Disclaimer- Standard Nifty and I will just add, if you don't want to read it or can get busted if caught, don't. Easy enough done and I am not responsible if you screw up. The story is mine, and I am going to insist on its copyright. So hereby Battered Barbarian and his Boy is now copyrighted ( C ) by cezmail, my pseudonym on the net. Ask permission to post it elsewhere and I will most likely grant it, but doing so without is a violation of my copyright. Thanks for understanding.
This is all complete fiction. NONE of it is true. It has elements of fantasy violence ( explicit at times ), relations between a boy and a man, and sexual themes. If this is illegal for you to read or not to your tastes, DON'T READ! Otherwise, please look on down and if you have an opinion, let me know. I am more then willing to listen and reply.
This is a new turn of events for me, my first all complete fiction. It is based on a roleplaying character of mine, and with that, I move ahead with this new story.
Thanks for all those who liked the first chapters.You made me feel I was able to convey this well and have fun while I was at it. I appreciate all the kind folks who have come across my story and read it. Thanks for all the emails and support. I am still with it and will hope to keep writing when I can. May not always write as often, but I am still here folks.
Special thanks to Kyle Aaron's whose work Kandric I admired. My story may have a few things in common with his tale, but as with any fantasy game work, that is to be expected. I still say to those that ask, that he is the better writer, but he was kind enough to encourage me and praise my story. I appreciate those emails Kyle. Thanks.
Also thanks to Coal Black, Skip, Charlie G, Michael H, and the good man from the Mountains, Bob in CO. Thanks my friends for the emails and the friendship. You keep me smiling and wanting to write. : )
To all others, as before, feel free to email me with any comments. I gladly answer any and all. You can email me at cezmail1@yahoo.com,
Chapter 4
The night went peacefully. Both Zert and Zax had only pleasant dreams this sleep. Zax of feeling safe in the arms of his Hero and Protector. The nightmares of his capture were gone. The memories of Blood Ax's foul breath in his nose as he heard the deep bass of the Hlaf Ogre pronouncing his fate. Now he was on his way home with the man that had saved him from slavery or worse.
Zert's own dreams were of having a cause and a goal to carry on. Zert had not allowed himself to linger on what had happened, but all the family he had known for the last 5 years was gone, killed, captured or just disappeared. All he had was his honor, his Goddess, and now his charge. He had his duty to get Zax to his family and Clan.
In time the dreams ended, and the sun started to shine on the eastern horizon, Zert started to stir, He came to his senses with Zax still clenched in his grasp, his small head cushioned against Zert's chest. A few birds could be heard to sing, and the lingering smell of the fire was still in the cave. Nature called to him, so he tried to lift Zax to the side so he could have a piss, but as he was about to release the boy, he woke up. Zax looked slightly confused as consciousness came to him, but the sight of Zert's scared and hairless face recalled where he was and he flashed his Hero a warm smile.
" Morning. What's going on Zert? "
" Just have to release my bladder. Do you ? "
Zax paused as he looked into his body and felt the familiar sensations. " Yes, I do. "
The two went outside and in a lee of the hill, urinated. Zert used some loose dirt to cove it up, to black as much of the smell and moisture from showing any possible followers of the enemy. That done they went back to the cave to wrap up the camp and begin to repack their bundles. Zert had Zax prepare the ration packs and refill the waterskins as he made his morning prayers and to refresh his pleas in case they were to be needed.
The two ate in salience, just enjoying this moment of peace. The danger about the land was forgotten for the moment, as the sounds of the Gods creations came to their ears, and the smells of trees and grass came to their noses. It was at the end that Zert recalled the sealed scroll he had been carrying, and felt this was a good time to check it out. It could hold valuable information, and why Zax had been captured.
He pulled the case from his pack and still not able to make out the seals, not recognizing them, but took his dagger and broke the seal. Opening the tube, he drew forth some pieces of parchment. He unrolled them and started to read. What he read made his stomach clench in fear and trepidation. It read, having been written in Orcish.
" To My Lord Gore Traskin
I have sent this boy to you as I was directed by Chief Gaznark and Mage Margune. The boy is Zax Greendragon, son of Talin, and cousin of Baron Zargon II. He is ripe for your needs, and I am sure our Master will be gracious to myself and to you for his delivery, Mage Margune sensed that the boy was indeed a worthy treasure for the Master.
He is accompanied by two of my personal guards, and the elder of them, Kask, is a disciple of Shaman Usik. Use them as you see fit once they have fulfilled the mission I have assigned them. I keep my Troll Dogs as the others of the guard that I have to move on with the second part of the plan.
The boy has mage blood in him, and that should only add to his worth and the needs of the Master. Mage Margune sent a messenger of his own to his compatriots and their should be a contingent of the Black Hand when I meet up with the reinforcements of the Shattered Thigh.
Glory to Kalen Dahl, Master of Goria.
