Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 11:00:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: c z <cezmail1@yahoo.com>
Subject: Battered Barbarian- Chapter 9

Disclaimer- Standard Nifty and I will just add, if you
don't want to read it or can get busted if caught, don't.
Easy enough done and I am not responsible if you screw up.
The story is mine, and I am going to insist on its
copyright. So hereby Battered Barbarian and his Boy is now
copyrighted  ( C ) by cezmail, my pseudonym on the net. Ask
permission to post it elsewhere and I will most likely
grant it, but doing so without is a violation of my
copyright. Thanks for understanding.

This is all complete fiction. NONE of it is true. It has
elements of fantasy violence ( explicit at times ),
relations between a boy and a man, and sexual themes. If
this is illegal for you to read or not to your tastes,
DON'T READ! Otherwise, please look on down and if you have
an opinion, let me know. I am more then willing to listen
and reply.

This is a new turn of events for me, my first all complete
fiction. It is based on a roleplaying character of mine,
and with that, I move ahead with this new story.

Thanks for all those who liked the first chapters.You  made
me feel I was able to convey this well and have fun while I
was at it. I appreciate all the kind folks who have come
across my story and read it. Thanks for all the emails and
support. I am still with it and will hope to keep writing
when I can. May not always write as often, but I am still
here folks.

Special thanks to Skip, Coal Black, Odhreg, Bob from CO,
Bobby, Michael H, Zustara, Karla, Draco, Charlie G, Jayel,
Kyle Aarons, and  Aaron from Seattle.  Thanks for the kind
words and encouragement. Always nice to hear from you all.
: )

To all others, as before, feel free to email me with any
comments. I gladly answer any and all. You can email me at
cezmail1@yahoo.com.

Chapter 9

Zert tried with all his might to move, Anything! Something!
No matter what he attempted, not a single muscle seemed to
move, The only things he could have any control was of his
breathing, shallow and fast in fear and frustration, and
blinking. He could not turn his head to where the deep
gravelly base of the Half Ogre had called out. He  could
not see Zax frozen in fear and terror of the return of his
captor. His eyes were focuses on the edge of battle, where
the Orcs and Humans, what was left of them, battled through
the Nayrians. Juris led his remnants of his company in a
defensive square, holding off their enemies. The calvary
men, now on foot, formed on the flank and battled with
lance and sword. Their sergeant had a gleaming spear in his
hand that seemed to shine even further in the shadows left
from the acid cloud. Zert saw it enter a human warrior and
pierce the chain hauberk with little resistance.

Then as he was about to give into his despair, he saw
something that caused his stomach to attempt to revolt. A
large shape showed itself from the wood. A sharp rank ,
even through the smells of the battle, reached Zert's nose.
Acid along with rotted intestines came through. The shape
revealed more and Zert saw a huge Half Ogre, close to ten
feet tall and massive in almost a Giant's form. It was
armored in a huge set of banded armor, pitted and misshapen
from repeated blows of warriors who had tried to pierce the
strong tensile strength of the metal bands sealed next
together to ward off the strikes. In his hands was an ax so
big that even this Half Ogre would have to have a great
amount of strength to wield. It would have been more suited
in a Giant's arms then this thuggish humanoid. The Ax
seemed to slow in a strange and frightening way. Zert
realized that as droplets came off the Ax, the ground
sizzled and leaved wilted. The stench of acid came from the
ax. The strange thing about the acid was that it was a deep
reddish purple, as if it was blood spurting from an artery.
This could be none other then Blood Ax.

Zax screamed out if his fright as Blood Ax showed himself.
The sight of the leader of this warband caused Juris and
his allies to take a step back. They knew nothing of this
being, but his size and the sight of his fiercesome weapon
was enough to make them wonder if they would survive this
day. Zax was about to collapse when he started to sense
something. The ring in his hand, the one that Zert had
gifted him back at the battle at Dirdir's farm, started to
tingle. The tingle quickly changed to a throb, sending
small shocks through his arm. His fear was momentarily
forgotten as the throb morphed into bolt of sensations. Zax
felt something rush into his brain, something that he could
not even begin to comprehend. All he knew was that he
almost was overcome by this rush.

