Belly of the Beast by Warren Thomas (story books for 5 year olds txt) 📕

the Jarlands, and claim all the Arisen temples in the land as my own, I will be more powerful than any of the Arisen ever dreamed of becoming. And since everyone within the conquered territories will be worshipping Me, alone, I will soon be able to confront Them even within Their own Realms.”

            He glanced once more through the eyes of His priesthood, at the cooling corpses of two hundred priests and priestesses. For three thousand years He had waited for this.

            “Victory is sweet.”

Chapter 26

            The company was formed up in the predawn light. Distant thunder rumbled, reminding everyone of the storm of battle they were about to enter. Tane expected to be marched out straight away, but the captain spoke to them instead.

            “Scouts report the enemy is just an hour’s march south of here,” Captain Kenelm began, capturing everyone’s undivided attention. “Many of you have heard some rumors concerning what we’re about to meet. None of them good, I’m sure. Well, I’m afraid most are true.

            “The men, women and children we’re about to face have been ensorcelled,” he continued. “Yes, you heard right. Children will throw themselves against us. And they are just as mindlessly dangerous as their parents, so don’t drop your guard at the sight of them. Otherwise, it will be your last mistake.

            “Though still alive, our adversaries are zombies for all practical purposes. Fear them. From what our scouts and spies tell us, they are the survivors of previous battles, sacked villages and anyone else the zombie host overran. It appears that almost everyone they capture is magically enslaved and added to their growing army, soldiers and civilians alike.

            “At first we thought it was the work of some powerful wizard, but now we know the truth. One of the Old Ones has been unleashed on the world. The Court Mages and the city’s High Priests believe it is Dakar.”

            Tane didn’t need convincing, for he knew it was Dakar, called the Black God by the ancient elves. There was no doubt in his mind about it. Dakar’s image – dark and brooding face with large ram horns coming out of the forehead and twisting around to end below large pointed ears, with a towering and powerful body covered by thick pitch black fur, tufts of gray at the points of ears and around exposed genitals, goatlike from the waist down – leapt before Tane’s mind’s-eye. He was the God, the oppressive presence, in all of Tane’s nightmares.

            “Tane?” Quinn whispered, the question in his eyes.

            The other members of the squad were looking his way, expectantly and fearfully. He could only nod agreement with the captain and watch grim looks claim them all.

            Captain Kenelm continued, “Our mission today is to act as reserves. We will be thrown at any weak point in the battle lines. If we can’t defeat or turn them away from Kestsax, then we conduct an orderly withdrawal back to the city.”

            “How many?” someone called.

            The captain smiled grimly. “We don’t know. Thousands. Maybe hundreds of thousands. Their host stretches from horizon to horizon, hundreds of miles wide. We are hoping they are stretched thin.”

            “Oh my Gods!” Tane cried. “My home village. My family!”

            “Where?” Captain Kenelm asked, his concern evident.

            “Bracklin. Two days down river.”

            The captain shook his head sadly. “That area was overrun yesterday. I’m sorry, son.”

            Raven slipped an arm around Tane as his knees faltered. He held on to her, thinking about his parents, brothers, sister, and other family and friends. All gone. He couldn’t help but think that, maybe, if he’d been there...

            “It’s all right, Tane,” Raven whispered. “We’re here for you.”

            “We’ll get through this together,” Quinn said.

            Eyes burning, he straightened and nodded. Rage was beginning to burn deep in his belly, slowly consuming his despair. Someone would pay, and dearly. And that someone was called Dakar.

Chapter 27

            The predawn forest was frightening to a desert born man like Nizar. Every sound, every rustling of underbrush caught his attention. What sort of creatures lived in such fetid rot? What sort of monsters thrived in such soul-numbing cold and darkness? Demons? Certainly. But also an endless array of poisonous snakes, biting insects, and large predators. Mogens and a few of his fellow priests had delighted in telling Nizar about them, feeding his fear even as his intellect said most of the aforementioned threats were being chased before Dakar’s great Host. That knowledge did little to comfort Nizar, not after hearing stories of another priest that was attacked and mauled to death by an enraged bear. Dakar seemed reluctant to provide protection against such mundane dangers. For the thousandth time, Nizar wished he had never left his nice clean desert.

            The forest canopy blocked what little light was available through the thick black clouds. The zombies had no personal initiative, so there weren’t any fires burning to brighten the scene. They would flock to warmth and light if found, but could not muster the motivation needed to create a mere creature comfort.

            Nizar scowled at the thought. No fires meant no hot food. He would go into battle with an empty stomach, cold and miserable. But it was his own fault. This wasn’t his first zombie command. He knew their shortcomings as well as any priest.

            “You!” Nizar called, pointing at a middle-aged man to his left. Of all the men and women, young and old, within sight, the man was the cleanest. One and all were disgusting with dried blood and filth. “You are my personal assistant. From now on, you will personally build a fire and start cooking food for me the moment we stop for the day. Understand?”

            “Yes, Your Grace,” he said.

            Nizar started to begin the task of deploying his people for the coming march and battle, then turned back on his new assistant. “And another thing, I don’t want you involved in the fighting. Keep yourself safe, so