His dreams send him into some of the darkest places of his mind. They torment him until he’s unable to take any more and at that final point, when he is willing to succumb to the darkness his mind and body force him awake. With a tremor Market awoke in the middle of the night. Realizing he’s with Kel, he closed his eyes and takes a deep breath. Happy not to be dreaming he looked in Kel’s direction. A smile crossed his face as he sees his newly found partner engrossed in another midnight game. Although Market has heard of this game, before last night, he had never seen it, nor spoken to anyone who had. He is filled with a sense of warmth and interest because this game is a game of legend.
Judging by the settling dust around the edges of the leather map, it had just been laid down. Being familiar with the Bugbear, this time the game seemed much more important. Before tonight, the Bugbear’s quick, jerky physical motions had surprised and dominated Market’s attention. This time they were hardly noticed.
It was a warm night and the fire was small. Its dim light made the mat and the pieces hard to see. Looking closer, Market noticed that the small wooden figurines had much more definition. At first, while they were strewn about, their shape was simple. With the touch of Kel’s large curved fingernail, they skipped forward. His hand was moving all about. Thick and curved, his nails were black in the bed of the nail and light at the tip. Closer to a claw than a finger nail. It continued pushing pieces around. The pieces rolled unnaturally. They moved like weighted dice. They landed in what seemed to be predetermined spots. Meanwhile their form had changed. With a little nudge, their form went into flux. It was hard to notice, but Market was concentrating intensely. They were in flux while moving and as they slowed down their form solidified. Looking at the end result Market recognized these troops. Lightly armored, with bows drawn, they looked anxious. They were Wolf Nomads. Mounted and in formation, they awaited battle. His mind wandered for a moment, thinking of the past.
Market’s eyes had stalled on the next formation of mounted warriors. With their swords drawn they looked eager to move. They had formed around one warrior and had their swords at the ready. Finally there was a large group of troops that were on foot. They looked rugged, tough, and powerful. All told there were at least a thousand troops. The three divisions looked ready for battle.
Then came their opposition. There were many of them, mostly on foot marching. Upon closer inspection there were groups of undead and groups of orcs, marching to a beating drum in an incredibly long line. They were grouped in alternating battalions of about five hundred each. The marching troops were flanked by mounted officers. Four of which seemed to stand out. Their horses were black as knight and their heads covered. They ran up and down both sides of the line. The Nomads were outnumbered by at least five to one. The long train of troops continued far. So far, Markets eyes could only see they were marching onto the clearing from a distant tree line. Market looked back to the vast field. The hard ground was light brown, covered in blades of dead grass. The field was on a slope with the Nomads at the top of the hill. The road with the marching troops was down below them. The distance between them was about two thousand yards. The wind was blowing down hill and the air felt crisp.
With a blur of darkness the troops began to move. The foot troops ran to a little mound in the middle of the field and waited. The mounted nomads attacked. First, came a rain of arrows. Then, the cavalry rushed in, hitting hard. They struck the middle of the line. The orc formation held until the mounted warriors were about thirty yards away. Then one of the mounted orcs gave the order to charge. At the moment their swords clashed, the cavalry retreated. The orcs knew nothing other than to attack. With blood in their eyes they pursued. The mounted warriors kept them running. Using the mobility of their horses, they formed the charging orcs into a long column. The front of the charging orcs was a mere ten or fifteen feet from the mounted warriors. The cavalry teased the front of the running orcs. They continually pealed off, looped around, and attacked the orcs from the side, all the while, keeping them running. They ran them in the direction of the foot troops. It looked as if they were wrangling the orcs. Soon they became exhausted. This made it easy for the mounted warriors to cut many of them down. The column was directed past and around the awaiting foot troops.
The foot troops defended their position. They waited until the orcs were strung around them. Then on the call of charge, they all ran down their mound and furiously hacked the orcs to pieces. The orcs had little chance. Their blood stained the grass below the feet of the nomads. After finishing them all off, the foot troops walked back up their mound. They sat, caught their breath and mended their wounds.
