Quest for Lost Heroes

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The mist rolled on and down like a ghostly blanket, shimmering in the moonlight. Chareos reached the rear wall of the stockade and located the iron portcullis. Beltzer moved alongside.

'What now?' whispered the giant.

'We raise it?'

The iron grille was four feet wide and seven feet high. Beltzer handed his axe to Kiall and gripped the lowest bar. The muscles on his neck and shoulders swelled as he applied pressure: the gate creaked and rose an inch. Harokas and Chareos joined him: the gate rose another foot. 'That is enough,' hissed Kiall, dropping to his back and sliding under the gate.

Chareos turned to Beltzer. 'Can you hold it there?'

The giant grunted. Chareos ducked down and rolled under to rise beside Kiall. The two men climbed the rampart steps; there were no sentries posted. Together Kiall and Chareos turned the wheel above the gate, tightening the rope and relieving Beltzer of his burden. Swiftly they returned to the gateway, where Beltzer struggled through followed by Harokas.

'Now we wait,' whispered Chareos.

From beyond the town came the sound of galloping hooves.

Finn rode headlong into the Nadir camp, scattering two fires. Warriors surged up from their blankets as his horse thundered by them. Finn swung the horse to a stop. Notching an arrow to his short hunting-bow, he sent a shaft slicing into a man's throat.

From the other side of the camp came a wild yell and Maggrig galloped into sight through the mist. The Nadir swarmed for their horses. Finn shot a second man, then kicked his mount into a gallop and headed off towards the south. The camp was in an uproar as warriors seized their swords and ran to saddle their mounts. Within minutes the camp-site was deserted.

Inside the town Tsudai ran from the hall, mounting the ramparts to watch his soldiers splitting into two groups to hunt down the attackers. He swung to an aide who was running towards him.

'Get out there and find out what is happening!'

The man darted to his horse, vaulted into the saddle and galloped through the gates.

Chareos and Beltzer climbed through the window at the rear of the long hall and crept forward. Four Nadir officers were sitting around a table, playing with dice.

Chareos sprang into the hall, slashing his sword through the throat of the nearest man. Beltzer leapt into action beside him, his axe killing two men before they could rise. The fourth man tried to run and made it to the door, wrenching it open. Harokas' knife plunged into his chest.

Harokas stepped into the doorway, grabbing the man's corpse and lowering it to the floor.

Outside Kiall, keeping close to the shadows, crept towards the auction block where Tanaki lay unconscious. Three men ran into the square and he ducked behind two water barrels and waited.

The men climbed to the ramparts where Tsudai watched the chase. Kiall could not hear their conversation. He moved carefully out into the open and climbed to the auction platform, where he knelt by Tanaki and cut the ropes binding her wrists. She moaned as she felt his touch.

'No more,' she pleaded. Her eyes were dark and swollen, her lips cut, her body bruised and bleeding. Kiall gritted his teeth and waited. The men on the ramparts came down to the square and he heard one of them laugh. Hidden behind the block he saw a Nadir warrior point to Tanaki, then turn towards her. The others hooted and swung to Tsudai.

'It is still your day,' he told them.

The first man clambered to the platform, loosening his belt and dropping his troos. Kiall reared up and plunged his sword into the man's groin.

Tsudai's eyes widened. 'Wolves to me!' he yelled and from the barn came a further nine men, swords in their hands. Take him!' shouted Tsudai.

The warriors surged forward, but just as they reached the platform Beltzer came hurtling into them, his axe cleaving and cutting. Chareos and Harokas joined him. Kiall leapt from the platform, cannoning into three men and bearing them down. A sword sliced the skin of his upper arm, but then he was up, his own blade slashing at the men beneath him. Harokas ducked under a wild cut and skewered the man before him. His blade sprang clear in time to block a second thrust from another warrior. Chareos despatched two Wolves, then swung to aid Harokas. Beltzer fought like a man berserk. Within seconds the last Nadir fighting man was cut down.

Tsudai ran along the ramparts and jumped to the ground, rolling to break his fall. He seized the reins of his horse and vaulted to the beast's bare back. Chareos ran to block his escape, but the horse galloped clear.

