Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 08:27:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: c z <cezmail1@yahoo.com>
Subject: Battered Barbarian and His Boy- Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Disclaimer- Standard Nifty and I will just add, if you don't
want to read it or can get busted if caught, don't. Easy enough
done and I am not responsible if you screw up. The story is
mine, and I am going to insist on its copyright. So hereby
Battered Barbarian and his Boy is now copyrighted  ( C ) by
cezmail, my pseudonym on the net. Ask permission to post it
elsewhere and I will most likely grant it, but doing so without
is a violation of my copyright. Thanks for understanding.

This is all complete fiction. NONE of it is true. It has
elements of fantasy violence ( explicit at times ), relations
between a boy and a man, and sexual themes. If this is illegal
for you to read or not to your tastes, DON'T READ! Otherwise,
please look on down and if you have an opinion, let me know. I
am more then willing to listen and reply.

This is a new turn of events for me, my first all complete
fiction. It is based on a roleplaying character of mine, and
with that, I move ahead with this new story.

Thanks for all those who liked the first chapter. made me feel I
was able to convey this well and have fun while I was at it. I
appreciate all what was send and thanks  also goes out to all
the other kind folks who have come across my story and read it.
Thanks for all the emails and support. I am still with it and
will hope to keep writing when I can. May not always write as
often, but I am still here folks.

Dedication- I would like to pass along a special hello and
thanks to Zustara, author of First Son. Thanks man for finding
this story and urging for a new chapter. This one is for you.
To all others, as before, feel free to email me with any
comments. I gladly answer any and all. You can email me at
cezmail1@yahoo.com

Chapter 2

Zert approached slowly. He was able to finally make out that the
boy, maybe 9-10 summers, was trussed up tightly. He was gagged
with cloth torn from his clothes, and the bindings were of rough
leather and braided rope. The lad had brown hair, all messed up
now from his ordeal, and the remains of his clothes were of rich
cloth. His skin was dirty and streaked with mud and dried blood.
It was with little natural blemishes, but there were bruises
from his captivity and beatings. Zert could not make out the
color of his eyes, as they were closed. The boy was shivering,
probably expecting one of the Orcs to torment him or even kill
him. Zert's heart beat faster, as he knew the kinds of fears
that the lad had to be feeling.

Zert stopped a few paces away from the boy and sighed. He would
have to go slow to help calm the lad, and the first step was to
get him to open his eyes. In common trade tongue he called out,
in as soothing a face as his ragged bass might allow. " Lad,
your safe. I am not your enemy, nor do I wish to harm you.
Please. open your eyes. Your captures are dead. "

The boy shuddered again, and now Zert could make out that he was
crying, though silently. Zert waited, and after the boy seem to
take in Zert's words and process that he was hearing a voice
that sounded nothing like the two Orcs that had been his masters
and tormentors, turned to his side and opened his eyes.

The boy looked in shock as he was able to see his possible
rescuer. Zert was a tall man, standing close to 7 feet tall and
very muscular. His face and arms were covered with scars from
his various battles, but he had no hair what so ever. Not even
eyebrows. His brown eyes were tinted with traces of yellow  and
his skinned well browned from his exposure to the winds and
weather, as well as from his partial Orcish heritage. The
skinned still bore touches of a dull green hint, again courtesy
of the orc that had raped his mother.

Zert's face , while scarred, had an open look, as Zert tried to
show his friendliness and not being aggressive. He had sheathed
his sword after cleaning it, and had his hands open and spread
out. His eyes seem to convey that he was telling the truth. As
he saw the youth look at him and study him, he nodded and
smiled. A grim smile that was distracted by bruise and split lip
left over from his recent battle that had claimed his old
Company and friends, but still one that expressed a rescuer.

Zert smiled a little wider. " No lad, I am slowly going to come
closer so I can cut your bond. I am going to move slow so as not
to scare you. I want to be able to allow you to move and not be
imprisoned. Maybe then once the gag is off, you can tell me how
you came to be here. My name is Zert, Zert of Clan Braggin. I am
willing to get you to freedom, but that will be up to you. For
now,. I just ask that you will listen and trust me that I mean
you no harm. "

He gave the boy a look to see if he understood. The boy nodded
and with that, Zert stepped closer, one step at a time, and drew
his dagger. The boy's eyes grew wider and he shuddered slightly
seeing the blade shine in the light of dusk, but he did not sob
or move away. Zert paused and smiled again. " Its ok lad. Like I
said, I just want to get you free. "

Finally Zert was there and with a couple of strong pulls of his
dagger, he had cut the bonds around the boy's hands, feet,
ankles, and arms. The rush of blood caused the boy to close his
eyes in pain, and a few new tears rolled down his cheeks, but he
made no sound. Zert patted the youth on the shoulder, being
careful of his own strength, and then untied the gag and pulled
it away from the boy's mouth.

