CHAPTER 10: "SHOW NO MERCY"
For the next several days, Kho-An-Sa, Daedalus and I discussed ideas for ending the war between the creatures at the foot of the mountain. After consulting with many of his elemental servants, Daedalus hit upon a daring plan that would allow us to repay him for the forging of my weapons. On the morning of our last day with the blacksmith, we sat around a table in his smithy, finalizing the plans for the bold actions we intended to take.
"Then it is agreed," Daedalus said, leaning forward over the table, "that these are the steps that must be taken to put an end to the conflict. Kho-An-Sa and I nodded as Daedalus went on, repeating the plan once again.
"My servants tell me that the wife and child of the leader of the Satyrs were taken by Wolven two nights ago. In order to ingratiate yourselves with them, you, Memnon, must go into the town of the Wolven and get them out, provided they still live."
"Understood," I said. "And it must be done during the day, when the Wolven are at their weakest."
"Correct," replied the blacksmith. "And you, Kho-An-Sa, will use your powers to cause a distraction in the town of the Wolven to assist Memnon, and, if you can, you should capture their leader for the next phase of the plan."
"Yes," said Kho-An-Sa. "I will bind and hold him until nearly nightfall, then turn him over to the Centaurs. The Wolven will track their leader and attack the horse-men during the night. Then we attack at daybreak with the Satyrs. With their forces surely weakened by their battle with the Wolven, the Centaurs will be defeated and your troubles resolved."
"Yes," replied the blacksmith. "If this works, I am sure my woes will be alleviated. When the battle is done, return here and I will give the weapons their final component, the gift of Infinite Return."
I fingered the hilts of my weapons, which were now strapped at my side. In the days since they were given to me, my whole being had been flowing with Rau, with the swords acting as a strong focus for my life force. What else, I wondered, could the blacksmith bestow upon them?
"Infinite Return," I asked, "what is that?"
"You will find out after this task is over, young Memnon," replied Daedalus. "For now, you need know only this: it is a gift I have bestowed upon only two other warriors over the centuries. It is a gift all warriors dream of having. It is a gift that will be yours if you complete this task successfully."
"Then let us be about it," declared Kho-An-Sa, as we rose to begin preparations.
As we strolled from the chamber, I noticed my young friend at a table, working intensely. Looking up briefly, he smiled, then went back to tinkering with his small, crudely shaped models of animals. They were far from the polished, lifelike specimens of the blacksmith, but were remarkably well done. I thought briefly of bidding him farewell. Then, thinking better of it, I simply left him to his work.
After we gathered our essentials, Daedalus led us to a tunnel that we had not noticed before. One of his little servants stood before the entrance, holding a torch in its inky black hand.
"This tunnel ends near your camp," the blacksmith said. "After you have completed your tasks, come back to the entrance and knock four times. My servant will open it and lead you back to me. Farewell for now."
Kho-An-Sa and I bowed to the blacksmith, then followed his servant into the tunnel. We walked for two or three hours, following the torch held by the creature ahead. Finally, the light stopped and the little creature pushed against a wall, causing a section of rock to pull back. There before us was a shallow cave, light streaming in through its entrance. Kho-An-Sa and I stepped through, and the hole closed silently behind us.
We emerged from the cave with our hands over our eyes, for the light of Aten, after so many days in the dimness of the mountain, was dazzling. Looking around, I found that the blacksmith was correct. We were indeed quite near the camp. In fact, I could hear the familiar voices of some of Kho-An-Sa's men.
We walked toward them, and within moments spotted a guard patrolling the area. He greeted us reverently, looking at my weapons with great interest.
Inside the camp Kho-An-Sa gathered his warriors before him, shouting orders in the Tamahu language. Several men went away rapidly, returning moments later bearing ten leather cases. As they carefully undid the straps, my eyes widened. The cases concealed 10 composite bows.
I had not known that Kho-An-Sa's men were in possession of such weapons. I had only seen one bow in this entire land, and it was only a simple one, made perhaps of sapling wood. These composite bows, with their sophisticated melding of bone and hard and soft woods, would be accurate and deadly in the hands of a competent archer. They alone could kill dozens of unwary enemies before they knew what had hit them.
The camp was alive with movement and sound as the warriors made preparations for battle. Cronn seemed especially eager at the prospect of fighting and, after speaking to the magician, sat down to sharpen his huge blade with a large flat stone. Shouting orders to his men, Kho-An-Sa packed his pouch and changed his clothing while I discarded my cloak and donned a long brown tunic, padded for war. As I strapped on my weapons Kho-An-Sa beckoned me towards him.
