Heroes of the Fallen Page 34

  “I don’t know, worshipful master,” said Teth-Senkhet. “I trusted he was sent instead of Samos.”

  “You trusted? Uzzsheol bring him back, I did not recognize his insolent face,” said Akish-Antum. “Something is amiss.” The tracker nodded and went out into the night.

  “Can I just eat without these nightly parlor games?” exclaimed Almek.

  Outside the tent, men were arrayed in all directions, some standing and talking, some sleeping, some slouched against trees and brush. Uzzsheol looked for the tall, dark-cloaked wine-man. His own trackers and warriors sat rolling dice made of bone. “Where did the wine-man go?”

  They looked puzzled. “What wine man? Aren’t we seeking the Nephite tenth man?”

  Uzzsheol grunted and swore. “Nimrod, go and find Samos and the other tall wine man, who was sent to replace him.” Nimrod nodded and went down the road, back to the wagons. He disappeared quickly in the inky blackness.

  Musing that perhaps there had been nothing unusual about the tall, smelly man, Uzzsheol joined a quick game of rolling the dice.

  General Anathoth finished his meal and excused himself from the company he loathed, bringing Bethia with him. They walked to the front of the column where the Tultecs camped. Lib greeted him and held the tent flap open for them. Bethia followed Anathoth inside, then sat upon a purple silken divan.

  “That pig!” she shouted, “saying I could be his queen.”

  “It’s over, let it go,” said Anathoth.

  “Why are you with them? I know you hate them, you don’t believe in any of this.”

  “As I have explained to you many times, my son is now two moons old. I cannot let him grow up knowing his father disobeyed the king. I will not have my son, Joram-Baal, grow up dishonored because I was not man enough to do my duty. You are a girl who does not understand honor and duty. If you did, you would not ask me every night.”

  “I know that you are a good man and will be a good father. I had to run away to realize what I had back home with a father like you, a good man overwhelmed with responsibility and duty. Yet he would never turn from his beliefs to please anyone else.”

  “I do what I do to please no one but myself!” Anathoth fumed.

  Lib looked inside the tent flap, smiled at what he perceived was a lover’s quarrel and closed the flap.

  “I didn’t mean it like that. My father will not deny truth nor do what he knows is wrong even if the whole world were against him.”

  “Why do I have the feeling that the whole world is against him?”

  “Because it’s true and there are few that support him. I should be there uplifting him, rather than causing him and my family worry.”

  “I cannot fight my fate.”

  “What fate? We choose what we will do in this life. I am here with you because I chose to run away. It was not fate. I chose it, and I have to live with it.”

  “Lib chose to spare your life. Was that not fate?”

  “I don’t believe so. We choose the strings that all weave together to form the tapestry of being.”

  He shrugged and took up his spear. “You are a good daughter, Bethia, and your father should be proud. If it is up to me, I will spare his life when the time comes. Who is he?”

  “Just a man, no one special.”

  “I will think on the things you have told me and if the Great Spirit allows, perhaps my destiny can be changed, where I can keep my honor and still do my duty. Only the Great Spirit could accomplish these things. Get some sleep, we will be moving again in a few scant hours.” Anathoth went out into the dark of night.

  “Samos is slain!” shouted Nimrod to Uzzsheol. “Someone broke his neck and stole his cloak.”

  Uzzsheol’s joyless eyes flared. He pulled his tomahawk and barked commands to his men, gesturing for them to scatter in all directions and find the tall dark man.

  Hearing the commotion, Akish-Antum exited his tent and cursed. How could a Nephite have gotten so close? He had looked the man in the eye, and he would never forget him. Almek, wine goblet in hand, came up beside him while General Tubaloth stayed close to his prince.

  “Now do you see, Prince Almek, how crafty the Nephite devils are?” said Akish-Antum. “An assassin crept into my tent and could have poisoned us all.”

  “Where is he? He could be hiding anywhere among us now,” said Almek, looking nervously about the chaotic camp.

  “He is gone into the forest by now. He is gone, but Uzzsheol will find him.”

  Amaron needed to put some distance between himself and the bloodthirsty trackers. He tore off the stinky Gadianton robe but kept hold of it. He had a plan. They would find his trail, but he would not make it easy for them. Time and again he doubled back in rough thick areas hoping it would discourage and weaken the resolve and attention of his pursuers. He had run for perhaps an hour or more when he found a promising spot between two trees.

