulaff joked, knowing that his accusation was unjustified, Tillendur being the most considerate person that he knew. “How was the night? Did you hear or see aught?”
“We had one visitor,” replied the Elf, “But only some kind of wild plains animal, no threat to us.”
“Then we must rouse Feron, the horses are in great need of water now, they begin to suffer, and it saddens my heart to see them so.”
“We are close to the settlement,” Fiorina added, “I ventured there before the daylight broke, it is very few miles ahead, and even as we speak many Goblins are on the roads, marching toward the north and the sea. If we leave now we will find the place almost deserted, only bar tenders and brothel keepers remain.”
“Then let us not delay,” called Feron as he opened his eyes, “You deal with the brothel keepers as you see fit, but promise that we will leave at least one of the bar tenders standing, marching is thirsty work, and even Goblin brew sounds tempting at this moment.”
“We go for water,” laughed Tillendur, “That is the only drink that must pass our lips this morning. We are close to the captive now, so we must keep clear heads and wits sharp, our opportunity to rescue him may be unexpected and brief. We must be ready to react, and we must be sober.”
“I jest,” Feron lied, “But let us act as Fiorina advises, let us strike while all is quiet.”
“We must leave no living thing behind,” Fiorina spoke secretly and felt Tillendur blanch, “My love, you know that I speak the truth, and it grieves me also, but we cannot leave any to report our actions this morning. We will have the entire Goblin nation on our trail before sundown.”
“I cannot murder innocents, regardless of the risk, I could not live with my conscience.” the Elf replied quietly, his voice heavy, aware of the facts, yet reluctant to follow through with an action that he knew in his heart to be prudent.
“As you wish, my love,” she sighed, “But think on my advice, if not for your own safety, think also of your friends.”
“Sometimes the weight of leadership is too great for me.” he admitted sadly, “Oh that the choice were not mine to make. To simply follow orders, to be able to say that I am blameless.”
“When the time comes, you will make the right decision,” Fiorina replied softly, hoping to comfort. “I have confidence in you.”
As they approached the quiet camp surrounded by a high wooden fence Fiorina felt her heart breaking as she sensed the turmoil that roiled inside her lover. His heart is too pure, too good to sink to the level required today. Oh why can he not delegate this task? The Ogre, even the Dwarf would not baulk at what has to be done. Yet he takes all responsibility upon himself. My poor troubled and sensitive baby.
“It looks deserted,” whispered Feron as he peeped cautiously around a solid gate post into the sprawling mess of tents and shanties. And indeed, not a soul moved, sleep having taken most of the inhabitants, recovering in preparation for another wild and dangerous night ahead.
“Stealth rather than attack,” whispered Tillendur as he spotted the object of their desires. A huge cast iron hand pump stood close to the fence, and alongside it sat a wide and deep trough, brimming with precious water. “They have set no guard, obviously they feel no need here, this is the heartland of a new territory that they have claimed. With luck, we can water the horses and refresh our own flasks, and if we are quiet, we can be away without them realising that we were ever here.”
“Optimistic, but worth a try.” Ulaff agreed, secretly doubting that their luck would hold out, and turning he crept back to where the horses were waiting patiently.
“Our observer is back,” Fiorina warned as she scanned the grasslands, “I see him now, he crouches in the grass, watching, sniffing. It is a creature unknown to me. Not as great and powerful as a wolf, yet a predator just the same. Solitary, and I think that it has closed its mind to me, it has intelligence, yet still I sense no hostile intent... it is strange, this feeling, a predator without aggression.”
“Let him watch,” signalled Tillendur silently, “We have greater worries at hand.”
The team of horses drank greedily with much stamping and swishing of tails. The small sounds amplified by nervous ears until the silence felt shattered. Still nothing stirred within the camp.
Beyond all hope, minutes later the four hunters crept in a wide arc around the fenced enclosure, keeping a safe distance away to avoid the creaking of leather harnesses or the steady clump of Ogre boots from waking any of the inhabitants.
“I cannot believe our luck has held.” Tillendur gasped aloud as they rejoined the worn path, the Junction fading into the distance. “Fate and destiny are with us,” he declared happily as the dreaded order that he had been rehearsing faded into bad memory.
I hope so, whispered Fiorina, a small smile playing on her lips as she saw the hyena loping quickly back toward the camp. I am sure that he is not really a spy, but why does he go toward the camp?