The boy, finally able to open his mouth, opened and closed it to
stretch the muscles. He did the same for his limbs as well,
getting the blood to circulate and feeling was restored to his
body. He looked at Zert, gratitude and hope showing for the
first time.

" I.... I thank you Master Zert. I was so scared I was going to
get eaten by those bastards. " He shed some more tears as he
recalled his terror of his imprisonment. " My name is Zax... Zax
Greendragon. I'm not even sure where I am. Or how long it has
been since I was captured. Do you know where we are? "

Hearing the name of Greendragon got Zert's attention. He had
indeed  heard of that name, as that clan had been famous since
old Lord Zargon had arrived with his people and carved out the
Barony of New Leir from the remnants of the fallen wastelands
that had been the Duchy of Dar. No one was sure where the
Greendragon's and the Amani had come from, but they were a
strong people and fierce fighters. How had this lad, Zax, ended
up here?

" Well Zax, I am not sure where exactly we are, but we are on
the borders of the Barony of High Hallow and the Barony of
Highridge. I think we are about 7 days journey from Port Nayr,
if we could go straight. How did you end up being a prisoner of
these Orcs? " Zert looked about to see if any movements might be
about, but they were in a sheltered spot and he could not see
much.

Zax breathed out a little and stood up shakily to continue his
stretches and take in the bodies of the two Orcs that has
promised to eat him if he did not do all they said. He seemed
not to be scared of the bodies, just what they would have done
to him had Zert ended up on the losing side. The Orcish features
of Zert, from the enlarged canine teeth and the heavy boned arms
and legs sank in more, and he just studied Zert more.

Then in a declaration." Your an Orc! "He stared in anger at
Zert, Zax's body tensing from feeling lied to and betrayed.

Zert's face flushed hearing this. " Boy, I will tell you just
ONCE! Never call me an Orc, or I will leave you here to rot. Now
I am a Half Orc, Yah and true, but I am a MAN as well. I am a
sworn priest of Rawndalla, and I have an oath to kill every last
Orc I can find. "

The anger and the deadly tone that had so quickly come to Zert's
 voice made Zax step back in fear. His eyes widened even more
and Zax started to wonder, had he gone too far? Was he to be
left along in the middle of Orc Country?

Zert's anger flashed away when he saw the expressions crossing
the boy's face and he chastised himself for letting the boy get
to him with the outburst. In a calmer voice, but with his face
still flushed from his anger, he continued. " Look Zax, I swear
to you by Holy Rawndalla, that I truly am willing to be a friend
and get you to safety. Just I am very sensitive when someone
calls me what you said. Maybe someday I will tell you my story,
but please, NEVER call me that again. It is a deadly insult.
Just watch it. "

Zax nodded as he heard Zert's words, but he still kept his
distance and no return of the trust was visible. He waited to
see what Zert would say next. It was not a long wait.

Zert again asked. " Please, tell me how you were captured? "

There was a pause while Zax worked out the words, and then he
started in. " I was with a small contingent of Chessentan
traders and my own bodyguard. I was to take an apprenticeship
with the Master of the traders. The Master Trader was stationed
in Port Nayr and  was a friend of my father, who is the cousin
of the Baron of New Leir. I was to learn from him and act as a
liaison for our people. "

" We had made our way out of Perth, on our Northern Border when
we were attacked by many Orcs, Goblin's and a HUGE Ogre. The
Ogre seem to be the leader, and shouted commands, in what I
assume was Orcish. My guard captain, my cousin, was the first to
fall from a spear from the Ogre, whose name I was to learn was
Blood Ax. We were taken by surprise, the outrider's having
missed the ambush. There was a shaman with the orcs and his
spells, along with the feriousity of his followers, felled many
of the traders and their own men. "

" I had a total of 5 guards and one by one they dies, though
Vicores was able to get a spell off that killed the shaman.
Blood Ax, the Ogre, swung his named weapon and killed my friend.
Vicores shielded me with his body and Blood Ax stopped the Orc's
from killing me for spite and sport. Called out some commands
and they left me alone, while they started to loot the caravan.
Blood Ax gripped me with his huge hand and studied me. Then in
Common, He said,  " You be Zax, You do what Me say, or you die.
me Blood Ax, and I your Master. Do all I say, or you end up
dinner and skin as my cloak. "

