Difference between revisions of "Tearlach (Chapter 28)"

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Tearlach (Act V)#Chapter 28

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-The time came, and we were not ready.  The end is here, Hell has thrown its might against us.  All our lives were devoted to readiness, and we were not ready.  Tearlach ran out into pitched battle.  The mountain slopes ran red; the earth was slippery, gory mud, where it wasn't frozen solid deep crimson.  Demons were everywhere, gathered in little knots around the very few warriors who faced them.  How could this be?  Where was the mighty host the free people would bring together?  Centuries had been devoted to one thing, and one thing alone: this very moment.  The mountains were full of fighting men: where WERE they?
-Snarling, Tearlach leapt into the thick of the nearest gang of demons.  The angel told him this was happening.  The clans were too sure of themselves, too confident of their strength.  When Sescheron fell, they blamed each other, and would not unite under one banner.  He'd thought it a lie when he heard it.  By the bones of Bul-Kathos himself, even southlanders had more sense than that!  All the demons were soon dead.  The man they'd surrounded was standing there like a dolt, staring.  "Look alive, stupid!" Tearlach bellowed in his face.  "What are yoo gawking at?  They don't wish away, useless!"  No more sense than a moon-struck bunny rabbit in that one.
-More demons surrounded other lone warriors.  They were the finest the world could offer, but alone and outnumbered a dozen to one, they could only be cut down.  Each fought alone, like they were dueling other men.  Muttering curses, Tearlach leapt from one man to another, shouting and slaughtering.  This was no matter for warrior's pride, this is war against a vast host that fights without honor.  These were slaves: fear of their masters drives them, but fear does not give strength -- it makes slaves run, but gnaws in their bellies all the while.  A good loud war cry makes them more afraid of you, stops them right in their tracks.  A child could mop them up after that.
-In Harrogath's central square, Cain was trying to talk with Qual-Kehk.  "I must say, it is a privilege to stand here with you now.  Very few outsiders have ever seen Mt. Arreat, and I hope you realize I appreciate its beauty and importance."
-"Yoo do not.  The mountains are beautiful and terrible, in ways no one who sits by the well all day can understand.  Arreat is the most terrible of all, and has killed all the unworthy who tried to learn its secrets."
-"Well... secrets are... ah... secret, you know.  I think young Tearlach is happy to have returned to his homeland, and glad to be of help.  He has spoken very highly of you.  Having another warrior in battle can only be for the good."
-"Aye, crumbs are still bread.  Don't expect anyone to mourn him, though.  When Baal is finished here, no one will be left to mourn."
-Cain smiled. "Master man-at-arms, perhaps you are taking things too hard.  I understand your people have suffered, but that does not mean all is lost.  I think of life as learning, and everyone has something to teach.  Though he does not know it, young Tearlach taught me of your people's resilience, and extraordinary strength in times of adversity.  He has faced down Evils both lesser and greater, and stood alone in Hell itself."
-"So yoo say," Qual-Kehk grunted.  "He might do all that, if he ever grew into his mouth.  A great hero out of legend might save us now, but one warrior cannot do much.  Even we are less than what we were in ages past.  Our ancestors were mighty men, true beings of power.  All of us together cannot equal one of them."
-"I do not wish to seem obstinate, but it seems to me the tide of battle is turning.  Listen!  The sounds of combat no longer come from the boundary of the protective dome, but much further away.  Baal's forces are being pushed back, and the town may be saved."
-While he spoke, Tearlach ran down into the square.  Blood dripped from his axe, and huge holes rent his armor, particularly on the legs.  Qual-Kehk turned his back, pointedly gazing out over the battlefield.  "Wizard!  Identify these things.  What in blazes is this collection of skulls and bones?  I can't get them apart."
-"The Wall of the Eyeless!  Those are demon bones, bound together with necromantic magic.  Did one of Baal's minions have this?"
-"No," Tearlach frowned.  "It was in one of our burial chests, on the mountain slopes.  What good would this do any warrior?"
-"I do not know," Cain replied.  "This is something spellcasters are more fond of, particularly those who deal with the dead.  Are you hurt?"
-"Scratched a bit.  There are earth demons up there, they tunnel through the ground and poke you in the feet.  Quickly, I left three men fighting behind me!  They'll get all the glory!"
-Chuckling, Cain quickly described each item.  "I also thought Barbarians disapproved of looting the dead."
-"We disapprove of yoo southlanders looting our dead!  The dead have no use for anything.  We put those things in there so the living know where to find them!"  With that, he ran back to Malah's house, and started unloading potions.
-"Well," Cain said, looking at the bony shield, "he seems to be performing commendably.  Though perhaps this is not the best time to seek plunder."
-"There is never a bad time to plunder enemies," Qual-Kehk spoke.  "Everything he brings back is honor and wealth for his family and clan.  It is our way."
-"Of course, of course.  I wonder why he will not speak with you, though."
-Qual-Kehk's leveled his gaze at Cain.  "The warrior Tearlach was exiled from these lands, his head shorn in shame.  By our ancient laws, none of our people may give him shelter, or share meat with him.  Were I to see him again in Harrogath, our holiest bastion, I would be bound by duty and my own honor to slay him."
-Slowly, Cain nodded.  "It's a lucky thing you had your back turned."