Ulf and Yokus, once more out of melee range, took up their
weapons. Yokus had a clear shot at some enemy bowmen and
started to load and unleash his arrows. His quiver was
running low, even with the extra arrows his had gotten back
at Goshen, but he was trying to distract and pierce as many
of the enemy as he possibly could. Each arrow he sent on
its way, he made an oath for justice for his Da and his
Brother. Each enemy he wounded or killed, was another step
in having some fulfillment for his vengeance.

Ulf knew this was the time that he had to use the last item
that he had left from his Father's days of Glory. Mounting
the quarrel into the groove of the crossbow Dirdir had
crafted in his last year when serving with Captain Vorn, he
set the banded bolt against the taut wire of the bow. This
would be for Da, and may the Gathered see that it struck
true. Ulf stepped to the side and then sighted along the
axis of the bow towards Blood Ax. " Go swiftly, and take on
the very essence of the vileness. Da aid me! " The bolt
leaped from the crossbow, going towards the Half Ogre.

Zert looked on as Blood Ax lifted his Ax again. " Damn you
scum licking Kobold lovers. GET the Boy!!. Kill these puny
humans and get that brat. If I have to kill every last one
of you to get my point, I will. Remember the fate of Fenxat
when he failed. me. " These words, as the knowledge of the
temper of Blood Ax was enough to drive the assembled troops
of the warband forward. This movement was enough to help to
shape the events that the survivors would always remember.

Ulf's bolt, the last Thunderbolt left from his Da's demise,
was not to strike true. One of the Trolldogs, until now
only heard, leaped over the heads of the Orcs as it scented
the quarry. Its body, a combination of a large hound and
troll was a sight few saw and escaped. It was colored a
greenish brown, wilted skin with warts, teeth glistening in
the scattered light. It was the size of the largest wolf,
its eyes showed more intelligence then any normal canine.
It roared out a howl that was close to a bellow as it
sighted Zax's frozen body. Its mouth, if it could have
smiled, would have been showing an expression of triumph.
Just as it reached the apex of it leap, the creature's
world dissolved into nothingness.

The blast and the roar of the bolt going off brought the
battle to a half in the brief moment as it was detonated.
The trolldog was blasted apart, nothing would ever be found
of it afterwards. a full score of enemy was killed or
wounded by the blast, which also unfortunately killed a
cavalryman who had stepped force to lunge with his
dismounted lance. Blood Ax was driven to the ground, though
was not touched by any of the blast.

This unleashing of energy seemed to act like a catalyst for
many things at once. First Zax, coming out of the shock of
the rush he had from the ring stirred himself as the
thunder rolled away. New information seemed to leap
unbidden into his mind. He found himself moving his fingers
in motions that he had only glimpsed. Words he had never
before been able to imprint started to flow from his mouth.
Gestures merged with the words and motions of the fingers.
A spell started to fly from his mouth and body. No longer
was Zax frozen from his terror. Now only a cold rage was in
his heart. Now was the time that he gave back the pain and
the wounds that these damned Gorian's and Orcs had
inflicted on him and his.

Zert was also sensing something. As the blast was flashing
before him, he felt something come into his mind. Words
appeared where they had never come before.  " Now we
awaken. Now we reach our destiny. Now we raze and strike. "
As the words ended, a glow came about Zert and combined
with the magic of the thunderbolt. It quickly ended and as
it came to a stop, Zert was thrown back from the blast of
concussive energy and the magic now coming through his
body. Nimlas had awoken.