'Get the girl!' Chareos shouted.

Beltzer tossed his axe to Kiall and climbed to the platform. Lifting Tanaki, he draped her over his shoulder.

Chareos led the group back to the iron gate and out into the mist-filled night. Slowly they made their way clear, judging their path by the rising ground. Within minutes they heard the sound of horses' hooves. 'Down!' hissed Chareos. The group dropped to their bellies. Horsemen passed them by within a few paces. Chareos rose.

'Which way?' whispered Beltzer. They could hear the calling of the Nadir, but the mist had thickened into a deep fog and the sounds were distorted, muffled and eerie. As Chareos led them up the slope Beltzer was breathing heavily, his face red with exertion.

'I'm not as young as I was,' he said, stopping for a moment to get his breath.

A glowing sphere formed in the air before Chareos. Thank the Source!' he whispered. The sphere floated away to the right. Chareos and the others followed it and soon climbed above the mist into the relative safety of the trees. Okas was still squatting on the grass, but he opened his eyes as the questors entered the clearing. 'Sit around me in a circle," he said. 'Place the girl at the centre.' Beltzer gently laid the unconscious Tanaki to the grass and they formed a circle. Okas closed his eyes and began to chant once more, his voice low and rhythmic. Beltzer looked closely at him. The old man was painfully thin and his face was streaked with grey, his lips as blue as the tattooes on his chin.

Beltzer nudged Chareos and pointed to Okas. Chareos nodded. Whatever magic the old man was working was taking a terrible toll.

Nadir horsemen rode into the clearing and Beltzer jerked, and reached for his axe, but Chareos gripped his arm. The horsemen seemed insubstantial, like ghosts. They rode slowly past the questors.

Kiall shivered and watched the wraith riders as they passed. Okas opened his eyes and sagged sideways to the grass. Chareos and Kiall moved to him, but the old man waved them away and curled up to sleep. Chareos covered him with a blanket as Kiall turned to the girl. Under the bright moonlight he could see her face was swollen and bruised. Her left eye was closed tight, the right darkened and discoloured. Carefully he lifted the blanket from her body. Her legs and buttocks were also badly bruised and scratched, and there was dried blood on her thighs.

Beltzer knelt on the other side of Tanaki. 'You want some help?' he asked Kiall.

'No. There is nothing we can do. But a fire would help; we could keep her warm.'

'We cannot risk that,' said Chareos. 'I don't know how powerful the magic is, nor how long it will last.'

'I do not know why she is still unconscious,' said Kiall. 'The bruising is severe, but no bones seem to be broken.'

'I have seen this before,' Chareos told him. 'It is not the injury to the body, but to the spirit. This is an ugly business, Kiall.'

Tanaki moaned softly and Kiall lay alongside her, stroking her face. 'You are well now,' he whispered into her ear. 'You are with friends. Sleep, lady. Rest.' Chareos covered her with his own blanket, while Beltzer removed his jerkin and rolled it for a pillow beneath her head. She turned to one side, her hand outside the blanket. The fingers clenched into a fist, then opened and dug into the earth. Kiall took her hand gently and held it. Tanaki's breathing eased, and she slept.

Three times ghostly Nadir riders entered the clearing. Once a man dismounted within three paces of the que-stors, and knelt to examine the tracks. He looked puzzled and spoke to his companions, but the questors could hear no words. Then he mounted and rode away through the trees.

The night passed slowly. Kiall slept fitfully alongside Tanaki, while Chareos and Beltzer sat talking in low whispers. Harokas moved away to the edge of the.rees and slept alone.

Dawn found Chareos and Beltzer on the hillside, scanning the horizon for signs of Finn or Maggrig. The Nadir camp was deserted, the town silent.

They're canny men,' remarked Beltzer. 'They'll be all right.'

'I wish I could be sure,' said Chareos. 'The risk was too great; I should never have asked them to go.'

'They're grown men; they could have refused. And we did get the girl.'

Chareos was tired. His back ached and he stretched out on the grass. 'You should sleep for a while,' said Beltzer. 'I'll stand watch for Finn.'

Chareos nodded. 'Keep an eye on the Earl's man also. Don't let him move behind you.'

