Sons of Ironstorm - Book 4: Griffon's Stand

A Return to the Gyren

While Nerin pondering her future in distant Maedorin, far to the north one of her contemporaries and colleagues also considered his next move. With his mount slowly picking her way down the rock-strewn path that descended from the mountain valley holding the hidden headquarters of the Crimson Empire, Osteon measured his options. On either side one of the new Tjor'riin warriors strode, big soldiers well-armed and armored against any attack that could take them unawares as they made their way out of the Giant's Teeth and down into the grasslands of the peninsula's southwest corner.

Despite their presence, Osteon was less than comfortable, his thoughts in turmoil as he tried to determine how best to carry out the council's will. Oft times the council's directives allowed some flexibility, the members not caring how a task was carried out, only that the goal was reached.

This situation, however, was different. They left no doubt as to what they wanted him to do: directly attack any Kaal Eran interests in the peninsula as well as any forces pledging allegiance to Master Bren, whether they be Tjor'riin, troll, Wendigo or Nahkiwin. All this, and with only the new Tjor'riin warrior prototypes at his side, just to make things challenging. If they were as fast and strong as their size promised, he might have a chance. One way or another, though, if he failed to do as the council commanded or died trying, he would find himself the recipient of their fatal wrath. Choice wasn't something he had a lot of anymore.

The wiry sorcerer's face tightened. First things first: he needed a breeding pit, complete with sorcerers he could trust and soldiers that would do his bidding. At last council census there appeared to be a small cluster of pits along the southern edge of the Gyren that pledged to the council, not Master Bren. These would be his starting point. He could only hope they had sufficient breeding pools that he could kick start a breeding program and get as many new Tjor'riin on the ground as possible before Bren's forces became too entrenched.

Ignoring the big dark soldier on his right, the sorcerer pulled his horse's head to the east, forcing the tjor'riin to stagger a step or face crashing into the horse's flank. Without looking at the sorcerer in the saddle, the dark soldier smoothly made the adjustment, slowing just enough to avoid hitting the horse while keeping step with his fellow on the other side, who was forced to quicken his pace to maintain his position.

The drive across the rolling plains of Neredo, unclaimed territory since the fall of the Cadremoor Alliance, lasted nearly two tendays, Osteon pushing his new Tjor'riin as hard as he pushed his horse. Much to his surprise they not only met, but also exceeded every expectation, proving tireless and relentless as they jogged over the uneven grassland beside his stocky, robust mount. They also needed little rest, standing guard without fail during the brief three or four turns Osteon used to rest himself and his mount. By the time they reached the southwest fringes of the massive Gyren, an area heavily wooded and crisscrossed with numerous rivers and streams, bogs, marshes and lakes sprinkled liberally in between, he found himself giving the dark-skinned soldiers grudging admiration and respect for their abilities.

<<My lord,>> one grated as evening began its descent on the twenty second day outbound from the council headquarters. Looking up from the scroll he had been perusing, Osteon leaned forward in the saddle, eyes keen as they searched the gloom ahead of them. The tjor'riin only spoke to him when something important had come to their attention.

The gloom cloaking the banks of the small river they approached, however, defeated his eyes and he glanced over at the tjor'riin who had spoken, a grim-looking fellow who had marched along on his right hand side since they left the mountains. One of the abilities bred into not only the improved Tjor'riin, but the originals as well was keen night vision. Any tjor'riin would be able to see like an eagle in the dark.