Jabberwocky Part 6

Standing n.o.bly in front of the recruits, Captain Darieus said, "Upon completing your training, your true test will begin. Will you rise to the level of the task that faces you? Will future recruits hear your name and keep it in awe after being told of your deeds? It's possible to live forever through the memories of your accomplishments.

"But one tale remains to be told. In a week's time I will return to detail my encounter with and slaughter of a Jabberwocky."

At the mention of the monster, the recruits' restraint faltered and low murmurs filled the room. Shocked expressions registered on every face. Tjaden had always a.s.sumed there was only one Jabberwocky.

"Oh yes. The Jabberwocky can be killed and it was not always alone. I personally led the a.s.sault that claimed the life of the vile creature's mate."

The recruits' eyes grew even wider.

"Such is the legacy that you have inherited. Now I ask, are you worthy to embrace such a heritage?"

Half of the recruits, including Tjaden, shouted, "Yes, Sir!"

"Will your courage match that of Anselm, Hunbold, Ulibear and Poatric?"

All of the recruits answered in unison. "Yes, Sir!"

Captain Darieus nodded. "Such deeds are required of those who wear the Circle and the Sword. Each of you at one point in your training will question your own dedication. You will doubt yourself, and wonder if the life of an Elite is right for you. But I want you to remember how you feel at this moment. I promise you the sacrifice will be worth it in the end."

Having sufficiently impressed the recruits, Captain Darieus strode from the room with forty two sets of eyes staring after him.

The rest of the morning pa.s.sed according to the planned schedule. Another hour of cla.s.sroom instruction was followed by a grueling physical workout on the training grounds.

The next morning, somehow even sorer than the previous day, they sat in the cla.s.sroom focusing on Lieutenant Markin's discourse on the history of weaponry. Captain Darieus had surprised them even more than the previous day by attending the cla.s.s as an observer. The lieutenant had just started speaking when an Elite rushed into the room in full riding gear. The man was dusty, out of breath, and intent on locating Captain Darieus. Markin paused as the soldier scanned the room.

After saluting formally the soldier spoke. "Captain Darieus, Sir. An urgent message." The Elite followed the captain out.

Tjaden wondered what matter would arrive with such immediacy. Has war broken out? Are the Elites required for an a.s.signment?

He bemoaned the fourteen months he'd spend in training instead of completing missions and soldiering. Though Lieutenant Markin continued his lecture, the recruits s.h.i.+fted in their seats and glanced frequently at the door. When Captain Darieus re-entered he bore a pained expression.

Without excusing himself to Lieutenant Markin he ordered, "Tjaden, Ollie. A word."

Tjaden instantly thought of Elora and his father. It had been less than twenty-four hours since they left the city. What could have happened? They've only been on the road for a day, at most. Maybe it has nothing to do with them and I've done something wrong. Hundreds of possibilities flooded his head as he hurried after Captain Darieus.

Once outside he didn't make them wait. "I have unfortunate news. The company of Elites escorting Elora and your father to Shey's Orchard was attacked last night. Just after nightfall they were beset upon by the Jabberwocky." Tjaden's knees went weak as Captain Darieus continued. "Your father and Aker were both knocked unconscious, but they will be fine."

"And Elora?" Tjaden blurted in the brief pause.

"Unfortunately the contingent of soldiers that was sent to protect them was insufficient to withstand the beast. The camp was ravaged, and soldiers were killed. Anda" The pause told Tjaden that Elora had not fared as well as the men. "And Elora was abducted."

Tjaden felt as if a sword had been thrust into his chest and twisted. It was agony worse than any physical pain. He saw Ollie's hand on his shoulder supporting him against the wall and Captain Darieus standing in front of him. His gut turned sour and he thought he might lose his breakfast.

"Why...HowaWhere?..." he stammered as he struggled to come up with a plan of action.

"You've heard the reports that the Jabberwocky targets maidens. She was the only one in the party that was abducted. With nearly every attack it carries off one or two unfortunate la.s.ses." He paused. When Tjaden failed to respond, Captain Darieus continued, "It is a tragic loss, Tjaden. Elora was as fine a young lady as I have ever met. The kingdom mourns with you."

Tjaden didn't bother with tears; decision and action were required. "I'm going after her." He started planning the expeditiona"search for the Jabberwocky, fight it, and kill it.

"I'm going," Tjaden stated. "I've got to save her. IaIa" He still had trouble forming his emotions into words. Thoughts of rescuing Elora raced through his head.

