Legends Of Zyconia Part 20

The tablets were old and primitive but John was well aquainted with all ancient Zyconian dialects and had little trouble deciphering most of them. The army was now heading out across the eastern part of the central grasslands. Outside a thunderstorm raged. The rain hammered down like a million furious teardrops. John sat in the back of one of the tented wagons. Around him sat Terrek, Zachary, Diana and Hemoth. The strong wind tore at the roof of the wagon.

"These two tablets are a legend which tell about a great city which sits atop the Utopian Mountains?" Terrek said, holding them up.

"Yes, as near as I can tell. It speaks of the people of this city and that they are very hospitable. It says that there is another of the crystals in a vault deep beneath the city. But the legend also says something about hand to hand combat between a human and some great beast known as the father Minotaur." John described.

"Well, I don't know anything about the father Minotaur, but I know we have to get that crystal. We're already headed toward the Utopian Mountains, we should reach the base soon. Chances are that if we travel well into the mountains we can escape most of the storm," Terrek said. "We'll all be better off once we're away from the storm.

"It's the rainy season, and the horses are getting pretty spooked by the thunder and lightning," reasoned Zachary.

"I'm going to relieve Perrin and lead the army ahead myself. I'll take Diana to sit with Z.yron and keep him company," explained Terrek.

"You will sit with him, won't you Diana?" Terrek asked

"Of course I will," Diana said putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Be careful," she said.

"I will," he whispered as he kissed her.

He slowly waded through the swamp. If seen, he wouldn't have been recognized as human. Much of his armor and wardrobe had been damaged or torn away. Seriously wounded he struggled on. Blood, dried and some still oozing, covered his face and body. His eyes were partially glazed and bloodshot, ashen against the destruction of the storm. The wind hammered upon his staggering frame as exhaustion racked his body. Violent moans escaped his throat and his eyes rolled back in his skull, blood dripping from the sockets. He stumbled yet recovered and continued, intensely focused on his goal.

The storm still raged although they had reached the base of the Utopian Mountains and were now slowly beginning their ascent. It wasn't as difficult as many thought it would be. The mountain, although very rocky. rose gradually and wasn't steep. The storm was the worst obstacle.

Selate, feeling much better now after leaving her home. was tucked away in one of the tented wagons to escape the rain. The night before. Terrek had sat up with her while she remembered everything good about how the Sanctuary used to be. She told him many interesting stories about her clan. Some were even entertaining tales. She was at peace with her past now.

Terrek pressed on up the mountain. Close behind, Zachary, Hemoth and Jason rode their horses. Although Terrek had trained Streak extensively to ignore the thunder and lightning, even the weather was spooking him. Terrek put on a lambskin cloak to protect himself as much as possible. Large moors loomed ahead. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye Terrek caught sight of an erie picture.

"What is that!" one of the soldiers cried from behind Terrek.

Terrek slowed his horse and raised his gaze.

"A demon from the depths of hell!" cried another.

"Calm yourselves!" Terrek yelled over the storm.

Not far ahead a humanlike creature stood atop a large moor waving its blood streaked arms in the air.

"Eeeeeeeeecccchhhhh." a shrill scream echoed from its throat as its tattered rags and battered limbs blew in the wind like a cryptic ragdoll.

It lowered its arms.

Suddenly a flash of lightning illuminated its face. Terrek became slightly disturbed.

"Celarus!" he whispered, deeply perplexed.

Slowly he moved toward the moor. Finally one last moan escaped Celarus's throat and he collapsed sideways and tumbled off the moor. His body hit the ground with a thud and he rolled unto his back. The soldiers gathered around staring down at the broken form. Terrek knelt down beside the form and shone some torch light on his blood-streaked face.

"Celarus. He's obviously delirious," Terrek said to Zachary, Jason, and Hemoth.

"All right get him into one of the wagons, bring some healers to him." Terrek bellowed.

TO BE CONTINUED...

TO READ FROM THE BEGINNING GO TO: LEGENDS OF ZYCONIA PART 1

TO READ THE PREVIOUS PART GO TO: LEGENDS OF ZYCONIA PART 19

TO READ THE NEXT PART GO TO: LEGENDS OF ZYCONIA PART 21