'You think he's an assassin?'

'I just think he needs watching.' Chareos closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The sun climbed higher as Beltzer sat beside Chareos, his axe in his lap, his mind on the mountain. He felt alive now, almost young again. Almost. Carrying the girl had sapped his strength, as had the battle in the town. His huge hand curled around the axe haft. 'There's still a skirmish or two left in us, eh?' he said.

Far off to the west he saw a rider, keeping to the low hollows. Beltzer shaded his eyes and tried to identify the man; it looked like Finn. Scanning the hills and hollows, he could see no pursuers. He thought of waking Chareos, but hesitated. The Blademaster was bone-weary, he needed rest. Slowly the rider made his way up the slope. It was Finn. He dismounted and led the horse into the clearing, then walked back to Beltzer.

'Where is Maggrig?' Finn asked.

'He's not back yet,' Beltzer told him.

Finn sank to the ground. 'I didn't think I'd make it; they almost had me. I killed two of them and then rode into a swirling river. I lost my bow. I thought the horse would drown and I hung on to the pommel. But he's a good beast. He swam well — and found solid ground.'

'Get some rest,' Beltzer advised him.

Finn shook his head. 'I've got to find Maggrig.'

'Don't be a fool! The Nadir are everywhere. Maggrig is probably holed up in some cave. He'll wait till nightfall, then make it back. If you ride out there, you'll lead them to him.'

Finn sighed. 'You are right. I'll sleep for a while. Wake me if he comes.'

Beltzer nodded. 'We got the girl,' he said. 'It went well.'

Finn did not reply but lay on the grass and closed his eyes. Beltzer sat with his back to a tree and dozed in the morning sunshine. He awoke to see Harokas kneeling beside Chareos. The hawk-nosed warrior was staring intently at the face of the sleeping man; his expression was hard to read, but Beltzer could see he was troubled.

'Don't wake him,' said Beltzer softly and Harokas looked up.

'I was sent here to kill him.'

'I know,' said Beltzer. 'So does he.'

'But there is no need, is there? You have all decided to die. And I am glad to be relieved of the task.'

Harokas rose and walked away to his horse. Beltzer watched him mount and ride away.

At the centre of the clearing Kiall awoke. He sat up and looked down at Tanaki. Her colour was better. Opening his pack, he took out some comfrey leaves which he mixed with cold water. It was good for swellings and he laboured over the poultice for some time. Satisfied at last, he touched Tanaki's hand and she awoke with a start.

'You are with friends,' he told her, his voice soothing. 'It is me, Kiall. I have a poultice here for your eyes. Lie still.' She said nothing as he placed the cool cloth over her eyelids. He took her hand and patted it gently.

The Wolves?' she whispered.

'Gone.'

'How did…?'

'Do not talk, lady. Rest. We came into the town last night and slew the men who. . attacked you. Then we carried you here. You are safe.'

'Why?'

'Rest now. Let the poultice do its work.' He tried to release her hand, but her fingers gripped his.

'Why?' she asked again.

'Because you were in need,' he said lamely. He sat with her for several minutes; then her fingers relaxed their grip and he saw she was asleep once more. He stood and stretched. Beltzer was asleep by a tree on the crown of the hill, Chareos and Finn lying close by. Of Harokas and Maggrig there was no sign.

The voice of Okas sounded in his mind. 'Kiall, can you hear me?

'Yes,' he answered aloud, looking down at the old man's sleeping form. The voice was like a whisper through time, impossibly distant and yet clear. 'I can hear you.'

'Tell Chareos to travel to the Mountains of the Moon. Tell him to seek out Asta Khan. Tell him I am sorry.'

The voice faded. Kiall moved to Okas and knelt by the body. It was stiff and cold.

The Tattooed Man was dead.

They buried the old man on the crown of the hill and stood silently around the grave. 'The first of us to die,' whispered Beltzer, his words hanging in the air. He walked back to the camp-site and sat staring at the blades of his axe, twirling the haft in his hands.

'I am sorry,' Kiall told Chareos. 'I wish I had never asked you to help me. It all seems so futile now. I don't know why.'

