Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [90]
When the mass of dirt and ants hit the mage, James feels the tingling stop as hundreds of ants begin crawling and biting all over the mages body. No one could possibly maintain concentration while beset by hundreds of stinging fire ants.
Their horses once again pick up speed as the ground quiets. Potbelly slows and glances back to his friend Scar who’s already off the ground and has his horse’s reins in hand. “You okay?” Potbelly hollers back to him.
Swinging into the saddle, Scar yells, “Of course!” Kicking the sides of his horse, he’s soon caught up to Potbelly and together they ride to catch the others.
“Uther, Jorry,” James yells to the pair. “You two stay with me.” Then to Jiron he says, “Take out those mages, we’ll slow down the riders.”
“You got it,” Jiron replies.
Turning to face the onrushing riders, James reaches into his pouch. Pulling forth one of the two remaining crystals, he makes a conduit from the darkly glowing crystal to himself. Feeling the power rush into him, he immediately sends it forth to a point directly before the oncoming riders.
Ka-Boom!!!
An explosion of massive proportion detonates under the leading edge of the force. Riders, horses and debris are thrown into the air, their screams and cries only silencing when they slam back into the ground.
James glances back to Jiron’s force and find them already at the mages. Unable to defend themselves with magic, they fall quickly. Many of the soldiers, covered in hundreds of welts from the bites of the fire ants, have managed to disengage themselves from the thorns and are beginning to engage them.
A quick glance back to the settling dust of the massive explosion, he doesn’t see anything moving. “Let’s go and help our friends,” he says.
With a cry, Jorry and Uther turn their horses and the three race back to the growing battle. More and more of the soldiers are extricating themselves and are moving to engage Jiron and the others.
All three of the mages lie still upon the ground, their heads severed from their bodies. There can be no doubt now as to whether they will pose a future threat. When James comes within shouting distance, he cries out, “Disengage! Retreat!”
As he slows down and pulls a slug from his belt, Jorry and Uther race past him. Scar and Potbelly are faced off against six opponents and they race to their aid. Seated upon their horses, they are able to keep the enemy soldiers at bay but are unable to disengage without grave risk to life and limb.
Just as Jorry and Uther reach them, a slug flies past and takes out one of the enemy soldiers. Charging through the enemy, they allow Scar and Potbelly the opportunity to disengage. Scar strikes out at his remaining opponent with his sword and severs the man’s left arm.
“Let’s go!” Jiron yells.
James launches three more slugs and then the rest of his men are able to break away safely. A quick count shows no one was lost, many have wounds seeping blood but nothing that looks life threatening.
“Think that will slow them down?” Yern asks with a laugh.
Behind them, the scene remains one of confusion and chaos as horses and men continue in their attempt to rid themselves of burning, biting ants.
“I would think so,” laughs Shorty.
Back at where they left the Hand, they find them already in the saddle and waiting for them. The green glow that was present when they left is now gone.
“Where did all those ants come from?” Stig asks Brother Willim.
Indicating the ground he says, “In the ground beneath our feet are countless insects and animals. They are Asran’s creatures and will do his bidding.”
“Fascinating,” remarks Jorry. Uther nods in agreement.
“Let’s save this for later,” Jiron announces. “We better catch up with the others before too much longer.” With that, he kicks the side of his horse and breaks