"I'm going with you," Ollie said.

Tjaden barely noticed.

Captain Darieus didn't acknowledge Ollie either. He said to Tjaden, "I don't doubt your courage in the slightest, and I know you're willing to single-handedly confront the Jabberwocky. However, you would be dead before you had a chance to unsheathe your sword. There are alternatives that afford you at least a small chance of survival."

Tjaden shook his head at Captain Darieus' words. "You said you killed one. You said you killed a Jabberwocky? How'd you do it? You have to tell me."

"Do not forget your place, Tjaden," Captain Darieus cautioned in an unflinching tone. "I'm offering to help you, but remember that you are a recruit with less than two days of training. Listen to mea"pay close attention."

"Yes, Sir," Tjaden replied, partially returning to the moment. "How can the Jabberwocky be killed?" After a short pause he added, "Sir."

"I can teach you. I've spent two decades puzzling it out, and I have the means. But it will require trust on your part."

"Anything, Captain. I'll do anything."

"First, you need to commit to two weeks of specialized training before you rush offa""

"Two weeks! I can't wait two weeks, I need toa""

"Recruit!" Captain Darieus spoke firmly, and Tjaden immediately stopped protesting. "Elora may already be dead. However, if she survived the first day, she will most likely survive a month. We don't know the Jabberwocky's motive for abducting maidens, but we do know that the unlucky ones sometimes survive months in captivity."

Tjaden felt even sicker at the thought of already being too late. That's not even a possibility, he told himself. Elora's alive. The words did little to soothe him, and he had to concentrate to keep from running to find her.

Captain Darieus' gaze now took in both Tjaden and Ollie. "Continue to attend your morning cla.s.ses and exercises, but in the afternoons I will personally train and teach you the secret of the vorpal blade and the other keys to defeating the Jabberwocky. There is no foe more manxome anywhere in the world." He placed a strong hand on Tjaden's shoulder. "Lucky for us there is no man as determined as you."

Tjaden hesitated. Studying out problems and using unconventional means to overcome them was not his way. Sword-swinging, straight-forward action always worked better. He hated to leave Elora in the creature's power for even one more breath. But his failures against the banders.n.a.t.c.h and in the tournament made him wonder if there was a better approach. After all, this was a battle he could not lose. Walking straight into the Jabberwocky's gaping jaws would not accomplish anything.

Ollie spoke up. "Tjaden, there's no other way. It's suicide to go after the Jabberwocky without training."

But what about Elora? How could he just leave her there to suffer? Tjaden looked between Captain Darieus and Ollie. He hated to depend on someone else and endanger his best friend at the same time. But simply wanting to kill the Jabberwocky wouldn't guarantee success.

Ollie nodded encouragingly and Tjaden knew what he had to do.

For the first time he could remember, he was unable to control his emotions. Anger, fear, and antic.i.p.ation welled in him, filling his eyes with tears. The tears flowed over, but he didn't care. Only one thing mattereda"he had to find Elora.

In a broken voice he said, "Alright. We go in two weeks."

Part III

He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought -- So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood a while in thought.

Elora studied the strange diagram on the ground next to the spot where she had awakened, still attempting to clear the fog from her mind. She should be able to make sense out of the sc.r.a.pings in the dirt. It reminded her of a wheel. Protruding from the center was a tall wooden stake with a dark blue bandana attached to it. A small branch stuck out of the ground not far from the center, close to one of the spokes of the wheel. The diagram was large and had been carefully etched deep into the dirt. If she stretched she could reach from one side to the other.

No matter how hard she focused, the surroundings were unfamiliar and she had no idea how she had arrived. She blinked and shook her head, but still felt befuddled. Studying the strange clearing around her didn't help. The woods surrounding her were as thick as a wall, and in the center of the clearing was the largest tree she'd ever seen. It was as big around as a house, and three times taller than any other tree in the forest.

Where am I? How did I get here?

Elora remembered traveling with an Elite escort toward Shey's Orchard. They made camp, ate dinner. And thena She couldn't remember. Did I feel sleepy after dinner? The image of a tent came to mind, but it might be from the trip to Pala.s.siren. Her father and Mikel were in the camp with her. She ate dinner andanow I'm here.

Where is here?

She didn't feel like she'd slept. For one thing there were no dreams, only blackness. Struggling to puzzle through the situation made her head throb. It was useless.

Hunger gnawed at her belly. It could have been days since she'd eaten. Weeks. Examining her sore body, she found broad, but minor, bruises, and her muscles felt as if she'd been working them.

