Chapter Eleven
Road of Decay

The cloud of dust grew larger as it got closer and closer. Finally, at it's head, Lord Gryzor could be seen. As the command to halt was given, the dust storm sailed on by as though the army had marched on. Gryzor gave the order to rest the horses and make a temporary camp. This would give him the chance to talk with Teedol. Dismounting his steed he charged towards the cotchit with open arms. Teedol braced himself for the impending impact...

" Teedol, Teedol my boy, you have changed but then it makes you an even more welcome sight. I guess you have succeeded in your quest, you look resplendent. " Said Gryzor with enthusiasm. " Lord Gryzor, you must listen for a moment. I have grave news. " Replied Teedol. " Very well ! What is your news my friend ? " Asked the dwarf Lord. " There is a large band of ghedi due soon. You must send out your best scouts. " Said the cotchit wizard. " You worry too much my friend, or you forget just how long we have been fighting these horrible creatures. The scouts have been out ever since we parted company. They were told not to return unless they had news, news of any kind. " Replied Gryzor with a smile. " Of course I should have known you would have done just that. " Said Teedol with a sigh of relief. " Please forgive my ignorance, come to my tent let us all have some refreshments. " Said Gryzor apologetically.

By the time they reached Gryzor's tent Teedol had noticed the dwarf army had grown. It no longer consisted of only dwarves. It had grown by some three or four thousand, now containing big folk, elves, dwarves and pixies. It did not stop there for the numbers were being added to all of the time. " This is my good friend King Torem. " Said Teedol as he introduced the King. " Ah ! I have heard many tales about you and your people, I am delighted to meet you. " Said Gryzor with more grace than Teedol thought possible. " I have heard many tales of your kinsmen, not all good but I am reassured by my friend Teedol all I have heard is not true. Besides, now is not the time for petty squabbles. We must unite to defeat the evil now lurking over our heads.

Therefore I am pleased to meet you. " Said Torem with reservation. Gryzor asked Teedol for the fullest account possible of all that had transpired during the time they were apart. This Teedol did, after which he asked what had happened throughout the long trip around the mountains. The Lord of the dwarves told of an uneventful journey, save for one incident. The outriders whose job it was to ride far and wide to tell dwarves everywhere of the word of Gryzor and of the coming of The Chosen One had been gone for only a short time. Never-the-less dwarves had started to join the band from far and wide swelling the size of the army. This was just as well, as the main band was still suffering from the battle in which Bobo had died. The army had begun to recover that is all but the badly injured, when they stumbled upon a smaller band of ghedi. Needless to say the ghedi did not survive very long and no further casualties were suffered by the dwarves. Gryzor told Teedol this was when he had learned of the impending attack upon King Torem's realm. Captured within the smaller band of ghedi were some half dozen trolls. They were much tougher than the ghedi giving no information at all. It would have been too difficult to keep them prisoners, so they were slain... A rider came in from the north. His approach had been noticed by all in Gryzor's tent. A silence fell as they waited for his announcement... " Lord Gryzor, there is a large band of ghedi coming this way. I counted two dozen trolls in the party, maybe eight hundred ghedi orcs in all. They carried many new scalps and skulls upon their banners. " Said the rider. " Em !. It seems as if you were right Teedol and their numbers are increasing. Well we must stop them. Are they far away ? " Gryzor asked the rider. " Yes sire, about twenty five miles by my count. " Replied the rider. " Good ! What sort of speed are they making ? " Asked Gryzor. " Sire, they were not moving quickly. They were still making merry as they travelled.

