THE TYKEN CHRONICLES: The Needs of the Many – excerpt III

The pull heightened the closer they came to the area of the cave and the strange voices came again with increased volume and clarity. They now sounded like dried leaves scattering on the wind, swirling and clattering against one another.

“They approach…they approach.”

“Are we certain?”

“Yes…it is…it is them.”

“How can we know?”

“The test.”

“Yes, the test…the test.”

“If they fail?”

“Then we will have them.”

“Yes…yes…yes.”

“We should have them now.”

“Yes, yes”

“No…we must know.”

“But the others…what of the others?”

They dissolved back into a myriad of unintelligible whispers, as unnerving as gnats crawling along his skin. What were they, and who were they and the others they were referring to? He was now more certain than ever that Keilana had been wrong about them being alone. It was either that or the stress of leadership had begun to take its toll on him, and that was a prospect he found equally unpleasant. A quick glance over his shoulder confirmed his suspicion. The others hadn’t heard them. Manowar however, seemed to be sensing the phantoms as well because he became skittish and his anxiety seemed to pass onto the other mounts, with the exception of the Shards.

Though his riding skills had increased from his recent weeks in the saddle, Bunchil was finding it a bit difficult to steady his mount. His horse stomped his hooves and alternated between shaking and nodding his head. When he pulled firmly on the reins, the horse would shy to the side and back again. The closer they came to their destination, the harder he had to fight.

David also felt something swelling in himself. It began as a stirring in the pit of his stomach and blossomed out, tingling along his veins and through his bones. At times it felt like an itch that was more than just beneath his skin, more than just coursing through his veins. It grew and seemed to travel through him and into Manowar, for the horse stomped its hooves harder and shied fervently, nearly tossing him from the saddle.  If Rolondo hadn’t ridden close and leaned over to grab the horse’s bridle, Bunchil was sure he would have lost control. The acolyte slid his hands to Manowar’s head and neck and gave both a pat in turn.

“Something seems to be affecting the horses,” the acolyte said.

“Yeah,” David replied, “I don’t know what—”

He was halted in mid-sentence as piercing howls reverberated among the hills and dark shapes streaked across the sky. It was impossible to tell their exact number or origin, but there could be little doubt that they spewed from the many caves that spotted the area. Luckily for him, he’d been patting his horse’s neck the way Rolondo had because when the noise thundered Manowar reared then plunged into a gallop. Had he not had the good sense to wrap both arms around his neck and hold tight, he might have been thrown. Instead, he gritted his teeth as the saddle horn bit into his stomach with each movement of his mount’s wild dash. The bunched muscles of Manowar’s neck punched him in the jaw and it was with great effort that David was finally able to sit up and attempt to gain control the frightened animal. The terrain was far too treacherous and one misstep could catapult them both to their deaths.

Above the rushing wind he could hear the rest of the hunters pounding behind him. When he chanced a look back, he could see they had their weapons drawn and were scanning the skies and the hills alternately. He allowed his eyes to follow their gazes upward and saw a multitude of dark objects against the brighter sky. They wheeled and swirled in a monstrous cacophony like a paradoxical convergence of order and chaos. David was unable to tear his eyes from the frightening aerial display. For all of their sudden boisterous appearance however, they seemed almost hesitant to descent upon the riders, or perhaps they were simply waiting for the best opportunity to attack. Maybe they were hoping one of them would become separated from the others and thereby make for easy prey.

A yellow bolt arched into the mass of flyers, unsettling the group and setting three of the creatures alight. They howled and twisted as they plummeted burning from the sky. Their corkscrew like plunge caused them to collide with each other before they hit the ground in a shower of sparks and embers. One of the things tried to raise its head giving David his first close-up view of their ambushers. The creatures were the same size as their horses with an enormous wingspan. It was difficult to tell how large however because they had been singed and broken from the energy bolt from Kerinnel’s bow.

David was further shocked to see that it resembled the great winged wolf from his nightmare, making it the second time his dream-creatures had become reality. Unfathomable to his better senses, he felt a belonging with the thing, like a camaraderie stemming from his dream’s transformation, and as Manowar thundered toward the dying beast, a part of him wanted to reach out and comfort it in its moment of death. The loss of three of their number did nothing to frighten the monstrosities. Even as another larger missile flew and dispatched more of them, they continued to pour from the hills, blotting the sky directly over the riders in a gigantic vortex.

“Conserve your energy, Kerinnel!” Keilana shouted. “There are far too many, we must seek shelter!”

Reluctantly, the archer released the string and allowed the glowing arrow to fade. She did not however re-strap the bow to her back. The other members also continued to hold onto their weapons, but they released their magical endowment. By unspoken consent, they drew closer to each other, but did not slow their mad race.

David wished he could tell them about his dream or in fact, that he had told them, because he was struggling to comprehend what he was witnessing.  How was it possible for creatures from his nightmare to be real? Yes, he’d experienced many strange things since that fateful morning in Kevin’s driveway and no doubt he would see more, but this was surreal.

“We must slow this pace or risk losing our mounts!”

Bunchil heard someone shout above the rush of the wind and thought it might have been Darious, but wasn’t sure.

“Agreed,” Keilana replied. “But to stop could spell certain doom.”

“I do not see that we have much choice. Thus far, they are not attacking,” the same speaker replied, he was now sure it was Darious, and there was a certain sensibility to the suggestion. Plus he didn’t know how much longer he could continue at this gallop, and tried not to think of what would happen if Manowar were to fall. At the same time, he also didn’t like the thought of discovering what their assailants’ intentions might be.