It can't be the same day. It was night when I was in camp. Butahow many days have pa.s.sed? Her confusion and the odd surroundings were beginning to scare her. She had to do something.

The enormous tree stood in the middle of a large clearing, twenty paces from the crowded woods which formed a circle around it. Other than the diagram, there were no signs of humans in the clearing. It was entirely free of life, both animal and plant. At first she saw no roads leading out of the clearing, but after walking around the ma.s.sive tree she found a small path, just big enough for a horse and rider, leading into the woods. Judging by the sun's position, the path either led east or west. It would take some time to figure out if the sun was rising or setting.

Apart from its size, the tree itself was nothing special. Being unfamiliar with forest trees, this one resembled many of those she'd seen on the road to Pala.s.siren. It just looked like a tree. A lone, gargantuan leviathan of a tree. The bark was so rough and exaggerated she could climb it if she had to, but the path looked like a better option.

Taking one more glance around she called out. "Father! Mikel!" There was no response. Trying once more at the top of her lungs she called, "Father!" Indistinct forest sounds were the only answer.

The path it is, she thought, and started into the cave-like trail. Having lived her life in an arid climate, forests were foreign to her, but she could tell this one was especially thick. Entwined. Impenetrable. Tulgey.

As she waited in the darkness for her eyes to adjust, faint noises came from the clearing. The trail was sinister enough to convince her to investigate the noise before plunging into the tunnel through the trees. Trying to stay hidden on the path, she peered carefully out but saw nothing. Sure she had heard movement, like an overloaded wagon crossing an old bridge, she warily entered the sunny clearing. Staying close to the outer perimeter, she circled the forest cavity.

The clearing was still empty. Just as she pa.s.sed the odd diagram in the earth she was overwhelmed by a fetid smell and the sound of a great, rus.h.i.+ng wind. As she glanced into the sky she realized how she had arrived at such a remote location. The Jabberwocky. It was worse than anything she could have imagined.

Turning instantly she scuttled toward the gap in the trees. The ground shook as the Jabberwocky landed clumsily in the clearing and slammed its tail to the earth, blocking her exit like an enormous, writhing snake. Its color was like rotten green beans and its smell was even worse.

Escape through the thick forest wall was impossible; she couldn't even fit an arm between the crowded trees. She turned to face the beast. It looked on her like a bird discovering a worm in its nest.

Is it really so stupid it doesn't remember bringing me here?

The Jabberwocky moved its head toward her, making her sway with its forceful, rancid breaths. It was every bit as manxome as the stories described it. Nothing seemed to make sense with the monster. Most of its appendages were scaly and twisty, but its trunk was solid and covered with leather-like skin. Its head was large and roundish, like a squat egg. The heavy-lidded eyes glowed with a dull fire as its head bobbed on an elongated neck to examine her from different angles. Sweat from its face mixed with saliva on its teeth and dripped to the earth.

Her bowels threatened to empty and she was sure her stomach would lose its gorge if she had eaten anything. Staring at the sweaty-tooth monster she told herself, I've survived before and I'll live to tell this story as well.

Elora looked around for a weapon or other means of escape. She was too far from the tree to climb, but the stake in the center of the diagram was within arm's reach. It took effort, but she wrenched it from the ground. Holding the staff in front of her, she tried to look menacing. The dark blue bandana hung limply from the end of her staff.

The banders.n.a.t.c.h bled when I hit it, but I don't know if this thing will even notice. But she still wasn't ready to give up.

As quick as a viper, the Jabberwocky's mouth latched onto her weapon and ripped it from her clutches, filling her palms with splinters. Before she could move, it shot a reptilian arm forward and ensnared her in its claws. Its speed was unbelievable. The monster's scaly fingers ended in claws almost as long as her arm. At first she struggled to free herself, but her movement caused the rigid claws to dig into her. If she pushed too hard they'd slice her open.

Tossing the stake to the side, the Jabberwocky lowered its head to her level to study her. Stringy, reptilian protrusions from its fleshy cheeks dragged on the ground leaving a juicy trail.

The Jabberwocky froze and its eyes lost focus as if pondering. An agonizing length of time pa.s.sed as Elora remained locked in its grasp and it sat unmoving. It breathed raggedly, like an old man snoring and its scent still made her cringe. Though it still held her fast, the Jabberwocky turned its attention to the discarded stake and bandana.