Revelling over the last village they had raided and destroyed. " Added the rider. It was then Globin noticed the disappearance of Golaf. " Sire, Teedol, where is Golaf ? I have not seen him since we came out of the mountains." " Erm, yes you are right. The last time I saw him was just before I opened the door. It does seem a little strange, he did not say he was leaving... Still he does tend to be like that. " Added Teedol. " Yes I agree, but then that is another puzzle. Anyway we do not have time to sort it out now. We must deal with the problem facing us at this moment in time. Would all those not involved in the coming battle please leave. Summon my generals. Teedol we still have a good many wounded. " Said the dwarvish Lord. " That is not a problem. Take me to your hospital unit. " Replied Teedol. " Ah yes, I had almost forgotten. You have the Amulet. Thank you... " There was a pause as Gryzor signalled to one of his guards. " Take Lord Teedol to the hospital, at once ! " Teedol was taken to the wounded, while Gryzor made plans for the coming battle with his generals. This presented no problem for Teedol who kept in touch with the plans using the power of the Amulet. The battle plan was very comprehensive. It was understood Teedol could still be of great service, even though he could not kill. Still as the power grew, the battles would become more short lived, meanwhile the need for the injured dwarves was great. In only a short time all of the wounded had been tended to. A second rider came in. His urgency was more apparent than that of the first rider. " Lord Gryzor, I know you know of the first band of ghedi but SIRE ! Only some ten miles behind is a second band. I would say it is as large as the first, if not larger, but they are travelling much faster. " Said the second rider. By this time Teedol had returned from the hospital. " It seems the plot thickens. Teedol, you have the Amulet, can you not feel or perhaps see anything more ? " Asked Gryzor. Teedol said nothing as he began to search from within his own mind. Using all of his senses, he could see the first band of ghedi, then the second wave. Still he continued his search. THEN he saw a THIRD band of ghedi ! Which was larger than both the first and second bands combined. Still he went on further, until he could see Castle Doom itself. There he saw the thick black smoke billowing out from the centre of the court yard...

Suddenly ! He came face to face with the Evil One !.. Teedol screamed. His mind was back with it's body. Gryzor could plainly see the cotchit was deeply distressed. " What did you see that caused you such concern my friend ? " Asked Gryzor. " I.. I saw the Evil One or rather the figure of someone wearing a mask. I must confess it startled me for a moment. I'm still not sure who it is. Oh! By the way, I have more bad news for you. There is a third band of ghedi orcs and trolls and it is much larger than the first and second put together. It is maybe twenty or so miles further back from the second band. " Said Teedol a little dismayed. " I understand your feelings but our army is still growing, even now. I have had news of an army of elves which which will join us shortly. We must not be of weak spirit or mind if we are going to win. I for one did not think it was going to be easy, besides we have you and the all powerful Amulet. You need have no fear, for you know its power will protect you. No my friend do not despair. I know we will win in the end, even if it means some loss. We must remember, if we loose, all will be lost ! " Exclaimed Gryzor getting a little over excited. " You are right but I do not fear for myself. It was for those of you who will have to fight up close.

Don't worry though, I have a plan. Anyway I think now would be a good time to ride. " Said Teedol as he whistled for his mount. He had named him Tor after King Torem. The unicorn came as he was called. The grace and beauty of the animal made all look in awe. Teedol mounted, a shout rang out, all those with mounts were mounted. The ever growing army began to move, picking up momentum as it did so. All knew it would soon be time for the final battle, with THE Evil One HIMSELF ! By the time the army met the first band of ghedi it had grown to a number better than five thousand. Teedol had become the figurehead of the army. Already his name was known far and wide, no longer was the name of the cotchit race little known. The army moved five miles to the north, the first part of the plan was put into action.

The move was to give more of an advantage to Teedol's army. The logic of why the army did not move nearer to the ghedi was simple. They had more time to plan and also a longer rest therefore they would be better prepared and fresher than the ghedi. The army prepared itself according to Gryzor's plans. Globin and Teedol made their way to a high vantage point on top of an outcrop of rock. Globin stood guard whilst his companion made light conversation. All was ready, the only thing anyone could do, was wait... Wait for the arrival of the Ghedi... Globin was there simply to watch Teedol's back, though it was not necessary as the Amulet would protect him from any ordinary attack, even from behind ! A user of magic may succeed but only because of Teedol's inexperience. Even then the magic user would need to have vast experience to defeat the power of the amulet. The longer Teedol and the amulet were together even the most experienced magic user would have more than just trouble. The army had to wait almost an hour before the first ghedi were sighted, a further half an hour before the battle actually commenced. It had been agreed Teedol would concentrate on the trolls as those would be the most difficult to fight.