  After digging a shallow depression, he used his knife to sharpen a few stakes, careful that their chips went only into the hole. He covered over the trap with a few branches and some grasses, then hung the filthy robe on a low hanging branch next to the trap. He ran on in a serpentine pattern to confuse the trackers. It was an old trick Lachoneus had taught him, so that crafty enemies could not cut you off.

  Amaron was halfway up a thickly wooded hill when he heard a scream coming from the area of his trap. They had found his trail sooner than expected, and he must do more to slow them down. Finding the right type of sapling, he yanked it back and secured it precariously with another branch. He attached a few sharpened spikes with rawhide strips to make this a good second trap. The branch holding the sapling barely restrained it. The first scuffle of feet would release the deadly spring.

  Amaron raced down the hill hoping to gain some good distance. Getting to the top of the next rise would give him a good lead, and from there he could get a good look at them. He heard a howl of pain and much cursing. At the top of the hill, he waited next to a stand of thick shrubs. His keen eyes spotted a trio making their way down the hill. He could easily handle three men. Crawling quickly through the brush he raced on, going between fallen trees and other obstacles to worry his followers.

  At the bottom of the wooded hill was a swift stream, about a foot deep and ten to twelve feet across with a heavy late spring runoff. He crossed in an obvious wide manner to a well-chosen spot where he would make a stand against his foes. He selected a few good stones and waited. Sword drawn and sling ready with a stone, he sat ready to revenge himself with a bloody fury.

  Watch and pray.

  Their arrival took longer than expected. The sun was beginning to rise behind him. One mohawked Lamanite and two with shaven heads, all in buckskins, appeared ever watchful… the wolf pack of Uzzsheol.

  Wait, one of the devils was Uzzsheol. The scarred warrior looked upon the stream and the woods beyond. The look on his face was cold and yet full of anticipation. Amaron sensed he was excited about the hunt. He would end that.

  Sending one of his warriors across the stream first with a drawn bow, Uzzsheol and his companion drew their bows. It was a cover and move system not unlike what Captain Lachoneus had taught Amaron and the other scouts. Once all three were across, Uzzsheol examined the trail again.

  Amaron wound up the sling and let the stone go with terrific force. It hit a man, he hoped it was Uzzsheol. Without their captain they would be easier pickings. Besides, he thought, the world would owe him a favor for ridding it of such a devil. It had, however, hit another, knocking him senseless. Taking cover behind boulders, Uzzsheol and the other tracker abandoned the fallen warrior. Arrows nocked and ready, they waited for the Nephite to make a move.

  Uzzsheol’s man tried to better his position and outflank Amaron, but he anticipated the move and sent another stone soaring. It struck the Lamanite’s head, sending him to the black abyss.

  Uzzsheol shot his copper-tipped arrow at Amaron, just grazing the edge of his right shoulder. Amaron crawled through some brush t
o change positions and lost his sling. “Baal’s devils, where did I drop it?” he muttered.

  After a few tense moments, each of them watching the shadows, Uzzsheol cried out, “It is a good day to die, come and fight me, Nephite. I am honored to face you. No one has ever before lain so many of my braves low.” He stood in the open without his bow, holding his massive knife and spiked tomahawk, trusting that Amaron, as a man of honor, would not hit him with the sling. The other Lamanite remained senseless on the ground next to him.

  Standing and drawing his broadsword, Amaron strode out to face Uzzsheol.

  As he came into the open, the wounded man recovered enough to grab his bow and arrow. Amaron froze, ready to dive into the underbrush. Before the warrior could loose a shaft, Uzzsheol hit him in the neck with his tomahawk, killing him in an instant. Amaron was shocked by this savagery to one’s own man.

  “This is between the two of us,” said Uzzsheol in his cold, emotionless way. “Tell me your name, that I might boast of it in the campfires to come.”

  “My name is Amaron, son of the scribe, and you will never boast of it,” he roared as he slashed at the Lamanite.

  Agile and quick, Uzzsheol sidestepped and struck back with his dagger. Amaron blocked and kicked at the same time as he pressed in. Uzzsheol sidestepped again and chuckled. It was the only show of emotion Amaron had seen from him.