Jebez watched and waited all through the hours of darkness, returning often to their small camp, each time drawing slightly closer, revelling in her beauty, before chiding himself over her safety. How can I warn her of approaching enemies if my mind is away from the road, he chastised himself, quickly returning to his sentry post.
She is a true immortal, he realised, before considering his own condition, a thought that had haunted him for more years than he could remember. “What was I before I became this?” he prompted his failing memory with a low whisper. He had shifted to his upright form, a closer form to the travellers, yet still bestial, with rampant hair and crooked canine hind legs. Perhaps it is for the best that I cannot remember who I was before, that life ended deep in the desert. He looked down upon his body, a mixture of disgust and despair filling his heart. To live yet not live, he si
ghed, to be dead yet never die, what fate is that to endure... I simply exist. To feel nothing but the hunger... Until now! She has brought a new emotion to this worthless mind and filthy body. A strange and disturbing feeling. He hunted for the word that he once knew so well... to care, that's it, I care!
His mind drifted back in time, to the point he last remembered, I was mortal then, he nodded and struggled to recall his last fateful moments with greater clarity, another like me found me, I neared death... no water, so thirsty. The memories emerged slowly as if from a mist, It was another like me, I remember the pain of its bite, the infection, I died, yet lived. The un-dead! We called them Jinn, I remember now. Yes Jinn, or Ghul, ghouls, the desert demons... is that truly what I have become? Until that moment Jebez had simply existed in the desert, occasionally making trips far out onto the plains, to satisfy the hunger, he justified. The hunger filled his mind, the desire driving him to the point of distraction until satisfied. But once satiated, he lapsed back into a numbing acceptance, drifting aimlessly until the hunger took hold of him again. Is that what I have become, is that the sum of my existence, to kill and then drift until the need arises again?
But this female has brought a new feeling, inexplicable, frightening yet beautiful and wonderful... I never dreamed that I could feel wonder again, or acknowledge beauty. What manner of creature is she?
He still pondered upon his question as he watched the travellers cautiously arrive at the camp, and felt a sharp alarm as she entered. “No... It is not safe for you,” he gasped aloud, and saw her turn her head, just a fraction, “You can hear me?” he whispered, her nodded reply almost imperceptible.
I hear you, she replied directly into his mind, I know not what manner of creature you are, you are new to my experience.
As are you to me, he replied, wondering if she would hear his thoughts, or if he should whisper.
I hear you clearly, she replied instantly, I am Fiorina, I am a Nymph.
Nymph? I may have known what you are before, but my mortal memories have faded, now there is only a dark emptiness in my mind, I am sorry to have lost such knowledge, for your beauty has touched me deeply, and awoken feelings long forgotten.
What manner of being are you? She asked again, his mind a confusion to her, memories swirling but almost as if in a thick fog.
I am unsure, I was not born this way, I was made what I am. I believe that I am a Ghul, a Jinn some say, others call me a desert demon or ghoul. But once, when I was mortal, other people called me Jebez... my name, or my race, of that I have never been sure.
You feast upon the flesh of others, their living flesh... I have heard of your kind, but never met one.
This is true, Jebez admitted, a deep sorrow in his thoughts, but even if the hunger were raging inside me now, I could not harm you. I cannot explain this feeling, but I could no more hurt you than hurt myself... I think the correct word is 'care', I believe I care about you.
I understand Jebez, for that is your name, not your race. Your feelings are not unusual, Fiorina laughed softly, that is my curse, all that look upon my face begin to care deeply for me, it is a feeling that you must fight, for I am promised to another.
Now Jebez laughed. I am dead inside, so I welcome any emotion, even the hunger, but you need not fear me, I am a creature of the desert, I doubt that I could ever leave, so I would not follow you, but I shall take great comfort to know that over the long years to come, I will have some sweet memory to sustain me in my loneliness.
Then I no-longer consider my beauty a curse, for the first time some good has come of it. It warms my heart to hear your words. Jebez, can you tell me, is there any way to find water on these plains, I think that we are lucky this time, she noted as Ulaff quietly led the horses away from the now empty trough, but I do not believe that we can be so fortunate twice, or three times.
Water is scarce here, but tell me Fiorina, why do you travel such a dangerous path, the road ahead becomes steadily more hostile and unforgiving, would you not consider turning back?
That I cannot do, my friends and I track a Goblin host, for they have taken a hostage, an important hostage, and we must get him back... at all costs.
They head north?