They were very large and fearsome. In fact the very name Troll instilled terror into many folk. At last the main group of ghedi were within range. The sky darkened with a large number of arrows winging their way towards the unsuspecting ghedi. All at once the air was filled with wild screams. Panic reined over the first three or four lines of ghedi causing them to run first this way and then that way. This added to the confusion which spread like fire through the ranks. The ghedi started to re-group when the taller of the trolls barked commands at them. Still a good many of their friends and comrades lay all around, arrows sticking out of their dead or wounded bodies. The sky darkened once more as another flight of arrows sped through the air, more screams and shouts could be heard as the arrows struck their targets. More ghedi fell, even a couple of trolls fell to the flight of arrows...

From the high vantage point, Teedol could oversee the whole battle with ease. After the second wave of arrows had struck the remaining ghedi, the trolls began to charge. A flight of arrows flew over the leading ghedi towards the dwarvish army. The cotchit wizard could not allow them to reach their target. He lifted his staff and cast a spell. The arrows drifted slowly towards the ground, as feathers. The dwarves cheered, sending yet another flight of arrows towards the charging ghedi. The trolls knew they could not continue to fight in this way for they were losing badly. They gave the command for all to join the first wave of charging ghedi who had almost reached the dwarvish army. As the main body of ghedi and trolls began to move forward, Teedol had an idea. Lifting his staff once more, he cast the spell of freezing at the troll's ranks. The troll leading the charge lifted his club to rally his men on. He did not make a sound, for as he opened his mouth to give the battle cry, he was frozen solid.

The first wave of ghedi had reached Gryzor and his men, bloody battle ensued. Teedol could do nothing to help from this distance for fear of hitting the wrong target. He could however take care of the still advancing enemy. Teedol thought of creating a chasm which would lead the advancing enemy into the Abyss of Darkness. He raised his staff once more. A blast seared from the end of his staff streaking through the air, striking the ground just in front of the charging enemy. They were so close they could do nothing to avoid the great dark chasm now lying in front of them. Louder screams and shouts rang out as they tumbled into the chasm in their hundreds. Fortunately for the enemy, about one hundred of their number did not fall. These were the ones right to the rear of the charge. A large group of dwarves had not noticed the chasm and had broken through the fighting. They were heading for what was left of the main orcan army. Teedol noticed them in time and sent another spell to close the rift he had created. The fighting spread with the two armies becoming entangled, it was also getting closer to the high point Teedol and Globin occupied. Only three trolls r emained. One of them noticed the cotchit and the dwarf on their high perch. Drawing back his strong right arm, he threw his tree trunk club straight at Teedol. Globin noticed the club hurtling towards them, he dove at Teedol to knock him out of the way. The troll's actions were too swift, the club had such speed and force it caught both Teedol and Globin off balance, knocking them off their vantage point. Both were knocked down behind the large rock and out of sight. The troll gave a mighty laugh, then he began to bellow which had the same sort of sound as a screaming banshee... All the dwarves, men and the others fell to the ground with their hands clasped tightly over their ears. They began to roll around screaming in agony, helpless to do anything, the pain in their heads was intense. The shrill sound went on for what seemed like an eternity... It was stopped by a sudden flash of blue light which hit the troll freezing him instantly. Slowly the dwarvish army began to recover from this deadly attack of the trolls. It was not meant as an attack but was the natural pitch of uncontrollable laughter, although it had the same effect upon the ghedi. As soon as the two armies recovered the battle commenced again. Meanwhile Teedol made a fresh attack upon the two remaining trolls, sending them into the Abyss of Darkness... The Amulet had protected Teedol and Globin from the harsh crash onto the ground, also from the shrill attack of the troll. Though Teedol was not as high since his fall, he could still clearly see all that was happening below. It was at that moment, he froze the battle... It was shear inspiration. Very soon no movement could be detected with the exception of Teedol and Globin. The dwarf was amazed as he looked down on the scene below.

