Possessing the Grimstone - By John Grover Page 0,30
soldiers and cavalry as far as the eye could see, and they easily outnumbered what was left of the Northern men of Bhrungach. Pim thought of the Lady of the Council, and pity filled his heart.
Tolan mounted a steed by Pim’s side, and unsheathed a bastard sword. “This was my father’s sword,” he told Pim. “He slew many invaders with this blade. I pray that it swings true now, and strikes fear in these new invaders.”
“By Thet, I’m sure it will.” Pim smiled up at him, and turned. Ono was coming toward him.
“I threw up, again.”
“Ono, calm your nerves. We are among the greatest army in Athora.”
“That changes nothing. Who knows what creatures lie waiting for us?”
“They will taste our might, and wish they’d never come through the misty cloud wall to our shores.”
“Pim… I’m scar…”
The city gates opened, and the trumpets sounded again. The army moved, and Pim walked with his Wivering brothers to the outside. The traders and sellers cleared out, the farmers hurried their livestock away.
Black clouds covered the sky on the horizon.
As soon as they were through the gates, Pim saw the army from the South riding through Cardoon’s outer reaches. Their horses pulled war wagons on two wheels: wagons armed with spears and shields. The people were painted in various colors, but the most vivid of them was their leader, Drith. He was covered with bright yellow and striking black. His armor resembled turtle shells, and was decorated with the red feathers of the phoenix-tail bird, a creature indigenous to his land. He looked proud, with his warriors behind him, sporting black feathers. Behind them, banners beared their symbol: the sun encircled in flames.
Pim then noticed Cardoon’s banners, with the symbol of the black spires with the King’s crown above them. Sadly, he could find no banners for the city of Bhrungach.
Moments later, the mysterious people of Gwythroth, tall and nearly gliding, moved across the land. In the blink of an eye, they vanished and reappeared at the city’s gates. They bowed to Tolan, Geyess, and Jorrel, who now stood at the head of the gathering of armies.
Pim could not have been prouder to be part of this moment in history. He couldn’t wait to use his fleet to save the world.
“The Wivering should save their fleet for the battle,” Jorrel said. “Let them ride in our wagons, and in any the South may spare.”
Tolan approached Pim. “I promised your parents for your safe return. Ride with me.”
“I am not a child any longer.”
“Yes, yes, you are a brave and courageous man. Still, you are riding with me.” Tolan extended his arm, and Pim took it, climbing onto the back of the horse.
The warrior got on his nerves sometimes, treating him like a child and questioning his every decision. He knew Tolan didn’t think he was ready for this, but what choice was there? Every last person in Athora had to do their part. Pim only wanted to be a part of it.
“I am sorry I could not train you longer, lad,” Tolan said to him. “It is not just to send you and your people into the midst of war. Becoming a warrior takes time and patience. But it is time we do not have. For this, I apologize.”
“Months would not make a difference,” Pim said. “At some point, one must fight, be it for the land, the people, or his very life.”
“In mere moments, you have become as wise as Sooth-Malesh.” A smile drew on his lips, but quickly faded, as his eyes dimmed. “War does not make one a man. Someday, however, you will see there are other ways to bring peace rather than fighting. Today is not that day.”
“You sound like my father… amusing, because you look nothing like him.”
Tolan laughed.
“Do not worry, Warrior. I do not blame you for my part in this war. I understand your king sent you to seek every last man you could find, but in our village, your call to arms was true. Did you not think we would answer?”
“I knew the Wivering would do the right thing and I remember my call well. I will carry that day for as long as I live, which may not be very long.”
The trumpets blared one last time, and the army moved out.
“Not long at all.” Tolan tried to whisper, but Pim heard him just fine.
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Drith steered his wagon slowly, his brother walking beside it. Drith leaned over to him.
“Remember,” Gyrn said. “Watch for signs of this