Nimlas was throbbing in his hand as he shook off the blast
that had made him now lie on his back. No light flowed from
the blade, but there was a dull sheen that helped to
identify to Zert that he had heard true. He sensed more in
this sword, but he would have to ponder it at later time.
Now he had enemies to kill, a love to save, and friends to
aid. Nimlas had freed him from the spell that had frozen
him, but Zert would have to be the one to wield this weapon
and using all his skills and knowledge, intercept Blood Ax
before he could get to Zax. He knew without knowing, that
only Nimlas would be able to stand up to the ax of the Half
Ogre. Should he fail, then all were doomed.

Zax's spell was finally completed. A bolt of almost pure
crimson leaped from his out-stretched fingers. The feedback
from this spell drained Zax, having used the very last
energies he had left in his spell repertory. The
enchantment moved forth and as it reached the halfway mark
between the enemies and the assembled soldiers, it split
apart. Shards grew into a wide cone from where it had
shattered, striking many of the Orcs. Some simply folded
down, parts separating from their bodies as chunks were cut
away. Some screamed as they were grazed by the crimson
pieces that raced by. In the end, another 12 Orcs were
killed or wounded. Now the odds were much more in the favor
of the allies.

The two spells, so closer followed by one another, gave
pause to the battle. The Orcs and the Gorians were
frightened and cowed by the two blasts, the allies were
heartened by the completion. The four companions felt their
hearts strengthen by new found energy and faith. Zert knew
that Rawndalla was Favoring them on this day. He strode
forth to intercept the being that had hurt his Zax, His
Love would see Blood Ax pay for his crimes, and justice
would be inflicted on the enemy.

Zax's fall from being nearly put unconscious by his spell
also was a precursor for another development. The allies,
now feeling that they would be successful in the battle,
charged forth to drive the enemy from their lands. The
tightly clumped soldiers were a target that could not be
allowed to escape without confrontation. The lone surviving
spellcaster, a Master of the Black Hand, sent forth his own
spell, one that did not need a bolt to ensure its reaching
its target. It came into the Borderers and Cavalrymen with
a dull roar and exploded among the allies. Fire leapt
about, enveloping the calvary sergeant and with such heat,
only ashes would remain from his body, and his spear a
twisted  and melted gob of metal. More of the allies were
fried or singed, taking out the wind in the charge. As the
fire flowed into nothingness, a circle of crisped bodies
and men was all that remained. Juris still lived and he
bellowed to his men "Keep moving, or were all dead. Drive
them out. Take them down. "

Zert kept moving even as more of the new friends died or
fell from the spell. His target was Blood Ax. He said
nothing,  called out no warnings. This creature deserved
nothing more then death, and Zert was going to send its
blackened soul back to Voidius. Rawndalla would look down
on her servant this day. He would overcome the servant of
Kalen Dahl.

The Half Ogre sensed Zert and focused his eyes on the
mailed Half Orc. He had heard of this one. This one had
been sighted before, and he had been the one that had taken
the quarry for his master. This was a worthy foe to kill,
and to add his skull to those that hung from his walls. "
You die now Priestling, and your boy will give much
pleasure to my Master before he dies in the rite. " Blood
Ax swung up his dripping ax and had it raised for the
battle to come.

" Not my day to die demon spawn. You should have stayed
licking the turds of your master. Now Rawndalla will see to
it that her servant stops you., The Boy is under my
protection. Neither he nor his friends will you take. I
face you, and Nimlas is alive. She will meet your enspelled
devilish weapon, and together we will overcome you. You
will not see another day. Time for you to die eater of
greens. Dream of your death, for your end in upon you. "

At this utterance, Nimlas was swung out in an arc to take
on Blood Ax. Zert got his shield up high in anticipation of
the strike that he knew was coming. The two weapons, one
personally gifted to Blood Ax from his Master, the other
the spoils from Zert's old keeper came into contact.
Together the very air shook in the clang of the actions of
the attacks. Acid etched Zert's shield, but to Nimlas there
was not even a scratched. Zert's shoulder ached from the
blow, the strength of the Half Ogre's attack driving him
back a step. He moved into a new swing and together the two
warriors, former slaves and now transformed into soldiers
for their leaders. Blood Ax was surprised that Zert was
able to stand up to his blows and the ability of the
warrior to side step swings that would have split many of a
man in twain.

