05.09.2005: Answers to reviews removed. See chapter 3 for details.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part in Eddings' work, and I do not intend to make a profit out of this fic.
Current Music: OST – DDR Extreme (Game comes out here in fall, yay! Need... to... jump... around! DROP THE BOMB!)
CHAPTER 19
Rain fell on the horses and their riders as they made their way through the hills that surrounded the Pelosian city of Alaris. Their stay there had been a short one, as they had not wanted to lose time.
It had been raining for the last two weeks, almost as though the clouds were weeping for the demise of Dorgatan's incarnation. They had left the innkeeper in Lenda alive, just as Polgara had told the snake – after all, he did not even remember what he had done after Zoltach had disposed of the snake for her quick tongue. But it had been to late – the name of Ctuchik had fallen, and the element of surprise was lost for the Grolim.
The morning they had left Lenda for Alaris, they had found that Zandail had vanished. He had been the manifestation of Dorgatan's need for fast transportation, so he, too, had had to go when his master had stopped breathing.
Aphrael, furious at Zoltach's gall, had put her foot down when some of the knights had suggested staying in Lenda for one more night to re-evaluate their strategy.
"What's there to evaluate?", she asked, her eyes flashing. "We'll just follow the general direction the flow of energy took before Zoltach split it up – there's only so far we can go that way without falling into the sea of Zemoch."
And so they had departed. Now, after riding for a little more than two weeks of constant rain, camping outside on the soaked floor and not being able to cook their food most of the time, tempers were running high; they did not talk much to each other, lest they receive a snappy remark in response.
Dusk was about to fall, and it was time for them to set up their tents. Wordlessly, Belgarath, Ulath, Bevier and Sparhawk started working on this task, while Tynian went off to try and find some dry wood for a fire. Vanion, who had been feeding the horses, tried to lighten up the mood by asking the Genidian knight:
"Ulath, whose turn is it..."
"Don't!", Polgara snapped at him. "I will cook!" Muttering, she stalked off to the packhorse to get some supplies.
Vanion, taken aback by her tone, murmured "Yes, milady General..." to himself. THAT got Ulath and Bevier to laugh.
An hour later, a small fire crackled in front of the tents, and all of the group were chewing on a savory vegetable stew and warmed up bread. Finally, Belgarath broke the silence by asking Aphrael:
"Divine One, can you tell us how Dorgatan is right now? Is he recovering from the death of his incarnation?"
The Child Goddess sighed. "I can't tell, Belgarath. Right now, I cannot feel his presence – but that does not have to mean anything. He could have left the world for a while, until he has control over himself again. His worshippers know about what happened and are comforting him with their prayers right now, and I gave some of my people the permission to help with his recovery, as well – hopefully, he will be back soon."
Belgarath and Polgara exchanged a guilty look at that – they had not prayed to Dorgatan at all, although their contract stated that they had to. Even now, when he obviously needed the love of his worshippers, they had not even tried to pray for his recovery!
During the next few minutes, they sat there in silence, with the two sorcerers trying to compose a prayer that would give the Styric Messenger-God strength.
Their thoughts were interrupted abruptly when a loud roar shattered the damp silence that encompassed them. The knights immediately jumped up, their swords drawn even before a number of responding howls and snarls sounded all around them. They were surrounded!
Aphrael cursed. "There are no men among those warriors – they are Zoltach's creatures! Be very careful – most of them might be poisonous, and their poisons will not grant you a quick death!"
It was dark by now – thankfully, the rain had let up, and a large, full moon stood high in the sky. That made it easier for the knights to see the things when they finally decided to attack.
Some of them looked almost human, if it had not been for the scales that covered their faces and hands. They were armed with large, sickle-like implements, and two rows of teeth shimmered evilly in both of their jaws. Others were outright reptilian – they walked on two powerful hind legs, the tiny front legs adorned with claws. Their snarling, hissing and bellowing got louder as they closed in on the group, which had formed a circle, their backs to the fire, their weapons pointed at the reptiles.
Calmly, Sephrenia looked at Vanion, Aphrael, Belgarath and Polgara. "I believe we must take action now," she said softly. "The knights won't be able to do much to those creatures with their swords and axes – that is why Zoltach sent them, after all. What he doesn't know is that you two and you, my dear, are capable of the magic to defeat them, as well. If it was only for Aphrael and me, we might be in danger; but together, we can send them back to their own realm – or destroy them, if necessary. Use the banishment spell for animal spirits, and if that doesn't work, use the Death Spell – but remember to supply 'argalexmentack' for 'tarklexmentack', we are not dealing with humans here, after all..."
"The knights don't know the Death Spell, I take it?", Polgara asked.
Sephrenia smiled at her. "If they do, they didn't learn it from me or my associates. They kill with swords, not magic."
"Will our magic work, anyway?", Belgarath added. "After all, Dorgatan is not available right now..."
"I will aid you until he is back," Aphrael promised.
While they were talking, the lizard soldiers had come dangerously close. The knights raised their weapons, ready to charge, while the two sorcerers, Sephrenia and Vanion started weaving their spells and Aphrael blew an aggressive staccato melody on her pipes.
They released their magic all at once; the air crackled as five of the lizardmen simply winked out of existence. Sephrenia's theory about their attackers being impervious to regular weapons had been right; one of them brushed off Ulath's signature axe blow to the head as if the tall Genidian had just patted him with a hand, and Bevier's lochaber bounced off arms and legs as though it was made of cloth. The knights jumped back – they had not forgotten about Aphrael's warning of poison – as the spells struck home a second time.
And then, suddenly, a single, powerful word resounded in the air – and the remaining beasts' heads exploded with an oozing noise. The area was sprayed with blood and brains as the group looked around in confusion to find the person who had killed their attackers.
And then they caught sight of him: A tall, handsome man, who stepped down the small hill next to their tents, waving at them in greeting. Belgarath was the only one aside from Aphrael to recognize him. While the Child Goddess just beamed at her cousin (or brother – what did those terms mean to the Younger Gods, after all?), he said:
"Welcome back, Dorgatan. I trust you are better?"
Dorgatan laughed at that. His long, black hair was tied together at the neck with a leather strip, and his white shirt did not conceal the wiry muscles underneath it. White teeth flashed at the group in a typical Dorgatan grin, as he answered:
"I can't fool you, can I, Belgarath? I almost wished I could keep you and Polgara, but I don't think your Aldur would be very happy with me – and he doesn't sound as though I could risk his wrath! Ho, Zandail – come here, your friends are down here!"
And truly, a whinny sounded from afar, and not a minute later, the huge, black stallion galloped down the hill to join the other horses.
Aphrael returned the Messenger-God's grin. "I take it our relatives have allowed you to bend the rules a little?"
Dorgatan's face turned grim, although his smile didn't quite vanish from his face. Suddenly, the good-natured boy – the good-natured MAN – looked dangerous in his rage.
"You know how it goes, Aphrael – they play dirty, we play dirty. You wouldn't have been allowed to tamper with Bhelliom if Azash hadn't broken the rules – and I wouldn't have been able to use the Word against your attackers, if it hadn't been for the assassination of my incarnation. He is allowed to kill my worshippers, but not me – unfair, but those are the rules. He breaks them, he suffers. And I intend to make him suffer dearly!"
Then, he sat down next to the fire and looked at them expectantly.
"What are you waiting for? Tell me what I missed! And by the way, Belgarath, Polgara: Your prayers were just excellent! Don't worry so much while making them up, I am used to much cruder compositions..."
Okay, here we go! Only one chapter tonight, as it is already dawning... and I am tired... next update soon!
Comments appreciated!