Eranithia: Prophecies: Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Mark continued his training with his new sword instead of Seth's wooden ones. After three days since receiving his sword, they'd received a response from Arnath demanding they hand Broc over or face his men. Two days have past since receiving Arnath's threat.

Seth told them Arnath had already sent men on a hard march to the meeting place Arnath had chosen. Seth could care less where the meeting place was to be. He'd practically raised himself in the Blood Mountains for the past ten years and no one in history had been known to last more than a few days. So, after having lived in the most dangerous place known to man, Seth wasn't afraid of a few of Arnath's soldiers.

They were to meet the Onyx Battlefield at noon the next day. The Onyx Battlefield was at the foot of the Blood Mountains. Long before the Blood Mountains had received their name, a great battle took place in this specific field. In fact, it was for ownership over the land because below it the soil was rich with the precious onyx stone.

Seth was drilling more tactics and advice into Mark's head everyday, but he felt he was nearing his limit.

“I don't think I can fit anymore information into my brain, Seth. Anything else you tell me won't stick.”

Seth laughed, slapping Mark on the shoulder, and said, "I know it's a lot, but you will do fine. Just keep your head."

Mark looked at him wide eyed as Seth entered the cabin ahead of him. He didn't know what Seth meant by saying "keep your head." Did he mean to keep your head in the fight, or not to let someone lop it off? Both seemed pretty important. If his head wasn't clear he would lose his it...literally.

He stepped into the cabin, washed for dinner in the water basin next to the door, then took his seat at the table. Mark ate what he could in silence, however, his stomach was in so many knots he wasn't sure if he could keep anything down, despite his hunger.

"Drink this," Arland said putting a steaming mug in front of him. "It'll help with your nerves."

Mark looked around and saw that nobody seemed to be paying any attention to him. Looking up at Arland, the Elf gave Mark a wink and a smile as he said, "Just drink it." He was speaking so softly, no one else could hear him.

Mark lifted the mug to his lips; the smell was so intoxicating his head was swimming just from the smell of it. It burned as it went down his throat and not just from the heat of the drink. At first Mark was worried that Arland had given him a strong alcohol, but by the time it hit his stomach he no longer cared. Warmth took over his body, making him more relaxed than he'd ever felt in his life.

Looking up at Arland with a smile, he thanked him. Although, he couldn't remember if he actually said "thank you" or if he mumbled something incoherent instead. Either way, Arland chuckled and patted him on the back kindly then took his seat next to Jennifer.

Later that night, after the dining and kitchen areas were cleaned, Jennifer went to bed, Seth sat on the porch with Serva and Garandol disappeared into the woods. Nobody knew where he was going, but who would dare question a wizard? All that remained sitting by the fire inside the cabin was Mark and Arland.

"What did you give me?" Mark asked Arland as they both sat, staring at the fire in the fireplace, slowly rocking back and forth in the rocking chairs.

"It's a special drink we Elves make from the needles of pine trees,” Arland explained in a soft, relaxed voice.

"Is it alcohol?" Mark asked.

Normally he would have asked in a surprised tone, but he sounded completely at ease.

"It is only slightly fermented, not a very strong drink. Not even close to the cider beer we had the other night. What you're feeling is the affects of blessed pine needles. Sol gave us Elves the ability to bless things in His name; He's given us many gifts and abilities. When I picked these pine needles to make this drink I asked for Sol's blessing of peace on them. So in essence you're drinking in His peace. How wonderful is that?" he said sounding just as relaxed as Mark.

"Have you had some?" Mark asked noticing how relaxed Arland sounded as well.

"I always have some before a battle."

"Are you nervous?" Mark asked as he rocked backwards in his chair.

"I am always nervous before going into a fight I'm not sure I will win. There is no guarantee tomorrow, so keep your head."

There was that suggestion again.

"What do you mean by keep your head?" Mark asked.

Arland chuckled softly and said, "Essentially it means to stay within yourself and not to get distracted from the task at hand. But I would also suggest not to literally lose your head as well."

Mark smiled this time, "Seth said that earlier and I wasn't sure what he meant, but I thought of both of those things. What did he mean by it?"