" I think now would be a good time to rejoin our friends, don't you ? " Teedol asked Globin. " Wha.. What has happened ? Why have they stopped fighting ? I don't understand ! " Gasped Globin. " It is very simple my friend, every thing is as it should be. They are in fact still fighting. The change is to us, for I have increased our speed, or to put it simply, I have slowed down time for us. They can not see us. We are moving too fast for their eyes to perceive. Shall we go and help our friends ? " Asked Teedol with a laugh. It took only a few moments for Globin to grasp what Teedol had in mind. He then laughed as they headed back down the slope to where the battle was taking place. The ghedi could not believe their eyes. Their weapons suddenly flew out of their hands while dwarves who had been knocked off their feet jumped up with such speed. It was as if they were being picked up by invisible hands. Ghedi started to fall over things which were not there. This only added to their confusion...

They were soon rounded up, prisoners of the dwarvish army. Teedol was standing next to Lord Gryzor when he returned time back to normal. His sudden appearance startled Gryzor. " What ! Where did you come from ? We saw you fall from the rock and thought you were surely gone. " Gryzor's expression was a sight. Both Teedol and Globin laughed. " We have no time to tell you the tale right now. We must do something with these prisoners. We cannot spare a guard to watch them, we need all of our men fighting. Have your men stand back, I will cast the ghedi and trolls into the Pit of Despair. " Said Teedol. Gryzor did not have to say anything, as the men began to move out of the way. Teedol raised his staff. There was a blinding flash of blue-white light. Where the enemy had been standing only moments before was now an empty space. " Lord Gryzor, I must remind you, there is another band of ghedi following close behind. " Said Globin with concern in his voice.

" Don't worry my friend we have not forgotten. Now would be a good time to return to my vantage point high on top of the rocks. " Interjected Teedol. " What are we waiting for, let's do it ! " Said Globin enthusiastically. " There is no need for you my loyal friend. I would prefer you to remain with Lord Gryzor. I will be safe, here is where the best fighting men should be. " Said Teedol. " As you say Lord Teedol. " Replied Globin. Teedol now stood on the very edge of the rocks, his cloak flowing like the waves of a great ocean. His long dark shadow was cast upon the ground, giving the illusion he was ten feet tall. His chest appeared to glow as the Stone within the Amulet began to radiate with a strange light. Below, the dwarvish army prepared for the second wave of its gruesome enemy. Globin looked towards his friend and companion on high, waiting for a signal of the enemy's approach. At last the signal was given ! Teedol could now see the large menacing band of ghedi and trolls. It seemed they too were prepared as they marched with shields at the ready. The front line had their shields held in front of them while the ranks behind held their shields above them, making an impenetrable wall. The sky darkened once more with the flight of dwarvish arrows, which bounced harmlessly off the orcan wall of defence.

The tortoise like defense would not be defeated by arrows. Teedol was about to raise his staff to send forward a freezing blast. There was a sudden flash of light followed by a thunderous bang from behind. Teedol turned to see what the cause of the noise was... Standing before him was a wizard dressed in black. " I AM MYTOR WIZARD AND HEAD OF THE GREATER COUNCIL ! I TOLD THOSE FOOLS ONE SUCH AS YOU COULD NOT SUCCEED IN THIS TASK. " Teedol was surprised but only momentarily. " MYTOR ! WHO IS THIS MYTOR ? WHAT DO YOU WANT ? " Teedol asked as politely as possible. " I WAS ONCE THE MOST POWERFUL OF ALL WIZARDS AND I TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE AMULET OF GALANA. I ALONE KNOW ITS INNER MOST SECRETS. I ALONE SHOULD WIELD THE POWER ! " Screamed Mytor.

Teedol looked pitifully at this once powerful wizard. Mytor once stood over six feet tall but now his age and stature made him appear much shorter. His face was old and wizened, his fingers were long and spindly with knots where his joints should be. The long flowing black robe hid the rest of him from sight.

