Brak vs the Mark of the Demons by John Jakes

Author:John Jakes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-03-28T04:00:00+00:00

Shortly thereafter, Brak hobbled to the morning campfire. He drew Hadrios, Helane, and Captain Gorzhov aside, ignoring their questions about the state of his health.

“There are matters more important. An explanation of the deaths that have deviled us, the latest being Kes and—nearly mine. The Friar has put words to what both he and I have suspected. The lord and lady Were not natural creatures, but demons. It’s not necessary for the caravan boys to know this, but you must. We have to take steps to defend ourselves.”

And, with uneasy eye on the southern horizon, he told them of the Blood-eaters. At the end, it was Hadrios who vented his feelings first, in typical fashion.

“Abomination of abominations! I knew this caravan was thrice-damned. Gods! At such times I wish I were a religious man.”

“Frankly,” said Captain Gorzhov with a crude shrug, “I disbelieve it all.”

“You were with Civix,” Brak reminded him pointedly. “You saw him staggering, as though he were sleeping on his feet.”

Gorzhov’s cheeks turned nearly as scarlet as his beard. For an instant his eyes simmered with rage. He was, no doubt, remembering the humiliation of the lash. He chose to stifle the anger for the moment, replying, “ Tis just a lot of superstitious talk, nothing more. Civix acted like any man who’s tilted the wine pot a little too high.”

“You wouldn’t scoff so, Captain,” Brak said, emphasizing the final word, “had you seen Civix dead. I saw him. After you ran away.”

The silence was heavy as thunder.

Helane pushed back a lock of her tawny hair. The bangles on her arm jingled. Her gray eyes were wary. “What defense do we have against such creatures?”

“Precious little,” Brak replied. “Except our own alertness. That’s why I decided you must know.”

“But you’re right.” Hadrios said as he scratched his beard. “We cannot tell the boys. We’ll make no progress at all if they bolt us, as they surely will should this tale, truth or not, spread further. We’ll keep it to ourselves, keep our eyes sharp and our swords handy. The best defense-”

“Defense!” Gorzhov scoffed. “God’s bowels, why? The lord and lady have gone! Discovered, they chose to flee.”

Helane looked at him. “Yes, Captain. But how far?”

Gorzhov’s eyes grew round. Some of his customary confidence disappeared.

During the conversation Friar Pol had remained quiet at the edge of the group. Now he chose to step forward.

“The young lady touches on an important point. Namely, the insatiable hunger of the Blood-eaters. That hunger is never slaked for long. Witness Mother Mil’s death, followed soon after by those of Civix and Kes.” The Friar glanced at the blowing heavens. “I fear the twins have marked us as the Quran marked Brak. There are no others nearby in the Waste of Logol to give them the ghastly nourishment they need. We are the only ones. They—” His voice faltered. “They will know this.”

“They believe they possess greater power than we do. They will not run far. I’m certain they are out there in the desert.

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