"Come, young panther," he said as I joined him. "It is time to repay the blacksmith."
Cronn joined us and we walked away from the camp, heading east toward the town of the Wolven. After a while we happened upon a well-worn path, covered with the footprints of the wolf creatures. There were also human footprints, signs of struggle and blood.
We followed the path until midday, when the town finally loomed into view. The settlement, perched atop a broad hill, was surrounded by a tall, spike-topped wall. The tops of dozens of dwellings could be seen with smoke rising from the fires burning inside. Toward the middle of the settlement, towering over all the rest, stood a large structure of solid black, painted with blood-red symbols.
The hill itself was dotted with wooden stakes, well sharpened and positioned to impede a mass attack. Because of this, the only safe way up was the small path on which we walked, which ended before a large wooden door. It was of the type controlled by ropes and pulleys, and now stood raised for the day's comings and goings.
Two guards stood near this opening, holding spears and scanning the area diligently. I was surprised that they seemed to be normal men. "Kho-An-Sa," I asked. "Why are the guards not Wolven?"
"Oh they are, young panther," the magician replied. "Remember, some of those who make pacts with Set gain the ability to change at will. Subterfuge is one of Set's greatest gifts, as I shall now demonstrate."
The magician then reached into his bag, pulling out a handful of the herbs he had used before to become invisible. "When you see the guards fall, young panther, come to the gate. When the fires start, go in and find the female Satyr and her child. You may be heavily opposed. Show no mercy if you wish to come out of this alive."
With that, Kho-An-Sa crushed the herbs into his mouth and disappeared. Then Cronn, who had been holding onto his arm, also dissolved before my eyes.
I observed the guards in the distance for a few moments. Suddenly one of them dropped his spear, seizing his chest in pain. He then fell to the ground, a pool of blood forming around him. When the other guard bent over to assist him, there was a loud chopping sound and his head went rolling down the hill.
Taking this as my signal, I ran to the gate and peered in. There the townspeople went about their business, oblivious to the fate of the guards. Suddenly a terrible odor assailed my senses and I nearly retched. I had never smelled anything like it, and if not for my assigned task I would have fled with all haste away from it.
As I shook my head to clear my distressed nostrils, a loud cry went up in the village. Peeking in again, I saw people running towards the far side of the town, where a huge flame had erupted, engulfing several structures.
Taking advantage of this distraction, I ran through the gate, reaching for my Claws as I went. As soon as my hand touched the hilts of the weapons, Rau rushed from my body to the sword and I was filled by an intense bloodlust.
I then scanned the area, for the location of the prisoners. Suddenly I heard a terrible scream and ran in its direction. The scream rang out several more times, drawing me to a long wooden building a short distance away. As I neared it a man stepped forward menacingly, brandishing a spear and shouting at me. I tried to ignore him and keep going, but he lifted the spear as if to throw and I was forced to turn and face him.
With a terrible howl he then sprang toward me, his face elongating and his limbs becoming hairy with each stride. He stopped a few cubits short of me, growling fearsomely and looking exactly like the beasts from the doomed village. But this time I was not afraid.
Stepping forward boldly, I cut the blade of his spear away with one swift stroke. When he pulled the shaft back in surprise, I lunged, plunging my blade through his belly. He opened his mouth to cry out, but I flicked my short Claw across his hairy throat and he only made a painful gurgling sound. I was running toward the building as his body hit the ground.
As I neared the building I heard the horrified scream again. Then I kicked the door open, to be met by an intense blast of that terrible odor. My eyes watered profusely, and when I finally blinked them clear I saw the most horrible sight. There before me was a dim, torch-lit chamber. A very large, surprised man hovered over a table, holding a huge carving knife. He wore a gray apron that was soaked in blood, and upon the table before him lay a small Satyr child. Its mouth bound tightly with cloth, tears streamed from its eyes and blood spurted in torrents from its four severed limbs. The child was being butchered alive.
Looking around quickly I saw a cage filled with crying, whimpering Satyr children, and my blood fairly boiled with rage. I stared at the butcher, amazed at the cruelty displayed before me, as he smiled malevolently and seized another knife. Then he walked slowly toward me, transforming into the largest Wolven I had yet seen. He was so tall that he had to bend down to keep from hitting his head against the ceiling, and his arms were extremely long. An evil snarl rumbled across his lips as he began slashing the knives at me.
As I blocked his strokes I observed well his blade technique. His quick, precise moves indicated that his work gave him considerable skill with the blades, but my weapons were longer, and I struck back faster, cutting him in several places. Intense moments went by, during which I wounded him many times. But for some reason he did not call out. Instead he kept on coming, despite the pain and injuries I inflicted upon him.
