Lorik The Defender (The Lorik Trilogy) Page 3

  “And are all men from the Marshlands of your quality?” she asked.

  “No,” Lorik said matter-of-factly. “My story is a long one, and there are those who tell it better than I can,” he said.

  “I wait with bated breath,” she said with a smile.

  “Let’s keep moving,” Lorik said, waving to Vera who was steering the wagon toward the group of women in the center of the refugees. “This is my friend, Vera. She will help carry the weakest women and children in the wagon.”

  “That will be a great help,” Issalyn said.

  “And please, take my horse,” he went on. “He isn’t much more than a plow horse really.”

  “He looks like a knightly steed,” Issalyn went on. “What’s his name?”

  “Drover,” Lorik said, trying to hide his embarrassment.

  Chapter 3

  The group stopped for a short time. Families rationed out the meager food they had, and the elderly were helped into the wagon. Vera took charge of the people hoping to hitch a ride, making sure that those with the greatest need were put on the wagon and those who could still walk easily were postponed. They were more than a week’s walk back to the camps set up along the northern border, and depending on how much the Leffers harassed them, they would have to keep moving at a steady pace. The number of people needing to ride on the wagon would only increase, so Vera was careful about who she allowed to ride with her.

  “Vera’s got that lot under control,” Lorik told Stone as they walked out to the rear of the group of refugees.

  Stone was walking now too, having given his horse to the queen. He and Lorik would walk the rest of the way, keeping to the most southern point of the large group. Lorik had sent scouts ahead of them, both to look for danger and for a defensible place to make camp. Other riders had been sent in search of food. Many of the abandoned farms still had food, although nothing in the quantities they would need to feed the entire group from Ort City. Still, there were many of the refugees who were too tired or too feeble to find food on their own. Lorik’s volunteers could move faster than the refugees and carry more of what they found. It was a good plan, even though it weakened their defenses.

  “You think we have enough men if another group of those monsters attacks?” Stone asked.

  “No,” Lorik said. “A group this size could attract hundreds of those things. Our best bet is to keep moving north as fast as possible.”

  “We can’t outrun them,” Stone said.

  “No, but they seem to be moving in small groups. Maybe we’ll get lucky and only have to fight one group at a time.”

  “So,” Stone asked as the group started moving again after their short break. “What did you think of the queen?”

  “She’s strong,” Lorik said. “She was upset to hear about King Oveer.”

  “That’s surprising,” Stone said. “I didn’t think he treated her very well.”

  “I guess love comes in all shapes and sizes. Or maybe she didn’t love him, but she knew him well enough to care about him. It’s always hard to hear about people you know dying.”

  “That’s true enough,” Stone said.

  “And the fact that these bloody monsters are just the first wave in a very wicked attack is enough bad news to set anyone on their heels.”

  “I can’t imagine it being worse than these horse monsters,” Stone said. “I’ll have nightmares about those creatures for the rest of my life.”

  “You surprise me,” Lorik said. “Is that fear I’m hearing.”

  “Damn right,” Stone said. “You’d have to be a fool not to be afraid of a creature like that.”

  “You never seem afraid when we have to fight them.”

  “Well I am,” he argued. “I never used to be afraid in a fight. I could just shut fear down. I would fight in a rage and lose all sense of anything else until the fight was over. Now I’m always afraid.”

  “Because you were hurt fighting the Norsik?”

  “No,” Stone said. “Although it is sobering to realize I’m not immortal. What I fear is losing Vera. If something happened to me, she would be all alone. It only takes one wrong move and those creatures would carry me away, or get past us and carry Vera away. I can’t get that fear out of my head.”

  “Well, I understand that,” Lorik said. “It’s natural. You love Vera; it makes you a better fighter and a better man, even if it is a difficult weight to bear.”

  “It is,” Stone said.

  “But you have to remember, if something happened to you, I would look after Vera.”

  “I know that, but I can’t rely on it. I trust you more than any man in the Five Kingdoms, yet I fear that you won’t take care of Vera, not really. It’s like I think I’m the only one who can do it.”

  “You’re the only one who can be everything Vera needs,” Lorik said. “I don’t think the way you feel is unreasonable.”

  “But it’s not rational either.”

  “Nothing about this situation is rational,” Lorik said. “Not me, not the creatures we’re fighting, not even the way any of us are thinking. But we’re facing it, as honestly as I think we can. There’s nothing more a man can do than that.”

  “I could run,” Stone said honestly, looking into Lorik’s eyes so that his friend knew that he was seriously contemplating what he was saying. “I could take her and get the hell out of here. We could go north, to Baskla or even the Highlands. We could find a place to hide, a place where she would be safe and I could defend her. Out here, we’re so exposed, anything could happen.”

  “You could,” Lorik said. “I wouldn’t blame you or even try to stop you. You’ve given more of yourself than anyone could expect. I would miss you both, but if you feel like that is the best thing for you to do, you should do it.”

  Stone shook his head. “You think I should?”