  Amaron’s broadsword arced at the tracker’s chest again as he heaved himself backward, narrowly missing being eviscerated. Amaron overextended himself in the attack and Uzzsheol stepped inside his area. The broadsword was useless now for so agile a foe, and Amaron dropped it to catch the dagger that raced at him in hungry anticipation. Uzzsheol threw back his tomahawk to split Amaron’s skull but he caught the Lamanite’s grip with his left hand.

  As they struggled face to face, Uzzsheol said, “I have given my word to the Evil Eye, my master. As proof of my dedication, you will die! I will give him your head!”

  “Tell him... in your frozen hell... that you failed.”

  Amaron shoved the Lamanite back hard, tripping him on the body of the dead man. In his fall, Uzzsheol swung the tomahawk and it glanced across Amaron’s left arm, bruising but not wounding him. Each man struggled against one another for the big dagger.

  With the tomahawk gone, Uzzsheol reached into his hair and produced a tiny finger of a knife. Amaron held against the big dagger and did not see the tiny blade in his foe’s left hand. Feigning extra-exertion with the right hand for the dagger, Uzzsheol jabbed the little knife four times into Amaron’s chest with the speed of lightning. The tiny blade could not get very deep as Amaron strained against Uzzsheol’s reach, but the quick jabs inflamed a wild rage within his breast.

  Eyes reeling, Amaron head butted the man and shoved him away.

  As Uzzsheol went down, Amaron gained better control of the dagger and, sweeping it at his enemy, he slashed off his nose and cut his shoulder, then ripped it across the chest in a zigzag motion. Uzzsheol struck the rocks beneath him, unconscious. His nose had been sheared off, and he bled profusely from his face, chest and shoulder.

  If the tracker wasn’t dead, he soon would be. “Watch and pray,” Amaron slurred, spitting blood from smashed lips.

  Binding his own shallow wounds and girding his sword, he took one of their bows and quivers and continued his journey to Zarahemla, to warn Onandagus of the evil that was coming.

  Continued in BLOOD OF OUR FATHERS

  Glossary and Dramatis Personae

  If not otherwise stated, the names are from the Hebrew/Aramaic.

  A.

  Aaron: Youngest son of Lamanite king Xoltec, brother to Almek and Sayame. His mother died at his birth and his father has resented him all his eleven years because of this. On her deathbed his mother insisted that his name be Aaron. This did not please Xoltec, who did not wish his son to be given a Nephite name, but he gave his oath to his dying wife and it was so. His name means ‘One of Light’.

  Abaddon: Hebrew chief of demons, regarded as an oath for Gadiantons specifically in the phrase “Dreaming the dream of Abaddon.” His name means ‘Destroying Angel’.

  Abinadab: Nephite prophet, called of the Lord to preach to the city of Desolation. He has done so for many years even after being beaten and hauled away as far as Tullan. His name means ‘Father of Willingness or Generous’.

  Abishur: Leading Gadianton Lord of Zarahemla. His name means ‘Mason’.

  Adah: Concubine of Apep and the mother of Apophis, though she is not credited as such since local legend asserts that Apophis was the son of a goddess; She of the Jade Skirt. Still there are a handful that know it was really Adah and she was acknowledged as Apep’s favorite because she was the ‘Tale spinner’. Her name means ‘Beautiful Ornament’.

  Aha: A Gadianton who led two others out in the wilderness, they preyed upon farms and travelers until they were captured by Tobron’s scout company. He was sent before Judge Alma of Manti and later hung shortly following the Lamanite/Gadianton invasion. The name is Egyptian for ‘Warrior’.

  Ahab: Gadianton scout in the service of Akish-Antum during the march on Zarahemla. He was slain in the Battle of the Gate. ‘Friend of his Father’.

  Ahaten: Nephite scout and captain from Gideon, present during the reconnaissance mission given by Onandagus to watch for the Gadianton/Lamanite invasion. He took the possible route of Cumeni and therefore missed the invasion and came back to Zarahemla after the battles were over. His name is a variation on the Egyptian for ‘Warrior’ but also means ‘Out of the Dust’.

  Ahtmar: Evil spirit, sent to lead astray both Zelph and Aaron. Appeared as an angel of light.