" I cannot help your personal desires. I did not write what is written in the Ancient Lore BUT the Lore is the Lore and I cannot change it. So begone, leave me to the task at hand or I will have no alternative but to cast you far from here ! " Cried Teedol. " YOU WOULD NOT DARE YOU INSOLENT YOUNG PUP ! " Barked Mytor. Teedol raised his staff, pointing it at the old wizard. "This is your last chance !.. LEAVE !.. NOW !.. BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE ! " Mytor glared at Teedol but it was obvious the cotchit meant what he said. Teedol pushed the tip of his staff into the chest of Mytor.

The old wizard looked down his nose at the end of the staff. Suddenly he spun around and was gone... Teedol stood for a few moments many thoughts running through his mind. A voice from behind cried out. " TEEDOL ! You must help us. The second and third bands of ghedi have joined. We are badly out numbered and are losing heavily. Lord Gryzor is mortally wounded and we expect him to die at any moment. " Said a pleading voice from behind. Teedol turned quickly, standing before him was his friend and guardian Globin. A great wound down his face, blood running down his left arm. " Come here my friend, let me heal you. " Said Teedol. " There is no time for that my friend. You must help the others for they are in dire need. " Replied Globin. The cotchit wizard waved his staff. " There, now we have time. Let me see to you. I will then tend to the others. " Said Teedol placing his hands onto Globin's wounds.

" Why did you not help ? Why did you let the ghedi and trolls get so close ? You could have saved all this from happening. We needed you. I don't understand. " Said Globin. " My friend, I was not alone up here. I was confronted by a wizard who called himself Mytor. Surely you saw him ? " Asked Teedol. "

We saw no one but you and you were facing the wrong way. " Replied Globin with his wounds now healed. " Do you think I have made up this story ? I have never even heard the name Mytor until now, so why should I make it up ? " Asked Teedol angrily. " Teedol my friend, it is not that I doubt you. It is because of what is happening below. In truth I know you would not leave us without good reason but please do something now to help. " Said Globin apologetically. " Very well my friend, let us see what the situation is now, then we will know what to do about it. " Teedol said with renewed enthusiasm. The two friends stepped up to the edge of the rocks. Below them the scene was motionless but even the stillness was in great chaos. It was easy to see the ghedi were winning the battle. " I see what you mean my friend, things do look grim. Give me your sword. " Globin handed the cotchit his blade, Teedol held the sword up high, casting a spell upon it as he did so. " There my friend, your blade will not fail you now.

If you touch the blades of your friends or any which are good, the power will pass on. Fear not it will not pass on to those evil ghedi and trolls. I will join you below, now rejoin your friends quickly, I will tend to Gryzor. " Said Teedol finally. Globin ran down the slope as fast as he could while Teedol stood upon the pinnacle of rock once more. He could now see the scene below more clearly. Gryzor could be seen surrounded by several of his generals, who looked up with surprise as they heard a voice from the skies. " Stand aside, it is I, Teedol. I will tend to Gryzor. " Suddenly a bubble appeared engulfing the Lord of the dwarves. Slowly it rose into the air, moving towards the pinnacle of rock where Teedol stood. Gryzor was still breathing, though it was obvious he was very weak. The bubble gently placed Gryzor on the rock where Teedol dispelled it. Moments later Lord Gryzor was fighting fit again. Teedol beckoned Gryzor to say nothing, taking hold of the dwarf Lord's sword. Teedol repeated the spell of enchantment upon the weapon.

" Lord Gryzor your sword will not fail you and if you touch the weapon of any of your kinsmen they too will have enchanted weapons, you can return to the battle. I will do all I can from here. " Said Teedol with a smile. Lord Gryzor said nothing, he merely waved at his companion. He too turned and ran down the slope as fast as he possibly could.

The cotchit wizard picked up his staff, moments later a freezing blast hit the large group of ghedi and trolls to the rear of the main battle. Only seconds later the ground opened up swallowing them all in one go. As for the rest of the ghedi, Teedol could do nothing from his high perch. It was impossible to separate them from his friends and comrades. The only thing he could do now was to join the melee below, from there he could sort out individual ghedi.