I believed every word that beast said, and I was tied up and
gagged, and then carried by Blood Ax for several meals and
sleeps. That was the only time he let the gag out, and I was
much too sore and scared to ask questions. I think we traveled
northeast, but it was just too hard to keep track. I am not too
sure where you say we are, but if we can make it to Port Nayr,
Master Burble will be able to see to my needs and safety, I am
sure he will reward you, or if not, contact my Father and my
Lord Baron. My father is one of his Councilors. Please see me to
there. I need to let my Father I am still alive. "

Zert had been listening to all this, and he knew that Zax was a
noble in his own right. Being the cousin of the Ruler of the
Amani was powerful stuff indeed. The reward would be
substantial, and would help Zert to make a new start, maybe even
form his own Mercenary company. He would of course Tithe to the
Church, but a man still had to eat and make his earnings. When
Zax had finished and asked his boon, Zert was not even thinking
of saying No!. Indeed, he would go an extra mile to help the
very young boy, so lost and taken from his family and friends.

" I can and will be happy to do that. I made my vow, as I said I
would, to see you to safety. If that means Port Nayr, well I
have lived and been based in that large City. I was on my way to
that city when I encountered the two dung heaps that were
keeping you prisoner. " He paused and made a decision. " Zax, I
know that you have to be very sore and tired.. But I think we
need to make some time before we cab try to set up camp and
rest. I will help lead you, and even carry you if you need, but
between the smell of death from the bodies of the two piles of
shit, and possible following Orcs, I do no like the idea of
staying here."

He patted Zax on the head and pulled off his pack, He took out
some packets of rations and handed them to the youth, along with
his waterskins. Zax tore into the food hungrily, but did give
his rescuer a slight smile. Zert took the time to search the two
bodies. He looked over first Sanhok, and all that he found
worthy to take was the Orc's pouch of coin and baubles. He gave
it just a quick glance and tucked it away in his belt. Then he
went over to Kask's remains. Here he took a little more time, as
he suspected that Kask had been more then just a grunt. Besides
the pouch of treasures, he found a bone tube sealed at the ends,
a strange disk, and map.

The tube he decided to look over at a later time to give it more
attention. The disk he made out was a combination of the rune of
the Broken Hand along with a superimposed black hand with
strange writings along the side. Zert had never seen the like of
it before, but did not think the news would be good for him or
Zax. Finally he looked over the map. It had stains from food and
darker touches that he was not quite sure. It was made from some
kind of skin, but normal parchment. It had a texture that seemed
funny.

The map had some renditions of the northern quarter of the land,
with the coast that he was not too faraway from on one side, the
great Velver River on the western on the other. It has the
outlines of the Baronies  of High Hallow and High Ridge and some
markings and symbols that he was notable to decipher. The one
thing that got his attention and made his stomach tighten were
arrows coming from the Outer Quarter, where the Orcs had come
from and the seal of Kalen Dahl, the Demon leader of Goria. That
was ill news indeed.

Zert took his mind off the map and went back to Zax, The boy had
finished off three meals of rations and drank most of a skin, He
seemed to have recovered some more and able to face what to come
with a new will and energy, Zert took Kask's spear, that the boy
could use as a staff and a weapon.

" Ok Zax are you willing to go on? I do not know this territory
at all, but I can see in the dark, so we will not be using a
torch. Selene is near full and rises soon, so you will be able
to see some, and I will guide you. I will not travel all night,
but I want to make some time away from the battle here. Have you
any talents or skills I should be aware of? "

Zax looked down, his eyes closed as he thought, He decided to be
honest some more. "I ... I can cast a few spells,. My friend
Vicores helped to teach me the basic's of being a mage, and he
was going to continue my training... well if he had lived. " He
let a couple of tears flow in memory of the Half Elf that had
not only been his guard, but a friend.

Zert said nothing, taking the news in stride. Well that was
helpful, and he let the boy alone as they started off. Zert had
to focus his attention on stepping carefully as he guided
himself and the kidnapped lordling. They traveled without
talking for close to three hours before Zert felt comfortable
enough for them to locate a camp. He find another hillside and
behind a rise of jumbled rocked, he located a alcove that
sheltered them on three sides. They would be out of any winds
and could risk a small fire.

