Richard Tuttle - Elvangar

Emperor Marak thought for a moment before answering. “Stay hidden where you are. We are going to start moving forward to see what their intent is. If they attack us, attack them. Try to drive them onto the trail.”

“I shall do as you say,” replied MistyTrail.

“This is important, MistyTrail,” cautioned the Emperor. “Do not under any circumstances attack a tiger. Do you understand?”

“No,” admitted MistyTrail. “I don’t think there are any tigers in these woods, but if I see one I will not attack it.”

“That goes for all of us,” the Torak announced to those around him. “Mistake, inform Eltor of our plan. Also let him know about the tiger.”

Mistake nodded and wove an air tunnel to Eltor. She passed along the Emperor’s message. When she was done, the party mounted their horses. The Emperor waved his hand at Mistake and Caldal indicating that they should lag behind somewhat. Gunta and Halman moved to Marak’s left side to shield him from any attack. They rode slowly along the trail.

Suddenly a mighty roar was heard throughout the forest just as the attackers made their move. The tiger raced forward and leaped onto the back of one of the humans. Its powerful jaws opened wide and its teeth sunk deep into the man’s neck. The man screamed loudly as he fell to the ground, his hands trying to reach behind himself to grab the tiger. The tiger snapped the man’s neck and growled again. Several arrows were fired at it, but the tiger darted to one side. The arrows slammed into the fallen man. While the archers were reaching for more arrows, the tiger charged them with a mighty roar. Two of the men instantly turned and ran. The third tried frantically to nock his arrow as his eyes were focused on the charging beast. He failed.

The tiger leaped at the man, knocking him to the ground. The man’s arms grabbed the tiger and tried to hold his mouth away from him, but the tiger was too powerful. The tiger’s teeth snapped closed on the man’s throat. The man’s scream instantly died.

When the two attackers ran out of the forest, a hail of arrows struck them down. Emperor Marak leaped off his horse and ran towards the bodies. He unsheathed the Sword of Torak and brought it down on the first body. It disappeared in a puff of smoke. He repeated the procedure on the second body.

Suddenly the tiger appeared. It dragged a body out of the woods and dropped it on the road. It immediately turned and reentered the forest. Emperor Marak brought his sword down on the new body and watched it disappear.

“I do not believe this,” Caldal said as he watched the tiger reenter the forest. “Is that beast actually helping us?”

No one answered as MistyTrail dragged another body out of the forest and dropped it on the road. The Torak dispatched the hellsoul and sheathed his sword.

“That tiger is quicker than me,” frowned MistyTrail. “I already had the air tunnel woven when he suddenly attacked. I guess I should be thankful.”

“We should all be thankful,” smiled the Emperor. “Those of you who did not chose a sword for your weapon must get one. If decapitation is the key to vanquishing these creatures, you will need a weapon that can accomplish that. Knives and bows will not help to destroy them. That will only slow them down. We will go shopping when we get to Meliban.”

Unseen by the others, Axor walked out of the woods where his horse and MistyTrail’s were still tethered. He untied them both and walked along the road to rejoin the party. Caldal stared at the Chula shaman with questioning eyes. Axor ignored the gaze and handed MistyTrail the reins to her horse.

“We have expended enough time here,” announced the Emperor. “Let’s ride on.”

* * *

Rejji and Bakhai rode into the city of Meliban. Thousands of workers were moving to and fro as the city expanded outward. Rejji swelled with pride for the Fakaran people as he saw how far the development had progressed. The city center was fully developed, and the marketplace was filled with buyers and sellers. Everyone shouted and waved as they noticed the Astor riding through the city.

Rejji rode straight for the administration building. The brothers dismounted and tied their horses to the rail outside. They marched up the steps and into the building.

“Rejji!” greeted Marshal Wyant as he quickly crossed the entry foyer. “How was the trip from Taggot?”

“Gratefully uneventful,” answered Rejji. “I am hearing more and more tales of random murders, though. I witnessed one attempt in Taggot. A hellsoul tried to attack Adger. This does not bode well for our people.”

“No it doesn’t,” agreed Wyant. “We have had six deaths here in the last week. The people are getting quite nervous. We did receive a message from Khadora recently. They say that decapitation kills the hellsouls. I have not had a chance to verify it yet.”

“Find a way to verify it quickly,” advised the Astor. “You are joining Bakhai and me on a trip. I would like this issue settled before we leave.”

“Where are we going?” asked the marshal.

“Angragar,” Rejji replied. “Do not tell anyone. Emperor Marak and his people should be arriving at any time, if they are not here already.”

“They have not entered the city yet,” replied Wyant. “I would have known about it. Are they going with us?”

“They are,” confirmed Rejji. “There are eight of them coming from Khadora. Another four will be coming from the Sakova.”

“A large party,” Wyant responded with raised eyebrows. “What is the purpose of this trip?”

“There are several purposes,” explained Rejji. “One is the need to learn more about the prophecies that we must deal with. We must know as much about what is to happen as we can. How long will it take you to get ready?”

“Less than an hour,” answered the marshal. “I will have Yojji take over for me here.”

“I am sure you will have more notice than that,” smiled Rejji. “I imagine that the Torak’s party will want to rest overnight when they arrive.”

A tribesman ran into the building. He saw Wyant and ran over to him.

“A party of foreigners is approaching the city,” he reported. “We counted eight of them.”

“Go back and escort them to the inn across the street,” ordered Wyant. “I will wait for them there.”

The tribesman nodded and ran out of the building. Rejji shook his head and looked at Wyant.

“Do you keep track of everyone coming and going from Meliban?” he asked.

“Anyone who arouses any suspicion,” nodded Wyant. “Or special people,” he added with a grin. “I was informed of your arrival as well. The advance notice gave me time to get things cleared up before you arrived here. Shall we cross the street and wait for Emperor Marak?”

Rejji, Bakhai, and Wyant crossed the street and entered the Kheri Inn. The common room was huge and hosted dozens of long tables. Most of the tables were occupied with workers taking a break from the workday. Wyant walked up to the innkeeper, Tutman.

“Special guests are arriving in a moment,” the Marshal said softly. “There will be eight of them. Make sure that their every wish is granted.”

“It will be as you wish, Wyant,” nodded the innkeeper. “I will even prepare a special meal for them.”

Wyant turned and stared at the tables in the common room. “Should we get a table for our guests?”

“I would wait and let them choose,” answered Rejji. “If I know Marak, he would want the corner table, and it is already occupied.”

“Why the corner?” asked the Marshal.

“So his back is not exposed,” shrugged Rejji. “He never says much about security, but he is constantly thinking about it. Even the way he walks is subconsciously calculated to avoid being trapped. He is a very careful man.”