Your servant
Blood Ax "
' Gore Traskin ' flashed through Zert's mind again. He well knew that name. It had been he that had been the guest on that last fateful night at Master Husk's feast. Traskin was a captain of the Hell Hounds, the personal guards and agents of Kalen Dahl. Feared throughout the lands for their murderous ways and the mayhem they indulged in at the behest of their Master, What made Traskin all the worse was not only was he an expert warrior, but a sworn priest of Voidius, God of Murder, Assassination, and Destruction. The antithesis and divine enemy of Rawndalla.
The note told more then it said, so the ways of Kalen Dahl was indeed evil in the extreme. The needs it referred to had to mean that Zax had been intended as a sacrifice to help empower the Lord of Goria, or at least used in some rite that could only mean something even worse then death. If Zert had not rescued him, then his soul would have been consumed and the husk of the remains used or discarded. Zert shook in the thought of something happening to his precious ward.
Zax had waited patiently, but he had his limits., He nudged Zert and this drew Zert back to the current surroundings. " What did it say Zert,. huh? Come on, tell me. "
Zert took a moment to gather his thoughts and check his fear, he did not want to frighten the lad. " It was instructions on who you were and how you might be handled. Later I will tell you more, but for now, we need to move on. We have rested enough and we waste daylight. Come on boy, up and walk on. "
Zax frowned at the obvious brush-off, but he did not pursue the matter at this time. Packs on and weapons at the ready, they vacated the cave and continued on their way to the southwest. The were able to get through some thickets without having to go through them, though it did hold them up. The rest of the day went without any complications. At a rest in the afternoon, as they rested their feet in a small pool, they saw some ducks eating. Motioning Zax to stay still, Zert slowly slipped back on the bank and reached for his bow. knocking an arrow he got to his feet and braced himself. The birds seemed to sense something and went to flee to the sky, but the arrow Zert released struck a mallard true before it could get away., It fell against the grass on the far bank, dead.
Thus they would have some fresh game for dinner. Getting close to the time they would want to make camp, they finally came across a sign of others, A trace left by a cart led off to the south, and it was fresh, Mule tracks were among the cart tracks, so most likely it was a farmer or trader, as orcs would not use a single cart. Zert decided they should check it out, as they could use a chance at a warm shelter and to find out what may have happened since the battle of the other day, Had the Orcs made it this far? Did any know of the invasion the map seemed to have implied?
It took them 30 minutes of following the tracks before they reached a small farmhouse. It was very close to dusk, and the remaining light left many long shadows. A little trace of smoke came from the chimney and some light came from a shuttered window. Zert looked to Zax. " Hold here lad and watch my back. I'm going to go check this out. If all is well, I will buy or trade a chance to stay inside, get a hot bath, and get some information. Let out with an owl hoot if you need me. "
Zax did not like this and his face showed his emotions, but he accepted it, He gripped the spear he had and stayed close to a tree to watch Zert and the back from where they had come from. Zert then moved closer to the farm house and as he was about to call out, motion drew him. Then a voice called out.
" Hold where you are Orc, or your dead! " came the voice of a human.
Zert froze, both from not sensing this person and especially for being called an orc. He clenched his teeth and bit his tongue. " Drop your shield and sword, and raise your hands. I gots you covered and my boys are ready to back me up. " Zert complied and turned his head to see who his captor was.
A small wide bodied man stepped forth, a large crossbow in his hands aimed right at Zert. The man looked to be in his 40's, grey in his hair and a beard that was thick and tangled. Two younger versions of the man with a spear and another crossbow were at his sides. They looked to be in their late teens. Grim determination was on all their faces, and closely held violence.
Zert spoke up, to reassure Zax he was alive and ok, and to try to reason with these folks. " I am Zert of Clan Braggin, and I am also a devote servant of Holy Rawndalla. I give you my oath that I serve the Gathered and not Evil. If you will allow me to come to your light, I can show you my symbol and the token of my being a member of the Golden Company. "
The trio got close enough that they could see that Zert was not an Orc, but a Half Orc. Not that this detail changed their temperament, but they seemed to loosed up a touch. As the elder was about to speak, Zax interrupted. His high preadolescent voice came in strong from where he had moved from his hiding place.
" Zert is my guard. I vouch for him fully kind folk. We seek shelter for the night, and succor from the wild. "
The younger boy kept his bow on Zert, but the other two turned to face Zax. They saw he was a young human and the manner of his voice address showed that he was of a higher station. They did not drop their weapons, but the older one spoke up. " Well youngling, you have strange taste in guards, but I will allow you two to move inside. Keep your hands up and not make any sudden moves, or I may get careless and drop you with a bolt. Ulf, get their weapons. Tarton, watch the boy. I gots the .... guard covered. Lets move in then. "
The two younger men nodded and in short time all 5 of them had gotten to the door. Then the elder man called out. " Yokus, its Da. Keep your bow down, we are coming in. " A call of muffled agreement came back and then the door was opened. It showed an open room of the farmhouse with stairs to some rooms upstairs. A pot was upon a fire on the kitchen chimney and a boy just into puberty with a horn bow stood on the stairs waiting for them. The elder motioned for Zert to go against the wall, with Zax on the side wall. Then the elder and two younger men came in and the door was closed and braced closed.