'We are free men, Kiall. We make our own choices.'

'I know that,' said the young man. 'It is just. . there is so much savagery. Look at Tanaki. How could men do that to her? I don't understand.'

'Be glad that you do not.'

'Do you?'

Chareos turned away, staring out over the Steppes. 'Yes, sadly I do. I would never contemplate such a deed — but, yes, I understand it. It is connected with war, Kiall, and the nature of the warrior. He is competitive, and his desire is to dominate and destroy his enemies. But the word to remember is dominate. There is another word to consider also; arousal. A man can be aroused to anger as easily as he is aroused to rut. The two emotions are closely linked. Anger and lust. So the warrior is aroused in battle and fights to dominate. Tanaki, and others like her, are the victims of that. Dominated, abused, humiliated.'

'They are evil,' said Kiall. 'Simply that.'

'Would that it were so simple. Some of those men will have had wives and children. They might have been good family men; they knew love and compassion in their lives.'

'I would show them no compassion. I am glad we killed them.'

'Glad? Never be glad another man has died. Not ever. Just be relieved that you are alive. I had a teacher once, a great man called Attalis. He told me that the path to evil often begins with righteous anger. A Nadir band raid a Gothir village; they rape and kill. A group of Gothir soldiers set out for revenge; they want to hurt the enemy, so they rape and kill. It never ends. Never. . ever. . be glad to kill.'

Chareos walked away and stood at the graveside. Kiall left him there and wandered over to Beltzer who was sitting alone. The giant's face was set, but a muscle twitched in his cheek. His eyes were red-rimmed and he was blinking rapidly.

Kiall sat opposite him. 'Are you all right?' asked the younger man.

'Me? I'm fine. I was just thinking we haven't eaten. I'm starved.' His mouth trembled, but he clamped his jaws tight. 'Stupid old fool,' he said. 'Stupid! He killed himself to protect us. Stupid.' Beltzer sniffed, then hawked and spat. 'Damned if I'm not getting a chill. It's this weather; cold winds and dust. Only the Source knows how people live out here. Give me a city any time. . and taverns. What are you staring at?'

'I'm sorry,' said Kiall. 'I didn't mean to stare. He had a message for you, you know. He said to say farewell to old Beltzer.'

'Did he? Truly?'

'Yes,' said Kiall, continuing the lie. 'He didn't sound unhappy.'

'You know what the worst thing is, boy? Do you?'

'No.'

'He liked me. For myself. Not because I could swing an axe, or kill a few tribesmen. But for me. There's not much to like, but he found it. And I'll tell you something — laugh if you like — but I loved that old man. "Old Beltzer". That's something, isn't it? I loved him.'

'Why would I laugh?'

Tears welled in Beltzer's eyes, flowing to his cheeks and into the red and silver beard. He bowed his head and wept. Kiall reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder.

'Get away!' said Beltzer. 'Leave me alone. Can't a man even grieve in private?'

Kiall rose and backed away. Tanaki was awake and sitting in the centre of the camp-site, a blanket round her shoulders. Her eyes were still swollen, but she could see.

Kiall sat beside her. 'How are you feeling?'

'You wouldn't want to know,' replied Tanaki. 'Did you kill them all?'

'Yes. No. There was one man — the leader, I think — he escaped.'

'Good.'

Kiall was surprised, but he did not press the point. 'Do you wish to be alone?' he asked.

She smiled, then winced as her lip split and a tiny drop of blood formed. 'No. You sit close by, I like your company. Why did you rescue me?'

'Does it matter?'

'It does to me.'

'Is it not enough that you were alone and needed help?'

'This is not a song or a fable, Kiall. I am not one of your yellow-haired ladies trapped in a tower.'

'But you are a princess,' he said, smiling. 'One should always rescue a princess.' She ignored the smile, and annoyance showed in her eyes.

'What about the others? Why did they help?'

'The Tattooed Man asked them to — he said you were part of our quest. Does that satisfy you?'

She nodded. 'I will repay you all.'

'There is no need.'

'I will judge that. I want no debts hanging over me. Where will you go now?'

'To find a man named Asta Khan.'