"For you?" Arland asked, then thought for a moment before saying with a little sarcasm, "He was probably meaning literally since it's your first battle."

Mark stopped rocking his chair, sitting up straight and facing Arland.

"Peace Mark, just let the drink work through you. You will have plenty to think about tomorrow. In fact, you should try and get some sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, you won't be any good to anyone in battle."

"I don't think I can sleep."

Arland didn't say anything to this, he just stared at the fire. He wondered if Arland would say anything at all the rest of the night, or if he just expected Mark to just lay down and go to sleep. Finally Arland spoke, starting to tell a story.

"Once there was a young Elf. He was a peaceful Elf even though his circumstances would have driven any man to violence. Wrongfully beaten by men, cast out of his family for loving Sol, shunned by the other Elves because of his family line. He was an outcast. But one day he was saved by a messenger of Sol and given a second chance. This Elf was placed on the border of Ashenland in hopes to one day be accepted into their family.

“Then one day, many years later, there was word of a foreign nation coming to attack Eranithia. The threat was coming from across the ocean. Now, as you know, it is the duty of the Elves to protect Eranithia from outside threats. Word was sent to this outcast Elf, asking him to help in defending Eranithia. Bravely he accepted and joined the ranks of the Elves as they stood with the Centaurs. King Damien had even sent many of his men to fight with us as well. At this time Arnath was the leader of the Eranithia's army, and what a great leader he was. He led the fight and ultimately the war was won for Eranithia.

“But this story is about the Elf, not Eranithia. The Elf was terrified to go into battle, but he trusted Sol would either keep him safe or take him to live with Him in His land forever. With that knowledge, peace came over him so he could fight. No longer was he fighting just for Eranithia, he was fighting for Sol."

Mark found himself staring at Arland, mouth agape, eyes wide with amazement. Somehow, he knew Arland had just told his own story.

"I was scared," the Elf admitted, confirming Mark's suspicions. "But I did what I had to. Sol asks us to sacrifice ourselves for Him. I will tell you that when you sacrifice yourself for Sol, He will bless you. But it must be a real sacrifice with a true heart. No exceptions. If you do it in expectation of a blessing, He will withhold it from you because you did it in selfishness. Do everything for Sol and He will bless you. It's a promise for the faithful."

Arland's words were sobering and Mark knew deep down that they were true. He wanted to fight for Sol. He could feel it in his heart of hearts that he was ready. More ready than he'd ever been for anything in his life. The confidence in Sol he felt calmed his nerves even more than the drink had. It calmed him so much, he finally felt sleep coming to him.

"I think I'll try and get some sleep now," Mark said.

Arland just nodded and continued to stare at the flames. Mark fell asleep before Arland ever left his chair to go to sleep.

The next morning Mark woke to the smells of breakfast once again. This time there was much more for everyone. Mark filled his plate with food and ate in silence.

Jennifer came in from outside. She'd been up earlier than him for some last minute training. Her eyes widened at the sight of the food. Without bothering to wash, she plopped down in the seat next to Mark, piling food onto her plate.

"Good morning," he said after a sip of water.

"G'm-r-ng," she said through her mouthful of food.

He laughed then teased her, saying, “Wanna try that again?”

“Shuh uh,” she said, which Mark knew meant, “shut up.” Then she swallowed her mouthful of food saying, "Good morning." She poured some juice into a wooden cup.

"Out training with Arland?"

Shaking her head as she took a drink of the juice she said, "Seth. He didn't go nearly as hard on me as you, but he pushed me a bit too. I think I'm ready for this afternoon."

After eating a couple bites of food, he said, "It's going to be dangerous you know."

"I know."

"Probably pretty bloody."

"I know."

"We could get hurt, or possibly killed."

Jennifer paused, sighed then said, "If that's the sacrifice Sol spoke of in the prophecy, then I guess we don't really have a choice."

She said it with such resolve, Mark couldn't help but smile. He could see it within her that what she'd said that night on the boulder had been from her heart. They hadn't been just words and she wasn't just wanting to stay because of a handsome Elf.

"I will do my best to not let any of those things happen to you," he vowed.