He joined the dwarves which gave new vigour to the whole army. The remaining ghedi soon found themselves surrounded. As the circle closed behind them, Teedol would cast them off to the Abyss of Darkness. They would never be seen again, though more of them would be encountered before the war was won. Still, for the moment, the army could have a well earned rest along with the usual victory celebrations. Preparations for the festivities were made as Teedol tended to the wounded. By the time the party began all would be able to join in. Fresh scouts were sent out so the others could return and rest. Food and wine began to flow. No-one seemed to mind or care about the fact that they would more th an likely be in the thick of the fighting yet again. Now was not the time to be concerned with things of that nature.

Eventually the camp went quiet, as sleep took over all save the guards. All slept a quiet rejuvenating sleep all except for Teedol. He was aware of someone watching them. All he could see was a single eye. What was it ? Or who was it. It was as if a huge bell were clanging inside his head. Teedol was sure it meant something but exactly what, he was not sure. Eventually the eye stopped watching and Teedol slipped into a deep restful sleep...

As dawn began to break, the camp was stirring. No-one seemed to be in much of a hurry as the day was likely to be a long one. They were still a long way from Castle Doom and there was no telling what they would encounter along the way...

" BREAKFAST ! At last. " Said Spud. Since Spud had become a general, he had given his all to the destruction of the enemy. He fought as hard as any of the others, earning a great deal of respect for his new found skills. It was a sure thing, he would never be the same cotchit again. His name would live on in history, in fact he was to become a living legend. The same was true of Teedol.

Lord Gryzor was the last to arrive for breakfast, as he sat down he gave his apology for being late. Conversation up to this point had been sparse. Teedol in particular had little to say, as he was deep in thought. This was soon changed as Gryzor started up a conversation with the wizard. " Did you find out what happened to Golaf Teedol ? " Asked Gryzor. " No I did not. I admit it has me puzzled. I don't understand why he did not say anything to anyone. " Replied Teedol.

" Erm. Yes I know what you mean. Strange, very strange ! Still I suppose you will find out in due course what happened to him... Er, if I am not mistaken my friend, something is bothering you. What is it ? " Asked Gryzor. " Well I'm not sure really, there are one or two things causing me concern. The first one is the appearance of the wizard yesterday. He called himself Mytor. I had to threaten to cast him far away, which was why I could not help at the beginning of the battle. I have never heard of this Mytor before. The other thing which bothers me, is stupid, for I cannot put my finger on it but it keeps nagging at me. " Said Teedol finally. At this point Spud joined in the conversation with his usual brightness.

" I look forward to the day ahead of us. I suppose we will have to clean up the bodies of the ghedi and trolls. " He said. " You seem to like fighting but I must warn you, don't like it too much my friend ! Remember, when someone is killed in battle, someone, somewhere has lost a loved one. A father, a brother or what ever. " Replied Gryzor. " I understand but I did not mean it like that. All I meant was to rid the world of this vile evil which now roams freely. " Said Spud apologetically. " I understood what you meant but all the same, to rid Earth of the evil, some of the innocent must die also, which is the real loss. " Said Gryzor. " Of course but all the same, I'd like to get rid of those filthy things. I do not wish any harm to the innocent. " Teedol saved his friend any further embarrassment by interrupting. " It is alright my friend, we know what you mean. The point is simply this.

Do not get to like killing so much as it could be your own downfall in the end. Gryzor, I think we should consider moving towards Arinoor and hopefully the final conflict. " Concluded Teedol. " Yes my friend I agree with you. The time is near. I will give the order to strike camp. We should be on the move within the hour. "

So it was, the entire camp was moving towards Arinoor and Castle Doom. The great black cloud loomed ever nearer. Cast below its shadow, things were not as they should have been. Summer was at its height but beneath the cloud the land lay barren. Grass was no longer green, instead it was a dirty yellow brown. Trees which should have been resplendent with greenery, stood dead or dying. Not a bird could be heard, nor a flower to be seen. Where there once stood a beautiful forest, only dead stumps of grey wood now stood. Every village which was passed lay derelict and bare. Only ruins lay where a small town teeming with life had once been. The stench of rotting flesh filled the air. The army knew for sure, they were on the road of decay...

Link to Chapter Twelve

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