Finally, in a desperate attempt to overcome me, he rushed in with his long arms flailing. My swords now screaming, I blocked the knives rapidly, sending sparks flying in every direction. Then I sidestepped quickly, and with one whirling stroke, sliced both claw-like hands from his arms. His weapons clattered to the floor, black blood spurted from his wounds and his head shot back in a howl of shock and pain. I flicked my short Claw once again, slicing his throat as I had his comrade, cutting short his painful cries. His heavy body hit the floor and I stepped over it toward the table. Sheathing my weapons, I bent to examine the child, but found it was too late. The poor thing lay still and cold, dead from the blood loss and the shock.
Footsteps approached the building and I stepped back into the shadows beside the door. A Wolven entered the room, looking around and sniffing in canine fashion. Seeing his dead companion, he bent to examine him, whimpering and moaning in grief. His pointed ears perked to attention just as I stole upon him from behind, but before he could move my blade came down and he joined his cruel companion.
Striding across the room, I sliced the bars of the wooden cage open. As the children crawled out I called the name of the female I had come to retrieve. "Dila?" I called anxiously "Dila?"
A small child stepped forward, tears streaming down its face, pointing to a door on the far side of the room. I walked over and kicked it open to find another room lit by a single torch, where a female Satyr was tied to a post. As she looked up fearfully I lowered my weapons.
"Dila?" I asked in a low voice.
She nodded and I cut her loose. Then the little Satyr that led me to her ran into her arms. I had found my prizes.
Putting a finger to my lips, I signaled for silence and helped her to her hooved feet. Then we gathered the others and headed for the door. Passing the butchering table on the way, Dila ran over to it, weeping and crying over the body of the dead Satyr child. I was forced to pull her away so that we could go on.
We peered out into the village to find shouting and bustling in all directions. The people ran with pots of water towards flames that now engulfed half the town. Kho-An-Sa and Cronn had done their work well. We now had the diversion we needed.
I hustled Dila and the kids out, planning to sneak them from building to building towards the gate. But several men spotted us and threw down their pots. Howling terribly, they transformed into Wolven as they ran towards us. We were still well away from the gate, so I pushed Dila and the children towards it.
"Run!" I cried. "Don't look back, just run!"
As they took off for the gate, I glanced at the hilt of my weapons. Anger and bloodlust had distracted me from noticing before, but the emerald gem was gleaming brightly, identifying the Wolven as negative aspects of the Neter Sebek. As several of them rushed towards me, I recited the proper chant from The Book of Knowing the Creatures of the Taut and the effects were instantaneous.
The creatures became disoriented, stumbling and slipping against each other. I then pulled Rau from my center, pushed it into my blades, then hacked away at the confused monsters as the voice of Sekmet screamed.
Two fell before me, then three, four and five, until only one creature was left standing. Injured and astonished, he took several steps back, howling for assistance. Others in the distance now ran to assist him, calling for more help as they came.
Despite the strength of the chants, I knew their greater numbers spelled my doom, so I turned and ran for the still-open gate. But another Wolven had seen me and ran to the gate first. Immediately he began unwinding the rope from the pulley, trying to drop the gate and lock me inside. I knew if he succeeded my fate would indeed be sealed.
Running as fast as I could, I leaped upon him just in time, plunging my long Claw through his side and seizing the final bit of rope. Kicking the dead creature aside, I peered through the gateway. In the distance I saw Dila and the children, disappearing into the forest to safety.
Satisfied that they were out of danger, I glanced behind me to find hordes of Wolven closing in. Spears poised and claws extended, they were eager to avenge their friends and dine upon a meal of Memnon. Sheathing my long blades, I pulled out my dagger as a spear shot past my head. Then I seized the rope attached to the pulley, yanked it tight and slashed it with the blade.
The huge gate came plunging down and I shot straight up to the top of the gate, just as the Wolven pounced on the spot where I'd been standing. Pausing briefly to cut the rope from the gate, I leapt over amidst a hail of spears. Landing safely on the other side, I took off for the forest, a satisfied smile upon my face.
I caught up with Dila and the children on the path. Shortly thereafter, we came upon Kho-An-Sa and the giant Cronn, who held a struggling figure, wrapped in a thick cloth over his shoulder. Kho-An-Sa looked very pleased.
"Well done, Memnon," he said. "Let us be away quickly before they give pursuit."
"It will be a while before they can," I replied. "The fire still rages, and I extracted the rope from their gate."
Kho-An-Sa nodded. "Very well done, indeed."