It sniffed intently at the dark blue material, eyes opening wider and red irises burning brighter. A strange sound started low in its throat and by the time it reached its mouth it was an unpleasant rumbling, gurgling sound. The beast tensed, then swung its head toward Elora again. But instead of staring at her, it focused on the diagram of the wheel on the ground.

With effort, Elora calmed her breathing and continued to stand as still as possible, hoping the brute would forget about her.

The Jabberwocky studied the tracings, looking at the image from every viewpoint. Still making the awful rumbling noise, it lowered its oblong head to the ground, breathing in dirt along with every detail. The noise stopped and the beast raised its head, emitting an intense howl. The howl turned to a roar and the Jabberwocky cast Elora aside and tore at the ground in front of the diagram. Its claws churned the hard earth like plows, showering the clearing with dirt.

Stomping powerful, awkward legs, it bellowed and burbled causing Elora to shrink against the trees in fear. The Jabberwocky inhaled an immense breath that came out as a thunderous roar that bent trees and sent Elora cras.h.i.+ng to the ground. With a clumsy lunge, it took flight.

Elora thought she heard a guttural groan that was almost a word as the creature flew away. "Revenge."

Happily forgotten and still determined to escape, Elora scurried toward the trail without bothering to dust herself off.

Tjaden's individual training sessions started with instruction about the Jabberwocky. On the first day Captain Darieus dispelled myths: the Jabberwocky is not immortal, does not breed unnaturally with the maidens it kidnaps, and is not a creation of other kingdoms designed to wreak havoc on Maravilla.

Captain Darieus described the Jabberwocky from the rounded tip of its tail to the gelatinous protuberances that hung from its cheeks. The creature's dull, oversized eyes came to life when enraged and glowed with hate-filled fire. Its quickness was purely unnaturala"though the Jabberwocky seemed awkward, it moved with viper speed.

In addition to cla.s.ses, Tjaden went through specialized physical training while Ollie worked to perfect his archery skills. Instead of sparring against men, Tjaden faced specialized training equipment designed to simulate a speedy, oversized opponent able to attack from any direction.

On the third day of their private training, Tjaden listened as Captain Darieus led him to yet another contraption. "The Jabberwocky is a hideous misfit of nature. It is hateful. It is filled with rage. It lives only to destroy and inflict pain. It is a brainless aberration that must be destroyed.

"The Jabberwocky has many means of attack," Captain Darieus said. "Its tail is powerful, but more fearsome still are its jaws and claws. One bite will easily splinter a man's spine. Once grasped in its claws you are helpless, wholly in its power. As I mentioned, the Jabberwocky is as quick as a lightning strike. You must have reflexes to match."

The current device featured a narrow beam upon which Tjaden stood holding his drawn sword. Three padded, spring-loaded boards faced him. The contraption was designed to swing them at random. If the highest board activated, he ducked. He blocked the middle board with his sword, and jumped over the lowest. Or at least he tried to. He barely made it past one board, and was knocked to the ground repeatedly.

Captain Darieus watched with acute interest as Tjaden repeated drill after drill.

As the end of the third day approached he interrupted the training session and said, "You're demonstrating remarkable improvement. You're ready to see more."

A soldier was sent to fetch Ollie from the archery grounds as Tjaden and Captain Darieus walked toward the barracks.

Ollie joined them before they exited the exercise quad and Captain Darieus explained, "I had not yet reached my thirtieth birthday, but had already formed the Elites and was second in command of the army. In an expedition which spanned the kingdom, I came across not one, but two Jabberwockies. With the safety of the citizens in mind, we attacked. I lost half of my men, but we succeeded in killing one of the beasts. The other was badly wounded and fled. It is that monster that plagues our villages to this day."

Tjaden was stunned. He didn't know what to ask first. "How'd you kill it? Why doesn't everyone know about it? Why haven't you gone back to kill the other one?"

Captain Darieus waited until he finished. "We took them by surprise. At the time, there was access available for a brigade of two hundred. We surrounded the first one and badly wounded it before they fought back. But since then the layout of the forest that surrounds the glade where he lives has changed. Only one or two can approach at a time, so ambush is no longer an option. The Jabberwocky knows our intent and its vengeance is fierce."

Ollie asked, "But why not tell the citizens about it? It would give them hope to know it can be killed."

"Alas, if the humble inhabitants of Maravilla were aware that we knew the Jabberwocky's whereabouts, but were powerless to confront the beastaGone would be their hope. Gone the undying support. It's vital that they continue to have faith in us to protect them, to believe that once we confront the beast we will come off conquerors."