After looping around their berzerking foot troops, the mounted warriors cut off the two trailing undead battalions and gave them a run, away from their foot troops. The mounted archers had been keeping their distance supporting the mounted warriors. They were the first to engage the two undead battalions which were following the orcs. They forged an opening for the mounted troops to cut through. The nomads ran them around a bit and again used their foot troops to finish them off. The dead bodies of the undead and orcs soon littered the field. Bodies piled higher and higher around the foot troops.
The battle continued with the mounted nomads running the orcs and undead close to exhaustion until finally running them into their frenzied foot troops. This went on and on. The foot troops, covered in blood, stood firm on top of their little mound. Their rests in between the attacks, kept them healthy. Occasionally some of the nomads broke off to chase down some of their mounted opposition. Clearly, the orcs and undead were outclassed. Occasionally getting lucky they were able to engage the nomads. When they did catch them, the nomads would scatter in all directions. This tactic left the orcs and undead without a clear opponent to chase.
Eventually, the four Black Horsemen came into prominence. They had stayed back, watching the nomad’s tactics. The nomads had taken minimal damage and had run more than half of their opposition into their death trap. Many of the battalions had been decimated. The nomads had killed most of their opponents on the field, but they just kept coming from the road that led into the tree line. The Black Horsemen kept falling back as the nomads kept pulling more and more of their troops. Getting closer and closer to the tree line the horsemen got closer and closer to the battle.
The mounted warriors were able to get all the way to the far tree line. By this time the foot troops had inched their way closer, also. They were about seven hundred yards away from the tree line. They had taken some losses, about two thirds. The mounted archers still had speed and most of their forces intact. They never were able to be caught in hand to hand combat. The mounted warriors were fairing well, but had taken the most casualties, half of them had been taken down, but they had reached the tree line. They were now pulling more troops out from the forest road. How many could still be left?
Market wondered why the four horsemen hadn’t done anything. And it was at that moment they started to charge. At the same time came an onrush of undead troops, from within the forest road. They all rushed in a direct line. Their flesh hanging from their bones looked strange as they ran. Looking closer at the riders, Market could see that their hoofs were engulfed in flames. They ran in the direction of the mounted archers. The archers retreated as they had whenever anyone tried to engage them. This time they were forced to run faster because of the Horsemen’s speed. Although their speed was faster than the mounted archers, they were being pulled away from the battle. As they ran off, Market saw that the large number of undead troops had engaged the battle hardened foot troops of the nomads. Meanwhile, the mounted warriors had cut off some of the running undead and were engaging them close to the tree line.
Market looked back to the mounted archers right at the moment when the Horsemen were about to catch them. They were about one thousand yards away from both of the battles. They had effectively removed the horsemen from the battle, but right when the nomads split up and scattered in all directions the horsemen disappeared. Market was a bit confused and looked to see if any of them were chasing the scattering nomads. He couldn’t see them anywhere.
Hearing a battle cry coming from the foot troops, Market shifted his attention to the foot troops and noticed a few of them abandoning their battle and charging towards the tree line. This charge caused Market to shift his attention on their destination. He was surprised to see the Horsemen with many undead troops surrounding what was left of the mounted warriors. It was just a few seconds ago that the mounted warriors numbers were much larger. Where had they gone? What happened to them? The ones that remained looked doomed. Their numbers diminished quickly. Soon they were whittled down to only five. In an incredible move, one of them broke through the surrounding undead. The nomad rode his horse over the heads of the undead. He ran faster than any horse Market had ever seen. The horse’s feet floated over the ground. No one could catch him. The four horsemen didn’t even try.
Hearing another of the same battle cries, Market’s attention again shifted to the foot troops. The cry came from the troop leading the charge. He was smashing his way through his opposition. His mace landed with amazing power as he ran at full speed. Market could see his determination. He could see each of his deadly blows. He could see his power. He could see his face. And at that moment Market could see that it was Kel.