Zax sighed in exhaustion and his limbs cried out in pain from
his bindings and the days of captivity, He collapsed at the base
of the alcove and just lay there, Zert took his bedroll and
spread it out for the young boy who he had come across. He
tucked it around Zax and as the boy fell asleep in a fetal
position, Zert gathered up some dead wood and lit a fire. His
mind wandered on the coming journey and the quest he had taken
on. There were many more days of danger about, especially if the
Orcs were on the move. The sooner he could get to Port Nayr, the
better for both of them.

Zert, as tired as Zax, but not wishing to let any harm to come
to him, decided to stay up most of the night, keeping guard and
warding his new charge, Zert had never been one to be a
bodyguard, but had on occasion. Much different from his start in
the Pits. Zax's sleep was filled with various dreams that caused
the boy to moan and shiver at times, but with a slight touch and
stroke on the boy's back, he calmed down. Zert sat next to Zax
and his warmth caused Zax to finally slip over till he wrapped
himself around Zert's left side. Zert took his arm and lay it
around the youngling, giving care to the boy. His ordeal with
being a prisoner was over, but the turmoil was far from over.

Sleep finally took Zert as the moon reached its zenith and the
next thing he new, he felt movement at his side., Memory was not
so quick to return, so his reaction was sudden. He rolled to his
other side as he grabbed his sword, looking all around for
possible foes. All he saw was young Zax smiling at him as he
tended the fire, building it back up. Zax's blood and heart
settled down a little and he lowered his sword. " So you do have
some skills worth keeping eh? "

Zax's expression was worried at  first, then he took it all as a
tease. He smiled even wider, his white teeth really adding to
the face that was quite handsome for a human. " Yeah, I do.
heck, I can even wash myself without any servants. " This dig at
the stereotype of a spoiled noble got Zert to smile as well.
This kid was alright and would not be too much of a burden.

They ate a quick meal of some warmed rations and washed in a
pool that they found at the bottom of the outlet of the alcove.
Zert took the time to erase as much as he could of the camp, but
he as no outdoorsman like Darin had been. While Zax' removed his
cloths to give his body a decent cleansing, Zert saw that he had
a linen loincloth that had seen better days. He wishes he had
more cloths for the lad, but the only other option they might
have had was the stinking garb of the orcs, so what Zax had
would have to do. Maybe they could reach a village or a farm to
trade for some others to fit young Zax.

Zert took the time to make his prayers to Rawndalla, meditating
on his thanks for allowing him to rescue his new charge and
hoping once he was done to join in the fray to fight back and
decimate the Orcish incursion. Zax watched in silence as the
Half Orc finished his prayers, looking over the large creature
who was his new guardian. Zert was not handsome, but any sense
of the word, but his strength and nature added an image of
something that the boy could appreciate. His survival depended
on the burly and scarred warrior and in a few ways he reminded
Zax of his Great Grandfather, Lord Zargon.

Once Zert was done, he moved closer to Zax, who had dressed
himself again. " I know you still have some wounds and pains
from your being a prisoner. Now that I have recharged myself
with my Goddess, I can lessen them. Hold still a moment. " With
a quick plea for energy for Young Greendragon, and a movement of
his holy symbol, Zax felt a charge of tingles run from his head
to his toes, and the soreness and aches faded, but not
completely, The bruises healed up and lessened and at the end,
Zax felt he was ready for the new day.

He gave Zert a quick hug, taking them both by surprise, but did
not pull away. " Thank you Zert.... for everything,. I would be
dead, I know it if you had not come to find me. Thank you. " He
stared into Zert's eyes as he continued." I promise, I will
listen to you. Your truly a Hero. "

This really touched Zert, who had never been called that before,
let along by someone as handsome as this youth was. Zert had so
little love as he grew up in the Pits, except for his mother and
Old Gander, He had several friends and companions in his days of
freedom and wanderings, but never this look of devotion. He was
not sure what to do, so he just nodded and smiled.

" Ok lad, we need to be on our way. Gather up your gear and
weapons and we shall be off. " Once they were ready, the made
their way to head to the southwest. The sun was fully up by now
and with the light from it, the journey of deliverance was
begun.

_________________________________________________________________

Ok here is the end of Chapter 2.  Had some nice comments from
fans.  Keep them coming and I will see if this is to continue. I
have more to write if there is a base of readers.

Check out my other story- Monterey Delights at
http://at.nifty.org/nifty/gay/young-friends/monterey-delights/

and for Zustara's First Son,
http://iomfats.org/storyshelf/hosted/index.htm and look under
Zustara Orur.

Praise me, flame me, or just tell me where I may improve or
screwed up. I am more then willing to reply and we can see what
the future holds. Email me at cezmail1@yahoo.com.

Thanks

Charlie