  “I think you’re fooling yourself,” Lorik said. “There is no place to hide. If we die here, perhaps it will mean something, but ultimately we’ll all have to face this danger, if it is as bad as the wizard predicted. And if it isn’t, then you’re just as well off here with us. I don’t think running and hiding would be good for you or for Vera, but I understand the desire.”

  “But what if we stay and we’re overrun?” Stone said. “I was helpless against the Norsik when they overran our camp. I had to send Vera away and then I wasn’t any use to anyone. I killed some of them, and managed to survive, but that was all.”

  “You did more than survive,” Lorik said. “You followed the raiders and took the fight to them.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you,” Stone said.

  “And I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. You didn’t need me. You were like some warrior from the old stories. You could have fought an entire army.”

  “No,” Lorik said. “I would have died fighting the Norsik if the wizard hadn’t saved me when he did.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Stone countered. “You were like a force of nature.”

  “I’m stronger with you beside me,” Lorik replied.

  They walked through the afternoon and eventually made camp for the night. The sprawling group took shelter near an abandoned village. Enough food and ale was found to feed the large group. Fires were kindled and everyone settled down for the night. Lorik found himself on watch once again. The moon was visible in the sky, but it was little more than a sliver. Lorik listened to the sounds of insects and night creatures as the noise from the camp finally settled down.

  There were other men from Lorik’s volunteers standing watch around the large group. Stone would come and relieve Lorik halfway through the night. Everything that could be taken care of in regard to the large group of refugees was being done, but Lorik was nervous. He feared what might happen if they were attacked. His men knew how to fight the monsters, but the group of refugees were scared. It wouldn’t take much to send them into a panic. He had no way to protect them if they didn�
�t stay together. The monsters weren’t rational; they didn’t fight strategically, but they were drawn to weakness. If the group of refugees scattered, the monsters would too, avoiding Lorik’s men and picking off the fleeing villagers.

  “You seem tense,” Issalyn said.

  She had come up quietly behind him. He was well away from the camp, standing in the darkness. It was cold and he was wrapped in a thick cloak, his swords strapped to his back and his hands tucked neatly into his belt. He didn’t turn to look at Issalyn, although he felt a shiver of excitement knowing she had come to him.

  “I am,” he said quietly.

  “Why? Are we not safe?”

  “No,” he said.

  “But surely we have you to protect us,” she said. “I am not afraid.”

  “You are very trusting,” Lorik said. “The problem isn’t our ability to fight. It’s the fact that there are so many of you to protect. If we come under attack, I’m not sure how things will turn out.”

  “Do you think there will be another attack?”

  “We fought a large group of the creatures not far from here two days ago,” Lorik explained. “There’s no reason to believe more couldn’t find us. If they do, my men will fight and you must keep these people together. If they scatter, we can’t protect them.”

  “When did our world come crumbling down, Lorik?” Issalyn said. “Things weren’t good before, but we didn’t battle nightmares come to life.”

  “I don’t know,” Lorik said. “Things always change; all we can do is change with them.”

  “I don’t like these changes.”

  “You miss your castle?”

  “I miss everything and nothing,” Issalyn said.

  “I would not pretend to understand a queen’s life.”

  “I was queen,” Issalyn said. “I had everything, except what I truly wanted. Did you know my husband?”

  “No,” Lorik said. “I was just a simple man. I hauled freight out of the Marshlands.”

  “You were a teamster?”

  “Yes, like my father and his father. It was a good life, but not the one I was destined for.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I spent years doing the things I knew, the things that were familiar and easy. I thought that was all there was to life. But then things changed, and I realized I wasn’t happy just doing what my father had done. I needed more, even though I didn’t know what it was I needed.”

  “And what did you need?” Issalyn asked stepping closer to Lorik and putting her hand on his massive arm.

  “Purpose,” he said.

  “What purpose? What is it that you found that makes you so sure of yourself?”

  “I have a deep need to protect the people I care about,” Lorik said. “My journey had taught me that I’ll never be happy sitting back and letting people suffer, even if I have all the best things in life.”

  “So, you are a protector. I admire that. My husband should have been the protector of our people, but he was only interested in pleasing himself.”

  “I would not judge,” Lorik said.

  “But I can judge. I was his wife. I knew him as well as any woman, and better than most men. He was a pig. He was selfish and unfaithful. He provided for me only because he felt that it added to his prestige.”

  “I’ve known women who would gladly trade you places any day,” Lorik said. “At least he didn’t beat you.”

  “There are other kinds of abuse,” Issalyn said.

  “True enough, and I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be, it is over now. Everything we have known is over.”

  “You are still queen,” Lorik said.

  “You and I both know that my crown,” she brushed the golden band with its many jewels, “is only temporary. I am queen because there is no king, but when that changes, I shall be swept aside.”

  “Perhaps, but I doubt it,” Lorik said with confidence. “Our people need you now more than ever.”

  “They need a protector,” she said.

  “They also need someone to give them hope and lead them into a safe future.”

  “And you think I can do that?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Lorik said. “I do. I think, even if you desire a different life, that for now you should be the rallying point for our people.”