They gave each other small wound,s but no telling attack
could be landed. Zert's shield saved him from the spatter
of acid, but was quickly failing under the rain of the
magical chemicals. It was now very bitted and pieces were
flying off as the ax's heads  got past Nimlas's blocks.
Zert had a deep wound on his left side where the rim of his
shield had failed to protect him, but Zert had been able to
get in a stab of his own at Blood Ax's leg, hampering the
Half Ogre's movements.

About them the battle continued. A few more minor spells
came from the Black Hand mage, but he had emptied his
storage of spells earlier. Juris helped to drive his men at
the orcs and the battle mingled into many a free form  and
small engagements. Ulf and Yokus used up the last of their
missiles trying to get at the enemy and the mage, and then
with brazen adrenaline driven courage of battle, moved in
to join the soldiers. Yokus stayed closer to Zax's body, in
case one of the enemy tried to get at the boy. He saw the
ongoing attacks between Zert and Blood Ax, but dared not
get any closer as he knew he would fail to be able to stand
up to the Half Ogre.

Ulf took up his father's ax and was able to get to the
battle in time to ward off a strike aimed at Juris's back.
The Captain gave the youth a nod in gratitude before
turning back into the fray. Ulf was about to join him when
he saw Father Galron stirring, blood still flowing from
where the pike had landed. Recalling the curatives he still
had, he ran to the priest to administer one of them. They
would need this priest if many more of the wounded were to
be saved.

Zert was tiring, his wounds sending out sharp slivers of
pain. His muscles ached from blocking so many of the brute
strength of Blood Ax's attacks, his energy starting to ebb.
He started to wonder if he would be able to get through
this when suddenly he was driven back once more. Blood Ax
had used a new maneuver that Zert had failed fully block.
His shield shattered and he felt his arm break from the
mass of the ax as it destroyed his shield.  Zert lay on the
ground, his shoulder and armed crying out in agony. He
looked through eyes dulled by pain as Blood Ax raised his
ax again. " Time for you to die priestling. "

The ax was reaching its apex when again Zert heard the
voice that came from Nimlas. " Now time you heal. Fight on.
Kill enemy. " Nimlas shivered in anticipation and the
sensations of pain disappeared. The flow of magic came
forth from the blade and Zert felt his arm and whole body
healed. The broken boned knitted instantly, wounds closed
and left only a trace of a scar. Blood was renewed and his
strength was once more at its peak. Muscles still ached,
but it was something Zert could handle and deal with.

 Zert smiled as Nimlas healed him near completely.  This
smile caused Blood Ax to pause just for a second and it was
enough of a delay for Zert to swing to the side and clamper
up to his feet. He grasped Nimlas into his hands and
prepared for a new round of attacks. Blood Ax cursed this
happenstance and wondered how this priest had been able to
heal himself so quickly. No matter he thought, He would
slay this distraction and get to the boy, who lay just a
short distance away.

The battle away from the two warriors raged on. The allies,
much reduced then from the beginning of the attack, fought
with the Orcs and Humans. Juris held his men together and
they were making inroads at the enemy. A squad had
attempted to make a rush to get at the mage, but had fallen
under his spells. Of those that had started, only 20 or so
remained standing and able to fight on. Others were maimed,
killed, or too heavily wounded to stand. Ulf's healing of
Father Galron had been the start of saving more men that
would have lived had the priest died. Galron kept Ulf with
him and they used the last curatives in small amounts, and
supplemented that with what healing that the priest had.
When that was used up, they took to using the regular
healer's bag and bandages. Some would not live through the
night and Ulf attempted to make them at ease as best he
could. Father Galron had some opium laced wine to help dull
those in pain who were terminal.