The elder spoke up. " Well you came to the farm of Dirdir and them are my boys, Ulf, Tarton, and Yokus. Now lets here your story. "
Zert looked to Zax and with a motion of his eyes to allow him to speak, began to tell the farmers of his recent times and the last battle of the Golden Company. He said he had rescued Zax, though made no mention of the lad's last name, and that they were on their way to Port Nayr. He told of the map he had found and his fears that the Orcs and the Gorians were allied in a war of raids and invasion.
Dirdir said nothing till Zert finished and then spoke up. " Well I knows nothing of this new battle with the Fricken Orcs, but if yuse right in the Gorians in on this, then we might all be in trouble. I fought with the Free Legions 20 year ago when we beat them back to the Velver but they are mean bastards. Now lets see some proof of who you are. Show me your symbols and tell me, who was your Captain. I knows of the leader, so lets see if you do. "
Zert nodded and very carefully pulled out his holy symbol and then the medallion of his former Company and handed them with his off hand to Ulf. That done he looked back at Dirdir. " Vorn was my captain, a man of medium height, strong face, and a scar across his hands where a spiked chain hand entrapped them. he wielded his double ax, Fruyus."
Dirdir nodded as Zert finished and made a motion to his boys. " Ok lads, I believe him, for only someone in the Company or a friend of Vorn would know the name of the ax. Sit Zax and Zert, and we can see what we can do. Nice to know a man that served with my old Captain, but tis sad that he and his company died. May Durgon embrace them and succor them." Then Dirdir and his boys secured their weapons and bowls were gathered for the stew.
Relief showed on Zax's face as the tension was settled without a fight and he his pack on the ground to give relief to his aching shoulders. His mouth watered as the smell of the stew permeated the house and he smiled as he watched Yokus, who looked like he might be 2-3 summers older then himself, serve out generous portions. The sight of the rear of the youth intrigued him, as he had times of play with friends back in the manor.
Zert handed over the duck that he had shot earlier. " I have not yet had a chance to clean to dress this bird, but I freely give it to you for a share of your dinner, and I can also pay hard coin if you will allow Zax and myself to heat up some water to bath in and a place on your hearth to bed down. " He said all this to Dirdir, as he was the master of this abode.
Dirdir motioned to Ulf, a lad of about 17 summers, and the teen took the bird and secured it in a cold room for later preparation and eating. Tarton, the oldest at close to 19-21 summers, stayed silent, content to let his father continue the talk and to assess the strangers. His look showed that even with the calm that had come to the encounter, he did not trust Zert. His crossbow, though leaning against the wall, was still armed.
The meal progressed and small talk ensued. Dirdir said in the morning he would help to get Zert and Zax on their way, as they were about 3 days travel to Port Nayr and a village, Perth, was only a day away. if all went well, Zert could restock on supplies and possibly get a horse or two. Dirdir just had a mule and a pair of oxen.
Yokus and Zax talked on and were soon smiling with the other as they found they left alone as Dirdir and Zert continued their talk. Tarton continued his guarded watch, while Ulf left after the meal to attend to some chores.
After bathing and cleaning up, Zert and Zax started to fall asleep, so the others left to their rooms as Zert and Zax rolled out their bedrolls near the fire. Not saying anything, they put both bedrolls next to the other and were soon asleep with Zert once more holding young Zax.
Morning came and the house began to stir. A breakfast of hot porridge, bread and butter, with tea and water filled all their appetites and the sons of Dirdir left to attend to chores. Dirdir took some of the gold that Zert had captured as payment for his services as well as giving Zert some cheeses and sausages to supplement the ration packs.
Girding his weapons and about to say their goodbyes, a sound came suddenly to draw their attention. Horns! ORC Horns were blown and soon the cries of Orcs could be heard. Somehow, the enemy had found or tracked Zert and Zax.
Ok here ends Chapter 4. It took a little longer then I had hoped to post it. Work interruptions and being busy. Thanks for all the emails and comments folks. I very much appreciate every last one and I gladly reply. Keep them coming and I will see if this is to continue. I will say here and now I am committed to the story. had some replies from other authors whose stores I drew a little inspiration from. Really helped to boost my ego.
Check out my other story- Monterey Delights at http://at.nifty.org/nifty/gay/young-friends/monterey-delights/
Praise me, flame me, or just tell me where I may improve or screwed up. I am more then willing to reply and we can see what the future holds. Email me at cezmail1@yahoo.com.
Thanks
Charlie