She looked at him, but he could not read her expression through the bruises she bore. 'He still lives? Surprising. My father set great store by him.'

'He does still,' said Kiall.

'What madness are you speaking? My father is dead; he has been for years.'

'It is hard to explain.'

Try!' she snapped. 'I may be bruised, but there is nothing wrong with my brain.'

As best he could, Kiall outlined the duel with the demons, and the violet-eyed warrior who had come to his assistance. 'Okas told me it was the spirit of Tenaka Khan.'

'How did he fight?'

'With two short swords. He spun like a dancer; I have never seen anything like it.'

She nodded. 'That is one of the names he carried: Bladedancer. He was also the Prince of Shadows.'

'Chareos and Beltzer both knew him,' said Kiall, 'as did Maggrig and Finn. They are the heroes of Bel-azar; he sat with them on the last night of the battle.'

'I know. My father told me. They are the ghosts-yet-to-be:

'What does that mean?'

She shrugged. 'I do not know. My father was a secretive man. He told me of the warriors of the Gothir; he said one of them was blood kin — a Drenai prince. I would guess that to be Chareos. It is inconceivable that it could be the bald, fat one.'

'I know what you mean. Beltzer is not exactly cultured.'

The sound of a walking horse came to them and Beltzer leapt up, his axe in his hands. Kiall stood, drawing his sabre, as Harokas guided his mount into the camp and stepped down.

'I thought you had gone for good,' said Beltzer.

'So did I,' answered Harokas, wearily, 'but I found your friend.'

'Maggrig?' Beltzer whispered.

'Yes.'

Finn lurched to his feet and ran forward. 'Where is he?' he shouted, grasping Harokas' black jerkin.

Harokas put his hand on Finn's shoulder. 'The Nadir took him.'

'Oh, no! Oh, please no!' cried Finn, stumbling back. He ran to his horse, but Chareos cut him off, grabbing his arms and holding him tight.

'Wait!' said Chareos softly. 'We will all go. Calm yourself, my friend.'

Finn seemed to sag in Chareos' arms, his head falling to rest on the swordman's shoulder. Chareos turned to Kiall. 'Wait here with the woman. We'll be back.'

'There's no point,' said Harokas. 'The Nadir are everywhere. It's madness.'

'Even so,' replied Chareos, 'will you take us to the body?'

'It means that much to you? You'll risk your lives for a corpse?'

'Yes.'

Harokas shook his head in disbelief. 'Follow me then, but ride warily.'

Trees were sparse as the questors rode in single file behind Harokas, and the land spread out before them in a series of folds and gullies, like a giant's cloak carelessly tossed from Heaven.

They moved with care for more than an hour, coming at last to a rocky rise. Harokas dismounted and led his horse up the hill, the questors following his lead. He tethered his mount to a skeletal poplar and waited. Chareos joined him. No one had spoken since they rode from the camp. Finn stood by, white-faced, expressionless, his eyes tormented. Beltzer was beside him.

'Follow me,' whispered Harokas, 'and please… no heroics?'

He led them to a rock-face, and on into a narrow fissure which wound down to a ledge. There he squatted in the fading light and pointed to the Nadir camp below. The greater part of the three hundred Wolves were there, and six camp-fires had been set. At the centre of the camp, staked out naked on the ground was Maggrig, his body covered in cuts and burns. Finn groaned and Beltzer's hand gripped the hunter's shoulder.

'Have you seen enough?' whispered Harokas. 'It does not take a warrior's eye to know the man is dead.' Chareos nodded. Maggrig had been tortured, his skin partially flayed, his eyes put out. I 'They are still searching for you,' said Harokas, 'so he could have told them nothing. He had courage. Great courage.'

'Yes, he did,' agreed Chareos, glancing at Finn. 'He was a fine man.'

'I think his horse broke a leg,' continued Harokas. 'It was just bad luck. He almost made it to the slopes.'

'There's nothing more to see,' said Chareos softly. He touched Finn's arm. 'Let us go, my friend.'

'Yes,' murmured Finn.

Harokas backed away from the rim of the ledge and the questors clambered back through the fissure. As they reached the horses, it was Beltzer who first noticed Finn's absence.

