Thank you, one and all, for the reviews! I felt the love! I am so very grateful for all of my faithful reviews who have stuck with me this long. Your approval means the most to me.
All the same, I am a tad irked that I'm only getting three reviews per chapter, and usually it's from the same people (not that I don't appreciate your suggestions and comments, like I said, I depend on your criticism). With all the cliched stories that are being put out, I would think people would like something original. If you're reading, please, please, please review, so that I may know more than eight people are reading.
Disclaimer: Seriously?
Chapter 8
Galian slept little that night. He awoke very early and in a very foul mood. The weather matched his disposition, and the day began with a dreary, wet fog that seemed to have no hopes of lessening at all during the day. He waited with increasing tension until he heard Silex stirring downstairs. He dressed and descended, and saw that Ulric was sitting beside the door, in much the same state. Galian sat on the sofa beside him, saying quietly, "We must leave. Today."
The wolf neither agreed nor disagreed, but said, "I have the worst feeling about today, Galian. I felt it when I awoke."
"It's the weather, I imagine. The fog in particular gives one a nasty feeling."
"No, sir, I mean I really feel as if something terrible is going to happen today. Call it a sixth sense. Impending doom waits for those who walk outside this house."
"You're beginning to sound like a centaur."
"Sir Galian, please, listen to me..."
"Ulric, I am listening. Believe it or not, I am absolutely positive we will be attacked today or tomorrow. But if I'm going to fight, I'm going to do it away from my home, away from all my workers who have no reason to be involved."
"But the forest is not at all defensible. In the house, you can withstand them."
"Yes, but for how long? How long until we run out of food or they set fire to my home and my land?"
Ulric sighed, "You're leaving today?"
"Yes, I am. The longer I stay the more endangered everyone is."
"Where will you go?"
"Anvard. I only hope Queen Eleytheria will be in an understanding mood."
"I shall go with you."
Galian sharply drew in his breath, "That may not be a good idea, Ulric."
"Why not, sir?"
"Like you said, very likely something awful is about to happen. I don't want you caught in the middle or it all, not after all you've done for me."
"Sir Galian, I am probably nearly as experienced in warfare as you are. I am perfectly capable of handling myself, and I know the risks involved. Besides, if I accompany you, I will be able to tell Queen Eleytheria first hand of the dangers of these men."
"That should delay your homecoming further, I'm afraid."
"I know."
They announced their departure to a surprised and rather cranky Silex, gave Filius orders to tell the dwarves, who would arrive in the next few days, where they had gone, wrapped the spell book and the papers in a brown paper package, and stuffed it into Galian's saddlebags. He was dressed in full battle gear, earning him a confused glare from Silex. The journey was not a pleasant one, neither wolf nor man speaking at all, both trying their hardest to see any potential enemies through the thick mist or trying to hear the sound of approaching assailants over Dancer's hoofbeats.
It was just after noon when they reached the pass to Archenland. Here they allowed themselves a short rest and a little to eat. Galian had just dismounted and pulled some bread out of his saddlebags when he heard the most peculiar noise. It was the sound of a bird, though no bird he had ever heard before. It's chirping was rather low-pitched, and the notes were held far longer than a small bird could be expected to hold. The worst part of it was, he could hear at least five, distinct voices.
Ulric had noticed it long before Galian had. With head raised and tail erect, he listened more intently, then said softly, "That's not right..."
"They've found us. Come on."
He leapt onto Dancer's back as quick as he could, but it was too late. They had not gone four paces before their way was barred by five green cloaked men. He tried to turn around, only to find that way blocked by five more members of the Serpens Russus.
From the group blocking the road to Archenland stepped forth a rather large fellow, with balding black hair, an ugly, unshaven face, and a voice that reminded Galian of the dim-witted but kindly talking bears that lived in Narnia, though this man was by far neither dim-witted nor kind.
"Hand it over, Sir Galian, or you shall see your end,"he said.
"Hand what over?"Galian asked cautiously, trying to buy himself more time.
The leader, for that is what he was, laughed, "Don't play games with me, boy. I am no fool. You have in your possession a spell book and a map our master would very much like to have. If you give them to me, I shall spare you and your friend."
"Only to kill us another day?"
The leader flashed a humored, poisonous smile, "Really, Sir Galian, that is your decision. It would be wise to not resist the Mightiest Sorcerer who ever lived."
"And if I do not resist, you shall spare my life and that of my friend?"Galian asked, not believing for a moment that they would.
"We will,"the man proclaimed, though mockery was evident in his face.
"You underestimate my will, sir. I see through your lies."
"Then you shall die."
"Again you underestimate me. Ten? I have faced worse odds many times before."