The allies pressed on against the enemy and it looked like
it was soon to be over. Then a scream came from where the
mage was, and all who could see were able to look as an
arrow showed from the mages shoulder. Shadowfox stepped
forth to try to lay on with another arrow. She had returned
from her mission in time to aid the allies before the mage
had been able to use a scroll that would have meant the
death of more of the alliance. The mage cursed as the pain
from the missile stopped him and knew he had to leave
before this new Elf was the death of him. He bellowed out
to Blood Ax. " Time to leave lummox. Pull away of I leave
you behind. "

Blood Ax roared out in frustration., but was able to see
that this battle was over. Looking back at Zert he snarled.
" Another time Priestling. Live for now, for I will be
back. " He pulled off from the battle with a speed that
took Zert by surprise. He called out a whistle and was
replied by the howl of his other troll dog. Together they
got back to the mage, who activated a device. Together,
they and the trolldog disappeared in a shimmer of light and
when it faded, they were gone. " Damn the Gods for this.
Shit! he got away. " Zert turned and charged into the fray.
His attacks helped to finish off the survivors, those who
had not already fled. His last attack killed off the last
Urok that was still alive, helping to save a young trooper
who had his leg broken from a blow from the Urok's hammer.

The fight done, many collapsed from pain in their wounds,
or went to aid those that had fallen. Shadowfox moved in as
well and used some potions she had to aid in the healing.
It was discovered that Xiat was not dead after all, just so
close to it that it took the last spells in Zert's memory
to bring him to consciousness. In the end, 28 men and
troopers lived , the rest being killed from spells or
wounds. The bodies were assembled for a mass burial. Zax
had recovered from his draining and stayed close to Zert.
He shook his head when Zert tried to talk to him, too tired
to form words, but he did give his Hero a smile that
reassured Zert.  The survivors finished burying their
companions and looting the enemy of valuables. Many of
these were probably from Goshen, so it was put aside by
Juris. Xiat used a scroll he had to aid in the burying of
the fallen, and special attention to his fellow mage who
had died. He personally took the belongings of Fenwick to
return to the dead mage's family.

Ulf stayed close to Shadowfox, still enamored by her looks
and beauty. She seem to just ignore it, and gave him
nothing, but at least she did not sneer at him. She talked
with Juris alone and made a report that pleased the
Captain. Once all the dead and the severely wounded had
been taken care of, the horses were packed with the loot
and coin they had recovered. Too many of the mounts were
with empty saddles. Zax, Ulf, and Yokus were lent horses to
ride, Ulf tying the mules behind his mount. None of the
horses would be able to handle Zert's body and weight, so
he walked next to Zax.

The youth was still very tired and drained from the spell
casting that had flowed through him and the ring. He sensed
that he had gained much knowledge, but had not fully taken
it all in. He did know that he was no longer an apprentice.
No apprentice would have been able to cast such a spell. he
would have to ponder this, and hoped to have a talk with
Xiat or another mage soon. Too many questions were still on
his mind.

The assembled warriors were to ride to Goshen to check on
the village and if it still stood, reinforce it till other
companies could arrive to relieve them. Juris sent out
three riders. One to report to the Colonel back in Port
Nayr, one in advance to Goshen, and the other towards
Perth. The others slowly rode forth, leaving the bodies of
the enemy where they lay. The four companions rode at the
rear, silently following as they made they way back to
where they had come from.

-----------------------------------------------------------

So ends Chapter 9. More to come with new surprises. No
promises as to when, but soon enough. Like I have said
before, I am committed to the story.  Till next time folks.


Thanks for all the emails and comments folks. I very much
appreciate every last one and I gladly reply. Keep them
coming and I will keep writing. I will say here and now I
am committed to the story. Had some replies from other
authors whose stories I drew a little inspiration from.
Really helped to boost my ego. I thank you folks.

Check out my other story- Monterey Delights at
nifty/gay/young-friends/monterey-delights/

Praise me, flame me, or just tell me where I may improve or
screwed up. I am more then willing to reply and we can see
what the future holds. Email me at cezmail1@yahoo.com.

Thanks

Charlie