A huge black blur swept over the entire field and at the same time what seemed like a whip cracked inches from Market’s face. Instantly the battle was gone, ripped back into reality, Market realized he was sitting right at the edge of the battle map. The black blur that had startled him was Kel’s hand sweeping across the map. Kel had scooped up most of the troops. Market was unaware of how he had gotten so close to the map. Realizing that his presence must have interrupted the battle, Market stayed motionless for a second. His ears could hear the heavy breath of his companion. His eyes and head still down looking at the map, they slowly raised to see the hulking mass of Kel’s body. He was sitting no more than five feet away. Markets eyes continued up to Kel’s face. His tiny black eyes sunk deep under his huge brow. They were glaring directly into Market. Remembering how the last episode ended, Market’s heart found a little solace when his hand naturally found Thokul. Exhaling hard on every breath, Kel’s gaze was intense. After what seemed an eternity, Market saw out of his peripheral vision Kel’s hand swing forward. Market’s grip tightened on Thokul. Kel’s hand swung low from his waist, slinging wooden pieces onto the map. Slowly a smile crept onto Kel’s face. Shocked and a little confused, Market broke the stare, looking down to the map.
It had changed. The field was much smaller. Again it seemed familiar. The way the thick bushes funneled uphill into a small grove, made Market realize that it was the terrain from earlier that day. Feeling relieved, Market examined the pieces. He again saw Kel, then himself. Looking up away from the mat, Market looked at Kel. Market was the one who smiled this time. Kel reached down and grabbed some more pieces. Dropping them onto the mat, they both looked down at the newly formed orcs. Market’s attention followed Kel’s hand closely. It reached out to where their two figurines were. Touching the figure, Market could see it stomp it’s foot. He could hear Kel’s voice, “here is good spot.” Market knew Kel was using his fingernail to move his piece but his hand became hard to see. It was still there if he focused on it, but when his attention was on the figure, his hand became transparent.
“You no die” requested Kel as he pointed for Market to take cover behind a tree. Market agreed with a nod. As he took a few steps back in order to position himself behind the tree he noticed the tactical advantage this location held.
“Ha ha ha” rumbled Kel. Market disoriented, broke his concentration from the map. He hadn’t noticed his extended hand. His fingers were touching his little wooden piece.
“Maruka likes you.” Leaning forward the Bugbear moved the orcs into place. The battle continued the way Market remembered down to the finest detail. It was getting close to the end. Most of the orcs were dead, some had gotten past Kel only to be dispatched by Market’s demons, and only one had made it to Market. There were only two left when again there was a disruption. Kel’s hand became glaringly out of place above the map. It moved behind the orcs. From within his hand dropped two pieces. As they hit the mat Market could see what they were. Two trolls. Looking so out of place Market couldn’t help but to be perturbed by them. Heavily armored with huge two handed swords they looked powerful. Confused and feeling affronted, Market looked up at Kel. Kel Just looked back at him.
Before a protest could be made, Kel said “Makes fight better.”
Market shrugged off the feeling of trepidation and dove in to move before the trolls could react. He began casting again with darkness flickering in his eyes. One of the remaining orcs continued to attack Market’s summoned dretch as the other decided to charge past Kel in an attempt to disrupt Market’s casting. A moment earlier Kel had swung his mace across his body landing a glancing blow on the orc. The orc saw Market clearly as Kel finished his follow through. Seeing the mage casting compelled the orc to charge. Just as he passed Kel, the back of his head was met with one of the most powerful backhands that Market had ever seen. Kel’s mace had made contact at the midpoint of his swing. Some of the blood and brain matter sprayed far above Market’s head, some of it landed on his face. Kel’s swing was so strong that the weight of his bloodied mace forced him to continue into a complete spin. Finishing the spin he faced the two trolls. Dropping his mace Kel reached to his belt for a bag. Ripping it from his waist, he threw it at one of the advancing trolls. Exploding into a binding, sticky goop, the troll was stopped in his tracks.