"Yes, but had your opponents the power of the Almighty Sorcerer?"
Galian withdrew his sword and pointed it at the leader, "We shall see what good the power of your Sorcerer does against the strength of Aslan."
The leader attacked. Galian followed suit. The remaining nine were supposed to follow their leader, but instead watched in awe as the two clashed. Galian dove under their leader's sword and drove his blade into the ill-fated one's armpit, and dark blood spurted forth. Ulric took advantage of their unpreparedness, and in an instant his teeth were at someone's throat. In two strokes Galian had cut the leg of one and the head off another, and left Ulric to face the last of that group as he turned to face the fast-approaching five. He charged again, catching one poor fool's unprotected side and cut off another's arm. His next opponent dodged his lunge, and the tip of the enemy's point went through Galian's chain mail and into his side. Galian dealt the fiend a stab to the neck, doing his best to ignore the crippling pain in his left side. Ulric had finished the fourth, though Galian noticed with horror the large, dark red patch on Ulric's chest. The remaining attacker threw down his weapons and ran for his life, but Galian caught up with him easily. After a slight scuffle, he tied and gagged the prisoner, and set him on Dancer, then inspected his wounds. It was an annoying little cut to his left side that would be very sore for a long time, but his life was not in any sort of danger. Cursing a bit, he moved to Ulric.
"You can say 'I told you so' now,"he told him.
The wolf only wheezed in reply. Concerned, Galian bent down and inspected the stab wound. It bled freely, and Ulric made a sucking sound as he tried to breathe. It was as Galian feared; the blade had pierced Ulric's lungs.
"We've got to get you to a centaur immediately."
"No,"Ulric replied, speaking in a forced tone as if it were difficult to speak, "we've got to get the package to Anvard, before we're attacked again."
"You won't make it to Archenland,"Galian said fearfully.
"Of course I will make it,"Ulric said, trying to stand, blood dropping as he arose, "But it does not matter if I do or not. That package means the end of us all, Galian. You must get it to safety."
Galian looked from his saddlebags, where the package was hidden, to his injured friend. Ulric had already risked so much for Galian. Galian had no intention of leaving him here to die.
He pulled the prisoner off of Dancer, and cut the ropes that bound him, "Leave, before I change my mind,"he ordered him.
"You soft, weak man,"the man spat, standing, "do you really believe locks and safes will stop the Sorcerer? Do you really believe that he will not search the highest mountain, the deepest river, or the most barren and desolate of places if it means recovering that spell book? He will stop at nothing, Sir Galian, and he will kill everyone who comes between him and his goal."
Galian's sword jumped out before the man could avoid it. He fell to the ground, waiting for death, but it did not come. He stood and felt the sticky blood on his burning right cheek. It was a nasty cut, but more than likely not fatal.
"Give that to your Sorcerer,"Galian spat in his own vicious voice. The man stumbled away, and Galian, with more strength than he knew he had, lifted up a fainting Ulric and put him before himself in the seat, and together, the two started as quickly as they could for Anvard.
They were a sight to see, rushing through the crowded streets, a wolf sitting before a dirty, bloodied knight. Upon entering the courtyard, Galian called for a centaur. Ulric was still breathing, but it came in labored gasps. He was quickly fainting. He was carried to the medical room, and Galian, without any further ado, took the brown parcel out of his saddlebags and raced into the castle. He met Elisud upon entering, who surveyed him with puzzlement.
"What the devil have you been up to?"
"Take me to the Queen. Now!"
Elisud knew his friend well, and could sense this was not the time to ask questions, though there were many on his mind. Hastily, the pair walked through the corridors and up several flights of stairs, to Queen Eleytheria's personal office. She was in a meeting with an important-looking man from Galma, and they looked up with bewilderment and surprise as a battle-worn Galian entered.
"Your highness, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I've something very important to discuss with you."
The man stood, muttering, "Can't it wait?" but the Queen took one look at Galian's state and gracefully dismissed the Galmian. As soon as he was gone, she asked, "What is it?"
Galian explained all he could without mentioning the spell book and map outright. Queen Eleytheria, however, was not going to let him use her without an explanation.
"What is in this package, Galian, that makes the Serpens Russus want to kill you?"
"I'm afraid I cannot say, your majesty."
"You do not know?"
"I do know. But, your majesty, Ulric and I found it best to tell no one what it was."
She eyed him suspiciously, and he grew increasingly uncomfortable, "Your highness, we have reason to believe that in this package is a tool that if, having fallen into the wrong hands, it could mean the end of Narnia and Archenland. If word of the exact properties of this tool were to get around, even the most virtuous man would be captivated by its power."