We made haste down the path, looking behind frequently for signs of pursuit, which never came. Soon we arrived back at the camp, where Cronn threw his struggling burden down, placing his foot upon it triumphantly. The other warriors gathered around, intensely interested in the struggling bundle. After giving Dila and the children water and food, I came over to investigate the prisoner myself.
"He is their leader," Kho-An-Sa said. "We took him directly from his great hall as he directed the firefighting effort
s. His Wolven brethren will surely try to retrieve him tonight."
"What will we do with him until then?" I asked, watching the bound figure writhe upon the ground.
"Cronn will watch over him until nearly nightfall, when he will be delivered to the Centaurs. They have reason to hate the Wolven themselves, and will be glad to receive him. Time now to return Dila and the Satyr children.
Our party split into two groups, with half the warriors going with Kho-An-Sa and I to bring the goat-creatures back to their people and the other half staying with Cronn to deliver the prisoner to the Centaurs.
As we approached their camp, several Satyrs rushed towards us with javelins leveled, but Dila and the children ran forward and they lowered their weapons. Kho-An-Sa and I waited at the edge of the camp as they entered amid loud cheers and happy greetings.
Moments later Dila and two Satyr men came forth, beckoning us to follow them. We were led to the middle of the camp, where a large Satyr sat before a fire, playing with Dila's young child. He put the child down as we were led before him and stood up. Raising a hairy hand, he greeted us graciously.
Kho-An-Sa answered him and I bowed. He then walked over to us, placing one large hand on each of our shoulders. Then he gestured for us to join him by his fire.
Kho-An-Sa, who understood his language with some difficulty, introduced him as Ladin, leader of the Satyrs. He was much like the rest of his comrades: golden hair, a barrel chest, curled horns jutting from his forehead and a pointed beard. But by his regal bearing and intelligence one could tell that he was their leader.
He and Kho-An-Sa talked for some time, with my name coming up frequently as well as the name of Daedalus. At one point Kho-An-Sa pointed to the edge of the camp, where the rest of his warriors waited. Ladin immediately dispatched an assistant, who came back moments later, leading the magician's men.
Kho-An-Sa shouted an order and some of them stepped forward, bearing the leather pouches that contained the composite bows. They untied the straps and pulled them out amid low whistles and cries of surprise from the Satyrs. Ladin's eyes grew large as a bow was handed to him. He turned the weapon over several times, plucking the string and flexing the wood. Kho-An-Sa made galloping gestures with his hands, then feigned being hit by arrows, causing the Satyrs close by to burst out laughing. Then, after another brief exchange, the two leaders shook hands vigorously. The alliance had been made.
For the rest of the day Ladin and the magician made preparations for the attack against the Centaurs. Arrows were soaked in pitch for setting fires, Satyrs sparred with Kho-An-Sa's warriors and even practiced shooting the composite bows.
I sat in the shade observing the goat-people with great interest. They seemed an easy-going, fun-loving lot when not fighting, with a penchant for jokes and mischief. And their women and children were given much respect and not abused, always the mark of a civilized people. I also noticed that they ate no meat-only grains, fruit and vegetables, which suited me just fine. Why the Taut would take such good-natured people I did not know, but I was glad to help them oppose the evil beings who threatened them. When the orb of Aten glided toward the horizon and the shadows lengthened, Cronn joined us at the camp with the rest of the warriors. He had successfully given the leader of the Wolven over to the Centaurs. Now we had only to wait.
We sat around the campfire for hours, waiting for signs of the attack. Finally, when the quarter-moon was high overhead, we heard the first shouts. Moments later the air was pierced with awful howls and terrified screams as the Wolven leaped from the shadows upon the horse-men.
From across the field we saw torches moving to and fro as the Centaurs fought desperately against the savage night beasts. All through the night sounds of the battle raged on, causing much pleasure among the Satyrs around us. I, however, found no joy in the thought of anyone facing the Wolven hordes, especially at night.
At one point a screaming Centaur came running over to our side of the field. Shouting hysterically, he seemed out of his mind with fright. The Satyrs immediately surrounded him, their javelins poised. His entire body covered with blood and horrible wounds, the Centaur seemed unmindful of the imminent danger as he whimpered and wailed for sanctuary. Getting down on his horse knees, the creature begged pitifully for help, but the Satyrs only gazed at him coldly. Finally, Ladin gave the signal and javelins pierced his throat and heart. His wailing ceased as he fell down dead upon the field.
