The Beast of Maug Maurai, Part One: The Culling Read Free

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wagon in the same fashion that Murrogar had coaxed the Cobblethries.
    The Duke
stood by the fallen carriage, holding his wife’s face and whispering firmly to
her. One of the Duchess’ lady retainers hugged her tightly from behind. The old
manae sat in the ferns with Ulrean and rocked him in her lap, her arms tight
around his chest. The rest of the nobles and retainers were screaming or
holding one another. Some bawled and pointed at pieces of soldiers. A nobleman
in a plumed hat tried to crawl back into the Cobblethrie wagon. They were like
terrified children. Murrogar couldn’t blame them, really. Even he was starting
to feel anxious.
    He herded the
nobles and servants toward the side of the road. He pushed and dragged and
bellowed, unable to identify who was who. He knew there were two counts among
them, and two countesses. There was the son of a thane. Several sons and
daughters of counts and a Holy Paladin’s niece. Enough titles to rule a small
kingdom. But this was Maug Maurai and titles held no sway in this court.  
    Sir Wyann
slashed his sword against the tall grasses and ferns near the overturned
carriage, pointing a candle toward the ground and scanning for something in the
forest road. Two nobles and three knights were still mounted and hadn’t run off
so Murrogar ordered them to dismount. He arranged the horses into a wall in
front of the survivors then ordered all of the nobles into the forest. He
signaled for Hul to guide them in and ordered Thantos to fetch more lanterns
and oil from the baggage car.
    “Crossbows
and spears, cover,” said Murrogar.
    A crossbowman
ran to him and turned to cover.
    “Get the rest
of the bowmen here, now!” shouted Murrogar.
    “I … I think
I am the rest, sir.”
    Murrogar rubbed
at his beard. “Then shoot well. You’re firing for four.”
    Spearmen
formed ranks around Murrogar. Two of the three remaining knights formed up as
well, their halberds braced.
    Murrogar
looked back at the nobles scurrying into the wood. Shoes were falling off,
dresses tearing on brambles. It was like a bizarre dream; the kind where fish
man battlements, or dogs ride horses. But the forest was the only hope they
had.
    And then the
Beast was in the road.
    It padded
forward. Six legs. Ponderous teeth. Spines rising from the back of its head,
and long tendrils, like roots or vines or massive arteries, snaking unkempt
over its body. A green luminescence shone through in ragged spots along its
bulk. The creature leaned back on its haunches and let out a cry so powerful
that even Murrogar felt a spasm of terror.
    A handful of
spearmen broke and scattered in various directions. The creature chased after
one of them. Sir Wyann gave up his search in the grasses and ran after the
nobles.
    “The rest of
you, into the forest!” cried Murrogar. “Find cover!”
    But only
Thantos heard. Everyone else had already fled into Maug Maurai.

Chapter 2
     

As a Trudge I tramped and traveled
Through the sludge of fallen dead
 
As a Stout I stopped and studied
Let the Trudges go ahead
 
On my Honors held the banners
To the Standards I was wed
 
As a Hammer howled and stammered
At the worthless men I led
 
As a Signet, sad and single
Thanked my father for the stead
 
As a Brig I bragged and bristled
Marched my men till they were dead
 
As a Brig-Down drew my drubbing
Spent the months with men I dread
 
As Commander came and conquered
Never suffered, never bled
 
As Underlord I roared and whored
With thirty Friends did I break bread
 
As Overlord I lost my sword
Dined and smiled, forever bored
     
    -- Laraytian Standards Song
of Ranks
     
     
    Thirty horsemen waited with Grae
Barragns at the base of the grassy swell. Speed was the most important aspect
of the mission, so the soldiers had shed their blackened mail and sallet
helmets. They wore padded black vests, and gray tabards with the Black Dragon
of the Laraytian Standards upon them. One of the men coughed and Grae wheeled
his horse,