AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Not today, foul spirit.” Kormac grunted as he smashed in Simon’s head. Probably harder than needed, but better than listening to more unearthly messages. Dead men shouldn’t be talking. Loyal soldiers shouldn’t be suddenly killing, for there was no doubt now that the body by the fire wasn’t sleeping.
They were under attack by an enemy that could possess minds. He’d never thought he’d encounter something that would frighten him so much. Not that he’d admit it.
“Lomar!” He bellowed his second’s name but got no reply. No one answered, leaving him to wonder if he was the only one awake.
Perhaps this was a nightmare.
Kormac stalked away from the fire, noting the stillness and the lack of any movement, hence why he startled at a sudden reply.
“You called, Warlord.” Lomar emerged from between two tents, hands behind his back.
Since when did his friend use his formal honorific? Only in ceremonial settings did he usually call him Warlord.
As Lomar neared, Kormac found himself tensing, the tingling in his arms intense. “Wake the soldiers. We leave tonight.”
“Whatever for?”
“There’s something wrong,” Kormac murmured. “Simon attempted to kill me.”
“And failed. But this body is much stronger, and more skilled.” Lomar cocked his head and offered an eerie smile.
It made Kormac’s blood run cold. “Don’t tell me you’ve been taken by the madness.”
“Are you afraid, Airiok’s descendent?” mocked the thing using Lomar’s body.
Actually, he was. Not for himself, but for his childhood friend. A man he loved as a brother. He couldn’t kill Lomar, and yet he might not have a choice as Lomar began to swing his axe.
It whistled as it came for Kormac. Fast. Precise. He barely dodged the first swing. This fight would be tough with Lomar a swift fighter, almost as quick as him. The near miss shredded the sleeve of his tunic, revealing the bright purple glow of his bracer.
Lomar hissed. “I see some of the old magic remains.”
Magic? Kormac had little time to think as he evaded the next thrust of the axe. He parried with his blade and wondered how to extricate them both. How could he free Lomar from the evil presence possessing him?
As he ducked and spun, he wondered how the presence had affected Simon and Lomar, but not him.
The tingling on his arms intensified as he once more used his bracer, this time to shove against Lomar. It gave him an idea, probably a dumb one, and yet he still dug his hand into the pouch and pulled forth the medallion. It glowed, not as brightas his bracers, but that didn’t seem to matter when he shoved it towards Lomar’s face.
The man recoiled and growled.
“Don’t like that, eh?” Kormac taunted. “Get out of my friend.”
“Never.” When Lomar lunged, Kormac didn’t block the coming blow but ducked under before popping up to drape the chain over his friend’s neck. The change proved instant.
Lomar slumped, his dazed expression replaced by horror. “What happened?”
“You tell me.”
Lomar rubbed his face. “One minute I was headed for my bedroll, the next, I couldn’t control my body. It was as if I were a passenger watching while it did horrible things. Please tell me it was a nightmare.”
“It would seem you were afflicted by the same thing that infected Khaal and Ioan.”
“So those soldiers I saw myself striking…”
“Most likely dead.” Kormac had a feeling most of the men he’d brought had been killed. None had yet emerged to see the commotion.
Lomar’s face twisted. “Tell my family I love them.” He dropped his axe, went to his knees, and laced his hands behind his back, head bowed, ready to be punished.
“Stand up,” Kormac barked. “I’m not executing you.”