The Queen back into her chair, pressing her fingertips together, "So you do not believe me capable of keeping a secret?"
Galian flushed, "No, your highness, it is absolutely improbable that you should do anything to jeopardize Archenland. However, there are some who could very well be spies. If word, even word you thought to be spoken in the dark hours of the night, were to spread, your very life would be in danger, and the lives of all who knew."
"So you are protecting me, then?"she asked, in a rather patronized tone.
Galian sighed, slightly impatient, "Your highness, I set out from my home this morning with the greatest attempt at secrecy I could devise. I and my companion were attacked before we even reached Archenland. They knew exactly where I was going, and I'm sure they knew what I had. The spies are everywhere, your highness. No one is safe. Right now, only one other knows of the properties of this package. And he is in the infirmary right now, fighting for his life. In short, your majesty, everyone who knows either dies, or is on the side of the Sorcerer. It is for your safety, and the safety of Archenland, that the contents of the package remain unknown."
Queen Eleytheria was motionless during and after this speech, her expression unreadable.
"Your highness,"he said quickly, "do you trust my judgement?"
She regarded him for a moment, then said, almost reluctantly, "Yes. I do."
"Will you trust me now when I say this is the worst weapon to ever endanger the lives of Archenlanders and Narnians alike? And will you trust my advice that it should be thrown into the deepest, darkest, most hidden safe in Anvard?"
She gave an annoyed sigh, and said, "Alright. I do trust you, Galian. If you say this is dangerous, I will keep it locked away."
"And secret?"
"And secret."
She took the package from Galian, led him through the side door into one room and out the side door of another, through three rooms, before they reached her personal office, located beside her bedroom. She lifted a loose stone in the floor, and under that stone was a safe. Galian looked politely away (besides fearing for his life should he be suspected of trying to interpret the safe's combination) as the Queen entered the combination and the door of the safe swung open with a creak. She placed the brown package inside the safe. When all had been locked and replaced, she stood, and asked Galian, "If you think this Sorcerer is all knowing and so very informed, how do we know he does not know of that safe? Or the combination?"
"We can't know,"Galian replied, "We can only hope he doesn't."
They left the office, neither saying anything more. Indeed, Galian might have been too exhausted by this time to make small talk. As they walked, Eleytheria glanced curiously at the mass of blood on Galian's left side.
"Were you wounded?"she asked.
In his haste, and the importance of the situation, Galian had quite forgotten his injury, "Oh, yes, I suppose I was. Only a scratch,"he added, "I suppose I've become quite accustomed to piercing blades."
"All the same, you should have that looked at. It would not do for the best swordsman in the north to die of an infection."
"I shall. My friend is currently being attended to by the physicians. I was going that way anyway."
He was bitterly tired and the long walk to the other side of the castle, where the infirmary was located, did not help matters much, but as he neared, newfound anxiety gave him strength. Ulric was alright, he admonished himself. He had to be.
Aoife and Elisud were waiting outside, Aoife sitting in a chair with her head in her hands, and Elisud was pacing to and fro.
"How's Ulric? Is he alright?"Galian asked them.
Elisud and Aoife exchanged glances before Aoife stood and took Galian by the hands, "I'm so sorry, Galian. He's dead."
Galian felt himself go numb. He looked into the tearful eyes of Aoife, expecting to see doubt, or perhaps that she was jesting, even if it was the worst sort of one.
"No..."Galian said, shaking his head and backing away from her, "No. He can't be dead."
"Oh, Galian,"she sobbed, and fell into his shoulder. He was too stunned to hold her, too stunned to even move. Tears filled his eyes, but he managed to keep them from falling. No, it was a lie. Ulric wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead. Ulric was hardy, steadfast, it took more than a poke in the chest to stop him. No, it wasn't true. It wasn't fair. After all Ulric had sacrificed...he spent months on end away from his family at Galian's request, he stayed so long down in that horrid, smelly room searching painstakingly for the spell book, had nearly sold his life helping Galian defeat those murderous anarchists. After all he had done, why should death be his reward?
Elisud had not looked at either of them since Galian arrived. He had not known Ulric personally, but still there was a grieved, almost sick look on his face. He saw Galian staring at him, and said softly, "Do you realize what this means?"
Aoife looked up as Galian shook his head. Elisud answered, "It means the Queen will now finally realize the threat in the west. It means that she will soon ask me to muster the army. It means we shall soon have to go to war. And it means that construction for your castle will be delayed indefinitely."
P.S. As you can tell, I'm much better at capturing emotions than I am at capturing action. I hope the fight scene wasn't too badly done. Review, please!