As if to confirm his fear or to prove Darious wrong, two of the creatures peeled from the funnel and dove toward Keilana. She extended her hand and they collided with the barrier she’d erected, but they easily recovered and wheeled back to join the horde.

Through it all, David was able to maintain his focus on their initial destination and was aware they’d ridden past it. As much as he disliked the thought, he knew it was inevitable so he called to Rolondo, “We must go back!”

“Back?” the acolyte returned.

“Yes, back. The horn is behind us!”

“And danger is upon us, we cannot go back! It is as Keilana has said, we must find shelter!”

“Rolondo, there’s no place we can go. If we need shelter, then maybe we can find it where the horn is and that’s in the cave we’ve past.”

Bunchil could see the look of uncertainty on his trainer’s face, he too held a thread of it, but he also knew their situation was precarious. They’d ridden for weeks and couldn’t afford to be deterred now, Kevin depended on them. Everything in fact may depend on them. To delay their mission any further could prove disastrous, and as afraid as he was, he knew they had little choice.

Courage arises in the face of danger.

David nearly couldn’t believe his own actions when he hauled heavily on his mount’s reins, forcing his horse to stop. The others followed suit to the displeasure of the frightened animals. Manowar dance nervously and David fought desperately to keep him under control. He tried his best to project confidence to his mount because they couldn’t afford to allow fear to take hold of the horses again. Only the shards seemed to be unfazed and at ease, perhaps they were accustomed to encountering such dangers. He hoped they would extend their calm and confidence to the human mounts as well.

“Why do we stop? We must ride!” Kerinnel shouted as she fought to keep her horse, Phalanx, under control.

Seizing upon the opportunity, several of the flyers raced towards them. Five were incinerated by an exceptionally large bolt from Kerinnel’s bow while Keilana used her magic to repel the remainder.

“We have to go back to the cave and retrieve the horn!” David Bunchil informed them.

“That might be a bit difficult at the moment as we are pressed!” Tigeria replied.

“Maybe, maybe not,” he countered. “What I do know is that we can’t run forever. I also know we came here to do a job…to get that horn. So I don’t see us having much of a choice. Do you?”

“He speaks the truth,” Korgon interjected, giving Bunchil a momentary sense of satisfaction, but it was quickly replace by the realization that the time to feel smug should be saved for later.

More of the wolf-like things tried to set upon them and many met a similar fate as the ones before, as a glowing arrow flew from the female archer. Darious then sent a small ball of energy at the ones who had survived Kerinnel’s attack. At first nothing happened as the sphere seemed to fade in the midst of the flying creatures, then suddenly electricity danced along their bodies. Their wings stiffened and they threw back their heads as brilliant jets of light streaked from their opened jaws. It was as though their very essences were escaping as their bodies shriveled, crumpled and fell from the sky. They shattered upon impact with the ground. It was like nothing he’d ever seen before, and David simply stared open-mouthed at the carnage.

As quickly as they were dispatched, others circled in to replace the fallen, causing him to wonder if he’d been correct in ordering a halt. He quickly banished such supposition. Of course it was necessary. They could not afford to run forever and it would only be a matter of time before one by one, they would be brought down or carried away by their attackers. To him, their only hope was in finding sanctuary within the very cavities which had given birth to the danger. He only hoped they would be able to gain shelter.

Scanning each face in turn, he could see an unusual amount of perspiration on Kerinnel’s brow and her breathing was a little heavy as though she had been the one running rather than her horse. Keilana too, showed signs of fatigue. The other faces were etched with concern, though he couldn’t say whether it was about the plight of the two women or their own. He was also not sure he would be able to convince them salvation lay in going back the way they’d come, back into the mouth of danger, but he knew he had to try…if not by words, then by actions.

He looked at the hills, trying to determine the quickest and safest way to reach the cave. To the right and below the opening, there appeared to be a faintly beaten path winding upward. It was nothing more than a slight clearing of stones, but it might be enough to provide footing for the horses. Unfortunately it wasn’t wide enough for them to ride in a gathered bunch, which meant they would be vulnerable in single file. So far however, everyone in the company seemed able to protect themselves and each other.

David had to put aside his concern for the horses and shards because it was more than likely they would have to be left behind. Would they be able to fend for themselves or even escape from the ravenous fangs of the flying creatures? More disconcerting was the realization that without them his company would have a very difficult time returning to Arcase Mintor.

One thing at a time, he told himself. First, they had to locate the horn. When that’s done, there would be time to worry about getting it back to help Kevin. The thought of being so exposed while on the climb caused a momentary jolt of fear, but he silenced it with the knowledge the others would provide protection for him. Spurring Manowar into motion—for what he hoped would not be the last time in this flight—he darted back towards the near distant hill and sanctuary.

Overhead the horde turned to follow; a roiling, undulating cloud of death echoing across the sky. He didn’t dare look up but instead laid his chest along his horse’s neck and hung on as Manowar thundered along the rocky course, spitting dust and scree in his wake. The rhythmic sway of his gait forced David to press his knees into its flank which added safety as well as carried a sense of urgency to the galloping animal. He didn’t know how long he could continue though, because the effort was new to him and he could already feel his strength lagging. His eyes remained trained on the small opening in the hill, if they could make it there they would have refuge if only temporarily.