Looking at him smiling, she said, "I know, but you can't worry so much about me that you neglect what you're supposed to do."

Mark thought for a second. Seth had practically made him vow to always protect Jennifer no matter what, so he said, "For now, my job is to protect you in battle. All we're doing is keeping Arnath from taking Broc back so we can use him as a bargaining chip to get Serina back.”

Hugging him from the side, she said, "You're sweet, just don't get yourself killed on my behalf."

He smiled and said, "Then don't get yourself in a situation where I have to."

"Deal," she said, winking at him.

After their meal Seth, who surprised them with a cleanly shaven face, led Mark and Jennifer through the stretches he'd taught Mark in his first training session. Mark barely recognized his as the rugged mountain they'd met over a week ago. He looked more like someone who belonged in the royal courts. Seth seemed to be taking on the role that was laid out before him; much like Mark had had to do during the past few weeks.

Arland brought Broc out of the house, bound once again. Seth concluded their stretches then gathered them around.

"We don't know how many men Arnath is sending, but I will tell you it's greater than our numbers,” he said looking at each of them pointedly. “Fight bravely, fight smart, fight for Sol."

Seth then led them south, towards the mouth of the cave they'd come out of a week ago. It was a three hour walk from Seth's cabin to the battlefield. Seth was planning to walk the entire distance.

"Seth, we can make this journey faster if you would like, and we can save our energy at the same time," Arland said.

Seth turned to look at Arland and asked, "What did you have in mind, friend?"

Arland smiled then whistled like he had when he'd called the horses before, but he gave an extra whistle this time. They looked around for a couple minutes. Then just as Seth was going to give up on waiting and keep walking, three horses came galloping through the woods. The same white stallion and brown mare, plus one more; a black stallion.

Garandol and Mark took the white one like before, while Arland and Jennifer took the mare again as well. The black one approached Seth slowly as he approached equally as slow. Seth reached up slowly and the horse jerked its head away but didn't back away. He continued to reach up slow and calm and the horse allowed Seth to pat his nose.

"Easy boy," he said calming the horse down. "I just need a quick ride, then you will be free once again. Can I have that ride?"

The horse bobbed its head slightly with a snort.

Smiling, Seth said, "Thank you."

Seth then turned back to Broc, grabbed him by his bindings and walked him over to the horse. Then he went to the horse's side and hopped on like an expert rider. Broc reached up with his bound hands so Seth could help him up. Seth grabbed him by the ropes then pulled him up behind him as if he weighed no more than Mark or Jennifer.

Looking back at his companions with a grin, Seth urged his horse into a trot. Soon the large trees became a blur as they raced through the forest. What would have been a three hour trek on foot turned into a half-hour sprint on the horses. A regiment of a hundred men was waiting about three hundred yards away in the great, wide open, battlefield.

Mark fought to keep his chin from dropping. How were they going to be able to take on a hundred men with just the...he counted...five! Five of them were supposed to take on a hundred? Mark's stomach turned as he stared across the field at the armored men. Men who'd been trained to kill. Mark began to doubt his abilities.

"They got here early," Seth said, grinning.

"Yes they did," Garandol said.

They stared across the field for a couple of minutes then Seth turned to Arland, who was waiting behind a large tree with Broc.

"Take him into the forest and tie him to a tree,” Seth said then looked back at Arnath's men across the field, eyes narrowed on them as if they could see his threatening stare. “They'll have to get through us to get to him."

Arland nodded then took Broc into the forest. Mark watched Seth as he studied their enemy. He looked so confident; so eager for action. Mark knew that if he were one of Arnath's men and they could see his intimidating face, he'd be quivering in his boots...or sneakers in his case.

"Dismount and stand side by side over here," Seth ordered.

Seth's entire demeanor changed. He was no longer the strange mountain man who'd enjoyed their company over the last week. He was now their commander. This was a side none of them had ever seen. Not even Garandol who'd seen him grow up. Seth never had the chance to lead any portion of his father's army before going into hiding.