  Akish-Antum: Grand Master of Gadiantons. A son of perdition and youngest Grand Master ever, his ascension into the leadership of the Order caused a split within the Gadiantons though most follow him. He also greatly increased the number of Gadiantons during his first few years of ruling, his system for such is known as the Lost Wolf Protocols. He made it a point to greatly increase their recruiting of new men and women into the fold. Vast numbers were brought in by he himself and thus have a greater loyalty to him than other Gadianton Lords. He wields the sword Kadar-Lahab the black flame blade of Coriantumr, he also has a crystal skull seer stone. Known by many names he has been called, the Evil Eye, the Smoking Mirror, Tezcatlipoca, and the Sorcerer King. It is rumored that his given name was Joshua ben Antum. The name itself Akish-Antum, translates as ‘Great Snake Charmer’.

  Alma: Judge in Zarahemla, considered unmoving by the Gadiantons and marked for death. His name means ‘Steadfast and True’.

  Almahia: Small town downriver from Zarahemla. It means ‘Steadfast and True to Jehovah’.

  Almek: Prince of the Lamanites, heir to throne. Eldest living son of Xoltec, brother to Aaron and Sayame. Put in command of the Lamanite invasion with Akish-Antum as his chief advisor and Tubaloth as the armies general. His name is a contraction of Alammelech and means essentially the same thing ‘Oak of the King’ as in the strong steady family line extending.

  Amaranth: An herb grown for use as a grain. Highly valued for its high protein and mineral content. From the Greek, Amarantos meaning ‘One that does not wither’.

  Amaron: Nephite scout captain, son of Ammaron the scribe, cousin to Mormon the younger, nephew of Mormon the elder. He is among the most trusted servants of Onandagus. His name means ‘Beloved’. A descendant of Nephi, Moroni and Teancum he is proud of his heritage and wields one of the twelve great swords of the Promised Land. His sword is Ramevorn, the former sword of Teancum. He has been referred to as the ‘Lion of Onandagus’ and the ‘Lion of Wrath’.

  Ammaron: Scribe and father of Amaron the scout. Keeper of the record. Selects Mormon the younger to be the new record bearer once he is of age.

  Ammon: A Nephite missionary of renown who brought a vast amount of Lamanite converts back to Nephite lands to be able to live in peace. His name means ‘Son of my people’.

  Anathoth: General of the armies of Tul
lan. Father of Joram-Baal and husband of Ofra. He was selected by Apophis to lead the Tultec’s against the Nephites while under the supervision of Teth-Senkhet and Akish-Antum. Known to be a fierce warrior he is also highly valued by Apophis for his incredible loyalty and honor. He has never failed his king. His name means ‘Answer to Prayer’.

  Angola: Nephite city in the borderlands. Its name means ‘King City’. It was one of the original Gadianton/Kingman cities.

  Anti-Herru: Village on the coast of the Sea of Enoch, about a day west of the city of Gad. Its name means ‘On the Opposite side of the Mountains’.

  Anti-Lia: Islands in the lower great eastern sea. The name means ‘Against weariness’

  Antionum: A Zoramite city. The name means ‘Against Authority’.

  Antum: Land just south of the North Sea. Its name means ‘the Big Land’ from the Assyrian.

  Apep: Deceased Ishmaelite king of the Tultec’s and Tullan. Father of Apophis. The only surviving member of the old Gadianton High council after Jazer Malekite selected Akish-Antum as his successor. The council argued that Jazer was senile and had no right to call the young Master to become Grand Master so there was a split within the Gadianton ranks, of which nearly all in the council died within the year except Apep. He fortified himself in his city of Tullan and worked hard to renew the Gadianton Order with himself as its head, but it dwindled in comparison to Akish-Antum’s Order. Apep means ‘Dark Serpent’ from the Egyptian.

  Apophis: King of Tullan and the Tultec’s, son of Apep. Rival Gadianton Grand Master to Akish-Antum though commands only perhaps a tenth as many Gadiantons. His name means ‘Serpent of the Dark’. He has in his possession a seer stone known as ‘the Serpents Eye’ and he carries one of the twelve sacred swords of the Promised Land; Barakrabim, ‘the Iron Scorpion’.

  Aselin: Handmaiden to Lilith/Zoreah. She traveled with Lilith and Taharka to overtake Amaron’s company and better find out what Onandagus knew and how to thwart it. As Lilith was seducing Amaron Aselin administered a sleeping drug to the men. Ezra woke up and warned Amaron to awake from his stupor. Once he did, he slew Taharka and Lilith and Aselin fled, they became separated in the night and Aselin went back to Zarahemla where Hiram had her killed. Her name means ‘Noble Daughter’.