Yes, we believe so, she replied. Mounted now she skirted around the silent camp, sensing that her path would lead her close to where Jebez crouched in the grass.
You cannot follow this road and expect not to meet more Goblin's than you can handle, during the daylight hours there are many patrols, but they do not venture into the grasslands, I can guide you to water, take you around the host of which you speak. You will be ahead of them, waiting for them as they arrive at the edge of the desert. They will have to travel for two whole days and nights without water. They will be weak and disheartened, I have seen them in such a state many times, that will be your best opportunity to attack.
Jebez, I trust you, but I have to discuss your offer with my friends. Fiorina replied, in her mind no doubt existed as to his sincerity, he had fallen under her spell, of that she was sure.
I understand, Jebez replied, an urgency in his voice, as though distracted Fiorina thought, I have a small task to perform here, I will rejoin you on the road north shortly. And at that she sensed him moving through the grass, but saw nothing more than the faintest of shadows jogging toward the camp.
He is no spy. He will not betray us, the thought becoming a certainty in her mind.
What had awoken the Goblin sentry had been the mundane. “I will not piss myself on duty again.” he laughed quietly while staggering to his feet. “Falling asleep is acceptable,” he added, “But piddling again, that I would never live down.”
With a growing urgency he shuffled closer to the fence, all the time frantically tugging at the stubborn laces of his breeches the rising pressure in his bladder driving out all other considerations.
“Just in time,” he gasped as the knot popped, followed quickly by a rush of acrid fluid that hit the wood in a steady stream. “That was too close, I shouldn't have drunk so much ale last night.”
It was by pure chance that he glanced up, and then quickly glanced again, not believing his eyes. Hastily he retied the lace, and rubbing his bloodshot eyes in disbelief stepped around the fence and out onto the path. Sure enough, in the near distance he spied horses, “Horses and riders,” he gasped, “Here!”
The lingering effects of ale clouded his judgement for a few moments as he stood open mouthed and wide eyed wondering what to do. “Raise the alarm... idiot,” he cried, the gravity of the situation finally registering.
“I think not,” a sinister voice spoke quietly at his side.
“A Ghul?” Feron gasped, “You want us to trust the word of a Ghul?”
“Yes,” Fiorina replied, her tone short, “I expect you to trust a Ghul. What is so strange about that? You trusted a water demon on my word alone!”
“Aye, you are correct,” the dwarf replied thoughtfully, “But a Ghul?”
“I see no distinction between the two,” she continued, “And he can lead us to water, he knows these plains well, and he can also get us ahead of the Goblins. He says that there is a place where they will be weak from thirst and fatigue, the perfect place for us to lay an ambush.”
“It would give us a great advantage, they would never expect an attack from the front, and if they should enter the desert, the odds against us rescuing the Gnome will be slim. I say that we listen to what he has to say before we reject his offer.” Tillendur stated, feeling Fiorina's joy that he had backed her proposition.
How are you so sure that we can trust him? he asked privately.
Because he is besotted, she giggled, We did not know, but he stood guard over us all through the night. He is not false my love... he will do anything to protect and help me. We can trust him with our lives.
Then his coming is a blessing, he replied, I will admit freely that my hopes were dwindling, but if they will be exhausted and weak, a surprise attack may have a good chance o
f success. If you trust his word, then so do I.
His name is Jebez, and he approaches even as we speak, she nodded to the grass on the right hand side of the path, seconds before a curious shape emerged onto the road ahead.
“You move swiftly my friend,” Fiorina spoke aloud, and the company reined to a halt.
“I had some small business to take care of in the camp,” he chuckled, “But it is finished now... did you discuss my offer?”
“We have discussed,” answered Tillendur, “And if you are prepared to lead, we are prepared to follow.”
“A wise decision,” Jebez nodded, “And we must leave the road very soon, a band approaches, they are still far away, but they move swiftly, there are very many of them, I feel their marching boots through the soil beneath my feet... there are far more than five can handle.”
“Then lead the way, Jebez,” replied Tillendur, his smile returning, “We are in your hands now.”
“Well, this mission gets stranger by the day,” Feron whispered as he turned his horse to follow the Ghul as he led them directly away from the path.
“I hear you brother,” replied Ulaff, “But did I not say that we would thank her more than once on this trip.”
“Aye lad, you did, but lets wait and see what happens before we thank her for this move... I will be honest with you,” he whispered, “I like not this development.”