Mark looked up at Garandol as the wizard looked at Seth with a sense of pride. He looked at him like a father or grandfather would. Mark looked back at Seth again and felt it as well. Seth's confidence overflowed into them all. There was no one else he would rather serve under in battle. Mark began to think he could do this. He'd dueled with Seth, and Seth had told Mark he was ready. How could he doubt his leader? His king?

When Arland returned he mounted his horse once again then he and Seth rode out together. Two men from the other side rode out to meet them. For five minutes the four men were frozen with their backs to their own lines, before riding back to their men. Mark wished he could be out there with them. If anything, just so he could know what was going on.

Seth and Arland slid off of their horses in synchronization when they returned. Arland sent all three of the horses off into the woods.

“What happened?” Mark asked.

"They wouldn't accept our terms," Seth said.

"What were your terms?" Mark asked.

Seth looked at him, grinning widely as he said, "To get off my land."

Mark chuckled then asked, "What did they say?"

"They had the gall to say that this was my uncle's land!"

Mark laughed with the rest of them as they faced their enemy, ready to fight.

"Remember, we do not meet them in this field. They outnumber us more than twenty to one."

"Not quite!" came a booming voice from behind them.

Timberfoot, whom they had forgotten about the past week, broke out from the trees. Mark looked at their enemy lines and saw some of the horses fidgeting. He looked up at Timberfoot grinning.

"Timberfoot, it's good to have you back." Seth called up to him as he noticed the other side was struggling to stay in formation at the sight of the giant.

"It's good to be back. Is this the enemy you wish us to crush?"

"Yes it is," Seth said.

"You have my club, sir," he said wielding a club about seven feet long and as thick as Mark and Seth put together.

"I'm very glad for it Timberfoot. How many do you think you can hold off for us?"

"I can hold as many as you would like me to, sir," he said raising his club and letting it fall into his big hands repeatedly.

"Very good. Now when I give the command, we retreat into the woods. All but you Timberfoot. I want you to hold off as many of them as you can until you can't hold anymore. Don't get yourself killed. Rejoin us in the woods when you can't hold them anymore. In fact, Garandol stay with him to give you both a chance to retreat."

Timberfoot and Garandol nodded and stared at the men across the field. They could feel the vibrations of his low growl. Then Seth did something Mark wasn't expecting. He whistled into the air. They all waited for something to happen, then a few minutes later, Serva came out of the woods.

"Serva will help you as well, Timberfoot," Seth said without taking his eyes off of the enemy line.

"I'll make sure he comes back to you safely."

Seth chuckled and said, "I'm not worried about Serva's abilities to fight. He knows what's at stake as much as I do."

No more was said as fifteen foot soldiers were sent out onto the field. Slowly building speed to rush them. Mark waited for Seth's command as he looked as if he would charge the field.

Seth waited and waited until the soldiers were about thirty yards away. Then he raise his sword into the air and brought it down, pointing at the charging enemy. Timberfoot and Serva charged the fifteen foot soldiers. Mark watched in amazement as this gentle giant transformed into a warrior. He swung his club taking out three men at a time. Serva leaped from eight feet away, tackling one off his horse, ripping out the soldier's throat before they hit the ground.

Serva dodged a spear from another soldier then doubled back, swatting at the spear with his claws. The sharp nails of his claws slicing through the wood of the spear like butter. The soldier went for his sword but he was too slow for the large cat. In a blur of fur, Serva leaped for the soldier's face.

The fifteen men were taken care of within minutes. Both Serva and Timberfoot gave brilliant roars of challenge to the other side, waiting for more men.

The rest of the men were dispatched this time. Timberfoot looked back at Seth, Seth gave him a nod. Timberfoot nodded then roared once again at the men who were a fourth his size. Some of the horses slowed in protest to their rider's urgings.

Serva joined him as they stayed their ground in anticipation of a fight.

"NOW!" Seth shouted as the men were nearing twenty yards from Timberfoot and Serva.

They all turned and ran into the woods on Seth's command while Timberfoot and Serva retreated to the tree line, waiting, ready to fight. Seth led them to a clearing and began shouting out orders to find a tree. When each was at their assigned tree, Garandol floated them to a branch then returned to the tree line to assist Timberfoot and Serva. Mark readied an arrow to his bow then sat watching Seth as he stood in the center of a clearing twenty feet in diameter; which would allow only a few soldiers at a time to get near him.

