Legends Of Zyconia Part 24
The Swamp Of Ghouls
The wind blew across the slime-laden plain. The sky above was dark. All that became visible ahead was swamp. Here and there small, horrid, dead looking, leafless trees dotted the landscape, perhaps as remembrances of the flailing arms of the many victims that had disappeared beneath this grimy sea of mucous. The foggy mist was acidic and nauseating. Guttural, unnatural, gurgling noises echoed across the bubbling surface. All that was evil was not visible for, not far beneath the suffice, dangerous predators waited to strike.
Terrek surveyed the swamp and stood atop a large rock so that the entire army could see him.
"The wagons are obviously not going to be able to travel through the swamp. However, after deciphering one of the stone tablets from the avian Sanctuary we believe that there is a crystal somewhere in the swamp. Perrin will take all non-military individuals and the wagons and travel around the swamp to meet the soldiers, who will be led by me. on the other side."
He paused for a moment then continued.
"The soldiers will he separated into teams in order for us to cover as much of the swamp as possible. Be on your guard. There are small troll-like beings inhabiting the swamp and, although alone they are not particularly strong. they often travel in packs of a dozen or more. Before you realize it, you may be pulled beneath the swamp to be devoured, so remain alert."
"Perrin, keep Celarus alive, I want him to survive. Do you understand?" Terrek said strongly.
Perrin nodded. Terrek led the soldiers toward the swamp as Perrin headed away in search of a route around. One person didn't feel that he should be grouped with the non-military, and that was Timothy. Just as the soldiers were out of sight he peered out of the back of one of the wagons in the rear, and seeing that no one was watching. he jumped out and ran in the direction Terrek had taken.
Terrek's team was made up of Diana, Hemoth. Zachary, John. Juliana as well as a half dozen other soldiers. High above, Selate surveyed them all. ready to swoop down at the first sign of trouble. They all had weapons drawn and rode closely together. Terrek led Streak while Diana sat atop the horse nervously holding her dagger. They all knew danger was imminent. Instantly a splashing noise startled them all as about four dozen ghouls aggressively surfaced, surrounding them. The ghouls had grey, human-like, lizard heads, dwarf-like bodies and small clawed hands.
They hissed and growled as they closed in on the group. All at once they sprang forth, blanketing the team. Several clung to the horses while others attacked the soldiers. They hurriedly hit and hacked at the ghouls desperately trying to fend them off. The ghouls themselves bit and clawed everyone they clung onto.
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 23
TO READ THE NEXT PART GO TO: LEGENDS OF ZYCONIA PART 25