The other troll stepped up to Kel. Market was surprised at how the troll’s height dwarfed Kel. His long thin arms raised his huge sword above his head. Coming down hard, Kel was able to move his shield to intercept. Absorbing most of the blow, the troll’s sword sunk into the unprotected left shoulder of Kel. Meanwhile the dretch finished off the last orc and now focused its attention on the trolls. Market’s spells had come to completion. Ripping a hole in the only reality Kel knew, Market had called upon the most vile and vicious being. It reluctantly charged the stuck troll. Striking it hard with one of its claws and missing with the other, the troll grimaced in pain. Kel’s heavy mace struck hard against the other giant troll. One of the spikes on his shield sunk deeply into the troll’s thigh. Unfazed the troll’s ferocity didn’t falter.
Market sent summon after summon. The trolls had amazing stamina. Their blows were devastating. Chopping through many of his most powerful demons, Market began to wonder if they were going to survive. While he kept one busy, he looked over to Kel. Having inflicted massive damage on the troll, Kel was bleeding profusely. Because Kel had pulverized one of the troll’s arms, he had dropped his sword. Using the claws on his right hand, the troll fought on undaunted. Kel had taken damage to his left leg and it looked as if he had stabbed in the right side of his abdomen. Market could see his blood pooling below him. Recognizing Kel’s dilemma Market summoned a small group of quasits above the head of the troll. The moment the troll ducked his head was when Kel struck. A quick uppercut with his large spiked shield landed a spike under his chin, above his throat. The spike was driven up until it reached his spine. Falling on top of Kel the troll knocked him off balance. Hitting the ground, Kel felt his lungs on fire. Each breath burned. His head fell. Catching it before it hit the ground, Kel took one deep breath. Looking up he saw the other troll had escaped his trap and was making its way towards Market. Unable to keep his head up his face hit the dirt.
Without any demons left, Market stood readied with Thokul to defend himself. The troll had been hurt by the demons, but it was stronger than the other one. Upon reaching Market, it started in on him. This troll seemed smart. He was always reacting to Market. He only took shot’s after being attacked. Market was holding his own until the troll sunk his sword into his shoulder. The blow was devastating. His head seemed clouded. Where was Kel?
Looking up at the nine foot troll with its sword raised above his head ready to come down with a killing blow, Market caught a glimpse of Kel. He could just see the top of his head and his mace in both hands. He was at the apex of a jump. Coming down with tremendous force, his mace struck the troll in between its shoulders. Market could see the troll’s chest surge forward as his head and arms flew back. Falling to one knee the troll caught himself from falling into the dirt. Amazingly the troll turned his head to see Kel and at the same time he swung his huge sword blindly behind him.
Market looked over the shoulder of the half kneeling troll to see Kel looking back at him. The troll’s sword had buried itself three quarters of the way through Kel’s neck. Kel’s eyes stared blankly back as his body slumped. Market could hear an other worldly, bone chilling roar as the troll removed his sword from the neck of the lifeless Kel. Market’s hand felt heavy as it gripped the handle of Thocul. Facing the back of the troll, Market slid his sword deep between an opening in the troll’s armor, through his ribs, and deep into his heart. The troll instantly slouched, slid off the sword, and fell onto the ground next to Kel body.
Market’s ears were ringing and his head started pounding. He felt out of breath and his eyes seemed to go in and out of focus for a second. Then it snapped. The mat was there in front of him. Kel was on his feet with his mace in hand. Market fell backwards on the ground. Again he remembered the other night. He quickly scuttled backwards on his elbows. His heals digging into the ground, pushing his body back away from Kel. A few feet of distance helped Market realize that Kel’s attention wasn’t on him. Kel’s mace was hitting the ground directly in front of his own feet. It seemed weird, Kel had just died, but he wasn’t striking the ground with the same force that did a few nights earlier. This time there was no ferocity. Market could see Kel jump a little from off of one leg before he struck the ground. Then he jumped off the other. He stopped for second and looked over to Market. With a wide grin across Kel’s face, Market saw a look of glee. This wasn’t anger, this was celebration.