'No!' he cried. Turning, he ran back for the fissure, Chareos and Harokas behind him. They came to the ledge in time to see Finn walking slowly down the scree-covered slope towards the Nadir camp. Beltzer made as if to follow him, but Chareos grabbed the neck of his jerkin, hauling him from his feet.

Beltzer hit the ground hard. He stared up into Chareos' face. 'Leave it be,' said Chareos. 'He wouldn't want you there; you know that.'

Beltzer tried to speak, but no words came. He rolled to his knees, gathered his axe and stumbled back through the fissure. Harokas knelt beside Chareos.

The Blademaster ignored him, his eyes fixed on the small, dark figure closing on the Nadir camp. It would be so easy, thought Harokas, his hand on the hilt of his dagger. . just slip the blade through his ribs, sliding it up into the heart. So easy. Then he could return to the Earl, claim his gold and get on with his life. But that would mean leaving Tanaki. He cursed inwardly and took his hand from the hilt.

Below them Finn reached the bottom of the slope and walked forward, back straight, head high. There was a roaring in his ears, like the distant sea, and his eyes were misted. So many years together, years of joy and fear. It never paid to love too much, he'd always known that. All life was balance. There was always a reckoning. Better by far not to have loved at all. He walked past two Nadir warriors who were honing their swords; they stared at him for a moment, then rose behind him. Steadily Finn walked on. He could see Maggrig now, and the terrible cruelty they had unleashed upon him. A man seized Finn's arm. Almost absently, Finn plunged his hunting-knife into the warrior's throat.

There had been that time when Maggrig went down with the Red Plague. No one survived that, but Finn had sat with him, begging him to live. The fever had burned all the flesh from Maggrig's body, leaving translucent skin stretched tightly over the bones. But Finn had nursed him toàhealth. He remembered the day he had first realised Maggrig was going to live. The sky had been grey and overcast, the mountains covered with mist. Moisture dripped from the trees and yet the day had been beautiful — so incredibly beautiful that Finn hadàbeen unable to look upon it without tears.

A second warrior came at him. Finn killed him, but the man's sword plunged into Finn's side. There was little pain. He staggered on. Something struck him in the back, but he ignored it. Close to the body now, he fell to his knees and slashed his knife through the ropes binding Maggrig's arms to the stakes. Dropping his knife, he lifted Maggrig's head. Blood gushed into Finn's throat but he spat it clear.

'You are nothing but trouble to me, boy,' he said, struggling to lift the stiffening corpse.

A spear hammered into his back, smashing through his ribs and exiting from the chest. He felt Maggrig slipping from his hands and tried, so hard, to lower the body gently to the earth.

Slowly he toppled, his head resting on Maggrig's cheat.

If he could just get Maggrig to the mountains, all would be well. The sky would be grey and overcast, the mist clinging to the trees.

If he could just. .

Swords and knives plunged into Finn's body, but he did not feel them.

High on the ledge Chareos watched it all. His hands were trembling and he tore his eyes from the scene, staring down at the ground. He sucked in a deep breath, then leaned back. For several minutes he sat in silence, remembering Finn and Maggrig as they had been back at Bel-azar. Then he turned to Harokas. 'You had your chance,' he said softly. 'It will not come again. Why did you not kill me?'

Harokas spread his hands and said nothing. Chareos backed away from the ledge and returned to the horses. Beltzer was sitting on a rock, his axe on the ground beside him.

'Did he die well?' asked the giant.

'Yes. . whatever that means,' answered Chareos. He stepped into the saddle. 'Let's get back.'

'What are we going to do, Blademaster?' Beltzer asked. 'Yesterday seems so far away now. Okas is dead. Finn and Maggrig are dead. Do we go on?'

'What do we have to go back to? We go on.' Touching heels to the grey, Chareos rode out of the clearing. Beltzer gathered his axe, mounted and followed him.

For some time Harokas waited. Finally he vaulted into the saddle and rode after them. Chareos heard him coming and reined in as the assassin came alongside.

'Well?' asked Chareos.

'You can't take on the Nadir army with three men,' said Harokas.

'What do you suggest?'

'Four would even the odds.'