  “Vera tells me that you are a king,” Issalyn said. “She says that the forest elves in the Wilderlands made you their king.”

  “No,” Lorik said. “They have given me the privilege of being their representative to our people. But I am not a king.”

  “She said you climbed the King Tree and that the elves consider you the king of Ortis.”

  “I think that is more about what Vera thinks should be than what actually is.”

  “You carry legendary swords,” Issalyn said, moving to stand in front of Lorik. She put one hand on his shoulder. “You have a home in the Wilderlands with forest elves. You have a desire to protect the people of Ortis. I say that makes a very good candidate to be king.”

  “I have no noble heritage. Someone else surely has more claim to the throne than I do.”

  “No,” Issalyn said. “Everyone with a claim to the throne went south with Oveer. None have returned and if what your wizard friend said is true, none will. So that leaves you.”

  “First we must ensure that we have a kingdom, then we can worry about who should rule. In the meantime, you should get some rest.”

  “You don’t like having me here with you?”

  “I do like it,” Lorik said honestly.

  He felt his face blush with Queen Issalyn standing so close to him. He was glad it was dark so she couldn’t see it.

  “Do I make you nervous?” she asked.

  “Yes, my lady.”

  “Why? Am I not just a woman?”

  “No,” Lorik said more firmly than he meant to. “I mean, you are the Queen of Ortis. I am a simple man. I’m afraid I might offend you.”

  “You have come to my rescue,” she said softly. “You will not offend me, Lorik. How would you treat me if I weren’t the queen?”

  “I would—”

  He was cut off in mid-sentence by the sound of shouting.

  “What is it?” Issalyn asked.

  “Shush!” he said, listening.

  There was shouting and cries of terror, but also the distant sound of humming wings.

  “It’s the monsters,” Lorik said. “Go, my lady. Return to your people.”

  “I feel safer with you,” she said.

  “I must go and face this threat.”

  “Don’t leave me,” she said, suddenly throwing her arms around him.

  Lorik wasn’t sure what to do. He liked Issalyn; she was beautiful and alluring, but he couldn’t do what he needed to do with her clinging to him like a frightened child.

  “Lorik!” came a shout from the camp.

  “Come on,” Lorik said, pulling Issalyn by the arm.

  He had to force himself not to think of the fact that he was dragging the Queen of Ortis behind him as he ran. He needed to get to the source of the commotion and if Issalyn wouldn’t leave him, he would have to take her with him.

  Chapter 4

  “What is happening?” Lorik shouted as he came to a clump of his volunteers.

  The people in the camp were near panic.

  “The monsters are coming,” said one of Lorik’s men.

  “I can hear that. What’s the commotion about?”

  The men all looked ashamed.

  “Alright, so we’re a little jumpy,” Lorik said. “But the monsters haven’t reached us yet. Get your horses and your weapons ready.”

  “What can we do?” Vera asked. She was out of breath from running with Stone from their place in the camp to the point of the commotion.

  “I need a fire,” Lorik said. “A big one, right here,” he pointed to the ground. “Get the people here to help you. We need to keep everyone calm until we know what we’re dealing with.”

  �
��How can we know?” Issalyn said. “It’s too dark to see.”

  “Stone and I will scout the situation,” Lorik said. “My volunteers will form a line on this side of the fire.” He turned to the men nearest him. “I want three men with fire arrows stationed here. When the enemy comes in sight, have them shoot the arrows up. That should give us enough light to see by.”

  “Yes, my lord,” said one of the volunteers eagerly.

  “And keep everyone else on the far side of the fire,” Lorik told Vera. “They must stay together. We can only protect them if they stay together.”

  Lorik turned to Issalyn. “Go with Vera. Keep your shieldmaidens close.”

  “I would feel better if you stayed,” she said.

  “I must do my part. Now is the time for you to do yours.”

  He didn’t wait for her reply. He guessed that Issalyn wasn’t a woman who was used to being told no. He turned to Stone, who was waiting patiently, and with a nod they dashed out into the darkness.

  Neither man spoke. They knew what needed to be done. The sound of the monsters’ whirring wings grew louder. The night was gloomy, but eventually they saw the horse creatures, with their scorpion tails and the upper bodies of men. They were moving slowly, their wings buzzing like hummingbirds, their heads down.

  “Are they awake?” Stone whispered?

  “I don’t know, but they’re moving slower than normal.”

  “We’ve never fought them in the darkness,” Stone said. “Do you have a plan?”

  “No,” Lorik said. “I was hoping to get an idea of their numbers.”

  “I can’t tell in the dark,” Stone said.

  “Me either, but it doesn’t seem to be more than we fought the other day.”

  “Do we take them on ourselves?”

  “No, not in the dark,” Lorik said. “In fact, it might be better if we pushed on. If we could get the group moving, we could probably stay ahead of this lot until sunup.”

  “I doubt we could get everyone awake and ready to march,” Stone said. “Half of that lot is on the verge of coming up lame. I wouldn’t push them.”

  “Then we need to get back. Perhaps we can lure the monsters into a trap.”

  “What have you got in mind?”