They heard the roars and battle cries coming from Timberfoot, Serva and their enemy. Then the cries stopped, creating a silence that filled the woods, as if someone had hit a mute button on life. Mark tried to clear his throat quietly just to make some noise to hear, but no sound escaped his throat. He stuck a finger in his ear to clean it, thinking maybe his ear had just plugged, but nothing changed. Then Mark saw a bright light explode in the sky in the direction of the battlefield. The silence didn't break; Mark's ears began to ache, needing to hear something. But still nothing changed, absolutely nothing happened for a couple of minutes. Not even a breeze blew to move a leaf or a branch of pine needles. Only dead, eerie silence filled Mark's senses.

The first thing Mark noticed was the ground shaking. Then he saw Timberfoot come running through the woods with a limp. Mark's hearing returned to him as he heard two men running behind him, whimpering in terror as Serva gained on them. With one leap, Serva took down both men, slicing through their flesh with his massive claws.

Mark's attention was brought back to the clearing where Seth stood with a sword ready in each hand. Seth's head bowed, Mark could see the steady rise and fall of each slow breath Seth took. Garandol entered his own tree before the rest of Arnath's men arrived.

Mark looked down from his tree a couple minutes later as Arnath's men circled the clearing. Fitting an arrow into his bow, he took aim across the clearing, as the rest of them were to do. The first ten men stepped into the clearing with their swords ready to fight Seth.

Seth continued to keep his head bowed, but he looked up at the soldier directly in front of him, just barely raising his head.

They must not believe I am who I say I am, Seth thought as he took notice of their lack of fear.

Seth grinned at the solider in front of him. It was in that moment the soldier finally looked scared. Slowly the ground began crumbling away. The soldier looked at the ground, then at his comrades. When it finally gave out, all ten men fell into the ground opening up to swallow them. Some of the men fell onto the wooden spikes waiting hungrily for them.

Just below Mark a man's body convulsed in his last throws of life. A few of them had missed the wooden spikes directly and were only caught by the leg. Mark opened fire on the nearest man, ending his misery. Then he turned and took aim at the next wave of men beginning to leap over the four foot wide trench. The four of them in the surrounding trees bombarded the soldiers with arrows. A few made it through only to meet the tip of one of Seth's swords.

If it weren't for the immediate danger below, Mark would have been mesmerized by Seth's fluid motions as he took down soldier after soldier. He recognized many of Seth's positions as the stretches he led them through that morning.

Thwak! Thwak!

What was that? Mark wondered as he felt a slight vibration moving through his tree.

His stomach clenched as he looked down and saw two soldiers chopping at the base of his tree. He had to get down before they brought the tree down themselves! Mark looked across the clearing to Garandol who nodded then they all jumped out of their trees. With Garandol's help they fell gracefully to the ground.

The two men who had been chopping at Mark's tree turned their axes on him as soon as he landed. He blocked both of them with his sword then kicked one in the chest, knocking him into the tree. Sliding his sword free of the other ax, he spun, cutting the second soldier's head off. Mark rushed forward to the soldier he'd kicked into the tree and ran his sword through the chest of his enemy.

Five men, two on horses and three on foot, ran in the direction Mark knew Broc to be. There was no way he would let them take Broc. He was their prisoner; their ticket into Arnath's castle; their bargaining chip for Serina.

Mark ran after them, cutting down soldiers, jumping over logs, large rocks and bushes as he went. When he was ten yards away from the tree Arland had tied Broc to, he was frozen in place. He tried opening his mouth to call for help, but his lips were glued shut, his hands plastered to his sides. He wouldn't be able to stop them from taking Broc. Furthermore, the soldiers didn't seem to see him standing nearby as they freed Broc, put him on a horse and raced him off to safety.

Once they were out of sight, whatever kept Mark from moving or speaking let him go. He started to chase after Arnath's men, but something stopped him. Mark turned around to find Garandol standing there.

"They're getting away with Broc!" he said.

"I know," Garandol said. One by one the rest of the group walked up and joined them.