Several other Centaurs galloped over during the night, only to receive the same treatment. After a while I could not bear to see any more and excused myself to the far side of the camp. Sitting quietly against a stack of supplies, my chin tucked into the palm of my hand, I had the distinct feeling that what I was involved in was very wrong. The idea came to me to try to contact Kam-Atef for advice.
Slowing my breathing, I closed my eyes, thinking the name and recalling the image of the great serpent. Over and over again I called, but there was no answer. Finally I gave up and drifted off to sleep.
I was shaken awake to find the rays of Aten washing over the landscape. Kho-An-Sa stood over me, pointing across the field. "Come, Memnon," he said "the battle begins."
We hastened across the field just in time to see the Satyrs meet the first line of Centaurs. After clashing viciously for several minutes, the goat-men fell back and Kho-An-Sa's archers rose up with notched arrows. After one volley from the powerful composite bows, several Centaurs fell, clutching at chests and necks pierced through. Another volley cut into them they wavered. Then a third hit them and their line fell completely apart.
The Satyrs then swarmed into the enemy camp shouting victoriously as they stabbed and threw their javelins. The Centaurs, weakened and injured from the night-long battle with the Wolven, went down quickly before their fresh opponents. Meanwhile the archers picked off Centaurs at will, while Cronn waded into the midst of the carnage, hacking and slashing with his huge sword.
Groups of female Centaurs and their young huddled together as the battle raged around them, crying and shaking in fear as the rout quickly changed into a slaughter. Feeling sorry for the innocents, I turned away from the carnage and walked off the field. Kho-An-Sa watched as I left.
"Memnon, where are you going?" he asked.
"To the cave where we are to meet Daedalus' servant," I answered. "You don't need me here."
The magician said nothing as I walked into the forest. Soon I was back at the mouth of the cave. Seating myself before it, I listened to the sounds of the battle. Suddenly I heard the galloping of hooves close by and a Centaur stumbled into view.
Leaning weakly against the trunk of a large tree, he was cut and bleeding from many small wounds. Looking up, he spotted me and raised his huge club menacingly. I was about to pull my Claws to defend myself, when the creature moaned loudly and the club fell from his shaking hands. Then he toppled over and hit the ground heavily.
I walked over cautiously for a closer look and found that he had a deep, heavily bleeding cut on his left rear thigh, impossible for him to reach with his human hands. Tearing a piece of cloth from the lining of my tunic, I bound the wound tightly. Then he opened his eyes and looked up into mine, confused and very afraid.
"Do not worry," I said, gently patting the wound. "I won't harm you. There has been enough fighting and death today..."
He opened his mouth to speak when suddenly his eyes widened at something behind me. Turning to see what it was, I was just in time to see a huge club descending toward my head. Ducking quickly, I rolled away and sprang to my feet. There before me stood another Centaur, whirling his club menacingly, a mad look in his eyes.
The one I had just assisted threw up a weak hand, saying something to the attacker, who shot hostile words back, pointing at me accusingly. They argued for a few moments until the second Centaur finally shouted him down. Then, before I could act, the intruding Centaur raised his club and brought it smashing down upon the head of his injured comrade. The sickening sound of crushing bones echoed thr
oughout the forest.
There was nothing else to do now but reach for my weapons, but when I did, they felt strange. As I pulled them out they seemed heavier than normal, and when I tried to push Rau into them, none came forth.
The mad Centaur rushed upon me, swinging his club in a sweeping arc. This time the weapon struck my shoulder, knocking me from my feet. Though the pain was terrible, I clutched my blades tightly as I hit the ground, hoping they would soon come to life. Then as I struggled to get to my feet, I noticed a new peril: the strength in my limbs was also leaving. Still I rose, weapons raised in defiance, as the merciless Centaur came in for another pass.
Noticing my faltering arms, he grinned hatefully and closed in, bringing his club down against my shoulder once again. This time the blow sent me tumbling head over heels through tall grasses and bushes. Struggling to my knees, I weighed my options, reluctantly deciding to flee. With my weapons still stubbornly clutched in my hands, I crawled through the vegetation in an effort to find an escape route. But a glance behind me revealed the cruel Centaur hovering nearby, tauntingly switching his club from one hand to the other.
I pulled free of the bushes and tried to run back toward the field of battle, but my assailant caught me quickly and struck another blow squarely in the middle of my back. Pain shot all the way to my feet and I fell to my knees, while the Centaur pranced around me. I tried to crawl the other way, back toward the mouth of the cave, but soon his hooved feet blocked that path also.
Then the Centaur gazed into my eyes, searching for signs of fear. Seeing none, he became irritated and smashed his club down upon my head. Blood flowed down into my eyes and my face landed hard in the dust.