-"It is bad enough that southlanders sit by our well.  But I see yoo are right.  For the first time in many days, no demons stand by the wall.  I can send foragers out for food.  It will be good to have something besides moldy bread."
-"Yes!  If my eyes do not deceive me, the battle rages at that narrow point there.  That will be difficult to attack, a small number could hold out there easily."
-"Their general, Shenk, keeps one of his pets there.  My men tell me engaging it is difficult; it is easier to run past than make it stand still and fight.  Any warrior who could kill it might have what it takes to kill the general and lift the siege."
-"After the trials he has faced, I am sure he will succeed.  Surely, this general's pet cannot be more powerful than the Lord of Terror himself."
-When Tearlach returned, the three he'd left had already gone ahead.  He found two of them at the entrance of a narrow defile, with nearly a score of earth demons finishing off the last.  Such large numbers required concentration, but he'd learned how to deal with a horde of slow-moving attackers back in the Rogue's pass.  Also hiding in the narrows was a new sort of creature, tiny men with big heads who could vanish and reappear elsewhere.  Chasing them down was a great annoyance; they died quickly, but it almost wasn't worth the effort.  One had a nice set of rare throwing knives, if you like that kind of thing.
-Beyond the narrows, a set of rising plateaus led upwards.  They knew he was coming now: and slaves were arranged to meet him.  Just to show them he didn't need to break through their defensive lines, Tearlach leapt over to the earth demons arranged behind them.  They would furnish many skulls for primal helms, if there was anyone left who could make them.  Maybe Larzuk could; his line went back a long time, he might know the old secrets.  There was still hope for the future, in spite of all that had come to pass.  Much that was old yet remained.  Yes... there was no reason the children of Bul-Kathos could not be great once again, after this little problem had been taken care of.
-On a high mound, Tearlach heard something bellowing like a pig being violated.  Two skinny arms, one holding a whip, flailed above a gang of slaves.  These should be easier than usual to kill -- they were so puffed-up and bloated they couldn't even hold a weapon.  A war cry should stun them easily, but it didn't; one ran up to him and exploded, knocking him into a low trench.  Good thing he had the shield, that might have hurt.  Quickly, Tearlach leapt into the middle of the crowd of slaves and waited.  As expected, they all rushed to surround him.  At the last possible moment, he leapt away, watching them explode messily behind him. Good to know that trick works, sometimes.  Now piggy-boy was alone.
-The whip wielder was a disgusting thing, mostly a ball of useless flab with tiny legs and long spindly arms.  To its credit, the demon didn't run away; it slowly shuffled off its hill towards Tearlach, howling and lashing its metal whip.  Very brave; also, very stupid.  A whip is a miserable weapon for combat, unless the fat pig thought he could kill him by sitting on him.  Tearlach made it quick.  After the pig died, the remaining demons ran.  Not that it saved them, of course, but they gave it an inspired try.
-"What's this axe, wizard?"
-"Hmm..." Cain examined the weapon.  "A Great Axe of Quality, nothing special.  Tell me, have you met anything that looked like a general yet?"
-"One big fat thing with a whip, driving the other demons into the fight.  If yoo call that a general, yoo can call me a king.  I expected... the other one to be around somewhere."
-"Baal is said to be searching the mountain.  He is probably looking for the way in to the Worldstone."
-Qual-Kehk turned, fury in his eyes.  "He told yoo of the Worldstone, outlander!?"
-"No," Cain replied quickly, "the archangel Tyrael told me before he brought us here."
-"That name never came to my lips," Tearlach replied indignantly.
-"Shut up, puppy," Qual-Kehk roared.  "Yoo shouldn't even be here!  What else have yoo done to break our traditions?!"
-"I win battles," Tearlach growled.  "Which is --"
-Oh, no, Cain thought.  Though it might cost him his life, he moved between the two huge Barbarians and held up his hands.  "Please!  Think of where this might lead."
-They both stopped, glowering.  Cain continued, "Surely, we cannot waste our time and energy like this!  Qual-Kehk, honored war-leader... the siege has been lifted!  Baal's most vicious general is no more.  Surely, someone who would risk his life to save this great city would never knowing betray your proud traditions."
-"What risk?  He wa --" He stopped when Cain elbowed him in the stomach.
-"Aye... there is that."  Qual-Kehk stood in solemn thought.  Foraging parties were already coming back through the gates, with more firewood, rabbits, nuts, and mountain garlic.  "If these are the final days... then there is no reason to keep our secrets any longer, is there?  The protection secrecy brings has failed, it no longer serves any purpose."
-"Indeed," Cain said, rubbing his elbow.  "Baal does not know how to reach the Worldstone, so it is likely that his effort will be futile."
-"That's right!" Tearlach smiled.  "He can look 'til his eyes fall out."
-"While he looks, all our lives are in peril," Qual-Kehk said.  "The siege will be renewed, more demons will come.  My thoughts turn to those who have been taken prisoner, for the demons to feast on in their nightly revels."
-"A fate no man should suffer," Tearlach opined.
-"Those who escaped tell me they were held in the holding prisons we built, higher up the mountain.  If they were all released, we could renew our assaults on Baal's forces and turn the tide against him."
-Tearlach blinked.  "We built prisons?"
-"Don't be stupid, whelp.  Of course we did.  Even if we didn't, they would.  Demons like their meat alive and screaming."

Difference between revisions of "Tearlach (Chapter 28)"

Latest revision as of 15:22, 12 February 2017

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